p. 21 | Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1909

Current Mention

— Cholera has broken out in Seoul, Korea, and threatens to become epidemic.

— At Topeka, Kan., on October 8, seventeen men were killed by a collision between a freight-train and a construction-train.

— The French scientific exploration company in Babylonia recently unearthed a city which is believed to be several thousand years old. This is on the site of the ancient Roman Susa, the Shushan of the Bible, the capital of the emperors Darius and Artaxerxes. Below this city were found ruins of buildings believed to be still older.

— There is now a prospect of another Chinese boycott against Japanese goods, because of what are called the aggressions of the Japanese in North China. Many circulars are being scattered through three eastern provinces, declaring for such a boycott, and threatening with vengeance any who will not join in it. Japan is said to be protesting against the circulation of these documents.

— On October 11 a hurricane struck the southern coast of Florida, doing a great amount of damage, principally in the city of Key West. In this place alone the damage is estimated at $3,000,000, and 5,000 persons are out of work and in need of food and clothing. General appeals are being made for aid for the sufferers. Warnings of the storm sent out by the weather bureau saved a great loss of life. The same storm caused much damage in the western portion of Cuba. The city of Havana reports the loss of ten lives and damage to property amounting to $1,000,000.

— Definite action has now been taken by thirty-one States in the Union asking for an amendment of the United States Constitution. This is the majority of the States, and according to the Constitution itself, Congress must heed such demand, and call a convention to consider amendments. When such a convention meets, the National Reform Association proposes to place before it the life-long purpose of that organization, which is to so modify the Constitution itself that religion and the state can be joined in reality and religious legislation be made possible, and consistent with the Constitution.

— In spite of the protests of millions of individuals and numerous societies in Europe, Prof. Francisco Ferrer, who had been accused of being the leader of the anarchistic outbreaks in Barcelona, Spain, a few weeks ago, was shot to death at Barcelona on October 13 by order of the Spanish government. On that day there were fierce demonstrations against the Spanish government in France, Italy, and Austria. It is firmly believed in many quarters that the execution of Professor Ferrer has sealed the doom of the Spanish king. The Pope of Rome had been importuned to intercede with King Alfonso, and the king had been appealed to by Professor Ferrer’s daughter, but all to no purpose, and the execution was hurried, it is believed, to forestall interference with the purpose of his accusers. Many persons throughout Europe who are prominent in the scientific and political world openly declare the execution “an act of political cannibalism.” Said a prominent Frenchman: “Ferrer was the victim of the monks, who are all-powerful in Spain, now that they have been re-enforced by their colleagues who were expelled from France.” It is generally felt that the execution of Ferrer was the result of the influence of the Jesuits. In the city of Rome mobs surged through the streets crying, “Down with the Jesuits;” “Down with Merry del Val.” The latter is papal secretary of state. In Trieste, Austria, on the following day large crowds of workmen went on strike, parading the streets with black flags, and shouting “Death to Alfonso;” “Death to the Pope.” It is impossible to learn what is going on in Barcelona, as all news from that quarter is censored by government officials. A general strike of workmen is now on in Rome, and anarchists are preparing for a great demonstration in that city. The Socialists of Brussels have declared a boycott on Spanish goods, and have put the flag over their headquarters at half-mast, “to remain so till Ferrer’s death is avenged.” The Vatican is strongly guarded, and the papal secretary is advised by the police not to appear on the streets, as his safety can not be guaranteed. The fact that Professor Ferrer was given no opportunity to defend himself at the trial, and that his attorney was placed under arrest for protesting against such procedure, has added to the feeling of hatred stirred up in Europe against the Spanish government on account of the execution. The pope is reported to have expressed great concern over the effect of the execution upon the church in Spain; but there can hardly be a doubt that his failure to intercede for Ferrer was due to the fact that the most powerful order of the Catholic Church was the chief agent in securing his condemnation.