Earlier text: Indiana Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association

The European Situation

NOT for many years has the political situation in Europe appeared so serious or seemed so likely to bring on a general war in the Old World as at the present time. The causes leading to present hostilities may be briefly summarized as follows:

On June 28, while visiting Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was, with his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, shot and killed by a young Servian student. Austria at once made demands for reparation. To the surprise of Europe, the only one of these imposed conditions which Servia refused to grant was that Austrian officers should play a large part in the investigation of the assassination plot. Finally, on July 24, Austria issued an ultimatum giving Servia twenty-four hours in which to comply and avert war. Her answer was: “Servia can only admit such participation by Austrian officials in this inquiry as would be in accordance with international law and good neighborly relations.” This resulted in the formal breaking of diplomatic relations between the two countries on July 25. Three days later war was formally declared by Austria.

The peace of all Europe hangs in the balance. By the terms of the Triple Entente, Russia, England, and France naturally stand together for the defense of Servia; while the Triple Alliance brings Germany and Italy to the help of Austria. The Triple Entente has a total war strength of 10,230,000 men; the Triple Alliance of 8,400,000. Belgrade, the capital of Servia, has been occupied by the Austrian troops, and King Peter has established temporary headquarters at Kragu<PRIVATE_PERSON>jevatz.

All Europe is watching with anxiety the efforts of England to avert a general war and “localize” the conflict. Russia is especially aggressive in behalf of her little neighbor. The war office has taken control of all railroads leading to the German and Austrian frontiers. Mines have been laid in the Baltic approaches to Russian ports, and port lights extinguished.

The armies in every European country are being mobilized, and the navies placed on a war-footing. The markets of the world are in a state of demoralization in expectation of a general European conflict, and more than $100,000,000 of American gold is already on the way to the war-menaced nations.

Sir Edward Grey declares that if efforts to bring about a settlement fail, “the greatest catastrophe which could befall the concert of Europe will result, and its consequences will be incalculable.”

Newspapers in striking headlines and in graphic language picture the seriousness of the present situation, which surely presages in no uncertain tones the soon-coming conflict of Armageddon.

Says a dispatch from London to the Washington Herald, “Apparently nothing short of divine intervention can stay the sword now unsheathed.” But even now the great Ruler of nations can stay the sword or greatly limit its destructive work. Let us pray Heaven to hold the winds of war a little longer until the sealing work is accomplished. Rev. 7:1-4.

A PERSONAL letter recently received from Elder W. H. Heckman, president of the Florida Conference, contains the following note concerning the progress of the work in that field: “We have organized two churches thus far this year, with a membership of thirty-one and thirty-eight, respectively. We erected three new church buildings, and more than one hundred Sabbath keepers were added to the church during the first six months of 1914. Our tithe has increased about $1,000 over the corresponding period of last year; and we have raised our share of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund, with a surplus of $178.53. Since this report was made, I visited one of our larger churches, and at the close of the morning service a brother handed me a check for $400 for missions. This last winter was the best in the history of our sanitarium. During the first five months of the year, it earned about $6,000 above expenses. We are indeed thankful that the Lord is blessing the work in this conference.”

Exploring the Tanganyika Plateau

A POST card from Elder J. C. Rogers, postmarked Abercorn, Northeast Rhodesia, June 4, reads: “Exploring Tanganyika plateau. Fine country. One mission site marked out. Health good.”

Progress of the Work in Australia

A RECENT letter from Elder J. E. Steed, of Australia, says: “You will be pleased to know that the work is onward in this far-off land. On every hand are evidences that the work is closing up, and that the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth.”

Koelling Returns from Victoria Nyanza

A note from Elder L. R. Conradi, of Europe, brings the following news item: “Elder W. Koelling has safely reached Europe from the Victoria Nyanza field, German East Africa. He will now recuperate for a time, so as to be able to lead out in the work in Kamerun.” Kamerun is the largest of the German colonies in West Africa, located south of Nigeria and reaching up into the far interior, touching Lake Chad in the Sudan.

Ireland Home Rule Bill Postponed

THE Home Rule Bill for Ireland is giving British statesmen much anxiety. On July 26 four persons were killed and sixty wounded in an affray resulting from a gun-running exploit of the Nationalist volunteers. The direct result of this tragedy has been to upset Premier Asquith's plans for amending the bill at the present time, and it has been officially announced that a further consideration of the question in Parliament has been indefinitely postponed.

Vai Kerisome Sails for Niue

FURTHER departures for the island fields are reported by the Australasian Union. The Australasian Record says: “Sister Vai Kerisome, a native of Niue, who while in Australia in training has been assisting in translating for a number of years, sailed on Wednesday, June 24, for Auckland, to join Brother and Sister Giblette there, en route for Niue. Thus this island of the Savage group, which has waited so long for the light, is soon to be entered.”

Southern Publishing Association Prospects

WRITING of the work of the Southern Publishing Association, Brother R. L. Pierce, the general manager, says: “The prospects before our work are very encouraging. The men in the field are doing exceptionally well in taking orders, while here in the office we often find it necessary to work overtime. This is especially true of the press room, as we are now hurrying through the new editions of ‘Bible Readings’ and ‘Past, Present, and Future.’”

First Issue of Jaote Luo

Yet another new paper comes, this time from the heart of Africa. Elder A. A. Carscallen, of the British East African Mission, on the Victoria Nyanza, sends us a copy of the first number of a periodical called Jaote Luo (The Messenger). In a forthcoming report we shall hear more about this paper and the plans of the mission band to have a thousand pupils in their schools by the end of the year.

Mission Work Begins in Solomon Islands

THE Australasian Record comes to us with the first report from the newly entered Solomon Islands. Elder G. F. and Mrs. Jones have reached the field and are looking for a location for the first mission station. They write: “Our mission ketch, ‘The Advent Herald,’ is still on the steamer, but in another day or so we shall be making it our home, and be able to sail where the Lord directs.”

Workers Sail for Sierra Leone

We learn from Europe that a Brother Baker and wife, initials not given, sailed from England for Sierra Leone, West Africa, in June, thus adding to the West African mission workers. West Africa, it will be remembered, was assigned to the European Division territory at the time of the reorganization at the last General Conference.

Two New Mission Fields in Austria

THE growth of our work in Austria has led to the organization of two new mission fields in that country, the organizations being formed at the time of the Central European Union Conference held in July. “Thus the number of our fields,” Elder Conradi writes, “is constantly on the increase.”

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