The Columbia register., November 24, 1905, Image 6

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4
COLUMBIA REGISTER
1
HOULTON.. OREGON
NEWS OFTHE WEEK
la a Condensed Fern lor Oar
:: Easy Readers,
A Resuma of th LeM Important bu
Not Lsss Interesting Events
of tho Paat Waak.
There ia a lull la the Russian revo
lotion.
The second trial of Senator Barton
has commenced.
Missouri may shut-out two more in
surance companies.
Tatt denounces trusts which oppose
free trade with the Philippines.
King Christian haa accepted the Nor
wegian throne for Prince Charles.
The president will co-operate with
the states in compelling insurance re
form.
Russian Baltic porta are frosen up,
thus cutting off communication by
water.
The Cuban government has learned
of fieeh plans for the overthrow of
President Palma.
The death roll in the wreck of the
steamer Hilda, off the coast of France,
hasgrown to 128.
Secretary Hitchcock and Attorney
General Moody have agreed to remain
in the cabinet tor another year
A number of towns in Northern
Utah are without luel and should a
sudden cold snap come many people
would suffer.
The production of gold in the United
States during 1904 amounted to 3,910,
729 ounces, valued at $80,635,646, an
increase of over $7,000,000.
General Chaffee will soon retire.
Taft says canal needs more money.
Poles fear invervention by the kaiser
if they revolt.
Senator Smoot's political control of
Utah is endeof.
Further revelations are expected in
California on insurance scandal.
The Norwegian storthing has form
ally elected Prince Charles as king
The board of consulting engineers
has uecided in favor of a sea level
canal.
The outbreak of yellow fever in
Havana is being controlled and few
new cases are reported.
Workmen of Russia have called off
the strike and claim success in saving
Cronstadt mutineers.
San Francisco baa raised $25,000 for
Russian Jews and expects to add an
other $5,000 to the fund.
A meeting of Denver business men
passed resolutions favoring better tariff
regulations with the Philippines.
Over half of Vladivostok has been
destroyed as a result of the recent out
break. The damage is estimated at
$25,000,000.
During a football game at Ann Arbor
a grand stand fell, hurling 2,000 peo
ple into the wreckage. Not more than
a dozen were hurt sufficiently to require
the services of a physician.
California politicians are now be
coming involved in the insurance scan
dal. The bUike in Poland is believed to
have been broken and the country is
settling down.
Indications are thatl a new register
of the Lewiston land office will not be
named for some time.
Secretary Root is preparing to initi
ate negotiations for the settlement of
all pending disputes with Canada.
Many women are going to Panama
to work as servants in the various
camps along the route of the canal.
A prairie fire near Aberdeen, 8. D.,
caused a loss of livestock, grain and
farm buildings estimated at $500,000.
A fire which started in a Knoxville,
Tenn., paint store destroyed $200,000
worth of property before extinguished.
European nations are not pulling to
gether' in their demonstration against
Turkey and the sultan doesn't seem
badly scared. .
The canvass of the New York elec
tion shows gains for Hearst.
The contributions for the relief of
the Russian Jews totals $740,000 from
all parts of the world Of this $370,000
came from the United States.
All of Mayor Dunne's plans for im
mediate municipal ownership of the
Chicago street railways have been
shattered by the council reaching an
agreement with the companies placing
the time ten years hence.
Speaker Cnnon has declared against
tariff revision.
HUNDRED. LIVES LOST.
Stsamsi Runs on Rocks Off
North
, ' Coast of Franca.
St. Malo, France, No 21. One of
the most soul harrowing tales of ma
rine disastec in the history of the Eng
lish channel was brought here late last
night, when the tug Chateau Bryand
arrived here in company with the
steamer Ada, having on board six sur
vivors of the 105 passengers and ciew
of the Southwestern railroad's steam
ship Hilda, which, while bound from
Southampton to St. Malo, was driven
on the Pontes rocks, three miles from
here, during a blinding storm in the
early hoars of 8unday.
The steamer left Southampton Satur
day for St. Malo with 86 passengers
and a crew of 19 on board. The
weather was bitterly cold, while a
heavy snow accompanied by a high
wind, made navigation well nigh im
possible. Before the Hilda was clear
of thn Southampton harbor it was
plain that the voyage would be very
dangerous, and all passengers were
driven below decks and the hatches
battened down.
Owing to the wind and snow the
vessel made but very slow progress
time and again having to steer from
her course to avoid the strength o( the
waves, which rushed mountain-high
down upon her. When off the Pontes
rocks tue Hilda was caught in a strong
current, and before she could le turned
head-on to the waves, she drove stem
on aga;nst the outermost proruintory.
She broke into three pieces almost im
mediately, and sank before it was pos
sible to launch the lifeboats.
NO COMPLAINT ON CUBA.
I tie of Pines Americans Merely Wish
Change of Government.
Havana, Nov. 21. The municipal
council of the Isle of Pines haa issued
a lengthv statement denying the
charges made by J. If. Keenan, of
Pittsburg, and others, that the island
is in a condition bordering anarchy
and is without proper courts, schools,
facilities for the protection of life and
property. The statement alleges that
these have all been provided and that,
although various public improvements
are necessary, the government has done
more than the small revenues of the is
land warranted.
It agrees that the records show the
actual ownership of Americans of lands
in the island to be far smaller than has
been asserted, since most of-such lands
are held on options or on the payments
of small installments, and that they al
so show the amount of taxes paid by
Americana to be very small.
The officers of the principal Isle of
Pines land company, whose ollices are
in Havana, say that while they believe
the island should be considered United
States territory, they have no com
plaint to make of the Cuban govern
ment. FIND OF DIAMONDS.
Causes Excitement to Run High on
Necanicum River.
Seaside, Ore., Nov. 21. During the
past week there has been intense excite
ment on the Necanicum. The secret of
it alt lies in the fact that an ochre
mine, which is being developed lust
above the bridge across the Necanicum
on the Elk creek road, has been yield
ing precious stones. Diamonds and
rubies are said to be in evidence and a
number of people have located claims.
The ochre is of finest quality and plen
ty of the best fireclay ever discovered
is tnere, bat when precious stone were
dicovered the excitement reached fever
beat and people were coming from
Portland to be guided to the diamond
field. Everything looked good to the
seeker after precious stones and every
pebble they saw looked to them like a
diamond in the rough. They are hop
ing that the digging will not "boon be
over," but will continue until they
have secured bushels of the precious
stones.
The ochre is being sacked and ship
ped to Portland to be subjected to the
necessary refining process, and from
present indications a great industry
will be built up near Seaside, which
will give employment to a large num
ber of men. This, aside from any
precious stones which may be found in
the mine, is the most desirable feature
connected with the enterprise.
No Clash Over Fishing.
Washington, Nov. 21. All danger
of a clash between the Gloucester and
New Foundland fishermen has been
averted, it is believed, for this season
by the exchanges between Secretary
Root and Sir Mortimer Durand, the
British ambassador. The secretary is
now awaiting the reply of the London
government to bis memorandum, in
which he called attention to the three
main points of difference. This is ex
pected some time within the week and
its receipt, it is believed, will clear up
pacticalJy the entire situation.
China to Pay Indemnity.
London, Nov. 21. The Toaio corre
spondent of the Daily Telegraph under
stands that an Anglo-Thibetan treaty
has been signed and lb at" It provides
that Great .Britain shall acknowledge
Chinese sovereipgty in Thibet 1 return
lor wbioh China will pay juljndfimnity.
DECISION NOT FINAL
President Advocates Building ol
r " Lock Canal.
STEVENS IS OF SAME OPINION
Board of Consulting Engineers Will
Make Two Reports Canal
Commission Says Locks.
Wsshington, Nov. 21. Although the
board of consulting engineers has de
cided in favor of a sea level canal, it is
vet an oien question whether the Pan
ama canal shall be a ee level or a lock
waterway. The decision of the board
is not final. It was reached by a vote
of 8 to 5 in favor of the sea level pro
iect. General Davis and Messrs. Burr
and Parsons Joining with the five for
eign engineers against a lock canal.
The report of the board prolably w ill
not be submitted to President Kooee-
velt (or five or six weeks. As to the
character of the treat project, the re
port will not be unanimous. In fact,
two reports, one by the majority and
one by the minority, w ill be submit
ted. These reports the president will
lar before the canal com ui Ism ion and
Chief Engineer Stevens for considers
tion. Mr. Stevens will come to the
United States from the isthmus to take
up the subject with the commission
and the president.
It is conceded by the adherents o a
sea level canal that to roiutruct siii'h a
waterway will cost much more money
and time than to build a lock canal
It is known that in the mind of the
president these are vital elements. It
is his desire, expressed to some of those
who have discussed the subject with
him. that the canal should lie tiuilt as
expediously as possible and at no great
er expense than may te necessary to
provide a practicable waterway, lie
has indicated to some ot those to whom
he has talked that he personally favors
a lock canal, but he is determined ful
ly that the subject shall be considered
thoroughly from all points of view be
fore a final decision is reached.
Mr. Stevens will leave Colon for
Washington next Thursday. He is
coming to give the commission In for
mation upon different phases of the
work on the isthmus, but more particu
larly his view as to the type of canal
These views are already known to the
officials who are in charge of the canal
work, but an official statement fiom
the engineer is desired.
Mr. Stevens told officials who recent
ly visited the canal xone that, If a sea
level canal was to be constructed, tiie
government ought to put Imys under 20
years of age in charge of it, so that
they would last until the work was
completed. The visit of Mr. Stevens
for the especial purpose of giving his
views as to the type of canal indicates
that the judgment of the consulting
board of engineers is not definitely to
determine the type, but that the com
mission will earnestly take np the sub
ject and make recommendations. From
SHAW WILL STAY.
Agrees Not to Leave Cabinet While
Congress Sits.
Washington, Nov. 21. Leslie
M
Shaw will remain as secretary of
the
treasury in President Roosevelt's cab
met until the conclusion of the ap
proaching session of congress, and per
haps for several months longer.
It has been understood that Mr. Shaw
expected to retire from the cabinet
aooni the tirst ot rehruary next, or
sooner, with a view to greater freedom
in promoting his candidacy for the Re
publican presidental nomination in
1908, although the secretary himself
never has announced himself to be
candidate.
president nooseveit s attention was
attracted to some recent publications
that Mr. Shaw has presented his resig
nation to take place next February, or
perhaps, earlier, and today be had
conference with the secretary about the
matter.
Breakers In Salton Sea.
Los Angeles, Nov. 21. Information
haa come to the Southern Pacific head
quarters here today thai the gale that
blew inland from the sea this morning
lashed the waters of Salton sea into
huge breakers, which damaged the
railroad track and cut off telegraphic
communication along this point. The
railroad had just finished extensive
works to protect the track from the en
croaching waters that flowed in from
the Colorado river, and believed
that it had finally overcome the dif
ficulty. Loss on Distillery $1,600,000.
Connellsville, La., Nov. 21.--Last
night's fire at the Overholt distillery
at Bradford resulted in a loss estimated
today at $1,600,000. It is estimated
that .18,000 barrels of whisky were de
stroyed. The whisky was valued at
$648,000, and the government will lose
the tax of Sl.lQ a 'gallon, amounting to
,$891,000. .'.
STRUGGLE IS ON.
Senate Committee Mssts to Consldsr
Rats Msasurs.
Washington, Nov. 20. In lbs loom
ol the senate committee on Interstate
commerce this morning the itruggle
with the problem of legislation affect
lug the railroads will tgln. The ques
tion has occupied public attention lo
the partial exclusion of other matters
of Importance tor a year, but the com
mittee meeting will mark the real be
ginning of the contest, which congress
will end before the clow of the coming
session. The committee, of which
Stephen B. Elklns, of West Virginia,
is chairman, has been directed ex
plicitly by the senate to make a report
on the matter ot railroad legislation
by bill or otherwise" not later than
December 14. Nearly svtry member of
the committee la In Washington and
the few ataentees ais expected to reach
the city today.
Mr. Elkins has Intimated that no
bill ran be prepared within the time
set by the senate (or making the report
It this is true, it means that an exten
sion of time must be asked and there
will lie nothing for the senate to do
bat grant It. Senator Dolliver, of
Iowa, on the other hand, believes that
there is no reason why a bill cannot
be presented to the senate within i
week after the convening ol rougreae
Members of the committee are divid
ed on the question of the extent to
which legislation to I recommended
should go in the matter of giving an
thority to the Interstate Commerce
commission to fix rates. This is the
mere statement ol a tact already well
known, but there are indications that
Mr. Klkin may he able to obtain a
majority rert by yielding much from
his views and by gaining aa much fiom
the members of the committee who
have lxen antagonistic or partly antag
onistic to the chairman.
REBUILD THE OREGON.
Famous Battleship to Remain In Dry
dock Two Years
Washington, Nov. 20. The Navy de
partment expects that the battleship
Oregon will remain at the Puget Sound
navy yard the letter part ot two years
undergoing a complete overhauling.
Many parts of the ship are to be prac
tically rebuilt. The turrets sre to be
rqoipped with electric controlling ap
paratus and features which have lie
come obsolete are to be replaced by
the latest pattern known In naval con
struction. Work will Im begun early
in January, as soon as the Oregon ar
rives from the Philippines.
Secretary lionaparte is now consider
ing the naval estimates. What he will
recommend for the i'uget Sound navy
yard ia unknown, but there is a belief
that be may endorse the recommenda
tion of the bureau of yards and docks
that $1,250,000 Iw appropriated to
Inild a new dry dork. It seems im
probable that congress, in its economi
cal mood, will authorise a new dork
this session, but congressional action
will deend largely upon the amount ol
pressure the Washington delegation
can bring to bear.
CONGRESS MUST ORDER BONDS
None for Panama Canal Can Be Issued
Without Its Action.
Washington, Nov. 20. It can be au
thoritatively stated that no Panama
bonds will bo issued until congress
shall have authorized their nse as a
ha lis for national bank circulation at
one-half of 1 per cent , the same as the
eonsols'ol 1030. Two per cent bonds,
it is said, would not be worth par if
bank circulation based thereon were
taxed at 1 per cent, as the law now
provides. And even if, the bonds were
issued and sold, the money would not
be available until congress should ap
propriate it.
Treasury" officials are somewhat sur
prised at the published statement that
the secretary o( the treasury Is con
templating the issuance of bonds under
present conditions. Mr. Shaw has
twice called the attention of congress to
this needed legislation. This will un
doubtedly be repeated in his forthcom
ing annual report, and Speaker Cannon
has given him assurance that he will
do everything in his power to expedite
its passage.
Cubans Get Many Arms.
Havana. Nov. 20 The truth in the
reports of plots' to overthrow the gov
ernment was revealed In pat today.
he government received a confidential
report to the effect that an ostensibly
vacant house in the Cerro suburb was
being utilized as a secret depository
for arms and ammunition. The police
found 41 rifles, 21 carbines, 35 pack
ages, each containing 1,000 cartridges,
and some barrel filled with ammuni
tion and accoutrements. Suspicion is
directed toward the Liberal and Radi
cal leaders. ' ...
Local Government for Poll
St. PetVeWburgfNOT.i0ii-Itk
ported that another, manifesto
lng a general rem
ral remstvo apcKiat lnjinittf-;
ment tVPolanu triay ;bf
pal govern
sued ahorlty.
APPROVEJROJECTS
Hlichccck Will Reverse 'Himself
on Irrigation.
TO THE BENEFIT OF NORTHWEST
Had Taken Bad Advice -W.lcott Rs
' moves Objections to Umaillla,
Okanogan and Sunnyslds.
Washington, Nv. 18. Secretary
Hitchcock la preparing to reverse him
self and approve the Umatilla Irriga
tion project in Eastern Oregon, as well
as one or mors projects In Wsshing
ton. This, at least, Is the Inference
to he drawn from an authorised sts le
nient msde at his office today to the
effect that action on the Umatilla pro
tect would be taken some time next
week which would be satisfactory to
the people otOregon, and that similar
action was to Im looked tor on one or
more Washington projeca. It is not
known at this time what Washington
projects will be approved, further than
that the choice will He among the Tie
ton, Okanogan and Sunnyslds schemes,
all of which have been favorably re
commended by the Keclamatiou service.
This announcement from the am re-
tary's office was made after a confer
elite between Mr. Hitchcock and Di
rector Waleotf, of the Geological sur
vey, who la the Intermediary between
the secretary and the Iteclamation ser
vice. This afternoon Mr. Waleott re
turned to the secretary all papers bear
ing on the Imatllla, Okanogan and
Tteton projects and, in addition to th
oiiginal recommendations, submitted
unanswerable arguments showing that
all these projects are not only feasible)
and deiliat le, but that there is no feat
ure alto'it them to which objection can
Iw legitimately raised.
In point of (act, Mr. Hitchcock,
shortly after taking adverse action on
the Umatilla, Tieton and Okauottaik
projects, saw that he had acted on bad
advice, ami realise that his position
would hucomo untenable. He saw that
he had made a blunder which would
have to I rectified, and he haa cau
tiously hoen feeling his way back to
solid ground. He is not yet ready to
make the final leap, but is preparing
for It and, when he does, Oregon arid
Washington will benefit. Incidentally
it might be mentioned that the men
who gave ti e secretary bad counsel
have heard from it, and have been
warned to display more intelligence and
common sense in future
ONLY AMERICANS AS CONSULS.
Root Will Not Appoint Foreigners if
Hs Can Help It.
Washington, Nov. 1H. Not a single
foreigner has been appointed to the
American consular service abroad since
Secretary Hoot assumed office. He
feels that it is his duty to "put none
hut Americans on guard." Aside from
the fact that a foreigner naturally
might be expected to take less interest
than an American in the development
I of our trade abroad, it is (eit that in
time of political stress, wherein rela
tions might become strained, no such
test should be placed upon tbo loyalty
of a foreign consular agent to his na
tive country as would be iriiitored by
requiring him, to do his full duty to
the country which merely employed
him.
So, although a number ot vacancies
have occurred in these posts since Sec
retary Root assumed office, he has held
consistently to the policy alove laid
down, and where it has not been possi
ble to find Americans to fill the vacan
cies, the offices have been allowed to
remain vacant. Of course, the vacan
cies cannot continue indefinitely, hut
the secretary hopes that, with the)
pressure of the business world behind
it, congresB will yield to his appeal for
more liberal compensation (or these
small posts, so as to enable him to send
out American officials.
Ballot Reform In New York.
New York, Nov. 18. At a confer
ence yesterday between representatives
of organizations interested In ballot re
form, a resolution was adopted declar
ing that ballot reform in New York
should proceed on, the lines of the Aus
tralian ballot as in use in Massachu
setts. As the representative of the
Corrupt Practices association, D. Cady
Herrick asked the support of the con
ferees for a bill which his organization
Intends to present to the legislature)
and which he said would be drawn so
as to do away with election corruption.
Plan International Parliament.
Paris, Nov. 18. Representatives of
the parliaments of the principal na
tions will assemble here November lit
to consider the American appeal for a
permanent International parliament
and; a general arbitration . trealv. as
presented at the Brussels' parliamentary
UJiigreHB uy uoiigresnmBn mcnara uar
ttholdt, of Missouri, who' represented
the jUnlted States at the congress. ; ;.
,