Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 1, 1907

— After being out one month, the striking telegraphers of San Francisco and Oakland, Cal., have returned to work.

— Because of the revolt in Ecuador, Guayaquil is under martial law. An unsuccessful attempt has been made to assassinate President Alfaro. In the fight which ensued, several persons lost their lives.

— Eight months’ drought in eastern Jamaica has resulted in famine, from which many cattle have died. Relief is being sent from Kingston. The May rains having failed, there is no prospect of relief before the October rains.

— Ninety-three persons are unaccounted for from among the 241 persons aboard the Pacific coast steamer “Columbia” when she was sunk during a fog in a collision with the “San Pedro” off the coast of California, July 21.

— Twenty lumber dealers of Toledo and two bridge representatives have been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for violating the Valentine trust law, but execution of the sentence has been suspended, pending appeal to the higher courts.

— Wireless telephony was first practically demonstrated at Put in Bay, Ohio, July 18, when messages were sent to shore from a yacht three and three-fourths miles out. The message was plainly heard with all the modulations of the voice.

— A distinct earthquake shock lasting a few seconds was felt at Fort Madison, Iowa, July 20; and on the twenty-fourth a number of buildings were perceptibly shaken at Gallipolis, Ohio.

— The attempt to obtain, by negotiation with the Moroccan bandit Raisuli, the freedom of his latest prize, the chief of the sultan’s body-guard, has proved unsuccessful; and Raisuli is now being pursued by a force of about 1,300 men.

— The American delegation to The Hague Peace Conference have brought forward a proposal regarding the permanent court of arbitration at The Hague. This outlines the organization and procedure of the court on a basis resembling that of the Supreme Court of the United States.

— The friction between the Japanese and Koreans in Korea has taken the attention of Japanese from the American situation the past week. An agreement has been signed by Korean authorities and Marquis Ito, the Japanese resident general of Korea. By this agreement Marquis Ito practically becomes agent of a Japanese administration of Korean affairs.

— The last election in Rome, Italy, wrought a radical change in the municipal government, when twenty-five of the thirty vacancies of the municipal council were filled by socialists, republicans, and radicals. In the evening of election day mobs ran through the streets waving red flags and crying, “Down with the pope.” “Down with priest rule.” Many priests were beaten, and propaganda students roughly handled.

— The arrest of Nasi, the former minister of education, who is accused of misappropriating $500,000 of the public funds, has aroused the entire island of Sicily, as the people consider him innocent. On the eighteenth a meeting was held, despite official prohibitions, in which red flags were displayed, and cries against the government and in favor of a republic were heard. Troops interfered, but were fired upon. A state of siege has been declared, and the government is reported to have gained control of the situation.

— Attempts in North Carolina to enforce the new law in reference to passenger rates have led to a sharp conflict between the federal and State courts. Some weeks since Judge Pritchard of the United States Circuit Court granted an injunction against the enforcing of the law by the State authorities until the constitutionality of the law had been determined. Some time after this, Judge Long of the State court directed the grand jury to bring indictments against agents for selling tickets at the old rates. One man was fined, and two others were sentenced to thirty days’ work in the chain-gang. On a writ of habeas corpus Judge Pritchard had these two men brought before him, and ordered their release, claiming the penalty clause of the law unconstitutional. The case has been appealed by the State. Governor Glenn contends that the law should be enforced until declared unconstitutional by the court of last resort in the regular way. More arrests are likely to follow at any time. A similar controversy has arisen in Virginia.