Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-26

-N 49, H.W EANNAAAe N@aR @
advance for liberty and legislative progress
in the pld world. 1t has been more a year
OF development and growth than Of start
ling changes, a year OF popular demand
for lessening the divine right OF kings
and emperors. and increasing participation
OF the people In the governments they sup
port. The transition Of Turkey from an abb
solute monarchy to a constitutional gov
eminent deserves first place in the record
Of the years record OF progress. Rarely
has such a revolution in government been
effected so admirably, peacefully and thor
oughly. From the moment the bloodless
coup was executed in June. through the
following rout and exile of the %sultan's
official tyrants, in the election OF members
Of parliament, and in the Inauguration OF
that body last week, the liberal, OF Young
Turks party. leaders displayed a rare de-
gree Of courage, self-control and deter
mination. Possessing thorough knowledge
OF state affairs, they moved cautiously
TOWARD the goal OF constitutional govern
ment, measuring each step taken, winning
public confidence by orderly advance, and
rigidly sdherlng to the terms Of the pro-
claimed organic law. The success Of the
movement to date Is a tribute to the pa
triotism, craftsmanship and courage OF the
men who challenged and successfully over
turned odlous despotism. To other people
striking to shake off the shackles Of ty-
rants the years events in Turkey afford
encouragement and hope.
OF almost equal significance as a world
event ranks the controversy between the
German ministry and the Reichstag on the
one land and Emperor william on the
| othaP Under the constitution Of the empire
the emperor is vested with absolute con-
troll of foreign affairs. In the exercise Of
that dangerous one-man power, the en-
peror has not shown wise discretion so es-
sentIal i'm delicate International affairs.
He talked too much. He dipped into q
number of controversies needlessly, and
kept the chancelleries Of neighboring ma
lions in a turmoil. The publication in the
London Telegraph of al Interview with
the emperor, in which he expressed his
sentiments on the relations of Germany and
Great Britain, aroused intense indignation
at home and provoked a torrent Of un-
friendly criticism. National sentiment
voiced in the Reichstag by the members
with practical unanmity, and by Chancellor
Won Buelow in behalf of the ministers, en-
phatlcally demanded a pledge of silence
from the emperor and ministerial co-opera-
ton in foreign relations. II the emperor
was unwise or indiscreet with reporters,
he showed no wise discretion in admitting
the Justice Of the pledge required by the
Reichtag and the ministry, and readily
promised to share responsibility with his
ministers. Though the pledge does not alter
the constitutional rights OF the monarch,
the causes which produced the concession
are likely to bring about constitutional
changes creating a ministry responsible to
the Reichstag or the Bundsrath. instead Of
a ministry responsible solely to the en-
peror. Four amendments to the constitu-
ton designed to effect that result have
been introduced in the Reichstag and are
scheduled for action early in the new year.
Agitation for home rule has reached for
midable proportions in India, and Its prog
ress seriously disturbs the British estab-
lishment. The movement grows out OF de-
cades Of native dissatisfaction with a sys-
tenn OF government which exploits the
country for the benefit of Great Britain.
The British insist that their mission in
India is a holy one, inspired by a lofty
desire to educate and fit these "uncouth
people" for the responsibilities civilization
imposes. Educated Hindus do not APP
preciate the British ideal. and resent the
suggestion of a sacred mission. They in
sist that they are no longer children, to be
fashioned in an alien mold and iaocculated
with the virus OF dependence. They demand
the natural right OF participating to a con-
trolling degree in the legislative branches
of the government, and OF administering
the government for the good of the gov
erned. The present form OF government,
they contend is unsuited to the country's
needs. at grinds the poorand ignorant. 1t
brushes the rich and the educated" Of
fetal statistics show that the Hindu earned
4 cents a day in 1850, 8 cents a day in 1882,
and, in 1900, after British rule had been
given half a century In which to prove its
inestimable value, the native received less
than 2 cents a day. AS an investment India
has profited the stranger enormously, sup
plies a market for British goods, while local
industries lag, and supports a vast num-
Der of Englishmen as active administrators
or as pensioners, while the natives must be
satisfied with a few insignificant crumbs
The process of taking the cream Of every
thing and leaving the residue to the hum
CRY millions, whose toll produced the milk.
has embittered the struggling people,
drawn the various classes together, and Is
steadily overcoming religious antagonlsms.
England meets the situation in a charac-
teristic manner. A meagre concession in
the way OF offices is accompanied with the
sting of coercive measures. But the revo-
lutionary spirit, now confined within peace
full lines, 80 thoroughly ramifies the coun-
try that 1t cannot be stamped out by
coercion or its hunger appeased by a mess
of pottage.
Progress toward constitutional govern
ment received a temporary check in Per-
STA. The suspension OF the constitution
proclaimed a year ago provoked an armed
revolt which was quickly suppressed
in Teheran, but remains active and
controlling in Tabriz and other cities. The
determination of the revolutionists. though
few in number, serves as a rallying force
from which the shah's supporters keep at
a safe distance. Already the shah shows
signs of recanting, and seems to be search
ing for an excuse to restore the constitu-
ton without impairing imperial dignity. The
awakening Of China continues undated.
What effect the death of the emperor and
and the dowager empress will have on
the uplift is not apparent, but it is more
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