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VOL. XL. 2s O. 12,307.
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OREGOXIAX BUILDXXa
ROBERTS' ADVANCE
British Army Nearing
Transvaal Frontier.
the
CAVALRY FORCES OVER THE-RIVER
Pretoria. Prepared for a Year's Slese
More About the Relief ef Mafe-
kins Operation la Natal.
LONDON. May 24.-3:40 A. M. Lord
Roberts Is drawing near to the frontier
of the Transvaal. His Infantry masses
are 33 miles north of Kroonstad, at the
Rhenoster River. Somo thousands of
cavalry are already across the river. The
Boers are retiring towards the Vaal, with
their heavy baggage. They are reported
from Pretoria as already across that riv
er. .Twelve thousand men and four guns
compose the retreating army. Trains con
tinue to run from Vereenlglng, at the
Vaal, to Pretoria.
The War office late last evening pub
lished the following from Lord Roberts:
"South bank of the Rhenoster River,
May 23. 1:30 P. M. We found on arrival
here this morning that the enemy had. fled
during the night They bad occupied a
strong position on the north bank of the
river, which had been carefully entrench
ed, but they did not think It advisable
to defend It "when they heard that Ian
Hamilton's force was at HeUbron, and
that our cavalry, which had crossed the
"Rhenoster some miles lower , down the
stream, were threatening their right and
rear.
"The bridge over the Rhenoster, sev
eral culverts and some miles of railway
were destroyed. Ian Hamilton's force
drove the Boers under Ret Dewet before
them from Lindley to HeUbron. The pass
age of the Rhenoster was strongly dis
puted. Our loss might have been heavy,
but for a well -conceived plan, which
brought Smlth-Dorren's brigade on the
enemy's flank Just 'at the right moment.
"The officer commanding at Boshot re
ports that upward of 350 Free Staters
have surrendered during the last few
days, and that they have given up 360
rifles, 100 horses and a large amount of
ammunition.
"Kelly-Kenny reports that three com
panies of Teomanry, who were sent to re
pair the telegraph lines and to clear the
country between Bloemfonteln and Bosh
of, have returned to Bloemfonteln, having
performed the duty exceedingly well."
Foreign engineers assert that Pretoria
Is able to stand a year's siege. Accord
ing to advices from Lourenco Marques,
the Pretoria fortifications are described
as complete, but Johannesburg has not
yet been placed entirely fn a state of de
fense. The Transvaal Government pa
pers and the war chest have been re
moved to Lydenburg.
Foreigners continue to leave the Re
public The Dutch cruiser Frlesland Is at
Delagoa Bay, so It Is reported, to furnish
an asylum to the fleeing 'Hollanders and
passage to Europe.
The Boer forces continue to dwindle.
Some of the CQmapflndents&sfierX, that
probably only about 24.000 of the hardiest
fighters, yet remain although there, are,
ueiacnea parties in various parts of the
Transvaal.
One of the, curious pieces of gossip sent
from Lourenco, Marques is that several
women tried to sjambok" President Kru-
ger, wno was rescued by his body, guard.
He rarely leaves the Presidency now, but
worics incessantly, holding councils at
daybreak and during the night. It was
announced at Pretoria Sunday that, the
government proposes removing the Brit
ish prisoners from Pretoria.
Stories From Mafelclner.
Mafeking dispatches continue to pour
Into London relating to events immediate
ly preceding the relief and the entry of
the troops.- The correspondents ajrree
that the Canadian artillery, , Major En
don's seven guns, did splendid work. Some
of them assert that the Canadians did
"the absolutely .essential work m the
flghtinr."
About 7 In the evening of the day be
fore the relief, after Colonel Mahon and
-Colonel Plumer had defeated the Boers
nine miles, from Mafeking, Major Karri
Davis and nine scouts entered 'the town.
The Boers -were then retreating. At 4 the
following- morning 1000 men, including the
Canadians, arrived. With them were 29
wagonloads of food, which were received
with wild demonstrations. The armored
train and a detachment then pushed for
ward to Gametree Fort, the scene of the
unsuccessful sortie in December. The
Boers were pressed, and the correspond
ent, telegraphing Thursday afternoon,
closed his dispatch thus: "We caught
up with the retreating Boers and have
them now surrounded."
Lady Sarah Wilson has managed to get
through a message from Mafeking dated
Thursday and announcing the entry of
the relief column. She saya:
"The fighting before the relief was very
hard. A severe struggle proceeded yes
terday (May 16) from 2 P. M. until dusk.
The Boers were forced slowly to retreat,
contesting every Inch. At sunset they
still held the last position. Colonel Mahon
entered the town In the brilliant moon
light. The Boers were as tired out as we
were, and they never guessed that an
attempt would be made to force an entry
before morning. Therefore, their sur
prise was complete. They deserted their
laagers, leaving a lot of 'food, which was
divided up among the people of Mafe
king." A Dally Telegraph correspondent, de
scribing the march of the relief column,
says:
"The morning before the little force
started from Klmberley General Hunter
wrote Colonel Mahon: 'Thlsls the most
dashing exploit of the war. Every man
In the column has been especially select
ed. I wish you Godspeed.'
"The action opened at 1 P. M. Wednes
day with Maxim Are, and this soon told
upon the enemy, who surounded us. but
who had not hindered the forward march.
The value of the Boer methods of war
fare when used In flat country may be
estimated by this action. Little cover was
afforded the enemy, with the result that
they fled as soon as our guns were turned
on them. The fight raged most fiercely
on the left, but our suns soon silenced
the enemy, who were seen flying In all
directions. Those on the left bank, find
ing that their comrades In front bad
abandoned their positions, ran helter
skelter. "Then ensued the finest Boer hunting
during the war. The dismounted British
piled the enemy with rifle Are. while the
pom-pom hustled" until not a single Boer
was left in front of us. The Canadians
kept busy on the right, replying with their
seven-pounder to tho enemy's blgsest gun
until darkness fell on the scene."
Tlie Boer Ambascade.
The ensnaring of the squadron of Beth
uen's Horse appears to have .been quite
as bad as was at first reported. Colonel
Bethuen. thinking there were no Boers at
Vryheld. determined to go that way to
ward Newcastle, as a short cut. The ad
vance squadron was hunyiDg to make
Vryheld before dark. It left the main
body and trotted Into the ambush. The
Boers had Maxims, and the British, see
ing that they had no chance to retire,
dashed forward to a point within 20 yards
of the Boer rifles. Five officers and 63
men were killed or wounded. Bethuen or
dered his four other squadrons to retire.
Tho damage to Lalng's Nek tunnel Is
capable of repair. The strength, of the
Boers at that point is not known. Prob
ably they have from 5000 to 6300 men.
Dr.. Leyds, according to the Brussels
correspondent of the Dally Express, has
quarreled with the Transvaal Government.
A representative of President Kruger la
alleged to have demanded an accounting
respecting 500,000 (J2.5O0.0O0) that has
passed through JDr. Leyds hands. Dr.
Leyds is said to have replied that the
money had all been expended, and to have
expressed Indignation when asked for an
itemized statement. President Kruger's
emissary is described as showing to Dr.
Leyds. certain ante-war letters. In which
Germany and France said they would in
tervene; and Dr. Leyds, according to this
account, grabbed the documents and threw
them Into the Hre. having a bodily strug
gle with the emissary.
The "Lourenco Marques correspondent of
the Times says:
"Mrs. Reltz, wife of the Transvaal State
Secretary, and her children baye gone to
Europe on the Bundesrath, which Is be
lleved to have taken a largo quantity of
bullion, and possibly several Important
Boer politicians. A popular fecllrg
against Presidents Kruger and Steyn la
setting In heavily. Every newspaper ar
ticle is censored, and the people aro In
dignant at discovering what rubbish and
falsehood have been given them."
CAPTURE OF ELOFF.
Events
That Preceded the
Reacae
of Mafcldng.
MAFEKING, May 18. The whole town
is animated with a keen sense of exulta
tion over yesterday's victory, which was
complete, decisive and far-reaching.' All
the outlying works of the town were in
tact; the British had lost hardly any'men,
and yet three bodies of Federals right In
side the British lines, had ben surrounded,
cut off and given an opportunity to sur
render, which they had declined. -Commandant
Sarel Eloff did not realize that
his supports had been drhen back; and
he informed a messenger that the town
was at hts mercy.
Toward noon there was a lull in the
fighting. Everybody tit headquarters
went to breakfast, and the commissariat
requisitioned for horse sausage, bread o.nd
water- for the men on the fighting Une.
There was no thought of half-rations.
Everj one got all he could eat.
The British In the Statt, moving from
rock to trock, gradually drew In their
circle around the Federals, whom they
corraled like cattle in a compound Short
ly after 4:30 a white flag -was hoisted by
the enemy, and then, amid ringing cheers,
the first batch of Boers was disarmed and
sent to the town.
The erstwhile besiegers furnished fn
Inspiring spectacU to the townsfolk,
themselves so longA cooped up. As the
hungry, dirty, battle - stained Boers
marched between the gleaming bayonets
of the British, the British population re
ceived them respectfully, but the Kaffirs
gavcfull rein to their enthusiasm In hoofs;
yells and 4 similar expressions of delight.
The prisoners seemed glad the fight was
over.
As the afternoon advanced the crackle
of musketry begaatteal.eitl&tfipg,'fintll
nearly 7 p clock, when Captain Singleton
shouted "Cease fire." A message hod
-come from headquarters to the effect that
Eloff, his officers and men had surrendered
and had laid down their arms uncondition
ally to Colonel Hore, who, with a' handful
of men, had been a prisoner of Eloff dur-lng-most
of tho day. Shortly before tnls
a .fusillade was heard. It was Eloff and
the men who stood by him, firing on their
own deserters. 0 of whom fled.
The news spread by telephone to the gar
risons of the various forts, and cheer upon
cheer resounded. .In the town some ere
shouted "God save the Queen," and the
strains of the National anthem mingled
for a few minutes with the hoarse shout
ing of the natives. Soon Captain-Single
ton and Colonel Hore approached, acoon
panled by Commandant Eloff and his of
ficers. The meeting between Colonel
Baden-Powell and the' Boer Commaiier
was dramatic. ""This Is Commandant
Eloff, sir," said Captain Singleton. "Good
evenlns. Commandant," said Colonel
Baden-Powell. "Welcome, and have some
dinner."
As the Briysh had already captured 124
prisoners, about all they could handle.
Colonel Baden-Powell sent word to Lord
Chase Bentenek to open the way nml to
allow the scattered remnants of thdFcV
erels to be driven from the Staat. In
half on hour everything was over, and m
the messroom at headquarters the three
Boer officers were fining. Nearly every
mess In tows raked up somewhero a hid
den store of liquor, a bottle of champagne
In one place, a flask of whisky Jn.anothrr.
Tno whole town Joined In the Jubilation,
singing "God Save the Queen" and other
patriotic songs all night long.
The rank and file of the Boer prisoners
were lodged at Masonic HjiIL. Most of
them are Johannesburg Horse. They
seemed In excellent spirits, scrambled lor
the blankets issued, wrote tetters to their
friends, and grumbled at General Snym&a.
AFFAIRS IN HONOLULU.
Not a Case of Plague For Forty-six
Days.
SAN FRANCISCO. Mav 23. Tfiesteamer
Australia brings Honolulu advices to May
16. At mat date were nan not been a
case of the bubonic plague for 46 days,
and business had resumed Its former ac
tivity. Alexander Young, Minister of the Inte
rior In President Dole's Cabinet, who has
announced his intention of resigning, ar
rived on the Australia on private business.
The plantation agencies have all united
in a committee to make contracts for the
sale of sugar for the next three or five
years. The present contract with the
sugar trust expires with the present crop.
The reform element of the Chinese In
Honolulu Is rejoicing over the n'ews that
Lau Hock Sun, the scourge and Pharaoh
of the reformers in China, is dead. It was
he who recently arrested the families of
two California Chinese merchants near
Canton. He was active in the effort to
apprehend the reformer, Kwang Yu Wei.
BATTLE IN CATUBIG.
French Dispatch Rcportii American
Lest SOO.
PARIS, May 24. A special dispatch re
ceived here reports a stubborn fight on
tho Island of Catublg, one of the Philip
pines. The American losses are reported
as 500 killed or wounded.
The Theatrical Syndicate.
NEW YORK. May 23. The differences
between the members of the .theatrical
syndicate, of which Al Hayman Is the
president, have been harmonized. Tho
disruption that seemed Imminent only a
short time ago has been avertel and an
agreement has finally Treen . reached, by
which the organ'zatlon will be continued
Intact for five years, after the conclusion
of the present contract at the esJ of next
season. .Nlxon and Zimmerman Trill, not
withdraw.
OFFFOR POLAR GOLD
The Nome Fleet Will Reach
One Hundred Vessels.
BIG PROPORTIONS OF THE RUSH
PaascBsers for First Trip Nnmber
,15,000 Bearing1 Sea Ice Trouble
at the Landing.
SEATTLE, Wash., May 23. It Is a
strange and wonderful experience to pass
along Seattle's water front these days.
It Is choked with traffic, thronged with
people, littered with the various belong
ings of the "many thousand gold-fever vlc-
HON. MARTIN
J i in i i i
1 '
APPOINTED. BY GOVERNOR S3IITH, OF MONTANA, TO REPRESENT
THAT STATE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
Lllma hurrying, to Cape Nome. Vessels of
all sorts are Jammed, together In all kinds
of ways, against twharves, at the ends, In
the slips, anywhere that an opening Is
offered. Some places they are two or
three- deep. The craft range from small
two-masted schooners to the finest type
of large ocean-going steamer. They rep
resent, too, 'all stages of seaworthiness.
Some are mere cockle-shells; others are
comfortable and,even elegant steamships
fitted for accommodation of many pas
sengers and much 'freight. For the past
week they have been leaving at the rate
of two and three and even four a day,
loaded In every Instance below the water
line with material and supplies and re
cruits for the land of fabulous golden
stories and (probably) meager golden re
alities. The rush Is comparable to the
Klondike excitement In dimensions and
lavish expenditure of money for prepara
tion. Indeed, It is probable that more
north-bound argonauts have been in Se
attle during the past 10 days than for any
similar period two years ago. There Is
more concentration about It. Then people
wero leaving all during .the Winter and
early -Spring for Skagway and Dyea; and
there was no serious congestion here at
any time. Now Seattle Is the temporary
ultima thule; tho Nomers come here, or
to Portland or San Francisco, and stay
until the day of debarkation. The first
vessel left Vancouver, B. C... April 6, and
it was followed by intermittent depart
ures of sailing craft; but It' was not until
the Robert Dollar left, on May 15, that
any perceptible diminution was made in
the crowds of eager speculators and pros
pectors. She was followed rapidly by
other steamers with many hundreds of
passengers.
Th& first great rush will continue by
means of various steamships until May
2C, when the Charles D. Lane turns her
prow to the north. (No better Idea of tha
gigantic movement can be given than by
printing a schedule of craft that have
departed or are to depart, with numbers
.of passengers. All not especially desig
nated as steamers In the following are
schooners or other Bailers:
V Pas-
Sailed eengers.
Steamer Alpha, April 6 300
j Northern Light, April 26 22
lAUy ju, April zs ii
Ecljpse, April 29
se. Anril 29 M
.Emma and Louise, April 30 10
P. J. Abler. April 3U so
Francis Alice, April 29 26
Fischer Brothers, April 29 15
General McPherson, April 29 30
Steamer Bertha, April 29 CO
Ivy. April 30 30
Mercury; May 2
Steamer Dora, May 6 42
R. It Richardson, May 6 44
Casco, May 6
Steamer Bear, May 6 42
Steamer Excelsior, May 7 250
Laurel, May 9 10
Nellie Coleman: May 9 10
Toll-. T Mow Q 1(1
Theobald7, May 9 20
Discovery, May 13 63
Steamer Robert Dollar, May 15 4ju
Steamer Corwln, May 15 43
Steamer Fulton. May 15 38
Wlnslpw, May 15 20
Skookum, May 17 52
Spokane, May 17
Falcon,' May 17
Annie M. Campbell. May 17
Steamer South Portland, May 17 170
Steamer Cleveland. May 19 195
Steamer1 Oregon, May 6C0
Steamer Senator, May 20 500
Steamer Alliance, May 20 250
Steamer Aberdeen. May 20 250
Joseph Lcvlston, May 20
Steamer , Lakme. May 21. 200
Steamer Ellhu Thompson, May 21 ISO
Steamer Charles Nelson. May 21 ISO
Steamer Olympla. May 21 COO
Steamer Utopia, May 21 250
Steamer Garonne, May 22 750
Steamer Elibu Thompson, May 23 ICO
Steamer Brunswick, May 23 60
Steamer Santa Ana, May 23 SCO
Steamer Olympla, May 23 SCO
Steamer Centennial, May 23 500
Steamer Utopia. May 23 250
To call
May 24 Steamer Ohio 700
May 24 Steamer San- Bias 4C0
May 24 Edith 100
May 25 Steamer Roanoke 5C0
May 25 Steamer Tacoma 500
May 26 Steamer Chas. D. Lane. 400
Totals 10.0SS
The roster of tho Nome -fleet numbers
55 vessels. A few steamers have left San
Francisco direct for Dutch Harbor or
TJnalaska, but most of them came to
Puget Sound, and are Included In the
above list. So with Tacoma. The Elder,
Nome City and Despatch are scheduled to
leave Portland In a few days. A number
of other sailing craft, too, are now on
their way from San Francisco and Puget
Sound, and it is probably not an over
estimate that the size of the Nome fleet
as a whole approaches 100, with a total
tonnago of. say, 100.000. Tho bulk of pas
nenger traffic has been from Seattle, or
from San Francisco via Seattle, and tho
numbers going In this peaceable armada
will probably reach 15.000 altogether. This,
it must be remembered. Is for the first
voyago. Second trips are already being
advertised, and bookings made. It Is now
perfectly obvious that the early estimates
that the goldhuntlng crowds Nome-bound
during tho Spring and Summer will be
from 25.000 to SO.OOO, and probably even
more. The population of Dawson at no
one time exceeded 15.OQ0. But all these
people, or nearly all, will land first at
Nome, at practically the same time. The
confusion bound to result from this as
tonishing lnpourlng upon the poorly-
MAGINNIS.
equipped town of Nome City cannot now
be even pictured.
'What will be the course of the formida
ble concerted advance upon the Arctic?
What the experiences and fortunes of
the great army that accompanies It? The
first destination of nearly all vessels Is
Dutch Harbor or Unalaska. which are
practically one. the former being the orig
inal rendezvous of the North American
Transportation & Trading Company, and
the latter of the Alaska Commercial Com
pany. There will be a great assembling
of steamers and sailers at these points
for coal or water, if they need either; and.
If they do not, they will call anyway for
new s and to make preparation for the sec
ond and really serious stage of the Jour
ney. There is a singular conflict of testi
mony as to the condition of the Ice In
Behring Sea at this time of year, perhaps
because there Is a great variety of experi
ence. It Is not tho rule that the ice fields
break up so as to admit uninterrupted
passage of vessels until about the middle
of June; but the rule Is not Invariable.
Therefore, unless unfavorable reports
reach Unalaska, and make departure
from port impracticable. It is likely that
each vessel will sail forth pretty much on
its own account, and seek an opening. It
is related as a fact that the Ice field once
opened up as early as March and gave a
venturesome schooner a chance to slip
through before It closed up again. But,
even. If this story Is .true. It was an ex
perience not likely soon to be repeated. It
is probable Indeed, It Is almost certain
that the break-up of the Ice fields will oc
cur at such time and In such way as to
give all the vessels opportunity to go In
at about the same date, and their arrival
will be practically together. From 50 to
103 vessels will be off Nome at the same
time, all discharging cargo. The task will
be stupendous altogether beyond the In
adequate facilities at hand. As every one
knows, there is no port at Nome. The
beach fronts on the ocean highway. The
water Is shallow, and the sandy bottom
gradually sloping, so that vessels, for
safety's sake, must He at anchor one to
two miles distant and unload by lighters
or by rafts. The old transportation com
panies have a fleet of lighters, hut the
great multitude of new companies have
none. Therefore, every steamer leaving
iort Is equipped with unloading apparatus
of some kind. It will take time to fit
them out upon arrival, and even then the
Job of carrying goods ashore will be at
tended by great difficulties. Last season
much freight was lost, and It will be a
miracle If the water this year does not
swallow up many thousand dollars of val
uable freight and precious llvei. If a
storm arises, unloading must bo suspend
ed, and the vessel put to sea. But, despite
the meager equipment,, certain Interrup
tions and Inevitable excitement and con
fusion, an enormous volume of material
will be dumped ashore. The contract of
every snipper reads that his goods must
be delivered above high-water mark; but
If he gets them there he will be in great
luck. And when they are there, he Is
pretty sure to be In a mlx-up with thou
sands of others. It is easy to foresee that
tho goldbearing' beach will for days be an
Improvised wharf strewn with thousands
of articles of all kinds for many mile:".
All the King's horses and all the King's
men will be needed to restore order from
chaos. And, by the way, horses will bo
at a premium In the early days, though
doubtless there will be more than enough
later. The "cheechawkers" will, however,
have one advantage: It will be the season
of continual daylight. There Is no real
darkness from June 1 to August 1, and
the weather Is usually not severe.
Every vessel leaving Seattle Is loaded to
the limit, and some are overloaded. It Is
the common opinion In seafaring circles
that the Government Inspectors do not
perform their full duty, perhaps because
they do not know It, perhaps because they
do not try. Indeed, their "methods have
occasioned something of a scandal, even
fn Seattle, and have led to serious charges
affecting their competency. Steamers
notorious for their unseaworthiness and
for the Imperfect condition of tieir ma
chinery have before this been permitted
(Concluded on Third PaceJ
FUND FOR THE JETTY
Sundry - Civil Bill Provides
$250,000 for Columbia
AS REPORTED TO THE SENATE
Other Appropriations for the North
west Political Speeches la .
Both Houses of Coasress.
WASHINGTON, May 23. The Portland
Chamber of Commerce had quick action
on its telegram asking for $250,000 for the
mouth of the Columbia River, as the sun
dry civil bill was reported soon after
tarrying this appropriation. However,
this was obtained by the persistent work
of the Oregon Senators. It provides for
the repair and Improvement of the Jetty,
including repairs to wharves, approaches,
tramways, plank, quarters, and buildings
and contingent expenses. There will be
some difficulty m holding this appropria
tion in conference, as Chairman Cannon,
of the House committee on appropria
tions, will fight It bitterly.
Other provisions In the sundry civil bill
for the Northwest are $24,000 for a light
and fog signal at Desdemona 'sands, in
addition to the appropriation of $11,000
of 1S96, which then provided for a light
and fog signal station at Fort Stevens.
Columbia River; $7000 was appropriated
for a fog signal at Slip Point, on Clallam
Bay, Washington; for a launch for tha
customs service at Astoria, $2500. m addi
tion to the same sum appropriated last
year; fl3h culturlst at Clackamas,. "$900,
and fish hatchery In Idaho, $10,000.
The subcommittee Inserted McBrlde's
amendment relating to the wagon road
and railroad land grant Investigation In
Oregon, but the full committee struck it
out.
All for Political Purpose.
Everything that Is done in Washington
has a political purpose behind it. Every
speech has reference to politics. The
Democrats are making the most they can
out of the refusal of the Administration
to recognize the Boers, and out of the
Cuban scandal, and as much as they can
out of the conditions In the Philippines.
The speeches which were made today on
the Cuban question by both Republicans
and Democrats were for use In the cam
paign. The action ot the Administration In re
gard to the Boers Is being commended In
stead of condemned, however, and the
Democrats will find It a, decided boomer
ang. The sober sense of the people, as
-voiced In the press of the East, Indicates
that the country is not ready to see the
United States entangle Itself with Great
Britain.
Lieu Land Selections.
The public lands committee today au
thorized a favorable report on the bill
which prescribes that when lieu selections
are made for lands relinquished in forest
reserves, the lieu selections shall be on
surveyed lands, thus cutting, oft the
wholesale selection of unsurveyed lands
wBich has grown so objectionable.
"No Philippine Scandals.
"There will be no scandals In the ad
ministration of affairs In the Philippines,"
remarked a man who has been Intimately
connected with the military government
of those islands, and who has been very
close to General Otis. "We have had a
man. out there," he continued, "who has
been as straight and honest and as careful
as a man could be. An Intimation was
given that General Otis could have had a
double salary as Governor-General of the
Philippines, and he at once gave an In
timation In reply that he would not ac
cept any such salary or Increase to be
paid out ot the Philippine revenues, but
that he would perform his duty on the
salary allowed him as Major-General of
Volunteers. More than that, he has had a
very close watch kept on everything con
nected with the management of .affairs
In the Islands, and when the accounts
are Investigated It will be found that
there has been no such scandal as oc
curred In Cuba."'
This will be worth a great deal to the
Administration, which has stood so stead
fastly by General Otis In his entire career
as Governor-General and commanding offi
cer in the Philippines. Criticisms wero
hurled at Otis 'thick and fast, and many
complaints made of his failure to grasp
the situation, and his administration of af
fairs in the islands. t it turns out that
there ras been no peculation, no robbery
of the Philippine revenues, and that the
United States Government has adminis
tered the affairs of the Philippines in an
honest manner, it will be a great credit
to the Administration for keeping General
Otlsthere, especially In view of the fact
that" so much robbery was practiced taj
Cuba.
When Congress Adjourns.
The present session of Congress will ad
journ leaving a great deal of legislation
undisposed of, legislation which will also
fall In the short session of Congress be
cause of want of time to consider It. Yet
It Is more than likely that almost the en
tire press of the country will say when
tho session comes to an end that the coun
try Is glad to have. Congress off of Its
hands. It Is probable that the adjournment
of Congress will be one of the acts that
will be approved generally by the people
as a whole, through the public opinion
molded by the press of the country, which
Is almost always hostile to sessions of
Congress. For some reason or other, tha
fact that Congress is in session is often
considered a menace to the peace and
business of the country, and a detriment
to the best interests of the people. It is
for this reason that Congress can adjourn
at any time, leaving a great deal of busi
ness undisposed of, unless It happens to
be some measure In which the people
are vitally Interested, and In that event
public opinion Is powerful enough to keep
Congress In session to perform that spe
cial act. The fact that public opinion,
on the other hand, approves early adjourn
ment, affords Congressmen an excuse to
adjourn and leave legislation high and
dry, with no possibility ot Its passing dur
ing the short session. For this reason
there has been no attempt to get through
a proper Army reorganization bill, that
Is, a bill which will supplant the present
provisional Army provided for at the last
Congress. Several other matters which
people would like to see accomplished will
hang up and die the usual Congressional
death. But the verdict of the country
will be, when Congress adjourns: "We ara
glad. of It."
Fire in a Dynamite Car.
OAKLAND, Cal., May 23. A train of
box cars, laden with merchandise. Includ
ing a large quantity of dynamite and
black power, caught fire last night in the
railroad yards here. There was a scarcity
of water and. though facing- almost cer
tain death, the firemen and train hands
coupled the cars to switch engines and,
drawing them under the tank used for
filling the locomotives, succeeded In ex
tinguishing the flames before an explo
sion occurred. The roof of a cU? contain
ing, several tons of dynamite was burned
through.
X