The Forrest City times., 1900-05-25
Fresh Items of Interest Upon Cues
tons Now Before the Amer
lean People.
RUInoUs RESULTS OF REPUBLICAN RULE
The Public Deceived Regarding the
Philippine Situation Workmen
Thrown Out of EN- pIoy meDt-Amer
icep Sympathy for the Boers-Dem-
Ocrats Are Calming.
Especial correspondence.l

Two pieces OF important news re-
garding the Philippines have been re-
ceived in Washington. Lieut.. Perkins,
a son of Senator Perkins, of California,
is responsible for the statement that
400 volunteer officers serving in
the Philippines have rendered their
designations. They don't like war,
nor the climate, and are anx-
ious to come home. If this is true
regarding the officers, it is doubly true
regarding the rank and file. Could the
soldiers have their way about it, prac-
tically the entire army would be back
in the United States as fast as the
transports could bring them. 1t is no
reflection on the patriotism of these
men that they have lost heart and in
terest in an unpatriotic war.
The second fact referred to is the
statement of Edwin Wildman, broth
er of Rounseville Wildman, former
United States consul at Singapore. and
prominently connected with affairs in
the Philippines. Mr.. Wildman declares
on the highest authority that the pub
lie is grossly deceived regarding the sit
uation in the Philippines, that the in
surgents are active in every direction,
conducting raiding parties almost
within sight of Manila, and that it will
take large increase of force to make
any serious impression on the situa-
ton.
These statements coincide exactly
with other reports reaching Washing
ton, and made public through these
letters. The American people are get
ting thoroughly tired of McKinley's
war in the Philippines, and are sure to
give expression to their feelings at
the polls next November.
workmen Thrown Ont.
One Of the largest of the federal steel
plants, the one at Joliet, H., has shut
down indefinitely, throwing 1900 hands
out of employment. Almost the entire
output of this plant had formerly been
shipped to the plant of the American
Steel e. Wire company, in the same
city. That concern having shut down
the federal steel plant had to follow
suit. There will be more plants shut
down within the next 80 days. The
iron and steel output is now thousands
Of tons weekly in excess of the demand
Following the steel shutdown will
come the closing of blast furnaces
and mines. Less freight will be hauled
on the lakes and on the railroads. The
demand for coke and coal will lessen,
and in score of directions thousands
Of laborers will be thrown out of en-
ployment. This comes directly in the
face of recent statements that the iron
and steel interests had orders ahead
that would keep them busy for over a
year. That statement is now seen to be
false.
It is believed by good judges that the
days of the old financial panic, in which
everything comes down with a crash,
are gone. Nowadays the great trusts
and corporations which control SO
largely the manufacturing business of
the country control the banks, and are
therefore at no time embarrassed for
| funds. But when their market fails
them, they simply have to stop pro-
dncing. The result is lethargy and dry
rot. Such a condition is now rapidly
approaching. Before November bust
ness in many industries will be at a
standstill, and the republican cam
paign orators will be preaching "pros-
| perity" to thousands of workmen out
Of employment.
The Boer Question.
| The arrival of the Boer delegates in
the United States will give emphasis
to two matters of great Importance
First, theywill demonstrate that Amer
lean sympathy is overwhelmingly with
the Beers and against Great Britain.
Secondly, emphasis will be given to the
fact that the opinion that Great Brit
ain is successful administrator of col
onies is not we'll founded. Great Brit
aims white colonies are successful be-
cause they have no home rule. British
administration of India is failure be-
cause India has not home rule nor
anything approaching it.
Information received in Washin gton
relative TO the famine and cholera stu
alton in India contains the severest re-
Elections on the British administration
OF that unhappy country. The June
monsoon of 1899 failed to bring the ex-
| pected rains over u territory as large
as the state of Texas and containing a
population of 100000 people. 1t was
then known as absolute certainty that
that whole region would be famine
stricken by the first of January follow
ing, and that millions of people would
starve to death unless they were fe6bby
the government. Thus, with over six
months warning, the British govern
ment failed to provide the necessary
relief machinery to avert starvation,
although in other parts of India there
were. and are to-day, sufficient food
supplies to meet the emergency. The
British government is to-day spending
about $4,000 day to relieve these 40
100000 people, but is spending over
million dollars day in an endeavor to
exterminate or conquer 100000 people
in South Africa.
Whenever any member of parliament
tries to raise his voice to call attention
to the situation in India he is imme-