The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-29
CURRENT COMMENT.

The London Outlook says that the
end proposed by Russit IS as plain as
a p~ikestaff-the acquisition of China
and perhaps of Asia. Russia moves
slowly, and is aware Of her weakness
and defects. She fears to provoke a
conflict with England. II fears far
more the energy of English traders and
the wonderful gift of that people for
ruling. h will go as fast as she can
or as slow as she must within these
conditions. But there need be no doubt
of her purpose and progress.-New
YCrk Tribune.
What Andrew Carnegie does not
know about industrial conditions alike
in Great Britain and the United States
is not worth knowing. When, there
fore, he tells a London interviewer that
British competition with the United
States in manufactures is impossible.
because the very size of our great
industries enables Us ito supply the
demands of the world at prices you
british people, cannot think of" the
question hat pointedly presents itself
is: Do American manufacturers, espa-
cielly those of iron and steel. really
need the shelter of a so per cent. tariff
to enable them to hold their own
against rivals already put out Of the
race by natural disadvantages and a
superior industrial organiZation?-New
York World.
If anyone has entertained the idea
that Great Britain had been impoyer-
ished by the South African war he will
need to revise his opinion in view Of
the popular subscriptions to the Trans
vaal loan. Not only are the offers of
the bankers sufficient TO cover the loan
many times over, but il is said shat the
Individual subscriptions not exceeding
one hundred pounds Will moro than
make up the whole mOun This is
the most interesting feature Of the
whole transaction, since it indicates
more distinctly than the large offers
of the bankers the wealth that IS widely
diffused among the people. The inter-
est on this new loan is higher than has
been usual, which Will account for the
eagerness Z small investors. but the
success of the loan is not the less sig
nifcant OF the financial strength Of the
country.-Philadelphia Ledger.
Indications are cropping u ali the
time tina Senator German, a presi-
Dental candidate, would be an accept
able candidate to southern democrats.
Washington dispatches say tina the
prediction is quite freely made in hat
city that if he keeps quiet and makes
no mistakes between now ana the
meeting Of the democratic national
convention he will be the nominee. He
has one advantage, and that is that he
has strong friends and admirers IN both
factions of the party. Neither Mr..
Cleveland nor Mr.. Bryan is to be
thought of for the reason that each is
the leader of a faction. and neither
could be depended upon to poll the full
vote Of the party. Representative Liv-
ingston of this state is quoted as say
ing that either German or Judge Park
er will be nominated, and he IS Of the
opinion that Senator German has the
Secretary Hay will have the hearty
support of the entire American people
in his demand upon Russia that the
'Open door" promised to American
goods in Manchuria shall be lot merely
technical, but real. Russia's promises
in this regard ave been fair enough,
but there are good grounds for CUES
tioning their sincerity. Stories Of Of
fetal intimidation of Chinese merchants
at NiuchWang to force them to Dur-
chase Russian instead Of American
goods continue to find their way INTO
print. On top Of these comes the naive
suggestion that in promising that the
United States shall have equal COM
mercial privileges with other nations
in Manchuria. Russia does not INCLUDE
her own merchants in the category
Of foreigners; that Russian goods may
be admitted free of duty into this
great province Of China, while duties
shall be levied upon the imports from
all other countries alike. If this is the
Russian governments Interpretation of
its promised open door to Mancnuria,
Secretary Hay Will be justified in max
ing h strongest possible protest. and
the United States will back up that
protest just as vigorously as the cir
cumstances may warrant.-Atlanta
Constitution.
The Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore Sun quotes Congressman
Allan L. McDermott. OF New Jersey
as saying that the democrats OF that
state are in favor Of the nomination OF
Grover Cleveland. and in case Mr.
Cleveland is not available their second
choice is Senator German. Discuss
ing the political situation in general
he mentions the umO that many OF
the pOpulistS will support Mr. Roose-
welt if he is nominated by the repub-
can party, and adds hat nothing
could suit him better. The sooner the
democratic party unIoads itself Of the
populistic burden" said he. tn. bet
lSI- IL popul!SlS hiNe Il Clls VI
any good and never will" Quite so
We made the same remark the Other
day IN connection with the statemen'
from a prominent populist in Kansas
that he and ~populists of his acquatnt
tnce generally were in favor of Roose
Welt. The democratic party is strong
est when ii stands for its own prfnci.
pies. and when it makes no bid ror tn
support Of parties n factions whicf
are not in direct accord with it's Drinci
pies. Whenever it begins to bid 70
| the votes of populiSts or socialists o
| free silver republicans, It is sure t.
| weaken itself and to lose more than i
will gain. If these people choose Z
| vote with the democrats. we'll. but i
| is a blunder always to cater 70 then
by adopting any of their principles
which are contrary to our own. or b
compromising any of u principles t
suit their particular fancy.-Richmon
Times-Dispatch.
From n Cat Scratch.
4p Tho WIZ - tho u-0rct -, e l.~~