Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-22
In Other Lands
size lights on what n TrNns-
pir4nG Among the Near and
Tar Nations Of the Earth.

France evidently lacked the mental bal
ance with which to weigh the patriotism
and common sense Of their followers. They
mistook the cheers and huzzas which well
coined radical sentiments as proof of una
nimity. and in their exalted condition Of
fancied power imagined that their word
was supreme; that the government would
abdicate its functions and submit to the
dictates Of it's creatures. When put to the
test not only did the government vindicate
its supremacy, but the organized followers
of unwise leaders showed sound sense in
refusing to take the step leading to certain
defeat. A small number Of the organized
body obeyed orders, but fully ninety per
cent. realised in time the folly of the
move and stood for the government and
their Jobs. Never has a movement OF such
vast proportions in the advance notices
proven so complete a fiasco. The result
Emphasizes a fact too often flouted by
agitators that government is for all the
people, not for a class in the public service.
An attack on the state by public servants
is not far removed from disobedience in
the army or mutiny in the navy. Premier
Clemenceau energies from the threatened
revolt with vastly increased prestige as a
masterful leader, as courageous and de-
termined in handling apparently critical
situations as he is skillful and adroit in
political maneuvers. So thoroughly was
he prepared for the crisis that opponents
In the assembly were dazed by his general
ship and united with his party followers
in an overwhelming vote of confidence.
The invasion scare via the North Sea
has shifted from the daily and weekly
papers and taken a tight grip on British
magazines. One Of the widest alarmists
spreads an outburst OF hysteria over
several pages Of the National Review and
a few sentences will serve to show a state
OF mind worthy Of a place in an insane
ward. The article purports to be a trans
lation of a German pamphlet describing the
invasion of England by a fleet of German
airships in 1911. Two hundred British
warships steamed into the North Sea to
meet the invaders. THIS is what happened,
in the writer's mind: The fleet was 30
miles west of Heligoland, when its outpost
ship sighted great German armored
cruisers on the horizon. A thick fog en-
veloped the sky in dense gray, obscuring
the view. The fleet was Just about to
carry out a change OF front, when sud
denly one after the other fearful ex-
plosions occurred on three ships. Before
It had been grasped what had occurred,
fresh detonations followed, and now began
an nnbroken, murderous bombardment by
an unseen foe. The brave sailors were
panic-stricken. 1t was obvious that they
found themselves Immediately beneath the
German air-fleet, which, favored by the
weather, had escaped the notice of the
English balloon scouts Now followed a
scene of which the few survivors cannot
speak without ~shuddering. A gray mass
plunged with furious rapidly through the
air, and amidst an uproar as II the end of
the world were at hand, the admral's
ship was blown into atoms. Twenty or
so ships in proximity were likewise blown
up and sunk" Tit rest of the fleet was
scattered in all directions and many of
them captured. A German scout balloon
brought to England news of the destruc-
ton OF the fleet.
The big trading nations of the world have
so far restricted the rights of China that
the government is forced TO humble itself
and ask permission to increase its import
duties. The present Chinese tariff, nomlnaliy
on a 5 per cent ad valorem basis. is ac-
tually but 4h per cent. Last year its i'm
port revenue was but 5000. 900 and showed
a reduction Of more than $75O,oOO from 1901.
Since the treaty of Picking the fall in the
value of silver has operated to Increase
the Boxer indemnity by Is per cent. With
this Increased drain on the national treas
ury and with decreased import revenue.
China's only resource Ia it's likin tax,
which, II greatly increased, will crush COM
merce with its burden. The government
at Pekin asks a chance to regulate its rev.
enues so hat II can do business and paw
its bills. The United States, seeking a
legitimate development of trade in China
Endorses the request for an International
conference. Refusal by the other powers
indicates a purpose to reduce the nation
to still greater dependency.
zee
The railroad bandits of the northwest
have all the dash, but lack the picturesque
element, which causes the people Of sew
eral provinces OF Russia TO mourn the
untimely end of one Savitsky, known for
many years as the Robin Hood of the
Russian revolution" He got wtihin range
of the guns of the rural guards at Mohllev
the other day and took into his system
more lead than he could assimilate. Sa-
whisky was a high school student when he
NOOh nv iOdu dhh btBdu liz series OF
daredevil escapades, which have had. the
police OF the provinces cf Tchernigov and
Mohilev on the verge of nervous prostra-
ton for the last few years, and which
have kept the st. Petersburg clubs in roars
of laughter. He would go to any length,
and take any risk, to make a police official
look the fool, but his chief aim in life
appeared 10 be the relieving Of the rich
from their surplus gold. All that he took
from them he gave TO the poor. Like
other outlaws he met his end through
tTeachery. one Of the members OF his band
betraying him.
An Appreciation of Abdul Hamid by a
writer in the London Times credits the
deposed sultan with many admirable
traits which escaped general notice. Abdul
had almost miraculous powers OF work -
He was unfallingly courteous to those
with whom he came in contact. Personal
appeals to his benevolence rarely. II ever.
failed to meet with a gratifying response, -
He could scarcely be prevailed upon to
confirm a sentence OF death passed by a
regular tribunal, even when, as was the
case a few years ago, the crime was that
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