Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-28
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

wealth and easy habits. While not an idler
| in the market place he has never been
an active. aggressive fighter or an inde-
fatigable worker like Gladstone. Harcourt
| or Rosebery. 1t was disinclination to give
| up his private habits of ease and comfort
able living that caused him to hesitate
| long before announcing his willingness to
accept the post OF leader OF the liberals IN
the House of Commons. His announcement
| practically means his selection, for there
is no other candidate who is SO we'll fitted
to hold the office at this juncture. Under
his lead the party cannot expect to do great
things nationally for they are on the wrong
| side OF too many burning questions. But
II will have q chance to reform itself, edu-
cate the little Highlander UP to higher
level get rid of the Irish question per Sc
and develop policy strong enough to take
to the country when Parliament dissolves.
II it does this the Bannerman leadership
will have done great service to a noble
and great party.
The publication Of the convention between
Great Britain and Egypt relating to the flu
ture government OF the Soudan proves that
Lord Cromers recent speech to the Soudan-
| ese sheiks at Omdurman was correctly in
terpreted as a declaration of a British pro-
tectorate over the late realm of the kha-
lfa. The convention completely ignores
the sutan's shadowy suzerainty and places
the whole of the Soudan dncluding the
| territories of Suakin and Wady Halfa) under
the autocratic rule Of a governor to be ap-
pointed by the khediye. with the consent
Of Great Britain. This Is as much as to
say that the future governors will to all
intents and purposes be nominees Of the
ch enh IL, mi IN
the khedive after the latter shall have ex
ecuted the formal act Of appointment at a
command from London. The khediviate Is
recognized as joint sovereign with Great
Britain in the Soudan; but this recognition
is nominal only. and accorded for the pur-
pose Of warding off protests against the ar
rangement which may be expected to be
made by the sultan at the instigatlon OF
France. The British conquest of the Sou
dan has beep thinly yelled by feigned
restoration Of the conquered territory to
It's former ruler. the khedive. who is de-
barred. however. from exercising any con-
troll over the same.
The abandonment Of the cares OF state by
King Oscar Of Sweden and Norway, under
orders from the court physicians. will create
In Europe a regret which will be divided
with interest In the course of the Crown
Prince Gustave. to whom the government
OF the dual kingdom is Professionally in
trusted. The position of King Oscar. while
troublous enough at home ever since his
coronation In 1873, because of the ancient
political conflict between Norway and
Sweden, has been peculiarly enviable abroad.
A man ripe in years and scholarship. Of wide
experience in travel. liberal in governmental
policy and In patronage OF learning, loving
the arts Of peace and leading to their ad-
vancement, his earnest personal labor and
influence, and enjoying high reputation as
q diplomatist and pacficator in international
disputes, his retirement Is a matter OF no
little Importance to Europe as a whole de-
spite the modesty Of his rating in the royal
circle. 1t will be remembered. too. that the
United States attested its absolute conf
dence In his ability and integrity when 1t
consented to his selection as Judge or UNI
pire in the Venezuela boundary case. This
good king retires burdened with years and
broken in health. The son who takes his
place is. 1t is reported, quite different sort
of man-imperious OF will, dependent upon
the exercise OF force rather than of con-
cillation. and prepared to bend or break the
troublesome malcontents of Norway with an
iron hand. Whether he will be carried fur
ther by self-reliance allied with ambition
and the ardor Of youth remains to be seen.
But should the amicable relations OF
Sweden abroad be threatened. 1t is not un-
likely that the provisional government would
end and the aged Oscar re-enter the field.
even at the risk Of Fastening his own death.
AS a race. the Samoans are tall and hand
some. and Of a light brown color. They are
quiet and kind In disposition. truthful. re-
spectful to women and affectionate to chill
dren. Mormon missionaries who had lived
in the interior Of the island for three years
say that the Samoans are exceedingly
hospitable. Every village has a guest house
for reception. lodgings and entertainments
of visitors. Food is provided by the village.
The earth yields them plenty OF food without
toll, and the climate Is SO mild and warm
that they need not wear any clothes. They
are religious. They attend church regularly
on Sunday, read the bible and sing in con-
cert in church. They have great regard for
the Lords day. No work is done and no
fruit is sold to any vessel in the harbor.
There is beautiful coral reef projecting
a long way out into the harbor. with surf
dashing on 1t, which gives It magnificent
sight The bay. on the arrival of steamers,
is alive with canoes Of various sizes. In
short. the Samoans are fine. law-abiding
race.
There were some interesting points in the
speech which the Prusslan minister of war,
General Won Gossler, delivered in the Reich
stag in the debate on the first reading OF
the army bill. He began by declaring that
the eirenicon Of the czar made it certain that
Germany would not within measurable dis
tance OF time be attacked from that quarter.
This consideration had materially altered
the military and political situation More
over, the armed strength of Germany had
now been developed to such an extent and
1t :eposed on SO secure a basis that they
2ould, perhaps, shake off nervous apprehen-
sion, and face the future with equanimity.
Yet history taught them that the will of the
nghtiest monarchs was not able to alter the
interests OF great nation or the conditions
Of its existence. If nation meant to main
tain its independence, 1t must possess the
strength requisite for protecting its interests
at any moment. IL he looked around him
In the world, he found that nowhere had
there been q cessation OF preparations for
war. On the contrary, in view Of the addi-
tions 70 the armies and naves of other
nations, the present measure might appear
TO be inadequate. Trusting, however, to the