The progressive farmer and the cotton plant., 1905-04-04

OLC l. hhhCo = hO AAO"O
of the Cabinet-Mr. Shaw, Mr.. Taft and Mi.
Cortelyou-are candidates.; so is Mr.. Falr6anks'
who has Just entered upon the office OF V1ce-fresi-
dent. 1t has become almost a political proVerp
that Presidents are not chosen from the Cabinet;
it was also said that Presidents were never, IN
these days, taken from the Vice-Presldency. Mr..
Roosevelt has smashed one tradition; and the oth-
er will probably not weigh with the heads OF the
War and Treasury Departments, although 1t may
lead them to retire from the Cabinet earlier than
would otherwise be the case. Mr.. Root-Who
would certainly not refuse the nomlnatlon-ls
also not to be deferred by Cabinet traditions. AS
for Mr.. Cortelyou, his CO ndidacy Is not likely to
require his retirement from the Cabinet. His
official advancement up to the time OF his selec-
ton as chairman of the Republican National
Committee was not the result of political organ1-
%zation. He has no constituency to return to tor
support as a favorlte son, and the influences faV-
orable to his nomination may operate as effect
ually while he serves as General. 1t
Mr.. Cortelyou should win the prize, it would be
not only the first instance of a man reaching the
Presidency through the classified service, but
would be another step in a most remarkable career
from obscure ypewriter to Cabinet officer and
chairman of the Republican National Committee.
without political "Pull." Which candidate Mr..
Roosevelt may favor is an absorbing question
among friends of the parties interested, for if
the popularity of the President proves perma-
nent, it will be we'll within his power to greatly
influence the choice of his successor. In any
event, Washington will be more than ever the
mecca Tor heDuDl1can pOI1Ulc1dIS during Tile ueAl
few years, as it happens that five of the ambitious
rivals-including Senator FOraker-are practical
ly residents of this city"
A Have Agreed on Peace Except the Belligerents."
A ST. Petersburg diplomat very aptly sized up the
Russo-Japanese situation in the sentence: Cali
have agreed on peace except the belligerents." 1t
has been a play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out.
France, which is financing Russia, seems very
anxious for peace; England would be glad to see
the war stop while the tide is so much against
Russia; and the press correspondents have cried
peace! Peacep" But there is no peace.
Russia in some fashion managed to make it
known last week that she would not consider any
peace proposition involving the payment of in
demnity or the cession of territory, and the vic
tory-iushed japanese are very well content to try
the efficiency of cannon balls in convincing her
that this would not be morally correct.
Mr.. Takaharshi. the japanese special financial
commissioner. in an interview said: "The war cost
between $25O,O0O,OOO and $500, 600, 900 the first
year, and will probably cost $3.50, 600, 900 dur.
ing the present year. 1t would be unprecedented
in the history of great was that no indemnity and
no territory be given up by the vanquished. While
1T Is beyond my province to discuss terms of
peace, l can express my personal opinion that as
the war was forced upon Japan it is not likely
that she will waive the right to an indemnity and
cession of territory when concluding peace. What
indemnity will be demanded, 1 cannot say, but is
Is ny private opinion that it will at least cover
the expenses of the war"
SO the war goes on. Oyama, it is reported. has
begun another general advance, and at ST. Peters
burg, Russia is again face to face with desperate
internal discussions. There is a very general feel
ing that General Kuropatkin has been unjustly
used as a scapegoat by the Russian Government,
and that the old hero who has grown gray in the
service of the Gar was not responsible for the
crushing defeat for which he has been retired in