Evening star., 1914-09-27

~ more than one oc-
casion the scabbard was nearly thrown
away, but no actual break came and
international relations were amicabIe,
on the surface at least.
- France had some minor wars of con-
quest in distant colonies and went
through the Dreyfus scandal, which
stirred the nation to danger point.
England had Egyptian troubles and its
two Boer wars. and the Russian en-
pire contested with Japan the mastery
OF the east.
Italy. like other overpopulated coun-
tries of Europe embarked between
1879 and 1850 upon a policy of colonial
ton. In the latter year it occupied
some territory on the Red sea with the
tacit consent of Great Britain and the
pofte. After some explorers had been
Killed by natives and Italian troops
had gone TO the locality. partly to help
pacify the Sudan, hostiiities between
italy and the Negus of Abyssinia broke
out which lasted several years. because
OF 1taly's attempt to extend her zone
OF occupation.
:: i.
The war of Abyssinian succession in
volyed Italy still deeper and war went
on internationally, the natives being
generally successful. They greatly
ersi occasions their victories resulted
almost to man.
Finally in 1895 terrific battle took
place at Adowa. where 100000 of Ras
Nenelek's troops fell upon $4,000 SOL
dIers, Italians and their native allies.
The total fatalities were 1900 killed
ana over 10000 wounded The result
was the delimination of the Italo-Abys-
sfnian boundary. and Italy was left
with an insignificant holding there.
Three years ago Italy declared war
upon Turkey because of disorder in
fripoli and its provinces which the
Turkish government would not control
and because of the alleged wrongs to
about 5000 Italians living there The
war was condemned in many quarters,
bur Italy at once bombarded Tripoli
and drove its garrison inland. She
several hard battles with the Arab de-
lenders. 1t was charged that the Ital-
fans massacred the enemy. not even
spaGing women and children, but the
Bone government denied this
The war lasted a year, and by the
treaty signed in October, 1912, Turkey
granted autonomy to the Libyan prov
1nce and consented that Italy establish
hey own system of government there.
With italian sovereignty recognized.
Had 1T not been for the Balkan states
attacking her at this time she un-
doubtedly would have waged a more
i X
ssAustria-Hungary made surprising
Hogress. considering it's previous reac-
nonary reputation. In the early years
Of the present period there was much
factional and racial dissension, but
aSitation seemed to have been substi-
tnted for revolution and the results
ware m IIch moro safisfa or1- t.-ti1o loo.
violent There was great inequality in
the voting system under the constitu-
ton of 1867, and the advantage was
generally with the privileged classes
but gradually the necessities of the
govarnment caused a revision of the
electoral system and little by little
il was modified and improved, until
finally in 1907 suffrage was made uni
yersaI.
Following the Prussian triumph over
Austria, Hungary had received recog-
milton of it's Importance, and the en-
peror had been crowned King of Hun
gary The influence of the German
-Austrians had prevented Bohemia from
obtaining a similar honor. Bad feeling
ensued, but this largely disappeared
owing to other advantages accorded
the ruling races
An this time there was steadily
growing in Austria-Hungary, as there
was also in the German empire, a
strong socialist party. Under constant
ly extended suffrage the socialists in
creased their representation in parlia-
nent, just as was the case in Germany
When suffrage was made universal this
party elected no less than eighty-seven
members.
~ ~
aFhe old emperor has been singularly
unfortunate personally. The Crown
Prince Rudolph was murdered; the
Empress Elizabeth, wife of the en-