The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-01-02
BIG EVENTS IN
\ THE YEAR 1872.
Notable Historical Happenings
During the Twelve-Month.
BALKAN WAR THE GREATEST
Loss of the Titanic and Deaths Of
Aviators--Manchu Dynasty Over
thrown in china-victory Of
the Democratic Party.

New York, Dec. 31.-Much notable
history was written in the year of
1912. Events of vast Importance and
OF worldwide interest followed each
other in the quick march Of the past
twelve months.
The most significant OF these, doubt
less, was the war of the Balkan states
against the Turkish empire, which
put period to the sultan's ancient
supremacy in southeastern Europe.
The sudden rise of the minor states
which comprised the Balkan allies ia
one OF the maYvels of the age. No
less miraculous was the swift and
decisive way in which they swept the
Turks across the plains of Thrace
and forced them back almost to the
banks Of the Dardenelles
The fortunes Of this war caused the
whole world to wonder. The very
map Of Europe was changed from day
to day. Especially has this war
brought into significant power the
states of Servia and Bulgaria and
given them an important voice in the
diplomatic forum of Europe.
Greatest Marine Tragedy.
The most grievous occurrence OF
the year. especially to America. was
the sinking Of the Titanic on April
IA. The loss OF this. greatest Of all
ocean liners, with over $500 people
was the greatest marine tragedy Of
all time. 1t was not only the multi
tude OF victims that made the catas-
trophe SO Overwhelmingly sad, but
the character and importance of
many of those who sank-the appalling
figure being 1919.
Death seemed to reign in the air
as well as on the water. during the
year 1912. The number of airmen
who lost their lives was unprecedent-
ed. And one American woman Is
Quimby. who fell into the ocean from
the height OF a thousand feet. The
year claimed 80 airmen, bringing the
total of all up to 217.
In this year Of the most numerous
air disasters, 1t Is quite peculiar that
death should claim, by sickness. the
man who invented the first practical
flying craft-Wilbur Wright. The
great American inventor passed away
at his home in Dayton, o., and was
given one OF the most notable funer.
ais in the history Of the city.
Remarkable Political Events.
In the political realm the year 1912
witnessed many remarkable things.
Perhaps the most significant was the
completion Of the overthrow of the
Manchu dynasty in China and the in
stallation OF the Chinese republic,
with DR.. Sun, Harvard graduate, as
president
In America. OF course. the most i'm.
portant political event was the over.
whelming defeat Of the Republican
party, and the return Of the Demo.
cratic party to power after sixteen
years. with Woodrow Wilson as the
new president.
An interesting feature OF the po-
litical movements in this country was
the birth of the Progressive party,
with former President Theodore
Roosevelt as its godfather.
In the field OF science great prog
ress was made, especially in surgical
experiments. The Nobel prize for the
most notable achievement Of the year
in the medical field was awarded to
DR.. Alexis Carrel Of the Rockefeller
Institute. Although Dr. Carrel is a
Frenchman by birth, he has labored in
America for years.
Deaths and Grimes.
The year 1912 has witnessed the
passing OF many prominent men
Among the eminent Americans who
died during the year we're Rear Ad'
miral Robley d. Evans and Ambassa
dor Whitelaw Reid.
The most sensational individual
crime Of the year, at least in America
was the assassination of Herman Ros
enthal. the New York gambler, by
four gunner acting as agents Of Pc
lice Lieutenant Charles A. Becker
The latter and his four hired murder
ers are now under sentence of death
Another event which stirred the
heart OF the nation was the attempt
to assassinate Theodore Roosevelt al
Milwaukee by John Shrank,> q New
York crank, who is now In an insane
asylum.
In the matter OF legislation, perhaps
the most important features we're the
veto of the Democratic houses tariff
bills relating to wool. cotton and iron
and the farmers free list, by Presi
dent Taft; and the defeat in Canads
of the reciprocity agreement.
Several important opinions were
handed down by the United States Su
preme court, the chief Of these beinl
the opinion touching the Union Pa
cific merger. The action taken by the
court resulted in the dissolving of tbs
great railroad combination which hat