Evening star., 1925-07-05
Current History.


the week beginning Monday, rocked
the City of Santa Barbara. Calf, caus-
ing property loss there ranging be-
tween SIS 100000 and S30.00o.000 and
death to eight persons. Many more
were injured. Last Sunday the quakes
felt along the California coast were
prefaced by tremors which centered in
Montana and which were felt in four
surrounding States. The two disturb
ances, scientists seem to agree, bore
no relation to each other. The first
disturbance caused heavy, though iso-
lated, losses. and no lives were lost.
The Santa Barbara quake began the
day following.
Santa Barbara began Immediately
the work of restoration, and her bust
ness men called for funds with which
to rebuild large part of the city.
OF special interest in the Chinese
muddle last week was a hint from
Washington that President Coolidge is
contemplating an international confer
ence TO discuss the abolition of extra
territorial rights now enjoyed by for
eign countries in China. These rights
are believed to be at the basis of
the whole anti-foreign manifestations
which have occurred in the last
month.
During the Washington arms con-
ference an international commission
was authorized to deal with extra
territorial rights, or the rights enjoyed
beyond their own territorial boun.
daries by nations which have interests
in China. But the commission has.
never functioned. Should this con-
ference be authorized to begin an ex-
tensive inquiry toward the abolition
of these rights, other nations not rep
resented on it's membership probably
would be invited to join. They would
have to deal with a troublesome ques-
ton. Before abolishing these rights
government in China would have to
exist which could guarantee order and
protection of life and property. No
such government now exists. Great
Britain does not believe the time is
ripe for such a move.
On the other hand, and as another
way out of the difficulty, it is being
proposed that an increase in the Chi
nese customs tariff would result in
higher revenues, which would permit
the central Chinese government to
maintain an adequate army and pay
its public officials.
Meantime, conferences are under
way in China between Chinese and
foreign representatives to discuss the
various affairs which have resulted
lately in loss of life and property.
Nothing permanent, however, has
taken definite form.
Senator Oscar w. Underwood an
nounced last week in Birmingham.
Ala, that he would retire from active
political affairs after March 4, 1927.
when his term expires. While he has
not announced his intentions after
that time, his friends believe he will
retire to the estate below Washington
recently purchased and devote his time
to writing. Senator Underwood's re-
tirement comes after more than 80
years of service for his State in
Washington, during which he enjoyed
many honors conferred by his col
leagues in the House and Senate.
The United States fleet left Homo
lulu last week for it's three months
cruise of friendship, during which it
will visit nearly every port of promi-
nence in Australia. New Zealand and
Tasmania, as well as all the South
American sea possessions. except
Guam. The trip will constitute the
longest and most extensive maneuvers
ever attempted by the American fleet.
This feet is made up of 55 United
States naval vessels, while the round
the-world squadron of Admiral Evans
consisted of only IS. While the trip
has been criticized by the Japanese
lingo" element, it was planned fully
four years ago as a training cruise
pure and simple, designed to test the
vessels for different functions and to
give the men what is believed to be
invaluable experience.
DIR. Jacob Gould Schurman. former
Minister TO Peking and newly ap-
pointed Ambassador to Germany.
presented his credentials to President
Won Hindenburg in Berlin last week
The new Ambassador expressed hope
for a continuation of cordial friend
ship between the two countries. and
received an expression of the same
sentiments from President Won Hin
denburg.
The country watched in sympathy
last week the recovery from a serious
illness of the Presidents father, Col.
John Coolidge. A recurrence of a
trouble with which he has been af-
f1icted caused grave fear as to the
elder Coolidge's condition last Sunday,
and caused the President, with Mrs.
Coolidge, to hasten to his sick room
from Swampscott, Mass, the Presi-
dents Summer home. Col. Coolidge's
recovery permitted their return to
Swampscott last Tuesday.
Governors of many States met in
annual conference last week at Poland
Springs, Me, and aired their views on
current problems of the States. Gov.
Ritchie of Maryland declared that
sound principles of government are
opposed to the practice of Federal aid
to the States, and said that a ma jority
I'll Il
actually make a profit" out of the
practice. He showed statistics to
prove that 81 States are in a position
which make Federal aid unnecessary.
Gov. Smith of New York declared
that Federal expenditures are being
reduced because the war has ended,
and he assailed the administration for
false and deceiving" propaganda
which led the average citizen to be-
lieve that while the Federal Govern
ment was practicing rigid economy
the States were indulging in reckless
extravaganza.
Secretary of Labor Davis, who will
sail for Europe the 18th of this month,
intends to study conditions in indus
trial centers there. His visit will
bring him to his birthplace, at Teear,
Wales, and while there he has an
nounced plans for purchasing the
house where he was born and present
ing it to the townspeople of Teear as
a library.
The Cuban Congress last week
passed bill calling for the eXpendi-
ture of $500, 200, 900 for improving the
highways of Cuba, for construction of
a drainage system and for improving
the school system. The revenue will
be raised largely through a revision
of the tariff, it is announced.
The New York Times last week pub