jAMk, gikjl fwm 111 mm t$jpmttttt VOL. XL. NO. 12,244. .PORTLAND. OREGON, SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. ANY SIZE. ASY.aUAA'TITV. MACKINTOSHES. RUBBER AND OIL CLOTHING Goodyear Rubber Company Rubber Boots and Shoes. Bcltlnjj, Packing and Host. Largest and nott complete assortment ot all kinds of Rabber Goods. F. H. PEASE. Vice.Pm. and Manager Blumauer Furs! Furs! Furs! Manufacturers of Exclusive Novelties in Fine Furs, ALASKA OUTFITS in Fur Robes, Fur Overcoats, Caps, Gloves, Moccasins, etc. Highest price paid for Raw Furs. , Q. P. Rummelin & Sons, OreROB Phone Slain 401. HOTEL PERKINS Fifth and Washington Streets . . PORTLAND. OREGON EUROPEAN PLAN First-Class Check Restaurant Connected With Hotel. BANK AND OFFICE RAILING WIRE AND IRON FENCING nnrTI AlVlfl UIDC T IDAW llfkniC For public buildings, resi- rUlULinU TTIIXL IIWll mftlVJ denccs, cemetery lots, etc AH kinds of wire work. J.F.DAV!ES.Prcs. St. Charles Hotel CO; OCUKPOltCrED?. 4 FROtnfr AND ,MORRtSONSTREETS . PORTLAND.- OREGON r x " American and European Plan. WE INCUBATORS AND BROODERS Also a full line of other supplies for poultry-keepers. Portland Seed Company CORNER ALDER AND FRONT STREETS THE PIONEER BRAND MINCED SEA CLAMS CLEAN WHOLESOME NUTRITIOUS DELICIOUS The first firm who ever thoroughly dressed clams for packing purposes. The keynote tp their delicate flavor that over 1000 people have so highly complimented in letters, we have on file. Our greatest tr ouble Is in getting people to try the goods. Ask for the Pioneer Brand, as there are Imitators. All jobbers and retailers handle the Pioneer Brand. Mural Shape Men's Shoes TANS AND BLACK. E. C. Goddard & Co. OREQONIAN BUILDING Blsbnrsln;? Clerk Arrested. "WASHINGTON. March 9. Chief Wllkle. of the Treasury Secret Service, was noti fied today of the arrest, in Philadelphia, of Edward E. Grimmell, formerly a civ Ulan clerk In the disbursing office of the Medical Department under Major D. H. Hall, in San Francisco. Chief "Wllkle states that on December 23, Grimmell de camped with a clerk book containing 400 checks of the regulation engraved kind used by the disbursing clerks, directed to the Assistant Treasurers of the United States. He came East and South and In January drew checks made payable to him to an amount approximating' $10,000. e a Sir Charles Hall. LONDON, March 9. Sir Charles Hall, Is hie 53th year, died this morning. Hand- I By All see I Will stes leather ft yl !pj ANT STY"LR 73 and 75 First SL. Portland. Or. SMOKE THE BEAU BRUMMELL BEST FIVE-CENT CIGAR MADE - Frank Drug. Co."tor 126 SECOND ST., near WashlnQton. Established 1S70. Single rooms 75c to IL50 per day Double rooms ?1.00 to $2.00 per day POULTRY NETTING AT LOW PRICES 7th and Alder Streets C T. BELCHER, Sec. and Treas. American plan $1.25. J1.50, IL75 European plan 50c. 75c,' 51.00 CARRY&Sl Stop and Think 40 If your eyes ache, something' 1a the matter. It may be a temporary or It may be a permanent trouble. Most eye aches are caused by misshapen or malformed eyes. These things do not appear on the surface, but roust be examine Into by the optician. For all malformations of the eye ball there are suitable lenses which relieve pain, cure muscular trouble, strengthen various parts and give proper vision. oyon't try to see without glasses if it pains -your eyes to do so, but call at once and have them exam ined. WALTER REED Eye Specialist 133 SIXTH STREET OREGONIAX BUILDING Labor Disorders 1b Chicago. CHICAGO. March 9. Efforts of contract ors today to place nonunion men at work on buildings In various parts of the city, work on which has been interrupted by the strike, resulted In several encounters between union and nonunion men. At the new Ogdensburg dock, Ohio and Kingsbury streets, the contractors succeeded In get ting eight men through the picket lines of the union workmen and put them to work. A few bricks were thrown, nut no one waa hurt, and the police quickly suppressed the disorder. Marblehead's Orders Changed. SAN DIEGO. CaL, March 9. The cruiser Marblehead will not go to Corlnto, as was reported. Her orders have been changed, and she will proceed to San Francisco. DEFENSE OF CANAL! Senate Committee Amends the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. PROTECTION OF OUR INTERESTS Similar to the Saez Convention Ens land Said to Be Favorable to the Modification. WASmNRTON. March 9. The Senate committee on foreign relations today ' agreed to report the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, amending the Clayton-Bulwer treaity, with an amendment granting au thority for the defense of the canal by this country, when constructed. The com mittee was practically unanimous In favor of the amendment. It is, the opinion of members of the Senate that the change will but little delay the ratification of the treaty as amended. Morgan -was the only member of the commlttec who cast his vote against the on3 which up to tnat time naa been con amendment. Bacon and Daniel, the only troverted between the two Governments. other Democrats present, voting with the t Referring to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty Republicans. Thev also voted with the Republicans to have the treaty reported as amended. Morgan talked at length during the sitting of the committee. In opposition to the amendment, practically consuming the entire time of the session. He contended for the utmost liberality toward other powers In the use of the proposed canal, and held that American Interests were fully safeguarded by the treaty as It stands. He also contended that an effort to amend the agreement might result In Its defeat, and Indicated a purpose to oppose It to the utmost. Some of the other Senators expressed the hope that he would not go to Mils ex tent, and before the meeting adjourned there was felt to be some ground for the opinion that the Alabama Senator would content himself with stating his op position. "While no member was authorized to speak for Great Britain, the opinion was expressed that the government of that country would agree to the proposed modification of the treaty. Text of the Amendment The following is the text of the amend ment. "Insert at the end of section 5 of article 2 the following: "It is agreed, however, that none of the immediately foregoing conditions and stipulations in sections Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this act shall apply to measures , which the United States may find It nee- ' essary to take for securing by its own forces the defense of the Interests of the United States and the maintenance of public order." The report submitted with the treaty, which was presented In the executive ses sion today by Davis, Is In the main a review of the general situation, with ref- erence to the canal, with comparatively 4 few recommendations. It says, however: ""We ace in full accord with the pur- pose, expressed In article 2 of the pending convention, to adopt as the basis of neu- i rtniMzatlon thelndlcatearu Je.s, Su2t5gCL! iy as emooaiea in ir.e treary ot Constan tinople for the free navigation of the Sues maritime canal." The report then contains an analysis of the Suez canal treaty, laying special stress upon article 10, which the report says "prescribes limitations of the ut most Importance upon the stipulations." That article Is quoted entire, and the report continues: "No equivalent limitations are specific ally expressed In the convention now un der consideration. It may be argued with considerable force that these limitations are Implied by the general declaration In article 2 of the pending treaty, that Its basis Is substantially the treaty of Con stantinople. But this contention Is not. In the opinion of your committee, so clearly correct that the question of the right can be safely left to Inference or Implication. "The committee thinks It prudent," the report continues, 'jthat all doubt be re moved by an amendment equivalent in its substance and effect to the precedent offered by article 10 of the treaty of Con stantinople, which, it can be supposed, was intended S have no place In the pending convention. In principle, the same reason which justified article 10 In the treaty of Constantinople, that It should not interfere with the measures which the Sultan and Khedive might And necessary to take for 'securing by their own forces the defense of Egypt and the maintenance of public order,' or If It were proper that the provision of the enu merated articles of that treaty should 'In no case occasion any obstacle to the measure which the Imperial Ottoman Government may think it necessary to take In order to Insure by Its own forces the defense of Its own possessions situ ated on the eastern coast of the Red Sea,' surely the situation of the United States on both oceans, and as to territory to be occupied by the canal Itself, requires the incorporation Into the pending convention of stipulations equivalent to those In ar ticle 10 of the convention, of Constan tinople. , "If it was wise to reserve to the Otto nan Empire the right to suspend the op eration of the treaty In certain specified contingencies for the purpose of defend ing by Its own forces Egypt and main taining public order, and for the purpose of securing by its own forces the -defense of Its other possessions situated on the Eastern coast of the Red Sea, a coast 1100 miles In length, with Turkish posses sions on both coasts of nearly 600,009 square miles. Inhabited by 12,000,000 of its subjects In Egypt and In the Provinces of Hedjof and Yemen, on the east coast of the Red Sea, the same considerations in principle sustain the contention that the pending treaty should contain equivalent stipulations." The committee concludes its recom mendations by quoting Its proposed amendment, remarking as follows: "Irrespective of the foregoing considera tions, we are clearly of the opinion that If article 10 did not exist, the true Inter ests and necessity of the United States re quire, upon the highest considerations of prudence and right, the adoption of the amendment proposed." Conduct of Great Britain. The above extracts cover the portion of the report which was prepared after the decision to amend the treaty was reached. There are about 13 printed pages of the report prepared by the sub-committee, consisting of Senators DavL-, Lodge and Morgan. Referring to the diffi culties which have arisen over the treaty, the report says: "The only objections that have been urged by the United States have not re lated to the treaty as a binding compact, but to the conduct of Great Britain In executing Its terms and In refusing to abandon certain Islands and coast posses sions which she claimed' were not held after the date of the treaty In violation of Its terms." The committee calls attention to the fact that under existing conditions the control of the canal Is not "exclusive," and adds: "This magic word has paralyzed the eager desire of the two great powers to control this canal for 50 years, and now its disappearance leaves us free to con struct and control the canal, excluding any right of Great Britain to Interfere.." The committee also concludes: "The present abrogation of the Clayton Bulwer treaty would not In the least rein state the rights of Honduras or Guate mala, as we allege they were In 1850. Neither do these states ask our Interven tion In their affairs. But we have a more compulsory reason, one that involves our due respect for the history of our own country, for ceasing to bring Into further discurslon the questions of good faith on the part of Great Britain In the execu tion of the stipulations and the purposes of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty." This reason Is found In the ratification of the treaties of 1S60, referring to which the committee says: "Congress expressed no dissent to them, or to the President's declaration that 'the dangerous questions arising from the Clayton-Bulwer treaty have been amic ably settled.' "We cannot now assert to the contrary, and for -the purpose of abro gating that treaty we cannot insist that those questions are not settled. The con clusion Is unavoidable that the Govern ment of the United States acknowledged In 1SG0 that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty was an obligatory convention, and that it had , been fully and satisfactorily executed on ine part or oreat amain as io an ques- ",u culm"'," UJ "It certainly avoided hostile collisions between these two great powers, what ever may have been Its faults aa an en tangling alliance or national humiliation to us, or as the cause of protracted and heated diplomatic controversy. . . . Since 1SG0 the Clayton-Bulwer treaty has been in some way recognized by the Gov ernment in each of the succeeding ad ministrations as a substituting compact. Strong reasons for its abrogation have I "been frequently stated, and some have alwajs denied its obligatory force, but no movement to accomplish that result has been made either by Congress or the Ex ecutive. This, treaty is. therefore, open and existing an a binding compact, with the express approval of the United States. ) As to the question of our control over the , canal, and our right to build and fortify It, It is executed and, therefore, unre- peaiaoie; as io au oiner questions ana matters covered by its provisions, a ques tion of its abrogation raised at this time would only relate to the parts of the treaty that Temaln to be executed. 4 "The identical treaties of Great Britain and the United States with Nicaragua provide for the protection of the canal and the companies of construction by the Governments, with the use of military or civil instrumentalities, and they limit the profits of the concessionary companies to 15 per cent. In other respects, the Gov- ernmental supervision for the protecti&n of the concessionaires, whether British or Amerlcan, Is nearly supreme, and would soon become absolute In the dealings of either of these powers with the protec tion of their citizens or subjects holding concessions from Nicaragua. As matters stand. It has all the time, since these Identical treaties were concluded, "been a race of diligence between American and British concessionaires as to which of them should gain control of the canal. One company being installed, would not necessarily exclude any other, "The right to & footing in footing In- Nicaragua. thurj acquired "by Great Brifaln?4j("?'full of peril "to this Republic an couty only De disposed of by further agreement, or by war, or by uniting the Interests of both Governments In the Joint ownership of the canal. Such an arrangement, while It is still desired by some, would be a fatal mistake that would soon Involve the coun tries In war. or It would enlarge and sol idify the scheme of alliance, offensive and aerensive, in the control of navigation and the commerce of the world. It b these latter treaties that present the real ground of our present difficulty from which the convention of 1900 relieves us.' Interest In the Canal. Coming to the pending treaty, the report says: "No other nation, except the United States, could have so great an Interest In the exclusive right to own and con trol an Isthmian canal, but In this mat ter, come what may, we are compelled to assert the superiority of our right, now. for the first time, conceded by Great Britain. It Is wise and just, therefore, that tho value of this concession to us should be estimated as a great considera tion for anything we may yield. If we. In deed, yield anything. In acquiring the ex clusive right to control the canal by a modification of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. "In the convention of February 5, 1900, Great Britain agreed that the restrictions as to the exclusive Control of the carial imposed by the Clayton-Bulwer treaty shall continue to bind - her, while the United States is released from It. This leaves us free to acquire from Costa Rica and Nicaragua the exclusive control of the canal for the Government or for our citi zens, under the protection of the United States, while it cuts off Great Britain from any such right." Speaking of the restrictions in the treaty the report says: "These grounds of objection to our ex clusive control of the canal are all" re moved by this convention, except those that relate to fortifications, which, being expressly stated, aro retained in a new and modified form. ... ' "If this convention is ratified, Great Britain could not negotiate with Costa Rica or Nicaragua, or any other American state, for any right to build, own, control, manage, regulate or protect a canal to connect tho oceans, while the United States Is, left to enter upon and conclude such negotiations. There Is nothing, there fore, to the prejudice of the United States in the convention of February 5, 1900. "No American statesman, speaking with official authority or responsibility, has ever intimated that the United States would attempt to control this canal for the exclusive benefit of our Government or people. They have all, with one ac cord, declared that the canal was to be neutral, even In time of war, and always open, on terms of impartial equity, to tho ships and commerce of the world. "Special treaties for the neutrality. Im partiality, freedom and innocent use of the canals that are to be the eastern" and western gateways of commerce between the great oceans, are not In keeping with tho magnitude and universality of the blessings they must confer upon mankind. The subject rather belongs to the domain of international law. The leading powers of Europe recognized the importance of this subject In respect to the Suez canal, and ordained a public international act for its neutralization that is an honor to tho civilization of the age. It is the benefl cient work of all Europe, and not of Great Britain alone. "Whatever canal Is built In the Isthmus of Darien will be ultimate ly made subject to the came law of free dom and neutrality as governs the Suez canal p. sa part of the laws of nations and no single power will be able to resist Its control. . . - "The United States cannot take an atti tude of opposition to the principles of the great act of October 22, 1SSS, without dis crediting the official declarations of our Government for 50 years on the neutrality of an Isthmian canal and its equal use by all nations without discrimination. To set up the selfish motive of gain by es tablishing a monopoly of a highway that must derive its income from the patron- (Concluded or Second Past.) BOER POWER WANING British Officials Believe the End of the War Is Near. A PAUSE IN THE REINFORCEMENTS General French Reports His Front Clear of Datch Joubert'a Army Disorganized. LONDON, March 10. 4:15 A. M. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, Chancellor of -the Exchequer, when explaining to the bank ers the terms of the new loan, gave them an Intimation that the Government con sidered the end of the war near. "Since the estimates were prepared," EX-MINISTER PHELPS IS DEAD iaiasasaMufuj j Jfi 1 1 n in on mi mm miVii.iiiiiirTrTiii-iiaiiSMMiiTiimTrt ex-minister n. j. piielps. NEW HAVEJf, Conn., March 0. Hen. E. J. Phelps. ex-Mlnleter to England, died at his residence, on Humphrey street, late this afternoon. He had been 111 since early In January with an attack of pneumonia. Edward John Phelps waa born in Middleburr. Vt., July 11, 1822. He graduated at Mid dlabury College la 1340: atndled law with Horatio Seymoucafter. spending a.year at yale.'fcaw Sciioohand was admitted to the bar atlddloboro ln'lJWa. He began practice there, but In 1845 removed to Burlington. Vt. From September 80. 1851. till the close of President nil ntore's administration he waa the Second Controller of the Treasury. He waa a delegate to the Vermont Constitutional Convention of 1870. In 1877 he presided over the ceremonies for the centennial celebration of the battle of Bennington. In 1SS1 he delivered before the students of the medical department of the University of Vermont a course of Jectures on medical Juris prudence, that were published In book form. He was president of the American Bar Associa tion In 1SS0, ana In the same year he was the unsuccessful candidate of the Democratic party for Governor of Vermont. lh 18S1 he became Professor of Law at Tale, and In 1852 he lectured to the law students of Boston University on constitutional law. He was appointed by President Cleveland In 18S5 Minister to Great Britain. Mlddlebury College conferred on him the degree of LL.D. In 1S70. Among Professor Phelps published addresses is one that he made before the American Bar Association on "Chief Justice Marshall and the Constitutional Law of His Time" (Philadelphia, 1879). In 1S8S hp contributed to the Nineteenth Century a series of articles on "The Constitution of the United States." he said, "events have taken place that have changed the situation and probably not all the money wiirbo required." Whatever the Government may know or intend, unofficial opinion seems every where to be that the Boer power Is collaps ing. The Eighth division has been under orders to embark for several weeks, but these orders, as far as the artillery contin gent Is concerned, have been recalled. Lord Roberts having reported that no more artillery from home Is necessary. This is the first pause In reinforcements since the war begun. Sir Redvers Buller, second In command In the field, and Lord Wolse ley, are understood also to consider that no more artillery Is needed. Lord Roberta has altogether 452 guns. Including siege pieces. It Is quite clear that General Buller will not try anything large In the future, as be is to lose Sir Charles "Warren and the latters 10,000 men, who have been or dered to Join Lord Roberts. It Id said that Lord Roberts, knowing the necessity of garrisoning his depots, will be able to operate a constantly Increasing force until by the time the Transvaal frontier is reached he will have 70,000 troops. His telegrams dealing with non essentials are taken to mean that he is up to some mischief, as his apparent In activity usually spells uncommon activity. Mafeklngr, as a beleaguered town, at tracts much sentiment and sympathy. Nothing has been heard from there since Febnfary 13. There Is a rumor this morn ing that Colonel Baden-Powell has been relieved, but this cannot bo "traced to any substantial basis. "Way to Bloermfonteln Clear. POPLAR GROVE, Friday, March 9. General French, who is 10 miles 'ahead, reports that his front is clear of the Boers. All other reports tend to confirm the state of disorganisation of the Boer forces of the Transvaal, as well as of the Free State. The general Impression Is that the further progress of the British to Bloemfontein will not be opposed. A great amount of ammunition was de stroyed today. This Includes several boxes of explosive bullets, on the outside of which the Boers had marked "Manu factured for the British Government." Movements of Clements and Gatncre. LONDON. March 9. The war office is sued the following dispatch from Lord Roberts: "Clements has occupied Nerval's Pont and the adjacent drift. As soon as en gineers, pontoons and troops arrive, will cross the river, when the necessary re pairs to the railway bridge will be com menced. "Gatacre occupied Burghersdorp March 7, and was greeted with great enthusiasm. His scouts report that large numbers of rebels In the neighborhood are anxious to surrender." PANIC OF THE BOERS. Their Fright Spoiled Roberts' Plan to Destroy Them. LONDON. March 10. All the special dispatches from Poplar Grove confirm the panic of the Boers. The Morning Post's correspondent says: "President Kruger shed tears at his in effectual attempts to rally the Boors, who were completely paralyzed by Roberts' masterly tactics. They were too demer it alized. to heed his expostulations, and de- clared that the British cannon were everywhere." The Dally News' correspondent says: "The Boers were seized with a panic thus spoiling tho whole plan, which had been beautifully calculated, to destroy them entirely. As the S'xth Division I emerged from a hidden position and ap peared on the crest, with the mounted In fantry in skirmishing order, the Boers thought the whole earth was covered with soldiers In their front and rear and on their flanks. They did not wait to ver ify their supposition, but fled, seized ap parently with a dread that they might share the fate of Cronje." "WILL RAZC JOHANNESBURG. Boers Say the 'Encllsfc Flajr Will Never Fly Over the To-vvn. LONDON. March 10. A correspondent of the Dally Mall at Lourenco Marques, telejjraphing Thursday, says: "I am reliably Informed that high offi cials openly avow that the British flag t shall never fly over Johannesburg. The I place will be razed to the ground, and the mines put In readiness to be electric- ally exploded from the fort, as occa sion requires. "Most of the gold mines, except those which the government controls, are In a shocking state. They are flooded, and the maohlnery Is rusting and Is being willfully smashed." Bnsls of Xegrotlatlon. LONDON, March 10. The Dally Mall publishes the following dispatch from Pretoiia, dated Thursday, March 8. via Lourenco Marques, which has been cen sored by the Boer Government: "Conversations I have had with the highest state officials show that the Boers want some arrangement. They say If England Is waging a war of conquest they will fight to the finish. Otherwise they believe that a plain statement of the Boer Intentions will reveal a basis of nego tiation, now that England's prestige is repaired. President Kruger and Presi dent Steyn conferred Monday at Bloem fontein on the Incorporation of tho above representations In a cablegram to Lord Sallshury. The preservation of the Inde pendence of the two Republics is a sine qua non." No Pence on the Old Basis. LONDON, March 10. The Standard, which Is In closer touch with the policy of the government than any other minis terial organ, says this morning: "We have reason to believe that an au thoritative statement will be made by the government, reaffirming the impossibility of conceding any terms of peace to the Boer Republics which would Involve a perpetuation of the political and military Independence that led to the present cost ly and sanguinary conflict." British. Columbia Men for Halifax. VICTORIA, B. C, Marco 9. British Co lumbia has been advised that the province will be allowed to contribute CO regularly enlisted men from the Fifth and Sixth regiments, Canadian artillery, for garri soning Halifax. TwentywHl be taken from this city, enlisted for a three-year term. Disloyal Mcnnonltes. WINNIPEG-, Mar... March 9. The Gret na Mennonites, strong Boer sympathizers, attempted to burn the Queen In effigy, but a dozen Englishmen with rifles arrived on the scene and threatened to lire on the disloyal crowd If the effigy was lighted. Jonbcrt Snld to Have IteMsrned. LONDON, March 10. The Berlin corre spondent of the Dally Mall sajs: "I learn that there is dissension between President Kruger and General Joubert, and that the latter has resigned." Mnnltoba Politics. ST. PAUL, Minn.. March 9. A Winni peg special to the Dispatch says: The Liberals are placed In rather a queer position over the Beautiful Plains election tomorrow. If Davidson Is defeated. Pre mier MacDonald will ask the Governor to dissolve the House. If he does so, the Liberals will find themselves practiqally powerless, and the result will be disas trous to them. The question talked ol Is: Will the Governor grant the disso lution? a Congressman Burton Renominated. CLEVELAND, March 9. Congressman T. E. Burton was last night renominated by the Republicans of too Twenty-first Ohio district. DEMAND FOR CANAL Reason for Senate's Amend ment to the Treaty. SENTIMENT MAY PUSH BILL THROUGH Mrs. Dctvey's Ambition Contests la Republican Convention Presi dent's Attitude on Puerto Rico, WASHINGTON. March 9. The demand of the country for the Nicaragua canal has been greater than the Senate could withstand, and this accounts for tho action of .the foreign relations comm.t tee today In reporting the treaty awnded so as to meet the popular clamor for United States control of the great Inter oceantc waterway. Although it w known that the Administration strongly oboc s to the amendment. It Is proba j . that It will be accepted, as the Puerto R.can tiriif was accepted by the President, espe cially as it Is the only treaty that can be not through the Senate. Just what llict til! rrw treaty will have on the canal bi'. Is hard to determine, but It 'noifi be favruble to It, save that the msh of cith.T matters may prevent the cail rill "b"ng considered In the Senate. It 13 njite likely that the public sentiment vhv! ha. frrced action on the irecty wi. aifeo force action on the canal, espe claly Ir the bill should pass the Hjuse. Mrs. Betvey's Ambition. A bit of gossip Is In clrculaton here to the effect that Mrs. Dewey has confided to a few Intimate friends that while she and the Admiral are traveling about the country during the next month or two they will ascertain what the feeling Is towards Admiral Dewey for the Presi dency. The Dewejs are going to visit a number of places In the South and West. The demand for Dewey as a Presidential candidate Is not like It was some time ago. Notwithstanding what Dewey has said. It Is understood that his wife is really ambitious for him to be President. Dewey and his friends must understand perfectly that It would be almost Impos sible to take the nomination either from McKlnley or Brjan, unless there should be a sudden reversal of opinion. Contents In the Convention. It is already certain that there will be a great many contests from the South In the Republican convention, although all factions will be for McKinley. The col ored delegates believe that If they obtain seats In the convention they will get recognition In the matter of Federal pat ronage. Besides there is always an oppor tunity to cut some figure as politicians. The contests four years ago were a dis grace to the Republican party, and ef forts are being made by the Republican managers to avoid having tbem repeated. It Is not likely that they will be success ful. It Is also observed that, notwithstand ing the warning of Secretary Dick, the office-holders from the South are going to be delegates In order to show their loyalty to the Administration. - - ! The President's Explanation. Postmaster-General Smith Is credited with the explanation of the President's attitude on the Puerto Rlcan bill pub lished this morning. A number of people think that It Is not very strong, whllo ardent friends of the Administration de clare that wlth'n two months the Republi cans will all be solid In favor of the pres ent bill, and declare that It Is the only thing that could have been done under the circumstance?. It Is evident that some hope of "McKinley lock" exists by tho explanation being made while the state ment by those who oppose the tariff Is said to be very strong. General "Wheeler's Chances. General Joe Wheeler Is expected to pre sent himself to be sworn In as a member of the House some time next week, and It Is believed that Speaker Henderson will refuse to administer the oath, as Hender son was very Arm In the conviction last Congress that Wheeler forfeited his mem bership by accepting and retaining a com mission In the United States Army. It will make a very Interesting contest, as Wheeler will be much more picturesque than Roberts, and his case will "be upon entirely different grounds. Portland Postofflce Bill. Representative Moody appeared before the committee on public buildings and grounds today to urge an early and fa vorable report of Senator Simon's bill for enlarging the Portland postofflce building. There was no quorum, but the members present assured him that the bill would be reported favorably when any such leg islation was recommended by the com mittee. Alaska Land Bills Reported. The House committee on public lands today favorably reported the series of bills relative to land laws In Alaska, In troduced by Lacey of Iowa yesterday. Prohibiting Prizefight Accounts. Representative Hepburn, of Iowa, today Introduced a bill providing that no picture or description of any prizefight or pugilis tic encounter or any proposal of betting on a fight shall be transmitted In the mails or by any common carrier engaged In Interstate commerce, whether In a news paper or periodical or In any other form Any person sending or knowingly receiv- lng such matter for transmission is made liable to imprisonment not exceeding ono year, or a fine not exceeding $1000, with a proviso that the act shall not apply to any person not engaged In the preparation, publication or sale of such prohibited newspaper, periodical or picture. FUSE FACTORY BLEW UP, Four Persons Killed and a Number Injured. POMPTON, N. J.. March 9. The Smith fuse manufactory, at this place, blew up today and four persons were killed and a number more or leas Injured. The killed are: John Rhoda. William Gadmus. William H. Talmage John Merrltt. They were at work In the factory with about 30 other men and girls. The bodies of the four persons killed were badly mangled, and some of them blown to pieces. Percy Jacobs was blown Into the river and was badly hurt. a a Shatter Has Recovered. SAN FRANCISCO, March 9. Major General Shatter has returned to this city from his ranch near Baktrslleld, where he ha3 been recruiting since his return from Washington, where he went to ac company General Lawton's remains. He has now wholly recovered from the se vere attack of pleurisy which prostrated him In the East. He says that he hopes soon to seo considerable accessions to the garrisons on this coast, and especial ly to those in and about San Francisco, lie also favors the strengthening of Pa "clflo Coast harbor defenses.