War and Labor Unrest by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · May 17, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 20.

War and Labor Unrest

By Editor

The third Russian squadron has now passed through the Malacca Strait, and has joined, or will soon effect a junction with, the second Pacific fleet, under Admiral Rodjestvenski. This makes a powerful fleet so far as numbers and men are concerned, and the Japanese seem to be reluctant to give them a general engagement. It seems certain, however, that serious developments may be looked for soon in the China Sea. The hopes of Russia are centered in the great fleet now nearing Japanese waters. There have been a few minor engagements on land within the past few days. The Japanese are said to be moving both wings of their army, as if to precipitate a general engagement.

The great strike of teamsters in Chicago is still on at the present writing. Both sides are claiming gains to their ranks, and there is little prospect of an immediate settlement. There has been much rioting in connection with the strike, many have been maimed or injured, and there is still a possibility that the state troops may be called out. The police have been openly accused of favoring the strikers, refusing to arrest them for actual assaults on non-union men, and being quick to arrest non-union men who have retaliated for abuse and injuries.

It is reported that on May 1 nearly one hundred persons were either killed or injured in Warsaw, Poland. Russian troops fired into crowds of demonstrators, and the latter retaliated with firearms, bombs, and other missiles. The temper of the people has been raised to a high pitch by the wanton brutality of the troops, who continued firing volleys into the retreating, shrieking multitude. Many of the killed and wounded were shot in the back.

England must begin at once the work of removing many of the great guns of her war-vessels, and replacing them with others. It is reported that the large wire-wound guns with which many of the ships have been provided have proved unsatisfactory, and that many of them are already useless, simply from the practise firing they have had.

Europe is still agitated over the question of Germany's attitude toward the Moroccan question. Germany fears that France desires to declare a protectorate over Morocco, and Germany asserts that the Kaiser will resist such a move even to the point of war.

It has been discovered that women connected with high officials of Russia are members of the terrorist societies that are threatening the lives of officials in that country.