Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1891 — CURRENT COMMENT. [ARTICLE]

CURRENT COMMENT.

Danger Signals. England seems determined that the Behring Sea question shall remain unsettled as long as sho can find any obstacles to throw in the way of a ca'm solution of a very simple problem.— Baltimore American. The latest nows is that Great Britain has serious designs of annexing Formosa, in the South China Sea, which is the most important island belonging to China. Japan ha 3 long been casting on Formosa,—Detroit Free Press. Out of all the contradictions of recent “news,” and the manifestations of jealousy between sovereign authorities, the fact is apparent that the harmony of the European world has not during recent years been in greater peril than it is at this hour.—New York Recorder. That the Sultan is endeavoring to placate France is evident from his bestowal of decorations upon tho French Foreign Minister at Constantinople; and tmt there is a secret understanding between France and Russia is within tho possibilities. But sympathy with Turkey simply means that France has still a longing eye upon Egypt, and that Russia will cease no effort which might enable her to reach Constantinople, and thus secure the key to Asia —Philadelphia Record. If tho Porte wants to know what England means, it is proper to say she means to control the Dardanelles and to prevent Russia from obtaining any foothold thereon. As long as Turkey can gua d the straits in safety Eng and will not interfere, but the instant tho Turk falters in that impel ative duty England will takeflit from the weak hands of the Osmanli and attend to it herself. That Is what England means, and there need not be any mistake about it.—Philadelphia Telegtaph. Russia means, as she has always meant, to get possession of Constantinople by force or by dicker if she can. England's continuance in the list of firstrate powers and her retention of‘ her Indian po sessions depend upon her success in the accomplishment of this purpose. So long as the Turk guards the pass faithfully, England is content to leave him oh post as sentry, but she gives notice a ike to Russia and Turkey that if need shall arise she will take that post herself.—New York World.

Balmaceda'. Balmaceda has dona his country a service by putting an end to his life. — Wheeling Intelligencer. lie sought to be'a die ator against tha willjOf life Congress and his people. Ho was heatei. Too weak to succeed ho died a coward’s death.—Cincinnati Enquirer. He was the cause of the war, wh’ch has cost many thousand lives and tens of millions of dollars, and outside tlio members of his family there are few who will mourn his death. —St Louis GiobeBemocrat. The manner of his death confirms all of tho reports of his trea hery to the republic. In his case suicide was a confession of. dishonor more convincing than his dying prostesfations of good faith.— Kansas City Star. Thra whole lesson teaches that the day of dictatorship is past. His removal will bo a blessing to Chili, and will no doubt hast n the time when complete harmony will be restored and prosperity will again reign.—Milwaukee News. Balmaceda in death has none to mourn him as in life he had none to love him. The life of the tyrant in this nineteenth century is not a pleasant one in any respect. His fate should be an awful warning to others with mad ambitions. —Kansas City Times.

Palpable Hits. It is to be hoped since the American hog may be exported that traveling on steam and street cars will be attended by less crowding.—Washington Star. 'The American hog has scored another point. A justice of tho peace has -dec ded that spitting in a street car is not an offense calling for legal punishment —New Ytrk A’dvertiser. From the delay in tho work of pu hing the World’s' Fair enterprise it is possible that some member of the New York t ommitteo to erect a Grant monument has got into the directory.—St. Louis Kepub.ic. The Prince of Wales is gong to indulge in another little baccarat party. If the royal gambler,so disregards public opinion and the signs of the times, his next cards may be P. P. C. ones to the thrones —Baltimore American, A New York paper promises to get the streets of that towm in good walking condition when tho Chi ago World’s Fair committee tomes to make a house to house canvass for funds. Chicago wdll not feel encouraged to try that until the New-Yorkers raise a tlncupful of nickels for the Grant monument among themselves. —St. Paul Pioneer-Pre.s. Tales of Woe. - China seems to be unable to keep her promises regarding protection to foreigners. few foreign guuboats might help her to’do it.—Kansas City Journal. Should England take a single step toward acquiring control of the Hawaiian Islands the American eagle's piercing shriek would chase the British drum beat right around the footstool.—Omaha Lee. John Bull may picnic on Mitylene, but the information may as well be extended to him early that any such little alfresco affa rs on Hawaii will meet with tlie disapproval of his Uncle Sara.—New York Advertiser. But for the woe and devastation to the people of either country, which even a brief campaign would cause, it would be a satisfaction to ses Germany and France quit making faces at each other and tight it out.—Albany Union. There is, a great deal of italic emphasis in the silenco of -the British Go eminent when Turkey demands an explanation of the Sigri incident. It is like unto an offensive snub from an offensive snob.—St. Paul Pioner-Press.

Hot” Corn. This week’s hot weather saves a gigantic corn crop.—Minneapolis Journal. Over-due summer is knocking fall out of its place.in the procession of the seasons —Washington Star. This hot weather is not quite comfortable, but it makes the corn crop sure.-—Philadelphia Record. Uncle Jerry’s weather deal is to be commended tn at least one respect—it is giving the corn of the West tfh excellent chance to eet into 3hape to defy frost.— Kansas City Times.