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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 27, 1905)
1' VOL. XLV. jsO. 13,874. POBTLA2JD, OKEGON, SATURDAY, MASS 27, 1905. PBIOE FIVE GENTS. BAELRflAD LINES ARENOW ASSURED Riparia Branch, Huntington to Grangeville, Both to Be Built. HARRIMAN WIRES FACTS O. 31. & N. and Northern Pacllic See the Advantage or the Down Haul, Which Insures Su premacy of Portland. HAIUUMAN'S MESSAGE. NEW TORK. N. T., May 2S. 1003. Oregonlan. Portland, Or.: In answer to your message. Tea; line Riparia to lewiston "will be constructed at once and from there on after engineers have agreed on proper location. E. H. HARRIMAN. The long-expected announcement has at last come, and It Is given out by the rail road magnates that construction on the Lewiston-Rlparla branch of the O. R. & N. and on the Lewiston-Grangeville line o the Northern Pacific trill be begun at once and hurried through to completion as rapidly as possible. At the same time it is announced, though not officially, that a joint agree ment has also been entered into between the Union Pacific and the Northern Pacific to construct a line from Huntington down the Snake River as closely as possible for 50 miles to Grangeville, or Cul-de-Sac, or Clearwater, whichever place may offer the beet Inducements in the way of a route. This line will bo built In accordance with Union Pacific standards, and will do away at last with the hard pull over the Blue Mountains, giving a water grade from Huntington Into Portland by way of Lew iston and the present O. R. & N. grade alone the Columbia. Cost Fifteen Millions. This ifne, which -will be the longest to b bjjIiaceordlng to the present plana of the two roads, will cost close to $15, (M.000, and work will be commenced upon it at once. It is understood that the- line will follow an entirely new survey, and will be a much "better route than anything heretofore contemplated. As will be seen by the accompanying tel egram from -E., H. Harriman, the O. R. & N. will at once begin to build the Lewls-ton-Riparia line of approximately 7S miles At the same time, it is announced by C M. Levey, assistant to President Elliot, of the Northern Pacific, that the Grange-vllle-LewIston road would be commenced as soon as the surveyors now in the field could determine upon a route satisfactory to the company. The Lewiston-Rlparia road will be, as has been said, practically 75 miles in length, and will cost in round numbers, $1,500,000. The Grangeville line will be S3 miles in length, and will cost close to $2,000,000. Agreement Between Companies. It is inderstood that both lines will be built by the O. R. & N., though there is an agreement between the two companies that the cost of the Grangeville line shall be borne by the Northern Pacific. The Lewiston-Rlparia line now has a grade of 12 miles completed, though it will have to be gone over and rebuilt in several places where it has been damaged by the storms of tho past live years or more. Workmen have already been sent out on this line, and will begin work at once, while the whole grade will be under course of construction as soon as it is possible to get the contractors and the men to do trie work. - ' With the Grangeville line. It is a little different. Inasmuch as the engineers have not as yet selected the most feasible route over which to lead their line. It happens that the .line which would be easiest in grade and construction leads through a country not so good as lines of more cost ly estimates. Thcso problems are now be fore the surveyors, and as soon as they have been solved the constructing gangs will be thrown in the field and the work pushed through to a finish. It is estimated by railroad officials that the work should be done, if all plans carry, in three, or, at the latest, in four months. Value to Portland. The value of these lines to Portland can not be estimated, and the men who have been laboring lor so long to open the Clearwater and Lewiston country to rail road transportation with Portland are greatly elated over the outcome. The construction of the lines means that the Northern Pacific will ultimately have terminal property in Portland, and that the bulk of the tonnage Irom that district. Instead of being hauled over the moun tains to Seattle and Tacoma, will come down the water grade into Portland. Mr. Levey and the other officials of the Northern Pacific will say nothing as to the north, bank route for their lines along tho Columbia, but it is known that in time these lines will be built. ' For the present, and until such construction is done, it is undoubtedly the intention of the Northern Pacific, to make a, traffic agreement over the O. R. & N. by which the Northern Pacific trains can come straight through to Portland over the lines of the O. R. & N., by way of Wallula Junction. This route is not only shorter than the present one to the Sound, but it Is also of caster grade, being & down-hill haul practically all of the way from Lewiston and that "distiict -iato Portland. It -will mean, therefore, the transportlon of the bulk of the Northern Pacific's freight to Portland Instead of to the Sound cities of Tacoma and Seattle, as at present. Due to Portage Road. The, to- a certain extent, unexpected de cision of the two companies to build the two lines is taken by those who have been behind the portage road plan for opening the Columbia as the first fruits of that work, which is just completed. It Is ar gued that the portage road .opened the river to lewiston, and thus afforded wa ter competition to both the O. R. & N. and the Northern Pacific from that point down to the coast This being true, there was nothing lor the two roads to do in self-defense but to build. The "Northern Pacific had to haul over the mountains in competition with the portage and Its fleet, while the O. R. & N. had no adequate connection in that country by -which it could bring the freight waiting there to Its natural destination here. It was, there fore, up to both Interests to do something, and the resultant agreement to build the two lines between them came naturally. It Is also understood from good author ity, though Mr. Worthington will make no statement on the subject, that the gen eral manager advocated the construction of the Lewiston-Rlparia branch soon after coming to Portland, and that his recom mendations had a great deal of weight in the outcome. Altogether, the decision is taken as a great victory by the advocates of the newly applied principle that the only way to get a thing in the railroad line is to go out after it and force the hands of the railroads. They think they have forced the deal, and are. therefore, correspond ingly happy. WILL BUILD DOWN SNAKE RIVER Agreement Between the Union and Northern Pacific for Railroad. NEW YORK. May 26. (Special.) The Union Pacific and Northern Pacific execu tive committees met separately on Thurs day and passed motions to prepare for building a Joint line from Huntington or such other point on the Oregon Short Line as may be chosen near Huntington to either Culdesac or Clearwater on the Northern Pacific. The entire new line will be about 550 miles long and will be built of 75-pound rails and equipped ac cording to the Union Pacific's specifica tion, the total cost not to exceed $15,000, 000, and work on the surveys to begin immediately. The surveys made by both railroads In 1900 will be abandoned in fa vor of a line to follow the Snake River closely. The agreement Is the result of Hill and Kuhn, Loeb & Co.'s getting together to show Harriman he could not run Union Pacific alone. Harriman gave in with a good grace when his bankers refused to help him in financing any line to Invade Hill territory. The agreement ends the dispute begun between Mellen and Burt, which was brought to .a , close, lor the time -when "Hill, Morgan and Harriman brought pressure to bear on the two presidents and ordered the fight stopped in 1501, Immediately before the purchase of the Northern Pacific by Hill and Mor gan. Harriman is a sick man and looks worn out and weak. The Equitable Life row and the trouble with bankers have pulled him down. It is said here he will go to Japan for five months, sailing from San Francisco July 16 by the Pacific Mall. Rumors of $40,000,000 loans having been liquidated in the market are said to be a gross exaggeration, but it Is understood' that some heavy loans have been volun tarily taken up. Hill is still here and looking happy. He says he does not control any railroad at all and never did. He says he owns less than 20 per cent e-en of the Great North ern and is content with that. The street recognizes the agreement over the Clearwater as a distinct Hill vic tory, though all. parties say It is not a victory for either party. A St. Paul official tells me no director knows which way the St. Paul will reach Puget Sound. There are three alternative routes, one to build and two by agree ments. One of the two latter is almost certain. LEWISTON GOES TjAND mad. Railway Projects Make Real Estate Values Soar. LEWISTON, Idaho. May 26. (Special.) In anticipation of favorable news for im mediate railway construction in this ter ritory, people of Lewiston have been struck with a frenzied fever to buy real estate, and while no deals have come to the surface today, it I.s known that trans actions Involving over $100,000 have been made. This excitement was strengthened this evening by rumors to the effect that the O. R. & N. Co. will begin construction Monday, under a Joint arrangement with the Northern Pacific, the Rl pari a-Lewis-ton branch. Railway officials' here will not confirm the report, but from other sources it is known that the reports are practically true. Along these lines also comes the an nouncement that the Lewiston-Grange-ville electric line project will be built at once, and Engineer Hill is now In the Grangeville country to map out grading work. Judson Spofford, president of the electrio company, gives out information that E. Cowperthwaite will be here in a few days with the first money to be used in con struction work. RELIC OF WRECKED SHIP Piece of Boat Belonging to Overdue Steamer Glcnburn. LONDON, May 26. A piece of a boat bearing the name "Glenburn" has been picked up three miles northwest of St. Ives Head, on the Cornwall coast. It is supposed to belong to the overdue British ship Glenburn which left San Francisco October 26 In command of Captain John ston, .bound for Liverpool. Fighting in Albania Ends. CETTINJE, Montenegro, May 3L The fighting between Mussulmans and Chris tia.s In the villages of Baritse and Kru p?e and Kosseva, Albania, has ended, and there is no probability ol further trouble. HER MING VOTES ON LEASE Philadelphia Councilmen Yield Jo Pressure of Public Opinion. BODY BLOW TO MACHINE Mayor Snatches Big Contract From Its Grasp People Pledgo Him Support and Raise Funds - for -Campaign. PHILADELPHIA. May 26. (Special.) Mayor Weaver's reform administration struck its most telling blow today. A $1.000000 contract of the klni that for years has fed the Republican machine from the public crib was snatched from the very hands of one of tho most fav ored contractors. The ranks, of the Mayor's adherents in the Council cham bers, a few days ago, the ever depend able stronghold of the boss, are swelling rapidly. Yesterday it was shown that nine members had comb over to Weav er's side and had promised to vote to sustain the executive's veto of the gas lease. Today 90 have quit the organiza tion. "Tho situation is growing brighter every minute," said Mayor Weaver late today. He would not give figures nor go into other details, but contented himself with saying he had received assurances from many Councilmen who had voted for the lease last week that they would support him in his veto. Leaders of the Republican organization,. which is ad vocating the lease, continue to remain silent There are, however, signs that several Councilmen are breaking away under tremendous pressure from their constituents and will -probably so along with the Mayor. The all-absorbing point of interest is whether the Mayor will succeed in getting enough to defeat the bill when it shall come up next Thurs day for passage over his veto. The or ganization still stands on its statement that it will pais the ordinance in spite of his disapproval. Votes .Needed by Weaver. The record up to this evening shows that the. 3iayor.has ten select ouncll- men and 20 members of' the Uommon Council with him. In the Select Coun cil there are 42 members. To pa?s the ordinance over the Mayor's veto meeds 25 votes, and the Mayor needs 17 to 'sustain him. The membership of the Common Council Is 84. Here the organization needs 51 and the Mayor 34. The first important move ot the new administration, a move that was of vital importance to organization men who hold city contracts, was taken today, when the new director of public works. Acker, annulled the advertisement for bids for street cleaning for 1906. The contract will aggregate about $1,000,000. The con tract for this year is held by the Vare Brothers, one ot whom is a State Sen ator and another Recorder of Deeds. Strenuous Time for Councilmen. The struggle to hold or win Councilmen is growing hotter, and many of the "city fathers" have expressed the wish that they bad never been elected to tho legis lative body. They declare that they owe all their success in life to the organization, and that it would be an extreme act of disloyalty to go back on their leaders in a time of trouble; Extraordinary pressure is being brought to bear wherever a Councilman shows signs of weakening. In one Instance a committee of determined citizens hunted nearly all night for a member of the Select Council, who obviously was avoid ing them. Early in the morning the com mittee appeared at the man's house, routed him out of bed and -while he stood barefooted in his night clothes, read its resolutions to him and extracted a. prom ise from him to change his attitude and to sustain the Mayor's veto. In addition the Councilmen arc deluged with letters signed by their constituents urging them to stand by the Mayor. The first man to be won over today came to the Mayor's office with a delegation of constituents. He was Charles E. Connell," of the Common Council. Ovations Given the Mayor. There was another demonstration when the Mayor left the City Hall today for luncheon. His 'reception as he walked along the streets with Director of Public Safety Potter was noisy. He entered the University Club after much effort, and, after remaining there about an hour, re turned to the City Hall in a cab. A crowd of about 800 persons followed him to his office. When he entered, someone pro posed singing "The Star-Spangled Ban ner," which was done with all hats re moved. An incident of the day was the calling on the Mayor of a delegation of high school girls, who came- to congratulate him. The Mayor's mail continues to be very .heavy, hundreds of communications coming from all parts of the United States. Pledged to Overthrow Machine Amid tremendous cheers and the waving of flags, several thousands persons, who were packed into the Academy of Music tonight to hear prominent PhHadelphlans express their protest against the gas lease,' adopted the following resolution: Resolved. That we, cltlxeng of Philadelphia, without Tegard to party or politics, do here by, before Opd and rata, pledge our life, lib erty and sacred feoaor to the complete over throw of despotic methods In jnunlclpaJ af fairs and the. reitor&Uoa of the Americas principles for which our fathers fodght, and which shall ever be our glory while we re main worthy to he called their children. W. W. Justice, a we4. merchant, pre sided, and the principal address was de livered by Charles Emory Smith. ex-Postmaster-General of the United States. Mr. Smith, before beginning his speech, an nounced that word had Just reached him that 150 citizens had called upon a Coun cilman in an outlying ward and demanded that he pledge his vote against the lease, which he did. After Mr. Smith concluded his address, another message came that a Councilman in the Twenty-eighth Ward had also pledged himself tonight to go along with the Mayor. Among the others who addressed the meeting were William T. Tilden. secretary of the meeting; Frank M. Bitter, ex Dlrector of Public Safety; S. Soils Cohen, physician; Professor Leo S. Roew, "pres ident of the American Academy ot Polit ical and Social Science, and Right Rev. Dr. Alexander Mackay-Smith,. bishop co adjutor of tho Protestant Episcopal dio cese ofPennsylvanIa. A letter written by Mr. Justice, chair man ot the meeting, was read, in which he suggested the raising of $1,230,000 to carry on an extensive campaign against the organization, and pledging himself to contribute liberally to the fund. Mayor Weaver, who was commended In a resolution adopted, was .unable to be present, and a letter of regret from him was read. A letter written by S. Weir Mitchell, the physician-author, denouncing the gas lease, was also read. The Y. M. a A. hall was also taxed to its capacity. Addresses were made there by half a dozen prominent citizens. In cluding Charles Emory Smith. There was great enthusiasm when Mr. Smith said that "the black flag of piracy was not the flag of Republicanism, or ot Lincoln, or of McKinley, or of Roosevelt." In Broad street several thousand per sons were gathered who could not gain admission to the big Academy building. Word was sent inside, and three citizens were sent out to address the crowd from a barouche. The outdoor meeting closed with the singing of "Nearer, My God. to Thee," and "My Country. 'TIs of Thee." HAY WILL START FOR HOME DECLINES KING AND KAISER'S INVITATIONS TO YISIT. Finishes Course of Baths at Bad Nauheim and Goes to Paris. No Business Till Autumn. BAD NAUHEIM. May 2S.-Secretary Hay has finished the course of baths here and will start tomorrow" for Paris, where Mrs. Hay awaits him. Professor Groedel Is quite satisfied with the effects the tak ing of the baths has had on Mr. Hay, but he has advl?ed him to abstain from all official business for several months, such a course being usually necessary after this course of treatment. Mr. Hay ex pec t. therefore, toapend the Summer at his country home, and! t'r remain where until the Autumn. Emperor William invited Mr. Hay to come to Wiesbaden and visit him. but the Secretary declined under the advice of his physician. King Edward 'also in vited Mr. Hay to an audience, but this invitation also was declined. During his visits to London and Paris Mr. Hay will remain very qulot. and will make no formal official calls. . The call of King Leopold of Belgium upon him Thurs day took the Secretary completely by sur prise, as it was not announced before hand. CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER The Weather. TODAT'S Increasing cloudiness followed by showers and cooler. Winds becoming southerly. YESTERDAY'S Ma-xlmam temperature, S3 deg.; minimum, 52. Precipitation, none. The War In tho I"r East. Belief in Japan that naval battle has been fought. Page I. Russian warships ordered to lra.ro Woosnng and China prepares to use force. Page 1. Mlitchenko's raid on Japanese lines a suc cess. Page 3. TorelgB. A, Martial law in Warsaw stops riots. Page' 5. Russian Governor's assassin, caught. Page 5. National. Bids for lumber for Panama Canal. Page .4. Secretary Hay starts home today. Page 1. Politic. Public opinion in Philadelphia drives Coun cilmen to Weaver's side. Page 1. Secretary Taft speaks on canal and rate question. Page 3. Domestic Rioting breaks out again In Chicago; build ing trades refuse to aid teamsters. Page 1. Harrlman's plan for separate heads for his railroads.'. Page 5. Mutuallzatlcn plan for Equitable enjoined. Page 4. Presbyterian Assembly debates form of wor ship. Page 4. Sport. Portland wins another ball game. Page 7. Hamburg leads In yacht race. Page 7. -Pacific Coat. Bottle stranded on California coast contains Information' regarding mythical lost Dauphin, page 6. , State Land Board decides to sell to highest bidders Indemnity lands on Wallowa res ervation! bae. Page 6. Idaho 5otn Railroad sold to Van Riper, the' TMts4r Mountain mining man. Page Senator MKekeU's daughter, wire ot Judge Chapminffef Tacoma, dies of appendicitis, pase ; C Commercial xad Maria c. Real condition of local egg, butter and poultry trade. Pago 15. Fruit receipts not up to requirements. Pag 15. - Another, break in Hay corn at Chicago. Page IS. San Fttndrco wheat and barley shorts squeezed.- Page 15. Stock speculation stagnant. Page 15. Because of disagreement with. Government, schooner Cllse may remain here Indefi nitely. Page 14. Steamer Newport will run to Oregon ports from Pwllaad. Page 14. 'PoetUad Bd Vlclaltr. Absentees prevent Coancll meeting and the action .f the Initiative toward closing Fair saloons. Page 10. Railroads to be Isullt In the Inland Empire a ure Portland's commercial supremacy In the Northwest. Page 1 . Plans are perfected for the evening of the Exposition. Page 14. Worthington vets high position. Page 14. Wemes at club meeting read Interesting pa pers. Page 14. Beaton KilllB. Oregon pieaeer. dead. Page . Mayor Williams malcea vlgersas campaign speech at Weedlawn. Page 16. Eight couples are divorced. Page 11. Charles P. MeGlaty may be .a candidate far the whlrptsg-pest. Page 12. Meat erdlice, veteea by Mayor. Page 18. Vaugfea at guilty ot ceatespt. Page IS. SCENTS BATTLE FROM AFAR OFF Japanese Paper Believes the Fleets Have Met and Fought in Ocean. CHINA PUTS QN'WAR-PAINT Russian Transports and Cruisers Put Into Woosung and Are.Ordercd Away Clilncse Prepare to Enforce Order. TOKIO, May 27. (4:30 P. 31.) Vlce Admlral Hojrtftvensky'N fleet has beta Bleated off Tsushima Islands, the Straits of Corea. TOKIO, May 27. (Noon.) It la ru mored that the Japanese and Basslaa fleets, ander VIce-Adralral Togo nad Vice-Admiral Ttojejttveanky, have ea ETBKTCd la the Coreaa Straits. SPECIAL CABLEl TOKIO. May 26. The publication by the Asahl of a suggestion that an engagement between the Russian and Japanese fleets has already taken place has created a sensation in the Japanese capital. The paper points out that the presence of Rus sian warships at Woosung is probably ac counted for by the fact that the warships were purposely abandoned on account of their slow speed and nonflghtlng value, and that the Russian government is per fectly Willing to have them disarmed if their stay there develops into a breach of neutrality. The paper declares Its belief that a bat tle between Rojestvensky and Togo has already taken place, and' Is patiently wait ing a report of the outcome. ONLY BUNCH OP TRANSPORTS Russian Naval Officials Don't Believe Warships Are at Woosung. ST. PETERSBURG. May 27. (3:30 A. M.) While a flying raid of one or two commerce destroyers in the Eastern sea in admitted as a possibility by the naval authorities' here, these authorities are loath to believe that any division of Ro Jestvensky's squadron lr an itnponam sense has taken vlavs .-rdporteil tfrom Shanghai. They prefer to assume that the unspecified Russian ships reported to be out fide Shanghai, like the six that entered the port of Woosung. ara units of the transport fleet, without special fighting value, and that perhaps they have been sent thither to confuse the scent for Togo. A prominent naval strategist said to the Associated Press: "I don't know where Admiral Rojest vensky is at present, but wherever he is, you may be sure that he has his entire -fighting force well bunched and is not weakening his main squadron In the face of the enemy. While It Is possible, of course, that he may have chosen to dou ble sharply to the westward north, of For mosa and to seek Togo in the Eastern Sea with the purpose ot forcing him to a complete battle, I am inclined to be lieve that he Is pursuing a course north ward outside Japan. "The ships whose arrival near Shang hai hag been reported are not even classed as so-called converted cruisers, but vessels which, flying the commercial flag, were usable for transport purposes when passing Singapore, and the mystic 17 vessels reported as being outside Shanghai are probably colliers, with per haps a war vessel or two. "I should not be surprised, however, if Rojestvensky detached several speedy liners, now converted cruisers, for a raid to the northward inside the Luchu Islands In order to paralyze Japanese commerce and embarrass Togo while the Russian fighting squadron is pursuing its main objective." CHINA ENFORCES NEUTlVIiITX: Clears Ships for Action to Drive Out Russian Ships. LONDON, May 27. The Shanghai cor respondent ot the Daily Ebcpress says: "All the Chinese cruisers in these wat ers cleared for action today, and the Taotal went to the Russian Consulate and demanded that the Russian ships leave within 24 hours." Cabling from Shanghai, the correspond ent of the Dally Mall says he believes the vessels of the Russian Baltic squad ron oft Saddle Islands have proceeded on their voyage, and gives a rumor that the main Russian fleet Is in the neighborhood of Puchan, Province of Shantung, The correspondent says that President Roosevelt has wired the "Viceroy and Taotal commending their steps to pre serve Chinese neutrality. IGNORE ORDERS FROJI CHINA Russian Ships Remain at Woosung Beyond Time Limit. SHANGHAI, May 27. The .Russian war vessels, which wjye off the Sad dle Islands left last night. The Chinese authorities ordered the vessels of the Russian volunteer fleet which were anchored off Woosung to leave within 24 houre. The Russians have thus far entirely ignored the or der. TEN WARSHIPS AT WOOSUNG Division of Russian Fleet Penetrate to North China Coast. ' ' SPBCIAZi CABLE. SHANGHAI. May 27. Last night there were tea Ruseiaa warsfeJpe, seven fast transports and three large steam colliers at Woosung. This report reached here last night and is considered authentic .Confirmation of the report that Russian war vessels had been aeen off the Sadd loss has been received. The Saddloss are 70 miles Boutheastlot Shanghai. The Rus sian vessels reported are believed to be a division, of Rojestvensky's fleet. VLADIVOSTOK FLEET AT SEA Sails Southward, Terhaps to Meet Baltic Fleet. TSIJsGTAU, May 27. A private tele gram received here says that the Rus sian Vladivostok fleet has left Vladi vostok, going in a southcrljvdirection. ROJESTVENSKY IS ALL RIGHT Doctor and Nurse Deny Illness-and Admiral Only Says 'TJrcd." ST. PETERSBURG, May 27. (3:30 A. M.) ThejRuss this morning prints an in terview with VIce-Admiral Rojestven sky's physician, who says that the ad miral's kidney trouble was cured before he left for the Far East. In the inter view letters are quoted from a cousin of Rojestvensky, who is a nurse on the hos pital ship Orel, and who dined with the Admiral every week, to the effect lthat that officer was I in good' health. The Admiral himself wrote from Sai gon, saying that he was fatigued, but in no other way indicating that he was suffering from depression ,or from any mental breakdown. - RUSSIAN FLEET NEAR WOO SUNG Report Which 3Iay Be Exaggeration of Shanghai Story. TSING TAU, May 26. Tho whole Rus sian fleet Is assembled near Woo Sung, and the German squadron at Tslng Tau Is preparing for eventualities. The report from Tslng Tau, the port of the German concession at Kiaochou, Shan tung Peninsula, is in all probability .a magnified version of the dispatch of the Associated Press from Shanghai yester day saying that It was credibly re ported that certain Russian vessels had arrived at tho mouth of the Yang-tse-Klang River yesterday afternoon. Both Woo Sung and Shanghai are situ ated on the branches of the Yang-tBe River. Five steamers ot the Russian vol unteer fleet, three colliers and one Hus sion cruiser were the vessels reported to have arrived off the Yang-tse River. Later the cruiser put to sea and three of the volunteer fleet vesels went to Woo Sung. It is quite probable that the Chinese ashore exaggerated this report, making a statement that the Russian fleet was as sembling off Woo Sung. No news has been received from any other point tending to alter the facts cabled to the Associated Press yesterday from Shanghai, and there is no doubt that If the Russian fleet really had assem bled oft Woo Sung such important news Would have been flashed from Shanghai, which- is only 11 miles south of that place. " rr 3IAY DROP ALL SLOW SHIPS Japanese Speculates on Tactics of Russian Admiral. TOKIO, May 26. (11 A. M.) It is be lieved here that the action ot the Rus sians is sending some vessels to Shang hai -is part pf a diversion plan to draw off a portion of the Japanese fleet. It is thought that possibly the Russians intend to intern the slower craft, but the visit and withdrawal of the faster vessels is regarded to be without purpose unless as a diversion. The whereabouts of Admiral Rojest vensky's fleet is not reported, and opinion is divided as to whether it has entered the Pacific or returned to the lower Chi nese coast The location of Admiral Togo's fleet continues ft o be secret Popular feeling Is undisturbed, and the Japanese .public is confident that Admiral Togo is prepared to meet any situation. RUSSIANS ARE NEAR SHANGHAI Several Vessels at Saddle Islands With Colliers. SHANGHAI. May 2S. There are indi cations that Rear-Admiral Rojestvensky has divided hi3 fleet. Seventeen vessels of the Baltic fleet anchored it Saddle Is land last night. It is believed that they coaled there, and that from that point they will proceed. North. LONDON, May 25. A dispatch to Lloyds from Shanghai today says it Is re ported there and generally believed that several Russian war vessels have arrived off the Saddle Islands, a group of 25 small Islands situated about 60 miles south east of Shanghai. The dispatch' adds that three vessels of the Russian vol unteer fleet, the Vladimir, Voronej and Yaroslav, and three colliers, the Livonia, Meteor and Curonla, are anchored off Shanghai. Shanghai-Chefoo Cable Cut. LONDON", May 28. The Great Northern Telegraph Company reports that the Che-foo-Shahghai cable Is Interrupted. This does not necessarily mean that the line has been tampered with by either of the belligerents, nor would the cutting of It Interrupt communication between Chcfoo and Shanghai, since a German cable runs from Chefoo to Tslng Tau, and from Tslng Tau direct to Shanghai. Main Fleet May Be Near Fu Chan. SHANGHAI. May 27. The fact that all shipping in (the direction of Japan has been suspended is taken by those versed in naval , warfare as a confirmation of the report of the presence of the Rus sian main squadron 'in the vicinity of Fu Chau. Japan Detains Colliers. JfAGASAId, May 26 (Noon). Three Brit ish BteameKs which were loaded with coal at Mbjf (terminus of the Klushlu Railway, -Japan) for Hong Kong, have been de tained under orders from the Government- Two Cruisers Guarded Transports. LONDON, May 27. The correspondent of the Standard at Shanghai says the Russian transports how at Woosung-were convoyed by the crulsera Rion and Smol ensk. Alfonso's Plan for New Navy. MADRID, May 36. King 'Alfonso today approved for presentation .to the Cortez a plan for the .rehabilitation' of the Span ish fleet. The project contemplates the construction of eight cruisers of 14,000 tons, five protected- cruisers and other units, the. cost,, to- fee spread over six yaaxs. STRIKERS AGAIN ROW RIOTOUS Lumber Wagons, Mobbed on Chicago Streets and Police Have to Shoot BULLETS FROM AIR-GUNS All Manner of Missiles -From How ling Mobs Greet Teamsters. Strike Affects Building. Will Not Call Troops. CHICAGO. May 26. Rioting broke out afresh today in the teamsters' strike and, although nobody was seriously hurt, there was a number of "vicious fights in the lumber district, during which the police were compelled to uso their clubs, and In one Instance revolvers, in order to disperse the mob. ' A serious fight took place at the cor ner of Canal and Madison streets, ad joining the passenger station on tho Pennsylvania Railroad. The 'wagon of an express company, although protected by a policeman and a deputy sheriff, was attacked by a large crowd, despite the fact that Jit bora on each side a largo placard declaring that all people had been enjoined from Interfering with the wagon by a Federal court. The police man displayed his revolver, but tho crowd, paying no attention to him, rushed at the wagon and, seizing the wheels, attempted to overturn it. A riot call brought from the Desplaines-street Police Station, four squares distant, a. larga force of I officers, who dispersed the crowd and arrested about 40 of the most active in the disturbance. The police also en tered the buildings and warned occupants to keep away from the windows, threat ening with arrest all who refused. The worst fight in the lumber district occurred at Twenty-second street and Ashland avenue, where a crowd of men and boys had all .through the morning hurled stones and clubs at every passing lumber wagon. Finally a wagon on which Police Officer" Bagenski was a passenger came along and the mob greet ed it with the usual volley of stones. It also threatened to attack the 'driver and the jdtuation was so serious that.tlxa. -officer, drawing hl3 revolver. ' fledd: shots at the- crowd, which hrkmui1' fled In wild confusion. None ofSjwpl lets hit anybody. r - Rioting Becomes General. This evening general rioting was prev alent throughout the lumber district, and particularly in the territory near the Intersection of Thirty-fifth, street and Center avenue. The lumber wagons re turning from making deliveries were at tacked by crowds at every available op portunity. Large numbers of men, armed with clubs, slungshots and bricks, accompanied by Jeering women and ex cited children, filled the sidewalks along Center avenue. Thirty-fifth street, Loo mis street and Archer avenue, awaiting the passage of wagons which, were be lieved by the crowd to be unguarded. At Archer avenue and Loomis street two trucks appeared, -with one police man on each. They were Immediately bombarded with, bricks and stones and scores of air rifles were brought into play. A bullet from oneof these weap ons seriously wounded Policeman James Fitzpatrlck in the hand. The two police men drew their revolvers and fired over the heads of the rioters, holding them at bay until the drivers managed to reach their destination at the yards of the RIttenhouse & Embree Lumber Com pany. Strikers Use Alr-Guns. At Thirty-fifth and Morgan streets 20 lumber and shaving wagons, 14 of which belonged to the Rittenhouse & Embree Company, and guarded by "upwards of 40 police, were attacked by a crowd of more than 400 strike sympathizers with bricks, stones and slungshots. While the police used clubs. tbc fight waged In decisively. Finally the police drew re volvers and charged the crowd. The sight of tho firearms quickly quieted things, the mob generally fleeing. No arrests I were made. At Thirty-fourth street, near by, police on guard were later forced Indoors. Many of tho strike sympathizers armed themselves with small air rifles and from lumber plies and buildings, -fired intermittently at the police, a number of whom were struck without being able to see the assailants, and were- finally forced to take refuge In office and other nearby buildings. Strike Reaches Building Trades. The strike today spread in a small de gree throughout the building trades. There were a. number-of Instances where woodworkers refused to receive the mate rial delivered by nonunion teamsters and walked out. This move in every instance was made by the men as Individuals only. No official action was taken by any of the trades unions looking to ac tive sympathetic support of tho team sters' strike. Several of the labor lead era In the ranks of the material trades bave declared within the last 24 hours that there Is no prospect in their opin ion of ian- complete tieup of the build ing trades by a strike of the men. Building Trades Will Keep Out. At a meeting of the Associated Building Trades, tonight, at which 28 trades affili ated with the building industries werer represented, it was decided that no action will be-taken which, will tend to drag the building, trades into the teamsters strike. This action will go far toward restrict ing the strike to Its present limits, as it means that the members of the tiikuig trades ,uniona will work with materials Irrespective of the fact that they are .Concluded -ea Page 3.) J1 .