Fierce fighting continues in the Caucasus between Tatars and
Armenians.
Russia is seriously divided over the elections to the Duma.
Censorship of the press is rigidly enforced.
February 1.—Serious fights take place in Paris between the police and the
congregations of Roman Catholic churches. The operation of the new law
separating the Church and State causes the trouble.
British policy-holders in the Mutual Life Insurance Co. pass
resolutions demanding representation, and that the company
increase its securities in that country.
The conference on the Moroccan question continues at Algeciras,
Spain.
The entire Italian Cabinet resigns because the Chamber of
Deputies refuses it a vote of confidence. A new Cabinet will be
formed at once.
Fire destroys buildings in Panama valued at $500,000.
February 2.—Church riots continue in Paris. China is reported on the
brink of a revolution. Anti-foreign feeling grows, and trouble is feared.
The Czar of Russia receives a deputation of peasants and
promises them assistance.
February 3.—Reports from Venezuela state that President Castro has
ordered any French warship seen in Venezuelan waters to be fired upon.
The German Government declares that the failure of the
Algeciras conference to reach an agreement on the Moroccan
question will not lead to war between Germany and France.
Dispatches from Santo Domingo indicate that absolute peace has
been restored.
Chinese loot the home of Rev. Dr. Beattie at Fati, China.
Fights over the separation of Church and State continue in
France.
February 4.—The boycott of American goods continues in China, and another
massacre of foreigners is feared at Canton.
Japan plans to increase the tonnage of her navy to 400,000 tons
by the end of 1908.
February 6.—The agitation against Americans increases in China.
The elections to the Russian National Assembly are set for
April 7. The opening session will be held April 28.
Advices from Vladivostok show that the Russian revolution has
not been stamped out.
February 7.—The Emperor of Corea asks the Powers to exercise a joint
protectorate over Corea in respect to her foreign affairs.
Conditions in the Eastern provinces of Russia show little
improvement. Fighting continues.
Fifty men are killed in a riot at Oruro, Bolivia.
Recent events in China led the Powers to reconsider withdrawing
their troops acting as legation guards.
Chinese revolutionists loot missions at Changpu, near Amoy. The
missionaries escaped to the home of the local Governor.
The betrothal of King Alfonso, of Spain, to Princess Ena, of
Battenberg, is officially announced at Madrid.
Dispatches from Algeciras, assert that the Moroccan conference
will reach an agreement. It is understood that Germany will
concede most of France’s claims.
Yin Tchang, the Chinese Minister to Germany, states that the
anti-foreign outbreaks in China are evidence of the awakening
of a new national spirit. He says China will no longer tolerate
foreign aggression, and will not allow the Chinese abroad to
be treated as an inferior race. The Minister thinks no one
power will care to force a war with China, as she can now put a
modern army, of 200,000 men, in the field.
_Along the Firing Line_