p. 20 | Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1908

Current Mention

— A strike of shopmen, affecting the entire line of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, was declared on August 5. It is estimated that twelve thousand men walked out, and this in spite of the fact that the arrangement under which they were working had been reached as a result of arbitration brought about by the government.

— The practical utility of wireless telegraphy is being demonstrated by the fleet of American warships now on their way to Australia. Ever since leaving the Pacific Coast of the United States, they have been in touch with the home government by means of wireless messages, some of which have spanned two thousand miles of water.

— During the past week disastrous forest fires have been raging in eastern British Columbia. So far no authentic statement has been made as to the exact number that have lost their lives in the conflagration, but it is known that a proportionately large number have perished. The property loss has been placed at nearly five million dollars. Reports state that two towns of over three thousand inhabitants have been practically destroyed. The burned area is said to be from three to ten miles wide and about fifty miles long.

— Mr. Asquith, prime minister of Great Britain, while welcoming and approving the work of idealists in the direction of international peace, declared in a recent speech at a government banquet that the youngest person now living would not witness a time of universal peace among the nations. He said that the annual expenditure by the great nations of $2,500,000,000 for implements of war was not made with the idea of using those things for ornaments. He declared they were intended for use, and some day they would be let loose upon the world.

— The great German air-ship built by Count Von Zeppelin was totally destroyed during a storm on August 5, when it was about to complete a very successful flight of nearly two hundred fifty miles. The air-ship had remained in the air twenty-four hours with only two descents for minor repairs. While anchored to the ground a severe windstorm struck the balloon, and for some unaccountable reason the gas exploded. The German government has voted the count $125,000 for another air-ship, and contributions are being taken up among the people for the same purpose.

— The newly formed Turkish ministry has resigned, and the sultan has appointed a new one. It is stated that this change of the ministry indicates another triumph for the progressives. The new cabinet is composed practically of the nominees of the Young Turk party, and contains two Christians, one Armenian, and one Greek. Within a fortnight the sultan’s immediate advisers in governmental affairs have been completely changed. An attempt was made on the sultan’s life just previous to the change of the ministry, but his coat of mail turned the point of the assailant’s dagger. The sultan has given up his claim to the right of appointing the ministers of war and marine.