tinuing traditional differences with France. The English clearly foresaw in Germany a menace to the stability and even the exsitence of the governments of Holland and Belgium. A large part of Germany's commerce and wealth is along the provinces of the Rhine. Germany greatly needs an outlet through the Rhine to the sea, and would therefore like to control Rotterdam and Antwerp. England alone, or France alone, would be unable to withstand German aggression in the direction of these two small kingdoms of western Europe. Both England and France would consider the absorption of either or both of these small kingdoms into the German empire as a most undesirable change in the balance of power in Europe-a change that would be intolerable. Holland would be made to turn over its thirty-eight million people which now belong to the colonies of that country. Great Britain felt, therefore, that it could very well afford to give France a free hand in Morocco, and thereby wipe out the differences between France and Great Britain with respect to Egypt, and at the same time form an alliance that would insure the stability of both Belgium and Holland.

The Russians, since the alliance between Great Britain and Japan, realize the uselessness of an aggressive policy towards Great Britain in the direction of the Indian empire. The English and the Russians find it possible to adjust the differences with respect to Persia and Turkey, two countries in which the Germans are gaining commercial control. This cordial understanding between Great Britain and France, and the alliance between the former country and Japan, will make the English people much more indifferent to the sympathy and support of the United States. An alliance of Great Britain with France and Japan would give these countries a mastery over the seas of the world, and the control of all foreign territories whose submission depends upon the naval power of the country to which the territories belong.

France.

At the time of the French Revolution, the Catholic church owned a large proportion of the richest lands in France, and many of the bonds of the French government. These lands and bonds were confiscated, as well as the cathedrals and other buildings be

longing to the Roman church. Later on, the French government, in order to mitigate these drastic measures, entered into an agreement with the Catholic church at Rome, to pay, in lieu of these lands and churches, certain stipends to the clergy. This agreement was styled the concordat. Something like eight million dollars a year has ever since been paid out to the clergy, chiefly the Catholic.

Of late years, the Catholic clergy of France have taken an active part in the politics of the republic. This political activity gave rise to a strong opposition against the interference in politics by the clergy. Then the struggle between the church and the state was greatly hastened by the refusal of the Pope to receive in audience at the Vatican, Mr. Loubet, president of the French republic. The king of Italy had visited France, and the president of the French republic was to return the compliment, and France, being a Catholic country, the president announced his intention also of paying a visit to the Pope while at Rome. As the king of Italy is under the ban of the church, presidents of Catholic countries are not permitted, without the approval of the Pope, to pay the king a visit, or show him other distinguished marks of friendship.

The opposition of the French people became so pronounced against the policy of the Pope of Rome, that a separation between the church and state at once began. The French finally enacted a law, known as the association's law, by which hereafter all public worship in France must be held subject to associations under the civil law. The law also provided that hereafter all the clergy ordained to office should receive nothing by way of income from the state. Those priests already receiving annual dues were to continue to receive their annual stipend from the state. The Pope retaliated by refusing his assent to the formation of associations under the civil law for the conduct of worship. As the cathedrals and other churches were the property of the state, their further use could be had only by compliance with the terms of the civil law. The state has avoided all harshness in the execution of this law, and yielded much to the sensibilities of the Catholics.

What the final outcome is to be between the state and the church in France is a matter of supreme interest to an on-looking

world. France is evidently determined that the separation shall take place; that hereafter the church of Rome shall support its own ministry as fast as it is ordained to office. The Pope of Rome and his advisers evidently hope to create such a feeling among the electors of France as to change the present policy of the French government. It is a great struggle between ecclesiastical and civil power that all the world is watching with intense interest.

Germany.

Germany is having unusual difficulties in marshalling the numerous factions that make up the Reichstag. In that country there is no such party government as exists in the United States and in Great Britain, and legislative matters are generally introduced by the government, that is, the executive department, so that when a question arises whether an important bill should be passed or not, it very frequently happens that it is an issue between the prime minister directly and the kaiser indirectly, with the Reichstag. Such an issue has just been decided by an appeal to the popular vote. The Reichstag had refused to pass the appropriation called for the prosecution of the war against the Hereros in southwest Africa. Germany is already beginning to feel the heavy burden of its national debt, which has been increased over six hundred millions during Von Buelow's administration. Although last spring an increase of forty-five millions was put upon the taxpayers, there will still be a deficit in carrying out the military program and the ambitions for a large navy by the emperor.

There has been for years in Germany a strong feeling against taking so many able-bodied young men from the ranks of industrial life to serve in the army; and the military burden upon Germans is one of enormous proportions. The government has, however, been very successful in getting money out of the Reichstag. About so often, the government manages by one means or another to create excitement throughout the empire over the prospects of a war, and thus mold public sentiment in favor of increased military budgets. The contention a little more than a year ago between France and Germany over the Moroccan affairs had directly minor

importance, so far as Morocco was concerned, but a major importance in stimulating a public sentiment in favor of the policy outlined by Germany's war lord. The German Reichstag has, therefore, been whipped into submission by these regular national excitements over the prospects of war.

Another peculiarity which developed itself by the late dissolution of the Reichstag, was the fact that the Catholic wing, the ultramontanes, or clericals, voted against the government. For some years past the government has been exceptionally partial to the Catholics in matters of appointments and of assuming the role of protector in matters affecting the Catholic church in foreign lands. To the government, the refusal of the Catholics to support the policy in south-west Africa must have looked like ingratitude.

Russia.

The February elections in Russia will determine whether the new Douma, which is to meet in March, will be in harmony with the czar and his advisers, or whether it will be like its predecessor, set in its determination to compel the czar and his reactionaries to submit to the principle of ministerial responsibility to the Douma. Already there is rumor of a threat by the prime minister, Stolypin, to dissolve the newly-elected Douma in case it becomes intractable like its predecessor.

Meanwhile the terrorists are holding their secret courts, passing sentences of death upon the czar and those obnoxious to the anarchists. Notices are served upon these officials, and at short intervals the world is apprised by telegrams that this or that high official has just been assassinated. It hardly seems likely that Russia can now recede from the step taken in favor of a constitutional government, and the existence of a parliament whose approval shall be necessary to the promulgation of new laws.

Salt Lake City, Utah.

1.

PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG'S FIRST TRIP

TO BEAR LAKE VALLEY.

BY SOLOMON F. KIMBALL.

[The following is a very interesting account of one of those frequent pioneer trips taken by President Brigham Young while engaged in the founding of settlements in these valleys of the mountains. It is doubly entertaining because written by a son of Heber C. Kimball, Brigham's right hand man. Solomon F. Kimball was at that time a lad of seventeen, and has a specially vivid recollection of the particular journey described herein. He states that the object of going so early in the season was to comply with the wishes of Apostle C. C. Rich who had been chosen by President Young to supervise the settling of Bear Lake Valley, and who was anxious that President Young should come early to aid him in -selecting townsites, so that the settlers could get at their work of building and farming.

The remarks accompanying, reported by Geo. D. Watt, taken from the Church records, and which here appear in print for the first time, were delivered by President Young standing in an open wagon in front of President Rich's residence. They are characteristic of him. They show how he could change from the discussion of practical, common things to the expression of deep devotion and religious philosophy, almost in the same breath. His sermon gives the lie to the slanders so often repeated that he and his people were enemies to law and order, and that they preferred ignorance to culture and education. Its counsels are as valuable to the Saints today as they were nearly half a century ago. As an instance in temporal affairs, witness that recent legislatures have appropriated thousands of dollars for the road from Bear Lake to Ogden Valley, and the citizens at both ends have enthusiastically joined with their means for the same purpose. In matters pertaining to the training and care of children, and the beautifying of home, it rings clear and true, today as then.-EDITORS.]

The rising generation know but little of the hardships endured in early days by the leading men of this Church, while they were helping the poor Saints to establish themselves in these valleys. In order to make plain to them at least one phase of this subject