The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-01-09
WORLD HAS HAD A
FORTUNATE YEAR
NO Terrible Catastrophe Has
Marked the TWeIyemonth,
DEATH TAKES NOTABLE Rem
General Success Of the Democrats and
Startling Developments South Of
the Rio Grande Chief Events
In Western Hemisphere.

New York--Taken all In all, the
!sar 1913 has been happy and rather
fortunate one for the world In gem
eraL It was not marked by any great
catastrophe, such as the San Francisco
earthquake or the Titanic disaster; 1t
saw the end of the wars In the Bal
kans, 1t witnessed the Inauguration OF
Democratic president in the Unite6
States, followed by genuine tariff re
suction without financial panic.
The death roll for the past year has
hit the financial world rather hard, in
Guiding such notable figures as J. 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 yot-
ad against him.
In the United States political de-
relopments 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
etate of Massachusetts. Congress has
passed the currency bill, and the bank
ing interests of the country are adj
tusting themselves to It
AS alarmed as high finance may
have been when it was learned that
President Wilson believed In Sherman
law should be clarified" business and
financial interests have apparently be-
come convinced that the presidents
attitude Is not one OF opposition, but
rather an attitude in which he would
| consult and confer with business and
finance to remedy evils generally ad-
mitted to exist.
Doings 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-President 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
4 Diaz. Then came the rupture between
Diaz and Huerta, with the practical
Punishment Of Diaz- Later in 1918
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
" had Carranza become famous thar
francisco "Pancho" Villa, former ban
dit, with a price on his head, leapet
into the limelight as rebel leader
serving Carranza, and it is now ques
toned whether Carranza or villa Il
the stronger in the leadership of th'
constitutionalist forces.
In its relations with Mexico TIL
United States has stood firm. Earl!
In his administration President Wilson
announced his determination to with
hold recognition from the Huerta ad
ministration, and although nue.
pressure has been brought to bear
the president has refused to chang
his attitude. Efforts have been mad
to induce Huerta to retire and allow
fair and honest election, without II
suit. Today the United States has
heavy armed force at the border an
an impressive array Of battleships o
the coast.
There have been several marriage
OF Importance In the past year, an
a number of engagements of prom
nent persons announced. Foremost
the minds of Americans, Of course,
the wedding of Miss Jessie Woodro'
Wilson, daughter OF the president
Assassinatlons Of the Year.
Barring Mexico's barbarous achiev
ments. there have been few assassin
lions In countries generally recognize
as being civilized. George /. king
Greece. was assassinated by a ma
anarchist In Salonika, March is.
Turkey the commander-in-chief OF Il
Ottoman forces in the Balkan wal
> Enyer Bey, was slain on February !
This was followed soon after by Il
assassination OF Nazim Pasha. Turks
premier. Turkey and Mexico appe'
r 10 have been contending with ea'
: other for honors in the line of asss
) sination, with Mexico slightly in I
lead.
. European affairs have gone alol
rather as usual. barring few ext
/" startling outbursts by suffragists
e England. such as the sensational s.
|. eide of the young suffragette W
n threw herself before the kings hor
!. IN the derby and was killed. Poll
cally England has been in fur
which, however, is nothing out OF I
ordinary. The year has seen the We
/ remarkable rebellion" of Ulster,
If der the direction OF Sir Edward @
SON. and the organization of an "arm
1t Of ulstermen to resist enforcement
ID the home rule sill should il pass p
lament.
England has ALSO had Its share
labor troubles. There have been lar
strikes at home and in Ireland, n
IN ably the Dublin, riots. led by Jim L
in Stn All NJ the European powers ha