Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-27

The considerations urged to account for the
large immigration into this country numer-
ons, and not the least important is one seldom
advanced; the fact that the debt OF many lead
ing foreign nations is increasing that of the
Unitad States steadily decreases The tabulated
statement prepared by the censns bureau for
the decade of 1880 to 1890 shows that the former
has increased more than two thousand million
dollars: the latter has decreased half that
amount. The fact that this heavy increase of
foreign Indebtedness is due largely to prepare
tons for war furnishes a further inducement to
seek land Of peace and comparatively small
national expenditures. An examination of the
per capita debt OF the various countries illus
trstes the comparative statement. The United
States debt decreased from $3.50 to :14.G3.
Great Britsin's per capita debt Is ss7I9: that
of France, s116.35; Russia's is only SSO79.
When the county and state debts are consid-
cred the small comparative expenditure by the
people of this country more distinctly appears;
for the republic public debt-sn extraordinary
expenditure not likely to be incurred again
after the payment of the present indebted
ness-will soon be extinguisbed and leave only
for the most part local debt. The e1pendi-
lures above those betrayed ont of the customs
and internal revenue will be thuse OF munich
palities. townships, counties and states. Our
state debt per capita Is $3.50 the county debt,
s2.27. The total per capita, county. state and
national. is S2o.46 as against $3.50 in 1880.
At this rate the entire Indebtedness would be
liquidated in ten years more. Municipal in
debtedness is not included in tue statement.
--->s -
The Fortuguese-E English struggle in South
Africa seems now 10 be over n tableland IN the
interior approached by the river Pungwe.
This is considered to be one of the bealthiest
districts the region, perhaps in all the Dark
Continent. Commanding the Zambesi and the
southern lake country. Mashonaland is invalu-
able from the standpoint Of permane mt settle
meEt in South Africa or even from that of
traffic with the natives. The Portuguese were
the earliest :iiscoyeIers here as elsewhere in
modern times in that Africa which lies south
Of the Great Desert. But they were better
fitted for discovery than colonization. More
than three centuries have passed since the
1Irst attempts to c-trblI,h posts were made
and nothing Of Importance has been
ACCOMPLISHED for civilization. The English,
coming later and with more definite purposes,
are running afnTl of Portuguese claims, and a
conflict las already taken place. which may or
NAV not result IN something serious. But the
Beers are likely to give the English claimants
more trouble in that section than any other
people. The Boer is an AfricInder Holllnder.
long out OF Holland. holding tenaciously to the
Presbyterian theology of William the Silent
and the synod Of bort. His many years of
absence from home in strange land with
small communication with tine world and
plentiful contact with heat. Oslriches and Hot |
tentots. have developed a new species OF Hol- |
lander. He is not bad in his way. and he knows |
how TO use the rifle and night for his country |
as the recovery of his liberties when the English
took them away for short time some years |
ago showed.