13 AUGUST 1904, Page 2

Mr. Parker was officially informed on Wednesday of his nomination

as candidate of the American Democratic party, and made, as is usual, a speech defining his programme. He will apparently do nothing to relax Protection, because he says the Senate will not assent ; but he speaks very strongly on the Labour quarrels, in which be asserts both sides have substituted for the reign of law the reign of force. He desires to accord to the Filipinos the right of self-government, and to do this apparently at once—which will mean anarchy in the Philip- pines—and he strongly objects to great armaments. There must, he says, be strength sufficient to protect the Republic ; but he objects to the doctrine that because America, has grown great she should intervene in every important question that arises in other parts of the world. Mr. Parker will find, we fancy, that a great State is often compelled to intervene merely because its greatness imposes responsibilities. Finally, be declares that, if elected, he will never be a candidate for renomination, holding that he ought never to be forced to calculate the possible effect of his action upon his political fortunes. That declaration will cost him many votes, as under the Constitution be will hardly have time to carry out any great policy whatever.