p. 21 | Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1908

Current Mention

— A movement is now on foot in China looking to the building of a navy which will adequately represent the Chinese nation.

— As a result of a typhoon on July 27, three hundred persons were drowned in the harbor of Hongkong, China. Seven steamers foundered during the gale.

— In the British House of Lords, on June 25, Lord Cromer, in explaining his opposition to a certain government measure, declared that the country was rapidly approaching the deadly crisis of a European war.

— Mrs. Harriet Wright Brand, treasurer of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, died at Evanston, Ill., on July 9. Funeral services were conducted at Evanston, and also in her native city of Indianapolis, Ind. Mrs. Brand had held the office of national treasurer for the past four years, and was highly esteemed by all her associates.

— The Belgian government some days ago sent a small warship to Venezuelan waters to protect Belgium's interests there, in view of the aggressive attitude of the Venezuelan government. A second and more powerful cruiser has now been ordered to sail for Venezuela in view of the possibility of trouble between subjects of the two nations. Venezuela has also recently made rulings against English interests, which are likely to involve her in trouble with that country.

— The newly issued report of the Interstate Commerce Commission shows that the total income of the railroads of the United States during the past year amounted to $1,127,173,706. The total wages and salaries paid was $1,072,386,427. The passenger traffic exceeded that of last year by nearly 76,000,000 persons. The mileage of tracks laid last year amounted to 10,982, enough to cross the country three times. The net income available for dividends or surplus amounted to $449,461,188. The number of persons killed or injured amounted to 122,855.

— The sultan of Turkey has proclaimed a constitution, sworn allegiance to it, and issued a proclamation granting amnesty to all political offenders. The constitution and the proclamation of amnesty are brought about as the result of the work of the Young Turkey party. The agitations of this party had led to such disaffection in the Turkish army that the sultan actually feared for the stability of his empire. Disloyalty became manifest even among his hitherto trusted Albanian troops. It is expected in Turkey that as a result of these radical changes, that nation will be greatly strengthened to protect herself against the designs of the powers upon her. It is understood, however, that the constitution will guarantee religious liberty throughout the realm. The Turkish consul-general at New York states that as a result of the adoption of the constitution, there will be as much liberty in Turkey as in the United States. He says: "Our aim will be to maintain the closest relations with the United States, as, indeed, is natural, since the condition of citizens of this country will be our ideal for citizenship in Turkey."