From the mail just to hand we learn that among the most recent domestic topics in the States, by far the most important is the army promotions just an-hounced. Chief among these is the elevation of General Leonard Wood, who exchanges rank with General Young who 1s about to be promoted. One remarkable fact in connection with these promotions is the making of thirty-four brigadiers for a day and their immediate retirement at this rank. This brings the number of generals on the retired list up to a total of 152, an increase of 110 since January, 1808. General Wood's promotion ("lightning advance" is the way some papers describe it) is the subject of very serious discussion, and in some influential quarters it has aroused great hostility. That the matter is of very great importance to the public at large, and more particularly to the officers whose carer is blocked by Wood's preferment, will be seen by the following presentment of the case in the New York "Sun"
Five years ago last May General Leonard Wood was an assistant surgeon with the rank of captain, having entered the service in the medical way by appointment from civil life. In the army list to-day General Wood's name stands only eight removed from the top. His brief record in the permanent establishment is thus set forth: Assistant surgeon, Janu-[ary, 1886; captain assistant surgeon, January, 1891; brigadier-general, Feb-[teary, 1901. Study the dates. There is nothing like them in military history. Brilliant achievement in time of actual yar is the usual explanation of uncommon celerity in promotion. Extraordinary merit in war throws out of gear the system of routine promotion and rightly so. During the ninety-six days, therefore, of Colonel Wood's experience of actual war in Cuba must be found the better day for Cuba.
The announcement that "the Chinese Government. has asored the United States that it will soon open as treaty forts. several ports in Manchuria now closed to the world's trade," has provoked a considerable amount of discussion. Seeing that this is not the first time the open door has been " assured as a result of Secretary Hay's diplomacy, one is not surprised that the present announcement has not been received in a very enthu: tie manner.
The New York "Times" discusses. the matter as follows Tt seems that Ru just been wearied into doing justice be importunity; that she has become ing called to fresh account for every the principles of the notandum of 1901 and of being required to explain her successive breaches if faith. Probably nobody believes that. without further pressure, Russia will in zood faith keep the agreement which it 2 she has thus been pressed into kins because she was weary of being reminded of her perfidies. But, at least, her ostensible withdrawal from her opposition to. the opening of new treaty ports in Manchuria enables new and annoying pressure to be brought to bear upon her, and greatly hamp: d, if the word may pass, dificilitates her continuance of the policy she has heretofore purstied in Manchuria. No aspect of the present agreement prevents itself to us in which it can be construed otherwise than as a diplomatic victory for the State Department of the Uni d States."
The New York "Tribune" considers that such "consummation " wi inz from the diplomatic and from the commercial point of vi Tt Tt will remove a somewhat serious possibility of strained relations between the United States and the other countrie= were, 1 is would not cover the construction of the military works that heroic deed of personal daring, the masterly, strategic perforthance, or the great For there can be no doubt that Chitie's persistent refusal to open
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.