Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-01-07
THE OLD YEAR ABROAD.
Leading Events of 1896 in the Countries
of the Old World.

The old year abroad has been marked by
many political and military events of i'm
portance. English politics has not re-
vealed any special features. except the
election of John Dillon as the leader of the
Irish parliamentary party, the resignation
of Lord RoSebery as liberal leader. and
the passage of an amended Irish land bin
In March the government decided upon a
campaign against Dongoia. to which
France made serious objection. The trinla
alliance. however, gave its sanction and
the campaign ended in complete success
and with comparatively little loss, thus
giving Great Britain its first foothold in
the permanan occupation of the Soudan
The record of France. as usual, is largely
confined to cabinet changes. In February
a stubborn contest occurred between the
senate and chamber as to confidence in the
government on the question OF certain rail-
road scandals. The chamber voted con-
fidence and the senate voted cenSure the
cabinet ignoring the latter. Upon fur
Their question of the foreign policy in Mad
agascar the contest ragged with such bitter
ness that the cabinet at last resigned and
a new compromise ministry was formed by
NJ. Meline. The military record of France
is confined to the complete subjugation of
Madagascar, as one of the first and best
fruits of which slavery has been abolished
ir that island.
In Germany the absolute power of the
emperor has been asserted on more than
one occasion with offensive emphasis, and
year by year he becomes more unpopular
both in parliament and among the people
Meanwhile the operation of the dreibund
has been extended to 1902
Spain is still enga ged in the fruitless eff
fort to put down the Cuban Instruction
and is fighting against hope so far as army
and navy are concerned, as well as against
bankruptcy. Her military power is un-
equal to the task and her finances have coll
lapsed. Added to the Cuban revolution she
has formidable insurrection in the Phil
ippine islands with which to contend.
Meanwhile Turkey has been harassed
with revolutions in Macedonia and Crete
ing out of Mohammedan outrages and mas
sacres. The sultan is still promising to
grant reforms, but the horrible work of
massacre continues, and the powers stand
by idly looking on.
In the Netherlands. Switzerland, Scan
dinavia and Portugal little of an important
nature has occerred.
Asia has been frequently disturbed by up
risings. The Formosans have revolted
against Japan, the Coreans against their
king, the Thibetans against China, and
the Mohammedans in China against the
government. The shah of Persia was as
sassinated in May by a fanatic. The Siam
csc boundary dispute has been settled he
tween England and France, and China md
Japan have negotiated a commercial
treaty.
In Africa the principal events of interest
have been the defeat of the English in the
Transvaal by the Beers: the conquest of
Ashautee by the English; the defeat of
Italy in Abyssinia: the annexation of
Bechuanaland to Cape Colony: the sub
1ugation of Madagascar by France; the
british campaign in Upper Egypt. and the
British protectorate established over Fan
Zibar