THE MORNING OREGONIAN, MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1900.
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PORTLAND, MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1000
JAPAN'S RELATION TO OUR COTTON.
It will surprise some prophets of
gloom to learn that Japan's develop
ment in cotton manufacturing:, availa
ble for study now for a term of years,
yields a net result favorable to this
country. Yet such is the fact. The
New York Financial Chronicle has done
useful service in obtaining' from the
secretary of the Tokio Statistical So
ciety a full record of the cotton Indus
try of Japan for nine years past, in
cluding the calendar year 189S; and
from this record it appears that the
rise of cotton manufacture there has
resulted in largely increased demand
for American cotton, while the menace
of Imports of cheap products seems to
amount to practically nothing. One of
the Chronicle's tables shows:
Cotton Yarn
Number Consumed. Produced.
Spindles. Pounds. Pounds.
1S0S 1.H0.740 339.760.500 277.764,929
1BU7 . 070.607 2C0.235.358 221.295.792
1690 757.100 207.202.392 174.52S.133
1805 5S0.945 181.427.SS3 153.420,783
1S04 470.123 143,100.017 321.833,400
Jb93 4. 381.761 90.004.225 8S.8S9.533
1892 344,503 100.277.202 84.405.753
1891 74,900,775 04.0S2.S10
1800 49,037,307 42,771,500
Data not available.
This is a most striking demonstration
In industrial vigor. "Within the past
five years we see that spindles have
increased nearly 150 per cent, that the
amount of raw cotton consumed has
risen over 250 per cent, and that the
quantity of yarn produced has gained
over 200 per cent. Moreover, each year
has exhibited marked Improvement
over Its predecessdr. Going back for
a moment to 1890, a simple calculation
discloses the fact that for that year
the average consumption per week was
only 1911 bales of 500 pounds each; in
1893 the average had increased to 3S5G
bales, in 1895 it was 6978 bales in 1897
it reached 10,278 bales and in 1898
13,067 bales.
These supplies of raw cotton are be
ing drawn from us in an increasing de
gree. Concurrent with the Increasing
use of raw cotton, the yield of native
cotton appears to have been decreas
ing. As far back as 1887 Japan's crop
"was stated at 190,837,775 pounds, equiv
alent to 380,000 bales of 500 pounds
each, but in 1894 the total reached only
104,774,758 pounds, or about 210,000 bales.
In 1895 there was a further reduction
to 87,404,742 pounds, or 174,000 bales; in
1896 to 61,850,508 poundB, or 124,000 bales,
and for 1897 (the latest figures obtain
able) the production is placed at 60,
479,215 pounds, or 121,000 bales. It was
not until 1894 that Japan's mill con
sumption exceeded her production of
cotton, but since then, of course, the
divergence has been rapidly widening
until in 1898 home-grown cotton sup
plied less than one-fifth of the amount
required. The deficiency has for years
"been chiefly made up by imports from
India; but last season American cot
ton was largely used, and now again
this year it is being much more freely
taken. The shipments direct from
United States ports since September 1,
1899, to date have been 180,000 bales,
or 100,000 bales more than for the same
period a year ago, and in fact greater
than for the whole season of 1898-99.
Altogether Japan Imported 340,478,133
pounds of cotton in 1898, or, say, 6S0,
000 bales of 500 pounds each, against
S05.485.792 pounds in 1897, 235,406,735
pounds in 1896 and 206,870,304 pounds in
1895.
Perhaps It would not be just to at
tribute the better price of cotton to
the Increased Asiatic demand, though
we may be sure any falling off would
be laid at the door of Oriental compe
tition. But it Is well known that simul
taneous with this Increasing output of
Japanese cotton manufacture, the busi
ness and profits of American mills have
Increased and our imports of manu
factured cottons from Europe have also
risen year by year. Two conclusions
can be drawn. One is that prosperity
in one country helps all countries.
Japan buys our raw cotton and we
can turn around and buy more and
better goods of Europe. The other Is
that advancing civilization multiplies
the consuming power of the people con
cerned. Very little of this increased
output of Japanese cotton manufac
ture comes to this country. It is con
sumed at home by the advancing tastes
and needs of Japan herself. Here is
reassurance for the short-sighted who
see in a prosperous Orient the downfall
of "Western industry. All the facts are
against them.
Perhaps the most radical view ad
vanced In Mr. Olney's Atlantic article
is his idea that Cuba would soon have
been ours anyhow without the war
with Spain, and that its formal annex
ation to the United States is a fore
gone conclusion not far off. "While the'
Spanish war ended in the acquisition
of Cuba by the United States," he
says, "that result was neither unnat
ural nor surprising, but something sure
to occur, If not in the year 189S, before
many years, and if without war, then
by a cession from Spain more or less
compulsory In character." He reasons
chiefly from the general understanding
and "dear notice" by us to foreign
Powers, "that, while Spain would be
allowed to play out her hand in the
island, no other Power than the United
States would be permitted to absorb
it." Mr. Olney Is equally confident that
justice and the well-being of all con-
cerned demand the speedy extension
of American sovereignty over Cuba. He
says the declaration of Congress of our
purpose there was not only futile but
ill-advised, and avers that there is no
order, happiness or prosperity for Cuba
until permanent American control In
the island is established by law. This
is certainly a spirited reading: of our
National position toward Cuba, and
makes the qualms of anti-imperialism
appear very ridiculous.
MORE BANK CURRENCY.
Opponents of the refunding scheme,
who were wont to denounce the pro
posed new bonds because nobody would
buy them, have cheerfully faced about
and now complain of the bonds because
they will be bought freely, made the
basis of excessive note Issues and thus
Involve us in dangerous inflation. This
is certainly a radical and awkward
change of front; but it does not seem
to disconcert the antagonists of the Re
form bill, who are hardly put to it for
arguments. Any port in a storm.
It is undeniable that the Reform bill
offers strong hope of additions to our
banking currency; but within proper
limits the end is highly desirable. Our
bank currency falls lamentably short
of keeping pace with the wealth and
business of the country. Our produc
tions last year Increased from about
$14,000,000,000 to 519,000,000,000, and our
bank clearings from $68,000,000,000 to
$94,000,000,000. But our National bank
note circulation decreased from Janu
ary 1, 1899, to January 1, 1900, from
$214,000,000 to $209,000,000. The United
States Treasury is now carrying a cash
balance of $300,000,000, of which over
$230,000,000 is in gold. The safe pro
portion of gold to outstanding paper is
as $33 of gold to every $100 of paper
outstanding. But the proportion in the
Treasury is about $329 of gold to every
$100 in paper. This Is not an econom
ical or profitable proportion, and if the
Reform bill succeeds in supplying the
circulation with a requisite volume of
secured and guaranteed bank notes,
and releasing the gold for lucrative em
ployment, the result will be beneficial.
In the first place, the bill permits
Issue of notes to par of deposited bonds.
If all the banks embrace this oppor
tunity, we shall have an addition of
$27,000,000 to the currency from that
source alone. Then many new banks
may be established under the section
permitting formation of banks with
only $25,000 capital in small towns. One
thousand such banks, with note issues
of $5000 each, would add another $5,000,
000 to the circulation. But the greatest
source of increase is to be expected
from issues made under new 2 per cent
bonds acquired for the specific purpose
of circulation. The old bonds suscept
ible of refunding aggregate something
like $840,000,000. As some $210,000,000 of
the bonded debt Is now employed for
circulation purposes, the outside limit
of inflation from this source is $630,
000,000. If this amount were to be
poured Into the circulation all at once,
derangement might result, and Mr.
Matthew Marshall, the financial ex
pert of the New York Sun, is afraid of
the consequences.
There are, however, considerations
which tend to minimize the danger.
The most powerful incentive known is
arrayed against excessive inflation, and
that is enlightened self-interest. Such
Inflation as would lead to a panic like
that of 1893 would be of all things the
most disastrous to the banks. Many
banks were ruined at that time, and
the consequences are still with many
that made shift to survive. It Is al
most inconceivable that with the his
tory of greenback inflation and silver
inflation before their eyes, the banks
of the country should rush Into an
other period of excessive currency Is
sues. Note issues, further, will only be
worth while If the currency can be lu
cratively employed. For a bank to put
Its money into bonds for the sake of
getting notes to lie Idle in its vaults
would be a very stupid piece of busi
ness. It must be remembered that ev
ery dollar of these new bank notes will
be secured by the deposit of bonds for
which gold or Its equivalent has been
paid, and that the government 1b in
impregnable position to see that every
bank note Is redeemed in gold upon
presentation.
Thirty years ago the bank note cir
culation was $300,000,000, or about three
sevenths of the total circulation. To
day the total circulation Is about $2,000,
000,000, and three-sevenths of this
amount Is $857,000,000. This same pro
portion it is folly to expect to be
reached again for many years. "With
the United States Treasury's notes
rigid at their present volume, and with
our silver obligations scattered
throughout the country in the form of
small notes, it Is idle to worry over
danger to the circulation from delib
erate increase of bank notes acquired
against deposits of Government bonds.
The fear is about as baseless as the
contradictory contention that we can't
get currency enough unless we allow
the banks to Issue notes against their
commercial assets.
A YEAR OP MILITARY RULES.
The record of Cuba's first year of
military rule shows that as an emer
gency or intermediate form of govern
ment the military system has been ben
eficial to the island and its people. The
revenues, instead of being squandered
at home or elsewhere to no useful pur
pose, were disbursed for the public
benefit. Commissioner Porter reports
the customs receipts of Cuba for 1899
at $5,000,000, with an additional million
from Internal revenue. This, -with the
exception of the balance still in the
Treasury, has been expended for the
benefit of the Cubans, with results that
are in the main exceedingly gratifying.
Of the total amount of revenues,
$3,000,000 was expended for sanitary
purposes. Through the vigorous appli
cation of sanitary rules Havana has
been transformed from a plague spot
of ages to a healthy tropical city, while,
as shown by a recent tour of inspec
tion, the condition of the people
throughout the island is greatly im
proved. Notable especially In this re
gard is the change in the condition of
the children tattered, woe-begone and
famine-stricken a year ago, now as a
general rule well-fed and healthy.
For administrative purposes $1,700,-
000 has been expended, and, while no
doubt the official leakage has been con
siderable, the results of the system In
augurated have been wholesome
throughout. Of the residue, $000,000
was applied to public works and har
bors, $700,000 to charities and hospitals,
$250,000 to the beginnings of civil gov
ernment, $300,000 for outdoor relief of
the destitute, $375,000 for postal service,
$360,000 for taking the census, and $150,-
J 000 for quarantine. In addition to this,
municipalities have been aided to the
extent of over $1,000,000.
As a result of the system, and Its
administration with military exactness
as to detail, many people have been
given employment, and a basis of self
help has been established. "While the
expenditure in the interest of better
sanitary and other conditions was be
ing made, the Industries of the Island
rapidly revived, under the benign in
fluence of peace and Intelligently di
rected effort. Tobacco and sugar plan
tations have been restored, and the
production of fruits and vegetables,
upon which the people largely subsist,
has risen to nearly the normal rate.
In short, a year of military occupation,
administered in the Interest of restor
ing the waste and destruction of war,
has made Cuba more completely hab
itable than during any other period of
the more than five hundred years in
which the Island has been known to
the civilized world.
But the time has arrived when the
civil must succeed the military the
permanent the temporary form of gov
ernment in Cuba. It Is believed that
the foundation of a stable civil gov
ernment has been laid in the year of
military occupancy, and all Interested
in the future well-being of the long
harassed and oppressed people of the
island will have reason to be gratified
if the administration of affairs under
civil rule makes as good and withal as
clean a showing as was made under
the year of military rule. This ought
to be possible, though there Is a men
acing probability that the knaves will
get into office and squander the rev
enues for personal ends, instead of
expending them for the public good.
Be this as It may, Cuba, rotten with
the corruption of ages, has been to a
great extent purged of her filth; devas
tated by long wars, she has been reha
bilitated In the garments of peace;
drained of her revenues by official ex
travagance, she has had her resources
conserved and expended for her own
benefit. The test of the capacity of
her people for self-government is now
to be made, beginning with municipal
government, and It may be hoped that
the outcome at the end of the year
will not be less gratifying than that
shown, by a year of military govern
ment capably administered.
ROMANCERS OF TOE WAR.
To any intelligent, critical reader of
the so-called London war dispatches to
the New York "World, the New York
Sun and other pro-Boer, newspapers. It
has been evident for some time that
their accounts of the war In South
Africa have been about as accurate as
"Whitelaw Reld's famous detailed ac
count of the first day's battle at Shl
loh, which General "William T. Sher
man admitted was "a brilliant feat of
journalism," as it was "written by Mr
Reid on board a steamboat while yet
fifty miles from the battle-field." There
has been a disposition from the begin
ning to exaggerate the warlike virtues
of the Boers and to depreciate the valor
of the English, which Is worthy of a
Parnelllte Irishman, of a jaundiced
minded German, Frenchman or Rus
sian.
The truth Is that while the Boer is
a man of sturdy valor, there Is noth
ing In his conduct under fire that is at
all extraordinary compared with the
conduct of our American volunteers
during our Civil "War; nor with that
of English troops under fire since tho
days of Marlborough or Frederick or
Napoleon. The Boers can shoot
straight; they are splendidly armed;
their artillery has been trained, their
lntrenchments made, and their defen
sive positions selected by educated, sci
entific soldiers, graduates of the Ger
man and French military schools. They
have always fought under cover and
suffered small loss; they have learned
the art of sheltering themselves so
completely from artillery fire that Gen
eral Cronje endured a fire of at least
fifty heavy guns at short range from
the 19th ult. to the 27th, without suf
fering any appreciable loss in killed
and wounded. The stupid story about
"the heroic Cronje preferring death by
artillery fire to surrender" was all the
rhetorical rot of a lot of army corre
spondents whose lurid lies were proba
bly written up as far away from the
battle-field as "Whitelaw Reld was from
Shlloh.
General Cronje did not surrender be
cause his forces were being decimated
by artillery fire, for his men were all
In practical bomb-proofs. He surren
dered because he could not escape, and
had held his position as long as was
necessary for the evacuation of Natal,
and because the English trenches had
been pushed up so close that his lines
were sure to be carried by an over
whelming charge. General Cronje's
reputation as a gallant and shrewd sol
dier needs no proof, but It is utterly
absurd to pretend that the Boers have
done anything in this war so far that
justifies the absurd stuff written about
them by the pro-Boer correspondents
of European and American newspa
pers. The test of generalship is brains,
but the highest test of soldiership Is
to fight successfully on the offensive or
defensive while steadily enduring se
vere loss. The Boers have never met
and endured the supreme test of sol
diership, as did our American volun
teer soldiers. Union or Confederate, in
our Civil "War.
"When a Confederate division assault
ed General Corse at Allatoona Pass,
October 5, 1864, Corse, after a desperate
fight, repulsed his assailants, but not
until he had lost 705 killed and wound
ed out of eight small regiments and a
battery, "while the enemy lost 742 killed
and woundea. That was the way that
Union and Confederate volunteers had
to fight on the offensive or defensive in
1864. Or compare the conduct and ac
tion of Pickett's men marching a mile
and a half at Gettysburg under artillery
fire, which destroyed them, with the
so-called "heroism" of Cronje's men
enduring harmless artillery fire In
bomb-proofs. Compare Hancock's men
marching up to "the stone wall" at
Fredericksburg, losing 2500 killed and
wounded out of 5000 and persisting in
their advance under artillery and mus
ketry until within 100 yards of the Con
federate intrenchment, with the so
called "extraordinary valor" of the
Boers.
Let us remember that the men and
guns that destroyed the vitality of
Pickett's charge had been subjected for
three hours to the fire of 150 guns, and
had no cover from this fire in the sense
of field trenches of any sort, much
less anything like the Boer bomb
proofs or deep underground shelter.
Lee's fire destroyed the Federal bat
teries so that they had to be replaced,
and the destruction caused by his artil
lery fire was serious not only on Ceme
tery Ridge, but in rear of it. The
Union loss was over 3000 on that day,
and nearly all "was suffered by the left
center, assailed by Pickett. "When we
remember that a man who Is cool and
accurate enough to shoot a lion In his
native haunts Is probably cool enough
to take a "pot shot" from .cover at a
line of brave men marching In the open
to make a front attack. It Is high time
this nonsense about the "brave Boers"
and "the heroic Cronje" was abated.
The Boers are brave men; Cronje Is a
brave and able soldier; but so were the
French and Indians brave, who from
ambuscade destroyed Braddock's army
Although the proposed new 2 per
cent bonds yield much less nominal In
terest to their holders, yet the other
provisions of the Reform bill are so
favorable that the investment will pay
the banks better than they can make
under present arrangements with the
old bonds. This is chiefly due to the
opportunity of taking out notes to par
of deposited bonds, but also to the fact
that the new bonds will probably be
purchasable at par or thereabouts, and
the reduction of the tax on circulation,
when 2 per cent bonds are deposited to
secure It, from 1 per cent a year to
one-half of 1 per cent. At present
banks which deposit 3 per cent bonds to
secure their circulation make a profit
on it in excess of 6 per cent on the
Investment of a little over six-tenths
of 1 per cent, which is considerably
more than they can make by deposit
ing any other bonds. "Were they allowed
to take out circulation to the par value
of the 3 per cent bonds their excess
profits would be Increased by two
thirds. If the 2 per cent bonds, which
it is proposed to issue, sell at par or
a shadow above, the bank depositing
them will make a profit on its circula
tion In excess of 6 per cent on the in
vestment of about 1.43 per cent. It will
make a 'greater profit than by deposit
ing 3 per cents because the proposed
reduction of the tax on circulation ap
plies only to the notes Issued against
the 2 per cent bonds. This Is one in
ducement held out to the banks which
have taken out circulation to exchange
for 2 per cents the other bonds they
hold.
"We read in the Chicago Tribune that
the reverses of the Boers and the cap
ture of General Cronje do not alter the
merits of the Boer cause In the slight
est degree, nor 'prove England to be
any more in the right than before.
Certainly not. And the same was said,
and rightly said, of the success of our
National 'forces over the Confederates
In 1865. Might may be right; but the
notion that might makes right that Is,
that right Is always on the side of
might Is deplorably false. "We had to
have a better plea than this for sub
jugation of the Confederates; and the
English must have as they assert they
have a better reason for subjugation
of the Boers. On all these transactions
history passes judgment; but there
never is general acquiescence in that
Judgment till long after the event.
There are many who do not yet con
cede that might made right, or that
right was on the side of might, upon
the issues of our Civil "War. In these
great affairs judgment must be, or
should be, formed upon a view of large
principles and objects. In short, the
success of what party would be most
conducive to human progress.
One of the perplexing things about
the Quay case is the Inactivity of the
new Senators, whose votes will doubt
less be decisive of the Issue. Depew
and Ross have declared themselves, but
the other speakers are practically men
who merely reaffirm positions assumed
toward Mr. Corbett's claim. Besides
Depew and Ross, there are twelve men
In the Senate who have gone In there
since Mr. Corbett's case was passed
upon. They can defeat Quay by vot
ing against him.
Teller acquits Secretary Gage and
the banks of any wrong, but complains
of a system which permits the United
States Treasury to save the banks from
a panic. His complaint is well-founded.
How is 16 to 1 to get on if the
Government prevents panics with mal
ice aforethought? How are we going
to howl calamity with any show of elec
tion unless the Treasury is permitted
to destroy confidence and debase the
currency?
Legitimate business provides a good
demand for money in London, but the
prostration of the stock exchanges is
much like that which we have been
witnessing in this country. The phe
nomenon is not only demonstrative of
healthy business conditions, but gives
hope of departure of much speculative
spirit from among the masses.
The ascendancy of Englishmen ap
pears to Mr. Dillon "infamous." But
that should first be proved by the rec
ord. That the Irish view of the Brit
ish character is the correct one can
hardly be taken for granted., Mr. Dil
lon's assumption shows the sincerity
of the Irish conviction, but also a lack
of logic almost amusing.
Fusion this year seems not so much
as In 1898 a demonstration that the
vital Issue at stake Is the money ques
tion as evidence that the contracting
parties have no peculiar principles left
worth fighting for. The heroic little
Prohibition party Is a standing rebuke
to these traders.
France is manifesting ardent desire
for American friendship. The impulse
does credit to her discretion; and the
display should by all means be kept up
till the close of the Paris Exposition.
Teller says no man who supports the
gold standard bill can call himself a
bimetallst. This Is a direct attack on
"Wolcott. The Senator must be afraid
of his ground In Colorado.
Mcarajrnan Annexation.
Boston Herald.
The annexation of Nicaragua to this
country is reported to be seriously in
contemplation among her people. This
is not surprising, in view of the enter
prise of tho United States in connection
with the canal, and In taking in other
territory. We suppose no one doubts
that Nicaragua would be better oft as a
dependency of this government than it
now Is, and it Is entirely natural that
the more intelligent of her people should
reach this conviction. The NIcaraguan
canal Is expected to be built, and It would
not be pleasant to Nicaraguans to have
their country divided by a canal right of
way controlled, by a foreign nationality.
The strong hand of the United States
must be felt in the preservation of order
there, for the protection of her own prop
erty, and the Nicaraguans would more
readily accept it from a nation of which
they are a part than from a foreign
power. There is not likely, therefore, to
be much objection from them to coming
under this government. "Whether we
want them or not is another question, but
It looks as If a party was likely to be
formed there to ask us to take them.
i a
PAUPERIZATION OF STUDENTS.
An Educational Tendency That Needs
to Be CUecUed.
Baltimore Sun.
At the recent Inauguration of President
Hadley, of Yale, a prominent topic of the
President's address was the necessity of
reform in the bestowal of scholarships
and other kinds of beneficiary aid to
students. Not only is education of an
elementary and Intermediate character at
present almost wholly gratuitlous, but
In many parts of the United States a
collegiate and university education may
be had for the asking. Education has be
come the cheapest of our luxuries, and In
some institutions there is said to be a
demoralizing competition for students
who will accept tuition, board, lodg
ing, books, etc, free of charge for from
one to five years. Colleges point with
pride to the number of scholarships they
can give away. The endowment of
scholarships for poor and meritorious
students has for hundreds of years been
applauded as an excellent use for a tes
tator to make of his money. It affords a
means of keeping one's name In re
membrance, as well as doing good, for
a longer or shorter period, according to
the discretion with which funds are In
vested. In the last 20 years, however,
there has been a vast extension of the
practice of endowing scholarships with
out, it Is believed, a corresponding in
crease of benefit to the cause of educa
tion. In many cases, it is alleged, schol
arships are bestowed nowadays without
regard for Intellectual capacity, upon any
youth who can show, or seem to show,
that he is not in affluent circumstances.
In New England the scholarships are
utilized by rival Institutions to bid
against each other for students, and one
New England college, according to tho
New York Evening Post, "assures a sub
stantial scholarship to every member of
the freshman class."
So far has this gone that one of the
New England colleges has Impaired the
principal of its endowment in lt3 effort
to multiply scholarships, attract non
paying students and thus show a longer
list of names In its annual catalogue.
The theological seminaries are pro
nounced the worst sinners in this demor
alization of education. In these the pol
icy of assistance to students has tended.
It Is argued, to tho "pauperization" of
young men whose function it is to lead
the religious thought of their generation.
They offer not free tuition, but free room
rent, free textbooks and freo pocket
money. Independence, self-reliance and
manly vigor are not promoted, It is ar
gued, but debilitated by this wholesale
distribution of money, or its equivalent.
The clerical profession must, it Is thought,
deteriorate under such a regimen. In
deed, Professor Hyde, of Bowdoin Col
lege, holds that this feature of gratui
tous theological education has already
done much Injury, Its tendency being to
prevent tho clergyman from adapting
himself to the needs of the modern world.
But the evil is not confined to the theo
logical schools. Reform is needed in
many Institutions all over the country.
At Yale opinion has settled down. It ap
pears, to these conclusions: That aid
should not be given to so-called "needy
students unless the need of It is fully
demonstrated; that where the need of
financial aid has been established. It
should be given only to persons of ex
ceptional intellectual ability; that even if
both needlness and exceptional ability are
shown, still the scholarship should not
provide complete support; finally, that
tho recipient of aid should make some
return to tho institution that befriends
him by persqnal service thereto. The
scholarship. In a word, should supple
ment the efforts, or payments, of the
would-be student and not cover all his
expenses. Above all, it should not be
permitted to beget In the minds of young
men tho Idea that an educated man is
debased by earning his own living. It
should be rather an incitement to In
creased exertion along lines helpful to
the community. Tho American public
has no desire to possess a class known
in Europe as the "educated proletariat"
an Idle, over-educated class, which en
gages in subversive political agitations
for want of remunerative occupation.
One's education is all the better for hav
ing cost something In the way of self
sacrifice and severe personal exertion.
a
FIVE YEARS AGO AND NOW.
Wonderful Change in So Short a Pe
riod. Chicago Inter-Ocean.
The announcement that England may
soon Issue a war loan of $250,000,000, and
that a considerable part of this gold will
be drawn from the United States, is re
ceived by financial experts and the gen
eral public with equanimity that brings
forcibly to mind the difference in this
Nation's condition five years ago and
now.
Five years ago tho United States had
to borrow gold, not to fight a war, but
to protect its credit from public folly and
governmental mismanagement. Congress,
after a weary struggle, had been forced
to repeal the Sherman silver purchase
act. Tho tinkering with the currency
and tho increasing clamor of the sllver
ltes had so shaken public confidence, and
the "Wilson bill had so prostrated indus
try, that both public and private credit
were well-nigh wrecked. The Govern
ment had to appeal to certain gentlemen
In New York and their friends In Europe
not only to lend it money, but also to stop
the export of gold. Tho United States
had to ask these private persons to In
sure Its creditors that It would not repu
diate Its debts by degrading its curren
cy. Between the partisan obstinacy of
the Democratic majority In Congress and
tho uncertainty of the future, the task
was a risky one, and the underwriters
had to be paid a price that became a na
tional scandal. Seldom had the United
States been in so humiliating a position.
A little more than three years ago tho
people spoke at the polls for honesty and
sound money. They also declared for
laws that would foster Industry and give
adequate revenue to the Government.
Confidence was restored, industry re
vived and prosperity returned. Two years
ago the Nation had to fight a foreign foe.
Seven times the gold required was offered
by the people at the lowest rate of In
terest that a war loan had ever borne.
"Within 100 days tho war was won. One
year ago misguided followers of ambi
tious adventurers made war upon the
Nation, and have just been reduced to
submission. But so little did the conflicts
of these two years tax the Nation's
strength, so rapidly did Its industry and
commerce grow, that during these con
flicts it achieved financial Independence
and passed over to the ranks of the cred
itor nations. And today the (Wealthiest
nation In Europe, in looking about for a
possible war loan, regards this country
as the best source of supply. Can his
tory shows a more complete reversal of
conditions within so short a time?
e
An Unnecessary Commission.
Chicago Tribune.
It is true that there are great oppor
tunities for trade in the Orient. But that
Is no reason why another commission
should be appointed to Investigate the
conditions there. Probably there are a
good many men who would like to go to
China and Japan, with their expenses paid
and a salary besides, but it would be of
no special benefit to the United States.
The excuse made by the Senate committee,
that has favorably reported the bill pro
viding for the commission, is that It Is
only thus that the people of the United
States can learn how to secure the Ori
ental trade. This is sheer nonsense. If a
commission went there It would merely
bring back reports containing information
already well known. It could find nothing
that has not already been told by our
Consuls, or by the reports of the Philadel
phia Commercial Museum, or by such
travelers as Beresford. Aside from this.
American Consuls in the Orient, such as
Bedloe, Goodnow and others, have made
excellent reports on trade conditions. In
formation from, these and other sources
was published recently in a report of the
Bureau of Statistics, that was a9 exhaus
tive as the report of a commission would
be, and probably more accurate and more
useful. If any more Information is needed
the Consuls will supply it. There are
too many commissions now, and there Is
not sufficient justification for another to
visit the Orient.
a
THE PRESIDENT'S WEAKNESS.
Sample of Criticism to Which He
Now Become Liable.
New York Evening Post.
So humiliating a spectacle as this has
never before been presented by any Pres
ident. It disgusts alike the members of
his own party in Congress, and the people
throughout the country. The Nation has
been educated to expect and demand from
Its executive a clear statement of na
tional duty, and the exercise of hia great
Influence to secure the discharge of that
duty by Congress. It admires and re
spects the President who thus exercises
his high prerogative who does what
Grover Cleveland did In 1S93, when he con
vened Congress In special session to res
cue the national finances from threatened
ruin by demanding the repeal of the Sher
man silver-purchase act, and then stood
firm as a rock when Intriguers of the
Gorman brand In his own party cooked up
a scheme- to evai".e duty by a weak com
promise, letting It "be known that he would
never give hi3 consent to anything short
of the absolute repeal which the exi
gency demanded.
There wa3 one course open to Mr. Mc
Klnley by which he might have saved his
self-respect. It was pointed out, the other
day, when Mr. Bromwell, a Republican
Congreosman from Ohio, who favors the
policy advocated by Mr. McKinley In De
cember, said In the House: "If the Presi
dent of the United States, since his mc3
sago to Congress in December, has ob
tained information which shows that con
ditions are different today from what they
were then, it is a solemn duty that he owes
to this Houso and the other House of
Congress that he should communicate that
additional Information to us, that we
should not be dependent upon conversa
tions and interviews of individual mem
bers of this Houso with the Chief Execu
tive for the Information upon which we as
a legislative body are to act." But Mr.
McKinley has not done this. He has sim
ply made It plain that he has no will of
his own; that. Instead of "compelling
Congress to a just discharge of their legis
lative powers," he is ready to declare his
conviction of duty to Congress, and then
sign a bill utterly opposed to the course
which he advised; In short, he Is the
nerveless creature of the syndicate which
Is now running the government for Its
own selfish ends; and that the people no
longer have that great safety of our In
stitutions an executive who knows his
duty, and who Is not afraid to do It.
0 B
The Compromise Pnerto RIcnn BUI.
Chicago Record, Ind.
The compromise Puerto RIcan bill Is a
cowardly makeshift that Is no less objec
tionable to the believers In fair treatment
for Puerto Rico than the measure as re
ported to the House by the ways and
means committee. The reduction In the
rato of duty from 23 to 15 per cent does
not make the measure just or wise. If it
Is wrong and impolitic and contrary to the
principles of our Constitution to levy du
ties on tho interchange of products be
tween the United States and Puerto Rico,
It certainly is wrong and Impolitic and
unconstitutional to levy a duty of 15 per
cent. If It Is our "plain duty" to estab
lish free trade with Puerto Rico It Is no
fulfillment of that duty to cut down the
barriers somewhat. To give the pending
bill tho character of a temporary measure
Is but to intensify Its mischievous quali
ties. An uncertain tariff policy Is worse
than a distinctively bad tariff policy which
possesses the quality of stability. Congress
should be done with cowardly evasion and
makeshift and should decide squaroly be
tween "Its plain duty" and the demands
of the protected interests. Indeed, Con
gress will decide the issue in favor of the
protected interests whether it levies a duty
of 25 per cent or of 15 per cent. The com
promise feature of the bill should be re
jected and provision should be made for
absolute free trade between the United
States and Puerto Rico.
a
The MnnneliiK Democrats.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
It 1b not likely that McLean and Gor
man consider themselves strong enough
to prevent the nomination of Bryan, nor
Is It certain that they want to prevent
It. But they have shown themselves
strong enough to postpone it until after
tho Republican nominees and platform
are In the field. Gorman wrote the Dem
ocratic platform in the last Maryland
election. Silver was not mentioned, and
the Democrats carried the state. If Gor
man had his way, silver would be put in
the background In the Kansas City plat
form. McLean Is for sliver or green
backs, but sure, If It came to tho point,
to make gold contracts for himself. Mc
Lean and Gorman know too much about
politics to expect Bryan's election. "What
they are figuring on Is to control the
party machinery, and that they have just
done in the important matter of fixing
the convention date. Bryan must fall
in behind them If he expects to have a
smooth time with his party.
o
McKinley and Lincoln.
Providence Journal, Rep.
The President's declaration that he pre
fers to be right to being his own suc
cessor Is commendable. But actions speak
louder than words. "When It Is necessary
to choose between duty and political ex
pediency, between being right arid pre
paring to carry the next election, what
course does the President follow? What
has he done in regard to "our plain
duty" toward Puerto Rico? Has he shown
one trace In Lincoln's faith that Tight
makes might, and that men should per
form their duty as It is given them to
see it?
o t
Labor Snvlnjy.
Washington Star.
"You say he went to the Legislature
through your Influence?"
"Yes," answered Senator Sorghum.
"Did he introduce any bills?"
"No. He never could have handled all
that money in bills. I gave him a book
of signed checks."
c
Getting Heady.
Philadelphia Press.
"My beau," said 10-year-old Lucy, "is
going to be an Admiral."
"Is he in the Naval Academy?" asked
her sympathetic aunt.
"Oh, no!" replied the little woman, "he's
too young for that yet. but he's having
an anchor tattooed on his arm."
B
Transferable Sympathy.
Chicago Times-Herald.
"I thought your sympathies were with
the Boers when we were talking about
the war a week or two ago?"
"Weil, the Boers were winning then.
Hurrah for 'Bobs' and Kitchener!"
H B
Help Wanted.
Chicago News.
Mistress How did you happen to let the
fire go out?
New Girl I'm 6ure I don't know, ma'am,
unless you happened to forget to tell me
to put coal on.
i s
Utility Gone.
Chicago Tribune.
"Shadbolt, I don't like to be a tale
bearer, but I heard Dingus say the other
day he had no use for you."
"Well, that's true. I've quit lending
him money."
Boodlcrs of Various Kinds.
SL Louis Globe-Democrat.
Senator Clark might have donated that
$118,000 to tho Chicago University, there
by winning the title of philanthropist, in
stead of statesman.
NOTE AND COMMENT.
Kruger must have his Steyn by his
side, even In adversity.
Cronje seems to have about the farthest
flung battle-line on record.
And Aguinaldo and the-pro-Boers remain
tn a state of innocuous desuetude. -
Yesterday was such a rare and priceless
day that Jupiter Pluvius found it advis
able to scak It.
There will be enough peers in the Trans
vaal after this celebration to bridge every
drift In the Tugela.
Bryan has gone back to Texas. Speech
making cannot hold a candle to ostrich
Jockeying when It cornea to notoriety.
Kansas City only paid $50,000 for tha
Democratic convention. She ought to be
able to sell it to Bryan for twice that
figure.
Now. Tommy Atkins, you're all right.
There ain't no use dlsputln' that.
But Just you curb your wild delight.
Till you have figured where you're at.
Them Boers ain't all quit flghtln' yet.
Bo don't forget, so don't forget.
I sing tha happy eong of spring
Chicken which I hope to eat,
"When lines like these the lucre bring,
Like gas, so much a thousand feet;
I sing the glow Ing song of spring
Lamb roast, with spears of eplcy mint
"With coat-black waiters lingering.
To serve my orders without otlnt.
I Ping, the lovely song of spring
Bonnets on my fair one's head.
Composed of warblers on the wing.
When we have -wealth enough to wed.
I sing, alote. the song of rprinp-
Poets, who by chill frosts nipped.
"Will sing of spring or anything
To sell a batch of manuscript.
Rcse fanciers have decided that winter
Is over, and are having their bushes
trimmed. On the severity and good Judg
ment with which this is done largely de
pends the success of the rose crop. AH
predict a fine crop of roses this year, as
the season la just a month earlier than It
was last year, and every indication points
to an early Spring, and good crops of
fruit and everything else. The old sajing
that misfortunes never come singly has.
ben backed up by tho experience of tho
past half-dozen years, when, with financial
troubles, have coma unfavorable seasons
and fruit and other crops have not been
up to the usual standard. Now the coun
try Is in for several years of old-fashioned
Oregon seasons and crops, and tho
prospect is for good prices also.
The efforts being made by tho citizens
of Astoria to rid their city of rats, as a
precautionary measure against the Intro
duction of plague there, have greatly ex
cited the Interest of Howard Winters,
a well-known canneryman and student of
natural history. Mr. Winters has been
looking into tho rat question and finds
that In the early history of Astoria rats
wore encouraged there to act as scav
engers. Salmon wero very plentiful In
those days, and the beach In front of tha
city was strewn with dead salmon, salmon
heads and offal a great part of the time,
and the rato helped to dispose of this
nuisance. Rats arriving on ships were
induced to corno ashore there, and Mr.
Winters states that there Is now a rat on
exhibition In the window of Foard &.
Stokes branded 1S4S, which is one of a
lot that came round the Horn in that
year in one of Cushings brigs from New
buryport. Mass.. commanded by Captain
Phil Johnson. Now things have changed,,
and Mr. Winters says the Astoria people
have imported three rat-catchers from
New Orleans to catch and put an end to
their hordes of rats, and that they pay
these men very large salaries. A person
who heard Winters make these statements
remarked, as he walked away: "Oh, rats,"
and intimated that Winters was one of tho
greatest living "romancers." As he has
been a canneryman and is preparing him
self for missionary work among the na
tives of Alaska, he ought to be a man of
truth and veracity on two counts.
Among the many evidences that Spring
in at hand may be mentioned the fact that
the skylarks have returned to their favor
ite haunt, the Ladd tract, on Hawthorne
avenue, and the starlings and thrushes,
also among the song blrdo Imported some
years ago. havo been seen In and around
tho city. Bluebirds and meadow larks
are seen In the outskirts of the city, and
robins are back In their old haunts in
town, diligently seeking the seasonable
early worm, which has practically been
out all winter. The courtesy and kindness
extended to birds generally during tho
past few years is producing a visible ef
fect in tho Increased number which vl3lt
tho city and nest in the gardens, and also
In the fact that several species of birds
now sojourning In Portland used to givo
it a wide berth. A clump of firs on pri
vate grounds at the North End Is now
frequently visited by n flock of crows,
which appear to be holding a political
convention or camp-meeting there, and a
handsome pair of downy owls have ap
parently decided to locate in a clump of
trees on a park-like lawn in the western
part of town, where their "too whit, too
whit, too whoo" is heard evenings. They
are protected from intrusion by the owner
of the grounds, and are quite at home.
Nowaday, the great majority of Doys pro
tect birds, and only yesterday three little
chaps were seen waiting at the gate of
their father's residence, not wishing to
disturb by going In a robin which was
hunting for worms on the lawn. A few
bad boys go out in the country and try
to kill roblne, larks, etc.. with air guns.
A party of such lads, when remonstrated
with a few days ago. by a woman on
whose grounds they were trespassing,
were very rude and saucy, as might bo
expected of such boys.
1 ti i
Memorial Veruea.
Tlnsley Pratt in Manchester Guardian.
Under the Afrlc eun
Quiet they lie;
Fleld3 may be lest or won;
They could but die.
So. let a word be said
Now for the heroes dead.
Facing the cannonade,
Torn with shell.
Fierce was the charge they mado.
And ere they fell.
Bang out a lusty cheer
From hearts that laughed at fear.
Some by the river side
Sleep with the foe:
Surel the hearts that died
Could not but know
England doth honor them.
Stars In her diadem.
What was the dying word
Breathed as they fell?
Haply the winds hae heard
Could they but tell;
Scaling the fiery slope,
Only a word of hope I
Pride of his race was he;
Master of men;
Peasant this one, maybe.
Matters It, when
Death is the end of all
Death with his cloudy pall?
Honor the English dead,
Honor the slain!
Honor the hearts that bled,
Tea, and again.
Honor the homes that gav
Sons to an alien ravl