Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-19
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

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Gently circulated in st. Petersburg by the
students is one addressed especially to
workmen, which draws a somber picture OF
their wretched existence and their moral
and physical degradation. The circular de-
clares that the whole existing situation is
due to the tyranny Of the system of gov
rnment. 1t then proceeds to assure the
working classes that what is taught them
in the name Of God is only a tissue of false
hood, a shameful exploitation Of religion
carried on for the benefit of governments
priests and the holy synod; that the peo-
pie in the eyes OF the government repre-
sent nothing more than a vile herd of ami
mails, without knowledge, will, rights or
worth OF any kind. But, says the circular,
the students have taken into their own
hands the peoples cause, in order to free
the workmen from this sad state, and even
though each student should have at his
side ten policemen and ten gendarmes
threatening him with the lash, he would
none the less fulfill the task which he has
taken upon himself for the good of the
people. The effect OF this and similar
methods Of agitation was clearly observ-
able in the participation of the working
classes in the recent student demonstra-
tions.
In France possibly more than in any
other country all organized demonstrations
for the improvement of labor conditions
are tainted by the extreme actions of an
archists and radical socialists, who seize
every opportunity to attack all established
institutions and thus force honest and
rational opposition to abuses to become
Identified with mob rule and violence. A
carfntao aNsn-aAN a. 49, AAEn- rnnA. -, NA..
part of French labor organizations to eliml-
nate from their ranks all extreme and revo-
lutionary elements. The first national con-
gress Of the james de France or yellow
mining syndicate, in opposition to the revo-
lutionary syndicate called the "Rouges," or
Reds. is now in session at the Salon des
Families, in the Avenue de Saint-Mande,
Paris. The delegates are numerous, rep
resenting 317 syndicates, with a total mem
bership Of POI, 745 miners. NJ. Burrin, dele
gate for Montceau, has been chosen presi-
dent! The proceedings promise to be of an
interesting character, for we are in the
presence of an organized attempt to elimi-
nate the collectivist and revolutionary ele-
ment from the settlement Of labor dis
putes.
The riots in Belgium are much of the
same character, but not yet so general or
violent, as those that prevailed at the last
change in the conditions Of suffrage some
ten years since. AS at the former period
there is a good deal Of trouble with the
purely lawless element in the cities, but
apparently there is a concerted move
ment, led by the socialists, to force the
government to a wider basis Of suffrage.
In 1898 nominally universal suffrage was
adopted, the minimum of age being fixed at
20 years. Then the number Of voters was
insignificant, less than 200 900 at most, and
hardly more than half that at some cleo
lions. The new law was calculated to in
crease this number largely. But certain
classes we're given what are known as sup
Elementary votes. Two additional votes
were given to married men having chill
dren, one was given for the possession OF
a certain amount Of property, and two
were given to the graduates of the higher
educational and technical institutions. The
result has been to keep the conservative
party in power, though it is undoubtedly
a minority of the voters. There has been
for some years a vigorous agitation for the
repeal of the supplemental vote and the
adoption of the policy of lone man, one
vote The struggle has been much en-
FILTERED by the acute animosity Of the So
cialists and a large part Of the working
men toward the "clericals." 1t is impos-
sible to say what will be the immediate
outcome Of the present disturbances, but
II events take the same course as in 1899
the government will first suppress the dis
turbance with such success as 1t can at
tain, and then will yield a more liberal
suffrage.
The following is a comprehensive esti-
mate Of King Oscar OF Sweden: King
Oscar is a sailor, or rather, was one until
he assembled the throne. Oscar is prob
ably the most accomplished, as we'll as the
most majestic, OF all old world monarehs
OF the present time. Besides being a great
traveller, he is an author, a poet, a dra-
matist, an artist and a composer. Indeed,
most of the church music now used In
Sweden is OF his composition. Add to this
that he possesses a remarkable knowledge
Of history, Of Oriental lore, OF chemistry
astronomy and other branches Of science,
that he is a clever and successful business
man, that he stands six feet three in his
stockings, and that he wears on mis- breast
several medals, conferred upon him prior
to his succession to the throne, for saving
lives at the risk Of his own, and you have
a monarch we'll worthy in every respect OF
occupying the throne of the vikings of the
heroic days OF the Sagas.
sss
The plan Of the Russian government TO
colonize Siberia on an extensive scale is
said to have broken down completely in
execution. The inducements offered to Rus
sian peasants were very generous, and In
the last twelve months over 2OO,O 600 have
aaaaanA The TTRn1g N naEa naW hnUuaa
for themselves. It seems, however, that
insufficient provision was made for their
reception and that II was impossible TO
take proper care of them until they had
secured their farms and started In their
new life. The result is that at least so, 900
have returned to Russia empty Of pocket
and ruined in health from the hardships
they underwent. Likewise has NJ. Whites
plan for the settlement OF Siberia by i'm