Omaha daily bee., 1896-09-05
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

The warlikc preparations in Japan--it 10
impossible 20 look upon them in any other
liEht--are causing uneaslness ana apprehen-
sion in moro than one European country.
Despite the uufavorable financial condition
OF the empire. the government has decided
to spend many millions Of dollars in addi-
tions to the army and navy within the next
decade. Tho "Nowojc Vrenja" of St Peters,
burg. which is always well informed on
Japanese matters, expresses alarm at the inn
mCnse outlay proposed. The army Is 10 bt
raised from six to thirteen fun divisions,
moro than doubling its strength and possl-
bilitics. But the additions TO the navy are
even more significant Contracts have been
made for the completion by 1902 OF fifty
four men-Of-war of various classes, with a
combined tonnage Of 1880 and by 1905 OF
sixty three additional vessels whose total
tonnage will be 69 S95 In other words. by
the beginning OF 1906. in addition TO the
present navy, the miiado Will have III new
warshps at his disposal, making naval
force that will compare favorably with the
great ones of Europe. 1t is little wonder
that the Russians are specializing as to the
objects and plans of the Island empire. Rus-l
sia naturally wishes to have control III thel
Pacific ocean, and the St Petersburg Ca
zette already recommends additions to tho
Russian navy, with that end in view, bcliev-
ing the empires supremacy to be threat
encd. An open offensive and defensive al
lance with Japan is also proposed Eng
land of course, will do everything In her
power to prevent such union. which would
add to her difficulties in the east. Whatever
be the outcome. the course Of the mikado
will be watched with jealous Interest during
the next decade,
When the day comes for the enfranchise-
ment of a subjected race, the sultan bows
to the inevitable as nonchalantly as he
I, nf a vbOSa
revolt may have been premature, and, there
fore, abortive. The logic OF his action in
tho case of Crete, FOR instance. is very sim
pie. Doubtless the curtailment OF the do +
minons under his direct rule is as distaste-
full TO him as it would be to any other SOW
ereign, but what is he to do? To carry on
war troops are required, and to MAINTAIN
armies in the field costs money. Where is
tho money to come from? While war lasts
no taxes can be collected, and war IN
Crete might last long time. non-con-
tributng province is useless to the sultan,
since. without revenue, and in the depleted
condition OF his treasury, he cannot hold his
own even in those parts of his empire which,
still remain nominally faithful From aL&
dependency, however, some trln'V
ute can be secured. Accordingly he accepts
kismct and takes the tribute. 1t might be-
supposed that with the pacihcaton OF the
Cretans the crisis in the eastern question:
has again been postponed for an indehnitei
number of years, and such was probably
the expectation of the intervening powers
But the Turkish empire is going to its de-
cline and fall at an ever accelerating pace,
and who knows how soon the ambassadors
at Constantinuple may be compelled to place
another patch upon the rotten fabric!
King Humbert's decree ordering the
formation of a squadron of the Italian navJ, \
for service in the South Atlantic Is con-
seuuent upon the recent sanguinary anti
Italian riots in Brazil. The great influx oF
Italian immigrants into South America, and
particularly Argentina and Brazil. has ap-
produced situation in those parts
of the world similar to that in Southern
France. where hostile demonstrations against
the unwelCOme newcomers have not been 4
of inrreuuent occurrence The well-remem- q
bered outbreak at Aignes-Mortes. France.