Passing Events

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PASSING EVENTS

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Henry James, the novelist, died in London, England, February28, 1916, age 72.

Mrs. E. L. Hanks, Charleston, Utah, mother of Cory Hanks, diedat the Provo hospital, February 17.

David R. Francis, former governor of Missouri and former Secre-tary of the Interior, was announced by President Wilson as ambas-sador to Russia in place of George T. Marye, resigned.

The Panama Canal, it is expected, will be open for deep draftvessels, again, on or about April 15. Three United States vessels,with a draft of 21 feet, passed safely through on March 16.

The British government has been requested by Ambassador Pageto explain the recent act of the cruiser "Laurentic" in removingthirty-eight Germans, Austrians and Turks from the Americansteamer "China" off Shanghai.

General Felix Diaz left New Orleans for Havanna on February26. It was rumored, at the time, that he was connected with thenew Mexican revolt in the city of Oaxaca, and that he was planningan uprising against the Carranza government in Mexico.

The fall of Erzerum, about the middle of February, was precededby the massacre of thousands of Armenians who were slain beforethe city was evacuated. Great rejoicing took place in Petrograd, andother cities of Russia, when the fall of the city was announced.

Grace L. Stromness, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Strom-ness, and born Park City, Nov. 5, 1896, died in Salt Lake City, March11. 1916. She attended school and was at one time a worker forthe Telephone Company. Her father is at present on a mission inNorway.

A treatv with Haiti was ratified by the Senate of the UnitedStates, on February 28, which virtually establishes an American pro-tectorate over that country. The United States will supervise the na-tional finances and collect the customs. A native constabularyunder American officers, will police the country.

A new treaty with Nicaragua was ratified by the Senate of theUnited States February 18, by a vote of fifty-five to eighteen. TheUnited States acquires a ninety-nine year option on the Ni araguancanal route, and a naval base in the gulf of Fonseca, for three mil-lion dollars. The treaty with Columbia is still pending.

Richard Winter, son of Arthur and Hannah Winter, died Feb-ruary 18, 1916, in Salt Lake City, of pneumonia. He was twenty-one year's of age. born in Salt Lake City, a graduate of the L. D. S.High School and he bad also attended the University of Utah. His

570 IMPROVEMENT ERA

father is a leading clerk in the office of the First Presidency ofthe Church.

Forty British vessels were torpedoed and sunk, without warning,during 1915, according to a compilation of the British admiralty.Fourteen neutral vessels similarly treated are named of which two,the "Gulflight" and "Nehraskan" were American vessels. Passenger-carrying service between the United States and England, was sus-pended by the White Star Line, on March 1, 1916, which is an in-dication that its ships will be devoted hereafter to the carrying ofmunitions of war.

Americans killed in Mexico. According to a statement sent toCongress by President Wilson, in answer to a resolution of inquiry bythe Senate, it is shown that, during 1913, 1914, and 1915, ninety-sixAmerican civilians and sixteen soldiers—one hundred twelve altogether—were killed as a result of border fighting. During the same yearseighty-seven Mexicans were killed in the United States and five byshots across the border.

Carmen Sylva, Queen Elizabeth of Rumania, recently died. Herdeath removes from the royal family of Europe one of its kindliestmembers. She was well known in the United States for her literarywork, she having contributed to many of the leading weeklies of thiscountry for many years. She was born in Germany, December 29,1843, and wrote verses with facility when ten years of age. She be-came especially proficient in languages. She married Prince Charlesof Rumania in 1869. Her writings in book form are numerous andwell known.

The French cruiser "La Provence" was sunk in the Mediterraneanon the 26th of February. There were nearly four thousand men,mostly soldiers, on board when the ship was sunk. The destruction ofthis cruiser is the world's greatest marine disaster. Nearly all whowere on board were soldiers, and out of the total number only 743were saved. It is the greatest ocean disaster of all times. The largestloss, prior to that time was the White Star liner "Titanic" which wentdown, April 14, 1912, with a death list of 1505. "La Provence" wasengaged in transporting French troops.

A pretty celebration of Washington's birthday was given by theamateur wireless operators, mostly boys, throughout the UnitedStates. They awaited a message of instruction on the night of the21st, from Davenport, Iowa, and when it came, at midnight, each boyrelayed it eastward, in his turn, till it reached the Harvard wirelessclub, who delivered it to a delegation of boy scouts, one of whomread it aloud from the Lexington town hall. It read: "A democ-racy requires that a people who govern and educate themselves shouldbe so armed and disciplined that they can protect themselves."

The new Tenth ward chapel, Salt Lake City, was dedicated Sun-day, February 13. The dedicatory sermon and prayer was deliveredby President Joseph F. Smith. In his preliminary talk, he com-mended the people of the ward on their policy of keeping out ofdebt. He cited the fact that the ward had not paid a dollar ofinterest, for they had not borrowed anything, but gradually paid theconstruction cost as the building was erected. In a general way headvised that wards do not go into debt to build their chapels. Presi-

• PASSING EVENTS 571

dent Smith incidentially mentioned that at present there were sev-enty-one other chapels in the Church, under construction or beingremodeled. The Tenth ward chapel has cost about $20,000, and theward reported a balance of $26 in the treasury.

Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells' 88th birthday anniversary was cele-brated February 29, at the Hotel Utah. The veteran President of theRelief Society was seated as the guest of honor at the head of thelong table, at the luncheon tendered by the General Board of theRelief Society. The occasion was, in fact, the twenty-first birthdayof Mrs. Wells as she was born February 29, her birthday coming onlyon leap years. Following the enjoyable luncheon a reception washeld on the mezzanine floor of the hotel at which over eight hun-dred promiment people attended. The Long Beach, California, ReliefSociety sent congratulations and a large bouquet of Calla lilies, eighty-eight in number, one for each of her years. We join with her manyfriends throughout the country in congratulating this stalwart woman,not only on her reaching 88 years, but on the splendid achievementsof her busy and noble life.

New York City is oronounced the largest city in the world, hav-ing now a population of a million people more than London. So weare informed in an article in the World's Work for March, by JamesMiddleton. The total population of Australia—4,900,000, is not solarge as that of New York. Taking in a radius of fifteen miles fromthe city, an example which they follow in London, New York has apopulation of 7,500,000 which is 300,000 greater than London's metro-politan area. New York City has a larger population than Colorado,Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona,Utah, and one-half of Texas. The average increase in the city'spopulation for the last ten years has been 135,000 a year, which wouldequal an addition to New York City each year of a population aslarge as that of Salt Lake City and Ogden combined. Imagine twocities of this size being added to New York every twelve months!

Our New Secretary of War is Newton C. Baker, formerly mayorof Cleveland, Ohio. His name was sent to the senate on March7, by President Wilson. After the resignation of Lindley M. Garri-son, February 10, Major General Hugh L. Scott, was designated chiefof staff, ad interim, for 30 days. The new secretary is 44 yearsold, and was born at Martinsburg, West Va. He acted as private sec-retary to Postmaster General Wilson, in Cleveland's cabinet. Hebegan law practice in 1897, and, moving to Cleveland, became citysolicitor in 1902, acting for ten years, until his election as mayor.He is regarded highly as a lawyer; the office he now holds has oftenquestions of law to be considered. He was a pupil of President Wilson'sat Johns Hopkins, and holds degrees also from Washington and LeeUniversities. The members of the cabinet are now: Robert Lansing,secretary of state; William G. McAdoo, secretary of the treasury;Newton C. Baker, secretary of war; Thomas W. Gregory, attorneygeneral; Albert S. Burleson, postmaster general; Josephus Daniels,secretary of the navy; Franklin K. Lane, secretary of the interior;David F. Houston, secretary of agriculture; William C. Redfield,secretary of commerce; and William B. Wilson, secretary of labor.

The Mexican situation came to the front again in the latter partof February and early part of March. On the 9th of March a num-ber of Americans were killed at Columbus, New Mexico, when an

572 IMPROVEMENT ERA

attempted wholesale massacre of the inhabitants was made by Fran-cisco Villa, the Mexican bandit leader. With an army of from eighthundred to a thousand men he attacked the town and as a result ninecivilians and eight soldiers were killed and a number of houses burned.Villa was finally driven off by the troops and pursued, after he tookabout 100 cavalry horses, his soldiers being put to flight, and twohundred of them are said to have been killed, and many wounded.This resulted in a punitive force of not less than 5,000 men being or-dered by President Wilson to cross the border to capture Villa, deador alive and disperse the bandits. The i ursuit was to be under the di-rection of General Frederick Funston. Carranza was informed ofthe action, and hopes expressed that he would not object. He re-plied that no objection would be made if his troops, under like cir-cumstances, were permitted to cross the United States border. Thiswas granted; and on the 15th a large American force crossed intoMexico in pursuit of the bandits, under Brig. Gen. J. J. Pershing. The"Mormon" colonies, at first in grave danger, were reported safe, onthe 17th.

Mrs. Isabel McGhie Cummings, wife of Arthur F. Cummings anddaughter of, Patriarch James McGhie. died Monday, Janu ry 17,1916, at her home in Sugar House ward. She was born in Liverpool,England, December 15, 1859, and came to Utah with her parents inearly childhood. The funeral services were held in the Sugar Houseward chapel January 23, with Bishop W. L. Hansen presiding. Ap-propriate musical selections were given by the choir and soloists, andthe speakers were Bishop J. D. Cummings, of Wilford ward; ElderWilliam Thompson, of the High Council of the stake, PatriarchJohn M. Whitaker, and President Frank Y. Taylor. Former BishopGeorge Romney, of the 20th ward, offered the benediction. B. F.Cummings dedicated the grave at the cemetery. Six members of theHigh Council of Granite stake acted as pall bearers. Mrs. NellieDruce Pugsley sang, "Face to Face," and Miss Beatrice Crismonsang "Eventide." Mrs. Cummings was a lovable and kind womanand friend, noted for her faithfulness as a Church worker. Her zealin religious work and in aiding the sick and suffering, as well as thepoor, was well known to all members of the old Sugar House dis-trict. She had not held any public offices but her genial personality,her energy in Relief society work, and kindness to the poor, made herbeloved by all who knew her.

Germany's new rule of submarine warfare, under which armedmerchantmen are treated as warships, was put into effect on mid-night of February 29. This raised a new problem for our government.It was felt in Washington that our government would refuse to warnAmericans not to travel on armed liners, and that our governmentwould contend, with Great Britain and its allies, that merchant shipshave a right to be armed for defense, and that our citizens have a rightto travel on such ships, The Government notified Germany, throughAmbassador von Bernstorff, that it would not accept the German viewconcerning the right of submarines to sink without warning merchantvessels armed only for defense. A considerable party in Congress wereopposed to the administration stand, and it was feared that they wouldendeavor to force a resolution through Congress warning Americancitizens not to travel on merchant ships that carried any arms what-ever. The Swedish government, in the mean time, warned its sub-jects not to travel on armed merchant vessels belonging to warringpowers after February 29. President Wilson strongly insisted thatCongress stand by him in the American contention, and the result

PASSING EVENTS 573

was an overwhelming majority vote in the Senate against the movementto keep Americans off armed ships of belligerent nations. The House,on March 7, voted 276 to 142 for the President's contention. On thesame day, in the Senate, Senator Sutherland, of Utah, gave a strongspeech and stood squarely behind President Wilson in -his policy indealing with Germany in his submarine negotiations. Nearly halfthe Republicans in the House voted to stand with the President.

Canada's part in the War. When the conflict that set all Europeaflame broke out in August, 1914, Canada realized that the Mothercountry needed the assurance, from every part of her Dominions,that a united Empire stood behind her; in order to do her part forthe Mother Land, Canada promptly sent an offer to furnish 100,000men, which was appreciated and accepted. It was but a short time,however, until Canadians realized that further sacrifices would haveto be made, so that at present the aim is to keep a fighting force of200,000 men in Europe. Canadians have already won distinction onthe battle front in Flanders, for their courage and bravery. Recruit-ing is going on at a lively pace in the larger cities and towns, anotable feature being the variety of nationalities joining the colors.A great many adventurous Americans, have crossed the line to get ataste of modern warfare in Vancouver, a Japanese regiment is beingraised, and soon these sons of Nippon, will be fighting for the causeof their adopted country in a foreign land. Canada's sons, who re-main at home are loyally aiding the Patriotic Fund used to supportthe wives and children of soldiers, and provide for the cripplesthat are continually coming home from the front. All thoughts ofpolitical differences were shattered the other day, when Sir W.Laurier, leader of the opposition in the House of Commons, pre-sented a resolution to defer the general elections "until after thewar, thus placing confidence in the ability of the present administra-tion to cope with all conditions, arising. Canada, besides being ableto lend aid by way of men, is also a bulwark of strength in helpingto keep the Empire's bread basket full, the crop produced last yearbreaking all records, by far. The railroads, and terminal elevatorswere unable to cope with the situation, and as a result millions ofbushels of grain are scattered over the prairies, in grain bins, andthousands of grain stacks covered with snow, meet the spectator'sgaze at the present time. The hum of the thresher will be heard bythe farmer, in the spring, as he is busily engaged in seeding foranother harvest.—Earl Pingree, Magrath, Canada.

James Vincent Winter, son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Winter, ofSalt Lake City, a third-year student in the Latter-day Saints' Univer-sity, and seventeen years of age, was killed in a cave-in while digging-clay for a college tennis court which the student body were engaged inmaking on March 17, 1916. The tragedy caused great sorrow to thewhole student body, whose happy activities were so sadly stopped.

Asenath Annie Adams Kiskadden, mother of Maud Adams, thenoted actress, died in Salt Lake City, March 17, 1916. Her daughter,Maud, was at her bedside, also her brothers, D. H. Adams, of Rigby.and J. A. Adams, Salmon City, Idaho. Mrs. Kiskadden was born in alog cabin in Little Cottonwood canyon, Nov. 11, 1848, and was a notedand successful actress of early days, the daughter of Barnabas L.Adams and Julia Ann Banker; "her father was a pioneer of Utah, hav-ing come west with Brigham Young, in 1847.

James M. Clarke, Pana, Illinois: "We anxiously watch for the comingid the Era and get an abundance <>i encouragement and instruction from itspages. Our prayer is that this year it will reach more homes than ever before.-'

Binding Prices Raised. The Deseret News bindery has raised the price ofbinding on Eras from 50c for single volume, 1 book cloth, to 75c; and forsingle volume, 2 books, cloth, from 75c to $1.00. Subscribers sending involumes for binding will please take notice of the change in prices.

Stories Wanted. The winning story in the Improvement Era, Febru-ary contest, is, "The Valedictorian's Mother," by Myrtle Young, Morgan,Utah. The story which received second place is entitled, "The Coat of Mail,"by Ida Stewart Peay, Provo, Utah; third place, "Tendrilla," by Nephi Ander-son, Salt Lake City. Seventeen stories were submitted for the March 5 con-test, and the winning three will be named in the May Era . Three more con-tests will be held, April 5, May 5, June 5.

Improvement Era, April, 1916

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Shakespeare's Tomb Frontispiece

The Shakespeare Tercentenary Alfred Lambourne 479

A Pertinent Sermonet Frank R. Matheson 481

Shakespeare. A Poem with Illustrations Alfred Lambourne 484

Being Good for Something Frank S. Harris, Ph.D 488

Popular Novels 489

The Cape to Cairo Railroad. Illustrated Orville W. Cutler 490

The Gospel Nephi Jensen 493

Learn More. A Poem Viva Huish Ray 500

Miko. A Story M. A. Denoian 501

Richfield M. I. A Scouts 511, 536, 567

Traveling Over Forgotten Trails Hon. Anthony W. Ivins 512

The Life that Counts. A Poem A. W. S 515

The Book of Mormon Aspect of Preparedness John Cuthers 516

Human History Not Explained by Evolution.. Robert C. Webb 518

The Doctrine of the Resurrection Orson F. Whitney 524

Let Boy Scouts Plant Trees and Shrubs that

Attract Birds J. H. Paul 526

Poetic Eulogy to Green River and the Rocky

Mountains. Illustrated W. J. Stroud 530

What is a Character Worth? A Story Leila Marler Hoggan 532

New President of the Agricultural College of

Utah 537

When a Fellow's Lost His Job. A Poem Frank C. Steele 539

For the Consideration of Utah Citizens Edward H. Anderson 540

Freedom Versus Rum Fred Waldo Crockett 546

The Great War Dr. J. M. Tanner.: 547

Editors' Table—"Liberty in Utah" 553

"Are You Genial? Why?" 554

Tobacco "Does Not Make a Scrub; it

Marks Him" 554

A Gratifying Survey 555

The Truth About Booze 556

Messages from the Missions 557

Priesthood Quorums' Table P. Joseph Jensen 563

Mutual Work 565

Passing Events 569

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