it became manifest that public feeling had been aroused in Japan against the undertaking to submit the codes to the foreign Powers, and against the further provision that any modification of the codes during the next fifteen years was to be similarly submitted for approval. The independence and dignity of the country were clearly affected by these pledges. The Japanese held that the Convention needlessly subordinated their interests to those of foreigners, and they claimed that their country, whilst it was voluntarily and rapidly adopting constitutional forms of government, and placing itself in line with the great commercial nations of the world, ought to be received by those nations on equal terms. Some Japanese critics complained that their Government had submitted to demands which might be natural in a country under tutelage, like Egypt, but which were grievous and intolerable when applied to a sovereign State. The Government, it is evident, had no alternative but to withdraw from their position, and they consequently notified to the Powers that they found it necessary to postpone the negotiations until the Civil and Commercial Codes could be included in a complete form amongst the bases of a settlement, in place of the pledges relating to them.* Count Inouye shortly afterwards resigned his portfolio. Thus the whole matter is in abeyance; but judging from the general spirit in which the negotiations had been conducted on both sides, and from all the surrounding circumstances, there is no reason to doubt that the ratification of the Convention, with the opening up of the country and the conclusion of a fair Commercial Treaty, will follow without delay upon the completion of the codes. (See also pages 415-8.)

* See communicated articles in The Times, August 28 and September 17, 1887.

MADAGASCAR.

The Limited Monarchy of Madagascar (capital, Antananarivo) occupies an island opposite to the mouth of the Zambesi River, on the east coast of Africa.

Area, 228,500 square miles. Population, about 3,500,000, of whom the Hovas (of Malay origin) are the dominant

race.

Of the mode of Government, little is accurately known. The monarch is assisted by a first Minister, who retains power indefinitely, subject to the pleasure of the King or Queen. Under him are four or five departmental ministers.

All Malagasy subjects owe personal service to the Crown; but the south of the island is practically independent of the present Government. Slavery exists as an institution. Education advances rapidly, being enjoined by the State, which also encourages Christianity. About one-tenth of the population is said to be Christianized. There is a Public Debt of about £600,000. (See also under France.)

MONTENEGRO.

The Principality of Montenegro, or Tchernagora (capital, Cettinje), is on the eastern shore of the Adriatic, and is surrounded by the Turkish province of Albania and the Austrian provinces of Herzegovina and Novibazar. The district of Dulcigno was ceded by Turkey in 1880.

Area, 3,550 square miles. Population, about 260,000, mainly Slavs, but including about 7,000 Mahomedans.

GOVERNMENT.

A code of the ancient laws and institutions of Montenegro was drawn up by Prince Danilo in 1855; but, so far

as the government of the country is concerned, this instrument is superseded by a proclamation of the reigning Prince in 1879. The previously existing Senate was then suppressed, its judicial functions being transferred to a Grand Tribunal, whilst as a legislative body it was replaced by a Council of State, composed of eight members, of whom the Prince nominates four, and the remainder are elected by all male inhabitants who bear or have borne arms. Thus Montenegro, which before the accession of Prince Danilo was a spiritual dominion under a prince-bishop, is now a military organization. The forty tribes into which the country is divided are ruled by as many civil and ecclesiastical elders, and the same number of magistrates, who are also military commanders. The Principality is bound by treaties to Russia, and is annually subsidized by her.

The articles of the Treaty of Berlin (27 and 30) which specially bear on Montenegro are as follows:-"The High Contracting Parties are agreed upon the following conditions In Montenegro distinctions of religious beliefs and confessions may not be brought against any man as a reason for exclusion or inability in respect of the enjoyment of civil and political rights, admission to public employment, functions, and honours, or the exercise of particular professions or industrial callings, in any place whatsoever. The liberty and public exercise of all forms of worship are guaranteed to all subjects of Montenegro, as well as to foreign residents, and no restraint may be put upon the ecclesiastical organization of the several communions, or upon their relations with their spiritual superiors. No one may be deprived of his property except by the action of the law, on the ground of the public welfare, and then only upon previous payment of an indemnity."

Religion and Education (the latter free and compulsory are well organized. The Church belongs to the Greek Orthodox (Oriental) communion, under control of the Holy Synod at St. Petersburg.

The Revenue is estimated at about £60,000, of which the Prince receives about £4,000. Public Debt, nearly £200,000.

MOROCCO.

The Sultanate of Morocco (capitals, Morocco and Fez) occupies the north-west of Africa, opposite to the coast of Spain, and extends westward from the French dependency of Algeria to the Atlantic.

Area, including the south-eastern province of Twat, about 250,000 square miles. Population, about 5,000,000, chiefly Moors, Arabs, Jews, and negroes.

Very little is known of the Government. The Sultan, or Sherif, has six chief ministers, of whom the first is his vizier; but his authority is practically autocratic and unlimited.

The religion of the country is Mahomedan, based on the Koran and the commentary of Sidi Bokhari; but the organization of the hierarchy and of the laws is not so advanced as in Turkey.

The Sultan is said to be aiming at the extension of his frontier southwards, along the coast, and as far as the city of Timbuctoo. His policy is very exclusive, especially as regards the European nations. Nevertheless the trade of the country with Europe has nearly doubled within the last five years.

Spain claims a priority of influence in Morocco, as compared with other European Powers. In 1883 the Sultan granted her a strip of territory, Santa Cruz de Mar

Pequeña, at the mouth of the Yfnu river; and he has since been asked to consent to the erection of a lighthouse on the small island of El Peregil.

1887.

In August, 1887, the Sultan of Morocco requested the Spanish Government to point out to the Great Powers the existence of certain grievances which were deeply felt by the people of Morocco, and to invite them to renew the Conference which was held at Madrid in 1880. The Conference in question was attended by representatives of Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Holland, Sweden and Norway, the United States, and Morocco. The main point at issue, then and now, so far as Morocco is concerned, is the demand of the Sultan for the abolition or modification of the system by which foreign residents in the country, or even natives who have taken steps to obtain a foreign citizenship, are taken out of the jurisdiction of the government of Morocco, and made protégés of one or other of the foreign agents. In 1880 France declined to listen to any proposal for the restriction of the power of its agents, and the Conference led to no practical result. The renewal of the Sultan's complaint happens to coincide in point of time with the raising of the question of capitulations in several other countries. Spain has sent out her invitations to the Conference, which was appointed to meet in Madrid early in 1888.

THE NETHERLANDS (HOLLAND).

The Constitutional Kingdom of Holland (capital, Amsterdam) occupies the low coast of Europe at the mouths