NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11059, 10 May 1899, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The Cologne Gazette, whose reputation fa Anglophobia cannot bo said to have ben usurped, publishes a scries of sophistic IBflections on the hopes entertained by tie Knglisb people that henceforward the tVO nations may go hand in hand ill Afriffl. The Rhenish organ has no fault whatever to find with the general principles on wlicb the proposed understanding is based, nor lias it any objections to offer to the details of the plan. " But we cannot blink the fact, it urges, " that all proposals emanating frail Kngland are looked upon with distrust by the masses of our people, because they still have a vivid recollection of tho concessions which we formerly hod to make to England without obtaining any corresponding consideration in return. . . . '1 ho present London Cabinet is obviously aware of this mil-trust. Last yeai Mr. Chamberlain distinctly declared that if England sought Go'many's support she must be prepared to give a quid pro quo. That tho Secretary for tli: Colonics really meant what ho said is regarded in serious political circles in Tiermany rs beyond the reach of doubt. But it is different with the bulk of the German people. Those assurances of Mr, Chambar--1; in—as well as tho more recent utterances of English newspapers and politicians— n.ade 110 impression 011 our people. . . .

.And now the SaniOuii incident crops up Mid confirms the nojnilar view, What ;iro ire ourselves to think if we learn from English, German, and American sources, that the British Consul and the English naval commander definitively throw in tlieii lot with the Americans against the Hermans? Our pmpli! are exceedingly sensitive lo such conduct, and do not readily forget it. A:id how imtlvr such conditions can tlie English count upon any proposals of theirs, whatever their nature, receiving a favourable rcccplion in Germany, where it is a question of gaining over not merely the Foreign (dike in lioilin, but also public opinion 111 the Empire? They are preparing for their (i if lids in Germany an arduous, thankless ti'f'k." In otliT words, if England and Germany agree to work together in Africa n n the principle of give mil take there, England ir lift further e.sponso the side of a German (Vr.sul in a different part of the world, whoso acts -are disavowed by his own Goveriment. .And this must he done solely in order to divpel the feeling of distrust will, whii the German people, as distinguished from their Government, regard us and all our proposals. As a matter of fi.ct, our Teutonic cousins are much more reasonable than the Cologne Gazette would have us believe, and even if distrust of England did prevail among them to the extent alleged, tho most efficacious antidote thereto lies manly in their deep-rooted and reasonable respect for the superior wisdom of their Foreign OiTice.

Phonographers all over the world will hear with regret- of the death of Mr. Thomas Allen Heed, whoso name, after that of Sir Isaac Pitman, the inventor, was the most familiar among those whe write this popular system of modern shorthand. Many years ago students of phonography divided into two camps, one of which followed Sir Isaac ill continual elaboration of the signs and symbols, while the other took stand with Mr. Reed on the " ninth edition" as perfect enough for all practical purposes and refused to mako any further change. The latter camp grow smaller and smaller ns years passed on, and by this time it must ho almost extinct, while the progressives have l.een increasing in number by leaps and bounds. Mr. Reed was considered to bo one of the most expert shorthand writers of the day, and many marvellous feats in that direction are attributed to him, but ho will chiefly lie remembered as the author of two or three useful books intended for the guidance of those ambitious of becoming journalists. In the 'course of his career h visited most parts of the world, and it may be said that wherever he went be enjoyed the respict and esteem of all whom lie met. Mr. Reed, who died at his residence at Strealham, was in his seventy-third yeai.

Ail occasional correspondent of the Times, who lias been contributing to that journal a series of articles on "The United State After the War," says:—lt is almost certain thai questions arising out of the war will dominate the next Presidential campaign. The financial question will no longer hold the first place, still less the time-worn question of freetrade and protection. On this last, indeed, the lines of party division are becoming blurred. The protective sentiment seems to be waning in the East, whoso manufactures are rapidly becoming independent of artificial aid, and gaining strength in the West and South wherever their raw produce is mot by outside competition. You see in consequence the now Democrats becoming less zealous for freetrade, and at the same time a certain weakening oi the protective sentiment among Republicans. The absorption into the Republican party of ■a large number of National Democrats' has contributed something to this result; the ctlects of the war, in transforming the national ideal, have contributed more. Protection is akin to isolation, and a narrow conception of the national ideal; it is still more closely akin to the spirit of jealousy of England, which is now so happily disappearing. There is nothing less probable than a decisive movement by the United States toward freetrade at any time within the near future. The sources of national revenue are few, and the requirements of national finance are sure to grow. But it is not improbable that in the Dingley tariff protection lias reached its culmination for a long period to come.

The Greater Britain Exhibition has been opened by the Duke of Cambridge, the mineral displays being excellent. Speaking at the luncheon Mr. Tayerner, the Victorian Minister for Agriculture, hoped Mr"; Chamr m would yet see his way to establish

joint ownersftip of the Pacific cable. A Blue Book just published shows that Mr. Chamberlain prompted the adoption of countervailing duties in India in the interests of the sugar industry of Mauritius. The Turkish Minister, at the Hague, has fled to Paris, being indignant because he was not requested to represent Turkey at the Peace Conference. He attributes the slight to the fact that he is an Armenian. The Porto is dismayed, fearing that ho will join the revolutionaries. The resignation of M. do Freycinet, the French Minister for War, lias lieen discussed in the French Chamber of Deputies. A Nationalist member stated that M. de Freycinet and M. Delcasse had been at variance over certain evidence in the Dreyfus case, but tliis was denied by the Premier, and a vote of confidence in the Government was carried. France is demanding from China, 1,200,000 taels and certain mining rights, as compensation for the imprisonment of a French missionary. A Bill has been read a first time in the House of Commons, providing for the creation of a Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Technical Instruction for Ireland. Tho Duke of York is suffering from a slight chill, but is improving, 'Uhe Archbishops of Canterbury and York have commenced the hearing of the ritual cases, their decision being asked regarding the legality of incense and lights. Lord Salisbury, in a letter to the Liverpool Conservr.ti'"e Association, stated that the efforts of the iiishops were restoring respect for tho law, and deserved the hearty support of all churchmen.