The Portland daily press., 1874-01-01

CDotlluCSo VI hNhtShy again CdAC UCiOhC
the British people on the occasion of the gov
eminent asking tor alarge sum of money to
marry a son of Queen Victoria. The British
lion growled but paid. Early in the year a
feeling OF temporary bitterness existed be-
tween England and Germany and Russia,
growing out of the eastern question; but it
soon subsidized. Aside from little war with
the Ashantees on the gold coast, Great Bri-
tain is at peace. During the year, her agents
effected a treaty with Zanzibar to prevent the
slave trade. The East India Company, after
an existence Of 273 years, was dissolved by
Parliament.
In France Their, has been a continual con-
fiict between the several factions Of the Mon
alchists and the Republicans. The Assembly
still contains majority OF Monarchists. Some
| changes in the cabinet of President Theirs
aroused the suspicious of the Monarch;sts, land
accordingly, the Assembly demanded to know
the policy of the Ministry. Theirs met his
questoners half way. and declared himself in
favor of the definite establishment of the Re-
public. Thereupon, an order was adopted
uCCtdilI5 buoI 'iC PIOoON6 III Ii VI SONCIH-
ment was not under discussion, and express
ing a virtual want of confidence in Theirs
and his ministers by vote of 800 to 344
Theirs and his cabinet at once resigned, and
Marshal MacMahon was elected and formed
an anti-Republcan cabinet. Since that time
the Monarchists have been plotting to over
throw the Republic, declare Monarchy, and
enthrene the Bourbon, Count de Chambord,
who, in aletter recently written, demonstrated
anew tina. tile Bourbons never forget and
never learn. The Orleanists do not warmly
favor and the Bonapartists oppose the Cham
bord movement, so that it has proved a fail
ure. Meanwhile, the Republicans have car
ried neariy every election since the overthrow
of Theirs.
On February 11tb, King Amadeus of Spain
announced his abdication of tue throne to
the Cortes and a Republic succee led without
tumult. Since that time the situation of the
new Republic has been critical, on account
of divided counsels and the opposition of the
church and monarchist party. The Carlists
have not done so much to impede the prog
ress of the Republic as it was at first feared.
The insurgents or communists in Carthagena
are at present giving the Government more
trouble than the Carlists. Cuba does not
AXE kindly to a Republic in Spain, which
means the end Of slavery. The Cubans are,
therefore, doing whatever they can to embar-
rass the CASTELAR, government.
Germany has been securing the results of
her victory over France and altogether ap-
tears to feel its Importance as the first power
OF Europe. The principal subject OF general
Importance is the conflict between the Pope
and the Emperor William respecting the
rights of each in the State. After considera-
BILE denunciation on both sides, the Prussian
Diet in May last, passed bill for the regula-
ton and control of the clergy. It provides
that only Germans can hold ecclesiastical Of
confirmed by the Government. Theological
seminarles are to be under the supervision of
the Government and taught by Germans, and
royal court is established to try ecclesiasti-
cal cases. The question is one of deep inter-
est.
The Italian government has not only main
tanned its hostile attitude toward the claims
OF the P 'pe for temporal power, but has as
serted its authority by abolishing large num-
ber OF religious corporations which were in
lmlcal to the State in that they did not recog-
nize its authority over them in any way.
There seems to be a disposition on the part
OF Germany and Austria to support Italy in
the exercise of its rights as government and
to resist the intervention of any power in be-
hall of the restoration of the temporal author
ity of the successor of st Peter. Switzerland
has been engaged in a conflict with the au-
thority OF the Pope which has resulted in the
expulsion of the ultramontane bishops from
tn It country.
Russia has begun war with Khiva during
The year, subdued that country and extorted
from its rulers pledges that they will not
again trouble the dependencies of Russia in
Asia. The movement of Russia in the East
tracted the jealous eye of England and, ear
ly in the summer, ill-omened prophets an
n punced a war cloud, but after some CORE
spondence the British government retired
from the field of diplomacy.
Mexico has enjoyed tranquil year, and
its Congress has declared for religious liberty
and the legality of civil marriages. The gov
eminent has issued decree banishing the
Jesuts from its soil.
The republics of Central America and the
West Indies have continued in their normal
condition of revolts and revolutions. They
contribute little to the wealth of commercial
nations, so that it will hardly pay to place
them under wholesome restraint. Cuba has
been the arena of a guerilla warfare where
what has been wanting in principle and her.
oism has been made up in savagery and hate
South America has been, in general, tran
quill.
The apparent tendency of the political events
OF the past year has been toward a more gen
eral participation of the people in the affairs
OF government in the Old World, and better
understanding among all civilized nations
which bids fair in the near future to render
an appeal to arms in the settlement of inter-
national difficulties impossible.
NOTABLE EVENTS.
Having briefly sketched the principal polit-
neal events which mark the progress of ma
tons in general way, we next proceed to
notice the most notable events of the year.
In New York it appears that there is such
thing as justice. Foster the car hook MUIR
derer has been hanged, and one jury found
Stokes guilty of murder, but new trial be-
ing granted, under the new law of that state,
he was found guilty of manslaughter and sem
fenced to State Prison. Tweed who so long
defied courts of justice, is now clad in the
convicts stripes at Blackwelrs Island. Gen
ct, member of the ring, has also been con-
victed but ran away pending sentence. Oak
ey Hall has escaped legal conviction, The
others have fled the country.
The international Exposition at Vienna,
was opened May 1st. The season YVES unfa-
vorable and a monetary crisis occurring in Vi
emma at The same time on account of the vi
tiated currency of Austria and the ruinous
spirit of speculation, the exhibition was not a
financial success, and closed after run of
three months, leaving heavy debt for the