THE MORNING- OREGONIAN, THTXRSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 -1904.
8
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YESTERDAY'S WEATHER Maximum tem
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TODAY'S WEATHER Occasional rain;
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PORTLAND, THURSDAY, FEB.
11, 1904.
EXAMPLES OF REAL PROGRESS.
In many sections of our Pacific States,
not the least in various parts of Ore
gon, there is witnessed the application
of new method and new spirit to the
cultivation of orchard and farm. They
who are doing this work are .showing
many wonderful results to those who
have long drifted and still are drifting
onward In the old humdrum ways. The
new method and spirit are wealth-producers,
to an extent In many cases al
most fabulous. Profits on single farms
are known to run up to many thousands
of dollars in good years, or years of
good markets; and even in ordinary
years to sums not small. Cultivation
of beauty, too, about the farm, Is found
to be compatible with pecuniary profit
and ancillary to ltt And what Is done
by a few It is obvious may be done by
many, if not by all. What Is seen al
ready, here and there, gives promise of
a very general transformation.
The saying of rare Ben Jonson "A
certain amount of soul Is necessary to
save the expense of salt" Is as true of
every profession or calling as it Is of
every Individual. But in no profession
is earnest, thinking, cultivated mind
more In demand than in that of the
farmer. It is true that any clown who
knows enouch to wield a shovel or
trundle a wheelbarrow by day's work,
and find his way home at sunset, may
get a living, so-called, from the land,
But to develop the latent resources of
the soil, and to make the most of his
profession and from his profession, re
quires of the agriculturist a wider range
of studies and closer power of thought
and analysis than are required In any
one of the "learned" walks of life. It
is related of Cuvler, the great natural
1st, that, sitting one day In the shade
of a tree, with his hand upon the
ground, he exclaimed with no little em
phasis: "I could with the highest pleas
ure as well as profit spend my life in
studying upon the nature and proper
ties of the little spot of earth which Is
covered by my single hand."
There 1b no department of agriculture
which can afford to dispense with the
"aid and comfort" of science: and in
no branch ot this great pursuit is scien
tific information, or at least enlightened
common sense, more Important than in
the growing of fruit. In our Pacific
States the most valuable of fruits for
all markets may be cultivated with
degree of suceess not attained else
where: and such result even now is
had on an Increasing scale among us.
wherever judicious methods are em
ployed. The beautiful and profitable
orchards now seen In many places
should put to shame the owners of the
negleoted ones. It is demonstrated that
money may be made. In all these states,
In growing fruit and hops, and what
ever other crops receive Intelligent at
tention. He who takes a look about
the country will see fine examples
enough to convince him that a new
era is at hand.
COMMERCIAL, ASPECT OF THE AVAR.
The big end of the bone of contention
between Japan and Russia is the al
mighty dollar. National pride, a thirst
for power and a firm belief in the right
eousness of the cause are contributing
factors, but they are incidental to the
main point at Issue. Russia desires
vast territory and numerous seaports
In the Far East to give elbow room to
her swarming millions who are crowd
lng the older portions of her empire.
She wishes them to have more room for
action in order that they may make
more money for themselves individually
and also for the empire. Japan, Imbued
with the same spirit of commercialism
seeks to plant some of the overflow of
her island population where the oppor
tunlties are less proscribed and where
commercial conquest will add to the
wealth and glory of the Mikado's em
plre. With such a plain demonstration
that commercialism is the underlying
lartor of pre-eminent importance In this
war in the Orient, It may not be harsh
and immodest to Inquire. "What
there in it for the United States?"
Eliminating all possibilities of terrl
torial acquisition in the disputed
ground, it is apparent that the United
States will be a distinct gainer by the
present trouble. Custom-house statis
ties for many months past disclose the
fact that some of the millions which
will eventually be saddled on either
Russia or Japan in the shape of a war
debt have been disbursed in the United
States for food supplies and other mu
nltlons of war. Portland and the terrl
tory for which this city is the financial
headquarters have shared largely
this prosperity, although it was a har
binger of disaster and distress to the
people across the Pacific The prepara
tions ior war created an Immense de
mand for flour, wheat and provisions,
and under the stress of this demand
the value of more than 40,000,000 bushels
of Pacific Coast wheat was enhanced
from 5 cents to 10 cents per busheL
The troops of the Czar at Port Arthur
and Vladivostok are sheltered today by
barracks bunt with lumber sawed at
the Portland mills, and Japan's home
built warships are finished with Oregon
pine.
On the Pacific approaches of Russia's
great Trans-Siberian Railroad Ameri
can locomotives roll over American
rails, which In turn rest on Oregon ties.
In the same proportion American
equipment can be found on Japanese
railroads, and In the construction of
their army posts. Actual conflict of the
opposing forces may cause a temporary
lull In this trade, but out of the chaos
of war will come greater prosperity
than ever. No nation on earth buys
anything from the United States out of
sheer love and affection for us as a
Nation or a people. They purchase our
goods because it Is to their own selfish
advantage for them to do so. For this
reason the United States can view with
a fair degree of equanimity the out
come of the struggle, knowing as we
do that American flour, lumber, beef,
9teel, cotton, eta, will be in greater de
mand than ever as soon as the dove of
peace returns from the flight on which
she has Just started, and that Secretary
Hay Is on the alert -to see that no door
to this traffic is closed.
IMPORTANCE OF SEA POWER.
It appears that for a correct reading
of this war, as of other wars, we must
have recourse to the naval philosophy
of Captain Alfred Mahan; for therein
written large the pre-eminence of
sea power in national ascendency, and
the necessity of preparedness for war
as a condition of diplomatic efficacy.
Japan's initial victory, at sea, has -created
an Immeasurably greater prepos
session In her favor than could an equal
triumph on land; and the world is re
minded again of Russia's unbroken rec
ord for unreadiness. Military power
that she Is, she is always unprepared
when the time comes; and in the pres
ent Instance the war is likely to be
about, over before her formidable and
superior masses of troops begin the ex
pected movement to sweep Japan from
the Asiatic mainland.
There Is no exact precedent for any
situation In war; and yet there Is one
campaign of history which resembles
the Russian relation to Manchuria.
This is the enterprise of the great Car
thagenlan General against Rome.. It
was the Roman control of the sea which
forced Hannibal to that long, perilous
march through Gaul in which more
than half of his veteran troops wasted
away. At the critical moment the two
Carthaginian armies In Italy were sep
arated, and the Roman Generals were
able by combining against one of those
armies to defeat it. It Is clear that
some such disadvantage as this, which
Captain Mahan explains in his book on
"Sea Power," will Inure to Russia In
her operations . In Manchuria, If
she is contented or compelled
to see her naval strength nulll
fled by Japan. It is true that her land
communications are and will be Intact
from Russia proper through Siberia;
but If any considerable portion of her
forces have to be moved across the
frozen Siberian waste and the lce-cov
ered Lake Baikal, she will hardly get
In motion before the Japanese have put
themselves in possession of everything
east of Port Arthur and Hwang" Chin.
If Russia Is to be put out of business
by sea and -'evented from entering
freely Into China for coal and other
supplies, her disadvantage through loss
of sea power will lend a great deal of
force to Captain Mahan's philosophy;
and his application of It to our own af
fairs Is most strikingly justified In con
nectlon with Secretary Hay's note to
the powers. This remarkable state pa
per uses the word "must" In reference
to Russian or Japanese pretensions In
China a term which would only excite
derision when employed by a power
without the military resources to make
them good. Secretary Hay's proposals
would have no meaning or dignity if it
were not for the fact that with the
Philippine Islands and our new Navy
we are an Asiatic power and one to be
reckoned with. If the United States
has any real or vital interest In the In
tegrlty of China, the only status that
interest can have in the world of real
ity is what is assured by armor and
guns and our naval base at Manila.
Hence the necessity of our retention of
the Philippines, so often pointed out by
Captain Mahan;. hence, also, the new
Navy In a constant state of prepared
ness. If we should be drawn Into the
struggle, whether Inadvisedly or other
wise, the military folly of our long de
lay on the Isthmian canal would be
painfully apparent Perhapjr the war
will help us Indirectly by hurrying
along the ratification of the treaty with
Panama and hasten the day when dirt
will fly In the Culebra cut as well as
words across the Senate chamber.
ASPECTS OF NAVAL, CONFLICT.
Japanese transports have as little to
fear from Russian ships as did the
transports of the allies during the Cri
mean War. Admiral Togo might 1ml
tate Van Tromp and lash a broom to
his main truck, for he can sweep the
Russian ensign from the seas. Trans
ports bound for Siberia with Russian
troops have no possible chance of dls
embarking their men, and -the Import
ance of this is not fully realized by
those that look upon the Siberian Rail
way as a safe means of landing Russian
soldiers, munitions of war and provls
Ions within striking distance of Corea.
The fact that Russia employed trans
ports to convey troops to Port Arthur
while war was momentarily expected is
clear enough proof that the single line
of railway communication Is utterly
unable to handle men and war supplies.
Weak as It is, however, troops must go
that way or not at all; the sea Is closed.
Nor can provisions be landed from neu
tral ships. Even if Japan did not
blockade the Russian ports, she will
naturally declare food supplies to be
contraband of war, and neutral vessels
carrying grain or flour will consequent
ly lay themseves open to capture. Thus,
with China In hostile mood, Russia
must depend entirely upon the railroad
for communication with any base of
supplies. Her situation, therefore, is
much as it was in the Crimea, where
the allies fastened upon an extremity
and could not be shaxen off.
The question, What Is contraband of
war? may be answered by saying that
any supplies likely to aid the enemy
or enable him to prolong his resistance
may be declared contraband. Thus
Great Britain in the Crimean War de
clared horses, sulphur, coal, timber, and
so forth, to be contraband. Timber
was classed as "naval stores" along
with cordage, and similar articles.
Japan will, no doubt, declare coal and
food supplies to be contraband, and In
the event of Port Arthur's standing a
long siege there may be some blockade
running of interest. A government is
not required to prevent the 'export of
contraband goods, although It must not
permit a vessel intended for fighting on
the side of a belligerent to leave Its
shores. It will be remembered In this
connection that an American vessel was
held Inactive In a west of England har
bor during the Spanish War, and, of
course, the Alabama is another exam
ple.
As to ordinary trading vessels, the
rule of International law, subscribed to
by all nations, except the United States,
Spain and Mexico, In the declaration
of Paris, 1S56, is that (1) a neutral flag
covers the enemy's goods, and (2) neu
tral goods are safe under the enemy's
flag. It is In the first of these rules
that America Is Interested, since there
are practically no American goods
likely to be found in Russian or Jap
anese merchant vessels. In the case of
United States vessels trading to the
Orient, Russian or Japanese goods not
contraband of war are exempt from
capture by the other side, so that little
disturbance will be caused on that ac
count. Little opportunity, indeed, will be af
forded for the observation of the effect
of modern fast cruisers upon maritime
commerce. The latest available figures
show the Russian mercantile marine,
exclusive of sailing craft, to number
544 vessels, with a tonnage of 556,102.
The same authority Lloyd's gives the
Japanese steam fleet as 535 vessels with
a tonnage of 555,230. The, Japanese ves
sels are safe from attack, and the Rus
sian vessels, too, are safe, for the rea
son that practically all of them are In
European waters. The volunteer fleet
Is a naval auxiliary, and Is now on the
same footing as the other ships of war.
Admiral Alexleff has reported that
the battleships Czarevitch, Retvlzan
and Poltava, and the cruisers Pallada,
Diana, Askold and Novlk have been
damaged at Port Arthur. In addition
the crulseis Varlag and Korietx have
been destroyed at Chemulpo. The Im
portance of this Isiseen when It Is re
membered that theCzarevltch, 13,110
tons. Is the biggest Russian battleship.
and the Retvlzan, 12,700, the next big
gest Of the cruisers, the "Varlag, 6500
tons, built at Cramps' In 1S93, and the
Askold, 6100, were the most heavily
armed of the protected class, each
mounting twelve 6-inch and twelve
3-inch guns. The Diana, 6630 tons.
mounted six 6-lnch and twenty 3-Inch
guns. All these had a speed of over
twenty knots, and this, as well as their
heavy armament of quick-firing guns,
rendered them admirable cruisers for
work In the waters where they were
stationed. The Novlk's main battery
was composed of 4.7-Inch guns, very
useful weapons In cruiser work, and
her trial speed is given at twenty-five
knots. With these vessels disabled,
Russia must take the count, so far as
sea fighting goes.
FIRST OF ASIATIC POWERS.
Secretary Hay's note puts a final
quietus upon the contention of the antls
That the exclusive field of United States
Influence Is the Western Hemisphere.
We are a world power, an Asiatic power.
and we have purposes In China which
we propose to assert and support Re
luctance to enter upon these untried
and perilous relations may still claim
the academic and even feverish atten
tion of certain sensitive and timorous
souls, but for the world of actual af
fairs that hesitation can only possess a
vague and fictitious Interest. We have
taken a step which can never be re
traced; and however we may indulge
regrets or rejoicing, the only practical
thing Is to recognize the fact and ad
just ourselves to It
It will not be -without misgiving that
we find ourselves In that concert of the
powers to whose arbitrary, unjust and
often Injurious conclusions we have
hitherto been a stranger. The congress
of Berlin in 1S7S and the Japan-China
settlement at Chefoo In 1895 will be
repeated at the close of this war; but
unlike those earlier undertakings, to
this one we shall be an actual if not
nominal party. Ten years from now,
when the settlement of the Japan-Rus
sia war of 1904 comes up for censure,
our place will not be in the jury-box
to weigh the evidence, but along with
the other defendants at the bar. And
as a principal; for the events of the war
can never obliterate the fact that In
the agreement as to the conduct of the
war Itself and as to restrictions upon
Its operations in Chinese territory, the
Government at Washington was the
first to act In the concert of the pow
ers Mr. Hay has selected for us with
out being asked, the first violin.
It is doubtless unavoidable, but It Is
open at least to the suspicion of being
unfair. If Japan closes up Russia by
sea and drives her from Corea and
Southern Manchuria, her natural and
necessary recourse will be to Chinese
mines and storehouses through Mon
golia. Secretary Hay says she cannot
go there. If on the other hand the
Japanese propel their conquering arms
to the .verge of Mongolia and In the
hour of triumph fix their ambition upon
domination of China on ambition they
have shared In competition with Rus
sla from immemorial time. Secretary
Hay says they must forbear. We, the
powers, who will not stir hand or foot
to help either Russia or Japan In the
hour of need, reserve the right to step
In after their triumph has been won at
fearful cost of blood and treasure and
set limits to the scope of their victory.
This sort of thing was bad. enough for
Europe: it Is worse for us.
And yet as we have said, it is doubt
less unavoidable. It does not suit
Western civilization to see China
brought under the dominion either of
heathen Japan or barbaric Russia. The
chief concern of modern government is
the conservation of the economic pow
ers of Its subjects and the protection
of them in the right to labor and to
enjoy the fruits of that labor. The par
tltlon of China In a coarse and brutally
undisguised way we repudiate as un
thinkable: but the trade privileges
which a developed China will offer to
our cupidity we have no notion of fore
going. The Integrity of China and the
open door are not espoused by us, any
more than frank occupation Is contem
plated by Japan or Russia, from any
altruistic feeling for. the poor Chinese.
We are for the open door for what there
Is In it, and under the circumstances It
Is hard to see how we can avoid assert
ing ourselves, just as Secretary Hay
proposes to do. If Russian domination
of China menaces Europe, it is quite as
clear that China, organized and led by
Japan, would be quite as much of a
bugbear to the entire Western world,
the United States included. It does not
make much difference to us whether
China Is walled up by Russia or Japan"
or both together, or parceled out among
the powers of Western Europe. Her
territory we cannot seize; and we must
speak betimes against her passing under
the complete dominion of any one else.
If we are to be an Asiatic power, we
must act the part
Under Peter the Great the Russians,
beaten at Narva, finally defeated
Charles XII of Sweden at Pultowa, In
the "Seven Tears War" Frederick the
Great suffered a terrible defeat at the
hands of the Russians at Kunersdorff.
The Russians under Suwarrow in 1799
defeated severely the French under
Generals Moreau, Joubert and Mac
donald in Italy in three great battles.
France was saved from Invasion by
General Massena, who defeated Suwar
row at Zurich. Napoleon, who fought
the Russians at Austerlitz, at Eylau,
Frledland and Borodino, said at St
Helena that the Russian was the most
stubborn fighter In Europe except the
English, but that he lacked Individual
Intelligence. In the Crimean War the
Russian soldier was no match In close
fighting for the English or French sol
diers. In his wars with the Turks from
1829 to 1S7S the Russian has been suc
cessful, but the Turks In those days
were not armed, disciplined and drilled
after the European fashion, as they are
today. The Russian soldier Is stalwart,
patient, brave and resolute; but he is
Ignorant and slow-witted. Man for
man, the Japanese soldier Is a match
for the Russian, but Russia's resources
In men are only limited by her finan
cial ability to organize and support her
armies. The Russian fights for his Czar
and the Greek cross as religiously as
the Turk does for the crescent, and In
this kind of military courage and super
stitious devotion the Russian and the
Turk are about equal, save that the
Turk Is sober, for the Koran forbids
the use of alcohol, while the Russian is
a great consumer of ardent spirits.
In the recent elections In Australia
the newly enfranchised women of the
commonwealth exercised, the right of
suffrage for the first time. Nearly
700,000 women were registered, but It Is
not yet known Just how many went to
the polls and for whom they voted.
The women's vote In Melbourne was
cast largely for labor nominees, but the
women of Sydney cast their votes large
ly against the labor candidates. In Mel
bourne the women voters were divided
by politicians Into "women" and "la
dies." The "women" went to the polls
almost to a woman, but the "lady"
votera were accused of showing less
enthusiasm and less Interests The
"lady" voters waited for carriages to
carry them to the'polls, and when these
did not put In an appearance there was
a corresponding falling off In the "lady"
or anti-labor vote. On the other-hand,
labor's "women" vote went to the polls
on foot and voted. One of the women
candidates for the Senate In Victoria
polled 50,000 votes out of 900,000. The
polling places were so arranged that
the women voted on one side and the
men on the other. In Sydney women
electors were told by spellbinders and
the newspapers that the tariff was re
sponsible for their Increased grocers.
meat, dress, hat and shoe bills, and that
they should bend every effort to break
the power of the ministerialist labor
party.
Chicago wheat continues to soar, and
every option on the board yesterday
scored the highest point of the season.
with July wheat selling at 8S cents and
September at 83 cents. War news
was given out as the controlling factor
In the advance yesterday, but the Liv
erpool market, which above all others
should have been sensitive to war ru
mors, refused to budge except for
fractional gain In the May option. This
shows to what a large extent well-dl
rected manipulation Is dominating the
Chicago market As the option market
has been pushing cash wheat right
along with If, the farmers who still
have wheat to sell are not caring
whether It Is manipulation or the result
of natural conditions that is causing the
bulge. Meanwhile the Argentine and
Australia have under charter to load
wheat for Europe the largest fleet Vof
ships ever chartered at a similar period,
and the shipments from both of these
countries promises to break all records
They are not receiving Chicago prices
or even war prices, for this wheat but
the figures are not low enough to check
the Immense volume of the shipments,
The Astorlan has just tipped off
deep-laid conspiracy on the part of the
wicked men of Portland. It says
"However much the people of Portland
may demand a forty-foot depth at the
entrance of the river, there Is wide
spread belief that the demand Is an In
sincere one; that Portland will oppose
a bar depth which will permit the en
trance of vessels too large to ascend
the river to the Inland seaport" As yet
the Chamber of Commerce of the city
by the sea has not taken official action
on the matter, and Senator ("Our Char
He") Fulton has not brought the villain
ous plot to the attention of the United
States Senate. Nevertheless the good
people of Astoria should be continually
on guard against any attempt on the
part of the Portlanders to choke up the
channel over the bar. Incidentally they
might meet and pass resolutions com
mending the Astorlan for Its vigilance
In sounding the warning.
The San Francisco Commercial News
a journal whose age and general air
of, reliability should be proof against
such geographical Inaccuracy, says
"The ship C. F. Sargent will be 'hove
down' at St Johns, Puget Sound.
With a slmNar degree of accuracy 1
would be proper to speak of Oakland
Creek, San Diego, or the Potrero, L03
Angeles. It Is difficult for some of the
San Francisco papers to understand
that there are any ports on the Pacific
Coast except the wind-swished and fog
damped San Francisco and, Puget
Sound. To enable the News to bring Its
geography up to date, we will statethat
St Johns Is a thriving suburb of Port
land and the site of the new drydock
which Is to relieve the pressure of busi
ness from some of "Ihe San Francisco
docks.
In the peril of war Japan has re
moved the restrictions on foreign in
surance companies. It Is an Interesting
commentary on the Justice of-such poli
cies. If there are premiums to be paid,
let the home companies enjoy them; If
losses are In sight, let the foreigner
have free course to suffer.
These Japanese fellows are as daring
at sea as were Drake and Hawkins
and Froblsher. They slip Into narrow
places under cover of darkness and
make It lively for the adversary.
These days the Japanese hornets are
stinging the ears of the bear, with an
effect that makes fun for the spectators.
SPIRIT OF THE NORTHWEST PRESS
Darkness as a Means of Grace.
Aberdeen Bulletin.
Cutting out the electric lights occasion
ally Is a good thing. It gives some Aber
deen men an opportunity to stay at home.
No Honest Official In Portland.
' Salem Journal.
A Portland politician says: "It Is often
hard for a party to get a real good, hon
est, business man to run for office." His
statement is too mild, at least' as far as
Multnomah County Is concerned, for If It
was ever tried it was found impossible.
Sufficiently Explicit.
Coquille City Bulletin.
It D. Hume announces himself as candi
date for the State Senate from this dis
trict Mr. Hume Is certainly a good man
(for R. D.) and has the interests of the
people (which from his point of view, in
cludes ndbedy but R. D. Hume) at heart
and, if nominated, will, no doubt, be
elected to stay at home.
A Study in Nuisances.
Merrill Cor. in Klamath Falls Republican.
One little skunk not as large, as a rab
bit can stink up a thousand sheep and
then trot off with its tall over Its back.
One long-tongued lying gosslper can stir
up a whole town and besmirch the fairest
character in It and trot off unharmed. Of
the two I would rather be the skunk, for
the gosslper Is sure to go to hell and all
the skunk has to do Is to die.
Klamath's Entry In the Giant Clas3.
Klamath Falls Republican.
In addition to having a fine band of
sheep, Mr. Gerber has the distinction of
having the two tallest herders take his
sheep to Montague that ever left this part
of Oregon. The McCall Bros, are giants.
Claude McCall stands 6 feet 4& inches and
his brother, Irve, stands 6 feet 7 inches.
The combined length of both Is nearly 13
feet Mr. Gerber says no danger but what
they can look ahead for forage.
"Democratic Focus on Manning.
Eugene Guard.
A very pretty state of affairs down at
Portland, where the District Attorney
kept arresting a gambling game and fining
the proprietors till finally, after having
remained closed a week, they refunded the
J1C5 of a woman's hard-earned money that
her husband had gambled away. If the
District Attorney could keep the game
closed a week, why not permanently? It
may be Interesting to note that while this
particular gambler was put out of busl
ness- the other gamblers were allowed to
gamble to their heart's content
.
It Has Gone Forward.
Salem Statesman.
In a fine editorial on the anniversary
of the founding of its daiy edition The
Oregonian says that over 40 years It "has
been marking time." It is not quite clear
what is 'meant by the use of that phrase.
but it certainly haa not been marking
time In the military application of the
term, when a military company "marks
time" It goes through all the forms of
traveling without getting anywhere, but
The Oregonian has progressed faster than
the community has upon which it depends
for support Instead of "marking time"
for 40 years It has more nearly proceeddd
on the double quick. And we are all glad
of it
The Better Part of Valor.
Castle Rock Leader.
In large cities, when domestic troubles
occur, the daily papers seem to take a de
light In airing the troubles and gloat par
ticularly on salacious details. In such
cases the parties are apt to be unknown
beyond a small circle of their own friends,
When such troubles arise in a town like
Castle Rock the details are known to
every one, and people take sides. For the
local newspaper to dlscus3 matters, even
from an unbiased point of view. Is to bo
accused of taking sides. Therefore, we
consider it best to merely publish the de
clsion of the courts without comment of
any kind or report of proceedings.
Store the Floods by Forests.
Lewiston Teller.
The preservation of the timber con
serves the rainfall. It holds the snow in
the higher altitudes and feeds it gradually
Into the streams below preserving the
equablo flow in the rivers and minor
streams for the benefit of the mining and
Irrigation as well 03 of vital Interest to
those using the stream for transporatlon
purposes. The open river to the sea
wduld be of little benefit to Lewiston it
the waters of the Clearwater went off
with a rush in a Spring freshet leaving
the river at low stage not carrying enough
water to float the river steamers for many
months of the year, and this Is what would
occur if the forest areas at the head of
the basin were not preserved.
Thanks, Good Neighbor.
' Aberdeen Bulletin.
The Portland Oregonian ha3 entered
upon Its 44th year. Its first issue having
appeared on the morning of Fcbraury 4,
1S6L The Oregonian has grown to be the
greatest newspaper on the Pacific Coast,
and one of the few really great papers
of the country. Its progress from small
beginnings, through many difficulties, to
its present high standing is a matter of
pride to every citizen of the Northwest,
and congratulations will be many and
sincere. Mr. Scott may not be United
States Senator from Oregon, but he
something better a great editor at the
head of a great paper, and foremost
among the valued citizens of the Pacific
Coast
Color Line at Dayton.
Newberg Graphic.
Rev. Daniel Drew, who went to Dayton,
a lew days ago to assist Enos Ellis
a job of ditching, was refused board and
lodging at the hotel in that village on
account of his color. In the best homes
in Newberg the latch-string is always out
for Rev. Daniel Drew, where he is wel
corned as heartily as the average white
man, but It Is barely possible that we are
not so blue blooded down thl3
way as they are up on the
Yamhill. Tho Graphic asserts, how
ever, without fear of successful con
tradiction that the Dayton hotel, unless
it Is conducted very differently from the
average of Its kind, houses those every
week, who, while they have a white skin
are more likoly to "contaminate" the sa
crcd surroundings than this roan Drew
with a dark skin would be.
Hatcheries Making Good.
Spokane Spokesman-Review.
The report of Master ilsh Warden Van
Dusen of Oregon on the development of
fish hatcheries Is highly encouraging.
with fishermen taking more Dsn every
year, the complete, destruction of salmon
could be only a matter of time unless
successful scheme of artificial propaga
Hon could be devised. This has been done
In the hatcheries, which have been
successful that there Is now no longer ap
prehension of exhausting the food fish
supply. At one time It was thought that
the salmon In the Columbia, that great
est of salmon streams, woe becomln
scarce, and fears were entertained that
once great Industry might dandle Into
eisniflcance. The success of the hatch
eries has removed these fears. The an
nual output of the Oregon. Woshingto
and Federal hatcheries Is 70,000,000 Chinook
fry- As a result of this xestocking fish
are becoming more plentiful and the
product of the Columbia -river fisheries
for the year 1203 shows an Increase of 20
per cent over the previous year. Of course.
good work similar to that done on the
Columbia Is possible In other waters fre
quented by salmon, and the State makes
no mistake when It provides liberally for
hatcheries, and thus provides against
diminution in the supply of the most
Important food fish In tbi Pacific North
west.
"POPULISTS IN WALL STREET."
New Tork Tribune.
We never thought of them In Just that
way, but when we come to consider we I
must confess that there Is a large kernel
of truth In the phrase which Mr Bede
launched upon the House of Representa
tives on Tuesday. Mr. Bede Is not the
Venerable Bede of blessed memory, but
he is the Mirthful Bede of Minnesota, and
11 that phrase Is a fair sample of his gift
for epithet he bids fair to enrich the lan
guage and divide the bonorsxof a historic
name.
"A little bunch of Pormiists in Wall
street cannot dictate the nomination of
either party." The Idea might seem to be
ridiculous at first Wall street has always
fought the Populists. Their cheap money
was Wall street's pet aversion. What can
the gold bug financiers have In com
mon with the long-whiskered sllverites as
described by Bede? Bede says they have
love for flat values In common- That
seems a rather hard thing to say about
men whom we always think of as the
ery symbols of sound finance. Yet as we
read the stock list hear all the talk about
squeezing out water." and learn of "mis
representations of an important charac
ter In the statement of Intrinsic value
on which the securities of a great corpora
tion are floated, we begin to think there
must be something in it
What difference in principle is there be
tween, putting off onthe public jfor a dol
lar a piece of silver worth 50 cents and
in putting off on the public as represent
ing a dollar a stock certificate really rep
resenting only 50 cents, or, as Is more
often the case, really representing nothing
at all? 13 watered stock any more honest
than watered money? Are not both
schemes to get something for nothing
The Wall street that has so scorned the
financial heresies of Populism would do
well to think of these things. The people
are beginning to see through fiat securities
as they finally saw through flat money,
and If there is not a reform in the methods
of high finance that characterization of
Mr. Bede. "the Populists in "Wall street,"
will be likely to stl-jk.
DUTY OF LEARNING TO SHOOT.
As It Is Regarded in Military Cir
cles.
Army and Navy Register.
One of the most Important events In the
administration of Secretary Root has been
tho organization of the board for the pro
motion of rifle practice, which has recent
ly been In session In this city. The re
sults of the recent deliberations are em
bodied In certain recommendations for
the conditions of the national match open
to teams of 12 men from the army, navy
and marine corps, and the national guard
or uniformed militia; the United States
individual match and a national pistol
match, the two latter events to be open
to the army, navy, marine corp3, organ
lzed militia and members of the national
rifle association and affiliated clubs, mili
tary or civilian.
The Importance of this programme, the
place and date of the events, yet to be
determined. Is -urgely derived from the
opportunity it affords for rifle practice
among a class of people who have hither
to Ignored this useful work. The value of
such practice from a military standpoint
is in the training of the young men in the
country in the art of shooting straight.
an element which is bound to contribute
materially to tho efficiency of our volun
teer armies In the future. Secretary Root
said In his annual report that it is of
small,, if any, use to pay, equip, subsist
and transport a soldier to a battlefield
unless he can hit the enemy when he
shoots at him. Without that accuracy In
marksmanship an army might as well not
be, and there seems no better way of ac
quiring this proficiency than that which
is provided by the plans of the board for
the promotion of rifle practice. Time was
when it was a part of every boy's training
that he should be able to shoot a rifle or
shotgun and be able to hit the object
at which he aimed. Now, it is safe to say
most of the young men, especially those
in the settled communities, have never
fired a gun, and would be of- little use
in an army equipped with anything but
bludgeons.
This deterloatlon of skill has reached
such dimensions as to constitute a menace
in this country and is likely to prove dls
astrous to the best-laid plans of strategy
when it becomes necessary to employ
volunteer force, called suddenly Into serv
ice. Under the present situation we
would find Its members willing enough in
their patriotism, which leads them to
offer their services for the firing line, but
they would be of small value In the ca
paclty of the soldier. The first duty, as
Mr. Root aptly nuts It is to be abler to
shoot straight The board for the pro
motion of rifle practice nas an important
task, therefore, and Judging from the re
sults of its recent session, it Is proving
Itself equal to Its far-reaching responsl
bill ties.
James Gordon Bennett's View.
New York Herald.
The plain fact Is that American and
Russian Interests do not clash, while
American and Japanese Interests are Ir
reconcilable. As was pointed out In the
Daily Mail recently, European traders can
no longer earn a living in Japan. Any in
crease of Japanese power means conse
quent diminution of commercial posslblli
ties for the Western peoples, and for the
United States In particular. The absorp
tlon of Corea by Japan, with the estab
lishment of Japanese control over Chinese
waters', means danger In future for the
Philippines. Charity begins at home, and
the Herald, an American newspaper, is
only concerned with the protection of
American interests.
It Is this consideration that underlies its
support of Secretary Moody's demand for
the creation and organization of coaling
and naval stations In the Far East with
properly equipped drydocks, repairing
shops and store magazines. When the
United States is properly supplied with
tnesp vitally necessary weapons of de
fense we can afford to watch Japanese
aggrandizement and Japanese ambitions
with equianlmity. The first duty of Con
gress, therefore. Is to vote the appropria
tion requested by Mr. Moody for this
work. To do so is a duty dictated by
patriotism.
Fashion Notes.
New York Sun.
Sir Walter Raleigh had just flung hl3
cloak In the puddle.
"Of "course," he whispered to the re
porter, "mention that it was made by
Blank, the tailor."
Herein we see how the gallants paid
for their costly apparel.
Joan of Arc was urged to wear woman's
garb. ,
"Very well," she replied, "bring me a
beige voile with emplecement and ceinture
of elan velvet and jabots of mousse
line "
But with a baffled cry the English
abandoned the attempt
Mary Stuart hinted that Elizabeth's
dress was out of style.
"Yes," answered the Virgin Queen. "I
expect to wear my clothes longer than
you wilt"
A Song for Music.
Anon.
Weep you no more, fad fountains
What need you flow so fast?
Look how the snowy mountains
Heaven's sun doth gently, waste!
But my Sun's heavenly eyes
Vlefv not your weeping-.
That now lies sleeptnc
Softly, now softly lies.
Sleeping;
Sleep Is a reconciling:,
A rest that peace besets
Doth not the- sun rises smiling.
When fair at even he sets?
Best yen, then, rest sad eyes!
Melt not In weeping!
While She lies sleeping
Softly, now softly U
Sleeping S
.. NOTE AND COMMENT,
With funerals at cut rates, misers' la
Scattlcvwlll bo sorely tempted to com
mit suicide.
"The Russians have cut the Vladivos
tok cable." Hubby read aloud.
The Japanese will have- to walk up
the hills now." commented Wlfey.
Before the war broke out Russia was
said to have two submarine "Boats in
Oriental waters. By the end of tho war
she will have a whole fleet of sub
marines.
It was entirely in keeping with the
Puritan character of the Senate to have
tho Lewis and Clark Fair closed on
Sundays. How the opening of its gates
would have lacerated the simple. God
fearing members of that devout body I
Editors in Russia must not publish war
news until It has first appeared in the
official paper. This must save the editors
lots of worry, and at the same time the
arrangement gives them a chonco to
say they had the new3 24 hours before
their rivals.
Recently The Oregonian reprinted from
Its files of 1S43 a waggish remark about
candidate being like tho earth "be
cause he was flattened at the poles."
The London Times Is reprinting extracts'
from its files of 1804, and ono of-the lat
est contains a witticism that Is particu
larly English. "Some very corpulent Of
ficers in certain Volunteer Corps," said
the 1S04 Joker, "ore good-humourcdly
complimented by their friends, as the
Belli-gerent Powers."
The Holy Rollers are not entirely
friendless. It appears that some of them
have camped on an island near Wheat
land, and they pray and sing with great
vehemence all through tho night The
racket disturbs the good people ol
Wheatland more than would a score of
torn cats In concert and sleep is a stran
ger to the eyes of the population. Con
sequently the population Is late In get
ting up when morning comes, and by tho
time Jack and Jill have had their hair
brushed and have eaten their breakfast
It Is too late for school- Roll on. Holy
Rollers; you have the moral support of
Wheatland's Infantry.
George Bernard Shaw, who, In addition
to writing scintillating plays and corus
cating prefaces, flnd3 time to be a so
cialist Is capable of rendering amus
ing even an address on municipal owner
ship. In speaking at a socialist meeting
recently he asked his hearcra if they read
the London Times. Of course there was
a universal "no" from the crowd. "Well,"
continued G. B. S., "the Times Is like
Cap'n Cuttle's watch, which showed the
time accurately If put on 30 minutes in
the morning and 20 in the afternoon.
Put the Times on 50 years In the morn
ing and 20 in the afternoon, and you will
find it accurate."
It must be the Rubber Trust that has
boomed the idea of using a piece of rub
ber piping to correct the unruly school
boy. The Sun has come to the conclu
sion 'that this has become the favorite
Instrument of punishment with teachers
in New York, and another exchange
makes the same statement concerning
Hood River. The world moves, and we
abandon the ways of our fathers. The
sinuous rubber tube replaces the less
pliant rod, and even the smsQl boy 13
cojnpelled to contribute Indirectly to the
revenues of a monopoly. We fancy that
in this case, at least our schools will
be filled with youthful "trust busters."
The esteemed Astorlan finds occasion
for surprise In the fact that anyone In
Portland should have sufficient acquaint
ance with nautical matters to be able to
converse with a mermaid. It must be
admitted that mermaids in Portland
would lack Interpreters, were it not for
those persons whose previous residence
in Astoria made them familiar with the
language of the sea. Your true Astorlan
does not ask what the wild waves are
saying. He's wise to their lingo. Ho
can hear a clam as far as the Willamette
farmer can catch the accents of a tur
nip. Why then shouldn't a mermaid's
language be intelligible to anyone with
the advantage of a residence, however
brief. In Oregon's Venice?
While Alfred Austin has been" cheering
the columns of the Times with the In
formation that the years are moving on
ward, but the stars in the sky are tho
same old stars, his unofficial rival. Rud
yard Kipling, has not been Idle. During
a period of silence he has had his critical
eye trained upon the muddied oaf and
the fianneled fool that ho once impaled
upon his pen. In a recent letter he
comments on the fact that a strict form
of conscription Is in force at most of tho
public schools In England. Mr. Kipling
points out that no talk of "racial antipa
thies" or "Anglo-Saxon Individuality"
will save the schoolboy from compulsory
participation in football or cricket as tne
season may demand. Why, then, asks
tho poet of the line, should not 10 per
cent of the time thus "devoted to cricket
and football be given to military drill?
Calliope and Kipling are a very wortlka
pair.
WEX. J.
OUT OF THE GINGER JAR.
Panama, has an army, but only half of It
Is standing. The other three soldiers are per
mitted to sit down. Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Mabel Did Gladys have a fashionable wed
ding? . Maude Very. Why; her wedding dress
was nearly torn off before she got inside the
church. Judge.
"And she said there was worse to tell, but
she wouldn't say what It was." "Oh, I don't
believe there coald be anything worse If ehe
wouldn't tell It!" Puck.
ilame Say, Jim, ain't she a stuck-up looking
thing? Jim Dat'3 wot. She's got a face like
one o' dese swell salesladies, when yes ask. ter
see tomethln' cheaper. Brooklyn Life.
"I't all right to talk about the divine af
flatus." she said to the careworn poet "but
how do you expect to warm, a house and seven
children with poetic fire?" Atlanta Constitu
tion. Hicks My wife Is very methodical. She's
always got a place for everything, and every
thing In Its plaee. Wicks So has mine; but
I can never find the- plaee. Philadelphia Public
Led'ser.
Prosecuting Attorney Was the prisoner In
the habit of slngins when he was atone? Pat
McGulre (witness) Sbure, an' I can't say. Ol
was niver with him when he was alone. Chi
cago Journal.
Mr. Hugglns It 13 really the little things
tfiat" count in this world- Mbs Dimples I
guess you are right Mr. Huggins. My little
brother. Willie, says you have been here Just
IS evenings this month. Tonkers Statesman.
"I have looked over the whole field." said
the young author, "and the only thing that
pays Is a good noveL" "Wrong again," said
the philosopher. "What pays better?" said
the author. "A bad novel," said the philoso
pher. Life.
jjowesDon't like this cold weather, eh?
Why. only last Summer you were complaining
o the heat. Barnes Not o the heat itself,
but rather because of Its untlmelinesa. It
would be all right If reserved for such weather
as this. Boston Transcript