Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1898 — CURRENT EVENTS. [ARTICLE]

CURRENT EVENTS.

Poultney Bigelow, the author. Is on the way to America to Join the army or navy and fight for Cuba. The war department ha* decided to bear the expense of mobilizing the volunteers at their state encampments. ■ The Seventh Ohio district republican congressional convention at Springfield unanimously nominated Hon. Walter L. Weaver. Judge J. B. Crowley has been nominated by the democrats to represent tha Nineteenth district of Illinois in congress.. It Is understood the Hawaiian minister has been advised that this country will not change its policy toward the Hawaiian islands pending congressional action on annexation. Isaac Alexander, a grandnephew of Jefferson Davis, the confederate leader, has been chosen to carry the stars and strlpea for company D, of Paris, Ky., In the war with Spain. The work of rebuilding the destroyed gunpowder plant is already under way at Santa Crux, Cal. Machinery; has been ordered and as speedily as possible the -plant will be in operation. At San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesdaynight five citiaens of the United States were arrested, manacled and beaten with swords. They are wholly unprotected and there is no British gunboat there on which they may take refuge. The Russian Jewish farmers composing the Baron De Hirsch colony of Woodbine, N. J., have offered their services to the governor of New Jersey for the war, and a large number who have served In the Russian army are likely to be accepted. The big boats of the flying squadron were caught in a terrific storm which swept down Hampton Roads Tuesday night. The battleship Brooklyn dragged her anchors and only the cool Judgment of the officers and perfect discipline of the men averted a collision with the Massachusetts. Rear Admiral Henry Erberf, U. S. N., retired, has formally assumed^command of the naval coast defense, in which he succeeded the late Commander Horace Elmor. He will take immediate steps to organize the patrol fleets which will protect the harbors of the Atlantic and gulf states.