A general railway strike begins in Italy, the workmen being dissatisfied with the treatment proposed to be given them under the bill creating State management of railways. It is announced that the Czar has decided not to call the Zemsky Sober, and that he has irrevocably decided that the war with Japan must go on. February 27.—Maxim Gorky, the famous Russian novelist, is released from prison only to be rearrested by order of General Trepoff and banished to Riga. President Morales lays before the Dominican Congress the protocol with the United States. Berlin’s new cathedral is dedicated in the presence of the Emperor and delegates from all parts of the world. The Czar, in an effort to break the strike, orders a raise of wages on State railroads and in Government arsenals. The disturbances in Russian Poland are augmented by a serious revolt of the peasantry in fifty villages. A second Kishineff horror is reported from Theodosia in the Crimea, where forty-seven Jews were killed and many more injured in a recent massacre. February 28.—The strike situation in Russia grows steadily worse, especially in Poland, where a coal famine is threatened. The Russian Council of Ministers decides on more repressive measures and definitely refuses to call the Zemsky Sober. March 1.—The workmen selected by the Czar to organize a commission on the labor situation meet and demand concessions from the Government before taking further action. Lord Selbourne is chosen British High Commissioner in South Africa in place of Lord Milner, resigned. March 2.—The Russian ministry votes to grant the people religious freedom. The majority for the present British ministry is reduced to 24. March 3.—The Czar calls a representative assembly, but without power except to consult and advise. Rioting continues in Russian Poland and a general strike is ordered at St. Petersburg. March 4.—Cossacks kill nine students and wound many more at Tomsk. March 5.—The Czar’s action in calling an assembly has little or no influence on the Russian situation, which grows more grave. _Obituary._ February 7.—Joseph H. Manley, prominent Republican politician, dies at his home in Augusta, Me., aged 62. February 8.—Rear-Admiral Frank C. Cosby, of the United States Navy, dies at the age of 65. February 9.—Adolf von Menzel, famous German painter, dies in Berlin. Chief-Justice Pardon E. Tillinghast, of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, dies at the age of 68. Henry W. Blodgett, former United States District Judge, dies at the age of 84. February 11.—Sylvester Scovel, the well-known war correspondent, dies in Havana, aged 36. February 14.—James C. Carter, leading New York lawyer, dies at the age of 78. February 15.—General Lew Wallace, the celebrated author, dies at his home in Crawfordsville, Ind., aged 78.