Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-17

landlord contracts in reference 10 tithes
pressed heavily. The partial success which
attended the motion win probably bring dis
establishment TO tho front rs an issue more
potent than home rule.
-
The Hawaiians, like all people OF their
class, are exceedingly Gckle Revolutions
seem TO them mattors of course Their
readiness to follow any leader, and TO aban-
don any existing institution, has been the
most potent factor in their history. The con-
version of the Sandwich Islanders to chris
tiauity was the most sudden and sweeping
triumph known to the annals OF modern
missions. Bigoted or benighted indeed must
be the man who denies that u vast improve.
ment was wrought, even in respect to secu
lar concerns, by that conversion. At the
same time no fair-minded friend of missions
refuses TO admit that natural proncuoss for
things new and strange greatly predisposed
the native mind to listen to foreign evangel-
lists. For long time past 1t has been evI.
dent that many influences were at work IN
Hawaii tending strongly toward relapse
In the direction Of paganism and harbarism.
Perhaps that tendency has been overesti.
mated There is no sufficient reason to think
that it includes anything like majority of
the native inhabitants. Nor does it appear
that the recent outbreak was especially re-
dictionary, excepting so far as it Indicated
impatience and settled government. Friends
of christian civilization in Hawaii have rca-
son for anxiety, but not for alarm.
-
The massing of Russian troops throughout
the Caucasus, coming Us 1t does just as the
shah of Persia is nearing the end of his
-
are displaying their friendship by royal visits,
has rather an ugly look. At any rate the
sick man at Constantinople Is strengthening
Erzerum against an anticipated attack in
that quarter. Erzerum commands the head
waters of the Euphrates and Tigris, and
these valleys may vet furnish the gateway
of Russia to the Persian gulf and the sea.
Russia by the law of expansion of great
powers, is entitled to a seaboard outlet.
This is perilous business, as every slice taken
from the Turkish empire means the hasten.
ing of its final dismemberment. The sultan
is simultaneously threatened with demon
stration in two directions. The Grecian
prime minister suddenly sees in the Cretan
revolt and tho uneasiness along the Turkish
border q chance to make point and has be-
come very warllSe in tone. Greece has been
warned by Turkey that an attempt to land
troops at Crete will be considered IA cause of
war.
-.
The king of famous Dahomey is dead, and
as his successor must prove before he ascends
the throne that he is brave and great man
the young aspirant is looking around for ad-
ventures. AT last accounts he had gone
hunting for King Tofa of Porto Nova, declar
ing that nothing less than the head of that
potentate would satisfy his ambition. King
Tofa was at peace with all the world, but his
country is suddenly plunged into terrible
commotion simply because his head is want
ed across the border in Dahomey. The
French are now busily engaged in Porto No
vo helping the king keep his head on his
shoulders. 1t is such puerile quarrels as
these that are playing the mischief with the
West African trade. and keeping long
stretch of the coast in an uproar.