After the good meeting we had in The Hague, I spoke to our brethren in Brussels, August 19. This is the beautiful capital of Belgium, a city of about five hundred thousand inhabitants. Belgium itself is Catholic or infidel, with the exception of twenty thousand. But the Lord has helped Brother Klingbeil and his coworkers to gather out, even in this dark place, a company of twelve, and we have a church of twenty-six members in Antwerp. In Brussels some are interested, and the brethren have secured a nice little hall in the center of the city, at a reasonable rent.
The night of August 20 I spoke to our church in Paris. I found they had made considerable growth since my last call on them several years ago. We now have a church of over thirty members in Paris; and as most of them pay a good, faithful tithe, they pretty well cover their expenses. Thus far Elder Augsbourger has been our only laborer there, and God has blessed his work. It has now been decided to place some additional help in the northern part of France.
In company with Elder Augsbourger, I went to Nîmes, where I learned to my surprise of the illness of Elder Dexter, who lives here. We were sorry that he was unable to attend this important meeting, but are glad that he is recovering. Elder Tieche, the president of the Latin Union, arrived from Algeria the sixteenth, and they had baptism in Nîmes on the seventeenth.
Our French meeting was held in a country town ten miles south of Nîmes, at a place called Beauvoisin, August 21–25. The brethren had secured a lot in the center of the town, where the large tent and twelve smaller family tents were pitched among the olive-trees. Our attendance was larger than ever before, there being about eighty altogether. We were glad that the different portions of the French field were represented. There were several from Paris. That which most encouraged our hearts was that nearly half the camp was composed of promising young people. The tent was well filled in the evening, and the people seemed to give good attention to the word spoken. Elders Tieche, Nussbaum, Augsbourger, and the writer did most of the preaching, and conducted the Bible studies.
WORKERS OF THE FRENCH CONFERENCE AT BEAUVOISIN
As there are now about two hundred thirty-five members in France (there are nine churches), and the number is steadily increasing, it was recommended at Gland that this field be organized into a conference. After setting before the people the duties and responsibilities of such an organization, they unanimously voted to perform all their duties faithfully, and to do their utmost to forward the work among the great French nation. Elder Dexter was chosen president of the newly organized conference. For the present this conference includes all France, but it is expected that, when the south becomes strong enough, a separate mission field will be organized in northern France. If we consider that France has forty million people, and that its territory is equal to that of Germany, we can see the reasons for such a division. The French Conference will begin its existence Jan. 1, 1908, with probably two hundred fifty members.
As the young people are coming to the front, and our brethren can already see some of the benefits of our training-school, they naturally feel a still deeper interest in this department of the work. When the call was given to strengthen the educational fund that had been started in Roman-Switzerland, it did not take long to raise two hundred dollars in cash and pledges. Money was also given toward their tent fund. A conference poor fund was started, and fifteen dollars was collected for that. Liberal donations were made to the Sabbath-school and weekly offering funds.
All were glad to learn from Brother Tieche that fruit had already appeared in Algeria, where two had just recently been baptized; and it was voted to give Brother Steiner, one of their promising young men who has full command of the French, German, and English, and has also studied Hebrew, to labor among the mixed population of Algeria, and at the same time to study Arabic. Thus, within a short time, we shall have three good workers in Algeria. They expect to hold a course of lectures in the city of Algiers this winter.
There are now in the French field three ordained ministers, four licentiates, three Bible workers, and about eight canvassers. Thus far we are spending six thousand dollars a year on the forty million people in France. One third of this is raised by our brethren in France itself, while the other two thirds come from the appropriations of the Mission Board. When we remember that to-day France has more than as many more subjects in its colonies, and that, naturally, France will be the recruiting ground for workers for these colonies (they have already sent French workers to Algeria and Hayti), we can realize the necessity of liberally assisting them to carry on this work.
Sabbath was especially a good day. Thirty-five came forward for prayer. Both forenoon and afternoon the Spirit of God deeply convicted those present.
There will now be in the Latin field two conferences,—the Roman-Swiss and the French Conferences,—thus making the Latin Union a full-fledged union conference, completely organized, pushing the work into every part of its wide-extended territory. Let all remember the Latin Union Conference in their prayers and by their gifts.
Hamburg, Germany.
Central New England Conference
By William Ambrose Spicer
The annual session of the Central New England Conference was held in South Lancaster, Mass., October 10-13. The States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire comprise the conference territory. Out of thirty-four churches, twenty-three were represented by seventy-three delegates. From Thursday evening until late Sunday evening the meetings continued with good attendance and unabated interest. There are abundant signs in Central New England of a revival of the work in these eastern fields where the message had its rise. The workers had cheering reports to give, and the brethren and sisters bore testimony to their confidence in the work and in the message that we bear.
Very substantial evidences of progress were presented in the statistical report of the president, Elder H. F. Ketring. Last year their tithe was $13,729.64. This year the tithe has grown to $16,111.66, which represents a gain of $2,383.02. The churches of the conference have more than made up their membership share of the $150,000 fund. The mission offerings and gifts to enterprises outside the conference, which were $4,410 the previous year, have during the last year risen to $8,487. Nothing encouraged the hearts of the people more than to see such an increase in sharing the burdens of carrying the message to the regions beyond. Yet these Eastern States are themselves populous and needy fields.
The membership of the conference shows a net increase of seventy-eight during the year. The canvassing work has also been coming up. Last year they sold $5,000 worth of books, while this year the amount was $8,665, or a gain of seventy-three per cent. These are but a few facts and figures indicating a live and vigorous work in Central New England.
One of the most encouraging features in the conference was the presence of a large number of students attending the South Lancaster Academy. This school has the largest patronage in its history, and a strong, wholesome, healthy spirit pervades the entire institution. When the question was asked in the academy chapel, how many students had come with the definite intention of fitting themselves to go into some branch of our work, nearly all rose to their feet. When those who had it in mind to enter mission fields abroad, if the Lord should open the way, were asked to express themselves, ninety-one arose.
The Central New England Conference brethren were pleased to learn that a larger number of students than formerly from their own conference are attending the school. This means more workers for the conference in a little time. Considering the population of the field, the conference staff is not a large one.
Elder F. C. Gilbert had an encouraging report of the work done among the Jews in Boston, and of visiting work in other places in behalf of Jewish evangelization. Following the Sabbath afternoon service, two Jewish converts to the truth were buried by Brother Gilbert in baptism, the first-fruits of the Boston mission to the Jews. It was an occasion of deep interest to the conference, and there are evidences that this is only the beginning of the harvest of souls from among this people.
The president's address reported a good interest in the medical department of the work. The Melrose Sanitarium, near Boston, is doing a good work, and now needs only an increased patronage to become a strong factor in holding forth the light of truth. Within an hour's trolley ride of the institution is a population of two million, we were told. Elder P. F. Bicknell, the chaplain, who was present, related incidents showing the good influence exerted by the institution in behalf of the truth. The president's address also spoke encouragingly of the work of two private sanitariums, one at Springfield, Mass., Dr. Mary Sanderson in charge, and another at New Bedford, Mass., in charge of Dr. J. C. Bradford.
Attention was given at the conference to increasing the activities in every department of the work. All who attended the meeting must have had faith and courage increased. As one brother expressed it in the social meeting, the impression given by the study of the local and general work, and the message for the time, was this: "A small people, a great work, a mighty God, a little time." Elders S. N. Haskell and E. W. Farnsworth, representing the general work, were in attendance at the conference.
Elder H. F. Ketring was again elected president of the conference, and H. B. Tucker secretary.
I was glad, after the conference, of the privilege of visiting the Melrose Sanitarium. Truly the location is ideal, and the possibilities great. Dr. C. O. Prince is the medical superintendent. A good class of nurses is in training.
W. A. SPICER.
Japan
By F. W. Field
TOKYO.—Not long ago I wrote of three men in Kiushiu who have recently accepted the truth. One of them, the Baptist pastor from Fukuoka, came to Tokyo about two weeks ago, and has been staying at Brother Kuniya's. He has many friends here and in Yokohama, and has been visiting among them; and, as was very natural, he told them of his change of faith. One friend, also a pastor, opposed him so successfully that he has now decided not to remain with us. Of course he has had very little opportunity as yet to study the truth; but we were planning to have daily Bible studies forenoons, and allow time for work afternoons. One of the arguments used by this pastor against us was that we have no church building, and no school, etc. So this argument is being used with effect upon some, as it has been in other fields in times past. Such experiences convince us that we have not begun any too soon to plan for a church building here at the head of our work and at the capital of the nation, and for a training-school for workers.
We are having much rainy weather; that will interfere with the tent-meetings at Maebashi, if it continues. The brethren have already shipped the tent, and plan to put it up as soon as the weather permits. I hope to make a short visit to Maebashi before going on to Korea with Brother Shultz. F. W. FIELD.
The Southwestern Union Conference
By R. C. Porter
It has now been about a year since I was called to the presidency of the Southwestern Union Conference. During a portion of this time I still continued work in the Kansas Conference, dividing my time between that conference and the Southwestern Union.
After the last session of the Kansas Conference, held during the Wichita camp-meeting, I was free to devote myself wholly to the Southwestern Union. I attended all the camp-meetings during the summer at which State conferences were held. Reports of these meetings have already appeared in the REVIEW. I will only add that the good spiritual influence of these meetings still continues to be felt throughout this union.
I attended most of the canvassers' institutes held last spring in this field. Although the past summer has been unusually dry, green bugs destroyed most of the wheat, cotton is only about half a crop, and frost killed much of the fruit, yet the canvassers have made as good deliveries as usual. They have sold many more books this year than last. Many of them have made their scholarships, and are now in school. The outlook for the canvassing work never was better in this field than now. We are planning to start a number of winter canvassers who will work through the entire year. Winter canvassing is no longer an experiment. It has proved a success wherever it is given a fair trial.
The academy at Keene has opened the most favorably of any year in its history. Over one hundred students were present at the opening, and we have reports from many others who will be there soon. Revival services in the village and with the students at the opening, resulted in almost every student in the academy professing faith in the third angel's message, and preparing to enter some place in the work.
In addition to the rooms formerly occupied by students, it has become necessary to rent the sanitarium building, for a boys' dormitory, and still more room will be required to accommodate the attendance this year. In view of the drought that has prevailed in this section during the past summer, we can but attribute this increase in attendance to the special openings of God's providence.
This was very evident from the testimonies of the students who had previously attended the academy and had spent the summer in the canvassing, Bible, and ministerial work. After the usual opening exercises, the first morning, they were invited to relate their experiences from the field during the vacation. Over twenty-five responded to this call, and each one had a testimony of God's special providence that made it possible for him to return the present year.18Following this, each professor, Bible worker, and minister present joined in a brief testimony of praise for such an institution in which our youth can be trained to become workers in the cause of God. The spiritual interest in the school is very good. The students enter upon their work with a determination to make this year the best in the history of the institution for practical educational work. Brother C. N. Woodward, secretary of this union conference, will give a report of the work among the colored people.
Faith, hope, charity, courage, and a determined purpose to do our part toward finishing the work in this generation, is the watchword of the hour from this field. R. C. PORTER.
Work Among the Colored People in the Southwestern Union
By C. N. WOODWARD
THIS union conference has always been weak, and has keenly felt the lack of a colored laborer of sufficient education and experience to stand as a leader among this people, through whom the conference committee could intelligently direct the work. With a view to supplying this lack, and with the advice of the General Conference brethren, Elder M. Jones, a native of Jamaica, was invited to come to this field and labor among this people, taking the oversight of the work among them under the direction of the conference committee.
He reached here with his family about the first of last November. Since then his time has been wholly employed in visiting the colored churches and laborers, learning their needs, and counseling with them and instructing them in better plans for advancing the truth.
There are now eight well-organized churches of colored people in this union conference, with a membership of about one hundred twenty-five. While all in these churches have not attained to a thorough knowledge and practise of the truth, a large proportion of the membership is well grounded in the whole truth, and love it as dearly as do their white brethren and sisters. Two of these churches are in Oklahoma, two in Arkansas, and four in Texas.
Associated with Elder Jones, we have had the following laborers: one ordained minister, one licentiate, one holding missionary license, and a Bible worker in Texas; one licentiate and one holding missionary license in Arkansas, and one with missionary license in Oklahoma. We have been giving full support to all these.
We also have a small intermediate school in Arkansas, which for the past two years has been doing a good work. The prospects for a better work the coming year are good, but it will be necessary to give the teacher some support, as the patrons are not able to give full support.
We have two tents in the field, one in Texas and the other in Arkansas. The latter is located at Pine Bluff, where there are many colored people. It is considered an educational center for them in that State, and we are trying to get a foothold there which will help us to reach out into other centers among the colored people. A good interest has been manifested, and some have already taken a stand for the truth.
Our colored brethren are being instructed in the duty to pay a tithe of their income, and to give offerings, and last year several hundred dollars were received as tithe from the colored church, which was all applied to support their laborers.
We have within our territory probably very close to a million colored people, to whom we are made debtors for the truth. We are not able to do our duty to them without the aid of our brethren elsewhere who have means to spare; with their help financially we can do a good work. C. N. WOODWARD.
Minnesota
By H. Steen; Fred Johnson; Ina Grundset
MINNEAPOLIS.—Our tent effort began July 7 and closed September 22, with a good attendance and interest. The location was good, the tent being pitched near a car-line. We were not disturbed during the meetings, and the weather was very favorable, with the exception of one storm that threatened to destroy the tent. Never did I enjoy a tent effort more than I did this one. Among the workers there was love and harmony at all times. The attendance was large, and on an average greater than I have seen in the past.
Between two hundred and three hundred sets of the “Family Bible Teacher” were carried by number to as many families. Thus we were in constant contact with the people, continually announcing to them the subjects handled at the tent, thereby saving much expense in advertising.
The meetings are being continued at our church, 2214 Sixth Street S., where baptism was administered to four persons in the presence of a large congregation on Friday evening, October 4. One sister, who is severely persecuted by her husband, was quietly baptized the afternoon of the same day, making five in all. The following Sabbath, which was quarterly meeting day, the right hand of fellowship was extended to those persons, who then joined in the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord’s house. The occasion was a blessed one because of the deep movings of the Spirit of God. There are other new converts keeping and the Sabbath who desired to be baptized, but were hindered from doing so at this time. These we hope will soon be able to go forward.
We are of good courage and thankful to the Lord, who hath accounted us worthy to labor in his vineyard.
H. STEEN,
FRED JOHNSON,
INA GRUNDSET.
State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
By Emilio Hoelzle
I HAVE been kept very busy in the work, laboring for the people in the field, and editing our Portuguese paper. Editorial work in a language in which very little of our literature has been translated means considerable work. I am glad to report that Brother Wm. Stein is with me, and assisting both in the preparation of matter for the paper and in meetings. We are thankful that his health allows of this.
Our work here in the city goes slowly forward. We often long to see more done. With much care we have been preparing a young Brazilian brother for the colporteur work. Considering the circumstances under which he has labored in this place, he has thus far had good success. His sales last month amounted to one hundred milreis (about thirty-three dollars).
Since acting as superintendent of this new mission of Sao Paulo, in addition to the translation work, it has been my privilege to baptize six souls. Recently a young Brazilian brother began to walk in the way of the Lord. Another young married man has also been led to take his stand. The first brother is a bookkeeper, and was forced to leave his place on account of the truth. He took his stand firmly, however, notwithstanding the fact that he has a number of sisters whom he must help to support, as well as feeble parents.
Yesterday evening he came with his face beaming with joy, and thanked God that, through the prayers of the church, a way had been opened for him to find work which promised to bring him a greater income than he had before received. For a month he had been looking for such work, without success; but now the Lord had given him a position. His former employer had said to him: “You go to your pastor, and let him give you food. You are crazy.” Truly the Lord cares for his children who put their trust in him.
We trust that several others will soon decide for the truth. May our brethren and sisters remember us and the work in this new field of Brazil, in their prayers. We know, by the working of Satan, that the end is near.
We expect that our work here will soon be upon a better footing. In company with Elder Spies, we have been looking at a place near the city of Sao Paulo, which may be secured cheaply, and which seems to be reserved by the Lord for our publishing work. We are waiting now upon the decision of the committee. It will be a great help to unite the editorial and translating work with the printing-office. If the new place is secured, it will also furnish a place for a mission school, of which we stand so much in need.
It may be that some of our brethren in the United States will be moved to help us with means. I understand well19that there are many demands upon them. But the Lord can care for the many interests. Two great cities—Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo—must be worked; for the way must ever become more difficult. May the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers into the field, so that we may soon go home.
EMILIO HOELZLE.
MIMI SCHARFFENBERG
By Mimi Scharffenberg
Korea
SOONAN.—Time has passed very quickly since I came here. I enjoy the language study more from month to month. From two to three hours I study with a teacher each day, and two to three hours by myself. With the exception of Brother and Sister Smith, I have not been associated with any one speaking English. So there is good opportunity to practise talking in Korean. Almost every day I do some visiting among the people. The better I learn to understand them, the more I like them.
We have started a little prayer-meeting among the sisters here, which is getting to be more interesting each week. The attendance is also increasing.
Before leaving America I read a number of books on Korea and its people. From these I received a much more unfavorable impression of conditions in this country than I have in reality found to exist here.
My courage is good, and I am thankful to be in this field. I know the Lord is with us, to give the necessary strength.
MIMI SCHARFFENBERG
MRS. MINNIE HOYT PHILPOTT
By Mrs. Minnie Hoyt Philpott
Tennessee
MURFREESBORO.—On the morning of February 7, I started for Nashville, Tenn., to attend our canvassers' institute, and at its close I went to the southern part of the State to canvass for “Daniel and the Revelation.” The Lord seemed very near to me, and never in all the years I have canvassed has he given me the freedom that he has the past six months.
As I went from house to house and found many who were anxious to understand God's Word, especially the book of Revelation, my heart was made glad for the privilege of having a part in this closing work. Several said they had prayed for the Lord to help them understand the Revelation, and seemed not only glad, but anxious to get our books. Truly the harvest is ripe, and many precious souls are waiting to have the truth brought to them.
Now is the favorable time to work in this part of the Lord's vineyard. Our large books can be sold here. Books that contain the message for to-day, must be placed in the hands of the people. Thousands who may never hear the truth proclaimed from the desk, might be led into the glorious light of truth if they had the opportunity of reading our literature. How can we who know the truth remain silent and refuse to give them the light?
One says, “I can not canvass.” The Lord says, “Go work to-day in my vineyard;” “study to show thyself approved unto God.” As we put on the Lord's armor, he will give us wisdom and tact to meet the people. A number in this State who were very timid and thought they could do nothing have done a noble work for the Master. One sister, with only a limited experience in the work, has sold thousands of copies of our good missionary paper, the Watchman.
I would ask if you who read these lines have not felt that God has been placing a burden upon your heart to help in the work in the Southern field? If so, let the will of the Lord be done. I can say, from a long experience here, that it is blessed to work for Jesus in this needy field. The people here are kind and warm-hearted, and many will welcome you to their homes.
Let us not grow weary, but put our shoulders to the wheel and help to hasten the glad day when Jesus shall come. Who then can say it was too much to leave our pleasant homes to walk the dusty roads, carrying the truth to those in darkness? Who will come and work in this field? Who will count the worth of souls more to them than the enjoyment of a pleasant home? My soul is burdened for those in darkness, and my earnest prayer is that the Lord of the harvest will raise up more laborers to work in this vineyard.
MRS. MINNIE HOYT PHILPOTT
The Florida Camp-Meeting
By G. B. Thompson
THE annual camp-meeting of the Florida Conference was held in Tampa, October 10-20. In connection with this meeting the fourteenth session of the conference was held, for the election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as was necessary.
The camp was located in the edge of the city, and was accessible to all by means of an excellent street-car service. The fine weather for which Florida is noted at this season of the year, prevailed throughout the meeting, and contributed to its success. Considering the number of Sabbath-keepers in the conference, the attendance of our people was quite good. One hundred seventy-five were present at the Sabbath-school the last Sabbath of the meeting. The evening services were devoted largely to a presentation of the fundamental points of our faith, and a number from the city manifested an interest in the subjects studied.
In addition to the laborers in the conference, all of whom were present to share in the burdens of the meeting, Elders G. I. Butler, Smith Sharp, E. H. Rees, Prof. J. E. Tenney, Brother A. F. Harrison, and the writer were present.
In many ways this was an excellent meeting. Some as marked evidences of the work of the Holy Spirit upon hearts was seen here as we have witnessed in any of our camp-meetings. A spirit of confession came into the camp such as is seldom seen, and a sincere effort was made to correct wrongs.
A liberal spirit was manifested to render financial aid to the various calls for help. About $200 was raised to help in further establishing the conference school at Fort Myers; $414 was raised on the $150,000 fund.
A deep interest was manifested in our foreign mission work. After a talk on the need of supporting this work, a collection was taken, amounting to $50. The Sabbath-school collections amounted to over $27, the largest in the history of the conference. A special feature of the Sabbath-school was a missionary exercise given by the children on the last Sabbath. The Lord very greatly blessed this feature of the school. The conference also voted to give all the Sabbath-school donations to missions.
The tithe of the conference for the past year amounted to $6,059.33. The book sales exceeded those of the previous year by over a thousand dollars.
Revival services were held during the meeting, and a number gave their hearts to God. The last day of the meeting twenty-one were baptized in a beautiful pool at Sulphur Springs. A camp-meeting of the colored Sabbath-keepers in the conference was held in the city during the time of this meeting, and some twelve or fourteen were baptized.
The brethren and sisters left for their homes with revived courage and confidence in the message for this time. If they walk in the light, the Lord will bless them more and more, and add to their numbers other faithful souls.
G. B. THOMPSON.
Alabama Annual Conference
By S. B. Horton
By direction of the president of the Southern Union Conference I had the privilege of attending the annual meeting of the Alabama Conference held in Birmingham, Ala., October 3-13. The camp was pitched in a beautiful grove on Highland Avenue, near Lake View, and was reached by two belt lines of street railway. The attendance was not so large as was expected, but it was remarked that the meeting and the experiences fully repaid every effort put forth to attend. A special feature of this meeting was the canvassers' sessions under the direction of A. F. Harrison, the general field missionary. A State agent was chosen, and the work of distributing the printed page promises to be greatly accelerated during the coming year.
Among the visiting brethren were Brethren George I. Butler, J. S. Washburn, A. F. Harrison, Profs. J. E. Tenney and W. J. Blake, Drs. A. J. Bascom and O. M. Hayward, and the writer. These, with the local laborers, contributed to make the meeting as practical and profitable as possible. On the $150,000 fund the sum of $110 was raised, and on tent and camp-meeting fund $152 was contributed.
The local press afforded opportunity for getting before the public synopses of discourses delivered from time to time; so that while the attendance from the outside was small, the people had presented before them some phase of the message nearly every day.
Elder A. J. Haysmer was re-elected president, Miss Helen McKinnon, secretary and treasurer, with an executive20committee composed of A. J. Haysmer, C. C. Webster, W. S. Cruzan, R. I. Keats, T. B. Buckner. W. S. Cruzan was chosen secretary of the Religious Liberty Department, and R. I. Keats field missionary, or State agent.
An auxiliary meeting was held on the opposite side of the city, under the direction of Elders Sydney Scott, T. B. Buckner, and W. J. Blake, which resulted in much good. On the whole, the Alabama Conference bids fair to keep pace with the progress of the message in this field, the officers enjoying the hearty co-operation of the people in general.
S. B. HORTON.
F. J. RICHARDSON
By F. J. Richardson
California
SANTA BARBARA.—Judging from communications received, there is a general impression among our people that my health has failed. Through the medium of our good church paper, I wish to say that I have never felt better in the twenty-five years that I have been trying to serve the blessed Master, and that I am busily engaged in gathering in precious souls for the great harvest that is so near at hand.
Mrs. Richardson and I recently came to this place to hold Bible readings, preliminary to a tent effort. Three adults have already decided to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and several others are apparently deeply interested. All praise to him from whom all blessings flow.
F. J. RICHARDSON
Indiana
By W. J. Stone
SUNMAN.—It was my privilege to visit the company at Sunman, where Brethren Buzz and Hubbard have been holding meetings. The brethren from Manchester who embraced the truth the forepart of the summer under the labors of Elder Anderson and Brother Buzz, were also present at the meetings on the Sabbath and the evening following. There are now about fifteen or twenty Sabbath-keepers in that part of the State; and I was very much pleased indeed to find such an intelligent company quite thoroughly established in the truth. Among these are two or three school-teachers who say they are going to fit themselves for work in the denomination. The Lord has truly blessed the labors of these brethren, and we expect in the near future to see quite a strong church established at Sunman. W. J. STONE.
Current Mention
— The general staff of the French navy has decided to recommend the construction of three large battle-ships, in order to keep abreast with the large ships being built in England and Germany.
— November 1 the Diet of Finland unanimously adopted a bill prohibiting absolutely the manufacture of alcohol in Finland, or its importation. As the measure affects Russia’s tariff relations with foreign countries, it is not certain that the emperor will sanction the measure.
— It is believed that a famine is inevitable in the Delhi division of India, and throughout a wide area of the united provinces of Agra and Oudh. An official statement issued November 1 estimates the present drought as being in some respects much worse than that which prevailed in 1896.
— William Dutcher, president of the National Association of Audubon Societies, in a recent address said that it is estimated by government experts that the annual loss inflicted upon the farming interests of the country by the insect and rodent pests amounts to the enormous sum of $800,000,000.
— Later reports of the earthquake in southern Italy, mentioned in these columns last week, indicate that the destruction was more wide-spread than was at first supposed. It is officially stated that the villages damaged by the earthquake number fifty-two. Of this number twenty-eight were badly wrecked. The lists of the dead and wounded have not yet been compiled, but entire families are missing.21
— After more than a week had passed, report reached the world of a terrible disaster that overtook the town of Karatagh, Bokhara, on October 21. A severe earthquake, which was felt for several hours, started a terrific landslide which carried a large portion of one of the sentinel peaks of the Altai Mountains into the plain. The whole town was buried, and about 200 persons perished.
— The Ute Indians of South Dakota have been of late threatening to give trouble. They are encamped near the Bad Lands, are well armed, and say they will fight if any attempt is made to compel them to work or send their children to school. The last reports say that they have promised to make no disturbance while representatives of the tribe are sent to Washington to lay their grievances before the government. Four troops of cavalry have reached the reservation.
— As indicating the spirit of progress that seems to be permeating China, it is interesting to note that the new grand councillor has established a government newspaper to supersede the old Peking Gazette, China’s official bulletin for memorials and edicts, and said to be the oldest newspaper in the world. The new paper announced recently that the government, on account of the insufficiency of the Peking Gazette and the inaccuracy of the provincial papers, had planned to establish a government press organ in each province.
— The crews of three Russian torpedo-boat destroyers mutinied at Vladivostok harbor October 30. Revolutionary agitators had gone aboard and succeeded in turning the minds of the men to revolt. The destroyers steamed out to sea and opened fire on the town and the fortifications, which was returned by the loyal boats and the forts. It is reported that only three of the crew of the “Skory,” which was the leader in the mutiny, were alive when she drifted ashore. On the preceding day there had been a serious revolt of part of the garrison, which had been put down with the loss of many men. The original plan of the mutineers was that there should be simultaneous mutinies ashore and afloat, but the plan was not successfully carried out.
— A terrible court scandal in Berlin, involving unnatural crimes, has been made public by the action for slander by Count Kuno von Moltke, former military governor of Berlin, against Maximilian Harden, editor of the Socialist paper Zukunft. Harden, in a series of articles, had charged von Moltke with belonging to a court circle which was trying to influence the kaiser in political matters, but whose members were themselves guilty of gross immoralities. Von Moltke challenged Harden to a duel, which was declined, as that would close the incident. Men and women of distinguished rank were among the witnesses summoned by the defense, and bore such testimony that Harden was acquitted. The judgment in Harden’s favor was based chiefly on the fact that, although the articles published in the Zukunft contained all the elements of defamation, they were not punishable because the accused had proved the truth of his assertions with regard to von Moltke’s character.
