p. 20 | Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1907

Current Mention

— Within a week two fast trains of the Pennsylvania Railroad have been maliciously derailed.

— By the formation of a new trust the prices of paper are to be raised twenty-five per cent.

— Native Costa Ricans have started an agitation in favor of annexation to the United States, as a relief from the wars of Central America.

— For some days a strike of 45,000 railroad employees has threatened. Unless the differences are adjusted, it will affect all roads west of Chicago.

— A fast train on the Southern Pacific was wrecked at Colton, Cal., March 28. Twenty-six persons were killed outright, and over 100 injured, many of whom may die.

— Matters in Central America have been more quiet during the week. Salvadoreans have appealed to Mexico and the United States to intervene to end the trouble, but so far no progress has been made. President Bonilla of Honduras is thought to be collecting his scattered forces for another attack. A revolution against him has gained some headway, and Nicaragua has aided in establishing a provisional government.

— Serious disorders have broken out in Sebzewar, Persia, in which two Russians were killed, and others are said to be in danger. Russian troops are being sent to the scene of trouble.

— Twice recently Wall Street money market has approached a panic. But so far the losses have been sustained principally by the multimillionaires. It has given rise to much speculation as to the ultimate effect on the present prosperity of the country.

— Hiram Maxim reports having so perfected an automatic fuse that it will explode a shell at any regulated distance after passing through the thickest armor plate. He also claims to have so perfected smokeless powder that it will not deteriorate with age, thereby effecting a great saving and diminishing the likelihood of disastrous explosions.

— A cobbler of Altoona, Pa., claims to have mixed an inexpensive compound, which, poured upon wet coal ashes causes them to burn equally as long as the coal did, and give out even more heat. He is at present experimenting with one of the large blast furnaces at Pittsburg. He says for three years past he burned only one half the coal formerly used.

— The uprising of the Rumanian peasants grows in seriousness. A force of 4,000 insurgents is marching on the capital. Fully 1,500 have been killed in the clashes with the troops. The government has proposed some reform measures, such as the suppression of some of the heavy taxes, the cultivation of the farm lands by the state, or their lease directly to the peasants.

— The famine-stricken Chinese have been practising cannibalism in some parts. Slight riots have also occurred, and the ruling dynasty is seriously alarmed lest seditious societies create an uprising by causing the people to believe that their suffering might be relieved by the government but for its lack of sympathy for the poor people. Provisions are being hurried forward, for the life of every white person in China would be jeopardized if the present dynasty should be overthrown.

— Because of the increasing insolence of the Moors, France decided to occupy Oudja, and so compel the sultan to restore order, and respect French rights. Germany and Spain approve of the action taken, but are alert to see that France does not go beyond this outlined policy. Three thousand men occupied the town, being met by the governor and a number of Moorish officers. Already the sultan has given assurance that abuses will be corrected, and after some occupation by the whole force it will be gradually diminished.

— After six months’ probing into the municipal affairs of San Francisco by the Assistant District Attorney, the grand jury has filed sixty-five indictments for bribery against Abraham Ruef, leading politician of San Francisco, and ten indictments against T. V. Halsey. These men are charged with bribing fourteen members of the board of supervisors to grant franchises to certain public utility corporations, as street railway, telephone, gas, and electric companies. No less than $800,000 has been thus used, and it is said that franchises worth $1,000,000 have been granted for $25,000.