New-York tribune., 1901-06-22
THE END OF THE CEN1IIRl.
A SUMMARY OF EVENTS THAT MARKED
ITS LAST YEARS.

THE LAST YEARS OF the Wormtey MaEETEEna Eaimer
OcIayo On 545 Chicago: A. c. McClurS & 20
Mrs Wormeley calls her book continuation
~ ba, nrevious volumes on the events that have
occurred in various European countries IN 'he
nineteenth century 1t is divided into sections
relating TO France. Russia and Turkey, Ehelaho'
Europe in Africa. Italy and Austria hungary
and Spain and covers the last seven or eight
wears in It's narrative. Those years have peeh
thicklv crowded with the material for history
and while the writer has not undertaken 10 write
history in the larger sense she has given an IN
telligent we'll ordered and really reauaDe ac-
count of the important happenings in Europe
and-so far relates 10 the Spanish warm
America during that time. 1t needs. Doubtless
q more ample perspective than is at present af-
forded to put these events in their true reia-
tions or TO appraise them in any final way Mrs'
Worneley has scarcely undertaken TO DO that'
She has simply given intelligent observers
account OF things as they have passed rescuing
them from the confusion of detail and uncer-
taintv in which they are apt 20 present them
selves day by day and showing them In SO
much of hnality as can be ascribed TO them In
so short time after their accomplishment. Her
talent for clear statement and her usually sound
mary of recent events.
Her treatment Of the last years Of the century
in France begins with the Panama scandal and
ends with the disposition OF the Dreyfus case
and the accession of President Loubet. She has
ample opportunity Of showing the inconsistencies
OF French ideas to Justice and eXpediency In
public affairs. NJ. BaThaut. for instance. was the
only one of the six Cabinet ministers prosecuted
for criminal completely in the Panama dealings
who had the courage to admit the truth and
plead guilty whereat he was bitterly reproached
not only by his colleagues. but by the public for
showing a want of patriotism! And Of course
the Dreyfus is full Of such anomalies. The
verdict I'm the latter Mrs. wormeley cannot but
think now. under the circumstances. the best
thing that could have been done" Neither
party triumphed by it: and Dreyfus having
gained all he had lost save his military honor.
if he be truly patriotic Frenchman. will resign
the barren satisfaction OF military rehabilita-
tion for the tranquility OF the country
In Russia the new Cars political purposes are
interpreted 10y the chronicler to be dscouragment
Of all aspirations for parliamentary government
system untitled for peoples too ignorant or
too much influenced by demagogues TO employ
il to advantage. His rescript against the Firms
is hard 10 understand but apparently this at
tack on the ancient constitution Of Finland was
planned by some OF the Cars advisers who are
opposed 10 his liberal and kindly tendencies.
and his assent was given with the intention OF
using the increased imperial power he gained
thereby in promoting internal Improvement. The
disturbances and massacres in Armenia the
subject OF a detailed description: but the Sultan
himself. in Mrs. Latimer's opinion. Is than
whom no man in Europe needs more pity ac-
count OF the state OF his empire and the attitude
Of the powers.
The complications OF affairs in Crete and in
the Balkans intelligently cleared up. and the
minor frontier contests in India. together with
the terrible visitation Of plague and famine.
a more detailed narrative: and Lord Kitchener's
campaigns. together with the events that led up
to the Fashoda incident. told al length. In
her treatment OF the Boer Mrs. Iatimer is a
thoroughgoing English partisan: her view is
thus epitomized:
When your house is entered forcibly what can
be expected but that you should do your best 10
turn out the burglar? Unfortunately for Eng
land, too much attention had been paid the
conscientious scruples OF people at home about
provoking war by hostile demonstrations
As to the future. she thinks that:
third restoration OF Independence" 10 republics
which have made so bad use of former gener-
osity. We have every TO hope that so
brave an enemy will be treated with all Justice
and consideration.