The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-01-12
the PAST YEAR,

human affairs have not been vastly
momentous in results, yet in many
cases they have been of immense
portcnt in their relations and tend
cncies. Probably not in many years
have so many different parts of the
globe been the scenes of events that
have rivetted the attention of all the
nations of earth. 1t seems that the
peoples usually unconcerned for the
welfare of the rest of humanity
have had their stold indifference
assaled by troubles brought to their
own doors, Wars, some very des-
perate and bloody ones, have dis
turbed every continent except the
Australian, but even from that
peaceful southern land contingent
went forth to fight in the African
desert. Pestiencc has ravagcd the
homes of fertile countries and fair
cities. Very important political
developments have marked the years
history of various nations. The
dead year has had its bright and
happy CLEANS for the race, notwith-
standing all that has occurred of a
sombre shade. One of the events
engaging widespread attention ut
the first of the year, was of thor
oughly peaceful and pleasant nature.
That was the great Cotton Centen-
NAL Exposition, open to the world 5
products, ut New Orleans. Our own
little kingdom had there an oppor-
tunity to make known its resources,
capabilities and pecuiarities, and by
availing thereof has doubtless Sc
cured great advantages in industry
and commerce. The German Parlia-
ment exercised its liberty in January
to make provision for the payment
of its members, contrary to the
strenuous opposition of the venera-
bic chancellor Bismarck. The Nor
mon question in the United States
has been waxing more serious, until
at the close of the year it appeared
as if the illegitimate power was going
to invite destruction by open re-
bellion against the national author
lty. Early in the year there were
apprehensions of Communist dis
turbances in France, but later n
council of the organization was
mastered by minds opposed to vio-
lence, and the danger disappeared.
For many months the French CAM
paign in Cochin. China dragged its
deplorablc length along, shocking
the humane feelings of Christendom
by its tceming records of Implying
slaughter, fire and pillage. At one
stage of the struggle Il threatening
complication arose between England
and France, owing to the refusal of
the Hongkong Government to allow
the French fleet to coal at its ports.
The difficulty was, however, amicably
arranged. The first foreign news
reaching this country contained ac-
counts of earthquakes in Spain at
the exit of the previous year, which
were attended with the loss of
thousands of lives and much destruc-
ton of property. When the year
opened the British campaign in the
Soudan was attracting universal at
tention. The world-rcnowned General
Gordon, whose former rule of that
very territory had been remarkably
successful, and who was u hero and
even idol of the English nation, was
shut up in khartoum, where he had
gone singlc-handed on mission of
paciication. Himself and the Eng
lish Government had, however, mis-
calculated his influence at the Arab
capital, or rather underestimated the
desperate temper Of the pretender
El Mahdi, and, when it became
known that his life was in danger,
the campaign was concentrated upon
grand effort for his rescue. Alas
for the good intentions, when the
advance of the relief expedition was
almost at the gates of the besiegcd
city, treachery flung them open to
the rebel cohorts, and after few
hours of fearful scenes all was over.
Khartoum fell on the 26th of Janu-
ary, Gordon being one of the many
victims of unrestrained rebel ven