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.
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