News and Notes

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 6, 1896

FOREIGN.

—Emperor William has caused to be introduced in the Bundesrath a bill to increase the navy,—his pet scheme at present.

—It is said that a claim to 3,000,000 acres of land, on the coast opposite Prince of Wales Island, heretofore supposed to belong to the United States, is about to be made by England.

—According to reports from Formosa, the Japanese are not having an easy time in taking possession of that island. Advices state that the natives are again causing trouble in several districts.

—Intense suffering is reported from St. Johns, N. F. Hundreds are said to be starving and without fuel. A sum of $2,000 has just been raised by the government to assist the needy, who are laborers without work, until employment can be provided.

—The Manitoba school question is still undisposed of by the Dominion Government. A bill was introduced allowing Catholics a share of public moneys, on the condition that all teachers in Catholic schools pass the qualifying examination. This will probably fail, as it is reported that Archbishop Langevin refuses absolutely to allow the government inspectors to enter his schools.

—Germany has uttered a note over the Monroe Doctrine, in connection with her demand on Venezuela for the settlement of a debt incurred by that government for a railroad built by German engineers. In a note to that South American republic, it is stated that enforcing the payment of a debt by resort to arms, can not be construed as a violation of the Monroe Doctrine, hence action will be taken accordingly, if necessary. This has already been illustrated by Great Britain at Corinto.

—The British authorities, now that Jameson is in their hands, are discovering that there is probably no law on the English statute books to punish him for his raid upon the Boers. Doubtless had this been found out before he was delivered up by President Krueger, the Dutch of the South African Republic would have had no difficulty in finding cause against him. In the meantime, the Americans who merely sympathized with him, are held, on a charge of high treason. Inasmuch as they are not citizens, and are restricted in their business relations as well, it looks as tho the charge needs alteration. The U. S. Government is assured by the Cape Colony authorities that no harm shall come to Mr. Hammond or his associates.

—The steamer Hawkins, carrying men and ammunition from the United States to Cuba, has gone down at sea off Long Island. The steamer was pronounced unseaworthy before a start was made, but the party ran the risk of her sinking. The men, under command of General Garcia, escaped in the boats, but it is said the loss of ammunition will seriously affect the Cuban cause. Pending the arrival of General Weyler, who threatens to conduct a vigorous campaign, General Marin is pushing the insurgents. General Weyler, known as “the butcher,” is reported to have said he will give the Cubans eight days in which to surrender, after which no mercy will be shown. He must of course first catch his victims. A despatch via Key West, which eluded the censorship, says the Cubans are fully holding their own, and that the expected campaign under Weyler has brought new forces to their aid. Gomez’ forces are said to have joined Maceo’s in Pinar del Rio.

—It is now generally conceded that some sort of arrangement exists between the czar and the sultan, as reported several days since. Whatever it may be, it evidently leaves England out of the question. This must be a bitter dose for that power, inasmuch as she has heretofore exercised a leading part in shaping affairs in Turkey. But now, to the astonishment of all, Lord Salisbury announces, in a recent speech, that England has not proposed to control matters in Turkey, much less insist to the extreme point on a change in Armenia. On this latter point he states, with good reason, that it is not possible for England, no matter how long her arm, to occupy the remote provinces of Armenia. Any attempt, he believes, to resort to arms, would only arouse the Mohammedans in a body, and result in atrocities upon their religious enemies hitherto unheard of. He further urges that the prestige of the sultan, if he is given time, will bring about a state of tranquillity. This view of the situation is not held by the rest of the world. It is now hinted that Russia may occupy Armenia.

DOMESTIC.

—The new gunboat, Helena, designed for shoal water and river navigation, left the ways of the Newport News Co., at Newport News, Va., on January 30. The vessel is 250 feet long, with a speed of thirteen knots.

—A new secret order, called “The Mystic Brotherhood,” has been organized in Kansas to oppose prohibition.

—By the explosion of a boiler in the works of the Iron and Nail Co., at Hollidaysburg, Pa., on January 30, six persons were killed and a score injured.

—A deputation of orange growers from Florida is now visiting this state. The crop failures of that state, owing to frosts, have induced them to investigate the claims of sunny California.

—At a wedding near Sandusky, O., the floor gave way, precipitating seventy-five people into the cellar. The accident is said to have resulted fatally to one lady, and a number received serious injuries.

—A resolution has been presented by Senator Morgan from the Committee on Foreign Relations for the recognition of the Cuban insurrectionists as belligerents. The resolution was placed on the calendar.

—The National Equal Suffrage Association has declared by official vote that it is in no way responsible for the so-called women’s Bible. An implied fostering of the work might be detrimental to the aims of the association.

—The concurrent resolution requesting the President to communicate with the powers signatory to the Berlin treaty, asking them to protect Christians in Armenia, has been handed to the chief executive. The probability of the United States taking a hand in European affairs has also been variously discussed abroad.

—It now appears that the shortage, if it can be so mildly stated, of Librarian Spofford, of the Congressional Library, amounts to $61,000 at the least, with a possible $100,000. The amount at first was believed to be not one-half of this sum, and the excuse was accepted. But “carelessness” to the tune of $61,000, with no accounting as to where the money went, is certainly worthy of serious attention.

—Commander Ballington Booth, of the Salvation Army in the United States, has received a recall from the general, and it is announced that he will leave for England the 1st of April. It is also stated that his elder sister, in charge of the Army in France, has been recalled. No reasons are given, but it is suggested that the commander has become extremely popular with Americans, and favors American ways.

—The Committee on Indian Affairs of the national government has authorized a favorable report on a bill providing for a commission to treat with the Bannock and Shoshone Indians. The special matter in hand will be to induce the Indians to modify their treaty rights to kill game so as not to conflict with the state laws. It will be remembered that it was over this point that the recent trouble with these Indians occurred.

—There are at present before Congress the following bills to provide for the army, the navy, and coast defenses of the United States: A bill calling for $100,000,000 to strengthen the military armament, a bill for 6 battle ships at $4,000,000 each and 25 torpedo boats at $175,000 each, a bill for revenue cutters on the Pacific Coast and the Great Lakes, a bill for $87,000,000 for coast armament, bill for reorganizing and increasing the army, for issuing Springfield rifles to the National Guard of the several states in exchange for the weapons now in use, and for the enrollment and further organization of the naval reserve. The spirit of uneasiness is at work, and the United States is beginning to awake to the fact that it may be in danger from some enemy.