Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-01-05

cur foreign commerce and rendering the
transfer of our war vessels from one
ocean to the Other more speedy in case
Of hostilities. but it IL likely to have the
effect OF materially diminishing the cost
Of transportation from one side of this
country to the other.
The year 1904 witnessed an adj
vancen1ent Of American diplomatic innu-
encS in the affairs OF the world never
before attained. Some of our foreign
friends had come to speak OF the shirt
sleeves diplomacy" Of the United States.
but Secretary Hay had 80 completely
changed this condition OF affairs that
when the war between Russia and Japan
broke out. he was in IA position to lead
in The movement to limit tho sphere of
hostlitics, thereby preventing the threat
cncd participation oil China in the strug-
Gle and greatly diminishing the danger
Of other powers becoming involved. At
the present time European powers have
wholesome respect for American dplo.
macy, and they have even come 10 look
to Washington for leadership when they
dare not act themselves.
Politically the year Just closed has wit
messed some remarkable developments in
the United States. 1t saw President
Roosevelt elected by tho largcs, popular
ma joriiy in the history of this countrr.
Ii SAW the men who as distric, attorneys
hal was,I successful warfare on vice
and corruption elected to the position Of
governor in Their respective states in
81 Missouri. il has scon the crusade
AGAINST political corruption and graft
wasod moro successfully than ever before
in dlncrcnt sections OF our country. SO
that tho outlook for clean politics aud
purc government was never more prom
Using than at the present time.
Tho year was ono OF great and
profitable Industrial activity and while
numerous labor troubles havr taken
pl: ..o. il is to be remembered in this
connection that strikes arc inaueuratcd
III time OF prosperity rather than dur
ing period of business and industrial
dourosSinr. Tho financiat interests of the
country nave had very slight adverse IN
liuo,ices with which to contend, and as n
whole they have been highly favored
4 tr.r far IN s,.I NJ |,
abundant harvests, and as rule they
have received profitable prices for THEN
! products. The railroads have had pro-
htahlo year as a rulc. Tho freight tratiit
was enormous and for the western lines
| travel was Increased to Il material de-
arce by the Louisiana Purchase oxpoSi.
lion.
| For the world in general the great
event of the year of courso, has hcoi
tho war between Russia and Japan which
has DEVELOPED into q Yr,gatlul struggle
The siege OF Port Arthur which in point
OF duration as well as tremendous fight
ing has como to rank among the great
si"ges Of the worlds history, is suffi
cient IN and of itself IL make this wa,
memorable in the list OF armed conflicts
The endcavor Of the japanese TO fore,
| thu Russians from Manchura, which be.
gan in February. has made q fair degree
of progress, but the Russians still have
u large force in the field, not to mention
the tremendous resources at their com
| mand, in case a determination is reached
to renew the campaign on a large scat
| next sprine.
! Outside of the struggle in tho Far Eas
distinct progress has h,cn made by tn,
caus' of peace. international arbitration
! treaties have been adopted by the tnteC
States and various other countries an,
! there is manifest an increasing apprecia
ton OF the horrors and unncce ssary waste
ard loss and suffering of warfare. th'
| Ku~so-Japanesc conflict having served n:
an effective object lesson.