News and Miscellany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1911

News and Miscellany

Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press

— In a fire at Center, Tex., March 4, six persons were killed, and two fatally injured.

— A special train on the Pennsylvania Railroad recently made a run from Altoona to Philadelphia, a distance of 245 miles, in 227 minutes, with one two-minute stop at Harrisburg.

— The Chinese government has agreed to an appointment of Russian and Chinese commissioners, with full power to reach an adjustment of the boundary question, which has caused more or less friction between the two governments.

— February 28 the California Supreme Court reversed its former decision in the case of Mr. Ruef, the noted San Francisco political boss. The last finding of the court declares Mr. Ruef guilty, and sentences him to fourteen years of prison servitude.

— A bridal party numbering 118 was attacked by a pack of ravenous wolves at Tashkend, Asiatic Russia, February 28. Only two persons escaped.

— The closing hours of Congress witnessed the recognition of the work of Capt. Robert E. Peary in his polar achievements by conferring upon him the rank of rear-admiral.

— The Sixty-first Congress expired by limitation at twelve o'clock Saturday, March 4. A large amount of unfinished business, including several important bills, was left without settlement. This was disappointing to President Taft, particularly so because no action was taken by the Senate on the Canadian reciprocity bill, which he earnestly desired should be passed by the old Congress. In consequence, he has issued a call for an extra session, which will convene April 4. The new Congress will contain many new men, who were chosen at the last State elections. A majority of the House will be Democratic, with a new speaker.

— The ravages of the plague in the Orient continue unchecked. The disease manifests itself in two forms,—in the ordinary bubonic form and in a later development of what is known as pneumonic, or lung plague. The latter is the more deadly form of the disease, one hundred per cent, it is claimed, dying from its effects. The extreme poverty and unsanitary conditions which exist, together with the superstition of the people, serve to offset in a large degree the efforts which are made by the government to check its ravages. With the passing of the cold weather, it is expected that the pneumonic form will have run its course.

— It is considered that the political situation between the Spanish government and the Vatican is approaching a critical stage, and it would seem that a complete rupture of friendly relations between the two is inevitable. The Vatican maintains its attitude of refusing to consent that any legislation providing for the expulsion of the religious orders from Spain, or dealing with other cardinal matters affecting the church, shall be discussed by the Spanish Cortes without first having been carefully considered and passed upon by the church authorities. The government, on the other hand, feels that it should have, in dealing with many of these questions, a free hand, unhampered by church restrictions.

— The uprising in Mexico during the last few weeks has passed through many varied experiences. At times it would seem as if order had been restored in the disaffected provinces, when some new outbreak would occur, starting afresh the flames of insurgency. The last report states that in a battle between the federal army and revolutionists at Corral, fifty of the federal troops were slain, and General Torres was taken prisoner. It is predicted by those who claim to know conditions that it will be some time before quiet is restored. By order of the War Department, 20,000 United States troops have been mobilized in Texas during the last few days, ostensibly for field practise and army maneuvers. Many feel, however, that this mobilization has some connection with the Mexican situation. Developments are anxiously awaited.

— According to the annual report of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for the year 1910, its business has given a net income of more than $37,000,000 for the year, an increase of more than $2,500,000 over that for 1909. Nearly 70,000,000 passengers were carried over this line.

— Affairs in the French Republic have resulted in the resignation of M. Briand, the premier, and his fellow members. M. Monis was called to the premiership, and has formed a new cabinet. March 6 the Chamber of Deputies, by a vote of 309 to 134, declared its confidence in the new ministry.

— The Barbers' Labor Union has introduced a Barbers' Sunday bill into the California Legislature. One hearing has already been held on this bill, at which Elders J. O. Corliss and W. M. Healey spoke. Their addresses were well received by the committee. It is hoped that another hearing will be granted before the bill is reported out of the committee.

— It is claimed by Dr. William F. Boos, an expert toxicologist of the Massachusetts General Hospital, “that ten per cent of the physicians of the United States are users of morphin through the hypodermic syringe.” With reference to the conditions in Boston, he says, “There is more smoking than eating of opium, and great numbers of young women are smoking opium in this city.”

— John Hays Hammond has been appointed special ambassador by President Taft to represent the United States government at the coming coronation ceremony of King George, of England. As an indication of the inflated prices which will prevail at that time, particularly in rents, it is stated that the house in London which will be occupied by Mr. Hammond for six weeks, costs him a rental of sixty thousand dollars.