PFRISCO MAIL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1068, 9 December 1903, Page 2

PFRISCO MAIL NEWS.

(Per R.M.S. Sonoma at ’Auckland.). WASHINGTON, Nov. 17. It is said at the State Department that Admiral John G. Walker is charged especially with the solution of the physical phases of the Canal problem, and that he will not interfere in the present arrangements unless Consul Gudger seeks his advice. The Panama Canal Company has been prosecuting the work of canal construction for many months past under an agreement with the State Department which tacitly admits the liability of the United States Government for the cost of continuing the work. It is regarded as extremely desirable that there shall be no loss of property or deterioration in t-he work already accomplished ; and Admiral Walker, who would be undoubtedly president of the permanent Canal Commission if the United States assumes the work of construction, is charged particularly to look alter this phase ol the case. As some part of the French Press continues to urge the Panama Canal directors to cancel their engagements to _sell the property to the United States, it is pointed out at the State Department that no such cancellation can be effected without a j breach of contract that would not be tolerated by either the French Government or the United States. The nature of the agreement between the United States Government and the Panama Canal Company, it is said, has changed somewhat since theorigiual undertaking arranged by At-torney-General Knox. As the result of his visit to Paris, he secured an undertaking from the Canal Company to sell its property to tiie United States for 40,000 dollars, the option to expire on March 4th, 1903. The option expired without attracting much attention, but the State Department in the meanwhile quietly had secured a new agreement, which is iii fact, in the eyes of the law, a complete contract, by the terms of which the Canal Company agreed to sell its property to the United, States for the figure named upon the conclusion of the canal treaty. The ' State Department hold that the agreement is alive. The elections in most of the States of this country were Republican 6y large majorities. In New York city Tammany won a sweeping victory, for democracy, electing George B. McClellan to the Mayoralty ; but there were specific and local reasons for this disaffection. The New York newspaper belonging to William R. Hearst aided in the election of McClellan, and it is believed that Tammany may repay this favor by sending candidates to the next Democratic convention charged to support the claims of Hearst as a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. Hearst has many strong wires laid looking to his own elevation, and these include the starting of journals of the sort which appeal to the populace. In a number of American cities, including Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, and Los Angelos .Hearst poses as a champion of the cause of Labor, notwithstanding his own great wealth, and the cause of Labor has a tremendous following in the United States at the present time. The Republicans nevertheless swept a large number of seats this year, and Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, lowa, and Nebraska were Republican by handsome majorities. In San Francisco Major Eugene'SchmiU a candidate of the United Labor party, was re-elected by a fine majority. Though the outside world may look upon this fact as a triumph for the masses, it isi not felt to he so in this city. Major Sshmitz lias not been wise in political appointments, and a very large class of responsible citizens are much alarmed as to the result of placing even more power than that which he has u£cd so badly in the hands of this violinist. Before his election to the Mayoralty, Schmitz was conduct;" - of an orchestra in a local theatre, and only fairly successful at his trade. He was president of the Musicians’ Union, and by a freak of fortune was chosen by the newly-formed Union .Labor party as its candidate for political honors. The conditions were such that the Union Labor party developed unexpected strength—hence San Francisco found it3elf with the administration of its boasted new charter in the hands of Eugene Schmitz. The present outlook is not very promising for the city, but it is likely that Schmitz's second term of office will expire without the good of the city having been permanently impaired. An extra session of the United States Congress is now in session, and is struggling with the difficulties of the Cuban Reciprocity Bill, for ■the passage of which President ■Roosevelt called Congress in special session. The Bill will doubtless be passed without amendment, as those .who advocate it declare that a magnificent business with Cuba can be developed. Ninety per cent, of the wholesale houses in Cuba are owned and operated' by Spaniards who make annual trips to Spain, and. buy their goods in European markets. ' With investments of millions of dollars of American money in Cuban lands, a change is coming about, and trade is looking to us as the nearest and most advantageous market. At present there is practically no American cloth or clothing for sale in Cuba. Business is very dull there at present* but Improved conditions are looked for* The enemies the Cuban treaty claim that it is undemocratic, 1 because it is in the intgfpsts of sugar refining and other special interests,- and the benefits will have to be made good by an additional tax on the whole people, on some other article. It is “ un-Re-pnhlican ” because it deliberately seeks to injure and interfere" with a home industry by lowering the tariff rates which protect that industry, and thus directly inviting and stimulating a foreign industry. It is said tnat then the treaty violates ‘both the principle of a tariff for revenue, and the tariff for protection, Democrats who wish to amend the treaty will consent to pass.it without amendment rather than lose it altogether.

KANSAS CITY, Nov. 17„ In discussing the results of hia visit to New York, Herr Albert Ballin, director-general of the llamburgAmerfcan line, has confirmed the reports of arrangements for am ocean service in connection with the New Kansas city, Mexico; and the Orient railway. “ A contract has been completed between our company and Ltic Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Company he said, “by which we will establish a passenger and freight line to Australia from the Pacific terminus to Polobampo, Mexico which is to be named Port Stillwell’ ' in honor of the president of the compar.y We.e.sspect that the railroad will be finished in two years, and it and the steamship lines will form a community of interest for quite- a long period.” 4