VOL.XLV. ISO. 13,S11.
PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH lo, 1905.
BJRICE FIVE CENTS.
low IT WIS LOST
Full Story of Battle
of Mukden.
FIFTEEN DAYS' FIGHT
Japanese Found Breaks
in New Lines.
AIDED BY DUST STORM
They Had Trap Almost Closed
on Thursday Night
THEN RETREAT WAS ORDERED
First Connected Account of Greatest
of Modern Battles .Japanese
Again Failed to Follow
Up Victory.
PARIS, March 13. The correspond
ent at St. Petersburg of the Petit Pa
risian saya that General Kuropatkin's
resignation has been accepted and that
Sake .Nicholas Nlcholalevltcu has con
seated to take chief command In Man
churia. TIE PASS. March 14. As after the bat
tle of Llao I'ang, the advance of the Jap
anes6varmy against the new positions of
the Russians at Tie Pass is very slow,
leading- columns are eight or ten miles
southward and in touch with the Russian
-van poets, but the operations at present
are not serious. Field Marshal Oyama
shows slight Intention of pressing his ad
vantage Jn an - immediate attack on Tie
Pres. It is possible,- however, that a wide
turning, movement, of which .reports- are
current. is-Ju progress. 'For such, -operational
the Japanese have the immense ad
vantage of several bases and. lines of sup
plies, to. which is now added the Bln
mlntln road, while the Russian army
necessarily is dependent on one base and
one line pf communication and therefore
may easily be outflanked.
Reorganizing Beaten Army.
In the grand army order is being
brought out of chaos with remarkable
celerity. The plain In front of Tie Pass,
which on March 11 seethed like a nest of
ants with the dense and confused mass
of transport, artillery and troops, corps,
divisions and regiments being scattered
end parti os Inextricably mingled, has
been cleared, the regiments reorganized,
stragglers sent to their respective com
mands, organizations have taken their
asslgnod positions and today the same
soldiers who on March 10 became a terror
stricken, surging, disorganized mass of
Cray at a few shots from a little detach
ment of Japanese, or who even fled Jn
panic, firing Indiscriminately in all direc
tions as thoy ran, at the mere baseless
cry of "Japanese cavalry," are now gath
ered singing about the camp-flres with
new courage, ready to oppose with stub
born resistance an attack on Tie Pass.
It is unfair to accuse the entire army
of this panic. General Linevltch entered
Tie Pass with his regiments in perfect
order, with music playing and tho men
pinging and scarcely a straggler was lost
in the long, difficult march. Other organ
izations made equally praiseworthy re
treats, especially tho roar guards of all
the armies, who performed their difficult
task uteadily and resolutely. There Is
much to be said also of tho panic-stricken
condition of the troops. Thoy wore large
ly composed ot undisciplined men and
wagon drivers were mingled with the sol
diers, who for 15 days wore under con
stant Arc. crowded together in a. mass
;whenco ogress was impossible.
Japanese Did Not Follow Up.
It Is one of the oddest facts of war
ware that the moral condition of the
Russian army has been largely restored,
while the Japanese, although victors, ap
parently are so broken and have Incurred
such heavy losses that thoy are unable
to press tho advantage. Otherwise It Is
Inexplicable why the Japanese have not
followed up their vigorous pursuit with
an attack on Tie Pass, when they might
have taken the position almost without
a struggle; It Is now too lato for an easy
success.
The struggle for tho possession of Muk
den cost both sides closo upon 200.000 men.
The Russian- losses of officers included a
large proportion of tho regimental com
manders and field officers.
All the newspaper correspondents, with
the exception of three or four, have left
for ths north, because tliore Is here uo
nhcre to live and nothing to oat Hipped
by defeat, many of the Russian officers
are in a surly mood, and much of their
grudgingly given information is colored
with Jealousy and the rampant spirit of
cabal.
Clear Story of Battle.
It Is. however, possible now to "give a
general review of the battle, the story
merging out of tho confusion incident to
tho evacuation and tho forced retreat to
Tio Pass. On February 24 all was ready
for an attack on the westward. Various
portions of the army had been disposed
for an advance on the right flank. In
the evening of that day the order to ad
vance was -cancelled, and a second order
was given for the transfer of General
RenccnkampfTa First Siberian -Corps and
several other organizations to tho left
flank, which was being pressed heavily by
a" large force of Japanese. From that
time forward the Japanese; who were
well informed as to all the Russian
movements, began heavy attacks along
the whole front. The Russians generally
held their ground, doing well until Feb
ruary 2S, wnen an unexpected attack de
veloped, in the southwest, before which
the Russian right, weakened by the with
drawal of almost two corps, yielded.
By March 1 it became evident that the
Japanese were moving around the Rus
sian right In five heavy columns, and It
became Imperative to withdraw the thin
line from the southwest and form a new
line from the bridge across the Sbakhe
River, parallel with the railway. The
change of front was accomplished with
remarkable celerity, but the various or
ganizations became badly mixed.
The Russians, on March 4, occupied
their former positions on the Shakhe
River as far as the bridge, thence to
Madyapu on the Hun River, and thence
parallel with the railway, six miles dis
tant, the right resting on the Slnmlntln
road. The Japanese, on March 5, begin
ning to turn even this position with a
view to cutting off tho retreat, the Rus
sian right was extended eastward from
the Sinmlntln road to the railway.
On March 7 both sides began most vig
orous offensive operations, the Japanese
attacking with energy the forces of Gen
eral Tserpltsky, which were holding the
position from Madyapu as far as the
heights east of Mukden station, while
the Russians, under General Gern gross,
assumed an attack in the direction of
Tatchekiao, and on the northern front
General Launltz' command beat back all
tho attacks. On the whole, the outcome
of the fighting on March 7 was favorable
to the Russians, who repulsed several at
tacks on their southern front and as
sumed the offensive on the left, where
General Llnevltch's army, occupying
eastern hill positions, repulsed numerous
attacks and took several hundred prison
ers and several machine guns.
Russians. Change Their Lines.
The continued extension, however, of
the Japanese lines northward and the
concentration which their superiority In
numbers enabled them to effect against
the northern and northwestern fronts
rendered advisable a contraction of the
Russian lines, and withdrawal from the
Shakhe River to positions on the Hun
River was determined upon. This was in
no sense the beginning of the general re
treat, and Kuropatkln and the Generals
commanding the armies were far from re
garding the battle as lost. The first army
to retire from the fortified positions east
and southeast of Mukden was the third
army, which fell back to positions sim
ilarly fortified in advance on the north
bank of the Hun River.
The burning of abandoned stores pro
visions and forage disclosed the Russian
retirement and the Japanese followed
closely. Confusion in orders and retire
ment in impenetrable darkness across the
country were responsible for the failure
of some organizations to occupy those po-
sltlons to which, they bad "been assigned,.!
uid a remarkably duststorm the following
day vmade it Impossible- to verify the.
alignment and fill the breaches -which the
Japanese, however, were lucky enough to
find and skilful enough to turn to their
advantage.
The Russian positions now formed a
boot, tho toe at Madyapu and the heel
on the Hun River at Fushun, about five
miles wide; and to meet the apparent
danger that the Japanese might plug the
top of tho boot Kuropatkln sent thither
40 battalions from'the command of Gen
eral Miloff, which were rendered available
by the shortening: of the line. The Russians
began to slowly force tho Japanese back
at this critical point, but the Japanese
in turn were reinforced on their extreme
right and General Kuropatkln, seeing all
apparently going well at the other posi
tions and determining to stake all on a
decisive blow, collected the remainder of
the stragetlc reserve, strengthened by
several other units, and led them pereoa
ally, on March 9, to the north front and
threw them on the flank of the Japanese,
who were attacking Santlatse and en
deavoring to cut through. Tho scale of
weight was on the Russian side. The
Japanese then retired, abandoning a bat
tery of eight guns, success apparently
crowning the Russian arms.
Breach In Lines Forces Retreat.
At this moment two sets of reports
were received, the first that a column of
Japanese was moving further north
around the right flank, and the second
that the Japanese on Hun River had
taken advantage of the storm which was
blowing dust in the Russians' faces and of
the breaches in the positions on tho Hun
to thrust a column through at Fu Pass
and Kyouzan, on the Instep of tho boot.
Here the forts were defended by only
three companies of tho Barnaul regiment
and a company of the Irkutsk regiment,
which were forced to retire before Jap
anese cai-alry and four mountain guns.
"With the entire Russian strategctic re
serves already engaged, it became im
possible to meet the danger in those two
sources, which was imminent and critical,
and at S o'clock In tho evening the order
to retire to Tie Pass was given.
Through the narrow boot-leg passage,
scarcely five miles wide, a densely-packed
mass of transports pressed northward,
coming under the Are of a small squadron
of Japanese cavalry and four mountain
guns, which earlier in the battle had
managed to get across the Russian line
of communications and conceal them
selves In the mountains to the east
ward. The forces of General Tserpltsky
began an orderly retirement from the
boot toe, and during March 10 General
Kuropatkln successfully held at bay tho
Japanese who were trying to reach the
railroad.
Trains Stream Northward.
The night of March 9 Mukden station
presented a remarkable scene. Shortly
after 9 o'clock came the order to com
plete the evacuation of the station and
the city, with directions that movement
of trains northward must be completed
by 5 o'clock in tho morning. The enor
mous task was completed In nlnn hours,
including tho hasty embarkation of the
wounded, who crowded the station plat
form and occupied the hospitals. Many
had already left in the morning when the
private trains ot Kuropatkln, Kaulbars,
Sakhararon. Blldcrllng and Zabelin de
parted, but thousands remained. At 0:40'
P. M- the first string of eight trains was
Concluded en Fifth rate.)
N GMT OF Tin
Dr. Cawood Preaches to
Congregation
IN CHURCH AFTER ASSAULT
Buttons His Coat Over the
Feathers,
HE IS NOW IN PORTLAND
Persecution of Paul, the Apostle,
the Theme of His ' Sermon
After the Attack Made
on Him.
PREACHES IK COAT OF TAR AND
PEATHERij.
Sblrtlesf. becauie be dare not put un
derwear over the tar and feathers which
had been bestowed upon, him in Gold
endile, but with coa buttoned to the
chin, a fringe of dowa between face and
throat. lr. E. E. Cawood preached to
his little congregation on the evening
ot the assault. For his text he took
-verses from the seventeenth chapter of
the Acts of the Apostles, the theme of
his fennon being the persecution which
Paul met when preaching at Thessa
kislca. Dr. Cawood, who arrived In Portland
last night, asserts that he wilt sot pros
ecute his assailants. He remained In
Golden dale, he declares, until Monday
morning, having completed his new as
signment on the preceding Sunday night,
and will new attend the mission in
Portland.
Dr. E. E. Cawood, the tarred and
feathered preacher from Goldendale, ar
rived on the boat last night from The
Dalles. He left the boat at Vancouver,
"Wash., and Immediately .came to the
Olive Branch Mission, on First street,
where a meeting of the elder of the
Free Methodist Church -was Jn progress
for "the wjrpose o'f Jhtfebtlgatlng the af
fair 'at Goldchdatef His wife came from
Sunnyslde, and amid tears and sobs, she
listened to the story of the persecutions
as he told it to the faithful few in tne
mission chapel.
"Saturday afternoon three men came to
my room and Informed me that they had
decided to forbid me preaching in the
town of Goldendale," said Dr. Cawood.
"One of them was the Prosecuting Attor
ney of the county, and another was his
brother. Both are pillars of the Metho
dist Episcopal Church, but had never
listened to my sermons. They had list
ened to the talk of the rowdies of the
town, and had been convinced that sev
eral people had got religion in an unor
thodox way. This was not according to
their methods, and they decided to stop
me. I paid no heed to their warning, but
preached to a crowded house Saturday
night and Sunday morning. That after
noon the same crowd waited upon me
again, and told me that I should not
preach again.
Prosecuting Attorney's Visit.
"Just as I was preparing to go to the
church there was a loud rap at the door,
and Isaac Henshaw, with whom I was
staying, told me that tho Prosecuting At,
torney wished to see me. I went to the
door well knowing what was in storo for
me, and when he asked me to accom
pany him to the gate I did not hesitate
Just as I reached the entrance to the
yard several men grappled with me. and
I was escorted to the river bank, where a
bucket of tar was poured over my head,
and after a few minutes some one. se
cured a pillow, and the time-honored cus
tom of tarring and feathering was made
complete. Tho fact that the tar was
poured over my head made the stuff much
easier to get off. and within half an hour
1 was back at the church, urging sinners
to repent, and telling them of the word
of God.
"The prosecuting attorney's name is
Edward "Ward, and his brother Is known
as Nat. They pretend to take great In-.
tcrest In church work, and have long
been considered members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, but well, I will leave
what I think, to you. It was not the
Christians that persecuted Jesus, any
more . than the rowdies that tarred and
feathered mc were sincere believers in
the salvation of man."
Arrives in Portland.
Dr. Cawood remained at Goldendale
after the coat of tar and feathers had
been administered, and left there Monday
morning for The Dalles, where he stayed
that night. He succeeded in getting the
tar and feathers from his body; and after
purchasing a new suit of clothing, came
to Portland.
Ho preached last night at the Olive
Branch Mission, on First street, and will
continue to hold meetings there the rest
of tho week.
The residents of tho town of Goldendale
are much wrought up over the report that
it was the disreputable citizens that took
part in the escapade. They claim that tho
movement was started by a few good cit
izens who had a just grievance against
thc methods of Cawood. as members of
their families had been driven to Insan
ity by the-exhortations of the preacher,
and that the plan to tar and feather him
had the support of some of the members
of the First M. E. Church, because there
rccmcd to be no way of getting at the
preacher through the law. -It is ' also
claimed that Cawood continued to exor-
else his influence over one woman after
she had. showed unmistakable signs of In
sanity.
COSSACKS EEFUSE TO FIGHT
They Offer Forcible Resistance to
Draft in Caucasus.
LONDON", March 15. The correspond
ent at St Petersburg ot the Daily Tele
graph predicts that the Russian author
Itles will have ko battle with an angry
sea of troubles? In connection with the
mobilization of a new army. .The cor
respondent relates as an example that a
few days ago' an attempt to mobilize
Cossacks In the Kuban district of the
Caucasus metwith flat disobedience, and
that the employment of force led to se
rious bloodshed.
Children Persist In Striking.
WARSAW. March 14. (11:30 P. M.) The
authorities today were unsuccessful in
attempts to reopen the commercial and
technical schools. The pupils assembled
In the classrooms at the regular hour,
where they remained a few minutes, and
then silently arose and passed out In
consequence of the peasant agitation, the
censor today issued an order prohibiting
the press from referring to agrarian
questions.
Peasants Plunder Sergius Estate.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 14. The
estate of the late Grand Duke Sergius
in the Dmltrow district, near Moscow,
has been pillaged by peasants and a
faotory in the same district has been
burned.
SCHOONER SEIZED BY JAPANESE
TOKIO, March 15. (2. P. M.) The
American schooner Tacoma tvbh seized
by the Japanese suardshlp March 14.
The Tacoma la an Iron 'screw steamer
of 2S12 tons register. She is owned by
the Xorthrreatera Commercial Steam
ship Company of Seattle, from which
port nbe nailed on January 6 with n
cargo of beef for Vladivostok, It la
aatd, although ostensibly tor Shfaghal.
"When last reported the Tacoma vraa fast
In the Ice north of Hokkaido Island
ttHU Japanese uhlps lyinR la Trait to
pick her up vrhea she -worked clear.
Gleason May Get - New Trial.
PHILADELPHIA, March 14. The Su
preme Court today decided to send the
Greason case back to the Court of Oyer
and Terminer of Berks County and allow
that body to use its discretion in grant
ing a new trial. Greason and Mrs. Kate
Edwards were convicted of the murder
of the woman's husband, Greason being
convicted on the woman's testimony.
Mrs. Edwards subsequently confessed
that she had perjured herself and exon
erated Greason from all blame.
Pennsylvania Road Will Issue Bonds.
PHILADELPHIA, March 14. At the an
nual meeting of the stockholders of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, held
to-exceed J50,0G0.(O3 was authorized. About
J2,wc-ju or tn(4 sum win be itsecr-to- re
tire outstanding' er "cent bond which,
will maturo during; the coming year. . The
remainder will Je expended for construc
tion and equipment.
CONTENTS OF TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.
TODAY'S Cloudy to partly cloudy, with prob
ably showers; variable winds, mostly east
erly. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 68
deg.; minimum, -43. Precipitation. 0.17 Inch.
The War In the Far East
Kuropatkln reorganizing his army at Tie Pass.
" Page 1.
Full and lucid story ot the fifteen-days battle
of Mukden. Page 1.
Japaneso abandon pursuit and fail to follow up
advantage. Page 1.
Russians continue to surrender In large num
bers. Page 2. f
Czar urged to call national assembly and con
tinue war. Page 2.
French bankers refuse to lend Russia money.
Page 2.
Foreign.
President Castro seises and cuts French cable
In Venezuela. Page S.
Cossacks resist draft In Russia. Page 1.
Polish children strike against schools. , Page X.
National.
Democrats unite against Dominican treaty, and
will prevent ratification. Page 1.
Senate committee will give hearings on rate
questions. Page 1.
Congress entirely repeals llcu-land law by over
sight Page 1.
Bridges and Booth. ofRoaeburg Land Offloe,
will be removed. ' Page 3. ,,
Assistant Secretary Loomla denies friction with
Secretary Hay. Page 3.
roUUcs.
Colorado LcgUlature In deadlock over Gov
ernorship contest Page 4. ,
Mormon church excommunicates Cannon and
makes charges against another assailant of
Smith. Page 4.
Senator Dubois addresses Mothers' Cbnsrcw on
AlormonlMn. rage A.
Domestic.
Nineteen Uvea lost by flro In New York tenement-house.
Page S.
Negro murderers lynched In three 'Southern
States. Page 3.
Commercial and Marine. r
Oregon crops not Injured by February cold
snap. Page lb.
Realizing checks upward tendency in stocks.
Pago IS.
Wool market strong for time of year. Page 13.
Chicago wheat market closes alrong. Page 15.
San Francisco speculative prices firm on short
covering. Page 3.
Ras Elba completes cargo for China. Pae 5.
Pacific Coast
California will tend great excursion to the
Fair. Page 6.
Mrs. Bower, Puyallup authored, drifts forth
from concealment to get a divorce. Page 7.
Valuations of property In the State of Oregon,
and expenses of counties. Page 6.
Father of Mrs. Branton No. 1 pleads with
primmer to confess shooting of Fletcher
Page 6.
Dr. Jordan sticks to theory that Mrs. Stanford
died from natural cautes. Page ti.
Portland, and Vlclalty.
County exhibits at Kxpoe4Uon wni Illustrate
Oregon's great resources, rage 10.
Strikers return to work oa American Inn.
Page 14.
New rales are L-wed for steamboat men In
regard to bridge:. Page 14.
Frank Johnson, lineman, electrocuted while at
work Page 18.
Automatic telepbone franchise up to the Coun
cil. Page 9,
Ordinances looking to civic improvement will
be Introduced at Council meeting. Page 10.
Consul Henry B. Miller speaks on Russian;
Japanese War. Page 11.
Portland -men discuss ethics of gambling.
Page 16.
Rev. E. E. Cawood preaches .in coal f tar and
feathers at Goldendale. on night following
aa-ault.-. Page li .
IT CANNOT WIN
Dominican Treaty Is
Doomed bySenate.
DEMOCRATS ARE AS ONE
I
Their United Opposition Will
Prevent Passage.
TALK OF HOLDING INQUIRY
Morgan Suggests Delay Until Com
mittee Carj Report, but Repub
licans Are Indifferent and
Democrats Are Lined Up.
i
WASHINGTON. March 14. The discus
sion of the Dominican treaty In executive
session of the Senate today resulted in
the drawing of party lines. The Demo
crats who have been reported as likely
to support the treaty will return to the
fold, it is said, and on both sides of the
chamber it is admitted there is little
prospect that the convention will be rat
ified. The Republicans have been depending
on some Democratic support, and have
counted as certain the votes of McEnery
and Foster of Louisiana and Clark of
Arkansas. Gorman, the minority leader,
gave notice today that these Senators are
now pledged against the treaty, and it
was stated that McEnery tomorrow will
recall his telegram (authorizing- Cullom
to pair him for thej convention. It is
not expected that either he or Clark
will return to "Washington to vote. Fos
ter will remain In "Washington and vote
with his party. The Republicans had
planned to recall their absentees, but It
was reported tonight (that, even with the
full Republican strength, the necessary
two-thirds for ratification could not be
mustered. If there is no defection of Dem
ocratic votes.
A canvass of the ' Senate has not de
veloped the two-thirds affirmative votes
necessary, even counting all Republicans
an present or pairefi. If the statement
ot the- Democrats tllat. there will ba no
HvisJon Irr''ilrelr party ; proves- correct.
:j7? ;lf-the-two TSouiiiana. " Senators and
Clark of . Arkansas 'should vote against
it, there -is no chanco- of ratification of
the treaty. "
May Investigate Santo Domingo.
Because of the doubt of ratification,
which was talked of seriously today for
the first time, the suggestion was made
that action should be postponed until
after an investigation has been made of
all the conditions in Santo Domingo, in
cluding the character of tho claims and
the stability of the Dominican govern
ment and the force that would be re
quired to keep It lr tact. This proposi
tion came from-the Democrats, and credit
for originating it has been given to Mor
gan. It has not met with favor because
of the indifference to the fate of the
treaty which was expressed by a num
ber of Republican Senators. So far as
the propriety of the Senate making in
vestigation Is concerned, it was said that
the step would be unprecedented, and
that an inquiry, if one is to be had,
should be made through the President.
It is understood that the subject ot ap
pointing a commission to make tho in
quiry has not yet been presented to tho
President, and it seems assured that
there will be no postponement of the
vote unless such action meets the ap
proval of the President, which is not
deemed likely.
Bacon started to address the Senate at
5 o'clock, but had proceeded only a few
minutes when ho was seized with a se
vere attack of gastritis, and was unable
to continue. The Sonate then adjourned.
Open Session Voted Down.
Tho absence ot a quorum was sug
gested by Galllngcr when the Senate con
vened. Tho roll was called, and after
so mo delay 44 Senators, a quorum, re
sponded to their names. The Senate then
went into executive session, and the
treaty was taken up. Teller again made
a plea for an open session for the dis
cussion of law points, which, ho said,
were involved in the treaty. Ho declared
that the policy to bo embarked upon un
der the treaty would be contrary to our
form of government and a dangerous
precedent to establish. Objection was
made by Foraker to opening the doors.
Morgan discussed the Dominican, debt,
for the purpose of showing that It was
largely made up of fraudulent claims.
In the debate which followed several
Democratic Senators declared that it
would be advisable to have the doors
opened, and finally a roll call was deter
mined upon to settle this question per
manently. It resulted in a decision to
continue the. consideration of the treaty
In executive session. The vote was 34
to 13.
SENATE HEARING ON RATE BILL
Committee Will Go to Bottom of the j
Whole Question.
"WASHINGTON. March 14. Chairman
Elkins, of the Senate committee on In
terstate commerce, announced today that
the committee will begin hearings on the
railway rate subject Monday, April 17.
It Is the intention of tne committee to
first take up" the constitutional questions
regarding the right of Congress to dele
gate power to fix rates and the effect on
equalizations and differentials practiced 1
by railroads under present conditions. It
is expected that attention will be at
tracted largely to the Esch-Townsend bill.
-rchlch passed the House at the last session, '
as well -as to some other measures which.
have been, introduced in tho Senate. It
also is the intention of the committee to
conduct the hearings with all positive expedition.
PBIS0NEES WILL TOTAL 50,000
Condemned Kuropatkin's Strategy in
Wasting Opportunity.
"WITH GENERAL OKU'S HEADQUAR
TERS. March 12, 4 P. M.. via Fusan (De
layed in Transmission.) Reports received
up to last night show that over 40,000 Rus
sian prisoners have been captured by all
the Japanese armies and over 50 Russian
guns have been taken. Reports still com
ing in say that tho Russians are still sur
rendering. Thero are many villages with
in the Japanese lines yet unoccupied, and
it Is probable that they contain many
more prisoners.
Tho total number of prisoners, it Is ex
pected, will reach 50.000.
The Chinese are enthusiastically wel
coming tho Japanese into Mukden and
Japanese flags are waving- from all build
ings. The Russians have no stores between
Tic Pass and Harbin. In the last stages,
of the battle General Llnevltch's army be
came completely separated from the re
mainder of the forces.
Captured prisoners report that General
Kuropatkin believed that he was winning
the battle up to March 7, when General
Nogi pressed Mukden, strongly on the
northwest. General Kuropatkln ordered
the troops on the Shakhe to fall back
and defend Mukden, thus forfeiting an
opportunity to utilize the Sans River,
which affords a stronger and more nat
ural line of resistance than the Shakhe.
Dangerous hills command the plain and
the crossing of the wide river Itself is
dangerous on account of the partially
melted Ice. The hills are strengthened,
by a series of earth forts., connected by
deep trenches. Thl3 position was lost
on account of General Kurokt's rapid
march. Somo of the foreign military ob
servers criticise General Kuropatkin's gen
eralship severely.
Field Marshal Oyama's original plan
seems to have been to hold the Russians
along the Shakhe and work around them
with both wings, but the Japanese right
was fought to a standstill. The Russian
retreat from the Shakhe, rapidly pursued,
gave the Japanese an opening to cut the
Russian middle, surround Mukden and iso
late the Russian left.
One thousand prisoners are being
marched to Llao Tang for shipment to
Japan. They are a mixed lot, including
Poles. Mongols, Buriats and Kighis. Their
clothing and equipment Is much inferior
to that of the Japanese. The Siberians
who fought in the early months of the
war were the finest men that Russia has
had-
The Russians are voluntarily surrender
ing, making an abject spectacle.- The Jap
anese are treating them most kindly.
FRANCE CLOSES HER PURSE
Nr.w Russian Loan Postp'oned on
Variou& Pretests.
PARIS", March 14. Inquiry today at
three banks principally interested In the
proposed tiSw "Russian loan "brought the
response that it had been decided to post
pone the issue. A representative of one
of the banks- said the postponement was
for an indefinite period. The postpone
ment was attributed to the uncertainties
of the war situation.
The Temp3 says: "It was quite natural
that the Paris bankers should refuse to
sign a contract, In view of the conditions
in Manchuria and the ignorance of the
financiers concerning the real intentions
of the Russian government."
The paper declares the postponement
will continue until Russia's Intentions
become clear.
The Journal des Debats In its financial
article says: "Many people consider the
adjournment to be evidence that Russia
has reached the end of her resources-"
La Revue, an important Paris monthly,
tomorrow will publish an article appeal
ing to French Investors not to make fur
ther advances to Russia, declaring that
the war reverses may bring on a depres
sion in Russian securities, which might
prove a greater blow to French investors
than the bursting of the first Panama
bubble.
PARIS, March 14. Trading on the
Bourse today was irregular, and at the
closing the tone "was heavy, particularly
in the case of Russians, owing to the ru
mors that the proposed new loan had been
adjusted. Russian Imperial fours were
quoted at SS.50, and Russian bonds of 1904
ac 503. S
FINANCIERS MAY BRING PEACE
French Bankers' Refusal to Lend
Money Blow to Russia.
LONDON, March 15. The revolt of the
French bankers Is considered by the
London newspapers as tho most hopeful
and important news of the day, promis
ing an early conclusion of peace between
Russia and. Japan. Apparently, the pro
posed loan has not been absolutely re
fused, but only "postponed This, how
ever. Is regarded here as being tanta
mount to a refusal, and Is expected to
speak louder to the Russian war party
even than Kuropatkin's reverse at Muk
den. It is the general belief that by the
death of M. Germain, the late Governor
of the Credit Lyonnals. Russia Io3t her
strongest financial friend in France,. and
that, had he been still alive, no diffi
culty would have been experienced. "With
the American and English markets closed
to her. It 13 thought that Russia can
only turn to Germany, which is not like
ly to bo much more responsive than
France, and the only alternative would
seem to be to make peace.
It is reported here that Japan will now
demand an Indemnity of between SOO.OOO -000
and 1750,000,000.
PICKING A NEW COMMANDER
Russian Ministry Tries- to Find a
Man Who Can Win.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 14. Tho war
council held at Tsarkskoe-Selo today, at
which War Mintstnr Ralcharnff r!
Dragomiroff and others were present, la
unaerBioou. io oare aeciaca me question
of continuing the war In the affirmative.
"Ways and means were discussed, but de
cision on some points, JJt Is understood,
was' reserved. The question of Kuropat
kln'3 successor also was discussed, but
the Emperor has made no final decision.
Grand Duke Nlcbolavitch, secofld cousin
of the Emperor, and Inspector-General
of Cavalry, Is again mentioned, and Gen
eral Grippenberg is said to be a candidate,
tocother with GeneraLGrodekoff. hut- thii
weight of opinion of the Emperor's advis
ers now lavors uenerai UKnomilmorx,
Governor-General of Kleff, who former
ly was Generarl Dragomlrrbffs aide-de-
OLE LAW OEA
Congress Totally Abol
ishes Lieu Land.
DID NOT INTEND TO DO SO
No More Selections in Place of
Forest Reserve Lands.
NOT LIMITED TO TIMBER LAND
Repeal Law Changed in Conference
Is to Be More " Sweeping Than
Either House Intended
Text of Provisions. 1
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash
Ington, March 11. Without Intending to
do so. Congress has apparently repealed
the lieu land law In Its entirety. In do
ing so, It has erased from the statute
books the law which has been responsi
ble tor more fraud than any other public
land.' statute; it has put an end forever
to a system of exchanges by which the
Federal Government has actually been
cheated out of millions of dollars worth
of valuable timber land.
In the closing hours of the last Con
gress, the Senate passed a bill that had
long been on its calendar, Intended to re
strict the lieu selections to non-timbered
lands. It was a bill that had previously
been passed by the House, but which had
been amended by the Senate committee.
Because of this amendment, the bill was
sent to conference, and there It was again
altered, until It was amended out ot
shape and accomplished a very different
purpose from that it did as it passed the
House and Senate.
Terms of Act Finally Passed.
Although the bill retained lt3 title, "An
act prohibiting the selection of timber
lands In lieu of lands In forest reserves."
Its text was so changed that it not only
prohibited the selection of timber lands,
but all land3 in exchange for lands in
forest reserves. As finally-agreed to In
Congress and signed "by the" President;
the i law provides: . .y
That the acts of June 4, 1697, 2un 6..
1000, and March!' 3, 1901; arer hereby re
pealed so. far as they provide, for the relinquishment.-,
selection and patenting of
lands In lieu ot tracts covered by an un
perfected bona fide claim or patent within a
forest reserve, but the validity- of con
tracts entered Into by the Secretary of tha
Interior prior to the passage of this act
shall not be impaired; provided, that se
lections heretofore mado In lieu of lands re
linquished to the United States may be per
fected and patents issue therefor the sam
as though this act had not been passed, and
if tor any reason not the fault of the part?
making the same any pending selection is"
held Invalid another selection for a like
quantity ot land, may be made In lieu thereof.
Like all laws affecting the. public do
main, thl3 new bit of legislation ha3 been
referred to the Interior Department for
Interpretation, and in a short time a cir
cular -will be Issued fully setting fcrth.
tho purposes of the law and explaining
its meaning. "While this circular 13 not
yet completed, it Is the opinion, ot sev
eral officials of the department who have
examined the law that it Is a far more
important measure than its title implies,
and -will be much broader in its bearing.
Because oZ the phraseology of one line,
there 13 a division of opinion as to what
the law really means, but everyone- con
cedes that It does not merely- restrict
lieu selections to non-timbered lands.
Lieu Law Absolutely Repealed.
In tho opinion of most officials, the law
absolutely repeals the lieu law and puts
an end to exchanges of lands within
forest reserves for lands belonging to the
publli domain. These officials take the
broad -view. There are afew, however,
who maintain that the law will only
prohibit the making of lieu selections by
persons who Tiave not Bccurcd full title
to lands within forest reserves, and that
It will not have any effect upon lieu se
lections made by persons whoso title to
lands In reserves is complete. These offi
cials point to the wording of the law
"In lieu ot tracts covered by an nnper-
fected bona fide claim or patent" and
say that this wording is clearly intended
to mean unperfected claims or unper
fected patents. If this construction should
prevail, tho new law would bo of prac
tically no effect, but it is not believed
that such a narrow Interpretation will be
adopted, especially when the history of
the law Is looked up, for it will then be
found that the original Senate bill, more
plainly than the final law, provided "that
In cases In which a tract ot land covered
by an unperfected bona fide claim law
fully Initiated, or, by a patent," etc. It
was the evident Intention of Congress to
make the law repeal tho right of making
selections of timbered lands, and the slip
occurred when the bill was changed In
conference to prohibit tho selection not
only ot timber land, but all land.
Terms of Senate BUI:
The bill as reported to tho Senate on
January 25 embodied the principles for
which each house was striving and pro
vided as follows:
That ini eases in which a tract of land
covered by an unperfected bona tide claim
lawfully Initiated, or by & patent, is in
cluded within the limits ot a public forest
reservation hereafter created, the settler or
owner thereof may, if he desires to do so,
with the consent of the Secretary of the
Interior, relinquish the tract to tho Gov
ernment, In which case be shall be entitled
to receive from the Government compensa
tion for all' his right, title, or Interest in
the land so relinquished. Including Improve
ments thereon. If any, such sum as may be
agreed upon between the Secretary of the
Interior and the party so relinquishing.
after examination, appraisement, and re
port by an oHclal of the Department of tha
Interior: provided, that no payment or nav-
ments under the provisions of this secion
snail oe muo uuui mo ouxii or sums re-
1
Concluded on Third Page.)
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