Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA
SIXTEENTH YEAE. OMAHA. SUNDAY MORNING , .FEBRUARY 20 , 1SS7. TWELVE PAGES. NUMBER 24T |
ON THE BORDER LAND
The Entire French-German Frontier Care-
fally Inspected By a Correspondent.
NO UNUSUAL SIGNS OF WAR.
Begems Out For Instruction and Troops
Preventing the Escape of Deserters.
NO OTHER BELLICOSE MOVES.
Germans Consider a Conflict Inevitable If
the Septennate is Defeated.
TALKS ON JACOBINI'S LETTERS.
Interviews With a Roman Prelate and an
Italian Government Official.
LONDON'S LENTEN LITERATURE.
lilch Fcnst * Prepared For the -Minds
of Headers by Publishers to Take
the Place of Evening
Festivities.
Inspecting the Frontier.
J&S7 t/i/ James Gordon HenwtLl
MBTZ , Feb. 19. [ New York Herald Cable
Sj > eclal to the BEK. ] During the past live
clajs I Inxve made n tour partly by rail ,
partly In hired carrlages-of the 250 miles of
Franco-German frontier , extending from
Mulhaufien to Onvllle , near Luxemburg. 1
have also paid llylnir visits to Neu Breisach.
btrassburg , Metz , Trevcs and Koblentz.
Judging of Uie situation strictly from a mil
itary point of view , 1 have seen nothing what
ever to Indicate an Impending war. Every
where 1 have seen reservists joining their
colors to tike part In the annual period of In
struction , which this year Is more important
than heretofore owing to the necessity of
their learning the use of the new repeating
rifle. It is true that owing to warlike rumors
this movement of reservists Is attended with
more popular excitement than usual , and
that largo consignments of new repeating
rltles arrive almost dally at Metz , Stress-
burp , Neu liresach and Mulhausen. At the
same time , vast quantities of old rifles stored
at these points are being returned to Berlin.
MANY UESKKTEI1S.
1 found that amonz the reservists from
nearly all the towns near the frontier Hue
there were many attempts made to desert ,
nnil at least 200 men have succeeded In reachIng -
Ing French territory , notably at Clrcy Averl-
court , Pout-a-Mousson and Bufort. The
great mass of the rural population of Alsace-
Lorraine Is still as French In feeling us the
people of Burgundy or Normandy , and as
the Alsace-Lorraine reservists are sent to
join the garde-corps at Berlin and the fifth
and sixth corps In I'russlan-Polaud , they to *
their best to desert. It is solely to prevent
these desertions that villages and cross roads
contiguous to the frontier weie occupied by
squads ot German Infantry and by patrols of
the sixth Uhlans and ninth dragoons , four
squadrons of these regiments being detached
for that purpose from Mulhausen and Metz ,
while the fifth cavalry , cbevauvlegers from
Sarrbourg , watched the frontier at Aven-
court.
so HEAI. WATI rr.urArtATioNS.
With the exception of calling out the
reserves tor instruction , the movements of a
few hundred infantry and cavalry to prevent
deserters crossing the frontier , ttie arrival of
large supplies of new repeating rifles and
ammunition , and a few carloads ot steel
plates for the forts around Metz , I can
safely say that neither men , stores , nor
fortifications ate being added to. And these
four exceptions were decided upon long
before the present war scare came into ex
istence , and are regarded by military men
hero as merely routine incidents of the main-
talnanco on an cllleient footing of
sixty battalions of Infantry , fifty-five
squadrons of cavalry , thirty-two batteries of
field artillery , and twenty-eight companies of
siege artillery , that Germany , as a guarantee
of peace , feels obliged to keep on a war foot
ing In Elsass-Lothringen , the German relch-
etand.
lu reference to the report that Frenchmen
were prevented from entering Germany , I
can only say that I ctossed the frontier three
times during the past few days at Avericourt
and Pagnysur-Moselle. Dozens of French
men were on board the trains , and be ) end
the usual custom house examination , no
passenger was questioned or Interfered with
Dy the German authorities.
A LIVELY INCIDENT.
On Thursday , as 1 was driving in an open
Victoria on a cold but fine sunny wintry day ,
along the road from Gravclotte to Chateau-
de-VcrkevlIIc , I happened to notice quite a
lively Incident. About Uvo hundred yards
ahead of ma I noticed a small donkey cart
that seemed to bo making very rapidly for
the French tronniT about half a mlie distant ,
Looking behind me , 1 saw several horsemen
galloping along at full speed. As they approached
preached I saw a mounted police corporal of
dngoous and three troopers evidently in
chase of deserters , Telling my coachman to
whip up his hordes in order that wo might
see the fnn , I watched the dragoons maku a
M'.ortcut across a field in the middle of which
aji5t\i hu e cross in memory of the soldiers
of the Third army corps who fell in the
battle of the ttth of August , 170.
The little donkey cart was nearly overtaken
by the dragoons , when suddenly the driver of
It sprang from his seat At the fame tlmn a
Ions-legged young fellow emerged from the
body of the can , where he had been concealed
beneath a heap of cabbages , onions and pota
toes , and both ran like deer toward the fron
tier on the read , now only a few yards dis
tant They readied the posts about two
minutes before the dragoons , and were soon
safely and comfortably seated befoie a Move
in the wlno shop of the little French village
of Jonullle. The dragoons drew up their
brown hordes , captured the donkey and
donkey cart , and rode slowly back toward
the village of Gravellette.
HOW TIIK LINE IS JIAHKF.P.
It Is curious to note that the frontier be
tween Germany and France U more dl
tlnctly marked than that of any other two
countries. The frontier line Is so arranged
that It crosses nvcry road at right angles. On
the German side Is a large post , twelve feet
high. painted like n barber pole red , black
and nhite with a cross piece at the top , with
the word , In black letters on a white ground ,
"Greuror" ( boundary ) , with an exclama
tion mark. Diagonally opposite is a
cast iron pot , twelve feet hUh ,
whereon is painted ia gray , on an iron
crossplecc , the , word , "Fjouuere. ' These
posts a.ro ouly placed on toads and railways.
- "across country1. ' by
The line indicated .
stone blocks pro ) tincsbcut a loot ape * > e
thecround at intervals of fifty yards. On
the JVeucU aids of Uie block Is cuf with a
chisel the letter "F , " on the German side is
the letter "D1' for "DeuUchland. "
A COLONEL' * OPINION.
Upon returning to Metz I met at dinner a
colonel ot artillery who had greatly dls-
tlnEtilshed himself at Sedan and Paris. 1
ukeil what he thought of the fortifications
lie French had constructed for the defense
of trie frontlerc.
He said : "Thev are admirably chosen , and
when they rrcelve their armor of steel plate ,
will bo the most perfect system of fortifica
tions that could ha\e been devised. Verdun ,
Toul , Eplnal , Uelfort are each the center of
four systems that altogether number not less
than seventy-fire detached forts and batteries.
The spaces between Verdun and Toul , and
between Kplnal and Belfort are utterly
Impregnable , every square foot of the soil
txjing commanded and enfiladed by artillery
tire that no troops could withstand. No
modern general would think of sacrificing
Ills troops by attaching them. "
1 asked : "Then , In the event of war , the
German armies would have to bo directed
north of Verdun , between \erdunaudthe
Belgian frontier , or else between Toul and
Eplnal. "
The colonel renlled : "Certainly : any other
course would bo ten-told greater madness
than wpre the Russian attacks upon Plevna , "
ltl.cn said : "It Is well Known to all
military nun that the French have , since
ISO , constructed no new fortifications in
the long in terra ! of thirty-eight kilometres
that extend ifrom Verdun to the Belgian
frontier. How do you account for that
fact ? "
The colonel replied : "Ills believed that
in the event of hostilities France will con
centrate nearly all her available forces along
this interval , where her railway system
enables her to mobilize her armies quicker
than at any other point of her frontier and
make a lightning like blow through Luxem
burg and Belgium uuon Tre\es and the
valley of the Moselle , irr the hope of reach
ing Koblentz , "
I said : "Oh ! But the French accuse you
of Intending to violate Belgium neutrality ,
and expect to see the German army come
swarming from Cologne straight across Bel-
glum , thereby turning all their magnificent
defenses of the Mouse and the Vosges. "
The colonel replied , evasively : "I'm afraid
we are getting to talk politics , which Is some
thing 1 know nothing about"
I asked : "When the 'Inevitable' war
breaks out , where do you think the first great
dlcisive battle will be fought ? "
The colonel said : "In the department of
the Ardennes , not far from Mezlerts. "
ELECTION DEFEAT MEANS WAB.
And here our conversation ended. I may
add that trie feeling in official and military
circles here and in Strassbers is that if the
government is defeated in the coming elec
tions , war between France and Germany will
be almost inevitable.
THE JACOBIN ! tiCTTEUS.
Their Meaning nml Effect Discussed
byn Homan Prelate.
[ ropl/fffl'it ' iSSTbyJamcn Gordon Bennett. ]
ROME , Feb. 19.-New [ York Herald Cable-
Special to the BEE. ] The Jacobin ! letters
have caused fully as much excitement in
Italy this week as the news from Massawah ,
exciting though that is , or the ministerial
crisis. The ministerialists at first affected to
treat these sensational documents with dis-
taln. but , < * > -taln passajes In the letters made
such polnu "reference to the relations of the
ratican'and qulrinal that they verysoon grew
alarmed and rather late In the day awoke to
the fact that the letters might be worth dis
cussing. What induced the Vatican to issue
these letters ? What did they mean ? What-
effect will they have ? These questions are
now exercising all thinking politicians in
Europe and doubtless many more In America.
The letters were , so to speak , sprung upon
the world outside the innermost Vatican
circle1. No one knew anything about them
here until they were published , and one at
least the earliest , probably was not meant
for publication. The pope did not even dis
cuss them with his most trusted counsellor *
This fact partly explains the almost unani
mous dissatisfaction with which they harp
been read In the sacred college. For
once liberal and ultramontane cardinals
are of the same opinion. Five , or almost
perhaps , six persons could tell the whole
story of the letters , and from evident rea
sons of the state they are pretented from
tolling all there is to tell. One l.s the holy
father , without whose absolute approval the
etters could not have been issued. Another.
Is the Baron Von Schloezer. Prussian minis
ter plenlnotentiary at the Vatican , but for
whom they would hardly have been written.
The third is Cardinal Jacobinl who signed
them. The fourth Is Bismarck , and one of
the two others is a distinguished prelate ,
with whom 1 have Just had a long and most
interesting talk at the Vatican.
TALK WITH A PKELATC.
I began the conversation by mentioning
that I had just arrived from Berlin.
"Ah , indeed , " said the prelate , "Berlin Is
a political center nowadays. "
"People were beginning to discuss the e
remarkable letters of Cardinal Jacobin ! when
I left , " said I.
"We hope they will bear good fruit" re
plied the prelate. "They were not In any
way an attack on the center party , which has
done the church such great service in the
past during the kutteikampf. But we have
good reason to hope that the time of the
kuttcrkampf is now over. Within three or
four weeks proposals will be laid before the
Prussian landtag practically abolishing all
that remains of the May laws and restoring
to thy church nearly all iu essential liber
ties. "
"Will the monastic orders get the benefit
of the new management ? " said I.
"Three catagortes of monastic orders
will , " replied the prelate. "First , all who
may be called contemplative orders ; second ,
all thee which specially devote themselves
to the training of candidates for the priest
hood ; third , all charitableorders. . " .
" 1 may assume of course , " said I , "that
BUmarcK took the initiative in the negotia
tions whl ch preceded the issue of the let-
ten. ? "
"Well , yes ; but quite unanlclally , " said the
prelate. "After some hesitation Bismarck
said something like this : 'If the pope will
speaK the word now In favor of the wpten-
nato , he will bo helping to keep the peace. '
and with purely peaceful views the holy
father thought It right to speak. Von Moltke
and Bismarck had made It clear that the re
jection of the scptennate meant war. Why
should it be said that the pope attacked the
center when he merely expressed hU earnest
wish that the center would rote the scpten-
iiRte ? We must make the concession now.
Then , you know , csptxially In a protestant
country , it U always a ] gouJ thing to have a
friend "
"True , " said I , "but in maknz | ono frlo nd
ia there not denser of losing the friendship
of France ? "
"Why bliould France object , seeing that she
wUlits to have peace and that the letters may
.secure peace1
"Yet I Duties that Bl&hoo Koppe has just
oeen EUprxirting a defender of the trien-
nlum , " I continued.
' ; Ah ; yes , yes ; .very jelever of him , very1
'said the prelate , withqut particularly explain
ing hlsjmeanln ; . Then , resulolDi the thread
) f his discussion , lie added : "The Vatican
liad serious reason to believe its Intervention
would Improve the position of the holy see ,
especially In Us relations with Italy. '
"That's the great point , " 1 remarked.
"Every one looks beyond the present mo
ment"
"What will be the estimated result of these
wonderfully clever letters ? In a word , do
you foresee or hope for anything like a re
turn to the old state of things in Homo in the
future ? * '
But here 1 found I was on delicate ground.
The prelate , who la an accomplished diplo
mat at once grew rapue.
"I foresee no near concrete result of the
kind you mean , " said he.
"Did you not read that article In the
Cologne Gazette the other day referring to a
possible amelioration of the position of the
holy see , and pointing out that there could
be no thought of an armed Intervention , or
even of ordinary diplomatic action In behalf
of the Vatican ? Then , remember Uie papal
arbitration in the dispute about the Care
lines , "
"les. "
1 continued : "But what meaning save
ono can be attached to this amelioration' ' "
"As one cannot foretell all eventualities , "
replied the prelate. "Wars , for instance , or
European congresses , at which a friendly
word might be uttered tending to peacefully
bring about a better understanding with
Italy. The Homan question must always beef
of deep importance , and it Is certain that the
present state of things Is intolerable. "
A MlNtSTEUtAL OPINION .
On leaving the Vatican I drove to the
ministry of foreign affairs , hoping to have a
chat with the Count di Kobilant He was up
to his eyes In business , so I fell back on the
Count dl Colliblana , his private secretary ,
whoso views may bo fairly accepted as a re
flection of the minister's.
"What does the Italian government think
of the Jacobin ! letters ? " said I/
"For some reasons , " said the Count "there
Is reason to be glad they were
written. The fact that the pope has
been able to make so Important
a manifestation proves that lie Is perfectly
free , and since the law of guarantees was
passed it has always been the policy of the
Italian government not to interfere in the
pope's relations with foreign pow ers. Speak
ing unofficially , I don't mind saying that we
do not regret the issue of the letters , for they
will weaken the German centre and the
centre is hostile to us. "
"What do you tike to be the real meaning
of the passage with regard to a possible
amelioration of the relations with Italy. " i
asked , "which most people suppose refers tea
a restoration of the temporal power ? "
"The significance of the passage has been
much toned down by the explanations
of the Vatican's organs , " replied the
count "Our relations with Prussia are
of such a nature as absolutely
to preclude the idea of our attaching this
meaning to it tnou h some party organs
have done so. 1 am rather inclined to ; think
myself the passage referred to is a possible
restoration of ecclesiastical property , but , as
you know , with the exception of a few Insti
tutions like the American college , the gov
ernment regards all such matters as being
purely ot a domestic character , and will
allow ot no foreign interference. "
"Is there no prospect of Italy voluntarily
ameliorating Uie position of the Vatican
or changing ? "
"If you prefer the ohaso I see none. " re
plied the count. No one has any particular
interest in changing things at present , "
"And will Italy make no protest orcounter
manifestation in answer to the letters1
" .None , whatever ; ' ' said the Count dt Colli-
biani.
THE AMERICAN CARDINAL" .
Although Cardinals Gibbons andTashereau
have been here a week , many matters sup
posed to have occasioned their journey have
hardly been discussed. Yet Cardinal Gibbons
bens had a long interview withCardina :
Simeon ! and Archbishop Jarobini at the
propaganda yesterday. Nothing definite is
known as to what took place but it is ascer
tained not only that nothing has yet taken
place In regard to the American Knights of
Labor , but that no decision may be expected
for at least some weeks , this question , with
several others , having been held over until
the opportunity has occurred to fully ascer
tain the views of Cardinal Gibbons.
Father McGlynn's case excites great inter
est hfreand even his defiance has not lost him
the personal sympathy of his Itoman friends.
I have discussed his case with many ec-
cleslasts here and there Is only one opinion
as to the mistake that has oeen made. It is
universally thought In Home that the matters
for which he has been removed from his
charge went beyond the limits of social or
political economy , r.nd his coming is confi
dently expected. If he comes he will have a
fair hearing. Near.'y all the ecclesiastical au
thorities are quits'Imposed to treat him not
only with justice but with indulgent kind
ness. _
A UTEICAKY FEAST
Prepared For English Renders
During the Lenten Season.
! fY > j > u vjM ISs ; by Jainti GonJjii lltnnett. ]
LONDON. Feb. 19. [ New York Herald
CableSpta ial to the BEE. I On the eve of
Urn forty days of Lenten fast the London
publisher * , as csual , prepare a literary least
for their le-idtrs , as the church debars from
evening joys many \otarlcsof the opera , of
cards and soirees. The coming month Is
therefore sure to bring a wealth of
new publications. Ash Wednesday will
see the publication by Mr , Vnvrln ,
who is the publisher of Kn-'hsh editions of
the Century and St Nicholas , of De
Lavely's "The Balkan Peninsula , " a book
bringing its events down to date. Advance
sheets furnished to your correspondent show
a beautifully printed volume In picturesque
style , yet accurate , bristling with facts , sta
tistics and Incidents. The Intioductlon isby
Mr. Gladstone , who , in the course of It , re
marks :
"The well-being , tranqulllty and liberty of
the Balkans have now come to be ot more
critical Importance than ever to the interests
of F.urope , It is , therefore , most material
that the public mind of Uie various countries
should bo Impartially and thoroughly in-
formed. " '
TWO IJOYAL LIVES.
The same publisher issues , on March 1 ,
Dorothwi Roberts' "Two Hoyal Lives. "
These are the lives ot the crown prince and
Queen Victoria's daughter , tba future em
press of Germany. The advance sheets of
this \olutne evidence graphic gleanings from
Berlin Hie , not only in royal circles , but of
Uio German masses. It is filled with new in
cidents and fresh views of society In the
Prussian capital.
THE COWNO WAR.
Messrs. Ward & Downey announce to
day "The Comln : Franco German War , " by
that well kpown German , Colonel Koett-
schaw , and translated and edited by Mr. John
Ilill , the English military writer. It is a
significant work , one to delight the heart of
the Ku.vsiau bear and the Wall htreet or the
produce exchange bulls. It might be profit
ably read besides Mt.IIeara's papers hi the
coming March Harper on. "The P.ussla of
To-day , " or with Sir Charl ? ? Dllke's article
on the Bime subject in tia ! corclng number
of. the 1'ortnlg.hUr UeVitc , vrl.eitta alia the
Marquis of Lome has a short conciliating
paper about the Canadian fisheries.
ONLY A STOIIY.
By the way , there has been a hearty laugh
here at the sensational paragraph recently
sent to a New York newspaper by cable
hence , to the effect that Uie marquis Is to be
the respondent In a divorce suit brought by
the Princess Louise. Perhaps the report
was started by Brother Colin Campbell , who
relics on an old maxim about misery , love
and company.
company.A
A EVLOOY TO LEE.
A warlike monogram on General Leo by
Lord Wolsely Is In type for the March Mac-
mlllan'-j Majarlne The Egyptian hero eulo
gizes his Virginia conferee to the music ,
doubtless , of "Hobcrt Tel quo j'Alme , "
wince suggests a reference to Mr. Bcatty
Kingston's two volumes Issued yesterday on
"Music ana Manners , with Delightful Per
sonal Reminiscences. " He Is the foreign
editor of the Dally Telegraph , plays on fine
Instruments , Is a composerlibrettist on dinner - ,
ner table art and literary wise , an admirable
Christian , as New Yorkers will find when ho
visits them this coming summer.
K01IK11T tlUOWNlNO.'S POEMS.
Robert Browning , for his" new poems , re
ceived some hard kicks from critics who
demand a glossary. For Instance , the An-
thena'um this afternoon remarks that Mr.
Browning's irlends have of late rendered It
extremely dllllcult for calm criticism that re
spects lt < elf and art to deal with him , aud of
course there are these who will angrily icply
that It Is because ho uses poetic art to ex
press his own Idiosyncracy and be
cause he tramples under foot those
laws of poetic art which Homer bnws
to as reverently as Sophocles or Dante that
his appeal to them Is so strong. Mr. .Brow u-
Ing this morning got nettled and thus wrote
to a correspondent touching an Ill-natured
criticism in the Birmingham Mall a corre
spondent had enclosed :
'I am sure you mean very kindly , but i
have had too long an experience of the ina
bility of the human race to do other than
cackle when benevolent and hiss when ma
licious , aud no amount of goose criticism
shall make me lift a heel against what wad
dles behind it. "
This seems to prove that the author of the
"King aud Book" can also write vigorous
prose.
All Americans doubtless know about Sir
Wilfred Law son , M. P. He oflsets his rigor
ous proe In the house of commons last night
VIth verse In this morning's Liverpool Post
on the recent mixtures of parties in the divi
sion lobbies. It begins thus :
How strangely are parties at present allied ;
No skill the anamolles can smother.
When the liberal-unionists sit on one swe
And steadily vote on the other.
A I'OltTIiAlT OF FKANCES.
The Court Society Review , a London
weekly , announces that its next week's Issue
will contain an especially prepared portrait
of the yoiini and beautiful wife of the presi
dent of Uie United States. This portrait of
the head of American society
will be the first of a aeries
of portraits of trans-Atlantic celebrities.
Some \vag suggests that on this announce
ment the editor of the Court Review must
look out for his trans-Atlantic mail bringing
applications fora pl > ice in his gallery.
A QUELS AUTHOKESf. .
"I give you on g M authority , and am as
sured that it is an authentic anecdote , some-
Uilngabout the head of Italian society. It
is well known that Queen Margaret Is an
authoress. She was rallied at a recent court
ball by the French ambassador about having
written a novel which was after long
delay to be published In London. She
listened as he gallantly expressed regret at
the delay. Then said the queen : "Believe
me your regret would hare beeu greater If It
had appeared. " Next he went to tell the
diplomat : "Long ago I sent a story In manu
script to a Homan periodical under an as
sumed name. It was soon returned
curtly .marked "rejected. " Since then I
shall re'maln satisfied with a real crown and
not strive after imaginary laurels. "
LOUD nANDOLi'ii CIHT.CHILL.
To-day , through the firm ol Sonnenschein
& Co. , that Or. Crozler , who wrote "Civiliza
tion and Progress" has published a book en
titled , "Lord Randolph Churchill , a Study of
English Democracy. " The author Is an autl-
bourbon , a disbeliever in the rack and thumb
screw of the Salisbury DOlicy. The book
comes apropos to a current hoax some London
correspondents have originated to the effect
tnat Lord Churchill is to return to the cabinet
as Indian secretary , vice Lord Cross.
SOCIALISTIC LITEKATfKE.
The socialist invokes literature with Karl
Marx's book on "Capital , " translated by Mr.
Avellng , who , with his wife , has prepared a
paper for the March number of the Contem
porary Review on the same subject
OTIIEU INTEltESTINO PUHLICATION = .
Murray's Masazine , No. 3 , comes up on
library tables on Slmne Tuesday with more
unpublished scraps from Lord Byron. A
nairatlve , "Lostin the Backwoods , " by ex-
Police Commissioner Sir Edmund Hender
son , and a jolly essay by Grant Allenon ,
"The Joy of Living , "
Scotchmen mar be glad to know that the
tirni of Macmillan & Co. hare In the press a
memoir , the poems and letters of that delight
ful dirlne of Irvine , Dr.Villlani \ B. Robert
son , and everybody is glad to hear that the
same house will in a few days bring out ,
"Tom Brown. "
Bishop Potter , whose echoes yet linger in
Lambeth chapel , doubtless arrived to-day ,
bringing with him on early copy of two vol
umes from the long mines of history most
valuable to church men , being sketches of
the fcngllsh church and its bishops through
the eighteenth eentwy. Dr. A. E. MacDonald -
Donald , who Is now enjoying London , will
of course , take Home a new anonymous
book entitled "The Healing Art , or Chap
ters ITpon Medicine , Diseases , Remedies and
Physicians. " It Is an historical biography
and descriptive , being an attempt to popular
ize the history of Uie healing art It particu
larly abounds with anecdotes of court phy
sicians , quacks , mesmerists , etc.
Lawyers are informed that a new volume
on the law about betting , from a barrister at
CanileU , has just beau issued. Many Amer
ican barristers doubtless may ay that tun law
about betting exists with them only In a pro
hibitory sense ,
Chas Reade's memoirs will appear nn
March 1 , a book for both the cloister and the *
hearth , no doubt
Among new novels ls"ln the Rice Fields , "
by the matchless Colouibi , translated by Mr.
Astor Wlllmott , and issued by Chapman &
Hall ; also a second edition within a
fortnight only after the tirst one of Joseph
llatton'a "Old llousa at Sandwich , " while
the day on which it was puolished he tat
down to begin a new serial novel called "The
Great "World" tor an American newspaper.
Mr. Lawrence Ollphant is quitting fiction
for the present. He will publish on Mon
day , throuih the Blackwoods , "Haina ,
or Life in Modern Palestine. " On
the same day the same publishers
issue "The Life of Agnes Strickland , "
by Jer : sister. "Our Own Pompeii. " a satiri
cal story in two volumrts , from the same
press , with som ? of Its characters New ' York
ers , U largely attributed' to Mr.-'Louis J.
Jennings.
A. Oqbk ranch d.i'tranded f w Uie libraries
U.ues from Uie CaaseU pcesi It is en-
titled "Celebrities of thn Ace , " being
a dictionary ot the men and women
of this century. It contains contributions
Jy eminent authorities and Is edited by Dr.
Lloyd C. Sanders , an Oxford scholar. It
will undoubtedly take the place of "Men of
the Time , " publishea by Kutledro , a volume
mercilessly reviewed hero for IU omissions
and Its pufferies of those In whom the editor
Is evidently Interested. To-day's Spectator
tater instances nineteen sharing omis
sions , ana refers to the paces
as presenting "nn Instructive study of the
grotesque forms which self-assertion and van
ity may assume , " and cites examples which ,
in a compendium of autobiographical
sketches , jar upon the sensibilities of even
the least fastidious readers.
But even authoritative reviews make slips.
For Instance , this week's Academy , in a long
notice of "She Stoops to Conquer , ' ' now
running with a success that would warm the
cockles of Lester Wallack's heart , says that
"Miss Kate Vnuslmn played Lydia Languish
to Lionel Brough's Tony Lumpkln , which
was a highly colored performance , " quite so
in such a connection.
GEUMAN POLITICS.
.V Momentary l.iill In the Great Ulcc-
tornl Conflict.
BERLIN , Feb. 19. There is a paue In the
Intensity of the electoral coutllct pending
Monday's polling. Committees everywhere
continue active , but there Is a momentary
lull In public agitation. There Is also a sig
nificant subsidence lin war rumors.
This the opposition say Is because the govern
ment no longer considers such ailment
necessary to excite electorates. Though offi
cial circles are sure of a vlctorj'i they are
much less confident that their majority will
be large. The r most sanguine estimates in
crease the number of conservatl\e from TS to
H > , and national liberals from 50 to GO , and
reduces the Frelslnnigen fromCT to 50 , leav
ing other sections about the same as before.
The septcnnate majority Is dependent upon
a split in the centre party , in which It is cal
culated there are Blxty-nlne triennlsts
against thirty seotennists. If this estimate
is realized rind the government falls to ob
tain a submissive majority for ail Its pur
poses the now reichstag will vote for the
mllirary bill , but will be equally ready , as
was the last reichstag , to resist BismarcK's
project for securing permanent supplies.
The socialists hope to return three candi
dates , an increase of ten over their last num
ber in Uie last reichstag. The progressists
are the only party with modeiate expecta
tions. They will be gratified It they retain
their former force. The results of the elec
tions will be known defiltely Tuesday night.
it I reported that Prince Bismarck desires to
convoke the reichstag for February 2 * , and
will demand the urgency of the military bill.
The ministerial order issued to-day relative
to the calling out of the army recruits for
lbS7 and Ibsb provides that men who receive
permission'to discontinue active service and
enter the reserves will be dismis-eu at the
latest on September GO , while betw een the
1st and Sin of November new Infantry re
cruits will enter the ranks for the arms drill.
Confeience of the railway military com-
mls'-ioii on mobilization has been held at
Weisbaden , which was attended by delegates
from all the German railways and numerous
army atllcers. Exhaustive aarangemeuts for
a "scheme of transit vero com
pleted. Absolute secrecy it main
tained regarding the plans formed
Russia's Eyes on the Ithlisc.
[ Cojii/rto/it / ISST ty Jamti Cardan Rtnnctf. |
BRUSSELS , Feb. 19. I New York Herald
Cable Special to the -BEE.J The Rus
sian organ , Lo Nerd , printed here , pub
lished this morning an article on the general
situation , alleging that the insurmountable
national aversion and recollection of the
Berlin treat } | forbids any lasting and serious
misunderstanding between Russia and Ger
many. Neither will Russia engage in war
against Austria or England. For the pres
ent the Bulgarian question recedes
in the background and the possi
bility of a Franco - German war
becomes the paramount question. Russia
wishes to remain tree in order that If a
Franco-German war should break out , to pre
vent Germany from annihilating France ,
and upsetting the European equilibrium.
Thus , without concluding any alliance with
France , Russia will arrange so that the
events of IbTO shall not recur. This time
Germany will be obliged to guard her eastern
frontier with troops and will not be allpwed
to-destroy France. Russia's eyes are hved
on the Rhine. This article , and the last sen
timent creates a great sensation.
Voted the Extra Credit.
PE TH , Feb. IS. The lower house of the
Hungarian diet , by a unanimous vote , to-day
passed the extra credit of S3.110.000 for the
equipment of the Hungarian landwebr.
French Troops llecallcd.
PARIS , Feb. in. All the French troops
have been recalled from Madagascar except
four companies which are to remain at
Dleio Suaiez.
Horrible Murder in Cincinnati.
CINCINNATI , Feb. 19. A horrible murder
was committed on Mount Adams , this city ,
between 9 and 10 o'clock to-night It was
that of Mrs Matilda Warren , by Edward
Jordan , a drunken desperado. Mrs. War
ren's daughter was trundling her Infant
daughter In a baby wagon on the sidewalK
in trent of the houre. Jordan came
along , reeling drunk , and upset the babv
wagon In tJiu gutter , anil pushed the tt-rritieri
little girl Into the street Mrs , Warren
rushed out In defence of her babe , protesting
as she went against Jordan's brutality. The
villain waited till she sot within a few feet
of him and then shot her through the lungs.
She is not dead , but the wound Is mortal.
Jordon escaped. If found In Mount Adams
to-night he will never see daylight.
Settled the Suit.
NEW YORK , Feb. 19. The suit of the Ka
sas iV Texas Income script holders against the
Missouri , Kansas it Texas railroad was set
tled to-day by the agreement of the company
to buy the script. The terms aie 00 percent
In Kansas & Texas 5 per cent bonds and 40
percent in Galveston , Haril buig i : Houston
bonds for the face of the script , and S'JOO.QiJO
to be distributed among the coupon holders
as interest By private arrangement Jay
Gould agrees to buy SiOO,000 of ( inhesion ,
HarrUbiirt. it Houston bonds at SO , making
the script net about Wj.
A ni nnrllncton Victory.
Ci.EVFL.4ND , O . Feb. 19. The suit of the
Chicago , Burlington i Qtiincy railroad com
pany against the stockholders of the Kansas
rolling mill company was decided to-day by
Judge Helsley in the common pleas court
The suit Involved 8 000. The main issue
was a test of individual liability of trio stock
holders. D. P , Eels , W. 11. Harris , Ira Har
ris , T. P. Handy aud John Hay , and Samuel
Mather , executors of the estat of Amasa
Stone. The decision was a complete victory
for the Chicago , Burlington t Quiney and
other creditors who entered suit on cross peti
tions.
AVorkinc Over Kates.
NEW YORK. Feb. 19. The sub-committee
appointed at the convention of railroad men
on Friday met to-day In Commissioner
Fink's oitlce. The -work of this commlttf e Is
"to formulate and commend such amended
rules aud regulations as may bo found re
quisite to secure a uniform application of the
Uw to the subjects referrea to them resue-c
lively. " The report of the committee will be
submitted to the joint committee as soou m
possible ,
A Police Justice Reported Shot.
NEW YORK , Feb. 19. A rumor re-ached
'
thb city late'to-night that Policfl Justice
Murray had been shot in Brooklyn. The
ruuioi haa not been > eriued'
IT" .
Reckless Raid on the Nebraska State
Treasury ,
SOME UNHOLY COMBINATIONS.
nxtrnrncnnt Appropriation Hills Tied
to the Tail or the Hnllroad
Kite Some Prlvnto
Measures.
Jlcrclloss Taxation.
LINCOLN , Neb. , Feb. 19. The legislature
ot Iteo w as generally retarded as reckless ,
wasteful ard extravagant They piled up a
mountain of taxes upon the people , without
actually knowing or caring where the mofcey
was to come from. But 1 fear that the tax-
pajers will fare much worse at the hands of
the present legislature. The prlx-ate claims ,
enormous estimates for running state Instl-
tutlous , projected normal schools asylums ,
homes for e\ cry class of mendicants , Indus
trial schools , new penitentiaries , pleuro-
pneumonia and health board * , with their
hordes of employes , officials and tax-eaters" ,
leaving out thelncreaM > in district Judges ,
stenogiaphers , etc. . will run uo a tax-bill of
over S4.0uOOuo within the next two jeats. It
Is simply monstrous to contemplate. With
nine-tenths of the farms of this state mort
gaged for nearly what they are worth ,
with state railway , county precinct
ami city mortgages plastered on top of the
private mortgages , the legislature , heedless
of the situation , is grinding out tax bills that
mint prove ruinous. Governor Thayer him
self has become alarmed o\er this reckless
plunging Into debt and burdensome taxa
tion. Two days ago he went before the ju
diciary committee of the house to proiest
against Uie creation of needless district fudges
He called attention to the fact that Judges
Broady and Morris both assured him that
they wanted no additional judges In their
districts. The tact that Judge Hamer has
been hanging around the state capital al
most the entire session Indicates that he is
not o\ercrowded with work , and there is no
need ol another judge in his district. The
mania for new state institutions which our
limited wealth and the condition of the pro
ducers do not warrant , seems to have seized
the representatives from every town and vil
lage. These members are bent only on getting
what they can out of the general grab-big.
In their anxiety to come homo with a new-
state institution in their grip-sacks they for
get everything el-e and stand readv to barter
their votes for all kinds of job * , claims and
swindles. The railroad lobby , which Is only
repeating its well-known tactics , lias taken
all these conflicting projects and interests
under its paternal wingaud with this combi
nation will be iu position to defeat all rail
way legislation and pull tluough all the
steals which its allies , the jobbers , have un
dertaken. It would be utterlv out of ques
tion to present the people of Nebraska with
a full inventory of all the schemes to raid
aud bankrupt the treasury. My limited
space enables me only to call attuut.on to a
few of the monstrosities.
The general appropriation bill provides for
a levy of Sl/J'vi.TrJ. This is simply the ex-
pensH bill for two rears for existing
state institutions. Then there is a salary ap
propriation bill of * .B7OUiJ ; the legislative
appropriation of $93,000 , the state house tax ,
w ill swell Uie aggregate to Si.000,000. On the
top of these necessary appropriations come
various bills which will more than double that
amount Among these are a 3-mill tax for
penitentiary construction. The graud as
sessment roll for 1S5G was SH3 , .t32 , . * > 70. As
suming the increase for 1SS7 and ISsS to bo In
the same ratio as lbi and l&rf , which was 15
per cent this little 3-mill joker would yield a
revenue of over SL,000OOU. Of this amount
Sioo 000 is asked for Bo-s Stout's projected
Louhville or Weeping Water pen. 1 must
not omit to mention that a slight change in
the plans of the new cnpitol. suggested by the
architect in the interest of the contractor ,
will add a fraction of over 50,000 to the bur
den of the taxpayers , 'ihen comes the blind
bsylum at Nebr.iska City , with a requisition
for a SoO.OOO winjr. The proposed ineur.ible
Insane asylum at Hastings , S7."iUOO ; idiot hos
pital. Beatrice , SsoWi : ( ; enlarging and com
pleting the Norfolk insane asylum , SUo.OOO ;
soldiers' home. Grand Island , SJO.OOO ; de-
pend"iit children's home. Omaha or else
where , Si'i.OOO ; Grant memorial hall. L-n-
coln. S20M ( ) ; industrial school , Lincoln ,
SW.OOO ; medial college , Lincoln , S35.003 , and
about hall a million dollar- , ' worth ot normal *
schools scattered in every section of the
state. Now , suppose all or eren a small frac
tion of all these new Institutions should be
established , how Is Nebraska to maintain
them on her limited revenue , and ttie out
rageously extravagant appropriations asked
for existing concerns ? Take for in-tance
the insane hospital at Lincoln , which had a
surplus to its credit November 30 , IS : * ) , of
nearly STO.OOO , and which will transfer tully
one-third of its inmates to Norfolk this
spring , and if the Hastings asylum Is erected
will part with ) > erhaps one-fifth more of its
Inmates. And yet the appropriation bill
calls for a larger amount to run the Institu
tion for Uie next two yeais than the last two.
Among the extravagancies is a proposed
barn to cost S12.000 , for which S2.WX ) would be
ample ; pain Us and oils 82,000 : two years ago
51,000 was squandered on paints ; furni-
tuieand bedding , 1,000 ; two years ago Uie
same amount was appropriated , and in view
er the coming exodus a requisition for ad
ditional furnltuie Is preposterous. Music
and musical Instruments , Sl.rxw. We know
the Insane appreciate music , but t > > e state ,
the past ten years , has paid out enough to
supply every lunatic In the hospital with a
snare drum , or even a piano. The bill for
fuel and lights Is estlmatatcd at S'20,000 for
two years. The last legislature appioplated
S17.000 for two years , and that included an
electric light plant complete. This reminds
us Uiat the home for fecbltvmlnded people at
Beatrlceo modestly asks lor a S3..WJ electric
light plant and a S.VX ) scale. ( The best
scales can be boujht for S 5. ! It will take
feeble-minded people to countenance such
wastefulness. The reform school at Kearney
wantsonly$103.0 for the next two years.ln-
deicnik-nt of all Improvements , Compared
with the runulng evj > cnses of other institu
tions and UIH appropriations of IsW.
the bill of particulars is terriblv Inflated.
A SJ3.MW appropriation is asked for
wages ol emplojex Wh.U employes does
the ruturm school need'Tuo t/o > > and zlrls
do must of the hard work outdoors anil In
doors , nnil tliuy are ail in a condition to take
care of themselves. Then wv Ime living ex
penses , estimated at & : MiO ! ! for two years ,
whlsh is about double what they can be fed
for In any rcspt'clable common jiUce boarding -
ing house. Besides tiiat , the reform school
pays for a fanner , rakes Its own vegetables ,
poultry , and ought to produce enough bread ,
meat and inllic for everybody on the faim.
Passing from this to tiie Peru normal school ,
we nnd what It co w to instruct "school
inarms" how to teaili. The normal
school comes to the front with
Increased estimates for everything.
For the past three years they got alona com
fortably on 51,000a year for llsrht and fuel ;
now they want S'-V 0 a year. The last legis
lature gave them Sl.'JO'J ' for apparatus nnd
laboratory , and 57W ) for furniture : now they
want 51,410 for furniture and Sl.MXHor lab
oratory apparatus. The salaries for prlncl-
piU and teachers the pait two years were
g,000 ; now thev want $ yiaotai the next
two yenrs. If all the normal schools pro
jected are to be run on tin ; lutlatlou plan , the
raising of home-made teachers will become
an ei [ ; usl\rt luxurr.
Now a glance at a few privtte bills : The
.Simmons iamlly wants relief for sl,417..Vj ;
Charlhs A.Johnson , S4.2S7 ; Kobert W. Fur-
nas. i-5.0iW : Pat O , Hawes .ft-0 ; Maggie
Prlmble , S'iOOO ; K. It. Hoar , S1.W.M. etc. . etc.
The inir.it.on of thu talary list in the state
house is on a par with all this
reckless raiding of the taxpayers. I
cannot now go Into detail , but must
content myself by simply calling a halt , and
admonishing the legislature tliattliu people
of Vebmska are Jiot all Jay Goulds and Van-
derbilts. They have endured patiently the
merciless taxation by public carriers on their
producU , and they muy have to continue to
endure those impositions. But ttioy are. not
in condition to put second aud third mort
gages on their homes to meet the heavy tux
IcYy which the present le Islatuio is trying
to iinposu upon t..em. K , UOSEWATKU ,
"Worklnir Over the Charter.
LI.XCOJN. Nt-U , Keb. IV. Social to the
BLL.i The j.ijiclary cjiuuutlcti
Into the provisions of the charter at
length last evening , but refused lodcfitr
decide upon any ot the sectloni. Thooi ee *
ncnts to the charter are represented In tee1
committee by Messrs. Agce ami Bowmaa. * *
Mr. Atee Is "loaded for bear'1 with legal Mh
thorltles and was able to find an opposing et
unfavorable reference to any section tfce
committee were anxious to find last evening
before the other members could find the sec
tion Itself In the printed bill. In fact m
member of the committee Intimated thai Mr. ,
ABPO had erldenUy prepared Jilmsclf tot Me
Rumo In the hou e the same attitude toward ,
the charter which Mr. Colby did In the sen- \
ate. Another meeting of Uie committee Win- > ,
bo held on Wednesday evening next , and.It *
Is hoped that at that time some definite acUoak
may bo taken. t - '
Almost before the speaker had announce * *
the vote on the Vnndemark bill fora recounJ
of the vote on the legislative constltntloi
amendment this mortnng telegrams w
Hashing to county clerks of counties adjacent ,
to this one ami to others farther awav the elf- \ ,
culnrs wcrn Lmmedlatelv mailed calling Ok V
county clerks to send In the ballot boxe * anV M
toll book < > of last November as * eon as pofsH1
ule. The recount of the vote will commence
on Monday at the secretary of state' * ofUa
and nearly e\ery committee clerk of bet !
houses will be f mployi-d during that day
Tuesday In assisting the board In rocan/ _ . _
ing. It is the cener.il Impression that IB-
abundance of votes w III bo found to not hare
been returned to swell the recorded vote to'
more than the constitutional majority. Still ,
thl impression mav tie one cunningly tnan-
factured by those who desire to MO some
needetl legislation "dlo itbornln' , " and think ,
to bo able to produce procrastination by the ]
Ignis fatus of twenty days more session after 1
the present forty davs are gone. *
A SIXTY DAY SESSION.
The Legislature Prolongs Ita I.lfo ,
Twenty Jnys.
LINCOLN , Neb. , Feb. 1 ! tSpecIal Tele- :
pram to the BEE. ] The attendance In the '
house was unexpectedly large this morning
as It was understood that little was to bo done.
Mr. Vandemark's bill , passed by the senate , '
was passed under suspension of rules , 6 to4. j
It was opposed by Mr. Watson , who allege *
that the people elected this Icglslatuio fo j
forty days and not for sixty. The expense !
to the state would b3 large for a recount an4l
if It should demonstrate that Uie amendment
carried , the twenty days additional session
would cost more money than It would be
worth. " '
Mr. Helper said the people favored Uie TO
count because they had honestly voted ia
favor of the amendment
Mr. Agpe said that in Hamilton county the
count was 200 sotes short ot the ballots cast tj
and In a number of counties no returns of ' * "
the vote had been made at all , while the
republican tickets had the words , "For the
amendment' ' printed on them. The bill
provides that the county clerks are required ,
to forward to the secretary of stale \
before March 1 all the ballots 4
and poll book * returned to Uiem by the ,1
judces of election on Novembers , ISbC. The ? A
secretary , auditor , two senators and throes * f
representatives are constituted as a board to t B
recount the votes and transmit their report * f-
to the formerbefnro March 10.
The house adjourned until 'Wednesday J 4
morning. '
Mr. Russell ottered to introduce a memorial I ,
and resolution for the appointment of acorn-I n , |
missioner from Nebraska under the Inter'i
state commerce bill , but it was too late. i ; |
Lcl Vccnkcr Respond.
GUAND ISLAND , Neb. , Feb. 18. To the
Editor of the BEK : The Grand Island Inc * *
pendent received a letter from 1L O. Veen-
kcr a few days since , In regard to his leaving
his wife and family , and &at a that If any
one wished to correspond with hlui could dose
so through the Omaha BEI : . Ills wire Is not
able to d any w ork. and has no rueai.e oi.-sfc
providing for herself and children , live ID
number , the- oldest ten. the eldest two years
old. Mrs. Yeenker desires , to sell her lot
and house and go to her relatives In Canada ,
It will bo the best thing possible for her to
do. If Mr. Venker will consent to sien the
deed that will tix the mattei UD. At present '
the family is supported by the county. Mr. '
Veenker will please reply , either thioiub the
BEU or by letter , or Grand Island Independent - /
dent MONIJOE TAYLOR , (
Chairman Committee on Paupers , Hall t
County Board of Supervi sors. |
Only One Attempted Burglary. *
CoLUMiiL'.s , Neb. , Feb. 19. [ Special Telozralj j ,
to the BEK. ] This city has been rerorted f
overrun with thieves and thugs , but such Is j
not the case. There was an attempted burgt
lary Thursihy ni-'ht at tno residence of 8. S. a
Klckly. but that is the only one that has occurred - !
curred recently , and nottilng .was secured , t
Mr. Rickley had received about ? COO after >
banking hours , and was discovered In his- * ]
office bv some tramps counting ItVlinn he - .
reached homo the fellows had preceded hlrru ;
with the evident intention of committing'a
robbery during the night They were frlirlit-
ened away , however , and no clue has beerj
obtained to their Identity. The only damage
done was ill frightened Mrs. Rickley.
An Eloping Couple Arrested.
SYUACUSI : , Neb. , Feb. 19. [ Special Tele
gram to the BISE.J Ed Speratt a tin peddler
of Auburn , ran away from Uiat place with
the wife of John Ham to get oven with him ,
on an old score. The couple arrived- hare
from Nebraska tity ! and were arrested to-day
on the chargr of adultery on a warraBtj
sworn out by the woman's husband. They ;
had n preliminary examination this evening ,
and the case was continued. ' * *
Arrested Eor Fdrcerjr.
NnniiASK.v CITY , Neb. , Ken. 19. fSi scial
Telegram to the BEK.J Fred Norseman , wasp
arrested this mornlii ! , ' by Deputy Sherlfl (
Huber six miles north of Syracuse for fen
Ing a note of 83.W on Fred It Nmv , Th
note was purchased by the Farmers bank'
this city about a week ago. Hea wlU tl
forgery. "
Vahoo's Electric Llghf.
\ WAIIOO , Neb. , Feb. 19. [ Special to'truy
BKE. ] The dynamo for thu"Wectrlo Ihrht ha
arrived , and the fixture ? are now In neort
all tne stores and on the lamp posts ; Tll
light N to be put in operation Monday njgln
Nehrahkn and Iowa We ihBr ,
For Nebraska and Ion a : Fair weath
followed by local snows , higher temperature.
IVrm-ciitln : * 31orrnnnIn Wyoming.
"
1 CHKYCNMi. Wyo. . Feb. 13. ISpeclal Tel.
egrani to the BEK. ! The tint suit ever lurtffc
tilted a.-alnst pilygtmou * Mormons In thi * ' |
territory Ixvun yesterday jit Eranstoe by' < t
United States Attorney Campbell , George j
H. Patterson and George Taylor , one vrJtk
three. , the other with two wives. They wete '
bound over to answer at Uie April term of <
court. The arrest cauMs great cxciteuitM
anion. the Mormons , of whom tare * Munjj j
berf have drifted into Western Wyoming I
because of pro ecut.on In Idalia , i'tah aa4 i
Nevada. Older suits will rapidly folluwr.- , , f
. , „ , * " *
JK '
A Chinaman Suicides. 1
CuEVKNNii , Wyo. , Feb. 19. [ SpeciRl Tel * . '
gram to the BEK.- ) Lee Lone , a Chinamaii ,
bound from Milwaukee to Uau FrancUce.
was found dead , hanging by the neck in %
ward at the county hospital to-day. He arrived -
rived here yesterday on the train , Neat1 hwe
he attacked a lellow passenger with a dlrfc ,
and slashed through h & derby hat , and after ,
wards tore up. 31'Oh : irieenbacks. JJo
probably demented Jl j will be buried
It.ilii HoUliiTy ' - . } Tramp * .
C'EnAiiBi-UFrs. Mb. , Feb. ! ! > . 1u evwJ5
lay C. F , Walter. HMII& t o mile * fre
hero , was attacked by two tramps and robb < * f ,
ot SsCO. Walker was overpowered Ly
robbers , thrown tu the ground an4 hi * lt n < j
and feet firmly tied. The robbers are
nosed to tiave taken Uie tvaln for ti
Ifel.md. 'lliey are deniaoi , one forty
the other about w i u eight years uf /
I Mr. Walker .oilers a reward oUiou
! * . .