Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-21
OTHER LANDS THAN ours.

A1hhAAN AAA ANo WV ~ 800
not been created at the expense Of the reg
ulsr volunteer force. It was feared that
many young men who, In the ordinary
course Of events, would have Joined the
volunteers, would find it easier and more
agreeable to become members Of a rife
club, and thus enjoy the sport of shooting
without having to undergo drill and per
form other military duties. But II appears
that the rifle clubs appeal to a special
class OF men. There are 32S Of these clubs
already in existence, with a membership Of
q, 900 men, Of whom only $500, a little
more than 10 per cent, are volunteers. 1t
appears, also, that the new rife clubs are
not composed altogether Of %novices, but
contain a large proportion of men who al
ready hold the certificate OF the National
Rife association. They are likely, there
fore, to prove the nucleus Of an extremely
serviceable body.
The House Of Representatives in Bel
GUM is now engaged in a discussion Of the
government bill relating to compensation
for injuries occurring to working men.
The measure applies to all commercial and
Industrial enterprises which employ motive
power by machinery as distinguished from
those dependent upon men or animals. 1t
includes all workmen receiving wages up
to a maximum Of 2,4OO francs ($4sO) per
ahnum. Every accident, from whatever
cause, including culpable negligence. comes
within the scope Of the bill. The amount
of indemnity is fixed at 80 per cent of the
actual loss Of wage-earning capacity caused
through accident. In case OF death the in
demnlty takes the form of an annuity in
favor Of the victims direct heirs equal to
one-fourth OF his wage-earning capacity
during the term of his expectation of life.
AS regards the indemnities to workmen,
the employer is at liberty either to insure
or, not, but should future experience show
that obligatory insurance was necessary,
the bill, said M. Francotte, the introducer,
would be amended accordingly. For him
self, he remarked, he was in favor Of free
dom of action, as French statistics showed
that after three years trial only 10 to Is
per cent Of wages remained unassured.
sss
Abyssinia is one Of several points upon
the earth's surface where there is an al
most incessant conflict between British and
French interests. Ever since the Fashoda
affair both nations have watched each
others movements in that neighborhood
with Jealous apprehension, realizing the
future commercial and strategical Import
ance of the country. Just now the French
are excited over the failure of the negus to
attend. in accordance with previous prom
Use, the opening Of the Jibutil-Harrar rail-
road, which they hope to extend in course
Of time to the Abyssinian capital. A couple
Of ironclads had been ordered to sail FROM
Toulon to Jibutil to salute Menelek and
make the ceremony as impressive as pos
sibEe in his eyes. The Abyssinian e~xplana-
ton is that the emperor had not time to go
to Jibutil and get back to Adds Abbaba be-
fore the Lenten season, but NJ. Bavalaer,
the French explorer, who some time ago
declared that Menelek would not visit Jibu-
til, now tells the Paris newspapers that
Lent has nothing to do with 1t, the re.
straining influence being in reality the
abominable' Colonel Harrington, the per-
hdious British agent. NJ. Bavalaer also pre-
diets that Menelek will one day totally
abandon France ito become the ally of our
enemies and ruin our establishments in the
Indian ocean" The recently cabled report
that the French representative has with
drawn Temporarily from Adds Abbaba
seems to indicate a more or less serious
grievance.
The advantage or disadvantage OF woman
suffrage will have a thorough test in the
new commonwealth of Australia. Every
woman will have the same right to vote
that every man has in the federal election
there next year. In New Zealand and
South Australia women have voted for sew
eral years, but under the confederation OF
all the provinces into the. commonwealth
the women will all vote. They number
$4,000 and the men 97S. 900, so the men will
have the advantage. But in some of the
provinces and in some Of the cities the
women are in the majority, a rather I'M
usual thing for a new country. A good
many young women. 1t is thought, will not
vote because unwilling to admit that they
are 81 years old, while a considerable num-
Der of older women have opposed woman
suffrage.
A wonderful mountain railway Is being
constructed at present in the Tyrole, and
when completed next summer 1t Will be the
steepest line in the world. The railway,
which will be two and a half kilometres
in length, will Join the village Of Kaltern
TO the summit OF the Col de Mendel at q
height Of 1850 feet. This distance will be
covered In exactly twenty-sevon minutes,
while by road 1t takes four hours to reach
the top. The force is electricity, and the
cog (middle) rail system has been employed,
The maximum grade is 81 in 100. SURPRISING
that {. the Stanserhorn line, which form
erly held the European record. The
coaches will hold fifty persons and baggage.
and special precautions have been taken to
enable the tourist to view the wonderful
scenery through which the line passes. M,
Strubb, a Swiss engineer Of Clarens, ia
carrying on the remarkable enterprise.
zee
bicentenary celebration will mark the
present year. 1t is Just two centuries since
Peter the Great founded st. Petersburg. II
was built upon land which he had lately
wrested from the Swedes and its original
purpose was to serve as a fortress against
the expected Swedish invaders. The mu-
nicipal council of the city has resolved tC
celebrate its bicentenary In a manner which
marks the difference between the Russis
of 1908 and the Russia Of 1908. The city
fathers have unanimously voted the sun
Of 5000, 900 roubles to increase the number
OF common schools for the boys and girl
Of st. Petersburg. and have further re-