Newspaper Page Text
TT AHAPOLIB JOUKNAI WKHKI.Y KSTAPt.tSHF.D 1C3- DAILY r.STAlsLlsllIID ls.-. 1 VOL. J1V. 81 INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 21, ip04 TEN PAGES. PRICE 2 CENTS. ON P ATIWAT TRAINS FIVE CENTS. IS DESCRY A l EMPEROR OPENS TOE SPECIAL SESSION OF IHEETIN PERSON Ruler of Japan Appeals to Parlia ment for Funds with Which to Carry on the War. CLOUD OF EVIL OBEN IN THE HEARST II Conservatives of the Partv Are As suminjr an Attitude of "Any Bottom Somewhat Damaged by Going Ashore Off Cherbourg, Water Penetrating the Hold. mm body to Defeat Hearst.1 SOUTH IS AGAIXST HIM PROCEEDS IX HEAVY FOG IMPOSING MARCH PAST But Recognizes the Fact that Bry- Runs Into a British Troopship with Five Hundred Levies for India on Board. r INBJ DEB STEAMSHIP NEW YORK RUNS AGROUND AND IS LATER I A COLLISION onnu UUUI Imperial Retinue Viewed by Thou sands in Profound Silence as a Token of Respect. HEARD BY BOTH HOUSES an Will Have Much to bay in Naming the Candidate. EFFECT OF POSTAL ROW .Will Be Found in Better Methods ! of Fixing Clerk Hire Allotments Service in Philippines. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. WASHINGTON. March 20. The con servatives among the Democratic leaders here are r -coming alarmed over the prog ress of the Hearst boom. By conserva tives is meant all Democrats who are try ing to shake off the nightmare of Bryan ism. Not a few of them live in the South. They are for anybody not wedded to Bry fanlsm. They believe that Hearst stands for all that Bryan ever did. and that he Is a radical of the Bryan stamp. How to Fhake off the Hearst movement is a puzzle to this element. From thfir point of view of the situation, it Is now the field against Hearst, and any one of the candidates, Parker, Gorman or Gray, would be satis-, factory. The letter written a few days ago by Senator Clay, of Georgia, Is accepted here as representing the opinions of the younger element of the Democrats of the South. He says in so many words, "any body but Hearst." From one of the "conservative" Western Democrats here, one who denounced free silver, but supported Bryan In ISM and 1300, Is obtained an expression of what Is re garded in some quarters as the way mat ters are lining up for the Democratic con vention: "Mr. Cleveland, or anybody who was connected in a prominent way with his administration, is out of the question. Such a nomination would split the Demo cratic, party wider than it was after the Baltimore convention of 1S60 Bryan is a controlling factor In the Democratic party. He should hot be nominated, but he will have" much to say about the proceedings and the results of that convention. The nomination must be made by a two-thirds vote, and it is idle to suppose that Mr. Bryan's wishes will not be heeded, by one-third of the delegates. As to the platform, which requires only a majority, he may not be so potent, an influence. It will be seen from these facts that . Mr. Bryan will have so large an influence In the convention that any candidate who was net truly loyal in li will- not have the slightest chance of being nominated at the St. Louis convention. The delegates may tamper with the sacred'prlnciples of Bry anlsm, but the candidate to head the ticket must have the approving mark of the Ne braska man." There are very few leaders of the Dem ocrats here who would not indorse the points made by this Western conservative. The facts, as they are looked at, cause the Democratic leaders here to ponder on what Mr. Bryan Is doing at his conferences with Hearst, and what effect these con ferences may have on the delegation to be chosen in New York. If Bryan is to control, will he not insist on having a candidate of the Hearst stamp an ultra radical which would mean that Tarker cculd not secure the New York delegation. One of the strongest points Indicating what the conservatives are facing in this regard is the fact that the records show that "at the elections in New York In .1900 Mr. Bryan polled more votes than any Democrat ever received in that State. If this is any evidence of the Bryan power among the Democrats of the Empire State, it would1 seem to be idle for the) party to expect to" shunt Mr. Bryan to one side and try for harmony and unification of the Democratic party on any . candidate that is not wholly acceptable to the Bryan ele ment In the party. Ths flurry over the -postal investigation undoubtedly had the effect to delay the adjournment of Congress a few days. At least a week was lost on account of the debate over the various resolutions and reports which came up, and the final re port of the McCall special committee may provoke a debate of several days. Minority Leader Williams has given notice that a number of matters, including every point relating to the postofllce investigation, must be open to debate sufficient for the Demo crats to present their side of the subjects, yet the expectation is general among the Republican leaders that Congress will ad journ by the first of May, and possibly sooner. At no long session of Congress in recent years has there been such a sys tematic effort to bring about an early ad journment by pressing the appropriation bills to the front early and constantly, to the exclusion of all other matters. The 8enate leaders believe that an adjournment can be secured by April 15. but they are counting on the desire which prevails on both sides in the Senate, not on the dis position for debate which is manifested by the Democrats m the House. The meeting of the Senate steering committee, which Is the Republican committee named for the purpose of outlining the order of business, produced the impression that practically no new legislation of ciportance will be considered during the ltst of the session. Never before In a long session were the appropriation Mils so far advanced as they are at this time. It is the general desire a-nont; the leaders in both parties in the Senate to secure an early adjournment, and every effort will be made toward that re sult. The postal Investigation and the reports to Congress, with the airing which these subjects have received in the halls of Con gress and in the press, will be productive of much good. It has developed that the Intimate relations which the great Post ofllce Department bears to the people were never fully understood by either the people or their representatives in Congress. One of the surprising things brought out was the fact that more than a million dollars is annually placed at the disposal of the department by the Congress for the pur pose of paying clerk hire in the small post ofilces throughout the country. In these email postofllces there is no stated allow ance for clerk hire, md the law expressly provides for such clerk hire in the post offices as is regularly paid. Moreover, it developed that according to departmental regulations certain allowances were made for clerk hire for separating malls in the small offices which were feeders for star postal routes, but nothing was allowed for such mall separation for rural free delivery routes. The third-class and fourth-class postmasters are expected to pay out of their own falarle? for such clerk hire as they may think they need, except what might be allowed for separating mails as ctated. What was more interesting was the fact that the conditions with respect to the allowances for separating mall.- and the means whereby the department arrived at the amount which should be paid were s-oret of the department. A postmaster might be entitled for yearn to clerk hire, but if he made no complaint he would never receive reliof. It was in connection with such canes that the names of mem bers of Congress Ucame involved in the Biistow report. n effort wUlbe made asfj iCONTINUUU ori &, COU hi THE ELEPHANT: "Why V, L COLLINS TO TESTIFY III ELKHART BANK CASE Col. Dodge Says Former Cashier Will Protect Himself Against Avalanche of Blame. PROSECUTOR'S ATTITUDE W. L. Collins, late cashier of the defunct Indiana National Bank, of Elkhart, who pleaded guilty last Monday to all charges except that of embezzlement Involved in the ruin of the bank, will be placed on the Jand to-day to testify in the trial of Justus L. Brodrlck, who, as president of the wrecked bank, is charged with similar gross finan cial offenses. There has been some talk during the past week cf Collins appearing as a witness In the case, but attorneys for the prosecution had not made up their minds as to the necessity of his testimony. However, they stated last night that Col lins will probably be called to appear to day. As the prosecution has" a half-dozen or more witnesses to ttstify this morning, Col lins will hardly be put on the stand until the latter part of the day. Assistant Dis trict Attorney La Follette stated last night that Just as soon as the evidence they now have prepared for presentation is concluded they will put Collins on the stand. Attor ney Kealing said several days ago: "If I am convinced that Collins will tell the whole truth in the case I will put him on the stand." The attorneys conducting the prosecution have thought that they have sufficient evidence to convict Brodrlck with out Collins's testimony. COLLINS IS ANXIOUS. It is known that Collins, indignant at the methods of Brodrick's attorneys 'in at tempting to shift the entire blame of the bank's ruin upon his shoulders, is anxious to give testimony In . the trial. Collins's attorney. Colonel Dodge, of Elkhart, de clared last week that they would not sub mit to Collins being made the scapegoat of the whole affair and would have the latter take the stand to protect himself from the avalanche of unjust blame that is being directed towards him. The trial of Brodrlck will be resumed in the Federal Court this morning at 9 o'clock. As soon as the prosecution concludes the presentation of its evidence the attorneys for the defense will Introduce their wit nesses. Mr. Kealing said last night that he thought they would complete their prose cution by to-morrow night at the. latest. The defense will consume two or three days, and probably another day will be con sumed in argument. It is believed the trial will be ended about Thursday or Friday night. It is stated that the defense will not Introduce many witnesses and that in all probability Brodrlck will not go upon the stand. However, the line of battle of the defense is being kept uncertain and it is not known what course it will take. DR. M'KIM DISCUSSES ' 1 A DEGENERATE AGE Compares "Progressive Polyga my" with that of Mormons and Talks of Legislative 'Graft." WASHINGTON, March 30. "Some ugly features of our national life; and what to do about them," wa the subject of a lenten sermon to-night by the Rev. Dr. McKlm. of the Epiphany Church. Dr. McKlm made a direct, forcible attack on the "almost conscienceless extravagance and passion for display" that has "spread downward among the people." He drew u vivid picture of the "pro gressive polygamy" of society divorces as compared with the polygamy of the Mor mons, and made a caustic allusion to the "graft from top to bottom of society," and "even the dark and iortentous shadow of the betrayal of public trust lying across the legislative halls of the Nation." SHIPS IX COLLISION; TWENTY-TWO DROWNED DUBLIN. March 20.-The German bark Mona collided with the English ship Lady Cairns off Dublin bay this morning. The Laldy. Cairns sailk in a few minutes. Her crew of twenty-two were drowned. The Mona, wMch was much damaged, was as sisted Into Dublin harbor. The Lady Cairns was a three-masted iron ship of tons. She was commanded by Captain T. Evans and was bound from Liverpool for Tlmaru. New Zealand. She was built in Belfast in 13 and was owned by I. Tulloch, of Swansea. The Mona was commanded by Captain S war ting and was last reported at Adres do you check my trunk? I'm going to BULL FIGHTER KILLED IN THE MIGJT JUAREZ Had Administered the Death Thrust and Turned to Bow, When the Bull Gored Him. CHEERS BY SPECTATORS EL PASO, Tex., March 20. "Cuco," whose real name is Antonio Fernandez, a matador, was killed to-day in the" bull ring at Juarez by a bull to which he had Just administered the death thrust. The bullfight was attended by about 3.000 persons, two-thirds of whom were Amerl .cans, many, women being present. It had been announced that the famous "Cuco" would kill-the last bull. The animal was especially vicious and gored two horses early in the fight. When the time arrived for the death thrust "Cuco" stopped, ready, and when the bull advanced drove the sword to the heart. The bull fell. "Cuco" turned to bow to the Judges and cheering crowd. The bull rose and bored him through and through. He died a few minutes after being carried from the arena. A sandstorm was raging and this blinded "Cuco" so that he could not see the warn ing signals of his associates, while the ap plause drowned out the terrified cries of the other fighters when they saw the bull about to gore the man. Many women fainted, while some of the men cheered when the matador was killed. MORMON OFFICIAL IN GUISE OF A MARTYR Angus Cannon Describes Himself as Having Been "Imprisoned for Testimony of Jesus." SALT LAKE, Utah. March 20. President Angus M. Cannon of the Salt Lake Stake of,Zlon, alluded in the Mormon tabernacle to-day of his confinement in the State Pris on for polygamous cohabitation some years ago, and described himself as being "Im prisoned for the testimony of Jesus." He said: "When I was but there on the hill (at the penitentiary) for polygamous cohabitation, imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus and testifying to the teachings of God, I wrote to the mothers of my children to teach them obedience to the will of God. I wrote them 'men cannot build walls so high nor prisons so deep as to shut out the spirit of God.' " HUSBATID OF WEALTHY WIFE JOJISIT HOME Robert Hunter Will Address So cialists at Terre Haute, His Native City. FOUND BRIDE IN SLUMS Special to the Indianapolis Journal. TERRE HAUTE, Ind., March 20.-For the first time since his marriage to the heiress of the Anson Phelps Stokes family, Rob ert Hunter, the Terre Haute boy who met his wife while doing settlement work In New York, will visit this city , next month. He will address the Terre Haute Socialists, who have secured two prominent speakers for next Sunday and Sunday, April m..-Professor George D. Herron. whose career while with Grinnell College, Iowa, brought him into national prominence, will be here next Sunday nd Robert Hu- h here April 10. It is not known whether Mrs. Hunter will accompany him. TRADES UNIONS FOR WOMEN TO BE FORMED Meeting Held at Boston to Organ ize Feminine Workers Through out the Country. BOSTON, March 20. With the object of promoting women's trades unions in the United States, the executive board of the Women's National Trades Union League, at its annual meeting here to-day, voted to send a general organizer and secretary throughout the country, who will act as a business agent, organize unions among women and investigate lockouts and strikes. Among the members of the board present were Miss Jane Addams, of the Hull House of Chicago, vice president; Miss Gertrude Barnum, state secretary of the women's trade unions of Illinois, and Miss Lillian B. Wald, head worker of the college set , Ueme&t X New York remain right where I am." YOUNG MAN SLAIN BY MIDGET NEAR MADISON Kentuckians, -Diminutive Murderer Escapes Across the Ohio River Into Indiana. POSSE IS IN PURSUIT Special to the Indianapolis Journal. MADISON, Ind., March 20. As the result of an altercation over exchanging to bacco Dick Crafton to-day shot, and killed Henry Stucker, Jr., a young mar ried man, at Lee's Landing, Ky., a short distance below Madison, , and escaped to the Indiana side of thejriver. , The sheriff and a posse are In pursuit of the murderer, but his capture has not yet been reported. Crafton is a diminutive man and he can easily be identified by descriptions which have been sent to southern Indiana cities and towns. Crofton escaped Into Indiana and is be lieved to be heading for this city. The In dianapolis police have been asked to watch for the murderer and have received a de scription of him. SIX PERSONS INJURED IN A GAS EXPLOSION Restaurant Wrecked at Pittsburg, Kan. Owner of the House Probably Fatally Hurt. PITTSBURG, Kan., March 20. An ex plosion of ä gas tank in a restaurant, owned by Cropper Brothers, in this city, to-night, injured six persons, three of them seriously. The injured are: EUGENE CROPPER, crushed under fall ing timbers; probably fatal. JOE PEOPLES, seriously. MISS MAUD B LAC KM AN, seriously. ' J. II. THOMPSON, a waiter, cut and bruised. WARD DE BAR, cut about the face. WILLIAM DE BAR, cut by flying glass. The building was wrecked. Eugene Crop per and J. H. Thompson were the only per sons in the restaurant. Miss Blackman and Joe Peoples were walking in front of the restaurant, and were blown across the street by the force of the explosion. Ward and William De Bar were across the street. BURGLARS' "KITS" AND . ARMS Oil EXHIBITION Interesting Display to Be Made at the World's Fair of Tools of a 1 Nefarious Trade. JESSE JAMES'S PISTOL ST. LOUIS, March 20. Installation has begun on the exhibit of cracksmen's and burglars tools at the world's fair. The dis play has ben gathered from the museums of the police departments of all the large cities of the" world and includes many in teresting relics of men famous in the annals of criihe. There will be on exhibition skele ton keys,' Jimmies and dark lanterns of the latest style, besides the Implements used by the modern safeblower when he attacks a steel 'strongbox. Among th unique fea tures is the pistol with which Jesse James created so much havoc at Independence, Kan. The filling of Arrowhead lake with water at the world's fair grounds to-day marked the beginning of the completion, in its de tails, of the exposition. The body of water skirts the Philippine reservation on the east and north, and contains about D.OOO.OuO gallons of water. It is to be used for homes for the lake-dwelling tribes of the Philip pines and will afford fire protection. This and other bodies of water will be supplied from the city mains. ' FILIPINOS ARRIVE TQ ATTEND WORLD'S FAIR VICTORIA, B. C, March 20. On the steamer Shawmut, which arrived here to day, were 3X native Filipinos bound for the St. Louis Exposition in charge of Dr. Hunt, former Governor of the province of Northern Luzon, and Mr. Healy. The party Includes Vizcainos, Tingallas. Igorrotos (head hunters from the mountains of north ern Luzon) and Negritos, with all their na tive outfit. Three of the party were dying when they reached here, owing to the con finement aboard fchlp. .. BOTH TO" BE DRY DOCKED Latter Nearly Sunk and Former's Bow Is Badly Injured Sea Smooth, Xo Casualties. SOUTHAMPTON, March 20.-The Amer ican line steamship New Y' rk, C-intain Young, from Jcw York March 1-, lor Plymouth, Cherbourg and Southampton, met with two mishaps to-day, grounding off Cape La Hague, France, in the early morning, and later coming in collision in the English channed with the reninsular and Oriental steamship Assaye, under con tract to the British governmentand used as a troopship, bound for Bombay with 500 troops on board. The New York grounded while approach ing Cherbourg at 2:30 o'clock this morning during a fog. The sea was smooth, how ever, and the tide was on the flood, and within an hour and a half the vessel was floated without assistance. Her bottom was damaged, and there was water in the holds, but she was able to proceed. During the voyage up the channel a dense fog descended. When off Hurst Castle, Eng land, the Assaye suddenly appeared, and it was found impossible to avoid a collision. The New York's bow crashed into the As- saye's starboard bow, tearing a great gap in that vessel. The New York's bowsprit and figurehead were carried away, and the latter was smashed to fragments. There was great excitement on both the vessels. The boats of the Assaye were low ered and the troops were mustered, but the bulkhead of the troopship saved her. Both vessels, were able to enter South ampton, and the New York was docked at 6:30 o'clock for temporary repairs. No body was Injured. It will be impossible to estimate the dam age to the New York until she has been put Into dry dock. It Is believed that both vessels have been somewhat seriously in jured. Another troopship will replace the Assaye. When the New York grounded at Cape La Hague the passengers, who were asleep, hardly felt the shock. James Sellers, a passenger on the New York, says that at 1:30 o'clock this after noon, while he was at luncheon, there was a grating noise, followed by a tremendous shock. Every one, he says, ran to the deck, and it was found that the New York's bowwas firmly fixed in the side of the As saye. Mr. Sellers was close enough to ob serve the marvelous discipline aboard the troopship. Not a second was lostO though there was no sign of a hurry, and while the boats were being prepared for launching the soldiers were mustered with the pre cision of an ordinary drill. "As the vessels parted," concluded Mr. Sellers, "we saw a gapiiit, hole in the As saye, ten feet wide, and sticking on our stem was a portmanteau and other portable property. There was no panic on our boat. Had we struck the Assaye amidships she would have sunk." ASPHYXIATED BY GAS IN AN AKRON HOTEL Man and Woman Are Believed to Have Made a Pact to Die Together. AKRON, O., March 20. M. P. Spegial. aged fifty-five, and Mrs. Ethel Bennett, aged thirty-five, registered last night as man and wife and were found dead to day In their room at Glenn's Hotel. Spegial left a widow and five children.. His wife recently sued for divorce, naming Mrs. Bennett in her petition. Mrs. Bennett's hdsband left her on account of her alleged infatuation for Spegial and is now serving in the army in the Philippines. The coroner returned a' verdict of sui cide in both cases. It is believed that they decided to die together. BUBONIC PLAGUE IN SOUTH AFRICAN CAMP JOHANNESBURG, March 20. An out break of the Bubonic plague has occurred iu the Indian coolies section. There have been thirty deaths since Thursday. It was first supposed that the outbreak was one of pneumonia, but the plague is now officially recognized and the section has been cor doned. A plague camp has been opened at Bellefontalne. It is reported that Dr. Manis. who was attending the patients, died on Friday. OIILY "GIGGLING GIRLS," ADD DIOII'T LOVE POETRY . Prof. Gayley Expresses His Indig nation to a Class of "Co-Eds" in University of California ABRUPT END OF LESSON UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, March 20. Professor Charles Mills Gayley, head of the English department, who has been given prominence recently on account of his pronounced stand against co-educa-tion, has taken his poetry class of 100 young women severely to task'. In his arraign ment of the "co-eds' the professor said: "If God Almighty or the Angel Gabriel wrote a poem it w:ould not interest you. You are nothing but giggling girls. Half of you ought to be made to pay tuition. The class is dismissed." Professor Gayley was trying to tell the class about the glories of some new poetry, but they were apparently not interested. When Professor Gayley had delivered his admonition he tossed his books into a hand grip and left the class in a state of bewil derment. There Is now great indignation among the co-eds. FEARS FOR THE SAFETY OF A COAST STEAMER VICTORIA. B. C. March 20,-The Cana dian Pacific Navigation Company to-day requested Captain Gaudin, representative of the Dominion Department of Marine Fisheries, to send the Dominion govern ment steamer Quadra to the west coast of Vancouver island to search for the steam er Queen City, now three days overdue. The company fears that disaster has overtaken the Queen City in the gales that have been raging on that coast. The Quadra left to-night to search Xor the uuttn City, VI EMPRESS OF JAPAN'. Who is Indefatigable in Iter Efforts to Furnish Aid to Her Subjects at the Front. E OF JAPAN TO 00 Haro Ko Has Practical Knowledge of Hospital Training and She Aids Army. HER NURSES ARE BEST TOKIO, March 20. Manifesting the inde fatigable energy that has characterized all; her efforts in the developing and improving of her country, the Empress of Japan Is doing more than her part for the welfare and comfort of the Japanese army while the soldiers are fighting against Russia. Al ways intensely Interested in hospital work and the care of the afflicted, her years of work and devotion have made her knowl edge of the greatest value to the country during its strife with the armed forces of the Czar. Under her trained eye hospital supplies and medicines are prepared to be sent to the front and the offlce'rs of the Mikado's army find in her an assistant whose equal is not within the confines of the Island. Thirty years ago the Empress created a school for hospital, sickroom and ambulance nurses, and the early 'work of Japan's first woman has borne rich results In the organizing of the army hospital corps. Since that time she has profited from the experience of hospital workers in all the countries of Europe. It is claimed that no country turns out women better qualified for nursing, more skilled, attentive to hygienical rule, or more tactful and kindly than those who were educated in the school founded by the Empress, and the highest praise has been bestowed upon her nurses by European Red Cr,oss societies. While the home life of the Empress has been solitary she has taken advantage of her situation to carry out ideas far in advance of her surround ings. ' Intense patriotism has been Inherited by the Empress, for the family of Harn Ko serves its country. Her brother. Captain Ichljo, is in command of a warship under Admiral Togo, and he is a plain, hard working seaman, while her ancestors have always had the privilege of entering the courtyard of the sovereign's palace on horseback. ACQUITTAL OF DEWEY AND TWO COWBOYS Jury Holds Them Not Guilty of Murder of Burchard Berry, After Long Deliberation. NORTON, Kan., March 20. Chauncey Dewey and hi3 two cowboys, Clyde Wilson and William J. McBride, were acquitted last night of the charge of murdering Bur chard Berry. The jury was out twenty eight hours. Chauncey Dewey, a young millionaire ranchman,-went to Chej-enne county, Kan sas early in 10X) to manage the Dewey ranch. Soon after his arrival there he be came involved in trouble with the Berry family. Trivial misunderstandings grew into serious differences which culminated in the killing of Burchard. Alpheus and Daniel Berry in June of 1903. at the home of Alpheus Berry, during a fight in which Dewey and ten of his cowboys were pitted against all of the Berrys. Dewey, McBride and Wilson were indicted on three separate counts, this trial being on that of killing Burchard Berry. NEW ENGLAND FEELS AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK Some Damage Reported to Build ings in Augusta, Portland and Bangor. BOSTON, March 21. An earthquake this morning caused a tremor throughout the entire eastern part of New England. Be ginning at St. John, N. B., the seismic vi brations traversed the State of Maine, caus ing some slight damage to buildings In Augusta, Bangor and Portland. The shock was. felt plainly as far south as Taunton, In this State. Reports from Manchester. N. H.. and Springfield, Mass., state that the vibrations were felt distinctly in those two cjties. Observers at the Harvard University as tronomical observatory. In Cambridge, felt the shock. At Augusta. Me., lamp chimneys were broken and crcockery was smashed. The vi brations lasted several seconds, and In nearly every instance occurred about four minutes after 1 o'clock. HAVOC WROUGHT BY PRAIRIE FIRES Range Country in Nebraska Is Devastated by Flames and Much Property Is Destroyed. HEMINGFORD. Neb.. March S3. Disas trous prairie fires have swept the range country. The ground being dry. the fire burned the roots of the grass in the ground, destroying it for grazing for three years. One strip burned is six miles wide and twelve miles long, another more than twenty miles long and very wide, while another strip, still burning north of the Niobrara river, seems to be even more ex tensive. Hanch sheds, barns, groves on timber claims and property along the railroad has been destroyed. Several narrow es capes from death are reported from the ranches Vll1"""""11!!! ,, t J""' I MPRESS US WE WAR Representatives Adopt a Reply, Pledging Support Peers Will Take Action To-Day. TOKIO. March 20. With statiiy ceremony the special stolon of Parliament convened to provide the money needed to wage the war against Russia was opened this morn ing. The Emitro. clad in the uniform of a generalissimo, rode iu the great stale coach from the palace to the Parliament House aud personally read his address to the peers and commoners. For the first time, the Crown Prince attend"d the cere mony. He followed his father to the Im provised throne In the peers' hall and stood close by his right side while1 he read his appeal to his subjects. The Emperor left the palace -at 100 o'clock, accompanied by a group of Im perial princes, aids and members of the imperial household His escort consisted of two troops of lancers, one preceding the other. Following came the coaches carry ing the Emperor, princes, and staff. The bril liant uniforms, coaches and pennant of red. and white silk carried by each lancer made the imperial procession 'an attractive pic ture. Lines of police and gendarmes kept the streets clear and walled back the pop ulace, which recti veil Its ruler iu absolute silence the highest mark of respect. Long before the Emperor .reached the peers' chamber, the members ere In their places. The peers, all uniformed, occupied the right side of the chamber, and the commoners, all In evening ilress. niled the left. The seats, which occupy rising tiers, had been removed and the members stood In nemi-circles with the president und vice president of each house iu advance of each main group. The members of the Cabinet, headed by Premier Katsura. occupied a po sition on ihe right platform, close to the throne. The diplomatic gallery was filled, nearly every legation and staff being present. Sir Claude MacDonald, the British minister. General Hamilton and Colonel Hume repre sented Great Britain. Minister Griicom, Colonel Wood, Commander Marsh aud Sec retaries Ferguson and Laughliu. of the United States legatlou, ' wrre also officially present. The otner galleries were filled with Japanese officials and military aud naval officers. No women were present. THE EMPEROR'S ADDRESS. When the Emperor entered, the members of Parliament bowed, low. The Emperor, advancing to the front of the platform, bowed to them and Immediately ascended the throne. Premier Katsura advanced to the throne and handed the address to the Emperor. The latter read it in a vole low but firm, which carried to every corner of the chamber. The address follows: "We hereby open the Imperial Diet and address each and all members cf the House of the Peers aud the House of Repre sentatives. We announce with high satisfac tion that our relations with the treaty powers are steadily growing in cordiality. Prompted by n eanest desire to maintain a permanent peace in the extreme East, our government, by our command, entered into negotiaUons with Russia, , but we regret that, owing to an absence of sincerity on the part of Russia lu her peaceful pro fessions, we have been compelled to appeal to arms, and having taken that step, we cannot hesitate until the object of the war is attained. "Our forces, in the presence of unwonted hardships, and privations, are now display ing their steadfast loyalty and valor, and we hope that all our subjects will co-operate in perfect unity for the enhancement of the glory of the Empire. "We trust that you will. In compliance with our wiil, fulfill the duty Incumbent upon you and give cordial consent to tht.se budgets and bills, which are especially ur gent in connection with the situation, and which we have ordered the ministers of state to la' before you." The members remained with bowed heads unJl the readtng was concluded. The pres ident of the House of Peers then ascended the platform, advanced to the throne and received the address from the Emperor. Tne Emperor then stepped to the front of the platform, bowed, left the chamber and re turned to the palace. REPLY OF THE HOUSE. In view of the extraordinary reply to the throne passed at the opening of the last session in December, wherein the House of Representatives condemned the policy of the Cabinet, which was declared to be in compatible with the progress of the Em pire, the president appointed a committca to prepare a response. After the Joint ses sion the committee met, prepared and pre sented the following: "We, your Majegty's humble servants of the House of Representatives. resp ctf ull y express our gratitude for you Majcrty' gracious action In opening the irupt..ial Diet, and for the words addressed to us by your Majesty. This empire has Invariably endeavored to maintain peace in the far East, but Rus sia has violated its treaty with China and Its repeated declarations to the powers. "We are ' extremely impressed with th fact that your Majesty has declared war. The executive arms at the front are re peatedly obtaining victories. , This Is solely due to your Imperial Majesty's Influence. "It shall be our constant ndeavor to bring to the discharge of our executive functions the utmost care and circumspec tion, so that your Majesty's august instruc tions may be obeyed and the Important trust reposed In us by. the nation may be complied with. "With profound renpect and humllitj. the president of the House of Representatives, Masahia Matsuda, presents this." The peers will meet to-morrow to prepare a response to the speech from the throne. ItuMftlnn Batterie Without (inni. LONDON, March 21. A correspondent of the Times at Nteu-Chwang cables as fol lows: "According to Information received here the reason the Vladivostok forts did not re ply to the bombardment by the Japanese was because the batteries were not provided with Runs. Since the bombardment Partien have been working night and day to place guns in position. The Russian losses were slight, because the batteries were deserted. The same conditions prevail at Vladivostok as at Port Arthur. The supply of provisions there is running short, and the population is panic-stricken. The ice Is considered the only real protection." POSSE AND NEGROES . IN FATAL CONFLICT BIRMINGHAM. Ala. March 20. A. C. McGiver, a negro, was killed, several more or less seriously Injured and one white woman wounded In a fight between negroes and deputy sheriffs, about two miles west of Bessemer, last nlKht. The seriously wounded are: Deputy Sheriff Newt Clemens, shot In breast and chin; Seaborn Cook, an old white man. shot in both arms, amputation necessary; Mrs. WUUngham. white, struck in the head by a stray bullet and slightly wounded. Deputy sheriff Cook may die. There was considerable excitement In Bessemer, but there is no fear of lynchlag.