News and Notes

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 15.

FOREIGN.

—By a vote of the German Reichstag on April 2 the law excluding Jesuits was repealed, after a hot debate.

—At Lisbon, Portugal, on April 6, twenty persons were killed and many others injured by an explosion in a fireworks factory.

—Colonel Vassos, commander of the Greek troops in Crete, has been raised by his government to the rank of general.

—The number of lives lost by accident on British merchant ships during the past year, as reported by the British Board of Trade, was 1,897.

—The Spanish minister of war has telegraphed to acting Captain-General Ahumada, at Cuba, not to try General Ruiz Rivera immediately by court-martial.

—It is reported that the Russian Government has requested the king of Denmark to use his good offices in the settlement of the Cretan question by arbitration.

—Chulalongkorn I., king of Siam, has announced his intention of making a tour of the world. He will first visit Europe, and will then pass through the United States.

—In view of the approaching jubilee of the queen of England, E. T. Hooley, a wealthy Jew of London, has taken opportunity to devote $2,000,000 to charitable enterprises.

—The Spanish Government has cabled General Weyler, giving him instructions to carry into effect the reforms which the Cabinet recently agreed to institute in the island.

—Rain is now reported to be falling plentifully in the famine-stricken districts of India, and it is expected that the next crop will alleviate to a large extent the sufferings of the people.

—A report from Montevideo, Uruguay, dated April 2, states that the national troops have defeated the rebels with severe loss, but that 500 Brazilians have crossed the border to assist the insurgents.

—Advices from Constantinople state that Turkish military preparations, which had been suspended for some days, have been renewed with great energy, £300,000 having been subscribed for this purpose.

—At Malaga, Spain, on April 4, bands of starving working people broke out in open riot, destroyed property, and seized large sums of money. The condition of affairs in Andalusia is said to be growing worse daily.

—At a cabinet meeting in Paris on April 1, the Minister for the Colonies was authorized to present to the Chamber of Deputies a bill providing for the expenditure of 80,000,000 francs for the purpose of building war ships.

—The Vali of Monastir is said to have discovered many abuses in the supply of provisions and munitions of war to the Turkish army, among which was a shipment of alleged gunpowder, which was found to consist chiefly of sand.

—Guatemala is reported to be in a turmoil over her elections. President Barrios and his former minister of war represent the opposing factions, and both parties are bringing every possible influence to bear to defeat their opponents.

—The Austrian Cabinet resigned on April 2, and it was expected that Count Badeni, the president of the council of ministers, would be intrusted with the task of reconstructing the Cabinet; but the emperor refused to accept the resignation.

—It is reported on good authority that to the Germans is due the efficient manner in which the Turkish troops have been mobilized on the Macedonian frontier, and that the plans of the campaign have been prepared by able strategists at Berlin.

—Despatches from St. Petersburg state that the czar is in a very bad condition mentally. He is said to be very morose, speaking to no one unless compelled to do so to make known his wants, and keeps himself shut up in his bedchamber day after day.

—C. E. Ackers, correspondent of the London Times, in a letter to the New York World, declares that the worst horrors of Crete and Armenia are equaled by Spanish barbarities in Cuba, and states that it is the moral duty of the United States to stop the war.

—The two factions of the Samoan natives, taking advantage of the absence of war ships, are preparing for an encounter. Chief Tamasesse is stirring up a revolt against king Malietoa, and is reported to have a strong following. It is feared that a collision may occur at any time.

—The powers have warned the Turkish and Grecian Governments that in the event of hostilities on the Macedonian frontier, the aggressor will be held answerable for all the consequences of a disturbance of the peace, and that, whatever might be the result of a struggle between these two nations, the aggressors would not be allowed to derive the slightest advantage should they be victorious.

—The Russian Government is now contemplating a proposition to connect the Black and Baltic Seas by an artificial waterway, which will be 1,000 miles long. The estimated cost is $500,000,000. It is considered that this canal would nearly double the efficiency of the Russian navy.

—Advices from Rio Janeiro state that the Brazilian rebels continue to gain ground in Bahia. The head of General Moreira, whom the fanatics captured in battle, is used as an ensign for the rebels when in action. The ghastly trophy is carried in the van of the forces, transfixed on a pike.

—The Uruguayan rebels are now reported to have captured the town of Artigas, and are also collecting duties on the Brazilian frontier. Their army, numbering 6,000 men, is also reported to be in active pursuit of the government forces, who dare not risk an engagement on account of the disparity of numbers.

—The sultan of Zanzibar has issued a decree abolishing slavery, but providing that the existing rights over concubines shall remain as heretofore, unless such persons claim freedom on account of cruelty. The government will pay compensation for all slaves legally held, and the concubines will be regarded as wives.

—On April 3 a band of Cretan insurgents, while under a flag of truce, were attacked by a company of Mussulmans on the plain near Akrotiri, and a fierce fight ensued, in the presence of the international troops, who were powerless to stop the engagement. As a result of the fight fifty Moslems, killed or wounded, were borne into the city.

—The Spanish report decisive victories over the Philippine Island insurgents. Simultaneously with the attack on the insurgent stronghold by land, the Spanish gunboats shelled a number of seaport towns which had been fortified by the rebels. The insurgent losses are said to be very heavy, and 1,630 prisoners surrendered as a result of the shelling of Cavilevego.

—From an emigration bill recently submitted to the Reichstag, it appears that it is the settled policy of the German Government to turn the stream of German emigrants elsewhere than to the United States. A German emigration company, having the patronage of the government, has secured a tract of 1,700,000 acres of fertile land in Brazil, and thither it is expected that many of Germany’s emigrants will flock.

—April 6 the anniversary of Grecian independence was celebrated throughout the kingdom with marked enthusiasm; but the expected outbreak of hostilities between the Greeks and Turks on the border in consequence of the memorable occasion, did not occur. The leaders of the Greek army on that day assembled at the headquarters of Prince Constantine, and demanded immediate aggressive movements.

—A late despatch from Havana states that while Gen. Ruiz Rivera was being conveyed from San Cristobal to Havana the train was captured by the insurgents, and that Rivera is at liberty among them once more. During the week the insurgents have captured two of the forts which the Spanish had erected along the trocha, and secured the arms and ammunition contained therein. Gen. Julio Sanguilly, who was released from a Cuban prison on account of being an American citizen, is under arrest in the United States for attempting to conduct a filibustering expedition to Cuba. A New York World special from Havana states that the Spanish jail at Calabazar, Havana Province, was raided by the insurgents, and eighteen prisoners who were to be shot this week were liberated.

—The blockade of Greece which was threatened in connection with the blockade of Crete, and was to have taken place several days ago, has not yet been enforced, and many believe that it will not be. The powers seem unable to make a concerted move in this direction. Several times it has seemed as though a decisive point was reached, when some one or more of the “concert” powers would refuse to participate. Germany now shows signs of being willing to step completely out of the Cretan embroglio, and Austria has refused to send any more troops to the troubled island. France, which some days ago was unwilling to coerce Greece, is now about to send an additional force of men to Crete; and England’s attitude in the matter is very uncertain. Russia threatens King George, and at the same time it is reported that the Russian Government is making a proposition to Greece which will give her all she asks. The Cretan insurgents are now forcing the fighting, especially in the vicinity of Candia. There were conflicts in various parts of the island on April 7, and in every instance the insurgents were the aggressors. Turkey has at last proposed to withdraw her troops from Crete on condition that Greece will withdraw hers, and that the powers will agree to restore order in the island.

DOMESTIC.

—The Senate of the State of Minnesota has passed a bill authorizing the issuing of bonds for the construction of its new $2,000,000 capitol.

—On April 3 the House adopted the Senate resolution providing for the chartering of a vessel to carry provisions to the starving people of India.

—An “April fool” joke played on a blacksmith of Phoenicia, N. Y., by John Graham, resulted in the death of the latter by a bullet from the enraged blacksmith.

—Secretary Gage has taken steps looking to the better enforcement of the immigration laws which prohibit the admission into this country of alien women of immoral character.

—Four thousand men were forced out of employment on April 7 in Chicago by the closing of the works of the Illinois Steel Company. The action is taken by the officials to head off a strike.

—At the Grant memorial ceremonies in New York several thousand Confederate veterans will join in the parade, and will give the famous “rebel yell” along the route and at the tomb of Grant.

—William J. Bryan is heading a movement for the preservation of the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson as a national reservation, and will urge that Congress make an appropriation for the purchase of the property.

—The Western Pennsylvanian states that Schrader, the “divine healer,” visited Pittsburg some time ago, and, finding no business, hired himself out to a dime museum, where he healed (?) all who applied. But few applied, and the receipts would not warrant the museum management in retaining him.

—Nicola Tesla, the famous electrician, has made an important discovery in the field of electricity which bids fair to revolutionize the present systems of electric lighting. His “electric oscillators” do away with the necessity of the induction coils, and the light is produced from either direct or alternating currents.

—The McKinley administration proposes to adopt a vigorous policy toward the Turkish Government for the settlement of the claims preferred by this government on account of the destruction of American missionary property and outrages to American missionaries during the Armenian massacres of 1895. These claims amount to $150,000.

—The Philadelphia, flag-ship of the Pacific squadron, sailed for Honolulu on April 8, under sealed orders. It is rumored that this action is taken in view of the expected uprising of the Japanese population in Hawaii, and the fact that a Japanese cruiser is now on its way to Hawaii to enforce certain demands of the Japanese Government.

—The new battle-ship Iowa, which had her trial trip on April 7, earned for her makers the sum of $200,000 by making an even record of seventeen knots an hour for four hours. This is the last of the war vessels on which the government will pay a premium for a higher rate of speed than called for in the contract. This battle-ship will be the most formidable of the American navy.

—A Seattle, Washington, firm is planning to build two stern-wheel steamers for navigating the headwaters of the Yukon in Alaska. When these are completed, those going to the gold fields of Alaska will proceed to the head of Lynn Canal, then over the mountains to Lake Bennet, in British territory, and thence down the Yukon to the gold regions, making the trip from Seattle in about two weeks.

—Sailor Ramsey, an American seaman and an officer on the steamer Cambrian Monarch, was arrested several months ago in Peru for disorderly conduct, and sentenced, without trial, to one year’s imprisonment. This being contrary to the treaty between the two powers, the United States Government demanded the release of Ramsey. The demand was refused for some time, and it was feared the circumstance might lead to serious trouble. The Peruvian Government has finally acceded to the demand, and Ramsey is once more free.

—The Senate of Wisconsin, on April 1, passed a bill prohibiting any kind of betting or pool selling in the State. If the bill receives the governor’s signature, it will “be unlawful for any person or corporation to engage in pool selling or book making, or occupy a building of any kind for registering any kind of bets on the result of any kind of contest of skill, speed, or power of endurance of man or beast, or upon any event or occurrence of any kind whatever, the result of which is uncertain.” The penalty for infraction of this law will be from $100 to $500, and imprisonment for ninety days.

—The whole valley of the Mississippi, together with many of her tributaries, is in a deplorable condition, from the floods, that have now been pounding at the dikes and levees for nearly a month. Continual rains, blizzards, and high winds keep all the rivers and streams in the valley at the danger line, and even the defenses of some of the large cities near the Mississippi or her swollen tributaries are looked upon with grave misgivings. In scores of places the levees have been broken, villages are submerged, and relief steamers in some instances have to go fifteen miles inland to rescue isolated parties, or carry relief to small towns cut off from communication with the surrounding country.