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France is apparently on the eve of a revolution. In fact it is an open question whether her effort to seek a quarrel with England was not dictated by a desire on the part of her statesmen to divert the public mind from home troubles ¨C corruption in the State, treachery in the Army, and rottenness everywhere. The Dreyfus scandal has shaken the nation to its core, and it is probable that before very long there may be a complete reaction against Republicanism and a wish to return to Imperialism.
Already the Napoleonic Eugenie has promised a very large sum of many ¨C most of it the insurance on her son's life, the son who fell in Zululand ¨C towards the campaign. Meantime the good feeling that existed between France and Russia, exhibited by the great doings in Paris and Toulon during the Czar's visit, has been dissipated by the knowledge that Russia is only a fair-weather friend at best. The Czar, though he made a present of arms to the Montenegrins, and though he is ever aggressive in China and on the frontier of India, prates about international disarmament, and he has called a conference to consider the question. This is regarded by all far-seeing Frenchmen as an intimation that Russia can be regarded as an ally only so long as there is no fighting ¨C a sort of ally France does not require. On the other hand, France has to be very watchful of Germany, which threatens to filch not only her Asian trade, but also her Chinese and Indo-Chinese spheres of influence.
A brief review of events in the other countries of Europe will suffice. Turkish treachery has at last lost the Sultan his actual dominion in Crete. Under the incentive of Turkish promptings the Mohammedans in candia rose, and, aided by the Sultan's soldiery, massacred the Christians. The Powers intervened, and eventually sent an ultimatum to the Porte demanding the evacuation of the island by the Turkish troops. After much demur and many shufflings, he Porte had to give in; and the new regime has begun under Prince George of Greece as Governor. Thus, the cause for which Greece fought has been won at last.
In Austria the year has been full of woe, and of racial struggles. The assassination of the Empress by an Anarchist at Geneva has cast a gloom over the nation; but it has not brought the diverse races together.
Italy has been riven by anarchists and socialists who, secretly supported, it is alleged, by the Clerical part, induced the people of Milan to riot. The immediate cause of the outbreak in Milan and other places was the scarcity of bread, due to the shortage in the wheat supply following upon the Russian and Indian famines and the Spanish-American war. The disaffected cities were places under martial law, and order was not restored till much blood had been shed. The policy of the Italian Government is now one of the conciliation towards the rioters and sternness towards those who are suspected of having fomented the disturbances. Many of the Milan rioters have been amnestied, and conditions are making towards a complete pacification.
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World Disasters: Air, Sea and Space
Tragedy in Klondyke
World Disasters Report 2002
World Disasters
World Disasters timeline
