NEWS OF THE WEEK.

ON Tuesday news was received in London that the Afridis had at last obeyed the promptings of the Akah-khel Moollah and risen. The clan gathered last Saturday, marched upon the Khyber Pass on the Sunday, and appeared before the fort of All Musjid early on Monday. Since then the whole pass has been in their hands, and they have been engaged in storming, and then setting fire, to the little forts by which the mountain road is held. These forts are not important places, and most of them are only towers held by small detachments of the Khyber Rifles, a local force raised from the Afridis themselves, to which has been entrusted the duty of guarding the pass. By Friday news bad been received that Forts Maude, All Musjid, and Lundi Kotal had all fallen. The latter fort held its own till 10 o'clock on Thursday morning, when the enemy gained an entrance. The fight, it is said, continued for two hours inside, but ultimately the whole place was sacked and burned. It seems clear from this and other evidence that the men of the Khyber Rifles have, as a rule, been true to their salt, a remarkable fact considering that they are simply subsidised Afridis, and have been first isolated and then put under great pressure to desert. Nearly the whole of the Ali Musjid garrison is said to have reached Jumrud with their arms.

The public here has been inclined to be impatient, and to ask why is it that the General at Peshawar "close by," who has eleven thousand men, did not relieve the forts at once and clear the pass. The answer is, Look at a map. The _Khyber country is not only an extraordinarily difficult place in which to move troops, but also a desert, in which the oommissariat difficulties are very great. Besides, General 'Elles's immediate object is now not to open the pass, but to give the Afridis a thorough beating. This he can only do by drawing them into the plain. If they draw him into the hills they will not, it is true, beat him, but he will accomplish nothing. Under such circumstances his troops would spend their time in trying fruitlessly to hunt down little bodies of men who can skip from rook to rock like goats. People who are now in the Engadine and just leaving for the Italian lakes will be able to realise something of the situation. Chiavenna—the key of the passes, as the Romans called it—

ay roughly stand for Peshawur. Let them imagine what it would be like if the Valtelline, the Splugen, the Bregalia, and the Septimer and Jnlier districts were all "up" at once, if there were only one road, and if the scale of everything were trebled. They will understand then that it takes time to put down a mountain rising.

The serious and widespread nature of the movement on the frontier may be gathered from the fact that it extends from the Swat Valley to Baluchistan. At Quetta the Governor- General's Agent has been obliged to arrest three Baluchi Sirdars. One of them, a man of great local importance, has been released on terms, but the incident is grave. At a durbar at Quetta the Governor-General's Agent issued a stern warning as to the consequences of disobedience and disloyalty. Meantime Sir Bindon Blood is having a very successful campaign in the Swat Valley, and is entering valleys in Kafiri- stan which have never before been penetrated by Europeans. On the general situation we can only say, as we have said else- where, that though the situation is grave and anxious, the Government of India will not find the rising in any sense beyond its resources, which are very great. The best proof that we are not exaggerating the gravity of the crisis is the way in which the troops are being pushed up to the North-West Frontier. We shall soon have half the Indian Army in and around Peshawur. That, however, is a fact to the good, The tribes must have a severe lesson, and what is more, ocular demonstration of our invincibility.

It is still difficult to say with certainty whether the storks of the Ameer's complicity in the frontier disturbances are true or false. On Monday the Indian Government issued a communiqué to the Press stating that a prompt reply had been sent by Abdurrahman to the letter calling his attention to the part taken by Afghan subjects in the risings. He denies that any of his soldiers joined the Hadda Moollah, solemnly pledges himself and his Army that no hostility will ever be committed by them, and repudiates the action of the fanatics. In an addition to this the British Agent at Cabul reports that the Ameer read the Viceroy's letter of warning in public durbar, and then solemnly swore that he had always acted loyally towards the British Power. The Government of India is making the fact widely known on the frontier. All this seems to show the Ameer's good faith, but at the same time we must not forget that he is a fanatical Mahommedan and the ruler of fanatical Mahommedans. Even if loyal now a sharp reverse on the frontier would greatly shake the belief on which his loyalty is based,—the belief that in the end the English always win. That is the reason why we must run no risk of a reverse.

M. Faure arrived at St. Petersburg on Monday. The visit has been a great success. The Emperor has practi- cally made no difference between his French and his German visitor, except that after embracing the President, he gave him a cigar to smoke and lighted one himself, while the popular enthusiasm has, of course, been vastly greater. The President has been occupying the suite of twenty rooms in the Peterhof Palace used by the Kaiser, and he has been entertained at the usual banquets and by a gala performance at the Opera. It will be remembered that Peter the Great loved nothing so much as fireworks, and when any great event had to be celebrated, first designed, and even made with his own hands, and then let off, the rockets and set-pieces. Since then fireworks and illuminations have always played a great part in Russian festivities ;—at the late Naval Review nothing came near the bouquets of rockets sent up from the great Russian cruiser. The Russians, however, outdid themselves to honour their French guests. The Park of Peterhof was on the Monday night ablaze with every sort of device in coloured fire.

At the State banquet at Peterhof on Monday the Emperor of Russia, while proposing the health of the President and drinking prosperity to France, though most cordial and amiable, avoided words that could possibly convey the notion that Russia and France were standing aide by side to face any- body or anything. It was "a very special pleasure" to bid the President welcome. The whole of Russia received the visit with "very lively and unanimous joy." The recollection of their visit to Paris was "ineffaceably engraved" on the hearts of the Imperial couple. Such were the Emperor's sentiments. In plain words, he clasped France to his bosom, but at the same time made her understand that she must not expect him to do any acts of chivalry on her behalf. The matter of the lost Provinces was a thing which must never be mentioned between them lest it should hurt the feelings of a neighbour. M. Faure, in reply, was equally vague and equally gushing. France retained a deeply moving recollection of the visit of last autumn. The President of the Republic had come "to affirm and draw still closer the powerful ties which unite our countries." Such sentiments may, of course, mean anything or nothing. They could with equal propriety be placed on a valentine or as the flowery preamble of an offensive and defensive alliance. We confess to favouring the valentine view. The Russian Alliance means that as long as France does not attack Germany, but keeps quiet and sup- ports Russia, Russia promises that she will not let the Triple Alliance attack France with impunity.

M. Faure's visit ended on Thursday. It did not, to borrow Sir Thomas Browne's phrase, "conclude in a moist relent- ment " (except for the weather, which was a drizzle), but rather gathered strength as it went. The last speeches were those made at the final luncheon held on board the French flagship. There, and under the Tricolour, President Faure spoke of "two friendly and allied nations guided by a common ideal of civilisation, law, and justice." Lest the world might think the word " allied " went too far, or repre- sented not a fact but only French aspirations, the Emperor of Russia repeated it with emphasis. "I am happy," said he, "to see that your stay among us creates a new tie between our friendly and allied nations." The President had said nothing about peace, but the Czar added that both Powers were "equally resolved to contribute by everything in their power to the maintenance of the peace of the world in a spirit of justice and equity." The use of the word "allied" has created a profound sensation throughout Europe, as it was fully believed that the Emperor of Russia and his advisers could not be "screwed up" to its employment. It must be pointed out, however, that though the word " allied " was used, " alliance " was not, and that " alliance " is much the stronger, for it would mean not friendship carried very far, but an active agreement. The peace passage shows, again, that the allied nations are not allied to alter the status quo or redress the wrong done France at the Treaty of Frankfort. After all, then, the Emperor only gives France a fairy-gift, which melts away and vanishes if you try to use it.

Nothing positive is known about the peace negotiations except that they do not go forward, and that Lord Salisbury is doing his best to prevent the two Shylocks, the Sultan and the Kaiser, from getting their pound of flesh out of Greece. A Renter's telegram published on Friday says that Lord Salisbury now proposes that England, France, and Russia should act as the guarantors for the kingdom of Greece in the matter of the indemnity. They would guarantee a loan and control certain revenues set apart for the purpose. This is an excellent proposal, for it would practically halve the burden of the indemnity. The Powers can raise money at

or 3 per cent., the Greeks would have to pay 5 or 6. As England, Russia, and France have for years guaranteed a certain income to the King of Greece, there would be nothing invidious in their taking the action proposed. No doubt a Triple Control has an ominous sound, but it seems the best way out of the present impasse. The only other news from Constantinople consists of stories of bombs and of Armenian plots and proclamations. It seems possible that the Sultan is working for another outbreak and massacre.

There is little to chronicle in regard to the Royal visit to Ireland except that it continues to be a great success. The Nationalists have made a sort of grumbling protest, but their action has been little heeded, and Dublin has given itself up to merrymaking almost as unreservedly as St. Petersburg. If the Government do not take occasion by the hand, and endow Ireland with a Royal residence worthy of her, they will make a capital blunder. There will be no need to bother about the money. The suppression of that "symbol of separation," the Viceregal Court, will not only provide the interest on the capital sum expended, but allow plenty of

money for maintenance. Lord Cadogan has proved a very successful Lord-Lieutenant. Let him have the credit of being the last.

On Tuesday Mr. Balfour, after being presented with the freedom of the Royal Borough of Dumfries, gave an address dealing with Scottish literature. He took the four great names which have adorned Scottish literature in modern times,—Burns, Scott, Carlyle, and Stevenson. It might be too early to predict the exact place of Stevenson, but he possessed "a style which for grace, for suppleness, for its power of being at once turned to any purpose which the author desired, has seldom been matched—in my judgment it has hardly been equalled—by any writer, English or Scotch." Of Carlyle Mr. Balfour spoke with reticence, for "I hold that only those who can admire fully and freely are competent critics of great genius." That is rather a hard saying. No doubt the critic must sympathise with and understand what he criticises, but to borrow De Quincey's phrase, there is a sympathy of comprehension as well as a sympathy of approbation. Mr. Balfour only touched lightly on Scott, and devoted the greater part of his speech to the influence of Burns. No doubt Burns's position is without parallel. The most fastidious critic cannot deny that he is a great poet, and at the same time he goes straight to the heart of the plain man. Mr. Balfour tried to explain his influence by saying that he deals with all the common and yet intimate affairs of life, "with love and friendship, the joys of family, and the sorrows of parting." But so do most other lyric poets. In our belief it is what we must call Burns's flesh-and-blood quality which makes him so universal. He is so great a poet because he is so intensely human. The flesh-and-blood quality may sometimes lead him towarde Rabelais, but at any rate it saves him from that "niceness and satiety" which render vapid so much good verse.

On Wednesday the Colonial Office published as a Parlia- mentary Paper the proceedings of the Conference held last July between Mr. Chamberlain and the Colonial Premiers. Unfortunately, the Premiers do not seem to have thought it advisable to allow their speeches to be published, and we have therefore to be content with Mr. Chamberlain's opening address and with the resolutions finally adopted. Mr. Chamberlain dealt with the various Imperial problems in a statesmanlike spirit. Without attempting to dogmatise, he had something suggestive to say on almost every point touched on. Though he referred to the great political results produced by the German Zollverein, we are glad to note that he made no attempt to advocate or press forward the proposals that have from time to time been made to place the Empire within a tariff fence and exclude the rest of the world. It is true that Mr. Chamberlain has never adopted the extreme view in regard to an Imperial Zollverein, but some of his former public utterances gave encouragement to a modified scheme of the kind. The resolutions adopted by the Con- ference in regard to the political relations between the Empire and the Colonies were most satisfactory. The Premiers—Mr. Seddon and Sir E. Braddon dissenting— expressed their opinion that "the present political relations between the United Kwgdom and the self-governing Colonies are generally satisfactory under the existing condition of things." That resolution should stay the hands of those who wish to force Imperial Federation to the front.

Reuter's correspondent, telegraphing from Wady Haifa on Monday, gives a most interesting account of the progress that has been made with the laying of the railway to Abu Hamed. One hundred and thirty-seven miles have already been completed, and at present the progress i s often two miles a day. At a place one hundred and three miles from Haifa the line reaches an altitude of 1,600 ft. above Haifa. Two hundred feet on the Egyptian side of the summit are the new wells lately bored by the engineers. The Arabs are intensely interested by the discovery, and in true Oriental style are beginning to see visions of palm-shaded villages springing up in the heart of the desert. It is, of course, too early to say yet whether the wells will prove inexhaustible, and also whether similar wells can be bored in other places—the engineers may have struck an exceptional place—but if, as seems possible, a new system of procuring water has been discovered, we may be able to

make oases where we want them, and thus revolutionise desert travel. The correspondexIt's de.seription of the working end of the line—a twelve honrs' journey from Haifa—is most curious and interesting. Tivi,ecapae pax} on8,of great activity, nearly three thousand. men 4eing, in camp, all under canvas. The work is pushed fpwward veityanittly;,4As soon as a train with material arriveeiwark begins, and:sleepers and rails are laid with extraordinary. speed. Mau of, the labourers are Dervishes who were captured, in lastfear's campaign. "They all work cheerfully, laughing' 'Like. children: The labourers engaged in the work of construction -stretch out in a long line across the desert."

News was received on Monday that on August 5th the King of Benin, accompanied by eight hundred armed men, ten chiefs, twenty wives, and "a reed band," entered Benin City and gave himself up,—another example of the rule that if a man is " wanted " by the British Government, they are almost certain to get him sooner or later. Two days after his arrival the British authorities received the King's 'obeisance outside the Palaver House. The King, who was surrounded by his chiefs and four hundred naked natives, and covered with coral decorations, asked to be allowed to make his submission in private, but this proposal the Resi- 'dent very properly refused. The King thereupon made his obeisance. "This he did by prostrating himself and rubbing his forehead three times in the dust, in accordance with native custom. The ten chiefs also made obeisance, observing the same formalities." Nothing, it is stated, will be settled as to the treatment of the King and his chiefs until the return of the Consul-General, Sir R. Moor. It is to be hoped that this public humiliation inflicted upon a treacherous ruler and an upholder of human sacrifice will have a wholesome 'effect throughout the West Coast.

Nowhere but in England could such a scene have been witnessed as that which took place in Trafalgar Square on Sunday last,—a scene, we are glad to say, eminently creditable -to the nation. The police of the Metropolis were on that day engaged in the not very easy duty of securing a hearing for Anarchist orators, and later, protecting the Anarchist leaders from the mob who were exceedingly anxious to "duck" them in the basins of the great fountains. Imagine the Paris or Berlin police preventing people from singing the National Anthem because it interrupted gentlemen who were spouting Anarchy. 'The police, of course, were perfectly right. If we are to have free-speech, we must secure men freedom not merely to speak what good men think right, or, again, what the majority think right, but what they want to speak,—provided, that is, they keep within the limits of decency. Let men -speak as much about Anarchy as they will, but if and when they try to carry their doctrines into effect by means of illegal acts, crush them mercilessly. That is the only safe policy. Nominally the meeting in Trafalgar Square was intended as a protest against the torturing of Anarchists by -the Spanish authorities, a protest with which we have no little sympathy. Unfortunately, however, the meeting seems to have ultimately degenerated into an Anarchist demonstra- tion. Though the chairman declared 4-hat he was no Anarchist, and entirely disagreed with the philosophy of Anarchy, Mr. Turner avowed himself an Anarchist, and Dr. Aveling, according to the Times' report, declared that the execution of Angiolille Walk murder. "If even a Prime Minister repre- sented a crime'there was no reason why he should be exempt from punishment any more than a man who was hanged." These sophistries were not at all appreciated by the mob, which ultimately became very unmanageable, and one of the Spanish exiles and "a noted English Anarchist" had to escape in a cab after the manner of "the haughty aristocrat" who has aroused popular indignation. What a topsy-turvy world it must seem to the Spanish Anarchists when they find themselves being protected by the police.

Angiolillo, the murderer of Seiior Canova,s, was garrotted inside the prison of Vergara on Saturday last, no one but the authorities being present. That and the refusal of the Spanish authorities to allow sensational .details to be pub- lished in regard to the execution appear to vs as most wise. Nothing is so likely to cause imitators as great notoriety, being accorded to the criminal. Angiolillo remained to the very end unwilling to accept the ministrations of the Domini-

can monks who attended him. It has transpired, however, that on his way to and at the scaffold he showed great calm- ness, and that just before he sat down on the executioner's bench, having been told that he might speak, he called out in a loud voice the single word "Germinal." We presume • 'he meant by this the notion that he had sown a seed which would grow and spread. The man was evidently as brave as fanatics and madmen usually are, but also vain. He showed, it is said, considerable anxiety that the photograph taken in prison should do him justice.

The dispute at the Penrhyn quarries which has lasted so many months was settled on Saturday last, a meeting of the quarrymen confirming the terms agreed on between their leaders and Lord Penrhyn's agents. It is alleged on behalf of the men that they have carried every one of their points, while on behalf of Lord Penrhyn it is stated that the terms are identical with those offered to, but refused by, the men last May. We do not profess to be able to judge absolutely about a matter so complicated and confused by so many technical details, but we are heartily glad that the bitter struggle should have come to an end in a way which both sides declare to be satisfactory. The men had clearly a right to combine freely, but equally clearly it was absurd of them to imagine that Lord Penrhyn could or would allow them to dictate the way in which the quarries ought to be worked. If, as is asserted on one side, the right of combination is secured, and if, as is asserted on the other, Lord Penrhyn will be able to keep the management of the quarries in his own hands, and free from the dictation of an irresponsible committee, eaeli side has gained its essential aim. As to whether Lord Penrhyn ever wished to interfere with combination, and as to whether the committee of workmen ever wished to interfere in the management, we need not now inquire.

It is announced that Sir Robert Giffen, one of our ablest publie servants, is about to resign his position at the Board of Trade, and to take the rest to which his long service and hard work entitle him. We regret this decision in the interest of the public service, for Sir Robert Giffen has been a most loyal and devoted official, but at the same time we feel sure that he will find opportunities for using his rare gifts and vast knowledge to increase our understanding of the thousand subjects which can be illuminated by figures and statistics. Sir Robert Giffen has BO unique a position as a statistical expert that he will have to be very " stiff " if he wishes to avoid being put on most Royal Commissions which touch his subjects. But a Royal Commission not concerned with statistics is almost as unthinkable as a subject in regard to which Sir Robert Giffen could not produce an appropriate table of figures.

At Toronto on Tuesday, before the Geographical Section of the British Association, Mr. &dons read a paper on "The'Economic Geography of Rhodesia." Fever seems to be the great difficulty, and it even invades the highlands, which in other ways possess an admirable climate. Possibly the fever will decrease if the lands are cultivated. Mr. Selma thinks it impossible that Rhodesia will ever export agricultural products, though it may supply its own local wants. As to cattle, a great deal of the country is well adapted to produce large herds, but the horse seems unable to stand the climate. What Mr. Selotui says about the labour question throws light upon the way in which the natives are too often treated. "When I found that any of them [i.e., the Kaffirs] were lazy I paid them fpr the number of days they had been working and got rid of them, and I think it is much better to do this than to knock them about and try to force them to work." Practically Mr. Selous comes to the conclusion that everything depends upon whether there is or is not gold. If there is, there will be a. good local market. If not, a man may support himself happily enough as a settler, but will not make money. All we can say is that if there are paying gold deposits in Rhodesia they have taken longer to " materialise " than any gold deposits of which the world has hitherto had experience.

Bank Rate, 2 per cent.

New Consols (2i) were on Friday, 1121.