Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1898 — CURRENT EVENTS, [ARTICLE]

CURRENT EVENTS,

The village of Merllzen, on Lake Thun, Switzerland, has been almost totally destroyed by fire. The report of the department of agriculture for April 1 makes the average condition of Winter wheat 86, against BL4 last April, and 77.1 on April 1, 1896. There Is not much change In the condition of Mr. Gladstone, but he is not suffering so much pain. He is unable, however, to converse cheerfully with his friends. A dispatch from Manila, capital of the Philippine islands, confirms the report that the United States consul at that place has left Manila. O. F. Williams is the United States consul. The Spanish armored cruisers Cristobal Colon and Marie Teresa have passed Teneriffe, one of the'Canary islands, going south. A battalion of Spanish Infantry and two batteries of mounted artillery have arrived at Tenerlffe. The 22 cotton cloth mills of New Bedford, Mass., which have been closed since January 17, when the 9,000 operatives struck as the result of the ten per cent, reduction in wages, were opened Monday to give the strikers an opportunity to return. Not many reported for work. Immense quantities of supplies are arriving in New York, consigned to the Cuban relief committee. Perishable stuff is being sold and the proceeds added to the relief fund, and the remainder is being stored in the three warehouses that have been provided. Monday evening was the first of genuine relaxation and rest th®, president has enjoyed for several weeks. He has undergone a tremendous nervous and physical strain ever since the night of the Maine disaster, but with the transmission of his message to congress he was relieved partially from the strain. A Waycross (Ga.) dispatch says that every station along the route of ConsulGeneral Loe’s, special train lavished appreciative tributes upon him. The country for miles in the interior furnished ardent admirers, who came In carts, wagons and on horseback. Ladies filled the car with handsome bouquets, accompanied by missive® expressive of their admiration.