BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 May 1901, Page 4

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Spectator Summary. Russian Manchuria. London, April 6. It appears lo be certain that the Russian agreement with China about Manchuria has not been signed, and that the position of the Chinese Ambassador in St. Petersburg is consequently so unpleasant that he has fallen into an illness, diplomatic or real. The Chinese Emperor has, in fact, addressed a letter to the Tsar, which though courteous to obsequiousness, covers a very definite refusal. Li Hung Chang is very angry, and has told an interviewer that China must yield in the end; but the old intriguer does not rule the Court as he did when it was at Pekin, and he could approach the Empress-Regent. Some other lufluence is at work in Sian, which may be, as Dr Morrison thinks, that of the Central Viceroys, who are feeding the Court, or may be that of Japan, which has promised aid if China is actually attacked iu consequence of her refusal. Or it may be that the Manchus, who hold one-third of all appointments, and especially the highest, are indignant at the idea of buying off Russia by the cession of the province from which they came, and have contrived to make their indignation effectively felt. At all events, Russiahas received a momentary check. The Attitude of Japan. The Japanese Government, strongly pressed by its military party, has it is said remonstrated with Russia against her proposed agreement with China about Manchuria. The answer of the Russian Foreign Office is that it objects to discuss with third parties negotiations not yet complete. When they ate, it will be die-

posed to lis'en to any representations Japan may bave to make. That will be regarded at I'uHo a 3 no answer at all, but as China has not yet signed the Treaty, Marquis Ito, who does not desire war, will probably be able to hold his people in hand, The'enrnhy of Japan is, however a factor with wnich the Russian Foreign Office has seriously to reckon, as indeed its managers are well aware. They are believed to be even eager to avoid war as yet, partly because they are not ready and partly from considerations of finance. All the international generals too are greatly impressed with the condition of the Japanese army as revealed in the operations against Pekin. A Remarkable Proclamation. The Times cf Thursday contains a remarkable document—an edict, or rather a proclamation by the Chinese Emperor, just published in Pekin. It is immensely long, and a Utile confused by its author's wish not to favor the old Reforming party but its drift is unmistakable. The Emperor desires as many changes as he can effect with out a revolution. He denounces present methods very sharply, declaring that "what has ruined our Government is the one word "self-interest," and the Empire the one word "precedent,". The West manages better and makes changes in antiquated, and therefore worn-out," customs, and all officials aro therefore to report to the Throne upon Western methods. The memorials hitherto received from the literati are "plagiarised from newspaper articles," or based on shallow experience. The thing is to find men, and then methods will readily be found. "If you continue to follow the old antiquated ruts of superfluous tradition, speaking vain words and evading your responsibility, stealing peace for yourselves and saving yourselves trouble, punishments are ready to my hand, and I cannot pardon." All that is very good, but it is also very professional, and one would like to see a little action instead oE so much reflection. The Chinese, however, like general statements which look both true and moial and i r . is t) be observed that the Empress-Regent approves the edicts well as the Emperor. Perhaps she may even abolish that distinctive cistom of China, cutting up offenders sl,wly into little morsels. Unrest in Russia. It is reported that the Secret Committee which governs all the students of the Russian Empire, has been discovered and papers found, which show that the intentions of the leaders were directly revolutionary. As the policy of condemning them to the ranks has been abandoned they will probably be imprisoned for life. In Vienna, where Russia is closely watched, it is believed that the movement is most serious, and horrible stories are creeping out of the excessive severity shown to the students by the police. That which offends Russian feeling most is the reckless use of the club, which often kills, always injures, and is regarded, as an intolerable insult. After years of toleration the Government is at - last ■threatening Count Tolstci. He has been banished from Moscow, is forbidden to leave Russia, and is closely watched at his country seat. He would, indeed, be arrested but that Ministers are not sure of the effect on the peasantry, who have learned to regard him as their champion. They are afraid, too we may add, of offending the Tsar, who is aware of the Count's reputation throughout Euiope, and perhaps, like his father, sympathises with many of his ideas. The Kaisar and Divine Right. The German Emperor has evidently been profoundly moved by the recent attack upon his person. He keeps on pouring out his thoughts in little speeches, all of which indicate that his confidence in his subjects and his position has received a seveee shock. He told the President of the Reichstag early in last week that the incident revealed a growing demoralisation and disregard for the Royal anthority, and on Thursday, 28th March, he made a speech to the men of a regiment of Grenadier Guards which e'eetrified all Germany. He declared that the barracks of the regiment —which are loophoied—would be for Berlin a town within a town —a keep, in short,"in the citadel—and that if ever the capital should again rise against the ruler the regiment would be " called upon to crash the insubordinate and impertinent persons with their bayonets. " And at a later period of the day he said to the officers ; "lam assured that we shall be the victors everywhere, even if surronndod by enemies on all sides, and fighting as a minority against superior numbers. For there dwells a powerful Ally, the good God, the Ancient of Days, in heaven, who has been with us since the times of the Great Elector and the Great King." Who, then, was reigning in heaven when Jena was fought ? This kind of certainty suggests Judaism, or Mohommedanifm, or Krugerism, a belief, that is, essentially in a tribal God rather than Christianity.

The Regency Rumour. The Germans, especially in the South and in Austria, are evidently shocked by these revelations of the Emperor's mind, and the comments have been so outspoken that bis Majesty has made another speech in order to say that he remains the same man as before. There have actually been whispers that a Regency might be necessary, so that the Emperor -might enjoy a long time of tranquility in which to recruit 1 We de not see any ground for believing in any rumours of the kind. The Emperor during his period of seclusion, in which, remember, there was some fear for his sight, has doubtless revolvud all the dangers he perceives to himself, his throne, and his country, and with his strange habit of thinking aloud, he takes the whole world into his confidence. There can be little doubt, however, that public confidence in him is shaken, and there is reason to apprehend that he may try to establish it by some great act, which can hardly, be cn9 of legislation. Most men are sensitive to any coldness among their friends, but William 11. cannot bear to feel that for the moment he has ceased to be worshipped. The Associations Bill. M. Waldeck-Eousseau passed his Associations Bill on the 30th March by a vote of 303 to 224 It has still to be accepted by the Senate, but the Senate is not religious, and with some modifications the Bill will probably get through, and then within six months all unlicensed monastic societies will exist by sufferance of the State. Whether the State will crush them remains to be seen. Many observers believe that the Government will shrink from so deadly a quarrel with the Church, while others point out that this is the one question upon which a French Ministry can gratify the Socialists without menacing lay property. Our own impression is that a wave of hostility to the religious Orders, especially the Jesuits, is passing over the whole Continent —it is visible throughout Austria, France, Italy. Spain, and Portugal—and that in France in particular the masses, while friendly to the parochial clergy, are even spitefully inimical to monasteries, convents, and purely re ligious education. Otherwise, why in a constituency nominally Catholic should such a Bill pass ?

The Reform of the House of Lords. On Saturday last a letter from Mr Herbert Gladstone was read at a meeting of the Liberal Thousand at Leeds, which has been taken by the Home-rule press as a political manifesto of importance. After abusing the Government for many things, including legislative sterillity and l»ck of a settled policy, Mr Gladstone declares that tho country will

have to settle with the Government, for j it is not likely that the Liberal party - will ever again placo itself at the mercy ' of the House of Lords, a 3 in 1891-95 ' " This Government will have to bear the ! yoke, and if they prove incapable of rising to their responsibilities, I hope that no party of progress will relieve them of their burdens without exacting conditions which will secure great measures dealing with Ireland, temperance, and other questions of the first magnitue, from the outrageous treatment such as was accorded for Liberal measures from 1892-95 by the Tories in tha House of Lords." This no doubt means that f the Government were to be defeated by a snap vote or a revolt of their own supporters, the Home-rulers would refuse to accept office unless the King would first pledge himself to create, if called on to do so, Peers sufficient to swamp the opposition in the Lords to Home-rule and other Liberal ireisures. Of course the King would give no pledge under such circumstances. If this is the official position taken up by the Home-rule party —and a Whip, wo must presume, does not speak thus without first taking counsel —the Government may well feel themselves immovable. We cannot say we view this result with satisfaction, for it is not good for any Government to regard their position as impregnable. But perhaps wo need not take Mr Herbert Gladstone's blood-curdling threats too seriously. We cannot help thinking that if the other side saw any chance cf coming in and dissolving, they would do so without trying to exact p'edges from anybody —unless it were a pledge from their various leaders not to fight so much among themselves, but to have at least a year's truce. The Triple Alliance. Count von Bulow, Chancellor of Germany, Signor Zanavdelli, Premier of Italy, and M, Waldeck-Rousseau, Premier of France, are all taking or about to take a holiday on or near the Lake of Garda. The Continent is greatly interested in their movements, because the Triple Alliance approaches its fixed' term for renewal, and statements have been made that Italy, with its new King and new Government intends to secede from the bond. These statements have been rather favoured by Signor Zanardelli, who is eager to cultivate better relations with Prance, and if possible to reduce military expenditure. He has even allowed an account of an interview to appear which, if correctly reported, would mean that he- thinks the alliance a burden rather than a defence. Its correctness has, however, been denied; he has had a most amicable interview with. Count von Bulow, and the truth would appear to be that he hopes by playing eft' Germany against France to obtain better economic terms from both, It is a preoccupation with Italy, as indeed with all Continental States, to secure more trade, and her statesmen, like others, rely greatly upon commercial treaties. The existing treaties at much about the same time as the great Alliance, and Italy, therefore, in a way puts herself up to auction. If Codlin will grant such a tariff, Short shall not be the friend, or at least not so much of a friend as he was before. Italy, however, is not likely to give up an arrangement which for 20 years has preserved her from invasion, and everything except the tariffs will remain nearly as before. This intrusion of commercial interests is becoming a marked feature in modern diplomacy, giving rise among other things to a rumour that Austria means to propose a Continental alliance to keep out American goods—a new "Berlin" Decree" in fact. They might as well propose to keep out American weather. The Civil List. On Thursday a White-paper was issued containing the report of the House of Commons Committee on the Civil List. The recommendations seem eminently fair and reasonable. During the late reign the total charge was £553,000 it is now to be £620,000, This is a net increase of £67,000. But it must be re-membercd that this includes pensions for the servants of the late Queen, which, though most justly due, must not be counted as part of the maintenance of the present sovereign. If these are deducted the net increase is only £42,000 a year. But considering that provision is now made for the Consort of the Sovereign, which has not, of course, been made since the Prince Consort's death (his grant was £30,000 a year), it cannot be said that the demands on the Treasury are in any way excessive. As to details, it may be mentioned that the allowance for their Majesty's Privy Purse, is to be £IIO,OOO, that the annuity to the Duke of Cornwall is to be £20,000 a year, and that to the Duchess £IO,OOO, and that the provision for the King's daughters is £IB,OOO a year. The country will, we believe, be well satisfied with the recommendations of the Committee. They ai e generous without being extravagant. The nation does not desire a wasteful or Orientally lavish Court, but at the same time it wants to see things well done. The total figures seem large, but it is curious to reflect that there are three, and probably more, American citizens whose incomes considerably exceed that of the King.

The Revenue Returns. The revenue figures for the financial year just closed are very satisfactory as far as the totals are concerned. The actual revenue, that is, has exceeded the estimates by about £2,809,000. Considering all the circumstances, that is a matter on which the nation can reasonably congratulate itself, for it means that in spite of the war the walls of national prosperity show no signs of failing. Meantime, the heaviness of the war expenditure comes out very strongly, and it seems more than probable that the war will cost us at least £150,000,000. Of this sum, as the Westminster Gazette points out, £25,000,000 has been raised from current taxation, £65,000,000 has been obtained by borrowing in various forms, and about £60,000,000 remains to be provided in :„the coming year. We may expect, according to the Westminster, to get £12,000,000 out of the new taxes already imposed. If we get another £12,000,000 by still further new taxation, we shall have £35,000,000 or so more to borrow. This would bring our total borrowings.to about £100,000,000. But this, though a large sum, only means a yearly addition of about £3,000,000 to our expenditure. And in 1903 the automatic .reduction in the interest on Consols will set free about half that sum. The financial pasitioD| therefore, is by no means so black as it is sometimes painted and would in no sort of way justify any braak-up of our present fiscal system. It is not nearly such bad financo to borrow for exceptional expenditure as to refuse to borrow and adopt forms of taxation which imperii the commercial prosperity of the nation.