Omaha daily bee., 1907-05-11
OTHER LANDS THAN Ours.

I
A. the time approaches for opening Of
the second universal peace congress at
The Hague Il Is apparent that one Inn
portant feature OF the program will re-
ceive scant consideration. The optimistic
advocates OF restricted armament have
presented irrefutabie arguments In favor
OF calling a halt IN the rivalry OF world
powers IN naval and military expansion.
But yet not one OF the dominant pow
ers has given the proposition cordial. ef-
fective support. While concedlng the
necessity for joint action in the interest
OF peace and national economy each power
IL fearful lest some rival might thereby
secure advantage. Like Artemus Wards
willingness to sacrifice his wife's relations
in war so each power cheerfuly approves
disarmament, provided its rival first begins
the SACRIFICE. Germany alone speaks out
clearly and boldly. as behts the empire OF
the militant kaiser. It will have none OF
It, Germany" says Chancellor Won Bue-
low, has secured peace by keeping in
readiness for war" a sentiment repeatedly
expressed by President Roosevelt. Equally
significant are manifestations OF opposition
In quarters directly benefited by progressive
armament. The discharge Of several thou
! sand men from the arsenals OF England, ms
a measure of economy. provoked violent
! agitation against the ministry. Should
other powers, In pursuance OF a disarms-
ment policy, Increase the ranks OF the
unemployed in France and Germany. min
istries now entrenched In power would pre-
sently totter to their doom self-interest
| and political interest unite with national
rivalry in eliminating disarmament from
! serious consideration at The Hague Mill
] tary and naval establishments will con-
= tlnue expanding until the tax burden be-
comes unbearable, a condition the old world
powers are rapidly approaching.
Near observers Of events In France
prophecy an early fall for the Clemen-
/ ceau ministry. It's troubles are multiply
ing at an amazing rate. Having rebeled
! against the increasing demands Of radical
socialists, the latter are turning against
their ideal leader and threaten to rend
him. Actively supporting the socialists are
the labor union element antagonized in the
May day strikes. Protection afforded walt
ers who rebelled against orders OF their
unions was followed with an emphatic re-
fusal to permit government school teachers
and other employees to afiliate with the
Federation of Labor. The clerical party
TO the proposed income tax is growing in |
influential quarters and will manifest It.
self emphatically when the opportunity |
offers Discordant elements obtain In both |
radical and moderate political circles and |
their attacks on the ministry are unusu-
ally bitter 80 numerous, heterogeneous |
and essentially discordant are the groups |
| into which the French Chamber of Depu- |
ties is split" says the New York Sun. |
that for premier TO keep his place a
twelvemonth Is an acrobatlc feat and to
hold II two years a sort OF miracle Under
the circumstances the upsetting OF minis
tries has become a fine art, in which NJ.
Clemenceau has long proved himself an
adept; but, like Gambetta he must now
have learned that Il is far easier to be a
king maker than a king. Scarcely is
cabinet formed when the process of dis
Indignation sets in. Every one OF the
groups to whose temporary coalition the
ministers owe their elevation demands
share Of the offices, and as there are not
enough of these to go around the minis
terial majority soon crumbles from discon-
tent. That is the inherent and irremedia-
BILE vice Of parliamentary government in
France"
the moving cause OF the disorders re-
ported In Punjab, upper India, Is the in
sufficient participation Of the natives in
the government OF the country In all
India, British rule represents a total of
about 10000 employees Of all grades. Prob
ably 6,OO0 OF this number are natives The
proportion of natives to aliens in the
Pun5ab. doubtless, is the same. The over
whelming preponderance Of aliens pro-
duces in the natives that spirit of resent
ment and rebellious temper which made
possible the republic Of the United States
and more recently liberated Cuba from the |
clutch Of Spain. In advocating prompt |
and satisfactory reforms IN the disturbed |
district the Calcutta Englishman declares
the Hindus are competent to govern them
selves I'VE all know" It says, that there |
is great fund or dormant political wis |
dom In India, and It only remains tn devise |
some expedient by which It can be tapped" |
1t VIII hear nothing of suppression and |
counsels that in each province a conference |
between leading reformers and chosen rep
resentatives OF the administration be called |
for the discussion OF existing difficulties |
''in a practical and friendly spirit. In |
the viceroy's council the representatives OF |
advanced native opinion have been calling |
for a reduction in army expenditure, in |
view Of the admitted immunity of the |