THE OUTLOOK

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 24, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 52.

The Spanish Government is planning to increase its naval estimates for 1903 by $5,000,000, and after that gradually to increase its expenditures until $20,000,000 a year is devoted to the rebuilding of its navy.

THE OUTLOOK.

Continued from page 9.

Another War Cloud.—War has not yet been declared by England and Germany against Venezuela; but a number of warlike acts have already been committed, and events seem to be leading up to an actual state of war. On December 8, the British and German Governments delivered an ultimatum to Venezuela, stating that if a satisfactory reply was not forthcoming at a specified time, the Venezuelan customs would be seized. Venezuela seems to have taken little notice of this. At least no formal reply had been received when, on the following day, the combined fleet captured the Venezuelan fleet. It is reported that some of the captured vessels were sunk, although they had been surrendered without a battle. British and German marines were landed and escorted their consular representatives on board their vessels. The Venezuelans regard the action of the two powers in the matter as unwarrantably precipitate, even charging that action was taken before the expiration of the time specified. In view of this action, President Castro has called all Venezuelans between the ages of 18 and 50 to take up arms in defense of their country, and there has been a quick response to the call, except on the part of the revolutionists. His officials at once arrested all the British and German subjects within reach, but later these were released on demand of United States minister Bowen, who had been requested to look after British and German affairs during the trouble. Venezuelan troops have been rushed to the seaport towns, and these are being put in as good condition as possible to resist attack. President Castro requested the United States Government to seek to induce England and Germany to submit the matter to arbitration. The State Department at once undertook the work; but at this date the public has not been informed of the acceptance or rejection of America's proposal. On the 12th the war vessels of the two nations drew up in line of battle before the port of La Guayra as if to bombard the town. On the following day one British and one German cruiser bombarded and silenced the fortress of Cabello, and then destroyed the custom house with their shells. The bombardment was begun while the Italian consul was signaling to the war vessels that President Castro had complied with their demands. This act also is looked upon in many quarters as entirely unwarranted, and as intended to aggravate a situation already painfully acute. There is now an indication that other South American countries may join Venezuela in resisting England and Germany, among them Argentina and Chile. European sentiment is divided in regard to the wisdom or justice of the course of the stronger powers. It is stated that both of these countries have assured America that it was not their intention to seize territory in Venezuela, but only to collect their claims and enforce respect for the rights of their subjects. President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay have assured members of Congress that the interests of America would be in no way affected by the action of the powers in Venezuela, and yet there are many who feel that a situation may be developed there which none of the interested powers have foreseen or desired, and which will draw America into the difficulty. Italy also has presented demands for the settlement of the claims of certain of her subjects against Venezuela, but her vessels have not taken part in the acts of the other powers. A report from Vienna states that America's arbitration proposal is received sourly by the German press, and that great activity now prevails in all the German shipyards, where war vessels are being rapidly fitted for service. The war vessels of the two powers now maintain a blockade of the entire Venezuelan coast.

Another insurrection has broken out in the province of Chihli, China, where a large body of rebels has assembled. Their banners are inscribed “Kill the officials and save the people.” Troops are marching against them. The Boxer movement in Szechuen province continues unabated, but both the Boxers and the troops seem to be holding aloof from each other. In Kwangsi province the rebels are becoming troublesome again. The famine is causing many to join the insurrection. The Boxers have captured the city of Fen Chuen, killing many of the inhabitants, and looting the city. A number of vessels loaded with rice for the poor of Canton were attacked by pirates on the river and robbed of their cargoes. Famine and destitution are causing an increase of such acts of violence in China. The situation is also aggravated by the increased taxation of the people to pay the war indemnity.

Thirteen persons were instantly killed at Chicago on November 29, by the explosion of a boiler. On November 27 the steamer S. J. Macy foundered on Lake Erie, and all her crew was lost, believed to number 18. On the same day 13 persons lost their lives in the sinking of the steamer Ventor near New Zealand. The steamer Progreso, while at the wharf in San Francisco, on December 3, was blown asunder by an explosion of gas from crude oil, and 11 persons were killed. At Chicago, on December 4, 14 persons lost their lives in the burning of a hotel.

The British Education Bill, which, it was reported last week had passed, was so modified in passing the House of Lords that it is reported the government will not accept it. This, if true, will mean the defeat of the bill in its present form.

A million newly made cigars went up in smoke during a fire in Montreal on December 14. Some will not regard this as a calamity when they think of the amount of poison which the race is thus relieved from. This kind of tobacco consumption does injury only to those who have their money invested in it. The other kind brings untold injury to the consumer, mentally, morally, and physically. All this has been proved and is being proved continually in all lines where clear heads, strong hearts, and a high standard of morality is demanded—all this in addition to the millions of dollars that are worse than thrown away every year in tobacco consumption. Money has never yet been so plentiful that its expenditure for that commodity could be justified in any sense. Better that free smoke in Montreal than a million smokes through human lungs.

One of the measures attracting the most attention in the deliberations of the German Reichstag is the bill providing for the revision of the German tariff and treaties with foreign countries. The bill is aimed principally at the United States, and from the remarks of its advocates and those standing close to the government, it is evident that its passage will inaugurate a tariff war with America. The “most-favored-nation” advantages are to be withdrawn from all nations that are thought to discriminate against German goods or products.

The general superintendent of the Chicago Bureau of Charities has made a public statement to the effect that 400 couples were divorced in Chicago last year because of poor cooking and poor housekeeping. That was the charge brought in the 400 cases, and evidently the court was satisfied of the correctness of the charge. This ought to put a premium on cooking schools and lead to the establishment of schools of general housekeeping.

Savaii, one of the Samoan Islands belonging to Germany, was visited by a severe earthquake and volcanic disturbance recently, which so terrified the inhabitants that they left the island, the governor of German Samoa having provided the necessary transportation facilities. Many stone buildings were completely destroyed by the earthquake, and great fissures are said to have been opened in the ground.

The great dangers which confront this country are not external but internal. She has not so much to fear from England, Germany, and Italy, however much they may despise the Monroe Doctrine and desire to humble the United States, as she has from the inroads of the Papacy, the tyranny of capital, and the slavery of trades unionism. All these strike at the very foundations of civil and religious liberty.

The executive committee of the New York Board of Education is now seriously considering a plan for the construction of school buildings which will be eight and nine stories high. This seems to be demanded by the continued and increasing congestion of the present school buildings in that city. These buildings will be of steel and stone, and in each 5,000 pupils are to be accommodated.

A definite treaty of commercial reciprocity between the United States and Cuba was signed at Havana on December 12, by representatives of the two governments. It requires now the signatures of Secretary Hay and the Cuban minister at Washington and the approval of the Senates of the two countries to make it operative.

The laying of the submarine cable between San Francisco and Honolulu was begun on December 14, when the land portion of the cable was spliced on the beach, and the steamer Silvertown sailed away unrolling her great spools of what is the first link in the cable from the Pacific Coast to the Orient.

A joint resolution has been introduced in Congress proposing an amendment of the Constitution of the United States, providing that the term of the President shall continue until April 30, 1905, and thereafter substituting April 30 for March 4 as the beginning and ending of presidential terms.

The faculty of the University of Michigan has warned its students that betting on the college games must cease, on pain of instant dismissal. It had been ascertained that large sums of money had changed hands among the students over the result of the college games.

The volcano of Santa Maria, in Guatemala, is reported to be still spouting mud and pouring out a stream of white-hot lava. The inhabitants continue to desert that portion of Guatemala. Vesuvius is again showing signs of agitation.

Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant died at her home in Washington on December 14, her death being due to a combination of heart trouble and bronchitis. Mrs. Grant was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1826, and was thus 76 years old.

Catholics of New York City are planning the erection of a cathedral on Fifth Avenue which will rival the great cathedral of St. Peters at Rome. The cost of the structure will be about $25,000,000.

The reorganization of the army and the question of the admission of the three southwestern territories as States of the Union are occupying the attention of Congress the present week.

The police of St. Petersburg have begun the arrest of Nihilists and Nihilistic sympathizers to prevent the introduction of revolutionary proclamations into Russia.

Many bills have been introduced in Congress during the week past proposing remedies for the regulation or control of trusts.