ADDRESSES, &c., BY MR. ARTHUR O'NEILL, OF

BIRMINGHAM.

KING'S HEATH.-On the 12th January the Baptist Chapel was filled with an audience that heard with interest an address on the rumours of war that had prevailed lately, and the powerful expression of Peace feeling by which they had been met. The Rev. J. Collett ably presided.

WEST BROMWICH.-Next day, at a good meeting, Mr. Taylor presided. Mr. Carr took part.

BIRMINGHAM.-Next day a meeting of leading friends of Peace was held at the Temperance Institute, by invitation of the Lecturer, to consult on the American, Transvaal, Ashanti, and other questions.

ASTON. On the 19th Rev. F. M. Young spoke earnestly, and so did Mr. Munton.

DUDLEY PORT-On the 21st a good meeting. Mr. Screen presided.

HOCKLEY-On the 26th addressed a large gathering of teachers, scholars, and friends at the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist School. Mr. Williams presided. The Rev. Hugh Roberts, of Dolgelly, and Mr. W. Thomas, took part.

HIGHGATE.-On the 4th February addressed the ministers and messengers of the seventy-two churches comprising the West Midland Baptist Association, and moved a message of peace and goodwill to America. This was seconded by the Rev. R. Gray, supported by the Rev. Hampden Lee, and passed with acclamation.

ASHTON NEW TOWN.-Next day at the Primitive Methodist Chapel. Mr. John Prosser presided. Mr. Thomas Wright and Mr. John Baker took part.

BROWN HILLS, CANNOCK.-Next day a meeting in the Primitive Methodist Chapel. The Rev. Arthur Smith spoke.

CENTRAL BIRMINGHAM.-On the 10th the lecturer (by special request) distributed the prizes to the scholars of Sion School, Newhall Street, in the presence of a large number of parents and friends. He pointedly warned them of the dangers of concert halls, recruiting parties, and Boys' Brigades, and gave instances of hopeful youths who had been tempted into the army and had returned with ruined constitutions and characters.

HILL TOP, WEST BROMWICH.-Next day, Mr. J. Cotterell presided. Mr. Cadman took part.

POLICE INSTITUTE, BIRMINGHAM.-On the 16th gave two addresses in the Assembly Room to a good number of police officers and friends. Mr. J. T. Wilson, superintendent, spoke and prayed. Three officers took part and then went on night duty. SPARKBROOK.-On the 19th gave two addresses. The Rers. W Babidge and J. Hallett heartily welcomed the lecturer. Messrs. Langley and Hickin took part.

BOURNEMOUTH.

The Bournemouth Federation of Free Churches (Mr. S. W. Chandler, Secretary) have passed a resolution in favour of Arbitration between Great Britain and the United States.

OAKLAND (CALIFORNIA).

The Rev. W. Rader and Mr. W. R. Snow have forwarded to us a comprehensive and very friendly resolution adopted by the Oakland Institute of Applied Christianity, in favour of arbitrating the Venezuela dispute.

BRADFORD.

A large meeting was held, at Bradford, last month, in favour of a peaceful settlement of the dispute with America. It was convened by the Mayor, in response to a requisition signed by 101 influential citizens. Good speeches were made and resolutions heartily adopted in support of the object of the gathering. The Mayor (Alderman W. W. Wood) presided, and there were on the platform Mr. Alfred Illingworth, Sir Henry Mitchell, Mr. W. P. Byles, Mr. E. Priestman, Alderman F. Priestman, Mr. J. J. Wright, the Revs. C. Gallacher, T. Rhondda Williams, G. P. Clarke, Monseigneur Motler, Mr. W. Sugden, Mr. J. A. Clapham (secretary), the Town Clerk (Mr. W. T. McGowen), Mr. W. Rawson (Deputy Town Clerk), and others.

THE LIVERPOOL PEACE SOCIETY. February 12th.-At the Wednesday Evening Service in connection with the Princes' Road Primitive Methodist Church, a lecture was delivered by Mr. Archibald Bathgate on "Some of the best means of preventing War." The lecturer was supported by Mr. William Lewis.

February 19th.-A debate on the subject, "Are the Principles of the Peace Society practical ?" was held with the Young People's Mutual Improvement Society, Wesley Hall, Soho Street. The Peace Society was ably defended by Mr. J. K. Slater and Mr. Mark Howarth.

February 20th.-A lecture was delivered before the St. Catherine's Mutual Improvement Society, Edge Hill, by Mr. W. P. Thompson, entitled "Penn's Treaty with the Indians." Messrs. A. Boden, Wm. Lewis, and S. Dartmouth Legge accompanied the lecturer, and were afforded the opportunity of briefly addressing the Meeting.

The Liverpool Peace Society having been consulted by a local church respecting the proposed establishment of a Boys' Brigade, strongly discouraged any such attempt. This had the desired effect, and the original intention was abandoned.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.

A meeting was held here last month, when an interesting address on some difficulties of the Peace question was delivered by Miss Frances Thompson, of Birkenhead. Amongst the local friends of the cause present were the Rev. C. E. Osborne (in the chair), Dr. R. Spence Watson, Mr. Thomas Pumphrey, and others.

TORQUAY.

An interesting discussion on Peace and War was introduced in the Torquay Debating Society, last month, by Mr. R. Cuerel.

THE DUTCH PEACE SOCIETY.

The annual report of the Dutch Peace Society is issued from the Hague, and is signed by Mr. J. B. Brenkelman, President, and Mr. J. A. Mazel and Mr. Č. L. Modderman, Secretaries. It is, as usual, a very comprehensive and voluminous document. The President makes an appropriate reference to the great loss which the Society has sustained by the death of his predecessor, Mr. Van Eck, who was President and leader of the Society for the long period of nearly twenty-five years. With his decease there had also followed a change in the secretaryship, and Mr. C. Bake, who filled that office with satisfaction, has recently retired from its duties. It is disappointing to find that the year's income of the Society only amounts to £21, an exceedingly small sum, in view of the wealth of the Dutch, as a nation. The new President and Secretaries can hardly find much difficulty in recruiting their subscription list, to a considerable extent, from so minute a starting-point.

The report contains a brief biography of Mr. Van Eck, to whose perseverance, energy, and integrity, hearty praise is given. A general survey of the home and foreign events of the year, especially as connected with peace and war, follows. Considering the ability and good sense of the Dutch people, it would be gratifying to see indications of a more vigorous Peace propaganda and a desire to emulate the zeal and activity of the friends of the cause in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy.

THE BEHRING SEA QUESTION.

It is announced from Berne that the Government of Great Britain and the United States have agreed that, in the event of their being unable to find themselves in accord, in regard to the choice of an arbitrator to decide the question of the claims for compensation raised by Canadian sealers, in consequence of the Behring Sea seal fisheries award, the President of the Swiss Confederation shall be asked to designate an arbitrator. At the request of the two Governments, the Federal Council has authorised the President, in the eventuality provided for, to accept the mission and appoint an arbitrator, at the same time expressing his thanks for the flattering confidence reposed in him.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR, M.P., ON IMPERIAL LIBERALITY. In his recent address at Bristol, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, M.P., said "My hope for the future is largely founded on the fact that the British Empire, whatever else it is, is not a selfish empire. If we have acquired sovereignty over huge tracts of the earth's surface, at all events we rule those tracts in no selfish or narrow spirit. We do not desire to exclude other nations from the full benefits that may be derived from British freedom, from British powers of administration, and from British traditions of government. On the contrary, though our colonies are ours legally and by affection, they are not limited to the enterprise of citizens of this country. They are open to the world, and the world, if it pleases, may take advantage of them. Neither do I think that we are animated, I hope we are not animated, by any spirit of jealousy against other nations. Surely Asia and Africa are large enough for all of us, and there need be no contest, no petty contest, no mean jealousies between civilised nations, as to how they are best to turn to account the potential riches of the East or South. I for my part frankly state that, so far, for example, from regarding with fear and jealousy a commercial outlet for Russia, in the Pacific Ocean, which should not be ice-bound half the year, I should welcome such a result as a distinct advance in this far distant region, and I am convinced not merely that Russia would gain by it, that the world generally would gain by it, but that British commerce and enterprise would be the gainers. Let us lay to heart this doctrine that what is good for one is not necessarily bad for the otherand that in international as well as national matters we ought not to regard ourselves as composed of a series of units, with hostile interests which cannot be reconciled, and which must be settled by the arbitrament of war. We, on the contrary, ought to feel ourselves bound together by mutual interests; and what helps one helps the other, what adds to the prosperity of one adds to the prosperity of the other, and what promotes the common civilisation cannot but be good for every member of every State by which that civilisation is shared."

MR. COURTNEY ON ARBITRATION.

A meeting of representatives of English Peace Societies was held on February 22nd at Mr. Moscheles' studio, Chelsea, "in support of the principle of International Arbitration." Mr. Felix Moscheles presided. Amongst those present were the Right Hon. Leonard Courtney, M.P., Sir G. Osborne Morgan, Bart., M.P., Mr. A. Cock, Q.C., Mr. Charles C. Morland, J.P. (Chairman of the P. S. Committee), and Dr. W. E. Darby, Secretary of the Peace Society, Mr. F. G. Cash, Mr. Bernard Shaw, and others. Mr. C. C. Morland moved, Sir G. Osborne Morgan, M.P., seconded, and Mr. Cock, Q.C., and others supported the following Resolution: "That this meeting considers the present an opportune moment once more to declare that it adheres without reserve to the principle of International Arbitration, and it calls upon the citizens of all civilised countries to give the full weight of their moral support to that principle by openly declaring in favour of it."

Mr. LEONARD COURTNEY, M.P., said that when, at the commencement of the year, the relations between ourselves and the United States became known, there must have been much astonishment to find that for forty years there had been going on a dispute with a South American State which, apparently without any form of settlement being introduced, is becoming more and more bitter, until a war was threatened. It was true that, during a portion of the forty years, Venezuela was not in a position to conduct any negotiations, but there had been attempts, or supposed attempts, to come to a settlement, which, however, had always failed. He could not believe that all the fault was on either side. They had had several Governments that had tried their hand at the question, all of which had approached it from different points of view. There might be some fault on the other side, as well as on that of England; but the facts of the case led one to think that the question was one that might be discussed in the open among free people. Democracies had their evils, they could be violent and dangerous; but one was bound to turn from the autocracies of Europe, who had allowed awful tragedies to occur. He would desire to see Arbitration so thoroughly established between nations that it

should take the place of war in the settlement of international disputes as permanent, as efficient, and as exclusive as municipal tribunes brought into existence for the purpose of settling private disputes.

The Resolution was carried unanimously.

SIAM, ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

The agreement just arrived at between England and France, in relation to Siam is stated to have for its basis the following

terms.

The advantages gained by Great Britain are:-

1. A continuous frontier along the eastern cost of the Indian Ocean.

2. The ability to connect Burma with China by a railway passing entirely through British territory either vid Moulmein and Raheng, or via Rangoon and Karenni, passing up the valley of the Mekong into the populous part of Yunnan; and to connect the Burmese with the Siamese and future Chinese systems of railway.

3. An increase to our dominions about equivalent to those of France, under the agreement, and including large fertile plains, forests of teak and other valuable timber, and enormous mineral wealth, particularly in the Malay Peninsula.

4. The saving of this great and valuable territory from the risk of foreign encroachment.

The advantages accruing to France are:

1. The annexation of one-half of the remainder of Siam, containing vast plains and valuable fisheries, forests, and mines. Two-thirds of the Siamese dominions will thus have fallen within recent years to France.

2. The acquirement of the above territory as a close market for French manufacturers.

3. The acquisition of the portion of the Bangkok-Korat Railway within the French sphere of influence, and the ability to extend that railway to the Mekong and to the French port of Saigon.

4. The acquisition of Chantaboon and other seaports on the Gulf of Siam, whence railways can be extended for the development of the Cambodian provinces of French Indo-China.

THE SIEGE OF LUCKNOW.

In his pamphlet, "Leaves from my Sketch-book" (London J. G. Filmer, 1895), the author, Mr. W. H. Harris, thus describes the fall of Lucknow, of which he was an eye-witness:-"A storm of balls, shells, grape shot, and rockets rolled horses and riders in blood; every inch of the ground, every doorway, every verandah, is the theatre of a series of bloody hand-to-hand struggles. The very walls are spattered and besmeared with blood; and as men fall in bleeding heaps, others mount the still palpitating bodies, crushing skulls with the butt ends of their rifles, and piercing breasts with the death-dealing bayonets! No quarter is given! The combatants, drunk with blood, indiscriminately butcher each other, and the wounded fight on to the last extremity. Vainly the Sepoy reinforcements rush forward to repel our continued advance-they fall in heaps! Many receive the reeking points of our bayonets in their breasts, the blades of which they cling to with a tenacious grasp, at the same instant making an expiring effort to cut down their adversaries. There is a nameless horror in this appalling scene! Heaps of slain strew the ensanguined earth, saturated with the blood of thousands. One poor fellow had his face gashed by a terrible cross-cut of a sword; another, his brains dashed out by the stroke of a matchlock; a third, his bowels protruded through the lacerated abdomen; a fourth, his right arm hanging to a fragment of bleeding flesh, was crying aloud for water to assuage the pangs of an insufferable thirst; a fifth, more horrible still, had his face completely blown off-a ghastly sight!-lying happily insensible, his life's blood flowing in streams from numerous other wounds. Farther on there lay, stark and stiff, a headless trunk, and kneaded mutilated masses of human flesh, torn to pieces by grape-shot, the features of the dead exhibiting all the terrifying phases of an unyielding, desperate resolution. The cries of rage, the shrieks of agony, the screams of despair, the booming of cannon, the

bursting of shells, the sharp ring of the rifle, the crashing report of the matchlock, and the heavy thud of swords, blending with smoke and flames around, fearfully realised all the unparalleled horrors of that curse of nations-'glorious' war."

THE GUNS AT ELSWICK.

"When the Venerable Bede established his fame as the greatest scholar of his time, the medieval world sent its sons to Tyneside to gather knowledge. There, in the peaceful cloisters of Jarrow, they were instructed by the wise AngloSaxon in such science as the age possessed, while by precept and example he taught the Gospel of Him who came to bring 'Peace on earth.' Twelve centuries have passed away, and now, again, the modern militant world sends eager learners to Tyneside. There, in the vast sounding arsenal at Elswick, they are instructed in the latest achievements of mechanical science; while the precept now is, 'Peace on earth is secured by the utmost readiness for war.'" So writes Mr. Hamish Hendry in Good Words, and proceeds to give a description of Lord Armstrong's famous arsenal, the enormous gun factory which provides work for a third of the population of Newcastle.

When the British Navy bombarded the forts of Alexandria in 1882 all the guns employed were made with coils of wrought iron; but so rapid have been the recent changes in ordnance construction, that the only material now in use is steel. The steel ingots made at Elswick are forged into solid or hollow cylinders either by steam hammers, the largest of which can give a blow of from 600 to 700 foot tons, or by means of hydraulic presses, the largest of which exert a pressure of nearly 5,000 tons. When the forging is made there follows the important process of testing. Test pieces are cut off and hardened in oil at a temperature of about 1,500 deg. Fabr., after which they are placed in a pair of iron jaws and pulled asunder by hydraulic pressure-the strain in some cases being as much as forty-six tons per square inch. So far, indeed, is this system of testing carried by our War Office, that no fewer than 104 pieces of steel are prepared for test even in making a small gun; and as the cost of each test-piece is about 10s., the total cost of the process is not less than £52.

The monster guns built at Elswick vary greatly in size, the largest yet made being 110 tons in weight, 43 ft. 8 in. in length, and throwing a projectile of 1,800 lb. Each shot fired by this gun, with a full charge, costs £177, and the British taxpayer may be interested to know that he possesses six of them altogether in the armaments of the "Benbow," the "Victoria," and the "Sanspareil" And these monster guns are classed as short-lived, in artillery insurance tables, for they can only fire seventy-five rounds with a full charge. That is to say, the gun, after that number of shots, would lose its accuracy of fire, because of the erosion on the inner tube caused by the powder-gases. This extreme size has not been mounted on the more recent first-class ironclads, the largest ordnance carried by the "Nile " and " Trafalgar" being only 67-ton guns. The enormously destructive power of the 110ton guns seemed to be too expensively purchased in the cost of the gun itself and in the increased size of the ship. It may be well to note, however, that no fewer than thirty such guns have been constructed at Elswick for the Italian Government.

In this connection, it may be interesting to say a word about their destructive power and the distance which a modern gun can send its projectile. The range at which, in warfare, a 22ton gun begins firing is 4,500 yards, unless under unusual circumstances. In the Jubilee year, however, a shot was fired from a 22-ton gun in order to ascertain how far the projectile would carry. The results were these. The shot fell at a distance of nearly twelve miles; it remained in the air 69-6 sec.; and the highest point reached in its flight was 17,000 ft., or about 1,300 ft. higher than the summit of Mont Blanc ! The penetrative power of a large armour-piercing projectile was recently demonstrated at Shoeburyness by the 110-ton gun of H.M.S."Sanspareil." The butt at which the shot was fired consisted of a compound armour-plate 20 inches thick; at the back of that was a separate iron plate 8 inches thick; behind these plates was a sheathing of oak 20 ft. thick; behind this there was five ft. of granite blocks; behind that again there was 11 ft. of solid concrete; and lastly, there was 6 ft. of brick

work-a total thickness of 44 ft. 4 in. The shot, when fired from the 110-ton gun, travelled at the velocity of 2,079 ft. per second and struck the butt fairly in the centre. And this was the result. The projectile shattered the 20-inch compound armour-plate into a great number of pieces, tore through the whole of the backing-iron plate, oak, granite, concrete-and embedded itself in the brick work, almost going clean through the entire structure.-St. James's Gazette.”

COST OF U.S. INDIAN WARS.

A few figures, which will prove interesting to people who have paid attention to Indian affairs during the past few years, were given by a Commissioner connected with the Indian bureau at Washington, while he was visiting New York recently.

He has had charge of the Indian census under one administration, and has also taken a prominent part in the negotiations for the purchase of lands from the Sioux. He has lived among the Indians and was an ardent friend of the late Sitting Bull and other noted chiefs.

Some one in a party at an uptown hotel spoke of the trouble in the north-west, and asked the Commissioner for his opinion as to the cause of the outbreak. He laid the blame on the Government and the incompetent men who had represented it, in dealing with the aborigines. Those who were not incompetent, he said, were worse, and generally retired with a fortune two or three years after receiving their appointments. During the past few years, however, there has been little or no chance to acquire wealth rapidly, and the only cause, the Commissioner said, was because the Indians were destitute of wealth, and have none to lose, for the white men to acquire. The rations promised by the Government were scanty, and the issue was often delayed for weeks at a time.

"This last statement," said he, "does not appear to mean much; but when persons depend upon those rations for existence in lieu of game, and are compelled to go almost without food, they can appreciate the Indian's condition, and not wonder that he hails with delight the belief that a Messiah is coming to mitigate his hardships.

"Mr. Thomas Donaldson, who is connected with the Indian census, made a compilation several years ago regarding the cost of the various Indian wars. From these figures, if the Government policy had been to better the Indians' condition, I can safely say that every Sioux would now be the possessor of a farm worth at least 2,000 dols. if the money had been paid him instead of it being spent for powder and shot.

"According to Mr. Donaldson's figures, since the organisation of the Government on July 4th, 1776, up to June 30th, 1887, the Indians have cost us 929,239,284 dols. Only one-third of this enormous amount has been spent in civilising the Indians, while two-thirds has been spent in fighting them, in transportation of troops, and the purchase of munitions of war.

"The most costly of all Indian wars was that known as the great Sioux war, which broke out in 1876, and lasted about four years. How many Indians were killed I do not know, and I cannot give the exact number of soldiers and settlers. The losses on both sides, however, were very heavy.

This war cost the Government 20,000,000 dols. The Navajo war cost 15,000,000 dols., and something like 200,000,000 dols. were expended during the wars from 1862 to 1876. The Sioux war of 1876, celebrated by the Custer massacre, cost for actual field expenses 2,312,531 dols., while the Nez Perces war of the following year cost 931,329.52 dols. Two hundred and fortyone officers and soldiers were killed, and the Indian losses were 148.

"The next outbreak occurred among the Bannock Indians in 1878, and 556,636 dols. were spent in subduing them. There has been considerable Indian fighting with little squads of Apaches in Arizona and New Mexico since 1882, and for every Apache run down and killed, the Government has spent 100,000 dols.

"These figures, of course, appear exorbitant to a person not familiar with Indian fighting, but when one takes into consideration all the expenses incidental to the long chases across the country, they will find that the figures are correct."-New York Herald

THE

THE NEW SOUDAN EXPEDITION. The new expedition of troops, from Cairo towards the Soudan, by order of the British Government, is a matter which may have serious consequences. The original armed interference with Egypt, on the part of Great Britain, in order to promote the selfish interests of wealthy bondholders, at the expense of their taxpaying countrymen, has cost this country heavily, both

in blood and treasure. But if it leads to the march of

other British armies into the vast deserts of Africa, to grapple on their own ground with fierce natives, this course will be both a colossal blunder and a crime.

ITALY AND ABYSSINIA.

Why ever does poor tax-laden Italy want to waste its money and its soldiers' lives upon the far-away sands of Africa? This folly has just cost Italy the lives of thousands of her troops. It has overturned the hitherto too powerful Ministry of M. Crispi. This is at least a gain to Italian patriotism. And the event has been felt to have distinctly shaken the Italian Throne, a result for which the obstinately bellicose King has himself to thank.

THE VENEZUELA DISPUTE.

The Parliamentary papers showing the British claims in Venezuela, have now been published and an early copy of them was courteously forwarded by the British Government to the American Commission of Inquiry at Washington. This friendly act has created a good impression on the other side of the Atlantic; and, altogether, there is reason to hope that a peaceful settlement of the whole dispute may not be distant.

A STUPENDOUS BUDGET.

It is now certain that without any additional expenditure to that already announced, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will, for the ensuing financial year, have to provide for outgoings amounting to the stupendous figure of one hundred millions. The estimates for the Army amount to £18,056,600, and for the Navy to £21,823,000, or together within a comparatively small sum of forty millions sterling. For the Civil Services £19,795,000 is to be asked for, and for the Revenue

[PRICE 1d.

Departments £13,712,756, so that the Supply services now reach the high figure of £73,387,396, showing an increase over the Budget Estimate made last year, of something over four millions. Fifteen years ago, the military estimates amounted to £16,109,500, and the sum estimated for the navy was £10,725,919, or less than half of that which has to be provided for 1896-7. The estimates have grown under every one of the great heads, and the total expenditure of the country has steadily progressed to its present figure, and that too in face of the one fact that the total charge for National Debt services has been diminished by several millions, or to £25,000,000. Taking this latter as the fixed statutory charge for the Debt, allowing the same amount as was estimated for last year for other charges on the Consolidated Fund, viz., £1,625,000, we must look for a total expenditure next year, without any further additions, of £100,012,396; and considerable amounts are to be added to this.

THE NOTTINGHAM MEETING OF THE FREE CHURCHES.

The important gathering of the leaders of the Free Churches of England which was held last month at Nottingham, adopted excellent resolutions in reference to Peace and Arbitration. The principles of the Peace Society were represented by the Secretary, Dr. W. E. Darby, and others.

THE QUEEN'S HALL MEETING.

The meeting at the Queen's Hall, London, last month, was specially noteworthy for the very gratifying letters on Arbitration and Peace which were forwarded to it by Lord Rosebery, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Balfour, Herbert The Peace Spencer and other eminent personages. W. Pease, Bart., M.P., President, by Dr. W. E. Darby, Society was represented on the occasion by Sir Joseph Secretary, and other members.

PEACE SOCIETY PROTEST AGAINST THE INCREASED NAVAL ESTIMATES.

The Committee of the Peace Society have issued a further protest against the enormous expenditure (actual and prospective) upou the Navy. It is signed by the President, the Chairman, and the Secretary.

THE MANCHESTER PEACE AGENCY.

The Committee of the Peace Society have appointed Mr. Charles Stevenson, of 9, Albert Square, Manchester,

heir local Agent for the Manchester District, in succession to the late Mr. B. L. Green.

MINISTERIAL PRO-WAR UTTERANCES REBuked.

A correspondent of the Liverpool Daily Post thus rebukes some local Ministers of the Gospel for their recent pro-war utterances in reference to Armenia :"I quite agree with you that a 'remarkable feature of the situation is that when even some members of the Peace Society are distinctly bellicose, the Jingo Press is all for peace.' Do these reverend gentlemen want a suspension for an indefinite period, not only of the Ten Commandments, but also of the Sermon on the Mount? Such boisterous, reckless, and illogical language is not easy to be understood. People cannot become Christians, in principle and in practice, until the teachers of Christians themselves become converted. The truth is that from the beginning of this business to now, these gentlemen do not know their own mind for one month together. We all know that there is not a politician of any party who would accept the policy of another Crimean War. It is not the fact that diplomatic means are yet exhausted. Results may be fairly attained, yet, by means of diplomatic negotiations; but the objects are not of such transcendent magnitude as to justify the Government in preparing to enforce them by war, or by threats of war.'

CARDINAL VAUGHAN.

Cardinal Vaughan, in a letter to the Daily Chronicle, sets a good example to the two Anglican Archbishops, of Canterbury and York, who have each declined to give a definite opinion on International Arbitration. Whereas the Cardinal writes:-"In reply to your note, I may say that I very heartily approve of your proposal to promote a national petition to Parliament on behalf of the establishment of some Tribunal of Arbitration, to be permanent, for the adjustment of differences that may arise between England and the United States. I am well aware that great difficulties exist in the way, and that there are politicians and journalists who consider them to be insurmountable. Though it be true that the ultimate appeal of a nation may be to physical force, there is every reason why this ultimate appeal should be thrown as far back as possible."

IMPARTIALITY ESSENTIAL FOR ARBITRATION. In this connection, a letter in another column, from Mr. Ralph Richardson, deserves consideration.

MILITARY IMMORALITY IN INDIA.

Many people plead for war that it is elevating and honourable in its influences. But one such fact as the following, is worth a thousand flimsy arguments. The ravages, says the Times Indian correspondent, of a certain disease, among the British troops in India, during 1894, were worse than ever. There were over 3,000 men constantly in hospital from this cause. rate of admission per 1,000 rose to 511, as compared with 466 in the previous year. Only 26,000 men out of 70,000 were returned as never having suffered from this disease. The garrison is practically weakened, by three regiments, from this cause alone.

The

DEBATE BETWEEN YALE AND HARVARD UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, U.S.A.

The advisability, or the reverse, of appointing an Anglo-American Court of Arbitration, is the subject chosen by Yale University, for discussion at the Yale and Harvard debate, on May 1st. Harvard University is to be allowed the choice of sides.

MR. WM. LEATHAM BRIGHT.

Mr. W. L. Bright, in a letter to the Times, protesting against the recently erected statue, in the lobby of the House of Commons, purporting to represent his late father, Mr. John Bright, M.P., adds:-"I should take the statue away, and not erect it again, until a Government and a people should arise, too sensible to be hurried into reckless extravagance and panic-stricken jingoism, against which, as at the time of the Crimean war, there is hardly one voice crying in the wilderness."

ADMIRABLE ACTION OF THE NEW YORK LEGISLATURE.

The New York Evening Post, of February 25th, remarks :-" A very striking and encouraging evidence of a healthy change in public sentiment, in this State, toward war, is to be seen in the action of the Assembly at Albany, last evening. A resolution was pending before it, urging Congress to increase the navy, construct elaborate coast defences, form a closer alliance with other republics on this continent, and acquire Cuba, preferably by purchase.' When this came up for consideration, Mr. Kempner offered as a substitute a series of resolutions saying that the true grandeur of nations lay in the arts of civilisation rather than in the wasteful, bitter violence of war, declaring that the Legislature earnestly desires Congress and the President to make permanent provision for some wise method of International Arbitration, and requesting the Governor to forward a copy of the resolutions to the Governors of other States in the Union asking them to co-operate in the movement for a national conference upon the subject at Washington. This substitute was adopted with only one dissenting vote, that of the author of the first resolution. Members of both parties thus went upon the record against jingoism, and their action gives unmistakable evidence that the war party' in this State is a very insignificant minority."

UNITED ANGLO-SAXONDOM.

The New York Missionary Review remarks:-"The saints cannot but rejoice and be glad over the recent furious war talk in relation to the Venezuela-Guiana boundary question, and if for no other reason, because of the hearty expressions of affection which, by the ten thousand, have crossed the sea between Great Britain and the United States. The pulpits of the Englishspeaking world, east and west of the Atlantic, have spoken with clear and unfaltering note. Bishops and divines, leading merchants, authors, editors, and statesmen have joined in a chorus, claiming community of race and interest as a ground for deprecating war, and calling for the continuance of peace. Bloody strife between these two foremost of Christian nations, to which the world's redemption has been committed, would constitute a crime and disgrace far more colossal and damnable than any to be found upon the pages of history."