The Washington herald., 1908-01-19

I
jurist, as the most likely candidate.
Mohammendan officials at the porte.
says the telegram have long been agi-
tating for the appointment of Moham-
medan Ambassador In England in view
of the large number of Mohammedans in
the British empire The principle Of
choosing Christian ambassadors for Lon
don was observed only in Queen Vic
toria's time.
The last four ambassadors have been
Christians. The appointment of a Mus
sulman would, therefore be an interest
ing departure.
An interesting exhibition of objects re-
latjng 80 Dante. including practically all
the editions of his works. viii shortly be
opened at Ravenna, the city where the
great Italian poet is buried.
The idea arose some seventeen years
ago, waen the late Pope gave the sum of
s. coo toward "a memorial Of the poet in
the ely where he died and in 1904 it was
decided that the best means of applying
the funds collected would be 10 set aside
one room of the Slassense Library At
for a permanent exhibition of books.
manuscripts and other things concerning
the author of the Divine Comedy.
The London Dante Society has gener-
ousiy assisted with money and books. The
valuable OlshH collection Of editions Of
Dante will afford an uurvaled oppor-
tunity Of paying homage 20 the poet and
of seeing at a glance what has been
written about him.
At the same time. Sig, Rava, the min
lister OF education, himself a native of
Ravenna. has decided TO convert the Mon
astcry of s. Vitale. now used as barracks
into a museum, and 20 deposit the local
archives in the monastery Of ST. Maria In
Porto, also occupied at present by the
military.
The correspondent Of the Echo de Paris
in Rome says he has received the follow
ing statement regarding Abyssinian af-
fairs from weIl-informed quarters
1t has been reported that the Emperor
MeneIik refused 10 give his assent 10 the
AnElo-FrancO-Italian agreement Such as
sent was not necessary.
THE three contracting powers c0mmu-
nicated the agreement 10 tine emperor
without having To ask for his approval
As 10 the existing Jibuu Railway Com
pany, it viii probably give place 10 an
other, and the new company viii certainly
be a French concern.
Any attempt 10 make the railway an
International line will be frustrated by
the decision OF the French goysrument 70
preserve the national character Of the
undertaking. On this point neither En-
peTor Menelk nor Great Britain nor
Italy viii offer opposition.
As 10 the efforts of Germany 10 get a
fOothold in Abyssinia, they viii certainly
be resisted by Great Britain. Italy and
France. which occupy a privileged posi-
ton in the country"
VI. Gustav HeTye. who. although under
sentence Of a years imprisonment for
libeling the army, is at liberty. pending
the result of his appeal, appeared as
counsel for the defense in the trial OF
further batch of anti-milltarists before
the Seine Assize Court recently.
The defendants, in their statements
freely abused society, which they de-
nounced as the unjust stepmother Of the
working classes. One man. a soldier.
said:
If ever we were asked TO use the rifles
placed in our hands, we should fire with
JOY on you. 1t is you we would fight
you, your laws. and your army"
After NJ. Herye and three other coun-
sci had been heard. the case was ad-
jOurned.
Some time ago it was proposed 10 pull
down the old Praetorian Camp in Rome.
which has Witnessed so many centuries of
history, the sale Of the empire of the
world by auction, the flight OF Nero. and
the preachings Of St Paul This historic
monument was 10 be consigned To
building society for the erection Of "eUgi-
Die dwellings" electric light and water
laid on, porter ia livery, &C.. This ca
tastrophe has happily been averted. but
Ii is most earnestly to be hoped that the
Praetorian Camp will not be sacrificed to
some other base use.
Now that the gas company, which has
so long been established in the Circus
Maximus, is willing To be appropriated.
and to transfer its gasometers TO some
more remote spot than the hill between
the Aventine and the Palatine. it is sug-
gested that the great Circus should be
Apart from the archaeological interest.
the view from the Palatine would thus be
much improved. and the money which il
is proposed to spend on a temporary re-
production OF the Baths of Caracalla
more in place al Earls Court than in
ROmet could be better devoted 10 such an
object Of permanent interest and value.
The French government has resolved to
oppose the project of reducing the Re-
seryists' term of service from twenty
eight days to twenty-one, which will be
brought forward on the discussion Of the
war budget
The war minister last year declared |
himself favorable to the principle of this
reduction, but the recent diminution of
the military effective by the adoption of
the law limiting service with the colors to |
two years, has made a further alteration
of service periods impracticable
If the chamber shows itself inclined TO |
be intractable over this question the gov |
ernment viii probably make it a matter |
of confidence.
Sir Eldon Gorst, the British agent. has |
returned to Cairo. from tour of the
Delta, in the course of which he visited |
four provinces. This was his first trip |
since he left Egypt in 1903.
The two points which struck him most |
were the great interest taken by the no. |
tables and other rich Egyptians in eIe-
mentary and technical education, the
large sums they We're able and willing to |
subscribe for the DrOm0tioD Of a51o,