--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Tanner, J. M. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 7 number: 4 published: 1904-02 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. 4 (February 1904): 283–290.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0704unse 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: improvementera0704unse start_page: 283 end_page: 290 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1904-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0704unse publication_year: 1904 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 1904, 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 Far Eastern Question. At this writing, January 15, it looks not at all likely that Russia and Japan will come to blows. Behind both of these countries stand France and England. England and Japan are under treaty obligations to each other — so are France and Russia. If Japan won in a naval engagement, she might perhaps possess Corea, and there is a possibility that if the movement "at arms" was a rapid one, she could force Russia out of Manchuria. If, however, on the other hand, Japan were unsuccessful in a short, early, naval engagement, her island empire would be in jeopardy. England would not permit Russia to absorb Japan nor even to weaken too greatly her war powers; and France, in the event of coalition between England and Japan, would be compelled to take sides with Russia, even though at this time England and France are approaching a very friendly attitude towards each other. France has urged Russia to pursue a peaceful policy, and England has informed the Czar that she does not consider Japan's requests at all unreasonable. Under these circumstances, Russia cannot maintain a rigid determination to have her own way. The trouble is chiefly over the question as to whether there shall be a neutral zone in the northern third part of Corea. Japan de- mands that Corea be regarded as within her political sphere of influence. The Russian power of absorption is so much more rapid in the East, at the present time, than that of any other European nation, (and, indeed, it is more rapid than all the other nations of Europe and Japan combined), that neutrality in the northern third of Corea to day would mean practically 284 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Russian absorption tomorrow. The trouble is that the great powers do not take seriously any promise that Russia makes, as she was to have vacated Manchuria on the eighth of last October. Ever since then, Russia has been pouring troops into Manchuria, as fast as she could, pretending all the time that China is to blame for her continued occupation of that Chinese province. Both Russia and Japan have not been slow to send their compliments to the people of the United States, and assure us that both of them are acting in our interest and behalf. We have made a treaty with China, granting us free ports for our merchandise, at Mukden and Antung. There is no diffi- culty about getting oar goods into the country, but the rail- roads there are in the hands of the Russians, and reports already come that our merchants are subjected to so many petty, trivial, and exasperating annoyances, that they are withdrawing their commercial enterprises altogether from Manchuria. It may be safely said that hereafter Manchuria will be to us, in a commercial way, nothing more than any other Russian province, A few years ago, we enjoyed sixty per cent of its foreign trade; a year or two hence, we shall not probably enjoy six per cent. But it is not worth fighting for. However, there are in this country those who will lay it up against Russia, and the time- honored sentiment of friendship, existing between the United States and the Czar, will have undergone a great change. Our interest and policy are more nearly akin to those of England and Japan, in oriental countries, than to those of any other nations. If war came, we should, perhaps, in a final settlement, demand a hearing, and perhaps fight if we did not get it. Whether there is an armed conflict in Asia between Japan and Russia, there is at least a commercial conflict now going on among the Russians, Germans, Japanese and English. In this commercial conflict, Russia is certainly at an advantage over all competitors. She is getting more out of China than all other nations combined, for the reason that she is putting more into China. The unhappy thought about it all is that even if Russia recedes and comes to an amicable settlement with Japan, the settlement can only be temporary. Russia will find one excuse or another to disregard, it, and will either worry Japan into a submissive attitude or CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 285 compel her to fight, in the end. Japan is anxious to fight now. The Japanese are an excitable people. The government has even found it necessary recently to suppress songs whose music and words were written to incite a hostile and militant feeling towards Russia. The Japanese government has, however, at its head, statesmen who compare very well in breadth of view with those of many of the leading European nations. Whatever we may think of Japanese judgment, in the display of so much hostile attitude towards Russia, we are compelled to admire her pluck. The Panama Question. As soon as possible after the revolution in Panama, our depart- ment of state succeeded in formulating a treaty with the new republic, and the new republic, through its provisional govern- ment, ratified that treaty as soon as it could be reached from the United States. With the ratification of the treaty by the United States, everything will have been done necessary to the opening of the work on the canal which is to cross the isthmus. The rapidity with which this country recognized the revolution in Panama, treated it as successful, and assumed protectorate over the new republic, gave rise to some criticism. For a while it was feared that the Democrats would vote solidly against the adoption of the treaty, which would have defeated it. However, some legislatures in Democratic states were in session, and they declared in favor of the treaty. In other states, governors in prominent political gatherings declared also in its favor. A con- siderable part of the Democratic press urged that the treaty be not rejected. It means more, perhaps, to the south, and the west, than it does to the north, and there is quite a strong and unanimous desire, on the part of the southern states, that the canal be therefore constructed as soon as possible. One or two Republicans, notably Mr. Hoar, demanded a full explanation from the President, in order that it might be known whether this country could be implicated in the Panama revolution. Did we encourage or abate it, or did we simply avail ourselves of an ac- complished fact? A full and free statement was demanded from the President who sent to the Senate of the United States a oge IMPROVEMENT ERA. special document, giving a detailed history of the attitude of the United States, in its relationship both to Colombia and Panama. In that statement, the President emphatically denies any complic- ity, on our part, in the revolution of Panama, in the following direct and forceful statement: I hesitate to refer to the injurious insinuations which have been made of complicity by this government in the revolutionary movement in Panama. They are as destitute of foundation as of propriety. The only excuse for my mentioning them is the fear least un- thinking persons might mistake for acquiescence the silence of mere self respect. I think proper to say, therefore, that no one connected with this government had any part in preparing, inciting, or encouraging the late revolution in the isthmus of Panama, and that, save from the reports of our military and naval officers given above, no one con- nected with this government had any previous knowledge of the revolu- tion except such as was accessible to any person of ordinary intelligence who read the newspapers and keep up a current acquaintance with public affairs. Shall we Rule the Seas? Those who have watched the recent course of events must have frequently been impressed by the thought that our navy would, before many years, exceed in number of vessels and efficiency that of any nation of Europe. The increase of our navy will lead to the extension of our maritime commerce, and, indeed, the ocean seems to be the next great financial province which it will be the ambition of the United States to exploit, and in some measure control. The great Napoleon, in a prophetic way, foreshadowed our greatness, as a naval and maritime power, when he sold us Louisiana. He did so with the hope of thwarting the maritime supremacy of Great Britain. In view of recent events, his language is quite significant, and his words are here given that it may be seen how rapidly we are ful- filling his predictions. They are as follows: The principles of a maritime supremacy are subversive of one of the most precious rights which nature, science and genius have given to men ; the right to traverse the seas with the same freedom as the bird cleaves the air; to enjoy the wind, the waves, the climate, all the productions of the world; to draw together by hardy seamanship peoples separated since the creation, and to carry civilization into CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 287 countries a prey to ignorance and barbarism. That empire England wishes to usurp over all other nations . . . Sliould we leave commerce and navigation in possession of any one people, the globe will be subject to its arms and to its gold, which will take the place of armies. To emancipate the nations from the commercial tyranny of England, it is necessary to counterpoise her by a maritime power which may one day become her rival, and that is the Uniled States. The English aspire to dispose of all the wealth of the world. I shall be useful to the entire universe if I can prevent them from dominating America as they dominate Asia. There are three reasons why we should be the foremost maritime power in the world: 1. The necessity for the transpor- tation of our numerous products to the markets of the world. 2. Our supply of coal and iron has no parallel in any of the countries of Europe. 3. Our great inland lakes, and our long coast lines, excellently adapted for sea traffic, make it easy to educate trained sailors. Deep down in the breasts of those who are now advocating an enlarged navy is the feeling that we must, before long, rule the seas. We are perhaps today the third naval power in the world, excelled only by Great Britain and France. We shall not long be in the rear of 'France, and we have wealth, population, and trade, to excel Great Britain, before many years. Abyssinia. Is Abyssinia the coming country? Is it to be the bone of future contention? Recently two agents of the American govern- ment have returned from that land, and are very enthusiastic over the opportunities for commerce between this country and Abys- sinia, over whose destinies Menelik, the great warrior now presides. It is thought that this East African land would be a sort of Paradise for the various over-products of our factories. We have been in the habit of thinking Abyssinia was part of Dark Africa. The fact is, they are Christians of the Coptic sect. If the reports of their treatment of the Italian prisoners, captured at the time they defeated the Italians, be true, there is a good deal of the barbarian about them. How^ever, England has been exploiting the country, and has constructed a railroad from Djibuti into the country, as far as Harrar. Harrar and the 288 IMPROVEMENT ERA capital, Addis Abbaba, are really the only two stable cities in the country which is made up largely of nomadic tribes. The capital itself, it is said, has a stable population of some 60,000 inhabitants, and a floating population of something like 50,000. However, the Englishman has not gone to Abyssinia merely for his health. If he has built railroads, it is because there is business there. The English can open commerce in these out-of- the-way countries where other nations could not. England's merchant marine is so numerous that it touches every country that has any foreign commerce whatever. Abyssinia's chief port is also touched by the Austrians from Trieste, and by the Russians from Odessa. Germany, which always has a keen eye on all com- mercial prospects in Africa, has not thought it advisable yet to trouble Menelik's kingdom with her wares. The United States has practically no merchant marine lor foreign trades, and all efforts on the part of this country to do business with Abyssinia are not likely to be fruitful in the immediate future. The English own the only railroad, and, if we have to depend on both the mer- chant marine and the railroads of other countries to get our wares to the Abyssmian markets, our trade is likely to fall short. Of course, the wants of the Abyssinians will grow. Now their chief demands are cotton, silk, woolen manufactures, and arms. In return for these things, they export coffee, gold, ivory and skins. The interest awakened, of late, concerning the affairs in Abyssinia, make it worthy of some studv, and students of current events may hunt up their encyclopedias, and books of travel, to learn what they can of this once historic land of Ethiopia. Will he Lose his Chances for the Senate? Somebody has been writing the New York Sun, declaring that monogamy is not working well in this country, and recommends New York State "to get ahead of a little band of 'Mormons' out in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, by setting to the rest of the Union the example of legalizing polygamy." The correspondent bases his recommendation upon a census report that out of 24,249,191 females, of fifteen years of age and over, in the United States, 7,566,530 were single. The Sun then gives the following CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 289 table of statistics, showing the total women in this country of certain ages, the number of them that are married, and the number single: Total. Married. Single. 20 to 24 years 3,710,436 1,726,296 1,913,552 25 to 29 years 3,205,898 2,209,357 882,875 30 to 34 years 2,654,718 2,071,698 441,409 35 to 44 years 4,339,166 3,451,375 481,668 It will be seen from the above table that the females in this country between 25 and 44 years of age number 10,199,782. That of these 1,805,952 are single. In other words, of that total number of marriageable women, more than one in every six are single, and the Sun declares that marriage is the most successful of human institutions, and that we are even doing better than other civilized nations of the earth. The table reveals an evil which forebodes no good for the future growth of the country; that is, the growing inclination to postpone marriage so late in life that the opportunities of bearing children become as small as possible. Taking Church Census. The recent religious discussions have led to a determination to ascertain what proportion of the people of the country attend church on the Sabbath day. New York has recently been under- going a church enumeration to find out what per cent of the peo- ple in that great city go to church on Sunday. Two enumerations have been made, and the general results show that the proportion of church-goers is about twenty-five in the hundred. Among the various religious denominations that thus observe the Sabbath day, the Catholics stand highest; after them, the Episcopalians; and then various other Protestant denominations. This shows a very strong religious sentiment on its face, and yet it does not give a correct idea of the religious sentiment throughout the country. There are several reasons why these statistics may be very mis- leading. In the first place, among the Protestant denominations, religion has come to be regarded largely as a code of morals; and people often go to church to listen to beautiful things said by some eminent speaker. Such church-goers are very apt to regard religion from the standpoint of art. Beautiful thoughts, beautifully ex- pressed, on moral questions, constitute their chief interest in relig- 290 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ions life; there may not enter into their feelings, much reverence for a divine being to whom they feel under any special obligations. However, it is gratifying to learn that the people of this country are not devoid of interest in religious subjects. What the effects upon the masses of the higher criticism will be, it is difficult to say. The higher criticism denies the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and sets at naught the most cherished devotion that Christians have in the past maintained toward the Bible. The preachers, as a rule, throughout the country, are following the higher criticism, but it is doubtful whether they will succeed in taking the most of the people with them. There is a certain distinct and strong re- action against the higher criticism, by a number of able exponents of the scriptures, and it may be that the higher criticism is merely a passing wave, that will subside as other popular theories have subsided in the past. It would be interesting to know what proportion of the Latter-day Saints is found in our places of worship on the Sabbath day. If we include the children who attend the Sabbath schools, it would certainly seem that more than twenty-five per cent of our people attend church on Sunday. The Latest Sensation Over Emperor William. Recently the Germans built a cathedral at Metz. On the facade of this cathedral, a statue of Daniel the Prophet was re- produced, and, upon unveiling, it was discovered to be a reproduc- tion of Emperor William. Even the lines of the mustache, twirl- ing upward, are quite distinct; the forehead of the potentate is true to life, and the features correspond in a very remarkable manner. There has been a great deal of gossip among people privately, and the unofficial newspapers have made ample mention of it. The socialists seem to be the most wrought up. One paper hinted that the Emperor had become a monomaniac. The paper was promptly suppressed; and the editors of several other socialist papers were punished for lese mnjeste. The people throughout the country became so interested in this sculptured Daniel, that it grew to be of national importance. The statue was photographed, and the picture of it put on postal cards, but the postal cards were promptly suppressed by the government.