ITEMS OF INTEREST February 27, 1909 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The Advocate of Peace in giving thirty reasons why our navy should not be increased says: "Because our three foreign wars since 1781, which lasted only six years, cost in life, all told, in battle, nothing comparable with our reckless slaughter by accidents every year in time of peace. The $60,000,000 increase of the navy asked for last year, if spent in fighting disease, ignorance, waste, and wickedness at home, probably could save as much life and property as all our foreign and civil wars have cost. In five years we have lost alone by fire, largely preventable, $1,200,000,000. In four years we have killed by accidents, largely preventable, eighty thousand more than were killed on both sides in the four years of civil war."

A protocol has been signed with the Venezuelan government for the settlement of the disputes between that country and the United States. The New York and Bermudez Asphalt Company has settled the claim against it by a cash indemnity of $60,000 and an agreement to pay an annual minimum revenue of $20,000. An American newspaper man, who had been expelled by President Castro, is awarded $3,000. The claims of the United States and Venezuela Company, otherwise known as the Critchfield Concession; of the Orinoco Steamship Company, and of the Orinoco Corporation, are to be submitted to The Hague tribunal for arbitration.

The American Red Cross Society, through Ambassador Griscom, has presented to Queen Helena of Italy $250,000 for the foundation of an orphanage to care for one hundred children who lost their parents in the Calabrian earthquake. The International Committee has decided to set aside $2,500,000 to found ten orphanages, each accommodating one hundred children, thus providing for one thousand children who are in dire need. The United States is the only country, so far, which through the gift of the Red Cross has undertaken to pay for the establishment of one of these institutions.

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