Evening star. [volume], August 16, 1901, Image 1

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

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No. 15,123. WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, AITGfJST 16, 1901?TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS.
t. ... ?
the events staH
PUBTiTf HED DAILY, EXCEPT 8UITDAI.
Business OfPoe, 11th 9treet and PennsylTsnis Ayoaue.
Tho Evening Star Newspapor Company.
8. H. KAUPTMANN, Pros't.
Few York Offer. 128 Tribnaa Bmidiaj.
Chicago Office: Bojrce Buildirg.
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STRIKE IS SPREADING
Situation at Pittsburg Gradually
Growing Worse for Trust.
DEPRESSIOY IN BUSINESS CIRCLES
Efforts to Secure Compromise so
Far Prove Unavailing.
o
MEN AT JOLIET OO OUT
Special From a Staff Correspondent.
PITTSBURG, Pa., August 16?Steadily
and insidiously the strike fever is spread
ing. infecting new regions daily. Every
day adds to the gains of the strikers.
Yesterday 150 men went out at McKeesport
merely in sympathy, having no union or
ganization and under no obligation to the
Amalgamated, but they tied up another
tube mill. The fires of a group of blast
furnaces at McKeesport are to be banked
tonight and 4<>o men will be idle. Blast
furnaces covering an area of sixty-five
acres at McKeesport are cold today, and
their workmen idle in the streets. Restless
ness is reported among the workmen of a
number of mills that have thus far stood
out against the strike.
The only mills apparently immune from
the fever are the Great Homestead and
Carnegie works. Kverv furnace and smoke
stack, steel converter and blast in the gi
gantic plant Is going. With their utmost
efforts, the strikers have thus far been
unable to get a foothold in these works.
The strikers are wild with jubilation to
day over the reported decision of the men
in the Joliet. 111., mills to go on strike.
The moral of that action cannot be over
estimated in this region, and it is thought
by the strike managers that it may sway
the Milwaukee and Chicago workmen to
reconsider their opposition to the strike.
<?liM.rn in lioMineNN Circle*.
But while all is joyful in the ranks of
the strikers, gloom is settling deeper on
the business community and anxiety in
creases with each day's events that serve
to extend the strike. Today witnessed a
redoubling of the efforts on the part of
large vested business interests to shape
the situation toward a settlement. Un
fortunately. at this writing, it is impossi
ble to report favorable prospects in sight.
The American Steel Hoop Company is
trying to deal directly with the working
men, in its efforts to get them back to !
their places in the mills. Th hoop com- 1
Tuny claims that if the men understand
the true status of the terms offered to the
Amalgamated workers in their mills they
would not strike. The company has been
trying to arrange a mass meeting of the
men at which these terms could be ex
plained, but the Amalgamated Association
oflicials advised the men to keep away from
the meeting.
Notice has been served upon the strikers
of one mill at Canonsburg, Pa., and an
other at Warren, Ohio, that unless work is
resumed next week the mills will be remov
ed. These threats are not as effective now
as they were earlier in the game, as the
strike leaders tell the men that strong po
litical influences will be invoked to prevent
a general campaign of aggression along
such lines. President Shaffer of the Amal
gamated Association expressed himself to
day as highly pleased with the outlook. He
declares that the strike is to be extended
still further and until the steel trust ac
cepts the full terms proposed by the as
sociation.
To Provide for I nokilled Laborer*.
The Amalgamated Association is devising
plans to secure work for the unskilled labor
made idle through its strike. Many thou
sand laborers performing the heavy man
ual work of the mills at low wages, are |
Idle and in most cases are not able to
stand a long strike as they have no bank
accounts.
The association is setting up employment
bureaus in different places to secure jobs
for these laborers on contractors' work.
The plan is succeeding fairly well and con
siderable relief is being extended. The as
sociation is soliciting funds from the pub
lic to keep up the strike. Thur far there
have been few complaints of distress, but
the old heads in the organization know
that another week or two will bring heavy
demands upon the treasury.
The story of the day is the struggle be
tween the steel trust and the strikers for
the control of the men in the big Milwau
kee mills. While the actual contest is going
on in Milwaukee, the campaign is being
planned and executed from Pittsburg.
'rijche'M Minnton to Milwaukee.
Secretary Tighe Is in Milwaukee with a
threat from President Shaffer of the Amal
gamated Association to summarily deprive
the lodges of their charters and imme
diately expel the m-;n from the union if
they do not join the strike at once. Repre
sentatives of Interests that are opposed to
the strike are also in Milwaukee encour
aging the men to resist Tighe and Shaffer,
and advising them that Shaff* r cannot de
prive any lodge of its charter without a
fair and full trial. The constitution of the
order Is quoted In support of this state
ment. The constitution says:
"No subordinate lodge shall be expelled
or suspended or deprived of any of its
rights or privileges, except as provided in
this constitution."
It is there provided that charges must be
made in writing, and the lodge tried before
a board of Investigation, consisting of the
national president, district vice president
and his deputies. This board's decision is
final.
Tighe succeeded in getting the Joliet men
out on the threat of expulsion from the
order, but failed in Chicago. Every effort
is being made to block his purpose in Mil
waukee. One of the persons selected to
explain the limitation of Shaffer's power
to the workmen is a man who stands high
with the old element of the Amalgamated,
and who is bitterly opposed to the western
men violating their contracts and going
on strike.
Shaffer Will Act Arbitrarily.
Notwithstanding this apparent constitu
tional prohibition. President Shaffer in
sists that he will proceed summarily. He
said this afternoon:
"The men of the Chicago lodges of the
Amalgamated Association who refused to
obey the strike order will be placed with
out the pale of the organisation. Notices
will be sent to all the lodges to receive no
communication from them and to send
none to them, and to accept no working
cards from them. Such notification will be
given at once. A date will be set at which
the Intercourse must cease, the date to
cover the recent defection of the men in
the trust plants of the west."
The importance of this feature of the
situation la twofold. First, of course, in
that the forcing of the Milwaukee men to
strike would be a tremendous gain for the
strikers. Second, as indicating the possi
bility of further friction inside the Amal
gamated Association.
President Shaffer has been warned that
he must not proceed against the western
lodges except in conformity with the law
and usage of the association.
Two hundred men struck at McKeesport
today. Every day they say McKeesport is
completely tied lip and every day another
bunch of workers flash up from some dark
recess of a mill and go on strike. The
"tie-up" in McKeesport is now a hard
knot. N. O. M.
ELATED OVER JOLIET'S ACTION.
. ?? ?
Strikrnr at I'ittuborK K??
Great Victory.
By Associcted Press.
PITTSBURG, August 16.?The reversal of
front by the men of Joliet has cheered the
steel strikers more than any other event
of the week, and their hopes again eeem
high. It has ended for the time being all
talk of peace by compromise and given
the light the aspect of a prolonged one.
The strikers declare in their enthusiasm
that they will force the Milwaukee men
to join with them and that in the end the
Chicago steel workers, rather than lose
the hall mark of unionism, will finally re
consider their action and swing into line.
This optimistic program remains to be car
ried out, however. The loss at Joliet has
had no apparent effect upon the men who
are directing the field operations of the
steel corporation. One of them remarked,
when he heard the news from Joliet.
"Well, it seems to be settling down to a
long-drawn-out fight, and I guess we can
t win at that sort of game."
There were no developments today in the
situation in western Pennsylvania, Ohio
or West Virginia. McKeesport and \\ heel
ing continue silent, while here in Pittsburg
and vicinity no effort was made to add to
the force at the mills which are working
either partly or in full with non-union men.
The steel corporation is preparing to re
I open the steel works at Monessen.
j are being brought up from the south, and
| it is expected that by Monday a start will
I be made there.
To Guard Non-Union Men.
Every precaution to guarel the non-union
men is being taken, as it is feared when
they arrive some of the strikers and their
sympathizers cannot be held in check by
their leaders. The American Tin Plate
I Company officials have plans for resump
I tion at some of their idle plants, but have
> carried' no more of them out yet.
The strikers claim that the Lower Lnion
Carnegie mill and the Lindsay and Mc
Cutcheon mills are impaired, but this the
steel officials deny.
President Shaffer was an early arrival at
strike headquarters nad talked freely about
the situation. When asked if Trustee
Pierce had gone east to do some organiz
ing. he said: .
-I will not talk on Mr. Pierce's trip.
"Will he go to Duncansville?" was asked.
"The Amalgamated Association never
sought to organize those men," he said.
"Th?y sent word for us to send an or
ganizer there. We did so, with the result
I that is already known. We have not trou
! bled ourselves about them since. They do
not amount to a row of pins, and if they
I come into the association it must be vol
| untarily. I have received a telegram from
Mr. Tighe stating that the Joliet men are
out and that he will go to Milwaukee."
"Have you any word from Vice President
Davis of Chicago?" was asked.
No Word From Davis.
"I have not heard from Mr. Davis and do
not know his position. I know what is go
ing on in every mill in the country, and am
satisfied with the situation. I have reports
from the local mills supposed to be in op
eration and of their failure in turning out
work. It looks nice to see the flames cf
these mills going up, but our men know
there is nothing going on in them that
amounts to anything. Mr. Tighe has the
right to bring back the charters of western
lodges where the men refuse to go out, and
will do so if necessary. If I were one of
those men I would be ashamed of myself."
Blunt Furnaem to Shut Down,
A telegram from McKeesport announces
that the fires of the Monongahela blast fur
naces will be drawn tomorrow and 400 men
will be without employment. The order to
close down resulted from the strike. The
strike organizers are working among the
Carnegie men at Homestead and Duquesne
and claim they have a foothold. They may
hold a meeting at the latter place on Sat
urday night. The steel managers say their
position at those two places is Impregnable.
Wheeling is stirred by a statement that the
steel corporation is planning the removal
of its plants to towns where there is less
labor sentiment. The steel workers at the
Riverside plant are the only ones still at
their places.
Plans for the relief of strikers are being
perfected at McKeesport and Wheeling.
Only $273 has been raised at the former
place, but more is promised. Wheeling has
named a relief committee. Contributions
are coming In to Secretary Williams here,
but no plan for aiding the men who are out
has been announced.
It is reported that the tube welders of
the National tube works at McKeesport
have refuseel to join any union, and that
they will return to work whenever the
strike shows any weakness. The knobblers
are to meet on Sunday and vote on a
continuance of the strike. Discussing
strike benefits today. President Shaffer
said: '"t'nder our constitution our men will
! on September 1 commence to receive $4 a
.week apiece. There is no provision for
men outside of the Amalgamated, but they
will be looked after."
Referring to the status of the men in the
western lodges who have refused to strike,
Preslelent Shaffer declared himself today
as follows:
"The men of the Chicago lodges of the
Amalgamated Association who refused to
obey the strike order will be placed without
the pale of the organization. Notices will
be sent to all the lodges to receive no com
munication from them and to send none to
them and to accept no working cards from
them. Such notification will be given at
l once. A date will be set at which the in
tercourse must cease, the date to cover the
| recent de-fection of the men In the trust
plants of the west."
The <500 employes of the National gal
vanizing works, an adjunct of the National
Tube Company at McKeesport, joined the
strikers tod ly.
This closes every plant in McKeesport.
WON OVER TO STRIKE.
Joliet Steel Workers Reeonilder and
Decide to Go Ont.
A dispatch from Joliet, 111., last night
says: The four lodges of the Amalgamated
Association composed of employes of the
Joliet mills of the Illinois Steel Company,
decided by a unanimous vote tonight to
obey the strike order of President Shaffer.
The conference was In session from 3 to
9 p.m. before a decision was reached. The
steel mills were closed at noon to enable
the members of the association to attend
the meeting, which was called by National
Assistant Secretary Tighe. He was accom
panied by Vice President Davis of the
fourth district.
Both men presented the side of the asso
ciation to the local members. It was ar
gued that in order to secure the organiza
tion of non-union workers in the east it
was essential that the western men should
join the strike movement. Mr. Tighe also
appealed to the fealty of the men to the
association; he urged them "to he men and
stand by their union." His remarks were
received with enthusiasm and presaged
the vote that followed.
This action will close the entire steel
plant here, throwing out of employment
nearly 3,000 men. The fires will be drawn
tonight.
SCHLEY'S COUNSEL
He Has a Conference With Them
Todav.
TELLS HIS STORY OF THE FI&HT
Mr. Rayner Speaks of the Result
of the Meeting.
MEET AGAIN MONDAY
Admiral Winfield Scott Schley recited to
day to his counsel, Mr. Jere M. Wilson of
this city, Mr. Isador Rayner, attorney gen
eral of Maryland, and Capt. James Parker
of New Jersey, the story of his connection
with the Spanish-American war from the
time the fleet left Key West up to May 27,
1S98, and gave an account of his actions
from the day Cervera's fleet was discovered
in Santiago bay up to and including the day
of its destruction, July 3, 1898. The con
ference between the admiral and his coun
self was held in Mr. Wilson's apartments
at the Shoreham Hotel, the suite on the
fourth floor overlooking 15th street, occu
pied by Thomas B. Reed while he was
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The gentlemen began their deliberations at
10:45 a.m. and concluded at 1:30, denying
themselves meantime to all callers. It was
the first time the parties had met since
Admiral Schley's request for a court of in
quiry had been granted and the atorneys
retained by him had gotten an opportunity
to confer.
Mr. Wilson, who has been an intimate
friend of Admiral Schley for years, was
engaged by the latter to be his senior coun
sel whiJe he was in Europe. Upon his re
turn last Saturday Mr. Wilson saw Ad
miral Schley in New York and acquiesced
in the latter's suggestion that Mr. Rayner,
who is one of the most eminent lawyers in
Maryland and the attorney general of that
state, should be engaged as associate coun
sel.
RpMOlt of ('apt. I'arker'* Inventipratlon
Capt. Parker was retained as soon as the
court of inquiry was determined upon and
has been engaged since in a"comprehensive
examination of papers and documents in
the Navy Department having bearing upon
the conduct of the naval campaign'in Cu- I
ban waters during the Spanish-American
war. He brought with him to the confer
ence this morning the results of this in- I
vestigation. Mr. Wilson came down from I
his country place at Oakland last night and I
took apartments at the Shoreham. Admiral j
and Mrs. Schley arrived somewhat earlier
in the evening on the Pennsylvania system
and went to the Arlington Hotel. He did not |
register, but the news of his arrival be- I
came quickly known and he had a number
of callers, including many newspaper men.
His friends expressed pleasure at hts ap- I
parent good health and he assured them
that he never felt better in his life. He
courteously declined to talk about the ap
proaching Inquiry.
"I will not say anything," he remarked
to an Evening Star representative, laying I
his finger on his lips with an expressive I
gesture. "If I talked to one I would have I
to talk to all, and consequently I will say J
nothing."
His earliest caller this morning was Mr. I
Wilson, who went over from the Shoreham I
Immediately after he had breakfasted. He I
was shown to Admiral Schley's apartments, I
and when he came down in the elevator |
half an hour afterward the admiral accom- I
paniea him to the lower floor.
Mr. Wilson on His Trip.
Mr. Wilson was seen Immediately after- I
ward by a Star reporter. When the re- I
porter expressed regret that Mr. Wilson's I
trip abroad had been shortened by business
demands on this side of the big water he I
remarked that such an impression was in
correct.
"I did not come home on account of the I
Schley case or anything of a business na- I
ture," he said. "I had arranged my trip I
just as it was taken, booking my return I
passage for August 3. I have had a good
rest, which I enjoyed very much and feel I
much benefited by it."
"Yes," he responded in answer to an in- I
quiry of the reporter, "there will be a con- I
ference today between Admiral Schley, Mr. |
Rayner, Capt. Parker and myself over the 1
general situation before us. I have, of
course, had no opportunity to talk with I
them on the subject, and thought it proper
to arrive at some understannding."
The meeting place selected was not gen- 1
erally known, but to the cards of those I
who did ascertain its location the reply I
was sent down that the conferees were I
too busy to see any one. The inevitable I
photographer was on hand with camera, I
desirous of getting a group picture of the
quartet, but his card met the answer that I
such a thing would be inexpedient. Noth- I
lng daunted, he 6at himself down in the 1
hotel office, determined to snap the men I
singly when they appeared, if he couldn't I
get a .chance at them together.
There was a small group of reporters J
present when the conference concluded. I
Mr. Rayner was the first to come down to I
the hotel office, and he was quickly sur- I
rounded.
Mr. Rayner Talks.
After stating that Admiral Schley had I
told his counsel his case, as announced I
above, Mr. Rayner was asked if the ques-j
tion of witnesses had been considered, and I
if all the surviving commanding officers of I
the vessels engaged at the battle of San- I
tiago would be summoned.
"Admiral Schley will give us a list of his j
witnesses Monday, when we will have an- I
other meeting," said Mr. Rayner, "and will j
ask for a list of the Navy Department's
witensses. I do not know whether their I
names will be furnished us or nott but I I
think we have a right to them."
"What else did you do besides hear Ad- I
miral Schley's statement?" asked The Star I
reporter.
"We considered the precept of the court |
oi Inquiry and examined numerous papers J
and documents bearing upon the move- I
ments of the fleet lrom the time it sailed I
from Key West to May 27, and then from |
the time Cervera's fleet was located In San- I
tiago harbor to July 8, when it was de- I
stroyed."
"Did you find any new points bearing I
upon the case?"
"Yes; several," was the response, "but It I
would not be timely to speak of them now. I
Admiral Schley does not desire any secrecy I
in this matter, but it Is well to await the I
court of inquiry."'
"Will Admiral Sampson be summoned as I
a witness?"
"I remarked before that the names of I
witnesses would be given the counsel next I
Mond. y. We will meet at Judge Wilson's I
office Monday morning and go thence to I
the Navy Department, and then come here I
to the Shoreham." I
"Does the visit to the Navy Department I
mean that any. steps will be taken there in I
connection with the case?"
"Yes. Our purpose In going there will I
be in regard to Admiral Schley's case."
Not at Navy Department.
Admiral Schley had not appeared at the I
Navy Department up to a late hour today. 1
The naval regulations provide that every !
officer of the navy visiting Washington I
shall, within twenty-four hours after his |
arrival, register his name and city address I
at the bureau of navigation. Navy Depart- {
ment. It Is generally customary for ofll- I
cers to comply with this regulation by ap- I
pearing In person, but under the practice |
which obtains this Is not actually neces- I
sary. Admiral Schley, after big arrival |
here last night, wrote a formal letter to
the department, containing, a notification
his arrival and giving JiJs address as
the Arlington Hotel, , and ajfach a letter Is
considered compliance withltie above regu
lation.
Captain Parker of counsel for Admiral
Schley was at the department for a short
time this morning examining the records
bearing upon the case.
SIGNING OF THE PROTOCOL
W1LI* PROBABW TAKE PLACE III A
FEW DATS.
Advice* Receive* Fro* Special Com
HlMhwcr Raekklll, Wko Will Re
main at Fefcla for the Present.
The State Department received a brief
dispatch today from Mr. Rockhill at Pekin
stating that the protocol probably would
be signed within the next few days, and
that he would remain,at Pekin for the pres
ent. The dispatch is dated today. As It
was in response to the inquiries of the
department telling Mm of the importance of
knowing when the signing would occur, the
dispatch shows plainly that the actual
signing has not yet occurred While this
does not agree with press advices from
Pekin, which state that the ministers had
signed a preliminary draft of the protocol
in order to prevent further exchanges, these
latter advices are construed to refer to the
preliminary agreement on the terms of the
protocol, as already reported by Mr. Rock
hill, or else to the final signing with the
Chinese plenipotentiaries. As to this, how
ever, Mr. Rockhill does not state, nor does
he fix any exact date for the signing.
The Pekin press dispatch in question fol
lows:
"The ministers of the. powers have signed
the preliminary draft of the protocol in
order to bind their governments and to
prevent further exchanges. They expect to
sign with the Chinese plenipotentiaries next
Tuesday."
The appointment of Mr. Sharritts, now a
member of the board of general appraisers
at New York, to be the American repre
sentative in China in connection with tar
iff affairs is now practically determined
upon. In case an International board is
organized by the powers under the author
ity given by the protocol Mr. Sharritts will
be the American representative on the
board, otherwise his services will be valu
able for such other plaes of putting into
effect the new tariff system of China as
may be adopted. Mr, Sharritts Is an au
thority on tariff questions, ana, besides
his service on the general board of ap
praisers, he has servpd as a government
expert, assisting Congps?1? arranging the
Intricacies of tariff legislation.
IMPRINTED BANK CHECKS
COMING TO THE IIHp;iH|AL REVENUE
BUREAU BY TONS.
The internal revenue bureau has received
two exceedingly smaji claims for the re
fund of stamps on Imprinted bank checks.
One of these came 1?. today* It was from
an apparently well-to-do business man In
Cincinnati. He Inclosed 35 cents In 2-cent
stamps and requested that a check be sent
him by the United States 'government. Re
cently a New England woman wrote the
department a letter saying that she had
been told that the government was "buying
back" stamps. She inclosed seven 2-cent
stamps and inquired how much the gov
ernment was giving for them. Along with
the 35-cent claim that came in today was
one for $13,000 from a large life insurance
company in New York. Small holders ol
bank and other stamps that can be re
deemed do not seem to have understood
the many statements the commissioner of
internal revenue has made that he cannot
attempt to redeem stamps in lots of less
than $2. Any small holder can arrange for
his bank to include the amount in the
stamps being sent the treasury by the
bank and in this way receive pay.
Many Imprinted Checks.
The northwest corridor of the third floor
of the treasury is rapidly filling up with
bundles, boxes and packages of imprinted
checks. They are arriving at the rate ol
100 to 200 a day, and so far more than
4,300 packages have been received, number
ed and laid away. As there Isn't room
in any part of the building except the cor
ridors, these are being used, and the in
ternal revenue officials expect to be going
around after awhile looking over the tops
of claims to see how to get around. The
corridors look something like an Evening
Star room during a Christmas pound party.
The usual course of claimants is to send
the claims through the collectors of inter
nal revenue and forward the checks by ex
press. Every package is numbered, exam
ined and compared with the claim, which
is also numbered. The packages are put
away in this shape until the claims are
acted upon. Even after they are acted
upon and the claims settled the packages
will have to remain in the treasury until
Congress has decided whether the im
printed checks can be returned to their
former owners.
Tons Received Each Day.
One box has been received containing 840
pounds of imprinted checks, and it Is esti
mated that the boxes and packages re
ceived each day weigh two and three tons.
The claimants make all kinds of statements
regarding the checks. One New York bank
that does a large business with the wealthy
class of New York states in a letter to the
commissioner that eac^h imprinted check
returned for redemption costs the bank
7 cents. That is why the bank is so
strongly desirous of getting its check books
returned. The checks are handsomely en
graved and much trouble and expense were
gone to in getting them up.
NAMES OF HAWt YARDS.
They Are Confa?^H? Those Unac
quainted Wi|Jn Ah% Subject.
Mr. Hackett, acting eecretary of the
navy, is considering the advisability of. Is
suing an order which ahall more clearly
define the official titles of various navy
yards on the Atlantle..coaa(, about which a
great deal of confusjjga ha^ resulted lately
among persons not thoroughly acquainted
with the subject, Under ihe present sys
tem of the departmo(Lt-4ta%4>' the big navy
yards are located at? towxw the names ol
which are not ldentffbld with the official
titles of the yards, xhcofe yards are the
Portsmouth yard legated-at Kittery, Me.;
the Boston yard, al^Chaaflestown, Mass.;
the New York yard, JlrookJjrn: the Norfolk
yaw? at Portsmouth, Va., ?ad the Pensacola
yard, at Warrington. Fla. In regard to
the Portsmouth and JJorfolk yards there
has been any amount of confusion in the
transmission of mall matter from civilians
destined for them; and it is with a view to
clarifying the subject of their location that
the department contemplates action. In
each case the name of tj>e yards mentioned
has been chosen on Account of the fact
that when the name of a big city is fixed
to a yard it lends facility and convenience
to telegraphic, cable ayod official mail com
munication froas the department.or its offi
cers. The practical therefore, has been not
to grant any official recognition of the
smaller town* at wfcibh the yards are ac
tually located. This system, M is expected,
will be continued and Mr. Hackett is con
sidering an order officially promulgating
that
ORDERED TO PANAMA
Definite Instructions Given to the
% Ranger.
VOYAGE MAT TAKE OVER TWO WEEKS
The Cruiser Philadelphia to Be
Overhauled.
MACHIAS STILL IN PORT
The lons-expected move of the United
States government in the direction of send- I
lng a naval force to the isthmus in order I
that precautions may be taken during the I
hostilities occurring there to protect Amer- J
ican interests was taken today, when an I
order was issued at the Navy Department I
directing the cruiser Ranger, now at San
Diego, Cal., to proceed southward to Pan- I
ama.
It is expected that this ship will be able I
to leave without delay, as hor commander I
has had warning to prepare for the cruise. I
The Ranger is a .slow boat, able to make I
only six knots an hour, and therefore she I
is not expected to arrive in the immediate I
neighborhocHl of the fighting within two or J
three weeks.
Incidental to this order the Navy De- J
partment this morning directed that the J
cruiser Philadelphia, just returned to San I
Francisco from Samoa, proceed at once to I
dry dock at Mare Island to undergo over- 1
hauling and repairs. These repairs will I
not be very extensive, however, so that I
within a few days she will be ready for I
duty again if necessary. |
The idea of the department in making j
this move is to prepare the cruiser for a 1
voyage to the isthmus if it becomes neces
sary to make a more pretentious naval I
display there.
Notwithstanding the reports that the gov
ernment views the present isthmian diffl- I
culties as inconsequential. It can be seen
that precaution is being taken to act de- I
sisively if need be.
The Muchiai* Held In Port. I
Up to a late hour this afternoon the Ma- I
chias, at Hampton Roads, had not sailed I
for Colon, on the Atlantic coast of the
isthmus. Neither had the arrival of the I
battle ship Iowa at San Francisco been re- I
ported. As soon as the latter vessel reach- I
es port the government will be in position J
to send both her and the Philadelphia to
Panama if it becomes necessary, which, I
with the Ranger already on the field and
the Machias off Colon, will form a naval
fleet of great strength in isthmian waters.
The Machias is still held in port at
Hampton Roads on account of bad weath- j
er. As soon as the unfavorable weather j
conditions subside, however, she -will pro
ceed as ordered, having fully prepared her- J
self for the trip.
The State Department Is receiving no 1
new advices on the Colombia-Venezuelan I
Situation except through mail communica- I
tions, which throw little additional light I
on existing conditions Qf affairs. It is I
stated, however, that the official view at |
the department has pretty fully crystalized j
in looking upon the entire movement as
only another manifestation of the unrest I
and predatow warfare which has been J
going on in that section for some tlmp.
There seem to be some indications that I
much of the present ferment has been
brought about by the idea which has be
come prevalent in countries just south of I
the Isthmus that the United States con
templates the expenditure of about f200,- I
XX),000 on the isthmian canal. There is rea
son to believe that this has drawn the
attention of these countries to the great I
value of the isthmus as a medium for the
early distribution of large sums of money
and that this has made the isthmus an ob- I
ect of special attention to the disturbing |
and adventurous element of that quarter. I
With this are the political complications I
along the Venezuelan frontier which, how
ever, have little connection with the dls- j
turbances on the isthmus.
Ridiculed by the Officials.
State Department officials ridicule the I
Idea which has been advanced abroad that I
the United States, in Its preparations to
protect our interests along the scene of
the outbreak, are planning for a confed
eration, or that w<y have any "land-grab
bing" views in contemplation. Such a
scheme Is contrary to the basic principles
Qf the American government, and even the
possibility of its execution is laughed at in
well informed circles. The facts in the case
are that along the route between Colon
and Panama the American interests are
very great, chief among them being a rail
road conducted by natives of the United
States. A great deal of the rebel fighting
has been occurring along this line, and flf ]
forces are landed from the American ves
sels to be placed in isthmian waters, such
action will be taken solely for the purpose
of protecting the Interests of American
citizens.
A report current vWay that the govern
ments of Ecuador, Nicaragua and Ven
ezuela had formed a combination In the
matter of the disturbances and would act
In concert with General Urlbe Uribe, the
Colombian rebel leader, 1s without confir
mation here. It was reported that Gen
eral Urlbe had been guaranteed support
by the three governments mentioned, but
If such a policy has been agreed upon
by those republics, nothing Is known of
the fact In Washington. Such a movement,
however. Is generally thought to be highly
Improbable.
Voluntary Departure Prom Caracas.
The Department of State late this after
noon was advised by a telegram from Mr.
Russell, charge d'affaires In Venezuela,
that the departure of the Colombian minis
ter from Caracas was voluntary, and that
he has the Intention of returning to his
post. Mr. Russell has taken charge of the
Colombian legation's property and archives
iuring the minister's absence.
Mr. Russell does not state that he has
assumed charge of Colombian interests,
as he was authorized to do, if requested,
and with the assent of the Venezuelan
government. It Is Inferred that he has not
been asked to do so.
PANAMA IS THREATENED.
Colon, Too, In Danger Prom the Co
lombian Insurgents.
A dispatch from Colon, Colombia, yester- |
lay says:
Raids continue almost dally or nightly
ilong the Panama railroad, owing to the
ack of military protection.
Last night Matachln was again raided,
ind cattle belonging to sympathizers with
:he government were stolen. Two women
were kidnaped at Gorgona station and the
Chinese there were pillaged. On most oc
casions of this character the Chinese are
.he chief sufferers. Consequently they are
lally transferring provisions and merchan
lise to Panama, thus intensifying want and
juffering all along the line.
Armed guards still accompany each pas
senger train. The presence of the French
sruleer 8uchet tends to allay uneasiness,
ind the arrival of the United States gun
aoat Machias Is anxiously awaited.
Beyond the loss of dynamite and powder
itoien by rebels the railroad has sustained
no Injury- Traffic across the isthmus con
tinues without interruption, although far
fewer local passengers are crossing.
The government is concentrating troops
from the more remote provinces. Tele
graphic communication with the coast is in
terrupted, and nothing is known here re
garding the situation at Cartagena and
Barranquilla. Gen. Alban has rot yet re
turned to Colon, but is expected with rein
forcements. Troops continue to vatrol both
ends of the isthmus at night.
%
Invader* of Venezuela Disappear.
A special to the New York Herald from
Caracas, Venezuela, dated August 15, says:
The invaders on the Venezuelan frontier
have disappeared.
MORGAN QIOTES THE TREATY.
Say* No European Power Munt Get
Foothold nt Panama.
"When United States Senator John T. Mor
gan of Alabama, in an interview with the
correspondent of the Baltimore Sun, at
Warm Springs, Va., yesterday, was asked
to state his views on the isthmian question,
concerned In the difficulty between Colom
bia and Venezuela, he said:
"The right of the United States to inter
fere in this case is based on the treaty be
tween this country and New Granada of
December 12, 1846. By this treaty we were
guaranteed the right of transit across the
Isthmus of Panama and other privileges.
In order to secure themselves the tranquil
and constant enjoyment of these advan
tages, and as an especial compensation for
the favors they have acquired by the
fourth, fifth and sixth articles of this
treaty, the United States guarantees posi
tively and efficaciously to New Granada the
perfect neutrality of the mentioned isth
mus, with the view tha't the free transit
from the one to the other sea may not be
interrupted or embarrassed In any future
time while the treaty exists. And in conse
quence the Untted States also guarantees in
the same manner the rights of sovereignty
and property which New Granada had pos
sessed over the territory.
"These rights of sovereignty and property
our government," continued the senator,
"is bound to protect. The trouble is this:
Some years ago a number of New York
firancier3 invested largely in the stock of a
railroad now running from Aspinwall to
Colon. A French corporation, not ostensi
bly, but in fact, backed by the French gov
ernment, has got hold of this road by buy
ing out enormous shares. Recently there
has been a desire on the part of some Co
lombian insurrectionists to get possession
of the whole isthmus, and, of course, of
this railroad, the canal and everything else.
"It will be our aim merely to cool down
the impetuosity of these belligerents and
to set things rignt. This treaty with New
Granada, which I have quoted, is thorough
ly in harmony with the spirit of the Mon
roe doctrine. It is this that makes it all
Important.
"The consul of Colombia in New York has
applied, as I see from the papers, to our
government to protect the interest of Co
lombia in- accordance with the terms of
this treaty of 18-Mi. This application is, no
doubt, responsible for the movement thith
er of our ships."
"What is the part that Venezuela is play
ing, senator?" he was asked.
"Castro, the president of Venezuela," re
plied Mr. Morgan, "has been assailed by
the former president, who was banished,
and who has been going the rounds trying
to obtain aid, and stirring up strife wher
ever he could. Doubtless he has involved
Colombia. Predatory and actual, though
not ostensible, war has existed some time
between these two countries. The men at
the head of affairs in those South American
countries are ruled by no motives save per
sonal ones.
"But to return to the main question,
whether the United States should Interfere
In the quarrel of these men, we should cer
tainly see to it that no European power
gains any foothold there. We are bound,
as I have said, by the treaty of New Gra
nada to preserve the rights of sovereignty
and property which New Granada (whom
Colombia succeeded) had over the isthmus.
"Our country must protect the rights of
her citizens. They are encouraged to go
there and make heavy investments, and
there is no telling what tremendous losses
North Americans have Incurred by the
treachery of certain men in these South
American countries."
?
MR. HACKEITS ANNOUNCEMENT.
Not Practicable to Convene Hoard to
Consider Navy Yard Wagea.
Mr. Hackett, acting secretary of the
navy, today decided not to grant the re
quest made a few days ago by representa
tives of local Bricklayers' Union, No. 1, to
increase the wages of brick masons em
ployed at the Washington navy yard to
correspond with the pay being received by
union bricklayers outside the yard.
The decision was embraced in a letter
transmitted to Henry M. Shook, corre
sponding secretary of the union, one of the
delegation which called upon Mr. Hackett
to make the request.
The facts in the case as submitted were
that bricklayers in the yard, numbering
about seventy-five, are receiving at present
$4 a day, whereas layers outside the yard
are being paid wages ranging from $4.50 to
|5 a day. The matter of fixing the wage
for yard bricklayers is settled at semi-an
nual meetings of a naval board appointed
for that purpose, and the board will not
meet again until November 1 next. The
bricklayers asked that the desire"?? increase
be applied to time up to that date.
Mr. Hackett's letter is as follows:
"Referring to the Interview on Monday
last had with your committee represent
ing the Bricklayers' Union, Washington,
D. C., in which the department was re
quested to increase the rates of pay fixed
by the board on wages for brick masons at
the Washington navy yard for the six
months ending December 81, 1901, the de
partment has to state that it has been cus
tomary for years to pay to employes the
rates of wages fixed by the board for the
period named under the regulations with
out reference to changes made by private
establishments during that period. After
wages at navy yards have been fixed for
the definite period in the regular manner
by the department, the fact that wages at
private establishments drop below the
standard recommended by the board for
that period would not affect the then cur
rent schedule, but the subject would be
taken up for consideration at the next reg
ular meeting of the board. The present
rates have been fixed for the six months
ending December 31, 1901, in accordance
with the prevailing wages in this vicinity
at the time the board was in session.
"It is not practicable to convene the
board at more frequent intervals than once
In six months, and It is out of the question
to convene it at irregular intervals to meet
special cases."
NAVY DEPARTMENT GRATITUDE.
Pleased That Court Sustained Author
ity of Lieut. Commander Hopkins,
The office of the judge advocate general
of the navy today sent an official notifica
tion to General Harries, commanding the
District militia, of Justice Clabaugh's re
cent decision in the Tegeler case, wherein
tt was sought to secure a writ of habeas
corpus releasing Tegeler, a coal passer in
the regular navy, from Imprisonment im
posed as a result of charges preferred by
Lieutenant Commander Sherburne G. Hop
kins of the District naval militia for dis
obedience of orders.
The Navy Department is especially grat
ified over this decision. The department has
worked hard to encourage and build up the
naval militia of the country, and the fact
that Lieutenant Commander Hopkins was
sustained in exercising discipline in the
case Is a source of much satisfaction, as
it is realized that without such discipline
lie auxiliary navy would amount to naught.
Exhibition of Farm Machinery.
Consul Haynes at Rouen, France, informs
the State Department'that an international
exposition of agricultural machinery will
jpen at Lodi, Italy, in September of this
rear. It will include farming Implements,
machines for the making of butter and
cheese, the secondary products of milk, au
tomatons and automobiles.
THE STAR BT KAII*
Persons leaving the city for anf^
period can have The Star mailed to *
them by ordering It at this office. In
person or by letter. Terms: 13 cent?
per week: 25 cents for two weeks, or
60 cents per month. Invariably la
advance. The address may bs
changed as frequently as desired.
Always give the last address, as well
as the new one.
STORM IS SUBSIDING1
I
Waters at New Orleans Goiag Down.
Rapidly.
ESTIMATES OF LOSS EXAGGERATED
Probable That There Has Been
No Loss of Life.
NEWS FROM MOBILE
NEW ORLEANS. August 16.?Both tho
Mississippi river and Lake Porichortraln
aTe falling rapidly, a?.d the storm has prac
tically subsidtd. The water ha* rapidly re
ceded from the section of the city over
flowed yesterday.
Lare bodies of men are repairing the
damage done at the various lake resort*
which bore the brunt of the storm.
Little news has come thus far from the
Mississippi sound, but there has been no
loss of life in that reach of territory.
The Louisville and Nashville railroad to
still badly crippled. No trains have como
in or gone out over the line since the night
before last. The subsidence of water,
however, makes it probable that the dam
age to the tracks will be quickly repaired
and that traffic will be resumed by night.
A large number of cotton and other busi
ness men are still bottled up on the coast
and unable to rjet to their offices. Thu
Northeastern road has had some trouble,
but the Illinois Central has aided both
the Louisville and Nashville and Northeast
ern In handling :hair passenger traffic.
Strainer Coma* Arrive*.
The Cromwell liner Comus reached the
city today. She had no trouble in the
storm, and reported no vessels in distress.
Dr. J. N. Thomas of the quarantine sta
tion boarded the Comus near the mouth of
the river, and told Capt. Franklin that an
unknown schooner and a small boat had
been wrecked in that vicinity and six lives
lost. No serious damage was dope at quar
antine station.
A report from below says that the tug
Biloxi of Slidell and two barges went
ashore, and that the fate of those on board
is not knowa.
Reports of the 'ose of the Cobden family
of fifteen above the quarantine station
have not been confirmed.
At Shell Beach the wind has ceased, but
the water is rising, and there has been
considerable damage to crops.
Rice has been damaged considerably down
the river.
The United Company's steamer Esther
arrived here today. She experienced heavy
winds, but was not injured, and saw no
vessels in distress.
The Esther reported that there was no
serious damage at quarantine station, but
that considerable property was swept away
at Port Eads.
Officials of the Fruit Company fear for
the safety of another of its ships, the Ful
ton, which left Celba fourteen and a half
days ago, and Is now ten days overdue.
She never has been reported.
Blloxl'a Crew Saved.
Capt. Stevenson of the Esther brought
up with him Capt. Dunham and four mem
bers of the crew of the tug Blloxl. The
Biloxl capsized during the storm and the
five rescued men made their way to & tree,
to which they clung until rescued. They
reported that two of the crew of the tuff
were missing. Capt, Stevenson reported
also that he saw a ship's mast, possibly a
fruiter's, sticking out of the water about
nine miles from Southwest pass. Hf was
unable to identify the vessel and saw nolle
of her crew.
The "Esther had as passengers Juan y
Carrillo. family of awelve and four ser
vants, all of Belize. They had been at the
quarantine station several days and passed
safely through the storm.
Capt. Stevenson said a houseboat ana
some small craft had been battered to
pieces in the vicinity of the station, but he
learned of no loss of life.
Uneasy as to Army Posts.
Some uneasiness Is felt at the War De
partment concerning the military posts at
Mobile bay, especially at Fort Morgan,
where the 8th and 99th Companies of Coast
Artillery are stationed. Fort Morgan and
the military posts are on a sand spit, which
Is about thirteen feet above tide. No re
ports have been received at the depart
ment concerning these posts. The two bat
teries are under command of Major Lulgt
Lomla. The batteries consist of about 100
men each.
HOT WEATHER FOR TEXNIS.
Third Round in National Tournament
at Newport.
NEWPORT, R. I., August 16? It was.de
cidedly hot weather when the tennis play
ers began to come outon the Casino courts
today, for the third round In the national
tournament. The narrowing circle of play
ers has left nearly all the experts to do
battle on these closing days, and Wai^,
Larned, Clothier and Hobart were on the
lists In the third round today, while Dwight
Davis and Beals Wright were to play the
final match in the second round, which
came over from yesterday.
The bright sunshine and the attractive
list of players brought a large crowd to
the grounds early. Davis and Wright oc
cupied the championship court. This match
took on additional interest because of the
probability that the winner would be one
of the men in the final event.
The final in the interscholastic matches
was scheduled for today, Irving C. Wright
of Harvard scheduled to meet E. P. Larned
of Princeton.
JAMES MACDOKALD DISCHARGED.
Man Who Confessed In London to
Robbery in Oregon.
LONDON, August 16.?At the Mansion
House police court today James Maedon
ald, who, August 0. was charged in that
court, on his Confession, with robbing
the office of the Western Lumber Com
pany, at Portland, Oreg., last December,
was discharged, the officials of the United
States embassv announcing that the Wash
ington authorities did not desire his extra
dition. The prisoner was greatly disap
pointed at not securing transportation
home.
REPAIRS TO THE AMPHITRITE.
Made While a Gunboat Was Looktsg
for the Monitor.
CHATHAM, Mass., August 16.?The tog
which yesterday prevented the gunboat
Peoria from finding the monitor Amphl
trlte, disabled off this port, gave the engi
neer of the monitor a chance to make tem
porary repairs, and the Amphitrite passed
here under her own steam early today
bound for Boston. The Peoria, which was
sent from Boston to tow the Amphitrite
end which spent the day yesterday cruis
ing In the fog, found the vessel late In ths
day. She followed the monitor on the way,
to Boston. The Amphitrite had broken a
valve.
Gov. Bcekhast Has mm Heir.
FRANKFORT, Ky., August M.?A girl
was born to Governor and Mrs. Beckham
today at the executive mansion.