Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-31
REVIEW OF EVENTS AND TENDENCIES OF PAST YEAR

whole status of southeastern Europe
as fixed by the treaty of Berlin QSIS
was suddenly altered. Bulgaria pro-
claimed it's independence, with Prince
Ferdinand as its car and at the
same time by concerted arrangement
Austria announced to the powers that
she proposed to annex completely the
former Turkish provinces of Here
govina and Bosnia, while the Turkish
island of Crete moved toward a union
with Greece. War seemed unavoid-
able then, and the clouds still lower
In the diplomatic sky as a gloomy
omen of what the new year may have
in store. The prompt action of the
powers on motion of Russia in agree
ing to hold a conference to readjust
| the balance in the Balkans, the open
| ing of negotiations between Bulgaria
and Turkey and the military impo-
tence of Servia and Montenegro COM
. bined to prevent an immediate out
break. Later Turkey began Il boycott
| of Austrian goods, and all the Balkan
states prepared for war
| PORTUGAL-The ferment of Re-
publicanism in the Portuguese mon
archy after long restraint found vent
/ In the assassination of King Carlos and
! Crown Prince Luiz Feb. l while they
were riding in the streets of Lisbon
The younger son, Manuel, who was
slightly wounded, succeeded to the
throne, and the hated Premier Franco
fed the country. Subsequent elections
showed the Conservatives still in a
large majority.
MOROCCO.-On Aug. "A the oft re-
peated story of the defeat of Sultan
Abdul AZiz by the forces of the pre-
tender. Mulai Hafid, proved to be true,
and the latter demanded recognition
of the powers as the sultan. That was
| where the German emperor made n
peck of trouble by recognizing Hafid
without consulting the nations in the
Algeciras conference. France firmly OBJ
jected. Spain seconded, and the kaiser
"came down. Then they all bowed
to Hafid together.
| PERSIA.-The Radical first parlia-
ment at Teheran under the constitu-
ton granted in 1907 was wiped out OF
existence in a bloody battle with the
shah's soldiers June %. 400 persons lie,
ing killed in the streets. the parliament
buildings battered down and some OF
the Radical leaders executed. The rev
olutionists captured and held Tabriz.
JAPAN.-The Japanese government
gave the American feet wonderful
reception, the mikado and the presi
dent exchanging most cordial greetings
CHINA. = On Nov Is Emperor
Kwang Seu and the dowaCer empress
who had been for generation the
zeal ruler of China, died. Pu VI. the
infant son of Prince Chun. had beer
designated as heir to the throne. ant
the regency was seized by Prince Chun
CENTRAL AMERICA lowered 81
the verge Of war. but finally the issue
were laid before the new Contra
American court of justice which wa:
set up May 90 at Carriage, Costa RIGA
with all the states represented.
VENEZUELA added Holland 70 tn,
list Of her "don't speak, neighbors b,
expelling the Dutch minister for som,
indiscretion. and the Dutch were no
for coercion. They began war Dec. I:
by capturing the Venezuelan coas
guard ship, Alix. Sleeper. the American
minister, finally broke off relations ant
quit the country owing to the failure
of the Castro government respondin:
t to the ovsrtures from Washington a
l TO a settlement of claims. The Vene
zuelan minister later was recalled
: from Washington. President Castr
! sailed for Europe the last of November
, CUBA rose to her new opportunit.
with orderly elections in December
Jose Miguel Gomez. the Liberal leader
: being chosen president.
HAITI was torn by two revolts, tina
led by Juneau and Firmin in Januar
being crushed, but the second, unde
Antoine Simon. resulting in the blood
less capture of Port au Prince and tn
> fall of the Nord Alexis government
: Dec. .. AS the forces of Simon az
: preached the capital the officers O
: Alexis deserted aud the people turne,
E against him, so that he was barel
= able to escape with his life on boar
a French warship. Simon took posses
. sion of the city and on Dec. II wa
I elected president by the Haitian COY
gress.