THE HEPPNER TIMES
PubH.hcd Every Thnradsjr.
HEPPNER
OREGON
EVENTS OF THE DAY
Cosnercheajtve Review el the I m port
ant M.ff " tbt Nt Week,
PtmmM la C4mm4 Fmb, Mo
(jkeiy to Prove latcrMt1a.
BATTLE ON LAND.
Senator HanBbrough has Introduced
a bill to end the lieu land evil
The Czar is much downcast oyer the
war and appears little in public.
Fourteen people met death in a
Paris factory from an explosion.
Russians expect Japan to lay siege
to Port Arthur and are preparing for
a long resistance.
The Czar will likely proceed to the
front in the spring to take personal
command of the army.
Japan has had a dispute with China
regarding a Russian gunboat which
took refuge at Shanghai.
General Kouropatkln is to command
the Russian army, aided by two grand
dukes, uncles of the Czar.
The Porto RIcan has demanded that
they be admitted to statehood or that
the island be granted independence,
Perry S. Heath has resigned as sec
retary of the National Republican
committee. Elmer Dover will tempo
rarily succeed him.
Presbyterian churches of the Unit
ed States have agreed upon a plan of
union.
Russia has abolished the censor
ship on all news excepting war move-
ments.
Mitchell is sure to head the inter
oceanic canal committee if Piatt does
not want the place.
The British press warns the na
tion to be prepared for an alliance by
the powers against her.
St Louis constables precipitated
a riot, in which six men were shot, by
attempting to close a poolroom across
the river in Illinois.
Russia is said to be preparing to
evacuate Port Arthur and make Har
bin her headquarters. This is claim
ed to be a much better point of vant
age. The house is considering the naval
appropriation bill. It is the desire
to have a navy which will be second
to none in the world. The bill carries
$14,000,000 more than last year's ap
propriation. The house has passed the fortifica
tion bill.
Insurance companies find the Balti
more fire losses were overestimated.
Canada is placing heavy modern
guns in all of her coast fortifications.
Abner McKlnley is seriously 111. A
number of his relatives have been
called. "
Tillman has re-introduced his bill
in thm unit to gnat x-4uMa
Ulluokalanl a. gratuity.
A number of additional Indictments
will be made In connection with the
Hyde-Benson land conspiracy.
Two hundred and fifty picked ship
wrights have been sent to Port Ar
thur to hurry repairs on Russian war
vessels.
Russia is greatly surprised that Hay
did not wait for its reply before tell
ing of reception by powers of his
Chinese note.
The Lewis and Clark Fair bill will
not be reported to the house until the
committee learns more of the needs of
the exposition.
Japan now has 120,000 men in
Corea.
Woman suffragists will hold their
1905 convention in Portland.
Hanna left an estate valued at be
tween 17,000,000 and $3,000,000.
Russia will prepare for action by
Britain threatening her bold la Thibet
and Persia.
A Sydney, Australia mob caused
Dowle to quit the stage and suddenly
leave the city.
Russians are very cruet to foreign
ers at Niu Chwang and a reign of
terror is feared.
An explosion is reported to have
occurred at Port Arthur which badly
wrecbed the forts.
The death of Senator Hanna will
probably make Senator Mitchell
chairman of the committee on Inter
oceanic canals.
Koraker officially notified the sen
ate of the death of Hanna and Groa-
venor the house. Both bodies adopted
resolutions and took other steps to
honor his memory.
Heavy landslides In California have
blocked railroad traffic.
Japan has railed home all her sub
jects who have served In the army.
Santo Domingo revolutionists have
captured and are in complete posses
sion of Navarctte.
The Ilrltlnh commander at Wei Hal
Wei denies that Japanese vessels
have been making that port the
headquarters.
W. A. McKowcn, defaulting seere-
tary of the board of regent of the
University of California, has com
menred serving Ms sentence in san
Qtientln.
Trouble between New York litho
graphers aad their employers Is like.
1 to cause a lockout. In whl n event
contracts worth millions will be
transferred to Europe.
A batalllon of marine at Colon
have been dispatched on the Pralrl
with secret orders. It I supposed
they are bound for Panto Domingo,
Th transport DH has lust com
nleted a cargo at Portland for th
Philippines. Th Huford is also
there loading a lumber rsrgo for
Manila. The Buford will also take
Q9 marines. .
Russians Badly Beaten In Engage
ment on Yalu River.
St. Petersburg, Feb. 22. Authority
which prohibits doubting veracity of
the report. In sptte tit the official dis
patches stating that nothing Is taking
place and everything is perfectly
quiet, says, outpost engagements have
taken place vn- the Talu resulting in
the Russian advance guards being
driven back with considerable losses.
which are estimated at 2.500 lives, but
whether this means those who fell on
the Yalu or the entire Russian losses
since the commencement of the war
Is not exactly clear.
Large Force Engaged.
Nlu Chwang. Feb. 22. A Japanese
victory Is reported near the Yalu river,
but is unconflrmable from any source.
According to the report current here
a large part of the forces of both Rus
sians and Japanese were engaged. The
Russians are said to nave lost several
thousand men. There are no details
of the engagement obtainable.
SEEKING RUSSIAN SHIPS.
Japanese Fleet Wants Battle "With
Cable-Cutting Squadron.
New York, Feb. 22. The American's
Toklo cable, dated February 21, says:
Russian warships are reported between
Japan and Corea. Transports carrying
troops across are heavily conveyed In
consequence. Half the Japanese fleet
is occupied in surveying and protect
ing the landing of troops in Corea
and the other half is searching for
the Russian Vladivostock warships.
The prefectural office has received a
telegram from the chief magistrate of
the Island of Miyake, south of the
Gulf of Corea, reporting that 12 Rus
sians debarked in a boat from a vessel
in the offing on February 19. The sub
sequent movements of this mysterious
party are not reported, but inquiry is
under way. The Russians were prob
ably seeking to cut the cable, as three
warships were reported off Okushiri
Island today searching for the cable.
TWENTY-FOUR DIE
CAR OF DYNAMITE BLOWS
COLORADO WITH FATAL RESULTS.
BATTLE AT HAND.
Air Brakes on Train Fall to Hold and
Collision Results Twelve People Also
Badly Injured and Everything for a
Radius et Half a Mile la Completely
Torn to Pieces.
Ogden, Utah, Feb. 22. Twenty-four
persons were killed and 12 badly in
jured this afternoon by the explosion
of a carload of dynamite, caused by a
head-on collision at Jackson, a tele
graph station on the Ogdon-Luclan
cut-off of the Southern Pacific Com
pany, 85 miles west of Ogden. Eight
of the dead and five of the Injured
ore Americians. The others are
Greeks.
The collision occurred between two
extra trains, and was caused, it is
said, by the air brake apparatus on
one train failing to operate. The ex
plosion which followed the collision
was terrific, everything within a
radius of half a mile being wrecked.
The report was heard in this city,
85 miles away. Several outfit cars,
occupied by Greeks, were completely
demolished, and the occupants blown
several hundred feet from the track.
The telegraph office was shattered
and Operator Taylor and his wife in
jured. Foreman Burke, his wife and
three children and his brother, who
were standing near the station, were
shot 200 feet through the air and in
stantly killed.
When the news of the accident
reached headquarters In this city, a
special train with doctors, nurses and
stretchers was hurriedly despatched
to the scene of the disaster. Late to
night tils train returned to Ogden
with the injured. . Conductor Der-
mody and Messenger Holler died of
their injuries en route.
RUSSIA PLAYS EVEN
AMERICA HAS TROOPS PREPARE
Orders Issued That Men Be Ready
for Service at Short Notice.
San Francisco, Feb. 22. Under or
ders issued by the War Department,
the commanders of the various mili
tary departments of the United States
Army are placing in readiness for ser
vice at short notice the organizations
under their immediate charge. This
work is being done in the quietest
possible manner, and the officers in
charge are very reticent about talking
on the subject.
Although it is not generally known.
the San Francisco Presidio is the most
active Army post in the work of pre
paration. The troops of the Presidio
are doing extra drill daily, and it is
Etated on the best of authority that
within the next two weeks a large
consignment of cold-weather clothing
will arrive at the post ready for distri
bution on 24 hours notice. The fact
that blanket-lined overcoats, fur gloves
and heavy Arctic boots are among the
tupplies to arrive In San Francisco is
significant of the intention of the War
Department to prepare the troops for
a climate more regorous than that of
California.
Another phase of these preparatory
measures is the work or the Coast
Artillery that has charge of the har
bor defenses. The recently organized
school in submarine mining has taken
such an interest in its work that a
corps of men is dally devoting the
hours between sunrise and sunset to
the study of the methods of modern
harbor defense, while a large force
of men is working day and night in
the sheds near the Government
wharves preparing platforms such as
ere used for placing the floating
mines.
BIG REVOLT NEAR.
Armies cf Japan and Russia Massed
on Yalu River.
Chefoo, Feb. 20. Many wild rumors
are current here, but there Is a dearth
of reliable news and there is conse
quently much anxiety felt as to the
latest developments in the war. It is
believed that there has not been a
clash of the opposing land forces, but
news of one is hourly expected. The
two opposing armies are now face to
face and It is simply a question as to
which will attack first
Owing to the fact that the two
armies are unaccompanied by war cor
respondents, there will probably be
some delay in getting the news out af
ter the battle actually occurs. The
Japanese commanders have made
numerous promises to the correspond
ents, but passes to the front have not
been forthcoming, and they are all un
der guard and likely to remain there,
according to present indications. The
Russians, of course, want no English-
speaking correspondents with them
and grant no passes. The result of
this absence of trained observers from
the front explains to a great extent
the lack of reliable news and the re
petition of old new 8. There is no
way to get news through the same day
and, even after it has passed the cen
sorship, in many cases it is held up
and laid aside by official direction.
The report that Russian forces are
in possession of Wlju means that they
are in strong force on the Yalu and
that the Japanese' advance will prob
ably soon be checked. The Czar's
forces In Manchuria, it is now be
lieved, have been underestimated, and
it is ueiievea nere mat mere are
enough under arms to compel the Jap
anese to put forth their best efforts
to gain even a slight advantage in
the first battle. That this is realized
in Toklo Is shown by the fact that
transport after transport is discharg
ing its quota of trained warriors in
Northern Corea and that the Japanese
are holding their advance until the
majority of the troops arrive.
WILL BAR AMERICAN CONSULS TO
NEW TREATY PORTS.
Predicted That Russia Will Have
War Right at Home.
Geneva, Feb. 22. Russia is facing
a revolution of great magnitude, and
the uprising may come at any mo
ment. At the headquarters of the
central revolutionary Russian com
mittee this evening it was stated that
reliable advices received from St
Petersburg show that everything is
now m readiness ror a rar-reacntng
revolutionary movement. The men
who have prepared the ground have
left nothing undone to add to the gen
eral feeling of unrest within the
country, and have seized on the de
feats of Russian naval forces in the
Far East as a pretext for their agitation.
At the word of a fresh Russian re
verse, the trouble is to be begun with
demonstrations against the govern
ment in all of the principal cities of
the empire. The revolutionists are
declared to be well armed and
equipped and to have a well-nigh per
fect organization, and that numbered
In the ranks are some of the best-
known persons in Russia. In addi
tion, thousands of students are en
rolled as members, and many of the
rank and file of the army and navy
have sworn allegiance to the movement.
CHINA COMPLICATES SITUATION
RUSSIA FAST MOVING TROOPS
WAR CALLS FOR '04 MONEY.
Russia Officially Notifies St. Louis
She Will Not Participate.
St. Louis. Feb. 22. Official confirm
nt Ion of Russia's Intention to abandon
participation In the exposition was re
ceived today In a cablegram to Presl
dent Francis from Commissloner-Gcn
eral Alexandrovsky at St. Pi-tersEurg.
The cablegram follows:
"Notwithstanding the best of feeling
to America and a readiness for par
tlclpatlon In the World's Fair. Russian
tradesmen think their patriotic duty
Is to give the money appropriated for
the exposition to the Red Cross and
wounded soldiers. I am going person
ally as the chief delegate of the Red
Cross to the Far East. My sincere
thanks for your kind atentlon to our
ttaff and me personally. My best re
Cards to all directors and chiefs."
Twelve Days More and the Manchu-
rian Force Will Be Vast
Paris. Feb. 22. A representative of
the Matin, who has reached the cen
ter of the Russian military concen
tration at Harbin, after great hard
ships, due to the trans-Siberian rail
way trains being crowded with thous
snds of soldiers, in a dispatch from
Harbin confirms the announcement
that the place will be the main base
of the Russian operations. Thus far
the base has succeeded In maintain
ing Its communication with Port Arthur.
The concentration- of troops, the
correspondent says, proceeds sys
tomatieally and provision has been
made for the speedy arrival of 12.000
men from the divisions of Moscow,
Kleff and Varsovle. Before 12 days
shall have elapsed the Russians will
Lave disposed of an army of 400,000
men through Manchuria.
Intense demoralization exists
among the populace and the people
of the surrounding villages are flock
Ing Into the town, seeking to reach
Western Russia. The railroad trains,
however, are blocked and over 2,000
voyagers are thus held up.
China Denies Request for Aid.
Toklo. Feb. 22. Advices to the Jap
anese government from Pekln say that
while at Mukden, Viceroy Alexlff auk
ed the Chinese troops to aid In guard
Ing the railroad, so as to prevent the
Interruption of traffic. The Chinese
refused the request and asked for In
structlons from Pekln. The Chinese
government told them (o inform
A lex I ft that as Russia had Insisted the
Chinese were unable to guard the rail
way In time of peace, surely Russia
fould not expect them to guard It In
time of war.
America Is Criticised.
Ft. Petersburg, Feb. 22. The re
fusal of the Commander of the United
States gunboat Vlrksburg to unite
with the Commanders of other foreign
wsmhlps at Chemulpo to protent
against the fighting there on Febru
sry 8. whlf h remitted In the loss of the
Russian warships Vsrlsg and Koreltx
and the fart that the Vlrksburg did
not take on board any of the survlv
Ing RtiMlsn soldiers, has crested much
unfavorable public comment here.
Arming Black tea Coast.
Warsaw, Feb. 22. Heavy siege guns
are being mounted on ih roast IS
versts (ten mites) from Odessa. They
will rover lh approach to the harbor
Russia's feverish military and nsval
activity Indies the optimistic official
assurance to the effect that nothing
untoward Is anticipated and that no
other power Is expected to become In
volved In the present conniit.
Belligerents Are Warned Not to Dis
turb Tombs of Ancestors,
New York, Feb. 20. The Sun's Lon
don correspondent cables as follows:
"A communication of the utmost im
portance which may add fresh com
plications to the Far Eastern situa
tion has, it is said, been handed to
the various governments by the Chin
ese Ministers in Washington and the
European capitals. The Chinese gov
ernment has addressed both Russia
and Japan, reiterating ita intention to
maintain strict neutrality, but declar
ing that the sanctity of tombs of the
ancestors of the Chinese dynasty at
Mukden and elsewhere must be re
spected by the belligerents.
"China's communication states that
she has troops at Makden and other
points in niancnuna, anu in case
either Russians or Japanese desecrate
the tombs, or In other ways does In-
ury to them, orders have been given
tc the troops to vindicate the honor
of China and meet force with force."
Uncle Sam la Deemed Too Friendly to
JapanStrained Relations Are Sure
to Follow Opening of Coreaa Port of
Wlju Will Further Irritate CxarNlu
Chwang Situation Grave.
Washington, Feb. 19. It Is said Sec
retary Hay has received dependable,
although unofficial information, that
Russia Is preparing . to retaliate
against the United States for what Is
considered to be the open friendship
manifested far Japan. This may not
go further than commercial dlserimi
nation, but there are indications thut
relations between the United States
and Russia may become severely
strained before the Far Eastern war is
terminated.
Much Irritation is felt at St. Peters
burg, according to the information
said to have been received. Tho first
method la which it will be formally
displayed, if advlcea prove authentic,
will be barring of the American Con
suls recently accredited to Dalney.
Mukdeu and Autung.- These ports
were recently proclaimed by China
as open ,to trade. When the Consuls
reach these places exequateurs will bo
refused and no recognition will bo
given them. What action this Gov
ernment will take in such an event hus
not yet been determined.
The making of Wiju a free port by
Corea, as announced today by Minis
ter Allen from Seoul is believed to
have resulted from representations
made by Japan, and Is expected still
further to irritate the Russlun govern
ment. It was apprehension thut Rus
sia might not receive tho Consul to
Antung that Influenced Secretary Hay
to seek tho opening of Wlju, which Is
directly across the Yalu river from
Antung.
Consul Miller is looking after Jap
anese interests at Nlu Chwang. A
number of Japanese women are re
ported to have been outraged by Rus
sians and the possibility of serious
trouble over this matter Is admitted
by tho State Department. Mr. Miller's
Instructions are not to recognize Rus
sian authority at Niu Chwang as su
perior to mat or any other power.
this has led to considerable dlssen
Hon iu the past and will prove more
irritating in the future, as Russia is
supposed to have occupied the latter
port. , .
Nlu Chwang Is recogplzed by the
United States as belonging to China.
The gunboat Vlcksburg is at that
port. She carries 175 blue jackets and
40 marines, who can be landed to pro
tect Consul Miller If trouble arises.
AROUSED TOWARD AMERICA.
Russia la Finding Great Pault With.
The Note of Sercetary Hay.
New York, Feb. 18. The Herald-
has the following from SL Petersburg:
At the foreign office here the Ameri
can note continues to excite much an
ger. An influential member of the
Council of the empire said:
"The American not Is considered
In official circles as dealing with Man
churia as well as the rest of China,
notwithstanding different Interpreta
tions by the French and German press.
It Is lielleved, at any rate, that the
note has been issued to make Russia
believe America wants to re-establish.
Chinese sovereignty there.
"It Is considered as a measure of
intimidation, and an official Intima
tion beforehand that the United
States, even after RiuhIu's victory,,
will strongly oppose our point of view
regarding Manchuria.
"If America steps into Japan's pluce
Russla cannot but adopt toward the
United States the very same firm but.
conciliatory attitude which she bus
shown toward Japan."
to the
of the
Afraid of Togo.
Paris. Feb. 22. According
St Petersburg correspondent
Figaro, the Russian government, fear
ing for the safety of the battleship
Oslabya and the cruisers Dumty,
Ponskol and Aurora and their convoy
of torpedo-boat destroyers and trsns
f orts, now at the entrance to the Red
Sea, has cabled orders to the Admiral
in command to return to Russian
waters at once. It Is known that
Japanese flying squadron Is lying In
wait to capture this fleet should it at
tempt to continue Its cruise toward
Port Arthur.
Fire Losses Are $31,000,000.
Baltimore, Feb. 22. The Baltimore
Underwriter In Its Issue tomorrow
will print a list of all the fire insur
anre companlen Involved In the Ilnltl
more fire. The total loss Is $32,8fi4,
Koo. of which $6,000,000 falls on the
local companies. The estlmsted total
of salvage Is $1,763,700, which leaves
a net loss to the Insurance companies
of f31.0dfi.100. It has been learned
that many of tho large wholesale dry
goods housed formed an Insurance
pool among themselves.
Empress Dowager No More.
London, Feb. 22. A special from
Canton says It Is reported In official
circles there thst the Dowsger Em
press of China Is dead. Tho Chinese
legation here has heard nothing of
the reported desth of tho Dowager
Empress, and discredits It. Neither
Canton nor Hong Kong Is a reliable
source of news.
FRAUD IS FOUND.
ABANDONED TO ITS FATE.
Russians Will Not Attempt to Save.
Port Arthur.
New York, Feb. 18. The Sun's Lon
don cable, dated February 17, says.
Port Arthur Is to bo left by Russia
to stand or fall by herself.
A dlsputch to the Dally Mall from
8t. Petersburg says that military cir
cles recognize that relief from the
responsibility of maintaining the lone
line of railway in Munchurla will
simplify Admiral Alexleff's task.
Port Arthur can be safely left to
take care of itself, while with Harbin
securely garrisoned preparations may
continue for gathering an overwhelm
ing force for a southward advance
when the weather is favorahlo.
The World's comment on this Is:
The tone of the above cablegram in
dicates a plan of campaign on land.
At the beginning they, boasted of Part
Arthur as impregnable. The Rus
sians have determined to abandon the
defense of the railway between Port
Arthur and Harbin.
TRY TO 8EIZE RAILROAD.
HAY WROUGHT UP.
Russia's Attitude to America Is Very
Aggravating.
Washington, Feb. 20. Secretary
Hay is disposed to request an explana
tion from Russia if the fact Is de
termined that Russia Is detaining
American vessels in Chinese ports and
preventing Consul Miller from protect
ing Japanese Interests in Niu Chwang.
He is much dissatisfied with the in
dications of irritation felt by the Rus
sian government at the attitude of the
United States and the preparations be
ing made for retaliation. No Instruc
tions have been sent Admiral Kvans,
the Intention being to await the re
port on his inquiry now under way.
If It Is proven that American ships
e being prevented from leaving
Manchurlan ports. Secretary Hay will
carry out his Intention of addressing
some pointed Inquiries to the St
Petersburg government.
British Steamer Detained.
Shanghai, Feb. 20. The British
steamer Hsl Ping, from Chin Wang
Tao for Shanghai, arrived here today
The captain reports that she was fired
on by the Russian- ships and forts
when seeking shelter In the outer
roadstead of Port Arthur, and that
she was then ordered to Dalny, where
she was detained four days, In spite
of the captain's protest. The Russian
gunboat Mandjur has not gone up the
river to be dismantled, as reported
She remains at Shanghai In defiance
of the orders of the Chinese officials
to leave this port.
Western Land Deals Result In Indictments.
Washington, Feb. 19. As a result of
Investigations that have been conducted
before the Federal Grand Jury in this
city for some time past, Indictments
were returned today against Fred A.
Hyde, John A. Benson, Henry R. Dia
mond and J. H. Schnellder. the four
principal figures in the famous lieu
land ring. These men have operated
extensively all over the Pacific Coast,
and especially In Oregon and Califor
nia. The four men are indicted for
conspiring to defraud the Govern
ment.
It Is understod that William E. Valk
and Woodford D. Harlan, clerks In
the general land office, and Forest
Supervisor B. F. Allen, of California.
who were tho principal witnesses
against the members of the ring, will
not ue prosecuted, It being the Inten
tion of the Government to build up Its
case against the ring on tho testimony
of these and other witnesses. Valk
and Harlan, as previously stated In
these dispatches, were tho clerks In
the land office who admitted having
"leaked" Information to Ucnson and
Hyde, which cnubled them to operate
so successfully on the Pacific Const.
These men, through a cipher furnished
by Uenson, said they were In constant
communication with tho main office
of the ring in San Francisco, and both
nave fully described to the grand. Jury
the methods by which they received
bribes for their work.
Japan Has Lost No Ships.
IOndon, Feb. 20. The Japanese le
gation here received an official declar
ation from Toklo tonight saying It
was not true that any Japanese ves
sels had been destroyed so far in any
of the various naval engagements and
all necessary repairs had already been
made. The Japanese fleet remains
intact. This message also denies the
lenort that the Japanese were driven
from the neighborhood of Klnchow
after a skirmish In which 150 Japan
ese were taken prisoners.
DID NOT WAIT FOR WAR NOTICE
Japan Attacked the Russian Fleet Be
fore Relations Ware Broken Off.
New York, Feb. 20. Tho Herald's
St. Petersburg correspondent cables
as follows: "Tho fact Is now known
to all foreign nations that, according
to careful calculations made, allowing
for the difference In time, the torpedo
attack upon tho ships at Port Arthur
took place one hour before M. Kurlno
called at the foreign nfnee to announce
that diplomatic relation! had been
broken off."
Japanese Attempt to Take Manchu
rlan Line Near Kinchau.
London, Feb. 18. According to Port
Arthur advices received by the Lon
don Times, a Japaneae landing party
which attempted to seize the Man
churlan Railway near Kinchau. was
driven off after severe fighting with
heavy loss.
That the battle was of a severe
character Is Indicated by the fact that
the Russian officials admit their loss
was not less than 70 killed. The Rus
sians allego to have captured 150 Jap
anese prisoners.,
A report reached here last night
from both Toklo and Shanghai to the
effect that tho Russian fleet, now at
Jlboutll at the end of the Red sea, and
which Is declared to be preparing to
awalt the arrival of the rest of tho
Russian war fleet now ea route from
homo waters, will be bottled up there
by a Japaneso flying squadron.
Will Name Canal Board Today.
Albany, N. Y.. Feb. 19. Governor
Odell will nominate to the senate to
morrow an advisory board of five ex
pert engineers to carry out tho plans
for the enlargement of tho state
canals, authorized by the act of the
legislature and ratified at the Novem
ber election.
The plan contempluted the expendi
ture of $101,000,000 In the construc
tion of a 1000-ton barge waterway.
State Engineer and Surveyor Bond
will be chairman of the commission
and will resign his state offlco to ac
cept the position.
Germany Pressing Toward Thibet.
Vancouver, n. C, Feb. lJMall ad
vices from tho Fur East state that
Germany has a smull expedition press
ing towards Thibet. It Is In tho guise
of a scientific traveling party, but It
Is known that thero aro threo of the
Kaiser's army officers and one doctor.
When last heard from they hod reach
ed Chengtu, tho capital of Scechunn
province. They left thero for Yachou,
en route to Thibet, from whence they
Intend to travel into India and go
homo via Calcutta.
Panama Canal Case Adjourned.,
Paris, Feb. 19. Tho hearing of the
case of tho Republic of Colombia
against tho Panama Canol Company,
in which the former seeks to prohibit
tho Panama Canal Company from ced
ing Its property rights to a foreign
government, to compel tho company
to admit the representatives of Co
lombia to Ita future meetings, waa ad
Journed today until March 9.
Fortification Appropriation Bill.
Washlngtn, Feb. 18. Tho fortifica
tion appropriation LIU was reported to
tho house today from the appropria
tions committee. It carries a total ap
propriation of $7,222,292, which Is less
by $447,239 than was appropriated for
fortifications at the lost session of
congress. The estimates on which
Iho bill Is based aggregate $21,673.-
297.
8evere Weather In East.
Baltimore, Feb. 18. Today was one
of tho severest of tho winter. Tho
temperature was as low as seven de
grees above zero, and all day long a
gale blew through the ruins In tho fire
district at a 40 nillo gait, making tho
conditions dangerous for all within
tho lines. A number of tottering
walls were blown down and debris
sent flying In all directions. Tho ex
tremely cold weather had also the ef
fect of freezing up tho wholo de
vastated area, and most of tho streets
are now covered to tho depth of two
or three Inches with Ice.
Two Russian Vessels Still Ashore.
Washington, Feb. 18. Tho Japaneso
minister today received a dispatch
from Toklo stating thot trustworthy
Information has reached tho Japaneso
government to the effect thnt as a re
sult of tho Japaneso attack on tho
Ilusslan squadron off Port Arthur on
February 8, the Russian battleship
Retvlzan, Is still aground outside tho
port, tho Czarevitch was towed Into
port, and tho Pullada Is still aground
at tho entrance of tho port. All threo
are bora do combat.
Russians Increase Guard.
New York, Feb. 18.-Tho Russian
authorities have taken every precau
tion to protect the arsenal, cobles the
Port Arthur correspondent of the
Herald. Tho usual guard of r.00 men
baa now been Increased to 2000.
At Klnchow, Tallenwan and Bld
sevo, tho forts and garrisons have
be.n replenished threefold.
t