Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-28
OTHER LANDS THAN ouRs.

The strained condition OF public senti-
ment IN Germany and England afford OPP
portunlties for alarmists and advocates OF
militarism to secure attention. Whether
the causes operating to produce the pres
ent tension we're designed or accidental. Il
is clear they are working most effectively
in promoting military and naval expansion
and In diverting public attention while
measures Of increased taxation are being
put through the legislative mills. Note
how the tension helps the administration
policies in both nations. G~ermany's an
nounced policy of creating a large naval
fleet, estimated to cost half a billion dol
lars, or S1OO.OOo.OOO each year. for the next
five years, brought the British prime min
ister an enlarged definition Of Great
Britain's two-power naval standard. Mr..
Asquith announced that the STANDARD
meant a navy equal to the two next high
est naval powers. with 10 per cent added
for good measure. The German Reichstag
answered the challenge by voting TO in
crease the coming years naval budget
from s10O.OO0,000 to Sis, OOO, 200. an increase
of 10 per cent against Britain's 10 per
cent. In the midst of this naval rivalry.
with national pride electrified. General
Lord Roberts. former commander-in-chiet
OF the British army, chose an opportune
moment to exploit his army defense
scheme in the House OF Lords. In his
opinion the navy Is not to be relied on as
an effective defense against invasion. To
be sure, it would help some, but com
plete safety can be had only with a home
army of 100000 men. trained and equipped
to drive invaders back into the sea. Lord
Roberts plan, which, the peers commended
to the Commons, would mean the adoption
of the continental system of universal
military service, a policy which has not
found favor in England. Thus, through
the fog on both sides of the North sea
may be felt, II not seen, the clever hands
which press the alarm buttons with the
forefingers while the remaining finger
press buttons on the taxpayers.
The statement of Prince Won Buelow.
made in the Reichstag, recently, that
France had become the worlds banker, is
confirmed by Edmund Thery's work,
Economic Progress of France" Just pub
lished in Paris. For nearly a quarter OF
a century. 1t appears, France has been re-
ceiving from abroad a good deal more gold
than 1t has paid out. Even since 1900 it is
estimated through a most careful calcula-
N', S0iN VI NAhN . = ~
fund must have been increased by $780,
100000. But some Of NJ. Thery's other dis
coveries are much more interesting. The
tremendous national debt of more than
S,000,000,000 is held almost entirely inside
the country. paying 3 per cent to the hold
ers, while In addition the investing pub
lie. which may be said to include the whole
population to greater or less degree, has
more than 5000, 900. 900 more placed in the
national debts of other countries. such as
Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Bel
GUM and Russia. The total wealth of the
country ia estimated at 50,0oO,O 900. 900 francs
$500, 1000 0,0O0), divided with more equality
among the inhabitants thar Is the case
in any other country. Nearly 100000 per-
sons have $4,000 each, nearly 1900, 900 pos
sess 5000 each, while 4,OOO,0oO have 1900
zach.
The recent message of King Onward,
conveying royal greeting and assurance
of remedying native grievances, is received
by the press OF india in a spirit correspond
ing to the political tendencies Of the edi-
tors. Some of the native journals praise
1t loyalty, others extend to 1t a rather
chilly greeting, while some ~criticise 1t
bitterly. The Katrika Of Calcutta says the
pSOple uHuoupttuly ENJOY the dIIecllon OF
the royal house, but, at the same time, the
deplorable truth need not be concealed that
the country is deterforatIng fast under
British rule. 1t adds: THE late empress
ought either to have assumed direct gov
eminent or granted a constitution. At
present the country is at the mercy Of its
servants. The Bengal says: ut would
be affectation to say that the jubilee has
left the country happier or more cheerful.
What is most disappointing is that the mes
sage holds out no hope OF the reform propo-
sails being really useful. LIE us assure the
kings advisers on behalf of our people
that this is not the sort Of reform which
will satisfy any section of the community
The Sandya says: THE king can cheat us
thrice. but not the fourth time. with words
meant for children, as it WERE" The Mir
ror is the only Bengali paper that cordially
welcomes the document.
John Burns, the first of British labor
leaders to hold a cabinet position. is in