Evening star., 1928-12-31

Notwithstanding rather unfayorable
business conditions and an increase in
the number of unemployed. The gov
ernment's method of settling labor dis
putes by forced arbitration failed to
function in the Fall when the Ruhr in
duStrials locked out 1000 metal
workers despite the award of the spe-
cial Arbitration Court which granted
the men small wage increase. The
coalition cabinet was split wide open
early in the year, chiefly over dispute
concerning religious instruction in GER
tain schools. Parliamentary elections
were held on May 20, with 80 parties
contesting. The result was a triumph
for the parties of the Left, especially
the Social Democrats, and corre-
spending setback for the parties of the
Right. The NationaliSts were the
heaviest losers. The election also was
interpreted as an Endorsement of For
eign Minister Stresemann's policy of
reconciliation and fulfillment of inter-
national obligations. Hermann Mueller,
Socialist leader, took the post of chan
cellor and formed new coalition cabi-
net from members of five parties. On
ers went on strike for more pay.
With Premier Mussolini still its die
tator, Italy seemed to be making steady
progress, and the supremacy of the
Fascist party was confirmed and
strengthened. The duce put into full
effect his plan for reorganization of the
government to put practically all power
in the hands of the grand council, ac-
complished monetary reform and put
through law for his pet scheme of
land reclamation and utilization. A
vast amount Of public works was started
that gave employment to many thou
sands. On October 20 the entire coun-
try celebrated the sixth anniversary OF
the march on Rome and the advent to
power of the Fascist, and as part of
the ceremonies Mussolini, in front of
the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, pub
licly burned public debt certificates
amounting to $7,000,000 which had been
returned by public-spirtied citizens.
Treaties of amity were signed during
the year with Turkey and Greece. On
April II an attempt was made to as
sassinate King Victor Emmanuel in
Milan with dynamite bomb. The ruler
escaped injury, but ii persons We're
killed:
Rumania was torn by dissension, the
Peasant party demanding a share in
the government. Finally the revolt
grew SO serious that Premier Bratiano
was forced by the regency to resign and
Juliu MANU-, leader of the peasants,
came into power as head of a coalition
government.
Zogu Becomes King.
Ahmed Zogu, the handsome young
dictator of Albania, decided that his
country should have King and pro-
NOTED himself to that position, taking
the title of Scanderbeg III. Toward the
close of the year 1T was reported he had
broken his engagement to the daughter
of commoner and would seek bride
of royal blood. Since he is devout Mo-
hammedan his choice was limited, and
it was believed he might select daugh-
ter of the King of Egypt.
Soviet Russia's rulers have not yet
solved the great issue of how to rec
oncile the conflicting interests of the
industrial and the agrarian sections Of
the population, and during the year
there were sporadic revolts of the peas
ants, without results. The government
continued its earnest efforts to enlist
financial aid from abroad, and one of
its successes was the completion of a
contract with the International Gen.
eral Electric Co. of New York for the
purchase of 25,000,000 worth of electric
equipment in this country. The ex-
ploitation of the country's rich oil re-
sources was carried on energetically
The rules governing concessions to for
ejgn business interests were radically