Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 14, 1905

— An epidemic of typhoid fever is raging at Nanticoke, Pa., two hundred or more people out of a total of 12,000 residents having the disease.

— The cholera epidemic continues to spread in Germany, but assurances are given that the disease will not be allowed to cross the Atlantic. One hundred and five cases, with thirty-two deaths, had been reported in Berlin up to September 7, also a number of cases at Hamburg.

— The work of the federal courts at Chicago in bringing the beef trust to justice is proceeding slowly. The Cudahy Packing Company has demanded a separate trial, and it is stated that all the packers may demand separate trials, which demand, if granted, would necessitate twenty-one trials before the case is concluded. The trust is evidently seeking to escape by delay.

— The new Anglo-Japanese treaty which has been recently concluded is broader in scope than the former one, information supposed to be authentic stating that it is now so drawn that Japan protects England from a Russian invasion of India, and England protects Japan against the operations of France in Indo-China. In addition, either power is to come to the assistance of the other in case of an attack by any one, instead of two, other powers.

— An earthquake occurred in southern Italy September 8, which is described as one of the worst ever experienced in that region. The shock came between two and three o'clock in the morning, waking the people from sleep and driving them panic-stricken into the streets. Descriptions of the occurrence tell of “scenes of indescribable terror,” marked by frantic invocations to the

madonna and the “saints” for protection. A full estimate of the destruction and loss of life due to the catastrophe has not been obtained, but it is known that many villages have been destroyed, and that the number of killed and injured reaches several thousand.

— The blowing up of the Rand powder mills at Fairchance, near Uniontown, Pa., September 8, caused destruction for miles around, and totally obliterated the structures belonging to the Rand company. Nineteen of the thirty-two employees on duty at the time were blown to pieces. A spark from a workman's tool is thought to have caused the initial explosion, six other explosions following in rapid succession, the third being the most destructive.

— On the expiration of the agreement between coal mine owners and operators, April 1, 1906, the following demands will be presented by the miners’ union, the alternative to which will be another prolonged strike: “First, a recognition of the miners’ union by the coal operators, the recognition to take the form of a signed agreement. Second, the substitution of an eight-hour work-day for the nine-hour work-day awarded by the strike commission, which is now in force throughout the hard coal fields. Third, an increase in pay over the minimum wages now paid to men and boys who are not contract miners, but are generally classed as unskilled labor. Fourth, a uniform scale of wages for workers, not actually miners, at all collieries.”

— The peace treaty between Russia and Japan was formally signed by the envoys at Portsmouth September 5. When the knowledge of the terms of peace arrived at Tokyo, there was a popular uprising which for a time assumed a serious aspect. Ten Christian churches and one mission building were burned, Baron Kamura’s home was threatened, and there was a display of anti-American sentiment at the American legation. It became necessary to declare martial law and establish quiet by military force. Much more unfortunate has been the immediate sequence of the peace compact in the Caucasus, where a terrible uprising has occurred, ascribed to the Russian revolutionary party, resulting in prolonged fighting between Tartars and Armenians and the military forces, with unrestrained rioting and destruction of life and property. The aim of the revolutionary party, it is stated, was to destroy the oil industry at Baku, and thus cripple the government railway service there, oil being the only fuel used by the engines. A report states that one thousand persons have been killed in the Baku district, and the worst conditions are reported also from Shusha by the Armenian bishop, where fighting between Tartars and Armenians continued for five days. Thousands of people are homeless and starving. Another unfortunate result of peace, according to the latest reports, is the restoration to power of the Russian bureaucracy, and the consequent setback of the revolutionary movement. Some are of the opinion that a long and bloody struggle for freedom must now come in the place of the victory that seemed imminent while the autocratic regime was being subjected to the blows of the Japanese.