What Russia win propose
at the Conference.
f MAY BE CAUSE OF TROUBLE
jl Synlpin at Preserving the. Ilerdii
Only llui-lielor Seals Killed Kegula
lion. lliRKIly Enforced.
Washington, Oct. 18. Although tlio
formal conference on the Behring pea
question will not open until the arrival
f the Japanese delegates, yet the pres
ence here of two of the Russian delo
gates Ijhs permitted the authorities to
inform themselves quite thoroughly as
to the attitude of Russia on the protec
tion of the seals.
H has brought out the fact that
Biwfin takes an advanced position in
preserving her herds, and has more
.trinwnt laws and regulations in that
direction than any of the othor coun
tries interested. By the Russian sys
tem, 8 zone of 30 miles is established
round tho seal islands belonging to
the empire. The seals found within
these zones are regarded as exclusively
Unman, and no one other than the in
habitants of the islands oan take a seal
within these limits. This gives the
Kuesian citizens exclusive rights over
the seals, not only on tho islands, but
extending 30 miles westward. British
or Japanese sealers cannot operate
within the zone, except to buy skins of
the Russian inhabitants of the islands.
The Russians themselves are permitted
to kill only bachelor seals, there being
strict regulations against killing fe
males and pups. The females are
juarded with special care, as the kill
ing of one female is regarded as equiva
lent to the killing of three seals, name
ly, the female herself, her pup on land
and her unborn pup.
The Russians see tlint these regula
tions are enforced. A fleet of govern
ment ships patrols the 80-mile zone,
slid any foreign sealers who attempt to
operate within these limits are seized.
As a rule, seized sealers are taken to
Vladivostok, their catch confiscated
anil punishment inflicted. This lias led
to many protests, but RusBia has main
tained her rigid regulations within the
80-mile zone. A notable case was that
of the ship Dahlia, cleared by a Uni
ted States consular officer, hut manned
by a Japanese crew, which attempted
to take seals on the Russian islands.
The sealers were met with armed resist
ance, and Beveral of the Japanese were
killed. Claims for indemnity were
male against Russia, but never paid, as
the imperial authorities maintained
tlieir right to protect their property
against invasion.
H is understood to be the wish of
Russia in the forthcoming conference
not to stop at the protective regulations
already made, but to carry them fur
ther by increasing the width of the
wne considerably beyond 80 miles.
The Russian authorities have found by
rperience that many of the female
wals go more than 80 miles to sea in
arch of food. The wish is to make
theioneso wide that it will extend to
the furthest point to which the females
jo for food..
THE LAW A FARCE.
f"lonn Official Making Fortuuea Out
of Importation of Chinese.
New York, Oct. 18. Colonel J.
"inmas Scliarf, Chinese inspector for
southern district of Now York hns
to the secretary of the treasury
" raugnation. lie says that in his
"Pinion, based on four years of practical
lrience and close observation, the
tl'inese exclusion act is a farce, and
' resulted in the corruption of the
treasury department.
Colonel Seharf is an ex-officer of the
wtifederata army. He was appointed
'"fpector in 1893 under the Cleveland
""ministration, and immediately after
arrival here preferred charges
'""M customs officers, whom he ao
wu of assisting in the smuggling of
ninese. Ho has never succeeded in
ismg about the dismissal of any of
Z B"n, he 8l;c"8ed. He says his fail
n that direction was caused by the
'Moence of the Canadian Pacifio rail
J in high quartew.
Lionel Scliarf talked on the subject
n1'!' He saiJ frflu" existed,
ra ne believed men in the employ and
in,'nof tn government are mak
M 5,000 a year each from the illegal
Importation of Chinese. The corrup
He believes, from evider.03 in his
SftjS'S!?. the continent.
i .j . ,mvB no ng"t to come
mW 811 al8 the Canadian
,l . " Port of New York, at Se
and other points along the Pacifio
(ion. "e expects to see some revela-
Th. iJ . wm Btartle the countrv.
" Invest i.0! ...
Pen , """"" commmee oi con
ork't y Providel for, begins its
miner.
M.drU Cub"
council Vi - la- At the cabinet
HCnK. yU Wtt8 decided to pardon
'lom muiuaea in pre-
r o.T8"68' and suspend the de
Wisla iT.epte,mber 21 relati"8 to the
''audi M J' in the Philippine
"PPre..ini , decree O'Jered a vigorous
W. ' Plitical associations and
"tpact of blood societies.
TENDER OF MEDIATION.
8ul.,lace r the l-ro.l.lmf, l:,.wm
Note to Sm.
Now York, Oct. IS. The Ilerahi
publishes the following, based on hi-n
authority, which it claims is substuu.
tially the instructions issued by Prei
dent McKinley to Minister Woodford
to be presented to the Spanish queen
None but the most kindly relation,
exist between the present administra
tion nnd Spain, and as far as lies in the
power of the administration thev will
continue. The belligerency resolution
winch passed the senate at the last ses
sion of congress merely bore evidence
of the tremendous popular feeling
throughout this country in favor of
Cuba. The house, to be sure, voted
down the resolution passed by the sen.
ate; but this was with a view to post
poning the issue and not doing anything
for the moment that could be construed
88 hostile to Spain.
The house, like the senate, is strong.
Jy in sympatny with Cuba. This feel
ing of sympathy throughout the United
States will undoubtedly take shape as
soon aa congress OunvLuu,, uud it is
necessary for the president to communi
cate to congress such recommendations
as he deems best to make in regard tc
Cuban affairs.
Under the circumstances, the gov
ernment of theUnitted States tenders
its best offices to mediate between
Spain and Cuba, and it offers to medi
ate so as to bring the war to an end on
such terms as will be honorable to both
parties. This government expresses
the hope that Spain will reply by tho
end of October, so as to give the presi
dent a chance to report to congress by
the time it convenes.
The Herald also publishes the follow
ing, which it claims details tho real
circumstances which led to the down
fall of the old cabinet:
Nearly all of the Spanish bonds had
been floated in France, and the recent
loans were placed there, but the latest
application for further loans had not
been favorably responded to. The only
means, therefore, of raising money was
through the Bank of Spain, through
which application was made at the rate
of 50,000 pesetas, or $12,000,000 a
month, in order to carry on the war in
Cuba and the Philippine islands. The
Bank of Spain declined to make fur
ther advances to the government sev
eral weeks ago, and the cabinet there
upon removed the governor of the hank.
The recently appointed governor of the
bank thereupon tried to force tixn the
bank committee, or board of directors
the application of the government for
additional loans, but his efforts failed.
This was followed by the determina
tion of the cabinet to take stepB to re
duce the interest rate on the govern
ment bonds of 5 to 6 per cent to 3 'j
and 4 per cent respectively. Imme
diately the cabinet was deluged with
protests. Some of the objections came
from persons high in authority and ii
a position to dictate terms to Spain.
The combined weight of conserva
tives in Spain, which embraced, as in
dicated, the bulk of the holders of Span
ish bonds, whose interest would bp cut
in two, immediately answered this
proposition with the suggestion that
it would be far better to stop all war
expenses than to adopt such a radical
course. In fact many of the conserva
tives said it would be better to gain
anything in the way of indemnity
which Spain could obtain by the sacri
fice of sovereignty and accepting an
offer to grant liberty to Cuba, if it
could be brought about in a way that
would not be dishonorable to Spain.
The queen yielded to this, and the re
sult was the resignation of the old cabi
net and the calling upon Sagasta to
form a new one.
Their Aim Was True.
Delta, Oct. 18. William Haraldand
Under-Sheriff Radford, of Siskiyou
oounty, were shot and killed and Dep
uty Sheriff Stewart seriously wounded
this morning while the latter two were
attempting to arrest Harald for com
plicity in tho robbery of the Yreka
and Fort Jones stage on September 20
last.
This morning Radford and Stewart
presented themselves at Harald 's house
and asked for Harald. The latter re
plied by opening fire upon the officers
with a big revolver. The first shot took
effect in Stewart's leg, while the second
bullet struck Kadford in the left breast,
kitting him almost instantly. Stewart
then emptied his gun at Harald, who
fell mortally wounded. He died
shortly afterwards.
Clever Capture at Chicago.
Chicago, Oct. 18. Chief Detective
Colleran and his assistants captured
four of the most successful and daring
burglars of the United States and Can
ada, and 125,000 worth of stolen prop
erty, which awaits identification at the
central station. The prisoners are:
"Sheeney Joe" Rubenstein, the leader,
and brains of the gang; James Wil
liams, Harry Rogers and James Flaher
ty. Letters in the men's possession
showed that they had been taking a fly
ing trip from coast to coast, robbing
right and left. The police of the en
tire country have been searching for the
men for the past six months.
A New Russian Port.
Vladivostok, Oct. 18. The founda
tion stone of what is intended to be a
great commercial port of Russia in this
part of the world was laid today with
considerable ceremony.
TO CUT UP ALASKA.
A Proposition 1'nder Wuy to Ktl.llnli
a New Territory.
San Francisco, Oct 15. The United !
States revenue cutter Con-in, Captain
W. J. Herring commanding, 10 davs
from Behring sea, dropped anchor in
the bay this evenina. she brought
down from the north, Dr. Sheldon Jack
son, United States general agent of
education in Alaska; Lieutenant D. II.
Jarvis, from tho cutter Bear; Whaler
J. A Peters, of the wrecked whaler
Nevaroh, and Richard and Hollo Cam
den, who went up on the Eliza Ander
son, but who returned to wait until
spring before going to Dawson. Dr.
Jackson spent the summer in the
Yukon river valley in the interest of
the government.. He reports the rein
deer herds as doing linely. 150 trained
deer being ready for freighting.
The cutter Corwin, after carrying
dispatches to tho cutter Bear, sailed
from St. Michaels on Friday, Septem
ber 24. On the 2(Hh, the Corwin
called at St. Lawrence island. Dutch
harbor was reached on the 80th, where
siie met the steamship Portland. After
taking on coal and leaving her cargo of
shipbuilding material, the Portland
sailed on the 20th for St. Michaels.
The original purpose of the North
American Transportation & Trading
Company to build additional steamers
for the Yukon trade this summer at St.
Michaels has been changed, and the
steamers will be built at Dutch harbor.
Special correspondence from Alaska,
brought by the Corwin, couveys the
news that it ia proposed to establish a
new territory known as Lincoln, out of
the northwest portion of Alaska. Its
boundaries have not yet been fully de
cided upon, but it will inolude the
Yukon river country and extend north
to the Arctic ocean. The scheme
meets with the approval of the North
American Transportation & Trading
Company, the officers of which recently
held a conference on the matter with
Senator Carter and several other United
States officials. The new town of
Weare, situated on tho Yukon river,
about half way between Dawson City
and St. Michaels, has been chosen for
the capital of the proposed territory.
It is understood that l'.li Gage, son of
the seoretary of the treasury, is a can
didate for the governorship, as soon as
the territorial organization is effected.
Captain Herring, of the Corwin,
states that many of the steamers going
up the Yukon are unseaworthy, and he
strongly advises prospectors, especially
those from the East, not to buy tickets
on any vessels until satisfied they will
be able to make the trip. When the
Corwin left St. Michaels, September 24,
the Hamilton Btarted up the Yukon, ex
pecting to winter wherever timber
could be found, The Seattle No. 1 also
was going on with Mayor Wood and
party. She will also winter on the
river. The Merwin, an old side
wheeler, carrying 140 passengers, and
the Mare Island have started from
Dutch iiarbor for winter quarters, but
it is doubtful whether they will get
further than St. Michaels, as they have
60 miles of rough water to cross, and
both are cranky river boats.
The steamer Eliza Anderson still re
mains at Dutch harbor, but her passen
gers have gone on to St. Miohaels in
the schooner Baranoff. They wanted
to board the Merwin but the captain
declared In could not accommodate
them. They were persistent, and
wanted to draw lots with those already
on the vessel for the use of sleeping
quarters. Upon the captain refusing
this request, BOiue of the Anderson's
passengers became aggressive, and
bloodshed was only averted by the ac
tion of Captain Herring, who advised
all parties against any breach of the
peace. There is intense feeling against
the promoters of these winter expedi
tions to the Klondike, and serious
trouble may yet occur. The statements
by Captain Herring regarding the un
seaworthiness of the old river boats
sent to tho Yukon are corroborated by
Dr. Sheldon Jackson.
There is plenty of coal at Dutch har
bor and in Alaska, a supply having
been recently landed by the steamer
Bristol. At Dutch harbor, 75 men are
engaged in putting two steumers to
gether, which will be taken north in
sections. About 1,000 miners will
winter at St. Michaels, coming from
north and south. There are two hotels
already built, and another in couree of
construction, and food is said to be
plentiful.
While at UnalaBka, the Corwin
pulled the sealing schooner Pearl off
the rocks, where she had stranded.
The sealer waB not seriously damaged.
The steamer Portland may be expected
at Seattle about October 22, though
the Cleveland may come in her stead.
The steamer will bring the last of the
miners who will leave the Klondike for
the winter with the result of tlieir sea
son's work. It is posniole that a large
amount of treasure may be brought.and
the Bear has beon ordered to act as
convoy to the departing treasure-laden
vessel from the mines.
Died In Spanish Prison.
Washington, Oct. 15. The acting
United States consul-general at Havana
has informed the state department that
George 8. JNewton, a young Amerioan,
formerly a watchmaker in Havana.whu
. 1,-1 on, I rantured br Spanish
troops in August last, died in Havana
September 80, from the effects of his
wonnds and fever. His mother was in
Ogden, Utah, at last aoconnU.
REPLY TO SALISBURY.
Sherman 8lirRet Scniirute Sealing
Coiifcrenceil.
Washington, Oct. 14. Secretary
Sherman has written a reply to till)
note of Lord Salisbury, expressing
Ureal Britain's declination to take part
in a Bearing sea conference in-which
Russia and Japan will participate.
The essential features of Mr. Sherman's
reply have been sent by cable to the
British government, and the reply in
full is on its way to the British author
ities. Lord Salisbury's note o? declin
ation, it can be now stated, bears date
of October 0, so that tho response is
made with promptness.
The answer stales that tho United
States government views with astonish
ment tho determination of Great
Britain not to participate in a confer
ence including Russia and Japan, and
the statement is madu that up to the
23d of last month, the United States
authorities had fully expected that the
conference would proceed with Russia
as well as Great Britain present. It is
pnint,il nnt thtt, aside fryni the written
conference which Lord Salisbury has
called attention to, there were verbal
negotiations between Ambassador Hay
and his lordship, in which a special
reference was made to the participation
of Russia and Japan. At one of these
verbal exchanges, it is stated. Lord Sal
isbury said he would advise with the
officials of the foreign office concerning
tho subjects discussed, which included
the participation of Russia and Japan.
Subsequently, on July 20, Ambassador
Hay wrote to Lord Salisbury saying the
president hoped to have Russia and
Japan participate in the conference.
In view of these circumstances, the
United States had confidently expected
that Great Britain would take part in
the conference, and that Russia and
Japan would be represented, with the
approval of Great Britain.
Besides the foregoing reply, and in
view of the differences which have
arisen, the state departmnt suggests a
conference in accordance with the
terms of Lord Salisbury's agreement, as
he construes it, namely, between ex
perts, of Great Britain, the United
States and Canada. This last feature
is now under consideration by the Brit
ish government, its substance having
been transmitted by cable, but it is not
expected that an answer will be made
until Mr. Sherman's answer in detail
reaches London.
In the meantime, preparations for
the conference between the United
Statea, RuBsia and Japan are proceed
ing. YELLOW JACK RAQING.
Disease I Spreading Rapidly la the
South.
New Orleans, Oct. 14. From the
reports there is little hope in the yel
low fever situation. The board of
health is daily demonstrating that with
a fair show it is possible for modern
science to restrict and stamp out the
disease. But the people who must
suffer from a strict application of scien
tific methods rebel, the result being
that the pathway of the board is beset
with difficulty. If there was strict
compliance with the health laws, if
prompt report was made of cases, the
fever germs would be quickly wiped
out. But it begins to look now as if
from 80 to 40 new cases and from four
to six deaths would be daily reported
until Jack Frost puts in an appearance.
Today, as on nearly every day since
the fever first appeared here, about 50
per cent of the fatalities were traced to
neglect and a disposition to hide cases
until it was too late to save life.
The official bulletin issued by the
board of health tonight shows 87 new
oases and four deaths.
Galveston was one of the first cities
to raise the bars. Dr. Guiteras on Sat
urday pronounced several cases of yel
low fever as existing in Galveston, but
not a line has reached Dr. Oliphant rel
ative to these from the Texas health
officials. The only information which
Dr. Oliphant had received was from
Surgeon-General Wyinan.
About 50 Italians reached the city
this morning, coming, it is said, from
New York. Orders were given by the
board of health to prevent tlieir locat
ing themselves in the city limits, and
the health officers were instructed to
iiave them sent to one of the camps of
detention.
At Biloxi there were 12 new cases;
at Edwards, Ave, and two deaths.
WanU to Retire.
New York, Oct. 14. A Washington
dispatch to the Herald says: Associate
Justice Field, of the supreme court, has
made formal application to President
MoKinley to be retired from the bench
under the law allowing members of
that court to be retired when 70 years
of age. This statement is made on
high authority, and also that Attorney
General McKenna will be nominated
to succeed him on December 16, when
congress convenes, five days after the
retirement of justice Field takes
effect
Jaglra Trlbeamea Surrender.
Simla, . Oct. 14. A dispatch from
Mohmund announces that the Jaglra
tribesmen has surreadered their Mar
tini breech-loading rifles, and have
solemnly sworn to maintain peace and
drive out Umroa Khan. The troops
forming the Mohmund punitive expe
edition have destroyed 28 fortified vil
lages and have killed many of the in
argent natives.
WEEKLY MARKET LETTER.
Downing, Ilopkin& Cniiipauy't Revleir
of Trade.
There has not been much doing in
the w heat.niarket during the past week.
The visible supply decreased 1,0110,000
bushels, and the exports from both
coasts were equal to about 5,000,000
bushels. Crop reports from the Argen
tine uro less favorable ami the crop
is reported damaged by frost. Should
this report bo continued, it will fur
nish a strong bull incentive to tho
market. Not the least important
change in the situation is the decreas
ing receipts of winter wheat sufficient
ly marked to offset tho increased move
ment of tho spring wheat orop. The
export sales have not been largo, but
sufficiently so to Bhow that our mar
kets are on an export basis and that
the demand continues constant. Local
speculative conditions remain practi
cally the same as during tho previous
week. Tho weakness in values is mora
apparent than real and results from
lack of speculation and moderately in
creasing siooks. loeie is no sound ar
gument for any decline in values at
present. There nre several arguments
and many possibilities in favor of au
advance. Should Russia prohibit ex
ports or should any serious damage oc
cur to the Argentine crop, extreme
high values would obtain. Wheat is
fully worth 90 to 95 cents under exist
ing conditions, and as the speculative
public become educated to the higher
values now ruling renewed speculative
support and increasing export sales will
carry values higher.
Our corn market has been dull nnd
uninteresting devoid of any piiritoular
features or chunge in previous oondi
itoiiB, except that farmers' sales of corn
to arrive have fallen off to the mini
mum. Local sentiment has been and
continues extremely bearish. Short
sellers have taken advantage of every
opportunity to depress values, but the
market has developed a strong under-
tone and values have ruled higher than
at the close of tho previous week. Ex
port clearances continue largo and the
cash demand, while still inadequate,
shows some improvement. The depress
ing influeuoe in the market continues'
to be the large stocks.
Portland Markets.
Wheat Walla Walla, 7980c; VaN
ley and Bluestein, 8283c per bushel.
Flour Best grades, fl-50; graham,
$3.70; superfine, 2.50 per barrel.
Oats Choice white, 83 34c; choice
gray, 8132c per bushel.
Barley Feed barley, $1920; brew
ing, $20 per ton.
MillBtuffs Bran, $14 per ton;
middlings, $21; Bhorts, $15.50.
Hay Timothy, $12 12.50; olover,
$1011; California wheat, $10
do oat, $11; Oregon wild hay, $9
10 per ton.
Eggs 20c per dozen. ;
Butter Fancy creamery, 4550o;
fair to good, 35 40c; dairy, 2535o
per roll.
Cheese Oregon, HJsJo; Young
Amerioa, 12c; California, 9Q10c per
pound. i
Poultry Chickens, mixed, $2.00(9
2.50 per dozen; broilers, $1.502;
geese, $5.50; ducks, $34 per
dozen; turkeys, live, 89c per
pound.
Potatoes. Oiegon Burbanks, 40
45c per suok; new potatoes, 60o per
sack; sweets, $1.40 per oental.
Onions California, new, red, 90o;
yellow, 80o per cental.
Hops 815o per pound for new
crop; 1896 crop, 6 7c.
Wool Valley, 1415c per pound;
Eastern Oregon, 1012c; mohair, 2 Oo
per pound.
Mutton Gross, best sheep, wethers
and ewes, $2.50(92.60; dressed mutton,
6o; spring lambs, 5 per ponnd.
Hogs Gross, choice heavy, $4.50;
tight and feeders, $3(34; dressed, $5.50
6 per 100 pounds.
Beef Gross, top steers, $2.75033;
cows $3.25; dressed beef, 45)o per
pound.
Veal Largo, 4)0 Do; small, 50o
per pound.
Seattle Market.
Bntter Fancy native creamery,
brick, 2426c; ranch, 1416o.
Cheese Native Washington, 10(3
Ho; California, 9o.
Eggs Fresh ranch, 22o.
Poultry Chickens, live, per ponnd,
hens, 10c; spring chickens, $3.50
(3 3; ducks, $3.508.75.
Wheat Feed wheat, $28(?20 per ton.
Oats Choice, per ton, $22.
Corn Whole, $23; oracked, per ton,
$33; feed meal, $23 per ton.
Barley Rolled or ground, per ton,
$22; whole, $23.
Fresh Meats Choice dressed beef,
steers, 6o; cows, 6c; mutton sheep,
65o; pork, 7c; veal, small, 6.
Fresh Fish Halibut, 6c; salmon,
8o; salmon trout, 710o; flounders
and sole, 8(34; ling cod, 4(35; rook
ood, 6o; smelt, 34c
an Praoclaeo Market!.
Wool Choice foothill, 8(3 12c; San
Joaquin, 6 months' 67o; do year's
staple, 7(39o; mountain, 1012c; Ore
gon, 13 14c per pound.
Hops 11 (3 Ho per pound.
Millstuffs Middlings, $20323;
California bran, $14(315 per ton.
Onions New red, 700J80o; do new
ilverskin, 90c$l per cental.
Butter Fancy creamery, 27028c; do
seconds, 2520c; fancy dairy, 88(3 24o;
good to choice, 20(3 22o per pound.