World News: Nicaragua, South Africa, Samoa, Berlin
By C. M. Snow
International.—There is grave prospect of trouble between the United States and Nicaragua over the course the Nicaraguan Government is taking toward American merchants. The American Minister has been ordered to give protection to all Americans, and the cruiser Detroit is now in Nicaraguan waters. .... The $20,000,000 which America agreed to pay to Spain as an indemnity for the cession of the Philippines was paid to the French ambassador at Washington, acting in the behalf of Spain, on May 1, the anniversary of the sinking of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.
All signs seem to point to a conflict in South Africa between England and the Transvaal republic. The Boers are arming themselves and building forts, and England is concentrating troops in Cape Colony. The London Mail, in commenting on the situation, says: “President Krueger’s sands are fast running out, and the hour is approaching when England must take action.” .... Advices from Samoa report continued fighting between the natives. In a recent engagement the forces of Mataafa are said to have lost about one hundred in killed and wounded. .... There seems to be no indication that any of the three powers holding the protectorate over Samoa care to increase the complications arising out of the recent trouble in the islands.
On account of the unchecked growth of Socialism in Berlin, Emperor William is planning to abridge the self-government of that municipality, so that he can deal more directly with the Socialist problem. ...... President McKinley has given his sanction to a German-American cable project. The cable is to be landed at New York, and is not to touch any territory belonging to Great Britain. President McKinley and Emperor William have exchanged messages of congratulation over the conclusion of the negotiations. .... As dog flesh is common food in Saxony, Germany, a committee appointed by the Reichstag has decided that dogs intended for human food must be subjected to an ante-mortem and post-mortem examination.
One of the most important items of news for the week is the agreement between Russia and England in regard to their spheres of influence in China. England recognizes Russia’s ambitions in Northern China, and agrees to respect them, and Russia covenants to recognize and respect England’s ambitions in the valley of the Yang-tse-kiang. This will, for a time, put an end to the wrangling of the two powers over port and railway concessions, but it gives an impetus to the work of parceling out China. This compact is considered by many as the death warrant of the Chinese Empire as such. .... All the high-class schools of Russia have been closed on account of the prevalence among the students of sentiments inimical to the government. Large numbers of these students have been arrested, and the prisons of St. Petersburg are overflowing. On April 27, 230 girls in the Women’s High School were ordered by the police to leave St. Petersburg within forty-eight hours.
Casualties and Calamities.—A terrible hail and wind-storm swept over a portion of Nebraska on April 26, causing great damage to property. The hail covered the ground to a depth of two inches, and many of the hailstones were of very large size. ...... The island of St. Augustine, one of the Caroline group, was partially swept away by a great tidal wave during the past month, and a portion of the inhabitants lost their lives in the flood. ...... A cyclone visited Kirksville, Missouri, and other places, on April 27, cutting a path through the village a quarter of a mile wide. Four hundred buildings were destroyed, and it is reported that forty persons were killed, while a greater number were more or less seriously injured. ...... Letters from the famine-stricken province of Kazan, Russia, tell a harrowing story of distress. That province is in the center of the famine district, and 123,000 of its inhabitants are being fed by the Red Cross Society alone. Members of that society report that the peasants run after them and beg for food on their knees in the snow. A Russian paper, speaking of the famine, says: “Crime, mortality, and the number of still-born children are on the increase, and scurvy and typhus are devouring the population like a conflagration fanned by the wind.” ...... Sixty-two miners were killed by the collapse of a shaft in a gold mine near Troizk, Russia, on April 29. ...... Five men were killed by the explosion of a powder press at Carney’s Point, N. J., on April 29. ...... About one thousand striking miners completely wrecked the Bunkershill mine mill at Wardner, Idaho, on April 29. The mill cost $200,000, and was blown to atoms by a ton and a half of dynamite. Troops have been ordered to the scene to preserve order, as the local authorities are powerless to deal with the mob.
Domestic.—The United States cable steamer Hooker sailed for Manila from New York, on May 1, for the purpose of connecting by cable all the principal islands of the Philippine group. ...... There is still much distress among the poorer inhabitants of Porto Rico, and plans are being devised for their relief. ...... The Navy Department now has in process of construction forty-eight ships, involving the expenditure of $50,000,000. ...... American exports of manufactured articles for the month of March amounted to $1,400,000 per day, the highest record ever made. The entire American exports of manufactured articles for the year ended March 31, amounted to $242,883,645. ...... The report of the Walker Canal Commission has been completed and handed to the President. The commission reports that the building of a canal across the isthmus is entirely feasible, the minimum cost being $90,000,000, tho the expense of the undertaking may reach as high a figure as $135,000,000. ...... The Court of Inquiry which was appointed to investigate the food supplied the army during the late war has completed its work and filed its report of findings with the President. It is reported that the court will declare that the food furnished the soldiers was wholesome, and will censure General Miles and other officers for neglect of duty. ...... San Francisco and places within a radius of seventy-five miles were quite severely shaken up by an earthquake on April 30, tho no serious damage is reported. On the same date earthquakes visited the States of Indiana and Ohio, and considerable damage was done. Slight earthquake shocks have been frequent throughout the country during the week.
Cuba.—Several railway mail cars have been added to the Cuban mail service. ...... The laws regulating criminal trials are being changed to correspond with the American laws, with the exception of the jury feature. Persons suspected of crime are not to be held “incommunicado” as heretofore, but are to be informed on their arrest of the charge made against them, and will have the privilege of hearing all the testimony in the case. ...... It is reported that the military governor of Cuba has extended all mortgages for two years.
Philippines.—A statement prepared by the War Department shows that 168 American soldiers were killed in the Philippines between February 4 and April 28, and that 1,111 have been wounded. ...... Steps have been taken to effect the release of the boat’s crew of Americans captured by the Filipinos. Prisoners held by the Americans will be exchanged for them. ...... The Filipinos have been driven from Calumpit by General McArthur’s division of the army, and General Lawton is also driving the natives before him. The loss of their stronghold at Calumpit has disheartened the Filipinos, and they have entered into negotiations with the Americans for the termination of the war.
