Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-04
Roosevelt Praised.

The British press is generous in ito trtb-
ute TO the success of President Roosevelt
in bringing Japan and Russia together. ana
the incident has probably done more for
the prestige of the United States than n
successful war could have done All over
Europe praises of the President and his
diplomacy sounding and IL IL good
these days to be an American abroad In
the opinion of other nations IL has not nl-
ways been so. but or recent years the en-
trance or America into the politics of the
world generally has raised her Immensely
In the eyes OF Europe and given our coun-
try status which she did not formerly
possess. quote one comment only hut IL
Is the tone of all
THE selection OF Washington Is a crowp
Ing tribute to President Roosevelt n "a
the first occasion In history that the capItaI
of the United States has been chosen for
the discussion OF great international dis
pnte In which she Is not concerned and the
President has not only achieved an ever
lasting honor for himself. but has raised
the prestige of his country In the eyes OF
the whole world"
am bound to say. however. that the
same confidence in the result does not OBJ
tain here as in Washington. The report
that the czar absolutely refuses TO enter
tam the question OF the payment of an in
demnity goes to strengthen the opinion held
by many men here that no hope can be
reasonably entertained of peace in the near
future. | find, for instance that, so far as
peace cflAnceS are concerned. 1.lONdS
charging 10 guineas for the one month risk
TIL July l6 1t is significant, too. that the
stock markets have not responded TO the
reports. Consols have not moved appre-
Gladly, nor have Russian or Japanese ga
curities.
The truth Is that the whole question turns
on the payment or non-payment of an in
demntty by Russia. In the city 1t il thought
that Russia Will never agree, TO pay. She
would rather carry on the war at G2.Ws0.nO
week for another two years than pay the
E2U1.O0.UNU which IL is said that ia, an de-
mands. She is convinced that Japan can
not afford to be at war for so long a period,
that already Japan's credit mas enormously
diminished, and that Japanese merchants
wealthy year ago are today poor men.
Russian trade IL not suffering to any Sc
we're extent and IL her generals in the fed
pursue a policy OF slow retreat Japan. they
think, must in due course conclude a peace
without obtaining any monetary considera-
ton.
Johnnies Disappearing.
The "Piccadilly Johnnie with the little
glass eye" upon whom Miss Vesta Tilley
conferred a sort of semi-immortality. is
among the disappearing relics OF the Lon
don of the past generation. Tne genus is
still extant. but it takes its pleasures diff
ferently. Its mental outlook. although still
circumscribed. is broadening. 1t seeks a
wider horizon than is afforded by the glass
paneling of public house bar and great
er intellectual stimulus than that provided
by the conversation of the Phoebes who
reign and rule in those fascinating regions.
But the "Johnnies" are disappearing. and
with them their hallowed resorts. Jim
my's'' was the first to go. and now the tenn
pie of the "Johnnedom.'' the Criterion bar.
in Plccadlly Circus. is TO follow The
long bar at the Cri.," with its costly gold
mosacs, its marble walls, its pyramids OF
glittering glasses and its statuesque bar
maids. one OF the finest bars in the world,
is about to be closed
1t is going to make room for n restaurant
because, Ii Is said. people do not care TO
stand and take their drinks. but prefer to
sit down and take their refreshments at
their ease.
typical instance Of British enterprise"
has just come to my notice and illustrates
the way business is still carried on In Eng
land. Some three years ago much-adver-
tised American shoe polish almost captured
the English market. mainly owing TO It's
superior quality. For long time no Eng
lish manufacturer was able to initiate this
polish or produce an article nearly good,
but at last small. old established backing
maker succeeded in doing so, and managed
to retail his production at about one-fourth
of the price charged b. the American firm
for its article.
It's success was beginning to be felt by
its rival. when II was bought up Tor con-
siderable sum by a London firm which in
its day supplied the oid-fashioned kind of
backing to all the world. But. instead OF
exploiting its newly acquired property,
this firm has allowed it TO lapse IN favor of
its own preparation, which has already
proved it's inferiority to the American ar
ticle. The proprietors of the latter are now
quietly chuckling at their good fortune IN
having one serious competitor removed
from their path at the expense of another
l. II. MOORE.