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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 1904)
mtttttt; . VOL. XLF7. NT0. 13,710. BOBTLAKD. OBEGON, THUBSDAT, NOVEMBEB 17, 1904. PBICE FIVE CENTS. BLOWUPTHESHIP Russians Sink Own Vessel at Chefoo. CAPTURE IS FEARED Japanese Are Seen Off; the Harbor. THREE EXPLOSIONS HEARD One sMan Is Left on Torpedo Boat to Light Fuses. SINGLE SPAR MARKS GRAVE Commander Sends Important Mes sages From Stoessel to Czar General Is Determined as Ever to Die Fighting. In bo far as the contents of the re ports sent by General Stoessel to Em peror Nicholas by the torpedo-boat de stroyer Rtstoropny, which craft -was sunk In the harbor of Chefoo after ac complishing the purpose of her dash out of Port Arthur, have come to public lenpwiedge. It serves to Indicate that the Russian military Commander at Port Arthur regards the crisis of the siege as remote. The report asserts that the Inner line of defenses Is Intact: that the damage to "warships In the harbor by Japanese sheila Ja not great, and that the gar rison, will be able to hold out against assault for mm tttn f- CondlUons'south of Mukden remain un- amiuugu were srejKuapiD do inamuxma uu important developments are at hand. CHEFOO, Nov. 16. Fearing capture by the Japanese, -whose boats -were off the port, the Russians today blew up the torpedo-boat destroyer Rastoropny, which escaped from Fort Arthur under cover of a severe .storm, and entered this harbor last night The correspondent of the Associated Press learns authoritatively that the Rastoropny carried sealed orders pro viding that unless there came a highly favorable opportunity to escape, the vessel, should be blown up. Sufficient powder for the purpose was secreted before the destroyer left Port Arthur. Small charges of ordinary powder placed in each of the Ave water-tight compartments, were exploded. Customs Officer Koenlg was on board the destroyer, and the Russians experi enced considerable difficulty In getting him off -without arousing his suspicions. The destroyer's cutter, manned by two men,, -was lying near, and the official -was persuaded to take a ride around the Rastoropny in order that he might see the Injuries she -was alleged to have received. No sooner had the customs officer stepped into the cutter than a petty officer drew his -watch and urged the rowers to make all speed away. "When the destroyer had gone down the offi cial was taken on shore. Only One Man Left on Ship. The Russians, -with the exception of one man. left the destroyer during the afternoon. This last man lit slow loses and blew up the vessel. There were three dull explosions -which were scarcely audible 100 yards from the place where they occurred. Almost simultaneously the Rastoropny sank to thejjottbm. A single spar marks her grave. Prior to the destruptlon of the de stroyer the Taotai had officially notified the Japanese Consul that her disarma ment had been completed, the breech blocks and ammunition being removed and the machinery aisaDiea. Commander Pelem, of the Rastorop ny, in an' interview on his adventurous voyage, said: "I left Port Arthur at midnight In a blinding snow storm. The boat was navigated through all dangers of float ing "mines -without a mishap. Once reaching the open sea -we sa-w a Japan ese cruiser and some torpedo-boats In the distance, but we were steaming rap Idly through the storm -with lights ex tinguished and passed them unnoticed. "We reached Chefoo without mishap of any kind." The commander was optimistic with reference to Port Arthur. He declared all the forts remained in Russian , "hands and that the garrison was confident and in good spirits. He declared the destroyer's object was simply to carry dispatches. The other Russian ships remained at Port Arthur. The Rastoropny,, being one of the fast est of the Russian vessels, soon outdls tanced her pursuers. She entered Che foo with a music-box playing sprightly air, and the savory odor of a breakfast steak apparently testifying to the fact that Port Arthur still enjoys fresh eat The destroyer sped in like an -arrow at 6:50 A M. and an chored a few hundred yards abaft the United States cruiser New Orleans, S&zsfejf et Rwir-Admiral Folder, com mander of the cruiser squadron of the Asiatic "fleet. The Chinese cruiser Hal Tuns: raised steam within 20 minutes and came close to the Rastoropny. Captain Chlng, of the Hal Yim hoarded her and held a brief conference with Commander Pe lem. Ensign Walnwrlght, Bear-Ad miral Folgers aide, boarded the Rasto ropny immediately, but he and Captain Chlng- were not invited to enter tne Rastoropny's cabin, through a blizxard was cutting their faces. Captain Chlng notified Commander Pelem that 24 hours was the limit of time he could remain armed at Chefoo, after which the Rastoropny would be compelled to disarm, while delivering this ultimatum the sailors, who seemed to be healthy and carefree, began greasing the torpedo tubes, which were loaded. Dispatches Brought Ashore. Following the conference with Cap tain Chlng. the Rastoropny was moved further Into the old anchorage of the torpedo-boat destroyer Ryeshltelnl, where the Russian Consul boarded the Rastoropny and brought dispatches ashore. The Russian officers are all reticent, but denv the report that the Russian armored cruiser Eayan has been sunk. though they admit a shell damaged ber engines, which are being repaired. Russian cruisers come out of Port Ar thur dally, the battleships remaining in the harbor.. The overdrawn optimism of the offi cers. It was asserted ashore, made it obvious that their story was rehearsed before it was given to the public "When the correspondents were al lowed on board the Rastoropny a quar ter of beef was carefully placed where It was Impossible to miss seeing it. This, it was claimed, was meant to convey the impresison that Port Arthur was snug and comfortable. It was 'learned from the officers of the torpedo-boat destroyer the ex-Russian Governor of Port Arthur, 24. Saka baroff, died recently at Port Arthur of enteric fever. The explosion was so subdued and the crew remained so silent that It was some time before the report of the affair be came current. Even the officials most Intimately concerned got the news 'from the correspondents. The Japanese Consul says that nine of the Russian crew came ashore with their rifles, against which action he ha3 pro tested to the authorities. The Japanese Consul declares that the Russians wasted their vessel, as the Rye shitelnl Incident would not have been re peated. SURRENDER NOT CONSIDERED Stoessel Will Only Give Up When the Last Shot Is Fired. ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 17 (2 A. M.). General's to assel's report, brought to Che foo by the Ratstoropny, has not been -lven out, hut the Associated Press un derstands It contains no request tor In structions regarding the surrender of Port Arthur. This information was secured from a General who was with the Em peror yesterday, and who knows the con tents of General stoessers message, vine General said he was not at liberty to dis close the nature of the report, but re- "Only when the last biscuit Is eaten and the last cartridge fired will the garrison (Concluded on Page Five.) QONTENTS OP TODAY'S PAPES The "Weather. YESTERDAY'S "WEATHER Maximum tem perature, 55 degrees; xninnnuin, 45 cejrreos, Precipitation, .32 of an inch. TO DATS WEATHER Rain. Brisk to high gusty southwesterly winds. Busso-Japaneso War. PORT ARTHUR Russians blow up torpedo-boat destroyer which escaped from Port Arthur and made Chefoo to prevent capture by Japanese. Page X. Commander of ship sends Important reports from Stoessel at Port Arthur to Czar. Page 3L Stoessel is determined as ever to die fighting. Page X. OTHER "WAR TOPICS War party is again In the ascendancy, and Is trying to have agreement with Britain re garding North Eta incident repudiated. Page 3. Reinforcements are fast arriving on the Shakhe. and Important developments are expected. Page 3. rational. President removes Marshal Richards, of Alaska, and requests Judge Brown to resign. Page 1. Secretary Hitchcock conditionally approves Palouse irrigation project. Page 4. Foreign. State banquet at Windsor Castle in honor of King and Queen .of Portugal is a brilliant function. -Page 8. Afghans and Russians have serious trouble, the former exploding a mine and causing the death of many soldiers. Page 5. Sports. Thlrty-to-one horse wins at Oakland. Page 7. Portland loses snappy game to San Francisco, Page 7. Domestic Letson Balliet, the mining promoter, enters plra of guilty to charge of using malls to defraud. Page 5. O. R. Holllday. mail -carrier wanted in Port' land for stealing lettem, Is captured at- St. Joseph, Mo. Page 6. Pacific Coast. Marv Potter fatally shot at Sheridan, Or., by John Blcklns, hotelkeeper. Page -i. - Band of Indiana in California Indian reserva tion are e tarring to death. Page 4. Salem citizen takes officer's gun and billy be fore submitting to arrest. Page 4. Portland and Vicinity. Month will be given to tests In dairying at IawIs and Clark Fair. Page 10. Grand Jury considering charges brought by Councilman Zimmerman relative to fan tan graft. Page 12. Council has tame session. Page 11. Handwriting experts testify la Meldram forgery trial. Page 10. Council committee on Tanner-creek sewer as serts that no attempt will be made to. whitewash defects. Page 16. Portland Rowing Club looking for an Eastern coach. Page 7. Grangers -welcomed by bursts of eloquence at the Armory. Page 1- Judge McGinn makes strong appeal for con viction of gamblers. Page 14. Commercial aad Maria e. Weekly review of local produce and jobbing .markets. Page Id. San Francisco potato market In bad -way, Page 15. General buying lifts prices at Chicago. Page 15. Stock market sensitive to foreign compiles tlons. Page 15. Regular service to be established between Pcrtlaad a4 Jtogte River. Fa 14 LOSES HIS w Marshal Richards of Alaska Removed. . JUDGE ASKED TO RESIGN Melville G. Brown Has Been Guilty of Indiscretions. CASE OF MOORE IN' ABEYANCE Roosevelt Is Convinced the Judiciary of the Territory Is More or Less Corrupt, and Will Hereafter Name' Only Tried Men. OREGOXIAN JCEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Nov. 16. Convinced that the Alaska judiciary Is more or less un dermined with rottenness, and that all the courts are resting- under a cloud of suspicion because of Innumerable charges preferred against the various Judges and their subordinates. President Roosevelt today took the Initial step toward purg ing the service of undesirable elements by summarily removing Frank H. Rich ards, of Alaska. Marshal of Nome Dis trict, and requesting the resignation of Melville C Brown, of Wyoming, Judge of the Juneau District. It was erroneously announced that the President had also called for the resignation of Judge Moore, of the Nome District. His case Is still In abeyance. This announcement was subsequently retracted. At the same lime the President announced the reap pointment of James WIckersham, of Ta- coma, as Judge of the Third or Eagle District. The President's action Is based entirely upon a report made to him by William A. Day, Assistant Attorney-General, who spent the Summer In Alaska investigat ing the charges against the judiciary Great secrecy is maintained both at the White House and the Department of Jus tice as to the nature of Judge Day's re port, and nothing Is officially stated as to the reasons for dismissing Richards and. forcing Brown, to resign. Charges Against Richards. .It is generally believed Richards has been found guilty of contempt of court and of attempting to pack a jury. Judge WIckersham, two years ago, held Rich ards in contempt and a great amount of evidence has been submitted from time to time to show that Richards attempted to tamper with a Nome jury. There has been a denial of these charges, and Rich ards made a technical defense, but It Is believed Day's report shows heoxceeded ; . ARTIST MURPfiY 'ATTENDS A SESSION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE . his authority as Marshal, otherwise such drastic measures would not have been taken In his case. Beyond this it has been known for many months that Mar shal Richards and Judge Moore have been at swords' points; and that the ser vice has suffered In consequence. Presi dent Roosevelt was "on the point of dls- Wllaslnir HfpTlorila nrt tVita flfW-mTlt turn y5JB ago, but changed his mind and de- ojPU to watt until be couia nave tne charges investigated by a responsible man. It Is understood that nothing of "a dam aging character was proved against Judge Brown, but that he has been guilty of Indiscretions which have impaired bis usefulness in Alaska. For one thing, it is said, he sat In a case' In which a min ing 'company In which heheld a large Interest was a party to the suit. Judge Brown before permitting the case to be heard admitted his 'Interest In the case, but opposing counsel expressed a willing ness to have him hear It. In another instance he appointed a clerk of his court as receiver of a company Involved In liti gation pending before that court. While this was not. an actual violation of the law. It Is condemned as an extremely In discreet thing' to have done. Just such things as this have created the Impres sion In the Juneau District that Judge Brown has not been altogether a fair Judge. ... Moore Had Trouble. With Marshal. So far as can be learned the charges made against Judge Moore, of. the Nome District, are not substantiated unless he Is partly censurable for trouble with his Marshal. ' Dismissal of Richards, how ever, removes this - obstacle, and Judge Day did. not recommend Moore's removal, nor did he recommend that he be allowed" to resign. President Roosevelt has come to the conclusion that Alaska can and must have a Judiciary - that Is above reproach. Realizing- the temptations that are thrust before Judges, Marshals and others In that territory, he has determined to pick out not only honest" men, but men of great force of character, strong enough to "stay put" even when In distant Alas ka, where they are likely at any minute to be brought under corrupt influences. In filling these vacancies the President will pay no heed whatever to the politi cal Indorsements of applicants, but will assure himself he has the kind of men he wants and will then appoint them. The Judgeships in Alaska pay $3000 per year. The Marshal receives $4000. Charges have been made from time to time against nearly all the Federal offi cials of Alaska, Governor Brady not being exempt, but It Is said that the action of the President today finally closed the matter of the charges, offl cials of the Administration being sat isfied that Governor Brady. James WIckersham, of the Yukon district, and other officials. Involved in them have acted In the Ijest -Interests of the ter ritory. TROU&Ltf. .Of -RICHARDS. He Feir Ou TiVlth WIckersham Over Expense Account as-Early as 1901 SEATTLE; Wash., Nov. 16. (Special.) Marshak. Pilchards' troubles began In the Fall df 190i over an expense ac count that Judge WIckersham failed to approve. The two had gone to Una- laska together after WIckersham sue cceded Noyes, and Richards' expense (Concluded on. Page Four.) TEL IN ASHE! Olympics Noted Tavern Totally Destroyed; GUESTS ESCAPE FLAMES Flying Brands Threaten Busi ness Section of City. SMOKE OVERCOMES FIREMEN Washington State Capital Is Now Without Proper Facilities for En tertaining Visitors During the Legislature. THE BURNED BUTLDrXG. Built by syndicate of Olympians in 1888. f Capacity, 250 'guests. Comprised four stories and a base ment, with 115 rooms. Cost, $125,000. Furniture and other property -worth $36,000. Hotel insured for $16,000. OLMPHIA, Wash, Nov. 16. (Spe cial.) The Olympla Hotel, the home of the majority of the members during eight sessions of the Legislature, and famous throughout the state, burned to the ground tonight. With the loss of the hotel Olympla is deprived of one of the essentials of a session of the Legislature and tonight the people are. genuinely perturbed a3 to how they will provide for the hundreds of pcoplo who will flock to tho city shortly after the first of the year. So far as known no lives were lost In the conflagration, . as there was am ple time for the escape of all the In mates after the discovery of the fire. The first alarm was given about 10:30. when amoke wan detected In th ronr of the basement in an unused ptirt'et the hotel.- The earlv HtmttKyvaur ently of a smoldering; natgre'&hd .creat ed aense volumes or. smoKs. mat .per meated the entire building; Engineer Driven From Post. About 20 minutes aftor the discovery the engineer in charge of the electric light plant was driven from hl3 post. and darkness throughout the hotel added to the difficulty of saving the effects of the inmates. A still alarm was turned, into the Fire Department immediately upon discovery of , the. are. but the firemen found it impossible to get near the flames on account of tho dense smoke. One by one, the men were overcome, some being brought out of the building in a prostrated condition. It was fully 11 o'clock before a sheet of flame was visible to those outside the tbuilding, but within five minutes "thereafter .the big- sturcture was an immense -mass of red fire, sending brands in showers into the business part of the city. It was soon seen that the business portion of the city would be in actual danger of destruction un-. less the fire was checked at once. A fierce wind was driving the flames aero S3 a small lawn toward the old home of General T. L McKenny, one of the landmarks of the city, and immense brands were lighting on the root of the Mitchell Hotel, a few feet beyond. At tbl3 stage of the fire practically all efforts were turned toward savins the two structures in danger. Governor a. Volunteer Fireman. A general alarm was turned in at the fire hall and great crowds congre gated who were called upon to assist. Upon the first call for volunteers, Gov ernor McBrlde seized the "nozzle of a hose and worked valiantly lor half, an hour- in a heat that was breaking the window panes of the buildings the workers were trying to save. At an opportune time a drenching rain fell, which greatly aided in confining the fire to the hotel. At midnight the flames were under control. The Olympla Hotel was built in 1SS9 by a syndicate of Olympla people at .a .not- nt i95nnn Tt- comnrised four Btories and a basement and had 115 rooms, barroom and laundry. On the main floor was a lobby larger than any other single-room hotel lobby in the state. During the sessions of the Leg islature this lobby every evening swarmed with legislators, and men at tracted to the city by the sessions. The hotel during session was always crowded, and cots were provided in the parlors and ballrooms and the Inmates were compelled to "double up" throughout the rooms of the hotel. It probably housed 250 persons during the Interesting parts of the sessions. Boarders Lose Their Effects. The building contained furniture worth about $30,000. The building and furniture had for several years been In the posses sion of Boston people who had held and foreclosed a mortgage on them. They were Insured for $16,000. In addition to the property owned by the hotel company the manager, E. N. Tunln, had In stock and liquors and other property about $6000, on which there, is no Insurance. The hotel had about 15 regular boarders, nearly all of whom lost all their effects. There were about 25 transients regis tered, among them being ex-Senator George Turner, of Spokane, and Edward Whltson, of North Yakima, chairman of the Republican, State -Convention at Ta fnrnn. Several men. including Whltson. were congregated In Judge TuTrerJ&rocwS on the first floor when tne runu.'wvss sounded. Judge Turner carried his grip out, but left it on the hotel yeranda and has been unrble to locate it since. Mr. Whltson cot. J not find his room and lost his suit case and clothing. Escaped In Light Attire. O. C White, ex-State Printer, was the last to leave the bulldlngr He had a nar row escape and but for a thorough knowledge of the stairways could not (Concluded oa.Page 7.) ISTflRY RULED Grangers Are Welcomed Wifh Eloquence. GREAT CROWDS AT ARMORY Two Thousand People Take Part in Grand Reception. GOVERNOR AND MAYOR SPEAK Visitors Are Cheerfully Made Wel come to Portland, and Express Themselves Highly Pleased With the Reception. Rosy-cheeked apples, Immense pumpkins beets, potatoes and other table delicacies belonging to exhibits from Oregon and Washington counties, divided interest Trith visitors from the East, South, and Middle West at the public reception held last night In the Armory. Over 2000 persons were present. The dominating note in the speeches were: The paramount Importance of the agricultural Industry, and the re turn visit of many of the delegates with their friends to visit the Lewis and Clark Exposition next year. "Isn't tiiat a gatherlngfor you, of which any city might well be proud?" remarked Richard Scott, of Mllwaukle, to an. Ore gonlan man, during the period when visi tors were going around the line of mas ters of State Granges, and their wives, shaking hands and making everyone feel at home. "Just think of this one fact," went on Mr. Scott "Suppose the farming interest of this country did not do any work from December 1 to June 1. just took a sort of vacation, how would the other people of the country like It? Some of them would be pretty nigh to starva tion. Yet, I don't see any great display of flags or bunting outside the Armory. I haven't even seen a card In the window of any business house, bidding the Grang ers 'welcome.' Pass the hint Portland ought to dress herself In her best to show the Grangers that they are doubly wel come, as honored guests. The Armory, with Its Interesting agricultural exhibits, is open every day except Sunday during the time the convention is in session, from 12 to 2 o'clock P. M.. and from 5 to 7 P. ,M.. We. want Portland people to come nretis'rff ai ;ftllb?ttrGragerS., ' Governor Pays Tribute. Governor Chamberlain struck a recur ring chord when he said that the National Grange deserved thanks for its work in making possible rural free delivery of mail matter, which has brought the farmer into close and intimate touch with urban life. Master of the National Grange Jones speech, was a "chaffing" one at first, but he soon steadied down and won a round of hearty applause when he stated that after viewing the agricultural exhibits at the St. Louis Exposition, he was sure the exhibits In the Armory were every bit equal to those at St. Louis, where the whole world was taking a hand. Mayor Williams gave a fine bit of word painting In describing Portland in Its rainy sea son, and he took advantage of his oppor tunity to put In a good word for the Lewis and Clark Exposition. Governor Batchelder, of New Hampshire, told a funny story which set the audience laugh ing, and was also Interesting when ha spoke of the dignity and usefulness, of the agricultural calling. Augustus High, of "Vancouver, past master of Washington State Grange, presided. Chamberlain Makes Address. In giving the address of welcome on. behalf of the State of Washington, Gov ernor Chamberlain said: As executive of the state I extend, to you a most cordial welcome. Oregon la proud to en tertain as her guests such a distinguished body of ladles and gentlemen as those who compose the National and several state Granges and all of her people hope that your stay here may ba most pleasant. A number of congresses and conventions have been held in this city in the past year, com prising delegates and representatives from every state and territory, men of National and international reputation All of them, have had Xpr their end and aim organization of their forces and the cultivation of a. -unity of senti ment and. action, as the best mean of advanc ing the several interests which they have been called upon to represent Alt of these conven tions, have been important, and have been pro ductive of good not only to the Individuals who have, been able to attend, but to the .country at large, and, it is no disparagement of any. jot them- to say that none have been of more Importance to the welfare of our people than the one which convenes here today. The National tirange has had. for its flrst object the betterment of the condition of tha farming classes in the United States, and it is . impossible for any one to calculate the good that has been accomplished by it and its mem. 'bership throughout the country. This is an. age of organization, and that body of men Is best able to meet and overcome obstacles in-the way of successful enterprise who can breast them with perfect organization and consolida tion of thel-i- forces. Although there are a greater number of In- Idlviduals engaged in agriculture than la any Rtsther industry in the United States it is nevertheless true that until the- organization of this order little in the way of state or Fed eral legislation was ever had in their behalf. Certain It is that it has been largely through their influence and Instrumentality that grants of land and appropriations of money .have been made for the establishment of agricultural col leges In "nearly it not every state In the Union. But for their-- efforts and those- of its distin guished bead, who is present with, us today, it is questionable whether the rural free delivery, which has brought the farmer into close and 'Intimate touch with urban life, would ever have been established. And certain it '3 that the slow recognition of agriculture as the ' foundation of our country's wealth was brought abcrat through .the- efforts of the Grange, and raw It has, been. b6 dignified through their cosaMaed energy that a depart, ment has "beea created with a repreaeatatlva at its head who sits in the official family of the President of tha United States. No one can. say that the accomplishment of these. things has beem broB-gbt about by rate directed effort. The result has been beneficial both to individuals, state and Nation, and & united effort and, concentration of energy have tbrougbt about the achievements which I hav mentioned, there Is much yet to be doae is .the interest -of the farmers and their families in this cobb try. Let me suggest a few: Greater atteatioa osght to be paid In the public schools of tfee state-to Instruction along the lines ot fteld aad farm. The trend of pub lic tboBgat ia In this direction, but until iP ea Pa Six.).