In the beautiful city of Kief, a “holy city” of the Russians, extending six miles along the right bank of the Dnieper, and containing three hundred nineteen thousand inhabitants, the representatives of the ten churches and companies of the Middle Russian Mission held their second annual meeting, October 2-5.
GENERAL VIEW OF MOSCOW
The Middle Russian field is rightly named, for it is composed of twenty-eight governments in the very heart of Russia, extending from Archangel on the north to Perm, Viatka, Kazan, Simbirsk, Penza, Tambof, Varonej, Kursk, Poltava, Kief, and Podolia on the east and south, and Moghileff, Smolensk, Tver, Novgorod, and Olonetz, on the west, making a field one third the size of the United States, including Alaska, and having a population of 62,793,900, a little more than the United States had in 1890.
That there might be no trouble in securing permission for the assembly, it was thought best to use our local meeting hall in Kief, so enlarging it for the time being, that it would accommodate three hundred persons. That the hall should not be too much overcrowded, and also that we might give the first opportunity to those who are known to be interested in the message, three hundred invitation cards were distributed, and only such as had these were allowed to pass the two policemen at the entrance; especially was this rule adhered to the first evening. However, so great was the desire to hear that a number listened to the lectures from without, on the street; and in the audience within, were students, teachers, and people of the better classes. We were glad to see that the Kief church had made such good progress: in June, 1905, there were twenty members; now, there are seventy-five. Our Bible worker here, and the nurse, have both found their hands full, and they have secured entrance to some of the best families.
On Sabbath, after a stirring sermon by Brother Conradi, about forty remained after the congregation had been dismissed, to seek the Lord. Several were baptized. God also blessed the labors of Elders J. T. Boettcher and H. J. Loebsack.
In this field, as in other parts of the world, Satan is busy sowing seeds of unbelief and suspicion. Many points that had not been clearly understood by some of the brethren were made plain to them; the organization and management and support of the work were among the subjects considered.
There has been a deep interest taken in the plans for the circulation of “Ministry of Healing,” and in the collection of money for the material fund, over one hundred dollars being pledged for this purpose. The other business transacted and the resolutions passed, were much the same as those considered and favorably received at Bender. It was voted that the territory of St. Petersburg, which has heretofore been a part of this field, become a part of the Baltic Conference, from Jan. 1, 1908. This will cut down the present membership of the Middle Russian Mission to two hundred fifty-six.
We believe it is impossible for us correctly to conceive how great is the need of workers in such countries as this. Here is a field that is mostly composed of native Russians—be they Little Russians, or Great Russians, or White Russians. We have but one ordained17minister among them, Elder O. Wildgrube, the superintendent. He is assisted by two native licentiates, two Bible workers, two natives that do Bible and colporteur work, and a missionary nurse. This makes one worker for every 7,849,000 of the inhabitants, which certainly is not enough; and it is easy for our brethren to understand how very necessary it is that we have more laborers in this, the most populous and the most needy of our Russian fields.
The Middle Russian tithe has steadily increased. In 1905 it was $1,013; in 1906, $1,878. During the last nine months 145 members have been added in this field, against 95 in 1906. Were we to lower the standard somewhat, as to the tithing system, it would be much easier to increase our membership, for no small number of native Russians believe in the Sabbath, but are unwilling to pay the tithe.
One of the important centers to be opened this winter is Moscow, a city of 1,173,000 inhabitants. All will carefully watch the growth in that great Russian capital, for even to this day the czars are crowned here.
All the brethren and the workers go forth from this meeting with renewed courage, to press the battle more determinedly than ever before; and we feel assured that this field, which is so very large, and has only a handful of believers, will be remembered by the people of God in their prayers throughout all parts of the vineyard.
Kief, Russia.
Algeria
By S. JESPERSON
S. JESPERSON
As we read from week to week the cheering reports from the workers in our different fields, we feel impressed with the thought that some of the dear REVIEW readers might wish to hear something from this part of the Lord's great vineyard also, and we are thankful to our Heavenly Father that we have the privilege of reporting some progress.
A short time ago two dear souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. One of them is German and the other French. The first belonged formerly to the Protestant church, and, as she told me one day, was very much afraid of sectarianism; but when she saw the truth as it is in Jesus, she banished all prejudice and gladly followed the light so graciously sent her from God. The other had been a Catholic, and hence in ignorance of the will of God as revealed in his Word. Both are now rejoicing in the blessed hope of the soon-coming Saviour, and are doing what they can for the furtherance of the third angel's message. It is a great pleasure to see how these dear souls love each other, and to hear them speak of what the Lord has done for them, they being no more German or French, but one in Christ Jesus, subjects of the heavenly kingdom, and members of the true church of God.
One gentleman, a Spanish missionary, has lately begun to observe the Sabbath, in spite of much opposition from other missionaries and from his own family. One day when we had studied the message, he said: “It is the truth, and I will walk in it even if I have to go and black shoes in the street in order to gain my living.” It does one good to hear such statements in this time of selfishness and unbelief. He was formerly a Catholic, but the Lord showed him the errors of the Catholic Church. Later, after having worked a number of years as a missionary, he received light on baptism. He at once began to present the new truth to his little flock, with the happy result that all the members except one were convinced and followed their pastor through the watery grave. Afterward he learned about “the end of the wicked,” and accepted, though with some apprehension, this truth also. About six months ago he became acquainted with us, and since then we have studied the different points of our faith, and he is now coming as regularly as he can to our Sabbath-school. He is supported by an English lady, and has now written to her about his conviction, and has sent her reading-matter on present truth. What the outcome of it will be, we do not know, but we do know that the Lord will make all things work together for good.
MARKET AMONG THE “LITTLE RUSSIANS”
A young couple with whom we have worked for several months are much interested, and the husband is convinced of the Sabbath truth. His wife is still striving against it, but we hope that by the help of the Lord they may soon take their stand on the Lord's side. Others are more or less interested, and we hope soon to see some of them join our ranks. We are glad to see that the old truth, when presented in its simplicity, is still powerful and quick and able to convict and convert souls to Christ, even in these hard and sin-darkened countries.
Thus far Mrs. Jespersson and the writer have been the only workers in this field, but soon another worker sent from Europe will join us, and will begin public meetings. The field is now open, a good beginning has been made, and we have every reason to believe that the work will prosper. God grant it for his name's sake, and to him be all the glory.
Algiers.
Mission Notes
THE British and Foreign Bible Society has promoted the issue of the Word of God in 409 different tongues. Three fourths of the volumes issued go to the mission fields. More than 1,000,000 copies were circulated in China last year; in India, 693,000; and in Russia, 510,000. The circulation in Japan was more than double that of the previous year. Nine hundred native Christians are employed as colporteurs in the various countries. Also eight new languages were added to the versions of the Scriptures during 1906.
AT a conference held in Johannesburg, July 26, at which representative members attended from the Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Congregational, and Baptist churches, it was unanimously agreed that there were no unsurmountable difficulties in forming a union upon the essentials of belief held by these denominations in South Africa. They invited each church named above to elect eight delegates, to meet and prepare a basis of union to embrace polity, administration, and the like. Thus forces are confederating all over the world, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Chapter 8 : 12.
“At the recent great conference of missionaries at Shanghai, Dr. Lowrie, of Peking, the veteran missionary, directed the attention of the assembly to two striking proverbs of the Chinese people, emphasizing the difference between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant churches. They were to the effect that ‘the Roman Catholics controlled lawsuits but not converts,’ the Protestants controlled converts but not lawsuits,’ and ‘that the Roman Catholic Church was easy to enter and hard to leave, while the Protestant Church was hard to enter and easy to leave.’”
ELDER JAMES E. SHULTZ reports that on the same ship on which he and his wife took passage for Korea were eighty-nine missionaries, bound for the Orient. Eight were going to Korea, many to China, and not a few to the Philippines. Also, among the passengers were some men of note, among them Secretary-of-War W. H. Taft; Brigadier-General Edwards; and Hon. Mr. O’Brien, United States ambassador to Japan. When we think of the great need in the East, it does seem that out of eighty-nine missionaries bound for the Orient, only two to herald the third angel’s message is indeed a very small per cent. We must pray for more workers.
Words of Appreciation
By E. T. RUSSELL
At the General Conference Council held at Gland, the North Pacific Union, the Northern Union, the Lake Union, and the Central Union Conferences united in furnishing four gospel tents for the following countries: one each for Scotland, France, Belgium, and Holland.
I have received words of appreciation from the brethren representing the fields to which these tents were sent.
I am just in receipt of a letter from Elder Klingbeil, of Brussels, Belgium, in which he sends this recommendation, which was passed at the late annual conference of the Holland and Flemish Belgium Mission Field:—
“Whereas, The union conferences of the United States of America have favored us with a donation of a new tent for holding meetings,—
“Resolved, That we express our most sincere thanks for this much appreciated gift.”
He stated that the tent reached them when the season was quite far advanced, yet he says: “We pitched the tent, and made an effort in one of the suburbs of Brussels. Notwithstanding the weather has been very wet, the Lord favored us with excellent weather all through the time the tent stood, so that we were enabled to hold meetings every evening until the close of October. The Lord blessed our efforts, and gave us fifteen souls, who have started out to obey, while others are in the valley of decision. Many times have I told them that it was a gift from the dear brethren in America, and often they have thanked the Lord that he put in your hearts to do so. I am very sure that some day you will see souls saved in the kingdom of God through the means of the tent which you were so liberal as to give us. We have now taken down the tent in view of the approach of winter. The Lord helping us, we intend to pitch it again early in the spring. Once more we thank you for your kindness.”
Brother J. Wibbens writes: “Brussels is, next to Paris, a city devoted to the goddess of fashion. Nearly all who are religious are Catholics, and Catholicism in a Catholic land is a different thing from Catholicism in Protestant communities. In such countries one sees how, under the mask of religion, people are sunk in immorality and vice. It is hard and slow work to make such people good, well-informed, noble Seventh-day Adventists. The majority sneer and mock at religion. Brussels is a Sodom, if any city on the earth deserves that name. Through some evangelical societies, some have been gathered out who have left Catholicism, but their standard is very low. They have proved themselves to be the greatest opponents of the message. First, they published articles against us in the papers. A short time ago one of the ministers announced that he would deliver a lecture against the Sabbath. When he saw Brother Klingbeil there, and a few others present, he got frightened, and inquired who those men were. When they gave their names, he requested them to leave the meeting before he began. This foolish move caused the people who were present, to ridicule him, and since then all his congregation have attended our meetings.
“Here in The Hague, the world capital of the peace idea, where I myself have been laboring for one year and a half, we have a company of thirty-six members, six unbaptized, and a number in the valley of decision. Last Sabbath our Sabbath-school had an attendance of nearly sixty. We had two members when I came here. A man who has been in the court of the queen for twenty-five years, who looks after the table silver of the queen, is at the point of decision. I hope that ere long we can send you greetings abroad, from the saints and from Caesar’s household. ‘All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.’ Phil. 4:22. Last month, among others, an old Englishman, a retired railway superintendent about seventy years of age, who never before made a profession of religion, gave his heart to God. Our God is good, and we praise his name. May the Lord bless you all is the prayer of the Holland and Flemish Belgium Mission Field.”
For one, I am very thankful that the strong conferences in America can assist the needy fields in Europe.
E. T. RUSSELL.
_In Cuba Again_
By U. Bender
AFTER my visit to Cuba last April, I went to the Central American Mission, via New Orleans. The four days of waiting at the latter place for a boat for Belize, British Honduras, I spent with Elder Horton and family. I was much pleased with the property they had recently purchased for the headquarters of their work in that part of the South. From the history Elder Horton gave me of the work, it is plain they have waited long and patiently for this blessing of being established. I was glad to meet Elder Goodrich and family on their way from Belize to Colon, Canal Zone.
I reached Belize April 22, after four days of rough sailing, and remained in this field two months, visiting the Bay Islands and Spanish Honduras, in company with Elder Cardey. As he has laid the work clearly before you in recent reports, I will only say that the work among the English-speaking people has prospered greatly. Now they are planning to push into the Spanish territory composed of Spanish Honduras, Guatemala, and Salvador. Only in the first-named republic has there been any work done. While I was there, we assayed to enter Guatemala, but could get no farther than the coast, as the war and fever seemed to hedge up the way. I took boat from Livingston direct for Kingston June 28, and reached home July 2.
I spent the summer in Jamaica; and September 26, just six months after date of the first sailing, I again took boat for Cuba.
Elder Snyder met me at Omaja, an American colony about one hundred miles west of Santiago. Brethren J. W. Wilson, of Nebraska, and Johnson, of Missouri, with their families, have settled here. They hold Sabbath-school in Brother Wilson’s house, and a number of children from the colony attend. They have a very interesting school.
Elder Snyder baptized one young man while we were there. This is the first baptism ever performed at that place, although several denominations are represented there.
September 30 a church was organized in Brother Wilson’s house. There were but five members present, but we pray that this little company will be a growing plant. Two Sabbath-keepers who were away at the time will become members on their return.
It means much to our work to have a church in eastern Cuba. This beginning is small, but we are told not to despise the day of small things. There is much room for small things to grow, and we are sure of growth in eastern Cuba. Elder Snyder reports good progress in the west. I did not go to Havana this time, but visited Brethren Kinsman and Wolcott on the north coast near Nuevitas. These young men, with their wives, came here from the school at Madison, Tenn. They have located in Cuba as self-supporting workers to live and to teach the principles of Christian education.
Circumstances make it necessary for Brother and Sister Wolcott to return to the States. Brother Kinsman and wife expect reinforcements, and will continue in their work. It is a hard undertaking, but the Lord will bless these young people, giving them an experience that will richly repay.
I spent one Sabbath with them, and held services with some Americans, from the colony of San Lucia, who came in Sunday night. The next Sabbath I spent at Omaja, and sailed from Santiago October 14 for Porto Rico.
May the God of truth give us wisdom to know how to work for these Spanish-speaking people, that we may quickly finish the work of carrying this message among them.
U. BENDER.
Arkansas Camp-Meeting
By J. W. Dancer
After a series of meetings here in Pine Bluff, during which two women began to keep the Sabbath, we decided to hold a camp-meeting for the colored believers of Arkansas.
The meeting is now in the past, but its good influence will live on. Although I sent the first notice two weeks before the time of meeting, nearly the whole membership of colored Adventists in Arkansas was in attendance.
There were only about thirty of us, including the children, but we praise the Lord that we could get that many together on only two weeks’ notice.
On the last night of the meeting, we asked any who desired to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God and go with us to the kingdom to stand up. Five arose. It did our hearts good to hear them express themselves freely and fearlessly.
On Sabbath we went to the Arkansas River, and three dear souls were buried with their Lord by baptism.
J. W. DANCER.
Florida Missionary Opportunities
By R. W. Parmele
THERE is a common expression among Northern people who visit Florida, that the climate is worth two hundred dollars an acre, so strongly are they impressed with the evenness of its temperature. The winters are usually quite dry, with pleasant days and cool nights. During the summer rain falls frequently, but usually in the afternoon, the remainder of the day, and the night being bright. There are no sultry days or nights, as a cool breeze is always stirring. The pleasant climate, together with semitropical fruits, beautiful lakes, clear streams, and the ocean beach, furnishes abundant attraction for people from the North, and they come by the thousands to spend the winter.
While on a train from the North a few days ago, I ascertained that in the car in which I was riding, eleven States were represented by from one to six tourists each. Some of these people said this would be their eighth winter in Florida.
A great many of the people are wealthy, and, at their homes are occupied with business cares, and bound by church and social ties, so that it is difficult to reach them with the message. When they come to Florida, they dismiss business, and though they are most of them here on pleasure bent, they still take time to read and to listen to the preaching of the message. They are not bound by social ties, church relations, or business, and thus furnish excellent soil for sowing the seeds of truth.
There are only about four hundred fifty Sabbath-keepers in the Florida Conference, and our force of laborers is small. Our constituency does not grow very rapidly, and there is a good reason for this. For illustration; last winter a tent-meeting was held, as a result of which eight adults took their stand for the truth. Of that company only one remained in this conference, while the others returned north to be a blessing to the conferences in which they reside. Thus it is seen that Florida is constantly doing work for other conferences.
It is not the purpose of this article to present the missionary opportunities among the permanent residents of Florida, which are abundant, but to call attention to the work in which our brethren in the North should be deeply interested. From reading the above some of these opportunities will be apparent, but perhaps it would be profitable to enumerate a few ways in which effective work for souls may be done.
First, the canvassing field furnishes an abundance of the very best territory. The winter season is the best time for this work. At that time, in addition to our own permanent residents, a large number of wealthy tourists are here. Florida is bounded on three sides by the ocean. Into the large number of seaports come vessels from all nations. A Swedish sailor said to me a short time ago that many times he has left a port, wishing he had some good book to read on the voyage.
Second, I am firmly convinced that no place in all the world presents a more promising field for medical missionary work. Vegetarian cafés would thrive here, I am sure, though to my knowledge nothing of the kind has ever been attempted. In the winter the northern tourists would furnish a good patronage, and in the summer the wives and families of many business men go north, leaving the men to board. A great many of the tourists who come here to winter are sick, and these would furnish additional patronage for sanitariums or treatment rooms.
Liberal patronage is given subscription schools, and an abundant field is open before them, for both white and colored. A number of tracts of land are freely offered for both schools and sanitariums.
Furnished cottages rent to tourists for the winter at about two hundred dollars. By investing in a few of these a family would have an independent support, and till their time for personal work for souls. Property is steadily advancing all over the State, and is likely to continue to advance. The Florida ports are becoming of more and more importance, and this fact is largely responsible for the increasing price of real estate. Carpenter work is abundant, and wages good.
The soil of Florida is not the best, but by proper cultivation almost anything grown in the North may be raised here. Two crops a year are easily raised. Oranges, grapefruit, kumquats, lemons, guavas, and some bananas are grown. Living expenses average about the same as in the North.
Brethren of the North, seeing so many Northern people come here to spend a portion of every year, will you not consider Florida a part of your field, and help us work it in every way you can? Should any wish to come here either to locate or to remain for a time, or desire to help on the work in this conference in any other way, we would be glad to hear from them. Address the writer at Bartow, Fla.
R. W. PARMELE,President Florida Conference.
Panama
By Hubert Fletcher
Mt. Hope.—As I visit the companies here, I find earnestness and devotion to the message. There are at present about ninety Sabbath-keepers on the isthmus (all colored), distributed among one organized church and four companies.
The work in this place is growing steadily. Our Sunday night meetings have an increased attendance each week, and quite a lively interest is manifested. Since our last baptism on the sixth of October, twelve have taken their stand on the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Among them is a teacher who called on me to inquire about the message, and before leaving he expressed himself as being satisfied that what we teach is the truth.
This isthmus has been the scene of many revolutions and petty wars, which have greatly hindered the progress of the country. So now, while we have a little space given us, a little time of peace, we must hasten with the last message of20life. Now is the time to work, while hearts are ready to receive the message. We can see the Lord’s hand in the work. He has employed other means of making our work more generally known, and of bringing it to the notice of those whom we could not otherwise reach. In the Independent, the leading paper of Colon, dated November 15, appeared a lengthy article by the editor, giving an interesting report of the rise and progress of our work on the isthmus; this was unsolicited by us.
We have been praying for the addition of twenty souls to our church, and already we have had the number. O for the Aarons and Hurs in our churches! Our God is a God that hears prayer, and if his people would pray more often and fervently, how much would the work be facilitated!
Our Young People’s Society is progressing favorably. Good reports come from all parts of the field. Nearly all our churches are having additions.
We are enjoying our work here, in spite of the many difficulties, and are hoping to get rid of the fever in time, in order that we may be able to remain in the field. HUBERT FLETCHER.
Oklahoma
By J. R. Bagby
WEATHERFORD.—Since my last report from this place, after baptizing four I returned home and to another field for about three weeks, and then went back to Weatherford for nearly three weeks. Sabbath, November 23, I baptized two.
The next day we organized a church of nineteen members, six by letter, six by baptism, and seven on confession of faith. This company is fully organized, with elder, deacon, clerk, and librarian. They have fitted up a house for Sabbath-school, so they have a place of their own in which to meet for worship. Seven of this company have made their first start since the tent was pitched here in September.
Last Sabbath we had one of the best meetings I ever attended. The deep moving of the Spirit of God was felt by every one present. Sins were confessed, and all felt the necessity of getting right before God.
On my return here, the brethren asked for the Campbellite church for four night meetings, and they brought in J. H. Lawson, the great debater, to resist the truth. We divided time with him for three nights. The discussion was a great blessing to all our people, and was largely the means of three taking their stand for the truth, and becoming fully united with us. We tried to follow the instruction of the spirit of prophecy, and let them alone, and pour in the truth, which is our strength.
Dr. G. Gaede’s sanitarium family are among the number who have accepted the truth, and hereafter that institution will be run in harmony with the third angel’s message.
Brother Fittro and family will stay and follow up the work here, and in the near future we expect to see several others united to this company. Pray for the work here, that God may direct in all that is done. J. R. BAGBY.
Western Washington
By L. Johnson
It is quite a while since I have sent any report to our good REVIEW. I will say, however, that by the grace of God, I have been very busy, giving the message all the time. At our good meeting for the Scandinavian laborers in Minneapolis nearly a year ago, it was decided that a minister should be sent to the Western Washington Conference, and I was asked to go. As I already had a burden for the work there, it was quite easy for me to accept the call, although the Lord was greatly blessing me in the field where I was laboring.
I left for Washington the tenth of March, and labored in different places, attended the camp-meeting in Oregon, and held a tent-meeting in Ballard till the first of September, when I went back to Nebraska to attend the good camp-meeting at Hastings.
The latter part of October I returned with my family, and have labored in Ballard, which is now a part of Seattle. The twenty-fourth of November we organized a church with twenty-one members. Some of these accepted the truth this summer; others have moved here from other States. The little church represents all three Scandinavian nationalities, and they are all happy in the Lord, and united in brotherly love.
This little company has already used over seven hundred copies of the Signs Missions number, and they are still at work with it. Pray for us, that we may be a living church approved of God, and that many may yet be added to our number.
I will be glad to correspond with other Scandinavian brethren in this part of the field in regard to the work of God. My address is 3022 West Sixty-second St., Ballard Station, Seattle, Wash.
L. JOHNSON.
Current Mention
— An explosion in the military magazine at Palermo, Italy, December 18, killed twenty-five persons and injured one hundred others.
— The Jews have been ordered to depart from Vladivostok, Russia, within four days. Jewish property holders are given eighteen days in which to liquidate.
— The troops of Mulai Hafid, the rival sultan of Morocco, have met with some reverses in engagements, and the “Sultan of the South” has retired to Morocco city.
— An encounter between a company of French troops and Moorish tribesmen occurred near Ain-Sfa, Algeria, December 16, in which the French were victorious, although twelve men were wounded. The Moors were driven from Ain-Sfa and two other villages, which were then destroyed.
— The Supreme Court of Illinois on December 18 decided that the anti-cigarette law recently passed by the legislature does not really prohibit the sale of cigarettes. The court holds that the legislature had the power to prohibit the sale of pure tobacco cigarettes, but it has not exercised that power.
— It is reported that the construction of a telegraph line into Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, has been sanctioned by the throne. Also other modern conveniences, as hospitals, schools, and a mail service, will be given to the city. It is also reported that request has been made to publish a newspaper.
— The trial of forty-nine members of the second Russian Douma and some soldiers, which has been secretly conducted, has found all but ten guilty, and sentences of four and five years’ labor in the mines, to be followed by deportation to Siberia, have been imposed, while ten deputies have been sentenced to perpetual exile in Siberia.
— Unusually severe weather is reported from all the transatlantic steamers which were due to reach New York the last of the week ending December 14. The velocity of the wind was greater than some of the instruments could register, and is thought to have been seventy-five or eighty miles an hour. All the vessels were from one to two days late in reaching port.
— Another mine disaster caused by an explosion of some sort occurred near Virginia City, Ala., December 16, in which sixty-one lives were lost. The reports of the recovery of the bodies had not been published before the papers told of an explosion of gas in a coal-mine at Jacobs Creek, Pa., on the nineteenth. No hope is entertained for those within the mine at the time, who probably number about 250.
— The American fleet of sixteen battle-ships, under command of Admiral Evans, left Hampton Roads, Va., December 16, on the cruise of about 14,000 miles to San Francisco, Cal. President Roosevelt reviewed the fleet from the yacht “Mayflower.” The beginning of this long cruise has provoked varying comment in the press of European nations. While it is generally favorable, some profess to see therein the portent of war between the United States and Japan.
— It was announced from Copenhagen, Denmark, December 18, that wireless telephone messages had been transmitted successfully between that city and Berlin, Germany, a distance of 200 miles. Two days later it was reported that the German ministry of war had bought the rights of the inventor, Professor Poulson. The battle-ship fleet now on its way to the Pacific is conducting a series of experiments in wireless telephony between the vessels of the fleet.
— During the week word came through the American consul at Iquique, Chile, that serious trouble was threatened at that place, as 4,000 strikers from the nitrate mines in the vicinity had taken possession of the port, and more were coming. Later reports confirm his fears, as one man was killed, and several injured, in an encounter with the authorities. There are reported to be fully 30,000 men on strike, and on the twenty-first seven men were killed and sixteen wounded at Lagunas in an encounter between troops and strikers.
— The report of the Commissioner General of Immigration and Naturalization for the year ending June 30, 1907, shows the total immigration to have been the largest ever recorded, amounting to 1,285,349, which is an increase of more than seventeen per cent over the previous year, and more than twenty-five per cent larger than in 1905. The immigration of Chinese has practically stopped, but that of the Japanese has nearly doubled, without including those that secretly crossed the borders from Canada and Mexico. The report shows a large increase in the number of immigrants landed at Southern ports.
— The Central American Peace Conference, which has been in session in Washington the past month, closed the twentieth. The members have signed eight distinct conventions which are embodied in formal treaties to be presented to each of the five republics for ratification. Its great achievement is the agreement for a permanent international court, to be known as the Central American Court of Justice, whose sessions are to be held in Costa Rica. Each of the five republics is to appoint one judge. The jurisdiction of the court extends over practically all international disputes that can arise in Central America, and the findings of the court are to be final.
— The Persian Parliament has issued a manifesto to the nations of the world, explaining the present constitutional difficulties and appealing for assistance. It sets forth that the late shah granted a constitution, and that the reigning shah confirmed it. But that persons who were formerly accustomed to opposing the people have misled the present ruler into the belief that the constitution is the cause of the present difficulties. The nation wants nothing but peace, but in view of the attack of the reactionary members of the government, it will defend the constitution to the last. Both parties barricaded themselves in the vicinity of the palaces and the parliament buildings. On the twentieth a quick change in the situation was reported to have been brought about by the priests, who had induced the opposing factions to disperse for the second time, promising that a satisfactory solution of the crisis would be found.
