Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-16
GAINS A POINT ON ENGLAND
Russia's Hand Seen in the Baptism Of
Young Prince Boris.
RECOGNITION OF FERDINAND TO FOLLOW
Blue Book Just Issued Discioses that
Russia Has PcrsistcntIy Opposed
Coercion In Treating
with Turkey.

that the past week has been busy one in
politics. both. at heme and abroad, for tho
manipulators Of British diplomacy. The
Transvaal question took the first place In the
parliamentary debates, although the chief
ovent in foreign politics was the baptism of
Prince Boris, eldest son Of Prince Ferdinand
Of Bulgaria, into the orthodox Greek church.
the significance CT which is that 1t is gen.
orally admitted to be a prelude to Russia's
recognition OF Prince Ferdinand 1t also
shows that Russia and Turkey are now hand
In hand, and this Is proved by the fact that
the latter country has already asked the
powers to recognize Prince Ferdinand. The
powers will not oppose this request, as it
settles a delicate question, and 1t is doubted
abroad whether Russia will obtain the in
fuence In the long run that she hopes to OBJ
tain throught her influence over Bulgaria
The pope, 1t Is known. has been greatly an
noyed by Prince Ferdinand's action, and has
/. declared that 1t excommunicates him.
Considerable comment has been caused by
the appointment CT Ii Hung Chang to repre-
sent China at the czar's coronation, espe-
cially as 1t Is connected, by rumor at least
with the reported Russo-Chna alliance.
There Is strong belief in diplomatic circles
that Russia will try to use Ii Hung Chang
to the full extent of the latter's capability of
being adapted to pushing the czar's policy
But on the other hand there are people who
think 1t probable that Ii Hung Chang's
rival, Wung Tung Ho, the emperor's tutor.
wants to get him out of the way and has
caused the Chinese diplomat to be sent to
Russia for the coronation in the hope that
LII Hung Chang Will so seriously damage his
reputation that he may pass at least an un-
pleasant hour when he returns to Peking.
Though the Transvaal question led in the
parliamentary debates the Venezuelan dis
pute came in good second, and some inter-
esting remarks were heard for and against
the Beers and boundary arbitration. Then
again, the speech which Mr.. T. Nj. Healy de-
livered on home rule, which question bobbed
up as serenely as ever, is generally conceded
to have been the ceverest heard this ses-
sion. 1t was in marked contrast to the fee
Bile, watery character of Mr.. John Dllcns
remarks. Mr.. Healy's speech was fine
fighting effort, and he repeatedly scored the
conservative leader Mr.. A. J. Balfour. to
the huge delight of the occupants of the
Irish benches.
HARCCURT GENERALLY COMMENDED.
The remarks Of Sir William Vernon Har-
court, the liberal leader proved very sat
isfactory to the members Of his party and
his attitude toward the VenezIelan dispute
has been strongly commended BY conserva-
tive as well as liberal organs. In fact his
urging arbitration reflects the general fea!-
ing of the House of Commons, and for that
matter, of all the thinking portion of the
population.
M. Chamberlan's speech on the Trars-
vaal question produced cxcal,elt effect,
but tht credit he has gained by his mas
terly handling OF the subject from. first to
last las been marred by VIVA. appears to
be an error of Judgment in publishing his
message to President Kruger before It vas
delivered to the chief executive Of the
South African republic, who only got short
Cable summary from the secretary Of state
for the colonies, briefer IN fact than the one
sent to the. Cape by the news agencies
President Kruger was greatly offended at
this slight and replied curtly, resentng in
terfereDce in the internal affairs of the
Transvaal.
Under these circumstances there is ren-
-eral feeling that the imbroglio is in no way
settled and that the international side of
trouble The publication Of the blue book
here and the white book in Berlin show
that there has been friction betwosn Ger
many and Great Britain over the Transvaal
for the past eleven months. ana The shrewd
attitude of Portugal in delaying making a
reply to the request to allow German ma
rines to land at Delagoa bay Until the crisis
was over has given great deal of salts
faction here.
The English newspapers interpret the cor
respondence as disclosing that Germany is
aiming to establish a veto, not merely over
the political, but over the commercial union
of South Africa, and there Is general feel
ing here that Great Britain must resist this
pretension to the utmost. The speech of
the German minister of foreign affairs
Baron Marschal Won Beberstein, has some
what smoothed the bitterness, and 1t is
thought to have been intended as an advance
toward Great Britain. especially in the case
OF his denial of any knowledge of refugees
having appealed for German intervention
But this denial is puzzling. in view of the
British official advices to the contrary.
RUSSIA OPPOSES COERCION.
The blue book just issued on the Arme-
MAJ iatip ic andt i,,ta
1t shows that Russia, throughout, has been
steadily opposed to coercive measures and
intimated that any such steps upon the
part of Great Britain would be positively
distasteful to her. She objected to the
scheme Of reforms being regarded as an
uitimatum, and did not want to see another
Bulgaria established in Armenia. The dis
patches Of Prince Lobanof- -Rostovoski, the
Russian minister for foreign affairs indi-
cate that Russia was convinced that the
feeling In England against the so-called mis-
rule OF the sultan was really due to the work
OF the Armenian agitators
striking feature brought out by the blue
book is the fact that In spite of Russia's
attitude, Great Britain persisted In a pre-
tense OF coercion. The newspapers are in
clinei to throw the blame on Sir Philip
Curric ambassador at Constantinople, and 1t |
Is already announced that the latter 10 to 1
take leave Of absence that may prove
perpetual and II is reported that
Baron Cromer. the British consul general in
Egypt, will replace him. Baron Cromer has
been very successful in his treatment OF
Egyptian affairs. Another rumor is that Sir
Philip Currie will succeed the marquis of
Dufferin the British ambassador at Paris |
who will shortly resign.
1t s stated that the blue book on Vene- |
zuea, shortly to be issued. Is arranged in |
two divisions. The first is reported to be |
a narrative and summary of the British case |
and the second is described as being the full |
evidence upon which the British claims |
rest. |
There has been considerable comment in |
scientific circles over the announcement pub |
lished In various Canadian papers that the |
prince of Wales would visit Canada in 1897 |
In order to preside at the meeting of the |
British association. which is to be held In |
Toronto at that time. A reporter for the |
Associated preso has seen one OF the leading |
officers of the association, who made the fol- |
lowing statement In regard to the matter: |
at is yet too early to determine just |
what arrangements will be made fer the |
Toronto meeting. The association Is exert |
ing taelf to make the occasion a success |
II Is probable that IL the prince OF Wales is |
unable to accept the presidency of this meet |
Ing 1t will be offered to the duke of York. |