Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1908

—A report from London states that as a result of the quarrel between the shah of Persia and the government, the shah has left the capital with a large escort, including his close supporters. It is believed that he intends to quit his dominion.

—A committee of the Interdenominational Missionary Union of Washington, D. C., has been appointed to call upon President Roosevelt to secure his co-operation in preventing the introduction of the English barmaid system in the saloons of Washington.

—The postmaster-general has announced an agreement with the British government, providing for letter postage of two cents an ounce between this country and Great Britain and Ireland. The two-cent rate does not go into effect, however, until the first of October.

—A tornado which passed over southern Nebraska and portions of northern Kansas last week was more destructive, and covered more territory, than any similar storm which has visited that region in many years. Twenty-one persons were killed, five were fatally injured, and a score of others hurt.

—Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, the noted missionary-physician to Labrador, is reported to have had a narrow escape from death recently, when, with a pack of dogs, he was carried out to sea on an ice-floe. He was compelled to kill some of the dogs in order to save himself from being devoured by them, and in order to provide himself with adequate protection from the biting wind. He was finally rescued by boats sent out from the land.

—English detectives, aided by Pinkerton men, have been working for some time in New York under the direction of the British government on the theory that an important branch of the East Indian revolutionary movement is in existence there. It is stated that the Clan-na-Gael and other Irish societies are aiding the Hindus in arranging for a general East Indian uprising, which they expect to take place in about ten years. In the meantime careful preparations are to be made in order that the undertaking may be a success.

—An important archeological discovery is reported to have been made recently in the district of San Ignacio Huatusco, State of Vera Cruz, Mexico. Ruins of ancient pyramids and other prehistoric buildings were found in the deep recesses of the tropical forest.

—Commander Robert E. Peary is planning to start again for the north pole about the first of July, provided sufficient funds are raised by that time to finish financing the expedition. He claims that his experience on former polar expeditions will enable him to reach his destination.

—In recognition of the discovery of a cure for cerebro-spinal meningitis, John D. Rockefeller has given to the Rockefeller Institute of New York City, $500,000, which will be used for the erection of a new hospital near the present institute. The principal object in the establishment of this institute is to facilitate medical and scientific research.

—By one of the provisions of the currency bill passed by Congress in the last hours of the session, the banks of the country with which are deposited government funds must pay a tax of at least one per cent per annum upon such funds. There is about $72,000,000 of such funds now on deposit with the banks. Heretofore the banks have had the use of this money free of charge; they are much opposed to the new arrangement.

—The north-bound Great Northern train was held up near Great Falls, Mont., on the night of May 30, and the conductor was compelled at the point of a pistol to go through the train collecting money from the passengers. The robbers prove to have been three boys, ranging in age from fifteen to seventeen years, the youngest of the trio having planned the operations and superintended carrying them out. The leader had planned also to hold up a train a few miles distant on the Montana Central line.

—For the first time in the history of the Chinese in America, action has been taken to establish a center of Confucianism in this country. This initial step was taken by the Minister of China to the United States, Mr. Wu Ting Fang. At a mass-meeting held in the Chinese theater, in New York City, Mr. Wu delivered an address in which he called for subscriptions for the building of a Confucian temple in Chinatown. Mr. Wu himself is an earnest Confucian, as are also most of the Chinese in this country, and his appeal for funds met with ready response, especially from wealthy Chinamen, many of whom came promptly to the platform and signed their names to the subscription paper, pledging thus in a few minutes a sum reported at about one hundred thousand dollars. Minister Wu said that the temple would contain not only halls of worship, but also a library, reading-room, and gymnasium. He expressed his opinion that such a temple would add much to the strength of his people in New York. He added, however, that in spite of the high-sounding designation, the proposed temple will be more like a school or an association building, its purpose being mainly to teach and to facilitate the dissemination of Confucian philosophy.