p. 88 | News and Miscellany

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 29, 1871

News and Miscellany.

“Can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

NEW YORK, Aug. 12.—The Herald’s Rome letter contains information that the pope has selected the island of Corsica as a place of future retreat, though any determination on his part to leave Rome has not yet been made apparent; and that Cardinal Antonelli has had a chateau at Corti placed at the disposal of the holy father by M. Vallery, of Marseilles, which is being extensively fitted up for his reception. The publication of the pope’s letter against the revolutionary journals has diminished the sale of these sheets about one-half. Their total disappearance, at this rate, will be accomplished in a short time. Notwithstanding this result, the revolutionists are at work with newspaper organs, and a new journal called the Luther has been projected. The pope, in replying to a deputation of Roman citizens, who presented him with contributions of Peter’s pence, said that while relying little on the prophecies contained in the books, yet it was written that the time would come when the holy see would be forced to live upon the charities of the world, but would never be wanting in money.

NEW YORK, Aug. 15.—Advices from Bombay report that the famine in Persia had entailed dreadful suffering upon the inhabitants of that country. In Ispahan the public shops were opened, selling camels, asses, dogs and cats’ flesh, and yet from 70 to 80 persons died daily. People went about selling their children. In Kassan and Kome, cities where corn formerly abounded, the people had been caught cutting down children for food. In Khorasin 18,000 have been swept off and the survivors have raked up corpses for food. On July 21, Mr. Allison, Charge d’Affaires at Teheran, who had confirmed the statements of the sufferings by the famine, said, in response to a request from England for information as to the extent of the famine, that the famine is over, but that provisions are very dear.

LONDON, Aug. 15.—Advices from Paris say that the city is excited, the situation is threatening, and trouble is apprehended from various sources. To-day is the Fête of Napoleon I., and the air is full of rumors that the army will revolt against the Versailles Assembly, declare MacMahon regent, and demand an empire. People are leaving Paris in stampede. Some believe that the Orleanists’ scheme is ripe for a coup d’état, being pushed by the proposition to make Thiers permanent Executive, which, it is feared, would establish a government not monarchial. Thiers has no friend. He is hated by the Republicans, Royalists, and Imperialists, alike. A crisis is approaching.

ACCORDING to correspondence received from Vienna by the Augsburg Allgemeine Zeitung, the collision between the Khedive of Egypt and the Sultan is close at hand. The Khedive, it is said, has arrived at the term of his concessions, and is determined to yield no further. “I have,” he is reported to have exclaimed, “been induced to give up my coat; my shirt I sha’n’t surrender!” What confirms the rumor of an approaching rencontre is the news that the Khedive has sent to America the most pressing demand that the breech-loaders he has ordered from that country should be dispatched to him as quickly as possible.

IT is stated on authority that a serious disagreement has arisen between the French and German governments with reference to the Frankfort peace negotiation. The present difficulties are likely to lead to further complications, which may result in a suspension of the treaty of peace negotiated at Frankfort.

THE Patrie says Russia is making great military preparations. The Czar, accompanied by Gen. Leflo, French Ambassador, visited the camp of the Twelfth Army Corps at Tsarko Celo. Prussia is also filling up her cadres, perfecting her armament and collecting enormous quantities of stores. The Patrie believes that the preparations of the latter government are aimed at Russia.

A DISPATCH from Strasbourg states that disturbances have occurred between the Prussians and inhabitants. Much animosity is shown by the inhabitants toward the troops, and many attacks are made on them without opportunity for reprisal. A number of Prussians became involved in a quarrel with several people and a fight ensued, during which a number upon both sides were killed and wounded.

CITY OF MEXICO, Aug. 18, via Indianola, Texas. Aug. 24.—In Morelia, a Catholic priest named Canero preached a bitter sermon against law reform and religious toleration. He succeeded in exciting the people to such a pitch against the Protestants that his harangue resulted in creating a breach of the peace by the multitude. Canero was sent to prison by the authorities; but the people attempted to take him out of jail by force. The federal troops resisted this popular attempt at jail delivery, and the result was a great riot. A great many persons were killed and wounded. Even incendiarism was resorted to by the inflamed and enraged followers of the priest.

THERE is evidently trouble between the United States and Mexico brewing upon the Texas frontier. The Mexicans shelter a tribe of Indians—the Kickapoos—who make constant attacks upon the United States settlements in Texas, and run off stock and carry their plunder into Mexico, where it is bought by Mexican traders. The settlers on the north shore of the Rio Grande often see their cattle, stolen by the Indians and purchased of the Indians by the Mexicans, grazing on the opposite side of the river, on the Mexicans’ bottom lands. Threats to pursue the Indians into Mexico, and to cross the river in armed bands and recover their stolen property by force, are openly made by the Texans; and these threats are now supplemented by a report from Gen. Reynolds, stating that, if the United States troops are authorized to pursue the marauders into Mexico, the depredations can be stopped. But such a pursuit would be an act of war against Mexico, and cannot be thought of, unless we either obtain permission of the Mexican government, or else are prepared to accept any consequences, even to a declaration of war. As to looking to the Mexican government for redress or protection, that is a thoroughly played-out joke. The Mexican government, unfortunately, can hardly sustain itself, and cannot preserve its own safety and enforce its own authority, with any considerable degree of regularity, much less compel its border ruffians to treat neighboring nations with proper respect. The Mexican treasury is empty, also, so that it cannot pay damages. Besides, the murder of American citizens cannot be compounded for money. The problem is a most perplexing one, viewed in any light. Even if war should result, and we should give Mexico another whipping, nothing substantial would be gained. We don’t want to annex Mexico. We wouldn’t have that country as a gift, without its population was first exterminated. And moving the frontier further south would only move the trouble to the new frontier—not cure it.