February 26.—A five-million-dollar fire sweeps the river front at New Orleans. Elevators and piers destroyed, entailing future loss of export trade. February 27.—By the collapse of the second floor of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, of Brooklyn, N. Y., eleven persons are killed and several score injured. The Alexander-Hyde fight in the Equitable Life Assurance Society is carried into the courts. After making from $5,000,000 to $8,000,000 in wheat, John W. Gates and his associates throw their holdings on the market, causing a sharp decline. March 1.—Three New York thieves testify that they have been dividing proceeds with the police to secure immunity from arrest. March 2.—H. Rider Haggard, the celebrated British novelist, visits the United States for the purpose of studying colonization plans for the poor. March 6.—A general strike is declared on all the Subway and Elevated lines of New York City. _The Russo-Japanese War_ February 7.—A growing peace sentiment is manifest in Russia, and press and public are becoming more outspoken against the further prosecution of a losing war. General Kuropatkin sends word of a raid in which fifty Japanese were killed. February 8.—Admiral Togo returns to his flagship, and resumes sea duty. Tokio hears of skirmishes near Mukden, in which the Russians were defeated. February 10.—The Russians retire from Songchin in Northeastern Corea. The Russian Baltic fleet is reported off Madagascar on its way to the Far East. General Stoessel says in answer to critics that he sacrificed glory to humanity in surrendering Port Arthur. February 12.—Field Marshal Oyama reports two skirmishes in which the Russians are defeated. February 13.—General Kuropatkin reports that a Japanese cavalry raid has destroyed several miles of railroad north of Mukden; also that the Japanese have resumed the bombardment of Lone Tree Hill. February 15.—A large force of Russian cavalry moves against the Japanese left in the vicinity of Heikontai. The Russian third Pacific squadron sails from Libau on its way east. February 16.—Russian attacks at Waitao Mountain are repulsed, and the cavalry force, which moved against the Japanese left, is forced to retreat. February 17.—General Grippenberg, who was removed from his command in the Russian army after the battle of Heikontai, is given an audience by the Czar, and says that General Kuropatkin refused to support him when victory was within reach. February 18.—The Russian strike closes a number of Government factories and interferes with manufacturing and shipping of war supplies. February 20.—Russian cavalry passes Japanese left flank near Hun River. Movement of no special importance, and losses insignificant. Russia’s third Pacific naval squadron passes through the Great Belt off Denmark on its way to join the Baltic squadron.