The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-29
Copyright. 1883. BY the Assoelated Pressl

Copyright. 1899 by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Jan. 2S.-The number Of Brit
ish war ships now building amounts to 80
vessels. ranging from the heaviest battle
ships to the tiny torpedo boat destroyers.
the figures being sixteen frst-class iron
clads, thirty-six cruisers, fourteen sloops
and g1nboats and ffty-three torpedo boat
destroyers. Chatham dockyard is credited
with the unparalleled achievement Of
launching three Of the heaviest battle ships
from the same slip within ten months. The
armored ships building. at cost Of s26,-
100000 number twenty-eight, with ton
mage of over $4,000 tons. the number ex-
ceeding by two the entire Russian fleet of
battle ships and treble the number of
armored vessels in the American navy.
The whole of these ships will be added to
the effective strength of the British navy
by March, 1903, while the first lord Of the
admiralty Mr.. George J. GOschen, in two
months time will ask the House of Com
mons for credits to still further strengthen
the British feet
The Earl OF Meath came forward this
week as the pioneer of scheme of military
drill for all lads between thirteen and eight
cen years of age. A committee called the
British brigade council has been formed to
carry out the plans, and Field Marshal Lord
Wolseley, the commander-in-chief of the
forces, General Lord Roberts, Of Kandahar
the commander of the forces in Ireland
and a number of other prominent men have
written in the support Of the movement
which is intended to create a sort of second
line Of volunteers. The War Office will be
asked to provide a capitalization grant for
these cadet battalions. The Earl of Meath
anticipates enrolling 900 lads, who will
eventually be converted into a useful
trained reserve, so that the future, in time
Of grave emergency of the government, will
have on hand hundreds of thousands of
young men already qualified to enter the
ranks Of the regular army.
Queen Victoria is taking keen interest in
the developments of the ritualstc contro-
versy which is approaching a crisis. She
Is much concerned about the dissensions in
the church, and has expressed strong de-
sire that an understanding be arrived at
between the government and bishops before
the proposed legislation places a check On
the ritualistic practices introduced Her
Majesty has been in communication with
the Marquis Of Salisbury on the subject.
She has always taken an active personal
part in the administration of the crown and
public patronage, and contributes literally
from her private purse to nearly all the
charities in behalf of the poorer clergy and
their families. While 1t is a noteworthy
fact that she has never contributed to any
foreign missionary society her occasional
attendance at the CTathie Presbyterian
Church, which she helped to build, gave
OHenSe 10 the hlgh churcn papers, one OF
which characterized her broad religious
spirit thus eXemplified deadly schism'
and ''uncOnstitutional." Recently, however,
FFa nFNripn 1T E(aI r0OY have hapTa hald in
the private chapel, The visit of the bishop
of Winchester, the Rt. Rev. Randall Thomas
Davidson, d. D., to Sir William Vernon Har-
court. is considered significant, and is at
TribLted to the desire of the Queen to en-
deavor to arrange compromise acceptable
TO both sides, the bishop of Winchester be-
ing a particular confidant of her Majesty
in church matters.
The chief event this week has been the
dismissal Of two curates of St. Agnes
Church, Liverpool, by their bishop, in con-
sequence Of complaints of their pulpit adj
vocacy Of aurieular confession.
The remains of the late Earl Poulet were
buried in the family vault in the parish
church Of Hinton st. George, on Thursday.
The earls coronet was carried in front of
the funeral cortege by his valet. A great
crowd was present in view of the expected
presence of the so-called "organ-grinder
claimant but the people were disappointed.
The claimant who now styles himself Earl
Poul t. did not attend, being seriously i'll
and eak as the result Of an attack of acute
rheumatism Hinton House, the family seat,
as locked up and guarded by police and the
servants OF the estate, in consequence of a
report that the claimant intends to attempt
q forcible entry in order to assert his rights.
Great excitement prevails in the little SOM
erset village of Hinton st. George, where
the estates lie. The Poulet estates are sit
uated in the best part of the country, and
cover an area of II goo acres.
Sir Thomas Upton, owner of the Amer
teas cup challenger, has arranged with Mr..
Peter Donaldson. owner of the yacht Isolde,
to represent him on board the yacht which
VIII defend the cup.
Lively scenes have occurred ct Bristol in
connection with the Mormon propaganda
there. Elder Herbert l.. James, of Salt Lake
City, heads the mission. An anti-Mormon
league has been formed, and it's members
attack the meetings Of Mormons. The po-
lice, consequently. are Obliged to guard the
mission house. Violent anti-AIormon post
ers have been displayed in the streets and
mob smashed every window of the mis-
sion house at the last meeting, and hooted
stoned and spat upon the elders when they
emerged INTO the streets To women mis-
ssonartes were compelled to seek refuge in a
police station. Elder James expects a, seri-
ous disturbance at the next meeting.
The weather in England during the past
week has been bright and frosty. London
however, has been devoid of social events
But with the opening of Parliament and
the early drawing rooms. February promises
revival of gayeties. The Queen does not
start for Ciemez until March 9, but prepara-
lions are already making for her trip to the
south of France. The Duke and Duchess of
Connaught are spending the winter in Italy.
A sister of Lord Curzon of Kedleston. the
Hon. Margaret Georgiana Curzon, was mar
ried on Thursday to an Irish gentleman
named Waller in the picturesque Norman
church at kedleston- Among the presents
was grand piano from Lady Curzon.
Senior Rafael Iglesias, the President of
Costa Rica, leaves England next week for
Paris. where he will stay three weeks and
then go 10 New York and Washington. He
has expressed himself as sanguine that the
railroad now building from the Atlantic to
san Juan viii be extended to the Pacific
The President has also said that Costa Riea
viii welcome the American project TO build
the Nicaragua canal, and added that Costa
hica viii freely give the necessary land
nIFFICIIT ELIMINATION