--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 7 number: 7 published: 1904-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Events of the Month," *Improvement Era* 7, no. 7 (May 1904): 551–560.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0707unse 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: improvementera0707unse start_page: 551 end_page: 560 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1904-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0707unse 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. --- # Events of the Month EVENTS OF THE MONTH. Local.— March, 1904. The Smoot Case.— On Saturday, 12th, at 4:25 p.m., the Senate Com- mittee on Privileges and Elections adjourned, subject to the call of the chairman, the following witnesses havingtestified: President Joseph F. Smith, Mrs. Ella Mabel Barber Kennedy, Charles E. Merrill, Mrs. Emma Matthews, Francis M. Lyman, Andrew Jenson, Lorin Harmer, Hyrum M. Smith, Thomas H. Merrill, Alma Merrill, E. B. Critchlow and Ogden Hiles. Others who were not present on account of sickness or because the subpoenas were not served were: John Henry Sm ith, Marriner W. Merrill, Moses Thatcher, George Teasdale, Matthias F. Cowley, John W. Taylor, Joseph M. Tanner, Samuel S. Newton. The charges against Sen- ator Smoot were made by "Nineteen Citizens of Utah," in their petition of January 26, 1903. The prosecution was represented by Robert W. Taylor and John G. Carlisle, Mr. Taylor conducting the prosecution. The defense was represented by Mr. A. S. Worthington, of Washington, D.C., and Waldemar Van Cott, of Salt Lake City. The members of the Com- mittee on Privileges and Elections are: Senators Julius C. Burrows, chairman, George F. Hoar, Louis E. McComas, Joseph B. Foraker, Chaun- cey M. Depew, Albert J. Beveridge, William P. Dillingham, Albert J. Hopkins, Edmund W. Pettus, Fred T. Dubois, Joseph W. Bailey, Lee S. Overman, and James P. Clark. Other witnesses have been subpoenaed in Utah, and the case was continued to the 20th of April. Salt Lake City a Port op Entry. —Early in the session of the present Congress a bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Kearns, and passed as follows: An act (S. 23) to establish a port of delivery at Salt Lake City, Utah. Be it enacted, etc., That Salt Lake City, in the State of Utah, be, and is hereby constituted a port of delivery, and that the privileges of the seventh section of the act approved June 10, 1880, governing the transportation of dutiable merchandise without appraisement, be, and the same are hereby extended to said port. Sec. 2. That there shall be appointed a surveyor of customs to re- side at said port, whose salary shall be $1,000 per annum, in lieu of all fees and commissions of every kind whatsoever. On the 12th, it passed the House, being looked after by Representa- tive Howell. The act will enable Utah merchants to have dutiable foreign goods shipped directly to Salt Lake, without being held any- where for inspection. On arrival here, they will be inspected, and customs collected for them by the surveyor or inspector. On the 23rd, President Roosevelt nominated Jacob J. Greenwald surveyor of the port of delivery at Salt Lake City, and he was confirmed later by the Senate. Second Volume of History of the Church. — On the 17th the second volume of the History of the Church, covering the period from January 1, 1834, to December 31, 1837, was issued from the press of the Deseret News, and placed on sale. The book is a handsome volume con- taining 543 pages, including the index and an introduction by the editor, Elder Brigham H. Roberts. People who have the first volume will be glad to purchase this continuation of the History of the Church, —the most elaborate and reliable which has hitherto appeared in print. Pioneer Stake. —The fifty-fourth stake of Zion was organized on Thursday evening, 24th. The priesthood of the southwestern quarter of the old Salt Lake stake of Zion, embracing the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 25th, 26th, 30th and 32nd wards, also Cannon, Brighton and Pleasant Green wards, met in the Assembly Hall, March 21st, to consider the organiza- tion. About seventy names were suggested by the body of priesthood, from which the officers of the stake were to be named. On the follow- ing Thursday, 24th, the members of the above named wards met in the Assembly Hall and effected a stake organization by choosing William McLachlan president, with Sylvester Q. Cannon and Charles H. Hyde counselors. They also adopted the name of Pioneer for the new stake, which was considered the most appropriate from the fact that it em- braces the Old Fort or Pioneer Square, upon which the pioneers camped in 1847. The High Council was chosen as follows: Richard K. Thomas, John C. Cutler, Arnold G. Giauque, Hyrum B. Clawson, Jr., George G. Smith, David Anderson, George E. Burbidge, Frank B. Woodbury, Ed- ward E. Jenkins, W. D. Callister, A. B. Needham and Joseph J. Cannon; alternates — William A. Cowan, Frank Stanley, S. H. Harrow and Charles H. Worthen. President of the High Priests' quorum, David McKenzie. Salt Lake Stake. — On the evening of Tuesday, 22nd, the members — EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 553 of the priesthood of the northwestern quarter of the old Salt Lake stake, embracing the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 28th, 29th, and Center wards, met at the Assembly Hall to suggest names for a stake organization which was completed on the Friday following, 25th. All the Saints of that district met in the Assembly Hall and organized the new Salt Lake stake by choosing Nephi L. Morris president, with George R. Emery and Edward T. Ashton counselors. This is the part of the city which retains the old name of Salt Lake. Members of the High Council were chosen as follows: David L. Davis, William N. Williams, August W. Carlson, James W. Ure, Walter J. Lewis, Arthur Parsons, Arthur Frewin, Frans S. Fernstrom, Brigham F. Grant, Alfred W. Peterson, Elias S. Woodruff and Joseph F. Smith, Jr.; alternates James T. Flash- man, David F. Davis, William T. Noall, William Wood, Jr., Jesse T. Badger and Stanley F. Taylor. Patriarch, Angus M. Cannon. President of the High Priests' quorum, William Asper, with William B. Dougall first counselor. At the close of this meeting, the officers of both the Pioneer and Salt Lake stakes were set apart to their respective callings. Died. — In Provo, 2nd, Annie Christina Smoot Taylor, a Church worker and educator, wife of George S. Taylor and sister of Senator Smoot; born June 7, 1858— In Ephraim, 1st, Maren Christina Jensen, born in Denmark, — January 23, 1831; came to Utah in 1862. In Salt Lake City, 3rd, Peter L. Quist, an energetic Church worker, 64 years of age, a native of Swe- den, who came to Utah in 1871. — In Smithfield, 3rd, Harrison Ayers Thomas, pioneer of Cache county, born in Mississippi April 5, 1837, came to Utah in 1851. —In Lay ton, 5th, John O'Brien, came to Utah as a teamster in Johnston's army, in 1858, born 1839, was buried from the meeting house. —In Mill Creek, 5th, George Walton, born in England, February 5, 1832, came to Utah in 1853. — In Gunnison, 5th, Charles the Black Hawk war, born Lancashire, England, Gledhill, a veteran of May 29, 1838, baptized November 13, 1853, and emigrated to Utah shortly thereafter. — On the 5th, John Williams, a lieutenant in the Black Hawk war and a High Priest of the Emery stake of Zion, born Bristol, England, November 9, 1841, came to Utah at the age of 12, residing first in Salt Lake City, and afterward in Sanpete. In 1876 he worked on the St. George Temple, and in 1882-4 filled a mission in his native land.— In West Jordan, 6th, James Jenkins, born South Wales, October 24, 1817, and one of the earliest settlers in Salt Lake valley. In Cache county, David Benson, a pioneer of Cache, born June 4, 1821, Rockville, Ind., baptized June 1, 1833. After passing through the try- ing scenes of Missouri and Nauvoo, he came to Utah in 1852, settling in Springville, where he took an active part in the Indian wars, and later returned to — In Paradise, 11th, Mary Price, one of Cache county. the original members of the Shrewsbury branch of the Church, born at Bario, Wales, December 7, 1819; baptized December 14, 1846. In — Beaver, 16th, Thomas Frazier, born in Scotland August 12, 1821, joined the Church in 1848. — In Lewisville, 18th, Byron Warner, one of the pioneers of Utah, born in Onandagua county, New York, Febru- ary 1, 1833. —In Taylorsville, 20th, Elizabeth Pixton, pioneer of Salt Lake valley, born in Chesterfield, England, February 8, 1819, and emi- grated to Nauvoo in 1843. During the exodus she drove an ox team nearly all the way to Utah, arriving in 1848. Her husband, Robert Pix- ton, was a member of the Mormon Battalion. —In Mill Creek, 22nd, Isa- bella S. Carlisle, born in England Dec. 31, 1832, joined the Church in 1850, and emigrated to Utah in 1851. —In Nephi, 20th, Peter Sutton, Black Hawk war veteran and formerly major in the Utah militia, born England July 12,1839, who came Utah 1852. —In Levan, 24th, Hans to in C. Christensen, born Denmark August, 1814, and an early in Utah settler in who joined the Church the early in — American Fork, 26th, Char- 80's. In lotte Shelley, born England August 3, 1828, an aetive educator and Church worker, who came to Utah in 1851. April, 1904. Ensign Stake. — The fifty-fifth Stake of Zion was organized on Fri- day, April 1, the members of the priesthood residing in the 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 21st, and 27th wards, of Salt Lake City, having met on Monday, March 28, in the Assembly Hall, and presented names for a new stake organization. At this latter meeting, the name Ensign was adopted for the new stake, in honor of the peak which the pioneers happily named Ensign when they entered the valley. Richard W. Young was chosen president, with Joseph S. Wells and John M. Knight as counselors. The following high council was selected: John T. Caine, John Nicholson, William W. Riter, William Armstrong; Alonzo Young, Melvin D. Wells, Henry P. Richards, John Clark, James H. Moyle, Frank R. Snow, Thomas A. Clawson, Matthew Noall. Alternates: John C. Sharp, John C. Cutler, Jr., Joseph V. Smith, Samuel G. Spencer, John F. Bennett, and John Woodmansee. High priests' quorum: Hamilton G. Park, president, Joseph H. Felt and Levi W. Richards, counselors. This completes the division of the old Salt Lake Stake into four new stakes, and in this connection a brief statement of the history of the old stake, furnished by the Church historian, is of interest: EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 555 The original Salt Lake Stake of Zion was organized on Sunday, October 3, 1847, with John Smith as president, and Charles C. Rich and John Young as counselors, making it the oldest stake of Zion on the western slope. In February, 1849, John Smith having been ordained Patriarch to the whole Church, Daniel Spencer was appointed presi- dent, with David Fullmer and Willard Snow as counselors. The death of Daniel Spencer, December 8, 1868, left a vacancy which was filled by the appointment of John W. Young, president, April 8, 1863, with George B. Wallace and John T. Caine counselors. On May 9, 1874, George B. Wallace wad sustained president, with William H. Folsom and John T. Caine counselors. At the general conference, April 6, 1876, Angus M. Cannon was appointed and sustained president, with David 0. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor, counselors. At the death of David 0. Calder, July 3, 1884, a vacancy occurred which was filled August 2, 1884, by the appointment of Joseph E. Taylor first and Charles W. Penrose second counselors in the stake presidency. This organization has been main- tained to the present time. There have been a number of stakes organized out of the Salt Lake stake since President Angus M. Cannon was appointed. First the Davis stake, which was organized June 17, 1877, with William R. Smith, pres- ident, Christopher Lay ton and Anson Call, counselors; second, the Tooele stake on June 24, 1877, with Francis M. Lyman, president, James Ure and William Jeffries, counselors; third, Morgan stake, July 1, 1877. Willard G. Smith, president, Richard Fry and Samuel Francis, counselors; fourth, Summit stake, July 9, 1877, William W. Cluff, president, George G. Snyder and Alma Eldredge, counselors; fifth, Wasatch stake, July 15,. 1877, Abram Hatch, president, Thomas H. Gibbs and Henry S. Alexandei\ counselors; sixth, Jordan stake, January 21, 1900, Orrin P. Miller, pres- dent, Hyrum Gotf and James Jenson, counselors; seventh, Granite stake, January 28, 1900, Frank Y. Taylor, president, James R. Miller and Ed- win Bennion, counselors; eigth, Liberty stake, February 26, 1904, Hugh J. Cannon, president, Arnold H. Schulthess and Philip S. Maycock, counsel- ors; ninth, Pioneer stake, March 24, 1904, William McLachlan, presi- dent, Sylvester Q. Cannon and Charles H. Hyde, counselors; tenth, Salt Lake stake, March 25, 1904, Nephi L. Morris, president, George R. Emery and Edward T. Ash ton, counselors; eleventh, Ensign stake, April 1, 1904, Richard W. Young, president, Joseph S. Wells and John M. Knight, counselors. Missionary Organizations.— A feature of the 74th annual confer- ence was the meeting of missionary organizations, which have become a prominent social feature in the great conference gatherings for the past three or four years. A new organization was effected, on the 4th, of the Southern States missionaries, between six and seven hundred of whom met in the Assembly Hall, on call of President Ben E. Rich. Moses W. Taylor was chosen president, D. P. Felt, secretary, and an executive committee of seven was choeen. The desire is to strive for the erection of a mission meeting house at headquarters, to circulate the Elders' Journal, and to bring about a closer union of Saints and elders, by correspondence. Scandinavian Concert. —Tuesday, 5th, was this year devoted to reunions and social gatherings, the regular conference meetings not be- ing held on that day. On that evening there was a great musical con- cert in the large Tabernacle, the proceeds to be devoted to the Latter- day Saints new meeting house in Stockholm, Sweden. Among the artists who contributed to a very pleasant evening were the following: The Tabernacle choir, under the direction of Prof. Evan Stephens; Prof. An- ton Pedersen, Miss Sigrid Pedersen, Miss Agnes Dahlquist, Prof. J. J. McClellan, Miss Emily Larsen, Prof. Willard Weihe, Prof. Anthony Lund, Willard Andelin, and the Scandinavian Musical Association, under di- rection of Mr. Oluf Nielsen. Both the artistic and financial results were encouraging, and the musicians who took part deserve the thanks of every person interested in the purchase of a beautiful home for the Swedish mission. Over $500 were realized. Died. —In Salt Lake City, April 1, J. A. Wright, formerly secretary and member of the State Board of Horticulture, professor of agriculture State Agricultural College, and editor of the Intermountain Farmer, born Iowa, in 1857. —In Spring City, 3rd, Bishop James A. Allred, born Tenn- essee, November 23, 1819, and came to Utah in 1861. He was bishop for twenty-three years, the first mayor of Spring City, Sanpete county, serving five years, was three terms probate judge, and was county se- lectman for two years, and for twenty-nine years president of the Spring City Co-op. — In Payson, 3rd, Emily S. Mainvill, born Missouri, April 16, 1887, and emigrated to Utah in 1852. She has been a widow for twenty- five years, rearing and educating her twelve children. — In Springville, 3rd, Amelia M. Singleton, school teacher in early days, born England, April 7, 1821, joined the Church in 1848.— In Salt Lake City, 8th, Den- nis Clay Eichnor, district attorney for the 3rd judicial district, Utah, born Pennsylvania, December 18, 1858. He entered politics in 1889, was a member of the Constitutional Convention, was chairman of the Republican Committee in 1898, and became district attorney in 1900. In Slaterville, Weber Co., 9th, Bishop John A. Ailred, born Missouri sixty- nine years and seven months ago. He was presiding elder for a number of years, and for twenty-two years was bishop, having two years ago been released from the active service. He was one of the oldest settlers in — Weber. In Provo, 10th, Ira N. Hinckley, a leading spirit of Southern Utah, born Johnson district, Canada, October 30, 1828, and came to Utah in 1850. Served as policeman in Salt Lake from 1851 to 1857; as guard to U. S. mail coaches later; built the first meeting house in Coal- ville; built Cove Creek fort, Millard Co., and took part in the Indian EVENTS OF THE MONTH. hh rt wars; was made president of Millard stake in 1877, and served till 1902, since which time he has lived in Provo. — In Union, Salt Lake Co., 10th, David D. E. Jones, born South Wales, and came to Utah 1873, having spent eight years as a missionary in England. He was eighty-four years of age. — In Nephi 11th, James Jenkins, a pioneer of 1855, born in Eng- land and resided in Nephi since 1856. — World's Fair Help. The Utah St. Louis Exposition Commission met on the 7th, and confirmed the appointment of Prof. H. G. Cummings by the State Board of Education, as State Educational Director; and also elected the following employees who were to report to Director General S. T. Whitaker, in St. Louis, on the 15th: Thomas Judd of St. George, agricultural department, $75 a month; John Burns, city, man at large, $60; Alice Crismon, city, stenographer, $75; Inez Thomas, Ogden, at- tendant in State building, $70. They appropriated $4,000 for the collec- tion of the educational exhibit by the State Board of Education. Republican Delegates to the National Chicago Convention. — The four hundred and sixty delegates from the twenty^even counties in Utah met as per call, on the 8th, all the counties but San Juan being rep- resented. William Glasmann was chosen temporary chairman and Thomas Hull temporary secretary. Parley P. Christensen was later chosen perman- ent chairman and L. R. Anderson, permanent secretary. The convention chose the following delegates to represent Utah in choosing a Republican nominee for President of the United States, at the national convention in Chicago, which meets Tuesday, June 21, twelve noon, 1904: Delegates. — George Sutherland, H. Bullen, Jr., Willard F. Snyder, Jas. H. Anderson, C. E. Loose, L. W. Shurtliff. Alternates. — E. D. Woolley, John H. Seeley, Mrs. Jennie Nelson, F. W. Fishburn, George Austin, W. P. Colthrap. First Completed Uintah Reservation Survey. — It is learned that the first completed surveying contract in the Uintah Indian Reservation was approved on the 12th by Surveyor-General Edward H. Anderson. It isknown as contract No. 266, executed by Harvey D. Heist, D. S., and the complete returns were filed in the Surveyor-General's office on January 12, this year. It embraces the following townships, aggregating 71,098.60 acres. 1 N. 2 W. Uintah B. and M. 22,935.30 acres; 1 N. 6 W. 23,093.95; 1 N. 3 W. 22,836.27; Part of 1 N. 5 W. 2,233.08. The plats and field notes were forwarded immediately to the general land office, in Washington, for approval. . 558 IMPRO VEMENT ERA Domestic. —March, 1904. The Northern Securities Merger. —On the 14th, the Supreme Court of the United States, five justices concurring and four dissenting, thus deciding by a bare majority of one, rendered a decision in the case of the United States vs. the Northern Securities Company. In March, 1902, the U. S. brought suit for the dissolution of the defendant com- pany, as having been organized contrary to the provisions of the anti- trust act; in April, 1903, the U. S. Circuit Court sustained the conten- tion of the government, and gave a decision enjoining the defendant company from voting the stock of the railway companies which it con- trolled — the Northern Pacific and Great Northern. The Supreme Court now affirms the decree of the Circuit Court. Justice Harlan wrote the opinion which declares that the enjoined corporation is in effect a consol- idation of the railway companies, formed to prevent competition, and is a violation of the anti-trust act. Incidentally, it is declared that there is no question either of the absolute control of inter-state commerce by Congress, or of the constitutionality of the anti-trust act. The Justices who concurred are: Harlan, McKenna, Brewer, Brown and Day; dissent- ing Justices: Chief Justice Fuller, Justices White, Peckham, and Holmes. The press generally appears to approve of the decision, and it doubtless meets the will and wish of a great majority of the American people,who think it will be to the best interest of the country. It should be stated that Justice Brewer gave an independent opinion which would indicate that the court will uphold the government's anti-trust suits only when unreasonable restraint of trade is proved, as in this case. Service Pensions. —Under a ruling issued on the 16th, by Pension Commissioner Ware, to take effect April 13, all civil war veterans over 62 years of age may draw a pension of $6 a month, on the basis of age and service, without regard to special disabilities. At 65, the pension is increased to $8; at 68 to $10; and at 70 to $12 a month. This action avoids the passage of a service-pension bill by Congress, and is severely criticised as a "usurpation of power," and as "legislation by executive order." The act is in line, however, with that approved by President Cleveland, in 1887, granting a service-pension to veterans of the Mexi- can war. The Sully Failure. — On the 18th, Daniel J. Sully & Co., cotton dealers, failed, causing great excitement on the cotton exchange, since it is considered "the greatest failure in the history of cotton speculation in this country." In four days, cotton declined 400 points, or $20 a bale. Major General Leonard Wood. — On the 18th, the Senate con- EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 559 firmed the President's appointment of Leonard Wood to be a major- general. This became possible owing to the death of Senator Hanna who was the leader of the opposition. The vote was 16 opposed and 45 in favor of the confirmation. It is generally conceded that not any of the serious charges against Gen. Wood were sustained. In the course of five years, he may become lieutenant-general and chief-of-staff, thus be- ing at the head of the army before he is fifty years of age. Dependent upon this confirmation were 167 promotions for other army officers, ranging from brigadier generals to second lieutenants. A Senator Convicted.— On the 28th, Senator Joseph Ralph Bur- ton, of Kansas, was found guilty in St. Louis of accepting fees to use his influence with the post-office department to prevent a fraud order being issued against the Rialto Grain and Securities Co., of St. Louis. The case was brought under a law enacted in 1864 which forbids mem- bers of Congress to accept compensation in any case which involves the interest of the government. This is the first conviction under the law, and the conviction disqualifies the Senator from ever holding office again under the government. April, 1904. Explosion on the Missouri. — The most serious navy accident since the blowing up of the Maine in Havana Harbor, in 1898, occurred on the 13th, when an explosion of 2,000 pounds of powder in the new battle ship Missouri, fifteen miles from Pensacola, Florida, killed 32 men. The explosion it is supposed was caused by gases igniting the powder while a large 12-inch gun was being loaded, the ship being out for target practice with the Texas and Brooklyn. Foreign, March, 1904. Death op the Duke op Cambridge. —This distinguished person- age, who was a grandson of George III and first cousin of the late Queen Victoria, died on the 17th, at the age of nearly 85. In 1837, he became a colonel in the British army, succeeding thereafter by promotion to major general, general, and field-marshal; he succeeded Lord Hardings as commander-in-chief of the British army, in 1856, which position he held until 1895. He distinguished himself in the Crimean by personal gallantry, and was ever after popular in the army. Since he contracted a marriage below his rank, his wife and children are debarred his rank and inheritance, and his title dies with him. Sinews op War. — On the 20th, the Japanese Diet was addressed by the Mikado, in person, the body having been called to meet in special session on the 18th. In view of the war, the political parties are said to have buried their differences. The government plans for financing the war contemplate allowing $290,000,000 for war purposes, including $20,000,000 as a special reserve. Of the whole amount, $230,000,000 will be borrowed; $35,000,000 will be obtained from increased revenue, and the remainder from surplus revenue. Sir Edwin Arnold Dead.— Sir Edwin Arnold, a distinguished Eng- lish author, editor and poet, also Oriental scholar, died in London, on the 24th; he was born in Gravesend, June 1, 1832. His third wife Tama Kurokawa, of Sendai, Japan, whom he married in 1897, survives him. His best known work is "The Light of Asia," a poetic exposition of Buddhis- tic beliefs and legends, which appeared in 1879, but he is the author of a large number of other books. Bubonic Plague. —In Johannesburg, in the Transvaal, up to March 25, there had been 55 deaths from this plague, 5 whites and 50 natives. Education in France.— On the 28th, the French Chamber of Dep- uties, by a vote of 316 to 269 passed the government bill suppressing all forms of teaching by the religious orders. The whole prevailing system of teaching by religious orders is destroyed, and a system of state schools is provided for in substitution of the old law. The enactment of this new law, and the enforcement of the law of 1901, prohibiting teaching by unauthorized religious orders, now superceded, constitute the chief work of Premier Combes. April, 1904. Desruction of Petropavlovsk. —The Russians were again fatally unfortunate in their Port Arthur fleet on April 13, when the battleship Petropavlovsk, Admiral Makaroff s flagship, on its way out of the harbor to engage the Japs, was blown up by a mine, and 525 men were killed, going down in the vessel. Vice-Admiral Makarofr's death which occurred in the catastrophe, is a greater loss to the Czar than would be the loss of several battleships. He was the Emperor's confidant. Grand Duke Cyril was also injured, andmany leading officers were killed. A naval battle followed. The outlook for Russia is generally admitted to be gloomy. Vice Admiral Skrydloff has been appointed to succeed in command of the Port Arthur fleet, and Viceroy Alexeiff resigned as Viceroy in the far east, on the 20th as reported.