:" - "Wi 6j
THE MORNING OBEGOJsTIAN, TUESDAY, JAtfTJARY 2, 1900.
-r
ORAfACIFICCABlf
toast Commercial Bodies Pa
yor the Project
JNITED STATES SHOULD OWN IT
uamcrce Demands Direct Oom-
smulcation Willi the Orient
Of Strategic VaIne.
Political upheavals of the past two years
ive placed "the Pacific states in a new
slatioa to the -world. .Honolulu has be-
sme an American city .and a port ot
sat stragetic and commercial import-
ice. Manila, unknown two years ago to
le-tenths of the American people. Is
Minding Into prominence as the rival of
Kong for the position of chief jbu-
epot to the Orient. A great field, lar-
;er and richer than that -which pays trib-
to the Atlantic seaboard, has been
opened In the Pacific and in Asia to the
Pacific seaboard. A distinct advantage to
le Paciflc coast is a chain of American
jcssesslons from its ports to its natural
aarket in the Orient This the Atlantic
seaboard has not to its European markets
rom the time an Atlantic liner puts to
sea from New Tork, Boston, Philadelphia
ar Baltimore, the traveler sees no Amerl-
nag, on American territory, except
le one on the steamer, until "he returns
Ito lus native shore. The passenger sail
ing from Portland, Seattle, Tacoma or tSan
rancisco sees the Stars and Stripes -wav
ing at Honolulu, Guam, Wake island and
Jla.
A trans-Pacific cable is absolutely need-
sd for the extension of American trade Jn
le far East. The round-ahout cable, by
ray of Hong Kong and "London, answered
le requirements -of the commerce which
the Pacific states have until now carried
an in the Orient. The new trade which
developing in the wake of American
ins demands a direct cable. Officials of
leading Pacific coast commercial organizat
ions aiscuss, in this annual number, the
lportance of the immediate laying of a
Irect cable. President Slauson, of the
jOS Angles chamber of commerce, sajs
no event since the discovery of gold
California has had so important an
effect on the development of Pacific coast
jommerce as recent political changes in
the Orient. President Nelson, of the
chamber of commerce, urges a
:afcle because of the commercial and pol
itlcal value it would have. A -great -na-
ion like the United States, he Insists, can-
lot safely instrust orders to Its army and
ivy to -a cable passing through foreign
rrltory or one controlled hy foreigners.
Commerce, he says, should no longer be
(denied direct communication with the
Jrient.
Two "different routes are proposed. Sec
retary Prosch, of the Seattle chamber
sf commerce, favors the one by -way of
sltka and the Aleutian islands, which jut
ider the Asiatic coast. He says Jt is
shorter than the proposed route by way
3f San Francisco and Honolulu, would, cost
57,000,000 less, and would put the United
states in touch with its Alaska posses
sions. The San Francisco officials favor
Honolulu and Guam route. There Is
10 division of opinion on the main point
rt the cable Is -needed and should be
id wjihhut delay.
The vast commercial field in Asia that
open to the Pacific states is illustrated
ay the growth of the American traie with
division of the -world during the fiscal
pear nded June -30, 1899. Imports from
sla and Oceanlca during that period
Fere 513i,078,929. compared with $119.3,S2a
for the year ended June SO, 1ESS, and $111,-
5,035 for 1S97. Exports to Asia and
jeanicrj. Jn.1899 w&-& J7&235454 Against
iTXti.StZ in 1S9S and S61.927.67r in 1S97. It
rather surprising, in view of the healthy
ferrcwth of American trade in the Orient,
iat the commerce of the Pacific coast
arts should show a decided falling off in
from 1SSS. Imports at the Pacific
jorts advance from $44,674,612 In iS37 to
1.021,213 in 2898, and exports from $59,952,-
5S2 in 1697 to $75,371,603 In 1698. Paciflc
sas-t commerce reached its high-water
lark during the year ended June 30, 2S98.
sr the year ended June 30, 1899, imports
to $47,359,425, and exports to $57,72L935.
id the aggregate of trade Imports and
?orts from $127,392,816 to $105,081,360.
Portland's trade with Asia and the Pa-
ic islands has a firm foundation on
rhlch to build. For 1898, the last year for
rhlch full figures are available, it -was
Represented by these healthy totals:
iports - .. $1,176,522
Exports 2,312,633
L-Total .$3,489,155
Portland's foreign commerce in 1S98 was
14.335,553, and the Pacific irade was one-
lourth oi the total. By geographical dl-
-islons, Portland's trade "with the Pacific
tn 1898 was:
Imports.
:hina 11.523
Jrttish East Indies 225.437
isms xung ............ Z2K115S
apan 669,174
aawauaa lsianas siz
Philippines 82,891
.mica nasi maies 761
rltish Australasia 7.764
Total ...... $1,176,522
Export.
Iha $ afiifii J
ivug cung .......4.................. l.yn.wn
mpan , 752.713
x&m K5C
tussla, Asiatic 2fsw
Jrltish East Indies ktr
'hUppines 4,719
u liu -cisi. jjraies ........ .......... 3C9
iwailan islands 3.7S
Total $2,312,633
Commodities that Portland imports from
sla and the Pacific are: Sulphur. coaL
oko, coffee, manlia, silk, tea, earthen-
re, malt liquor, matting, rice. salt.
?ys, wool, sugar, cement, jute Grain
gags and jute cloth, window glass, pig
ron ana spirits.
Commodities that Portland exDoits to
he Orient are: Wheat, -flour, barley, oats.
a-mon, structural iron and steel, print-
ig paper, lumber, irult, tools and ma-
fhinery; cotton and beef.
Enlarged trade with the Orient would
feneflt not only Oregon, but the entire
pacific coast. It would be an important
;tor in the evolution of the Pacific
States from merely producing areas, hav-
a minimum or foreign commerce, to
In empire having large imports and ex
ports ana manuiacture3. This evolution
even now taking place. It began when
Oregon. Washington and California en
tered the Asiatic field and demonstrated
lelr ability to compete fof trade against
hirope and the Atlantic states. It will
ither energy with every foot of far
lastem territory opened to the com
merce of the United States. The Pacific
Boast has the short haul In its favor.
rommerce will not round Cape Horn
-hen It has a short and safe path across
le .Pacinc. The manufactures of Oregon,
rashragton and California shipped to the
Orient have advantage over New Tork
nd New England goods in the important
ar.tter ot tune or shipment across the con
sent and in the matter of freight rates
ietween Eastern points andthe Pacific
Soast. From whatever point the situation
v ewed, the Pacinc coast ports are the
latural shipping points for the products
if America destined to Asia and the re
living points of Asiatic products destined
lor America.
NEEHOED TO ENCOURAGE TRADE.
pacific Seabonrd Snipping: Will Soon
"flc as Important an Atlantic.
j jCoThlhS" that has happened since the dls-
Dvery of gold In California has had so
Kjnportant and far-reaching effect on the
ievelopmejit or tne Pacific coiist as the
whsh have transpired in the Ori-
St wnm toe past Fear. wereoy me 4
United States has taken Its place as one
of the leading competitors lor the trade
of the teeming myriads -who inhabit Asi
atic lands. From California -we expect to
build up an Immense export trade In flour
and lumber and preserved fruits and other
products. It Is believed by many that the
time is not far distant "when China alone
will take, In the shape of fiour, the prod
uct of every available acre of grain lanu
in the state. Before many years the ship
ping trade of the long stretch of coast
between the Alaskan and Mexican bound
aries will be as important as that of the
Atlantic coast.
In order that the merchants of the Pa
cific coast may successfully compete for
this trade, which naturally belongs to
them, it Is absolutely essential that they
should have direct telegraphic communi
cation -with the Orient, by means of a
trans-Paclnc cable. The expense of com
municating by the present telegraphic sys
tem would be a. serious handicap upon
our merchants and manufacturers. "With
such vast interests of national as well as
commercial Importance opened Tip inthe
Orient, it Is absurd that we should con
tinue to have to eend a message three
fourths around the world in order to com
municate with those who lie directly op
posite us. J. S. SLAUSON,
President Chamber of Commerce.
Ixs Angeles, CaL
FAVORS XOBTHEHBT ROUTE.
Seattle Chamber of Commerce Says
It is Shortest and Cheapest.
John Barrett, ex-United States minister
to Slam, states that American trade to
the Orient is hampered and thwarted by
the absence of direct cable connection and
by the grinding monopoly of the cable
route via India. The volume of the
Southeastern Asiatic trade he- puts at a
grand total of $1,000,000,060.
It Is self-evident that It Is not of ad
vantage to America to .pperate its grow
ing .Oriental trade via London and In
dia. For a number of years there has been
a persistent effort made to secure govern-
ent aid for a trans-Pacific cable, but only
recently has the marvelous development
of Alaska, the acquirement of Hawaii
and the purchase of the -Philippines made
imperative more direct and economical
communication between the home govern
ment and its outlying possessions, between
the thousands of hardy pioneers to the
Northwest and their home associates, be
tween American firms In foreign posses
sions and their representatives here, be
tween business houses lining the Asiatic
coast from Singapore to Vladlvostock and
American manufacturers and exporters.
The direct and shortest line from Pan
ama to Singapore runs through Seattle,
Dutch harbor, Alaska, the American Isl
and of Attu, through Japan and Manila.
The American termini of this route -are
Cape Flattery, In Washington, and the
north shore of the Island of Luzon. The
distance from the American shore end to
the Luzon ashore end (also American) is
546S miles, and this Is the natural Pacific
cahle route, as
(1) It is 1527 TOUes shorter in absolute
distance "than the southern route via Ha
waii, Midway Island and Guam.
X?) It requires but 5750 miles of cable to
put the. United States -in connection not
only-wHh ihe Philippines but with Japan,
Siberia and Alaska at . five Important
points, while 8700 miles of cable on the
southern route would reach Manlia pnly.
(3) The northern route on the way con
nects with the Skagway-Dawson system,
will be within 600 miles of connections
with St. Michael and Cape Nome, con
nects with the whole Kussian-Chinese sys
te, with the whole Japanese-Chinese sys
tem, before reaching Manila, while the
southern route has no local connections
whatever, and no local business except at
Honolulu.
(4) The northern cahle will cost $4,000,000.
because laid In short Hnksr In shallow
water, and on good hottom. The southern
cable will cost a minimum of $11,000,000,
because laid in larger links in deeper
ssas than any cable yet laid, and over the
worst possible hottom, coral and vol
canic (5) The northern cable Is easy to mainr
tain, to repair and to duplicate for one
half first price hy another Toute "with
other stations, -while the southern cable
cannot be duplicated except by a parallel
cable costing as much, as. the first cable,
and a single break may cost $4,000,000 to
relay, as repairs are well-nigh impossible
in such -deep waters.
(6) The northern cable touches Alaska
at Sitka, the capital4, at Skagway, the
terminus of the railroad to Dawson; at
Kadlak Island, the. entrance to the Cop
per river and Cook Inlet country; at
Dutch harbor, the port of entry to Bering
sea (St. Michael, Cape Nome, the fish,
whale and seal industries); at Attu, the
last of the islands, only 620 miles from
Kussia and Japan, and all these stations
are on the -weather tack, permitting me
teorological weather predictions of great
est value to the whole United States, and
they are also on or close to the Inter
national trade route now sailed by British,
Eusslan, Japanese and American liners
"while the stations on the southern route
have no value meteorologically, and, with
the exception of Honolulu, no commercial
or trade value, and lie wholly off all trade
routes.
(7) The northern cable forms a link In a
line from London to Yokohama, 2400 miles
shorter than the present route via "India,
and -Rould therefore be able to divert a
large proportion of European-Asiatic busl
?s "via America. The southern route Is
1009 miles longer than via India, and could
obtain no European business.
(8) Owing to its low first cost and large
local and European business, the north
ern route could afford low tolls to every
part of Asia, while, owing to its high first ,
cusi, great lengtn and absence-of all con
nections, the southern rmitA pnnifl or.-tvo
ly reduce present tolls to Japan and China,
and would have to charge exceedingly
high tolls to Honolulu and the Philip
pines. (9) A cable can be huilt bv the Northern
route and another cable laid to Hawaii
for less than the cost of a Pacific cable
extended beyond Hawaii to Manila.
While all agree as to necessity of a Pa
cific cahle the question of route Is vital to
the Interests of the Paciflc coast of the
United States, of intermediate stations
and of the world's trade. -
THOS. W. PROSCH,
Secretary Chamber of Commerce
Seattle, Wash.
COMMERCE DEMANDS A CABLE.
It la Needed Also for Military and
Naval Operations on the Paciiie.
The advantages which would accrue to
the Paciflc coast from a trans-Pa-nflc
cable might be considered under two gen
eral divisions: First, the commercial
character; second, the military and naval
character. Both are of national Import
ance, but of particular interest to our
coast.
The flrst station on the way being
Honolulu, a cable to this point has long
been needed, and now more than ever,
owing to the acquisition of the Hawaiian
Islands. Trade has so greatly increased
that It is of the utmost 'Importance that
direct and immediate communication be
established. Since the Spanish war so
large a number of vessels of all classes
make these Islands a stonDlne- ninro nn
J their way to and from Oriental ports that
t is aDsoiuieiy necessary to learn at once
of their arrival and departure, and that
means be afforded of communicating w'th
them.
According to -what is considered the
most feasible plan, the next point on the
line would be Wake island, thence to
Guam, thence to Manila. All of these
points being under American control, the
line Vi ould not be subjected to any foreign
Influence, either in war or peace.
From Its geographical position in the
Eastern seas, Manila Is destined to be, we
believe, a second Hong Kong. If not. in
fact, to surpass It as a commercial entre
pot for the Orient Such being the case,
we certainly should have-our own line of
cable to so important a point. The pres
ent one from Manila to the United states,
running through so many foreign coun
tries and under such diversified seas, Is
naturally beyond our influence atod con-
trol. We mayat any time becompleely
cut off, owing to some complication.
among the many powers through -whose"
territory the line passes- Jt Js also quite
possible that, by having meteorological
conditions known at Honolulu, valuable
aid may he given to the Investigation of
our own climate and atmosphere. As a
matter, too, of economy, the pfesent ex
pense of cabling to Oriental points being
very excessive, a cheaper rate .could un
doubtedly Jhe made on a trans-rPaclfic line.
This would stimulate trade and commerce.
In fact, we are just In receipt of a com
munication from the Hong Kong general
chamber of commerce requesting our co
operation in Inducing the telegraph com
panies to reduce the rates now charged
to that point, which, Hong Kong mer
chants regard as a barrier to the devel
opment of trade.
Looking at the matter from a military
and naval standpoint, it Is at once evident
"of what Immense strategical value a Pa
cific cfeble would be to our government.
It would enable Washington to convey,
without foreign interference, immediate
Information and orders which might be of
the -utmost national value in the move
ments of troops and vessels. Our coast,
being the nearest on the Asiatic conti
nent, -undoubtedly would be the base of
such operation.
From the extensive nature of the enter
prise and from the great national, as "well
as local interests involved, we are of the
-R
RAILWAY STATION
opinion that such a cable should be un
dertaken by the United States govern
ment, and be maintained by 'it, just as
the postofflce is. Furthermore, we trust
that when the time comes for congress
to take action providing for such cable,
the bill wllL contain tl?e proviso that the
cable must be of American manufacture.
This the chamber of commerce of San
Francisco has repeatedly urged. I
CHARLES NELSON,
President of the Chamber of 'Commerce
.of San Francisco. ,
.E. SCOTT, Secretary.
AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY.
No Time Should Be Lost in Laying
a Cable in the Paciflc.
Whatever may have been the need of
a trans-Pacific cable prior to the break
ing out of the war with Spain, there can
be no question that today the demand Is
most urgent. Look at the dally arrivals
and departures of vessels fcom the four
great ports of the Pacific coast Portland,
San Francisco. Seattle and San Diepo. X
Juring the last two years the steamship
service has been quadrupled, and to a keen
student of the trend" of affairs it is plain-
lv oulrfen fVia4- It iHl Vit Vint a oVnif Htna
when the Pacific ocean, with its thousands
of miles of coast line, will have wrested
from the Atlantic Its commerciaXprestlge "!
Imagine, If you can, the business of the
Atlantic being conducted without the as
sistance of the insulated electric "currents
traversing Its depths. The life of com
merce demands that the hand of the op
erator be kept on the market pulsations
and the movements of phlpplng. It Is
suddenly learned that thereIs dearth of
a certain product at a point several thou
sand miles distant; near-by stores are
drawn from, cargoes ot ships are divert
ed, a crash Is saved, and possibly famine
Is prevented. The necessities of Atlantic
commerce are no greater man those of the
Pacific, and then there is the urgent de
mand on the part of the government for
a sure and quick, means for the transfer
ence of orders and receipt of reports.
The Stars and Stripes now float over 'the
Islands of Hawaii, 2100 miles distant in
midocean. The value of this group as a
coaling and supply station is being proved.
Not a moment too soon did we accept from
the patriots of Hawaii the land they bad
conserved for lis. It Ik an ab'solute mili
tary and naval necessity that no time
be lost In -securing cable connection with
Honolulu, and from that point the line
should connect the other Islands still addi
tional thousands of miles distant, 'with j
whose future development and progress
the hand of destiny has irrevocably bound
us.
If, In the opinion of our legislators, the
government should not lay the cable, it
should at least be owned by an American
company and landed on American soil.
congress can wen aurora to grant a most i
liberal subsidy. About this there should
not be a moment's hesitation. It is only
to be hoped that the wirepulling of rival
companies may not delay action.
The value of Honolulu Is as a military
and naval station, its strategic Importance
In this respect is great, hut how much
greater will it be when Oahu's coral-girt
lava shores are connected with the main
coast? But even a greater advantage will
be the encouragement and protection af
forded our commerce.
Again we urge that no time be lost or
plan'abandoned that may tend to give our
merchant marine-an equal advantage Tvlth
the ships of other nations In the race for
commercial supremacy on the broad Pa
ciflc H. P. WOOD,
Secretary Chambe- of Commerce.
San Diego, Cal.
Vacancies 'at West Point.
'Philadelphia Call.
There remain but 15 vacancies to tho
West Point military academy for the ex
aminations In June. Members of congress
have been unusually 'prompt in making
their nominations in the past five months.
All presidential appointments have been
filled as well, and the prospects are now
that no additional places will he at the
president's dlsnosal Until 190L One mem
ber of congress, from the fifth Maryland!
oistnct, nas aiioweams district to oe un
represented at West Point for nearly twD 1
jeare.
- I -;
:.
-niHJBuaj mmmmmamtm mn hk.is:
TYPICAL TRAIN ON THB TRANS-CASPIAN RAILWAY.
ENTRANCE INTO- ASIA-
FROM KRASNOVODSK BY THE
TRANS-CASPIAN RAILWAY.
A Variegated Train Dreary Land
scape Seen. From a. Car Window
Ancient Red of the Oxna.
.it -""
ASKHABAD, Transoaspla, July 7. This
city is the capital of the Russian province,
or government, of Transcaspl, a province
which extends from the Caspian sea on the
west to the seml-lndependent khanates of
Krilva and Bokhara on the east, and from
the government of the'Ural on the north
tp the. countries of Persia and Afghanistan
on the south. The desolate Aral sea also
forms a part of the eastern boundary.
Largely desert In character, the province
Is valuable to Foissla ohie'fly from the mil
itary point bf view,, and as a means of ac
cess to countries south' and east
Scattered posts on 'the Caspian and at
long Intervals along the caravan routes are
the only "Russian settlemehts-'except "those
AT KRASNOVODSK.
on the line of the railway. Another rail
way Is contemplated" f rom "the -feot -of
Mertvi, or Dead bay, the northeastern
extension of the Caspian, to the we&tern
shores of the Aral, but if built Its motive
will be as purely military as was the con
otruction of this more southerly line. Geo
graphically, Transcaspla is c'onsldered to
be a part -of 'Russian Turkestan, or Cen
tral Asia, but It has a distinct provincial
government of 4ts own, administered at
this placet
It topk'buta few moments of searching t
the; railway station, the p"dsto&ce and fhOj
telbgraph office at Krarjnovoas.k! the other
day "to prover-that the.RussIan'vgentlentan
whom J expected to meet was not there
and that he had not sfent any word td me.
There was no doubt that my journey was
to be taken alone Instead Of with a par
ticularly desirable, cdmpanlon. Most of
the passengers who had been aboard the
steamer from Baku were going east by
rail, for there Is little reason why any
one should ston at Krasnovorlsk- T lolnpd
them atythe railway station, fohha aseatJ
In the shade and watched the approach of
the train time with Interest.
Of 'course all the terminal shops and
buildings at Krasnovodsk are the., newest
of the new, but they have the advan-
asa of having been built
all at once,
from a complete plant Instead of growing
Dit oy Ditt so tnat they serve, their pur
posa'admlrably. The railway station Ttself.
is an excellent stone building, designed
with an evident intention to Imitate Ori
ental architecture, bvt equipped quite
after the Western fashion as far as con
veniences are concerned. According to
ttyj usual Russlah custom, a large room
cutting across the center of the building
from, back to front Isi waiting-room and
restaurant, or buffet, as the Russian
phrase has It, all In one. Around the
sides of the room are settees not far dlf-i
ferent from those We know at home, and
In the center of ..the floor a long table,
always set, at which waiting passengers
are served with food or drink at all hours.
The space remaining at one end of the
bunding Is used for ticket; telegraph and
baggage offices, and for third-class passen
gers, and at the otfyer end for the kitch
en of the buffet and the -private, quar
ters of the station-master and hlahelp.
The Trans-cnspinn Train.
There Is a daily 'train leaving Kras
novodsk at 4:40 o'clock P. M., running
through to Samarkand In two days and
three nights. Four times a week, ot
Sunday, Tuesday. Friday and 'SatUrdav.
this Is the mall train, connecting -with the
steamers from across the Caspian, which!
arrive at noon the same day, and on those
days a dining car Is carried. That does
not indicate as muchluxyry as, .might
be Imagined. Althouglfthe line, has been
completed through to Samarkand f Or .more
than ten years, flrsr-class cars have not
yot been introduced, to say nothing of
sleeping cars. Instead, the trains are
equipped with, second and third-class cars
only, with an addition of fourth-class for
Immigrants.
With the kindness that Is proving In
variable, two Russian officers scraped
acqualnance with me and offered their
services if anything might be needed.
One was a captain of middle age, and
the other the most boyish of lieutenants,
both of the Turkestan contingent of In
fantry. Their destination was Askha
bad, the chief military post of the prov
ince, and they were returning to service
after furloughs in Russia. We walked
about the city of sand and heat and Anal
ly decided that nothing was of sufficient
consequence to justify a second withdrawal
from the shade of the station. It seemed
possible that Mr. Rauner might be rest
ing for a day at Askhabad, and that I
might'flnd him there, so together the three
of usibought second-class tickets and made
a rush for the best car when the train
drew up to the platform.
Cars of All Cdlors.
I- had "Heard glowing tales about the
beSiity rot this train, which was reputed to
bepalnted white from rear car to locomo
tive, but the tale3 wjere not justified by
the facts. One or two white cars were
inlxed In with the varying shades of green
ana yeuow. wnicn cnaractenze Russian
railway trains elsewhere In tha omntre.
raneL'sofar as symmetry was concerned,
tng size -and style of the. cars were as Ir
regular ah'd varied as those of the race
trains on"the-"day of the Melbourne "cup,"
when carriages" of every vintage since
.the uaysof Stephenson are dragged Into
service. The locomotive, however, was a
"Baldwin,"- from Philadelphia, burning
Baku naptha refuse.
The train for Samarkand was solidly
third-class, except that two of the cars
were divided and one-half of each was
differently furnished and assigned to second-class
passengers. We were able to ob
tain one of these half-cars for ourselves,
tho space of Bisection in an American
sleeping car, for each. The woolen up
holstery of the seats was covered with
freBh cotton hangings, the windows stooa
wide open, and altogether the night dia
notrPramlse much dIsc6mfort, even though
there was no sleeper.
By the time we drew out of Krasno
vodsk, the sun was low and the heat some
what subdued, and it was possible to look
at the landscape without "being half dazea
by tne wavering currents of air that toso
from thb parched earth. The ralhfjay
finds tut a narrow exit from the city, for
tho crescent-shaped mountain range that
confines the amphitheater ends only at
the Rater's edge. Then It turns and fol
lows the north shore Of Krasnovodsk bay
for -many miles, -so close to the sea that
the "waves 'sometimes -wash the railway
embankment The Caspian dn one side
and the blly-looklng mountains of yellow
and red on the other do. hot provide an In
spiring view for this entrance into Asia.
Band and salfand desolation are the only
memories, for no one'llves along this por
tion of the way except the railway la
borers who care for thevtrack. Even the
nomadic tribes of the desert avoid this
shore, of the- Caspian.
s lAneiefet BeVotthe Oxus. .
All ahout'lCrasnlivoqsk bay, and Uzun
Adahay the country fakes the appearance
of a great delta, long ago abandoned by
water, but wjth the ancient courses still
traceable. It is argued by many geogra
phers that this dreary shore was once me
center of an enormous trade. They de
clare that the Oxus river, which -played
such a large part in the wars and the
commerce iof the ancients, found its outlet
into the Caspian at this point, instead of
losing itself in the worthless Aral sea, as
It does today, and that here the mighty
stream carried Ihfc wares of India and
Central Asia 'to the merchants ot Europe
and the West. Even now 'there Is a suffi
cient remnant, of the ancient bed to form
va distinct evidence In support of their, con
tentions. Salt lagoons extend far Inland,
and to them, are Joined the sandy hollows
that suggest the. delta of a Threat river.
The reputed ancient bed of the river Is
traced all the way across the desert by
depressions -tvhlch'are claimed to be un
doubted in their character, to a point not
far from the upper division of the Oxus,
now the Amu Daria, at the point where
its'present delta begins to form on Its waj
to the Aral sea. Nevertheless, scientists
are not all in agreement on the question
-of athe-aneient- channels -of the vOxus, some j
denying inac tne e.iaences nere suggestea
are sufficient. They declare rather that
these traces Indicate tho fnrmpr PTriatpnnt,
j ot a broad gulf connected with the basin
of the once existent Sara Kamysh lake.
Into which the Oxus fiowed, instead bf
emptying directly Into the Caspian. The
wnole question becomes Important now
only as It affects certain great commercial
and agricultural irrigation schemes of" the
RUsslariS-f dr diverting the.great river m
'tolts ancleht channel.
, j " ; -TRUMBULL WHITE.
A SIGNIFICANT LETTER.
Boer Sympathy Availed Of as a Last
. Hope for BrjaniBm.
PORTLAND, Dep. 3L (To the Editor.)
Your correspondent "S. S.,'Mn seeking to
make outcasefor England In.her,pres
ent 'SaUth MrliTarf'-.st'rHirirlp with tVio turn
"'B'oerTJepuijHcs, ready makes 'the 'case I
lor mo uoer. apeaKing from the stand
point as an American, as he alleges. It
does s6em peculiar for "S. S." to claim
that England Is the nation that has civil
ized the whole world. No thorouchbred
American will ever admit this bald state
ment,. If he Is at all conversant with his
own 'Country CAmerlca) and its Revolu
tionary period that gave It final independ
ence.. No doubt "S. S.," AmericanC?),
considers that period also as one in the
history of Albion, when It was necessary
to civilize which stood for taxatlpn with
outTepresentatlon the "father of his coun
try" and his band of nobis adherents.
However; jusfas greedy: England failed in
1776, '1812 and in ,1861-6 to destroy our re
publican form of government, just so that
natfor. will fajl to wipe out the Boer re
publics. Ahd what Is more, every thor
oughgoing American that wishes for the
'downfall of these South African republics
is a tory at heart against American Insti
tutions. ""England, forsooth! Civilizing the whole
WOrld! To American freedom rnl o'vi-
'ization anywhere itfwes Its greatest suc
cess, we are often told how Engiana
wds te'flrstto abolish slavery, but ror
the benefit of American (?) S. S."" ana
other' Americans with similar views, 1
might add that Denmark prohibited slav
ery In all her possessions nearly 50 vears
'before England followed suit.
Does "S. S. consider the present "pig
sticking'," as carried out by the Fifth lan
cers recently at Elaand's Laagte, where a
small troop of Boers surrendered ane.
'kneeling in an "-attitude of prayer, were
-merciiessiy-massacred, civilizing? God for
bid. As for "S. S." questioning whether or
not "this enlightened country" could en
tertain Mr. Van Slclen's views, as puo
lished In The Oregonian the other day,
let me tell Mr, '.'S S." that even In tory
rlddeh Portland a mass meeting, called to
give Its views on this subject, would
overwhelmingly side with, the Boers. Not
.only this, but the 'republican party will
nna una -south African question its
"Scylla, and Charybdls" In the coming na
tional elections nt it does not recede from
its present pro-British stand, providing
the Boers hold out tin next summer.
England will need active help from
somewhere before she 13 through with the
Bers, and It shall not be from America
In any othei1 way than as a neutral, selling-
food and munitions of war to any bel
ligerent tjjat calls for it and runs chances
of shipment.
Instead' of Americans studying how tc
incur the" hatred of all the dther nations,
by actively siding with English monarchy
And Its titled money oligarchy, let then
reflect as to how they may hold aloof
from loreign'ehtartglements, and get Into
shape, to 'furnish the supplies that will ae
needed by more than one nation before
the 3oerj traubje Is over.
fAtaierica for Americans" let your watcr.
word befdurlngthe-ZOth century, ahd you
will ileave your descendants a priceless
heritage. Act,otherwlse and you will leavo
them a; curse. Do we owe our children era
England's chUdren duty flrst? Self-preservation
Is the flrst law of nature, which
holds equally true with the laws that gov-i
ern national impulses. There is such a
thing as biting off more than one can
chew. I
With1 England's ' difficulties increased
daljy now, Jlhis country has a chance ot
shortly once more becbmlne a Drre.it mnr.
ltlme nation, whose ships, unfurling the
"star-spangled banner" aloft, shall carry
our ever-growing commerce Into every
part of tfiQ world. England has always
been a ''bully," and therefore has not
earned American sympathy enough to
cause us to wish to heip her in the hour
of real peril how confronting her. There
lg rid menace- to our people's institutions,
even if England is brought to time ana
made to respect other white people's gov
ernments. c. W. EMAN.
. ' 8
Itussln's Marine Service.
Indianapolis News.
It is calculated that the total number of
vessels In European Russia, excepting
steariiers, Is more than 5,000, with a total
tonnage of 8,000,000, and a cost of more
than $20,000,000. Tho number ot men em
ployed On them Is .more than 100,000. The
nurrfber built annually, according to the
statistics of the government, 13 from 6000
to 9500, but this Includes the several thou
sand hullt for one down-stream trip. The
annual value of the vessels constructed
Is estimated to he between $2,500,000 and
fJ,&W,0W.
THE-VEAR -
BUILDERS DO NOT STOP FOR THE
WEATHER.
Prospect That Many Buildings and
Residences Win Be ErecfeI' IH-
1O0O On tho East Side.
At a time of year when Portland archi
tects and builders should be taking-a rest.
If at all, they are starting new structures
while yet busv finishing up older con
tracts. The year 1899 has witnessed the
"rection of between 500 and GOO. substan
tial buildings within the boundaries of
tho city, and fctill the outlook for 1900 in
dicates even a busier' year among Port
land mechanics Leading architects and
contractors notice a hopeful feeling among
property-owners, and much preliminary
plannlngAis,heInp indulged In with regard
to cost of new structures, style of archi
tecture, etc The busv season is expect
ed, therefore, to beein lust as soon as the
winter rains have subsided and the ground
has become sufficiently dry to permit ex
cavation to proceed. The large amounts
of money expended In repairs and addi
tions within the Dast season has not been
permitted to appear as a factor in Port
land exDendltures for Improvements, but
this will probably reach $750,000 In the ag
gregatev Repairs will also go on without
cessation during 1900, as the stress of In
creasing poDulatlon demands that old
buildings be raised and improved, while
painters, bricklayers, plumbers and plas
terers will be occunled transforming old
style structures Into modern ones for the
increasing class of well-to-do renters.
Contractors who have work to push for
ward at present find no difficulty In ob
taining' mechanics, as building has shut
down to a great extent In the more north
ern cities, so the workmen naturally grav
itate to the city which offers them em
ployment duTlng the dull season. Many
Portland property-owners therefore con
sider the winter the best season to build,
as no delay Is met In obtaining hands.
Wages, however, have not fallen from the
summer scale, and there is no likelihood
of a reduction soon.
Excavation for the four-story brick
building on the quarter block at Fifth and
Stark proceeds without interruption, as
the contractors are limited as to time In
completing the building. A donkey en
gine has been put In position on Stark
street, with which to haul the loaded wag
ons up the incline, much ta the satisfac
tion of the teamsters, who found the work
very heavy for even fourstaut horses.
Th6 Corbet t block, fwhicHnls" to occupy
tWs site. Is td cdatf about $10,000, and must
be ready for its occupants early in July.
Tho bulldinir will resemble that of Honey
man, DeHart & Co. In style and archi
tecture. Old buildlncs are being torn down on
the site of the new Multnomah Club head
quarters at Chatiman and Yamhill streets,
and excavation will beein tomorrow. This
building, which Jsto" cost ,$25,000;. has, to'
be under root by the rdlddje- of Ultarh.
so no time has been provided to' waste ,on
delay from the weatHer.
The Brooke quarter block, corner ot Park
and Washington, Is nearly ready, for the
foundation to be laid, and a few das
will see 'the bricklayers at work. The
rains have delayed excavation on this
block to a greater extent than was an
ticipated, as water would flow In from
the street above, forming a pool in the
lower portions of the lotwhjch there was
no adequate1 means,,8f'clrh'lnlng. The site
Is naturally high and sightly. buY, feeing
on the lower side of Park street, exca
vators are at a disadvantage while PIu
vlus is paying his addresses. This Brooke
building Is to be two-story and basement,
and four modern stores will front on the
Wash,lngton-street side. The cost of the
structure Is estimated at $20,000.
Contracts on the vGood Samaritan hos
pital have not yet been awarded, thqugh
several bids have been put In and de
liberated on by the architect. The center
and south wing are to oe erected flrst,
and bids are made on the various por
tions .of the Tvork separately, thus en
tailing a good deal of .extra figuring on
ih$ part of, those who handle the hallo
ing fund. The portions of , the -hospital
now being figured On will cost $40,000, and
the structure will be afterward complet
ed ao funds are obtained. It will be a
three-story brick, with basement, and will
be supplied with modern heating and ven
tilating apparatus.
East Side Improvements.
The improvement record on the East
Side for the past year has been excellent,
while the outlook for. the, nsu.ng year
Is encouraging. In,the'"erectIon of. dwellings
the records show 'that, 3d0 have been, put
up, at an average cost of $1500, at a total
cost of $450,000. These buildings are scat
tered over so wide an area that the show
ing Is not as great as would be If they
were bunched together. Someari just out
side the city limits and others were put
up where the streets were not used and
no record of them was kept, In the re
pairing and reconstruction of old. buildings,
tne ngures ror ne. year are very large.
Practically every oullding that could be
made habitable, was rebuilt or remodeled
from the Willamette river through Monta
villa, and It Is estimated that for this pur
pose alone $50,000 was spent, making the
total sum expended In erection and re
pairing dwellings fully $500,000. In the
low ground between Union avenue and the
river Improvements 'to the amount of $50,
000 have been made, Including the largo
bulldlhgs and the O. R. & N. switch. The
total Is $550,000 for all building fmprove
mentsv For the ensuing year a large number
of dwellings have been projected and will
be undbr way in the spring, so that the
year will witness steady Improvements.
The Southern Pablflc Company will soon
proceed with the erection of their build
ings, for which the company has added
10 acres of new grounds to the original
tract of 30 acres. Trackage through the
grounds will be materially changed, and
the wooden structures will all be rep'aced
with brick ones. The Doernbecher furni
ture factory, on East Twenty-eighth s'rest,
will be completed and In operation by
April or May, and the City & Suburban
Railway Company will extend a spur to
the s'te when the factory has been completed-
A number of cottages will be
erected In that ne'ghborhood for the use
of the operatives, and altogether an mv
portant Industry Is In prospect as the re
sult of the establishment of this factory.
It Is also promised that better car service
will be provided for thepenlnsula people.
These are a few things that may be ex
pected this year on the East "Side.
Miscellaneous Improvements.
The dwelling of J. C. Roberts, on East
Yamhill and JJast Twenty-ninth streets,
to cost about $2000, Is well along toward
completion. It Is a neat house.
The $1200 parsonage of the St. Paul Ger
man Lutheran church. East Twelfth
street, has been completed, and will be
occupied by the pastor and family withn
the next two weeks, when there will be
a house-warming.
The large two-story residence of Fred
Goldapp, on East Thirteenth and East
Division streets, costing $1500, Is enclosed
and nearing completion.
, The handsome residence of Captain Hos
ford, on East Seventh and East Ash
streets, Is nearing completion. On the In
side the finishing Is very handsome In
deed, and the cost of the dwelling will bo
about $2000. (
The J9CQ cottage of Mrs. Charles Scott,
on East Ninth and East Ellsw orth streets,
only needs painting on the outside when It
will be completed.
George W: Bates, of Alblna, will com
mence erection on two flats on Russell
Btreet. In the rear of the Central Methodist
church, costing about $1000, when the
weather will permit.
The handsome home of .George Thatcher.
on East "Ninth, near 'Waaler street, has
I been completed, and Is ready to tie occu.-
pled. It cost $1500, and is one, of the
Ineateatresldences of the neighborhood.
A. J. Rushlight has-taken out a-peumlt
.for the, erection of .aWSCO toejluiff on
"East Twenty-second 'street. vVforfe 'is to
be commenced as soon as possible, and
pushed forward to comp'etlon.
TOWN OF DUFUR IS "DRY."
Bat a Visitor Say Doctors' "Pre
scriptions Malre Potions Plenty.
DUFUR. Or., Dec. 2). (To the Edltr.
A word concerning- the towju of J")ear,
Or., might be acceptable in yourcolumns.
This is a town of ahout 250 inhabitants.
It Is about 15 miles south of The Dalles.
It is In the midst of splendid wheat-growing
lands, extending from the Columbia,
river to the Warm Springs Indian reeer-
vatlon and from the Cascades to the Des
chutes east and west. There Is now he
Ins made a railroad survey from, The
Dalles to Dufur, and the people are prem
ised this outlet for their .products within
one yean. ,
There are two church buildings here,
a good public school, with nine grade,
a grl3t mill In town, and one four miles
distant, owned by a resident of Dufur,
a town system of waterworks, all mer
cantile linesv represented and a factory
manufacturlng weed destroyers, employ
ing about a dozen men. and representing
an investment ot about $10,000. There is
no saloon here. The conveyance of the
town property has a clause forbidding
a saloon. It Is quite well understood,
howeer, that a doctor's prescription will
secure a potion at the drug store for all
who have aliments that way. It is no
t'ceable that quite a number in the com
munity have these ailments of a frequent
nature, and the many potions prostrate
some.-and to all appearances the remady
produces worse effects than the afflic
tion. There is a fine class of people in Dufur.
They are genial, hospitable and for the
most part religious, devout. This efcfcw
are never sick unto the occasion as alifle
described Expenditure In education and
good morals would be the more profitable
for all classes than these medical pottoas.
There are two phjsicians here, and ftvo
preachers.
The newspaper of the town lately
changed proprietorship, making also a
change of politics. The present editor
is making a good showlngr of ability and
determination to command respect.
J. B. LISTER, Visitor.
a g
BUSINESS ITEMS.
If Baby Is Cutting: Teeth,
Bs. sure and nsa that old and well-tried remedy.
.Mrs. 'Winalow's Soothing- Syrup, for chlWran
teih!nff. It soothes the child. Stftens the gunw.
allays all pain, cures wind colic and diarrhoea.
"Every married man must ask his wife's
permission to make a success." That was
a saying of a wise old clergyman who knev
that marriage was a partnership in the
broadest sense, and that there can be no
success in any partnership in which the
partners do not contribute equally to make
success possible. For this, if for
Tja other reason every man vho
is trying to climb the ladder of
success should be interested in
his wife's health. A healthy
woman is always helpful. A
tired, nervous
woman, depleted
in strength and
depressed in mind,
can contribute
neither mentally
nor physically to a
husband's success.
Que remarkable rem-'
edy. Dr. Pierce's Favor
ite Prescription, so
strengthens the onran3
peculiarly feminine.
dries up debilitating
drams, neais ulcerations
and inflammations, and
cures female trouble,
that the causes of ill-
health are thus entirely removed, and the
healthy, happy wife becomes a genuine
help-meet to the husband.
"I was sick for twelve years, and for two yeara
I had to atop work altogether," wntes Mn, Bell
McCrobi. of Oakland. Garrett Co., Maryland.
"I was. treated by five different physicians who
pronounced mv case Briffht's disease, lmnover-
f ished Condition of the blood, and utennc trouble.
I suffered a great deal with pain in both sides
and much tenderness In pressing over the womb.
I was bloated at times ip. bowels and limbs.
"Was troubled with a disagreeable discharge
from the internal organs I could not sleep and
was troubled with palpitation of the heart Suf.
fercd a great deal of pain, in my head, temples,
forehead and eyes, and I also suffered excruciat
ing pain at monthly periods. Since taking
eleven bottles of Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescrip
tion, I have enjoyed better health than I hod f9r
more than twelve years previously, and have
gained in weight twenty-five pounds since tak
ing your medicines."
Siclc women can consult Dr. R. V. Pierce
by letter, addressed to Buffalo. N. Y., abso
lutely without charge. Each letter is read
in private, its statements held in sacred
confidence, and all answers are mailed,
sealed in plain envelopes, without adver
tising: or other printed matter.
Jt is a good thing: to keep Dr. Pierce's
Pleasant Pallets ;n the house. One Pellet
is a laxative, two a cathartic dose.
NO GAS!
Set of Teeth ..$5 00
Gold Filling: ... ...S1.00
Beit Teeth. S. S. W ...-fei.OO
Cold Crown C5.00
Silver Filling: SO
AH work examined by professional manager.
Dr. J. S. Walter, registered dentist.
New York Dental Parlors
N. E. Cor. Fourth and Morrlsoa Strcits
Lady always In attendance.
Hours. S to S. Sundays, 10 to 4.
GRATEFUL COMFORTING
Distinguished Everywhere
For
Delicacy of Flavor.
Superiority In Quality.
Grateful and Comforting
to ths Nervous or Dyspeptic
Nutritive Qualities Unriyallcd.r
Your Grocer and Storekeeper Sell It
Id Half-Found Tins only.
Prepared 6y JAMES EPP5 & CO., ltd.
Koraaecpalnlc Cfternlsts. London,
Emtand.
'BREAKFAST SUPPER
.f
M
m n.n
m& mm
mkWl
fllll I
IPwsA d
NO PAIN!
RIO PIATP? 1111