Renewed Fighting in South Africa
THERE has been a spirited renewal of the fighting in South Africa. The proclamations of General Kitchener seem to have had practically no effect in reducing the opposition of the Boers. In fact, it is claimed that matters in Cape Colony are in a precarious condition; that many of the colonists are aiding the Boers in a material way. Several small engagements have occurred during the week. At Sheeper’s Nek, on September 17, the Boers surrounded a British detachment, killed 16, wounded 30, and captured 150 men and 3 guns. At Elands River Port the British lost 23 killed and 31 wounded. The Boer loss in this encounter is said to have been large, but is not given. The forces of General Botha are again invading Natal. It is asserted that in case General Kitchener carries out his threat of banishment, the Boers will make reprisals upon the English who fall into their hands. At Vlakfontein the Boers have captured a company of mounted infantry with two guns. On September 20, an engagement took place on the Orange River, near Herschel, in which the British lost heavily. Their loss included the colonel in command, a captain, and an adjutant. The British have captured two Boer commandos and 94 men. The losses of the men in the field and the activity of the Boers is causing the British Government much anxiety. The press of England is urging the government to greater exertions for the suppression of the Boers. PRACTICAL war has been declared between two of the greatest railroad interests in the country. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, backed by the Vanderbilt interests, has demanded of the Gould railroads the surrender of the Wabash Railway system and the Wheeling and Lake Erie system at a price which will net a profit to the Goulds; but under threat that if the demand is refused, the Western Union Telegraph Company will be cut off from the entire Pennsylvania Railroad system as well as from the Vanderbilt lines. In case the penalty for refusal is imposed, it will mean the greatest blow the Western Union Telegraph Company has ever received. It will lose many of its most profitable lines, which will be turned over to its great rival, the Postal Telegraph Company. The whole purpose of this railway war is to cut off competition, and make more secure upon the masses the hold of the money power. THE immigration records show that during the first seven months of 1901 there came to this country from Europe 314,043 persons, and that three out of every four of them came from Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, where Nihilism, or anarchy, is most active. The immigration from Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland, which formerly was much larger than from these countries, has now fallen to a very low figure, they having sent only 38,000 all told during the months above mentioned. Congress, at its next session, is expected to pass laws rigidly restricting immigration from those countries where anarchy flourishes. THE real spirit of the times was well illustrated at Spring Valley, Illinois, on September 22, when twenty anarchists armed with double-barreled shotguns stood guard over the office of an anarchist paper, and citizens of adjoining towns were volunteering their services to come to Spring Valley and assist in exterminating the “reds.” The paper referred to had expressed joy at the murder of President McKinley, and satisfaction over the announcement that Czolgosz was an anarchist. Thus goes on the work of preparing strife and increasing the perplexity of the nations. THE alliance between France and Russia was renewed at Bethang, France, on September 21, when the czar and the French president pledged the friendship and alliance of the two powers. Germany and England look upon the matter not as an offensive alliance, but one of friendship only, and profess not to look for any marked results of the incident. While in France, the czar witnessed a review of 140,000 French troops. The spectacle was an imposing one, designed to impress the Russian with the power of the French army. THE Lehigh Valley Coal Company, on account of the recent strike, has demanded that all its firemen, engineers, fire bosses, blacksmiths, carpenters, and driver bosses, pay up in full their dues to the labor organizations to which they belong, and resign at once. The order also states that their withdrawal cards will be collected not later than October 17, and any employe not having one will be discharged. THE trial of Leon F. Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley, was concluded at Buffalo on September 24, eighteen days from the day on which he fired the fatal shots. The trial consumed eight hours and twenty-six minutes, covering only portions of two days. The verdict declared him guilty of murder in the first degree. Sentence will be pronounced on September 26. THE last of the allies have now marched out of Peking, and the city is again entirely under Chinese control. The Chinese in Shantung are demanding the withdrawal of all German troops outside the colony of Kiaochau. The Germans are unwilling to comply with this demand, and the Chinese officials have referred the matter to the German minister at Peking. IN a railway collision which occurred at Palota, Hungary, on September 22, thirty-two persons lost their lives. A passenger train collided with a petroleum train. The petroleum cars were demolished, and the petroleum, catching fire, burned alive those of the victims who were not killed outright. It was described by those who witnessed it as a most terrible affair. MANY thousands of dollars are being staked upon the two yachts, Columbia and Shamrock II., the date for whose first sailing contest is September 26. The money that will be won and lost on this contest is but another indication of the prevalence of the gambling spirit, the prevalence of the spirit of the world, or the spirit of him who now rules in the children of disobedience. A WELL-DRESSED Russian anarchist was forbidden permission to land from the steamer at Philadelphia on September 23. He had sailed from Liverpool, and information concerning him had been telegraphed the immigration authorities at Philadelphia. It is expected that from now on the government will prohibit the immigration of all anarchists known to be such. THE large majority of the steel strikers have now returned to work, but President Shaffer refuses to issue a statement of the terms of the settlement of the strike. The strike was one of endurance, and the employers could endure longer than the strikers. It is conceded that the strike was a failure, so far as the demands of the strikers are concerned. REPORTS from Central America indicate that a battle of considerable importance was recently fought between the Colombian troops and the rebels, assisted by Venezuelans. The advices are not definite in regard to the number killed and injured in the engagement. The rebels were led into a trap by the government troops. THE Commercial Pacific Cable Company was incorporated at Albany, N. Y., on September 23. The company intends to begin work at once on a cable from San Francisco to Manila, Japan, and China, by way of the Hawaiian Islands. It is proposed by the officers of the company to have the cable to Hawaii working within nine months. A DESPATCH from Cuba states that Thomas Estrada Palma will be a candidate for the presidency of the Cuban Republic, receiving the indorsement of all the political factions of the island. It is believed that he will be elected with an overwhelming majority. His platform has been accepted by the Cuban leaders by a vote of 23 to 2. A REPORT from Brussels states that an international anti-anarchist conference is soon to convene at Berne. Provisions are now being made at Washington to have the secret-service men in the employ of the government begin an active crusade against the anarchists, just as they are now employed to run down counterfeiters. OFFICERS and men of Aguinaldo’s bodyguard have at last surrendered to the Americans. Aguinaldo confines himself closely to the dwelling allotted to him, fearing assassination at the hands of the adherents of the late General Luna, for whose death Aguinaldo is held responsible. ENGLAND’S swift torpedo-boat destroyer, the Cobra, which has made phenomenal speed on all her trials, broke in two and sank off the English coast near Great Grimsby, on September 18. The major part of the crew went down with the vessel, 67, all told, losing their lives. TWO tugs arrived in San Francisco Bay September 17 from the mouth of the Columbia River, towing a huge log raft 625 feet in length, 60 feet broad, and 32 feet deep. The raft contains 520,000 lineal feet of piling, or about 7,200,000 feet board measure. THE body of President McKinley was laid to rest in the cemetery at Canton, Ohio, on September 19. In every city, and in nearly every town, memorial ceremonies were held on that day, which had been set apart as a national day of mourning. BY A decision recently rendered by Judge M. M. Estee, in the Federal Court of Hawaii, the Constitution followed the flag to those islands at least. The judge, in this decision, overrules the decision of the Supreme Court of Hawaii. THE cable survey for the submarine cable between Australia and Vancouver has now been completed from Adelaide, Australia, to the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands, the cable passing within 200 miles of those islands. LATEST advices from Canton, Ohio, indicate that the health of Mrs. McKinley is slowly improving, so that she is able to take frequent drives in the open air. THE great sugar trust recently increased its capital from $75,000,000 to $90,000,000. The purpose of this increase of capital is not stated by the trust. A CHEMICAL analysis of the bullets in the revolver used by the assassin Czolgosz shows that they were not poisoned, as at first supposed. THE entire cabinet of President McKinley has accepted the invitation of President Roosevelt to retain their portfolios of office. THE transport Grant arrived at San Francisco from Manila on September 18, bringing 977 passengers,—civilians and soldiers. RUSSIA is said to have recently concluded a loan of one billion francs.