Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-09

he worsted In any negotiations with the re-
public concerning the North African coun-
try. Subsequent events, however, nave
shown that Crispl was not altogether wrong
France has begun a gigantic scheme for emil.
grafton 10 Tunis. which, II carried out, viii
soon place more Frenchmen than Italians In
the country, thus seriously changing the
spirit OF the treaty as understood by the
former foreign rulers.
II II Is true. as reported, that every day
thousands OF persona are dying from starya-
ton in the central provinces Of india" the
situation in that country must be similar
TO those described in hstory's pages from
which we turn away In horror. 1t has been
known for Some months that famine was
impending in India because the crops failed
for want OF rain but this Is the first nfor-
nation we have had that the distress has
reached a stage OF wholesale fatality. IL
may be noted as a sign OF the times that
the news appears to have created no sensa-
ton In England That wealthy and osten-
tatiously philanthrOpic country is the guar
dian Of India and morally responsible for
i.s condition. II there Is starvation In that
country IL Is Engand's business 10 relieve
II, but there are no reports OF any move
ment to that end in either government or
private circles. 1t would be vast under
taking to feed the starving millions Of In
dia and private philanthropy may well de-
spair Of it, but this is the day OF great en-
terprises, and surely no worthler one could
be found.
While 1t would be dinicnlt to justify the
conquest OF Madagascar by France any more
than the seizure of territories in Africa by
Great Britain and Germany it must be con-
fessed that the conquerors of the island are
seeking to improve the condition of the peo-
nil A hov IA In
slavery, and the French commander has set
himself to the task of suppressing brigand-
age. opening the chief trade routes, intro
ducng a system of local government in
rural communities, and seeking to promote
education, especially instruction in the
French language. Schoolmasters have been
ordered to bring to the notice of the gov
ernor general the pupils who make the most
rapid progress In French, so that they may
be appointed to Office, and 1t is said that this
action has had the effect of largely increas-
ing the number of pupils of French school
masters, and of drawing away large num-
Der of students from the English schools.
Thus France has succeeded in doing two
things. She has stimulated the desire for
ohiceholding, which seems to be as natural
to the Hovas as 1t Is to more civilized
peoples. and she is succeeding in lessening
the influence which England has so long
enjoyed on the island. When the character
OF the resources of Madagascar is consi1-
cred this. Of itself, Is a considerable gain.
s&a
Emperor Williams dueling decree Is y
step backward. Heretofore, dueling in the
German army has been technically an Of
fense although the emperor's approval of 1t
has prevented any punishment to the duel
lists. Now, however, 1t is to be recognized
and a court, in the guise of council OF
honor is to give 1t official sanction. pro-
iu cd tnHn Il, In
tions, which, of course, will give 1t legal
sanction. Under this decree, duelinE can
no longer have the excuse of a hasty encoun-
ter in hot blood, because that is expressly
prohibited. II must be deliberately arranged
for, and be conducted on what may be called
business principles This is the way civli-
cation retrogrades under the rule of a sov-
oreign too fond of miitarism.