A similar bill was presented in the house by Chairman Dingley of the ways and means committee.

GENERAL EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Within the past few months the relations of the powers of Europe have taken on the aspect of a series of kaleidoscopic changes, bewildering in their complexity and seeming inconsistency. For example, the early days of January saw Great Britain and Germany trembling on the verge of war over the Transvaal affair, and the latter power is still opposed to British schemes of expansion in South Africa. Yet Great Britain, in sending an expedition to the Soudan, not only aids Italy, but greatly strengthens the informal ties of common interest that have long been the basis of Great Britain's moral support of the Triple Alliance-for which Germany is duly thankful. The British occupation. of Egypt is an eyesore to Frenchmen, which the Dongola expedition can only serve to aggravate; and yet France and England have reached an entente cordiale in Siam. The traditional rivalries of Great Britain and Russia have been ameliorated by the settlement of the Pamir dispute and the apparent understanding that exists between them as to the disposition of Korea and Manchuria; and yet Russia sends aid and comfort to the Abyssinians, against whom Great Britain is supporting Italy, while Russian diplomacy, moreover, has apparently outstripped the hitherto dominant influence of Great Britain at Constantinople.

Instances of apparent inconsistency in the relations of the powers might be multiplied, but the cases cited are enough to show that no reliance is to be placed on the apparent combinations of the moment. Groups dissolve, reform themselves, absorb new elements which before seemed hostile, and altogether baffle and perplex the political prophet. Thus, at the beginning of the year, there was much talk of an impending coalition of continental powers against England. Some color was lent to the rumor by the evidences which had come to light from Constantinople, South Africa, and elsewhere, that, with the possible exception of Italy, England could count but little. on the assistance of other powers in the event of a collision; that she practically stood alone, generally respected but disliked. However, the rumored anti-British coalition was soon seen to have no more foundation in fact than other supposed political combinations which have of late. exercised the speculative faculties of newspaper correspondents. Combinations of continental powers are neither

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formed nor broken up according to likes or dislikes. Such changes are always based on calculations of self-interest of the powers concerned. And just as the mutual jealousies of the so-called Christian powers have checkmated all attempts at joint interference in Armenia, so may they be expected to militate against any wide combination hostile to any single power. Any general combination of powers. is a remote contingency, and would probably be developed only by slow degrees, if at all.

In this connection we note as interesting the following passages from a letter written to the London Times in the latter part of January, by " A Foreigner" (said to be King Leopold II. of Belgium):

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"It is envy and jealousy which have made England hated and feared by her rivals on the field of competition. The sight of a relatively small nation spreading a net of colonies and possessions all over the globe, bringing forward extraordinary and salutary changes in the social and political conditions of distant wild and semi-civilized nations, and, above all, earning moral and material successes for her strenuous work, could hardly have been viewed with indifference by those European nations whose awakening is of a more recent date, and who do not possess the means and qualities which have helped you. Success has at all times engendered envy and animosity, and particularly if this success is the outcome of national qualities in which others are lacking. Germany, France, and Russia, in comparing their gigantic military budget with the comparatively small outlays of England for her defense, must certainly feel vexed; and still more will the respective peoples envy the British citizen, who does not feel the burden of a compulsory military service, and still enjoys the liberty, might, and power of the greatest empire that ever existed.

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"Apart from the aforesaid enemies, England has of late estranged many of her former friends by her recently inaugurated Whatever may be said about the so-called policy in the near East. Armenian question, it will hardly be denied that the motives as well as the means of the diplomatic campaign against Turkey seem to However, if the many people inopportune and ill-chosen.

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solution of the ominous Eastern question were as easy as imagined by certain fanatics, nobody would object to the application of forcible means; but, having seen the disastrous results of one-sided intervention, it is far preferable to wait patiently for the natural development of affairs, which is sure to be more beneficial and more promising to the Christian than to the Moslem population of Asia Minor.

"In summing up what has been said about the enemies of England, we can easily come to the conclusion that their desire to injure British interests in the world is much greater than the power they are possessed of. England must be prepared to have intermezzos like the recent ones more frequently, but there is not the slightest danger in store as long as the nation continues in the spirit which has made her great, free, and powerful.”

Notwithstanding the uncertainties of the political weather, so to speak, in Europe, the truth seems to be

that the cardinal features of the general situation are essentially what they have long been-a division into two great camps, with France and Russia in one, and the Triple Alliance in the other. There is this difference, however, that England, as a result of the developments in Abyssinia and the Soudan, has been more closely committed to the Dreibund than heretofore; while Russia has apparently strengthened herself by gathering into her train Turkey and Bulgaria.

The financial difficulties of Italy had for some time caused rumors to the effect that a modification, if not a dissolution, of the Dreibund was likely when its present term of life expired in 1897. The disasters to Italian arms in Abyssinia, culminating in the defeat at Adowa, and causing a popular uprising throughout Italy against the Crispi government, had almost shaken the foundations of the monarchy itself; it is said that King Humbert contemplated abdicating in favor of the crown prince. However, the advance of the Anglo-Egyptian expedition up the Nile has restored confidence in Italy, strengthened her credit, emphasized once more the community of British and Italian interests in the preservation of the status quo in the Mediterranean, and solidified the Dreibund.

A Russo-Turkish Alliance.-When we pass from Western to Eastern Europe, the political atmosphere becomes more hazy. Diplomacy and the employment of secret methods are to some extent synonymous everywhere; but it is in the East, or rather in those countries with Oriental as distinguished from Occidental sympathies, that political intrigue finds its most congenial clime. Toward the end of January a report was spread abroad, that Russia and Turkey had concluded a secret treaty giving to Russia in effect a general protectorate over the Turkish empire, guaranteeing the continuance of the sultan's government, and securing to Russian men-of-war free passage through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus, which straits will be closed by Turkey to the warships of other nations.

The treaty is said to be based on the Unkiar-Skelessi convention of 1833, constituting an offensive and defensive alliance which bound Russia and Turkey to assist each other in resisting foreign aggression and in suppressing internal disorders. As Turkey was at the time of the conclusion of the agreement in a state of almost utter collapse, Russia waived the matter of assistance promised by Turkey, and received instead permission, in the event of Russia being at war, to close the Dardanelles to warships of all nations. The Western powers refused to recognize the treaty, which was soon tacitly abandoned.

The rumor of a revival of treaty relations on the lines

above indicated, has not been officially confirmed; but it is very generally believed that a close understanding has been reached, whereby Russian influence at Constantinople has been immeasurably increased, largely at the expense of English prestige. A fact significant of the close relations now existing between the Porte and St. Petersburg, was the visit of the Russian ambassador, M. Nelidoff, to the sultan, February 25, bringing presents and an autograph letter from the czar. Turkey's object in granting concessions is presumably to secure badly needed financial relief.

Conversion of Prince Boris.-Another instance of the extension of Russian influence is found in the decision of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria to have his two-year-old son, Prince Boris (born January 30, 1894), baptized into the Orthodox Greek Church, notwithstanding the bitter opposition of his wife, Princess Marie Louise, who is a devoted Roman Catholic, and in spite of the refusal of the Pope to grant a dispensation. The "conversion" took place February 14 in the cathedral at Sofia, the day being observed as a holiday throughout Bulgaria. The exarch, Joseph, from Constantinople, performed the ceremony. The czar of Russia consented to act as sponsor, being represented in proxy by General Kutuzoff. The British, Austro-Hungarian, and Italian representatives in Sofia were not present at the ceremony. It is said that the Pope will not take any public disciplinary measures against Prince Ferdinand, who is excommunicated ipso facto in having simply assisted in the conversion of a Catholic child to a schismatic faith.

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The conversion" of Prince Boris was dictated by political considerations. Through it Prince Ferdinand hoped to conciliate Russia and secure that official international recognition for which he had vainly striven since his election as ruling prince a little over eight years ago. These ends he has now apparently succeeded in accomplishing. In the middle of February dispatches announced that M. Stoiloff, the Bulgarian premier, had secured from the sultan formal recognition of Prince Ferdinand as the lawful ruler of Bulgaria, and an invitation to the other powers also to recognize him. The assent of all the other powers was subsequently reported. A special mission from Constantinople, March 15, conveyed to Prince Ferdinand two firmans from the sultan, one confirming him as prince of Bulgaria, the other intrusting him with the government of Eastern Roumelia. Russian representatives are to be appointed in Bulgaria, and a Bulgarian chargé

d'affaires will be sent to St. Petersburg. The formal investiture of Prince Ferdinand is thus a probability of the near future, though the fact of the sultan granting him two firmans, one as "governor " of Eastern Roumelia, must be admitted to contain the germs of possible further trouble.

The powers regard with much complacency this change of affairs which greatly increases Russian influence at Sofia. It is the general opinion in Europe that the change is one that will make for peace in the Southeast. It is not to be supposed that Bulgaria, while inclining toward Russia, contemplates relinquishing her independence. Her position can only be strengthened by the acquisition of a formal, regular, and legal status. A Bulgarian dynasty strongly founded in the affections of the people, and acceptable to Russia, will go a long way toward removing the elements of contention which for years past have made the Balkans the powder magazine of Europe.

THE FAR-EASTERN SITUATION.

Russo Chinese Relations.-If it is difficult to comprehend the drift of political developments in the Near East, it is even more so in the Far East. However, a few facts stand out with sufficient prominence to indicate clearly that Russia is tightening her grasp upon China, confirming her foothold in Korea, and in other ways extending her influence as an Oriental power, in doing which she clashes with Japan. It is possible-by many in fact considered. inevitable that the near future will witness an open struggle between these rivals for supremacy in the Orient. Strangely enough, England, whose commercial interests in the East are vast, appears to regard with comparative indifference the present extension of Russian influence. There are even indications that her traditional policy regarding the well-known designs of Russian expansion in Asia has undergone some modification; for Mr. A. J. Balfour, first lord of the treasury, speaking at Bristol February 3, said:

"So far from regarding with fear and jealousy a commercial outlet for Russia in the Pacific ocean, which would not be ice-bound half the year, I should welcome such a result as a distinct advance in this far distant region."

Of late the press has teemed with rumors of a secret understanding between Russia and China, whereby the latter, in return for important concessions, grants to Russia