RocerR Basson Beiieves that it will be to the finan- 
cial and moral interests of this country to pay Colombia 
wuat she asks for the Panama strip that America gained 
by the revolution of Panama. This new light coming 
from South America is of interest. The Brekze has al- 
Ways maintained that despite the fact that Colombia en- 
deavored to exploit both the United States government 
and the French company at the same time it was a ques- 
tionable method that we resorted to in finally gaining 
possession of the district. The price is high and Colom- 
bia has not always been inspired by the highest motives ; 
nevertheless the United States is under a natural and 
moral obligation to settle the bill. The United States is 
quite pert in its demands for rights from foreign powers ; 
it should be equally alert to the claims other nations have 
upon us. If there were not the moral responsibilities 
which we are bound to recognize, the commercial oppor- 
tunities in Central America makes it imperative upon our 
Government to cultivate the good will and friendship of 
those countries. Our attitude to Colombia is open to a 
dual interpretation and the United States is rich enough 
and ought to have honor enough to meet the situation. 
Tue United States GOVERNMENT of the future 
will have to readjust its idea and workings of the Munroe 
Doctrine, if Roger Babson’s forecasts are true. His 
judgment seems to be well sustained by the facts. He 
believes that the A-B-C powers will gradually develop 
their abilities and powers when the United States govern- 
ment can no longer with any degree of wisdom insist upon 
the paternal spirit which the Munroe Doctrine involves. 
The Central States on the other hand’ are nearer the 
United States and after the war is over will present vast 
opportunities for development. As the years go by the 
United States will have enlarged interests in these coun- 
tries and the Munroe Doctrine will have an influence. 
The countries in South America are so much nearer En- 
rope it will be difficult for the United States to establisi 
itself commercially in those districts. Where the trade 
centers, interest will be centered and the interests of those 
countries will more and more incline toward Europe. If 
this be true the sooner the United States cleans house and 
begins to make friends with the smaller states to the 
South of Mexico, the better it will be for all. 
THe Nationat, CONVENTION is a little over a month 
and a half away and yet no one knows who will be nom- 
inated for the Presidency by the republican party. Hugh>s 
is named, Roosevelt is being boomed, but everyone knows 
that there is an opportunity for the dark horse. 
Tut Seep Cararoc has had its day and the hour for 
the spade and the fork and the rake and the seeds has 
come. 
A Corrack on THE NortH SHore is worth more 
than a mansion in Europe. 
Tue NAvAL PLATTSBURG MOVEMENT is growing con- 
stantly. Have you joined? 
Tue Puinippine Istanp Bit has been given an- 
other check and it is now unlikely that our responsibilities 
in those islands will be terminated within the next decade 
at least. The United States government has a duty which 
it owes to the islanders themselves and to throw them off 
now or within four years would be reprehensible. It 
would be like a kindly man and woman assuming the 
care and responsibilities of a child from some children’s 
friendly society and caring for the child diligently for a 
number of years, but before the child was able to protect 
himself in society should turn him adrift unprepared to 
battle for himself. However kindly the foster parents’ 
original intentions were and however well the child was, 
cared for up to the time he was turned out upon his own 
resources, the act of abandonment would rob them of all 
the praise and honor for previous merit. The one act 
undoes all the merit. As the foster parent is striving to 
fit the child for the battles of life so the United States 1s 
interested or should be interested in caring for the Philip- 
sine Islands and when the age of maturity and discretion 
have come the United States must give them a free hand 
and liberty. Until they are capable of caring for them- 
selves the United States must care for and protect the 
islands and islanders. Until that time it will be dishon- 
orable for this government to throw off the responsibilities 
that now exist. 
Tuer Hich Prick oF GAsoLINE has put a check upon 
the use of motors despite the large number upon the road. 
Many pleasure cars are still out of service and many are 
being used with economy of gasoline, and that means 
economy all along the line. The prosperity of every line 
of automobile products is dependent upon a low cost of 
gasoline. The automobile dealers know this and are ap- 
plying themselves diligently to the problem. There will 
be good come from the high prices if some genius is 
driven by the attractions of the profits involved to find a 
new and cheaper motor fuel. The high price of gasoline 
is a menace to business interests and robs the great mid- 
dle class of many an hour of pleasure. 
An INTERESTING PHENOMENON is a Southern Dem- 
ocratic newspaper advocating a protective tariff. Since 
the war has been in progress Southern cotton men have 
felt the pinch of necessity caused by the scarcity of cer- 
tain chemicals and dyes and would like to see a tariff 
sufficiently high to encourage American chemists to build 
up the dye-making industry in this country. For once 
Southern newspaper find themselves in accord with Pro- 
tectionists. Perhaps pressure from the South will obtain 
the desired results from the present administration which 
no amount of persuasion from any other source would 
produce. 
Tue Crry oF Boston is twenty hours nearer the sea- 
coast of Europe than is the city of New York, yet wita 
this handicap New York has been able to take the lead 
in over-the-ocean business. The transportation interests 
of Boston are awakening to their opportunity and with 
such a handicap Boston ought to make progress, 
. 
