it indicates a lack of faith in one's own position to be unwilling to meet in open convention the representatives of other religions. Especially is it the duty of those who are in the possession of the truth not to let such an opportunity pass without an effort to advocate its tenets. On account of the close relations existing 'between the Protestants of France and of French Switzerland, the position taken over against the congress by the former will be decisive for the latter also; and as the majority of the Protestant writers of France are not unfavorably disposed to the project, it others, the demands for our pulpits can easily be met: These schools offer extraordinary inducements to students preparing themselves for our ministry, and presiding elders should insist upon candidates remaining in them until they are ready to enter the conferences with the benefit of collegiate training, at least." is not all impossible that our brethren will have to prepare them-A selves for the friendly contest for the truth at the Paris World's Exposition. The German and Swiss Protestant churches will probably exhibit but little zeal for the proposition." The Chronik (Leipsic) speaks in the following terms: "The German churches of Switzerland will probably have nothing to do with the congress, for sober-minded Christians have no appreciation for such a religious comedy. In the little republic Catholics and Jews and Protestants get along with each other peaceably and do not need a religious parliament to teach them their higher unity. They attained this practically long ago." But the decision of the matter rests with Rome. What will the Vatican authorities say to the matter? The Gazette de France expresses the hope that the congress will demonstrate the identity of the true religion with Roman Catholicism. Another organ of this church, on the basis of interviews with Cardinal Rampolla, claims that the church authorities are favorably disposed toward the project, and says that the result of the congress will not be summed up in the proposition that all religions are good, but that religion as such is a great good and plays the most important rôle in the moral and social life of mankind. On the other hand, equally strict Catholic papers declare that the church will not approve of the undertaking. The well-known Jesuit Father Pierling says that the Catholic Church can agree to such a convention only if she has the management in her own hands. The Verité says: "It is impossible that out of such a confusion of faiths and ecclesiastical organizations the convictions can be secured that the Roman Catholic religion is the only true religion." THE EDUCATING NEGRO MINISTERS. HE public does not at all understand the influence being exerted on the colored people by the education of their ministers, says the Pittsburg Christian Advocate (Methodist). This paper reminds us that the popular estimate of a service among these people is one made up largely of noise and excitement, but states that as the ministers become educated they are more thoughtful and instructive; they teach the people to listen and learn, and the wild, weird services of the old superstitious days are passing away. It is not affirmed that this result has become general, but that such is the tendency of an educated ministry among the colored people, and that it is bearing far more fruit than is generally supposed. The writer has been led to these reflections by an editorial in The Southwestern Advocate, of New Orleans, circulated chiefly among negroes in the South, and edited by Dr. Hammond, a leader of his race. From this editorial, entitled “An Advancing Standard," is quoted the following paragraph as showing how this matter of an educated ministry is regarded among the colored people themselves: "The demand for an educated ministry is becoming more and more imperative, and it will be useless for us to expect to hold our own and effectively to reach the masses of our people without the very best possible qualifications on the part of our ministry. The day of mere 'rousements,' claptrap, pulpit jugglery, and 'sound without sense' is rapidly passing away, and the demand is for 'workmen approved unto God, that need not to be ashamed.' There is no excuse now; with such institutions as Gammon Theological Seminary, New Orleans University, Central Tennessee College, Rust, Wiley, Claflin, and a score of RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS OF THE BOERS. TIMELY article on the "Religious Customs Among the Boers of South Africa" appears in To-Day, a monthly review published in Philadelphia. It is by Annie Russell, who has apparently been a personal witness of the life of the Boers. Remarking that the Puritan simplicity of the Boers' faith has been regarded by English people with a rude skepticism, the writer goes on to say: "In the observances of religious worship the Boers are exempary, and in their home life they know very little of social diversion but what is of this nature. They pray in stentorian tones, and sing with a solemn heartiness that conveys the idea of dead earnestness. Their susceptibilities are easily moved by a little emotional oratory. It fills them with a sense of unctuous satisfaction, but the sense of formalism would shock their sense of decorum. They would hardly approve of such manners in church. The critics who scout their piety and call it by the name of hypocrisy are guilty of a thoughtless derision that belies reflection. Out of church the Boers have certainly a little weakness for parading their religion. They indulge considerably in Scriptural phraseology, and allude to the personality of God in a way that sounds familiar and canting, but there is no idea of profanity in it. It is with them really an evidence of reverence and sincerity, and, in justice to them, I must state that in all my intercourse with these people I have found them sternly free from the slightest approach to levity on the subject of things held sacred. They regard the services of the English Episcopal Church at Pretoria as nothing but a theatrical show. To them it appears a travesty of religion. "Like most people of simple and pastoral habits, the Boers retire soon after the close of day, and rise with the first dawn of the morn, and in the early twilight they assemble and sing psalms and hymns and offer up prayers with a strength and earnestness that constitutes quite a laborious effort. Their tunes are intensely dreary and monotonous. They sing in spasmodic lengths with long pauses intervening, and the impression conveyed is that each one follows his or her own time and tune; therefore, except for its heartiness, it does not inspire much admiration, unless gratitude at being at a distance from it might bear that construction. As soon as darkness closes in, a heavy supper is partaken of, and then a repetition of the morning's devotional exercises takes place, and the family retire to rest. Strict in their ideas of church-going, and in the observance of the rites it imposes, they necessarily regard the minister with the greatest reverence, and they are the willing subjects of his little autocracy. He is to them the direct emissary of God, and the bulwark of their faith. He performs all the spiritual offices their lives have need of, and is also the guardian of their morals, and derelictions in this respect restrict the culprit in church privileges, than which nothing could be more terrible." We are informed that the church to which the majority of the Boers subscribe is the Dutch Reformed, but there is a sect of them called "Doppers," who affect extreme severity, and are peculiar in their dress, manners, and way of life. We quote briefly some further information: "The ministers of churches among the Boers are mainly Hollanders, tho there is a growing desire for men of the country to fill these offices, and some of them are men who have studied at the Cape theological schools. These men having the same origin as the Boers, their sympathies are allied to them, and thus their influence will have greater weight in advocating education. Every town boasts the somewhat odd-looking structure built in the form of a cross, which is known to be the church. It has its place in the center of a square, from which point the town takes its growth. The minister generally has his habitation within the shadow of the walls of his church, itinerating periodically among his flock who are scattered throughout the district, living at great distances apart, on their lonely farms. Every three months naachtmaal, or celebration of the sacrament, takes place at the parish church, if I may call it so, and it is made the occasion of the ingathering of the whole flock, who make this a point of most exemplary observance, the majority of them having to perform several days of travel to be present. At these times, the square round the church is the camping-ground on which hundreds of wagons and tents are packed, a scene of life and bustle which contrasts strangely with its usual quiet appearance. Friends meet and rejoice in social intercourse, thawing to merriment and joviality in the atmosphere of a camp-fire under the quiet stars of heaven, and so full of a certain method and repose is the aspect of this gypsy life among the Boers that the casual onlooker would feel a difficulty in disassociating them from it, so aptly does it seem to be their normal element.' "Sometimes it is necessary to interfere because of the character of the selections. I once heard a magnificent choir consisting of a trained chorus and a quartet sing an elaborate anthem, and the only words my ear caught were 'Ave Maria.' When a choir of a Protestant church sings 'Ave Marias' it is time for the pastor to speak out tho that choir should, as in the present instance, be paid $10,000 a year for its services. "In another instance which comes to mind the organist, who was by many considered a very artistic performer, played the people out of church with variations of that classic jingle so popular a score of years ago, called 'Tommy Dodd.' When waltz tunes or popular operatic airs, or music whose associations and inherent character are secular, are introduced into the public worship of God, then it is the duty of the pulpit to exercise its authority of suppression. "But these cases are rare. For the most part choirs should be allowed large latitude. The director is supposed to understand his business. If he shows himself incompetent he should be discharged, but it is not wise for a pastor to frequently interfere or endeavor to direct the choir. It is better often to overlook some things that are not just right than to seem to be always nagging the musicians. Suppose some piece is rendered which is not of the highest order for a public service; let it pass if selections usually are appropriate. Believe that it will not occur again. It sometimes happens that even ministers select themes which are not altogether suited to the sacred desk. "There are a few matters of detail which are practical and of importance. Every pastor should select his own hymns. First, for the sake of unity in the service and to secure hymns in harmony with his theme. Second, to keep ever alive the idea of singing as a part of the service, is to be under the control of the pulpit. Third, because few choir leaders can be trusted to make proper selections. The musical director is very apt to consider only the tune. He selects that, not the hymns. I preached once in a church in another city where one of the hymns chosen and handed me was 'Softly now the light of day fades upon my sight away.' It was then 10:30 in the morning with the sun shining brilliantly. A beautiful hymn, but not just suited for that time of day. On another occasion I was handed a New Year's hymn to be sung. This was in the month of August. If the organ 'A pastor should publicly recognize and honor the work of the choir as a part of the service of God's house and just as truly a part of worship as his own sermon. Frequently a minister will say after the opening voluntary, 'Let us begin our service by singing' such and such a hymn. This is all wrong. voluntary is not a part of the worship it should be banished. Its whole design is to introduce the service by uplifting men's thoughts and promoting a devotional spirit. If it does not accomplish this it is a failure. It is better if any remark is made in giving out the hymn, 'Let us continue our worship by singing. Missionary Education in Japan.--Writing for the New York Herad from Tokyo, Col. John A. Cockerill, one of the foremost newspaper men of America, says: “Whatever may be said of the missionaries in Japan, no one who makes an unprejudiced investigation can question the value of their educational work. They maintain most excellent, high-class schools in Tokyo, Kioto, Nagasaki, Osaka, and Sendai. In the latter city the educational work is carried on under Presbyterian auspices, in Nagasaki the Methodists direct, in Kioto the Congregationalists have a fine college, in Osaka the Presbyterians maintain a splendid institution, while in Tokyo nearly every quality of school is kept up by the various sects-in some cases by joint action. It is admitted by all that just now the foreign mission-schools are not as well attended as formerly. This is accounted for by the late war and the fact that the furor of the Japanese youth for foreign education has to some extent died out. Five years ago it was the 'fad' in Japan to attend a missionary school, for a knowledge of the English language, if nothing else. The emotional character of the Japanese having expended itself in this direction, there came a lull, but the educators all tell me that a wholesome reaction is setting in, and they expect soon to show better results than ever. The schools maintained by the foreign boards insist that tuition fees must be paid and that religion must be taught in every instance. Thousands of youthful Japanese would attend these schools if the religious courses were optional, but their promoters would listen to no arguments in favor of a change of policy in this particular." Growing Conservatism of Young Rabbis.-"We rejoice to note a growing conservative spirit among many of our younger rabbis, who are realizing that if reform is to be permanent it must cease to be destructive and must give due heed to the eternal verities of Judaism, the heart and soul of its history and tradition. There come unmistakable signs of a new era of a genuine awakening, which sneer and sarcasm can not depreciate. The ax has been laid long enough at the root of Judaism; why wonder then that reverence and spirituality are on the decline? We hail the courage and determination which inspire more than one pulpit. It is time that rabbis who really love the old-time faith should draw nearer to each other and feel the impulse of a genuine brotherhood in defense and vindication of Judaism. The points upon which they differ are absolutely insignificant in view of the convictions that hold them together. Such men can redeem the name and office of rabbi, arouse in a flame the waning enthusiasm, and make our religion in America a recognized power for good."-The Jewish Messenger, New York. THE well-known Baptist clergyman, Rev. Dr. George Lorimer, says of the Higher Criticism: "Higher Criticism tends inevitably, whether its teachers realize the fact or not, to absolute rationalism and the discrediting of inspiration. If dates are erroneous, if scientific statements are wrong, if historical representations are misleading, if Jesus only fell in with popular views when He seemed to attribute the Pentateuch to Moses, is it possible to believe that the Almighty had much to do with the preparation of such a book?" The Jewish Leader says: "There is a rising tide among thinking and loyal Jews in this country of what, for the want of a better name, we have to designate by the empty and repugnant term-reaction. The blind egotist with the native habit of contemptuous judgment may explain it by sneers and slurs, but it exists. It sways the men of all men who are most sensitive to new needs, to deeper justice. And this swelling cry for wholesome religious food has gained in articulateness and intensiveness from year to year." Zion's Herald makes a plea for more attention to the physiology of preaching in homiletical study. It enforces its argument on this point by citing the testimony of an eminent English medical authority, who declares that ministers break down nowadays in larger numbers than ever before, because they work much harder than ever before. A JOINT Committee representing the Epworth League and the Society of Christian Endeavor met in Chicago recently. An agreement looking to the establishment of fraternal relations between the two young people's organizations was adopted. THERE are about half a million Presbyterians in the South African communities, and an effort is now being made to federate the different churches for practical work. JULES VERNE, the great novelist, is known among his neighbors and friends at Amiens, France, as a devout member of the Catholic Church. THE new Episcopal diocese of Washington, D. C., is planning for a new cathedral, to cost four million dollars. A FROM FOREIGN LANDS. GERMANY'S INTEREST IN VENEZUELA. LTHO the German press censures President Cleveland's action in the Venezuelan question, its objections are of a theoretical rather than a practical character. The Germans oppose very strongly the Monroe doctrine, but they oppose as earnestly the further extension of British power in South America as well as in other parts of the world. Until the eighties the Germans were enthusiastic adherents of Schiller's theory that they could live on the soil owned by other nations just as the Levites lived among the descendants of Israel, and that the mission of the German race is solely to dispense knowledge. But the continual complaints of Germans abroad, who declared that they were despised on account of their peaceful character, has worked a complete change. A conviction has got abroad among them that they will not be regarded as equals among other great nations unless they adopt an aggressive policy. The cry is now: German interests must be protected wherever they exist; and where they do not exist, they must be created. Ernst v. Hesse-Wortegg, whose sketches of foreign lands and peoples are read extensively throughout Germany, writes in the Illustrirte Zeitung, Leipsic, as follows: "German commercial interests in South America are of such magnitude, and threatened with so serious a danger, that it is necessary to distinguish well between the two questions. With regard to the interference of the United States the English protestations may be found justifiable enough, but we must not jump . . Tho out of the American frying-pan into the English fire. the extension sought by the British Government is not justifiable, But if it will not, on the whole, endanger European interests. Barima and the Southern mouth of the Orinoco River fall into the hands of the British, the case will be materially altered. A glance at the map of South America reveals that the owner of the Boca de Navios commands the trade of the whole river and its tributaries. There is already a brisk trade and shipping in the Orinoco Valley, and Germany, next to England, is most interested in it. Within a few decades the capital of the valley, Ciudad Bolivar (Angostura), will probably become the principal But Ciudad Bolivar and its port of Northern South America. Hinterland are dependent upon the mouth of the Orinoco, and it is not admissible to allow the Boca de Navios to be converted into a British 'porter's lodge.' The Orinoco must remain free to German trade and shipping. However the quarrel may end, it is our duty to prevent the Boca de Navios from being converted into a kind of South American Dardanelles." How well the German editors have learned to imitate their British confrères in reminding the reading public of long-forgotten national interests upon which an aggressive policy could be based, is shown in the following historical sketch which is making the round of the German papers, and which we take from the Kieler Zeitung, Kiel: "Venezuela is one of the few places where the Germans made an attempt at obtaining colonies when every other nation was securing a share of the American, African, and Asiatic continents. The Welsers, then the richest merchant-princes in the world, sent three ships with a crew of 480 men to take possession of the country around the Orinoco. They had obtained a charter from Charles V. in 1527. As the country reminded them of Venice, they called it Venezuela, z.., Little Venice. For a while the colony flourished, but the religious wars soon after began in Germany, the country was depopulated while the people were fighting among themselves, trade and shipping disappeared for want of protection, and the colonies were lost in the general ruin. In recent years the attention of the Germans has once more been directed to Venezuela. Their trade and shipping nearly equal Great Britain's, and their vested interests in the country are predominant. The railroads were built and are owned by them, and many factories on the coast and in the interior are in their hands."-Translations made for THE LITERARY DIGEST. R IS THE UNITED STATES ALSO AN "ISOLATED" NATION? ECENT international complications, such as those growing out of the war between Japan and China, the difficulties in Turkey, and the raid in the Transvaal, have placed Great Britain in what is described as an "isolated" position. But this general isolation of England seems to be no more marked than that of the United States on the particular subject of the Monroe doctrine. Germany, whose great commercial and capitalistic interests force her to oppose England in the Venezuelan question, stolidly refuses to acknowledge that we are moved by the unselfish wish to protect the weak against the strong. Other European nations fear that American predominance would become at least as irksome as British rule. In South America, public opinion is largely against us. An editor of the Temps, Paris, has interviewed a number of American Ministers on the subject. The answers were, with the exception of Venezuela, unfavorable to the establishment of a protectorate on the part of the United States. We quote the following: Argentina: "The Monroe doctrine is nothing more than the expression of the heartfelt wishes of the United States people. It can never become a doctrine of international law, for it is wanting in the moral force which springs from justice and equity." Bolivia: "The Great Republic can not be allowed to meddle with the affairs of other American republics. Each must be allowed to remain master upon its own ground. We do not want protection, even if that protectorate were exercised by an American state." Haiti: "Circumstances may arise in which it would be prudent to allow an application of the Monroe doctrine—for instance, if war actually broke out between England and Venezuela. But that case has not yet arisen, and it is not likely to occur." Mexico: "The Latin republics have never given their opinion on the Monroe doctrine officially. Venezuela now indorses it, but it is a question whether that state will not have to pay the piper. The Monroe doctrine is the hobby-horse of the people of the United States. The other republics say: 'America for the Americans, but not for the North-Americans only. Just watch how our Northern neighbors call themselves "Americans," as if they were the only nation on the Continent. We Mexicans always speak of the United States of North America. Their protectorate is not wanted. Venezuela: "The Monroe doctrine may not be recognized in Europe, and it may never receive recognition, but it can not be avoided as long as the American republics fail to form an alliance for the purposes of defense. A protectorate of the North we do not want, but we do want a combination of all American States, including the Northern Union. Such a combination would be of advantage to Europe, for it would insure to European states a just and peaceful solution of all difficulties with American states." Not less marked is the opposition of the Russian press. As the Russian papers faithfully represent the views of their Government, their expressions seem to indicate that, despite the traditional enmity between Russia and England, Russia views our endeavors to stop the advance of the British Lion with coldness. The St. Petersburg Novosti, the leading liberal organ, which is generally extremely friendly to England, regrets that she de-. clined to arbitrate the matter and preferred to plunge the civilized world into danger of a great war. But with regard to the claims of the United States, Novosti says: "President Cleveland tries to palm off the strange claim of Monroe as a principle of international law, and invents a curious method of creating new international rights. Monroe's doctrine has never been recognized, and expressed merely the public opinion of the United States. Cleveland, too, goes far beyond that doctrine and makes incongruous demands upon England, which no independent government in the world could possibly acquiesce in. The question is at present in such a shape that the great powers can hardly sympathize with either party. England might 0 have consented to arbitration without injury to herself, and her refusal can not be approved. On the other hand, the pretensions of the United States are such that no European nation can indorse them. Since, however, a war between England and America would be highly disastrous, European governments are interested in preventing a collision, and some one of these ought to offer its services as a mediator. "The old dangers, which called the Monroe doctrine into being, no longer exist. The new demands of the United States are really summed up in the motto 'America for Americans.' But this interpretation is so elastic and wide that any interference of the Washington Government in the relations between the smaller American republics and Europe might be justified under it." Similar views are expressed by other papers, liberal and conservative. Even the Moscow Viedomosti, which is extremely bitter toward England, does not say anything in direct approval of the course of the United States. It says: Arbitration is not relished by England, because she really has no right whatever to the Venezuelan territory in question, except the right of forcible acquisition. No court of arbitration would decide in favor of England's claims, and that is why Lord Salisbury declined the proposal of the United States. But Cleveland I can not yield at present. There are no parties in the United States on questions of national honor, and England will scarcely decide to go to war, as the chances of her coming out victorious are very slight. It is clear, too, that the United States will not even permit England to seize a Venezuelan port as guaranty for the payment of alleged damages. At any rate, it does not augur well for the peace and confidence of the world that everywhere England's aggressions are provoking energetic resistance.”— Translated for THE LITERARY Digest. THAT THE ARMY OF THE BOERS. HAT Englishmen in case of war will exhibit enough of dogged bravery to uphold the reputation of the AngloSaxon race has been proven by the manner in which Jameson's forces conducted themselves in the battle of Krügersdorp. It is not generally known that the troops against which Dr. Jameson led his men are counted among the most redoubtable fighters of our times. The following excerpts will assist the reader in forming an idea of the strength of the small nation which has defeated English troops under all possible circumstances, whether the latter were entrenched behind fortifications, encountered in the open field, or forced to attack the enemy in an advantageous position. The Deutsche Wochenschrift, Amsterdam, says: "The armed force of the South African Republic consists of all males capable of bearing arms, between the ages of sixteen and sixty. The standing army, however, is very small: 250 men of the artillery, and a mounted police force of equal numbers. There is also a small detachment of field-telegraphists and a corps. of engineers. This small standing force is, however, organized upon the best modern principles, is composed of good material, is well drilled, and is altogether very efficient. The mass of the Boer army is formed of the citizen farmers, who are called out at the will of the President. The country is divided into 17 military districts, with 64 subdivisions. The first call requires the attendance of all men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-four, some 7,000 in number. The natives have to appear under their own chiefs. They form a contingent over 60,000 strong. The citizen soldiers wear no military dress, but as they are clothed in a very uniform manner they present a good appearance." A resident of New York, who has served in both the British and the Boer armies, furnishes THE LITERARY DIGEST with the following sketch regarding the latter: "The military organization of the Boers is altogether unique. Altho neither men nor officers are uniformed, and there is an utter absence of all military pomp, discipline is nowhere more rigorously kept up. The officers are elected. Any attempt to influence such elections would be futile. The cool-headed, practical Boers choose the man whom they regard best fitted for the position. Refusal to accept office-no very uncommon thing—is punished by a fine. The efficiency of the force is kept up by periodical drills, but in addition to these the Veldkornets (captains), and Assistant-Veldkornets (lieutenants), visit each home at irregular intervals, 'see that every man is properly armed and horsed, and convince themselves that the younger men do not neglect rifle-practise. The best point of the Boer warrior-the word soldier would be a misnomer, as they receive no pay—is his ability to judge distances. In this the rising generation is carefully instructed. In physique the Boers are undoubtedly the finest race of white men in the world. Tall, muscular, abstemious in their habits, remarkably pure in their ideas regarding the relation of the sexes, they form a nation which can bear hardships with the greatest ease. Rowdyism is almost unknown among them. Fist-fights they depise as brutal. But their coolness and courage in a battle of life and death is unrivaled, and their obedience to the commands of the officers they have chosen for themselves astonishes all European military men who have come in contact with them. The continual wars in which the Boers have been forced to defend their homes against both black and white races have given them a percentage of veterans which can not be matched by any other nation." A writer in the Tageblatt, Berlin, also a man who has served in the Boer forces, expresses serious doubts that Dr. Jameson's forces were at a disadvantage when they encountered the Boers. Stories to that effect he regards as attempts on the part of the British to soften the ignominy of their defeat. He says: "General Joubert awaited Jameson's forces near Krügersdorp because it is the best strategical point. Here the Transvaalers could await reinforcements, if beaten. And as a prudent commander, Joubert was not likely to disregard the possibility of a check. There is little doubt that Jameson's troops were in a much better condition than the Boer forces. The English had 'salted' horses-horses guaranteed to have passed through the dreaded 'horse sickness,' and therefore seasoned to the climate. That the Boers had sufficient horses is doubtful, as they send their mounts into the neighboring republic during the present time of the year, to save them from the sickness. That the English wanted provisions is hard to believe, as they passed through districts in which farms owned by the Rhodes coterie are very numerous. They must have been in first-class fighting trim, for the material of which Jameson's troops were made up is not at all despicable. They are fine, hardy fellows, these adventurers, many of them sons of good families, but down on their luck. On the other hand, the Boers were called together somewhat hastily, and there is little reason to doubt that they were ill supplied with provisions." A "military correspondent" of The St. James's Gazette, London, writes: "Dr. Jameson's forces had to attack disciplined infantry, veterans (as regards the use of their weapons) in a defensive position, which allowed breech-loading rifle-fire to tell with normal effect. The ignorance of modern warfare and of scientific field tactics displayed by the attacking commanders is astounding. Since they were deficient in artillery, there could have been no 'preparation' for the infantry attack by sustained shell-fire at long ranges, and Jameson's men were allowed to attempt what every German, French, or Russian officer is taught to regard as an absolute impossibility-namely, to cross a fire-swept space of some eight hundred yards without supports and in the face of breech-loading or magazine rifles held by white men with still unshaken nerves. The whole attack and defense tactics of the German and French armies (when confronting Europeans) are based on the belief that what Jameson's men attempted is nowadays simply inpossible. May I add that the Maxim gun-useful against savages-appears to have absolutely broken down in the Transvaal. I think Captain Maude explains in his book that the German general staff will not 'look at' machine-guns of any pattern. They are believed by Continental soldiers to demoralize infantry (who come to rely too much upon them), to consume ammunition inordinately, and to monopolize the service of horses required for artillery. The German general staff will learn nothing new from the fight at Krügersdorp, altho it is the only instance on record of a fight between Europeans armed with the newest breech-loaders."-Translations made for THE LITERARY DIGEST. TEWFIK PASHA'S DEFENSE OF TURKEY. THE HE Constantinople representative of the Viedomosti, Moscow, has had an interview with Tewfik Pasha, at present Minister of Foreign Affairs in Turkey. The official expressed himself in a manner which clearly indicates that Great Britain will not interfere in Turkey without meeting with very serious obstruction. We may add that the best European publications do not express any doubt regarding the authenticity of the information—a matter of no little importance, as the number of spurious "interivews" has increased to such an extent of late that such communications must be investigated before they are offered to the public. Tewfik Pasha said: "Said Pasha's flight is due to the influence of the British Government. I know from good sources that Currie, the British Ambassador here, was scolded by Lord Salisbury for his inaction during his late visit to London. The Ambassador returned in a warlike spirit to Constantinople, and began to create discord between the Sultan and his statesmen. The result was the flight of Murad Bey, Said Pasha, and other men who could have been of great service to Turkey. The British Government hoped to place the Sultan in an awkward position, and to force him to seek assistance from England. But the English are very much mistaken. Nobody here has any faith in their sincerity. If the Sultan were to think it necessary to seek help anywhere, it would be asked of the Russians, for whom Turkey has much greater sympathy, and in whom much more confidence is placed." Speaking of the Armenians, the Turkish dignitary said: "The Armenians cry: 'We must become united in defense. Now, this is simply ridiculous. We are being ruined, and who but the Armenians ruin us? I do not know why, but everybody regards us as a kind of ferocious animals. Look at the large number of refugees who are living with us! Nobody interferes with them, nobody cares what they do. It is only the Armenians and the Greeks whom we have to thank for the pitiful condition of Turkey. They live among us, they cheat us, and then they turn around and describe us as bloodthirsty animals. I have hardly words to express my feelings. Very well, we shall see whether the Armenians will be better satisfied under another Government, whether they will be granted as much liberty as they enjoy with us. Just watch the doings of the Armenians, and note how little our Government gets from them. All of them are in business, but they manage to evade the tax-collector. Besides, they are the proprietors of gambling-hells, by which they destroy the morality of our people. If the police manage to raid such a place, the Armenian who keeps it generally turns out to be a Russian citizen. There is here, for instance, an Armenian who took up his residence in Odessa for six months, to become a Russian citizen. Then he returned, and under this protection of a foreign Government, he opened a secret gambling establishment." — Translated for THE LITERARY Digest. THE VALUE OF SOCIALISTIC AGITATION. N EARLY every English paper, in commenting upon the possibility of a war between the Kaiser and the Queen, gives vent to the conviction that the Emperor has too many enemies in his own country to engage successfully with those outside of his dominions, and that Socialism would assist in Germany's defeat. The tone of the Socialist press seems to indicate that the Socialists of Germany have changed, and, like those of France, will be patriots first and revolutionists after. This is also the opinion of the Grenzboten, Leipsic, a highly Conservative weekly, which claims that the country has little to fear from the Socialists, whose agitation is immensely useful in averting rather than precipitating a revolution. He says: "The Socialist press, Socialist meetings, and the speeches of Socialist members of the Reichstag are to-day the most important sources of information regarding the situation of the Fourth Estate-about half of the population of Germany. That the Socialists draw a one-sided and therefore wrong picture is quite true. But the bourgeois papers are, to say the least, quite as one-sided. Both classes of writers must be studied. Socialist reports are, on the whole, pretty trustworthy. Socialist publications and orators are watched closely; every untruthful, incorrect, or exaggerated assertion is likely to cause judicial prosecution. The immense number of statements unfavorable to modern society which are daily published without judicial challenge may therefore be accepted as true. The formation of society in its present state is altogether new in Germany. When Disraeli said that one half of the people do not know how the other half live, his words were not applicable to Germany. To-day these words are more befitting the conditions of Germany than they ever befitted England. Our educated public, which would not forgive themselves if they failed to be informed on some point in the life of prehistoric nations, know nothing of the life of their less fortunate contemporaries." The writer points out that "mixed residence" is declining, not only in Berlin, but in the provinces. Formerly the poor and the wealthy lived in the same house; to-day they occupy different parts of the city. How, then, are the wealthy to discover the misery of the poor? By means of Socialist agitations, which must be used as thermometers, hygrometers, microscopes, and spectroscopes are used by scientists. It will then be found that the "free" laborers of our times are treated far worse than the serfs and slaves of former ages. He continues: "Now and then the public are informed that, somewhere in Italy or Austria, there has been a revolt, during which a number of the 'instigators' were sabred or shot. And then people think 'Serves them right! What do these fellows mean by wanting to upset our beautiful institutions!' "The classes are not aware that most of these rioters know nothing about the state. They do not even complain of being overworked, if they only manage to obtain sufficient food and a half-way fitting place to sleep in. None of them are so bold as to demand quarters as beautiful as the places in which the horses of their masters are put up. The upper classes are not aware of the lot that falls to the share of the modern 'free' laborer. Things are hardly in as bad a state with us as in Italy or in Austria-thanks to Socialism, which has forced us to adopt measures for the protection of workingmen, and which publishes individual cases of such hardship as soon as they are discovered." That the German workingmen will, at this late date, allow themselves to be influenced unreservedly by Socialist agitators is not thought likely. The Socialists have been unable to prove that workers will be treated more considerately under Socialist régime than at present. Thus the Dresdener Nachrichten tells the story of cooperative stores in Saxony, the greatest stronghold of Socialism. It appears that the employees in these stores have been unable to secure better terms than the clerks of other stores, just as the men employed in the Socialist bakeries of Hamburg found themselves compelled to strike because they were worse paid and harder worked than others in the same trade. The grievances of the Saxon storekeepers are told as follows: "As the number of cooperative stores increased, the storekeepers complained more and more of their treatment. There are continual quarrels between the 'comrade-employers' and the 'comrade-employees.' At last the latter declared open war against the former, and words like 'oppression, and 'exploitation,' usually only in use against the hated bourgeois, were used freely in describing the conduct of the workmen-masters. The storekeepers have been compelled to form a union for their defense. Their demands are the same which usually cause a strike of the employees of individual capitalists: shorter hours, Sunday rest, proper dinner-hours, and better pay. In Dresden the employees of the cooperative societies have to work from 70 to 73 hours per week, for a salary of $5.75; in Denben, 75 hours for $6.25; in Potschappel, 78 to 84 hours for $22.50 to $27.50 per month; in Sebnitz, 90 to 96 hours for $11 per week. The last-mentioned highest pay suffers considerable reduction from the fact that the recipient has to lay out $150 annually for help,' and must pay for light and coal out of his own pocket. Security to the amount of $250 is also demanded of the storekeepers. The struggle between these parties is likely to last a long time, for the employing comrades' are much less willing to give in' in a quarrel of this kind than the ordinary capitalist. Translations made for THE LITERARY DIGEST. |