EARTHQUAKE1NEAST
llliasls, Iowa, Missouri, Wiscm
s!i m& Mlchlpa Shaken.
ACTUAL DAMAGE BONE IS SLIGHT
School Children Flea In Alarm From
Swaying Building and People
Seek Refuge In Open.
Chicago, May 27. All of Illinois
mid four other Middle Western states
experienced severe earthquake shocks
yesterday morning. That the quake
was gvncral In this section of the coun
try is shown by reports from Iowa,
Wisconsin, Missouri and Michigan.
While no serious damage was reported
beyond si number of fires due to de
stroyed chimneys, Uw shock spread
terror In many places, and a number of
panics In schools and outer buildings
resulted from efforts to fleo from what
seemed to be impending disaster.
The time of the earthquake at vari
ous towns in this state was between
8:15 and 9:45 o'clock, and the duration
of the shock differed in distant locali
ties. In some cases two distinct trem
blers wen felt, the first being brief
and the second lasting several seconds.
At Peoria the earthquake began at
8:30 o'clock and lasted for four sec
onds. The trembling of the earth was
felt In Champaign and Urbana at 8:30
o'clock . Dixon told of three miautes
offeocks in that city and vicinity as
late as 9:40 o'clock.
Other cities In the state reporting
severe shocks were Sterling, Galena,
Freeport, Pontlse, Fatrbury, El Paso,
Pekin, Peelo, Tampico and Erie.
A shock lasting 15 seconds was felt
at Cedar Rapids. Burlington and Du
buque also suffered slight disturbances.
Early reports covered a territory
from Springfield. 111., through Daven
port, la,, and Janesville, Wis., north
to Muskegon, Mich, Reports of the
vibrations, but recording no material
damage, were received from the fol
lowing cities:
Belott, Wis.; Peoria. Kewanee,
Rockford, Jollct, Dixon, Strestor, Ga
lena, Freeport, Bloomlngton, Mollne,
Elgin, Aurora, Springfield, 111., and
frees Jaaeaville, Wis., Davenport and
Daesqse, la., and Muskegon and Kala
maxoo, Mich.
MANY NEW LAWS.
Kansas Legislature Has 1,000 Statutes
to Its Credit.
Topeks, Kan., May 27. Nearly all
the laws enacted by the recant session
of the Kansas legislature will become
effective next Saturday, the date of
the publication of the 1,000 statutes.
The most notable exception is the
bank guarantee law, which will not
come into effect until the last of June.
Among the more important of the new
laws to become operative Saturday are
the following:
The anti-bucket shop law abolishing
bucket shops throughout the state; a
child labor law barring child actors in
the theaters, and all boys under 14
years of age from the messenger serv
ice; a law making it a crime for em
ployes of a printing office to smuggle
out teachers' examination questions;
a law requiring managers of political
campaigns to file a statement of re
ceipts and expenditures; a law making
it possible for a district judge to be
come a candidate for representative in
congress or United States senator.
Other laws to come into effect are
those providing additional fire protec
tion for schools snd hotels, making it
a crime to kill American eagles, pro
viding for a comprehensive system of
warehouse receipts, establishing a new
code of civil procedure, making it a
crime for fruit tree agents to misrep
resent the brand of fruit trees they
sell, and requiring all factories and
railroads to report accidents to the
state labor bureau within 24 hours
after they occur.
To Caracas to Fight Bubonic.
San Francisco, May 27. Dr. Wil
fred II. Kellogg, former assistant sur
geon In the marine hospital service, to
day received notification of his selec
tion by the Washington authorities to
go to Caracas, Venezuela, to lead the
fight against the bubonic plague which
has appeared there. Kellogg's ap
pointment was made at the recommen
dation of Dr. Rupert Blue, of the ma
rino hospital and public health service.
It is believed Kellogg will be assigned
to duty at La Guayra to aid in protect
ing the canal zone from tho plague.
Severe Shock at Messina.
Regglo, Italy, May 25. At Sino
poll, a smsll village near St. Eufamia,
the populace became enraged over the
manner in which it had been neglected
in the distribution of relief to the
earthquake sufferers. It made a hos
tile demonstration against the authori
ties and attacked the barracks. Sev
eral soldiers were wounded and a vol
ley was feed at the rioters, killing six. ,
KRUPPS LOSE ROYALTY.
Processes for Hardening Armor Have
Been Perfected In America.
Pittsburg, May 28. Mystery sur
rounded the visit of Baron von Boden
hausen, of Krupp Interests, to America
until today. For some tlmo no royalty
has been paid Krupp by American
makers of armor plate, as Midvale,
Carnegie snd Bethlehem interests now
have each an armor plate hardening
system of their own. It Is $13 per ton
chesper also, as this Is tho royalty
which tho American makers have been
paying Krupp for yoars.
Baron von Bodcnhauaen came to
America for the purposo of clearing up
Uie armor pinto case. Tho Germans
have not believed that the American
makers could have invented threo dif
ferent forms of hardening piste. Tho
loss of revenue to the Germans has
been very great, so tho baron came
here to re-establish that revenuo if
possible.
That tho American companies had
each Invented armor plate processes
came as distinct news to Pittsburg.
Tho coming of tho German baron ap
pears to have made publicity impera
tive. Krupps question the legality of
tho American processes, and tho Amer
icans express a willingness to demon
strate that their process is no Infringe
ment. At armor plato headquarters it
Is stated Krupps American royalties
amounted to $1,000,000 annually.
CATCH OMAHA SUSPECTS.
Poll en Arrest Three Men for Union
Pacific Train Robbery.
Omaha, Neb., May 28. The police
of South Omaha arrested tonight three
men suspected of complicity In the
Union Pacific train robbery near this
city last Saturday night One of the
men bad $125 and tho second $98 and
the third a smaller sum.
Children playing last night in the
vicinity where tho arrests were made
found three handkerchiefs cut for
masks, three revolvers, flashlights and
other paraphernalia, hidden by the
holdup men. The place was watched.
Four men were seen late tonight to ap
proach tho spot where the outfit had
been bidden, and three of them were
arrested.
They gave what the police believe
are fictitious names and told differing
stories. The clothing bears the mark
of a Denver merchant. They told of
having been with some women during
the evening, but would not divulge
names.
GREAT WILD HORSE HUNT.
Fifty Square Milts of Territory to Be
"Driven" for New Steeds.
Reno, Nev May 28. Under the
leadership of Superintendent Creel, of
Pyramid Lake Indian reservation, and
R. H. Cowles, a ranchman of Washoe
county, the biggest wild horse hunt
ever attempted in Nevada will be
started tomorrow in the Limbo coun
try, north of Wadsworth. Five hun
dred "backaroos" from surrounding
ranches will participate.
Fifty square miles of territory will
be encircled by mounted men, who will
drive toward a central point near the
northern end of the Nightingale moun
tains, where sn Immense corral has
been creeled. The older horses will be
shot, while the younger ones will be
broken for saddle purposes.
Julia Ward Howe Celebrates.
Boston, May 28. Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe, writer, philosopher and reform
er, celebrated her ninetieth birthday
quietly at her charming home on Bea
con street yesterday. Her children,
Mrs. Maude Howe Elliott, Mrs. Flor
ence Howe Hall, Mrs. Laura E. Rich
ards and Professor Marlon Howe, of
Columbia, spent te dsy with her and,
with the exception of a fow intimate
friends, no visitors wero received.
Mrs. Howe appeared in good health
and spirits and seemed to have lost but
little of her old-time energy and her
interest for matters of nstlonal im
portance.
Sell Prince Rupert Land.
Vancouver, B. C, Msy 28. Nesrly
2,OOOjinxlous real estate speculators
from dk over the United States and
Canadiwere present whet) the official
sale of lots at Prince Rupert, the new
Pacific terminal of the Grand Trunk
Pacific, began. The bidding was spir
ited and the prices realized were re
markable when it is considered that
the site is at present practically noth
ing but a great waste of stumps and
rocks. Over $250,000 worth of lots
were sold yesterday, most of them
cloio in.
Pacific Mall Deficit Less.
New York, May 28, At the annual
meeting of tho Pacific Mall Steamship
company oil the retiring directors wero
re-elected today. President Harrlman,
in his report, stated that the year's
operations showed a deficit of $339,684,
as compared with a deficit of $428,817
for the year before.
PoREGON STATE ITEMS OF INTEREST
CHAUTAUQUA IS REAOY.
Prominent Speakera to Address Gath
ering at Gladstone Park.
Oregon City Tho sixteenth annual
session of tho Wlllamctto Valley Chau
tauqua assembly will bo held at Glad
stone Park, near Oregon City, July 0 to
18. inclusive Tho program for the 13
days' session hss Just been completed
and It Is expected thousands of people
from Portland and every part of the
Wlllamotte valley will attend the ses
sion. Tho Chautauqua association was or
ganized three years ago and is now on
a firm financial basis. This year's pro
gram will be an especially entertaining
one. The one. figure that stands out
above tho rcatls Dr. Frank G. Smith,
pastor of the Warren avenuo Baptist
church, of Chicago. Dr. Smith was In
Seattle two years ago In attendance at
the National Christian Endeavor con
vention, and on his way homo stopped
for an afternoon at Gladstone Park and
lectured once. He will lecture on
Wednesday evening, July 7, on "The
Hero of tho Age," and on the follow
ing afternoon will speak on "Our Na
tion Her Mission, Her Hopes, Her
Perils."
Other lecturers of more or less re
nown sre Dr. Elmer I. Goshen, of Salt
Lako City; Sylvester A. Long, of Day
ton, O. ; Dr. Eugene May, of Washing
ton, D. C. ; Hon. Henry Albert Mc
Lean, president of the Washington
commission for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific
exposition; Dr. Matt S. Hughes,
of Kansas City, Mo., and Dr. Ell Mc
Cllsh, of Los Angeles.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS MADE.
Geological Survey Furnishes Valuablo
Lane County Data,
Salem Advance sheets of a topo
graphic map covering 138,000 seres of
the Willamette valley between Eugene
and Junction City havo been received
in Salem. This area was surveyed dur-
inir thesummsrof 1908 by the state
engineer In co-operation with the Unit
ed States geological survey. The fin
ished map, to be published for distribu
tion, can be obtained lor u cents a copy
by addressing the United States Geo
logical survey, Washington, D. C
The man shows at a glance tho Irri
gation and drainage possibilities of this
section and will prove Invaluable to the
commercial interests of Eugene. It
shows but one or two houses to the
square mile. By promoting and en
couraging the practice of Irrigation
and moro intensive and diversified
farming, this map, It is believed,
should show from 30 to CO houses to
tho square mile.
Forest Grove Wants Railway.
Forest Grove Trouble la being ex
perienced In securing right of way be
tween this city and Verboort for the
United Railways, and unless settlors
along the route agree to terms within
the next few dsys It Is probable that
the line will not be built to this city.
The business men of Forest Grove are
doing all in their power to induce the
owners of property to dell the right of
way, as failure of the lino to build to
this city would not only be a great loss
to the town, but would also retard the
growth of the country adjacent.
Condon Needs Rain Quickly.
Condon Weather conditions for the
past month have been most unfavorable
In this locality. There has not been
any rain for over two months. Grain
is looking well and growing, some of it
beginning to herd out, si though it is
only about a foot in height. Farmers
who were interviewed ssy war, u a
good rain comes within 10 dsys it will
be all rlcht for the wheat Others ssy
that they will rot have more than half
a crop. A number of fields through the
country have been allowed to go to
weeds.
Flowing Wells at North Powder.
North Powder After finding a strong
flow of artesian water on the Chris
Johnson ranch, a mile southeast of
town, at 187 feet the Gilklson & But
ler well boring outfit has loft to put
down a well for the Mt Carmel school,
six miles west of here. This is the
fourth artesian well found in and close
to North Powder at less than 500 feet
A. Lun's, 181 feet; A. Hutchinson's,
200 feet; H. E. Hall's, 424 feet Tho
water is clear, cold and free from alka
li In every Instance.
Loralne Farms Are Sold.
Eugene The Churchill Mathows
company, of Portland, has closed a
$65,000 deal for u number of farms In
the Loraino country. It Is presumed
the purchasing company will plant
these tracts to walnuts and fruits. Tho
farms Include tho choicest in that sec
tion of tho country. The company
holds options on several other places in
the same neighborhood.
Purchases Near Burns.
Burns Dr. Homer Donman, of
North Dakota, hsB purchased the Warm
Springs property of D. M. Loggan.
The ranch is one and a half miles from
the survey of the Oregon Eastern and
the same distance from the new town
site of Harrlman.
COST OF SPECIAL SESSION.
Blunders of Legislature Require 94,
BOO to Rectify.
Salem A detailed statement of tho
entiro cost of the special session of the
1909 legislature has been Issued by
Auditing Clerk Corey, of tho secretary
of state's office. It cost tho taxpayers
but $4,500. Tho last special session,
called In 1903 by Governor Chamber
lain, coat $5,600.
Tho largest item of tho 1009 session
was the mlloago paid to members.
More than $2,600 was paid members of
the lower house and $1,453,30 was paid
to tho senators. Services for clerks,
stenographers and other help In the
houso amounted to $130 and tho snmo
Item In the senate reached $165. Cost
of revising tho house journal was $40
and for revising tho senao journal $50,
Tho regular session cost In tho neigh
borhood of $60,000.
California Capital to Klamath.
Klamath Falls Southern California
capital is to be Interested In Klamath
balls if tho transfer of the largo tract
of land adjoining the city on the west
Is completed. John J. Mtzpatrick,
representing a number of San Diego
capitalists, has taken an option on 500
acres of land belonging to Moore Broth
ers. Tho option la for 30 days and In
volves approximately $40,000. The
land Involved lays In West Klamath
Falls and reaches from Lake Ewauna
to the Upper Klamath lake. There Is
a water front of almost two miles.
Good Meeting Assured.
Tho coming Pacific Coast Brother
hood conventions of tho Presbyterian
church aro getting hold of the men of
the church. The ministers are taking
a back seat while the taymen are run
ning things. Tho program of tho Port
land convention Includes the names of
leading laymen of tho state and the
national officers of the Brotherhood.
Every Presbyterian business man In
tho state Is being Invited to attend.
Spotted Crops In Morrow,
Heppner Crop in Morrow county
are badly in need of rain. In most
sections grain Is still looking well, and
a heavy rain within a reasonable time
would insure a good crop. However,
In the lone and Lexington sections and
the north end of the county, grain is
already badly bumed snd only a light
crop can be expected at the best
Rain Helps Klamath.
Klamath Falls Recent rains give
assurance that there will be at least a
partial yield on all dry land ranches.
The rain was general throughout tho
entire county, and farmers feel confi
dent thst tho yield on all dry farms
will be slmost up to the average, no
matter If this should be the last rain
of the season.
PORTLAND MARKETS.
Wheat Bluestem milling, $1,300
1.35; club, $1.20; valley, $1.17.
Corn Whole, $35 per ton; cracked,
$36 jxr ton.
Barley Feed, $35 per ton.
Oat No. 1 white, $40.60$41 per
ton.
Hay Timothy, Willamette valley,
$14(Ttl8 per ton; Eastern Oregon, $18
0120; clover, $110(12; alfalfa, $13ft
14; grain bay, JI3I4; cheat, $144$
14.50; vetch, II 4 (if 14.60.
Fruits Apples, 66cM$2.50 per box;
strawberries. Oregon, 12Kftl6c.
Potatoes $1.76ft2 per hundred.
Vegetables Turnips, $1.26 ptr sack;
carrots, $1.25; parsnips, $1.60; beets,
$1.75, horseradish, 10c per pound; as
paragus, 7 $ Gil 2c per pound; lettuce,
head. 26?t76c per dozen; onions, 12 K
(fclSc per dozen; radishes, 16c per
dozen; rhubarb, ZHu3c per pound.
Butter City creamery, extras, 28e;
fancy outside creamery, 20&28c;
store, 18c Butter fst prices aversge
i cents per pound under regular but
ter prices.
Eggs Oregon ranch, 2?.324c per
dozen.
Poultry Heis, 16K16c; broilers,
28ff?30c; fryer, 22&26c; roosters, 10c;
ducks, 14l5c; geese, 10ftllc; tur
keys, 20c; squabs, $2.60(33 per dozen.
Pork Fancy, 10c per pound.
Vesl Extras, 8c per pound; ordi
nary, 7c; heavy, Cc.
Hops 1909 contracts, 10c per pound;
1908 crop, ti(Wic; 1907 crop, a4c;
1906 crop, lc
Wool Eastern Oregon, 17822J4'c
per pound; valley, fine, 24 Jfc; med
ium, 23c; coarse, 21c; mohair, choice,
24 ? 25c.
Cottlo Steers, top, $5.255.60;
fair to good, $4.76(55; common to me
dium, $4(34.60; cows, top, $4.25(4.60;
fair to good, $3.76?J4.26; common to
medium, $2.60(33.50; calves, top, $5
6.50; heavy, $3.60(fM; bulls and stags,
$3(723.60; common, $2(2.75.
Hogs Best, $7.60 C$7.76 fair to
good, $7.25(37.60; stockors, $6&6.60;
China fats, $0.76017.
Sheep Top wethers, $4(ij4.60; fair
to good, $3,6004; ewes, Xc less on
all grades; yocrllngs, best, $4.50; fair
to good, $4(234,25; spring Iambs, $6
6.60.
DETECTIVES GIVE TESTIMONY
Calhoun's and Burns' Men Are Busy
Tracing Grimes to Othor Parly.
San Francisco, May 20. Detectives
employed by tho prosecution and de
tectives employed by tho ilcfcmao wore
tho only witnesses called during yes
terday's session of tho trial of Patrick
Calhoun, president of the United Rail
ways. Luther Brown, who admits that
ho directed the activity of sovoral as
sistants working In tho Interests of tho
defense, was finally Interrogated as to
hla relations with men who havo con
fessed to complicity In tho theft of pa
pers from tho ofilce of W. J. Burns,
agent of tho prosecution, and refused
to testify on tho ground that his state
ment might tend to Incriminate him.
Norman Melrose, an attache of tho
United Railroads dotectlvn bureau, said
that he had delivered to W. M. Abbott,
Jointly Indicted with Calhoun, reiwrt
procured by men under his direction.
Nicholas Komgold declared ho had
followed District Attorney W. II.
Langdon with two detectives and John
Claudlanes to the homo of James U
Gallagher, which had been wrocked by
an explosion of dynamite. He declared
that Abbott had commended him for
his work, and had Instructs! him to as
certain, of possible, what had transpir
ed in the grand Jury room in Oakland
when Claudlanes was Indicted In con
nection with tho dynamiting The wit
ness said that ho had been directed by
Abbott to establish relations with the
family of Felix Paudoverls, who was
accused of complicity In the affair but
has never been apprehended.
RICH QOLD STRIKE.
One Shot Yields Nearly S70.000 of
Almost Pure Ore In Hatfuls,
Downlevllle, Cal., May 26. Between
$75,000 and $100,000 In almost pure
gold was loosened by a blast In the El
dorado tunnel at Allegheny, this coun
ty, last evening. Hatfuls of gold with
particles of quarts attached were picked
from tho floor of the tunnel. This find
promises to eclipse even the Sixteen-
to One and the Tightener, both near
neighbors. II. L. Johnson, owner of
the Tightener, bonded tho Eldorado two
weeks ago for $25,000. The Morning
Glory mine, nearby, owned by Rohrlg
brothers, has just broken Into rock or
Immense value, big slabs sprinkled and
seamed with gold being exhibited. The
owners refuse to say what their slilke
broke, but It Is said to be $70,000.
An old fashioned rush Is on to Alle
gheny from all directions, and men of
every vocation and of every age aro
flocking into tho district to stake
claims.
II. L. Stark, consulting engineer for
George Wlngfield, the well known mil
lionaire mining man of Goldfleld, was
there som time sgo trying to buy and
consolidate tho Tightener, 8lxteen-lo-One,
Eldorado, Momlng Glory and
other rich properties, but Mr. Wing
field' wealth proved Inadequate. Ex
citement ic running high.
NO CANDY SHOPS.
Fair Booths to Be Placed Where They
Don't Interfere.
Seattle, Wash., Msy 26. There will
bo no selling booths on Oregon's
grounds at the Alaka-Yukon-Paclfie
exposition, or on sny of the land which
has been allotted to states and coun
ties, unless tho exhibitors givo their
permission.
This was tho agreement made today
between a committee from tho Com
missioners' association and tho exec
utive commltteo of the fair, State
and county commissioners will give
permission for booths which will not
mar the beauty of the landscape ami
which will bo as unobtrusive as possi
ble. In the case of Oregon, President W.
II. Wehrung said that there would bo
no booths on tho grounds allotted to his
state.
The fair management asserts thst
the full number of 116 booths will be
erected on tho grounds, but states that
It will secure permission from tho ex
hibitors before placing them near any
or tiio special buildings.
Scrap Iron for Warships,
Oakland, Cal., May 20. Forty car
loads of scrap scrap Iron, picked from
tho debris of tho San Francisco firo of
April 18, 1006, Is being loaded for
shipment to Genoa, whvro it will bo
built Into tho sides and armor of n now
Italian battleship. Two years ago tho
Italian government secured a consign
ment of this motsl for experimental
purposes and as a rosult government
oxperts have given tho opinion that the
scrap Iron makes a hotter resistant
when mixed with steel than does tho
ordinary product
Csntatoupes Sell for 95.
Los Angelas. Mnv 2fl.Twn pnntn.
loupes, the vanguard of tho 1909 crop
from tho Imnorlnl vnllev. nhtnmvl .
terday as part of a consignment from
Heber, Cal., sold today In tho local
market at $6 esch. The melons were
large and well ripened.
Great Britain Wants Naval Alli
ance With United States.
AUSTRALIA IN FAVOR OF POLICY
British Would Guard Atlantic anu Un
cle Sam Take Cars of Pacific
Leave Out Japan,
Iondon, May 29, Overtures looking
to a naval .understanding between
Great Britain and the United States
have been made by the British govern
mrnt through Ambassador Ilryce, In
Washington. Premier Asqulth had
this fact In mind when speaking re
cently In what was regarded as a cryp.
tic manner of a "two-power" standard
for the British navy. The premier
hopes that such an understanding may
be reached with the American govern
ment as shall enable Great Britain al
most to denude the Pacific of Ilrltlsh
warshl of a formidable clan In re
turn for giving America certain assur
ances resectlng the naval situation In
the Atlantic.
The suggestions made by Mr. As
qulth through Ambassador ilryce fol
low the lines lately laid down la an ar
ticle by Captain Mahan on the naval
position which has attracted wide at
tention in authoritative circles In Eng
land. Tho British cabinet feels that
only an understanding with Amerlra
can enable Great Britain to maintain a
two-power standard In Kurujw.
"If the Americans will look after our
Interests In the Pacific." said a respon
sible naval authority this afternoon,
"wo will take care of all American In
terests In the Atlantic and Mediterra
nean. We recognize the difficulty of
Inducing America to break with the
tradition of not entering Into entangl
ing alliances, but we are not without a
hope that the situation In the Pacific
may lead the authorities In Washington
to think favorably of a proposal which
would admit of their concentrating the
American naval atrtngth In that ocean"
The British government Is Inclined
to seek a naval understanding with the
United States on account of the possi
bility of Japari's declining to renew
the Anglo-Japanese alliance when It
expires, Australians nevsr cease to
urge the mother land to separate Its
policy from that of Japan In the Pad-
fie, and try to unite the strength of the '
English-speaking race In that part of
the world.
SMUOGUNa PLOT UNEARTHED.
Federal Officers at Chicago Arrest
Leaders of 8chme,
Chicago, May 29. Government pros
ecution of eight alleged leaders of a
gigantic Chicago smuggling syndicate,
and the proposed arrest and Indictment
of others was outlined today by United
States District Attorney Syms. Sevkn
hundred Chinamen aro alleged to have
smuggled into the United States over
the Mexican bonier by the syndicate
during tho past 12 months, being se
creted In dining cars by cooks and port
era on through trains.
Immigration authorities esused In
dictments to be voted by the grand jury
for the Chicago district for tho follow
ing: Bob Lung, El Paso, Texas, a rich
Chinaman, restaurant owner and finan
cier, in whoso kitchen plans for carry
ing on tho smuggling scheme wero
formulated, now locked up In tho Cook
county Jsll pending trial: Robert W.
Stephenson, a former railroad brake-
man, hi raso, Texas, now In Jail here
In default of $5,000 ball: Carlos Save-
drs, a Mexican, alleged to bo tho chief
smuggler; Joso Parra, Mexican; Sam
wan, alleged agent for tho Chicago
oRlfoofthe syndlcato; W. II. Clark,
Lincoln, Neb., under arrest at El Paso,
and Chin Yin Qua!, an alleged agent of
thu syndicate.
Tafl Busy In East.
Toklo.M ay 29, The papers hero In
editorials discussing the action of Pres
ident Taft In offering tho Chinese min
istership to John Hays Hammond, pro
fess to sue In It a sign of nn ambitious
Eastern policy on tho part of tho now
administration In tho United States.
It Is well known that Taft Is greatly
Interested in Oriental n Hairs, ami
thoro Is a strong fooling that his ad
mlnlstrtlon will mean much In tho de
velopment of moro friendly rotations
between America and tho Eust, and
especially with Japan.
Floods In' Mississippi,
Jackson, Miss., May 29. Tho town
of Quitman is submorgod as the result
of a flood, All business is suspended
and tho resident havo been forced Into
tho upper parts of tholr houses, Somo
havo had to move out entirely. Tho
loss from high water Is heavy through
out tho stato. Miles of railroad tracks
havo been dostroyod and tho loss to tho
railroads Is estimated at $1,000,090.