--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - J. M. Tanner collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 6 number: 10 published: 1903-08 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. M. Tanner, "Some Leading Events in the Current Story of the World," *Improvement Era* 6, no. 10 (August 1903): 768–775.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0610unse 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: improvementera0610unse start_page: 768 end_page: 775 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1903-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0610unse publication_year: 1903 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 1903, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Some Leading Events in the Current Story of the World SOME LEADING EVENTS IN THE CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. BY DR. J, M. TANNER, SUPERINTENDENT OF CHURCH SCHOOLS. Friendly Relations with Russia Threatened. The diplomatic relations between this country and Russia are growing decidedly interesting, if not a little alarming. After the massacres at Kishineff, a number of leading Jews, representing the great B'nai B'rith society of this country, a most powerful orga,nization, called upon the President of the United States asking that this goverment send a petition from the leading Jews of this country to the Czar. The petition calls attention to the unhappy condition of the Jews in Russia, the spirit of religious hatred there toward them, reminds the Czar of his proclamation of religious liberty in that country, and requests that he exercise his great power for the protection and greater liberty of the Jews. The President, at first, so the dispatches inform us, doubted the propriety of forwarding the petition through the government, because of the unfavorable effect it might have in Russia in intensifying the persecution there against the Jews. However, later he concluded that the leading Jews of this country were in a better position to know what the effects would be, and he would, therefore, defer to their wishes and send the petition. As soon as the decision of the President became known to the Russian government, its representative at Washington, Count Cassini, gave out a note that such an action would be regarded by Russia as one unfriendly to her, and gave our government to understand, in advance, that no such petition would be received by her. Such an announcement to the American people evidently CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 769 aroused the authorities at Washington, and on July 1, the State Department issued a statement containing really a charge of unfriendliness on the part of the Russian government towards us on the Manchurian question. This statement by the Department of State virtually informs Russia that her friendship is not over- valued in the United States. It is believed that the paragraph referring to the Manchurian trouble was written by the President himself. It is a most interesting document, and its most interesting paragraph is as follows: In this connection, it was pointed out by another official, who dis- claimed any purpose to speak in his official capacity, however, that it seemed somewhat strange, to say the least, that the Russian Government should choose this particular method of making a statement to the American people, at the very time when, by methods which are certainly the reverse of friendly to the United States, it has sought to make China join in breaking the plighted faith of all the Powers as to the open door in Manchuria, and has endeavored to bar our people from access to the Manchurian trade. Whatever may be the friendly relations growing out of Russia's act of friendship towards us during the Civil War, when she took sides with us against England, there can be no doubt that Russia's conduct in Manchuria will do much to destroy pre- existing friendships. Russia is endeavoring to force China into a compact by which we shall lose our trade in Manchuria; and the United States will not allow an important door of commerce shut in her face without making a strong protest against it. The attitude of the Russian government toward the petition may create in this country strong anti-Russian sentiments. Such sentiments would be welcome to England and Japan, two nations that would gladly ally themselves with America in opposing Russian aggressions in China. Will Colombia Block the Construction of the Panama Canal? Word comes from Bogota that it is not at all likely that the Colombian congress, which convened on the twentieth of June, will ratify the treaty made between this country and the executive de- partment of Colombia for the construction and maintenance of the Panama Canal. Elder Joel Ricks, who has recently visited South 770 IMPROVEMENT ERA. America, says that he finds the sentiment there quite universal against ratification. The average South American politician, it is said, is notoriously corrupt, and politics in Colombia is no excep- tion to the rule. Even the (Colombia representative in this coun- try, Mr. Concha, had to be removed because he was believed to be holding up the treaty, in order that he might enrich himself per- sonally, and he was therefore recalled. Panama, at one time an independent state but now a part of Colombia, is said to be very much dissatisfied over the attitude of Colombia in the threatened rejection of the treaty, and it is be- lieved that if the Colombian congress refuses to adopt it, Panama will secede and that a revolution will result at the Isthmus. Be- sides, the people of Panama would have a very snug income with which to run the government, and to sustain the politicians, if it could get the annual rent which the United States offers to pay Colombia. The United States congress authorized the construc- tion of the Nicaragua canal, in case satisfactory negotiations with Colombia could not be had. The question, therefore, naturally arises, what shall we do in case the congress now assembled at Bogota refuses to ratify the treaty ? Mr. Bunau-Varilla, one of the leading representatives of the French owners of the Panama Canal, and a man of ability, makes the following forecast of the situation: 1. One must admit as a fundamental principle that the only person that may buil^ the Panama Canal now is the United States; and that neither European governments nor private financiers would dare to fight either against the Monroe Doctrine or American Treasury for building Panama Canal, in case Americans return to Nicaragua if Congress does not ratify treaty. 2. It results from this evident principle that failure of ratification only opens two ways: Either construction of Nicaragua canal and absolute loss for Colom- bia of the incalculable advantages resulting from construction on her territory of the great artery of universal commerce: Or, construction of Panama Canal after secession and declaration of independence of the Isthmus of Panama under the protection of the United States as it has happened with Cuba. 3. I hope that your elevated patriotic policy will save your country from the two precipices where would perish either the prosperity or integ- CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 771 rity of Colombia, and whither would lead the advices of blinded people or of evildoers who wish to reject treaty, or to modify it, which would amount to the same thing. The executive departments in times past, in South American republics, have taken it upon themselves to proclaim a treaty valid, notwithstanding its rejection by congress, and some of the presi- dents of these republics have exercised such unlimited power that foreign countries hav3 been compelled to deal exclusively with them. This circumstance may bring another alternative into the question, in case the treaty is not ratified. There is a very large class of citizens in this country who be- lieve that there should be some remedy for the trifling and treacher- ous diplomacy which characterizes so many Central and South American states. They think that this country should establish order and security in them, or permit European nations to do so. We have had so little to do with these Spanish-American states that we really know little about them, and care less. Now that our interests are carrying us into South America, we may, per- haps, change somewhat our attitude in regard to the Monroe Doctrine. Dangers in Russia. The recent revolution and wholesale assassinations in Servia remind one that Russia, another Slavonic country, is not free from internal agitations and dangers that may also startle the The Czar of Russia is generally recognized as a civilized world. man of humane and as one actuated by the kindliest instincts, motives toward his fellow man. He is not an autocrat, he is not austere, and shows no dominating purpose in suppressing the opinions and policies of his fellow man. Yet there are constantly going out ukases, or edicts, from the Czar, that are in strange contrast to his own personal nature. .They are undoubtedly his, but he is not really responsible for them. He is surrounded by a class of courtiers, official advisers, who are urging upon him policies that are often really at variance with his own instincts and humane tendencies. The Czar is in some measure as helpless to withstand the despotic influences of those who dominate his mind 772 IMPROVEMENT ERA. as many of his subjects are to escape the severe consequences of his decrees. Russia is really a bureaucratic government, a sort of oligarchy, a country dominated by a few who are permitted to exercise power without becoming responsible for its consequences. Against these bureaucrats there is growing up in Russia an intense hatred, and the country is feeling the desperate determination of those who would rid Russia of the tyranny, not of the Czar, but of those who advise him. The Russian tends naturally to anarchy, and the growing discontent, a just discontent, added to a natural tendency, will undoubtedly, before many years, furnish popular and spectac- ular explosions destructive of the present policies in the dominions of the Czar. Discontent is rapidly spreading throughout Russia, and gives promise of something before many years. So Russia has an abundance of material for a good-sized revolution. Affairs in Servia. On the 24th of June, King Peter reached Belgrade and soon sat upon the throne of Servia. If any one supposed for a moment that the conspirators and the assassins would be punished, he is sure to be disappointed. Those who made Peter king are not likely to consent, for one moment, that he, the king, the recipient of their bounty, should punish them for an act by which they made him king. Some of the leaders were promoted, and all took a leading part in receiving his entry into the country. The ministers of other countries withdrew, except those of Austria and Russia. These two countries are playing for supremacy, and could not afford to have their interests neglected by anything that would dis- please the Servian people or the Servian king. A Pacific Fleet. The announcement the other day by James J. Hill that he intended to place a Pacific fleet in trade between Puget Sound and the Orient is one of far-reaching importance to the people of Utah. This announcement is made after the completion of the largest freight steamers that now ride the oceans. The millions in China have heretofore existed almost wholly upon rice. Of late years, there has been a tendency in that CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 773 country to use more and more wheat bread. If the Chinese once begin a wheat-bread diet, the demand for our flour in the Orient willbe beyond comparison. Of late years, there has been a growing practice among the Chinese bakers to put a coating of wheat-flour dough over the small cakes of rice-flour in order to make these small cakes more attractive to the masses. An enlarged flour market in the Orient means an outlet for the wheat grown in the neighboring states of Utah. The tendency in Utah, then, will be toward rising prices for wheat. The reason- able certainty of a largely increased market for American wheat in the Orient will increase the profits of wheat in our own state. Wheat is likely, therefore, to be a greater source of wealth to the state than ever before; and the dry farm will be one of the greatest sources of this coming wealth to our state. The plans of Dr. Widtsoe, of the Agricultural College at Logan, to carry on a series of dry farm experiments, in different sections of the state, should be watched and studied with the greatest interest by our farmers. Indeed, the farmers should not wait until a complete series of experiments have been made demon- strating the value of the dry farm; but they should co-operate at once with the Station Director in carrying on the work of dry farming in other places than those where dry farms have been located by the station.Farmers in various sections of the state might receive valuable encouragement by having their soils tested, and borings made with a view of determining where dry farming may be made profitable. Shall Miss Stone have Indemnity? Miss Stone has written a letter from Ontario, Canada, to Mr. Hay, our Secretary of State, asking that the government of the United States secure from the Turkish government satisfaction for the "terrible outrage and indignity perpetrated on her" by the Bulgarian revolutionists who abducted and held her for ransom last year. The lady missionary does not make any demand for a spe- cific sum but she maintains that the Turkish government was re- ; sponsible for her captivity. For the purposes of her ransom, $66,- 000 were paid to the captors of Miss Stone for her release. The money thus obtained by the abductors was used by the Mace do- 774 IMPROVEMENT ERA. nian revolutionary committee to buy munitions of war with which these same Bulgarians are now creating disturbances both in Bul- garia and Macedonia. At the time of the negotiation of this country with the Turk- ish government for the release of Miss Stone, our department of state reserved the right to make any claim against the Turk- ish government for compensation which this government might subsequently regard as proper. It would be rather hard on the Turk if he were compelled to pay the money now used by the Bulgarians to bring about war against Turkey, in the province of Macedonia. Turkey is just now in the position of the big boy snarled at and tormented by a street urchin protected by onlookers who say to the big boy, "It is really too bad that you should be so shamefully tormented, but really we cannot permit you to correct this impu- dent urchin who richly deserves punishment, because he is a Chris- tian, and you are not; besides, we don't like you." Turkey certainly has her faults, and they may be grievous enough, but there can be in them no satisfactory justification for the way the Bulgarians have been conducting themselves the past few years. Certainly the Turks are in no sense more intolerant than the Bulgarians; and law and order in Bulgaria are no improve- ment upon the conditions of government in Turkey. Surely a Chris- tian nation has no just claims on the Turk for the outrages per- petrated on a Christain lady by a Christian people whom the Turk is not permitted to punish. Do the Russians Want the Jews? The fact that the Russians make it impossible for a Jew who has left the country ever to return is conclusive that the Jew is persona non grata in Russia. It is with extreme difficulty that a Jew born and reared in a foreign country can get access to Rus- sia, however prominent he may be in the world's affairs. It is possible, however, for a Jew who has attained a high commercial standing in the world to visit Russia, providing some important convention held there affords an excuse for the Russian govern- ment to relax its rules. On the other hand, it is very doubtful if a great Jewish scientist or artist would be permitted to cross its CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 775 borders. Tourists who are Christians, or persons traveling through the country, do not as a rule find it difficult to get the signature of a Russian consul to his passport. Here is a specimen blank which must be filled out in order that a Russian consul may determine whether a person is entitled to enter Russia: APPLICATION FOR VISA OP FOREIGN PASSPORT FOR RUSSIA. Given name family name where born religion busi- ness or tourist have you ever been a citizen or subject of any other country? signature of applicant. The Russian law in its broadest sense declares that no Jew shall under any circumstance be permitted to enter Russia. California's New Fuel. California has long been handicapped because of the absence of coal in that state. Its great railway systems have found the expense of furnishing power for their engines very heavy; indeed, motor power in California is expensive whether for driving or stationary ones. The recent discovery of the great oil wells, in that region, is so cheapening the motor power as to add great wealth to the state. California is at present burning something like twenty million barrels of oil a year, in driving its stationary engines, and, indeed, oil is displacing, not alone in California, but also in the Hawaiian Islands, the coal that was formerly used in manufacturing. The total output of oil in 1876 was only twelve thousand barrels; in 1893, it was four hundred and seventy thousand barrels; in 1900, it ran up to four million three hundred and twenty-nine thousand barrels; and last year, its increase made it thirteen million six hundred and ninety-two thousand barrels. Production in crude oil in California is greatly in excess of that in Texas. What seems to be most encouraging in California is the permanency of the flow, while in Texas there is a noticeable decrease.