Evening star. [volume], April 29, 1904, Image 1

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

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No. 15,968. WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1901-TWENTY PAGES. TWO CENTS.
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published pailt, ixospt Sunday.
Basin*?s OSm, Utt ?mt ul PtMsylTaaia Atmm.
The Evening SUr Niwspsper Company.
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flew York 05*: xriWns iwildiaf.
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ImMM
Admiral Yeszen Returned
From Korean Coast Exploit.
TflEGOYO-MAEU AFFAIR
RUSSIAN VERSION OF ATTACK
AND SINKING OF SHIP.
japs Kept Up Fire After Discovering
Futility of Escape?Tokyo's
Story of Disaster.
(VLADIVOSTOK, April 29.?The squadron
Sbmmanded by Rear Admiral Yeszen has
returned here from Its recent operations off
the Korean coast.
The squadron, consisting of the armored
Cruisers Russia. Rurlk and Gromobol and
the protected cruiser Bogatypr, put to sea
at daybreak, April 28. The Rurlk returned
the following day, but the others proceed
ed to Won-San (Gen-San), Korea, and hove
to off the town during the morning of
April 25, about five miles from the en
trance to the bay.
Admiral Yeszen sent Into the bay two
torpedo boats, commanded by Lieutenants
Poehl and Maxlmoff. As they ran In to
wards the shore they found the Japanese
trading steamer Goyu-Maru at anchor,
"With a crew of about twenty men on
jboard. The latter were ordered ashore.
Lieutenant Maxlmnff boarded the Goyo
Jlam. took possession of her papers and
Baron Stackelburg,
Cilef ~.f the Russian Fleat at Vladivostok.
flag and then sent her to the bottom with
tt torpedo. The torpedo boats forthwith re
joined the squadron after four hours' ab
sence. ,
There wns no sign of troops ashore .ma
the ba> was empty, but It was learned that
{our Japanese torpedo boat destroyers had
put out to sea at dawn April 25.
Sighted Ship at Night.
The Russian squadron returned to Vladi
vostok and late during the night of April
?6 started on another expedition. At fl !n
the evening of April 27, when 300 miles
out, the squadron sighted a Japanese
steamer, with war stores on board. Her
crew, consisting of fifteen Koreans and
twelve Japanese, were placed In safety find
the steamer was sunk by a pyroxylin car
tridge fired from the Gromoboi by Lieut.
Bolotnikoff.
The same night, at about 11 o'clock, when
the squadron was twelve miles off Piaksin
bay, Korea, a large Japanese transport,
the Kinshiu-Maru. was overhauled. Her
commander mistook the Russian for a Jap
anese squadron, and signaled:
"I am bringing you coal."
The Russian commander promptly sig
naled In reply:
"Stop instantly."
Recognized Their Mistake.
The crew of the transport then recognized
their mistake and began to lower boats
and steam pinnaces with the greatest haste
and endeavored to escape, but the Russian
Bteam cutters captured them all.
On board the transport were four Hotch
Kiss guns of 47 millimeters. At the out
let it looked as if no unc was left on board,
t>ut on examination it was found that the
cabin was locked and barred.
Therein the Russiins found six infantry
officers, who surrendered without insistence
ar.d were taken on board the^ Rurlk.
In another part of the ship 130 infantry
men who refused to surrender, were found.
Admiral Yeszen, whose vessel was about
1,600 yards away, ordered his nion to leave
the transport. The Japanese soldiers then
Opened tire and wounded a Russian cox
swain. Afterward the transport was seat
^0 tho bottom by means of a mechanical
mine and a few shells.
Jays Kept Up Firing.
The Japanese on board did not oease
firing and made no attempt to save them
selves, although they had a launch in which
they eould have left the transport. The
flre of the Japanese actually continued un
til the waves closed over the whip.
Tho transport had on board not only
ammunition, but 2,000 tons of coal for Ad
miral Makamura.
The prisoners number 183, including sev
enteen officers. Altogether 210 prisoners
?Were taken by the Russian squadron, land- j
cd at Vladivostok, and Immediately dis
patched by train to Is'ikolsk.
It was reported at the time the Russian
cruisers were returning to Vladivostok that
a Japanese fleet of ten vessels was also
making for here, but it failed to reach
Vladivostok owing to the fog.
A wireless telegraph message was pick
ed up by the Russian ships while at sea.
It was In code and unintelligible, but was
evidently passing between the Japanese
Hhips.
Among the Japanese prisoners are a colo
nel and an officer of the general staff,
while the soldiers include a number of
Japanese who before the war worked as
artisans at Vladivostok.
Cruise Regarded Daring.
ST PETERSBURG, April 28, 3 p.m.?
The details of Rear Admiral Yeszen's raid
chow that It was entirely successful. The
admiral safely brought back his ships to
Vladivostok, after Inflicting material and
jnnral damnge on the enemy.
The cruise was most daring The enemy's
squadron was known to be In proximity,
which necessitated the prompt sinking of
the Japanese transport Klnshlu-Maru. The
conduct of the 130 troops remaining on
board the Kinshiu-Maru In refusing to
surrender and firing upon the Russians
^ven while the transiwrt was sinking, evokes
unbounded admiration. "The Japanese are
Jealous of our Chemulpo heroes," Is the
popular comment. At the same time t&a
action of the heroic ISO men did not leave
the Russians any alternative. They were
obliged to sink the transport, but means
of escape were left at the disposal of the
130 Japanese.
Puts Japs on Their Guaid.
The ability of Admiral Yeszen's ships to
reach Gen-San, 300 miles away. In twenty
two hours, as they did on the second ex
pedition, is certain to compel the Japanese
to be on their guard.
The raid shares editorial honors with the
arrival here of the survivors of the Varlag
and Korletz.
The papers point out the mendacity of
the Japanese claims that Gen-San was
strongly garrisoned, and believe that the
Russian advance from Plaksln bay will
not meet with strong resistance.
The Klnshiu-Maru evidently was convey
ing reinforcements to Song-Jin.
Geo. Kuropatkin.
Experts here severely criticise the care
lessness of sending transports without a
convoy.
While the naval men agree in praising
the new commander of the squadron. Vice
roy AlexlefT's defenders claim credit for
the viceroy, who kept the cruisers At Vladi
vostok and selected Admiral Yessen to
command them.
It is expected that the Russian activity
In eastern Korea will retard the opera
tions on the Yalu river.
HONORS TO SURVIVORS.
Enthusiastic Reception Accorded Sea
men From Russian Ships.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 29, 2:05 p.m.?
The oldest inhabitant of St. Petersburg
does not remember such an outburst of pop
ular enthusiasm as was witnessed today on
the arrival here of the survivors of the
Vartag and Korletz. Undeterred by the raw,
rainy weather, as many as a hundred thou
sand persons crowded the three-mile
Nevsky, from the railroad depot to the
palace square. The roofs and windows were
black with people waving naval flags.
The whole route was lined by soldiers,
sailors and cadets of the military school.
Every regiment was represented, as if the
emperor wished all his fighting men to see
how the brave are honored. Entrance to
the depot was only obtained by special
ticket, but no one was admitted after V
a.m., In view of the Impossibility of pass
ing through the crowd.
As the column of heroes approached the
portals of the winter palace the emperor
and empress came out on a balcony, greet
ed them and then retired to receive the
visitors in the magnificent Nicholas Hall,
which had been converted Into a church.
There a special te deum was sung. The
service was attended by a brilliant assem
blage, rendering all the more conspicuous
the tarnished uniforms of the noble Jackies
who fought at Chemulpo.
After the service all the sailors remained
and were banqueted as the emperor's
guests, going later to entertainments at the
city hall and at the people's palace.
TOKYO REPORTS 73 DROWNED.
Jap Story of the Sinking of the Trans
port.
TOKYO, April 29, 6 p.m.?Seventy-three
Japanese were killed or drowned as a result
of the sinking of the Japanese transport
Klnshiu-Maru, which was torpedoed by the
Russian armored cruiser Rossla at mid
night Monday last.
The Klnshiu-Maru parted from the con
voy of torpedo boats in a fog on Monday,
and at 11:30 p.m. met the Russian fleet. 8he
was ordered to stop and the Rossla steamed
alongside, summoned her navigating officers
on board the Ro?sia and sent a searching
party on board the transport. This party
discovered two companies of soldiers con
cealed below Hnd reported the fact to the
Rossla. The latter discharged a torpedo
which struck the Klnshiu-Maru amidships
and broke her In two.
While the transport was sinking the sol
diers on board of her rushed on deck and
tired volleys from their rifles Into the Ros
sla. and as the Klnshiu-Maru sank several
of the soldiers committed suicide.
Three boats which floated free from the
wreckage were the means of saving forty
five soldiers and nine of the KInshiu-Maru's
passengers and crew.
Two captains and three lieutenants were
among the soldiers drowned. The survivors
succeeded in getting ashore and were con
veyed by steamer to Gen-San today.
Gen-San Confirms Report.
loiter advices from Gen-San confirm the
reports that the Japanese soldiers killed or
drowned at the time of the sinking of the
Kii.shiu-Maru refused to surrender to the
Russians, preferring death. One non-com
mlssioned officer committed harlkari (sui
cide) according to the ancient custom, and
the others used rifles to kill themselves.
The official reports agree In placing the
number of men lost at seventy-flve. It i#
not known here how many Japanese the
Russians took from the ship or rescued
after she began sinking. It Is possible that
more survivors will be found, as one of the
Klnshlu-Maru's boats is still missing.
Captured Russian Steamers.
NAGASAKI, April 29, 1 p. m.?The case
of the capture of Russian steamers taken
over by the naval court of appeals at
Sasebo has been dismissed. M. Masujima,
a leading members of the Japanese bar,
who represented tht owners, urged that the
antiquated laws bearing upon the case
were unsulted to modern conditions of life,
and now was an opportunity for Japan to
establish a precedent for the benefit of
civilisation. The captured Russian officers
now held In detention at Sasebo will not be
released.
The Japanese steamer Klnshiu-Maru.
which was sunk by the Russians near Gen
San. resulting In the drowning of 200 Jap
anese" troops, was attached to the fleet
as a dispatch boat.
To Enforce Martial Law.
PEKING, April 29.? It is asserted on the
best authority that the Russians are about
to enforce martial law west of the Llao
river. The government is worried and the
dowager empress has ordered the provin
cial governors to abandon her birthday
celebration and to use the money collected
for that purpose to equip 72,000 troops Im
mediate!/.
Cabinet Discusses Measures
Passed by Congress.
THE PANAMA. CANAL
NOW VERTICALLY IN THE NAJttB
OF THE UNITED STATSS.
Preparations for Opening the St. Lorn3
Exposition Tomorrow?Mr. Dal
zell's Bad Luck.
The cabinet session today touched upon a
number of matters of no great consequence.
There was some discussion of measures
passed by Congress, and reference was
made to the fact that the Panama canal is ,
now virtually in the frands of the United
States. The payments are to be mad
within a few days. '
Postmaster General Payne attended his
first meeting In some tin*^ tovtajj^>*en
tion^f the affairs of the Post Office De
fsrsMatssr^-^B
starting a new Investigation of the de
s?rr*>tarv Wilson reported that tne uv
Venezuelan cattle. Of w ,/^n ihp cattle,
duties will have to be paldon the cattle.
They will be shipped ^ NewJTork^^
signed to an rbat.^ " lrnbBr imported, the
ere to be among the number 1 p
? y
jsa srss.s.'.oft
esuela will be rigidly Inspected.
Secretary Shaw D
dent the port of Charleston,
gSSSSS1. "? r?UoT ? O. President
?riven yesterday.
srsnsr;--;
time the President will press a Key of a
rcrsa-s ?si iss* S:
3 rTqul^ed^to ?operate the Cascade^
E SS! .""r^ ??
ceremony will take place in the <east room
and will be witnessed by a number of per
sons including some of the representatives
of the exposition and a number of "e^?"
caper men. Following the action of the
President In formally opening the exposi
tion he will send a congratulatory message
to President Francis and the world s fair
officials, a reply will be receWed and the
ceremony will have been completed except
for the firing of a national salute of twenty
one guns on the monument grounds, just,
south of the White House.
The Marine Band will be in attendance at
the White House during the ceremonies,
and the Postal Telegraph Company will
furnish the President with a golden tele
graph key for his use.
TVTr Dalzell's Bad Luck.
Representative Dalzell has had many ex
periences during the session of Congress
that he will not forget, but one of them
was more painful to him than any other
Mr. Dalzell had a friend in Pittsburg named
Charles F. McKenna, a lawyer. Mr. Dal
gell went to Attorney General Knox to see
If he could find a place for his friend Mc
Kenna. Mr. Knox thought for so.ne time,
and finally concluded that there was a va
cancy In a judgeship in Porto Rico. That
was just what Mr. Dalzell wanted. The
name was laid before the President by the
Attorney General, and It was transmitted
to the Senate a day or two before adjourn
ment. Eut Mr. Dalzell had forgotten the
most Important part of the whole affair.
That was to get the consent of the Penn
sylvania iterators to the transaction. He
never thought of it at all. but Senator Pen
rose, the tall, hard-thinking senator from
Pennsylvania, wondered who the man was
w hen he saw the name come to the Senate.
Being entirely unacquainted with Mr. Mc
Kenna and knowing nothing of the facts,
he gave a quiet word, and the nomination
was not confirmed before the Senate ad
journed. Thus was the power of a senator
demonstrated to one of th6 leading men of
the House. Mr. Dalzell was at the White
House today to see the President about the
matter, but It is not known what will be
done.
The President did not know that Senator
Penrose had not been consulted, otherwise
he would probably not have sent In the
nomination. It Is undecided whether he
will appoint Mr. McKenna during the re
cese, but if Mr. Dalzell makes things all
right with Senator Penrose everything may
be fixed.
In Behalf of Gov. Atkinson.
Senator Scott of West Virginia called on
the President today. He desired to say a
good word for ex-Gov. George W. Atkinson
for a Judgeship, preferably the one that
will be vacant on the supreme bench of the
District within a few days, and which has
Just been settled.
A good many member* of Congress called
on the President before the cabinet meet
ing this morning to tell him good-bye.
There were numerous otlier callers.
CARRIED AWAY ON THE ICE.
Disappear ance of Baron Toll's Polar
Expedition.
The story of an Arctic tragedy is outlined
in a commmlcatlon received at the State
Department from the Russian ambassador,
Count Casslnl, today in which he Inclosed
the notice of the complete disappearance
of a polar expedition from which nothing
has been heard for the past two years.
The Russian government has asked the
State Department to give the fullest pub
licity to the notice, which is as follows:
"The Imperial Academy of Sciences at
St. Petersburg. ?
"A reward for finding Baron Toll s ex
pedition party or any traces of it
"Baron Edward Toll, chief of the Polar
expedition sent out by the Academy or
Sciences, left the Bennett Island, lying
north of New Siberia, on October 26 (Nov
ember 8), 1SXT2. taking a southern direction.
He was accompanied by the astronomer
Seeberg and two Jukoots; Vabsily Goro
khov with the surname Chlchak, and Nico
las Protodiakonow, with the surname
Omook. The party seem to have been car
ried away by the ice, as the searches here
tofore have been in vain.
"A reward of roubles 5,000 is offered by
the Academy of Sciences for finding the
whole expedition pirty, or any part of It.
and a reward of roubles 2,50o for giving
the first exact Indications of tracing th?
party."
Senatorial Office Building
Commission in Session.
HAS WIDE DISCRETION
SITE TO HB JUNV2BED BY PUR
CHASE OB. CONDEMNATION.
Structure Will Be in Harmony With
the Office Building for Rep
resentatives.
Senators Culiom, Galllnger and Cockrell,
the commission create* to acquire a site
and to recommend plans for an office build
ing for the Senate, held Its first meeting at
the Capitol today in Senator Cullom's room.
The provision of the sundry civil bill au
thorizing the construction of this building
provides that It shall be erected on tlie
square north of the Capitol grounds bound
ed by B, 1st and C streets and Delaware
avenue, for which I7MMW0 is appropriated.
The cost of the building Is limited to
|2,2M),000.
The commission is given very broad au
thority, as it is provided that the "build
ing shall be constructed in accordance with (
architectural plans to secured by the
commission in such a way as they may
deem advisable."
The construction of the building Is to be
under the control of the superintendent of
the Capitol building and grounds, subject
to the direction of the commission.
The commission may acquire the site by
purchase or condemnation proceedings.
Office Buildings to Harmonize.
Senator Culiom, when seen by a Star re
porter today, said the commission would
doubtless seek to secure a building to be
In harmony with the office building of the
House. It would not tie so large ae the
House building, so that the square of
ground which forms its" site will allow a
tasteful setting for the?structure.
The commission will wck to have at least
two rooms for each senator when this office
building Is completed", and may decide to
provide for an audlsnoe room similar to
the floor of the House building for use
of committees holding hearings. Commit
tee rooms are inadequate for such gather
ings when any important question is up for
discussion.
Tlie commission remained In session until
after 2 o'clock.
The Conferences.
During the first hour of the meeting Sen
ators Allison and Hale were present and
took part in the discussion as to the nature
of accommodations that should be pro
vided in the office building. After they left
Mr Elliott WoodSj s lptjJntendent of the
Capitol building and greJrflflB, was called In,
and the plans were discussed with him.
Members of the comnMssion expressed a
preference for obtaining plans for the office
building in the some manner that plans
have been procured fo* the office building
for the House of Representatives. Under
that general plan Mr. Elliott Woods has had
charge of the-entire matter, calling in such
expert assistance, both architectural and
otherwise, as ho has deemed necessary.
The commission to get plans for the Sen
ate building will directly pass upon the
vork of designing the building as the com
mission of representatives have passed
upon the House building.
No Details of Plane Adopted.
No details of the plans were decided upon.
It is likely that another meeting will be
held tomorrow, as enator Culiom la de
sirous to have the work of acquiring the
land and the beginning of the plans deter
mined in a general way before he leaves
the city at the end of next week. He will
return again in thr&e or four weeks, when
other meetings will be held In order that
tne commission may keep in touch with the
progress of the work.
Ownership of Property.
It has been discovered that the ground
on which the building Is to be located is
owned by about forty individuate, and the
first step taken will be is the direction of
securing the property. It is the intention
of the commission to proceed as quickly
as possible, as all the memoers realize the
anxiety of senator* to secure better quar
ters than some of them now .have.
TO PAY PANAMA.
Secretary Shaw Signs a Warrant for
$1,000,000.
Secretary Shaw this afternoon signed a
wi-rrant for ?1,000,??0 to the Panama re
public, being the first payment of J10.000,
000 to that government for concessions
granted this country a I ; the zone of the
Panama canal. The warrant, which was
countersigned by Controller Tracewell, was
sint to the State Department, which will
tinnsmit it to J. P. Morgan & Co., fiscal
agents of the Panama government. The
Secretary of State will Indorse the warrant
to Morgan & Co. as fiscal agents. 1 he re
gaining J9.000.000 will not be paid to Pan
ama until that government directs who is
to receive the money.
Though sympathizing with the efforts of
the European holders of Colombian bonds
to induce the state of Panama to assume
some share of the foreign indebtedness of
Colombia, the State Department has made
no move in that matter since the retire
ment from Washington of Mr. l?unau-\ a
rilla, the Panama minister. Before he left
Washington, Stcretary Hay took occasion
to impress upon hlin the fact that consider
ation* of equity should move Panama to an
assumption of some part of the national
debt, but the minister was not particularly
Impressed and no effort was made to bring
any pressure to bear upon the new govern
ment.
Senator Quay's Condition.
Friends of Senator' Quay at the Capitol
this afternoo'n stated that the senator is
Improving decidedly and that there is noth
ing alarming in his condition. He had in
somnia, but recently he has had refreshing
sleep at night and in'every way has im
proved in health. It is said that his com
plexion is good, and Ms friends believe lie
has now passed the critical stage of the
ailment from which he has suffered.
Work of Italian Women.
Ambassador Meyer, at Rome, has inform
ed the State Department that In response
to an Invitation addressed to the women of
Italy by the board of lady managers of
the Louisiana purchase exposition there
has been formed under the direction of the
royal minister at agricultural industry and
commerce, a committee of sixteen Italian
ladies with Countess 8pallette as president,
to prepare a report giving particulars In
regard to the conditions and needs of '.he
women of Italy and their future possi
bilities. and to display at St. Louis speci
mens of their work .\b evidences of tlieir
activity, manual, mental, scientific and
artistic.
American Group of Interpar
liamentary Union,
MEETING AT CAPITOL
SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED AT
ST. LOUIS.
Preparations for Receiving Foreign
Delegates to the International
Arbitration Congress.
A meeting: of the American group of the
Interparliamentary Union for International
Arbitration was held today In the rooms of
the lobby of the House of Representatives.
The American group of the union is com
posed of senators and representatives in
Congress and former senators and repre
sentatives. The chairman of the group Is
Representative Bartholdt of Missouri, and
he presided at today's meeting, which waa
quite largely attended. Earlier In the ses
sion of Congress a meeting of the American
group was held at the C&pltol. At that
time the chairman was instructed to com
municate with the executive council of the
union regarding subjects to be discussed at
the conference to be held in St. Louis the
coming autumn.
Representative Bartholdt reported this
morning that he had carried out the In
structions of the group. He had trans
mitted to the executive council the recom
mendations of the American members re
garding topics for consideration at the St.
Louis conference, and it was intimated that
the discussion would probably be con
fined In great part to three propositions,
as follows:
Subjects of Discussion.
First. The desirability of calling together
another International conference on arbi
tration similar to the gathering at The
Hague a few years ago, to be participated
In by the official representatives of all the
powers.
Second, a discussion of the best means of
providing for the gradual disarmament of
the nations of the world.
Third, to devise means for an early agree
ment exempting private property of bel
ligeranls at set.
Of course the program of the St. I.011IS
conference will embrace on the whole a
more elaborate range of individual topics,
but the principal speeches and the main
discussion will be along the lines of the
j three general subjects indicated above.
To Receive Foreign Delegates.
One of the principal purposes of the meet
ing of the American group today was to
make preliminary arrangements for the re
ception, entertainment, and transportation
of the foreign delegates to the St. Louis
conference, which will be held September
ft to 10. next.
Chairman Barthold was authorized to ap
point a reception committee of ten members
of the American group. This committee
will be charged with working out the de
tailed arrangements for caring for the rep
resentatives of foreign groups
One of the features of the reception pro
posed today was to have a battle ship go
down the r.arbor to meet the delegates on
their arrival in New York. This has been
a feature of similar receptions in other
countries, the naval vessel being typically
the representative vessel of the govern
ment. Secretary Moody of the Navy De
partment wiil be requested to co-operate
with the- group if it be decided to have a
naval feature to the welcome.
The members of the reception and ar
rangement committee to be appointed by
Chairman Bartholdt will meet the incom
ing delegates at New York and escort
them to this city for a call upon the Pres
ident, and thence accompany them to St.
Louis. This program may be altered so as
to have the delegates proceed directly
from New York to St. Louis and stop off
In Washington on the return trip after
the conference.
Congress has appropriated the sum of
$50,000 for the expenses of the confer
ence and the entertainment, housing ajid
transportation of the foreign visitors.
Letter From Abroad.
Letters of congratulation from foreign
groups were read this morning by Repre
sentative Broussard of Louisiana, secretary
of the American group. One of the letters
was from Mr. E. St. Clair, member of the
British house of commons, and secretary
of the English group of the Interparlia
mentary Union for International Arbitra
tion. A second letter was from M. d'Es
tournelle de Constane, a member of the
French group, and a third from Mr. Fred
erick W. D'Evelin of San Francisco, presi
dent of the British-American union, which
Is not affiliated with the International
Union, but which is working along th?
same line. All these letters congratulated
the members of the American group upon
their organization and the enthusiastic
manner in which they have entered upon
tholr work. Much good. It Is predicted,
will result from the forthcoming St. Louis
conference.
TO ASSIST THE CAESAR.
Three Vessels Sent to Pull/Off the
Grounded Collier.
Rear Admiral Barker, commanding the
north Atlantic ileet, has informed the Navy
Department that he has sent the Nevada,
Casiine and Potomac from Pensacola to the
assistance of the collier Caesar, aground
off Tortugas.
The Caesar. which is commanded by
Naval Captain Frank Wright, was built In
the 189B at Stockton-on-Tees, England, by
Ropner & Son. She is a collier of 5,016
tons and of 3,500 horse-power and was
bought by the government from John Hol
man & Sons in April, 1808. The amount paid
for her was $175,11*4. The Caesar was for
merly named the Kingtor and was bound
from Pensacola for Lambert's Point when
she grounded.
RICHMOND WANTS CONVENTION.
Virginia State Democratic Committee
Meeting to Issue Call.
Special I >1 spa till to The Kveninif Star.
RICHMOND, Va? April 2S.?'The state
democratic committee members are coming
In slowly. So far only half the members
are in the city. It Is understood that the
question of a state convention will be first
taken up. Twenty-flve of the fifty dele
gates have been polled, seventeen being
pledged to Richmond as the convent on city.
The Norfolk city and county factional
fights are being ulred by a large following.
MYSTERY SURROUNDS SUICIDE.
Letters Left by Victim Say She Was
Driven to Deed.
NEW YORK, April 29.?Leaving letters
saying that she had once been a woman
of wealth, but had lost her money aVid
had been driven to suiotde, Mrs. S. J. Kelm,
thirty-two years of age, killed herself with
poison yesterday In the Vendome Hotel. In
one of the letters the woman requested
the coroner to notify her brothers, 8. 8.
and J. Frank Page of OberMn, Pa , of her
death, and another short note asked that
word be sent to E. O. Shafer of 817 Broad
street, HarriSburg, Pa.
Very little Information concerning the wo
man could be obtained at the hotel. It
wan said she had come to the place from
another hotel about six months ago and
that she was believed to be an actress.
DIED FROM INHALING GAS.
Unknown Woman Committed Suicide
in Baltimore Last Night.
Special T>l*j)?trh to Tbe Evening Star.
BALTIMORE. Md.. April 20.?An un
known woman, about thirty-live years oid,
was found dead this morning at r>20 Wesl
Saratoga street, having committed suicide
by turning on the gas.
The woman is supposed to have been a
stranger in the city. She applied last night
for lodgings ?t the house. Her features
are regular, her hair and eyes dark, height
five feet six Inches and weight about 130
pounds.
FOUR LIVES LOST.
Fatalities in Fine That Destroyed
Michigan Hotel.
LANSING, Mich., April 29.?Pour lives
were lost last night in the burning of the
Bryan House, a three-story brick structure
on East Michigan avenue, the first floor of
which was used as a machine shop. The
dead:
Jerome C. Stiles, Grand Rapids.
John Volland, Lansing.
Ransom Dlngman, Lansing.
James Ray, Lansing.
Stiles fell from an upper window soon
after the Are broke out, and died from his
Injuries at the hospital. The other three
victims were burned to death, their charred
bodies not being found until daylight per
mitted a search of the ruins.
Several other boarders and two firemen
were cut and burned during the progress
of the fire, but their Injuries are not serious.
A large tank of gasoline in the basement
exploded a few minutes after the fire broke
out, scattering flames all over the build
ing and making it Impossible to render as
sistance to the inmates. The financial loss
Is about *5.000.
AGAINST STRIKERS.
District Court Judge Makes Far-Reach
ing Decision in Injunction.
ALBUQUERQUE, N. M., April 29 ?
Judge B. S. Banker of the district court
has issued an injunction i:pon the request
of the Santa Fe railroad against machin
ists, boilermakers, their helpers and ap
prentices and metal workers, now on
strike, restraining them from In any man
ner lnterferring with the agents and em
ployes of the company In the management,
movement or operation of the company's
engines, cars and all other machinery and
appliances.
They also are enjoined from Interfering
with the men who are taking the places
of the strikers and are restrained from en
tering upon the company's right of way
and other grounds and property. The in
junction Is the most far reaching ever Is
sued by a court In the territory.
The strike situation has assumed larger
proportions by the action of the metal
workers coppersmiths, pipemen, with their
apprentices and helpers, the boilermakers
and their apprentices and helpers walking
out. An effort is being made to have the
blacksmiths Join the strikers.
TRAGEDY IN MAINE.
Traveling Man Kills Wife and Then
Commits Suicide.
AUGUSTA, Me., April 29.?H. E. Osgood
of Hiram, Me., shot and mortally wounded
his wife on the St. John express on the
Maine Central railroad last night, and then
shot himself, dying shortly after being re
moved from the train here. Mrs. Osgood
expired today at the Augusta City Hospital.
The tragedy was due to domestic diffi
culties.
The couple boarded the train at Rich
mond. and were observed quarreling a few
minutes later. Suddenly Osgood arose, and,
drawing a revolver, fired point-blank at his
wife, the bullet entering her head Before
any one could interfere he sent another
bullet Into his own head^ Both died with
out "regaining consciousness.
Osgood had been a traveling salesman
for the Portland branch of John P. Squire
& Co. and for Boston beef houses.
In a letter found on Mrs. Osgood's body
the woman said her life had been threat
ened and that she did not expect to reach
home iillve.
BEQUEST FOR DISTRICT CHARITY.
Will of Pittsburg Decedent Leaves
Much to Church Societies.
PITTSBURG, April 29,-The Common
wealth Trust Company filed for probate to
day the will of Jane H. Reamer, who left
an estate valued at several hundred thou
sand dollars. Much of the estate Is given to
various religious and charitable institu
tions, among them being:
The Aged Women's Home of the Luth
eran Church of the General Synod, at
Washington. D. C., $1,000.
The Women's Home and Foregn Mission
ary Society of the General Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheian Church of the United
States,
The board of church extension In the
Lutheran Church of General Synod, situat
ed at York. Pa.. J2,0U>.
Bethany Lutheran Church, North High
land and Kirkwood streets, Pittsburg,
11,000.
The trustees of the Pennsylvania College
at Gettysburg. $2.1*10. tills sum to be used
to educate young men for the ministry of
the Lutheran Church.
The Women's Home and Foreign Mission
ary Societv of the Pittsburg Synod of the
Lutheran Church of the General Synod,
*2.000. . ,
The Deaconess Home of the Lutheran
Church at Baltimore, Md.. $1,000.
Tressier Orphans' Home, Laysville, Pa.,
$1,000.
TO SILENCE PRETENSIONS.
Appeal for Authoritative Information
About First Monitor.
CHICAGO, April 28.?Senator Knute Nel
son and Representative f,lnd have been ap
pealed to by the Swedish National Asso
ciation of Illinois "to determine authori
tatively and finally where the honor of hav
ing designed the first monitor belongs."
In the letter to Senator Nelson and Rep
resentative Lind It was said that the "en
tire American people, as well as the whole
world, have believed that 'from turret to
keel plate, from rudder si>oe to anchor
well, every distinctive feature of the moni
?r waf the creation of Ericsson's brain,
every detail was stamped with evidence of
his handiwork.' "
It is said the request for a decision Is
made to silence "the Impudent pretensions
of false claimants to the honor of the in
vention."
Two Children Burned to Death.
WILLI AMSPORT, Pa.. April 20?Mar
vllle and Constance Allen, aged twelve and
eight years, respectively, were burned to
death by the destruction of their parents'
home at Austin, Potter county, late last
nght. The parents of the children wore
absent.
the cEeapesf, quickest
easiest way to convey useful l?t*
formation to the citizens of an$
community Is by the use of
columns of a widely circulate^
local newspaper, like The
ing Star.
FOR DISTRICT JO?
President Selects Justloe
Pritchard's Successor.
WENDELL P. STAFFORD,
NOW OF VERMONT, THE MLUf
CHOSEN.
Bar Association Meets and Passes Resor
lutions of Commendation for
Retiring Justice.
President Roosevelt and Attorney General
Knox agreed at the cabinet meeting today
to the appointment of Wendell Phillips
Stafford, a Vermont judge, as Justice of
the Supreme Court of the District of Co
lumbia to succeed Justice Pritchard, who
has been nominated and confirmed as Judg*
of the fourth circuit of the'United States.
Attorney General Knox announced th*
action of the President at the conclusion
of the cabinet meeting. He said that Mr.
Stafford's name had been seriously consid
ered for the District bench at the tlm*
Judge Wright of Ohio was appointed. Mr.
Stafford at tliat time was energetically
pushed for a Judgeship by Senator Proctor,
who immediately began work at the White
House a day or so ago when it was found
that there would he a vacancy on the su
preme bench. Senator Proctor was at the
White House this morning, accompanied by
lils colleague, Senator Dillingham. Th?y
urged the appointment of Mr. Stafford and
the President Agreed upon him.
The District Bar Association had been
called In session to make a recommenda
tion to the President of a local man, and
the announcement completely foiestalled
any action by that body.
Judge Stafford's Career.
Judge Stafford is from St. Johnsbury, and
has been an associate Justice of the su
preme court of Vermont for a number of
years, having been elected to that position
upon the election of Jonathan Koss to th*
unexpired term of the late Senator Morrill
In the Senate. Judge Stafford Is about
forty-two years old, and is described as
one of the brilliant lawyers of Vermont.
In addition to his fine legal attainments he
Is of a literary mind, and is th* author of
"North Flowers," a work that has attract
ed attention.
Judge Stafford was at first undesirous of
coming to Washington, it is said. His po
sition at present is a high and honorabl*
one, but the salary is only ?11.500 a year,
much less enticing than that paid to th* su
preme justices on the loeal twneh.
Judge Stafford read law many years ago
with Henry C. lde the vice governor of
the Philiptitnes and later graduated from
Boston University, lie then entered Into
partnership with Mr. Ide. but soon sev
ered this 'Connection and practiced lair
alone. In politics he was of an independ
ent disposition, although a republican, and
was at one time an unsuccessful candidate
for Congress from the second district, or
rather for the nomination.
Judge Stafford Is a man of family and of
social inclinations. lie has a wife and on*
child.
Judge Pritcbard to Remain H*r*
Awhile.
After a conference with the Attorney
General Justice Prltchard has decided to
remain a member ol the District Suprem*
Court for at least a month longer. It
is understood that the Department of Jus
tice desires that he should continue to
serve here for a short time at least. Th*
most important matter to l>e called to hi*
attention, probably, will Involve the set
tling and signing of the bill of exception*
in the Machcn-Groff-Ixtrcnz case. Justly*
Prltchard will also preside during the trial
of Ty'ner and llarrett, and perhaps
throughout the trials of several other im
portant cases on the calendar of Criminal
Court No. 1 prior to assuming his n*?r
duties as a United States circuit Judge.
Tl.e room of Criminal Court No. 2, city
hall, was crowded late this afternoon by
m? mbers of the bar. who assembled In re
sponse to the call Issued yesterday for a
meeting to puna on a proposition that ttie
President he asked to appo nt a local matt
as Justice Pritchard's successor The meet
ing was called to order shortly after 1
o'clock, and was In progress when this re
port closed. Announcement was made that
Justice Stafford of Vermont had been ap
pointed to succeed Justice Prltchard, so tne
meeting merely considered resolutions com
mendatory of Justice Prltchard.
Bar Resolutions on Prltchard.
Among the resolutions presented was on*
offered by Mr. Henry K. Davis, to the eSeOt
that the chairman of the meeting appoint
a committee of fifteen, tin-lading himself
as chairman thereof, to prepare and report
to a further meeting to be held Saturday,
May 7, at 11 o clock a.m., suitable resolu
tions expressive of the sense of the bar of
the District touching the coining retirement
uf Justice Prltchard.
A resolution prepared by Mr. D. W.
Baker set forth that as Justice Prltchard,
by reason of ills appointment to the circuit
court bench. He will be compelled to re
sign as an associate Justice of the Su
preme court of the District of Columbia.
The members of the bar of the District
of Columbia, while extending to him their
congratulations, fe.el the keenest and most
Blncere regret In the event which necessi
tates his resignation. The resolutions point
out that Justice Prltchard has won the ad
miration and esteem of every member of
tiie bar, and has endeared himself to tr,o**
who were so fortunale as to have his per
sonal acquaintance; that while lie cam* to
the bench of the District of Columbia a
comparative stranger to a majority of th*
members of the liar, he departs a friend t*
them all, and each considers his departure
a personal loss, and that his kind and
courteous manner to at'orneys who hav*
appeared before him, his strength of char
acter and sterling integrity and. above all
his fair and Impartial rulings have placed
him among the most esteemed Judges Of
the present day.
Mr. Baker's resolutions provide that a
committee of <even be appointed to pre
sent the views embodied in the foregoing
to Justice Prltchard.
Commended in His Home Papers.
Justice Prltchard todiy received copies
of editorials published In influential demo*
cratic newspapers of North Carolina rela
to his new appointment. The Raleigh
News and Obseiver said:
"When ex-Senator Jeter C. Prltchard was
appointed to a position on the bench In the
District of Columbia, It was understood
that It was a temporary assignment, and
that he would succeed Judge Slmonton
upon that gentleman's retirement from the
circuit liench. The expected has happened
and yesterday President Koosevelt sent
Judge Pritchard's name to the Senate. H*
will no doubt be promptly confirmed, for
his former aanoclato* in the S-ni'.e will b*
glad to give a vote of confidence to him.
"Judge Prltchard hss mnde a reputation
In his short experience as criminal Judge
In Washington olty. The bar and the peo
ple unite In oominendutlon. He has held
he sci.lea of Jus'ice evenly and known no
favoritism. In two or three Important
j.ises be hss particularly shown capacity
ind Judicial firmness thai huve Won !**
ii,*ct and popular approval. His course 1ft