Evening star. [volume], December 03, 1900, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
No 14,903. WASHINGTON, D. 0., MONDAY, DE01tMER 3. 1900-TWENTY PAGES. TWO CENTS.
THE EVENING STAR.
UUMI AN.. exCEp sNDAY.
i ffce, "M Street and Peassyihais lams
The Evening Star Newspaper Company.
S. IK. KAUFFMANN. Preal.
New Verk Of"ks: 120 Tribes@ Balming
Chicage Offte: isce Beilul,
'lts Evetaig Star to ser"ed to saeritebrs In ths
,tly by carriers. on their ow. nc-Unta . t It tesa
per week or 44 centa per month O,ples at the
counter. i cents each By mail--anywnere In 1he
U.S. orCanads-postag. prepsid-Oescenla per month.
Saturday Quintuple Sheet rtar. $1 per fear; with
forelxn postage added *R.oa
Fnterel at the P,ot Of.fe at W-shington. D CL.
a setond-clae mail ma' ter.)
E7 All mall subeeript loom mus! be paid In advases.
.latee of advertising made knimwn ou applicatio.
ANNUAL MESSAGE
The President Sends His
Views to Congress.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY
Condition of Affairs in China
Discussed.
THE PHILIPPINE PROBLEM
How Far War Taxes May Be
Reduced.
OTH ER MATTERS TREATED OF
The President today transmitted his an
nual message to Congress. It was as fol
lows:
To the Senate and House of Representa
tives:
At the outgoing of the old and the in
coming of the new century you begin the
last session of the Fifty-sixth Congress
with evidences on every hand of individual
.,nd national prosperity and with proof of
the growing strength and increasing power
for good of republican institutions. Your
countrymen will join with you in felicita
tion that American liberty Is more firmly
established than ever before, and that love
for it and the determination to preserve
it are more universal than at any former
period of our history.
'Whe Republic was never so strong, be
cause never so strongly intrenched in the
hearts of the people as now. The Constitu
tion, with few amendments, exists as it left
the hands of its authors. The additions
which have been made to it proclaim larger
freedom and more extended citizenship.
Popular government has demonstrated in its
one hundred and twenty-four years of trial
here its stability and security, and its effi
c;ency as the best instrument of national
development and the best safeguard to hu
man rights.
When the Sixth Congress assembled in
November, 18W0, the population of the
United States was 5,308,483. It is now
76,34,7?J9. Then we had sixteen states.
Now we have forty-five. Then our territory
gonsisted of 909.050 square miles. It is now
3,846,5 square miles. Education, religion,
and morality have kept pace with our ad
vancement in other directions, and while
extending its power the Government has
adhered to its foundation principles and
abated none of them in dealing with our
new peoples and possessions. A nation so
preserved and blessed gives reverent thanks
to God and invokes His guidance and the
continuance of His care and favor.
THE CHLNESE PROBLEM.
In our foreign intercourse the dominant
question has been the treatment of the Chi
ngse problem. Apart from this our relations
wvith the powers have been happy.
The recent troubles in China spring from
the anti foreign agitation which for the
past three years has gained strength in
the northern provinces. Their origin lies
deep in the character of the Chinese taces
and in the traditions of their government.
The Taiping rebellion and the opening of
Chinese ports to foreign trade and settle
*ntent disturbed alike the homogeneity and
..the seclusion of China.
Meanwhile foreign activity made itself
felt in all quarters, not alone on the coast,
but along the great river arteries and in
the remoter districts, carrying new ideas
and introducing new associations among a
rZimitive people which had pursued for
centuries a national policy of isolation.
The telegraph and the railway spreading
over their land, the steamers plying on
their waterways, the merchant and the
missionary penetrating year by year tar
ther to the interior, became to the Chinese
mind types of an alien invasion, chang.ng
the course of their national life and
fraught with vague forebodings of disaster
a to their beliefs and their self-control.
For several years before the present trou
bles all the resources of foreign diplomacy,
backed by moral demonstrations of the
physical force of fleets and arms, have been
needed to secure due respect for the treaty
rights of foreigners and to obtain satis
faction from the respons.ible authorities for
the sporadic outrages upon the persons and
eun.perty of unoffending sojourners, which
frum time to time occurred at widely sep
arated points in the northern provinces, as
in the case of the outbreaks in Sze-chuen
arid Shani-tung.
Posting of antiforeign placards became
a daily occurrence, which the repeated
reprobation of the imperial power failed to
check or punish. These inflammatory np
'ptals to the ignorance and superstition of
the masses, mendacious and absurd In
their accusations and deeply hostile in
their spirit,, could not but work cumulative
harm. They aimed at no particular ciiass
of foreigners; they were impartial in at
tacking everything foreign.
An outbreak in Whan-tung, in which Ger
man missionaries were slain, was the too
natural result of these malevolent teach
irgs. The posting of seditious placards, ex
horting to the utter destruction of foreign
ers and every foreign thing, continued un
rebujed. Hostile demonstrations toward
the stranger gained strength by organiza
tion.
The sect, commonly styled the Boxers,
developed greatly in the provinces north of
' the Yang-Tae, and with the collusion og
many notable officials, including some in
the immediate councils of the Throne it
self, became alarmingly aggressive. No
foreigner's life, outside of the protected
treaty ports, was safe. No foreign inter
est was secure from spoliation.
The diplomatic representatives of the pow
*rs in Peking strove in vain to check tnIs
piovement. Protest was followed by de
sand and demand by renewed protest, to be
:smet with perfunctory edicts from the Pal
ace and evasive and futile assurances from
the Taung-li-Yamen. Tire circle of the Box
er influence narrowed about Peking, and
while nominally stigmatised as seditious, it
was felt that its spirit pervaded the capital
itself, that the Imperial forces were imbued
~with its doctrines, and that the immediate
nsen=ots of the Emnress Dowager were
in full sympathy with the anti-foreign
movement.
The Increasing gravity of the conditions
in China and the Imminence of peril to our
own diversified interests in the Empire. as
well as to those of all the other treaty gov
ernments, were soon appreciated by this
government, causing it profound solic.tude.
The United States from the earliest days of
foreign intercourse with China had followed
a policy of peace, omitting no occasions to
testify good wil, to further the extens'on
of lawful trade, to respect the sovereignty
of its government, and to insure by all le
gitimate and kindly but earnest means the
fullest measure of protection for the lives
and property of our law-abiding citizens
and for the exercise of their beneficent call
ings among the Chinese people.
PROPOSALS TO THE POWERS.
Mindful of this, it was felt to be appro
priate that our purposes should be pro
nounced in favor of such course as would
hasten united action of the powers at Pe
k!ng to promote the administrative reforms
so greatly needed for strengthenIng the Im
perial Government and maintaining the in
tegrity of China, In which we believed the
whole western world to be alike concerned.
To these ends I caused to be addressed to
the several powers occupying territory and
maintaIning spheres of influence In China
the circular proposals of 1899, inviting from
them declarations of their intentions and
views as to the desirability of the adoption
of measures insuring the benefits of equal
ity of treatment of all foreign trade
throughout China.
With gratifying unanimity the responses
coincided in this common policy, enabling
me to see in the successful termination of
these negotiations proof of the friendly
spirit which animates the various powers
Interested in the untrammeled development
of commerce and industry in the Chinese
Empire as a source of vast benefit to the
whole commercial world.
In this conclusion, which I had the gratifi
cation to announce as a completed engage
ment to the interested powers on March
20. 1900, I hopefully discerned a potential
factor for the abatement of the distrust of
foreign purposes which for a year past had
appeared to inspire the policy of the Im
perial Government, and for the effective
exertion by it of power and akthority to
quell the critical anti-foreign movement In
the northern provinces most immediately
influenced by the Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence in the wil
lingness and ability of the Imperial admin
istration to redress the wrongs and prevent
the evils we suffered and feared, the ma
rine guard, which had been sent to Peking
in the autumn of 1899 for the protection of
the legation, was withdrawn at the earliest
practicable moment, and all pending ques
ticns were remitted, as far as we were con
cerned, to the ordinary resorts of diplomatic
intercourse.
The Chinese Government proved, however,
unable to check the rising strength of the
Bexers and appeared to be a prey to inter
nal dissensions. In the unequal contest the
anti-foreign influences soon gained the as
cendancy under the leadership of Prince
Tuan. Organized armies of Boxers, with
which the Imperial forces affiliated, held
the country between Peking and the coast.
penetrated into Manchuria up to the Rus
sian borders, and through their emissaries
threatened a like rising Throughout north
ern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction of
their property. and slaughter of native con
verts were reported from all sides. The
Tsung-li-Yamen, already permeated with
hostile sympathies, could make no effective
response to the appeals of the legations.
At this critical juncture, in the early spring
of this year, a proposal was made by the
other powers that a combined fleet should
be assembled in Chinese waters as a moral
demonstration, under cover of which to ex
act of the Chinese Government respect
for foreign treaty rights and the suppres
sion of the Boxers.
The United States, while not participating
in the joint demonstration, promptly sent
from the Philippines all ships that could be
spared for service on the Chinese coast. A
small force of marines was landed at Taku
and sent to Peking for the protection of the
American legation. Other powers took sim
ilar action, until some four hundred men
were assembled in the capital as legation
guards.
Still the peril increased. The legations re
ported the development of the seditious
movement in Peking and the need of in
creased provision for defense against it.
While preparations were in progress for a
larger expedition, to strengthen the legation
guards and keep the railway open, an at
tempt of the foreign ships to make a land
ing at Taku was met by a fire from the
Chinese fort.. The forts were thereupon
shelled by the foreign vessels, the American
admiral taking no part in the attack, on the
ground that we were not at war with China
and that a hostile demonstration might con
solidate the an'iforelgn elements and
strengthen the Boxers to oppose the reliev
ing column.
Two days later the Taku forts were cap
tured after a sanguinary conflict. Sever
ance of communication with Peking fol
lowed, and a combined force of additional
guards. wh.ch was advancing to Peking by
the Pel-Ho, was checked at Langfang. The
isolation of the legations was complete.
The siege and the relief of the legations
has passed into undying history. In all the
stirring chapter which records the heroism
of the devoted baind, clinging to hope in the
face of despair, and the undaunted spirit
that led their relievers through battle and
suffering to the goal, it is a memory of
which my countrymen may be justly proud
that the honor of our flag was maintained
alike in the siege and the rescue, and tha,t
stout American hearts have again set high,
in fervent emulation with true men of other
race and language, the indomitable, courage
that ever strives for the cause of right and
justice.
THE LEGATIONS CUT OFF.
By June 19th the legations were cut off.
An identical Dote from the Yamen ordered
each minister to leave Peking, under a
promised escort, within twenty-four hours.
To gain time they replied, asking prolonga
tion of the time, which 'was after
wards granted, and requesting an in
terview with the Taung-li-Yamen on
the followIng day. No reply being received,
on the morning of the 20th the German
minister, Baron von Ketteler, set out for
the Yamen to obtain a response, and on the
way was murdered.
An attempt by the legation guard to re
cover his body was foiled by the Chinese.
Armed forces turned out against the lega
tions. Their quarters were surrounded and
attacked. The mission compounds were
abandoned, their Inmates taking refuge in
the British legation, where all the other
legations and guards gathered for more
effective defense. Four hundred persons
were crowded In Its narrow compass. Two
thousand native converts zwere assembled
in a near-by palace under protection of the
foreigners. Lines of defejise were strength
ened, trenches dug, barricades raised and
SHAN SI BUTCHERIES
Details of the Atrocities of the
Chinese Governor.
FOULLY IURDERED HIS GUESTS
Promised Them Safety and Then
Treacherously Stabbed Them.
HE WILL GET THE SILK CORD
BERLIN, December 3.-A special dispatch
from China to the Volks Zeitung reports a
fearful mission slaughter in the province of
Shan St. The first victims, the dispatch
says, were a Catholic bishop and his coad
jutors and four European priests, Francis
cans, Italian and French.
The governor invited them to his house,
pretending to give them better protection;
but when they arrived their hands were
tied. Then the governor himself poinarded
them all. Next the governor went to the
bishop's residence with a number of sol
diers and seized six Marseilles Sisters. He
promised them money and distinguished
husbands if .hey would renounce Christian
ity, which offer they unanimously rejected.
Thereupon the governor poinarded them
and also a number of Chinese priests and
thirty Chinese sisters and 200 orphans from
three to sixteen years of age.
Fifteen seminarists, who had hidden
themselves in a cistern, were, the dispatch
says, tied to stakes and forced to drink the
blood of the first victims.. They were then
killed.
A Chinese priest and two Christians who
attempted to escape were caught and put
in a small hut, where they were burned.
GERMAN TROOPS IN DANGER.
Eight Companies of French Soldiers
Go to Their Aid.
TIEN TSIN, December 2.-Four compa
nies of German troops are reported to be
seriously menaced thirty-five miles west of
Pao Ting Fu. Eight companies of Frenen
troops, with three days' rations, have left
to go to their relief.
It is by the imperative order of the czar
that the Russians are handing over tie
Shan-hal-kuan railroad to the Germans.
The necessary documents were signed this
morning.
I I
TO SUCCEED SENATOR DAVIS.
Judge Collins Declines Appointment
by Governor Lind.
CHICAGO, December 3.-A special to the
Times-Herald from Minneapolis says: Loren
W. Collins, associate justice of the state
supreme court, has declined the appoint
ment as United States senator to succeed
the late Cushman K. Davis, which was of
fered him by Gov. Lind. It is further
stated on good authority that Judge Collins
will not be a candidate for the place when
the legislature meets.
ARCHBISHOP FEEHANI TO RETIRE.
Report That He Will Be Succeeded
by Father Muldoon.
CHICAGO, December 3.-The Tribune
says: The Most Rev. Patrick A. Feehan,
archbishcp of the Roman Catholic archdio
cese of Chicago since September 10. 1880,
will. retire from the active management of
his office with the close of the present year.
Early in January a coadjutor bishop, with
the right of success!on will be consecrated
and will relieve the incumbent of the
burden of his ecclesiastical dut:es. it
is reported that the Rev. Father P. J. Mul
doon is the priest upon whom the new honor
will be bestowed.
I4 I
BOLOMEN SWEAR ALLEGIANCE.
Twenty-Two Hundred Natives Take
the Oath at Vigan.
MANILA, December 3.-Sunday In Vi
gan was a great day for the American
cause. Twenty-two hundred natives of the
region, nearly all fighting rebels, crowded
the church and took the oath of allegiance
to the United States. The oath was ad
ministered by the priest. All but 500 of
those sworn were bolomen. The number in
cluded the 1,200 bolomen who had pre
viously surrendered.
The proceedings at the church occupied
the entire day, and included an address by
General Young and an exhortat'on by the
priest. Scarcely any rebels remain in the
vicinity of Santa Maria. General Young
attributes this fact to three causes--the
election of President McKinley, the ar
rival of a stTonger body of troops and the
especially r:gid enforcement or the war
measures and the deportation of prisoners
t, Manila. He reports that it :s necessary to
occupy all the barriers in order to protect
the natives from vengeance of Tagalog
raiders.
WRECK ON JERSEY CENTRAL.
Engineer of Passenger Train Killed
and Firenman Injured.
PHILLIPSBURG, N. J., December 8.
The New Jersey Central's flyer, which,.left
Easton, Pa., at 6:05 a.m., ran into the rear
end of a coal train at Vulcanite, N. J., this
morning and William Miller, the engineer
of tbe passenger train, was fatally hurt,
and Benjamin Burwell, the fireman, had
both legs crushed. The men lived at Phil
lipsburg The passenger locomotive was
thrown down a ten-foot embankment. The
caboose and two of the coal cars caught
fire and were destroyed.
Miller, besides having a leg crushed and
being injured internally, was so badly -
scalded that when his clothes were taken
off the skin came with them. He died
about one hour after the accident. The
passengers escaped serious injuries. Be
fore he died Miller declared he saw no
danger signal until his train was within
100 feet of the coal train.
I.I
DENSE FOG IN PITITSBURG.
Two Trains Collide Owing to Failure
to See Signal.
PITTSBURG, Pa., December 3.-The night
express train from Buffalo on the Buffalo,
Rochester and Pittsburg railway at 7:50
o'clock this morning collided with a Balti
mnore and Ohio freight in the yards at Mill
vale, The dense fog, which blinded the
trainmen's signals, caused the wreck. No
person was seriously hurt, although the
passengers on the express were badly
shaken up.
The fog and smoke in this city up to noon
today was so danse that ordiary lights
could not be seen at any great distance, and
at the bridge over the Allegheny to Sharps
burg, where the traction company has but
one track, fog horns had to be used for sig
naling.
Col. Joha R.. Pophama D4.
Speeial Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va., December.3.--Col. John
R. Popham fell dead on the street, of heart
disease, here this unorning, He was for
years awell-knwn character in Washing
to, n knwal heladn
IMPORTANT MEASURES
STATUS OF ISOM THAt aEMA"D
EARLY CONVEDEMRAI M.
New Army. BM ESsoUtd 63 Pre
sented reamormo - aeu
Made by 0-m4New
The bills of muat - aiate 4portanco
In the House this session We tkiollowing:
The ship suksdy 1011. the mi reduc
tion bill, the new army bW1, 4Aeriver an1
harbor bill, the elsomargIM 1 and the
reapportionment blls. The status of these
measures this afterneer Vas O follows:
No date has-yet ben-s* for 'the consid
eration In the Ilouse of e ship subsidy
bill. Chairman Groevene tbd merchant
marine committee said-thitbfrnoon to a
Star reporter that befort eastag ;for the
consideration in the H9114 0 committee
would wait a few dayn a&* - what was
likely to be the coursesof T Senate upon
the subsidy bill pending h that body.
The war tax reductio% to temporarily
at a standstill. The w9y mleas com
mitteemen are awaitingto nity to con
fer further with thelf cean col
leagues upon various of the bill
before reporting the m & t the House.
The new army bill Is com
p!eted, and will probably zq*ortd to the
House tomorrow. In brief ft provides for
a regular army, on a 920 scale, with a
minimum of 58,000 and alai% num stength
of 96,000. Most of the :of features of
Secretary Root's bill wero'eJected by the
committee. The ordnance rof will remain
permanent with surgeon rars, judge
advocate general's and ter general's
staffs, and the only cou on to the Sec
retary's desire for staf 4tails from the
line will be in the cavdbW and infantry
branches of the servi-' an" in these only
below the grade of majot Details from
the line for staff duty insthese branches
will be made up to and i916ding the "nk
of captain. As soon as the- latter gr. is
past the officers will beesme permanent
additions to the staff, Thwprovislon in.the
Secretary's bill which authorises the Presi
dent to appoint the head bf bureaus, it Is
said, also will be elimina
The river and harbor il is under way
and the committee is worirWg daily on it.
It will probably be reported early in the
session.
The oleomargarine bill will1e taken up
and voted on next Thursday and Its advo
rates contiaently claim a majority for it in
the House.
The reapportionment bills, of which sev
eral will be introduced, will be referred to
the census committee and taken- up next
week.
Representative Crunpap1ker of: Indiana
today introduced a reapportionment bill
which provides for 365 members of the
ouse.- on a basis of 198.000 inhabitants to
a district. This bill, if enaCtfi, would
ause Kansas and Nebraal to &ose each
Dne member of the Honse.
It would also reduce, for 09lanhise
ment of the pegro vote, the repVentation
)f several states, as fo'lows: Louisiana by
three members, Mississippi by thee, North
Carolina by four and South Oaselina by
three. Mr. Crumpacker saMd to- a'Star re
porter today he wpuld urge his bill before
the committee.
TO BE SENT rO QUAj.
umber, Nails and Other BlipbMea I
Be Tkc.
The Navy Department hasiadalrrang.
ments to send a supWdy of luzber, nails,
tc., to Guam on the brig Oprdles, which
will leave San Francisco: on 4be 5th or 6th
nstant with naval stores for Manila. The
Duilding material sent to Guain is for the
purpose of repairing the extensve damage
lone to that island by the lypheon which
lestroyed the cruiser Yoseilte in the har
bor of San Luis de'Apra on the 15th ultimo.
rhese . supplies are sent in, response to a
requisition from Rear AdrWal RenAly at
Manila, based upon Ltesti advices from
3uam. Further supplies wil be forwarded
to that distant island by 'the army trans
port scheduled to leave Sao Francisco for
Manila on the 15th instant.
CENTENNIAL CEREMONIES.
3onferenee at the Cap4tol Results in
Satisfactory Arrefagenment.
Commissioner Macfarland, chairman, and
Mr. Cox, secretary, of the centennial com
mittee, were at the Capitol today, and -made
satisfactory arrangements. concerning the
passage of the resoluion-setting apart a
lay for a joint session of the two houses of
Congress for the centennial ceremonies and
leclaring the day so seat apar,t to be a legal
toliday.
There has been some mifonderstanding in
regard to this occasion, i being erroneous
Ly believed by some that the day set
iside as a legal hohday this year was to
3e also a holiday in yeip to come. The
lact is that there is nor Intention on the
art of the committee to ask for a legal
ioliday except for the ojo day during the
resent session.
Mr. Macfarland and Mt. Cox saw both
speaker Henderson and Mr. Cannon of the
Eouse, who will introduce a resolution for
:he purposes'indicated togay or tomorrow.
As the ceremonies will take place in the
[louse of Representatives, the resolution
nust originate in that body. Mr. -Macfar
and also conferred with Senator Perkins,
~hairman of the joint ceptennial committce,
tnd learned from Mr. Peikins that he was
horoughly saJsfied -with~ all arrangements
hat have been made up 't the present time
~or the centennial, whim he believes will
e a great success. -
He also conferred W(ith Senator Hale,
~hairman of the Senate committee on the
~entennial, who also exgaessed satisfaction
with what has been" doite. The arrange
nents completed by Mr. Macfarland today
eaves nothing to be -do in order to have
he proper legislation ebted for the suc
~ess of -the centennial. Mr. Macfarland
,aid that he was satikIa4d that the celebra
ion would be entirely suceessful. He has
uard from nineteen goWrniors of states
rho will be present, anc4'is eatisfied that ten
nore will be here. "
TAKEN TO CsirITE.
lome of the Yosemite,'OMeems Arrive
on the Alate.
The following cable madae haa been re
eived at- the Navy Deparbsebt::
"CAVITE, iesember3~', 1900.
'Bureau Navigation. Washlngtom
"Detachment marinas ag@ 0e Yosemi
ie's officers 'have arrived by G. Alava.
eft Guam 2jth instauit. ' estoraMon work
;here progressing favorablpyl"
LJEUT. CON. HALL F.AtAg.L HURT.
Itruek .by Falling Ti(sbet' at the
Brooklya leW' Yard.
NEW YORK, Decembew R--WUB several
mechanics were at work es*tie apx of the
roof of the new enginesrieg buildling at the
avy yard, Brooklyn, NMgj forenoon, a piece
i timber was dliedg and it fell to the
ground floor, Lieutenant Commander Rey
old T. Hal. who is se assiutant engineer
if the yard, was- eas underneath at
the time and the fatflbg timber straek him
an he. head, frasturig g siku. Ne was
taken to the ====1 hwpI $br t was
aid his lures : '~ fatal,
The- Esbert
one wa as
with m~w
from W..te
ioagi
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Message Sent to Congress in Manu
script.
TE PEIDWT'S CAIES TODAY
Kentuckians Pushing Yerkes for
Internal Revenue Commissioner.
MANLEY MAY DECLINE
The President's message which went to
Congress today contains about 18,000 words.
This is about 4,000 words less than a year
ago and about the same length as in 1S98.
The message is not delivered to Congress
in printed form. It has always been cus
tomary to deliver it to the presiding officers
of the Senate and House in manuscript.
This was done today. The task of putting
two copies in neat, legible manuscript after
the message has been put in type is not a
small undertaking. Two of the best pen
men at the White House do the work. As
sistant Secretaty Pruden is one of these,
and he has an assistant. The copy pre
sented to the Senate today contained 222
pages of manuscript, as clear as print and
without blur or blemish.
It was practically decided on Saturday
that the message would not go to Congress
until Tuesday, as it was expected Congress
would adjourn today immediately on as
sembling as a token of respect to the memo
ries of the late Senators Davis and Gear.
It was found Saturday n:ght that Senator
Nelson, the colleague of the late Senator
Davis, would not be here today to make
the motion for adjournment. Therefore It
was decided to send in the message today.
Congress will take action respecting the
dead senators later.
The President did the last work on the
message on Friday night, and the public
printer, w'.th minor corrections to be made,
had the document in type Saturday morn
ing.
The Congressional Committee.
The committee to inform the President
that Congress was in session and ready to
receive any communication from him
reached the White House at 1:20 o'clock,
and was ushered into the President's office.
The committeo consisted of Senators Hoar
and Cockrell, Representatives Payne, Gros
venor and Richardson. The President said
he was g!ad Congress was again in session.
Immediately after the committee had gone
from the White House Assistant Secretary
Pruden, accompanied by Executive Clerk
Young, left for the Capitol with the mes
sage.
The President's Callers.
Before Congress met this morning the
President had numerous callers, most of
them congressmen who desired to pay
their respects. The number included Sena
tors Kean, Deboe and McMillin, Represen
tatives Henry of Connecticut, Grosvenor,
Lacey, Boreing, Bingham and Pearce.
A. L. Harris, ex-lieutenant governor of
Ohio, and a member of the industrial com
mission wg also a caller. Mr. Harris says
that e mhiitrial -commission will not
make its full report to Congress for a year.
It will not make a partial report of any
kind prior to that time unless Congress
asks for it
Yerkes Favorably Regarded.
Senator Deboe and Representative Bore
Ing talked to the President about the com
missionership of internal revenue. It is
understood that if Joseph Manley does not
accept the appointment the Kentucky peo
ple will be able to land the position for
John W. Yerkes of that state. The Ken
tucklans feel that the appointment of Mr.
Yerkes would mean much to them in a po
litical way. There is still doubt whether
Mr. Manley will accept the offer made to
him
Representative Lacey's Ditrict.
Representative Lacey has what is called
a close district in Iowa. President McKin
ley has campaigned in the district, and
knows something of it. So he always asks
about the majority Mr. Lacey gets.
"My district is invariably mighty close,
according to all authorities, until the day
of the election. Then the boys hump them
selves and turn out a safe republican ma
jority. It's funny, though, about the demo
crats. They have a dream before each elec
tion that they will win, and they bet their )
money freely. The consequence is they
practically pay the election expenses of the
republicans."
Special Message on the Canal.
The President, it is understood, will send
a special message to Congress on the sub
ject of the Nicaragua canal. He has be
fore him the report of the canal commission
and is going over it carefully. He will send
it to Congress along with his own views.
HALL OF RECORDS SITE.
rhree Bill. Providing for It. Purchase
Pending in the Senate.
Three bills for the purchase of a site for
a hall of records are pending in the Senate,
and they are likely to receive the attention
of the committee on public buildings and
grounds at an early day. Senator Fair
banks, chairman of that committee, has
bad several conferences with members of
the cabinet in relation to a site for a hall
of records, and- he is strongly in favor of
having action taken in this matter during
the coming session.
The three bills proposing sites for a hall
of records were introduced by Senators
Fairbanks, Teller and Elkins. Senator Fair
banks' bill authorize. the purchase of the
site located on the southeast corner of
Pennsylvania avenue and 15th street, which
is now occupied by the Hotel Regent. This
mite has a frontage of 174 feet on Pennsyl
vania avenue and 150 feet on 15th street.
The price to be paid for the mite is fixed at
not more than $400,000. The Secretary of
the Treasury is authorised to acquire this
lot, either by purchase or through condem
nation Droceedings.
Senator Teller's bill, introduced by re
quest, authorizes the acquisition of square
220 in this city, which contains 42,617 square
feet of ground, for which $275,000 is appro
priated. The above square is bounded on
the north by Ohio aveniue, on the east by
14th street, on the south by C street and
on the west by 15th street and the White
Lot. Besides the smaller buildings on this
square is the Cyclorama building and an
nex, containing over 690,000 cubic feet of
space, suitable for the immediate storage of
government records.
The bill introduced by Mr. Elkins by re
quest appropriates $243,000 for the pur
chase of a site b-unded on the north by G
street, on the east by 17th street, on
the south by the Winder building propeuiy
and on the west by an alley, and contain
lng 30,478 square feet of ground. For the
pups fpeaigfor immediate use the
bldnsothssite $10,000 is approprt
ated. This property, it Is provided in the
snay be acquired either by purobase
or anproceedings. .
MN, 3a3Ce~CK'S PROMOiON.
represented since Governor-elect LaFollette
was in Congress. Speaker Henderson's as
s-rgnment of Mr. Babcock is therefore a
tribute to Wisconsin as well as an honor
to one of Wisconsin's favorite sons. Mr.
Babcock resigns his membership of the
committee on insular affairs, an important
position in itself, to accept what is regarded
by representatives in Congress as a de
served promotion.
The appointment is further recognition of
Mr. Babcock's prominence in national af
fairs. Soon after he came to Congrrss hs
vigorous personality brought him into na
tional view, the first evidence being his
selection as chairman of the republican
congressional campaign committee. As the
successful general of four victorious cam
pa-gns he has demonstrated that the conti
dence of h's colleagues was not misplaced
when reposed in him.
His long and conspicuous connection with
the larger interests of his party logically
put him in line for duty on this important
committee. His training and experience
have been essentially those of the business
man, and he is regarded by his colleagues
as thoroughly equipped to render good ser
vice on a committee which deals altogether
with the business and industrial interests
of the country. He will retain his chair
manship of the District committee.
THE CLAIM AGAINST TURKEY.
It is Believed That There i Now a
Prospect of Payment.
The officials of the State Department de
cline to make any statement whatever for
publication relative to the announcement
from Constantinople that the Turkish gov
ernment had arranged to pay the American
mission claims under cover of a contract
for a warship with the Cramps. Neverthe
less there is reason to believe that the re
port is well founded, and the claims are
now in a fair way to be paid. It is the ex
pectation that the Cramps, instead of un
dertaking to deal directly with the claim
ants, will simply turn over to the State
Department the amount of the claims, in
the neighborhood of E23,000, and that the
department will disburse the money to the
claimants. WhIle in this way there will be
no direct dealing between the United States
and Turkish governments, the end in view.
namely, the collection of the money, will
be effected. It is said in administration
circles that there is no disposition to be
captious as to the form taken for the pay
ment.
The settlement of this matter will permit
the battle ship Kentucky to proceed on her
way to Manila or to return over her route
far enough to pick up the American consul
general at Tangiers and assist him morally
In the collection of the indemnity demanded
in the Ezzegul case. The State Department
prefers the use of an imposing craft Ilke
the Kentucky rather than a cruiser, but if
the former cannot complete her original
mission in season then recourse can be had
to the Dixie in the Moorish case.
. *
MR. CONGER'S NEGOTIATIONS.
Trying to Effect a Modidcation of the
Envoys' Agreement.
The text of the agreement arrived at by
the foreign ministers at Pekin has not yet
reached the State Department from Min
Ister Conger. So, under the Instructions to
that officer, he is still withholding his sig
nature to the document. Meanwhile it is
said that, following. his latest instructions
to confer. 3vith the British and German
ministers at Pekin, he is making substan
tial headway toward the substitution of a
modified agreement on the lines of the poli
cies laid down in the State Department's
vadlous propositions to the powers.
While the United Btates government has
not seen fit to make any forwAl protest
&gainst the continuance of the punitive ex
peditions being sent out from Pekin from
time to time, it has managed to convey to
the powers its belief that the further pros
acution of this policy is indiscreet, and will
tend to greatly delay the return of the
Chinese authorities to Pekin, and the final
settlement toward which all efforts are now
cirected. It is believed that these intima
tiorls have been taken in good part by the
various foreign offices, and that a restrain
ing Influence will soon be exerted upon the
military officers In China.
MOVEMENTS OF NAVAL VESSELS.
Arrival of the General Alava at Ca
vite Reported.
Admiral Remey informed the Navy De
partment of the movements of the General
Alava, about which vessel some uneasiness
lad been felt, as it was thought she would
ncounter the Guam typhoon on her way
ver from that island to Cavitd. The Gen
eral Alava left Guam for Cavite November
16 and arrived safely at Cavite yesterday.
The torpedo boat Du Pont is at Newport.
rhe Leyden and the Graven have left New
port for Portsmouth, N. H. The Foote is
Lt the Brooklyn navy yard undergoing
slight repairs. She is on her way from
New York for Newport. The Vicksburg
ias arrived at Napies. The training ship
ropeka arrived at Leghorn yesterday. The
Potomac has sailed from Port Royal for
ipe, -with coal barge No. 1 in tow. The
Elannibal is at Lambert's Point. The Wif
nington is reported at Port Said .today.
rhe Zafiro has left Hong Kong for Cavite.
MANY FIL(PINOS SURRENDER.
)ver Two Thousand Insurrectionista
Swear Allegiance.
The War Department today received the
rollowing dispatch telling of the voluntary
surrender of a large number of insurrectos
to Gen. Young at Santa Maria. The omis
nions in the telegram come of faulty trans
mission or an inability to decipher the
missing words:
MALACANAN, Manila.
Adjutant General, Washington:
Two thousand one- hundred and fifty
Katipunan insurrectos, whom Consique en
rolled (bolomen), came from mountains and
surrendered to dlen. Samuel B. M. Young
today at Santa Maria. (They) renounced
insurrection and swore allegiance to the
United States. The oath was administered
by the padre (priest) at the church, with
Impressive religious ceremonies. Geon.
Young attributes the surrender to Presi
lent's re-election and vigorous prosecution
f the war. Although no rifles surrendered,
this is important as indicating a reaction
among the people.
n'ovble columns Samar,
Panay, commenced operations. 28th RegI
ment. United States Volunteer Infantry,
roes to Mindanao.
MacARTHi UkR.
Santa Maria is a town of 10.030 inhab
tan ts, situated nineteen miles from Vigan,
n the province of Ilocas Sur.
A REmAPPORT3ONMENT DILL.
Leduetion in Representation for Dis
criamination Against Color.
Mr. Crumpacker of Indana says he is go
ng to make an earnest effort to procure a
eduction of the representation in Congress
st those. southern states which have dis
i-iminated against the colored voters in
heir constdtutions. He introduced a bill
oday proviaing for an apportionment on
be basis of one representative to every1
96,000 inhabitants, which would increase
he House to 865, Kansas and Nebraska
insch losing a member under this bais In
he allotment of representatives made in
Webl three ea cut off Lons.Ina. three,
& nls=mlthree ofjSuth C'arolna and
'our .sglirt Carolina on aceount ofth
bimitations o Ma.
Thynsneates gain ia represeata
sosak=leAmrsea, 1; netsnnis,
"M"** 1; sunne g.
.maikamai-ist
Money spent in continu-,
ous advertising in the daily
press draws interest that is
compounded daily.
NCRESS MEETS
Opening Scenes of the
Session.
THE MESSAGE AWAITED
Short Recess Taken Until It
Reaches the Capitol.
FLORL TRINTES I ABUNAET
New Members of Both Houses
Sworn In.
THRONG OF SPECTATORS
The opening of Congress today drew great
crowds to the Capitol. intent on witnessing
those interesting scenes marking the in
auguration of the legislative work of the
government. On June 7 last the first ses
sion of the Fifty-sixth Congress adjourned
and the second session began today with
many momentous questions awaiting the
attention of the national lawmakers.
Above the middle colonnade. fronting the
dcme, the stars and stripes floated lazily,
and on either side flags were run up at
noon to indicate that the respective houses
Senator Lodge,
were in session. Early in the day the tide
Df travel turned down Pennsylvania avenue
toward the Capitol, filling the broad walks
leading to the marble terrace, which by 11
o'elock presented a scene of busy activity.
On the eastern plaza front there was the
9sme scene of activity, long lined of car
riages swinging up to the wings, bringing
mnembers, public officials and their interest
B.d observers, while the many lines of cars
contributed their share of the interested
public
Inside the building but little restriction
b1ad been placed on the free moving of the
throng, and the crowd wandered at will
from one wing to the other, viewing the
improvements made during the recess, and
securing advantageous seats in the gal
Leries from which to view the coming of
the members. All of the public galleries
swere open, so that every one in the good
natured crowds iad an equal chance. By
Li O'clock the elevators began to be be
sieged, and there were signs of an over
iow at the doors leading to the galleries.
[t was evident that the ladies took great
nterest in the procedure, for they were
present in full force, one delegation of girl
students numbering over fifty.
There were conferences among senators
ts to the program for the week, and for so
early in the session unusual activity was
lisplayed by members on both sides of the
.?apitol.
Profusion of Flower.
The desks of half the members of the
louse were freighted with flowers from ad
niring friends or constituents and the pro
usion of the floral pieces gave the vast
tall more the appearance of a garden than
legiative assembly. Admission to the
eserved galleries was limited to those hold
ng cards, but before 11 o'clock the wealth
Lnd beauty of the capital, gowned in smart
rinter frocks, were assembling there. On
he floor the members drifted in. exchanging
treetings and disp:aying the utmost good
lature, wihile the pages were scurrying -p
and down the aisles, their arms laden with
icwers for favored members. The floral
ieces were of infinite variety. Roses, car
Senator Ma.o..
lations and chrysanthemums of every hon
vere made into every concevable design,
'he great proportion of the flowers were
in the republican aide, and one cou.d me.rk
he geographical limits of the victorious
arty in the recent camapaign by the flower
4 ares. Here and there, however, an ad
siigonastituent had deposited a bunch
if fwu on a d on the democratic side.
'hey nshymai h the meat of one who
ad won a personai triumph.
The pot were, so to speak, throwing
lowers mg the ganucs. Very few of
he sicananta n ether the Hemes or the
a re esmm of the opemng et