first introduced it was recommended on the grounds that it established one educational authority, but Ministers have made mincemeat of the alleged fundamental principle of the Bill, and have made confusion worse confounded by the creation of a multiplicity of uncoordinated authorities. In order to buy off the opposition of their supporters who dreaded the consequence of an increase of rates, Mr. Balfour has saddled the taxpayer with an increased dole to elementary schools of £900,000. In the original Bill he proposed to make a grant of £640,000 to elementary schools and £220,000 to the necessitous Board Schools. By the amendment which he announced these grants disappear, and in their place there will be a new grant of £1,760,000 from the Treasury. A little more than half the fund will be distributed on the principle of allowing 45. per head for every child in attendance at any public elementary school, and the remaining half will be distributed on the principle of giving an extra 4s. per head to the poorest districts. Other districts will be dealt with pro rata, but in any district in which a penny rate produces a sum amounting to 10s. per head no extra grant will be made. that they have riddled the Bill through and through, and compelled Ministers to make concession after concession. One of the most important changes which they have brought about was the substitution of "shall" for "may" in the clause empowering the local authority to spend what is often called "whiskey money" in secondary education. The 2d. rate limit in county boroughs is abolished, so is the provisional order of procedure, and the local authority is no longer left free to neglect secondary education, but must also undertake the training of teachers as part of its duties. The real crux of the Bill has not yet been reached. Ministers are losing their tempers; the Chairman of Committee has already lost his head, and the prospects of carrying the Bill, except by drastic use of the closure, which will provoke an explosion of fury in the country, are diminishing daily. The New Universal regret has been expressed both at home and abroad at the French Ministry. retirement of M. Waldeck-Rousseau from the French Premiership. The retiring Premier had for three years governed France with unexpected success. He had saved the Republic from the menacing alliance of Nationalists and Clericals and reactionaries of all shades of opinion, and when the electors had endorsed his election by an increased majority he felt justified in resigning a task of which he had grown weary. He was succeeded by M. Combes, a Radical, who was originally educated for the priesthood, and, like many a Freethinker who has had a similar train Westminster Gazette.] The Conversion of St. Michael. 704 SIR HOWARD VINCENT, MR. HENRY CHAPLIN, AND MR. JAMES W. LOWTHER: "Got him at last! Westminster Gazette.] The Backslider. SIR MICHAEL: "Ah! there's nothing like the good old tipple, after all!' SIR HOWARD VINCENT AND MR. CHAPLIN: "Oh dear, dear! he's lost!' ing, he is vehemently anti-Clerical. He had very little difficulty in framing his Cabinet, retaining M. Delcassé as the indispensable Foreign Minister, and General André as War Minister. Millerand, the Socialist, disappears, together with many of his colleagues. The Ministerial programme is very advanced, and it would seem from their administrative action that the new Government intend to exert their power to the full against the Catholic priesthood. Nine thousand priests are said to have been guilty of what in Republican eyes was undue exercise of spiritual influence against the Government; and although they cannot be punished by loss of their salaries, there is no doubt that the temporary majority is at present in favour of drastic measures against Clericalism in all its forms. M. Bourgeois, who has been elected President of the Chamber in place of M. Deschanel, is in many quarters regarded as the coming man int France. The Private Endowment of The resignation of Lord Hopetounthe first British Governor of federated Australia, because he found it imposPublic Offices. sible to discharge international duties on the international salary, reminds us of one weak point in our Imperial system. To be GovernorGeneral of Canada, India, or Australia a Governor must not only be capable, he must be rich. This unduly restricts the area of choice. Men of capacity are not too numerous, but men of capacity who are able to pay from £5,000 to £10,000 a year out of their private fortune for five years on end are exceedingly scarce. If the original Rhodesian idea had been carried out this difficulty could have been overcome. Governorships are few. The same evil exists in a more aggravated shape in the case of American Embassies. The Americans are the richest and most lavish nation on the planet; but there is not a single American Ambassador who is allowed sufficient salary to meet his expenses. Why does not some Rockefeller or Carnegie create a fund for the endowment of American Ambassadors? At present the higher posts in the diplomatic service are the monopoly of the very rich. and Lingual. But great In the last days of last month the Alliances Racial Triple Alliance was renewed at Berlin. Thanks to the existence of the Dual Alliance the renewal of the Triple can be regarded without alarm. The two Alliances, which are to a certain extent interlocked by the Austro-Russian understanding as to the Balkans and the Franco-Italian agreement as to the Mediterranean, are tending towards the recon M. Combes. (New French Premier). stitution of the European Concert, minus Great Britain. The English-speaking world, if it were to unite, is strong enough to stand alone. A Scandinavian correspondent sends me a vigorous plea for including the Scandinavian countries in the English-speaking group, and by way of giving effect to his suggestions he demands that the teaching of English should be made compulsory in all the primary schools of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. So many Scandinavians emigrate to the United States that this addition to the school curriculum would be very advantageous to the migrating Northmen. Who knows but that some other millionaire may yet supplement Mr. Rhodes's bequests by endowing every nation with scholarships which makes the teaching of English compulsory in its primary schools? At present, on the Continent, it is only in Hamburg where English is taught in elementary schools. Elsewhere in Germany it is only in some of the secondary schools that it is insisted upon. But before this becomes universal we shall have to reform our orthography. Sydney Bulletin.] Lord Hopetoun gives Notice. The International Union. tion a work comparing the realities of war in China, South Africa, and the Philippines with the theories of civilised warfare laid down by the Governments whose armies resorted to methods of barbarism. A collection is being formed of pictures, photographs, etc., suitable for lantern slides. Any of our readers who have suggestions or contributions to make, either to the collections of facts or of illustrations, are requested to communicate with the secretary of the British Branch of the International Union, Mowbray House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C. The attempt to federate the forces, organised and otherwise, which in every civilised community are working for peace, is still persisted in. The French branch of the International Union has been organised, with M. Sully-Prudhomme and M. Passy as presidents. Thanks to the energetic initiative of M. Richet, two branches of the Union have been organised in Italy. No branch of the International can be formed in Russia, although the primary purpose of the Union is to secure the execution of the provisions of the Hague Conventions, the authorities in that country having a holy horror of the very word International. It is intended to conduct a vigorous propaganda in favour of the adoption of the Hague rules, both of war and of peace, in the coming winter. There is in prepara Japanese Telegrams have already appeared in the European Press foreshadowing a Naval Expansion. new naval programme in Japan, but the actual facts showed that the Government, under Count Katsura, have stormy times. to look forward to should they proceed with the proposed scheme. The Marquis Yamagata does not regard an increase of the navy as a legitimate sequel of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. England's object, he thinks, in entering into the Alliance was to be in a position to use the Japanese army in Central Asia, not for any benefits to accrue from the Japanese navy. The Marquis thinks that it would be far better to provide amply for the maintenance of the present navy than to build new vessels. The whole of Japan is at present divided into two camps-those desirous of an increased navy at any cost, and those who think the cost is likely to be too great for the value it would render to the nation. It is probable that the new scheme will involve an outlay of 120 million yenabout £12,000,000-spread over six years, the ships constructed being five first-class battleships of 15,000 tons each, two armoured cruisers of 10,000 tons each, eight second-class cruisers of 4,800 tons, and ten torpedo destroyers of 250 tons a total of 135,900 tons. That this scheme, possibly slightly modified, will be passed is certain, but it is very likely to prove the last stroke to the present Cabinet under Count Katsura. Should this be so we may look for a return to power of the Marquis Ito. The rock upon which Count Katsura will be wrecked is the question of how to provide the necessary funds. That this should be done without recourse to foreign loans is the wish of every Japanese statesman. CHIEF EVENTS OF THE MONTH. June 1.-The terms of Peace in South Africa announced in London. June 2.-Peace celebrated throughout the Empire. June 3.-M. Waldeck-Rousseau and his Ministry resign ... A rehearsal of the Coronation procession of June 27th takes place ... Prince of Wales's thirty-seventh birthday. June 4.-The King, Queen, and Prince and Princess of Wales visit Epsom for the Derby... The Hon. Michael Herbert, C.B., is appointed Ambassador to Washington... Explosion in coal mine, at Dowlais, South Wales; eight deaths. June 5. The new Bermuda floating dock is tested by the Sinspareil at Sheerness... Lord Avebury opens the Sir John Cass Technical Institute at Aldgate. June 6.-M. Bourgeois is elected President of the French Chamber by 326 votes out of 503 ... The Reichstag Committee on Sugar Bills approves the Brussels Convention... The Legislative Council of India imposes countervailing duties on German and Austrian sugars Mr. Max Waechter presents Richmond with estate to preserve the view from Richmond Hill Mr. Sievier's filly Sceptre wins the Oaks... Mass meeting is heid in Cape Town in favour of the suspension of the Constitution. June 8.-Thanksgiving services are held in all parts of the country for Peace. The King and Queen attend service in St. Paul's. June 7.-M. Combes forms a new French Ministry ... Mr. Irvine forms a new Ministry at Victoria... M. Bloch's Peace and War Museum opened at Lucerne ... New Volunteer Regulations are issued... The report of the committee to inquire into education and training of military officers is published, and strongly condemns the present system The second reading of Bill for abolition of the "dictatorship" paragraph in Alsace-Lorraine carried in German Reichstag. June 9.-Special meeting is held at the Mansion House in connection with the Coronation gift to the King... It is announced that a special gratuity will be made to all soldiers who have served eighteen months in South Africa... Fire in Queen Victoria Street, City; nine lives lost. Serious charges against efficiency of fire-escapes in London At a public meeting in; Dublin resolutions congratulating the King and Queen on their Coronation and on Peace are carried. ... June 10.-M. Bourgeois takes the Chair in the Chamber of Deputies as President, and M. Combes reads Ministerial declaration announcing the future programme of his Cabinet ... Parliamentary papers issued giving estimated amount still required to be spent on the Army in South Africa at £28,000,000 ... The Bishop of London announces that the Queen has decided to give a tea and medals to 10,000 maids-of-all-work in London German Sugar Bill read a second time. June 11.-The Prince of Wales unveils memorial tablet at St. John's, Clerkenwell, in memory of the members of St. John's Ambulance who died in South Africa The Austrian Poles are very indignant at the recent speech of the German Emperor at Marienburg on Prussian Poles The French Newfoundland fisheries are reported a failure this year... "Colonel" Lynch is arrested on a charge of treason when he arrives in London. June 12.-Prince Komatsu and suite arrive in London ... Russia declines to ratify the Manchurian Convention unless the British railway agreement is revised... The British Minister in Peking agrees to a pro rata reduction of 2 per cent. of indemnity claims In the Chamber of Deputies in Paris debate on general policy of the Government, vote of confidence in Ministry carried by 329 votes to 124 The widow of Colonel Henry gains her action for libel against M. Reinach and is awarded 500 francs. June 13.-The King receives addresses of loyalty and congratulations for peace from the Corporation of London and the June 15.-Hospital Sunday in London. June 16.-The Queen, in absence of the King from indisposition, holds review of 31,000 troops at Aldershot ... Lord James of Hereford, as general chairman of the Coal Conciliation Board, declares a reduction of 10 per cent. in miners' wages, to take effect in July The Upper House of Prussian Diet requests the Government to adopt measures for combating abuse of alcoholic liquors. June 17.-The King's health is reported much better, but he The does not attend Ascot races; Queen goes in semi-state Coronation banquet of the Royal Asiatic Society to the Indian princes is held in London, the Duke of Connaught states that the Prince and Princess of Wales will visit India ... The L.C.C. determines to seek Parliamentary powers to establish municipal steamboat service of the Thames The German military contingent in China is to be reduced to 3,300 officers and men. June 18.-Official programme of the Coronation processions published A meeting in support of the Education Bill held at the Church House The second conversazione of the Royal Society... Mr. Gerald Balfour receives a deputation from the Institution of Electrical Engineers, urging the removing of impediments in the way of electrical development. ... ... June 19.-The United States Senate relegates to the President the choice of route for the Isthmian Canal Discussion of Bill reducing term of military service to two years begins in French Senate Lord Brassey gives evidence before the House of Commons Steamship Subsidies Committee The Advisory Committee of the King's Sanatorium for Consumption purchases a site at Midhurst, Sussex. June 20.-Lord Milner takes up his office as Governor of the Transvaal The Secretary for War of the United States presents statement showing total expenditure on the war in the Philippines to have been 170,326,586 dollars ... The German Emperor issues an order expressing his own and nation's loss in death of King of Saxony The sale of the Humbert pictures begins in Paris; 70 pictures realise 615,000 francs ... An attack is made by a Socialist Deputy upon the new French Ministry, but rejected by 455 votes to 21. ... June 21.-Russia withdraws from the Foreign Government of Tientsin, and from the Foreign Conference at Peking The Queen Victoria Memorial Fund exceeds £200,000 The Peace despatches reach London ... The Chilian Senate ratifies the arrangement between the Chilian and Argentine Governments without a division. June 23.-Telegram from Sir Francis Knollys, stating that the bad reports as to the King's health are baseless, is published The King and Queen arrive in London from Windsor Lord Milner is sworn in at Bloemfontein as Governor of the Orange River Colony. June 24.-Operation upon the King for perityphlitis by Sir Frederick. Treves successfully performed... Coronation festivities postponed Universal sympathy throughout Empire and world. ... June 25.-King's condition is announced to be good. June 26.-King continues to improve. Intercessory services for the King are held at St. Paul's and throughout the country Bank holiday in honour of Coronation Day Long list of Coronation honours announced Institution of a special Order of Merit, limited to twelve persons annually ... ... The Prince and Princess of Wales entertain 1,300 children from various London charitable homes at Marlborough House French deficit estimated at 180,000,000 francs ... The Spooner Isthmian Canal Bill adopted by both Houses of Congress. June 27.-Bank Holiday King's condition continues to improve...Modified Coronation festivities are held in provincial towns The Prince and Princess of Wales again entertain. poor children A railway from Swakopmund to Windheck in German South West Africa is opened-235 miles long at a cost of £650,000... The Viceroy of Szechuan reports that a missionary has been killed and mission buildings destroyed by a mob... The French Government decides to reduce the powers of the Governor-General of Indo-China and orders the closing of 120 girls' schools established since the passing of Religious Associations Law. June 28.-King continues to improve Many of the special envoys leave England Intercessory services for the King again held. The Triple Alliance is renewed at Berlin by Count von Bülow and the Austrian and Italian Ambassadors without alteration... Over 15,000 persons in Cape Town have signed the petition in favour of the suspension of the Constitution... The Swedish Ministry resigns and M. Böstrom undertakes the forming of a new Cabinet ... Cholera appears in Tokio and Peking. June 29.-The King continues to improve. ... An Inter June 30.-The King's progress is reported good Coronation bonfires are lighted in many places The Conference of the Colonial Premiers begins at Colonial Office Report of the Port of London Commission is published national Tramways and Light Railways Congress and Exhibition is opened in London The Hospital Sunday Fund amounts to more than £37,000 The West Indies Distress Fund amounts to £58,000 Conference of Russian oil-producers determines to petition for a reduction of the present tariff for the carriage of Russian oil, to enable them to compete with American oil-producers. PARLIAMENTARY. House of Lords. June 3.-Lands Valuation (Scotland) Amendment Bill passes through committee Discussion on the decisions as to boilers resultant on the trials of H.M.S. Minerva and H. M.S. Hyacinth; Lords Selborne, Spencer, Goschen, and Lamington speak. June 4.-Lord Salisbury brings up a message from the King recommending grant to Lord Kitchener of £50,000. June 5.-Lord Salisbury moves the concurrence of the House in proposed grant to Lord Kitchener, and also series of resolutions of thanks to troops; Lord Spencer speaks ... Loan Bill is read a first time ... Lord Peel presents Bill to allow British Museum to remove newspapers, etc., to other quarters. June 6.-Loan Bill read a second time Lord Goschen speaks on national credit. June 9.-Loan Bill read a third time and passed Wild Birds Protection Acts Amendment Bill passes through committee. June 10.-Lord Grey elicits the information that the Govern ment intends to introduce the Prevention of Corruption Bill this session. June 12.-Pauper Children (Ireland) Bill read a second time The Wild Birds Protection Bill passed In answer to Lord Cross the Lord Chancellor gives information as to the Queen Anne's Bounty Board. June 13.-British Museum Bill passes through Committee ... Duke of Devonshire promises a return of the number of students sent abroad for final training The Lands Valuation (Scotland) Amendment Bill passed. ... June 17.-Fresh Water Fish (Scotland) Bill read a second time... Royal Naval Reserve Volunteers Bill read second time; speech by Lord Selborne... Pauper Children (Ireland) Bill passes through Committee Speeches by Lord Wilton and Lord Selborne on armour and projectiles in the Navy. June 20.-After discussion the Midwives' Bill is read a second time The Sale of Intoxicating Liquors (Licenses) (Ireland) Bill read a second time ... British Museum Bill passed ... June 3.-Education Bill in Committee: first clause, reject amendments by Corrie Grant (153 against), Mr. Stevenson (185 against), Dr. Macnamara (219 against). June 4.-Sir M. Hicks-Beach informs Mr. McCrae that he intends to retain the corn tax and income tax The King's message about Lord Kitchener is referred to Committee of Supply Education Bill in Committee: reject amendments by Dr. Macnamara (196 against), Mr. Brynmor Jones (220 against), Mr. Channing (183 against) ... Sir M. Hicks-Beach moves third reading of the Loan Bill and deals with effects produced by the proclamation of Peace; speech by Sir William Harcourt; motion carried by 216 votes to 49. June 5.-In Committee of Supply Mr. Balfour moves that grant of £50,000 be made to Lord Kitchener in conformity with the Royal message; tributes to Lord Kitchener by Mr. Balfour and Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman; Mr. Dillon and Mr. W. Redmond oppose the motion, which, after a violent scene, is carried with majority of 336 Mr. Balfour moves vote of thanks to troops; Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman supports and Mr. J. Redmond opposes motion, which is carried by 382 votes against 42 ... Fresh Water Fish (Scotland) Bill and Royal Naval Reserve Volunteers Bill read a third time Discussion on the L.C.C. (Subways and Tramways) Bill and objection to Embankment Tramway; Bill read a third time. June 6.—University of Wales (Graduates) Bill read a third time The Midwives Bill in Committee; amendments by T. P. O'Connor and D. Ambrose agreed to. Bill ordered for third reading. June 9.-Finance Bill in Committee. Sir H. Fowler moves to postpone first clause; Chancellor of Exchequer, Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. Gibson Bowles, and others speak; motion defeated by 264 votes to 176. Mr. Channing moves amendment limiting grain duty to one year; Sir W. Harcourt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Blake, and Sir E. Grey speak; rejected by 236 votes to 173. Proposal to exempt Ireland from the tax rejected by 99 majority. June 10.-In Committee on Finance Bill, prolonged debate on the corn duty; speeches by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, Mr. Gibson Bowles, Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. Austen Chamberlain, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. First clause of the Bill, sanctioning imposition of the tax, agreed to by 279 votes to 193 Clauses 2, 3, and 4 also agreed to after discussion ; Clause 5, dealing with stamp duty on cheques, is struck out. June 11.-Irish members raise question of "Colonel" Lynch's arrest Debate on Finance Bill in Committee; Clause 6 passes without division. Mr. Joseph Walton and Mr. Haldane propose new clauses dealing with modification of the tax on the export of coal and the repeal of the duty on pure alcohol used for manufacturing purposes. The former proposal rejected and the latter adopted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. June 12.-Mr. Brodrick states that the promised inquiry into the management of the war shall be conducted by a small Royal Commission Irish Members again question Government over Mr. Lynch's arrest In Committee of Supply, votes for British Museum (166,580), National Gallery, etc., passed; prisons vote passed (£660,929) Mr. Ritchie speaks on soldiers in civil prisons. ... June 13.-The Midwives Bill, Shop Clubs Bill, Sale of Intoxicating Liquors (Licences) (Ireland) Bill, and Cremation Bill read a third time. June 16.-Mr. Balfour states that there will be no Coronation Address to the Throne ... Debate in Committee on Finance Bill resumed. Amendment to omit maize from first schedule brought forward by Mr. Flynn; rejected by 243 to 175. Locust beans deleted; rice not allowed to be excluded. Mr. Osmond Williams' amendment to reduce duty on grain offals |