The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-15
BY PATTERSON sTEALEv.

Washington, September 14-(Special)- While the republicans are claiming that the result of the Maine election is a great republican victory, they know very well that it is nothing of the kind. In fact if the proportionate democratic and repub- lican increase in Maine are kept up throughout the country at the coming . election, it is fair to assume that the G. O. P. will be soundly thrashed For ex- ample take the state of Indiana.
 The republican vote in 1900 was 3S6O6S and the democratic vote SO9,5S4, repub- lican majority of 26 479.
 The latest returns from Maine estimate that the democratic vote in that has in- creased 24 per cent, while the republican vote has increased but per cent.
 Applying this to the 1900 vote of both parties in Indiana, the democrats this year would increase their vote of S095S4 to SSsSS4 while the republicans would in- crease their vote of SS6,O6S to 352S S6S, a democratic majority of 31,021, this year as against a republican majority of 26,- 479, four years ago.
 Even in Ohio, where four years ago the republicans rolled up a majority of 690S6 an application of the Maine percentage of increases would give the state to the dem ocrats this year by 17,740.
 The republicans are certainly welcome to all the great victory they can make out of aa analysis of the Maine vote.
 Relations Have Been Cordial.
 For several years past, or to be more exact, since the beginning of the Span sh war, the diplomatic relations exist ing between the United States and Great Britain have been cordial to the highest degree. England has made little effort 10 conceal from other countries that she regards the United States as her best friend. Here in this country more than once Secretary Hay has been accused of having anglophobia.
 The present friendly feeling between the two countries, however, bids fair to undergo a serious strain should the Pres dent, as he sometimes does, take from the hands of his secretary of state the disposition of a case which reached the state department today in the form of a communication from United States Consul Profit, at Pretoria, South Africa
 The understanding in diplomatic cir cles here is that Secretary Hay does not seriously regard Profits communication, but there are rumors to the effect that at Oyster Bay the President is nervousIy clutching the Big stick with one hand and preparing to twist the lions tail" with the other.
 No Social Equality in Pretoria.
 It all comes about over a failure upon the part of the English authorities at Pretoria to treat several negro citizens of the United States now resident in Pre- toria with the same degree of respect that President Roosevelt has manifested towards the race here
 Thirteen of these negroes have sent to Secretary Hay. through Consul Profit, petition in effect that the rules of so- ciai equality between the races as set down by President Roosevelt do not ob- tain in Pretoria The negroes declare among other things that tkey are de- barred from riding in second-class coaches because of their color, that they are prohibited from walking on the side walks (this Consul Profit denies), that they are not allowed to do business ''tney are Americans" and that they are told they must expect the same treatment as the native Africans.
 Negroes Were Insistent.
 Consul Profit says he has endeavored to make the American negroes content with their lot. but they insist that the matter be placed before the department, which the consul does.
 There was rumor around the state de- partment today to the effect that the President has sent for a full statement of the case and contemplates note to Am bassador Choate to find out why the 'door of hope is being closed in Pre- toria. It is understood that the policy for mulated in the matter by Secretry of State Hay Is mostly milk and water, and that he does not believe the circumstances jurtify the Presidents taking the care ont of tho hand of tha danortoant