Evening star. [volume], December 17, 1903, Image 1

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

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No. 15,854.
WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1903-TWENTY PAGES.
TWO CENTS.
THE EVENING STAR.
PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY.
JIulMM Offlet. UUk stmt ui PnnsylTials 11IIM
The Brining Star Newip&per Company.
8. H. KAUrTKAHH, President
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[QLOMBiS PRDTEST
CommanderTuriier Requested
to Leave Darien G-alf.
IGNORED THE REQUEST
TREATED WITH COURTESY, BUT
HIS PRESENCE RESENTED.
Panama's Enemies Busy With Pro tec
tive and Strengthening Measures?
Junta's Election Decree Pro
vokes Enthusiasm.
COI.ON, December 17.?The United States
cruiser Atlanta. Commander William H.
Turner, returned here last night from the
Gulf of Darien. She discovered December
15 a detachment of Colombian troops, num
bering visually about 600 men, but, accord
ing to their statements, totaling 1,500 or
2.000 men, at TUumatl, on the western side
of the gulf. Just north of the mouth of the
Atrato river.
The commander of the Atlanta sent
ashore an officer, who conversed with the
Colombians' commander.
The latter protested energetically against
the presence of American warships In Co
lombian waters, insomuch ns war between
Colombia and the United States had not
been declared, and politely requested the
Atlanta to leave the gulf, because It be
longed to Colombia.
Commander Turner Ignored the request
and the Atlanta returned to Colon to report
to Rear Admiral Coghlan.
The Colombians are clearly busy with pro
tective and strengthening measures. Al
though they treated the Americans cour
teously, they uecidedly resented the pres
ence of the Atlanta's landing party.
The Colombian force was composed part
ly of the men landed recently at the Atrato
river by the Colombian cruisers Cartagena
and General Pinzon.
Story of the Expedition.
Early In the morning of December 15 the
Atlanta sighted a small schooner In the
center of the Gulf of Darien and followed
her to the western shore, where the schoon
er attempted to hide behind an Islet. Lieu
tenant Harlan P. Perrlll of the Atlanta was
ordered to board her, and thereupon a
whaleboat was lowered and pulled toward
the schooner.
Through the courtesy of the naval officers
the correspondent of the Associated Press
accompanied the party In the whaleboat.
It was found that the schooner had on
board a hundred armed Colombian soldiers,
commanded by General Rafael Novo, who
said General Daniel Ortiz, commander-in
chief of the Colombian forces of the Atlan
tic and the Pacific, had a large camp a mile
away, on the mainland.
General Novo requested Lieutenant Per
rlll to land and confer with General Oriz.
After temporarily returning to the Atlanta
Lieutenant Perrill went back to the schoon
er, which In the meantime had taken up a
position off a beach within a small bay.
Colombians Enthusiastic Over Arrival.
Great excitement prevailed among the Co
lombians on the whaleboat s approach.
There were repeated cries of "Viva Colom
bia!" and there was a sudden concentration
of about 150 Colombian soldiers on the
beach.
For some moments the situation appeared
dangerous and had the appearance of am
buscade. General Ortiz appeared on the
beach when Lieutenant Perrlll went ashore,
the whaleboat In the meanwhile lying close
to the beach.
General Ortiz Insisted that Lieutenant '
Perrill should fly the Colombian flag at the
bow of the whaleboat, or lower the Ameri
can flag at her stern, because she was in
Colombian waters.
Lieutenant Perrlll replied that he did not
have a Colombian flag, and refused to low- i
er the stars and stripes. General Ortiz did
not insist upon his so doing, but he pro
tested In writing against the presence of
the Americans In Colombian waters. Lieu
tenant Perrlll accepted the protest and con
veyed It to Commander Turner, who handed
It to Rear Admiral Coghlan on his arrival '
here.
American Surrounded by Sentinels.
During the conference with the Colom
bians ashore Lieutenant Perrill was sur
rounded by General Ortiz's staff, while In
land, a few paces, there was a semi-circle
of arm?d sentinels. The beach In both di
rections was also lined by sentinels.
General Ortls did not permit Lieutenant
Perrlll to leave the point of the beach
where he landed. While Perrlll was await
ing the Colombian protest First Lieut. Ed
ward B. Ma nwaring, commanding the ma
rine guard of the Atlanta, rowed up In a
cutter for the purpose of communicating
?with Lieutenant Perrlll and to gain certain
military Information. Lieutenant Manwar
lng went ashore and the cutter Joined the
whaleboat off the beach.
Requested Atlanta to Leave.
Lieutenant Perrlll returned to the At
lanta at 3 o'clock In the afternoon. Lieu
tenant Manwaring, before returning, pulleu
In the cutter along the coast, observing
the Colombian camp. Later in the day Gen
eral Ortiz requested the Atlanta, to leave.
The Colombian camp appeared to be per
manent, was well provisioned and prob
ably destined to be used as a base of opera
tions.
General Oritz and others freely expressed
the determination of Colombia to light to
the bitter end In case General Reyes' visit
to W ashlngton Is not successful and Pana
ma Is not returned to Colombia.
Public Opinion Pavors Treaty.
PANAMA. December 17 ?The Junta's de
oree tixing December 28 as the date for the
election of representatives to the national
convention has been received with enthus
iasm In the towns in the Interior of the re
public. There la no doubt that public opin
ion favors the canal treaty with the United
States and the candidacy of Dr. Amador
for the presidency.
ACTION B7 NICARAGUA.
The New Republic of Panama Recog
nized.
Acting; Secretary Loo mis today received
a cablegram from U. S. Minister Merry, at
San Jose, C. R.. stating that the govern
ment of Nicaragua has recognized the new
republic of Panama by appointing a con
sul at Panama City. Considerable interest
attaches to this announcement because of
tho doubtful state of feeling toward the
new republic of the other nations of South
and Central America, only two of whom,
Brazil and Mexico, had so far accorded
recognition to Panama.
Landing the Prairie's Marines.
In a cablegram from Rear Admiral Cogh
lan. commanding the naval force In Atlan
tic-Isthmian waters, which reached the
Navy Department overnight, the landing Is
recorded of the battalion of marines from
the Prairie, who will go Into camp there at
Gorgona, an Inland village on the line of the
Panama railroad. The medical officers have
reported that the health conditions there
are fairly satisfactory. Gorgona Is some dis
tince above the pea level and !t Is hoped
the men will be free from tropical Illness
there. The Dixie's battalion of marines has
encamped at Empire, an elevated spot not
far from Panama. Care will be taken that
all the American forces on the Isthmus shall
drink only distilled water and the Prairie
will be kept nearby for the purpose of dis
tilling an adequate supply.
Brigadier General George E. Elliott, com
mandant of the Marine Corps, may be or
dered to the Isthmus to make a reconnois
sance of the country, and should the situa
tion demand to assume command of the
marine forces there. The matter has not yet
been decided but it is said by a high official
of the Navy Department that the subject is
receiving serious consideration. If General
Elliott Is ordered to the isthmus he will
probably go south on the Dixie, which sails
from Colon today for Philadelphia to bring
back the new battalion of marines which
la to be known as the Caribbean Sea Divis
ion. The decision to send General Elliott
will depend largely on the progress of
events.
A cablegram received from Rear Admiral
Glass today said that the situation on both
sides of the isthmus was quiet and satis
factory. No further rumors of Colombian
troops moving on Panama have been re
ported. and the officials here are of the
opinion that the suggestions of General
Rafael Reyes, the Colombian envoy here,
have prevailed and that hostilities will not
be resorted to pending the completion of his
mission.
Courtesy to Gen. Reyes.
It is said at the Navy Department that
the question of placing a warship at the
disposal of Gen. Rafael Reyes, the Colom
bian special envoy, to convey him home
when he shall have completed his mission,
ha<"i not yet been taken up by the State or
Navy Departments. The Navy Department
is prepared to respond promptly In case the
State Department decides to offer Gen.
Reyes the courtesy. It seems to be taken
for granted that he will return to Colombia
In a short time.
Secretary Moody has Instructed Rear Ad
miral Coghlan to send a war vessel to Car
tagena to bring United States Minister
Beaupre to Colon, the minister having de
cided to avail himself of the leave of ab
sence granted him some time ago.
The Olympia Sails for Colon.
The cruiser Olympia, flagship of Rear
Admiral Coghlan, commanding the Carib
bean squadron, left Norfolk this morning
for Colon.
The cruiser Dixie left Colon this morning
for Philadelphia to take on board the bat
talion of marines being assembled at that
city for service on the Isthmus.
Rear Admiral Barker reports to the Navy
Department today the arrival at Culebra
of the battle ships Kearsarge, Alabama,
Massachusetts and Illinois.
Word has been received at the Navy De
partment of the arrival at. Honolulu of the
battle ships Kentucky, Wisconsin and Ore
gon. and the cruisers New Orleans, Albany,
Cincinnati. Raleigh. Nanshan and Pompey.
The battle ships left Yokohama on the Bth
Instant, two days behind the cruiser squad
ron, and made good progress on the voyage.
It is not known how long the fleet will re
main at Honolulu, but In view of the possi
bilities of trouble on the Isthmus of Pana
ma It is not believed that the vessels under
Admiral Evans' command will be hastened
back to the Chinese station.
The cruisers Minneapolis. Yankee and To
peka and the training ship Hartford have
arrived at New Orleans to take part In the
Louisiana purchase celebration.
The battle ship Maine has arrived at
TompklnBVllle. the Solace at San Francisco,
the Hannibal at Hampton Roads and- the
Terror at Norfolk. The Monterey left Hong
Kong yesterday for Canton and the Cleve
land has left Portsmouth, N. H., for New
York.
DELAYING ACTION.
Why England and The Hague Do Not
Recognize Panama.
Pending the result of the efforts of Gen.
Rafael Reyes to prevail on Panama,
through the Washington government, to
assume her portion of the Colombian debt,
It Is not expected that Great Britain or the
Netherlands will take any steps toward of
ficially recognizing the new republic. This
delay, It Is explained. Is due solely to the
desire of the London and The Hague gov
ernments to protect the interests of their
subjects who are the largest holders of
Colombian bonds, and not as signifying
sympathy on the part of these two nations
for Colombia. It can be further stated that
Great Britain and the Netherlands regard
the Isthmian incident as a closed chapter
of international history to which they have
already subscribed their unofficial approval.
TO RETURN ON WARSHIP.
The Government Will Sustain the
Course of Consul Davis.
Mr. Francis B. Loomls, assistant secre
tary of state, whose recent address before
the Quill Club of New York created a pro
found Impression In diplomatic olrcles here,
has returned to Washington and is acting
secretary of state today In the absence of
Secretary Hay, who 1s recovering from an
attack of grip. Mr. Loomls held a confer
ence with Mr. Adee, second assistant secre
tary, this morning regarding the Turkish
situation. The emphatic Instructions which
Mr. Adee sent to Mr. Leishman to demand
an apology and reparation from the porte
for the alleged Insult to Consul Davis re
ceived Mr. Loomls' approval."
As a result of Min.ster Lelshman's ad
vices, respecting the Alexandretta affair,
the State Department has requested the
Navy Department to place a warship at the
disposal of Consul Davis, now at Beirut,
upon which he may return to his post at
Alexandretta. The Navy Department ac
cordingly cabled instructions to Re ir Ad
miral Cotton, on board the flagship Brook
lyn, at Alexandria, Egypt, to place a ves
sel at the disposal of Mr. Davis. It is be
lieved the San Francisco, at Beirut, will be
selected for th's service.
A further advice from Minister Leishman,
at Constantinople, to tlie State Department
shows that he has made a very energetic
protest to the porte against the action of
the Turkish officials at Alexandretta in the
case of Consul Davis. Mr. Leishman s
latest cablegram further sustains United
States Consul Davis In his action, and the
State Department consequently is not dis
posed to regard favorably any complaints
from the porte against his defense of natu
ralized American citizens.
TO GO TO COREA.
The Wilmington Will Probably Be De
tailed.
At tho request of Minister Allen, at Seoul,
who reports considerable uneasiness and
rioting In Corea the 8tate Department baa
suggested to the Navy Department that a
warship be sent to Corean waters. It Is
probable the Wilmington will be detailed for
this purpose.
HOUSE DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
Favorable Action Will Be Recommend
ed on Several Measures.
The House committee on the District of
Columbia, with Representative Babcock as
chairman, met this morning at 10 o'clock
and decided to recommend favorable action
cn several measures recently Introduced in
the House and referred to the committee
for consideration.
In the ordinary course of events tomor
row would be District day In the House,
but a plan has been agreed upon whereby
no local legislation will be undertaken until
after the Christmas recess, which begins
with the adjournment of Saturday and
continues until Monday, January 4. The
first day for District business will there
fore he Friday, January 8.
The committee will recommend favorable
action on the bill introduced at the Instance
of the District Commissioners amending the
act regulating the height of buildings in
the District of Columbia by including with
in the provisions of the law regarding tire
proof construction, all hotels, dormitories,
etc.
The bill presented to the House by Chair
man Babcock providing for the abatement
of nuisances will be reported favorably with
a slight amendment as to the service of
notices. The measure is designed to reach
non-resident owners of property.
The Joint resolution authorizing the Com
missioners to permit the temporary erec
tion of pcles and stringing of wires in con
nection with the terminal and union station
work was likso taken up by the committee,
and will be favorably reported.
ACTION POSTPONED.
Gen. Wood's Case Goes Over Until
After the Holidays.
The Senate committee on m'litary afTairs
met today and dee'ded to postpone action
on the case of Gen. Leonard Wood until
January 4. It is planned to go over the en
tire testimony that was Introduced in the
investigation of charges and give time for
the preparation of the majority and minor
ity reports which will be mad?. The major
ity report, it is expected, will be an indorse
ment of General Wood's military and civil
record In Cuba.
The action of the committee was unan
imous in deciding to close the introduction
of testimony and taking a vote January 4,
although a few members of the committee
were In favor of voting today, and argued
In favor of this course. It was declared
that to vote today would lead to the Infer
ence on the part of the public that the case
had been prejudged. It is said the unanim
ity of action In closing the Inquiry does not
have any direct bearing on the vote for
confirmation. The testimony introduced
last night had not been received In printed
form for consideration of the committee.
It also Is desirable that the testimony and
the exhibits ofTered be rearranged in order
to facilitate the Senate In understanding
and digesting the charges made against
confirmation.
Senator Scott made the protest against
reporting on the nomination today, claim
ing that the committee, as jurors, should
read and weigh the evidence. He expressed
the opinion that any attempt to railroad
the nomination through the committee and
the Senate would confirm the opinion that
the matter had been prejudged.
ARMY OFFICER IN TROUBLE.
Action for Divorce is Followed by
Charges of Duplicating Pay Accounts.
NEW YORK, December 17.?Charges of
duplicating his pay accounts for the months
of October and November were today pre
ferred against Capt. John W. L Phillips,
27th United States Infantry, by Col. Fran
cis S. Dodge, chief paymaster of the De
partment of the East.
Col. Dodge has forwarded the papers in
the case to the paymaster general at Wash
ington for further action.
Capt. Phillips Is on leave of absence from
his regiment, which is now stationed in the
Philippines. Following immediately on the
heels of the suit for divorce brought by the
captain, in which Mrs. Phillips brings coun
ter charges, the case has awakened unusual
interest in army circles.
SENSATIONAL EXIT.
Oen. Castro Assisted by a Squad of Sol
diers to Ship From Panama.
SAN FRANCISCO. December 17.?The Pa
cific Mall steamer Barracouta, Just arrived
here from Panama, transported Gen. De
metrlo Castrp of the Colombian forces
away from the seat of trouble to Punta
Arenas, Costa Rica. His departure was
rather sensational.
When the new republic of Panama was
proclaimed Gen. Castro was requested to
take the oath of allegiance. He refused
and was ordered to leave the country.
Falling to do so, a squad of soldiers wait
ed upon him and escorted him aboard the
Barracouta, then about to sail. His land
ing at Punta Arenas was quiet.
THREE BURNED TO DEATH.
Mother and Two Children Perish in a
Fire at Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, December 17.?Mrs.
Harry L. Smith and her two children,
Harry, aged three years, and Albert, aged
three months, were burned to death early
today by a fire which occurred in their
home at Oaklane, a suburb.
They were asleep when the Are started.
Mrs. Elisabeth Sfaellmite was badly burned
while endeavoring to awaken them. The
cause of the lire is unknown.
SUFFOCATED TO DEATH.
Three Men Die in a Fire and Others
Escape by Jumping.
SAULT STE. MARIE, December 17.?
Martin Olson, John Rusk and Lars Ander
son were suffocated to death In a fire in
Peter Sundstrum's saloon on Water street
today. Mrs. Sundstrum suffered a broken
leg by jumping from the second-story win
dow.
The three Swedes came Into the saloon
late last night and fell asleep, one on the
floor, one in his chair and one on a couch.
In these positions they were all found
dead after the Are had been distinguished.
Sundstrum, his wife and child and Ed
Nleman and his wife and child were asleep
on the second floor, and were compelled to
Jump from the window when they discov
ered the tiames.
DEATH OF PROMINENT WOMAN.
Wife of President of University of
Michigan Dies at Ann Arbor.
ANN ARBOR, Mich., December 17.?Mrs.
James B. Angel), wife of the president of
the University of Michigan, died at her
residence here today of pneumonia, after a
very brie, illness. The university will be
closed today out of respect for her memory
and the president's bereavement, and wlQ
not be reopened until after the holidays.
Mrs. Angell, who was born in Providence,
R. I., was the daughter of a famous college
president. Alexis Caswell of Brown Uni
versity, and had spent her whole life in
college work. She was married to Presi
dent Angell in 1845.
Mrs. Angell presided over the American
legation of Peking, China, while Mr. Angell
was United States minister to that country.
She was also a prominent member of the
women's board of the world's fair at Chi
cago.
Mrs. Angell is survived by three children.
Prof. James D. Angell of Chicago Univer
sity, Mrs. A. C. McLaughlin of Washington,
and Alexis C. Angell of Detroit
LOST HIS LIFE.
Englishman Killed in Berlin' While
Rescuing Young Woman.
BERLIN, December 17.?Miss von Rhein
baben. daughter of the finance minister.
Baron von Rheinbaben, had a narrow
escape from serious Injury or death today.
She fell between two electric cars, but an
English naval constructor, Henry Davidson
of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, rushed to her as
sistance. and in pulling Miss von Rhein
baben out of danger was killed by one of
the oars.
CONSIDERED SERIOUS
Situation at Tokio Assumes
Grave Import,
FAYOE A STRONG FRONT
CONFERENCE OF EMINENT MEN
or JAPAN.
Only Material Concessiona From Russia
Will Avert War?No Settlement
for Some Weeks.
TOKIO, December 17.?The conference of
the elder statesmen of Japan, Including the
Marquis Ito and the cabinet ministers, yes
terday resulted, according to a semi-of
ficial statement, in a determination to pre
sent a strong front to Russia, la view of
the latter's unsatisfactory reijly to the Jap
anese proposals.
LONDON, December 17.?Opto Associated
Press is Informed that an intimation has
been received here In official quarters f row
Japan that the Russian draft of the pro
posed agreement Is not acceptable in Its
present form, and that farther negotia
tions on liciortant questions of principle
will be necessary before a final settlement
can be reached. Both the Japanese and
British officials In London. however, main
tain the views they expressed in these dis
patches December 14, that a distinct step
toward peace has been made, and they re
main optimistic in regard to an ultimate
pacific settlement.
Another report says it is understood that
although the Russian reply was considered
highly unsatisfactory the conference de
cided to make another and probably last
attempt to arrive at a friendly settlement.
The situation Is considered grave. Even
the most sober section of the Japanese
press declares it is high time for action.
In addition to tho Marquis Ito, Field Mar
shal Yamagata, senior Held BtaMbal of the
Japanese army and formar p renter; Count
Matsukata, one of the greatest 'financiers
modern Japan has prodMed, and twice
premier of Japan; Count former
Japanese ambassador to (JOrea, and at one
time a finance minister ok:Japan, and the
Marquis Oyama, the field Marshal who dis
tinguished himself In the war between
Japan and China, were aaaortg those who
took part In the conference yesterday be
tween the elder statesmen of Japan and
Premier Katsura, the foreign miaister, the
war minister and the marhte minteter, last
ing three houiq.
Diplomats in th?Dfciifc
ST. PETERSBURG, JDeteatoa* IT.?The
reticence of tlie foreign offece fcete has In
creased since the dispatea.af th* reply of
Russia to Jap^i, and thfe: ofBphtfB decline
to confirm or dany reports ?ttfie character
of the reply printed abroad. It
The feeling in .diplomatic ctrtpes today is
not quite so opfwimftc aait Has beerfc but
possibly this is ohiy a "reflex of the opinion
of the foreign prees, as the diplomats them
selves admit they are very much in the
dark. ' -
It Is helieved the unfavorable impression
apparently created on the Japanese gov
ernment by the reply. Is due to ftussla's un
willingness to place the.settlement of the
Corean and Manchurian questions on the
same footing. *
Russia's Motive.
Russia desires to cover only the former
with the treaty, leaving the latter on a sort
of understanding, the exact character of
which is not determined upon. Further ne
gotiations will be necessary If Japan in
sists, with the alternative of their entire
suspension. If the negotiations *are broken
oft it will not necessarily mean eventuali
ties. On this point a prominent diplomat
said:
Negotiations for Peace, Not War.
"It seems to be forgotten that the pres
ent negotiations were not undertaken to
settle a pressing, vital Issue, the failure of
which would precipitate war, but for the
purpose of assuring peace In the future by
clearing up misunderstandings regarding
possible conflicting interests. Now, If the
attempt fails It will natutall? leave a
strained situation, but war would only fol
low an actual encroachment 'by- one power
on one of the supposed right# of the other."
By an official of the State Department it
was said today that although the official
advices from the far east were exceedingly
meager, enough was known -of the negotia
tions at Tokio between Ruaria and Japan
to make the prediction that war ean be
averted only by Russia ottering material
concessions to Japan in Corea?in fact,
practically recognizing Japan's protectorate
over the hermit kingdom. It was further
said that the officials here do not expect a
complete settlement of tbb question for
several weeks. v.
Few cablegrams have been received from
Mr. Griscom, the Amerlcdn minister at
Tokio, bearing on the negotiations. Mrs.
Griscom, It is learned, has left Tokio for
this country, having been called home by
the illness of her mother.
Death of Capt. E. E. Benjamin.
Gen. Wade, commanding the Division of
the Philippines, has notified the War De
partment that Capt. Everett E. Benjamin,
27th Infantry, died in the hoapital at Ma
nila this morning of malarial fever. Capt.
Benjamin waa born in New fork and was
a student at the Military Academy from
July, 1879, to January. 1880. Ha was ap
pointed second Heutenawt of the 1st In
fantry in October, 1884, and reached tin
grade of captain in March, I860.
x ? ??
BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Saturday's Star Will Be a
Big Holiday Nam bar.
Next Saturday's? St4? will
be an advance Christmas
number. 1
It will include a beautifully
colored supplement Entitled,
"Christmas Morn," *nd in
additiorr to the usual amount
of interesting reading matter
three new stories by Count
Tolstoy, and a namber of
specially prepared Articles ol
a holiday nature, profusely il
lustrated, will be published.
Saturday's Star wiU be a
veritable magazine, and an
unusually interesting one.
? ? ?a
?UBA: 'TVE WON HER AT LAST.'
TO SUCCEED PROCTER
GEN. BLACK ASKED TO BECOME
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONER.
1 Commander-in-Chief of the G.
-J. -? * . .. " r. c .
A. ' R.?Pensions Commissioner
President Roosevelt lias offered the posi
tion of civil service commissioner to Gen.
John C. Black of Illinois, commissioner of
pensions under President Cleveland, and at
present commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R.
general Black was eteetea commander-in
chief at |he last encampment in San Fran
cisco. The tender was made to General
Blade by telegraph yesterday, Taut his an
swer has not been received.
John Charles Black was born at Lexing
ton, Miss., January 27, 1839. He received a
Gen. John, C. Black.
common school education at Danville, 111.,
and entered the Wabash College, at Craw
fordsvllle, Ind., from which he was gradu
ated with the degree of M. A. Later he
was given the degree of LL.D. by Knox
College.
At the outbreak of the civil war he en
tered the Union army as a private and
served throughout the hostilities, being
mustered out of the service as a brevet
brigadier general,s U. 8. volunteers. His
public life began at the close of the civil
war. He was appointed commissioner of
pensions in 1886, and held that office for
four years.
He was elected to Congress froji Illinois
in 1898. and at the expiration of one term
he became United States attorney for the
northern district of Illinois, with which
office he was identified for the succeeding
four years.
He is a past commander of the Military
Order of the Loyal Legion of Illinois, and
was elected commander-in-chief of tne
Grand Army of the Republic at the en
campment held in the latter part of August
of this year at San Francisco.
General Black, who Is well known in
Washington, may conclude, it Is said, that
he can be of benefit to the old soldiers by
accepting the position. In which case he
would do so, but It is not expected that his
acceptance will be quickly forthcoming.
There la doubt whether Gen. Black will
accept the offer. That he Is eminently fitted
for the place Is not doubted, and the offer
of the President is commended on all sides.
Gen. Black, however, as commander-in
chief of the G. A. R., has much work to
do, and the fact that he ic an active demo
crat and that a campaign is approaching,
may prevent his coming to Washington at
this time. The salary Is also not a consid
eration with him. In case of the declina
tion by Gen. Black the President has be
fore him the names of many other demo
crats.
Should Gen. Black not aocept the position
the nana of Gen. M. C. Butler of South
Carolina, Is prominently mentioned. As
Mr. Procter was a former confederate, It
is suggested that his successor might, with
propriety, be a man who followed that
cause. Another man who might have an
excellent chance is Mere ditto Nicholson of
Indiana, the author of "The Main Chance."
Lucien B. Swift, president of the state
civil service oommtaalon of Indiana, would
like to see Mr. Nicholson appointed to the
portion and will urge htm if there Is op
portunity. Among others who are men
tioned are Thomas H. Clark, law librarian
of the law library of Congress; Francis G.
Caffey, a prominent lawyer of Alabama,
now In New Tork; ex-Representative Wil
liam H. Fleming of Georgia, and George B.
Gardener of Kentucky.
Snate Agrees to Adjourn Saturday.
After the passage of the Cuban bill yes
terday afternoon the Senate agreed to the
House resolution providing for a holiday
recess from December 18 to January 4.
JUBAN BILL SIGNED
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT HAS NOW
BECOME NATIONAL LAW.
Favored Nation Discussion Likely to
Be Renewed by Great Britain, Ger
many, Franco and Austria.
President Roosevelt signed the Cuban re
ciprocity bill at 12:65 o'clock today, those
present being Representative Wachter of
1 Maryland, chairman of the committee on
i enrolled bills ot the House; Secretary Loeb.
William Barnes. Jr., of Albany, who hap
pened to be talking with the President at
the time, and Judge J. H. Fechtig of Balti
more. a personal friend of Representative
Wachter.
Used a Special Pen.
The bill was taken to the White House
by Representative Wachter and laid before
the President, who at once affixed his sig
nature. There was no formality of any kind,
and the President gave no consideration to
the measure, the contents of which were
fully understood by him. Mr. Wachter had
with him the gold pen with which the bill
had been signed by the Speaker of the <
House und the President pro tempore of
| the Senate, and the President used this pen,
which will i>e turned over to Minister Que
sada of Cuba. Mr. Queeada called at the
White House in the morning to ask that
he be given the pen to present to the Na
tional Museum at Havana.
The bill reached the White House much
earlier than expected. During the morning
It was thought he bill would not be enrolled
and signed in time to get to the President
before 2 or 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Will Issue Proclamation.
The President will issue a proclamation
that is now being prepared at the State
Department. This will put into effect the
i blil. Article XI of the treaty with Cuba
provides that the treaty shall go into ef- I
feet "on the 10th day after the exchange of
ratifications, and shall continue In force for
the term of five years from the date of go
ing into effect." According to the terms of
tnis article the customs duties on goods
from Cuba will not be changed until ten
days from todaj, which concluded the ex
change of ratifications.
? After the proclamation by the President
the Treasury Department will send out to
collectors Instructions as to the time when
the MR takes effect and the change In the
rate_of duties.
An Interesting Question.
Now that the bill has become a law an
other question of the greatest interest has
arisen, namely, the effect of the reduction
of the duty on Cuban sugar upon importa
tions of sugar from other countries. The
British government has served formal
notice upon the State Department that
under the favored nation clause it expects
that the British sugar from the British
West Indies shall be admitted into tlie
United States on equal terms with Cuban
sugar, and it is not doubted that Germany,
France, Austria and the other great beet
sugar producing countries will do likewise.
An old holding of Attorney General Olney
In President Cleveland's administration was
adverse to such demands, lj>it the question
promises to be reopened with vigor.
TO ESCORT OUR MINISTER.
American Squadron Will Go to tlie
Port of Cartagena.
Rear Admiral Coghlan, commanding all
the naval vessels on the Caribbean const
of the Isthmus of Panama, has been or
dered to take a squadron to Cartagena on
the north coast of Colombia for the purpose
of escorting United States Minister Beau
pre, who Is coming home on leave of ab
sence, from that port to Colon, where he
will take passage on a regular passenger
steamship for New York. It Is said at the
Navy Department that there is no special
significance in this movement and that in
stead of being Intended as an unfriendly
demonstration against Colombia It is de
signed "more as a compliment" to that
country. _
In announcing his purpose of returning to
the United States, Minister Beaupre re
quested that a warship meet him at Carta
gena for the purpose of facilitating his
Journey to New York. It Is not known what
vessels will consdtute the squadron on this
cruise, but it is understood that Admiral
Coghlan wiU make it as large and represen
tative as possible, without leaving Colon
entirely unprotected. The trip from Colon
to Cartagena will take a few days only,
and It is probable that the presence of one
warship a.t the Panaman port will be
deemed sufficient to safeguard the rights or
the United States during the brief absence
of the squadron.
Although the officials disclaim any pur
pose of intimidating the Colombian authori
ties by this movement. It is generally ad
mitted that its execution will serve a salu
tary purpose In showing the Colombians
the folly and futility of attempting to make
any forcible interference with the execution
of the United States policy of guarding the
isthmus and preventing a hostile invasion
of Panama by Colombian forces.
All advertisers certl*
fy to the influence The
Star has on those who
buy. That is the test.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Important Conference Today
Between "The Big Five."
CRANE FOR CHAIRMAN
RAILWAY INSPECTORS CALL ON
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
Philadelphia Postmaster Will Retain
His Office?Jacob Riis Says Fare
well?Many Callers.
What Is regarded as an extremely im
portant conference from ft political stand
point took place at the White House this
afternoon, the occasion being a luncheon,
at which there were five people, all of them
figures of national prominence. It might
be called appropriately a meeting of the
"big live." With the President were Secre
tary Root. Senator Lodge, ex-Gov. Murray
Crane of Massachusetts and Secretary Cor
telyou.
There could hardly be (fathered together
five men about whose meeting there could
be greater significance at this time of po
litical talk and scheming. Secretary Root
is soon to retire from the cabinet, but ha
does not do so in the sense of severing him
self from the political fortunes of the Presi
dent. Within the republican family there
are no two men whose political advice Is
taken, more quickly than Secretary Root
anil Senator .Lodge. They are personally
anil politically as close to the President US
any men in the country. Secretary Cortel
you may be ranked in the same class.
Crane to Be Chairman.
With the practical certainty that ex-Gov.
Murray Crane Is to be the chairman of the
republican national committee next year,
there is much for conjecture in this gather
ing. Senator Hanna having eliminated him
self from the chairmanship it has been
known that the President would ask ex
Gov. Crane to accept the position. So far
as influence with men of business, wealth
and standing in the country is concerned,
Mr. Crane is not excelled by Senator
Hanna, and In political sagacity and states
manship he Is declared by many to be the
equal of the man from Ohio.
With the five men In conference there
were things said and decided upon that
would make columns of reading and gossip
without end, but there are no Are men In
the country who can more easily keep to
themselves what took place.
There has been some talk recently. that
M*. Crane would not b* able to acc-pt the
position and that the President had asked
Secretary Root to set aside his personal
lessons for leaving public life and 'ake the
place. It is still, however, understood that
Mr. Crane will aoeept the position, and
, there Is a strong belief that the ponfwence
: was for the purpose of outlining nrellmi
i\ary steps to the next campaign. The fore
gone fact that the President will receive
the nomination gives him and his friondfl
every opportunity to begin steps toward
getting in shape for the cnmpsjgn Just aa
soon as they wish. By beginning some or
ganization they will, also, be In position to
stamp out incipient opposition to the Presi
dent wherever it arises.
It is likely that within a short time some
definite official announcement will be made
of Senator Hanna's determination not to
manage the next campafgn and the Presi
dent's desire to have the place go to ex
Gov. Crane.
Presented to the President.
Fifteen of the interstate commerce com
mission's inspectors of railway safety ap
pliances were presented to President
Roosevelt today by Edward A. Moseley,
secretary of the commission. The inspect
ors are practical trainmen?conductors,
firemen, engineers and others?-employd
on the various railroads of the country. In
presenting them to the President Secretary
Moseley said they represented the sinew
of the railway service of the United States.
"Not the sinew alone," interjected the
President, quickly," ''but the brain and
heart also."
The inspectors are In Washington in
connection with an application for an ex
tension of time for the adoption by all tha
railroads of the safety appliances required
by act of Congress.
McMcMichael Will Remain.
Clayton McMichael, postmaster of Phil
adelphia, will remain in his present posi
tion and President Roosevelt will dismiss
the oharges against him that were made ?.y
the civil service commission, which was
unanimous in Its belief that he had sanc
tioned partisan political work on the part
of letter oarriers and other federal em
ployee.
The civil service commission, through
Commissioner Cooiey, who Investigated the
charges, reported to the President that
there appeared to be sufficient foundation
for the charges to require an explanation
from Mr. McMichael. The President turn
ed the papers over to Postmaster General
Payne, whose Investigation resulted in re
porting that there was not sufficient ground
for the charges to cause the dismissal of
the. postmaster.
While no official announcement has been
made by the President, It is now known
that he will dismiss the charges against
Mr. McMichael. Senator Penrose of Penn
sylvania called at the White House tnis
morning, but said that he did not discuss
the Philadelphia post office with the Presi
dent, as that was "a dead issue, having
been settled already."
Numerous Visitors.
Representative Bartholdt of Missouri pre
sented E. W. Flentge, who has been in
dorsed for postmaster at Cape Girardeau,
the oldest town In Missouri. Mr. Flentge
was agreed upon for the place a good while
ago to succeed Postmaster Blewlrih, who
made the mistake of organizing an Inde
pendent republican movement in a recent
election and bringing about the defeat of
the regular republican ticket, which in
volved a member of the legislature. For
this offense the republican organisation
promptly "harpooned" Postmaster Ble
wlrth and agreed upon Mr. Flentge. The
call of Representedve Bartholdt was to
ascertain why the appointment had not
been made. The President said he would
send the name of Mr. Flentge to the Sen
ate in a few days.
Jacob Riis, who has been a guest of the
President for several days, bid his host
good-bye this morning.
Senator Hopkins ot Illinois this morning
presented ex-Governor Fifer of Illinois, who
was yesterday nominated as a member of
the interstate commerce commission.
Senators Nelson and Clapp of Minnesota
presented United States Marshal Grimsnaw
of that state, whose present teim expired
Saturday. The President sent to the Sen
ate the nominaUon of Marshal Grlmshaw
for another term.
Senators Dolliver and Allison called on
the President this morning and a few min
utes later Representative Hemenway of
Indiana walked Into the President's room.
"Yes. I confess I w *nt to get a Job for an
Indiana man. but the two Iowa senators
were ahead of me and they told the Presi
dent such a good tale about Iowa not hav
ing had her share of offices that I did not
get anything," said Mr. Hemenway, but
Senators Dolliver and Allison were not
there to defend themselves.
Representattve Wade of Iowa, Senator
Ball of Delaware. Representative Hard*
wick 01" Georgia. ex-Gov. Bradley of Ken