Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-01-30

The heavy expense entailed by the
Boer war has had the effect to curtail
England's expenditures on new warships.
1t is noted in London as an extraordinary
fact that not single battleship was
launched during the year 1900, although
Tie English yards were engaged on two
frst-elass armored cruisers, one third
class cruiser. four sloops and eighty de-
stroyers. 1t IL also interesting to note
that IL English navy building has slack
ened speed France. too, has made little
progress. On the other hand, Russia
made rapid progress last year. complet-
ing two first-class battleships. one hrst-
class armored cruiser, and eight destroy
ers. In addition to these, Russia launch
ed three first-class hattleships. one hrst-
class armored cruiser. one seeond-class
cruiser. two third-class cruisers. and
three destroyers. Germany was a close
second to Russia in the natter Of naval
construction, Japan coming next. Incl
dentally it may be remarked that tho
United States launched no forInidable
warships during the year; but three first
class battleshipsA-the Alabama. Ken-
lucky and Kearsarge-were. completed
and placed in commission, while the hat
tleship Wisconsin has been accepted by
the government. During the present year
the United States will complete the first
class battleship Illinois and launch the
Maine, Ohio and Missouri, while 81 pro-
tected cruisers of the Olympia tyre are
to be launched and four coast defense
monitors completed. In addition con-
tracts have practically been let for five
frst-cass battleships. six Grst-class arr
tYfnr nrrA tbraa ~ bod n
ers II is thus seen that the naval pro-
gram OF the United States is more ex-
tensive than any nation in Europe.
-:-:-
When there is so little of international
moment in European politics the chronic
invalids of the old world are sure to take
advantage of the lull In public interest TO
do little complaining of their own ills
Last week 1t was the old familiar dis
turbance in the Balkans, with Turkish
troops skurrying through Albania and
Servia in search of peasant revolt.
This week it is Carlist uprising In
Spain. Next week Italy viii probably
obtrude into public notice with threat
ened cataclysm by the anartlistic propa~
ganda, while the long standing quarrel
between Norway and Sweden may call
for a share of public attention the week
after. In~spain it Is reported that Don
Carlos has again authorized his partisans
to prepare for an uprising in Catalonia,
Navarro and the Basque provinces in the
spring. This news naturally has caused
the greatest anxiety in official circles in
Madrid, where the authorities are con-
stantly discovering signs Of activity
among the agents of the pretender.
-:-:-
The situation in South Africa has
changed little in the last seven days.
The Boer invaders have not been driven
out of Cape Colony, and they seen TO
have made SO little progress in their adj
vance on Cape Town that people in this
country are no little astonished at the
feverish anxiety of the citizens of the
South African metropolis TO protect their
city from capture. Gen. De Wet has
finally escaped from the Orange Free
State, despite the fact that he was sup
posed to be hemmed in on all sides. Lord
Kitchener is apparently doing nothing at
Pretoria and the British aarrisons are
simply defending themselves from the
frequent Boer attacks. The situation is
similar TO the one which existed ten
months ago immediately following Lord
Roberts occupation of Blomfonteip. In
the meantime the colonies have been ask
ed 70 send 10000 mounted troops to
South Africa and the war Office has inyit-
ed the enlistment of 5000 additional yeo-
many in England.
49,.
The negotiations for the purchase OF
the Danish West Indies by the United
.ssfd To- n ffT
completion. While not a word OF the ne
gotiations comes from the State Depart
ment ut Washington, it was announced
in the Follthing at Copenhagen last
Wednesday that the financial committed.
one member only dissenting. had agreed
70 report that on certain conditions Der
mark could accept the United States Of.
fer to buy the islands.
The Austrian elections are practically
completed, and although the final figures
Gre not at hand it is certain that the anti
Scmites have lost nearly one-third the
seats they held in the Reichsrath, the
places going to the Socialists aud tue
German Radicals, who desire to carry
Austria into the German Empire. The
Clerical party has lost ground. as have
the bOuetulhU GutiaAStss lhc iuIIeE losing
to the German Nationalist.
-
The Venezuelan government seems de-
termined 10 pick n quarrel with Great
Britain. United States Minister LOOMS
reports that Venezuela has seized two
steamers belonging to the Orinoeo Ship
ping and Trading Company, a British
syndicate. In this case. however, the
= =. - Al
dent Of the company is an American.