Omaha daily bee., 1912-07-27

period (not including partial demoli-
tions)"
Forcing the Dardanelles.
The latest explanation OF the so-calied
attempt of the italian fleet to force
passage of the Dardanelles is that the
Italian admiral sent squadron OF de-
stroyers into the channel to see how far
1t could go without detection. A portion
Of the squadron returned with the infor-
nation sought. The Turks claim TO have
sent two destroyers to the bottom ana
to have damaged four more. The straits
are now closed to commerce, which Will
touch the pocket conscience OF trading
nations and stir diplomacy to peace over
lures once more. The sea gate to the
Turkish capital, when properly guarded,
as It no doubt Is at present, challenges
destruction to any fleet seeking to force
1t. Not merely are there the guardian
fortresses Of Kilid- -ul-Bahr and Sedd-ul-
Bahr, but there is ordnance thickly
planted along shore on both the barren
and forbidding European coast and the
gently sloping. tree-clad Asiatic shore.
The channel Is about forty-two miles
long, from one to three miles in breadth
and has a maximum depth Of $50 feet. 1t
was agreed between Turkey and the five
major powers in 1Sn that ships should
only pass by the express consent OF
Turkey: the agreement was confirmed at
London thirty years later and at Berlin
In 1878, but In 1891 the prohibition was
suspended to permit the volunteer fleet"
Of Russia to have the use Of the water
way.
Religious War i'm France.
Religious bodies in France are begin
! ming to realize the force Of the maxim:
AN injury to one Is an injury to all.
When separation Of church and state was
decreed in France rivals of the state
church (the Catholic) enthusiastically ap-
plauded the law. But the subsequent con
fiscation OF church property and the sup
Elementary laws providing for state su
pervision of religious bodies and revenues
turned the applause Of yesterday int
lamentations today. Before the separation
the Protestant churches, excepting those
that were free, received share OF tht
public funds. Like the Catholics they hav'
now lost this income 1t Is estimated tha
there are nearly $4,000 Protestants II
France, $1,000 Of whom are In Paris These
churches are very poor. The French Law
does not recognize the right Of church
corporations to demand legacies and funds
that are left to them by will, and 1t 1:
only when the heirs are willing to turr
money over to them that they benefit By
wills. The Evangelical Lutherans now
ask for law permitting the churches
to receive legacies that have FIST beer
authorized by the French cabinet. The
Evangelical Reformed church goes fur
| ther in asking the exemption Of state
authorization in case Of gift or legacy
for current expenses. The Paris CORE
spondent of the New York Sun says: II
is doubtful II the relief asked for will
be granted, the fact being the French
! church war is really war against re-
| ligion.'
United for Home Rule.
The reception given Premier Asquith ir
Dublin is significant Of the continued
solidarity between the British liberals and
the Irish nationalists and emphasizes alst
the determination of the present govern,
ment to yield nothing in Its endeavor tt
enact the home rule bill into law before
the end of this parliament. Home ruiz
Is now mainly sit-tight and hold-fas
proposition. The government coalition
needs only to keep intact long enough tt
force the bill through in spite of thu
veto of the lords and the long struggle
inaugurated by Gladstone will end ir
triumph for the Irish cause. The premier
welcome in Dublin was exceptionally en-
thusiastic, in view Of the political situa
ton; the fact that for more than q
century no other premier had visited
Ireland probably counted for little, inter
| asttnr as the circumstance was