Show AN AN HISTORIC YEAR A who compiled a rather incomplete chronology of what he regarded an 88 the leading events of 1891 introduced the lisk lia by a statement to the effect ahat it would not in future be bb noted as on especially specially important in the history of mankind he referred to the great earthquake in japan the most destructive of the present century as about the only really striking occurrence cur reDee of the tee departed year such isikeh an opinion must surely have a mere surface basis and could not have been formed after careful reasoning from cause to effect in order to correctly estimate the importance of events of the present we must calculate upon the results that will flow from tham in the future It to is not sufficient to estimate the character ot abear by the completed events that have occurred within it as a great many ot of the most important are an merely in their incipiency and necessarily run over the edge of the limited cycle of time into those that are yet unborn As an instance take the occurrence that is designated by the writer water referred to as the greatest of 1891 the earthquake in japan the seismic disturbance was complete in itself and the destruction caused by it was great some of the disastrous consequences remain but the process of recovery by the energy and recuperating power of the people is in progress and con editions in the affected region will saon 9 on be normal how does this event compare with the social upheaval that broke out in 1891 in china and is now in progress pro grese no person is capable of foretelling the duration or the gigantic character of the consequences of that revolutionary outbreak thousands of people are being horribly butchered and while arson anon and robbery run riot the fate of the empire itself is jeopardized and there is danger of the whole people being plunged into the maelstrom of anarchy in the eon con sequential aspect of this remarkable outbreak of popular barbaric fury its effects on other nations may properly be considered as they may be compelled to interferes Niter fere and thus international disagreements of an important character disturbances in the elements are ordinarily of short duration but social outbreaks whose fires area are fanned by human passions passion are generally prolonged and horribly calamitous in their effects As between the seismic disturbance in japan and the revolutionary outbreak in china the weight of importance seems to fall to the side of the latter event the compact compa iet between russia and france as ac an offset to the triple alliance i between germany austria and italy with england as a probable fourth to make the agreement quad ruple is ig an am event out of which way may grow one of the most mammoth issues of modern times As an an illustration it is only necessary to observe the co opera tion of france with russia in Bul bulgaria garig the great strategic centre of the east and but for the support of the french reau republic alic the czar would woula not make the military demonstrations which he has haa been pushing during the past year in the region where he be must necessarily be confronted by great Br britain itkin when the mighty national and international disturb disturbances aneAs which shall distract the people of the earth in the years that are approaching are described upon the pages of history they will be traced to their incipient stages which made them possible pos aible the circumstances out of which great events grow are thelha themselves elves poten potential fial occurrences occurrence sp and in that respect 1891 will be regarded as one of the most important years in the history of mankind the put past year has been distinguished above all others in modern times as an epoch of suicide suich le of ingenious complicated and revolting crimes and of continuous unceasing rumors of war it has been characterized by storms and by famine and other distinguishing conditions yet the picture has baa only been gloomy in part some portions of our globe have been favored with immunity froW many of the ills ilia that have afflicted a large proportion of humanity and we contend that regarding it as an an epoch during which conditions have arisen and been developed out of of which momentous consequences will comes come 1891 has haa been one of the tee most memorable years of modern times |