The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-02-02

erably on this account-especially in
Denmark and Sweden. The action of
the German emperor in taking children
away from their parents in order to
Germanize them and in driving busi-
ness men out of the country, contrasts
very badly with his recent trip to the
Holy Land and dedication OF church
in Jerusalem. He declared while there
that he would go on record as a cham,
pion of Christian advancement and
civilization. 1t is the old story about
sending missionaries to the Hottentots
while your own people are going to the
devil.
The Car of Russia is preparing to
demonstrate his peace.loving theories
by forcing new law of military con-
scription on the Grand Duchy of Fin
land. In order to overawe the opposi-
ton which this measure is likely
to meet with in the Finish legis-
lative body - which, by the way
S the only body of the kind
in the empire-the Finish troops are
being drawn into Russia for service
and are being replaced with two divi-
sions of Russian infantry.
The situation in the Scandinavian
peninsula is especially interesting just
now, because it threatens to furnish
the frebrand which is likely to start a
European conflagration.
In Norway the Radical party Neft)
has for years been engaged ir system
of petty badgering OF the Swedes and
the royal house, which has had for its
ostensible object the securing of great
er rights for Norway.
1t is not amiss to say that Norway
has today the most absolute popular
liberty and guaranty of constitutional
rights of any country in the world.
Hence the acts of the leaders Of the
Radical party might seem useless and
unnecessary.
The writer, however, being Rus
sian, is perfectly well-satis6ed that he
knows whence the motive power of
these leaders comes. 1t is dictated by
the Russian foreign office and paid for
with Russian gold. 1 have seen the
workings of that system before. 1t
causes the armies of the enemy to be
defeated, when the arms of Russia are
unable to prevail by force. need only
point to the fall of Kars, for an ex-
ample of the success of this policy.
The late illness of that distinguished
gentleman and scholar, the King of
Sweden, has made the chances of an
open rupture between Sweden and
Norway more probable, and there is
little doubt that in the event of hostil
tiles breaking out, Russia will take the
part of Norway, while Germany and
probably England would undoubtedly
be forced to side with Sweden, as the
possession of any of the Norwegian
North sea harbors by Russia would be
opposed to the bitter end by England,
and military convention (secret) be-
tween Sweden and Germany already
exists for the control of the entrance
to the Baltic, in case of war.
600
In China a serious rebellion is in
progress in the central provinces
which threatens to rival the famous
Tai-Ping outbreak. Thousands of armed
rebels are spreading death and destruc
ton, and the Chinese troops, by Their
cOwardice and disorganization are do
ing more to encourage than to stop it
A large walled city has recently
fallen into the hands of the rebels and
its taking was attended with the Gus.
tOmary atrocities.
Here is splendid chance for large
number of our recently manufactured
generals, colonies, and things, who are
now being mustered out of service, to
secure commands, and emulate the
late Chinese Gordon and their dis
tinguished countryman Gen. Frederick
Forester in the command of Chinese
troops.
WHAT THEY DREW.