Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-18
OTHER LANDS THAN ours.

The discussion In the German press over
the proposed creation Of feet to match
the army is Of the livelest description, and
shows great diversity of opinion The sup
porters OF the scheme deny the existence OF
financial difficulties. They argue that the
revenue from customs and excise duties has
during the last four years increased from
$4,000 900 marks to 7s2, 10000 marks-an
increase Of 120O0O,O0O marks; and that II
this rate of increase should continue the
revenue from these sources will in 1902
amount to 925,0OO0OO marks, in 1906 to
1,0s1, 100000 marks, in 1910 to 1921, ,OO0, 900
marks, and in 1914 TO Isis, 600 marks.
What Importance they ask is to be attached
to an increase OF SS.O00.O 900 marks in annual
expenditure on the navy. in view of such
an increase in the imperial revenue? The
number of these enthusiastic journals, how
ever, is not many. Most of the conservative
papers and the organs of the liberals and
moderate radicals receive the project with
marked coolness. The cericals, the ex-
treme radicals, under Herr Eugen Richter,
the social democrats and the extreme agra
rian wing of the conservative party have al
ready declared themselves in opposition.
Some of the radical and socialist papers de-
clare that that Is the object OF the govern
ment, and that DR.. Won Miguel desires "a
conflict in the empire" to distract attention
from "the conduct in Prussia" caused by
the canal policy of the government.
The punitive methods recently adopted by
the Italian government against certain high
prelates have greatly increased the continued
strain existing between the former and the
vatican. At the same time an agitation
has been begun by eminent lay writer's OF
both parties to arrange settlement of the
difficulties which have continued with vary
ing intensity since 1871. The plan which is
receiving the most serious attention was de-
Vised by an anonymous writer in La Tri-
buna di Roma.
1t is suggested that, as a symbol of re-
conciliation between the quirina and the
vatican, the pope should during the i'm
pending holy year crown King Humbert
emperor of Rome in st. Peters and that
pope and king should thenceforth labor for
the spiritual and temporal welfare of Italy.
The vatican press has not yet officially re-
piled to this ingenious PROPOSAL 1t continues
to emphasize the sovereignty of the pope,
however. Quite recently La Civilta Cattol-
lea published two articles in support of this
proposal, maintaining that the sovereignty
of the pope is effective and not merely hon
orary, since the vatican was never occupied
by the Italian troops. A semi official an
swer was at once made to the effect that
no one contested the effective sovereignty
OF his holiness in the vatican, and that the
Italian government was at all times ready
to render him sovereign honors should he
wish to enter Italian territory.
From the evidence given in the recent
gambling trial. at Berlin 1t would appear
be c. nj,
play occurred, was appropriately named. 1t
seems that'a majority of the members were
set of young spendthrifts who actually be-
lieved that they could retrieve their ruined
fortunes by steady gambling, and hoped to
emulate the prosperity Of the bank at Monte
Carlo good many of them apparently |
were the dupes of few shrewd profess
sionals, like the man Wolffe who already
had served a sentence of two years i'm |
and his associate Montalbi |
Both these worthless disappeared, probably |
with material gains, at the first sign of |
trouble, leaving their luckless associates to |
bear the brunt of prosecution. The three |
young men who were tried for professional !!
gambling escaped conviction on legal |
technicality, receiving the benefit of the |
doubt but the judge intimated pretty |
clearly that their moral responsibility was |
beyond question, the implication being that
there was fraudulent intent If SO, the
would-be biters were bitten pretty badly |
Just what the total losses OF all the mem
bers were can only be guessed but 1t is
known that twenty-six of them lost $3.50, 1000,
which lis tolerably large sum for lads ex-
listing upon moderate allowances.
Some weeks ago there appeared in lie
Journal du Peuple of Paris an article which
the following expression: Some
times, amid the stupid resignation in which
the serfs of the barracks stagnate, there
come comforting gusts of revolt, like a
furtive ray Of sunshine in prison." lie
Journal du Peuple is socialist organ, and
The moderate republican press Immediately
quoted the passage and commented on it to
The effect that since the socialists held two
portfolios in the cabinet they had been al
owed to take great liberties, which would
have been instantly suppressed under a true
'epublican administration.
The writer of the article, NJ Degaves, a
ormer professor and a bachelor OF
trts, was finally prosecuted for the {
anguage used and condemned by
lefault to three months imprison-
nent and fine of 500 francs. He
appealed against the sentence, contending I
hat he had no intention to insult the army;
hat to point out and stigmatize abuses to
eprove such acts as those of Voulet and
for instance, was no insult to
he army in its entirety. The jury which had
cquitted Urban Gohier, charged with libel
ng the army in his book "L'Armee Contre
a Nation" had known how to draw the
necessary distinction; the Jury before whom I
he appeal was heard would know how to do {
likewise, argued the defendant. The trial {
IN appeal has just been concluded. The
ury returned verdict OF guilty, with ex-
circumstances and the court has
onfirmed the sentence already passed. The
action of the socialists opposed to the par
iamentary program of NM Milerand, the
minister of commerce, and Jaures are now
attempting to make political capital out of
he affair.
Advices from Sofia by way of Paris are
hat the Vienna bank syndicate has re-
used to make any concessions to the Bull
,arian government In regard to a further
oan. This, it is said, unless the govern
nent decides to break its agreement with
he syndicate, In which event 1t is not
Unlikely that Austria would intervene, prac-
ically leaves Bulgaria bankrupt.
1t will be recalled that last June the bank
indicate contracted an optional loan OF
60 100000 francs. According to this ar
angement the loan was to be undertaken
" the Vienna banks at S9H, producing
32 900 francs effective, the amount of