He ought to be good for at least five and possibly ten years yet, and providing that no great European cataclysm convulses the Continent, he may be relied upon to hold Austria-Hungary together as long as he lives. After him everyone says there will be the Deluge. But the old saying is true, that if Austria had not existed, she would have had to be invented; and the forces of things may be as efficacious in preservation as they would be in creation. Both Hungary and Bosnia are so well represented at the Paris Exhibition as to give the Western World a fresh conception of the elements of strength, both intellectual and material, which are to be found in the Eastern Empire. The The contemplation of the Old World should not prevent us considering Zionist Congress. the romantic effort to refound a kingdom older than any of those at present existing in Europe. The fourth Zionist Congress, which was held at the Queen's Hall in London, under the presidency of the handsome and eloquent Dr. Herzl, would seem to show that the ideal of reconstituting the kingdom of David and Solomon has taken firm hold of the Jewish mind. There are now over 100,000 Zionist Societies in Russia and 135 in America. As might be expected, Zionism has the least hold in countries where the Jews are most comfortable; but in the English-speaking lands Zionism will probably appeal more to the Christians than to the Jews, for the British and American public cherish the hope of the return of the Jews to Palestine as a kind of re-inforcement of their faith in the Bible. Most of the criticisms that are directed against the movement are based upon a misconception. No one proposes forcibly to export all the Jews of the world to Palestine, but no one who understands anything of the spirit of nationality can marvel that the Jews, scattered, oppressed and despised, should wish to create for one of the great historic races of the world a local habitation where it could realise its own ideals and have a family homestead. When Zionism captures a Rothschild, the financial difficulty in the way of the redemption of Palestine will easily be surmounted. Dr. Herzl is a fine type of an enthusiast, and there are few international movements which I regard with more sympathy and interest. district in the city of Glasgow, where a member of a dock labourer's family fell a victim to the mysterious pestilence; and in spite of all the efforts of the sanitary authorities to isolate those infected, it seems to be spreading with a somewhat alarming rapidity. At the present moment from ten to a dozen persons are said to have been attacked, and some eighty or ninety have been segregated and placed under observation. There is no reason for panic. The plague which appeared some time ago in Egypt seems to be dying out there, and the visitation in Australia does not seem to have been very alarming. Probably the plague will save more lives than it destroys. Fifty years ago the Asiastic cholera was the most efficient promoter of sanitary reform. It has lost its power to scare, having done its work. Possibly the plague may be equally useful in directing attention to the conditions. in the midst of which multitudes of our people live. to cope with its ravages. He has failed, and confesses it. In the official notification of the abandonment of the measures hitherto in force to prevent the spread of the plague there is a very valuable admission, which all those who hanker after autocratic power will do well to bear in mind. The Indian Government declares that the experience of four years has established it as an axiom that it is hopeless to carry out effectively any system of plague administration which runs counter to the feelings, susceptibilities and prejudices of the people. It has taken the Anglo-Indian four years to find that out. In that period he has inflicted infinite misery upon hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of our fellowsubjects. The natives, by every method that is open to them through the press, by memorials, by petitions have protested against the attempt to save them from the plague by doing violence to all their most cherished domestic and social prejudices. The natives distinctly prefer to die of plague rather than endure the misery of the medical police despotism by which our doctors imagined they could stem its ravages. As a matter of fact, it is very doubtful whether the methods which we adopted would really have been efficacious, even if all the population had been in sympathy with them. As it is, they have failed conspicuously, and the Government last month publicly confessed its mistake, and aban doned an attempt to force upon the population a prepared to accept Nietzsche's extreme views, the principle which he enunciated finds acceptance among many of our modern Imperialists. Nietzschism pure and simple would probably not do much mischief. Nietzschism in solution may well prove to be the most dangerous enemy with which Christianity has to deal. Some Notable Deaths. Death has been busy this last month, and has removed some notable figures from our midst. In this country we have lost Lord Russell, the Lord Chief Justice, and Professor Sidgwick, of Cambridge, whose death creates a void in his University similar to that which was created in Oxford by the death of Mr. Green. From Germany two notable. figures have disappeared in Liebknecht, one of the most famous of Social Democrats, and Nietzsche. Nietzsche was a mad man of genius, who formulated with uncompromising dacity what may be regarded as the ultimate development of Darwinism in politics and morals. The assumption that the strongest or the fittest are necessarily au the best, is one which cuts The Coming Depression in Trade. The rise in the price of coal is occasioning considerable alarm among all those who realise the extent to which the cost of fuel governs the price of almost every commodity. The pre sent rise in price will cost the railways alone some £3,000,000 a year; and many people are discussing remedies. Meanwhile the rise in price tends to create confusion, and necessitates rearrangement in almost all our industries. These rearrangements are seldom effected peaceably, and already there are signs that it will require much patience much wisdom if we are to avoid considerable trouble and widespread disturbance, owing to the lack of any system by which of disputes between employers and employed can be, as in New Zealand, referred to recognised courts of arbitration. What threatened at one time to be a very President McKinley. (A Recent Sketch.) at the root all ethics so far as they have been hitherto understood; but although very few would be and EVENTS OF THE MONTH. Aug. 1. A heavy poll in favour of Federation is the result of the Referendum in South Australia. 2. A man in Paris attempts to shoot the Shah. Rain continues to fall in the worst famine districts of India. The Viceroy of India inspects one of the largest famine works in the Bombay Presidency at Broach, Gujerat District. The International Parl amentary Congress meets in Paris. 3. King Victor Emmanuel III. addresses a proclamation to the Italian people from Monza. Queen Wilhelmina reviews a Dutch fishing fleet of 2,000 sailing boats on the Zuyder Zee. 4. The funeral of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha takes place at Coburg. The result of the referendum in Western Australia is that the Commonwealth Bill is adopted by a large majority. The Official Gazette of Canada announces that the landing of pauper immigrants to any part of Canada is prohibited, except under special rule. 5. The Marriage of King Alexander of Servia to Madame Draga Maschin takes place at Belgrade. About 4.500 cabmen in Paris go out on strike. 6. The Russian Government announces an increase The Turkish Minister of Marine signs the contract with Herr Krupp for the armament of eight ironclads and two torpedo-bout destroyers. There is a Conference at Berlin between Count von Bülow and the British and Russian Ambassadors. 8. Count Lamsdorff is appointed Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs. 9. The King and Queen of Italy and Queen Margherita arrive in Rome. The funeral of the late King Humbert takes place in Rome. 15. 16. There is a sailors' strike at Dunkirk, and a stokers' strike at Bordeaux in France. The Bonapartists and Royalists have their annual banquets at Paris. 28. Dr. Leyds pays visits to the Diplomatic Corps at St. Petersburg; the other Boer delegates arrive at the Hague. The Boer delegates receive a popular reception 23. at St. Petersburg. Admiral Fournier reports on the loss of the Mr. Rhodes obtains leave of absence for the A general convention of French Arcadians of 17. It is reported from Simla that the rainfall during the current week has been heavy all over the famine districts, prospects greatly improved, nearly 500,000 persons having left the relief works. Mr. Barton and Mr. Dickson are welcomed by 6,000 citizens of Sydney in a monster meeting in Sydney Town Hall, on their return from England. 18. The Kaiser receives Count von Waldersee and the officers of his Staff at Cassel. The Emperor Francis Joseph's birthday is celebrated by Austrians at home and abroad. A Festival t kes place at the Paris Exhibition when priz. s to exhibitors are distributed. 20. Count von Waldersee with his staff leave Berlin en route fo: China. 21. 22. 23. 10. The Prince Regent of Saxe-Coburg issues a proclamation in which he announces the devolution of the Government upon Duke Charles Edward and his own regency. An extensive strike occurs in the shipyard of Messrs. Blohn and Voss at Hamburg.. 11. News arrives in Constantinople of recent massacres of Armenians in the district of Sassun. 12. Victor Emmanuel III., before the Senators and public, reads the oath of allegiance to the Constitution and the Italian nation in the Palazzo Madama in Rome. 24. King Prempeh and King Asibi are deported by the British authorities from Ashanti to Seychelles. The fourth International Congress of Psychology is opened in Paris under the presidency of Professor Ribot. A strike on the Taff Vale Railway commences. The 19th Conference of the International Law Association opens at Rouen. Papers are read by Dr. Evans Darby on arbitration, and by Mr. Alexander on the abolition of Slavery. The Indian Government is compelled to remove the Maharaja of Bharatpur from power owing to his vicious and intemperate habits. The trial of twenty-five prisoners concerned in the Cawnpore plague riots takes place at Allahabad. 30. ment. Bresci, the assassin of King Humbert, is tried before a jury at Milan, and sentenced to penal servitude for life, with solitary confinePadre Volponi, the Vicar of the Church of St. Sebastian, in Rome, is sentenced to eight months' imprisonment for expressing the opinion that regicide is occasionally justifiable. At Dunkirk and Havre, in France, the strikes extend. The negotiations between the Taff Vale railway men and the company result in a settlement of the dispute. War in South Africa. August 1. Commandant Olivier, with five guns and a number of burghers, breaks through the cordon in the direction of Harrismith. 2. The debate on the second reading of the Treason Bill is resumed in the House of Assembly at Cape Town. Lord Kitchener goes to Rhenoster to direct the operations against De Wet. 3. In the House of Assembly several Dutch Members oppose the Treason Bill. General Ian Hamilton continues his movement towards Rustenburg. 4. Harrismith surrenders to General MacDonald. De Wet's wagons cross the Vaal. 7. Earl Beauchamp resigns the Governorship of 17. New South Wales in view of the proclamation of the Commonwealth. The stokers' strike at Marseilles is ended by arrangements being concluded to the satisfaction of the men. The numerous strikes continue in France; at Marseilles the Trans-Atlantic Company and its sailors come to terms. There are serious floods in the Madras Presidency. A mail train runs off the line near Baripada owing to the softening of the embankment by the flood; 11 persons are killed and 25 injured. The final returns on the voting in Western Australia on joining the Commonwealth are announced as follows: 44,704 affirmatives and 19,691 negatives. The debate on the Martial Law is finished in the Cape House of Assembly. Mr. Merriman's resolution is negatived without a division, and Mr. Theron's amendment rejected by 45 votes to 41. De Wet eludes his pursuers; he is last heard Lord Kitchener relieves Colonel Hore at Elands The trial begins of Lieutenant Hans Cordua 18. The trial of Lieutenant Hans Cordua is continued. 20. 21. The Indian Foreign Department issues a cir- At a meeting in the Labour Exchange at The delegates of the men in the Great Eastern 23. 24. 26. 27. The debate on the Treason Bill is resumed in the Cape House of Assembly. De Wet makes a cross march and encamps 15 miles north-east of Pretoria. The House of Assembly continues the debate on the Treason Bill. The Royal Hospital Commission begins i's work instantly on landing at Cape Town to-day. At Kimberley the trial of Carter's Ridge rebels takes place. Two leaders of the band are fined £125 each, the rest are detained until the rising of the Court. Sir J. Gordon Sprigg makes his financial statement in the Cape House of Assembly. General Buller's column moves to Van Vyk's Vlei. The d bite on the Treason Bill closes. The second reading is carried by 48 votes to 38. All the members of Mr. Schriner's section except two follow him to the Ministerial side. A ve dict of guilty is found against Lieutenant Hans Cordua for conspiring to abduct Lord Roberts at Pretoria. The House of Assembly at Cape Town goes into Committee on the Treason Bill. The sentence of death passed upon Lizutenant Hans Cordua is confirmed by Lord Roberts, and he is shot at seven this morning. General Bruce Hamilton captures General Ol vier and his three sons at Winburg. General Buller's troops capture Bergendal, a strong position west of Dalmanutha Railway Station. 23. General Buller marches on Machadorp, which he occupies. 2 Lord Methuen's forces arrive at Mafeking to re-equip. 30. Lord Roberts reports that 1,800 British pri soners were released at Nooitgedacht. The Crisis in China. Aug. 2. Admiral Seymour visits the Viceroy of Nanking, who agrees to the landing of 3,000 British troops for the defence of Shanghai. Official report of the execution of Hsu Chingcheng and Yuan Chang, at Pekin, by order of the Dowager-Empress. New South Wales Legislative Council decides to send a con ingent of troops to serve in China. 3. Severe fighting between the Russians and Chinese is reported from Niu-chwang; the Russians capture Sakhalin. The Government accepts the offer of a gunboat from South Australia for service in China. 4. The Russian force in Manchuria captures the town of Aigun, opposite Blagovestchenk. after severe fighting. The foreign community, including customs officials and consuls, leave Chung-King on board the Pioneer. Engagement at Pei-tang between the Chinese and Allies, the latter lose 1,200 in killed and wounded. 5. Admical Seymour arrives at Shanghai from Nanking. The advance to Peking begins. 6. The Allies, about 12,000 strong, attack the Chinese intrenched position at Hsi-Ku, two miles outside Tien-tsin; the Chinese retreat northward. 7. The B.itish and American Governments receive cipher messages from Sir Claude MacDonald and Mr. Conger respectively, dated Peking, August 3rd. Pei-tang taken by the Japanese, supported by 8. Count von Waldersee is appointed to the command of the Allied forces in China. Several cipher messages are received by various European Governments from their representatives in Peking, undated. The Chinese merchants at Shanghai protest against the landing of European troops there, the French Consul states that 3,000 Annamite troops will arrive and land for the protection of French interests. to. The Peking relief force reaches Ho-se-wa, half way to Peking from Tien-tsin. Admiral Alexeiff notifies that a provisional 1. Wu Ting Fang delivers a request from the Chinese Viceroys to the American Government to use their good offices to prevent the landing of foreign troops at Shanghai The American Government replies that it is outside their province to interfere. The Allied forces reach Chang-kai-wun, about 15 mil.s from Peking. 12 The Bri ish Government undertakes to lend the Wu-chang Viceroy £75 000 at 44 per cent. 3. The British Government postpones the landing of British troops at Shanghai till further orders.. 14. The Japanese troops occupy Tung-Chan within 10 miles of Peking. 15. After 14 hours fighting, and storming of the gates, the Allied troops enter Peking, and relieve the Foreign Ministers, the Legations, and foreigners, all of whom are safe. The Empress and Emperor have previously left Peking, protected by Chinese troops. 15. The United States Government is appealed to by Li Hung Chang to prevent the Allied forces from shaking the Chinese Empire to its foundations. A special meeting of the American Cabinet is held to consider the Chinese situation. The Japanese guard the Imperial Palace at Peking. 7. A joint note from the Viceroy of Nanking and Wu-Chang urges that proper consideration be shown to the Dowager-Empress by the Allied Powers. 18 British Indian troops are landing by degrees at Shanghai. Under orders from the French Consul-General 60 bluejackets are also landed from the French Cruiser Pascal. 23. The French Minister of Marine receives the first telegram sent by the new cable from Ta-ku. The Chinese Legation at St. Petersburg states that peace negotiations with China will begin in a few days. 30. The United States Government addresses a note to all its representatives in Europe and Tokio protesting against the reported resolution to prevent Li Hung Chang from communicating with the Chinese authorities in the event of his arrival at Ta-ku. PARLIAMENTARY RECORD. House of Lords. August 2. Vote of Condolence to the Queen on the death of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg. Second reading of the Companies Bill. 3. Thid reading of the Elementary Education Bill and the Companies Bill. The Military Measures of the Government; speeches by Lord Wemyss, Lord Rosebery, Lord Lansdowne, and Lord Salisbury. 6. The Supplemental War Loan Bill and other Bills pass through all their stages. 8. The Appropriation Bill passes through all its stages. The Lord Chancellor reads, the Queen's Speech closing the session until October 27th. House of Commons. August 1. Supplemental War Loan; speeches by Sir William Harcourt and, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 2. The Situation in China; speeches by Sir E. Grey, Mr. Brodrick and others. 3. Report on Supply Vote agreed to. Administration in West Africa, condition of Jamaica; speech by Mr. Chamberlain. 6. Bills advanced. Second reading of Appropriation Bill; speeches by Mr. Channing and Mr. E. Robertson. African Hospital Inquiry: speeches by Mr. Burdett-Coutts and Mr. Balfour. 7. The Appropriation Bill passes through Committee, other Bills advanced. Lord George Hamilton informs the House of the improvement in the famine districts of India. 8. The Appropriation Bill, third reading: speeches by Sir W. Lawson, Mr. Chamberlain and others, the House is then prorogued till October 27th. Aug. 7. Herr Wilhelm Liebknecht, 74. 10. Lord Russell of Kinowen, 67. 12. Dr. Steinitz (Great Chess Master), 5414. Mr. Collis P. Huntington (Great Railway Magnate). 16. Dr. John Anderson, M.D., 66. 17. Sir Henry Simpson, 52. 18. Sir Malcolm Fraser, 64. Sir William Stokes (Surgeon, 60. 25. Professor Nietzche Weimar), 55. 26. Sir John Adye, 80. 28. Professor Henry Sidgwick, 62. 2). Sir Saul Samuel, Bart., K. M.C.G., C.B., 79. 31. Sir John Bennet Lawes, 86. |