No. 15,126. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, ATJQUSfT 20, 1901?TEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. THE EVENING STAB. PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCEPT 8UNDAY. Etainew Office, 11th Street ani Pennsylvaaia Arena#. Tho Evening Star Newspipjr Company. S. H. KAUFFMANN, Prea'L Few York Offioe: 128 Tribaa? Bu:ldia?. Chicago OrEce: Boyce Baiidiog. Hie Krenlne Star Is served to subscribers In the city by carriers. on their own account. at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the counter. 2 ecial From a Staff Correspondent. PITTSBURG, Pa-, August 20.?An idea is afforded of the'attitude which allied labor is assuming toward the strike in the action last night of "00 men in one mill and 3?"0 in another, not a man of whom be longs to the Amalgamated, but who quiet ly left th-dr work and joined the strikers. Ti?y did it because their mills were hand ling iron skelp made by non-union men. They themselves are members of the Amer ican Federation of Labor, and. therefore, unionists. Their action was entirely unex pected. no whisper of trouble or disaffection having reached their employers. They were under no obligations to the Amalgamated and had not bet* asked to strike. But at ? o'clock these 700 men made up their minds that in the fight between the steel trust and the workers they were being used to the disadvantage of organized labor and they would not stand it. This was at the Pennsylvania Tube Com pany's plant, and a delegation of the strikers went to the Continental mill, where ."Ue used by that combination was bought from the Pennsylvania. Much of the same trade is still handled from this plant, and it la believed that the oil operations in West Virginia and other fields near Pitts burg and even in Texas will be affected by the strike. One of the trust's big mills in Allegheny, which has been barely limping along, was cl med down this morning. The trust, with great effort, is keeping two of the Carnegie mills In Pittsburg go ing. but with reduced tonnage. Wages as high as $ir> a day are offered skilled work ers to go into these plants, as the Carnegie people do not want to let the strike get a foothold in any of their mills. An agent of the German government is here Investigating the possibility of a strike in the mills which make armor plate for foreign contract. Reports from Duquesne this afternoon Indicate considerable restlessness among the men in the Carnegie mills at that place. N. O. M. SAYS STRIKE IS TOPHEAVY. Steel Trunt Official Predict* That It Will Soon Collapse. By Associated i'ree*. PITTSBURG, Pa., August 20?An offi cial of the steel trust, when told of the strike at the Pennsylvania tube works last night, said: "Let the good work go on. Brother Shaffer Is very rapidly getting a topheavy strike. The larger his army, the quicker It will break up. Just wait until he begins to hurtle money for strike benefit*. I hope Chicago does go out. The more the merrier." The steel managers announced that an other mi l was on today at the Clark mills, and that the property was now running in full. The other properties, they said, were running today as they were yesterday They denied the story that there had been a break at Duquesne during the night. The strikers claim that they have again crippled the Lindsay & McCutcheon mills by taking some of the non-union men, and also capturing several skilled men on the way into the plant, but the managers say they are working one mill as usual, and that they will have a couple more mills on before the end of the week. The expioslon of some railroad torpedoes at Monessen early this morning created some excitement, and large crowds gath ered on the streets and near the steel mills. There were large crowds around the newly crippled tube works in this city today, but no disorder. Wellsville reports indicate a critical sit uation, but the cry of the wolf has been raised so often as to disorder there during this strike that this latest announcement attracted little attention. The organized strikers at McKeesport plan a general strike headquarters, one feature of which will be a press bureau. The leaders say the latter will give out strictlv truthful strike reports and stop the exaggerated tales which, they say, are injuring the town and Mayor Black.* The local strike leaders express them selves as being fully satisfied with the progress of the strike and confident of victory. Gompern In Pennsylvania Yet. President Gompers of the American Fed eration of Labor has not yet returned from Pennsylvania, where he has been for sev eral days, and the only Information at the headquarters of the federation concern ing the strike of the federation men at the Pennsylvania Tube Works is contained in a telegram from Organizer Schwartz, say ing the men were going to strike. Under the organization of the American Federation of Labor the president has no power to order a lodge to strike. The lodge Itself must take a vote on the question, and it is presumed that that has been done at the tube works. THE SOl'TH CHICAGO MII.LS. ?Mueh Depend* In the Steel Strike on Their CoarNe. CHICAGO. August 20.?"South Chicago and the great steel works located there have become the vital center of the steel strike now hanging over the country," says the Tribune. "This was shown in two new ways yesterday. "In the first place. Organizer and Vice President Davis, who failed nine days ago to influence the steel workers there to strike, sent an urgent telegram to Presi- j dent Shaffer of the Amalgamated Associa tion appealing to him to come here and use his powers to force a reconsideration and a strike. In the second place, the four lodges of the Amalgamated Association in Jolie-t, wno voted last week to strike, seem now to be wavering on the verge of a return to work. Their action, as they freely avow, I Is now to let their policy hang on the de cision of the South Chicago steel workers I " the latter decide to strike the Joliet men will remain out; if the South Chicago brethren remain at work the Joliet workers will resume their tasks. "The appeal to Shaffer was sent in the I afternoon by Vic? President Davis, who nail received no answer last night. ' PLOT TO WRECK STONE YARDS. Developed 1?>- the Confession of One of the Plottem. CHICAGO, August 2;).?Details of an al leged plot by which two Chicago stone yards were wrecked by dynamite on Au gust 1J in order to deprive 200 members of an independent stonecutter's union of em ployment are believed by the police to be cleared up in the arrest and confession of Frank Hardy, formerly an employe of the Chicago Athletic Association. In\oh ed with Hardy in the confession and alleged plot, and also under arrest, are Michael Fitzgerald, a teamster, and Joe Hayes. The two stone yards which were wrecked employed stonecutters who broke away from the old Building Trades Council dur ing the strike of last year. These stone cutters belong to an independent union and are pitted in trade rivalry against seventy five other stonecutters who still belong to the old union. This rivalry has led to fre quent assaults upon members of the In dependent union, according to the police. ? ? ? DESTITUTION AT XOME. Steamer J. G. Kimball Brings Netri of ProMpectlve Hard Luck. PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., August 20. The steamer John G. Kimball, from Nome, August 8, has arrived here. Passengers on the Kimball bring hard-luck stories from Nome, and say that when winter sets in there will be the usual number of destitute men who will have to face starvation or be given transportation to Puget sound. Most of these had money when reaching Nome, but through their efTorts to reach reported strikes have expended their last dollar, and are now seeking work, but the labor market is already over-supplied. A third man has been found to be among the victims of Unamik Island murder of June 2?J. P. Rooney of Seattle. Two suspects are under arrest at I'na laska as murderers of the Sutherland brothers. Their names are Hardin and Ashton. Rich strikes are reported from Rampart. Iron creek, on Tanana. and the Koyukuk district. In the Kougarok district there is much disappointment. Many claims are proving blanks. ? ? ? FORTY-TWO START AT CHICAGO. Great Interest In the Western Open Golf Championship. CHICAGO, August 20.?Play in the west ern open golf championship tournament, open to Jsoth amateurs and professionals, -began on the Midlothian Country Club's links at 9:80 a.m. today with a field of forty-two starters. The contest calls for thirty-six holes, medal play, the first half to be played dur ing the morning and the second half be ginning at 2:.f0 p.m. Despite wet grounds and promises of rain a large gallery fol lowed the players, as the tournament is considered the most notable of western golfing events. David Bell (Midlothian crack), paired with Harry Tuipie of Edgewater, teed off with a mighty drive for the second hole Turpie following immediately. The other pairs followed at intervals of three min utest BIG CROWD AT TES.MS TOURNEY. Court* at Newport Were In Poor Con dition This Morning;. NEWPORT, R. I., August 20.?The card for today in the national tennis tourna ment Included the unfinished Ware-Larned match of yesterday and the other semi-final between Wright and Little. The crowd which had been disappointed yesterday ap peared in even greater numbers, for the one set that it saw then was the fastest kind of tennis, and the prospects for today were excellent. Though clouds still obscured the sky in the early morning, they began to break away shortly after ? o'clock. The courts were still soaked from the heavy rain of yesterday, but the rollers were put to work and the prospects were that they would be in good enough condition to play at 11 the scheduled hour. "R- HAXXA OFF TO HAY LAKE. He Will Spend a Few Days at Summer Cotta?e. CLEVELAND, Ohio, August 20.?Senator and Mrs. Hanna, accompanied by their two daughters, the Misses Mabel and Ruth, left Cleveland today on the steamer North west for Hay lake, near Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., where the family will spend a few days at the Hanna summer cottage. Mr. Hanna will take an active part In the formal opening of the republican state campaign, which will probably take place at Delaware on September 2L Among the speakers will be Senators Foraker and Hanna, Governor Nash and Carl L. Nip pert, candidate for lieutenant governor. WAR ON THE NEGROES Pierce City, Missouri, in the Hands of a Mob. BURNiNG HOUSES AND KILLING Arsenal of City Militia Company Seized and Appropriated.' ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE SPRINGFIELD, Mo., August 20.?Pierce City, where William Godley and Gene Car ter, colored, were lynched last night in connection with the murder of Miss Caselle Wild, is today in the hands of hundreds of armed men, who are intent on driving all negroes from town. All negro houses In the city are being fired by the enraged whites. One negro, Peter Hampton, is said to have been cre mated in his home. The mob broke into the arsenal of the local military company and is now in pos session of improved rifles. So much ex citement prevails that It is almost Impos sible to secure over the wires a connected story of the outbreak. Correspondents have started from here for the scene. Most of the negroes have left Pierce City and abandoned their homes, which have been burned. A report was sent out that two negroes in addition to Godley and Carter were lynched early today. This is denied. Railway Porter Aoenseil. George Lark, a porter on the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad, whom Carter charged with being Miss Wild's murderer, was arrested in Springfield this morning and Is in jail here. Lark declares his in nocence and says the man who committed the crime boarded with him and fled. Bloodhounds put on the trail at the scene of the murder went directly, It is said, to Lark s house. Eugene Barrett, a negro suspect, has stated that a man named Flavors, who formerly boarded with Lark, was the real culprit. Flavors is said to be under arrest at Tulsa, I. T.,' over the territory line from here, and Barrett is under arrest at Mount Vernon, twenty-five miles from Pierce City. Flavors undoubtedly will be lynched If brought back. It is not believed Barrett will be mo lested. Excitement which led up to the lynching of the Godleys continued all night, and morning found the enraged white people determined to rid the city and vicinity of negroes. After stringing young Godley up t d a pole and riddling his body with bul lets the mob went to the house of French Godley, the young man's grandfather, and shot him to death. They then bombarded Ike Carter's house, in which were Peter and Robert Hampton, all negroes. Old Kiepjro Burned to Death. Peter Hampton, who was seventy-five years old, was burned to death when the house was set afire. His wife and Robert Hampton escaped through the flames. The mob then marched from place to place burning negro houses and firing into them. The negroes fled In all directions, many taking refuge In the woods, while others are coming as far as Springfield to find places of safety. The authorities telephoned Monett and Aurora, near-by towns, for help, but at 10 o'clock this morning the city was still In the hands of the mob, which finally broke into "the arsenal of the Pierce City nviiitla company and abstracted all the state rifles stored there. Every train to Pierce City is bringing in excited crowds that add to the general con fusion. The report sent out last night that a boy was shot is denied today, and the name of the man shot to death is given as French Godley instead of Gene Carter, as previous ly stated. The Lrni'hinx of La*t Night. Will Godley and Gene Carter were lynched at Pierce City, Mo.,last night by a mob com posed of 1,000 armed citizens, who charged him with the murder of Miss Caralle Wild, whose dead body was found yesterday in the woods near there. The mob went to the Jail about 9 o'clock and battered down the doors and threw ropes around the necks of Godley and Gene Carter, a suspect. Godley was hanged in front of the Law rence Hotel and his body riddled with bul lets. Carter's guilt was not clearly estab lished and he was taken back to Jail. Miss Wild was attacked on her way home Sunday. The crime was committed at the 'Frisco railway bridge, half a mile from the railway station. The girl was crossing the bridge, when the negro, who had been sitting on the rail, attacked her. A farmer In an adjoining field witnessed the assault, but heard no outcry and did not Interfere. Later, when the negro was seen running down the track, he gave the alarm. The girl's body was found lying In the weeds under the bridge. Gene Carter was afterward taken out by the mob, riddled with bullets and left dy ing in the street. POTTER FOR SUPREME JUDGE. Slate for Penimylvanla Republican Convention Tomorrow. HARRISBURG, Pa., August 20?The republican state convention, which meets tomorrow in the Harrisburg opera house, will nominate Judge Wm. P. Potter of Pittsburg for supreme court judge, and State Representative Frank G. Harris of Clearfield for state treasurer. There are no other candidates, and unless there is a decided change of sentiment among the delegates their nominations will be made by acclamation. Owing to the absence of contests the customary meeting of the state committee to make up the roll of delegates and select officers of the conven tion has been dispensed with. Mr. Harris opened headquarters today at the Lochiel Hotel, and he will be joined this evening by a train load of shouters and a brass band from his home. Judge Potter has no headquarters, and will not attend the convention, his candidacy being looked after by Gov. Stone and other party leaders. The indications are that the con vention will dispose of its work in short order and that It will be a quiet and peace ful gathering. Former Belgian Minister a Sale Me. BRUSSELS, August 20.?M. Nyssens, for mer minister of Industry and labor, com mitted suicide this morning by shooting himself with a revolver In the right tem ple. Domestic trouble la assigned as the cause for the aoU IMMIGRATION OF JAPANESE IF OP DESIRABLE CHARACTER IT WILL BE WELCOME. i Contract Laborers Will Sot, However, Be Admitted to the States or Hairall. Kogoro Takahlra the Japanese minister called at the Treasury Department today and had a talk with Mr. Taylor, the as sistant secretary, regarding several mat ters in which the Japanese are interested One of these was the question of Japa nese immigration to Honolulu. Some time ago when there was a great hue and cry on the Pacific coast about the heavy inrmi gration of Japanese to this country, the government of Japan Issued an edict for bidding immigration to the United Stales The consequence was that there have been comparatively few arrivals from Japan Efforts were made .'n Hawaii to have the Japanese government change Us edict so that Japanese could go to Hawaii to work in the sugar plantations. Ko Contract Labor Permissible. Mr. Takahira today asked Mr. Taylor if Japanese going to Honolulu would be re fused admission, saying that his govern ment had been considering the matter of amending its edict so as to let some of its citizens come to this country and Hono lulu. Mr. Taylor informed the minster that if the Japanese went to Honolulu un der any kind of a contract, either verbal or written, they would be detained and de ported, but if they sought admission in the ordinary way they could not be de tained if they were desirable pepple. Sugar Planters Want japs. It is understood that in the near future a number of small parties of Japanese will go to Honolulu, where it is probable that they will be immediately employed by sugar planters, who are eagerly seeking labor of this kind. The sugar planters are now taking Porto Ricans to the islands but would much prefer the Japanese, who clean fcHiKent' haFd worklng:? thrifty and Air. Takahira also conferred with Mr Taylor as to an official of an important Su^Thu Th? 16 detalned at Hono iu.u. This official was on his wav to this t(i ,nsPect some of the branches of the bank, but was held at Honolulu. death op sex oh vicuna. The Minister of Chile Expired at Buffalo. A dispatch was received at the State' De partment at noon today announcing the death at Buffalo of Senor Don Carlos Maria Vicuna, the minister of Chile to the United States, and one of the best known and most capable of South American states men. The notification came from Senor In fanta, first secretary of the Chilean lega tion, who has been with the minister at Buffalo, and gave no details beyond the simple announcement that Senor Vicuna had passed away. He has been ill for tome time with pneumonia, and after throwing off the first attack suffered a relapse, from which he was unable to rally! Owing to Ohiie^nSt?1t2lVd-fI^nLatlc representative of wrui ?!, U nited States the govern/iient will show every consideration of respect and honor to the deceased. Besides being S?l?i p trT C^Ue he was commissioner L An Jm,erican exposition, and lately the Chilean delegate on the Chilean claims commission. thrio?LVI?Una Came to Washington about three years ago succeeding Minister Gana, who was transferred to London. The Vi cunas have been prominent in South Amer himsfiM minister soon endeared wTfh? ,? ? of"c,aIs a"d diplomatists in and abifitv" He farming personality ? I J' was accompanied by his wife and family, who have been an Inter Of kft*aCthiisJtionflto 'he diplomatic circle. Of late the legation in Washington has been closed, the minister and family and the entire official establishment being re the lead of South American republics in the magnitude of its exhibit. As jet no word helieye the men will ultimately recov^ FIVE MEN KILLED j Remit of Explosion of Benzine Tank I at Philadelphia. FODR OF THEM CITY FIREMEN Were Fighting Flames Which Had Started Previously. WORKS ARE STILL BURNING PHILADELPHIA, Pa.. August 20.?Five persons are known to have been killed by the explosion of the big benzine tank at the Atlantic Refining Company's oil works at Point Breeze at midnight. The dfad are: John McCullom, engine company 41); James Ealls, engine company 40; John Dougherty, truck company, No. 0, and a fireman and an employe of the refining company, too badly burned to be recog nized. When the explosion occurred the fire men of engine company 40 and employes of the Atlantic Refining Company, in all about fifty men, were at work in the pumping house drawing off oil from the burning tanks. The flames shot high in the air and the pumping house was almost completely demolished. The firemen who had been playing streams on the other tanks then directed their attention to the rescue of the men who had been impris oned in the pumping house. It was nearly an hour before the men could be reached. Meanwhile a score of streams of water were pouring upon the ruins of the pump ing house. The promptness with which the firemen turned their attention to the res cue of the men undoubtedly saved a score of lives. As quickly as the men wefe res cued from the ruins they were sent to the hospitals in the lower section of the city. Five bodies were recovered and sent to the morgue, but only three of them could be identified. Two bodies were roasted to a crisp, and so blackened that it was al most impossible to tell whether they were those of white or colored men. Injured Xot Serlonnly Hurt. None of the seventeen injured men taken to the hospital Is seriously injured. They were suffering chiefly from burns and bruises, and after having their wounds dressed, nearly all were able to leave the hospitals. The pumping house where the explosion occurred was midway between the two rows of burning tanks, and the firemen were endeavoring to confine the flames to one row by drawing off the oil at the time of the explosion. There are one hundred tanks In the big oil plant, and more than a dozen of thjm were on fire. At the time of the explosion the wind was blowing strong from the east and carrying the flames directly toward the other tanks, but early this morning the wind shifted to the southwest, and thefe is a probability of saving the other tanks from destruction. The lire was burning fiercely at 10 o'clock this morning, the wind, blowing in a direc tion that carried the heavy, stifling black smoke directljr over the central section of the city, almost obscuring the sun's rays. Tank Steamers Saved. At the time of the explosion two big German tank steamers, Gut-Hell and Marie, were loading petroleum at the At lantic oil wharves, but they were towed down the river to a place of safety. Various theories are advanced as to the cause of the explosion tn the pump house, where the firemen lost their lives. Accord ing to a fireman of Engine Company 46, which was pumping out the oil from a burning oil tank, the fluid was allowed to get too low and drew the fire with it. The explosion occurred as the men were pump ing, and wonder is expressed by the men that every one in the building did not lose his life. Another theory is that the oil In tank No. 80 overflowed and the burning oil spread to the pump house, where the firemen were at work, causing the oil there to explode. There was* rumor early this morning that a large gang of employes of the company were buried when the explosion occurred. SIX KILLED Ilf EXPLOSION. Fire In Round Houae at Herkimer, LITTLE FALLS, N. Y., August 20.?The bodies of all the victims of the Herkimer lound house explosion last night have been Identified. The names are: John Deck, Levi Gilbert, Lewis Jackson, Harry Stan sel. James Wagle, Joseph Keller. Stansel was a student at Syracuse University, tak ing a course of architecture. Jackson, Keller and Nagle were laborers. They lived near the scene of the fatality. It Is believed that the list of dead as given above, and numbering six, is com plete, although it is possible that some of the railroad bridge gang may have been killed. The vicinity of the wrecked round house was a scene of wreck and ruin today. Twenty-five houses are practically In ruins, several of them having been turned around completely on their foundations. It was generally reported that the building con tained GU0 pounds of dynamite, a thousand pounds of giant powder and a quantity of gasolene. The property damage by the explosion is estimated at $30,000. The Mohawk and Malone round house at Herkimer was discovered to be on fire a* 10:30 last night. Watchman Gilbert and an engine tender named John Deck, assist ed by residents of the vicinity and members of the bridge building gang, attempted to extinguish the flames. While they were battling with the fire a large quantity of dynamite stored In the building exploded with terrific force, killing Gilbert and Deck and four others. ANTI-TRUST LEAGUE. Information Aaked of the Attorney General as to Steel Traat. Attorney General Knox yesterday after noon received a letter from the joint com mittee of the American Anti-Trust League and District Assembly 06, Knights of La bor, requesting Information from Mr. Knox regarding the United States Steel Corpora tion. The letter, which is signed by H. B. Martin, chairman, and William L. Dewart, secretary, is as follows: "We have the honor to request that you afford us/all information that you are pos sessed. dr or can obtain concerning an agreement or agreements made between the constituent companies and individuals who organised the United States Steel Corporation, commonly known as the steel trust. "The trust or syndicate agreement which we especially desire is the one which Pres ident C. M. Schwab of the United States Steel Corporation refused to furnish to the United States industrial commission when on the witness stand before that body. "Our request Is founded upon Informa tion and belief that at the time this con tract or these contracts was or were made you were in some way officially connected with the Carnegie Steel Company, which institution is one of the principal com panies in the United States Steel Corpora tion. As this information is doubtless in your possession or conveniently at hand jou will greatly oblige this committee by giving us the substance thereof in your own language, or, if possible, a copy thereof. "This request is to cover any other con tracts of a similar kind with which you are acquainted or which you can obtain for us. Our object is to prevent the fail ure of justice in certain legal proceedings which we contemplate in the near future." Mr. Knox will send an answer t+ the committee probably this afternoon. The answer will be brief and business-like, and will probably give the committee to un derstand that if there was any information in his possession of the kind wanted he would decline to give It, because it would violate a confidence. VEXEZIELAK SITUATION. Surprise at the Cpniments of German \ewipaprrt. There was an entire absence of develop ments on the Colombian-Venezuelan situa tion at the Navy and State Departments today. Some surprise and amusement has been caused by the comments of the Ger man press to the effect that the United States had ulterior motives in taking pre cautionary measures relative to affairs on the isthmus. Such expressions show an entire lack of knowledge of the plain pur poses of this government to take no hand in the southern troubles except for the pro tection of American interests or in execu tion of the requirements of our treaty with Colombia. However, these comments re ceive no serious attention from those in authority, as they are expressive of indi vidual opinion. It is noticeable, however, that the South American countries most concerned have no such concern as to American purposes as those expressed in some of the European newspapers. The Navy Department this morning an nounced that the battle ship Iowa, which has bee? undergoing repairs to her boilers at San Francisco, will leave that port some time today on her trip southward to Panama. BETTER THAJS A GOVERNMENT JOB. Atlanta Man Twice Offered Trea?ury Place Making; a Year. The officers of the Treasury Department today had a strange experience. A few months ago in making a selection from one of the eligible registers of bookkeepers at the civil service commission their at tention was attracted by the most excel lent papers of a young man from Atlanta, Ga., and as they were so business-like and presented such a neat clerical app?arance he was selected and tendered a position at a year. In due course of time the de partment received a communication stat ing that at that time he was so busily engaged that he very reluctantly declined the position. A few months after ward his name was again certified, and he was again selected and tendered a po sition at the same salary. He again, in a very courteous and business-like letter, declined the position for business reasons. He appeared at the department today and called -on the proper officers, and after paying respects and thanking them for their selection he stated that the reason he did not take the position at the times tendered was that he had a business* posi tion that was now paying him $50,000 a year. He stated that he was born in Pennsylvania and drifted from there to Wilmington, Del., where he entered the Technical Institute at that place and com pleted a four years' course. He obtained the means for his college course by sell ing newspapers in the mornings and after noons before and after classes. After finishing his course at the institute he went to Atlanta, Ga., and engaged in his present business. Being In a position to enjoy a rest from his hard labors he stated that he was taking a vacation, which included a trip to Halifax. Nova Scotia, the Buffalo exposition and other places of interest in that section of the country, and being on his return home and passing through Washington he called at the department to express his thpnfca for the twice-offered appointment, which, under the circumstances, he thought he very wisely declined. The veterans in the Secretary's office speak of this case as the most unique that ever came under their observation. GONE TO CANTON. Secretary Hay to Consult With Presi dent McKinley. Secretary Hay leaves today for Canton for a general conference with the President on subjects which have engaged attention of late. The length of his stay is not cer tain, but he will probably return to Wash ington before going back to his summer home at Newbury, N. H. BRITISH IN CHINA. "Will Have No Effect on the National Questions. The State Department has not been ad vised of the reported action of the British authorities in deferring the withdrawal of their troops in China until satisfaction is given for the Chu-Chau massacre. But in any event this would have no bearing on the national questions under consideration at Pekin, as the Chu-Chau affair occurrcd in the south and was not directly connected with the more general disturbance. Capt. Emory to Command Indiana. Captain W. H. Emory has been detaohed from duty In command of the Monongahela and ordered to his home, where he will re main until the 29th instant, at which time he will take command of the Indiana. Lieutenant Commander C. B. T. Moore, Lieutenant B. B. Bierer, Ensigns C. E. Gil pin and F. T. Evans have been detached from the Brutus and ordered home on wait ing orders. Commander C. P. Rees, from the torpedo station to command of the Monongahela. Commander A. B. Speyers, from Cavite station to command of the Monadnock in stead of the Brooklyn. Chicago to Be Dry Docked. The cruiser Chicago has left Southamp ton for Portsmouth, England, where she will go into dry dock. After leaving dry dock she will proceed to Genoa, where she will rendezvous with the cruiser Albany and the gunboat Nashville. Mr. Bryan's Cruise. The United States minister to Brazil, Mr. Bryan, has gone aboard the cruiser At lanta, now cruising along the Brazilian coast. It is probable that the trip is one of pleasure and general inspection. Government Recetpts. National bank notes received today for redemption, $895,567. Government receipts from Internal revenue, $279,710; customs, 1826,300; miscellaneous, 164,940; expendi tures, *1,180,000. Site fur Seattle's Public Bui Id la Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Tay lor today selected the site for the public building at Seattle, Wash. The site Is the one offered by Crawford and Canover, and Is the southeast corner of Union street and Sd avenue. Its dimensions are 184 by 240 feet, and the price to be paid is 1174.750. Fourth-Class Postmasters. The following fourth-class postmasters were appointed today: New York?C. 6. Rice, Gtiilford Center; L. A. Baker, Purdy Creek; F. V. Hoose, South Kort right. New Hampshire?C. Carleton, Stewarts town. , . THE STAR DT MAIL. Persons leaving: the city for any period can have The Star mailed to them by ordering It at this office, in person or by letter. Terms: 13 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or BO cents per month. Invariably in advance. The address may be changed as frequently as desired. Always give the last address, as well as the new one. ADMIRAL HOWISON He May Not Sit on the Schley Court of Inquiry. ASKED AS TO AN OLD INTERVIEW If It is Authentic He Would Be Disqualified. * , ADMIRAL SCHLEY'S LETTEK Admiral Schley and his attorneys today instituted action at the Navy Department aimed to ascertain the qualifications of Rear Admiral Howison as a member of the Schley court of inquiry. Admiral Schley filed a letter with Mr. Hackett, the acting secretary of the navy, inclosing a clipping from a Boston newspaper which purports to give an interview with Admiral Howl son reflecting upon Admiral Schley. When seen today in relation to the subject Mr. Hackett announced that such a letter had been received, but declined absolutely to divulgl any of Its contents or to discuss it in any phase whatever. It was learned, however, that the com munication aims to elicit from Admiral Howison either a confirmation or a denial as to the authenticity of the alleged inter view. The letter will probably be forward ed to Admiral Howison by the department with a request that that officer rej ly as to whether it is correct or not. A few days ago. however, when the at HliiKei on HoitIiob'i Iteply. tention of the department was directed to this interview, it was stated in an unof ficial way that Admiral Howison had de nied its authenticity. In view of this fact, therefore. It seems probable that when Ad miral Howison replies formally to the com munication to be sent to him he will record an official denial of the statements accred ited to him The object of Admiral Schley and his at torneys In learning absolutely whether the interview Is authentic or not is to secure Admiral Howison's relief as a member of the court of inquiry in case it is proven that the Interview is correct. I'nder the provisions of the regulations of the navy Admiral Howison's qualifications as a member of the board in the event that he has been correctly quoted may be question ed and his relief from service on the court effected. The provision of the naval regu lations having applicability to the case Is contained in section 2. paragraph 7, chap ter 40, which says: "A member of a court of inquiry may be challenged for cause by either party." May Be Challenged. There can be no doubt that the interview with Admiral Howison, if authentic, offers ample provocation for such a challenge. The practice In the past in sueh Instances has been for attorneys for accused officers to make challenges. In the event that Ad miral Howison acknowledges the correct ness of the statement attributed to him Admiral Schley's attorneys may demand that Admiral Howison be summarily re moved by the Secretary of the Navy from service on the court. If such a request Is made, however, it is more than pr.^bable that the whole matter will be referred to the court itself for disposal. The history of such affairs In the past leads to that conclusion. A court of Inquiry, according to naval regulations, is the judge of the qualifica tions of its own members. In all proba bility, therefore, it will devolve upon this court, if it is called upon to determine the matter, to decide as to whether admiral Howison is qualified to serve or not. In case the court concludes to consider the subject it will devolve upon Admirals Dewey and Benham to decide whether Ad miral Howison shall serve as their col league on the court, Captain Lemly, the Judge advocate, not being a member of the court and therefore having no authority to participate in the consideration of such a subject. Admiral Howison, in case the af fair reaches such a stage of development, will be asked in open court whether the statement attributed to him is correct or not. He may answer either in the negative or the affirmative. In such event disposi tion of the case would be a simple and easy matter. If, however. Admiral Howison's answer should not be so categorical the opinion of the two members of the court deciding the matter might be divldtd. thus causing a tie. Such a situation is unprece dented in naval history and is not likely to occur, but If by any possibility it does the Navy Department will be called upon by the two members of the court for fur ther instructions. Admiral Howison. however, in the event that the interview is acknowledged to be correct, may simplify matters by asking to be relieved from duty on the court. Capt. Parker'* Visit. Captain Parker of counsel for Admiral Schley called upon Mr. Hackett this morn ing and held a conference with the acting secretary of about fifteen minutes' dura tion. When he emerged from the Secre tary's office ne seemed to be somewhat ex erclstd, but upon being questioned declined to divulge the nature of the consultation. A formal request for a list of witnesses to be summoned by Captain Lemly before the court was made by Admiral Schley's counsel today. It will be complied with as soon as practicable. Captain Lemly will return to the city from Canada next Mon day, when he will compile the list asked for and forward it to the admiral and his attorneys. Lleat. Wells to AmmImI Schley. Lieutenant Wells, who was flag secre tary for Admiral Schley during the West Indian campaign, has been detached from the Kearsarge and ordered to Washinjjton to assist Admiral Schley in the preparation of his case. This action was taken at the request of the admiral, who said he de sired the assistance of Lieutenant Wells because of his familiarity with all the cor respondence during the time he (Schley) was in command of the "flying squadron." While the request of the counsel of Ad miral Schley for a list of witnesses will be submitted to Judge Advocate General Lem ly, as a matter of form, it has already been determined at the department that the re ?[uest will be complied with, and the list urnlshed Admiral 8chley's lawyers. Pos sibly this will not be done until after the return of Captain Lemly to Washington. BOYCOTTED COFFEE RETURNED. Porto Rlcaa Merchant* Refuted to Haadle the IbtoIcc. NEW YORK. August 20.?The steamer Maracaibo. which arrived today from San Juan, Porto Rico, brought 23H sacks of coffee. This shipment is the same coffee sent to San Juan on the steamer Fonce, which the merchants of Porto lUco agreed to boycott. The tariff laws as they now stand, permit coffee to be shipiied t<. Porto Rico pnd undersell the local product. Tho producers of coffee in Porto Rico became alarmed and will ask Congress to give them relief. Steamship Arrivals. At New York?Friesland, from Antwerp; Minnehaha, from London; Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, from Bremen; Manltou, from London. At Plymouth?Pennsylvania, from New York for Hamburg, via Cherbourg, and pro ceeded.