Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-03
In Other Lands
Side Lights on what IL Trans
piring Among the Near and
Far Nations Of the Earth,

piring Among the Near and
Far Nations OF the Earth.
Jingoism is a dominant force in the polit-
ical activities of the old world. Increased
ornaments, both military and naval, over
shadow all other demands on the treasures
of nations. Questions of social. industrial
and economic character press in vain for
solution, while organized and systematized
jingoism. with impressive appeals TO ma
tional pride and national fears, sweep aside
calm leadership and marches triumphantly
to the treasury. Three of the four leading
powers of the old world-Great Britain
Germany and France-are confronted with
national deficits, exceeding 800. 900. 600 in
each case, and are raking the productive
resources of the people for new sources of
taxation. The task of raising increased
revenue in Germany would not be serious
or oppressive II the consent OF the Reich
tag can be obtained, but the difficulty lies
in holding together a majority of the sew
eral party divisions on a policy of increased
taxation. France has exhausted almost
every source of taxation and is now striy-
ing to Fashion an income tax which will
place the Increased burden on the rich.
Great Britain is situated much like France.
inheritance taxation has been pushed to
the limit, and incomes must bear much
more of the load which sea power presses
to the fore. In England public sentiment
emphatically demands continued supremacy
OF the sea. going so far as TO demand that
the ministerial policy of four Dreadnoughts
a year be raised to eight, involving the gi-
gantic sum of $50, 0O0, 600 for construction
alone. The agitation for the proposed in
crease has a political motive. The con-
sentative minority takes advantage of the
invasion scare and uses II as a means
Of embarrassing the ministry and discred-
iting the party in power. The situation I'm
the three nations bodies III for taxpayers.
The continuance of increasing ornaments.
particularly naval expansion along the lines
now followed, justifies the prediction of Sir
Edward Grey, British secretary for for
eign affairs, that the present policy. If per-
sisted in, inevitably leads to European
bankruptcy.
The famous Berlin treaty. designed by
the diplomatic giants OF Europe, thirty
years ago, to safeguard the buffer states
of the Danube from aggression and TO
block Russia's highway to Constantinople.
has been repealed and repudiated by the
stronger power in the usual way. BY the
terms OF that treaty the political condi-
ton Of the Balkan states was not to be
changed without the consent of the sigma
tory powers. When Austria annexed Bos-
MIA and Herzegovina there was a demand
for reassembling of the Berlin congress.
England, France and Italy desired to be
consulted. Russia seconded the motion.
But Germany asserted the question OF call
ing the congress was debatable. and pro-
ceeded to debate it in that f~orcefuI. az
gressive tone which superior gun power
lends to diplomacy. The result of the de-
bate is to be seen in the surrender of the
pretensions of Servia as the guardian Of
the Slav frontier. the acknowledgment Of
Austria's primacy in the annexed states
and the practical abrogation Of the Berlin
treaty. No political event in recent years
more effectively proclaims the dominance
of Teutonic power in central Europe. Aus
tria and Germany, acting as a unit. con-
stitute a Dreibund before which Russia re-
treats and the chance1lories Of other
powers maintain sullen silence.
The retirement Of William O'Brien from
Parliament and from political life simpli-
flies the situation for the Irish nationalist
party. and makes for unity and progress
I'm ireland. Mr. O'Brien has been the
stormy petrol" Of Irish politics in recent
years. an aggressive leader of the small
element which would destroy when it could
not dictate. The faults Of his later years
in antagonizing the policies of his asso-
ciates may well be overlooked in considera-
ton of a lifetime loyalty devoted to the
betterment Of his people. A man OF bril-.
liant a~ttainments, a forceful campaigner.
an editor with A flow of invective rivalling
the late Charles-A. Dana, Mr.. O'Brien fiji
ted his sphere OF life like a glove. and, like
scores OF his compatriots. suffered and
sacrificed health and material things for
the cause.
The proposed South African union is
moving steadily toward completion. 4
recent convention Of the progressive party
Of the Transvaal voted unanimously IN
favor Of accepting the draft OF the consti-
tuition which is before the colonial councils
for ratification. The delegates. who repre-.
sented every district in the Transvaal
wisely decided not to press amendments
which might endauger the success Of the
whole scheme. The unanimity of the con-
vention practically insures the approval OF
the colonial councils. In which progressives
exercise a controlling Influence.
80
The humiliation Of Servia as a warning
element in the east is somewhat relieved
by the crown princes resignation Of tn,