Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-20


but would eudeavor to turn that strongly
fortified place and establish themselves fur
ther down the river. This Is exactly what
they have done, and the Egyptians have re-
peatedly declared that in thus event the in
vaders could easily be dealt with, since they
would be between tho two garrisous of
Assouan and Wada Halfa. OF course no
other result OF this renewal Of trouble can
be expected than the complete overthrow of.
the Soudanese; and II does not seem likely
that the Khslfa will be permitted 10 retain
his foothold in Dongola, where the presence
of his forces is a standing menace to Egypt.
His threats TO revolutionize Islam are chiefly
bombast, but for the peace of Egypt it will
doubtless be found expedient TO keep the
sandy waste of the Bajuda Steppe between
this troublesome person and the frontier.
-
The necessary funds for tho building of
the Congo railway having been subscribed,
that enterprise will be promptly begun. Per.
haps the Congo railroad will be the only one
ever constructed largely for philanthropic
reasons. II is argued in its behalf that sla-
very in the dark continent will be greatly re-
duced in extent just as soon as other and
cheaper means than slave carriers are rro-
vided to transport the freight and guard the
passengers of the vslley, while of course the
introduction of the virtues and vices of civil
ization to the heart of the continent is not an
unmlxed blessing TO its people and yet an un-
doubted blessing on the whole. The new
railroad, which will be completed in four
years, will be one of the funniest on record.
There will be no 81 cat danger OF collisions or
teescoping, for only two trains week will
be run. 1t will cost dollar for every three
miles upon the road to the passengers, at
which rate n trip from New York to San
Francisco would cost 81, 900. But IL will be
cheaper to ride than walk, for there are no
roads, and boating on the river itself is rem.
dered impossible or very expensive by the
numerous falls and the necessity Of trans
shipment. The railroad will have n mo.
nopoly.
~.
Several of the South American countries
have entered into treaty TO establish an in
ternational law of procedure in civil cases
The countries taking part in the conference
for the discussion and settling Of It's terms
were Paraguay, Uruguay the Argentine Re-
public, Chill, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. The
great aim was to secure uniformity of law
touching the innumerable and vexing cases
of commercial litigation arising between cit
liens of different countries. While it mas
not been possible to secure this entirely, yet
much has been gained by the final agree
ment in which The delegates from all the
powers united. The contracting states bind
themselves to recognize the legal processes
of each other, and to recognize and
| enforce, each within its own limits, decisions
| made in the courts of any of the others af-
fecting It's own citizens The establishment
of boards of arbitration, in certain cases, Is
also provided for, and their decisions, when
arrived at under conditions named, are to be
held as binding by all the states. All this
marks n great advance in the smplification
of the business relations Of the merchants of
these various countries. 1t indicates, also
decided progress in the appreciation and
adoption of civilized methods of settling in
| ternational controversies on the part of gov
ernments which we have been too much ac-
customed to regard as barbarous.
~
The law for the abolition of slavery in
Brazil went into effect last year, aud the
papers of Rio de Janeiro have been giving
accounts of its operation and results during
| the year. The Rio News says it has now
been proved that the apprehensions and pre-
dictions of danger from emancipation were
| unfounded The freedmen have kept the
| peace, have made no attempt to overrun the
| social order of the empire, and have been
dilieent in doing the work for which they
| are paid on the plantations. In short, it is
! evident from the experience of the past year
| that the abolition OF slavery in Brazil has
! not brought about the evils which were pre-
| dicted from it, but has been advantageous.i
| many ways to the people OF all races in the
| country.