The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-09

comments Oh LonoOn FfeSS on AttStuoe Oh
Our Government Toward Cuba-The Spec.
tator Says It Will be War-Mr. Hannis
Taylor Severely Criticised Complaint OF
Too Frequent Use Of tho Revolver In tho
.swest End" of Misunderstanding Sea Me-
gotiation
copyrighted by the Associated Press.)
London, November 6.-The African
situation grows worse instead Of better.
The recent narrow escape from colli-
sion between French and British troops
in the Lagos Hinterland gives rise to
fears that active hostilities cannot
long be averted. The press is literally
vindictive against the ministry for
what it terms its hesitating policy
both here and in the Soudan.
The Spectator today repeats it's ar
guments Of last week on the subject of
Cuba and comes to the conclusion that
when President Mckinley gives his
decision it will be for war.
Several Of the English newspapers
today severely criticise the action of
Hannis Taylor, the former minister of
the United States to Spain. in publish
ing his views Of the Cuban question
in American magazines. The Pail
Mall Gazette says that "he is getting
even with President Mckinley because
the latter did not keep him at Madrid"
Continuing The Pail Mall Gazette re-
marks: ''Mr. Taylor finds no difficulty
in forgetting that all the information
he has seen fit to divulge was obtained
in his official character and. therefore,
under the seal of secrecy"
The Sun says: "One of the incOn-
veniences which results to sensitive
Americans from their system Of gov
ernment by the ring gang is that
America if often shamed abroad by
the men sent to represent her at for
eign courts. It is not long since all in
ternational decencies were outraged by
the conduct of Mr.. Eustis, who allowed
| himself to be drawn by a reporter into
silly Dragging about the helpless posi-
| ton of Canada, and now it is Mr.. Tay-
| lor who left Madrid in something like
| disgrace and is taking a revenge as
shameful as it is childish in revealing
| the private affairs Of the embassy"
While an early conclusion of the en-
gineering disputes is doubtful, there is
scarcely room to doubt that the en-
| ployers will finally win, for the re-
| sources Of the employees are rapidly be-
coming exhausted. In order to win
| the strikers must be aided by the pub
| lie to the amount OF $50, 900 weekly.
! In addition to the engineering strike,
| with threatened strikes in the cotton
trade and among the railroad employees,
| the muddle in the labor world is daily
| growing worse.
The recent police records of the East
End of London read like the old days
of Deadwood, Dakota. Revolver shoot
| ings have occurred almost daily and on
Wednesday there were no less than
| four committals to- trial for crimes of
| that description. The royal free hos
| pital recently had ten patients suffer
| ing from bullet wounds. In short, the
| possession Of revolvers is now so COM
| mon in the East End that residents Of
that district appeal daily to the mag
| istrates and police for the adoption of
| measures to put an end to lawlessness.
The British officials regard the
prompt agreement arrived at between
the United States, Russia and Japan
providing for a temporary suspension
! Of pelagic sealing as a vindication OF
| their refusal to enter into the confer.
| ence and as demonstration of their
contention that an understanding ex-
| listed between the three countries. 1t is
not likely that Great Britain will con-
sent to stop sealing. Her majesty's
government confidently expects a set
tlement of the question by the United
States purchasing the Canadian inter
| ests.
In spite of the statements made by
Mr.. Balfour. the first lord Of the treas.
ury, in his speech at Norwich or
Thursday evening that the government
had no desire of aggression on tht
northwest frontier of India, but sough
only to maintain the present frontier
there is little doubt that the trial made
by the punitive expeditions now en-
gagged with the tribesmen will be fol
lowed by the usual piece Of grab. Th'
military despots Of India demand ant
public opinion in Great Britain mani
festly favors a permanent military oc
cupation Of the territory PRACTICAL!
conquered by the British troops.
1t develops that the estate Of Mrs
Margaret Oliphant, the authoress, wh'
died on June 25th. is under $25, ,000 I
was left to her adopted daughter.