628 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
were not told that any fresh outbreaks of cattle plague occurred 
in the places where the dead cattle were thrown ashore. This is 
so far consolatory, and the more so, as it accords with our pre¬ 
vious experience. There is no occasion to conceal from our¬ 
selves the fact that we are always incurring a certain amount 
of risk of the introduction of cattle plague; in short, all the 
restrictions which are placed on the foreign cattle trade are 
so many proofs of the existence of the danger. If all sec¬ 
tions of the community held the same views, nothing would 
be more easy than to carry out the plan so often suggested 
of slaughtering all imported animals at the port of landing; 
but as there are more numerous and stronger interests in 
opposition to, than in favour of, the scheme, there is small 
chance of its ever being adopted. We must therefore be 
content to submit to an occasional outbreak of alarm like the 
one we have just passed through, and it is to some extent 
satisfactory to know that we are not the only people who are 
frightened at cattle plague. 
Foreign nations within reach of the scourge are just now 
suffering a similar panic, and are being distrustful of each 
other. From Konigsberg we hear that cattle of all kinds 
from Russia, and all animal products from that country, are 
prohibited. Denmark is alarmed, not only about Russian 
products, but, with better reason perhaps, about the cattle 
and substances which have been in contact with them nearer 
home. 
Imports of German and Russian cattle into Denmark are 
strictly forbidden both by sea and land. The Schleswig 
frontier is watched, and the occurrence of a single case of 
plague in Schleswig-Holstein will be the signal for a military 
cordon. Cattle steamers from the Baltic are not allowed to 
communicate with the Danish shores. 
The reason for this excess of caution seems to be the alarm 
that has been caused by telegrams from private persons 
announcing the intention of the English Government to refuse 
to land Danish cattle. Nothing, probably, could be further 
from the intention of the Government; but doubtless the 
telegrams were intended to serve some trade purpose, and 
very likely they succeeded in producing the desired effect. 
