The record-union., 1899-01-01
European Powers Irritated at the
Advance We Have Made,
Yet Not One Has Dared Interfere In This
Country's Forward March.
The British Press Unanimously
Urges the United States to Sup
press the FiHpinos Summarily
If They Should Prove Trouble
some.

press the FiHpinos Summarily
If They Should Prove Trouble
some.
Correspondence Of the Associated Press.)
LONDON, Dec. 31.-The Spectator
this week epitomizes the reviews of the
passing year, which fill all to-day's
newspapers, declaring that "the domin-
ant fact of 1898 has been the rise in
the positions of the English speaking
peoples 1t describes how Europe has
been amazed and irritated by the ex-
pansion of America, though Europe has
not dared to interfere. But, the Spec
tator" says, the powers are apprehen-
sive that the change may compel a de-
fensive coalition of the military powers
of Europe. 1t also quoted one period
ical as saying that the waves of
European contempt for Great Britain
have been succeeded by respect COM
PEELED by the stiffening of the general
policy of the English-speaking races,
which, disregarded in 1897, are, in 1898,
regarded as the potential equals Of the
remainder of the world
Though usually pessinistic, the
Spectator" concludes in the spirit Of
Kipling's Recessional, saying
THE English-speakin people may
govern half the world without gracious
ness or system. But if they try to gov
ern it without justice and consideration
for the rights of others, their donin-
ion will some terrible day come crash
ing down.
The word American might we'll be
written at the head of all these an
nual reviews, as the text is so over
shadowing in the attention which is de-
voted to the republics affairs. This
new feeling contrasts sharply with the
same writer's feelings in recent years,
when they found little worthy of COM
ment, save the lynchings and the cor
ruption in different cities. The friend
liness of all articles is equally con-
spicuous, though its universal sincerity
is not credited by Americans acquaint-
ed with the inner working of British
foreign policy, and who know that sew
eral of the papers acquired the good
will only when the British government
during the recent war with Spain hint
ed to them that it was a most import
ant opportunity to cultivate the friend
ship Of the United States, and that it
should improved.
The only growl comes from the
Saturday Review" which, discussing
the French entertainments 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 ambi-
lions by taking charge of their wretch
ed offspring
The prospectus with which the Amer
lean Anti-Imperialist League supplied
all the newspapers here this week, ap-
parently hoping to enlist British sup
port of their movement, was treated
respectfully, but coldly, while the press
unanimously urges the United States
to suppress the Filipinos summarily if
they are troublesome.
The New Year brings Ireland the
greatest experiment since Catholic
emancipation, namely, the initiation of
the Local Government Act, which real
ly, in many of its features, is an extern
sion of the Emancipation Acts and pol
icy. The fences throughout Ireland are
placarded with the addresses Of the
candidates for membership of the Dis
fishes, and appeals from landlords and
former grand jurors are posted beside
those of tenants, farmers and laborers.
While strict party lines are not yet
drawn, there is a distinct line of cleav-
age, one set in which the landlord class
predominates, hailing the scheme as a
solution Of the Irish problem and prom
ising to legisdate solely for the good of
the people. The other, chiefly the la
boring class, promises to work in the
new positions along the old lines for
the realization of home rule.
The Irish leaders are divided as
usual, John Redmond advising the peo-
pie to accept the new departure in
good faith, arguing that successful
administration of the Act will lead to
an extension of self-government. Mr..
Dillon exhorts his followers to continue
home rule agitation in the councils.
But whether the cause of the years
unusual prosperity, as shown by the
banks and railroad receipts, the Stats
tics of the fisheries, linen or whisky In
dustries, or the Governments conces-
sicns political agitation is at the low
est ebb for many years past. Many
Irishmen deem it impolitic to assail the
Government while Parliament has be-
fore it bills providing for the estab-
lishment of a. Catholic University and e.
Board of Agriculture. The prospects of
the former seems to have had a most
soothing effect on the clerical agitators.
The present upheaval at Johannes
burg is not likely to reach fighting
stage, but it is another item of griev-
ances which the Uitlanders think must
eventually be swelled to a total justi-
flying compulsion upon the Beers to i'm
prove, the status Of the foreign residents
in the Transvaal Republic.
A Londoner who was in prison in con-
nection with the Jameson raid, and who
has the best acquaintance with the
country, but who is under bonds not to
allow his name to be mentioned in poll
tical discussion, said: The logic Of
events is driving England toward in
reference in the Transvaal, even more
strongly than the United States was
driven to interfere in Cuba. President
Kruger has become very friendly to
England since he lost his brief hope of
German support, misled by Emperor
Williams telegram. He is probably an
honest fanatic, but he is in the hands
of a ring all rich. whose object Is to
squeeze as much as possible out of the
foreigners"
Cecil Rhodes Is on his way back to
England Having lived down the enmi-
ty of a portion Of the Liberals and the
v,x,r forn,iSfc ha 10 1il<oJxy m diofo 70