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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 1900)
WWW Mlitttatt VOL. XL. NO. 12,496. PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. .rifc!CA. mmm 11 83B-tsi IIhIt Age .- Flavor Hunter Rye The Whiskey of Whiskeys ROTHCHILD BROS. Afftata Orsaa, TOtaMogtoa Mate. 20-26 north First St, Psrtteittf, Or. Purity . . Mellowness Mount Hood Pepsin' and Celery Bitters Universally Recommended. Special Discounts to the Trade. Bltsmauer-Frank Drug Co. 144-146 Fourth St. Portland, Oregon EXCLUSIVE CARPET HOUSE J. G. Mack & Co. 88 Third St, Oppeslte GUmbtr of Commerce KNOWLES, llKr. fJUL ilETSCHAN. Pre. c. w, SEVENTH JWD WASHINGTON STREETS. PORTLAND, OREGOt CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT European Plan: $1.00, $1.50, $2.00 per Day SPECIAL THIS WEE Eastman Kodaks at 20 Per Cent Discount immimmkiijmzjm-'' -- - Prcm, Poco and Cyclone Cameras -At25 Discount. 1000 Lbs. rtuyler's Choco lates and Bon Bons Just received. WOODARD, CLARKE & CO. SSfSS. Cor. Fourth and Sts. CHINA SAYS SIGN ST Instructions to - Its Envoys Regarding Joint Note, FOREIGN POWERS SO NOTIFIED Request for Suspension of Hostili ties Also Authorized There "Will Do No Quibbling:, Although. Concessions "Will Be Asked. PEKIN, Dec 30. The Chinese plenipo tentiaries have been unexpectedly ordered to sign the preliminary joint note, and have notified the foreign envoys to that effect. TO CLOSE THE WAR. Request "for Suspension of Hostilities Authorlrcd. PARIS. Dec. 50. The Havas agency has received the following dispatch from Pe kln: Prince Ching and LI Hung Chang hava communicated to the foreign envoys an imperial edict in which the Emperor de clares that China accepts the Joint note, and authorizes Prince Ching and Li Hung Chang to ask for a suspension of hostilities. Prince Ching and 1.1 Hung Chang, ac cording to another dispatch to the Havas agency, say that Emperor Kwang Hsu has expressed a desire that the court should return to Pekln at tho end of February. General Funston M, ports that live in rooming and carrfedla X-fJfAlc j'MMo,51Uf:53'?pt,,r residence oi x-xince vuitir wiui tvovui hu (-:f""'"" ., v Electric Night Lamps 2 C. P. and 16 C P. in one lamp: invaluable for sick room, hospitals, halls, etc. Our 10 C. P. Shelby regular lamp gives more light than 16 C. P. of any other make: consumes less current. These lamps are indorsed all leading authorities. We guarantee them. A full 16 C. P., 22 C P. and 10 C. P. 25 varieties electric reading lights: special light, reading in bed. Andirons In good designs for $1.50 pair and up. 91 FIRST ST., PORTLAND Tel. Main 122. The John Barrett Co. CHINESE GREATLY SURPRISED. Had no Idea Court "Would Decide So Soon Emperor's Instructions. PEKIN, Dec 30. The Chinese them selves were greatly astonished at receiv ing the Imperial instructions. Neither Li Hung Chang nor Prince Ching had ex pected success in persuading the court under 10 days. The Emperor's instruc tions are to agree fully to the note, but endeavor to get the best terms possible, particularly in the matter of limiting the number of legation guards, and also to the places where these aro to be located. The plenipotentiaries are Instructed to endeavor to limit the number of army posts along the line of railway as low as possible, and finally to request the powers not to destroy the forts, but merely to disarm them. Li Hung Chang's health 1b bad. and it is doubtful whether he will be able to do more than affix his signature to an in strument delegating his powers to Prince Ching until another plenipotentiary has been appointed. He was dressed this caused" him surprise. He Is inclined to believe that in all probability what the Emperor has directed is that the Chinese plenipotentiaries should discuss in a friendly manner with the envoys the terms of the agreement, with a view, at stated in the Pekin dispatch, to obtain the best terms possible along certain specified lines, and also in others not contained in the cablegram. Court to Return to PeUIn. SHANGHAI, Dec 3L There are persist ent reports in circulation here that the imperial court is preparing to return to Pekin. Chinese advices from the capital say that 90 carts, with mules and horses, have been dispatched to Tai Yuen Fu to meet and bring back the imperial per Eonages and their entourage. It Is also asserted that Emperor Kwang Hsju has summoned Hu Ping Chih. ex-Governor of tho Province of Shan Si, to SInan Fu, to accompany him to Pekin. The Mohammedan rising in the Prov ince of Kan Su is spreading, and the troops of the Viceroy of the Province or Hu Nan ore alone able to hold their own against the rebels. Arbitration of Indemnities. ST. PETERSBURG. Dec. 30. There have been no negotiations regarding the arbitration of the China Indemnities be tween the United States and Russia, which first proposed arbitration, and the raid ing of this question, the correspondent of the Associated Press understands, will not be regarded as timely until negotia tions in Pekia havo proceeded further. It Is believed, however, that Russia is still inclined to support the arbitration proposition. Action of Germans Causes Distrust. PEKIN, Dec 30. The Germans killed 40 Chinese troops near Mancheng, north west of Pao Ting Fu. They had no casual ties. Among the natives a feeling of great mistrust is being caused, apparently by the high-handed action of the Germans, as the Chinese suspect them of an lnten. tion to force a serious engagement with the-Chinese troops. Foreign Communities Satisfied. PEKIN, Dec. 30. The foreign communl ln Pekln are satisfied at the decided tone of the collective note, and the assertion that the powers aro determined to enter tain no proposals for tho modification of their demands. It is understood Li Hung Chang sent a memorial to the throne, couched in very strong terms, urging complete compliance. MANY INSURGENTS CAPTURED Result of Scouting- Throughout Luzon by Americans. MANILA, Dec 30. Today brought many reports of captures of insurgents as the result of scouting throughout Luzon. The Americans in this work sustained no cas ualties. A detachment of the Fourth Reg iment captured GO in the Province of Ca vite. General Wheaton reports having captured and burned Gremori's camp In the peninsula, near San Antonio, held a long consultation. Prince Ching then called upon the doyen of the diplo matic corps, the Spanish Minister, Senor de Cologan, and requested him to notify the other envoys that instructions had been received from the Emperor to sign the note. THE PORTLAND PORTLAND. OREGON AMERICAN PLAN Ift $3.00 PER DAY and upward. COST ONE MILLION DOLLARS HEADQUARTERS FOR TOURISTS AND COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS Special rates made to families and single gentlemen. The manage ment trill be pleased at all times to show rooms and give prices. A. mod ern Turkish bath establishment In the hotel. H. C. BOWERS, Manager. Library Association of Portland STARK STREET Bet. 7th and Park 24,000 volumes and over 200 periodicals $5.00 a year or $1.50 a quarter Two books allowed on all subscriptions Hours From 9 A. M. to 9 T. M. daily, except Sundays and holidays. WALDERSEE BROKE FAITH. Charges Preferred Against German Envoy by Correspondent. LONDON, Dec 3L Wiring to the Times from Pokln yesterday. Dr. Morrison says: "The Chinese have accepted all the con ditions of the joint note. They are send ing formal acceptance by an envoy, and ask that negotiations should commence forthwith and military operations ceasa "Li Hung Chang Is much better, al though greatly shaken. "Five expeditions are now operating. Every report tells of Increasing unrest. The policy of depriving the Chinese of all power to exercise authority is spreading disorder broadcast and forcing peaceful Chinese Into opposition." In a dispatch dated December 28, Dr. Morrison sends a long protest against Uer man harshness, which he says is creating instead of checking disorder. He accuses the Germans of punishing the Innocent and the guilty Indiscriminately, in order to levy fines for defraying their own mili tary expenses and to form an excuse for continued hostile oppression. He also charges Count von Waldersee with a breach of faith, on the ground that he gave to LI Hung Chang a map defining the area of the occupation in the Province of Chi Li, and Indicated the dis trict beyond which the allies would not operate, and yet allowed the German troops to Inflict severe punishment upon the Chinese at Tsang Chau and Yung Ching, both of which are outside the area. Repeating his statement that the Ger mans are preparing for an expedition to Elan Fu In the Spring and also foment ing trouble in the Yangtso Valley, Dr. Morrison says: "The question arises whether the occasion should not be seized to separate the British troops from Count von Waldersee's command." CHINA'S POSITION REASONABLE. General Smith wires that tho procla mation of the Governor-General has had good results in his district. Near Morolnes yesterday a dozen insur gents were killed and eight wounded. General Grant telegraphs that he has detachments covering the lower portion of Mount Ararat, In the hope of catching Alejandrino. He says that last Friday a detachment of the Forty-first Infantry raided the camp of the insurgent leader and secured some of his papers. Near Alaijada today, Captain Mendoza, with 30 men of Sandlco's command, sur rendered. Detachments of the Eleventh and Ninth Cavalry killed 12 Insurgents and destroyed several camps in the Camparines district. To Employ American Teachers. MANDLA, Dec 30. The Philippine Com mission has added to the pending school bill a provision for the employment of 600 American teachers, at salaries rang ing from $75 to $100 a month. Noted Cattle Breeder. PARIS, Ky., Dec SO. Edwin Bedford, a noted breeder of shorthorn cattle, died today, aged GS. NATIONAL DEMOCRACY. Present Committee Will Stand Until 1004, Says Prominent Member. KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec 30. J. G. rrlttce of the Democratic National Com mittee, who today passed through Kan sas City from Chicago, en route to his home in Kansas, said: "I am not in a position to say what will bo done toward maintaining the Dem ocratic organization perfected during- the last campaign, but I will say there will be no reorganization of the National com mittee. The committee Is organized until DENIED IN DENMARK. Report That Germany Wants to Pur chase Danish. Antilles. COPENHAGEN. Dec 38. In Danish of- Johnson. chairman of the executive ;om- flclai circles the report that Germany Is negotiatinc to purchase the Danish An- Ulles is denied. "If the islands are to be sold." said a high official today, "the purchaser will be the United States and no other power. All will be sold or none." Probable Successors to Illchborn. NEW TORK' Tpo 5rtTl Tl.. --i .. J. remain pracucauy as it is print the following tomorrow: until that time. I believe that the present precinct organization can be maintained and made entirely self-supporting." There is much interest in the Navy over the appointment of a successor to Roar Admiral Hichborn, Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair at the Navy Department, who will be retired March next. Captain John F. Hanscomb. now on In spection duty at the Cramps' ship-yards at Pblladclpla. Is at the head of the oil Knlser to Visit Us. LONDON. Dec 3L With reference to uie urucr lor i-nacr .anery, oi rTUSSia, j to repair to Berlin, v.-hlch the Nord i Deutsche Allgcmelne Zeltung explains is due to the wish of Emperor William to j gible list, but Captain Francis T. Bowles, hare him learn the affairs of government, t attached to the Brooklyn Navy-Yard, is the Berlin correspondent of the Dally j being strongly urged for the place. Caj News mentions that the summons Is pre- tain Hanpoomb will be retired May 2L paratory to a visit by the Kaiser to the ISM. while Captain Bowles will remain on United States. 1 the active list until October 7, 1S20. This Is Opinion Held by Officials at Washington. "WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. The report that the Chinese plenipotentiaries had de cided to sign the Joint note Is a source of satisfaction to officials here, as Indi cating a disposition on the part of the Chinese Government to heed the desire of the powers that negotiations shall be entered upon at once, and the present un satisfactory condition of affairs termi nated. The Emperor, It was expected, would Instruct his agents to obtain the best terms possible. One of the principal ob jections said to have been made by the Chinese to the location of any great num ber of legation guards In Pekln Is that these guards would be a menace to the existing Chinese Government. As had been already stated, the United States Government does not desire the absolute demolition of the Taku fortifications, but simply their dismantlement, so that ready access to the Chinese capital of a foreign force would not be prevented. The de mand of the powers In the note, howevet, was for the destruction of the forts. Tn Inquiries said to have been made by the Chinese Government of the envoys, ot which Inquiries, however, no official inti mation has been received from Mr. Cong-' er. have been regarded by the officials of this Government as reasonable, and be cause of this, more delay than has oc curred was expected In the court's direc tion of the signing of the note. Nothlnp. has come from Mr. Conger regarding the status of the note since a cablegram from him some days ago, announcing that It had been presented to the Chinese. Mr. Wu, the Chinese Minister. Is some what puzzled as to just what construc tion to place on the 7 iiin dispatch. He has regarded the demands conveyed In the joint note as harsh and severe, and the statement that it had been signed TO PURIFY SEATTLE Law and Order Forces Will Try to Suppress Vice. CITY IS NOW "YIDE OPEN' Chamber of Commerce Has Taken Notice of Matter Mayor Haines Says Movement Is Fight Against Him by Wilson Politicians. . SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT NEWS. Anglo-Boer War. The Boers captured the British outposts . at Helvetia. Page L The British losses at Helvetia were 50 killed and 200 taken prisoners. Page L Kitchener reports that no progress Is being made against Boer Invaders In Cape Colony. Page L All dispatches received in London agree that the Cape Dutch show no inclina tion to rise. Page L China. The Chinese plenipotentiaries have been ordered to sign tho Joint note. Page L The Emperor authorizes a request for eus- penslon of hostilities. Page L The terms of the Joint note will be fully agreed to. but a few concessions will be asked. Page L China's instructions regarding concessions are regarded as reasonable by Wash ington officials. Page L Philippines. Many Luzon insurgents have been cap tured asa result of scouting by Amer icans. Page L A provision for the employment of 600 American teachers has been added to. the pending school hill. Page L Foreign. Rumors increase of a Cabinet crisis in Spain. Page L The report that Germany is negotiating to purchase the Danish Antilles is de nied in official Denmark circles. Page L Domestic. The Omaha police are now certain that Pat Crowe was one of young Cudahy's kidnapers. Page 2, The Scranton etreet-car strike has been called off. Page 1. Vice-Presldent-Elect Roosevelt extolled work of Y. M. C. A. In address at Car negie Hall. New York. Page 2. Sheriff and two men met death In row over game of cards in South Carolina. Pages. Pacific Const. A movement is on foot In Seattle to sup press vice, .rage i. Coming Oregon Legislature will be asked to found normal school at Burns. Page 3. Incoming San Francisco schooner reports sighting derelict, but could not make out name. Pago 3. Early morning fire at The Dalles did about ?5000 damage. Page 3. Portland and Vicinity. Death of Charles A. Freeman and T. R. TurnbuU. Page 5. Presbyterian Church approves Dr. Hill's fight on gambling. Page S. Paul Bork. sailor, killed by a f alL Page 10. Portland financial circles not disturbed by the London suspensions. Page 10. Last pontifical high mass to be celebrated In Portland at Roman Catholic Ca thedral tonight. Page 10. Dr. Kellogg says suppress slot machines as well as other forms of gambling. PagoS. SEATTLE. Wash., Dec 30. This city is evidently about to experience an anti vlco crusade. Early last week the Cham ber of Commerce, stirred to action by a number of attacks on the city adminis tration by -the Post-Intelligencer, appoint ed a. committee to wait upon Mayor Humes to see If something could not be done to improve the alleged low moral condition of the city. The committee ac cordingly waited upon the Mayor, and had a very pleasant conversation with him. without accomplishing any tangible re sult. It now seems probable that the mat ter will be taken before the City Council, and an effort made to close gambling and stringently regulate the liquor traffic A study of the conditions leading up to the anti-vice movement of the Post-In-telllgencer Is Interesting, especially when It Is recalled that that paper is owned by ex-Senator John L. Wilson, whose bitter political enemy Mayor Humes Is. Tho Mayor's friends urge that the present fight upon him is actuated by political en mity, and not by any desire on the part of the paper or Its owner to purify the moral atmosnhere of the city. Judge Humes was elected Mayor first by the City Council In 1S97. to succeed W. D. Wood, resigned. Previous to that time Judge Humes had served seven years upon the Superior Bench of this county, making an enviable record. Mayor Wood, his predecessor, had been a strict church member, and had done all In his power to suppress gambling and its kindred evils, with only fair success. As soon as Mayor Humes assumed his new duties he reversed this policy. He permitted gambling to open under police regulation, and required the gamblers to pay stipulated fines into the city treasury each month, cautioning them that they should not pay money to any private source whatsoever for the privilege of running. He applied the same regula tions to the social evil, and further de clared his Intention cot to enforce a cer tain city ordinance, which required the saloons to close at 1 o'clock in the morn ing. Thus the "wide-open" policy was established in dead earnest. Mayor Humes first term was for n few ijKMvna x,atypxo'tnfjie'Ywnrcg or jsis nee was renominated "by the Republicans. The Democrats nominated a candidate against him who declared that if elected he would close gambling, and run the town on a "closed" basis generally. Mayor Humes was made the subject of bitter attacks from the pulpit, and toward the close of the campaign he made a speech in which he boldly defended his policy, and avowed that if elected he would continue it. He bluntly declared that he did not desire the support of any minister of the gospel, preferring instead to have the support and votes of the business men, who preferred public revenue from gambling, rather than private graft. The Post-Intelllgcncer was at that time owned by friends of the Mayor, and It supported him vigorously. As a result he was re-elected by about 600 majority, for the two-year term ending In March, 1S00. During his entire two years term gam bling ran as before without interference on the part of the city administration other than a prompt collection of the monthly fines. Before the Mayor's term expired last Spring, Senator Wilson had purchased the Post-Intelligencer. He had become tho bitter enemy of the Mayor, because the latter had aided in his defeat for re-election to the Senate at the Legislative ses sion of 1S99. A strong, organized effort was made to defeat the Mayor for renoml natlon, but It failed. He carried the con vention and the primaries, and was re nominated by an overwhelming majority. The opposition, united on a strong Pro hibition candidate, but the Post-Intelll-gencer and the Wilson following finally swung Into line for Humes, and supported him loyally. Once more, however, he wa3 made the target of pulpit denunciation, and once more he defied the preachers and declared his Intention of running the city wide open if re-elected. The Post Intelllgencer went so far in Its support of him as .openly to defend the wide-open police regulation policy for which he stood sponsor. He was elected by the remark able majority of 1500 more than double his majority of two years before Shortly after his election last Spring the Mayor announced his candidacy for Governor, and it was at once evident that he had tho solid support of the followers of Levi Ankeny Mr. Wilson's Senatorial rival all over the state. The Post-Intelligencer forthwith declared unremitting war on Humes' Gubernatorial aspirations, and the faction which it represents brought out J. M. Frink as a candidate against him. After a bitter fight In the primaries and convention, during the course of which the Post-Intelligencer fiercely assailed the Mayor and his friends, the Wilson faction triumphed and Mr. Frink was nominated. During the. state campaign the charge was frequently made that the Mayor was lending aid and comfort to Governor Rogers, Mr. Frlnk's Democratic oppo nent, and that he was not supporting the Republican ticket. This feeling came to a climax when Mayor Humes mad a re markable speech. He was the principal speaker at a bhr Republican rally, held In this city late in the state campaign. After speaking eloquently for McKlnley and expansion, the Mayor made the fol lowing statement: "It is charged that I am not support ing the state and county ticket. I deny It. I am for the election of every man On It. I cannot be driven out of the Re publican party because an accident of na ture has secured control of a Republican newspaper and uses It to defame me and vllllfy my friends. I can only pursue the even tenor of my way and say with him of old, 'Father, forrfve them; they know not what they do.' " The Mayor's enemies at once charged that he had made this utterance for the sole puroose of aiding in the defeat of Mr. Frink, and his sarcastic characteriza tion of Senator Wilson as an "accident of nature" lent plcturescueness to a re markable campaign. The result of that state election is of too recent occurrence to call for any ex tended reference thereto at this time. Mr. Frink was defeated, despite an over- i whelming majority for McKlnley and tho balance of the Republican state ticket When the result of the election was known, the Wilson men made exceedingly loud charges that the Mayor, in common with the Ankeny men throughout the state, had knifed Mr. Frink, and shortly after the election the Post-Intelligencer began a series of bitter attacks on the Mayor's conduct of cltv affairs. In the last six weeks the paper has charged that this city Is a hotbed of vlco and crime, and that the city administra tion Is responsible for it. The Mayor's friends have retorted by claiming that crime is no more prevalent than could be expected when the floating character of a considerable portion of this city's popu lation is considered, and that precisely the same conditions now exist that existed last Spring, when the Post-Intelligencer and the Wilson faction supported the Mayor for re-election. It is further al leged that tho Mayor's policy has twice received the indorsement of the people. To add zest to the affair, the Post-Intelligencer has made violent attacks on the saloons, demanding more strict regula tions for the sale of llaucr. It Is notori ous that the liquor Interests of the state supported Governor Rogers and fought Mr. Frink in the recent election. By vigorous agitation the Post-Intelligencer succeeded in Inducing tho Cham ber of Commerce to take up the matter, and the committee mentioned in the be ginning of this article waited on tho Mayor. The talk was very courteous, but amounted to little. Only once did the Mayor get angry. "This attack," he declared, "Is being made by a certain class of Journalists that would befoul the breast that gave them nourishment. It Isn't vice they're after; It's me." Thus far matters are at a standstill, but It Is likely that an effort will be made to Induce tho City Council to take up the crusade, and the next meeting of that body Is being awaited with considerable Interest by all parties concerned. Mayor Humes' term does not expire until March, 1SG2, and it is generally be lieved that he will be a candidate for a fourth term, and that Ms friends will rally to his support with great earnest ness. He has probably the largest Indi vidual following of any politician. In the state, and In a pinch, has always been able to command large numbers of voters from the Democratic party, as well as from his own party. If renominated his friends believe enough Democrats will vote for him tc offset any bolt which his Republican enemies may organize against him. Mayor Hurres is a. picturesque figure in appearance and personality. He bears a striking personal resemblance to Mark Twain, having the long and curly white hair which adorns that famous humorist. Although not a veteran of the Civil War, he has but one arm, having lost the other in an Indian fight In Kansas years ago. He is utterly fearless. Independent and outspoken. He will pursue a policy ab solutely regardless of opposition, and cares little or nothing for public opinion. Naturally he has host of friends and legions of enemies. Around him will probably be waged tho bitterest munici pal campaign which this city has ever witnessed. GAPTURED BY BOERS Dutch Overpowered British Outpost at Helvetia. IT WAS A STRONG POSITION Kitchener Reports the British Losses at About Fifty Killed and Wound ed and Abont Two Hundred Talcen Prisoner. LONDON, Dec 3L Tho War Office has received the following dispatch from Lord Kitchener: "Pretoria. Dec 30. 7 P. M. General Lyt tleton reports that the outpost at Hel vetia was captured yesterday morning by the Boers. About 50 were killed and taken prisoners. "Colonel Kitchener reports that he la following with a small force in the track of the enemy, Helvetia being reoccupied by Reeves, who has been reinforced from Belfast. Helvetia, was a very strong position on the Machadadorp-Lydenburg Railway, and was held by a detachment of the Liverpool regiment. Am asking for further information." -BLIZZARD ITfCOiORADoJ Heavy Snowfall at Several Places In terferes With Railroad Traffic. DENVER, Dec 30. A blizzard visited Colorado last night, and has continued with varied strength throughout the state today. The temperature is falling tonight in most sections, and at several places the fall of snow has been quite heavy. Railroad traffic, though not seri ously affected, has been Interrupted, and trains are all arriving late. No great damage to livestock has been reported. Arrested for Inciting Rebellion. LONDON. Dec. 3L "A warrant has been Issued against Dr. Tewater, a mem ber of the late Schrelner Cabinet, and ha is under arrest on a charge of delivering a seditious speech at Graaf Reinet, Incit ing to rebellion in connection with the recent Boer invasion. This," says the Capo Town correspondent of the Dally Tele graph, "is the commencement of a series of arrests, heralding a wide extension of martial law." Press Comment on Helvetia Disaster. LONDON, Dec 31. Commenting on tho Helvetia disaster, the Daily Mail calls upon the government to send out at least 50,000 additional mounted men. Severe Snow Storm in Missouri. KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec 30. A severe, snow storm set in tonight, and the tern- perature Is falling. Reports from North ern Missouri, Kansas and Iowa show the fall to be heavy. Winter wheat In many sections of these states, as well aa throughout the West generally, has been greatly In need of a heavy blanket of snow, which will afford ample, moisture as well as protection to the grain from, severe freezing. Fnrlons Blizzard in 'Nebraska. OMAHA, Dec 30. A furious blizzard began In the eastern part of Nebraska at 8 o'clock this morning, continuing throughout the day, and tonight extends over the state. In this city the street car traffic is badly hampered. The wind is piling the snow badly. MILES NOT READY TO TALK Unprepared to Reply to Aljrer's Arti cle on Canned Beef Question. WASHINGTON, Dec 30.-General Miles is not yet prepared to make any formal statement In reply to the published arti cle of ex-Secretary Alger regarding the use of canned and embalmed beef during and after the Spanish War. In reply to questions, he states that he has not yet fully determined what his course will be. General Miles says he has- not even read the full extracts from General Alger's article published In the newspapers, such as ho had seen being so full of misleading statements that he did not care, to go through the entire matter. "One hundred thousand soldiers have gona home from the Spanish War and told the same story, and the proper offi cers havo condemned the action of cer tain persons," said General Miles, "so that I question whether It Is necessary to say anything further about the controversy." STRIKE CALLED OFF. Scranton Street - Railway Owners Compromise With Employes. SCRANTON, Pa., Dec 31. At 12:45 o'clock this morning' the street-car strike Inaugurated a week ago was called off. President Clark. General Manager Sllll man and two directors of the street-car company came to the strikers' hall after the vote to compromise was passed, and were received with tumultuous cheers. The men demanded what was equivalent to an advance of 3 cents an hour. They were allowed 2 cents. The men are also allowed a 10-hour day. Three hundred and twenty men were affected. More Strength for Qnay Forces. HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 30. State Sen ator Washburn, who was elected two years ago as a Populist, with Democratic and Prohibition Indorsement, issued a formal statement tonight announcing that he had allied himself with the Republican party. His desertion gives the friends of Mr. Quay control of the Senate, and prac tically Insures the election of W. P. Sny der as president pro tern. NO PROGRESS AGAINST BOERS. Kitchener So Reports Regarding Cape Colony Invasion. LONDON. Dec 31. While Lord Kitch ener sends bad news for England on tho closing day of the year, the press con tinues to take a surprisingly hopeful view of a grave situation, and of revelations of an enormously wide field of Boer ac tivity. General Dewet Is still at large. Klmberley Is Isolated. The Boers are la force enough to have captured a strong position at Helvetia, in the Lydenburg district, while. Judging from Lord Kitch ener's. Very rer.t dispatch, nc progress is- Setae madevagalnst the Boer invaders in Cape Colony. According to further telegrams received yesterday. Zerust is practically besieged, but has provisions sufficient for five months. A garrison at Ottoshoop has been withdrawn to Llghtburg. A dis patch from Carnavon dated yesterday re ports that the Boers, who have been threatening that point, were driven off, and are being pursued. "It Is evident," says a belated message from Krugersdorp, dated December 23, "that the Boer commissariat in the di rection of the Maglles Burg Is well sup plied, and that until the country between here and the Maglles Burg Is properly cleared of Boers, they will continue to concentrate there, the ground being par ticularly adapted to their methods of war fare." The Boers admit that In their fight with General Clement3 at Nooltgedacht they lost 130 men. "It Is understood that Lord Kitchener cannot ask the colonies officially to send troops," says a Durban dispatch, dated December 29, "but he desires It to be known in Australia and Canada that Aus tralians and Canadians arriving In. Natal will be eligible for immediate enlistment In the regular corps, which Is proceeding to Johannesburg for five months' service." To emphasize Lord "Kitchener's covert admission that no progress is being mado against the invasion of Cape Colony, a correspondent at Burghersdorp, wiring Saturday, reports as follows: "Two fresh commandos are entering the Colony. One has crossed near Knaap daar, and the arrival of another is mo mentarily expected in the Steynburg dis trict. The Boers are- said to have two or three horses each, though in bad con dition. They have no guns or transport, but are well supplied with Lee-Metford rifles and ammunition. Captured Boers say that the intention of theso com mandos is to roam about, and wait until General Dewet appears on the scene." All dispatches arriving In London agree that the Cone Dutch show no inclination to rise, but, on the contrary, appear to be tired of the war, and desire peace. Many refuse to supply rne Boers with food, and are willing to give Information to the British regarding their movements. Details of the Greyllngstad affair show that while Moville's column was pursuing the Boers, a second force of 400 of tho enemy was moving toward the camp where the British transport was in spanned. The small British force mado a plucky stand until reinforcements ar rived with artillery, and after a severe fight the Boers were dereated. The. Brit ish losses altogether were nine killed and six wounded and missing. The Boers aro said to have had 31 killed. Lord Kitchener, wiring from Petoria, December 29, says: "There is not much change in the situa tion in Cape Colony. The eastern force of the enemy appears to have broken up in small parties at Utrecht,, and to be moving about rapidly In the same dis trict, evidently waiting for support from, the north. The last report states that the western force Is. moving to Carnaver. De Lisle and Thorneycroft are in close pursuit. French has occupied Venters dorp. Clements reports that he la op posed on the road to Rustenburg. The eastern line was blown up near Pan. and a train was held up this morning on the Standerton line. General Knox's column and Bols' brigade are holding Dewet from breaking south." Spanish Cabinet Rumors Increase. MADRID, Dec 30. Rumors of a Cabi net crisis increase. Senor Sagasta, -ex-Premier. who has finally broken silence, declares that a change of ministry 13 in evitable on account bf the differences in the cabinet, as well as in the ranks of its supporters: Sympathy With Colvllle. LONDON, Dec. SO. The elaborate state ment given to the press Saturday by Ma-Jor-General Colvllle, whose resignation has been demanded by the War Office, but who has refused to resign, and has de manded a trial' by court-martial to estab lish the responsibility for the Yeomanry 'disaster at Llnsley last May, excited con siderable sympathy and a tendency to make further attacks upon the War Of fice. It is generally conceded that Col vllle has been harshly treated, but as his statement is ex parte, the papers with hold final Judgment.