The Lamar register., 1905-01-11

| in almost the same words. In the course
of the year treaties of arbitration were
arranged between the United States and
France. Great Britain and Spain. Great
Britain and Italy. Great Britain and Ger
many, Frnnce and Italy. Spain and Por-
tuGal. France and Sweden and Norway
Bolivia and Peru. and between a. num-
Der of other nations All the important
powers OF the world with the exception
Of Russia and Japan now have agree
ments of this sort and when the present
war between the two countries named
Is concluded they will doubtless follow
the example OF the others.
The Year in Europe
In Europe. outside of Russia the year
was rather uneventful. The church ques-
uon continued to occupy the attention
OF france. Efforts to upset the policy
OF the government failed and the prob
lem seems to be in a fair way of be-
ing permanently and peacefully settled.
In Germany, where commercial depres-
sion has existed for some time. things
have taken turn for the better Trade
has improved. the factories are busy
and fewer persons are without employ
ment In Servia Peter Karagcorgeyitch
was crowned king and for the present
anairs In that restless little state are
comparatively quiet.
OF Importance to the families involved
were the births OF heirs to the thrones
OF Russia and Italy
In spite of ths granting of greater re-
iigious freedom. the modification OF the
exile system and promised reforms and
in spite Of the fact that the country had
a great war on its hands serious internal
troubles disturbed the authorities of
Russia Won Plehve. minister of the
interior and secretary Of state for Fin
land. was assassinated July &c in St.
Petersburg. Riots occurred in st. Pc
tersburg, Moscow and other cities in De-
cembcr in which many persons were
injured and number reported killed.
Appeals FOR local self government were
made by the zemstVoS and were list
oned to 10y the czar but not granted.
The struggle between the reform and
conservative parties promises to be one
Of the features of Russian internal his
tory in the coming year.
Iassa. the mysterious city Of Tibet
Is a mystery no longer. \ British mill
tary-polItical expedition entered its sa-
scred precincts last summer and brought
the unwilling lanas TO terms
Panama Canal Begun.
In GlancinG back at the history of the
year in the United States the one fact
that stands out more prominently than
all the rest Is the beginning of work on
the great Panama canal Only begin
ming has been made but it has brought
the project out OF the domain of specu-
lation into that of reality.
National Politics.
For presidential election yenr ls0i
was unpreccdentedly quiet politically
The national conventions. with the ex-
ception Of that Of the democratic party
aroused only passing interest. At the
republican gathering in June the nomi-
nation of Theodore Roosevelt was fore
gone conclusion. The choice of Senator
Fairbanks for the vice presidency was
made without contest. At the demo-
cratic convention the situation was dif-
ferent- No one knew beforehand who
the nominees were to be. nor the exact
character of the platform to be adopted.
The proceedings were followed with in
terest from day to day until Parker and
Davis were nominated and the position
of the party on the financial question
was declared. Roosevelt and Fairbanks
Were elected by n larger plurality than
had been generally looked for. Even
Missouri chose republican electors.
though electing a democratic governor.
When the result of the election in the
states had become known Mr.. Roosevelt
Immediately issued statement declar-
ing that under no circumstances would
he again be candidate for president on
the ground that he was opposed to the
thIrd-term principle.
Commercial Prosperity
Commercially the year was one of
general prosperity for the whole of the
United States. Trade OF all kinds was
good. prices were maintained and COM
plants on the part of business men
were infrequent. There was n cessa-
;ion in the formation Of gigantic trusts.
rarity because some Of them had proved
-allttS 50 lar rs IdNlis was
concerned and partly because the anti
trust legislation Of congress was feared
by the promoters The decision against
the Northern Securities company was
affirmed by the United States Supreme
court in March. putting end to that
particular kind of combination. The
union of railroads In regard to rates was
the subject OF much comment after the
presidents message to congress was
published. Legislation by congress Civ
II, IA. int ur1lts lon
power to enforce its rate decisions
was strongly urged in many quarters
and the Indications are that this ques-
tion will be taken up by the lawmakers
in the near future
National Finances.
The finances of the nation remained In
good shape. though the cash in the
treasury was reduced by the part pay
ment of some $4,000. 600 to the old Pan
anna canal company and Of $40. 200. 900 to
the republic OF Panama for the canal
right of way. 1t was recognized that re-
trenchmcnt in public expenditures was
necessary and congress was urged to
exercise greater economy in making ap-
propriatious. The navy was made an
exception Ia this program, the general
desire beiI &; to strengthen this arm of
the natiorfi defense and not to retald
its development in any degree.
Many Railroad Disasters.
Railroad accidents were more than
ordinarily frequent and serious. To
enumerate them in detail would require
much more space than has been allotted
to this review. but few may be mcn-
toned. In July twenty-five were killed
and htty-eight injured on the Wabash
road at Litchheld, III. and sixteen We're
! Killed and fifty-eiEht injured on the Erie
road at Nidvale. y. j.; in the same
month sixteen were killed and eighty in
| jured on the Eastern Illinois road at
! Glenwood. Ill; in August train on the
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