From the first of May, 1898, to the firs...

From the first of May, 1898, to the first of June, 1899, the casualties in the regular and volunteer armies foot up over ten thousand men. Another evidence of the truth of Gen, Sherman's definition of war.

Sir Thomas Lipton was as unsuccessful as his predecessors in his efforts to take the America's cup back to England with them, but it is safe to say he carries back with him what none of his predecessors did - the universal esteem and good wishes of the American people.

Gen. Leonard Wood, than whom the recent war brought to the front no abler or more efficient officer, recommends a reduction of the military forces in his, the Santiago department. He says the best elements of the people are entirely friendly and less soldiers are needed. Such an administration as he has given his department would satisfy any reasonable people.

In the mayoralty fight in Detroit Gov. Pingree is showing the characteristics which have always dominated him. Capt. Stewart has got out from under the "old man's" influence sufficiently to show some indications of manly independence and, therefore, he is not to have the governor's support. It was always so. A Pingreeite must have no opinion on any subject except such as bear the Pingree O. K. And as Stewart has a few such opinions, he must jog along without any help from the governor's slaves.

Gen. Fred Funston was called upon by Archbishop Ireland to explain or stand convicted before the American people of the charge of having looted Catholic churches in the Philippines. The general replies a direction to his attorneys to commence proceedings against the archbishop for criminal libel. It is surprising that so good an American as Archbishop Ireland should believe that equally good American, Gen. Funston, capable of such an act. The general's action will show how much foundation there is to the charge.

The civil service commission says soliciting campaign funds from officeholders is contrary to the civil service laws, but it continues to be done in the home state of the president without let or hindrance. Why should it not continue when it is sanctioned by the national administration? The opinion that such soliciting of funds is contrary to law is given by ex-Senator George F. Edmunds to the civil service commission, but an opinion from that source don't go with Mark Hanna. He understands that he can easily get an executive order exempting all Ohio officeholders from the provision of the law, if need be.

Gen. White, in his early report of the disaster at Ladysmith, by which he lost crack regiments, generously assumed the responsibility for it. Later and more complete information, however, has convinced him that the responsibility is not his. He says now that those mules that ran away with the mountain battery and all the ammunition are chargeable with the happening so humiliating to the pride of J. Bull. This explanation is satisfactory, and Gen. White will not now be removed from his command. Let it be understood that no credit belongs to the Boers, They simply took charge of what the mules were kind enough to ___ing into their lines. Those mules should be tried for treason.

Lord George Hamilton, British secretary of state for India, in a speech, Wednesday, said:

"Our ultimate victory is certain, and when the terms which we, as victors, will propose to the vanquished are known, foreign nations will see that the main cause which has forced us to embark upon this conflict is not a desire of pecuniary profit or of territorial aggrandizement, but a determination to emancipate a vast territory, for the common benefit of mankind, from an ignoble and degrading tyranny."

This sounds well and looks well in print, but, as is well known, England's policy is commercial and her wars are commercial. It was formerly her boast that in the interest of humanity no slave ever set foot on English dominions and remained a slave. But she encouraged the south with moral and material support during the rebellion, in their efforts to establish a great slavocracy. Was she then laboring to "emancipate a vast territory, for the common benefit of mankind, from an, ignoble and degrading tyranny"?   What had become of her humanity then? It was sacrificed to her need of southern cotton. Humanity sacrificed to commercialism. It has already been announced by a British minister that British control of South Africa is a purpose of the war and, when it is over, the Dutch republics will pay the bills. If gold and diamonds had not been discovered in the Transvaal, would the present war have occurred?

It is said that W. J. Bryan's speeches in Nebraska have had a marked influence on the voters, and that there is a disposition to follow him in his anti-imperialism views. The 16 to 1 idea is made the paramount issue in the democratic platform, but Nebraska has been prosperous, many mortgages have been paid, and it is thought that issue has not as strong a hold on the people as it had in '96. There are few guesses as to the result. In 1896 Bryan carried the state by 12,935, and the fusion candidate for supreme judge carried it in 1897 by 13,829.

The last week of the campaign in Ohio closes with a great deal of uncertainty as to the result. That the republican managers are alarmed is evidenced by the desperate fight Mark Hanna is making. It is thought that his bold repudiation of his party platform, which he was responsible for, as to trusts, will cost the party many votes. Many of the republican leaders are also openly supporting the democratic gubernatorial candidate in the hopes of overthrowing Hannaism, but the great factor of uncertainty is Jones, the independent candidate. It is thought he will draw more from the republicans than from the democrats. The democrats have made their campaign principally on imperialism and trusts and apparently with some influence. On the other hand, there is the prestige of the McKinley administration to help the republicans. It is thought, therefore, that, all in all, the result in Ohio will be a pretty fair test as to the position of the voters on the policy of the administration.

The tripartite government of the Samoan islands is apparently about to come to an end. This would seem to be a wise move, for the joint government by the United States, Germany and Great Britain, the three signatory powers of the Berlin treaty, has never been satisfactory to any one concerned. The signatory powers by the Berlin treaty guaranteed the independence of the group, but such playing at government as has existed in the group is a farce, and the necessity for a change is apparent. There are fourteen islands in the group, and their combined area is but 1,701 square miles. The population consists of 35,000 natives and about 500 whites. Only three of the islands are of any consequence - Savaii, Upolu and Tutuila. The division contemplated by the present negotiations is said to be as follows: Upolu to Germany, Tutuila to the United States, and Savaii to Great Britain. The reason the United States is to have Tutuila is that by a treaty with Samoa, in 1878, the United States was given the right to make a coaling and naval station of Pago Pago. England may not take Savaii, but may withdraw altogether. She has shown a disposition to give Germany a free hand for favors received in other directions. The division of the islands was suggested by the commission appointed some time ago to investigate Samoan affairs.