Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 13, 1910

— There have been eight arrests up to date in connection with the attempt to dynamite the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad shops and the Gay Street bridge in Baltimore. Those arrested were members of what is known as the “Assault Game,” who were working in the interests of the striking Baltimore and Ohio machinists.

— The American Federation of Labor is planning to make war on the United States Steel Corporation. Circulars have been sent out to each of the 1,540,000 members of the association, calling on them for a donation of ten cents each, which will constitute a fund of $154,000 with which the national officers intend to begin their campaign.

— China has refused absolutely to consider the proposition of Portugal that the dispute between them concerning the Macao boundary be submitted to arbitration. China declares that she will settle this matter only with Portugal. At the Hong Kong Conference, the Chinese delegates refused to recognize Portugal’s claim in Macao.

— A cablegram from London dated January 2 states that rarely has the city entered upon a New Year with such pleasant prospects to justify hopes of better times as this year. Good reports in this direction also come from Berlin and Paris. Nevertheless the feverishness over the prospect of war still exists undiminished throughout Europe.

— On January 4, at Bordeaux, Leon Delagrange, the famous French aeronaut, while flying at a height of sixty-five feet, was hurled to the ground and instantly killed. This is the fifth notable death among aeronauts since the fall of Orville Wright and Lieutenant Selfridge and the death of the latter at Fort Myer, Va., in September, 1908.

— Capt. Robert F. Scott’s expedition in search of the south pole is now assured, the British government having promised on January 5 $100,000 toward the $200,000 needed. Public subscriptions toward the expedition have already amounted to $60,000, thus leaving but $40,000 still to be raised. The expedition will set forth in July next. The Russians are also planning a south polar expedition.

— During the last calendar year there has been a remarkable improvement in public health conditions throughout the United States. No yellow fever has been reported, and there is a considerable decrease of the disease in the Latin American nations, which have been regarded as the source of contagion for this country. These improvements are ascribed to the advanced sanitation which is being gradually established.

— Eight boat loads of fishermen were lost on January 5 from the Dover and Whitehead fishing fleet off Newfoundland in the terrible storm which swept up the Atlantic coast on that date. This storm has caused a great deal of suffering both on land and sea. The eight boat loads of fishermen made up a total of forty men.

— A report from St. Petersburg, Russia, dated January 4, states that the admiralty is planning to send a group of officials to America to study battle-ship construction. The report states that the battle-ships of the United States navy are considered at St. Petersburg to represent the most advanced types in the world.

— The reports from Nicaragua are to the effect that General Estrada, the leader of the revolution, is conferring with the new president of Nicaragua, with a view to settling the differences between them without further war. Neither of the Nicaraguan factions have as yet been recognized by the United States government.

— A cablegram from St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, dated January 1, reports a violent earthquake in the French island of Martinique and the British island of St. Vincent on that morning. Mont Pelee, volcano in Martinique, and La Souffriere, volcano in St. Vincent island, are reported to be active. The earthquake was also felt throughout the other West Indian islands and peninsula of Yucatan. No report is given of the damage caused.

— Through the direction of President Taft, on January 7, Gifford Pinchot, chief of the forestry division of the Agricultural Department, was removed from office, together with his associate, Overton W. Price, and Assistant-Law-Officer Shaw. Mr. Pinchot, being one of the best-known and most trusted servants of the government in one of the most important branches of the government, his dismissal is bound to occasion an unusual amount of controversy and may have far-reaching results affecting the administration itself. An investigation of the forestry service will be undertaken by direction of Congress, and important testimony may be expected bearing upon the controversy which has resulted in the dismissal of the chief forester.

— From time to time, for several years past, rumors have come down from North Canada to the effect that the Eskimos of the far North report the landing of a huge balloon in their territory some years ago. A Catholic priest in charge of the stations in Northern Saskatchewan and the MacKenzie River district now brings definite reports to this effect. The natives state that “a large white house, covered with ropes, fell from the heavens,” containing three men, who died soon after the landing. The Eskimos have since been using the ropes of the balloon for their dog sledges and other purposes. This is believed to be the Andree party, which sailed for the north pole in a large balloon in July, 1897. This Catholic priest proposes to find the place where the balloon is supposed to have descended, in the effort to secure any reports which the balloonists may have made of their trip.