ITEMS OF INTEREST November 28, 1908 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The Seneca, specially built and equipped for its service, has just been commissioned as a destroyer of derelict vessels which lie in or near lanes of ocean travel. In previous years the Vesuvius and the Mohawk have been used for such work. So successful has been the important work done by these vessels that the November hydrographic chart shows no derelict reported more than once, or earlier than Sept. 30. On the old charts it was not unusual to find several reports of the same derelict ranging over a period sometimes of more than a year. Wireless telegraphy is also being utilized in informing vessels, properly equipped to receive such messages, of the presence of derelicts. Three times a day at eight-hour intervals, beginning at 6 a.m., wireless messages regarding obstructions to navigation are sent broadcast from the Government wireless stations along the coasts. A vessel at other times may call up these stations and obtain information.

Of the $24,400,000 which was awarded the United States to satisfy the claims of American citizens for damages incurred at the time of the Boxer rebellion in China, Congress has voted to remit $11,000,000. In view of this returned indemnity, China will send to the United States Chinese students, one hundred each year for the first four years, and thereafter a minimum of fifty. A deputation of Chinese officials is already on its way to Washington to thank personally the Government for its generosity.

A regulation became effective Nov. 15 that no parcel the value of which exceeds fifty dollars shall be admitted to the parcel-post mails exchanged between the United States and France, Italy, and Germany. This limitation also applies to parcels from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the United States, but does not, however, apply to parcels from the United States for Great Britain and Ireland, which will be accepted without regard to the value thereof.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

WORDS UNFITLY SPOKEN