The Washington times., 1901-08-09

American students have secured entr nee
on diplomas issued by colleges which are
claimed 10 be much below the German
standard.
Political circles in Paris agree that the
colonial system of France and the way
it has been administered will prove one
of the principal topics of discussion in
the campaign preceding the general cleo
tion, which will take place ten months
hence Even ardent supporters of the
Waldeck- Rousseau Ministry admit that
there is much to be desired in the present
colonial system of France, which is not
only very expensive for the mother coun-
try. but has. so far shown no great signs
of development in the territories where
1t is administered.
lie Steele recently contained an ar
tcle on the subject with particular bear
ing upon the present crisis in the French
Congo. Modern Franco, said the writer
contains no contingent of vigorous young
men who care to study colonial questions,
or who would be fitted for agencies in
the Congo, where commerce is not facili-
tated as in Senegal by natives who have
been tanned into willingness. Then, too
when French holders of concessions reach
their destination they find no local sane
ton for entering into possession; maps
are Incorrectly mFde. and as for enforce
ment by militia ~. authority, that is quite
out of the question. with an ili-disciplined
militia of 500 or' 200, The writer then
draws a lesson from what the Belgians
have accomplished in the Congo Free
State:
when two years ago public opinion
was excited by the prosperity of the Bel
gian Congo and by the rise in the shares
of certain Belgian companies, 1t fixed it
self upon the French Congo without en-
quiring into the cause of success, There
was no apparent knowledge that the Bel
gian Congo is intersected by l3.VJ kilo-
metres Of navigable waterways. ;nd that
the couLtry is almost thorous hly eX-
pIored The authority of that State is
generally recognized, at least along the
rivers y numerous armed force exists,
while the initiative OF the King gives a
definite economic direction to the work
OF the Administration.
There We're no similar conditions in the
French Congo. as the holders of conces-
sions speedily realized to their dCtriment.
Landing at Brazzaville or Libreville with
illusions and ineXperiences. the new di-
rectorS Of companies or their agents were
told that in the French Congo, with the
exception of Ubanghi and the Senga. there
We're no navigable waterways, no roads,
no railway lines, and no boats for river
transport. The country was virtually
unknown, and our authority was not ac-
knowledged except over a very limited
surface. Between the central Government
in Paris and the local powers there was
~
latter there We're dissenslons.'
In no city is the traction problem more
and Interesting than in Paris.
The attempt to deal with it along modern
lines and in accord with modern neces-
stiles, and at the same time to preserve
the traditional beauty of the capital.
which is a source of such great revenue
to it, has perpleNed the authorities to !
such an extent that the present complex
ion of Paris, from the traction point of |
view is no Indication Of the arrangements |
to be ultimately adopted.
Half a dozen systems of electric rail
WAYS are being tried in one quarter alone;
twenty different styles OF cars are to be
seen in a half-hour stroll through the
streets An antiquated and very obJec-
tionable steam tramway line follows the
same route as the ultra-modern metro
politan underground, haunted throughout
its entire length by crowded omnibuses;
vet the accommodations are so insufficient
that the little passenger boats on the
Seine are also full to discomfort, and oc-
ca sionally dump their burdens into the |
river from sheer inability to maneuvre |
under such conditions.
The bill which has just peen introduced
nto the Belgian Chamber of Deputies by
he Government is based upon the re-
%
rhe principle of personal service prohibi-
ion of employing substitutes) which was
so strongly urged by the commission, has,
however, been abandoned in the bili.
Every effort was made TO endorse the
recommendation in this re-
,Dcct. but the ministers who drafted the
ill had to choose the alternative of de
eat in voting the war budget or main
aiming the system OF ''remplacement' as
now stands. II may be recalled that |
he circumstance Of General Brassine's |
tempt to introduce personal service in
go led 10 failure and to Eis own resiSna-
ion as Minister of War. This reform.
I is Thought. will not he realized for
ofuc years 20 come. Other portions of |
he bill shO-v the effect of the passing
way of the fear entertained a year ago | ,
hat England could not be relied upon. |
n case Of n FrancO-Gcrman war. to |
maintain thu integrity of Belgium The |
rmy will remain as at present consti- |
I.tcd on a peace footing, but in time of |
var the annual contingent Will be raised | l
rom its present average Of 1880 men to |
(. .tsiO \ reduction is made in the term |
I service. and volunteering will be en- |
outraged i'll various ways so as to allow |
corresponding decrease in the annual ]
OuSCriptiOn.