COLUMBIA REGISTER
KOULTON- OREGON
NEIVS OFTHE 1EK
la a Condensed Fcro for Ox
Easy Beadsrs.
A Resume, of th Lost Important but
Not Less Interesting Event
f the Past WmIu
New York Italians have sent $10,000
to sufferers from the Vesuvius eruption.
The dormant volcano at Palma, Ca
nary islands, is showing signs ot activ-
ity.
Two more men injured by the explo
sion on the battleship Kearsarge have
diel.
Anthracite operators hare rejected
the miners' offer and are preparing (or
a iong strike.
Wires of striking French miners
continue to wreck houses, mob women
and fight the troops.
An insurance bill, along the lines
recommended by the president in his
message, is being drafted.
Charles E. Hughes, of New York,
has been retains 1 by the government
to fight the coal monopoly.
Three persons were killed and fonr
r-eriously injured by an ezplosionl on
the British battleship Prince of Wales.
The Postal Telegraph A Cable com
pany has conpl ted and ha) id working
order a new cable from San Francisco
to China.
The opening of two Mancharian porti
May 1 and one June 1 to the world's
trade is announced by the Japanese
government.
Voliva proposes to iowie tu aroitrate
their troubles.
Russia says the Jews are in no im
mediate danger of massacre.
King Alfonso has gone to England to
arrange the program for his wedding.
In a riot among coal miners near
Johnstown, Pa., fonr men were killed
and many injured.
Hermann's trial at Washington for
destroying government letter press
books has been postponed until April
25.
Admiral Goodrich, with his flagship
Chicago, the cruiser Marblehead and
the revenue cutter Perry will reach
Portland May 6 for a short stay.
The New York legislature has passed
another insurance regulation law,
known as the "anti-perjury bill."
The "big bill" only remains to be acted
upon.
Governor Folk, of Missouri, will see
that the Springfield lynchers are ar
rested and has two companies of militia
on guard. Four of the leaders have
been capteurd.
Fred 0. Murray, newly appointed
revenue collector at Buffalo, N. Y., has
been indicted for grafting. The alleged
stealing was from Erie county, of which
he is ex-treasurer.
Prosecution ol the steel trust has be
gun in Ohio.
Attorney General II ad ley, of Mis
souri, is quite sick.
Fonr persons were killed in a panic
in a Chicago church.
Another terrible earthquake in For
mosa Las killed thousands.
A Springfield, Mo., mob burned
three negroes and wrecked the jail.
Mark Twain has announced his in
tention of leaving the lecture platform.
Russia has sent to the interested na
tions a proposed program of subjects for
The Hague conference.
Sailors on Portugeee warships have
mutinied and temporarily have the
npper hand. Dislike of their superior
officers is the cause.
Hearst has begun proceedings in the
New York Supreme court to test the
validity of the election of McClellan as
moyatr of New York city.
The American Smelting & Refining
company will soon adopt an eight-hour
day for its five Colorado plantst. This
will affect about 2,500 men.
Dowie and Voliva are negotiating for
a compromise.
A great bank is being proposed to
help Wall street men.
Roosevelt is being boomed for re
election despite his refusal.
Piatt says be will not be a candidate
for re-election to thn mmuta
Correspondents on the isthmus eay
Colon could be made a model city.
The eruption of Vesuvius has almost
entirely subsided, leaving a barren
land.
Governor Higgins, of New York, has
signed two more laws regulating insur
ance business.
The government will spend $1,400,'
000 on the Jamestown exposition.
The meeting of the second Hague
conference will be held some time after
September 20.
The Pennsylvania's officers report
that in target practice with 6-inch guns
17 hits were scored in 90 seconds.
Future Governor Smith, of the Phil
ippines, is home for a rest. He says
lower tariff rates with the islands is
imperative.
TO AMEND CONSTITUTION.
Ex-Senator Turner, of Washmgton,
Would Call Convention.
Spokane, April 17. A convention to
amend the constitution of the United
States, so that many ot the reforms and
laws demanded by the people may be
carried out, is advocated by Judge
George Turner, ex-United States sen
ator, whe has recently returned from
Washington, D. C. A provision for
the calling of such a convention is
made in article 5 of the constitution,
although never in the history ol this
country baa it been applied.
"I am in favor of Laving a conven
tion to amend the constitution railed,"
said Judge Turner tonight. "Experi
ence has demonstrated that there are
omissions and corrections which it
would be wise to regulkte.
"In article 6 of the United States
constitution it is provided that 'con
gress, whenever two-thirds of both
booses shall deem it necessary, shall
propoee amendments to this constitu
tion, or, on the application of the legis
latures of two thirds of the several
states, shall call a convention for pro
posing amendments which in either
ease shall be valid to all intents and
purposes, as part of this constitution,
when ratified by the legislatures in
three-fourths ot the several states, or
by convention in three-fourths thereof,
as the one or the other mode of ratifi
cation may be proposed by congress.'
"I believe that there is an argent
need for such a convention. In my
opinion it is the only way by which the
necessary amendment can be passed to
elect United States senators by popular
vote.
"There if an amendment needed to
the constitution to enable an income
tax law. This measure has been parsed
by congress, but declared unconstitu
tional by the Supreme court. Such a
convention would make possible a uni
form divorce law and also the Federal
control of life insurance matters, as ad
vocated by President Roosevelt. The
convention could go over the entire
constitution."
TERRIBLE SCENES AT KAGI.
Buildings Left by Former Earthquake
Are Now in Ruins.
Tokio, April 17. One hundred and
nine persons are known to have been
killed and 29 injured in the earthquake
in the southern part of the island of
Formosa last Saturday, but further de
tails, it is expected, will swell the death
roll, as the shock was more severe than
that of March 17.
The town ot Kagi was again the prin
cipal sufferer, the houses which escaped
destruction in the former disturbances
being now in ruins. Doko and several
other towns and villages were also affect
ed by landslides, which have complete
ly changed the topography of the coun
try. The officials are working feverish
ly to relieve the thousands of persons
left homeless by the earthquake. Ter
rible scenes are reported around Kagi
and Doko.
Later reports received from Formosa
confirm the earlier rumors of the com
plete destruction of Kagi, where seven
persons were killed and 35 injured. At
Daigo 400 building? were destroyed and
at Ajensui 1,191 buildings collapsed
and 749 were damaged and three per
sons were killed and 15 injured.
These later advices say that this
shock was m re powerful than that of
March 17, but as the people had been
warned they were able to escape.
Portrait of Franklin.
New York, April 17. The portrait
of Benjamin Franklin, from Dorchester
bonse, London, the residence of Ambas
sador Reid, which has been restor
ed to the United Statrs by Earl Grey,
arrived today on the American liner St.
Paul, in a tin case addressed to Presi
dent Rooievelt. In view of the ap
proaching bicentenary t rank lin celebra
tion soon to be held in Philadelphia,
Earl Grey, who, with Counter Grey,
was recently entertained in this coun
try, thought it fitting that the picture
should be restored at this time.
Great Influx of Aliens.
New York, April 17. A new high
water mark in the tide of immigration
will be set when the aliens who arrived
at this port today on nine European
steamships, and those due tomorrow on
eight big ships which are expected to
pass in Sandy Hook before nightfall,
have been permitted to land on United
States soil. On the vessels which ar
rived today were 11,839 immigrants.
The steamers due tomorrow are expect
ed to add at least a like number.
Mob Members Guilty of Murder.
Jefferson City, Mo., April 17. Gov
ernor Joseph Folk, in a statement to
day eaid: "The lynching at Spring
field wai a most disgraceful occurrence.
Whatever the offense rf the negroes
may have been and however deserving
of death they may have been, they
were entitled to punishment by law
and not by a mob, and when a mob
takes the law intc its own hands, as
this one did, any member of it is
guilty cf murder."
Revolt Against the Sultan.
London, April 17. According to the
Daily Mail's correspondent at El Are
lah, Morocco, a young relative of the
sultan will soon be proclaimed ruler in
the south and a formidable revolt
against Fez is maturing at the cftv nf
Morocco.
. ..ii.ii wwm
OREGON STATE ITEMS OF INTEREST
TO SECURE SETTLERS.
Southern Oregon Towns Unite for
Common Welfare.
Medford Rogue river valley, fair as
a garden and bounding with manifold
products ot the soil, surrounded by high
hills rich in mineral wealth, and lying
on the main line ot railroad communi
cation with the outside world, has wit
nessed a demonstration ot enthusiasm
never before equaled by its citiaxna.
Pursuant to a meeting recently held at
Grants Pass, at which 60 were present
from Medford, a representative gather
ing ot men from Ashland, Grants Pass,
Gold Hill, Central Point and Jackson
ville convened upon Invitation ot the
Medford Commercial club last week to
discuss means and adopt plans tor or
ganisation to secure more settlers and
increased advantage in all lines for the
Rogue river valley and tor Southern
Oregon as a sectoin.
The organisation will unite all towns
ot the valley and will comprleall com
mercial bodies in the cities named.
Delegations were met at the depot by
the Medford Commercial club with a
band, and the visitors likewise brought
musicians, whose efforts added to the
enthusiasm. Dinner was served for 400
by J. F. Reddy, of the Nash hotel.
William Colvlg presided at the meet
ing at the Davis opera house. W.I.
Vawter delivered the address of wel
come, followed by the beat speakers
from towns represented. The tone of
the addresses indicate that the entire
valley will be united in working for
the advancement of every enterprise of
common interest to this section of the
state.
Water Rights on Walla Walla River.
Salem State Engineer J. II. Lewis
has addressed a circular letter to attor
neys interested in the suit involving
irrigation and power rights in the
Walla Walla river. The letter sug
gests a series of questions to litigants
which, when properly tabulated, will
show the facts in each rase without a
great mass ot conflicting testimony.
The suit pending in the Circuit court of
Umatilla county was originally started
to determine the rights of a few claiia
ants, but when the court came to con
sider the priority of various claims,
other water users' rights were involved.
The Dalles to Advertise.
The Dalles The Dalles Business
Men's association has opened quarters
in the Vigt block, with J. B. McDonald
as secretary and manager. Mr. Mc
Donald is recently from Detroit, Mich.,
and is a promoter of ability. He is
preparing a line ot advertising, de
scriptive of the resources and possibil
ities of Ths Dalles and vicinity, to be
circulated in the et . in localities
where people are looking to the West
for homes and for investments. The
association is enthusiastic in the belief
that much good will result.
Overhauling Beet Sugar Factory.
La Grande The work of overhauling
the machinery at the sugar factory has
begun and is being rapidly completed.
Half a dozen mechanics are employed.
In a short time the factory will be com
pletely renovated and overhauled in all
departments. Mr. Taylor, the new fac
tory superintendent, is expected to ar
rive from Logan, Utah, within a few
days. The demand for reed is much
greater than in any previous season, as
the acreage is very much larger than
ever before.
Two Convicts Pardoned.
Salem Governor Chamberlain has
issued pardons to John Zavler, sen
tenced in 1902, for eight years, from
Josephine county, for rape, and to A.
W. Hnssey, sent from Douglas county
for two years for burglary in January.
1905. Zavier was pardoned 'because of
excellent prison record and doubt of
guilt, complaining witness having ad
mitted that the prisoner was not guilty.
Hussey's pardon was recommended by
the judge and district attorney.
Brings Settlers to Medford.
Medford Edward Andrews, who
went to the Dakotas recently t secure
settlers for the Rogue river valley, has
arrived from the East with the first in
stallment of his party. There were 17
in the car, all homeseekers, from the
vicinity of Mankato and Crystal Springs,
Minn., and Mitchell, South Dakota.
The country looks good to them and
they will locate here. More are ex
pected to follow soon.
Establish New Course.
Willamette University, Salem Pres
ident Coleman has anononnced that a
friend of the university had given the
institution $2,000. Half this sum will
be used as a loan fund for students wl.o
need help, and $1,000 will be nsed in
establishing a'university emrse in elec"
trical engineering. Willamette will
then be well equipped in these lines.
Opinion on Bond Taxation.
Salem The attorney general, in re
ply to a query from the assessor of Lane
county, holds that city bonds and coun
ty warrants may be taxed the same as
other property. He says the state con
stitution distinctly authorizes tazing
such property. He says that all money
due from thn state or any subdivision
thereof is subject to taxation.
Plants 50-Acre Orchard.
The Dalles Carl Williams of the
firm of A. M. Williams & Co., is pre
paring to plant an orchard on 60 acres
recentlv nnrchaseit from P. L. Phllllns.
The land lies south of The Dalles, and
will be devoted entirelv to Royal Ann
cherries and Crawford and fiolway
I peaches.
ENLISTS AID O PRESIDENT.
Fulton Persuades Hm That Umatilla
Sheepmen Are Right.
Washington PreslJent Kooeevelt has
assured Senator Fulton that he would
overrule Secretary Hitchcock and see
that Umatilla county sheepmen holding
permits to grass in the Wenaha foreet
reserve are accorded t'te privilege of
driving sheep across the Umatilla In
dian reservation in going to and return
ing from their summer range. Mr.
Fulton took the matter up with Indian
Commissioner Leupp and found that he
was willing to accept the proposition,
provided Indian property can be prop
erly protected. The senator assured
him that sheep could cross the reserva
tion without damaging Indian property.
The president will confer with Mr.
Hitchcock in the immediate future and
see that some regulation is provided
that will be acceptable to the stockmen.
He declared that their request to cross
the reservation was entirely reasonable
and should be allowed.
The recent trouble at the reservation
is believed to grow ont of the fact that
Agent Edwards favors giving this right
to sheepmen.
Examines Booth-Kelly Bill.
Salem Governor Chamberlain has
received a copy of Senator Fulton's
Hootb-Kelly bill in response to a wired
request. It authorises the secretary of
the interior to exchange eertaln lands
in the Klamath Indian reservation,
ownership of which has been vested in
the California A Oregon Wagon Road
company by the United States Supreme
court. By its terms the company ran
select not exceeding 87,000 acres in
townships 31 and 32, in one or more
tracts, in iieu of an equal number of
acres of road lands. The bill a Wo
grants waterpower rights and mlllsltes
and right to construct a railroad
through the reservation. The gover
nor will authoriae the state land agent
to investigate and report.
Look for Early Berries.
Milton From present indications
the strawberry crop in this vicinity
will be from two to three weeks earlier
than usual and, unlets the unexpected
develops, will be the largest on .record.
Fred teller, a prominent fruit rancher,
says that his strawberries were already
commencing to bloom an j he expected
to have fruit on the market in less than
a month. Fancy prices will be de
manded tor the early fruit, which will
probably be placed on the market two
weeks before the famous Hood River
fruit has matured.
Opinion Under Carey Act.
Salem Commissioner Richards, of
the General Land office, says, in reply
to apiery from Chief Clerk Brown of
ihe State land board, that it is proper
to reclaim desert land under the Carey
act by pumping water, provided the
cost was not too great to admit of perm
anence. Secretary Hitchcock concurs
In the opinion. This question arose
from the proposition of W. E. Burke to
irrigate land in Harney county from
wells.
Quarter-Blood Indians May Vote.
Salem Attorney General Crawford,
in an opinion rendered upon request of
M. F. Parker, of the Klamath Indian
agency, holds that Indians of one
quarter blood may vote in this state.
Such Indians are to be recognized as
white people. He says a half breed is
to be considered a white man II bis
mother was a white woman, or an In
dian if his mother was a squaw.
.PORTLAND MARKETS.
Wheat Club, 69c; bluestem, 69
70c; rtd, 60c; valley, 68c.
Oats No. 1 white feed, $27.50;
gray, $27 per ton.
Barley Feed, $23.60(324 per ton;
brewing, $24 24. 50; rolled. 24.50Q
25.50.
Hay Eastern Oregon timothy,
cho'ce, $1516 per ton; valley tim
othy, $12; clover, $7.50(38; cheat,
$6fl7; grain hay, $708; alfalfa, $12.
Fruits Apples, $202.75 per box;
strawberries, $3.60 per crate.
vegetables Asparagus, 84(312fcC
per pound; cabbage, 22c per
pound; cauliflower, $2.26 pur crate;
celery, 75l)0c per dozen; head lettnee,
25c per dozen; onions, 1015c per
dozen; radishes, 20(3 25c per dozen;
rhubarb, 34c per pmnd; spinach,
$1 per box; parsley, 25c; turnips, $1
1.25 per sack; carrots, 6575c per
sack; beets, 85cl per sack. J
Onions No. 1, $101.15 per sack;
No. 2, nominal.
Potatoes Fancy graded burbanks,
65870c per hundred: ordinary, 60(3
60c; new Cal f rnia, 6c per js) ;nd.
Butter Fancy creamery, 1720c
per pound.
EsjgB Oregon ranch, 1617c per
dozen.
Poultry Average old hens, 1414c
per pound; mixed chickens, 13)414c;
broilers, 2527$c; young roosters,
12313c; old roosters, 11011 c;
dressed chickens, 15(315c; turkeys,
live, 17 18c ; turkeys, dressed, choice,
2122Jc; geese, live, 8010c; geese,
dressed, 10011c; ducks, 17018c.
Hops Oregon, 1905, 8010c; olds,
5X7c.
Wod Eastern Oregon average best,
16 0 20c; valley, 24 0 26c pel prund;
mohair, choice, 280 30c.
Veal Dressed, 87Xc per pound.
Beef Dressed bulla, 3o pir pound;
cows, 46c; country steers, 45$c.
Mutton Dressed, fancy, 9 010c per
pound; ordinary, 67c; lambs, with
pelt on, 1010c.
Pork Dressed, 68c per pound.
SEVEN LOSE LIVES.
Powder Explosss In Turret of Bat
tlsihlp Ksariarge. j
Washington, April 16. Two years
ago to a day later than the latat Mis
souri disaster, as every sailor Immedi
ately recalled, on Friday and the 13th
of the month, seven men were done to
death In the forward turret ot the hat
Ulahlp Kearsarge by one ot those acci
dents which acquire additional terror
for sailors because ot their obscure or
igin and the almost liupoealblltty ot
prevention.
The Atleotlo fleet had been for weeks
engaged in most severe drills In the
waters ot the Caribbean lea, culminat
ing in the quarterly target practice.
This practice was Jut about conclud
ing, with most satisfactory results op
to Friday, ad it was confidently ez
pected at the department, upon the
basis of preliminary reports received,
that all records would be broken in the
matter ot rapidity of Ore and efficiency
ol the gunners. But today came a
cablegram from Rear Admiral Evans,
commanding the Atlantic fleet, telling
ol a dreadful accident on one ol his
best ships, ths Kearsarge. The news
came from Celmanera, a little cable
station at ths mouth ot Uoantlnamo
bay, indicating that the Kearsarge
itself had arrived at that place. The
message read as follows:
"Calmanera, April 16. Secretary
Navy, Washington: Oo April 13,
about S: IB p. m., shortly after comple
tion of target practice ot the Kearsarge
forward ttrret, while the powder was
going below, three sections of a 13-lnch
charge of powder were Ignited. The
charge ol powder In other lift Just be
ta and one section of 13 Inch re
mained intact. Cause nnknown. Mat
ter is being Investigated. Seven men
were killed and the recovery of another
is doubtful."
BLAMES COMPANY.
Official Report on Steamahtp Valen
cia Disaster.
Washington, April 16. The depart
ment of Commerce today made public
the report of the special commission
which held an investigation into the
Valencia disaster last February, hold
ing Its sessions at Seattle. The report,
which is made to the president and
signed by the three commissioners,
Laurence O. Murray, assistant secretary
of the department; Herbert Knox
Smith, deputy commissioner of corpora
tions, and Captain William T. Harwell,
U. 8. N., consists of 52 printed pages
and exhaustively reviews the testimony
and findings ot the commission.
A feature of the report is its severs
censure for the Pacific Coast company,
which owned the steamer. The brunt
of the blame, however, Is thrown on
Captain Johnson, who perished In the
wreck.
Siity witnesses were examined, their
testimony covering 1,860 typewritten
pages. Though the commission was
without power to compel the attend
ance of witnesses and had no funds
with which to remunerate them, sub
stantially all of the survivors of the
wreck were examined, except a lew
who had gone to distant points before
the inquiry ht-gan. In addition a large
number of master mariners and mem
bers of the crews of vessels which went
to the Valencia's aid were put on the
stand.
COUNTRY RETURNS TO LIFE.
Sun Shines on Naples and People
Resume Business.
Naples, April 16. The news from
Vesuvius continues to be satisfactory.
The sun In shining brightly this morn
ing, and the last vestiges of the erup
tion are disappearing from Naples.
The work of cleaning and sweeping is
still going on here. The city has about
resumed its normal appearance. Re
ports from the villages anl towns in
the region of Vesuvius say that the
people are gradually returning to their
homes. The stores are beinng reopen
ed. The inhabitants of the towns
which suffered the least are actively en
gaged in repairing their damaged homes
and churches. In the opening np of
the roads they are assisted by the troops
and government engineers.
San Pedro Road Again Open.
Los Angeles, Cal., April 16. The
San Pedro, Los Angeles A Halt Lake
railway will be opened for throngli
traffic again this evening for the first
time since nearly 100 miles of the road
between Calientes and Las Vegas was
rendered useless by floods on March 24.
The company has had 3,000 pen at the
scene of the washouts, and General
Manager Wells has spent bis entire
time there, and has sot yet returned
to this city. No. 2, the first trsin ont,
leaves here at 8 o'clock tonight. No.
1 will leave Salt Lake at midnight.
Gorky May Be Deported.
. Chicago, April 16. A special to a
Chicago paper from New York says
Maxim Gorky and the woman who is
known as his wife may be deported
because of false representations made
on their entrance to this country. Offi
cers of the Immigration bureau declare
that, if the matter is properly brought
before the bureau, Gorky may be de
pur ltd. It is believed that persons
who do not admire his opinions will
lose no time in cringing np his case.
Can't Ask Him to Attend.
Washington, April 16. The impos
sibility of inviting the British ambas
sador to participate in the Paul Jones
ceremony at Annapolis on April 24,
nnmmcmoratlng events in which Eng
land come out second best, has led
hnA In charge of the ceremonies to re
frain from inviting the participation of
any nation other than France.
SOURCE JFRAUDS
Chinese Minister to United States
Defends Chinese Olllclals,
DO NOT ISSUE BAD CETIFICATES
Only 8 Per Cent of Numbsr Ssaklng
Admission Come From Chi
nese Government.
Washington, April 17. Sir Chens;
tang Liang Cheng, ths Chinese minist
er, has taken Issue with Representative
IVnby on the question of the responsi
bility lor the Issuance It fraudulent
certificates of adnilsslonjto the United
(Hates. Mr. iVuby stated to the house
committee on foreign affairs, during
the hearings on ths Foster bill, amend
ing the exclusion act, that the fact that
so many of those certificates were found
to be fraudulent was pretty fair evi
dence of fraud by the Chinese olllclals.
To this charge, the Chinese minister
has replied in a letter which has been
made a part of the record In these
hearings.
During the three years he has Iwen
In charge of the legation here, the min
ister says, be has kept a record of every
certificate that has been Issued In the
provinces of Kwang Tung or tuklen to
Chinese subjects departing lor the
United States, the Philippines or Ha
waii; that the emigration from all oili
er provinces Is incignlflcant, and that
527 certificate represent the total num
ber Issued. However, he says the fig
ures of the immigration for these three
years show the total number of appll
catanti for admission bearing mlitl
catia numbers 6,600. The mimtxT
hearing certificate from the Chine
government, he says, la bnt 8 per rent
of the total number set-king admission.
"Where did the 02 per rent get their
certificates?" he aks, and then proceeds
to answr the question by stating that
nmlcr the regulations of the Immigra
tion service officials in the following
cities and countries are permitted to Is
sue these certificates: Vancouver, Vic
toria, New Westminster, Ottawa, Cuba,
German protectorate of Klautrhon,
Guatemala, Hawaii, Hongkong, Jat an,
Hokkaido, Formosa, Mexico, Philip
pine islands, Portuguese province of
Macao, Society islands, rUraits settle
ment, Trinidad and Venezuela.
INCREASE IN IMMIGRATION.
Totals for March and for Six Months
Exceed Al Records.
Washington, April 17. The total
immigration to the United States from
all countries during March, 1006, ac
cording to a statement letuod by the
Immigration bureau today was 133,245,
or an increase of 70 per cent over
March, 1904. The number arriving in
March, 1H06, la given as 120,0.12. The
number debarred during the same
month was 6f9, an increase of 40 per
cent over 1004.
Tie Russian immigration to this
country during March, 1U06, was 24,
203, an increase of 76 per cent over
11)04, the immigration for March, 11)05,
being 16,318.
For tho slz months ended March 31,
lltOH, the immigration from all conn
tries was 463,316, an increase of 38 per
cent over the same period In 1004. For
the same period the immigration from
Russia increased 40 per rent, those ar
riving numbering 81,733.
May Agree to Arbitrate.
Kansas City, Mo., April 17. The
South western Coal Operators' associa
tion, through its officials here, has be
gun informal negotiations with John
Mitchell, president of the United Mine
workers of America, that may result In
some sort of arbitration agreement cov
ering this field, which includes Mis
souri,' Kansas, Arkansas, Teaxs and the
territories. It bus been suggested to
Mr. Mitchell that he join the operators
in appealing to President Roosevelt to
arbitrate the differences betweeii the
miners and mineworkvrs.
Castro's Move Mysterlons.
Willemstad, Island of Curacso, April
17. Passengers arriving here today
from Venezuela eay that the action of
General Castro in retiring from tho
presidency in favor of President Gomel.
Is not clearly understood in Venezuela,
but the general opinion sooniB to be
that his retirement is only temporary.
General Castro has gone away, as a.
private citizen, unattended, and paying
the regular fare on the railroad. His
wife has gone another way, and tho
ez-president'a sister arrived here today.
Battle With Ladrones.
Manila. April 17. The headauartnra
of the Philippine constabulary at Ma-
ioiob, island ot Luzon, was attacked
several days ago by a band of ladrones.
Three native" members of the constabu
lary and one ladrone were killed. The
affair creates no alarm here, where it is
regarded merely as an incident nf tlm
effort to restore order through the em
ployment of a native constabulary.
Similar conflicts between local outlaw
bands are of more frequent occurrence..
Townsltet on Irrigated Tracts.
Washington. Anrll 17Ttia n.o.l.
n r I pmai-
dent todav siciied the llflvhni-n.FranMi
townslte bill, which provides for the-
t m a t .
formation oi townsites on government
irrigation tracts and provides water for
municipal and. domestic purposes as
well as for development of water power -
on government projects.