Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-06-21
Our Washington Letter.
snecial Correspondence.

This city presents constant drama
of moving qolltieal pictures and the
lightning ch ,nges are fostered by the
emulation Of the newspapers and their
correspondents for something new.
This week the japanese question is on
the boards and it has reached the stage
: of a semi-officisl threat that no apology
can be expected from the United States
for what is purely a state affair. The
japanese restaurant keeper OF San
Francisco who was no doubt abused
! and his restaurant wrecked by a mob
! mus seek reparation in the local
courts, is the position of the Admins
J tration. But back of all this is the de-
termination of Japan to demand the
same treatment for her subjects who
i desire to settle in the United States as
is granted to the people of other ma
/ lions.
| The real issue is political one both
in Japan and here, for 1t so happens
that national election occurs next
year in both countries and the party
out of powerin Japan seizes the oppor-
tunity TO show that the party in power
is so unpatriotic as not to protect its
/ citizens. That the Roosevelt Admins
tration has made mess of the original
dispute about admitting the Japanese
to the public schools in San Francisco
] is plainly shown by its calling to
Washington the grating mayor of
San Francisco and the corrupt men,
bers of the school board and making
a bargain with them to modify the
school regulations for the purpose of
/ modifying the national pride of the
japanese. 1t is a tempest in Japan
ese teapot and would soon subside if
our strenuous Administration will al
low it to.
The perennial question Of party poll
tics as to who will be the nominees of
both parties for-president has received
an impetus by the endorsement of SEN
a .or Knox by the Republican state
convention of pennsylvania. He is
evidently brought forward by the fac
ton of his party who are determined to
prevent tariff reform, or even reciproc-
| ity. This insures squabble over can
4 didates and also on tariff plank in the
| Republican national convention, that
will be difficult to compromise with
! out losing the votes of those Republi-
cans who really believe in tariff re-
form.
The movement in the Democratic
! party for the nomination of Southern
man has been very generally taken up
in the South and nearly every South
ern state h S presented one or more ia
| vorite sons for consideration, .of whom
Senator Daniel, of Virginia has so far
received most general attention. SUCH
| free, fair and open discussion of who
! is the most available candidate is
bright omen for victory. Thrre is no
doubt that a majority of Democrats
f. vor the nomination of Mr.. Bryc n
but many who have been hi, most az
dent supporters in other campaigns
fear that he might again be defeated
and they feel that another defeat would
be disastrous to him and the party.
The question that Democrats must
settle is therefore one of expedlency as
to who is the most available candidate
under all the circumstances. There will
be no dispute about the platform, for
there is generally unanimity on fun
damental principles and not likely to
be much controversy on the stand the
party must take on the issues that
have arisen during the past four years
that are open for settlement in the fu-
ture.
Democrats of all shades of opinion
admire Mr.. Bryan, they praise his
honesty of purpose and the oniy ques-
ton they want answered is, can he be
elected and what states can he fairly
be expected 10 carry.
VIRGiNIA's CANDIDATE.
Senator Daniel has clearly stated to
the New York World his own position
on the discussion OF his aYaiiablllty as
the Democratic candidate for president
by declaring: "that neither the South
nor any section should, in my epini IN
have candidate for any place on the
presidential ticket on account of its To-
ca.ity. the country is enc, and the
Democracy as yet is one.
''rhe chief requisites OF candidacy
are ability, aeceptablity, ard ayaila-
bility. That fact should determine the
choice. e. pediency should he the
handmaid of principle, and cannot be
overlooked in the present situation Of
the Democratic party. Ideas and prin-
ciples should prevail and guide, and
expeliel.cy should serve them"
- L..