The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1909-01-01

made conc eSsionS.
TURKEY.-The leaven OF democ-
racy showed signs OF working even In
the European stronghold Of autocratic
Islam. The sultan OF Turkey saw bis
army turning from him under the in
huence of the foung Turk party and
thus powerless, he put into ehect tie
hitherto dead letter constitution If
1876 and called into being II national
parliament at ConstantinOple. This
body met amid rejoicing Dec. II.
THE BALKANS. - On Oct. the
whole status of southeastern Europe
as fixed by the treaty of Berlin QSI9
was suddenly altered. Bulgaria pro-
claimed its Independence with Prince
Ferdinand as its car and at the
same time by concerted arrangement
Austria announced to the powers that
she proposed TO annex completely the
former Turkish provinces Of Here
goyina and Bosnia, while the Turkish
island Of Crete moved toward union
with Greece War seemed unavoid-
able then, and the clouds still lower
In the diplomatic sky as gloomy
omen Of what the new year may have
in store. The prompt action Of the
powers on motion Of Russia in agree
Ing TO hold Il conference To readiust
the balance in the Balkans, the open
ing OF negotiations between Bulgaria
and Turkey and the military imDo-
tence of Servia and Montenegro com
bined to prevent an immediate out
break. Later Turkey began a boycott
Of Austrian goods. and all the Balkan
states prepared for war.
PORTUGAL.-The ferment Of Re
publicanism in the Portuguese mon
archy after long restraint found vent
in the assassination of King Carlos and
Crown Prince Luiz Feb. ] while they
were riding I'm the streets of Lisbon.
The younger son. Manuel, who was
slightly wounded. succeeded TO the
throne, and the hated Premier Franco
fed the country. Subsequent elections
showed the Conservatives still in a
large majority.
NOROCCO.-On Aug. "a the oft re-
peated story Of the defeat OF Sultan
Abdul AZiz by the forces Of the pre-
tender. Mulai Hafid proved to be true,
and the latter demanded recognition
Of the powers as the sultan. That was
where the German emperor made a
peck Of trouble by recognizing Hafid
without consulting the nations in the
Algeciras conference. France firmly OBJ
jected. Spain seconded. and the kaiser
"came down" Then they all bowed
to Hafid together
PERSIA Radical first parlia-
ment at Teheran under the constitu-
ton granted in 1907 was wiped out Of
existence in bloody battle with the
shah's soldiers June %. 400 persons be
ing killed in the streets. the parliament
buildings battered down ard some Of
the Radical leaders executed The rev.
olutionists captured and held Tabriz
JAPAN. JananeSe government
gave the American fleet wonderful
reception. the millado and the presi-
dent exchanging most cordial greetings.
CHINA. On Nov. 10 Emperor
Kwang Seu and the dowaper empress.
who had been fcr q generation the
infant son OF Prince Chun. had been
designated rs heir TO the throne. and
the regency was seized by Prince Chun.
CENTRAL AMERICA lowered on
the VERGE ~ war but finally the issues
were laid before the new Central
American court Of Justice which was
set up MAY 26 at Carriage. Costa RIGA.
with all the states represented.
VENEZUELA added Holland to the
list Of her don't speak" neighbors by
expelling the Dutch minister for some
indiscretion. and the Dutch were hot
for coercion. They began war Dec. IS
by capturing the Venezuelan coast
guard ship Alix. Sleeper the American
minister finally broke OF relations and
quit the country owing to the failure
Of the Castro government responding
TO the overtures from Washington as
to a settlement Of claims. The Vene-
xuelan minister later was recalled
from washington. President Castro
sailed for Europe the last Of November
CUBA rose To her new opportunity
with orderly elections In December.
Jose Niruel c. MOI The liberal leader.
being chosen president
HAITI was torn by two revOlts. that
led by Juneau aud Firmin In January
being crushed. hut the second. under
Antoine Simon. resulting In the blood
less capture Of Port al Prince and the
fall OF the Nord Alexis government
Dec. 9 As the forces Of Simon APP
preached the capital the officers OF
Alexis deserted and the people turned
against him. SO that he was barely
able TO escape with his life on board
a French warship. Simon took posses
sion OF the city and on Dec. II was