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Black Republic of Letters

Note - Lord Salisbury

Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (1830-1903), known as Lord Salisbury was a British statesman who served as Prime Minister three times between 1885 and 1902. Learn more about Lord Salisbury.

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Bulletin of Europe and America
France
Several newspapers report that the Minister of War intends to rejuvenate the ranks of French general officers, as the latest major maneuvers have demonstrated the need to promote senior officers based on merit rather than seniority.

During the first months of 1890, imports amounted to 2,983,937,000 francs and exports to 2,401,813,000 francs. Compared to the corresponding period in 1889, these results represent an increase of 116,852,000 for imports and 68,832,000 for exports.

Portugal
The situation is becoming increasingly complicated. The king's position is becoming extremely difficult. He appealed in vain to all eligible men to form a ministry: progressives and republicans alike declared that they did not feel strong enough to have the agreement concluded with England passed in the Chamber. However, this unfortunate agreement has already been signed by the king; in some regions of Africa, it has even begun to be implemented. What can be done? Tear up the agreement? That would mean inevitable war with England, which is to say defeat and its harsh consequences. Indefinitely adjourn the convocation of the Chambers? That would mean immediate revolution.

A few clever individuals thought for a moment that they had found a solution: they proposed asking Lord Salisbury to change certain clauses of the Anglo-Portuguese Convention so as not to undermine the monarchical principle. It was a display of naivety coupled with complete ignorance of English political principles. Even before the proposal had been made officially, the Times, which had got wind of it, declared that if the Portuguese did not keep quiet, another small piece of their African possessions would be taken from them. No further efforts were taken in Lisbon.

Amidst this great turmoil, this appalling political crisis from which nothing good can be expected, it is regrettable to see the Portuguese republicans, whose patriotism dictated that they should cease their anti-dynastic opposition so as not to weaken the government in the eyes of foreign powers, instead taking advantage of external difficulties to push the country toward revolution.

The latest: Lisbon, 13 October—The crisis has eased, the new ministry is definitively constituted in the following manner:

President of the Council and Minister of War, General Aben e Sousa; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Barbosa du Bocage; of Finance, Mr. Mello Bouveia; of the Navy, Mr. Ennes; of the Interior, Mr. Antonio Candido; of Justice, Mr. Brandao; of Public Works, Mr. Thomas Ribeiro.

England
The war in Ireland continues. The Irish deputies O'Brien and Dillon, whose arrest and trial we had previously announced, have secretly left for America, despite their trial, which was proceeding tempestuously in Tipperary. Their bail of one thousand pounds each was therefore forfeited. This challenge to the government is said to have caused quite a stir in political circles. Arrest warrants have been issued.

However, the inevitable famine threatens, relentlessly, the poor and desolate population of the Emerald Isle. Winter is approaching, and no measures have been taken to attenuate the frightening miseries that recur every year at this time.

It is well known that England did not want to submit the settlement of the African question to an arbitration tribunal—whose ruling would most likely be unfavourable to it—nor did it want to amend the Anglo-Portuguese treaty in such a way as to satisfy, to some extent, Portugal's material and moral interests. We are calmly awaiting developments in London, because whatever solution the Portuguese government adopts, England will always come out on top. It is true that it is playing a very nasty role in this whole affair, but it couldn't care less.

The English press is preoccupied with the famous McKinley Bill. The Times expresses its irritation with it very strongly. It sees it as a manifestation of hostility, barely less disguised than the decrees issued by Napoleon in Berlin and Milan, and which can only be explained by a desire to inflict the greatest possible damage on British interests.

Germany
The 1873 emergency law against socialists expired on October 1. Some German media outlets, considering the consequences of this new situation, went so far as to lament the absence of Mr. Bismarck, who, in their opinion, had a firmer grip on power.

On the other hand, the socialists, who cannot fail to welcome the benefits that the repeal of the measures taken against them 12 years ago seems likely to bring, are celebrating sincerely as a family. It seems that they will content themselves with these private celebrations, determined as they are to focus all their efforts on means that will help spread their propaganda—which they intend to do through the press.

It is believed that a more liberal regime will begin in Germany, and that the initiative taken by Emperor Wilhelm II will not be useless in calming worker unrest and neutralizing revolutionary propaganda.

German circles are seriously considering the possibility of a European commercial union that would enable them to effectively combat the protectionist policy of the United States.

Italy
At a grand banquet held on October 9 in Florence, Mr. Crispi gave a speech that was eagerly awaited in Europe. Several Italian newspapers say that there was great disappointment, particularly due to the silence that the prime minister felt he had to maintain on the financial issue.

Mr. Crispi, who would have preferred to enjoy a plate of macaroni while contemplating the beautiful sky of Naples rather than having to deliver this speech, found a way to say kind words to France as well as to Germany and Austria. Being on good terms with France while remaining in the Triple Alliance: this is the thinking that sums up Italy's current policy. Mr. Crispi is certainly clever, but it doesn't matter! He will have some difficulty achieving this result. In short, the situation remains unchanged, and it is fair to say that nothing has changed in Europe; it is merely one more speech.

Mr. Crispi was less lucky with Anglo-Egyptian delegates. Applying the practical formula do ut des, he wanted to get as much as possible in return for what he gave—and even for what he did not give. The negotiations in Naples were aimed at dividing up Egyptian Sudan and the Red Sea coast. Possession of Kassala was the stumbling block. Without Kassala, the Italians are confined to Massawa and have no outlet to the interior.

The Italian delegates had also been instructed to demand Kassala unconditionally. But when this point came up for discussion, the English delegates put forward this ineffable argument: “Kassala is part of the Ottoman Empire, and it is not for England to dispose of it.” This respect for the sultan's suzerainty rights was quite unexpected on the part of those who had so readily occupied Egypt.

In any case, Mr. Crispi must fear that this diplomatic failure will have an unfortunate influence on the results of the upcoming legislative elections. One wonders whether, in order to justify the enormous sacrifices imposed on Italy by the occupation of Massawa, he will risk antagonizing England by occupying Kassala without warning.

Russia
There is feverish activity, especially in Moscow, in anticipation of the French Exhibition, to be staged in that city by the Franco-Russian alliance. As proof of the enthusiasm therein, we even go so far as to name Germany: The Crocodile wanting to eat the Slavs and the French. We condemn those who say that it would suffice to throw Alsace and Lorraine to France as bait to distract it from the Russians. We are preparing splendid ovations for the French exhibitors. In short, Moscow's youth is all fired up about France...and vice versa.

United Staes
The McKinley bill has passed through all stages of the legislative process and is now law.

The new tariff came into effect on October 6. Regarding the various amendments introduced by the conference of American consuls in Europe, it is said in well-informed circles that some of these amendments are the result of an agreement between the French government and the US minister in Paris. The French government will have to commit itself to doing everything in its power to persuade the Chambers to lift, or at least modify, the restrictions on imports of American pork. Following a report on this subject sent to Washington, the conference reportedly voted in favour of various changes benefiting French wines and artwork.

But whatever the outcome of the McKinley Bill and its amendments, it is safe to say that it will create a new situation for the commercial and industrial world.
Miscellany
Chinese Ingenuity
Would you like to know the formalities that travelers in China must go through to obtain a passport? They coat the palm of their hand with oil paint, then press it onto a thin, damp sheet of paper, which retains the imprint of the lines. Since the lines on two people's hands are almost never identical, this prevents travellers from lending their passports to each other.

The subtlety of the Chinese has also discovered that the thumbprints of two different people or the thumbs of the same person are not the same. The Chinese police therefore simply keep the thumbprints of every criminal. Criminals can then shave and wear wigs; no matter what disguise they adopt, they can never change their thumbprints, which can be compared at any time with those stored at the central police office of the Celestial Empire.

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Ministerial Setbacks
Lord Salisbury recently had a minor mishap that greatly amused the people of London and Paris. Customs officers in New Haven seized one of his carriages containing a considerable supply of rum, cognac, cigars, and sugar, which his people were trying to smuggle. The coachman, refusing to pay the fine, was arrested.

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The other day, Mr. Goblet got on the bus without realizing he had forgotten his wallet. It can happen to anyone. The driver, showing no consideration for the former prime minister, made him get off. He was strictly within his rights. But the irascible statesman, sensitive to this affront, sent a strongly worded complaint to the company. The company replied: “The driver you are complaining about followed his instructions and observed the rules.”

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Gounod and Barnum
The author of Faust is currently involved in a lawsuit that deeply upsets his true friends. The subject of the dispute is very simple: Gounod—hard to believe—apparently promised some barnum in the United States that he would follow him and conduct an orchestra across the Star-Spangled Republic.

The deal must have been attractive. The Americans promised no less than a million francs for the French musician; they also undertook to pay his travel expenses and those of the servant who would accompany him. But at the last moment, Mr. Gounod withdrew his word. He apologized, saying that his age and health would not allow him to endure the fatigue inherent in such a journey, and... he received a summons from his opponents.

This trial brings to mind a typical anecdote in which a renowned French pianist was once the hero. The artist had signed a contract that required him to go and perform on the other side of the Atlantic. He arrived in a major city in the United States, where his manager had, he said, arranged a concert: the fee was regal, the cash register overflowing with dollars, the fruit of advance ticket sales for the venue. A huge round of applause was inevitable. The virtuoso was promised a triumph.

The pianist followed his barnum.

And indeed, he found an enthusiastic audience, a packed house, and a full box office; the men in black suits, the women in low-cut dresses...

But... but on the stage set up for the occasion, there was no piano to be seen!

The artist, initially delighted, soon began to show signs of understandable concern; he had planned to play Beethoven and Mozart. But on what instrument?

Slightly disconcerted, he stepped forward toward the audience and bowed, then turned toward his barnum:

“Where is the piano?” he asked in a low voice.

“The piano! There isn't one,” replied the American.

"There isn't one!" said the artist. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

“Sing them the Marseillaise, and they'll be satisfied,” said the interlocutor with a friendly smile.

History does not tell us what the pianist did.

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The Prince of Labourers
It seems that in the Prussian monarchy, the excellent custom of teaching all children of princely families a manual trade is still followed. Emperor Frederick was a carpenter, and Wilhelm II is said to be a skilled bookbinder. The three sons of Prince Albert of Prussia, two of whom are masons and the third a carpenter, are currently building a pavilion under the supervision of master craftsmen. And Prince Albert himself is supervising the work.

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Louise Michel, flower vendor
The famous lecturer preferred to set herself up as a flower seller in Covent Garden rather than let the French government lock her up as insane—which would have happened sooner or later.

We are happy to report that she is putting on weight, thanks to the countless beers she continues to drink in the company of German and Russian refugees.

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