The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-06

Lord SaIisbury's remark concerning the
Giving and dying countries of the world
may become as noted in history as the
famous expression concerning 1.-The sick
man of Europe" It's significance lies in the
position of the person using it, the occasion
on which it was uttered and the distinct
ness with which it was made to point to
Spain. The prime minister of England never
uses words or phrases careessly, and when
he embraces the opportunity of public adj
dress to use an entirely new figure and give
it particular and pointed direction it can
be set down as a certainty that he intended
all the words involved The speech,was de-
livered before the Primrose League and the
dispatch says
The premier spoke of the living and dy-
ing countries of the world and of how the
former were gradually encroaching upon the
latter. lie spoke also of the corruption of
dying countries, corruption so deep-Seated
as to give. the smallest hope of reform. -
ana he referred TO the partition of these
countries as likely to lead nations into war.
Dying countries said Lord Salisbury
are mostly unchristian, but regret to say,
not exclusively So"
The expression living and dying coun-
tries" evidently means those countries which
have not attained their growth in power
and influence and which have a future be-
fore them, and those which have passed
their zenith and begun to decline. Among
the former Lord Salisbury doubtless i'm
cluded England and the United States-some
others perhaps, but these certainly. Among
the dying countries he would class Africa
and China, in both of which England has
ont che
OF more, and Spain, whose slow death by
centuries is likely to be greatly accelerated
by the crushing defeat she will receive from
the United States. When Lord Salisbury
spoke of 1.-THE corruption of dying countries"
he referred rather to Spain than to Africa
or China, and when he said that 'dying
countries are mostly unchristian but not
exclusively So he meant to imply that
Christian or Catholic Spain is in the same
category with pagan Africa and heather
China. "A mere profession of christianity
cannot save a country whose slow death has
been brought about by causes as fundamen-
tai as those operating in Spain and aided by
a degree of corruption unknown to darkest
Africa or furthest China
This expression of Lord Salsbury's is like
ly to be commented on throughout Europe
and become a factor in international poll
tics. 1t will be construed undoubtedly by
Spain and probably by other nations as an
expression of sympathy with the United
States as an instrument in the hands of
Providence for accomplishing inevitable re-
suits. Carried to its logical conclusion it is
notice to other powers that England regards
Spain as the victim of her own crimes that
she is being rightly punished, and that Eng
land will not look with favor on any at
tempt by other powers to arrest the process.
Herself living country. England will not
countenance any attempt to prevent the
United States the Invest of all countries,
from fastening the dissolution of a country
whose death as political power is not only
decreed but well advanced. In this sense
Lord Salisbury's expression is likely to be
construed as new evidence of an approach
ing alliance or friendly understanding be-
tween the two great English-speaking ma
tons looking to the maintenance of the posi-
ton and prestige of both as the two most
distinctly living countries on earth