HOME NEWS SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4806, 8 November 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

HOME NEWS SUMMARY.

(From "Tho Spectator") LONDON, September 20. AN INDISCREET MINISTER. The French Government has a now internal trouble. M. Rellolan, a man of xauoli intellectual vigour and a critic oi maritime affairs, has recently been appointed, Minister of Marine, lie at once quarrelled With General Andre, Minister of War, so fiercely that a duel was witfi difficulty postponed; ho has issued orders in the direction of retrenchment which Admirals say betray technical ignorance of a grave kind; and now he has delivered a speech in Corsica which made the Foreign' Minister tear his hair. M. Delcasso was just trying to soothe certain Italian susceptibilities when he read that M i'ellotan had assured the Corsicans .that their island would bo fortified; that it was one of the three gates of the Mediterranean; and that "its eastern aims straight at the heart of Italy. Instructions were at mice given t° the French Ambassador in Rome to away this sentence; but the Italian Government is likely to consider it an “instinctive" utterance, and therefore lormidable; and at all events no Cabinet can bo content when a prominent member indulges in such menacing indiscretions. At Bizerta on Monday M- Pelletan made another and oven more indiscreet speech. Ho said that Franco had revived Carthage without her vices and ferocity. Tho object was not to make the Mediterranean a French lake, but a portion of that sea was and must remain French. In spue of Malta and Gibraltar. France with Corsica and Bizorta could keep the sea open. France did not desiro conflict either wiui England or Italy, but it was her duty to prepare for tho Holy War with her enemies, whoever they might be. Security scarcely existed in the civilised world. ‘‘At the end of tho nineteenth century, after the defeat of Franco by the barbarism, of old Germany, a return wag made to bruto force." Every ' effort must therefore be devoted to maintain intact that focus of justice and light,— French genius." These sentences will pro ha bly prove fatal to M. Polletan. His countrymen would pardon both _ his , rhetoric and his bragging, but there is an undercurrent of menace in his speech (which Europe has agreed to receivdwith a storm of ridicule. France will never boar that her representative should threaten and be laughed at. The Presij dent will bo compelled to net, or if ho does not, the Session will open in October with ■ a shower of interpellations to which there con be no possible reply except that M. 1 Pelletan is unfit, from man inherent deficiency in tact and judgment, to be a Minister.

BRITISH AND FRENCH IN MALAY.

A false report that the British had oc- . cupiecl the Malay State of Aelantan, now under Siamese protection, has caused great disturbance in Paris.—ln a subsequent note the Lavas Agency sticks to the story of the throe hundred Sikhs, but adds:—“The British assert that the soldiers occupying Aelantan do not belong to .their Army, "and have only been summoned to furnish a personal guard for the Sultan.” —It is admitted that all the Malay Slates are by the Treaty of January, 189 G, within the British “sphere of influence”; but it is argued that in seizing , it, and, indeed, in her whole bearing towards Siam, Groat Britain asumes an attitude which threatens that State, and incidentally Indo-China. Prance does not seek to annex Siam, but only claims a “condominium” with Groat Britain over that country. We need not say that we ore seeking no territory in Siam; but it is not so clear that Prance is not. She would like very much to increase the importance of Indo-China, and is erven now demanding the cession of a Siamese province. .The Government, remembering Preuch intrigue in Burmah, ia jealous of this idea, and were not the nations so ■bant on peace and so afraid of European “Complications,' a diplomatic contest might i‘ipeh into .'a very serious quarrel. At present we think M. Delcasse and Lord Lansdowne will agree to n passive policy “reserving nil rights." A RELIGIOUS MATTER. , Prench Radicals arc said to be greatly pleased with a recent utterance of he pope. His Holiness has hitherto steadily reiused to express ‘an opinion about the Law of Associations or its working, and ■ now that, he has broken silence in a brief 'to the Archbishop of Pans, he has only "said that he "assuredly shares the sadness the Archbishop experiences at this me ,-ment.” The Radicals interpret this as proof that Leo XTII. would db nothing to oppose them lest the existence of the Concordat should bo endangered; but there is surely another interpretation possible. The Pope is one of the shrewdest of diplomatists, with a well-tried faculty of patience, and he may very well perceive, or think he perceives, signs of a reaction in Prance against the law which will either cause it repeal or render it ineffectual. He cannot undo want has been ■ done, and may dread that his personal intervention would provoke every unbeliovihg - Deputy in Prance to still further attacks upon the Church. The Pope’s avowed doctrine, it should be remembered, is that good Homan Catholics "may in Prance accept any Government "provided it is not openly hostile to religion, and though M. Combes must strain his patience, ho can. wait. He is certainly wise if he wishes disestablishment to be postponed.

RUSSIAN DISCONTENT. - The discontent of, tho peasantry is evidently- making an impression on the inner circles of Russian politicians. The Czar himself has visited Kursk, collected the representatives of the nobility, of the ' District Councils or Zemstvos, and of tho villages in six governments, and has addressed to them three appeals‘for better order. He told the first that he vras aware of the "severe crisis’-’ throngh which the landlords were passing, and urged them to take tho management of agricultural affairs. His Majesty added Sadly that for ages “the system of -.landed estates had been tho mainstay of order and morality fh Russia." Tho representatives of the Zemstvos were assured that the Czar woud protect them, and told to regulate all minor economic questions. To the peasantry the Czar spoke more sternly, telling them that order would certainly bo maintained, that they must become rich by thrift and not by plunder, and that they should listen to their landlords and not to “nonsensical rumours." Even to them, however, he promised that "he would not leave - their real needs unheeded." It seems clear that some plan for creating new . rural municipalities, is under discussion; but , the real importance of the incident consists in the fact that the Czar met the village elders face to face. If is net recorded that the latter were permitted to explain their grievances. That'will- come. ' PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. -• President Roosevelt has achieved a rather remarkable victory ■ in internal politics. The “bosses" or managers of tne Eepublican party were r annoyed by his demand that Trusts should he controlled by the national Government, a .policy which -they saw would deprive tne party of its heaviest subscribers for election contests. So strong, however, is the popular feeling in his favour that, .after ten Western States had endorsed his policy, Mr Platt, the "boss" of New York Republicans, who had publicly condemned his action, “climbed down," and agreed, in conference with other leaders, that, the President should he recommended for the election of 1904. There remain two : years before tho nominating conventions are held, and much may happen in the interval; but if this decision holds good, Mr Roosevelt will he nominated, and therefore re-elected. The victory:, is. remarkable as one more proof : that professional "managers” rarely

understand the peojjle, and that when a strong leader insists on his own policy they are either defeated or “come to heel/' Tho great Beef Trust, if it is formed as reported and raises the price of beef, will make ilr. Roosevelt's election a certainty, even if it does not produce a popular explosion against trusts. They should leave bread, meat, and salt alone.

AMERICA AND TUB POWERS. Mr Hay has issued a remarkable I\oto to the United States Ambassadors accredited to the Governments who signed the Berlin Treaty, according to which there was to be no discrimination against any resident of Rouiuauia on account oi religious belief. The Uni tod States was not a party to the Treaty, but having tailed to persuade Xtoumania to remedy the evils which have forced so many Jews to emigrate to America, the President feels obliged to appeal to tho lowers to compel tho observance of the religious exemption. After explaining the purpose of the generous attitude of the United States towards the alien inimigrant as being “to benefit him and the country alike, not to afford another State a fur its undesirable elements, and describing tho hardships and enforced degradation, of the Roumanian Jews, tho Note continues: —“No class is more welcome here when equipped in mind and body for citizenship. But this Government cannot bo a tacit party to an international wrong. It is constrained to protest against treatment to which the Jews of lloumania are subject, n6t aJone because it lias unimpeachable ground to remonstrate against resultant injury to itself, but in the name of humanity. Tho Berlin correspondent of the “Times notes that in Berlin the circular has not met with a very favourable reception, but the ••'Vossischo Zeitung" believes it will exort a powerful moral influence, and welcomes its humane sentiments in spite of tho novelty of the Secretary of action.- The remonstrance may not bo In keeping with strict diplomatic traditions, but tho tone and temner of the document aro enough to justify the innovation.

CAPE POLITICS. Sir Gordon Sprigg announced in the Capo House of Assembly ou Tuesday that martial law would be immediately repealed. In reply to Dr Smartt, the leader of the “Saspensioaists," ho contended that the suggested Bills to control the importation oi arms and ammunition, and suppress sedition and boycotting, were unnecessary in view of the existence of the Peace Preservation Act. tie also announced that as a result of communications from General Settle, commanding the troops in Cape Colony, compensation claims would be settled with the least possible delay. Between June Ist and August 25th the military had already paid out .£551,338 in compensation claims, and it was proposed to introduce a Bill authorising the Government to raise a loon not exceeding one and a quarter millions to meet the claims. The dissentient Progressives attack Sir Gordon Sprigg for his unwarrantable optimism; but should it prove unjustifiable by results, his course is clearly indicated by the terms of Mr Chamberlain’s despatch. The Capo Parliament ia on its trial, and so far it has not fulfilled the pessimistic forebodings of the “Suspension ists.” ,Wo note that the Boer generals, about whose doings far too much noise has been made, are said to meditate a prompt return to South Africa, having become convinced of the impracticability of conducting a lecturing tour on the Continent. Such a resolve. should it prove correct, does no less credit to their loyalty than to their common-sense. GREAT BRITAIN’S NATIONAL DEBT. The' annual paper on the National Debt contains figures which show that we have entered on an era of vast expenditure as well as vast prosperity:

Of course, these figures are quoted as proofs of “Tory wastefulness”; but though there is plenty of waste, the main causes of new expenditure are the reluctance to .provide for war. in peace time, and the incessant pressure on the State to undertake now services for the people. Wo all want “high civilisation,” and high civilisation is very costly. The difference between a healthy house and an unhealthy house is unspeakable; but so is the difference in plumbers’ bills, drainage rates, and the cost of supervision.

LANDLORD AND TENANT IN IRELAND. The "Standard" announced on Wednesday that the Round Table . Conference convened by Captain Shawe-Taylor to promote an amicable understanding between landlords-and tenants in Ireland would be held in Dublin before the end of the present month. It was further stated,' on the same authority, that the Dune,, of Aberoorn, Lord Barrymore, Colonel Saunderson, Tho O’Conor Don, Mr T. W. Russell, and the lord Mayor of Dublin! who had offered the use of the Mansion House for the Conference) have consented to attend; that two of the most prominent members of tho Nationalist party will complete the number of delegates; and that the proceedings, though purely informal and unofficial, have the good wishes of the Chief Secretary. Simultaneously with this announcement the Dublin correspondent of the "Times" stated that “none of the gentlemen invited as representing the interests of the landlords, it is understood, have sb far signified any intention of being present, and it is difficult to see what would be gained from a conference between Mr T. W. - Russell and the Nationalist representatives,” while a leading article contended that it was idle to discuss tho projects of well-meaning but insignificant persons until the advocates of tho conference could put forward a really influential list of persons representing the Irish landlords. We should have thought that tho four names mentioned above satisfied these requirements fairly enough. In any case, we strongly deprecate the tendency to run down tho conference because its original promoters axe not men of commanding position. It does not invariably answer to wait for the lead of leaders. Wo may note that Lord Mayo has written to the "Times" of the "round table” principle, and setting forth an alternative scheme by which the representatives should bo selected.

H.M.S. TERRIBLE. The Terrible cruiser arrived in Plymouth Sound on Tuesday afternoon, proceeding on Thursday to Portsmouth to pay off. The record of the historic commission now closed is one unequalled in modern naval history. Detained at the Capo on ’ his way out to tho China Station, in 1899, Captain Percy Scott, C. 8., devised the carriage which enabled six naval guns to be put into Ladysmith with the ‘Powerful’ Brigade, while the ‘Terrible’ Brigade took part in all tho engagements of General' Buller’s campaign, and were largely responsible for the ultimate triumph at Pieter’s Hill. On March 11th. 1900, the Terrible Brigade rejoined their ship under orders for China, where . detachments of the crew took part in _ the fighting at Tientsin and in tho relief of the Pekin Legation. In addition to this, the Terrible holds the coaling record, and until very recently held tho shooting record. No officer in His Majesty’s; Navy has set a higher standard of efficiency than Captain Percy Scott, and no ship’s company have responded more splendidly to the calls on their courage and endurance than the gallant follows who are to bo entertained at Portsmouth next Tuesday.

1831-2. .1891-2. 1901-2. Millions National Debt .. .. .. 28$ 25 ■ 22i Army and Navy 27| S3 60 Civil Service 15S m 24% Customs and Inland 'Revenue.. 2§ 2* 8 Out of Local Taxation Eevenaa — n »i 11 8£i 119%