Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-28

During the past six weeks English consols
nave declined some five points. This shows
that those who own the consolidated debt of
Great Britain are poorer by five pounds on the
hundred, or one dollar In every hundred which,
as the total debt is So. 49,. 10, S2O aggregates
a loss OF over So, 600, 900. If war actually re-
suits, consols will drop lower and the loss will
be greater. Englands cotton trade will be
greatly injured by war, and in fact nearly every
manufacturing industry will be disastrously az
fected as we'll as the price Of food products.
These are some of the consequences which will
result to England from a war with Russia, and
in all these respects this country should be ben
Gifted. Our securities will increase in value,
our manufacturing interests will be stimulated
and we will find a ready market for our sur
plus food supply. We will also. as has been
previously pointed out, have a golden oppor-
tunity to regain our lost commerce, and a large
proportion of the carrying trade now held by
England will fall into our own hands If we are
in position to grasp it. If the navigation
laws can be promptly amended so as to enable
Americans to buy ships which cannot be built
In season at home, of foreign owners, and reg
lister them under flag, then we can
reap the advantage that will be offered. The
necessity for this action by Congress is appre-
ciated by both republicans and democrats. and,
10 is believed, that as soon as war shall be de-
clared there will be a loud demand upon Presi-
dent Cleveland to Immediately call an extra
session of Congress.
The readiness with which the war credit was
passed by the house of commons last night
shows the temper of the English people. The
whole amount asked for by Mr.. Gladstone was
voted en- bloc after mastery speech of the pre-
mier in which, though he actually told nothing
of the situation, he left ii to be inferred that
grave crisis was at hand. When he spoke of
the necessity of maintaining English honor and
intimated that there was abundant cause for
war preparations, he was enthusiastically
cheered. His speech is endorsed and COM
mended by the entire London press. and only
one paper-the Ne,cS-holds out the hope that
matters have not reached the war point. The
tone of the others is that Russia must atone for
the attack on Penjdeh.
The denunciation of the jury in the Dickson
case by some of the northern papers seems to
be altogether misapplied. While Mr. Dicksons
act in reading the paper before the star route
jury may have been technically an impro-
priety, there was nothing whatever in the evil
dence to show that he was guilty of attempting
10 corrupt the jury. On the other hand there
was proof to sustain Mr.. Dickson's allegation
that an employe of the Attorney General office
approached him with the apparent attempt to
bride him, and that the statement of that affair
read by him Dickson in the jury room was
cisive vote. Under the circumstances a con-
scientioEs jury could do nothing else than
acquit him of the charge of the indictment.
The strained relations between Russia and
England still continue, and the tension is grow
ing greater every day. Both continue their war
like preparations, and the chances of a sever
ance ofdiplomatic relations at an early date in
creases. The report that Germany had offered
to mediate between the two nations is denied,
and 1t is further stated that she has been re-
quested TO arbitrate. The situation is practi-
cally unchanged save that the probabilities of
peaceful adjustment OF the Anglo-Russian diff
fculty are further removed.
Gen. Grants siXty-third birthday was cele-
brated yesterday in many cities and eloquent
words in his praise were spoken by many dis
tinguished orators. Perhaps the most touching
tributes of sympathy were from those who re-
eeived the benefit OF his magnanimity at the
alc arafs I<,rx