Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-01-02
FOREIGN REVIEW.
ENGLAND

ENGLAND.
Mr.. Glsdstone's government began the year with
heavy budget of troubles Thsir predecessors had
bequeathed them disturbed foreign policy, and
their own pledges had entailed upon them a most
difficult domestic policy. They were called upon to
settle the Afghan and south African wars and al
the same time they were under obligations to solve
the Irish question. From the Afghan emba-rass
ment Mr. Gladstone relieved himself in q manner
which, however direct, and however justifable in
other circumstances calculated to lower British
prestige throughout Central Asa. He simply
abandoned the untry which had already cost
England so much blood and treasure. and regard
less of the warnings and protests Of the old Anglo
Indians and the Ruasophobists, he lett the Afghans
to take their own course without interruption or
suggestions and, If they chose, to ally themselves
with Russia. Mr.. Gladstone perhaps could not
have done anything else than abandon Afghanstan
so far as the military occupation concerned but
he appears also to have given up all diplomatic
relations with the country, and there are indca-
tons that despite her engrossing internal troubles
Russia has already found time to take advantage
of the opportunity thus afforded her to make good
further advance towards the frontier of India.
In South Africa the Liberal Government proceeded
to make peace with the Beers. This proved more
difficult than had been anticipated, owing to the
aggressive and inflated vanity of these semisavages
More than once they seemed on the point Of break
ing off the negotiations condition that they must
not abuse the native tribes surrounding them proved
particularly off nsive to the since they look upon
the natives much as the children of Israel looked
upon the Canaanites, or as the Puritan Fathers
looked upon the Indians. 1t was not until the Eng
lish Government, becoming tired Of the mpudence
OF these trucuent Dutchmen, landed small army at
the Cape and marched it to the frontier that these
obs tacles to the conclusion OF peace gave way. At
length, realizing their own inability to Withstand
native attacks sirgle-handed, the Beers consented
to accept British protectorate. At home the dcath
of Lord Beaconsfield relieved the Government of
the most formidable opposition, but its path re-
m ined beset with difficulties. In Parliament the
contentious and lawless Irish members did all
they could to prevent the enactment OF any Irish
legislation 1t was necessary to adopt new and
stringent rules in order to keep these Drawing and
riotous members from frustrating all deliberation.
The Government introduced and passed the Land
Bill, measure which was direct blow at property
in land which gives the tenants rights never be
fore heard OF which kes from the landlord the
most important tights appertaining to ownership;
aud which nevertheless has utterly failed to satisfy
the requirements of the Land League This body,
which was ostensibly organized for just such
ends as the Land Bill covers, has drifted INTO
the impractical position OF advocate of Irish inde
pendence and therefore cannot aud does not rest
ats cd Will nvthinp the can
do Under the Land Act Courts have been
opened for the hearing and determination of
demands for the reduction of rent and these Courts
have in almost every decided against the land
lords. But Parnell and several OF his associates
having been arrested and imprisoned for sedition,
they fling behind them, Parthian. wise, a proc
lamation calling on the Iish tenants to refuse to
pay any rent, and this audacious ard dishonest
proposition has found great favor in many parts of
the island, while, in accordance with the customs
of the country those who do not approve of it have
been appealed to through the coercive agency o!
assassination and outrage. Agtarian crime has sell
m been more rife in Ireland than during the latter
part OF the present year. The practice of Boy
"cotting" has given place to the most hideous and
ferocious deeds. The cowardice and cruelty OF
many of the outrages have been great. The
wretches who perpetrate these atrocities have not
hestated to make murderous assaults upon women
and children. In fact no savages upon cannibal
island could have exhibited mere brutality and bar
barity than have 1.-THE frest peasantry in the
"world" during this period What adds to the
nfamy of their conduct is that they have now got
better conditions than ever before 1t is evident,
however, that they think butchery the only way 70
influence the English Government, and equally
evident that they would just as soon cut one an
others throats the Threats of ' the SaNons The
Government, however, has thus far failed to
opacity" Ireland, either with the Coercion Act or
the Land Bill. TIE country is distracted than
it has been for years. No doubt main
source OF this distraction is the United
States, whence the supplies of money
TO feed the agitation are derived, and
whence at safe distance, the most fierce and i'm.
placahle foes OF England goad their compatriots
who are within the reach of danger to new acts of
insurrecten. Nor is there any hore OF change for
the better. Irish independence is Of course out Of
the question, but until the English Government
realizes that this fact has to be distinctly made
known to the Irish people, it will go on offering COM
promises which can only result in further and more
outrageous III LH3idnu anitliCau
cultural competition has straitened the farming
interest that all OF queer remedies have been
proposed and the reaction Of this agricultural dis
tess upon the manufacturing interest has lead to
the revival of Protectionst ideas in quarters.
They call the new idea Fair Trade" but it Is Pro-
lection gused. 1t is futile endeayor to restore
obsolete theories however. England cannot restore
the corn laws, and nothing less would help her
farmers AS to her manufactures, the truth is that
they still control the commerce of The world, and
extending all the time There are however indica-
tions that the Land Act will eventually have to be
poled to England and Scotland, for it is becoming
understood that the present land system operntes to
prevent the successful com etition Of the English
farmer with foreign agricuiturisss. Primogeniture
and entail are being a-raigned, and free trade
in land is being advocated. In few years no doubt
the principles OF the Land Act will have been
adopted throughout the United Kingdom.
FRANCE.
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