Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-04-28
CURRENT EVENTS.

CURRENT EVENTS.
Another dull week has passed so Tar
as war news is concerned. The latest
from the front is that both armies are
entrenching themselves along the Yalu-
the Japanese on the east bank, and the
Russians on the west-the lines extend
ing from the coast to ten miles above
the town of Wiju, or thirty miles in all.
The flanking movements of the Japs
have not yet developed. When these
two armies come together the world
will probably see its greatest slaughter
of humanity. A cablegram the other
day stated that the battleship Petro-
pavloysk carried $12,0OO,O00 in money
in her safes when she went to the bot
tom of the sea, which, if true, is anoth-
er instance of the recklessness and stu
pidity the Russians have shown on the
water.
The war with Japan is rousing Rus
sia to the execution Of great public
WORK long planned but long neglected
that is, the canal that is to connect the
Black sea with the Baltic. At the
present moment the need of such
canal is obvious. In this one year of
storm and stress it might well be worth
more than it's entire cost; for with such
q waterway open Russia could snap her
fingers at the prohibition at the Dar-
danelles. Her Black Sea feet could
make its exit into the Baltic, and thus
be available for service in the Far East,
instead Of lying idle in this hour OF ur-
gent need.
The war in Colorado, following the
strike by the Western Federation OF
Miners is not the only strike-war going
on in the world. One of the most ex-
tensive strikes that ever happened has
occurred and is now proceeding on the
railroads of Hungary with the result
that the business of that country is COM
pletely demoralized, that tons OF pro-
visions have gone to waste, and that in
some communities the spectre OF fam
inc is in sight. To the railroad system
alone the loss is computed at 100000
daily, while the indirect loss to the pub
lie is far in excess Of that sum. The
government is making strenuous efforts
to arrange some kind of settlement, but
at last reports it had not been able to
come to terms with the strikers, and
the issue Of the struggle remains un-
certain. 1t is distinctive feature of
the conflict. and one which aggravates
its gravity, that in Hungary all rail-
roads are owned and operated by the
State, 30 that the disturbance may
easily acquire political as well as an
economic significance
The approaching presidential election
has had no effect on the money market.
and during the past few weeks the rail
roads Of the country have borrowed
$500, ,000, 900 ON one-and- two-year notes.
This is interesting as showing where the
confidence Of the public lies. Munich
pal bonds are low and with all the
plethora of money there is hesitancy
such as always exists when boom times
have passed. Now the situation is that
there is money enough for legitimate
channels. There is hesitation in the
speculative world and there seems no
present prospect of change Railway
earnings are not quite up to last year.
The earnings of industrials are not at
top notch, yet the condition Of things is
good because the liquidation apparently
has passed and there is no fear of the
future. The coming months bid fair to
be quiet, but there is no reason for
pessimism except in the realm of spec
ulation. Bank exchanges are good, and
and the complaint is only in spots and
especially from those who want to get
rich quick.
During the past few days lot more
of political speeches that will not change
vote in the country have been let
loose in the Honse at Washington. Con-
gress is well up with its work and the
members must have their fun. The
Senate discussed and passed the Sun
dry Civil bill and agreed to $137. 000, 900
for pensions. The House considered
the General Deficiency bill. There now
remain for the Senate to tackle bat the
General Deficiency and the Military
Academy bills and then the appropria-
ton measures will be wound up. Not
all of them have gone to the President
for his signature, for there have been
some differences which must be settled
in conference committees, but the most
Of the work is done and there will be
little new legislation to bother about,
The Smoot inquiry was opened up
again and developed along the line. of
the connection of the Mormon Church
with politics. The great point is TO
discover whether man can be n Nor
mon and at the same time be good
citizen Of the United States-whether
his obligations to Mormonism do not
outweigh his obligations to his country.
There will be no report to the Senate
from the investigating committee at
this session. The subject is altogether
too deep and important a one to be
dealt with hastily. There must be a
searching inquiry if we are to get at
the bottom Of things, and tina. inquiry
Is likely to be had.
The New Fever.