General Business Conditions.

Midsummer always brings its alarms about staple crops which are reported to be suffering from drought or exces sive rain, or from some other cause. Particular localities, even in the best crop years, suffer from adverse conditions. Generally speaking, 1902 promises to be a good crop year. The rains injured considerably the winter wheat crop ; but, taking the country as a whole, there will be at least an average yield of wheat, and the prospects for corn and cotton are very good. Labor controversies, apart from the anthracite coal strike, were as a rule finding solution, and the industrial situation was exceedingly good in all lines of manufacture. The iron and steel trades will show larger aggregates for 1902 than last year, which, in turn, had broken all previous records. A gratifying result of this unprece dented prosperity is the fact that the United States Steel Corporation has voluntarily advanced the wages of 100,000 employees 10 per cent., this advance applying to union as well as nonunion men. Although there has been much talk about the purchase and consolidation of steamship lines under the auspices of Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, there has not yet been announced the formation of any company representing the steamship aggregation. The suits against the Northern Securities Company are still pending, and it is probable that the delay in organizing the new steamship company has something to do with the principles involved in the Northern Securities litigation.

America.

The South American states are not in In Spanish- very satisfactory news relation with the outside world, but there were enough bulletins from Venezuela last month to show that the revolution had taken a new hold, and that President Castro had left his capital and taken charge of the troops in the field in what seemed to be a losing, defensive campaign. Our cruisers, the Cincinnati and the Topeka, were at La Guayra, and our minister, Mr. Bowen, on July 14, asked by cable for another warship. In Colombia the revolutionists have been suffering reverses, and Colombia has been giving some attention to Nicaragua on the charge that the Nicaraguans had been abetting the Colombian revolutionists for reasons relating to canal rivalry. The presence of the United States vessel, the Marietta, helped to restore order in Haiti, where earlier in the summer a revolution had resulted in the expulsion of President Jiminez, who has found in New York a safe and congenial refuge. New elections were pending in Haiti last month. Uruguay has been stirred up over an alleged plot to assassinate the President, who had accordingly

felt himself justified in disregarding the constitution and arresting a number of members of the legislature. The occasional recurrence of volcanic activity in the Lesser Antilles has ceased to attract much outside attention, although the situation is a very painful and unhappy one for the people who live there.

French Affairs.

The Venezuelan and French governments have entered upon a most admirable agreement for settling by arbitration the outstanding disputes due to various claims of French citizens. Each country is to appoint an arbiter, and M. de Leon y Castilo, the Spanish minister to Paris, is to be the third arbiter. The first two will settle as many points as possible, and all remaining differences will be settled finally and without appeal by the Spanish minister. This excellent arrangement will, of course, hold good no matter what faction succeeds in the civil war. The new French administration has taken hold of some very important questions. Premier Combes is enforcing the law relating to religious associations with unsparing rigor, and a great number of Church schools have accordingly been closed. M. Rouvier, the new Finance Minister, is proposing to make his term of official power memorable by a conversion to a 3 per cent. basis of that part of the permanent debt of France that now pays 3 per cent.

in Spain.

In Spain, as well as in France, there Affairs is a strong movement on foot against the control of the Church in the educational field. A very drastic decree on this subject has been signed by King Alfonso. Señor Canalejas, who was a prominent member of the Sagasta ministry, resigned some little time ago, and he has been stirring up the country with an impassioned popular campaign against clerical domination. Apropos of King Edward's new Order of Merit, it is to be mentioned that there has been much agitation in Spain over appointments to King Alfonso's new order, to which it was announced that all the eminent Spaniards of science and letters would be named in the first group. The greatest difficulty arose over the question of including the rather liberal and modern-minded novelist Galdos, who has now, however, received his grand cross. The new treaty of trade, commerce, and amity between the United States and Spain was signed on July 3 by the Spanish foreign minister and our minister, Bellamy Storer, at Madrid. The new minister from Spain to the United States is Señor de Ojeda, who presented his credentials at the State Department on July 15. He is a most accom. plished and intelligent gentleman, who points out

with force and wisdom the advantages that would ensue from a reciprocity treaty between Spain and the United States.

Abroad.

The German Agrarians are evidently Elsewhere not going to succeed with their tariff project. As was stated last month, the Reichstag has adjourned until October, and the Agrarians had apparently been told by Chancellor von Bülow that there is no chance for the success of their measure before the election of a new Reichstag, which was to occur next winter or spring. The agreement for the renewal of the Triple Alliance has been formally signed, but European alliances are no longer regarded as menacing or warlike; but, on the contrary, as factors for the maintenance of peace. The relations

between France and Germany are gradually improving; Austria and Russia have a special understanding regarding the Balkans and the Eastern Question; while Italy and France have come into very good relations through general agreement upon their respective spheres in North Africa. Apropos of the French protectorate over Tunis, it is to be noted that the old Bey, Sidi-Ali, died not long ago, and that he has been succeeded by Sidi Mohamed. The fact that in the very period of the renewal of the Triple Al

liance the King of Italy should be in Russia visiting the Czar, and that he was able to secure a promise that the Czar would visit him at Rome, makes plain enough that Germany's allies are not necessarily under strained relations with the ally of France. The whole civilized world was shocked at the news, on July 14, that the famous Campanile, or bell tower, of St. Mark's, at Venice, had completely collapsed. The Emperor Francis Joseph is apparently about to succeed in securing a renewal of the Austro-Hungarian customs union. The Austrian minister at Washington has been made an ambassador, and, in turn, our minister at Vienna, Mr. McCormick, has been promoted to like rank. Lord Hopetoun has thrown up in disgust the governorgeneralship of Australia, the trouble being due to opposition to the plan for raising his salary from $50,000 to $100,000. Minister Wu TingFang is needed in China for important service relating to a modernization of the laws of the empire, and Sir Liang-Chen-Tung, well known in this country and a Yale graduate, succeeds him. Our State Department has been rendering China great service of late, and as one result Tien tsin is to be evacuated by the European powers this month. Ratifications of the Manchurian convention were exchanged at St. Petersburg on June 29.

PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS. June 24.-The Senate passes a bill for the purchase of a national forest reserve in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and ratifies an agreement with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians....The House closes general debate on the Philippine civil government bill.

June 25.-The Senate passes the army appropriation bill and postpones consideration of the bill admitting Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma to Statehood till December 10.

June 26.-The Senate passes the general deficiency appropriation bill....The House, by a vote of 141 to 97, passes the Philippine civil government bill, and by a vote of 252 to 8 passes the Senate Isthmian canal bill, which goes to the President for signature.

June 30.-The House adopts the conference report on the Philippine civil government bill, and agrees to the appropriation of $160,000 to meet the losses of the Charleston exposition in the general deficiency bill.

July 1. An agreement is reached between House and Senate on the naval appropriation bill, by the terms of which one battleship is to be built in a government yard, and others in case of any attempt to restrict competition....The first session of the Fifty-seventh Congress adjourns.

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.-AMERICAN.

June 25.-Nebraska Democrats and Populists agree on a fusion ticket, with W. H. Thompson for governor. .South Dakota Democrats and Populists nominate John F. Martin for governor.... Minnesota Democrats nominate Leonard A. Rosing for governor.... Pennsylvania Democrats nominate ex-Gov. Robert E. Pattison for governor.... Missouri Republicans name Theodore Roosevelt for President in 1904.

June 26.-Michigan Republicans renominate Gov. Aaron T. Bliss.

July 1.-Minnesota Republicans renominate Governor Van Sant and adopt a platform declaring for Cuban reciprocity and supporting President Roosevelt.

July 2.-Georgia Democrats nominate Joseph M. Terrell for governor (see page 170).

July 3.-Orders are issued by President Roosevelt establishing civil government throughout the Philippines and proclaiming amnesty for Filipino political prisoners.

July 5.-President Roosevelt issues an order forbid. ding persons in the classified civil service to use outside influence in attempts to secure promotion.

July 16.-Wyoming Republicans renominate De Forest

THE SPECIAL CORONATION ANNEX TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

Richards for governor.... President Roosevelt reprimands, and compulsorily retires, Brig.-Gen. Jacob H. Smith, on account of his "kill and burn" order in the Philippines.

July 17.-Wisconsin Republicans renominate Gov. Robert M. La Follette, and declare in favor of the reelection of John C. Spooner to the United States Senate, on condition that he accept the principles of the State platform (see page 167).

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.-FOREIGN. June 23.-Lord Milner is sworn in as governor of the Orange River Colony, in South Africa.

June 24.-An operation for appendicitis is performed on King Edward VII., and the coronation ceremony is indefinitely postponed.

June 25.-The British House of Commons passes third reading of finance bill by a vote of 236 to 181.

June 27.-The French Government orders the closing of 120 girls' schools established since the passing of the Religious Associations Law.

June 28.-The Swedish ministry resigns, and M. Boström undertakes the forming of a new cabinet.

June 30.-The conference of British colonial premiers is opened in London.

July 1.-The Prince of Wales reviews the British colonial troops in London.

July 3.-Venezuelan government troops under Gen. Modesto Castro, the President's brother, are routed by revolutionary troops under General Rolando.

July 4.-The finance bill passes third reading in the British House of Lords.

July 8.-The British Parliament discusses the Atlantic shipping combination.

July 9.-The French Chamber of Deputies, by a vote of 307 to 224, invalidates the election of Count Jean de Castellane, on account of his use of money.

July 11.-Lord Salisbury resigns the premiership of Great Britain.

July 12.-The Rt. Hon. Arthur James Balfour succeeds Lord Salisbury as prime minister of Great Britain (see page 161).

July 14.-Sir Michael Hicks-Beach resigns his portfolio as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the British Government.

July 17.-Earl Cadogan resigns the lord lieutenancy of Ireland.

July 18.-It is officially announced in London that King Edward's coronation will take place on August 9. July 20.-Seyyid Alli is proclaimed Sultan of Zanzibar, with Prime Minister Rogers as regent.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

June 21.-Russia withdraws from the foreign government of Tien-tsin and from the foreign conference at Peking....The Chilean Senate ratifies the arrangement between the Chilean and Argentine governments. June 28.-The Triple Alliance, or Dreibund, of Germany, Austria, and Italy is renewed at Berlin.

July 1.-China refuses to pay the July installment of the indemnity except at the rate of exchange prevailing on April 1, 1901, and in this attitude is supported by the United States.

July 3.-Governor Taft communicates to the Vatican the terms on which the United States proposes to acquire the land held by the friars in the Philippines.... A treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between the United States and Spain is signed at Madrid.

July 4.-Thirty Bulgarians are killed by Turkish troops on the frontier.

July 9.-Negotiations with Colombia for a Panama Canal treaty are begun by the United States.

July 13.-Sir Liang Chen Tung is appointed Chinese minister to the United States....The King of Italy arrives at St. Petersburg as the guest of the Czar.

July 16.-Governor Taft presents to the Vatican the final statement of the intentions of the United States regarding the withdrawal of the friars from the Philippines.... The Spanish Treaty Claims Commission decides that claims of American citizens for destruction

of property by the Cuban insurgents may be admitted to proof; and, further, that no legal state of war existed in Cuba during the insurrection prior to the Spanish American war.

July 17.-The Chinese foreign office accepts the terms for the withdrawal of foreign troops at Tien-tsin.

OTHER OCCURRENCES OF THE MONTH.

June 22.-President Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers, issues a statement giving the miners' side in the anthracite coal strike (see page 210). .... Fire causes heavy losses in the business portion of Portland, Ore.

June 23.-The Toronto street-railway strike is settled by a compromise.

June 25. A windstorm in Indiana causes damage estimated at $2,000,000.... President Roosevelt receives the degree of Doctor of Laws from Harvard University.

June 26. It is announced that King Edward has established an Order of Merit in England, to which the following twelve men have been admitted: Lords Wolseley, Roberts, and

THE LATE GEN. THOMAS J. MORGAN.

(Famous as commander of negro troops in the Civil War, later distinguished as philanthropist, and Commissioner of Indian Affairs under President Harrison.)

Kitchener; Admirals Seymour and Keppel; Lord Kelvin, Lord Rayleigh, Lord Lister, and Sir William Huggins; Mr. George Frederick Watts (see page 183), and Mr. W. H. Lecky and Mr. John Morley.

June 30.-The American Association for the advancement of Science begins its sessions at Pittsburg.

July 3.-Fire at Lourenzo Marques, in Portuguese East Africa, destroys British military stores valued at more than £500,000 ($2,500,000).

July 4.-President Roosevelt makes a Fourth of July address at Pittsburg.

July 5.-King Edward's physicians announce that his Majesty is out of danger.... President Roosevelt begins his summer vacation at Oyster Bay, Long Island.

July 6.-The centenary of Alexandre Dumas, the elder, is celebrated at his birthplace, Villers Cotterets, France....Destructive floods cause much damage in central and western New York State.

July 7.-A strike of freight handlers, affecting all the railroads entering Chicago, goes into effect; 9,000 men go out.

July 10.-A gas explosion in the Cambria mine at Johnstown, Pa., causes the death of more than 100 men.... Thousands of people are rendered homeless by the high water in the Des Moines River, Iowa.... The National Educational Association, in session at Minneapolis, chooses President Eliot, of Harvard, as its president.

July 14.-The famous Campanile of St. Mark's Church in Venice falls in ruins (see page 150).

July 15.-King Edward is taken to Cowes, Isle of Wight.

July 16.-The striking freight handlers at Chicago return to work, without concessions from the railroads. ....A strike ties up the street-railway system of Richmond, Va.

July 19.-The national convention of the United Mine Workers at Indianapolis declares against a general strike of bituminous miners and adopts President Mitchell's assessment plan for raising funds.

OBITUARY.

June 23.-Dean Sage, a prominent merchant of Al. bany, N. Y., 61.... William Bement Lent, author of "Halcyon Days" and other books, 60....Charles T. Child, editor of the Electrical Review, 35.

June 24.-Hon. George Leake, Premier and AttorneyGeneral of western Australia, 46.

June 25.-Ex-Justice Walter S. Cox, of Washington, D. C., who presided at the trial of Guiteau, the assassin of Garfield, 76....James Fergus, founder of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Montana pioneer, 89.... Charles D. Poston, the "Father of Arizona," 80.

June 26.-The Rev. Dr. William Garden Cowle, Bishop of Auckland, 71.... Maj.-Gen. Sir Francis Scott, who commanded Ashanti expedition, 1895-96, 67.... Rt. Hon. William Lidderdale, director and ex-governor of the Bank of England, 70.

June 27.-Sir John Major Henniker-Major, Governor of the Isle of Man, 60....Justice Charles D. Long, of the Michigan Supreme Court, 61.

in the British Government.)