The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
speetol cable Despatch 10 THE Sun.

dent HOoscNelts announcement ina
We Can Care for Our Own &uHerers,
speciol cable Dispatch 10 THE SUS.
10 HDoN, April 21.-The eyes of Europe
have been turned to America this week
N such absorbing interest That public
fairs of the Old World have been tenn
p~rrarily ignored,
The cable has already told you of the
slmost unprecedented response of human
sympathy which the news of California's
r.iamity has brought from every land and
reople under the sun. II is unnecessary
10 dwell further upon this universal levelling
of all national boundaries which ordinarily
divide mankind, One point only calls for
prompt attention. The sympathy with
San Francisco throughout Europe longs to
give practical expression of its sincerity,
It would, if allowed, pour a willing stretIm
n gold into the Golfers Of the Red Crors.
The only thing which has held back the
food Of gifts has been the report from
Washington that no foreign contribution s
are needed or desired, Even this intima-
ton did not prevent numbers of English.
men from pressing subscriptions on one
collecting agency or another.
The question was put to Ambassador
Reid at Yesterdays meeting Of the Ameri-
ran Society whether such gifts would be
accepted. 1t bro ght the reply that while
such aid was not needed it would he ac-
copied with warm hearts. On the other
hand to-day's papers announced the send
ing back by the President Of the mu-
nifcent gift of the neutrality-suspicious.
Steamship Company. The American So
ciety has accepted thus far English contri-
buttons and the question Of opening a dis
tinctly English fund is being considered
ly the King and others.
1t is important that there should be a
definite official announcement quickly made
from Washington or California as to whether
foreign contributions already made should
he returned or it should be distinctly
made known if these contributions are
welcome. Englishmen who would be glad
to contribute IL aid ia wanted are in an
awkward quandary in the present situation.
Even before the San Francisco disaster
European attention had already been largely
devoted to America in connection with
President Roosevelt's now famous speech
on multi-millionaires. 1t is recognized
that the conditions which called out the
utterance are peculiar to America, but the
views expressed by the President find little
sympathy among responsible European
statesmen and publioists, while they are
welcomed by the growing socialistic move
ment~ throughout Europe. Moderate opinion
II best expressed by to-day's Spectator which
devotes a leader to the subject. II says:
President Roosevelt is apt to think
aloud and, like most men who are addicted
10 that educatiye practice, to suppress for
oratorical reasons qualifying clauses which
may change speculation into a plan. His
idea as at present expressed admits a little
too clearly the socialistic principle. If a
community has the right to tax a man
out of his wealth because 1t is too great
for the general interest, it must surely W
the right to fix the amount of greatness
which it thinks injurious, and care will
he needed that its judgment is not per-
verted by any idea OF relief to its own
necessities. Otherwise, We might .bave the
masses convincing themselves that fSo0 a
YEAR is quite sufficient for anybody, that
the burden of taxation should be thrown
entirely on the rich and society reduced to
a dead level which is inconsistent with
progressive civilization. 1t will be far better
10 fix the danger point on an economic
barometer and decree that beyond that
point a testator with many millions must
distribute them either proportionately to
his relatives, as is the system in many
States on the Continent, or mainta ming that
under the liberty Of bequest he must only
decree l~egacies within that amount to
those whom he selects. A man with Eoo''
100000, say, must make fifty legatees.
Even then some risk will be run OF inter
fering with that charm Of industry n
enterprise which induces men to accumulate
more than they can eat and gradually pro-
iuces a fortune, which is one OF the con.
ditions oil civ ilization. If nobody may
grow rich we cannot nave art. we cannot
have public works not paid for out OF taxes
and it is very doubtful whether you can
have active. vigorous commerce.
1t takes the rich class to u great pecu'
MARY risks, aud without great pecuniary
risks We caa neither have grand mercantile
fleets nor accommodations Of goods nor
risky novel commercial enterprises. Ha II
The farmers Of England are ruined by nav.
ing TO thresh their corn too soon, and II
there rere no reservoirs Of wealth apple
able TO commerce that would be the position
f every enterprise. It. is because wage
eamers cannot accumulate that they sc
,ften remain subordinates.'