New-York tribune., 1896-12-31

terminal ports on the Paclnc; ana q tnlru over
Abyssinia, by virtue Of which she gets port
and a considerable stretch Of littoral Mt the
southern end of the Red Sea. Unhappily the
years record has been marred by the hideous
tragedy attending the Cars coronation, ana Dy
increasing severity Of 'repressive measures
against the Jews the Poles and those tniver-
sity students who have aspirations Tor pon'icai
progress and liberal institutions.
Germany has Jared less we'll than most OF her
neighbOrs. Fierce dissensiOns and grievous
scandals have dominated domestic politics.
Prince Bismarck's revelations OF duplex diplo'
macy have impaired the prestige and weakened
the bonds Of the Triple Alliance. Relations Win
France have not improved while there has been
positive estrangement from Russia and Great
Britain so that today Germany is probably
nearer isolation than any other great Power.
Italy has had bad year. She mas been diSaS-
tro,lsly beaten Inundated and almost driVeh
ont of Erythrea by Abyssinia. and crowded OIL
of Tunis by France. Nevertheless. h"f crown
Prince has at last made popular marriage anu
has thus probably assured To the fledinoh,
Dynasty a new lease Of life. The one progress
sive member Of the Triple Alliance Is Austrla-
Hungary, which has been making on her OWN
account Il close alliance with the now powerful
and important Kingdom Of Humana ana init
mate understandings with Serva ana "reece.
Evidently she proposes TO gain some cohsidera-
lie extension of power and territory in the
Balkan Peninsula when the hnai DIVISION
comes. In domestic affairs Hungary has been
notably progressive. while reaction. chickering's
and menaccs of ntte- chaos prevail in the Cis-
Lothian half of the realm.
Turkey is still the dark spot on the European
.ln,. =
A considerable measure Of justice has been
granted 10 Crete. and the evils in Armenia have
been somewhat abatcd. The Ottoman Porte ap-
pears. however. to be tottering TO its fall, ana
at the present momen; plans are being matured
for transferring the practical control OF the En-
pre TO a syndicate of European Powers. with
Russia as the dominant member. Spain mas
been waging desultory hut devastating warfare
all the year against her revolted Cuban subjects
without bringing them into subjcction, and the
closing months of the year have seen an equally
formidable insurrection against her in the Phil
ppne Islands. The Scandinavian Kingdoms
have rcioiced in DR. Nansen's victorious return
from the nearest point TO the North Polc ever
reached by living man. China has sent her
preatest statesman on tour Of observation
around the world, and has probably received
commercial treaty with Japan and her compact
with Russia promise far greater opening or
the Celestial Empire to the rest of the world
than has ever yet been effected Japan has con-
timed her marvellous career of progress In
many directions and has vindicated her title TO
n place among the great Powers Of the world.
throughout the world science, literature anu
art have sustained losses, but have made al
yancement the single discovery Of III" so-called
Y rays emitting the year to more than )rdnary
remembrance Inclcmences Of the elements
have been extraordinary. Australia in January
and the United States and Europe in July anu
August having had some Of the hottest weather
ever known. while hurricanes, earthquakes and
floods have been more than commonly frequent
and destructive Nevertheless. excepting in In
dia. good health and fair harvests have general
" prevailed Wars and pestilences have been
absent from most Of the world. Industries and
commerce have improved, and an increase In
material wealth and in the standard OF living
comfort is almost universally reported. The
year has not been remarkable above all others
Of the century. but it will hold honorable rank
in the record of them, probably as marking the
turning from suspicion, depression and evil
ways to better courses which promise to make
the remaining four years Of the nineteenth cen
tury worthy ending Of a "cycle rich in good
1t has been. on the whole good year. and the
world is better. and better worth living III. he
cause Of the occurrences of 1896