Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1900 — FROM FOREIGN LANDS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FROM FOREIGN LANDS.

The diplomatic situation in China has undergone a decided change. Germany l?as receded from its demand for the punishment of the leaders of the anti-foreign revolt and has submitted to the powers modified proposals, which have been accepted by all, including the United States and Great Britain. France, in turn, has submitted proposals to the powers which are as drastic, if not more so, than the ones originally submitted by Germany. Minister Delcasse proposes that the importation of munitions of war into China be prohibited: that the‘Chinese forts be razed; that I’ekin be garrisoned Ijy the allied troops, and that • a line of communication between I’ekin and the coast be permanently guarded by foreign troops. The United States has taken the lead in accepting these proposals, with distinct reservations. President McKinley states that the United States is not prepared to go to the length proposed by France, but that it will co-operate in any proposal having for its object the immediate opening of negotiations for final settlement between China and the [lowers. The withdrawal of the United States and Russian troops is well under way. On the other hand. Great Britain and Germany continue to land troops at Taku and forward them to the Chinese capital. It is evident that the diplomatic complications over the settlement of the Chinese question are only at their beginning.

Thursday marked the completion of the first year of the Boer-British war. Contrary to general expectation, a proclamation of peace was not issued, but there were a number of developments during tlie week indicating Great Britain's belief that the war is practically over. Lord Roberts is to sail for home before Nov. 1. Fifty thousand men in the militia service are to be disbanded at once. The colonial troops in South Africa have been released from service and are going home. A police force of 12.006 men is being organized to preserve order in the Transvaal, and Baden-Powell, the resourceful defender of Mafeking. will, it is announced, be in command. In fact, preparation's are being made to withdraw the bulk of the British army from South Africa, It is a significant fact tliat a great army lias lieeu massed at Komati I’oort. There is no necessity for its presence there, and it can only lie conjectured that tlie troops arc held there in anticipation of early transfer to England or India. At the same time Komati I’oort is on tlie frontier between Portuguese East Africa and the Transvaal, and it is connected by rail with Delagoa Bay. If any emergency requires England could in a few hours move several brigades to Delagoa Bay for embarkation-—say, to Hongkong, for service in China.

English political circles are busy in the construction of a new cabinet. It is understood that all of tlie memtiers of the present ministry have, a* a matter of formality, placed their resignations in the hands of Lord Salisbury. Some changes are expected, as a matter of course. All talk, however, that Joseph Chamberlain will bo advanced seems to be without substantial foundation. He has been picked out for the War Department, for the Treasury Department, and even for that most responsible post of all. Minister of Foreign Affair*. Mr. Chamberlain has disposed of all the talk by announcing over his own signature that he hnd no ambition to serve in any capacity other than ns Secretary of State for the Colonies. Parliament will assemble on Nov. 1. and changes in the cabinet, if any, will hardly be announced before that ’•ite.

The Spanish Cortez lias been called to meet early in November. The most interesting feature of the work to be taken up by the Madrid Parliament will be the proposals for rebuilding the navy. The war with the United States deprived Spain of practically ail her warships. Th# purpose of the government to rebuild the shattered navy ia taken as evidence that not only will national pride do much for the restoration of Spain’* prestige, but that public spirit has set about in earnest in rehabilitating industry and commerce.