News and Notes

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 14, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 15.

FOREIGN.

—A riot took place between the Hungarian peasants and the military on April 2, near Temesvar, resulting in the death of several of the rioters, and the wounding of a number of others.

—Another battle is reported between the Anglo-Egyptian expedition on the upper Nile and the Dervishes, in which the latter lost 200 killed. The British loss was six killed and ten wounded.

—One of the most magnificent railway trains in existence is that recently completed to run over the new Siberian railway, containing all the conveniences that could be desired on an overland journey.

—Reports from the Philippine Islands state that the Spanish troops are losing heavily in engagements with the insurgents, who are becoming stronger and more determined in their opposition to Spanish rule.

—It is reported that Lake Leopold, in central Africa, which was discovered forty years ago, no longer exists. When discovered it was 180 miles long by 30 wide; but now its bed is entirely covered by thick woods.

—It is reported that Spain has purchased in England 200,000 stand of small arms, and that orders have been placed for large quantities of ammunition for the same, presumably to be used in case of war with the United States.

—The two States of Nicaragua and Costa Rica are again approaching a crisis. Both are mobilizing troops, and raising money for war expenses. The Government of Guatemala has offered its services as arbiter between the two states.

—On the night of March 30 it is said that forty floating submarine mines were placed in the entrance to Havana harbor, by order of the Spanish Government, each one of which is powerful enough to blow up the stoutest of war ships.

—Spain has been unable to pay for the Italian cruiser Garibaldi, which is being held for her, and has been granted another month in which to raise the money. In case she is not able to pay for the vessel within that time, the Garibaldi will be sold to other parties.

—A Chinese official accuses the Chinese Foreign Office of having accepted a bribe of $5,000,000 for giving Russia what she asked for in the matter of concessions. Li Hung Chang is mentioned as one of the chief conspirators and the one who received the largest portion of the Russian bribe.

—The autonomist government of Cuba has made proposals to the Madrid Government and also to the insurgents for an armistice during which to arrange terms of peace. Officials of the Cuban Junta, however, declare that until the independence of the island is recognized, the insurgents will never cease fighting.

—A report from Porto Rico states that the uprising of insurgents against Spain which has been expected so long, has actually occurred, and that one battle has already been fought, in which a number of lives were lost. The insurrection is attributed to two Cuban expeditions, which reached the island four weeks ago.

—A severe battle between the Cubans and Spaniards was fought during the past week in the province of Puerto Principe. The Spanish army consisted of 19,000 regulars in three divisions. After seven days of fighting, this army was compelled to retreat, and it is reported that during the entire engagement the Spanish lost 1,000 men.

—China has acceded to the demands of France. These demands comprise the agreement of China not to alienate any of the provinces of Kwang Tung, Kwang Si, or Yun Nan; the construction of a railway to Yun Nan Fu; the lease of a coaling station, which is not named; and the appointment of a Frenchman as director of the Imperial Post.

—The Spanish torpedo fleet which was ordered to Porto Rico, is reported to have proceeded only as far west as the Cape Verde Islands, having been dispersed and more or less disabled by encountering a severe storm. It had been reported that this fleet had reached Porto Rico, and two Spanish cruisers were ordered from Havana to convey it to the harbor of Havana.

—The English Government announces that it has obtained from China a lease of the port of Wei-hai-wei on the same terms that Russia has secured the lease of Port Arthur. These ports are on nearly opposite shores of the Gulf of Pechili, and when England has taken possession of Wei-hai-wei, Russia’s advantage in that part of China will be greatly lessened. The other concessions which England has secured from China within the last two months are China’s agreement not to alienate any of the region of the Yang-tse-kiang to a foreign power; that the director of the Chinese imperial maritime customs shall be an Englishman; and that access to the inland waters of China is to be had by the ships of all nations.

—The queen regent of Spain has made a direct appeal to the queen of England to support France and Austria in an attempt to secure European mediation between Spain and the United States. The appeal was transmitted to Lord Salisbury; but it is understood that it will not be allowed to change the policy of the English Government, which has clearly signified its intention not to join in any movement of this kind.

—G. F. Tilton, third officer of the Belvidere, one of the fleet frozen in the ice north of Alaska, has reached civilization, after an overland trip of five months and twenty-two days, and states that when he left the fleet, the sailors were compelled to live on the rankest kind of fish and dog meat. He states that when the ice breaks, the vessels will become a complete loss, as it will be impossible for them to stand the strain to which they will be subjected.

—The murder of four German subjects in the province of Santa Clara, Cuba, has aroused the German emperor to the inability of Spain to protect the lives of foreigners in Cuba. A demand has been made for prompt punishment of the offenders and the immediate payment of a large indemnity, with the declaration that if satisfaction is not received at once, Germany will send a war ship to enforce her demands. This circumstance has visibly changed the attitude of Emperor William toward the Spanish-American quarrel.

DOMESTIC.

—Fire at Rock Hill, S. C., on April 3, destroyed twelve buildings, involving a loss of $250,000.

—A new electric cable has been completed between Key West and Dry Tortugas, Florida, and is now in working order.

—On April 2 the United States purchased another cruiser of an English ship-building firm, and the American flag was at once hoisted over it.

—The Indians along the Yukon River are reported to be starving, on account of the scarcity of fish and caribou, upon which they principally subsist.

—Archbishop Ireland has been commissioned by the pope to use his influence with President McKinley in favor of a pacific settlement of the Cuban question.

—A French aeronaut has landed in New York with a balloon, with which he intends to sail from Juneau to Dawson City. A geologist and chemist accompany the party.

—An Easter gift has been handed to the University of Chicago, amounting to $320,000. President Harper, of that institution, states that John D. Rockefeller will duplicate the gift.

—The Naval Appropriation Bill passed the House on April 1, and carries appropriations for the building of three new battle-ships and twenty-four torpedo boats and torpedo boat destroyers.

—On April 4 the United States Consul at St. Thomas, West Indies, purchased all the available coal at that place for the Washington Government, to be used in coaling the fleet to operate in those waters in the near future.

—Ten vessels to be fitted up as auxiliary cruisers were purchased by the Navy Department on April 4. These will be taken to the navy yards at once to receive their overhauling and the ordnance with which they are to be armed.

—The New England cloth mill strike is reported to be broken, the strikers having been virtually starved into submission, after a loss in wages of nearly $1,000,000. They are compelled to accept a reduction in wages of ten per cent.

—Heavy rains in Honolulu resulted in a serious flood on March 24, which covered 200 acres of the city. It is reported that hundreds have lost all they possessed, their homes being ruined. Only one life was lost, but many narrow escapes are reported.

—The damage at the United States Navy Yard at Mare Island, Cal., by the earthquake of March 30, is reported by Navy Yard officials to be $342,000. Secretary Long will ask Congress for a special appropriation to make the necessary repairs on the buildings.

—The committee of the Ohio Senate appointed to investigate the rumored bribery in connection with the election of M. A. Hanna to the United States Senate, has, it is reported, brought charges of bribery against Mr. Hanna. These charges will be presented to the U. S. Senate for further action.

—On the evening of April 3 the levee at Shawneetown, Illinois, broke, allowing the river at that place to sweep in and inundate the town. The waters rushed upon the town with such rapidity that twenty-five are believed to have been drowned. Property valued at several hundred thousand dollars was destroyed, and much suffering and destitution are reported.

—Orders have been given by the Secretary of the Navy for the wreck of the Maine in Havana harbor to be abandoned. The big guns have not been recovered, and it is thought that it will be impossible to remove them without the use of dynamite, to which the Spanish Government objects. The breech blocks have been taken from the guns, so that if recovered by the Spanish, they would be useless.

—Miss Jessie E. Parker, of Kendrick, Idaho, has been elected mayor of that town, defeating one of the most popular men of that place for the office.

—Considerable interest was aroused during the week by the rumor that the pope of Rome had been requested by President McKinley to arbitrate the differences between Spain and the United States. The rumor was without foundation in fact; but Spain has signified her willingness to accept of such arbitration, and the pope is anxious that the matter be settled in that way, providing Spain would agree to cease all military operations in the island of Cuba while the question was being settled.

—The message of President McKinley, which was to have been delivered on the 5th or 6th of April, has been postponed. It is now scheduled for April 11. The cause of this delay is reported to be the fact that Consul-General Lee, fearing that the President’s message would inflame the Spaniards in Havana and bring about a massacre of Americans before they could obtain transportation, pleaded for the delay. The contents of the message are not known, much less the effect which it will have upon the relations between the two governments. It is reported that the queen regent is negotiating direct with Minister Woodford in regard to the abandonment of Cuba and the acceptance of America’s demands. It is known that Spain has reopened the negotiations with the United States, which were recently broken off, bearing upon the Cuban question. In the meantime war preparations by both powers go steadily on. Both governments have received applications from owners of vessels for letters of marque which will authorize them in the event of hostilities to prey upon the commerce of the enemy. The work of laying submarine mines in the principal Atlantic Coast harbors is now in progress, and continual additions are being made to the fleet. Preparations are also in progress for the mobilization of American troops on the old battle field of Chickamauga.