_Home News_
January 8.—Senator Rayner, of Maryland, attacks President Roosevelt’s
attitude on the Santo Domingan question. He declares the President has
twisted the Monroe Doctrine into a “Roosevelt Doctrine.”
President Roosevelt transmits the report of the Panama Canal
Commissioners and the Panama Railroad directors to the Senate.
The reports are accompanied by a letter from the President in
which he challenges an investigation of the canal work.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, introduces a resolution in the
Senate asking President Roosevelt why the United States is
mixing in the quarrel over Morocco, which threatens to bring
about a European war.
A resolution is introduced in the House for a committee to
investigate the treatment of Mrs. Minor Morris at the White
House. On Jan. 4, Mrs. Morris was forcibly ejected by order of
Secretary Barnes.
Standard Oil interests organize a Glucose Trust to control the
entire glucose business of the country.
H. H. Rogers again testifies in the investigation of the
Standard Oil Co. brought by the State of Missouri. He follows
his tactics of refusing to answer questions, and expresses
contempt for the laws of Missouri, and the Missouri Supreme
Court.
A landslide at Haverstraw, N. Y., kills 22 persons.
January 9.—The treatment of Mrs. Minor Morris at the White House
brings severe criticism on Mr. Roosevelt. Prominent senators and
congressmen condemn the President’s treatment of them at the hands of his
secretaries. The newspaper correspondents claim that he exerts a press
censorship over the Departments and allows nothing to be given to the
press except what suits him. Many acts of misconduct in the Departments
have been kept a secret. A large force of secretaries and secret service
men prevent officials from seeing the President on official business,
unless the President cares to attend to such matters.
The House Committee on Postoffices and Post Roads requests
Postmaster General Cortelyou to supply the Committee with all
information he may have on the franking abuses.
The National Bank of Commerce, New York City, drops J. H. Hyde,
J. W. Alexander, Senator Depew and Richard A. McCurdy from its
board of directors.
Judge J. H. Paynter is elected United States senator from
Kentucky to succeed Senator Blackburn.
The Senate accepts the President’s challenge, and orders an
investigation of the Panama Canal affairs.
Speaker Cannon succeeds in winning John Sharp Williams’s
support for the Philippine Tariff bill. This insures its
passage.
A judge of the New York Supreme Court issues a writ ordering
H. H. Rogers to show cause for not answering the questions
of Attorney-General Hadley, of Missouri, in the Standard Oil
investigation.
January 10.—Secretary Taft replies to Poultney Bigelow’s charges of
maladministration in Panama. He virtually calls Bigelow a liar, but
admits that negro women were sent to the Isthmus to be distributed as
wives among the laborers. The charge that a boat-load of negroes from
Martinique were clubbed is also admitted.
The Federal Grand Jury at Utica, N. Y., indicts the New York
Central and Delaware and Hudson railroads for rebating.
Mrs. Minor Morris, the woman who was ejected from the White
House, is in a critical condition.
Dr. William R. Harper, President of the University of Chicago,
dies at his home in Chicago.
January 11.—The Senate committee, which has the Panama investigation in
charge, subpœnas Poultney Bigelow to testify about mismanagement of the
Canal affairs.
President Roosevelt declares that it will be the fault of
Southern senators if the treaty with Santo Domingo is not
ratified.
Ramon Caceres, who succeeded Morales as President of Santo
Domingo, declares that he favors the Roosevelt treaty, and
that peace will soon be restored.
Senator Bacon’s resolution of inquiry into the Moroccan
question is shelved.
January 12.—The House and Senate leaders reach an agreement to meet the
retaliatory legislation of foreign countries with a maximum and minimum
tariff. The minimum tariff is to be the Dingley law. The maximum is a 25
per cent. addition to the Dingley schedule.
Congressman Longworth, of Ohio, addresses the House on the
Philippine tariff bill, and declares the Philippines to be a
shiftless, worthless lot of people.
The Insurgent Congressmen, that is, the Republicans who
oppose Speaker Cannon on the joint statehood bill, claim that
they have 51 votes and will defeat the bill. Two of them are
from Missouri. The President sends for the entire Missouri
delegation and tries to whip the two members into line, but
fails.
Mrs. Cassie Chadwick begins her term of imprisonment in the
Federal Penitentiary at Columbus, Ohio.
Congressman McCall, of Massachusetts, warns his Republican
colleagues that they must revise the tariff, or the Republican
Party will be defeated at the next election.
District Attorney Jerome, of New York City, prepares to
prosecute the guilty officials of the big life insurance
companies.
The Clyde Line steamship _Cherokee_ goes ashore on Brigantine
Shoals, off Atlantic City, N. J. Tugs and life-saving crews
have gone to the aid of the passengers and crew.
January 13.—President Roosevelt holds a conference with prominent New
York Republicans with reference to ousting Odell from the leadership of
New York State.
The President has a conference with Representative Hepburn and
indicates that he favors the Hepburn bill on railroad rate
regulation.
The notice to make H. H. Rogers testify in the Standard Oil
investigation is argued before Justice Gildersleeve in the New
York Supreme Court.
The debate on the Philippine tariff bill continues in the House.
Troops in the Philippines are being held in readiness to sail
for China in case the feelings against Americans cannot be
controlled by the Chinese Government.
Attorney General Mayer, of New York, prepares to bring suit
against the McCurdys and the directors of the Mutual Life
Insurance Co. for the restitution of illegal salaries and
commissions.
January 14.—All of the passengers and a part of the crew are rescued from
the stranded steamer _Cherokee_. The captain, two mates and the ship’s
carpenter refused to leave the vessel.
According to statistics gathered by insurance men, 17,700
persons were killed or wounded in the factories and steel
plants in Allegheny County, Penn., in 1905.
January 15.—Private Secretary Loeb denies that the President stated,
while trying to whip the Missouri delegation into line on the Statehood
bill last Friday, that money was being freely used by corporations to
defeat the bill. About the time the denial is made, a delegation from
Arizona returned from the White House, and stated that practically the
same charge was made to them.
Secretary Taft declares that the Southern Pacific Railway,
through its ownership of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., is
responsible for the congestion of freight on the Isthmus of
Panama, and consequent hindrance of canal work. The steamship
company refuses to move the freight on the Pacific side, hoping
to keep the blockade on the Atlantic side so great that no
Government boats can land there with more supplies. This will
force shipment via the Southern Pacific to San Francisco, and
from there to Panama via the Pacific Mail Steamship Co.
The captain with the remaining members of his crew abandons
the _Cherokee_. The rescue of passengers and crew was made by
Captain Casto, of Atlantic City, N. J., with his crew in his
schooner _Alberta_.
The debate on the Philippine tariff bill is brought to a close
in the House of Representatives.
The President prepares a message to Congress, favoring a lock
canal. The Canal Commission asks for $5,000,000 to continue the
work during the balance of the present fiscal year.
January 16.—Marshall Field, Chicago’s millionaire merchant, dies of
pneumonia in New York City, at the age of 70.
The Panama Canal Commission decides to build the Canal by
contract. The President has approved the plan.
Congressman Hermann, of Oregon, who is under indictment for
participating in land frauds, takes the oath of office, and
begins to draw his salary.
January 16.—The House of Representatives passes the Philippine tariff
bill. The bill admits goods the growth or product of the Philippines
into the United States free of duty, except sugar, tobacco and rice, on
which a tariff of 35 per cent of the Dingley rates is levied. Philippine
goods coming to the United States are exempted from the export tax of
the islands. The bill further provides that after April 11, 1909, there
shall be absolute free trade each way between the United States and the
Philippines.
The vote on the Statehood bill is indefinitely postponed
because Speaker Cannon fails to secure a sufficient number of
pledges to make its passage certain.
The annual meeting of the United Mine Workers of America is
held at Indianapolis.
The Senate debates the question whether Congress has the right
to delegate to the courts its power to fix railroad rates.
The resolution introduced in the New York State Senate, asking
Senator Depew to resign, is lost by a vote of 34 to 1. The
Democrats refused to vote on the resolution.
January 17.—Senator Tillman, of South Carolina, bitterly attacks
President Roosevelt on account of Mrs. Minor Morris’ treatment at the
White House. Senator Hale, of Maine, alone makes a protest, and that on
the ground of propriety.
The House of Representatives passes 166 private pension bills.
Ex-Senator David B. Hill, of New York, asks that his connection
with the Equitable Life Assurance Society be investigated by
the New York State Bar Association.
Three midshipmen are dismissed from the United States Naval
Academy at Annapolis for hazing.
The 200th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin is
celebrated in Philadelphia and Boston.
Suits for $2,000,000 are filed by the city of Chicago against
two street railway companies for running cars overcrowded with
passengers.
January 18.—Poultney Bigelow refuses to answer questions about conditions
as described by him in an article on the Isthmus of Panama, before
members of the Senate Committee. He is arrested for contempt, but is
later released.
Secretary Root states that the United States has no political
interest in the Moroccan conference, but has a trade interest,
and for that reason the United States is represented.
Senator Tillman’s resolution, calling for an investigation of
the expulsion of Mrs. Minor Morris from the White House is
tabled.
Secretary Taft advocates the construction of a direct cable
connecting the United States with Panama. The Secretary
declares this cable indispensable to the military control of
the Gulf of Mexico in time of war.
Eighteen miners are killed by an explosion at Paint Creek, W.
Va.
Congressman Sulzer, of New York, introduces a bill to increase
the President’s salary to $100,000 and the Vice-President’s to
$25,000 per year.
The Keep Commission, appointed by the President to investigate
the method of gathering statistics for crop reports, recommends
that the reports on the cotton crops be restricted to monthly
reports showing the condition of the growing crop during the
growing season. The acreage planted and the ginning statistics
of the Census Bureau should be the only Government reports on
those matters.
January 19.—Luke E. Wright, former Governor of the Philippines, is
appointed first Ambassador to Japan.
Representatives of the insurance departments of several states
confer with Armstrong Committee, which conducted the recent
insurance investigation in New York, with a view to bringing
about uniform insurance laws.
January 20.—The Senate Committee on the Philippines takes under
consideration the Philippine tariff bill.
Robert H. Todd, Mayor of San Juan, Porto Rico, appears
before the House Committee in behalf of the Larrinaga bill
to reorganize the Porto Rican civil government. He declares
that American members of the executive council are doing the
insular Government a great injustice by occupying as residences
Government buildings needed for the housing of courts and
departments of the Government.
January 21.—Eighteen negroes are killed and fifty injured in a stampede
following the discovery of fire in a church in Philadelphia.
The thermometer registers 86 degrees in Pittsburg. One person
is overcome by the heat. Cities all over the country report
much suffering from the heat.
Congressman Sulzer, of New York addresses a mass-meeting of
citizens at Washington, D. C., and declares that the Powers
must end Russian cruelty. Congressman Rainey, of Illinois, in
addressing the same meeting, said that the United States had
saved Russia from the victorious Japanese and ought now to save
her from herself. Congressman Towne, of New York, introduced a
resolution thanking the President for his efforts in bringing
about a cessation of the unspeakable crimes against the
oppressed people of Russia.
January 22.—Senator Burton, of Kansas, who has been convicted of
malfeasance, appears in the United States Senate for thirty seconds. This
entitles him to collect his $1,000 mileage.
Secretary Taft denies that any member of the Philippine
Commission or any army or naval officer owns directly, or
indirectly, any lands in the Philippine Islands.
January 23.—Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin, attempts to defend the
President’s Santo Domingan policy in the Senate. Senators Tillman, of
South Carolina, and Culberson, of Texas, make strong replies.
Both Republican and Democratic members of the House Committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce unanimously agree on the
railroad rate bill introduced by Congressman Hepburn, of Iowa.
The bill will be sent back to the House for passage at once.
Chief Engineer Stevens, of the Panama Canal Commission, appears
before the Senate Committee, and advocates a lock canal.
The Government opens its case against the Beef Trust at Chicago.
Kansas oil refiners appeal to Commissioner Garfield against
impositions of the Standard Oil Co.
A plot of anarchists to assassinate some of the leading men
of the country is unearthed at Washington, Pa. Governor
Pennypacker was one of the doomed number.
January 24.—Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts, addresses the Senate in
defence of President Roosevelt’s Moroccan and Santo Domingan policies.
A rule for consideration of the Joint Statehood bill is passed
by the House of Representatives. This practically assures the
passage of the bill.
The Imperial Chinese Commissioners visiting this country are
received at the White House by President Roosevelt.
State Senator Raines, introduces a bill in the New York
Legislature providing for a recount of the vote cast in the
recent New York City mayoralty election.
January 25.—The Joint Statehood bill, providing for the admission of
Oklahoma and Indian Territory as the State of Oklahoma, and New Mexico
and Arizona as the State of Arizona is passed by the House.
Senator Mooney, of Mississippi, criticises President
Roosevelt’s Moroccan and Santo Domingan policies.
Attorney General Hadley, of Missouri, who is in Cleveland,
Ohio, taking testimony in the Standard Oil investigation,
charges the Standard’s officials with forgery committed in New
York City, and offers to submit the proof to District Attorney
Jerome in order that he may prosecute.
General Joseph Wheeler dies at the home of his sister in
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Stephen Decatur, great-grandnephew of the famous Stephen
Decatur, is expelled from the United States Naval Academy, at
Annapolis, for hazing.
Stuyvesant Fish, of New York, President of the Illinois Central
Railroad Co., declares that corporations need the knife of
reform.
January 26.—President Roosevelt makes a public statement that an attorney
for the Beef Trust paid a Chicago newspaper reporter to write accounts of
the Beef Trust Trial favorable to the trust.
The members of Wisconsin’s legislative committee to investigate
life insurance companies visit New York to confer with members
of the Armstrong Committee about points to guide them in their
investigation.
Luke Wright, former Governor of the Philippines, appears before
the Senate Committee on the Philippines, and advocates the
passage of the Philippine Tariff bill, recently passed by the
House.
Chairman Shonts of the Panama Canal Commission appears before
the Senate Interoceanic Canal Committee and tells what work
is being done on the Canal. He declares that a great amount
of work in the way of improving sanitary conditions and
building houses has been completed, and that the actual digging
will begin about July 1. Mr. Shonts admits that he is still
President of the Clover Leaf Railroad, at the salary of $12,000
per year.
Mayor Billock and the chief of police of Monongahela, Pa.,
request Gov. Pennypacker to send troops to that place to aid
in the capture of a band of anarchists. This is the same band
which planned the assassination of Gov. Pennypacker and many
other prominent men.
Attorney General Hadley, of Missouri, examines men engaged
in the independent oil business at Cleveland, Ohio, in the
investigation of the Standard Oil Co. by the State of Missouri.
The New York Legislature proposes investigation of the
banking system similar to the insurance investigation made
by the Armstrong Committee. The Iowa Legislature proposes an
investigation of Iowa insurance companies.
January 27.—The Panama Canal Commission decides in favor of a lock canal.
The final decision will be made by Congress.
The House passes the Urgent Deficiency bill making the
appropriation to meet the present demands of the Panama
Commission. The eight hour law is eliminated so far as foreign
labor is concerned.
Insurance Commissioner R. E. Polk, of Tennessee, notifies all
of the insurance companies which made contributions to campaign
funds to return such funds or discontinue their business in
Tennessee.
Counsel for the Beef Trust denies the statements that money
was paid newspapermen to write accounts of the present trial
favorable to the Trust.
William H. Van Shaick, who was captain of the steamer _General
Slocum_, which was burned in the East River, New York City,
on June 15, 1904, causing the death of more than one thousand
persons, is found guilty of neglect of duty and sentenced to
ten years in the penitentiary.
January 29.—The House of Representatives passes the following resolution:
“That the President is hereby requested to report to the House all
facts within the knowledge of the Interstate Commerce Commission which
show or tend to show that there exists at this time, or heretofore
within the last twelve months has existed a combination or arrangement
between the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the Pennsylvania Company, the
Norfolk and Western Railway Company, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company, the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad Company,
the Northern Central Railway Company and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company, or any two or more of said railroad companies, in violation of
the act of July 2, 1890.” The resolution was introduced several days
ago by Mr. Gillespie, of Texas, and had been referred to a committee
which had failed to make a report on it. Seeing that a majority of the
railroad congressmen were absent from their seats, Mr. Gillespie put the
resolution before the House and had it passed before the railroad men
could be rallied.
Senator Heyburn charges that a press agency is maintained at
Government expense in the Forestry Bureau. He also states that
mining and agricultural interests are being interfered with in
Idaho by the Forestry Bureau.
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina, calls up his resolution
asking for an investigation of the Chinese boycott. The
resolution is referred to a committee.
Secretary Taft asks for a reserve army of 50,000 men, at a cost
of $2,000,000 per year. The reserves are to consist of men who
have served one term of enlistment in the regular army. They
are to be allowed to live wherever they wish in the United
States, but to be subject to call by the President of ten days
each year for instruction, and on the outbreak of a foreign war
to be called into active service.
Attorneys for the Beef Trust testify that Commissioner of
Corporations Garfield promised members of the Trust immunity
from criminal prosecution if they would give certain
information about Trust methods.
At Ormond Beach, Florida, an automobile is driven two miles in
58⅘ seconds.
General Wheeler’s body is buried at Arlington, the National
cemetery near Washington, D. C.
The Senate Committee on Territories reports favorably on the
Joint Statehood bill.
Secretary Taft states that it will be several years before any
contracts for Canal work are let.
January 30.—In response to Congressman Gillespie’s resolution, President
Roosevelt asks the Interstate Commerce Commission for a report on the
Pennsylvania Railroad merger.
The Hepburn Railroad Rate Regulation bill is taken up by the
House of Representatives. A vote on the bill is expected by
February 6.
A resolution is introduced in the New Jersey Senate directing
the Attorney General of that state to bring suits to forfeit
the charters of the Standard Oil and its subsidiary companies.
The earnings of the Steel Trust for the quarter ending December
31, are $35,278,688.
Edward Morris, of Nelson Morris Co., testifies that
Commissioner Garfield promised the beef packers immunity from
prosecution when he inspected their secret accounts. Samuel
McRoberts, Treasurer of Armour & Co., testifies to the same
effect.
January 31.—Senator Patterson, of Colorado, a Democrat, makes a speech in
the Senate in support of President Roosevelt’s policies in Santo Domingo,
Morocco and railroad rate regulation.
The debate on the Hepburn railroad rate regulation bill is
continued in the House of Representatives.
Justice Gildersleeve, in the New York Supreme Court, hands
down a decision in which he refuses to make H. H. Rogers
answer certain questions asked by Attorney General Hadley, in
the investigation of Standard Oil methods, until the Missouri
courts have decided on a similar case.
February 1.—Republican Senators deny that the President has issued an
ultimatum to them on the railroad rate question.
The House of Representatives passes a resolution calling on the
Director of the Census for all cotton statistics.
The debate on the Hepburn bill continues in the House.
Lieutenant General Adna R. Chaffee retires from command of the
U. S. Army. Major General John C. Bates is nominated to succeed
him.
The Democratic Senators are alarmed by Senator Patterson’s
speech in favor of the Santo Domingo treaty, and call a caucus
for Saturday.
February 2.—The President holds several conferences with Senate leaders
on a compromise railroad rate regulation bill. Some of the Republican
Senators are opposed to the Hepburn bill which is now before the House.
The Democratic senators threaten to bar all Democrats from
future caucuses who support the Santo Domingan treaty.
The joint conference of coal operators and miners, held at
Indianapolis, adjourns without reaching an agreement on a wage
scale. The failure to reach an agreement is almost sure to
result in another great strike, beginning April 1.
The Government wrings an admission from the Beef Trust that the
National Packing Co. is simply a “holding” concern. It buys all
the cattle, but does all of its business through constituent
corporations.
February 3.—The caucus of Democratic senators at Washington adopts a
resolution that it is the duty of every Democratic senator to oppose the
Santo Domingan treaty.
The National Executive Board of the United Mine Workers decides
on a plan to raise $5,000,000 with which to carry on the strike
of the coal miners, beginning April 1.
The Panama Canal Commission decides on an 85-foot level lock
Canal. It is estimated that a lock Canal will cost $100,000,000
less than a sea-level canal.
February 5.—John F. Wallace, former chief engineer of the Panama Canal
Commission, appears before the Senate Committee and explains why he
resigned. He claims that incapable men were given greater authority than
the chief engineer.
The leaders of the Pennsylvania coal miners are divided on the
question of ordering the great strike.
The Democratic members of the House Committee on appropriations
make a minority report opposing the appropriation of $600,000
for fortifying Manila and other cities in the Philippines.
The report of the Interstate Commerce Commission shows that the
Pennsylvania Railroad really controls the Baltimore and Ohio
and several other roads.
February 6.—President Roosevelt urges a modification of the hazing laws
at the United States Naval Academy.
Thos. W. Lawson asks Gov. Cummins, of Iowa, to serve on a
committee of five to vote New York Life and Mutual Life
insurance proxies, given to Lawson by policy-holders.
There seems to be general dissatisfaction among the coal miners
over the proposed strike. The miners ask the resignation of
the president of the Pittsburg district, and the National
President, John Mitchell, is called on to settle the dispute.
The mine owners are laying up a reserve supply of 6,500,000
tons to meet the demand in case the strike takes place.
The House of Representatives continues to discuss the Hepburn
Railroad Rate bill.
District Attorney Jerome orders witnesses to appear before the
New York City Grand Jury with a view to criminal prosecution of
the officials of life insurance companies.
The Standard Oil Co. is considering a plan to increase its
capital stock from $100,000,000 to $600,000,000.
February 7.—A large number of amendments to the Hepburn Rate Regulation
bill are rejected. The bill stands as the House Committee reported it.
The Senate hears evidence against Senator Reed Smoot, the
Mormon from Utah. Professor Wolfe, a former Mormon, testifies
that the Mormon oath contains the “seed of treason.”
M. Taigny, former French chargé d’affaires who was forced to
leave Venezuela, reaches New York City.
Senator Patterson, of Colorado, who bolted the Democratic
caucus on the Santo Domingan treaty, introduces a resolution
declaring party caucus dictation unconstitutional. Senator
Bailey, of Texas, replies to Senator Patterson, and severely
criticises the President, the senator and the treaty.
February 8.—John A. McCall, former President of the New York Life
Insurance Co., is seriously ill at Lakewood, N. J.
Richard A. McCurdy, former President of the Mutual Life
Insurance Co., plans to leave the United States and make his
home in Paris.
The New York Life Insurance Company’s “house cleaning”
committee reveal that Judge Andrew Hamilton has received
$1,347,382 from that company since 1892. This is $283,383
in excess of the total payments disclosed by the Armstrong
Committee. The committee recommends legal action against John
A. McCall for the recovery of the amount.
Senator La Follette, of Wisconsin, introduces a bill in the
Senate making it a penalty for any Government officer, official
or employee to accept a railroad pass or franking privilege
over telegraph lines.
By a vote of 346 to 7 the House of Representatives passes
the Hepburn Railroad Rate Regulation bill just as it came
from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce and
declared by Chairman Hepburn to be exactly in accordance with
recommendations of President Roosevelt on the subject.
The House of Representatives passes the General Pension bill
for the year ending June 30, 1907. The bill appropriates
$140,245,000. Congressman Gardner, of Michigan, declares
that when the last pensioner on account of the civil war has
disappeared from the rolls, $12,000,000,000 will have been
expended.
_Foreign News_
January 8.—Another plot to kill the Czar of Russia is discovered.
The massacre of Jews in Russia is denounced at a public meeting
in England.
King Edward dissolves the existing parliament, and orders the
polling for the new one to begin January 13 and end January 27.
Negotiations for a settlement between the Bermudez Asphalt Co.
and Venezuela again fail. Secretary Root will probably ask
Congress to settle the dispute.
A few minor disturbances occur in Russia. Many arrests are made
by the police.
St. Pierre-Miquelon agrees to aid Newfoundland in her campaign
against American fishermen.
January 9.—A general uprising in Siberia is feared by the Russian
Government. Martial law is being extended to more provinces. The peasants
continue to burn and pillage in the Baltic provinces. Russia pledges some
of her railroads to secure a loan from Paris bankers.
The Japanese Government plans to give $75,000,000 in pensions
and bonds to the soldiers and sailors who fought in the war
with Russia.
January 11.—The cost of the Russo-Japanese war to Russia reaches
$1,050,000,000.
Premier Witte states that the Government will not yield to the
revolutionists’ demand for transforming the National Assembly
into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of formulating a
constitution.
Russian troops kill 65 revolutionists who attempt to wreck a
military train in Livonia. The revolt in Esthonia ends.
The feeling against foreigners is growing stronger in the
Southern part of China.
Dispatches from Madrid, Spain, state that there is little fear
of a serious difficulty between Germany and France over the
Moroccan question.
January 12.—General Morales resigns as President of Santo Domingo, and
prepares to leave for Cuba on the U. S. gunboat _Dubuque_.
Venezuela and France sever diplomatic relations. France
will push her claims against Venezuela until they are fully
recognized.
The worst of the insurrection in Siberia seems to be over.
The leading members of the Warsaw revolutionary committee
are arrested. Cossacks shell an Armenian seminary at Tiflis,
killing more than 300 persons.
German Socialists prepare to hold meetings in Berlin to
commemorate the Red Sunday in St. Petersburg, and to protest
against suffrage restrictions in Prussia.
Dispatches from London state that the European Powers will
aid France in her contentions against Germany on the Moroccan
question.
January 13.—A. J. Balfour, former Premier of England and leader of
the Unionist party is defeated for re-election to Parliament by T. G.
Horridge, Liberal and Free Trader. So far the Liberals and Labor Party
have gained eighteen seats over the Unionists in the present election.
Fears prevail in Paris that the Emperor of Germany will be too
aggressive in the Moroccan dispute.
January 14.—France recalls her Minister from Venezuela. The French
interests are placed in the hands of the American Minister.
The delegates are gathering at Algeciras, Spain, for the
conference on the Moroccan question.
Carlos F. Morales, former President of Santo Domingo, reaches
San Juan, Porto Rico. He declares in favor of the treaty
between Santo Domingo and the United States now before the
Senate for ratification.
The Santo Domingan troops rout the rebels in a battle at
Guayubin, Santo Domingo.
M. Durnovo is made Minister of the Interior by the Emperor of
Russia.
General Nogi is enthusiastically welcomed home by the people of
Tokio.
January 15.—The election of members of the British Parliament up to
date shows a landslide. The Liberals have elected 132 members while the
Unionists have elected thirty.
The peasants are said to be committing all manner of horrible
crimes in Orel, Russia. Maj. Gen. Lisooiki is assassinated
at Penza. Assassins kill three sergeants of police at Riga.
The revolutionists continue to resist the Government in the
Caucasus.
Dispatches from Paris state that France will send warships to
coerce Venezuela into paying France’s claims.
The Czar starts a movement to reorganize the Church in Russia.
January 16.—The Moroccan conference begins at Algeciras, Spain. The Duke
of Almodovar, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, is elected President
of the conference.
The Liberals continue to gain over the Unionists in the
election now being held in England. John Burns, President of
the Local Government Board and a prominent labor leader, is
re-elected by 1,800 majority.
St. Petersburg Police raid a meeting of the Workman’s Council
and capture 22 members. Revolutionary documents, correspondence
and the headquarters from which propaganda is conducted to
the army and navy are discovered. In the Caucasus the rebels
continue their resistance to the Government.
January 17.—Joseph Chamberlain and his seven candidates are returned to
Parliament from Birmingham, England.
M. Fallières, President of the French Senate, is elected
President of the French Republic to succeed M. Loubet.
Venezuelan officials prohibit M. Taigny, the French chargé
d’affaires, from landing in Venezuela. The heads of the French
cable officers at Caracas and La Guayra are also expelled.
January 18.—Delegates to the Moroccan conference agree that the shipping
of contraband arms into Morocco must be stopped.
After giving M. Maubourguet the Venezuelan chargé d’affaires,
his passport, the French Government has him escorted to the
Belgian frontier by special police.
Serious riots occur in Hamburg, Germany, between the police and
Socialists. About 20 policemen and 15 Socialists are wounded
when the police attempt to disperse a crowd of Socialists
erecting a barricade in the street.
The Constitutional Democrats of Russia meet in convention in
St. Petersburg.
Trouble continues in the Baltic and Southern Provinces, and the
Czar is still afraid to leave his palace.
January 19.—The Constitutional Democrats of Russia vote to take part in
the elections to the duma.
Dispatches state that three French warships have appeared off
the coast of Venezuela.
The insurgent forces capture Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
Vice-president Baquerizo Moreno assumes executive power and
will appoint a new Cabinet.
According to advices received at the Japanese Embassy, at
Washington, 680,000 persons are starving in the Northern
Provinces of Japan. The condition is due to the short rice
crops, which is only 15 per cent of the average.
January 20.—The new Government of Ecuador lasts one hour. Baquerizo
Moreno is overthrown and General Eloy Alfaro made President. About two
hundred persons were killed or wounded during the fighting.
The Venezuelan Government continues to garrison the ports and
collect supplies for the troops.
January 22.—Two hundred and twelve men were killed and thirty-six injured
by an explosion on the Brazilian warship _Aquidaban_.
After winning a battle in which three hundred men were killed
and one hundred wounded, General Alfaro is recognized by all
factions as president of Ecuador.
January 23.—The United States leaves France free to act as she sees
fit in the Venezuelan case. French warships are reported under way to
Venezuela.
The Powers are all using their influence to bring about a
reconciliation between France and Germany over the Moroccan
dispute.
The steamship _Valencia_, from San Francisco, is driven ashore
on the coast of Vancouver Island. Grave fear is felt for the
ninety-four passengers and crew of sixty, as the storm is too
severe for any vessel to go to the rescue.
Fighting continues in the provinces of Southern Russia, where
the rebels are holding their own.
January 24.—Reports state that 139 persons lost their lives in the wreck
of the steamer _Valencia_ near Cape Beale, Vancouver Island.
Reports from Algeciras, Spain, indicate that the Powers are
inclined to favor Germany’s contention.
The Russian troops are restoring order in the Caucasus, Black
Sea and Sidonia district.
The returns of the English elections show 578 members elected
to the House of Commons. Of the total, the Liberals returned
312, the Laborites 48, the Nationalists 81, and the Unionists
137.
The revolution in Ecuador spreads. Two provinces are in the
hands of the revolutionists.
January 25.—President Castro, of Venezuela, claims that the French
Minister, M. Taigny, violated the laws of port in denying Venezuelan
police and boarding a French vessel for protection.
Report from the Russian Baltic provinces show that the
revolution is by no means suppressed. As soon as the troops
capture one town, fighting breaks out in another.
January 26.—General Selivanoff, commander of the Russian troops at
Vladivostok, is seriously wounded. The revolution has taken on new life
at that place. Count Witte opposes giving any more concessions to the
people.
The Cuban Senate appropriates $25,000 with which to buy Miss
Alice Roosevelt a wedding present.
Dispatches from French West Africa state that the Sultan of
Morocco is endeavoring to get the natives of the Soudan to
organize a holy-war against France.
Thirty-seven persons are saved from the steamer, _Valencia_,
which was wrecked near Cape Beale, Vancouver’s Island. All 154
persons left on board the vessel were drowned.
The revolution in the Russian Caucasus continues to spread.
France decides to boycott all Venezuelan products before making
a naval demonstration.
French and German envoys to the Moroccan conference are holding
meetings in hopes of reaching an agreement on the points in
dispute.
January 27.—Reports from Vladivostok show that the revolution has not
been crushed. St. Petersburg dispatches claim that the revolution in the
Russian Baltic provinces is drawing to a close. A fight between troops
and revolutionists takes place at Gomel and the town is burned.
Discussion of the dispute of Germany and France continues at
Algeciras, Spain.
Twenty-five members of the diplomatic corps at Caracas send a
note to the Venezuelan Government disapproving of the treatment
of M. Taigny, the French Minister.
Fighting between Raisuli and the Anjera tribesmen is renewed
near Tangiers, Morocco.
January 28.—General Linevitch reports that the mutinous sailors at
Vladivostok have been disarmed. Reports from Viatka show that school
children held a fort against a battalion of Russian soldiers for fifteen
hours.
Fighting continues in Morocco. The rebels are victorious in
several fights.
January 29.—King Christian IX of Denmark dies suddenly at Copenhagen.
The King was the father of Crown Prince Christian Frederick, of Denmark,
Alexandra, Queen of England, Dagmar, Dowager Empress of Russia, King
George, of Greece, Thyra, the Duchess of Cumberland, and Prince Valdemar
of Orleans. He was the grandfather of the Czar of Russia and of King
Haakon of Norway.
The Russian authorities again claim that the Vladivostok
trouble has been terminated.
President Castro is making active preparations for a war with
France.
January 30.—The Russian revolutionists assassinate Gen. Griaznoff, Chief
of Staff of the Viceroy of the Caucasus at Tiflis. Tiflis is placed under
martial law. Fighting is said to be in progress between the Armenians and
Tatars in the Caucasus.
Frederick VIII, eldest son of the late King Christian, is
proclaimed King of Denmark.
January 31.—Japan urges England to reorganize her army.