The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-19
VAST last TASK OF CONQUEST
Some English Views on Ameri-
Y giil lTe can Expansion.
CECIL RHODES RECEPTION
Taken as Proof OF Secret Convention
Nl Between England and Germany.
,.G, No Change to Be Made in
~ the Samoan Agreement.
Copyright 1899 by Associated Press.

Copyright 1890 by Associated Press.
London. March 1s.---The newspapers
this week reprinted from the American
papers the interview which a CORE
spondent of the associated press had
with Cecil Rhodes on board the steamer
Hapsburg on the Mediterranean and
which was mailed from Alexandria,
Egypt, on Feb. II. and printed on March
in America. The remarks of Mr..
Rhodes on Americas imperial future
have attracted great deal of attention.
The Spectator, however, suggests the
energy of the Americans may not prove
persistent enough for the vast task of
conquest and occupation which the
South African statesman sets before
them, adding: "
"Their system, though it produces
men of ability, is probably not favor
able to the development of a meteoric
genius, and without such man the
work can hardly be done rapidly. Eat
Ing up South America, like an artichoke,
state by state, is task ITO overstrain
any people, even the Americans. The
carrying out of the work, too, might
bring to a head the great danger of the
ideal and permanent tendency between
the North and South. 1t Is true the
I state system of America is a wonderful
system of empire; but it is also a Won
q derful provision for disintegration. The
North may refuse to persist in a career
OF conquest, which wearies it, and with
Canada may elect to form a republic
with another ideal than governing,
which, although attractive, wears out
the surplus energy of the governors. If
, any one tells us the United States will
II expand to the Straits of Magellan in
q spite of themselves, we may believe
him. But if he says, as Mr.. Rhodes
says, that this expansion will be DELHI
crate. we shall hesitate and ask for evil
dence that they wish the expansion to
last. Mr. Rhodes striking personality
stood out in bold relief this week
against the political backing round of
minor interests. The press of three
<countries-Great Britain. Germany and
France-was full of him. His visit to
Berlin marks an important onward step
in the Anglo-German understanding,
and the French papers realize this, but
the idea that the assistance of Germany
might eventually be counted on in
war between France and Great Britain
is preposterous."
The Figaro sees in Mr.. Rhodes recep-
ton at Berlin sure proof of a secret
convention between Great Britain and
@; Germany, while the Temps says:
Frankly, it is impossible to overrate
% its Importance. 1t is plain proof of EN-
d peror Williams desire for rapproche-
Inent with Great Britain and the power
and weight of such a combination can,
not be exaggerated. 1t ought to furnish
food for reflection for those who fancied
France had only to make overtures to
bring Germany to her feet and who,
4 acting under this deusion have been
striving ITO bring about a rupture with
Great Britain. Mr.. Rhodes, however
has not arranged hard and fast agree
K ment respecting the Cape to Cairo rail-
road. Mr.. Rhodes and the emperor
have agreed, but financially their ar
,rangement is hanging fire, and the ne
gotiations between Mr.. Rhodes and a
German syndicate respecting financing
the German portion of the road have
mot been concluded, though Mr.. Rhodes
has expressed the hope that an early
agreement will be arrived at
Fi' Further, it appeared that Mr.
n Rhodes expressed establishment at the
German emperor's surprising knowledge
of the details of the matter, and Ger
man officials, in their turn, We're sur
prised at Mr.. Rhodes candid allusion
to future political projects, including
an Anglo-German partition of Portu-
gals East Africa possessions, which
Mr.. Rhodes fully expects that Portugal
will be willing to sell the two powers
within three years. At present, Mr..
Rhodes is at Amsterdam arranging for
1.-The financial support of the Dutch
ffinanciers.
Dealing with the report that an ar
rangement has been arrived at by the
three powers on Samoa, the Morning
Post says: 1T is a mistake to suppose
the whole question is in a way to set
Element. This is impossible while the
Berlin act remains in force, and, as the
present would be most undesirable
moment to make a change. it may be
assumed things will be patched up for
a while. just now, when the relations
between Germany and Great Britain
and the United States are the most
friendly in many years. it would not
do to run the risk of a sudden rupture
by getting matters in disorder in Sa-
moa Perhaps the difficulty will solve
itself. At any rate, the Australian fed
Grafton would assist in the solution, as
not only will the federation increase
the interest of Australia in Samoa, but
IN any diplomatic negotiations in the
suture, federated Australia will greatly
strengthen the case for Great Britain"
The Indian government bill, imposing
countervailing duties on body-fed SUI
gar, has caused a flutter in radical cir
cles. 1t is frankly and avowedly a pro-
tectionist measure, The secretary of
state for India, Lord George Hamilton,
in the house of commons, declared the
object of the bill was to prevent the
indigenous trade of India from being
undermined by subsidized foreign pro-
ducts. This. the radicals point out. is
protection pure and simple, and they
express the fear that it may be the thin
edge of protection wedge and that it
may eventually be transplanted to
Great Britain with quite as much rea-
son as in it's adoption in America.