WEDDING GIFTS WORTH
A QUARTER OF A MILLION
Friends of Miss Cathleen Neilson, Who Will Marry
Reginald C. Vanderbilt To-Day, Present Magnifi
cent Array of Rare Gems to the Bride-to-Be
VVAASHINGM, April 13.—
Bat Postmaster General Payne,
J Jf J who returned to-day from
W^*^^ hia voyaga to the West In
dies, gave cut a statement"
in which he announced that the investi
gation of the affairs of the Postofflee De-~
partment would be continued and that
any persons found guilty of wrongdoing
would b© dealt with summarily. The'
statement follows:
"During the months of January and
February Information and reports
reached me which T deemed it for ttie
public interest to investigate and I per
sonally gathered such information and
facts as would enable the proper officers
of the department to undertake a thor
ough Investigation &3 to the truth or fal
sity of theso reports. I directed Fourth"
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow to
take the proper steps to Institute the
necessary Inquiry, using for that purposo
the postofflce inspector's division and
such other methods as would thoroughly
,-- r — — —^—^— ¦ -%
Every Division Is
to Be Carefully
Overhauled.
Mrs. La Montagne- became the leader of
her set and * achieved popularity as a
graceful hO3tess. She and her husband
spent considerable time at Newport and
in. Europe and in the estimation of all
who came in contact with them were per
fectly mated and quite happy in their
wedded life.
1 After it became known that troubles
had arisen it jWas stated that the first
serious misunderstanding occurred ~ In
Paris in 1901 while they', were visiting
there. What this difficulty was was not
made public, but support 'was given to
the rumor, by the fact that Mr. La Mon
tagne cAme home six weeks before his
wife returned. Tho rupture seemingly
was patched up, because after tho return
of Mrs. La Montagne the nome was re
opened and receptions were held there as
usual. ¦¦¦--.. - • •• {
On February 11, 1902, . however, It was
Society People in New York Wonder
- at the News. *
NEW YORK, April 13.— The San Fran
cisco dispatch to-night stating that Mrs.
Louise Catherwood La Montagne had
been granted a divorce from, her husband,
Ernest C. La Montagne, of New York,
came as a surprise to many, who, while
knowing that the La Montagnes had been
living apart for more than a year, were
not aware that a divorce action had been
started.
When announcement was made in Feb
ruary, 1902, that Mrs. La Montagne had
left her husband, it wan stated that she
intended some day to institute proceed
ings forVllvorce. but no declaration was
ever publicly made that such a proceed
ing had been begun. Society In this city
was astonished when it was learned that
a serious disagreement had, arisen be
tween them and that all efforts of their
friends to bring about a reconciliation
had failed. For nearly ten years they
had lived happily.
Mrs. La Montagne was Miss Louise
Catherwood, eldest daughter of Mrs.
Clara Catherwod of San Francisco and
granddaughterjif Judge Hastings, a so
cial favorite In her native city and noted
for her beauty, as .well as her charming
personality. Her marriage on February 4,
1S52, to Mr. La Montagne, a widely ac
quainted club member in New Vork, was
one of the most brilliant society events
of years on tho Pacific Coast- and was
attended by many representative folks,
both from New York and San Francisco.
The ceremony was performed in St.
Mary's Cathedral by Archbishop Ulordan.
Coming to New York, they made their
home at 114 East Thirtieth street, which
during the few .succeeding years was tho
gathering place of the fashionable society
set.
SURPRISE IN THE EAST.
NAPA, April 13.— Mrs. Louise C. La
Montague was to-tlay granted a divorce
from Ernest C. La Montagne by Superior
Judge Gesford. The custody of their
9-year-old son, Edward Clinton La Mon
tagne, was given to the mother, with di
rections that the father may have per
mission to see the child for three hours
every Sunday and at such other times as
the parties may agree. upon.
• It was further ordered that when the
defendant or the plaintiff and child are
absent from New York City or are so
journing in different places the plaintiff
sljwll be required upon written notice to
furnish toGeorge Bird Grinncll or his suc
cessor a written statement of tho where
abouts, health and condition of the child.
JThe court reserved the right to modify
the clecroe so far as It relates to main
tenance and education of tho minor.
The complaint states that the couple
were married in San Francisco oh Feb
ruary 4. 1882. and that the defendant de
serted the plaintiff on September.], lWL
Mrs. La Montague was In court with her
attorney, former Judge CVArlefl W. Slack,
of Ban Franci^a,'j»ni* /< iiVb ! oI. < 'her house
hold servants, 'Mrs. ; ilia-gam Emerson
and Charles Wolfe, who testified for her.
The defendant is in New York. He was
represented by his attorney, William M.
Pierson.'of San Francisco. Mr. Pierson
took no part in the examination of wit
nesses. Tlie defendant's answer admitted
all the allegations of tho complaint ex
cetpt that of abandonment. Technical de
sertion was proved.
Mrs. La Montagne la a daughter of
Mrs. Major Darling, formerly airs. Clara
Catherwood, and. is a granddaughter of
the late Judge S. Clinton Hastings. For
the past year she has been living at hor
mother's country place near Rutherford,
Napa County.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Court Proceedings a Great
Surprise to the Elite of
New York, j
Wife Makes Desertion
the Basis of Her
Complaint.
Divorce Is Granted
Mrs. Louise La
-7; Montagne.
LAW BREAKS
MARTIAL TIE
IN SOCIETY
TROUBLE A LONG WAY OFF.
Captain Charles H. Stockton Dis
cusses Conditions in China.
"The people in the south of China are
the only Celestials who love fighting for
Us own sake and it will be among them
that the next Chinese flare-up will occur."
So says Captain Charles H. Stockton of
the navy, late commander of tho battle
ship Kentucky, and one of the passengers
who arrived here yesterday from the
Orient on the liner Hongkong Maru.
Captain Stockton has just finished his
two years' service on the Asiatic station
and is come for a rest and assignment to
: ¦ M. Besson challenges MM. Combes,
father, and son, to take the case before
LhA courts.
PARIS, April 13.— The correspondent of
the Figaro at Grenoble telegraphs that
an article is published in this morning's
Petit Dauphlnois, In which the editor, M.
Bcsson, repeats his recent charges that
he ,was approached with an offer to pro
cure authorization for the monks of the
Grande Chartreuse monastery to remain
in^France on payment of $200,000. .
.M. Besson declares that the person on
whose behalf the offer was made by the
Intermediary approaching him was Ed
gar. Combes, the son of the Premier, and
that; tho 'Intermediary was a prominent
politician named Vervoort. Vervoort ex
plained that $20,000 of the $200,000 would
go to M. Besson as his commission on
the transaction.
NAMES PREMIER'S
SON AS PRINCIPAL
IN BRIBERY PLOT
Continued' on Page 3, Column -2.
Fora letter written by William J. Bry
an there was silence, but when Frank
Campbell, chairman of the Democratic
State Committee, announced that Mr.
Bryan had received , a ¦ special envoy last
fall who had^at tempted to persuade him
to stop the defection -from tho regular
Democratic ticket In ¦¦• this ¦ State and -Irad
failed, and when the defeat of. that ticket
was placed against tho account of \ Mr.
Bi-yan, hisses were heard In various parts
of the banquet hall.'-.
In his letter, .written . from: Wolf erts
Rcost, former Senator. Hill announces
that ."a united Democracy can win the
great contest in 1904 'and. rout the forces
of plutocracy."- A few "moments later In
his speech, which was enthusiastically re
ceived, Attorney General Cunnen laid
great stress and emphasis upon the ; re
mark, "Men who rave about plutocracy
aro not good citizens." '-. ..-.-
Edward M. Shepard in a speech. of con
siderable length -reviewed - the . political
situation, comparing: it with that- of/ two
years ago. § Ho made, the announcement
that had he been elected Mayor of Great
er New York he should have. dealt dras
tically with the police situation, "without
waiting a year to begin.". : . ..-'¦ ?.
Directing, his attention to the' national
administration, Shepard referred to Presi
dent Roosevelt practically a; a flrebran'lj
v/ho was teaching the nation" to desiro
war, . ',i ;,<i
NEW YORK. ,* April" 13.— Eight hundred
Tammany Hall Democrats' were surfeited
with sensations to-night at the Jefferson
banquet given by the Tammany Hall gen
eral committee 'of Bronx in . Morrlsania
Hall. Among other letters of regret was
"one from G rover /. Cleveland,, 'which was
cheered by all 'tho diners, the 'name of
tho former . President \ being j 'hailed •' as
that of the next President.^
For a letter from* former Senator Da
vid B. IIlll there were scant cheers and
no enthusiasm. '
HEAD, OF I POSTOFFICE DE
PARTMENT AND TWO AC
'/.* CUSED OFFICIALS.
Cleveland's Name Is Cheered
and Hill's Received
Coldly.
HISSES FOR BRYAN
AT A GATHERING
OF TAMMANYITES
Postmaster General Payne did not reach
the department until 4 o'clock this after
noon^ A score of newspaper men wer«
awaiting him with Inquiries concerning
the Postofflce Department Investigation,
but he parried all questions with remarks;
on his trip to the West Indies. Payne
later summoned a number of officers of
the department and heM short consulta
tions with them respecting postal affair*.
About an hour later he gave out hia
statement Subsequently ho held an ex
tended Interview with Bristow.
It is learned that several weeks will
elapse before the postofllee Inspectors
will be able to complete their work. When
they have finished Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow will prepare
a comprehensive report on the entire sub
ject. It is probable that some parts of his
report will bo -withheld from publication.
PostofSce Inspector Fosner of the
Northwestern division, who was director
general of posts of Cuba from the tlms vi
Rathbone's dismissal to the close of the
American regime in the island, la the
principal assistant of Bristow and Chief
Inspector Cochran in the actual handling
of the work. Postofflce Inspector Thorys
of New York and others have b««a
uruueht in from the Celd.
PROGRESS WILL BE SLOW.;
"Since my return this morning I have
not seen General Bristuw, so that I am
not advised of the progress. The Inves
tigation will continue and If any wrong
doing: Is disclosed the parties guilty of
such wrongdoing will be summarily dealt
with. If the system, or method of tiotni
business In the department ia faulty the
proper remedies will be applied without
fear or favor. I Inaugurated the Investi
gation with the determination that It
should be exhaustive. It Is proper for me
to add that I laid before tho President
tho Information which I had In my pos
session and that he fully approved of the.
action proposed by me."
At the same time Payee's purpose is to
giver fair and just treatment to all con
cerned and not to act arbitrarily and with
undue haste. For that reason it can b«
said that no immediate changes of impor
tance In the personnel of the service are
now contemplated and developments will
depend largely on the report to b« made
by Fourth Assistant Postmaster Genera!
Bristow on the Investigation, although
developments meantime may necessitate
some deviation from this policy.
NONE WILL BE SHIELDED.
ascertain the truth or falsity of the
charges or Insinuations made, and he was
instructed to proceed promptly and with
vigor during my absence.
agreed that the rebels abandoned their
plot only because of Commander Drake's
discovery and hia prompt action and that
of the foreign commanders in taking am
ple precautionary 1 measures. The landing
of an armed force from each of the for
eign warships had been agreed upon by
the- American, English, German and
French commanders at the first evidence
of attack. *,- . ,'
of *Jrs. Frederick Neilson, and
Reginald C. Vanderbilt, which is to take
place at high noon to-morrow, at Ard
lelgh. There is every indication of a
pleasant day. a thing which Miss Neil
son ia very desirous of, as it was only to
day that ?he Faid she believed she would
die if there were bad weather on her
wedding morning'.
"iss Neilson was out bright and early
to-<lay. Shortly before 8 o'clock she came
walking up Catherine" street, passed the
time of day with the policeman on the
corner and^asked him ' what kind of
weather could be expected. Taking a
public ea!.». she was driven to the rectory
of St. Mary's Church. She had b*en in the
rectory about fifteen^ minutes when Mrs.
Neilson drove uy and entered, and the
public cab was dismissed.
The visit to the rectory was for the pur
pose of making final arrangements with
Rev. William B. Keenan about the wed
ding: to-morrow. After Miss Neilson left
the rectory she and her mother entered
the church, where Miss Neilson ma.de her
marriage confessional and partook of tho
holy sacrament. This Is usually done at
the nuptial mass, but Vanderbilt being
a Protestant, this had to be complied
witn beforehand.
PROSPECTIVE GROOM FINED.
Vanderbilt did not have as- pleasant an
NEWPORT, April 13.— Everything is
now ready for the wedding of
Miss Cathleen Neilson, daughter
Speaking of conditions in China, Captain
Stockton says that he does not anticipate
any early breaking out of trouble, but
that when it comes, as he thinks it will
eventually, Southern China will be the
seat of disturbance. The Southern Chi
nese, he says, are tho only Chinese who
really love lighting for its own sake. Cap
tain. Stockton does not anticipate any se
rious trouble with the Boxers.
new duty. He had yesterday received no
orders from the department, but it Is gen
erally understood that the Kentucky's
late commander has been selected to
serve his country in England as naval at
tache to the American Embassy in Lon
don.
Of the activity of Admiral Evans, un
der, whoso command he served in China,
Captain Stockton speaks with enthusiasm.
From what he says "Fighting Bob" is
making a reputation for strcnuosity
which is bearing fruit in the good health,
splendid discipline and success in target
practice and maneuvers of the squadron
under, his command.
To-day Mrs. Xellson gr:vc out a list of
gifts to the bride, which will be shown
to the guests at- the wedding reception
to-morrow. Among the most Important
are tho following: Mrs.- Vandcrbilt,' tiara
and collar of diamonds; Miss Gladys Van
derbilt, chain composed of diamonds and
rubies; Mrs. ' Neilson,. emeralds and dia
mond tiara and brooches of diamonds and
emeralds; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred G. Van
dcrbllt, stomacher of diamonds; Mr. and
Mrs. Henry Payno "Whitney, diamond and
emerald pin; Mr. and Mrs. Frederick XV.
Vanderbilt, diamond and emerald pin.
It Is impossible to place an estimate on
the value of the wedding gifts, but it Is
eald that. the Jewels are valued at a quar
ter of a million dollars. Special officers
ar« watching the gifts night and day.
The rehearsal of the wedding party was
held to-night. No one was present out
the Immediate wedding party.
This evening Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt
gave a large dinner in honor of MI33
Neilson.
JEWELS FOR THE BRIDE.
shining brightly, and the temptation
was too great for the brothers to resist a
friendly race. It was all right as long as
the youna: millionaires remained within
the limii.^* of their own town,' Ports
mouth, but as soon as they got into Mld
dletown the people were up in arms. A
special session of. the police court was
held by Judge Baker. Paul Sarpoli, the
chauffeur, pleaded guilty and was fined
$10 and costs, amounting to $12 80. Van
derbllt was similarly treated and paid his
and his chauffeur's fine.
experience the day before his wedding as
did his bride of to-rnorrow. Both he and
his brother, who is to be his best man,
figured in a little difficulty in which the
Sheriff played a . conspicuous part and
which resulted in both gentlemen bclny
called upon to pay a fine. As an adjunct
tc the wedding festivities. It wems, Al
fred G. and Reginald Vanderbilt were out
in their automobiles oh Saturday even-
Ing. It was a beautiful night, the moon
PRINCIPALS IN THE FASHION
' ABLE WEDDING TO OCCUR AT
• NEWPORT TO-DAY.
Many arrests were made that night in
which some compradores were implicated
and large amounts of stores were seized
in houses and shops in Fong Chun and
Fates, opposite Shamcn. Many oth
er Indications of the Intended at-
Uiii were found and the officials
Instead of visiting the holy temple in
the inner city at midnight to offer in
cense the Viceroy and officials, contrary
to long custom, remained in their yamens
securely guarded. Around the VicA-oy's
yamen alone assembled 4D00 armed troops.
By 7 o'clock the gates to the inner city
were closed and the streets cleared.
WASHINGTON. April 13.-O.uiek action
and common sense treatment of a criti
cal situation by an American naval offi
cer in China recently paved the foreign
residents in the province of Quongtung
along the east bank of the Canton River
from falling victims to a plot which,
while directed primarily against the Man
chu dynasty, inevitably would have
culminated in an attack on the foreign
population. This attack was averted by
the precautionary measure taken by Com
mander F. J. Drake, commanding the
United States etcamer Monterey, with tho
assistance of tho English gunboats Sand
piper and Britonmart, the French gunboat
Avalanche and the German tug Shamecn.
The coalition known to have fomented
the trouble extends to several provinces
a.n<i official advices received at both the
St<tt« and Navy departments show that
reactionary measures on a scale far larg
er than is admitted either by foreign rep
resentatives or the Chinese Government
have been -planned by the rebels.
Hearing that a force of rebels led by
Hung Chun Fook, a native of Wuchow,
had planned an attack on the Viceroy and
the Chinese officials of Canton during the
celebration of the Chinese New Year dur
ing the nights of January 28 and 29, Com
mander Drake prepared to defend the
foreign residents. An armed force of 3000
men had entered Canton surreptitiously
several days before ho learned the news
and were hiding with sympathizers. As
most of the foreigners and official repre
sentatives of the various nation* resided
in Shamen, Commander Drake flrat com
pleted his plan of defense and then, to
allay the excitement which prevailed,' he
officially Informed the consulates and Chi
nese officials of Lis preparations and »d
vi?ed the commanders of the English,
CJc-rman and French gunboats of the line
of action to be pursued in case Sharnen
Inland was attacked. The foreign com
manders offered their co-operation and
plans were perfected to inert any trou
ble that developed, whether on the island
or on the wattr.
Quick Action of American Naval Of
ficer Prevents an Outbreak.
FOREIGNERS IN DANGER
Among military men serving in China
the Empress', pretended friendship for
Tlrs. Conger is but a clever ruse to gain
Time to accomplish her end. When the
lime is r'pe. in Farmer's opinion, the
treaty ports of Tientsin, Chefoo. Amoy
smd even Shanghai will hr attacked by
?.ell-drllled armies and all foreigners will
be killed.
Captain Farmer says the Chinese people
*r« being taxed to the utmost under the
pretense that the money is necessary for
V-aying Indemnity. Only a portion of it is
so used. The balance is being converted
Into the manufacture and purchase of
arms ar.d ammunition.
TACOMA, Wash., April 13.— "Unless the
Empress Dowager dies or becomes in
sane the imperial Chinese army will be
t-jm-d against foreigners within the next
five years and there will be a massacre
b»>6iG« which the Boxer uprising was
child's play."
This is the statement made by Captain
Farmer of the Twentieth Fusileer Briti.-h
Infantry Heglment, who is returning
home after five years' service in China.
He declares that the entire Chinese Gov
ernment, from Jhe Empress down, is pre
paring for war. The armed forces have
been doubled and arc still being increased
;n every province.
Anna s:id ammunition -arc being pur
chased wherever possible in quantities
and stcrrd in cafe places for future use
Five great arsen&ls, working to their ut-
TOost capacity, ire being maintained by
the snterier provinces: Reform officials
are being tiepc^ed as Governors and Vice
roy*, and in their places are installed re
actionaries who ni!l carry out the Era
press* bloodthirsty policy without hesita
li'jn.
Specit.1 Dispatch to The Clil
Empress Dowager Is Secret
ly Preparing for Tre
mendous War.
British Army Officer
Predicts Fearful
Slaughter.
Gigantic Conspira
cy Against For
eigners.
CHINA'S IRE
SPEEDS PLAN
TO MASSACRE
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
SAN FRANCISCO. TUESDAY. APRIL 14. 1903.
VOLUME XCELI— XO. 135.
f f «^" HE investigation will continue, arid if any zvrong-doing is disclosed the parties guilty of
•/ such wrong-doing will be summarily dealt with. If the system or method of doing business
iii the department is faulty, the proper remedies will be applied without fear or favor. I inaug
urated the investigation with the determination that it should be exhaustive." — Statement by
Postmaster General Paxne.
POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT HOUSECLEANING WILL BE THOROUGH
AND NO MERCY WILL BE SHOWN THE GUILTY, DECLARES PAYNE
The San Francisco Call.