The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-01-02
OF EUROPE HAS
FEARS FOR The YEAR 1907

dulge In forecasts Of the future, ante
in expecting that 1907 Will witness
the most important developments in
the continuation OF the struggle which
the French Democracy Is wagtns
against the old regime. The end OF
lciericalism. with the separation OF
church and state, Is al accomplished
fact and no longer an issue, although
echoes of this conflict probably will
be heard for a long time, and the ex.
IRENE Socialists are eager to press the
war against capitalism. Led by NJ.
Janrss. the aim of the Socialists is dis.
tinctly the appropriation of property.
but no One imagines that there will
be a regime of pur e socialism In
France, at least before many years.
The Ciemenceau cabinet draws a
sharp line at what is attaInable. Pre-
mier Ciemenceau-h has abandoned many
Of the old ideas for the regeneration
OF the state on the socialistic basis
which he formerly entertained, and
now stands firmly for i~ndividualism.
tempered by every measure possible
for the amelioration of the condition
% the workingman.
Eight Hour Labor Law.
The cabinet to-day stands committed
10 supplement the weekly rest-day law
ana the employers liability act pass
ed in 1906. with an eight-hour labor
law; old age pensions. the gradual pur.
chase of railroads by the state, and
the transfer OF the heaviest burdens
of taxation upon the rich by the i'm
position Of income and Inheritance
taxes, and as a result even govern
ment bonds. In which French savings
are largely invested, are threatened.
The proposal 10 shift taxation to
the shoulders of the wealthy classes,
coupled with the great increase in tax
alton necessary to meet the cost OF
new legislation in the interests of the
working classes. such as ofd.age pen
sions. has created much nervousness.
and in spite OF the fact hat the
French financial situation Is excep.
~tionally strong. that the Bank of
France is bursting with gold, and that
all Industries are active. reHtes fell
over 3 points in 1906. and there is a
steady migration of capital seeking
foreign investment. There is consid.
cradle money going quietly into Amer,
lean and other foreign securities, anu.
rcany French families are systemati.
cally getting rid Of their French real.
t. holdings and investing in income
properties in Switzerland and Bel.
Siam.
Death Penalty Abolished.
The abolition Of the death penalty,
already an accomplished fact in prac.
tice, undoubtedly will be enacted into
law during the coming year, and the
abolition of courts.martial, a natural
corollary OF the Dreyfus case, also Is
a part Of the government programme.
The foreign position OF France is re-
garded as having been greatly
strengthened by the events of the past
year. Germany's vain efforts to shake
the alliances of the republic, and the
satisfactory termination of the .Alge-
ciras conference leave the Russian and
the British ententes as the keystone
Of foreign policy.
Gen. Piceaart's energetic methods
have injected new life into the army.
and tho dominant political elements
consider to be assured that period OF
peace which they regard as necessary
Tor the realization of social reform.
The only cloud on the horizon Is a
possible unfavorable development In
Morocco. which may draw France into
an extended campaign in Africa.
Germany is Gloomy.
BERLIN, Jan. 2.-The prospects for
Germany in 1907 are by no means
wholly bright. In regard to foreign
relations. they are clearer than they
were in the first half. of 1906, during
which war was more than once threat,
ened. but at present there Is practical
~ no cloud on the horizon, although
there is palpable sensitiveness in Ger
fany's relations with all other coun
tries except Austria, which may, or
very slight provocation, awaken q
storm.
Respecting internal conditions. the
prospects are anything but r%eassuring
and 1t may well be said that the EN-
pire is now at the eznith of her pres
ent cycle of prosperity.
How 1907 will materialize depend.
largely upon the election on January
IS. and the mutual attitude of the gov
ernment and the next Reichstag to on,
another, II the government does no
rake considerable concessions to tn,