Morning Oregonian., March 21, 1900, Image 1

VOL. XL. NO. 12,253.
-. PORTLAND. OREGON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS.
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47
Sea
There Is a lost feeling when
your glasses "have been mislaid
and you cannot see. You are
greatly Inconvenienced.
"What will you do when the
Imperfect glasses you are using
impair your sight beyond recall?
The eyes are not made of cast
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Eye Specialist
133 SIXTH STREET
OKEGO.MAX BUILDING
PORTLAND
MUST PAY DAMAGES
Boers Held Responsible for Loss
of British Property.
THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICS
Dispatches From Xatal SIiotv That
General Bailer's Forward Move
ment Is About to Begin.
LONDON, March 21. 4:53 A. M. While
there is a lull in tho military operations,
the present stage of the war shows in
teresting developments. The Colonial Of
fice has telegraphed to Cape Town the
text of tho proclamation concerning the
destruction of property. This will not be
published in London until after its pro
mulgation in South Africa, but it is known
it will convey an Intimation that any
wanton destruction of British property
during the war will be regarded as war
ranting a claim for compensation and as
justifying a levy upon private property,
should the resources of the Transvaal
Republic prove inadequate.
The fact that the proclamation is issued
by the Colonial Office is regarded as a
significant indication that the Republics
will be administered as crown colonies.
In this connection it is understood that
the leaders of the opposition in Parliament
now admit that no other settlement Is
possible, since the Republics insist upon
their demand for absolute Independence.
In view of this, the efforts of the Liber
als will be confined to securing in the set
tlement the best treatment of the Dutch
population, including security against
their disfranchisement.
It is becoming regarded as quite a set
tled matter that should the war be ended,
as is now hoped, before June, the Govern
ment will dissolve Parliament and appeal
to the country on the basis of a success
ful South African policy. Should the war
drag on, dissolution will be postponed un
til next Spring. In any event, one of the
foremost planks of the Government plat
form will be army reorganization.
There is no further information as to tha
movements of Sir Alfred Milner. It is re
garded as certain, however, that he has
gone to Bloemfonteln to arrange for the
temporary administration of tho Free
State.
Mr. Steyn's reply to Lord Roberts' charge
of tho misuse of flags of truce Is com
mented upon as Impertinent and ridicu
lous, and Lord Roberts course In closing
a useless discussion is commended as wise.
Indications from Natal seem to show
that General Buller's forward movement
will not be long delayed.
The Government has decided that Major-General
Sir Frederick Carrington shall
command a Colonial force of 5000, Includ
ing the 2500 men Mr. Chamberlain asked
for from Australia, which will be sta
tioned on tho Northern Transvaal border
to prevent a Boer retreat or an incursion
into Rhodesia.
"A stalemant-comes from Pretoria-admitting
that the Boerlosses"dufirig".the war
exceed 7COX
No fresh news has been received from
Mafeklng, but a Pretoria dispatch dated
Thursday, March 15, asserts that Colonel
Plumcr has not been able to advance
south of Lobatei.
ADVICES FROM LORD ROBERTS.
Kitchener Occupies Prieslca Corre
spondence "With Boer Presidents.
LONDON, March 20. The War Office
has received the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts, dated Bloemfonteln, Tues
day, March 20:
"Kitchener occupied Prieska yesterday
unopposed. The rebels surrendered their
arms. The Transvaalers escaped across
the river. Mr. Steyn is circulating a no
tice by means of dispatch-riders in reply
to my proclamation to the effect that any
burgher who signs a declaration that he
will not fight against us again will be
treated as a traitor and shot. The Bloem
fonteln people are affording us every as
sistance In the matter of hospital accom
modations. We have consequently been
able to arrange for 500 beds. Thirty-three
prisoners were taken at Prieska, 100 stands
of arms and some supplies and explosives.
The Boers have begun to surrender on the
Basutoland frontier."
The following dispatch has been received
at the War Office from Lord Roberts,
dated Bloemfonteln, Monday:
"I have received the following reply to
my telegram of March 11 to the Presidents
of the Free State and the South African
Republic:
" 'Your Excellency's telegram reached
me yesterday. I assure you nothing would
grieve me more than that my burghers
should make themselves guilty of a deed
such a& that laid to their charge by you.
I am, however, glad to say that you must
have been mistaken. I have made per
sonal Inquiry of General Delarey, who
was in command of our burghers at the
place mentioned by you. He denies entire
ly that our burghers acted as stated by
you; but he sajs that on Saturday (the
date being illegible) the British troops,
when they were about 50 yards from our
position, put up their hands, as well as tho
white flag, whilst at the same time your
cannon bombarded said troops, with the
result that Commandant Debeer yester
day morning, head commandant, wrote in
his account of the battle as follows: "Sol
diers hoisted the white flag, but we were
then fired at by English cannons and com
pelled to charge."
" 'Perhaps It is not known to Your Ex
cellency" that the same thing happened at
Splonkop, where, when a portion of the
troops hoisted a white flag and put up
their hands, and whilst our burghers were
busy disarming them, another portion of
the troops flred on our burghers, but some
of the British troops were killed.
" 'It has also been reported that at the
last battle at Tugela, the English cannon
fired on troops who had surrendered.
" 'With reference to the explosive bul
lets found in Cronje's laager, I can give
Your Excellency assurance that such bul
lets were not purchased or allowed by the
Government. I. however, have no reason
to doubt your statement, as I know many
of the burghers of this state and of the
South African Republic took large num
bers of Lee-Metford rifles and dumdum
and other bullets from British troops.
" 'May I request Your Excellency, as
tho cable is closed to me, to make my
reply known to your Government and tho
neutral powers by cable?
" 'STATE PRESIDENT.' "
The dLspatch from Lord Roberts, con
cludes at. follows:
"As Inquiry into the matter proves His
Honor's allegations to be unfounded, and
as I personally saw the holding up of
hands which he denies, I have not thought
it desirable to continue the correspon
dence." IRELAND'S GRIEVANCES.
Cannot Be Mitigated, Redmond Says,
hy the Queen's Recent Favors.
LONDON, March 20. At a Nationalist
banquet at the Hotel Cecil, in London,
this evening, John Redmond, leader of
the Nationalist party In the House of
Commons, who presided, said he regarded
the last nine years of public life In Ireland
as a hideous nightmare. "Our reunion is
sincere," he continued, "and there Is noth
ing, humanely speaking, which the S5 Irish
members of Parliament cannot obtain
from the exigencies of the British parties.
It is incredible that English statesmen
can be so blind to the teaching of history
as to imagine that serious practical griev
ances can be mitigated by a royal visit to
Ireland or by a British celebration of St.
Patrick's day."
Mr. Redmond denounced the war as the
"most damning of which there Is any rec
ord in history," but ho evoked tremendous
enthusiasm when he referred to the gal
lantry of the Irish soldiers.
Edward Blake, member of Parliament
for South Langford. who proposed the
toast "Ireland, a Nation," was greeted
with hostile cries. During Mc Blake's
speech, in consequence of the uproar, the
stewards were sent for to secure quiet.
A scrimmage followed, and blows were
exchanged. After a sharp tussle, quiet
was restored.
Later, while Edward McHugh. member
of Parliament for South Armagh, was
speaking, a small coterie renewed the in
terruptions, which developed into a free
fight. Many ladie3 were present and be
came greatly alarmed. Ultimately the po
lice overpowered the disturbers and ejactcd
them.
Australasia's Loyalty.
WELLINGTON, March 20. In bidding
I farewell today to the fourth contingent
or riew Zealand troops, now leaving for
service in South Africa, Premier Seddon
emphasized the determination of Austra
lasia to uphold the imperial prestige of
the country. He said they had 400,000
male adults, mostly drilled, prepared to
defend the colonies, and, if emergencies
arose, to send enough men to South Afri
ca to release the imperial troops and dea!
with any power daring to meddle with
the settlement.
British at Phlllppolls.
LONDON, March 2L A dispatch to tho
Daily Mail from Donkerspoort, dated
Monday, March 13, says:
"A reconnaissance toward Phlllppolls, 25
miles west of Sprlngfonteln, found the
farms all flying white flags. The British
troops were cordially received.
"It is reported that Mr. Steyn is trying
to rally the Boers, but the latter say they
j have had enough."
Johannesburg- Mines Xot Damaged.
LONDON, March 2L A correspondent of
tho Daily News at Rloemfontein, tele
graphing Monday. March 19, says:
"I learn from Johannesburg that it is
not true that tho mines have been flooded
or otherwise damaged beyond the act
that the machinery is suffering from dis
use. My Informant declares that the whole
story was fabricated to court sympathy."
TREATY WITH ENGLAND.
Disposal of Estate of Persons Who
Die in Another Country.
WASHINGTON, March 20. The Senate
today, in executive session, considered
the treaty between the United States and
Great Britain regulating the disposal of
tho estates of deceased citizens of one
country,. who may die in the other coun
triv" Senator- Wolcot. of the committee
on ioreign relation. naa4 charge or the4
treaty, and explained the legal bearing of
the agrt-ement, saying It covered practi
cally tho same ground as treaties with
other countries on the same subject. Sen
ator Davis, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, also made a statement
In support of the treaty. Senator Bacon,
of the same committee, criticized the
treaty as conferring a pqwer upon the
Federal Government In, the regulation of
estates, which was an Infringement upon
the rights of the states and territories.
He pointed out that the pending treaty
goes further than any agreement with any
other power in the infringement of this
right, and he especially criticized the au
thority granted by the treaty to tho
Queen o England or the President of the
United States to extend the provisions of
the treaty to dependencies. The treaty
was amended by striking out the time
limit for ratification, which made it ex
pire the 2d Inst. No vote was reached,
and when the Senate adjourned there was
an understanding that the treaty should
again bo taken up at 3 o'clock tomor
row. t a
TRADES-UNION TRUST.
Testimony Before the Industrial Com.
mission.
CHICAGO, March 20. Several large
manufacturers appeared before the sub-
committee of the Congressional Industrial
Commission, which met here today to in
' vestigate manufacturing conditions In the
West, and more particularly in Illinois- and
Chicago. W. J. Chalmers, of the firm of
Frazer & Chalmers, was the principal wit
ness. He characterized trade unionism In
this country as the most glantic and arro
gant trust ever organized, and also bitter
ly criticized the method of choosing the
judiciary by popular vote in Illinois. Mr.
Chalmers claimed that manufacturers In
Chicago had for years been practically
without police protection, and charged that
this condition of affairs was due entirely
to politics.
PLAGUE IN INDIA.
Xearly Fiv Thousand Deaths Lartt
Week In Bengal.
CALCUTTA, March 2L The bubonic
plague is fast Increasing. In Bengal, 4723
deaths oecured last week. These Included
744 in Calcutta and 2044 in Patnn.
I The Viceroy, Lord Cilrzon, of Kedleston,
, yesterday visited the medical college,
j which is in one of the Infected districts
or (jaicutta.
WAR IN COLOMBIA.
British Subjects in Danger Cruiser
Going: to the Scene.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 20. The
British cruiser Alert arrived here today
from Colombian ports. She reports the
revolution there in full sway, and that
British subjects are in need of protection.
The Alert is coaling hastily and will re
turn to Colombia.
a
THE DEATH ROLL.
British Minister to Denmark.
LONDON, March 20. Sir Edmund Doug
las Veltch Fane, Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary to the court
o.f Copenhagen, is dead, aged 63.
General Z. B. Toiver.
BOSTON, March 20. General Zealous
B. Tower, United States army (retired),
died at Cohassot tonight, aged SI years.
Admiral Sir Henry Fairfax.
NAPLES. March 20. Admiral Sir Henry
Fairfax. British Commander-in-Chief at
Plymouth, died here today.
Aa-ed 105 Years.
LACONIA, N. H., March 20. Charlotte
P. Mason, of Sandwich, N. H., la dead,
aged 105 years.
POLITICAL CAPITAL
Idaho Investigation Has Be
come a Fiasco.
EVIDENCE ALL AGAINST MINERS
Lentz and, Sulrcr Seeking- Cheap Jfo.
toriety Ton true on Puerto Rico
Rumors of Cabinet Chances.
WASHINGTON, March 20. The investi
gation into the Idaho riots before the
House military committee has become a
huge fiasco. "A prominent Democratic
member of the committee said today that
never did he witness such a farce and utterly-
ridiculous performance as has been
conducted for several weeks past by Rep
resentatives Lentz and Sulzer, in this
Idaho case. He declared that the wh-la
affair was prompted by these two men,
who sought political capital and cheap
notoriety. He said that the antics of thesj
two Democrats were disgusting to th
sensible Democrats of the House, and
their position would not be sustained by
the party.
The evidence so far taken shows very
clearly that the miners' union sought to
run that country. Independent of the In
terests of the property-owners, and that
it was their purpose to dictate entirely the
affairs of that district or destroy the
property. It has been shown that tha
military did not overturn the civil au
thorities, the courts were open to ag
grieved persons at all times, and the
trials were free from any military inter
ference. The necessity for arresting
large numbers of men was shown by the
testimony of the miners themselves.
Many of the Democratic papers of the
country in recounting the proceedings of
this committee have overdrawn the facts,
with a view to prejudicing the people
against the Administration and the mili
tary. A BIott to the Protectionists.
The loss of Beveridge of Indiana to the
protectionists has been quite a severe
blow: that is, if he Is lost when the Ana!
vote comes, which some doubt. The ef
fect of his defection is Just as bad as if
ho would finally "vote against the bill, al
though it is said by the Senators favoring
protection that he will vote with the party
on the final round-up.
Tho Republican members of the Indiana
delegation in the House who voted for
the protective measure are extremely sore
at Beveridge, because he has placed them
in a very serious predicament- BcverJdgj
reports that his only object Is to save In
diana from the Democrats. He declares
that if the protection measure against
Puerto Rico passes, Indiana will go Dem
ocratic, and he Is working to secure free
trade by the Republican party, which will
save the state.
The Republican Senators who favor the
tariff are also sore at Beveridge, because
there was a general understanding that
Republicans should not discuss the tariff
measure pending tho- attempt of tho- har
wqnycmmlttee to secure some agreement
which could be put fSrward as" a party
measure.
The Democratic Senators are very much
afraid that the final result of the Puerto
Rican difficulty will be the passage of the
Governmental bill with the tariff features
left out. The Democratic leaders would
much prefer to vote against a tariff, and
at the same time have it retained in the
bill, because they believe it will be a great
campaign document, and worth many
thousands of votes to them, not only In
the Presidential but In the Congressional
elections this fall.
Rumors of Cabinet Changes.
There are continual rumors of cabinet
changes, and assertions are made that
Hay, Gage and Hitchcock, and possibly
Root, will go. It Is well known that a
number of Republicans are very much
opposed to Gage, Hitchcock and Root,
because they do not grant all the spoils
that they might by evading the civil serv
ice law. Some of the weak-kneed want
Hay taken out of the cabinet, because he
has been, to a certain extent, responsible
for the friendly relations existing between
England and this Government, which cer
tain Democrats with blatherskite procliv
ities are making political capital out of.
There are no grounds for the removal of
any of the cabinet officers at the nresent
time, except for political exigencies, and
It is not believed that the President thinks
any situation has arisen wh!ch will make
it necessary to remove these cabinet of
ficers. Work on Fortifications.
Tho appropriations in the fortifications
bill are in a lump sum, and will be divid
ed by the War Department in accordance
with the needs of the various places where
work is in progress. This means that
the works now being constructed at the
mouth of the Columbia and also the work
on Puget Sound points will be continued,
as those fortifications are under the gen
eral plan, which has been accepted by the
Government, for which Congress annually
mako appropriations.
Tona-uc on Puerto Rico.
Representative Tongue said today:
"The Washington dispatch published in
The Oregonian of the 15th does not prop
erly represent my attitude on the Puerto
Rican bill. I voted in the caucus and in
the House to reduce the tariff from 25
to 15 per cent, and to limit the operation
of the bill to two years. I -was one of
the most strenuous advocates of the latter
amendment. But It is asserted by the
opponents of the bill that this small tariff
upon the necessary food products in
Iuerto Rico -will be oppressive to the poor
people of that island. I have said that
if -this Is true, It might be well for tho
Senate to consider a proposition to admit
such articles duty free, and Increase tho
tariff to 25 per cent on sugar and to
bacco, as the entire crop of these articles.
It is said, has been bought by the trusts
and speculators. This provision would re
lieve the people and place the tariff upon
those most able to bear it, the trusts and
speculators.
"The only Teason that justifies the House
bill or that secured the votes necessary
to pass it, including my own. Is the neces
sity of raising revenue to maintain gov
ernment In Puerto Rico, temporarily, until
the people can recover from their present
distressed condition. With normal con
ditions restored, and other revenue meas
ures enacted, commercial intercourse be
tween Puerto Rico and the United States
should and will be as freo as between
Oregon and California."
Democratic Opposition to Bynum.
The Democrats cannot forgive Bynum
for having voted for and supported the
Palmer and Buckner ticket, -which prac
tically meant the support of McKInley. In
the campaign of 1S96. They are deter
mined to prevent his confirmation, and
have announced that, although Bynum
declares himself in favor of supporting
any candidate or platform that may be
nominated and promulgated at Kansas
City, he will not be considered a Demo
crat. The Cabinet Meeting:.
WASHINGTON. March 20. The Cabinet
meeting today developed nothing of special
Interest Tho Postmaster-General, who
has Just returned from the West, spoke
of the political conditions In that section,
and particularly with regard to the feel
ing on the pending Puerto Rico tariff bill.
Senators Spooner and Foraker had a con
ference with the President before the Cab
inet met, presumably on this bill, but so
far as could be learned no change In plans
was agreed to or proposed. Secretary
Root and party arrived this afternoon
from Chalreston.
ARKANSAS REPUBLICANS.
Administration of President McKIn
ley Indorsed.
LITTLE ROCK. Ark. March 20. The
Repub'ican State Convention adjourned
late tonight after electing delegates to the
National Convention and declaring for
the renomination of President McKInley.
The platform Indorsed the Administration
of President McKInley, and says:
"We favor the expansion policy of the
Administration. Wo favor annexation of
the Philippines as the most beneficent
thing that could happen to the Filipinos
and as giving us command of the vast
trade of the Orient not otherwise possi
ble." The platform further opposes trusts and
favors the Nicaragua Canal to be owned
and controlled by the American Govern
ment, and Indorses tho protective tariff
policy.
On the subject of suffrage the platform
denounces the Goebel law in Kentucky,
the Nesbltt law in Arkansas, and similar
laws in other states, and says:
"We hereby extend our earnest sym
pathy to Governor Taylor, as at this pe
riod he is the champion of the fair bal
lot, and we regard him and his associates
as persecuted solely because they wero
elected by the people, and are Republi
cans." Every mention of McKInley's name was
cheered.
Soutlt Cnrolinn Republicans.
COLUMBIA. S. a, March 20. The State
Republican Convention met here today to
elect four delegates to the National Re
publican Convention. The following dele
gates were elected: E. A. Webster, R. R.
Talbert, R. R. Small and E. H. Deas. The
latter two are negroes.
The convention adopted a pla'form em
bracing the principles of tho Republican
party as set forth in St. Louis in 1S96. The
convention was composed of about COO
negroes and a dozen whites.
' THE EARTH SUBSIDED.
Description of the Phenomenon at
San Jncinto.
LOS ANGELES, March 20. Regarding
the marvelous upheavals created at San
Jacinto last Christmas morning. Grant
Taggart, Superintendent of the San Jacin
to Forest Reserve, writes in a letter re
ceived hero today by General B. F. Allen,
Controller of the Forest Reserves:
"I must say that it is beyond my powers
of description to picture what is to be
seen here. I do not care how vivid a de
scription was made of it, it would have
to bo seen to be understood or appreciat
ed. The whole of the mountain, within
an area of 400 to GOO acres, has sunk In a
body to a'depth-40 to-SO feet, much of it
broken Into the most complete Jumble
imaginable. There are thousands of crev
ices from a few Inches to four and six
feet in width and many of them quite
deep. There seems to have been several
j upheavals and blow-outs, which have the
appearance of having "been caused by
escaping gas or air. The trees and brush
, are In heaps. The whole country seems to
! be composed of a volcanic ash. light and
j dry. It would well repay any of the
learned scientists to come thousands of
miles to sec this. Should there come a
rain, the conditions would change mate
rially, as the soil is of such a light nature
that many of the upheavals would dissolve
and run Into the crevices. The upheaval
is 10 miles southeast of San Jacinto, and
3 miles south of Strawberry Road."
DEWEY IS ILL.
Programme for Ills Entertainment at
Savannah Interrupted.
SAVANNAH. Ga.. March 20. The pro
gramme for tho entertainment of Admiral
and Mrs. Dewey was broken this evening
by tho illness of the Admiral. A public
reception had been arranged for the hourj
between 9 and 11 o'clock, and 5OC0 persons
gathered at the Do Soto Hotel to greet
the distinguished visitors. But the Ad
miral -was too ill to appear, and thus tho
function had to be called off. The Ad
miral's attack, which is of indigestion, oc
curred on the revenue cutter Hamilton,
while the party was on a trip down tho
ri'er and harbor. Surgeon-General Wy
man, of the Marine Hospital Service, and
Dr. St. J. B. Graham, who were aboard
tho cutter, administered to the Admiral,
but his Indisposition was so severe that
It was deemed best to bring him back to
the city. Tho Admiral Is resting easily
tonight, and his physicians say he will no
doubt be able to go on with the programme
of arrangements tomorrow.
o
DESTROYED BY FIRE.
Biff Fire at Red Lodge.
BUTTE, Mont, March 20. A special
from Red Lodge, Carbon County, Mont.,
says:
A fire started in Hall's general store at
5 o'clock this morning in the business
center of town, and burned to the ground
the two-story brick block of the Red
Lodge Improvement Company, containing
threo stores on the ground floor and th3
offices of the Red Lodge Picket and Car
bon County Democrat and the Business
Men's Club, besides a number of other
offices on the second floor, also Freeman's
new brick block, with Its largo stock of
dry goods and clothing. John Davis, a
farmer from Roberts, was caught by a
falling stair and burned in the burning
building. The principal lesers are: F.
Freeman, W. R, Hall, general merchan
dise; Fulton & Dalton, hardware; Red
Lodge Picket printing plant, Larkin &
Fleming, saloon; A. H. Davis, Jewelry.
The loss is about ?200.0CO
The Plkun Fire.
PIQUA. O., March 20. The fire which
broke out last night destroyed the W. P.
Orr linseed oil mill, and the PIqua flour
ing mill. The oil mill was the second
largest in the country, and Its destruc
tion entails a loss of 5175.0CO. The loss on
the flour mill is $50,000.
White Lead "IVorlss Burned.
NEW YORK. March 20. The Jewett
White Lead Works, at Port Richmond,
suffered to tho extent of J1CO.O00 by Are to
day. It is supposed the Are i'as caused by
defective insulation of an electric light
wire.
Wacron Works Burned.
FLINT, Mich., March 20. The Flint
wagon works were totally destroyed by
fire tonight, causing a loss of over $200,000.
The plant was insured for 120,000. Four
hundred men are thrown out of work.
yc-rr Plnyne Cases at Sydney.
STDNET, N. S. W., March 20. Two
fresh cases of the bubonic plaguo have
been officially reported today.
SIMON IS INDORSED
Chamber of Commerce Sus
tains His Puerto Rico Views.
UNANIMOUS VOTE OF TRUSTEES
Oregon's Outspofcen Senator Eaconn.
aged to Stand Firm in the Po
sition He Has Taken.
Tho trustees of the Chamber of Com
merce yesterday unanimously Indorsed
United States Senator Joseph Simon's re
fusal to be whipped Into lino for the In
famous Puerto Rico bill. At the close of
a busy session. Trustee S. M. Mears
called attention to tha firm positionof
Senator Simon- and suggested that Inas
much as the Senator's views seemed, to
meet the unqualified approval c all classes
of people In Oregon, It would be proper: to
send him a letter of indorsement.
"That suit3 me exactly," .said President
Taylor. "The Idea is an excellent one.
How do you feel about it, Mr. Ehnnan?"
"Senator Simon's attitude has my ap
proval." said Trustee Ehnnan.
Similar questions brought answers vla
kind from Trustees R Livingstone, J. T.
Batchelder, S. M. Mears and I. N. Flelsch
ner. It was first proposed to send a letter to
Senator Simon, but it was agreed that a
telegram would be better. Andt this is
the telegram that was sent:
"Hon. Joseph Simon, Washington: Tha
trustees of the Portland Chamber of Com
merce unanimously indorse your stand' on
the Puerto Rico tariff bill. We hope you
will maintain your ground.
"GEORGE TAYLOR, JR., President.
"I. N. FLEISCHNER, Secretary."
Senator Simon thus has the indorse
ment of the strongest commercial organi
zation in the Northwest in his opposition
to the scheme to rob Puerto Rico. ,
CONFEREES AGREED.
Accepted a Compromise on Puerto'
Rico Relief BUI.
WASHINGTON. March 20 Th vm
! ferees on the Puerto Rican anoronrlation
bill have agreed upon a compromise meaa-
ure. The Senate conferees receded from
J the Senate amendment limiting the appro-
prlatlon to the revenues collected on Puer
I to Rican Importations until January 1 last,
and restored the clause In the House bill
' applying to future revenues, reading ad
follows: "Together with any further cus
' toms revenues collected on importations
l from Puerto Rico since January 1, 1900,
. or that shall hereafter bo collected under
existing laws."
I The provision In the Senate amendment
specifying the purpose for which tho
, money shall be used is retained, but, an ad-"
j dltlon Is made declaring specifically"" that
I it shall be for the aid and relief of tha
Puerto RIcans. The bill, as agreed upon,
reaas as iouows:
"That the sum of J2.095.455, being tha
amount of customs revenue received on
importations by tho United States from
Puerto Rico since the evacuation of Puerto,
Rico by the Spanish forces on the 18th of
October. 1SDS, to the 1st of January, 1900,
together with any further customs rev
enue collected on Importations from Puerto
Rico since the 1st of January. 1900, or that
sha.ll hereafter be collected under existing
laws, shall bo placed at the disposal of
the President to be used for the govern
ment now existing, and which may here
after be established in Puerto Rico, and
for the aid and relief of the people thereof
and for the public education, public works
and other governmental and public pur
poses therein until otherwise provided by
law, and the revenues herein referred to,
already collected and to be collected under
existing law, are hereby appropriated for
the purpose herein specified out of any
money In the Treaeury not otherwlso ap
propriated." Lew "Wnllace Opposed to Colonies.
INDIANAPOLIS. March 20. Genernl
Lew Wallace today wrote an open letter
charging that the Administration Is at
tempting to make colonies of Puerto Rico
and the Philippines, to be governed by
tho President as a colonial empire. Gen
eral Wallace proposes a Constitutional
amendment forbidding legislation for sov
ereignty over any Island, territory or
country now foreign, except with the con
sent of the people of the United States.
CONDITIONS IX CUBA.
Secretary Root Talks of the Possi
bilities of the People. " v
WASHINGTON, March 20. Secretary
Root, this afternoon, gave to President
McKInley the result of his observation 'of
affairs In Cuba during his recent trip to
the island. Subsequently, the Secretary
consented to talk for publication as ;to tho
existing conditions in the Island and tho
possibilities of the people In the direction
of self-government. The Secretary ex
pressed himself as satisfied on the whole
with what he saw. Naturally, the ques
tion of the ultimate Independence of tha
Island came up for discussion during tho
Secretary's visit to Cuba, but he was not
prepared to say just when the United
States Government would be willing that
this should be a reality. Incidental to thli
matter, which Is uppermost in the Cuban
mind, are the formative steps that will
bring it about. The first of these, viz, tho
holding of the municipal electiona at an
early date, was a subject that Secretary
Root discussed freely, particularly with
the United States officials on the island.
"These elections," said the Secretary,
"will be Cuba's flrst effort towards popu
lar government. Unaccustomed as they
aro to these things, they are as the babo
unborn, and have everything to learn.
The whole plan for municipal suffrage
has to be carefully worked out, and tho
people Instructed in all the details. This
involves a vast amount of labor and
takes considerable time, but ultimately
the plan will be worked out and the elec
tions held. I hardly believe, however, that
the authorities will be quite ready for
holding the elections by May 1."
Secretary Root was not prepared to ven
ture an opinion as to just when he be
lieved this Government would grant com
plete independence to the Cubans. The
declaration In the joint resolution of Con
gress, however, granting them full Inde
pendence, would be carried out
May Xot Get the Galapagos.
NEW TORK. March 20. A special to tha
Herald from Washington says:
A halt has occurred in the negotiations
between the United States and Ecuador
for the acquisition of Islands In the Pacific,
because of the unwillingness of the Quito
Government to relinquish any of its ter
ritory to a foreign power.
The negotiations for the cession of tha
Danish West Indies to this Government
have been suspended, because of tho cabi
net crisis In Copenhagen.
J