Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 6, 1905

— Affairs in the republic of Hayti are in an unsettled state, which is suggestive of an impending attempt at revolution, and the presence of foreign war-ships is necessary at Port au Prince and other harbors to safeguard the interests of American and European residents.

— A report is current in Vienna that the Italian war ministry proposed to ask the Chamber of Deputies for $40,000,000 to fortify the eastern and northern frontiers of Italy. This is taken as evidence of a growing distrust of Austria on the part of Italy, due in part to the weakening of Russian power in the far East, and the consequent loss of Russian influence in the Balkan Peninsula.

— Serious disorder has prevailed for some time in the island of Crete, owing to animosity between Christians and Mohammedans, and general dissatisfaction with the administration of Prince George of Greece, who since 1898 has ruled as high commissioner of the island under the nominal suzerainty of the sultan of Turkey. Order is to be restored in the island by joint action of the world powers.

— Norway is moving for independence from Sweden. A Christiania telegram says: “The new premier, P. C. Michelsen, outlined the government's program in the Storthing to-day [March 15]. Relative to the Sweden and Norway consular system, he said the new cabinet was formed to establish the constitutional right of Norway to a separate consular service, and to preserve Norway's sovereignty as a free and independent kingdom.”

— The State of Missouri has begun an action to revoke all the franchises of the oil trust in that State. An investigation into the methods of the Standard Oil trust is shortly to be begun at Topeka, Kan., by the federal government. The railroads will probably be drawn into this investigation. These proceedings, with those of the government against the beef trust at Chicago, will decide whether there is any remedy at law for the people against the oppression of the trusts.

— The investigation of the beef trust by the federal grand jury is in progress at Chicago, and it is stated that few if any of the packing firms will escape indictment. There will, it is said, be indictments against some of the packers for attempting to bribe witnesses. The railways will also come in for some attention by this grand jury, in the matter of rebates and shipping rates generally, between which and the business methods of the beef trust there is a close connection.

— Clergymen of New York City are inaugurating a special movement for the evangelization of that city, a leading feature of which will be a series of meetings conducted in large tents in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Former Mayor Seth Low is one of the leaders in the movement. A press dispatch states that the campaign “will aim to reach the backsliders of every part of the city. Ten tents, with a greater aggregate area of canvas than was ever carried by the ‘largest show on earth,’ will be planted

in Manhattan, and several other tents will be conducted in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Mr. Low and Dr. W. H. Thompson are the vice-chairmen of the work, and they expect to raise more than $50,000 to carry on the revival. One of the features of the movement is to be the absence of the contribution plate during the service.”

— Turkey has been negotiating with France for a large order of military weapons, and Germany, not liking this, has assumed a threatening attitude toward Turkey, a letter having been presented to the porte by the German ambassador, which vetoes the order of arms from France, and threatens serious consequences if Turkey refuses compliance. The Ottoman cabinet is said to be seriously embarrassed and indignant at this dictatorial conduct on the part of Germany.

— Increasing distress from the famine caused by the long drought in Andalusia Province, Spain, is reported from Madrid. In a number of cities the people, driven to desperation by starvation, attempt to relieve their distress by riot and pillage. Among the places most seriously affected are Antequera, Coin, Campillos, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cordova. “Religious processions,” says a Madrid dispatch, “are being held in many towns, imploring for rain, but none has fallen since the winter frosts began.”

— Conflicting rumors are in circulation regarding peace negotiations between Russia and Japan, in which France and the United States are mentioned as the probable agencies through which the belligerent powers will approach each other when ready to discontinue hostilities. The Russian war party, however, is still strong, and the czar himself is reported as being the foremost advocate of a continuance of the war. Hopes are entertained at St. Petersburg that Admiral Rozhdestvensky, commanding the Russian Baltic fleet, will be able to crush the Japanese fleet under Admiral Togo, and thus secure for Russia the command of the sea, which would change the whole complexion of the campaign. It is reported that Russia has let it be known that peace must be concluded on a basis of no cession of territory and no indemnity to Japan, and that Japan has in like unofficial manner announced that such conditions of peace will not be considered at all. There is some fighting between the armies in Manchuria, a report received March 30 stating that the Japanese had, after a severe engagement, captured Guntzu Pass, which is about 130 miles southwest of Harbin. It is reported also that Japanese troops have cut the railroad between Harbin and Vladivostock. A St. Petersburg dispatch states that the authorities there continue to find evidence of terrorist activity in St. Petersburg, and in spite of the precautions of the police another tragedy may occur at any moment. The fighting organization is known to have on its condemned list thirty persons, headed by Grand Duke Alexis and Governor-General Trepoff. It is also stated that a movement headed by metropolitan clergy of St. Petersburg has been started, seeking the separation of church and state in that country.