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PAGES I TO 5
VOL. XXIL NO. 50.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 13, 1903.
v
0u
OTH MAY G
HitchcockFavorsaNew
Man at Roseburg.
REGISTER IN LUMBER FIRM
Secretary Fears Private and
Official Duties Clash.
LITTLE HOPE FOR THOMSON
Report of Inspector on the Record of
the Suspended Receiver Places
Him in an Unfavorable
Light.
it
J. Henry Booth, Register at Rose
fcurg, is a brother of State Senator
B. A. Booth. Previous to his appoint
ment he was connected with a lumber
ing concern at Grant's Pass. It la
understood ho urges in his defense that
hio connection with the Booth-Kelly
Lumber Company is simply that of a
stockholder, his brother being the man
ager of the business.
The late Congressman Tongue was
largely instrumental in having Mr.
Booth appointed.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. "Well
ington, Dec. 12. The Oregon Senators are
likely to be called upon to recommend a
new man for Receiver of the Roseburg
Land Office In place of James H. Booth,
whose reappointment, as well as that of
IReglster Bridges, they requested some
time ago. A careful and thorough Inves
tigation has been made Into the records
of both men. No objection Is raised to.
Bridges, but Booth Is shown to be a
prominent officer in the Booth-Kelly
Lumber Company, and his relations with
that company, which has been extensively
operating in timber lands In Southern
Oregon and Northern California, leads
Secretary Hitchcock to believe that Booth
should not hold Government and private
office, simultaneously. Booth has already'
served a year and a half beyond his ap
pointed term.
Little Hope for Thomson.
Try ad he .may, at the solicitation of the
Oregon Senators, to set aside his convic
tion that Asa B. Thomson should not be
reinstated as Receiver of La Grande Land
Office, Secretary Hitchcock, after review
ing all the facts as he sees them, comes
back to his original conclusion that Thom
son should sever his connection with the
Interior Department "for the good of the
service." He does not see his way clear
again to turn over to Thomson the Im
portant office of Receiver of a busy Land
Office when reports from Inspector Greene
confirming charges made by Individuals,
allege that Thomson, during his term In
office, accepted, without question, the
check of one man In payment of 40 dis
tinct timber entries Initiated by as many
individuals, and this In the face of ex
plicit Instructions to use every means to
bead off every attempt at violations of
the timber and stone act.
Regardless of whether the numerous
charges are true, the Secretary's convic
tion that Thomson allowed so apparent
8a attempt to violate the timber and
stone act to be made without even ques
tioning the motive or purpose of the one
individual In making payment on 40 sepa
rate entries, is sufficient evidence that
Thomson cannot be Intrusted with the
duties of Receiver.
Fears a Second Acquittal.
Beyond this, however, the Secretary,
after reviewing the 30 or more affidavits
making as many charges against Thom
son. Is forced to ponder over the ad
visability of restoring to office the man
recently acquitted, but who. In the light
of pending charges, is ilkely again to be
indicted Just as soon as the next Federal
grand jury meets, If ho is Installed in
office.
Secretary Hitchcock appreciates the In
jury that is being done the community by
prolonging the suspension of Thomson,
which virtually closes the La Grande
office, and Is anxious that business shall
fce resumed. He is, therefore, brought
lace to face with two propositions. He
must either reinstate Thomson and dis
regard the swarm of affidavits and the
adverse reports of Inspector Greene,
which have just been received, or he must
call for Thomson's resignation and re
quest the Oregon delegation to nominate
a new man. Greene's mall report does
not encourage the Secretary to abandon
his avowed Intention of dispensing with
Thomson's services, and the charges that
are sworn to, and which are varied and
numerous, Indicate to the Secretary that
there must be something wrong. His
present conviction Is that Thomson should
go, and within a very short time he ex
pects to announce, to the Senators his
final decision.
HEARING ON FAIR BILL PUT OFF
Senate .Committee Will Have Oregon
Men Appear Next Saturday.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
ington, Dec 12. The Senate committee
on expositions has postponed its hearing
on Senator Mitchell's Lewis and Clark
hill until Saturday, December 19, when it
is expected that the Oregon committee,
consisting of H. W. Scott, president of the
Exposition; H. W. Goode, director-general;
Whitney L. Boise and Jefferson
Myers, president of the state commission,
will make earnest pleas for a liberal Fed
eral appropriation. It was originally ln-
tended that this hearing should be had
on December 17, but as Senator Mitchell
delivers his speech on that "day, it has
been found necessary to choose a later
day, If a full and complete presentation
of Portland's case can be made next Sat
urday and there Is sufficient opportunity
presented for the entire Oregon Congres
sional delegation to be heard.
In addition to the special committee, it
Is possible the bill may he reported before
the holiday adjournment, on December 22,
but If a series of hearings-are found neces
sary, they may be conducted during the
holiday recess so that a favorable jreport
can be made to the Senate when It recon
venes after the holidays.
Senator Mitchell and Senator Fulton
will endeavor to secure the passage of
the Lewis and Clark bill throug"hthe
Senate early In January, so that as much
time as possible can be given to Its con
sideration In the House committee and
later in the House.
While the, bill Is likely to pass the Sen
ate at an early day. It is apparent that it
will not bo finally acted upon In the House
until well toward the close of the session.
It appears probable that It may be nec
essary to attach the Lewis and Clark bill
to the sundry civil bill as a rider, and If
this is done, the efforts of the 'delegation
will be concentrated in having the rider
held on the bill. The sundry civil bill is
always one of the last measures adopted
by Congress, and should the delegation
have to turn to that measure to secure an
appropriation for the Lewis and Clark
Exposition, the money appropriated will
not be made available much before June.
This, however, will be in sufficient time
to permit of Its judicious expenditure at
the Exposition grounds, and In the col-,
lection of various parts of proposed gov
ernment exhibit
FOR POSTMASTER AT SEATTLE
Humphreys Files Indorsements of G.
M. Stewart.
OREGONTAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
ington, Dec. 12. Representative Hum
phreys today filed his personal recom
mendation thatyG. M. Stewart be reap
pointed Postmaster at Seattle. "With It he
submitted numerous indorsements of
Stewart from leading business men and
other citizens of Seattle, stating that
Stewart was the popular choice for the
Postmastershlp. The Senators have not
yet expressed themselves on this appoint
ment. Humphreys believes that they will
not Interpose objections to Stewart's nom
ination and confirmation.
Rural Carriers for Eugene.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, "Wash
ington, Dec 12. George L. Harwood was
today appointed regular, Roy Boyd sub
stitute, rural carriers at Eugene.
TO SET ASIDE VULAED'S WILL
Only Daughter of the Late Million
aire Begins the Action.
NEW YORK, Dec 12. -Mrs. Helen "VII-:
lard Bell, the only daughter of the late
Henry Villard, has brought suit In the
Supreme Court in Westchester County, to
set aside the will of the millionaire, ac
cording to a story to be published in the
World tomorrow. She names as the
principal defendants Mrs. Fanny Garri
son Villard, her mother, and her two
brothers, Oswald and Harold Villard. The
defendants altogether number 50, includ
ing educational and charitable Institutions,
to which Mr. Villard left about 5250,000.
In her complaint Mrs. Bell says "on
Information and belief said alleged will
and testament was never executed by
this Henry Villard In conformity with
the requl-jp.ments of law. At the time
of tho alleged execution thereof, said
Henry Villard was of unsound mind and
incapable of making a testamentary dis
position of his property. The execution
thereof. If the same were ever executed
by said Henry Villard, was secured by
fraud and undue Influence."
Mrs. Bell further alleges that the will
which was admitted to probate on De
cember 29, 1900, by the Surrogate of West
chester County, "Is not the last will and
testament of the said Henry Villard."
Of $3.Q0O.O0O personal estate left by Mn,
Villard, Mrs. Bell received $137,000.
Priest Illegally Gains Fortune.
PARIS, Dec 12. A dispatch from Nice
tells the story of the illegal acquisition
by a priest of a fortune of ?20.000.000, left
by a Corslcan sea captain named Costa.
Jl man now employed as a railroad guard
Is believed to be the rightful heir to the
money. The djspatch adds that the re
cent resignation of a high Italian official
was caused hy a desire to be free in or
der that he might endeavor to fathom the
mystery.
NAMED AS FIRSJ UNITED STATES MINISTER
TO PANAMA.
v : v a.' r jk s 4BB(HHEBBU.BflBEBCiSsB?v ji
W. T. BUCHANAN,
WAITS ON GERRY
Young Man's Sickness
, Delays Harriman.
FAMOUS NEWYORKER'8 SON
Special Trains Carry Rela-
tives -Across Continent,
DOCTORS- TALK OVER WIRE
Great Railroad Magnate Tarries Un
til Member of His Party Is Out of
Danger From Attack of
Typhoid Fever.'
Peter Gerry, son of Elbridge T. Gerry,
is sick of typhoid fever at St Vincent's
Hospital. Though but 24 years, old he has
detained several days at Por'tlanO, a man
who deals in big railroads as a humble
merchant deals In cabbages or collar but
tons. ' E. H. Harriman is one of the greatest
railroad kings on earth, but he stands
J and waits until all doubt of young Gerry's
recovery shall be dispelled. "The patient's
condition is now satisfactory and there
are no untoward circumstances," the at
tending physician. Dr. IC A. J. Mack
enzie, announcediast night; therefore Mr.
Harriman will -start Eastward this after
noon, leaving young Gerry behind.
A special wire lias carried tidings of
the patient clear through to his home at
New York. A special train will arrive
early today bearing the sick youth's
brother, Robert T. Gerry, from New York.
And a second special train will start from
New York today bringing hltherward the
father,' the mother and the two sisters.
Mr. Harriman is said to have placed his
railroads at the disposal of the family.
One day he gave the father and mother
the use of a through wire from here to
New York. All regular business over the
wire, was suspended for more than half
Laohounwhile the, fcpiUy -physlclanati
jthe Atlantic end-.conversed through opera
tors, -with th'e attending physician here
Young Gerry accompanied Mr. Harriman
from. Chicago. Where he contracted the
disease Is not certainly known. The pa
tient fell sick' In California more than
a week ago, but stayed on Mr. Harriman's
special train. As he came northward the
sickness grew. Mr. Harriman stopped thb
train at Ashland to consult a physician,
but the disease was not stayed. "When
Gerry arrived at Portland he was in high
fever. At once he was removed in an am
bulance to St, Vincent's Hospital, where
he received the best medical attention.
The fever Is of mild type, however, and
easy to control. The patient at no time
has been In serious danger, but rumors
got afloat In the East that he was dying.
This morning Dr. Robert Jalnes, of New
York, his personal physician, will arrive
with Robert T. Gerry.
Elbridge Tr Gerry, the father, common
ly called "Commodore." Is famed chiefly
as one of the founders of the New York
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children. The organization is frequently
called the "Gerry Society," and was the
first of pic kind ever founded. The Com
modore was Its president for 25 years.
More than 500 societies of the same model
have been established in various parts
of the world.
The young man at the hospital bears
one of the most noted names In American
history. He Is great-grandson of tho
famous Governor of Massachusetts, whose
political methods engendered the political
word "gerrymander." It Is now known
OF NEW YORK.
that the celebrated great-grandfather.
Elbridge Gerry, did not lend his influence
to such .a partisan purpose as that of
cutting up the state into districts which
looked like salamanders, and which en
gendered the famous word "gerryman
der"; nevertheless the word has a per
manent place in the political vocabulary
of the United States.
Elbridge Gerry was a signer of the
Declaration of Independence, a member of
the Continental Congress and of the Na
tional Constitutional Convention, twice
Governor of Massachusetts (1810-12), and
died as Vice-President of the United
States in 1814. This great-grandfather of
Peter, in the hospital, was an enemy of
theaters and horse races and advocated
days of fasting, humiliation and prayer.
If the British had captured him that
night after the battle of Lexington, when
he fled half dressed from Cambridge to a
friendly cornfield, the great-grandson
might not now be at the hospital, in fact,
might not be any where at all.
A monument at Washington marks the
memory of Elbridge Gerry. It reads:
V The Tomb of :
: ELBRIDGE GERRY. :
: Vice-President of the United States, :
: who died suddenly in this city :
: on his way to the :
: Capital as President of the Senate, :
; November 23 1814. :
: Aged 70. :
The grandson of Elbridge Gerry and
the father of the youth now at the hos
pital is a lawyer of distinction and a
philanthropist of renown. His law li
brary numbers 30,000 volumes, but he has
practically retired from the legal pro
fession. His father, Thomas R. Gerry,
was an Army ofllcer who died when the
son was 7 years old. Elbridge T.
Gerry was graduated from Columbia Col
lege In 1S57 with honors and thereupon
entered the legal profession in which he
achieved noteworthy success. He is an
enthusiastic yachtsman and was commo
dore of the New York Yacht Club from
1SS6 to 1S93.
The New York Society for the Preven
tion of Cruelty to Children is Elbridge
T. Gerry's chief handiwork. He secured
the passage by the Legislature of laws
enabling the society to pursue its work
and conferring upon it corporate power
(Concluded on Page 2.)
CONTENTS OF . TODAYS PAPEE
National.
Register J. Henry Booth, at Roseburg, may
be succeeded by another. Page 1.
Hitchcock receives report of Inspector in
Thomson case, and there is little hope for
the suspended Receiver at La Grande.
Page 1.
Panama.
Secretary Root calls General Bell to Washing
ton to plan a campaign against Colombia;
troops may go at any time. Page 1.
Roosevelt appoints W. I. Buchanan, of New
York, Minister to Panama. Pago 1.
Political.
National Republican Committee chooses Chi
cago as convention city,- and. fixes June 21
a thrrdato,- Page-1 - ;-.,
Boosevrlt. tolls Illinois politician he "will not
bs drawn Into slit Quarrel. Page 2.
State Senator W. "W. Tolman will run for
Governor of Washington on the Democratic
ticket if McBride is defeated in tho Repub
lican convention. Page C.
Congress.
Senate gives five hours to the discussion of
the Cuban bill, Foster of Louisiana, in op
position, making the principal speech.
Page'2.
Democratic Senators, In caucus, decide to
offer no amendments to the Cuban bill.
Page 2.
Senate committee takes up protests of Smoot,
and asks him to Eubmlt his answer In
writing. Page 2.
Domestic.
John W. Procter, president of the Civil Serv
ice Commission, dies suddenly. Page 3.
Senator Clark is resting easy, and should be
out In three w.eeks. Pare 2.
Chicago Judge orders a judgment against a
labor union, establishing a precedent.
Page 11.
.foreign.
Emperor William unexpectedly returns to
Berlin, and Is given an enthusiastic wel
come. Page 3.
Lord Ablnger, prominently connected in Amer
ica, dies In Paris as the result of heart
disease, following shock sustained In fall
ing downstairs. Page 3.
Sports.
Fossil. 10 to 1, wins Crocker stake, worth
$3750, at Oakland. Page 14.
Walthour and Munroe win the six-day bicycle
race. Page 14.
Dugdale may possibly be elected president of
Coast League, which 'would end war.
Page 14.
University of Oregon faculty 'consents to All
Oregon game. Page 14.
Tacoma Joins Pacific Coast League. Page 14.
Commercial Club defeats Multnomah at
bowling. Page 14.
, Pacific Coast. '
Judge Eakln fixes date of hanging of Pleasant
Armstrong for January 22, 1904, at Baker
City. Page 7.
Samuel Frnser, of Seattle, Wash., goes crazy
on O. R & X. train, and attempts to under
take the duties of the conductor. Pa.ge 0.
Mortgage-holders of Boise-Payette River elec
tric plant decline a receiver, and take in
terest money. Page 0.
Youth at Roy, Wash., watches burglar at
work, and though armed is too frightened
to shoot. Pace 7.
Commercial and Marine.
Irregular tone of New York stock market.
Page IS.
Week In Wall street. Page 15.
Features of the New York bank statement.
Page 15.
Wheat weak and lower at Chicago. Page 15.
San Francisco produce quotations. Page 15.
Gatzert and Spencer race to The Dalles.
Page 12.
Japs who escaped from Indravclll may be
drowned. Page 12.
Portland and Vicinity.
Illness of Peter Gerry starts special trains
across the continent. Page 1.
B. H. Harriman talks on Northwest railroad
projects. Page 12.
Livestock convention will indorse bill for
livestock census. Page 10.
State Lewis and Clark Commissioners will
build their own buildings. Page 29.
Arlington Club elects officers for coming year.
Page 13.
Farmers' Institute closes at Gresham. Page 13.
Features and Departments.
Editorial. Paso 4.
Church announcements. Page 23.
Social. Pages 20-21.
Classified advertisements. Pages 24-27.
Musical. Page 19. -
In Portland toyshops at the holidays 50 years
ago. Page 33.
With an engineer that made eight miles in 4
minutes. Page 32. '
Mr. Carpenter's letter. Pare 30.
Book reviews. Page 23.
Christmas stories for young folk. Pages 3S-39.
Dramatic. Pase 18.
John Kendrlck Bangs' Interview with Santa.
Claus. Page 36.
Ten Years of Oregon. Page 33.
Christmas in tha household. Pages 34-35.
GHEGA9Q GETS
The Republicans Select
Convention "City.
MEETING SET- FOR JUNE-2 1
St Louis and Pittsburg -in
the Race to theLast.
ALL BID HIGH FOR THE:H0N0R
Socialistic Problem, Representation
for Islands, and Political Rights of
the Negro Are Referred to
Special Committees.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. The National
Republican convention will be held In
Chicago beginning at noon, onNJune 21
next. The Republican National Commit
tee reached this conclusion today, and
adjourned subject to call. ,
Pittsburg- and St. Louis were rivals of
Chicago for the convention. Each city
was well represented in oratory before the
committee, and each also had cash offers
to make. Pittsburg offered J100.000, Chi
cago, $75,000 and a hall, and St. Louis,
540,000 and a hall. The vote stood 43 for
Chicago, 7 for Pittsburg, and 1 for St.
Louis.
The work of the committee was har
monious throughout. Its open session to
day was attended by many Republicans.
Several minor questions were referred to
special committees. Included in this list
was the representation asked for by Porto
Rico, Hawaii and Luzon, the Socialistic
problem, and the political rights, of the
negro.
A committee headed by Senator Scott,
of West Virginia, was named to make all
arrangements for tho convention. Sena
tor Hanna dined with the committee at
the Arlington Hotel this evening.
The Executive Session.
The executive session occupied an hour
and 40 minutes. The first business taken
nlPwaYtfie" ""question TSr"a"dnWrtTnga"ere
pates, tcthe convention from, Porto Rico.
The matter was referred to a committee
consisting of H. C. Payne, N. B. Scott.
J. H. Gallinger,' E. E. Murphy and D. W.
lulvane. The committee has power sim
ply to make recommendations to the con
vention, but can report to Hawaii and
Luzon as well.
Socialism, as a political factor. Is to be
Investigated by a committee which also
Is to take up the question of guarantee
ing the rights of the negro citizens. The
committee consists of George R. Sheldon,
New York; Myron T. Herrick, Ohio; J.
E. Addicks. Delaware; J. G. Capers, South
Carolina; J. W. Lyons, Georgia.
Mr. Capers stated to the committee that
his right t,o sit as a member of the com
mittee had been questioned. Chairman
Hanna replied, that under a resolution
adopted at the last convention no one
could question his membership. The pro
test against Capers was laid on the table.
Choosing Convention City.
Tho question of selecting the city in
which the convention Is to be held was
then taken up. St. Louis filed a written
guarantee of 540,000 In cash and the free
use of a hall. For Chicago, Graeme Stew
art stated that the citizens of Chicago
were aware that a written guarantee was
not necessary and consequently had none
to offer. He, however, would give his per
R. M. MINNEHAN
NEW GRAND PRESIDENT OF THE
sonal guarantee for 575,000 cash and the
free use of a hall If Chicago were se
lected. i .
Senator Penrose gave his personal guar
antee for 5100,000 In cash to secure the
convention for Pittsburg1. A secret vote
was then taken, each member writing
his choice on a slip of paper. The result
was: Chicago, 43; Pittsburg, 7; St. Louis,
1. It was requested that the Chicago offer
be presented, In 'writing. June 21 was
chosen as the date for holding the con
vention. Chairman Hanna designated as a com
mittee to prescribe the manner of elect
ing delegates totlie convention from, the
District of Columbia, Senator McComas,
Maryland; J. W. Yerkes, Kentucky, and
Representative Brownlow, Tennessee.
A "committee to make arrangements for
holding the convention was named, consisting-
of Senator N. B. Scott, of "West
Virginia, chairman; Senator M. A. Hanna,
Postmaster-General H. C. Payne, H. C.
New, of Indiana, and R. B. Schneider, of
Nebraska.
A resolution was adopted prescribing
that the convention should be held in the
exact language of the call of 1900, giving
the states four delegates at large, and
two delegates for each Congressional dis
trict, and to the territories six delegates
each. Delegates must be selected prior to
May 2L At 1:40 o'clock Chairman Hanna
announced the adjournment of the com
mittee to meet in cago at tHe call of
the chairman.
WASHINGTON MAN SCORES.
Crocker Gets Convention Called Later
Than Leaders Desire.
"WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. B. D. Crocker,
of "Washington, who represented that state
at the meeting- of the National Republi
can committee, came into prominence to
day, and won quite a signal victory in the
face of determined opposition by prom
inent men. "When the. National committee
took up the question of fixing a date for
the convention Eastern members suggest
ed June 7 as the proper time. Crocker
entered a protest, saying his state and
the "West demanded a later day.
Senator Lodge made opposition to
Crocker's suggestion, as did others from
the North and East, and an attempt was
made to compromise on June 14. Crocker
stood pat, however, and the extreme
Northwest generally soon rallied to his
support and then the solid representation
from the "West and South, and his point
was carried.
Charles Olson, of Spokane, "Wash., was
today appointed gauger at the Internal
revenue office at Spokane, vice D. J.
Sears, removed by Collector Crocker.
ROUTINE WORK OF COMMITTEE
Chicago, St. Louis and Pittsburg All
Bid Highvfor Convention.
"WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. It was 10:20
p'eje-ck when Chairman Hanna called the
"comriilCTeo 16 order' and' a'nn'oimced there
were two Porto RIcana present represent
ing the Republican party of that Island.
He said they would be given a hearing.
Communications were read by Secretary
Heath from the Federal and Republican
parties of Porto Rico, both claiming rep
resentation In the committee. Mayor
Todd, of San Juan, representing- the Re
publican party, then appeared before the
committee and gave a brief history of that
party, which he said was established In
July, 1899. The Federal party was es
tablished some time after this, he said.
Each party Is represented by two mem
bers in the local Senate. His party, he
said, controls 5S.00O out of 131,000 regis
tered votes. The aim of this party was
to Americanize the Island and stand by
the American. Porto Rico, he said, would
like to be represented in the next Re
publican National convention.
Jose Brloso, also representing- the Re
publican party, followed Mayor Todd.
He emphasized the good that It would do
the party to be given recognition by the
committee. He declared the party "was
coming any way" 'to the convention.
The matter then went over to the execu
tive session, where action was taken as
heretofore stated.
Chairman Hanna said that further con
sideration of the matter would be had In
executive session.
.The question of selecting a city ''in
which to hold the convention was then
taken up. S. P. Raymond, of Chicago,
was recognized to speak In behalf of that
city. He said Chicago had not secured
(Concluded on Page 2.)
rBATERXAi ORDER OF EAGIS.
10 PLAN FOR WAR
Root Will Be Ready for
Trouble in Panama,
CALLS BELL TO HIS AID
Troops May Be Sent tojsth
mus at Any Time.
COLOMBIA MUST BACK DOWN
Any Move Toward Hostilities Will
Call Forth Prompt Action by
America Roosevelt Names
Minister to Panama.
COLOMBIA iANDS MORE TROOPS.
PANAMA. Deer. 12. Advices received
here from Cartagena say that the Co
lombian cruisers General Pinzon and
Cartagena have landed 400 men under
Generals Bustamente and Ortiz at Cape
Tlburon, at the mouth of the Atrato
River, -with, the object of cutting- paths
across the mountains to enable the
Colombian troops to invade Panama.
According to these advices there is In
Cartagena, a ctandinc army o 1000
men.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 12. General J.
Franklin Bell, commander, at Fort Leav
enworth, was orddred to report here to
day, and at once started East. The com
ing of General Bell to Washington, while
It has more or less to do with matters
connected wltti the general staff college.
Is admitted by officers of ttie general staff
to be for the purpose of consulting with
the officials regarding a probable cam
paign against Colombia should that coun
try continue the movement of troops to
ward the Isthmus, it was intimated that
matters had reached the point where
troops might be moved at any time, whjch
would seem to Indicate that the depart
ment la in possession of Information the
nature of which justifies actual prepara
tions for the movement of United States
troops toward Panama.
Although the fact would not be disclosed
the presumption Is that" in the event of
troops being sent. General Bell will be
put in command.
MADE MINISTER TO PANAMA.
W. I. Buchanan, of New York, Will
Have Extraordinary Powers.
WASHINGTON, Dec 12. The President
has named W. I. Buchanan, of. New York,
to be the first United States Minister to
Panama.
Mr. Buchanan's selection was brought
about by a desire on the part of tho
President to secure temporarily, at least,
and during the crystallization of the re
lations between the United States and
Panama, the services of a trained diplo
mat, having special reference to his
knowledge of the Latin-American races.
By reason of long service as United States
Minister to the Argentine Republic, Mr.
Buchanan fills that description in the es
timation of the State Department. It is
understood his assumption of duties Is
not to be permanent, for he sacrificed
large interests to undertake the work.
Mr. Buchanan was director-general of
the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo.
Regarding It as very desirable that the
new minister shall be at his post at an
early moment, the State Department has
adopted the unusual course of making out
for him a special commission independ
ent of tho nomination in regular form,
today submitted. This commission desig
nates Mr. Buchanan as envoy extraordi
nary on a special mission. Under its
powers he will be able to perform all the
duties of a regular minister and more If
need be. He will hold ' this commission
until such time as the United States
Senate shall have confirmed his regular
nomination a3 Minister Plenipotentiary
and envoy extraordinary to Panama.
Thu3 armed Mr. Buchanan will take the
first steamer from New York to Panama,
sailing next Tuesday. He went to Buf
falo tonight to close up some business.
Does Not Want Place Permanently.
BUFFALO, Dec. 12. Mr. Buchanan
when seen today said:
"I have been asked to go to the Isthmus
on a special mission for the State De
partment which will occupy several
weeks. I Intend to leave New York on
Tuesday, and will doubtless return about
February 1. My business relations and
affairs are such that it would be out of
the question for me to accept the Min
istry to Panama, which wduld necessitate
my remaining there a long time. It Is
easy to see how that construction of the
facts in the case might have been ap
plied, because no representative of the
kind is now in Panama."
PANAMA CALLS ELECTION.
Delegates to Prepare a Constitution
Will Be Chosen January 4.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. The State De
partment his been informed that final
steps have been taken for the formation
of a permanent Republican form of gov
ernment In Panama. The news came In
a dispatch direct from Consul-General
Gudger, dated Panama today as follows:
"Election for constitutional convention
called for January 4. The convention will
meet January 20."
This action is taken, It Is believed, to
meet suggestions from Panamans In con
sequence of the criticism of the new
republic and In the belief that the status
of the new treaty would be Improved If
the final ratifications '-could be exchanged
by the United States with a permanent
and regular form of government on the
Isthmus.
The terrritory of Panama Is go small
that, according to the .Belief here, the
elections can be completed, within a week
(Concluded on Page 3.)