POLITICAL POINTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 12

POLITICAL POINTS.

Tho Tsar (said the London Telegraph at tho end of Match) is now represented as wishing lo sco the war terminated, but as being deterred fiom pronouncing decidedly m favour of peace by diead of loss of prostige at homo as well an abroad, and also by the fear that tho Japanese coidilioiis might be too onerous for him to accept. It is, indeed, afiiimed tluu on indirect attempt has been nuulo to sound tho Japanese Government on tho subject, and that it was met with the answer that no information would bo forthcoming until the way had been paved oflloially. A noticeable feature of Iho Hungarian crisis, which still remains unsettled, is thut matters iir© now openly spoken of which hitherto wero only discussed confidentially behind tho scenes. One reason for the determined persistence of Iho opposition, now united under Mr. Fran/. Kossulh, regarding a far-reaching economical and military soparntioi< from Austria may bo ascribed to tho opinion held in Hungary concerning tho hcir-pie&umptive, tho Archduke- Franz Ferdinand. This Piince is regarded in Hungary not. only as a strict Catholic and a steadfast Conservative, but also us an enemy of Liberal institutions in Hungary, and as an adherent of tho so-called Vienna Court party, which dreams, as is supposed, of the rcconquest of Hungary by Austria. In consequence of thin widespread belief tho leaders of tho Hungarian National parly have often declared that tho work of rendering Hungary independent in an economical and military sense must bo speedily accomplished under tho reign of tho Kmpcror Francis Joseph, as tho policy of his successor cannot yet be known. ' Tho Russian Finance Minister (says the Telegraph) is severely criticised, even by friends of the Government, for his superfluous attention to small things and his neglect of hcrious matters. Thus, whilo General Kuropatkin is still drawing nearly £50,000 oxtra salary as Commander-in-Chief, and Admiral Alexiefl", who lives in a St. Petersburg hotel, receives over £30,000 yearly as Viceroy, tho families of soldiers aro loft to beg, and faniino threatens the population of Siberia, Even the Tsar's friend and counsellor, Prince Meshchersky, protests: "It cannot bo doubted that there is a Viceroy of tho Far Hast, or that ho lives in the Hotel do l'Europe, with a vast suite. It is affirmed that he has so little to do that tliero aro days when there is nothing to report about* Meanwhile, and for the past month, people arriving from Iho Vicoroyalty havo been bringing tidings that throughout tho entiro Russian Far Knst, beginning with Irkutsk, faniino has begun, and famine, too, which threatens to assume tremendous dimension.?." Tho contrast in tho trend of opinion in Sweden and Noi «ay with regard to Iho question at issue between tho two countries (according to Tho Thtiet) is becoming more nnd nioro marked. The Norwegian press now lays less stress on Norway's claim to perfect equality within tho union, and more on her aspirations towards absolute independence, admitting more or less openly thai the Consular question is a means to this end. On the other hand, in the Swedish press and tho public meetings which have bren hold regarding the matter all over the country emphasis is laid on tho ueccwity of maintaining the union in the interest of both countries, and it is urged that evtiry concession .should bo made to Norway which is compatible with a common dynasty and unity in foreign policy. The dangers of a rupture seem mono keenly felt in Sweden, while they ore minimised in Norway, where the warnings of the foreign press aro attributed to a misconception of Norweuiair aspiration*. Referring to Newfoundland's retaliation for tho rejection of tho Bond-Hay treaty by the United States Senate", the New York Evening Post says that discrimination against tho United Stales fisheries is sign of growing nnd iinfoiunate ationation. Tt adds:— "Yesterday a prominent Canadian newxpaper proprietor told our coi respondent that not for years had nnnoxioiiatioiust sentiment been so slight in Canada. This is well so far as it monn» going slow in tho matter of a doubtful union, but ill so far as it means that Canada generally is indifferent to tho relation she benr* to* us. Such feeling is natural, for in almost all her negotiation* wifh us she has met with unmerited rebuffs. Meanwhile she is gain- ' ing in riches, and tho possibilities of mutual and piofitablo relations aro constantly increasing, . . . but what can wo oxpect when Hie ftrnnto picks all reciprocity treaties to pieces or ignores them?" According to a St. Petersburg' telegram to tho New York Hornld, "a" despatch from tho Paris correspondent of the St. Petorshurg Bour.sc Gazetto announcing , that French investors arc eagerly and so- ; crotly subscribing to the Japanese, loan hns como as n bomb in financial circles." To this statement (says The Times) may bo added the informntion that a suipiisingly largo quantity of Japanese- stock is already in French hand*, and that if a Jnpanose lonn wero to be issued in Paris it would probably bo subsciibod twenty i times over. j Commenting on tho Kaisor's recent remarknblo speech at Bremen Tho Times ways:— "In somo quarters attempts aro made to discover the reason for this emphatic panegyric upon peace and for this apparent renunciation of an empty worldwide dominion which had previously beon eot before Germany as tho highest prize of her ambitions. Tho answer suggested is that, on the wholo, the timo has not yet come for Germany to expand' beyond tho seas, that the first experiments in South-West Africa and elsewhere havo provod costly and profitless, and that, therefore, tho grapes aro sour. The country must first dovdop Its inner ntrengtfi and its domestic resources. There aro many who look for beneficent legislation in tho various departments of social and political lifo at homo which need reform. In wide contrast with these Utopian anticipations fears arc expressed that a new naval programme) may bo in prospect. Iho hope of domestic reform and tho fear of a now Navy Bill aro merely tho two extremes of tho various lines of interpretation. Thoso who adopt tho mean between ther.o two extreme inferences consider thftt tho Emperor William has not renounced his dream of a world-wide hmpiro for Germany, but that lie has merely altered his conception of tho means by which this droam is to bo realised." Tho fivo French Cardinals have addressed a letter to tho President of tho Republic in which they recapitulate the principal arguments in favour of tho Concordat with tho Vatican and demand that it should bo maintained. If a modification bo required, thoy contend that it should be mado in concert between the two authorities concerned. In presenting those considcratione to tho Chief of tho Slate thoy desire to fulfil a double duty, towards the> Church and toward* IM-auco. The country does not wiuit either political convulsion or religious persecution. Yet the separation fccheine, which in their opinion is not an expression of tho national will, would nect'Ssarily lead to religious persecution. Tho principal objection raised by the Cardinals against the Bill now bofore Parliament is that after separation the existence of tho Chuich would bo subject to a regime of associations organised independently of the authority of the Bishops and parish priests. That very circumstance would render those aK&ociaUons a negation of the constitution of tho Church aud in fact Bchwmutis.