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THK EVEXTXU STAR. ri BLI!IIKn DAILY. EXCEIT SI JIDA*. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Ave., Cor. 11th St., by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, e. H. KADFPMANN, Prea't. Few York Office, 49 Potter Bnildinj. The Erroin; Star is served to su!;scril?ers in the city by <*arrl?rs. on their f\vn account, at 10 eents per w^k. or 44 ????nts i^r m?>ntb. 0?p''*s nt the counrer. 2 tents I'y nwll?anywhere in the United Statfs or Canada postage prepaid 50 cents p?r month Sati.nlar Quintuple Sh.et Star. $1 per year, with foreign pnst.ip- add**]. tEnt*-i?d at the Post < ?tfi-at Washington. 1>. C., as ?*-<?<.;Mi . imss nail natter.) I7A!1 mail m,<* rlj.fi ? is m paid In advance. Rates of advertising mad?- known on application. Na 14,222. WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1898-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS TIIB STAR DY MAIL. Person* leaving the city for any period can have The Star mailed to them to ai y addresa In the United States or Canada, by orderln* It at this office. In person or by letter. Terms: IS centa per week, 25 centa for two weeks, or 50 centa per month. Invariably In advanca. Sub scriber* changing their aldress from one Post-cfl'.ca to another should give the last address as well as the new ona S!imj Atteuded Session of the In vestigating Commission. PULL MEETING EIFECTED BY MONDAY Gen. Wilson's Statement of Work of the Engineers. RECEPTION OF COMPLAINTS The commission to investigate the War T"-#partment in its conduct of the war with Spain resumed Its session at 10 o'clock this morning in the Lemon building- There were only four numbers of the commission present, they being Col. Denby, vice presi dent. who sits as chairman In the absence of Gtn. Dodge, Gen. Wilson. Capt. Howell an<l ex-Got. Woodbury. Gen. Dodge had gone to New York for a couple of days &n<l other members had returned to their hemes to look after their private affairs before permanently settling down to the business of the commission. It is expected that eveiy member of the commission will be present Monday. Work of the- Knuineer Department. The absence of several members will not affect the work of the investigation, which went forward today as usual. Gen. Wilson presented a statement concerning the con dition of fortifications, torpedo obstruc tions. Ac., on April 1. together with an ac count of what the engineer department had done since that date in connection with the war. The statement went into every detail of the work of the corps of engineers un der Gen. Wilson, and Gen. Wilson said he was perfectly satisfied with the showing his c<>rps had made. The statement will n-?t be made public by the commission un til after all the members have seen it. i Out plain Mu.nt lie \\ ritten. Several letters were read from persons In various parts of the country, stating that they knew of Instances of abuses in the military service during the war, and expressing their willingness to give the commission the benefit of their in forma- j lion. Oi ? m?n wrote that he was author ized to represent the volunteers from the ? state of Maine in this matter. To all such correspondents the following reply has been seat: "Dear Sir: Referring to your communica tion of . the commission requests that. upon n-reipt of this, you will forward a writ : statement, giving in as specific &r:<i complete a form as may be- practicable r;li facts, based upon you: own personal ex ]? rien 1 knowledge, that will aid the j ling in vi stigation. **T1 is a atement will be for the informa tion ? i the commission only." It is the expectation of the committee that a very large* part of this volunteered Information will be received by them in the form of - -n-'i statements, and in cases t: at s- m to warrant further investigation th v.itr- ;.->-s ran be sent f<>r. It is feared free opportunity is given every one w!-. ? wants to say something to the commit:on t'? come to Washington there would ? dar.ge r of having many people tak' ^vantage of such an opportunity to make a trip to the capital, where they w?- I i:o t" a first-' lass hote l fur days or weeks ftf they could not be heard at once, all at The expense of the government. Ex h rl mee has shown that such cases are v? ry likely to cccur when an opportunity Ib freely off red to people to come on and :? whei ever they say they have In formation te give. CommiN.iionerii to Travel. Anoth tr plan that is likely to be adopted t ? ^amission to avoid an excessive amount of traveling expenses on the part of witnesses contemplates having the com mission or committees of Its members sit in different parts of the country, where witness- s v an be called before them to be examined. It is likely that every one of th? can ; s occupie d by troops during the v. ar will be visited by the commission, so that these* camps can be inspected and witnesses locate i in them can readily gi\e their testimony. It - r. ?: improbable that the commission v.i!! go to Cuba before th?*ir work is over, so That they will be enabled to see just what obstacles were encountered at Sibo i ~y anel Santiago, both in the handling or troops and in the transportation of sup ply s. These matters were talked over today by the m mb-.-rs of the commission, but no fonnl MB was adopted, and formal ac tion will not be taken until the full com mission meets on Monday. Th.- < >mmissie?n resumed its session short ly af' : iM-Vck this afternoon, continuing x:.*- dis nsi ?:i of its plana. EKI'ECT ON KOHKK.N HKLATIONS. Hrprreicntative Hull on the Contin gency of Democratic SncceNN. *1 be li? ve that if thoughtful people of all parties would pause to consider the et fe t up n oar foreign relations of the elec tion of a democratic House of Representa tives." said Representative* Hull of Iowa to a Star reporter today, **they would fear to contemplate such a contingency. ' The elec*i n of a democratic House- this fall will certainly be construed by the powers -f Europe as notice that a majority of the , eople of the I'nited States are op posed to tn- policy of expansion upon which we ar' embarked. I have no doubt that j the v.o-k of the peace commission would ! st - nisly cripple.i. If we attempt to keep j a foothold in the Philippines, Spain could claim, and jrould probably f>e supported in I the contention by Europe, that the admin istration was attempting to force a policy wh: h was not acceptable to a majority of the people of the I'nited States, taking ; the election as a guide. "Now. I feel assured that public senti ment in this country, if sounded upon the sub e- r alone, free from the entanglement ??f politics, would favor a policy of burst ing from our shell and taking a part in the affairs of the world. They want the re t? :n of Port*) Rico, the control ejf Cuba 1 ; the United States until a stable govern ment is established !n the island, and they desire a foothold, at least, in the Philip pines. ' Vei if the people who feel this way vote f-.r a democratic Congress, and it is elect eel. what will be the result? Europe will regard it as a vote of lack of confidence In the administration and its policy and will certainly take advantage of the situation t-? attempt to keep this country from shar ing in the events that are to occur in the f;;r east. "More than that, however, if a demo cratic House is elected It will hamper the president in his administration of the dilfl eult problems which will come up for set tlement within the next two years. I bc lleve the people owe it to the President to told up his hands at this Juncture." Sick Soldiers in the Antilles. General LAWton's report of the health conditions among the troops at Santiago yesterday is as follows: Sick, 1,000; fever, 726; new cases, 99; returned to duty, 152. General Brooke reports the iollowlng con dition of the troops at Ponce. Porto Rico: Deaths yesterday. Joseph Ateur. Light Bat tery C. 7th Artillery, typhoid; Delivaisee Leonado, civilian employe, quartermaster's department, pernicious malarial fever. A PEACE MEMORIAL To Ee Erected on the Grounds of the Ca thedral Foundation. It* Dedication to lie One of the Features of the Coming General Episcopal Convention. It is likely that one of the interesting features in connection with the gathering in this city next month of the delegates to the general convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church will be the dedication exercises of a peace memorial which is to be erected on the recently acquired site or the cathedral foundation on the Tenley town road. Bishop Satterlee has tjje pro ject In hand, and the purpose is to erect in the vicinity of St. Alban's Church, which adjoins the cathedral site on the south, a handsome marble cross twenty feet high. It Is to be a memorial commemorative of the close of the war between the United States and Spain, and it is to be dedicated with exercises which will be attended by the dignitaries of the Episcopal Church who will be in the city at that time in large numbers. President McKinley and prominent gov ernment officials will also be invited to be present. Ail the cetails of the affair have not been decided vpon, but the bishop has broached the plan to several, especially those identified with the cathedral founda tion. and it has met with enthusiastic ap proval. It Is understood that the stone is to be prepared by one of the marble work ers in tills city. WEST VIRGINIA I'HOSPEROIS. Senator ElkiiiN Believes That Four He publicans Will Be Elected. Senator Elkins of West Virginia is in the city for a few days, after having spent considerable time in his own state, during which he observed the industrial and po litical conditions. "West Virginia Is more prosperous now than it has been f?T six or eight years," said Senator Elkins to a Star reporter this afternoon. "I believe that this is but the beginning of a still more prosperous sea son. The lumber, coal and agricultural in terests are thriving under the beneficent operations of the Dingley tariff law. "One small item in that bill has added almost immeasurably to the wealth of the state. The protective duty upon spruce now gives us access to the markets which the Wilson bill threw open to Canadian lumber. Not only are we enabled to sell our spruce, but the demand has increased the price of spruce lam] to the extent of $."> an acre. I believe that the two lines of the Dingley bill giving protection to spruce adds $8,UUO,000 a year to the wealth of our people. "The coal and lrcn industries are pros pering. Laboring men are at work at good wages, and no one has just reason to com plain of lack of employment. The farmers are getting more for their wool, their horses and ether products of the farm and field than they have for many years. The people are quic k to realize the difference in their material welfare under a republican and protective tariff administration. They have only to run their minds back a short time to the period of depression which fol lowed the navtment of the Wilson law to make a comparison. We have more coal than Pennsylvania, and we have hardly scratched the surface of our deposits. Both the coal and cofcf industries are thriving. "I believe we will elect our four republi can representatives from West Virginia this fall. 1 do not say this in a spirit of over confidence, because I realize that the re publicans must not trust too much to the prospects of success which now seem so bright, but must get out and work on elec tion day and be especially vigilant in get ting all republican voters to the polls. If we do this we will elect the legislature as well as our representative's." S1IOILD RETAIN PHILIPPINES. Maj. McClnre Protests Against Sur rendering Islands to Spain. Paymaster General Stanton has received a private letter from Major Charles Mc Clure. chief paymaster at Manila. Major McClure gives in a gossipy way an account of his doings around Manila and the work of the army as it came under his observa tion. The most important feature of his letter is his discussion of the Philippine question. In which he says that the United States should by all means retain posses sion of those fertile islands. He says the poor people of that country have been mis governed for three hundred years, with no opportunity to develop or Improve them selves. The United States, he says, in the interest of humanity, should assume gov ernment over the Islands. Contracts for Torpedo Boats. The contracts for all the torpedo boats except the three which the Bath iron works proposed to construct have been given by the Navy Department. The Bath iron works fcubmitted a proposition to build three of the boats upon their own speci fications. This was not" accepted by the department. The officials of the company have been notified by the Navy Depart ment that It would be necessary for them to expand their specifications so as to in clude in the proposed vessels certain feat ures regarded by the navy authorities as essential. It is expected that the officers of the Bath company will agree to the department's proposition and that the con tract for the vessels will be closed in a few days. Retaliation on Venezuela. < official information has reached the State Department that the Venezuelan govern ment declines to admit free of duty official consular supplies for the use of United States consuls in that country, and with a view to retaliation the Secretary of > the Treasury has directed all customs officers to assess duty on the official supplies sent by the Venezuelan government for the use of its cc nsular officers in the United States. Personal Mention. Mr. Cridler, third assistant secretary of s*tate, has returned from a visit to New York. Capt. Fremont Hill, lid Volunteer Engi neers. Is at the Ebbitt. Capt. C. H. Marple, 3d Nebraska Infan try, is*a.t the Balelgh on leave of absence. Capt. C. H. Bonesteel, 21st Infantry, and Capt. H. D. Wise, A. A. G., U. S. V., are iit the Ebbitt. Maj. Thomas W. Symons, Corps of Engi neers. was in this city on bis way to his station in Buffalo. Mr. M. I. Weller has returned from Pres cott, Canada, where his family spent the summer, and where he remained during the greater part of the heated term. Mr. Singleton L. Cooper is enjoying sev eral days' leive of absence. He left today to attend the Fredericksburg fair, and will aiso visit relatives at his old home in Staf ford county, Va., before returning. Lieut. Sawtelle Praised. General MacArthur in his report of mili tary operations in the Philippines speaks highly of the courage and efficiency of Second Lieutenant C. G. Sawtelle of the 2d Cavalry and recommends his promotion as a captain In the regular army with the brevet of major of volunteers. ? Gone Out oi Commission. The Catskill and Aileen at Brooklyn have been placed out of commission. MR. ALGER RETURNS Found Conditions of the Gamps Improved. EXPECTS THEM TO BE MADE BETTER Had a Two Hours' Conference With the President NO UNPLEASANT INCIDENT Secretary Alger returned to Washington at H o'clock this morning. He went to the War Department immediately after break fast and was soon besieged by a number of persons who have been waiting for two or three weeks for his return. The Secretary lcoked much improved by his trip, although it was tilled with hard work after he left Detroit. He said that he had gained a great deal of information as to conditions in the camps and hospitals by his inspec tion, which might take shape in official ac tion soon. About noon he went over to the White House and had a long talk with the President about army conditions. The party which returned to the city with the Secretary included Quartermaster Gen eral Ludington, Surgeon General Sternberg. Colonel Hecker of the quartermaster's de partment and Major Hopkins of the Secre tary's office. These gentlemen were not disposed to talk about their recent expe riences in the southern camps for publi cation. in view of the general military in vestigation now under way by the presiden tial commission. Secretary Aiger went to the White House at 11 o'clock and remained in conference with the President more than two hours talking over iiis inspection of military camps in the south. There was little inter ruption to the conference. Secretary Long P.nd Senator Chandler going in to see the President just before Secretary Alger left The Secretary of War looked ruddy-faced and healthy, and his friends congratulated him on his appearance and the apparent benefit he had received from his trip. The Secretary also appeared to be in better hu mor than in weeks and gave every indica tion that his conference wiih the President had been a pleasant one. The repeated at tacks <m the Secretary just before his de mand lor an investigation had naturally annoyed him ami had snmnwliat soured un ordinarily sunny disposition. I'IciimcmI With Condition of "I am exceedingly gratified at the excel lent condition of the camps 1 visited," said the Secretary. "I believe there has been an improvement and that every effort is making to preserve and protect the health of the soldiers. In every camp I visited the appearance of the sick men themselves was g.i id. and many of them cheerfully > x pressed the hopes of their speedy recovery and their satisfaction with the methods of caring for them. 1 have seen, since 1 left "?"?J l'le ,:<mps. blood-curdling stories oi ill-treatment, but no such stories were told me. and I personally talked with m.-mv of the sick men. asking them to tell me of any lack of attention, any shortage of food or medicines." Secretary Al^er said that the general condition of the regiments at all points was satisfactory. He said that naturally some or tne regiments were in better shape than j[jL' rs; This was ,Ult" to the officers. The difficulty was that there was a lack of knowledge as to how to care for them selves. In some regiments the men are careless about scattering watermelon rinds and other refuse about, as well as in lo cating sinks. He thought that experience an.l repeated warnings would better this state of affairs. He considered, however, that there had be ;n marked improvement in the care of regiments by the officers. No I niilennant Incident. Secretary Alger denied positievly that any scene had occurred in Gen. Sanger's camp at Lexington, as charged in th? press dis patches. He said that no unpleasant inci dent or scene had occurred while he was at Lexington. General Alger declined to say whether any important action will result from his trip. TWO SOI VKMKS FKO.U IIE WHY. Untile Klaitu From Manila Received at the \nvy Department. Two valuafble souvenirs of the'eapture of Manila were received at the Navy Depart ment this morning from Admiral Dewey. One is "the official llag of Manila," sewed to which is a linen memorandum reciting that the ilag was "hauled down August 1.1, 18'J8, 5:4(1, by Flag Lieutenant Brumby and Signal Boys Stanton and Ferguson, from the llagship Olympia, after the surrender of the city to the combined naval and mili tary forces of the I'nited States." The other souvenir was "the flag of Spanish armed transport Cebu, captured at Manila August K-S, l.StW." 'these Hags were turned over to the chief clerk of the Navy Depart ment for transmission to the Naval Acade my, where all such trophies of the Ameri can navy are stored and displayed. l.'nder the law, all battle flags captured by the naval forces of the I'nited States are to he kept at a place designated by the President of the I'nited States, and, in almost every instance, before and since the civil war. the Naval Aacademy at Annapolis has been se lected as such depository, and the usual course has been followed in the case of bat tle flags captured by the navy in the war with Spain. \ lOLATEU I'K.VSION LAWS. A Number or PerxoiiN Admitted Tlielr Ouilt at HoKtott. The following named persons pleaded guilty to violations of the pension laws be fore the United States district court at Bos ton, Masc.. on the 24th instant: Phoebe Keed, widow, remarried; Laura O. Johnson, widow, remarried, and Ruth W. Holmes, widow, remarried; perjury: Marie Hill, false affidavit to pension voucher; John P. Calla han and John J. Sullivan, loaning money on pension certificates; George C. Osgood and Martin B. Hayes, postdating pension vouchers; Pension Attorney Freeman Em mons of Boston, loaning money on pension certificates; Pension Attorneys Thomas W. Crocker and Benjamin F. Morris, postdat ing pension voucheis. Benjamin F. Morris, a pension attorney and notary public, and Martin B. Hayes, a notary public, both of Taunton, Mass., who were charged with the offense of postdat ing pension vouchers, pleaded guilty before the I'nited States district court for the dis trict of .Massachusetts on the 23d instant. A fine of $00 and costs was imposed in each case. COL. ItltV.W IMPROVING. Ilia Wife Expected to Arrive To morrow. Col. William J. Bryan was reported to day as improving in health. He has had no chills and the fever seems to be yielding to treatmert. His wife is expected to reach Washington tomorrow about noon as she started from their home in Ne braska last night. DUbiirred by Secretary IIIIxh. H. K. Hazlett of St. Louis and J. K. Mc Millan of Roy, W. Va., and Clinton, Md., have been disbarred by the Secretary of the Interior for unprofessional conduct In demanding and receiving Illegal fees. THE PHILIPPINE PLANK! Reference to Islands by New York Bepubli- I cans. Believed to Represent tbe Attitude Which Will He Oeenpied by the Party. The reference to the Philippines made in the platform adopted at the republican convention in New York is read with a great deal of interest in Washington, espe cially as it coincides with some of the in side talk that is* heard here at present. The statement in the platform that the republicans of New York recognize that the war has compelled us to destroy Span ish authority in the Antilles and the Phil ippine? represents the idea which is de veloping in responsible quarters as to the probable outcome of the negotiations of peace now in progress in Paris. The New York convention is regarded as the most important and the most influential in its national bearing of any that will be held this year. It is believed that there was a general understanding by the republican leaders in New York of the policy of the administration, and it is thought that tlie utterance of the republican convention in New York fairly represents the attitude which will be occupied by the republican party with relation to the question of ex pansion and our conduct toward the inhab itants of the islands which have been wrested from Spanish control. W hile not committed to a colonial policy as respects the Philippines, it is believed that opin ion within the circle of the administration and aiYionfc republican leaders is crystalliz ing into a determination that none of the conquered territory shall be turned back to incompetent, corrupt and oppressive gov ernment by S;>ain. The expression in this platform which dis avows any policy of acquisition as the in spiring motive of the war. but at the same time recognizes the responsibilities and the obligations to humanity devolving upon this government by reason of the war, represents the controlling idea, as it is understood, of the administration in deal ing with this question. It is believe 1 that the President feels the same obligation to giv< a good government to the Philip pine Islands that he does to establish a stal le government in Cuba. The statement in the dispatches from Paris yesterday that there is some dissat isfaction among the sympathizers of Spain on account of their understanding of the instructions given our commission with re spect to the Philippines is regarded as sig nificant of the linn character of these in structions. No further trouble with the followers of Aguinaldo is anticipated, and it is believed that the representatives of Aguinaldo, who arrived here yesterday, will l>e satisfied with the situation as they will understand it. The statement given out by Agoncillo last evening indicates a greater acquies- I cence on the part of the Filipinos in the ! policy of the United States toward those I islands than reports from Manila gave rea- j son to believe existed. This is regarded as i an evidence that he has come to a better ! understanding; of the attitude of this gov ernment. and docs not feel the same ap- I prehension that has been manifested here tofore of an abandonment of the natives to ; the mercy of Spain. It is thought that be- ! fore the Filipinos leave Washington 4lhey will be satisfied that th* re is 110 intention j to thus abandon them,, and that the com- l munications sent by Agoncillo to Aguin- i aldo will have th< effect of quieting any 1 feeling of discontent and suspicion that may exist among Aguinaldo's followers. THE PHILIPPINE: QIESTION. 1'arln Paper Ciive* Alleged Attitude of Pence (.'ommixKioii. PARIS, September 28.?The United States peace commission went into session at 11 i o'clock this mornirg. The Gaulois says: "In spite of the mys- ' tery surrounding the matter, we are able fiom a high source to give an outline of 1 the position of both commissions. While the Americans have instructions which are n uch more precise than those of the Span- ( iards, there is a diversity of opinion in re gard to the Philippines. Senator Gray is a very ardent democrat, and, consequently, belongs to the party which repudiates ex pansion. He opposes all annexation, and his opinion, therefore, totally differs from that of the otlur four commissioners, some of whom would be content prith a coaling station at the Philippines, possibly Cavite, while others, like Senator Davis, advocate the anr exation of the whole archipelago." The Gaulois, hov ever, believes that the Americans, by mutual concessions, will come to an agreement and that they will all be largely influenced by Major Gen. AJerritt's report on the situation. The instructions 10 the Spanish commis sion, still according to the (>aulois, are, briefly, to hold out and make the best terms possible. Madrid is well aware, it appears, that the c nferences, at the best, only have to please the Spanish people, and the only hopes entertained are that the Americans will not abuse the situation too much. Popular sentiment in Spain, it is aodeel, thinks it better to abandon the Phil ippine Islands than to keep them under conditions rendering them ungovernable. DEMOCRATS ALL AT SEA. No Iiidei'NtaiidiiiK About Candidates Vet lieaeiied at Syracuse. CONVENTION HALL, SYRACUSE, N.Y., September 2K.?The democratic state con vention met here at noon" today absolutely without a slate or prografn other than the temporary organization agreed upon in the state committee last night. It is in many respects the most remarkable political con vention ever held. Never before have all the prominent leaders of the democratic party appeared in convention and consulted as to program without retail. Richard Croker, David B. Hill, Senator Murphy and Senator McCarren, represent ing Hugh McLaughlin, have had frequent conferences, but no agreement has been reached as to candidates. These confer ences have been conducted upon apparently friendly lines and under the leadership of Senator Murphy. There is an evident dis position for harmony, but upon what lines it is difficult to determine. Absolutely noth ing is known of the different propositions discussed, but there are rumors of all kinds. Because of the delay in reaching any agree ment It is generally believed that there is trouble of some sort, and many think that a fight will develop in the convention. The "leaders, however, confidently assert that all e'ifferences will be settled during the day and a complete understanding reached be fore tomorrow morning when the actual work of the convention begins. The crowd gathered here is undoubtedly the largest ever seen at a state convention. The great convention hall is thronged. Tammany has 42,<KH> men present. The silver adherents are well represented here. They have had numerous confer ences, the results of which have been con veyed to the party leaders. Their demands have not as yet been formally presented, but it is understood that they will demand some place upon "the ticket for one of their lepresentatives, probably Wilbur F. Porter, the party's candidate for governor two years ago. Delegate Pierce of Monroe tried to get in a resolution indorsing the Chicago plat form relative to silver, but It was not al lowed to?be read. He attempted to speak, but was ruled out anel the resolution re ferred. At 1:30 p.m. a recess was taken until 11 o'clock tomorrow. A Loeal Pevmion. DeWitt C. Lamb of this city was todajt granted a pension of per month. Lively Fight Over Federal Offices in Florida. APPLYING TO THE PBESIDEST Judge Long Looks for Republi can Gains. OTITER CALLERS OF THE DAY The positions of collector of internal rev enue and marshal of the northern district in Florida are still open and are about to be filled by the President. There are live ly fights in progress for both positions. The leading candidate for collector of internal revenue is Joseph E. Lee, colored, for many years one of the controlling factors in republican politics in the state. He has the indorsement of Judge Long, the re publican national committeeman. Judge Long was at the White House today in the interests of his candidate. Ixiter in the day Bishops Arnett and Grant, Dr. Moore and E. F. Grifiin called on the President and urged the appoint ment of Lee The hottest fight is for the marshalship. E. C. Weeks is the candidate against whom the others are concentrating their tight. Weeks has the backing of National Com mitteeman Long and of the machine of the state. He is being fought, however, on the ground that his record was not good when he was marshal under the Har rison administration. A dozen candidates are lighting Weeks. What Judge Long; Expects, Judge Long, in speaking of Florida pol itics to a Star reporter, said: "We have re cent 1}' heli the best sfate convention the it-publicans of Florida have ever known. The brains and v ealth of the party were represented. We have nominated a full state ticket and candidates for Congress, and are making a stiff light in every coun ty. I am confident we will make substan tial gains in all parts of the state, and that in ItHiO we will be in good shape to make a successf 11 fight in both state and national elections." Arranging the President** Trip. Senator Thurston was at the White House again today, making further ar rar.gt nu^i s regarding the President's trip to OmarTa. The Piesident will lemain in Omaha from the night of October 31 intil the morning of the 25th, when he will leave for Chicago. The President promised Col. "Dick" Kt-rens today to step in St. Louis a while cn the ir?rh. From that city he will go direct to Chicago. A committee repiesenting the Philadel phia peace jubilee will come here tomorrow to see the President about his visit to that city. Representative Bingham wiil be at the head of the committee. The Preside it will run over to Philadelphia for a day Jur ing the latter part of October. A ''Hough Rider" Calls. "Corporal" Tanner, accompanied by Lieut. Thomas of the Rough Riders, visited the President today. Lieut. Thomas was badly wounded in the first fight at Santiago. 1L is said that he wants to remain permanent ly in the army. TO COMMAND AT KEY WEST. Kecent Orders Issued by the \avy Depart nieiit. Commander P. P. Gilmore has been or dered to the command of the naval station at Key West, Fla., October 4, relieving Commanded J. M. Forsyth, who is in bad health and has been ordered to treatment at the naval hospital, Philadelphia. Commander G. M. Book has been detach ed from command of the Mohican and or dered to the command of the Adams, at Snn Francisco, immediately. Lieut. Com n ander T. Porter of the Mohican has been transferred to the Adams as exacutive of ficer. Most of the other officers of the Mo hican have also been ordered to duty on the Adams. The orders of Commander B. F. Tilley to the command of the Adams have been revoked and he is ordered instead to the Norfolk navy yard. Lieut. N. R. Usher has been detached from the Prairie and made inspector of the seventh light house district, relieving Lieut. Commander C. C. Cornwell, who is ordereel home. Lieut. C. P. Pond, from the Arethusa, to command the Ircquois. Lieut. L. W. Coffman, to the Prairie. Assistant Naval Constructor F. B. Zahn. from the naval station. Port Royal, to the bureau of construction and repair, Navy Department. Paymasters G. W Simpson and J. A. Mudd, from the Navy Department and set tle accounts. Lieut. It. P. Forshew, from the New Hampshire and home. Lieut. R. J. Beach has been honorably discharged. FEAUS FOR TRANSPORT SENATOR. Vcucrl In Now AlM>ut Ten UnyN Over due From Manila. SAX FRANCISCO. September 2S.?The non-arrival of the trarsport Senator is be ginning to jause a little uneasiness. She is now out thirty-five days from Manila. The steamer Zealandia, which left Manila two days after the Senator, was caught in a typhoon, and had to put into Nagasaki on August '.0 last for lepairs. The transport Colon came across from Manila in twenty-eight days, the City of Peking ir. twenty-three, the City of Sydney in twenty-four and the China in twenty three days. All these vessels stopped at Nagasaki for ccai. Besides the transports Senator and Zealandia, the Indiana is now out twenty-sever, days and the Ohio twen ty-five days. All of them will be sent, back to Manila as soon as they reach here anu have been reprovisioned. TWO UIRI.S FATALLY 1KJIRED. Hesull of l'onilpr KkpIokIoii in St. I.oiiIh Store. ST. LOUIS, Mo., September 28.?An ex plosion of powder today in the rear of the four-story building at 410 North 4th street, occupied by C. and W. MeClain, fishing tackle and sporting goods, set the store on fire and caused its destruction, and result ed in the injury to a number of people, sev eral of whom will die. The list of injured follows: Pauline Bender and Florence Higbee, em ployes of the McCIaln company, fatally in jured. * Kate Weldon and Kate Gaull, slightly injured. Joe Detter. engine company No. 6, cut by flying glass and bricks. Fred Bohlly, engine company No. 13, hit by runaway reel team, and cut on head; badly hurt. Goldy, engine company No. 13, badly hurt by flying glass. Gus Jansen, Ureman at Prufroek's furni ture store, cut by flying glass?not serious. T. S Stone, passer by, cut by flying glass not serious. A. Ragaiio, tailor, hit by runaway reel team and badly injured. GAVE OFFICERS THE SLIP London Dispatch Intimates Dr. Nancy Guil ford Has Escaped. Superintendent BirminKhnm 1m FomI tive, However, That Emma Gill's Slayer in I n<Ier Arrest. LONDON, September 28.?The detectives have lost sight of the woman they shadow ed after the arrival at Liverpool yesterday morning of the steamer Vancouver, from Montreal, and they are now ransacking the London hotels and boarding houses. Up to the present the police have not found any trace of the traveler. The woman referred to in the dispatch from London is supposed to be Dr. Nancy Guilford of Bridgport, Conn., who is want ed by the Connecticut police for the murder of Emma Gill of Southington. Conn. BRIDGEPORT, Conn.. September 2S.? When shown the dispatch from London stating that all track of Dr. Nancy Guil ford had been lost this morning. Superin tendent of Police Birmingham said: "I do not believe it. She is under arrest." The police here claim the credit for lo cating the Guilford woman. They ordered her apprehended in Elmira and Montreal. The police at both places sent back word that she had slipped out after the dis patches had been received. State Department officials today confirm ed the statement that they had taken steps to have arrested and held for examination the woman who landed yesterday at Liver pool supposed to be Dr. Nancy Guilford, and therefore connected with the murder of Emma Gill at Bridgeport, Conn. This action was taken at the request of the governor of Connecticut. A cablegram was sent to the United States embassy at London, upon which the British police offi cers acted. The next step in the case will be for the district attorney of Bridgeport to prepare evidence to be used in London at the examination, which must be held as a basis for her detention and extradition. These papers will be brought to Washing ton by agents of the state of Connecticut and the State Department will give them the authorization necessary to secure the person of the prisoner. WIKOFF NEARLY DESERTED. Only Three H<'uimonlK Left at the Ill{? Army i 'am p. NEW YORK, September US.?The depart ure of troops from Camp WikofT continued today, and now there are only three regi im-nts in the camp which a month or two ago had 25,<XK? men. The 1st Cavalry got away today. They are assigned to the Di psrtmtnt of Dakota and the regiment will be distributed among the different forts in the department. The hospital ship Lewiston today took ninety sick men to Providence, to b. dis tributed among the various hospitals in that city. She also transported forty mem bers of the lid and lUh Massachusetts Vol unteers. All had been sick, but have re covered and went heme on leaves of ab sence. There were 2JT? men in the general 'ios pital today and only one death was re ported. Harry Weldon of Company K, 2d Infantry, died from typhoid. NO CANDIDATE AVAILABLE. Democratic Nomination for Congress In Sixth District Goes Ucg^iuK. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. HAGERSTOWN, Md., September 2S.?-The democratic congressional convention was called to order noon today. Some delay was caused by awaiting replies to telegrams to Blair Lee, Judge Lynch and others, who had been appealed to to accept the nomina tion, and all of whom declined the honor. Ferdinand William? of Allegany county was made temporary and llnally permanent chairman. The usual committees were ap pointed. the one on resolutions making a report, denouncing trusts and monopolies; commending the democracy of Jefferson and Jackson; making- no reference to the Chicago platform, but declaring for the money of the country?gold and silver? without reference to the ratio. The army ar.d navy were commended, Commodore Schley coming in for great praise, v hile Secretary Alger was se verely denounced. The last resolution prnvldfed for the adjournment of the convention un til October 15, at the same time and place. This met with some opposition, but was finally adopted by the votes of Montgom ery, Frederick and Washington counties. The only available candidate at the dis posal of the convention was James A. Mc Henry of Cumberland, but at the last mo ment his democracy was questioned, he being charged with having voted for Palmer and Buckner at the last presiden tial election. This precipitated the intro duction of the resolution and the adjourn ment of the convention. MARCHAND NOT ABANDONED. French Minister for the ColonieM De nies a Statement. PARIS, September 28.?'The Gaulois this morning publishes an interview with the minister of the colonies, M. Trouillot, in which he is quoted as saying it is not true that Major Marchand has been aban doned. Up to the present, the minister added, the French government has only the British version of the major's occu pation of Fashoda, and no steps will be taken in the matter until the French offi cers* reports are leceived. The* minister further remarks that one essential point has been secured in the avoidance of a collision between the French ana British troops and that was thai it was here and not on the Nile that the question of Fashoda and other matter's hinging on it will be settled. BK OTHER HOOD OF ST. ANDREW. Exercises Today Devoted to a "Quiet Hour" Session. BALTIMORE, September 28.?The thir teenth annual convention of the Brother hood of St. Andrew assembled in this city today, and will remain in session during: the week, closing on Sunday night. Abou* 1,2W dele/rates are expected to attend, many of whom are already in the city. Half a dozen bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church will also be here. Today's exercises were confined to a "quiet hour'' session, beginning at 2:30 p.m.. and lasting until dark, under t>-?e guidance of the r? v. Dr. Algernon S. Crapsey of New York. The business ses siens of the convention will begin tomor row morning. COLLISION ON CANADIAN ROAD. ? Five Men Killed nnd Another 9e riouMly Injured. HALIFAX. N. S., September 28.?A spe cial excursion train on the way to the Hal ifax exhibition frcm Plctou this morning crashed into a working train near Steiler tcn. James Sprouli. engineer; Michael O'Brien, engineer; W. G. Henderson, fire man; John R. McKenzie, fireman, and Will iam Cameron of Scotch Hill, Pictou county, a passenger, were killed. John McMillan of Pictou, a passenger, was Injured, ;the future ofcuba Dr. Congosto Says It is a Social Not a Political Problem. ; BMlGBiTiOfr MAT HELP SOLVE IT Reason for Delay in Spanish Evac uation Due to Disease. HE CENSURES (J EX. TORAL NEW YORK. September US. Among the passengers who arrived today on the steamer City of Washington from Havana wore Dr. Jose Congosto and Capt. Fred Sharp of the Merrttt & Chapman Wrecking Company. The City of Washington brought forty-one cabin passengers and a small cargo, composed chiefly of cigars and to bacco. Dr. Congosto will sail for Havre on the French line steamer October 1. Captain Sharp was greatly pleased to learn that the Spanish cruiser Marie Te resa had been floated and taken to Guan tanamo. He thinks the collier Merrimac, sunk in Santiago harbor, can be floated. Later Dr. Congosto said: "The evacua tion of Cuba by Spain is a matter of time, but when 1 left Havana everything was progressing well. I do not care to enter into all the reasons for the delay, but one of the principal causes is the fact that we have over ti.UOO sick who must be taken care of, and cannot be left behind. Problem of the Future. "The problem of the future of the island is a difficult one, and 1 have studied it without prejudice, and as a result of this study of years 7 believe that It is a social problem and not political one. Of course, politics will enter into the solution, but the great question is how to bring the most prosperity and the greatest happiness to the people of Cuba. It is probable that there will be a large emigration to the Is land. and this emigration may assist In solving the problem. Of course, a difficulty will be met in view of the dangers of fever and the climate." I)r. Congosto was asked as to the condi tion of the reconcentrados. "There are no reconcentrados now," he answered with a smile. "What has become of them?* was the question. "They're gone." "Where?" "God knows." was the reply. "Do you mean to say they are all dead?" "That probably explains it better than 1 can. It is a subject which 1 prefer not to discuss." When asked as to the establishment of a new navy for Spain Dr. Congosto said: "Spain is still a great country, and she ought to have a great navy, and probably will." CViiMtircM (iciurul Toral. Discussing the fa'.l of Santiago and th ? surrender of Gen. Toral Dr. Congosto said: "There were brave soldiers at Santiago, and if their leader lacked courage he Re serves to be punished. Santiago should not have fallen as it did, and if Toral had not entered into negotiations with the enems it is likely that there would have been a different story to tell today. It is not true that the Spanish army there lacked sup plies and ammunition, for they had plenty of both, which they turned over to the Americans. If Toral had pushed forward instead of retreating toward the city he certainly would have caused a repulse. These are things which he will have to ex plain." Dr. Congosto hopes that when his duties on the Paris peace commission expire he will resume his consular service. Mr. Ventor von Hollenstein, an American citizen and a member of the German Red Cross Society, who had been in prison for several months in Havana, charged with complicity in the insurrection of the Cu bans. was also among the passengers of the City of W ashington. He was released during the first part of this month. He i> crippled and sick from the harsh treatment he received. COL. I1AHKIES SICRIOISLY ILL Confined to Hi* Kooiu, With Compli cation of Fevern. Specid from a Staff Correspondent. ASHEV1LLE, N. C., September 28.?Col. George H. Harries, commanding the 1st District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, who reached Asheville last Friday, has been confined to his room in the Battery Park Hotel since that time critically ill. Bilious malarial fever is the colonel's com plaint, undoubtedly the result of the fever contracted in Cuba. His condition is much improved today, however, and the hop** is entertained th.it he will soon be able to be up and about. Slow but decided improvement is noticed in regard to Lieuts. C. Fred Cook. L?roy W. Herron and D. V. Chisholm. who are also here convalescent of lingering attacks of Cuban fever. J. W. H. CHEERS FOR THE ORE<;OV BIk Battle Ship Mnkei a Preliminary Start to Manila. NEW YORK, September 28.?The I'nited Slates battle ship Oregon went down from the Brooklyn navy yard and anchored off Tompkinsville this morning, preparatory to her start on her long voyage to the Pacific. The Oregon draws more than two fe t over her normal diaft, i!s feet, so that she is over 90 feet in the water. Besides an enormous consignment cf sti res and pro- * visions, she carries 1,400 tons of coal and more than 500 tons of ammunition. In or der to carry this amount of powder and shells a number of tempjrary magazines were constructed in her ho'.d. As the ship moved out from the dock at the navy yard her band began to play "Homeward Bound." Her crew was drawn up on the port bow. with the marine guuro abaft the bow. Cob dock was crowded ^vith marines and tailors and a crowd of spectators stood or the coal dock. Cheers were exchanged. The Oregon was subse quently chttred by the crews of ihe Texas, Massachusetts, lo^a and Ha nfc w whlr'n she passed on her *ay out. She rtspondtd by the blowing of her big tieam sir* n. The Oregon will remain ai Tompklnsvi'le until tomorrow, when she will be joined by the Iowa. The two will then begin their cruise to the Philippines. It was sai 1 nt the navy yard that the reason tiie 1 >wa was unable to start today was that sh waiting for an additional consignmt nt ?t ammunition, which is expected to arrive to day. YELLOW FE \ LR SITt ATIO.V Reports From Stricken District* Show Disease is SpremlliiK. LOUISVILLE, Ky., September 2*.?Re ports from the stricken districts last night show that the yellow fever outbreaki ara not yet under control. Five new cases, all negroes, are in Jackson. Miss. The Louisiana board of health makes the following report: Total in the city, one new cose, one death. In Wilson, eight new cases. In Franklin to date, one hundred end twenty-nine eases and five deaths.