Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
REVIEW OF NOTABLE EVENTS ID FOR
EIGN LANDS IN THE PAST YEAR.


EIGN LANDS IN THE PAST YEAR.
We do not make our review Of foreign
countries so extended or detailed as in the
New Years issue for 1885. The Judgment
has been exercised to accord greater space
to matters of immediate interest to Califor-
mia, and to narrow the usual extended and
elaborate retrospect of events abroad.
GERMANY.
The situation in Germany during the
year has not been one of especial note
worthy character as compared TO the unrest
and political disturbance that has charac-
terized some former recent years. The chief
topic has been the notable decline of the
Emperor, who has now attained a great
age. His removal from scenes of activity
has been the subject of much speculation
In the settlement of the Balkan complica-
ton his administration has not taken an
open part-at least, such influence as it has
exerted has been concealed, and was of that
deeply diplomatic and far-seeing character
that distinguishes the attitudes of that
prince of diplomats, Bismarck. In recent
years the policy of Germany has been favor
able to the peace of Europe. Occasion has
more than once offered when the Empire
might, with much show of reason, have
fostered disturbances, and have even in
volyed the great Powers in war. That this
has been the result very largely of the per-
sonal desire OF Kaiser William admits of
no doubt. Old age has not made him quer-
ulous or sour, nor inclined him to quarrel.
On the contrary, he has openly expressed
his wish that his sun shall set in the tram
quillity of universal peace. Some efforts
have been made to augment the foreign
possessions of the Empire-as, for instance,
in the matter of the seizure of the Carolines,
but Germany yielded to the potential infiu-
ence of arbitration. Her schemes for colo
nization are, however, many it is now the
chief policy of the Empire.
AT this writing it is possible to say that
the great peace conservator in Europe is the
German Empire. So great has been the
nations desire to preserve peace that it is
understood it went so far as to inhibit the
transportation of arms through its realms
for the combatants in the late Balkan diff
ticulty. The relations, however, between
Germany and Russia have been strained,
and that they may result in a rupture is
not improbable. The Car is i'll disposed
to remain quiet or to yield his schemes for
an advanced southern frontier Austria
has shown disposition not to favor bar
riers to the advance of the Russians if she is
conciliated by being permitted to prey upon
Balkan States and to assume power over
the Slav territory. The stain upon Ger
many in 1885 was her expulsion with bar
barous severity, of $4,000 Poles-mainly
Austrians-from Prussian- Poland.
AUSTRIA.
The Austrian Hungarian Empire has
been strengthened in the year by a better
understanding between these two divisions
of the Empire, and greater sympathy be-
tween the people and the ruling classes has
resulted. The rejection of the American
Representative by that Court has not been
conducive to friendly relations between
Austria and the United States. Austria
unquestionably encouraged Servia to the
unprovoked and disastrous invasion of
Bulgaria. While Servia can charge this to
her, it owes the Emperor thanks also for
the armistice that saved Servia from the
sackcloth and ashes of repentance in defeat.
Had Austria interviewed in arms in the
Balkan affair, Russia must have been
drawn into the conflict, and all Europe
have been plunged into war. That Austria
should have tamely consented to the bru-
tally of Bismarck in expelling the Aus
trian-Poles from Posen is accountable only
on the theory that she desired to thus get
hold of number of hated refugees, and
that for this pitiful acquiescence Germany
has promised her due reward.
SPAIN.
Spain was early the scene of the ravages
of the cholera, and fatality among her
people unprecedented. The nation has
been bitterly scourged by disease and the
commissions of nature. 1t does not appear
that the seeds of the plague have been
rooted out. With the oncoming of spring
we may look for a renewal of the horrors
OF the summer of 1885. Confidence was
restored to limited extent in the efforts of
sanitarians to stay the course of the de-
stroyer, by the personal courage of the late
King, and his open Endorsement of the
means taken to check the spread of the dis
ease. Nevertheless, a base and most pitt
able superstition prevails among the lower
and middle classes regarding the employ
ment of remedial agencies. 1t has been
rather the order of the day for physicians
to be mobbed, and the sanitary inspectors
to be resisted and maltreated, while the
gross superstition of the people has found
relief in religious professions, fasts, mean
tations, sacrifices, and the practice of al
most heathenish rites TO stay the progress
OF the pest. The death of the King has
involved the nation in political complica.
tons that have not yet indicated that their
end is near. The regency has fallen upon
a woman who is a foreigner. The repub.
licans have, by objectionable cowardice
lost a great opportunity, and the
rule of the monarchists seems te
have been fastened more firmly
upon unhappy Spain, while the hope of q
republic appears to have wholly faded
Christiana is the appointed guardian for an
infant female that is to be reler, as Q
descendant of the weakest race of kings
Contemporaneous with this event came
the death of Serrano, whose matchless skill
had so long held Spain loyal TO royal
blood. Without him Alfonso, unhappy as
was his reign, would scarcely have re.
manned upon the throne. He came to
power with the people largely against his
pretensions, aud as the representative of a
Vicious and weak house. His utilization
with Germany brought upon him the
anger of the French. and this Eas made
manifest in Paris by a personal assault
upon him. After the early death of his
first vie he formed an alliance, By mar
riage, with Austria doubtful political
stroke. He was unhappy in maintaining
friendly relations with England. He vas