Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1905)
VOL. XIV. KO. 13,825. POBTLAISTD, OREGON, FREDDY, MAECH 31, 1905. PRICE FIVE CENTS. MANQFTHEHOUH Roosevelt Chosen Mediator as BY BOTH NATIONS He Will Arrange Pre liminaries for Peace. SLAV WAR PARTY STRONG Japan Will Demand Territory .-.and Indemnity. LOSER- MUST PAY FOR WAR Her Minister to London Says She Can Hold Manchuria Against Russia Indefinitely at Small Cost. SPECIAL. CABLE. LOXDOX March 31. The St. Pctew burgr correspondent of the London Times, cabling lute Jiwt night, states that he has been informed on unim peachable authority that both Japan aad Russia have decided upon Presi dent Roosevelt as the mediator to tvliom shall be referred the questions to be decided to brine about peace. AceordlnK to the correspondent, an announcement of an armistice can be expected soon. LONDON. March CO. (8:35 P. M) Peace talk Is prevalent everywhere, but that negotiations havo commenced 1b 8tlll.,pJtiyely' denied loaU-jofflclal circle here. Iflie" Foreign ?frico disclaims oyer having any-knowJadcei of -peac.? proposals. It is quite cvld'eriCTweverj tnat, -while the first definite 'steps may bo taken at any minute, an advance further than In dicated In the Associated Press dispatches may he postponed Indefinitely. Baron Hayashl, the Japanese Minlstor, declared to the Associated Press this af ternoon that ho had no information in regard to the announcement contained in the St. Petersburg dispatches of the As sociated Press that Russia had Indirectly made known to Japan the negative condi tions on -which peace might be concluded, namely, no cession of territory and no In demnity, leaving Japan to determine whether peace negotiations could be be gun upon that bajis, but ho said un reservedly that the terms mentioned could not even be considered and added: "A cession of territory and an indem nity are the only points negotiable, as Japan's ante-bellum demands -have al ready been secured by Japan." Russia Must Pay Cost of War. M. Takahasbi, the Japanese special financial commissioner, in an interview today said to the Associated Press: "The -war cost between $230,000,000 and 5300,000.000 the flrst year and it is esti mated that it -will cost 5350,000,000 during the present year. It would be unpre cedented in tbo history of great wars that no indemnity and no territory be given up by tho vanquished. While it is beyond my province to discuss terms of peace, I can express my personal opinion that.- as the war was forced upon Japan, it la not likely that sho will waive the right,to an indemnity and cession of ter ritory when concluding peace. "What in demnity will be demanded I cannot say, but it is my private opinion that it will at least cover the expenses ot the war. "If Russia assumes that a continuance ot the war will depleto onr finances be fore hers, It will bo another mistake of judgment on her part. We can maintain a sufficient army in Manchuria to keep out the Russians indefinitely, but this will necessitate Japanese remaining In Man churia and administering the province on a war footing, which we do not desire Manchuria Is fertile and productive and an army can bo maintained there more economically than in the case of the op posing force in Siberia. If Russia is pre pared for the test of a war of finances, we are willing. The longer the war lasts, the more certain it will be that it will not be resumed." China May Soon Defy Russia. M. Takahashi spoke interestingly re garding Internal conditions in China since the Chino-Japanese war. He; said China was awakening. The GovcVnmerii was making rapid strides along the lines on which Japan had developed. China was sending pupils abroad to study and bring in foreign instructors. Many of these were Japanese and a rapprochement be tween the two countries was steadily be ing effected. The Manchus were delighted with tho Japanese administration wher ever it was In force, because they found no lawlessness and perfect Justice. The Chinese government, M. Takahashi atided, proposes reorganizing the army of China and recreating its navy. The Jap anese believe that within ten years China will be able to defy Russia. In this connection a foreign office offi cial said to the Associated Press today that he believed Japan would occupy Har bin and also maintain the nucleus of a garrison in Manchuria by an arrangement with China for a period of years after the war. He added -that there was not the cllchtut sb$;Jha$ ,tbq Jajjanes X03XdJgui maintain the open door and refrain from, all active manipulation of the Mancburiaa. .government, as they had declared at the beginning of hostilities. CZAR MUST DECLARE HIMSELF Definite Steps Needed to Secure Peaces-Indemnity Is Essential. PARIS. March 00. Regarding the state ment telegraphed " from St. Petersburg that Russia's negative conditions prece dent to peace negotiations nave been made known to Japan, a personage who is con versant with Japan's attitude in the mat ter said to the Associated Press today: "Russia's evident desire for pease la observable to Japan, the same as to the rest of the world, and Japanese states men doubtless possess superior facilities to correctly estimate the peace tendencies In responsible Russian quarters. Japan knows that Russia wants peace without indemnify, without humiliation, and with out .Tlgorous terms. But this does not fulfill tho requirements necessary to the initiation of peace. On the contrary. If Russia wants peace, certain definite steps are necessary. It is essential that Em--peror Nicholas personally pronounce him self for peace, as Japan is fully aware that he is the sole autocratic power. Af ter that, instead of a vague intimation, it will be essential to adopt the usual for malities of suing for peace. "Concerning indemnity, no one is au thorized to state the amount which Ja pan will claim; but it is clear that some very substantial indemnity is necessary as compensation for Russia's causing Ja pan to engage in a costly war. Concern ing other terms, these are varying as the campaign progresses, and the taking of Vladivostok will ma'kc further material changes in the conditions on which peace will be possible." It can be said definitely that Franco has not acted as an intermediary In In formal approaches, whereby the govern ments of St. Petersburg and Toklo were several days ago made aware of the gen eral attitude of each other. Foreign Min ister Dclcasse has said within the last 24 hours that nothing whatever In the way of a tangible peace proposition from either side has come to his knowledge. Ho is sincerely hopeful that some such proposition will materialize, but considers, the present movement entirely too vaguo and lacking in responsibility to Inspire much prospect of success. , JAPANESE SAY RUSSIA IS BLIND Ready for Another Year's Fighting to Open Her Eyes. TOKIO, March 30. The various rumors of peace negotiations emanating from Europe and the United States are widely published and commented on here. Ap parently they do not affect the attitude of the Japanese government and "people toward the war. The press re-echoes tho announced determination of Japan -to1 vig orously phjV military operations, un moved arai;53rred by discussions of events in ltursia'or elsewhere. The Jijl declares that the Slav rev-ernes have not affected Russia. Emperor Nich olas, tho paper adds. Is unwilling to sac rifice thO prestige of his house or sur render tho position of controlling influ ence Russia has heretofore bold over tho powers of Europe. Field Marshal Oyama's army will continue Its forward movement and not glvo Russia a breath ing moment. The Kokumln pronounces the war to be senseless and wasteful on the part ot Russia, but, the paper says, if she chooses to shut her eyes to the light of reason, Japan will profit by her blindness. The Nichl Nichl says France alone is ca pable of taking the initiative In persuad ing Russia to negotiate for peace, but the Nichl Nichl doubts It Russia would accept France's advice, "because tho pcaco .terms will mean tho death of the bureaucracy, and the bureaucracy Is not committing suicide." In conclusion the Nlchi Nichl says: "In the meantime the Japanese army and navy will continue preparations for tho year's campaign. Fresh levies are constantly departing for the front, tho lines of transportation are extending into Northern Manchuria and tho -vanguards of tho fighting columns are following tho retreating Russians northward." RUSSIA'S PLAN TO SECURE PEACE First Stages of Negotiations Through United States and France. SPECIAL. CABLE. ST. PETERSBURG, March 31. The present position of the peace negotiations, so far as it is possible to disentangle tho truth from the mass of false state ments being made here, is as follows: The conditions that would be accept able to Russia have been exhaustively discussed in ministerial and court cir cles, and. it has been finally decided that the flrst stages, should there come ad vices that would indicate that Japan Is willing to be "reasonable," would be con sidered through France and the United States. Later, Russia would be in a po sition where she could" take up the ne gotiations . through a duly authorized agent, who would act under the personal direction of tho Czar. WAR PARTY STILL RAMPANT Scoffs at Diplomacy and Declares Crar Opposes Peace. ST. PETERSBURG. March 3L 12:25 A. M- Members of the war party, who are at dagcers drawn with the friends ot peace, are industriously insinuating that, if Russian diplomacy Is doing anything in the direction ot peace, it is without import an sanction and Is in reality only an unofficial endeavor to induce Japan to agree to negotiate on the lines of no cession of territory and no indemnity, and to enable the advocates of peace to point out to the Emperor that peace is possible without national humiliation. To show that the Emperor is still recal citrant on the question or prosecution or the war. they are spreading a story to tho effect that when Foreign Minister Lamsdorff, in advocating the advisabil ity of peace, drew tho gloomiest picture of tho situation in the Far East. His Majesty became angry and lost patience. The perseverance with which these stor ies are repeated indicates beyond doubt that they, are circulated with. & deliberate 9DTQN0RTHEN Evangelists Invade the Haunts of Sin. PARADE THROUGH STREETS Wen, Women, Boys and Girls in Procession. BABES ARE CARRIED IN ARMS Crusade Takes Form of Great Throng Marching Through Thoroughfares of Vice and Returning to Hold Services In Theater. Serried files of zealots marched last night to the noise of trumpet and drum through the, streets of Portland. Marched with crusade fire in their hearts, lifting up tho voice of. praise in discordant song, terrible as an army with banners. On the curbs were thousands who watched and heard the pandemonium of salvation's Mafeklng Night. Some of the watchers stood encouragirfg boisterously, some gib ing the marchers, but most of them si lently curious. "We're Marching to Zion." sang the battalions of the saved, but they marched to the North End and then, like the King in the rhyme, marched back again. The spectacular storming- of the works ot sin was like unto the Jer icho episode, save that they marched but onccaround the walls, and the walls fell not It was a striking demonstration and unique in the annals of evangelical his tory. The largest "personally conducted" slumming party ever known made a vali ent show. Tho programme as arranged was car ried out, and the evangelists made good their word. They led the righteous in review before the world, that all might be seen of men. The effect was at once inspiring and depressing, depending on the viewpoint. T,ho conservative saw the pageant as Borcethlnc, bizarre, weird, astounding. The emotional asa Jublle, a chah& to "cut loose" aDd -imrrah. . . . Five Thousand Paradrs. There must havo been near 6000 of tho paradcrs, an army ot the church militant worth tbo cause In whleh it marched. The captains and tho flleclosers were trained soldiers, professional crusaders. Those In tho ranks were recruits from the revivals, which turned out their minute-men from a dozen churches. . Men, women, girls and boys of tender years and babes In arms made the parade. All were touched with hysteria. The spirit of adventure was rife. The singing and the drums, the fluttering banners, the un usual hour, the lights, the throngs of spectators, and the mild daring of a raid upon a hostllo country, all worked upon the marchers and kept their zest in the thing they were doing at concert pitch. When the frontier of the "Bad Lands was passed, tho fervor seemed less in tense. Toung girls and boys who were conspicuous in the column were moved by curiosity, tempered by dread, faltered in the march to gaze about them at the unfamiliar sights of "the tenderloin" near midnight. They had never seen the like before. To many of them it was an op portunity to glimpse at forbidden places and people. As the march continued up Burnside- street they showed more confi dence in their surroundings and while singing less, they saw more and wero becoming more accustomed. Talked of the Sights. "When tho line turned back toward the city proper tcy talked In ranks about tho brightness of the lights which blazed and lured In the "forbidden land." Their parents must always be the judges as to tho responsibility in matters of tho kind and of course they approved the march ing ot tho children through the mud of Burnside street. Emotion-swept fathers carried their babes aloft that their earliest remem brance might be of the sonsational street parade. Old. men and women tottered in the march through the damp night air and were buoyed up by the shouts and songs of their stronger comrades. There was no stopping to pray or ex hort. Tho column moved steadily from the rendezvous through the slums and back again to the theaters, where the mid night rallies wero held. Its ranks wero not visibly swelled along thor way. al though some few fell in and others dropped out.- In the Bad lands- many heads appeared at windows, throngs turned out of the ground-floor dives to see the invaders, but when the line had passed returned to the avocations of night below the deadline. The theater meetings were as largo as the houses could contain, and many rous ing songs and speeches served to round out the adventure. The evangelists had made good their word, and the grand army of salvation had made its march, A. A. G. COULD NOT HOLD THE CROWD Many Strive to Attend Services In Baker Theater. About 5000 people marched in the parade of the Chapman revivalists last night through tho streets of the North End and eventually to the Grand and Baker The aters, where evangelistic services were held. The parade was formed at Seventh. and Alder streets, and to the music of a brass band tho enthusiasts, which included a large number ot young girls " of tender years as well as infants in arms, marched along the principle streets toward the North EnL. After numerous maneuvers streets, where a short service of song and prayer was held and an Invitation ex tended to all that listened to come to tho gatherings up town. There were nine sections to the parade Each had an appointed place near the point of formation, and as the squad of three mounted police and Sergeant Slover. arrayed In a new uniform, lined tho gathering in marching order the band started down the street to the tune ot "When Jesus "Washed My Sins Away." "Hurrah for .Toy!" and "We will show you!" were frequent shouts along the lino of march that was invariably led by some zealous member of the religious band. At Sixth and "Washington streots the parade separated, one. section, going to the Grand Theater and the other to the Baker, where services were held that lasted until after the hour of mid night. At the Baker there was not stand ing room for more than half of the crowd that demanded admittance after the seating of the Christians that had followed the ovangell&ts. The church members and their sympathizers filled every seat in the house, and those that had been Invited from the North End, If there were any such, were com pelled to return from whence they came or stand without the gates. The seats were filled with professing Christians, and when Rev. W. E. Ble derwolf arose to take charge of the meeting it was to a crowd of Christian people that he spoke. There was no sermon, but simply a testimonial from varioas people pres ent. Jelling what the Lord had done for them. A number of songs wero given . by the various vocalists that travel with the Chapman band, and some exhortations by the Rev. Mr. Ble derwolf. He told several pathetic stories that brought tears to the eyes of his audience, and then promptly in vited all that desired the prayers of the evangelists to raise their hands. Then he asked that all present who were In need of help of a spiritual na ture lift their hands, and the whole audience responded. There were, prayers and songs by the evangelists, and all the while the personal workers were going about among tho audience seeking someone that had strayed from the fold. As a .finale of the gathering Rev. Mr. Biederwolf in a strong plea, asked all that desired the prayers of the preachers to stand, and a good share of those pres ent arose to their feet. He then insisted that the men and women who had found Christ to come to the rostrum and pray with the ministers. Some women and young boys braved the task of crowding along the aisles and were lifted upon the .stage, where the evangelists knelt with them In fervent prayers and pleaded for the absolute salvation of their souls. Rev. Daniel 6. Toy was one of the num ber present. Rev. J. B. Snyder, Dr. F. B. Short. Dr. J. W. Brougher, Rev. Thomas Needham and many of the local ministers of the goepel were upon tho stage, while behind the curtains there stood a few of the performers that had taken part in a (Conclud on Page 10.) CONTENTS OF T0DATS PAPER The Weather. TODATis Generally fair: slightly warmer; westerly winds - 1 di., -minimum, $ PwJpftatW AS fv -)&.' 'St - ' , " The War Id t.in 1'ar "East. Both nations- chooso Roovelt -is mediator, but peaes movement Is at a. standstill. Page 3. ' Japan insists on Indemnity and eeoMon ot territory. 1. Russian War -Council votes to continue war. Paso 1. Japanese reconnoissance causes sharp out post fights. Page 3. Russia fortifies line ot advance from Possiet Bay. Page 3. Japanese statesman proposes triple alliance of Japan. United States and Britain. Page 3. Russia. Police capture terrorist leaders and roll of membership, spreading panic. Page 1. Boullgan told to hurry plan for, national assembly. Page 1. Returned soldiers leading- the rebels. Page 2. Anarchy In Trans-Caucasia. Page 1. Czar makes concession to Finland. Page 1. Foreign. Kaiser's visit to Morocco Irritates France and raises British hopes. Page 4. Haytl threatened with anti-Syrian riots. Page 4. National. Negro postmaster driven out of Mississippi appeals to President. Page 5. New. Canal Commission soon to be named. Page 5. Italy accepts Dominican agreement. Page 10. , Domestic President of packing company Indicted for tampering with witnesses and others threatened. Page 1. Morgan Smith and his wife arrested and Indicted for conspiracy with Nan Patter son. Page 4. Great Northern Railroad will make sweep ing reductions In rates. Page 4. Congregational ministers will appeal to ' whole -church against accepting Rocke feller's gift. Page 2. Sport. Jeffries wires from New Tqrk his willingness to meetMarvin Hart. Page tt. First games of Pacific Coast League: Port land 6. Los Angeles 5: San Francisco 4. Seattle 0; Tacoma 3, Oakland 0. Page 8. Pacific Coast. Saloonman found guilty at Baker City of keeping' place open "Sunday. Pago 7. Rev. .8. Short, Episcopal clergyman at As toria, Inveighs against traveling evangel ists. Page 7. Hoodooed torpedo-boat destroyer Goldabor ough makes fiasco ot final trial trip. Page 7. Commercial and Marino. Export inquiry for Oregon hops. Page 13. Decline in stoclC dealings. Page 15. Chicago wheat weak on good crop reports. Page 15. Oregon produce higher' at San Francisco. Pago IB. Heavy buying by railroads is feature of iron markets. Page 15. Xrge Oriental flour orders require extra. steamers. Page 6. , Portland aad Virfalty. Dr. Lane announces, his candidacy for Mayor. Page 10. Former Civil Governor of Port Arthur un der Russian regime testifies to the brav ery of the Japanese. Page 10. Utah's Governor and party arrive on busi ness connected with the Fair. Page it. Hanoaka, the Japanese accused of murder, on the eve ot a breakdown. Page D.. Citizens plan to honor the Nineteenth on its departure for Manila. Page 10. Beef trust has growers at Its mercy. Page Dilatory contractors are fined. Page 14.r County refuses to accept Alblna. ferryboat No. Page 14. Fair will build a structure tor special exhibit . o( mining' processes. Page 11. Rates are fixed -for admission to the Bxpocl - tlon. Pago 11. Professor Fortier tells of water going to waste which would irrigate Eastern Ore gon. Page 5. Schooner Altoona runs down a scow and two boys have' a narrow escape. Page . Evangelists Invade the North Bad, with men- ana, women, soys and girts ana lac&xts la RAID I REBELS Russia Gaptures Chiefs -of Terrorists. PANIC IN THEIR CAMP Roll of Members taken and Many Flee the Land. GRAND DUKE'S LIFE SAVED If Police Had Delayed Raid, Bomb Would Have Killed Him Will Soon Have Every Ter rorist In Jail: SPECIAL CABLE. ST. PETERSBURG, March 3L (3:50 A. M.) The officials of the government have made a raid on what they believe to be the headquarters of the terrorist move ment, and eight persons are now locked up In tho Peter .and Paul fortress who are believed to nave been the brains ot the bombthrowing that has taken place In every section of the Russian empire during the past month. The chiefs of the. secret police are sure that they have tho right parties and claim that they also have the rolls of the ter rorist organization, and that every ter rorist in the nation will be under arrest within 43 hours. Noted Leaders Are Taken. Among those confined in the fortress are the well-known nihilist Zavitsky, well educated and wealthy, who is credited with being the best-posted expert on high explosives in tho world; Madame Janov skalt, an agitator whom the police have been searching for ever since the assassi nation of Alexander HI and who has been believed to be In the United States; Mme. Leontavl, the cultured, refined and beautiful daughter of the former Gover nor of the Province of Poltava; and two men who. It is certain, have been shadow ing Governor-General Trepoft in the guise of cabmen. "When the report of tho arrests became L"2W"' J. ".""Vt rlt end. .ctrd!ng o the secrcbjTOllce, a number of high officials of the. govern ment made an attempt to leave for the frontier.. Grand Duke Was Doomed. It Is stated that the'arrests followed a confession from one of the persons who were instrumental in corrupting the pa so who was arrested recently for havins ter rorist literature In his possession. According to well-informed officials here the arrests were made none too soon, as another bomb outrage was to have been attempted within 24 hours, against one of the Grand Dukes. Tho lists found In the homes of the prisoners are said to have been of the most completp character and will greatly aid tho government n&tsin stamping out the terrorist movenjR; especially in Moscow, where the heads of the organi zation are already said to be under sur veillance. ' SOLDIERS LEAD IN REVOLTS All Who Return From War Are Against Government. SPECIAL CABLE. CHICAGO. March 30. The Dally News correspondent at SL Petersburg cables the following: What the attltud of tho army when it returns and of tho prisoners now in Japan, when released, will bo is Indicated by theh fact that a Port Arthur man is at the" head ot the Yalta rioters, and by the mutiny of Harbin, accompanied by incendiarism. The Dally News correspondent was present today at the meeting of returned officers. All of those present were against the government, and many advocated revolution. It Is said that Japan has been very complaisant In the matter of permitting prisoners to return, because It desires to swell -the ranks of the Rus sian agitators. Appeals by the government to the coun try to make the Internal loan a success, In order to show foreigners that tho Rus sian people approve the struggle, have caused the contrary effect. Consuls have already slumped threo points, endanger ing tomorrow's subscription. The Novbe V re my a declared that this Indicates a conspiracy of English, Japanese and Jewish bears to kill the loan and force peace. This, coinciding with Japan's ad vantageous loan, shows the futility of hoping to starve Japan. Jingoes here explain Lord "Lansdowne's Initiative In Macedonia, the Kaiser's, trip to Morocco and M. Delcas3e's rumored resignation as duo to the peace negotia tions, which will reduce Russia to the 'level of Spain. The Czar's rescript re fusing to make concessions to the Poles in tho matter of their, language has ag gravated the situation in Poland. The numerous risings and assassinations of officials throughout the country today show that the revolutionary party does not intend to accept government -deception or procrastination any; longer. "Con voke the National assembly" is the unani mous, cry. . HURRY WORK QF COMMISSION Czar Will Fix Dat When National Assembly Will Meet. ST. PETERSBURG. March 30t In order to allay the agitation ad 'discontent over the delay in the work, ottho Boullgan Commission, which is charged with ' formulating the reforms authorised in tho Imperial rescript of March 3. it la ssid. Issue a, rescript to Interior Minister Bou llgan on April 8. in which Me will urge the necessity for expedition and fix an abso lute data for convening tho Assembly, whose election will be provided for by the commission. A long official statement has been is sued explaining that the delay In the work of the commission has been due to a great extent to the variety ot Interests concerned, and announcing that the Min ister ot the Interior has proposed and the Emperor approved "of a plan whereby preparations for cajling a representative assembly will be completed in two or three months. Finding that It will be Impossible to re open the University this year, Minister ot Education GlasofC has proposed to al low the seniors to take their examina tions In order to enable them to obtain diplomas, but inslted that this is only possible. If the Minister of the Interior can furnish police protection. M. Glasoft brought the question up in the .Committee of Ministers, where his proposal was vig orously opposed by President Wltte. Prince Hllkoff and M. Termaloff, who de clared that the strike among the students waa on purely political grounds, and that if an attempt should be made to hold ex aminations it would be sure to result in a deplorable collision. Their view was ac cepted by the committee. M. Glasoft opposes the proposition for the restoration ot the Polish language to a placo In the schools ot Poland, declar ing that It is impossible to settle that question apart from the Polish demand for autonomy, with which it is bound- up; YIELDS TWO POINTS TO FINLAND Czar Suspends Conscription Law and Makes Judges Irremovable. ST. PETERSBURG. March 30 (4:25 P. M.) The Emperor has given an answer to the petition of the Finnish Diet, ask ing that all imperial decrees since the Diet of 1S99, which it Is claimed are in contravention of the organic law of Fin land, bo withdrawn or submitted for tho approval of the Diet. These included the military conscription act, the manifesto of 1SD9, placing the imperial interests in Finland under the Russian authorities, the language manifesto of 1000. providing for the use of the Russian language In the principal departments, the irremovability of judges, the employment of Russians In public departments, the restrictions on the Senate's part In the administration and the concentration of the executive power In the hands of the Governor-General. The Emperor, in his decision, conceded two points tho suspension of the con scription act until 190S, when the whole question will be submitted to the Diet, and In lieu of military service Finland will have to pay a contribution of 52, 000,000 in the same way as the Mussul mans of the Caucasus pay $264,000 in stead of furnishing- recruits. In this matter the Emperor went be yond the recommendations of the Russian Senate, to which the petition was sub mitted, and acted on the advice of Prince John Obolensky, the Governor-General of Finland, who favored a concession to Fin nish public opinion. The Emperor also conceded the point of the irremovability of judges. His formal reply 13 expected to be promulgated In the form of an Im perial rescript -to the Governor-General for communication to the Finnish Diet. FINNS WANT ALL OR NOTHING Czar's Concessions Considered Make sWftr snd Diet May Protest. HELSINOFOHS, Finland. March 30. The telegraphic report giving tho nature of the Emperor's reply to tho petition of the Diet is only partly satisfactory to thj Finns. Tho Diet took the posltldn thar, unless the whole petition was granted. It would decline to proceed with legislation. For the past three months the sittings of the Diet have been purely formal, and as tho term of the Diet expires In the middle of April, should It decide to pro ceed, only a fortnight remains for actual work in connection with local legislation, most of which Is pressing. The imperial decision is regarded by the constitutionalists as being a tempo rary makeshift to relievo the present ten sion. It will undoubtedly remove the possibility of a serious disturbance next month, when the conscription levies are scheduled. Although only ISO men were to bo taken for the Finnish battalion, the law requires that 29,000 youths submit themselves at the levy of conscripts, from which number the ISO wero to be chosen by lot, the Russians thereby compelling the general recognition of the right'-of conscription. This year there has been an extrava gant agitation against the edict, the young men being everywhere advised to resist the conscription, and it is believed that not more than 10 per cent would have responded. ZEMSTVOS GROWING RADICAL President Once Thought Too Liberal Is Now Too Conservative. ST. PETERSBURG, March 30. Another gathering of representatives of Zemstvos has been called to meet here at the end of April. M. Septoff. who was relieved of his functions as president of the last Zcmstvo meeting by the then Minister of the Interior, Von Plehve, because he was too liberal, will bo a candidate for elec tion as president of tho April meeting. but he is now regarded by many, persons as being too conservative. He never be lieved in a constitution of the European; models. If he Is not elected, it will in dicate that the Zemstvos aro now pre pared to go the full limit in their de mands. CHURCH DEFENDS AUTOCRACY V Appeals to People to Resist Rebels, and Gets Retort. MOSCOW, March 3a Pamphlets author ized by the ecclesiastical censor have been distributed in all the churches here calling on the faithful to safeguard the auto cracy by every means, and saying: "Let us resist the revolutionary move ment energetically. Let us close tho mouths - of those who do not speak the truth." The Vetchernia Patch ta, a radical newspaper, commenting on the appeal, says: "Tho church should preach love, and not violence." ARMED MOB ROUTS SOLDIERS Peasant Pillagers Grow- Bolder and Stronger in- Rural Russia.. LONDON, March 31. (Special) The St, Petersburg correspondent of the Time3 last night cabled that the Internal situa tion Is worse, and 7600 armed pillagers have routed a . force of soldiers near Tchernlgoff. PANIC AMONG LAND - OWNERS TMey Flee to Cities From Ravaging Mobs of Peasants. KHARKOFF, March 3a The land owners of the government of KharkQff are almost panic-stricken at the spread: BEEFTHUSTBOL Repeated Attempts to Fix Witnesses. ONE MAN IS INDICTED Head of Big Firm Accused: of Interference! OTHERS IN GREAT DANGER Extraordinary Precautions to Pre vent Trust's Agents From Shut ting'Off Hostile Testimony Secret-Service Escorts, CHICAGO, March 30. (Special.) New tactics were adopted today by the Federal grand jury, which 'is delving Into the business secrets of the pack ing firms of the country to ascertain whether or not there is a combination among them in restraint of trade. Tho mysterious movements ot various of ficials of the court were given an added Interest through the manner in which the witnesses were handled, the long; absence of Assistant Attorney-General Pagin from the Monadnock building-, and hurried and frequent conferences between District Attorney Morrison and his assistants. Until today United States Marshal Ames has quartered the witnesses in a large room adjoining- the grand jury room, on the third floor. Whon the jury convened this morning, the witness-room was without tenants, there were no secret service men In sight, and Deputy Marshal Buckner was the only Federal official In sight at his post In front of the door of the jury room. A. few moinents later Charles E. Meade, of New Haven, Conn., who was formerly connected with the Swift car lines in the East, stepped out ot a de scending: elevator, accompanied by a secret service operator, and disap peared behind tho door of the jury room, and the secret was out. Witnesses Shielded From Agents. Up on the fifth' floor, in; 3 room con nected wlth the United States Mar shal's office, were ten witnesses waiting- to be called, while in tho offices ot the District Attorney woro two 3fbunsr women, said to be stenographers in tits employ of the National Packing: Com pany. During- the day eight of the witnesses were taken, one by one, to the jury-room, in company of the Fed eral sleuths, and, when they had testi fied, they were escorted from the build in? in the same manner. The 15 secret service men who havo been frequenting: the corridors in the building- where the grand Jury was In session, wero not to be seen today. Mr. Morrison was said to have, ordered that waiting: witnesses, Instead of spending: their time in the vicinity of the jury room, are to be concealed in down town hotels until called before the jury. In this way the witnesses will be mora readily prevented from learning: tho identity of tho secret service men watching: for possible Irregularities. May Indict the Meddlers. "Wo will shut oft this meddling with' witnesses," said Mr. Pagin, "and, it deemed advisable or necessary, In the judgment ot tho grand Jury, proceed ings under the conspiracy statute ara likely. At any rate, tho Government will effectually clear away any inter ference offered from any- quarter to tho procedure of the grand Jury, in short order. Two of the "beef trust" witnesses he-i fore the grand jury yesterday told of at tempts to Influence their testimony, tha suggestion having been made that they, make their testimony mild. One of Big. Five Is Indicted.- A true bill was voted by tho grand jury Tuesday against the president of ono of the "big five" packing companies. 16 was not returned in court. This fact, which leaked out today desplto all pre cautions for secrecy, is a forerunner ot conspiracy proceedings against actual heads of the big packing concerns in con nection with the tampering: with tho "beef trust" witnesses. Unless the practice ceases at once, such prosecution Is cer tain. When John Edward Shields, Govern ment witness in the Conners case, left for his hlme in" Syracuse, N. V., yester day afternoon, he was accompanied by two secret service men for a portion, of his way home. Shields told the men that he had been threatened with violence, and demanded an escort- The Federal men returned this morning and said that he had not been approached In that portion of tho trip- upon whleh they accompanied him. Mr. Meade was the first witness today. He is supposed to have given testimony concerning alleged traffic agreements. Lldyd Q. Curtis, ot T. D. Baker & Co., of Boston, was also a witness. XREIGATI0N OF TDCATILLA LAM) Withdrawal of 780,000 Acres for Reclamation In Two States. WASHINGTON. March 30. The Secre tary ot the Interior today ordered the withdrawal from entry' of- 0,000-acres ot land to Oregon and S0.C0O-acres lm Wash ington on account of the Umatilla Irriga tion project. . Ruesell Sage. Is Recovering. NEW YORK, March 80. Russell Sage, who-has been seriously ill, is much. Im proved and was today able tov leave "his . ' .' .- - "Sk ' - . .,- -