The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-12-10
NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The Porto Ricans demonstrate their
patriotism by shouting for Ireeoon'
and feeding themselves.
It is great misfortune for Spain
that the war has not brought on a new
set of men to the front to play parts III
her politics.
In 1897 South Africa imported 81
4s7.534 worth of bicycles. In the CIV
ilization process the wheel seems to
take precedence Of the railway.
And now the impetuous young Ger
man Emperor has become q fireman.
At last he has wide open opportunity
to extinguish himself.
The feminine enthusiasm over
Schley surpasses that displayed toward
Hobson to degree which suggests an
inclination TO make distinction De-
tween a lieutenant and an admiral.
Spain says she will "insist" on GER
tan interpretations, etc., etc. Weii'
there will be several American fellows
present to take q hand In the interpre-
tation business, so let the work go
on.
Dewey was satisfied to only take
M both ends OF the Manila episode.
The Spaniards ought to congratulate
themselves that he did not conclude to
take q play In the middle OF the
game.
"The only thing we can do now"
says Dupuy de LONE, speaking for
Spain, rs to repent and reform
Such things are quite possible, even
to Spain, when she can't do anything
else.
1t will repay you now to watch how
the word protocol" will be overwork-
ed from now on in all the ordinary af-
fairs Of life. We will have protocols in
family rows, in neighborhood rows and
in politics.
General August, Of Manila, having
enthusiastically boosted that he would
hold out to the death, quietly escaped
and left the odium of surrender to a
fully and wonderfully made.
France has a law forbidding the
slaughter OF birds smaller than larks.
Nevertheless, piles of such birds are
offered for sale in the markets of many
French cities. A movement is now
under way for enforcing the law and
saving the s0ngbirds and the fields,
which, it is said, they keep free from
injurious insects.
Senior vicuna, the new Chilean Min
lister, has signaiized his arrival III
Washington with the announcement
that his mission Is to foster the friend
~ and commercial relations between
his own country and the United States.
He could have no higher mission and
1t Is to be hoped that he will meet
with unqualified success.
1t is now fully recognized that the
worst blow which that most sacred of
all British institutions, the peerage.
has suffered during recent years is that
which Mr.. Hooley has inflicted by his
bankruptcy court revelations. And
yet there was nothing new in the gen.
eral nature of his disclosures. 1t was
known to every one acquainted with
the ways of London that the use of
some of the most aristocratic titles in
England long has been a marketable
commodity In promoting financial
schemes 1t is the official proclama-
ton Of the truth, more than the facts
themselves, which has shocked and
Inundated England.
This country is on the eve Of an
enormous extension of its foreign
commerce. Not only does a great
trade await us In Cuba and Porto Rico
Ito secure which ships are already
sailing from all our Atlantic and Gulf
ports-but ten new lines of steamers
have been organized to trade with the
Orient, and now an eleventh is au-
nounced from San Diego, Cal. These
lines will sail some of them from the
Eastern and some of them from the
Western coasts. They will trade with
Hawaii, China, Japan, South Africa,
New Zealand, Australia, Manila, the
East Indies and the Polyncsian
groups. Mauila, in our hands, prom
ises to become rival of Hongkong in
woodworking commerce, is the opin-
ion of the New York World.
The Russian birth rate is SO far in
advance of the death rate that the In
crease of population has been prodig-
ious. In 1724 there were 10000, 900
Russians; yet there were 10000 900 In
1852; in 1896, owing to conquests by
Catherine H., the population jumped
to 81. 000, 900; conquests in Finland and
Poland account for the gain of 9,000,-
600 shown by the census of 1909. The
prodigious increase, due simply to the
excess OF births over deaths, began
after this date. With no important
change in the frontiers, the inhabit
ants in 1847 numbered $1,000, 900, an
increase of 100000 in less than forty
years. In 1858 Russia had $4,000, 900,
in 1885 108, 000, 0Q0;the census Of Janu-
airy. 1897, counted 100, 900. 900, and 1t is
estimated that the present population
is more than 1870 600 900. The Russian
people has more than sextupled since
the day when Chappe prophesied its
approaching end.
A curious echo of the Cars peace
communication to the powers is the
European rnmor that Russia's auto.