THE PROSPECT IN PALESTINE.
By G.
A SPECIAL correspondent of the Catholic Mirror gives some interesting intelligence concerning Palestine, from which it would appear that the dreams of Jewish occupation, experienced by many enthusiasts, are not very near to realization. This correspondent says— The Russians are systematically invading Galilee, their evident design being to extend their influence by means of the orthodox schools which they place at the disposal of the Greeks resident in the country. At Nazareth there is a largely-attended normal school directed by Greek instructors and managed under Russian discipline. The directors actually wear the Russian national costume, and the moral atmosphere of the place is thoroughly Russian. In cases where the Greek priests refuse outright to concede to the invading Russians their ancient schools, the latter erect them next door at their own expense. The fact that the Russians seem to have unlimited funds strengthens the impression that the czar’s government is behind them in their schemes of proselytization which are in line with the unswerving Moscovite policy of territorial expansion. It is true that considerable effort is being put forth in the way of Jewish colonization. Associations having this end in view “have bought immense tracts of land near Mount Tabor, and have built a fine road up the mountain, so that it is now possible for the first time to make the ascent in a carriage.” It is also stated that “a similar combination has been formed near Magdala, to the north of Tiberias, and another near the city of Jaffa, where there are already many Jews.” But to this is added a serious obstacle. In order to offset this growing influence of the Jews, “The Turkish Government is considering giving free tracts of land to the nomad tribes. These aggressive people are relied upon to keep the Jews at arm’s length, and to prevent them from getting a foothold on the soil.” The confusion of affairs national is indicated in a further expression of this correspondent, who seems9to be well posted in his subject. He says: “The Turkish Government, which scatters its protection and favors with a lavish hand upon the Russian and English schools, refuses all help and countenance to the French establishments.” Here is a reversal of former conditions. The cause of the Crimean war was a contention between the Russian and Roman churches for the custody of certain “holy” places at Jerusalem, and the Turkish Government sided with the Catholics. When the war came to actual blows, of course France came to the aid of Turkey—for Rome’s sake. England’s participation was solely political. The Russian Church has ever since been determined to regain possession of these places, of which she claims to have been robbed, and the government is the sinew of the church, even to fanaticism. Perhaps nothing would so strain the friendly relations of France and Russia as another contest of the church for possession of the “holy” places in Palestine, altho France is not so bound by Roman interests as she was fifty years ago. As Turkey’s policy for sixty years has been to hold her place in Europe by means of jealousies among other nations and their distrust of one another, she will throw her influence and favors whichever way that policy seems to dictate in any emergency. But so long as Rome and Russia want control in Palestine, and Turkey desires to hold the balance of power, the chances for a Jewish kingdom there are decidedly small; for neither of these powers has any love for the Jew. The natural Jews were long ago put out of the list of nations forever. The next kingdom of Israel will be that of the spiritual seed, set up by the Lord at His coming. Eze. 21:25-27. G. THE Pan-American Congress now in session in the city of Mexico is considering the establishment of an international court of arbitration for the nations of the Western Hemisphere, with definite sanctions for the enforcement of its decrees. The proposed treaty of arbitration specifies definitely the questions which shall be subjects of arbitration, and provides definite penalties in case of non-compliance with the awards of the court. These penalties are not to be the actual use of force against any power which does not abide by the decisions of the court; but according to the terms of the proposed treaty, the aggrieved nation and any others which may sympathize with it may terminate their treaties with the offending power before the proper date for their expiration; members of the offending power on the court of arbitration shall be erased therefrom, and if a majority of the nations signing the treaty approve, a note of censure may be addressed to the said power; in extreme cases the disapproving powers may suspend diplomatic relations with the recalcitrant government. There may be light and progress in this attempt to establish an international court of arbitration; but the provisions of this proposed treaty look very much like an international boycott against the power which refuses to be bound by the decisions of the court. THE Interior Department has authorized its Indian agent in Oklahoma to compel the young Indians to marry. They are given the alternative of marrying or going to jail. About one-fifth of the marriageable young Indians of the two tribes occupying the reservations were unwilling to obey the orders of the agent, and were promptly thrown into jail. The desire for liberty is said to be causing them to relent and pick out wives from the maidens of their tribes. The Indian agent says that the reason for this is that marriage keeps the young Indians from going on the downward path, makes them work on their allotments, and quit dissipating; but it looks as though the nation was encouraging paternalism in government in thus interfering with one of the recognized rights of men. It may be the best thing for the Indian to marry; but it is questionable whether the government has a right to compel a man to do even those things that are for his good. When paternalism is permitted, there is no telling where it will end. DIRECTOR GEORGE A. HALE, of the Yerkes Observatory, reports a continued movement in the nebula surrounding the new star in the constellation Perseus. He says: “As measurements have shown that the new star is inconceivably distant from us, the phenomena disclosed by the photographs is one of the most remarkable ever recorded—in fact, this is the first time that any motion has been detected in a nebula. The cloud-like matter of the nebula is shooting outward from the star at a velocity so great that the motion can be readily detected by means of photography.” It is well to remember that according to the law of the speed of light, this movement which is now noted took place some hundreds of years ago. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT is reported to have raised a storm among the senators by announcing that no political pull will avail anything in the appointments to the post of brigadier-general. Senators have long been in the habit of asking for such appointments for their favorites in the army; but the President has declared that only fitness would prevail in the matter of such appointments. ONE of the largest conventions in the history of the W. C. T. U. convened at Fort Worth, Texas, on November 15. Delegates were in attendance from all the States and Territories, and from Cuba, England, Switzerland, Mexico, and Hawaii. The amount of money pledged and collected at this meeting is said to be the largest ever realized at such a gathering. Resolutions were adopted denouncing every system of license or legal sanction of the liquor traffic, and opposing the sale, manufacture, or transportation of alcoholic liquors in any State or Territory within the jurisdiction of the United States. THE London Daily News gives an exhaustive survey of the terrible conditions in the concentration camps into which the Boer families have been gathered, and calls this war policy a “wholesale destruction of human life.” Its arraignment of the concentration policy closes with these words: “The death-rate in the camps is incomparably worse than anything Africa or Asia can show. There is nothing to match it even in the mortality figures of the Indian famines, where cholera and other epidemics have to be contended with.” Statistics are produced in proof of this assertion. FORTY missionaries of the Mormon Church have “invaded” the State of Colorado, and the clergymen of that State are preparing to offer a strenuous opposition. It seems to be the policy of the Mormon Church to secure a controlling influence in the mountain States, gradually extending its power until so many States are under its influence that it will be impossible to amend the Constitution in a way to abolish completely the practice of polygamy. They have already secured a powerful influence in many of these States. THE city of Erzeroum, Asiatic Turkey, has been visited by fifty earthquake shocks within two weeks. Twenty persons have been killed and many buildings destroyed. The populace are camping in the fields. On November 17 an earthquake devastated the town of Cheviot, New Zealand, and many people were injured. A severe earthquake shock visited the southern and southwestern portions of Utah on November 14, doing much damage to buildings. LORD PAUNCEFOTE and Secretary Hay have signed the new canal treaty, their signatures having been affixed to this document on November 18. The contents of the new treaty will not be made public until given to the Senate, but it is understood that this treaty takes the place of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, leaves the United States free to build the canal and control it, maintaining its neutrality in time of peace and closing it to its enemies in time of war. AT Peking, on November 11, the officials of the Chinese Government were summoned to appear at the office of the Board of Rites to “rescue the sun,” which was suffering from a partial eclipse. A few foreigners were permitted to witness the ceremony, which consisted of prostrations, the burning of incense, and the beating of drums. As the sun was soon released from the eclipse, the celestials consider the ceremony efficacious. THE German expedition exploring the site of ancient Babylon has discovered the throne-room of Nebuchadnezzar. On each side of the throne on the north side of the hall are richly colored architectural adornments, said to be of great value for the study of the history of art. The expedition has also discovered a large number of inscribed bricks, which prove to be letters, psalms, contracts, and dictionaries. The latter are considered of great importance. THE mayor of Ottawa has been forced out of his office by a trick of his political opponents. He was induced by them to violate a certain ordinance. The violation carried with it the penalty of dismissal from office. The mayor had won the enmity of the police department by promising a reform in that department and attempting to carry it out. The department takes the credit for accomplishing the dismissal of the reform mayor. A DISASTROUS storm swept over the British Isles on November 13 and 14, wrecking more than fifty vessels, in which at least 200 persons are believed to have lost their lives. One life-boat was swamped while trying to rescue the crew of a stranded vessel, and eleven of its own crew were drowned. One light ship was sunk by another vessel, and all its crew perished. THE friends of Miss Ellen M. Stone are still negotiating with her captors for her release, and Secretary Eddy of the American legation is making strong representations to the Bulgarian Government in her behalf. Consul-General Dickinson at Constantinople has warned Bulgaria that the United States would hold her responsible for the life of Miss Stone. A DISPATCH from Germany states that all signs indicate a winter of distress among the working men of Berlin. The authorities of that city estimate that there will be an army of 35,000 unemployed to be provided for in some way. This condition is due to the closing of large manufacturing plants where these workmen have been employed. AFTER two months’ work a death-mask of President McKinley’s head and face has been finished. It is pronounced perfect. It will be on exhibition for a time at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. TWO minor engagements are reported from the Philippines during the week, one on Luzon and the other on the island of Samar. THE great railway companies of the Northwest have united under one management, and the company proposes to take other roads into the combination. Governor Rogers of Washington and Governor Van Sant of Minnesota are both laying plans to block the progress of this gigantic railway trust. ACCORDING to Lord Roberts, the progress of military science has been such that the present arms of the English cavalry—the saber and lance—are inadequate; and upon his recommendation the cavalry hereafter will be armed with a short rifle, and the bulk of the infantry will be mounted. A REPORT from Japan states that the United States army transport Hancock ran aground in the Strait of Shimonoseki on November 15. This is the third American transport which has met with disaster in Japanese waters. The Hancock was floated off the bar on the following day. THE Chinese Government is now giving its attention to the manufacture of Mauser rifles to supply its soldiery. About 15,000 completed weapons of this pattern have already been turned out at the principal Chinese arsenal, and it is the intention to continue and increase the output. ADVICES from Japan state that the recent reported financial distress in that country was a misrepresentation of the actual conditions; that Japan is now prosperous, and is preparing for the rapid extension of railways and telegraph lines, and other public undertakings. CHICAGO’S professional pall-bearers have organized a union. There are already unions of grave-diggers; and with cradles and coffins manufactured by a trust, it is next to impossible to get into or out of the world without passing through the hands of a labor or capital trust. THE great Brooklyn Bridge is reported to be showing further signs of deterioration from the heavy traffic which passes over it. Steel girders and suspenders are either buckling or breaking near the place where the supporting cables were broken some months ago. A REPORT from Washington states that all the savings of Admiral Schley have been spent on the court of inquiry. During the inquiry witnesses were brought from long distances, stenographers were employed, and clerks kept busy. THE great Gathman gun, which was to fire aerial torpedoes containing 500 pounds of guncotton, has proved to be a failure. The gun fired the torpedo with safety, but the effect on the target was practically nothing. THE steamer Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, which sailed from New York on November 19, carried as part of her cargo a shipment of gold amounting to $7,082,581, all but about one million of which will go to Paris. EX-QUEEN LILIUOKALANI, of Hawaii, is again on her way to Washington for the purpose of having the government recognize her claim to the crown lands of Hawaii, whose value is said to be about $18,000,000. THE Chinese court has arrived at Kai Fong Fu, capital of Ho-Nan, having left the people along its route half ruined by the contributions levied for entertainment, repairing of roads, and decorations. TEN Japanese railroad laborers were killed in a wreck in Montana on November 18, and 28 are reported injured. The work train in which they were sleeping was telescoped by a freight train. THERE are now 42,000 Boers held in British concentration camps in South Africa, and 11,000 have been killed or wounded. The British continue to take about 100 prisoners a week. YALE’S finest student dormitory was practically ruined by fire on November 16. This building was known as the Hutchinson, and was erected a few years ago at a cost of $200,000. THE Methodist Church has now raised about $13,000,000 of the $20,000,000 which it is proposed to raise before January 1, 1902, for the purpose of paying off all church debts. THE French Government proposes to establish at Philadelphia an industrial college for the express purpose of teaching French students American industrial methods. It is now proposed to connect the Black and Caspian seas by a canal navigable for ships of moderate draft. It will be 530 miles long, 84 feet wide, and 22 feet deep. A PLAN is now on foot for the consolidation of all the great printing-press manufacturing establishments under one head, or trust, with a capitalization of $20,000,000. THE Buffalo Exposition closed with a deficit of over $3,000,000. About the same time the city fair of Glasgow, Scotland, closed its gates, with a surplus of $400,000. THE agitation in Japan against the Mormon missionaries continues, both on the part of the Japanese and the American and European residents. THE financial department of the German Government will register a deficit for the present year of $35,000,000. LAST year the government disposed of 15,562,796 acres of public land.