New-York tribune., 1909-01-01
rbances occurred on the Atlantic coast. neees-


stating military Intervention by France.
A reorganization Of the ministry occurred in
Japan, and. while the general policy Of the gov
ernment IN both domestic and foreign affairs
was maintained. important fiscal economies
were effected for the needed relief Of the I'M
perial treasury. Japanese authority over Corea
was confirmed. China suffered the death OF
both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
who for many years had been the real ruler OF
the empire. The succession to the throne passed
peacefully to the infant son OF the late En-
peror's younger brother, and that brother, an
enlightened and progressive prince who has
travelled in Europe was made Regent during the
minority. Preparations for the complete estab-
lshment of a constitutional government with
an elected representativ parliament were faith
fully continued the antiopum laws were en-
forced despite some violent resistance, and note
worthy progress was made IN the development
Of Chinese resources and industries by the
Chinese themselves. A little controversy arose
between the United States and Russia over the
administrative control OF a part of Manchuria.
which was soon ended and which led to a more
general recognition of Chinese authority In that
province. Sir Robert Hart returned to England
and practically ended his remarkable term or
forty-fve years OF service Mt the head of the
Chinese Maritime Customs Department. A pict-
was the visit Of the Dalai Lama to Peking.
whence he set out on his return to Lhassa at
the end Of the year The iftieth anniversary
of the Great Mutiny was marked in India with
more OminOus disturbances and Conspiracies
than had been known before in the half century
These appeared chiefly in the Brahmin caste
and In Bengal. and included seditious Utterances
in the press and from platforms. assaults and
assassinatons. arson and bomb explosions. Late
in the year stations Of refuge for women and
children were established for resort in an erner-
gency, a stringent law was enacted for sum-
mary dealing with revOIutionists and the gov
ernment announced important measures of adj
ministrative and legislative reform. which were
heartily approved by the Indian Congress,
which met in December at Madras. Floods at
Hydera bad caused enormous loss of life, and
little war was conducted on the frontier against
the Zakka tribe.
The long and often acrimonious controversy
over the administration Of the Independent
State of Congo was ended, or at least wholly
transformed, by the annexation Of that country
TO Belgium. Liberia sent ENJOYS to Europe and
America TO solicit a more sympa thetic and help
full attitude Of the powers toward that negro
republic. Hottentot hostilites were renewed IN
German Southwest Africa. 4 change Of min
istry occurred in Cape Colony which placed
troll. The self-governing British colonies of
South Africa sent delegates to a convention for
closer union, and substantial agreement was
reached upon plan OF national uRifcation IN
a commonwealth with q strong central gov
ernment and limited local autonomy for dis
tricts formed independent Of the old colonial
boundaries. New Zealand rejoiCed in her erec-
ton into q dominion and Australia adopted q
system Of universal compulsory military
vice. IN both those countries interesting ex-
periments IN social and industrial legislation
were continued, with occasional symptoms Of
reaction.
The deaths Of the year included those of the
King and Crown Prince of Portugal the En-
peror and Empress Dowager OF China. Tomas
Estrada Palma, President Of Cuba: J. NJ.
MarroQuin, ex-Presldent of Colombia; NJ. A.
Soto ex-President Of Honduras; T. Veintemilla,
ex-President OF Ecuador; Fernando GuachaIla.
President-elect of Bolivia: Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, formerly Prime Minister OF Great
Britain: the Marquis di Rudini, formerly Prime
Minister Of Italy: Sir William Whiteway, for
merly Prime Minister of Newfoundland; the
Duke Of Devonshire. Sir Henry D. Wolff, founder
Of the Primrose League: Sir W. r. Cremer.
British advocate OF interna tional arbitration;
Grand Duke Alexis of Russia; Count Nicholas
Ignateff and Nicholas NJ. Muravief. Russian
diplomats; General Linevitch, of the Russian
army; General SIR Redvers II Butler. of the
British army; General Count Nodzu and Gen
eraI Inouye of the Japanese army; A. II. Bee
uuereI. French scientist; Francois COppee,
French poet and dramatist: LudO,ic Hal6vy
French author and dramatist: VictOrien SardOu
French dramatst; Edmond de Amicis, Italian
traveller and author; Louise de la Rance. bet
ter known as "Ouida," French-English novelist;
Churton Collins, British essayfst and educator;
Archbishop Richard of Paris and Archbishop
Lecot of Bordeaux; T. Tsehlgorin. Russian
chess player, and Pablo Sarasa+e Spanish vio-
linist