Immigration, Plague, and Santo Domingo
A great increase in immigration is reported from the port of New York. In three days, March 20, 21, and 22, 16,000 immigrants landed at Ellis Island. It is feared that the capacity of this immigrant station will not be large enough to accommodate the large numbers of aliens that are booked to arrive in the coming weeks. All vessels arriving are crowded with this class of passengers, and extra vessels are being put into the service for accommodating these passengers. Over 7,000 Russian Hebrews have reached New York since the first of March; but the greater number are from Italy, Austria, and Hungary. Mr. Broderick, Secretary of State for India, replying to a question in the House of Commons on March 23, stated that the number of persons who have died in India of the bubonic plague since January 1, of this year, amounts to 318,178. Notwithstanding the terrible ravages of this disease during this short time, very little has been said concerning it. A commission has been appointed to inquire into the causes for the fresh outbreak of this epidemic, and the commission will start for its field of operations immediately. Foreign nations whose subjects have business dealings with the people of Santo Domingo, are pressing the government of Santo Domingo for an immediate settlement of claims. This comes as a result of the refusal of the Senate to approve the treaty prepared with the State Department, by virtue of which the United States was to assume what would have been practically a protectorate over Santo Domingo. Germany has served imperative notice upon the Turkish Government that it must make no more purchases of arms and ammunitions from France. Both France and Turkey resent this interference which was accompanied by threats on the part of Germany; and the French ambassador continues the negotiations to secure the order. The great basin known as the Salton Sink, in the southern part of California, is being turned once more into a great lake, through seepages from subterranean sources, and bids fair to rival the Great Salt Lake. Immense quantities of salt have been taken from this dry salt lake every year for many years past. As an answer to England's operations in Tibet, Russia is said to be sending a strong force to the vicinity of the northern Indian border. Fifty-six military trains have arrived at Tashkent within two months. There is reported to be much military activity in this locality. The government investigation into the operations of the great beef trust at Chicago, is now under way. Scores of persons have volunteered to give testimony in the case—so many, in fact, that the investigators will be able to hear only a portion of the testimony. As a reply to Russia's action in concentrating troops in the vicinity of the Indian frontier, England is putting the Indian police on such a footing that they will be able to control the situation and release the Indian troops for service in India's defense. The threat of Venezuela to cut the French cable has not been carried out, as President Castro had been warned that serious consequences would follow such an act. Nebraska has passed a law designed to prohibit the practise of Christian Science doctors.