Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-01


most populous and wealthiest districts
was overwhelmed By an inUndation, and
several millions of lives lost. Now
comes a report that an earthquake IN the
province of Yunnan recently swallowed
up 1900 human beings.
CANADA seems likely to antici pate US in
the matter of coast defenses, Gen. Mid
Gleton, who commanded the Riel expedi-
ton, is president of a commission to in
gestigate weak points on the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts and along the lake frontier
with veiw to STRENGTHENING present forti-
locations and constructing new ones.
TINS is a terrible visitation that has
come upon the prosperous Illinois village
of Mount Vernon. A sudden gust from
the heavens, and the labor of years is
laid low, while the dead are numbered by
the score. Life in certain regions of
this magnificent country is at the best
but constant watching on the oaprices
of nature.
OUR standing army is not very formid-
able; but the statement of the militia
strength of the country, transmitted to
Congress by the Secretary of War, shows
that we could easily place in the field, on
short no ice, fighting force equal TO any
emergency. The present organized mill
tia of the different States exceeds 10O,-
600; and the total number Of men avail
able for military duty, but unorganized,
is nearly 100000. 1t is not all likely
that any nation in the world would care
to pick & quarrel with us under any cir
cumstsnces; but it is well to keep these
figures in sight, nevertheless, for the
general information OF foreign statesmen
and rulers.
The New York Senate has decided to
investigate the trust mOnopOlies within
its jurisdiction, Notwithstanding the OPP
position OF a powerful lobby. Several
bills designed to break up these combine
tions are being drawn up by committees
of the Legislature, and the investigation
is TO be in the way of supplying the com
mittees with the necessary information.
Roger A. Pryor, in an argument at Al
bany in support of one of the proposed
bills cited decisions of the state courts,
to the effect that agreements to prevent
competition are void because contrary to
public policy and in restraint of trade.
The suppression of trust combinations
he declared to be already within the scope
of the police powers of the state.
TIE refusal of Sir James Ferg uson to
make any disclosures as to the under
standing between England and Italy in
the case of European war, only tends to
confirm the belief that the British fleet
will be placed at the service of Italy If
France should declare war against her.
This practically leagues Europe against
Russia. 1t is the more powerful diplo
matte combination of modem times
all the more effective because it is defens-
i've. Germany stands ready to send two
armies to the French and Russian from
tiers, Austria joining with Germany if
Russia is the attacking party, and Italy
entering the fray for central Europe if
France declares war. In which latter
event, SO it is low generally agreed, Eng
land will send a protecting fleet into Ital-
ian waters. The rumors OF a Franco Rus
sian alliance are probably sensational.
An alliance with a French republic is
something like rope of sand. The eff
feet of this German league upon Russia
will b watched with interest. The news
from the interior of Russia is that all
classes are irritated over TIE publication
of the Teutonic alliances and the speech
of Prince Bismarck. It probably
mounts TO mere than irritation. The
deep is no longer dumb in Russia. Alb
solutism walks IL a dangerous place.
JUSTIN MCCARTHY, so we'll known as the
author of "The History of Oar Own
Times" and several works of fiction, who,
as Catholic nationalist, represents in
the English Parliament, Derry city, con
sidered the very stronghold of Orange
aseendancy, has written for the American
people u brochure entitled, "Ireland's
Cause in Epgland's Parliament" which
gives very interestingly, IN brief COM
pass, the story of the efforts made and
making to restore autonomy to Ireland.
He shows among other things that COB
struction" was not invented by his party
but had been q weapon employed by the
minority at the time of the reform BILL
by Mr.. Gladstone and Disraell on similar
occasions; and that Mr.. Parnell first used
it effectively in calling the attention of
the House to the bill to abolish fogging
in the army, which was then soon passed
and that since then it has been the great
instruments by which alone the English
people as well their parliamentary repre-
sentatives could be made to listen to aud
Understand what the irish wanted. A t
the last election Gladstone and home rule
were defeated, and Mr.. Mccarthy thinks
not bya majority of English voters bnt
by majesty of English votes, Ireland
Scotland and Wales having gone solid for
homo rule. As he says, this seems para
doxical to Us until We understand that
in England man can give a separate