Significant Events of 1911 by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 4, 1912

Significant Events of 1911

By F. M. W.

A Retrospect

If the measure of events for the year just closed becomes the standard for 1912, then we have entered upon another year of important history, politically, commercially, and religiously; for 1911 has been burdened with happenings of serious import. A glance at some of the international complications which have arisen, emphasize this.

Political Events

The Mexican republic has been in the throes of a terrible revolution, which has threatened the very integrity of the government. The mobilization of a large number of United States troops along the Mexican border seemed a necessity, not only to protect the interests of the United States, but for the performance of police duty in maintaining the neutrality of this government. From this unhappy situation Mexico has in a large measure emerged, but conditions are far from settled; and President Madero has much to do in tranquilizing the different sections of the country, and building up business and commercial relations that have suffered so greatly in consequence of the long civil war.

Little Portugal, contrary to the evil prophecies from many quarters, has succeeded in maintaining its integrity as a republic, peaceably electing its second president, and bids fair to bring to a successful issue its terrible fight against the strong church and clerical influences with which it has had to contend.

A similar conflict between the church and state has been waged in Spain. The government has been determined to pass certain measures regarded as inimical to the interests of the Vatican, and notwithstanding the strong opposition which it has received, has succeeded admirably in effecting some reforms and in providing greater liberty for Protestant worship.

Germany and France engaged in a long diplomatic war over the trade advantages of the two countries in Morocco. At one time open disruption between the two countries was feared, but diplomacy finally prevailed, and a treaty was negotiated, but with little satisfaction to either government, the people of each feeling that the other had succeeded in securing the larger share of advantage.

Perhaps the most unlooked-for of international complications occurred in the sudden declaration of war against Turkey on the part of the Italian government, and the immediate seizure of Tripoli by that government. Turkey, taken unawares, and with very meager naval armament for carrying on war over the seas, was able to give but feeble resistance. She has made unavailing appeals to the great powers of Europe, none of whom have come to her help. While all admit that Italy’s action in seizing Tripoli was taken with but little provocation, and to satisfy her demand for colonial expansion, thus far none has felt like interposing in behalf of the Ottoman empire. This conflict is the more interesting in that it appears to be in direct line with the prophecy of Daniel 11, in further weakening the Turkish power, so that ultimately it shall be entirely eliminated from the map of Europe. This war still drags wearily on, and the outcome is awaited with concern, all Europe fearing that future complications may involve the interests and engage the arms of the other nations.

As a wide-spread and apparently spontaneous revolution, having its origin not with a few malcontents, but in the hearts of the mass of the people, the great uprising in the Chinese empire stands without a historical parallel. This ancient and mighty country—mighty so far as its great stretches of territory and its vast hordes of barbarian and ignorant people are concerned—has been passing through the greatest crisis in its entire history. The ravages of the terrible bubonic plague, followed by the pinching want of famine, together with the dissatisfaction with the Manchu dynasty, the imbibing of Western ideas of liberty, and the spirit of revolution which seems to exist everywhere, are doubtless responsible for the revolution. At this writing an armistice has been declared, in order to give the representatives of the government and the revolutionist leaders an opportunity to confer regarding the future of the country. A strong sentiment exists in favor of a republic. This, however, has received a strong checkmate through the influence of some of the powers. It is to be hoped at least that if the reigning dynasty is upheld, it will have such constitutional safeguards as will insure to poor China a stable and reasonable form of government, and that the result will be greater enlightenment to the masses of people, and a freer entrance to the gospel of Christ.

International Peace Agitation

The international peace movement received strong impetus during 1911. Mr. Carnegie, out of his beneficence, donated a large fund—some ten million dollars—to the promotion of this cause. President Taft, by the recommendation of peace treaties with Great Britain and other countries, added the strong influence of his high position to the movement. It can not be denied that many of the advocates of this movement have at heart the bettering of humanity, and are possessed of a noble purpose in their endeavors, even though in so doing they are fulfilling one of the prophetic predictions in which the present agitation is set forth as a sign of the day of the Lord. This peace agitation has had but little deterrent effect upon the extensive preparations for war going forward on every hand; 1911 has witnessed marked increase in naval armament in nearly every country. The argument is put forth in many quarters that the world’s peace will be maintained and promoted by every nation’s being prepared to defend its own interests, and by each having an army which will be respected and feared by its neighbors. Upon this theory the nations vie with each other in carrying out the program.

The Commercial World

Many complications have existed in the commercial world during the past year. There has been a marked increase in the price of living. This has accentuated the line drawn between capital and labor, and made more acute the great commercial war which is being waged. While there has been a marked increase in the price of the ordinary commodities of living, there has been but little advance in the wage rate of the laboring man. Some of the cities of the Old World have been startled by the bread riots which have occurred in Vienna, Paris, and other cities on the Continent. England has experienced the severest industrial war ever witnessed in that island, the government itself being compelled to take a hand in the settlement of the difficulty. Much violence and bloodshed resulted.

These conditions serve to fire the hearts of the more irresponsible elements of society, and as a result we have the formation of diabolical plots resulting in wholesale murder and the destruction of thousands of dollars’ worth of property. These conditions we must expect will become more and more intensified.

Two terrible diseases have wrought special havoc during the past year: the

bubonic plague in China, which caused the death of thousands, and cholera in Italy. Both diseases in India and other countries of the Orient have wrought together in exacting a heavy toll of death.

Trend of Religious Events

The progress of events in the religious world has been particularly marked. On the one hand, the most commendable interest has been shown by many in the great Christian church in waging a heroic warfare against some of the moral evils of the day. Great gains have been made in the field of temperance reform. The victory in Maine, snatched by a small margin from the very jaws of defeat, bears splendid witness to what may be accomplished for the cause of right through the cooperation of its friends, even when it has arrayed against it such mighty hosts of evil as filled and encompassed that State during the recent campaign. Noble work has been done by many in the enlistment of Christian effort in behalf of the suppression of the white-slave traffic, and the betterment of many of the social conditions which exist in our large cities, and in enlisting men and means for work in the vast regions of heathenism.

On the other hand it is to be regretted that many evil-working principles have found development in connection with the Christian church during the past year. Subtly and insidiously infidelity has continued its baneful work as represented in the principles of higher criticism and liberal theology, principles which deny the deity and incarnation of the Lord Jesus, throw discredit upon the Bible record and the cardinal doctrines of Christianity, and make of man his own savior. The federation and associations which have for their object the enthronement of God in the Constitution and the virtual establishment of a union of church and state, have been strengthened. A growing deference and respect for the Papacy exists on every hand. These conditions are but the harbingers of the evil day when the great Christian church will turn its back upon the truth of God, and reject those principles in which only it can find salvation.

The Third Angel’s Message

The year just closed has been a significant one in the progress of the great religious movement represented by this journal. The gospel of the coming kingdom is being given in practically all the world. God has opened before it the bars and gates of the nations, and through the gospel herald and the printed page it is entering into the byways and highways proclaiming the speedy establishment of the kingdom of the Prince of Peace. Another article in this department this week gives a list of the recruits which were sent out to reenforce this advance army of the Lord during the past year. Surely our prayers should attend them.

Prospective

What 1912 will unfold to our vision we can not safely predict. We are living in thrilling times. We have come down to the ends of the world, to the focal point in the history of the ages. There is being fought out in this our day the closing battles of the great conflict which began in heaven itself, and has engaged the attention of the human family for the last six thousand years; and we are participants in its culmination. We are actors in earth’s closing drama. Truly this is a thrilling thought. The eyes of the universe are upon us. Heavenly intelligences take note of us as to how we deport ourselves in the struggle. May God grant in the year to come that we shall acquit ourselves like true men and true women. Let us be true and loyal and brave and noble.

We know not what scenes await us on the morrow. We know not what conditions politically, religiously, commercially, or socially may be thrust upon us; but we do know that God is over all, and if we will but commit to him the keeping of our souls and trust him in faith, his Spirit will show us how to relate ourselves to every condition, and how to stand in the thrilling events through which we shall pass in the year to come.

F. M. W.