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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1904)
ptttatt VOL. XLIIL NO. 13,452. PORTLAM), OE33GON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1904. PRICE PTVE CENTS. WILD DAY IN PIT Armour Now Plays With Wheat "Shorts." 'HIS CORNER IS UNBROKEN Makes $300,000 in a Day, -and the End is Not Yet, '"DOLLAR" MARKET IS SURE Close Finds May Cereal at 92 1-4 op the Top" Price of Season-Corn ,4-and Oats, Controled by the Clique, Move In Sympathy. Ann oar's profits. ,............$300,000. Armour's holdings, bushels. 15,000,000 Advance over yesterday's close, 2C Price of "Mar -wheat yesterday, 9214c CJHGAGO, Jan. 20. Special.) Armour and the wheat longs are pulling strings, assisted by the war scare In the Orient, and the nervous shorts' are dancing. So far, their gyrations have shaken profits averaging $300,000 a day for the Armour contingent, to say nothing of the other heavy holders. Every day that the war cloud hangs In the Far East means fresh disaster for the shorts, and, immense profits for the wise ones who loaded up when the cereal was going begging at S3 cents or thereabouts. Today there was a further climb of 2 cents, closing at the top price. . Further advances are expected tomorrow, and dollar wheat is nog; almost a. certalntyl -The May supply is apparent ly safely cornered, and It will take mil lions to loosen the grip of the big fel lows. T-ong on Troubles. .Traders who were short on cereal were plenty long on troubles today. No, sooner did the big gong on the .czchangftSndicate tbe'iopenJng- "of the session than all the ijrainV- began- -an upward march, jto the discomfiture of the nervous, anxious shorts, but, of course,, to the entire .sat isfaction of the bull Interest In each of the pits. Not only did wheat completely eclipse the record established for May de livery yesterday and achieve anew high mark, but cofn and oats, not to be out done by their neighbor in the big pit, at tracted their share of attention by reach ing new high marks, May corn selling at 60 cents during the forepart of the ses sion, and oats early reaching 42 cents. Cause of the High Prices. The high prices in the cereals are all due to the same general condition, and Armour's holdings in wheat have congest ed that market, and rendered it exceeding ly susceptible to any strengthening influ ence. Patten's holdings of May oats and the holdings of an Eastern group of specu lators in corn have accomplished tho same results in these respective grains. In consequence, all the markets are nervous and respond readily to any upward pres sure, and high prices do not therefore necessarily indicate an exceptional volume of trade. Armour is credited with a long line of 15,000,000 bushels contracted for May deliv ery. Local contract stocks approximate only 2,000,000 bushels. One big house, other than Armour, owns We are headquarters for all kinds of RUBBER BOOTS and SHOES Rtrfjfeef and OH Clothing Belting, Packing and Hose vdOODYEAR rubber company R. H. PEASE, ffS AND 75 FIR8T STREET. By the Kodak Developing Machine Demonstration January 28, from 2 to 6 P. M. BLUMAUER-FRANK DRUG CO. 142 Fourth Street SHAW'S PURE 34 W3 BLUMAUER 6c HOCH 108 end 1 10 Fourth Street Sole Distributers for Oregon and Washington. SMITH & WATSON IRON WORKS Jf you-are buyinp; . SAW MILL AND POWER TRAINS- MISSION MACHINERY OR LoQQtNQ ENGINES Call on as.- Perhaps we can interest you. Esttmctoa furnished on aU iron work Office and Works: Front and Hall Streets; x PORTLAND. OREGON 10,000,000 bushels, so' that the rise in price today makes a difference in its favor of $225,000. Great Alarm at New York. There -was great alarm at New York, and messages said' another such day at Chicago may start a panic among shorts there. The foreign shorts have made no move as yet, but there appears to be no escape. Consols came lower by late cables, and added to the already excited condition of the trade. Speculative holdings by leaders are out of all proportion to the supply of contract grain to fill the sales. The Armour posi tion in wheat with. bout 15,000,000 bushels, the bpll leaders, local, and Eastern, with perhaps 12,000,000 bushels of corn, and tho Patton line of about 10,000.000 of oats these are the lines making the bears dance and prices climb. The fact that the Winter wheat plant Is in sore need of moisture is another' big hrfn tn the bulls. In .tact everything Is in favor of the bulls, and dollar wheat Is very nuielwftgalnst the unlucky shorts. GOING TO NORTHERN PACIFIC. C. M. Levey Will Become Head of Railroad on the Coast. CHICAGO. Jan. 20. (Special.) Notwith standing statements by President Harris, of the Burlington, that General Manager C. M. Levey, of the Hannibal & St. Jo seph Railroad, has not resigned and may not do so, Chicago friends of Mr. Levey insist: he has- resigned, and will becom'e assistant to President Howard Elliott, of the Northern Pacific It is stated that his headquarters will be In Tacoma, where he will have practically complete control of the Coast business of the Northern Pacific. It, is officially stated that If the posi tion of general manager of the Hannibal & St. Joseph becomes vacant, it will be filled, notwithstanding general impression to the contrary. 'It is said there is no in tention on tbe part of the Burlington management to place the lines now man aged at St Louis under the management of tho Chicago, Burlington & .Quincy proper at Chicago. TRAIN'S BODY LIES IN STATE, Thousands of Children Take a Fare well View of the -Remains. NEW YORK, Jan. 20. The body of George Francis Train, who died early yes terday, has been removed from Mills Hotel to a mortuary chapel, where it will lie In state until the funeral hour tomorrow. Thousands of children, in whom Mr. Train displayed remarkable interest, are tak ing a farewell view of the remains. The funeral will be private and the inter ment will be made in Greenwood Ceme tery. Of his once considerable fortune, Mr. Train retained nothing personally ex cept the; interest -he had in S000 lots he once owned in Omaha. Protracted litiga tion has token ?Jace about them, and will, It is .said, "be cohttnueff 'by hls-daaijhter. Body of Smlthsdn Returned. NEW YORK, Jan. 20. The body of John Smlthsc-n, founder of the Smithson ian Institution at Washington, who died in Genoa in 1S2S, arrived on the steamer Prinzess Irene tonight The body was accompanied ' by Professor : Alexander Graham Bell, of the Smithsonian Insti tution, and Mrs. Bell, who went to Italy for this, purpose. The body will be taken to Washington on the United States dispatch-boat Dolphin tomorrow. CARNEGIE OFFER LEFT TO VOTE Engineers Will Let .All Say as to Ac cepting Homo In New Yor.k. NEW YORK, Jan. 20. At the-, annual meeting of the American Society of Civil Engineers today, attended by nearly 1000 members of the profession from various parts of the United States, it was decided to submit to a letter ballot of the mem bers of the society the question of accept ing, on behalf of the society, the offer of Andrew Carnegie to give 1,000,000 toward a union building In New York for this and other engineering associations. Mr. Carnegie's offer was referred to a conference committee composed of mem bers of the various organizations, which recommended its acceptance and the pur chase of the necessary land. , President PORTLAND, OR. America's ORIGINAL MALT WHISKY Without a Rival Today MALT 1 Dem ocrats Fear No Dam age by Him, UNIT RULE AS A CLUB Nebraskan Cannot Connect With Any Large Delegation, HEARST IN SIMILAR PLIGHT Eastern Men, Moreover; Do Not Think He Can Form Close Alli ance With BryanBecause He Dropped Free Silver. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash ington, Jan. 20. It is generally believed among Eastern Democrats that a Bryan- Hlearst combine has been formed to con trol the St. Louis Convention to' the ex tent of preventing the nomination of any man who la not satisfactory to them. It is to be doubted -whether Bryan has formed any close alliance with any one, as he cannot even agree with Hearst; because the latter has announced he is not & free-silver man. Discussing the latest efforts of Bryan, leading- Democrats here say Bryan had great dlfficiflty in forcing a silver plank in the Kansas City platform, and he would have failed then if the matter had been taken into the convention. It is further pointed out that the unit rule prevails In Democratic conventions, and state delegates, vote as a whole, a. majo rity In each controlling. This, it is be lieved will prevent either Bryan or Hearst doing any great damage, for while It la possible both may have delegates from different states, they will be unable to control any of the large delegations. NO SENATOR ELECTED. -Maryland Legislature Takes First Ballot in Joint Session. ATfVA'POT.TS Mi.. Jan. 2ft.-ThA flwtt Joint ballot today "for UnlU-d Spates Sen- itorsuHeffaatfollowsr"'- v "i-" - John Walter Smith 29 Isldor Rayner ,. SS Bernard Carter H Joshua Miles ...... 4 Louis E. McComas '.3S The. first four are Democrats and the last Republican, Blanchard Has Won for Governor. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 20. Today's re turns of yesterday's primaries do not in dicate any change in- the result previ ously announced, so far as the contest Between Blanchard and Jastremski for Governor is concerned. Blanchard is ap parently nominated, his majority, in the city being approximately 9000. The result in the country is close. Sanders, for Lieutenant-Governor, and Murphy J. Foster, for United States Senator, are nominated. Kentucky Solons Invite Hanna. FRANKFpRT, Ky., Jan. 20. The Senate today concurred in the House joint resolu tion Inviting Senator M. A. Hanna, of Ohio, to address the General Assembly of Kentucky. By a previous resolution. Sen ator Gorman had been invited to address the Legislature. Call to Nebraska Republicans. LINCOLN. Neb., Jan, 20. The Republican- State Central Committee today de cided to hold the state convention at Lin coln, Wednesday, May 18. Resolutions were adopted favoring the renomlnation of President Roosevelt and John L. Web ster, of Nebraska,- for Vice-President. EMPEESS TOO ILL TO RECEIVE. People Who Traveled to Berlin to See Her Are Disappointed. BERLIN, Jan. 20. Empress Augusta Victoria has varicose veins in one of her legs and is obliged to kee'p It extended on a cushion. The exclusion- of ladles from tonight's drawing-room because of the Empress' Indisposition has caused Intense disappointment on the part of many women of distinction who have come from the provinces of other countries for pre sentation, j Usually only one drawing-room is held each season at this court, and it is uncer tain whether there will be anything this Winter to which ladles will be invited. The Empress' physicians think she prob ably will be able to attend the court balls, four of which will be given in February. j Secretary Hay to Recuperate. WASHINGTON, Jan. 20. Secretary Hay left today for ThomasvMe, Ga., where he expects to remain two weeks as the guest of Colonel Payne. The Secretary Is acting under his doctor's orders in mak ing the visit to the South. WILL CALL HO EXTRA SESSION Governor of Hawaii Will Invoke Old Law to Raise Funds. HONOLULU. Jan. 20. After a confer ence with a number of Territorial Sen ators and other prominent citizens. Gov ernor Carter has decided he will not call an extra session of the Legislature to provide for the deficiency of funds in the various departments of the Gov ernment. In accordance with an opinion rendered by Attorney-General Andrews; the appropriation laws In effect prior to the passage of the" County Government Act, which has been decided invalid, will be nsed for the purpose of raising the necessary revenue, unless the Supreme Court decides this cannot be done. United States District Judge Dole has rendered a decision sustaining the In dictment found by the Territorial Grand Jury against S. Meheula, clerk of. the House of Representatives who Is accused ,of the destruction of vouchers for Gov- eminent expenditures. Meheula has pleaded not guilty, and Ms trial has been set for April 13. STEEL GOMBDmPALLS THROUGH Germans in Trust Will Now Begin Extensive Wage-Cutting. BERLIN, Jan. 20. The conferences held at Cologne this week in an attempt to negotiate all the greater steel companies Into a syndicate have- resulted In failure. The conferences sucbeded in splitting the steel Industry into two. groups, the first. of which Includes thfr- manufacturers of half-rolled goods, girders and other simple structural material, while the second Is composed of the manufacturers of steel rails and other railway material. The second group embraces the sixteen great companies, which took the lead in trying to effect the general organization. These companies have now decided to hold together and to begin a price war upon the companies "who refused to accept the terms offered for the general steel syndicate. The outside, companies Include such important establishments as the Krupp Gun Works, the Bochum Cast Steel Company, the Westphallan Steel Works, the Hasper Compasiy and all the Slleslan manufacturers. Another meeting will be called for Feb ruary 5, when the first group of -manufacturers will invite all the outside makers of half-rolled goods and 'girders to join in a movement to compelthe second group to oQmeto terras It Is expected that this warfittees will be carried into for eign markets, and that it will result In lower prices ior German steel products than ever before. , At a meeting held here today of tho di rectors or tee Auegemein Jiectncai com pany, of Berlin, General Manager Rath enau Informed those present of a new company for the manufacture of steam turbines and of his negotiations with the General Electric Company during his vis It to New York last September. The Allegemeine Company Is to Issue new capital to the amount of J5.625.000 in connection with these .operations and for the complete, absorption, of the Union Elec trical Company, of Berlin. German electricians expect an enormous Increase in the German electric Industry as the result of the application-of turbine engines- to the iron, coal and other leading Industries. MRS. BLAIR IS LEFT ESTATE. Will of ex-General Counsel of the '04 Fair Is Filed. ST. LOUIS, Jan. 20. The will of the late James L. Blair,, ex-general counsel of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, who died In Florida last week, was filed for probate this afternoon. It is a very short document, written in Mr. Blair's own hand on one side of an ordinary page of typewriting paper. After providing for the payment of funeral expenses and be queathing to his mother a large portrait of his father and all papers relating to the late General Blair, the testator leaves to his wife all the rest of his estate ab solutely cfear and free of any restrictions. EDTrqATqRSEAY 0EAHQE. Convention. Is Scheduled fop Same Date as Tfiat of the: Democrats. . WINONA, Minn., Jan. 20. Secretary Ir win Shepard,. of the National Educational Association, says: "The association, on its own initiative, with a 'communication, from the Democrats,- is -taklng-a vote of the executive committee by correspondence to see If, in view of the Democratic National conven tion being called to meet In St. Louis on the same date selected by the educators. It would nbt, be wise for the latter to change their convention dates from June 28 to July 1 to a week earlier." Large Chicago Furnace Closes. CHICAGO, Jan. 20. Nearly 1000 men were thrown out of employment In South Chicago by the closing of the Iroquois Furnace Company's plant No explana tion was given of tho shut-down. CONTENTS OF TODAY'S PAPER Political. Eastern Democrats do not fear Bryan doml- ,nance of National convention. Page 1. Maryland Legislature Is sUH unable to elect & Senator. Pace 1. For Eastern Situation. Japanese Council discusses orders to follow in event of war. Pare 1. Russia's reply Is expected at once. Page 1. Russia, asks advice of France In preparing answer. Pace 1. Corea will ask Chinese to resume suzerainty. Page 1. Congress. House .committee reports favorably MondeJJ bill amending the lieu-land law. Page House committee will soon report on 1905 Fair bill. Page 1. House passes the pure-food bill. Page 2. -Senate listens to an another warm debate over the Panama policy of the President. Page 3. Domestic Chicago may modify theater ordinance so managers can-finish the season. Page 4. Explosion and lire at Johnstown, Pa., steel works costs 15 lives and 25. are Injured. Page 4. New Tork Bar Association files charges against Supreme Justice. Involved In postal scandals. Page 4. Sports. D. E. Dugdale arrives to meet local baseball magnates. Page 5. Not a favorite wins at Oakland. Page 7. Pacific Coast. Captain and crew of United States Engineers tugboat on Puget Sound arrested for run ning off with a Federal prisoner. Paee 6. M. C. Harrison, in cross -complaint, charges wife with drunkenness,- abuse and Improper conduct. Page 7. Sheriffs oC Asotin and "Wallowa Counties clearing out a band of cattle rustlers. Page 6. Armstrong's attorneys appear before Oregon Supreme Court In endeavor to save mur derer's life. Pare 7. Commercial and Marine. Review of local produce and. Jobbing markets. Page 15. Corner la May wheat at Chicago. Page 15. Strength of prices not maintained In stock market. Page 15. San Francisco produce quotations. Page 15. East African eecond wheat ship to clear this year. Page 15. Official lnvestlgatton of Clallam wreck. Page 14. Portland and Vicinity. , Chamber of Commerce , holds annual meeting and banquet. Page ID. Republican City and County Commute de clares for Jiooserelt and Mitchell. Page 11. Theater Inspection' committee reports. Page 12. Rev. G. F. Phelps derrmlned to nave his child, dead or alive. J?asa If. Valuable real estate changes -hands. . Page 11. New creameTJX.wJll be. Important Industry for Portland. Page 16. .j President of Ladles! of G. Inspects local ledges. Page.UG. V - . All-rJght salojdp. -quesfloa comes upv,befcre Council. PnrbJii. ' . - PLANS FOR I Japanese Council Dis cusses Orders. NAVY GIVEN GREAT POWER Foreign Warships May Be Kept Out of Certain Ports. STILL NO REPLY BY RUSSIA It Is Expected at pnce-Negotlatlons Between the Countries Are Re viewed, Showing the Czar Is Determined to Hold On. SHOWS RUSSIA WONT TXEU. LONDON, Jan. 20. The Toklo cor respondent of the Reuters Telegram Company cables that Japanese news papers publish a report from Conti nental sources that Russia has de cided to appeal Jto the powers to avert war. This Is regarded here as proof of Russia's unreadiness to make satis, factory concessions. LONDON, Jan. 2L Cabling from Toklo the correspondent of the Standard says the Privy Council has approved an urgent ordinance empowering the commanders of Admiralty stations to prevent foreign warships, by force of necessity, from en tering certain ports in times of emer gency. ' The Toklo correspondent of the Dally Telegraph declares the Privy Council, at the meeting today, discussed a proposal to Issue an order, in the event of war, enacting a stale of siege in certain places outside of Japan and a blockade. Tomorrow's issue- of the Jljl Shlmpo, the Telegraph's correspondent continues, will contain a story of the negotiations accord ing to which, the first Russo-Japanese di Mergence was hinted atn meeting" of tejjouncii- bdJruia--ThW story relator to -ih& succeeding uego'tiiC- tions. until October 30, when Japan wired' her proposals to St. Petersburg. For-40 days thereafter Russia hurried on war preparations, Japan, meanwhile remaining quiescent and awaiting an answer. Japan's note proposed that either power be entitled to send police or troops for the protection of the railways in either Corea or Manchuria in case of emer gency, but they must bo withdrawn di rectly order was restored. The Russian reply, dated December 11, was overbearing arid uncompromising; it excluded Man churia and proposed that all territory north of the 33th degree of. latitude should be neutral. Japan thereuponommenced her preparations and on December 22 she presented a note to Russia, which, with some minor clauses, made the following demands: "Both powers shall endeavor to main tain the territorial Integrity of Corea and Manchuria; both shall recognize the special concessions of either in Corea or China, providing the the open-door policy be respected." Japan also refused the neutral proposal and counter proposed a neutral zone of 20 kilometres on both sides o'f the Corean border. Russia, In her note of January 6, in sisted on her neutral zone, but vaguely hinted her Intention to respect Japan's rights In Manchuria. To this note, Japan replied, on January 13, reaffirming her de mands. The Telegraph's correspondent concludes his dispatch with these words: "Therefore, unless Russia yields, a dip lomatic rupture Is certain. Russia's an swer Is expected tomorrow." The Times correspondent at Toklo cables the Privy Council Is making prep arations for the issue of a short period domestic loan. "Voluntary subscrip tlons are pouring Into the Treasury. Lit tle confidence Is placed in the pacific reports received from Europe and the symptoms of growing unrest in the Corean Provinces create anxiety In Japan. The correspondent of the Times at Seoul reports the issuing of an Imperial decree which announces the reconstruc tion of the Government, commencing to day, the minor departments being sup pressed. The Government maintains a Micawber-llke attitude, and all Is quiet. A More Pacific View. LONDON, Jan. 20. A dispatch to the Pall Mall Gazette from Berlin declares that the correspondent Is In a position to announce positively that it has been de-. elded at St. Petersburg that Japan's wishes shall be met In such a way as to secure the maintenance- of peace. The dispatch adds that the only question is whether Russia "shall declare her de-. cision to Japan alone or to all the powers Interested Jn the solution of the Far Eastern question." COREA IS IN GREAT FEAR. Wants China to Resume Suzerainty Before Japan or Russia Comes In. LONDON', Jan. 2L All the special dis patches from. St. Petersburg this morn ing reflect the more peaceful feeling which prevails there. Little change, however, is to be observed in the dis patches from Toklo, which represent the situation as unchanged. The Seoul correspondent of the Dally Mali reports the Emperor of Corea as now favoring a resumption of the Chi nese suzerainty, fearing that either the Japanese or Russians will destroy the Coreans. His Majesty, according to the correspondent, has invited two Chinese cruisers into;. Corean waters. Other dispatches published here this morning refer to the probable removal of viceroy Alexleff to Harbin, and tho sending of a Corean officer to Port Ar thur to see Alexleff on behalf of the Corean Government. It Is also reported that H. N. Allen. United States Minister at Seoul, desires the opening of Wlju instead of Yon gampho, while Great Britain and Japan insist that Yongampho be opened. Tne St- Petersburg correspondent of the Dally Telegraph says he learns that tne dispatches from the Russian. Viceroy Alexleff now incline toward efforts for a diplomatic settlement, on the ground that war would check the natural course of events, which must promote Russian aspirations in the Far East, The cor respondent argues that the key to the problem Is the army and not the navy, and no artificial barrier can long1 pre vent Kussia from playing a predominant role in the Far East. Russia's main strength lies! in her land forces, the correspondent concludes, which are not yet sufficiently in evidence. The correspondent of the Times; sta tioned at Vlaalvostock, under date of January 19, cables as follows: "No' military movements are being made here toward the South, and the prospects for peace are improving. I am informed that work has been suspended on the new railway through Mongolia to Kalgan." From Moscow another corre spondent of the Times sends this dis patch: "Owing to a serious accident, neither the Kieff nor the Vladimir, the two vol unteer fleet transports, will be able to leave the Black Sea for the Far East with stores and reinforcements for over a month to come.' The War Department Is reported to be intensely annoyed at these breakdowns." ADVICE OF FRANCE IS SOUGHT. Russian Minister Has Task of His Life In Preparing Note to Japan. PARIS, Jan. 20. There Is strong reason to believe that exchanges of communi cations are now going on between Franca and Russia concerning the position Rus sia will finally adopt In response to the last Japanese note. Long conferences be tween Foreign Minister Delcasso and M. Nelldoff, the Russian Ambassador, are being held almost' dally. Pr.or to these Russia had not consulted France, and M. Nelldoff went to Cannes for an extended stay, telling his diplomatic colleagues that he happily had no part In the Russo Japanese negotiations. Following the pre sentation of Japan's latest demands, M. Nelldoff gave up his vacation and began frequent conferences with M. Delcasse. It is expected that the exchange of views will exert a strong Influence, shaping the course Russia will adopt Among the officials and diplomats it Is understo6d that the exchanges will have the following- results: Jnrst, Russia, appreciating the decisive nature of the Issues presented in Japan's last note, desires ito secure the advice of her nearest political friend and. Second, France wishes to exercise her influence to prevent a war in which she might become embroiled. More particularly, France has begun to realize that she ought to be consulted concerning Russia's course in China, as Russia and France jointly promulgated the note-of March 19 1S02, and setting forth they would -act together concerning- the integrity and tree devtdop mcnt iif -Ghlna. -' - -- .v .Concerning Russia's wish to consult France, it is said that the Russian For eign Minister, Count Lamsdorff, has a high regard for M. Delcasse's prudence In the difficult situation. One of the most prominent diplomats said today that Count Lamsdorff s task In answering the Jap anese noto is- one of the most difficult he ever observed, owing to Russia's dilem ma, due to her determination to maintain her position firmly and at the same time comply with the Czar's desire for peace. M. Delcasse's talks with members of the diplomatic corps during the last few days revealed his extreme desire for the main tenance of peace, and his advice to Rus sia undoubtedly followed ther same lines. It Is- the general impression here that If war breaks out the best diplomacy may not succeed In keeping France out of the imbroglio. Therefore M. Delcasse, consid ering the self Interests of France as well as of the Franco-Russian note of 1902, is counseling pacific adjustment Concerning the specific character of M. Delcasse's advice, the only guide is the note of 1902, which is being much dis cussed in the efforts to determine its bearing on the present situation. The text of the document refers to the purpose of the two governments to safeguard the integrity of China and approves the prin ciple that China and Corea shall remain open to the commerce and Industry of all nations. This course is construed here as restricted to the 18 provinces of old China, and as not applying to Manchuria and other parts of the Chinese Empire outside of old China. Therefore, while the Franco-Russian agreement is serving to bring about an exchange of views, it is hoped that the agreement does not limit Russia concerning Manchuria. RUSSIA APPEALS TO BRITAIN. Asks Her to Have Japan Drop De mand for Chinese Sovereignty. LONDON, Jan. 20. Lord Lansdowne's reception at the Foreign Office today was attended by almost all the Ambassadors and Ministers in London. At the end of the reception the Associated Pres3 was Informed that the situation- looked, per haps, slightly more hopeful, but as the Russian reply apparently Is not yet drafted, no definite statement could safe ly be made. The Foreign Office has reason to believe, however, that Russia Is willing to concede practically all of Japan's demands, but she cannot see her way to make a treaty with Japan recognizing In black and white China's sovereignty over Manchuria. Russia has approached Great Britain to urge Japan to forego this stipulation, and to accept in lieu thereof the assur ance to the same end already given to the other powers. It is pointed out at the Foreign Office that Great Britain being such an inter ested party is in a difficult position, and can scarcely recommend such a course to her ally. For the moment the situ ation rests there. Whether Japan will insist to the bit ter end on a treaty recognizing Chinese sovereignty over Manchuria the Foreign Offlte does not know. It thinks the Jap anese themselves will not decide until after the delivery of the Russian reply, which Is scarcely expected until next week. Great Britain has not yet taken, steps to appoint Consuls at Mukden and An Tung. r FRANCE WILL GIVE NO AID. Russia Informed She Will Maintain Strict Neutrality. BERLIN, Jan. 20. The German Govern ment has become privy to the fact thai France declines to give Russia any as. surance3 of armed help should war b the outcome of the Far Eastern differ ence's, even should Great Britain aid Japan. It Is understood here that Rus sia asked France to define her position In the contingency of Great Britain ac tively participating In a Japanese at- ' Con eluded on Page 2.) TO END ABUSE Committee Agrees on Land Law. AFFECTS CIEU SELECTIONS No More Worthless Tracts for Valuable Timbered Tracts. RAILROADS LIKELY TO SUFFER Much of Theljr Holdings WIthJn For est Reserve Is Devoid of Tiriibert and Under the Mondell BUI Exchange on Equal Basis. PUBLIC LANDS COMHTXTEB. John F. Xjacey, Iowa. Frank W. Mondell, Wyoming; James IS. Miller, James C Needham. California. Eben W. Martin, South Dakota. Joseph W. Fordney, Michigan. Andrew J. Volstead. Minnesota. Joseph M. Dixon. Montana, Philip Ki-opp, lllnois. George Shlras III, Pennsylvania. J. J. McCarty, Nebraska, John F. Shafroth, Colorado. Francis M. Grlfun, Indiana. John L. Burnett. Alabama. George P. Foster.. Illinois. William W. Rueker, Missouri. Carter Glass, Virginia. Bernard S. Rodney, New Mexico. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Jan. 20. (Special.) The Housa public lands committee today author ized Representative Mondell to report favorably hi3 bill providing that pub lic lands chiefly valuable for timber shall not be subject to location or se lection In lieu of tracts relinquished within forest reserves, and that selec tions' made or sought to be. rdade on land chiefly- valuable" for the tlmba they 'contain, in lieu of lands 'within forest reserves, shall be void and of no. effect Mondell's bill bas the approval of tho Interior Department which in Its re port to the public lands committee upon it said that the Srea of forest reserve lands now actually created ex ceed 63,000,000 acres, with- the addition of the large temporary withdrawals for future incorporation in reserves, and called attention, to the fact that under the present law all private hold ings within reserves may be made tha basis for securing like areas of lands outside of reserves. The tendency and practice Is to appropriate timbered lands in lieu of those surrendered, whether the latter are timbered or de nuded, and the experience of tho Gen eral Land Office shows that great areas of valuable timber lands have been ac quired In exchange for lands included in reserves, and from which, tha tim ber has been stripped.' At the present time various railroads with land grants emoraced in forest reserves have 2,500,000 acres of land, available as basis- for making lieu land selections. Much of thi3 land is de void of timber, but under th8 present laws it may be" exchanged for valuable timber lands. Advantage has been taken of the present law relating1 to lieu selections, and great areas of worthless land turned over to the Government fn exchange for lands con-, tainlng valuable timber. It is expect ed the Mondell hill will prevent tha continuation of these abuses. WILL SOON REPORT ON FAIR BILL! Chairman Tawney Will Do the Best He, Can for Oregon. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash ington, Jan. 20. Chairman Tawney, oC the House committee on. industrial arts and expositions, will draft a bill for tha Lewis and Clark Exposition, as soon as the hearings which have been presented have been printed, and members of the committee have an opportunity to read the reports of President Scott and other Ore gon men. As soon as this is done, another meeting of the committee will be called, and Chairman Tawney will be authorized to draw a bill. He desires to consult the wish of the committee as to the appro priation to be made. Whitney L. Boise will leave tomorrow for home, but President Scott will remain, a few days. He would like to see the bill which the house committee decides upon before departing from Washington. Chairman Tawney said today that he would do the best possible for the Oregon people, and he mentionad that many men from various parts of the country had shown a great deal of Interest in the com ing celebration. So far no opposition has been, encoun tered, and it does not appear that anyone will oppose the Lewis and Clark bill. While It is to be expected that some al leged "treasury watch dogs" will try to make a record In opposing the bill, It seems Impossible to defeat a measure which will have the unanimous support of the committee. The House has ordered printed all state ments submitted by the Oregon people to the committee on expositions. These state ments are to be used for future action. The House bill will exclude the proposal for National commissioners, which are deemed unnecessary. The Judgment of th& Oregonlans here is that there will be a department board to erect a Government building and hold a National exhibit and that a lump sum will be recommended for the support of the Exposition, to be placed at the disposal of the local organization; ; at Portland