6 MAY 1899, Page 3

The United States Government have taken a curious step. Strange

as it sounds, the Postmaster-General, with the assent, it is said, of the President, has forbidden certain pamphlets written by Mr. Atkinson, the well-knoWn economist, to be conveyed by the American mails to the Philippines. Unless, however, Mr. Atkinson's pamphlets are far more inflammatory than seems likely considering their author's high character and ability, we cannot believe such an attempt at suppression to be wise. In any case, it is to be feared that the action a the Government will give a vogue and an importance to the pamphlets which they could have obtained in no ether way.