Two years ago the Sultan of Turkey forbade the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, fearing the results of the gathering together of the thousands of pilgrims who make the journey. Had the natives of Hindoostan been half as enlightened as the Sultan, all would have been well, but unfortunately they were too steeped in ignorance and superstition.

The Turkish monarch understood that the plague was due to dirt, and was fostered and encouraged by dirt. He therefore refused to allow millions of dirty people to gather together in one place.

The East Indians, on the contrary, imagined that every sanitary precaution introduced was a device of the "foreign devils" to endanger their souls' salvation.

We have frequently mentioned how the people rose in rebellion when the health authorities endeavored to cleanse and fumigate a house in which a case of plague had occurred.

The result of this obstinacy on the part of the people has become apparent in the present appearance of the plague in Egypt.

It is particularly distressing that it should have done so, as the Europeans have done all in their power to prevent it, and the misfortune is entirely due to the superstition and ignorance of the East Indians.

The plague has been raging in Hong Kong, China, since March, and out of 498 cases, 436 unfortunates have died. A doctor of that place who has studied the disease declares that it is so essentially the result of dirt that Europe can help herself by setting vigorously to work to clean her dirty cities, clear out Pilgrimage to Mecca, See No. 104, page 1346,

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those places that are overcrowded, and get her towns into good sanitary condition.

While this doctor considers the appearance of the plague in Egypt a decided menace to Europe, he thinks nothing serious need come of it if only the various governments will heed his warning and clean and purify their cities.

Many medical authorities agree that England and Egypt should spare neither labor nor money in a well-organized effort to root the plague out of the country, and not allow it to gain a foothold in Europe.

The new Franchise Tax Bill has been passed, and the extra session of the State Legislature is at an end.

Franchise Tax Bill
Passed.

Governor Roosevelt is very much pleased at the result.

It is rumored, however, that the Republican leaders are so annoyed over the measure, which will cost some of their wealthy followers a great deal of money, that they are changing their minds about nominating Governor Roosevelt for the Presidency in 1900. The bill will lay a heavier part of the tax burden on the shoulders of the men who make their profits out of the enterprise of the citizens. It seems only right that they should contribute liberally toward the improvements which increase the value of their property.

A

The Mazet Committee is continuing its sessions. plan is now on foot to investigate the Tombs Prison,

The Mazet Com- in New York City, as it has been mittee. reported that the prisoners there are improperly treated.

The work done with the police force has had the result of inducing the Commissioners to make some very strict rules in regard to the future conduct of the police.

On Saturday, May 27, the payment of the Cuban troops was commenced in Havana, but to the chagrin of the authorities only seven men appeared to receive the allotted $75 per man.

Paying the Cuban
Troops.

When the office was opened for business in the morning, guards were stationed around, and every preparation made for conducting the affair with dispatch. Major Francis S. Dodge arrived with $30,000 in gold and $9,000 in silver, accompanied by a strong guard. Then everything was put in readiness for a rush of business. But the rush did not begin.

About 11 o'clock a colored camp follower appeared, who was not paid. At noon General Rius Rivera, who had been appointed to receive the arms, left the office in disgust. It was nearly 3 P. M. before the seven men arrived. They were finally paid. These men were not soldiers, but camp servers, and did not carry arms.

The Cuban payrolls showed 4,317 men belonging to the army resident in Havana; but owing to the hostile attitude of the officers none of these men dared appear to receive pay.

The following day 31 men applied for and received

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their money, and 25 of them gave up their arms. On Monday, May 29, 114 men appeared, 103 of whom had guns.

A great many impostors applied for the bounty, but no men who could not satisfactorily prove their identity were paid.

The paymasters have closed the Havana office for the present, and have started into the country districts, where it is expected the men will be more willing to disband and give up their arms, as the officers who are responsible for the discontent are mainly concentrated in Havana.

It is thought that by the time the paymasters return and reopen the Havana office the soldiers will have realized the absurdity of their refusal, and will be willing to receive the United States money, give up their arins, and take up more peaceful pursuits.

The Peace
Congress.

The work of the Peace Congress is progressing, but owing to the order forbidding the reporters to be present at the meetings it is impossible to gather any accurate news from The Hague. Several startling announcements have been made, which have been corrected soon after. It is almost safer to let the matter alone until something definite and official is given out by the Congress.

There was a rumor that the English and United States delegates had agreed to suggest a plan for international arbitration which had been drawn up by England. This was subsequently denied.

The truth of the matter seems to be that the delegates are at work and are keeping their business to themselves.

It was asserted that there was a little disturbance at first owing to the refusal of the Russian delegates to allow the Committee on Disarmament to be divided into two parts; one half was to consider naval matters, and the other half would deal with military subjects. This little difficulty was soon adjusted, however, and the Russian delegates realized the propriety of assenting to the desired division.

It is said that if any important result is arrived at by the Conference, it will be in the direction of arbitration, as not one of the powers represented views favorably the suggestions to limit the size of the armies and navies under its control.

The Czar's representatives have offered a plan for a permanent Arbitration Committee, and a plan of a similar nature is said to have been suggested by England, while America will submit one in a day or two.

The idea is to establish a Court which shall be a kind of International Court of Appeals. It would hold its sessions in some country that is considered as neutral ground, such as Switzerland, possibly, or perhaps Belgium.

To it will be submitted the differences between countries, such as money damages sustained, and all knotty points relative to the interpretation of treaties and contracts.

It is said Russia proposed that the Congress shall agree to make it obligatory for the various countries