VOL. XDL STO. 10.
PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 11, 1900.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
TOEH1Y-F0UR PAGES ' If iT IT Wl I 111 I ST1ii SSSBm (I J HI Hi llilfi lill JIbM t PAGES 1 TO 12 I
ACE IN PROSPECT
Indications That Boer War Is
Drawing to an End.
KRUGER'S APPEAL TO SALISBURY
The Object of Bailer's Move Mafe-
Mnsr Is Likely to Fall Unless
Soon Relieved.
LONDON. March 11. 2:20 A. M. In the
absence of Important news from the seat
of war, speculation Is rife regarding the
probability of an early peace. President
Kroner's appeal to Lord Salisbury for a
cessation of hostilities, announced Friday,
la taken as foreshadowing that the end
will soon be In sight. The Government's
views are probably enunciated In the fol
lowing semi-official statement Issued last
night:
"It Is understood that the Government
doos not consider that the time has yet
come for any authoritative statement aa
to ultimate terms of peace, and no mem
ber of the Cabinet has authorized any pub
lic statement on the subject. It Is, of
courso, generally understood among all
political parties In this country that so lar
as the South African Republics are con
cerned, the status quo ante bellum cannot
remain unaltered after the dose of hostil
ities. Their part in the system which In
volved a large measure of political and
military independence will, of course, be
materially modified as a result of the war,
but the growing prospects of restored
peace must be further advanced before
Her Majesty's Government can cither
finally formulate proposed terms of settle
ment or make any announcement of thelr
plan."
BOER. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
Five Meauaiyes From Presidents Kro
ger and Stern.
LONDON. March 1L Several papers an
nounce that the Government Tuesday re
ceived five messages from President Kru
ger and President Steyn, in Dutch, asking ,
upon what terms a cessation of hostilities
could be brought about. The messages
surprised and delighted the department
concerned. "While their tenor was under,
stood. It was found necessary to summon
persons thoroughly capable of accurately
Interpreting the messages, all of which
were filed at Bloemfontein. The Cabinet
convened Wednesday to consider the mes
sages, and It la believed an uncompromis
ing reply was sent, which Is known to
have reached Bloemfontein by the same
'means as the Boer cablegrams reached "the
Government. The nature of the reply was
such as to lead to a further but gradual
retirement of the Boer forces.
PURPOSE OF KRUGER'S OFFER,
Boer Coaxal Says England Takes Re.
spOHsiblllty for Carnage to Come.
NEW YORK. March 10. "President
Kruger ma'de his offer to' cease hostilities
In order that Great Britain may be re
sponsible for the slaughter which is In
evitably coming to her troops," said
George Van, Slcklen,. of counsel to the
Boers In this country, today. 'The Boers
have given England a chance to retire
after the recent successes, and Mr. Cham
berlain's lettjjg go the opportunity makes
him responsible for the terrific carnage of
the English soldiery which must inevit
ably ensue. The offer to cease hostili
ties was made In good faith, of course,
but I have definite Information that It
had this double purpose."
OBJECT OF BULLER.'S MOVE.
Doing: What He Can to Keep he
Boers in Natal.
LONDON, March 10. Spencer Wilkinson
summarized the situation in South Africa,
for the Associated Press, at midnight, aa
follows:
"The fighting reported near Helpmakaar
Is probably only the result of a reconnais
sance, and It eeems to me to be premature
to assume that any movement In large
force Is in progress in that direction. Gen
eral Buller, as soon as communications
are In order, will certainly do what he can
to keep the Boer force in Natal engaged,
and to prevent them all from being used
to reinforce the army resisting Lord Rrb
erts. I expect Lord Roberts to 6trlka
Bloemfontein In a day or two. As to
Mafeking, If It Is not relieved very soon
the place must fall. One, therefore, hopes
a brigade had been sent up from Klmber
ley for its relief within a day or two ot
the evacuation of Magersfontein by the
Boers. There, has been time lor such a
column to reach Mafeking by road, but
tnere is no direct evidence of its existence,
and the wish Is father to the thought."
Kitchener at Victoria "West.
CARNARVON, Cape Colony. March 10.
General Kitchener has arrived at. Victoria
"West, to organize various columns for
the purpose of suppressing the rebellion
which is spreading In this district. Minor
fighting has occurred In several directions.
Gone to Seize Allvral North.
JAMESTOWN, Cape Colony, March 10.
General Brabant's column left at daybreak
today lor Allwal North.
THE WEEK IN LONDON.
Qncen'g Visit Opportunely Followed
the Bndget Statement.
LONDON, March 10. A week that
opened with a budget increasing tixs bur
den, of the British taxpayer to an almost
unprecedented extent, and ended with the
Queen stirring hundreds of thousands of
her subjects to enthusiastic demonstra
tions of patriotism and war fervor, can
scarcely be said to be barren of Interesting
circumstances. It would, perhaps, be giv
ing Lord Salisbury and his Cabinet too
much credit to say that the sudden spring
ing of th budget with its enormous de
ficit and the quickly planned visit of. the
Queen to London almost before the people
had time to realize how much the war was
coating them were part and parcel of
masterly understanding of politics -which,
under the cloak of academic lethargy. Is
ikeenly ajlve to every chance of the mo
ment.
But whatever were the motives prompt
ing the government's actions and the
Queen never moves without consulting
Lord Salisbury they resulted most fa
vorably. No suspicion of political pre
meditation has ,marred the heartiness of
the Queen's welcome, though the Irish
have not proved quite so ingenuous In
commenting on her proposed visit to their
shores. Still, on the whole, the recent
actions of the Queen, her decision to re
main home Instead of going to Italy, her
projected trip to the Emerald Isle, and her
renerous recognition of the gallantry of
the Irish troops, combined with the vic
torious progress of Lord Roberts, have
once more put the United Kingdom on
excellent terms with Itself.
This week s cartoon In Punch aptly il
lustrates the feeling. It Is an Ill-drawn Hon
wifh an uplifted paw, like a lump or
putty, coming out of a cave, with fierce
teeth Jbared and eyes glowering in the
direction of an animal which resembles
nothing more than the well-known human
donkey of the American stage, labelleo
"Continental Press," and Is slinking off
with a slouchy gait before the pugnacity
of the lion's look. But no amount of poor
drawing can kill the strength of the cap
tion to this curious picture, which reads:
"Who said Dead?" And that voices the
spirit of the nation today better than
could columns of analytical review.
With the prospect of more serious over
tures for peace than those made this
week by the Boers, it Is likely that the
feeling illustrated by Punch will increase
and that the normal condition of self-confidence
and might will shortly be thor
oughly re-established in Great Britain, In
spite of the terrible shaklng-up that oc
curred before Lord Roberts took the helm.
In the opinion of those best Informed, the
Boers are likely to make a series of pro
posals for peace, none of which will bo
feasible for British consideration until the
British troops practically overrun the
Transvaal territory. Thus white the re
cent and future negotiations are and will 1
be accepted as most satisfactory signals
of British military progress, they are not
to be considered to indicate that the end
6f the war is in sight. As an Instance of
this, Lord Salisbury's reception of two
long cablegrams from President Kruger 1
on the subject of the terms did not delay
for an instant the preparations for send
ing out large British reinforcements and
supplies, either from England or from
far-off Australia.
However, the prophet of pessimism and
change is not stilled entirely. This week
has produced several articles In widely
read mediums in regard to the obligatory
retirement of Lord Salisbury from the
seen of active politics, and in the face of
these oft-repeated rumors, a representa
tive of the Associated Press has made In
quiries and received this statement from
one who perhaps is closer to the Premier
than any one else In England:
"These rumors of Lord Salisbury's
poor health, the breaking down of his
intellect under personal bereavement, and
his Inability to concentrate his energies
are pure inventions. He is in the best of
health, never worked harder and enters
Into everj' situation with keen apprecia
tion of the slightest details. I have never
seen a divorce of personality from official
capacity so strikingly Illustrated as It has
been by Lord Salisbury during the last
few months. I suppose in due time some
one will have to succeed him, but he has
not mentioned this contingency, and .from
the zest with which he goes about his
work one would scarcely think he consid
ered it Personally, I would be glad If
Lord Salisbury exhibited more fervor and
vim. In his speeches in the House of Lords,
but I am happy to know that what the
world believes to be the lethargy and per
haps even the stolid stupidity of our Pre
mier, is entirely due to his belief that
the country is sufficiently excited and
stirred up without his adding directly or
indirectly any fuel to the fire. With this
Idea dominating his actions and speeches.
.he is- perfectly unmoved by the most caus
tic satire of the organs of his own party.
With a mature judgment of English peo
ple and affairs of state, he believes the
national crisis merits the sacrifice of an
appeal of party or popular sentiment. Any
one knowing the man thoroughly would
be slow to criticize such a determination."
The introduction of the budget has pro
duced a curious state of affairs, the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, Sir Michael
Hicks-Beach, becoming the butt of his
own party press and the .subject of the
opposition's encomiums. This is .greatly
due to the fact that he followed the lines
of Mr. Gladstone's exchequer policy, rely
ing upon raising existing taxes rather
than the introduction of new duties with
which to meet the war deficit. The abuse
showered on him by the Times is particu
larly strong. The "Thunderer" had siren
uously advocated a duty on sugar and sev
eral other Innovations, but the Chancellor
of the Exchequer accepted none of them
and paid the penalty. In spite of this,
and thanks to the Queen and Lord Rob
erts, the budget has been swallowed
gracefully, and Lord Salisbury's Govern
ment Is not likely to suffer much at the
next election, through Increased taxation.
The price secured for the war loan also
helps the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as
It Is not too low seriously to disappoint
the country nor too high to cause a loss.
The financial operators bid It up to 102,
thus speculators will reap a nice profit
of 3&.
There was nothing heroical and little
of Interest about the budget, excopt Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach's reference to the
Chicago millionaire. Smith, whose estate
paid 5000,000 In death duties. This created
almost more comment than anything con
tained in his speech, but since the late
Mr. Smith's executors have written deny
ing the statement that ho had lived on la
shillings a day, and pointing out that he
had given, during his lifetime nearly
1,000.000 to English charities, the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer's reputation for
happiness In choosing Illustrations has
somewhat Suffered, while various papers
have questioned his good taste in thus
referring to a dead American.
Rush for the "War Loan.
LONDON, March 10. The rush of appli
cants for the war loan commenced at the
Bank of England and the various other
banks where prospectuses were obtainable
Immediately after they were opened today,
and a steady stream of people continued
throughout the day. All sorts and condi
tions of persons were present. They ap
peared anxious to stuff their money Into
Britannia's pockets, and it is estimated
that the loan was oversubscribed within
two hours after the opening- of -the banks.
WHEELER'S RESIGNATION.
It Will Be' Accepted at Washington
on His Arrival.
WASHINGTON. March 10. It appears
that General WTieeler tendered his resig
nation from the United States Army last
fall. It was dated November 2S, at Pani
qul, Luzon, and was not cabled, but came
by the slow process of the malls. More
over, it did not come directly to the War
Department, but went to the White House,
where it has been reposing since its ar
rival In Washington. The War Depart
ment officials have just learned of it. The
General's resignation was not accepted
promptly by the President, out of con
sideration for the officer. Instead, he was
ordered to report to the War Department
at Washington. His resignation will r,
accepted here, and the effect of this ac
tion will be to allow him his mileage apd
expenses to Washington.
Soldier's Sentence Commuted.
WASHINGTON, March 10. The Presi
dent has commuted to Imprisonment for
life the sentence of death Imposed bj
court-martial In the case of Private George
Murphy, company C, Twenty-fourth In
fantry, convicted of the murder of an
other soldier of the s&me company in the
Philippines.
a
Receiver for Mutual Investment Co.
TACOMA, March 10. F. A. Udell today
was appointed receiver for the Mutual In
vestment Company, of Tacoma. There are
no assets, and it is said the books of the
company are now In Portland In possession
of officers of. the Pacific Investment Com
pany. ... .
FLED IN DISGUISE
Powers and Davis Escaped From
Frankfort,
BUT WERE CAUGHT AT LEXINGTON
They Are Charged With Complicity
in the Assassination of Go eh el
Militia Not All With Taylor.
FRANKFORT, Ky., March 10. The situ
ation here reached a point of extreme ten
sion today, almost approaching that of
the trying times Immediately following
the assassination of Goebel.
The reinstatement of the military power
in complete control of the State Execu
tive building, and the refusal of the mili
tary authorities to allow the local pcllco
and civil officers to enter the building
for the purpose of arresting Secretary of
State Caleb Powers and Captain John W.
Davis, charged with being accessories to
the Goebel assassination, and the prob
ability of a conflict between the civil and
mlltlary authorities, made the situation
look serious during most of 'the day.
This morning City Marshal Richardson
applied at the Executive building and de
manded to be admitted for the purpose of
arresting Powers and Davis, but was
turned back, and the warrants were then
turned over to Sheriff Sutter. The latter
also presented himself at the Executive
building and demanded admittance. He
was referred by the officer In charge to
Colonel Morrow, and the latter being
found said:
"I am sorry, Mr. Sher'ff. but It la
agalnrt Governor Taylor's orders to let
any one Into the building today."
Sheriff Sutter then held a consultation
with County Attorney Polsgrove. Com
monwealth's Attorney Franklin and other
officers. Meantime, the police force had
been doubled and a detail of the police
guarded the entrances to the State House
grounds to prevent the men from escaping
If they should attempt to do so. At tho
conference between the officials, it was
decided the Sheriff should fummon a large
reserve force of deputies to be called Into
use In the event it was decided to attempt
to enter the building In force to make
the arrests, and in pursuance of this, tho
Sheriff swore in 60 men, who were sta
tioned In the neighborhood of the Sheriffs
office during the afternoon. Sheriff Sut
ter made another attempt to get an au
dience with Governor Taylor this after
noon, but was unsuccessful.
The streets were fairly blocked with
people In the vlclnty of the State Houfc
but there was no open demonstration,
though It was evident the populace was
on the side of the civil authorlt'es. At 3
o'clock. Sheriff Sutter, having failed to
get any sort of understanding with the
military authorities as to the arrest of
the men. submitted the question to Demo
cratic Governor Beckham to decide to what
what" extent the civil officers should go to
gain admittance to the building for the
purpose of making tho arrest.
It is .said late tonight that Democratic
Governor Beckham will not give an an
swer to Sheriff Sutter's request for in
structlons until next week, and since the
escape and arrest ot PowerB and Davis he
may decide that the changed condition of
affairs does not necessitate the giving of
Instructions on his part.
The Trlplett resolution, authorizing the
expenditure of $100,000 In arming and
equipping a State Guard, under Governor
Beckham and Adjutant-General Castle
man, will como up In the House Tuesday;
The events of today served to show very
forcibly that the State Guard, as at pres
ent organized, does not unanimously rec
ognize Taylor as Governor. Lieutenant
Sparks refused to muster In the London
company today in response to a telegram
from Governor Taylor ordering him to
bring the company here, and the Lexing
ton company also refused. Major Robert
Kennedy, of Lexington, came here tonight
and personally tendered to Governor Beck
ham the services of the Third Battalion
of the Second Regiment He also stated
that 50 men tonight are guarding the
company's armory, and will recognize onlj
Beckham as Governor.
Escape From Frankfort.
The escape of Secretary of State Powers
and Captain Davis from this city to Lex
ington was so neatly laid and executed
that It took the police and a big force of
Deputy Sheriffs, appointed to guard tho
entrances to the Cap'tol grounds and pre
vent their escape, off their feet when they
realized what had occurred. Since 10:33
o'clock this morning a detail of regular
and extra policemen and Deputy Sheriffs
had stood at each entrance to the State
Capitol grounds. It was reported that to
night even Governor Taylor. Powers. Da
vis and the entire Republican outfit at
the State House would attempt to decamp
to London, tho alleged proposed seat of
tho Republican Government, nnd precau
tions were taken to Intercept the two men
wnnted, Powers and Davis, In the event
of the exodus.
Powers and Davis, It was thought,
passed the entire day In the Executive
building and their plans ere laid for the
coup tonight, starting with the escapo
from here as was executed. The plan. It
Is generally understood here, was that
Davis and Powers should get off at Lex
ington and take a Cincinnati Southern
train to Somerset, and from there go to
Barboursvllle, where they would be under
tho protection of a militia company com
manded by John T. Powers, the brother of
Caleb Powers, and for whom a warrant
of arrest has also been Issued, and from
there to London the sailing would be easy.
While the police were guarding the
State House and expecting Powers and
Davjs to emerge from there. It Is probable,
from developments tonight, that they were
quartered elsewhere during the entire day.
At any rate, when the Chesapeake & Ohio
train, eastbound, pulled In from Louisville
tonight, a dozen policemen and half as
many deputies were there to see If either
of these men attempted to board It. "ATI
aboard," called out the conductor, and the
tra'n started off. A soldier dashed from
the corner on the opp-s'te side from the
station and. throwing himself upon the
platform of the second car, jerked the
bellcord and the train came to a stop.
Then 30 soldiers, with Powers and Davis
In their midst, each In regulation uniform,
rushed upon the cars. Lieutenant-Colonel
Morrow was in charge of the squad.
"Anything the matter?" Inquired tho
conductor, as he peered out and saw the
bluecoats piling on the train. "No, noth
ing the matter, unless you delay this
train here." responded a soldier, and with
nnother jerk of the rope, the train was
off and the men were speeding toward Lex
ington. When the train first pulled out most of
the crowd Including the police, thinking
that no effort was being made to take
Powers and Davis out of town, turned
and started to leave the station, and It
was several minutes before the truth of
the escape of the. men was definitely
knewn. Persons who were on the oppo
s'to Fide of tho train, however, and who
saw tho soldiers as thev made the rush
upon It. recognized both Powers and Davis,
and In a few minutes the city was in
flamed with the Information. Chief of
Police Williams Immediately sent tele
grams to Lexington and all stations along
the road notifying officers of the escapa
and ordering them to bo on the lookout.
The train makes no stop between here and
Lexington, but these steps were taken aj
a precaution against the stopping of the
train by the soldiers at any of the midway
towns.
A train of four coaches came in from
Lexington tonight, and Is now lying on
the railroad track at the Louisville &
Nashville station. It Is reported that this
Is for the purpose of carrying Governor
Taylor and the militia from here to Lon
don. Ky., but this Is not confirmed.
Tho local officers are taking precautions
tonight to prevent any attempt to rescue
W. H. Coulton and Harland Whlttakcr,
the two suspects In jail here, and they
will probably be removed to some other
place lor safe keeping.
POWERS AND DAVIS ARRESTED.
Taken in Charge by Police on Their
Arrival at Lexington.
LEXINGTON, Ky., March 10. Almost
without warning the storm center of ex
citement In the present gubernatorial
struggle shifted to Lexington .tonight, and
up until a late hour the town was In an
uproar. Tho S:40 Chesapeake & Ohio train
from Frankfort brought with it In one car
to themselves Secretary of State Caleb
Powers. Captain John Davis, Capitol
Square policeman, and Lieutenant F. R.
Peake. of Covington. Intelligence had
preceded them that they were on their
way to Lexington and were trying to make
their escape. When the train pulled in,
the entire police force of this city, under
command of Chief John McD. Ross and
Sheriff Henry Bosworth, with a large force
of deputies, boarded the train.
On entering the. coach, the officers
found about. 25 soldiers and Powers and
Davis, the soldiers being under command,
apparently, of lieutenant Peake. Lieu
tenant Peake sprang to his feet at once
and commanded tho soldiers to clear the
car. In an Instant 20 revolvers were
drawn by the officers and they were all
leveled at Peake. who gamely tried to
pull his own revolver, but as he drew It
from the scabbard a policeman smashed
him across the hand with his club and thus
prevented what would have undoubtedly
resulted In a tragedy. The Sheriff com
manded the conductor to cut off the car
The conductor remonstrated, stating that
the train carried United States mall, and
the demand was then not pressed.
A local attorney recognized Powers and
also pointed out Davis. They were seized
and hurried to Jail. As the procession
swept toward the jail, some people started
the report that there was to be a lynch
ing, and soon the streets were packed with
people, an enormous crowd gathering
about the Jail. Davis, Powers and Peake
were hurried to the upper cells, but Peake
was later released on bond on a common
warrant on a charge of resisting arrest.
Davis and Powers were both disguised.
Both wore the regular soldier uniforms
complete, even including the leggings.
Davis had shaved off his mustache and
goatee. He had $215 In money on his per
son ahd a revolver. There was found on
Powers $1300. In the Inside pocket of each
man was found a pardon from Governor
W. S. Taylor, duly signed and sealed.
Attorney W. C. Dunlap. Postmaster El
kin and Attorney R. Stoll called on Sec
retary of State Powers, And to the As
sociated Press correspondent they stated
that Powers told Dunlap substantially
that he vas not fleeing from arrest. He
was simply getting away from. F.jpinkfort
to avoid lying In jail as Whitfakac'"
done, that he had nothing to fear from ar
resty as lie was not guilty- of, the charge,
and that he was going to Barboursvllle,
In the Eleventh Congressional district,
where Taylor's Jurisdiction was fully rec
ognized. Captain Davis had Mttle to say
to them, except that he thought he had
made a mistake In leaving home; that he
had nothing to fear from a trial. Neither
explained his disguise.
Immediately after arriving at the jatl,
a report got out that a special train went
back to Frankfort for the purpose of
bringing up men to rescue the prisoners.
Sheriff Bosworth applied at once to the
armory for a special detail of soldiers
under Captain Longmire, and they re
sponded, arriving at tho Jail a few mo
ments later, prepared to resist the ru
mored prospective attack. The Sheriff"
then designated a posse to supplement the
squad of soldiers, provided trouble might
come, and declared that any attempt to
take either of the prisoners from, jail would
be resisted to a finish, but It Is generally
believed this precaution was altogether
unnecessary. The excitement began to
subside by 11 o'clock. The railroads are
closely watched, however, and any at
tempt at rescue would result seriously.
Seoretary of State Powers was bleeding
profusely when taken to his cell. He said
he had been struck on the lread with a
club after reaching the inside of the jail,
presumably by one of the arresting of
ficers. There is much suppressed excite
ment among the local Goebel politicians,
as .if a coup were in prospect, but It Is
Impossible to learn Its true Inwardness.
Tho Jail Is carefully and strongly guarded
during the night. Powers and Davis would
not be allowed ball. All the soldiers that
attended Powers and Davis went through
on the train, presumably to Ashland, Ky.
They were not molested by the officers,
and Lieutenant Peake was taken because
of the effort to resist the officers.
Dr. Helm, the City Physician, dressed
the wounds of Secretary of State Powers.
Tho officers say he showed fight and re
sisted arrest, nnd was clubbed In the car
and not in Jail. Powers showed no con
cern for the howling crowds along the
street, but Captain Davis was apprehen
sive of violence. The distinguished pris
oners are kept In separate cells and not
allowed to see each other or to pee other
prisoners or any one except their guards.
Previous to the arrival of tho train, the
Sheriff was telephoned from Frankfort
that ho would get a reward of JlpOO for
Powers and $500 for Davis If they were
taken. It Is thought that they will bo
taken back to Frankfort without delay,
possibly tomorrow.
Shortly before midnight. Powers gave
out the following signed statement:
"I have nothing to say except that I
want a speedy trial. I have no fear of
the result before a non-partisan court
and jury. I hold a pardon from Governor
Taylor for the offense charged against
me, and I simply wanted to get to some
part of tho state where his acts as Gov
ernor would In a great measure be recog
nized. I have but two things to fear in
tho threatened prosecution, and they are
the rabid and corrupt Influences that $100,-
000 can have in the prosecution of any case
and the political influences that will be
incident o this trial. It is no small thing
to fear, as any sober, thinking man must
confess. I am innocent of the charge pre
ferred against me. All I ask Is a speedy,
fair and non-partisan trial. I am willing
for the public to know the whole of the
connection I have had with the very bitter
strife in this state. This is the only pub
lic statement I think I shall make" until I
am called upon to make my defense. I
was confident when I left Frankfort and
1 am" confident now that W. S. Taylor Is
at least do facto Governor of this state,
and that the acts of a de facto Governor
are legal and binding and that, therefore,
tho pardon received by me is a legal
shield of further prosecution. I was leav
ing what I thought would be a causeless
prosecution."
Militia Ordered Out.
BARB0UR5VILLE. Ky. March 10.
Tho local militia company has received
(Concluded ca Seoond Page) .-
ATTHE END OF LUZON
Peaceful Occupation of Sorso
gon by the Americans.
NATIYES WERE QUITE INDIFFERENT
All They Aslc Is to Be Left Alone to
Grow Their Crops Retreat of
the Tagals.
1 SORSOGON, Southern Luzon, Jan. 20,
Two days ago a military expedition of 2500
American troops, under General Kobbe.
left Manila and proceeded on several
steamships to the southern end of Luzon
Island, there to occupy and permanently
garrison six seacoast towns and villages.
Up to the present time, three such towns
have come under the American flag and
the control of the American Army of
ficers, and no one has been hurt on either
side. Two or three more places still re
main to be garrisoned down here, and then
the expedition will proceed to Samar and
Leyte, there to occupy and hold the prin
cipal towns of these neighboring Islands.
General Kobbe's command Is composed of
the Forty-third and Forty-seventh United
States Volunteer Infantry and Captain
Randolph's battery of the Third Artillery.
These troops were loaded on the trans
ports Hancock and Garonne and the local
steamers Venus, Aerolus, Salvadora and
Castellano.
Convoyed by tho gunboat Nashville, the
expedition left Manila January 18 and
slowly steamed down the coast to the en
trance of the deep bay that leads- from the
sea up to the top of Sorsogon, near the
southern extremity of Luzon. The morn
ing ot January SO we met the gunboat
Helena and the little Maraveles. The
three warships, leading the transports In
single file, the whole expedition slowly
proceeded up Sorsogon Bay. There had
followed us from Manila a Blde-wheel
steamer, the Nunez, with a serviceable
draft of six feet. Her use and value now
became apparent. Two companies of the
Forty-soventh were loaded Into eight of
tho Hancock's pullboats and two more
companies .passed aboard tho Nunez. Then
the Nunez towed the whole outfit toward
Sorsogon, still eight miles up the bay.
After an hour and a hah, the small boats
arrived off Sqrsogon, and we saw the town
was decorated wkh white and American
fiags. The Helena .and Nashvillo and tho
Maraveles had preceded the Nunez and
her boats to Sorsogon and were anchored
In front of the town.
General Kobbe, Captain Darlel, Colonel
Howe, of the Forty-seventh; Captain
Bradley, of the Hancock, and Lieutenant
Kobbe, the General's son, were on board
the Maraveles. This guriboat steamed
close to the wharf in front of the stone
warehouses along the water front, and a
pullboat set the party on shore. They were
met by a number of natives and Spaniards,
while crowds of the villagers stood and
gaped in wonder and curiosity. It wa3
fWeJpfirst eight of th AsieHcaas. Only
three days ago the Taeal leaders had con
vincingly told them thai .Agulnaldo fcad,
driven us out of Mahlfa and held us pris
oners upon vessels In Manila Bay.
The Spaniards told General Kobbe that
tho insurgent forces had evacuated the
town that morning, whereupon Colonel
Howe, with an American flag under his
arm and accompanied by on orderly,
walked rapidly across the square In front
of the church and raised the flag upon a
pore, facing a building that had the ap
pearance of a barrackB. The soldiers from
the Nunez were landed on the wharf and
marched up Into town. Tho people seemed
Indifferent of our presence, their only vis
ible characteristic being curiosity. All day
long they looked at thte Americans from
street corners, doorways and second-story
windows, and several times crowds of the
curious had to be dispersed from in front
of Colonel Howe's headquarters.
There were several Spaniards In town,
and from them was learned something of
the recent happenings on shore. Sorsogon
la an Important shipping port and a dis
trict capital. It has, like the rest of this
coast and the Islands of Samar and Leyte,
been blockaded by our vessels since August
last, and, consequently. Its people have
suffered from the lack of varieties ot
food. They seem to have had sufficient
rice, fish and bananas, which Is the diet
of the poorer classes, but all such comes
tibles aa come from Manila had long since
been exhausted. The Spaniards said they
wero very glad to see us, and they hoped
for the Immediate re-establishment of
commercial relations with Manila. It
seems thtre had been stationed In Sorso
gon about 9)0 Tagal soldiers, under the
command of Colonel Leon Paras. Thero
were over 100 rifles In the command, and
we were told they had little ammunlt'tp.
The Spaniards had been uniformly well
treated by the Filipinos, and there had
been no official imposition or injustice. The
Spaniards Tvero allowed every liberty, and
they averred that travel in the country
had been safe at all times. The town and
tho province had been ruled by the Tagal
leaders, and such civil forces as they es
tablished were directly under the controf
of the military and acted for them. There
have never been any Spanish prisoners In
the Province of Sorsogon, and all Spanish
friars and priests were driven away more
than a year. ago. The churches are now
occupied and services conducted by the
native clergy.
The natives of Southern Luzon are called
Vlcols. They seem quite peaceful as peo
ple, unlikely to give trouble If Tagal In
fluence be removed from them, and they
are more anxious to be left alone to grow
small cropo thnn to flgnt and die for the
Agulnaldo Ideal of liberty. This province
is a hemp-producer, and as there have
been no shipments out for six months past,
considerable of this product Is stored here
waiting transfer to a market.
It appears that the main body of the
Filipinos retreated toward a village called
Castillo, some eight miles distant, but a
rearguard of 20 men were left In Sorsogon,
and only quitted the outskirts of the town
when General Kobbe's party landed on
the wharf.
Rebel Resistance in Pnnny.
MANILA, March 11. Noon. Thousands
of organized Insurgents are resisting Colo
nel Houston's battalion of the Nineteenth
Regiment in the Antique province, in
Panay, which is the only province which
Americans do n&t occupy. Tho Ameri
cans lost seven killed. A battalion of
the Forty-fourth, from Ho Ho, reinforced
Houston's command.
One hundred and fifty Tagals armed with
rifles have surrendered at Caplz, and have
been transferred to Luzon. Six Americans
were killed In an ambush recently laid
by the Filipinos at Aparri.
Rear-Admiral McCormick Retired.
WASHINGTON. March 10. Rear-Admiral
H. H. McCormlch. who was yester
day assigned to duty as second In com
mand of the Asiatic station, under Ad
miral Remey, has been placed on the re
tired list on his own application-. His suc
cessor on the China station has not yet
been named.
Shorter Scrvioe in Philippines.
NEW YORK, March 10. Dr. H. D. Mor-
gan, of the United States Navy. Is In
this city. He has sent to the Navy De
partment a report In which he strongly
recommends that the terms of office of
officers and men In the service on duty In
the Philippines shall be made two Instead
of three vears.
"The climate there," said the Doctor, "Is
very enervating and Its effects are more
seriously felt In the second rather than
In the first year. The men cannot stand
the strain of continuous service there.
"I do not believe that the revolution Is
at an end. The Filipinos are scattered
about the Islands, mainly In Luzon, In
small bands, but It la generally under
stood that they are under orders to con
centrate at any given point, when the
word Is passed. I do not believe that
Agulnaldo I4 In China. It Is my impres
sion he Is still In Luzon.
"I notice much alarm has been mani
fested In different parts of this country lest
the bubonic plague be brought here by
bodies on the Hancock. There Is abso
lutely no reason for the slightest fear.
None of the dead on the Hancock died of
the plague."
FRENCH ROYALISTS PLOTTING
Their Object to Embroil Their Conn
try In War With England.
PARIS. March 10. There has been a re
crudescence of Anglophobia In sections of
Paris this week, which affects to believe
that war between England and France
forms a part of the determined policy of
Mr. Chamberlain and the British imperial
ists, who Intend to bring it about on the
conclusion of peace in South Africa. Much
of this anti-English campaign Is a part
of an underhand reactionary propaganda
against the Government and the Repub
lic M. Yves Guyot denounced this fos
tering of the idea that war with England
Is. inevitable by the anti-Republican press
in an article in La Slecle, In which he
stigmatized It as tho work of national
treachery.
"These organs," he says, "are preparing
a war because they know that it means a
naval Sedan for France, and they count
on overthrowing the Republic by a dis
aster similar to that which overthrew the
empire."
The growing hatred between the two
countries is certainly a matter of anxiety
to the French Government, which Itself
does new and has always maintained a
mostcorrect attitude toward England. The
correspondent of the Associated Press has
talked with an official of the Government
whose duty It Is to follow France's for
eign relations. He adm'tted that the pres
ent state of public feeling on both sides
of the channel was becoming dangerous
to the maintenance of amlc ble relations.
"This feeling," he said, "la mainly cre
ated by tho provocative attitude of the
English Jingo press, which Is so unani
mous in its attacks upon France that they
would seem to come from Mot d'Ordro.
Public fc-ellng In almost every country,
Including a considerable number of Amer
icans, is against Great Britain In the
Transvaal war, yet France alone' Is sin
gled out for these attacks. There Is no
question pending between tho -two coun
tries grave enough In Itself to lead to hos
tilities, but if the" present mutual feeling
of animosity continues. I cannot say what
may happen. The French Government Is
proparinr for any emergency. Our'vvealc'
spot In case of war would have been the
colonies, but when the measures now be
ing taken are completed they will be be
yond the possibility of capture or Invasion.
Algeria and Tunis are, of course, out of
the question, and the Government's ef
forts are directed towards securing the
safety of -the outlying colonies, such as
Tonquin. Madagascar, the West African
settlements and the West Indian Islands.
Stores, ammunition and improved arma
ments are being provided."
Confirmation of these preparations is
found in the published announcement of
the departure of stores for the colonies.
Paris, which has been vainly yearning
for a sensation, found ample excitement
in the destruction of the Theater Fran
cois, which overshadows every other topic
of Interest and haa afforded the news
papers material for pages of absorbing
reading. The tardiness of the fire bri
gade and .the lack of water supply formed
the subject of Inquiries In the municipal
council, but Prefect Lepine denied both,
declaring tho only delay arose in reaching
tho high roof of the building.
The newspapers here this week pub
lish a statement of the American lesaes
In the Philippines, furnished by Agonclllo,
the Filipino agent, which even the papers
publishing It describe as fanatic. Accord
ing to Agonclllo, C9S3 American soldiers
have been killed and 17,3-lD wounded be
tween February and November, 1S90. with
out reckoning the losses by disease.
a
IN FARMERS' HANDS.
Government Statistics of the Amount
of Unsold "Wheat, Corn and Oats.
WASHINGTON, March 10. The March
report of the statistician! of the DeparU
ment of Agriculture will show the amount
of wheat remaining In farmers' hands
March 1 to have been about 158,700,000
bushels, or 21) per cent of last year's crop,
as compared with 103,000,000 bushels, or 29.3
per cent of the crop of 1S9S on hand March
1, 1S93.
The corn In farmera hands is esti
mated at 775,700,000 bushels, or 37.2 per
cen. of last year's crop, against 800,500,000
bushels, or 4L6 per cent, of the crop of
1K)S on hand March 1. 1S99. The propor
tion of the total crop of last year shipped
out of tho country where grown is esti
mated at 16.8 per cent, or about 34S.000.000
bushels. The proportion of the total crop
of last year that was of a merchantable
standard Is estimated at 86.9 per cent.
Of oats, there are reported to be about
290,003,000 bushels, or 36.5 per cent, of last
year's crop still in farmers' hands, as
compared with 253,000,000 bushels, or 3S.7
per cent, of the crop of 1S9S on hand
March 1. 1ES9.
n a
HIS POLICY A SECRET.
Rev. Mr. Sheldon Taken Control of the
Topeka Capital Tomorrow. '
TOPEKA, Kan., March 10. The Rev.
Charles M. Sheldon, who takes editorial
and business control of the Dally Capi
tal Monday, spent half an hour In the
office of the paper this forenoon and then
went home to finish his Sunday sermon.
He persistently declined to be Interviewed,
but has extended an invitation to the re
porters to attend his service at 11 A. M.
tomorrow, which they have prom'sed to
do. A great deal of gossip Is Indulged In
regarding Mr. Sheldon's policy, but up to
this time nothing Is known. Many of
his close friends say he will follow the
Idea outlined In his famous novel "In His
Steps." The circulation of the Capital for
the week Is now very close to 250 COO, ex
clusive of news agency orders, and sub
scriptions ore still coming In at an Increas
ing rate.
Commercial Trenty "With Italy.
ROME, Marrh 10. In the Chamber of
Deputies today, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, the Msixquls Venosta. Introduced
a bill embodying the commercial agree
ment with the United States.
ANOTHER CHANGE
Proposal to Revise the Puerto
Rican Bill.
SENATE MAY LOWER THE TARIFF
Kree Entry of Goodi From This
Country- Grazing Land Bills
Shelved for This Session.
WASHINGTON. March 10. Thero is
more miserable shifting about proposed
upon the Puerto Rican tariff bill. Talk
In the Senate steering committee Is now
directed to a revision of the bill allowing
goods from the United States to enter free
of duty arid to lower the duty on gooda
from Puerto Rico below the 15 per cent
rate, making it merely nominal. The de
sire Is to keep the tariff on Puerto Rican
goods so as to make a precedent for the
Philippines. The reason for this change
Is because the amendment offered by Mc
Cumber, to allow breadstuffs free entry.
Is almost sure to prevail. Senators from
wheatgrowlng states would not dare to
vote against tho amendment, and If sup
ported by the Democrats, It would carry.
Then New England would want her fish
and lumber to have free entry, and thla
demand has reached such a point that
It would be positively ridiculous to havo
a tariff on some goods and free entry on
others. But It does not mitigate the
whole trouble. The people of this country
are not entirely selfish. The sentiment
that has been aroused Is in behalf of tho
Puerto RIcans. not for tho comparatively
few in this country who ship goods to
Puerto Rico. The vaccinating policy be
comes more apparent than before. The
zig-zag course Is almost as fatal as would
have been an adherence to the 25 per cent
tariff with the continued and emnhatio
declaration that It was for the purpose ot
rateing revenue for the Island. With the
proposed changes the whole groundwork
of the first contention falls, and It Is a
plain, bold proposition to insist upon tho
right of taxation.
Grazing: Land Bills Shelved.
Upon motion of Representative Moody,
tho following resolution was offered by
Mondell, of Wyoming, author of one of
the bills proposing to lease and cede tho
public lands, at the special meeting of the
committee on public lands today:
"Resolved, That In order to dispose of
legislative suggestions, which at the pres
ent time the committee or the Congress
Is not prepared to act upon, and to facili
tate the consideration of other Important
matters before the committee, all bills hav
ing for their object the general leasing
of public grazing lands be disposed of by
laying the same upon the table."
The action of the committee effectually
tables all leasing propositions, as well aa
the plans proposed for ceding the publla
domain to the respective states, and prac
tically foralls any such legislation dur
ing this Congre3s. Consequently, the leas
ing bills of Senator Foster and Represenv
tatives Mondell and Stephens are dead"ls
sues. far as the present Congress Is
concerned. This should d'spel all anxiety
over the anticipated danger consequent
upon the withdrawing from settlement ot
the leasing of public grazing lands.
Movement to Sidetrack: Rrynn.
A prominent Democratic Senator, who
will have a great deal to do with shaping
the policy of the party in the coming
campaign, declares that Bryan Is making
a great mistake In hte prcent position. Ho
thinks that nothing stands In the way of
Democratic success but Bryan's Inslstenco
upon the nomination. He says that Bryan
Is not only making a mistake for tho
party, but for himself. If he had the
sense to come to the Senate and wait four
years, he thinks he would become conser
vative and be a most formidable man by
that time. This Is one of the Indications
of the powerful movement generally
known to be on foot to get Bryan off the
track in order that his personality may
not be an Issue, and that the sliver ques
tion can be almost wholly eliminated from
the romlng canvass. It Is known that If
Bryan Is a candidate, the silver ques
tion cannot be kept out, although definitely
settled by the gold-standard bill.
Representative Tonprae Indisposed.
Representative Tongue has been some
what Indisposed for the past few days, and
today was unable to attend the session of
the House. No serious Hlnesa Is con
templated, however.
Cnnnl Trenty In Dnnprer.
Lord Pauncefote, the British Ambassa
dor, was In conference with Secretary Hay
for half an hour at the State Department
today. The officials have nothing to say
touching tho future of the pending Hay
Pauncefote treaty. It Is plain, however,
that the action of tho Senate committee
In bringing. In the amendment yesterday
is regarded by the officials as greatly en
dangering the life of the treaty. If the
Senate first adopts the amendment and
then ratifies the treaty, a conclusion by
no means certain in the official mind. It Is
said that the President will feel obliged to
s'gn It, placing the responsibility upon the
Senate, and then leaving It to the British
Government to accept or reject it. The
officials believe the British will reject the
treaty, and In that case the Clayton-Bui-wer
treaty will prevail again. Its force
having been recognized, according to tho
officials, not only by the Executive branch
of our Government. In preparing this pend
ing treaty, but also by the Senate of the
United States, as evidenced by the report
which accompanied the treaty yesterday
when It was presented to the Senate.
THE NATION'S WARDS.
Lesn Than Three Hundred Thousand
Indlnns in the Country.
WASHINGTON. March 1Q. The annual
reports of Indian Agents, which have been
received by the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, will be printed In the form of an
appendix to the report of the Commission
er. They show that the entire Indian pop
ulation is 297,905. of which number 95,679
wear citizens' dress, while 31.923 wear a
mixture of Indian an1 civilized clothing.
Those who can read number 42,597, and
53,314 can carry on an ordinary conversa
tion In English. There are 25,236 dwelling
houses built for Indians. 1153 of which
were built within the last year. The num
ber of births was 4237 and the deaths 5253.
Twenty-six Indians were killed by whites
and seven whites by Indians. One Indian
was killed by other Indians. The number
of Indian criminals punished was 1469.
There are 31,655 Indian church member
and 34S church buildings upon the various
reservations. The amount of money con
tributed last year by religious and other
soclotles was: For education, $261,515: for
general church work, 5119.407. and $16,016
from New York for the support of the
school established by that state.
Phelps Funeral Today.
NEW HAVEN, Conn.. March 10. Tho
funeral of tho late Hon. Edward J.
Phelps, ex-MIn-ister to England, who died
at his home here yesterday, will be held
In Battel Chapel, Yale, at 3 o'clock Sun
day afternoon, and tho body will then
bo taken to Burlington, Vt., where the in
terment will be Tuesday.