The Washington herald., 1908-03-15
NEWS FROM ABROAD
London Sees Growing Dis
trust i'll Japan's Policy.
NEW RAILROAD IS OPPOSED
Subject of Trademarks Now Form
Subject for Negotiations Between
the British Embassy in Tokyo and
Japanese GOvernment-Govern Of
Natal Completes Tour of zuIuInnd.

japanese Ycrnment-NoNerhor OF
Natal Completes Tour of zuIuInnd.
London. March 1.-THE recent state
ments in the English press regarding the
Manchurian Railway and Japanese policy
in Manchuria have / evoked expressions
Of opinion in Shanghai and other Chinese
centers. II is declared that a most strik-
Ing sign of the times in the far East is
a growing distrust OF Japan's policy. The
obstruction Of foreign trade in Manchu-
ria equally affects British interests, as the
obstacles 10 which the British are sub
jected at Dalny are a negation of the
principles Of the open door. Furthermore.
Jspan's determined opposition to the Chi
nese Fakumen Railway, eliminating. as
Il does. even the possibility of competition
with the Manchurian line, is regarded as
a grave matter. Another serious question
Is that the trademarks which is now
forming the subject of negotiations be-
tween the British Embassy in Tokyo and
the japanese government. II has been
found difficult by European diplomats 10
convince Japan that no satisfactory solu-
tion OF this problem can be founded upon
the existing laws OF Japan. which are
held by Western opinion TO be at variance
with the commercial morality of civilized
nations. II is considered essential in
competent quarters that the British gov
eminent should press for new trademark
laws in Japan
Sir Matthew Nathan, governor OF Natal.
has completed his tour of Zululand and
returned 10 Durham. He visited every d.
vision of Zululand except one. and met
every prominent chief or principal coun-
cillor
He said the chiefs spoke readily re-
garding cattle disease. drought and To-
Gusts. and the distress which was antici-
pated from them. but showed not the
least discomfort with white rule as such.
On the contrary. many acknowledged the
permanent destruction Of Zulu power at
Ulundi and other historic battlehelds. and
severely condemned attempts to create
state Of anarchy in Zululand, which they
attributed 10 one faction only. Fears
were sometimes expressed lest the native
reserves, comprising thfee-fourths OF Zu-
luland, should be encroached upon by
whites. and complaints We're made oc-
easionally that the Native Affairs Com
missions reforms had not been adopted.
Sir Matthew Nathan reassured the
chiefs on these points. and said that the
government would see that the reserves
were respected. and was earnestly con-
sidering the reforms advocated by the
commission with a view 10 early action.
The tour has had a potent pacific ef-
feet, and counteracted the seditious in
fuences to which the tribes have hither-
90 been subjected.
Having heard that Sir Matthew Ma
than was well disposed to them. and
believing him to be. an emissary sent di-
rect from the King 70 befriend them
the chiefs spoke freely when he received
them privately after each indaba. and
they strongly expressed the opinion that
Dinizulu should not be allowed to return
20 his people. as otherwise a renewal OF
the terrorist Influences would be prob
able
The Sultan has issued decree order
ing the formation of a commission. under
the presidency Of the under secretary
for finance, 10 inquire into the question
whether it is necessary for the govern
ment to renew the concession Of the
Tobacco Reggie ending In 1914 Notwith-
standing the advice of interested circles
supporting the Reggie the opinion seems
10 prevail that the prolOngation of the
concession will confer no advantages. and
Il has been decided to refuse to give the
company the support of the army against
the smugglers.
The debate on religious education. which
has been occupying the attention of the
Chamber OF Deputies during the last few
DAYS. has. certainly shown that Italian
politicians on both sides thoroughly ap-
preciate the Importance of this question
and have risen 20 the occasion. have
never seen the chamber so crowded as
during the debate: the only empty tribune |
is that Of the dipIomatists save for the |
presence OF that constant attendant. the |
Greek charge d'affalres.
Signor Ferdinando Martini. the ex-gov- /
ernor Of Erythrea. who. after many years
absence, has returned TO active politics
at home. has made perhaps the most in
teresting speech so far, as might have
been expected from a man Of such varied |
culture. His position is neither that of |
the socialists. nor that OF the Clericals: |
ne Is not opposed to religious education: |
he does not wish, as he expressed il. |
to substitute the new tyranny. which /
seeks 70 compel men 90 believe In moth !
ing. for the old tyranny, which forced |
them 20 believe in a particular set OF 4
dcgmaS. but he desires the exclusion /
Of religious teaching from the schools. |
IN order that 1t may be given exclusively |
IN the churches. He admitted what The
anu-Clericals are apt 10 ignore that in /
great cities young people are exposed 10 I
ever-increasing moral temptations. and
that many things enter their homes with
the daily popular newspaper which were
better excluded Hence a wise states l
man cannot afford to dispense with those |
religious forces which, in ninety-nine cases
out Of hundred, are Of more binding
value than any system of phiIosopbic
morals
1t must not be forgotten that in ItaIv /
with the exception OF the handful ~ 1
Waldensians. people are either Roman /
Catholics or nothing; no third course is 4
either practicable or probable. given the
national history ard the Italian tempera-
ment; hence, those who oppose religious |
education here are really advocating /
blank agnosticism. The Socialists. who
are nothing if not logical recognize the
full force OF this dilemma and avow them /
selves atheists
The government has been carefully
watching which way the cat is going 20 /
jump It's decision may be affected hv /
the open letter directed by the chairman
Of the Roman Catholic Electoral Union
TO the prime minister, stating that his
society will mark out for opposition at
the approaching general election all |
deputies who vote for the Socialist Dro