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ra-. ' . ..-itf $i LAST EDITION THURSDAY EVENING. TOPEKA, KANSAS, JUNE 7, 1900. THURSDAY EVENING. TWO CENTS. r . - da Kansas Crop Prospects Sever So Good. Were Condition of Wheat For Whole State Over 100 Per Cent. ARE SO CHINCH BUGS Havaes of Insect Pest Been Noticeable. Not HarTesting Has Already Begun in Many Sections. THE 15 BIG COUNTIES. They Contain Half Wheat Acre age of Kansas. Sun Never Shone Upon More Promising Area of Wheat. Secretary F. D. Coburn of the Kansas cfiepnrtment of agriculture today issued a bulletin giving the results of search ing inquiry into the state's crop condi tions on June 2. as learned from exper lnced reporters growers, millers and tlevator men in every neighborhood specially cauUoned in each instance to make only safe, conservative estimates. Any occasional local statements ap pearing extreme or extravagant, sug gesting a disposition to unduly magnify tjr minimize in any direction have been carefully eliminated, and if any differ ent the situation is even more favorable than the published figures indicate. This, in accordance with the depart ment's invariable rule that Kansas ehall always be able to show more as sets and deliver more poods than the in ventory and advertisements set forth. The average condition of winter wheat for the whole state is 100.9 per cent, ranging from 52 in Cheyenne coun ty to 111 in Harper. The counties report ing the highest conditions are Harper, Ottawa, Leavenworth, Sedgwick, Pratt, Cloud, Clark. Barton and Bourbon. Of the 103 counties, 13 in the central third of the state, or Sumner, Barton, McPherson, Rice, Rush, Ellis, Pawnee, Jiussell, Sedgwick. Saline, Stafford, Re no. Mitchell, Ellsworth and Harper, named according to their rank in acre age, have 50 per cent of the entire wheat area, with an average condition of ios.4, ranging from 97 in Rush to 111 In Harper. Along with these counties the 14 having successively the next lars--st acreages, viz: Dickinson, Marion, Lincoln, Osborne, Cowley, Ottawa, Rooks, Harvey, Kingman, Thomas, La bette, Ness, Smith and Pratt, making located mostly in the central third of the state, contain 73 per cent of the area sown to wheat and show an aver asje condition of 102.5. In HZ counties having 95 per cent of the wheat acreage, or practically the v heat field of Kansas, the average con dition is lol.Oi. Material damage by chinch bugs is not reported from any county except Dickinson. In Dickinson, Marion, Mc Pherson, Ottawa, and Rice counties the Hessian lly has been doing harm in many fields, more particularly in those of Dickinson and McPherson. From many directions stories are sent of wheat lields infested with myriads of small green lice or flies, but from no wh'Te are there definite statements of their yet being actually harmful Harvesting has begun in the earlier fields of the southern tier of counties On the whole it is doubtful if the sun ever shone upon a like area of wheat in a single state, more promising than that in Kansas at the beginning of June 19(10. Generally throughout the state the condition and prospects of corn are very encouraging. The acreage is re ported practically the same as last year with a condition of lKi.- per cent bein" S points higher than at the same date one year ago, and 14 higher than two years ago. In 27 counties which had 50 ier cent of the corn acreage last year the conditions averasres !I1 X tnrvin,, follows: Bourbon 100, Brown 98, Butler v lay v.ioua Mi, uoriev 88, Cowley !'8, Decatur 91, Dickinson 91," Franklin 90 l.reenwood 90, Jackson 95, Jefferson loo' Jewell 94, Linn loo. Lyon 80, Marion 9l" Marshall 90, McPherson 91. Miami 9o' Mitchell 97, Nemaha 94. Norton 9' oaue 97. Phillips Si, Pottawatomie 9i ti"l Reno 8S. 1 h- following table shows the estima ted number of acres of wheat in each ., .' 1 I 1 1 "' rank according to its , . ' "rn's Planted to corn in ' "'e condition of the growing .- ... ,, ..vclt u.L WHS I time: WI1KAT B X -J ? COUNTIES. 2 3 " : p. s-3 CORN 1 ft 2 le4! ;s r29! 88 I07: lsi.79 85 95 liw.7121 ii I"1''1 9s. 327! SX 97 1T:K, 81 97 13.751 ) l'l I'M 27 90 l"3i 9.lllsl 8s l"lj 0l.67.2i SX I'M Sn..-r.l sn l"8i 11.3 2.8 H", ,,, o-smsj S8 loo iii;,9s:i (7 1"6 54.217! SS l'KI V '.O.3: 91 1'H 97.33:0 ;i;: ! ;8.0j6' s-- 110; 91.831! 87 l'i2i 63.5S61 !'l 99! 110.2231 c.i 111! 78,2 0! ;o l.'2 U'i.9211 9S !!! 49.1 :i 07 1 6 75.019 v 107; 5s. 175! 81 17! 192.225' 8'i 9:'i 2'.3.9i.5: lot) 1"1 75.6"! 1-ni liro s 367 84 86! 25.612' 95 is; 7r.:;::s. 9: lot; 2". 20'.: m l'5. 257.11liV 90 1"3 156 3' XI 98 Si, 17J,33: i6 Sumner Barton McJ'herson .. Hiee Lush I'jiwnee ...... Kills Stafford Saline .- Kussell SclRWick Hetio Mitchell Ellsworth ... 1 ieki nson cis borne Kinsman .... Ottawa Lincolu -Mi.rt.in Harper c'ovvley "Rooks Harvey Praia cloud i-mlih Lab ile Ness Thomas Montr mtry '"dv-afds .... Marshall Prown rudiijj 296 80 2.2..1 177.66: 162.. 'Sir 157.211 1.-1.276 J34.173, 1...1 7"1 124 S 117.415! IKi.SMl 11 0.n II; l"7.7.!rt! l1.6o2; 101 587; :"0..6I '.5.0 111; i.2i! I'o.l' '7! 93 4i'l; 91.754i Sri,;;ini fir!2 9! (5 144: 0e.:.7' 59. -Hi 5.1. U'S. 57.410) 47.614! 47.llli.li 452 C9iJ( Trego Jewell Clay Sheridan Rawlins Graham Decatur Leavenworth . Atchison Doniphan Neosho Johnson Crawford Knrd Washington ... Douglas Lane Logan Ohi-r kee Chautauqua .. Butler Norton Coffey Hodgeman .... Geaiy Wilson Cove Wichita Jefferson Republic Karb r Kiowa. Wyandotte Nemaha Klk Sherman Wabaunsee ... Linn Miami Pottawatomie Sc tt Lyon Franklin Rilev Allen Chase Meade Woodson Osage Shawnee Jackson Bourbon Anderson Or. enwood ... Cray Cheyenne .... Morris S9.T1H) 1U1 R-MO! rJ) M 1'S 28'.i.4 -12: 9i 34.955 153,27i ') 34,Si,2 71 3". 47-,: ! . 34,5: 8:) 4.1.34 1! SlO 31.512 89 5:i.37'i Si 29.71S 78 101.21s 91 1'lS 66.38s 10) 28,024 M3 80.809 lul 2"5,279 100 82.570 99 25,970 in;; 92,972 98 25,496 101 70,705 95 23,731 88 92.195 98 23. ise ft. g (I7S ss 23.54H li.4 221,376 S 23,164 98 7S.49 95 23,038 99 1 Vrl 91 21,516 100 4,111 9'5 19.MS 90 79,199 9S 19,5X7 96 64.310 93 18.968 108 180.553 98 18.220 82 134,161 91 17.267, lot 124.274 88 16.227 9 3.803 92 15,751 97 47,025 97 15.078 9s 97,409 96 14.974 97 9.003 1(10 14.614 97 3,449 88 12,857 100 119,840 100 12,173 104 210.131 92 111,41 99! 43,28s 90 9,9:8 l.2 10.911 hi 9,518 l4j 13,251 96 9.309 2il 1 218,277 94 8.541) 103 ! 79.150 9s 8.23X 77 23,105 8S 7,852 1 02 111,115 89 7,472 1021 l"2.4b5 100 7,242 93 1 115.712 90 6.868 98j 170.196 92 6,7: 97 1,105 93 6.136 5 116,610 86 ,5.4s6 101 105,496 90 5.429 lol 94,339 86 5.165 90 87,631 100 4.614 1'I6 48.076 92 4.448 lo2 1,520 80 4,1rtf lOJ 53.540 96 4,1185 96 152.118 97 3.456 103 117,314 98 3,348 li 147.597 95 2.744 107 107,177 1') 2.696; l'l 97.271 102 2.5x DO 12S.111 91 2.5201 102 903 83 2.362 52 25,326 95 1.556 97 90.S87 100 1.41", (.2 1.002' 92 1.3471 82 5,6931 90 1,) 97 331 98 1,150 85 3,045 81 1,112 107 1,937 91 831 95 717 85 64s 1"2 393 94 6131 99 193 9i) 436i 102 187 100 216 02 217 100 112; lnO 53 84 36 102 407 100 170 75 Greeley Comanche Finney Wallace Clark Haskell Kearney Morton Hamilton Seward Stanton Stevens Grant The average condition of oats is &S.2. Most of the counties having the largest acreages sown report the best condi tions. Counties having the big acre ages last year report their present con dition thus: Atchison 91, Brown 92, Butler 100, Clay 95, Cloud 93, Crawford 90, Dickinson 95, Doniphan 92, Harvey 99. Jewell 100, Marion 96, McPherson 92, Marshall 98, Nemaha 97, Reno 90, Re public 102, Kiley 93, Sedgwick 97, Sum ner 91, and Washington 100. In various parts of the state alfalfa fields are afflicted by worms, in general appearance much like the well-known cut worm. These crawl up in the branches and work destruction by de vouring the foliage, showing a prefer ence for the tops and tenderest shoots. When disturbed they drop to the ground, curl up and lie as if lifeless. Their prevalence in such numbers is something new, and no one has sug gested any practicable remedy. In some counties they are reported as having in jured the first cutting of alfalfa 25 per cent. Aside from these worms the fields were never in so good condition, Gen eral condition 98. Fifty-four counties show a condition ranging from 100 to 115. A growing interest in the various sorghum3 for forage and grain is indi cated from all portions of the state, and a considerable larger planting than ever before. Although too early to re port with definiteness the condition is given as 94. Spring wheat condition 86, rye Po, po tatoes, increase in acreage, 4 per cent, condition 65; broom corn, increase in acreage 5 per cent, condition 90; flax and barley area same as last year, con dition 92 and 85 respectively; castor beans, condition 90: tame grasses 97; apples 76; peaches 83; grapes 90; cher ries 75. Largely owing to the early luxuriance of the pastures live stock is in unusual ly good condition, and seem to be ex ceptionally healthy, there being no al lusion to serious disease in any direc tion. CONCENTRATING. Botha is Massing His Forces Near Pretoria. London, June 7. In the absence of anything from British sources enlight ening the Boer statement that General Buller requested a three days' armistice the military experts here are inclined to believe a revised version of the story will show that General Buller sum moned the federals to surrender or evacuate their positions within three days, failing which he will attack them. According to a dispatch from Lorenzo Marques under today's date the Boers under General Botha, are again concen trating in the neighborhood of Hather ly, 12 miles east of Pretoria. From the same source it is reported that the Brit ish prisoners are being removed to Nooit Gedacht, an unhealthy spot in the Elands valley. About 300 men arrived there June 5 and 700 reached the place June 6. These probably constitute the portion of the prisoners which Lord Roberts reported had been shifted from Water Val. The strained relations between the secretary of state for war, the Marquis of Lansdowne and the British commander-in-chief of force. Lord "Wolse- ley, appeared to have reached such a pitch that but for the exigencies of the situation. Lord Wolseley would have resiirned". It seems that Lord Lansdowne attempted to usurp some of the authority always heretofore wielded by the commander-in-chief and the lat ter is now said to have laid the whole matter before Lord Salisbury- BOERS AT MAJUBA HILL. New York, June 7 A Herald dispatch from Newcastle dated Monday says: Great numbers of the enemy still oc cupy Majuba Hill, Laings Nek and the nigwani range as far east as Engle- brechts pass. On the Ballasberg the positions they hold are particularly strong. Generals Christian Botha, r ourie and Pretorius are in command. Should they obstinately refuse to yield and still continue fighting they will in all probability fall back on Lydenburg Dy way or Ernoio with prospects of a safe retreat into the almost inaccessi ble mountains of the Murchison range. 1 neir task to prevent Bullers entrv in to the Transvaal by way of Volhurst can only result in failure and unneces sary loss of life on both sides. Weather Indications. Chicago, June 7. For Kansas: Gen erally fair and cooler tonight and Fri day; northwest winds. GRAVE CHARGES. Accusation Against National President Mahon Of the Amalgamated Associa tion of Street Car Men. AFFIDAVITS ON FILE Which Allege That He Secretly Counsels "Violence While Publicly Urging Preserv ation of Good Order. St. Louis, June 7. Among the affi davits filed in the United States circuit court in connection with the proceed ings, for an injunction against street railway strikers is one signed by R. L. "Wilson and E. A. Drushel, in which grave charges Are preferred against National President "Wm. D. Mahon of the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employes of America, as well as against the president of division 106. The affidavit is as follows: "R. L. Wilson and E. A. Drushel, formerly residents of Cleveland, O., are now employed by the St, Louis Transit company, Wilson as a conductor, Drushel as a motorman. Wre were resi dents of Cleveland during the strikes on the electric car lines there in the year 1899. During said strikes, we be came acquainted with W. D. Mahon and Harry Bryan, Mahon being presi dent of the National Association of Street Railway Employes, and Bryan president of local division No. 106. Each of said affiants were members of No. 106, and attended most of the meetings of said division and heard the speeches, counsel and advice of Bryan and Mahon and they each say that in such speeches so made by each of them, the said Bryan and Mahon, when speaking in public, or where the public was likely to know of their utteraices counseled good order and advised against violence; but in private or secret meetings, where the public would not know what tran spired, said Mahon and Bryan by their manner, speech, innuendo and conduct, gave the affiants and the members of the association to understand they were at liberty to indulge in any kind of violence that would interrupt the op erations of the street railway lines and prevent other men from operating cars thereon. That as soon as these private advices by innuendoes and the like be came known among the men, pole cut ting, placing obstructions on the tracks, assaulting cars and employes with stones, eggs and other missiles became general and that said strike lasted for almost four months with that character of violence and obstructions to the tracks prevailing which your affiants believe was in the manner aforesaid in cited, counseled and advised by said Mahon and Bryan and others in col lusion with them." Mr. Mahon, when seen in regard to these charges, said: "I deny complete ly the charges of Wilson and Drushel. STRIKE SITUATION. It is lust one month lacking a day since 3.325 employes, of the St. Louis Transit company struck to secure a rec ognition of their union and an adjust ment of other grievances, and a settle ment of their differences does not seem to be in sight. The Transit company has agreed to recognize the union and to allow its employes to belong to it, out insists on retaining all the men who have taken the places of strikers. Last week the company agreed to take back 1,000 men at once, 800 within 30 days and as many more as there be came vacancies for. The strikers in sisted that all or none be taken back and here the matter rests. Additional non-union men are daily coming to town to run the cars and the company now claims so many places have been filled that they can only provide posi tions for less than 1,000 of the old em ployes. Gradually the Transit com pany has resumed service on all but two or three of its lines, but is not running the usual number of cars on any one of them and none at night. Six additional companies of deputies have been organ ized from among tne posse men sworn in during the past few days and a plan to divide the entire force into two di visions to do duty in North and South St. Louis is under discussion. About 400 deputies in squads were sent out today to guard the following places: Power house.Broaaway ana sausoury street; power house, Broadway and La mie streets; power house, Prairie ave nue and North Market street; power house, Compton avenue and Papin street; power house, Vista and Vande venter avenue; power house, ' Clayton road and Boyle avenue; car shed, Broadway and Gano avenue; repair shop, Jefferson and Gravois avenues; car shed, Finney and Vandeventer ave nues; car shed, Newsted and Fairfax avenues; car shed, Obear and Kossuth avenues. Since Sunday there have been more assaults on women passengers on the street cars. The police are investigat ing these affairs and have made several arrests in consequence. Among those arrested are three young girls who have confessed that they took part in the as sault on Miss Pauline Hesser, at Tenth and Geyer avenue. President Mahon of the Amalgamated Association of Street Car Employes.dis cussing the efforts to induce Governor Stephens to call out the militia, said to day: "I do not think the governor would be justified in calling out the militia at present. There is no lawlessness here but the local authorities can cope with. The Transit company are run ning more cars daily. It seems to have men to run them and the strikers are not interfering with them. Therefore I say I do not think that the governor would be at all justified in calling out the militia." Since the strike began numerous stories of a sensational character have been sent out by irresponsible persons. One story to the effect that Maud Thomas, 17 years of age.astride a mule, led 5,000 strikers to the Carondelet power house last night with the object of destroying that building, is wholly without foundation, so investigation made today shows. After several conferences held today between Sheriff Pohlman, Chief of Po lice Campbell, Police Commissioner Hawes and General Manager Baumhoff of the Transit company it has been de cided to run cars tonight for the first time since the strike was inaugurated. Chief Campbell says: "Cars for passenger traffic Will be run tonight on the Washington avenue line from Taylor avenue to Third street. Deputy sheriffs will be stationed along the line on Finney, Grand and Washing ton avenues." .There will be police officers on the cars. 1 GOV. STEPHENS THREATENED. Jefferson City, Mo., June 7. Gov ernor Stephens is annoyed by letters received from St. Louis threatening him if he does not call out the militia to suppress street car strike riots. This morning he received the following card: "St. Louis Mo., June 6, 1900. "To Mr. Stephens, governor of Missouri, Jefferson City, Mo.: "If you do not call out the state militia in a few days you -will be shot. "Respectfully, E. EVERMORE." Governor Stephens says he has not had the support of the press and citi zens of St. Louis in his efforts to pre serve order, and that these letters are the natural result of the constant at tacks of the newspapers and others. Governor Stephens said he expected to go to St. Louis tonight and answer the citizens in person in regard to their re quest to have the militia called out. The governor then, gave out the fol lowing: "I have endeavored fearlessly, hon estly and conscientiously to do my full duty as the governor of Missouri since the St. Louis strike was inaugu rated. Notwithstanding this I have not had the support of the press of St. Louis. I have been held up to constant ridicule by most of the St. Louis news papers, which, seem to be playing to all elements. Every movement the state authorities have made has been dis credited, every motive has been im pugned. ' II' dynamite is yet resorted to by the anarchists and mobs and property is destroyed and lives are sacrificed the public will know upon whom to fasten the responsibility." TOWN DESTROYED A Cyclone Blots Faulkner, Kas.' From the Map. Chetopa, Kan,, June 7. During a se vere wind storm at an early hour this morning the village of Faulkner, seven miles northeast of here was almost en tirely demolished. The storm destroy ed the school house, a church, North Bros.' hay and storage barn and several dwellings, burning one and damaging many others. The buildings were scat tered over the adjacent country. Sev eral farm houses in the county were un roofed, or blown from their foundations and much damage was done to crops. No casualties are reported. COMPLETE AUG. I. City Building to Be Ready For Use on That Date. Work on the auditorium and city hall is being pushed and the contractors hope to have the fire, department and city hall building completed August L The roof Is partly on the city hall and the lathers are nearly through. The plasterers commenced work in the council chamber yesterday. The sec ond and third floors have been wired and the gas connections -will be com pleted today. For the past week the work on the auditorium part has been done on the east side and the east wall is completed. Work on the Quincy street side has been delayed on account of the dressed stone which was late in arriving. The stone commenced com lng yesterday and work will now be pushed on the front part. The stone carvers are at work. The steel girders for the roof of the auditorium have not yet arrived. FORTY MEN AMBUSHED. Capt. Crenshaw Badly Wounded in Philippines. Manila, June 7. Capt. Frank F. Cren shaw, with 40 men of the Twenty-eighth infantry, while scouting near Taal was led into an ambush by a guide. Captain Crenshaw was badly wounded in the head and one private was wounded. The ambushers were scattered, leaving ten dead and three wounded on the field Capt. Flint, while scouting five miles east ot Biancnabato, Bulacan province, had a slight brush with the enemy.FIint ana two privates were wounded. NEAR A HUNDRED. Wednesday Was the Hottest Day of the Season. Observer Jennings did the best he could yesterday but despite his efforts the thermometer on the roof of the Columbian building climbed to an even S at tour o clock. It was hot. The observer flew up to the roof with a bucket of water and sent down for wet blankets and ice. He applied the sun stroke remedy to the mercury but still it hung' to within one point of a hundred. Finally his efforts were re warded and it commenced to drop un til it got down to 86 just before the rain. As the rain commenced the mer cury took a straight shoot down to 6S but quickly rallied and went up to The rain amounted to 12 hundredths of an inch. Wednesday was the hottest day of the year and had the severest thunderstorm. The forecast today is "generally fair and cooler tonight and Thursday." The maximurri temperature this morning up to 11 o'clock was S9 the same as yesterday. The minimum was 68. The wind was southeast blow ing 6 miles an hour. REVOLT IN BORNEO, A Number of British Are Killed and Wounded. Chicago, June 7. A Record special from Victoria, B. C, says: News was bi ought from the east by the steamer Empress of Japan that a serious up rising against the British has again broken out in ' North Borneo. Many refugees who arrived in Labuan say that the cause of the outbreak was the general dissatisfaction against the vie of the chartered company. In the fighting several British were killed and Fiver: wounded. Twenty-five Chinese were killed and the environs of the city were totally destroyed. DEATH TO ALL FOREIGNERS. Inscription Borne by Banners of the Boxers. Burning, Pillage and Murder Still Unchecked. TROOPS IN TERROR. Imperial Soldiers Are Afraid of the Rebels. Situation at Pekin is Growing Worse Daily. London, June 7. Telegraphing from Tien Tsin under date of June 6, a cor respondent says: I left Tien Tsin this morning en route for Pekin, accompanied by Gen eral Nieh, supposed to be one of the best Chinese generals, with 60 troops. We proceeded to Lofa, a distance of 31 miles. We found the plate-layers' cabins in flames and telegraph poles cut and men engaged in destroying others in villages near the railway, where flags were seen bearing the Inscription 'Kill all foreigners.' I saw smoke, evidently from burn ing houses in the distance, but General Nieh refused to proceed further, being in mortal tear of the boxers, though the foreigners endeavored to persuade him . to disentrain his roops. who are firmly convinced that it is useless to tight the boxers, as other Chinese say they have seen boxers hit with bullets rise and run away. mere seems to be little prospect of a resumption of traffic to Pekin unless the foreign powers assume control of the railway until the Chinese govern nient proves itself capable of managing communications with its capital." GROWING WORSE. Pekin, June 7. The situation is grow ing steadily worse. Events move with such rapidity and affairs, owing to the excitement of the natives, are so crit ical, that the foreign ministers hold fre quent meetings. They feel the need of a free hand for energetic action, with out a peipetual reference to the home governments. Sir Claude McDonald, the British minister, is wiring for seventy-five more marines. Native employes who have returned from Feng Tai say they left the box ers openly drilling in the adjacent vil lage. A strong imperial edit, issued this evening, censures the "cowardli ness or the imperial troops, and or ders the viceroy of Pe Chi Li and Gen eral Jung Luim to suppress the boxers. The foreign ministers at today's meeting discussed the demanding of a special audience or the empress dow' ager, but 110 decision was reached. OUTLOOK FOR WAR. Vancouver, B. C, June 7. Count von Leyden, German ambassador to the court of Japan, arrived by the Empress on his way nome on leave. "The boxer question," said the count, "is a most serious one in China. My own country has sent -troops to Pekin in co-operation with those of the other powers, and the outlook is serious. "The present state of affairs can not be put up with," continued Count von Leyden, emphatically, "but it is to be hoped that the empress dowager will suppress the lawlessness. He went on to say that it was not so much for China s sake that the dip Iomats feared, but the European na tions with the United States and Japan, were so deeply interested that should strong measures have to be taken with China no one knew what might hap pen. When he left the combined forces from . the represented powers were sending troops to Pekin merely as demonstration. "So of course," he said, " a few hundred men can do very little, but it may be the beginning ot greater events. Admiral Sir E. R. Freemantle. for years in charge of the Indian and Chi nese squadrons and now commander in chief at Davenport, arrived today on his return from a tour through the Orient. He said that he thought Japan and Russia would surely fight. At any rate Japan would never back down The feeling was so intense there that no ministry could or would give in to Russia. Korea, he said, should belong to Japan, and the Japanese knew it and would fight for it. When questioned as to what part England would take in the struggle, he said he could make no statement what ever as to England's course in the event of war, but he said that Japan was in the right, that she would fight and she would win. When told of the recent massacre of British missionaries and of Japanese protest against Russia sending in more troops, he said: "That greatly intensifies the situa tion, but you can understand why I do not wish to commit mvself. ENGLAND'S CHINESE POLICY. London. June 1. It is understood here that if the United States expects Great Britain to take independent or initiative action in China, as might be gathered trom special cable dispatches quoting congressman .Mitt, it is depending on a contingency which appears verv remote, indeed. From every continental capital today comes evidence of how keenly the powers appreciate the far eastern crisis, yet the British foreign office retains the apathetic attitude, which for years ha distinguished its Chinese policy. Though tne tioxers movement nas doubled ii virulence and international complication have since cropped up, the Marquis of saiismiry appears to nave taken no ne steps to meet the emergenev. A representative of the Associated Press was informed officially today that the tsntisn minister at hVkln, Sir Cloude McDonald, and his assistants are still in complete charge of the situation and are relied upon- to meet any circumstances which may arise. The government understands that the diplomatic and naval authorities on the spot are co-operating harmoniously and so long as this state of affairs continues. Lord Salisbury sees no immediate neces sity for taking steps over the British min ister's head. In short, the feeling pre vails in British government circles that the "Boxers" outbreak is not likely to re sult more seriously than many former up risings in that quarter of the globe. More over Lord Salisbury perhaps moie than any man in public life in England, realizes how great are the difficulties with which Great Britain is hedged in at the present moment. Replying to a private letter the other day. which suggested that Great Britain should show her teeth more. Lord Salisbury, it is learned by the Associated Press, replied that "unfortunately F,ng land's teeth were now in South Africa." In spite of the fact that the Associated Press" is officially informed that Great Britain has neither sounded other powers with the view of securing co-operation In new ana vigorous Chinese policy, or been sounded as to such action by any ower, tnere are many rumors tnat such teps are under consideration. A member ot a foreurn embassy In Lon don tells the Associated Press tbat it is certain that the British foreign office is contemplating sending instructions to its minister 10 secure the support 01 otner governments, especially of the United States, in a plan of action. Though Rus sia might be invited to join, this concert wouia nave lor its ulterior ooiect tne frustration of any designs Russia may laroor ior maKing capital out 01 tne pres nt trouble in the state of affairs in China. This statement the British foreign office categorically and emphatically denies. But even If the denial is prompted by mo tives of policy, it can be said without re serve that Great Britain will t ake no ac tion on her own initiative beyond the mere protection of her endangered sub jects. No amount of public pressure could Induce Lord esansoury to enter into tur ther complications until the South African war is hnishea. nut tne tone 01 tne Brit ish press is in acute contrast of the offi cial attitude. The afternoon newspaper today are unanimous in urging a combination of the powers with a greater object than a mere temporary suppression of the Boxers. 'tne at. James gazette declares tnere is "nothing for it but to see what can be done by a magnified version of the European concert we saw worked in Crete by the diplomatic steam roller, more complicated, less handy and more arrlnir than the old one. because It in cludes wheels which are Japanese and others which are American." The W estminster Gazette maintains that Great Britain's choice is either to wait for a collision between Russia and Japan in the meanwhile confining her ef forts to police work and landing parlies. or to organize joint European intervention In which all the parties will bind- them selves to keep the peace and respect the independence of Pekin. Later details irom lien 1 sin say tnai during the engagement at Tung Hu be tween the "Boxers" and Catholic Chris tians. Tuesday the Christians captured nine cannon. ANOTHER TRUST Salina Paper Says Grain Compa ny is Gobbling Up Elevators. Dealers in Central Kansas Being Forced to Sell. The Salina Daily Union has discover ed another trust which is fastening its tentacles to Kansas. 'The grain buyers, millers and many of the farmers of central and western Kansas are greatly exercised over the advent of the Peavy Elevator company. of Minnesota, into the Kansas wheat belt. 'hey claim that the northern company is a trust, that it is endeavor ing to stifle competition, and that when it succeeds it reduces the price which it pays farmers for their grain. To prove these assertions attention is called to the fact that the company has secured control of 46 elevators in central and western Kansas, and is constantly building more. Several in stances are cited in which it is alleged the Peavy company has forced individ ual elevator men to sell out -to them; and the matter has progressed so far that an 'Sppeal has been made to tne interstate commerce commission for as sistance. ' ' ' " "It is further alleged that the Peavy company has a combination with the Union Pacific railway company, where by it is enabled to ship grain more cheaply than its competitors from points where it is forced to come into competition with others, and that it can therefore oversell them until the com petitors are forced out of business. The Peavy Elevator company last year claimed to have handled one-tenth of all the grain raised in America. It is by far the largest grain company in the world. "To prove that it is a trust and has adopted trust principles in forcing smaller dealers out of business, three instances are dited within twenty miles of Salina. At Bavaria, the first station west of here, there is an elevator which was owned until a few months ago by H. Work, a grain deaier of Ellsworth, and a prominent member of the Kansas Grain Dealers' association. When the Peavy company began Its operations on the Union Pacific it offered to buy Work out, but he refused the offer. The company then unloaded the material for a new elevator in Bavaria and threatened to put up a new building and run Work out of business if he re fused to sell, and he then sold. 4 "The same tactics were used to get possession of the McCracken elevator at Solomon. At Mentor the company recently asked for a new lease of the Miller elevator. Mr. Miller asked $100 a month for the property, but the Peavy company refused to pay more than $50, and threatened to put up a new elevator if the offer was not ac cepted." INSTRUCT FOR BRYAN. Connecticut Democrats Fall Into Line Cheerfully. Waterbury, Conn., June 7. The Con necticut Democratic state convention has unanimously adopted a platform naming W. J. Bryan as its candidate for president, instructing the delegates for Mr. Bryan and pledging support to the platform of the Kansas City convention. The platform, which follows, was adopted unanimously: "The Democracy of Connecticut ap preciates the services and honors the sterling character and splendid ability of William J. Bryan, and the delegates selected by this convention are hereby instructed to unite with the Democracy of the other states of the union in se curing his nomination for president of the United States and request them to advocate the adoption of a platform embodying the fundamental principles of the Democracy which he so ably represents, and we pledge our support to the platform which shall be adopted at the national convention to be held at Kansas City." The following delegates at large to the national convention were elected: Col. E. M. Graves, Hartford; James P. Pillott, New Haven; Bryan Mahan, New London; Homer S. Cummings, Stamford. A resolution the purpose of which was to prevent the re-election of Alex ander Troup as Connecticut's national committeeman was introduced and adopted. The resolution practically in structed the delegates to name Mr. Cummings, of Stamford, as the com mitteeman to succeed Mr. Troup. Mrs. B. What wonderful control Mrs. "Von Blumer has. Mr. B. How do you know? "I was with her an hour yesterday, and she never mentioned her children or her servants." Life, GALL ITOUTRAGE Topeka Merchants Complain About Tax Assessment. Taluations of Some Stocks of Merchandise Are Doubled. PROTESTS ARE IN VAIN No Relief Offered by the City' Assessor. Will Call Upon County Commis sioners in a Body. WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT Is Purpose to Drive Business Men Away I Hare Little Faith in Talk About Lowering Rate. The merchants of Topeka are excited as a result of the recent city assess ment. A meeting has been called at the Commercial club rooms tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, and from there the business men will call on the board of county commissioners in a body. The reason for the indignation is the doubling of valuations on, stocks of merchandise which has been indulged in generally. But few of the merchants along Kansas avenue have' escaped without the valuation of stocks being doubled, and in some instances the as sessment has not stopped at this. One merchant's assessment amounts to double the valuation of last year plus $3,000 and another doubles last year'3 valuation plus $2,000. All the merchants agree that there should be some increase in the valua tion because merchandise in stock this year represents greater value than it did a year ago. However, they mean to protest strongly against what they con- I sider the unjust' increases made by the assessment, and declare it to be noth ing more than a "hold up." The assessment of the merchants has been in charge of Mr. S. L. Leavitt, who for years was engaged in the dry goods business in this city. Mr. Leavitt was a partner in the Wiggin . Bros." store and later in the Warren M. Cros by company. While a partner in the latter firm a few years ago Mr. Leavitt made out the statement of valuation, placing the stock at $8,000. As assessor this year he placed the valuation of the Warren M. Crosby stock at $2;l.O0O. i"It is preposterous to raise valuations to the extent they-Have been," said a prominent merchant today. "Just be cause we are at present enjoying some thing like an era of prosperity is no reason why we should be held up in this manner. What we make this year we may lose next year, and for this reason the only fair way is to consider an average of several years. It 'is nc more than right that valuations sould be increased somewhat because mer chandise is- worth more than a year ago, but it is an outrage to double them." "Mr. Leavitt refused to accept the statement of valuation I made." said another Topeka merchant. "He de clared that it did not represent my stock, and proceeded to fix a valuation in accordance with his ideas. This amounted to considerably over double the valuation of last year. I went to see Col. Burgess, the city assessor, and he promptly told me that he had noth ing to do with it, that the assessment was in the hands ot his deputies. 1 aisa sew Mayor Drew and the county com missioners, but could get no satisfac tion. The only hope is for the merchants- to lay their grievances before the board in a body and demand re lief." "My assessment this year amounts to double that of last year plus $2,000,"said another merchant. "The volume of our stock is practically the same, and the only increase is the increase in the val ue of the goods. There is therefore no reason or justice in the assessment. I mean to do what I can to have the mat ter remedied." "If the rate remains the same as last year," said another, "my taxes under the assessment this year will amount u more than my rent." The only excuse for the increase in valuation is the possibility of a reduc tion in the rate of taxation. The pres ent rate is 4:85 per cent. Under the present assessment the merchants say that the rate would have to be reduced to 3 per cent to make the action just. Some of the merchants go so far as to eay that the county assessors did not fix their basis of valuation until they knew what it was intended to do in the city assessment. The Topeka business men naturally feel that under the assessment as it now stands they will be compelled to bear an unjust portion of the taxes of the county. The majority of the mer chants are expected to meet at the Com mercial club rooms tomorrow morning, as the call issued by Secretary Ander son is addressed to "The business men who believe the assessor has placed too high a value'on their property." The merchants are no particularly sanguine as regards the conference with the county commissioners, but at least will have the satisfaction of making a determined protest. BURTON GETS ONE. His Home Senatorial District structs For Him. In- The Republicans of the Clay-Dickinson county senatorial district yesterj day nominated George H. Fullingto"" ' Clay Center, and instructed him to. the election of J. R. Burton for United States senator. Mr. Fullington is ex-treasurer of Clay county: a prohibitionist and a goo 1 "mixer." The district is now Popuii?t, being represented in the senate by G. W. Hanna, of Clay. Cleveland's Erother-in-Law DeaJ. Beatrice, Neb., June 7. William E. Hoyt, brother-in-law of ex-President Cleveland; died at his home in this city today o," inflammation of the bladder. He was 71 years of age. He was born irt New Tort city, and has been a resi dent of Neoraska for ten years. His wifi?, Mary Cleveland Koyt, and two sons. United States District Clefk R. C. Hoyc. of Omaha, and C. G. Hoyt, In dian agent. North Yakima, Washing ton, survive him.