Effect on the People.

In the last of the scores of speeches made by him during the trip, that delivered at Indianapolis June 4, Mr. Roosevelt said: "The thing that has struck me more than aught else wherever I have been is the fundamental unity of our people." That is a good thing for a president or for any other American to discover and to wear next his heart. In these recent years of prosperity the West has made remarkable progress in paying off its mortgages. It feels no resentment toward the East, now that interest payments from the farms go no longer to Milk Street, Boston. That was the only cloud which ever came between them and that was a rather small cloud at the worst. With every change of season the unity of the republic becomes more marked. This is true not only of the East and West but of those parts of the country in their relations with the South. A president who, though a New Yorker, has lived a considerable part of his life in the West and knows and admires the West, where he in turn is sincerely admired, must necessarily aid in bringing the people of the two sections to a fuller realization that those characteristics which Americans have in common render them worthy of one another's confidence. To this great people the president has been preaching assiduously the doctrine of peaceful methods, national Courtesy and preparedness. "Speak softly and carry a big stick." "Hit seldom and never hit soft.' "Never draw unless you intend to shoot." We have maxims enough now at our disposal to make even Sancho Panza envious. They are as good as they are homely, however much we may feel amazed to find ourselves so frequently admonished as to proper methods of hitting or shooting. From first to last through out his tour, the president continually urged the people to approve the policy of building up a great navy in the interests of peace. Any hasty review of his many addresses will show that this was his favorite topic throughout his trip.

Control

of the Pacific.

western coast, from the Arctic circle to Mexico, our plans in regard to the Panama canal, our possession of the Hawaiian islands and the Philippines, unquestionably give us the right to feel that it is ours to hold the commanding position in that vast ocean. Though foreign nations turn curious eyes upon the American executive who in the capacity of seer makes excursions into the future somewhat to their disadvantage, any one who realizes the material results that come from arousing in a great cause the imaginations of a vigorous people will recognize that the president's addresses are well calculated to advance the nation on the line of large achievement in the Pacific. Among the president's prophecies also is this, from his speech at Seattle, May 23: "The men of my age who are in this great audience will not be old men before they will see one of the greatest and most populous states of the entire union in Alaska." Here is another, from the same speech: "I predict that Alaska will, within the next century, support as large a population as does the entire Scandinavian peninsula of Europe.” Think of it! Are there to be a Stockholm and a Gothenburg in our northern territory? In suggestions like these Mr. Roosevelt is unique. He sets people thinking. He has He has ideas that are not frayed with wear and he imparts them to whomsoever happens to be listening.

At San Francisco, Tacoma, Seattle and other coast cities the president laid especial stress upon the great destiny of the United States in relation to the commerce of the Pacific. The long sweep of our

Roosevelt and His Party.

Republican state conventions in Pennsylvania and Ohio, the former held late in May and the latter early in June, advocated in their platforms the nomination of President Roosevelt next year for a second term. Much interest attached to the Ohio convention, which met in Columbus June 3, the reluctance of Senator Hanna to have it make a declaration as to the presidency being interpreted by many as an outcropping of the opposition of Wall street interests to the present chief executive. Mr. Hanna's declarations that he was not a candidate should have protected him from the suspicion of wanting to hold the state in reserve for himself: however, that suspicion was voiced by some. Senator Foraker's determination to force forward the question of declaring for Roosevelt gave promise of arousing factional bitterness. A few days

that they have no mandate from the people to take up tariff revision. Political expediency is on the side of letting it go over. Campaign funds are to be raised; powerful financial interests are incensed at the President because he has interfered with the operations of certain trusts. The manufacturers, however, must take a lively interest in any campaign that is fought out on the tariff issue and their interest will be of value to the campaign managers and to the party that commands their support. To enact new tariff laws and then go before the people to defend them would be a most unsatisfactory and difficult task. Promises, as all politicians know, are the thing. But the question of trade reciprocity is bound to come prominently before Congress within the next few months. In November it is to meet in special session to consider the Cuban reciprocity treaty. Powerful interests are demanding reciprocity with Canada and the agitation in Great Britain started by Mr. Chamberlain is likely to open the eyes of many American protectionists to the advisability of responding to the friendly advances so frequently made to them by their northern neighbor. The Millers' National Federation, meeting in Detroit on June 4, adopted resolutions demanding the speedy adoption of such trade reciprocity as would afford relief to the great industry which it represents. The plight of the millers well illustrates the benefits which could be derived from wise reciprocity measures. Canadian wheat is excluded from the United States by a duty of 25 cents a bushel. It is shipped abroad therefore to be ground into flour by foreign millers, as is also much of the wheat raised in this country. The products of American mills in the meantime are excluded from various foreign countries by high duties. Clearly the milling industry could be greatly benefited by trade reciprocity.

could see no hope for Cuba when the American flag was pulled down at Morro Castle May 20, 1902, now behold in the island an astonishing display of prosperity, contentment, and material growth. Cuba has raised an enormous crop of sugar, which will be sold at a good profit. The old plantations have nearly all been reclaimed and much new land has been put under cultivation. The railway development, under the skillful management of Sir William Van Horne, of the Canadian Pacific, has been rapid and all parts of the island are being opened up. The government's expenses have been met promptly. The schools and the sanitary regulations have received careful attention. There is a large cash balance in the treasury. Deserving congratulation, therefore, was President Palma on the anniversary of the nation's birth. Secretary Root in a dispatch to him on that day said: "The year of successful administration and respect for law has confounded the enemies of Cuba and strengthened the courage and hope of her friends." One proof of this is that talk of Cuban annexation has died out in this country. There is no reason apparent why the new republic should not continue to be a prosperous and well-governed nation as long as civilization endures. On May 22 Señor Zaldo, Cuban secretary of state, and United States Minister Squiers signed the permanent treaty between the two countries by which Cuba is bound to limit its public debt to a sum which the island's revenues can discharge and the United States is authorized to intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence in time of danger. Opposition to ratification of the treaty by the Cuban Senate was deemed probable, since Señor Sanguilly, the leading opponent of American intervention in Cuban affairs, holds that the treaty gives to the United States the dangerous power of deciding when intervention is desirable, regardless of Cuba's wishes.

Postal

Evils.

Further investigation of the condition of affairs in the postoffice department at Washington has disclosed much ex