The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-23
FORECAST OF NEWS
CHRISTMAS HAS THE ARENA FOR
 THE WEEK.
Fixed Sources of News Being EIimin- ated by the Holidays, Interest Largely Centers in Happen
 inxs Abroad.

The holiday season removes from the week most of the fixed sources of news placing Congress in recess. largely sus- pending conventions and gatherings of various organizations and generally reducing the news events that can be anticipated.
 The larger interest therefore. will center in happenings abroad.
 At St. Petersburg, the trial of Gen eral Stoessel will continue with prom ise of more sensational disclosures con- corning the defense of Port Arthur and revelations of administrative secrets of the war with Japan. Count witte's action in seeking the press as a medi- um of reply to General Stoesseps state ments when he was refused permission to testify at the trial. is looked upon as possibly the first of many develop ments of a sensational character that will result from the official stirring of the muddy waters of Russian official dom.
 In Berlin, the trial of Herr Harden editor of Die Zukunft, on the charge of libelling Count von Moltke in his ex- Dosures concerning the now famous "court scandal.' will continue, unless the efforts making to bring about & private agreement are successful. The proceedings containing the most shock ing portions of the session are being held In brivate.
 The Japanese Diet will assemble on Wednesday for its twenty fourth ses- sion, and the number of extremely grave questions which will confront it promise to make the session one of unusual importance The opposition is said to be prepared to vigorously op- pose the Budget formerly decided upon by the Imperial Council few days ago, and which contemplates large re- franahnaNt in the nnhIi0 aYnandtfnrau The emigration question also promises to be prolific of partisan debate. The progressive party already has announc- ed its determination to promote an act- i've campaign in the Diet against the governments restrictive policy and to support the emigration companies, whose business Is imperiled by Foreign Minister Hayashfs action in exercising vigorous control over their operations, particularly in limiting the sending of lahOrers to this country and Canada
 The situation in Persia arising from the conflict between the throne and tho Constitutionalists, although now re- ported as being more reassuring is still regarded as critical. For the present the danger of a clash seems to have been averted. but the attitude of the factions is described as being one of alertness and preparedness to resume the state of armed menace which for the past week threatened bloodshed in Teheran. Late dispatches picture a widespread unrest from which developments might occur that would bring about the necessity of foreign in- tervention with its attendant European complications. The national feeling against the Shah Is reported to be spreading. Two provinces have de- clared in favor.-of his being deposed and there Is some likelihood that the AEd AOfr heran may spread. Sh hould the Shah refuse the demands which the Parlia- ment Is expected to make upon him. his dethronement might follow and an acute crisis be immediately precipi- tated with the likelihood of grave in- ternal disorders.
 On Christmas Eve. the battleship fleet will drop anchor off the port of Spain. Trinidad and complete the first leg of the impressive voyage to the Pacific. Tn that ancient little port the 13 900 officers and men of the armada will ceIebrate Christmas with festivities and feasting aboardship for all, shore and sh ore liberty for the lucky ones. Tons of reasonable good things were laid in before the fleet left home wa ters and all hands will enjoy a break in the customary rations of deep sea voyaging. For five days the ships will lie at port of Spain, where the officials and citizens have arranged an elabor- ate program of enterta cment.
 On Saturday the battleships will head southward for the long run down to