WEEK'S DOINGS
Newsy Items Gathered from All
Parte of the World.
Or INTEREST TO 0U2 READERS
General Review of Important Happen
, pen'fl Presented In a Brief and
Condensed torm.
Bristow argea that tbe postage rate
on packages b reduced along rural
roatea.
Denver ballot boxes have bcn open
ad and fewer to tea found than were
given in the returns.
Tba merchant marina commission
will urge a bill to give Fanama busi
ness to American shipowner.
Tba Russian press urges that tba
Black sea and Baltic fleets be com
biiied. Great Britain would object.
General Rennenekampff is vigorously
punning the Japanese in Manchuria,
who are retreating. St. Petersburg is
fearful lest he fall into a trap.
St. Petersburg baa almost given up
hope for Port Arthur. The Russians
bave made several unsuccessful at
tempts tj retake 203-Meter bill.
Fire which is believed to have been
of incendiary origin, destroyed three
of the St. Louis fair buildings and
many valusble paintings. The loss is
placed at $75,000.
There has been tremendous rains
throughout Chile, such as have seldom
been equalled at this season of the
year. The crops have been damaged
fully 50 per cent.
Tafta mission to Panama will be a
success. ,
The Japanese expect the fall of Port
Arthur December 12.
Queen Alexandra, of England, has
just celebrated her 60th birthday.
Reports have reached the state de
pal tment of a very unsettled state of
affairs in Venesuela.
The Northern Pacific and Great
Northern railroads are considering a
plsn to electrify the roads through the
Cascade mountain district.
The last monthly report of the chief
of Burgeons of tbe Philippines shows
that the health of the troops in the is
lands is exceptionally good.
James R. Young, of Philadelphia,
has been appointed superintendent of
the dead letter department of the pos
tal service, to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of D. P. Mibhart.
The annual report of the genersl
superintendent of the life saving wrvice
shows that during the year assistance
was rendered to 1,061 vessels, involv
ing the lives of more than 3,400 persons
and proverty to the value of $7,000,
000. Admiral Dewey has declined to be
come a member of the North sea com
mission.
a
Roosevelt is likely to visit the South
and make it a point to meet the
masses.
Governor Pardee is working for a
California state building at the Lewis
and Clark fair.
Whites in German Southwest Africa
are reported to be in great danger of
being massacred.
All exhibitors from foreign countries
may now send their wares to Portland
for the 1905 fair without paying any
duly.
David M. Parry, president of the
Citizens' Indostiial association, says
the "open shop" movement is gaining,
as is also his organization.
The 31st national convention of tbe
VT. C. T. D. is in session in Philadel
phia. Fie hundred delegates, repre
senting every state and territory, are
in attendance.
The New York state court of appeals
bas declared unconstitutional the labor
law which prohibits a contractor fiom
employing his men more than eight
hours a day on city, county or state
work,
Japanese are making progess in the
assault on Port Arthur.
Russia bas accepted the invitation of
America to negotiate for an arbitration
treaty.
Paul Morton, now secretary of the
navy, may succeed Secretary Shaw, of
the treasury department, if the latter
does not remain in the cabinet. '
Russia and Britain bcth want an
American officer cf high rank on the
North sea commission
Ten American fishing craft bave been
aeized by Canadian officers and fined
for fishing in Canadian waters.
General Kuropatkin has an automo
bile in which to travel from one part
to another of his line. He wants 20
more in which to carry ammunition.
Tbe trouble caused by Paraguay fir
ing upon an Argentine cruiser has been
settled by tbe former apologizing.
CZAR rOR PEACE.
Is Ready to Receive Such Proposal
Prom Japan.
St. Petersburg, Dec. 3. A report
which cornea from an unimpeachable
source has reached the Publisheis'
Press correspondent that Russia is not
only ready to receive any peaca pro
posals Japan may bava to make, but
that with the fall of Port Arthui she
will be ready to sua for peace. That is
the situation today, notwithstanding
the awashbuckling attitude of thoas
who profess to frame tba empire's pol
icy, and will be the situation right
along, even if this and subsequent
statements to this effect were officially
denied. Before the world at large Rus
sia cannot afford Just now to appear
tired of the struggle and skeptical as
to its outcome, but diplmatic circles
are permitted to know thV truth, and
Russia's representatives all tba civil
ised world over have received strong
intimations that sincere and authori
tative offers of mediation must not be
treated lightly in tbe future.
It is therefore to be assumed that
Russia considers that the conflict is en
tirely hopeless. There are sure to be
some Russian victories in Manchuria
and the general belief is that they will
come soon, owing to the fsct that Field
Marshal the Marquis Oyama bas been
compelled to part with large bodies of
bis men in order to hasten the fall ol
Port Arthur. But Russia has Far
Eastern interests of much greater im
portance than even the possession of
Port Arthur, and aa these interests
have been attacked in the past by
Great Britain and China alike, she is
in dire need of an ally. That ally will
be Japan, if tbe plans of today do not
miscarry. Ibe battles of today are to
be followed by close ties of commercial
and political union tomorrow.
RECEIPTS ABOUT I O.OOO.OOO.
Concessionaries Believed to Have
taken In Equal Amount.
St. Louis, Dec. 3. While it will be
impossible to obtain the actual receipts
and expenditures of the Louisisna Pur
chase exposition company before the
middle of,December, Secretary Walter
B. Stevens, of the World's fair, made
the following statement to the Associat
ed Press tonight:
"From reports that Have been sub
mitted of the admissions to tbe grounds
we estimate that the attendance on
"Francis day" will be a few thousand
in excess of 200.000, and that tbe at
tendance for the Exposition period will
be in the neighborhood of 18,800,000.
"In round numbers tbe Exposition
company has expended $22,000,000
since the inception of the World's fair
project, and the expenditures of the
several states and territoiies bave
reached a total of $9,000,000. The
receipts since the opening day, April
30, have amounted to about $10,000,
000, consisting of admissions and con
cession royalties. In addition to these
receipts were the iunde, amounting to
about $12,000,000, raised by subscrip
tion and appropriations to build the ex
position." INTERNAL REVENUE RECEIPTS.
Commissioner Yerkcs Reports an In
crease of $2,163,079 per Year.
Washington, Dec 3. -The annual re
port of Commissioner Yerkes, of the
Internal Revenue bureau, shows that
for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1904, the receipts of the bnreau wete
$232,904,004, an increase of $2,163,079
over the collections for the next, year
proceeding. Tbe cost of collections
was 1.98 per cent, as against 2 07 for
the year 1903. and 2.83 per cent, the
average cost of collection since the
formation of the bureau.
TLe estimated receipts from all
sources of internal revenue tor the Cecal
year ending June 30, 1905, are $230,
000.0O0. In 1903 the total production
of distilled spirits was 148,206,875 gal
lons; in 1904, 139,505,214 gallons. In
1903, in round numbers. 114.000 000
gallons of tax-paid spirits were with
drawn; in 1904, 117,000,000. There
has been a decraese in the amount rf
tobacco manufactured and au increase
in snuff. The-e was an increase in the
production of beer.
President Did Not Say It.
Washington, Dec. 3. It was author
itatively stated at the White house to
day that the preeident Dad no recollec
tion of a visit from John Beattie, the
representative of the Master Painters'
and Decorators' association, who. at
the convention of the Citizens' Indus
trial association in New York today
declared that the president had indors
ed a proposition to put upon labor un
ions the responsibility for paralyzing
business by lockouts. It was also at
nounced that the president did not
make the remark.
Tearful Conditions in Mexico.
Mazatlan, Mexico, Dec. 3 Late
reports from the northern part of this
state say that fearful conditions exist
there. Deaths range from 20 to 40 per
day, owing to starvation and marlaria
In many instances the dead are not
given burial, it i said, but are thrown
into open ditches and canals. The au
thorities are unable to cope with the
situation.
PLENTYJTO DO
Congress Will Have a Very
Busy Session.
rCW NEW LAWS ARC PROBABLE
Appropriation Measures VIII Take
Up Much of the Time Rivers
nd Harbors are Safe.
Washington, Deo. 5. On the stroke
of IS today the second tesuon of the
58th congress will be called to order by
President Pro Tern Frya in the senate,
and by Speaker Cannon in the house.
When the gavels of the presiding offi
cers summon the senators and repre
sentatives to duty nearly every member
will be in bla seat, but only routine
business will be transacted.
Tba president's message generally is
received and read the first day, but
the senate is punctilious in certain
matters, and is almost sure to adjourn
as a tribute of respect to the late Sen
ator Hoar, of Massachusetts, and the
late Senator Quay, of Pennsylvania.
The message, therefore, probably will
not be read nntil Tuesday.
After the opening day, when the
message of the piesident is read, the
regular business of the session will be
gin and tbe legislative wheels will
grind steadily until March, 1905.
There is plenty to do. The calendars
of both houses are loaded with bills of
all kinds; hundreds of new bills will
be introduced, and committees aia
ready to repoi t enough to aeep congress
busy for 12 months, but in the three
months congress probably will do little
more than pass the regular annual
appropriation bills.
Ibere bas been some talk of a possi
ble extra session. The only reason
why such a session should be called is
because there is a demand in certain
quarters for a revision of the tariff, but
many of tbe incoming congressmen
during the past two weeks have made
it plain they do not want tariff revision
and further say that they do not want
an extia session.
There is one feature of the tariff re
vision talk that has some substance.
More revenue must be had, or theie
must be a curtailment of expcndituiee.
With the increasing annual appropria
tions, a river and harbor bill, increase
of tbe navy, the Panama canal and
other features of extraordinary dis
bursement, there will be need of more
money than present customs and inter
nal revenue provide. An intimation
has been made thst curtailment will
satisfy msny congressional leaders, but
tbe msjorlty may determine otherwise,
in which event some revenue legisla
tion may be necessary, and an extra
session for that purpose may be called.
But this is said to be a remote con
tingency, and the probabilities, accord
ing to the leaders who are here, are
that there will be neither tariff legisla
tion nor an extra session.
WILL WORK TOR SIUSLAW RIVER.
Hermann Will Co-operate with San
Francisco Delegation.
Washington, Dec. 6. Representa
tive Hermann appeared today before
the rivets and barbois committee with
the expectation of having a hearing, so
that he might piesent the needs of
various river and harbor improvements
along the Oregon coast, but was in
formed that the committee is giving no
hearings. An ariangement has been
made, however, for a healing before
the subcommittee, tit which time Mr.
Hermann will appear with the delega
tion from San Francisco, now en route
to Washington to urge a liberal appro
priation for the improvement of the
-iiislaw river. Mr. Wendling, a large
shipowner of San Francis o, who is
deeply interested in the Niuslaw trade,
will head the committee. If permitted
to do so, Mr. Hermann will also urge
the subcommittee to make iiberai ap
propriations for other rivers and har
bors along the Oregon coast.
Taft's Mission a Success.
Panama, Dec. 6. Negotiations are
still in progress between Secretary of
War Taft, representing the United
States, and the Panama government,
looking to the settlement of points in
dispute regarding the government of
the canal zone, and an agreement may
he said to he. in eight. In order that
possible complications mtiy be avoided
the conferences are oeing conducted in
secret and nothing will be given out
until both sides are agreed. President
Amador tonight gave a banquet in
honor of Secretary Taft.
New Russian Loan Soon.
Paris, Dee. 5 The bankers here ex
pect that the new Russian loan of $20,.
000 000 will "be issued Ibis or next
month. A syndicate of French banks
will take approximately $160,000,000,
and the German banks $100,000,000.
It is believed that the new loan will he
readily taken up at nearly par, or above
AT AWfUL COST.
Japanese Continue Their Attack on
Port Arthur.
London, Dee. 1. -According to a
Toklo dispatch to the Standaid, there
is an official rumor that tba Japanese
have hauled large caliber guns to the
top of 203-Meter hill, whence their Are
has a sweep of the whole harbor. This
report doubtless goes beyond the facts;
but various dlapaUhea Indicate the
progress the Japanese aia making In
the reduction of Port Arthur. Japan
ese here explain the great Importance
of the capture of 203-Meter hill, which,
besides giving command of the harbor,
will serve as a wide breach made ny
the wedge the Japanese had pievlously
driven in between the F.ti group and
the Russians' last retreat In the ravines
of Lao tie mountain. They declare that
retreat to Laotie will be effectually tut
off, and It is not unlikely that Laotie
will be simultaneously attacked in the
final assault.
Bennett Burleigh wires to the Dally
Telegraph from L'hefoo that in (he last
attack the Japanese lost 400 me in
one hour's fighting. They claim to
have captured two more ol the north
eastern foris and a third, which Is part
of the West Kvkwsp fort. They assert,
Mr. Burleigh adds, to have effected a
lodgment at Pigeon bay, thus turning
the foit on 203-Meter hill, and that
they are now tunneling from the gorge
below Laotie hill, whkh they hope
first to damage and then rush. The
dispatch continues:
"Desperate fighting is proceeding
dally, and the losses are admitted to be
excessive, but the Jspanesa Insist that
Poit Arthur must fall within 21 days."
The Morning Post's correspondent
ac Bhanshal telegraphs that wireless
communication has been re-established
between the Russian consulate at Che
foo and the Tort Arthur garrison.
PLANS GREAT BRITISH ARMY.
Kitchener's Reorganization Scheme
Greatly Enlarged.
London, Dec. 1. The war office is in
possession of the full details of Lord
Kitchener's army reorganisation
scheme. No secret is made of the fact
that particular mention has been paid
to points which world offer convenient
centers of Russian invasion in the
event of hostiitiies and in view of the
recent imbroglio the original plan was
considerably extended.
The keynote of the reorgan list ion,
which will entail expenditures to the
amount of $50,000,000, is to secure
throittfh war training a great army In
times of peace, and to place the troops
not only where they can obtain such
instiuctions, but where their presence
will he of permanent strategic value.
With this object in view Northern
India has been divided by parallel
lines into a number of ateaa wito their
upper points converging on the fron
tier, and their respective bases well
down in India. Were the order to mo
bilize given seven or eight field forces,
each from 16 000 to 20,000 strong,
could, In a few hours, be concentrated
on the borderland from east to west.
TIRE ON TOWN.
Strikers at Zclqlcr, Illinois, Send In
SOO Shots.
Benton, 111., Dec. 1. Zelgler was
fired upon last night from sundown to
daylight. It is Intimated that no less
than 500 shots were fired at the town.
The town was completely surronnded,
and the firing came fiom every quarter.
Response to this fusllade was made by
four Galling guns placed at various
points about the mine buildings. As
sistant Adjutant General Reece and the
Carhondale militia company arrived at
Zeigler today, and General Reece will
remain several days to investigate the
situation. It is thought that still
more troops will be brought.
Joseph Leiter reached Zeigler today
with more miners from Chicago. Ex
amination of the ground this morning
showed that the men who were tiring
have powerful guns. They were sta
tioned from one-half to three-quarters
of a mile from the town. Almost a
bushel of empty shells of every size
were found in the woods.
A trail of blood was found on a rail
fet.ee, and from this it is supposed at
least one person was wounded Fur
ther tronble Is anticipated.
Russia Pears Crisis Is At Hand.
St. Petersburg, Dec. 1. Foreign
reports of the righting at Port Arthur
are accepted here very seriously. If
the Japanese have taken 203-Meter
hill, as reported, c imraanding the
whole harbor, It is believed that the
situation is critical. Experts on Poit
Arthnr topography assert, however,
that it is more likely that the Japan
ese have occupied some positions at the
base of the hill, and believe that ow
inar to the concentra'ed fire of the cov
ered foits the Japanese will find the
top of the hill untenable, if taken.
Calls Witnesses In Smoot Case.
Washington, Dec. 1. Senator Bur
rows chairman of the committee on
privileges and elections, has Insued
subpoenas for 20 witnesses in the Smoot
invesMgaton and fixed Monday, Decem
ber 12, as the date for their appearance
before the committee. Nearly all these
witnesses are in Utah.
GETS INTO LINE
Russia Decides to Participate
In 1905 Exposition.
WILL HAVE A LARGE EXHIBIT
Believed She Has Come to Time Be
cause the Wiry Jap Prepared
Magnificent Display.
Portland, Deo, J. Russia stepped
suddenly and unexpectedly Into Una
for participation in the Lewis and
Clark Centennial exposition yesterday.
After stating at one time that It would
be impossible tor Russia to participate,
the raar's ministry of commerce eud.
denly reconsidered the matter and In
order to la sure of a apace allotment
rushed a cablegram to ei posit Ion head
quarters. The cablegram was dis
patched from St. I'eterbsurg and waa
signed by Edwaid Grunwaldt, councilor
of commeice. The message was as fol
lows: "St. Petersburg To Lewis and Clsrk
centennial exposition, Portland, Or.
Invitation accepted finance ministry.
Wire space allotted for Russia. Cable
address Edgrun."
The cable message was telegraphed
immediately to Director of Kxhiblta
Hemy Dosch, at St. Louis, iu order
thst it may be acted upon.
With Russia's participation tliepow
ets of the world, as well as a majority
of the minor nations, will be represent
ed at die exposition.
Just what caused Russia's chsnge of
heart regarding the fall ran only 1
surmised, but it is qui1? probable that
the Otiontal aiect of the exposition la
what caught the eye of tbe Russian
bear.
The ranie thing, though, caught the
eye of the wily Jap some months since,
and Japan has arranged participation
on a big scale. It is surmised that
Russia cannot afford to make a lesser
showing than does Japan, and there is,
therefore, reason to look for an attract
ive and valuable exhioit from the land
of the caar.
JAPAN AROUSED TO DANGER.
Togo will be Unable Strongly to Op
pose the Baltic ricct.
Chicago, Dec. 2. The Daily News
has the following from a staff corres
pondent: "Shanghai Japan If now thoroughly
aroused to the danger which threatens
her In the approach of the Baltie
squadron. Admiral Togo has only four
battleships to oppose the seven the
Russians will bring against him. The
long service tbe navy has seen since
February 8 has seriously deteriorated
the large naval guns on board the fleet.
All this constitutes a grave menace to
Japanese sea supremacy. In view of
the possibility that the transport serv
ice may be stopped, the authorities are
accumulating vast stores In Manchuria.
The Baltic fleet is expected to reach
belligerent w era about February 1,
and it is leared that it may at once
seize the island ol Foimnsa as a naval
base. Formosa belongs to Japan, and
is only poorly prepared to prevent such
action on the part of Admiral Rojret
vensky." BEEf TOR ARMY.
Big Russian Shipment to Ga Prom
Portland.
Omaha, Dec. 2. One of the largest
orders of beef ever sent out of the conn
try la now being filled by the Cudahy
Packing company, of South Omaha,
vho tonight shipped to Portland, Oi.,
the first consignment of an order from
the Russian government, consisting of
17 cats. The entire order will fill 135
can of meat, and will be shipped as
rapidly as it can be loaded.
The meat is consigned to the Russian
government. It was sold through
brokers. The shipment is packed in
barrels weighing, when filled, about
350 pounds each. A car will carry
about 120 barrels, or 42 000 pounds.
The entire train of 135 cars will con
tain 6,670,000 pounds of meat. The
meat will ration an army of 100,000
men for six weeks.
Cavalry to Preserve Order.
Buenos Ayrss, Deo. 2. In view of
the fact that a general strike will ba
inaugurated tomorrow, President Qnin
tana had long conferences today with
the ministers of the interior, war and
marine and the chief of police, for the
purpose of adopting measures for the
suppression of possible d sturbances.
An official statement was given out to
night that the police are fully prepared
to pi event any interruption of necessary
public services and to protect purveyors
of foodstuffs and those who are willing
to work.
. Coin for the Philippine Islands.
San Francisco, Dec. 2. The local
mint will turn over to the war depart
ment today a large consignment of
Philippine money. The coin will go
to the islands on the transport Logan,
which sails tomorrow. There will ba
800,000 pesos in. 60-centavo pieces;
80,000 pesos in 20-centavo pieces, and
150,000 pesos in 10 centaves.