Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-02-07
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES.
A NEW WHEAT FIELD.

NEW WHEAT FIELD.
The ancient wheat fields of Asia Minor
are destined In comparatively brief
period to play great part in the COM
mercial and political combinations OF
Europe in particular and the world gen
orally. The Sultan's signing, the other
day, the trade granting the concession
for the prolongatIon of the trunk line of
the Anatolian railways to Bagdad and
Basrah. will open In few years regions
that have been isolated for centuries. The
political difficulties that have hitherto
obstructed the carrying out OF the Ger
man policy which, since the conception
of the idea of bringing the Persian Gulf
into direct connection with Europe, has
aimed at keeping the main line of COM
munication as far away from the Medi-
terranean as possible, has been overcome.
In what way the objections of Russia
have been met, on the one hand by Turk
ey, and by Germany on the other, has
yet to be learned.
The interest to ourselves lies chiefly in
the fact that with the accomplishment of
the purpose of Germany in this matter,
new rival in wheat production will enter
the lists against us. From Berlin to
Basrah through Constantinople, is almost
a straight line, and one beyond the reach
of any maritime power. In the event OF
of war between Germany and any of
the great sea Powers, once the railway
is completed and the impetus it must
give to the cultivation of Mesopotamia
has had time to take effect, Germany will
have granary at her disposal absolutely
safe from interruption by any power ex-
cept Russia AT the same time new
market will be created for German man
ufactures as the development of the
country proceeds, and the terminus of
the railway on the Persian Gulf, wher-
ever it may eventually be located, will
undoubtedly become principal port of
shipment for German goods to the In
dian, Australian and other Eastern
markets.
Relieved of her dependence on Russia,
and on her transatlantic markets for her
wheat supply, the commercial policy of
Germany may be expected to become
more aggressive in character, and the
competition with her rivals, particularly
the British, more acute. 1t is the per-
CtDllOu VI llllS llldl has DloDuDll
the trouble about Koweit. England, as is
usual and natural, raising every obstacle
to the development of the commerce of
other countries at the expense of her
own.-New York Sun.
THE SENATE AND WEST POINT.
Our usually conservative, careful and
considerable contemporary, the Hartford
Courant, lets Its temper run away with
its discretion in these peppery comments
on a recent incident in the United States
senate:
"Senator Dubois is master hand in the
way of being insulting. When he said yester-
day. in regard to Gen. Wheaton, that he lis
probably some charity boy, appointed to
West Point by a senator or representative.
and since supported by the government he
slapped the army IN the face, the West Point
Military academy, and the American people.
1t was a bad days work perfectly well done.
In actual service to the country West Point
men could give the United States senate odds
and then win"
Coming from any state or quarter, that
estimate of the senate would be surpris
ing. Coming from Connecticut and the
Courant, it is astounding. The Post Is
not inclined to disparage West Point or
its influence upon the development of
the country. Our little army of regular
soldiers-for little it was until recently
has splendid record. Among the mill
tary schools of Europe there is not one
which rivals West Point in thoroughness
of training or efficiency of output. But
why institute comparison between thai
school and the United States senate =? II
would be possible to get along without 6
national military school. Gould we dis
pense with the senate? An act of con
gress would suffice to abolish the acade
my. The senate. and the equal suffrage
of the states therein, could not be abol
ished without a revolution that woulC
dissolve the Union.
The senate, as created by the Constitu
ton with the provisO that it shall not be
.----