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The Russian Situation

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 15, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 7.

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The Russian Situation

The Russian situation has taken on a more peaceful aspect during the week. While strikes continue in different parts of the empire, the great strikes at Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Warsaw are being broken down by the presence of the soldiers and the promises of better treatment from employers. The czar has met a committee of representatives of the laborers, and has promised substantial reforms in their interest. Some reports go so far as to state that the czar is about to abolish the bureaucracy and autocracy; but these reports are doubtless exaggerated. It is certain, however, that disaffection in the army and the rising spirit of the people have impressed the czar with the necessity of reforms in the government.
Ten million dollars was embezzled in the United States during the year 1904, according to the statement just compiled by the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York. These do not include the operations of such persons as Mrs. Chadwick, but are plain steals, followed by confession or by the disappearance of the guilty parties. New York State headed the list, and California stands second. The four states in which the largest embezzlements occurred are as follows; New York, $1,851,583; California, $1,058,825; Pennsylvania, $987,233; Ohio, $830,208. The amount embezzled per capita was greatest in California, where the rate was $1.28 for every thousand of the population.
The Supreme Court has made permanent the injunction against the beef trust. By the terms of this injunction the packing companies which comprise the trust are forbidden to make agreement between themselves not to bid against each other, to combine for the purpose of fixing prices, or to agree among themselves to bid high in certain markets for the purpose of inducing large shipments of cattle, with the intention to create an overstock to be bid in at low prices, to keep a blacklist of dealers for mutual use, or to get or attempt to get less than lawful rates for transportation.
Passive resistance to the English Education Act continues to be exercised in both England and Wales, and the Education bill is becoming more and more unpopular with the people. In cases where "passive resisters" have been haled before the court, and sentenced for non-payment of the obnoxious tax, the magistrates have felt that it would be best not to enforce the sentences. The London County Council has also shown its disapproval of the education measure.
Premier Combes of France, who has been making such a heroic fight against clericalism in the government, has tendered his resignation. Whether his resignation was brought about by the influence of those whom he was opposing is not definitely known, tho it is certain they were doing all they could to bring about his defeat. He has, nevertheless, accomplished a great deal in the matter of the separation of church and state.
Governor Folk of Missouri has issued a set of rules which he hopes will do away with a large portion of the objectionable lobbying at the state capital. It is safe to say that these rules will not be to the liking of a great portion of the legislators, who have been receiving thousands of dollars from these lobbyists for the passage of certain laws.
There is a prospect that Guatemala will soon be involved in trouble with her European creditors, as that government is not able this year even to pay interest on her indebtedness. In view of possible complications over this matter, Germany is said to be courting Mexico, knowing that the latter country is hostile to Guatemala.
The bill taking the building of the Panama Canal out of the hands of a committee, and placing it in the hands of the President of the United States, has been approved by the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. The bill also authorizes the government to purchase a controlling interest in the Panama Railroad.
The California Assembly has passed the bill for the recession of the Yosemite Park to the national government. The indications are that the measure will also pass the Senate. It is hoped that by this measure this famous park will receive better attention than it has received at the hands of the state.
The United States Government, on February 1, took charge of the customs of Santo Domingo. A force of 200 marines have been taken from Panama, and landed at Guantanamo for use in Santo Domingo, if their presence should be necessary there.
Russian officials have laid the blame for the insertion of a charge of grape in the saluting charge that nearly cost the life of the Russian family, at the door of private Bogdanoff, who is said to be a member of a revolutionist society.
Great ice floes are reported in the North Atlantic, causing trans-Atlantic shipping to change their courses farther to the south. The entire coast line of Nova Scotia, except the extreme south, is blockaded by the ice.
Detectives have discovered a well-organized band of boys and young men throughout the country, who make a business of robbing wealthy guests of hotels. These boys are mostly employed as bell boys.
As a result of the recent events in St. Petersburg, the Boyevaya Society has condemned the czar to death. It was this society which condemned and killed Minister Von Plehve.
A landslide into Lake Loen Land, Norway, on January 15, caused a high wave which swept the shores of the lake, and resulted in the drowning of 59 persons.
The impeachment trial of Judge Swayne, of the District Court for the Northern District of Florida, has begun in the Senate of the United States.
There has been a vast increase in immigration from Russia during the past few months. The number who arrived in December amounted to 58,926.
A new planet of the thirteenth magnitude has been discovered by Professor Wolf, of Heidelberg, Germany.
There is a strike of 900 lumber-wagon drivers in Chicago at the present time.