Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-01

| sternation in Egypt and England, and surprise
throughout the world. Ell Mshdi appeared to have
aroused the black tribes Of the Souan TO religious
enthusiasm, and announced his intention to march
to Mecca and declare the true religion. Egypt APP
pealed to England to aid in resisting him. Turkey
desired to intervene, and France manifested her
desire 10 aid upon the basis OF the old ayship but
England rejected all overtures, and resolved to
check the " Prophets" advance. Baker Pasha was
out with force, but at the close of the month
no new conflict had been brought on. Riots and
reyots in the provinces on the east OF the Red Sea
were eontemporaneous with FL Mahdis victory, but
Turkey suppressed them promptly. The French in
Madagascar by force of arms, secured settlement
| of their claims and rights on the island
DECEMBER.
While no open rupture had taken place between
France aud China at the opening OF the month, the
indications pointed its early occurrence. France
sgnalizei in the first week OF the month her deter
mination to hold her rights invi5lable in Tonquin.
| by dispatching heavy reinforcements there, at
the same time officially declaring her non-ntention
of conquest and her resolve not to infringe upon
any rights of China, yet to recognize her
suzerainty over Tonquin. The resolution to occupy
S0ntay and Bacninh the frontier against which
China protested the French insisted should not be
construed into menace to China But China has
not ceased active preparations for war and for re
sist2nce of what she deems French aggressions
The poisoning OF the King Of Tonquin, and the &C
cesson Of a youth Of Is, tended to hamper the
French, the Government is more hostile to
them than any former one. 1t looks back to the
hombardment of Hanoi in 1882 as SO uuprovoked
that nothing which has since been done has atoned
for and holds shat the treaty negotiated by Cour
at Hui with the King he recognized, and who was a
mere pretender, has no binding force This is the
position, also, Of China relative TO the convention
which produced the treaty. Both countries main
tain, also, that the French movements originally di-
rected against the Black Flags, who are refugees
from Chins, are intended only to mark a cam
paign Of conquest. On the other hand the move
ment against the Black Flags, pirates and outlaws
along the Red river in 1850 clearly justified on
the part Of the French, and history will record such
a verdict since the Anamese Government refused
the reparation and protection it was bound by the
treaty TO give. The success of the Black Flags at
Sontay and the death OF Riviere forced France to
take severer measures, and that she should avail OF
the outbreak at Hue and recognize claimant for
the throne who would treat with her is not surpris
ing. Latest adyices speak of the fall of
Sontay, the French loss being $40. In this
month the news was at hand Of the open
advocacy and discussion at Cairo Of Egyptian
annexation to Great Britain. England cannot, for
the sake Of her Oriental interests, for moment re-
lax her hold upon Egypt, but it is not at all likely
that annexation is desired, while is certain that it
could not be accomplished without disturbing the
peace Of Europe. The declaration of the English
to protect the treaty ports in of war between
China and France made. The opium trade
must Of course, be protected and this alone would
be motive sufficient; however, the declaration
meets with general favor In the success OF FL
Mahdi, the false prophet the annoyance of Egypt
continues. Baker Pasha has been afraid to advance
against him. Egypt has urged England anew to aid
in clearing the Soudan Of the impostor Latest ad-
vices are that Fl Msdhi has made an advance on
Khartoum, but other accounts speak of internal
troubles in his wild horde Of fanatics His ennis.
saries actively at work PROSECUTING, and with
1t is entirely probable that no active ope-
ratons against him will be made before February at
all likely to accomplish his defeat, when, it is safe
to say, Turkey will be permitted to put her accli-
mated troops into the field. The execution Of ODon-
nell, the slayer OF Carey, the informer created
storm of rage among Irish-Amercans. The English
declined to stay the execution at request Of the
United States. holding that ODonnell's trial all
his rights had been preserved The feeling in
America is at the close OF the month that our Gov
eminent was Inundated by the quasi interference.
GENERAL REVIEW.
During the year the peace of Europe was not dis
turbed. The alliance between Germany, Austria
and Italy, caused alarm, and, while announced as
only in the interests OF peace, it is still viewed
menace to France and not intended to cement the
bonds Of friendship between Russia and Germany,
should death-as is probable take the personal
influence of Emperor William out OF the question.
The latest advices are that the alliance referred to
permits Italy, in of war between either Of the
other powers, or by both Germany and Austria
against France, to take sides or not. II, however,
France assss Italy, the other powers are pledged to
aid the defence OF that country This is strange
treaty, and eXcites mu.h comment 1t is unques-
tionaby menace to France, and will put her
upon guard relative to foreign acquisitions.
The anxiety of Germany to establish close relations
with Spain and cordial understanding with Italy
too plainly speak of the fears entertained by Ger
many OF a possible early rupture of the peaceful
condition of Europe. The revolt Of the radical
Nationalist in Servia and the rigor of King Milan,
amounting to suppression Of the rig hts of subjects,
downright cruelty and inhumanty, signifed his
desire for Austrian support and the better opposi
ton Of the majority Of his people to any such ALI
80 hoa
and is indicative of its jealousy of Austrian iniu-
ences. The Egyptian question, always that is
quick, naturally involves England in any question
that menaces the Turk or the Khedive, or DISPOSE
ton of the late possessions Of the Porte. All the
Powers are now heavily armed, and such condition
of affairs is not conservative OF peace Russia
views with jealousy the trpartite alliance and the
evident effort to flank France with hostile feelings
the part Of Spain naturally unfriendy, and Italy
sore and reveugeful, because of the Tunisan diff
Guilty must make Russias sympathies for France
quicken and increase her disposition to become her
ally the instant she is assaulted. The success
of the False Prophet in the soudan gave the oppor
tunity to France to suggest her willingness to aid
with Turkey in restoring the power OF the Khedve
in the provinces. To such proposition England
could not Tor moment consent. Inc utteranCeS Of
Gladstone at the Lord Mayors banquet of his belief
iD the established peace of Europe was received
generally the voice of his heart rather than Of
belief, since his hatred Of war is known character
istic of the Premier The strike in Italy of certain
classes was viewed by many observers as Indicative
of a growing sentiment of democracy, and as sig
nifcInt OF the expanding sentiment OF independence
among the middle classes, and of positive animosity
to royalty and the Pope The visit of the Crown
Prince of Germany to Spain following closely the
insult to Alfonso at Paris, and the Kings significant
speech on his arrival at Madrid, coupled with the
closetng Of the Crown Prince with the Pope give
additional point to the belief in which we indulge
that the peace Of Europe is Ii BILE to rupture at any
moment. Nor does the recent guarded declaration
of Baron de Courcel, the French Minister, after
thirty-sx hours visit to Bismarck that his inter
view with the Chancellor was satisfactory regarding
the relations Of Germany aud France, cause us to
modify our judgment above given Europe at
the close Of the year has under arms nearly 2OO-
900 men, has 1,SOo ships of war equipped, and ex-
pending on armies and navies and defeuses a sum
equal to 5000 600 600 Annually, Is IN condition that
has been very appropriately termed volcanic Moth
ing need be added in this note to what has already
been said regarding France, China and Tonquin. In
Peru Iglesias has been established in power, while
the deposed President remains political prisoner