The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-19
Dependent Views Based on the Belief
that the Joint High Commission
VIII DO Nothing.
ENGINE BUILDERS TOO SLOW
EAGLISHMEN FORCED TO PURCHASE
LOCOMOTIVES IN AMERICA.
Interesting Batch OF Gossip and News
from LOndOn-HOrribIe Railway
Accident in Belgium.
tcopyrlght, 1899. by the Associated Press.I

copyright, 1889, by the Associated Pressl
LONDON, Feb 18-Telegrams from
Washington reporting that the Anglo
American commission is encountering seri-
Gus head seas are followed here with mucn
anxiety the opinion prevails here that
the future of the AnglO-American entente
largely depends on the success of the pres
ent negotiations The Speaker voices the
general feeling by saying that the news re-
gardng the commission is very disquieting.
1T is impossible" the Speaker adds, ito
say where the fault lies, but failure TO
arrive at an understanding will be a serious
blow to the hopes of both countries in re-
gard to future relationships. Perhaps the
less we say about the matter while it is
stil in suspense the better it will be for the
prospects of a satisfactory settlement"
A representative of the Associated Press
here has made inquiries in the proper quar-
ters and found mucn more hopeful feeling
prevailing to-day. The intimation is made
that matters have taken a favorable turn.
A high official said: Yes it is true that
ct one time the outlook was rather black,
and it was feared deadlock would ensue.
But the negotiations weathered the storm
and have got into smooth water again. We
now hope for successful issue.
The Saturday Review, usual finds the
United States is entirely responsible for the
bitches in the negotiations. 1t says:
There are signs that we shall receive an
other object lesson very soon as to the
real nature Of the sudden, great affection
which America is said to have developed for
England. The Anglo-American commission
has been struggling to arrive at an agree
: nent, but the process has not been thus far
haracterized by an overwhelming desire on
he part of America to deal generously with
Canada. 1t will not be a surprise to those
who know the character of the Washington
politician if the report that failure is now
practically assured proves to be true
The Saturday Review has another hasty
comment with reference to the resolution
Of United States Senator McEnery, in re-
gard to the Philippines, which," the paper
declares, ''is mere tirne-serving for the SEN
ate to pass. This resolution" the Saturday
Review continues, lis simply the outcome
Of manoeuvre to secure the necessary vote
to adopt the Paris treaty of peace. The rep
utation of President McKinley's govern
ment is indeed, likely to disappear alto
Eether in view of the report of the War Of
flee NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 1t is an astounding
scandal to find officials who are responsible
Tor the gross Irregularities and mismanage-
ment OF the war carefully whiteWashed,
while plain-dealing soldier like General
Miles Is discredited The report however is
a good object lesson to the people of Eng
land, 1t will show them how the bosses
work the machine and how INSCRIPTIONS,
even when his own country is concerned,
the Washington politician can become"
The debate on the address to the Queen,
IN reply to the speech from the throne at
the opening of Parliament, was continued
in the House of Commons during the week,
and is expected to last until Tuesday next.
The discussion Of Mr. McNeil's amendment
to exclude ministers of the crown from
holding company directorships proved most
interesting, and although it was rejected,
chiefly owing to a brilliant piece of special
pleading by the government leader in the
House, Mr.. A. j. Balfour, the debate was
distinctly unfaVorable to the ministers, and
had not the question been made one OF
confidence the amendment would undoubt-
eddy have been adopted. There IS strong
feeling in the House against ministerial
guinea pigs and it is expected that the
ministers will now quietly. and as speedily
as possible, resign their directorships
The Times published a singing rebuke of
the government position. saying: THE
chivalry of public life, if nothing more, is
felt to be smirehed by such connections,
and every minister who has the courage TO
rid himself of dictatorship will rise appre-
cably in public estimation"
1t is well known that the late William e.
Gladstone gave an excellent example by
having his colleagues resign their director
ships of companies before they assumed POI
sitions in the Cabinet. But the Conserva-
tives have not been so squeamsh, and some
Of the present ministers hold five director
ships.
The scheme of Rear Admiral Lord Charles
Beresford for the settlement of the far East
ern question by the formation of league
to be composed of the United States, Great
Britain, Germany and Japan, as cabled
here from the United States, has not
aroused enthusiasm in Great Britain. The
Spectator characterized BeIesford's plan as
futile and needless as it is immoral. 1t then
proceeds to argue that neither OF the pow
ers mentioned is prepared to provide an
army TO resist Russian invasion. ION the
contrary" the Spectator says, Great Brit
ain would feel through all her veins that a
Russian conquest of northern China had in
definitely increased the security of her In
dian empire BY at once absorbing Russian
while America. which is only seeking trade,
has no army to throw away. The work
would have to be left to China and her new
made army, which will require half CEN
fury of victory to make it equal to Rus
sian army
The recent order Tor American locomotives
placed by the Midland Railway Company.
which caused a sensation here when it was
announced, was explained this week by the
chairman of the company, Sir George Ernest
Paget, who, addressing the shareholders,
paid a significant tribute to the expeditions
methods Of American engine builders. He
said the company had ordered 40 engines
from English makers in December, 1897 and
not one of them is yet delivered, and that
when the company gave an additional order
IN December 1898 II could not get i promise
that one engine would be delivered In fifteen
months, so 1t was determined TO ask for
tenders from the Baldwin Company and
from another company in Connecticut.
Offers We're received and In one instance
the delivery OF ten engines was promised
IN ten weeks from the time the drawings
were received and in another case a ship
ment from America was promised In four
months. The shareholders the chairman
continued, could see from this that while
the Midland Company could not get a single
get twenty from America In four months.
The chairman did not think the sharehold-
ers Mould require any further justification
of the directors action and q matter OF
fact they had doubled their order 10 one
Of the American firms.
Statistics published relative TO the ma
tional income and expenditure indicate
that it is almost certain there will be
deficit In the budget. During the first forty
five weeks of the present fiscal year the
customs have shrunk G974 co and the total
income has diminished 2175.O00. while the
expenditures have increased a, $50 Geo.
Therefore, there is every prospect that the
income tax Will have to be increased to nine
pence.
The prospectus of the reorganized Barnum
c{rotta fccuad fa-dau hat