News and Miscellany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1911

News and Miscellany

Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press

— The latest aero speed record was made by Peary Vedrine, who sailed in a monoplane from Poitiers to Pau, a distance of 208 miles, in 132 minutes.

— April 1, after an unbroken deadlock lasting seventy-four days, the New York Legislature elected Justice James A. O'Gorman United States senator to succeed Chauncey M. Depew.

— A serious uprising is reported in Albania, a number of tribes joining in the revolt. It is believed that there will be a severe and arduous campaign in the suppression of the revolution.

— According to the executor of the estate of Mrs. Eddy, her property is valued at $2,760,000. Of this amount, $1,057,788 is represented in stocks and bonds, and $1,400,000 in copyrights on books and publications.

— In order to permit public museums to obtain specimens from the Petrified Forest National Monument, Arizona, arrangements will soon be made for marking off an area from which these institutions may obtain collections.

— The Spanish cabinet resigned April 1. Such division existed over some of the policies with which the state had to cope, that the retirement of the cabinet was determined upon. The formation of a new cabinet, and the position it will take upon pending disputes with the Vatican, will be watched with deep interest.

— Another railroad, known as the Guggenheim-Morgan Line, connecting Cordova and Kennecott, Alaska, was formally opened March 30. The construction of this road is considered one of the most remarkable engineering feats of modern times. The road is 197 miles long, and cost $20,000,000.

— Under the efficient management of Postmaster-General Hitchcock, sweeping changes have been made in that department of the government. The affairs of the railway mail service have been thoroughly overhauled, and many important changes, which will tend greatly to increase the efficiency of the service as well as to effect an economical saving, have been made.

— March 29, by action of the President, Robert E. Peary was commissioned "civil engineer of the navy with the rank of rear-admiral on the retired list." The commission is retroactive, dating from April 6, 1909, when the explorer reached the north pole. Congress gave the explorer the highest retired pay of a rear-admiral, $6,000 a year, his previous rank being captain, at $5,000 yearly.

— China is not alone the sufferer in the opium trade. While Britain has been forcing opium upon the Chinese market, her own people in London have been gradually taking to the use of the drug, and sumptuous opium-dens abound in the East End of London. America has also the same curse in some of her large cities. It seems that while China is seeking to be freed from the curse, some of the Western states are taking it up.

— March 31 the German Reichstag, after a heated debate, adopted a resolution calling upon the government to make treaties to arbitrate with other nations, modeled on the lines of the proposed English treaty, as advocated by President Taft. A resolution was adopted, however, to make this effective as soon as propositions concerning the simultaneous and equal limitation of armaments are made by any one power.

— A celebration of the jubilee of Italian unity began in Rome, March 27, with a formal opening, by King Emmanuel, of the international art exhibition. On the same date the first Italian congress ever held in the United States was begun in Philadelphia, with delegates present from all the leading representative societies of that nationality in the country. Among the things the congress expects to do is to distribute Italian immigrants throughout the country in the agricultural sections, instead of in the cities, and to induce Italians to take a more active part in political matters.

— Excellent results, it is claimed, are attending the postal savings-banks experiment, which the government has undertaken. Thus far only forty-eight offices have been opened. One regulation of these banks is that monthly deposits shall be limited to one hundred dollars, and annual deposits to five hundred dollars. Much hoarded money, which has been offered these banks for safe-keeping, has been rejected under this restriction. Inasmuch as the system is proving so successful, it undoubtedly will be extended throughout the country as rapidly as the required administrative forces can be provided.

— Much discussion has been given the last few days to the question of an arbitration treaty between Great Britain and the United States. The key-note of this proposition was made by President Taft, and is heartily seconded by King George and other prominent Englishmen. The promoters of the peace movement seize upon this as a favorable omen of the progress being made in behalf of world-wide arbitration.

— Pathetic accounts of the ravages of famine and plague continue to come from China. It will be three months before the early harvests bring relief to the famine sufferers. Barefooted children, all but naked, roam the streets on freezing days crying for bread. In many instances children have been sold for a mere pittance, or abandoned in the hope that they would be rescued and provided for. The plague north of the famine district continues unchecked. Several European physicians have already lost their lives in heroic endeavors to assist the sufferers. It is hoped that warm weather will bring relief from the more virulent so-called pneumonic form of the disease.

— A very destructive fire occurred in the State capitol building at Albany, N. Y., March 28, practically destroying the west wing. It was feared for a time that the whole building was doomed. As it was, the flames burned up the State library, the court of claims, the assembly library and document rooms, most of the offices of the excise department, and the quarters of the senate finance committee. Further than this, the water and smoke extended to every part of the building, and did more or less damage. The money loss is estimated at $5,000,000; but this is nothing as compared with the destruction of many historic papers and records, which can never be restored. The State carried no insurance, as the capitol building had been regarded as absolutely fireproof. Until repairs can be made, administrative work will be carried forward in improvised offices.

— The Mexican situation has grown more complicated if anything during the past week. It was hoped that the formation of the new ministry would materially assist in inaugurating such reforms as would answer the demand of the insurrectos. In his semiannual message at the opening of the national congress last week, President Diaz urges many reforms which are sought by his rebellious subjects. He recommends the Mexican Congress to pass a law providing for no reelection of the chief executive or other elective officers, and a reform of the liberal laws, so that the privilege of the ballot may be enjoyed by all citizens who are considered capable of voting. If we may judge from reports, the revolutionary movement has made slow but steady progress during the last week. The Mexican government appears to appreciate the efforts of the United States to prevent sympathizing Americans from assisting the revolutionary movement. The tone of the press throughout the country, which at first appeared generally critical of the mobilization of the United States troops along the Mexican border, has materially changed, and recognition is given to the wisdom of President Taft in thus seeking to assist in the preservation of order in the Mexican republic.