The Sunday Oregonian., January 01, 1905, Image 1

44 PAGES
VOL. XXIV XO. -L
PORTLA2TO, OREGON, SU20)AY MORNING, JASTJARY 1, 1905.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
PAGES I TO 1
NDICTED BYJURY
MitcheMand Hermann
Both Charged? 1
HELD TO BE IN PG
Conspi
iracy to Defpaudj
Is Alleged.- ''
SAID TO HAVE AIDED WTER
Government Accuses Them of
Expediting Claims' v j
WHEN THEY KNEW OFSERAUD
Payment of $2000 to Senztor-tMltehslI
by Puter Is Asserted In foillct
ment Sorenson Is Ch
With Attempt to BrH7
The Federal grand Jury fulfilled .Uie ex
pectations of the public yesterday, aftfer
noon at 3:30, when It returned Indictments
against Senator Mitchell, Blnger Hermann
and George Sorenson. Mitchell and Hec
mann were Indicted Jointly and are
charged with having conspired with all of
the defendants heretofore Indicted to de
fraud the Government out ofJand sit
uated in township 11 south, ranB43st.
Sorenson is Indicted for having 'Stfieiii a
bribe of J5000 to District Attorneyjy&M oa
March 2S last, when the risdictkient
against the conspirators who jwere coir
vlcted In the recent trial was pending in
the Federal Court. t '
The Aliened Consp'raw)."
The story of the connection LBeaaior
Mitchell and Representativei;Hermans
with the conspiracy dates bak'tO'"'
lime 01 uic .rui.ur-Jau.ya jeiver.iuireiawa
that all of the conspirators wetax and are
mixed and intangled in the. web of guilt.
If the Allegations of the indictments and
the testimony upon which they seem to
have been returned is to be taken as
true.
The story shows that Puter and Mitch
ell and Hermann were well acquainted,
that Puter was an ardent supporter of
Mitchell in the Senatorial campaign of
1901, and that all of them were personally
acquainted and have been for years.
In 1902, so the story runs, Puter went
to Washington on business connected with
the lands of 11-7, In which he was at that
time interested. The lands were held up
in the General Land Office, and Puter
thought that it would be of benefit to
himself and his fellows to go to Wash
ington and see what could be done to
expedite them to patent.
Puter Goes to Washington.
Before he left Portland. It is said, he
went to F. P. Mays, and secured from
him a letter to Senator Mitchell, though
in fact he was well known to the Sena
tor. Arriving at Washington, the land
speculator went to the office of Senator
Mitchell and conferred with him In re
gard tb having his claims taken from the
suspended list and put through to patent
as soon as possible. He told the Senator,
it is said, that he had already sunk a
large amount of money In the claims,
and that Emma Ii. Watson, a hard-working
and honest girl, had also Invested in
them at his suggestion. It was necessary
for him to have some Influence with the
Commissioner to secure favorable recog
nition of his claims, and he therefore
would like to have the help of Senator
Mitchell. He promised to make it right
with the Senator in event that he would
give to Puter his will and sslstance.
Mr. Puter then went to see Blnger Her
mann, and talked the matter over with
him. Hermann did not see that anything
could be done to the lands unless some
action should be taken which would make
the transaction of record in the office.
Puter then got into a hack, so it is said,
and went to the hotel of Senator Mitchell,
the Dewey House, and told him of the
conversation with Commissioner Hermann.
The famous Puter-Watson affidavits were
then made In the hotel of the Senator,
and It is said that Senator Mitchell dic
tated the papers to his own stenographer
and had them delivered to Mr. Puter as
soon as finished. The affidavits, which
told of the settlement of the land and of
Its cultivation and of the character of the
persons making the filings, were then sent
to Mr. Hermann, who took them under
consideration.
Hermann Expedites the Claims.
On March 6. 1902, the story continues,
-lr. Hermann wrote a letter to Senator
Mitchell, stating that he had expedited
l,e claims as per his request. This Is the
" ter which was introduced in the first
ial here and over the Identification of
hich both Senator Mitchell and Mr. Her--ann
had so much trouble. It is the
same letter to identify which Commis
sioner W. A. Richards made his trip to
Portland from Washington. 7
In his letter Mr. Hermann stated
that he had expedited the claims and
that the clerk of the proper division
would take them under his considera
tion and make an examination of
them. This was done and on the fol-
lowing- day. tao clerk recommenced,
that -they be returned to the local Land
Office t Oregon .City for further, pre-f
and Investigation. The clerk rsoma
neudfsl tht the entries -scoaed to X
rai4wlBt and not according to law.
toeee were the Davis lands. In which
V, Davis, of Albany, was Inter
ested 'With a number of other men In
and' arouM Albany.
XieomlSrhad In the meantime report-
el Ag&iwtt the claims or part of them.
lsut after rthis report D. W. Tarpley
went vts Davis and cot him to raise
1206 each T J rem 14 men In order to
secsre a. -favorable reoort from .Loomls.
;5rWwhad 'been told to make a further
..... Lemls Paid for Report.
- Tjayis raised $1390 oX the amount
J waicn was aiviaea oetween xarpiey
andDoomis. When Loomls received this
money he wrote a personal letter to
Heraiann asking that something be
Joneto expedite the claims, or at least
to "their favorable consideration.
Gprge R. Ogden, who was the clerk
ihandling the business, taking all Into
consideration, prepared a report and
'asnt It to Hermann especially calling
attention to the Loomls and Davis let
ters, asking that the lands be consid
ered but admitting that the laws had
not been observed. This report was
dated on March 7, but on March 6 Mr.
-Hermann had ordered the claims ex
pedited, so It is said. When he saw
the report made by Ogden, however,
he hesitated and when Puter came to
.see., htm told Puter that he thought
the matter looked pretty bad and that
he '.was afraid the claims would have
to go back to the Oregon office for
further Investigation.
Mr. Puter by this time was In about
$6090 on the deal and when he was
toldi this went back to Senator
Mitchell. It Is reported that he told
the Senator It was up to him to help
Influence Hermann to put the lands
through without sending them back
to- Oregon. He told the Senator tnat
If the claims went back to Oregon they
would be lost to him and all the money
be had put into them would be gone.
Puter Says He Paid Mitchell.
At this time, it Is said. Mr. Puter
laid down two $1000 bills on the table
.In front of the Senator and told him to
.take them and sec what he could do to
help the lends through to patent. The
.Senator, the story has It, did not wish
to take all of the money and pushed
one of the bills back, but. Puter in
sisted that $2000 was not too much to
pay for the service and the money was
taken by the Senator. When Puter
left, so it is said. Senator Mitchell fol
lowed him to the door and told him that
he "would do the best he could for him.
- The next day, Puter went to .Her
mann and asked him how things looked
and Mr. , Hermann told him that he
thoUght upon reconsideration t would
be .possible to put the lands through.
He. asked- Mr. Puter to come hack in
"the. afternoon and said, that he had
turned the matter over -to "W. A. Rich
ards, his assistant.
.Puter went to Mitchell, lt is said, and
got him to take him to Richards -rind
Introduce him. The Senator Introduced
him as one of the best men of Oregon,
perfectly reliable and upright.
Land Pass to Patent.
Mr. Pater and "Mr: Richards had an
extended conference.- The latter ktrew
nothing, of the Davis' and Loomls letters-and
could only Judge from what he
saw In the affidavits and proofs of final
settlement which he had before him.
Influenced, therefore, by these and by
the recomrnendatloh of Senator Mitchell
and Mr. Hermann he allowed the lands
to go to patent. He also read tht
Loomls and Ormsby reports which
made a fair case for the homesteaders
and all considered saw no reason why
the lands could not be passed, especial
ly as ne was Influenced by sympathy
for the hardships undergone by Emma
Lu Watson and Maude Witt in their
efforts to gain a claim upon which to
make a home, as shown by the talk of
Puter and the reports of Loomls and
Ormsby.
This completes in part and roughly
the story of the alleged connection of
Senator Mitchell and Mr. Hermann with
the conspiracy.
It Is supported by the stories of
some of those who have confessed, but
It is corroborated in many details
-which have not been and will not be
made public at this time. Original
copies of letters wrlten by Hermann,
which were saved by Ogden, It is said.
will be brought forward to prove what
was apparently hidden by Hermann
when he destroyed the record books
as he went out of the Land Office at
Washington. Account books wrested
from Puter and letters to and from
various persons will also -so to make
up the net which is being woven by
the prosecution and which has been
gathered for two years past with tire
less energy by Colonel A. R. Greene, the ,
special inspector of the General Land
Office; W. J. Burns, of the Secret Scr-:
vice Department, and his assistants. i
Sorenson Tried to Bribe Hall. j
The indictment against Sorenson j
was made upon the testimony of John I
Hall, wh6 told Mr. Heney and Mr. j
Burns that Sorenson came to him on !
March 28 and offered him $5000 to let
Walgamot and the rest off in the case
which was about to be tried.
The grand Jury, after returning the
verdicts, was excused until January 10
at 10 o'clock, when it will reconvene
for the rest of the session.
The United States Marshal was noti
fied by the court to serve notice upon
those indicted that their bonds were
the same as had been fixed in the other
cases. $4000. and that they would be
given a convenient time in which to
return them to the court.
Mr. Heney Goes to San Francisco.
Mr. Heney left last night for San
Francisco, having been called to that
city by an Important case which he Is
scheduled to argue on January 3. He
will return in time to take up the con
duct of the investigations before the
grand jury on the day It begins to
work again.
Mr. Burns will remain In Portland
during Mr- Honey's absence and will
continue his work during the vacation
time.
A number of the witnesses from
Washington left last night for their
homes, having finished with their testi
mony before the Jury. All who havo
been before the Jury will return to
tCoocluded on Page 2.)
H 10E GOOD
Hitchcock Will Remain
Secretary of Interior.
HIS END ACCOMPLISHED
Attorney-General Must Now
Push Land-Fraud Trials.
IS SOLID WITH PRESIDENT
He Has Been After Hermann for Two
Years and Has Now Bagged the
Big Game More Indictments
Will Drag In Smaller Fry.
OREGONIAN XEWS BUREAU. Wash
lngton, Dec 3L Today's developments
leave no doubt that Secretary Hitchcock
will be reappointed Secretary of the-In
terior on March I To a certain extent
he has "made good" and has brought
about the Indictment of Blnger Hermann,
something he has been striving to ac
complish for two years. Hermann was
Vlfc h!c1at- lH !t0- Via tv a tYta 1.rrn.
game the Secretary sought to bag and it
is his boast that he and his assistant
have been able to gather evidence suffi
cient to Insure Hermann's Indictment.
The Secretary now washes his hands of
the case, saying it now rests with the
Department of Justice. He has gathered
the evidence it is up to the Attorney
General to make that evidence stick and
secure convictions.
If there "was any doubt that the Presi
dent has confidence in Hitchcock, "that
doubt was swept aside today when, large
ly because Hitchcock requested It, Hall
was removed without warning. Hitchcock
and Heney were convinced that Hall stood
between them and the Indictment Of Sen
ator MltchelL Hitchcock declared only a
few days ago that he was going to get
Mitchell' In spite of all obstacles, and he
declared at the same' time that he. "al
ready had Hermann," but he wanted to
get both together.
From a remark which he made tonight
It Is evident thatthe climax In the land
fraud cases has been reached, that Is. so
far as Indictments are concerned. There
will be -other Indictments, but none of
men" so prominent as Mitchell and Her
mann. Secretary" Hitchcock In a statement to
night says: .
That Is all bosh about there being
anything personal in my actions toward
these two men or any others who have
figured in the investigations that have
been In progress for two years In hunt
ing down land frauds. Today's Indict
ments are the culmination In the caso of
one. at least, of over two -years' work.
There will be further investigations, and
no person, man or woman, who has been
guilty of defrauding or aiding to defraud
the Government of the public domain will
be spared, be he high or low. rich .or
poor.
"The Investigation and prosecutions In
the land-fraud matter have been in strict
accordance with the principle of clean
government, for which President Roose
velt stands, and developments are coming
thick and fast In the nature of a vindi
cation of the high principle of honest
Government, represented by the Presi
dent. Investigation has been conducted
all over the West and will be extended
further In all public land states."
HELL SETTEES TODAY.
New York Democratic Leader Really
Out of Politics.
ALBAXT. X. Y.. Dec. 3L The retire
ment of ex-Senator David B. Hill from
active politics, after 40 years' uninter
rupted participation In the Democratic
councils In this state and the Nation, will
take effect tomorrow, according to the
authorized statement made through the
Associated Press August 29 last, upon the
SUMMARY OF YESTERDAY'S DEVELOPMENTS IN
TirE MITCHELL IKDICTME NT-
It alleges that John H. Mitchell and
Blnger Hermann did. on January 2,
1902, unlawfully and feloniously
conspire together and with each
other and with S. A. D. Puter, Hor
ace G. McKinley, D. "W. Tarpley.
Emma L. Watson. Salmon B. Orms
by. Clark E. Loomls, William H.
Davis and others, to defraud the
Government of the United States out
of a portion of its public lands, situ
ated in township 11 south, of range
7 east, by means of forged and false
affidavits and fictitious persons, and
that in the furtherance of such con
spiracy S. A. D. Puter did. on March
9. 1902. pay to John H. Mitchell the
sum of $2000 to secure his Influ
ence with Blnger Hermann, then
Commissioner of the General Land
Office at Washington, and . that In
furtherance of the conspiracy
Mitchell dictated and caused to be
prepared the Puter affidavits know
ing them to be false.
THE HERMANN CONNECTION
The Indictment alleges that, acting
on the suggestion and the wish of
Senator Mitchell, and influenced by
him. knowing that the transactions
were unlawful and felonious. Binger
Hermann used his power -as Com
missioner of the General Land Of
fice to expedite 12 claims In town
ship 11-7. and had them passed to
patcpt when he knew them to be
illegal and not according to the re
quirements of the law.
THE SORENSON INDICTMENT
It alleges that, on March 28, 1904.
George Sorenson offered to John H.
occasion of Mr. Hill's fist birthday. Sen
ator HHI today In effect reiterated the an
nouncement when he .said to the Asso
ciated Press correspondent:
"The announcement of August 29 fully
covered the matter and was final. There
is nothing In that announcement to be re
tracted, and there is nothing that need bo
added to it."
Mr. Hill win practice law.
3JEW AUSTRIA? CABINET.
Will Continue Policy of Jreatlng All
Nationalities Impartially.
VIENNA, Dec 3L Emperor Frxujcis Jo
seph at noon today gave an order to ex
Premler Baron Gautch von Frankenthurn.
president of the Supreme Court of Ac
counts, and In the course of the after-'
noon a decree was Issued appointing him
Premier. The other members of the Cab
inet retain their portfolios, but Count
Blyandthreldt is appointed Minister ot the
Interior, which portfolio, was held Jointly
with that of Premier by Von "Koerber,
and Privy Councillor Klein is made Chief
of the Ministry of Justice, which post also
was held by the retiring Premier.
The reconstructed Cabinet held two
short meetings this afternoon. At the
first. Dr. von Koerber bade farewell to
hlacolleagues and at the second Premier
Gautch von Frankenthurn greeted the
Ministers and presided over the first d
liberations of his Cabinet.
The .selection of Baron Gautch Is
thought to Indicate a continuance of the
policy of Dr. Von Koerber In endeavoring
to treat all nationalities impartially.
CONTENTS OF TODAY'S PAPEB
The Weather.
TODAY'S Probably shovers; westerly winds.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 45
dec; minimum. 39. Precipitation. 0.07 inch.
War la- Tar
Japanese explode mines and capture Shunpshu
u Mountain ct Port Arthur: they also capture
art of Panlung Mountain wall. Pace I.
Burets, denies that cruUers of Pacific, equadroa
are return Inc. Pace 1.
How Russian aoldlera fare In camp. Pace L .
Admiral Tofco'a address to spirits of departed
heroes. Pace 1.
.NatlowU.
Cuabmas wins fight for Vancouver Fostofnce.
Face-
President demands punishment ot Turkish brig-
ands. Pace
United States District Attorney Hall removed,
but may be reinstated. Pace I.
Indictment of Mitchell and Hermann means
'another term for Secretary Hitchcock.
Pace 0.
Defsestlc
New ,Ycar" celebrated by creat crowds In New
York.. Pace 3.
Lawson, denies ha wit make peace with the
"System, and- threatens another bomb.
Pace 3.
Dr. Chadwlck arrives from Europe and coea to
Cleveland without objection; Mrs. Cbadwlck
has hysterics at news. Pafte 2.
More trickery alleged acalnst Dr. Irvine, but
lie offers explanation. Pace 9.
Merchant Marine Commission will recommend
National aid. Pace 2.
Murderer of two women lynched In Arkansas.
Paje 1.
Pacific Coast.
Circuit Judge McBrlde says prisoner baa right
to' escape from Jail. Page 6.
Seattle buslneW men raising fund for Piles'
Senatorial campaign. Pace 6.
Commercial and Mar lac.
Review ot butter trade In loot. Pace 15.
Numerous fluctuations In wheat at Chlcaco.
Pace 15. . . "
Lawscn's threats cause, declines, In stocks.
Pace 15
Festivities stop grain trading at San Fran-
' dsco. " Page 15. .
Favorable statement ot New York banks. Page
13.
Steamship Arabia clears for Orient. Page IX
Portland and Vicinity.
United States Senator Mitchell and Bepren-
taUve Hermann Indicted for alleged con.
spiracy to defraud the Government of public
lands. Page 1.
George Sorenson indicted- for alleged , attempt
to bribe United States District Attorney
Hall. Page 1.
Real estate transfers of 1001 show increase of
S3.CCO.000. Page 22.
Features and Departments.
Editorial- Page 4.
Church announcements. Page 23.
Classified advertisements. Page 20-20.
Portland's first military company. Pace 33.
Elizabeth In her Oregon home. Pace 35.
West Point the best training school In the
world. Page 32.
Future states of Oklahoma and Arlsona. Page
40.
Stone Implements used by Oregon Indians.
Page 34.
Japanese as enterprising fishermen. Page 33.
Death's harvest the post year." Page 33.
Future of the livestock Industry. Page 44. '
Jottings of old LIm Jucklln. Page 41.
Peck's Bad Boy. Page 41.
March of the White Guard. Page 41.
The Simple Life. Page 43.
Social. Paces 20 and 21.
Dramatic. Pages IS and 19.
Musical. Page 19.
Household and fashions. Pages 3S and 39.
Youths" department. Page 42.
Contract let for new portage road. Page 13.
Rumor afloat that Mayor Williams has been
indicted, but confirmation Is lacking. Page 9.
Troubles of T. P. A. ended at annual meeting.
.rage -IB.
New Year welcomed in hearty style. Page 13.
First exhibits arrive for Lewis and Clark Ex
position. Page 12.
Hall. District Attorney for tho
United States In Oregon, the sum
of 55000 with intent to influence the
said John HL Hall In his official ca
pacity when acting on the indict
ments returned against S. A. D.
Puter. Horace G. McKinley et aL
SENATOR MITCHELL'S STATE
MENT It an Indictment has been
returned against me. I am prepared
to meet it before a trial Jury imme
diately, and In this connection, r
defy the prosecuting officer to pro
duce against me one particle of
evidence worthy of a moment's be
lief. .... I denounce this
prosecution against me as the result
of a most damnable and cowardly
conspiracy. In which Secretary
Hitchcock and this man Heney are
the chief conspirators. ....
BINGER HERMANN'S STATE
MENTI believed the law had been
complied with. I bad no acquain
tance with the lands, no Intimacy or
association with any of those to be
benefitted, no Interest in the trans
actions, direct or indirect, and had
no promise, no consideration, no In
ducement, and I scorn any sugges
tions that I ever Jiesitated to stand
by ray sworn duty In this or any
other trust Imposed upon me. The
Indictment returned against me is
the result of the basest of conspira
cies and malicious persecution.
CAUSES FOR JOHN HALL'S RE
MOVAL It is alleged that United
States District Attorney Hall has
been a stumbling-block in the path
of the prosecution; that he has tried
to obstruct the course of the In
STORM THE-FQBT
Japanese Capture Sung-
"shu Mountain;
MINES ARE EXPLODED
Assault Quickly Follows- and
Succeeds In an Hour.
RUSSIANS ARE ENTOMBED
Rescued by Japanese Who Take the
Gorge Defenses; of Pert-Arthur
Fall One by One Into Be
siegers' Hands,
TOKIO, Jan. Iff A. M.)-Sungshu
Mountain (Canonla Hill) was stormed
and captured yesterday (Saturday) by
the Japanese forces besieging Port, Ar
thur. Sungshu Mountain, the official name
of which IstVest Rihlung Mountain, Is
one of the inner defenses of Port Ar
thur.
BY EXPLOSION OF MINES.
Japanese .Blow Up Fort and Capture
It by Swlf't Assault;
-TOKIO. Jan. 1 (7:30 A. M. The War
Department confirms the reported as
sault on and capture of Sungshu. Moun
tain yesterday by the forces besieging
Port Arthur. The attack began after
the capture of Rlhlung Mountain. At
first the attack failed' on account of
the protection which the- Russians en-
Joyed and the desperate character of
their defense.
Yesterday at 10 A. M. the Japanese
exploded a series of mlnet and lmme
diateiy assaulted the works, which
-they- entirely occupied at 11 o'clock.
The Russians exploded aserles of'mlnea
as .they retired. A portion of the gar
rison retreated southward.
Another portion held the .gorge,
where they were buried by the debris
thrown up by the explosion of their
own mines.
CAPTURE ANOTHER POSITION
Japanese Blow Up Wall Near Panlung
' Mountain and Rescue Russians.
TOKIO. Jan. 1 (11 A. M.) The Jap
anese have rescued 162 Russian sol
diers who were entombed in the-gorge
of Sungshu Mountain.
The Japanese have exploded and cap
tured a portion of the wall near Pan
lung Mountain.
AWFUL HAVOC WROUGHT.
r
Japanese Bury 150 Russians by Ex
plosion and Take Many Guns.
TOKIO. Jan. 1, 11 A. M. A telegram
from the besieging army at .Port Arthur
received today says:
"Through an opening at the entrance
Into the bomb-proof gorge at Sungshu
Mountain all the entombed Russians were
gradually brought out. The rescued num
ber two officers and over 160 men.
"According to the prisoners about 150
corpses are burled under the debris caused
by the explosion of our mines. The tro
phies taken include field and machine
guns not yet enumerated.
''At 6 o'clock Saturday morning our
sapping body in front of the east fort on
Panlung Mountain blew up a part of the
old Chinese wall and are now constructing
defense works there."
HOW THE SOLDIERS LIVE.
Russian Correspondent Draws Favor
able Word-Picture of Camps.
MUKDEN. Dec 31. Nemirovitch
Danchenko, the famous Russian war
correspondent, who has just returned
from an Inspection of the quarters oc
cupied by the Russian officers and
privates at the front, sayB:
"One could hardly Imagine a great-
LAND - FRAUD CASES
vestigation now being1 carried on be
fore the Federal grand Jury; that
he has attempted to prevent certain
witnesses being brought before the
grand Jury and that he has in the
past shielded and recently has at
tempted to shield those who were
supposed to be guilty of crimes
against the Government
STATEMENT OF FRANCIS J.
HENEY Mr. Hall was removed by
my personal request made to the
President and for reasons which to
me were good and sufficient Other
than that I do not wish to discuss
the matter at this tlmo other than
to say that It was upon my own
personal request and recommenda
tion that Mr. Hall was reappointed
on the day following the November
election, and at that time I had ab
solute faith In his loyalty to the
cause of the Government I thought
it but fair to him that he should re
ceive assurance of continuing In of
fice, knowing as I did. the path
which the Government would take
in the land-fraud developments.
WHAT MR. HALL SAYS I do not
know upon what charges tho Presi
dent has taken the! action he has,
but I do know that I can prove to
any fair-minded man I am innocent
of wrong. The office Is of little mo
ment to me. but ray good name Is
precious, and I will leave no stone
unturned to prove to the people of
Oregon that my honor is untouched
by reproach and untarnished by
wrong done In office. I will prove
that I have been made the victim of
misrepresentation and of falsehood.
er contrast than that afforded by the
hungry, tired army that settled down
here after the battle of Idao Tang
and the -army now resting- south of
Mukden. The men live In dugouts,
but most of the officers huts are
-above ground. Aside from the fact
that there are only five officers to &
hut and that the latter contain more
decorations, there is little difference
between' the men's and the officers'
quarters.
"Everybody Is well fed and comfort
able. The dugouts are all shell-proof
and each has a stove, with sleeping
ledges around the sides. The men are?
provided with bedding, warm, under
wear, mostly of Chinese manufacture,
and better Chinese boots than can be
bought in Russia. Bath houses are
provided, one for the officers and one
for men of each comoany. The watar
Is heated twice weekly, the seoarate
laundry houses are - always supplied
with hot water and there is no damp
ness In the buildings set apart for
the washing and drying of clothes.
"Officers and men partake of the
same fare, which ia distributed twice
dally in big coppers from the camp
kitchens. A ration consists of a pound
of meal, and two and a half pounds of
bread.- with tea twice a day. There
are short rations of sugar, but the
only shortages observable are sugar,
leather, sewing materials and read
ing matter. Everyone would appre
ciate books and papers. Every print
ed sheet Is read, even the advertise
ments. "The postal facilities are poor. Most
or the officers, have not heard from
European Russia for a long time.
Since the wires have been reserved for
military and press use. private tele
grams have all been forwarded by
mall from Irkutsk.
"There is little sickness, owing to
tho care taken with the drinking
water. There is a guard at each welL
Some companies have neon compelled
to use water from the Shahke River.
Water parties go to the bank un
armed. There Is a general truce pro
tecting water parties of both sides,
and much chaff between Russians and
Japanese is exchanged across the
river.
'The temperature is six degrees be
low cero. (Fahrenheit), and is ex
pected to be colder."
ADDRESSES THE HERO DEAD.
Admiral Togo Tells Their Spirits Re
sults of Their Sacrifice.
TOKIO. Dec. 3L At the funeral here
today of several officers and men who
were killed while fighting under him
In attacks on the Port Arthur fleet and
fortress. "Vice-Admiral Togo addressed
their spirits In the following words:
"As rstand before your spirits I "can
hardly express my feelings. Your per
sonalities are fresh In my memory. Your
corporeal existence has ceased, hut your
passing from this world has been In the
gallant discharge of your duty, by virtue
of which the enemy's fleet on this side
of the world has been completely dis
abled, and our combined fleet holds' un
disputed command ot the seas.
"I trust this will bring peace and rest
to your spirits.
"It Js my agreeable duty to avail my
self of .my presence In this city, whither
I have been called by our Emperor, to
render a report of our successes to the
spirits of these who sacrificed their earth
ly existence In the attainment of so Im
portant a result as that abovo rendered.
"Mo3t humbly me. In person.
"HEIHACHIRjO TOGO,
"Admiral -of the,. Combined- Fleets."
COST OF WAR TO RUSSIA.
Official Statement Places Total for
1904 at $364,000,000.
PARIS. Dec 31. In connection with the
approaching Russian war loans In Paris,
the following Interesting statement of the
Russian war finances was furnished to
the Associated Press today from the
highest source:
"The expense of the war up to Novem
ber 30 amounts to 5238,000.000, of which
5161,000,000 was for the army, 541,000.000
for the navy and 533.500.000 for various
military requirements, making about 522.
500,000 per month.
"The outstanding credits up to the same
time were 5126.000,000. of which 563,000,
000 was for the army. 531.000.000 for tho
navy and 512.000.000 for miscellaneous ex
penses. That makes the total war ex
penditures for the year 5354.000.000.
"The statement then shows that the
treasury possesses 5149,000,000. and that
there is a stock of gold amounting to 5620,
000.000 to secure the note circulation Th
statement concludes:
"It Is quite probable that Russia will
resort to another loan In 1905 of about an
equal amount to those of 1904. A por
tion will be placed In Berlin during the
first quarter and the balance at Paris."
NAVY-YARD IN DANGER.
Marines and Sailors Extinguish Two
Mysterious Blazes.
PHILADELPHIA." Dec 31. Hundreds of
marines and sailors, buckets Ip hand, aid
ed the Navy-Yard Fire Department and
the crew of the Government tug Modoc
in fighting two small fires of mysterious
origin at League Island, sparks from
which threatened to destroy the great .dry-
docK in course or construction last night
The fires started within an hour of each
other, on the platform of a towering
wooden crane on the bank to the west of
the drydock. The crane, 175 feet hleh.
was saved by a party of marines, who
ciimoea up tne ojazing structure and
fought the fire at close range. Four ma
rines were overcome bv smoke and turn
sailors from the Denver in their eagerness
to reacn tne scene, fell into the river.
They were rescued.
Rear-Admiral Dickens, the commandant
probably will appoint a board of Inauirv
and have a thorough investigation made as
to the cause of the fires. The marina
guard was at once doubled.
Japan Will Never Yield.
LONDON, Dec. 31. "Thl3 war will
end when Russia asks for terms of
peace or, in the contrary event, when
tne last Japanese creature of either
sex, capable of bearing arms, dies
ngnting against her." Such was the
emphatic declaration of Arthur Dlosy.
F. R. G. S., founder of the Japan' So
ciety, this week. Intervention he re
garded as practically out of the ques
tion; Japan would take care not to to
swindled a second time.
Will Try Russian Murderer.
SHANGHAI. Jan. 1. Th Mai
sailor belonging to the Russian cruiser
Askold, who December 15 murdered a
Chinese on the Bund as th rwnit nt
dispute over navnent for th Hr. nt a
Jlnrlksha. will be commenced Tuesday at
the Russian Consulate. The Russian rnn.
sulate will be advised by a Chinese as
sessor.
North Sea Commission Complete.
PARIS. Dec 3L The Foreign Office has
been officially advised that Admiral Baron
Spaun. of the Austro-Hungary navy, has
been accepted as the fifth member of the
International Commission which is to in
vestigate the North Sea Incident thus
completing the organization of the commission.
HALL IS REMOVE
Summary Action by
the President
BY ADViCE OF HENEY
Accused of Shielding ' -i
Men in Land Frauds.
HAMPERED BY FRIENDSHIP
Was Reappointed Tnafe He
Might Safely Prosecute.
HE DENIES WRONG-DOING
United States District Attorney Wilt
Have Chance to Clear Himself,
and Declares He Will Prove
Charges False.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington. Dec. 31. President Roosevelt to
day directed theabsolute removal of John
H.- Hall, Urilted States District Attorney
for the District of Oregon. The action
was taken .at the request of Francis J.
Heney, who has been conducting, as the
nominal assistant of Mr. Hall, the' 15
fraud oaspq In flrptron 1
The announcement of this action
made by Attorney-General Moody as
was leaving the "White House after a c
fere nee with the President Mr. MoodV
cllned to state what the charges agal:
Mr. Hall were. If any. but did say
It was for the good of the service
dispense with him, particularly in r
to the conduct of the land-fraud
now being investigated In Oregon.
isarner in tne day senator Fulton
a conference with the President on ,
fraud subjects, but declined to state
he thought of the removal of Mr.
or whether his visit had to do with
action of the President.
Why Hall Was Reappointed. ,2j
Mr.' Hall was indorsed by Mr. Hene;
for reappointment some time ago, Jt tw
lng the opinion of Mr. Heney that fair
play should be given Mr. Hall In the trial
of the land-fraud case. At that time It
was suggested by Mr. Heney to the Pres
ident that owing to the powerful Influ
ences that would be brought to bear Upon:
the conduct of- the cases when they cams
to trial or before indictment and as ho
knew what was coming in the case of the
Government It would hardly be fair to
Mr. Hall to be compelled to conduct the
cases when he had no assurance that his
position would be permanent, provided he
had to wait for the recommendation of the
Oregon delegation.
This view of the matter was accepted
by Attorney-General Moody and by the
President, and Mr. Heney was authorized
to announce to Mr. Hall that he would
be reappointed Immediately after election.
Mr. Hall's notice of appointment came the
day following the election, without any
advice being asked from the Oregon dele
gation In regard to the action.
Accused of Shielding Guilty.
Of late, "however. It Is reported, friction
has arisen in the conduct of the cases
now being Investigated at Portland, and
Mr. Heney has assumed full control of
the Government's work before the grand
Jury. He has at last asked for Mr. Hall's
removal for the betterment of the serv
ice, though no charges which he has made.
If he has made any, will be divulged by
the officials here.
It is reported, however, that the eOtt
of the office under Mr. Hall has
under Investigation for some time by.
Government officials, and reports b
been made that Mr. Hall has shleli
guilty men from Investigation beca
they were friends of his; that efforts havi
been made to prevent evidence reaching
the grand jury, ana tnat it nas been at- "?
tempted to prevent certain persons from
going before the grand Jury with their
evidence.
Chance to Clear Himself.
The President has announced that It is
his Intention to give Mr. Hall a chance
to explain aWay any charges which. may
have been made against him as soon as
the land-fraud cases have been put -out
of the way. If he clears himself of any
reproach, he may be considered for re
appointment but in that case he -will
have to be recommended as though he
had never held the office.
Oliver E. Pagln. special assistant attor
ney in the Department of Justice," will
be sent to Portland to assist Mr. Heney1 In
his conduct of - the- cases now under con
sideration and to help In bringing any
further indictments which may be mads
possible by the evidence gathered by the
Government
CAUSE OF THE REMOVAL.
Made at Heney's Request Because
Personal Ties Checked Action.
District Attorney Hall has been re
moved from his office by the President at
the direct instance of Francis J. Heney,
J6
'oacluded oa Fare Thr
FT 1 04.0