NEWS AND NOTES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 28, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 22.

FOREIGN.

—At last accounts the Matabele had retired to some distance from Buluwayo, apparently with their war spirit somewhat cooled. Cecil Rhodes is at present at that place assisting in its defense.

—The increasing navy of the United States is, it appears, worrying Nova Scotia, and a scheme for coast defense which that province is submitting to the Canadian Government intimates that three cruisers for patrolling the waters of the northeast would be very desirable. The general fear that is permeating all nations will probably sooner or later find a way of expression on our frontiers and in the waters of adjacent countries.

—While representatives of every other religion in the whole Russian Empire, including the tiniest non-Christian sects in the Asiatic portions, have been invited to the coronation festivities in Moscow next month, not a single Jewish rabbi is included in the list. This is no accident, says The Watchman. “The Russian Jews already see that they have nothing to hope for from the new reign. It is reported that to make the affront at the coronation more pointed, a delegation of rabbis has been invited from the Chirea community of Karaim—Jews, or, rather, Judaized Tartars, who number about 4,000, and who are disowned by all orthodox Hebrews.”

—A letter to Secretary Olney from Miss Clara Barton concerning the relief work in Asia Minor, says that since the Turkish Government has become convinced there is no political significance attached to her visit, it has ceased to place obstacles in the way of the commission, and in fact is rendering assistance in the way of guards and escorts to those going into the interior. The work at present, while pursuing the same lines as at first, is also distributing seeds and tools to farmers in need of them. For this purpose requisition is made upon the governor of the province, and when he can not comply, word is forwarded to the porte, who issues necessary orders. At present the way seems favorable, but we will not answer for results when once the commission withdraws from the country.

—Captain General Weyler has issued an edict prohibiting the shipment of leaf tobacco from the island of Cuba. This directly strikes tobacco and cigar manufacturers in other countries, especially in the United States. The result will be to throw thousands out of employment, shut down factories, and raise prices. Already the State Department has had representations made to it, and has consulted the Spanish Government over the matter, as it is recognized as a blow at trade in this country, presumably because of the friendly sentiment shown for Cubans. The report now is that Spain will use her efforts to induce Weyler to reconsider his edict. Concerning that gentleman himself it is stated he has received notice from the home government to cause prisoner torture and other brutalities to cease. From the present outlook the captain-generalcy will change hands in the near future.

—Reports of a catastrophe in the harbor of Woosung, China, have reached this country via Victoria. The Onwo, a steamer of 797 tons, was run down by the Newchang, nearly as large, and sunk. The Onwo had at the time 326 native passengers. Only seventy-five escaped, with several British officers of the boat.

DOMESTIC.

—A report says that half the wheat crop of Michigan will be destroyed by the ravages of the Hessian fly.

—The Massachusetts Supreme Court has ruled that women can not be made notaries public by the Legislature because they are not expressly named as eligible by the Constitution.

—On the night of May 21 a fisherman named Searcy was shot and killed near Astoria, Or., by a gang, supposed to belong to the striking fishermen, who ordered him off the river.

—A recent order of the President has brought 30,000 additional employees of the government under civil service rules. This brings the total number of classified places up to 85,135. Only 775 are exempted from examinations.

—The Presbyterian General Assembly, in session at Saratoga, N. Y., is considering “the whole question of young people's societies, and their relations to the church.” The churches are finding the accumulation of these innovations a cause of frequent perplexity.

—A four-story brick building in Buffalo, N. Y., collapsed on May 21, crushing a barber shop next door, and burying a number of persons in the ruins. At least two were killed, and others received severe injuries. Rotten iron pillars were discovered to be one of the main reasons for the accident.

—At a recent meeting of the Chicago Congregational ministers, a committee was appointed to draw up a resolution in regard to the decoration of decoration day. This is the first intimation we have had that decoration day is a sacred institution. Thus, after the example of the Sunday institution, holidays, in time, are liable to be regarded as holy days.

—Both Edison and Tesla are this week credited with the production of new and powerful lights, capable of from ten to twelve per cent. of illuminating power. The present incandescent light gives only three per cent. Mr. Tesla believes that by a few more experiments he will be able to produce a light utilizing forty per cent. of the illuminating energy.

—The U. S. Grand Jury in Portland, at the instance of Inspector Chappelle, has issued indictments for the arrest of thirteen prominent citizens of Astoria for false swearing in aiding Chinese over the line. It is claimed a ring has thus existed for several years, and that during that time several hundred Chinese have been fraudulently passed in as “merchants.”

—There are at present seven incorporated Spiritualist societies in San Francisco. A convention was held in that city on the 24th, 25th, and 26th insts., at which there was the usual aggregation of “great signs and wonders” workers. They were especially particular not to hold any business sessions on Sunday. The erection of a Spiritualist church or hall is in contemplation.

—A compromise vote on the admission of women to the Methodist General Conference, taken at the session of that body in Cleveland recently, throws the question back to the annual conferences. If three-fourths of these concur in the movement on foot, women will in future have a voice in the general proceedings of that body. Four were given seats at the Cleveland Conference, on condition that no precedent was established.

—In reply to a letter evidently asking where the Catholic Church stands in relation to the political platforms now being formulated, Cardinal Gibbons replies that Catholics adhere to both great parties according to private judgment. But, alluding to attacks made upon Catholics by the A. P. A., the cardinal says members of his faith will naturally espouse the cause of the other parties, or the one or ones that will openly avow the principles of religious liberty according to the Constitution. This of course means the Constitution as interpreted by Congress and the Supreme Court.

—The Woman's International Peace Union, says an exchange, is promulgating the “truth” that “if Christianity is to live and spread, the war system must die.” It is true that Christianity and the war system are based on opposite principles, but it must be remembered that the former is the power, and the only power, that can drive out the latter. “Preach the word,” and it will do the work the Lord wants done. Protests and commendatory resolutions from religious or peace societies to governments concerning standing armies, navies, and sums spent to sustain them, are of little saving worth. There are too many societies and organizations devoted to saving nations as such. What the world needs is the individual Gospel message of salvation.

—On May 20 the House of Representatives passed a bill which adds to the classes of aliens already excluded from the United States all persons between the ages of sixteen and sixty—except parents of persons already here—who can not read or write English or some other language. It also excludes aliens who come across the borders to labor and return, except at ports of entry, and then it is a misdemeanor to hire them on previous contract.