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conservatism of the nation and the vast, impenetrable calm which that conservatism breeds do not prevent the British from taking advantage of the valuable lesson which the Boers have taught them, they can deem themselves fortunate indeed that their first real war in more than half a century was with a little people far from their borders. It has shown them how to prepare for a great struggle at some future time with Russia, Germany or France.

Cuba

Faces the Future.

After its period of rejoicing, which culminated with the inauguration of President Palma on May 20, and the transfer to his hands of the governing power of the island, Cuba has started bravely and hopefully to build up its public institutions. In his message to the Cuban congress, delivered May 28, President Palma expresses once more, as he had expressed feelingly in other ways, the republic's deep gratitude to the United States for its invaluable assistance. "To recognize this debt of gratitude to the great nation," he says, "is an act which exalts us and which makes us worthy of the consideration and respect of the other nations of the world." He asserts that while the question of trade reciprocity with the United States is pending it is impossible to say what measures should be taken to meet the industrial crisis in Cuba due to the ruinously low price of sugar. This pathetic assertion indicates how completely the little republic is at the mercy of the nation that brought it into being. In order that Cuban industry may give a return on invested capital, low tariff duties enabling the planters to dispose of their sugar and tobacco at a profit in the markets of the United States must be granted by the American congress. This condition of helplessness must not be permitted to endure if Cuba is to win for itself a measure of internal strength and national independence. In his message President Palma wisely takes up the question of cattle raising and of securing a diversity of agricultural products from Cuban farms. This most important subject deserves the best attention of the Cuban government. That government, so full of hope, of gratitude to the United States and of patriotic devotion to Cuba, is afloat on deep waters. Its resources are wholly inadequate, even when the strictest measures of economy are

employed. While problems of education. and sanitation, of internal improvements and maintenance of order, press upon it, the government has yet to arrange for securing funds to meet the ordinary expenses of administration. Doubtless taxation will have to be increased and a heavy loan will have to be negotiated. The Cuban congress has hastened to give its approval to all acts of the American military government and to grant amnesty to all American prisoners. This latter action doubtless was taken in the interests of Neely and Rathbone, convicted of postal frauds, on whose behalf powerful influences had been at work in Washington and Havana.

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In Washington the attitude of Opponents American opponents of a liberal Reciprocity, reciprocity treaty with Cuba remained unyielding. The senate, when it disposed of the Philippine civil government bill on June 3, began to debate the isthmian canal question, leaving Cuban affairs still in the background. Apparently nothing would have been gained, however, in taking up the reciprocity measure at once, since a careful canvass of the republican senators indicated that only thirty-eight or thirty-nine of them would vote for a reduction of even 20 per cent. in the tariff duties on Cuban sugar and tobacco, which the house has granted. Forty-five votes are necessary to insure the passage of the desired measure and anything less than a 25 per cent reduction is held by President Roosevelt to be utterly inadequate as relief for the Cuban planters. The recalcitrant minority of republican senators, who were wedded to the interests of the beet sugar growers, under the forceful leadership of Senator Elkins of West Virginia, announced themselves ready to withstand all efforts of the administration. forces to dislodge them.

President Roosevelt's personal appeals to them seemed to be without effect. The ridiculous suggestion that tariff rebates on Cuban Cuban products be paid out of the national treasury to the Cuban government to be distributed to the planters was brought forward as the sole measure of relief to which the beet sugar champions would consent. That grotesque, unjust and ineffective plan, if put in operation, naturally would be of small benefit to American trade. The assertion that such a

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Sentries favor of each ther's ro es of at least 25 per cent. ence such alterions would be a seriors but on the otherwise brilliant record of the ted States in its relations The restcan party shall fal to came through such a bill as a party Peasure, break-minded democratic con

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PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, THE FRENCH DELEGATION AND CABINET OFFICERS VIEWING THE PARADE AT

THE UNVEILING OF THE ROCHAMBEAU MONUMENT.

(From a photograph taken for THE WORLD TO-DAY by Miss Frances B. Johnston.)

"We believe it due alike to Cuba and to ourselves that, in accordance with the republican principle of reciprocity, proper and reasonable trade concessions shall be made by our government to Cuba, in return for her concessions upon American products, so as to benefit the trade of both countries, and to fully and generously carry out every obligation of our national honor, whether expressed or implied." This is the only reasonable attitude to take on the question. The beet sugar interests would not suffer by permitting Cuba to live.

Rochambeau's hands drew aside the draped flags of France and the United States, which had concealed the statue. President Roosevelt made a felicitous address of welcome to the representatives of France. Addresses were made also by M. Cambon, by General Porter, American ambassador to France, and Senator Lodge, the orator of the day. The invaluable services rendered to the American colonies during the war of the revolution by the French troops under Rochambeau, sent to command them by the king of France, have not been given

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undue prominence by American historians. That accomplished soldier and his well drilled forces acted in hearty accord with the Americans, many of whom were any thing but soldierly, at least in their appearance. Senator Lodge dwelt particularly on the earnest coöperation of the French general with Washington, to whose leadership he subordinated his brilliant talents willingly and cheerfully that the best results might be obtained. That it was due to the influence of Rochambeau that the French fleet under De Grasse was sent to American waters to assist the allied armies against Cornwallis, cutting him off from the British ships and compelling his surrender at Yorktown, is a portion of history that ordinary gratitude should fix in the memory of every American. All the speeches at the unveiling were most cordial in their expressions of the mutual regard in which the world's two great republics hold each other. President Roosevelt's reference to the chance which brought the representatives of France to the United States just at the time when this nation in its turn had assisted the republic of Cuba to establish itself even as France has assisted the United, States, and M. Cambon's word

of thanks to the president and the nation for the aid promptly given to the sufferers on the French island of Martinique, were striking features of the addresses. Among the other ceremonies which marked the visit of the representatives of France was the placing by General Brugére of a wreath of laurel on the tomb of Washington at Mount Vernon and the planting there by Count de Rochambeau of a tree taken from the battlefield of Yorktown.

President Loubet having reFrance's turned from his visit to the Czar Change of Ministry. in the last days of May, M. Waldeck-Rousseau on June 3 presented his resignation as premier, the members of his cabinet, of course, resigning also. Ill health and the accomplishment of his purpose in accepting the premiership three years ago, which was to preserve the republic, then in peril because of the passions aroused over the Dreyfus affair, were given by that eminent statesman as his reasons for retiring. No more auspicious time for his withdrawal could have been chosen. The enemies of the republic and of the ministry, driven to subterfuge in order to get even a hearing from the people, had been

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badly defeated at the spring election. Calling themselves nationalists and dealing very generally in outrageous misrepresentation, the reactionary leaders mainly had failed to win the confidence of the voters, their successes being for the most part at the expense of the conservative republicans who had been lukewarm in their support of the ministry. That the rancors of the campaign are not forgotten has been shown by violent scenes in the chamber of deputies and by the majority's adoption of the policy of unseating those of their opponents who won their places by methods held to be improper. The new premier, M. Combes, senator and former vice president of the senate, a progressive republican, was invited to form a cabinet after M. Brisson had declined to do so. He has brought together a ministry of considerable strength, in view of the radicalism which rules the chamber. He has been able to retain the services of M. Delcassé as minister of foreign affairs, which affords satisfactory proof that France's dealings with foreign governments will be conducted with skill. The minister who handled the Fashoda affair and directed the demonstration at Mitylene against the sultan is well worthy of the nation's confidence. General Andre, minister of war in the old cabinet, also remains. M. Rouvier, by accepting the portfolio of finance, added materially to the stability of the cabinet, since

THE LANDING PLACE AT PETERHOF. M. Loubet crossing the foot bridge from the "Alexandria" with the Czar, and saluting the Grand Duke Alexis. he is at once conservative and able. The other ministers are advanced radicals and two of them are socialists. That the composition of the ministry accords well with

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SHIPPING IN THE RIVER NEVA AT ST. PETERSBURG.

The Czar's yacht is seen in the foreground flying the flag of St. George, the patron saint of Russia.

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