The Corvallis gazette., April 08, 1898, Image 1

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VOL. XXXV.
CORVALLIS, BENTON COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1898.
NO. 4.
Epitome of the Telegraphic
News of the World.
TERSE TICKS FROM THE WIRES
Vn Interesting Collection of Item From
the New and tlie Old "World In a
Condensed and Comprehensive Form
In Oakesdale, Wash., A. 0. Lebold
Was accidentally shot by a boy, who
was hunting squirrels. A bullet from
a 22-caliber rifle struck him in the
breast, and physicians fear it has sepa
rated the cavity.
In accordance with a resolution
passed some time ago by the interna
tional union, the book and job printers
of San Francisco went on a strike Mon
day. The bone of contention is a 9
hour day instead of a 10-hour day.
About 300 men are out.
European dispatches announce the
butchery in France of an entire family
of six persons by a rubber named Cail
lard. This human wild beast shot and
killed the husband, wife and two chil
dren, cut the throat of a little girl and
blew out the brains of a bed-ridden old
woman.
The steamer La Bretagno lias arrived
in New York with 11 survivors of the
crew of the British bark Bothnia,
which was wrecked off the Irish coast
on March 23. The Bothnia sailed
from Lobos de Afuera, off the coast of
Peru, November 5. When 50 miles off
the Irish coast, on March 23, a squall
struck the bark, upsetting her.
A seaman belonging to the British
battle-ship liesolute was sentenced to
a fortnight's confinement and deprived
of his good conduct badge, for wearing
the shamrock on St. Patrick's day, in
disobedience to orders. A recital of
the incident created a sensation in the
English commons, and caused an ob
jecting Irish member to be removed
from his seat.
Antoine Varicle, of the French Geo
graphical Society, has arrived in New
York with a balloon, with whicli he
intends to make a trip from Juneau to
the Klondike. A dozen persons are in
the party. Arthur Tervagne, L.L D.,
is president of the expedition and is
also correspondent of Figaro. Varicle,
head of the expedition, is 45 years old
and a well-known engineer and invent
or in France. He claims that his
balloon can be steered with ease.
General Carlos Ezeta, the exiled ex
president of Salvador, has been vindi
cated by his people. His vast estates,
the stocks and money confiscated by
the government of President Guiterrez,
after Ezeta was forced to leave his na
tive land four years ago, have been re
turned to him, and Ezeta is again
worth more than $2,000,000. The gen
eral says be will never again interest
himself in Salvadorean politics. He is
now living in Oakland, Cal.
The committee on interstate and for
eign commerce has favorably reported
Mr. Tongue's bill extending the time
for the erection of a bridge across the
Columbia, by the Oregon & Washing
ton bridge Company, between Washing
ton and Oregon. The committee, how
ever, amended the bill so that instead
of having two years to begin operation,
the company will have one year, and
iustead of four years in which to com
plete the work, three years is allowed,
all this time to be reckoned from the
date of the passage of the bill by con
gress. This is the bridge it was pro
posed to build in the vicinity of La
Camas several years since in connection
with a road to North Yakima. The
site is claimed to be the best on the
Columbia.
A Cairo dispatch says: It is an
nounced that the gunboats and Anglo
Egyptian troops attacked Shendy Sat
urday, destroyed the forts, captured
quantities of grain, cattle and ammu
nition and liberated over 600 slaves.
The dervishes lost 1G0 men. There
were no casualties on the Anglo-Egyptian
side.
A London dispatch says the situa
tion in the far East is considered
gloomy and unsatisfactory, and there
is deep discontent here over the results
of Lord Salisbury's diplomacy. The
belated movement of the British fleet
in Chinese waters has caused as much
uneasiness in financial circles as satis
faction among other classes. This ap
prehension would have affected all
classes of securities if American stocks
bad not been remarkably buoyant, and
carried everything upward.
John G. Brady, governor of Alaska,
came down on the last steamer from
the north. He is on his way toWash
ington in the interest of Alaskan legis
lation. Governor Brady said that all
saloons in Alaska will be closed, if it
is within his power. He does not ex
pect, however, that this will put a
stop to the use and sale of liquor in
Alaska, it being his opinion that pro
hibition cannot be successfully carried
out there. Governor Brady declared
himself in favor of high license. On
his visit to Washington he will endea
vor to have the general land laws of
the United States extended to Alaska.
He will suggest that a commission be
appointed to draft a code of laws for
the territory.
The senate committee on appropria
tions has recommended that Cleve
land's forestry order, reserving large
areas of land in many states, be re
scinded. Should the order be rescind
ed, the land, about 17,000,000 acres in
all, would be restored to the public do
main, and the state of Washington
would be extensively affected. Senator
Wilson has secured an allowance of
$40,000 for the military post at Spo
kane, Wash., and $10,000 for the
establishment of a fish hatchery at
Baker City, Or.
Bishop Hartzell, of Liberia, is now
in London endeavoring to obtain from
the English government a promise to
obtain the intergity of his country from
French encroachment. He will also
ask the United States to aid in protect
ing its African offspring.
By a vote of 18 to 7 the Maryland
senate has ordered engrossed the bill i
to appropriate $50,000 a year for two
years to John Hopkins university.
The house has concurred with the sen
ate in passing a bill to change the form 1
of judicial oaths, doing away with the
words "so help me God." I
WE MUST INTERVENE.
President Will Ask That Troops Be
Sent to Stop Cuban War.
Washington, April 7. The presi
dent's message recommends armed in
tervention but, so far as known, with
out stating that this should be imme
diate by the United States, to prevent
hostilities and afford such assistance as
j is possible to the starving people. It
makes an argument against recognition
; of independence at this time, and
1 leaves it clear that, in the opinion of
! the administration it is the duty of this
! government to supervise the affairs of
! thl island until in the light of fuller
I and later knowledge a stable govern
ment can be established. The attitude
of congress in this policy cannot be
foretold in advance of its official pro
mulgation in the president's message.
The day has been prolific of reports
of mediation on the part of the Euro
pean powers, but a summary of all the
news on this point is that the powers
of Europe cannot agree, and that their
interference would be unacceptable to
the government of the United States.
The safety of General Lee, of the
consuls and other Americans in Cuba is
a matter of concern to the state depart
ment, but advices from General Lee in
dicate the transportation of all Ameri
cans from Cuba would take some time,
and apparently show that he does not
sharo fully in the apprehension felt
here.
Considering a War Revenue.
Representative Adams, of Pennsyl
vania, acting chairman of the house
committee on foreign affairs; Chairman
Dingley, of the ways and means com
mittee; .Representative Grosvenor, of
Ohio, both the president's warm per
sonal friends; Senator Allison, of Iowa,
and Senator Frye, were early callers at
the White House, most of them coming
separately.
A disagreeable downpour of sleet and
rain tended to keep away the crowds
from the White House. There was a
considerable contingent from congress,
however. They included many of the
leaders. While there is much reticence
on the part of these leaders, it is under
stood that the raising of revenue to
meet war emergencies was the purpose
of their visits. Dingley, when asked
about the revenue, suggested that the
president was the one to state the
nature of the conference, but made no
effort to deny that a war revenue con
sultation had been in progress.
Want Peace at Any Price.
Members of congress are receiving
scores of telegrams from bankers and
corporations appealing to-them to sus
tain the "wise peace policy" of the
president. Many of the telegrams are
couched in practically the same lan
guage, showing they are inspired from
the same source. This pressure is vig
orously resented by the members.
There have been no further negotia
tions With Madrid, but the president
has kept in close touch with Minister
Woodford and General Lee.
Assistant Secretary Adee, the cipher
expert, was present this evening, and
messages passed, but of their source or
tenor nothing was given out.
The administration confessed anxiety
as to the situation in Havana, and con
stant communication is kept up with
General Lee, in fear of a possible out
break: It is thought over 1,000 Amer
icans will be eager to leave Havana to
morrow. Whether any armed vessel
from Key West would be at hand when
the exodus begins could not be learned,
but it was said at the White House
that "all Americans will be well cared
for."
SPAIN'S GAME EXPOSED.
Talk of Armistice Was to Secure Re
moval of Key West Fleet.
Washington, April 7. The state
ment was made today by a publio man
in close touch with the administration
that the effort to secure a settlement of
the war between Spain and the insur
gents through an armistice has come to
a definite conclusion, and that the fail
ure was due to the refusal of the gov
ernment of the United States to re
move its fleet from Key West. Accord
ing to this statement, Spain made the
removal a condition precedent to her
offering an armistice, with the end in
view of granting the independence of
Cuba. This proposition was met with
refusal, though not until after it had
been seriously considered.
The congressional opponents oi a
war policy, who had counted upon the
acceptance of this condition by the
United States, admit that the outlook
for peace has grown almost hopeles3
since this determination.
Some diplomats have suggested a
meeting of representatives in Washing
ton of the European powers, in order
to see if something cannot be done to
preserve peace. It is felt by diplo
mats who desire even mediation that
any move must be made quickly.
Archbishop Ireland called at the
state department today, and was imme
diately conducted to Judge Day's room.
At noon Judge Day said there had been
offered no mediation or intervention by
the other powers.
Trouble Feared at Barcelona.
London, April 7. A dispatch from
Barcelona says the United States con
sulate there is guarded by the police,
and the United States vice-consul at
Carthagena, a Spaniard, has resigned.
To Bring Lee Home.
Washington, April 7. The govern
ment has dispatched a fleet of six ves
sels to Havana to transport Consul
General Lee and all the United States
consular officers, together with all
Americans now in Havana and vicinity
who desire to leave the island.
The treasury department has tele
graphed the quarantine officer at Ha
vana directing him to permit all
Americans who desire to leave Havana
to do so without certificates or exami
nation. Medical examinations will be
made at the Florida coast.
General Lee notifies the state depart
ment that if war is declared Americans
will be unable to leave Cuba before
Sunday.
More Demands on China.
London, April 7. The Peking cor
respondent of the Times says: The in
dications are that France will demand
a coaling station at the mouth of the
Min river, near the Fuchau province of
Fo Kien, where the French engineers
control the arsenal and dock. The de
lay in the concession of the French de
mands is attributed to English opposi
tion and lack of Russian support.
mm in north
Crews of Icebound Whalers
Without Food.
"HEY ARE AT POINT BARROW
Forced to Subsist on Decayed Fish and
Dog Meat Five Vessels in the Fleet
Will Perish When Ice Breaks.
Nanaimo, B. C. , April 7. George
P. Tilton, third officer of the steam
whaler Belvidere, who has just reached
the outside world from the vessels im
prisoned in the ice, says the steam
tender Jeanie, steam whalers Orca and
Belvidere, the schooner Rosario and a
bark are near Point Barrow. He says
the men on the frozen-in vessels are
suffering untold privations on account
of the scarcity of provisions, and are
compelled to feed on the rankest of fish
and dog meat.
Tilton came south by way of the
Mackenzie and Yukon rivers, and was
just five months and 22 days making
the trip of 2,000 miles to the Pacific
coast, during which time he and his
Indian guides suffered the most excru
ciating agony from the intense cold.
On his way out Tilton met Lieutenant
Jarvis and the overland relief expedi
tion. He directed them to the point
at which the fleet is frozen in, but it
was thought best that he continue on
his way to St. Michaels, in order to
make known the safety of the men of
the fleet.
Tilton, after bidding farewell to his
comrades, commenced his long and
dangerous voyage.and when he reached
the coast chartered a steamer to carry
him and his guides to Juneau to await
a south-bound vessel. He was inter
cepted north of Sitka by the Albion,
was transferred to her and came south.
The United States relief expedition
steamer Bear, which is at Dutch har
bor, has not as yet been of any assist
ance to the ill-fated whalers, who have
been ice-bound since October 10.
No deaths had occurred among the
whalers when Tilton started south.
Speaking of the prospects of the
whalers, he said that beyond a doubt
the vessels would be total wrecks. As
soon as the ice breaks they will be
ground into matchwood, and nothing
of them will ever be seen again.
The suffering whalers do not know
that any effort has been made to relieve
them. There is a possibility that aid
may be rushed overland by the route
Tilton followed.
SCHOONER ARAGO LOST.
All Hands Perished With the Ill-rated
Vessel in Alaskan Waters.
San Francisco, April 7. News of a
tragedy and a probable disaster in
Alaskan waters was made public yester
day. The tragedy was the drowning
while leaving a wedding feast of three
of the crew of the codfisbing schooner
Arago, and the disaster was the proba
ble loss some weeks later of the vessel
herself with all hands.
The schooner Arago sailed from here
for Unga island October 3 last with a
crew of 13 men, including officers.
When last heard from the Arago and
the schooner Mary and Ida were in
company in Eagle harbor. That was
in the latter part of January, and the
owners of the vessel have almost given
up hope of her safety.
A vessel from the north brings the
news that after a dinner given on the
schooner Mary and Ida in honor of the
wedding of Captain Carson, Peter
Paulosn, S. R. Johns and an unknown
man of the Arago's crew left the party
in a dory, and it is supposed were
drowned.
GOES BACK TO HAVANA.
Clara Barton Will Resume Her Work ol
Rescue Among the Cubans.
Tampa. Fla., April 7. Miss ClarB
Barton left for Havana last night ac
companied by Dr. E. Winfield Egan, s
member of her staff.
"If war is declared," she was asked,
"will you remain in Cuba?"
"I have nothing to say about war,"
she answered, "but if it should come,
as the American people anticipate,
presume I will have more to do than
ever in taking care of so many in trou
ble and destitue. The American people
are responding nobly to the call lor as
sistance for the reconcentrados, and I
sincerely hope that they will continue
sending supplies as long as they are as
badly needed as they now are. In. the
event of war I do not apprehend any
trouble in continuing the work of the
Red Cross, as it is recognized by inter
national law and is seldom interfered
with."
At Union Iron Works.
San Francisco, April 7. The torpedo-boat
of the United States now in
course of construction at the Union
iron works will be launched early in
June and be ready for active service
early in August The 240-ton boat
will have a speed of 30 knots an hour,
and will be fitted with six torpedo
tubes, one four-inch gun and two rapid
fire machine guns. The battle-ship
Wisconsin will be launched early next
year at the same place, and will be
finished within the time specified by
the contract.
Cruiser to Be Rechristened.
London, April 7. The United States
officials here have been reticent con
cerning the name to be borne by the
American cruiser purchased last Satur
day from the Thames iron works. She
now bears the unique name Diogenes,
but the government will undoubtedly
change it.
Washington, April 7. Notwithstand
ing contrary reports, no orders have
been issued as yet for mobilization of
20,000 troops at Chicamauga.
Ordered to Be Ready.
Leavenworth, Kan., April 7. The
officers of the Twentieth regiment,
composed of eight companies of in
fantry, stationed at Fort Leavenworth,
received orders today from the war de
partment to be in readiness to move at
a moment's notice.
Miantonomoh to Sail.
Philadelphia, April 7. Orders were
received at League Island navy-yard
this afternoon directing that the moni
tor Miantonomoh sail tomorrow morn
ing. Her destination is not known.
WHOLE TOWN DESTROYED.
But Little Loft to Show Where Shaw
aeetown Stood.
Chicago, April 6. A Chronicle spe
cial from Carmi, 111., says: The disas
ter at Shawneetown, 111., came when
the great majority of the people were
in their homes eating supper. The
break in the levee occurred a mile
above the town, and was within 10
minutes more than a half mile wide.
A stream of water 12 to 20 feet deep,
carrying half the current of the flood
raised Ohio, descended on the unsus
pecting people. It came in a great
rush, like a tidal wave. There was no
slow rising of waters to give waining.
The houses on the outskirts were
lifted up and rolled over and over.
Most of them were torn into ppl inters.
Their inhabitants were drowned in
them. Nearer the center of town brick
structures stopped the onrush of the
water for a few minutes, but about two
thirds of the dwellings were floating,
careening out into the current of the
river.
After a few minutes the horror of
the situation was added to by the
catching fire of a large house that had
started down stream with the others.
The people on the roof were already in
danger of being thrown off by collisions
with other floating houses, but the
occupants of this floating firebrand
added horror. As it struck one house
after another in its course, some others
caught fire and their unfortunate occu
pants were compelled to trust them
selves to the mercy of the swirling
water on pieces of wood to avoid a
more terrible death by fire.
Tho break in the levee flooded four
miles of valley land and cut off com
munication on two railways, the B. &.
O. Soauthwestern and tho L. & N.
When the water had slackened some
what, many houses were still standing,
but it was quickly seen that the frame
ones would not last in the flood. By
means of rafts and swimming in the
cold water 70 or 80 people were trans
ferred from their garret windows and
roofs to the flat top of the Gallatin
county bank, a brick and stone build
ing, and the courthouse, which is oi
brick. It was hoped that these would
withstand the pressure and the under
mining, but when the single courier,
who rode for help to Cypress Junction,
left Shawneetown, only those two
buildings showed above the broad sheet
of the flood in the lower part of the
town, and it was doubtful if they
would not collapse and throw the ref
ugees into the river.
Besides the hundred or more who
were on the roofs of the two sound
buildings it is known that nearly 1,000
of the inhabitants managed in one way
or another to make their way to high
hills back of the town, or to houses in
the higher section of the village. A
few of these survived the sudden burst
of the waters, but the first and sorrre
times the second floors were under
water, lnose who made their way
them went only in the clothes th
were wearing when the water came.
No one had time to secure either treas
ure or clothing. The property loss is
very great.
The scene at the upper end of the
town, where men and women were
struggling against the muddy water to
higher ground, some carrying babies on
their heads where water was up to their
necks, others half swimming, half
floating on odds and ends of lumber
from homes that had gone floating
down the river, many struggling in
vain and sinking in the roaring waters,
was one that will live in the memory
of every beholder.
In one place a mother had reached
a safe spot, and turned to help her
husband, who had followed with their
child. As she reached down from a
window for his hand he was thrown
from his footing, and he and the child
were swept away in the current. The
woman saw him sink and then threw
herself into the water.
Another family paddled half way to
safety on a plank, which held them
out of the water. The current caught
them and sent them out toward mid
stream, where in the rougher water
they were seen to capsize and sink.
An old man, named Griffin, living
on high ground, stepped in the upper
story of his trembling house to secure
a hoard of money hidden under the
bed. His son, a young man of 21, had
to climb up the porch to rescue him,
so quick was the rise of the water, and
when the two attempted to swim to i
safety the younger man supporting the
older, a floating house came running in
the current and overwhelmed them.
A woman, supposed to be Josephine
Simon, was warned of the danger in
time to get to higher ground, but in
turning back to help her mother, was
caught with the older woman in an I
eddy and they were drowned.
A woman made an effort to save her
lover by throwing a clothesline to him
from her house. His house was swept
away at the moment, and he was
thrown into the water. He swam to ;
the aid of the girl, but she was stand-
ing on tne side or. a gaoie rooi, and was
pulled from her footing. Both were
drowned.
These are some instances . told by
John Graham, who reached Cypress
Junction, from which place lie tele
phoned here for help. He said that he
himself helped 12 persons out of the
water.
Governor Tanner, of Illinois,
issued an appeal for aid.
Congress will be petitioned also.
has
' North Levee Gave Way.
Ridgeway, 111., April 6. According
to the best information obtainable here
as to the flood at Shawneetown, the
levee on the north was the one that
broke. The north end of Shawneetown,
except Main street, near the river, was
built up of one-story buildings of inferi
or construction, which were mainly
inhabited by negroes. It is believed
the larger portion of those lost were
colored people.
Appeal for Peace.
Chicago, April 6. Mrs. Hannah
Bailey, of Maine, of the department o
peace and arbitration for the world
and the W. O. T. U., has sent to Presi
dent McKinley, on behalf of a million
women, a letter commending the ac
tion of the administration and urging
that peace be maintained. This ac
tion, it is said, will be followed by
practical relief work for Cuba on the
part of the national W. C. T. U.
By the year 1900 Japan will have to
pay $25,000,000 a year as interest on
its national debt.
II I EMPLOY OF n
Chinese Foreign Office
eused of Treachery.
Ac-
said TO HAVE BEEN BRIBED
Li Hung Chang Accused of Complicity
A Demand Has Been Made That He
Bt Beheaded.
Shanghai, April 5. It is announced
that a person of the highest rank has
memorialized tiie emperor in the most
vigorous language, accusing the whole
tsung-li-yamen (Chinese foreign office)
of being in the pay of Russia. He
asserts that Russia expended 10,000,
000 taels in bribery during the recent
negotiations regarding tho cession of
Port Arthur and Talien Wan, etc., and
claims that Li Hung Chang's share was
1,500,000 taels.
The personage referred to demands a
full investigation, and asks that Li
Hung Chang be beheaded if the accusa
tions are proven, the memorializer offer
ing to be executed himself if his charges
are not sustained.
The Russians have permitted two
British gunboats to enter and leave
Port Arthur freely.
The British first-class cruiser Graf
ton, flagship of Rear Admiral C. P.
Fitzgerald, second in command on the
China station, and the first-class cruiser
Narcissus, the second-class cruiser Rain
bow, and other vessels of the squadron,
left Che Foo Saturday. Their destina
tion is unknown, but it is reported to
be Chemulpo, the port of Seoul. The
movements of the various ships excite
the greatest interest among foreigners
here. It is supposed they will make a
demonstration, possibly in support of
some British demands for concessions.
WAR OR PEACE.
Question Will Be Determined by the
President's Message.
Washington, April 5. The opinion
almost universally held in Washington
tonight by public men and diplomats is
that the crisis will reach its climax this
week and that the question of war or
peace will be determined within the
next few days. Senators and repre
sentatives conferred all day about the
gravity of the situation, and at the
White House the president consulted
with several members of his cabinet
and other confidential advisers regard
ing the message he is pieparing to send
to congress. At the state, war and
navy building, active work was going
on and altogether it has been a day of
suppressed feeling.
No day has been announced as the
day when the message will be sent to
congress. Besides the physical work
of preparing the comprehensive docu
ment, upon which the president expects
to rest his case with the world, there
are reasons why those in charge of the
war preparations will welcome every
hours' delay. War material which
we have ordered abroad is not yet
shipped, and the factories in this coun
try will work day and night making
powder and projectiles and are anxious
for delay. Some of the factories in
Connecticut with contracts have tele
graphed Representative Hitt, urging all
delay possible. They say every day
now is precious.
Pacific Base of Supply.
Honolulu, April 4. The United
States ship Mohican arrived on the
19th, nine days from San Francisco.
She brought ammunition and supplies
for the United States ship Baltimore,
which will leave for Hong Kong tomor
row. A telegram received from Wash
ington the 19th says that in the event
of war with Spain, the neutrality of
these islands will not be kept, but they
will at once be made a depot of naval
supplies. A lengthy dispatch was re
ceived by the Hawaiian government on
the same date from Minister Hatch, at
Washington. It gives practically the
newspaper accounts of delay with the
treaty on account of the Maine disaster.
The minister mentions that one of the
assumptions of the situation is that in
case of war the islands would be made
a base of supply by the United States
fleets operating in the Pacific.
Ready for Flight.
Berlin, April 5. The German am
bassador at Madrid reports to the for
eign office here that the Spanish royal
family fears an outbreak at home unless
the differences between the United
States and Spain are very soon settled.
The Carlist movement is assuming a
more active form, and the royal family
fears especially a pronunciamento by
Weyler and the military party.
Everything is prepared in the royal
castle for flight. The boy king, Al
fonso, will be taken to San Lucar de
Barrameda, where a yacht is kept ready
for sailing. The replies to the queen's
letters asking for the intervention of
the European powers have been wholly
unsatisfactory.
Astoria Road Completed.
Clatskanie, Or., April 5. The two
tracklaying crews on the Astoria &
Columbia River railroad completed the
all-rail connection between Astoria and
Portland at a point near this place at
4:30 P. M. today. Several hundred
citizens of this place, headed by the
Clatskanie band, were present to wit
ness the driving of the last spike.
With pleasant weather from now on,
it is expected that the road will be
open for traffic by May 1. The only
thing uncompleted about the road is
the steel draw on the bridge over Blind
slough, which is on the ground, how
ever, and ready to be put into place in
a few days. The company expects to
run two passenger trains a day when
the road is completed, and to make the
trip in three hours.
Two thousand two hundred trains
leave London ordinarily every 24 hours.
Big Strike at SusanviUe.
Long Creek, April 5. News reaches
this city of a rich strike just made in
the "Sky Scraper" mine, at the
SusanviUe mining camp, about 10
miles northeast of this city, that for
richness and quantity, will rival or
even eclipse the Great Northern mine
at Canyon City, recently discovered
by Mr. Guker. The rock taken from
the newly discovered ledge is said to be
literally welded with gold, and to use
mineral parlance, it "looks like a
jewelry shop," Notwitstanding the
rich bunches found at intervals, the
ledge carries its phenomenal richness.
WAR CANNOT BE AVERTED
fJnless
Spain Surrenders
Backs Down.
Cuba and
Washington, April 6. The Post
says that unless Spain, within 48 hours,
yields by surrendering Cuba, war can
not be averted. It sums up the situa
tion as follows:
President McKinley 's message to
congress will be a ringing, vigorous
document that promises to meet the
full expectation of congress and the
people. It will be a scathing arraign
ment of Spain, showing that she has
demonstrated her utter incapacity to
govern; that her colonies have de
clined in population as the result of
misrule and oppression; that American
commerce has been damaged and Amer
ican lives and property imperiled, and
that existing conditions should and
will not be tolerated by this govern
ment. The destruction of the battle-ship
Maine and the slaughter of 266 officers
and seamen serving under the United
States flag will be commented upon in
strong language, and Spain will be held
responsible for that disaster. The pres
ident will make no direct recommenda
tion, but his message will rfoint clearly
to the necessity of armed intervention
to restore order and peace. He will
not recommend the recognition of the
independence of the island, because the
insurgents have no established form of
government, and the president and
cabinet believe that a travesty would
be presented to the world if following
the recognition of independence of the
island the United States should, as a
result of war, take the independence
away by seizing and annexing the
island.
The president's message will be
equivalent to a declaration of war, and
hostilities can now only be averted by
Spain yielding all.
Pope Leo XIII is mediating between
Spain and Cuba. The efforts of his
holiness have already resulted in an
appeal from Spain to the insurgents
through the autonomist cabinet for an
armistice pending an agreement for
peace and independence. It is learned
that his holiness has represented to
Spain that it is the part of wisdom to
make every possible concession, even to
surrendering the island absolutely,
rather than go to war with the United
States, which would inevitably result
in the loss of Cuba and other Spanish
colonies, and at the same time endanger
the dynasty.
The United States has ceased all
negotiations, and will not accept media
tion. The administration and congress
3ee no alternative but war.
Mines in Havana Harbor.
New York, April 6. A dispatch to
the World from Havana says: Forty
floating submarine mines were secretly
planted in Havana harbor last Wednes
day night by the Spanish government.
This information comes from official
sources and is absolutely correct. The
mines contain sufficient force there to
paralyze the biggest ships afloat.
IS HELD RESPONSIBLE.
Impatient Senators Make Open Charges
Against Spain.
Washington, April 6. It was frankly
and openly charged in the senate today
by Perkins (Cal.) in a set speech that
Spain was responsible for the Maine
disaster, as it had been brought about
by Spanish machinations and Spanish
treachery. The speech of Perkins was
only one of four prepared addresses on
the Cuban question delivered in the
senate today. Clay (Ga.), while hoping
for a peaceful solution of the problem
the country is now facing, declared
strongly in favor of the independence
of the Cubans, and pledged to the ad
ministration the loyal support of the
South, which, in the event of war,
would have to bear the brunt of the
conflict. Perkins took substantially
the same grounds, and his vigorous
treatment of the subject aroused the
crowded galleries to enthusiastic ap
plause. Mantle (Mont.), while expressing
confidence in the administratoin, main
tained that the time for action had
now arrived, and that action must be
to the end that Cuba should be free.
Rawlins (Utah) entirely eliminated
the president from consideration in his
speech, contending that the case
against Spain was already made up and
that with congress rested the responsi
bility of declaring war, and that forc
ing us to wait longer was only to in
vite criticism. He declared for the
most vigorous action immediately.
In the House.
Washington, April 6. While there
was no attempt to force consideration of
a resolution regarding the Cuban situ
ation in the house, there was a brief
outbreak, in the course of which the
war-like temper of the crowded galler
ies was so manifest that Speaker Reed
threatened to clear them if it was re
peated. The outbreak occurred over a
bill to authorize the president to erect
temporary fortifications in case oi
emergency upon land, when the writ
ten censent of the owner was obtained,
without awaiting the long process oi
legal condemnation. This led to a de
mand by Bailey, the Democratic lead
er, for information as to the facts
which warranted all these war meas
ures. The Oregon at Callao.
Callao, Peru, April 6. The
States battle-ship Oregon has
here.
United
arrived
Preparing to Flee.
Havana, April 6. The Mangrove
and the Bache are expected here to
morrow to take to Key West such
Americans as desire to go. Consul
General Lee has been authorized to
hire merchant vessels if necessary, and
will probably employ the steamer Flor
ida, due here tomorrow, the Mascotte,
which is due here Wednesday, and the
Olivette, which is due here for an extra
trip on Thursday. The Fern will re
main here, so far as is known.
Patriotic Insurance Agents.
Denver, April 6. The national as
sociation of iocal fire insurance agents,
whose headquarters are in this city,
today decided to offer their services to
the nation in placing a popular loan to
cover the expense of war.
Hauled Down the Flag.
Havana, April 6. Soon after sun
down tonight the tattered United States
flag was taken from the gaff of the
wrecked Maine, where it had floated
since February 15. It was taken down
by an officer and a boat crew from the
Fern.
Spain's Answer Is Entirely
Unsatisfactory.
REPLY SENT TO CONGRESS
An Important Cabinet Meeting Held
Administration Has Done All in Its
Power to Settle Matter Peaceably.
Washington, April 4. There is lit
tle doubt that the president and mem
bers of his cabinet now regard a con
flict with Spain as almost inevitable.
In his message to congress, which in
all probability will be sent in early in
the week, it is understood that the
president will review at some length
the record as it stands between this
government and Spain, but will not in
sist upon further time in which to con
tinue negotiations looking to a peace
ful settlement of the Cuban problem.
The cabinet meeting this morning
was unquestionably the most important
held in many years. It received Spain's
answer to the ultimatum of this gov
ernment, and finding it unastisfactory,
practically decided upon a policy which
at this hour seems certain to involve
hostilities. The whole record will be
laid before congress, and the question
is now under earnest consideration of
what shall be the particular form our
policy shall take in bringing to an end
the horrors in Cuba, and securing the
independence of the island.
Propositions ranging from a simple
recognition of Cuban independence to
a straight out declaration of war have
been urged at the capitol, but there is
hardly a doubt that the majority of
congress await the executive lead be
fore taking action, and are disposed to
adopt Mr. McKinley's suggestions on
this point. It is not thought that any
of the resolutions, except, possibly, a
simple recognition of independence,
would lead to war.
There were, of course, all sorts oi
rumors in circulation, including re
ports of mediation by some European
powers, but no such suggestion has
come to this government, for as late as
6 o'clock, in response to a direct ques
tion, Secretary Day said there had
been no offer of mediation by any for
eign government.
Cabinet Member's Statement.
One member of the cabinet, in
speaking of the meeting today, said:
"In the morning, it was apparent to
all of us that, having exhausted all
diplomatic efforts to bring about a bet
ter condition of affairs in Cuba, the
whole question must be submitted to
congress. At our afternoon meeting,
the president requested each member
of the cabinet to express freely his in
dividual opinion as to what should be
done. The discussion was entirely on
the lines indicated by the members.
Nothing definite was decided upon,
and no conclusions reached. The pres
ident will now take the views submit
ted to him under consideration, pre
paratory to his message to congress,
which will be sent early in the week.
"President McKinley has done a
great deal of work recently, and ap
pears pretty well fatigued. Conse
quently, he will taks some little rest
before beginning work on the message.
He has not yet determined what rec
ommendation will be communicated to
congress.
"My own individual opinion is that
but little faith can be put in promises
made by Spain, and this makes me hes
itate about accepting with any confi
dence her latest proposals. In the first
place, she promised a long time ago
that the reconcentrados would be re
leased; tne result shows this promise
has not been kept. Now she proposes
to release them, but keep them under
military supervision. Who can tell
whether she will adhere to this ex
pressed intention?
"Broadly, there appears to be three
courses open to the president in dealing
further with this matter. The first of
these is to accept the proposals submit
ted by Spain in reply to the American
representations, the second to relegate
the whole matter to congress, and let
that body do as it seems proper
which Ithink would mean interven
tion and the third, to take a middle
stand. But, as I said before, nothing
has yet been determined upon by the
president, or, if he has reached a de
cision, he did not communicate it to
the cabinet.
"Yes, reference was made by Spain
to the Maine matter in the reply she
sent through Minister Woodford. She
made no offer to pay for the loss, but
suggested that the matter be settled by
arbitration. So far as I recall, she ex
pressed no regret for the sad occur
rence, and the whole thing was regard
ed as a cold-blooded statement."
The reply of Spain is said in effect
to be representation that the independ
ence oi VJuoa means tne parting or
cession of Spanish territory, which
cannot be done without the consent of
tlje Spansish oortes, which will not be
in session until April 24. Then a
counter-proposition is submitted that
the Cuban matter shall be settled upon
a basis equitable among nations. The
United States is asked to give Spain
time to treat with the insurgents and
ascertain what can be done in the na
ture of a peaceful settlement.
At Porto Rico.
Madrid, April 4. The Spanish tor
pedo flotilla has arrived at Porto Rico.
Kroger Was Not Assassinated.
London, April 1. A report was cur
rent on the stock exchange today to the
effect that President Kruger, of the
South African republic, has been shot
and killed. The general representative
of the Transvaal discredits the report.
The story is probably a stock exchange
canard.
Naval Station at Pearl Harbor.
Washington, April 4. Secretary
Long has sent to congress the report of
the project for establishing a naval
coaling and repair station at Pearl har
bobr, Hawaiian islands, submitted by
Rear Admiral Miller, commander-in-chief
of the naval Pacific station.
Washington, April 4. Representa
tive W. Say era, of Texas, minority
member of the committee, said:
"I will not vote for an appropriation
to furnish food for the suffering Cubans
unless it be accompanied by armed intervention."
BENEFIT TO THE NORTHWEST.
Complete Success of the Mining and
Irrigation Congress at Baker City.
The mining and irrigation congress
which met in Baker City last week,
will prove of much benefit to the
Northwest. Much enthusiasm was
manifested throughout its sessions, and
when final adjournment was taken, it
was with a feeling that the convention
had been a success. It was Baker
City's first experience In entertaining
a crowd of that character, and its citi
zens had cause to be gratified at the re
sult. The town surprised itself by its
achievement. As the citizens and vis
itors became better acquainted, more
informality came into the proceedings,
and miners and capitalists got closer
together, and the vastness of the min
eral resources of the region waB better
appreciated. All felt a personal in
terest in mining and irrigation, and no
one was so wise that he did not get
new and broader ideas, and perhaps
more special knowledge of those mat
ters so essential to the industrial de
velopment of the great Northwest.
The last day a consitution and by
laws for a permanent organization was
reported, and, after some discussion,
adopted. The name chosen was the
Mining and Irrigation Congress; ob
ject, to promote and foster mining and
irrigation enterprises and other kindred
industries; the officers to be a presi
dent, a vice-president from each state,
who. shall choose the secretary and
treasurer; the meetings to be held an
nually, at a time and place to be se
lected by the congress; the congress to
be composed of delegates fiom Oregon,
Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho,
Washington, Montana, California and
Nevada, to be appointed as follows:
Seven by the governor of each state;
one by the mayor of each city;
by each chamber of commerce,
three
corn-
mercial club, board of trade or
other
similar organization in each
city;
three from each county, to be appoint
ed by the county judge or chairman of
the county board; three from each reg
ularly organized mining district within
the states. The committee on legisla
tion will consist of two members from
each state, who will present a written
report at each annual congress.
When it came to selecting a place
for the next meeting, J. F. Batcbelder
named Portland as the commercial and
financial metropolis of the Northwest,
where facilities for accommodating a
great gathering and for a display of
mining machinery and methods of re
ducing ores could be found. R. W.
Paris proposed Boise as able to handle
a big convention, it being more central
ly located with respect to the mining
states, being itself in the center of a
vast region, whose chief industries the
congress would relate to. C. A. Johns
named Baker City. A dozen speeches
were made by partisans of the different
places. A ballot resulted as follows:
Portland, 41; Boise, 14; Baker
City, 6. -
Portland was mudo the urmtnimous.
choice.
The time for holding the next meet
ing was fixed for the first Tuesday in
December, 1898, after a long discussion,
bringing out seasonable demands of
placer and quartz mining and irrigation
farming and after reference to a com
mittee of three whose report was adopt
ed. Albert Geiser, of Baker City, was
unanimously elected permanent presi
dent of the organization. The follow
ing vice-presidents were ohosen:
Oregon Ole J. Olsen, Grants Pass;
Idaho State Engineer F. J. Mills,
Boise; Washington Dr. J. M. Boyd,
Spokane; Utah Thomas D. Lee, Og
den. The executive committee is com
posed of the following:
Oregon Fred R. Mellis, Baker City,
and J. F. Batchelder, Portland; Idaho
A. D. Morrison, Idaho Falls, and J.
F. Hunt, Downey; Washington G. B.
Dennis and A. P. Curry, Spokane;
Utah R. S. Campbell, Salt Lake City,
and R. C. Lund, St. George.
Members of the legislative committee:
Oregon C. A. Johns, Baker City,
and E. J. Frasier, Eugene; Idaho
John C. Rice, Caldwell, and Edgar
Wilson, Boise; Washington J. J.
Browne and Colonel Lindsley, Spokane;
Utah David Keith, Salt Lake City,
and H. H. Rolapp, Ogden.
The governors of California, Nevada,
Colorado, Wyoming and Montana will
be asked to make appointments for their
respective states.
A committee presented resolutions to
the effect that only questions pertaining
to mining and irrigation should be dis
cussed before the congress; urging im
mediate action for a mineral exhibit at
the Trans-Mississippi exposition from
the several states represented in the
congress; acknowledging appreciation
of and extending hearty thanks to the
citizens of Baker City for the many
courtesies and attentions received.
Captain Robley D. Evans, who goes
into command of the war ship Iowa,
vice Captain Sampson, has no rival for
popularity in Washington, or in the
navy department. The captain is
quoted as having said recently that if
he had his way "there would be
nothing but Spanish talked in for
the next five years." Evans was in
command of the Yorktown during the
late trouble with Chile, and he wanted
to blow Valparaiso off the earth because
of the insults put upon America by the
citizens of that town. But the navy
department refused, and Evans was
oommended for the admirable self
restraint he exercised. Since then he
has no love for Spain. Evans is gener
ally known as "Fighting Bob" Evans,
a pseudonym which he dislikes very
much. He has a limp which he earned
during his service with Uncle Sam in
the '60s, and other marks of war on
his person. Evans belongs to a Vir
ginia family, and when the South
seceded, his mother, without his con
sent, sent his resignation to Washing
ton. The young officer, however, per
suaded the department to abrogate it,
and promptly rejoined the service. He
has been in the navy 38 years, and in
one of the most dashing and dating in
Unole Sam's service.
The town of Bethlehem, in Penn
sylvania, was named in 1741 by a party
of Moravians, who assembled in a barn,
where the town is located to celebrate
Christmas.
The United States general appraiser
has rendered a decision that handker
chiefs with an embroidered initial
letter do not come under the head of
embroidered handkerchiefs liable to a
duty of 50 per cent ad valorem, but are
jhtfjl to duty of only 40 per cent.