p. 20 | Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1908

Current Mention

— At Hurst, Ill., on October 20, a band of robbers dynamited the Russell Company's bank, and escaped with $25,000. The robbers have not yet been apprehended.

— A proposed constitution for the Chinese government has been published at Peking. The program arranged by the Chinese authorities to bring about a parliamentary form of government for China covers a period of ten years, leading step by step from the present form to the parliamentary form.

— Reports from Manila concerning the recent typhoon in the Cagayan Valley state that probably not less than three hundred persons lost their lives in that district as the result of that storm. The same advices state that there have been fifty-five separate earthquake shocks in the city of Manila between October 19 and 22, but not of sufficient severity to cause material damage.

— Destructive forest fires continue to rage in New York, Maryland, West Virginia, Michigan, and Wisconsin. As a result of these fires, thousands of acres of standing timber are being destroyed, thus bringing perceptibly nearer the long-threatened lumber famine in this country. The number of persons who are known to have lost their lives through the recent forest fires in Michigan is now forty-one, and it is believed that a number of others also have perished.

— The United States minister to China has cabled the State Department that the treaty powers have signified to the Chinese Foreign Office their willingness to sign an agreement prohibiting the importation of morphine and instruments used in injecting it. In furtherance of the war against opium, an international commission is to meet at Shanghai, China, on Jan. 1, 1909. The growth of the opium evil in other countries than China is arousing the different nations to the necessity of taking energetic measures against it.

— The battle-ships “Alabama” and “Maine” have completed their long cruise around the world, one arriving at New York on October 19, and the other at Portsmouth, N. H., on the same day. The voyage occupied 309 days.

— Owing to the activity of night riders in the Reelfoot Lake district of Tennessee, finally culminating in murder, that district has been declared under martial law, and State troops are now encamped there. The governor has declared his intention of bringing the leaders in this disorder to justice, and a reward of $12,000 has been offered for the conviction of those responsible for the death of Captain Quentin Rankin. The night riders have threatened the State's attorney with death if he attempts their prosecution.

— As a result of the numerous criticisms of the American navy, especially in the matter of the width of the armor belt, a conference of naval officers was called sometime ago. This conference has recommended that, in the ships hereafter built for the navy, the armor belt shall be from one to two feet higher than on the vessels now built, and shall extend one foot farther below the water-line. The heavy guns and the guns designed to repel torpedo attacks will in future vessels be placed considerably higher above the water-line than they are on present ships.

— The danger of a general European war is not yet averted. During the past week conferences have been held between Russia's foreign minister, M. Isvolsky, and the emperor and foreign minister of Germany at Berlin; but nothing definite has been as yet accomplished. Austria-Hungary has sought to settle the difficulty over her annexation of the two provinces by dealing direct with Turkey; but Turkey has definitely refused to negotiate with Austria-Hungary concerning the matter. Bulgaria has endeavored to form an offensive and defensive alliance with Turkey; but this proposition also Turkey has refused to consider. It is reported that clashes have occurred on the frontier between Turkish and Bulgarian troops, also that Turkey is quietly but determinedly preparing for war.

— During the past week the members of the American fleet at Tokyo, Japan, have been receiving all the attention that it was possible for the Japanese to lavish upon them. There have been processions in which many thousands of persons took part, garden parties, banquets, and much speech-making. Everything that one nation could do to make the representatives of another nation welcome has been done by the Japanese. Officers and men alike have shared in these attentions. The felicitous message sent by President Roosevelt to the emperor of Japan was delivered by his representative, and was personally responded to by the emperor. This is considered by the Japanese as indicating practically an alliance between the two nations. The fleet remained at Yokohama until the 23d inst., when a portion of the fleet was detached, and sailed for Amoy, China, while the remainder returned to Manila. The entire fleet will reassemble at the latter place before proceeding on its homeward voyage.