MAIL NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 357, 6 April 1889, Page 6

MAIL NEWS.

PRESIDENT HARRISONS INAUGURATION. The oath of office as President of the United States of America was administered to Benjamin Harrison in Washington, March 4th, by Justice Fuller of the Supreme Court, after which he read his first address to the people who had aided him. The vain fell heavily, as it did during all the inauguration ceremonies, and the President spoke from under an umbrella held over his head by the Sergeants-at-arms of the Senate. The inaugural address is of moderatelength, and is generally commended for its ability, its timeliness, and great strength. One paper describes it a& "cheerful, optimistic and deeply religious in tone." An agreeable contrast is drawn between the United States of to-day and the United States in the early days ot the Republic. The question of protection *is treated in the most unreserved manner, the speaker styling protection a ' return to the first principals of tlie Republic % The President lefers to the Southern -question' in a forcible manner. He declines . 6b formulate any special policy for any special part of the country. In referring to the international policy ot the country the language uted is nfcrong and dignified. There is not the least trace of what may be called exaggerated patriotism in it, but it is couched in language that cannot be mistaken He ifc conscientiously in favour of Civil Service reform. The other portions of the message refer to the naturalisation laws and to the general policy of the country. The atrendance was very large and the military display magnificent. The German newspapers are di&satisfied •with President Harrisons inaugural. Some of them cay it shows an arrogant spirit and | does not display a particularly friendly | feeling towards other Powers. The Parih papers hold the document lightly. "La Temp 3" points out the traditional and systematic abstention of the United States fronr a foreign policy, while proclaiming the duty of the -country to protect Ker'citizens wherever established. <w Figaro" ? and "LaLib'erte'cannot see a logical appli1 cation of the Monrpedoctiine to the Panama Canal scheme. The Mexican press sees in the address a menace to the peaice of Spanish-American Republics, especially Mexico. It expresses a fear of Elaine's policy. PRESIDENT HARRISONS CABINET. After a good deal of faction fighting inside the Republican party, the new Presi-

denfc formed his Cabinet, and announced ib on March sth in the following order : James G. Blame, of Maine, Secretary of State ; William Windoni, of Minnesota, Secretary of Tieasury ; Redtield Proctor, of Vermont, Secretary of War ; Ben. F. Tracy, of Now Tork, Secretary of the Navy ; Jeremiah Rush, of Wisconsin, Secretary of Agricultmo : Mr H. H. Miller, of Indiana, Attorney-General ; John Wanamaher, of Pennsylvania, Postmaster-General. There is considerable disappointment among the leaders of the party in California that an office in the Cabinet has not beon given to the Pacific Coast, Hon. John W. Swift and Hon. M. M. Estee having been pushed for a position. Generally, the Cabinet gi\ es only mild satisfaction. The impression is in some quarters that the appointment of Jumes G. Blame as Secretary of Slate means a more active and posilive foreign policy, and that while Ihe other members are not brilliant,- they have at least administrative talent that is t respectable. Blame is the only one with ! any reputation or strength as a politician, and is regarded as virtually President, of the country.

CANADA. Premier Sir John Macdonald proposes to appeal to the country at once on the annexation question, and then letire from the Government when the question is decided one way or the other. He suggests that Canada be erected into an independent kingdom under British protection with one of the loyal family as, the reigning head. " La Pres-se" of Montreal, has unearthed the case of Josephine Bedard living at LiiiGfwich, who has nob eaten anything: since 1880, when she recovered fiom an attack of diphtheria. She weighs 125 pounds, dr\ws her sustenance entirely from water, and never thinks of food. Cartwright's resolution asking the Queen to empower the Governor-General of Canada to take steps for commercial reciprocity with the United States, was debated on February 18fch, and rejected by 94 to 66 — a party vote. The pvima donna Albani met with a splendid reception in Canuda, her native place, on February 17th,

FORCING AN ISSUE. A resolution adopted by the Congress of the United States on March Ist, offering Canada a commercial union whenever she wanted it, hasciealed a widespiead interest and discussion in the Dominion. The resolution means not unrestricted reciprocity, but a commercial union pure and simple ; the establishment of a joint tariff along bhc seaboard, regulated and controlled from Washington, the sunender to Congress of the power of making such customs and revenues a 5 * Washington allots, and tho adoption of the American tariff against England. The Conservatives are pleased that this resolution has been passed, as in their opinion if; will cover the Liberals. The resolution actually meins severance of British connection, and, after a luief interval, the absorption of Canada into the American Union, and the Liberal party and press throughout the country must repudiate it, or thiow off the mask of hypocrisy now worn.