p. 9 | A Note to the Powers

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 24, 1904

A Note to the Powers.

Secretary of State Hay has addressed an identical note to the different powers of the world to ascertain if they are willing to join in a collective note to Russia and Japan, notifying them that during hostilities and thereafter the neutrality and “administrative entity” of China must not be violated. The principal powers have signified their willingness to join in such a note; and, tho the belligerents have not sent their formal acquiescence, it is understood that they will do so. The Hay note is now looked upon in many quarters as a triumph of diplomacy. It is even reported that Emperor William was the originator of the idea, having suggested to United States Ambassador Tower that such an arrangement would be for the interests of the nations. Whether or not Manchuria will be included in the provisions of the joint note is not known. That America has taken the initiative in this matter brings her more prominently into the affairs of the Old World, and makes the likelihood of her entanglement in their disputes more probable.

The special organ of the Vatican, in an article referring to the war in the East, says that “illegitimate interference” prevented the late Pope Leo from participating in the peace conference at The Hague, and then adds that, “the absence of a papal representative has brought no good fortune to the conceiver of the conference, as the czar is the first to fight with a foreign country, and Europe has separated herself from the questions in dispute. If the late pope had participated in the Hague conference, perhaps the influence of the present pope might have resulted in avoiding a conflict, the consequences of which are unmeasurable.” It is the purpose of the Papacy to make herself the arbiter of nations, and it is beyond question that in time she will succeed in this by laying the blame for all international conflicts that may come upon her exclusion from the Hague peace conference. “It is written,” however, that her occupancy of this position will be short.

It seems probable that some action will soon be taken in San Domingo by the United States. The rebels have destroyed much property belonging to foreigners, principally German, French, and American, and it is feared that the other nations may take severe action unless the United States, in some way, induces or compels the rebels to desist in their aggressive actions against foreigners. An American launch was fired upon by the rebels, and one man killed, and American signalmen have been under fire there. A force of 450 marines from Panama is reported to have sailed for San Domingo, but whether these are to take part in active operations there is not known.

The Federal Grand Jury of the District of Columbia has, for a number of days, been hearing testimony on the subject of the land frauds of California, Oregon, Washington, and other western States. The fraudulent transactions in this matter are said to be worse than the postal scandal, and involve millions of acres of the public land. The frauds involve people of reputation, government officials in Washington, government agents in the field, and a number of prominent men in San Francisco. The testimony thus far given shows unmistakable collusion on the part of those referred to for the purpose of illegally acquiring vast areas of the public domain.

The Baltimore fire resulted in the destruction of 140 acres of buildings. No accurate summing-up of the financial losses has yet been made public. The city building inspector estimates the loss in buildings alone at $150,000,000. Millions of dollars’ worth of stocks and bonds that it was feared were destroyed have been found safe in the vaults and safes where they were deposited. Street-cars are again in operation, and active preparations are now going on for the rebuilding of the burned district.

The special envoy of Colombia to the United States, having failed to secure any aid from this government in the matter of the return of Panama to the Colombian Government, sailed for Europe on February 8. He will represent Colombia before the French courts, seeking to obtain the recognition of Colombia as a stockholder in the Panama Canal. There have been reports of an invasion of Panama territory by Colombian troops, but no conflict has taken place.

The Senate, on February 8, passed the Mitchell Bill to assist the Lewis and Clark Exposition at Portland, Oregon, to the extent of $2,000,000. Like all the gifts to expositions within recent years, it was made with a proviso that the exposition should not be opened on Sunday. This amendment passed by a vote of 25 to 17. It is of some encouragement to know that there were seventeen men in the Senate who were opposed to paying the people for keeping Sunday.

An uprising against Americans and loyal Filipinos has occurred at Vigan, Luzon, P. I. Ninety-seven members of the constabulary stationed there have deserted, taking with them their arms, ammunition, and $700 in money. A cavalry company and a force of native constabulary have gone in pursuit.

The largest starch factory in the world was practically destroyed by fire on February 10. It was located at Oswego, N. Y. The loss is placed at more than a million dollars.