CORVALLIS GAZETTE
Oazette PubUahtaff Co.
CORVALLIS OREGON
EVENTS OF THE DAY
Comprehensive Review of the Import
ant Happenings of the Past Week,
Presented In Condensed Form, Most
r.ikely to Prove Interesting.
Heavy landslides in California have
blocked railroad traffic.
Japan has called home all her sub
jects who have served in the army.
Santo Domingo revolutionists have
captured and are in complete posses
sion of Navarette.
. The British commander at Wei Hai
Wei denies that Japanese vessels
have been making that port their
headquarters.
A batallion of marines at Colon
have been dispatched on the Prairie
with secret orders. It is supposed
'they are bound for Santo Domingo.
W. A. McKowen, defaulting secre
tary of the board of regents of the
University of California, has com
menced serving his sentence in san
Quentin.
Trouble between New York litho
graphers and their employers is like
ly to cause a lockout, in which events
contracts worth millions will be
transferred to Europe.
The transport Dix has just com
pleted a cargo at Portland for the
Philippines. The Buford is also
there loading a lumber cargo for
Manila. The Buford will also take
600 marines.
Affairs in the Balkans are assum
ing a serious aspect.
William J. Lemp, the well-known St.
Louis brewer, has committed suicide.
Russia is lashed into a fury by the
continued defeats and highly patriot
ic demonstrations are common.
The house sub-committee will re
port for Sunday opening of the 1905
fair, but will reduce the appropria
tion. Great Britain and France are pre
paring for the possibility of an emer
gency. Rush work is the order at the
ship yards of both nations.
Baltimore merchants take issue
with the governor's statement that
federal troops are unnecessary to
guard the fire swept district.
France will give her support to the
note of America for the preservation
of the neutrality of China, thus put
ting all the powers in line. It is
thought the acceptances by Russia
and Japan will be received soon.
The Japanese steamer America
Maru, which left San Francisco a
short time ago for Yokohama, arrived
safely. This is the vessel two Rus
sian war vessels were supposed to be
waiting for between Honolulu and the
Philippines.
Maryland will aid the fire stricken
city of Baltimore.
All Russia is fired with war spirit.
Japan celebrates its victories.
The transport. TMx is in Portland to
load a cargo of supplies for the Philip
pines. The house has unseated Howell,
Democrat, in favor of Connell, Republi
can, from Pennsylvania.
The Japanese have captured at least
five commercial steamers belonging to
Russia. SonTe of the steamers are rich
prizes.
The American policy of maintaining
the neutrality of China meets with the
approval of the powers and a note has
been addressed to Japan and Russia.
Vladivostok telegrams announce the
complete rout, of the Japanese by the
Russians on the Yalu river. These ad
vices also claim that Chemulpo, Corea,
has been occupied by the Russians.
A Port Arthur dispatch says Japan
ese attempted to land men in several
bays in the neighborhood of Port
Arthur under the protection of the
guns of the cruisers. It is asserted,
however, that all the attempts were
unsuccessful.
Eight Russian war vessels have been
either sunk or badly disabled.
The Chinese' are much gratified at
the victories that are falling to Japan.
Russia will send one company out
of every regiment of guard troops to
the Far East.
"Senator llanna is very weak and
nervous, but his physicians declare his
condition improving.
The United States consul at St. Pet
ersburg will look after Japan's inter
ests there during the war.
St. Petersburg newspapers print a
story claiming a Russian victory at
Port. Arthur. As the story can not be
confirmed, it is discredited.
The czar has issued his official dec
laration of war He lays all blame on
Japan, saying she began the attack
without waiting fr negotiations to
be broken off.
A Russian war vessel is supposed to
be cruising between the Hawaiian is
lands and Japan waiting for the Japan
ese boat American Maru, which sailed
from San Franeisco with a valuable
cargo of munitions of war.
Great quantities of coal are being
hurried from Pennsylvania to New Or
leans for shipment to Russian war ves
sels. Senator Hanna's condition continues
to improve.
Militia may be called to Coal Creek,
Tenn., to prevent trouble among the
striking miners and operaotrs.
The Russian battleships damaged by
Japanese torpedoes in the first conflict
are said to be the best in the Russian !
navy.
STRICT CENSORSHIP OBSERVED.
Mikado Endeavoring to Keep St.
Petersburg in Ignorance.
London, Feb. 17. That the Russians
and Japanese have been engaged in
a terrific land battle ever since Fri
day night on the north bank of the
Yalu river there is every reason to
know, but the details of the encounter
cannot be procured.
Never in the history of modern war
fare has a more rigid censorship been
exercised than by the Japanese ever
since the beginning of the war. Their
evident purpose is to keep the Rus
sian government quite as much in the
dark as to what is going on as the rest
of the world. Most of their move
ments have been veiled in secrecy.
There were certain obvious points of
attack and certain obvious move
ments that would naturally be made
which were quite apparent to mili
tary observers all over the world. But
it will be observed that not only has
the world not yet received the full
and complete particulars of any naval
or lantt battle which has yet taken
place, but as the days go by and the
war progresses the details become
more and more conflicting and less
satisfying.
Japan has evidently a carefully
mapped campaign before it. It hopes
to accomplish much through celerity
and secrecy .of its movements. If the
war correspondents were permitted
to send forth - the details of " these
movements the Russian authorities in
the Far East would be in a much bet
ter condition to checkmate them. Ab
solute secrecy is therefore quite as
much a part of the Japanese plan of
campaign as any other. This view
of the case will make it clear why the
news has Altered through so meagerly
and unsatisfactorily.
It is manifest from what has been
allowed to come forth that the , Jap
anese are making steady and rapid
advances ever since the sketchy de
tails of the first sea engagements
electrified the world. When the news
embargo is lifted it is not improbable
the world will discover that the Jap
anese have made marvelous headway
and that in celerity of movement and
effectiveness of field work they have
set anew standard for the armies of
the civilized world to follow.
BROWN MEN COMMAND.
Reports Indicate Japanese Are Mas
ters of the Situation.
Port Arthur, Feb. 17. Official re
ports today are that the Japanese
landed 600 strong near Talien Wan
Saturday with disastrous results to
the Cossacks, sabering 410. Thirty
were killed and the remainder re
treated. The steamer Wenehow, with 300
Japanese on board, was refused per
mission to depart. The landing at
Dove bay was not opposed until the
Japanese were ashore, when the forts
and troops shelled. Four Russian
warships were sighted near Tsugaru
straits and may attack Hakodate.
London, Feb. 17. A concerted at
tempt of the Japanese to land her sea
forces to invest Port Arthur is im
minent. All dispatches this morning
unite in the indication that such a
plan is in action. News of the first
shot has been received, and it is be
lieved will prove an irreparable blow
to Russia.
The fact that only 19.000 Japanese
were landed at Chemulpo is taken at
Chefoo to indicate that the main Jap
anese "army has been deflected for the
iand investment of Port Arthur.
WERE WITH JAPAN.
American Naval Officers on Vessels
Attacking Port Arthur.
New York, Feb. 17. International
matters are assuming a very serious
aspect, according to a Herald dis
patch from St. Petersburg. One of the
most serious bits of news at this mo
ment is the alleged confirmation of
the statement that on board the Jap
anese vessels of war attacking Port
Arthur were a number of American
naval officers. This report has caused
something akin to a feeling of con
sternation among the Russian offi
cers.
The emperor has issued the strong
est orders, continues the dispatch,
that no news whatsoever be com
municated through the headquarters'
staff. Further, he is deeply annoyed
with the attitude recently adopted by
the Russian press of writing upon the
political situation in a way calculated
to raise enmity between Russia and
England, and also, very specially,
America. For instance, the St. Peters
burg Gazette has been prohibited, not
as is geneially supposed for publish
ing false news about the war, but be
cause of an accompanying article de
clared to have been highly insulting
to England.
Verifies the Report.
New York, Feb. 17. The Paris cor
respondent of the Central News wires
that news from a Russian source
states that it is verified that a battle
between the Russian and Japanese
forces is now being fought on the
northern bank of the Yalu river
where the Russian land forces are
concentrated and Reuter's agency
states the Japanese minister of Seoul
has advised the emperor of the arrest
of Yi Yong, the Korean minister of
finance, who is practically dictator of
the country and most friendly to Rus
sia. Russian Insults Miller.
London, Feb. 17. A dispatch from
Manchuria reports that Henry Miller,
the American consul, vigorously in
terceded in behalf of a number of Jap
anese refugees in that country who
were arrested by Russians. Mr. Mil
ler is likely to be successful. While
he was attending his official duties
a Russian trooper interfered and in
sulted him. The latter was severely
disciplined by Russian officers and he
hastened to apologise.
Passed by House.
Washington, Feb. 17. The House
today passed Hermann's bill for the
sale of allotted lands of tao Grand
Ronde reservation.
LOSS. OF NATION
MARCUS ALONZO HANNA PASSES TO
ETERNAL REST.
End Came After Two Months of Illness,
Filled With Apparent Recoveries Fol
lowed by Relapses- Last Moments
Were Without Pain Was Kept Alive
by Powerful Scientific Agencies.
Washington, Feb. 16. Senator Mar
cus Alonzo Hanna died at 6:40 o'clock
last night at the family apartments
in the Arlington hotel, after an illness
extending over nearly two months.
filled with apparent recoveries fol
lowed by relapses, and finally drift
ing into typhoid fever, which, in his
weakened condition, he was unable to
withstand. When the end came all
the members of the Senator's family
were in the room except Mrs. Hanna,
the Senator's wife, and Mr. and Mrs.
Dan Hanna. Mrs. Hanna had left the
room only a few minutes before.
The last sinking spell began at ex
actly 6:30 o'clock. Doctors Carter and
Osier were then in attendance. They
did not conceal the fact that life was
about to end, and all the members of
the family were sent for. Mrs. Mc
Cormick, one of the Senator's daugh
ters, and Miss Phelps were present
when the end came. Mr. and Mrs.
Dan Hanna were the first to arrive,
and they withdrew immediately to the
chamber of the Senator's wife to sum
mon her to the bedside. It was while
they were absent that the Senator
breathed his last.
There were no distressing inci
dents attending the last moments. It
was a sinking spell, which terminated
in 10 minutes. Just after his eyes
closed in death Mrs. Hanna was able
to come into the room. She bore up
well under the ordeal, and tonight she
is showing calmness and bravery.
The courage displayed by Mrs. Han
na is the subject of the greatest sur
prise. She was in almost constant
attendance on her husband, though
realizing fully there was no hope for
recovery. Nevertheless, the re
monstrances of the physicians and
the added implorings of her children
that she take some rest were unavail
ing until late in the afternoon, when
she was attacked by a violent head
ache. She was given a narcotic and
then she retired to her chamber, but
requested that a call be sent as soon
as there appeared any change for the
worse.
For the last two days Senator Han
na had not been conscious except at
intervals and then only to obey me
chanically some instructions given
him by the physicians. Fourteen
hours before the end was announced
life had practically suspended, the
flickering spark being kept aglow
by the most powerful scientific
agencies.
AT MERCY OF JAPAN.
Forces Are Closing in on Port Arthur
and It Must Fall.
San Francisco, Feb. 17. Although
communication is said to be reopened
between points in Japan and Corea,
the advices still are indefinite. A spe
cial dispatch published here by the
Star states that its correspondent has
reliable information that in the sec
ond attack on Port Arthur the Jap
anese sunk eight vessels and captured
ten. No confirmation can be obtained
and the report is not generally credit
ed, despite the Star's insistence that
it is true.
Russia is protesting in the matter
of the British permission that Japan
occupy Wie Hai Wei. Russia would
like England to reoccupy the place if
it is true that the fleet of the Mikado
has been making it headquarters. The
czar apparently knows that there are
likely to be serious cmplications with
other nations, and is making great
military preparations to guard his
country from all manner of attacks.
Although the land forces of Japan
have met with some reverses, these
are not thought to be serious, as they
were not her main body of troops. It
is conceded that Port Arthur must
fall, and the Japanese are working
rapidly and persistently to, this end.
They are slowly but surely closing in,
and as the Russian fleet is scattered
it cannot be seen how she can pos
sibly prevent the Japanese from as
sailing her stronghold from both
sides.
Mrs. Botkin's Second Trial.
San Francisco, Feb. 17. The second
trial of Mrs. Cordelia Botkin was
called this morning, but was post
poned until March 10 at the request
of the state. The prosecution pro
duced affidavits showing it could not
get important witnesses to come here
from Delaware before the middle of
March. The defense demanded a dis
missal of the case in accordance with
the trial judge's' promise if the state
failed to proceed with the trial to
day, but the court held, that the state
showed sufficient cause for a post
ponement. Will Not Go to Sea.
Shanghai, Feb. 17. The Russian
gunboat Mandjur, which before the
war began was preparing for sea, has
now gone several miles up the Wu
Sung river, where she is likely to re
main, unless objections are raised by
the Chinese authorities. The Nank
ing Viceroy has telegraphed instruc
tions to the officials under his juris
diction to observe strict neutrality
and to take measures to prevent anti
Christian and other disturbances.
Russians Demoralized.
London, Feb. 15. Dispatches from
New Chwang, Manchuria, report
great aggressiveness and more vic
tories for the Japanese which has de
moralized the Russians afloat and
ashore. Russian commanders ashore
are fearful of a surprise and are
spreading troops in order ta watch the
coast. .
Bid BATTLE EXPECTED.
Japan and Russia Both Rushing Troops
Into Corean Territory.
Tokio, Feb. 11. Japai is making
tremendous preparations to land more
troops in Corea. She already has suc
ceeded in landing several thousand of
her forces at Chemulpo despite the
presence of two Russian cruisers.
Four batal lions have been landed at
Gensan, one of the treaty ports "of Co
rea, 115 miles from Seoul.
" Japan is concentrating her forces at
Tsushima island in the Straits of Co
rea, which is Japan's most advanced
base.
It is officially stated here that the
Russian troops have crossed the Yalu
river and are pouring into Corea.
Their objective point is believed to be
Seoul. Officials here declare that this
action compelled Japan to initiate
hostile measures and make war a terri
ble actuality.
Official circles in Tokio are convinced
that a great battle between the Russian
and Japanese land forces will occur
soon in Corean territory.
The Japanese, however, are clamor
ing for a rigorous prosecution of hostili
ties all along the line. Plans for land
ing a greater Japanese force in Corea
are being pushed strenuously.
OFFICIAL KEPORT.
Russia Worsted In Battle Off Chemulpo
Two Vessels Lost.
London, Feb. 10. The official ac
count of the Chemulpo battle received
at the Japanese embassy here says that
the Japanese squadron in escorting
transports to Corea was met on its way
to Chemulpo by the Russian gunboat
Korietz as the latter was leaving port.
The Korietz assumed'the offensive and
fired on a Japanese torpedo boat. The
latter replied by firing two torpedoes
without effect. The Korietz then re
turned to anchorage in the port and
early next morning Admiral Iriu, com
manding the Japanese fleet, formally
demanded that all Russian vessels leave
the port of Chemulpo adding that if
they did not comply by noon yesterday
he would be compelled to attack them
within the harbor.
The Russian men-of-war left the port
at 11:30 and battle was immediately
given outside Polynesian island.
After one hour's engagement the Rus
sians took refuge among the islands,
and towards evening the cruiser Variag
sank.
About 4 o'clock this morning, the
Korietz was reported sunk by her own
crew, who, finding her utterly dis
abled, blew her up.
There were no casualities on the Jap
anese side.
LONQ-LAID PLANS.
Japanese Ministers Discuss- the Recent
Victories Over Russia.
London, Feb. 12. Minister Hav-
ashi this morning said:
fa' "The engagements at Port Arthur and
Chemulpo were merely in accordance
with plans of long standing. As
soon as our forces are landed in Corea
I look for an important fleet action at
Port Arthur. The Russian vessels
probably lie close beneath the island
batteries but by going on the Chinese
side our ships, by a high-angle fire,
can shell them out. The Russian ad
miral may possibly like Cervera, antic
ipate his fate and come into the open
of his own accord.
In speaking of the Hay note, he says
Japan will most certainly and heartily
agree, but so long as Russian troops
are in Manchuria Japan cannot regard
it as neutral territory. While Japan
is anxious to assist in maintaining
neutrality with China proper.
ANARCHY MUST END.
America Will Take Stern Action In
Santo Domingo.
Washington, Feb. 12. Drastic meas
ures- .will be taken by this government
to end the anarchy in Santo Domingo.
Continued violation of international
law, the destruction of American prop
erty and disregard of foreign interests,
has convinced officials that affairs
there can be best improved by force.
Its handling has been turned over to
the navy and Secretary Moody tonight
is sending supplementary instruction to
Rear Admiral Wise, commanding the
training squadron now in Dominican
waters, giving him wide latitude in
the course he is to follow.
Acceptable to Germany.
Berlin, Feb. 12. Secretary Hay's
note to the powers concerning the neu
trality and integrity of China was de
livered to the German Government yes
terday by Foriegn Secretary Vong
Ritchoff . The Associated Press un
derstands that the latter has already
conveyed an intimation to Secretary
Hay that his proposals are likely to
be acceptable to Germany, because
they tend to localize the war and
avoid fresh subjects of international
dispute The step is regarded here as
being an able move.
Walls Must Come Down.
Baltimore, Feb. 13. An army of
men are clearing the streets. Several
are open to wagon traffic. The mayor
and business men held a meeting this
afternoon. The engineers say all the
standing walls will have to comedown,
as reconstruction would be unsafe. At
a meeting of the citizens this afternoon
a resolution was passed asking the leg
islature to appeal to the government for
federal forces to protect the burned dis
trict. Capture of Troops Reported.
London, Feb. 12. A special dis
patch from Tokio, dated today ,ays it
is reported that three transports of
the Russian volunteer fleet, convoying
about 2,000 troops, have been captured
by the Japanese troops off the Corean
coast.
IS OVERESTIMATED
NOT AS MANY RUSSIANS IN FAR
EAST AS REPORTED.
Troops Number Under 100,000 Men Of
ficers In Manchuria are Surprised
War Is On Russians are Said to
Have Slain One Hundred Chinese and
Officials Appeal to Pekin
London, Feb.13. The Pekin corres
pondent of the London Times ascribes
the habitual overestimation of the Rus
sian forces in the Far East to the claim
arising from the Boxer troubles, put
forward by M. De Giers, then Russian
minister at Pekin, during the peace ne
gotiations at Pekin in 1900 for an in
demnity of 17,900,000 pounds, on the
ground that Russia had put 179,000
men in the field. It is now known,
however, that the real number of these
men will be under 100,000.
Continuing, the correspondent says
an American military officer who has
just returned to Pekin from a trip
through Manchuria, made for the pur
pose of reporting, the situation, de
clares all the Russian officers he met in
Manchuria professed to believe war
would be averted, vVhilehe was at
Fort Arthur, on January 31, the Rus
sian fleet was hurriedly ordered to sea,
but in getting out two vessels stuck fast
in the mud of the shallow basin and
were compelled to remain behind.
Special dispatches from Tokio this
morning announce the arrival of Jap
anese troops at Seoul, but beyond his
the dispatches published in the news
papers add practically nothing to the
knowledge of the actual situation.
The Tien Tsin correspondent of the
Standard sends in a report that the
Russians have massacred 100 Chinese
at Liaoyang, in consequence of which the
officials at Shanhaiakwan are greatly
alarmed, and are appealing to Pekin for
protection.
RUSSIANS BLAME ALEXIEFF.
Thty Say He Should Have Been Better
Prepared to Fight. '
Chefoo. Feb. 13. More than one
half of the Russian officers at Port
Arthur blame Admiral Alexieff for the
disaster that has overtaken them.
They believe that, instead of spending
the time sending communications to St.
Petersburg during the last few weeks,
bewailing the anxiety for peace that
prevailed there, he should have been
preparing his forces for the combat.
In fact, the wish is declared to have
been made by one of the Admiral's
warmest supporters that he would be
recalled to St. Petersburg, courtmar
tialed and shot for incompetency.
The land forces are in a bad way and
are ready to;run at the first fire. A
corps of the determined Japanese in
fantry would have little trouble taking
the fortress with the squadron attack
ing from the harbor mouth. The situ
ation at present looks as if Russia
would be forced to abandon her "mod
era Gibralter" within a very short
time.
AID ASKED TO FIQHT FIRE.
Largest Starch Factory in the World
is Destroyed.
Oswego, N. Y., Feb. 13. The huge
starch factory of the Corn Products
company, consisting of three great
buildings, forming the largest estab
lishment of the kind in the world, took
fire this evening in the chemical room.
At 23:0 o'clock the flames were under
control, being confined to the build
ing. The loss will be over $1,000,000.
After the city fire department and
the volunteer department of Kingsford's
mills had tried in vain to cope with the
flames, -Mayor Mansfield telegraphed
for aid to Fulton and Syracuse. From
the latter city, three engines and 25
men were dispatched and joined their
efforts to those of the local departmnet.
Fireman Dougherty and Evans have
been injured, the former fatally by a
fall from a roof. Twenty-five men at
work in the buildings where the fire
started barely escaped.
The burning buildings contain many
hundreds of thousands of bushels of
starch and corn. Six hundred em
ployes are thrown out of employment.
Lancaster Situation Is Serious.
Lancaster, Pa., Feb. 13. Backwater
from the gorge, which extends from Mc
Call's Ferry to Bainbridge. on the Sus
quehanna river, covered the tracks of
the Pennsylvania railroad at Bain
bridge today to a depth of three feet.
Four freight trains are stalled. The
water is slowly receding, after having
reached the record mark in June, 1889.
The water is still in the station of the
Pennsylvania railroad, and the situa
tion as a whole is regarded as the most
serious that has ever confronted that
town.
Own Plant Saves City Much.
Boston, Feb. 13. Dr. Samuel Ab
bott, of the state board of health, an
nounced today that by manufacturing
its own anti-toxin the commonwealth
has saved the people $405,000 in four
years. The actual expense during that
time, when 159,000 bottles of anti-toxin
were distributed free, was $1,500.
These statistics have been forwarded to
Chicago, where it is proposed to adopt
the Massachusetts idea, instead of pur
chasing supplies.
Mancburian Railway Bridge Wrecked.
London, Feb. 13. The Shanghai
correspondent of the Daily Mail says
that an important bridge on the Man
churia railway has been blown up, and
30 men have been killed.
SUNK BY JAPAN.
Russian Ship Lost at Chemulpo Another
One Is Fired. ,
Tokio, Feb. 10. It is reported here
that the Japanese fleet engaged and de
feated two Russian warships, whose
names have not yet been learned, at
Chemulpo yesterday. It is said the
engagement began at 11 A. M. and con
tinued until 3 P. M. The smaller
Russian vessel is reported to have been
sunk and the larger one was .fired and
hopelessly destroyed. A part of the
crews are reported to have escaped to
the shore and to have been captured.
The Japanese ships are reported to be
slightly damaged. Official confirma
tion of the battle is unobtainable.
Japanese Start for Seoul.
! London, Feb. 10. In a dispatch
from Tien Tsin dated February 9, a
correspondent of the Daily Mail says it
is reported there that the Russian
cruisers Varyag and Korietz hauled
down their flags without firing a shot
and that 8,000 Japanese immediately
landed at Chemulpo and the march to
Seoul commenced.
It appears, the correspondent contin
ues, that the Russian warships at
Vladivostok are icebound.
Another correspondent of the Daily
Mail telegraphs from Port Arthur un
der date of February 9 that the Rus
sian advance has commenced. General
Kranstalinsky will leave Liaoyang
tomorrow for the Yalu river at the
head of the Third brigade of artillery,
consisting of 24 guns and three regi-
ments of infantry. The Third, Fourth
and Fifith infantry brigades are in
trenched along the railroad at a dis
tance of 40 miles from Haicheng, and
three batteries of the Fifth brigade are
at Kinchou. The greatest activity pre
vails here and ammunition is being
served out lavishly at an average of 150
cartridges per man. New recruits are
being enrolled with feverish haste,
drilling being dispensed with in favor
of incessant target practice. ,
BALTIMORE PARALYZED.
Aftermath of Terrific Fire Shows Appall
ing Conditions.
Baltimore, Feb. 11. The people of
this unfortunate city are dumbfounded.
Baltimore is beginning to realize the
immeasurable magnitude of her loss.
The weather has taken a wintry chill
which adds to the grief. Workers who
are idle know they , will probably be
compelled to leave for other cities. All
estimates of the total loss vary from
$150,000,000 to twice that vast amount,
but it will be months before it can be
adjusted, as the task is a gigantic one.
Insurance adjusters are dazed by
the -great work ahead of them. Spec
ial agents from all important companies
went into a special session at 11 o'clock
this morning as a loss committee.
When morning broke it would have
been impossible to describe the scenes
of devastation that met the eyes of the
thousands who flocked to the scene of
the great conflagration that raged from
Sunday morning at 11 o'clock until
late Monday night before it could be
safely said that all danger of further
destruction was passed. Even then no
one could tell but a fresh wind might
spring up and again fan the dying
flames into renewed and vindictive
vigor.
One hundred and forty acres lie in
utter ruin. In this desolate territory
stood the greatest and most costly
buildings in Baltimore or the state of
Maryland. Millions were represented
by the great business concerns that oc
cupied the stone, brick, iron and steel
buildings and their loss is great; great
er than can be estimated at the pres
ent. Insurance underwriters roughly
and conservatively estimate the loss at
$200,000,000, and the amount of insur
ance involved at $100,000,000. There
must be added to this as a natural con
sequence the personal property loss that
insurance men have no way of estimat
ing. The district swept by the fire is 75
blocks in extent and comprised nearly
2,500 buildings. It is within the ter
ritory bounded on the west by Liberty
street, on the north by Lexington
street, on the east by Jones Falls, and
on the south by the Basin.
Russia Is Excited. "
St. Petersburg, Feb. 11. The news
that Japan had duplicated her tactics
at the opening of the China-Japanese
war by a torpedo attack on the Russian
ships off Port Arthur, created intense
excitement. Details of the attack are
anxiously awaited. Extra editions of
the morning papers printed early in the
forenoon, after the appearance of the
Official Messenger, conveyed the intelli
gence to the population of the capital
and dispelled any lingering hopes that
war could be averted. All are eager to
go to the front.
Consular BUI of Appropriations.
Washington, Feb. 11. The senate
today passed the diplomatic consular
appropriation bill without debate.
Overman, of North Carolina, made a
speech on Panama explaining why he
would vote against the ratification of
the. canal treaty. Carmack followed.
Daniel introduced a bill appropriating
$3,000,000 for an exposition to be held
at Jamestown, Va., in 1907. In the
house Maynard introduced a duplicate
of Daniel's senate bill.
Currency Undamaged.
Baltimore! Feb.ll. The vaults of
the Continental trust company building
were opened at noon. Thousands of
dollars in currency and bonds were
found to be undamaged. The bank
will do business despite the 10 holi
days. Assistant United States Treas
urer Dryden, after communicating
with Secretary Shaw today opened the
subUeasury making $12,000,000 avail
able for the local banks if wanted.