The morning call., 1890-12-12
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The historical blue room of the White House.
having been redecorated and refurnished, is now
ready for the series OF official receptions that
form a feature of society at The capital during
the winter season. The prevailing color Is 'old
blue,' the soft, dull shade that lights and har-
MONIES well. The dull fiieZe Is In the pattern
OF Louis XVI and the dado Is the same. The
wall is OF Drocaded silk OF most dainty wear, all
of blue. The curtains are draped over gold rods
IN very artistic manner, the entire curtain and
lambrequin being IN one piece. From between
these dainty blue dfaperies hang snow-white
curtains OF point lace. The ceiling is IN blue In
the faintest possible tint, upon which clouds are
traced in yapory white and gray. From the cen
ter hangs the familiar crystal chandelier and
round the outer edges are wreatLs of silver lau-
rel. just above the gilt moding, from which the
tapestry is hung, are brazen branches holding
numerous electric lamps. When these and the
great chandelier throw their radiance upon the
surroundings the effect upon the blue. white and
gold of the ceiling, the softly tinted drapery and
tapestried walls, the great mirrors and quaint
furniture is beautiful, verifying the Presidents
belief that IL is the bandsomest room III America.
Tie Italian occupation of Tripoi, of VIII ch
Turkey is suZerain, has been deferred owing To
England and Germany discountenancing the
project. The truth Is that, while the nations of
Europe look with hungry eyes on the East and
watch with sleepless vigilance every movement,
they dread the initiative Tor fear of general
confagraIion Russia and Greece would like to
secure portions OF Turkey; England, no doubt,
would like 10 tighten her hold on Egypt; Spain
desires to secure Morocco, but France would
also like a big slice. This question Of territorial
acquisition is bound to assume gigantic pro-
portions The great powers having divided vast
domains among them are still clamoring for
more. How long will il be before Tripoli, Mo
rocco, Egypt and fnally Turkey are divided up?
London, advices report that the Australia
Colonies are aroused over the possession Of the
New Hebrdes, OF which France and Australia
are both endeayoring to secure control. The isl
ands, which support d population of 10000 are
principally OF volcanic formation, one of them,
Aurora, having disappeared III 1871. leaving no
trace. As rival claimants the British Colonies
have an advantage In the ownership OF The larg.
est portion of the lands brought under cultiva.
ton by the whites. Ii Is said that in the contro.
versy the natives, many OF whom are cannibals,
do not eyince any decided preference, occasion.
ally eating a former resident of La Belle
France ana now and tnen one haing from Aus
Australia.
remarkable feature OF legislative life In
Prussia is the slight attention devoted to the
House of Lords or Herrenhaus, Whose members
complain that the Government presents all I'M
portant matters III the Lower House, and offers
for the consideration OF the nobility minor ques-
tons almost beneath their dignity. They also
complain that the Kaisei's proposed reforms are
in great measure leveled at their ancient
feudal privileges. History Is only repeating
itself. Concession after concession will be made
to the people, till at last the feudal lords will
realize that their glory has departed
1t is evident from recent events in Brazil that
foreign capitalists, who have gained strong
foothold, regard with jealous eye the prOpo-
sition TO Increase commercial intercourse be-
tween old Dom Pedro's former empire and this
country in accordance with the declarations OF
the Pan-American Conference and The sugges-
tons OF the Mckinley Bill. One OF The leading
papers OF Para seems to be In the employ OF
old world capital revamping articles detrimental
10 American trade and the Columbian exposition
of 1892, while shipping and other interests are
trying 10 crowd out ambitious Americans.
So King Menelek OF Abyssinia believes he has
been duped aud has suspended trade relations
with the Italians. Ii was proclaimed abroad
that Ethiopia had practically become an Italian
profeciorate by virtue OF the treaty of May I'd,
1889, confirmed and extended III October of the
same year by convention for mutual protec-
tion" between Meneek and King Humbert. Per
haps the dusky warrior believed he was dealing
on terms OF equality with his friends and allies.