--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Hull, Thomas collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 1 number: 6 published: 1898-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Thomas Hull, "Events of the Month," *Improvement Era* 1, no. 6 (April 1898): 462–464.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera16unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera16unse start_page: 462 end_page: 464 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1898-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera16unse publication_year: 1898 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1898, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Events of the Month EVENTS OF THE MONTH. BY THOMAS HULL, SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL BOARD Y. M. M. I. A. February j8th: A movement is reported on foot to collect a fund from the school children of the United States for the erection, in Paris, France, of a monument to General Lafayette. * * * A mob in Paris, France, attempt to lynch Emile Zola, as he leaves the courtroom to- day and are only prevented by the intervention of the police. igth: A request was received today at the state department from the Spanish authorities in Cuba, transmitted by Consul-General Lee, that the Spanish officials be permitted to join with our people in making an investi- gation into the causes of the disaster to the "Maine." After consideration by the President and the officials of the navy department the request was declined. 20th: The Spanish Cruiser "Vizcaya" anchored off Staten Island to- day, on a visit, it is stated by her commander Captain Eulate, of courtesy and friendship. * * * The funeral services over the remains of Miss Frances Willard took place in New York today; the final interment will be in Chicago. 21st : The board of inquiry into the "Maine" disaster met on the light- house tender "Mangrove" at 10 o'clock this morning and began the invest- igation into the cause of the explosion. Captain Sigsbee was the only witness examined. The decision of the board is absolute that, on account of the delicate situation, no news will be given out before the final report is made to the government. 22nd: A contract was let today with a wrecking company for the re- covery of the "Maine." The terms provided for the payment of $871.00 per day for regular plant and $500.00 per day additional if extra plant is used. A bonus of $100,000 is also offered to the wrecking company if they suc- ceed in raising the "Maine" and towing her to New York. 23rd: The jury in the Emile Zola case today, after being out for only thirty minutes, returned a verdict of guilty as charged in all the counts of the indictment, and declared there were no extenuating circumstances. Zola was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and to pay a fine of 3000 francs. On hearing the verdict, M. Zola said, "They are cannibals." 24th: While no official information is given out concerning the cause of the "Maine" explosion, there is a growing sentiment that it was not ac- cidental and did not occur within the vessel. 261I1: A Chicago limes-Herald Washington special says: Consul- General Lee has made formal report to the president that it is his opinion that the "Maine" was deliberately destroyed. * * * An at- tempt was made to assassinate King George of Greece today while he was out riding. Nine shots were fired but without effect. 28th: In the supreme court of the United States, a decision was handed down, affirming the decision of the supreme court of Utah that the EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 463 Utah eight hour law was constitutional. * * * James T. Little, son of the late Feramorz Little, died this morning at 2:30 o'clock. March 1st: The United States Court of inquiry into the loss of the battleship "Maine" continues its work in Key West, Florida, having re- moved to that place yesterday. All witnesses are sworn not to reveal any part of the proceedings of the court. 2nd: Today is President Woodruff's ninety-first birthday. He is en- joying remarkably good health and vigor of mind. * * * The board of inquiry into the "Maine" disaster has concluded its work at Key West and is awaiting orders for its return to Havana. tftk: Spain purchased today, in England, two cruisers which were being constructed for Brazil. Jlh: The Spanish government has intimated to United States Minister Woodford that it desires the recall from Havana of Consul-General Lee, also that the American warships, which have been detailed to convey supplies to Cuba for the relief of the sufferers there, should be replaced by merchant vessels. The United States government replied, refusing to recall Gen. Lee or to countermand the order for the dispatch of the war vessels with supplies. bth: The Pekin correspondent of the London Times says: Russia has demanded from China the surrender of all sovereignty over Port Arthur and Ta-Lien-Wah for the same period and on the same conditions as Ger- many at Kaio-Chau. Russia also demands the right to construct a rail- way from Petula on the line of the Trans-Manchurian railway, to Port Arthur, and in the event of non-compliance with her demands she threatens to move her troops into Manchuria ylh; The house of representatives today passed a bill providing for two additional regiments of artillery. The navy department today ordered the cruiser "Montgomery" to proceed to Havana to relieve the dispatch boat "Fern." The "Fern will carry the provisions to the Cuban sufferers in Matanzas and Sagua La Grande. * * * Spain withdraws her request for the recall of Consul-General Lee from Havana. 8lh: The house of representatives today unanimously passed a bill placing in President McKinley's hands $50,000,000, to be expended at his discretion for national defense. Members from the North, South, East, and West of all parties joined in the vote, which stood, ayes 311, nays none. * * * Captain Brownson of the naval bureau left Washington to- day for Europe, whither he has been sent by the navy department with a view to obtaining information as to the possibility of purchasing warships for the United States. * * * Great activity prevails in the war and navy departments at Washington. Every preparation is being made for a possible conflict with Spain. gth: The senate today passed the urgent deficiency bill, which carries an appropriation of $50,000,000 for national defense, by unanimous vote and without debate. At 3:40 o'clock it was signed by the President and became law. * * * The United States cruiser "Montgomery" arrived at Havana today. She was moored in the principal harbor near the wreck of the "Maine," and in the center of a circle of Spanish ships. * * * The British government has presented its estimates to par- liament for the amount needed for the navy. The estimates provide for the building of three new battleships, four armored cruisers, and four sloops of war, and for adding to the personnel of the navy 6,340 men. The total appropriation asked for is $118,890,000. This amount added to the army appropriations for the year make a total of over $240,000,000 to be expended on British defenses this year, and this is exclusive of the amounts to be spent on the Indian army and the armies of self-governing colonies. 10th: A special to the Chicago Journal from Washington says: "The United States government has taken possession of the American line of steamers, consisting of the 'St. Louis,' 'St. Paul,' 'Paris' and 'New York.' A Federal naval officer will be put in charge practically of each vessel as it arrives and sails from these shores. Commander Brownson is virtually in command of the 'St. Paul,' which sailed yesterday." nth: General William Stark Rosencrans died today at his home near Redondo, California. * * * Senor Luis Polo y Bernabe, the Spanish minister to the United States, arrived in Washington today. 1 2th: The three batteries of artillery at Fort Riley, Kansas, have re- ceived orders to proceed to the South, one to Fort Monroe, one to Savan- nah, Ga., and one to New Orleans. * * * Senor Luis Polo y Bernabe, the new Spanish minister, was formally presented to President McKinley today. The speeches made by the minister and the President were of a very friendly character. 13th: It is stated "on the best authority" by the Madrid correspond- ent of the London, England, "Morning Post," that United States Minister Woodford originally intimated that the United States expected that Spain would reestablish peace in Cuba before March 1st of this- year. Recently in response to Spanish representations the United States extended the time to May 1st. * * * President Benjamin Cluff, Jr., of the Brigham Young Academy, who arrived in San Francisco, Cal., today from Hawaii, states that about one-half of the intelligent natives favor annex- ation. 14th: The navy department today purchased in London, England, two fine cruisers built for the Brazilian government at Elswick, England. One of them, the "Amazonas, " is complete in every respect and has her coal and ammunition on board. The other the "Admiral Abrenall" is launched, but it will take some time to make her ready for sea. * * * Elias Morris, bishop of the 15th Ward, Salt Lake City, and president of the Utah Sugar company, met with a serious accident late this evening. He had been attending a meeting in the office of the Co-op. Furniture com- pany, and when leaving the store, the room being dark, he fell down an un- protected elevator shaft, a distance of about ten feet, into the basement, causing a serious concussion of the brain and other injuries. fjth: Troops of cavalry are being hurried to the Atlantic Coast. * * * A press dispatch from Key West says. "A shattered section of - a submarine cable, containing seven conductors for setting off mines, is in the possession of the board of inquiry. The cable led to a mine under the "Maine. " The discovery was made by divers at the "Maine" wreck. This proves, if true, that the mine which blew up the "Maine" was connected with a switchboard ashore which was in charge of a trusted and responsible agent." * * * The Uhited States court of inquiry sailed today from Havana, for Key West. The cabinet expects that its report will be made this week. 16th: Spain has made representations to the government of the United States to the effect that the assembling of a large body of war vessels at Key West at this time will injuriously affect the carrying out of the plan of autonomy for Cuba, and seriously interfere with the pacification of the island, also that a war by the United States against Spain, under present circumstances, would be unjustifiable before the world, and a crime against humanity and civilization. lyth: Elias Morris, bishop of the 15th ward, of Salt Lake City, died at 10:30a. m. today, from the injuries received in the accident which befell him on the 14th inst. Bishop Morris is known and loved in all parts of the State of Utah and surrounding states. * * * Senator Proc- tor, of Vermont, reports verbally, in the senate, his recent trip to Cuba. Though void of all sensationalism, his statement corroborates, in every particular, previous reports of the dreadful conditions prevailing there. * * * A special dispatch to the Boston Globe from Key West, states that a special report from the board of inquiry has been sent to President McKinley.