Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1905

— It is reported that France will deliver an ultimatum to Venezuela shortly, and that if Venezuela disregards the same, France will bombard the Venezuelan coast.

— A great many mishaps to prominent people from automobile collisions are being reported. Among those who have narrowly escaped injury from this source of late being Emperor William of Germany.

— A report from Panama states that it has been decided to build a lock canal instead of a sea-level canal. The United States will fortify both terminals of the canal, at an estimated cost of about $5,000,000.

— The affairs of the government printing-office are being overhauled by a committee appointed at the last session of Congress, and the statement is made, based on evidence already collected, that “in every department of the government, as well as in both Houses of Congress, there is extravagance, reckless and shameful waste, in the matter of public printing.”

— The question whether Norway shall be a republic or a monarchy is making some stir in Europe. A Copenhagen dispatch says: “The Swedish court is making efforts to secure Prince Charles’s acceptance of the Norwegian throne, fearing the establishment of a republic, which would stimulate republican sentiment in Sweden, where the subject is already being agitated by the Radicals and Socialists.” It seems likely that Prince Charles (who is of the Swedish royal house) will secure the throne.

— The latest bank-wrecking sensation is furnished by the Enterprise National bank of Allegheny, Pa., which was considered one of the most reliable banks in Allegheny County. It appears that the bank carried $780,000 of State funds, and had been looted by a band of Pennsylvania politicians, who had obtained loans to the amount of $500,000, using their influence with the State treasurer to compel the bank to loan them the money, they giving as security worthless stocks. The failure of the institution was attended by the suicide of the cashier.

— The cause of the explosion on the United States steamship “Bennington” recently, which resulted in the death of many of the crew, is found to be “graft,” or something akin to it. The head of the engineering department of the Mare Island Navy Yard, Commander George B. Ranson, who is an expert witness for the defense at a court martial of an officer charged with responsibility for the disaster, says: “It is a matter of record that the ‘Bennington’ was a contract-built ship. The work in connection with the riveting around the furnaces was badly done. The holes were punched, not drilled. They were not properly countersunk. For an expenditure of fifty dollars additional on the work in riveting on the furnace, the disaster to the ‘Bennington’ would never have occurred.”