The Week.

This article presents information on various socio-political developments in the world. The incident, in the North Sea, of the outgoing Baltic fleet firing upon innocent British trawlers, had a tragic aspect and a nationally inflammatory effect. In reality, however, it was far less calculated to embroil England and Russia than the attempt to control contraband on merchant vessels. Russia may go to the verge of international law in her efforts to cripple Japan, but she could never purposely seek to draw England into hostilities along with her treaty ally. "Independence is their cherished ideal," said Frederick W. Atkinson, ex-superintendent of public instruction in the Philippines, at Lake Mohonk, on Thursday, "and that they may ultimately realize the ideal is, I believe, the unexpressed purpose of those who have undertaken the tutelage of these peoples." This, according to rules laid down for political discussion by the U.S. Republican party, is about as far as an American citizen may go without crossing the "treason" line.