The Czar of Russia receives a deputation of peasants and promises them assistance. February 3.—Reports from Venezuela state that President Castro has ordered any French warship seen in Venezuelan waters to be fired upon. The German Government declares that the failure of the Algeciras conference to reach an agreement on the Moroccan question will not lead to war between Germany and France. Dispatches from Santo Domingo indicate that absolute peace has been restored. Chinese loot the home of Rev. Dr. Beattie at Fati, China. Fights over the separation of Church and State continue in France. February 4.—The boycott of American goods continues in China, and another massacre of foreigners is feared at Canton. Japan plans to increase the tonnage of her navy to 400,000 tons by the end of 1908. February 6.—The agitation against Americans increases in China. The elections to the Russian National Assembly are set for April 7. The opening session will be held April 28. Advices from Vladivostok show that the Russian revolution has not been stamped out. February 7.—The Emperor of Corea asks the Powers to exercise a joint protectorate over Corea in respect to her foreign affairs. Conditions in the Eastern provinces of Russia show little improvement. Fighting continues. Fifty men are killed in a riot at Oruro, Bolivia. Recent events in China led the Powers to reconsider withdrawing their troops acting as legation guards. Chinese revolutionists loot missions at Changpu, near Amoy. The missionaries escaped to the home of the local Governor. The betrothal of King Alfonso, of Spain, to Princess Ena, of Battenberg, is officially announced at Madrid. Dispatches from Algeciras, assert that the Moroccan conference will reach an agreement. It is understood that Germany will concede most of France’s claims. Yin Tchang, the Chinese Minister to Germany, states that the anti-foreign outbreaks in China are evidence of the awakening of a new national spirit. He says China will no longer tolerate foreign aggression, and will not allow the Chinese abroad to be treated as an inferior race. The Minister thinks no one power will care to force a war with China, as she can now put a modern army, of 200,000 men, in the field. _Along the Firing Line_ BY THE CIRCULATION MANAGER