to
The Commoner
BBRUARY 19 1904.
i..i"'-
OHB.abMMMtolMta
la ! MnW
CURRENT GOPICS
Jt
rfmum r 7FzrAn&x
i
f7
"ji
iH
HE BALTIMORE FIRE LASTED NEARLY
forty hours. Various estimates of the dam-
e aro made, hut $150,000,000 seems to he the
ire generally agreed to. Of course, when one
told that the city has sustained a loss of ?150,-
,000, it seems very large: and yet one may
tain a hetter idea of the havoc wrought in
iltimore from the fact that seventy-five blocks
I property, or 140 acres, were completely de
coyed. It is regarded as somewhat remarkable
at only one life was lost, while not more than
y people were injured as the result of this
Jrwaat conflagration.
a.'
PIRE FIGHTERS FROM ADJOINING CITIES
were promptly sent to Baltimore's, relief,
jwaa bijuumi uruuit is uesuiweu vy lu jlmuliuiuiu
inthorities upon the members of the New York
re department, to whom is given the credit for
le final checking of the flames. What Is known
the financial district was practically destroyed.
le Baltimore correspondent of the New York
Imes explains: "The financial district begins
about Lexington street on the north and
ttends from the court house, postofflce, and city
ill on the east to German street on the south,
me three blocks. On the west, Baltimore street
Hinds it, four blocks from the postofflce. Bc-
this territory and down the hill lies, or did
le before the fire, the wholesale district, so
;i jpauch of that as extends from Liberty street to
clones Falls. Twelve blocks away was wiped out
district containing both the custom house and
lhamber of commerce. On the lower side of
fratt street the warehouses and lumber yards
sgin, and these within the same limits east and
rest were all burned to the ground."
ac a
PIE BALTIMORE AUTHORITIES DECLARED
a ten-day holiday and are making arrange-
dnfs for a general extension of commercial, and
uinclal credit. The state militia is in charge
the police regulations. The best " energies of
Baltlmorians are being exerted to the recon
duction of their magnificent city. It is said that
great problem confronts them in the matter of
tmber supply. ' Many of tb16 lumber yards were
lestroyed, and so in the work of reconstruction a
rast amount of lumber must be shipped to the
Ity. In spite of the terrible calamity that be-
them, the people of Baltimore are displaying
ie optimism, and are determined to make an
iparalleled record in the reconstruction of a
reat city.
9? Jf
HE FRIENDS OF SENATOR HANNA ARE
unable to longer conceal the fact that he
a very sick man. He has typhoid fever to-
ther with a' number of complications. Several
ys ago a bulletin was sent very generally
...throughout the country to the effect that Senator
-Hanna was dead, and for several hours in many
ipjaccs it was accepted for tho truth. His physi
iMns now issue bulletins regularly, and, while
r hold out considerable hope ana, in fact, pre-
not to regara tne senators illness as being
serious, it is not difficult for newspaper
lers to conclude that the Ohio senator is en-
jed in a desperate battle for his life.
OTTLIEB A. LUIKART, PRESIDENT OF
the, Citizens' National bank at Norfolk,
feb., died at his homo Saturday, February 6. The
merai took place at isorroiu Feuruary S under
le immediate ausnices of Masonic organizations.
L number of other fraternal societies to which
Lr. Luikart belonged being represented on this
id occasion. Mr. Luikart was one of the best
lown democrats in Nebraska. He was devoted
to democratic principles and a faithful worker for
lemocratlc victory. Referring to this good man
the Omaha "World-Herald says: "Epitaphs do not
ilways tell the truth. But it may be said that
imong those who knew G. A. Luikart wellfc there
rouid he none to question tne accuracy or tne tri
bute if, upon the marble slab that adorned this
lan s grave were written in paraphrase of
Jhalmers: 'He lived for something. He did good
Mad left a monument of virtue that the storms of
ic can never-destroy. He wrote his name In
Indness, love ahd mercy on the hearts of nun-
Is with whom he came in contact year, by
r. At least, -in the memory of those who,
knowing him well, loved him sincerely, his good
name, and his noble deeds will shine as tho stars
of heaven."
DR. NICHOLAS SENN, THE FAMOUS SUR
geon residing at Chicago, has offered his
professional services to Japan free of charge
Speaking of his offer, Dr. Senn says: "l am
holding myself in readiness to start instantly.
I -would like to take an ambulanco corps from tho
United States. If some rich man or some benev
olent society would give $100,000 we could send
over a full corps two or three physicians, several
nurses and orderlies. I have written Miss Clara
Barton in regard to such a plan and am doing all
I can to bring it about. But whether I succeed
in that or not I shall go myself at my own ex
pense if the Japanese government accepts my
offer, for I think I could be of service behind tho
fighting lines. While in Japan I practically proin-
ised the officials that I would help them in case
of war, and now that it has come I want to make
good my pledge. Russia I as no right in Korea
, and Japan will whip her terribly in the first few
battles. In a long war, however, Japan might
be worn out and need help from the outside." .
ac
THE NOTES ADDRESSED BY SECRETARY
of State Hay to he governments of Great
Britain, France and Germany, with respect to tho.
eastern situation, are of the greatest importance;
not only to eastern concerns, but also to the in
terests of the United States. Mr. Hay invites the
powers named to join the United States in a dec
laration serving notice upon Russia and Japan
that the war must be localized to Manchuria, uud
must not involve any other part of the Chinese
empire. Many people doubt tho wisdom of this
government in taking the initiative in any of these
eastern affairs, and some suspect thatrMr. Hay's
action on this occasion was prompted by British
influences. Indeed, the Washington correspondent
for the Chicago Record-Herald says that the co
operation of Great Britain is already assured, and
some other correspondents seem to entertain thp
opinion that that co-operation was assured in a
very positive way long before Mr. Hay issued
his notes. We are told that Germany takes very
kindly to this proposition, and, while France has
not formally made Its position clear, it Is not
believed that France will stand in tho way of the
success of the Hay policy.
Aft f
SOME OF THOSE WHO SEEM TO BE IN
Mr. Hay's confidence say that ho was
prompted to issue these notes, not only because
of the needs of China, but for the protection of
the interests of the whole world. On this point
the Washington correspondent for the Chicago
Record-Herald says: "Confidential Information
which he received some time ago showed that
China was in a state of terror, that the Chinese
court feared Russia under some pretext or other
would seize Peking, and the presence of Ruasian
troops. there would bo the signal for the imme
diate flight of the dowager empress, the young
emperor and the court in general, to the interior,
exactly as took place four years ago when tho
Boxer uprising occurred. With the flight of tho
Chinese court from the capital it was regarded
as certain that massacres would take place in
every part of the empire and that the great pow
ers would be compelled to protect the lives of
their subjects by sending armies into Cnlna. It is
to avert this that Mr. Hay has suggested action
on the part of tho neutral powers. If this policy
bo carried out, the Chinese court will be im
pressed with the necessity of remaining in Peking
and preserving a strictly neutral attitude."
BUT THE SAME AUTHORITY ADMITS THAT
Mr. Hay's policy may have even more far
reaching effect. We are told that Mr. Hay's pol
icy practically means a guaranty on the part of
the United States, Great Britain, France and Ger
many to the neutrality and integrity of China;
that China will be compelled to remain strictly
neutral throughout the war, and as an .offset to
this neutrality the powers will not permit any in
vasion, or. territorial divlsiojjdii, Chna outside of
Manchuria, which, aIthoue2pInalIy;!hhiese,,is
in. effect .Russian, and,. oj5fcore, cannotb,kpt
outside the sphere of. military operation:, A'hlf .
correspondent adds: "The common action ot the
four powers named, if secured, will doubtless
have a great effect upon what follows after the
cessation of hostilities, becauso thoy will virtual
ly tako China undor their protection. When tho
time comes to sign tho treaty of pcaco between
Russia and Japan tho four powers will have to
bo consulted and will have some voice in the
terms which tho victorious nation may seek to
impose upon tho vanquished and which will nat
urally have vital effect upon tho Chinese empire
and its future. Tho question was raised by one of
tho powers interested if Russia should ignore tho
proposition of this joint action and attempt to
enter Peking, or in any other way carry on mili
tary operations on Chineso soil outside of Mon
churia, would tho four powers bo required to cn
forco their mandato? The reply was that the
uso of force was not contemplated, but that it
was inconceivable that Russia would dare ignore
the wishes of tho four allied powers, or do any
thing but scrupulously comply with tho terms
of the edict issued by thorn jointly.'
IT JT
AN INTERESTING RECITAL OF THE INCI
dents leading up to tho war between Japan
and RusBla is presented in a recen issue of tho
Chicago Record-Herald. It is pointed out by this
writer that the trouble practically had its incep
tion in 1894 when Japan and China fought for
Korea. China had from time immemorial claimed
a protectorate over tho Hermit Kingdom but in
1876, soon after the birth of modern Japan, the
latter country obtained from China a formal rec
ognition of Korean independence and surrendered
tho suzerain claims. In 1882 tho Japanese lega
tion at Seoul was attacked by a mob, and this
was made tho pretext for the importation of a
small army from Japan. This invasion resulted
in a protest from China, and the outcome was
that a treaty was signed providing that both
China and Japan should withdraw their troops
from Korea and not send them back before offi
cial notification had boon given to either power.
A revolt in 1884 caused the Korean king to call
on China for help, and Li Hung Chang, who was
then in power, sent 2,000 men. Japan immediate
ly hurried troops through the port of Chemulpo
to Seoul, and demands for reforms were made.
In tho turmoil that ensued the Korepn Queen
Mln was slain, and it was said at the time that
she had been murdered by Japanese troops. The
Japanese minister Otori seized tho person of the
king and then approached the Chineso govern
ment with two proposals: That China should
recognize the mikado's plan of reforms for Korea
and that Japan, in return would recognize the
nominal suzertalnty of tne Peking government
over the peninsula.
IT WAS AT THIS INTERESTING POINT THAT
the hand of Russia was first noticeable, ac
cording to the writer in the Record-Herald The
czar demanded explanations as to tho purposes of
Japan, and the mikado's government replied that
it had no designs on Korean territory. In answer
Russia emphatically declared that she could not
consent to any acquisition of territory by Japan.
England, who also was unfriendly toward Japan,
suggested a general Intervention, but the powers
hesitated and tho tension increased. Meanwhile
China was preparing for a conflict, and on July
20, 1894, sent 12,000 men to the Korean port of
Asan. Then war was begun, resulting in a series
of brilliant victories for the Japanese, and prac
tically ending with tho capture of Port Arthur
fortress, November 20, 1894, and in the fall of
New Chwang, the last Chinese stronghold, March
4, 1895. Then came the negotiations for peace
and the more formidable appearance of Russia on
the scene. Japan had demanded the whole of
Manchuria, which is more than double tho size of
the Japanese empire, the Island of Formosa the
recognition of the independence of Korea as a
sovereign state and an indemnity of about $20,
000,000. CHINA CALLED ONUSSIA FOR AID JtND
this time it .wa forthcoming with alacrity.
The Record-Herald writer adds: "Germany and
Fraacealptook tie part of China, and JBugkuHl
aflvfeeditfapaB to yield to the powiif. Tin tmnU
waartaai Jaj; kad to be -ati4 wit ai
deamity C "fW ,.: tfca Mioe'Jttnam;-
v -
y
L