VOL. XXXV.
CORVALLIS, BENTON COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1898.
NO. 1.
Epitome of the Telegraphic
News of the World.
TERSE TICKS FROM THE WIRES
kn Interesting Collection of Items From,
the Xew and the Old World In a
Condensed and Comprehensive Form
Thirty-six carloads of ammunition
save been sent to Tampa. Fla.
Chas. A. Selilbrede h is been ap
pointed commissioner for the district of
Alaska.
Not since the civil war, it is said,
has such acrivity been seen at Sandy
book.
The first step looking to consolida
tion of the American and Pacific Ex
press Companies has been taken. J.
A. Brewster, of New York, late head
;lerk in tii accounting department of
the American company, has taken
sharge of the auditing department of
the Pacific.
A patient at the Oregon Sstate in
sane asylum, C. B. Chatfield, pushed
m attendant, Aitnur Moore, through -a
window and jumped out himself. The
fall was from the third story, and the
attendant and patient are now in the
asylum hospital, under treatment for
fractured bones and bruised flesh.
Two estimates of appropriations to
meet the cost of the recent addition of
two regiments of artillery to the army
have been sent to congress by Secre
tary Alger. One was of a supplemental
estimate of $40, 131 for the pay of the
army for the fiscal year, and the other
it a deficiency of $154, 150 in the cur
rent year appropriations to defray the
expenditures for the remainder of this
year.
The Washington state superintend
ent has refused to issue certificates to
applicants in the recent examination
an account of violation of the rules
which prescribe that no communication
shall be allowed during the time the
candidate is writing upon the ques
tions. This is the third time the su
perintendent has enforced the law re
lating to certification. One of the
cases is held in the courts of Pierce
county still undecided, upon the de
cision of which rests the superintend
snt's rights in the premises.
Benjamin Cluff, jr., president of the
Brigham Young academy at Provo,
Utah, has returned from a visit to the
Hawaiian islands, where lie went at
the solicitation of United States Sena
tor Frank J. Cannon, to determine the
status of the annexation sentiment
among the Hawaiian islands. ' He said:
"As a result of my investigation I
would say that probably one-half of the
intelligent natives of the islands are
pronounced advocates of annexation.
Of the remaining one-half I would say
that the great majority are primarily
in favor of the restoration of the mon
archy, and secondly they would much
prefer annexation to the United States
to a continuation of the present govern
ment." Dispatches from Western Ontario
tell of the overflow of the Grand and
Thames rives, causing serious damage
along their valleys. Sections of Lon
don, Brantford and Qalt are sub
merged to a depth of from five to seven
feet. In London 1,500 people are
homeless. Bridges and buildings were
swept away by the rushing torrent. In
Brantford the firemen and citizens
fought the raging water an entire day,
but were finally beaten out, and West
Brantford is a regular lake. At Gait a
heavy loss is sustained by the business
portion. The ice jam in the Grand
river gave way and the flood following
it tore away bridges, trees and wrecked
a number of factoiies and private resi
dences. Charles Cutten, night agent of the
Adams Express Company at Orrville
O., disappeared with a $10,000 pack
age.
The United States supreme court has
affirmed the decision of Judge Bellin
ger, of the circuit court, upholding the
mortgage tax law of Oregon, pas.d
October 28. 1892.
The Pacific cable bill has been
agreed to in the house committee on
interstate and foreign commerce. It
provides for the construction of a cable
trom San Francisco to the Hawaiian
islands.
Advices from the Orient, brought by
the steamship Empress of India,
which has arrived in Vancouver, B. C ,
tell of the almost complete destruction
3f Manila, Philippine islands, by fire.
Five million dollars' worth of property
was destroyed.
There has been a heavy fall in stocks
af all kinds in London in consequence
of rumors from China, West Africa,
Spain and America, with rumbling
thunder all around the sky. There are
signs of alarm in every section of the
stock list, American securities showing
the greatest weakm ss. Nothing short
of a miracle can preserve the peace of
the world, it is believed among British
statesmen anil politicians, wires the
New York World's London correspond
ent. Not since the Napoleonic wars
has danger threatened from so many
quarters.
Three Italian laborers were killed by
.a dirt cart which fell upon them while
they were at work in the new Easl
river bridge.
The Russian demands upon Chins
have caused the greatest excitement at
the Japanese legation in Pekin, and the
Japanese minister has had several in
terviews with officials of tiie Chinese
foreign office, urging the rejection ol
the Russian demands. In addition, il
is reported that Japan has threatened
to take vigorous action if the demands
of Russia are conceded.
The manager of the Dittmar Powdei
Co., of New York at es that last No
vember he sold General Weyler a large
quantity of powerful explosives and
cable coils. It is inferred that Weyler
wished to use the articles in the con
struction of a dynamite mine.
A London Times dispatch from
Odessa says troops and war material
are going to the far East with suci
haste that the Russian volunteer fleet
will not suffice. The government.
therefore, has chartered some Frencl
steamers, the first of which will star'
with 3,000 men.
WILL ACT AS ONE.
England and Japan Combine to Resist
Russia's Encroachments in China.
New York, March 16. A dispatch
to the Herald from Tokio says: The
Herald correspondent learns on un
questionable authority that Japan is a
party to the negotiations now going on
between England and Russia at St.
Petersburg, and that while no alliance
exists between England and Japan,
they have a definite understanding and
are acting in harmony. A high diplo
matic official said:
"You may say positively that Japan
will back up England against Russia,
and if England maintains a firm atti
tude, all immediate danger of war is
passed, unless Russia is resolved to
fight at once. In view of England's
great superiority at sea and her pos
session of all the available coal in the
Eastern ports, Russia will probably
take a conciliatory tone for the pres
ent." The Herald correspondent visited
Marquis Ito today, and asked him
whether -the Jajanese government
would sell the cruisers Chitose and
Sakagi to America. The marquis hesi
tated a moment, and replied:
"I will make inqniries of my naval
colleagues, but I think I may say that
Japan prefers to get possession of all
the ships building for her as soon as
possible. Orders have already been
made to bring the ships to Japan, and
the builders have been requested to
hasten their completion."
After a pause the marquis continued
slowly and impressively:
"The news of the last few days in
dicates a critical state of affairs else
where than on the Western continent,
and we consider it only prudent to con
tinue our provisions for the national
defense. I hope the people of the
United States will not take offense at
Japan's unwillingness to part with
these cruisers. I have always appreci
ated their kindly feelings for Japan.
The United States is a nation above all
others where public sentiment abso
lutely controls the national policy, and
for that reason I wish to have the peo
ple there understand that Japan re
tains the ships, not from a lack of
willingness to oblige the United States,
but because she needs them herself."
"In case of war between the United
States and Spain, your excellency," the
correspondent asked, "will Japan al
low the warships of both belligerents
to take coal at Japanese ports, or refuse
it to both?"
"That opens a long vista of possibil
ities," he replied. "Some authorities
contend that coal and even provisions
should be contraband of war, as both
are necessary to maintain hostilities at
sea. Whenever war is declared be
tween two or more powers, Japan, if
neutral, will bear in mind in deciding
the coal question the manner in which
her decision will affect all the belliger
ents and her own interests."
The Herald correspondent learns that
Japan has received a cable from Eng
land for all the warships building for
her in English private yards, consist
ing of three 15,000-ton battle ships and
three first-class armored cruisers of
about 10,000 tons each. The offer has
been refused.
NEW REVENUE CUTTERS
The Senate Passes a Bill for the Con
struction of Eight.
Washington, March 16. During the
session of three hours today the senate
passed a considerable number of bills
from the general calendar, among them
being one authorizing the secretary of
the treasury to have constructed eight
vessels for the revenue cutter service,
as follows: One to take the place of
the Seward, cost not to exceed $160,
000; one to take the place of the Mc
Lane, cost not to exceed $160,000; one
to take the place of the Boutwell, cost
not to exceed $160,000; one for service
on and in the vicinity of the Columbia
river bar, Pacific coast, cost not to ex
ceed $250,000; one for harbor service
at Philadelphia, to replace the steamer
Washington, cost not to exceed $45,
000; one for harbor service at Boston,
to replace the steamer Hamlin, ccV not
to exceed $45,600; one for harbor ser
vice at New York, to replace the Chan
dler, cost not to exceed $45,000.
The national quarantine bill was
made the regular order, and will be
taken up probably on Friday.
The proceeding in the house today
were utterly devoid of public interest.
The time was devoted to District of
Columbia business. This was conclud
ed at 4:15 P. M. The senate bill was
passed to change the name of the port
of collection at Suspension Bridge, to
Niagara Falls. The senate bill was
passed which granted a right-of-way
through the Indian territory to the
Dennison, Bouham & New Orleans
railroad, also a senate bill granting a
right-of-way through the Winnebago
Indian reservation to the Northwestern
road; also to authorize the Monroe
company to construct a bridge across
the Red river at Grand Ecore.
MRS. THURSTON DEAD.
The Senator's Wife Expired
Anita in Cuba.
on the
Havana, March 16. Consul-General
Lee received the following tele
gram this afternoon from Mr. Barker,
United States consul at Sagua la
Grande:
'The wife of Senator Thurston died
on the Anita today. Shall give every
attention and wire you from Boca."
Meager advices say that Mrs. Thurs
ton died from apoplexy about 8 o'clock
this morning, when the yacht was in
sight of port.
The Anita left Matanzas last night
with all the party except Representa
tives Smith and Cummings, who went
to Sagua by rail. The passage from
Havana to Matanzas was very rough.
and that to Sagua even worse. It is
thought that this, together with the
rough passage down the coast, may
have hastened the end, but nothing
definite is known here.
Created a Sensation.
Madrid, March 16. A great sensa
tion has been caused here by an official
dispatch from Havana, saying that the
insurgent leaders, Cayito, Alvares and
Nunez have been killed by other in
surgents, while the former were on
their way to tender their submission to
the Spaniards. Official circles here say
that the action of Cayito and his com
panions is proof that an important sec
tion of the insurgents is anxious to ac
cept the "legal regime."
Baltimore cans 1,23.0,000 bushels of
oysters per annum.
I HOLE (N THE II
Everything- Points to
External Explosion.
an
THE VIEWS OF AN EXPERT
Captain Peral's Arguments
Spanish Divers' Method
Refuted
of Work
The Court of Inquiry.
Havana, March 15. It is impossible
to send direct from Havana anything
in refutation of Captain Peral's state
ment of yesterday regarding the views
of the Spanish board of inquiry on
the Maine disaster. However, an
American expert says in effect, and
his words are worthy erf weight, as he
knows absolutely of what he is talking:
"I. am a graduate of the torpedo
school and have studied the effects of
torepdos and mines from observation
and experiments. A torpedo exploded
at a depth of six feet would throw
column of water 100 feet into the air;
at 12 feet, 10 feet in the air, and at 30
feet, would hardly raise a small wave.
A detonator of gun cotton in the open
air makes a mark of its own size in
steel, or blows stone into fragments.
In the water, a torpedo itself would not
be felt at any distance. It requires
the resistance of a solid body, and
would be dissipated in water or mud.
This disposes of the wave theory and
the affecting of shore or boats in the
harbor."
As to the hole in the Maine, the ex
pert in question makes the most im
portant statement that the Maine drew
28 to 80 feet at the time of the explo
sion, ana nau aDout 10 leet of water
below her bottom. On the port side,
where the United States divers are
now at woik, there is at present 27
feet of watei. May this not be the
hole which Captain Peral says could
not be found? If it was, the hole was
more than seven feet deep when the
explosion took place, and had greatly
filled since.
As to the finding of dead fish, the
court of inquiry has not seen a solitary
fish since work began on the wreck.
The bodies recovered from the Maine
have not been touched by fishes. Some
of the fishermen in Havana testified
that there were no fish inside the har
bor, the waters being too foul for them.
Further, as to the alleged discoveries
of Spanish diyers reported to Captain
Peral, five American divers have been
working on the port side of the wreck
on an average of seven hours per day
each for nearly three weeks, in a space
50 feet long and 20 feet wide. The
Spanish divers have never been inside
the wreck at all, neither have they
ever been on the port side, devoting
the short hours which ' they spent un
der water to the starboard and forward
parts and outside the hull.
Reoently, to their own surprise, they
brought up two cans of ammuntion for
the six-inoh guns, not exploded. They
dropped them back when the light of
the surface showed that they were un
exploded and what their nature was.
The Spanish divers often go down
only long enough to wet their suits,
and then come up and hide behind a
blanket on the barge, where they sleep
or rest for a couple of hours, and then
go ashore and report that they cannot
see anything in the mud and water.
They could not have found the ram of
the Maine, since they have not been
down in the locality of that part of the
werck. They have not located the tur
ret with the 10-inch guns, though the
spot has been pointed out by Captain
Sharp, of the wreckers. All of these
facts are known by the United States
court of inquiry, having been elicited
by thfe testimony of persons who know.
The expert interviewed by the corre
spondent expresses the belief that the
Maine was blown up by what is known
as a Newport torpedo, a stationary
torpedo, or something of the same na
ture. This engine of destruction is
the joint production of the labors of
Commander Converse, commander of
the Montgomery; Lieutenant-Com
mander McLean, now in command of
the torpedo station at Newport, and
Lieutenant Holman, ordnance officer
of the Maine at the time of the ex
plosion. The Newport torpedo can be
planted from a small boat, and the ex
pert believes that this one was explod
ed by being struck on the port of the
Maine forward of amidships as she
swung at her moorings. He thinks
this more likely than that wires were
laid from shore, as the wires, if laid
for any length, would sink deep in the
harbor mud.
It would be singular if it should
prove that the Maine was blown up
by a torpedo in the invention of which
one of her principal officers, Lieutenant
Holman, bore a notable part.
au me ioregoing statements came
from the authority on which the court
depended for much of its evidence, and
is given to the correspondent without
reservation, except as to the name and
rank of the giver. The expert further
believes that the destroying mine was
made up of four torpedoes, of 86
pounds each, of wet and dry gun cot
ton, or 144 pounds in all.
In the judgment of the correspond
ent, the United States court of inquiry
is fully aware of the views which the
Spanish court of inquiry will promul
gate, and has also made a careful in
vestigation on the same lines, so as tc
be able either to refute or confirm the
Spanish court.
Germany Not Spain's Ally.
Berlin, March 15. The foreign office
has instructed the inspired press to
deny emphatically that Germany will
aid Spain in case of war with the Uni
ted States, and has instructed these
newspapers to point out that the Uni
ted States is an excellent friend of
Germany, and that Spain in the Caro
lina squabble has repeatedly shown un
friendliness to Germany.
The Philippine Revolt.
New York, March 15. The rebels
continue their hostilities, says the
Manila correspondent of the Herald.
They have attacked the Spanish quar
ters at Suibig and Apolit, securing
arms and ammunition. The northern
provinces are aroused. Many rich
natives and half-castes are closing out
their affairs and leaving the islands.
The natives refuse to pay the taxes.
Tha land lines in connection with the
cable to Manila were destroyed on
March 7, near Bolina. No particulars
are obtainable
TWO FINE CRUISERS.
The Government Secures a Fair of Bra
zilian Vessels.
Washington, March 16. A week's
negotiations closed today by the tri
umphant purchase by the navy depart
ment in London of the two fine cruisers
Amazonas and Admiral Abrenall, built
and building at Elsewick for the Bra
zilian government. ' Possibly the offi
cials took more pleasure in closing the
business in this matter because of the
knowledge that Spanish, agents had
been striving to secure these very ships,
and that to Spain, it is said, they would
be of much greater value in case of
trouble than to the United States.
The next question is how to get the
ships home, and that has not yet been
settled, according to the secretary of
the navy. The United States flag will
be hoisted over the new ships within a
week, probably, and just as soon as the
crew can be put aboard the Amazonas,
she will start for the United States.
The other vessel will follow at the
earliest possible moment. The terms
of the sale are secret.
The availability of the two Brazilian
ships was first brought to the attention
of the navy department by Mr. Lane,
agent of the Nordenfeldt Company,who
was authorized to dispose of these ships
building at Elsewick, and two others
in course of construction in France.
Mr. Lane said today that the two ships
purchased would be a most desirable
acquisition to the American navy, as
they were the latest and best products
of the famous Armstrong yards. One
of the ships is complete in every re
spect, has her coal supply and ammuni
tion on board, and steam can be raised
at any time. There will be no trouble
in bringing this ship across, as an ade
quate force from the local yards can
be secured for the service. It is said
the coal and ammunition on board
passed with the sale to the United
States. The" ammunition is not of the
Kind in use by the American navy, so
that the supply of ammunition is a
necessary adjunct of the new ships.
The other ship has been launched,
but it will take some time to make her
ready for sea. Mr. Lane believes, how
ever, that there will be no difficulty in
bringing her over immediately if it is
desired to make the move without de
lay, as the hull of the ship is so well
along that she could be towed, and her
own sail power utilized for the trip.
Senator Proctor visited the White
House and up-town departments today,
and his calls excited a great deal of in
terest. He spent half an hour with
Secretary Alger, explaining, it is be
lieved, the military situation in Cuba,
and afterwards held a conference with
Judge Day, assistant secretary of state.
Then he went to the White House, and
was closeted with the president for two
hours. Wrf&n he emerged from the
room he courteously declined to speak
regarding the nature of the informa
tion he has communicated to the presi
dent. The two Brazilian ships will be ex
tremely valuable additions to the'Uhi
ted States navy in either war or peace,
in the opinion of Secretary Long, who
acknowledges they have been bought
by the United States. They are steel
sheathed and coppered, with twin
Ecrews. The Amazonas is rated at
1,400 tons displacement, with an indi
cated horsepower, nnder natural
draught, of 7,000, which is calculated
to develop 20 knots 'peed.
Thus, while the ship is about the
size of the Charleston, she is much
faster. Her armament is also much
more formidable, not so much in cali
ber, for the main battery is made up of
six inch guns, but the guns are what is
known as 50-caliber length, giving them
an unusual range and power. In addi
tion to this they have 10 6-pounder
quick-firing guns, four 1-pounders, four
Maxim machine guns, and two boat or
Held guns. The torpedo tubes are
three in number.
The coal capacity is 850 tons, giving
her an effective steaming radius of
8,000 knots, a most valuable feature,
inasmucn as it woeiu enable tne snip
to cross and recross the Atlantic with
out coaling. Such a vessel as a com
merce destroyer would De vastly more
effective than what appears to be more
powerful craft, because of their ability
to get along on long cruises without
touching at neutral ports to coal, and
thus exposing themselves to capture.
The bureau of ordnance of the war
department opened bids today for a
large supply of armor-piercing projec
tiles, and for 12,000,000 rifle ball car
tridges. The bidding brought together
a number of representatives of large
steel and ammunition companies, some
of whom took occasion to give assur
ances that in the present emergency,
government would be given the prefer
ence over commercial orders.
The bidders for steel projectiles,
varying in size from tbe 8-inch steel
capped shot to the 1,000-pound shot,
were the Midvale Steel Company, the
Batha-IUingsworth Co., the Carpenter
Stoel Company and the Furth Sterling
Company. The bids varied only slight
ly on the various olasess of heavy shot,
running from $116 each for the 8-inch
to $135 each from the l,000-poi:nders.
The bids for rifle cartridges were in
two parts, 10,000,000 being standard
metallic ball cartidges, with brown
powder, and 2,000,000 new cartridges,
with smokeless powder. There were
three bidders, viz: The Union Metal
lic Cartridge Company, the United
States Cartridge Company, and the
Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
The bids were the same in each case,
$18.50 for- the brown-powder cart
ridges, and $27 for the smokeless pow
der cartridges. One company offered
to deliver 50,000 at once, and all the
offers contemplated a delivery of 100,
000 a day after a few days.
The bids for shot, shell and cart
ridges will be considered, and the
awards made within the next few days.
Osaka has been called the New York
of Japan. With the manufacturing
villages that cluster around it, it has a
population of about a million.
The Grand Republic Burned.
St. Louis, March 15. The Missis
sippi river excursion steamer Grand
Republic burned to the water's edge
today near South St. Louis. Nothing
was saved, and Captain W. H. Thowe
gin, his wife and two children, and
the watchman had a narrow escape
from death. The loss amounts to $50,-
000.
The latest cure for a rattlesnake bite
is coal oil. When bitten upon the
hand place it in a vessel filled with coal
oil, and the poison will come out and
rise to the surface of tbe liquid.
SUPREME COURT DENOUNCED
Arraigned by the Kansas Pop
ulist Administration.
MAXIMUM FREIGHT RATE LAW
Governor Lepdy Declares the Recent
Nebraska Case Decision Was Palpa
bly Wrong An Address Issued.
Topeka, Kan., March 14. The Popu
list administration of the state of Kan
sas gave out a startling public address
today, one bristling with severe criti
cism of the recent decision of the
United States supreme court in the Ne
braska maximum freight case. The ad
dress is significant in that Governor
Leedy has already taken steps prelim
inary to calling the state legislature in
special session, with the especial pur
pose of enacting a maximum freight
rate law. While the address is given
out over the signature of Governor
Leedy, it . had first been approved by
Chief Justice Bosler, of the state su
preme court and other prominent Pop
ulists. In giving the address to the
reporters. Governor Leedy said:
"How long do you suppose a man can
write treason like this without getting
lntojailr You may out my signature
to it and make it a signed statement, so
that if anybody goes to jail it will be
me."
The governor begins his address with
the statement that for a year the press
dispatches have said that the opinion
in the Nebraska case would be adverse
to the state. Then he says:
"The opinion has been handed down,
and the Associated Press dispatches say
that it is a clean victory for the rail
roads.. On the contrary, it is an un
clean victory In every respect of the
case, showing that no matter how care
fully the robes of justice are folded
about the personnel of the supreme
court, the robes can no longer conceal
the cloven hoof of official malfeasance
and usurpation. As this decision was
due a year ago, and as there was no
known reason for the delay, and as the
decision as rendered confirms the state
ments made in the Associated Press
dispatches from time to tJme, strong
color is given to the suspicion that
the press dispatches emanated from
some person in touch with the court,
and were for the purpose of feeling the
pulse of the public and preparing it
for the decision which goes much fur
ther in the direction of usurping power
than any that has been made."
The governor deolares that the con
stitution of Nebraska gives the legis
lature power to establish maximum
charges for transportation, and de
clared that the supreme court has tried
to abrogate it He challenges Justice
Harlan's declaration that a corporation
is a person under the 14th amendment
o'the federal constitution, and says:
"I deny it, and so will everybody
but a corporation lawyer or a subserv
ient judicial tool of corporate inter
ests." Governor Leedy then quotes the 14th
amendment, and says:
"How, in the name of God, can this
apply to corporations? Corporations
are not born; they are created made
by law. They cannot be naturalized;
they can take no oath of allegiance;
only human beings can do that."
After more in the same strain, the
governor, still referring to the 14th
amendment, says:
"Who are the persons who shall not,
according to the provisions, be deprived
of life, liberty or property, nor be de
nied equal legal protection? Every
body outside the asylum and off the
judicial bench knows them to be and
to only be natnral persons. They are
those who, beside the capacity to
hold property and enjoy legal protec
tion, also have life and can enjoy lib
erty, and that means human beings."
Continuing, the governor quotes
"Hare on American Constitutional
Law," and a decision by Justice
Woods, of the United States circuit
court, afterward supreme court justice,
to prove that the 14th amendment does
not refer to corporations, and declares
that the Woods decision had been fol
lowed in California, Rhode Island and
other states from 1870 to 1882, "when
Justice Field and another federal jus
tice of the peace named Sawyer decided
the other way, and since then, when
ever a corpoition starts out to commit
highway robbery, pick a "man's pocket,
or loot a public treasury, it diguisee it
self as a 'person' and goes out on its
mission of plunder. Nobody but a
slave or a knave will yield assent to the
hideous distortion of meaning which
Judge Harlan gives to the word 'per
son, as used in the 14th amendment,
and upon which he bottoms his infa
mous decision, and which shows to
what depths of iniquity the supreme
court of the United States has de
scended. "
"I desire," the governor said, "to
quote some of the decisions of the su
preme court of the United States before
it went into partnership with Morgan,
Vanderbilt, Gould & Co., in opposi
tion to the opinion they hold in the
Nebraska case. (Long decisions by
Marshall in 1860 are quoted).
In conclusion, Governor Leedy states
that his maximum rate bill will be
presented to the Kansas legislature, in
such shape that to decide against it the
court must reverse its decision in the
Nebraska case, and he states that "if
the court still pursues the corrupt and
rotten practice that it has heretofore,
by changing its decisions to suit the
shifting interests of the railroad corpor
ations," the remedy will be with the
people in their dealings with the counts
or in building railroads of their own.
In 1860 the manufactured product of
St. Louis only amounted to $27,000,
000. Last year the output was about
$800,000,000.
Brazil Wants Satisfaction.
New York, March 14. The Herald
correspondent at Rio de Janeiro states
that news from the Amazoon just re
ceived in Rio de Janeiro gives details
of an invasion of Brazilian territory on
the Rio Branco by Englishmen front
British Guiana, whose purpose it is to
instigate a revolution. Tbe Brazilian
government will demand satisfaction.
To Admit War Materials Free.
Washington, March 14. Senator
Chandler has introduced a bill provid
ing for tbe remission of duties on war
material that may be imported.
BOWERY MISSION FIRE.
Sloven Men Were Burned to Death in
the Flames.
New York, March 15. Eleven men
lost their lives in the fire which swept
the Bowery mission lodging-house this
morning and left it a blackened shell.
Their bodies are so charred that most
of them, may never be recognized. The
dead are supposed to be:
Ellas Cuddy, 29 years old, address
not known.
John Moran, Stapleton, S. I.
McDermott, 29 years old, address not
O'Rourke.
James Soden, of Spottswood, N. J.
Six bodies unidentified.
No. 105 Bowery is one of the best
known lodging-houses on that thorough
fare. It is called the Bowery mission
lodging-house, and is conducted by the
Christian Herald. In one part of the
building there is a cheap restaurant.
The second floor is used exclusively for
mission purposes, gospel meetings be
ing held there daily. The two upper
floors were fitted up' as cheap lodgings,
with accommodations ' for 150 males,
who paid 10 to 25 cents each, accord
ing to the location of the room.
Last night almost every bed was was
occupiea. At i:au o'ciock tnis morn
ing, one of the lodgers discovered flames
coming from a washroom on the third
floor, but before he had time to alarm
the house, the fire was noticed by per
sons on the street. By this time the
flames had eaten their way to the top
of the building, and were bursting
through the roof when the alarm was
given and the inmates aroused. Wild
scenes of excitement ensued. Many of
the lodgers became panic-stricken.
They rushed into the halls and fell
over each other in tlieir efforts to reach
the streets. Those on the lower floors
got to the streets safely by the stair
ways, while those on the upper floors
groped their way through the blinding
smoke to the fire escape in front of the
building. A majority of them saved
only portions of their clothing, while
several of them were naked. Those
who made their way to the streets by
the fire escapes were superficially
burned by the excessive heat of the
iron ladders, which in many places had
become redhot from the flames within.
The firemen saved many lives.
DOLE HOME AGAIN.
He Believes That Annexation Will Ulti
mately Succeed.
San Francisco, March 15. The
steamer China which left Hong Kong
February 12 and Honolulu February
24, arrived today, bringing these Ha
waiian advices:
President Dole returned to Honolulu
the morning of the 4th. After a cabi
net meeting held immediately upon his
arrival he was interviewed by a press
representative. He spoke very frankly
on matters pertaining to his mission to
Washington.
"Yes, I shall be very glad indeed to
teH the people anything I may know
relative to annexation," said the presi
dent. "The Maine disaster absorbed
the attention of the statesmen in Wash
ington previous to my departure for Ha
waii. When that has quieted down
inter jst in Hawaiian annexation will
be paramount in congress. When I
was in Washington I met many friends
of Hawaii. They feel confident that
annexation will come. While there
was a doubt whether the treaty would
secure the required political votes in
the senate, still it was the concensus
of opinion that a joint resolution would
carry in both houses. I place much
reliance in what was said to me by sen
ators and representatives who are fight
ing for Hawaii, for I know them to be
working faithfully and earnestly."
"What is Speaker Reed's attitude?"
wnen l was in the Ameiican capi
tal I learned that he has always opposed
annexation, although he has made no
demonstration against the treaty. My
impression of President McKinley?
Well, I will reply that it is extremely
favorable. I found him to be an unas
suming, frank and sterling man. He
seems to have set his heart and soul on
the annexation treaty.
"Our reception was extremely cor
dial and hospitable. All along the
line to and from Washington throngs
of people came to see me. We shook
hands, and in many instances I was
obliged to speak briefly from the car
platform. It was from these people
that I gathered the impression that the
addition of Hawaii was the popular
sentiment throughout the land."
GAVE
UP THE ATTEMPT.
Klondikers
Could Not Get
Stlckeen Route.
by the
Port Townsend, March '15. The
steamer Cottage City, which arrived
from Alaska tonight, brought a num
ber of passengers from Fort Wrangel,
who have given up the attempt to get
into the Yukon country by way of the
Stickeen route. Among them was A.
L. Brown, of Massachusetts, who suc
ceeded in getting about 40 miles above
Wrangel with his outfit before the
depth of the snow stopped further
progress. Mr. Brown says about 1,000
men with their outfits are snowed in
between Wrangel and Glenora.
Philadelphia, March 15. Over $6,
000 was realized for the fund of the
wounded survivors and the families of
those killed on the battle-sihp Maine
by a monster theatrical matinee given
at the academy of musio.
Insane Woman's Suicide.
Pittsburg, March 15. While insane
through illness, and grieving over the
death of a favorite niece, Margaret Mc-
Adams, wife of G. W. McAdams, a
well-known business man, drowned
herself in the Ohio river. The bodv
was found by her 14-year-old son, an
only child.
Traffic on the railroads between
Tienstin and Pekin has increased so
muh that a double track must be laid
at once.
A Pig Iron Famine.
London, March 15. Tbe iron trade
has been considerably stirred by an ar
ticle in the Statist pointing out that
the exports and home consumption of
iron have exceeded the whole output of
tb United Kingdom by nearly 500,000
tons, and predicting a pig-iron famine
before the end of the year. The
Statist concludes: "Them is a prob
ability that we may have to fall back
upon America at no distant time to
make good our deficient supply on
America, once our largest buyer of pig
and finished materials."
up i ivy
Unole Sam Not Buying Any
Cast-Off Warships.
CUBAN INTERVENTION RUMOR
Arming and Manning; the Merchant Ma
rinesWork on Coast Defense Guns
Being Rapidly Pushed Forward.
Washington, March 12. The United
States government has not acquired i
single additional ship for the navy
This is true, not because of a lack of
offers of warships from abroad, but
simply for the reason that the navy de
partment is proceeding with all the
circumspection consistent with the
needs of the case in looking to the
prices and qualities of the craft. There
is a strong disposition to refrain from
being drawn into bad bargains and to
insist on getting good vessels at prices
not extortionate.
beoretary Long was in receipt of a
large number of cable messages today
almost all relating to offers of ships
Lieutenant Niblock, United States na
val attache at Berlin, St. Petersburg
and Vienna, is paiticularly active in
quest of vessels.
There was a good deal of talk during
the day about the assignment of offi
cers to the command of auxiliary crui
sers, the St. Paul and St. Louis being
especially mentioned, but Secretary
Long set these stories at rest by the
statement that he had not made any
such assignments, and had only pro
gressed to the point of informing him
self of the possibility of getting the
ships officered and manned quickly.
While looking after new ships, the
officials of the navy department are not
neglecting the other vessels, and ar
rangements have been made to make
short repairs on several ships that in
the ordinary course would not be
treated in that fashion, but would re
quire an entire overhauling. Thus, in
the case of the Philadelphia, which has
had five years hard work, and has never
yet been gone over, as is the custom,
orders have gone to Mare island to put
her in shape for sea within 40 days.
The Yorktown. at the same yards, is
not to be touched at present, not only
because she is in fair condition, but
also because she is not so formidable a
craft as to make it desirable to divert
to her repair the attention required
elsewhere. At Norfolk the Newark is
set down for 30 days' repairs, and as a
good deal of work has already been
done on her, she will be almost a new
ship when she comes out of the yards.
The big monitor Puritan has practi
cally completed her repairs. The
monitor Comanche at Mare island has
been examined and found in tolerable
condition. At League island the Mon
itor Miantonomoh and the ram Katah
din went into commission today, al
though they have not yet received their
orders. They will probably remain in
the Delaware river or drop down into
the bay. The torpedo boat Dupont
sailed today from Mobile to attach her
self again to the flotilla at Key West.
Again it was said at the navy depart
ment that nothing had been heard from
ll. . M . ww
tne court oi inquiry at Havana, nor
from Admiral Sicard at Key West
The presence in the city of persons
connected with steamship lines and
steel works led to the circulation of a
number of sensational stories during
the day, but perhaps none of these had
the persistency of one, which met sum
mary denial at the hands of Assistant
Secretary Day, to the effect that Minis
ter Woodford had notified the Spanish
government that the president intended
Bending to congress a message announc
ing his recognition of Cuban independ
ence. A conference was held at 8 o'clook in
the office of Assistant Secretary Roose
velt, to map out plans for arming and
equipping merchant vessels as auxiliary
cruisers. This work, it is said, could
be accomplished readily within two
weeks' time, as all materials, except
the guns, are on hand. The bureau of
ordnance could not supply all the guns
required within that short time, al
though some 70 or more are now avail
able. The supply would be adequate,
however, for the most effective auxil
iary cruisers and the complete arma
ment of the meKhant ships could pro
ceed as rapidly as possible thereafter.
As to the question of manning the
auxiliary fleet, the navy department
feels that the most effective Btep would
De to enlist in the United States naval
.service the present merchant crews of
the several ships. These crews are
thoroughly famliiar with the vessels,
and could handle them with far greater
effect than green crews of bluejackets.
iThe ships would be officered from the
line of the navy. In the case of enlist
ing a merchant crew, the pay and allow
ances would be about equivalent to the
rates paid ordinary sailors, and the
time of enlistment would doubtless be
limited to short periods.
In the Interest of Miles.
Washington, March 12. The senate
committtee on military affairs today
decided to recommend the passage of a
bill authorizing the revival of the grade
of lieutenant-general of the army. The
bill authorizes the president to nomi
nate any officer to this grade. The bill
is in the interest of General Miles.
Russia Wants New Warships.
St. Petersburg, March 12. The im
perial ukase just issued orders the dis
bursement of 90,000,000 rubles as an
extraordinary expenditure for the con
struction of warships. It is added that
po loan will be raised to provide the
money.
Berlin, March 12. The news of the
Russian naval credit was received here
with eqanimity as justifying the Ger
man naval bill.
Amerlsan Liners Seized.
Chicago, March 12. A special to
the Journal from Washington says:
The United States government has
virtually taken possession of the Amer
ican line of steamers, consisting of the
St. Louis, St. Paul, Paris and New
York. Federal officers will be put in
charge practically of each vessel as it
arrives and sails from these shores.
Commander Brownson is virtually in
command of the St Paul, which sailed
today.
Bed bats were first worn by cardinals
in tbe year 1846.
WEEKLY MARKET LETTER.
Trade Conditions in the Leading Cities
of the World.
The wheat traders are kept busy
these days watching Leiter and Ar
mour, and are unable to see their way
clearly in May. They have given up
fighting Leiter, and if he is to have
any scrimmage it will be with Armour.
The latter has been buying in the
Northwest and Southwest, and will
bring 900 oars of wheat from the North
west to Chicago. Last week he was
the seller of May. There was also
liquidation by holders here and in the
Northwest, the latter being closely
identified with Armour. Shorts in the
Northwest have been covering, some
large lines having been taken. No one
but scalpers has the temerity to sell
May short, and they do not stand long,
as they know that Leiter controls it,
and can put the price where he desires.
The attention of the trade is attracted
to the July and September. There is a
disposition to discount the effects ot a
possible large crop here and in Europe
this year by sellling the new crop
futures at the wide difference under
May. Those who have been bulls on
May, if they are in the market at all,
are selling July and September. The
former has the preference, but there ia
more risk in selling it, owing to the
crop uncertainties. Some traders on
July at 90c think that September at
78c is about on a right basis. On the
other hand some very good traders
who have been and are still lone on
May are bearish on September and be
lieve it should be sold on all bulges.
They are afraid of the short side of
July, but think the September a safe
sale at 12c under the July. No one is
selling May wheat now except Armour
and those who have case stuff to de
liver. The slrts are getting out, and
the market is narrowing so that the
speculative shortage by the first of May
is liable to be very small. Those who
have the wheat bought will get the
cash stuff in May. As Chicago is the
highest market in the country, May
wheat here being 5c over New York
and Baltimore, 4c over St. Louis,
6 3-8c over Toledo, 6c over cash
wheat in Minneapolis and Duluth, it is
natural that wheat should be drawn
from other than the regular sections
and shipped to this market.
Portland Market.
Wheat Walla Walla, 75 77c: Val
ley and Bluestem, 7880o per bushel.
Flour Best grades, $3.85; graham.
$3.40; superfine, $2.85 per barrel.
Oats Choice white, 86 37c; choice
gray, dd34c per bushel.
Barley Feed barley. $1718.50:
brewing, $20 per ton.
Millstuffs Bran, $18 per ton: mid
dlings, $23; shorts, $18.
Hay Timothy, $12.50; clover. $10
11; Oregon wild hay, $910 per ton.
li-ggs Oregon, 11 12c per dozen.
Butter Fancy creamery, .45(5. 50c;
fair to good, 40 45c; dairy, 8540o
per roll.
Cheese-Or egrn fair crtanrr 12Sci.
Yoimg America, 1314o.
Poultry Chickens, mixed, $3.00
3.50 per dozen; hens. $3 5004.50:
geese, $6.00$7.00; ducks. $5.00
6.00 per dozen; turkeys, live, ll12c
per pound.
Potatoes Oregon Burbanks, 40 50c
per sack; sweets, $1.752 per cental.
Onions Oregon, $2.252.60 per
sack.
Hops 1416o per pound for new
crop; 1896 crop, 4 6c.
Wool Valley, 1416o per pound;
Eastern Oregon, 712c; mohair, 20
22c per pound.
Mutton Gross, best sheep, wethers
and ewes, 4c; dressed mutton, 7c;
spring lambs, 5c per pound.
Hogs Gross, choice heavy, $4.25;
light and feeders, $3.004.00; dressed,
$5. 00 5. 50 per 100 pounds.
Beef Gross, top steers, $3.50
3.75; cows, $2.503; dressed beef, 6
7c per pound.
Veal Large, 66c; small, 78c
per pound.
Seattle Market.
Potatoes Yakimas, $14 per ton;
natives, $1113; sweets, 2c per pound;
box of 60 pounds, $1.
Butter Fancy native creamery,
brick, 27c; ranch, 22 23c; dairy, 18
22c; Iowa fancy creamery, 25c.
Cheese Native Washington, 12
18c; Eastern cheese, 12c.
Eggs Fresh ranch, 15c; California
ranch, 14c.
Meats Choice dressed beef steers,
8c; cows, 77c; mutton, 8c; pork,
7c; veal, small, 8o.
Poultry Chickens, live, per pound,
hens, 11 12c; dressed. 14c: turkevs.
live, 12c; dressed, 16c.
Fresh Fish Halibut, 6 7c; steel
heads, 67c; salmon trout, 10c; floun
ders and sole, 34c; torn cod, 4c; ling
cod, 45c; rock cod, 5c; smelt, 2
4c; herring, 8c.
Olympia oysters, per sack, $33.50.
Corn Whole, $28; cracked, per ton,
$23; feed meal. $23 per ton.
Barley Rolled or ground, per ton,
$23; whole, $22.
"Flour Patents, per barrel, $4.25
4.50; straights, $4.00; California
brands, $4.65; Dakota brands, $5.40
$5.75; buckwheat flour, $6.
Millstuffs Bran, per ton, $17; shorts,
per ton, $18 19.
Feed Chopped feed, $1820 per
ton; middlings, per ton, $24; oil cake
meal, per ton, $35.
Hay Puget Sound, new, per ton,
$1214; Eastern Washington timothy,
$18; alfalfa, $12; straw, $7.
Wheat Feed wheat, per ton, $23.
Oats Choice, per ton, $23.
San Francisco Market.
Wool Nevada, 11 13c; Oregon, 13
14c; Southern coast lambs, 78c
Hops 1217o per pound.
Millstuffs Middlings, $2022.50;
California bran, $16. 00 16.50 per ton.
Onions Silverskins. $2.402.75per
cental.
Eggs Store, llo; ranch, 114'
12c.
Cheese Fancy mild, new, 9c;old,
9c per pound.
Butter Fancy creamery, lS.c; do
seconds, 17)c; fancy dairy, 17c; good
to choice, 15 16c per pound.
Fresh Fruit Apples, 4065c per
large box; grapes, 2540c; Isabella,
60 75c; peaches, 50c $1; pears, 75o
$1 per box; plums, 20 35c.
Potatoes Early Rose, 65 75c
Citrus Fruit Oranges, navels, $1.25
3.00; Mexican limes, $5. 50 6.00;
California lemons, choice, $2.25; do
common, 75o$1.25 per box.
Hay Wheat, $1619.75; wheat and
oat, $16 18; oat, $14. 50 16. 60; best
barley, $16.50; alfalfa, $10.50
11; clover, $ll18.