BRITISH AND FOREIGN PAGE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 259, 25 July 1908, Page 10

BRITISH AND FOREIGN PAGE.

CURRENT TOPICS. h . Indian Precautions. It is not altogothpr .reassuring, (says ..tho London "Daily News") to read ...that tho Viceroy's Council has passed T;wo repressive Bills at a single sitting. '-' There, is obviously a case for an Explosives BiU,''and-'for a Bill dealing with 'direct incitements to violence in the Press;/; But suoh; measures requirq, careful drafting, if thoyvaro, not ~ttf'ilifringe upon the liberty of combination and right of free speech. So far as the telegrams allow ns to judgo, the main . lines ' of. these, Bills aro both necessary and just.' .'No penalty 1 could . well.' be. too ..Bovere >- for a-newspapor~ which talks of "lighting a sacrificial fire to bo fed with blood." ' Repression in tho face of such provocations is the' first and most ' obvious ; duty goybrmnents, in .- the in-' ierostsnot merely of thoso who may . suffer, •but also of the young men whoso passions may be inflamed/ by these incitements jfco_ murder. But '"tho haste of this' procedure contrasts oddly" with: tho leisurely revolutionof reform. - It, is useless", to attack tho eX-.l tromistsj if all; the while our impotence to. "doviso/a scheme/of refonn- is' driving '-those* who once were moderates/into the extremist ;camp. India will novor relapso into the old apathy, -and . silence'; It; lies'-with /us/tb flecide which.-.'path her " development will' follow. ." If .we /can'show. ourselves capable of appreciating and satisfying; her new'iiceds;-' then the future may belong to leaders like Mr. Gokhale. But if we/turn a deaf ear to their, demands, or yiejd only grudgingly 'and by half measures, there is a '.danger, that, the youhg intellect of India; may turn 'from . theso wisor leaders,' and] work' ''openly"for' revolution.Tho choico lies with us. {Lost, 20,000 • French. Tho population of Franco, which has'been' stationary, for* nearly, forty years,, is shown," not for'the .first, time, by the-figures of-1907, to be actually a'declining'.quap.tity,.(says'tho ./*Dai^;;lJe\rs!.')..;:'. : .M6/foltowii^.' , coifiiMjson' between the approximate'figures' and Great Britain will show tho grpat,, dilfer- : enco between -them": -, - c: : - 1866.'' •1886'! 1906. France ...... 38,000,000 38,000,000 39,000,000 Gt. • Britain;, 30,000,000 36,000,000 42,000,000 Thus, for every hundred Frenchmen of forty ■years ago, there are how fewer-'than a hundred and three,,whereas 'every':hundred resident Britons then are represented by'& huhdredjand forty now; To'enhance the com-" parispn. we must-remembw-. that,- far in ex--cess of; France; wo supply'emigrants'to.- all ' parts of tho globe.; But. the/latest figures. '. show.that France is going from bad to worse;. During the year 1907 she los't;.by excess- of deaths over births nearly twenty thousand persons,' or. more -thaii .one, ; in 'every two . thousand. , It is one of the most momentous facts of the timo. . It' means that the French race has begun .to disappear. .Tho' decline 'is no'longer relative, but aotual.' Up to now ; the/tendency among her'neigbbpqrs has been ; :'to*., increase rapidly./,. The':tjnited States, it ; : is /-.tnie, ..which, .thanks' to immigration,!.lias : the greatest increaso of all, does not .figure; well on' its .death, and birth statistics, and, ; the President has said seme severe./things : about/the/American mother. /: Franco;.''has.. . not the compensation of.a. flow of immigrants : from . other countries. . With;; nearly. ~ twice • the area of, Great Britain/she is. at least.fi.ye; : millions' behind ,us' in population; .. She- has ■ shown the world a wonderful, lesson in - thrift, , but a thrift : that expresses,, itself in raco ; suicide .'is j far - frpm admirable.. There 1 , is surely , room in France for more .Frenchmen than 200 to tho square mile when Greats Britain sustains 364. It is only fair. tp ;remember./that too.aro. following in France's" steps.' Tho phenomenon of a declining birth 'rate'has.been with ub for years.:; .. ;, Nation's Guo'st Buroau. Sir Edwin; Cornwall, M.P., has' drafted a"' • Bch'eriffe for organising -national; hospitality.;'; It . does , not contemplate any' transfer of the ; duties ' at; present , discharged by the Crown 1 or by the Governments 'of Great "Britain; ; and India.-; Neither is it designed to'relieve' individuals or/corporate bodies :of their, duty ' in .'this-, respect. : Sir Edwin Cornwall','seeks • in tho-first ;instanco to '-.create-an/Organisa-; tion at Government expenso which sliall'uh- • dertako the "control and'"direction ; of,h'ospi- 1 talities. The ' Scheme ;will 'bo' subniitted .to.'' the' Government.His organisatipn-'niight/ : ho thinks, he-called "The British •Iriterha-' ; ' tional Hospitality Centre." It would ."&n----traliso facilities for foreign ■ visitors' getting information and'access to public and .'.aid interchange-'of'visits.; On a con- ' sulfation committee might bo representatives of Government,' Parliament; ; municipalities, . and industrial and other bodies. ,/'.Tho abEenoe, of such an, organisation has delayed tho scheme of ai congress" of capital' cities, which he put forward as chairman of "the • London County Council after thiv interchange of 'London and Paris visits.Ho has,' he' Bays,, ample evidence ;of the desihrfor such" ' a congress, and tho;:''Ccnti'o" , ivould .fin(3; ■ a ready response in our -cities' to a 'request for co-operation: in inviting representatives . from ; the > capitals of-i. the"' world 1 . 1 to.; 'a .congress 'in. London. This congress could \ discuss his proposal or interchange Of;'schdl-" ars'botween nations.. -Lloyd-George has already announced a Government grant for entertaining the' nation's', guests; ;;7, The New Urbanity. .- - : "* Simplicity is inoro an urban than a rustic (quality m oiir. modern humanity-,"' says ■ the-> editor of "Harper's .Magazine.', ■ It. is. in%deal the noblest .achievement ,qf civilisation; associated, with all that, we esteem tho finest' ■ , fruits ' of human culture — freedom /ahd< breadth of thought, catholicity,,of sympathy,,, truth of art ana lifo; This was tot perhaps guite so evident,a few, generations ago,'when it' was ; . the fashion to assuino that the- city.-; must bo perennially redeemed < from.; effern-. inacy and corruption by the accession of freih blood from the country. We should novr unhesitatingly say- that- the - salvation of tho country has all along, been, tho accession of urban influences. The modorn city does not exist for, the glory of an individual sovereign or of a class, or for tho exploitation ■ of all outlying humanity. It has not within itself the seeds of inevitable decadence. 'It rises in fresh vigour with every how generation. The country looks to. tho'city, and to'the univorsity, which is a concentration .of- a city's. highest\valuos, for 'its' inspiration 'and' uplifting. All we'ask of tho last pha3o of that'complex social, and /material organisation. . which it is the office of the modern city to create and promote is that it bo democratic, sane,' and, in tho largest sense, humanly' helpful v; and the 'genoral resolution to mako it and keep it that is essentially a part of this whole high and supremely modern transaction., Tho main and most significant con-.-sideration is that the immense leverage upon circumstance gained by this progress means facility and opportunity—tho releaso pf the spirit for tho noblest uses and, purposes of life." . Is Parliament Less Interesting? Has tho interest of tho House of Commons' diminished? The parliamentary correspondent of tho " British Weekly " thinks that recently it has. "Except at question' time the attendance is. as "a' rule, small. Many members spend the day on select'or' grand committees, and desert tho green benches in tho evening. Party spirit is' strong, but it does not produce sustained animation in the House. A Gladstone in ■ power or a Churchill in opposition is, perhaps, necessary to Seep Parliament in, battle array. There are great issues before it, but fow of tho men who deal with them have the power to dazzle. There is little -genius and even less oratory. Day after day brings its conflict between Liberalism and .Conser--vatisin—a conflict which, was never, stiffer than at present, and Labour members and Nationalists sometimes undertako.- a raid : of their own, but brilliant or animated debates rarely roward the observers. Wo havo scientific strategy instead of tho clash of armed knights." • , - I

•LITEST NEWS BY OyERSEA^MAILS.,,

'Mr.;'BirrcJf',bri ifemooracy. Mr.. Augustino Birrell contributed an article ion/ '.'Democracy" to the "New York World" "-■twenty-fifth anniversary number. Horo aro some quotations from it. "Timo fwas in tho' l modern world when tho words 'dpmocrac'y' aiid;'democrat' struck chilly terror into the hearts of ibravo men and fair womon, wllilo in tho oars of others equally brave and, perhaps, as fair thoy rang exultant'as, a summons to battlo. To-day it is othorwiso. For us democracy is no more , than government, and tho only .icfEnir"* i WO are no longer believers, or-oyoir'half-boliovors, -in the 1 divine right of, kings, whoso, pedigrees, to tell the truth, liaTO becOino -"sadly dubious. The distinction bo tiiken between forms of government and ideas. Under all forms -ot-governmcnt-.in-moderh times ideas make themselves felt, and, as tho saying is, govern the world. Tlio' largor '-the number of folk who~Eavo a direcf~voice in the choice ,of their govornors the..more pressing becomes tho Jvhop.CO come; tho',-. idoas . that .tho-phrase: 'Wo must oducate our masters.' But the common people are at loast as likely to be right in thoomatteni6£i,p6litics as anybody else. Tho true ,_pl)iasp, tl)preforo, is not 'Wo must our masters,' -but. 'We must educate Ourselves: You > <eannot classify ideas and JO'dge .them -.in- separato compart-monts—poli-tical, "'religious,'"Social." Wo are' all, as ■Shakespoave woven of one pie<». "''•■TOqre,'-tnen,, ; do wo get-our ideas ? ! :^in w b'Bol^'iiewroapßrs ) music-halls, stock workshpps, drinking saloons, clubs courts.' schools, and universities—all contribute to tho mental and moral outlook of democracies, and genorato a'nd' spread 'tha' ideas aiid notions which "make .men? aro and,obtain • for them, the kind of government they de'sfcrvy'.'"'*lt* to -suppose'that ipankind can over get, rid of authority. Wo. •aror all'afraid "of ■' something, be it only pub.licr.opinion," - 'We.-alUworsnip > something, be ,it only-.mbneyi all boiv to somobody, ,be.it.only our,.faypurito pelitician." English Cathedrals. — 4 Sir H. C. Buirdett "(Porchester Square, W.) -i)on--'-pr6p6se3~the' _ formation of a Guild of tho House ofigod forjthb purpose of raising ' tiie £750,'000"to a sound foundation oVery cathedral establishment in tho country, qrid to put the fabrics ipto complete, and perfect order.Gommonting on this, the " Guardian" says: —" Upontho picturesque side of the scheme wo need-not dwoll—the universal .'imagination viquched' the moment wo ejvok-o the vision of an ancient, cathedral, sjo calm and quiet,-.with its vast and solemn .-spaces-,- 'its.-,app9al,;.to;,Bpul and' intellect, its ;p'erfump.,pf .flistery,... jts reminder of those the storms of time. !aud. ! fhe i'frot. of'humanity. There is, however,' s'omcthing'moro than this in Sir Henry'Burdett's proposal." That our cathedrals should be structurally sound and internally comely is in itself a;great and worthy ambition;'but unless : they are real centres of spir-:itualV-and'rßOcial'. work', their- fretted vaults ; .antl.,V,-dim. religious:flight' becomo somewhat, of.a : mockery." •••. ~ , . ; Legls)ativ efLevfiy~ r-' v.- ' " " There was on/Maj; 26 a striking exhibit' '.tioh of'- the'" levity.-with/.which the ; -present. :.House-'of Cbmmohs-'treats legislative ques"-'. tionSj - even when s ;thoy';: concern matters, of; i the-'-most - character,"' • writes !".'Tlie Times.":; '" speaking under .■the; ten 'Jmin'utes',,riile; ; asked leave to intro:duce:''a, -Hom0 : for, Scotland. ' .That is. a : thing- ; 'which; r goes to tho root of the !Constitution /"of ; ; 'th'o; ; ' TJnited Kingdom and 'of the whole e&istin!£"'System of government ;by ".the Imperial. Parliament. . It involves tlie ■more 7 extensive' ' inter'f'o'reiico with • the: poli"tical, ' : social, 'financial,' and administrative we ljvo.„ Yet it was; treated with ,-les£ .considpration' and less •ttongfil'Hfiant'-if'ft'.j'Kadibeen' concerned with, '.the faihion .ofwomon's,hats." ; Orjme andPunishnien;. ;, ■' ; * A,'.notable..landmark ,;iii,the application of. .scientificmethod/ in "national affairs ■is Mr. iGladstone'B"Proventibn of Crime; Bill, which . the "Times" declares .to bo ■ "an invasion of ;good senso arid forethought into a region in ! which routine and-shprtsighted policy have ,'long reignedvpupremiß.a,'To,'.trust-mainly to prevention,"'and' very'"little to the efficacy of 'punishment, .saj.s ithe "Tmies,". "thobo/lief of almost everyoni'who is familiar with .th origin. arid'groTHh'-of crime. The prison roan- : influences lean do sormuch,^-Better'housuig; habits of. meral ; edu'-: ; :oatjlwij • oi3" .aipai counsel to: 'first." offen'd?fs, , ,pr, l^o,,l thpg9, \v;lio quit, prison, ;will. ; sources of. crimo." There is' another ■ offenders for' whom an. ehtir,ely.'"diff6rent-isq"rt of treatment is needed— .',jv'Jt>9!)jr prison has 'no ter-. rors; who servo' -biitjope term of 'imprisonment only to qualif£mie'mselves for anotlior; who could work)",buir.whb will not ; whose business it is .to mako, war on society. .It is now tho' of .'almost everyone connected , with..tho,.admipjstra.tipfl of tho criminal law ,th^t^th'e'^' : is r ; .criminals whoreleased ijhen they may be so with .safety.Tliafc rs..tßo' T 'principlo of Mr. Gladstpne|s'.:.Bii!,':,wl3ich' t ;makes. a great step forof crime. certain criminals "not merely whether the priSon'er"js,:guilty.;bf, A tho particular 'offence with/wjii.ch. ho. is..ch«Hted, : ' But whether he is offender. > Lot it bo proved that • hp'i'Has- • been co'iivicted'-.of at least three preIviotiS'.'crinies asd that-hb is leading an habituanjl.he will bo placed- in ■a;.distinct." category. u After his term..of' imcalled, is over, ho will .bb''de.tajhed. in Syhat may bo called either •a.prison,- /or,"a reformatory.- Hewill have every of' mbncling.'his ways. Ho will-be rblbUSecl course is safe' His detention will ])"§ vej-y much in his own hands.- '■ It, will never bo. for lifo; but it may be very long "if' he does- riof.feform—too long for him to' leave; his.rlikc;:.bohind." ■ - Brt" tha' Water;.. ' ... ... ■2ik; 'p^oial' pnjblicatioin, from Washington gives this note ton .the character of power in" tho ..maritime world"Tho poriod between tho census;..of-.transportation, by water, for *1889 ;and that .for 1906 witnessed a . great' advance jn the, marine engine. Probablythe..most;; not.ibjo achievement is. tho : .success'gf" 'the'-turbi.no.;Lengino and its adaptation .to .v'essels of : tho largest type. The gasoline", engine , hasjialsb developed during : tho tperipd,-.not only, ; ;becauso, of ..the small. ; 3pace"requirod ;: fpr .-the equipment and" on Taccburit of its'cleanliness, but by reason of . tho, low.! cost. ,-,pfin'stallatipn, cheapness of gasoline,: ;!\hd; si)iall;;;expenso for employees tooperate ii- ®jo-use of oil as a fuel appears.to be growing .-in favour, partly becauso of, the; decrease ,in the number of Stokors, coal,: trihimprs, etc., which tho use of this .'fuel makos"'possible. The internal combustion engino ,is rapidly dovoloping, and if moots the expectations •of.,its many advocates it will revolutionise •powor ih-tho'maritime world." A Turn-Down Electric Lamp, "By-'means of-an ingenious invontion it is now possiblo to "securo with tho electric light; all tho advantages characteristic of the gas-burner, and-if- desired you can have' oitlier a faint gli'mmbr or a strong, powerful light,"."says' "Chtffobprs's Journal." "The lamps; resemble'in :' appoaranco tho ordinary bulb-lightj- and - fit- into tho conventional bayonot-socket, so .that no additional fit'tirigs or' mbdlficatioils 'are necessary. Tho lamp' has'two,'filaments, a largo one giving the brighter light,/and a smaller loop giving only two-aiid a half 'candle-power. Thcond of tho lamp' slipping., into tho holder has three. Contacts,' upp_n;twp_ of which the pieces •within ■ tho holder conio into connection, establishing'tho. circuit.' Whon it is desired to xha'nge,'Say, from a sixteen candle-power light'to the gloWj-it is only necessary to givo tho : bulb a -slight" Vurri in its socket, which 'has "tlie' e'ffect' &r.bringing tho contacts of the smaller 'filament together, so that the brighter' light is'extinguished in favour of •the duller one."- •