NEWBERG GRAPHIC.
CAN DO BBTTER.
Oregon Irrigation Methods Are Above
the Average.
EVENTS OF THE DAY
Ten deaths are reported as a reenlt
of the «torma in Northwestern Arkan-
Colorado m ilitia haa thrown three
miners and two business men in the
ballpen.
French deputies have passed the b ill
to suppress teaching by religious
orders.
A report that the railway merger is
seeking refuge in Cuba is a surprise to
President Palma.
The Anglo-American league of Lon
don favors an American-British arbi
tration treaty.
The flood situation in Michigan is
more hopeful, but 14,000 people are
still in distress.
An alliance between Russia and
Britain, through France as an inter
mediary, is again broached.
The government haa offered to ad
vance money to build an irrigation
dam for Wallowa county settlers.
The Vladivostok squadron is re
ported to have returned to the harbor
with a number of captured Japanese
b I s , among them a warship.
The captain of a Chinese junk arriv
ing at Wei H ai W ei reports seeing the
Russian and Japanese squadrons ap
proaching each other off Port Arthur
and believes a decisive battle has been
fought.
Mobilisation of the Manchurian army
is now complete.
Washington, March 30.— The census
bureau today issued a preliminary re
port on irrigation in Oregon in 1902.
I t shows that the irrigation conditions
there were above the average.
The
better methods of management and a
more economical use of the ordinary
water supply are urged in order greatly
to increase the number of acres that
may be brought under irrigation.
In 1902 the number of farms report
ed was 6,133, with an irrigated area of
439,981 acres, an increase since 1899 of
61,671 acres, or 13.3 per cent for the
three years. The per cent increase for
the 10 years from 1889 to 1899 was
118.2.
In 1902 2,666 irrigating systems
were in operation, representing a total
construction cost of $2,089,609, an av
erage of $818 per system and $4.76 per
irrigated acre.
The total length of
main canals and ditches was 3.663
miles, an average of 1.4 miles per sys
tem.
The aggregate number of acres irri
gated by the 2,417 systems receiving
water from streams was 428,926, be
longing to 4,978 farms. The average
cost per acre was $4.81. The 114 sys
tems supplied with water from springs
irrigated 10,769 acred on 131 farms,
the average cost per acre being $2.31.
Twenty-four well systems irrigated 292
acres, representing 24 farms, at an
average cost per acre of $16.26.
The stream systems cost, initially,
$2,062,188 for 3,604 miles of main ca
nals and ditches and the necessary
dams and head gates. The first cost
of the spring systems was $22,896,
and the length of main ditches was 49
miles. The construction of the well
systems was $4,636.
MONEY TO CANAL
TWO STATES ARB CRBATBD.
THE HALLES PROJECT IS IN SUN-
* DRY CIVIL BILL.
Washington, March 29 — The states
of Oklahoma and Arizona are created
in a b ill which has been completed by
the Republican members of the sub
committee of the house committee on
territories. The Democratic members
of this committee have been placed in
possession of the b ill, and after they
have considered it for a lew days a
meeting of the full subcommittee w ill
he held. The two states mentioned
are composed of Oklahoma and Indian
Territory, as "Oklahom a” and Arizona
and New Mexico as "A rizo n a.” The
admission of the latter two territories
is not delayed by any restriction of law,
but may be effected as soon as a conven
tion can be called to form a state con
stitution,
The b ill provides, however, that
Oklahoma and the Indian Territory
shall not be admitted as a state until
the year 1906. By this time all the
Indian lands w ill have been allotted.
The problem of providing proper reve
nue for schools, growing out of the fact
that the Indian lands of Oklahoma and
Indian territory have been allotted in
severalty to the Indians under a law
which makes them non-taxable, haa
been met by an appropriation of $5,-
000,000 out of the treasury.
This
money is to be used to establish and
maintain schools.
The principal of
this fund may be used to the extent
necessary, the balance being placed in
deposit at 3 per cent to the credit of the
state for the maintenance of the schools
established.
The state constitution to be formed
under the b ill must contain an abund
ant prohibition of polygamy. Suffrage
cannot be restricted except for ignor
ance, imbecility, age and sex.
This
'w ill not permit woman suffrage if the
constitution to be adopted shall so pro
vide. Negro suffrage cannot be re
stricted as Buch.
u >100,000— Shews That
grees Adepts Werfe as
w in
Washington, March 28.— The sundry
c iv il b ill reported to the house today
contains but one important item for
the Pacific Northwest, namely, $100,-
000 for oontinuing the improvement of
the Columbia fiver between The Dalles
and Oelilo. The fact that this appro
priation is carried in the sundry civil
b ill establishes beyond question the fact
that congress haa adopted The Dalles
project as a continuing contract, and
that necessary appropriations (or car
rying on and completing the work w ill
hereafter be made annually in the sun
dry c ivil bill, a river and harbor bill
not being depended upon.
Unfortunately, the b ill makes no ap
propriation for carrying on work at the
mouth of the Columbia river but the
senators w ill endeavor to attach an
amendment appropriating $600,000 for
this project $626,000 for the Columbia
and W illam ette below Portland, an in
creasing the appropriation for The
Dalles canal to at least $300,000.
The sundry civil b ill carries $24,000
for rent of temporary quarters for the
Portland postoffice and for the courts;
$100,000 additional for the Seattle pub
lic building; $120,000 to commence
construction of the public building at
Spokane, $40,000 for the Tacoma build
ing, and $8,000 for Crater lake national
park.
HAWAII IS BEST CUSTOMER.
BATTLESHIP BADLY DAMAQBD.
Trade With Noncontiguous
Territory.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
Committee Decides Pour Terrl-
rltorles Should Be Combined.
PRAIRIES OF NEBRASKA ARE
1N0 SWEPT CLEAN.
BE
Btoa/Ts Past Hope el
Value« at $100,000 Already
Loomis, Neb., March 26.— A prairie
fire is raging through this section of
the state, and already three deaths are
reported, while a number of farmers
are missing.
Housss and stock run
ning far toward $100,000 have already
been lost, and the fire continues with
unabated fury.
August Olson, an aged fanner, is
known to have been burned to death
and two of his hands are missing.
James Lewis and W illiam Anderson,
ranchmen,, are also dead. A number
of cowboys are reported missing from
different directions.
The flames are past all hope of con
trol, and are leaping across the prairie
at racehorse speed, burning everything
in its path.
The Burlington railroad has sent a
special train with fire-fighters from
Holdredge to assist the ranchmen in
saving the small towns in the path o f
the flames.
From Loomis to the
Platte river, 15 miles, the whole coun
try w ill be swept clear by the fire.
Further to the west, toward which the
blaze is sweeping, the prairie country
extends for nearly 200 miles. There
are no streams of note along this
country, and the fire may sweep to the
bend of the Platte river in that direc
tion.
JAPAN’S FOOTHOLD IS STRONG.
ANNOUNCES RUSSIA’S AIMS.
Elaborate Preparations Made toI
tog Troops to Corea.
Washington, March 28.— Commerce Czar Says War Most Establish Her Fre
Chinampo, Corea, March 25.— The
London, March 30.— No further news of the United States with its noncon
on Pacific.
se Shells Struck the Czarevitch
la
tiguous territory now averages about
$8,000,000 per month, and it is appar
ent that for the full fiscal year it w ill
aggregate a round $100,000,000. In the
term "noncontiguous territory” are in
cluded Alaska, the Hawaiian islands,
the Philippine islands, Guam, Tutuila
and Porto Rico. Records of their ship
ments to the ports of the United States
and of shipments from the various
ports to them are now regularly pre
sented by the department of commerce
and labor, through its bureau of statls-
tics.
These records show that the ship
ments from the United 8tates to Alaska,
Hawaii, Porto Rico, the Philippines,
Guam and Tutuila aggregated in the
seven months ending with January,
1904, nearly $21,000,000, and the
merchandise received from them in
the same period, nearly $31,000,000.
I f to this is added the gold bullion re
ceived from Alaska, the grand total of
our commerce w ith the territory in
question for the seven months ending
with January would amount to nearly
$60,000,000, which makes it quite ap
parent that for the fiscal year ending
with June 30 next, the total w ill be
fully $100,000,000.
Japanese continue to rush forces from
CONSUL« WITH NO JURISDICTION.
O f the shipments to these noncon-
Chinampo to Ping Yang
tiugoua territories, the largest total for
Makes
H
Plato
Martial
Law
Is
to
Floods following the gale in the vicin
the seven months under consideration is
Prevail at Nta Chwang.
ity of Chicago caused heavy property
to Hawaii, $7,224,166 worth of domes
Niu Chwang, March 30.— The for
tic merchandise and of foreign mer
China has been given new assurances eign consuls had a conference with the chandise, $52,677.
that Russia w ill disarm the gunboat civil administrator today. The latter
FAVORS TWO LAND DISTRICTS.
Mandjur.
informed them that the full intention
Alm ost all of the Panama troops have of Russia’s order of yesterday was to
Interior DepertsMnt Giro« Its Approval
been disbanded. Only one battalion is proclaim martial law and also annul
to Alaskan BOL
now under the colors.
consular jurisdiction and that the same
Washington, March 28.— The interi
Much property was destroyed and was already annulled.
or department is heartily in favor of the
The British consul interpreted the or creation of the two land districts in
several persons injured in a tornado
der
as not declaring martial law. The Alaska with headquarters at Nome.
near Fort Smith, Ark.
1
other consuls were unable yesterday to The passage of a b ill for this purpose
United States Minister Dudley re comprehend Russia’s intentions.
is recommended by Secretary Hitchcock
ports that bubonic plague has broken
The administrator agrees with the and by Commissioner Richards, of the
out in three ports in Peru.
consuls to suspend a rigid enforcement general land office, their recommenda
of said order until the foreign govern tion being based upon a report made by
Senator Hanford declares that the
ments act in order to lessen the com James W . Witten, after an investigation
railroad lobby is back of the move to
plications.
of land conidtions in Alaska. The de
repeal the present land laws.
The Americans here call attention to partment believes that Nome is the
The dowager empress of China has the apparent defeat of American aims proper location for a land office in
rejected the proposals of generals to regarding placing consuls in Manchuria Northern Alaska, as it is apparently a
by the execution of Russia’s order.
m lko an open alliance with Japan.
permanent city and the center of an
American and British flags were to active mining dietrict. Instead of plac
A report to the Corean government day removed by the Russian m ilitary
ing this office in charge of regular
shows that Russian troops began cross from the property of citizens of Am eri
land officers, the b ill pending in con
ing into Corea four days before Japan can or British nationality.
gress provides that the marshal (or tne
made her first attack on Port Arthur.
Nome district shall act as register and
•a a Loag War.
the clerk of the court as receiver of the
Colorado m ilitary is again deporting
Paris, March 30— The M artin’s Har Nome land office.
striking miners.
bin correspondent says a rumor is be
Newell la anxious that irriggation ing circulated there to the effect that
Those With Food Can Stay.
works be begun in Oregon.
the war w ill last 20 years, and that it
8t. Petersburg, March 28.— Procla
w ill not really begin before September, mations issued by General Voronetz,
The house haa again voted against an
the rains making July and August un who is in command at Vladivostok, have
investigation of the postoffice depart
favorable for m ilitary
operations. been received at St Petersburg. They
ment.
"D espite China’s protestations of hen- urge the people at Vladivostok to re
Russia denies that one of her war tra lity ,” the correspondent continues, main, but add that only thoee w ill be al
vessels was blown up by coming in "General Ma persists in advancing in lowed to stay who have 432 pounds of
contact with a floating mine.
to Manchuria.
I f this movement is flour and 108 pounds of buckwheat,
Damaged Russian warships are said combined with the Japanese operations enough to last eight months. A ll Chi
to have been repaired w ith such haste the Rusisans w ill be obliged to act nese and Coreans who are without oc
against General M a.”
cupation have been ordered to depart.
that they dare not venture out.
.r '
Persons who start untrue and alarming
The senate has passed the Indian ap
Dowte Was lamlttag.
reports w ill be courtmartialed. Loot
propriation b ill carrying funds for the
Adelaide, Australia, Match 80.— In ing is strictly prohibited.
Chemawa school and decides that consequence of a speech insulting King
Alaskan stodenta may enroll there.
Ne sic
Edward the government baa refused
St.
Petersburg, March 28.— General
the
use
of
public
buildings
to
John
Russia has bought a wireless tele
Linevitch
has telegraphed to the gener
Alexander
Dowie.
The
mayor
of
Ad
graph system and w ill use it in connec
al
staff
that
there is no sickness among
elaide
wrote
to
Dowie
telling
him
be
tion with the transportation of troops
was a disgrace to the nationality.
the Russian troops.
across Lake Baikal.
The South has just been visited by has been received here regarding the
the greatest storm since 1872.
Port Arthur engagement, with the ex
General Kouropatkin has arrived at ception that the Telegraph’s Yinkow
Mukden and assumed command.
correspondent says the Japanese bom
The sundry civil appropriation b ill bardment badly damaged the forward
w ill leave a good surplus for the year. barbette of the Russian battleship
The senate committee has reported a Caarevitch. The correspondent adds:
b ill to punish assassins of presidents.
"According to a rumor, 66 Japanese
The house committee has completed transports, escorted by four cruisers
its' report on the 1906 fair b ill and approached Niu Chwang Saturday, and
recommends $475,000 be given for an then departed soutwharà. I t is stated
that Viceroy Alexieff w ill -return to
exhibit. , r
Europe in a few days.”
The Russian fleet at Port Arthur
The Post’s Niu Chwang correspond
made a trip out of the harbor to locate
ent learns that the Japanese w ill not
the Japanese fleet, but could find no
land an expedition in the Lao river
trace of the enemy.
valley after A p ril 20, as their trans
London is horrified by the deeds of a ports are still engaged in conveying
modern Bluebeard. E igh t women are troops to Corea.
known to bear his name and two of
The Standard’s Tien Tain correspond
them were murdered.
ent
says that in compliance with
Viceroy
AlexiefTs demand the Tartar
Fire in W a ll street caused much ex-
governor
of Weng Fan has withdrawn
citament and for a time threatened one
of the largest commercial centers in the its troops to a distance 69 miles from
Mukden. He adds that the Russians
world with destruction.
are now left in complete control of the
Russians are strongly fortifying the revenue and other departments.
oountry about Antung.
St. Petersburg, March 29.— The text
of the emperor’ s message to Viceroy
Alexieff notifying him of the appoint
ment of General Kouropatkin to the
command of the Russian troops in the
Far East and Vice Admiral Makaroff to
the command o f the fleet of Port Arth
ur, not only clearly defines the latter’ s
position, but specifically announces
Russia’s aims. The message follows:
"T h e importance of the impending
struggle which is intended to finally
assure the predominating pdiftlou of
Russia on the Pacific Ocean, and fere-
seeing that it w ill be necessary for you,
as my lieutenant, to transfer your resi
dence to a more central position, for
instance, Harbin or some other place of
your choice, I have found it expedient
to send to your assistance General
Kouropatkin or the direction of the
land forces with the rights of army
commander and Vice Admiral Makaroff
for the direction of the sea forces, with
rights of fleet commander. I am con
vinced that the appointment of these
independent, responsible commanders
in chief w ill enable you, as my lieu
tenant, to discharge the difficult ana
historic task which has fallen . to your
lot.”
FLBBTS TO UNITE) IN FALL.
organization of the Japanese in Corea
is perfect. Elaborate preparations have
been made for landing troops and ad
vancing them through the country,
and pontoon > bridges and stables sre
built wherever they are found to be
necessary. The greatest difficulty fac
ing the Japanese is the commissariat,
as, owing to the poor food supplies of
Corea, it is only possible at preeent to
maintain 90,000 men.
The Japanese hold two enormously
strong positions a t Ping Yang and on
the
Miakokak-San range between
Hwaing-Jn and Seoul. The latter in
practically impregnable and secure
from land attacks from the northwest.
In the event of defeat, it is intended to-
hold the passes at Kazan, thus protect
ing Ping Yang valley. 'The Japanese
troops are suffering from dysentery and
pneumonia, and many of the cavalry
horses, which are poor, have died, but
the army is full of spirit.
There are probably 20,000 Japanese
at Ping Yahg, which might easily have
been taken, when the Russian scouta
first arrived, there being then only 250
Japanese soldiers.
WILL NOT LBT CHINA JOIN HBR.
W S Net Rúa Risk el Russia Ou-
Russia WUl Completely Overhaul Oae
Vienna, March 25.— The number e f
to the
alarming editorial articles in the Aus
Paris, March 29.— A St. Petersburg
correspondent of the Petite Parisienne
reports an interview with a high officer
of the Russian navy regarding the de
parture of the Baltic Squadron for the
Far East. The fleet of Admiral Wire-
nius w ill, this officer says, be recalled
and thoroughly overhauled. He adds
that the united squadrons cannot leave
before the end of September, when the
sectional torpedo boats which are to be
sent to Port Arthur w ill be ready.
This w ill give the Russians a decided
superiority and the war, the officer as
serts, w ill be brought to a speedy close.
The correspondent’s Informant declares
that the cruiser Dm itri Donakoi, on ac
count of its slowness, w ill remain at
home.
A crisis in the tea trade, adds the
correspondent. - haa been caused by
merchants, who announce that a 10 per
cent advance in price w ill be made to
day.
Orest Barley
8an Franciscso, March 29. — One
thousand tons of barley for the Japan
ese government is to be carried by the
steamer Coptic, sailing on April 2, for
the Asiatic coast. T h is , is part of a
large shipment ordered some months
ago before hostilities began with Rus
sia. Several hundred tons of the bar
ley were sent out on the Siberia, but
the bulk of it is to go on the Coptic,
and the disability of most of the Rus
sian warships on the coast of Asia
makes it almost certain that the grain
w ill reach Yokohama in safety.
Washington, March 29.— The house
committee on rivers and harbors today
decided to report a b ill this week can*y
ing an appropriation aggregating $3,-
000,000 to carry on existing river and
harbor improvement contracts.
No
new surveys w ill be authorized.
trian press regarding the probability o f
China coming to the assistance of Jap
an and making common cause against
Russia has had the effect of creating
genuine alarm throughont the nation
against the "y e llo w p eril,” and th e
Japanese minister has been addressed
on the subject. The result has been
the receipt of an official statement
from the Japanese government setting
forth the "re a l position” of Japan.
After stating in unmistakabls terms
the relations between China and Japan,
and the latter’s intention of compell
ing China to maintain an attitude o f
strict neutrality, the statement con
cludes by saying that "Chinese aid
and support would be in many respects
advantageous to Japan, yet the Japan
ese government cannot ran the risk o f
Russian occupancy of other Chinee»
provinces than Manchuria.
the War
U
Washington, March 25.— The presi
dent practically has determined that
the Panama canal commission shall be
attached to the war
department.'
This proposition is not pleasing to all
members of tbs commission, but the
bnrean of insular affairs of the war de
partment has. been so successful and
economical in its management of de
tails of governmental affairs in the
Philippines, Cube and Porto Rico that
it is felt to be the proper bureau to
look after the myriad details of the gov
ernment of the canal sons.
Tokio, March 26.— A special dis
patch from M oji, opposite 8bimonosaki,
Japan, savs the Japanese fleet made
another attack on Port Arthur March
18, bombarded the city and its defens
es, and fought a furious engagement
with the Russian fleet outside the har
bor, destroying one battleship. Seven
^ ------------- —
—
—
—
— 1 * 1 — »