News and Notes

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 28, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 17.

FOREIGN

—Fire at Vancouver, B. C., on April 21, destroyed wharf buildings and stores to the amount of about $50,000.

—Hundreds of officials and well-to-do residents of Manila, Philippine Islands, are fleeing from that place on account of the rapid spread of the rebellion in the islands.

—A report from Berlin states that Germany is considering the feasibility of a scheme for the absorption of the Samoan Islands while Spain and the United States are engaged in hostilities.

—Austria has published a decree forbidding the importation of American fresh fruit, plants, and fruit packages in cases where the examination at the port of entry reveals the San Jose scale.

—On April 18 a steamer sailed from Tampa, Florida, having several hundred Spanish subjects on board, who are leaving on account of the strained relations between the two countries.

—The English correspondent of the London Times has been expelled from Cuba by the authorities of Havana; and the Times characterizes this act as “another of the Spanish efforts to stifle the truth.”

—A fire in Tokyo, Japan, on March 8, destroyed 1,110 buildings, 1,055 of which were dwellings. Great misery prevails among the people who are rendered homeless and destitute by this great conflagration.

—On April 18 and 19 serious rioting took place in Malaga and Valencia, Spain, due to the war excitement. At Malaga the American consulate was attacked by the mob, and one of the consul’s negro servants was killed.

—The privy councillor of Russia and his daughter have been exiled to Siberia for life, on the charge of having sold military secrets to Austria. Five other persons have received lighter sentences for alleged complicity in the matter.

—Col. Prospero Morales, who was one of the principals in the late revolution in Guatemala, is now organizing a force in Mexico to invade Guatemala. His forces are being armed with modern small arms and artillery.

—A despatch reports a battle between insurgents and Spanish in Pinar del Rio Province, in which the latter suffered defeat, losing a number of men in the engagement. The Cubans entered and looted the town, burning a tobacco warehouse.

—The island of Hai-Nan, off the coast of China, is being ravaged by a strong band of riotous natives, whom the troops are unable to disperse. These marauders have burned twenty-eight villages and eleven military camps, and are plundering the peaceable inhabitants.

—In England the followers of Don Carlos, the Spanish pretender, are making active preparations for an emergency. The Carlists are convinced that the present dynasty is doomed, and that the issue will be between Republicanism and a new dynasty under the leadership of Don Carlos.

—Russia has compelled China to dismiss all her German drill instructors in Northern China, and a Russian general has been placed in authority in the province of Tien-tsin. China has shown a disposition to resent this “autocratic” action; but it is not likely that she will make any decided attempt at resistance.

—Spanish refugees in New York who are unable to pay for their transportation to Spain have been informed that the Spanish Government will take them only as far as Havana, and at this place all who are able to bear arms will be impressed into the military service. Much discontent is expressed at this action of their home government.

—It is reported that England has given instructions to her colonies that in the event of war between the United States and Spain, coal is to be declared contraband of war. It is believed that other nations will follow her lead in this matter. Such an act will seriously cripple the Spanish fleet for effectiveness in American waters, and the American fleet in the waters of the Orient.

—A special cablegram from Caracas, Venezuela, states that General Joaquin Crespo, ex-president of Venezuela, was killed in battle on April 17, while leading the government troops against the rebel leader Hernandez. Crespo was one of the most influential men in that republic, and at the time of his death was commander of the Venezuelan army, under President Andrade.

—A German scientist claims to have discovered an electric fluid which he calls electrois. The liquid is produced by electrolysis, but it is not identical with electricity. Its effects are said to be startling, producing light and fluorescent rays; it causes whirlpools in water, kills bacteria, causes objects to rotate in mid air, and with it glass and metal can be charged with electricity.

DOMESTIC

—Threats of rioting and bloodshed along the Chilkoot trail have caused the United States troops at that place to take possession of the trail, in the maintenance of order.

—The Howard-Baker feud in Clay County, Kentucky, consummated on April 17 in the killing of ten and wounding of three of those concerned in the long-standing dispute.

—A special train of fifteen cars loaded with explosives left California for the East on April 15. This is for distribution among the fortifications of the East, as well as for use in the navy.

—The treasurer of San Francisco, Augustus W. Widber, is now under arrest for having appropriated $116,000 of the city’s money. Widber confesses his guilt, and states that the stolen money was spent in “fast” living.

—The withdrawal of the regular troops from the Indian reservations is giving rise to many fears of Indian outbreaks, especially in Dakota and Oklahoma, where the braves are reported to be gathering with a view to hostile demonstrations.

—An allotment of $15,000 was made on April 19 for balloon service in connection with the army which is now being concentrated at points in the southern States. On the same day $1,000,000 was appropriated to pay for the moving of regular troops already ordered out.

—The California Conference of Epworth Leaguers will meet in annual convention at San Francisco, on April 22. The convention will last four days, and will be devoted principally to the discussion of plans and methods of work, together with reports of work accomplished during the year.

—A call is being made through the Episcopal Church for assistance in equipping and maintaining a hospital at Skaguay, Alaska, where much suffering is reported on account of the lack in this respect. Rev. Peter E. Rowe, Bishop of Alaska, has taken the hospital under his personal charge.

—The United States torpedo-boat Somers, recently purchased in Germany, has been compelled to put into an English port for repairs, and was considerably damaged while being docked. A large portion of her crew have deserted, believing the boat to be unable to cross the Atlantic.

—The Dominion authorities have recently promulgated orders that free miners’ licenses be issued at the summit of the Alaskan passes. It is claimed that this concession will be disastrous to Victoria trade, as it will not be necessary for miners outfitting in the United States to stop at Vancouver or Victoria to obtain miners’ licenses.

—Word has reached the governor of Texas that bands of free-booters are being organized in Mexico for the purpose of raiding along the border, where agents of the Spanish Government have been working for some time. The governor proposes the formation of a citizens’ battalion for the purpose of protecting the lives and property of the Texans.

—Spain and the United States are rapidly drifting toward hostilities, and it seems now that nothing stands in the way of a conflict. The resolution passed by both Houses of Congress authorizing the President to intervene in Cuba for the restoration of peace was signed by the President on April 20, and immediately communicated to Minister Woodford at Madrid, and to the Spanish minister at Washington. Upon its reception by the Spanish minister, he demanded his passports, and his demand was at once complied with by the State department. The communication of the joint resolution was accompanied by the President’s ultimatum to Spain, which has been presented to the Spanish Government. The speech of the queen regent delivered on April 20 precludes the possibility of her government making a reply which will be satisfactory to the American Government. By the terms of the ultimatum Spain is given a definite time in which to withdraw from the troubled island her naval and military forces. Her refusal to comply with America’s demand can have but one result, in all probability. Spain is massing a powerful squadron at the Cape Verde Islands, and America is rushing her troops from their barracks to points in the South preparatory to an invasion of Cuba. Since the destruction of the Maine the American Navy Department has added to its fleet over forty vessels to be fitted up as auxiliary cruisers and torpedo-boats, and on April 20 the House passed a bill authorizing the President to call for volunteers. This will require action in the Senate before the call is made. There is increased activity in all departments of the government in making preparations for the conflict that none expect to avoid.