The Topeka state journal. [volume], June 13, 1900, LAST EDITION, Image 1

About The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980

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LAST EDIT1SH.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, JUNE 13, 1900.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
TWO CENTS.
: i
I? -
in
YORKTOWH SAIL
Leaves Shanghai For Che Foo
to Protect
American Interests Threatened
at That Point.
SOO BRITISH TROOPS
To Embark at Hong Kong For
Tien Tsin.
Japan Orders Four More War
ships to Taku.
"Washington, June 13. The navy de
pa! tment has been informed that the
Toiktoivn tailed yesterday from Shang
hai fur Che Foo. The United States
consul at Che Foo informed the state
department yesterday of boxer dis
turbances at that place, but no partic
ulars were furnished. Che Foo is on the
northern coast of the Shan Tung penin
sula. BRITISH REINFORCEMENTS.
Hor.g Kong, June 13. The Nation has
b.-n ihaitered to convey SrtO troops to
'l ien Tsin. She in beir. fitted by the
artificers of the Tei rible. The troops
lo.lay drew their iield equipment.
The date of their departure has not
been made known.
JAPAN TO SEND MORE SHU'S.
London, June 13. A telegram from
Yokohama, dated Tuesday evening, says
that the Japanese government has or
dered four more warships to proceed to
Taku and 4,000 men of all arms are un
der orders to be in immediate readiness
lor embarkation. The dispatch says
the Chinese government "trusts the
powers will not misconstrue this ac
tion." The Japanese press is urging vigorous
methods.
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Times, telegraphing Tuesday, says:
"The Japanese minister is pressing
lor recognition of a Japanese sphere of
influence, to include the provinces of
Chi) Kiang. Fo Kien and Kiang Si."
The onlv bit of information which the
British war otlice has made public re
garding the situation since it became
impurtant was the admission yesterday
that the summer residence of the Rrit
ish minister in Pekin, Sir Claude Mac
lonald. has been burned.
Considerable contracts for theChmese
have been placed witli the Birmingham
arms factories, though whether for the
Chinese government or for the boxers
is not disclosed.
Insurance rates Xor Tien Tsin have
been raised to five shilling per 100
pounds.
The Times, in an extra edition, pub
lishes the following dispatch from Pekin
dated June 12, 2 p. m. :
"Thf chancellor of the Japanese lega
tion, Sugiyama Akrira, while proceed
ing alone and unprotected on official
diitv, was brutally murdered by sol
diers of Tung Fuh Siang, the favorite
body guard of the empress, at Manigate
railway station yesterday."
Sixteen British marines, reeonnoiter
ing in advance of the international
column marching to Pekin, fought and
chased 2,0110 boxers Monday, killing
twenty or thirty. A correspondent ac
companying the column, in a dispatch
dated Tien Tsin, June 12, via Shanghai,
June 13. 6:15 a. m., says:
"While the working parties, accom
panied by a patrol of sixteen British
marines, commanded by Major Johnson,
were repairing the line Monday after
noon eieht miles beyond Lofa. they en
countered small parties of boxers who
were destroying the line. The boxers
moved awav from the advancing
marines and apparently dispersed into
the country, leaving the rails moved
unit ihp sleeners burning.
"The marines when two miles in ad
vance of the first train near Lang Fang,
suddenly perceived boxers streaming
from a village on the left. It was esti
mated that they numbered 2,000. some
of them being mounted, and they were
living to get between the mariners and
tiie train. Most of them were arme
with snears. and swords. A few had
firearms which they handled awkward
Iv. The mariners retreated keeping up
a running light fur over a mile and kill
ing between 1:0 and 30 boxers.
"The boxers pursued the British for
Borne distance. Then, seeing more ma-
riues from the train coming to their as
sistance. Major Johnson's 16 halted and
i.oured a heavy continuous fire into the
irowd. driving them across the front of
the reinforcing blue jackets, who pun
ished boxers severely with Maxims.
"The boxers lied and the European,
following up their success, cleared out
two villages. The total loss of the box
ers Is estimated at 40 killed and wound
ed. Seven of their wounded were at
tended by British surgeons. The Brit
ish loss was nothing.
"Unless their loss causes the boxers
to lose heart the international column
will have much trouble before it reaches
Pekin. The railway is so much damaged
that the column covered only 34 miles
Sunuay and Monday and there is reason
to Tear that the road beyond is more
bad y damaged.
"i'.vidences of Hen. Neih's operations
we;A found in headless bodies. The
wh"le country presents a desolate as
pect, entire villages having been desert
ed.
The expedition numbers 2.044, as fol
ows:
"British 915: German 50; Russian 300;
French 12S: Americans 104; Japanese 52;
.Italians 40, and Austrians 2r."
RIOTING IN PEKIN.
Washington, June 13. Official dis
patches rtceived in diplomatic quarters
In Washington show that the rioting in
Pekin has reached an acute stage with
the rioters directing their assaults
i. gainst members of the different lega
tions. One of the dispatches states
that the secretary of the Belgian lega
tion was attacked two successive times
m Monday and escaped after being
maltreated by the mob. On the same
day two members of the British lega
tion serving ns students' interpreters.
were attacked by a large crowd of
toughs. The young Englishmen held
the attacking party for a time, but
when the mob threatened to close in
"', on them they drew revolvers and by a
' tlinw of force made their1 retreat with
out bodily injury. About the same
time the British summer quarters, four
miles from Pekin. were burned down.
These quarters were Quite extensive
and had just been completed. They be
longed to the British government, and
l ot to Sir Claude McDonald, the British
minister at Pekin, which gives added
significance to the depredation. .
The killing of the chancellor of the
Japanese legation at Pekin, Sugiyama
Akira, is not referred to in official dis
- patches received here, but full credit
is given to this report by the Japanese
tlicials, who are personally acquainted
with Mr. Akira and with many of the
circumstances detailel. The killing of
a member of the diplomatic body and
the foregoing assaults upon the offi
cials of foreign countries are regarded
as presenting the most serious phase
of the situation that has thus far oc
curred. 1,000 MARINES FROM MANILA. '
Manila, June 13. The United States
hospital ship Solace sailed at midnight
last night, having on. board 1,000 ma
rines and five officers, Major "Wal
ler commanding, in response to the tel
egraphic sentence sent, from Taku. June
11. by Rear Admiral Kempff. Thirty
other marines h-ft last week on the
United States gunboat Nashville, bound
for Tien Tsin. The marines on the
Solace have been destined for" Guam.
It is believed that others will be sent
there later on. A supply ship will
leave this week and possibly the cruiser
New Orleans will sail later.
BRITISH SAIL TOMORROW.
Hong Kong, June 13. Orders have
been issued to the contingent of Brit
ish troops assembled here for service
in the north to sail for Tien Tsin June
1-1. Major Morris of the artillery will
be in command.
RUSSIA'S OPPORTUNITY.
New York, June 13. A dispatch to
the Tribune from London says: There
is a general feeling in diplomatic circles
that the European powers have been
united by the dismissEd of Prince Ching
and that in the purging of the Tsung
Li Yamen of all Its moderate men the
empress dowager has gone over to the
boxers, bag and baggage, and that the
powers have been forced to co-operate
in the restoration of order at Pekin,
even if the serivces of Russian troops
are required.
Talleyrand's "Good Europeans" have
reappeared upon the scene and have
dropped their jealousies and suspicions.
A mixed force of 2.000 .marines will be
inadequate if Pekin should be in the
possession of the boxers and if the in
surrection spreads from province to
province. The Russians will go in w ith
a European mandate and probably will
have as many reasons for remaining as
the English have found useful and nec
essary in Egypt.
JAPAN WILL BE HEARD FROM.
Washington, June 13. The Japanese
charge d'affairs in Washington, Mr.
Keiziro Nabeshima, .said today: "We
have no official confirmation of the
killing of our chancellor at Pekin, but
there appears to be no doubt or the
fact, and it present; a most serious
condition. The chief offense is against
Japan, but aside from that it is against
the great diplomatic body at Pekin, tor
if anv one of them is subject to such
assault they will share in the danger.
I was personally acquainted with Mr.
Akira. as he served under me in the
foreign office at Tolcio, while I was
chief of the division of protocols. He
was a bright young man about 3$ years
of age, and had a wife and four chil
dren. He was one of the most expert
chirographers in Japan, and this gained
for him the post ot chancellor.
Mr. Nabeshima said the Japanese
government had pursued the utmost
reserve up to this time, not wishing
to be open to any suspicions, but he
felt that now this tragedy had occurred
there would be energetic action taken.
One of the most significant features.
his judgment, was that the killing
w as reported ' to have done by the
trooos of the empress dowager, and not
by any lawless rnob. While there might
be some excuse for mob depredations,
Mr. Nabeshima said it would be diffi
cult to take any favorable view of an
attack by Chinese soldiers on the offi
cials of foreign governments. The
burring of the British summer quarters
is considered an attack upon an offi
cial institution, which is quite different
from an attack upon a private citizen
or private property.
For some time there has been diffi
culty in securing the necessary permit
to put up summer quarters in the hills
outside of Pekin, but this finally was
granted, and the quarters were made
large enough to accommodate the en
tire British establishment in China,
These included the minister and his
staff of secretaries and attaches, also
seven student interpreters, who had
gone out from England to learn Chi
nese and fit themselves for the post of
interpreter, besides servants. The
huildinjrs would have been occupied
within the next few days and during
tie summer wo-ld have constituted
the British legation.
NEW MEN IN CHINESE CABINET.
Washington, June 13. A cablegram
has been received at the state depart
ment from Minister Conger at Pekin,
stating that Tuan, the father of the
heir apparert, has beea appointed pres
ident of the Tsung Li Yamen; also
that three other new ministers have
been appointed, all a:Tiliated with the
party opposd to the foreigners. On
the whole Mr. Conger reports the situ
ation is not materially improved.
Guards are repairing the railroad,
and as soon as they have arrived at
Pekin it is Mr. Conger's belief that the
safety of the foreigners at that capital
will be assured.
JAPAN STANDS' WITH ENGLAND.
London, June 13. In regard to the
reports that Japan is about to declare
war in China it was learned by a rep
resentative of the Associated Press at
the Japanese embassy today, that the
attitude of Japan in the Chinese crisis
is to co-operate loyally with the Euro
pean powers. In the existing situation
Japan would not be willing to see any
sing e nower take the lead.
The murderer of the chancellor of the
Japanese legation is regarded as likely
to lead to serious complications but no
decision has been reached by Japan as
to what political measures would be
necessary to meet the situation.
Relative to the reports that the Jap
ar.ese minister at Pekin is pressing for
recognition of a Japanese sphere ot in
licence to include the provinces of Che
Kianer. Fo Kien and Kianer fel, it
pointed out that Japan has already ob
tained a promise that the province of
Fo Kien should not be alienated, while
Kiang Si, situated at the mouth of the
Yiang Tse river, is in i:heBritish sphere
Japan is not likely to take a step which
might be distasteful to Great Britain
w hose interests in China are similar to
those of Japan.
SETTLEMENT REPORTED.
Shanghai, June 13. Extraordinary
rumors are current here to the effect
that the powers have settled theChinese
question by agreeing to forgive tne
dowager empress and her Manchu ad
visers. provided they promise to. amend
tneir tuture conduct.
AFTER TAYLOR.
Kentucky Sheriff Goes to In
diana With a Requisition.
Frankfort, Ky., June 13. Sheriff
Suter has gone to Indianapolis with a
requisition on Governor Mount from
Governor Beckham asking for the ex
tradition ot w. is. Taylor on the indict
ment charging him with being an ac
cessory to the murder of Wm. Goebel.
NEARIfiGTIIE END
Worst is Over in the St. Lonis
Street Car Strike.
It is Believed That There Will
Be No More Rioting;
BOYCOTTING INSTEAD.
Already Deputies Cannot Buy
Food or Drink.
All Negotiations For Settlement
Declared Off.
Samuel Gompers Will Take
Charge of the Fight.
St. Louis, June 13. Sheriff Pohlman
and Chief of Police Campbell are of
the opinion that the reign of terror
that has prevailed during the greater
part of the past month or more as a
result of the street railway strike is at
an end. They are confident that their1
combined forces will be able to prevent
any further lawlessness. It seems to
be the general opinion that Sunday's
riot was the culmination of these out
breaks. Chief Campbell says:
T am now of the opinion that the
worst is over and that there is now no
need of calling out the state militia.
The shooting of those men Sunday has
given those inclined to rioting to under
stand what they are to expect and I
believe will result in greatly relieving
the situation.
"We have withdrawn the police from
several of the lines, and so will con
tinue as fast as we consider It sof.
I believe that the Transit company will
be able to run its cars in most parts
of the city in the future without diffi
culty. There may be some trouble at
night in the extreme southern and
northern portions of the city, but the
police and posse men will be able to
cope with it."
The street car service is improving
day by day and has been extended to
a number of lines at night. Accord
ing to the Transit company's manage
ment, enough men to man all its cars
are at work and more are coming daily.
All negotiations looking to a settlerr.ent
of the strike are off and the officer.
of the company do not expect any fur
ther attempt to reopen negotiations to
end the troubles. The street car men
are as firm in their attitude as ever.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor, is ex
pected here this week, to take charge
of strike affairs, and his coming is
looked on in labor circles as a sure
sign that the fight against the Transit
comDany will be pushed to the limit.
Sheriff Fohlman's posse comitatus has
almost reached the number 2,500
asked for by the police board. Up to
last night about 2,000 posse men had
been assigned for duty. This force is
made up mostly of well known business
men and citizens, who have dropped all
else to serve at the present time. The
strict enforcement of law that has
marked the service of the different
companies of deputies has brought
them into disfavor with strike sympa
thizers in various parts of the city. As
a result citizens wearing deputy sher
iff's badges are made to suffer the in
conveniences of a systematic boycott
in many localities. They are unable
to buy anything to eat or drink. At
first meals were obtained at boarding
houses and restaurants near the differ
ent power houses and car sheds at
which deputies were stationed. This is
changed now and the sheriff is making
preparations to feed his men at their
respective stations.
Henry G. Brown, a stationary engi
neer living with his wife and family at
2841 McNair avenue, on June 4, was
sworn in a member of the posse comi
tatus and assigned to company M.
Since then he says the neighbors have
looked upon him as an enemy of the
laboring man and have not given his
family a moment s rest. It came to
such a pass that Mrs. Brown could
not even buy anything to eat in the
neighborhood, and she sent word to
her husband, who has been given ;
leave of absence for three days to re
turn home with his gun and protect
his family.
The inquest over the bodies of Ed
ward Thomas and George Reine, vic
tims of Sunday's riot at Washington
avenue and Sixth street, began today,
A large number of witnesses had been,
summoned by the coroner and were
present.
The city council killed the Kelly bill
at its session last evening by a vote of
7 to 5. The gallery was crowded with
large delegations of union labor peo
pie, and the speeches favoring the
ordinance were enthusiastically cheered
while those against the measure were
hissed and laughed at.
The Kelly bill was introduced in the
house of delegates four weeks ago by
the delegate whose name it bears. 1
was passed in the house by a large ma
jority. The measure provided for the
repeal of all the ordinances granting
franchises to the various street rail
ways incorporated in the St. Loui
Transit system since the adoption of
the present city charter.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST.
In the absence of ex-Governor Wm. J,
Stone, who was absent looking after
matters in connection with the federal
injunction case. Attorney Charles J
Maurier represented the strikers. As
sociated with htm was Kimbrough
Stone, son of the ex-governor. Ford
Smith, attorney for Sheriff Pohlman,
was also present.
Before the inquiry began the official
report of Police Captain Keely of th
Fourth district on Sunday's shooting
was received by the coroner. This re
port stated that the man who shot Ed
ward Thomas wa3 Deputy Gordon Mc
Knight. It set forth that Thomas wa
about to shoot Adjutant G. B. Webster,
when killed by McKnight and that
revolver, now in the possession of Col
Cavender, was found on the body of
Thomas.
Coroner Lloyd impanelled the follow
ing jury and then proceeded with the
inquest:
E. J. Lorenzen, plumber: J. C. Sehif
ferle, house furnisher; J. A. Grombech
hatter: Wm. Sieling. furniture dealer;
Fred Evertz, cutter; Louis Kaltwasser,
merchant.
Attorney Maurier said he would en
deavor to bring out evidence showing
that the shooting was not done by the
deputies in the performance of their
duty under the law and therefore was
not justifiable.
The first witness was James P. Klatz,
a guest at the Lindell hotel, who stated
that Sunday he was sitting in his room
overlooking .Washington avenue and
saw an , orderly body of uniformed
street car men marching west toward
him. As far as he was able to see. no
overt act was committed by them, but
two rocks had been thrown at a passing
ear. When the head of the column
had almost reached Sixth street wit
ness saw several men with guns step
out and meet a number of the strikers
who had left the ranks. There was
some scuffling and one or the men with
a shotgun fired and a man in uniform
dropped. The street car men fled at
the first shot, according to the. wit
ness and firing became general along
the block and from the windows of the
posse barracks.
C. W. Cassllly, a photographer, who was
present when the firing began, said that
he saw a man strike a car with something
soft; heard a cry of "halt," and saw sev
eral men pull one of the uniformed street
car men out of the parade and drag him
over to the north side of the street. The
witness continued: "I saw the uniformed
men break from the line and saw the dep
uties follow them and shoot at them.
"While Thomas was a prisoner," he
said. "I saw a deputy with a shot gun
dancing about him in a stooping position,
as if waiting for a chance to shoot. The
shots were fired so fast that they sound
ed like the falling of a row of bricks."
"I did not see any ofi the paraders draw
revolvers. When placed under arrest
Thomas did not draw a revolver as far
as I could see. The shot guns, in my opin
ion, were handled as though in the hands
of boys."
Colonel J. H. Cavender, who said he
was in command of the posse comitatus,
made the emphatic statement that no
member of the posse fired a shot before
the paraders fired. Witness told of the
parade of street car men that marched
past the barracks ana statea mat a
brick was hurled through the window
of a passing car. Two of his deputies
went out to the crowd and seized one
f the strikers who the witness said
he was informed was the man who
threw the brick.
Colonel Cavender said that some one
n the crowd of paraders nrea a re
volver, which twfes the first shot he
heard. Then, he said, the crowd of
naraders west of Sixth street ran on
up Washington avenue and down Sixth
street. The other portion of the parade
which was still east of Washington
avenue advanced rapidly to the line of
Sixth street, said the witness, and at
that point opened fire with revolvers, to
which the posse replied. Colonel Caven
der described the searcn to wnicn xne
twenty strikers were subjected to in
the barracks.
Adiutant General George O. Webster
of the posse told of the passing parade
and said:
'A car came west. A brick was
thrown through the car window. Three
or four of us ran out after tne man
who threw the brick. Before I reached
the car there was a shot fired. It was
not fired by a posse man. When the
fleeing man reached the tront or tne
car i sav he was iouowea Dy two out
ers, both with revolvers. One of them
pointed his gun at me, out it ianea io
work. He tried to pull the triggger a
second time when I heard the report of
a shotgun and saw him fall. The man
who threw the brick was afterwards ar
rested.
Some of the men who Had been in
line west on Sixth street, fired revolvers
toward the posse men."
Kennedy, who was arrested tor tne
brick throwing, was summoned, but
Webster said positively he was not the
man.
Adiutant General Webster told of tne
finding of weapons on the men arerst-
ed. He said a revolver with two cham
bers discharged and still warm was
found on a man named Mclver.
W. S. Robinson, a staff captain ot tne
posse, practically corroborated Colonel
Cavender and Captain Webster.
A recess was taken at this point.
The injunction proceedings instituted
bv the federal authorities against W.
D. Mahon and 100 other individuals to
gether with all the members of division
loo or tne street. ixiivxy men unin
were continued in the United States
court today to June 25, owing to the
absence of one of the attorneys.
k DYING MAN
Induced to Sign a Paper
by
Cuban Postal Officials.
Havana, June 13 The Post this morn
ing publishes a sensational story con
nected with the postal frauds. It says
it has an attested communication from
Fred Spencer.the hospital nurse who at
tended Inspector Maynard during his
last illness, alleging that the patient
was called upon by two postal officials
who persuaded him when he was in a
semi-conscious state, to sign important
documents. The next day the patient
died. Spencer expresses the belief that
the securing of the signature must have
been a very important matter as two
men holding such positions as those held
by the callers would not have risked
contracting yellow- fever for any light
reasons. Spencer, the paper announces
gives the names of the men in question,
but the Post does not publish them,
simply saying that both are prominent
ly connected with the postal frauds.
VICTORY FOR GRANT.
Captures a Filipino Stronghold
Without Losing a Man.
Manila, June 13. General Grant, who
led reinforcements with artillery
itrainst the insurgents in the moun
tains east of Samiguel, reports the cap
ture of the rebel stronghold after four
hours' fighting. The rebels were scat
tered and the Americans are pursuing
them.
General Grant's column had no ca3
ualties.
SUED FOR WHISKY BILL.
St. Joe Finn Secures Judgment For
$282 Against Harry Croft.
.TnrieTTient wast rendered in the city
court Tuesday afternoon by default
against Harry Croft for $282.90 claimed
by the liquor firm of i erainana wesi-
heimer & Sons of ht. Joe.
The netition set forth that on May 17,
1S99. Croft bought a barrel of whisky
from the firm containing 47.74 gallons at
$3, amounting to $143.22, and another
barrel containing 49.40 gallons of J2.50
stuff amounting to $123.50, and that
neither barrel had been paid for. The
amount and interest and costs wer-
asked and allowed. Croft is not in the
liquor business now.
"Weather Indications.
Chicago. June 13. For Kansas: Fair
tonight; Thursday partly cloudy and
warmer; variable winas.
METIIUENWINS.
Defeats Gen. Dewet and Scat
ters His Forces.
He and Kitchener Capture the
Burgher Camp.
FIGHT DRAWN BATTLE
Forces of Lord Roberts and Gen.
Botha Meet in Conflict.
British Reported to Have Gained
Considerable Ground.
London, June 13. Lord Roberts' line
of communications has been practically
restored by a complete victory gained
by Generals Methuen and Kitchener
over Gen. Dewet yesterday. The Boer
camp was captured and the burghers,
it is added were scattered in all direc
tions. ROBERTS AND BOTHA FIGHT.
London, June 13. Lord Roberts has
fought a battle with Gen. Botha at the
end of which though the British gained
considerable ground, the Boers were not
beaten. All is quiet at Pretoria and
Johannesburg.
ROBERTS' OFFICIAL REPORT.
London, June 13.' After a week's
silence Lord Roberts has been heard
from, his line of communication having
been practically restored by means of a
complete victory gained by Generals
MetBuen and Kitchener over De Wet
at the Rhenoster river yesterday, June
12. The Boer camp was captured and
the burghers, it is added, were scat
tered in all directions.
Lord Roberts, on being notified of
the cutting of his line of communica
tions, sent General Kitchener in all
haste to join General Methuen. June
U Lord Roberts attacked General
Botha, who was in strong force fifteen
miles southeast of Pretoria. After
strenuous opposition the British forces
gained considerable ground, but Gen
eral Botha when Lord Roberts left the
field was still undefeated.
All is quiet at Pretoria and Johannes
burg, and Lord Roberts says the gov
ernment need have no apprehension
about the security of the army in South
Africa, as it will not take long to rem
edy the reverses and repair the railroad.
A lengthy dispatch forwarded to the
war office by Major General Knox from
Kroonstad, presumably sent there by
messenger, reads as follows:
"Kroonstad, June 12. We have been
requested to forward you from Lord
Roberts the following dispatch from
the Pretoria residency, at 8:08 a. m. to
day: .
" 'Pretoria, June 12. Pretoria and
Johannesburg are perfectly quiet and
several of the inhabitants have ex
pressed gratitude for the peace and or
der which prevail.
" 'After surrounding the city Botha
retired to a place about fifteen miles
east on the Middleburg road. He had
a small force at first, but during the
last few days his numbers increased,
and his being so near the town kept
up the excitement In the country, pre
vented the burghers from laying down
their arms and interfered with the col
lection of supplies. It therefore became
necessary to attack him. This I did
yesterday. He had a very strong post
tion practically unassailable in front.
which enabled him to place the main
portion of his troops on his . flanks,
which he knew from former experience
were his vulnerable parts. I sent
French with Porter's and Dixon's cav
airy brigades and Hutton's mounted in
fantry round by our left and lan Ham
ilton, with Broadwood and Gordon's
cavalry brigade, Ridley's mounted in
fantry and Bruce Hamilton's infantry
brigade round by our right. Both col
umns met with great opposition. At
about 3 in the afternoon I saw two of
Hamilton's infantry battalions advanc
ing to what appeared to be the key of
the enemy s detense, on tneir lert name.
This was almost gained before dark,
and I ordered the force to bivouac on
the ground they had won.
'Pole-Carew, witn nis division, oc
cupied our center.
As I have explained, ne could not
attack, but he gradually advanced so as
to support Ian Hamilton, and when
left the field he was on the line held by
the enemy's outposts In the morning.
'I hurried back to get news ot Me-
thuens movement. On hearing that the
Free Staters had taken advantage
our crossing the Vaal to interrupt our
line of communication. 1 sent Kitchen
er with such troops as I could then
spare to Vredefort with orders to push
south and communicate with Methuen.
who I knew had a very compact force In
the vicinity of Heilbron. I also dis
patched a special messenger to Methuen
instructing him to pusn on at all speed
to the main line of railway. These two
officers met at Vredefort road station in
the evening of June 10. They marched
yesterday to Rhenoster river where
Methuen gained a complete victory over
Dewet and took possession of his camp
and scattered his troops in all direc
tions. He and Kitchener marched to
day towards Kroonstad.
" 'Her majesty's government need
have no apprehension as to the security
of the army in South Africa. The enemy
gained a slight success which was un
fortunate, but which will be remedied
very shortly, and it will not take long to
repair the damage done to the railway,
As these diversions are all in existence
I am now able to hold the line between
this and Rhenoster in strength.Methuen
will arrange to guard it onward as he
advances. ,
" 'Hunter should be at Poatchefs
troom today. He will then move
Johannesburg.
" 'We have communicated with. Bulle
who will no doubt, soon make the pres
ence of his force in the held felt.
" 'Our losses yesterday were I trust
not serious but the death of that gallan
soldier, the Earl of Aisle. The only oth
er casualties reported as yet are: Sev
enteenth Lancers, Major The Hon. Li
onel Fortescue and Lieut. The Hon. C.
Cavendish, both killed.' "
Gen. Knox adds that Kroonstad is
quite safe.
Lord Roberts' dispatch is regarded as
eminently satisfactory. It ends a pe
riod of suspense caused by the cutting
of his line of communication and indi
cates what a strong grip he has on
the situation.
The result of the battle between Lord
Roberts' forces and those of General
Botha is eagerly awaited here, but it is
oelieved the Boer commander will only
complete his retirement, which he
seem"? to have already commenced,
, though there is some hope in London.
that Lord Roberts will be able to sur
round him.
The decisive victories scored by Gen
erals French and Kitchener are re
garded to have a more far-reaching
effect than any recent action in the
Orange River colony.
General Kitchener's progress south, it
is believed, must have almost equalled
the records of all forced marches. His
detachment from headquarters was a
merely routine procedure, as the chief
of staff is responsible for the line of
communication.
General Buller is rapidly fulfilling
Lord Roberts' hope that he will make
his forces felt. A dispatch from Jou
berts farm under today 'sdate announces
the continuation of Buller's successful
march, the occupation of Volksrust
without opposition and the capture of
a number of prisoners, while the Boer
casualties yesterday are reported to
have been very heavy.
BRITISH LOSSES.
London, June 13, 6:05 p. m. The fol
lowing dispatch has been received at
the war office from Lord Roberts:
"Katsbosch, June 12. In yesterday's
engagement Methuen had one killed
and IS wounded. Among the latter is
Lieutenant Cearle, of twelfth battalion
of yeoirianry.
"On June 7 the Derbyshire militia lost
36 killed and 104 wounded, all of whom
were in the yeomanry hospital which
was captured by the Boers and re
taken by Methuen."
The war office casualty returns up
to June 9 aggregate 23,664, besides 792
officers and 12,355 men sent home as
invalids, but not including the sick in
South African hospitals.
WHERE DANGER IS
Not in Country, but in Cities,
Says Bird S. Coler.
Champaign, 111., June 13. Comptroller
Bird S. Coler, of New York, delivered
the principal address at the commence
ment of the state university today.
and some of his statements created a
sensation. He said in part:
The great civic and political prob
lems of this country today were born
of the social conditions that exist in
the cities, and there the fight for more
intelligence and a higher standard of
public honesty must be fought and
won. Iso serious danger to American
institutions lurks anywhere on the
broad and fertile prairies of Illinois or
the west, where patriotism is universal
and honesty the inherent birthright of
every citizen.
But in the great cities of the east
and west, with their teeming, strug
gling, restless thousands, who tasting
liberty for the first time are prone to
mistake it for the intoxicating license
of unreasoning freedom, there are
problems that require for their Just
settlement the wisdom and patience of
the best citizenship.
Corruption in state and municipal
government has too long been ac
cepted in this country as a matter of
course; there has been a growing ten
dency upon the part of men who were
otherwise good citizens to shirk public
duties, They wanted to keep out of
politics and public lifw, cut in keeping
out they made room in both1 places for
men who ought to be in jail.
The spirit of corrupt commercialism
has invaded politics and public life in
this country and in some of the larger
cities the invasion has for a time over
run the government. By the spirit of
commercialism m tWB connection I
mean that public feeling, far too prev
alent in this country, that politics is a
business and those engaged in it are
entitled to make money out of it.
"The old system of stealing from the
public treasury has passed away, and
the safer and more profitable plans of
bartering political influence for stock
in corporations has succeeded.
'Bad government may be tolerated
for a time, but corrupt politics and cor
porate greed in combination call for
prompt measures for the protection of
the rights of the people.
'The rapid development of the vast
resources of this country has been in
a large measure due to legitimate com
bination of capital, and the man of in
fluence who opposes corporations witlf-
ou' reason becomes a mere stumbling
block in the path of progress.
"The time is coming, however, when
the grant by a state government of a
charter conveying to a corporation spe
cial powers and privileges will carry
with it the right to inspect and regu
late the business created or carried on
under that grant. This cannot be a
hardship upon legitimate business, and
it is no more than a proper extension
of the power and duty of the govern
men. i i , I
"But in legislating to correct abuses
and to better protect the rights of the
people as a whole, the greatest wisdom
must be exercised to prevent over leg
isiation. We are now the most over
governed people on earth, and I fear
that much of the excess is due to the
efforts of educated men who mean well
but are not practical.
"What we want is less government.
less politics more honesty and more
intelligence.
33 CONTESTS,
Involving 74 Seats, in Republi
can National Convention.
Philadelphia, June 13. The Republican
national committee held its first session
here. Chairman Hanna was not present
at the opening of the meeting, but was
expected late. In his absence Vice Chair
man Henry C. Payne was designated to
preside temporarily. There were several
absentees, especially from the western
states and the number of proxies was
much larger than usiial.
Secretary Dick announced the state and
districts in which there were contests.
There were 33 contests involving the seats
of 74 delegates. This is about one-eleventh
of the entire convention, a remarkably
large proportion in a convention where
there is no question as to the main issues.
The involved seats are;
Seats
State. Contests. Involved
Alabama i
Georgia 1
Louisiana
Mississippi ., 1
New York 1
16
2
14
2
2
1
2
12
16
6
2
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Tennessee
Texas
Delaware
District of Columbia ...
ROCK ISLAND ROUTE.
Philadelphia and Return $30.00.
Tickets on sale June 14, 15 and 16th;
final return limit June 26th.
Chicago and Return $14.00. Tickets on
sale June 25, 26 and 27: final return lim
it July 3rd. See A. M. Fuller for full l
particulars.
DODGE THE RATIO.
Ohio Democrats Meet in State
Convention.
Fall in Line For Bimetallism
and Bryan.
G0YERX3IEXT ISSUE
Of All Forms of Currency is
Demanded.
Dewey's Name Omitted From
.. the Proceedings.
Columbus, O., June 13. The Demo
cratic convention was called to order at
the Auditorium at 10:40 a. m. today by
Wm. S. Thomas of Springfield, chair
man of the state committee. Portraits
of Bryan, Thurman, Jackson, McLean
and others wTere conspicuous.
After prayer by Rev. John Hewitt,
Chairman Thomas addressed the con
vention on the work of the past yea?
and the prospects for the present po- .
litical year.
The following temporary organization)
was announced:
Chairman Webster P. Huntington ot
Columbus.
Secretary Louis Reemelin of Clncln
nati.
Sergeant-at-arms John McCarty ot
Defiance.
Chairman Huntington was received
with an ovation.
A majority of the committee on ere
dentials reported in favor of 'seating
the Dowling delegation from Montgom
ery and the Wilson delegation from
Cuyohoga county and all that delegates
hereafter be selected at primaries. Two
minority reports were also submitted,
one in favor of the seating the Grimsley
delegation from Cuyahoga instead ot
the Wilson delegation and the seating
of the Shoup, or the anti-Dowling dele
gation from Montgomery.
The Dowling and the Grimsley dele
gations were known as McLean delega
tions, but the fights were both local. A!
long and heated discussion ensued that
caused great confusion in the hall. Some
of the speakers were very bitter in their
denunciation of so-called machine
methods in Dayton and Cleveland. Ami 1
great disorder, the roll was finally call
ed on the second minority report which;
was defeated, 314 yeas. 31 nays and the
25 Dowling delegates kept their seats.
After more bitter speeches the first
minority report was defeated, 354 yeas,
363 nays and the Wilson delegation re
tained their seats.
Mr. Dowling moved to reconsider ths
vote on the first minority report and
this movement caused the wildest seen;
of the day. The motion to recensider
was finally withdrawn and 4he Wilson
delegates were again seated.. The ma
jority report on credentials as originally
submitted was then adopted.
The temporary organization was mada
permanent and the reports of the com
mittees on rules and resolutions were
then adopted.
He spoke in part as follows:
"For the honor of presiding over youf
preliminary deliberations, 1 thank you.
You are assembled in state conven
tion for the fourth time since the
memorable campaign of 1896. Since
that time Democratic thought in Ohiu
has been slowly but surely concentrat
ing along certain lines of reform and
manifesting every year the renewed
devotion of Buckeye Democrats to fun
damental principles; until today, more
than ever before in its history, our
party is distinctively and peculiarly;
'the party of the people.'
"You are assembled at a time most
critical for the nation and for the Dem
ocratic party. We shall take no step
backward, but we shall take long
strides forward. The time has coma
when every American citizen must de
termine for himself whether this nation
shall continue to be in fact as well aa
in name a republic, or shall pattern af
ter Great Britain and become a colonial
empire. We believe that if we are to
have a Democracy, it can not be too
Democratic; if we are to have a repub
lic, it can not be too Republican. To
remain a Democracy to remain a re
public is to preserve the union; while
to become a colonial empireis to destroy
the union. It was true in 1860 that this
nation could not long endure 'half slave
and half free,' and it is true now that
it can not long endure half republic
and half empire. Therefore the para
mount question which must be answer
ed by the American people before the
ides of November, is; Shall the union
be preserved?
"We must have a long pull, a strong
pull, and a pull altogether. And that
will be the end of Mark Hanna'3 'puils
with this government.
"When we point to signs of empire
and their dangers, which have appeared
on every hand, multiplying every day
since the hour when William McKinley
took oath before God and his country
men that he would support the consti
tution of the United States, we are told!
that there is no imperialism. But they
who say there is no imperialism are the
very ones aiming to destroy the repub
lic and create the empire. Their own
teachings, their own conduct, their
own purposes are startling evidences!
that they lie ignorantly or viciously,
when they say there is no imperialism.
As a matter of fact the empire is at
hand today, both in our dealings with
our own people and our policy toward
other peoples. The present administra
tion has established and fostered an in
dustrial imperialism at home and a mil
itary imperialism abroad. An army of
soldiers is more imperialistic than an
army of trusts.
"The imperialism of Industry other
wise the trusts and the imperialism of
arms falsely called 'expansion' is a
hard taskmaster. Its promoters are the
enemies of mankind. They are telling
the youth of the land that the shoulder
strap is more to be desired than the
diploma. They are raising the cry ta
'stand by the president.' whtn no man
can stand by him a moment without
jumping from one platform to another.
They are invoking the patriotism ot
the people to destroy the very founda
tions of patriotism. They are draping
the flag around a golden calf and ask
ing you to fall down and worship it.
They are telling you that the constitu
tion is 'obsolete' and the Declaration of
Independence 'written for an occasion.'
They are doing all they can to remove
the possibility of 'a Just and lasting
peace among ourselves and with all na
tions." "To defeat and confound the enemies
of popular government is the mission of
the Democracy. We shall do it now
or fail hereafter. The republic can not
temporize with the empire."