OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 44

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

CHICAGO, Illinois, U.S.A., Feb. 5.

The arrival of Rudyard Kipling, who has come to America to spend a few months in company with his wife visiting her relatives, and the publication of his latest international poem, " The White Man's 1 Burden," are to be regarded as events of national importance, judged by the interest they have created m the mind of the i American public. Certainly the IndiaEnglish poet of the Soudan scored a victory that is entitled to, be chronicled in 'history. He quietly determined that it .was no necessary part of the white man's burden to furnish the newspapers with interviews, and although he was beset by •a hungry horde of reporters, who went out to meet his ship at the quarantine station, not a word that could be tortured into an - interview could they wring from his lips. They were compelled to confine their accounts of his arrival, to a personal description of the great author and of his wife, together with the trials which they .encountered in complying with the new customs ruling requiring a specific examination of each article of luggage. There 'is some speculation as to whether Kipling - does not feel himself called upon to give the high members of the American army • and diplomatic service an example of the beauties of silence. Certainly the latter have been making no end of trouble for themselves, the Administration, and their {tersonal friends and enemies by their reekess loquacity. For this reason the silence of Mr Kipling, who is not hampered by official considerations, is particularly eloquent and impressive. But the coming of the creator of The Recessional" brings to light a most startling and significant change in the popular literary tastes of the American people, It reveals the fact that the dashing versifier has a greater popularity in the United States as a poet than any other living writer. In the words of those critics who still cling to the traditions of the old school, "America is Kipling crazy."' The booksellers are almost unable to_ meet the demand for his poetic works, and the sale of pocket editions of his verse is enormous. These small volumes are seen in the hands of street car passengers, and read in offices and semi-public places to a degree that is remarkable. There is no doubt that Kipling has added much to his reputation in America by the publication, in the latest issue of " M'Clure's Magazine," of " The White Man's Burden." # The public is still eagerly awaiting the announcement of the finding of the courtmartial in the case of Commissary-general ' 'Eagan, who denounced Major-general • Miles as a liar. The circumstances of this ' sensational occurrence were fully stated in my previous letter. The plea that the charges of General Miles so wrought upon .the. mind of the commissary-general as to imake him irresponsible for the intemperate ''language which he used regarding his Superior was the principal basis "of the defence. The verdict, whioh has been in the hands of the President for several days, is believed to be adverse to Eagan. On the other hand, it is thought that there is a chance that the penalty will be as light as possible, and that the President may feel called upon to make it a matter for the j exercise of Executive clemency. Meantime g&fajor-general Miles has so persistently continued to indulge in newspaper inter[views reflecting on the manner in which [Secretary Alger conducted the affairs of ,the War department that it has been neces- ; sary to give him an official hint that his oourse is prejudicial to discipline in the i army. Not a few newspapers who stand lin close relation to the Administration ihave repeatedly declared that, in the near ! future, General Miles will be called upon to answer for his indiscretion before a court-martial. Certainly the public will not be surprised if the commanding general of the armies of the United States is brought to this kind of a reckoning for the extent to which he has taken the public into his confidence with relation to his long-standing feud with General Alger, now Secretary of War. Nor can it be denied that General Miles '.has- succeeded •in making himself decidedly unpopular • with the people at large. The impression prevails that he has risen to his present uigh position more by virtue of his political influence, or " pull," than by his demonstrated abilities as a general. Mr sWoodford, formerly United States Minister ■ to the Spanish Court, has also suffered from the epidemic of loquacity that seems ;to have seized upon the official circles of this country. An article in the public press purporting to have come from him contained statements regarding the small amount of ammunition in the hands of the War and Navy departments at the outbreak of the war. This was very annoyifig to the Administration, and ex-Minister Woodford was given opportunity to clear Ids skirts by a public' denial and repudiation of the alleged statement. This he has done " after a fashion," but it is not so sweeping as might be desired, and the manner in which it plays upon the more delicate shadi^gs of language in order to save critical points indicates that Mr ,Woodford has experienced an uncomfortably close call. A notable feature of the general revival of business in the United States is the formation of large industries into '" consolidations " or trusts. This movement seems to be general in almost every line of manufacture and production. The latest industries to consolidate are ice cream and the milk producing interests. The outcome ot this tendency is being closely observed by the students of political economy and public affairs. February 18. The arrival of Lord Charles Bcresford, ' Bear Admiral of the British na\y, "Hero of the Condor," and the, representative of the Associated, Chambers of Commerce of - England, is an event of the greatest importance to the commercial interests of the United States. This is universally appreciated — a f«cfc which is evidenced by the enthusiastic reception which this distinguished visitor has had in Chicago, where he is stopping at this writing. His utter-

ances on the " open door " policy relative to the trade of China are received with the attention which they deserve, and his words are being carefully weighed by all the capitalists and captains of industry who come within the radius of his voice, or who make im the great audience reached by him through the elaborate newspaper reports that are given of all his speeches, however informal. To-day Lord Beresford was taken to the Chicago Board of Trade, the largest grain and provision exchange of the world, and introduced to the members. This occurred when 'Change was in full session, and the speech which he made was followed by a genuine ovation.

Few visitors, however distinguished, are considered of sufficient importance to be accorded a reception of this kind, and the instances when sessions of che Board of Trade have been suspended to listen to a speech from a foreign guest are exceedingly limited.

Lord Beresford was accompanied b^ I Cyrus H. M'Cormick, the " Reaper King, ' by Melville E. Stone, general manager of the Associated Press, and by Mr M'Farland. The speech in which Lord Beresford replied to the dignified introduction to the members given him by President Lyon was as f oflows : — " Mr Lyon and Members of the Board of Trade, — Allow* me to thank you all for the great compliment you have bestowed upon me in asking me to visit this institution and meet you. It not only is a great compliment to me personally, but also is a compliment to the Associated Chambers of Commerce of England, which I represent. lam perfectly delighted with the interest which has been shown in the future of China. The future desired is certain to come, and there really is no city in the world which this question should interest to a greater extent than Chicago, for the very reason that Chicago is the centre of the States and so situated that the commerce of the country must originate here. I shall regard the opening of China the greatest event in the commercial world, and I do believe that country will be opened.' To-night his Grace is to be given a dinner by the Commercial Club of this city, and to-morrow afternoon he will go to " Buffalo, arriving at Niagara Falls on 1 Monday morning, from whence he will proceed to Washington. In an interview Lord Beresford made these comments on his " open door " policy, advocating the free entrance of merchants of all nations to every part of China : " I want to make it clear that the opening of the Chinese market to the world and the permanent overthrow of national spheres of influence in that territory is a thing which is not merely of value to one nation or to another, but which will be ultimately a benefit to all. If the policy you adopt is broad enough the benefit of one nation does not carry with it the hurt -of another. A narrow policy may have that effect. To my mind the seizing of sections of the territory of China to be taxed and exploited directly by the European rulers would work great injury, not only to outside countries, but in the end to the tax.ing country itself.- On the other hand, if China is kept open for the trade of all the world every European and American nation will benefit by it. Of course, single industries in each country will suffer to some extent by freetrade for all, and from the men in such industries complaints and objections may be heard, but they are not serious enough to form any argument against the ' open door ' policy itself. England advocates the 'open door*' in -foreign trade is of course because England sees b«»efit to herself in it, but it is plain beyond dispute that the policy will lay the foundations for a beneficial trade for all civilised countries."

He believes that the dismemberment of China will come within four years, if a strong commercial alliance foi freetrade is not made, and that an understanding amounting to an alliance between the United States and England is not only desirable but altogether probable. He sees only one obstacle to such an understanding, that being the influence exerted by the Irish in the politics of the United States. In a formal interview he used this expression : "As I have said before, Ido not look forward to an alliance between England and the United States and the other countries so much as to an understanding- -A- formal alliance is' not necessary. If it is agreed upon, it would of course need have reference only to China, and -would not involve the participating countries in their other relations. I would like in see l-'ngland and the United States formally allied for purposes of trade in the East, Lut I would not expect any other kind of an alliance without long and thorough consideration. The jiossibilities of the trade with China are hardly dreamed of even by the most far-seeing merchants of America, '''here is a nation of 400,000,000 people, and wejiave hardly scratched the surface of them yet. I tell you that I think the opening up of China to Western trade will be one of the most gigantic events of the century. I recognise that the Irish-Americans have, a great power in politics, and that their feelings and opinions count for much. lam nevertheless inclined to believe from what I have observed that they will rapidly become more friendly to the mother country. One cannot blame them for their hatred. The conditions in Ireland before 1870 were enough to produce the rebellious spirit. But now the situation is changed. IreLand's prosperity is increasing. The IrishAmericans will moderate their antipathy to England. When they come to see how nearly identical the interests of England and the United States in foreign trade are they will see how advantageous an alliance, or ac lea-st a commercial understanding, with reference to the control of China, will be, and then they will cease to oppose it. :>

The nations which Lord Beresford would have as: parties to the " open door " compact guaranteeing each the right of free trade in any part of the Chinese empire are Germany, . England, the United States, and Japan. „In support of this selection he urges a very cogent reason, which he puts as follows : — " I mention these four n&ticns," he said yesterday, *" because they a?a the great trading nations. France and Russia hare no trade to speak of. They

want, territory, not commerce. When they seiz-j Chinese soil they wii 1 put on taxes and make it profitable to them in that way. The interests of the trading nations are opposed to this. They have no use for territory, because commercial freedom is much more valuable to them. They can well afford to combine to keep the ports open." The celebrated Englishman brought his arguments home to the people of Chicago in these words : — " Chicago has the greatest interest in the establishment of an open door in China. Not only does the city have its big manufacturing establishments turning out in great quantities goods which the Chinese people will want to buy, but Chicago will benefit by every additional bit of trade which any part of the country gets with China. If San Francisco or New York exports more goods for celestial consumption Chicago will profit in one way or another. I would emphasise this fact that the indirect benefit to the city is as great or greater than the direct benefit, great as that- will surely be." President M'Kinley is not much given to public speaking, at least so far as utterances regarding administrative policy are concerned. This week, however, he has made an exception to his habit of reticence and caution, and, in an address before the General Assembly of the State of Massachusetts, expressed himself with force and directness. It is more than likely that a single phrase of his short speech will become one of his most quoted expressions. This is the terse and characteristic declaration " Desertion of duty is not an American habit.' To understand the full force of this expression the context is necessary. Addressing the Senate and Souse of the Bay State Legislature, he said: — "I am glad to be on this historic ground. It revives memories sacred in American life. It recalls the struggles of the founders of Massachusetts for liberty and independence. Their unselfish sacrifices, their dauntless courage, are the inspiration of all lovers of freedom everywhere. Their lives and character reach into every American home, and have stimulated the best aspirations of American manhood. In the beginning of our national existence and even before this was the home and fountain of liberty. It is the home of liberty now, and I am sure that what those great men of the past secured for us they would have us transmit not only to our descendants, but carry to oppressed peoples whose interests and welfare by the fortunes of war are committed to us. We may regard the situation before us as a burden or as an opportunity, but whether the one or tha other, it is here, and conscience and civilisation require us to meet it bravely. Desertion of duty is not an American habit. It was not the custom of the fathers, and will not be the practice of the sons."

The occasion of the President's visit to Boston was the assemblage there of the Grand Army of the" Republic, an'organisation of the veterans of the Civil "War, of which he is a member. In speaking to his comrades, Mr M'Kinley made th^diappy auggestidn that those who served in the late war with Spain should associate themselves in a similar organisation, or become members of that which is now composed wholly of those who placed their lives at the service of the Union in the struggle of the early sixties. That this expression will give a strong impetus to a movement for the banding together of the soldiers who fought under the Stars and Stripes against the armies of Spain there is no doubt.

ii. Rivera and Major-general E. R. de Rios. the military governor of Cavite for the Philippine Government, arrived in Chicago to-day on their way to Montreal, where they are to join the crafty Aguinaldo, and combine with him to promote the interests of Aguinaldo. Rivera, who speaks excellent English, acted as the spokesman, and gave out the following interview, which is regarded here as a very smooth and crafty plea : —

'• I have read President M'Kinley's speech, which he delivered at Boston, and while many of us believe the United States would establish a bettor protectorate than Spain, our countrymen will accept nothing short of selfgovernment," said Mr Rivera. '' Many of your people here think -we are savage. Do I look savage?" he asksd, his face wreathed in an exyipnded <*)iiile and displaying a very red neckerchief by throwing open the lapel of his oliinchilla overcoat. "We are capable of selfgo\ernment," he continued, "and Aguinaldo is devoting himself heart and soul to making hi.4 people free. I' know Aguinaldo well and I know he is disinterested and does not wish to raise himseif to a high position. When the insurgent government was founded ho wrote to Cayetano Arellano, an attorney, offering him the presidentcy of the newly declared republic. His influence is so strong that the 35,000 equipped and armed boldiers of the Philippine army are ready to a man to fight behind him. The reports that the rank and file of the army regard with with a certain awe and superstition, and that he is ' cingangting,' or bullet-proof, are nonseiiKical.

" The reason I have for Baying the attack at Manila was started by the American soldiers is that Aguinaldo would not have acied offensively before knowing what this country will do. The statement is made that the trouble was caused by telegrams from Agoncillo in Washington. But I know Agoncillo loft Washington not because he expected the battle at San Juan del Monti, but because his telegrams were intercepted.

DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDING

" The principal cause of trouble between the Americans and insurgents is a misunderstanding. Nearly 90 per cent, of the crimes committed there are due to jealousy. The American soldiers do not seem to realise how little they can take liberties without hurting the feelings of the natives. The Philippino is jealous. There are several more reasons why the difficulties between the insurgents and the American soldiers became stronger. I venture to say that so long as the American soldiers occupy the islands there will be mischief and loss of life. There can't be two factions. It is claimed the insurgents at San Juan del Monti intended to cut off the water supply of Manila. That is foolish They would have cut off not only the Spanish residents, but their 'owii people from water. ' The insurgents were informed by Aguinaldc at the outbreak of th war that Dewey had made the promise that this government would give the Philippinos liberty when the Spanish were beaten. L was under this promise that the insurgents fought and consented to receive aid from the American troops and war 'ships. We believe this government has not stood by Ub promise, and it is bard to make the average Philippino believe that the American rule is better than Spanish rulac

"Wo now have & government which represents the republican idea. Votes are cast in each town and sent to the province chiefs, who mako extracts and send the result to congress, and thus the president is elected. The people also elect all the province chiefs and public officers. GOING TO EUBOPE. "As for the future I cannot say. This government may take the capital of the insurgent forces, but that will not settle the matter. As for us, we will likely continue the journey around the word to show tho people of Europe we are not savages, but capable of self-govern-ment. Agoncillo will not accompany us, as he has a special mission." The latest information received here from the Philippines is a cablegram to-day giving account of an insurgent attack of the American lines at the Manila water-works. The natives were repulsed and driven from the field, and the bedies of 50 of their number were found in the jungle. Six Americans were wounded. All cablegrams from the Orient are still received with the greatest possible interest, and the feeling is strong that the worst of the fighting, so far as the trouble with the insurgents is concerned, is not over, nor will it be until Aguinaldo is taken prisoner, and his troops left without a leader. j As an example of the strange humours j in which the statesmen from the country districts sometimes indulge I send the following resolution introduced into the House ! of Representatives of' the' State of Wis- | consin. Naturally the women of that i commonwealth are greatly excited, and have no notion of giving up their stays without a struggle. The proposed law reads : — " Resolved, by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, that a joint committee J be appointed, to consist of three members, j two from the Assembly and one from the Senate, to draft a bill and introduce it to this honourable body, to protect the health of misses, old maids, and. married women in the State of Wisconsin by making a law to prohibit tight lacing."