The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], May 27, 1902, Image 1

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD.
VOL. 28 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1902 NO. 336
TELLTHE TALE
Much Coujeclure as to Effect
ot Miners Strike
TO BE COMPLETE SHUTDOWN
Engineers and Firemen in a Peculiar
Predicament and Hesitating Which
Way to Move When Order
Becomes Effective.
WUkesbarre. Pa.. May 26.-It is still a
matter of conjectnre whether the mines
in the anthracite region will be com
pletely shut down next Monday when the
order issued by the executive board of
the United Mine Workers, governing the
hours of labor and wages to be paid en
gineers. firemen and pump runners, goes
into effect. The operators claim they will
have all the help necessary to keep the
pumps and engines In running order.
The United Mine Workers and the of
ficers of the Stationary Firemen's Asso
ciation claim that unless the coal com
panies grant the demands the great bulk
of the engineers, firemen and pump men
will quit work.
The operators are bringing all the influ
ence they can to hold the men now at
work, while the striking miners are also
dofng missionary work. Many of the en
gineers do not like the predicament they
are placed in.
In a Predicament.
If they quit work they will displease
the company officials and may never be
reinstated, while if they remain at their
posts and the miners should win their
strike, they would probably find that
things would not be so pleasant for them
at collieries in the future. In order to
reach those who are wavering, a. call was
issued tonight for a mass meeting of all
engineers, pumpmen and firemen in the
Wyoming region in this city next Fri
da y evening. t
The firemen will strike almost to a
man and the operators will be compelled
to secure green hands to take their places.
State Secretary Mulcahy In a statement
issued tonight, says the entire Brother
hood of Stationary Firemen will quit
work next Monday. He also claims 90
per cent of the engineers and pumpmen
will strike. The engineers, firemen and
pumpmen who were discharged at the
Boston colliery of the Delaware and Hud
son company because they refused to do
the work wjiich was formerly done by
the strikers, were reinstated today.
A mysterious fire occurred at the old
empire breaker this morning. The strik
ing minerB say the lire was of incendiary
origin and that some enemy of the strik
ers was guilty of applying the match.
Conference in Chicago.
Chicago, May 26.—A conference that
promises to change the aspect of the an
thracite strike situation was held in this
tlty today between several members of
the National Civic Federation and union
interests. President John Mitchell of the
i'nited Mine Workers of America, met
Frank P. Sargeant and Franklin Mc
Veagh of the Federation, and Samuel
Keefe of the Long Shoremen s I'nion and
plans for further arbitratlve endeavors
on the part of the federation were dis
cussed.
The meeting was executive but it is
understood that the plan agreed upon
contemplates calling another conference
of the mine operators and the whole com
mittee of the National Civic Federation
at New York with a view of arbitrating
the strike question. It is said the plan
will be sent to Senator Hanna for ap
proval.
No Sympathetic Strike.
New York, May 26.—Local representa
tives of the leading soft coal roads In
Virginia and West Virginia say they
have no advices respecting a possible
strike by some 125.000 miners in that sec
tion. Chairman Fink of the Norfolk and
Western road said today:
"Our miners are mostly negroes. They
are not organised as far as 1 know. They
receive fair wages and seem to be satis
fied. I do not believe they are likely to
join in any sympathetic movement."
i csmaicrs oiriKe.
Chicago, May 26,—Aa results of the
teamsters' strike at the stockyards, bus
iness In Paekingtown may be paralyzed
and the wholesale butchers and down
town restaurants may be seriously
crippled.
Unless concessions are made or an
agreement reached tomorrow the Union
Stockyards and Transit Company Is likely
to find Itself In the tolls of the strike.
The strikers will demand that the com
pany refuse to transport to the uptown
districts meats heretofore hauled by the
teamsters. If refused a general strike of
railroad men will be ordered. This will
call out all engineers, firemen, brake
men and other union labor operatives of
the company.
NEGRO HANGED.
Was Convicted of the Murder of a Ne
gro Woman.
Columbus. Miss.. May 26.—fSpeclal)—
Perry Beckwith, the negro murderer of
Mallnda Williams, paid the penalty of
his crime upon the gallows this morn
ing. His case was carried to the Supreme
Court last month and that body affirmed
the lower court decision. The governor
refused tr Intervene. Dandrum. Beck
with's attorney, wired for a respite at ten
thirty today but no answer was received.
Beckwith was privately executed across
the river, Deputy Sheriff Eggleston
sprung the trap at 11:57 o'clock and in
twenty minutes the negro was pronounc
ed dead. His body was buried in the
potter's field, his relatives refusing to
accept it.
^ ,'ant Help for Miners.
Washl rton. May 26.—The house com
mittee c appropriations had under con
slderatli tod the resolution offered by
Mr. Git n C Tennessee appropriating
110,000 ft th .’ennessce coal mine suf
ferers. Mr. Gibson appeared before the
committee In behalf of the resolution
and stated that there were between 1000
and 1200 people In needy circumstances
ty reason of the disaster
KILLS SWEETHEART;
WOUNDS HIS RIYAL
A JEALOUS YOUNG MAN, AFTER
COMMITTING MURDER, SHOOTS
AND FATALLY INJURES HIM
SELF—WROTE TO HIS MOTHER.
Kansas City. Mo.. May 26.-Frank Rob
inson. aged 20 years, today shot and killed
his sweetheart, Gertie Rawlins, aged ltf
years, shot and fatally wounded his rival.
Albert H. Ferguson, aged 19 years and
shot and fatally Injured himself In an
apartment house In this city.
Shortly before the tragedy was com
mitted Robinson wrote a note to his
mother In which he said that as Ferguson
had supplanted him In the affections of
the girl he loved, he purposed to kill
them both, and then kill himself. He
proceeded to the room where Ferguson
and the girl were, and upon being ad
mitted. drew his revolver and opened
fire on the couple. The girl was shot near
the heart. She rushed screaming Into
the street where she fell dead, r erguson
was shot In the abdomen. Robinson
shot himself In the left breast and his
death Is momentarily expected.
BOMBARDMENT DELAYED.
Port of Carupano Will Not Be At
tacked Until May 27.
Wllemstad, Island of Curacao, May 2fi.—
A reliable report has reached here that
a new Invasion of the Venezuellan fron
tier by Venezuellan revolutionists is con
templated and will occur shortly. The
Venezuellan revolutionists who contem
plate this Invasion are said to have been
assisted by the government of Colombia
with arms and men. Four thousand men
who will Invade Venezuellan territory
are said to have assembled at Cucuta,
Vhlch Is situated in Colombia but close
to the western frontier of Venezuela.
President Castro of Venezuela has de
ferred the threatened bombardment of the
Port of Carupano In the state of Bermu
dez and which is now occupied by the
Venezuellan revolutionists until tomor
row, May 27.
MONT PELEE STILL ACTIVE.
-
Ma Believe Fort de France Is
Joomed and People Are Fleeing.
Fort de France. Island of Martinique.
Sunday, May 25.-6 p. m.—The United
States cruiser Cincinnati arrived here
from St. Lucia yesterday. The steamer
Fontebelle reached here at 9 o'clock this
morning with 150 tons of supplies from
the Chamber of Commerce, New York,
and other citizens.
Among her passengers are W. H. Cor
wine, who was specially named by Pres
ident Roosevelt as secretary of the vari
ous bodies of the United States contribut
ing for the relief of the sufferers; Prof.
Angelo Hellprin and other scientists. Mr.
Corwine and Captain Scott, brother of
Chief Officer Scott of the Roraima were
presented to Governor L'Huerre and the
FYench delegates today. The steamer
Topaz has been placed at the disposal
of Mr. Corwine to visit St. Vincent. Her
cargo will be discharged Monday.
Captain Scott visited the survivors of
the steamship Roraima at the hospitals
today.
Prof. Robert T. Hill, the eminent geol
ogist. with his party, has chartered a
steamer and is carefully studying the
volcano from the sea. George Kennan,
with a land party, is examining the north
ern part of the island.
Mont Pelee was fairly quiet yesterday,
although there was a big eruption of
ashes, which covered the extreme north
of the Island. The new crater is active.
Mr. Corwine has investigated the meth
od employed In the distribution of sup
plies and has Informed Governor L'Huerre
that he considers It excellent. It is ex
pected that official notification will be Is
sued that sufficient supplies have been
received.
Most of the refugees who have come
Into Fort de France have deserted the
town for points further south, as the
horror still possesses all. and Fort de
France Is believed to be doomed. All
business Is suspended, as the amount of
supplies received has killed sales.
CAN FILIPINOS COME?
Senator Hoar Presents an Interesting
Resolution on Philippines.
Washington. May 26.—Senator Hoar to
day Introduced the following resolution:
"That tfie president be requested to in
form the Senate whether there be any
law or regulation In the Pnllippins Isl
ands which will prevent any native of
those isTanas who may so desire, who Is
not under arreBt and against whom no
charge of any offense against the 1 nited
States Is pending, from coming to the
United States and stating his views or
desires as to the Interests of his people
to the President or either house of Con
gress."
The resolution went over until tomor
row at the request of Mr. Lodge.
OBJECT TO BOWIE’S BILL.
Proposition for Creating New Court at
Anniston Meets Disfavor.
Washington. May 26.—(Special.)—With
the exception of lawyers residing in An
niston. the bill Introduced by Represen
tative Bowie of Alabama creating a new
court at Anniston. In the southern Ala
bama Judiciary district, seems to be
meeting with general objection on the
part of the legal fraternity.
Representative Clayton, the Alabama
member of the judiciary committee, la In
receipt of many letters protesting against
the proposed division, and therefore it
Is likely that the bill will not be reported
from committee.
ALABAMIANS APPOINTED.
Hamilton Bowie a Lieutenant of Cav
alry—Secretary Shaw Returns.
Washington. May 26.—(Special.)—Hamil
ton Bowie of Anniston was today ap
pointed a second lieutenant of cavalry.
He Is a cousin of the Alabama member
of Congrees.
The secretary of the treasury has re
turned from his trip south with Repre
sentative Thompson's party. ”1 have
greatly enjoyed my brief visit to the
south." said Secretary Shaw. “I saw
much to Interest and Inform. The South
Is making rapid strides In business and
manufacture, and Its undeveloped re
sources are almost without limit."
_
Senator Gallinger Offers Reso
lution on Subject
TEXAS MEMBERS DISCUSS II
Bailey Does Not Think It a Good Idea
to Parade Such Crime® Before
the Public—Culberson
Defends Texas.
Washington. May 26.—Mr. Patterson of
Colorado, one of the minority members
of the Philippine committee of the Sen
ate, occupied the floor most of today in
a discussion of the Philippine question.
He quoted from the utterances of his
newspaper, the Denver News, to show
that it consistently had advocated the
independence of the Filipinos since De
cember. 1899. He said the editorials quot
ed by Mr. Foraker some days ago had
been written prior to that time.
Soon after the Senate convened, Mr.
Gallinger of New Hampshire offered a
resolution providing that the judiciary
committee of the Senate should make an
Investigation into the subjects of lynch
ings in the United States, with an ob
ject of ascertaining whether there is any
remedy for them.
Sectional Controversy.
Mr. Gallinger said he introduced the j
resolution in full view of the fact that he j
might be charged with • precipitating sec- j
tional controversy, though nothing was
further from his thoughts.
He had read the Associated Press ac
count of the burning of a negro in Texas
a few days ago. He said history did not
furnish a more fiendish instance of mob
wrath, and Fox’s Book of Martyrs was
tame in comparison. The whole wretch
ed business, he said, was a disgrace to
American manhood and In the light of
which the alleged atrocities In the Phil
ippines paled Into insignificance. The
Spanish inquisition did not furnish a case
exceeding that one in inhumanity. He
apprehended that it would be said that
the Federal government was powerless
and that the states had exclusive Jurisdic
tion. If so the American people desired
to know it. Public sentiment should be
aroused to prevent such inhuman atroci
ties.
Mr. Bailey of Texas said he had no Idea
of being drawn Into any sectional con
troversy by the Senator from New Hamp
shire, and he would be willing to have
the people Judge the men who perpe
trated such outrages. He desired, how
ever, to discuss the question whether the
government had the right to go into the
several states and take charge of the
peace and good order. He asked, there
fore. that the resolution go over.
“There can be no objection “ said Mr.
Bailey, “to a report from the Judiciary
committee on the subject because I am
sure there can be but one conclusion
reached by that committee. But if in the
course of its Investigation it should un
dertake to parade before the county all
the lynchings and burnings that have
occurred In any section over a nameless
offense and all the murderers of women
and children and all the abductions which
have occurred in any other section of the
country, the only result. It seems to me.
would be to make us think less of our
selves as a people and as a nation and
I have little disposition to Indulge In that
pastime myself.”
Culberson Defends Texaa.
The resolution went over. Subsequently
Mr. Culbertson, Texas, having read the
story of the burning of a negro near
Leavenworth, ivan.. in January, 1901 said
he wanted the fact shown that these
crimes occurred in other states than
Texas.
He hoped the New Hampshire senator
when recitlng'examplos of these atrocities
in the future would not confine him
self to one state.
Mr. Hoar, chairman of the Judiciary
committee, said his committee had had
the subject under consideration and the
bill considered had been reported by him
adversely. The matter had been consid
ered as a question of constitutional law
and duty.
The conference report on the fortifica
tions appropriation bill was agreed to
without debate.
THE HOUSE.
Washington, May 26.—The House of
Representatives deyoted today to busi
ness connected with the district of Co
lumbia.
n i nil l/ui k.n i u ■ inn uk.i_n.
From Standpoint of Qameneas Handler
Makes Good Showing.
Kansas City, Mo., May 2<V—In a one
sided contest Tommy Ryan was given
the decision over Jimmy Handler of New
York In this city tonight In the fourth
round of what was scheduled as a ten
round bout.
Ryan's furious onslaughts began In the
second round when he landed with his
right and left on the jaw and body as
he pleased, and culminated In the fourth
round when Handler went down for the
count four times. After Handler went
down the fourth time from a right to the
Jaw the referee gave Ryan the decision
to save the New Yorker further punish
ment.
From the standpoint of gameness,
Handler made a wonderful showing but
in other respects he was no match for the
local man. At the outset of the fourth
round Ryan landed a hard right to the
head which sent Handler to his knees for
five seconds. Handler struggled to his
feet and In an instant down for eight
seconds from a right to the Jaw. He was
in a pitiful state now but he struggled
to his feet only to be sent down again by
a hard left to the Jaw. He got up after
nine seconds and when Ryan knocked
him down again the referee gave Ryan
the decision.
Military Rule Relaxing.
Washington, May 26.—A cablegram
received at the State Department from
Arthur Beaupte, United States charge
at Bogota, Colombia, states that in
creased tranquility prevails there and
In the surrounding country and that
In consequence the strict military rule
is relaxing. Tne Impression Is preva
lent there that the war is over.
ADVERSE REPORT ON
HOAR’S CANAL BILL
ISTHMIAN CANAL COMMITTEE IS
OPPOSED TO LEAVING SELEC
TION OF ROUTE TO THE PRESI
DENT.
Washington, May 26.—Senator Morgan
from the committee on isthmian canals
today submitted to the Senate the ad
verse report bf that committee on Sena
tor Hoar’s bill placing the selection of a
route for an Isthmian canal in the hands
of the President. The committee op
poses the bill on the ground that it
makes no provision for further explora
tion of routes, and leaves the President
to make a selection on the state of facts
already ascertained.
The report is in effect an urgument
against the Panama route. Colombia be
ing charged with playing for-delay.
The report adds:
’’Colombia is anxious to get rid of the
Panama Canal Company without giving
offense to France, so that she can seize
and possess all the plant of the canal
company, with all the lands and houses
it owns In Panama. Including the great
hospital, the machine shops and wharves
at Colon, all the vast machinery In use
by the canal company the hospitals and
the other houses, the palaces built by De
Lesseps and his son. and become the
owner of It all, along with the Panama
Railroad, which reverts to her in 1906.’’
If this contention should be adopted, not
only would delay attend the opening of
the canal, but the United States would as
sume obligations fo the world that It
would be Impossible to keep and rela
tions with Colombia that will deprive the
canal of all value to the United States,
and will make It a cause of Irritation
that must Involve the most serious con
sequen ■>es.
classTrouble
RESULTS FATALLY
STUDENT CHASED BY OTHERS UN
TIL HE LEAPS INTO WATER AND
IS DROWNED—TRIED TO SAVE
HIM, BUT FAILED.
Plattsburg. Vt.. May 26.—The feeling
that has existed between the freshmen
and sophomore classes of the University
of Vermont culminated here today in
the drowning of Nelson P. Bond of Bur
lington, Vt., treasurer of the freshmen
cJass.
The freshmen hn<* a ranged to have
their annual banquet at the Cumberland
House, and Bond, with four others of
the freshmen, came over on the morning
boat from Burlington to make the final
arrangements. Five sophomores sailed
to Port Kent on the sloop Alert and took
the train there for Plattsburg, arriving
in the afternoon. The main body of
freshmen, forty in number, arrived on
the steamer Vermont at 7 o’clock in the
evening, after a hard fight on the Bur
lington dock.
Bond left his companions at 6 o’clock in
the afternoon for a stroll, and it is al
leged was set upon by two sophomores,
presumably for the purpose of kidnap
ing him and keeping hi n from the ban
quet. He fled before Tils pursuers until
he reached Wilson's dock, an out-of-the
way place on the North Lake front. The
pursuers claim he jumped Into the lake
in an effort to escape by swimming. They
endeavored to rescue him by a boat, but
could find no oars, and he sank before (
they could reach him.
STUDENTS ARRESTED.
Charged With Disorderly Conduct and
Assault and Battery
Chicago, May 26.—Sixteen of the most j
prominent student* and athletes of North
western University at Evanston were ar
rested today charged with disorderly
conduct, assault and battery and resist
ing the police. They were released on
bond* to appear before a magistrate
Tomorrow. The warrant* were sworn out
by officer* of the alumni of the Sigma
Alpha Upsllon. Some of the men were ar
rested while on their way to their classes.
The trouble started with the hazing
Friday night of George Tllrose, a Junior
who had criticised the athletic ability of
some of the Northwestern’s best men.
The students declare they will start a
criminal club similar to the one at Yale.
Twenty Damage Suits Filed.
Knoxville, Tenn., May 26. — Twenty
damage suits have been filed against the
Coal Creek Coal Company as u result of
The mine horror, the total damage
sought thus far being in excess of $200,000.
INDEX TO TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.
Washington, May 28.—Following la the
weather forecast for Alabama: Partly
cloudy Tuesday and Wednesday; variable
winds.
Page One.
Senate may Investigate lynchings.
Much conjecture over effect of strike.
Hitch In peace negotiations reported.
Methodist conference adjourns.
Page Two.
Corporal O'Brien’s testimony contra
dicted.
Seaboard Air Line asks franchise from
county.
Page Three.
General state news.
Page Four.
Editorial comment.
Gossip heard in local hotels.
Page Five.
Ensley Land Company flies answer to
suits involving Ramsay, Bowron, Baxter
and others.
Believed that Southern Railroad will
grant Selma train petition.
Page Six.
Social news of Birmingham.
Page Seven.
Local and foreign market reports.
Page Eight.
Baseball, racing and general sporting
| new*.
METHODISTS
END LABORS
Most Important Conference In
Years Comes to Close
BIRMINGHAM AFTER NEXT ONE
Dr. Anson West of Alabama Makes a
Vigorous Protest Against Estab
lishing Order of Deaconesses.
Says It Violates Doctrine.
Dallas. Texas. May 26.—The fourteenth
quadrennial general conference of the
Methodist Episcopal church, south, after
being in session since May 7, adjourned
sine, die at 10:50 o'clock today. .Delegates
began leaving for their homes yesterday
and at one point in today s session there
was a scurry to gather up a quorum. The
most important matter disposed of, was
the rescinding of part of the report of
the committee on missions, adopted last
Saturday, the tendency of which was to
bring the northern and southern church
es missionary societies. into partner
ship in a Joint publishing house at
Shanghai, China. Another unusually im
portant matter was the adoption of a
report from the committee on ohurch
extension, creating a church insurance
board.
The date of the next quadrennial gen
eral conference was fixed for the first
Thursday In May 1906. The entertainment
committee will name the place one year j
from now. Candidates are Louisville, Bir- j
mingham. Nashville and New Orleans.
The proceedings of the last day of j
the conference were begun with devotion
al exercises by Dr. J. W. Tarbox. Bishop
Duncan resigned the chair to Bishop E.
E. Hoss, the senior of the new bishops,
w’ho was greeted with applause.
Moved a Reconsideration,
Dr. Collins Denny moved a re-consider- i
ation of part of the report of the com- j
mittee on missions that gave at least ;
partial control of the publishing house to
the board of missions. A motion to put I
Dr. Denny’s motion on the table was j
carried by a vote of 60 to 63. Dr. Denny .
earnestly warned the conference against (
leaving the matter as It had been adopted
on the ground that the church was liable
to forfeit the charter of Its publishing
house at Nashville and lose perhaps $1,
000. 000 in money through litigation.
Later In the session on an appeal from
Dr. Denny and others, the conference
took the motion from the table and re
considered the portion of the mission re
port which, It was argued, would be
dangerous for the church to permit to be
come effective. The mission work in
China, therefore, will remain, so far as
publlshlyg Interests are concerned, In the
hands of the book committee as hereto
fore.
Dr. Anson West of the North Alabama
conference entered a protest against the
action of the general conference In Insti
tuting the order of deaconesses. This pro
test most vigorously attacked the order
of deaconesses as being at war with the
history of Protestantism generally, and
nowhere in the Bible could justification
for the creation of the order be found.
One of the sentences in Dr. West's pro
test said: "Departure from Divine order
leads to infidelity, anarchy and ruin.”
Opposed to the Protest.
Many of the delegates were opposed to
permitting the protest to become a part
of the record of the proceedings of the
general conference but finally It was de
cided to include It in the record on the
ground "of the long and honorable ser
vice” of Dr. West In the church.
Dr. Butterick presented the conference
with a gave! made from a beam in the
old Epworth church In England, where
Methodism was born. Bishop Hoss ac
cepted the gavel with thanks.
Standing and special committees were
discharged with a vote of thanks.
A resolution declaring that no new leg
islation passed by the general conference
shall take effect earlier than September
1, next, was adopted.
Report number six of the finance com
mittee making changes In the manner of
assessments, provoked much discussion
and was adopted.
Threats to raise the point of "no
quorum" were made but the point was not
insisted upon until Dr. Anson West forced
the Issue. There was a hurrying to and
fro at once and by dint of the work of all
the messengers, 142 delegates, three more
than a quorum, wefce gotten together.
Refused to Reduce Salary.
The conference refused to reduce the
salary of the corresponding secretary of
the board of education from $3000 to $2500.
Resolutions thanking the secular press
and the press representatives present,
were offered by Dr. J. S. Hutchinson of
the Baltimore conference and adopted
unanimously. The conference took up the
mutter of a fire Insurance board. A board
of fire managers was nominated by the
church extension board as follows: J. M.
Kirkland, J. B. Kllgo, S. M. Hosner, W.
S. Baker. P. H. Wlsner, P. McGuire. R.
R. Gilbert, C. M. Phillips. Sumuel Our
backer, P. H. Tapps and T. B. Wharton.
The whole matter was adopted and the
headquarters of the board will be In
Louisville, Ky.
The board will have the management of
the insurance of all church property and ■
the proposition met with some vigorous !
opposition, particularly from Dr. Anson I
West, who declared that it was the or- j
ganlzation of a church Insurance com- j
pany.
The ten bishops present signed an ap
peal to the church throughout the south
to extend aid to the Methodist sufferers
from the Goliad hurricane. Contributions
were ordered sent to P. H. Wlsner, cor
responding secretary of the church ex- j
tension board, iioutevllle, Ky.
The minutes of the session were read !
and approved and formal adjournment !
came after the singing of hymn 232 "And
Let Our Bodies Part," and prayer by
Reverend William Mahon, Bishop Wilson
pronounced the benediction and the con
ference was over.
People Will Have Say.
Port-au-Prince, May 26.—A provisional
government was constituted today, head
ed by Boisrond Canal as President. The
government will now take steps to as
sure the election of a president according
to excellent methods.
PEACE MOVEMENT
MAY BE STOPPED
OPTIMISTIC FEELING IN SOUTH
AFRICA IS NOT BASED UPON
SOLID FACTS—MANY OPPOSE
TERMS.
Pretoria. May 26.—The prevalence
throughout South Africa of the optimistic
feeling In regard to the peace negotia
tions, Is hardly based upon solid facts.
The protraction of the conference at \>r
enlgen Is not necessarily a hopeful sign.
The delegation to the conference, al
though they have abandoned their hopes
of securing Independence, still have many
points of difference with the govern
ment. while an obstinate minority con
tinues to regard the resumption of hostil
ities as the best outcome of the present
situation, and at any moment these points
of difference may be accentuated into
a refusal to continue the negotiations.
It Is most unlikely that those who are
In favor of peace will throw up the
sponge so long ns a decent minority Is
desirous of continuing the struggle and
all these dissident elements must be taken
Into accord before It is possible to give
any sort of prediction as to the Ibsuo of
| the present negotiations.
SENTENCES COMMUTED.
Men Had Been Sentenced to Be Gar
roted for Crime.
San Juan, Porto Rico. May 2G.—Gover
nor Hunt today commuted to life Im
prisonment the sentence of death Im
posed upon Ramon Troche, who with
four companions was sentenced to be gar
roted for crimes committed In 1898.
The commutation was granted on ac
count of the youth of Troche, who was
only 19 years old when the crimes were
committed. The other four men will he
garroted at Ponce In about forty days*
time.
The evidence taken at the trial of the
condemned men showed that they, with
about twenty others, in the fall of 1S98 j
went to the house of Antonio Delgado y I
Delphlno, and. obtaining admittance by I
their being officers of the law. gagged
Delgado, assaulted the members of his
family and robbed the house.
SHOT WIFE; KILLED HIMSELF.
Man Was Extremely Jealous and He
Ended His Existence.
New* York. May 26.— George I.. Bruns,
an examiner of accounts for the Equitable
Life Assurance Company, shot his wife
tonight and killed himself at their home
in Brooklyn. Edna Dashiell. sister of
Mrs. Bruns, who had spent the evening
with the couple, says tpat Bruns was un
reasonably jealous and tonight charged
his wife with extravagance and receiving
‘attention from other men.
Mrs. Bruns denied the charges and
the quarrel growing fiercer, Miss Dashiell
left the room. Immediately after four
revolver shots were fired. Bruns sending
three bullets Into his wife’s side and a
fourth Into his own head, he died in
stantly. Mrs. Bruns will probably die.
They had been married two years.
GOOD REFORMER.
Fine* In the Town of Athens, Ky.f Ag
gregate $10,426.
Lexington. Ky.. May 26.—County Judge
Bullock assessed fines aggregating $10,
426 against “blind tiger" operators, users
of profane language and carriers of con
cealed weapons In the little towm of
Athens, Ky.. today. One offender was
fined $2800. A mass meeting of citizens has
been called to taky steps to reform the
town. The Judge suspended warrants to
give the men who were fined an oppor
tunity to take part in the meeting to
show their desire to help reform the
place. Judge Bullock may preside over
the meeting.
DENIES THE REPORT.
Richardson Says Imperialism Is Not
the Only Issue.
Washington. May 26.—Representative
Richardson of Tennessee, Democratic
floor leader In the House, made a state- i
ment today correcting an impression j
which gained wide circulation that he
had declared that Imperialism, In his
opinion, would be the only issue of the
Congressional campaign.
“I made no such statement and I hold
no such views,’’ said Mr. Richardson. “In
fact, I doubt whether Imperialism wjll be
the leading issue, as there are other Im
portant questions presenting themselves
to public attention.”
Want Ray Bill Passed.
Washington. May 26.—Representatives
of the Merchant Association of New York
city. New York Credltmen's Association,
New York Board of Trade and Transpor
tation. New York Paint, Oil and Varnish
Club of New York, Grocery Association.
Chicago Credltmen’s Association. Roston
Credltmen's Association. National Credit
men’s Association. Baltimore Merchants
and Manufacturers Association. Baltimore
Credltmen's Association, Baltimore Shoe
and Leather Board of Trade and the Buf
falo Merchants Exchange today called on
Speaker Henderson and Representative
Ray. chairman of the Judiciary commit
tee. and asked that the Ray bankruptcy
bill, now before the house, be given spe
cial consideration. They said 85 per cent
of the manufacturing Interests of the
country Is In favor of the bill.
Lightning Strikes Balloon.
Berlin, May 27.—A military balloon was
struck by lightning near Augsburg. Ba
varia. last night, at an altitude of 500
meters. The only occupant of the basket
at the time of this occurrence was Lieu
tenant von Hiller, who was telephoning
his observations to soldiers on the ground
below. When the balloon was struck It
burst into flames and fell rapidly to the
earth. LWutenant Von Hiller had the
bones In both feet broken, but escaped
further Injury.
Troops to Quell Insurgents.
Colon. May 26.—The Colombian gunboat
General Pinson, which arrived here from
Bocas del Toro Saturday, returned to
Bocas Sunday night with 800 soldiers and
a large quantity of ammunition on board.
These troops are destined for Chlrlqul
Grande, where the Insurgents are still lo
cated The I'nlted States gunboat Ma
chine Is coaling here. She will probably
return to Bocas del Toro this afternoon.
1 HITCH IN PEACE
NEGOTIATIONS
Earlier Reports Seem to Con
firm Such Rumors
ENGLAND IS VERT ANXIOUS
On Account of Differences In Ministry
It Is Necessary That Something
Be Done at Once—Cabinet
Meets Today.
London, May 2*3.—Just before parliament
rose after midnight last night a rumor
reached the lobbies that a hitch had oc
curred In the peace negotiations. Noth
ing official concerning this rumor could
be ascertained, but the dispatch to the
Associated Press from Pretoria in which
it was said that the prevalence through
out South Africa of the optimistic feel
ing in regard to the peace negotiations
was hardly based upon solid facts, may
be regarded as an indication that such a
hitch has occurred.
Little information from Pretoria has
been able recently to pass the censor
there.
That the government yesterday fully
anticipated a speedy conclusion of peace
Is believed to be shown by the postpone
ment from yesterday until Friday or later
of the budget bill In the committee stage
with the view, as was frankly admitted
on the government side of the house of
enabling the budget to be recast in the
event that peace is secured.
The tax on grain has proven so un
popular throughout the country and has
had such an unexpected effect in reunit
ing the liberal party with a most effective
cry, that the government will welcome
any excuse to get rid of It.
Strong Reason for Action.
Another strong reason for the desire
to do away with this tax is the affect it
has had in the colonies where it has been
regarded as an opportunity to demand
preferential treatment—a demand which
will be strongly pressed at the coming
conference of colonial premiers in Lon
don. and which is likely to cause the
government considerable difficulty by em
phasizing a sharply-defined divergence
of opinion in the cabinet. There the
Chamberlain party is advocating a "zoll
verein policy,’’ and the retention of the
grain tax. while the Balfour party advo
cates Just the reverse. Sir Michael Hicks
Beach. the chancellor of the exchequer.
Is said to be quite willing to surrender
the tax on grain.
The Dally News predicts that once
peace Is secured the present ministry
will go to pieces in twelve months
through the Irreoonciliable dissensions
between the Salisbury and Chamberlain
sections. In the meanwhile Lord Rose
berry Is drawing the Liberals closer to
gether. He has consented to preside at
a Liberal meeting to be held In London
to protest against the government’s edu
cational bill. This bill has also proved to
be an unpopular measure; so much so
that many of the government's support
ers are urging the government to mod
ify it.
Cabinet Meeting Today.
London, May 20.—The Dally Mail this
morning says the cabinet council to be
held today will decide upon the points of
detail mostly of a financial nature which
have been raised by the Boers in the
peace negotiations. Great Britain’s de
cision in the matter then will be com
municated to the Vereningen conference
by the delegates at Pretoria, says the
paper, and being the best obtainable
terms, they will almost certainly be ac
cepted. The results should be announced
officially either Thursday or Friday of
this week, probably on Friday, the day
upon which King Edward’s birth is cele
brated. Peace Is quite certain, says the
Dally Mall, and the delegates at Pre
toria are only engaged in endeavoring to
gild the pill for the Vereningen confer
ence to swallow.
The .Dally Mall says further:
Lord Kitchener, although he Is still
full of energy Is much aged In appear
ance aa a result of the severe and con
tinuous strain which he has undergone.
The consensus of opinion is that the re
cent negotiations have proved Lord
Kitchener to be a great diplomatist as
well as a great soldier.
"It is difficult to appreciate the mag
nitude of the difficulties Lord Kitchener
has had to contend with, the Boer lead
ers are all deeply Impressed with his per
sonality and trust him Implicitly.
"it is understood that Lord Milner, (the
British high commissioner In South Af
rica) has admitted that the ultimate
credit for the accomplishment of the
great task is due to Lord Kitchener."
TERRIBLE DROUTH.
Australia Has Suffered Severely From
the Recent Dry Spell.
London. May 27.—Cabling from Sydney,
... S. W., the correspondent there of tho
Dally Mall gives an account of the terri
ble drouth from which, as a climax to
seven dry years. Australia is now suffer
ing. The correspondent says that the
lossea in stock in Australia since 1599
amount to £15.000.000. Unemployed men
are drifting into the cities by the thous
ands and there the state governments
are providing them with relief.
The situation has been aggravated by
the federal duties on fodder, which pre
vents its Importation. The sheep are
dying by the million and even the rabbits
are starving. Animals have stripped the
bark from the trees for food. A common
method of treating exhausted horses Is
to silt the anlmalB palate with a knife;
the horse Is revived By swallowing his
own blood. Numbers of "sundowners'
and "swaggers" have been found dead.
The government Is doing everything pos
sible to alleviate these conditions but
metereologists despair of an early change
hi the weather conditions.
Democratic Caucus Called.
Washington, May JB. — Representative
Hay of Virginia, chairman of the House
Democratic caucus, today Issued a call
for a caucus Wednesday evening next to
consider plans to force the passage of a
Nicaragua canal bill at thta session pf
Congress," such being the language of the
petition on which Mr. Hay issued the
caU.