VOL. XV.
8T. HELENS, OREGON, FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 18.)8.
NO. '10.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
From all Parts of the New
and Old World.
BRIEF AND INTERESTING ITEMS
Comprehensive Review of tha Import,
ant Happenings of the Car-:
Mill Work.
... The first mining and irrigation oon
gross ever hlt in tha Pacific North
,WMt met in Baker City, Or., Tuesday.
Much Interest was manifested and nu
merous delegates attended.
A Cairo dispatch ys: It is an-
imunced that the gunboats and Anglo-
Egyptian trooj attacked Shendy Bat -
II
urday,
destroyed the forts, captured
quantities of grain, cattle and sromu-
nltion and liberated over 000 sluves.
Theervishe lost IliO men. There
were no casualties on the Anglo-Egyptian
side.
A London dispatch say the situa
tion In the far East is considered
gloomy and unsatisfactory, and there
is deep discontent here over the result
of Lord Salisbury's diplomacy. The
belated movement of the British fleet
in Chinese water ha caused as much
uiieasintts in financial circle as satis
faction among other cluwa. This ap
prehension would JiavJ affected all
clause of securities If American stock
had not been remarkably buoyant, and
Carried everything upward.
The Official Messenger, of 8t. Peters
burg, pubiishe a circular which ha
been telegraphed to the representative
of Russia abroad. It is a followsi
"By virtue of a convention signed at
Poking on March 87, Fort Arthur and
the port of Talien Wan and territories
adjacent thereto have been ceded to
Russia in usufruct by China. You are
requested io notify tbe government to 1
wh.ch you are accredited, adding that
the above mentioned porta and territo
ries will be Immediately occupied by
Russian troops and the Russian flag
will he hoisted by the side of the Chi
nese flag. Yoa may at the same time
inform the foreign minister that the
port of Jalien Wan will be opon to for
' mun trade and that the laru-est tnemmre
if k.ianitalil will Vui Av,an.ll in ahlna !
of all friendly nations."
John G. Brady, governor of Alaska,
came down on tiie last steamer from
the north. He is on hi way to Wash
ington in the Interest of Alaskan legis-
lation. Governor Brady said that all
saloons In Alaska will be closed, if it
I within hi power. He doe not ex
pect, however, that this will put a
stop to the use and sale of liquor io
Alaska, it being his opinion that pro'
liibition cannot be successfully carried
out there, Governor Brady declared
himself in favor of high license. On
iii visit to Washington he will endea
vor to have the general land law of
the United State extended to Alaska.
He will auggest that a commission be
appointed to draft a code of law for
tli territory.
The United States supreme court ha
decided that peraon born in this coun
try of Chinese parents is entitled to
citizenship.
Chicago Typographical union ha tel
egraphed the Illinois representative In
congress sailing for the intervention of
the United State toward ending tb
Inhuman war in Cuba.
Frank B. Clark, of Chicago, has pur
chased 1,000 feet of river frontage at
Linnton, few miles below Portland,
Or., and is negotiating for more. He
will construct a large shlp-bnilding
plant
A diet kitoheifand dispensary, where
8,000 sick will be oared for daily baa
been started In Havana, The kitchen
was built by the central committee, and
serves its purpose excellently. The sick
and feeble will find the dispensary
great sou rce of comfort and help.
Thedispatcb of the British fleet from
Halifax to Bormuda, following the agi
tation for an Anglo-American alliance,
is considerably commented upon by
diplomat in London. The authorities
explain that It la merely considered de
sirable that the British ships should be
in the vicinity of Cuba in ordor to
safely guard British commerce and
Britisli subjects, in case of war. The
idea of Anglo American co-operation ia
Cuba is scouted.
The levee on the Wabash river, near
Sullivan, Ind., went out with a break
of 100 feet, entailing a loss of 1100,000.
Twenty thousand acre of land are
overflowed, and hundred of families
- are rendered homeless and destitute.
Citizens are responding for miles
around In the effort to remove fumilie
and stook. Hundreds of cattle and
horses are heminod in, Such a rush of
water was never known in this section
of the oountry before. '
Deep Interest is felt in Havana in
the news received Jrotn the United
States. "La'Xuoha, In an editorial,
says: "The United States' note to
Spain demanding that a date be fixed
to end hostilities is simply a declara
tion of war. It was not issued until
after the finding of the United Btutes
court of inquiry had been received,
which finding is without scientific
basis, and is open to question even
upon the part of the moBt prejudiced."
The senate committee on appropria
tions has recommended that Cleve-.
land's forestry order, reserving large
areas of land in many states, be re
scinded. Should the order be rescind
ed, the land, about 17,000,000 acres in
all, would be restored to the public do
main, and the state of Washington
would be extensively affected. Senator
Wilson has secured an allowance of
$40,000 for the military post at Spo
kane, Wash., and 110,000 for the
establishment of a fish butchery at
BukorCity, Or.
t '" n
ENGULFED BY A FLOOD.
rerrlble I.om of Life at Shawneetuwi
III., by Breaking of a I.oee.
Louisville, April 6. A special to ths
Courier-Journal, from EvaiiKville, Ind.,
says: ilil evening the levee at Shaw
iiuutown, 111., broke a milo above town
nd (rnrn information obtained, it ii
learned thai greater part of the pines
la destroyed anil, perhaps, a large Hum
tier oi citizen have been drowned
Shawueetown ia 78 milea below
Evansville, on the Oblo river. It
situated in a valley of extremely low
land, with hills skirting It in the rear,
and with a 85-foot levee running from
hill to hill. The town ia very much in
the position oi a fortiiled city, and
when the levee gave way a mile above
town under the pressure of very high
water, the water shot through a 30-foot
opening and struck the place like a hnr
rioaue, sweeping everything before it.
1 Houses were turned and towed aboul
I about
like boxes. Tiie
J warned, and for that reason manv were
caught. Those at home sought refuge
In second stories and on house tops.
Those in the streets were carried before
the avalanche of water, and probably s
majority were drowned.
Citisens came from the place by
skiffs to a telephone several miles away
and asked for aid from Evansville,
They said that more thnn 800 people
were drowned, and they had reason to
believe that the number would reach
BOO, or even 1,000. The water stands
from 20 to 80 feet all over the town
There are, of oonrso, no fires or lights
in the place, and tola' darkness envel
ope the desolate city. Consequently,
It Is impossible for them to have any
thing like definite information.
At 10 o'clock two steam Imati started
for Shawueetown under a full head of
steam, and it ia thought they will ar
rive there before morning. Tbey car
ried large supplioot food and blankets,
quickly collected by city officials.
Late new from Mount Carmel say
the disaster ia probably worse than at
first supposed, and the loss of life will
be over 800. The -survivor will be
without food or fire, and will suffer con
iderably. Communication with the
ill-fated place will not be had for sev
eral hours.
Communication Cut On.
Chicago, April 8. At 18:30 this
morning the operator in the long-distance
telephone office at Mount Vernon,
Ind., informed the press that the esti
mated loss of life at Shawneetown was
at that hour 800. Mount Vernon is
B0 miles from Shawueetown, and the
information is based on reports bo
lieved to be reliable, The company's
wires to the stricken city failed soon
after 4 P. M. At that hour it was
known that the damage was heavy, but
It wo not thought the levee would go
to pieces quickly enough to occasion
loss of life. At 3 o'clock it was known
in Mount Vernon that many people
Imd been drowned. A relief-boat
bearing food, blankets and surgeons
was started down the river, and was
expected to reach Shawncetown before
morning. Gradually the reports of loss
of life increased, the estimates coming
from various points near the scene of
tbe flood showing clearly that the dis
aster was far worse than was at first be
lieved. People at Mount Vernon and
surrounding towns besieged the tele
graph offices frantically asking for tid-
inga from friends and relatives in tha
flooded town. No attempt at an ao'
curate list of the lost was possible, how-'
ever, and the crowds stow) all night be- j
fore the bulletin-boards on which were
posted ; the meager reports being re-'
ceived. ,
Levee Had Shown Weakness.
Evansville, Ind., April 6. The man
who ventured out in a skiff at great
peri) to his life to call on Evansville fnt
help for Sbuwnootown says that ths
dam had shown weakness for several
days. However, the people were lulled
into security by the fact that a guard
was put on the levee to give warning
in case of danger. This man, who
did not give his name, and who was so
much excited that he could not be pre
vailed upon to stay longer, said that
when be came he floated through
streets ringing with the frightened
ories of drowning women and children,
and with brave words of exhortation
by their reBCuors. He said the whol
neighboring country was flooded foi
miles. . ''"
riaoee Loss at Five llumlr d.
Chicago, April 8. A Chronicle dis
patch from Carml, 111., says: A
courier hue 1ut reached here from
Shawueetown. Ho estimates the lost 1
of life at from 800 t 600. His nanis
is Jackson Phillips and he has lost s ,
wife and two children in the flrod.
Some of the Vlotlma.
St. Louis, April B. A Globe-Demo
crat special from Ridgeway, 111., says:'
It is hard to learn the particulars of
the flood at Shawueetown. but Mil'
known that 800 poreona perished, 1
am6ng tho number being Sheriff Gal-
loway's family, the wife of Zach Melef,1
Charles Clayton, Wash Calllcott and
wife, Paul Phalen's family, and others.
South Carolina Town Burned.
Charlotte, N. V. April 6. -Fire a1
Rock Hill, 8. C, destroyetd 18 build
ings Involving a loss of $350,000, upon
which there was an insurance of 1150, '
000, distributed in 18 companies. The
origin is yet a matter of speculation,
The Charlotte fire department arrived
there after the fire was under control,
Arbitration Is Suggested.
Paris, April 6. The French Inter
national Arbitration Society tins gent
letteis to the Spanish minister, Gallon,'
and to the American secretary of state,'' probably be laid off on buildings, re
Sherman, urging the advisability of ar-' pairs, etc., as they cannot work unless
bitrating the differences between Spain
and tiie United States. I
, . ... i
Justice Willie, of the supremo court
of Texas, has rendered a decision thai
a debt paid to the state of Texas in con-J
federate money during the war -h void
and does not satisfy the debt.
..'TROUBLE HEAPING UP
Spain Is frow in a Dispute
With Germany
OVER THE CAKNAMABA AFFAIR
A Warship on the War to Cnbn to En
force the Emperor's D.intndi -
Seutiu-ient Changing.
Berlin, April 6. The sentiment in
Germany in official and unofficial cir
cles ealry today was that the Spano
American crisis had veered considerably
during the course of the week, and is
now decidedly more favorable to tiie
United States. This, it is asserted, is
partly due to the moderation of Presi
dent MoKinley and the conservative
manner in which the United States
minister, General Woodford, has dealt
with the authorities at Madrid, and
partly to the bitterness engendered by
the alleged attack of a band of insur
gents upon the German sugar refineries
at Cannumba, in the Trinidad district
of the province of Santa Clara, Cuba,
and the murder of four persons connect
ed with the refinery, March 18, which
has taught Germany that Spain is un
able to protect even the lives of for
eigners In Cuba. '
As previously announced, the Ger
man foreign office is demanding full
and immediate redress for this outrage,
and a German warship will soon be sent
to Havana if satisfaction is not forth
coming in short order. The Spanish
ambassador here, Senor Mendes de
Vigo,- has had lengthy conferences
with Baron von Bulow, the German
minister oi foreign affairs, who con
vinced tbe ambassador that Germany
intended to have complete satisfaction,
including an Indemnity for tbe prop
erty destroyed and for the lives taken.
The ambassador was also informed
that, unless the redress was forth
coming, Germany would herself act,
secure damages and punish the offend
ers. As an incentive to quick repara
tion. Baron von Bulow added that pro
visional orders had been cabled to the
commander of the German warship
Gier to sail in the direction of Cuba.
The Spanish ambassador promised that
he would exert himself to the utmost
to comply with the German demands.
Tbe newspaper here are also chang
ing their tone, and now concede in the
main the justice of the American de
mands, acknowledging that Washington
has acted with tbe moderation winch
many another government would not
have shown under similar ci renin
stances. . '
Three of the papors eulogised Presi
dent McKinley's calm statesmanship
and express confidence that whatever
be ultimately decides will be directed
by some good reason.
The United States ambassador, An
drew D. White, In an interview said
that thus far, acting nnder instructions
from Washington, he has not formally
inquired of the German government
what its attitude would be in the event
of war. He had, nevertheless, been
repeatedly assured informally by Baron
von Bulow that Germany would in no
case assume an unfriendly attitude to
ward the United States, nor join in
any possible combination of the powers
having that end in view.
In regard to Emperor William's per
sonal views, Mr. White says his ma
jesty has been grossly misrepresented
by the foreign press. The emperor has
repeatedly given Mr. White to under
stand that he felt most favorably dis
posed toward the United States in this
crisis. 1 '
Asked for an Armistice.
Washington, April 5.-The Spanish
minister has received a telegram from
Havana stating that the autonomist
cabinet had addressed.an appeal to the
insurgents asking them to adjust an
armistice to fix terms of peace. The
full text of the message could not be
secured tonight, as its translation was
not made at the legation. The insur
gents are appealed to on the ground
that they are all Cubans and should
unite for peace and liberty, which all
want. The appeal also states that
Spain Is willing to enlarge the present
scope of autonomy, and will suggest
such a plan to the oortos, which is soon
to meet.
Spain's Ships In n Bad Wij.
London, April 6. The London
Times oorreSDOndent has ascertained
from reliable sources that the Spanish
ships ars in bad condition. ThePelayo
started from Toulon for Cartegena last
night in tow, with 135 French work
men on board fixing her boilers and
making other repairs. The Carlos V
started yesterday from the Seine ship
building yards at Havre for Ferrol,
with her turret out of oondition and her
guns unmounted. Neither ship will be
readv for service for
month. Ihey
ave ieft French waters presumably in
ea. that war mhzht beain before the
mnatrs were finished, in which event
tiey w0id ot be permitted to leave.
MlnUter Woodford Advised.
Chicago, April S. A Tribune spe
cial from Washington says: Minister
Woodford has been given by oable an
abstract of the president's forthcoming
message, and informed of the temper of
congress. He will communicate the
facts to Spain. .
This is in the nature
of an ultimatum.
Chicago Carpenter's Strike.
' Chicago, April 6. Three thousand
carpenters will go on strike in this oity
tomorrow. About 80,000 men will
the carpenters do. The strike is due
to the refusal of the journeymen to
agree to the demand that no work shall
be done for business outside of the
Builders' Association.
Six thousand people sleep in the open
air in London every night.
ON 8TATEN ISLAND SHORE.
Government FortlScatlons on Con
demned Property.
New York, April 4. Great activity
prevails on the Staten island shore at
tbe southern extension of Fort Wads
worth, where the government ha ac
quired residence property and is using it
for fortification. Tenants of condemned
residences have' received official notice
from Major Adams, in command at Fort
Wadsworth, that they must vacate ia
four days.
Much energy is being exerted about
Captain King's residenoe. Even while
the household effects were being
moved workmen were felling trees on
the lawns and digging trenches. Be
yond the ruins can be seen the concrete
emplacements of tiie battery of disap
pearing guns belonging to Fort Wads
worth. In a diagonal line from the ruined
domicile to the lawn In front of the
King residence hundreds of workmen
are making an enormous trench. , The
excavated earth is carried beyond, where
a growing mound marks the site of a
new battery which is to be constructed.
This battery will command a view of
Sontli beach. Near by are other houses
still the property of private citizens,
who, however, will have to relinquish
them to the government.
SPAIN'S ANSWER FINAL.
The Situation I Critical, But the Peo
ple Do Not Beallse It.
Madrid, April 4. According to the
best information obtainable today
Spain has definitely resolved
make any further concessions
not to
to the
United States. -(
Views from an authoritative source
already bulletined to the prats from
Madrid are the substance of the official
note on the subject published today.
The Spanish government takes bright
view of relations with the United
States, and believes peace is secured.
Important newspapers comment' on ths
note in this strain. But inquiries
made last evening of Minister Wood
ford failed to secure anything confirm
ing the optimistic impressions prevail
ing here. He has so earnestly been a
friend of peace throughout that his
silence now causes much anxiety in
diplomatic circles. Woodford was busy
until late last night. The substance of
yesterday's proposals of the Spanish
government, the press learns, is:
First- That the insurgents should
ask for an armistice, and not the .Unit
ed States.
Second That the request for an
armistice should be dealt with by ths
autonomist cabinet of Cuba, and with
out the intervention or good offices of
the United States.
"" ' " " 1,11 1 ''
VANDERBILT'S PATRIOTISM.
In Case of War He Will (lire the Oo
ernment 0)5,000,000 Warship.
New York, April 4. W. K. Vaader
bilt, it is reported, has decided, iu the
event of war with Spain, to present to
the government a warship to cost tB,
000,000. This interesting information
came from a most reliable source, with
tbe explanation that Mr. Vanderbilt,
impressed with the justice of tbe
nation's attitude, believed this tol be
the most direct and practical manner
in which he could be of service to his
country. His grandfather, Commodore
Vanderbilt, during the oivil war, pre
sented to the federal government the
steamship Vanderbilt, valued at tl,
000,000. . - - i
loonoelast Brann Killed.
Dallas, Tex., April 4. A special to
the News from Waco says: In the
midst of buBy preparations for city elec
tion meetings, while bands wore play
ing and scattering handbills from their
decorated ' vans calling tbe people to
gether, W. O. Brann, editor of the
Iconoclast, ' and Captain M. T. Davis
met and fought a revolver duel, which
resulted in Brann'B death tonight. Th
combatants met at 6 o'olock on South
Fourth street, in front of the Ootton
Belt ticket office, and after exchanging
a few words, both began emptying their
revolvers Into each other's bodies.
When the battle was over Brann was
found to be perforated in the left lung,
the lett leg, and the right foot. Davis
was shot through the right lung and
through both arms. The difficulty be
tween the two men grew out of th
Brann-Baylor feud of last year. ,
The Colvllle Mining Boom. .
- Spokane, April 4. Mining men
down from the north half of tha Col
ville reservation last night report a
lively rush to the new camp of Repub.
lie, in Eureka district. Four stages
run daily, and men are rushing in by
the hundred in wagons, on horseback
and afoot. Capitalists are coming iu
large numbers, and many transfers are
being made, .
Experts who have examined the Re
public mine report that over 18,000,
000 worth of gold ore has been blocked
out.
The townsite was put on the market.
two days ago, and men stood in line-
for hours to buy lots. Mining men,
predict that the town will have 10,00
population before next winter.
To Man a Monitor. ,
New York, April 4. Orders wars
received by the commander of the New
York naval reserve today to send 100
men to League island to bring to thi
port one of the monitors now there.
The men will leave at 8:30 P. M. '
San Francisco, April 4. A water bt-
oycle driven by two men seated tandem
fashion, may daily be seen on the bay..
It was built on original lines by F. O.
Winquist, a foreman in the Union iro
works, and E. Olsen, who proposes to
sail up the Yukon, The strange craft,
ia constructed of- aluminum and steel
and it is said a speed of 18 knots can b'
made. Tests have proven the oUim
of the inventors and owners. They
ambuai1 1. a hav am tlit. asmallw .law t Vi a
bark Almy was wrecked, ,
' -' - - 4 i
THE ISSUE MADE UP
President Regards War , as
', Inevitable.
IMPORTAT CABINET MEETINGS
pain's Answer Is Kntlrely Vnsatlsfae
torr to This Country The Mat
ter Ooes to Congress.
Washington. April 4. There is lit
tle doubt that the president and mem
bers of bis cabinet now regard a con
flict with Spain as almost inevitable.
In his message to congress, wbioh in
all probability will be sent in early in
the week, it is understood that the
president will review at some length
the record as it stands between this
government and Spain, but will not in
sist upon further time in which to con
tinue negotiations looking to a peace
ful settlement of the Cuban problem
Tbe cabinet meeting this morning
was unquestionably the most important
held in many years. It received Spain's
answer to the ultimatum of this gov
ernment, and finding it unsatisfactory.
praotically decided upon a policy which
at this hour seems certain to involve
hostilities. The whole record will be
laid before congress, and the question
is now under earnest consideration of
what shall be the particular form our
policy shall take in bringing to an end
the horrors in Cuba, and securing the
independence of the island.-.
Propositions ranging from a simple
recognition of Cuban independence to
a straight oat declaration of war nave
been urged at the capitol, but there is
bardiy a doubt that the majority of
congress await the executive lead be
fore taking action, and are disposed to
adopt Mr. McKinley's suggestions on
tiiis point. It is not thought that any
of the resolutions, except, possibly, a
simple recognition of independence,
would lead to war.
There were, of course, all sort of
rumors in circulation, including re
ports of mediation by some European
powers, but no sach suggestion has
come to this government, for as late as
C o'clock, in response to a direct ques
tion, Secretary Day said there had
been no offer of mediation by any for
eign government.
. Cabinet Member's Statement.
One member of the cabinet, in
speaking of the meeting today, said:
"In the morning, it was apparent to
all of us that, having exhausted all
diplomatic efforts to bring about a bet
ter condition 6f affairs in Cuba, the
whole question must be submitted to
congress. At our afternoon meeting,
the president requested each member
of the cabinet to express freely his in
dividual opinion as to what should be
done. The discussion was entirely on
the lines indicated by the members.
Nothing definite was decided upon,
And no conclusions reached. Tbe pres
ident will now take the views submit
ted to him under consideration, pre
paratory to his message to congress,
Which will be sent early in the week.
"President MoKinley has done a
great deal of work recently, and ap
pears pretty well fatigued. Conse
quently, he will taks some little rest
before beginning work on the message.
He has not yet determined what rec
ommendation will be communicated to
congress.
- "My own individnal opinion is that
but little faith can be put in promises
made by Spain, and this makes me hes
itate about accepting with any confi
dence her latest proposals. In the first
place, she promised a long time ago
that the reconcentrados would be re
leased; the result shows this promise
bos not been kept. Now she proposes
to release them, but keep them under
military supervision. Who can tell
whether she will adhere to this ex
pressed intention?
"Broadly, there appears to be three
courses open to the president in dealing
further with this matter. The first of
these is to accept the proposals submit
ted by Spain in reply to tbe American
representations, the second to relegate
the whole matter to congress, and let
that body do as it seems proper
which Ithink would mean interven
tion and the third, to take a middle
stand. But, as I said before, nothing
has yet been determined upon by the
president, or, if he has reached a de
cision, he did not communicate it to
the cabinet.
"Yea, reference was made by Spain
t the Msinoymatter in the reply she
aent through Minister Woodford. She
made no offer to pay for the loss, but
suggested that the matter be settled by
arbitration. So far as I recall, she ex
pressed no regret for the sad ooenr
renoe. and the whole thing was regard
ds cold-blooded statement."
The reply of Spain ia said in effect
to be representation that the independ
ence of Cuba means the parting or
oession of Spanish territory, which
cannot fee done without the consent of
the Spaosish oortee, which will not be
in session until April 84. Then a
ooeuuter-pjopoeition is submitted that
tho Co boa matter shall be settled upon
a basis equitable among nations. The
United States is asked to give Spain
time t treat with the Insurgents and
ascertain what can be done in the na
ture of peaceful settlement -
At Perto Rico.
Madrid, April 4. The Spanish tor
ped flotilla has arrived at Porto Rico.
Kn iger Was Not Assassinated.
London, April 1. A report was oar
rent on the stock exchange today to the
-effect that President Kmger, of the
South African republic, has been shot
-ami killed. The general representative
of the Transvaal discredits the report.
The story is probably a stock exchange
i
FLEET READY FOR ACTION.
extraordinary Preparations Under Way
.. . at Kr West.. .
Key West, April s.--Every prepara
tion for action was taken by the war
ships today. The woodwork was strip
ped off exposed spots and sent aBhore.
The wooden pilot-houses on the cruis
ers were taken down. Even the steer
er's wooden box was removed from
some ships. These precautions have
been adopted to prevent, as far as pos
sible, the danger of flying splinters in
case of action. The officer sent their
personal valuables and belongings to be
stored on shore.
The Castine and two torpedo-boats
left their anchorage after dark, and
steamed to tbe southward, where they
will patrol during the night. This
precaution was ordered by Captain
Sampson today. He is particularly
anxious to watch closely the southern
entrance to this harbor, and also to
afford additional safety for the Iowa,
Indiana and New York, which , lie un
protected six miles out.
The naval station offlcials have re
ceived orders to overhaul their marine
engineering stock, so that it could be
used instantly in case of emergency.
The establishment if a patrol is con
sidered by the few wbo know of it as
most significant. The entire fleet is
now in readiness to move at 15 min
utes, notice.
The five bodies from the Maine
brought here last night were buried
today with the usual simple ceremony.
ASKED BLANCO'S OPINION.
Row tho Situation Mow
Madrid. -
Appears in
New York, April 3. A dispatch to
the World from Madrid says: : Tbe
Spanish government has wired the sub
stance of the negotiations between this
country and the United State to Captain-General
Blanco, at Havana, with
a view of obtaining his opinion on the
disposition of the insular government,
the autonomist and other colonial par
ties, and as to what disposition the
army and the volunteer wonld show
toward the contemplated means to has
ten the paoification of Cuba.
While conflicting impressions prevail
in political and diplomatic circles on
the issue of tbe negotiations, tbe im
pression is that the government will
do its best to secure peace by reason
able concessions to America and Cuba,
although complete independence may
not be conceded.
A GERMAN BLUFF.
An KSTort Made to Secure Possession ol
Liberia- :'.
New York, April 3. Joseph Hart
sell, an American Methodist bishop in
Africa, who has just arrived from the
Dark Continent,, says that while he
was in Liberia a German gunboat ar
rived and demanded $11,500 indemnity
for an alleged offense to a German
subject The indemnity was calcu
lated as follows:
Damages to property, $3,500; $3,500
for threatening to stab the German and
(4,600 for the expense of collecting the
money with a ganboat.
, President Coleman refused to pay,
whereupon the oommandet of the gun
boat told him that Germany would
waive the claim for indemnity it a
treaty was entered into placing Li
beria nnder Germany's protectorate.
This was also declined and President
Coleman commissioned Bishop Hart
sell to endeavor to move England and
the United States to back Liberia in
its effort to remain independent of
German and French interference.
The bishop says he has laid the mat
ter before tbe British government and
now intends taking it to the govern--
ment at Washington, v
Beach's Ad vlee to tho Cubans.
Washington, April 2. Representa
tive C. B. Beach, of Ohio, sent the
following telegram to President Palms,
of the Cuban junta:
"Having maintained the war for
three years by their own bravery, re
sources and sacrifices, unprecedented
in all history, will the Cubans accept
compromise when they can overhear in
the throat of their brutal enemy a
death rattle? God forbid I Will com
promise give you back your sonJ Vtf ill
it unrape your daughter! Will it re
vive the mother who urged , them on
with the breath which starvation al
lowed? Fight it out. Uncle Sam is
duetvtkg off his uniform."
For Belief of Cubans.
Washington, April 8. Representa
tive Wheeler introduced a bill today
appropriating (600,000 to purchase
provisions for the use of Cuban non
combatants, and directing the presi
dent to cause them to be conveyed at
once to the starving people, and to use
as much of the military and naval
forces as necessary to attain this pur
pose. It also direots the president to
notify the 8panish government that
this proceeding is an aot of humanity,
and not intended as an aot of war. ,
rreight Trains Collide.
Chattanooga, Tenu., April L Two
heavy freight trains on the Western &
Atlantio railroad collided today near
Adairsville, Ga. Engineer Elliot was
instantly killed and E'ngineer MoArdee
fatally injured. The trains were com
pletely demolished and a score of cars
smashed into kindling wood. Several
brakemen were badly injured.
To Buy Vanish West Indies.
Washington, April 8. Senatoi
Lodge has reported from the committee
on foreign relations a bill directing the
president to purchase the Danish West
India islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas
and St. John, or any of them, for a
coaling station. Five million- dollars
is appropriated.
A lighthouse of bamboo has been
built in Japan. It is said to have great
power of resisting the waves, and does
not rot like ordinary wood.
BLANCO'S LAST ORDER
Liberates All Suffering: Re
concentrados.
SPAIN IS VISIBLY WEAKENING
Tho Doeree Directed to tho Four West
- era Provinces, ' Plnar del Rio, Ha
vana, Hatansas and Santa Clara.
Havana, April 3. Captain-General
Blanco has issued an important decree,
dated March 30, and published this
morning, in which he directs the end
of reooncentration in the four western
provinces, Pinar del Rio, Havana, Ma
tanzas and Santa Clara.
The preamble sets forth that ths
pacification of the eastern province
having been considerably advanced by
the combined action of arms and the
natural effect of the establishment of
autonomy in giving security to the
country, making possible the advance
ment of the sugar, tobseoe and food
crops; it also being near the time
when the minor plantings give the
means of living to live laboring classes
and peasants; also believing the time
has come to resume the normal condi
tions in the towns and villages, to do
away with the-canse of suffering among
the people, to remove so far as possible
all the effects of the concentrados and
farther to give complete liberty to all
the country people to return to such
places as they desire to do such labor
as they may select, this order is issued.
Tbe preamble further says that for
the reconcentrados who are without re
sources or instruments with which to
labor remaining in towns or centers
previously set apart for their use, the
colonial government proposes to the
governor-general a plan of relief. In
this plan, tbe mayors and alcaldes are
expected to take part, establishing sonp
kitchens, etc., and doing all in their
power to terminate the existing misery.
After the preamble, the order con
tinues: "Article 1, After the publication
of this order, the reconcentrados and
their families will be allowed to return
home In the four provinces given above.
"Article 3. Orders all relief com
mittees and military authorities to fa
cilitate the workings of the decree and
also to aid the reconcentrados in secur
ing new houses.
"Article 3. Directs the colonial
government, through its secretary and
ministerial officers, to prepare to exe
cute all necessary orders to secure for
the country people work on pnblio im
provements snd also to give food by
. economical kitchens to all suffering,
attention being called to those on the
small country estates.
"Article 4. All the expenses over
and above the funds now in the hands
of the committee are to be provided for
under the head of an extraordinary war
sredit.
"Article 5. All former orders of
reconoentration are abrogated."
QUEEN , REGENT'S APPEAL.
Wrote for Help to tho Sovereigns of
. JEurop. ,i,
London, April 8. The. Vienna cor
respondent of the Standard says: Th
queen regent of Spain, I learn, wrote
personally last week to Emperor Fran
cis Joseph and other sovereigns, in
cluding Emperor Nicholas, requesting
not precisely intervention, but the ex
ercise of such influence at Washington
as might conduce to a settlement of
the injury to Spain's dignity and vital
interests.
" To her relatives in Austria her ma
jesty wrote that she regards herself as
more fettered than a real sovereign,
beoause she is only a trustee who has
undertaken to band over to a son an
inderitance from his father unimpaired
and uninjured.
"I am in a difficult position," she
said, "having to act as a guardian of
the dynasty which I must not expose
to any danger. To surrender Cuba in
any form will unquestionably be injur
ing the dynasty under which such sur
render occurred, whereas to fight for it
would keep these interests intaot, to
gether with my country's honor. But
the disadvantages Spain would have
to fight under are obvious, and a peace
ful solution would best serve every
purpose,"
I do not pretend to give the text of
the queen regent's letter, but only the
general sense. The recipients have
been deeply impressed by the serious
ness of such communication from a
woman of remarkable energy and sense
of duty, confronted by such a moment
oua crisis.
' A Cuban's Kevengo.
Havana, April 8. It is announced
that Lieutenant-Colonel Benedicto,
who commanded the Spanish force
which killed the insurgent leader
Aranguren, while visiting the house, of
Dr. Franoisoo Vidal, at Guanahacoa,
has been wounded by a revolver shot
In the neck. , The coloied man who
fired the shot escaped. ; -
La Lncha'e Threats.
Havaina, April 8. La Lucha, in an
editorial, says: ,
"We are at the end of the farce
which has held the stage until now.
Heaven should apprise Senor Sagasta -that
he is near the end, not only of hi
political career, but also of his life."
" The Exploring Expeditions.
San Francisco, April 3. The steam
er Valencia, which will sail next Sun
day for Copper river, will take away
three government expeditions. One
expedition is going north to survey the
mouth of Copper river, another is g -ing
to Cook inlet and the third is to
survey an all-American route via Val
de pass to tho head of Copper river.
In Berlin and Leipaio cyclometer
are attached to cabs so tbnt tbe oc
cupant may know his leg-.il f;ut?.