Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-19
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.
The renewal Of the triple alliance is re-
gsrded in Belgium as a decided diplomatic
victory for Germany, whose allies have
been compelled to subordinate their
economic interests TO their political neces-
stiles. The Independence Beige maintains
that there Is no Illusion on this point
either in Rom or Vienna, and adds that
II France is disappointed at her failure to
induce Italy to withdraw from the COM
pact, she must have been foolish in think
ing that anything Of the sort was likely to
happen just yet. 1t does not believe, how
ever, that the agreement will outlast it's
present term. 1t says: There is every
reason to believe that this is the last time
that the triple alliance will be renewed;
for seven years hence the situation as re-
CARDS Germany will be materially altered.
1T is impossible. as NJ. de Sell recently
affirmed, that a political alliance should
not involve an economic alliance, and the
tripllce will rumble Of it's own accord
on the day when 1t is clearly proved that
Germany, DESTROYS aSove oil Of satisfying
the agrarians, has become the commercial
n industrial enemy Of the nations who
are now her allies. In view of the tenden-
cies which are now manifested in Berlin,
this day is not far or"
There are indications that Russia is be-
coming uneasy concerning her naval posi-
tion in the far east. The Sviet of st.
Petersburg publishes a noteworthy article
In which 1t declares that the Russian
squadron in the Pacific ocean lie completely
at the mercy Of Japan on account Of the
difficulty which the Russian ships would
experience in that part of the world In
recoaling and reprovisioning. Moreover, It
says, there would be many obstacles even
to their carrying out many necessary re-
pairs, inasmuch as the docks at Vladivos-
tok and Port Arthur are insuficiently
equipped for the purpose. The Russian YES
sells, it remarks, are obliged to winter in
Japanese ports, as Vladivostok is almost
inaccessible during the cold months, while
at Port Arthur there is not sufficient ao-
commodation. Moreover, there is not a
sufficient depth Of water In the inner basin,
and the outer basin, which is somewhat
larger, is dangerously exposed to every
wind. The Sviet also ~foresees the danger
OF the ships Of the Russian feet being
blockaded by the Japanese in Vladivostok
and Port Arthur in time OF war. The ar
ticle concludes by saying that, In view Of
these many and sinister possibilities, 1t is
absolutely necessary that Russia should OBJ
tain a fresh point d'appui on the Pacific
coast, and for this purpose Ma-san-pho, in
Corea, would satisfy all requirements. 1t
does not seem to have occurred to the
writer that this was one of the plans which
the Anglo-Japanese treaty was designed to
defeat.
1t is only a few years ago that England
monopolized eastern commerce, so far, at
least, as the carrying was concerned. The
vast inroads which Germany has made in
the last ten or fifteen years are familiar
to all, but Japan's increase has been even
more rapid-and as much as Germany's
at the expense Of England. In 1870 Japan
had forty-slx vessels of foreign" style
with a registered tonnage of II, 900. This
had increased by 1882 to GA and 2O9, 900
respectively. and In 1891 to 1914 n 664,-
900 respectively. AS to the increase since
then. it is sufficient to say that in 1891
but four lines received state subsidies,
their steamships travelling a total distance
Of 10000 nautical miles annually. Now
the number of lines subsidized by the gov
eminent is sixteen and the total number
VI mAiS0 slEhNclCU 4gcUUfuVVs HiCNen years
ago, when Japan's foreign trade totaled
142. 000. 900 yen. only $4,000, 900 yen was car
ried on Japanese bottoms. In 1901, when
Japan's foreign trade aggregated 500. 0oO.-
900 yen, Japanese ships carried 14S, 0OO, 900
yen. To have this remarkable rate of ex-
ransion increase because Of the treaty is
naturally more or less disturbing to Brit
ish shipping interests.
Certain comments in the German press
tionalities in Hungary have caused no lit
tie ill-feeling in the twin monarchy. Not
long ago, the Post of Berlin remarked that
in the projected erection Of a new univer-
sity the Hungarian authorities are not
guided solely by educational requirements.
but the desire to promote national aims.
1t then proceeded to denounce "the ruth
less fashion in which the Magyars endeavor
to suppress the minorities belonging to
other ~nationalities," of which the new uni
versity scheme is a fresh illustration. The
Magyars, as an isolated race situated be-
tween the great Slav and German masses,
should beware, 1t said. Of risking the loss
of foreign sympathy through the violent
oppression of other nationalities living
among them. This and other similar utter
ances in other journals have not only
offended the Magyars, but have given to
the Austrian Slavs a rare opportunity OF
responding with a T quoque'' in refer
ence to the policy adopted by Prussia
toward the Polish provinces. The Novoye
vremya of ST. Petersburg, returning to the
subject, repeats its assertion that the Pan
German idea, which means an empire ex-
tending to the Mediterranean. free from all
non-German elements, Is Just as menacing
to the slavs as It is to the Poles, and viii
precipitate a SIav coalition.
The Overwhelming influence of the Emperor
Francis Joseph in the affairs of Austria
Hungary has been demonstrated once more,
in very striking fashion. by the result Of the
ioin1 ministerial council held under his
presidency a week or ten days ago. Before
Il assembled IT looked as II the relations be-
tween the partners in the double monarchy
were strained TO the point Of open rupture.
The two prime ministers were evidently on
cool terms, the Inspired newspapers Of Vi
emma and Budapest were INDUCING in mu-
tual recriminations OF the bitterest kind, and
on both sides there was talk OF the estab-
lishment Of a separate customs frontier at
the earliest possible moment. But now