Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-14

While II Is true that RudIni has promised
to supply the italian commander in chief in
Abysslnia with all the relnforcements needed
for a vigorous prosecution OF the war, Cen
era Baldissera is Identified with more
moderate policy OF colonial expansion IN
Africa than was his brave but rather jaunty
predecessor. The withdrawal OF the Italian
garrison from KassaIa and the concentration
OF the army under Baidissera In the COM
parattvely narrow space included In the
strategic triangle Of which Massowah, Keren
and Asmara form the three corners indicate
considerable reduction OF the ambitious
plans Of Italy In that quarter OF the globe.
Any success, however slight, that should be
gained by General Baldissera over the forces
OF Menelek would probably be considered a
sufficient vndication of Italy's soiled military
prestige and might lead to the treaty OF
peace which the Abyssnian monarch seems
quite anxious TO conclude. Notwithstanding
the vaporings OF the megalomaniacs at Rome,
It is fair to presume that the Rudini min
istry will pursue a conservative policy, with
a view TO freeing Italy from her costly for
eign entanglements and Initiating those re-
trenchments In her finances and reforms in
her administration of which she stands in
such dire need.
The prospect of Great Britains evacuation
of Egypt grows wonderfully less after a
perusal Of the army estimates Of Lord Lans-
downe secretary Of state for war, for 1896.
This official states that in view of recent
events 1t will be impossible to reduce the
strength OF the Egyptian garrison during
the year, which means that Great Britain pro-
poses to hold on there tenaciousy, not be-
cause any recent events have rendered it
particularly necessary and advisable that
she should, but because 1t best suits her
purposes. And as 1t always will suit Great
Britain's purposes to hold on to Egypt the
chances of her evacuation become more re-
mote with the rounding out of each addi-
tional year. France, which is the nation
most concerned in the matter outside OF
England herself, is powerless to do anything
in the premises. England is left the sole
Judge as to when her occupation can be
appropriately brought to an end, and she
may be depended upon to defer this to a
time far in the remote future.
When, by bringing the rich province Of
Manchura within the sphere OF her in
nuence Russia under her czar, in
augurated the aggressive foreign policy,
which has eliminated in such a remark
able series of diplomatic triumphs, all Eng
land up in arms; the government was
urged to- take immediate action. securities
fell, and genuine war scare was the re-
suit. Then came the depressing conscious
ness that protests were of little avail The
lion had been caught mapping. Prince Lo-
baroff had the emperor of Germany on his
side. The English saw that a fatal blum
der had been made, and when the next
great move in the diplomatic game was
announced, the revival of the obnoxious
! treaty of Unkiar-Skelessi, the situation was
accepted with gloomy resignation. Russia
| is now apparently free to work out her
manifest destiny on whatever lines she
| may deem best, and Prince Lobanoff is
| evidently bent on making hay while the
sun shines. Corea is fast going the way
of Manchuria, Turkey and Bulgaria. With
| this bone of contention in the bears claw,
the mkado will have good reason to ask
4 self why he ever undertook the recent
war. But it is in her splendid prospects
and magnificent possibilities as a rising
naval power, in the Mediterranean as on
| the Pacific. that Russia has gained her
most signal triumph. When in 1901 Alex
ander III took advantage Of the Franco
Prussian war and the English difficulties
over the Alabama claims to repudiate the
! treaty of Paris and convert the Black sea
into a Russian lake he laid the ground
| work for Russia's present policy. 1t has
taken her twenty-five years to crown the
work. With Turkey in her tolls today she
virtually controls the long-wished-for gate
| way to the Mediterranean as certainly as
| England holds the Suez canal. No Rus
| sian war ship may plough the waters OF
/ the BOSpHUTuS. EEBllSu III tne
Mediterranean is none. the less forlorn
. hope.
The Japanese government, 1t is said, has
resolved to undertake a scheme of naval de.
veopment which will require seven years for
| completion. During that time the sum to
be expended on building and arming mem
of-war is S1,O00,OOO yen in round numbers
and $4,000, 900 will be devoted to the con.
struction of docks and various edifces neces
sary for the needs OF the greatly increased
navy. These figures are independent Of ap-
preparations on account of vessels already
ordered abroad, among which are two line-of-
battle ships Of over 1000 tons each which
| will probably be ready for sea in the course
of year. The reported intention Is to place
| the country in possession of navy which, in
| point Of displacement 100000 tons) shall
| be more than equal to the combined squad
rons of Great Britain, Russia, France, Ger
many, and the United States-aggregatine
| 1873, 900 tons-ncw on the Pacific station, and
which shall include at least sx-line- battle
ships far more powerful than any vessel now
flying a foreign flag in Japanese waters.
1t has been asserted since Italys troubles
reached such an acute stage that she would
now find herself without friend in Europe
And yet her condition is not likely to be
| one OF compete lSoldtiOu. IL WAS Will
the full consent of Great Britain that she
began operations in Africa. in fact, the port
of Massowah was ceded to her by England
1T having been originally an Egyptian pos
session. England was willing that Italy
should do police work for her along the
Red Sea littoral,, and as she (England) had
strangely enough, surrendered any claim II
Abyssinia, she had certainly no objections
to the establishment of an Italian protec
torate over that country, especially as Il
was feared that Russian Vaccinations were
at work in Abyssinian councils Kassala
| which the Italians took from the deryishe'
two years ago, is looked upon by the Arabs
as the gate of the Soudan, and Is the cen
ter of the trade between the Nile ant
Abyssinia. Egypt consented to an occupa
tion OF the town, and that occupation, i
was claimed consolidated the interests o
Great Britain and Italy in Egypt and thu
Scudan. 1t would not be surprising wer'
Great Britain to come to the support o
Italy and augment her possessions in Africa