The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-16
CURRENT

When the members Of the French
chamber OF deputies don't like tie
way things go or in that body theT
just pull the president down from as
perch or bowl over the speakers wis
ascend the rostrum. II that wee th=
fashion in our house OF representatives,
the speaker would perhaps be a little
more c~onsiderate of the minority -
Charlotte Observer.
Beans are the soldiers mainstay,'
says Thomas z. Dillon. a retired
United States cavalry officer. The
American soldier at a pinch can equal
the performance OF an Arab on a hand
full of dried dates-he can ride and
fight all day on a mere handful of
beans. properly prepared. There is
nothing to equal the army baked
civilians as for soldiers. They will
supply the place OF meat: and are
much cheaper. They do not receive
nearly the favor in the south TO which
their merits entitle them. The Proph-
et Daniel gave strong personal testi-
mony 20 their excellent God qualities,
and what he said Of them has lost ~
part of it's force since his day.-News
and Courier.
Venezuela is in a tight place. There
seems TO be really nothing for her to d.
Jul dN1ttt ~ lIe CtIIldIluS OI UREA
Britain and Germany with as little de-
lay as possible. The Castro sJvern-
ment cannot expect assistance from
the United States OF the preteXt that
the Monroe doctrine is violated, for
the Monroe doctrine does not apply W.
less either the sovereignty or the -erri-
tory of a South American republic is
involved. In this case it is merely a
matter OF debt. and il seems a just
debt, which the European governments
are e~ndeavoring to collect. 1t is ev'-
dent that the Washington administra-
ton is satisfied of the justice of the
claims against Venezuela; for were Z
not. President Roosevelt could Ue ex-
pected 10 quickly insist that Great
Britain n Germany submit the lie
pute to a proper tribunal. There docs
not appear, however, to be a dispute:
1t Is simply a refusal or a failure n
pay u~ndisputed obligations. Under
these conditions our government can
and should do nothing.-Columbia
State. Ensl
Laws authorizing voluntary arbitra-
ton being ineffective in labor disputes
attention is being called to Mr.. Chay.
Francis Adams proposal of compul-
sorry Investigation. With trained in
vestigators authorized to summon wit
nesses and inspect records, an official
investigation commission, it is arPued.
could quickly get down to the merits
Of any dispute between employers and
employees and detect errors Of opinion
and misstateme1ts of fact on either
side. These errors of misstatements
often exist though both parties fancy
they are in the right. Wherever a
strike or lockout is caused by an hon-
est miSapprehenSion of facts. an inVeS-
tigating commission, it is held, could
soon find a basis for peace. Even if j;
could not reconcile the employers and
employees and induce them to go to
work, it would give the impartial pub
lie a clear understanding of the case
and enable it to place it's sympathies
correctly. Errors of public opinion
sometimes cause the prOtraction of IN
dustrial troubles, whereas a coll state
ment Of the bottom facts by competent
investigators would help to right de-
cisions. In some cases, Of course. mere
facts WOULD not decide cases in which
sentiments and general opinions of one
kind or another would dispose the com
batants and the public also to pro-
nounce in favor of a new departure of
policy. Considerations Of humanity,
living wage" American standard II
living" would always, where practi-
cable, weigh heavily against Try st =
tisticS.-Baltimore Sun.
One does not need to be especially
suspicious in order to persuade himself
that there is something, and Something
very unpleasant behind all this. When
a rich and powerful creditor takes bv
the throat a feeble and penniless debtor
he has in view more than the collec-
ton of his dues. Even the most rapa-
cious usurper refrains when he has
squeezed the last n out of his vic
tim. Even Lafitte and Kidd spared
vessels in who's holds there was not a
shred Of treasure. What. then, do
Germany n England hope to get by
this? Castro is neither a coward nor
a fool. He has proved that much with
In the last twelve months. But if he
were both, how could these would-be
spectators ease their appetites. without
invasion? 1t has been said that they
will seize the Venezuelan custom
houses and collec their revenues until
such time as satisfaction shall have
been obtained. But Castro has de-
clared that, in such event. he will pro-
claim free trade with all the world.
This will cost Venezuela nothing, for
the revenues, under the Angl )-German
dispensation. woul be of no account
to her. On the contrary. 1t will serve
Castro's purpose to put Germany and
England in the position Of levying tax
es in Venezuela's lame without Vene-
zuela'S authority, and thereby levying
upon the of other nations a
tribute little if anything short of pi-
racy. Castro has said that he will do
this, and there is every reason why he
should. Were he the weakest and most
timid Of rulers, he can easily be mag
ined as taking a step which would
frightfully embarrass his prosecutors
without in the least e1dangering him.
self. The eXpedient is prompted hy
common sense, yet it is not a~ntagonized
by timidity. What next? Leaving The
United States out of the question-for
the moment-how long will the mari
time nations trading with Venezuela
consent to pay taxes which Venezuela
has expressly r~enounced? Under such
an arrangement those nations wouI /
be simply submitting to impudent and
unauthorized exactions by GERMANY
and England-paying out of their own
pockets a debt for which they are not
responsible. Will they consent to 1t at
all? The United States will have to
enter into the equation, of course. SOON
er OIL later, for the spectacle of Ger
many and England effecting a perml T.
nent lodgment On Venezuela will not
be endured by the American people
for any considerable length of line.
Rut eyan ot the ourSat will NOT l'aS-