Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1897 — FOREIGN. [ARTICLE]

FOREIGN.

Senator Viera, one of the Government's supporters in the Brazilian Senate, declared in an open session of that body that the opposition bad predicted the death of President Moraes before Nov. 9. A plan for a dreibund of Chili, Peru nnd Argentina is in existence, which, if adopted by the three governments, will wipe Bolivia off the South American map, Chili, Peru and Argentina dividing her territory. Honolulu friends of ex-Queen Lil are going to Washington this winter to plead her cause before Congress. The antiannexation movement appears to be gathering strength, many wealthy sugar planters having joined: it. Premier Sagasta of Spain has sent a cablegram to the United States government declaring: “So far from seeking a pretext to declare war against the United States, Spain would regard it as a great misfortune to be given the occasion for such an unhappy resolution.” The Vatican officially contradicts the

published report that the forthcoming papal encyclical on the Manitoba school question will undertake to accept the compromise suggested by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the premier of Canada, namely, neutral schools, with religious instruction after school hours only. A letter received in Loudon from Vienna sayu the published-repoffsof the political situation in the Austrian; empire convey no adequate idea of the chaos prevailing. “Badeni must go!” is the general war cry now, and the Premier's downfall is Considered'inevitable, regardless of the outcome of the present fight between the Germans and the Czechs. No one can foresee how, it will end. The Berlin correspondent of the London Standard says: ’“The German Government has protested against the enlargement of the Apia district in the Samoan group by the American chief justice, because its revenue is obtained mainly from German firms. Germany is determined to protest emphatically against any illegal interference in the administration of the Samoan island, and will certainly never recognize annexation by the United States.” News comes from London that the British troops suffered a severe defeat in the Maidan Valley. How serious Gen. Westmacott's command suffered is not exactly known, but the repulse was disastrous. The affair brings to mind that Lord Salisbury slurred over the Indian war in his speech at the Mansion House, and carefully avoided mention of the ameer and of Russia. It is deemed certain that the fanatic tribesmen have substantial backing and are able to procure rifles of the most approved pattern. The question is—from whom? Lord George Hamilton,' secretary of state for India, made up later for the forgetfulness of his chief. Speaking at Acton, he broadly hinted at Russian plotting, aud intimated that annexation of the disturbed region was the best way out of the difficulty. He forgets, however, that in these plans he will have to reckon not only with the ameer, but with Russia. Urgent action is certainly necessary to.crush the revolt, which is causing serious irritation among the British people.