p. 20 | News and Miscellany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1911

News and Miscellany

Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press

— Chile has recently contracted for two more dreadnoughts of the most powerful type yet designed.

— In consequence of the timbering of a mine taking fire at Negaunee, Mich., May 5, seven men lost their lives through suffocation.

— The American consulate building at Port Limon, Costa Rica, was destroyed by fire, May 7. Only the archives and papers of the consulate were saved.

— Trains on the Midland Valley Railroad, in Oklahoma, were delayed May 5, by vast swarms of caterpillars, which caused the wheels of the cars and locomotives to slip.

— A passenger-train on the Elmira and Cortland division of the Lehigh Railroad, was wrecked, May 8, near Elmira, N. Y. Twenty passengers were injured, four fatally.

— The American Civic Association has taken up an earnest fight against the threatened despoliation of Niagara Falls. It is claimed that the water being diverted is seriously threatening this wonderful work of nature.

— May 5 Andrew Carnegie was the recipient of a gold medal, voted to him by the Fourth International Congress of American States, held in Buenos Aires in 1910, for his long and earnest efforts in behalf of international peace.

— The recent sailing of the German antarctic expedition marks another important step in the international competition to reach the South Pole. Two expeditions are already within the antarctic circle, and two more are contemplating the invasion.

— The long-awaited edict abolishing the grand council, and substituting a constitutional cabinet of ten members, was issued by the emperor of China, May 8. This change is in harmony with the demands of the national assembly for a constitutional cabinet responsible to that body instead of to the throne.

— At Lenox, Mass., May 6, a gardener dug up three ancient English pennies. Two bore portraits of George III, and are dated 1777, while the other has a portrait of George II, and is dated 1742. They are about the size of an old-fashioned American cent. One thousand dollars was refused by the gardener for the three pennies.

— The Colorado Legislature, adjourning May 6, had endeavored since last January to elect a United States Senator to succeed Charles J. Hughes. Although strongly Democratic, the legislature was unable to make a choice; hence the State will be represented in the United States Senate for the next two years by a solitary Republican, Honorable Simon Guggenheim.

— Despatches from Fez, Morocco, describe conditions as extremely critical. It is claimed that only fifty sacks of sugar remain in the town, with no petroleum. There is some flour, but great scarcity of meat and other provisions. The city is surrounded by seven thousand besiegers. Trouble has existed in this country for some time, some of the tribes proclaiming a holy war against the government.

— Permanent headquarters of the American Peace Society, an organization for the purpose of promoting universal peace, has been established in Washington, D. C. The main object for moving the headquarters to Washington was to place it where direct influence could be brought on public officials, members of Congress, and foreign diplomats. The society has more than four thousand members scattered throughout the United States.

— In order to stamp out hydrophobia in the District of Columbia, it is required that all dogs running at large and unleashed, must continue to wear for more than three months longer the muzzles which the District commissioner ordered on nearly nine months ago. It is hoped by this means effectually to stamp out hydrophobia in the District. This has been done by England, where, it is claimed, hydrophobia is practically unknown. All dogs entering England are subject to quarantine.

— The situation in Mexico has reached a very complicated and extremely delicate condition. The peace negotiations which were carried on between the government and General Madero accomplished but little. The revolutionists demanded, as one of the conditions of peace, that President Diaz should resign. This he refused to do, indicating, however, in a public manifesto his determination to retire from office at such time as in his judgment the country had been pacified, and law and order were again restored. It has been a question all the time whether General Madero was acting as the representative of the entire body of revolutionists, inasmuch as the revolutionary movement is so widely scattered over the republic, each party apparently acting independently of the other. A number of the leaders, however, signified their willingness to abide by such terms as might be arranged in the conference. At the conclusion of the peace negotiations, no definite agreement having been reached, both parties again began operations. The objective point of attack on the part of the revolutionists was by the army of General Madero against the town of Juarez, across the Rio Grande River from El Paso, Tex. After three days of fighting, General Navarro, commanding the government troops, surrendered, thus placing this city in the control of the insurrectos. The casualties amounted to sixty-five killed, and two hundred fifty wounded. Nearly five hundred prisoners were taken by General Madero, besides munitions of war. It is feared that the capture of this post will have a strong moral influence in arousing the revolutionary spirit throughout the republic. A large force is encamped near the Mexican capital, and it is feared that the fall of Juarez may inspire active and aggressive operations on the part of other insurgent parties throughout the country. With the revolutionary party in possession of this town, the Mexican revolution assumes proportions which are likely to give much greater concern to the United States. Juarez is one of the important gateways of the Mexican republic. General Madero will no doubt assume the right to collect the customs revenue, and will undoubtedly make claims to be treated as a belligerent in the Mexican imbroglio. General Reyes, former commander of the Mexican army, who has been absent in Europe for some months, has been recalled, and his return is anxiously awaited. It is believed that he will be in a position, both on account of his ability as a leader, and his wide influence throughout the republic, to command the situation. He is looked for as the one who can successfully prosecute the campaign of war, or be a bearer of the olive branch of peace. The United States troops encamped on the border have carefully refrained from any interference, serving only as a police force for the protection, as far as possible, of American life and property, and to prevent aid being afforded the insurgents from the American side. President Taft is keeping in close touch with the situation. It is not in his purpose or lawful power to send troops across the border without action of Congress. It is still earnestly hoped in every quarter that peace may be arranged on some basis alike honorable to the Mexican government and to the just requirements of the insurgents.