Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-12
KING OSCAR OF SWEDEN.

tion between itself and the United
States. Venezuela, although most
vitality interested in the question, has
no direct representation in the arbitra-
ton board, which will consist of two
British and two American commits
-sioners, with King Oscar of Sweden and
Norway as referee. Venezuela will be
represented by an attorney who. how
ever, will have no vote or voice in the
proceedings or decision of the COM
mission. 1t will occupy the place of a
little boy whose quarrels are adjusted
by its father and mother. Right or
wrong, it must submit to their judg-
ment. And so must the South Ameri-
can republic abide by the findings OF
the tribunal for whose creation it is
wholly responsible.
Lord Salisbury is clever diplomat.
He knew as well as anyone that Great
Britain's boundary claims in the Guiana
territory were altogether fictitious;
and when, after his first bluff, congress
authorized the appointment of an
American commission to investigate
the boundary dispute, he decided to
meet the United States more than half
way. Having positively refused to ar
bitrate with Venezuela direct, he could
not make any overtures to that repub-
He. Its very existence had to be ig-
-norcd; and President Cleveland,
by assuming to speak for the rights of
America in the name of the Monroe
doctrine, gave him an opportunity to
back down gracefully.
The selection of King Oscar as final
arbitrator of the pending dispute is a
happy one. He has always been friend
1y to our government, and will decide
the points at issue in accordance with
he fad 70 oor-
or favor. He will, of course. not attend
the sessions of the court of arbitration,
but will appoint personal representa-
tive who will submit reports from time
to time. King Oscar is immensely pop
ular in Sweden. but in Norway he has
Thousands of opponents. His reign has
been n beneficent one. Trade. art, and
industry have fiourished and the po-
ditical Importance of the dual kingdom
has been augmented in every direction.
Although now almost 65 years of age,
he devotes much of his time to routine
affairs of state, but his leisure moments
Iuen, artists and authors. Physically.
a1e is almost perfection, being six feet
three inches in height and of very at
Hractive and pleasing appearance.
Our own great diplomatic victory
is scarcely more far reaching than that
scored by Menelik L., negus of Abyssinia.
In 1889 this monarch, who was then
engaged IN a war with the mahdi and
his dervish hordes and in a conflict
with rebellious subjects, was compelled
by Italy to place himself and his coun-
try under its protectorate- Italian
troops occupied Massowah. and large
part of the adjacent coast district.
Italian traders and burcaucrats formed
a combination To control the business
of Abyssinia. and Italian diplomats at
tempted to dictate the internal and for
eign policy of the kingdom. Great
Britain. Russia and France resented
the aggressive policy of Italy, and last
year encouraged Meneiik to throw of
the yoke of foreign domination. The
plucky Abyssinian monarch defeated
the Italians in scores of skirmishes,
and ended the wnr of liberation by de-
ssroying a huge Italian army ut Adowa,
An the beginning of the present year.
This disaster caused the downfall of
Sig. Crispi. the famous Italian prime
minister and author of the Abyssinian
policy, and "a to the appointment of
Marquis de Rudini, who has always been
a strenuous opponent of colonial ag-
grandizement- The people of Italy had
never favored the governments African