Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 12, 1906

—Russia has sent out a proposition for a second world peace conference to assemble at The Hague in the coming July.

—Late news from Russia states that the reactionary party at St. Petersburg is trying hard to influence the czar to find some excuse for dismissing the newly elected Russian parliament as soon as it assembles. The censorship of the press has again been made rigid.

—Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria has made concessions to the Hungarian opposition party led by Francis Kossuth, which it is believed will restore peace in the empire. Elections are to be held at once, so that a new Hungarian parliament may assemble at Budapest in May.

—A dispatch from Kiel, Germany, states that Germany has followed the example of England and the United States in ordering the construction of a gigantic battle-ship of the “Dreadnaught” class.

—News from Naples on April 5 reported that the eruption of Vesuvius was assuming alarming proportions, compelling the residents of some near-by villages to flee for their lives. Roaring explosions within the crater were heard for a distance of twenty miles around, and earthquake shocks were of frequent occurrence. Five streams of lava are descending the mountain.

—Interest in the railway rate bill, which is the measure of chief prominence now before Congress, is centered on the question whether the courts or the Interstate Commerce Commission shall have the power of deciding what is a reasonable transportation charge. The contest over this question in the Senate has caused unexpected divisions and realignments of forces in which political affiliations are wholly ignored. The President, it is stated, favors the Interstate Commerce Commission, but a strong party in the Senate, led by Senator Aldrich, of Rhode Island, favors the courts.

—As stated by the German chancellor Von Buelow, the results of the Moroccan conference which was recently terminated are the following: “The principle of equal privileges for all countries in Morocco has been asserted and maintained. That was the contention of Germany from the beginning, the one thing that German diplomacy strove for. While Germany has obtained those things which she sought, France has obtained, first, recognition of her special position as neighbor of the sultan by international legitimization of her right to maintain order adjacent to the Algerian frontier, a right which Germany never contested; second, a larger share in the state bank; and third, having entrusted to her the instruction of the police, in company with Spain and under international supervision.”

—“Apostle” John Alexander Dowie, who for some time past has been residing in Mexico for his health, has received notice from the overseers left in charge of affairs at Zion City, that he has been deposed from the leadership of his church and divested of all authority in its affairs and control over its property, also that he is charged with dishonesty and misappropriation of funds, and that if he returns to resist this action of the church overseers, he will be arrested. Dowie’s wife and son are among those who have turned against him, and it is stated as a reason for this that Dowie was preparing to divorce his wife and marry the Swiss heiress who was at one time reported engaged to Dowie’s son. Dowie’s wife states also that he has preached to her the doctrine of polygamy. Dowie, who is quoted as denying all these charges, is on his way north to Zion City, bent on regaining his former prestige, and as he is said to still retain a strong following in his church, interesting developments are anticipated on his arrival.