Omaha daily bee., 1898-03-26
OTHER LANDS THAN OURs.

| The report OF the Swedish and Norwegian
| committees on the union between the two
| countries has been submitted to the Swedish
| Riksdag and the Norwegian Storthing. The
majority report OF the Swedish committee
recommends the appointment OF a common
foreign miGister, who may be either a Swede
or Norwegian, but is 0ot to be member
| either Of the Riks6ag or the Storthing. It
also advocates the constitution of a council
of state for foreign affairs, to consist or al
| least two Swedish and two Norwegian coun-
cilors. With regard to the common foreign
minister's responsibility, the report provides
that he may be impeached befcce a supreme
judicial tribunal OF the united kingdoms. coz
sisting OF the six senior judges OF the SUI
preme courts OF both countries twelve MEM
bere of the Rksdag, and the same number Of
the Storthing. II Is proposed, further. that
diplomatic and consular representation be
common to both countries. The report OF
| the majocity Of the Norwegian committee
recommends that each country contribute to
the expenditure on account OF the foreign
ministry In proportion to It's populaticu. aud
that the consular representation be common
| to both countries for period Of fifteen
| years, after which each shall be entitled to
demand the dissolution Of the consular union.
Thoce Ia also Norwegian minority report,
which recommends separate foreign mlu-
lister and separate diplomatic and consular
representation for each OF the two countries.
Russia has population OF 1870, 900 900. with
an army of about 1000, 900 men on a peace
footing and $500, 900 on a war footing. She
is accordingly reckoned comtnculy the most
formidable power in Europe. But in the Ma
tional Review of March the idea that she
is so very formidable is ridiculed TITO
Russian bogey" according to the Review.
does indeed tcrrify many nations, vito "tum-
BILE over one another for the czar's favors,'
but close examination reveals elements OF
weakness Within the limits of European
Russia and in q defensive war Russia may
be conceded the first Place. Napolecn's ex-
perence and study OF the statistics of her
present resources make her title to that clear
But in war beyond her proper borders Russia
labors under many disadvantages and Is not
a particularly efficient military power The
Grim can war. for example, ended in Russia's
humiliation and the ruiu OF her finances. The
war in Turkey in 1877 was to have been
trirmphant promenade, but 1t lasted whole
year and permanently deprecated the roube
to the extent Of one-thlrd Of its value. War
In the far east would not. therefore. 1t seems.
be at present picnic for Russia, If she had
Japan alone to conteod with and might be
a hopeless struggle If Japan enjoyed the as
Sistance of an ally.
In the light Of the persistent rumors con- |
cerning the strained relations existing be- !
recent speech delivered by Sir Alfred Mil |
ner. governor of the Cape of Good Hope, |
acquires good deal of significance. In ad-
dressing the Afrkander Bond he said that !
he preferred to take their loyalty for
granted. What reason could they have for
dsloyalty when they enjoyed freedom, self
government. Justice and equality. the first
principles of British policy? But he could
not shut his eyes. he went on to say, to un-
pleasant facts. AT any prospect of differ
ence between the imperial government and
the Transvaal a mass of people in the colony,
without even the semblance of impartiality,
espoused the cause of the Transvaal. He be-
leved that their motive was peace. but they
were totally wrong, for their policy rested
on the assumption that Great Britain had
some occult design on the independence OF
the Transvaal, which was opposite to the
truth The earnest desire OF the British was
to avoid quarrel and to insist only on the
minimum of external control necessary for
the future transquillity of South Africa This
was her attitude, and she could not be
frightened out Of 1t. If the Dutch of Cape
Colony wished to help the Transvaal, they
should induce 1t to assimilate its institutions
and-wha. was more important-the spirit
and temper of its administration to those of
the free communities Of South Africa.
In the termination of the uprising among
the hill tribes Of northwestern India a costly
and bOotless struggle has been brought to an
end Great Britain, 1t is true, has reas-
serted her authority among these savage
fanatics. She has given the world fresh H.
Illustrations of English intrepidity and valor,
notably at Dargai Ridge. She has demon
stra:ed anew the firm hold she has on the
mixed population Of India. But this prac-
tically is all she has gained. She has prac-
acquired an ell OF additional territory or ex-
tended the area Of British influence. She
mas simply quelled rebellion Of her own
subjects. On the other hand. great num-
Der OF lives has been lost in the conflict and |
on the British side. a vast amount of treasure |
OF course. Great Britain cannot be held ,
responsible for the war except insofar as 1t
was needlessly prolonged through misman- :.
agement on the part o. the chiefs of the
British forces. The insurrection had its
origin in fanaticism and superstition, some
thing like that which precipitated the Sepoy | 1
outbreak, and stern measures were required
for its suppression.
The persistence and increase Of the plague
In India is exciting grave apprehensions In | ,
Egypt, especially In view OF the impending ,
pilgrimage to Mecca. The Quarantine board
at Cairo has appealed to the Egyptian gov
ernment to prohibit the pilgrimage for thlo
year and the ministers have forbidden pro-
visicnally the Issue of passports to intending
pilgrims. The final decision rests with the |
khedive. who 1t Is thought. will not refuse
his assent to measure necessary for the
protection OF Egypt and Europe, as, II the
plague Is once introduced on the Nile there
is strong probability Of its remaining
there for years. Religion enjoins but one
pilgrimage. and only upon those able to
afford it. aud 1t Is believed that large pro-
portion OF the population would approve OF
Its suppression during the present danger
The suppression OF the pilgrimage need not
interfere with the festival of the Holy Car
pet or the annual subsidy OF wheat to the
holy cities. which could be dispatched as
usual.
According to the recent statement OF
a correspondent OF the London Times at
Kirin. the second largest city in Man.
chooria. that place with its 200 900 inhab-
itants. is being Russifed with great rapidity.
SamOvars may be seen at every ina, and
tarantasses carrying Russian officials. es-