p. 9 | News of the Week

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 27, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 17.

News of the Week

The British expedition to Tibet has had another encounter with the forces of the Tibetans, in which the latter are said to have lost about two hundred. The expedition continues to push on toward Lhasa. Parliament, by a vote of 270 to 61, has sanctioned the use of native Indian troops in Tibet, and Secretary Broderick announced to the House of Commons that the purpose of the expedition was to prevent the Tibetans from opening up relations with Russia, which they were attempting to do, and to make Great Britain predominant in that country. This move is without doubt the first move toward the establishment of a protectorate over Tibet, which, in the end, will lead to sovereignty.

Congress has spent much time during the past week over the matter of the post-office scandals, and there has been much talk of appointing an investigating committee, but so far no definite action has been taken. An amendment was made to the Post-office Appropriation Bill, providing for the appointment of a committee of investigation; but the amendment was ruled out of order.

The leading surgeons of New York declare that cancer is the most prevalent disease in the United States to-day. They also state that this dread malady is rapidly increasing all over the world, and that they are still utterly in the dark as to its cause and cure. In the last twenty-four years, as shown by statistics, it has doubled in prevalence in the United States, and is still increasing.

The floods of the previous week in the central states have been followed by floods across the border in Canada. Flood waters were running through the main street of Winnepeg on April 11, doing much damage. One of the great steel bridges of the Canadian Pacific was broken by the flood, and a portion of it swept away, delaying traffic for several days.

The House passed the Philippine Bill on April 14, in spite of the vigorous protests of the opposition. It was claimed that many who voted for the bill were not in favor of it. Its opponents declare that the bill is one for exploitation of the Filipinos.

The great Russian painter, Vassili Verestchagin, who became famous by his paintings of realistic battle scenes, is reported to have lost his life in the destruction of the Russian battle-ship Petropavlovsk, at Port Arthur, on April 13.

Advices from Chili state that the bubonic plague is spreading to an alarming extent along the west coast of South America. It is prevalent in shipping ports, which increases the danger of its spreading to other countries.

Andrew Carnegie has created a fund of $5,000,000 for the benefit of the dependents of those losing their lives in heroic effort to save their fellow men, or for the heroes themselves if injured only.

The German forces in South Africa continue to battle with the revolted Hereros. Tho they are punishing the blacks severely, they are also being heavily in officers and men.