St. Landry democrat., 1880-05-01
IN. O. TilneS.l

after the strain of the English parlia
mentary elections. We have had an
occasional intimation that Prince Bis
mark has had twinge of govt. We
have had daily bulletins OF the failing
health of Prince GortschakOtf, but very
little account of the usual scheming OF
those worthies-in fact, scarcely no
news ut all Of strictly political events.
However, we have had cable dispatches
enough, and we have had the details OF
any number of incidents Of little or no
importance; that is to say, they have
seemed of no Importance. Yet who Is
wise enough to estimate the weight and
the bearing of any fact or act upon the
events of the future. SO, after all, 1t
may be worth while to gather up the
threads of daily news, III order that we
may be able hereafter to understa 1d
and appreciate their connection with
more important affairs to follow.
We noticed in our last review of for
eign news, two weeks ago, that Prince
Bismark had threatened to resign his
chancellorship of the German Empire
because of an adverse vote in the
Bundesratl-the imperial upper house,
which corresponds in some respects to
the senate Of the United States. When
we noticed this circumstance, it was
predicted that the great minister would
''have his own way" And he has had
it, The bundesrath receutd from its
vote, and now it is quietly lntlmatrG
that a change in the German constltu
ton may be found necessary in order to
prevent a recurrence OF such an event.
1t seems that representation III the
bundcsrath is based upon the supposed
relative importance of the several States.
Il
course the largest number of delegates,
vet the smaller German States, by com
bining, have been able to outvute the
triumvirate. Hence, the anger Of Bis
mark, who, while he has devoted his
life to the cause of German unity, never,
for a moment, forgets that he is a Prus-
sian. On the eleventh and the
sixteenth, the army bill was adopted !;
on the second and third, reading in the
reicllstach-the house of delegates.
This definitely settles the position of
Germany upon the policy of European
armament. Every proposition looking
to disarmament was voted down, and
the army was increased. And, although
there may be no connection between
the circumstances, we heard, yesterday,
that there was something like a panic
on the bOurse in Berlin.
From France we have little of general
concern. The church authorities in
France and Rome continue to protest
against the DEGREES of Punishment OF
the Jesuits-" unauthorized religious
societies" is the expression. SO far the
DEGREES are mere threat. What may
happen if an attempt is made to enforce
them no Que can tell.
Premier De Freycinet has seen fit to
issue an explanatory circular to French
representatives abroad. The.policy Of
the government, he says, is peace and
concliation. The religious DEGREES
should not be construed as indicating
any want CT solicitude for religious in
terests or any want of respect for indi
vidual right. In the Hartmann affair the
government was actuated by purely
legal considerations. This circular
must be considered as the proper pitch
and tone in which French affairs are to
be discussed by French officials. The
man who serves u modern republic
serves a very naughty and very exac-
ting master.
In Russia, during these two weeks,
they seem to be waiting with bated
breath for the death Of the great man
who for so many years has controlled
: the dcstinies of the empire and, to a
great extent, of Europe. Prince Gorts-
chakof will soon pass away, and
what then !
1t is thought there are indications of
the complete ascendency of General
Mellikoff. 1t might be best after all if
this should be so. He has certainly
shown conciliatOry spirit united to
great frmness. Perhaps the car may
find path to the hearts and to the con :
fdence of his people along the way
carved by the Armenian soldier.
The solemnity of the approaching
death Of the prince-clancello did not
deter the assassins from an attempt to
poison the czar-so they report. But
the circumstances scarcely deserves
mention in these days.
In Spain they garrOted OterO the
other day, A good indication. So long
as kings escape and assassins occasion
ally get their necks broken there is
little danger of any great spread of
political murders.
In Asia the situation has not mater
tally changed. There has been some
desultory fighting in Afghanistan, and
they seem as far away from a settle
ment as ever. The Burmah king is
dead, and if we are to take English
accounts of his life and reign, the
world has one monster less. 1t may be
possible however, that since British
India has been looking askance at the
remnant OF Burmese territory, the
stories of cruelty and bloodshed at
Mandalay may be over-drawn if not
manufactured outright. The denials
of this story and that have been suffi-
cient, at all events, arouse suspicion.
In England, Ireland and Scotland, the
elections were all completed the week
before last The Liberal majority over
all is overwhelming. The queen re-
turned, and Beaconsield resigned. On
Friday her majesty sent for Lord Hart
ington. There had previously been a
consultation between him and Granville
and Gladstone. 1t was supposed yes
terday that Lord Harrington had adj
vised the queen to designate Mr..
Gladstone to form government. In
all probability that has been done.
We published at one o'clock yesterday
that at five o'clock in the afternoon,
yesterday, Mr. Gladstone had departed
for Windsor Castle, at the queens
command. We will comment upon the
new ministry at an early day.
Under the new law our leading mer-
chants will pay State license of sew
enty-fve dollars instead of fifteen as
heretofore. IT each partner has to pay,
the charges will be pretty heavy, espe-
cially if the parochial and municipal