Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-20
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

The speech from the throne at the OPEN
ing of the British Parliament, last Tues
day. did not disclose any ministerial policy
Of International interest. 1t was a colorless
deliverance, limited strictly to local affairs.
These local problems. however, are like a
stretch of wave-lashed rocks toward which
the liberal party craft is headed with but
scant hope OF avoiding a crash. Rarely
has a British ministry, with a dominant
majority in the Commons, faced a more
discouraging prospect. The House of Lords
is more determined than ever in its opposi-
tion to liberal party measures, encouraged
by a succession OF liberal defeats at by
elections and the lack of aggressive har-
mony in ministerial ranks. The ministry
lacks cohesion in-its naval policy, hesitates
to appeal to the country on the issue of
mending the Lords, and is further embar-
raised by the problem Of securing increased
revenue to meet greatly increased national
expenses. Increased taxation in the face
of widespread Industrial depression, with
hundreds of thousands of unemployed de-
handing work, is bound to be unpopular,
unless some way is found to place the
burden on the rich. With this class en-
trenched in the House of Lords, opposition
to such a plan may go to the extent of re-
tecting a budget the peers cannot lawfully
amend. 1t is evident the Asquith ministry
cannot long continue in a course which
leaves the peers masters Of the situation.
A party that cannot redeem it's pledges
lacks an excuse for living.
ss
Much OF the news regarding political af-
fairs In Ireland is filtered through the news
bureaus Of London and take on a color
distinctly hostile to the Irish home rule
interest. This coloring in large, naked
splotches. was put on the report OF the
recent convention OF the nationalist party
at Dublin. The press report described a
part of the proceedings as a Donnybrook
fracas, intimating that personal encounters
had taken place. Nothing of the kind oc-
CURED. In his dispatches to American
papers, T.. p. O'Connor, a member of Par
Lament and a participant in the conven-
ton, thus describes what has been pictured
as a disgraceful fisticuff: For Just half
a minute there was some confusion in the
convention when Father Clancy and
Eugene Cream, NJ. p, two of william
O'Brien's friends, advanced in to beg
oBrien to spare his voice and strength in
the face of a tempest of interruption from
the convention. The O'Brienites suspended
their attempt to break up the convention
~ NiSOAOSi diu Sldlcy anu creams action
was misunderstood and they were showed
back into their seats. The whole scene
lasted thirty seconds and not a blow was
struck" 1t takes a very small disturbance
in Ireland to become a riot when seen
through the biased spectacles of London.
The first attempt to disrupt the c~onstitu-
tional ministry of Turkey proved disastrous
to the chief promoter, Grand Vizier Kiamil
Pashs. Ever since the constitutional forces,
represented by young Turks party, assumed
control of affairs. there have been plots
and counterplots among the reactionaries
who seek to restore the old regime. Minis
terial leaders of the young Turks pressed
Tor more radical reforms than the grand
vizler would sanction, and doubtless threat
ened to force the abdication of Sultan Abb
dull Hamid. Kiamil Pasha inclined more to
the opposition, and attempted to checkmate
the progresives by dismisslng two of his
associates. BY an almost unanimous vote
the parliamentary chamber dismissed the
grand vizier and reinstated the ministers
he had cashiered. Evidently the reaction
aries were unable to, take advantage OF the
situation prenaturely created when the
hand of Kiamil was forced by his col
league. The unanimity of the constitu-
tional forces in quickly disposing Of the
issue raised is a reassuring display of
loyalty to and confidence in the leadership,
and leaves the plotters without an open
friend in the cabinet.
The annexation of Bosnia and Here
govina TO the empire of Francis Joseph
does not mean their extinction as a state.
1t means a change OF sovereigns only. In
n 800
Baron Bienerth, gives assurances OF com
plete home rule for both states. A Diet
for both is to be created and put in opera
tion, probably next spring. consisting of
ecclesiastical representation proportioned
to the different creeds, and seventy-two
elected deputies, representing an average
Of 5000 electors. The franchise is to be
direct and universal, but the electorate will
be divided into three classes-the first
comprising the largest taxpayers. ali per-
sons possessing academical diplomas, and
members OF chambers Of commerce; the
second and third classes comprising urban
and rural electors, respectively. The pre-
mier declares the Diet will have jurisdIc-
ton over all matters that concern Bosnia
ana Herzegovina alone. practically on lines
similar TO an American state.
The readiness with which the Japanese
appropriate the invention Of foreigners Is
familiar 10 traders In the Orient, and is a
fruitful source OF antagonism In commercial
circles. Official japan is beginning TO
realize the dishonesty OF prevailing bust
ness methods and is endesvoring to bring
about reform by persuasion. Not long ago
the vice minister Of commerce. and agrt-
culture addressed a significant circular TO !
the various chambers of OF the
country. Without mincing matters he says
that In consequence OF the growing inten-
sity Of competition, inventions. trade marks
and other Industrial rights have been imi-
tated or stolen In Japan, and that foreign
trade marks and trade names have also
been abused, and that the victims have