The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], December 14, 1902, Image 1

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD.
VOL. 29 0 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1902 84 PAGES NO. 127
VENEZUELA FORCED TO
FACE ANOTHER FOE
Italy Will Next Demand a Full
Settlement of Her
Claims
BRITISH COMMODORE
HAS ARRIVED AT CARACAS
Castro Has Changed His Attitude to a
Certain Extent and All Seized
Property of Foreigners Is
to Be Returned. j v
ARACAS, December 14.—3 a. m —
I It Is now stated that Italy has
handed to the Venezuelan gov
ernment similar demands to those made
by Germany and Great Britain for the
payment of her claims.
The immediate object of the German
commission in coming to La Guaira is to
try to induce the commodore to delay
the blockade.
Popular demonstrations continue here,
and the government is protecting the
German legation in which Madame Von
Pilgrim-Baltazzl is lying ill. It is im
possible to remove her to the United
States legation.
Three thousand two hundred Venezue
lan troops are in the neighborhood of La
Guaira.
New Complication.
Caracas, December 33.—A new compli
cation has arisen. It is feared that Italy
will deliver a memorandum asking for
the same treatment as demanded by
Great Britain and Germany. Up to the
present moment it is impossible to obtain
definite information on the matter, but
the Italian legation denies the delivery
of any ultimatum.
The news of the arrival of the British
commodore, Montgomery, at La Guaira,
has created excitement at Caracas, but
tip to B o'clock tonight, the authorities
here have no knowledge of his design. In
government circles it is believed that a
notification of the blockade of the Ven
ezuelan coasts will be transmuted.
It Is learned from a government source
that on the advice of Minister Bowen a
calm and cool attitude for twenty-four
hours more has been advocated, and that
if the Anglo-German forces disembarked
at La Guaira the troops at the fort and
in the newly erected redoubts will not
fire on them, the object being to obtain
time for Washington to answer as to the
proposal for arbitration made to Berlin
and London.
Castro Takes New Attitude.
President Castro has taken up a new
attitude. Strong in Venezuela’s rights, he
has ordered that reprisals are to cease,
and yesterday he gave instructions that
all the property of the British and Ger
man railroads and British telephone com
panies should be returned. The govern
ment will retain still the control of the
La Guaira railroad, but its administra
tion will be left Independent.
Patriotic demonstrations took place
again yesterday and today. The Venezue
lans have decided also to boycott all
goods manufactured In Germany and
Great Britain, and in all stores notices
Ere posted declaring that henceforth the
owners will refuse to sell goods coming
from those countries.
At 1 o’clock this afternoon a special
train left Caracas for La Guaira, taking
Alfred Blohm. a leading German mer
chant, and a German banker of Caracas.
The German consul accompanied them
part of the journey. They are going on
board the Vlneta on a special mission t.o
try and obtain Germany’s acceptance of
arbitration. President Castro gave the
passports, though the initiative in this
mission was taken by Germans and not
by the government.
CAPTURE OF THE FLEET.
Germans and Britons Took the Vene
zuelan Vessels Far Out to Sea.
Caracas, December 13.—The following
details of the capture of the Venezuelan
vessels at La Gualra Tuesday by the
Anglo-German forces have reached here.
At 4 o’clock Tuesday afternoon thirteen
boats, manned by 240 British and German
seamen and towed by two steam launches
without giving any notification of their
intention to Venezuelan authorities, en
tered the harbor of La Gualra and pro
ceeded to the docks. The German con
tingent. belonging to the cruisers Vineta
and Falke, went on board the Margarita,
formerly the torpedo boat Rayo, which
was given to Venezuela by Ecuador, and
with revolvers In hand, compelled the
men who were occupied In repairing her,
to abandon the ship.
The German sailors Btnashed the tor
pedo tubes, the compass and the ma
chinery .and left the Margarita In dock
1n this disabled condition. The Germans
afterwards boarded the Ossun, a freight
steamer belonging to a Frenchman and
chartered by the government for the
transportation of troops, and ordered the
few sailors on board to quit the vessel,
which they did without making any re
sistance. The German sailors cut the
anrhor chain and towed her outside the
harbor.
British Took the Other Vessels.
At the same time the sailors of the
British cruiser Retribution boarded the
General Crespo and the Tutno and obliged
their crews to lower the Venezuelan flag
and leave the vessels. The Venezuelans
made no resistance. The British blue
jackets then cut the vessels loose from
their anchors and towed them outside the
hatbor. The Venezuelan crews were al
lowed to return to the shore.
The captured steamers were seen at 11
o'clock at night still In the same position.
At 2 o'clock in the morning ths British
rrulser Retribution towed the General
Ctespo and the Tutmo further out. and
the Venezuelan vessels have not been
seen since. The government assarts that
the soldiers at the fort at La Gualra saw
them 3unk with dynamite. It Is a fact
that the Retribution returned alone a few
hours later to La Gualra, and It was Im
possible for her to lave conducted them
either to Curacao or Trinidad. The gov
ernment complains that the German sail
TARIFF BILL ON
THIRD READING
CHANCELLOR VON BUELOW
OPENS THE DISCUSSION DURING
WHICH THE SOCIALISTS HAVE
TO BE CALLED TO ORDER.
Berlin, December 13.—In the reichstag
today, Chancellor von Buelow opened the
discussion of the third reading of the
tariff bill, saying that the allied gov
ernments had agreed on the bill as It
passed Its second reading, and also would
accept the abolition of the municipal oc
trois, now that the date of Its taking ef
fect had been fixed for 1910. The govern
ment also had agreed that at a future
date a pension fund be established for
widows and orphans from the proceeds of
the tariff revenue, and accepted the Her
old motion, according to which animals
and meats will not have minimum duties,
and the duties on grains as charged from
the committee's figures to those of the
government, except malting barley, the
duty on which Is raised from 75 cents to
tl. and that other barley will be without
a minimum duty.
When the chancellor proceeded to ex
plain that the government in accepting
the increase of the minimum on malt
ing barley did not act Inconsistently with
Its previous declarations, which merely
applied to barley In general, the social
ists laughed Ironically, whereupon the
chancellor begged to be heard, quietly
adding:
"I sat here on Thursday listening pa
tiently and behaving decently during
Herr Bebel’s long polemical speech. I
shall thank you if you adopt a similar at
titude when I shall speak.”
As the socialists continued their laugh
ter Herr von Ballestrom rang his bell
and asked the members of the house to
hear the chancellor quietly. The socialists
replied, Jeerlngly:
Why, we re only laughing.
The chancellor then proceeded, saying
that the customs offices easily distin
guished malting from feed barley, and
closed with saying:
"The allied governments hope this high
house, through Its decisions on the third
reading of the bill, will bring about uni
son between the Bundesrath and the
Relchstag and thereby complete the great
work of tariff reform for the fatherland.
"While the government's original fig
ure on grain are restored, the committee
Increases In other sections stand, includ
ing heavy advances on animals and meats
above the government’s figures. The
former tariff became a general tariff
which will be enforced, except where
commercial treaties may be made.”
After Herr Richter and others had
spoken, Herr Barth made a sharp attack
on Chancellor von Buelow, who replied
praising the patroltlc spirit of the ma
jority party, and admitting that he had
taken an active part In effecting a com
promise on the tariff bill In the form of
a practical basis for arranging efficient
commercial treaties.
Longest Sitting In History.
Berlin, December 14, 8:45 a. m.—The
relchstag Is still In session. The house
met at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, and
the present Is the longest sitting In Its
history.
Herr Antrick, socialist, finished at 1
o’clock this morning a speech lasting
eight hours, which Is the longest that has
ever been delivered In the relchstag. Herr
Antrick thus got even with tne majority
parties, which recently forced a night
session in order to prevent the socialist
members from speaking at a number of
mass meetings held In Berlin to protest
against the tariff bill.
The house Is now engaged In taking the
eighteenth ballot on the tariff. The third
reading of the bill will be passed before
the relchstag adjourns.
ors ate the meals prepared on board the
captured steamers for the Venezuelan
ciew.
CREW HELD PRISONERS.
British 8teamer Topas 8eized By the
Rabbet at Puerto Cabello.
La Guaira, December 13.—'The British
steamer Topas, from Sardlff, was seized
by the rabbel at Puerto Cabello Wednes
day and pilaged. The captain and crew
were held as prisoners, but were released
today and the steamer will sail at noon
tomorrow for Clenfuegos.
The German cruisers Falks and Pan
ther have arrived here and the German
training ship SUsch Is cruising around
outBide on the lookout The steamer
Prlnb William IV. entered the port at
2 o’clock this afternoon and discharged.
She is now about to sail again. Other
ships which arrived off the port this
morning will proceed without communi
cating.
A commission composed of leading
merchants of Caracas has arrived here,
and has been on board the British
cruiser Charybdis and the German cruiser
Vineta. On the departure of the com
mission, the Vineta sailed for an un
known destination.
The fortresses here has been evicted
and all the soldlerB have left the town.
The militia has been called out to main
tain order. All the drinking saloons and
booths have been closed by order of the
President.
The United States gunboat Marrietta
arrived today from Curacoa and has an
chored outside the harbor.
American Fleet Interested.
San Juan, Porto Rico, December IS—The
American fleet here is deeply interested
in the news of the Anglo-German action
in Venezuela. The Kearsarge, Alabama,
Massachusetts, Iowa and Scorpion, with
Admiral Higglnson In command, and the
Chicago, Newark and Eagle, Admiral
Sumner commanding, will sail for Trini
dad next Friday. The United States navy
will thus have a strong force within easy
distance of the Venezuelan coast. This
movement, however, has no connection
with the situation in Venezuela and was
arranged before matters became acute.
Another Boat Captured.
La Guaira, December 13.—The German
cruiser Vineta yesterday cdptured near
Quanta the Venezuelan gunboat Res
taurador, formerly George J. Gould's
yacht Atalanta. A crew from the Vineta
was put aboard and the captured vessel
was sent to Trinidad.
Newspapers Protest.
Guayaquil, Ecuador, December 13.—The
newspapers here protest against the step
taken by Germany and Great Britain
against Venezuela, especially the sinking
of the Venezuelan vessels. They say the
Monroe doctrine is only used when con
venient to the United States.
in HAS A
Proposes That Negroes tie Col
onized io Philippines
PRESIDENT IS INTERESTED
Has Negro Leader to the Islands to
Investigate the Matter—Alabama
Senator Will Later Construct
Legislation on Subject.
BY WATTERSON STEALEY.
Washington, December 13.—(Special.)—
After two years of endeavor, Senator
Morgan of Alabama has succeeded in in
teresting the war department and inci
dentally President Roosevelt in a plan
to use the Philippine Islands in coloniz
ing the negroes of the United States. The
war department has made arrangements
to test the practical possibilities of the
plan, and the President has sent the ne
gro leader, T. Thomas Fortune to the
Philippines to make investigations and
teport on conditions there. Senator Mor
gan, it is understood, has held consulta
tions with Governor Taft and other of
ficials of the islands.
It is the Alabama senator's purpose in
the future to construct legislation on this
line. As yet he believes the time is not
ripe for legislation, the farmers of the
south think they need the negro, and
for the present at least he will withhold
legislation.
He believes, however, that the move now
under wqy will result eventually In mil
lions of the negroes emigrating to the
Philippines, and their working out of
their own salvation. This he believes to
be the solution of the negro problem. The
senator’s plan Is to give them homesteads
of about twenty acres each, all possible
commercial advantages, under the protec
tion of the United States government.
"The principal reason for my attitude
In the senate towards retaining the Phil
ippine islands,” said the senator today,
“was my belief that those Islands would
afTord a home for the negro. I Introduced
a resolution when I first came to con
gress to recognize the Congo Free State
as an Independent nation, merely to af
ford the negroes of this country a place
to which they might emigrate
"The acquisition of the Philippines has
opened up a. vastly superior country for
the negro. The land Is richer, the climate
better suited to them, and they would
still be under the American flag, a con
dition which the negro likes exceedingly
well. I will try to put the plan In oper
ation without endangering the labor of
southern farmers and I believe under the
present scheme It will work out this way.
It will take time of course but the plan
when accomplished will prove satisfac
tory to everybody."
WILL SUMMON GENERALS.
Attorneys for Major Glenn Want Sev
eral Important Witnesses.
Manila, December 13.—Mapors Waltz
and Dodds have been chosen to defend
Major Glenn at hts trial by court martial
for alleged orders Issued by the major
during the Samar campaign. The defense
has prepared a written request, asking
the the court at the opening of the trial
on Monday, to summon from the United
States Major General Chaffee, Brig.-Gen
Jacob H. Smith, Major Irvine and Joseph
Conkling, Major Glenn’s secretary. The
court will be asked to require generals
Chaffee and Smith to produce all the cor
respondence covering the policy pursued
in Samar and other disturbed parts of
the Islands. The request sets forth that
there Is no record here on the subject
and adds that the defense expects to
show by General Chaffee the character of
the warfare he desired to be waged In
Samar and that General Chaffee approved
the orders which General Smith Issued as
being necessary.
Continuing, ths request says that with
part of the correspondence, the defense
expects to prove that the orders of Major
Glenn were in strict, literal compliance
with the orders of his superiors and that
Major Irvtne was present when Major
Glenn ordered Lieutenant Caulfield, who
executed native guides to report the In
cident.
Increased Wages on Southern.
Washington, December 13.—A gen
eral increase of wages of trainmen on
the Southern railway, averaging about
6 per cent in amount, has been
granted. This statement was made to
day by General Manager Eckert, who
stated that the majority of the en
gineers, firemen, conductors and brake
men, largely on the main line of the
Southern system, had received in
creases. The wages of the engineers
were raised from 2 to 8 per cent and
the conductors and brakemen in a few
cases as high as 10 per cent.
State Appointments.
Montgomery, December 13.—(Special.)—
The governor today made the following
appointment*:
Tuscaloosa—S. A. Turner, notary at
Tuscaloosa.
Fayette—J. A. Sudduth, notary public
and justice of the peace In beat 7 at
Hlco; D. Pearce, notary public and Jus
tice of the peace In beat 11 at Glen Al
len; P. R. Wakefield, constable In beat
11, at Glen Allen.
Mobile—W. W. Caton, notary at Mo
bile.
Etowah—W. C. Hall, notary at Moun
talnboro.
Wilcox—H. A. McClure, constable In
beat 6, at Lamison.
Discuss Banking and Currency.
Washington, December 13.—The repub
lican members of the house committee on
banking and currency held a conference
this afternoon to discuss financial legis
lation. After deciding that this session
Is too short to admit of taking up the
bill reported at the last session, the con
ference practically agreed upon certain
recommendation* relative to financial and
currency leglalatlon, which they expect
to press for early consideration. The de
tails of these recommendations have not
been fully worked out
AND STILL HE PUMPS.
tAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. a. a. a * a a a
FULL TEXT OF DEMANDS MADE UPON
VENEZUELA BY GERMANY AND ENGLAND
Caracas, Venezuela. December 13.—The
following are authentic copies of the de
mands presented by the German and
British ministers Monday, December 8,
before embarking on the warships of
their respective countries at La Guayra:
The British Ultimatum.
“To the Minister of Foreign Affairs:
“Replying to your excellency’s note
of the 4th inst., I have the honor to ie*
forra you that I have re c< ved instructions
from his majesty’s government to point
out to the Venezuelan government in
writing that regarding the steamer Ban
Righ, the British government has given
full explanations and has shown that
their exists no legitimate ground for
complaint. Nor does his majesty’s govern
ment think that there is any reason to
attribute blame to the authorities of
Trinidad, who only acted conformibly
with Instructions.
I have the honor to further express
that his majesty’s government regrets the
situation which has arisen, but cannot
accept your note as sufficient reply to
my communication, nor as Indicative of
the intention of the Venezuelan govern
ment to Batisfy the claims which his
majesty’s government has brought for
ward, and it must be understood that they
include all well-founded claims which
have arisen in consequence of the last
civil war and the previous ones, and the
ill-treatment and imprisonment of Brit
ish subjects, and also include an arrange
ment for the foreign debt.
"I have asked the Venezuelan govern
ment to make a declaration that they
recognize in principle the justness of
these claims: that they will immediately
make compensation in the navigation
cases and the cases above mentioned, and
in those in which British subjects have
been unjustly Imprisoned or ill treated,
and that respecting other claims they will
accept the decision of the mixed commis
sion as the amount and guaranty which
should be given for payment. I have
also expressed the hope that the Vene
zuelan government will defer to these
demands and not oblige his majesty’s
government to take steps to obtain sat
isfection.
"I have added that his majesty’s gov
ernment has been informed of the claims
of the German government against Vene
zuela, and that the two go., r un.nts
have agreed to operate jointly for the
purpose of obtaining an arrangement of
all their claims, and that his majesty’s
government will require the Immediate
payment of a sum equal to that which in
first case should be paid to the German
government. Any balance after the pay
ment of urgent claims shall be held on
i account for the liquidation of claims
which must go before the commission.
"I have moreover, instructions from
his majesty’s government to clearly state
that this communication must be taken
as an ultimatum.
"HAGGARD, British Minister."
The German Ultimatum.
“To His Excellency, Senor Lopez Baralt,
Minister of Foreign Affairs:
“Caracas, December 7, 1902.
j “Mr. Minister—In the name of the gov
ernment of his majesty, the German
emperor, I have the honor to make the
following communication to the govern
ment of Venezuela:
“The Inperlal government has been
duly informed of the note of the minis
ter of foreign affairs of Venezuela, dated
the 9th of May last, In that note the
Venezuelan government refused the de
mands of the imperial government rela
tive to the payment of German claims
arising out of the civil wars of 1898 to
1900, and to support their refusal referred
to arguments already put forward. The
imperial government even after examin
ing those arguments anew do not think
they can consider them satisfactory. The
government of Venezuela argues in the
first place owing to the interior legisla
tion of the! country it is not possible to
arrange out of the war by the diploma
tic course, thus asserting the doctrine
that diplomatic intervention is excluded
by interior legislation.
"That doctrine is not in conformity
with international law since the ques
tion of Judging whether such interven
tion is admissible must be appreciared,
not according to the disposition of li e
interior legislation, but in accord of the
i Mnciples of international law. The Ven
ezuelan government with the subject of
making a demonstration of diplomatic
defense, claims that this is inadmissible
and relies on the 20th article of the treaty
of amity, commerce and navigation be
tween the imperial government and the
Republic of Colombia on the 23rd of July,
1892. This argument is wanting in effi
ciency.
“Likewise, the affirmations or tne Ven
ezuelan government are not correct that
foreign claims consequent on Venezuelan
civil wars have never been arranged by
diplomatic course, for, because, like ar
rangements which Venezuala concluded,
with France in 1886, and with Spain in
1898, a formal agreement was signed on
the 6th of February, 1896, between the
German minister at Caracas and the Ven
ezuelan minister, at the order of their
respective governments, for the arrange
ment of the German claims consequent
upon the civil war of 1892.
“Nor can Importance be given to the
ether objection of the Venezuelan gov
ernment that diplomatic defense of the
present claims is admissible because an
adequate road to a settlement is open by
the decree of the 24th of January 1901,
since the proceedings provided for by the
decree do not constitute a guaranty for
a just solution of those claims.
“The procedure employed by the Vene
zuelan government has not led to a satis
factory solution of the claims. The few
German claims have been in part un
seemly refused, in part reduced, evidently 1
in an aibitrary manner, and even the
recognized claims have not been paid.
(Signed) “GERMAN MINISTER/*
DEWEY CONFERS
WITH OFFICERS
KEARSARGE HAS LANDED A BAT
TALION AND ESTABLISHED A
CAMP AT CULEBRA ISLAND.
SUMNER TRANSFERS HIS FLAG.
San Juan, P. R., December 13.—Admiral
Dewey is conferring with the squadron
commanders on the pending evolutions.
Rear Admiral Sumner's squadron ar
rived here yesterday and saluted Admiral
Dewey's flag. Admiral Sumner today
transferred his flag to the Chicago, and
assumed charge of the cruiser squadron.
The ICearsarge has landed a battalion
and has established a camp at Culebra
Island. The other warships are engaged
in boat and minor drills, which will con
tinue until Monday. Then there will be
evolutions by the vessels forming the
divisions, to be followed December 17, 18
and 19 by fleet evolutions. Between De
cember 19 and 29 there will be a holiday
at the various ports.
Admiral Dewey has announcea tne neet
organization to be as follows:
The first squadron, Rear Admiral Hig
glnson, commanding.
First division, Kearsarge, Alabama,
Massachusetts and Iowa.
Second division. Rear Admiral Crownln
shleld commanding—Illinois, Indiana,
Texas and Olympia.
Second Squadron—Rear Admiral Sum
ner, commanding.
Third Division -Chicago, Raleigh, Cir
clri atl and Newark.
Fourth Division—Captain A. Walker,
commanding: San Francisco, Albany. At
lanta and Montgomery, with the Nasn
vllle and Mechias and Detroit as picket
boats.
Rear Admiral Coghlan commands tne
base, attached to which arc the auxil
iary and supply ships.
After the holidays one squadron will
blockade a port and the auxiliary ves
sels and torpedo boats will attempt to
raise It and break their way through.
This will last five days. Then there will
be tactical evolutions.
Admiral Dewey Is greatly gratified by
the mobilization. He says it is the finest
fleet ever assembled under one flag, and
that it Is an' honor to command it.
During the search problem, Rear Ad
miral Hlgglnson was handicapped by the
absence of the Texas and Norfolk, and
the breakdown of several of his ships.
The problem, the admiral adds, showed
the need of fast scouts, and an increased
navy.
TO CHANGE INAUGURATION.
, DeArmond Introduces Resolution Mak
ing tne Date April 30.
Washington, December 13.—A joint reso
lution was introduced in the house today
by Representative Dq Armond proposing
an amendment to the constitution of the
United States providing that the term of
the president continue until April 30, 1906,
£t noon, and thereafter April 30 at noon
shall he substituted tor March 4 as the
beginning and ending of the term of
President and vice president, and that
the fifty-ninth congress shall end and the
sixtieth shall begin on January 8, 1907, at
noon, and thereafter each congress shall
begin and end on January 8 at noon.
FITZ IS AFTER THE COIN.
Does Not Care to Accept Rhulin’s
Challenge at Present.
Tacoma, Wash., December 13. — Bob
Fitzsimmons said today in reply to Gus
Ruhlin's challenge for a six-round bout
before the Pennsylvania Art club of Phil
adelphia:
“Jeffries and I can make more money
than $2500 in one night. We are getting
along with great success, and from here
we will work east and then wo Intend to
tour Europe. We can draw 16000 In Phila
delphia without bothering wirii any such
challenge as Ruhlin sends out. Personally
I am ready to meet any man in the world
that can offer sufficient inducement. Bo
far as Corbett is concerned, I guess he
can ultimately get a match with Jeffries
If he wants It bad.”
Take Out Clearance Papers.
New York, December 13.—Vessels leav- !
Ing for Venezuelan ports took out their
clearance papers as brual, notwithstand- !
ing the reports of a blockade of the Vene- 1
zuelan coast and refusal of the Gorman
end English war vessels to allow mer
chent vessels to enter. No official notice ;
has been received by the collector of the
port to warn vessels asking for clearances ■
to Venezuelan ports of the blockade.
GOVERNOR OF
SUED FOR $5000
NEGROES BEGIN A WHOLESALE
FILING OF SUITS AS RESULT OF
BEING DISFRANCHISED—MORE
TO BE FILED.
Atlanta, December 18.—A special to the
Constitution from Richmond, Va., says:
Suits for $6000 each against the gov
ernor, members of the constitutional con
vention and election officers in behalf of
negroes disfranchised by the new Vir
ginia constitution, were filed today in the
United States court here, and at Norfolk.
The suits are against the governor, all
the convention members in the eastern
district of Virginia, and the Judges of
election at precincts where the negroes
were not permitted to vote, all made de
fendants collectively and individually.
Edgar Poe Dee of Richmond and An
thony N. Pinner, a Norfolk letter car
rier, are the plaintiffs.
Similar suits are to be filed next week
In the United States courts of the west
ern districts, against members of the
convention living in that section of the
state.
NEGRO 8HOT IN RESTAURANT.
Two Refuse to Remove Their Hat*
and One Reaches for His Gun.
Asheville, N. C., December 18.— A shoot
ing a Tray, followed by a number of ar
rests. occurred today In the center of the
business section of Asheville. Two ne
groes walked into a white restaurant,
and were at once ordered to remove their
hats.
One of the negroes reached for his gun,
whereupon the proprietor and two white
patrons began shooting. One of the ne
groes was shot four times! not however,
fatally
MRS. U. S. GRANT
CRITICALLY ILL
Wife of Former President is
Rapidly Sinking
SHE IS 75 YEARS OF AGE
Has Been Suffering With a 8ever« At
tack of Bronchitis and a Sudden
Change for the Worse
Came Last Night.
... ■
Washington, December 13.—Mrs. yiysse*
8. Grant, wife of the former President
of the United States, is dangerously ill
at her home in this city. She has been
suffering with a severe attack of bron
chitis for some time, and now valvular
disease of the heart, with kidney compli
cations, have developed and the gravest
apprehensions of the outcome are felt.
A sudden change for the worse in her
condition occurred late last night, and
she sank still lower today.
Drs. Gardner, McDonald and Bishop
have been In consultation during the aft
ernoon and Dr. Bishop remained at the
house throughout the night.
Telegrams have been sent to Mrs.
Grant's sons. General Frederick Grant,
commander of the department of Texas;
Ulysses Grant, Jr., and Jesse Grant, both
of whom are at San Diego, Cal., notifying
them to come at once to Washington.
Mrs. Sartorls, her daughter. Is at Mrs.
Grant's bedside. After the physicians
made their call, shortly before 11 o'clock
tonight. It was said that Mrs. Grant was
a little better than she was earlier In the
day. It was announced that It was possi
ble that she would not survive the night.
She Is In a very feeble condition, and ths
severe drain that the bronchitis has made
upon her system has precipitated an old
trouble with the heart. Mrs. Grant spent
last summer at Coburg, Canada, but her
condition at that time was rar from good.
She was taken quite ill in October, and
on the advice of her physicians there was
hurriedly brought to Washington In a
rpeclal car, arriving here on the 17th of
that month. She has been confined to her
bed most of the time since then, although
on seveiol occasions she hss succeeded
in wr’tilng about the house and ho een
cut ot ' oors otu or twice. Mrs. Grant !■
about 75 years old.
WOULD NOT HAKE
MURDERER A HERO
CORONER’S JURY INVESTIGATES
THE DEATH OF KATE HASSETT,
THE ACTRESS KILLED ON THE
STRETS OF PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, December 13.—The coroner
today Investigated the death of Kate Has
sett, a member of Keith's Bijou Theatre
Stock company, who was shot and killed
on the night of December 1 by ''Barry"
Johnstone, an actor. Johnstone also shot
and killed himself. Mamie Heine, 14
years old, the only witness to the tragedy,
testified to having seen Johnetone and
Miss Hassett struggling In the street. The
woman fell, face downward, and John
stone shot her three times as she lay
prostrate. He then started to run away,
but returned and shot himself. Police
Lieutenant Fulmer testified that John
stone said to him:
"I shot her. I did It because she wa»
i untrue to me."
He afterwards added that he came here
from New York that afternoon for the
purpose of committing the murder. Ad
dressing the Jury, the corner said:
"I don't approve of making a hero of a
murderer. You have heard the testlmotw
and It shows this man was a cowardly
murderer. He shot three times at this
woman as she lay In the street, where
she had fallen after struggling with him
for her life.”
The Jury returned a verdict of murder
and suicide.
W. E. CURTIS MADE PRESIDENT.
Chicago Man at the Head of the Fam
ous Gridiron Club.
Washington. December IS.—At the an
nual meeting of the Gridiron club today
the following officers were elected:
President—William E. Curtis, Chicago
Record-Herald.
Vice President—A. Coolldgo, Boston
Journal.
Secretary—Richard Lee Fearn, New
York Tribune.
Treasure r—Georgs H. Walker.
Executive committee. In addition to the
above named officers: Francis E. Loupp,
New York Evening Post; Rudolph Kauff
man, Washington Stcr; James S. Henry,
Philadelphia Press.
Joseph Ohl. Atlanta Constitution, wag
elected a resident member of the club.
THE HOUSE.
Consideration of Big Appropriation Bill
Has Begun.
Washington, December 13.—The house
today entered upon the the consideration
of the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill, and made rapid pro
gress, fifty of the 142 pagee of the bill
having been oorapleted before adjourn
ment. Several of the democratic mem
bers voiced their proteats against report
ing a big appropriation bill one day, and
taking It up the next, without affording
sufficient time to members outside ut
the oommittee to properly examine It. No
material amendmente were offered.
An urgent deficiency bill was reported
and at 4:06 p. m. the house adjourned.
To Wed In Blocton.
Blocton, December 18.—(Special.)—At
8:80 o'clock this evening at the home of
the bride's parents In Blocton. J. M.
Waddle will be married to Mies Katie
Louise Rice. The bride is the daughter
of Editor Rice of the Blocton Messenger
and Is quite popular. The groom is con
nected wMh the Messenger,