The Colorado statesman., 1914-01-03
SUMMARY OF MORE IMPORTANT
HAPPENINGS THAT HAVE
MARKED 1918.
NO TERRIBLE CATASTROPHES
Famous Financiers and churchmen
Taken by Death-RapId and Start
ling Developments in Mexico-Pan-
anna Canal Brought Near Compile
tion.

mas been happy ana rather lor-
tunate one for the world in general.
1t was not marked by any great catas-
trophe, such as the San Francisco
earthquake or the Titanic disaster; it
saw the end of the wars in the Bal
kans, it witnessed the Inauguration of
a Democratic president in the United
States, followed by genuine tariff re-
duction without financial panic.
The death roll for the past year has
hit the financial world rather hard, in
cluding such notable figures as ]. p.
Morgan, Henry NJ. Flagler and James
r. Keene. The Roman Catholic
church also lost two of its most ven
cradle cardinals, Oreglia, dean of the
sacred college, and Rampolla, once
secretary at the Vatican and who
would have been pope instead of Plus
X had not the emperor of Austria vot-
ed against him.
In the United States political de-
velopments have been extremely in
teresting, but not startling. Every
thing seems to have gone the way of
the Democrats. Democratic victories
were won last November in New York
city, the state of New Jersey and
state of Massachusetts. Congress has
passed the currency bill, and the bank
ing interests of the country are ad-
iusting themselves to it.
Donss in Mexico.
South of the Rio Grande develop
ments have been startling and rapid
The year 1913 saw in Mexico the as
sassination of President Francisco Ma
dero, Vice-Presdent Pine Suarez and
Gustavo Madero, brother of the presi-
dent. the usurpation of the presidency
by Gen. Victoriano Huerta, boosted
into that position by General Felix
DiaZ. Then came the rupture between
DiaZ and Huerta, with the practical
banishment of Diaz. Later in 1913
came the rise of Venustiano Carranza,
leader of the constitutionalists in the
north of Mexico with the result that
the powerful northern states of Mex
leo are now under his control. Scarce
ly had Carranza become famous than
Francisco "Pancho" Villa, former ban
- dit. with a price on his head, leaped
into the limelight as a rebel leader
serving Carranza, and it is now ques-
toned whether Carranza or Villa is
the stronger in the leadership of the
constitutionalist forces.
In its relations with Mexico the
United States has stood firm. Early
in his administration President Wilson
announced his determination to with
hold recognition from the Huerta ad-
ministration, and although much
pressure has been brought to bear,
the president has refused to change
his attitude Efforts have been made
to induce Huerta to retire and allow a
fair and honest election, without re-
suit. Today the United States has a
heavy armed force at the border and
an impressive array of battleships off
the coast.
Assassinatons of the Year.
Barring Mexicos barbarous achieve
ments, there have been few assassina-
tions In countries generally recognized
as being civilized. George |, king of
Greece, was assassinated by a mad
anarchist in Salonika, March IS. In
Turkey the commander-in-chief of the
Ottoman forces in the Balkan wars,
Enver Bey, was slain on February II.
This was followed soon after by the
assassination of Nazim Pasha. Turkish
premier. Turkey and Mexico appear
to have been contending with each
other for honors in the line of assas-
sination, with Mexico slightly in the
lead.
European affairs have gone along
rather as usual, barring a few extra
startling outbursts by suffragists in
England, such as the sensational sui
eide of the young suffragette who
threw herself before the kings horse
in the derby and was killed. Politi-
cally England has been in furor
which. however, Is nothing out of, the
ordinary. The year has seen the very
remarkable rebellion" of Ulster, un-
der the direction of Sir Edward Car
son, and the organization of an army
OF Ulstermen to resist enforcement OF
the home rule bill should 1t pass par
lament.
England has also had its share OF
labor troubles There have been large
strikes at home and in Ireland, not
ably the Dublin riots, led by Jim Lar
kin. All of the European powers have
gone on as heretofore in the construc
tion of battleships, and the armed
camp" policies of Germany, England
France and Russia are stronger than
ever, possibly made so by the Balkan
wars.
Antiquity of Spectacles.