Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-07
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.
The British Indian press is giving much
attention TO the concentration OF Russian
troops in Central Asia According to the
most authentic reports there are now in
Turkestan about $4,000 men, numbering in
infantry alone $1,000 efficient soldiers ready
to take the field There is much specula-
tion as to the purpose OF the large increase
OF the Russian army In that part of Asia
during the last summer. The general opin-
ion seems to be that 1t Is intended to sup
port demands about to be made on the Per-
sian government At the same time the
garrisons on the Afghan and Indian from
tiers have been strengthened clue to the
object OF this Russian move may be found
in the discussion that has been carried on
actively Of late in the st. Petersburg ana
Moscow papers. These journals unani-
mously agree that the time has come for
Russia to have direct railway communica-
tion across Persia to the gulf. and that Per-
sia must be called upon to make the con-
cession without further delay. One step
has already been taken in obtaining the
renewal OF the concession for a Russian line
from Resht on the Persian coast OF the Cas-
plan to Teheran, but the Russian press in
sists that this line Is OF itself of little value
Tor strategic purposes, aud urges the prose-
cution of the greater enterprise, including
strongly fortified harbor at its maritime
extremity.
During his recent stay in Vienna NJ Pobie-
donostzef, procurator general of the Holy
Synod in Russia, submitted himself to
newspaper interview, in the course of which
he touched upon several matters Of current
interest. He denied that either Roman
Catholics Nc
in Russia. He declared, however, that every
Catholic priest is Polish agent, and pro-
claimed himself strongly opposed to the ap-
pointment of a papal nuncio in st. Peters,
burg. England, he said, had sent agents to
flnland to agitate against Russia and cir
culate false rumors abroad. The Finnish
question, he declared, was simply one of the
unity OF the army. What would be said in
Austria, he asked If one province or one
section of the community demanded special
privileges In the army? Was Russia not at
liberty by the abrogation OF the Finnish
privileges to unity and strengthen her mill
tary forces? Referring to the Jewish ques-
ton, NJ. Pobiedonostzeff said that for all i'm
partial Observers the proceedings at Rennes
proved the innocence of Captain Dreyfus
lie strongly criticised the condition of af-
fairs in France, and ascrbed the root or
the mischief to the false education of the
young. In conclusion he remarked that
Russia present relations with Germany are
OF tho most correct description"
A new regulation in the British army pro-
Vides for the issue of a good conduct medal
An English paper says that hitherto many
man who has served in an exemplary man
ner for fourteen or sixteen years, or even
longer, has found himself debarred from
being awarded the medal, with it's accom-
pany1ng gratuity, owing to some crime of an
lnsubordfnate nature, committed in his re-
cruit days Even where the soldier had
served with clean sheet in all parts of the
world for years, he was ineligible for the
medal If his records were stained by the
black mark of insubordinate conduct, even
in the first few weeks of his career. Under
the new regulations no offense, not of dis
graceful nature. will debar soldier from
his right to the medal, provided that no Sc
rlous ohense has been committed by him
atter his frst two years of service. If it can
De SHOWN from his defaulter sheet that he
mas served in an exemplary manner for
eighteen years, he will get the medal. even
though in his younger days he may have
erred against the strict requirements of dis
cipllne. The new regulation will be well
coined throughout the service, all the more
81 IL ludue retrospective
Among other signs Indicating the inferior
character OF the modern French officer is an
unpleasant incident which occurred recently
at AuXerre. On their departure for their
homes few days ago, after their TWENTY
eight days service, fifty-sx reservists of
the Fourth infantry regiment published in a
local journal an open letter signed by all
Of them and addressed to the minister of
war. In this letter they denounce two Of
flcers-a lieutenant because he daily insuted
them with the coarsest abuse, and the cap
tain because he knew and tolerated these
acts on the part Of his subordinate As the
military regulations punish all faults against
discipline committed by superiors, the Mar
quis de Galliffet, the present resolute
minister of war will undoubtedly make an
inquiry and punish the two officers in uues-
ton, II the facts are as represented. But the
military regulations also forbid the publica-
ton OF any complaint or any writing what
ever without the consent OF the minister of
war, and 1t Is probable that the fifty-sx
reservsts will be called to account. also
for their technical offense, which was COM
mltted, probably, more in ignorance than in
malice.
The growth of prosperity in Great Brit
ain is shown by report which has Just been
published by the labor department of the
Board or Trade. From this it appears that
during the year 1898 increased wages were
received by more than 1000 600 workers, ex-
elusive Of agricultural laborers, seamen and
railway servants, who are known to have
shared in the general advance. The Increase
in the case of persons continuing to work in
their accustomed manner, amounted dur
ing 1898 to no less than EOS, 900 per week,
in contrast with an increase amounting to
945,0OO per week in the year preceding, SO
that the laboring classes of the United King
dom are known TO have received in wages
last year something like G50OOOOO more
than they received in 1897 and between
$1,000 900 and 8S,OOO,0OO more than they
received in 1896. The net weekly rise in