VOL. XLIV. NO. 13,648.
PORTDAND, OEEGON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1904.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
im ivlw . . . asdii rn
JwWmiW Q.
Russians Prepare for
Evacuation of City.
ENEMY 18 CLOSE AT HAND
Move Means Abandonment of
Southern Manchuria,
WILL END WINTER CAMPAIGN
St. Petersburg Acknowledges If
Stronghold Is Given Up, it Shows
Extent of Liao Yang Disaster
Greater Than Intimated.
MCKDEX, Sept. C Preparations tor
tbe evacuation of Mukden arc proceed
ing. The Japanese advance Is within
SO miles.
Tbe commissariat and columns of
artillery are arriving here nnd.procced
tnfZ nortlivrnrd. General Kuropatkln's
army is enengrcd in an extensive rear
guard action.
The forces of Kuropatkln and of Oyama
are racing for Mukden. This much stands
out in the dispatches from the seat of
tear, and Is indicated la a report for
warded by Kuropatkln, who says his re
treat Is being conducted In perfect or
der, though the Japanese on Sunday re
peatedly attacked his rear and continued
the attack until Monday. The result of
the race Is In doubt.
The united Russian forces are now
north of Tental, a station on the rail
way about ten miles northeast of Liao
Tang. They are jfushing on to Mukden,
to which the bulk of Japanese forces is
marching direct, after having swarmed
across the Taltz River. A strong Japan
ese flanking column Is about SO miles
northeast of Liao Tang and Is trying to
get between, the Russian forces and Muk
den. '
With this race In progress there comes
a "brief dispatch from Mukden .saying
that preparations I pahjgcusUoof-
that place are proceeding. ' This report,
If well-founded, as Is pointed out in tho
Associated Press St. Petersburg dis
patch, would mean the abandonment of
the whole of Southern Manchuria and the
winding up of the present campaign.
It was reported in Bt. Petersburg at a
late hour Monday night that Kuropat
kln's rearguard had been almost annihi
lated and that the main Russian army
was In danger of being surrounded. Ku
ropatkln, in his report, makes no mention
of the abandonment of 200 guns at Liao
Tang, rumor to which effect is in cir
culation. Advices from Port Arthur, by way of
Chefoo, bring the fighting there up to
September 2, and say the Japanese losses
were very heavy.
I
WILL WIND UP CAMPAIGN. '
Evacuation . of Mukden Also Means
Losses Greater Than Intimated.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept 6 (3:30 A M.)
It is Impossible at this hour to obtain
any statement from the authorities re
garding the reported preparations for the
abandonment of Mukden.
The advices from Mukden give the first
intimation that such a course Is contem
plated. If it turns out to bo true, it
means the abandonment of the whole of
Southern Manchuria and the winding up
of the present campaign. In fact, should
Mukden be evacuated, there would be no
point for wintering the army of 250,000,
with Its many wounded, short of Harbin.
On the other hand, the evacuation of
Mukden would give Field Marshal Oyama
commodious Winter quarters and the
practical control of two lines of rail
way. The Klnchou-Sinmlntin line, tap
ping rich Chinese territory, stops little
short of Mukden, with which -it is con
nected by a good wagon road.
Tho report of the prospective evacua
tion of Mukden, if well-founded, would
indicate that the crippling effect of the
Liao Tang fighting on Kuropatkln's army
is more serious than has as yet been In
timated. Slav Rear Almost Annihilated.
ST. PETERSBURG. Sept. 5. It is re
ported at a late hour that General Ku
ropatkln's rearguard has been almost
annihilated and that the main Russian
army Is in imminent danger o being
surrounded.
MARCHING ON THREE ROADS.
Kuropatkln Hopeful of Defeating
Japanese Flank Movement.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept G (1:35 A. M.)
A summary of the war situation to date
shows-that the whole Russian army, or
at least the main portion of it, is already
above Tental Station and is pushing on
toward Mukden. Field Marshal Oyama's
entire army has crossed tho Taitz River,
and part of It is hanging on to Kuropat
kln's flank.
A strong flanking column on the east
is pushing rapidly north in the effort to
head off the Russians. Against this col
umn General Kuropatkin has sent out a
strong cavalry division to the northeast.
which, it is believed, Is already In posi-J
firm tn hvlr Vi TfirvinocA flinl-nw I
to the westward Kuropatkln is moving
a division toward Singmintln, SO miles
west of Mukden, to meet any Interfer
ence that may bo attempted from the di
rection of TInkow or Niu Chwang.
.Oyama's advance Is reported to be en
gaging the Russian rear, but it is not
expected o develop anything more serious
than a series of rearguard actions, tend
ing to harass Kuropatkln's retreat.
The Japanese 'have thrown a strong
flanking column across the Taitz River
at Benltzu, about SO miles northeast of
Liao Tang. This column is hurrying to
the northeast and endeavoring to get In
between the Russian army and Mukden.
It is against this movement that Kuro
patkln has dispatched Lieutenant-General
Rennenkampf with a. strong Cossack di
vision, which, it is believed, is already
blocking the eastern high road.
Russians Using Three Roads.
Kuropatkln nas three roads over which
ho is marching toward Mukden, besides
the double-tracked railroad. The latter
Is chiefly occupied ln the transportation
of guns and equipment, of which there
Is a great quantity. The soldiers are
marching in light order, and most of the
wounded have already been dispatched
north by rail.
General Kuropatkln, in a telegram to
the General Staff, filed at 1 P. M., Sep
tember 5, north of Tental, says the Jap
anese on Sunday engaged his rearguard
south of Tental, the fight continuing un
til Monday. The telegram details the
precautions taken to checkmate the Jap
anese flankers.
Kurdpatkin estimates his losses up to
and including September 4 at 16,000. This
Is considered to be a very conservative
figure. The loss to the Japanese probably
will be double this number, owing to
their position as attackers.
Kuropatkln says nothing regarding' the
loss of guns, but it is probable that some
of the heavier emplaced guns at Liao
Tang had to be abandoned. There is no
truth either in the report that Kuropatkin
has been wounded or that Lleutenant
General Llnevltch is moving to his sup
port. General Llnevltch is still at "Vladivostok.
POINT RUSSIANS WOULD MAKE
German Writer Says They Desire to
Go Sixty Miles North of Mukden.
BERLIN, Sept. 5. Colonel Gaedke, the
war correspondent of the Tageblatt,
writing from Liao Tang under date of
August 9, declared It was not the Inten
tion of General Kuropatkin to defend
Liao Tang to tho uttermost, but to re
treat to the next position, which was
said to be Tiding, about 60 miles north of
Mukden, which has, long since been
strongly fortified.
"The peculiarity of all these positions,
Halchengj Anshanshan, Liao Tang and
Tiellng," writes Colonel Gaedke, "is nat
urally they are of the strongest, but very
weak when fortified, and an army sits
down passively within them."
Colonel Gaedke says It is possible that
the Russians may retreat even further
than, Tiellng. He writes In the bitterest
terms of "Viceroy Alexieff. He rays the
arrival of Imperatively needed troops had
been suspended for three weeks, by which
General Kuropatkln had been deprived of
at least 75,0CQ men, which might turn the
scale In his favor.
HIS RETEA.CJUX, OFF;
Russians Are in Force to the South-
V
east of Mukden.
LONDON, Sept 6. The Dally Mail this
morning prints a .dispatch from Slnmin
tln, dated September E, giving a report
that General Kuropatkln's retreat nas
been cut off. '
The dispatch goes on to say that the
Russian troops had advanced In strong
force to the southeast of Mukden as far
as Japing Hill to oppose any possible at
tack In the direction of their advance.
A Chinese official who arrived from
Mukden Sunday says the Russian troops
are leaving for the North; that there are
18,000 men ten miles to the east of the
city; that the officers and men have been
dispirited, and that much sickness pre
vails. Retreat Conducted In Good Order.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept 5. Under
date of September 5, General Kuropatkin
telegraphed the Emperor as follows:
"Tho retreat of our troops from Liao
Tang, on the right bank of the Taitz
River, on the night of September 4, was
carried out In good order.
"The enemy's insignificant attempt at
pursuit was stopped by our rearguard.
"During September 4 the Japanese
strengthened their forces operating
against our left flank, extending -their
lines from the Tentai mines northward.
"The Japanese also on September 4
crossed from Liao Tang and Its envi
rons." Kuroki Succeeds by Night Attacks.
LONDON, Sept 6. The correspondent of
the Times with General Kuroki, on the
Taltz River In a dispatch dated September
3 6ays:
"Kuroki's flanking movement has pro
gressed by a succession of desperate night
attacks. He is now within five mile? of
the railway and ten mllea north of Liao
Tang.
"The Russians are holding their posi
tions tenaciously.' "
SHELL JAPANESE POSITIONS.
Russians Mount Guns on Mountain
Near Port Arthur.
LONDON, Sept 6. The Chefoo corre
spondent of the Dally Telegraph says the
Russians have, mounted two 12-inch naval
guns on Parapoloschne Mountain, close to
the City of Port Arthur, from which they
are shelling the Japanese position.
The correspondent says the Eighth Jap
anese Division, under Lieutenant-General
Tatema, the eminent strategist, has ar
rived at Dalny to reinforce the besieged.
Drop Mail in Water to Avert Capture.
CHEFOO, Sept 5. Chinese refugees ar
riving here today were frightened by the
appearance of the Japanese warships and
dropped overboard a bag of, mall which
they were taking out of Port Arthur.
A reliable Japanese authority in this city
states that'on Saturday a large force of
Japanese troops met with a repulse be
fore Liao Tang not shown In the official
dispatches, and that heavy casualties re
sulted. . Reinforcements for Japanese.
CHEFOO, Sept 5. General Tatema,
commanding the Eighth Division of the
Japanese army, has just landed at Dalny,
reinforcing with his command the three
divisions now operating at Port Arthur.
A ship loaded with flour has succeeded in
running the blockade and landing its
cargo safely in the besieged city. It Is
reported that the Port Arthur garrison Is
now manufacturing small shells.
Baltic Squadron Sails Next Week.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept 5. It Is re
ported that the Baltic squadron will sail -a
week from date by way of the Mediterran
ean, but that it will not proceed to the
Far East if Port Arthur falls.-
H BRYAN MEN
Eastern Democrats
TrytoConciiiateThem.
WORK IS ALREADY BEGUN
Request That Jones Give Ad
vice Part of Programme,
TAGGART MUCH CONCERNED
He Has Staked His Political Reputa
tion on Carrying Illinois Radi
cals Make Him Believe He Is
Lost if They Are Ignored.
NEW YORK, Sept 5. (Special.) The
Herald today prints the following:
"It became known yesterday that fright
Induced the managers of the Democratic
National campaign to appeal to the
Bryan men for co-operation and that it
was much more severe than had been
supposed. After waiting In vain for some
form of recognition from the Eastern
managers, the followers of Bryan in the
West sent emissaries to the National
headquarters in yiis city to lay the true
situation, as they saw it, before tho
friends of Judge Parker.
"These men told Chairman Taggart and
William F. Sheehan that the debatable
states of the West would surely be lost
to the Democracy unless something was
done at onco to enlist tho radicals' In the
Parker campaign. They said the policy
of ignoring men who had charge of the
Democratic campaign four years ago was
creating an exceedingly" bad Impression
In the West, and there must be a change.
, "Chairman Taggart was Informed he
would lose his own state, Indiana, unless
the Bryan men were conciliated without
delay. As he has staked his reputation
as a political manager on giving the
electoral vote of Indiana to Judge Par
ker, Taggart was Impressed, and he ad
vised that due consideration be given to
the representations of the Bryan men.
His counsel wat? accepted, and telsrams
were sent to James' JC Jones, Charles A.
Walsh, of Iowa; J. G. Johnson, of Kan
sas; "Buck" Hlnrichson, of Illinois; Wil
lis J. Abbot, of Michigan, and other rad
ical leaders, asking them to partidpato
In the campaign. They consented to give
their co-operation, and their advice will
be taken by the Democratic National
Committee regarding the contest In the
West
"It was announced last night that Mr.
Bryan himself will take the stump In
Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, and that
he will speak in this state late in Oc
tober. While his followers are not at
all confident of Judge Parker's election, at
present they have promised to give their
loyal support to- the ticket"
TAGGART CANNOT BE SHOOK
National Democratic Campaign Wlii
Wot Be Sidetracked to the WestJ
NEW TORK, Sept 5. The Herald to
day says:
"Thomas Taggart, chairman of the
Democratic National Committee, will not
surrender his position and be 'side
tracked' to the West
"Taggarf proposes continuing as chair
man of the committee with all the pow
ers of the chairman, and no suggestions
from persons who are not members of
the committee will bo listened to. The
Herald is In a position to state that close
friends of Judge Parker on the National
Committee have suggested that Taggart
should retire from tho active manage
ment? of the campaign in the East There
have been suggestions from persons who
havo no official connection with the cam
paign that he would better serve tho
Democratic party by changing his head
quarters to Indianapolis and devoting all
his time to carrying the States of Indiana
and Wisconsin. This would leave tho
.campaign work in the East to William
F. Sheehan, Delaney Nlcoll, George Fos
ter Peabody and Cord Meyer.
"Taggart does not think such ar ar
rangement would be helpful to ther can
vass of Judge Parker. All these men
were Cold Democrats in 1896 and 1900,
and the activity of Thomas E. Watson,
Populist candidate for President, shows
that if the Gold Democrats become more
conspicuous tnan they now are there will
be serious trouble.
"The reasons why Taggart thinks he
should stay in New Tork are, in the first
place, that the Democratic National Com
mittee elected him to the post and that
he must not leave that position, e'en If
Eastern Democrats think he should, in
the second place, he believes he has the
confidence of Sheehan and Belmont In
addition, he has taken full responsibility
for Indiana. He has a guarantee that
the electoral vote of Indiana shall be
cast for Parker. He is giving as close,
attention to the Indiana campaign as if
he were la the state."
Vermont Election Occurs Today.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt, Sept
5. Vermont's state election will be held
tomorrow. State officers will be chosen,
and the Republicans, Democrats, Prohibi
tionists and Socialists all have tickets in
the field. Charles J. Bell Is the Repub
lican nominee for Governor, and Elihu
Porter is the nominee of the Democrats.
The sole fight of. the Democrats has been
to reduce the Republican plurality of 31,
000, given to Stlckney for Governor In
1900, to a figure which would Indicate a
significant gain In Democratic strength,
jand as pointing to a National Democratic
victory. A Republican plurality under
25,000 will be regarded by. the Democrats
as a, victory.
Cortelyou at Sagamore Hill.
OYSTER BAT; N. T., .Sept 5. National
Chairman George B. Cortelyou was In
conference with President Roosevelt at
Sagamore Hill tonight Mr. Cortelyou
will remain at Sagamore Hill until to
morrow forenoon, when he expects to re
turn to New Tork. Pursuing the policy
he has laid down, the chairman declined
to discuss the campaign or any features
of It
Senator Fairbanks in Boston
BOSTON, Sept 5. Senator Fairbanks
arrived In this city today and will leave
for Brunswick, Me., tomorrow. Asked
about the meetings In the West, the Re
publican candidate for "Vice-President
said:
"All through the West the people
seemed to be very much aroused and In
terested in the campaign."
Re-Election of, Davis Indicated.
MEMPHIS, Sept 5. Early returns from"
the state election in Arkansas indicate
the re-election of Governor Jefferson Da
vis, the Democratic Incumbent, over
Harry Myers, Republican, by the usual
large Democratic majority. The Demo
crats easily elected their entire state
ticket
Renominate Prince Cupid.
HONOLULU, Sept 5. The Republican
Convention today renominated Jonah
Kalanlonole for Delegate to Congress.
The platform Indorses Governor Carter
and the National ticket
Nominated for Congress.
Eighth Alabama District J. W. Rob
erts, Republican.
Fourth Louisiana District E. P. Mills,
Republican.
MISERY OF JEWS YET GREAT
Leader Says Russian Reforms Only
Touch Hem of the Garment, i
LONDON, Sept 6. M. Leven, president
of the Alliance Israelite, speaking on the
subject of the reforms which the Czar has
proclaimed for the amelioration of the
condition of the Russian Jews, said the
new regulations were little more than a
hint of a better disposition toward the
Jews. They touched, as It were, only
the hem of tho garment of misery with
which the Russian Jews have been in
vested by the decrees of May, 1SS2, since
Intensified by the cruel decrees of Gen
eral Ignatleff. They were welcomed, how
ever, as the first step In the direction of
more comprehensive amelioration which
the Czar has promised. A majority of
the disabilities affecting the Jews are,
however. In .force.
One of the new dispensations, Mr. Leven
continued, Is that affecting Jews who
have served In the army, but It is not
clear whether all Jews- who havo com
pleted their military service, or who have
distinguished themselves as soldiers at
any time, will be permitted to reside with
out restriction in any part, of tho empire.
This was a very appreciable gain, but If
It applied only to men who had served In
the present war, it would result In a very
"unfair adjustment and as it Is not tranvw
mlssable as a right from father to son. It
would only 'servo to disrupt families.'
Mr. Levens says the new scheme of re
form is not less prompted by the Czar's
joy at the birth of a son then bj reports
recently furnished by certain provincial
Governors who depicted the misery of the
Jews in Its true color, which is of the
blackest They urged that tho Jews bo
given the same common law rights as are
enjoyed by other Russian subjects.
Report of Last Fight of Rurik.
ST. PETERSBURG. Sept. 5.' Viceroy
Alexieff, In a telegram to the Emperor,
conveys r the report of tho last fight of
the cruiser Rurik,. of tho "Vladivostok
squadron, which was sunk by "Vice
Admiral Kamlmura's ships. The report,
which was sent to the "Viceroy by Lieu
tenant Ivanoff, who assumed command of
the Rurik and was taken prisoner by tho
Japanese, repeats the details of the fight
already known and testifies to tho good
treatment which the wounded received at
the hands of tho Japanese.
CONTENTS OF TODAY'S PAPER
IJao Tans' Campaign.
Russians are preparing to evacuate Mukden.
Page 1.
Japanese advance Is only 30 miles from tho
city. Page 1.
Abandonment of Mukden means close of the
"Winter campaign. Pago 1.
Kuropatkln waa taken by surprise at the Taltz
Itlycr. -not believing the Japanese had
crossed. Page 3.
English critics agree that Kuropatkln will not
be out of the woods for several days. Page 5.
Tort Arthur and Ships.
Russians are said to be shelling Japanese posi
tion from hill near city. Page 1.
United States again urges Russia render some
decision as to what is contraband- goods.
Page 5. .
Ihcaralnatlon proves the Czarevitch not the
wreck she appears. Page f.
Political.
Eastern Democrats will try to conciliate Bryan
men In the hope of carrying Western States.
Page 1.
National Chairman Taggart will not be side
tracked to the "West Page 1.
Domestic
Packing-house strike Is likely to be ended to
day. Page 1.
Great mimic battle at Bull Run begins today.
Page 1.
Attempt to collect bill In "West Virginia town
results In two men being killed and four
wounded. Page 5.
Sports
"Battling" Nelson gets decision over Herrera,
the fight going 20 rounds. Page 13.
Pacific Coast League scores: Oakland 2-3, Port
land 0-0: San Francisco G, Loa Angeles 0;
Seattle 7-0. Tacoma 0-4. Page 12.
Lack of wind prevents yacht races. Page 13.
Holiday crowd bets on wrong horses at Irving
ton. Page 12.
raclflc Coast.
Dr. j. L. Hill, prominent Albany Populist ap
peals to party to stand by "Watson. Page 4.
Oregon Stato Fair will open Monday. Page 13.
Stock in "Willamette Valley will suffer on ac
count of feed shortage. Page 4.
Annual report of Chemawa Indian School.
Page 4.
Labor iay observed in Northwest Page 4.
Marino.
Collision between steamers Pomona and "West
port off California coast. Page 13.
Steamer Aztec clears for Orient with large car
go. Page 13.
French bark arrives after long passage from
Antwerp. Page 13.
Portland and Vicinity.
Labor-day celebration is great success. Page 8.
Hopplcklng season opens In Oregon. Page 1.
Sheriff Word closes all poker games. Page 0.
George F. Cotterill explains why he will not
support Democratic candidate for Governor
of "Washington. Page 9.
Forest fire threatens Bull Run reserve. Page 13.
All blame for flreboat fiasco la disclaimed by
everybody on vessel. Page 14:
Policeman Nelson Is slowly recovering. Page 13.
ARMY IS AT W
Over 40,000 Pickers for
Oregon Hop Crop.
YIELD, 85,000 BALES
No Other State ftas So Great
an Output
MONEY FOR MANY FAMILIES
About $700,000 Will Be Distributed
Among Them Marion County
Has the Largest Yield
in the State.
:
HOP CROP OF 1904.
' Bales. "
' Oregon ... S7.500 "
' California 05,000 "
' New Tork 60.W0 "
' "Washington : 35.000
Total 247.500 .
...
An army of more than 40,000 hoppickers,
men, women and children, not counting
babes in arms,' entered the Ore
gon hop fields yesterday morning,
and began picking the most valu
able crop of hops that has ever
been grown in the state. This crop is
conservatively estimated at 57,500 bales,
or approximately 17,500,000 pounds. The
quality Is excellent, and, at present mar
ket prices, the crop has a cash value of
$4,375,000. "When it Is considered that
practically the entire sum Is distributed
in half a dozen counties in the Willamette
Valley, the importance of the Industry
can be understood. The annual pil
grimage to the hop fields began a week
or 10 days ago, and there was some
picking of the early varieties 'last week.
The later varieties, however, were not
ready, and many of the early arrivals at
the. fields spent a few days of their outing
in, enforced idleness, awaiting the matur
ing of the crop.
Advices received from the fields by a
number of hop dealers in this city indi
cate that picking got under way in about
nine-tenths of the fields yesterday with
a full force of pickers, and that under
favorable conditions practically tho en
tire crop would be out of the way of un
favorable weather within ten days. Esti
mates on the probable output for the state
vary somewhat, running from 85.000 bales
to 95,000 bales, an average of tho views
of the men who have made a pretty care
ful 'examination of the fields placing the
crop at about S7.500 baies. This crop is
apportioned to tho different counties in
about the following quantities:
County. " Bales.
Marlon 20,000
Yamhill 12,500
Polk 12.500
Clackamas .... 10.000
"Washington . . . 10.000
County. Bales.
Josephine 3,000
Benton 2.500
Multnomah .... 1,000
Other counties.. 1.000
Linn 7.500
Total 87,500
Lane 7,5001
As stated above, some dealers who are
more optimlsltlc In their views have
placed the estimate as high as 95,000 bales.
Tho latter amount would show the larg
est crop on record, but the 57,500 bales
are about 2500 bales under last year's
crop. The much higher prices prevailing,
however, mako it far more valuable than
any former crop ever harvested. Tho
Oregon crop Is one-third larger than that
of California or New York, and more than
twice as large as the "Washington crop.
Tho best estimates credit California with
65,000 bales, New York with 60.000 bales
and "Washington with between 35,000 and
40.000 bales. Marlon county, with her 20,
000 bales, leads all other Pacific Coast
counties, the nearest approach to this
amount being In Yakima County, "Wash
ington, where a yield of 17,000 bales Is
expected.
"While the hop fields have undoubtedly
made their heaviest draft for pickers on
the cities, there is said to be a much
greater number of 'farmers' families going
to the fields than ever before. The fruit
and grain crops were light In some por
tions of the valley, and the opportunity to
make a little money and at the same time
enjoy an outing has caused many small
farmers to leave the farm In charge of
tho older boy or the hired man, and with
team and family start for the hop fields.
Accurate statistics on the number of pick
ers that have departed from Portland
for the hop fields are difficult to secure,
as some of the people began leaving more
than a week ago and they have departed
by team, train, steamer, bicycle and even
on foot. Over 400 left on tho boat yester
day, although It was generally supposed
that the demand had been pretty well
supplied, and it is estimate that, including
children, Portland and suburbs have con
tributed between 5000' and 7500 to the
throng of hoppickers now In the valley
yards.
The color line is not drawn in the hop
yards, and in addition to quite a few
Chinamen and an occasional negro, there
are hundreds of Indians who have come
from the different reservations in the
state. The Indian school near Salem has
turned all of Its pupils loose In the fields
and they are. said to be expert pickers.
The plckersare paid from 40 cents to 50
cents per box. and at this rate it is es
timated that thej- will earn nearly $700,
000. This amount distributed among 40,
000 pickers would not make a large sum
per capita, but as the bulk of the hops are
picked by "family parties," In which all
hands from the toddling babies to the
head of the house take part, the earnings
of the adults are probably quite satisfac
tory, especially as most of them regard
the work as more" in the nature of an out
ing than otherwise.
Twenty-five cents is the lowest price
that was offered for hops yesterday, and
some of the growers' are expecting an
advance to 30 cents. These prices will
spread as much prosperity through the
"Willamette "Valley counties' hop districts
as has been created by the big crop and
big prices of wheat east of the Cascade
Mountains. The acreage is much larger
than last year, and, had it not been for
the hot weather a few weeks- ago, the
output would have broken all former rec
ords In quantity as well as In price.
TOO MANY PICKERS.
Though Labor Is Plentiful, Growers
Will Not Reduce Pay.
SALEM, Or., Sept. 5. (Special.)
Though hopplcklng began In many yards
in this vicinity today, picking will, not
be general until "Wednesday. That pick
ers were never so plentiful before Is de
clared by all the growers, and at many
yards the proprietors have to send pick
ers away because there are more than
can be employed. The short grain har
vest, completed before hopplcklng began,
and the almost entire absence of a prune
harvest, accounts for the surplus of hop
pickers. Fifty cents abox Is the ruling price in
this vicinity, though 45 cents prevails in
the north end of the county. Growers say
they could as well get the entire crop
picked for 40 cents, but at present prices
for hops they can well afford to pay 50
cents and gladly do so. If an off year
should pome again in the hop-growing
Industry, they will expect to get their
horfs picked for 40. cents -or even less.
Reports front yards where picking has
begun indicate that the crop will be much
lighter than has been generally estimated
up to the present time. Growers express
surprise at the light yield and say that
the picking season will' be a short one if
the first day's work shows what the crop
will be. By Wednesday or Thursday re
ports, from a large number of yards -will
indicate pretty accurately the condition
of the crop.
Several offers of 26 to 26& cents for 1904
.hops have been reported.
Picking General Near Eugene.
EUGENE., Or., Sept. 5. (Special:.)
Hopplcklng commenced in most of
the yards in this vicinity today.
Some growers will . wait a week
longer, believing the hops will then
be of better quality and heavier.
Hundreds of families have gone to tho
hopyards and some of the growers near
town have twice as many pickers as
they can handle. Hopbuyers report the
crop this year one of the best ever grown.
Indications aro the crop will be a little
short. No sales are being contracted,
all the growers believing the market has
a strong upward tendency and that they
can sell better after he hops are In the
bale.
Hop Harvest Begins Today. 1
SEATTLE. "Wash., Sept. 6. Today the
harvest of the Washington hop crop will
begin. It is estimated that 10,000 pickers
will be required. Reports show the con
dition of the crop generally to be good,
though there has been a shrinkage in
ome localities. Estimates put the pros
pective crop at 41,500 bales, an Increase of
00C3 bales over la3t year. Prices are high,
instances being known where growers
have refused 26U cents a pound.
OREGON'S MEMBERS TOO NEW
Ways and Means Committeeship
Will Go Elsewhere.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash
ington, Sept. 5. But (or the death of Con
gressman Tongue. Oregon next "Winter
would undoubtedly be given representation
on the committee on ways and means, the
weightiest committee In tho House of
Representatives. Next December Speaker
Cannon must fill a vacancy on that com
mittee caused by the appointment of Met
calfe, of California, as Secretary of Com
merce and Labor. It Is conceded that his
successor will be a Pacific Coast man.
Had Tongue lived, he would today be sen
ior Congressman from the Pacific Coast,
and as such would probably be recognized
by tjie Speaker for this important commit
tee place. As it is, Oregon, with two new
Congressmen, stands no chance whatever
of securing this desirable place.
Needhara, of California, and Jones and
Cushman, of "Washington, are senior Pa
cific Coast members, all having been first
elected to the 56th Congress. The proba
bilities are Needham will secure the place,
although Jones is a possibility if he will
relinquish his position on the rivers' and
harbors committee.
MELDRUM LOSES OUT.
Contest for Land Held by Railroad Is
Decided.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash
ington. Sept. 5. Henry Meldrum. ex-Surveyor-General
of Oregon, has lost out In a
contest recently brought against the Ore
gon & California Railroad Company, be
fore the Interior Department, Meldrum
appealed from a decision of tho General
Land Offlco rejecting his application to
purchase under the timber and stone act
the southwest quarter of eectlon 27, town
ship 7 south, range 8 west. In the Oregon
City land district. This tract, according
to the Land Office and Interior Depart
ment, Is within the 30-mile or Indemnity
belt of the grant to the Oregon & Califor
nia Railroad, and was selected under that
grant and patented to the railroad com
pany 11 years ago.
Meldrum, In his appeal from the adverse
Land Office decision, alleged that this par
ticular land is more than 30 miles from
tho railroad as constructed, and Is there
fore outside the indemnity limits.
"Meldrum'3 claim Is not confirmed by
tho records of the Land Office,' says the
Secretary, "and even If it were established
as a fact, no suit could now be brought to
set aside the patent, or to recover title
to this land, as patent has already is
sued." Similar decisions have been rendered on
appeals in identical cases brought before
the Interior Department by Benjamin
Harrington, Louis P. Fandhoefer, Eliza
beth Isaac, Henry W. Bancroft, Isaac T.
Mason, Merrltt L. Thompson, Jennie E.
Walt, Electa Richardson, Lucy M. Reed,
John "W. Reed and Margaret C. Hubbard.
State Already Has Lands Sought.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash
ington, Sept. 5. The Interior Department
has rejected applications of Bernice M.
Sackvllle and Alvina S. Merrlthey to pur
chase timber lands in the Lakeview land
district. Oregon, because the lands which
they sought to acquire are included within
a state school selection.
STRIKE NEAR ENO
Packers1 Trouble Likely
to Be Settled Today.
NEW OFFER WILL BE MADE
Negotiations Begun Through
Medium of Middleman,
UNIONS CALLED TO .MEET
Employers Agree to Submit Their
Proposition Early in the Day, and
a Referendum Vote Will Be
Taken at Once.
CHICAGO. Sept. 5. The indications to
night are that the stockyards strike, be
gun two months ago, will be called off
within 24 hours. Through the medium of
a middleman, negotiations were begun to
day In an effort to secure an understanding-with
the packers on which the stri
king unions can rely as a basis for aban
doning the strike tomorrow afternoon. It
was admitted tonight by Secretary Tracy,
of the Allied Trades Council of the unions
on strike, that a message opening up such
negotiations had been delivered today to
representatives of the packing firms by
"W. E. Skinner, agent of the Union Stock
yards & Traction Company, acting as rnld
dlemap. Michael Killean, .president of the Live
stock Handlers' Union; Nicholas Gier,
president of the Packing Trades Council;
John Floersch, secretary of the council,
and President Donnelly were the men to
confer with Mr. Skinner.
According to the plans tonight an an
swer is to be submitted tomorrow by the
packers in time for it to be reported at a
special meeting of the Allied Trades
Council. This meeting has been called for
early In the forenoon.
Special meetings for all the local unions
Involved In the strike have been called for
tomorrow. If the packers give encour
aging answers to the strikers messengers
will be sent at once to the gatherings
of the local bodies. Tho unions. It Is sa'd,
will then vote on discontinuing "the
strike, and thIr referendum vote will bo
reported at once to the meeting of tho
Allied Trades Council.
MAY BE MATCH WITHOUT LOVfr
Strong Dynastic Reasons Exist for
Marriage of Prince and Duchess.
BERLIN. Sept. o. The Duchess Cecelia
of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. whose bethro
thal to Crown Prince Frederick TVllliam
of. Germany was announced last night, 13
a tall, slight girl, light-haired and brown
eyed. Although she could scarcely be
called pretty, she has a vivid complexion
and Is of sprltely demeanor.
The only tlmo tho Duchess and tha
Crown Prince had been seen together in
public was a few evenings ago. The
Crown Prince had called on her and her
mother at the Kalserhof Hotel just before
thejc left for home. After talking with
them for an hour, the Crown Prince took
them to the station In an automobile and
found that the train did not start for an
hour. He then asked them to drive round
the city, and with them went through tha
principal streets, which started the first
talk of an engagement.
It Is impossible to say whether it is a
lovo match or not. Strong dynastic rea
sons for the marriage exist. Only oncn
during the last century, in the case of
Frederick III, has a Prussian King taken
a wife except from a German Princely
house. The Emperor desires to bring tha
Cumberland, Danish and Netherlands
courts Into closer relations with the grand
court. The Duchess Cecelia's brother, tha
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
married this June the Princess Alexan
dria, second daughter of tho Duke oi
Cumberland, a sister of the future Queen
of Denmark.
Tho Duchess Cecelia is also a niece by
marriage of the Prince Consort of Hoi
land. Tho best loved of Prussian Queens
Loulso was of the same family, but, of tha
Sertlltz branch.
The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
.Schwcrln, who is at the Bristol Hotel,
here, set any doubt of the bethrothal at
rest this morning by telegraphing an of
ficial announcement to his cabinet.
Emperor Calls for Three-Fold Hurrah.
AGTONA, Prussia, Sept. 5. Details of
the announcement of the engagement of
Crown Prince Frederick William to tha
Duchess Cecelia, sister of the reigning
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
show that tho Emperor, while dining with
the notable people of Schlenwig-Holstcin
last night, received a telegram from tha
Crown Prince, who was at Gelbcnsande,
the home of the Duchess Cecelia and her
mother! The Emperor thereupon arose,
raised his glass and said that the en
gagement of his royal highness and tha
duchess had just taken place, and called
for a threefold hurrah for the couple.
The banqueters greeted the announcement
with tremendous cheers. .
ARMENIANS CREATE TERROR
Turkish Troops at Van Are Success
fully Resisted.
PARIS. Sept. 5. A dispatch to tha
Temps from Constantinople, by way oi
Sofia, says an official report which has
reached one of the foreign consuls there,
states that Armenian insurgents at Van,
Asiatic Turkey, are successfully resisting
the Turkish troops, which until yesterday
had been unable to reduce or dispersa
them. The Armenians advanced to with
in about 400 yards of the French Consul
ate. The population of Van is seeking
refuge in the schools and convents. It a
expected that Turkey will mobilize tha
Fourth Army Corps and draw troops
from Asia-Minor, in order to suppress tha
uprising.