Worlds of Note

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 16, 1901

On December 30 the Chinese peace envoys received orders from the emperor of China to sign the joint note of the powers and use their best endeavors to secure good terms and the suspension of hostilities. This order came much more quickly than even the Chinese envoys had expected. It is, technically, an armistice; but what influence it will have upon the real settlement of the question and the establishment of peace, none can say. The trend of events and the spirit of the powers seem to indicate nothing less than the partition of China. The continued aggressive actions of the foreign troops in China are not such acts as would be looked for in those desirous of maintaining the peace and integrity of a nation. A number of expeditions of the allied troops have come into contact with the Chinese, and the latter are reported to have suffered heavily in the engagements; and yet some of these Chinese troops were soldiers of the Chinese Government, who were anxious to avoid conflict.

The forces of the Boers have penetrated still farther into Cape Colony, and the Cape government has called upon the loyalists in 27 districts to assist in repelling the invasion by forming companies of paid militia, which will be used for the special purpose of checking the Boers. It is reported that at least 1,500 of the Cape Colony Dutch have joined the invaders. The Boers have captured Helvetia, 120 miles east of Pretoria. In this action the British lost 50 in killed and wounded, and 200 prisoners. They are also besieging Zeerust, 120 miles west of Pretoria; have invaded Natal, and isolated Kimberley, and are active over a wide stretch of territory. The fact that Lord Kitchener is unable to capture or conquer the burghers has led him to ask for re-enforcements, and that these be sent him as soon as possible. The Boer war seems to have taken a new start, and there has been no real progress recently toward bringing it to a close.

Within two weeks there have been 6 men killed and 12 wounded as the result of feuds in Clay County, Kentucky. The spirit of the feud still exists, and consequently more trouble is looked for. Hatred can not quench hatred. It takes water to quench fire, and it takes love to put out the smoldering embers of hate. Hate for hate, violence for violence, life for life, are a part of the policy of Satan. They open the old wounds, keep the sore fresh, and make an endless chain of misery and sorrow; but love for hatred blocks the stream of sin and misery, and makes the bitter waters sweet. The religion of Jesus Christ in the life will stop the bitterest feud the world has ever known.

Oriental advices give details of Russia’s latest attempt to gain her ends in Korea. The Russian minister has demanded of the emperor of Korea that he be allowed to interfere in the civil administration of the Korean Empire, the object being to introduce reforms. He also demands that all negotiations with foreign powers be referred to the Russian minister before definite action is taken, and that Korea shall not amend her treaties without Russia’s consent. It is reported that the Korean cabinet is greatly alarmed over the demands of Russia.

An appendix to General MacArthur’s report on the civil affairs of the Philippines shows that there are in the islands over 30,000 lepers. A commission is now engaged in the work of selecting a suitable island or islands for the purpose of isolating all the lepers in the archipelago. Leprosy was introduced into the Philippines in 1633, when the emperor of Japan sent a ship with 150 lepers on board as a present to the Catholic priests. The disease has been spreading until it now has a firm foothold in the islands.

The influence of the Boxer movement in China has extended to the kingdom of Korea, and Boxer proclamations have been posted in different parts of that country. There has been some anti-Christian rioting already, and the rioters threaten to exterminate the missionaries. As the majority of missionaries in that country are Americans, the American minister at Seoul is making strong representations to the Korean Government, and Korean soldiers have been sent to the disturbed districts.

On account of his desire that the pilgrimages to Rome should continue another six months, the pope has extended the holy year that length of time. The pope is of the opinion that the world will almost immediately commence a series of seven lean years in respect to international trade, with a consequent falling off in Peter’s Pence. Consequently, special efforts are necessary to replenish the papal treasury, and the extension of the holy year is expected to accomplish this object.

The United States Army transport Grant arrived at San Francisco from Manila on December 31, bringing a large number of sick and disabled soldiers, 79 discharged soldiers, 45 army prisoners, and 300 bodies of soldiers who had been killed or died of disease in the islands. Among the latter were 96 victims of smallpox. These are the fruits of the sowings of the imperial republic.

A Chicago organization known as the St. Luke Society has entered upon the work of establishing, throughout the city, penny lunch rooms for the benefit of the poor. Twenty restaurants in all will be in operation during the winter, and the price of the dishes will be one cent each. The society expects to be able to feed from 25,000 to 30,000 persons a day.

Many deaths from starvation are reported from the province of Shansi, China. The troubled conditions there have interfered with the planting of the usual crops, and a great famine is the result. So great is the destitution that human flesh is being offered for sale in many villages, and the authorities are unable to stop the practice.

The English public are beginning to feel the pinch of the war taxes, which are causing a considerable shrinkage in the incomes of the people. To many of them the burden is a discouraging one, because of the lack of progress toward peace in South Africa, and consequently expressions of dissatisfaction are heard from many quarters.

Three car-loads of Alaskan curiosities, including tusks, skulls, bones of mastodons, and numerous other relics, are soon to be shipped from Tacoma, Washington, to the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, N. Y. The collection also includes the skins of various animals and the utensils of the Indians.

A great financial crash occurred in London on December 28, when thirteen firms suspended operations. The first firm to go to the wall was the London and Globe Finance Corporation, with a capital of $10,000,000. The other failures followed in rapid succession, resulting in great depression in the stock market.

A storm of terrible violence swept over England on December 28, and scores of small vessels were swamped or driven out to sea and sunk. Ruin was left in the track of the storm on the land as well as on the sea, and wires are down in every direction. The loss of life, tho not yet reported, is known to be large.

The idea of attempting to establish communication with the inhabitants of Mars is again being agitated in Europe. Professor Schmoll’s plan is to reproduce in Europe, by means of luminous points, the outline of the Great Dipper, thereby attracting the attention of the Martians.

Recently Governor Sayers, of Texas, made application to Governor Roosevelt, of New York, for the extradition of John D. Rockefeller, who is wanted in Texas for breaking the anti-trust law of that State; but Governor Roosevelt declines to surrender Mr. Rockefeller.

A petition was sent to the president of the Senate on December 31 asking that body to ratify the African International Treaty, in the provisions of which the different civilized nations covenant to prevent the sale of liquor and firearms among the native tribes of Africa.

Professor Brooks, of the Smith Observatory, Geneva, N. Y., has discovered, by means of photographic plates, three small planets in the vicinity of the newly-discovered planet Eros. These belong to a series of small planets which are revolving between Mars and Jupiter.

The Japanese training ship Tsukishima Maru was sunk in a recent typhoon off the coast of Japan, and every one of her 121 officers, cadets, and sailors perished. Two other vessels were swamped in the same storm, one losing 22 men and the other 11.

The bubonic plague has broken out on Thursday Island, South Pacific Ocean, and, owing to the large percentage of Asiatics on that island, it is feared that many deaths will result.

Hiram S. Maxim, inventor of the Maxim gun and the automatic system of firearms, has been knighted by the queen of England. Mr. Maxim was a native of the State of Maine.

A congress of representative clergymen and laymen was held in Philadelphia on December 28, for the purpose of inaugurating a movement to suppress vice in large cities.

Owing to the financial stringency in Mexico, the great banking firm of Martinez, Negrete & Sons, of Guadalajara, has failed, with liabilities reaching $2,235,000.

Plans are being consummated in Philadelphia for the control of the steel tube industry in the United States, by a monster trust with a capital of $150,000,000.

A mail pouch containing about $100,000 in negotiable paper and an unknown quantity of money was stolen at Wyandotte, Mich., on December 28.

The great rubber trust of the United States has declared war on all independent firms by making a cut of about 25 per cent. in rubber footwear.

Mrs. Phebe A. Hearst is reported to have given a large sum of money to establish a temple of Christian Science in Washington, D. C.

Nicola Tesla’s system of wireless telegraphy is to be given an official trial by the United States Navy with a view to its adoption.

The crusade against vice in Chicago has resulted in the closing of the city’s saloons at midnight.