The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1903-01-08

conhrmatory advices from Picking, Of
the declination OF the powers to re-
ceive their second indemnity INSTALL
ment on the silver basis. 1t is not
understood that the d~eclination was
accompanied by a threat, but the ac-
tion itself is regarded as sinister, il,
as has been suggested, it is not taken
with a view to making a record
OF the position Of the powers in this
matter. The situation is regarded
here as ~warranting soma concern,
though, unless the Washington gov
ernment is to utterly discredit every
statement OF the powers in the past
two years, whenever the possibility Of
a division Of China came up, it can
not believe there is an intention to
proceed to extremes. 1t is again sug-
gested that the time is ripe for q refer
ence OF this important issue to the
Hague tribunal, a contamination de-
voutly wished for by China. and a
which has commended itself to
the Washington government. The
United States, which is interested
equally with the other powers in get
ting as much money as it. can in the
shape of indemnity, still feels bound
by moral law to support the Chinese
contention for the silver basis, looking
not only upon the language of the
protocols and the Picking treaty itself.
but also having a solicitous regard for
China's integrity and perpetuity as o
nation. The other powers are united
in demanding a settlement on the gold
baeis. This is an issue which in the
mind of officials here, is eminensly
adapted to the methods OF arbitration.
So far China alone has suggested a
reference to the Hagus tribunal, but
it is possible aud even probable il the
powers are going to extr emes, the
United States government will seem
bound to discharge its duty under ar
ticfe 81 of the Hague tribunal, end
point the way to arbitration.
There is a strong prob Ability that
part of the Venezuelan negotiations
may soon be transferred to Washing
ton. Some of the governments who
are pressing the little South America
Republic for settlement believe that
if their diplomatic representatives in
Washington are given authority to
handle the matter better results may
be forthcoming. 1t is reported that
at least n foreign power who claims,
however, may not be the largest in
amount, is not pressing claims Of msr-
chants and bondholders, who must
take their chances on Investments,
is interfering in behalf of those who
have been imprisoned or otherw wise
we're badly treated by President CAS-
tro, and whose ships were taken or sunk
by the Venezuolans. President Cas-
tro was given every opportunity to
avert the crit is that has %overtaken him,
but it is said that he treated with con,
tempt the letters OF protest submitted
to him by the foreign ministers, aud
did not even reply to some OF the m.
Had his course been more concilia-
tory. it is declared on high authority,
the European Government would have
been inclined to give him all the time
he desired in which to meet the
Claims.
President Roosevelt has referred tn,
Indianola, Miss, Postofice case to thu
Attorney General, and instructed tina
official to investigate the alleged in
timidation of the negro postmistress
Representative Jenkins, Chairman
VI tnC L1OuoO 0uuiSa AAttCc,
ridicules Senator Hoar's antitrust bill
He says it will be necessary to amend
the Constitution before Congress viii
have power to curb the trusts.
Henry T. Oxnard, president of tn,
American Beet Sugar Growers Asso
citation was in Washington Saturday
and called on President Roosevelt
Mr.. Oxnard is very much interested
in the prospective meeting Of tn
Michigan Beet Sugar Growers, 10 b,
held at Washington this week.
The Panama Canal treaty negotia
tons are reported to be progressing
satisfactorily.