Evening star., 1896-12-31

This was aftesward modified. on Secretary
Olney's remonstrance, SO as to allow the
export of tobacco prelilasly contracted for.
The Competitor inciddh aroused great feel
pe.or bsaras aspD ears Tss en
ba, was captured near the Cuban coast
with five men. They were tried and con-
demned to death. The United States PRO-
tested, claiming that as the men were not
captured with arms ID hand they were en-
titled to a civil trial. aMr. Morgan urged in
the Senate that vessels be sent to Havana
to demand the release of the prisoners.
But the affair, on being referred TO Madrid,
was decided in favor ,9f the American con-
tention and the senteiice was set es;de and
civil trial directed. ais
The President issnfd a proclamation
warning citizens against violating the neu-
trality laws by conspirjpg to aid the insur-
gents. The administration desired to show
that 1t was doing all it could to fulfill its
international obligations. The sensation of
insurgent general, Antonio Maceo. So
many conflicting reports have come of the
circumstances surrounding his death that
many hesitate to believe any of the state
ments. The Spanish profess to believe that
his removal has been deathblow to the
insurgents, but the latter assert that the
revolt has only gained greater strength
through the reports Of double dealing
which 1t is claimed was the only way by
which Maceo could have been slain. On
the meeting of the American Congress the
question of recognition of Cuban belliger-
ency, which had been declared advisable
In q concurrent resolution in the spring,
was again brought to the front The Sem
ate committee on foreign relations reported
a joint resolution by Mr. Cameron favoring
recognition Of the independence of Cuba. A
Few chapter was added by Secretary Olney
who came out with a declaration that even
If Congress should pass the resolution over
the Presidents veto. the latter would not
be obliged to heed 1t, contending that the
kI1
prerogative of the President. This as
sumption by the Secretary diverted atten-
ton from the Cuban question to a discus
sion of the rights of the executive and the
Constitution. Meanwhile a the Cameron
resolution has gone over until after the
holiday recess.
THE VENEZUELAN CONTROVERSY.
The long dispute over the boundary line
between British Guiana and Venezuela
seems likely to be nearing an end. through
the successful negotiations of Great Brit
ain and this country during the past year.
An agreement has been reached as to the
details Of a treaty of arbitration between
Great Britain and Venezuela. AS there
has been no diplomatic intercourse be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela, this
country has acted as the 'best friend
of the South American republic Two al
biters are to be chosen by Great Britain
and two by the United States, the King
of Norway and Sweden to be the fifth
and they will decide the disputed question
Flrty years occupancy Of territory will
remove 1t from the domain of dispute.
Advices from Venezuela are to the effect
that that country views with pleasure the
prospect of a speedy termination of the
controversy. The treaty will be acted
upon soon by special session of the Vene-
zuelan congress. 1t Is not expected that
there will be any formidable opposition.
The happy termination Of the negotiations
has much encouraged those who have been
iaooring Tor a permanent treaty of arbi-
trating disputes between this country and
Great Britain. The boundary commission
appointed by the President to study the
subject of the Venezuelan boundary has
been In regular session and has completed
it's labors. but has not submitted report
An expert was sent to :, Holland, who ex-
amined the Dutch records and submitted
the result Of his Investigations. The re-
suits of the commissions labors will be
available for the userof'the arbiters when
venezuela has approved the proposed
treaty, so that its labor will not be wasted.
ITALIAN WARsIN ABYssINIA.
The disastrous campaign of the Italians
In their efforts to establish a protectorate
over Abyssinia demonstrated the efficiency
of semi-civilized peoples armed with mod
ern weapons and directed by European
officers. Abyssinia isiake empire in eastern
Africa. The reigning emperor, called the
NeSus Negustf, is ~Menelek II, King of
Shoa, who established> himself on the
throne in 1889, with italian aid, as success
or to Johannes H. BY treaty made by
him May 2 1889, and confirmed in the fol-
lowing October Italy acquired a nominal
protectorate over Abyssinia, and this coun-
try Is recognized as within. the Italian
sphere of influence in conventions made
with Great Britain, and has been acknowl-
edged to be so by Germany, but the negus
since repudiated or denied The agreement
and both Russia and France refused to
recognize the Italian protectorate. Russia
as protector of the Alexandrian church,
claims to have special interest in Abys-
sinia. In March last, in their efforts to
establish their authority in Abyssinia by
force. the Italians suffered defeat which
shook Italy as no event has done since
the unification. Over 1890 Italians were
slain. Gen. Baritieri, the Italian com
mander in Abyssinia, was led into a trap
The Shoans pretended to retreat before the
Italian advance until the troops were wen
within the passes leading TO Adowa, the
capital of Tigre. Then the scene changed
The Shoans, armed with the improved
French military rifles and supported by
modern artillery, directed by French ar
tillerymen, advanced upon the Italians in
overwhelming strength. while the passes
became alive with natives who hurried
rocks down upon the soldiers, while others
kept up terrible fire upon the troops.
L men began the most disastrous defeat in
the history of African warfare. The
shoans pressed on after the soldiery. cut
ting them down in great numbers, in spite
of repeated formations of squares. The
troops in these stands behaved with gal
lantry, but the reserve ammunition was
captured and the Italian provisions and
artillery fell into the hands of the enemy.
Great excitement ensued when the news
reached Italy. Riots and tumuli followed
and the Crispi ministry resigned. Peace
was shortly after concluded, and the Ital-
ians, after concluding a treaty with King
Menelek, sailed for home. The radicals in
the Italian parliament demanded the i'm
peachment of ex-Premier Crispi as charge
able with the disasters to the army, but
the Rudini ministry reje cted the demand
and were sustained. Gen. Baritieri was
tried by court-martial, but was exonerated.
MANITOBA SCHOOL QUESTION.
The Manitoba school question. which has
more than once during the past three years
threatened a disruption of the Canadian
confederation. has been settled Oh terms
which. 1t is hoped, will be sufficiently sat
isfactory to both sides to put an end to con-
troversy.