Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1900 — FROM FOREIGN LANDS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FROM FOREIGN LANDS

The proclamation of )>o:tce in South Africa is still to he promulgated. The war is apparently ended as far as regular campaigning is concerned, but small bands of Boers continue to harass the [British troops. Railroad communication Is frequently interrupted by the destruction of the roadbed by Boer raiders, and 'telegraph wires are often cut. Of course, this is not war, but it is so near to it lhat Lord Roberts’ army still has plenty to do. Lord Roberts’ departure for England is also delayed. A week ago it was expected that Lord Roberts would succeed Lord Wolseley as commander-in-chief of the British army. During the week, however, new complications seem to have arisen. Sir Redvers Buller, who had been slated for the chief command in .South Africa, is preparing to go to England. and the. London newspapers print, under reservation, the story that he is to be the new commander-in-chief, Lord, Roberts, it being stated, having declined because the War Department refused to give him a fret' hand in instituting army reforms.

The affairs of the Ottoman empire are rapidly going from bad to worse, and it is evident that a crisis cannot long be deferred. During the week the Turkish legation at Madrid was closed, the ambassador discharging his secretaries, attaches and servants and quitting his post because of unpaid salaries. The Turkish •flag is coming down from many Euro'poan consulates. The most prominent and progressive Turks are fugitives in Eufope, fearing wrath of the Sultan, Osman Pasha, a relative of the dead general of that escaping during the last week. Turkey is making no progress in commerce, industry, agriculture oj- mining. The land taxes are so heavy that the farmers cannot pay them from the products of the soil ? The mines of coal, copper, iron, lead, silver, salt and alum are unworked because of restrictive laws. Europe’s day of settlement with the Sultan .cannot long be delayed, and when that day comes the Sultan will disappear as a disturbing factor in old world polities.

China has taken the initiative in opening negotiations ’ with the powers for a settlement of the complications arising from the Boxer revolt. Prince Ching and Li-Hung-Chang have addressed to the foreign envoys a circular note suggesting a basis for the beginning of negotiations. They express regret for the anti-foreign outrages and concede in advance China’s liability to pay indemnity. They ask a cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the allied army. France has already rejected the proposals, and the powers will doubtless follow the example. In his note M. Pinchbn, the French ambassador. insists that all negotiations wiU be held in abeyance as long as the heads of the leaders of the anti-foreign revolt, remain unfallen. This is a direct return to the original demands of Germany and may delay negotiations.

The hen Ith of King Oscar of Sweden has given great uneasiness to his people during the last week, although the latest advices are encouraging. At the same time the crown prince, Gustavos, will take the oath before the Storthing and govern as regent. It is feared that King Oscar will never be fully restored to health, and his death is confidently expected ivithin a abort time. In the present strained relations between Sweden and Norway the death of King Oscar and the accession of Prince Gustav us would be aVnost an international calamity.