The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-01

J18 81 UesI1 ~ HAf1HsAHs 49, VIE - 49,
nnss notsbss in the history Of the world,
and the New Year. ushesed Ia with the
joyous caaagor q tie bells that had
just tosIed the death Of the old yeas.
bids fair 70 Dc history-making epoch.
whose varying events wa decide the
course Of more than one mighty nation
for centuries 10 come
One year ago the isolation OF England
seemed complete. Russia. Germany ana
France were but waiting the opporsune
moment jointly TO harry the tungles Of
the old lion. whom they had apparently
left without an ally The Orient was to
be theirs for the taking. All unsxpecs-
ed to the European powers. the smoider-
sng fires OF insurrectionary warfare Ia
Cuba, with ell It's attendant cruelties.
finally reused the Umpathies and re-
sentiment OF the people OF the United
States 20 such . pitch that war with
Spain resulted. Then the powers would
have gladly interviewed and treated this
country ~ they had before treated Rus
sta and Turkey In their hours of victory.
but England refused to Join them and
aligned herself with the United States
The result Was they dared do DO more
than show their teeth and growl their
deep dispieasure and resentment.
Almost In q single moment. the politi-
cal situation OF the leading nations OF
the world changed. England. no longer
isolated. but united with America By
bonds Of mutual interest. as well as ties
Of blood. Is today stronger than ever.
The United States. which locked with
indifference upon the threatened parti-
ton Of China year ago. Is today. by
reason Of her acquisition Of the Philip
pine islands. In possession OF the key to
the Orient. and prepared TO take part In
the settlement OF all questions relating
TO the Far East. No wonder the pow.
ers. whose game OF diplomacy was de-
feated Just as they seemed to have won
every point are showing their resent
ment by bitter attacks upon the United
States through their newspapers, and
predictions that dire disaster will befalI
as II we persist In our policy OF expan.
sion. Their case lis one In which '':ha
wish Is father to the thought" and
again. they are about TO be disappointed
These mighty changes IN the political
situation Of the world have left their
impress upon the Pacific coast. ard no.
where In the influence more deeply Eel,
than upon the state o: Washington
upon Puget sound and upon our own
city Of Seattle. One year ago We were
congratulating ourselves upon the rapid
development Of Alaska. whoze tide OF
trade ebbed and flowed through cur
gates. We were justified In our self
Fluctuations. for the business OF that
land Of gold is sufficient in itself TO
build tip a city many times the present
size Of Seattle. while our own state.
with its manifold resources. must com
tinue 10 pogr In eyer-increasIng volume
Its mighty stream OF trade through the
channels OF It's chief commercial port
The people OF Seattle were. therefore.
warranted In congrasulsting themselves
upon the bright outlook for the future
OF their city and the state. Nor hare
they been disappointed. Aiaska's pop
ulasion has been largely Increased un-
I'll now the mining districts Of the north
can boast hundred thousand sturdy
miners slowly developing the great gnld
fields found there. and bringing from
their Icy beds the golden nuggets that
Of trade s,iIl eabs and flows through
Seattie's gateway. and the fiow To the
north II stin strong, adding each month
20 the number 81 consumers who must
draw their supplies largely from this
state and through the hands OF the h,ssI-
ness men OF Seattle Year by year must
sHAS EtlF sECFSASr. Sfkt Win tAGEf fsss1s~
Ing year the interests az Seattle viii BE-
more and more closely bound Ia these
II the mining regions Of the north.
The mines ~ cur own state have also
beer largely developed during the past
year In spite Of the greater attractions
Of the northern placer fields. and before
the close * the New Year the world
VIII learn that Washington Is not alone
great In her agriculture. her coal. her
forests and her fisheries. but
To her giant b~east
TEE rrxcioas or%s ARE pressed
Her bTcws are silver fresseS--
Ner VEINS are Eg.a.
They are there waiting f->s TIRE joined
hands 81 capital sna labor "a take them
frogn their hiding places and ada them
to the growing wealth ef the "a grid Il