News and Miscellany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1914

News and Miscellany

Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press

— The Japanese-American arbitration treaty was ratified by Japan on May 23. It was ratified by the United States on February 22, last. The treaty pledges the contracting governments to arbitrate all questions except those affecting vital interests, independence, or national honor, and the rights of third parties.

— Three barges laden with 1,300 tons of sugar from Hawaiian steamships at Panama arrived at Cristobal at seven o'clock on the evening of May 19, after passing through the Panama Canal. The sugar was transferred to the steamships "Colon" and "Oregon," for conveyance to Philadelphia, thus completing the first commercial use of the canal.

— The battered hulk of a new light-ship, "Halifax No. 19," was found lying among the breakers on Liscomb Island, five miles from the mainland of Nova Scotia, on May 23. It probably struck during a dense fog which enshrouded the coast in the vicinity of Halifax for several days, and it is believed that the crew of twenty-five Scotchmen was lost. The ship was on her maiden voyage.

— Just what will be accomplished by the Mexican Mediation Commission, now in session at Niagara Falls, Canada, is indeed a doubtful issue. The United States will tolerate no plan which does not include the unconditional elimination of Huerta. The president of Mexico declares, "I will not resign." The mediators have been anxious that Carranza, leader of the Constitutionalists, send representatives to their conference. This he has finally refused to do.

— Prince William of Albania, formerly Prince William of Wied, upon whom the rulership of Albania was conferred by the powers last February, was forced to take refuge on an Italian gunboat as an insurgent force supporting the former minister of war for ruler neared the capital city, Durazzo, on May 23. He returned to the palace the following day under an Italian guard. It is reported that he has already signed a treaty of abdication, but this has not been confirmed.

—

On May 7 the king and queen of England opened a new wing of the British Museum, which has been completed at a cost of $1,000,000. The building of the new wing is part of a general scheme for the extension of the museum.

— Aeroplane passenger service across San Francisco Bay to Oakland was instituted on May 14, with a regular schedule of trips. Mayor James Rolph, Jr., was the first passenger carried, making the round trip. The distance between the terminals is 6.7 miles.

— For some time the question of Sunday amusements, especially professional baseball, has been under discussion in the District of Columbia. On Friday, May 22, Justice Gould of the District Supreme Court rendered the decision that the commissioners have no jurisdiction over the commercialism of Sunday amusements.

— Following the thirty days' grace allowed by the laws of Illinois to the saloons which were voted closed, largely by women, at the recent local option elections, approximately 1,100 whisky dives in all parts of the State went out of business at midnight on May 7. In all, more than 200 cities and villages were freed from rum sellers.

— The President on May 16, served warning on Governor Ammons that the State of Colorado must be prepared to maintain peace in the coal miners' strike districts without federal aid. The President said that federal troops would remain in the troubled districts, "only until the State of Colorado has time and opportunity to resume complete sovereignty and control."

— China now has a real constitution, drafted by friends or agents of Pres. Yuan Shi Kai, who have been sitting in Peking for several weeks since the president's summary dismissal of the parliament. The revised constitution, which is still called "provisional," was promulgated a week ago, and in effect gives the president dictatorial power over administration and legislation. Dr. Luther Anderson, a Chinese correspondent of note, avers that the instrument is a distinct advance on conditions which prevailed prior to the revolution, and paves the way for constitutional development, even though it is admitted that the constitution is strongly reactionary in character.

— A definite legislative program for the remainder of this session of Congress has been agreed upon by leaders of the House and Senate in conference with President Wilson. This plan contemplates adjournment not later than July 10 if that is possible. Failing that, August 1 has been set as an arbitrary date. Only the failure of the appropriation bills will prolong the session longer. As now agreed upon, the House legislative program includes the passage of the following bills: Trade Commission Bill; Monopoly and Injunction Bill; Federal Control of Issue of Stock and Bonds Bill; Rural Credits; Appropriations; General Dam Act for regulation of water power. The Senate program is: Repeal of the free tolls clause of the Panama Canal Act; the enactment of the three antitrust bills designed separately above; Rural Credits; Appropriations.