FOREIGN NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 51, 23 November 1907, Page 12

FOREIGN NEWS.

BUDAPEST ON STRIKE. Dudapost, October 10. A hundred thousand orderly working men marched through tho streets of Budapest this morning to demand universal suffrage from Parliament, which was ro-assorobling. All workshops, business houses, and cafes wero closod, no newspapers woro published, and tho butchers and bakors did not mako their rounds. An exception was made in tho case of milkmen, who wero allowed only to supply the needs of the hospitals. The great army of workmen asombled in Tißza Square, and woro marshalled in military order according to trades. At 9 o'clock they began their march through tho chief streets of the city to tho Stadtweldchon, where a meeting was held. The column was sevoral miles long, and took three hours to dof)lo past. Bed flags wero forbidden, but many of the men wore red caps or red flowers, and the women rod blouses. Bicyclists with red badges acted as aides-do camp to carry orders up and down the column, above which floated banners with such devices as "Down with a privileged Parliament. Wo demand universal suffrage." The procesionists were not allowed to enter the square in front of Parliament, but thoy sent a deputation to the president of the Lower House, with a petition asking for tho introduction of a universal suffrage bill.The leaders, -who are by no means all Socialists, regard to-day's demonstration as a great success, and hopo it will make tho same profound impression ou the ruling classes as a similar procession in A'ienna did two 'years ago, when universal suffrage speedily followed.

Tho Emperor Francis Joseph has forced tho present Government to promise suffrage reform, but the Government is unwilling to give up the political hegemony of the Magyar nobility. ANOTHER TOULON MYSTERY. Paris, October 8. Following the still unsolved mystery of the entry with stolen keys into tho Toulon arsenal, comes an oven more suspicious story of a burglarious forcing of ono of tho passages into the arsenal by water. After tho sunset gun has been fired nobody is allowed to enter the various passages into the harbours or docks without special permission, which ■is seldom given. Last night, however, about 9 o'clock, tho sentinel on duty at tho Castineaux entrance' saw a low skiff, manned by two men, approach the boom that guards the waterway, and, in spito of'his challenge, one of them climbed out on to the boom, and both ,then hauled the skiff over into the inner waters. Tho sentry thereupon fired twice at the men, but they quickly disappeared, and though the garrison was roused and' other boats were at once put into the water, no trace of the intruders was to bo seen. It is surmised that in tho darkness they must have contrived to mako thoir way out over ono of the other booms in the same way that they had enterod. This incident, coming so soon after several other suspicious happenings at Toulon, increases public and official uneasiness as to tho presenco of anti-milita-rist, or even moro undesirable emissaries haunting the arsenal precincts. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL WAYS. Moscow, October 5. Lady Mac Donald, wife of tho British Ambassador in Tokio, has just passed through Moscow to rejoin Sir Claudo Mac Donald. She has been forced by the action of the Customs authorities to go on without her luggage, which is detained tn Moscow, in spito of all efforts of tho British Consul to obtain its release. At the frontier Customs examination at Alexandrova. Lady Mac Donald, who was fully supplied with tho usual Foreign Office passports, and had letters from tho Russian Government assuring her of all duo considera-tion'.-oiv Her''way through Russia, was compelled to submit to having every'article in her. hand luggage turned out and examined, while the heavy'baggage was passed on to the Moscow Customs House.

In view of tho fact that Lady Mac Donald's papers wore presented at Aloxandrovo as usual, and that the railway officials were fully awaro of her identity, as was /proved by tho special arrangomonts made for her comfort, this singular treatment of an Ambassador's wife calls for notice. Mr. H. Montgomery Grove, his Britannic Majesty's Consul at Moscow, has received downs of complaints of tho treatment of British travellers at the frontier station at Alexandrovo'within tho last month. There is a new regulation, which passos free all luggage of travellers hooked through to the Far East for China, Japan, etc., but it is entirely ignored at thd frontier station.

A couple of weeks ago two ladies, whoso boxes had boon turned upside down on the floor of the douane, were*unable to pack in tinie for the train, and the officials simply flung tho contents of their boxes through the carriage window into their compartment. It is not, of course, suggested that there is anv particular animosity against British travelers in Alexandrovo; but, in all probability, extreme pressure has been put upon the Customs officials to compol them to levy all possible charges, in viow of the financial straits of the country. GERMANY AND FRANCE. J Paris, October 8. All the French press is interested in the resignation of Herr von' Tschirschky, German Secretary of State for Foreign Aitairs, and the appointment as his successor of Herr von Sohon, German Ambassador in St. Petersburg. The inner working: of the German Foreign Office is so little understood outside its doors, and tho hands that direct Imporial policy so difficult to recognise, that responsibility has never been clearly fixed on any ono personage since Princo Bismarck loft the Wilhelmstrasse. Nevertheless, Herr von Tschirschky had come to bo looked upon rather as a friend to France, from his having been the mouthpieco employed on soveral occasions for more or less agreeable or conciliatory communications. How far the credit is due to him, however, for the slight relaxation in tho tension of Franco-German relations that has been recorded since he took offioo, is a question that very few peoplo are probably in any position to answer. ;His successor is well known in Paris, where ho resided for' many years as Counsellor to tho German Embassy. Whilst here ho -made many friends, and is certainly a more brilliant, and apparently, more gifted diplomatist than his predecessor. At the same time he did not leave tho impression behind him of being a strong man, or a particular friend to France, as most diplomats become after residence in the capital, nor does the press seem to hail his advent to power with any enthusiasm or show of confidence. With a ruler like the Kaiser, however, at the helm, it must always be a matter of secondary importance- whoso name covors the foreign policy, which he is known to take charge of in all questions of more than trifling interest. ' MACEDONIAN REFORMS. Vienna, October 7. The "Politischo Korrespondenz" has received tho following communication from an authoritative source, regarding tho visit here of M.lzvolsky, Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs:— ' ■ . "The favourable anticipations' associated beforehand with the visit of M. Izvolsky have been fully realised. A new element of activity and strength has been introduced into tho Austro-Russian understanding regarding the situation in tho Balkans, which is so essential for the maintenance of the poaco of Europe, by tho meeting between M. Izvolsky and Baron von Achronthal, Austro-Hunga-rian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

"The stop which was taken in regard to tho 'Balkan States has lately brought within the region of practical politics the possibility of an entente and tho mutual co-operation of these States, and has given rise to tho hope that the explanatory statement made by both Powers regarding the misunderstood third point in the Murzsteg programme will have an ofFeot upon the commonwealth of the Macedonian nationalities.

"The iuterviow also furnished an opportunity for tho discussion of all tho other prominent questions, The far-reaching international agreements which tho St. Petersburg Cabinot lately concluded, and tho other occurrences in the .political world, afford ample

material for exhaustive discussion, tho result of which is tho strengthening of the conviction that all tho meetings of this summer will in overy way bo fruitful in bringing about a mutual understanding between tho Powers in regard, to their willingness to co-operato in tho interests of peace. Tho situation in Europe is everywhere of a thoroughly friendly and peaceful character." Constantinople, October 7. It is believed that the principal object of tho Austro-Russian communique of September 30 regarding the Murzsteg reform programme is to endeavour to make the Porte more pliable in the acceptance of the Powers' schomq of judicial reform. Tho feeling, however, in official circles, is more determined than over against tho acceptance of foreign supervision over tho administration of justice, and the most strenuous opposition may therefore bo anticipated. The admission of foreign control is regarded as amounting ,t'o tho greatest humiliation .to Turkey, to bo resented at all costs. The Powers are at present engaged in an exchange of views on the question of control, and as soon as an understanding is arrived at, tho Ambassadors at Constantinople will receive fresh instructions concerning tho furthor treatment of the matter.

FRENCH CHURCH ROBBERIES. ■' Paris, October 10. With regard to the robberies from Churches in France, for which Antoine Thomas in now in custody, tho "Standardls" special correspondent says:— A Paris antiquary gives some evidence connecting Antoine Thomas with another crime. On May 25 last the church of St. Nectaire was broken into by tho massive door of the vestry being burst open, and the image of St. Baudine, a work of art valued at\£Booo, stolen. Not long after tho antiquary received a letter from Thomas with a photograph of the image, which ho 'offered for sale. The same dealer, has pro'duced documentary proof pretty clearly incriminating Thomas in the thefts at the Gueret Museum which created such a sensation at the time of their perpetration. Most of the 17 stolen objects were also subsequently offered by Thomas to this witness.

It is curious that nil those robberies appear to have beeii executed by the samo method and with the same motor car without having led to the convictions of the criminals hitherto. The car in question has a dark bottle-green body, and was registered originally at Toulouse in March, 1905, under the number 750. It was apparently the samo car that was used when one of the gang stole a eucharistic dove from the church of Laguenno in the Correze. This theft took place on the evening of August 13, and several villagers have given a description of the car and occupants, which has been sworn on an affidavit, and will bo used in evidence at the trial. In addition, Antoino Thomas himself has confessed that he had-planned to loot tho famous Abbayo do Conques in the Avoyron. The treasures of this old monastery are world-famous, and their value is almost . inestimable. Thomas's confession on this point shows that distance was of little moment when a good coup was prospected. The abbey is, indeed, nearly a hundred miles from Clermont-Ferrand. But tho most remarkable news to-day is that the "police connect Antoino Thomas with the disappearance of the sacred crown from the Abbey of Mont St. Michel. Tho crown, which is of great intrinsic value, disappeared early this year. The police have now discovered that Thomas was away from Clermont-Ferrand when it disappeared, and have seized several postcards in his hand which show that 'he was then staying at Mont St. Michel.

FIRE ON A STEAMER. New York, October 10. Scenes of panic were witnessed on board tho Austrian steamer Giulia, which reached here to-day, when fire broke out on' the vossel as she was in mid-Atlantic. The steamer was carrying over 700 steerage passengors;from'Triesto'~to Nbw ls York'!' ,:T v. Last. Thursday ': 'fire; was.: reported. in one of the holds- very-near' the- passengers' quarters. It soon beoame necessary to raise the hatches to enable the crow, to get at the flames; and as soon as the smoke poured.out panic ensued . among the passengers • below decks. Nor.-must they be blamed for their fears, for some of their berths were so near tho seat of the flames that they could touch the hot ironwork. Meiij women, and children fought in the narrow dark alleyways in. their efforts to reach the deck, which was no sooner accomplished than a mad rush was made for the boats, despite the efforts of the officers and crow. Tho canvas covers wero torn off and the frightened people climbed into tho boats until the latter could hold no more. Those who had perforce to remain on the deck fell on their Knees sobbing and praying, while others rushed hither and thither in a frenzy of fear. Several of the cabin passengers, infected by the scenes of terror round them, joined in tho panic. The cooler heads, however, lent willing aid to the crew in fighting tho fire, which was subsequently subdued. So great, howover, was the fear of those who had taken refuge in the lifeboats, that it was hours before they could bo persuaded to leave their positions. The damage caused by the fire is not stated. FRENCH , ANTI-MILITARISTS. Tho severe sentences passed on the second batch of anti-militarists for inciting the army to revolt have met with cordial approval in Paris, whore the action of the Government in deciding at last to firmly suppress this unpatriotic and. dangerous movement is warmly applauded. | The charge against the ten persons brought before the court was of posting a placard all over Paris in which occurred the sentence :—

"Instead of giving up your arms you will use your cartridges against thoso who starve us and the assassins who govern us, and you will shoot them down without mercy." The sentences passed on tho prisoners ranged from 15 mouths to three years' imprisonment, and they all expressed tlieinsolves loudly as having obtainod exactly what they wanted, with the exception of.a young woman, who was acquitted, and violently protested against tho "injustice" The notorious 11. Horvo himself appeared as one of the counsellor tho anti-militarists, and there are many people in Paris to-day who believe that ho should have stood in tho dock with thoso ho defended. It' is propaganda such as his, they declare, which make criminals of less clever persons. The beginning of the autumnal parliamentary campaign was marked by tho usual party meetings. At that of tho RadicalSooialists it was mado clear that the party would have nothing to do with the Unified Socialists' anti-patnotic programme. "Wo can no longer admit as comrades] those who accept the doctrines uphold at congresses Nancy and Stuttgart," said M. I)ubiof. "To every good Republican wo say 'March witli us ' but wo shall never lot ourselves fall into the excesses of the Unified Socialists."

. "In face of peril, mero thought of which calls up horror," said M. Viviani, "every Frenchman must rush to his country's defonco at tho first call without arguing over tho origin of his action." A SULTAN ON THE BORROW. '' , Paris, October 4. Iho Standard's" special correspondent writes the following amusing interview:— A low clays ago wo wore informed that Sid Mahomed Tazzi, the brother'of,tho Moorish Ministor of Finance, and himself proud owner of tho title "Muhltasob" of Fez, had eonio to Paris in order to raise a loan to help his master, Abd-01-Aziz, out of diro financial difficulties. It was even said that Sid Mahomed Tazzi was willing to leavo tho Moorish Crown jewels as securities with tho woll-in-tontioncd providers of tho needful cash. Other nowspapers in some sense corroborated tho story, and reports from Morocco also seorued to confirm it. I had an appointment with Mahomod Tazzi this aftornoon, but to his groat regrot--and he was not alone in his sorrow—ho was unable to keep it. However, Mahomed Tazzi was so courteous as to ask his chief physician, Sidi 'bu Tabib, to make his excuses, and also to give mo a statement which his Excellency desired mo to transmit to London.

Sidi bu Tabib is a kindly looking Moor, with whom Western civilisation has progressed 7,0 further than tho ankle.' He wears

brown boots, but tho rest of his costume is Mdorish. Very cheerfully he told me of the misfortunes of his master. Sid Mahomed iazzi, ho told me—and this was tho begin"lnS of a painful disillusionment—had had "a little sickness" in Morocco, and had come to J-ans for his health, "to take the air." That was how the doctor put it, for Sidu bu Tabib speaks English, having learned it from Kaid Maclean Ho had likewiso come to ' see l'rench life. At present his Excellency was being attended by thrco doctors—himself, a l'rench physician, and an English bacholor of medicine. It was because ho had just had a relapse that he was unable to keep his engagement with me. Unfortunately, Sidi bu Tabib was not proficient in the use of English or Latin medical terms, so I was left in the dark concoming the nature of an illness which became worso. beneath an African sun, and yet was to bo ourod by Paris cold and rain. Howoyor, I was assured that it was only a "little sickness."

But the strange malady seemed stranger as Sidi bu Tabib went on with his .statement. A stay of five or six days in Paris would be enough, then Mahomed Tazzi would seek the aid of London fog. Possibly, too, he would go to Berlin: but in any case he fully hoped to return to Morocco, via London and Gibraltar, in a fortnight's time. r . ', "Was it only an accident that-tho three financial capitals of Europe had been.chosen as health resorts?" —"It was."

"Then what I have read in the papers is untrue?"—" Mahomed Tazzi wishes me to say that it is all lies." " And Sidi bu Tabib here muttered in his native tongue: "The curse of Allah on the perverters of the truth."

"And what appeared in the 'Temps?'" 1 asked. "There was an interview: with his " Excellency ?"—"Yes, there was—l am sorry to say—but Mahomed Tazzi wishes it to bo understood that he has come here only for his health and for amusement." This evening I read: "The value of ttie Crown jewels bronchi to Paris by Mahomed Tazzi is about £300,000." To believe that would be to disbelieve Mahomed Tazzi: and it is not often that one has the word of » "Muhltaseb" to roly on; , FRANCE AND MOROCCO.' Paris, October 9. At present the two chief points- of interest in tho Moorish question are the settlement of tho Franco-Spanish differences with regard to tho police, and the visit of M. Regnault, the French Minister, to Sultan Abd-01-Aziz at Rabat. The differences between France and Spain have latterly Been the cause of much i anxiety in Paris, although there has been none of the oxcitemont here that was manifested at Madrid. This difference of attitude was no doubt,due to tho difference of interpretation of a vague and undefined impasse., Convinced that on. several points there was a considerable divergence of opinion between Paris and Madrid, and yet assured that diplomatic relations wore conducted in the most friendly way, the press here was inclined to remain'optimistic and calm. At the same time, the dangers which would arise from a,disagreement, be-, tween France and Spain- wero fully undcr--.stood.;,Tho recent Franco-Spanish entente concerning tho Mediterranean would have been in danger, and a cleavage here might have meant cracks in other ententes in which France,.Spain, and Great Britain are involved..

statement of Senor Leon y Castillo, that Franco and Spain are now in complete agreement, is, therefore, very welcome. Senor Leon y Castille, who makes a correspondent of tho ""Temps" his confidant, says that not only are tho difficulties which separated the two countries removed, but that the differences of opinion wero never very serious. Some observant writers will not find it very easy to believe that the disagreement was never serious, and had not any 6erious motives, but the Spanish Ambassador's words that the differences exist no'longer must, none the less, bo accepted, for, as the "Temps" points out, Senor Castillo is positively tho first who- has,spoken -with official.authority",on this point. Briefly,': what tho"Spanisli' : 'Ambassador l says is this'si Tho agreement' concerning' r trade 'in contra-"' biuid is complete, Spain never having contested the necessity, for repressing it; after a long discussion, carried on' chiefly at' Ma- ' rid, the question of •an understanding has been arrived at with regard to tho delimitation of areas of control; and the appointment of a commission to deal with the question of indemnities to foreigners is agreed upon. A solution has also been arrived at with regard to the rivalries at Casa Blanca.