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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1900)
-"?""" 5T "" -wwy-r -an -..- r ..i , "'''iMMMWWBBWIIMiWWWWMWWMWWWiWHW - " OiL. XL NO.' 12,-235. PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1900. PRICE FTV GBIfTa f - YELLOWSTONE THE BEST OF ALL WHISKIES ROTHCHILD BROS., AGENTS, - PS-. KBTSGHAN. Pres. EYtfifH Af WASJHNSTJI CHANGS OF MANAGEMENT. JWKAft AND EUROPEAN PUN: THE CELEBRATED J.H.CUTTE Ir Bulk and Cases. For sale by BLUMAUER - FRANK DRUG CO. THE PORTLAND PORTLRNa ORBCON S-jft-&-fe i BRsafiSIS i KSg a ft a PfcgHsrff n flfr- fL AMERICAN PUN --! COST ONE MILLION DOLLARS fiEADQIURTERS FOR TOURISTS AND COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS Special rate, aiit te families d single grcntletncn.- The man a are Meat wltl he pleased at all times to show reomt and srlve price. A mud. . TprlcUh bath eatnbllshiBe-t La tke bet el. H. C BOWERS, Unaascr. -i i ', " " r - t - W. L. Douglas $3.50 Men's Shoes ALL STTLES. ONE PRICE. SOLE AGENTS. E.C.jGoddard&Co. QABCK)$IAN UiLpjMG THE PLAGUE IN HAWAII. Three Store eatks at Honolulu Con dition, at Hlle. SAN MtAWeiSCO, Feb. 27. The steam er Auetrajto arrived from Honolulu to Qi -s Mm tmrufgc news that after 12 days 1 id passed without a sign of pktgue, three crscs were jtotnvared on February 19, and a 1 ended fatafay. The victims were two Mmw males, and a woman, half Chi rrup and half Hawaiian The Council has i i ropriatef a ether SUMM to allow the 1 ard of ftealtu to carry on the work of fiv ing the ptagua. " ru-ul Hayweed, who has returned from a -v isit to HUo, reports condlt'ons there as being satisfactory. Precautionary measures have been take regarding the shipments of sugar. Consul Haywood reports ro undue esxHement. and the resi dents are taking even possible means of stamping out the plague and portions of ( the town which were ht a very unsanitary condition are being deaaed. President Dole has received a dispatch from ecretr Hay aiiprsvmg the scheme fT the appointment f a eemmlttee to determine the losses sustain od by sufferers from the great fire President Dole will appoint the commission la a few days. The ssap lm erntacMra, which was blown out to a from her asrahorage in the harbor te believed to he safe. Her cRptata and a crew were taken out te her lr a Uarboat. and now have the vessel un- i der control j Te Ia-erea-f Oriental Trade. SAX FRANCWCO Feb K. The Chnm Vr of Oeinnmce of this Ctty ha ap pointed a eossmtttee to conns-or the ad- . ! tKltW W- l. fTLTvr AL.tc. TT . '' " "-. -" .! IkHILtJV -rKv-" nation, the purpose of whtoh Is te ia- erease trade with the Orient. FaMn-h Wedding: in Ianden. LO?DON. Feb. 27 -Naval Qonwaneer Arthur Ooturh Oalthorpe and Miss BU&e Iunsan-lr. daughter of late Hen. Re rrt Dune-auir. of Victoria, were married tartar at St. Oeortte's, Hanover Square. The Bishop ef British Columbia eesdaied at the ceremony i i i A Naval Chanive. WA1HIKGTOK. Feb. g.-CawmsHaar R. R. Inconmll was netartted tmm the Naval Academy today nrieted to Narteik as Oi Oiajpanee FOR SALE EVERYWHERE 20-26 NORTH FIRST STREET a TV. KNOWXES, MT. ST5., POZTLTO, 02E531 EUROPEAN PLAN $1 00. $1 B0. $2.00 AMBiqCAN PLAN $2.00. $Z.W. $3 00 EXCLUSIVE CARPET HOUSE. J.OJack&Co. 88 Third St. ( rp. Cbzaber of Cosaerct 2 $3.00 PER DAY And Upward, S3 K- - w iWM--PT-M Cross- 34 Eyes Straightened Crossed eyes In children can be straightened without an operation In nearly all cases. If taken In time. The cause is strain on the muscles of the eyes. "The cure is lenses. Correctly fitted .glasses remove the necessity for extra work and place the eyes in normal condition. They work In har mony and are perfectly straight. If the eyes remain crossed too long, nothing but an operation, will straighten them. I make a specialty of cross eye. WALTER REED Eye Specialist 133 SIXTH STREET OREGOMAN BUILDING EDUCATORS CONFER. Annual Meeting; of Professors and Superintendents at Chicago. CHICAGO, Feb. 27. The annual con ference of the Department of Superintend ence of the National Educational Asso- I elation opened In University Hall here today, xne department numbers among its members more than 40 presidents and many Professors and Superintendents of Schools, and the large audience which gathored today included some of the most distinguished educators In the country Superintendent Andrews, of Chicago, de livered the opening address, and afier the response by President Downey, Presi dent Nicholas Murray Butler, of Columbia University, was introduced to speak on "The Status of Education at the Close of the Century-" At the afternoon session State Superin tondent Browne, of Olympla, read a paper on "Some Possible Innovations In School Administration," which was followed by a formal discussion of the subject by Superintendent Frank B. Cooper, of Salt Lake City, and Superintendent W. T. Car rlngton, of Missouri. State Superintendent L. H. Harvey, of Wisconsin, talked on "The Opportunities for Improvement In the Administration of Graded School Systems." Discussion by State Superintendent Alfred Bayless, of Illinois, and Superintendent John A, Car- negie, of Columbus, Ind., followed, s I The Cabinet Meeting. ' WASHINGTON. Feb. 27. The Cabinet i was In session little more than an hour today. There was a general talk on the pending financial bill, the conference agreement on which Is known to be satis 1 fMAn A 4h DnuMAnt TUa T..., Trl wv.j . w a.o.uuw 4iG f ULU iVl can tariff bill was taken up and discussed at some length. It was stated after the meeting by a member of the Cabinet that the President favors the passage of the IS per cent compromise measure. o Passengers for the Orient. VANCOUVER, B. C.. Feb 27. Among the passengers who sailed this afternoon for the Orient on the Empress of China were Countess Baranda, for Slam, and George Ade. of Chicago, author of "Ar- tte who is going tonhe Philippines In eemaany with Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lafiin. is eeiaia xnaierKu ior a dock, the scene ef which Is to be laid in Manila. England Celebrates Her Best News of the War. EFFECT OF THE SURRENDER Roberts Master of a Large District of the Free State Buller Hav ing a. Hard Time. LONDON, Feb. 28, 4:30 A. M. From John O'Groat's to Land's End there has been cheering for the Queen and universal singing of the national antnem. This mutual congratulation Is the Briton's way of celebrating the most cheerful day of the war. Already he Is taking stock of the situation and measuring the future. There Is no disposition to overestimate the success. The Government entertalna no Illusion. As announced In the House of Onmmonfi. 10.000 additional troons will immediately go out, and the effective will marK&men, ana numoers aroppea on me be kept near 200,000. bridge, where the Boer bullets fell dan- Lord Roberts has done more than to gerously thick, until the bridge was sand caDture 4000 Boers and a few guns. He Is I bagged and only one man allowed on It at within striking distance of one of the Boer capitals, and is master of a large district of the Orange Free State. He has j given a shock to Boer confidence and lm measurably restored the spirit of his own troops. In capturing Cronje he has taken a leader whose presence alone was worth thousands to the Boer cause. The best opinion here is that the Transvaalers are certain to continue the fight with undimin ished valor, but it Is not certain a"bout the Free Staters. Lord. Roberts has not allowed the corps of descriptive writers with him to supple ment bis plain narrative s$ yet, and there are some points in doubt. It is not clear whether the 4000 prisoners Include those taken in small parties before the capitu lation. What has become of the rest of the Boe s who held the Magersfonte n lines and where are the big guns? The small ness of Cronje'a force causes some won derment. The morning papers, without exception, comment on the achievement of the Boer loader and men In holding off for 10 days a force from six to eight times as large as their own. British opinion Is far more generous In victory than In defeat. Sir Redvers Buller is having a hard time in Natal. It is evident now, after a fort night's fighting, that he was misled when be wired that there was only a weak rear guard between him and Ladysmlth. Ap parently some of the hardest fighting of the war took place at the end of last week, as an armistice was agreed upon to allow attendance upon the wounded and iburlal of the dead. Both sides must have lost heavily. At any moment, however, news may1 come of General Buller's suc cess. Friday will begin the fourth month of the siege of the garrison, which is seemingly in a position where it is unable to dc anything to help General Buller. Enthusiasm Everywhere. LONDON, Feb. 28. Reports from all parte of the country show itag-bo!stIiKXii belIrigtaBandsreat jlitilltttionWn Etye oration oi me victory or iora iooer:s. At all the theaters and music halls last evening the wildest enthusiasm was dis played. The morning papers are Jubilant, but they all warn the nation against over confidence. The Dally News says: "To the CaradSans belongs the honor of having hastened the inevitable. It would be rash, however, to suppose that the Boers will sue for peace, or that all our difficulties are removed." Queen Praises the Canadians. OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. 27. Joseph Cham berlain cabled to Lord Mlnto as follows: "London, Feb. 27. Her Majesty, tne Queen, desires you to express to the peo ple of the Dominion her admiration of the gallant conduct of her Canadian troops in the late engagement, and her sorrow at the loss of so many brave men. "CHAMBERLAIN." The Queen Receives Congratulations LONDON, Feb. 28 It Is understood that the Queen and the Prince of Wales have received a telegram of generous congrat ulation from Emperor William on the victory at Paardeberg. King Humbert and Queen Margherlta also wired con gratulations to the Queen. Cause of Cronje's Surrender. PAARDEBERG. Tuesday, Feb. 27, morning. General Cronje's surrender was chiefly dHie tb the gallant night attack upon his trenches by the Canadians and the Gordons. HARD FIGHTIIVG IN NATAL. Buller Making: Little Progress Toward Ladysmlth. COLENSO, Sunday, Feb 23 In the at tempt of the Innlskllllngs on Friday even ing to rush the Boer position on Pieter's Hill, the Boer fire was so terrible when the Infantry merged from the cover of the trees that almost every man in the leading half of the eompany fell wound ed. The advance line jof the British reached a donga In front of the first Boer trench, which was nof apparent until they were actually- iif It. The BOers retired to the crest, and then returned on either flank of the Innlskllllngs, enfilading the captured donga with a terrible cross-fire. Finding it impossible to advance or to hold the position, the British fell back and Intrenched themselves half-way up the hill. The Boers maintained a heavy fire. In the course of the night the Dub lin Fusiliers and the Connaughts arriv ing to support the Innlskllllngs, a deter mined effort was made to take the Boer positions. This also failed. A heavy fire continued throughout the night The In nlskllllngs lost 14 out of 17 officers killed and wounded, ind about 250 noncommis sioned officers and men killed and wounded. General Lyttleton's brigade relieved General Hart's brigade In the morning, and the artillery duel was continued yes terday (Saturday), though no great dam age was done. Today an armistice was agreed upon to enable both sides to collect their dead and wounded, the Boer army having had very heavy losses, but they scout the Idea that the British will compel them to raise the siege of Lad smith. CHARGE OF THE IRISH BRIGADE. InnlskilUnss "Were Bold, hut Were Mowed Down by Boer Fire. LONDON, Feb. 28. A dlspat( to the Dally Mall frsm Pletermaritaburg, dated Monday, describes at considerable, length the "enormous difficulties of General Bul ler'3 task." and sajs: "The real advance began last Wednes day,! The stupendous nature of the task, was only understood when, being on the spat, one was able to realize what it means to hurl infantry at positions aligned la every direction with carefully-prepared trenches and with breastworks defended by practically inv'sibie riflemen armed witn the most deadly rapid-firing weapons and aided by quick-firing guns which put all but our cannon of the largest caliber Into the shade." Commenting upon Friday's fighting, the Bally Mail's correspondent sajs: "As It would have "been madness to seek an outlet from the ampltheater of hills by way of Grobler's Kloof on the left, a route had to be found on the right, and at 2 P,fM. Friday, amid the Incessant crackling of rifles and the roar of cannon, the Irish brigade was dispatched along the river to take Railway Hill on the other side of Pieter's Station. This hill Is commanding enough to Insure our final advance, providing we could hold It se curely and could mount cannon on It. From Onderbrook Spruit railway bridge the track runs along the Tugela, and It was perilously open to the Boer marks men disposed on the kopjes back from the river, and after passing Pieter's Station many men were bound to be hit. "Beond the Station, the line passes over another small bridge crossing a deep donga, and It was in the approach to th.s bridge and onward to the base of Railway Hill that the greatest danger from en forced exposure obtained. It was neces sary1 to cross by the bridge at the mouth of the donga, -which, 'besides being difficult of access, ran into the Tugela. The path between the railway and the river was almost always in full view of the enemy. "Every man of the Irish brigade had. therefore, to run the gauntlet of Boer time. Very soon 50 men were put out of action In the race from the bridge to the rendezvous, and several members of the volunteer ambulance corps were wounded in following the troops. "It was late in the afternoon when Gen eral Hart's brigade gathered for the ascent of tlo hllL It was a fearful kopje to storm a series of rugged ridges terminat ing in a precipitous kopje, with the rail way, which begins its ascent to Lady- smith on the left, winding underneath." Boer Retreat Continues. LONDON, Feb. 28. The Daily Mall has the following from Ladysmlth dated Sat urday, February 24: "Yesterday the Boer retreat continued. A party of about 70, en route for the north, drew rein for Limit Hill. A bat tery of 15-pounders, placed not far off, suddenly opened fire and practically an nihilated the party. A Boer ambulance was later seen collecting the dead and wounded. "The Boers are trying to form a bridge or drift across Klip River south of Urn buluana, evidently for the purpose of per mitting the passage of wagons and ar tillery in their retirement .from Coienso. Our guns are preventing this work being carried on." Trying: to Outflank Buller. LONDON, Feb. 28. A special dispatch from Coienso, dated Tuesday, February 27, says: "The Boers are endeavoring to outflank us, and heavy fighting continues." TALK OF PEACE. Afrikanderbund Congress Has Been Postponed. LONDON, Feb. 28 The Cape Town cor respondent of the Dally Telegraph, tele graphing Monday, says: "There is talk of Deace in the air. "Che -3nsrIlSfe organ tJf the ACrlkandrbunJL pro poke's tne fon&fcioh joC aolSWli&ffiSrcorn- mlttee, the object being, of course, to save Boer independence. "While Lord Roberts was holding Cronje at Paardeberg, it is undrestood that Gen eral French was moving toward Bloem fontein." CAPE TOWN, Monday, Feb. 28. The Afrikanderbund Congress has been post poned. The explanation given is that, owing to the enforcement of martial law in some districts, the members might pos sibly be unable to attend. REJOICING IN CANADA. Victoria Went TVHd Over the News' From Paardeucrgr. VICTORIA, B. C, Feb. 27. Vlctorlafalr ly went wild this morning over the sur render of General Cronje. The City was decorated as it never was before, and pro cessions, music and speeches, with the ringing of bells, booming of cannon and other manifestations filled tho day. OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. 27. There was general enthusiasm and rejoicing all over the City today when the news of the sur render of General Cronje was received. Flags are floating from the Parliament buildings and all the principal buildings in the City. MONTREAL, Feb. 27. News of the sur render of General Cronje was received with the greatest Joy. TORONTO, Ont., Feb. 27. Every flog in the City today was raised high when the news of the surrender of General Cronje became known. The News in Paris. PARIS, Feb. 27, 6:20 P. M. The news of the surrender of General Cronje made a considerable Impression in Paris, especially as, although the press dispatches repre sented the Boer Commander's position as hopeless, Lord Roberts himself had been so unexpectedly reticent during the last few days that he mislead people here into the belief that Cronje's situation was Ie&3 critical than it really was. The news papers of this City pay the highest tribute to Geheral Cronje's valor, and express the opinion that his surrender Is far from ending the war. They add that It will only make the resistance of the Boers tho more desperate. Several newspapers, however, urge that Great Britain accept mediation, now that she has secured an important victory, to avoid further blood shed. THE TWO ARMIES. Strength of the British and Boer Forces in the Field. LONDON. Feb. 27. The British Intelli gence department estimates the number of Boers liable to service In the Trans vaal at 31,314; In the Orange Free State, 22,314; disloyal Cape Dutch, 4000, and for eigners enlisted 4000, making a total of 61,893, from which 1893 men are deducted for the police. The British forces prior to the war consisted df 9600 men. 7600 un mounted and 2000 mounted.. Today they consist of 37,800 mounted men and 142,800 unmounted. A letter has been received from a man in the First Dragoons, now in South Africa, confirming the report that a sup ply transport reached Ladj smith during the engagement at Splonkop. He says the Dragoons were the escort of the trans port, which was several miles long, and adds: "That Is why Buller engaged the enemy at Splonkop. Old Buller knows what. he 1b doing and all are willing to follow him, in spite of his reverses." Cronje Tried to Escape. LONDON, Feb. 28. A special dispatch from Cape Town, dated Mohday, says: "General Cronje last night attempted to escape with a party of Boers, but he was driven back." British Occupy Jamestown. STERKSPRUIT, Monday, Feb. 26 Boer reports say the BrlQsh under General Brabant have occupied Jamestown, Cape Colony. REFORM INTHEARMY Root's Bill to Increase the Effi ciency of the Service. HE EXPLAINED ITS DETAILS Provides a Better Method of Pronto. tlon, Eradicates the Stall Evil and Rcorsani-cs the Artillery. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Secretary Root today appeared before the House committee on military affairs and made a strong appeal to the committee to re port favorably the bill drafted by him to increase the efficiency of the army. The Secretary said In part: "The bill is limited to three subjects first, promotion In the line; second," tenure of staff appointments and the relation be tween the staff and the line; thifd, re organization of the artillery. It Is care fully framed to avoid raising the ques tion of the size of the army, which It Is understood Congress Is not now ready to discuss, and Its provisions, are made ap plicable to any army of whatever size Congress may determine upon. "The provision as to line promotion Is that every third promotion to the office of Major, Lieutenat-Colonel and Colonel shall be by selection, leaving the other two-thirds to be as at present, by senior ity. This Is designed to afford some slight opportunity for recognition of exceptional ability and gallantry. Under the present law, which permits promotion only by seniority, the President is prohibited, from recognizing meritorious or gallant con duct, the most effective and brilliant serv ice must go unrewarded, the thoughtful, devoted and ambitious young man fs pre cluded from advancing himself by his own exertion a hair's breadth beyond the Indolent, the dull and the inefficient man who is Just able to perform duty to keeP from being turned out of the service. "The only objections to the proposed measure are that there may be favoritism In selections. The impartiality of the se lection is safeguarded by the provision of the bill that the promotion shall bo made from a list of three officers selected from the grade from which the promotion is to be made, by" a board of officers of superior rank, convened for that purpose and sworn to make the selection accord ing to the merits and fitness of the can didate", as shown by his service records. From these three the President is to make the nomination, which has again to para the ordeal of confirmation by the Senate. The officers of the army have its efficiency and honor and Justice to their fellows more deeply at heart than any one elae In the world, and this bill puts In their hands the power and Imposes upon them the solemn duty of confining these promotions strictly within the lines of justice. "The sections relating to staff organiza tion provide for the- abolition of the pres ent system of permanent 3tan appoint J ments, and for the substitution of -detaibj Y frpm.therlUKxor the staff or periods of 'four years, unless- sooner terminated Dy Xnoi'icsiacm wiut cue jcijiuiouiom upon the expfhitfou of a detail tho- officer shall serve at least one year in the line before he la eligible for another detail. "The advantages of these provisions, I believe, will be manifold. I think the change will break up and prevent the tendency to bureaucratic government, of which there Is always danger, and will increase the efficiency both of the line and the staff by breaking down the di vision between them by giving to each a more intimate and personal knowledge and appreciation of the difficulties and. the needs of the other, and oy creating a larger body of all-round men, trained in every branch of the service and compe tent for any command, instead (of men who have 'been trained in one bran6h only. "The provision which permits the Presi dent to terminate' a detail to the staff is of the highest importance. Nothing could be more unpractical than the pres ent permanent tenure of the chief of a bureau. The President, as Commander-in-Chief, is responsible for the efficiency of the Army. In time of war he is expected by the country1 to produce results by its use. He can determine who shall com mand the armies and can change Generals in command as often ?as he chooses, but he Is absolutely poweTlesa as to the heads of these great departments which organize and assemble and feed and clothe and transport and arm and equip and care for the Army. Victory or defeat is organized In the staff departments before a shot Is fired. Inefficiency In them means neces sary disaster at the beginning, and the ex penditure of countless treasure and the sacrifice of countless lives. Yet no matter how plainly inadequate to the task the head of one of these departments may be, the President is powerless to make a change unless the officer commits some distinct and heinous offense upon which he can be court-martialed and dismissed from the service." The Secretary said care had been taken to protect the rights of present Incumbents of staff positions, and he understood the great majority of them were satisfied to accept the change cheerfully, but he un derstood there were a very few who were dissatisfied. Their opposition, he said, is purely personal, and of the same kind which for years has undermined every at tempt at improving the Army organiza tion. Such considerations should not pre vail. He then explained tho provisions of the bill In detail, dwelling especially on those relating to the artillery. An increase of 6500 men, almost all in the Coast artillery, had been provided for, but the increase would be spread over five years, and in order to avoid raising any question as to the size of our Aray at this time, the 1300 increase each year would be made up by recruiting that many fewer in other arms of the service. The regimental or ganization was abandoned as to the artil lery, and the battery", or company, adopted as the unit of organization, substantially all military authorities being agreed that there was only a multiplication of red tape and no sense In trying to administer the artillery4 arm on a. regimental basis when only one battery, as a rule, was in one locality. A chief of artillery was pro vided In order that this, like other Im portant branches, should have a respon sible head. Members of the committee asked many questions and showed great interest in the Secretary's statement MILLION DOLLAR FIRE. Swept Through the Retail District of Newark, N. J. NEW YORK, Feb. 27. The greatest fire Newark, N. J., ever experienced swept through the retail dry goods district to night destroying a score or more of buildings. The loss is estimated at over Jl.ooo.000. The fire destroyed W. V. Snyder's de partment store at Broad, and Cedar streets and Its stock, worth $500,000; a building adjoining occupied by J. M. Mantz and others; T. B. Allen's confectionery store; C. B. Feddle's trunk store, the rear of David Strauss' department store, and L. S. Plant- dry goods stores, W. T. Raa's. jewelry store, P. J. Carrigan's drag store and a number of small stores and Bier man's pawnshop. Four firemen, were burled under a wall at the rear of Snyder's, that fell with a, terrific crash. Captain Walter. Harrison and Fireman Thomas Brown were taken, out unconscious, and may be fatally In jured. The other two firemen were se verely. Injured. m a RUSSIAN BOND ISSUE. To Pay for Ships, Machinery and Other Products of This Country. NEW YORK. Feb. 27. The Herald to morrow will say: "Ignoring Berlin, London, Paris and the other European banking centers, the Rus sian Imperial Government has come to New York for a lean. A syndicate of financial Institutions of-this city hanks. trust companies and Insurance companies have Just arranged the purchase of an Issue of $25,O00.CO0 of 4 per cent bonds, rep resenting a first mortgage on the Wladl kawkas Railway system. Th& principal and Interest of these bonds are guaranteed by the Government, and are payable, la Ameri can gold dollars at the New York Security & Trust Company. "The nature and size of this loan and the disclosure which It makes of this coun try's present position as a financial power of the "world Is the most Interesting feat ure. Another Is the surprising showing It reveals as to Russia's purchase In the American market of Iron, steel, coal and finished machinery. Besides, there & the fact that a sold loan guaranteed by one of the great European powers Is -selling in the Amertcaxunarket at a price which nets the syndicate "TsUghtly morafhan P1 cent. , "The first $10,000,000 of the bonds have Just been delivered 1n New York, and a payment mt 55,000,006" has been made on ac count. This money Is now deposited to the' credit of the Russian Government at the office of J. P. Morgan & Company, the National City Batok and the NewYork Security & Trust Company. "A' special arrangement made with the Russian Government by a representative of the syndicate, who has recently re turned from St. Petersburg, provides that none of the money for the bonds Is to, be transferred to Russia, but that an of' the amounts are to be deposited in New York to the credit of the Government, and dis bursed under the direction of the Russian fiscal agent in America, M. De Rouifcaws- ky. In payment of the balances wbloh Russia is Incurring with American shlp& builders, Iron and steel manufacturers and others of that class." k THE DISPUTED ISLANDS. Slhutu and Ca&ayan Sulu May "Xftt Be Given Up. NEW YORK, Feb. 2T. A special to the Times from Washington says: The State Department has before it the Spanish claim to the Islands of Sibutu and Cagayan Sulu, and is carefully Inves tigating the subject. AH reports to the rnnfrorv nf wf snl Vt i"3 a .. Knent has rofcaeoided to give up Its claim r. .,- talanfi. a -. at.w Tna-t. ment Jias sot reaobed. any decision about It. The announcement' made some time ago that the Spanish claim had been al lowed was Hot authorized by the Depart ment. The Government still contends that the Islands are American territory, though this decision may be altered by the result of the Investigation now being made. Spain's claim to the Islands is regarded as prompted by a desire to sell them to some other power, since she cannot turn them to any other account. Germany's desire to obtain a foothold in that part of the Pacific, and the efforts she has mado to obtain one, suggest her as Spain's most probable customer. The military im portance otLthe twaislands, if owned- by a power at tar with us, lsappreclated here, and the Government has no wish to sur render them, unless Spain's title Is clear. THE SAUSALITO MARRIAGE. Mrs. Craven Called Upon to TeU of Her Visit to the Bay Town. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27.-In the Fair Craven suit today Mrs. Craven was called upon to tell of her visits to Sausallto to obtain possession of certain papers prov ing her marrlaere to Senator Fair, and which she claims was acknowledged be--! fore Judge Slnlpton. Sylva and Simpton, In affidavits, have admitted such acknowl edgment but In a second batch of affi davits they deny that an acknowledgment was made, and admit that their state ments In the first affidavits were false and made simply for the purpose of trap ping Mrs. Craven, they acting for the Fair Contingent Somewhere among tho papers of the Fair attorneys is said to be a con tract alleged to have been made by Mrs. Craven to Sylva, in which she agreed to pay him $30,000 for his services. On the witness-stand today she testified that she never made any such contract, and that she never agreed to pay Sylva any sum except $200 as a retainer, which was paid. EFFECT OF SUBSIDY BILL. jr. J. Hill Says It Will Be Political Suicide for Those "Who Xote For It. ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 27. President Hill, of the Great Northern, says: "If the subsidy bill should pass it would mean, In effect, political suicide for those who voted for It The West will have something to say on this subject. The farmers, who furnish much of the stuff carried in ocean-going boats, are very much Interested in this matter. What Is more, they will find a way to build ships that will carry their goods, and these ships will not be fast as Atlantic liners either. We, ourselves, are building our own boats without any government aid; wa neither need nor want it, nor ask for it." c Pacific Cable Bill. WASmNGTON. Feb. 27. The Pacific cable bill was considered by the House committee on commerce today. The bill considered was that presented by Sher-" man, of New York. It was decided that a cable should be laid from a point at or near San Francisco. Another change fixed the time of completing the line to Honolulu at January 1, 1902, and to Ma nila and Japan by July 1, 1902, Instead of a year later. Owing to the Interest in the debate on the floor of the House, the further consideration of the bill went over until next Friday. 4 0 r An Arid Lend Conference. LINCOLN, Neb., Feh-7. On his return from Washington this evening. Governor Poynter announced a meeting of Western Go ernors, at Salt Lake, April IS, at which time it is proposed to draft a bill for pres entation to Congress dealing with Western Arid Lands. The Sebastian Bach Leakingr. SAN FRANCISCO, Fee. 27. The steam er Australia, from Honolulu, brings word that the bark Sebastian Bach, from Naga saki for Oregon, was anchored off Hono lulu harbor leaking. A survey of the ves sel will be made. LIKELY TO PASS Good Prospects f&r the Amend ed Tanflf WW. THE PRESIDENTS IMsPHJglCCE Pacific (Jenst Xom "W1M V-f fe-xM Quay and. the Presidential , , Camalgra. WASHINGTON. Mh ftr-- Puerto Rieaa fcMI, as amended, hi Ufeeey to pass. The reealettrant Repwhlteans, auseant. per haps, a half deaen, have been dtageeoed Into line. The ben has been amended, but the principle is maintained, and that id sunleient The strange feature of all thf Is the fact that the name of the Presi dent has teen freely used by the friends of the measure as favoring the Mil. to, spite of his message to the contrary. The Inluenoe upon the members who have felt it to be their duty to oppose the bill has been tremendous. Party pressure has been strong, and threats ef future laclcof recog nition have been made. One member, who has determined te oppeee the bill anyway, said today that he expected to be ostra cized, but he" was not going to vote against hte political Judgment the wishes of his constituents and his conscience because the party leaders se determine. A prom inent Republican Senator said today that the President having once taken the posi tion in favor of free trade, should have f stood by it and not aBowed himself to be forced from his postlon, the intimation be'ng that the President, by succumbing to pressure, had made It peestbie for the bill tarpass. It is, of coarse, well under stood' that very determined opposition fo the bmeea the pant of the President would have had half Hie Republican side against it , The opeorionatf-uf the bill do not yet gWe up hope, andiprt that all of the mem- 'bers woe benewtbe measure in wrong in principle are aft gotar ts surrender their views under the party lash. It te rather Interesting; te note that none of the four Republicans from the Pacific Coast, who were cetmted aaaine the bill in the beginning. ae now counted fagainst it Tangnia, Cuahawh and Jones have all said mm ware gatng to vote for JK. and it is bomnied Lund will de the same. a?$t Polacts Aurainet jmay. ' Although) Qnay gained a reenporory tIo. tery the otMbr day, (he men w4n are argu- ? the other sMe ef the case are making me felling nohns agaJnet hhn. "When the assertion is made that personal een-t-era-tions are entering into the matte those who have always voted agnfast semilog ap po ntees of Governors an.! who are now Intending to vote for Quay, wince and squirm. The Republican are geitfng scared. Already it te known that there will be a great deal to defend In tine enm palgn. By keeping out a man like Corlmtt and seating a man like Quay It Is hanms that another thtea to demnd wftl be m Jested into the campaign. It is itiuedthnl tttw- seaeHret Qemy MI lwnent b eosuMsc aes o- on junraoiemm parry Far-seeing leader, like AUttMfc Jhmna, Hale and others are endeavor ng to post pone action, as they believe It will be in jurious to shoulder Quay during the com ing campaign. Populist Convention Bate. The PopoBsts wM net change the time and place f holding their convention in 1 order to get it closer to the Democrats.' It 's known mat had it not been gener ally understood that the Democrats would hold an early convention, the Populists would not have chosen an early date. When Butler and Allen went to Lincoln they had assurances mat Bryan wanted an early eenvenhon, and that he would have his way. The power of Oorman with the National Committee was not reckoned Some of 'the Bryan men told- the Popuiiata J the Democratic convention would be heid m May or early in June. Subsidy Shlppina- Bill. The presence of President James Hill in Washington. Is said to have something to do with the shipping tofll. It tejaid that with the changes that have been made it will not meet rone further opposition. The provisions for eatpenditnxe oi a por tion of the amount on the Paetnc Coast te said to have been put in the bill to se cure: the support of Hill, who contemplates building ships for the Oriental trade. Requests for ABpxenriatlens. Despite the announcement of the House committee on rivers and harbors that there would be ne river and harbor bill at this session, the members of the Oregon delegation continue to receive petitions and requests from dttferent parts of the State asking for special appropriations for this or that river or harbor project In most caces the request comes for an ad ditional appropriation to continue tho work. The last communication of th s charaeter comes from the Mayor and Com mon Council of CorvaUiB, asking- for an appropriation of Seeds to protect certain farming lands from overflows of the W I laraette. This communication Is in part as fellows: "We desire to call your attention to the fact that some very important revetment work is being done on the Willamette River, a short distance above our town In a few days about 120f feet of this work will have been completed by the Govern ment Engineers, who will then be forced to suspend operations on account of a lack of funds. This will leave some 1200 or MOO feet of the river bank at that place without any protection. "This should by all means be protected by a revetment of the same kind as that now be.ng constructed, and H would no doubt "be quite a saving to the Govern ment if the work would be carried on and finished during the coming summer and fall. If arrangements can be made to have the work mentioned, completed before De cember 1, 100, it will obviate the neces sary additional expenses of such work carried on during the period of high water and will also Insure better work The foundation of the work, if put ht during low water; eaa be secured so that it will stand much better than if put In during high water. In fact, if It Is put in during the low-water months It wfll stand the severe strains to come with the high water periods. "If a special appropriation cannot be had for this it could be made a part of the specified Willamette River appropriation. But we consider that It is of the utmost Importance that the amount asked for be made hnentfsjftvailsible We also de sire tot ejM a4gpueaw to a "bar that Is form ing at we rawer end ef the point men- 1 1 oned above, which will seriously intertoe with the navigation of tne river ana which wlH also assist very materially In forcing the river into the new channel " Aa raueh as the members of the de'ega tlon may desire to assist in this meritori ous work, m view of the determination of the committee they are helpless, and can net move until the coming session, when they will undoubtedly be able to secure this appropriation. Silver for Karen. NEW YOJtK. Feb. 27. The nteamehlp Teutonic, sewing for Europe I will take out 8,M9 ounces of sttvar. t