International Affairs and Diplomacy
The sultan of Turkey is reported to have demanded of Bulgaria the immediate suppression of the Macedonian committee and the prohibition of the proposed Macedonian Congress. The Russian marine guard has been withdrawn from Masampho, Korea, in deference to the wish of Japan. This is regarded as an effort to placate Japan and remove some of the causes of her opposition to Russia’s movements. The Japanese Government has suggested to the emperor of China that he return at once to Peking with a force of at least 20,000 men, and that these be used to restore order in the province of Manchuria, thus removing any excuse for Russia’s continued occupation of that province. This is regarded as a bold diplomatic stroke for Japan, as she has suggested to China that in case these troops were insufficient for the work of restoring order in that province, the allied armies would be loaned her for that purpose, thus bringing the troops of the other powers into the province now occupied by Russia alone. The United States has suggested to the powers that the total of the indemnities of the powers be kept inside of $200,000,000; but the other powers do not take kindly to so low an indemnity, tho Germany admits the desirableness of keeping the indemnity within China’s power to pay. The annual convention of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, which was held at Philadelphia, closed on April 13. At the closing session Mr. Herbert, former Secretary of the Navy, took the position that the granting of the franchise to the negro was one of the great mistakes of the century. Many are now contending that the declaration of Congress, that the Cuban people are and of right ought to be free and independent, was one of the great mistakes of the century. Nearly every State in the Union, by refusing to follow the precepts of the Constitution in reference to the matter of the separation of Church and State, has declared that provision of the national government a mistake. In fact, all the great principles of the equality of man and freedom of conscience, for which the national government stood, all the great principles which made the nation once a worthy example to the rest of the world, are being repudiated and abandoned one by one. Instead of setting an example for the world, we are now aping monarchy and force. The Boer war drags its weary length over the oft-contested fields of South Africa, with now and then a small engagement, a few men killed, a few guns captured, but no decisive results, altho England now has in the field a fighting force of 250,000 men, including 60,000 cavalry. It is reported that no more re-enforcements will be sent to South Africa, but General Kitchener is planning to bring his freshest troops to the front in place of those worn out by the hard campaign. The English War Office has issued an order to the effect that no English soldier or officer must show the white flag when engaged with the enemy. Those who do are to be courtmartialed. The British have captured a few more towns previously held by the Boers, but in spite of the loss of several heavy guns, the Boers show little indication of yielding. In the recent “rapproachment” between Italy and France, signalized by the exchange of extraordinary courtesies between the French and Italian fleets in French waters, and by feasts and toasts between the officials of the two realms, many persons see the beginning of a new triple alliance, this time between France, Russia, and Italy. The latter country has tired of her part in the old triple alliance comprising Germany, Austria, and Italy, on account of the excessive taxation of her people necessary to keep up the great navy which she was required to maintain. If this indication is based on reality (and it seems to be), Russia has gained strong support for the completion of her designs in China. Reports from Germany indicate that about one-fourth of the working population is now idle, owing to the cutting down of the force of laborers in nearly all factories. Foreign competition, disastrous tariff wars, and an uncertain financial policy of the government are given as the causes for the increasing idleness. One of the chief items of foreign competition is in the line of iron and steel products from the United States. American competitors have been seriously cutting into the fields of both the German and the English manufacturers, and America’s success in this is causing a feeling of bitterness throughout the working population of all European countries. Tales of distress continue to come from Porto Rico. The excise tax which was expected to produce the necessary revenue is reported to be a practical failure in that regard because of the stagnation in business. The island government has, therefore, ordered the assessors to increase the valuation, in order to wring a little more revenue out of a people already poverty-stricken. A cablegram from the island states that there is general discontent, owing to the unsatisfactory conditions. A petition signed by 6,000 Porto Ricans, praying for relief, has been presented to the President. Trouble is coming to the smaller nations as well as to the greater powers. Persia is disturbed over serious politico-religious disorders in the north. Rioting is occurring at different places in Bulgaria over the arrest of members of the Macedonian revolutionary committee, following the demands of Turkey for the complete suppression of that committee. The sultan of Tripoli, finding himself helpless against the rebellion now in progress there, has appealed to France for assistance, which France has promised to give; and even dark Arabia has its civil war. The anti-vice committee of New York has made its preliminary report to the city, showing that vice of all kinds is protected in that city by those whose duty it is to suppress it. One of the deplorable conditions brought to light by the investigation of this committee was the alarming prevalence of the practise of the social evil in tenement houses. An examination of 125 tenement houses in which this evil is carried on, revealed the fact that there was an average of 24 children under 18 years of age in each such house. The new five-inch naval guns for the cruisers of the Denver class were given a trial at the Indian Head proving-grounds on April 5. These guns developed the remarkable muzzle velocity of 2990 feet a second and a muzzle energy of 3472 foot-tons. This is said to be 65 per cent. more muzzle energy than guns of this size have made heretofore. It is sufficient to pierce seven inches of Krupp armor at the muzzle, or five inches at a distance of 2,000 yards. The first battle between organized labor and the great United States Steel Corporation occurred on April 15, when 400 men employed in the Dewees Wood Company’s sheet steel plant went on strike because of the discharge of fellow-employees who belonged to the labor union. A strike of much greater proportions is threatened in case the company persists in its present attitude toward the union. A mob of Mohammedans attacked the Jewish inhabitants of Teheran, Persia, on April 5. The fanatics indulged in indiscriminate plunder, wrecking, and slaughtering. Many Jews had been killed and wounded when soldiers arrived and dispersed the mob. The Shah ordered the execution of the leader of the mob. The Cuban Constitutional Convention has named its five delegates who will visit Washington to confer with President McKinley and the Secretary of War in reference to the relations which should exist between Cuba and the United States. It is expected that this committee will leave for Washington within a few days. Korea is building coast fortifications to resist a possible Japanese invasion. This seems to be another of Russia’s diplomatic moves. Desiring Korea herself, she would instil into the minds of the Koreans a fear of the Japanese, and cause Korea to do a work which will really help Russia in the end. The frauds in connection with the commissary department of the army in Manila seem to be greater than at first reported. Some of the officers concerned in the fraud have had their trials, and the trials of others will follow. The results of the trials thus far have not been announced. The Cuban Constitutional Convention has declared itself opposed to the Platt Amendment; that is, the legislation recently passed in Washington defining the relations which must exist between Cuba and the United States, believing that the same is prejudicial to the independence of Cuba. A great battle has been fought in Central Arabia for the possession of the kingdom of Nejd. The successful leader, Ibu Rashid, lured the army of his enemy into a gorge and overwhelmed his forces. Fugitives declare that 5,000 men were killed in the engagement. Until after the Russian Easter, six of Russia’s largest cities are to continue under military rule, being held virtually in a state of siege by the general government. These conditions result from a fear of a renewal of the student and laborer riots. Baron Fava, the Italian ambassador at Washington, is to be superseded in that office by Italy’s present minister to Argentina. Baron Fava has completed twenty years’ continuous service for his government at the American capital. On April 15, Mrs. Carrie Nation was fined $500 by a Kansas City, Missouri, judge, and warned to leave the city. Mrs. Nation was charged with obstructing the street. She was addressing a crowd while waiting for a street car. Great mass meetings are being held in Bulgaria, at which resolutions are passed protesting to the powers of Europe against the present action of Turkey with reference to the Macedonian revolutionary committee. All teachers and children in the Denver schools who are suffering with tuberculosis are to be excluded from the general school rooms, and other provisions will be made for the education of children thus afflicted. The feeling against the Jesuits in Portugal shows no sign of abating. An attempt was made on April 14 to burn a Jesuit convent at Aviero, Portugal; but the police arrived in time to extinguish the flames. The Methodist denomination is planning a vigorous campaign in the Philippines. Bishop Warren of that church has arrived at Manila, and the native converts are reported to be enthusiastic. The anti-canteen law is held not to apply to the canteens in the homes of the old soldiers, and reports indicate that such canteens are running as usual. The plague in Cape Town, South Africa, continues its slow but persistent progress. About the same number of victims are reported each week.