Topics of the Moment

194 IMPR 0 VEMENT ERA. among all the leading nations of the earth. They have been carried into heathen lands. Many thousands of honest people have yielded obedience to them, and hosts of others, not courageous enough to face the anger of a frowning world, have received these truths in their hearts, and the effects are marked in changes for the better that have taken place among the creeds of modern Christendom. Thus the leaven introduced by the Savior in the nineteenth century is working its way and will eventually "leaven the whole lump." We have abundant cause for rejoicing in contemplating the prosperity of a material character which has attended the Latterday Saints during the year nearing its end. Throughout these mountain vales the blessings of heaven have rested upon the earth. Crops of all kinds have been prolific, and a rich harvest has rewarded the labors of the husbandman. Thus food has been plentifully provided for the inhabitants of these regions, and a good surplus has been exported to distant places. In addition to the cereals that have been raised, and the increase that has attended the flocks and herds that have roamed upon the hills or fattened upon the rich products of the lowlands, the great crops of sugar beets that have been gathered have been a source of wealth to the community. The establishment of sugar factories in Utah and Idaho has been made possible because of this abundant product. With advanced experience in the cultivation of the beet, and in the manufacture therefrom of first-class sugar, we have promise of a full supply of the saccharine article for home consumption, and to supply our neighbors in surrounding states and territories. All this will greatly promote development of the resources and augment the wealth of this intermountain region. The action taken by the government towards developing and ■controlling the streams and waters that can be used for the irrigation of our agricultural lands, gives hope and courage to the farmers, and these are made stronger by the experiments of the Agricultural college of the state of Utah, which give evidence that by scientific farming abundant cropscan be raised here with the use of much less water than has been customary. With these double advantages—first the promise of more water, then the evidence that what we already have will accomplish much more than was

GREETINGS FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. 195 previously supposed—we can reasonably look for a vastly greater and more compact population in this arid region than that which it at present supports. With a fertile soil, pure air, and the control of abundance of water, the intermountain farmer will be master of the situation. This year has been specially characterized by the erection and purchase of new mission headquarters and meetinghouses in various fields. No previous year has equalled 1904 in this respect. Most conspicuous of these is the elegant and substantial building belonging to the Church in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden,which was dedicated in October. The meetinghouse at Aarhus, Denmark, is also an admirable addition to the outside property of the Church. Commodious new mission headquarters have been established at Liverpool, England, which is the shipping point, usually, for emigrating Saints, and the central station of the entire European mission. The old place became unsuited for the advanced requirements of the Church in that part of the world, and it is very gratifying to note that such convenient and suitable quarters have been secured for the purposes required. In various parts of the British mission, improvements in these particulars have been effected, which cannot fail to be beneficial to the work in those lands. The purchase of a commodious chapel and vicarage in Chicago gives stability to the Church there, and supplies the Northern States mission with comfortable headquarters. The acquisition of the property at Chattanooga, which was for so long the headquarters of the Southern States mission, and our re-occupancy thereof as our own, has given unbounded satisfaction to the elders and Saints in that mission. A valuable piece of property with a church building thereon, has also been acquired in Boise, Idaho, where a prosperous and increasing branch of the Northwestern States mission is being built up. At Brisbane, New South Wales, property bas been purchased, and a meetinghouse built in a central and very desirable portion of that city. In Samoa arragements have been completed for the purchase of some valuable tracts of land, where the Saints on those islands can be gathered, and their material interests looked after, as are those of the Hawaiian Saints at the Church plantation at Laie.

196 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Meetinghouses of improved style and greater capacity are being erected both in American and German Samoa. In the Society Islands a land purchase is being made near Papeete, Tahiti, on which will be built headquarters of that mission, including a meetinghouse. Not only has the passing year been a building era in the foreign missions of the Church, but at home great activity has been shown in the erection, enlargement and improvement of our places of worship; so much so that we have had to caution some of our communities that economy and thrift are as essential to real progress in public matters as in private concerns. Indeed, owing to the fact that the Church is still burdened with a heavy, bonded debt, (a condition, we are thankful to say, that is gradually and rapidly lightening, a still further reduction being at hand) we have, very reluctantly, been compelled to withold the assistance of the Church in the erection of some public buildings, schoolhouses, assembly halls, etc., which had our financial condition been more favorable, we should have taken the utmost pleasure to extend. In this relation we wish again to emphasize our previous suggestions to the Saints regarding the desirability of using their unslackening energies to get out of debt. We know how strong is the temptation to the ordinary man, when times are good and money easy to obtain, to make unnecessary expenditures, often on borrowed capital, which, in too [many instances, means the mortgaging of the home, and too frequently ends in its loss. Could our voices be heard throughout the region where the Latter-day Saints most largely dwell, they would be raised in protest against this practice of endangering our hold on the roof that covers those who rightly look to us for care and protection—our wives and children. We can conceive of but few conditions where such would be permissible, much less commendable. In flush times like the present, our advice is: get out of debt, and then keep out. One of the most pleasing additions to our public buildings at home is the handsome structure erected for the Dr. Groves Latter-day Saints Hospital in this city. It is in all respects a splendid establishment. It is as nearly perfect for the purpose designed as is possible in the present stage of progress in such institutions. It was modeled after the very best plans obtainable.

GREETINGS FROM THE FIRS1 PRESIDENCY. 197 It is fitted with all the modern improvements for surgical and medical aid to the afflicted. It has been pronounced by experts who have traveled the world over, the very best of the kind they have ever seen in either hemisphere. It would do credit to any city in the :epublic. With the skill and talent available here, and the opportunities the hospital affords for the alleviation of pain and the cure of disease, this institution cannot fail to prove of immense benefit to the unfortunates who need such aid as it will assuredly impart. Another subject which lies near to our hearts is that of mutual help among the people of God. Our motto is not simply, "Live and let live," but "Live and help to live." We should help to make the lives of others happy and progressive. The kindly word fitly spoken should be followed by timely action. This is a season when tokens of affection and esteem are offered in Christmas gifts. This is a pleasing and commendable custom, but the mere present bestowed is not of so much worth as is the loving look and kindly words that should accompany them. Costly gifts beyond the means of the giver are unwise, and wisdom and discretion should be exercised concerning them. It is not prudent to vie with one another in rich and costly presents involving liabilities difficult to meet, for, after all, it is the loving remembrance, and the spirit in which gifts are made that commend them to the recipients, and it should be kept in mind that the mere annual gift or birthday present will not fill the void that may have been caused by careless neglect or thoughtless [inattention during the other parts of the year. The poor should be remembered particularly at this festive season. No one should be left without the comforts of life while we are rejoicing over the advent into the world of Him who taught love and charity and peace to be extended even to our enemies. The poor ought always to receive our aid, and at Christmas time especially they should be supplied with comforts suitable to the occasion. Our educational affairs are in splendid form, and steadily advancing. Separate and distinct entirely from the public schools and university, and receiving no aid from the state or the nation, they are yet institutions of which the Latter-day Saints may well Toe proud. The Brigham Young University at Provo, the L. D. S.

198 1MPR0 VEMENT ERA. University at Salt Lake City, the Brigham Young College at Logan, are among the chief educational institutions of the Church, while the various stake academies and high schools in different parts of Utah and the regions surrounding, are all admirable establishments and performing a grand work in higher education among our people. They receive such aid from Church funds as is possible to extend with the means available. The chief additions to Church literature during the year have been the publication of the second volume of the History of the Church, of a vest pocket edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, and of a complete concordance to the Book of Mormon. This sacred record has also during the year been published in the Tahitian tongue, and a new edition in the Hawaiian is passing through the press. Of Church works at present in active preparation are the third volume of the History of the Church; a Church history, adapted in style and conciseness for the use of our youth, and a concordance of the book of Doctrine and Covenants. A number of excellent publications explanatory of the doctrine and discipline of the Church have been issued by their respective authors, who are personally responsible for tneir contents and whose efforts to extend information are to be highly commended. The standard works of the Church, however, recognized and adopted as such by the Latter-day Saints, remain, as formerly, the Bible, (King James' translation), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The periodicals which have the largest circulation among the Saints, are the Deseret News, daily and semi-weekly, the Improvement Era, the Juvenile Instructor. Other publications are too numerous to mention, which are each commendable in their respective spheres. The promotion of literary talent, and the encouragement of all branches of art and science, mark the progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are highly gratified at the increace of faith, hope and charity among the Latter-day Saints. The spirit that prevails among them, especially in those localities where they constitute the great body of the inhabitants, is that of kindness, love and unity. Health abounds; peace leigns, and the song of praise, and the sound of prayer ascend morning and evening to the Great

GREETINGS FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY. 199 Father of us all from the homes of his people, while the Sabbath day is regularly celebrated in public worship and in sacramental commemoration of the atonement wrought out by him whose birth into the world we now celebrate. In all these circumstances and events we find cause for rejoicing and encouragement. We congratulate the Saints on the advancement that is being made and the prospects that are opening before them. Notwithstanding the skepticism, doubt and division existing in the world concerning divine things, the light of the gospel revealed anew in these latter days is penetrating the darkness of this world. Prejudice is being overcome; the fair-minded and honorable of the earth are becoming better acquainted with the work in which we are engaged, and with the people who have wrought marvels in this once desert waste. The truth is going onward to victory. It will most certainly triumph. The fight may be protracted and vigorous, but the Lord is with his people! In his might we shall conquer. He whose birthday we celebrate will come in due time, and take possession of the kingdom. He will reign over all the earth. The kingdoms of this world will be his. He who was the babe in the manger of Bethlehem will be the acknowledged monarch of all the earth. Until he comes whose right it is to reign, the Saints, as commanded, will be "subject unto the powers that be." They will support good government, they will be obedient to righteous laws. They will serve their Savior and their Redeemer, and will look for his coming as their sovereign and their Lord. In his name we bless the Saints, and wish them and all mankind a happy and joyful Christmas. Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund.

TOPICS OF MOMENT. The Bering Sea Route. One is constantly reminded that some day we may have an allrail route from America to Asia and Europe. Surveys and soundings have been made, and the scheme of tunneling under the Bering sea pronounced perfectly feasible. From the measurements taken, it is found that the greatest depth of the sea between the two continents is one hundred and sixty-five feet, and the distance between the shores, thirty-eight miles. About half way between the mainlands are Diomede islands. The time saved by such a road would be something like eight days. For years the agitation!over such a route has been kept up by engineers who would like to gain glory and, of course, some money by such an undertaking. Now a French engineer is circulating in this country an illustrated pamphlet containing estimates of, and an account of the means to be adopted in, such a project. Whether it should become a fact accomplished in this generation, it is gratifying ,to get the geographical information which such proposed schemes furnish. After reaching [the far north, a traveler would have, during the winter season of four months, constant night travel. The scheme seems quite fantastic now, but experience of the past forbids ridicule over the improbable. The project receives more earnest and thoughtful consideration as time goes on. When the commerce of Alaska justifies the extension of a railroad along the coast of British Columbia, we may not be far away from a tunnel under the Bering sea. It would certainly be the most wonderful engineering feat of the age. Russia could easilyjneet us on the other continent. We are learning more and

TOPICS OF MOMENT. 201 more the value of northern lands that were considered, only a few years ago, a frozen wilderness. The Situation in Manchuria. More than half a million men are face to face along the banks of the Shakhe river, just south of Mukden, the ancestral home of the present ruling dynasty of China. Beyond question, the Russians have been so heavily re-enforced that they have more soldiers at their command than have the Japs. Recent estimates put the number of Russians at three hundred thousand. While the country is not so favorable to defensive warfare as that out of which the Japs have forced the Russians, earthworks have been employed so skilfully that siege guns find it difficult to reach the soldiers behind their earthworks. From now on, the struggle will be more intense and more even, and the loss of men is likely to be far greater, if decisive battles are engaged in. The loss of men will be so appalling that generals will naturally hesitate to take the offensive that will result, even if a battle is won, in the slaughter of so many human beings. It lies, however, in the interest of Japan to crowd the Russians back, if possible, as far as Harbin. It is the chief city, and the administrative center of the Russians. From it, the great Siberian railway forks, one branch going east to Vladivostok and the other south to Port Arthur. If the Russians could be pressed beyond the Sungari river, the Japanese would be able to defend their position in Manchuria with about one-half the men Russia would require. The expense, then,of maintaining'the latter's army would be four times as great as that required for the Japs. The latter would then have in the rear of them Manchuria, whose expansive and rich fields would support easily a Japanese army large enough to keep the Russians back. The Russians would be obliged to bring all their provisions from European Russia and Siberia. It would tax the railroad almost to its limit to sustain three hundred thousand soldiers in the field. In a waiting game, the Japs would have a great advantage, as they have reduced the death rate from army diseases to a minimum. Probably four or even five Russians die to one Jap. In our Spanish war, it is said, fourteen thousand men died from various

202 1MPRO VEMENT ERA. diseases to one hundred in battle. It does not now seem like either side can move the other without a loss that would be almost a national crime against humanity. It is, of course, still possible that after the Japs have taken Port Arthur, they may be so re-enforced by men and guns as to dislodge the Russians, and force them back to Harbin. It is even possible that the two armies may lock themselves in such a life and death struggle that the whole fortune of the war would be staked on a single battle. It is hardly likely the Russians would accept such a chance. Their policy will be to make it as costly as possible for their enemies before they cross the Sungari and lose Harbin. It really seems now as if the war must close in a draw battle. It is not, after all, to the advantage of Japan to waste men and money in an effort to take Harbin, for under its pronounced policy Japan demands only Port Arthur, the seacoast around to the Yalu river from Liaotung peninsula, and Corea. That is, Japan will control hereafter the policy of Corea and become its tutor, as well as develop the resources of the country. It will be impossible for Japan to get a money indemnity from Russia, though she might take the Manchurian railroad, which is really owned by Russia, though technically it is a private corporation. After Japan has shown her ability to cope with Russia single handed, has put the latter's navy out of commission, and established herself in Port Arthur, all has been done that is necessary to accomplish Japan's purposes; provided, of course, that Russia is compelled to evacuate Manchuria. Further fighting is unnecessary, and will be continued by the Japs only to compel the Russians to withdraw their army. If Japan cannot force the Russians farther north, she can at least hold the ground she has won, and await the process of exhaustion. Russian Views of the North Sea Controversy. The manner in which the Russians view the North Sea controversy reveals something of Russian character, and explains just how such an unfortunate affair could happen. The official class cannot understand why England should make such a fuss over a few fishermen. In Russia the loss of a hundred or more peasants would not have been so serious a matter, and then why should:

TOPICS OF MOMENT. 203 England be so particular about the matter,so long as Russia would have been perfectly willing to compensate liberally the families of the dead fishermen? The navy officers, at St. Petersburg, according to the reports from there, have not been the least perturbed over the probability of a war with England. Let her come on, is the answer to what might happen. They cannot understand fully why England should hesitate to accept the report of Rozdhesvensky. It might be taken with a wink, and accepted, if not believed. The poorer classes feel that England simply wants to make trouble for Russia, as the former has been doing all through the war. If England is not prompted by evil motives toward Russia, why should she want to go to war because of the loss of a few fishermen? They think it must have been a real Japanese danger that Russia had to combat. Then there are the men of real merit, men upon whose shoulders the affairs of state rest heavily. They are not princes by birth, but men whose efficient services have brought them to the front. They hope for an amicable adjustment of the troubles, and show evidence of deep concern. Their apprehensions are not shared by the bureaucracy that has no sympathy for those men who, according to the royal scion's way of thinking, make altogether too much fuss over trifles. It is difficult for those in constitutional governments to appreciate the obstacles that beset the worthy ruling class of Russia, a class that is constantly humiliated by the princes of royal blood, who act as a sort of kitchen cabinet to the Czar. It is further revealed that the great majority of the men who man the Baltic fleet are not trained seamen, but rather landlubbers, who have been drafted into service to take the place of the seamen who had already been called to the far East. What a fleet manned by such incompetents can hope to do, in a contest with Japan, is something that no one but a Russian will attempt to explain. It seems incredible that Russia would send a fleet of magnificent warships to their certain destruction. After all, the Russians are a good-tempered people who do not take seriously their misfortunes, as other nations would do. In the midst of all Russia's trouble, there is little evidence that the

204 IMPROVEMENT ERA. men at the head of the affairs of state have ever lost their equilibrium. They are as diplomatic as ever; and whatever there may be to disturb them beneath the surface, it never appears in outward expression. They are not boisterous, and display little excitement. The Russian official can be as magnanimously obliging to the powerful, as he is overbeariDg and intolerant to the weak. A National Revroach. If the reports of the conduct of German officers towards recruits, who come from all parts of the empire to be trained as soldiers, be true, Germany is certainly subject to the reproach of the civilized world. The under-officers have been, it is said, wantonly cruel. The soldier is treated with less consideration than a poor dumb brute. He is struck for every trifling violation of rule of discipline with which he is hardly acquainted. During the Franco-Prussian war, many an under-officer was found shot in the back, evidently by the very soldiers he led. They had had their opportunity of revenge. Those who have watched the poor recruits subjected, on the training grounds, to violent treatment and profane denunciations, have felt that the ordinary soldier was regarded simply as a fighting machine by his superiors. The abuse of the German soldier has been the theme of many a writer on conditions in Germany. The press has frequently pointed out the brutality of German officers. Complaints have been made, and the Emperor has given repeated warning, all apparently without avail. To the recruits in Potsdam the other day, he delivered himself of the following stirring words in the presence of his officers: "Only the recruit who is treated well will take pleasure and pride in performing his duties, and I ask every one of you soldiers here now to report immediately any officer or non-commissioned officer who abuses you. It is your duty to do this, and I give you my imperial word that the guilty one shall be severely punished, no matter what his rank. I want my officers, commissioned and noncommissioned, to know that it is cowardly, dishonorable, and unsoldier-like to abuse a man who cannot defend himself, because he is below rank, and I want you young men who, from now on, have the honor of wearing the uniform of my guard to feel that you

TOPICS OF MOMENT. 205 have in your Kaiser a fatherly friend, who wants your co-operation to stamp out an evil which is a disgrace to the German army. Without your help I cannot do it, and I therefore expect that you will give it to me for your own sake, and for those who come after you." Russian Movement for Liberty. No sooner had Prince Sviatopolsk-Mirski, the new Russian Minister of the Interior, been appointed to succeed the late Von Plehve, who was assassinated last July, than he attracted attention by his declaration that he would be guided in his official conduct by a liberal administrative policy. He is of Polish origin, and has had considerable political experience, among which is that of having been Governor-General of Vilna. In an interview given out at Vilna he early declared his belief in the Russian "Zemstvos," or local government boards, and also advocated a more humanitarian attitude toward the Jews. The press also, it was understood, would have greater freedom than heretofore, the stringent policy towards Finland was to be modified, and the system of banishment by administrative decree was to be abolished. These policies were urged by a gathering or conference of prominent members of the "Zemstvos," held in St. Petersburg, in the middle of November. A hundred men took part, and the boldness with which they formulated demands for local self-government and equal justice indicates that the liberals believe that they have in this crisis an unprecedented opportunity to secure popular rights. The whole question of the relation of the government to the people was freely discussed by the conference which was guaranteed immunity from police interference by the Minister of the Interior. Ten resolutions were adopted, to be presented to the Czar, asking a more liberal administration, and complaining of the Russian "abnormal system of government, due to the complete estrangement of government and people, and the absence of the mutual confidence so necessary to national life." The memorial presenting these resolutions and petition to the Czar concluded with "the hope that it is the wish of the Czar to snmmon a national assembly." Many believed that the Emperor would not even consent to receive a petition making such radical