Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 28, 1907

— James Bryce, the newly appointed British ambassador, arrived in Washington, February 21.

— The Senate, on February 20, by a vote of forty-two to twenty-eight, decided that Mr. Smoot, the Mormon senator from Utah, shall keep his seat in the Senate.

— The largest appropriation bill ever passed by any Congress since the foundation of the government is that for the Post-Office, being approximately $209,000,000. This provides for the increase of salaries of 100,000 clerks and carriers, amounting to $9,000,000.

— The “Orianda,” one of two British steamers in collision near Cardiff, Wales, the night of February 17, was sunk, and fourteen persons were lost. On the same day the White Star Line steamer “Republic” collided in the Bay of Naples with the Italian steamer “Centro America.” There were no fatalities, but both ships were considerably damaged. On the 20th the French cruiser “Kleber” rammed and sank a fruit steamer at New Orleans, thereby drowning seven men.

— February 12 President Roosevelt transmitted to the Senate for ratification a new treaty with Santo Domingo. Its main feature is the provision for the collection of the customs revenue of the country by Americans. This is practically a continuation of what has been in operation for nearly two years. By placing fifty-five per cent of the collections in a trust fund, it now amounts to more than $2,300,000. When the treaty is ratified, steps will be taken for floating a $20,000,000 issue of Dominican bonds, and the republic will be placed on a firm financial basis, with a prospect of being free from debt in ten or twelve years.

— A fire broke out in a Russian coal-mine February 12, and forty dead bodies have been brought to the surface.

— Thirty-two residents of Princeton, Mo., have been arrested for playing cards for prizes. This is at the instigation of gamblers who have been prosecuted.

— The Naval Bill appropriating nearly $101,000,000 has passed Congress; and, among other things, provides for two battle-ships of the powerful “Dreadnaught” class.

— The fastest train between New York and Chicago, the Pennsylvania 18-hour special, was derailed on a curve and thrown into the shallow Conemaugh River near Johnstown, Pa., about midnight of Friday, February 21. Of the sixty-four persons aboard, no one was killed, and no one escaped some injury.

— The coast steamer “Larchmont” was struck by the schooner “Harry Knowlton,” off the Rhode Island coast the night of February 11, and sank. Of about 160 persons aboard only nineteen survive. On account of the cold, terrible suffering was experienced by such as were able to get into the boats. Many were frozen.

— The Interstate Commerce Commission’s railroad accident bulletin for the three months ending Sept. 30, 1906, reports 1,891 collisions and 1,781 derailments, causing the death of 267 persons and the injury of 19,563 others, with a damage to rolling stock and roadway of $2,932,760. While this report shows a marked increase of casualties over the three months preceding, the report for the last quarter of 1906 will be appalling, as in three accidents alone more than 100 persons lost their lives.

— After weathering a terrific gale while crossing from England to Holland, the mail steamer “Berlin” was wrecked while entering port at Hook of Holland, February 21. Inspired by the courage and determination of Prince Henry, the life-savers, after continuous effort of thirty hours, succeeded in reaching the wreck, and rescued 11 survivors of the 143 persons aboard. As we go to press, reports come of Lloyd Austrian steamer “Imperatrix” grounded on a rock near the island of Crete. Only 13 of the 320 on board have been rescued, and the position of the rest is extremely dangerous.

— For some time war has threatened between the Central American countries of Nicaragua and Honduras. An arbitration council was arranged at San Salvador for the purpose of settling a dispute and claims coming from an invasion of Nicaraguan territory by Honduran troops, who were pursuing some political refugees; but relations were suddenly broken off February 9. The United States, Mexico, and the other three Central American countries, have been using their good offices to prevent an outbreak, but the proffered help came too late. Hostilities have already broken out, and it seems probable that other Central American republics will be drawn into the trouble — Salvador to join Honduras, and Guatemala siding with Nicaragua. The United States has sent two gunboats for guarding American interests in the respective countries.