Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-06
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

In waging his extreme campaign against
the conventional schools DR.. Combes, the
French premier, has doubtless pleased the
radicals and socialists. He is himself a
radical. But he has certainly forfeited
the support Of many republicans who were
unwavering In their support Of M. Wal
de~ck-Rousseau and who expected to be
equally loyal to the Combes ministry. He
has also united all the various d~ynastic
and metropolitan groups perhaps as
they never before have been and he has
strained perilously near to the breaking
point the republican adical-socialis alli-
ance which for several years has provided
the ministerial majority In the chamber.
When Parliament reassembles there Is
sure to be a great battle over the school
question, whether DR.. Combes retires or
not. II, as now seems probable, he quits
ofice, either voluntarily in advance or In
obedience to an adverse vote, there will
arise the serious question whether anyone
else, even NJ. Waldeck-Rousseau himself,
can re-establish a ministerial majority.
Some Of the republicans who are deserving
DR. Combes are likely to decline to re-
enter such an alliance unless the radical
element is more completely subordinated
to the republican and on the other hand
the radicals and socialists, having had
their taste of power, are likely to carry
their pretensions and requirements still
further and thus to make republican CO.
operation with them still more distaste-
full and difficult. In any case, the outlook
is a stormy one and may we'll cause some
concern to the friends Of France.
zee
After having encouraged duelling in his
arm by pardoning Lieutenant Hide
brandt. who killed a brother oflcer last
year, Emperor William has once more
taken vigorous action against he duel
ling evil and at the same time illustrated
afresh the yacillating spirit in which
he has dealt with the whole matter. On
Lieutenant Hildebrandt's release he was
escorted to the railroad station, It will
be remembered. by a squadron of cavalry
and given honors usually reserved for
members Of the royal family. This out
rage was too much even for the emperor.
He at once called for the designations of
the two highest officers of the regiment
and dismissed a captain and lieutenant.
as well as Lieutenant Hildebrandt himself.
So great are the emperor's powers that he
was able to do his OF his own initiative,
without consulting with any minister or
general. He has thus proved the conten-
ton Of the ~anti-duelling German press,
which has all along declared that the en-
peror could stop the whole business when
ever he wished to.
The question of a Russian port In the
Persian gulf directly involves Anglo-French
relations, and the decision at which Lord
Lansdowne has to arrive is Of a momentous
daaarfpff0n Tho claimants Of fha prohlaun
are simple. Russia's advance to the warm
water will not be stopped by words. II,
therefore. Russia is not to acquire a port
in the Persian gulf it will be because the
whole strength Of the British empire is
placed across its path thither. The gov
eminent is, therefore, in this dilemma:
Will they risk 6 general war in order to
prevent Russia obtaining Koweit or some
other port, or will they expose India to
flank attack by allowing Russia to fulfill
its destiny? From certain facts since the
shah's arrival In England there is reason
to believe that Russia is not to be allowed
to have its port in the Persian gulf. Lord
Curzon's policy is we'll known, and he is
understood to have a free han in Asia.
War to Russia during the next twenty
years would be an inconceivable calamity.
Its one chance OF overcoming its financial
and administrative dihiculties is peace. II,
therefore, Lord Lansdowne has kept a stiff
upper lip and put his foot down firmly, az
is understood to be the case, It is UNI
likely that Russia will risk a general con-
fagration for the sake OF the Persian outlet.
sss
Now that the coronation excitement has
died out and Parliament is NO longer in
session, London finds something interesting
to talk about in the report that arrange
ments have been made whereby Portugal
will convey its East African possessions
to Great Britain, the latter. in turn, hand
ing over a portion Of the territory thus
acquired to Germany. The report is piausi-
BILE enough and its verlhcation or denial,
when Parliament reassembles, is anxiously
awaited. Portuguese East Africa, includ-
ing Mozambique, extends from the northern
boundary Of Natal to the Royuma river
along the coast and abuts, inland, upon the
Transvaal, upon British South and Central
Africa. and upon Lake Nyassa. 1t has al
area Of $40. 900 square miles and a popula-
tion, mostly black, Of 10000 900. 1t has q
fair export trade susceptible Of great de-
~velopment, and gold has been discovered
In sections where mining will undoubtedly
be prosecuted with yigor as soon as trans
portation facilities render such work pos
sible.
While King Victor Emmanuel has beer
paying his long-deferred visit to the kaisel
at Berlin, Queen Helen and his little daush'
ter, Princess Yolande, have been remaining
quietly at the castle Of Racconigi. in th'
Piedmont, which has entirely taken thu
place OF Mona as the summer residence o
Italy's ruler. The castle is most pic.
turesquely situated on a very lofty crag
and was in olden times part fortress ant
part monastery. For eco years it has beef
in the possession Of the now reigning hous'
OF Italy, and IL was the fayorite residenc'
OF King Charles Albert Of Sardinia. wit
may be said to have moderniEed II In D