Extends Rhodes Life Policy

One of the most significant characteristics of the present time is the disposition of the world's very rich men to make vast gifts to the cause of education. Others have given larger sums, but it remained to Cecil Rhodes, the South African genius and multimillionaire to devise the most imperialistic scheme of the kind which has yet been promulgated. By the terms of his will he sets apart ten millions of dollars with which to found scholarships at Oxford, his alma mater. This gift, in amount, does not approach some of those of the Scotsman, Carnegie. But it is in the scope of his plan that the imperialistic conception of the man manifests itself. His scheme does not embrace the world, but it includes the whole Anglo-Saxon race. It provides sixty scholarships at Oxford for England and the British colonies, fifteen for Germany, and one hundred for the United States. The qualifications are equally broad and include the highest marks for scholastic, athletic, manly and moral attainments. These scholarships are to be open to undergraduate youth of the countries before named.

If his plans are carried out, the tendency will be to draw America and the colonies into closer relation with England. There may be some difficulties in carrying out the details of the plan, but the brain which planned this comprehensive scheme has probably solved the problem.

The idea would have been a more attractive one probably had the scholarships been limited to advanced students. For many reasons the years of undergraduate work are best spent in the universities of the students' native country. For instance, with American youth, is it not better that their years of undergraduate study be spent amidst the influences of American ideas, purposes and convictions?

The plan is certainly a great one and a high tribute to the genius of Cecil Rhodes, as well as university education. It indicates a lofty mind and a broad grasp of twentieth century ideals. Mr. Rhodes has in this bequest disposed of his wealth in a manner that will yield the greatest returns.

Senator Hanna in an address in Philadelphia on "Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration," while contending for the right and necessity of capital to organize as freely acknowledged the right and necessity of labor to organize. There are students of Senator Hanna's past, however, who do not feel inclined to concede his entire sincerity in all that he said. They think the senator is listening to the dream-producing buzz of the presidential bee. There are indications which squint that way, but it would be straining the facts to say that there has been in the immediate past any change of Senator Hanna's attitude toward organized labor. He has always stood well with organized labor. He may be desirous to realize on this fact in the coming contest, but, if he is, it will have to be conceded that it is a desire simply to appeal to the power of a pretty long and consistent record. Objectors to Senator Hanna as a presidential candidate will have to base their opposition on other grounds than his record relative to labor.

The Cuban reciprocity bill will be up in the senate this week and indications are that it will have a hard road to travel. It is probably true that a majority of the senators are for the Cuban concessions, but the minority in the senate has a long lease when it is desired to hang up a measure and indications point to a determination to fight the bill to the end of the session, if need be, to prevent its passage. Its passage may be considered very problematical therefore.

The bequests of Cecil Rhodes will start an enduring impulse between the great nations which have been made the recipients of his gifts and arouse sentiments of good will which will tend to forward the cause of Christian civilization.