mmn.
VOL. XLV. 20. 13,817.
POBTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, .1005.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
DNEHHEDE
Taft's Opinion of Canal
Commission.
-GIVEN TO THE PRESIDENT
He Will Submit Plan, for Bet
ter Management.
PRESIDENT AGREES WITH HIM
Rearrangement of Duties and Change
of Personnel, Says Roosevelt
Dr. Reed( Comes In for.
Severe Criticism. -
WASHINGTON, March 21.-Becreta.ry
Taft today made public a letter which he
has written to the .President concerning
complaints made by Dr. C. A. I, Reed
regarding the work o the Isthmian Canal
Commission. In the course of hie letter
Secretary Taft aid that many of the
things complained of would be remedied
by placing the control of the canal under
one head, or at least under a commission
composed of not more . than three mem
bers. He added that. he will submit to
the President in a short time a plan for
the rearrangement of the commission.
President Roosevelt In his reply said he
was glad to know that the Secretary Is
preparing a plan for the rearrangement
of the commission, and promises to give
the plan Immediate attention when re
ceived. Following is the f ull text of the Sec
retary's letter to the President, dated
March 17:
I herewith transmit th answer of tho
Commission to the charges contained In the
report of Dr. Keed to me as to "the sanitary
provisions made by the Isthmian Canal Com
mission on the Isthmus.
I think that a reading of the two docu
ments "will show what indeed was apparent
on the face of Dr. Reed's statement that
his charges against the Commission were
biased and controversial and not written in
the Judicial spirit that Inspires confidence
In their Justice and accuracy.
Dr. Keed visited the Isthmus at my request
to act as an assessor of land upon a commls
ion provided by -the treaty between Pan
ama "and the United States, but, ,as he Wftfl
thi head of "thy .American Medical Associa
tion, it seemed to me an opportunity on
his return to secure information from one
rkllled in his profession as to the existing
conditions pon the Isthmus. In response
to my -queries he was so emphatic and so
detailed in his charges that I asked htm to
make his statement in writing, which he
did. It is probable that had he taken more
time he would have been more measured in
his criticism, leas extreme in his state
ments and less flippant In his references to
the action of the Commission. The report of
Dr. Reed was published without my knowl
edge or consent.
Need Check on Expenses.
The reply of the Commission seems to
Show that a large part of the plans and the
action of the Commission, which Dr. Reed
criticised, was fully concurred In and agreed
to by Colonel Gorgas and the other medical
officers In the employ of the Commission. It
Is doubtless true that Colonel Gorgas and his
staff believed that it would be wiser to give
them an entirely free hand In the matter of
ordering construction supplies and the em
ployment of subordinates. It Is quite prob
able that, had the approval of the Com
mission in the matter of ordering construc
tion supplies been dispensed with, there
would have been fewer delays and less com
plaint on this account; but in the expendi
ture of such large sums as were necessary
for tho organization of the sanitary system,
the construction of plant and the purchase
of supplies, it may well be doubted whether
tho Commission would have been discharging
its duty In withholding such supervisory
control.
Taft's Plan of Action. 2
It is doubtless true that there have been
undue delays In the furnishing of what was
needed for sanitary purposes on the Isthmus,
but I venture to think that it Is due" rather
to the Inherent clumsiness of the Commis
sion as an executive body than the wilful
Intention of any member of that body. There
must be some restraint for purposes of econ
omy upon expenditures by an executive who
has In mind the total expenditures and obli
gations being incurred. To allow each de
partment to expend what In Its Judgment is
necessary will certainly lead to extravagance
and waste.
The remedy for the delays which may
have occurred here, it seems to me, is to be
found in a rearrangement of the Commission
with a new distribution of powers and the
conferring of the executive on one. or at the
most not more thim three, members of the
Commission, with a general supervisory and
confirmatory power in the Commission as a
body.
With your permission I will submit within
a day or so a plan for the better carrying
on of the work of the Commission which
may be embodied in a new series of in
structions. The Presidents reply, dated March
20, is as follows:
President's Opinion of Defects.
I have received your report of March 17.
together with the report of Dr. Reed and
the answer thereto made by the Commission.
It appears from this that Dr. Reed's report,
which of course should under no circum
stances have been given to the public until
you chose so to give it and until the answer
thereto had been made by the Commission,
was without your knowledge printed in the
Medical Journal. It further appears that the
statements which he thus published were in
many Instances unsupported by professional
men.
Dr. Reed has not displayed In this report
the qualities of temperament or the power of
accurate Judicial observation needed to make
a further report valuable to the Govern
ment. It Is true that he was not charged
with the duty of making such a report and
that ho was appointed to b a commissioner
to assess the value of real estate. Never
theless, when he assumed to make a report
on sanitary conditions at your request as
Secretary of "War he was under obligation to
speak with Justice on so important f subject
and to observe the propriety as to Its publi
cation. Judging from your report. It appears that
the chief difficulties that have arisen have
come from the Inherent faultiness of the law
under which the Commission was appointed.
It further appear however, that, in view of
our experience wi. the workings of the
Commission, a rearrangement of duties, and
a change of personnel in view of this re
arrangement, should be made.' I am glad
that you are shortly to submit to me & plan
with these objects In view.
Lieut. Mohn's Sentence Approved.
WASHINGTON, March 2L The Presl
missal imposed on Eecond Lieutenant Al
bert J. Mohn. Fourth Cavalry, by a gen
eral court-martial convened at Jefferson
Barracks, St. Louis, on conviction of con
duct unbecoming and 'officer and gentle
man. This officer had written letters to
the President alleging that a number of
his superior officers in the Department of
the Missouri were engaged In a conspir
acy to force him out of tho Army.
CABINET CONSIDERS CANAL.
Burt Is Most Likely Choice for Man
ager, Wallace to Remain.
"WASHINGTON, March 21. Questions
relating to the Isthmian Canal and the
reorganization of the Canal Commis
sion occupied much of the attention of
the Cabinet at today's meeting. No
definite announcement was made at the
conclusion or tne meeting regarding tnc
canal question other than that a state
ment on the general subject of the de
cisions reached will be made prior to
the President's departure on his South
western trip. It is stated that the
name of Horace G. Burt, former presi
dent of the Union Baciflc Railroad, Is
under consideration for the position of
executive head, of the commission, hut
It has not been decided yet whether he
will accept the place.
His appointment would Interfere In
no respect with the retention at the
head of the engineering work of the
present chief engineer, "Wallace, who,
assisted by probably two other engi
neers, will have control of the prac
tical engineering of the canal con
struction. It is the desire of the Pres
ident and of Secretary Taft to make
Mr. Burt the business head of the Canal
Commission, and build up around him
such an organization as he would re
quire to accomplish the great work he
would undertake as head of the com
mission. His salary, it Is Intimated,
will not exceed 325,000 a. year. Some
details of the reorganization of the
commission remain yet to be worked
out.
It has not been determined definitely
whether the President has authority to
reduce the number of the Commission
ers, but if it should be decided he has
tho number will be reduced. It is said
to be not unlikely that Barclay Par
sons and "William H. Burr, two of the
engineers now members of the Com
mission, will be retained as assistants
to Engineer "Wallace. In other re
spects the Commission's personnel will
be changed entirely.
SEEKS FRIENDSHIP OF FRANCE
German Sets In Russia's Humiliation
"a Favorable Opportunity.
LONDON, March 2L The Dally Chron
icle this morning claims to have the au
thority of the German Embassy at Lon
don for stating that Germany is anxious
for a reconciliation with France and that
Emperor "William la desirous of getting on
terms of closest friendship with the
French government.
According to a high official of the Em
bassy whom the Dally Chronicle inter
"Viewed, the present moment Is consid
ered most opportune to arrive at such an.
understanding, the Russo-Japanese war
having "entirely changed the political sit
uation. Germany, this official pal a. had
reason to consider the Franco-Russian al
liance as directed against herself ""fl in.
that case the rnotlve of German overtures
to France might have been misjudged.
Now, however, it will be impossible for
Russia to engage in war with Germany
for years to come, even If she wished, and
therefore. If the question of revengo Is
buried, there Is nothing to prevent Ger
many and France from shaking hands
and inaugurating an era. of peace and
good will.
Prince Henry's visit to France to see
the James Gordon Bennett automobile
race will bo the first official visit of jt
Prussian Prince since the war, and the
relations of tho two countries never have
been better. Germany has no territorial
designs on Morocco and no desire to em
barrass French political ambitions, her
only wish being- to open the door and to
guarantee her large commercial Interests.
SYRIANS MIST LEAVE HAYTI
Black Republic Yields to Hatred
They Have- Inspired.
PORT ATJ PRINCE, Haytl, March 2L
Public notice is made In the Official Mon
Iteu today that Syrian traders must set
tle their affairs, cease .trading and leavo
the country by April 1. Their legations
must designate the liquidators.
American Minister Powell, on being
questioned, said that the Interests of
of Syrians who have genuine American
naturalisation papers will be protected.
The French, British and Dominican lega
tions will protect those under their juris
diction. Syrians who lare Ottoman sub
jects, having "vainly appealed for protec
tion td tho United States and French le
gations, will probably bo expelled In a
body. Those who remain under the pro
tection of the several legations will be in
danger of personal violence, as they are
hated by the populace.
Not AH Syrians Are Affected.
"WASHINGTON. March 2L Jackson U.
Ralston, of this city, who was umpire of
the Italian-Venezuelan Mixed Commis
sion, .which considered the Gaunt mines
and other awards, called on Acting Sec
retary of State Adee today In regard to
the order that Syrian traders must settle
their affairs and leave Haytl by April 1.
Syrians In this country believe the order
is of a general nature and will affect all
Syrians trading In .Haytl. Mr. Adee, how
ever. Is of the opinion that the order
concerns only those about whom the de
partment has had correspondence. He
cabled to Minister Powell for his inter
pretation of the order, and, pending a
reply, nothing will be done by this Gov
ernment. NEW ISLAND RISES FROH SEA
Volcano Raises It, and Japan
Promptly Hoists Her Flag.
SPECIAL. CABLE.
TOKIO, March 2L Amid loud rumb
lings and clouds of various col
ored smoke, a new Island gradu
ally emerged from the sea off the Island
of Iwo. It has been many weeks since
the first signs of the upheaval were no
ticed, and the inhabitants of Iwo have
watched the phenomenon with an Interest
akin to awe.
A venturesome party of Japanese
finally rowed to the newly formed Island
and raised the Japanese flag. The new
acquisition to the Mikado's territory is
an Island two and three-fourths miles in
circumference, and rises to a height of
4S0 feet above the sea. It has been, named
DHIVEN TO PESCE
Rather That Than Yield
Their Privileges,
SAY RUSSIAN NOBLES
France Has Forced Bureau
crats to Discuss Terms.
BLUFF AT CONTINUING WAR
Preparations Only a Prelude to Ne
gotiations Kuro'patkin Accepts
Subordinate Command,
but Is Distrusted.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 22. (1 A.
31.) General Kuropatkin has been ap
pointed commander of the First Man
churl na Army. The appointment I
gazetted In the Official Messenger to
day. CHICAGO. III., March 2L (Special.) A
special cablegram to the Dally News from
Tsarskoe-Selo says:
France's refusal to lend Russia more
money without the Indorsement of a na
tional assembly has Induced the bureau
cracy to prefer peace to resigning Its pre
rogatives. Tha spreading, of agrarian
troubles has converted both landowners
and nobility Into active anti-war parti
sans. The Czar presided over a meeting
held yesterday to discuss peace terms.
One of the most prominent members of
the committee said to the Daily News
correspondent as he left the conference:
"Tho mobilizing of further troops, the
equipment and dispatch of the navy to
the Far East and the improvement of the
Trans-Siberian Railway before making
any attempt to negotiate peace terms In
dicate that there will be a limit? to the
concessions that will be made, and that
beyond that limit the war must go on.
Russia is succumbing to an unholy alli
ance of cosmopolitan high finance, inter
national Socialism and Jewish perfidy."
While the country at largo commends
Xuropatkin's .conduct 1n, desiring to re
main at the front and to serve under Gen
eral XJnlevifch, General DragomlrofTa
friend, Prince Eristoff, said this morning:
1 know Kuropatkla. He Is subtle. I do
not trust his assumption of humility. X
hope Admiral Alexieffs friend. General
XJnlcvltch, win not consent to his pres
ence with tho army."
"MUST NOT TAKE MANCHURIA
America Leads Neutral Powers In
Giving Pledge to China.
SPECIAL. CABLE.
KOBE, March 2L According to the
Pekln correspondent of the Malnlcbl
Shimbun, one of the leading Tokio pa
pers, United States Minister Conger has
notified the Chinese government that In
future no power will permitted to acquire
territory in Manchuria. It Is also said
that in this policy America Is supported
by Great Britain, France, Germany, Bel
glum, Austria, Hungary and Italy.
PLACES HIS COUNTRY FIRST
Kuropatkin Voluntarily Takes Com
mand Under Former Subordinate.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 22. 2:20 A.
M.) The Russian army In Manchuria Is
still to have the services of General Ku
ropatkin, who Is considered by many, In
splto of his series of reverses, the best
general and foremost strategist of the
Russian army. Sinking all feeling of
personal bitterness because of his super
session and all the old-time enmity be
tween himself and General Llnlevitch In
a patriotic- desire to be of service to
the fatherland, the ex-Commander-in-Chief
volunteered to remain in any ca
pacity with the army which he had so
long commanded. The tender has been
accepted by Emperor Nicholas and grate
fully received by the new leader of the
grand army.
Tho change exactly reverses the old
order of affairs, when Kuropatkin was
the supreme leader and IJnlevltch. direct
ed the first army.
Authoritative news of this remarkable
step was known In Manchuria, much ear
lier than in St. Petersburg. General Ku
ropatkin, having paused on his homeward
journey at Harbin, started southward the
afternoon of March 20 amid a more re
markable farewell from residents of Har
bin and soldiers who are on the way to
fill out the ranks of the depleted army.
The send-off was a mere foretaste of
what awaits General Kuropatkin at the
front; and his self-sacrificing determina
tion and the equally patriotic course of
General Llnlevitch in accepting the serv
ices tendered are bound to do wonders for
the relnsplratlon of the Emperor's legions
and give promise of union and harmony
at the council table which that army has
hitherto lacked.
The retreat Is apparently progressing
uneventfully. No dispatches of moment
were received yesterday.
Little weight Js placed here on the de
duction drawn at certain European capi
tals from the dispatch announcing that
cannonading had been heard south of Tie
Pass; that General RennenkampfTs corps,
endeavoring to rejoin the main army, had
been Intercepted south of Tie Pass. As
stated yesterday morning, the ditch In
question undoubtedly was erroneous, and
It may be pointed out that several corre
spondents at tho front have mentioned
the orderly retreat of General IJnlevi ten's
army and asserted that it effected a Junc
tion at Tie Pass with scarcely a straggler
missing, but made no mention of the ab
sence of so well known a fighter as Rea-
JLnenkaxnptt Ja - addition jLh..
Pres3 correspondent, who was with Ren
nenkampfTs command during the battle,
has arrived at general headquarters
slightly wounded. .
Preparations are now making for mob
ilization of a number of detachments, not,
however, on a general scale, the orders
affecting but 21 districts In the govern
ments of Odessa, Warsaw and Moscow.
The grenadiers havo not recleved orders
to proceed to Manchuria, but many o Ul
cers of that organization, drafted to
command units and now bound for the
front, left Moscow yesterday.
OVATION GIVEN KUROPATKIN
Population of Harbin Cheers Him on
Return to the Front.
HARBIN. March 21. 3 A. SI.) At the
departure south of General Kuropatkin
crowds of thousands of civilians and sol
diers gathered at the station and gave
him a great ovation. Above thundering
hurrahs were heard cries of "God send
you happiness," "Good bye, brother,"
"Good bye, father." As the train started,
soldiers rushed forward, in a surging
crowd and grasped the handrail of the
General's car, h rowing their caps In the
alr and running some distance with the
car.
The sccno made a deep impression on
General Kuropatkin, down whose face
tears streamed. Removing- his cap. he
saluted again and again and stood bare
headed on the platform as long as the
train was in sight.
Residents of Harbin are uneasy and
many of them are leaving. Chinese ; are
withdrawing their deposits from Chinese
banks here.
WILL RAISE RUSSIAN- SHIPS
Japan Lets Contract at Port Arthur
Variag- Under Repairs.
VICTORIA, B. C 'March ZL Tho
steamer Hyades brought news from
Japan that an English company has been
awarded a contract to raise the sunken
ships at Port Arthur. There was some
talk of making a cofferdam at the harbor
mouth and pumping out the water, but
this plan was abandoned in favor of
placing cofferdams about eacb of tne
sunken craft, by which means. It is
claimed, every vessel, with the possible
exception of the Sevastopol, can be
raised and repaired.
The former Russian cruiser Variag;
sunk at Chemulpo, has been raised and
brought to Nagasaki. She is being rapidly
repaired with a view to arming and com
missioning her under the Japanese flag.
JAPAN WANTS SAKHALIN BACK
Agitation for Expedition to Recap
ture Ceded Island.
VICTORIA, B. C. March 2L Advices
received by the steamer Hyades today
state that an expedition may be sent
from Hokkaido to capture the. Island of
Sakhalin, regarding which the Japanese
feel that they were cheated when Russia
forced an exchange for the JCurilee. The
Japanese shared th fishing, .privileges,
which net d mllUrn end. a hall dollars a
COHTENTS OF TODAYS PAPER
The "Weather.
TODAY'S Occasl cnal rain; southwest winds.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 40
desr.; minimum, 40. Precipitation. 0.6S
inch.
The War la tho Tar East.
Russian bureaucrats driven to m&ke peace
br terms dictated for French loan. Page 1.
ICnropatkln returns to the army &a sub
ordinate commander. Page 1
Llnlevitch preparing to bold new lino of de
fense. Pas L
Japan raisins sunken ships at Port Arthur.
Page 1.
Pcreiga.
Strikes and peasant revolts renewed In Rus
sia. Page 5.
Large majorities In French Chamber for
separation of church and state. Page 4.
Germany seeks reconciliation with France.
Page 1.
Balfour refuses to make fiscal question a
party issue. Page 3.
Kossuth will obstruct government of Hun
gary till demands are granted. Page 3.
.New Island rises In Japan Be a. Page 1.
Jules Verne at point of death. Page 4.
Xatloaal.
President announces bis Intention to change
Canal Commission. Page 1.
Government calls for arbitration of Vene
zuelan dispute with alternative of force.
Page X. t
Fears that European powers may Intervene
In Eanto Domingo. Page 4.
Politics.
Colorado bribery committee condemns Mor
gan and be may be expelled. Page 4.
Domestic:
Great precautions for secrecy la beef trust
Investigation. Page 5.
Dressmakers rise In revolt against Paris
fashions. Page 2.
2illwaukee road will begin extension to the
Coast this year. Page 1.
Fifty-five dead and 45 missing Is result of
Brockton disaster. Page S.
Tornado spreads death and ruin In Alabama.
Page 1.
Sports.
Battling Kelson's manager says Brttt de
manded his man should lay down In fight.
Page 7.
Pacific Coast.
Puget Sound has a "Barnes" in well-bred,
well-mannered Clyde B. Clancy, a thief.
Page 6.
Referendum petitions are being Industriously
signed In Yamhill County. Page 6.
Sheriff Unvllte at Astoria has shut down
all gambling. Page 6.
Southern Oregon District Good Roads Con
vention at Grant's Pass. Page 5.
Portland and Vicinity.
Flans for opening day at the Fair are per
fected. Page 14.
France asks for more space at the Exposi
tion. Page 14.
Dispute of Longshoremen and Sailors Union
gets Into court through arrests made
Page 12. - .
Children will help the Civic Improvement
Board. Page 1L
National Good Roads Convention Is assured
Portland. Page 10.
Dr. Patton finds that Orientals understand
imagery of the Bible. Page 10.
Plans for the big revival meetings in Port
land are announced. Page 10.'
Democrats axe boosting Dr. Lane for nom
inee for Mayor. Page 11,
Prohibitionists declare they will not sup
port Albee. Page 0.
Many prominent Republicans are aspirants
for nomination as Governor. Page 10.
Opposition may unite to beat W. V. Jobes for
Mayor of St. Johns. Page 14.
Commrrclal aad Maria e.
February record month, for Imports. Page 13.
Stock speculation restricted. Page 13.
Boston wool market strong but quiet.
Page 15.
Strong wheat marker at Chicago. Page 13.
High-grade potatoes Arm at. Sah Francisco.
Page 15.
Oriental demand for flour revives. -Pare 7.
HE MUST SETTLE
United States Makes De
mand on Castro.
OFFER TO ARBITRATE
But Restrictions Named by
Venezuela Are Rejected.
COERCION THE ALTERNATIVE
Rights of American Concessionaires
Asserted Holland Threatens to
Whip Castro France Awaits
Court Decision.
WASHINGTON. March 2L-In calling
upon President Castro for aa answer to
his proposition to submit to arbitration
the Issues between the United States and
Venezuela, Mr. Bowen Is acting" in con
nection with Instructions from the State
Department, which have recently been
placed la his Hands. II r. Bowen made a
proposition of this kind to the Venezuelan
Foreign Office several months ago, and
mere was an exchange of notes on the
subject, but Its further consideration was
cut off by the abrupt departure from the
capital of President Castro at a moment
when his own decision was required. The
Venezuelan government, at that stage,
had made a counter proposition to Mr.
Bowen, looking to the arbitration of the
dispute by The Hague tribunal, but with.
tne important qualification that the tribu
nal should arbitrate as a preliminary the
question as to whether or not tha United
States Government had the right, under
International law, to Intervene at all, as
unaer the Venezuelan, government s
claims the American concessionaires must
look to Venezuela for their protection.
This was construed here as an at
tempt to brng- into play the old Calvo
declaration, which the United States
has resolutely and repeatedly refused
to accept In Its negotiations with
Southern republics. So Mr. Bowen re
ported to the State Department the
fact of President Castro's departure
ana asked, for Instructions. These
were prepared with great care, after
Attorney-General Moody had. unon
call from the President, furnished an.
opinion to the effect that the proceed
ings in the Venezuelan courts Ihvolv
Ing the asphalt company's properties
were so irregular as to amount prac
.ticaily to a denial of Justice. There
fore, Mr. Bowen was told to renew
his proposition for a free arbitration
of the Issues between Venezuela, and
the United States at the first "oppor
tunity, and this. It appears, he has
now done.
Several Cases to Settle.
Besides the New York and Bermudes
asphalt case, there are three other
matters which are suggested as proper
subjects for arbitration, namely, the
uriicaneta claim, also based on an as
phalt concession; the claim of the Orl
noco Steam Navigation Company,
based on a violated franchise, and tha
claim of a newspaper correspondent
for damages arising from his summary
expulsion from Venezuela.
If President Castro rejects this last
offer of Mr. Bowen to arbitrate these
cases, It Is expected that the American
Minister will promptly report that fact
to the State Department, and it will be
determined what course to pursue. The
Ministers presentment of this matter.
therefore, is not an actual ultimatum.
for the way Is still open for further
negotiations if the Department decides
tnat the time has not yet arrived to
withdraw Its Minister and adopt some
coercive measures.
Coercion as Last Resort.
There was great reluctance on the
part of officials to adopt the latter
course, but the situation la believed to
be such that unless the .Department is
willing to submit to the complete effa ce
ment of the American claims, some action
must be taken soon.
The reported arrangement whereby
president Castro, through his agent;
Benor Veluuna, ' has agreed to set
apart 50 per cent of all the Vene
zuelan customs receipts outside of
the ports of La Guayara and Port Ca
bello to eatlsfy German bondholders,
would. If consummated, it is feared, make
it Impossible to secure a single cent from
Venezuela for the payment of any Just
American claims, for there would be no
surplus, the remaining 50 per cent of the
revenues being required for the eupport
of the Venezuelan Government.
Reports have been arriving here for
some time that many of the DeoDle of
Venezuela are penniless and in ' need of
food. One foreign diplomat there recently
reported that conditions were Indescrib
able and that the strict censorship on
everytmng sent out prevented the world
from knowing the actual condition of af
fairs. All foreigners were closely watched.
No official Information has reached here
regarding the seizure of the Italian coal
mines nor has the French Embassy been
advised further regarding the affairs of
the French Cable Company.
FRANCE HAS TAKEN NO ACTION
Will Not Send Warships, Thinking
America Has Better Right.
PARIS, March 21. The Foreign Of
fice says the French Minister at Cara
cas has not presented an ultimatum to
Venezuela, and no French warships
have been sent to Venezuela. The
statement to that effect results from
the publication In London newspapers
of dispatches saying the presentation
of an ultimatum had been followed by
the dispatch of two warships. The of
ficials here are surprised and displeased
at the reports, which they construe as
tending to force the hand', of France
Into a more aggressive and belligerent
policy than France contemplates.
The United States occupies the best
position In which to send warships,
owing- to the length- of time the Ameri
can controversy with Venezuela has
been pending, whereas the French cofr-
troversy Is of comparatively recent
origin and nas not yet been decided by
the courts.
The instructions sent to the. French
Minister atCaracas directed, that dlplo
rtittVrs
to the holding- up of, the vested rfgbts
of the cable company, but did not con
template threats or an ultimatum, as
the authorities say the affair has no
gravity calling- for steps of such a
warlike character.
Up to noon today neither the For
eign Office nor the cable company has
received the expected decision of the
Caracas court upon the French Cable
Company's concession.
The Council of Ministers met this
morning, and Foreign Minister Del
casse lengthily detailed the relations
with Morocco, but the statement re
garding the proceedings of the Coun
cil does not mention Venezuela. This
means that- no action will be taken
pending the receipt of information as
to the Caracas court's decision.
The cable company during the day re
ceived a dispatch from M. Bran, the com
pany's manager at Caracas, saying that
tho court's expected decision was not giv
en today. He reported the general condi
tions" to be quiet.
MUST ARBITRATE OR FIGHT
Demands by United States and 'Hol
land on Castro.
WILLEMSTADT. Island of Curacoa.
March 2L The Venezuelan government.
It is announced from Caracas, has re
ceived a note from the American Minister,
Mr. Bowen, requiring an answer as to
whether Venezuela will arbitrate the ques
tions pending, and saying that In case of
a refusal the United States will feel free
to take the step which may be necessary
to secure Justice.
The Charge d'Affalres of the. Nether
lands has advised the Venezuelan govern
ment that Holland will use coercive
measures in view of the fact that she
has been unable to secure the release
from Imprisonment in Venezuela of five
Dutch sailors who have been illegally
kept in -prison for seven months.
SPURN SOCKEEELLER'S HONEY
New England Preachers Make Unique
Petition to Mission Board.
BOSTON, March a. Congregational
ministers, representing Boston and vari
ous sections of New England, have for
warded to the American Board of Com
missioners for Foreign Missions a pro
test against the acceptance by the board
of a gift of $100,000 from John D. Rocke
feller. The petition, which was prepared
by a committee chosen at a meeting of
the clergymen, protests against the ac
ceptance of the gift on the ground that
the Standard Oil Company, of which Mr.
Rockefeller Is the head,, "stands before
the publlo under repeated and recent
formidable Indictments in specific terms
for methods which are morally iniquitous
and socially destructive," and that "the
acceptance of suoh a gift involves the
constituents of tha board in a relation
implying honor toward the donor, and
subjects the board to tha charge of Ig
noring the moral issues Involved." In
conclusion .tho protest says:
"We, the undersigned, therefore pro
test against any action by which pur
church may even seem to be compro
mised, and we plead with the officers of
the board to decline the gift or to return
it If it "has been accepted."
- Amonar the signers are: , Dantel Evans.
Cambridge Edward 2. Sanderson, Provi
dence. B, I.; George -ft. Guttersln. Derry,
N. H. ; :N. Voaderpyl, Marblehead, Mass.;
Reuben Thomas, Brookllne. and James
S. "Williamson, Haverhill.
WORST HOOD m 3CANY YEAES
Swollen Rivers Swamp the Pittsburg
Mills and Drive People Away.
PITTSBURG, March 2L Pittsburg is
threatened with one of the worst floods
in years. At U o'clock tonight Fore
caster Frank Ridgway predicted over 30
feet of water In the river. He does not
expect over 85 feet, if that much.
During the early hours today the
water began to recede from the rise in
the Allegheny, but a fresh Impetus was
given to the rushing torrents by a rain
fall of nearly two Inches over the entire
watershed of the Monongahela River. To
night about GO miles above Pittsburg the
Monongahela Is rising eight inches an
hour, and at the harbor here the gauges
show a rise of nearly three Inches an
hour.
Already a number of mills have shut
down as a result of the water putting out
the fires. From three to five feet more
of water is expected up the valley, and
a total of3),C00 men are liable to Idle
ness. Hundreds of houses on the South Side
and in McKeesport ana other suburbs of
this city are surrounded by from two
to eight feet of water, the occupants
living in the second stories. In some
places the water has entered the upper
rooms and homes are being abandoned
for the time being. No fatalities have
been reported.
TORNADO TAKES NINE LIVES
Tears Through Alabama, Wrecking
Houses and Slaying' Occupants.
ROANOKE, Ala., March 2L Reports
have reached here of. one of the "most
disastrous storms that ever visited that
section, which swept across the southern
part of Randolph County late last night.
Eight or nine lives are known to have
been. lost and damage amounting to thou
sands of dollars was done to property.
The tornado started at a point near Dou
ble Heads and proceeded in a northwest
erly course.
The residence of Mack Carlisle was de
molished and R. C Haynes, of Roanoke,
was killed. Three negroes were killed
and several Injured, on the "Wilson planta
tion. Thre or four negroes were killed
on the Holly plantation, near Rock Mills.
At Lime Postofflce a store wa3 demol
ished and a little white girl, daughter of
a Mr. Lucas, was killed and her mother
seriously Injured.
Details of the storm are difficult to
obtain on account of wires being down.
Kentucky Grand Jury Bulldozed.
LEXINGTON, Ky March 2L The In
quiries into the case of Hargls and Calla
hans, charged with conspiracy In the mur
der of Cockrell, for the purpose of decid
ing the question of admitting them to
ball, was resumed today. A. O. Bowman,
foreman of the Breathitt County grand,
jury, when the grand Jury was investigating-
the case against Will Britten for kill
ing Cockrell, for which he was after!
wards given a life-term sentence, gave
sensational evidence. Bowman said that
Riley Coldiron had Just given sensational
testimony against Brit'ton. when Alexis
Hargls rushed Into the grand jury-room,
and by threats and angry attitude com
pelled, the grand jury to adjourn. After
vain etforls on the part of Britton's
friends to get the jury to investigate a
charge of perjury brought by Britton's
friends against Coldiron, Bowman said,
the case was dropped and never resumed
I V hrra throngs Xsr,.
ON TO THE CUT
Milwaukee Road De
cides to Extend.
PRESIDENT ADMITS FACT
Will Construct 300 Miles of
Road This Year. -
ACTION FORCED BY HILL LINES
Refusal of Traffic Agreement Caused
Decision to Proceed With Con
struction to Portland and
' Puget Sound.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.. March 2L (Spe
cial.) The admission of President A. J.
Earllng, of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul Railroad, today that an early
extension of the Milwaukee system to
the Pacific Coast Is a possibility makes
practically certain the consummation of
the much mooted plan that will give
Portland, Seattle and Tacoma terminals
of a new railroad. Heretofore the Mil
waukee interests have emphatically de
nied that there was an lota of truth In
the statements regarding the proposed ex
tension, but today In his private car,
surrounded by seven New York finan
ciers, among them two members of the
Rockefeller family, Mr. Earllng made the
brief assertion that he would not now
deny the report.
E. G. and P. A. Rockefeller, Mr. Van
Wyck, L. Sackett, F. B, Adams, C. E.
Sullivan and I. B. Jaun, all railroad in
vestors, composed the party which had
Just returned from a tour to Chamberlain.
S. D., In Mr. Earllng's private car. While
in the latter city, which la the present
Western terminus of the Milwaukee, it Is
known that they gave serious thought
and Investigation to the proposed exten
sion to the Coast.
It can also be said on unquestionable
authority that plans have been made to
begin the construction, of the extension
within a month and that 300 miles of road
bed will be- put in. shape for rails during
tho. coming- Summer
It has developed that tha Rockefellers
have been forced to make the extension.
Until a few days ago they hoped to effect
traffic arrangements with the Hill inter
ests that would save'them. the trouble of
building any until that recent day, and
their denials were made in good faith,
but now their hope has vanished and they
will extend the Milwaukee.
THREE NATIONS DIVIDE I0AN
United States and Britain Join Ger
many in Lending to Japan.
BERLIN, March 2L The new Japanese
foreign loan will be divided among three
nations, the United States, Great Britain
and Germany participating. The amount
will depend upon how much the bankers
here and elsewhere will guarantee to dis
pose of, but probably it will not be less
than $30,000,000, of which amount Ger
many is likely to take $13,000,000, although
this is still undetermined.
'The security offered by Japan Includes
the customs previously uncovered and the
railroads. Baron Takahashl, the Japan
ese financial agent, was correct In say
ing that Japan was not negotiating with
Berlin direct. She has no agent here.
The Deutsche Aslatlsche Bank: Is con
ducting the business In connection with
the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Cor
poration -through London.
The German government, the Associated
Press is informed, gave its approval in
advance to part of the loan being- taken
here. The Japanese government desires
to broaden the base of its foreign credit
and interest Germany in the affairs of
Japan so as to counterbalance to some
extent the material reasons for Ger
many's wishing Russia to succeed. Japan
would be glad If the French bankers had
taken some of the bonds for the same
reason, but that naturally Is excluded
from consideration. As it Is, the bank
group here which supports Russian credit,
Mendelssohn & Co., H. Bleichroeder, tha
Berliner Handelsgesellschaft and Robert
Warscauer & Co., takes no direct part In
the loan. IJs interests are identified
with those of Russia-
Loan Will Bring Good Price.
NEW YORK, March 21. Progress is
being made in the negotiations for a new
Japanese loan, and it Is believed the
bonds will be offered for sale shortly.
Bankers here and id Europe are consid
ering the , final details, today, and will
very likely offer the Issue .t a price con
siderably higher than the flotation of last
November, when the bonds were offered
at S3. While the New York bankers In
terested would not say just . what price
will be made, it was said that a short
term of 6 per cent Issue- would command
a price considerably above 90 by reason
of Japan's increased prestige and the
popularity of such an Issue with Ameri
can investors.
Bodies Recovered From Mine.
THURMOND. W. Va., March 2L The
search for bodies of the victims of the
explosions Saturday In the Rush Run and
Ash Fork mines was continued today.
Eleven bodies have been recovered from
the mine. Four bodies were those of
Ernest Philips, K. Mosely, Brack Jarrett
and Crocket Hutchlngson. The seven
bodies recovered yesterday were those of
Thomas Banister, Charles F. Wynn,
James G. Wynn, George HopkIn3, N- W
Henson, Norwood Hutchlngson and Peter
Hutchlngson.
Oregon Mining Company in Maine.
AUGUSTA, MeU March 2L (Special.)
The Calumet & Oregon Mining Company
has been incorporated here with a cap
ItaTof ?2,50,000. W. S. Lee, L. J. Cole
man. B. F. Whittum, H. M. Heath and
L. Andrews, of this city, are named as
the incorporators, the names' of the real
promoters- npt belny disclosed.