the citizens made it unmistakably plain that they intended to stand no further nonsense from the Water Companies, but as they voted last autumn in favour of the Unionists at the General Election, Ministers had no difficulty in employing the Parliamentary majority in order to fling out the Water Bill promoted by the London County Council. Not content with this, they also proceeded to defeat the proposal brought forward by the London County. Council for the establishment of a good service of Thames steamers. Progress in these two directions, therefore, is blocked. It is, however, a good thing that the London citizens should be compelled to realise that it is no use being Progressive on London questions if they at the same time persist in returning a Tory majority to the House of Commons. As long as they continue to do so they will undo with their right hand what they are trying to do with their left. A famous law case was fought out The Chamberlain in the Courts last month, in which, Libel Suit. as often happens, the nominal victor came off very much second best. During the general election, the Morning Leader and the Star rendered yeoman's service to the commonwealth by calling attention to the extraordinary extent to which the Chamberlain family were interested in enterprises connected with the firms doing business with the Government. Mr. Chamberlain, having declared that he had no interest, direct or indirect, in any firms having to do with Government contracts, threw down a challenge, to which the Morning Leader replied by proving to the hilt that he and his family were closely connected with Kynochs and several other firms whose chief business was with the Admiralty and the War Office. The exposure undoubtedly prejudiced Mr. Chamberlain seriously both at home and on the Continent; but the effect was mimimised at home by the rigorous boycott which was observed by all the Ministerial journals, and until last month it is probable that three-fourths of the British public had never heard the evidence on which rested Punch's bitter jest that the more the Empire expands, the more the Chamberlain family contracts. It so happened that in the course of this exposure the Morning Leader made a slip, and fell into some more or less inconsiderable inaccuracies in its references, not to Joseph or Austen, but to Arthur Chamberlain. Seeing his chance, that gentleman brought an action for libel against the newspaper which had turned the bull's-eye of publicity upon the investments of the Chamberlain family. This action forced every Tory paper in the country to publish the evidence previously suppressed, of the people of Kansas. She has been made the subject of a good deal of ridicule, and no doubt she has been tempted to go beyond her original clearly defined policy, and to launch out into enterprises in other States for which she had no justification. Kansas is a prohibition State, and by the law of the State no public-house ought to exist for the sale of intoxicants; but as the burden of enforcing this law is thrown upon the local communities, cities and villages dominated by the drink-seller ignore the State law and keep their saloons running just as if the legislature never decreed prohibition. Against this the righteous soul of Mrs. Nation rose in revolt, and, arming herself with a hatchet, and followed by a band of women equally enthusiastic with herself, she has invaded saloon after saloon, and smashed up the property of the publicans. She has been arrested, but on trial has been acquitted, inasmuch as saloons, being contrary to the law of the State, were public nuisances which could be abated by any lawabiding citizen, hatchetwise or otherwise. It will be well if the foray of Mrs. Nation contributes to cure the American public of the inveterate superstition that the best way to deal with a great moral question is to pass a drastic law, and then leave it unenforced. The Death of the Rev. was the signal for a series of disturbances, the end of which is not yet. The Countess Tolstoi replied to the decree by a vigorous epistle, which showed that she at least did not intend to "take it lying down." The students of St. Petersburg University flocked in tumultuous crowds to Kazan Cathedral, clamouring that they also should be excommunicated. As this demand was emphasised by a riotous attack upon the sacred pictures and cathedral furnishings, the congregation flung the young men into the street, where they were roughly handled by the Cossacks. Several of the rioters were killed and wounded, multitudes were arrested, and the whole city seethed with excitement. Similar scenes took place in Moscow, in Kieff, and elsewhere, and it was noted as a new and ominous symptom that the workmen appear to have made common cause with the students. Several hundreds of the students have been "sent down" to fulfil the period of military service, from which they would have been released if they had behaved themselves and stuck to their university studies; but the excitement is far from We regret to have to chronicle this month the death of the Rev. Urijah Urijah Thomas. Thomas, at one time Chairman of the Congregational Union and for the last few years Chairman of the Bristol School Board. Mr. Thomas, although quite an unobtrusive man, had achieved for himself a position that commanded a respect so universal that even his family and his nearest friends were surprised at the manifestation which attended his funeral. While absolutely uncompromising in the assertion of what he believed to be the truth, whether against the forces making for being at an end. licence and corruption at home or for war abroad, he was a man of such singularly winning disposition and such an ideal character that at his death the whole city of Bristol was moved to do him honour. The cathedral bells tolled to mark the burial of the great Nonconformist, and the clergy of the Church of England and representatives of all the public bodies. of Bristol attended to do him honour. At a time when so many representatives of the Nonconformist conscience have failed us in the fight, the loss of such a man as the Rev. Urijah Thomas is most severely felt. He never faltered in the fray or paltered with principle, or allowed himself to be deceived by the glozing sophistries which swept so many of his brethren into the Jingo ruck. Unrest in Russia. Russia is suffering from a severe commercial crisis, and the suffering thereby occasioned predisposes to disturbance. On February 22nd (old style) the Holy Synod published a curious document, which reads like a formal decree of excommunication pronounced by various bishops and high ecclesiastics upon Count Tolstoi. Why it should have appeared just now no one seems to understand, unless it was issued in the expectation of his death, for the purpose of depriving him of religious burial. Nothing from the Tolstoian point of view could be more innocuous and absurd than this document, but its appearance Assassination as an Argument. M. More serious than the riots has been the reappearance of the old inveterate malady of political assassination. Minister of Education, was killed by a student whose Bogolepoff, the reactionary own personal grievance would probably not have led him to such extremities had they not made him the ready instrument of a group of discontented conspirators. The murderer has only been sentenced to twenty years' penal servitude-the prejudice in Russia donostzeff, the Procurator of the Holy Synod, was against capital punishment is very strong. M. Pobiefired at as he sat in his house by an official from the provinces, but he fortunately escaped uninjured. The usual stories are rife about plots against the Tsar, but the best answer to all these romances is that Nicholas II. goes about everywhere and anywhere in St. Petersburg without escort. There is reason to hope that the utter failure of any result from the killing of Alexander II. has discredited assassination in the eyes of the assassins themselves. The situation, however, is an anxious one, and the perplexities attending upon the solution of strictly mundane problems make one wonder why the bishops should have complicated matters still further by introducing a new element of discord in the shape of the Decree of Excommunication. To quote Lord Melbourne's famous question, "Why could they not leave it alone?" The second inauguration of President McKinley on March 4th was characterised as the greatest military and civic pageant our national capital has ever witnessed. There was a brilliant parade, with Gen. Francis V. Greene as grand marshal. There being no retiring President to ride with the President-elect, he was accompanied by Senators Hanna and Jones-chairmen, respectively, of the two great parties. The parade was reviewed by President McKinley, Vice-President Roosevelt, General Miles as head of the army, Admiral Dewey as head of the navy, and Adjutant-General Corbin. After the Vice-President's admirable five-minute inaugural address, adjournment was taken to the east portico of the Capitol, where President McKinley faced 80,000 people under umbrellas in a pouring rain, took the oath of office, and delivered his second inaugural address in a clear and resonant voice. It was an optimistic speech, but not vain-glorious nor extravagant. It justified American good faith and our present policies; and, like all of Mr. McKinley's recent documents and utterances, it was exceedingly well phrased. Mr. McKinley's second term of office was entered upon with no break in the group of his Cabinet advisers. Probably no administration has ever opened under more auspicious circumstances. There seems no cloud whatever on the fair sky of the nation's industrial prosperity; the public revenues are ample; we are at peace with all nations; our prudent policy in the Chinese troubles is making it certain that we shall have no more military work to do in that quarter; and the Government now makes known its confident belief that the troubled condition of the Philippines will improve quite rapidly. The Capture of Aguinaldo. This confident anticipation has been justified by the capture of Aguinaldo, and the surrender of one of his generals. On the 9th and 10th of March nearly 30,000 residents of a district in northern Luzon took the oath of allegiance. The chief Filipino general who had been holding out—namely, Lieutenant-General Mariano Trias-voluntarily surrendered last month, and there seems little left of organised military opposition, although there will be trouble for a long time to come with small insurgent bands. The Taft Commission is busy organising provincial civil governments, making use of native appointees wherever possible. It is declared at Washington that by the middle of May civil government will have been inaugurated throughout the Philippine Archipelago. Aguinaldo's surrender of course seems to bring the end of the war within sight, but it is well to rejoice with moderation. If De Wet were captured in South Africa the war would not be ended, and it may be the same in the Philippines. EVENTS OF THE MONTH. March 1. The postal, telegraphic, and telephonic services of Australia are transferred to the Commonwealth. The first vessel of the direct West Indian Mail There is a universal strike of dock labourers 2. London County Council Election. Progressive majority, 53. 3. There is a great demonstration at Berlin on the treatment of Boer women and children by the British. 4. President McKinley inaugurates his second term of office at Washington. 5. The Queen-Regent of Spain sends for Señor Sagasta to form a Cabinet. Lord Hopetoun reviews at Sydney 2,000 troops for South Africa. The fortieth anniversary of the emancipation of the serfs is celebrated in the principal towns of Russia. 6. A man throws a piece of iron at the German Emperor at Bremen and slightly injures his cheek. Count von Bülow, in the Reichstag, deals with Señor Sagasta forms a new Spanish Cabinet. 7. The Bulgarian Parliament is opened by Prince Ferdinand. A programme of fiscal reform is introduced into the Italian Chamber by Signor Zanardelli. 8. The Belgian Chamber passes the Gambling Bill in its entirety by a majority of 66 votes. A British steamer, Aylona, goes on the rocks off Bilboa and sinks; the entire crew of 23 men is lost. to. The excommunication of Count Tolstoy is published in Russia. 11. Lord Pauncefote hands to Mr. Hay the British Note on the Senate's Canal Treaty. Prince Luitpold, the Regent of Bavaria, celebrates his eightieth birthday. The Reichstag passes the Colonial Estimates. 12. The French Chamber continues the debate on the Associations Bill. M. Waldeck-Rousseau opposes an amendment prohibiting all religious orders. The authorised orders succour 70,000 children, aged and infirm persons. The amendment is rejected by 515 votes to 34. The workmen at the spinning and textile factories in the province of Barcelona, Spain, strike as a protest against new machinery. The Italian Ministry are defeated on the election of the Budget Committee. 14. There is a serious disturbance between the authorities and the students at the Odessa University. Mr. Fielding makes his Budget statement at An important Socialistic meeting takes place 15. Count von Bülow makes a statement in the Reichstag as to German policy in China. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York leave London to begin their visit to the Colonies. At a Conference at Barcelona it is decided to appoint a mixed committee to settle the dispute between the manufacturers and the workmen. 16. The Supplementary Estimates for 1901, providing for the Chinese Expedition, passes the German Reichstag. A state of siege is proclaimed at the principal 18. A protest addressed by Countess Tolstoy to the Procurator of the Holy Synod against the excommunication of her husband is published. The Spanish Ministry decide to dissolve the 20. A libel action begins in the King's Bench, 21. The German Reichstag passes the third reading of the Estimates and adjourns till April 16. The revolutionary agitation in Russia continues. The Latin-American Scientific Congress opens at Montevideo. Rev. N. R. Thomas. 22. Forty-five Russian authors sign a protest against the brutality and ferocity with which the police attacked the crowd in St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 17th. 23. The Indian Mines Bill passes the Viceroy's Two shots from a large revolver are fire at A circular by General André "prohibits the sale of alcoholic drinks in French colonial barracks and camps. The Korean Government is reported to have dismissed Mr. Brown, the Director-General of Customs. The Prince of Samos reports that the whole of the southern region of Samos is in rebellion. 25. M. Bourgeois in the Chamber attacks the education given by French religious orders. The speech is loudly applauded, and is ordered to be placarded throughout France. Lord Lansdowne's reply to the Senate's amendments of the Nicaragua Canal Treaty is published. The War in South Africa. March 1. De Wet and his commando recross the Orange River; eighty men of Kitchener's Fighting Scouts are attacked by the Boers, and after losing twenty of their number, surrender. Sir Alfred Milner leaves Cape Town for 6. About 300 Boers attack Aberdeen, but are driven off after four hours' fighting. Delarey's force attack Lichtenburg; two British officers are killed. Sir Walter and Lady Hely-Hutchinson arrive at Cape Town. 8. De Wet by forced marches makes good lis escape north with 400 men. 10. Those arrested in connection with an attack on a train at Taaibosch are tried by court martial at De Aar; two are sentenced to death and the remainder to various terms of imprisonment. 11. The plague at Cape Town develops seriously. 12. De Wet is north of Brandfort. Continuous rains interfere with the movements of the British. 14. The trial of Lodowyk de Jager concludes; he is sentenced to five years' imprisonment and a fine of £5,000. The British surprise and take General Erasmus's laager near Krugerspost. 19. The two men tried by court martial in connection with the wrecking of a train are shot at De Aar by order of Lord Kitchener. 22. The Boers capture a supply train near Vlaklaagte. Severe fighting takes place at Hartebeestfon 25. Lord Kitchener reports that Babington's force attacked Delarey and captured his rearguard and several guns. General French defeats the Boers near Vryheid, and captures guns, rifles, cattle, sheep. and wagons. Thorneycroft's column captures cattle, horses, and sheep from the Boers near Dewetsdorp. 27. There is a running fight for twenty miles between the Boers of Fourie's commando and the British under General Bruce Hamilton. 28. The Boers derail a train on the Wilge River. PARLIAMENTARY. House of Lords. March 4. Bill to supplement the law relating to load lines on merchant ships rejected on division. The Duke of Bedford calls attention to the present system of Military Administration: speeches by Lord Raglan, Lord Wolseley and Lord Lansdowne. 5. Lord Northbrook resumes the debate on Army Reform and the Administration of the War Office: speeches by Lord Spencer, the Duk: of Devonshire, Lord Rosebery, Lord Salibury, and Lord Wolseley. 8. Housing of the Working Classes: speeches by Lord Portsmouth, Lord Northampton, Lord Salisbury, and Lord Tweedmouth. 12. Third reading of the Cremation Bill. 15. Second reading Licensing Sessions Bill. 16. Lord Wolseley calls attention to certain allega tions made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs upon the advice given by him when Commander-in-Chief of the Army in regard to the war in South Africa; speeches by Lod Lansdowne, Lord Northbrook, Lord Salisbury, and Lord Rosebery. 18. Lord Sandhurst asks what decision the Government have come to on the inquiry referred to by the Lord President of the Council into the war operations in South Africa. Speeches by the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Salisbury. 3. The Sovereign's oath on accession to the Throne; speeches by Lord Harris, Lord 21. Lord Lansdowne announces the settlement of the dispute in China between Britain and Russia by mutual arrangement between the Governments. The Bishop of Winchester moves the second reading of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill ; speeches by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Salisbury. 25. Pensions to wounded and 'disabled soldiers explained by the Duke of Marlborough. 26. Discussion on Rifle Ranges for Volunteers; speeches by Lord Spencer, Lord Lansdowne, and others. 27. British position in China; speech by Lord 23. Appropriation Bill passed, and Royal assent given by commission. House of Commons. March 1. Supplementary Civil Service Esti nates resumed in Committee of Supply; the Salary of the Lord Privy Seal. The Army Estimate is issued: the total amount required for 1901-2 is £87,915,000; the number of men to be voted, 450,000. 4. Mr. Balfour moves a resolution depriving Members of the right of moving amendments to the motion for going into Committee of Ways and Means; it is carried on division by 255 votes to 161. Vote for £1.250,000 is demanded for Navy services. Mr. Dllon moves a reduction of £1,000,000, which is negatived by 248 votes against 52. Second reading L.C.C. Steamboats and General Powers Bill. 5. A message from the King is read by the Speaker, asking the faithful Commons to make provision for the Royal Family. The House goes into Committee of Supply on a vot: of account of £17,304,000 for the Civil Service. Mr. Balfour moves the closure, which is carried; cries of " Gag! Gag!" are raised by Irish members, who protest that no discussion has taken place on the contributions from Ireland, and that Irish business is closured. On their refusal to go into the division lobbies there is a scene of wild confusion: Mr. Balfour moves that they be suspended. The police are called in, and nine members are removed by force. 6. Mr. Redmond rises to call attention, as a matter of privilege, to the act on of the Chairman of Committee; he is supported by Mr. Dillon. Mr. Balfour intimates he will make a statement; the business before the House proceeds. Mr. Balfour gives notice that the first business Lefore the House would be an amendment of the Standing Orders. 7. The motion for the suspension of the 12 o'clock rule is carried. Mr. Balfour moves his amendment to the Standing Orders relating to disorderly conduct; speeches by Sir H. Campbell- Bannerman, Mr. J. Redmond, Mr. Dillon, Lord H. Cecil. 26. Mr. Burns moves the second reading of the London Water (Purchase) Bill; speeches by Sr W. Harcourt, Mr. Long, Mr. Asquith, and others. The Bill is thrown out by 253 votes against 176. 27. The Appropriation Bill passes through Committee. Second reading of the Beer Bill: speeches by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. Corrie Grant, and others. 28. Mr. Balfour, in answer to Sir R. Reid, refuses the request of Mr. Merriman and Mr. Sauer to be heard at the Bar of the House on the settlement of South Africa. The Appro priit on Bill debate resumed. South African settlement; speeches by Mr. Bryce, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Labouchere, Lord Cranborne, and others. Mr. Balfour moves the closure; third reading carried by 282 votes against 47. 2). Supply: Army and Navy Estimates. House adjourns till after Easter. 7. Lord Curzon at Calcutta, on the Assam Labour Bill. 8. M. Waldeck-Rousseau, in Paris, on Labour Legislation in France. 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, at Ottawa, on the War and Settlement of South Africa. 1 8. Mr. Brodrick makes a statement on Army re-organisation, on the House going int Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates. II. The Chancellor of the Exchequer moves resolution to appoint a Select Committee to consider the provision to be made for the King's Civil List. The debate in Committe: of Supply on the Army Estimates is resumed. Mr. C. Douglas moves that a complet: inquiry shall be made into the circumstanc of the removal of Sir H. Colvile from his command at Gibraltar. 12. Debate on Great Eastern Railway Bill; speech by Mr. Bell. In Committee of Supply, case of General Sir H. Colvile; speeches by Mr. Lawson Walton, Mr. Churchill, Mr. Balfour, Mr. Asquith, and Mr. Chamberlain. 13. Congested Districts (Ireland) Bill; speeches by Mr. Flynn and Mr. Wyndham; on a division the Bill is rejected by 250 votes against 163. 14. Gas Light and Coke Company Bill withdrawn after severe criticism: the debate on the Great Eastern Railway Bill resumed; speec by Mr. 'Bell; second reading passed. Debate on the Army Estimates resumed; speeches by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. Balfour, and Sir C. Dilke. 16. Army Estimates resumed; speeches by Sir Charles Dilke and Mr. J. Redmond. Votes agreed to. 18. The innovation introduced by Mr. Balfour of grouping together several estimates in a lump sum is criticised by Mr. Redmond, Mr. Buxton, and others. Mr. Arnold-Forster explains the Navy Estimates. The Admiralty asks for £30,875,676; Committee of Supply, £88,316 for Ashanti War. 13. Mr. Chamberlain reports the failure of the peace negotiations between Lord Kitchener and General Botha. Discussion on the Ashanti War is resumed; speeches by Mr. Scott, Mr. W. Redmond, and Mr. LloydGeorge. Mr. Markham calls attention to the Transvaal Concession Commission. Intoxicating Liquors to Children Bill: speeches by Mr. Collins, Sir W. Harcourt, Colonel Saunderson, and others. 20. 21. The debate on the Navy Estimates is resumed; speeches by Mr. E. Robertson, Sir John Colomb, and Mr. William Allan. 22 Mr. Balfour's attention is directed to the slight to the House of Commons regarding the announcement made by Lord Lansdowne in the House of Lords on the Tientsin settlemen. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman moves the adjournment of the House; speeches by Mr. Balfour, Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. LloydGeorge, and others. 23. Special finance sitting, debate on Navy Estimates resumed: speeches by Mr. ArnoldForster, Mr. Balfour, Mr. J. Redmond. 25. Sir R. Reid presents a petition from Mr. Merriman and Mr. Sauer. Votes passed in Committee of Supply; South African Land Settlement Commission; speeches by Mr. Ellis, Mr. Chamberlain, and others. Dr. Kramarz, in the Austrian Reichsrath, or Mr. Chamberlain, in London, on Women's 15. Mr. Chamberlain, at the Colonial Office, on the 16 ག་ 19. Mr. Ritchie, in London, on the Housing of the Working Classes. 21. Lord Rosebery, in London, on Commercial and Foreign Politics. 22. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in London, on Church Defence. M. Peter Benoit (Flemish musician', 66. Baron K. F. von Stumm. Rev. Alexandre Roberts. D.D., 75. Mr. A. Coppen Jones, F.L.S., 35. 9. Rev. William Arthur, 81. 11. Surgeon-General Gorse, C. B. (late I.M.S., 61. 13. Ex-President Harrison (at Indianapolis, 67. Madame De Saux (Paris), 71. 14. General Sir Samuel Browne, 78. 15. Sir Edwin Saunders, 87. M. Bogoliepoff (Russian Minister of Public Instruction), 54. 13. M. Philippe Gilles (sculptor, journalist and artist). Madame Jaques Française). Stern (of the Comédie 21. M. Edinond Got (French actor), 79. Very Rev. G. D. Boyle, Dean of Salisbury, 42. 22. Herr Carl F. Laeise (of Homburg). 24. Miss Charlotte Yonge, 78. 27. M. Cazin (French landscape painter), 5). 29. James Stephens (Fenian), 76. |