AMERICA

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1792, 6 May 1891, Page 5

AMERICA

From the Dunedin * Evening Star's ' Americvn Correspondent.

Keoktjk, lowa (U.S. A.), April, 1891,

THE LATE CONGRESS.

The fifty-first Congress of the United States came to an end by limitation at noon on March 4 with every measure of importance in the legislative programme of the Republican majority, except the Election Bill, pat upon the Statute Book. Time will be required to prove the value of many of these measures. Some of them will be admitted as meritorious and necespary for the pnblio welfare, while others will receive a qualified approval and others be condemned as impolitic ; while some will produce only evil. The Postal Subsidy Bill Bbonld be the means of giving to the nation a merchant marine of vessels of high class and a naval reserve at the same time. The measure is bearing fruit already. A new line of fast steamers for service on the Atlantic Ocean, and a line to ply between New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, and South American ports, are being contracted for, and they are to be built with all speed at the American Navy Yards. The Pacific Mail will be reinforced with four new fast steameis. The Occidental Steamship Company have given orders for three new steamers to be built on the Pacific Coast. That will meet the requirements of the Subsidy Bill, and enable the company to bid for the American and Australian mail service.

An Act amendatory to the immigration law will prevent this country from becoming a dumping ground for the refuse populations of Europe and Asia. The now famous- M'Kinley Act, while reducing the duties on many articles, has had a general tendency to increase duties, in some instances largely. Popular opinion undoubtedly favors a moderate tariff that will protect our industries from ruinous competition and the consumer from extortion. But public sentiment does not favor a tariff that favors trusts and monopolies at the expense of the people. How far, if at all, the new tariff may gain the people's favor remains to be seen ; bnt one thing is clear : that a tariff policy should be a stable one, and not be liable to be shifted about to distnrb trade and unsettle values by revision at every session of Congress. An Act of questionable import was that increasing the Government compulsory purchase of silver for coinage. It is liable to disturb the monetary standard. The Copyright Bill was passed, and foreign authors who choose to comply with the terms of the law can have the protection of law for the production of his brain. Senator Blair's Educational Bill was finally defeated, not because Congress was unwilling that the negroes and illiterate whites of the Southern States should be educated at the national expense, but because there was a popular fear of the dangerous precedent of departing from the principle that each State should support its own schools.

Upwards of 20,000 Bills were introduced in this Congress, and about 2,000 became law. The appropriations made by this Congress amounted to L 201 ,800,000, against L 162,600,000 by the preceding Congress.

CONGRESS AND THE JEWS.

Just before the final adjournment Mr Cummings, of New York, introduced and advocated a resolution protest ng against the persecution* of the Jews by Russia. While expressing the kindest feeling for Rußsia, which has always been friendly to our Government, Mr Cumm ; ng3 proposed enlightening Russia as to the outraged sentiment of our people by its cruel treatment of this ancient people. The time was too short for any definite action to be taken, and it would have been useless to have attempted it, even if time had permitted. Russia is already in possession of the information proposed to be communicated by it. So long as it remains a sentiment, it is powerless for good. Such protests have been made before, and the protestors properly snubbed. The Guildhall resolutions were returned contemptuously, without any reply. What was more to the point was a memorial presented to President Harrison the other day by W. E. Blackstone, chairman of the Conference of Christians and Jews recently held in Chicago, of which mention was made in this correspondence last mail. The following is the text of the memorial : —

What shall be done for the Russian Jews ? It is both unwise and useless to undertake to dictate to Bußsia concerning her internal affairs. The Jews have llv^d as foreigners in, her dominions for centuries, and she fully believes that they are a burden upon her resources and prejudicial to the welfare of her peasant population, and will not allow them to remain, She is determined that they must go. Hence, like the Sephardim of Spain, these Asbkenazim must emigrate. But where shall 2,000,000 of such poor people go ? Europe is crowded, and has no room for more peasant population. Shall they come to America? This will be a tremendous expense, and require years. Why not give Taleitine back to them again? According to God's distribution of nations it v their home— an inalienable possession from which they were expelled by force. Under their cultivation it was a remarkably fruitful land, sustaining millions of Israelites, who industriously tilled its hillsides and valleys. They were agriculturists and producers, as well as a nation of great commercial importance— the centre of civilisation and religion. Why shall not the Powers which, under the Treaty of Berlin, in 1878 gave Bulgaria to the Bulgarians and Servia to the Servians now give Palestine back to the Jews? These provinces, as well as Roumania, Montenegro, and Greece, were wrested from the Turks and given to their natural owners. Doss net Palestine as right* fully belong to the Jews ? It is said that rains are increasing, and there are many evidences that the land is recoveiing its ancient fertility. If they could have autonomy in government the Jews of the world would rally to transport and establish their suffering brethren in their time-honored habitation. For over seventeen centuries they have patiently waited for such a privileged opportunity. They have net become agriculturists elsewhere because they believed they were mere sojourners in the various nations, and were yet to return to Palestine and till their own land. Whatever vested rights, by possession, may have accrued to Turkey can be easily compensated, possibly by the Jews aaauming an equitable portion of the national debt.

We believe thisfe an appropriate time for all nations, and especially the Christian nations of Europe, to show kindness to Israel. A million of exiles, by their terrible sufferings, are piteoualy appealing to our sympathy, justice, and humanity. Let us now return to them the land of which they were so cruelly despoiled by oar Roman ancestors.

To this end we respectfully petition his Excellency, Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States, and the Hon. James G. Blame, Secretary of State, to use their good offices and influence with the Governments of their Imperial Majesties Alexander 111., Czar of Russia : Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Empress of India; William 11., Emperor of Germany ; Francis Joseph, Emperor of AustroHungary ; Abdul Hamid 11., Sultan of Turkey ; His Boyal Majesty Humbert, King of Italy ; Her Boyal Majesty Marie Christiana, Queen Begent of Spain; and with the Government of the Bepublic of France, and with the Governments of Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Boumanla, tfervla, Bulgaria, and Greece, to secure the holding, at an early date. of an international conference to consider the wmdltion of the Israelites and their claims to tfalestine as their ancient home, and to promote, in all other just and proper ways, the alleviation of their suffering condition.

This memorial waa "endorsed" with a long list of signatures of representative men of 'all classes of laymen and clergymen. This m umwual, and the endorsement such

as will command the serious attention of President Harrison and of Secretary Blame. It urges upon the Government to use their good officrs to induce the European Powers to bring such pressure -to bear on Turkey that she will consent to the return of the Jews to Palestine. The scheme is a feasible one. America, England, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy could easily persuade the " unspeakable Turk," under whose despotic sway a'l countries stagnate and wither, to surrender Palestine to Hebrew colonisation on terms that can be met easily without moving a single man, a gun, or a ship against the Sultan. A mere diplomatic demand would be- sufficient. Turkey would not dare to ignore the request or decline it. Such a solution of the problem would relieve Russian and other Jews in Europe from anti-Semitio outbursts of persecution and brutalities, and would be welcomed by all Christendom, who are anxious that the ancient inheritance should be restored to the Hebrew people. They could buy out the Turkish landowners, and supply the necessaries for the irrigation and cultivation of the soil, so that it would soon again be " a land flowing with milk and honey." Greece has been restored to the Greeks, Servia to the Serbs, Bulgaria to the Bulgarians, Roumania to the Roumanians, and why not Palestine to the Hebrews ? If the country be too email, the people are rich enough to buy the surrounding provinces from the decaying Turks. The proposition is a practical one, and much more likely to be successful than mere sentimental protests, which are always, wasted upon Russia. That the United States should take the responsibility of moving first in the matter seems to be pre-eminently proper, because she has no interest in European or Asiatic affairs save the philanthropic interest.

THE CANADIAN' ELECTIONS.

The general election in Canada has resulted in a victory for the Conservative party, but with a majority reduced from 51 to 23. The contest has been one of the most stubborn as well as the most important in the history of the Dominion ; and the heavy vote polled by the Liberal party goes far to show that if the country had been given more time to compare rival schemes the judgment would have been reversed. Really there was no public necessity for the dissolution. The issues were precisely what they have been for the past three years, no new issues were developed to cause a change of party relations, and the Government had a compact and reliable majority. For the last three years the Liberal party have been advocating unrestricted reciprocity with the [Jniled States, and for the last year it was the chief I plank of their platform. Despite prejudice and misrepresentation of all sorts, this movement has been gaining steadily in public favor. It was this fact which led to the dissolution in the hope that the Ministry would obtain a new lease of power. The issues presented were of tremendous importance. Unrestricted reciprocity versus a high protective tariff involved not only the trade policy of the Dominion, but its political destiny as well. The Conservative party championed a high tariff and the maintenance of the closest trade relations and , political associations with Great Britain, while the Liberal party declared for absolute free trade with the United States, obviously involving uniform tariff regulations against Europe, and a political intimacy with the United States exceeding that now existing with England. Instead of discussing the issue upon its merits, the Conservative canvass, under the leadership of Sir John M'Donald, was conducted upon side issues, bitter personalities, appeals to patriotism and prejudice, the introduction of social and religious questions — anything that would divert the attention of voters, and enable a snap judgment to be taken. Had the Liberal party succeeded there is no doubt that their policy would be fully carried out. The United States was ready to meet Canada in a friendly spirit half way. The Liberals made a gallant fight, but were handicapped by over-zealous sympathisers on the A-neri-can side. The foolish utterances of annexation by American newspapers made excellent campaign documents for the Government. It is probably well for the Liberal party that they did not win this election. The .issue is new and untried. The cry of annexation and treason had been sounded so well that the public thought it was not clear as to how the country could have unlimited trade reciprocity with the United States, yet preserve its political autonomy and loyalty to Mother England. Sir John M'Donald 'is a crafty politician. If Ido not lose my guess he will steal Liberal thunder, now that he discovers that the Canadian people really want reciprocity, by swinging his party into line with the Liberal policy. By so doing he will increase his strength by withdrawing support from the Liberal ranks. If he does not do this the moral victory of the Liberals is complete, and no Government in the country will hereafter find it profitable to favor a policy of commercial hostility to the United States.

CANADA'S LOYALTY.

No Yankee traveller in Canada would doubt for a moment that the people of Canada were not intensely loyal to the Home Government and the Royal family. The moment he enters any city of the Dominion the British coat-of-arms' may be seen everywhere. It is daubed on the vehicle that conveys him to the hotel, It is stamped on the stained glass over the entrance ; the lion and unicorn adorn the top of the register on which he writes his name. In the office hangs a portrait of Her Majesty. When he enters his room the bedclothing and toilet articles are stamped with it. The top of the coal receptacle has a stencil crown plastered over it. When he comes to the table the pets of the royal menagerie are engraved on the knives and forks and on the goblet from which he slakes his thirst. Over the entrance to the dining room in bold relief rear the animals that guard the motto of the Empire, " Dieu etmondroit." There is not a building of any importance that is not ornamented with the same coat-of-arms. The nomenclature of the Btreetsis taken from the royal records of the Mother Country. The style of the architecture is most decidedly English. The walk, dresß, manners, and drawl of the people are all in keeping with the dear old Mother Country.

Ottawa, the seat of the Government, is a gay city. Forty years ago it was but a sawmill station named Bytown. The Princess Louise changed its name to Ottawa. The Parliament buildings, the vice-regal residence (Rideau), a canal, many saw-mills, and two railways are now some of its picturesque attachments. In the summer the citizens, officials, and departmental attache's have a penchant for games such as are played in the Old Country. In the winter every vehicle is placed on runners, i Canadians as a rule are easy-going, never , in a hurry except when on a tobogganing slide. The traveller, if he remains over the Sabbath, will have to walk to church, and on entering will find a contribution plate on the inside near the entrance, with a solemn-visaged deacon sitting near by. In the pew he will find a Bible and a Pealm book, each bearing an imprint of the national coat-of-arms. There are no Sunday newspapers, no Sunday Btreet cars, no saloons or barbers' shops open on the Sabbath day ; but the emblems of royalty are never lost sight of from the moment he enters the Dominion until he leaves it. All talk of Canadian disloyalty or of annexation to the United States, either peaoeful or

coercive, is Bheer nonsense and campaign bunkum. The new Parliament is called to meet on April 23 for the despatch of business.

THE NEW OELEANB LYNCHINGS.

Long before this reaches you you will have been supplied with full details of the lynching at New Orleans of a number of Sicilians, charged with the murder of Chief -detective Hennesy. The defence which the leading citizens make for this outrage upon law and good order is that justice faiFed in the courts, and the community had the right to protect itself against the operations of a secret society called Mafia. There wa* a widespread belief in the city that large sums of money were raised by this society, not only to defend the prisoners but to "fix" the jury. The following clipping from the New Orleans ' Picayune ' will throw some light on the matter : —

The indictment a^d arrest of parties charged with attempting to bribe and otherwise corrupt talesman summoned for jury duty in the Hennessy murder eaee show another phase of the assemblage and aggregation of crimes which conspire to make this one of the most celebrated criminal causes of modern times. The murder of the chief of police of this city was accom plished by hired assvssina acting at the bidding of a conspiracy whioh seems to exerfc unlimited influence over its creatures, and to be able to command a large fuad for carrying out its des'gns. One part of its pan for securing the immunity from puni>hmentof its agents appeara to have been the fixing of th» juries tbat might be .eutrusted with the administration of justice upon persons in whom the chief conspirators may have an interest. However this may be, there has bt en from the moment the selection of jurymen for service in the Hennessy case was commenced an increas!ng succession of persistent rumors to the effect that the jury was to be fixed in the interest of the accused After the jury was chosen, there was no cessation of these reports, which went so far as to affocfc talesmen who were accepted ; and now persons who were summoned and examined, but were subsequently not ohosen for jury duty in this case, are testifying that efforts were made to corrupt them while the matter if selecting them was pending. In the presence of so many statements all tending in the same direction, \re find it difficult to believe that extensive and far-reaching inflaences were not brought to work, not only upon possible jurors, bnt upon witnesses who were to appear in the case.

The people of New Orleans were greatly excited by the foul character of the assassination of its chief of police. This grew into indignation when it was alleged to have been the work of the Mafia. The charge of corrupting the jury, and securing confirmation by the verdict, added fuel to the fire, and back of all was a race hatred and class prejudice even more bitter than that which the people feel for the negroes. Under such circumstances, and considering the impulsive character of the Southern people and the general spirit of lawlessness that prevails in their section of the country, it is not very remarkable that this horrible tragedy was perpetrated.

The end is not yet. New Orleans will never hear the last of this outrage. If it should appear that any of these eleven men assassinated were unnaturalised, the Italian Government will demand ample damages for the deaths of her subjects murdered by a mob, and the United States will be compelled to express humble regret for the unfortunate occurrence. The money will have to be paid, just as was the case of the Chinese^ killed in Wyoming. This occurrence will have a decided effect upon Italian immigration. The Italian Government are not anxious to lose any of their subjects who are fit for military duty, and will make the most of these murders to warn their people against leaving their native land to be shot down like dogs, even after a jury had pronounced them innocent.

LABOR MATTERS are ominously quiet at present. There are no serious disagreements, and hence there are no strikes on.

Business is good with prices advancing. The anticipated lifting of Germany's embargo on our pork and fresh meats has stiffened the markets. Large stocks of imported merchandise are being held in bond at all the business centres of the country awaiting putting the M'Kinley Tariff Bill into effect. The outlook for successful spring business is favorable.