Some Leading Events in the Current Story of the World

PUBLIC WORKERS. 371 he sailed from Liverpool with a company of Saints bound for New Orleans. The ship on which he embarked collided with a schooner in the Irish channel, and was disabled. This made it necessary for the vessel to go under repairs, and for this purpose it was run into Cardigan bay, where it remained three weeks. Owing to this delay, it did not reach New Orleans till March 14. From New Orleans, Brother Ball went by steamer to St. Louis, and from there to Council Bluffs. There he worked in the office of the Frontier Guardian, a paper published at that time by Apostle Orson Hyde. He walked from Council Bluffs to Utah, and drove a herd of cattle the whole distance, receiving hia board in payment for his services as driver. It was on September 15 that he arrived in Salt Lake City. He labored that fall at whatever he could find to do, assisting masons and plasterers, and getting wood from the canyons. He did not expect to find work at printing in those early days of Utah's set- tlement, but expected to turn his attention to farming when the season opened. Early in January, 1852, he undertook with others to dig a drain ditch in Bountiful, then known as Sessions' Settle- ment, Davis county. While at this work, Dr. Willard Richards, editor of the Deseret News, sent for him, and engaged him to work in the office of that paper. The legislature was in session, and help was needed to get out the printing required. He not only worked as a compositor, but also as a pressman, and even made printing inks for special purposes. Three years after his arrival in Utah, Brother Bull became a married man. He wedded Miss Emma Green, formerly of Birming- ham, England. Six months later he was called upon a mission to California, with Elders George Q. Cannon and Matthew P. Wilkie to print the Book of Mormon in the Hawaiian language, and to pub - lish the Western Standard, a weekly newspaper 8in the interest o the Church. Between June, 1855, and January, 1856, the work of printing two thousand copies of the Book of Mormon was com- pleted by these' three men. The first number of the Standard was issued February 23, following. Elder Bull was appointed president of the San Francisco conference of the Church, and later — in July, 1857 — was called to fill a mission to the Sandwich Islands to publish a newspaper in the Hawaiian language.
When about to

372 IMPROVEMENT ERA. start for this new field of labor, a call was made for the elders to return to Utah, owing to the coming of Johnston's army. He reached Utah in January, 1858, and resumed his labors in the Deseret News office. Besides his labors in the mechanical department of the news- paper, Elder Bull frequently made trips through the territory in the interest of the business, and once made a trip to San Francisco to procure a supply of paper. This journey of nearly three thousand miles, going and returning by the southern route, was made by team in a little over three months, and by covering the distance so expe- ditiously he prevented the paper from suspending publication. Later on he made periodical business trips both east and west for the News, and became familiarly known among those with whom he did business as the "Mormon newspaper man." In August, 1860, he was installed as foreman of the printing department of the News, but soon afterwards he was on his way to Europe to fill an- other mission. He reached Liverpool, England, on the 12th of December. He was first sent to preside over the Bedford con- ference; then, in 1863, to occupy a similar position in the Leeds district, comprising the Sheffield, Leeds and Hull conferences. He also labored in the Millennial Star office, and superintended the publication of several of the Church works. After an absence of four years he returned home, and also to his former position in the printing establishment. In the fall of 1866, he was released for a time from his position as foreman on the newspaper to take charge of the publication of the Juvenile Instructor, which had been started at the beginning of that year by Apostle George Q. Cannon. Again he was assigned to his place in the printing department of the News, and for a period of about ten years acted as purchasing agent and advertising solicitor in connection with his other duties. In the fall of 1877, Elder Bull started on another mission to England, accompanied by his wife. This time he was absent about two years. Besides laboring in the Birmingham and Liverpool conferences, he superintended the printing of several of the Church publications. Returning home, he again took up his labors at the office of the Deseret News, pre- ferring to stay with this establishment, although having had, at several times, offers of employment in other places.
Soon after

PUBLIC WORKERS. 373 the opening of the Salt Lake Temple he was engaged therein, and his wife also became one of the workers there. On October 24, 1895, his wife died of pneumonia, after a brief illness. Elder Bull married again in January, 1897, the lady of his choice being Miss Zina V. Hyde, daughter of the late Apostle Orson Hyde. After a few years' service in the Salt Lake Temple, he again took to the printing business in the pioneer establishment of Utah, where he remained, as already stated, until within a few days of his death. Elder Bull's life was an exceedingly active and useful one. He was full of energy, and loved his work, in which he took a great deal of pride. He was not ashamed of the fact that he was a working man, and did what he could to dignify labor. He qualified himself in his profession, and added to this qualification the highly valuable quality of trustworthiness. He was thorough and reli- able, and could always be depended upon to carry to a successful finish whatever he undertook to do. It was these principles in his character that made him so useful in his chosen occupation; and it is these principles that make men valuable in every useful pursuit. A man may have brilliant natural talents, but unless he cultivates with those talents the habits of industry and perseverance, and es- tablishes a character for reliability, his native ability is of little avail.

SOME
LEADING
EVENTS
IN
THE
CURRENT STORY
OF THE WORLD. BY DR.
J. M. TANNER,
SUPERINTENDENT
OF
CHURCH SCHOOLS. War in the Far East. The announcement that the Japanese had attacked the Rus- sian fleet at Port Arthur and badly damaged three Russian war ships was the first declaration of war by Japan against Russia. The early naval engagement had a telling effect in favor of Japan, whose first move was to disable and endanger the efficiency of the Russian fleet. This was necessary in order that the Japanese might move their land troops undisturbed into Korea and Man- churia. For months, a diplomatic controversy has been going on be- tween Russia and Japan, and all the time both nations have been pushing on vigorously preparations for war. Throughout all the diplomatic procedure, there has been a striking contrast between the methods of the Japanese and the Russians; the former have acted in a prompt, decisive and open manner; the latter have de- layed their answers, consumed all the time possible, and have been indirect and evasive in all their dealings. The terms of the pro- posed negotiations have not been given to the public, and only such information as could be obtained through the worming of the press agents, and on "reliable authority," has come to the public. Towards the close of the negotiations, the Czar of Russia came out with strong declarations of his determination to preserve peace, and yield, as far as national pride would possibly permit, to the demands of Japan. No doubt the Czar sincerely hoped for peace; but though he is
autocrat of
all the Russias, he is still

CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 375 more or less subject to the predominant influence of leading Rus- sians who really belong to what is styled the war party of that country. But that is really Russian policy, — to ask for everything at the outset, and stop with what she really wants; and no doubt the Czar was really ready to make important concessions to Japan, in order to avert a war, and yield to the pressure of her ally, France. So far as the outside world is permitted to know the terms of Russia's offer before the outbreak of the war, the situation was about as follows: 1— Russia was prepared to grant Japan all the latter asked for in Korea. 2 — Russia was ready to acknowledge Chinese sov- ereignty in Manchuria, and to respect all treaty rights made be- tween China and foreign nations with respect to trade in Manchu- ria. 3 — Russia was willing to embody the terms of propositions one and two in a formal treaty. 4— Russia gave assurance that she would not initiate war, even though Japan should occupy Korea. These propositions contained all that Japan had been con- tending for, but there was a string to the "April fool wallet," by which the Japanese clearly foresaw that all these treaty rights could be snatched away from Japan at the moment the latter stooped to pick them up. Russia tacked on to her very literal concessions an inventory setting forth Russia's interests and rights in [Man- churia. The recognition of these inventorial rights would really place Manchuria in complete control of Russia, and place that Chinese province in about the same position that Egypt is today. Turkey nominally governs Egypt, but only nominally. So the Japanese clearly foresaw in the Russian inventory what they hon- estly believed to be a trick. At the same time, the Russians were moving their troops forward to occupy the most important posi- tions for strategic purposes. The movement, therefore, of the Russian navy and land forces came so near the point of a challenge to war that the Japanese felt that a moment's time could not be lost, and struck a staggering blow to Russia, without waiting for the formal declaration of war, although it is said that the Russians made the first attack upon the Japanese at Chemulpo fort, in west- ern Korea.

376 IMPROVEMENT ERA. It may be asked, Why are the Japanese so insistent about Manchuria? Their answer is, "Because we have the lion's share of trade in that rich Chinese province." The Japanese have an old grudge that arose in 1895, after the defeat of China by Japan. By the treaty of Simonoseki, China ceded the possession of south- ern Manchuria to Japan. Russia, backed by Germany and France, informed Japan that it would not do for any country to interfere with the integrity of China, or make territorial annexation, and that Japan must give up southern Manchuria. The Japanese were forced to yield, and a little later to see the Russians themselves take possession of Manchuria. It was much the same with Port Arthur. Practically, all Korean resources are under the control of the Japanese, who own and control two railroads in that kingdom. Under the pretext of getting a timber concession along the Yalu river, the Russians began their encroachment upon Korea. From that moment, the Japanese honestly believed they foresaw as com- plete an absorption of Korea by Russia as the latter's absorption of Manchuria had been. Korea is an absolute necessity to Japanese enterprise and commercial expansion. For Japan, the situation has become desperate. The Japanese have been quiet but firm in their determination; their self-control under the most trying ordeal has won the admiration of the world. With them the war means a life-and- death struggle. The independence of Korea is just as much a "Monroe doctrine" to the Japanese, as the independence of the South American republics is to the United States. The Attitude of the United States. John Hay, our Secretary of State, immediately upon the outbreak of the war between Japan and Russia communicated to the Great Powers a note asking that they join in a declaration to Russia and Japan that under no circumstances, whatever might be the outcome of the war, would either of those countries be per- mitted to infringe upon China's sovereignty over Manchuria. The note will be quite agreeable to Great Britain; and Germany is said to look upon it in a favorable light; France, the ally of Russia, will probably take no action in the matter; and even Russia dis-

CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 377 claims any intention to interfere with China's sovereignty in this province. Manchuria is of vital interest to the United States, as it is one of the most flourishing Asiatic markets for our exports. American commerce over the Pacific is now guarded with the utmost jealousy, and the reason for our jealousy will appear in the fact that within the last ten years our exports to Asia have increased from sixteen to fifty- five million dollars annually. In Oceanica the increase has been from eleven to thirty- seven mil- lion, so that our exports to Asia are greatly in excess of what they are to South America. These rapid strides in our foreign trade with eastern Asia have given rise to the jealous anxiety with which American interests are guarded in Manchuria. Sympathy of the United States in the Present War. So far as newspapers afford us an accurate barometer, the. sympathy of this country i3 decidedly with Japan, and there are special reasons why Japan has our sympathy. It may be said that it is not because we love Japan more, but because we love Russia less. There has been, it is true, a traditional friendship between the United States and Russia since the war of the Rebellion; but that friendship, until we came to meet Russia in China, was never put to the test; and since the year 1900, the march of events has been in the direction of an alienation of sentiment between this country and Russia. In 1900, the Great Powers made the march upon Pekin where their representatives were under the attack of Chinese mobs dur- ing the Boxer rebellion. During the march of the allied armies, up the Peiho river, we had an opportunity to compare the Japanese and Russian soldiers. If all reports be true, the Russian soldiers were guilty of inhuman excesses, and flagrant violations of every principle of humanity and justice. Innocent men and woman were ruthlessly shot down, and outrages perpetrated upon Chinese wo- men by the Russian s ldiers that sent a chill of horror throughout the civilized world. On the other hand, the Japanese soldiers were orderly, well behaved, and humane. They were among the best soldiers of that expedition, and much was said in their praise. When the foreign representatives at Pekin were rescued, and

378 IMPRO VEMENT ERA . order was established in the Chinese empire, the Great Powers agreed that China should not be dismembered, and that the differ- ent nations of the world should enjoy equal commercial opportuni- ties in the celestial empire. The troops of all the Great Powers but Russia were withdrawn. Russia was building railroads in Man- churia, and developing commercial affairs in that country; so, under one pretext or another, that nation not only kept her sol- diers in Manchuria that were there to quell the Boxer rebellion, but kept on shipping in more. This aroused the suspicion of the Powers, and a formal treaty was finally decided upon by which Russia was to begin the withdrawal of her troops from the prov- ince of Manchuria, on the 8th day of October, 1903. This written pledge has not been kept, and the Powers realize that the excuses which Russia offers for still maintaining her armies in Manchuria are not substantial, and that what Russia really intends to do is to take permanent possession of that valuable Chinese province. The. United States has not, therefore, felt that Russia was dealing honorably, and in accordance with the terms of a written treaty. Another source of irritation to the people of this country was the conviction aroused, only a short time ago, that Russia was really interfering with the treaty we are entering into with China. It may be said that for months past Russia was the most influ- ential foreign power at Pekin. We are making a treaty with China by which we are to enjoy commercial privileges throughout its em- pire, including Manchuria. The powers that were making a treaty similar to us had long felt the disadvantage to commerce that arose out of the old Chinese likin tax: that every province, and certain large cities, charged a tax on all foreign goods that came into them, or even passed through them. These likin taxes were an un- certain factor. It was not always known just what these would be, and the merchant, therefore, who would do business in the in- terior of China, never knew just what taxes would be levied upon his goods before they reached their destination. In the place of this likin tax, China was to put an additional seven and a half of advalorem duty upon the goods at the port of entrance. This treaty was agreeable to China; it was acceptable to the United States; and ratified by the Senate, and yet we awaited for a long time the

CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 379 ratification of the treaty by China. The suspicion grew in this country that some third party, influential at the court of Pekin, was preventing the Chinese government from acting; and it was not until the suspicion fell upon Russia, and considerable temper was shown in this country, that China ratified the treaty which it was believed Russia was hindering. Japan is more vitally concerned in the contention that Man- churia must remain a province of the Chinese empire than we are; and Japan has felt that unless something be done, and done at once, Russian diplomacy and aggression would not only make Man- churia a Russian province, but would also place Korea under Rus- sian control. Many of our newspapers have said some very sharp things about the policy of Russia, and Russian papers have answered with a considerable show of temper. Our Executive department has been perfectly frank in telling Russia about some things that Rus- sia is doing which this country does not like; and now our Secre- tary of State is sending a note to the Great Powers asking that they join us in a note to Russia to the effect that whatever may be the military outcome of the struggle between Japan and Rus- sia, the Great Powers will permit neither to annex either Man- churia or Korea. The probabilities are that whether the Great Powers join us or not, we shall insist that Manchuria remain a prov- ince of the Chinese empire. We have' a very large Jewish constituency in this country; and the fact that our government interceded in behalf of the Jews, in their protest against Russian brutality, has done much to alien- ate the former friendly feelings of Russia toward this country. These are some of the reasons, perhaps the most important ones, why our sympathies are with Japan. New York and Religion. For years, New York has been the center of the commercial life of the United States. But this wonderful city offers to this country problems in religion that are no less interesting than those of her commerce. Religious controversy and religious power are centering more and more in our great commercial metropolis. The following list of church membership affords a comparison of

380 IMPROVEMENT ERA. relative numerical strength of the great religious denominations of that city: Catholics, enrolled, 984,800; Catholics, out of church, 265,200; Protestants, enrolled, 1,152,650; out of church, 741,080; Jews, 675,000. Among the Protestant churches, a comparison will show a surprising preponderance in the Episcopal church, as that church leads the list with 88,263. The large membership of the Luther- an church, namely 45,745, can be largely accounted for by the presence of so many Germans of that denomination in New York. The following list shows the relative membership of the various Protestant
denominations: Protestant Episcopal, 88,263; Methodists, all bodies, 48,133; Lutheran, 45,745; Presbyterian, all bodies,45,526; Baptist, all bodies, 37,627; Reformed Dutch, 23,059; Congregational, 18,653; all others, 24,784. It is very evident that such a large church membership is ac- companied by great wealth. The property in New York exempt from taxation exceeds in value $200,000,000. It is easily seen how New York is rapidly gaining in religious ascendency in the United States. Wealth and membership are two powerful factors in religious influence; so that New York is as easily the metropolis of the different religious denominations as it is in the commerce of the United States. The study, therefore, of the religious problem of that great city is attracting the attention of those who are following the religious forces in the history of our country. The Panama Canal. For the past month, the ratification of our treaty with Panama has been held up in the Senate by its opponents. Mr. Gorman, the leader of the minority, undertook to solidify the Democrats in the Senate in opposition to the treaty. Its ratifica- tion required the vote of two-thirds, sixty senators. The Repub- licans had but fifty-four. The legislatures of Mississippi, Louis- iana, and Florida instructed their senators to vote for the treaty. These Gulf states are ardently in favor of it, so it was early seen how impossible it would be for the Democrats in the Senate to successfully unite in opposition to the treaty.
Other Southern

CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 381 states, by their commercial clubs and governors, were quite pro- nounced in favor of the canal, and the adoption of the treaty with Panama. This division in the Democratic party gave the fullest assurance of its ratification. Its opponents, however, in their surrender, are endeavoring to make their defeat as agreeable as possible by the introduction of some slight, and not very material, amendments. The amendments now can mean nothing more than delay, so that the country is beginning to look upon the early construction of this great waterway as a foregone conclusion. Will Congress do it? A recent movement has been set on foot by the Grand Army of the Republic to secure a pension for every man who has served his country in the Civil War. This movement is said to have the indorsement of President Roosevelt and a number of leading Republicans. It is not possible to say now just what additional expense such a pension law would entail upon the federal govern- ment. Various estimates have been given out; however, it is safe to say that it might increase our expenditures at the rate of $60,000,000 a year. At present our annual pensions amount to $140,000,000 in round numbers; this would make the total for pensions $200,000,000 per year. The Grand Army of the Republic is a numerous and powerful organization whose demands cannot easily be brushed aside. Should the party in power thus enlarge its pension list, its oppo- nents will not be slow to make the accusation that the additional $60,000,000 was simply a stupendous campaign fund, so that pen- sion extravagance may be an additional issue in the coming campaign. At present the demand for this enlarged pension is wholly within the realms of speculation, and people are asking themselves, Will Congress do it? It is hardly likely that the party in power will care to increase its annual burdens so enormously at the opening of a presidential campaign.