The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-29
case of the whole eastern question opening
up again.
Must Retain Islands


1t is said here that the British ambassa-
dor had a lengthy interview with the sec
rotary of state in which he called atten-
ton to this very point and said that in case
there should be a division of the empire,
that the possession of the Philippines would
give the United States the title and right to
have a voice in the matter. 1t is also said
now that Sir Julian Pauncefote further
stated that if the United States did not
retain the Philippines that his government
had assurances that they would be sold to
Germany and this act might involve
general European war; in which the United
States would come out the loser in the
matter of eastern territory and eastern
trade
Prior to this policy Mr. Hay had been
instructed merely to demand a coaling
station in the Philippines. 1t is thought
that the president did not fully grasp the
whole situation, and that he has been
unable to see beyond the Philippine ques-
ton and recognized no broader policy,
though Mr.. Hay has constantly kept in
mind the Interior motives for first retain
ing the islands. 1t is now said that the
latter has convinced the president and
every member of his administration of the
Importance of keeping a large squadron In
Asiatic waters or having there some of our
heaviest armored cruisers and battleships.
From an authoritative source it is learned
that this government is now prepared to
protect its interests in China and Will no.
tify any power making a move in that .di-
rectfon that the present status in China
shall not be disturbed without our con-
sent.
Under present conditions most OF the
ports of Importance in China have been
made treaty ports with practically free en-
try. and this country has the same rights
in them as possessed by other powers.
One high officer of the government IN
speaking of this question semi officially the
other day said:
''If there is to be any scramble over the
feast we will put our hand in the pudding
up to the arm-pit."
Postal Receipts
The people of the United States will this
year pay out for postage stamps, money or
ders etc. the amount of SOB 600. This Is
the estimate now being figured upon by
Postmaster General Smith.
If this estimate proves correct, then for
the first time in the history of the postal
system of this country the receipts will
have equaled the expenditures in the i'm
portant branch of the government. Most
people think that the postoffice department
is not only self paying, but a money maker
for Uncle Sam. Such is not the case.
Every year congress has to make extra
appropriation for the loss sustained in run
ming this department
The appropriation for the postal service
this year amounted to $103 900 in round
numbers. At the beginning of the year 1t
was thought that the receipts would fall
short of this sum about $4O00.OO0, which
would have been considered very small.
But there will in all likelihood be no deficit
for Uncle Sam to meet at all. The receipts
since the first of the year have been in
creasing al such a rate that the postmaster
general now figures that the postoffice de-
partment for the first time in its history
will be self-sustaining. In 1896 the deficit
was something like $14,00O,oO0. 1t has been
growing smaller each year. The greatest
obstacle to prosperity Of this department Is
the present law relating to second-class
mail matter. A bill was introduced in the