Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-08
JOHN BULL WORRIED
Over a Couple of Questions That
Are Developing at the
Present Time.
ONE Is THE NICARAGUA CANAL,

| The Other What Our Trade Policy VIII
BE Regarding Our Conquered Territory,
Especially as to the Marine-Porter for
the Open Door-New Gibraltar To Re
Built in Jamaica-Admiral Beresford to
Pay Us Visit.
London, Dec s.-The Washington
| correspondent of The Daily Chronicle
| says: Il have ascertained from the
| highest source that President McKin-
ley has no thought of ignoring or vio-
lating British rights under the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. On the contrary. when
the proper time arrives England will be
invited to cooperate regarding the Mic
araguaa canal" The Washington cor
respondent of The Times makes a sim
liar statement. The Daily Chronicle says
editorially: The assurance given by
our Washington correspondent cannot
but cause great satisfaction here. Yet
there probably Will be some division Of
opinion in England on the question of
making the canal with public money.
There is no reason why the work should
not be done by private enterprise under
a governmental guarantee by both ma
tions. Our interest in the matter is only
that the canal should be free. neutral
and open to all the world on equal
terms"
Criticism of Secretary Gage.
The Times this morning. protesting
editorially against Secretary Cages
exclusive marine policy" and express
ing hope that congress will not in
dorse it. says: We regard with heart
lest feelings of sympathy and with but
a tinge OF jealousy the development of
the imperial spirit in the United States,
HrrF 7nf ha ed haf va
are prepared to approve the adoption OF
an exclusive policy in regions in whose
destinies we might have claimed q
voice"
The Daily News. which takes il for
granted that Secretary Cages ''protec-
zionist marine policy will be adopted
and applied also to Cuba and the Philip
pines. says: His arguments are fallac-
ious. since the era of British supremacy
in the worlds carry trade commenced
with the abolition OF the navigation
laws of 1S49. We have no right to COM
plain, no ground for alarm; but the
idea that the removal of Spanish rule
from Cuba and the Philippines is to
open fresh and unrestricted channels
to British commerce will not survive a
perusal of Mr.. Cages report. Political
ly, as Lord Salisbury says. we may
gain by Americas influence in China
where we were and must take care of
ourselves as we did before"
Effect of the Message Spain.
London, Dec. S-The Madrid corre-
spondent of The Standard, who con-
trasts the Indifference of the majority
of Spaniards TO the presidents message
with the anxiety regarding his declara-
tions foreshadowing war. says: only
in political and official circles is any in
terest in the message displayed and
there it takes the form of bitterness
and Indignation at Mr.. McKinley's allu-
sion to the destruction of the Maine.
The press does not hide its satisfaction
at the indications in the message and
elsewhere that American colonizing is
fraught with difficulties and expendi-
ture."
Porter to Propose the Open Door.
Kingston, Jamaica, Dec. S.-United
States Customs Commissioner Robert
p. Porter arrived here from Cuba
Tuesday and sailed for home yester-
day. He said his Investigations indi-
cate the desirability of reciprocity be-
tween Cuba and the United States in
spite of Louisiana sugar and the Florida
tobacco trade. The commissioner has
framed Cuban tariff which will be
promulgated on his arrival home 1t
opens the Cuban market to all nations
considers the Cubans perfectly fit for
self government.
NEW GIBRALTAR IN JAMAICA.