Timely Topics

The Caroline blanda about which Spain is quarreling with Germany, are ne of the most numerous groups in the tndian ocean. They are niostly very small, and the largest is only twenty Four miles in circumferenee. They are fertile and produce great quantities of ruit. As a rule, one of them is barely arge enough to make a single farm for %n American. The climate is mild. I he inhabitants are Malays. The group was discovered in 1543 by Lopes de Vallalobos, a Spanish adventuren and this fact constitutes Spain's sole cla'm to the islands. From that day to this Spain has never established a colony there, or even set up a trade, bu', has left the islands wholly to the natives. Some twenty or more years ago, th Germans began to trade with the islands Since then, Germán settlers have established themselves on several of the islands. Small Germán vessels now regularly visit the islands for trading purposes. bome years ago England united with Germany in holding that Spain had no valid title. It is only now, whon Germany seeks to take formal possession, in order to legitimatize and proteot the Germán settlers and traders, that Spain lias suddeïily waked up to renew her ancient claim. As a matter of fact, and also of equity, neither Spain nor Germany has any legitímate title. The Spanish title by right of discovery has long lapsed by disuse. The Germán claim rests only on the faet that a few Germán traders with the natives have settled there. Jt would, however, be better for the world to have the Germán claim to succeed, if either of the two does, because Germany will settle and cultívate the islands, govern them wisely, and make them of use to civilized mankind. The Comniissioners of Emigration at New York havo referred a case to the Treasury Department which raises an interesting point in regard to the immigration of paupers. A party of about sixty Arab gypsies recently arrived at New York on the steamship Chateav Leoville. An examination showed that they were paupers likely to become a public charge within the meaning of the Pauper Immigrant act, and they were put back on the steamship to bc returned to the country whence they came. The Commissioners have since been informed that about nfty gypsies, believed to be the same party, have recently crossed the atan border line into Vermont and aro now making their way south. It is supposed they were landed at Halifax or were transferred at sea to another vessel bound to that port. The facts were reported at the Treasury Department and instructions requested. The oificer to whom the case wás referred- Mr. Lyman, ehief of the Navigation División - says that nothin can be done in the presaises. The Pauper Immigrant act, he evplains, prohibits the landing of all pauper immigrants who may be brought to this country in a ship or vessel, but is silent on the subject of such as may enter the country by land. The subject will be reported to congress at its next meeting, with a view of securing legislation to meet such cases as the one in auestion The Brantford Canada Expositor voices the sentinent of the United States when it says, regarding the salvation army scheme of sending fallen womon of London out of England: The Canadian authorities ought to let its proxoters thoroughly understand that this is no Botany Bay, and that thepeople de cidedly object to Canada b:ng made a damping place for the iilth of the world. We doubt not the British poor law authorities will be only too glad to hare the fallen women dependent on the ai for support shipped out of the country. But if they think there Í3 any demand for such a class here, they are mightily mistaken. And the government and Sir Charles Tupper merit the hearties condemnation of the toilers of this country, for assuring the people of Gieat Britain that Canada is ready to welcomo and provide food and elothing for 100,000 British waifs. The Salvation army in Eng'and is making an cffort to raise $100,000 to rescue fallen women, and assist them to emigrate to the United States and Canada. Mr. Samuel Morley, member of Parliament for Brlstol, has subsenbed $10,000. Three other gentlemen have subscribed $5,000 each, and $35,000 was raised in one meeting in hondon. To the British mind this may look like noble charity, but we do not so regard it. We have no use for this class of immigrants, and our authorities should at once take steps to avert this contemplated imposition upon u?, and teach England that she must seek other places for the disposal of her pau pers and prostitutes. The illness and long suffer'ng of Gen. Grant from cáncer has awakened more or less comment about the disease, and Dr. Nagle of the bureau oi vital statistics in New York has been collecting figures to show the number of cases in that city during the last decade with the following result: 1875, 416; 1876, 459; 1877, 495; 1878, 570; 1879, 572; 1880, 658; 1881, 706; 1882, 732; 1883, 678; 1834, 725. These igures show that in the last ten years the increase of cases has been nearly 1(0 per cent. The cause for the increase is the part of the problem which medical scientists should set themselves at work to find out. A quarter of a century ago Maine was still the Pine Tree State and Bangoi the chief lumber port in the country. To-day the Michigan lumberman ships pine by rail tó Lewiston and Auburn, not 75 miles from Bangor,