Omaha daily bee., 1890-06-28


tude OF England toward Germany in the case
| of contintn1h war. We may assume with
perfect confidence that whichever political
party happens TO be In power in England durl
ing the next continental war, that country
will observe policy of strict neutrality be.
! tween the combatants. Such an attitude on
her part will, of course, leave the Italian
peninsula at the mercy of the French navy
| but King Humbert's government should have
thought Of this before consenting to ally it.
self with Germany and Austria
1t Is not unnatural that France Is displeascd
with the Anglo-German compact for the par
tition of Africa, for while France has no di-
rect interest in the Central African regions
about which the bargain is made, her indirect
interest is very great indeed. Even the
| minor matter of the surrender of Heligoland
| by England is of concern 70 France, because
| 1t gives Germany an opportunity to fortify a
! vulnerable point on her coast, whose defense
less condition might easily have been of ad-
vantage to the French in case of war. But the
| primary cause OF French discomfort Is that the
| terms of the Anglo-German bargain clearly in
dictate the intention of Great Britain to retain
her present control in Egypt and to strengthen
| and extend her dominion there. The treaty
| is in effect Great Britain's defiant answer to
the French demand for the naturalization of
| Egypt and the partition assigns territory to
! England the possession of which must greatly
| strengthen the British hold upon the Nile.
| The explanation of French discomfort with
| the arrangement is also an explanation of the
| motives which prompted the British ministry
| to make it.
Intense bitter ness prevails at Trieste just
| now against the Austrian government in con-
| sequence of the latter's determination to put
| an end to the immunities and privileges which
| the ancient city of Tergeste, founded by the
| Roman Emperor Vespasian, has enjoyed since
! the year A. d. 1719, when it was first declared
| an imperial free port, and exempt from the
| payment of national taxes. On June 20, 1891
Just twelve months hence-Trieste will be
reduced to the level Of an ordinary seaport
city of the empire and its commercial pros
perity will receive blow that will probably
prove mortal. The action of the Aus
trian government in the matter is
mainly due to the influence of Hun
gary, which has spent vast sums
in the construction Of quays and docks at
Flume and which is naturally jealous of the
extraordinary privileges enjoyed by her rival.
Hitherto Trieste has monopolized almost the
entire shipping trade of the dual empire, its
annual Imports and exports exceeding
Sl50,000.000. Unfortunately, however, it has
for many years past had the reputation OF be-
ing the most disoyal city in the empire. Ir-
rendentism prevails among all classes of its
inhabitants, who lose no opportunity of man
ifesting their ardent love for everything Ital-
tIa.. 4
tria This, doubtless, has greatly contrib
uted to bring about the governments decis-
ion to rescind its ancient charter.
~
One of the most interesting series of naval
and military maneuyres planned for the
present year is that which the Germans are
to carry out in September on the Scheswig-
Holstein coast Perhaps should the British
admiralty fail to continue this summer, as
now seems probable, the elaborate and some
what expensive naval campaign it has carried
on for several seasons between Great Britain
and hypothetical enemy called "Achill,"
the Germans may count on presenting the
chief naval attraction of the year.
The land forces in this affair,
which will include an attack upon
the Island of Alsen, will be supplied by the
Ninth army corps, while about a dozen armor-
clads of various classes, q feet of torpedo
boats and several light unarmored crafts are
expected to participate in the naval portion
of the programme The occasion will be
graced by visiting squadrons representing
England, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Nor
way and perhaps other countries. 1t does
not yet appear whether any representative of
our own modern steel feet will attend.
~
The pr opposed constitution for Brazil is a
most enlightened and progressive scheme of
government 1t furnishes a complete vindi-
cation of the patriotism, republicanism and
practical wisdom of the revolutionary lead
ers. They were placed in power by the army,
but they have devised a scheme of public
law by which the sovereign people will be
made supreme The constitution is not pro-
claimed as finality, but as de facto
system of government, which will be
revised and legaized by the constituent
assembly about to be elected. The pro-
visional government has successfully re-
sisted the temptation to usurp the functions
of the representatives of the people. When
the constituent assembly meets president
and ministers will resign the functions exer-
cised by them since the revolution. A new
ministry will be Immediately formed and
then the constituent assembly will revise and
promulgate the fundamental law. There
could be no wiser method of procedure than
this. The electors will have the tentative
scheme of public law before them when they
choose their deputies and senators in the
constituent assembly, and hence they will
vote more intelligently; but the constitu-
tion will be subject 80 amendment
and final revision by the representa-
tives of the people. The constitu-
tion involves an essential reproduction
of the American political system.
The Legislative and administrative functions
are separated. The cabinet will be response
BILE to the president and its members will
neither be eligible to seats in the legislative
chambers, nor forced to resign their offices |
when there is an adverse vote. The functions
of the chambers will be purely legislative.
The American rather than the French system |
is initiated in these respects; and the election |
of president is to be conducted as it is in the |
limited States The first president will he |