The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-29

The alarming prevalence Of the crime OF
arson which costs the country nifty millions
year, aud for which the Convention OF Fire I'm
derwriters have been trying to ind a proven
tive, proceeds mainly from two motives-the
malicious or revengefuI motive and the merce-
nary or insurance award motive. There also
cases in which the crime Is pcrpetrated as
means OF covering up some other crime. Per-
severing research, aided by the guidance thus
furnished, ought to lead to the discovery OF the
offenders In a large proportion Of Instances.
The Fire Underwriters have, OF course, the best
OF reasons for prosecuting their researches In
the event OF any incendiary fire by which they
lose money; but they have not yet been able to
establish an effective system OF detection In their
own interest. Insurance companies are not the
only parties concerned In the suppression OF
this crime. People whose property IL uninsured,
and the tenants OF all houses and stores,
whether insured or not, are concerned In fact
It Is a crime that affects the whole community,
anu one that often results in the destruction .!
life as well as property. The incendiary Is a
public enemy, against whom the hand OF every
man should be raised, aud with whom Justice
should always be as saverc as the law will allow.
A wicked young girl In Buffalo, named CAROLINE
Fox, pleaded guilty on Thursday last to the
known as the 1nglcside Home, OF which she had
been an inmate, and upon the managers OF
which .be desired to take revenge. She was
sent by the court to Randall's Island "until dis
charged by law" Two men named SKIDMoRE
were tried In Suffolk county this week for firing
a house, the flames OF which consumed three
men and one woman, against whom the accused
had made threats but no Insurance company
was Interested ia their conviction, and the evi-
dence offered was insufficient TO secure It,.
Cases like these, with such results, would be
less frequent than they are II some means were
devised Of securing the cooperation OF the
public at large with the Fire Underwriters in
the suppression Of all incendiarisrn, without re-
gard to the incident Of insurance.
The two countries OF the world, leaving
Central Africa out Of account, about which
least il known 70 outsiders, are Thibet and
Corcn, both Of them pOpulous and both ruled
by despots OF the old Oriental type. The numer-
Gus attempts made to open them up TO travel
and commerce have heretofore proved failures,
aud they remain sealed against all the influences
of our form OF civilization. but mankind will
presently gain entrance into Corea. By the trenty
through which war has been averted, and the
long standing quarrel closed between Japan and
Corca, two OF the COtean ports Will next year be
opened TO commerce with the enterrnsing
japanese. This h signal triumph OF japanese
diplomacy. 1t has gained that which all the
menaces and all the negotiation Of British and
other European agents have failed IN gaining
Other Governments, including our own. II now
OF course demand that COrea shall nut them
upon an equal footing with the japanese.
The report that Sir. Il. II. CHEEvER has de-
parted for EUROPE Is erroneous. Nj. CnEEvEE was
here on Thursday A. proved by venerable pres.
ana imposing beard in the streets OF this great
metropolis To-day, W. prcsnae. IA is IN Washington.
bent upon revealing the truth, the whole truth. aad
nothing but the ruth to any committee Of Congress
that may desire Interview with MIN.