Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-04-12
Hastings Of Matters Current


CAN WE INTERFERE.
At d great mass meeting held at
Chicago the other day to express
sympathy with the Russian people in
their efforts to overthrow despotism
and secure responsible government,
some of the speakers said that this
nation ought to interfere in tie In.
terests OF humanity as it did in Cuba
That the principle involved would
be the same no one can deny. That
principle is the now generally accep-
ted one that in extreme cases of mis-
government, resulting in great inhu
manity, another nation actuated SOLE
ly by motives OF humanity may
rightly intervene to stop cruelty and
evolve order aud good government.
OF course only extreme provocation
justifies interference with the inter
nal affairs OF another nation, for any
such action is a blow at nation s
independence.
Still it has been done. 1t was the
strong conviction that Spain had
transgressed the bounds OF decency
land humanity in her treatment oil
Cuba that led this country to inter
fere in behalf of Cuba. And it is
this same conviction that led Mr..
Bryan and other speakers to demand
that we intervene in behalf Of the
struggling people of Russia.
There is no doubt that the misgov.
eminent and oppression in that land
have been as bad or worse than
SPANS treatment of Cuba. but tC
successfully interfere with force Of
arms would be we'll nigh impossible
for Russia has no vulnerable point as
Spain had in Cuba.
The most that can be done is to re,
monstrate with Russia and give the
people all possible help and sympathy
in their fight for liberty. And for
tunately there is good reason to be.
| lieve that such action would be effec-
tive. Events in Russia, in spite oil
the reactiOnaries, weak Car and q
lack OF strong popular leaders, show
progress towards freedom and re-
sponsible government.
The southeastern corner of Europe
is the storm center of that continent
and has been for generations. 1t is
the spot which more than any other
has given disquietude to diplomats
and statesmen. Like volcano it is
liable to become active any moment
without previous notice. To borrow
an expression from the Thaw trial we
may say it is peculiarly subject to
brain storms. One of these storms
is now disturbing Romania, as is seen
in the violent agrarian and anti jew
ish outbreaks. To. a lesser extent
Bulgaria and Servia are also affected.
Until those countries have just laws,
and until the various Races Of diverse
speech and creed that make that sec
ton their home learn federation and
live in harmony with each other, not
only will those countries be handi-
capped in their progress but they
will continue to be the danger spot
of Europe.
The Standard Oil company is not
so cheerful as it used to be. The
prospect of facing a trial before jury
has depressed its spirits. The fail
ure OF all its maneuvering for delay
and the ruthless brushing aside OF a
lot of technical objections have given
it the chills. 1t is even said that the
company has intimated to The gov
eminent that it will plead guilty and
| promise to be good in the future, il
| for past offences a nominal fine only
is imposed. But that will not do.
No discrimination in its favor should
be shown. 1t should stand trial and,
if guilty, receive its punishment, just
as any corporation or Individual of
less power, wealth and influence
| would have to do No company
would make confession, as the Stan
dard Oil is said to have done. If it
were not really guilty and convinced
that "a verdict of guilty would be re-
turned.
Some years ago there was conside-
rable talk about having national
flower just as other nations have.
Nothing came of it, for while there
were enthusiastic advocates of gol-
den-rod, clover, laurel, arbutus, and
many otl.er flOwe Is, there was no a.
greelnent upon any one of them rel
Their was there one with which any
national sentiment was associated.
The Same causes still exist, vet per-
haps the spring and summertime
never return with all their wealth of
blossom but many wish we had
flower that would be to this country
what the rose, shamrock and thistle
are to England, Ireland and Scotland,
and the cornilowcr to Germany.
The railroads contend that the two
cent a mile rate will lessen their prof
it's, and in many cases result in an