The Washington herald., 1908-03-29

In Ministry at ST. Petersburg.
London. March 2S-Political parties in
Belgium are maintaining an attitude of
suspicion toward the Congo annexation
treaty. Ii is said that NJ Beernaert ex-
minister of state, who had pronounced in
favor Of the treaty. has become its un-
compromising adversary. He is opposed
to allowing the King the sum Of 100000
francs in fifteen successive annuities for
the execution of works on the Congo. or
TO giving him the right Of using this
money at his discretion without any su-
pervision on the part of the Chambers.
NJ Beernaert demands further explana-
tions as &c the estates at Cape Ferrat es-
cheating 20 Belgium. and as to the prop
erty which is registered in the name OF
the Crown Foundation. He quotes the
report of a French official that there is
no property in France registered in the
name Of the Crown Foundation.
The government asserts that il has
complete confidence that a final settle
ment will be recalled.
According 70 news from Calcutta, the
Maharaja OF Darbhanga, accompanied by
a deputation of the Hindu Religious Socl-
ETY., has presented TO the viceToy on be-
half of that body an address the sigma
lures to which were representative OF the
states Of Kishangarh. Saitana, Rewah
Kashmir. Oubha. and Alwar, the three
great shrines OF Puri. Gaya, and Madras.
and many leading cities. The address
stated that the society was a purely re-
ligious and nonpolitical one, and empha-
sized the loyalty of the signatories TO the
throne. Their main object was 10 secure
the imparting Of religious with secular
education.
The Earl Of Minto in his reply, sincere
ly welcomed the distinguished deputation.
He said that In spite of the fact that they
had passed through troublous times. the
government had good reason 10 recognize
the loyal support which the orthodox
Hindu community represented. Education
was the greatest problem in India to-day,
and upon its solution the future of the
country largely depended. The question
how TO minister 10 the burning thirst for
knowledge rested largely with such socle-
ties as that represented before him. Neu-
trality In religious questions must always
remain an axiom OF British rule. After
advocating denominational hostels in con-
nection with colleges and schools, Lord
Minto urged the society to obtain hold
over parents in their homes and TO insist
on their instilling into their children those
principles Of loyalty and religion which
they advocated. In conclusion the vice
roy expressed complete sympathy with
the aims Of the society.
Herr Dernburg, the German colonial
secretary, has informed the budget COM
mit;se OF the Reichstag that the costs of
civil administration In Southwest Africa
were nearly covered by the colonial re-
ceipts. The colony. he added, was quite
suitable for white colonization and 70 re-
lieve the military burdens he had decided
TO reduce the number of troops there by
25 per cent
The new German secretary for the
treasury, NJ Won Sydow. has announced
in the Reichstag, in reply 20 numerous
interpretations, that the government has
postponed the introduction Of the bill
granting to subordinate officials the
much-needed increase Of their salaries
He stated that this measure was bound
up with the reform Of the imperial
finances. and that a satisfactory solution
10 the problem was not yet IN sight. He
promised that the bill should have retro
spective effect IL the necessary funds
were IN hand when the bill was passed
The ministerial statement means that the
government cannot discover any method
of raising more money by imperial taxa,
tion that wifAbe agreeable to all sections
Of the Block" and that In oroer that
money shall not be wanting to defray the
costs of the increased naval budget the
great army or of1cials must continue for
time to sacrifice themselves for the well
fare OF the Fatherland.
The ST. Petersburg Octobrist organ.
Golos Moskvy. which makes a speciality
Of reproducing the latest sensational ru-
NOR about the ST. Petersburg chancel-
leries afirms that NJ Izvolsky is TO be
succeeded at the foreign Office by Count
Muravieff. formerly minister of justice
and at present Ambassador in Rome It
is unfortunately true that N. Izvolsky's
retirement is not altogether improbable
Not only has he personal reasons for
seeking a change of post. but a certain
section Of the reactioaaries has lately
shown a tendency tc employ against him
against NJ. Bompard the French Ambas-
sador They have been accusing him OF
what. as things are in Russia, is eonsid-
cred 10 be the objectionable sin for a
minister of being too liberal If NJ. L.
Volsky retires. however il is highly i'm
probable that he will be succeeded by
Count Murav!eff. There Is far better rea-
son for believing that the post will be
fled by NJ. Charikoff. who recently re-
turned to the foreign office from The
Hague, and whose conceptions of foreign
policy agree in the main with those Of NJ.
1zvolsky.
In continuation Of the legislation on
meat inspection TO Denmark, which dur
ing the last few years has been repeated
ly extended and rendered more stringent.
with the object OF effectively preventing
the export from the country Of meat or
offal Of meat from animals the flesh OF
which is unfit for human food. the min
ister of agriculture has submitted TO the
Folkething a bill for extending the pres
ent control 10 all meat and meat prod
ucts. whether fresh. slightly sailed, or
strongly salted. The measure also pro-
vides that all meat found by the control
ling officers TO be fit for export shall be
furnished with a protective label. and II
doubles existing penalties for violation
Of meat-inspection laws.
Now that the Emperor Francis Joseph
has been persuaded to give HIS approval
20 public festivities on the occasion OF his
diamond Jubilee. the Vienna committee is
Fastening the work Of preparation, as the
date fixed for the celebration OF the iubi-
lee. June l5. does not permit any loss Of