Bohemia Nugget
COTTAGE GROVav . OREGON.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
In a Condensed Form for
Busy Readers.
Our
A Resume of the Lett Important but
Not Let Interesting Eventi
of the Pait Week.
The potion mill strike at Fall River,
Maw., continue, with both sides deter
mined not to glvo in.
Tlio grind ot tho Federal grand Jury
goes on, and another report for tho
expectant public will soon bo made.
Silver is growing scarce. Tho price
linn rdvunced, and tho market is such
that the consumer waits on tho pro
ducer.
Chicago held memorial cervices De
cember SO In rcmembraeno of tho Irl
quol theater disaster, the occasion be
ing tin- first, anniversary.
Preparations nro being mado at Vlad
ivostok for tho reception in tho dry
docks of any ot the Bill tic squadron
that may need docking when tho fleet
roaches that port.
The London city police have arrested
two members ot an international gang
which for two or three years is alleged
to have been conducting extensive forg
eries in XS Bank of England notes.
Boston's submarine tunnel is open
for business. The tube is a mile and a
half long, and connects Boston and
Kast Boston, running under the harbor.
Tho cost was three million dollars.
About thrco and one-halt years was
consumed in constructing the tunnel.
Owing to tho crisis in Morocco, tho
French navy yards show great activity,
England is again enveloped in a
heavy fog and all ships are detained at
tho mouth ot the Thames, unable to
proceed.
Admiral Koran Voff has been recalled
as. ltUBsian commissioner in the North
ftea inquiry and will be replaced by
Vico Admiral Doubasou. Sickness is
given as tho reason.
Tho Montana agricultural exhibits at
St. Louis are being packed for ship
ment to Portland. The mineral ex
hibit will leave Butte for the Lewis
and Clark fair shortly.
Kuropatkin is absolutely certain that
ho will ultimately win over the Japan
ese, while tho vico governor of Japan's
national bank says Japan must win;
that no sacrifice is too great.
The JwaBCScttemitaApfrraisothB
Russian cruiser Variag havebetn Uls
continued. It will be impossible to re
commence work before sprinftfby.wWch
time the steel plates forming the hull
will bo useless.
The Colorado canvassing board lias
given certificates ot election to two Re
publican senators, wnose places were
contested by Democrats. Democrats
regard it as highly probable that Gov
ernor Fcabody will bo reseated by this
action.
Prince Yildaroff has been reported
as among the killed in a recent list sent
to St. Petersburg.
The recent retirement of Rear Ad'
mlral Silas Terry has resulted in the
promotion of Captain Joseph E. Craig
to bo admiral.
An officer from an English steamer
just out from Vladivostok says no Rus
elan torpedo boat have arrived there
from Fort Arthur.
Reports from points along the shore
of Lake Michigan indicate that the
damage resulting from, the storm wlil
aggregate $500,000.
An unknown steamer has been
stranded in Hell's Hole, off Cape Hat
teras, as a result of the storm raging
along the Atlantic coast.
M. A. Mojerdorff, a special land
Relit, on the way to Portland to help
in the land fraud cases, attempted to
commit suicide at Denver.
Two Japanese cruisers have been
sighted off llong Kong. It is believed
they are scouting vessels from the fleet
It nt alter tno ltusalan Baltic squadron.
Chinese warships are keeping a close
watch on tbc Russian war vessels at
Shanghai to prevent their escape or of
tlie oiliccrs and men on them.
Governor Pardee desires to have the
Mission type ot architecture exempli
fled in tho construction of the Call for
nia stato building at the Lewis and
Clark fair. Tho work will start soon
The president is presenting his ideas
on railroad freight rates to congressmen
pjrsonally.
Vico Adimral Lord Charles Beres
ford will assume command of the Brit
ish Mediterranean squadron May I.
Many Russians believe a brihgter
day is in store for thoir country when
tho announced reforms are put in prac
tice. ,
Several lives have been lost In Chi
caog as result of the severe storm.
Congress will have to buy silver bul
lion to make much needed small coins.
- Great Britain has assumed control of
tbo legal and financial administration
of the Tonga Islands, the native chiefs
consenting.
' T. 0. Powell, of Portland, is to be
appointed United States marshal at
Koine, Alaska, to succeed Frank Rich
ards, recenlty removed.
Tho government of Holland announc
es that the same neutrality will be ob
served in her colonics as at home in re
gard to the Far Eastorn war..
A British tramp steamer is ashore on
the Atlantic coast on Fire Island bar.
Owing to the storm the vessel will be a
total wreck. Tlie entire crow was
lost. ,
Free press, freedom ot conscience and
compulsory elementary education have
been promised in Russia.
Tho Dawes commission says the
rights of aliorlgincs have been well pro
tected In Indian Territory.
A GENERAL MOVE.
y
President It. Making Several Change
Among Ambassadors. '
Washington, Jan. 3. President
Roosevelt is devoting some time at
present to consideration of Important
appointments In tho diplomatic and
consular service, which aro to bo made
formally by him at tho beginning ot
next March. Secretary Hay had a
conference with the president today be
fore tho meeting of tho cabinet, and
it Is understood that the matter ot ap
pointments In tho diplomatic scrvico
was one of tho subjects discussed.
While no official announcement ot the
president's Intention regarding tho po
sitions has yet lieen mada, H is known
that ho has decided upon several
changes. Joseph H. Choato, ambassa
dor to tho court of St. James, has indi
cated that ho does not desire to con
tinue in that position, lie will bo suc
ceeded by Whlteslaw Reid, proprietor
of tho New York Tribune, who wns at
ono time minister to France.
General Homco Porter, American
ambassador to France, will retire from
that position soon after March 4. He
was appointed by the lato Presldnt Mc
Kinley, and, with the expiration of his
nresent term, will havo served the
United States at the French capital
eight years. The president lias deoid
cd on General Porter's successor, but at
this time no announcement of his de
cision can be made.
Charlemagne Tower, American an
bnssador to Germany, and Robert S
McCormick, Aniericaan ambassador to
isussia, win continue at tnoir respect'
ive posts.
Bellamv Storcr, American ambas
sador to Austria-Hungary. WH' continue
in his present place until the president
decides to transfer him to another lost.
in the diplomatic service.
As to tho ambassadorship to Italy,
nothing definite can be said now. It
has been rumored that Ambassador
George Von L. Meyer is to succeed
General Porter at Paris, but it can bo
said that such a change is not certain
The probabilities are that Mr. Meyer
will remain at Rome. General Powell
Clayton having decided to relinquish
his post as ambassador to Mexico at
the end of tho present administration,
he will be succeeded by Edwin H. Con
ger, now United States minister to
China. It is not expected that Mr.
Conger will continue long at tho Mex
ican capital, as lie is understood to in
tend to return to his home state ot Iowa
to be a candidate in succession to Gov
ernor Cummins. Ho will be succeeded
by David E. Thompson, of Nebraska,
who at present is minister to Brazil.
Mr. Thompson accepted tho appoint
ment to Brazil with the understanding
that ho would be appointed to a higher
place in the diplomatic service as soon
as opportunity afforded.
Mr. Conger will be suceeded at the
court of Pekin by William W. Rock-
hillraUlireaejitilirector of the bureau
ot American republics, who Is recoeniz-
wt as an authority xm all subjects per
taming to Uhlna ana tho Chinese.
John K. Gowdy, who was appointed
by President Mckinley American con
sul general at Paris, will be succeeded
by F. II. Mason, who is now consul
general to Berlin. In succession to
Mr. Mason, John Lewis Griffiths, ot
Indianapolis,, will bo named.
It is expected that some other changes
will be made in the corps of American
ministers, but at this time they are not
obtainable for publication.
New Fraser River Mill.
New Westminster, B. C, Jan. 3
largo sawmill on the Fraser river that
has been closed for 15 years will open
in a few weeks to cut 250,000 feet of
lumber a day, under American capital
The mill was purchased by Lester A
David, for years manager of the Mon
arch lumber mills in Blaine. The
company will be known as the Fraser
River Lumber Mills company and will
employ nearly 300 men. It will ship
both by rail and vessels. In the ma
rine sliipping, E. J. Dodge, the million
aire lumber man of San Francsico, will
nse his own fleet ot lumber vessels
Already a market has been opened in
Australia and the first cargo sent by
water will gojthere.
Cunning of the Japanese.
Mukden, Jan. 3. Irrefutablo cvi
denco has been obtained at headqnar
ters that the Japanese are not only hir
ing Chinese bandits to operate on the
Russian flanks, but that they aro en
listing Chinese under Japanese officers.
The Japanese are adopting cunning ex
pedients to ueieat surprise attacks oi
the Russian scouts, from which they
have suffered so much. They cover
the steep approaches of their trenches
with water, which freezes, forms ice
slides and makes the scouts slip and
fall in confusion.
Sultan's Life In Danger.
London, Jan. 3. Ion Perdionris.
the American who, wltii his son-in-law,
Cromwell Varley, a British subject,
was kidnaped and held prisoner for
ransom by Raisuli, the Moroccan ban
dit, in a signed dispatch to the Stand
ard, says: "The present situation in
Morocco is moBt serious. The sultan's
lite is endangered, and those who now
direct affairs in the Moorish court aro
liable at any time to go en bloc to tho
insurgent leader, who claims the throne
the elder brother of the present
sultan."
Good Health on Isthmus.
Washington, Jan. 3. Comissioner
Grecno and Examiner Snyder, ot the
civil scrvico commission, returned here
today from a three weeks' visit to the
Panama canal zone, where they wcnt
for tho purpose of introducing tho
commission's rule for the employment
of icople connected with tlie canal.
There has been an avcrago of 1,500
Americans on tho Isthmus for tho past
eight months, and not one death has
occurred among them.
Chicago Is Not Liable.
Chicago, Jan. 3. Judgo Charles M.
Walker today decided that tho city of
Chicago is not liable for damages grow
ing out of the loss oi life in connection
with tho Iroquois theater fire. This
was the last day in which, under tho
law, claims for damages rould bo filed.
In the last hour ol tho court today 40
suits aggregating $400,000 were filed
in the circuit and supreme courts.
ATTEMPT A BREAK
Seven Convicts at Folsom Make
Dash for Liberty.
THREE ARE KILLED BY GUARDS
Four Are Fatally Wounded and One
Slightly Two Guards Hurt by
Bullets of Comrades.
Folsoin, Cat., Dec. 31. A break thai
was clover In plan and bold In execu
tion took place at the penitentiary
hero tilts attornoon. The guards obeyed
tho standing orders ot tho warden to
shoot regardless ot tho danger to free
men, and as a result seven ot nino
convicts, who had planned to get away,
were almost riddled with bullets,
three being now dead and three in a
critical condition.
Tho break wns similar in general
plan to that of . last July, but the fact
that it was mado within tho range ot
the guns ot seven rellnblo guards, all
dead shots, and one ot thoso within CO
feet, makes it more bold and desperate.
Tho convicts who engaged in the
break were all employed on tho rock
crusher, where 335 of tho most desper
ate prisoners were at work. Captain
Murphy was acting as general overseer
about the rock crusher, and four other
attaches, L. Daley, M. Hogan, Charles
Taylor and Charles Jolly, wore employ
ed as "pushers" to keep tho men at
work.
A largo sledge hammer was thrown
into tho crusher, causing the ponderous
machinery to come to a- standstill
This attracted Captain Murphy, Charles
Jolly and Taylor to the place immedl
atcly. Thereupon tho desperate con
victs rushed to scizo Murphy, Jolly and
Taylor, lhey succeeded only in catch'
ing the two first mentioned. During
this timo the scene of trouble was under
cover, and the guards on tho outside
could not see the struggling men, al
though they soon had an intimation
that something was wrong. Five of
the gang surrounded Captain .Murphy
and two others had Jolly. Tho con
victs liad knives in position for immo-
diat execution, should tho guards at
tempt to free themselves. The convicts
were very bold as they approached
Guard Harris, who stood ready to act
according to the standing orders to
shoot regardless of consequences.
hen within 40 feet of the outside
guards, one of the convicts gavo tho
command: "Hand out your gun, .or wo
Will al.li MnmW'IA 1U. l.'ni.t '
" Instroii-ot lmmlinR out hi rifle Har
ris sent a bullet into the fellow'B body.
and he fell to the ground. In quick
succession Harris fired at each of the
remaining convicts, who were trying to
shield themselves behind Murphy and
Jolly.
In the meantime bullets from other
posts were flying thickly about, many
ot them striking tho convicts.
uaptain aiurpny was struck by one
ot them, a slight wound being inflicted
in the leg, and Jolly was struck in the
neck, the bullet coming out through
the cheek and inictlng a very serious
wound, though probably not a critical
one. Two of the convicts, named
Campbell and Ford, intended joining
the others, but their courago failed
them when the shooting began.
Moors Commit Outrage.
New York, Joan. 2. In a garden of
a British subject, only one mile from
Tangier, n bold murder has been com
niitted by Moorish robbers, according
tik tho Herald correspondent oi Tangier,
1 ho Moors entered the garden and car
ried away fqur cows belonging i to tho
British owner, after murdering a Span
iard working on the place. One of the
robbers was severely wounded by tho
wile oi the Spaniard. It is rumored
from Tetuan that the garrison there
has deserted and fled from tho town.
Two months' pay was due them.
Santa Claus to World.
New York, Jan. 2. Tho United
States played Santa Claus to the world,
according to reports secured from the
money .order division of the New York
postollico. i rom December 1 to Do
cember 24, the night before Christmas,
no less than 334,084 international
money orders were forwarded to other
lands from this city, and these orders
called for $4,007,092. The remittances
were tho largest in tho history of tho
postollico. rhe figures show an unus
ual distribution, too.
Want Horses for Army.
Seattle, Wash., Jan. 2. Paclficcoast
stockmen will soon have an opportun
ity to bid on 1 ,000 head of horses to be
furnished Uncle Sam's cavalry and ar
tillerymen now stationed in the Phil
ippines, word to that effect being rc
ceived by Captain F. A. Grant, of the
local army quartermaster a office. 8ec
ideations as to the kind of horses de
sired have not yet lieen received by
Captain urant, these are expected by
mail from tho quartermaster general
within a few days, when the bids will
be called for.
Storm Destroys Jetty.
Astoria, Or., Dec. 31. Five thousand
feet of jetty superstructure .was carried
away in an tso-mlle-an-hour gale oil
tho mouth oi tho river yesterday morn
ing, leaving only 600 feet of tho outer
end remaining. To repair this work,
together with tho portion that was
carried away by previous storms, will
tako several months, so that it is un
likely that there will bo any extension
of the jetty until lato next summer, It
at all during the coming year.
Tried to Reach Vladivostok.
Shanghai, Jan. 2. According to pri-
vato ndvices from Sasebo received hero
today Commander Polem, ot tho Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyer Rastorojmy
and another officer of that vessel have
been identified among those on board
the captured British steamer Nigretla.
BILL BY ELKINS.
It Object li Regulation of Railroad
Freight Ratal.
Washington, Dec. 81. Senator 8. 11
Klklns, ot West Virginia, chairman ot
tho senate committee on Interstate
commerce, la busily engaged In fmm
Ing a bill tor tho purpose of carrying
out the vlown ot the president In rela
tion to the abolition ot freight rebates
Tho senator, In discussing tho subject
today, said among other things:
"There should bo some power In this
country to declare what rates should bo
on tho railroads. Tho United States
supremo court has decided that tho 1U'
ing ot a railroad rate Is a lcglslatlv
and not n judicial power. So wo cm.
not depend uon tho interstate com
mcrco commission to tlx thoso rates
and, in fact, no commission or other
court can bo depended on for that lib
portant function. What we can do la
to empower a court to declare when
rate is excessive and In that way send
the rate back to tho railroad to bo low
ored.
"I do not think wo need (ear that
the roads will attempt to evade tho ox
ecution ot such instruction In good
faith, by attempting to como tuck
again with another rate, slightly low
cred, so as to result In no benefit. V
can depend upon public opinion na
power to force them to accept this
method of regulating tho rates in good
faith. It tho lower rato they fix Is not
low enough, it can again bo declared
to bo too high and would go back to
them.
"For several reasons I think tho ln
terstato commerce commission is not
the proper tribunal for tho fixing ot
rates by this method. It should
dono in a circuit court ot tho United
States, and that court should bo pre
sided over by a justico of high char
actcr, who ought to receive a salary
110,000, f 12,000 or 115,000 a year
Such a judgo would, ot course, bo np
pointed for lite, ami would lie in a po
sition to fix thesa rates.- Ho could do
vote his entire thought to tho questions
that would como to his attention.
"Just think what might happen
theso jiowers were placed in the hands
of a commission, tho members subject
to reappointment by the president
with limited terms. Such a proiwsal
would not meet the approval ot the
conservative men."
CHOATE COMING HOME.
To Resign as Ambassador to England
After the lnuoa;uratl'n.
London, I . Si W hli- numerous
statements hava Iwn published hero
that Ambasavlor OtnaUi is about to
retire from d olomatk) cirr'n, it
be stated that Mr. (Thoute has not Bent
in his rcsifintti
4
ksFt
r any ixiiiimunlca
tion on tho h.u)i
President Roose
v!5TmrtUeul 1 1
ho received '
the president
win nirnt,,nor,haa
4hoiit sillier from
r Si t'.n: v I Uy concern'
ing his futui jiu- - a.i bo safely
asserteii, iioaf.tr, 'h.u tuOIr. ChO'
ate's intcnti-n to 1. Ms reaigna
tion soon after tl i :,piratlon of
President Roust it
"Six years is a long time slice out of
tlie lifo of a man ol my age," said Mr
Choate, recently, to friends here, "am!
whilo I have enjoyed tho life and peo
ple i navo met in Eagland, I have de
termined to go home and devote tho re
mainder ot my time to looking after
my own affairs."
Dredges Stop Work.
Portland, Dec. 31. Al hut two of
the river dredges operated by the Unit
ed States engineers in the Colombia
river and its tributaries aro laid up for
lacic oi lunus with which to carry on
operations. Tho W. S. Iiidd, on the
lower river, will probably continue in
operation for a month yet and then will
quit for tho same reason. The dredge
Willowa, ontho Snake, is also still in
operation, but the ' .Columbia dipper
dredges, No. 1 and No. '-t and the snag
boat aro all out of commission, as tho
engineers have not sufficient funds with
which to operate.
Mail Service In Bad Shape.
Chicago, Deo. 31. As a result ot
storm conditions, trains on nearly every
railroad entering Chicago were ono to
four hours behind schedule today,
Great difficulty was experienced by
railroad officials oh securing tele
graphic reports of the movements of
trains. Wires were down in many
places. Points in tho northwestern
states could lie reached only by circuit'
ous routes. Tho mail scrvico ot tho
entire middle west is in bad condition.
Transfer connections with a number of
outbound trains wero missed.
Togo On the Way Home.
Tokio, Dec. 31. Admiral Togo will
probably arrive today at Kuro, an im
portant station of the Japanese navy
12 miles from Hiroshima. Accompan
led by Vico Admiral Kamlmura and
other officers, Togo is expected to come
to loklo, when tho emperor will re
ceivo him prcsonally and congratulate
and thank him for his services during
the war. The Icw Year season has
begun, and all Japan is enjoying n hoi
iday, consequently Togo's journey from
Kure to Tokio will bo a continuous
popular ovation.
Neutrality of Dutch Ports.
The Hague, Dec. 31. In connection
with rumors of a possiblo infringement
of the neutrality of ports in tho Dutch
East Indies, it is officially pointed out
that the neutrality of Sabang and other
ports will bo maintained. Two Dutch
battleships, two cruisers and five small
er warships aro now in thoso waters,
while two additional vessels aro ready
at Nicuwc-DIcp, Holland, to rclnforco
them if necessary.
Snow la Ten f-oe Seen.
La Crosse. Wis.. Iec. 31. A dro.i
In tho temperature of 40 degrees fol
lowed tho blizzard which ceased at
midnight. Snow is drifted to tho
height of eight and ten fect In tho
streets, and a largo gang of men are en
gaged In shoveling snow from tho street
railway tracks, so traffic can bo re
turned.
BEFORE GRAND JURY
Senator Mltctiell and Represent
atlvc Hermann Appear.
WERE CALLED DY GOVERNMENT
Congressmen Wero Not Informed Do
fore They Entored dury Room of
Testimony Against Them.
Portland, Deo. 2. Tho Federal
grand jury listened to tho testimony ot
Senator. Mitchell nil ot yesterday morn
Ing and tor n part at tho afternoon
The rest of tho tlmo wits taken up by
Representative Hermann, who was In
tho jury room when tho session wns nil
Journed lor tlie day. Ho will resume
his examination this morning and will
In nil probability finish by noon. In
spltu ot tho fuel that both Senator
Mitchell and Mr. Hermann had an
nnunced that they would not upmir
beiuro the jury unless tho names of the
government witnessed and tho charges
to bo niiulo nguliist them wero show
prior to their entmnoo to the jury
room, both congressmen wero ready to
answer tlie call ot tho government at'
torneys when it came.
Senator Mitchell went into tho room
nt 10 o'clock in tho morning mid ro'
matned until noon. Tho senator la
much chagrined at the notoriety ho is
receiving as tho result ot tho land fraud
Investigations and does not take kindly
to any ot thoso who nro conducting tho
ease Before entering tho room In the
morning ho was silent and dlstunt.
Ho emerged nt noon tired and showing
tho strain which the onhxil had ap
parently been to him. Upon tho con
elusion of his testimony in the after
noon ho left the building for his hotel
Tho afternoon with tho jurors might
havo been a session ol congrses, hoW'
ever, tor all tho effect It had uHin Mr
nermann, no nppcurcd shortly aftei
2 o'clock In tho afternoon and went In
to seclusion in the Inner office of the
district attorney, after he had greeted
few acquaintnncm in tho outer office
and tho hall. When called to tho jury
room shortly before 3 o'clock he shook
hands with those whom he know in the
corridor and imttcd Mr. Kenny heart
lly on tho back as ho entered the door
hen the session had closed for the
afternoon, Mr. Hermann remained in
tho jury room tor some time conversing
with Mr. Heney and tho jurors, among
whom ho lound several whom he had
known in various parts ot tho statu,
These ho gave cordial handshakes.
PRESIDENT TO GIVE HIS VIEW
No Railroad Administration Measure
To Be Sent to Congress.
VashnginnTtfccT30".' Preside!!
Roosevelt embraced tho opirtunlty to
day to tako up with tho members of
tho cabinet many questions of detail
in departmental administration, the
semi-weekly meeting of tho cabinet
being longer than usual. At tho con
elusion ot the meeting tho members ot
tho cabinet said in resjionso to inqul
rles that littlo business of serious im
portanoo was considered.
After other members of tho cabinet
had left tho executive offices, Attorney
Oencral Moody discussed with the lres
Idcnt some phases of tho railroad
freight questions. Both tho president
and tho attorney general recently havo
devoted much timo to that problem
Tho latter Is giving particular ntten
tion to tho legal side of the question
so that ho may be prepared to adviso
with the president on the sublcct and
with such members ot congress as may
wish to consult him. It is understood
not to bo tho Intention of tho presi
dent nnd attorney general to prepare
and press tho consideration in congress
ol an "administration measure," deal
ing with tho railroad freight problem.
Such a bill, it is thought, (to quoto
member of tho cabinet), would bo
destined to detent.
Burning Their Cotton.
Fort Gaines, Ga, Dec. 30. The
farmers and merchants of this county
met today at l ort Uaincs and decided
to burn their shnro of 2,000,000 bales
of surplus cotton A starter was made
today when a bonfire was mado on tho
streets. It is not yet determined where
it will stop. Tho farmers have decid
ed to set the puce, and are moving de
terminedly. A largo crowd paraded
with much spectacular ceremony. Tho
object Is to show that tho farmers are
ready to sacrifice a few bales for tho
benefit of tho masses.
Paralleling Circle of Forts.
Tokio, Dec. 30. It is understood
that the Japanese paralelllng and dy
namiting against tjio eastern section ot
the main circle of .forts around Port
Arthur is progressing favorably. Tho
right wing of tho besiegers continues a
icavy and effective shelling ol tlie new
jwn, preparatory to operations which
aro ncaring completion. It Is probablo
that the next uttack will bo slmiiltano
ously directed ugainst tho eant and
west faces ol tho fortress: In an endeavor
to divide and weaken tho resistance of
the defenders-
Panic In Jute Mills.
New York, Dec.30. Engineer Charles
J. Hebe wAs instantly killed, his as
sistant, Daniel Fcrcr, probably fatally
injured, and tho lives of hundreds of
young women ondangcrcd today, when
tho cylinder head ol tho great power
engine, In tho Cholsca Jute mills In
Brooklyn blow out. Tho nolso of tho
explosion threw Into u panic tho 1,200
young women at work in tho building.
Many of them woro badly bruised and
hurt in their efforts to escape.
Big Dock for the Navy.
Washington, Dec. 30. Tho bureau
of yards and docks, Navy department,
today awarded tho contract for tho
completion of tho drydock at tho Maro
Island navy yard to tho Hchofiold com
pany, of Philadelphia. Tho amount
of tho contract is $1,385,000, and tho
drydock Is to bo completed in 33
months. This drydock will hojtho
largest in tho United States navy.
VESSELS IN VERY DAD SHAPE
Itun Says Thoy Would Not De Able
lo Reach the East,
St. Petersburg, Dee. 20. In nn out
iHiken nrtlolo, In reply to a recent
letter ol Admiral Ulerlleft, which ap
pealed to Russians not to criticise tho
condition ot tho navy openly, thn Russ
today declares tho tlmo Is past tor si
loucc, In view nt tho fact that tho "old
system ot concealing (acts Is resHinsl
bio (or the loss of 150,000,000 roubles
worth ot warships and has covered
with shamo nnd grief. It would be
absurd to hide tlto detects that can still
bo repaired In tho ahlpa which .remain
nt Umnstadl and i.ltmu. Wo have al
ready criminally wasted enough tlmo.'
The Kuss enumerates thu doiects
tho ships still In Russian waters, aver
ring that thu "peculiarities ol structure
ot several u( tho vessel destined for
the Far East mako tho vnyngo danger
ous, and tho torpedo boats nro In such
shocking condition that It Is it matter
ot surprise tluit tlie authorities accepted
their delivery. Torpedo boats Intend
ed to reinforce Vice Admiral llolost
vensky must clearly not lie dispatched
with the numenma detects which hav
been proved to oxlst In them.
"Ivven It Admiral Rolcstvcnskv is
clover leader nnd his 12,000 jDiuruileti
aro heroic sailors, everyone known that
no have liuixwed iiikhi them nn almost
superhuman task In conscqueuro of our
not being Itirnlshcd with n true account
of tho gravity ot the events which hav
occurred since tno fatal night of l i
ruury 8."
WILL TRY SEVEN.
Federal Grand Jury fllea New Indict
menta in Land Case.
Portland, Dir. 20. Tho Fwlera
grand Jury made Its second public n
tieamnco yesterday afteninou, at whlcl
time It returned Indictments against
Salmon B. Ormsby, of Salem i William
II. Davis, il Albany! Clark I;, lximls,
of Eugene; Henry A. Young, George
Sorcnson, ol Portland; John Dou and
Richard Roe. Tho charge Is that tho
Indicted men entered Into n conspiracy
on December -, mul, having as thel
object tho dclrniullng nl tho govern
ment ot tho United State out of a pur
tion ol its public lands Hi township 1
south, ot range 7 cast, and that by
means ot falso and forged affidavits and
proofs of homestead entry and settle
ment, some lu tho names ot real nnd
soniu in thu names ot fictitious iicrsons
tho government was Induced to Issuo
patents to thu hinds.
It is charged that In furtherance of
tho conspiracy William II. Davis swore
to an affidavit bolero B. II. Urmshy lu
which ho said that ho had resided upon
the claim taken by him us Ity law re
quired, and it Is almi alleged that the
conspiracy was a part of thu one entered
Into by S. A. D. Puter. Horace G. Me-
Klnley, D, W. Tarpley and Emma I.
Watson.
IN FOQ AND ICE.
Oreat Storm Rages from Rocky Moun
talna to Atlantic.
Chicago, Dec. 20. Ono of tho sever
est storms ot recent years has raged
throtighout'the territory lying between
thu Rocky mountains and the Great
lakes since early this morning, nnd has
caused much trouble to street car com
panics, railroads and telegraph com
panics. Tho latter wero tho greatest
sufferers from the blizzard, which
swept through the West and Northwest
during the last 24 hours, and which
was preceded by a heavy fog and driz
zling rain, which mado tho wires almost
unworkable.
The Intensa cold and terriffic galo
that followed close Uon tho fog coated
tho wires with ice, and later In thu day
threw poles to tho ground, crippling
the companies badly. Railroad trains
wero badly delayed all through tho
west, somool them liclng 24 hours lute,
Street-car traffic In all tho cities of tho
West and Northwest was practically at
standstill at samo tlmo during tho
day.
In its extent tho storm was tho most
widespread of any during thu lust 10
years. Counting tho fog ns a coin'
Kncnt part ol thu storm, it stretched
from the Ihicky mountains to New
York, and from I mi I peg to New Or
leans.
Will Make Lota of Money,
Portland, Dee. 20. It was decided
yesterday that tho offer from tho gov
eminent to Install two coin machines
n tho government building at the fair
will bo accepted, though tho cost ot
operation will fall on tho management
of thu exiHisltlon. Tlie machines will
Im run by electricity and nn expert will
bo sent from ushington to take charge,
All tho workings oi a largo mint will
bo shown in this exhibit, und thoineth
oils of making coins displayed. It Is
expected to bo ono of tho chief attrae
tlons of tho government building.
Rain and Sleet In New York.
New York, Deo. 20. Rain nnd sleet,
with a rising temperature, followed
twterdny s snow storm, having greatly
inpedeil trulllc in ami unout new York
Telegraphic communication bus been
considerably handicapped, and all
througll trains from tho west nnd north
nro delayed, owing to slippery rails.
In tho city the rain and sleet, freezing
as soon as It struck tho ground, made
walking hazardous and incoiivenlei.t,
and whenever thore was a grade on
the surfaco roads there was grcut
trouble.
Porter Is To Retire.
New York, Dec. 20. Tho Horald
will say tomorrow: It has been defl-
Holy decided that ucnorai iioraco
'ortcr. of Now York, shall rctiro as
ambassador to Franco and ho will have
liie resignation In the hands of 1'rcnH
dent Koosovult before his inauguration.
This announcement was received by tho
Republican stato leadors. (lenornl Por
ter's successor to Paris will bo Gcorgo
Von L. Moyor, the present ambassador
to Italy.
Hurry Work on Black Sea Fleet
Sovastonol, Dec. 20. Tho dockyard
laborers havo been released from thoir
obligation as members of tho reserves
In order that thoy may continue tho
work on tho vessels of tho Black sea
fleet, which Is being pushed with great
energy.
BUSTLE AT TOKIO
Great Army Is Now Rclny Mo
bilized for War,
HALF MILLION MEN FOR OYAMA
Thousands of llocrulli are Pouring.
In Infantry, Cavalry and Ar
tillery Are Drilling.
Tokio, Deo. 28, Tokio la again a
great military cmup and thu scenes ot
hist spring, when tno first armies wero
mobilised and illsimtchcd, nro being
duplicated. Thousands of recruits and
reservists nro being assembled, drilling
unit equipping preparatory tji taking
tho field. Tlie permanent mid tem
porary barracks nro filled and It Is lieu
ciwury to billet thu soldiers brought to
tho city.
Oyiiuia Field Is tho center ol activity,
where Infantry, cavalry mid artillery
aro constantly drilling. Tho lialttirlM
(lie blank cartridges for tho purpose nt
breaking lu the new horses. Thu gen
eral military prcinitlniia nro enorm
ous. It Is planned to glvo Field
Marshal Oyuma a rough total of (100,
000 men, with a heavily Increased ar
tillery arm, liestdcs providing a defenso
for FiirmiMik and tho Southern Inlands
lu iiutlcliHitlon of tho KiimIuii second
Pacific squadron's attempt to seltu n
bane.
Tho port of Kelung, In lVrmomi, has
liecu declared lu a sluto ol slego ami
other iHisltinus lu Formosa und thu
Pescadores aro progressing.
STRUCK HIS CHIEF.
Japanese General Has Deen Recalled
From Hie Front.
Paris, Dec. 28. Tho Tokio corre
spondent of tho Temps wires that Lieu
tenant General Kodaina, Field Marshal
thu Marqtlla Oyuma's chief ol staff, lion
been recalled from Iho front for strik
ing the field marshal. Lieutenant
General Kodama is without doubt ono
ot the greatest, it not tho greatest, of
Jain's generals, and nt tho timo of
the outbreak ot tho war It wns general
ly Iwllcved that he would Ik) upixilnted
commander In chief of the .Maiichuriaii
army. Tho niinounri'iiieiit of his ap-
iKiliitment to be chief of stall was re
ceived with general WUfuctlon as the
prcixmilnewi of the Jaimiiino army wnn
generally credited to his foresight and
wonderful executive ability.
hnr years prior to thu outbreak nt
war General Kodama was engaged In
ierfvtlng both tho home defense and
tho means of mobilization of tho army
on short notice. Tho scox)o( tho work
was a revelation even In .tho govern
ment, for Gcurcal Kodama had worked
out many details.
WILL BATTLE FOR NEW MEXICO
Gen. Lew Wallace Will Leave Sick Oed
to Aid Toward Statehood.
Indianapolis, Intl., Dec. 2d .General
Iaiw Wallace, who has been 111 for
mouths, and ho Is believed to lx
dying by Inches, Is very Indignant over
tho statehood bill, and declares that It
Is a great outrage on New Mexico, of
which ho was onco territorial governor.
He said:
"I consider It nothing short nt a
criminal mistake that congress seems
able ot force Now Mexico to accept
statehood with Arizona. It means that
the name 'New Mexico' Is to lie forever
lost. It mentis tho practical disfran
chisement ot the whole people ot both
territories. '
As ho warmed up 'o his subject, his
ntd vigor returned. Flro leaped Into'
his eyes ns ho leaned forward lu his
chair and raised hU hand with the lean
index finger tremblingly shaking with
pent-up emotion his anger brought out
as ho said i
"And this thing will never bo brought
about as long as I can fight it. I'll gu
hack down thrro to those people and
help them fight this battloat tho polls."
Sleet and Snow In Kantai.
Topcka, Kan., Deo. 23. A severe
winter storm prevails over Kansas to
night. Much sleet and snow have fall
en with a rapid fall in temperature.
There will bo little suffering among
stock, tho farmers lielng generally well
prepared for tho winter. Theru Is a.
blizzard sweeping ovor Indian Territory.
There was u drop of .'15 degrees In the
temperature. Htockmcn assert that
thu cold wave will not effect cnttlo
as thoy aro in excellent condition
nnd able to stand much cold weather.
Feed Is plentiful.
Jar Breaks Glass.
Halifax, N. S Dec. 28. A portion
ot tho Arradlu Powder company's worke
at Wavcrly, ten miles from this city,
blow up today and thu concussion shook
tho country nnd broko windows for 20
in Us around. Fortunately, no one
was killed or seriously injured, al
though ten of thu employes who hail
just left tho'owdor works when thu
explosion took placo woro thrown vio
lently to tho ground and stunned.- Tho
plant is situated a milo outside ot Wn
verly, yet every window In thu town
was broken.
Zero In the Dakotaa,
Washington, Dec, 28. Reports to
tho weather bureau say tho first decided
cold wave of tho season is spreading
rapidly southeastward over tho east
slopu of thu Rocky mountains. Tho
temperature this morning Is below zero
In tho Dukotus, Montana, Western
Wyoming, with u minimum rating ot
.10 dcgrej'H below nt Havre, Mont. Tho
area of high pressure attending this cold
avo occupies tho northeast Rock
mountain slope
Nogl Is Badly Wounded.
London, Deo. 28. Tho Chofoo corre
spondent ot tho Telegraph says It is ro
ported that General Nogl, tho com
mander ot tho Jopancso forces besieging
Port Arthur, has been taken to tho
hospital at Daluy. Ho wns wounded
soveroly In tho arm and leg by thrco
rlllu buuots, according to tho corre
spondent.