Heppner times., April 14, 1904, Image 6

THE HEPPHER TIMES
WMsbed BwrT T
HEPPNER OREGON
CHINESE WILL BE KEPT OCT.
FAIR BILL PASSES
EVENTS OF THE DAY
Comprehensive Review of the Import
ut HapDealars of the Past Week,
Presented la Coed en sed Form. Moat
Likely to Prove Interesting.
Russia is short of men for her fleets
Spain is very bitter because of the
Anglo-French treaty.
Easter services in Russia are much
more impressive than usual this year
Queen Alexandra's persistent urging
makes Britain ready to deal with hus
eia.
Burke Cockran, of Pew lork, says
the house ia losing caste and bids it
wake up.
Exiled Colorado miners say they
were subjected to most cruel treatment
by the militia.
The port of Portland drydock is in
position and in a few days the first
vessel can enter.
A leading dignitary in the Church of
England holds that the old testament
is a pack of lies.
The senate has passed the 1905 fair
bill in the same form as it came from
the house and the measure is now
ready for the president's signature.
A favorable report has been made to
the house on Representative Jones' bill
opening the suiplus lands of the Yaki
ma Indian reservation to settlement.
The Anglo-French coloniaLtreaty has
been signed m London.
Ex-Oueen Isabella, of Spain, grand
mother of Alphonso, is dead.
Three nersons were killed and nine
injured in a tornado in Texas.
Makaroff has engaged the Japanese
fleet off Port Arthur. No details are
obtainable.
The University of Washington de
feated the Unitersity of Oregon in de
bate at Seattle.
Japan has almost completed arrange
ments for landing troops in the vicin
ity of Port Arthur.
Deported Colorado miners returned
to Telluride, but were met by the mi
litia and made to go again.
Patterson, of Colorado, holds that all
Chinese exclusion laws will expire De
cember 7, and urges the senate to aet.
Nearly 12,000,000 is now available
for the Lewis and Clark fair. Many
states have provided exhibits and oth
ers will.
A military expert, in reviewing the
war situation, says Japan is greatly
strengthening her hand bjf delaying a
general attack.
Russia will endeavor to join its fleets
and attack Togo.
The Japanese have crossed the Yalu
and occupy several important posi
tions. Kouropatkin has now massed the
force he desired before beginning active
operations.
According to the census bureau but
22 states now have leas than a million
inhabitants and 14 exceed two millions
John W. Kalua, United States judge
of the Second circuit, at Honolulu, has
been removed from office by the presi
dent.
Ground has been broken at the Lewis
and Clark-exposition site for the first
building of importance, the states
building.
A special car bearing 63 Indians en
route to see Roosevelt collided witn
mail train in Illinois and three braves
were killed and 20 injured.
The census bureau has issued a bul
letin which gives the estimated popula
tion of the United States for 1903, ex
clusive of Alaska and the insular pos
sessions, at 79,900,389. Of the cities
of the Northwest, Portland is given
98.605 ; Seattle, 92,020; Tacoma, 45,-
102; Spokane, 41,927; Butte, 38,127
Republicans elected mayor of Kan
sas City, Mo, and will control the coun
cil.
At Miwlaukee the Democrats elected
their mayor and 24 out of 40 council-
men.
The Labor Union tickets carried in
the towns of Colorado where elections
were held.
In Nebraska the Rebnplican ticket
Las 600 to 1,100 majorities. High
license carried in most cities.
Neither fleet is to be seen at Port
Arthur and the only Indication of war
Is the ever active searchlight.
Republicans carried Topeka, La
rence and Wichita, Kansas, and elected
a majority of candidates at Kansas City
and Leavenworth.
France and Britain have reached an
airecment regarding Newfoundland
Fgypt ard Morocco. Newfoundland
to be given op by France.
rtuMiana will not allow Servians to
enter her army.
Republcant elected 18 aldermen and
Democrats 1J in me uncago city eiee
lions. Municipal ownership of "-tract
..n...a wea favored by a large ma
j
Jorlty.
Tt, Pni t Arthur channel is not so
well cloned as Admiral Togo reports.
Th rrohlbltlonlsU are likely to
nominate Gneeral Nelson A. Miles for
j resident.
American Policy Will Continue, No Mat
ter II New Treaty la Made.
Washington, April 12. In cabinet
meetings and in conference directly be
tween the executive heads of depart
ments the whole subject of the status
o the Chinese immigration question,
as it will be after the lapse of existing
treaties, has been thoroughly digested,
and it can be stated that the adminis
tration feels that it has ample warrant
for continuing to enforce the rigid pro
visions of the the Chinese exclusion
act regardless of the denunciation of
the treaty. So far from opening the
door to Chinese immigration, the lapse
of the treaty, will, it is said, actually
render the entrance of Chinese into
this country more difficult than while
the treaty remained in force.
This fact has been pointed out to the
Chinese government by Mr. Conger,
who has not yet abandoned the effort
to induce the Chinese government to
reconsider its denunciation. However
it is positively stated that the exclusion
laws will continue to be enforced after
December next, whether the treaty
expires or not.
Attorney General Knox has under
consideration the question of the valid
ity of the exclusion law of 1902 in view
of the denunciation of the treaty, and
he will prepare and submit to the pres
ident an opinion on the subject. Both
the president and the attorney general
have discussed the matter with mem
bers of congress. It is being consid'
ered, too, by members of both branches
of congress, and if it is deemed neces
sary some legislative action will be
taken on it before adjournment. If it
should be concluded that the denuncia
tion of the treaty by China would ren
der inoperative existing laws regarding
Chinese exclusion, the probable course
of action will be to attach to one of the
pending appropriation bills an amend'
ment forcing the exclusion of Chinese
Members of congress are generally
agreed that no difficulties will be ex
perienced in passing the legislation if
it should be regarded as necessary.
Majority Is Large, Rising Vote Even Is
Not Necessary Conference It Next
Step Appropriation Can be Increased
but Not Reduced Carries an Appro
prtation of $-475,000.
Washington, April 9. The house of
representatives, without a rollcall, or
even so much as a rising vote, yester
day afternoon passed the Lewis and
Clark exposition bill carrying an ag
gregate appropriation of $475,000.
The bill was passed 33 minutes after
a special rule providing for its consid
eration was laid before the house,
thereby breaking the record of the class
of legislation that always leads to pro
tracted discussion.
The bill passed in the same form as
reported by Tawney's committee on
March 28. In addition to appropriat-1
.1... : v
JAPAN TO HAVB FINB SHIPS.
Be
Vessels Ordered in England Will
Ahead of Those of That Country
London, April 12. The two new bat
tleships ordered in England by Japan
will be exceedingly powerful, their
length, 445 feet, exceeding that of the
most powerful British battleships by
20 feet. In order to meet the capacity
of docking accommodations, the beam
and draught have been fixed at 78 feet
and 26 feet respectively. Each will
have a displacement of 16,400 tons
Their main batteries, it is said, will
be the most poweriul yet devised, con
sisting of four 12-inch guns, four 10
inch and five 6-inch guns each. The
armored belt at the water line will be
nine inches thick with six-inch armor
continuing to the level of the deck,
rew feature will be a superstructure
four-inch armor, insuring that no part
of the npper works will be unprotected.
In addition to the two battleships
actually ordered, Japan is contemplat
ing two more vessels of that description
to be built here.
Formal orders foT two battleships
were placed by Japan with Vickere,
Maxim & Armstrong January 30, the
orders being to expedite their construc
tion as speedily as possible. They are
to have a speed of 19 knots and will be
able to discharge 11 tons of projectiles
per minute from their main batteries.
EWIS
AND CLARK EXPOSITION
MONEY NOW SAFE.
OFFICE SECRETS OUT.
ing $475,000, it authorizes the coin-
Stenographer Gives Alleged Methods ol
Land Buyers.
San Francisco, April 9. Sensational
testimony was given today in the hear
ing befoie United States Commissioner
Heacock in the Hyde and Pimoud land
conspiracy case. Mrs. Belle A. Curtis,
who was a stenographer for Hyde fioin
October, 1897, to November, 189, was
the chief witness, and her evidence
went to Bhow that affidavits were man
ufactured by wholesale in the ofllec;
also that Hydo and John A. Benson
were partners In the alleged conspiracy
to defraud the government. She de
clared Hyde and Benson employed
"dummies" to make out applications
for school lands, and that the colored
janitor was frequnetly instructed to
bring in his friends to apply for school
lands for their own use, and were then
piloted to a neighboring notary to
make affidavits. She said that assign
ments of these claims to Hyde and Ben
son were often "made at the same time.
She said the plan of Hyde and Ben
son was to have these school lands in
regon and California transferred to
HE IS SENT TO JAIL
SENATOR BURTON,
CEPTED A
Court Sentences Hlra to Six Months' lm-
prlaonment and Fine of $2,800
Case Will Be Appealcd-lt Is Only by
Strong Effort Me Suppresses His
Emotion When Sentenced.
which virtually amounts to a toUvl corrupt govercme.it officials. VV
propriation of $725,000. In reality, lands were transferred, the
congress is aiding Portland far more 8g of the school land scrip had
figures,
on this
congress is aiding
than appears from these
Chairman Tawney, speaking
point, said:
The $475,000 alloted for govern
ment buildings and exhibits is equiva
lent, under other circumstances, to an
appropriation of between $600,000 and
$700,000 for the Portland exposition,
liecause the government exhibit has al
ready been assembled at St. Louis, and
will only require transportation to
Portland, thereby saving that city the
cost of assembling a new government
exhibit."
The passage of the bill removes the
last doubt as to the fate of the Lewis
and Clark appropriation. The bill
that is finally agreed upon and signed
by the president will carry at least the
amount contained in the bill passed by
the house, and may possibly be in
creased. There can be no decrease.
Any change must be in the nature of a
compromise between the senate and
the house bills.
INSURES EARLY ADJOURNMENT.
forest reserves, with the assistance of
When
as
the
privilege of exchanging their holdings
for more valuable lands outside of the
reservation
Thomas McCusker, freight agent of
the Southern Pacific, at Portland, Or.,
testified that he had secured many ap
plications of school lands in Oregon for
John II Schneider, who was Hyde's
agent. Mr. McCusker said he received
pay for his services, but he did not
know that he was engaged in an illegal
business.
Miss Marian Doyle, who succeeded
Miss Curtis as Hyde's stenographer
will testify at the next hearing.
TO PRISON FOR LIFB.
of
HISTORIC OAK PLANTED.
House Makes Swayne Case a Special
Order In December.
Washington, April 11. The Swayne
impeachment proceeding, which has
been looked upon as the only possible
check to an early adjournment, was
disposed of in five minutes by the
house today by the adoption of a reso
lution making the case a special order
for December 13 next. In the mean
time the judiciary committee is to
take additonl testimony in the case.
After disposing of a conference report
on the army appropriation bill the
house took up the bill extending the
coastwise laws to the Philippines, and
by a vote of 122 to 100 adopted a spec
ial rule to vote on this bill aftei a de
bate of two hours. This debate was ex
hausted, save five minutes, when the
ouse adjourned at 5:30 p. m. An
mendment to the bill postponing the
operation of the law until July 1, 1906,
instead of 1905 will be proposed.
The partial conference on the army
appropriat on bill was agreed to. Four
senate amendments were still in dis
agreement.
CORBA TO PROTECT MINES.
In
Roosevelt and Hitchcock Place Tree
Qround That Sprang From Acorn.
Washington, April 11. A historic
oak was planted by President Roosevelt
and Secretary of the Interior Hitch
cock this evening in the yard to the
east of the White House. The little
tree was grown from an acorn that Mr
Hitchcock picked up from beneath an
oak on the grounds of the Peterhof
palace in Russia. The Russian oak
was grown from an acorn that came
from the tree that sheltered Washing'
ton's tomb at Mount Vernon. The
spade that was used in the ceremony at
the White House this evening will be
preserved as a memento of the occasion
On its blade will be tainted a legend
detailing the circumstances of the tree
planting.
New Capital of Philippines.
Chicago, April 12. Plans for the
new capital ol the I'tiilippines were
made known today by Secretary of War
Taft. Secretary Taft said: "The new
capital will be about 15 miles front
Manila, on a plot of ground over 5,000
feet above the sea level, which w ill
make it far more healthy for Ameri
cans. It is to be to the rhllippines
what w hat Simla is to India, and will
be of great benefit to the islands. The
climate is superb, the location good and
the new opportunities for men with
capital will be very great."
Nlu Cbwang Defeases Strong.
Niu Chwang, April 10, via Chefoo,
China, April 12. General Kouropatk
in s visit to Niu Chwang has inspired
boundless confidence. The commande
in chief ordeied 10,000 reserves to re
inforce this position, in view of the ex
pected Japanese attack, while an ad
ditional force of 15,000 men is ready
to concentrate upon this place a
short notice, if necessary. It Is estl
mated now that there are 400,000 Rus
sian troops In Manchuria.
Biscuit Factory Employes to Strike,
New York, Apiil 12. A general
strike of the employes of the National
biscuit company's factory In this city
has lx-en ordered liecause of alleged die
crimination against union men. About
300 workmen attended the meeting at
which the strike was decided upon
but at least 1,000 will bo thrown out
of work.
Mrs. Botkln Found Qullty of Murder In
the First Degree.
San Fiancisco, April 9. Mrs. Cor
delia Botkin, accused of killing Mis
John P. Dunning, of Dovei, Del., by
sending her poisoned candy througl
the mails, was tonight convicted of
murder in the first degree, with th
penalty fixed at life imprisonment.
The jury was charged lute this af
ternoon, and at 4 :3G o'clock retired to
deliberate. Later they were taken out
for dinner and upon returning asked to
have some testimony read to them
At 11:15 o'clock the the jury reported
that an agreement had been reached.
The ominousness ol the announce
ment was apparent in the attitude of
the defendant, who buried her face In
her hands and remained in that po
sition until the foreman of the jury
had finished speaking. The court in
quired if a verdict had been ai rived
at, and the foreman handed him a sli
ot paper upon which was written:
"We, the Jury, find the defendant
Cordelia Botkin, guilty of murder i
the first degree, and fix the punishment
at imprisonment for life."
Mrs. Botkin looked up as the court
was thanking the ju'ors for their close
attention to the case, and presented a
woe-Btricken countenance to her coun
sel, who spoke some comforting wirds
to her.
The court named April 16 foi formal
ly pronouncing sentence.
OP KANSAS,
BRIBE.
AC-
St. Louis, April 8. Senator Burton,
of Kansas, was today denied a new
trial and sentenced to six months in
the Iron county jail and to pay a line
ot $2,500.
Senator Burton, accompanied by his
lending attorney. Judge Chester II
Krum, came into couit at 12:30. A
case was being tried, and Judge Adams
granted a mess to take up the Burton
use. Judge Adams summoned Senator
Burton to stand up, and then spoke of
the motions that had been filed for a
new trial and for airest of judgment
The court, after briefly reviowiug the
motions, overruled them both. The
court then said to the defendant:
Have you any thing to say as to
why sentence should not be passed up
on you?" Trembling and evidently
suppressing his emotions with a strong
effort, Senator Burton stood leaning
with both hands on a chair back us he
said :
Your Honor will please allow me
respectfully to decline to say anything
lhe courtroom was almost empty
and the silence was almost oppressive
as Judge Adams, in low, modulated
tones, began delivering the sentence to
be Imposed.
At the conclusion of the sentence
Senator Burton, who had not taken hi
eyes Irom the court, and who had
scarcely moved as he supported him
self by the chair back, turned and sat
down, with his head bowed and his
eyes on the floor.
Attcrney Judge Krum immediately
filed a bill of exceptions in the case
and offeied a bond of $10,000 which
was accepted, and court took a recess
until 2 o'clock to resume the previous
case. Senator Burton ami Judge Krum
then hurriedly departed from the court
room .
The case will now 1w apcaled to the
United States district court of apeals,
the highest tribunal in the matter.
It is a coincidence that the amount
of the fine $2500 imposed upon Senator
Burton is identical w ith the amount
which according to the evidence he re
ceived from the Rialto Grain A Securi
ties company. The Iron county jail to
which Senator Burton was sentenced
for six mouths, is located in the county
seat at Ironton Mo., on the Iron Moun
tain railroad. The jail Is a two-story
brick structure and in a portion of it
Sheriff Polk makes his home with his
family.
According to the rule of the jail
which shortens each year's sentence of
a prisoner by three months for good be
SURB IT IS SArtL
Oregonlans Expect J05 Din to Pass
the House Soon.
Washington, April 7. There is e
prospect that the Lewis and Clark ex
position bill will U passed by the
house ths latter part of the present
week, after Mug considered under spec
ial rule. Chairman Tawney ttslay In
troduced a resolution authorising con
slderation of the bill at any time dur
ing the remainder of the session, and
had his resolution relerred to the com
mittee on rules. There Is every assur
ance that this committee will favorably
report the resolution at Its next meet
ing, notwithstanding the fact that
three members of the committee voted
against the Portland bill.
The strong showing on both rollcalla
establishes beyond question the fact
that the bill is favored by a largo ma
jority of the monitors of the house, and
it is believed by those in touch with
the situation that the committee on
rules will recognize the w ish of the
majority, and consent to consideration
of the bill. If Tawney's resolution la
reported as expected, it will be equiva
lent to a special rule, and will give am
pie opportunity for debate on the bill
and permit its passngo by a majority
vote.
It is now regarded as certain by Ore
gonluns here that the bill will to
passed by the house and that the meas
ure signed by the president will appro
priate at least the amount carried by
the house bill, namely, $475,000.
The strength of the bill, demon
strated by the votes on Monday, testi
fies to the effectiveness of the efforts of
friends of that measure in woiklng up
sentiment in its behalf.
PANAMA STRIKE QROWS SERIOUS.
avior, Senator Burton's period of In
carceiation there may be reduced to
four and one-half months
BELIEVES TOCO WILL BLOCK IT.
American and British Ministers Make
Formal Requests.
Seoul, April 11. J. N. Jordan and
H. N. Allen, respectively the ministers
to Corea of Great Britain and the
United States, have requested the
Corean government to give protection
to the British and American mines in
the country.
This request is a mere formality as
the Japansee authorities have given
assurances of the safety from local up
risings. Mr. Jordan says the Japanese
have been extremely considerate to
ward the British mines. They have
shown no desire to hamper mining op
erations, have promised not to make
heavy levies of food upon the farmers
of the surrounding country, and have
agreed to facilitate the passage of sjiecie
for the payment of wages, and even to
supply specie for the purpose.
Desert Land Law Wins.
Washington, April 11. By a vote of
8 to 3 the house committee on irriga
tion of arid lands today defeated the
bill to repeal the desert land laws.
Those voting against the bill were:
Chairman Mondull, of Wyoming, and
Representatives Terrill, Massachu
setts, Dwight, New lork; Marshal,
North Dakota; Williamson. Oregon;
Cooper, Pennsylvania; Hitchcock, Ne
braska, and Bell, California. Those
in favor of the rew-al were Representa
tives Reeder, Kansas; Van Duser, Neva
da, and Underwood, of Alabama.
Military Expert Predicts Success ol
Move on Port Arthur.
London, April 8. The navBl expert
of the London Times, in an extended
review of the aspect of the present situ
ation, expresses the belief that Ad
miral Togo will succeed eventually in
attaining his object in blocking the
entrance to Port Arthur harbor.
"If he does succeed," says the cones
pondent, "the Russian fleet cannot pre
vent the landing of Japanese troops in
Manchuiia, or anywhere else, while
the Japanese fleet will be freed from
the trying work of holding the harbor
entrance, and will be available for
service elsewhere. It can then return
to its original base, and after refitting,
proceed in the search for the Vladivo
stok fleet."
Hcyburn, of Idaho, Urges Senate to Take
Some Action.
Washington, April 8. After waiting
with much patience for many days,
Hey burn of Idaho today found oppor
tunity to speak to the senate on the
subject of pure food. Technically, the
speech was in support of a resolution
calling on the secretary of agriculture
to send to the senate the results of the
investigations made by his department
into adulterated foods, but in reality it
was in support ot the pure-food bill
Hevburn contended that a very large
proportion of foods, drugs and liquors
were adulterated, ami many drugs were
absolutely poisonous.
The greater part of the remainder of
the day was devoted to Quarles' amend
ment for grading the salaries of rural
iree uenvery carriers, finally it was
declared out of order. The committee
amendment bearing on the salaries of
carriers and regulating their service for
private individuals was accepted.
The post of life appropriation hill Mas
still lx'lore the senate when it ad
journed.
Russians Can Soon Assume Offensive.
Berlin April 11. The Tageblatt's
war correspondent, Major Dajke, writ
ing on a train while nearing Harbin,
says: "Only six traians daily pass east
on the railroad to Manchuria, and only
four thence to Harbin, but they consist
of as many as 3H curs. The railroad is
apparently able to meet the military
demands." The correspondent adds
that the Russians will be ready to take
the offensive about the middle of th!
month.
Russia Declines a Loan.
Paris, April 1 1. According to private
Information received from St. Peters
burg, the Russian government refused,
at all events for the present, an offer
of a loan coming from French quarters,
and declined also a large tiumlwr of
proposals for war supplies made by
foreigners.
Strict Censorship Prevails.
London, April 9. The brief dis
twtches from the seat of war In the Far
East appearing in the Ixiiidon news
papers dining the last few days have
all toen of a curiously stereotyped char
acter, indicating thatl an active censor
ship is prevailing there, and adding
nothing to the information containei
in the dispatches of the Associated
Press. This applies particularly to
points under Japanese control, but
from the Russian side also it is evi
dent that care is being exercised to
prevent news of operations leaking out
China on Verge of Joining Japan.
New York, April 9. Keports are
said to have reached an ambassador
says a Herald dispatch from Berlin, to
the effect that China is on the verge o
throwing in her lot with Japan. The
first defeat on land for Russia will, it
la asserted, be the signal for a forwan
movement on the part of the Celestia
empire Japan, the correspondent
adds, shows no anxiety for help, rea
lining that China s Intervention may
cause more embarrassment than profit
Japan Qlad Russians Bought It.
Berlin, April 9. Mr. Inouye, the
Japanese minister here, does not share
the view that the sale of the Ham
burg-American line steamship Fuerst
Bismark is a breach of neutrality
"From one viewpoint," said the minis
ter, "we are glad to see the Russians
buy good ships. The Russians buy
them and we capture thorn."
FOR PURE FOOD.
America Warns Marines and Seamen
to Tske No Sides.
Washington, April 7. The labor
troubles on the Isthmus of Panama,
growing out of tho stiike of the em-
loves of the Panama railroad company
have taken a serious turn, and the facta
ave lccn reported to the state depart
ment by the United States charge at
'anama. The matter was deemed of
sufficient importance to warrant consid
erable discussion at the cabinet meet-
ng, and the unanimous opinion was
that everything should le done to avoid
an entanglement of tho United State
with any labor controversy. But it
was determined that the government
ould not withhold in any degree th
protection of the Panama railroad,
which it has assumed by treaty, and it
was directed that the railroad property,
rolling stock, track and terminals
hould le protected by forces from tho
United States warships at the isthmua
if that lecaine necessary.
There will, however, to no compul
sion exorcised against the strikers to.
corncl them to return to work. If
the railroad management can secure a
sufficient force of men to operate the
road they will lie upheld In such an at
tempt. This will be done with tho
ull consent of the Panama government.
hough under broad treaty provisions)
this is not absolutely necessary.
Secretary Moody was charged with
the duty of carrying out this decision
and with instructing Admirals Glass
and Sigsls-e as to the course they shall
mrsiie. There is ample force on tho
isthmus for any emergency.
Canal Deal Soon to Be Closed.
tans, April n. a iter a conference
tot ween Ambassador Porter and W. A
Day and Uharies w. Kusseii, the shsis
tant attorney generals, who came from
Washington to assist in the transfer of
the Panama canal property, It him been
arranged that the signing of the con
tract whereby the United States will
acquire the ownership of the Panama
canal shall take place at the United
States embassy, which is now nominally
American soil. The date of the sign
ing is not yet fixed, but probably it
will be about April 25.
Miners Will Oo on Strike.
Iiuisvlllft, April 8. The conferenr
between tho delegates representing the
Kentucky coal operators and miners to
which John Mitchell, of the United
Mineworkers of America, was a party
ended today in a disagreement, and
strike seems inevitable. The delegates
were in conference nearly all day, bu
despite the efforts of President Mitche
to bring them together each side held
to its original terms, the miners do
mandlng the full Indianapolis scale.
Last of Russian Troops to Oo Soon.
St. Petersburg, April 8. It is stated
that the manager of the Trans-Siberian
railway has been personally thanked
by the cnar for the rapid work of trans
porting the Russian troops to the Far
Fast. It is stated that within ft fort
night all of the men destined for aer
vice will be on their way to Man
churla.
BOLD DASH FOR LIBERTY.
Missouri Convicts
Are Soon
but
Hold Up Ouard,
Overpowered.
Jefferson City, Mo., April 7. Four
convicts at the criltcntiary bslay at
tempted to escape by holding up the
guard with revolvers. They were
forced to surrender, and when searched
several sticks of dynamite were found
in their possession.
They had succeeded in cutting their
way out of their cells, and when Guard
hn Williams, In making his rounds.
came upon them in the corridor, they
called upon him to halt. Williams
lied and gave the alarm, and a corps of
guards responded and soon overpowered
the convicts and placed them in other
cells. The convicts assert that they
secured tho revolvers and dynamite by
express, but the prison authorities to-
lieve the weapons and explosives went
smuggled to them by friends.
Russia Will Appeal the Cases.
St. Petersburg, April 7. Russia ban
completed arrangements through tho
trench minister at Toklo to appeal tho
cases of the Kussian merchantmen now
tofore the Japanese prize courts.
Three Japanese lawyers have been en
gaged to present the cases. Appeals,
will le made on various grounds.
Most of the ships were taken before the
actual declaration ot war. several of
them were captured on the high seas,
having left port tofore the outbreak of
hostilities, while others were in neu
tral ports.
Kouropatkin Has a Surprise.
Paris, April 7. A St. Petersburg dis
patch declaros General Kouropatkin
has leen notified by the commander of
the Cossack division that tho Russian
cavalry will not be heard of again for
some time, ami when it is again
brought to notice, it will Ihi through an
exploit that will both please and as
tonish Russians. Another St. Peters
burg dispatch states that the Russian
have sunk a largo numtor of mines and
torjeds at the mouth of the Yalu.
Battleship Virginia Slides Into Action.
Newport News. V., April 7. With
bands playing "The Star Spangled Ban
ner" and "Dlilo" ami 30,000 people
cheering GodsiHed, tho battleship Vlr
ginla was launched today at the yards
of the Newport News shipbuilding com
pany. Miss Mllday Gay Montague,
daughter of Governor Montague, was
sponsor.