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am; MQgyrgo oeegosias, mrrfiSDAY. February 20, 1902.
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cipitation, none.
PORTLAND. THURSDAY, FEB. 20.
NO CHINESE AVAXTCD.
The demand that no Chinese shall be
permitted to come into the United
States Is a reasonable one. It Is a de
mand more loudly asserted In our Pa
cific States than elsewhere, because
these states are nearest the source of
the yellow flood. But the protest would
be as loud in other states, when the
stream had passed on, over their own
borders. The masses of our people are
keenly apprehensive of evil from any
proposal to let in Chinese under the
designation of merchants or traders or
clerks or students; for the character of
such might easily be disguised, and it
is felt therefore that It cannot be safe
to admit any. except the few who come
in accredited diplomatic character.
It Is not denied, however, that there
are fields of labor in our country in
-which Chinese could render service.
There Is much work to be done in lines
which white persons are unwilling to
undertake for the wages which employ
ers can afford to pay as In clearing
land and other ruder employments. But
the advantages thus gained would be
no compensation for evils of a positive
kind, which would result from advent
of Chinese among u.. Our working
people would feel Injured. With some
of them the difficulties of existence
would be Increased. Discontent would
follow. Agitation against the Chinese
would be resumed. There would be dis
turbance all along the line political,
social and industrial. The country
cannot afford it. While there Is some
loss from lack of labor that would be
useful, in certain directions, the balance
on the whole would stand heavily
against the profit and desirability of
admitting Chinese, even in limited
numbers. Contentment among our own
people, through prevention of a condi
tion which they would deem a real
grievance, is a result to which the coun
try cannot afford to be Indifferent. We
do not want renewal of the agitation
against Chinese; and the only way to
prevent it Is to keep Chinese out of the
country.
The Oregonlan speaks with feeling on
this subject Long time it was the cen
ter of a storm which it is extremely
unwilling to see renewed. It never was
In favor of Immigration of Chinese, but
tinder old treaty conditions a great
many had come, and The Oregonlan,
as a journal of law and order, could
not do otherwise than oppose every agi
tation Intended to maltreat or expel
them. As the agitation in this direction
grew In intensity. The Oregonlan. in
pursuance of its duty as a law-abiding
journal, pointed out with all the force of
expression at Its command that such
proceedings could not be permitted; that
the Chinese, though we didn't want
them, were here under treaty, rights
and would have the protection of the
United States; that any extreme meas
ures on the part of our people against
the Chinese would be met by the Na
tional military power, and that, if the
state refused protection to these people,
or was unable to enforce It. the Gen
eral Government would do it, over the
head of the government of the state. It
was perfectly clear that this would be
the result, and The Oregonian was un
willing to witness a collision which
could have but one consequence the
appearance of the military power of
the United States for protection of the
Chinese.
Now let The Oregonlan say frankly,
let It say with words as earnest as it
can frame into ?peech. that it does not
want any renewal of this agitation, but
would deplore it; that therefore it must
protest against even a partial reopen
ing of the door, and that It Is on the
side of those who would make the ex
clusion so rigorous that there could be
no danger of the domicilatlon of any
more Chinese in the United States.
Some advantages in Chinese trade we
may lose, but not many; yet we would
better lose many than to have our work
ing classes restive under a sense of
wjrmg. Many times we have come per
ilously near to violent outbreak through
this cause. Wise men, when they fore
se an evli or danger, do not run Into it.
"The surest way to prevent seditions
and troubles." as Lord Bacon saith.
"is to take away the matter of them.
If there be fuel prepared, beware of the
spark that shall set It on fire." Again:
"The rebellions of the belly are the
worst."
It Is not In human nature when "re
bellions of the belly" have the further
incentive of race antagonisms and
hatreds, to yield to the argument that
prevails with economists, traders and
chambers of commerce. Suppose the
Congress of the United States should
refuse to renew the exclusion act
then what should we look forward to?'
When Chinese should begin to appear
again, the uproar against them would
be redoubled loud enough for its echoes
to be heard through the vast and bound
less deep. Violence would reappear;
The Oregonian, compelled by Its duty
to do all it could for preservation of
order, would preach peace and pa
tience in vain. Not quite in vain,
either; for it would call down upon Its
own head bursts of indignation and
wrath. Popular fury would be directed
against it, for in a time of general up
roar there Is little discrimination in
men. But our esteemed fellow-citizens,
the few of them not averse to the pres
ence of Chinese, who think some profit
might accrue to themselves or to trade,
and who don't like "agitators," any
waywhere would they be? Not at the
forefront, not in the heat and strife,
not In the dust and grime, of this strug
gle: in which, indeed, they would take
but a languid Interest, If any at all.
Some of them would be traveling In
Europe; other some withdrawn to the
pursuits of dilettnnteism In Boston or
New York, living for the.tlme amid the
luxuries and splendors of the Savoy or
the Holland House; still others, in
Southern California or Florida, amid
flowerj' delights; and the remaining
squad or two Intent on the social card
tables at Portland or the fascinating
golf links. Withdrawn from this vul
gar contention, violence, riot, malice,
nothing could touch them; but others
would be in the thick of it The Ore
gonian perforce with them. Let us beg
to be excused; for all this may be avoid
ed, by avoidance of the causes that
would produce it. The Oregonian has
had enough of this row, if others have
not. If Chinese are allowed to come
here, of course they must be protected;
but let us not permit them to come.
In any guise or character. Only total
exclusion will satisfy our people, and
the masses of the people have a right
to enforce their wishes in this matter
as well as in any other that relates to
the policy of the country.
A GHAXfiEVILLE IXXOCEXT.
To Mr. A. F. Parker, conveyancer,
etc., of Grangeville, Idaho, we are In
debted for the appended effusion:
I note thai The Oregonlan persistently quotes
Senator .Money, of Mississippi, as stating upon
the floor of the Senate chamber, in referring
to the Filipinos: "Let them go to the devil."
I have read and re-read Senator Money's speech
In the Congressional Record, and Unci no such
expression used by the Senator, and his re
marks were not withheld for revision, either.
Careful comparison of the Associated Press
reports w Ith the Congressional Record show a
multitude of Just such misrepresentations of
the speeches of Democratic Senators and the
Democratic policy upon this vexed question of
what we are to do with the Filipino.
What 1 the Republican policy, anyhow?
Are wc to repeat with the Filipinos the an
cient story of the Israelites under Egyptian
bondage, which brought down upon the hosts
of Pharaoh the wrath of Almighty God, or
shall we "Let them go to the devil," or. In
other words, let them work out their own sal
vation in their own way?
What Is the Republican policy, anyway?
Mr. Parker was doubtless born yes
terday, in view of his apparent belief
that the euphemisms of the Congres
sional Record represent the actual
words uttered by members In the heat
of debate. If his honest soul can only
find such changes In the remarks of
Democratic speakers, he would do well
to file complaint with Hon. J. K. Jones.
Senator from Arkansas and National
Democratic chairman, who, as member
of the Senate printing committee, should
be able to do something, or at any rate
to make his voice heard.
Or if he thinks the Associated Press
is at fault, he might take the matter
up with its president, Mr. Charles W.
Knapp, of the Democratic St. Louis Re
public, who is doubtless unaware of the
discrimination practiced upon him. Mr.
Knapp and his Democratic colleagues
on the executive board of the Associ
ated Press would certainly be grateful
to Mr. Parker for pointing out to them
the nefarious manner in which they are
manipulating their news association to
injure their party.
The Republican policy, as we under
stand it, is to enforce American sover
eignty In the Philippines, where it
rightfully is, and where it is wrongly
assailed by cruel and barbarous war
fare an enforcement which is extreme
ly distasteful to patriots of the Parker
type. ,
It Is vain for the antls to seek In the
Associated Press or the obliging edi
tors of the Congressional Recorfl for
the faults and failings that are to be
found only in themselves, or for the
causes of the resentment public opin
ion shows at their hostility to their
country's cause.
CASUALTY AXD CARELESSNESS.
As appears from the casualty record
of the first six weeks of the year 1902,
human prudence and watchfulness In
handling the forces that human in
genuity have harnessed to human needs
do not keep pace with the requirements
of the service. The tremendous losses
by fire, and by explosions caused by
fire, attended with heavy cost in hu
man life, that have attended the open
ing weeks of the year, fully attest this.
The terribly destructive fires at Water
bury, Paterson and St. Louis within
a few days of each other have had few
parallels In recent years, while two ex
plosions, one each in New York and
Chicago, were due to the careless han
dling of fire. A spark overloooked in
material stored In a hotel caused the
Waterbury conflagration; Paterson's
fire started In a street-car stove; St.
Louis lost seven firemen in an old busi
ness building that was at best a fire
trap, and a few nights later eleven
guests in a lodging-house, with but one
narrow stairway as means of egress,
perished in fire and smoke before relief
could reach them.
Last year's fire loss In this country
reached the enormous total of $160,000.
000. A drain of wealth so tremendous
is appalling. Large as these figures
are, they do not represent the Incidental
loss due to Interrupted business and
labor and the Irreparable catastrophe
due to loss of life. Comparison shows
that fires in American cities are more
frequent and destructive than In Euro
pean cities. This is the more astonish
ing when we take into consideration
that the American fireman is unexcelled
in bravery and intelligence, and that
his equipment In mechanical appliances
for fighting fire Is far superior to those
with which firemen in the cities of the
Old World are furnished. Is It true,
as often charged, that Americans have
an ineradicable habit of leaving a weak
point somewhere in construction in
what appears to the eye and imagina
tion as perfect?
The simple lesson of these late catas
trophes, following each other In swift
succession. Is that more care must be
observed in the little details from which
great files grow; that better safeguards
for egress from buildings of the more
inflammable character be provided, and
fireproof construction be generally
adopted.
There are, as Is well known, firetraps
in our own city. In the very heart of
its business center, in which men sleep
not unconscious of danger, but reck
less of it. One of the most welcome
signs of progress in building for the
present year thus far foreshadowed is
found in the statement that the dilapi
dated, long since outdated buildings on
at least one sightly business corner in
the center of the city are to be replaced
by a modern fireproof structure that
will give security to surrounding prop
erty. Too long has this like other
places In the city remained an eyesore
to progressive citizens, a possible pub
lic plague spot and a menace of fire.
As a business proposition affecting the
values of surrounding property and giv
ing assurance of reasonable returns
upon the investment, old rattle-trap
fire-boxes in the city's business district
owned by men of means should give
place to firepioof buildings. Reinforced
by civic pride, of which at present much
is being said, demolition of these build
ings and excavation of their sites, reek
lpff with the filth of a generation,
should be begun early in the building
season of 1902.
The Rose Society may plant roses; the
Civic Improvement Society may paint
electric wire poles, be Instrumental in
planting trees, building boulevards and
otherwise carrying out advanced ideas
of beauty, comfort and utility In the
city's behalf. The equipment of the fire
department may be practically perfect
and the firemen themselves ready, com
petent and courageous, but as long as
unsightly shacks, reeking with filth and
inviting combustion, occupy prominent
corners in the heart of the city,1 cas
ualty by fire will be Invited, civic pride
offended and . beauty in adornment
checked. Casualty and carelessness are
bedfellows by night, and by day they
are close companions. To dissolve their
ignoble partnership is a duty that can
not be fully met without the co-operation
of men of means, who Invite the
first by entertaining the last in idle un
concern, happy if thereby their prop
erty makes not too prosperous a show
ing upon the tax list.
COLU3IBIA
IMPROVEMENT
PROB.
LEMS.
Singular ignorance regarding Colum
bia River Improvements and Portland's
relation thereto is displayed in the fol
lowing from the New York Evening
Post:
Against the effort to find Government aid for
the Improvement of the upper reaches of the
Columbia River, representatives of Oregon hnvo
nlready been noted In Washington dispatches
as among the chief opponents. .A, deal of
comment has been provoked in the State of
Washington by this action, which seems on
the face of it to be somewhat unfriendly to
the development of the Northwest. If the crit
ics on the ground arc to be 'believed, the
hostility to what Is commonly known as tho
Lake Washington Canal, mention of which ap
peared in this column a few weeks "ago.
springs from the rivalry between two of the
Paciflc Coast ports. Portland and Seattle.
Portland, according to the tale that Is told.
Is now the port of trans-shipment from rail to
vessels for most of the products of tho Colum
bia River Valley. It has the advantage of the
so-called terminal rates, and by reason of
these rates Is able to exact a considerable
tribute from the trade which passes through
the town. If navigation were unimpeded along
the Columbia River for a greater distance than
It is now, Portland would not necessarily b
the point of trans-shipment. Goods might as
easily be carried in river craft to Astoria, or
some other point nearer the sea. and Portland
might lose the prestige it now enjoys.
There Is no hostility in Portland
toward what is known as the Lake
Washington Canal, so long as that
scheme for the enlargement of the Pa
cific Ocean takes its turn along with
other projects which will benefit the
States of Washington, Oregon and
Idaho as well as the City of Seattle.
The City of Portland needed a deeper
channel from her wharves to the sea,
and, despite the fact that the tonnage
of Washington products carried by that
channel was fully as great as that of
Oregon, no help could be secured from
either the State of Washington or the
General Government. Portland then
taxed herself, and has spent about
$1,000,000 In building this channel as far
as Astoria. Now the ships which go
without delay from Portland to Astoria,
carrying the products of three states,
are held up tor long periods because of
the bad condition at the mouth of the
river. Portland is desirous of securing
all of the money possible from the Gov
ernment for the Improvement of this
gateway to an empire.
Seattle Is asking many millions for
the Lake Washington Canal, which,
viewed in the broadest possible light,
can never be anything "but a strictly
local enterprise. Seattle has a fine har
bor, one of the finest in the world. In
fact, we are told on occasions not infre
quent, that It Is "matchless." "un
equaled," "unsurpassed," and all that.
It is a good harbor, and when the prod
ucts of the Inland Empire reach the
wharves at Seattle the delays in their
journey to the world's markets are
practically over. Figuratively speak
ing, and also in the language of the
Seattleites. that harbor Is pure gold,
and Portland and all the rest of the
Pacific Northwest objects to taking
money needed elsewhere and using It
for the purpose of gilding pure gold.
In spite of her matchless harbor, Se-.
attle Is under the ban of a trade han
dicap. Lofty mountain ranges He be
tween her and the coveted trade of the
Columbia Basin, and form a barrier
which can never be removed. Realiz
ing the impossibility of ever securing
this trade so long as the water-level
route down the Columbia can be util
ized, Seattle's great purpose In life now
is to prevent the utilization of that
water-level route. The most feasible
plan now presented to the Seattle ob
structionists is to break up the appro
priation which may be secured for Im
proving the Columbia and divert It
from the point where It Is most needed.
By scattering this appropriation, which
at the best will be Insufficient for imme
diate needs, the entrance at the Colum
bia River v.ill remain In such shape
that ships will be driven to Puget
Sound. There is now lying in Astoria
harbor outward bound a fleet of ten
ships carrying 1,000,000 bushels of wheat
from Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
This fleet has been there from five days
to six weeks. These are humiliating
facts which may as well be presented
In order that the Evening Post and
others misinformed may understand
why there is nothing to be gained by
shifting the "point of trans-shipment"
to Astoria or to any other point on the
river.
A forty-foot channel at the mouth of
the river will give Portland harbor
entrance equal to that of Seattle. This,
with the water-level grade and an open
river to Lewiston, will make the posl-
tion of this port impregnable. Seattle
has the harbor, but she can never hope
to have the easy route to the Columbia
Basin that leads from Portland through
the Columbia gorge by a water-level
grade. The Seattle plea for immediate
Improvement of the upper reaches of
the Columbia and neglect of the mouth
is insincere. It is made, not for the
purpose of facilitating transportation of
products of the Columbia Basin, but for
the purpose of retarding Improvement
at a point where it is needed the most.
Portland favors an open river from the
sea to Lewiston, but we are desirous
of removing the worst obstructions
first, and those obstiuctions which
cause the greatest concern at the pres
ent time lie right at the mouth of the
river. The City of Portland Is main
taining a good channel along eighty
miles of Washington shore line, and Is
floating Washington, Idaho and Oregon
products In that channel at no expense
to the taxpayers of those states, outside
of the City of Portland.
Mr. Mohler's presentation of the O. R.
& N. side of the tugboat controversy
In his letter to tile Chamber of Com
merce is an interesting contribution to
a subject of much importance to this
port. The facts sat forth will come
nearer carrying conviction as to the
e-'neerity of the O. R. & N. in Its efforts
to provide a good service than any
thing that has yot appeared. It Is ap
parent from the facts submitted by Mr.
Mohler that the negligence of the Gov
ernment in not Improving the bar and
providing proper beacons, buoys and
lights has caused more trouble at the
mouth of the river than was caused by
a scarcity of tugs. Beyond question
the O. R. & N. Co. has given Portland
the best towing and pilotage service
we have ever had on the river between
Portland and Astoria, and there Is a
strong probability that it would give
equally as good a service on the bar
were the conditions equally favorable.
As the bar .service has undoubtedly
been conducted at a loss In ofder to pro
tect the rail Interests of the company
by equalizing ocean freights, Mr. Moh
ler's allusion to this feature of the work
did not strengthen his reply. If the
statements made In his letter are cor
rect, as they undoubtedly are, the ser
vice could not be improved by incur
ring further loss with a larger fleet of
tugs. Every ship that is diverted to
Puget Sound, through lack of good tug
facilities, more expensive port charges
or for any other reason, entails a
greater loss on the O. R. &. N. Co. than
on any other individual or corporation.
For this xeason the sincerity of Mr.
Mohler's statements as a whole will not
be questioned. We are now back to the
original trouble the bar and the ne
cessity of immediate action on the part
of the Government was never greater
than at the present time.
The amendment to the sundry civil
bill offered by Senator Foster, -of Wash
ington, appropriating $15,000 for the cre
ation of additional buildings, wharf,
prison wall and repairs to the McNeil's
Island Penitentiary. Is more than time
ly; It was long overdue. The ,,recent
escape of eleven prisoners from that in
secure structure, their capture after an
exciting chase, and the inhuman pun
ishment that was inflicted upon them
"because the insecurity of the prison
made it necsssary to make an example
of them," are matters of recent date.
This Institution should be put In first
class order, as a Government prison,
since In Its present condition, as shown
by recent events. It Is a disgrace to the
Federal Government and a blot upon the
State of Washington, within the limits
of which it is located. Senator Foster's
amendment providing means to this end
can scarcely fail to be allowed If backed
by proofs of Its necessity, which it will
be easy at this time to produce, and
which might well be urged both in the
interest of public safety and of com
mon humanity.
The trying exactions of a certain
class of Government service upon the
eyesight is shown In the request pre
sented in a message from the President
to the United States Senate request
ing the transfer of Naval Constructor
R. P. Hobson to the retired list, on ac
count of failure of his eyesight, incurred
in the pursuit of his occupation. The
request Is a humane and reasonable
one, since It Is made clear that Hobson
cannot, in justice to himself, continue
In active service. The plea for favor
on account of his gallant service in
sinking the Merrlmac at the entrance
of Santiago harbor during the war with
Spain is only strong because of the
bravery of that deed, since a more use
less and ill-advised piece of work was
never conceived nor executed.
The little tugboat Fortuna Is soon to
start from Charlestown navy-yard on a
tour round Cape Horn to Puget Sound.
This Is notable because It Is the long
est trip ever attempted by a vessel of
her class. The boat is small, but pow
erful. She Is 75 feet long and about 35
feet beam. Her engines register 250
horsepower, and she has a single pro
peller. While her record shows that
she has done much Important service,
she has never engaged in a trip so
adventurous as the one for which she is
now scheduled. The people of the Pa
cific Coast will await with interest the
appearance in their ports or off shore of
this grimy little servitor of the Gov
ernment. The effort to bring the Pacific States
Company's telephone wires under
ground has, after long delay, reached
conclusion on a basis which seems fair
to all concerned, and In the ordinance
passed at yesterday's Council meeting
the salutary precedent Is set of reve
nue to the city In return for corporate
enjoyment of franchises. The settle
ment is a subject for congratulation all
round, including the public which has
been a sufferer by the long procrastina
tion of active work in needed improve
ments. Precocious children may be entertain
ing, but there are numerous people of
the old-fashioned sort who take small
pleasure In entertainments given by Ht
tjc tots, who, according to all rules of
hygiene and humanity, should be In bed
by 8 o'clock and soon thereafter sound
asleep. Parents of show children may,
perhaps, be congratulated on this pos
session on a monetary basis, but the In
fants themselves are objects of just
commiseration.
Do you want any part in the direc
tion of public affairs? Then you would
better register, and register now be
fore the primaries and so you can vote
at the primaries; for the primaries,
now to be conducted under direction
of law, will control the whole business.
HISTORY DEPENDS LARGELY
"TSE GERM.VX LEGEND."
New York Evening Post.
The "German legend" we must hence
forth call the story that Lord Paunce
fote. April 14. 1E3S, drew up a note in
terms that would have been offensive
to the United States an inconsiderate
and dangerous action, which was only
thwarted by wiser heads mor.e partic
ularly those in charge of the German
Forc-isn Office. This story, which on Its
promulgation we characterized as "ab
surd" and "incredible," was most con
clusively denied by Lord Cranbourne, yes
terday, before the Commons. It must be
remembered that, in the nature of the
case, the Under Secretary could -produce
no documents to prove the negative prop
osition that his office did not receive an
alleged communication. Lord Cranbourne
said:
Her late Majesty's government never pro
posed, through Her Majesty's Ambassador, or
otherwise, any declaration ndverse to the ac
tion of the United States in Cuba. On the
contrary, her late Majesty's government de
clined to assent to any such proposal.
So explicit a denial could never have
been made if there were in any Euro
pean chancellery a single document to
substantiate the German story.
Very opportunely, on the evening
when Lord Cranbourne was puncturing
the German legend, the Washington cor
respondent of the London Times was
conducting an inquest to discover how
the myth arose. Some Irresponsible per
son, clearly enough, put upon the Ger
man Foreign Office confused and possibly
garbled accounts of a conference which
was held at the British Embassy In
Washington. April 14. 1S9S. Lord Paunce
fote was not the initiator of the confer
ence, but called the meeting, by request,
as dean of the diplomatic corps. In tho
same capacity he received the represen
tatives of the powers at the embassy.
It was -proposed, not by Lord Paunce
fote. that a joint note expressing the
opinion that "Intervention in Cuba would
be unjustifiable" should be sent to the
home governments, and the note was ac
tually drafted by the French Ambassa
dor. No one proposed that a note con
taining this passibly dangerous comment
should be sent to the United States, and
apparently no action was taken at the
conference which in any construction
was likely to prove offensive to our Gov
ernment. We are now in a position to see how
the "German legend" grew. It leaked
out somewhat that a note certain por
tions of which were impliedly unfavor
able to the United States, had been dis
cussed at the British embassy. The im
portance of this note was exaggerated,
and the responsibility for it calmly put
upon Lord Pauncefote. What is surpris
ing about th whole matter Is that the
German Foreign Office for a moment let
Itself be taken in by a bit of bad and
reckless journalism. Dr. von Holleben
can be In no way connected with the
blunder, for, says the Times correspon
dent, he "was present at the meeting
and knew what happened." It Is a pity
that he could not have kept his home
office out of this exceptionally deep
mare's nest.
It may well turn out, when the diplo
matic correspondence of the Spring of
1S9S Is fully published, that other nations
besides England declined to make the
Spanish-American imbroglio worse by
meddling with It. While seeing clearly
that nothing which can be disclosed will
alter the facts of England's firm grasp
of the sUuationand efficient friendliness
to us, 6ne may sincerely hope that this
will prove to be the case. Meanwhile
the Paris story, the Berlin story and the
rest, so long as they are unsupported by
official documents, must be regarded as
so much gabble "for the marines."
Cqlm as a State;.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
If the United States held Cuba by the
same tenure as that by which it gained
Porto Rico, as it would have done but for
Teller's pernicious activity, immigration
and capital would have flowed Into the
island and in broad streams just as soon
as the Spanish troops evacuated it at the
end of lSS. The population of Cuba
would be tens of thousands greater than
it is now, and its wealth would be higher
by tens of millions of dollars. There
would be no appeal now for reciprocity
with the United States, for by this time
Cuba would probably have been ready for
admission to statehood, when It would
have absolute free trade with us. It
would undoubtedly have a material re
duction of duties even In Its territorial
status.
Cuba as the 46th state of the Union
would be in a vastly better situation than
a Cuban republic could be in under any
sort of a President who could be named
by her people. As a state of the Union it
would have good government. Its re
sources would be Immediately developed,
and It would, for many years, be one of
the most attractive points in all the
United States for immigration and capital
from the entire world. There would be
no doubt In that case as to its future,
immediate or ultimate. The hesitation of
capitalists and would-be settlers which is
exhibited now would be lacking. All this
talk of approaching ruin to the Island If
reciprocity is not granted by the United
States would be absent, for the island
would be part of this country. Common
sense dictates that the Cubans repudiate
the Teller folly by Immediately asking for
annexation to the United States.
British Supremacy In Shipbuilding.
New York Herald.
British shipyards turned out la.jt year
tho largest tonnage and the greatest num
ber of hulls that have ever been recorded
in the annual returns of Lloyd's Register.
Including 41 warships built at government
and private establishments, the totals set
down are 6S0 vessels-, aggregating more
than 1.750,000 tons. This unprecedented and
enormous output Is composed almost en
tirely of steel steamers, of which 77 per
cent are to fiy the home flag.
As might be expected from the changing
conditions of oversea trade, the tendency
to construct types of a very large tonnaco
Is maintained. One steamer of above 20.
00" tons, and seven others exceeding JLLOOrt
represent the year's contribution to an
economic theory that Is based mainly on
the competition in the transatlantic trad.
The increasing neglect of sailing craft Is
equally marked, though, logically enough,
the launching of three ships of 3000 tens
shows the potency of the heavy tonnao
idea pven in this class.
, Among the other shipbuilding nations
the United States is easily first, with dou
ble the output of Germany and nearlv
three times that of France. If S2 war
craft and a few laTge ocean-going steam
ers be excluded, it will bo found that this
production Is almost equally divided be
tween moderate-sized steamers and unim
portant sailing vessels, and that the 931
vessels, of 1.347.S00 tons, belong to ratings
inferior in average jIze and In probable
utility to the constructions launched on
the Clyde, Tyne, Wear and Tees and at
Belfast and Barrow.
Irreparable Lowh at Monnt Athos.
Pall Mall Gazette.
Nothing less than an archaeological calamity
has happened on Mount Athos, where 11 centu
ries of Hyzantlne art. architecture and tradition
have perished utterly in the Harries. Fire broke
out a few days ago In the Monaster- of fjt.
Paul, and the entire building, with all Its con
tents, were destroyed. The monastery dates
back 11 centuries. Its library was rich In man
uscript documents of the Bjzantinc Emperors,
and the Interior was a treasure-house of Byzan
tine art. The reliquary was full of objects of
the highest legendary Interest. Among other
objects It contained what a tradition of tho
Greek church holds to be the Identical gifts
presented In homage by the three wise men
of the East at 'Betiltbora. All have- perished.
OX THE POINT OF VIEW.
"THE BRITISH -MYTH."
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
The Berlin Relchsanzeiger Is the offi
cial organ of the German Government.
Upon the veracity of Its utterances is
staked not only the credit of the im
perial government, but, by implication,
the reputation of the throne and of the
Emperor himself. Its statements, there
fore, may be taken as the exact trutn,
at least as far as the exact truth Is
known to the German Government,
On Wednesday the Relchsanzeiger
published some very illuminating docu
ments regarding the attempt in April.
18C-S. to force European pressure upon
the United States. The diplomatic po
sition at that time was as follows:
On April 7 the six European powers
had presented to the President a col
lective note deprecating war and offer
ing their friendly services to adjust our
differences with Spain. This offer the
President politely but firmly declined.
On April 10 the Spanish Minister Issued
a note making a number of vague prom
ises, but ignoring the real Issue the
destruction of the Maine.
The President, in his message to Con
gress, had spoken of our armed Inter
vention In Cuba as commanding "the
approval and support of the civilized
world." This phrase and the Spanish
note of April 10 were seized upon as the
basis of an attempt to Induce the Eu
ropean powers to put a coercive pres
sure upon the United States.
For three years the two questions
have been: 1. Who Inaugurated this at
tempt at coercion? 2. Which European
power defeated the attempt? To these
questions the corespondence just pub
lished by the Relchsanzeiger appenrs
to give a definite answer.
On April 14 Ambassador von Holleben
telegraphed to Berlin that Lord Paunce
fote "today took the initiative In a very
remarkable manner" In suggesting that
the great powers "might direct the at
tention of the American Government
to the Spanish note of April 10" as ap
pearing "to remove all legitimate cause
for war," and "might declare that In
tervention did not seem to them to be
justified." It. was alo suggested that
this declaration should take the form,
of a collective identical note, which "it
would be advisable to publish immedi
ately, in order that the civilized world
may be absolved from reproach In ap
proving this attack" of the United
States upon Spain.
Count von Bulow, in sending Holle
ben's telegram to the Emperor, added
this note: "Personally. I regard this
demonstration somewhat coldly.' The
Emperor appended this comment: "I
regard It as completly futile and pur
poseless, and therefore prejudicial. I am
against this step." Thereupon Holleben
was Informed that Germany refused to
take part in any attempt to coerce the
United States.
The attitude of Russia and of Ger
many was diplomatically correct. With
an eye single to their own interests they
decllned to meddle in what was none of
their business. Austria, of course, was
eager to aid Spain. France and Italy
were willing to do the same. If some
other power would lead the way. "
This England was willing to do. If first
assured that all the other powers would
support her.
From Russia and Germany we received
that correct neutrality which is based
on an accurate perception of their own
Interests, and which was all we had anj
reason to expect. From Austria. France
and Italy we received a hostility more or
less open. From England we received a
hostility veiled vnder pretenses of friend
ship. The British myth with which wo have
been regaled for the last three years
that England was then our only friend
In Europe is thus exploded. To com
ment upon this fact would be superfluous.
The lesson Is too old to require repeti
tion here.
There Are Others.
Philadelphia Times.
The visit to Washington of leading rep
resentatives of the city's mercantile and
financial Interests was not Ineffective.
The House committee on rivers and har
bors has agreed to give us for the Dela
ware channel an appropriation of 5600,000,
which is to be immediately available, and
a continuous appropriation of $2,400,000.
This is a generous sum and It should suf
fice, according to the engineers' estimates.
to deepen our shipway to 30 feet for a
width of 600 feet, thus again making our
harbor the peer of those ports with which
we are brought into rivalry.
It Is possible, of course, that these fig
ures will be cut'at later stages of the bill's
progress through Congress. We may. In
deed, be treated as we were In the last
Congress, and the situation calls for tho
watchfulness of our Representatives and
benators, or trade bodies, arms ana indi
vidual citizens, lest by negligence'we shall
again be robbed of the share to which the
commercial position of the city and the
condition of the port justly entitle us In a
distribution of Federal moneys. The
wealth of the United States at the pres
ent time is ample to justify this appropri
ation. The traditional policy of the coun
try in reference to rivers and harbors and
the present state of the channel serve to
make our plea just. The future of the
city and the community for which it Is the
Inlet and outlet In the shipping trade Is
at stake, and "if Congress falls U3 In this
emergency it will be at a frightful ex
penses to the industries of this common
wealth. The .House committee is to be heartily
commended for the step It has taken, and
we will now look to each member to ad
vocate the appropriation with vote and
voice on the floor of Congress. In both
Houses as the bill makes its way up to
the President. Philadelphia, like England,
'expects every man to do his duty," and
save the city from the disgrace which at
tends the weekly stranding of ships on
their way to and from this ancient port.
"Personal Intelligence."
Baltimore News.
Senator Mitchell of Oregon stood at
the lunch counter In the Senate restau
rant yesterday and meditatively sucked
two raw eggs from the shells. Then he
ate a piece of custard pie.
Senator Mitchell has more whiskers
than anybody else at the Capitol, except
Senator Stewart, and his performance
with the eggs was watched with much
Interest by the'row of eaters at the coun
ter. Nothing happened.
Blind.
Marlon "Warner "Wlldman, In Harper's.
This much I know. Before the sky grew dark.
When died the sunlight like a candle blown
And left my soul to strain and grope and hark,
A captive, locked In some black tower alone;
Before the curtain fell that shut me out
From all I had been all I hoped to be
There was a glad green world, a Joyous shout
Of strong winds blowing o'er a laughing sea;
And there were green-gold fields of heading
wheat.
That ran and rippled In th- passing breeze;
And there were frail pink ross, wild and
sweet:
And there were mist-blue hills and tossing
trees;
And over all. a brooding heaven blue.
Where martens circled In the sunset light.
And where the crying kllldecrs flashed and flew
And great stars shot their glory through the
night.
All this I know. And for the power divine
To -dream cuch pictures on the midnight
walls
Of this unwlndowcd prison-tomb of mine.
I bless the Hand from which the blessing
falls.
I am content. O God. content to know
The sky still uhlnes above my sightless eyes;
That though my feet down darkened pathways
K0.
Unseen, the Brightness round me lies.
NOTE AND COMMENT.
Did ypu say you had registered?
Miss Stone but then you wouldn't be
lieve it.
February seems to be stealing March's
climate.
Are the vagrants registered before or
-after they are locked up?
Yes, it looks like it, but don't soak your
overcoat for a while yet.
Dcwet's forces have been dispersed with
heavy loss to the dispersers.
The fleet under Evans command is now
prepared to welcome Prince Henry.
The President ought to have appointed
tabascoitis fmmunes on tho West Point
board of Inspection.
The 'Standard Oil Company has been
buying hoop Iron, presumably to 'hoop up
the petroleum market.
Now Is a chance for some rising poet
to achieve fame by making a sonnet on
Portland's lady bartenders.
Captain Hobson is to retire, but he will
probably line all his friends of the fair
sex up for a good night kiss.
Kipling hasn't given the War Office
any advice for several days, and yet that
Institution is still issuing orders.
The Daughters of the Revolution aro
again In session in Washington, and Con
gress is getting pointers on the strenuous
life.
Ernest Hogan. the negro comedian, has
challenged a Hawaiian Prince to light a
duel. There is a very dark look to this
affair.
Now that the Indians all have their
hair cut the paragraphers are patiently
waiting for Commissioner Jones to make
another move.
The Capitol at Washington Is full of
germs. They probably are lobbying for the
restoration of General Egan and another
chance to colonize in the Army rations.
President Roosevelt appoints a white
gold Democrat, William Fleming, Post
master at Athens, Ga., to succeed a ne
gro. "Pink" Morton. The people began
to hold mass meetings against Morton as
soon as the question of his reappointment
arose, and so the President concluded to
try another color.
The cremation of the body of-the late
Dr. Robert Grimes, of Cheyenne, has re
vealed the bullet received by him at the
Meeker massacre, where he distinguished
himself, as in many other Indian engage
ments as "Fighting Bob. the doctor."
Then it was thought the wound would bo
fatal, but Dr. Grimes recovered and for
20 years carried the missile which the
surgeons were unable to locate. The lead
button weighed more than the ashes of.
the deceased.
United States Senator Piatt, of Connec
ticut, decided to yield to the pressure of
the home tobacco interest in relation to
the Cuban tariff, and is thus quoted: "I
think that the cause of protection Is now
In far more danger of being wounded in
the house of its friends than it ever was
in danger of being Injured by its enemies."
And he Is further represented as saying
that If the Republican party .does not deal
fairly with Cuba the result will be an up
rising against the whole principle of pro
tection, and the party' will suffer.
After a determined effort lasting over a
period of months Sarah Bernhardt has
given up trying to learn English. All her
brilliant talent was not sufficient to givo
her mastery over or even fair proficiency
In the composite language. Mme. Bern
hardt at first attempted the task without
aid. but soon found It was more difficult
than she had Imagined. Then she secured
as tutor an American actress. The latter
worked long and faithfully with the tra
gedienne, whom, to her amazement, sho
found a stupid pupil. Bernhardt tried
very hard, but It was "no use.
The members of the Mount Olivet Bap
tist Church, colored, In New York, point
to their pastor and his record and say:
Where can you find one like him? They
have given him the honorary title of "tho
colored John the Baptist." The Rev. T.
C. Walker took charge of the church two
years ago, when It had a membership of
but 400. Now It reaches 2000. In one day
he baptized 184 persons and gave the right
hand of fellowship to enough more to
bring up the additions to 40S new mem
bers. On Sunday last he baptized 60 men
and 63 women as the result of a revival
that has been running for some days.
Professor McGee, of the bureau of eth
nology, it is said, owns and uses the larg
est and the most complicated vocabulary
In Washington. A colleague in speaking
of one of the professor's recent essays
said it Is written In "words of one sen
tence." The most recent achievement of
the bureau under Professor McGee Is tho
invention of a new name for the Ameri
can Indian. The redmen are now known
as "Amerinds." There are many kinds
of Indians In the world, and the bureau
has long felt the need of a distinctlvo
name for the American kind. The prob
lem has been solved by combining tho
first syllables of American and Indian.
PLEASANTRIES OF PARAGRAPHERS
Maude When you refused him my hand,
papa, did he get down on his knees? Pater
No. I jlldn't notice Just where he lit! Chicago
Dally Kews.
Mr. Bacon I see by this paper that Ice V.i
Inches thick will support a man. Mrs. Bacon
I always said there was an enormous profit In
Ice, John. Yonkers Statesman.
A Common Occurrence. She Mr. Gotrox en
gaged? Why, he has been a widower only a
very short time! He Well, fools and their
money are soon married! Puck.
Such a Nuisance. Mrs. Gadd Dear me, I've
had such a discouraging, hard day of It, mak
ing calls. Mr. Gadd What was the difficulty?
Mrs. GaddJS'hy, I found nearly every one of
them at home. Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Tho Doting Mamma. "Where's my silk
hat?" "Your sllK hat? Oh. yes. Georgie took
It to put on the snow man hej made." "The
thunder he did!" "Yes. Isn't It nice that ha
can entertain himself so easily?" Cleveland
Plain Dealet.
"What Is heredity, mamma?" asked the Uttlo
girl, spelling the wprd out through her falling
tears, ahd waiting to write down the meaning.
"It Is 'm. how hall I explain It? Oh," said
the mother, "something you get from your fa
ther or me." And the small child wrote down
on her paper of home lessons: ".Heredity
spanking." Tit-Bits.
How It's Done Nowadays. A scene In Scrib
bler & Co.'s historical novel factory. Great
author-manager (dictating) Gentlemen, your
request to hand. We will be able to flit your
order for 49 Colonial novels by Saturday morn
ing, 9 A.M.. sharp. Our factories are working
night and day, but we will complete your or
der on time. Judge.
Bargain Day. Just after her husband had ar
rived at the hospital his wife regained con
sciousness. "Did she get It?" the wife asked,
feebly. "Get what, dear?" he answered, bend
ing over her. "Why. that last yard of ribbon
marked down from 10 cents. I saw It first
and made up my mind the other woman should
not have It without a struggle." Ohio Stata
Journal. r
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