The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-01
PRINCE GEORGES HARD TASK
ISLAND OF CRETE MUCH IN THE
SAME CONDITION AS CUBA.
Great Britain and the Nicaragua Ca
naI-The ROthschilds Preparing to
Develop African Gold Fields.
Copyright, 1888. by the Associated Press.)

Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Dec. 31-The Spectator this
week epitomizes the reviews of the passing
year which fill all to-day's newspapers, de-
claring the "The dominant fact of 1898 has
been the rise in the position of the English
speaking peoples" 1t describes how Eu-
rope has been amazed and irritated by the
expansion of America, though Europe has
not dared to interfere. But, the Spectator
says, the powers are apprehensive that the
change may compel a defensive coalition of
the military powers of Europe. 1t also
quotes one periodical as saying that the
waves of European contempt for Great
Britain have been succeeded by respect.
compelled by the stiffening foreign policy
of the English-speaking races, which, dis
regarded III 1897, are in 1898 regarded as the
potential equals of the remainder of the
world Though usually pessimistic, the
Spectator concludes in the spirit of Kiplings
recessional, saying: THE Englsh-speaking
peoples may govern half the world without
graciousness or system. But if they try to
govern it without justice and consideration
for the rights Of others, their dominion will
some terrible day come crashing down"
The word America" might we'll be writ
ten at the head of all these annual reviews
as the text so over4hadowing in the atten-
tion which they devote to the Republics
affairs. This new-found interest contrasts
sharply with the same writer's references
to the United States in recent years, when
they found little worthy Of comment, save
the lynchings and the corruption in different
cities. The friendliness of all articles is
equally conspicuous, though it's universal
sincerity is not credited by Americans
quainted with the inner working Of British
foreign policy and who know that several
of the papers acquired this good will only
when the British government during the
recent war with Spain hinted to them that
it most important opportunity to cuI-
tivate the friendship of the United States
and that it should be improved. The only
growl comes from the Saturday Review.
which, discussing the French encroach-
ments on Liberia and the possibility of it's
attempted ABSORPTION, says: ''Would it not
be more appropriate that the United States
should vent their new imperial ambitions
by taking charge of their wretched off,
spring"
The prospectus with which the American
Anti-imperialist League supplied all the
newspapers here this week apparently hop
ing to enlist British support of their move
ment was treated respectfully, but coldly,
while the press unanimously urged the
United States to suppress the Filipinos
summarily if they were troublesome.
The new year brings to Ireland the great
est experiments since Catholic emancipa-
tion namely, the initiation of the local gov
ernment act, which, really, in many fea-
lures, is an extension of the emancipation
acts and policy The fences throughout Ire
land are pIacarded with the addresses of
the candidates for membership of the Dis
trict Councils, which the act establishes,
and appeals from landlords and former
grand jurors are posted beside those of
tenant farmers and laborers While strict
party lines are not yet drawn, there is a
distinct line of cleavage. One set, in which
the landlord class predcminates, halls the
scheme as a solution of the Irish problem,
and promising to legislate solely for the
good of the people. The other set, chiefly
the laboring class, promises TO work in the
new position along the old lines for the
realization of home rule.
The Irish leaders are divided as usual
John Redmond advising the people to ac-
cept the new departure in good faith, argu-
ing that successful administration of the
act Will lead to an extension of self-govern-
ment Mr.. Dillon exhorts his followers to
continue home rule agitation in the councils
But whether the cause of the years un-
usual prosperity, as shown by the banks
and railroad receipts, the statistics of the
fisheries. linen or whisky industries, or the
governments concessions, political agitation
is at the lowest ebb for several years past
Many Irishmen deem it impolitic to assaiI
the government While Parliament has before
it bills providing for the establishment Of
a Catholic university and a board of ag-
riculture. The prospect of the former seems
to have had a most soothing effect on the
clerical agitators.
The projected maritime canal through Mic
aragua and Costa Rica has been the subject
of informal conferences between Cabinet
ministers and diplomats during the holiday
week, and the results confirm the forecast
cabled to the Associated Press that the Brit
ish government fayors the canal being built
by the United States, with guarantees of
its neutrality in case of war. The negotia-
tons on the subject are not being hurried
They have hardly passed beyond personal
exchanges of views between Representatives
Of the two governments. But they are ex-
peeted to proceed smoothly to a conclusion
satisfactory to the American supporters of
the canal project.
The present upheaval at johannesburg is
not likely 10 reach lighting stage. but il
is another item in the biz of grievances
which the uitlanders think must eventnallv
be swelled to total Justifying compulsion
upon the Beers TO improve the status Of the
foreign residents Of the TransvaaI Repub-
lie. A Londoner who was IN prison in con-
nection with the Jameson rail- and who has
the best Of acquaintance with the country
but who Is under bonds not to allow his