--- 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: 19 number: 5 published: 1916-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Passing Events,\" *Improvement Era* 19, no. 5 (March 1916): 474–480." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1905unse 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: improvementera1905unse start_page: 474 end_page: 480 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1916-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1905unse publication_year: 1916 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 1916, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Passing Events Passing Events The Latter-day Saint Church being erected at Buck Valley, Pen-nsylvania, was blown up by dynamite on January 21st. There are 40members of the Church at that place. Lincoln's birthday was celebrated in Chicago by the unveiling of alieroic statue of the great President, purchased by dime contributionsfrom virtually all the Chicago Union Live Stock Yards. The Utah Building at the Panama-California Exposition, at SanDiego, was reopened on February 5 with R. R. Ramey as Superintend-ent. Part of the grain exhibit of Utah, which was at San Francisco,has been transferred to San Diego. China has a revolt in the province of Yunnan and the new EmperorYuan Shih-Kai has found some difficulty in keeping order. Everyprecaution has been taken to prevent Hankow, Wu-Chang, Han Yangand other cities from falling into revolutionary hands. Mrs. Anna K. Hardy was appointed, January 22, a Trustee of theAgricultural College, at Logan, in place of Hazel Love Dunford, re-signed. Mrs. Hardy is a well known teacher, was a~ student of Dr.John R. Park, and a graduate of the University of Deseret, now Utah,normal course. A monster petition of 1,000,000 names, urging the Government todeclare an embargo on the traffic in munitions of war, was presentedin the Senate January 27, by Senator Kenyon. The signatures werelargely secured through the efforts of the organization of AmericanWomen for Strict Neutrality. The "Lusitania" affair. The German note thereon to the UnitedStates proved unsatisfactory to our Government. Negotiations werestill proceeding at this writing. Germany, so far, has refused to ac-knowledge that they did wrong in the destruction of the great shipand her passengers. Joseph Geoghegan, a well known business man and broker of SaltLake City, died, January 27, at Los Angeles, California. He was bornJanuary 21, 1860, in Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America in 1880,finally locating in Utah where, for 25 years, he has been sales agentof the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. Louis D. Brandeis, of Massachusetts, was nominated by PresidentWilson, and his name sent to the Senate January 28, to succeed JudgeLamar, deceased, on the Supreme Bench. Justice Brandeis found somepolitical enemies in the Senate, but he has been a powerful defender ofthe people's rights, and is said to be an able, great hearted and justJew, who will add great strength to the Court. Lindley M. Garrison, Secretary of War, resigned February 10, fromthe Cabinet of President Wilson because President Wilson would notirrevocably support the Continental Army plan, and further becausethe Secretary opposed the administration program of setting a definitetime for Philippine independence. The resignation was accepted, andup to February 17 no successor had been named. Manufacturing in the United States is growing so rapidly that itis almost beyond our ability to comprehend. The Census Bureau has PASSING EVENTS 47o announced that there is an increase of 81% in the last ten years TheDepartment of Commerce and Labor, at Washington, has announcethat the number of manufacturing establishments in this country isnow 268,491, engaging 7,678,578 persons, the total value of productsamounting to the enormous sum of $20,672,051,870. The Ship Purchase Bill was introduced into Congress January 31.It authorized the Government to run steamship lines, if it seems wiseto do so; to sell bonds amounting to $50,000,000 to build or purchasemerchant vessels suitable for auxiliaries which are at last to be chart-ered or sold to private firms or corporations that desire to use themin the commerce of the United States. A shipping board is establishedwith power to license all vessels engaged in foreign or interstate com-merce and regulate rates for freight and passengers. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Drake Roundy, prominent in Church activitiesand public affairs, died January 30 in Salt Lake City. She was Vice-president for Utah of the Woman's National Democratic League, andhad served as President of the Utah Womens' Democratic Club. Shewas born March 16, 1830, in England, her father being a direct de-scendant of Sir Francis Drake. She joined the Church, December 31,1851. In 1859 she came to Salt Lake Valley and has taken active partin the affairs of the state ever since that time. Alexander McMaster, Judge of the Juvenile Court, Third JudicialDistrict, Utah, died January 28, in Salt Lake City. He was born inSalt Lake City, August 12, 1857, his parents being natives of Scotland,who came to Salt Lake City by ox team in 1853. He was educated inUtah and studied law while on the editorial staff of the "DeseretNews," being admitted to the Bar in February, 1895. He filled a mis-sion to the Southern States in 1888-9. He was appointed Judge of theJuvenile Court in 1909. The British Steamer "Appam," supposed to have been lost at sea,suddenly appeared at Hampton Roads, Virginia, flying the GermanMag and in charge of a German prize crew. The vessel was capturedJanuary 15 by a commerce raider believed to be the "Moewe" and theCommander of the prize crew declared that the raider had sunk at leastseven British ships. What to do with the ship became the subjectfor diplomatic consideration, and it was finally agreed to retain the"Appam" in the American port until after the war. The farming interests in the United States receive less than 5%of the more than $1,000,000,000 appropriated each year for the ex-penses of the Government to carry on its business in all its differentdepartments. Congressman Martin T. Foster, of Illinois, in a recentspeech in the House of Representatives, made this a reason for sup-porting the Good Roads Bill, which recently passed the House, de-signed to aid the states in the construction and maintenance of ruralpost roads. The bill provides for an appropriation of $25,000,000 to bedivided among the states. The Indian population of the United States is increasing. Thereare, in this country, at the present time, according to the reports ofthe Bureau of the Census and the report of the Commissioner of In-dian affairs, about 300,000 Indians. The exact number, according tothe Indian Commissioner on June 30, 1915, was 333,010. The growthof the Indian department is something astonishing. In 1906 there wasexpended for Indian services a total of $12,746,859 which had in-creased to $20,502,322 in 1915 spent by the government for the de-velopment, education and welfare of the red man. <."5 IMI'ROVKMRNT ERA Pre'J.dent Wilson made a speaking tour in behalf of national pre-paid iiiess, beginning in New York January 27, whence his trip ledhim to Pittsburg, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Chicago, Des Moines, Topeka,Kansas City, St. Louis and other cities. He was received everywherewith cordiality and enthusiasm. He advocated, strongly, the need ofthis country being well prepared for war. General Nelson A. Miles,who gave evidence before the Senate Committee, stated that a moder-att standing army of 150,000 men is all the country needs, and saidthat the danger of invasion in this country is often exaggerated. Heavy rains in the western United States was followed by disas-trous floods in Southern California. In the Otay Valley a great damburst and upwards of one hundred persons were drowned and muchproperty destroyed, great ranches being covered with debris. In thenorthern part of the great west, heavy snow storms took place andthere was much difficulty with the railway traffic. There were unpre-cedented snow falls in Idaho. A heavy snow fall occurred in the Utahmountains and upper valleys and the First Presidency saw fit throughthe public press to warn the people against making unnecessary tripsinto the canyons or places where snow slides might endanger theirlives. Within the War Zone. The Western Front. Whatever our inter-est in the war, the writer and the censors have caused our curiosity tolag. About the western front there is going on a constant duel ofartillery. What is accomplished by it? Each side may count and buryits dead, but the world at large does not know the destruction wroughtb\ the great and destructive guns. The antagonists are far removedfrom each other and have little knowledge of the work done by thedischarge of the high explosives they send on their death dealing mis-sions. Death and wounds on such fronts may not be so numerous asin infantry charges, but their daily offerings are constant and con-siderable. The war must end before the inferno in the trenches willever be settled. The trenches and the new artillery have made war-fare a changed occupation. Neither of the combatants have thusfar displayed a marked superiority. Drives against the trenches areso costly as to be appalling even to the imagination. They are veryseldom made. War in the trenches is truly a war of attrition. Itstriumph is pre-eminently a question of numbers and ammunition. Italian Operations. It was most fortunate for Italy that the greatAustro-German drive of last summer was not directed against it in-stead of Russia. It would have been almost as fatal as the one againstSerbia. From a strategic point of view, it is hard to understand whythe Austrians and Germans did not move against Italy instead ofSerbia. Of course, the Union of Bulgaria was a desirable diplomaticmove. The Italians have taken practically all the northern front andhave Tolmino and Goritzia yet to capture on the northeast. Theyare reasonably sure to fall before many months. For years, Austriahas been constructing a strong line of forts along their entire Italianboundary, while their neighbors were forbidden the privilege of anycounter action. That has always been exasperating to the Italians.If Gortizia falls it will mean the transfer of the Carso plateau toAustria's hereditary enemy. Vienna will be only about one hundredmiles away, and Triest, which dominates the Adriatic, will fall into thepossession of the Italians. Italy's effectiveness will then suddenlyincrease three fold at least. Cordona, her generalissimo, has gonescientifically about his stupendous task of reducing the Austrian forts.With that done, the work of Italy will take on a more picturesqueaspect. The Serbian Campaign. Greatest interest during the past three PASSING EVENTS 477 months has centered about the German drive through the Balkans.Serbia has been wiped out so far as possession of the country goes.That, however, does not decide Serbia's fate. The great decision mustbe reached elsewhere. It was reasonably certain from the beginningthat Bulgaria would join the Germans because the people they hateso intensely, the Serbians, were with the entente powers. The Frenchand English could not reach the Balkans in time to save the Serbs,but it looks now as if they were masters of Saloniki, the most import-ant sea port of the Mediterranean, from the standpoint of the block-ade. While the south to Constantinople is opened it will be greatlymenaced as long as the allies are at Saloniki. It makes the unionof the Turks and central powers more effective; it also makes theblockade of the allies more complete and more stringent. If Salonikicannot be taken by the Germans, Austrians, Turks and Bulgars, thelast named power will be chained to Macedonia; the first two willhave to change their southern army to new battle fronts, and theTurks will need a powerful army in Asia Minor. What about theadvance then, it will be asked, on the Suez Canal? Such an at-tack does not appear to the writer, at all feasible. It would mean abattle line 1,000 miles long from Asia Minor south and east. TheEnglish could send a fleet into Akaba and menace it at a vulnerablepoint. Undoubtedly, the English will make lakes of the low depres-sions east of the canal and thereby reduce their Egyptian front toabout 50 miles. Allowing 5,000 soldiers to the mile for trench war,a number quite adequate, the English would need to defend theSuez not more than 250,000 men. A successful campaign could notbe planned by the Turks and Germans with fewer than 500,000. Theexpense of such a campaign would be the most enormous thus farincurred in the war. Even if successful the loss of men would exceedanything yet recorded. The Turkish and the central powers have neither the men nor themoney to spare. It may safely be predicted that the Germans will notsend many men to Egypt. They may equip the Turkish army withgenerals. What if the Germans and Turks got Egypt? The gamewould not be worth the powder. It would make the trip to the Pacifictwo weeks longer by way of the Cape. It would not menace India,and for a couple of years, Egypt could not furnish Germany, withmany supplies. The instant India is menaced, Japan will be brought toher feet by reason of the Anglo-Japanese treaty. I can t very well re-frain from remarking that the Germans are too good strategists towaste many men on Egypt. The Russian Front. Since last October the Germans have madeno advancement along the eastern front. It must be remembered thatGerman success must come from a completely successful offensive,and on both the eastern and western front. There has never beensuch a military power in all the history of the world as Germany's.It is a marvel, is it strong enough to meet the European world inarms? If not, how can it be defeated? Where the ultimate decision rests. In the final analysis it is aquestion of sea power. Germany must find some way of breaking theblockade or go to London for peace. Agriculturally, Germany is thepoorest country of Europe. Her marvelous manufacturing industriesmust have the markets of the world, especially those of the westernhemisphere. Without them she must starve industrially. Shecan't live by bread alone. Belgium decides nothing. Poland countsfor little and Serbia cuts little figure as long as the seas and theircommerce are closed to Germany. If the central powers conquered allEurope, the control of the seas would still be an open question. TheGermans cannot land in England.—Dr. J. M. Tanner. Priesthood Studies. Hunks may be ordered from the [Mprovemeni Era, asfollows: Study Outlines for the Melchizedek Priesthood and Priests, for thebook "Jesus the Christ," 5 cents; "The Apostolic Age" for teachers, 15 cents;"Experiences of Early Church Leaders and Members," for deacons, 15 cents. The winners for the January story contest: J. Arthur Jlornc, Salt LakeCity, "Into the Light;" Elsie Chamberlain Carroll, J thaca, New York, "Wash-ington Lincoln's Mud-daub;" Bertha A. Klcinman, "Jn Line with the SpugMovement," Mesa, Arizona. Fourteen stories were received for February,and the winners will be named in the next number. Send your stories in forMarch 5. No "Hiking" on the Sabbath Day. The question having arisen among theM. I. A. Boy Scouts as to whether, leaving home on Saturday afternoon, itwould be proper for them to stay out in the mountains over Sunday providedthey met Sunday morning for religious exercises,—the General Board at arecent meeting decided that "we do not feel at liberty to sanction any 'hikes'that include any portion of the Sabbath Day." In this connection the officersof the M. I. A. and scout officers will please remember the slogan for whichthe Mutual Improvement Associations stand: "We Stand for a Sacred Sab-bath and a Weekly Half Holiday." Improvement Era, March, 1916 Two Dollars per Annum with Manual FreeEntered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter.Address, 20 Bishop's Building, S alt Lake City, Utah Joseph F. Smith, Editors Heber J. Grant, Business Manager Edward H. Anderson, Moroni Snow, Assistant Ancient Ruins at Casas Grandes Frontispiece "Good-bye, Bill." A Poem Frank C. Steele 383 A Son of Perdition William A. Hyde 385 Come Unto Him. A Poem Theo. E. Curtis 394 Glimpses of Villa's Army. Illustrated Grace Zenor Pratt 395 Significance of the Fall Orson F. Whitney 402 The Great Event. A Story Ida Stewart Peay 404 The Promised Land. A Poem George R. Lyon 4 Social Activities in the High School L. J. Muir Promises of Spring. A Poem Ethel Jarvis 4 Human History not Explained by Evolution. Robert C. Webb 41 Thy Holy Will, a Poem Ila Fisher 4 Is Man Immortal?.—III Joseph F. Smith, Jr 42' Into the Light. Prize Story .J. Arthur Home 432 Our Father Knows Ruby Harrison 442 Outlines for Scout Workers.. .Illustrated Delbert W. Parratt, B. S.. . 443 All That You Dream. A Poem Theo. E. Curtis 446 The New President of the University of Utah. Edward H. Anderson 447 Improvements in the Logan Temple Edna L. Smith 458 Editors' Table—"Receiving" the Holy Ghost. .First Presidency 460 Break Away from the Cigarette 461 A Baby Week 463 An Expression of Approval First Presidency 464 Messages from the Missions 464 Priesthood Quorums' Table 468 Mutual Work 469 Passing Events 474 A BOOK WELL WORTHREADING IS After 20 Years By Dr. Geo. W. Middlet$iL Dr. John A. Widtsoe says ofthis book: "i Tter Twenty Years" shouldbe read widely, for it will steadythe ■ young who have no back-ward glance to help them, andwill stimulate, with joy, thosewho are older." Apostle Reed Smoot says: "I wish this book was in ev-ery American home." PRICE $1.25 POSTPAID DESERET Sunday School UnionBOOK STORE 44 East on South TempleSALT LAKE CITY ?BOUZEKJIGRJWjNGCOi l-S-UTUKECITXUUH Joseph Smith As Scientist By Dr. John A. Widtsoe One of the best scientific exposi-tions of the teachings of theProphet Joseph Smith yet pub-lished. PRICES: Cloth Binding 75c Paper Binding 25c Send orders to MORONI SNOW, General Secretary,20-22 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City. Telephone, trasatch 351 Jos. Wm. Taylor Utah's Leading Undertakerand Licensed Embalmer Fine Funeral Chapel, Private Parlor,Show Rooms and Morgue OFFICE OPEN DAT AND NIGHT 21, 23 and 23 South West Temple StreetSALT LAKE CITY, UTAH B thletic Organizations Both Church and School willfind it greatly to their profit to consult us about their Season9s Requirements. Send postal ior 150 page free catalog and for information about our special pricesto clubs. % BROWNING BROS. CO., Ogden, Utah WHEN WRITING TO ADVERTISERS, PL,E4§E MENTION THE IMPROVEMENT ERA r "Utah's Most PopularMusic House" ^ Here are some of the thingswe will give away FREE Sewing MachineHall Chime ClockMotocycleGold Watch Kitchen CabinetMorris Chair Daynes-Beebe Music Co. (Y.J.) Please send me full particulars of yourFREE Premium Plan. This places meunder absolutely no obligation. 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