The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-05-05
CURRENT COMMENT.


used the lynching at Joplin (Mo.) as
the subject of editorial remarks dis
paraging to the south, our contem-
porary's observations concerning the
lynching at Santa Fe 0ll) are eagerly
awaited.-Norfolk Landmark.
China has refused to accede to Rus
sia's demand for the cession of Man
churia to the Car and the Russian
foreign office declares that no such
demand has been made. Therefore
everything is as it should be and the
world has been excited for naught. But
Russia will hold Manchuria, quite the
same, with or without demand upon or
agreement by China and whatever the
opinion of the other nations may be,
unless it be expressed in force strong
enough to upset the great bear-Char-
lesion Post.
The Memphis Commercial-Appeal is
not very much impressed by what it
calls "the presidents lady-like crusade
against the trusts" That is a fine de-
scription of his attitude on the ques-
ton. There is nothing strenuous
about it, nothing sincere, nothing effec
tive According to the Washington cor
respondent of the New York Evening
Post. who appears to be the repository
of the presidents condolences on all
public questions, he will fight the
trusts, but he will pick his trusts. This
Bob Acres" of the White house is,
indeed, "a devil of a fellow.''-News
and Courier.
Secretary Moody, in an interview
given out in Boseon, says that the
United States will not be involved in
the Manchurian imbroglio to the extent
of firing a single shot. We trust and
believe that such will be the case. but
how does Mr.. Moody know it? Mr.
Moody is only the head of one of the
executive departments and it is not for
him to say whether or not a single shot
will be fired. That is the business of
congress- Mr.. Moodys business is to
see to it that the American navy is
ready for any emergency that may
arise. Incidentally, he might consider
the propriety of talking less.-Virginian
Pilot.
Bishop Coleman. of Delaware, iras
gone into a rather queer Investigation,
which has resulted in his discovery
that there are 12,25O 100000 sins com
mitted in the United States annually
1t is d pity that the good bishop
punches his hits. so to speak and just
Jumps the whole business TO the credit,
or rather discredit, of the United
States 1t would be exceedingly inter-
esting if he would go into particulars
and tell us how the various states stand
in his estimate. We would be particu-
larly pleased to know how many of
these sins We're committed in the
bishops own state and what proportion
Of the same resulted directly and indi-
rectly from the long drawn out fight of
one Mr.. Addicks for a seat in the Unit
ed States senate.-Richmond Times
Dispatch.
1t was but a year or two ago that
Secretary Hay was acclaimed as the
keenest diplomat of all time as the
hero Of the most brilliant triumph in
the history of international politics, be-
cause he obtained from the czar's gov
ernment the pledges which are now
with such utter Indifference being
broken. We had just become q world
power" and we rejoiced with great joy
over our infant exploit. We had step
ped in with a firm demand while all the
of 'the open door" and demanded
Russias assent. To the worlds sur
prise. she gave it with the most de-
lightful amiabiliry. We trusted her
and were elate. There can be no doubt
that in keeping open the door which
he originally opened Secretary Hay
will be firmly insistent and successfully
so-Philadelphia Ledger.
AS we predicted some time ago, our
New York friends are beginning to
realize the meaning of the Malta When,
SpOnsible New Orleans citizens went to
the parish prison of that city and put
to death ten or eleven notorious Italian
assassins, there was much solemn
head-wagging and doleful foreboding
in this part of the world. We could
not understand why such violence was
necessary. We made the usual refer
tn nf
the unerring processes of the courts.
There were, even, q few affrighted fore
casts of anarchy and chaos, and the
rest of it. Now, however, the Malta
having transferred their activities to
New York, our great metropolitan con-
temporaries find that it is much easier
to philOSOphlze from great distance
than to preserve entire equanimity at
close quarters.-Washingt Post.
Senator Newlands announces a pur-
pose to move rexr winter for the an
neXation of Cuba. He will probably
attach his proposition as an amend
ment to the reciprocity treaty when
that instrument comes up again under
the provision for action by both houses
of congress. Mr.. Newlands should
thing again. Cuba is getting along
very welI-eXcellently indeed, when al
things are considered. She only needs
the terms which we have promised her
and which are her just due, to strike
her. roots deep into prosperity. Hel
own people are pleased with the out
look. Visitors to the island. and par
| ticularly from the United States ARE
very complimentary with regard to thu
appearances OF things, and equally ST
| as respects the men who are in higl
/ office President Palma and his ad
| visers seem to be equal to the emer
| gency. and to as much more. Cuba
| indeed as our saying is, has the prom
| ise of boom. Why, then, should sh
| be affronted by a discussion in tn
| American congress at such time o
| annexation? For. in effect, an affron
! it will be.-Washington Star.