VISITORS ON BOARD THE GERMAN BATTLESHIP "MOLTKE" IN NEW YORK HARBOR ON JUNE 9-12 Germany on the 1 The strength of German sea many won one of the coveted blue ribbons of power and the solid achievements the sea when the largest steamship ever built, Sea of German shipbuilding were the Hamburg-American liner Imperator, of demonstrated last month in an impressive 50,000 tons, was launched from the Vulcan way to the American people by the visit of Yards at Hamburg, and christened by the the German squadron to the United States Kaiser himself. At the ceremony the fate of and the launching, at Hamburg, of the the Titanic was inevitably present in people's Imperator, of the Hamburg-American line, minds, but, as was pointed out by officers of the largest steamship in the world. Three the line, this German steamship carries lifeGerman warships, the Moltke, the Bremen, boats and life-rafts sufficient to take care of and the Stettin, came, by command of the every one of her passengers and crew, which Kaiser, to return the visit of the American will aggregate more than 4000. The Imwarships to German waters last summer. Their reception in Hampton Roads and New York Harbor was made the occasion of an exchange of international courtesies, pleasantly expressing the friendship between the two countries. The Moltke is a battle-cruiser, a speedy vessel, capable of making more than 29 knots an hour. The Germans claim that she is the fastest war vessel of her size afloat. Her commander, Rear Admiral RebeurPaschwitz, the first of German seamen of his rank to visit this country, is an important official in the fighting section of the German navy. The fleet staff of officers includes two perator has new and specially designed safety appliances, and she will carry three wireless telegraph operators and two first officers, one of whom will always be charged with the security of the vessel. The Imperator, it is expected, will go into commission next summer. Is it to be a tion in Cuba? Last month, for the third time Third Interven- in fourteen years, an American military force landed in Cuba. In 1898 our troops and sailormen came to the aid of the Cuban people against the tyranny of Spain. In 1906, at the request of the Cuban president, they were sent to restore political parties just about to fly at each other's throats. They are now called in to protect American property and, it may develop later, to assure stable government in the island against the ravages of a race war -black against white. No sooner had the trouble over the demands made by the Spanish War Veterans' Association (explained in these pages for March) been disposed of, than a revolt of negroes broke out in Oriente, the easternmost province of the island. An army of negroes, variously estimated at from two to four thousand strong, under General Evaristo Estenoz, began attacks on some of the smaller towns and plantations in the region north of Santiago and Guantanamo. The insurrection soon spread throughout Oriente and into the neighboring province of Santa Clara. Gomez and the Revolt General Gomez, who has been President of Cuba since January, teagudo, was despatched to the scene of the disorder. It soon became evident, however, that, partly owing to the nature of the country, and partly, it is claimed, for mysterious political reasons, the loyal troops were not able to cope with the situation. Considerable American property was destroyed, and when it was seen that the administration was unable to protect its own interests, as well as the property and interests of foreigners, American warships were sent to the scene and marines landed. Confirming the official statement made by the American Minister at Havana, President Taft, on May 27, sent a message to President Gomez, stating that the landing of marines was "merely to be able to act.promptly in case it should unfortunately become necessary to protect American life and property by rendering assistance to the Cuban government. ... But these ordinary methods of protection are entirely dissociated from any question of intervention." In reply, President Gomez asserted his ability and firm intention to put down the revolt. He admitted the right of the American government to land troops to protect American property; and "hoped" that intervention would not be thought of. 1909, took measures to put down UNCLE SAM DOESN'T LIKE THE WAY CUBA CONDUCTS the rebellion, and a force of Cuban regulars, HER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN . Copyright by the American Press Association, New York THE CAMP OF THE AMERICAN MARINES AT GUANTANAMO understand some of the otherwise mysterious of the island, has a real grievance. The developments at Havana, as well as in the negroes fought for Cuban independence along much disturbed province of Oriente. On an- with the whites against the Spanish. Several other page this month we print a survey of the of their race, notably the Maceo brothers, general political situation in the Cuban Re- rose high in the military councils of the counpublic at present by one well qualified to try. The negroes supported the Liberals in speak. This writer rather minimizes the the campaign which put Tomas Estrada strength and by implication condemns the Palma in the presidential chair. Estenoz, cause of the negroes. It should not be for- their leader, insists that they have been degotten, however, that the Cuban negro, who nied many civil rights by the government makes up almost one-third of the population and the courts. They have generally de AMERICAN JACK TARS MARCHING THROUGH ONE OF THE STREETS OF THE CUBAN served more consideration than the govern- conditions or circumstances will constitute ment has been willing to concede to them. such conditions of emergency as will justify The Morua law, recently passed, which for- the use of the army or navy of the United bids the formation of political parties along States in the prosecution of military operarace lines aroused strong protests from the tions within the territory of a foreign nation negro element. They claim that, while it in the absence of such express authority from may be good patriotism to forbid the forma- Congress." And, further (the resolution tion of a political organization on the basis of provided), to report such legislation, if any color,-"if people are opposed because they is required, to prescribe and regulate such are dark-skinned, it is as dark-skinned men military operations. that they must organize." General Evaristo Estenoz, a man of ability and vigor, is at their head. Undoubtedly many outrages must be laid at the door of the negro guerrillas, but it is certain that they honestly believe they have a cause for which, moreover, they seem willing to suffer and die. What Supervising Election This month there is to be a the Panaman presidential election in the republic of Panama. President Arosemena and his administration have endorsed the candidacy of General Pedro A. Diaz, who is at the head of the party known as the Patriotic Union. The opposition has concentrated its support upon Dr. Belisario Porras, who for some years represented his country at Washington. At the earnest solicitation of President Arosemena and other Panaman public officials, the balloting will be supervised by an American commission, in order that fair and business-like elections may be assured. This supervisory board consists of Mr. Dodge, our Minister at Panama City; Colonel Goethals, chairman of the Canal Commission, and Colonel Green, of the Tenth Infantry, commander of the forces in the Canal Zone. These gentlemen, with the assistance of Panaman officials, have already gone over the registry lists and are coöperating with these officials to the end that a free expression of the public will at the polls may be assured. The American commis It is believed by an increasing Justifies number of Americans that the Intervention? Cuban situation, as well as the troubled affairs in Mexico, are very largely due to financial and other assistance from persons in the United States who desire to force annexation because of their interests in these Latin-American countries. This has been more than once openly charged in both houses of Congress. In the Senate, on June 8, Senator Nelson, of Minnesota, who is always conservative and careful in his statements, stated that he had reliable information for the statement that these frequently recurring troubles in Cuba and Mexico have their origin in this country. I protest plainly that the people who are interested in sugar plantations in Cuba are, to a large extent, instrumental in stirring up these troubles. Their evident purpose is to get up such a condition there that they can move for the annexation of Cuba to the United States, and thus get rid of the sugar duty which they are now paying. In the discussion following Senator Nelson's speech, Senator Bacon, of Georgia, the ranking Democratic member of the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution calling for some formulation of "the sense of the Senate regarding intervention without express sanction from Congress." Mr. Bacon wants Congress to prescribe fixed rules for intervention. His resolution states that, except in the case of sudden emergency for the protection of American interests, "there is no authority for the use of the army or navy of the United States for any military operations within the territory of a foreign nation, unless the same is expressly authorized or directed by act of Congress." The TRUST BUSTING AND INTERNATIONAL COMPLICATIONS resolution further directs the Foreign Rela- (Uncle Sam's threatened tilt with Brazil over the coffee valor ization scheme) Gen. Pedro A. Diaz, President of the Patriotic Union, candi- Dr. Belisario Porras, formerly Panaman Minister at Washdate of the Administration ington, candidate of the Opposition CANDIDATES FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA sion has been authorized by the Panaman au- Venezuela, 94; Mexico, 80; Colombia, 921⁄2; thorities to settle all controversies and main- Porto Rico, 45; Haiti, 41; Java, 35, India, tain order during the election. Of course, 28; Arabia, 154; Abyssinia, 10. Total, the offices of the commission are entirely three billions. During the decade from 1885 friendly, the aid of the United States Govern- to 1895 coffee sold high. Then, owing to ment having been sought by both parties. Coffee " It is six years since the republic of Brazil began its unique attempt to defy the law of supply and demand by inaugurating the much discussed, but little understood, coffee valorization plan. It was not, however, until several weeks ago, when the "Money Trust" investigators, began their efforts to fix Wall Street's share in raising the price of coffee, that the inside history of Brazil's efforts in behalf of her coffee trade became known. Approximately 80 per cent. of the world's supply of coffee is grown in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. This is the most progressive section of the commonwealth, with the greatest railroad mileage, the most extensive internal improvements, the best schools and the greatest wealth. It alone contributes one-half of the total revenue of the republic. Therefore, it is easy to understand the solicitation of the federal government at Rio de Janeiro for the well-being of the 3,000,000 inhabitants, mostly coffee producers, of Sao Paulo. The world's leading coffee producing countries, according to the figures of the Department of Agriculture for poor crops and other economic causes, the price declined, and the financial condition of the planters in Sao Paulo became increasingly less favorable until there was much distress and the government was appealed to for aid. The cabinet and representatives of the three coffee-producing states of the republicSao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Geraes then evolved the valorization scheme. How Brazil The object of this plan was to Launched the maintain coffee at a remunerative Scheme price to the grower. This was to be effected by a minimum quotation at which it was to be maintained, a managing committee purchasing coffee as the market might demand on account of the three states concerned. The act embodying this into law passed the congresses of the states and of the national government of Brazil in August, 1906. In order to carry out this scheme, the government of Sao Paulo floated a loan which was guaranteed and added to by the federal government at Rio de Janeiro. This loan was guaranteed and paid by a tax on every bag of coffee shipped. The three contracting states bound themselves to maintain a minimum |