--- 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: 7 number: 2 published: 1903-12 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* 7, no. 2 (December 1903): 124–129.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0702unse 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: improvementera0702unse start_page: 124 end_page: 129 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1903-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0702unse 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. The Revolution in Panama. Panama is one of the states forming the republic of Colombia, with which country the United States entered into a treaty for the construction of a canal across the isthmus of Panama at its narrowest place. In dealing with the republic, the United States have been most generous; besides an annual rent, this country offered topay down ten million dollars. When the treaty thus formed was submitted to the Colombian congress at Bogota, its capital, the treaty, though generous in every respect, was treated with a haughty disdain, and an almost silent contempt. Colombia wanted more. For a while it acted as though it was not certain whether it wanted a canal dug across the isthmus at all, notwith- standing its great importance to the world's commerce. This Colombian congress adjourned on the last of October, but just before adjournment gave its President power to make other treaties or contracts for the construction of the canal. It wanted twenty million dollars, instead of ten million. It wanted one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year till 1967, and four hundred thousand a year thereafter; and at the end of one hundred years, Colombia was to have the canal. Such terms, of course, were impossible. The people of this country felt generally as though it were a system of blackmail, and the Colombians were given to understand that their demands were entirely out of ques- tion. On the third of November, only four days after the adjourn- : CURRENT STORY OF TEE WORLD. 125 ment of the congress, the state of Panama revolted, and set up an independent government. Its reasons for the separation was the refusal of Colombia to ratify the treaty with the United States. The people of the isthmus declared that Colombia had wholly ignored their interests, and they asked that their separate and in- dependent government be recognized by the United States. This country, as soon as Panama had established a govern- . ment of its own, complied with Panama's request, and at once sent her battleships to the isthmus for the purpose of enforcing treaty obligations entered into in 1846 with the United States and New Granada (now known as Colombia). Those treaty stipulations are as follows The United States guarantee positively and efficaciously to New Granada the perfect neutrality of the before-mentioned isthmus, with the view that the free transit from the one to the other sea may not be interrupted or embarrassed in any future time while this treaty exists; and in consequence, the United States also guarantee in the same man- ner the rights of sovereignty and property which New Granada has and possesses over the said territory. In pursuance of the above stipulations, the United States now proposes that there shall be no bloodshed or civil war on the isthmus; that means that Panama shall be guaranteed her indepen- dence by the United States. Two results may come from the present situation: the United States may enter into new treaties with Panama for the construction of a canal, after her indepen- dence has been recognized, or steps may be taken culminating in the annexation of the isthmus by this country. In any event, Col- ombia's attempt to hold up this country will prove wholly unsuc- cessful, and she will lose all that she might otherwise have enjoyed by the generous offer made to her by the United States. As the United States has recognized the government of Pan- ama, and declared its intention to prevent war between the revo- lutionists and the parent government, Colombia is virtually informed that she must keep her hands off Panama. It is not likely, under the circumstances, that the latter will undertake to coerce the state of Panama into subjection. The only practical access that Colombia would have to the isthmus would be by sea, as the coun- . 126 IMPRO VEMENT ERA try between Bogota, the capital of Colombia, and Panama, is al- most impassable. In case of war, troops would have to be trans- ported by land from Bogota to Buena Ventura, and then by sea to some one of the ports along the isthmus. Our ships would un- doutedly prevent the landing of any Colombian troops, and thus we have really assured Panama her independence. The question naturally arises,would we have pursued a similar course if the treaty for the construction of the Panama canal had not been up for con- sideration and been rejected by the Colombians? Would we have regarded it as a domestic turmoil in which we had no particular interest, so long as the traffic by railroad across the isthmus was not disturbed? The announcement from Washington, November 12, that Democratic senators had determined to oppose the ratification of a canal treaty with the new republic of Panama, should the admin- istration enter into treaty stipulations with that country, plainly indicates that our position with respect to Panama is likely to become an issue between the leading political parties of this country. Foreign governments are not at all likely to interfere, al- though it is said an appeal was made to Germany. France will be very glad to recognize the new republic, providing its canal com- pany rights are acknowledged. This country was to have paid France forty million dollars for the work already done, but the republic of Colombia demands, in case of a treaty between this country and Colombia, that the French company pay the latter ten million dollars. Now that we have these South American difficul- ties on our hands, it is hardly likely that we shall be so persistent in pressing our claims upon Russia for an open door policy in Manchuria; especially will this be true if we annex Panama. It would really appear as if the present policy of the United States were the entering wedge of our direct interference in the inter- ests of peace, order, and commerce in the republics of Central and South America. Dowie New York. John Alexander Dowie is a Scotchman who left his native country and went to Australia, and who, about the time of the CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 127 World's Fair in Chicago, began preaching in that city. At first he did not appear to be successful, but in time he succeeded in arous- ing the hostility of the newspapers, soon became an object of ridicule, and was undoubtedly subjected to harsh and unnecessary treatment. He is a man of unquestionable ability, possesses a strong magnetism, and is capable of wielding a strong personal in- fluence over his audiences. Persecution in the city of Chicago brought him many adherents; and, according to the testimony of many sincere and devout followers, he possesses the gift of heal- ing. For a while he was known as Dowie, the healer. Later on, he assumed a prophetic mission, and styled himself Elijah III. It seems that Dowie was not only a preacher, but a man of considerable business talent. He gathered his followers about him, purchased a tract of land on the shores of Lake Michigan, near Chicago, and established there Zion City. Thousands gath- ered about his standard; he then began manufacturing; and added largely to his own and to the wealth of the community. He seems to have become intoxicated over his great success, and planned a campaign for the restoration and salvation of the citizens of New York. To make his campaign as spectacular as possible, he chartered several trains, and took nearly four thou- sand of from Zion City with him to New York. His his people coming was thoroughly advertised and his meetings became very spectacular. Hundreds of thousands went to see him after his arrival in New York, and during his meetings there. He had a large platform erected, and in front of it constructed a baptismal font; but, if the reports which come from the newspapers are to be trusted, the number of baptisms did not exceed seventy-nine. His followers were under perfect organization, and were earnest men and women, intelligent and of Christian devotion. Dowie has left New York and returned to Zion City; no doubt, he was greatly disappointed. He is more or less of a study and an enigma to the world; he is undoubtedly conscientious, and is a man of very superior attainments. He represents two principles that are very generally lacking in the Christian organizations of today: one is the gift of healing, the other is divine authority. There is a growing tendency in the Christian world to recog- nize some one representing divine authority. Men perceive that 128 IMPROVEMENT ERA. authority was common in ancient Israel, and that it was specially bestowed upon men by the Savior. Authority is the coming ques- tion in religion, and in time will invite the most strenuous discussions and contentions in the Christian world. The gift of healing has a very fascinating influence over most It comes religious minds. from the exercise of faith in God, and is a gift which many people in the world enjoy. It appeals strongly to the senses and the rational life of man. Dowie's efforts must have been a great disappointment to him. Such spectacular demonstrations, however, are not in themselves likely to create much religious interest; they rather give rise to a morbid curiosity, and arouse feelings of ridicule and satire. Dowie must not be regarded merely as a charlatan, or a base and ignorant pretender. He has certainly touched a long felt want in the hearts of many who have responded to his religious enthusiasm. The Russians in Manchuria. The Russians gave their written and solemn promise to leave Manchuria by the 8th of October. They are not out yet, and from all appearances they will evacuate this rich Chinese province about the time that England gets out of Egypt, or the United States out of the Philippines, though we have never given a promise to leave the Philippines. They are ours: we bought them. Russia of late years has expended millions of dollars in devel- oping the commerce of Manchuria; the rest of the world are mere traders there. We have a very large share of the markets of that province. It looked for some time during the past month as if Russia and Japan might go to war; that is, the newspapers made it appear that way, but both Russia and Japan disclaimed all such intentions.No doubt the English press and the agitators at Hong- kong did much to spread unwarranted and sensational reports. It was said at one time that there was an understanding between Russia and Japan that the former might occupy Manchuria, pro- vided Japan were allowed to take the country, Korea, just to the south of Manchuria. The important question with us is, will Russia permit us an open door in the markets of Manchuria? China has by treaty said we may enjoy the freedom of Manchurian markets, and Russia has ; CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 129 acquiesced in that treaty. We are to have access to Manchuria through Newchwang, Mukden and Antung. The question arises, will Russia annex Manchuria, and close that province to our trade or will she, by virtue of the control she really has over the prov- ince, so annoy, harass, and worry our merchants and manufactur- ers, that they will withdraw from that province altogether? Russia has an adroit way of doing things indirectly; and we may be reas- sonably certain, that if she determines to exclude us, she will do it in such a way as not to challenge the direct hostility of this country. It would be practically useless for us to go to war with Russia, even if we were able at the outset to destroy her navy. We could inflict no very great injury upon her by land; we could hardly afford a costly and horribly destructive war, both in point of wealth and human life, for all there is for us in Manchuria. The suggestion from London newspapers that the United States take up the quarrel that Japan has with Russia is not likely to be heeded in this country. We may generally be credited with too much practical, hard sense to pull the chestnuts out of the fire for any other country. The New York Election. The recent election in the city of New York was one of un- usual excitement, and"called forth one of the most ardent political struggles that that city has ever witnessed. The fact that the Democratic party, under the control of Tammany, was successful in the election of Mr. McClellan, is not the only important result of that political struggle. was a contest in which the women It of New York city took an important part. They were everywhere in evidence, and the political influence they were able to wield had, no doubt, a telling effect upon the result of the election. The question naturally arises, how long will these women be content in the exercise of their influence without an opportunity to participate themselves in the elections, by casting their votes? Will they not also ask to receive the honors and emoluments of those offices which they have the ability to fill? The growing in- fluence and activity of women in the political affairs of our coun- try indicate an approach to the franchise, and to the emoluments and honors of office by them.