Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-14
OTHER LANDS THAN ours.

OTHER LANDS THAN ours.
The rivalry Of the old world powers in
military and naval expansion is gradually
but surely approaching the bottom OF the
taxgatherers' resources. Failing revenue
and ever increasing expenses brings the
problem Of making ends meet at home to
the taxpayers sooner than anticipated.
British revenues fell away $22,OOO,OO for the
six months ending September 30, 1903, a loss
Of S1l, O0O,OOO more than the calculations OF
the chancellor OF the exchequer. Coming
sharply on the heels of the draft for old
age pensions, which far exceeds calcula-
lions, the ministry is brought face to face
with the ominous propositions OF decreas-
ing expenses while hundreds of thousands
clamor for work or relief. or increase taxa
ton. Hitherto, Germany has avoided an
increase in taxation, contenting itself with
bond issues to absorb the annual deficit.
In thirty-five years the debt of the empire
has Increased from $4,000, 900 to 81, 06O,O 100000
or 25 times, in spite Of the large war in
demnity from France. To meet this emery
ency a sweeping reorganization Of the fiscal
system is imperative. 1t is proposed to
take over the buying and selling OF spirits,
increase the tax on beer and wines, raise
the customs duty on foreign tobacco, and
place an ad valorem tax on home manufac-
tured cigars. Electricity and gas are to.
be taxed and from 2 to 10 per cent of add
vertising charges will go to the imperial
treasury. These sources of revenue. to-
gether with increased death duties, are ex-
pected to produce about 1920, 10000 annually.
In France, where taxation is an exact
science, every revenue resourc has, been
so thoroughly worked that the government,
to meet an unfailing annual deficit, is
driven to the extremity of proposing a tax
on visitors. The condition to which these
governments are driven by the monarchial
ego and a false national pride is hardly
calculated to contribute to the gaiety OF
the taxpayer.
Kaiser wilhelm's blazing indiscretion'
In consenting to the publication of an In
terview on the relations Of Germany and
Great Britain has been thoroughly ventil-
ated in the German press and in the
Reichstag, to the serious damage of lese
-majeste. The emphatic rebuke adminls-
tered to the emperor's personally conducted
diplomacy is little short of astounding to
those who have noted the zeal and celebrity
hitherto shown in sending critics of his
hhaJSoAS " biASoAs ~ 10 ah "a
hibition not only of German courage in
press and rostrum, but also of German de-
termination to hold the emperor strictly
accountable to his constitutional advisers.
The warning sounded by the ministers Of
the crown and by members of the Reich
stag have been sufficiently impressive in
the direction in tended to procure the sup
preston of a similar interview which was
hAl ~ No. -a-g,n 80
already in type for the December number
Of the Century magazine. To a monarch
exemplifying the royal absurdity, THE
king can do no wrong" it must be exceed
ingly Notifying to his pride to find him.
self the target for criticism and ridicule,
and to see the aggressive eagle of Germany
pictured as a screeching parrot. The out
burst of national indignation may yet be-
come an epoch In the march of the German
empire oward a more responsive consti-
tutional government and manhood suffrage.
The new era dawning in Ireland is not a
figure of speech. 1t has substance for the
foundation and determination for the super
structure. A correspondent of Golfers
Weekly, writing of THE New Ireland -
says the spirit of revival is manifested in
education, industry and agriculture, and
most significantly in the bridging of the
chasm of the Boyne. North and south are
coming together and cooperating as never
before, uniting for the common cause Of
national welfare. Every town and county
has its development association, and every
newspaper is sounding the American slogan,
'Patronize home industry" Some obstacles
are encountered in agricultural develop
veying the land to the people, but what
has been accomplished under the land act
is a stimulus for activity in manufactures,
and energizes the unity and patriotism
which is gradually making the new and
greater ireland.
Should the rumors Of a possible change
in the sultanate of Turkey come true later
on, the present occupant of the Ottoman
throne will not go out of business with an
empty pocket. Anticipating the probability
of forced retirement less painful than the
fate of his brother, Abdul Hamid has laid
by a generous pile OF coin. estimated at
$l5, GO, well invested and in securities
beyond the reach of his enemies. His mar
ried daughters are provided for and four
single daughters and three SONS will be
taken care of, should the worst come, by
the fund laid aside in more prosperous
days.
Whatever fear Great Britain entertains
regarding the American invasion, one
branch of the nations activities is in nc
immediate danger. British enterprise and
speed in building battleships surpasses the
records of all rivals. 1t is expected that
the battleship Collingwood, just launched,
will be finished within two years of the
laying of it's keel. That will not match
the speed with which the first Dreadnought
was built, but the C~ollingwood is a vast
Improvement on the first Of it's class and
entails considerably more work. However
two years is a record to be proud of and
humbles to the dust the American record
of three and four years for similar work
Es
The tide Of emigration from Italy
strongly directed to the United States until
the panic of last year, is now setting
toward Brazil. The demand for labor II
the araot cOffpp-uFnducinR states "a eioI