Page:The Pacific Monthly vol. 14.djvu/129

 ty to reconnoiter.

Exposition '^'^'^ Lewis and Clark Exposition opened on time, June 1, practically

Q complete. A beautiful day added all that was not provided to make

P^'^® the opening a success. An attendance of <!0,000 people filled the grounds,

but did not crowd them. Most of these people were from Portland, but the city has been filled constantly since with from 5,000 to 10,000 strangers. The first month of an exposi- tion is always the worst, and it is not generally until the middle of July that the large attendance of outside people begins. Towards the end, especially in September, it is expected that a great many Eastern travelers will arrive, as the Fair has been very broadly advertised all over the country, particularly by the railroads. The scope of the Exposition is as broad as the world, but the chief interest centers about the Pacific Ocean, the Pacific States, Alaska, and the Orient. The distinguishing feature to this Exposition is the prominence given the Orient, and on this account it is different from any other exposition ever held.



Peace in "^^^^ squabble in Venezuela ended in a clearing of the diplomatic decks

Venezuela ^°*^^ ^^^ placing of W. W. Eussell, formerly minister to Colombia, aa

representative of the United States at Bogota, and the filling of his berth by John Barrett. With the removal of Bowen from Venezuela, the United States has taken away the element of personal feeling in the trouble between the two countries, or rather between Venezuela and the asphalt trust, and an amicable arrangement will eventually be reached.

The diplomatic change involved in this method of peace-making has brought John Barrett once more prominently before the public. This young man of restless pro- clivities, who claims Oregon as his home, has filled many diiSicult positions in the diplo- matic corps, not having received the plums, such as European courts, but the out-of-the- way places, such as Siam and Argentine. Eemoved to Panama, he upheld his dignity among a class of officials who were inclined to disregard him, and when his usefulness there was ended, it seemed for a short time as if his career were to end. He was easily the most prominent diplomat assigned to posts outside of Europe, and there was no out- side position left to fill.

Then it became necessary to remove Bowen, and it seems now rather odd, in the light of Barrett's meteoric flights, that he was not sent to Venezuela instead of Eussell. It was hinted some time ago that Barrett feared political death, and was about to dodge it by resigning. But as those who have watched his career might have expected, he bobbed up as serenely as ever, and is now filling a post which is sure to become conspicuous

in the public eye, with the canal zone only a little way ofP.



Chinese '^^® Chinese Exclusion Act, which has been the subject of debate in

■pi- At ^^^^^ country for a score of years, has been assaulted from a new quarter. As this act is enforced, not only coolie labor, against which it was particularly aimed, but all classes of Chinamen are excluded from this country. China, now that it is beginning to awaken to the modern world, begins to feel the stigma of insult in the general exclusion of its people from this country. It feels as if its merchants and scholars at least should be allowed to travel through and reside in this country as freely as Americans reside in China. The commercial bodies of leading cities, such as Shanghai, threaten a general boycott on American goods, unless a more enlightened policy is adopted by this country. At present the exports of the United States to China are comparatively small, but as the country opens they would naturally swell greatly.

The desire of Americans to enter the Chinese field has been made very apparent by them in their search for concessions from the Imperial Government, and American mer- chants are seeking to extend their operations constantly in the same territory. The astute Oriental, knowing the commercial turn of mind of this country, purposes balking this expansion, and if necessary cutting off trade altogether as a lever by which to

obtain reciprocal privileges from this country.



Railroad Eegulation of railroad rates by the Government has become one of the

1^, definite purposes of the Eoosevelt administration, and the next session

of Congress will undoubtedly devote a great deal of time to this very important industrial matter. The administration has made it generally known that it would carry out the fight against the railroads to the end, and with the exception of Secretary Morton believes in using the hammer-and-tong method. Secretary Morton, being a railroad man, perhaps realizes that the question is more delicate than the Inter- state Commerce Commission considers it. Eailroad men generally complain of the personnel of this body, and say it is not fit to solve the problem. Moreover, there are questions in the adjustment of rates which are said to require a shifting rule. Notably mentioned among these is the necessity of making fecial rates in parts of the country in which development must be stimulated. Secretary Morton might have been a valuable aid in the solving of certain railroad problems incidental to rates, but his resignation to accept the presidency of the New York subway system removes him from that field of valuable public activity.