Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-15


 That old nightmare, the eastern question, comes to the surface once more as if to fill up gap caused by the temporary retire ment of the Irish question. This time the eastern question is Greek question. A day or two ago the sky seemed clearing fast, for Greece had announced that, acting on the friendly advice of France, she had resolved to sheath her sword. But LOW the other five great European powers, England at their head, have presented an ultimatum to the Greeks commanding them to disarm at their bidding and that within week Now Greece, it is true is a small nation, but on that very account perhaps her national sus- capabilities are easily wounded. She was only too glad to have an opportunity of re-
 tiring honorably from 8 warm situation which she had little rashly, no doubt, crea- ted for herself. This opportunity was af forded by the French asking her to disarm as favor to them. But the other great powers have taken it from her by their threatening attitude. There is a difference in being persuaded into certain step or bullied into it, and little nation like Greece feels these differences keenly. A French
 
 Greece was composed off'paisibies belliqueux" and 'belliqueux paisibles," both parties only too willing to follow the salutary advice of France and go quietly home. But now the country is indignant and sees herself clearly on the horns of dilemma. Shall she rush to pretty certain death at the hands of Tur- key, or, pocketing her pride, obey the dicta- torial message of the powers and subside like dog that is bullied into submission: The reason for the meddling of the powers is plain to see It arose from feeling of I jealousy England's part. She noyed at seeing the praises bestowed by the French papers upon their prime minister, | who had been able to accomplish by tact and persuasion that which England had failed to accomplish by threats. This feeling of jeal- | ousy prompted tke sending of the ultima tum. Greece is an oppressed nation; her grievance is real one and she has right on her side. But she must wait; her time is sure to come. An lnsurrection, even in the best of causes. is a crime when it has not 8 serious chance of success. But for all that 1 think, seeing that Greece is nation many of whose children are still suffering under an intolerable yoke, she ought to be treated with more regard by the stronger nations, and look upon the part played by France as a highly honorable one.
 Madame de Kalamine, the divorced nor ganatic wife of the Grand Duke of Hesse,
 
 lie in the shape of a novel of which she her self is the heroine. Under slightly disguised names the reader will easily recognize all the royal and semi-royal personages concerned in the rather shabby episode. Unfortunately, however the poor victim of vacillating husband and his royal mother-in-law Queen Victoria) has not heightened herself in low ering them. So long she bore her suffer ings in noble silence she was, in her role of cruelty wronged and beautiful woman, one of the most interesting figures in Europe. In pouring the tale of her wrongs into the vulgar ear she has fallen somewhat from her pedestal The once more eligible Duke (King of Thessaly in the novel; is expected iu Eng land shortly, and it is rumored that the Queen wishes to make match between him and the widowed Duchess of Albany. After marrying him to Princess Alice and desiring him for Princess Beatrice, the latest wish of the Queen proves that she highly appreciates the Dukes services and desires him to main in the family.
 Paris is about to elect member of Parlia- ment in place of NJ. Henri Rochefort, who sent in his resignation some time ago. There are two candidates for the vacant seat; one is Radical, the other a Socialist; but like all candidates for seats in Parliament or the town council that have of late been brought forward by Paris, 'sthe light of the world" they are perfectly unknown except among the workmen. who now decide all the elec- 
 that no man of standing either in society or in the professions would stand a chance be- side the workmans candidate. It is anu sing to see how the two advanced parties are abusing each other over this new election. Say the Radicals: eff ever the Socialists had the helm in their hands they would in- augurate the most dreadful tyranny ever ex- perienced on earth" Quite true, but all the same a strange confession to come from the mouths of the Radicals. Say the Socialists: 'fThe programmes of the baukrupts of Radi- calism are mere bosh and lies" This state ment is no less true than the other Fam ready to admit, and yet, sad to say, the candidate of one of the two parties is sure to be re- turned. This speaks volumes on the subject of universal suffrage. The favorite candi- date is NJ. Ernest Roche, Socialist. This gentleman it was who went to Decazeville about fortnight ago and melted the miners to revolt. By going to Decazevil he struck mine.
 Human stupidity is rich and inexhausti- ble mine worked by the shrewd, but to judge by the following advertisements, I should imagine that British snobbishness must bring in a snug income to certain members of the aristocracy The first of these advertise ments runs thus: "A lady of position, at tending the Queens drawing room this sea- son, principally for eompanionship, would chaperone young lady whose mother from illness will be unable to accompany her.
 
 required" The second one is as follows: "A lady of family will be happy to present another, everything of course being satisfae tory, at either of the drawing rooms in May. Liberal terms required. Address Baronet- age" I am prepared to take it for granted that Her Majesty is unaware of the names of the danes in reduced circumstances who traffic upon her name to obtain the where with to pay their miliners bills, but surely the Lord Chamberlain ought to see that l. oE Ial !, to be introduced to his royal mistress.
 The appointment of batch of French journalists into the French foreign service is another proof that in France journalism may open a road to anything or anywhere. M. Savoureux, editor of the Paris, is gazetted vice president of the first class at Tamatave; M Pinard, editor of the Radical, vice presi- dent at Majunga; M. de Coutouly, former ed itor of the Temps, consul at Gibraltar; and NJ. Le Provost, another journalist vice presi- dent of Tonkin. The French journalist de- rives his political importance from the fact that he signs his articles. His name is con stantly kept before the public. He is per sonality. At election time he becomes unri- vailed as candidate for Parliament, and his services to the party which he serves have to be rewarded by some official position. The bar and journalism are the two professions which in France lead to prominence in the political world. In England, outside the literary world, nobody knows the name of any journalist; not even the names of the ed itors of the Times, the Standard and the great dailies are known. But every French shopkeeper or workman knows and swears by the names of the writers of his favorite paper. Not long ago when the Journal des Debats was Orleanist, an appointment on the staff of this paper was pretty sure to secure a seat in the French academy.
 e I mentioned last week the great stir made in Paris by M. Edouard Drumonts book, 'La France, Juive." The author of this an tisemitic production has since his duel with M Mayer, prominent member of the Jew ish fraternity in Paris received many chal- lenges from other descendants of Abraham. M Drumont, who means to defend his opin- ions sword as well as pen in hand, has ac- cepted them all, and will meet the gentlemen Con the ground" soon as he has recovered from the severe wound he received from M Mayors sword. All the Catholic papers agree in reproaching M. Drumont for fighting duel, especially during Holy week. But mundane" mortals are not always in accord ance with "ultramontane' morals It is cu- rious to reflect that duelling condemned by the Catholic church is only praeticed in Cath ollie countries such as France, Spain, Portu-
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