The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-02-23
GENERAL NEWS
The Russo-Japanese War.

were torpedoed, the japanese fleet was strength
ened, and the extent of the japanese victory be-
came generally appreciated by the rest of the
world.
The London Morning Post declares that ia
pans action already in a fortnight has altered
the political conditions of the world. 1t must
compel several of the great powers to reconsider,
and perhaps revise their policies, and may result
in a Encouragement of international groups. The
great change consists in pricking the Russian
bubble. The superstition that possessed the peo-
pie regarding Russia has been dissipated.
A LIBERAL MOVE BY THE GEAR.
A notable dispatch from St. Petersburg, 10Th,
is as follows: "The Russian government today
abolished the censorship upon all news and other
kilograms. The lifting of the embargo, which
has existed for generations on the free transmits
sion of news from the Russian Empire, came as a
direct result of consideration of the subject by
the Gar himself, and in some respects this abo-
lition is regarded here as the most important act
since the emancipation of the serfs."
AN AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC TRIUMPH.
America has won another diplomatic victory in
the general acceptance of Secretary Hays note
to the Powers requesting that the neutrality and
independence of China be respected. The note
follows:
you will express to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs the earnest desire of the Government of
the United States that in the course of the mill
tary operations which have begun between Rus
STA and Japan the neutrality of China, and in all
practicable ways her administrative entity. shall
be respected by both parties, and that the area of
h~ostilities shall be localized and limited as much
as possible, so that undue excitement and distur-
bance of the Chinese people may be prevented.
and the least possible loss to the commerce and
peaceful enterprise of the world may be occa-
stoned"
Japan accepts this unrescrvedly. Russia's reply
Is of a character generally favorable to Mr.. Hays
suggestions. \ reservation that Manchuria shall
not be regarded as excluded from the field of hos
t%ilities or embraced within the administrative
entity of China was to be expected.
EFFECT ON AMERICAN FOOD PRICES
Hostilitics in the Far East, writes the Wash
ington Correspondent of The Progressive, are al
most certain TO have a decided effect on the mar
kct price of the products of the American farm
provided the war lasts any length of time. AS is
always the case. there will be an increased de-
mand for all toOd-stuffs, especially wheat and
corn, and the prices that will rule are certain to
be OF such a figure as to insure a handsome profit
10 the farmer. In the brokers' offices in CHICAGO
and New York the tip has long since gone out to
buy May wheat or, for that matter. any other of
the great staple food products. The American
trade will be mostly with Japan. as that country
Is practically dependent upon the United States
for its -four and other standard eatables. Russia.
on the other hand. will probably be able to feed
itself as it usually produces a surplus every year.
Both nations will make heavy drafts on our supply
of the great and only missouri mule" and the
fortunate owners thereof see a season of great
prosperity at hand.