ITEMS OF INTEREST

Mr. Nikola Tesla is reported to have recently said: "War will cease to be possible when all the world knows that the most feeble of the nations can supply itself immediately with a weapon which will render its coasts secure, and its ports impregnable to the assaults of the united armadas of the world. Battleships will cease to be built, and the mightiest armor clads and the most tremendous repeller plates will be of no more use than so much scrap iron."

Mr. Tesla bases his statement upon his recent discovery of an electrical engine of destruction, which he claims to be almost unlimited in power. He claims that his scheme operates torpedo boats at any distance without intervening mechanism. From his American workshop he will control a boat at the Paris Exposition in 1900.

Mr. Tesla's claims of course yet remain to be verified. It will be gratifying to all good people to have wars cease, even as the result of the power of electricity. It would be much more gratifying if this result might be produced through the power of divine Love. But that wars and rumors of wars are nearing their end is one of the unmistakable signs of the times. May the happy day be speedily ushered in.

Christian Science has been in the courts before now, though not in exactly the same shape that it is in the Harold Frederic case. In a case brought in a Maine court some time ago the plaintiff, who was a Christian Scientist, sued the administrator of an estate for compensation for having treated its late possessor in accordance with the Christian Science tenets. The plaintiff prescribed nothing, nor did he administer any medicines. He trusted solely in what he called Christian Science to effect a cure, and he trusted in vain. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court of Maine held that the estate of the deceased patient must pay for his services, on the ground that there was nothing unlawful in the contract. Its wisdom or folly was something to be determined by the patient, and not by the court.—Boston Herald.

A verdict of manslaughter was returned by a coroner's jury, November 8, against Miss Kate Lyon, a member of the household of Mr. Harold Frederic, the late correspondent of the Boston Herald, who died October 19 at Kenley, and Mrs. Athalie Mills, the Christian Scientist who attended Mr. Frederic. Miss Lyon and Mrs. Mills were arraigned in the Police Court at Kenley on the charge November 9, and were remanded for a week. They were admitted to bail.

New designs for the one dollar silver certificates have been completed at the bureau of engraving and printing, and the notes bearing them will soon be issued. Clearness, simplicity, and protection against counterfeiting have been the results chiefly aimed at.

The new design is somewhat less artistic than some of the present silver certificates, but will probably be more popular among those who handle money.

The government of Madrid has made arrangements to vest Senor Pedro Perez with the powers of consul-general at San Juan, Porto Rico, pending the ratification of the peace treaty at Paris. He will look after the interests of Spain in the island until the United States recognizes his appointment as consul at that point. This is the first instance where Spain has appointed a representative in American territory since the suspension of hostilities.

Boston now has an additional water supply for fire protection in the "conflagration district," limited only by the capacity of the Atlantic Ocean. This has been accomplished by means of a system of salt water mains and a series of hydrants three hundred feet apart, placed in Congress and Central Streets and Central Wharf, where, at the water front, connection is made with the fireboat which furnishes the power.

Advices from Managua, Nicaragua, are that the federal government of the united republic has been organized at Amapala. The cabinet is: Secretary for foreign affairs, Dr. Joaquin Sanson of Nicaragua; minister of the interior and public works, Senor Jose Maria Reina of Honduras; minister of finance, Dr. Camilo Arvelo of Salvador; minister of war and justice, Senor Severo Lopez of Salvador.

Lord Salisbury's speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet recently, especially his reference to America, is said to be making a stir throughout Europe. The press comments are profuse. La Liberte of Paris says, "It is a question of an Anglo-American agreement respecting the Philippines, directed against Germany." The Journal des Debats regards the speech as "an invitation to America to make an alliance against Europe."

Lord George Hamilton, secretary of state for India, speaking recently in London, said he agreed with Lord Salisbury that it was quite impossible to overestimate the importance of America's entrance upon a colonizing policy. "England and America," he said, "whose ideas and interests are identical, should stand side by side in the promotion of good government in the dark places of the earth."

Word comes from Cuba that President Maso and the senators representing the so-called Cuban Republic since October, 1898, presented their resignation to the Cuban Assembly on November, 10, and they were accepted. The government of their republic is now in the hands of the Assembly. The attitude of the Assembly toward the United States is very friendly.

The consolidation of the tin plate interests of America is now said to be an accomplished fact. This is one of the largest consolidation movements of the year, and its ramifications are more far reaching than is apparent to the average business man or capitalist. The capitalization is said to be $50,000,000, and even this figure may be considerably increased.

The loss of the Maria Teresa, if it is lost, is compensated in a measure by the gains to our navy through the ships captured by Admiral Dewey at the time of the battle of Manila Bay, and those afterwards seized at other ports in the Philippines. There are five of these ships which are in condition for use. Two are already in commission.

From present indications it looks as if the constitutional amendment on equal suffrage, initiative, referendum, and state dispensary had carried in South Dakota. Nothing positive is likely to be known, though, until later, as only half the counties have thus far reported on these features of the election. This provides for female suffrage.

The President has made the following appointments:—

Richard Guenther of Wisconsin to be consul-general of the United States at Frankfort, Germany; Frank H. Mason of Ohio, to be consul-general of the United States at Berlin, Germany; Curtis Hoyt Dickens of New Hampshire, to be a chaplain in the navy.

Astronomers predict a display of meteoric showers, or "shooting stars," to be visible about November 14 and 29 or 30. This display is called the November "Leonids," and appears in the earth's orbit but once in thirty-three years. A brilliant exhibition may be seen in the northern skies for several nights.

The London Times, in an editorial on the Hispano-American situation, repeats its conviction that "no power will attempt to hinder the transfer of the Philippines," adding that "their loss cannot be great to Spain, who had practically lost the entire archipelago before the United States interfered."

A race war of a political nature seems to be again on in some parts of the South. On election day at Wilmington, N. C., a battle occurred between whites and negroes, resulting in the killing of eight negroes. And yet this is said to be a Christian country!!!

It seems to be now settled that the Maria Teresa was not sunk. Word comes from Nassau, N. P., that the British admiralty authorities there are going to take possession of this vessel as a derelict. The American consul has protested against this course.

It is reported from Washington, that instead of paying Spain $40,000,000 as an indemnity for the cession of the Philippine Islands to the United States, President McKinley favors a re-imbursement of only about $1,000,000.

The Cuban Assembly has voted for peace. A commission is coming to see President McKinley. General Garcia is to figure as chief member. The islanders feel confident that their rights will be protected by this country.

Reports from Manila are to the effect that the natives of the Philippines favor annexation to this country. The proceedings of the Paris Peace Commission are watched with great interest by the insurgents.

The battleships Oregon and Iowa have arrived at Rio Janeiro to participate in the anniversary celebration of the creation of the Brazilian republic. The supply ship Celtic was with the warships.

Two notable events in Boston recently, were the readings of Hall Caine, the great English novelist, at Tremont Theatre, and James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier poet, at Tremont Temple.

It is said at the war department that the 8th cavalry have left Savannah for Nuevitas and Puerto Principe, Cuba, the cities which will be garrisoned immediately by United States troops.

Senator Quay of Pennsylvania claims that there is no doubt of his re-election. On the other hand, Mr. Wanamaker claims that an anti-Quay legislature has been elected.