New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-14
ROUND ABOUT EUROPE.

LIBRARY OF CONDEMNED BOOKs.-The Ital-
Ian Government has resolved to found at Florence
at public expense library OF all the books which
have incurred the censure OF the Sacred Congrega-
ton Of the Index The Vatican has protested !
against the measure on the ground that the ma
jory OF the books in question are improper to the
last degree. and that the establishment OF a col
lection Of such a Is an afrront rather against
public morality than against the discipline OF the
Church
ANOTHER SALON SCHISM.-Another schism
has taken place in the ranks OF the Societe des
Beaux Arts at Paris, known as the Salon OF the
Champs de Mars This time It is the architects
who have put their foot down. They have resigned
in a body because one OF their number has not
been selected for the task OF altering and deco
rating the new home OF the two Salons. Having
already. seeded from the other Salon. the ques
ton arises as TO what vii. become OF them. all
the more as II is unlikely that people will take the
trouble TO 20 to see any annual exhibition where
signs.
HOW RUSSIAN NEWSPAPERS ARE PUN
lSHED.-The Russian Minister Of the Interior has
issued order prohibiting four newspapers-the
People" the Echoes Of the World" the son OF
the Fatherand" and the German st. Petersburg
News''-from publishing advertisements. This is a
reprdduHed from S 2sso upon eo fyn eGt ravng
ten by some students OF the Warsaw University.
A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT-A report is current
in official circles in Berlin the effect that the
German military authorities intend to rearm all
the forts along the Russian frontier nearly all the
ordnance, which is Of date prior to 1885, being
= superseded by weapons OF modern design and re-
cent manufacture.
RUSSIAN OFFICERS LEARNING HINDUs-
TANT.-The Russian War Minister has decided to
found a chair at the various universities for the
o. ha,, tha IIrA
officers. The necessary orders have not only been
given by the Ministry. but they already being
carried out The pupils encouraged by the
prospect OF being sent India TO complete their
studies II the examinations which will take
certain standard Of proficiency II hardly neces-
sary to draw. attention to the significance of this
step, especially when the designs Of Russia upon
India are taken into consideration.
RUSSIAS GOLD STANDARD-Russ.a. through
ukasc Just issued. has formally completed the in
PRODUCTION Of a gold standard by ordering that the
new ruble notes shall have printed on them words
binding the Imperial Bank OF Russia 10 cash them
any time In gold at the rate Of fifteen rubes per
Imperial Russia will In future issue gold coins
worth Ave. seven and half and fifteen ruoles;
the store OF gold amounts 70 S.co1"l5s rubles
DRAFTS FOR DESTITUTE DIPLOMATS-Re-
monstrances addressed by the foreign Powers to
the Imperial Ottoman Bank a temporary loan Of
10000 for the specific payment OF the arrears Of
the salaries Of the destitute Turkish Ambas-
sailors abroad Drafts are now being forwarded
ants OF the Sultan But in no case will the remit
tances thus made pay the salaries 70 later date
than last June.
GERMANY PREPARING FOR BLOCKADES.-
It is reported at Berlin that the Government. in
view Of the probable complications with Russia and
France in connection with the Kiao-Chau Bay con-
troversy has sent to all German seaports docu-
nent asking FOR detailed information concerning the
dangers TO which each town would De exposed IN
the event OF a blockade.
CHINA'S EMPEROR BADLY SCARED.-There
,s one country at least where the forthcoming
eclipse OF the is already causing lively fear.
namely in tho Empire OF China The eclipse Will
occur on January %. and the Emperor has ordered
that the ceremonies OF congra ua tons habitually
paid 70 him on that day. the Chinese New Years
Day snail he held in a penitenria hall instead OF
the throne room. while the annual banquet given
at night 10 the members OF the imperial house
Is 10 be omitted. lest. haPly there should be no
day Furthermore according 10 an imperial de-
cree. the eclipse is regarded az a warning from
ing in wisdom and morality" It Is added that the
Emperor is "hlled with a great fear: and that be
mas tried during his moments OF leisure, lnwardy
to question his conscience as to whether he has
| not committed some fault calling for Divine retri-
button"
NEW PARTY IN BELGIUM formal ton
| IN Belgium OF the political league. "DAlli-
! arc~" marks the fusion Of me old Moderate LIB
erallsm. which had for It's exponents such men as
| NM Frere Orban and Emile de Laveleye and the
| more advanced Radicals. The explanation of the
fusion Is simpla Under the revision OF the Con-
| stituton the new law granting universal Suffrage
| came into operation In 1894. and had the unex-
| pected effect OF strengthening the Clerical party
which had already been IN power since 1884. From
n even earlier period dates gradual secession OF
| Liberals many Of whom alarmed at the continued
ascendency OF Clercsllsm. threw In their lot with
| tho Radicals and have been constantly agitating
| for the reforms in question The new alliance Is a
| good omen FOR the future. for united Liberal
harry NAV NOT only overthrow the reactionary party
| AZ the next election. but It will go far toward