The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-25
THE CATHOLIC BULLETIN, MARCH IS. 1eli

banking group" The actual CONSOLE
dation Of the three institutions has
been mooted, but was rejected as diff
cult or undesirable. Their virtual
union by interlocking directories will
mass banking capital of 100000, 900
surplus of $7000o,0O0, and deposits
Of nearly $550,OOO,OO0.
So marvellous has been the ameli-
Grafton of conditions in what was for
1nally the Congo Free State, and
which Is now Belgium's only colony
that King George and his government
have resolved to officially recognize
the Incorporation of this particularly
rich slice of the dark continent into
the dominions Of King Albert, and it
is probable that the United States gov
eminent will similarly acknowledge
the Transformation Of the Free State
into Belgian colony.
England and the United States are
the only two great powers that have
refrained from conceding this recog-
milton, taking the ground that they
had by the term of the treaties of
1884, creating the Free State, placed
themselves under certain obligations,
both with regard to the interest of
their own countrymen in that part of
Africa, and also in the matter of
the welfare of the natives.
The Canadian government has re-
Cd %ho% Se1o IF
the Bahama Islands had adopted
resolution inviting Canada to appoint
a committee to discuss the annexa-
ton Of the Islands.
In the event of annexation the
islands would be used as a winter
base on the Atlantic for the Canadian
navy. Canadian financial interests
are powerful on the islands
There is a very buoyant feeling in
administration circles in Washington
that the long hoped for and much dis
cussed arbitration treaty between
America and Great Britain, covering
every point that possibly may arise,
soon will be an accomplished fact.
This feeling, which grew with the
remarkable speech made by Sir Ed
ward Grey, in the British Parliament,
meeting President Taft's view on ar
bitration, point by point was further
encouraged by telegraph message
received at the State Department
from the American Embassy in Lon
don, saying that the entire press Of
England, government as well as oppo-
sition, was united in indorsing the
stand taken by the chief of the En-
glish Foreign Office.
This treaty will write into interna-
tional law President Taft's opinion,
several times expressed, that it would
be possible for at least two nations
to agree to submit all questions which
might arise, including those affecting
national honor, to a court of arbitra-
ton.
That the State of Tennessee will
soon become possessed of large part
of the State of Arkansas, IL the course
Of the Mississippi river continues to
move westward, is the fear expressed
by the Attorney General of Arkansas,
who has filed bill of complaint in the
United States Supreme Court at Wash
ington petitioning that the Highest
| Court fix an irremovab1e boundary line
between the two States.
In the famine stricken districts of
China, the sufferers 60 mad at sight
of provisions. Recently while mis-
sionaries were distributing food at
Shayong Hupeh province horde of
starving Chinese fought for the food
and an uncomfortable riot followed,
which resulted in the death of twenty
one persons and injuries to great
many others. The work Of relief is
attended with peril to those who have
taken supplies into the famine dis
tricts, as the natives in many in
stances are mad from deprivation.
Over 10000 Kings and Queens
South African war medals and clasps
are awaiting ownership at the medal
branch of the royal ordnance stores
at Woolwich, England. Most of the
missing claimants are members of the
various irregular corps which existed
during the Boer war Each of the
medals is stamped on its rim with
the rank and name Of the owner sc
that Identification becomes compare
tive easy.
J, 1t is reported that European in
terests have on foot project to built
railroad through Africa to the poin
on that continent nearest to Soutf
, America. It is estimated that steam
| ship can cross the Atlantic from thi'
; point in three days and that when thu
t railroad is finished journey from
: Europe to South America in five day.
{ will become an actuality. The railroad
, is being pushed by a Spanish govern
ment committee which published al