The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-22
WIT IS aoINe ON IN nuROpE

Tho great event of the week was, OF
course the death OF tho ex-Prince Imperial. 1t
has produced great excitement all over Europe.
and will unauestionably have a decisive influ
ence on the future Of French politics. Taking
this for granted. as also the regret which the
untimely death OF a promising young man
must naturally inspire. there still remains the
common sense side OF the question to be con-
sidered
Apart from a desire to make show Of his
courage and also to get rid OF the close
motherly control under which he lived in Eng
land. he had no excuse whatever for joining the
forces operating at the Cape. The Zulus
had never had anything to do with
the country the young man belonged to. The
war with them was an unnecessary one. even
from the British standpoint. Still less justin-
able was ii for a foreigner to take part in IT,
There are several young men belonging TO the
royal family of England who had much stronger
and more Legitimate reasons for n display of
warlike sentiment; yet none OF them had gone
to the Cape. The young Napoleons death is
really not any more to be deplored than II he
had persisted in bear shooting expedition in
Russia. or in u tiger shooting expedition in
India. All the talk about his being inspired by
the desire to take part in a war OF civilization
have expected In any way to contribute to the
civilization OF the Zulus. He simply wanted to
distinguish himself. and. through an unlucky
combination OF circumstances he succeeded
only in getting himself killed.
II he had been better advised and guided. he
would not in any case have ventured
upon accommodating expedition. which. in
savage warfare. is invariably very hazardous
and entirely useless. In nine cases out OF zen.
recommending in war against savages is
nothing but hunting expedition. having for
its object the bringing down Of a few Of the
enemy's scouts who are usually much more
poorly armed than the hunters.
While regretting the early and cruel death OF
the young man. the world at large will have to
recognize the fact that ne has sacrificed his life
in an utterly gratuitous way, and that the occur
renee Is not likely to have any calamtous re-
suits for his country.
The condition OF affairs in Russia does not
seem to improve. Arrests and executions con-
tinue on large scale. and there is not the
slightest indication that the struggle between
the Government and the revolutionary eie-
ments is nearing an end. The opinions Of eye
witnesses clash. Our Minister to Russia, Mr.
Stoughton. seems to take q much more hopeful
view than Lord Lotus. 1t is not unlikely that
the latter having lived much longer in Russia
is the more trustworthy of the two. The fact is
that no movement similar to that OF the Nihilists
is possible in any country whore justice is ad-
ministered publicly. and whore the mass Of tho
people have a voice in the conduct OF affairs.
Murder and ncendarism are common
crimes. whatever be their motive. and there
is no need Of establishing secret high
courts for tho punishment OF such mis-
deeds. fairly mpanelled jury would be
as likely to send persons convicted Of such
crimes to the scaroI as are tho irresponsible
courtiers forming the imperial tribunals. II
the Car and his advisors had had common
sense enough not to devato from tine strict
principles Of legality, probably they would not
have experienced halt the troubles under which
they are laboring now. The army the
police. the property-holding classes. MS
well as the great mass Of the people.
are with them. The Nihilistic or revolutionary
element is. IA Lord Lotus remarks. but an in
Intestinal part OF the population. and is COM
posed almost exclusively of what he calls liter
att. who everywhere represent the disconnected
and advanced element Of the community. Ex-
traordinnry proceedings against them have
never answered tho purpose. and tho more
chance is given to thom 10 play tho part OF mar
tyrs OF justice and freedom, the less pr0hG.
bility there is Of order and security
DclnR placed upon soild nuSlS. Ii II
be true that the theories Of the Nihilists
are subversive of the very foundation ofsociety
the social instincts OF tho community will soon
| find means to protect themselves. secret as
ISOLATION, having for its purpose murder and
arson. formed in a country like the United
States or England. would soon be effectuay
taken in hand-not by the police. the soldiers
and tho drorniks but by the people themselves
1t is reported that Privy Councillor Naloueff one
of the most civilized statesmen OF Russia. has
drawn up project OF Il Constitution and sub
mtted 1t to the Gar Whether tho report be
| correct or not, the reform itself will
| be Of little avail. for the mass of the people in
Russia do not care Il stiRw about the form o
their government. as long ms they are moi
robbed by the officials. aAd are allowed quietly
to pursue their ayocatons; while tho radicals
will never bo satisfied with tho Introduction Of
Il parliamentary form Of government, unless il
be based on thoroughly Communicate prin,
ciples.
The weather has boon 30 uniavorable both In
England and France, that tho spring season il
pronounced a complete failure in both coun
tries. The English newspapers declare tha
never within the memory Of living men ha,
there been a season subject to such strang,
fatalities. There was something RADICAL,
wrong In 1t from the very first. Experienced
| has shown that when Parliament meets bsfor,