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PAGES UT05
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VOL. XXIV NO. 5.
PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 29, 1905.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
My
HIG LINE Pi FFiCED
Oyama's Army in Peril
ous Position.
FLANK IS THREATENED
Kuropatkin's Advance May 'Cut
Communications,
ST. PETERSBURG HAS HOPES
Russian Commander Has Hugs Army,
but Japanese Claim Success at
One Point Russians Leave .
the Corean Coast.
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 29 (12:50 A. M.).
According to reports current In military
circles. General Kuropatkln baa broken
through Field Marshal Oyama's left wing
and threatens his communications with
Ylnkow. Whether or not the report Is
true, the Associated Press learns from a
high military source that General Kuro
patkln has undertaken a general offensive
movement on both flanks, with the object
of threatening both lines of Japanese
communication and forcing the Japanese1
from their Winter quarters. The Inform
ant of the Associated Press said:
"After General Mistchenko's raid. Gen
eral Kuropatkln decided that Oyama's po
sition could be turned westward from the
plains. The advance has absolutely no
connection with events in European Rus
sia. "If. as has been reported, the Russians
have already succeeded In piercing the
Japanese left, they doubtless will be able
to reach a point west of Ldaoyang, in
which case the Japanese will be out
flanked. A similar movement southward
from Bentsiaputze will strike the Japan
ese line of communications toward the
Talu. Although cold, the weather Is Ideal
for Winter campaigning. The ground Is
hard and the rivers frozen solid, making
the handling of artillery easy."
N'o further official news was received
frpm the front Saturday night.
Kuropatkln has something short of 300,
000 men and over 1100 guns, Including a
number -of six-Inch, In position on his
ccrter. The troops engaged on the right,
in addition to General Mlstchenko's and
General RennenkamplC's cavalry, are be-
HcvedHo be principally Siberian and part
of the First European Artillery.
JAPANESE FALLING BACK.
Fierce Cannonade. From Russians
Against Their Left.
MUKDEN, Jan. 28. vit Tientsin. Tho
most important cannonade since the
first battle on the Shakhc River was
maintained all yesterday in a con
tinuous snow storm, against the. Jan-
anese left, which FiclJ Marshal Oyama
has been reinforcing with troops from
Port Arthur since General Mistchcnko's
raid.
The attack was centered about seven
miles west of Shakhc station and It
resulted in the Japanese withdrawal
lroin lloluntai and Funsliuang-Chiatzu,
which the Russians nave occupied.
The cannonading and snow storm
continues undiminished today. It is
considerably colder.
The cannonading Indicates that an
extended contest is progressing. The
driving wind and miuw favor the Rus
Elans, thus offsetting the advantage
tnc Japu:ee had last October, when
the sun jshone in the Russians eyes.
Today' reports indicate tiiat theJap
anwi' are continuing to fall back,
while tins Russian cavalry, it is un
derstood, advanced its lines ten miles.
Tne Japanese yesterday flew a large
kite into tnc Russian lines. The kite
was covered with photographs show
ing the treatment of Russiun prisoners
lu Japan. It was" evidently Intended
to attract the Russian soldiers. On
January 21 there was a heavy cannon
ado on the right flank. It subsided en
tirely shortly after noon and quiet
now continues throughout the center
and right.
MAY CUT OFF SUPPLIES.
Japanese Believe Strike on Russian
Railroads Will Help Them.
PARIS. Jan. 2S. Japanese officials
have remarked to members of the dip
lomatic corps that the Russian strik-s
might have an important influence on
the war in interruption of communica
tion over the Siberian Railway. It is
Bald, if the strike spreads, it will in
volve the railroad workers, making the
strikers more effective in cutting off
General Kuropatkin's communications
than the Chinese bandits have been.
OPPOSES HAY'S SUGGESTION.
Japanese Statesman Says Conference
on Chinese Integrity Is Useless.
LONDON. Jan. 28. Baron Hayashl.
the Japanese Minister to Great Britain,
talked freely to the Associated Press to
day on the subject of Secretary of State
Hay's proposal for a conference by the
powers on the integrity of China. Minis
ter Hayashl does not favor the proposi
tion as being likely to result In a satis
factory adjustment of the question, and
is of the opinion that It would not bring
about any Improvement of the existing
situation. '
"Mr. Hay's proposal is decidedly Inter
esting." said the Baron. "It is only an
other evidence of the sincere desire of
the American State Department to reach
some acceptable solution of the vexed
qustlon of the preservation of the terri
torial Integrity of China. For my part,
however. I am unable to see how It could
fee effectual tinder the circumstances. If
a conference should decide that all coun
tries sign a treaty guaranteeing territor
ial Integrity to China. It Is a question. If
we would be any better off. Treaties
have been broken before without the-signatories
enforcing them by a resort to
arms. What is the .use of making an
agreement with a country which lias no
regard for treaty promises? China Is not
like a country that could maintain Its
own neutrality and territorial integrity
with the moral support of the powers. If
so. a treaty would be a good thing. But
In the present case. In the event of a
breach of the treaty. It Is not likely that
America would rush Into war to enforce
Its observance, and therefore a treaty Is
valueless.
Japan Is now fighting to prevent the
violation of Chinese territorial Integrity,
and proposes to continue to prevent its
violation by force of arms, if necessary."
M. S. DOLLAR IS CAPTURED.
Japanese Seize Pacific Coast Steamer
With Contraband Cargo.
TOKIO. Jan. 28. The American steamer
M. S. Dollar, en route for Vladivostok
with a cargo of provisions and forage.
was seized yesterday by the Japanese in
tho Pacific Ocean, east of Hokkaido Isl
ands. (A dispatch from London, dated Janu
ary 25. stated that a steamer with a
black funnel encircled with two red bands
was ashore at "Vladivostok, and that It
was supposed to be the M. S. Dollar, sail
ing from Lan Francisco on December 31,
but no details of the accident to the big
steamer have been received. It iwas
deemed poslble that she had been run
ashore purposely to avoid capture by
Japanese warships. The M. S. Dollar was
formerly the British steamer Arab, built
in 1890 at Newcastle. England. She was
subsequently sold to the Dollar Steam
ship Company, of San Francisco. The
London dispatch further stated that the
M. S. Dollar had been posted on the over
due board In that city at the rate of S9
guineas. In San Francisco the vessel
has been posted as an overdue with a
rate of 90 per cent quoted for reinsurance.)
In Charge of Prize Crew.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23. The Mer
chants' Exchange has received tho follow
ing from Hakodate:
"The British steamer M. S. Dollar, cap
tured Ty the Japanese, sailed today for
Sasebo In charge of a prize crew."
Dollar Is Fully Insured.
VICTORIA, B. C. Jan. 28. The steam
ship M. S. Dollar, formerly the Arab,
seized by the Japanese, Is owned here.
At the offices of the owning company It Is
said she was fully Insured. She took 5500
tons of hay, oats and barley from San
Francisco for Vladivostok.
WHILE BATTLE IS GOING ON.-
Oyama Reports Varying Success of
Two Contending Armies.
TOKIO. Jan. 28. The long Inactivity on
the Shakhc River was broken January
25, when General Kuropatkln advanced a
full corps from the vicinity of Shengtsu.
Field Marshal Oyama Immediately as
sumed the aggressive and engagements
occurred at Chenchichpao and Heikoutal.
Oyama reports that he defeated the Rus
sians at Chenchlehpao. The engagement
at Heikoutal was progressing wbun the
Field Marshal reported. The official tele
gram does not disclose the object of the
Russians and does not Indicate the pros
pects of a general engagement. Oyama's
report follows:
"The enemy on the Tight of the Hun
River began activity January 25. Over
one corps advanced from the district
south of Chengtsu toward Heikoutal and
Chenchlehpao. Our army assumed the
offensive January 26. Our detachment re
pulsed a division of the enemy at Chen
chlehpao. The Russians retired to
Uutlako. Another detachment has been
engaging a division of Russians at
iieiKoutai since January 26.
BATTLE IS GENERAL.
Whole Russian Army Engaged Except
Left Flank.
MUKDEN. Jan. 28 (10:4 P. M.).-A gen
eral engagement is progressing. Only the
left flank is not Involved. The hospitals
here and at Harbin have been put In
readiness to receive large numbers of
wounded, of whom about 1CC0 have al
ready arrived at Mukden. Several nun
dred Japanese were made prisoners.
The battle commenced on the right flank.
on General Kuropatkln' initiative. The
Japanese were driven back five miles from
their advanced positions, defended by the
resorve brigades. The lighting extended
January 26 to the center. The Japanese
endeavored to take Poutiloff Hill and oth
er positions, but were driven back with
heavy losses.
The men going Into battle are well pre
pared for the weather conditions, being
warmly ciaa ana snoa. ana in good spir
its. The activity of General MIstchenko's
fast-riding cavalry continues. A large
Japanese transport train was captured on
the extreme right of.the west flank.
AFRAID OF BEING SEIZED.
Shipowners Will Not Take Russian
Contraband Japan Will Buy.
SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 28. Owing:
to the fear of capture by the Japanese,
the shipment of the 8000 tons of hay
that the Russian government recently
purchased In San Francisco has been
seriously Interrupted. About 4030 tons
have been loaded for Vladivostok, but
the agents of the Czar have been un
able to get charters for the remaining
4000 tons. '
Th Japanese Consul is authority for
the statement tiiat his, government
will soon seek to place large orders for
horses, hay and grain In the San Fran
cisco market.
Japanese Are Fleeing.
ST. PETERSBURG. Jan. 2S.-The Gen
eral Staff has received the following dis
patch from General Sakharoff. General
Kuropatkin's Chief of Staff:
"Our troops continue on the offensive
at Sandepas. South of there our cav
alry encountered four Japanese battal
ions and six squadrons of cavalry ad
vancing from Heikoutal. The Japanese
fled, throwing their arms into ambulance
wagons. One of our columns took 30
prisoners, and another captured 20."
Russians Withdraw From Coast.
NEW YORK. Jan. 28. Russians, fear
ing an attack from the sea, have, says a
Herald dispatch from Gensan, destroyed
their telegraph supply stations on the
east coast of Corea. In the meantime
the Russian main body retired in a north
erly direction, leaving only a few scout
ing parties behind; These are now grad
ually falling back on a pass, where they
have large quantities of supplies already
stored.
Russian Killed and Wounded.
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 2S. Telegram
from Chanslamutun says the Russians
lost 45 officers and 1000 men killed or
wounded at the capture of the village of
Sandepas. January 26. The Russians, took
102 Japanese prisoners, besides sxms.
SPEAK FGB UNITY
Commercial Club Ban
quet Great Success.
THREE STATES JOIN HANDS
Oregon, Washington and Idaho
Represented.
LARGE NUMBER OF GUESTS
Two Governors Speak While Third
Sends Message From Sick-Bed by
Executive Secretary Co-Operation
and Friendship.
Unity, co-operation, goodfellowshlp
these animated the spirit of the
eleventh annual banquet of the Port
land Commercial Club, given last night
in the club rooms In the Chamber of
Commerce. The guests stood for an
united Pacific Northwest, and along
with the state and men of Oregon were
praised the states and men of Wash
ington and Idaho. Governor Chamber
lain was there to extend Oregon's wel
come; Governor Mead, of Washington,
and James McMillan, the representa
tive of Governor Gooding, of Idaho,
were there to accept In the names of
the citizens they represented.
The clubrooms were beautifully dec
orated with lights and flowers. The
speakers and guests of the evening
were seated at a long table ranging
through the length of the room, behind
a bank of flowers and foliage, through
which twinkled red, white and blu
electric lights of tiny design. One
hundred and fifty graced the banauet
and enjoyed the excellent feast pro
pared. To the soft music of the or
chestra glasses chimed, and represent
ative men of the states of the Pacific
Northwest pledged their support and
good will to each other, and to th
Lewis and Clark Centennial, which wai
declared not to be Oregon's show, but
the show of the great Northwest.
"I'm from Washington!" shouted
Governor Mead, and be shouted it
proudly so that all might hear.
"I'm from Oregon." answered Gover
nor Chamberlain. Just as loudly.
-I'm from Idaho." chimed In Execu
tlve Secretary McMillan.
Oregon, the Mother State.
Washington and Idaho were remind
cd that Oregon was their mother, that
thev were always welcome at home.
sweet home, and that they ought to
appreciate a chance to gpt their feet
under the good old table and eat a
piece of that good old pie that mother
used to make. Washington and Idaho
answered that they did appreciate th
chance and were ready for a second
piece of pic. which, they assured those
assembled, they would come to get at
the family reunion, the Lewis and
Clark Exposition.
In the president's address. Mr. H. M.
Cake gave the history of the work of
the Commercial Club for the past year,
told how the country at large had been
notified in a hundred ways that there
was such a state as Oregon, such a city
as Portland. He outlined the publicity
methods and praised them loyally. At
the conclusion of his address ho intro
duced Governor Chamberlain, who was
repeatedly cheered as he arose to
speak.
Governor Chamberlain's Welcome.
Governor Chamberlain's speech was
witty and to the point. He spoke for
a greater and more lasting friendship
among the states of the Pacific North
west. He welcomed the guests In the
name of the State of Oregon, said that
.the latch of Oregon was always open
to visitors from her sister states and
that the family dog was too young to
be cross.
Governor Chamberlain said:
"Gentlemen: It gives me a great pleas
ure a-s Chief Executive of the state to ex
tend a most cordial welcome to our friends
gathered here, the execu tlves and repre
sentatives of our sister states, those who
have the Interests of our own state at
heart, and last, but not least, to the rail
road men of the different sections of the
i country who are here with us tonight-
J "I want to say to you gentlemen nuie
I our visiting friends that the latchstring of
I i -i , .... Vun nut 'CHirthpr-
uresuu "J "--" - -
more I want to assure you that there is
going to be neither latchstring, latch nor
dog In this town between now and the
close of the Fair in 1903.
"The spread. If I may term it such,
given tonight by one, enterprising club
to Its members and friends Is but a fore
taste of the welcome and entertainment
that will be given by many otner enter
nrislnsr clubs to their friends and visitors
Hnrinr this voar of the Fair, and Is but
1 a small sample or what you, our visitors.
mav exoect when you again come to see
our city and the celebration of a historical
fact which we are pleased to can tne
Lewis and Clark Exposition.
"Many people at first thought this
Exposition was largely local In scope. So
It is. but at the same time It Is repre
sentative of not only the iacinc rortn
western states, but the united States as
welL It goes even farther than that,
since we will have foreign powers with
us. through their exhibits and representa
tives. "In the promotion of this Exposition we
have fully realized that there has been a
spirit of rivalry and jealousy shown by
our sister states, and I do not hesitate to
say this. California, our great big sister.
' rather looked down upon our efforts, but
( when their great big representative, the
I Governor, came to our city and put his
feet under our table he felt we weren't so
small after all, and since then California
I has entered thproughly Into the spirit of
i 'our undertaking and is giving us a great
big push toward success.
"A short time ago, you will remember,
, Washington was a little jealous of our
.exposition, ana us xonner uuvcrnur ve
toed an appropriation for an exhibit In
our Fair. Since then. I am glad to say.
I they" have got a man In Washington that
wears nigger oreecnes ana wnen me mat
ter came up to him he approved an ap
propriation five times larger than was
originally asked for. and he not only gave
his approval, but he Is here with us to
night to show that he Is thoroughly, heart
and soul. In favor of oar endeavor
"And Idaho, oar little sister, also
ljt2ere& t ttttl flfc&t &me jeaJeucy. bat
she has got bravely over It and bids fair
to outstrip many of her more Important
rivals In showing her attractions and
helping us along. Had It not been for our
mutual enemy la grippe' we would, have
had the Chief Executive of the state with
us tonight, but as It Is we have his ex
ecutive secretary In his stead, and I want
to assure you now from personal experi
ence that the executive secretary to the
Governor Is always a bigger man than
the Governor.
"So we have with us tonight the rep
resentatives of our two great" sister
states assuring us that they have entered
heart and soul into the spirit of this great
enterprise, our Lewis and Clark Fair, not
because It is a local affair, but because It
belongs to all three states. s
"The Exposition which will be held here
as commemorative of the expedition of.
Lewis and Clark and the founding of Ore
gon Is not alone applicable to the Oregon
as we have It today. The Oregon meant
in this sense Is the old Oregon, the Oregon
which was the mother of Washington.
Idaho and the present State of Oregon,
"Washington and Idaho are but the chil
dren, and they are not forgetting their al
legiance. "The Exposition which will be held this
Summer is to be given by those states
carved out of the old Oregon namely.
Oregon. Washington and Idaho. I bid
you, our invited guests, a most hearty
welcome."
Governor Mead's Witty Address.
Governor Mead was next Introduced to
the guests. He was greeted with aa ova
tion. His address was full of wit and
humor and did much to make the event a
success. He responded to Governor Cham
berlain's welcome, assured Oregonlane
that Washington was calling the Exposi
tion "our" Exposition, and stated that
his state would attend in force. At the
conclusion of his speech he was toasted
by all present.
In the absence of Governor Gooding, of
Idaho, Executive Secretary James Mc
Millan read the Governor's message of
good will to the guests, prefixing the
message with an address of his own,
which was happily received. Governor
Gooding, who was prevented by lllnisa
from attending the, banquet, dictated .lis
message from his sick-bed, and told the
guests that Idaho would stand by Oregon
and Washington In the movement for
greater unity and friendship among the
states of the Pacific Northwest. He traced
the growth of Idaho since her admission
to the Union, and gave a short descrip
tion of that state's wonderful resources.
At the conclusion of the message a toast
was proposed to the absent Governor, and
to his representative.
"Every man, woman and child of Ida
ho," said Secretary McMillan, "la a boost
er for 'our Exposition."
Judge Lowell's Eloquent Effort.
Judge Stephen A. Lowell, of Pendleton,
spoke in favor of t,he reclamation act.
Judge Lowell's effort was eloquent and
he made an Impression on the guests that
resulted In President Cake, of the Com
mercial Club, announcing that a commit
tee would he appointed to pass resolu
Hons to be forwarded to Salem asking
the Legislature to pass the Irrigation bilL
William D. Whcelrlght spoke on "The
Relation of Commercial Bodies." His ad
dress was witty and gained repeated ap
plause. He complimented Governor Mead
on his recent victory, and sent many witty
shafts after politicians.
"I once knew of a, man who was asked
what It cost to be elected Senator from
Oregon.", he said. "That man told of his
election, and atated that he buttonholed
a legislator and "offered him $100 for his
vote. 'That doesn't look good- to me.' an
swered the legislator. T just paid the
Governor of California 5200 for getting me
out of the pen.' "
Mayor Williams Speaks of Past.
Mayor George H. Williams spoke on "A
Glimpse of the Past." giving a pleasing
address, full of valuable reminiscence such
as Judge Williams can give. The Mayor's
remarks were greeted with prolonged ap
plause, and he was tendered a toast.
Speaking of "The Outlook." H. W. Scott
drew a vivid picture of the future of Ore
gon and of the Pacific Northwest. He
gave a brief description of Oregon's de
velopment, and forecasted the develop
ment of Oregon and her sister etatcs in
the years to come.
The addresses were followed by short
talks by other guests present, all voicing
the spirit of the occasion and asking for
greater friendship between the States of
Oregon, Washington and Idaho. It waa
In the early hours of the morning when
the banquet one of the most successful
In the history of the Portland Commer
cial Club, came to a close.
The menu:
Toke Points on half shell.
Dry Martini.
Consomme Epicure.
Celery Frlse. Queen Olives.
Haul Sauterne.
Lobster a la Broche Montpeller.
St. Estephc.
Artichokes en Feullles Hollandalse.
Broiled Spring Turkey a la Crapaudlne,
aweet roiaioes.
Champagne.
Salade aux Fruits Waldorf.
Glace a la Romalne.
Cakes. Fruits.
Camembert.
Cafe Noir.
Those present were:
A. B. Hammond. J. B. Baird. C. M
Levey. F. I. Whitney, J. C. Eden, Ben
Campbell. J. G. Woodworth. J. M. Hanna
ford. H. W. Scott, Mayor Williams, Gov
ernor Chamberlain, H. M. Cake, Governor
Mead, J. McMillan, Judge S. A. Lowell,
J. C. Stubbs. E. E. Calvin. P. C. Stohr.
J. A. Monroe. T. M. Schumacher, General
Constant Williams. W. D. Wheelwright
H. W. Goode, G. W. Alien, J. W. McCuI-
ley. Frank Ira White. C. M. Hyskell. J. P.
Rintoul. J. H. Thatcher. L. Gcrllnger.
J. G. Mack. E. McCraken. R. J. Holmes,
R. Wilbur. W. Gadsby. M. B. Wakeman,
W. E. Coman, A. L. Craig, R. B. Miller.
H. M. Adams. F. Stanley, J. P. O'Brien
L. R. Fields. W. H. Wyman. G.W. Hazen.
ex-Senator G. W. McBride. Major Evans
C. B. Bellinger, W. W. Cotton, A. D,
Charlton. S. G. Fulton. Malcolm Moody.
Colonel James Jackson. R. R. Hoge, H. L.
Plttock. C. Lombard!, F. V. Holman. A
L. Mills. Dr. W. Kuykendall. Tom Rich
ardson. T. B. Wilcox. J. Frank Watson,
W. M. Ladd. T. J. Dutcher. L. A. Lewis,
W. F. Burrell. R. Livingstone. E. M. Bran
hick. W. B. Glafke, S. Blumauer. E.
Hoch. G. C. Moser, C H. Carey, Xr. Sand
ford Whiting. W. A. Cleland. G. Law-
rence. Jr.; C F. Beebe. J. B. Cleland
L W. Pratt, A. H. Blrrell. A. H Kerr,
G. B. McLeod. E. D. Klngsley, H. C.
Bckenberger, R. Kennedy. L. A. McNary
W. Thomas. A. H. McDonald, W. A.
Mears. P. M. Collins. H. E. Noble, M.
Brady, F. M. Buffum, R. L. Durham
G. W. Hoyt, J. A. Haseltinc. F. Zlmmer
man; E. W. Browne. R. W. Foster. W. M.
Cake, E. Ehrman. F. A. Rothschild. Cecil
Bauer, R. I. Darrow. F. W. Leadbetter,
E. M. Lazarus, B. Neustadter. M. Levy,
C. H. Crocker. A. M. Wright, H. W. Fries,
Hugh McGulre. B. D. Sigler. W. D. Skin
ner. C. W. Hodson. J. W. Cook. E. Lyons,
A. R. Diamond. W. L. Boise, John
Hall. Samuel Connell, J. Smith, A. M.
Emith. Dr. H. W. Coe. M. C. Banfleld.
W. J. Hoffman. A. P. Tlfft, L. A. Juston.
A. K. Wilson. H. H. Newhall B. E. Mil
ler, R. B. Slnnott. F. A. Nitchy. S. G.
Reed. L. Wentworth. G. K. Wentworth.
W C. Francis. E. L. Thompson. R. A.
Marshall.
Port Arthur Wire Is Closed.
NEW YORK. Jan. 28. Notice was re
ceived here today that the Japanese mil
itary administration will decline -to ac
cept messosw In future for Port Arthur
r Dclnjr - - - - -
OPIUM OF TIFT
Philippines to Be Inde
pendent in End.
WHEN THEY ARE "READY
Secretary of War Outlines Pol
icy for Islands.
SHOULD HAVE FREE TRADE
He Tells House Committee Indepen
dence, or at Least Self-Govern-ment,
Should Ultimately Come
Shipping Law Wrong.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. Secretary
Taft made an argument today before
the House committee on ways and
means in favor of the Curtis bill re
ducing the duty on sugar and tobac
co from the Philippines. He contend
ed that as the Pnillpplnes belong to
the United States, thereby Imposing a
sacred trust on this Government, it Is
our duty to establish and maintain the
best possible conditions there.
"Certainly," he said, "the present
status of the islands, so far as our re
latloqrf to them arc concerned, will re
main the same throughout the next
generation and probably longer."
With this In view, he maintained. It
would be as just to establish a tariff
between the states of Ohio and Pcnn
sylvania as between the United States
and tho Philippines. Ultimate free
trade would have to come In the end
between the islands and the United
States.
Secretary Taft asserted warmly that
Congress had already enacted a law
which was eminently unfair to the-Is
lands.
'You have declared that In 1S0S Ameri
can bottoms shall carry everything that
Is shipped between the United States and
the Philippines both ways. Is It possible
that the House of Representatives or the
Senate can impose on. these people a do
mestic policy with reference to the car
rying of goods, and yet withhold the op
portunity of markets for these goods?
Have Right-to Free Trade.
"No, sir, I am not wining to admit It.
I do not think that Congress will be so
Unjust, and these people here represent
Ing special Interests may as well put
their houses in order. The American peo
ple are not going to allow interference
with the policy that is going to do this
country honor."
This policy. Secretary Taft said, was
settled at the last election. The Demo
cratic members of the committee might
not agree with him on this point.
Representative Williams, the minority
floor leader, asked the Secretary If It
was not the Republican policy to give the
Islands ultimate Independence. The Sec
retary affirmed this, stating that such
would be the case when the people of
the Islands were capable of self-govern
ment.
"Self-government as the American un
dcrstands It, or as the Filipino under
stands It?" asked Williams.
"I doubt If they ever reach the self-
governing capacity of the Americans." the
Secretary replied.
"Well." asserted Williams, "there Is not
so horrible much difference between you
and the Democrats. You believe In grant
ing self-government when the people are
ready, and we believe In fixing a date for
the Independence."
Independence When Ready.
Secretary Taft Yes. that Is practically
it. Whenever they reach the condition
"where they have a reasonable public opln
Ion which may be relied upon to restrain
radicalism, when interlsland communica
tion has been established, and when
conditions generally have become settled
then if they desire Independence, give It
to them. If tHey do not if they desire a
bond which might become sweet by com
ing Inside our tariff wall, that might be
considered.
Williams Even then you would make
them a self-governing colony?
Secretary Taft Yes, sir.
Williams remarked that the Republican
position at first was that we were to keep
the Islands forever.
Secretary Taft discussed the island
industries and said there was no dan
ger whatever that either sugar or to
bacco from the Philippines will
"swamp" or even figure in the markets
of this country.
Secretary Taft referred to reports
that he was willing to compromise on
a 25 per cent reduction.
No Injury by Free Trade.
"I am willing." he aded, "to com
promise on anything In the way of a
reduction If I can't get all. This, on
the theory that we are 'coming ulti
mately to freo trade with the archi
pelago, and every step In that direc
tion Is going to teach these timorous
sugar and tobacco gentlemen that they
are not going to be Injured by that
fact."
Taking the labor question, he said
the whole policy of administration was
against the Introduction of Chinese
labor In the Islands. He doubted if
there were more than 75.000 Chinamen
in tne Islands, and none of these ore
agricultural laborers.
The Secretary said that no Philippine
cigars are now being Imported to "the
United States.
A. Dete'rman. of Manila, presented a
memorial- on behalf of the Philippine tobacco-growers
and manufacturers, mak
ing an appeal for the free en
try of Philippine tobacco. Mr. Def-
Ttni i sal that. tslrioiiCT
ered. wages of dgarmakers are not
low In the Islands. From the standpoint
of the Filipino they feel they have a
right to free entry of their products into
the United States. He said they had lost
the Spanish market since American oc
cupation, and told how other markets
had been lost. The natural market for
their products, he said, should be the
new mother country.
Wallace P. Wllletts. of New York, call
ed attention to the appeal for relief made
by the commission In Its report of 1903,
and said that by the general Increase In
the price of sugar the islands had re
ceived twice the relief then asked for. In
Hawaii, he said, machinery had been
Introduced for refining sugar, the product
of which would go Into the Western
states In competition with beet sugar. He
predicted that refineries would be estab
lished In the Philippines and the prod
ucts brought to the United States by
way of San Francisco. He explained
that the division of territory between
the cane refiners of the East and the
beet-sugar manufacturers of the West
was governed wholly by freight rates,
and not by agreement.
W. P. Brooks, of Colorado, entered a
protest against the bill In behalf of the
beet-sugar Interests of his state.
The committee granted permission for
the filing of briefs up to Wednesday next.
The hearings are practically closed.
FAITH CUBE NOT EFFECTIVE.
Two of Dowie's Followers Die for
Lack of Attendance.
CHICAGO. Jan. 28. Mrs. G. Speicher.
wife of Acting Overseer Speicher, of
Zlon City, is dead as the result of con
sumption. Hers Is the. second death
which has followed a recent Inroad of
sickness among John Alexander Dowie's
chiefs and followers, against which the
prayers of the "first apostles" have seem
ingly been of no avail.
The body of Deacon Carl F. Stein, for
many years Dowie's chief of police. Is ex
pected to arrive In Zlon City tonight.
Preparations have been made for an Im
posing funenJ tomorrow. Stein died on
the way to the Bahama Islands, where
Dowle Is suffering from chronic stomach
trouble and his wife Is desperately 111.
It Is said that an Investigation of the
death of Mrs. Speicher will be made by
the State Board of Health and the
Coroner.
Civil Service in Alaska Customs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S. The President
has Issued an order, effective March 1,
taking Into the competitive classified serv
ice all customs-service positions In Alas
ka, except those restricted to navigation
season only. ,
CONTENTS OF TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.
TODAY B Probably occasional light rata; va:
liable winds, mostly southerly-
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 44
deg.t minimum. 39. Precipitation, trace.
The War In the Far East.
Russians pierce Japanere left and threaten to
outflank them and cut. tbetr communications.
. Pane 1.
Russians wltlrdraw from northeast coast ot
Corea. Page 1.
Japanese seize British steamer M. S. Collar
for carrying: contraband. Page 1.
Russians continue fierce attack and drive bade
Japanese. Page 1.
Foreign.
Ambassador and Mrs. Chcate guests of King
Edward, who expresses friendship for Amer
ica. Page 3.
Rouvler's Ministry makes a good start. Page 3.
Prussian government appoints commission to
investigate coal strike. Page 3.
Germany publishes commercial treaties and
desires reciprocity with United States.
Page 3.
Czar considers calling national assembly.
Page 2.
Russian strikes spread in Poland and Baltic
cities. Page 2. ,
National-,
Secretary Taft speaks for reduction of tariff
on Philippine products, and declares for ulti
mate Independence. Page 1.
Naval appropriation bill provides over $100,
OOO.OOO. Page 2.
Senator Ankeny ends misunderstanding with
President regarding' Postmaster Stewart.
Page 2.
Proposed "surveys of Northwest rivers and har
bors. Page 2.
Domestic.
W. H. Hunt, president of broken Pan-Amer-
Amerlcan Bank of Chicago, arrested for
embezzlement. Page 14.
Gridiron ' Club burlesques public men and
evenxsv rage a.
Great fire In Omaha wholesale district. Page 1,
Commercial and Marine.
Review of conditions In hop market. Page 15.
California cured-frult market dull. Page 15.
Sharp advance In stocks connected with North
ern Securities. Page 15.
Revised figures on Argentine and Australian
wheat surplus. Page 15.
New Tork bank statement shows gains In
principal Items. Page 15.
Steamer Geo. W. Elder nearly broken in two.
Page 6.
Pacific Coast.
Committees from Oregon and Washington Leg
islatures agree on salmon law recommenda
tions. Page 6.
Toung Coeur d'Alene bride hangs herself In
her kitchen. Page 7.
J. II. Templeton will represent University of
Oregon in intercollegiate debate. Page 7.
TV. S. IT ken declares constitutional convention
is robbery scheme of politicians. Page 6.
Portland and Vicinity.
Pacific Northwest unity the theme at Commer
cial Club banquet. Page 1.
Prominent lawyers speak on proposed con
stltutlonal convention. Page 12.
Mrs. Hathaway strikes Lawyer, Hltchlngs In
court. Page 10.
Striko at Lewis and Clark Exposition grounds
Is speedily setUed. Page 10.
First arrest Li made under prohibition law
Page 16.
Associated Press doing- great publicity work for
Lewis and Clark Exposition. Page 0.
Legislature may determine on an extra, session
to be called by members. Page 10.
Traffic men leave for home at conclusion ot
rate conference and after seeing city.
Page 5.
Grand Jury adjourns until Monday without
returning additional Indictments. Page Its.
Ventures and Department.
Editorial. Page 4.
Church announcements. Page 24.
Classified advertisements. Page 28-31.
Late classified advertisements, meeting and
death notices. Page 14.
Comment on the New Tear's Oregonian. Page
34.
Amazing wave of crime sweeping over Greater
New Tork. Page 48.
Broncho-busting as a fine art. Page 41.
President Roosevelt and his Cabinet. Page 40.
Happy the fate of the foundling. Page 39,
Among the headlands of Southern Oregon.
Page 37.
Little sermons by Elbert Hubbard. Page 37.
B. S. Lyman's History of Oregon. Page 47.
When Winter grips the "Zoo." Page 40.
Lore story of Princess Clementine. Page 3'
Social. Pages 22-23.
Dramatic Pages 20-21.
Musical. Page 27.
HowMhoId asd fashions. Psgs 41-42.
Timtss an aytiHMit. S&rm -tA.
JM ill OH
t Eats Up $700,000 in
Wholesale Houses.
SPREADS WITH RAPIDITY
Whole Fire Department Spends
Hours in Fight.
EXPLOSIONS GIVE IT FOOD
Starting in Commission-House, it
Rages Through Large Buildings,
Covering an Entire Block Be
fore Progress Is Stayed.
ntHA. Jan. 29. 2:30 A. M. The fire
.h h hpen rasrlnsr for four hours in
the. wholesale district Is under control-
Considerable damage was done to tne
building adjoining those jiamed below,
but the firemen prevented a. further dis
astrous spread cf the flames.
OMAHA. Jan. 29, Z A. M.-A fire which
at this hour has destroyed property esti
mated at, approximately. 570O.0CO. and is
still burning, started at 10:30 o'clock last
night, from what Is believed to have been
an overheated stove In the great commis
sion house of C. H. Mullen &. Co.. at Elev
enth and Howard streets. The flames
spread so rapidly that Chief Salter, ot the
fire Department, at once turned In a gen
eral alarm, which brought the entire de
partment of the city to the scene, not.
however, until the flames had gotten quite-
beyond control. ,
Five commission houses were located tn
the building where the flames were start
ed! and all of these were enveloped in a.
very short time. In the four stories? above
and -covering a quarter of a block was
located, the stock of a wholesale drygoods
concern, which furnished the flames with
Inflammable material and added to their
fury. Before the flremen were organized
the entire building, covering a quarter of
a block, was a mass of flames. Adjoining
buildings occupied by other concerns ot
considerable Importance were In the path
of the Are, and were soon ablaze. Across
the alley to the north a five-story. buiW
Ing, occupied by a large manufacturing
and jobbing 3hoe concern, caught in the
upper stories; and the fire sbon spread tr
the lower floors and the entire stock' was
destroyed."
The building In which the Are started
was located in the wholesale district and
contiguous to It were a large number of
large jobbing houses.
Chemicals Cause Explosions.
As soon as the flremen discovered that
the commission houses and drygoods
stocks could not be saved, they diverted
their attention to adjoining buildings. De
spite their effort?, however, "the flames
continued to spread. They Anally ate
their way Into the building occupied by
the Porter, Rierson, Hoobler Co.. where
was stored a large stock of chemists' ma
terials. There were a number of explo
sions which tended to reinforce the fury
of the flames. The Carpenter Paper Com
pany's building was next threatened, and
flremen at once directed their attention to
the structure, starting a number of
streams to playing on the roof and other
parts of the building.
By 1:30 the flames had entirely de
stroyed a s.ol!d half-block of -five-story
buildings between Harney and Howard
streets and Eleventh street and the alley
in" the rear. At that hour the firemen di
rected their efforts to prevent the spread
of the flames to the immense wholesale
paperhouse of Carpenter & Co., and to the
main building of the M. E. Smith Dry
Goods-Company, the former just across
the alley from the burning structure, and
the latter directly across Howard street.
Despite the fact that the entire force
was at worti on the burning buildings,
with the entire equipment of the city fire
department, throwing half a hundred
streams on the Interior of the buildings,
the flames continued to spread for sev
eral hours. They ate their way into the
building occupied by the Porter, Riordan
& Hoobler Company, manufacturing
chemists, shortly before 2 o'clock, and a
series of explosions followed, causing the
flames to spread with-renewed vigor.
Adjoining Snyder's commission-house,
on the north, were four other commission
houses, and the Are had enveloped those
places before streams could be started in
them. These Arms occupied the first story
and the basement of the five-story build
ing on the corner of Eleventh and How
ard streets. The upper four floors were
occupied by- the M. B. Smith Dry Goods
Company as a storage house. The build
ing ran clear back to the alley. The
stocks of all these firms were soon In
ashes.
The flames early threatened the five
story building occupied by the F. P.
Klrkendall Shoe Company, covering a
quarter of a blcck. Notwithstanding
heroic efforts of the flremen, the hre
soon ate its way Into the upper stories
of the Klrkendall building and down
the elevator shafts and stairways. This
structure was an entire loss, together
with the stock of the Klrkendall com
pany. To the west of this building was the
Martin-Cott Hat Company, -wholesalers,
-whose stock was almost entirely de
stroyed. The flames then spread to
the Porter Riordan, Hoobler Co.. de
stroying the stock and building, and
by 2 o'clock the building- occupied by
the Caipenter Paper Company, covering-
a quarter of a block, at Twelfth
and Howard streets, was seriously
threatened.
The loss at that hour was estimated
'Coafcludtd on Secosd Paxa