Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-15

Britons possess in common with the rest
of mankind the characteristic Of kicking
against increased taxes. Yesterday they
insisted that their homes were In grave
peril Of German invasion. and demanded as
a means Of salvation that the government
provide for eight new Dreadnoughts this
year instead Of four. Today they are
equally furious against the government be-
cause additional revenue must be had to
build and equip four Dreadnoughts. what
they would do were the demands for eight
granted and taxes levied for the necessary
money can only be guessed. Certainly the
revenues needed for the lesser number and
the ways for getting 1t outlined in the
budget has aroused a fierce storm OF wrath
I'm the quarters directly affected. Fears OF
invasion are overshadowed by fears OF
poverty. The rich have little prospect of
growing richer. II they succeed in keeping
their heads above water IL lie all that can
be hoped for. The poor are not alarmed,
for taxes are the least OF their troubles.
The amazing transformation Of public senti-
ment has amusing aspects. The problem OF
providing the means to maintain the regal
state of the mistress Of the seas seems 10
have been overlooked. But when the gov
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matter of means, Of reaching down into
their pockets and backing their words with
the coin, the scene suddenly changes, the
lights grow dim and hot air enthusiasm Is
succeeded by groans. The spectacle of the
most pretentious aristocrats on earth stop
ping charity contributions, accusing the
government OF confiscation, and in other
ways playing the role OF pauper, Is one
calculated to grieve admirers of "a proud
and fearless race" and contribute much to
the gaiety of Germany.
sss
Emperor William is making amends for
the diplomatic indiscretions charged
against him last winter. In the disturb
ance following the annexation OF Bosnia
and Herzegovina to Austria and the set
Element of that question regardless of the
Berlin treaty, the Germans scored a YER
table triumph. No less effective in ex-
tending Teutonio influence in the Balkan
states is his appointment of King Charles
of m as field marshal of the Ger
man army. AS King Charles is seventy
past the appointment is complimentary,
and a very tactful one. The Significance
of the honor lies in the fact that the
Roumanian king, an army commander with
experience in the field, has a grievance
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During the war with Turkey in 1876 the
tender of Roumanian troops to Russia
early in the contest was declined. But
when the Russian columns were success
lively repulsed before Plevna and the tide
OF battle ran against the army of the
car an urgent appeal to King Charles for
assistance brought the king at the head
of fresh troops into the field in time to
turn Turkish victory into defeat. When
the time came for the division of the spells
of that war, not only were the claims OF
the Roumanians ignored, but Russia went
the limit of ingratitude by annexing Bes-
serabia. That contemplate act was not
forgotten. The German emperor's COM
pliment, therefore, is both tactful and de-
served, and materially strengthens Ger
man influence in the Balka states.
A few years ago when the Japanese were
walloping the Russian bear on the hills and
valleys of Manchuria, an amazed world
looked on and grudgingly admitted that the
Japs were. exceptional WALLPAPERS. In one
other respect at least the laps must be
voted exceptional. They give a greater per-
centage of their incomes to the govern
ment, and do 1t cheerfully. Such is the
claim made for the subjects of the mikado
by Adachi Kinnosuke in the Review of
Reviews. THE people of Japan" he
writes, ARE performing the financial mira
Gle of giving up about thirty per cent OF
their net incomes every day without saving
a word about IL. In other words, the
greatest asset of the japanese empire of
today is the patriotism of the people.
Within twenty-five years, perhaps, at the
rate of conquest western commercialism
and the doctrine Of individual rights are
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civilized as any other so-called Christian
nation. AS yet, however, the state. 70 the
imagination OF the people OF Japan, is
greater than all the gods. The glorifica-
ton of the state is the mecca OF our
dreams.:' An impressive exhibit OF patriot
ism, surely. How many peoples In the
world power class would put up thirty Der
cent for the glory Of the state and look
pleasant at the same time?
China is preparing to take a census of
its millions Of people. Existing statistics
Of the population of the empire are not
considered accurate. being largely esti-
mates or guesses of provincial governors.
The coming census is to be a thorough
one, and after 1t is done the government
} intends TO keep tho figures up to date.
One of the census regulations reads:
: After the completion of this census all
| births. deaths. marriages and adoptions
must be reported by the head Of the family
} to the local census office or police station,
the records OF the family must be revised
every two months and records OF individ-
uals every six months, and reports must
be made annually to the board Of the
interior by the directors general of the
census from the various provinces"
zee
Discussing the strained relations between
+, Great Britain and Germany springing from
naval rivalry, the London Saturday Review
pays his tribute to the dominant Teutonic
E power: THE Germans are much more
numerous than we. better educated, more
highly efficient in the functions Of citizen
y ship, more productive and more reproduc-
tive. more responsive to their political
3 center Of gravity, and empowered by a
broader base In Europe, n vulnerable in
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