The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-09

ward the cost of maintaining the imperial
navy and in cost proportlonate TO their
share of its control. In this connection,
The Globe this afternoon, in the course
of long article, says that the British
emLSre may truly be said 20 be on its
trial The anomaly OF the present posi-
ton has forced the question whether the
result il satisfactory and whether we can
go on much longer without radical
change. None of our colonies, The Globe
asserts. can regard themselves as safe
from hostile attack. In the case OF war
between England and America, Canada
might lie expected to be invaded and self
protection OF the colonies against any one
OF the great powers is so m0ntestly 0Ait
of the question that the colonies would
be thrown back upon the imperial navy.
Colonial governments, The Globe adds, do
not hesitate even now 10 claim the SER
vices of the Queens ships whenever they
are needed. IL seems incredible, The Globe
concludes, that there should be any doubt
as TO the obligations of the colonial tax
payers.
A. l.. Burnett and ". Jumper, Ameri-
can negroes, have arrived al southampton
by the steamer Tagar with a mournful
story of the fate of party OF negro colo
nies and with whom they left Savannah
on the 18th Of March on board the steam
er Honga, for Liberia. OF the 2ll who
comprised the company only two secured
work in Monrovia. Half of the entire
number died of fever aggravated by pri-
vation. The remainder, excepting few
who were too ill TO travel, made their
way tow ard the coast in the vain hope of
finding means of returning TO America,
The international immigration Society of
Birmingham, which organized the colony
and undertook to furnish its members
with three months rations after landing
in Liberia, Burnett and Jumper say
failed to fulfill its promises, but dumped
the colonists on the coast ana LETT them
to perish. Burnett had sufficient money
with him TO pay his passage 10 England,
and assist his comrade who had been
stricken with fever. Both men are now
destitute. They say that If ever they are
able TO get back to America they will en-
tighten their unhappy countrymen there
on the subject of African colonization
schemes.
The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, first
lord OF the treasury, writes under date OF
SEPTEMBER A, as follows: "With refer
ence to the recent declarations in the
House OF Commons, do not know why
persons interested should be perplexed
over my supposed change of attitude on
the question of international bimetal-
ism, for no such change has occurred. My
answer, which has given rise TO so much
unnecessary discussion, explicitly stated
that the opinions which have long held
aud which thought all bimetalists held
also.
The answer was textually as follows:
"Mr. Balfour then gives his reply to the
question put In the House of Commons,
whether he would advise the government
TO invite an international monetary con-
ference, when he said 81 am and always
have been in favor of an international
agreement, but have not the right to
pledge my colleagues and l do not be-
lieve that an international agreement
would result from an international con-
ference.
Mr.. Bafour's letter then continues: II
is only as regards the statement that j
had ground for thinking that conference
would result in an international agree
ment at the present moment, and that an
abortive conference would do more harm
than good, that any difference of opinion
may possibly be found among bimetal-
lists. In my judgment, however, there
Is but little prospect of a conference
succeeding unless the governments who
are to be represented at it come to an
understanding on the main points at is
sue before the conference assemblies No
such understanding, unfortunately, at
present exists, and until il does exist
conference would probably do more harm
than good ~