NEWS AND NOTES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 6, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 40.

International.—The sessions of the Peace Commission in Paris began on September 27......A German engineer has invented a kind of fire for use in naval operations which is declared to be absolutely unquenchable. It emits a brilliant flame, giving a light, it is claimed, as brilliant as a searchlight......The German emperor, in a recent speech, declared that Germany’s future is on the water. This is in line with the recent large appropriations of Germany in the matter of naval expansion......A reaction is setting in throughout Germany in favor of the importation of American meats, against which Germany has for so long maintained repressive laws......There is considerable excitement in Chile and Argentine over the settlement of the boundary dispute between those countries. Chile has threatened war on Argentine unless the latter will agree to arbitrate their differences......The republics of Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua are still negotiating over the adoption of a federal constitution for the proposed “United States of Central America.”......It is reported that Colombia has finally decided not to pay the Cerruti claim, and to oppose force with force if Italy attempts to compel payment. Colombia has recognized the British minister as the representative of Italy, so that diplomatic relations have been resumed between the two countries......England, Russia, France, and Italy have agreed upon a plan for the pacification of Crete. The agreement is said to include a plan for the coercion of the sultan if he refuses to yield to the demands of the powers......The British army has raised the flag of England over Fashoda, on the Nile. The French expedition is still there; but no trouble has occurred between them. It is stated that the French expedition was saved from annihilation solely by the arrival of the British and the defeat of the Dervishes......It is estimated that the wheat crop of France for the present year will be the largest since 1874. This will render France independent of foreign importations of wheat......At a meeting of the French cabinet, on September 26, a decision was taken in favor of the revision of the trial of M. Dreyfus, the prisoner of Devil’s Island. That country is still in a precarious condition. The army is said to be growing desperate over the charges which are being made against high military officials. It is openly claimed that Colonel Henry, who was said to have committed suicide, was actually murdered in the prison where he was being confined. The times seem ripe for the establishment of a military dictatorship in the French republic......The Russians are reported to be seizing land in Manchuria, China, along the entire line of the railroad which they are building through that province, and treating the inhabitants with great severity......China is now being ruled by the dowager empress, and Li Hung Chang has been restored to favor. His dismissal a few weeks ago was brought about by the demands of England. His reinstatement is regarded as a victory for Russia, as both he and the empress are partial to that government. It is also stated that the recent reforms which the Chinese emperor had instituted will be countermanded by the empress. Important events are looked for in the near future in connection with Chinese affairs. The death of the emperor by poisoning is reported, but not confirmed......Queen Louise, of Denmark, died at Copenhagen on September 29. She was affectionately known throughout the different continental countries as the “mother-in-law of more than half of Europe.” Her daughters are the Princess of Wales, the Empress Dowager of Russia, the Duchess of Cumberland. Her sons are the heir apparent to the throne of Denmark, who is the son-in-law of the king of Sweden; King George, of Greece, who is a relative of the royal family of Russia; and Waldemar, who belongs to the family of Orleans, claimant to the throne of France.

Domestic.—The Republicans of New York have nominated Col. Theodore Roosevelt for governor......The sailing of the battle-ships Oregon and Iowa for Manila has been postponed till October 2. Another vessel of the cruiser type will also be despatched to the Philippines......The Spanish armored cruiser Maria Teresa, which was sunk in the battle off Santiago, has been floated, and will be brought to an American navy-yard for repairs. Constructor Hichborn estimates that it will take $800,000 to repair the vessel, when she will be worth $3,000,000......The outbreak of yellow fever in Mississippi and Louisiana is not yet under control, and many new cases are reported, with a number of deaths...... Secretary Long, of the navy, has prepared an estimate of repairs and new work at the navy-yards of the country for the coming year, which will be presented to Congress at its next session. This estimate calls for an expenditure of $5,865,399......Cattle are dying by hundreds in the southeastern portion of California from the disease known as Texas fever......Rev. J. Q. A. Henry, of Chicago, is inaugurating a crusade against vice in that city, being supported in his work by the Young People’s Christian Temperance Union......A new armor plate has been invented, which is much superior to that hitherto in use. The manner of its preparation is known as the Krupp process, and its ability to withstand the impact of armor-piercing shells is marvelous. It is to be adopted for use on the new battle-ships and monitors recently authorized by the United States Navy Department......The Carnegie Steel Company of Pennsylvania is preparing to construct a gun foundry to rival that of Herr Krupp, in which guns of all kinds and sizes will be built......The first meeting of the commission appointed by the President to investigate the charges brought against the various branches of the War Department was held in the city of Washington, on September 24......All the lasters belonging to the Lasters’ Protective Union in Southeastern Massachusetts went out on a strike September 28, on account of the refusal of certain companies to agree to their demands. A strike of all the lasters in the State is threatened......Two large bodies of white and negro miners had a pitched battle with rifles, shotguns, and revolvers in the main street of Pana, Ill., on the night of September 28. Much firing was done, but the only casualties were among the negroes, who had a number wounded......Thomas F. Bayard, well known throughout the country for his services as Secretary of State, Senator, and Ambassador to England, died at the home of his daughter in Dedham, Mass., on September 28......On September 27, twenty-four Chinese girls who were being held in debauching slavery in San Francisco’s Chinatown, were captured by the police. Many of them being recent arrivals without certificates, they will be deported to China.

Casualties and Calamities.—Five men were drowned in St. Mary’s River, Michigan, on September 25, by the foundering of a lighter loaded with ore......The French steamer Ville de Fecamp foundered on September 22, off Fecamp, France, and her crew of thirty-six were drowned......A cyclone struck Meriton, Ontario, on September 26, wrecking many buildings, and killing seven persons. The same storm visited Tonawanda, New York, damaging property to the extent of nearly $100,000, and injuring a number of persons......The death rate in Dawson from typhoid fever is reported to be very large, ranging from five to thirteen per day......The Spanish steamer Carthagena and the British steamer Rhoubina collided off Cape Villano, on September 22. The British vessel went down with all her crew, except the captain and one seaman......Seventy men were imprisoned in a coal mine near Brownsville, Pa., on September 23, by explosions of gas and firedamp. All were rescued but eight, who were killed outright.

The Philippines.—All the British, French, and German war ships have left Manila Bay, none but the American ships remaining......The southern islands of the Philippine group are being overrun by the insurgents, who are destroying property and the hemp crop. The insurgents have a number of steamers in their employ, which are used in conveying troops from island to island, and in landing arms and ammunition. One of these was recently seized by the U. S. gunboat McCulloch. The seizure of the entire insurgent fleet is contemplated by Admiral Dewey......It is reported that France has promised to recognize the independence of the Philippine republic......The delegates sent by Aguinaldo to be present at the Paris peace negotiations, have arrived in Washington, and been presented to President McKinley, who received them merely as individuals, and not as the representatives of any government.

Cuba.—Thirty-five million francs were recently forwarded to Cuba by the Spanish Government, for the Spanish troops, and at the same time General Blanco received an order for the disbandment of the volunteers......Spain has laid claim to the remains of Columbus, which were deposited in Havana, and will remove them, also a monument of the discoverer, claiming them as personal property......The jurisdiction of Military Governor Wood at Santiago has been extended by President McKinley to include the whole province of Santiago de Cuba......There have been over one thousand deaths in Havana during the present month, many of which were due to fever......General Blanco has begun to carry out his plan of liberating persons imprisoned in Cuba and the Isle of Pines whose offenses were designated as political.

Religious.—Archbishop Ireland, of the Catholic Church, has stated his approval of the policy of the American administration in leaving the church question out of the peace discussions, and announces that the church in the islands will conform to the new conditions......Turkey has finally decided to repudiate the claims of the American missions whose property was destroyed or damaged in the Armenian massacres. The American Government refuses to accept the repudiation, and some religious papers have gone so far as to urge that the guns of an American fleet be turned on Constantinople to enforce payment.

Educational.—Cornell University is to have one of the finest medical colleges in the world. The funds for its construction and maintenance were donated by Col. Oliver H. Payne. The structure itself is to cost about $500,000......The Swiss town of Sulz is being boycotted by the Teachers’ League, because a teacher, after fifty years’ service, was discharged without the usual pension. The town decided to sue the teachers, because of their refusal to teach, but no lawyers could be found to take the case, and the League refuses to have anything to do with the town until the pension is granted.

Fires.—Smith’s Sons sawmill, near Cheboygan, Mich., was burned on September 26. The plant was valued at $150,000......Fierce forest fires are raging in Colorado, doing great damage to the timbered sections of the State.