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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 1900)
1ifs;timiTjP','s THE MOBNING OEEGONIA? WEDNESDAY, JANUARY IT, 1900. tT 5fS - Senator Vest DeCJaredHe IsNotTOhe, senate, and the resolution introduced a Traitor to.tKfc G'ountry, BUT SEES NO USE IN ALL THE TALK- Continuation of the Philippine De liate "in tne Senate Urgent De ficiency Bill In House, WASHINGTON, Jan. 15. The senate is BtlH in tne throes of the discussion of the Philippine question, and. apparently, there is no near approach to a deliver ance upon the subject. Vest of Missouri today voiced the opimon of many senators when he said that such discussion as Is now in progress Isof no consequence, as the country is confronted by a state of facts that cannot be changed by talk. Pettigrew's (resolution of inquiry and Xodge's substitute for It were laid on the table today, and Hoar's general resolu tion of inquiry as to the facts of the Philippine war -was taken up. An effort of Pettlgrew to amend It, so as to call lor the president's instructions to the Paris peace commissioners, led to a pro longed debate. After the senate had con sidered the matter behind closed doors, the amendment -was rejected by a vote of 41 to 0. The debate for the day was concluded by Vest, who made a notable speech in opposition to the assumption in some quarters that every man who does not agree with the policy of the administra tion is a traitor to his country. Vest threw into his utterances all the nervous force and energy and the accomplished oratorical ability for which the is famed, and commanded the attention of the sen ate throughout. McLaurin addressed the senate on the financial question, making an argument in favor of his proposition to confer au thority upon state- banks todssue circu-v lating notes. The urgent deficiency appropriation bill was taken up in the house today under an agreement -which limited the general debate to today. It -was the general ex pectation that it would open up a stormy debate upon the question of expansion, in view of the large army and navy Items ,it contains, but the members early be !came very much engrossed In a discussion of an Remof $150,00K for" rural free de livers. In which all ttre personally in terested, and the subject f of expansion was barely touched upon. The last hour of the debate -was en livened -with an attack by Richardson, the minority leader, upon the" secretary fof the treasury for his course in connec tion -with the sale of the New York cus-'tom-house. He Tehearsed the charges that Secretary Gage had been guilty technically, of embezzlement in connec- vtlon with, -the sale of the custom-house in depositing the proceeds in a national banlr which was a government depos itory; instead" of the treasury of the United -States, but said that this charge would not hold. His purpose, he said, was to sfaow that the City Natlor A bank had been favored on account of the con tributions of its directors to the repub lican campaign fund of 1896, and to show that the course of the secretary In allow ing the purchase price to remain in the bank, while at the same time paying rent for the property and keeping it ex empt from taxation, -was not dealing fair ly with the trust funds of the govern ment. Hopkins of Illinois championed the course of the secretary, declaring that his reply to the house resolution an swered evary charge brought against him and displayed business ability thajt must snpetthe approval of all, fair-minded peo- Ipfe. - He insisted, furthermore, that the '.title" to the custom-house passed to the hank -when It purchased and took pos session of the property, and that it had not been exempt from taxation since it had been purchased. The debate caused Very little excitement, and there was no attempt to renew the assault upon the .secretary after Hopkins closed. The urgent deficiency bill wiE he taken up for consideration under the five-mlnuto "rule " tomorrow. THE ROUTIXE REPORT. Continuation of the Philippine De late In the Senate. WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 With the opening of today's session of the senate, "Cullom (rep.. 111.) presented a petition handsomely "bound and signed by 3200 colored persons, asking for such legisla tion as will protect colored "men of this country from the barbarous practice of lynching and burning colored men." Cul lom asked that the petition be referred Xo the committee on judiciary, although he said it might be desirable to refer it to ;the committee on privileges and elec tions. Hoar (rep.,. Mass), chairman of the Judiciary committee, said he believed ev ery senator would be glad o have such measures-adorrted as would suppress this wrongdoing; Ind -"epSble "khe, officials to enforce the laws. "NosenakoiC he thought, -would disagree to that. He directed at tention to the fact that state laws take cognizance of the crimes referred to in the petition. By what constitutional method the United States could take ac tion in this question is a difficult query. Chandler (rep., N. H.), chairman of the committee on privileges and elections, thought it desirable to be perfectly frank. There Is jio power In congress to prevent or punish crimes committed' in various states. If the s'lates -do not punish the crimes for the punishment -"of which they have -enacted laws, no federal law can take the place of useless state laws. Chandler said there is no federal law under -which the violator of even the suffrage law could he punished. Spooner (rep.. Wis.) There Is such fed eral legislation. Chandler There is not now such legis lation. Congress has no constitutional power to punish such crimes. Cullom thought that, inasmuch as it involved new legislation, the petition should go to the committee on judiciary. "This question," -Cullom said, "seems lo call for -hivestigaition. These peoplo realize they are being badly treated. Such treatment is without authority of law, and it ought to he stopped, if possible." Tillman (dem, S. C.) asked: "What is the immediate cause of this petition? Does it come from Chicago ?' Cullom replied that the petition came from Chicago, but that it -was signed by people of many states. Spooner called attention to sections, of the revised statutes which provide pen alties for violation of federal election laws. Chandler said he stood conrected. The petition was referred to the com mittee on judiciary. Gallinger (rep., N. H.), chairman of the committee on pensions, reported a bill repealing section 4116, revised statutes, so far as it may be applicable to the claims of dependent parents of soldiers. Bailors or marines who served the United States In the war with Spain. The bill -was passed. Wellington (rep., Md.) Introduced a joint resolution declaring the purpose of the United States toward the Philippine Islands, And gave notice that he would address tho senate on the resolution next Thursday, Pettlgrew (sll., S. X.) offered a resolu tion, -which -went over, calling upon the secretary of war for an Itemized state ment of the expenses of our occupation of Cuba since the close of the -war, and the salaries of all officials. Culberson (dem, Tex.) withdrew as a member jof Ahe census committee, and Cockrelt Idem., Mo.) presented an order making the following additions to the .standing committees of the senate: Cen sus, TalliafaiTo; civil service, Turley, Hettfeld and Culberson; irrigation, Chll- fon and Allen; education and labor. Ban el; fisheries, Kenney; mines and mining, Butler: patents. Hedtfeldt transportation 'routes to the seaboard, McLaurin; Poto mac river front, Bacon; national quaran tine, Culberson. - The resolution of Pettlgrew calling for information regarding the conduct of the tjjt xtoar. suDsuiuiea zor ur wun an I amendmeinl offered' by1 Lodge (rep. Mass.). I It was about to be passed when Pettl grew offered an amendment calling for in formation as to all the Instructions which the -president had triven cthe" commisslon- l-srYbo had - negotiated - the treaty" of peae afcPaife -tpgetper.with; the corre spondencfe "that hacL-passed between the pre,sld;entand: -tho,,commlsslonprs: -DaXisfrfid.aiIInh.'). chairman'Of the for- J elgn 'relations'iommittee, and one of the commissioners, made the point or oraer against the amendment that it was execu tive business. President Pro Tem Frye, who was him self one of the commissioners, overruled the point, because, he said, it was within the discretion of the president whether he should: send the communication to the senate or ndt. "Then," said Bavis, with -much feeling, "I desire to protest in the strongest possi ble manner against a public discussion of this amendment. I may say that nothing passed between the president and the commissioners to which I should ralso objection to publication, but there are matters which ought not to bo made public at this time." On his motion the senate -went into executive session. Ten minutes later the doors were opened, and Bavls moved that the amendment offered by Pettlgrew bo laid on the table. The motion was carried 41 to 20. The following is the vote In detail: AyCs Aldrlch, Allison, Baker, Burrows, Carter, Chandler, Cullom, Davis, Depew, Fairbanks, Poster, Frye, Gallinger, Hale, Hansbrough, Hawley, Kean, Kyle, Lind say Lodge, McBrlde, McLaurin, McMil lan, Nelson, Perkins, Pettus, Piatt (Conn.), Piatt (New York), Pritchard, Proctor, Quarles, Ross, Scott, Sewell, Shoup, Simon, Spooner, Stewart, Thurs ton, Wetmore, "Wplcott 11. Noes Bacon, Berry, Butler, Caffery, Chilton, Clay, Cockrell, Culberson, Hen feld, Hoar, Jones (Ark.), Martin, Money, Pettlgrew, Talllaferro, Teller, Tillman, Turley, Vest, Wellington 29. After the announcement of the vote- Tel ler (sll. Colo.) explained that he had voted against the motion because the president had the power to send any communica tion to the senate in secret, and because he believed that all attempts to keep from the public Information of the kind asked for by the resolution was likely to create suspicion. Hoar regarded the action of the major ity as a most remarkable proceeding. Spooner said: "The president has been perfectly frank with us In this matter, and all of us know just what was done in respect to the Paris treaty." Hale (rep. Me.) followed with a brief statement, in which he said: "The re sult of the negotiation of the Paris treaty -was, to my mind, calamitous." The debate on the resolution was con cluded by ah earnest but brief speech by Vest (dem. Mo.), that he regarded it as very unfortunate that nothing could, be said by the opponents of the administra tion's policy in the Philippines without calling forth an imputation of improper motives. "The friends of the president," said Vest, "and I am not his enemy, assume that any demand made about the Paria treaty or Its negotiation Is an attack upon the administration. This is an unwar ranted assumption. On his "Western tour the president said the whole archipelago had fallen like a ripe apple Into our iapr arid we were, hound to meet our new duties as they were presented "to us. Were we to leave them, or were we, as the 3unior senator from Indiana (Beverldge) so eloquently told us the other day, trus tees unto God to hold them as a part of our mission to regenerate the earth? "I hardly know how to characterize the Imputation that friends of AgUinaldo on this oor are giving aid and comfort "to the enemies of this .country. I have al ready said that I consider the discussion of these resolutions as of no consequence. It Js like calling in a skilled physician after the patient is dead "What is the position of the president? He directed the peaec commission to take one island Luzon and afterward aban doned that policy. He has since said the acquisition of the., islands was an act of Providence that we could not leaye them as derelicts. The fact Is, that this whole question is in a nebulous and foggy con dition. "I disclaim now any Intention that my remarks should reflect upon my country. But I deny the right of any man to muzzle me and restrain my right to ex press my opinion In my own way. Wo have the bubonic plague added to lep rosy in Hawaii; we have starvation In Puerto Rico; we have unrest and dis quiet in Cuba, and we have a war of in definite length in the Philippines. "Is it treason to say this?" In conclusion, referring to the Paris treaty, Vest said: ' "When that treaty -was ratified by the senate of the United States, every man who voted for It knew then that he voted for a war. Every senator knew then,as he knows now, that we -were paying $20, 003,000 for a war In the archipelago, the end of which might come in a month and might not. come in 10 years. I simply put before the senate and the country this proposition: Are we to remain silent, re fraining even from ordinary criticism as to the conduct of the war, for fear that we are to be denounced as allies of Aguln aldo and opposed to the authority of our own country?" At the conclusion of Vest's speech the currency bill was laid before the senate, and McLaurin (dem. S. C.f spoke on an amendment which he had offered to the pending measure. He advocated the re--peal of the law placing a tax on state bank circulation, and permission to state banks to issue circulating notes. He maintained that the Increase of the bank ing facilities -would not help the Sputh and West, if provided according to the provisions of the pending bill. He would have each state regulate its own domestics currency, both in volume and kind. At 2:45 P. M. the senate went into execu tive session, and at 4:55 adjourned. . In the House. Immediately after the reading of the journal the house today went into com mittee of the whale and took up the con sideration of the urgent deficiency appro priation bill. It was agreed that debate on the bill should continue throughout today, and that tomorrow the bill should be read for amendment under the five minute rule. Cannon (rep. 111.), chairman of the appropriations committee, ex plained the items of the bill. Cannon was asked by Loud (rep. Cal.) about the item of $150,000 for rural free delivery, and replied that it had been found that $300,000 had been appropriated for the present fiscal year. That money had been largely expended, and, unless this appropriation were made, half the service now In operation would h.ave to be discontinued. Cannon franklv con fessed that trie manner of the expenditure of this money did not meet his approval. He believed it the duty of the executive to cut the garment according to the legis lative appropriation. The department had no right to create a condition which necessitated a deficiency appropriation. He would vote for the appropriation, but he -would fail in his duty if he did not call attention to the maladministration of the department." Willalm Alden Smith (rep. Mich.) de clared that what the department had dono had met the approval of the people. McRae (dem. Ark.) made a general plea for economy, saying the revenue this year would not exceed 5600,000,000, while the treasury estimates aggregated $738,000,000 Loud, Livingston (dem. Ga.), and Griggs (dem. Ga.), Barney (rep. Wis), Butler (rep. Pa.) and Landls (rep. 111.) all praised the rural free delivery -system. Robinson (dem. Ind.) expressed the opinion that congress in the regular postoffice appropriation bill would vote $1,000,000 for ruial free delivery. BalL (dem. Tex.) first introduced in the debate the question of expansion. He had read extracts from the Declaration of Independence, the speeches of James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, in the constitu tional convention, and of Abraham Lin coln at Gettysburg. It Js a long step, he said, from the, conceptions' of the "igovern ment portrayed in these utterances to the declarations of the spokesmen of the pres-( ent administration. Davis idem. Fla.) deplored the spirit of expansion which has taken possession of a portion of the people. Yet not for all the world would he withhold from our soldiers, fighting, bleeding and dying Jn the Philippines, all .the .mora.1 and ma terial support they need. Davis was ap plauded by the republicans. Richardson (dem., .Tenn.) briefly re viewed the appropriations for the, mili tary department, showing that in time of p"eace the appropriations for it, with the deficiency provided in this bill, reachedf $121,000,000. He then proceeded to criticize the transactions of Secretary Gage in tho matter of the sale of the New York custom-house to the National City bank oft New York; Richardson said one, of the." newspapers had gone so far as to charge that Mr. Gage had been guilty of em- bezzlement technically and "legally, aird" was, therefore, subject to impeachment. I Richardson said he did not go to that length, but the secretary of the treasury, he said, had certainly violated the letter of the law. Richardson said, that in his opinion the secretary was not guilty of embezzle ment, and expressed the opinion tha he had a perfect right to deposit the money In a government depository such as tho National City bank then was. But he de sired to go beyond that. The custom house was sold to the bank July 3, 1S99, for $3,365,000. Just before the sale (June 5) the secretary received a letter from A. B. Hepburn, saying "Of course this bank is very .strong, andif you take the pains to look at the list of directors you will see that we have great claims, in view of what was done In 1896." Richardson then read a list of some government deposits In this bank at Various- times, to show that for six months it had tlie use of an average of $10,000,000 of government money. Was that due to the contributions made by the directors to the campaign fund of 1S96? he inquired. Turning galn to the sale of the custom-hoUse, the deposit of the money in the purchasing bank and the lease of the property to the govern ment at the rate of $136,000 a year, he asked, What had the government got out of the transaction? A paper credit of $3,215,000 and the privilege of paying $136, 003 ayeanrent. "What had the bank got? The rent, the use of the purchase money which it lent, according to newspaper re ports, at enormous rates, and by with holding the last $50,000 of the purchase price to prevent the title from passing, exemption from, taxation upon the prop erty It had purchased. "I Jeave It to any honest-minded man," said Richardson, "if that Is dpallng fairly with the trust money of the United States?" (Democratic applause.) Hoplcins (rep. 111.) quickly challenged Richardson's statement that the bank was not liable for taxes, declaring taxes accrued from the time the bank purchased and took possession, tne mere paper deed not affecting this, but only evidencing ownership. Hopkins said the report of the secretary of the treasury not only met frankly and honestly every charge, but It showed business capacity that must receive the Intelligent approval of .the people of the United States. (Demo cratic jeers.) The report of the secre tary, he continued, exonerated him from every Insinuation. He said the National City bank had been a government de pository long before Gage came Into office. It had been selected by the democratic secretary of , the treasury because of its well-known financial ability. But instead of following, the course of his democratic piedecessors in making a few favorite banks depositories. Secretary Gage had selected depositories all over the United States. The record showed that the pro ceeds of the sale were not deposited for the use of the National City bank, but were subject to check day by day, so that the bank had so to conduct Its. affairs that. It could be withdrawn without warn ing at any time. Why this outcry? Hop kins inquired. The money was as safe as it would be In the treasury of the United States'.' ' "I say,' he 'concluded, "that the sec retary of the treasury Is entitled to the approbation of every honest man. Sec retary Gage has made a record that any American ought to praise. Instead of- de nounce." (Republican applause.) This closed the Incident. The debale on the deficlencv hill was still in progress when the committee rose. Hopkins, from the cbmmltte on census, made a favorable report on the senate bill extending the scope of the census,, and the hnu". at "' flfMvired. Are Yon nn Ale Drinker? You owe It to yourself to try Evans'. SUBSIDIES FOR SHIPS .HEARINGS BY THE HOUSE AND SEN. Ate coaraiiTTEES. Farmers' AHinnce "Wants the Money Spent for Export Bomxties-r-Sen- ator Edmunds' Opinion. WASHINGTON, Jan. 16. Hearings were continued today before the senate com mittee, and the house committee on mer chant marine, on the proposed shipping or subsidy bill. J. C. Hanley, national organizer of the Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union, spoke against the bill before the. senate committee, on the ground that It gave bounties for speed and capacity, whereas the farming organizations favored boun ties based on the products actually ex ported. He said- the organizations he rep- THE' SITUATION AT LADYSMITH. resented would favor bounties of ?1S,000,000 annually on freight outward carried. The plan of subsidies based on speed and capacity -was opposed, he said, because It would go largely to passenger and large ships, whereas the producers wero lnter este'et only in having their products -go abroad. Henry W. Peabody, of Boston, having business connections in London, Manila, Sydney and the Orient, opposed the bill on the ground that any measure to extend our commerce should have more general application, and not be confined to ships. Senator Frye submitted to the senate committee a letter from ex-Senator Ed munds, which In part was as follows: "Agreeable to your request, I have ex amined all the treaties between the United States and other countries on the subject of ships-of other countries being entitled to bounties on exportatlons If the United States should grant bounties to its dwn ships, etc? The list herewith contains the names of countries which, by express pro vision of our treaties, would be entitled to have their ships receive the same boun ties for the exportation of goods from tfie Uriited States that the United States may grant to Its own ships: Argentine Repub lic, Austria, Belgium, Bollvfii, Brazil, Co lombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Great Brit ain, Qreece, Haytl, the Hanseatlc cities, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Mecklenburg Schwerin, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicara gua, Paraguay, Peru, Prussia, Servia, Sweden and Norway." , Mr. Edmunds says that under these treaties "it is Impossible for the United States to grant export bounties to its own ships without bringing Into thje bene fits of the bounties the, ships of nearly all the commercial and maritime com petitors of the United States or else by abrogation of quite or nearly all the treat ies above referred to." Mr. Edmunds fur ther says that "if a bounty on exports is to be granted, It must apply to all ex ports; it must be Impartial and universal." JSeadds: f'A general bounty on exports, If valid, must neoestarily be equal, value for value, and if large enough to reach and benefit the original producers and manufactur ers, would be startling in amount." Clement A. Griscom, president of the In ternational Navigation Company, which owns the American line oV steamers, told tho senate committee that the New Yoik, St. Paul, St. Louis and Paris never made the company a dollar. He figured the net loss to the company at $415,600 annually. The 11 ships under foreign flags sup ported the other ships. Fast ships, like fast trains, did not pay. Mr. Depew here stated that the late Frank- Thompson, pf the Pennsylvania railroad, had made a careful Investiga tion of the subject, and had Informed the senator he had found that fast trains were run at a loss. Mr. Griscom continued, saying that the tramp ships and slower freighters would be benefited under this bill, and would maintain the faster ships. He said his company did, not propose to go out of fast navigation. They were In, and Intended to stay. In tho course of. his remarks, Mr. Griscom said: "I do not -wish to make any statements that may appear like threats, but this service of fast ships cannot be continued under tho American flag after the expira tion of our- present mail contracts, upon the terms under which It Is now running, and all hope of continuing the construc tion Pf such ships, which proved soAiseful to, the government in the Spanish war, will inevitably cease." He thought the amount of subsidy named in' the bill would accomplish the object for which It was Intended. Favorable-Report on Military Bills. -WASHINGTON, Jan, 16. The ' house 1 committee on military affairs today acted favorably on bills establishing a military post ftt Sheridan, Wyo., and making avail able $100,000 for a military hospital at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. :? : ; i, APPOINTMENTS OF POLYGA3IISTS. House PpatofUce Committee Takes Up the Investigation. WASHINGTON, Jan. 16. The house committee on postoffices and post road3 today took up the resolution of inquiry recently referred to It concerning charges that' certain federal appointees in Utah were polygamlsts. Lentz, who Introduced the resolution, was present, and consider able excitement was caused by some of the statements made by him. His remark that the resolutions were likely to be pigeon-holed . by the committee brought out a protest from Chairman Loud, who said that tho committee would not "pigeon-hole" any business submitted to it. Lentz, proceeding, stated that he could produce affidavits that papers had been placed on file alleging that certain federal appointees were polygamlsts. These pa pers were receipted for by Mr. Porter, the president's private secretary, Lentz said, but the papers could not now be found. Lentz said Grosvenor had said to him that "we have not let the grass grow under our feet," and that as soon as the charges Were made, the matter had been looked Into. Representative Grosvenor was sent for, but could not be reached. The committee adjourned the hearing until next Friday, when Secretary' Portetr, the- postmaster- I general and. General Qrogyenor will be in-; The postmaster-general has sent the fol lowing letter to Chairman Loud, of the committee: "On looking into" the papers as to tho pcstmastershlp at Logan, Utah, I And the facts to be as follows: Orson Smith was appointed postmaster November 19, 1897, upon the recommendation of the referees, in the usual way. There Was nothing In" the-papers. toindlcate that he-was a pdlyg amist or that any such allegation had been made respecting him, not a word to ralsa that question in connection with his ap pointment. He was confirmed by the seh ate January 20, 1898. After his appoint ment there was a letter from the Rev. Mr. Clemenson, bearing date of Novem ber' 22, 1897, and addressed to the president, Which was Pent to the postoffice depart ment, and there received November 30. There is nothing to indicate that any at tention was attracted to It. The appoint ment was'maderand as thousands of papers come in, It was filed away apparently with out examination. There Is no other paper In the case indicating any such allega tion until December 21, some weeks after the nomination was made in the senate. "As to tho Provo City case, the facts are that there Is no paper in the depart ment of any date making an allegation of polygamy against the incumbent, but that when It became a matter of public report somq time agor I wrote to tho mar shal of tho territory asking him for any information In his possession, and he re plied that a charge had been made in the I state court, and tho postmaster had been neiq, over ioc trial, which was soon to take place. 'We decided that we ought not to convict In advance of trial, and reserved action until the judicial determination." PACIFIC CABLE. Secretary Longr and Admiral Brad ford Before Senate Committee. WASHINGTON, Jan. 16. Secretary Long and Rear-Admiral Bradford ap peared before the senate committee on naval affairs today In advocacy of the construction of a .Pacific cable by the government. The secretary's statement was general and related entirely to the feasibility of the plan and Its advantage over doing the work by private enter prise. Rear-Admiral Bradford detailed the op erations of the collier Nero, which is now engaged In making a preliminary survey of the proposed line west of Honolulu. He said that the survey had been com pleted and that -the Nero was on Jts re turn, making a "zigzag survey." Accord ing to the reports made of the preliminary work, the proposed cable is entirely practicable. It is to run ffom San Fran cisco to Honolulu, thence via Midway Is lands and Guam, to Dingalan bay, island of Luzon, with f spur for commercial purposes to Yokohama? The average depth between Honolulu and Midway is 2700 fathoms, between Mid way and Guam 3000, and between Guam and Luzon 2800. He estimated the cost at $1050 per knot, which, -with the amount necessary for steamers, officers, etc., would bring the cost up to $10,000,000. He placed the entire length of the cable at 8294 knots, which allows 20 per cent for slack and detours. METHUEN'S BAD BLUNDER 1 LOST HI31 THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS ENTIRE FORCE. Doubtful If the Troops Would VoUow Him. In Another Attaclw May Be Recalled. LONDON, Jan. 16. Evidence accumu lates that General Methuen's blunder at Magersfontein has lost him the confidence of his entire force to such an extent that it is declared it is doubtful If the troop3 would follow him in another attack on the Boers. The war office is understood to be In possession qf a letter, written hy General Wauchope the night before the battle, say ing that it would be the last letter ho would ever write, as he had been asked to perform an impossibility, and he had either to obey or to surrender his sword. An Immediate change In the command of the force may, therefore, be expected. It Is anticipated In some quarters that Lieu-tenant-General Tucker will succeed Gen eral Methuen. BOERS MAY BE RETIRING.' A Theory That They Are Falling1 Back on Orakcnsbnrg Pass., NEW YORK, Jan, 16. The London cor respondent of the Herald, discussing the war situation, says: Complete uncertainty prevails here as to what Is taking plat In Natal an un certainty permeated by apprehension. The situation is likened to that Which existed In the Northern states after the battle of Bull Run there is the same dearth of news, the same dread that worse may yet betide, and the same stern determination that new disaster, should one come, must have, a morrow. Amid the multitudinous theories set forth by the critics, there Is one to which attention may be called at the Outset- It ,Is. to say the least, as good a truess as any of the other vacillations that are being ma.de In every quarter, and It comes from a man who has had Iong and close experience of the Boers and their character. This gentleman's suggestion Is that the mystery that seems to envelop the Boers movements may be due to the fact that they are quietly retiring from the Tugela and other advanced positions toward the Drakensburg passes, leaving small bodies hehlnd them to mask their withdrawal. He cites the reputed movements of com mandos with, guns from the neighborhood ,o Ladj'smlth and the., confused, .reports as t to tne aDanaonment pt the caienso trenches in support of his- theory. In the Drakensburg range, the passes, naturally so strong, have besides been so well for tified that the burghers may well look upon them as tho ancients looked upon Thermopolae. Though the withdrawal Is kept secret, the small bodies left to mask the general movement, unhampered with guns or stores, .would, according to this gentleman, hve a good chance of making their way to, a place of (saf ety wh.en the British advance made their retreat neces sary. The reports that Colenso and Grower's Kloof have been abandoned by the Boers seem now to be open to doubt, as one correspondent telegraphs that the Boer3" are still in Colenso, while another quotes statements that the Boers have mounted another gun at Gjrobler's Kloof. The censor is evidently determined that nothing 'shall come through from Buller's army until his movement has been com pleted, but although there Is much that is dubious and uncertain about the exact situation In NataU the feeling: Is growing that General Buller's turning movements are having a real and possibly a decisive effect. The facts that seem well assured are. verified, but such as they are all point In the same direction. Duller has not ,heenheard of since his arivalaii Eqt- half miles m front of him. It Is said that General Warren has. crossed tho Tu gela, at what point Is not mentioned, and that some of the British cavalry are on the north side of the river. . The apparent ease with which Buller made his way westward and Crossed the little Tugela leads to the natural in ference that Springfield was not held by that contingent of Boers, with guns, which was reported several days ago to be there, and if both on their extreme right at Springfield and on their extreme left at Klangwand and Inhlawe moun tains, the Boer3 were discovered to have vacated their strong positions, it follows that their line, because of its extension over 20 miles, was too weak and that prudence dictated concentration, probably near Onderbrook Spruit, between Lady smith and Colenso. Simultaneously menaced on the east and west, 'they must do one of two things, collect their forces behind by strong in trenchments, when they must be dislodged by assault before Ladysmith can be re lieved, or else Joubert is retreating from Colenso and, the east and will fall upon Buller's column with his whole strength, hoping to crush hin before assistance can arrive from Warren. This second al ternative seems much more plausible, for it accounts for the. rapid removal of Boer commandos from the Immediate neighborhood of the river. A good road runs northwest from Bulwer bridge to ward Roodepoort --and Dewdrop past On derbrook Spruit. If tho Boers availed themselves of this route, they would in tercept Buller on the march from, Potgie ter's drift northward and-compel him to accept battle. If these suppositions are oven approximately correct, there must bo some heavy fighting going on north west of Colenso and close to Dewdrop, of which we may receive news at any mo ment. From Ladysmith there is another con siderable list of deaths by disease, show ing that tho garrison is suffering under the strain of the siege. To what extent White's command will be able to co-operate with the relief column is uncertain. The men must be exhausted and the hOrsCs out of condition. They cannot be good for much until they have some weeks of rest. Thus their nominal strength of 8500 men and 3S guns does not represent their true fighting force. DR. LEYDS TALKS. He Believes Consul Hay "Will Be Recoenlzed. NEW YORK, Jan. 16. A dispatch to the Wo'rld from Brussels says: Dr. W. J. Leyds, tho minister plenipo tentiary of the South African republics, accredited to all tho governments of Eu rope, said today: "Remember it is England, not we, who Is mainly responsible for this bloodshed and who has repulsed all outside efforts to bring about a suspension of hostilities. As for a refusal of an exequateur to Mr. Hay (the new United States consul on his way to Pretoria to replace Mr. Ma crum) that rumor appears to come through what are cabled Boer agents In America. Let me state that no such per sons exist. No man in America has any authority to speak on behalf of the gov ernment at Pretoria. As for the report Itself, I can neither confirm nor deny It, but I know of no reason which would lead the government at Pretoria to take such a decision." Taking" up a clipping from the Westmin ster Gazette, of London, accusing the Boers of firing upon surgeons and am bulances on the fields, Dr. Leyds con tinued: "This extract from the Westminster Ga zette has come under my notice. J de clare without hesitation that the Boer sol dier does not exist who would knowingly fire on a man employed on an erranS of mercy. That mistakes occur on both sides Is too evident from the reports published from time to time of alleged cruelties, which a fuller examination has proved to be tho result either of misunderstanding or of isnorance of the rules of warfare. But the numerous accounts from the Eng lish press of the chivalry of our men are in themselves "a refutation of aucls charges. "One report say3 the Boera were made to dlff their bwn "graves before being tied to a stake for execution. If this la true. I can only express my horror and Indignation. Such acts of barbarity must henceforth sully the annals of British warfare." NEW BOXING RULES. Eogun Amends Those of the Maraula of Queensberry. CHICAGO, Jan. 16. Boxing rules re vised, to cover several new points In ring etiquette have been framed by Malachy Hogan. the well-known referee. The rules were completed today. They will be of fered for test before any club which sees fit to adopt them. They are framed on the lines laid down by tho Marquis of Queensberry. Few of the old rules hava been materially changed, but several have been added and some enlarged. The incident of tho Sharkey-Corbett fight of 1SD8, when the ex-champion lost iwhen his seconds junmed into the rirg, is covered In the new rules. At tht tlnia Con McVey simply climbed through tho ropes, but did not touch either man. Thu new rules specify that for such an of fense a fighter shall not be disqualified, but that the seconds shall be ordered from the" ring and the fight continued. The case of a glove bursting or coming off, as In the Sharkey-Jeffrles fight, is de nned and the referee instructed to send both men to their corners until the glove is replaced. Other point3 such as tho ringing of the gong by a timekeeper bofora a round Is ended are made explicit. There Is also a rule against tha-thTowlng up tho sponge by a second when the principal concerned is plainly able to continue tho contest. Boxers and referees in various parts of the country will be asked to- criticise tho rules with the Idea of getting them as comprehensive as possible. They have al ready been adopted by the Fort Dearborn Athletic Club, of this city. Sharkey's Broken Rlhs. CHICAGO, Jan. 16. The Tribune aays: Thomas Sharkey, the pugilist. Is .not re covering from the injuries received In h!a recent fight with Jeffries as rapidly as ha desires. For some time he has been wear ing around the body a strong elastic ban dago intended to hold his broken Tlba firmly In place. Saturday he found this bandage was not dolng the work In a satisfactory manner and was compelled t have another bandage fitted, the second being much stiffer than the first. Tho pugilist found that the bandage allowed his broken ribs to protrude when ho breathed, and the second, bandage was a necessity If they were to be held in their proper place. The task of fitting the bandage was severe and took two men some time to adjust it properly. An elastic bandage was also fitted to a shoulder which has been, ailing since tho fight. Threw Up the Sponse." UTICA, N. Y Jan. 16. Tommy Dlxon'9 seconds threw up the sponge In the 15th, round in tho match with Billy Ryan. THE, RUNNING RACES. Yesterday's Winners at Tnnfornn ant! Nevr Orleans. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 16. The weather at Tanforan Park was fine and the track fast. The results were: Five furlongs Headwater won. Mounte bank second, Ella Boland third; time, 1:00U. Three furlongs, two-year-olds Andrattus won, Rathgar second, King3telle third; time. 0:36. Six furlongs, selling Ben Led! won, Goodhope seconds Raclvan third; time, 1-1321. One mile The Fretter won, Potente sec ond. The Lady third; time, 1:39. Five and one-half furlongs, selling Joe McGee won. Free Pas3 second. Antler third: time. 1.0SW. F1vq, Xurlongs Momentum -ffipn. .yiorlat second, Afghan third; time, l;0lC Races at New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 16. The track was fast andi the weather fine. The re sults were: Selling, one mile Lucky Monday won. Belle Ward second, Llewanna third; time, l:42i. Six and one-half furlongs Miss Maeday won, Alex second, Kindred third; time, 121. Selling, two mlies Our Noilly won, Ethi dorpha second, Atlantus third; time, 3 32v$. Handicap, six furlongs Belle of Mem phis won. Director Christopher second, Ed Gartland IE third; time, 1:14. Mile and one-sixteenth Miss Ross won, George B. Cox second, Mouseltoft third; time, 1:50. Selling, one mile Nekaria won,. Rush fields second, Con I Sea 'Em third; time, 1:42. It is -reported that an English capitalist 19. thinking- of Investing- a largo sum ot money In tea culture in South Carolina. fjfr Because purely vegetable yet thor ough, prompt, healthful, satisfactory- Cameo Novelties Bargains. It's Wortla If oar Coming Jttsi to See. fat Eastern Tea Co. 32G Washlngrton St., Portland. 223 First St,. Portland. 115 Grand Ave., E. Portland. Tutf 3 Pffls Cure A! Liver A Strong Fortification. Fortify the bodyagainst disease by Tutt s Liver Pills, an abso lute cureforsickheadache, dys pepsia, sour stomach, malaria, constipation, jaundice, bilious ness and all kindred troubles. "The FlyWheei of Life' Dr. Tutt; Your Liver PiUsare the fly-wheel of life. I shall ever be grateful for the accident that broughtthem to my notice.I feel as if I had a new lease of life. J. Fairleigh, Platte Cannon, Col. Tiitt's Liver Pills jLJLiOo , -" 3. W2it . &U& s.j'UT 'VlfA. ft qXV -ft Js. If 4. 7