Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1905

— Strong hopes for peace between Russia and Japan are now entertained in this country and in Europe, and to President Roosevelt belongs the credit of bringing about the present hopeful situation, he having addressed a note to each of the belligerent powers suggesting that the two governments open negotiations with each other for the purpose of ending the war. It is stated that Russia has agreed to an indemnity in the terms of peace which Japan may exact, and that if Japan's terms are not too severe, the present negotiations will bring an end of hostilities. Meanwhile the czar is subjected to very strong pressure at home by a message from a representative body including many men of high rank, sent from Moscow, the headquarters of the organization, demanding that steps be taken at once to end the present bureaucratic government, and institute representative government in its place.

— The political union between Norway and Sweden, which has existed since 1814, was severed by Norway, June 7, so that Norway is now an independent state. The Norwegian Storthing passed a resolution setting forth the reasons for this action, as follows: "Whereas, All the members of the council of state have laid down their offices; Whereas, his majesty the king has declared himself unable to establish a new government for the country; and, Whereas, The constitutional regal power thus becomes inoperative, the Storthing authorizes the members of the council of state, who retired to-day, to exercise, until further notice, as the Norwegian government, the power appertaining to the king, in accordance with Norway's constitution and existing laws, with those changes which are necessitated by the fact that the union with Sweden under one king is dissolved in consequence of the king's having ceased to act as a Norwegian king." The Norwegian government is prepared to defend its independence by force of arms if necessary.

— Some months ago there was a revival of Sunday legislation in Spain, and regulations were carried into effect which prohibited Sunday work and Sunday sports, among the latter being included the national pastime of bull-fighting. The discontinuance of these Sunday shows was a very unpopular proceeding, and drew forth many protests, not only from those with whom bull-fighting was a favorite form of amusement, but from the vast numbers who were dependent on the shows for employment. The opposition seems now to have triumphed over the law, for it is announced that Sunday bull-fights have been everywhere resumed, being authorized by the Council of State, at Madrid, on the ground that bull-fighting is an art, and the performers in the show are artists. Great enthusiasm is manifested by the populace everywhere, and at Madrid a record-breaking crowd, not half of whom could gain admission to the amphitheater, came to witness the initial exhibition. This mark of a decadent nation appears in Spain in spite of her national recognition of God and her stringent "Sabbath" laws.