Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-08-07
i'GE NEWS OF EUROPE
Propagation of Parliament May Be-
Followed by an Election.
CHANCES OF LIBERAL PARTY
A Progressive and Aggressive Lead.
er Needed-The Naval Maneuvers.
SantO Domingo 1Iatters-The
Hot Weather In Europe.

London, Aug. 1.-THE session OF parlla
ment practically ended Friday evening
and the Propagation will take place
Wednesday. There seems to be very
general belief that it will be the last full
session Of the present parliament, shrewt
political prophets predicting that gen
eral election will be held next July at the
latest.
With the kaleidoscope transformations
occurring necessarily In foreign politics II
Is difficult to forecast the result of an ap
peal to the country, but unless some coup
rehabilitates the prestige Of the present
cabinet it is not difficult to foretell q
moral disaster in the shape of an enor
mously decreased Conservative majority
although it is hard to indorse the optimis
tic views Of the Liberals, who apparently
are satisfied that general election vii
return them to power. Candid criticism
however, compels the statement that
there are too many cross currents IN the
Liberal party to admit Of success unit
Lord Rosebery or another such LIBERIA
imperialst arises to weld the various sec
lions now following Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman. Sir William Nernon-Har
court and Mr.. John Morley respectively
and to proclaim an aggressive, active
programme instead of a narrow, negative
policy which is confined to the purely OBJ
structive tactics so characteristic Of the
present divergent leadership.
So far as popular interest is concerned
the great naval maneuvers have ended II
disappointment, as there was no fighting
the rival fleets failing even to sight each
other. The naval authorities, however
are delighted at the success with which
b,.N 3d. .,,,I nf
safely to Milford Haven the Hotilla OF
food supply ships from Halifax. The
mancuvers were carried out under condi
tions which might be expected to prevail
in the event of war with France. The
latter pinned her faith to torpedo boats
while Great Britain steadily increased
the number OF her torpedo boat destroy
PRS. and although dark and misty nights
were favorable to the torpedo boats they
seem to have completely failed, while the
destroyers fully sustained the hopes OF
their advocates on the few occasions
when they came in contact with the tor
pedo boats.
Wireless TeIegraDhy Successful.
The maneuvers seem to have placed be-
yond question the value of the Marcon
telegraphy. Admiral Domville relied up
on it for much useful information which
could not be otherwise obtained and sue
cessfully transmitted information over
distances from 20 to 80 miles, neither fog
nor darkness apparently interfering with
the transmission of messages. The ex.
perts are satisfied that wireless telegra.
ply adds infinitely to the value of scout
ing.
The occurrences in Santo Domingo
have naturally led to comment upon
the probable action of the United States
1t is generally recognized that something
must be done to prevent the island slip
ping back to African civilization, and the
trend Of comment points to the United
States as the natural pacifer Of the
country and indicates that absorption
will follow as a consequence. Rumors
come from France of objections from
that quarter. But. while the French
have considerable financial and CONNER
cial interests in their former dependency
they will hardly go to the length Of ac-
lively opposing any action America may
see fit to take toward establishing pro-
tectornte over both Snnto Domingo and
Haiti.
The fifty-third report Of the commits
sioners in lunacy is unpleasant reading.
1t shows an appalling increase of mad
ness. In England and Wales the luna
tics, Jan. / Of the present year, totaled
los, OS6, an increase of 3.114 over 1898,
the largest increase yet recorded. An
analysis shows this spread of lunacy is
not confined to any one class, although
naturally, the largest increase is among
paupers. The situation is regarded as 50
alarming that an early official inquiry is
demanded into the causes and the best
means of combating them.
The abnormal weather is seriously af
fecting the health of Europe, and the
prolonged heat and drought threaten wa
ter famines at various points. The fac
tories requiring large supplies are already
discussing closing. Some idea of the
weather is gatherable from the fact that
Thursday absolutely no rain was record
ed in any part of western Europe, except
at Bodo, within the arctic circle.