l ntw ijjodtnftK T'0L. XL NO. 12,237. PORTLAND. OREGON, FRIDAY, MAKCK 2, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. CA. stm ' B Hw Mm BORO-L1THIA THE WATER OF HEALTH la drunk dally by the elite of society, and the bon vlvant, to -whom the best of everything Is none too good. Call for It at any of the leading hotels, clubs, bars or dealers. THE TRADE SUPPLIED BY ROTHCHILD BROS.. ?!filS!lU; PORTLAND, OREGON PHIL METSCHAN. Pre IlttCTII AND WASHINGTON CHANGE) OF MANAGEMENT. American and EUROPEAN plan: ssi2v::;.::::aaSS THE CELEBRATED J. H. CUTTER WHISKY In Bulk and Cases. For sale by BLUMAUER - FRANK DRUG CO. THE PORTLAND POF2TL7CND. 3 AMERICAN PLAN E &f5r- . COST ONE MILLION DOLLARS HEADQUARTERS FOR TOURISTS AND COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS Special rates jaade to families a 4L ulasle reatleaea. The maaace seat will be pleased at all times to shorr reams aad dre prices. A aui!. tra Tarkisb. ftiiU cstahUsfc'ct la the -Jj.etl.. M. G BOWEXS. Sfaaacer. Library Association of Portland 24,000 volumes and ' S5.00 a year or S1.50 Two books allowed HOURS From 9:00 A. M. to 9:00 P. Is an instrument by means of which anyone can play the piano. It is so Wonderful in its power that it must be seen to be 'appreciated. It will pay you to come and see It. THE AEOLIAN CO. , Marquom BIda., cor. Seventh Street PUBLIC DEBT STATEMENT. Shows a Decrease of Xearly Seven Millions in February. WASHINGTON. March L The monthly j statement or the public debt, issued today, shows that at the close of business Feb ruary 2S the debt, less cash in the treas ury, amounted to $L118,SS6.059, a decrease since February 1 of $6,750,163. This de- crease is largely accounted for by the in- crease in the amount of cash on hand. j Recclnts and Emrn(1Ifnrr. I The monthly comparative statement of I ln 192 Mrs- Craven showed to Judge Sul the receipts and expenditures of the Hvan "a paper resembling in many re United States shows that the total re- ' spects the marriage contract now in evl celpts for the month of February were dence ln support of Mrs. Craven's claim." $45,631,265, and the expenditures $37,738,472, Before Judge Sullivan was excused the leaving a surplus for the month of 57.S92.- Falr attorneys moved to have all of his 793. The receipts from customs were $19, 'SS2.252, a gain as compared with February, 1S99. of nearly $3,000,000; internal revenue, $20,767,457. an Increase of about $1,500,003. The expenditures charged to the War Department amounted during February to $9.436,0S3, a decrease of nearly $6,000,000; Navy Department, $4,045,724. a decrease of $32,C00. CLEVELAND IS SICK. Ex-President Takes Xo Interest in Public Affairs. NEW YORK. March 2.- The Journal and Advertiser says that ex-President Cleveland is seriously 111 at his home in Princeton. He Is not confined to his bed. but he seldom leaves his room, on the up psr floor of his home. He rarely sees visitors, and takes practically no interest ln nny events of the world at large. c 8 Alvln Jcslyn Is Dead. PITTSBURG. March 1. Charles L. Davis Alvin Joslyn). the well-known character 96 soldiers who died ln Cuba since the end actor and owner of the Alvln Theater, of of the Spanish war were burled with mlll this city, died tonight, aged 52 years. tary honors at Arlington Cemetery today. a W. KNOWIES, Krr. STS., MSTUn 08E311 EXCLUSIVE CARPET HOUSE. J. G. Mack & Co. S8 Third St. ffp. Cbrafcr rf Coaaa OREGON i $3.00 PER DAY Aid Upward. S3 suttsmn . Jctwetk 5tttli Pal over 200 periodicals a quarter on all subscriptions M. dally, except Sundays and hoHdawv A Help to Bookkeepers 36 Using the eyes upon columns of figures Is haraer upon the eyes than reading. Every fig ure has to be considered sep arately, while in reading we take in whole words at a glance. Watching the keys of a typewriter is a severe strain upon the eyes. If your eyes tire at your work, or If you are subject to headaches, a pair" of glasses to use at your work will do you worlds of good. They will help you to work all day without tiring. WALTER REED Eye Specialist 133 SIXTH STREET OREGOXIAX BUILDING F AIR-CRAVEN SUIT. Little Progress Made at the Trial Yesterday. SAN FRANCISCO. March L Ex-Judge Sullivan, who was at one time the attor ney of Mrs. Craven, was on the witness stand In the suit of Mrs. Craven mmlnt ,. -nv,- ,!..., ,.. w.. .. r r, . w.u. if "uu luuav, out. owintr to mo xnncon1.r T-a.-rlnn. T ----- -- iioetc: otthoooslnunJ,' TJu,X' nupstlnnlnr fh fart wao Kr...T.V".r. . testimony stncKen out, dui tne motion was denied by the court. IMPRISONED MINERS. Four "Were RcscHcd, lmt Died of Their Injnrlcx. REDDING, Cal., March 1. Of the eight miners who were imprisoned by yester day's cave-In In the Iron Mountain mine, four were afterwards rescued, but have ' died from their lniuries. The dead are: David E. Ross, A. Cavanaugh, R. Castil- 'Inn onrl A lfvtA Ao (ao ' The four still entombed are: J. Mc- Broom, R. McCalllop, A. "Van Buren and J. Oates. While the work of rescue is be ing rapidly pushed. It is without expecta tion of finding them alive. They have been imprisoned over 40 hours, and, even If uninjured by tho falling rock, have undoubtedly died for want of air. ' B Buried With "Military Honors. WASHINGTON. March 1. The bodies of BRITISH WENT WILD The Country Swept by Torna does of Excitement. ENTHUSIASM KNEW NO BOUNDS Thrilling: Scenes 1h the Metropolis -Joubcxt Assembling a Force at "VV'lnbarc. LONDON. March 2, 4:30 A. M. Britons feel that they are living In the presence of momentous events. Tornadoes of patri otic excitement are whirling througn the country. Even the dullest soul must have been stirred bj the emotions of yesterday, and .London's C.000,000 were raised to a high nltch of Datr.otlc exultation. It was a wonderful sight. Old men have noihlng in memory with which to compare the day. -Some likened it to Lucknow, others talked of the fall of SebastopoL It was a time of singular abandon. The usual con ventionalities of society ceased to control, and every one knew everybody else, all ' jo.nlng In smiles. i Lord Lansdowne chose the moment to announce estimates exceeding 61.000.0.0, , and rather startled the public by unfold- i ing the rrogramme of the War Office to send out. In addition to the 30,000 troops tnow afloat, 56.000 fresh soldiers. Lord Roberts will ultimately have a force of 250.000. An order has reached Woolwich for the 1 construction of 224 new guns, from three pounders to 12-Inch guns. Of these. 140 are to be naval guns. Already 25,000 work men are employed at the arsenal, and 3GM i more will be engaged. These decisions to ' send out more troops and to increase the home armament meet with universal ap proval. The Boers seem to have gotten quite away from around Ladysmlth without los ing a gun or their baggage. Van Reenan s Pass Is only about 20 miles from Lady smith. The enemy had artillery in action Tuesday, and they utilized, probably both railroads In retreating, sending the heavy pieces to Pretoria and the lighter ones into the Free State. Dr. Leyds says that General Joubert Is assembling EO.OOO. men at Winburg. 70 miles northeast of Bloemfonteln. Colonel Albrecht, according to a dispatch from Paardeberg, affirms that the Boers have 75,000 men left. Whether Lord Roberts Is at Bloemfon teln now or not, he doubtless will soon be dating his dispatches there and using the town as his advanced base. Lord Kitchener's mission Is to combine the forces under Generals Clement and Gatacre and to advance along the line of the railroad to Bloemfonteln. The rail way will simplify Immensely the perplex ities of transport. The conditions at Ladysmlth, some of which were explained by Charles Will iams and cabled to the United States, are now better understood, as the military authorities no longer retain their special a ar.a anuseuier iuu cn. to drag guns or to carry cavalrymen. Hence the impossibility of dashing out to help General Buller attack the Boers, 'xnose half-starved animals were carefully saved for food. The disposition to find fault, though mildly, with the passivity of Sir George White, disappears as the facts become known. No one Is in the mood now to t criticise anbody, although two or three of the morning papers gently refer to the fact that the War Office, at the outset of hostilities, rejected Lord Dundonald as un fit to be a soldier, whereas it was he who organized the Colonials. Emperor William, Emperor Francis Joseph and King Humbert have tele graphed congratulations to the Queen. IX LOXDOX'S STREETS. Scenes of Jubilation Almost Unprece dented. LONDON, March 2, 2 A. M. Until mid night London gave Itself up to the wildest expressions of Joy. From the Mansion House to the West End all the leading thoroughfares were constantly paraded by cheering crowds. Intermittently bursting Into patriotic songs. Bands marching through the streets assisted with strains of jubilation, and the same exultant notes were to be heard at every place of public gathering throughout the metropolis. The West End clubs, cafes, the restaur ants and the public buildings were all brilliantly Illuminated, and their Interiors, even to the tables, were beautifully deco rated with flags, bunting and Ingenious arrangements of electric lights. At all the music halls patriotic songs were given, the people rising and joining amid scenes of unbounded enthusiasm. Hardly a person could be met with who was not wearing the National emblem. In the shape of a tricolored rosette or ribbon. The blograph representations of leading Generals and heroes of the war were greeted with tremendous acclamations. One striking feature of the rejoicing was the great number of American flags inter twined with the British. At 11 o'clock, when the theaters and music halls poured forth thousands, tho jubilation was redoubled. In Trafalgar Square every available Inch of space was occupied by a surging, singing, cheering crowd. All Joined In singing "God- Save the Queen," applauding every reference to Lord Roberts, Buller. White, Baden Powell and the rest. The scene at thl3 """i point was almost without precedent, and i m..i.. . t . ... i . IS I1UI imUi IU UC IU1(JUUCU U IUUSG HUU wItnessed lt- .J?- 5l 2 Cl0C J" the ?" ' lnere comes irom mansion nouse aquare every few minutes the sound of vigorous cheering. Everywhere groups of people are to be seen, and, although noisy, they are perfectly orderly. Great throngs remained In the vicinity of the war office until 11 o'clock last even ing, when It was announced that no fur tlw news was at hand for publication. From every part of the Empire there Is a constant influx of telegrams, describ ing tho rejoicings. The news was re ceived with great enthusiasm at Dublin, where, however, the jubilant spirit of the Trlnltj' College students carried them be yond the bounds of discretion. A large body of them marched to the Dublin Man sion House, where they scaled the garden walls, and captured a green flag flying In the grounds. A policeman and the ser vants of the Mayoral household struggled desperately to recover the trophy, and eventually wrested It from the Invaders, several of whom were injured. Other constables soon arrived on the scene, and a dozen students were arrested, but with the exception of three, all were rescued or managed to escape. Later In the day Isolated assaults were committed, chiefly ln the neighborhood of College Green. A strong force of police kept the students within the college grounds, and cut them off from the ex clted'icrowd that assembled ln front of the college building. The three students were arraigned and small fines were Inflicted. No further disorders occurred. Great rejoicings are reported at Malta and also at Gibraltar, where an effigy of President Kruger in chains was paraded. Lady White, wife of Sir George White, and Lord and Lady Lansdowne, all of whom attended the performance at the Alhambra, were cheered for several min utes. At all the theaters there were scenes of enthusiasm, vocal manifesta tions and the waving of flags. THE FIGHTING RENEWED. Boer Force Concentrated ob the British Front. PAARDEBERG, Feb. 28. It Is under stood that some 7000 Boers are concen trating on the British front The British cavalry is In touch with them to the eastward, and skirmishing- began this morning. It appears that n action was about to begin with the Boer reinforcements at the moment of General Cronje's surren der, but Lxrd Roberts forbade it until all the prisoners should be in safe keeping. Lord Roberts addressed the Canadians afterwards, expressing in the strongest terms his pleasure and appreciation of their splendid work and courage. He at tributed to them the greatest share In the Boer surrender. Commandant Albrecht describes tho British strategy up to the battle of Ma gersfonteln as "stupid and almost in sane." He says there were only 4000 men in -fnn-Aiwfnntein trnho nnrf .-, i I i half of these were engaged in actual fighting. He praises the strategy of Lord i Roberts, but says that the war Is by no I ' w.'.r.o Twwt. h. Koa. o cm ts nan ! republicans In the field. General Cronje's surrender, according to Albrecht, was "due to a blunder in locking up his men in a hole Instead of occupying: kopjes." Commandant Wolmarans, however, con siders It hopeless for the Boers to con tinue fighting In the present circum stances. Roberts and Kitchener at Klmbcrley. KIMBERLEY, March 1. Lord Roberts and General Kitchener arrived here to day and were warmly welcomed -by the municipal officers and thanked for the successful relief of the town. Lord Rob erts said that it had given him great pleasure to assist Kimberley In her time of need, and that he was glad he had an i opportunity to visit the town. He four.d he had a day off, so had come, but would have to leave tomorrow. There Is great excitement and rejoicing hero over the re lief of Ladysmlth. COXFIDEXCB IX THE FUTURE. Comment of the London Papers on the Tarn of the Tide. LONDON, March 2, 5 A. M. The edlto rials in the morning papers are not only Jubilant, but are written in a tone of con fidence In the future "which contrasts strangely with the gloomy forebodings of the previous six weeks. General Buller's misfortunes are almost forgotten, al though It Is everywhere recognized that tho relief of Ladysmlth Is largely due to the strategy of Lord Roberts. The Times says: "The change wrought In Natal within 24 hours Is Indeed dra matic. The slego of Ladysmlth will be memorable In military annals upon many grounds. Seldom has the absolute con fidence of a General In his men been mora strikingly displayed than in the case of General Buller, and never has that cou "u .u, t,w n1n In " '"" i " rrri & riiii,t strategy." The Dally News says: "To surround the enemy has been found Impossible. To pur sue him Is probably as Impracticable. The enemy's principal army, therefore, has been driven away, but not destroyed. With this relief the first chapter of the war closes, and the Invasion of British colo nies has been rolled back." Tho Dally Cnron,cle says: "All Is not over. No douot there are hardships to be borne . and battles to be won, probably as numerous as any that have gone before. Still we are well on the road to success." The Dally Mall says: "Almighty God, whose arm is strength, has blessed the efforts of General Buller's army with com plete victory, and the cause of freedom has triumphed once more." The Daily Telegraph says: "The darkest week in living memory has been followed by the most Joyful week this generation has known. The war has exposed our weaknesses. We shall amend them. The relief of Ladysmlth retrieves all the early errors of the campaign, and Is the triumph of our most characteristic qualities and an evidence of the victorious vitality of our race." SPEXCER. IVILKIXSOX'S VIEWS. He Believes the Chapter of British Reverses Is Closed. LONDON, March 2. Spencer Wilkinson, ln the Morning Post, says: "Lord Roberts has taken the true meas ure of the Boers, and has thereby shown his mastery of what Napoleon called 'the divine part of tho art of war.' No doubt the chapter of British reverses Is now closed. He would be a bold strategist who could now offer to the Boer leaders a plan of campaign promising ultimate success. Lord Roberts will soon i.ave a force of 60.000 men. The Boer Commander-in-Chief can now hope for but little from strat egy. On his Interior lines he is not strong enough while detaining one British army to strike with effect against the other. He may possibly attempt to hold General Bul ler at the passes leading out of Natal, where a small force, at some risk to Itself, can cause considerable delay. Meantime he may gather his forces In the Free State for resistance to Lord Roberts. "If Lord Kitchener is at Arundel, It would seem to imply an intention to re store the railways and to open direct communication with Bloemfonteln. "The statement that a force of Boers under Commandant Dutoit has crossed the "Vaal River at Fourteen Streams accounts, perhaps, for a portion of General Cronje's army, and portends further trouble for Mafeklng. "It looks possible that the Boer forces may now collapse altogether, although that must not be counted upon. Lord Roberts, however, will soon have troops enough to deal with any guerrilla warfare, and alto gether there Is no need for further uneasi ness. "The Nation is proud of its troops and of their Commander-in-Chief. It Is grate ful to the colonies for their magnificent proofs of Imperial unity. There will be no relaxation In the determination to carry the war through to the end." The Xctts in Berlin. BERLIN, March L Special editions of the Lokal Anzeiger scattered broadcast announced the relief of Ladysmlth. The press generally makes but little com ment, evidently being disconcerted by the sudden change In the situation. The pa pers outside of Berlin, however, continue as virulently anti-British as ever. In military circles open admiration Is expressed for the strategy of Lord Rob erts, and the opinion is gaining ground that the beginning df the end Is approach ing. In Parliamentary circles the consensus of opinion is that the latest developments will make the attainment of peace more difficult, and will render the British, in case they completely vanquish the Boers, more overbearing and less pleasant neigh bors than before. SHIP SUBSIDY BILL Report of the Senate Commit tee on Commerce. SOME OF ITS PROVISIONS Reasons lor Decline of the Ameri can Merchant Marine Scheme ot Proposed Compensation. WASHINGTON-, March 1. The report prepared by Senator Frye upon the ship ping bill, reported by the committee on commerce of the Senate, was made public today. The report begins by asserting "the self-evident value of a national mer chant marine," explains and deplores our almost entire dependence upon foreign shipping for our ocean carrying, sug gests the danger of reliance upon the merchant ships of other Nations which may become involved in war. the dos- lMe complete exclusion of American ex- Prts tJcm t,h-,r regular foreign markets '"v ""nsency. and points out that the wholesale transfer of the tonnage of & belligerent Nation to a neutral flair would unquestionably Involve such ship- ping in difficulties, seizures and deten tions. The British-Boer war has material ly reduced our means of transportation and embarrassed our ocean mail service. The humiliation of our reliance upon for eign vessels bought and chartered during j district has been devastated, and the dam our war with Spain Is referred to. age is estimated as 52.000.000. The fire Three prime reasons are given for the broke out simultaneously In various parts decline of the American shipping in the of the Colony, and burned for two days foreign trade, namely: (1) The greater and three nights, finally burning Itself cost of building ships In the United out the morning of January 31. The whole States than elsewhere; (2) the greater ! country between Dunkeld and Mort Lake cost of operating American ships, as com- j ig a moss of blackness. Seven persons parea wun loreign snips; and (3) causes , based on foreign legislative encourage ment. The suggestion that this situation may be overcome by the free admission of for- elgn-bullt ships to American register is met by pointing out that if such admis sion were unconditional It would result ln destroying existing American ship yards on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. All competent authorities, the report states, agree that this bill. If enacted, will Involve a large increase In the American morchant marine. The passage of this bill. It Is claimed, would probably effect a reduction of $25,000,000 a year ln ocean rates on American commerce, through the additional shipping and the competition that would be created: "Foreign opposition," the report says, "Is being concentrated upon the bill be causo foreign shipping interests clearly see that they will be seriously injured by tne replacing or American for the for eign vessels now In our foreign trade. "The maximum annual expenditures are fixed at $9,000,000 In the bill. About $1,500. 000 Is now being paid to American ships under normal conditions for carrying our malls, a sum which should be deducted from the additional expense of the opera tion of this bill. "About 400,000 additional tons of new shipping, costing approximatelv S40.ooovi 4 and OQ,supytegscveraI" years In its con struction, would have to be built in the United States If this bill Is passed, before tho maximum expenditure of $9,000,000 could be reached. It is expected that 310, 000 tons of foreign-built vessels now owned or building for American citizens will be admitted to American register un der the terms of this bill, their owners being required to build equal tonnage In the United States before receiving any compensation. "The provisions of the-bill, from even point of view," odds the report, "are overwhelmingly ln favor of new and more vessels, more shipyards and greater fa cilities for ocean transportation. While deemed unnecessary, a provision has been inserted under which a vessel cannot re ceive full compensation unless she car ries one-half of a. cargo. This completely answers the criticism to the effect that a vessel might run under the bill for the compensation given without carrying a cargo. "As the most promising field for the future development of our markets for agricultural products Is ln Northern and temperate Asia, the committee believes our grain fields and cotton plantations will gain more In proportion from the enactment of the law than tho seaboard shipbuilding and shipownlng States." Computations are given showing the exact amount vessels of various rates of speed would get under the bill, as com pared with the cost of operating them. A 21-knot ship making SS.200 miles per an num would get over and above the cost of coal and the handling of It a net compensation under the bill of $22,932, while a 10-knot ship, making 42,000 knots per annum, or less than half the distance of the fast ship, would receive a net compensation over the cost and the hand ling of the coal of $15,120 per annum. .The fast steamships received the lowest net compensation under the bill. A computation Is given as to the amounts that tank vessels, such as are used by the Standard Oil Company, would receive in compensation if admitted to American registry under the bill. These vessels carrying oil can only take an outward cargo, and, as they are fo clgn-bullt, they would, because of carry ing cargo one way, receive only 25 per cent of tho compensation allowed under tho bllL EMPLOYED REBELS TACTICS American Force Ambushed and Killed Many Filipinos. MANILA, March 2, 9 A. M. Colonel Anderson, with the Thirty-eighth Infan try, employing tho insurgents' own tac tics, has ambushed the enemy near Ba tangas. Through spies. Colonel Anderson learned that a detachment of Insurgents would pass a certain road. He posted his soldiers, concealed among the trees lining the road, and when the enemy ar rived the Americans volleyed, killing 24 Insurgents, wounding 30 and capturing sev eral. Some arms and ammunition were captured. The effect of this blow has been salutary. The enemy ln that locality ire dismayed. Ambushed by Rebels. MANILA, March L One hundred Insur gents, seven miles from San Fernando, ambushed 10 men of the Third Cavalry who were escorting a provision train. The Americans were scattered, and while returning to camp one man was killed. The Insurgents captured four horses and a quantity of provisions. MESSAGES FROM OTIS. But Xo Report of Any Military Oper ations. WASHINGTON, March 1. Three cable messages from General Otis were Tecelved at the War Department today. One con tained a long list of casualties among the troops ln the Philippines since the last re port. A second announced the arrival at Manila today of a Government transport from the east coast of Tayabas province, with eight American and 410 Spanish sol- diers recently released from captivity among the Insurgents. The third message states that since the recent opening to commerce of the Island ports, 13,000 tons or hemp and 70,000 bales of tobacco had been received at Manila, and that large shipments of the commodities named will soon be made to the United States and other countries. The fact that General Otis has not re ported any military operations since me departure of General Bates expedition to Southern Luzon to complete the plan, of opening the hemp ports in that quarter is accepted by the War Department of ficials as an indication that the campaign is progressing satisfactorily, and that our forces have not met with any serious op position by the insurgents In recent move ments. Secretary Root has made a positive de nial of the published report th.it he was worried at the long silence of General Otis In regard to military operations In the Philippines. Genera"! Otis Is expected to return to the United States on leave of absence soon after the arrival of the Philippine Com mission. It Is desirable that he should meet the Commission and give it the bene fit of his knowledge of affairs in the Philippines. General MacArthur will as sume temporary command of the military I forces on the islands when General Otis i leaves. BUSH FIRES IN AUSTRALIA. Vast Tract Btirned Over Seven Per aons Perished. VANCOUVER, B. C, March L The steamer Aorangi, from Sydney, today brings an account of the most disastrous bush fires in Victoria experienced In the J last 50 years-. The entire Warrnambool perished in the flames, which swept over a tract 40 miles long and 30 miles wide, con suming 1,000.000 acres of grass, six wool warehouses, 2000 sheep and 1000 cattle and horses. The latest news from Noumea prior to the sailing of the Aorangi was to the effect that the plague had again broken out among the kanakas. In almost every case the disease has proved fatal to the kanakas, but in the majority of cases cures are effected among Europeans. In five weeks the mortality has been nine Europeans and 54 kanakas and Asiatics. So far, owing to the strict measures taken by the authorities to prevent the pest ex tending to the country', it has only been reported at Neponl. The village of Neponi has been quarantined. One case of bubon.c plague is reported from Tasmania, and there was also one case at Sydney, but both recovered. There was tremendous scare all through the Australian Colonies, and rigorous quarantine regulations have been enforced, with the result that no other plague cases have made their ap pearance. No definite conclusion has yet been reached ln regard to the question of the Identity of William Creswell, an Inmate of the Parramatta Insane asylum, with Sir Roger TIchborne. The coast defenses of New Caledonia are pended in erecting f arts on the hills and In the suburbs of Noumea. Convicts are being employed 'in the construction of earthworks and batteries. These public works utilizing the services of all the con victs, none of the latter will for the future be let out to private enterprise. The scarcity of labor has necessitated a cessation of mining operations. The Gov ernment has entered into negotiations with the Japanese Government to bring over 2000 Japanese as agricultural laborers, and 2000 for work in the mines. The Sjdney papers have a story about Miss Logan, an American girl, 21 years of age, who is termed "The Heroine of the Caroline Group." She Is the daughter of the Jlrst missionary to the group sent "from Boston by the Congre gational Board of the United States. Rev. Robert Logan died 12 years ago, and since his death his work has been carried on by his widow, woh was the first white woman in the Islands. Through Illness Mrs. Logan was obliged to return to the United States, and her daughter volunteered to remain alone at the mis sion. There are also stories of lawlessness In tho New Hebrides, the culprits being French colonists, who are alleged to have cut down and afterward burned the na tive village of Yemiu to compel the peo ple to evacute their land, which is claimed both by the French Company and by the natives. The Premier of New Zealand has pro tested to the Australian Premiers against the acceptance of the Eastern Extension Company's Cape cable offer, on the ground that It would prejudice the Pac'lc cable scheme. The New Zealand Government has Intro duced a bill ln Parliament limiting tho number of hours of working women and children to 45 a week. Sir John Forrest, the Premier of this Colony, stated that the only difficulty which prevented Western Australia Join ing the commonwealth was the desire of the people of Western Australia to have full fiscal freedom during the five years following federal union. PRUSSIAX SECRET DECREE. Forbade Answers to Inquiries of United States Consuls. BERLIN, March 1. Considerable aston ishment was caused in the Reichstag to day by a detailed statement respecting a secret decree Issued by Baron von Rheln baden, Prussian Minister of the Interior, while Provincial Governor of Dusseldorf, forbidding answers to the inquiries of United States Consuls wherever a possibil ity existed where German Interests might thereby be Injured, even though the In quiries should be merely of a general na ture. Herr Kunert, Socialist, who brought up the matter, gave the date ot the de creee as July 24, 1699, and called the at tention of the Reichstag to the fact that, by the general Prussian decree of 1S91 covering tho subject, questions put by foreign Consuls. If general ln their nature, may be answered. Herr Kunert also charged the Government with conniving at the Agrarian campaign of abuse against the United States. No one contradicted either of the charges. French Cannon Factory- Burned. LE CREUSOTE. France, March 1. Fire broke out yesterday evening in the famous cannon factory here whence the Boers obtained their powerful "Long Toms." Two enormous buildings, containing gun materials, stores and a number of artil lery models, were destroyed. The losses arc estimated at nearly 1.000.0CO francs. A large number of workmen have been thrown out of employment. France's Xaval Policy. PARIS, March L In the Chamber of Deputies today, while the naval estimates were under consideration, M. Lockroy, ex Minister of Marine, made a notable speech. explaln.ng his views regarding the proper naval policy for France to follow. He de clared It necessary for France to make great monetary sacrifices for her navy, as her foreign policy depended upon her naval strength. STRONG CRITICISM Effect of the House's Action on the Coming Campaign. COMMENT OF THE EASTERN PRESS Senate Will Probably Pass the Puerto Rico Bill The Case With, Hawaii. WASHINGTON, March 1. The Senate committee follows the lead of the House committee In regard to Puerto Rico and the Republican majority of the Senate wllL probab'.y vote to put the amended For aker bill through. The comments in the Eastern papers are based u:cording to the political affilia- tlons, the protection papers applauding the action of the House, while the other pa- pers are generally strong in their criti cism. The Washington Post, which Is a very firm friend of the administration, says that the House has made the coming political campaign uncertain. The paper adds: "The House has repudiated and rejected, by a vote representing almost the full Republican strength of that body, the President's solemn" and religious Injunc tion regarding Puerto Rico, What a spec- tacle is this presented to the country, a Republican House overruling the solemn and just decree of a Republican Presi dent? The country has no knowledge of any changed conditions since the Presi dent's message was written. It knows ot no change of policy or sentiment on the part ot the executive. Our duty Is as plain and pressing today as it was ln December last. There was a ring of gen uine, generous Americanism In the Presi dent's utterance. It was the recommen dation of a Christian, a patriot and a stntesman, yet the House of Representa tives, moved by an influence mysterious and Inexplicable, proclaims to the nation that Mr. McKlnley was wrong; that wo really do not owe such a duty to Puerto Rico he so clearly and earnestly Indicated. Verily this is a spectacle, not only for tho country, but for the world." Tho politicians who have been discuss ing the thing say that the people will understand before election the necessities which governed Congress ln levying the tariff on Puerto Rican products, and that ln less than six weeks there will be, a change of sentiment throughout the coun try. One of the principal things operating to pass the bill was the fear that labor would be much disturbed if It was not established, by some such legislation as the Puerto Rican tariff, that the people of the ceded Islands are never to be recog nized as citizens of the United States and have no possibility of entering into competition, either in this country or in the islands, with American labor. The Hawaiian bill was not amended, and the tariff laws of the United States, under the bill passed today, extend to these Islands. It Is certainly a dlscrimi- Puerto Rico, although there is no differ- ence In the status of the inlands, as free trade has been enforced with Hawaii un der the reciprocity agreement. Promotion of Corbln. The bill to make Corbln Major-General has called out a vigorous criticism of him ln certain quarters. His past record has been searched to show that he Is not en titled to any such distinction, and it 13 also pointed out that the Adjutant-General, as chief clerk to the Secretary of War, Is not entitled to any higher rank than other bureau officers. Those who are opposing the bill also say that It will create a further division between the line and staff of the army, as this promi nence given to Corbln will make him prac tically commanding officer of the army, no matter who may be Major-General of the line, and it will encourage the Ill feeling that exists between the Major General commanding and the Secretary of War's office. The friends of Corbln Intend to push the bill through If any army legislation Is adopted this session. Hotel-Keepers' Opportunity. Democratic leaders are generally very much exercised over the report that camo from Kansas City that the hotels thero intend to charge $30 a day for ordinary . rooms. It Is feared that this action will disgust many members and will result in keeping away a large crowd, and conse quently cause a number of people to be come disgruntled. A LoK-Rnft Bill. Representative Loud, of California, has Introduced In the "House a bill similar to that recently Introduced by Senator Per kins, which prescribes that It shall be un lawful to tow rafts of logs on the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, but contains tho provision inserted by the Senate com mittee, that such rafting shall be permis sible In Puget Sound and In tho bay3 and rivers along the Coast. In other respects the bill Is Identical with the Senate meas ure as reported. Oregon Pension EI1I. The House committee on invalid pen sions has taken up and reported the bill recently passed by the Senate to pension Mary J. Freeman, of Portland, Or., at $12 a month. The bill was reported by Rep resentative Calderhead, who merely adopt ed the report made by the Senate com mittee. The bill now goes on the calen dar, to await Its turn, and when called up will undoubtedly pass. Military Rule In Alaska. It Is evidently the Intention of the Ad ministration to have enough troops in Alaska to preserve the public peace during tho big rush which is promised for that territory this year. In addition to the troops already ordered there', arrange ments have been made to send more to several places. This will mean military rule of that great territory, the same as we have had military rule over Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines since tho Spanish War. Considering the fact that we have also denied the right of the peo ple of Alaska to self-government, quite a howl should go up from those who talk of the "consent of the governed." becauso of this militarism which Is applied to Alaska. It Is recognized, however, that tho pence and good order and protection of life and property In Alaska depend upon an adequate military force, and the man who would object to It would make him self ridiculous. Germany and the Peace Conference. BERLIN. March L During the debate In the Reichstag today on the Foreign Office estimates. Herr Grandnauer, Social Democrat, requested to be Informed as to tho attitude of the Government in regard to The Hague Peace Conference. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count von Bulow, replied: "Our aims are always directed toward peace, and it will not be broken by us. I can give no guarantee of the action of others. Therefore, we must be armed. We gladly participated in the labors of the conference, but could not agree to obligatory arbitration, and can only de cido upon recourse to arbitration aa cases v 1 arise." C 4 ., J 7