Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-09

49, 1ANA1AAA = Va AANAANH ~ hNNN VI
1000 members, organized as p ehicle OF
native sentiment. at a recent session at
Madras expressed approval OF the reform
measures proposed by Lord Morley. de-
signed to increase native participation in
local councils. The proposals are tentative.
inasmuch as they must run the gauntlet at
the spring session OF the British Parliament.
As outlined by Lord Morley the reforms
propose first of all, an increase In the
number of legislative councils, giving IN
these local governing bodies due represen-
tation to the different classes OF the com
munity.' These bodies win be empowered,
besides dealing with local affairs. ito dis
cuss matters Of public and general import
ance, and 10 pass resolutions" There are
also to be councils for the -lleutenant-gov-
errors and for the v~iceroy, and the right
to discuss and vote upon financial pro-
jects is to be given to both. The represen-
tation of natives is everywhere to be en-
larged. As a step toward the goal OF native
aspirations the proposals are fairly satisfy
ing, and serve to check for q time. at least,
an agitation which gave England Seridus
concern. 1t remains for the near future to
show whether the performance will come
up to the promises. Meanwhile the pub
licity bureaus of England are doing some
lively pen work. shaping public sentl-
ment at home and abroad. Sydney Brooks,
the London correspondent Of American pub
LEGATIONS, is striving to direct sentiment in
the United states in the right channel.
several American editors, who a ex-
pressed doubts of the sanctity OF Eng
lands mission in India, and scoffed at the
British Parliament facilitating Turkey on
the inauguration of constitutional govern
w,AAN wrAgn. -.F..f-- Tai AA.N rI-lA AaHa
been taken to task by Mr.. Brooks. At the
same time another Englishman, Jabes I.
Sunderland. one Of larger view and
broader human sympathIes, tells his coun-
trymen that the true remedy for India's
ills is to abolish 'the system of holding and
governing foreign peoples without their
consent"
The dismissal of Y~uan-Sh-Kai, grand
c~oncillor and commander-in-chief of the
Chinese army, for the reason that he was
troubled with rheumatism and therefore
unable to stand the modern army test, is
said TO have. created a painful impression
in foreign diplomatic circles. 1t Is regarded
as a sign of reaction, a return to the policy
of Chinese exclusiveness. The dismissed
commander was very susceptible to- western
influence, a fact strikingly shown OF the
reorganized Chinese army. During the fall
maneuvers most of the arms carried were
of German make, so were the Krupp can
non, the captive balloons and the wireless
telegraph instruments and telephones.
Minor parts of the equipment came from
Japan. mo guns or n Of British
origin were employed" writes a correspond
ent Of the London Times. 1t is barely pos
sible that the supremacy Of German influ-
ence in the Chinese war department pro-
voked rival traders to place a bomb under
Yuan, for such expedients are not uncom-
mon, though usually denied. The fact Is
apparent, however, that the policy en-
bodied in tine slogan, China for the
Chinese" is a factor in the situation. The
taking over by the government of the Bel
gian interests in the Peking-Hankow rail-
road practically wipes out foreign invest
ments in Chinese railroads, and ends the
/ dream Of foreign ownership and manage
ment of the empires railroad development.
This spells reaction for foreign traders,
not necessarily reaction for China.
Abdul Hamid, sultan Of Turkey, accepts
with becoming meekness the rebukes and
taunts Of his ministerial and legislative
managers. In their replies to the speech
from the throne, several bold deputies
sharply criticised the ~sultan's past conduct
and warned him against attempting similar
d~espotic acts in the future. A few days
later the sultan gathered the ministers and
parliamentary deputies at a banquet and,
having filled his critics with the best his
larCer afforded, talked TO them in the tone
of a ruler who had never strayed from
the straight and narrow constitutional
paths of the founders of constitutional lib
erty. Profuse promises of fidelity were
given and assurances of his eagerness to
lead them to higher levels of liberty.
The sly old despot, realizing the insecurity
of his hold. simulated the oratorical
earnestness Of n salaried reformer, whose
job depended on making a good impress
sion. Meanwhile the exiled reactionarios
have opened headquarters at Athens,
started a newspaper, and are actively rail-
lying all the disaffected elements driven
from power by the young Turks. Among
these elements are the %sultan's host of
spies, now without visible means Of sup
port. When these forces are ready TO-
business and the moment ripe, Abdul will
be found with them. eager to lead them
back to the old paths of autocratic power
and boundless graft.
The discovery and exposure Of a CRATER
connected with the municipal government
OF Schoneberg, an aristoCratic suburb OF
Berlin, caused some cheap critics OF the
local yellow press to lament the outbreak
OF "A~mericanism'' at the German capital
The alleged CRATER was q political boss
in a section Of a nation where bosses are
an inheritance as we'll as an institution,
where they outrage honesty and morals
as scandalously as In the land Of the free
No nation or race possesses a monopoly
OF the virtues. Graft is not hedged in by
national bounds on either side OF the
Atlantic. Unfortunately, IT stained Only
last year the exalted station of the pre-.
miership of Sweden, as well as the city
councils Of schoneberg. London and Pitts
burg.
Former President Cipriano Castro Of
Venezuela has received a cordial welcome
from the tTadesmen of Berlin. His COM
ing was heralded far and wide, and inter-
est in his personality grew as has fortune
In the public prints increased from R.9O.-
600 to $50 900. 600. "Gusundhnits' and "Hocf