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COMMISSIONER DAVIS TALKS OF THE NEW DUTIES OF THE NATION HE PUTS HIMSELF ON RECORD As Favoring the Retention of All the Territory Acquired During the War With Spain Associated press Special Wire NEVJ.OIIK, Aug. 29.—The World says: Tho American peoplo are aglow with pa triotic fervor, and the utmost calmness Is necessary ln considering our future course, said United States Senator Cushman K. Davis before leaving the city for his home to prepare for his Journey to Paris as one of the Aye commissioners to arrange the final terms of peace between the United States and Spain. "Events have made us one of the great powers of the earth," he continued. "What ever we may have desired ourselves here tofore destiny has forced upon us respon sibilities that we must recognize and ac cept. We have become a potent factor in the world's progress. A greater actual naval and military power we are already. We are not strong enough yet, but not an hour must be lost ln equipping ourselves to cope with any emergency that may con front us. Our volunteer army Is as good, If not better, than any force of the kind In the world, but we cannot rest secure In that thought. Wo must have a large regular army ready at call ln the future. We must have as good a navy as any nation on earth. We have an excellent beginning. Ship for ship we need fear nobody. But we must ; PEACE COMMISSIONER DAVIS build ships with true American energy. Nothing must deter us. We know that we have the men to put behlndthe guns. Love ot gunnery Is an American characteristic. When we were boys all ot us knew how to handle firearms. A gun Is the earliest thought of the American youth. Men are only grown up boys. That explains our success at Manila and Santiago." "How are we likely to be menaced ln the future?" was asked. "Actually, we aro not a whit more ex posed to attack as a colonial power than we have been every hour since the active advent of steam sea power. Tha glorious victories of our navy have brought us new responsibilities, but the Philippines or the Sandwich Islands are not more Isolated than are parts of our Pacific coast. Hero after our power must be felt on the Pacific ocean. The mere addition of a few hun dred square miles of territory by capture or treaty does not increase our danger. "China Is the coveted part of the earth's surface today, but who could have pre dicted six months ago that Russia, Ger many or Japan would not have coveted a foothold on the North American continent? Now we see the trend of events In the East. Providence has stepped In to point the future course for us. We must police the Pacific ocean. Its coast has been our vulnerable point. "Tou understand, I am on record as fa voring the retention of the territory which has been acquired by the splendid victories of our arms. I am an American citizen* speaking as such, and my remarks have nothing to do with official duties that I shall undertake on October 1 as a commla sloner to the congress of Paris. "What that body will or will not do, I would not predict it I could. lam talking Ot the situation as It exists today, and as every American citizen can see It. The In terests of the United States must be jeal ously guarded from this hour onward. We have been remiss and indifferent in the past. Think of the Vlrglnlus massacre. That was the hour in which we should have taught Spain her lesson. Long years of suf fering and bloodshed would have been •verted. It Is Idle to say that the Vlrgln lus was not an American ship. Many of the men aboard her were American citizens and the ship was caught on the high seas. The men were shot ln cold blood—and we Stood It. We endured such an outrage with General Grant, a brave and true man, at the head of affairs. It was not cowardice on the part of the American people, but It wae lethargy and Indifference that were quite as debasing In the sight of the world. That was what justified all subsequent Spanish bluff and bravado. But we have risen lo a new plane—the level that we were really Intended to hold all along. Nothing but the Indifference of our states men has prevented the United States from occupying the place to which It belonged. The American people huvo had the cour age of their destiny all the time. They have never faltered. "Hereafter, I tell you, the maritime, commercial and political Interests will not permit their governing power to be Indif ferent to their honor or their progress. An ■ t ' outrage like thai at Santiago de Cuba— where nearly half a hundred Americans were stood up against a wall and shot would not be passed over today. "How do you suppose a similar massacre of American citizens In Havana would be received this afternoon? Why, our war ships would be on their way to that point betore midnight. That's the difference. And It Is well. It Is as It should be. "The United States has ceased to be the: China of the Western Continent. We are alive, thank God, and must not be Insulted by any power In this world, great or small. "That Is the difference between the Un'ted States of the seventies and today. "And It Is that change that ought to make every patriot glad. Wars are Inev itable —or all history Is false. Steam power has broadened the arena. No nation Is safe. Japan's triumph ovei China was robbed of most of) Its value to the victorious nation by the Intervention of a stronger power. "Are we to be weak like Japan? Can we contemplate for an Instant the Interference of any power that shall abridge the ma- Jesty and glory laid at our feet by the In comparable Dewey? I say, 'never.' "Therefore you may quote me Just as strongly as you can as saying: 'More bat tleships, and after that, more cruisers and battleships again. The men will step for ward as fast as we can build the ships.' "Suppose that Dewey had been defeated at Manila? What might have been the fate of the Hawaiian Islands and the Pa cific Coast from Bering Sea to San Diego? "The Asiatic situation Is ono that deeply concerns us. If we are outwitted there wo must at once prepare for a defense of our western coast line from the same ag gressions that have humbled the oldest empire on earth in tho eyes of modern civilization." "What do you think of the cordial rela tions between this country and Great Brit ain?" "Trtey are timely and welcome. The aver sion of greatness has passed away." "Will the Cubans govern themselves?" "I hope so. We have made them free from the yoke of Spain and their destiny Is before tfiem." CUBAN GRATITUDE Shown by Memory of the First War Victim FREMONT, 0., Aug. 29.—John Meek of this county, father of George B. Meek, who was killed on the torpedo boat Wlnslow at Cardenas May 11th, has receiveu a letter and a check for $100. The letter goes to show that young Meek was the first Amer ican-born sailor killed ln the Cuban war. The letter received by Mr. Meek reads as follows: "Washington, Aug. 29.—John Meek, Esq.—Dear Sir: Some months ago a Cuban gentleman, who signs himself Cambresls, from the City of Mexico, sent General Tomas Estrada Palma, of New York, an order for $100, to be given to the wife, chil dren, or parents of the first American-born sailor who should die ln the war to free Cu ba. I have just now been Informed that your son', George Meek, fireman ot the llrht class, on board the torpedo boat Wlns low, was the first hero lo shed) his blood for the Independence of our unfortunate and downtrodden people. I beg to enclose to you the check entrusted to my care, being a proof of the gratitude of Cubans for their friends and allies, the Americans. Pleas* aoknowledge the receipt of the same In du plicate. GONZALO DE QUESADA. "Charge d'Affaires of the Republic of Cuba." The check Is dated May 17th and la drawn on the Bank of America to the order Of Tomas Estrada Palma, antt Is signed Malt lanid, Coppell & Company. Mr. Meek has not as yet had the check cashed, and has already been offered much more than Its face value by parties who want It as a souvenir of the war. An Explosive Bath CHICAGO, Aug. 29.-H. E. Hlgglns, cash ier of the Treasurer's office ot the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, Is dead from burns received by the explosion of a vapor bathing apparatus, by which Mr. Higgins was endeavoring to secure relief from hay fever. The vapor bath had been purchased In the hope that It would drive away the disease. In, some unaccountable manner the machine exploded while Mr. Hlgglns was ln It. The shock was terrific, covering Mr. Hlgglns with scalding steam and leaving scarcely a portion of bis body unharmed. Mr. Hlgglns had been ln the employ of the Rock Island for eighteen years. He was 52 years of age. A widow and two children survive him. Hanna Going Home CLEVELAND. 0., Aug;. ».-Senator Hanna, who has been enjoying a few weeks outing ln the West, will return to Cleve land Thursday evening. President Mc- Klnley, who wilt arrive In Cleveland Tues day or Wednesday for a few days' quiet rest at the home of Colonel Myron T. Herrlck, will, It Is understood, be a guest of Senator Henna's home before his de. parture from this city. LOS ANGELES HERALD: TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 30, 1895 ADVANCE ON PORTO RICO DESCRIBED BY A SOLDIER WHO TOOK FART Lieutenant Haines Tells of Fierce Fighting on tho Last Day of the War NEW TORK, Aug. 29.—Lieut: Haines, commanding an army platoon under Capt. Potts, ln Porto Rico, was wounded on Au gust 12th, the day the war ended. He Is now in St. Luke's Hospital In this city. Talking with his brother, Captain T. Jenk ins Haines, who was at his* bedside, he said: "The cable regarding this affair was confusing. It spoke of Lieutenant Haines being struck by a stray Mauser bullet. Not serious. "This was misleading, as It might lead one to suppose my battery was not lni ac tion and that my wound was an accident, whereas several other men wero wounded and two killed. "I was sent out ln advance along the San Juan road to find a position from which we could enfilade the Spanish position from which a heavy fire had been received, the Spanish volleys coming with remarkable regularity and precision. On the morning of August 12th Captain Polts was ordered to proceed up the San Juan road with five inch guns for the purpose of shelling the Spanish trenches at Asomanta. "Four guns, which Included my platoon, were moved into position in a field near the San Juan road, at a range of 2000 yards, the fifth gun being .sent ahead 100 yards to our right on the road. "Just beforo we cams Into action the en emy opened on us with Infantry volleys and two three-Inch howitzers. This hast ened us Into action. We picked up the range Immediately and did splendid prac tice. The two howitzers were Boon silenced and the Spaniards were seen running from their lntrenchments. Then we slacken ed fire, and shortly after we did the enemy took heart and began to return. General Wilson sent me with a gun some distance up the road ln advance of the rest to try and enfilade the enemy. I proceeded up the road on horseback about 200 yards and found a company of Wisconsin Infantry ln a bend of the road, which formed a cover from the Spanish fire. I passed be yond them and the gun was unlimbered ln the next turn of the road, ln a some what sheltered position. My men lay down by the roadside to escape the Bpantsh vol leys, which were coming up the road in our ] front and right. Some of my men told me the enemy were advancing and were with-1 ln two hundred yards ln force, and that we must get out or lose the gun. "The firing at this time waß very heavy, the Mauser bullets coming in a storm with each volley. I told the sergeant we would have a try at them for luck, anyhow, and as I could see no Spaniards nearer than 500 or 600 yards I had the gun run out on the road. We no sooner had dione this than the fire suddenly Increased so fierce ly that the gun could not be served. We hauled the gun back to the next turn In the road, where we were Jotned by the second gun, still unable to do any great execution, owing to the sheltered position of the en emy. The fire continued with fierceness, but from our new position we brought a house In view. I had the gun lnstar. ly trained upon It, as I jaw several Spaniards there outside of It and felt certain It was not empty. "The very first shot landed fairly up Its side and, penetrating, burst inside, sending things flying. The enemy broke cover and I turned to the sergeant, saying: " 'That was a good one; now give them • —.' As I turned something struck me through Ihe body. I knew I was badly hurt, but felt no pain. It was like be ing struck over the shoulder with a club. I passed my hand to my side and 1 brought it away full of blood. "The sergeant saw me and ran to my side. " 'They've got me this time," I Bald, and he put his arm around me and led mo away and let me He down." Tho war was ended that day. PORTO RICO TROOPS Are Soon to Be Sent on Their Home ward Way NEW YORK, Aug. 29.—A dispatch to the Herald from Poneesays: Details of the homeward movements of the American troops have been practically completed. It has been arranged that tho whole de tachment of about 15.000 men will land In Brooklyn. After resting there a few days they will proceed to the bridge to Wall street, to Broadway, to Fifth avenue and then to Central Park. The men in line will be commanded by General Wilson and General Miles will review them. General Brooke Is preparing to move to San Juan. One hundred wagons have been sent to him from Ponce to transport supplies across the mountain. It seems probable that he will take all the forces at Guantanamo, In cluding the mounted troops. Reports of disorder continue. The au thorities believe that the outbreaks are sporadic and will soon quiet down. Gen eral Miles will probably Issue a proclama tion colling for order and decreeing several penalties for disobedience. The trial by a military commission of twelve civilian prisoners charged with burning the town of Colo begins tomorrow In Ponce. Col. Griffin of the First Volunteer Engi neers will preside. The prisoners having no counsel, General Wilson has detailed Major Walton of the corps to act In that capacity. This Is the first trial of a civil ian by a military court since occupation of the Island. THE SCOTT ESTATE The Lady Was Eccentric but Far From Insane SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 29.-Judge Cof fey, In a decision rendered today, sustains the will of the late Mrs. Angella R. Scott, who died In this city December 16,1898, leav ing an estate valued at about 8400,000. She divided her property Into fiftieths before making her will, and ln that document re membered many of her relatives. To her husband she bequeathed two-fiftieths, and this led him to contest the will on the ground that his wife was of unsound mind at the time of the making of the will, and also alleged undue Influence on the part of Louisa Garcia, Frank Garcia and Helen Gerrish, all beneficiaries under the terms of tho will. The will cut Mrs. Amanda Ml ley, a niece, off with il. Mrs. MiTey also brought suit fo have the will set aside, and the case Is still pending, but as she brought suit on practically the same grounds as the contest Instituted by the hbsband. It IS generally conceded that the case has been decided ta all practical purpose. Judge Coffey's decision covers 98 pages of type written matter. Much of the property be queathed Is situated ln Santa Clara county. Judge Coffey found that while Mrs. Scott wa3 very eccentric she was' far from being Insane, and credited her with being a good business woman. The terms of the will are such that the contesting legateees will bo deprived of the property willed them. The case win be taken to the Supreme Court. PECK'S VISIT Made to Secure Space for American Exhibits CHICAGO, Aug. 29.—Commissioner-Gen eral to the Paris Exposition, Ferdinand W. Peck, accompanied by members of his family and staff, has left for New York, where they will embark on La Touralne next Saturday for Paris. "One of the principal objects of my visit to Paris at this time." said the Commis sioner-General, "Is to try to secure ad ditional space for American exhibit*. I have received applications for over 2, --000,000 feet of space from Intending exhib itors. I am confident that I shall-be able to secure considerable additional spaco from some of the countries. "I shall return probably ln November, and will then begin the work of allotting spaco to exhibitors." Mr. Peck also announced' that there was no longer any doubt concerning the erec tion of the Lafayette monument. "The monument will be erected'," said he. "You may stato that as a fact. It probably will be placed over the remains of the famous French patriot and 1 friend of America ln the oemetery near Paris. Noth ing hns been decided' In regard to the gov ernment building, but the matter prob ably will be passed on at an early date," A BURGLAR KILLED A Fresno Woman Disposes of a Desperado FRESNO, August 29.—About 10:30 o'clock tonight Jesus Vaca, a Mexican sheep shearer, was fatally shot by George Thorn ton and wife, whose house he was at tempting to burglarize. He entered through a window, and was seen by the Thorntons, who were on the lookout for burglars, the house having been broken Into several limes of late during their ab sence. Thornton ordered Vaca to throw up his hands, but the latter closed In on him, and a struggle ensued for Thornton's weapon. The latter called on his wife, who was also armed, and Mrs. Thornton fired at the burglar's head. Her husband happened to be trying to force back Vaca's head, and the bullet struck his thumb. Her next shot, however, struck Vaca, and he gave up. While Thornton held the Mexican Mrs. I Thornton took off the fellow's necktie and coolly tied his hands, Subsequently Vaca tried to escape and Thornton put a bullet or two ln him. It Is. not thought Vaca can recover. Throughout the affair Mrs. Thornton displayed great courage. RUSSIAN HARVEST So Scanty That Many Peasants Are Starving ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 29.—Owing to the failure of the harvests ln seven dis tricts of the government of Kazan and in the provinces of Samaria, Sarutof, Slbirlk, Vlatke and Parma, where the crops are almost worthless and even the landed gentry are beginning to ask the govern ment for relief, the government is adopt ing measures to relieve the sufferers. The distress, however, Is becoming more acute every day. The peasants are denuding their cottages of thatches ln order to teed their stock. In spite of all that can be done, cattle and horses are drying ln great numbers. The government officials are very slow ln getting the relief measures Into effect, and the only relief thus far has been the granting of permission to the peasants to gather fagots in the woods for fuel and to collect dried leaves for fod der. The peasants are exhausted from lack of food, and unless the promised sup plies are speedily sent the suffering will be terrible. WAR CLAIMS Already Filed With the Secretary of the Treasury i WASHINGTON, August 29.—Already several ot the states have filed with the secretary of the treasury claims for reim bursement of expenditures growing out of the war. Auditor Browne of the treasury department, In speaking of these claims, said: "There seems to be a misapprehension on the part of some claimants. Creditors can not present their accounts direct to the war department. The law provides that all accounts must be paid by the states and the general government will reimburse the states. "The principal delay likely to be occa sioned ln the settlement of the claim arises from the failure In some cases to properly receipt the bills, and have them approved by the governor. When the vouchers arc presented in proper shape this office will pass upon them promptly," THE WOMAN DOCTOR Regularly Sworn in as an Acting Army Surgeon WASHINGTON, August 29.—Today, for the first tlms In the American army, a wo man was appointed a member of the medi cal staff.. Dr. Anita Newcombe McOee, wife of Prof. W. J. McGee, of [his city, and a daughter of Professor Simon Newcombe, formerly of the naval observatory, was regularly sworn ln as an acting assistant surgeon. This, according to Secretary Al ger's general order, would entitle her to the uniform ot a second lieutenant without designation of rank. It is not likely, how ever, that Dr. McGee will avail herself of this privilege. Assistant Surgeon McGee goes to New York to select 30 graduate nurses for ser vice in Porto Rico. Dr. McGee has regu larly practiced her profession In Washing ton for some years, and le well known in medical circles throughout the country. Santiago Sick WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—General Law ton's bulletin of the health conditions of the troops at Santiago received at the war department tonight follows: Santiago de Cuba, Aug. 29.—Total sick 378, fever 311, new cases fever 10, returned to duty 2, deaths 9. Four hundred and twenty non-Infected convalescents, slightly 111, will sail on the Roumanla today, leaving about 300 sick of the Sixth corps In Santiago. A Railroad Wreck WICHITA, Kan.. Aug. 29.—A collision be tween a work train and passenger train on the Panhandle branch of the Santa Fe, three miles east of Alva, O. T„ yesterday afternoon, resulted ln the Injury of eighteen or twenty people, but none seriously. Both engines were badly damaged and the mall ear Injured. i INSTRUCTIONS READY FOB. PORTO RICAN AND CUBAN COMMISSIONS The Islands Will Be Subjected to Mil itary Control—Details Left for the Future IS *— WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—The instruc tions to the Cuban and Porto Rlcan mili tary commissions were drawn up and ap proved by the President before he left Washington, and are now ready to bo de livered to the president of each before Be leaves. The Instructions will not be made public, but their general terms are known to be the same as the instructions sent to General Shafter regarding the government of San tiago and General Merritt regarding the Philippines. This will mean that the military com mission will take control of Cuba and Vorto Rico the same as the Military Gov ernor oontrols that portion of Cuba sur rendered to the United States after the Santiagc campaign. Th:: many minor details relative to the evacuation of the islands are left to the commission, who will report any difficult pr disputed points to Washington. There ►Ms been doubt that the United States would take control of Cuba, but the Instruc 'ions to the Cuban military commission settles any question regarding that island, md means that for the present, at least, the United States will assume the govern ment and control of the remainder of the island, as has been the case in Santiago. Orders to Schley WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—An order was hwue-d at the Navy Department today de taching Rear Admiral W. 8. Schley from command of the second squadron of the North Atlantic fleet and ordering him to Porto Rico as a member of the evacuation commission, during which time he Is au thorized to fly his flag on the cruiser New Orleans, which will remain in those waters until the commission Is ready to return to the United States. Admiral Schley will be accompanied to Porto Rico by the members of his staff now attached to the cruiser Brooklyn at New York. General Butler, one of the members of the Cuban commission, was at the War De partment today ln conference with the au thorities regarding the duties of the com mission. Col. J. W. Clous, of the Judge Advocate General's department, who will act as one of the legal advisers of tho commission, was also at the State Department today. He had a long conference with Acting Secre tary Moore regarding the legal aspects of the case. He arrived here today from Porto Rico, where he was serving on the staff of General Miles. The Cuban commission will sail from Now York next Sunday on the cruiser Resolute, which will proceed direct to Havana. General Wade will act as pres ident of the commission. The Porto Rlcan commission will sail from New York next Wednesday on the army transport Seneca. General Gordon arrived here today from Huntsvllle, Ala., and received his Instructions from Acting Secretary Moore of the State Department and Secretary Alger of the War Depart ment. It was his first visit to Washington since his appointment. It is expected that he will Join the other members of the com mission In New York. White's Acceptance WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—There is still a possibility of a change ln the personnel of the American membership of Ihe Peace Commission. Up to this moment It la not yet definitely and absolutely known whether Justice White will accept the appointment tendered him, and efforts are making by the President to learn his Intentions ln the matter. Mr. Mac Arthur, the Assistant Secretary of the American Commission, is now in New York making arrangements for the sailing of the commission on the 17th of September, so that very little Inter venes to make a change In the body. It is suggested that Senator Lodge of Massa chusetts is being considered lo fill the va cancy that would result If Justice White de clines. A PYTHIAN RITUAL Adopted by the Grand Lodge Now ln Session INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 29.—The supreme lodge, Knights ol Pythias, was ln session all day ln the state house. It adopted the new ritual for the uniform rank In a modified form. The committee appointed several days ago to Investigate the charges of extravagance made gainst the supreme lodge officers and to secure If necessary, the name of the in formant of a local paper, will report tomor row that there has been extravagance but no criminal misconduct. It will also report that it could not secure the name of the re calcitrant representative. Further, the committee will recommend a committee to have supervision over the award of con tracts for printing and supplies. The committee on the state of the order reported today that the reports of the su preme officers heretofore submitted, were "very significant and very suggestive." The ways and means committee decided to recommend a per capita tax of 6 cents for the support of the supremo lodge which, with $9000 estimated to come In from the sale of supplies and $7500 Income from the supreme representative tax of $50 each against grand lodges, will give an Income of about $50,000 a year. The supreme lodge decided today to bor row $25,000 for the expenses of tne supreme lodge, as there Is now only $9000 in the treas ury. The supreme tribunal concluded Its work today and adjourned after having settled several cases. In the case of T. W. Dunne against the Oahu lodge No. 1 of Honolulu, tho appeal was dismissed. John Tu. Alexander of Losburg, Va., was re-elected supreme tribune for five years. W. B. Qale of Boston succeeded George D. Seay on the tribunal. W. D. Kennedy was ro-eleeted supreme recorder. Only Two Killed BIRMINGHAM. Ala.. Aug. 29,-The total death list from last night's accident on the Louisville and Nashville, in which a train bearing six companies of the Sixteenth New York Regiment was wrecked, remains at two. Private Potter Farley and Quarter master Sergeant Frank Qlennan. both of Company M. Sergeant J. J. Manning of Company E Is suffering from a compound fracture of the spine and Is expected to die. None of the others are thought to be seriously hurt, although about twenty five private* are at tbe hospital and are suffering from bruises, shocks and other minor Injuries. A number of the regiment left here for HynUvllle at four o'clock this ,owming. . 1 1 1..' With Each Day... Autumn Arrivals Increase The fall of the year is close upon us. The new goods are coming in in larger quantities than a week ago. Every section of the new store is busy unpack ing, marking and placing the new arrivals. With the arrival ot new styles for a new season we require extra space, and to that end have marked many of the summer lines, such as Wash Waists, Undermuslins, Parasols and Summer Furnishings, at reduced figures. 317-325 South Broadway Laugh/In Building TROOPS ORDERED HOME WHERE THE BEGIMENTS WILL BE MUSTERED OUT California Troops Now at Camp'Mer ritt Are Not Included in the Order WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—The following troops have been ordered mustered out: Ninth Massachusetts, from Middletown, Pa., to South Farmlngham, Mass., where ' they will be mustered out; Seventh Illinois, from Middletown to Springfield; First Illi nois, Lexington, Ky., to Springfield; Fifth Illinois, Lexington to Springfield; Sixty fifth New York, from Camp Alger to Buf falo; Fifth Ohio Infantry, from Fernandlna Fla., to Columbus; First Wisconsin, from Jacksonville to Camp Douglas, Wis., Third U. S. V. Cavalry (Grlgsby's) al Chlckamauga; Fourth Texas, Austin, Tex The Naval Militia WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—Acting Secre tary Allen has decided to adopt the policy cf mustering out the naval militia in bod ies Instead of individually, as heretofore. This will be done ln the case of the New- York men on the Yankee, now ot New York, and In all other cases hereafter. Mr. Allen Believes that the militiamen will be bet ter pleased to go to their homes ln bodies, where they may L,e met by their people and greeted publicly. The Navy Department is highly gratified at the splendid service rendered by these men. Just before the battle of July 3d sixty Chicago militiamen were placed on the battleship Oregon, and the reports that come to the department all speak In the highest terms of their ability. So well had they been drilled In instances that new men were turned over to the mi litiamen to be instructed in their duties. The militiamen were also on the best of terms with the enlisted men about ship, and the latter manifested their apprecia tion of the good qualities of the Chicago boys by cheering heartily for them as they were gathered to be mustered out. Th 6 de partment is not able to proceed as fast a» It would like in the matter of muetenng out the militiamen, owing to the necessity of retaining a sufficient body of sailors to man the ships. If o Orders Issued SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 29.—N0 orders for the mustering out of troops at Camp Merritt have been received by General Miller, nor any intimation of an Intention of the War Department to do so ln the near future. The heavy artillery will probably be re tained in the service. It is the prevailing opinion nt headquar ters that no action will be taken for a week or two. A GRAVE QUESTION Clash Between State Authorities and the War Department WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—Captain Louis C. Duncan, surgeon ot the Twenty-second Kansas regilment, is held by the sheriff of Fairfax county, Va., to answer an Indict ment charging him with desecrating con federate graves at Bull Run near Manas sa* It appears that Duncan, whose case has become famous, was not sentenced to five years' imprisonment, as reported from Camp Meade, Pa., but escaped much more lightly at the hands of tho military court, there being a lack of evidence to prove that he actually took part In despoiling fhe graves. He was tried by court-martial under the sixty-first and sixty-second gen eral articles of wnr. The finding of the court-martial approved by General Davis, was that Surgeon Dun can be deprived of his rank for two months, he confined to the regimental camp and for feit half his pay for the same length of time, and that ho be reprimanded by the commanding general. How Dr. Duncan is to be oonflnedito regi mental caimp for two monfhs when he is now the prisoner of the sheriff of Fairfax county Us difficult to understand. His regtment has moved from Thoroughfare Gap to Camp Meade, Pa. It Is understood that when the sheriff presented his'warrant for him under the state indictment, Dun can voluntarily surrendered. A clash be tween the state authorities and the war de partment may develop. The case has not h»en brought to the attention of Washing ton as yet. A Pennsylvania Fire PITTSBURG, Pa., Aug. 29.—A Are at New Kensington, Pa., 18 miles north of here at four o'clock this morning, de stroyed the opera house, Harmon's block, Jacobin's block, and. a number of dwell ings. The Central Hotel was badly dam aged. The loss Is esttmatedat 850,000, par tially Insured. Clark's Condition WASHINGTON, August 29.—Captain Charles E. Clarke, formerly commander of the battleship Oregon, when discharged froml further treatment at the hospital at New York, will be granted three months' , leave of absence. CORBETT-M'COY FIGHT IS LIKELY TO FALL THROUGH AFTER ALL Sailor Sharkey Jumps at the Otter of a Purse to Meet Lanky Bob Fitzslmmons NEW YORK, Aug. 29.—The World says: That the Corbett-McCoy fight will come oft on October Ist, the new date agreed on a few days ago, Is a fact not now ques tioned by many sporting men. Corbett is on his way East from -San Francisco anid is expected to reach Aa> bury Park the middle of this week. He will And all of his trainers and sparring partners waiting for him, and before an other ten days has elapsed he will be do ing as much hard work as when ho left off so unexpectedly. "Kid" McCoy is at Saratoga and will re sume active training tomorrow. He eased up a little a week ago and) took a trip to Buffalo, but his condition did not suffer ln the least. Jim Has a Grievance SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 29.—James J. Corbett, accompanied by his wife, left for New York this evening. Interviewed, he said that he would not fight McCoy on Oc tober 1, but that he would meet him a month later. He also said that he had been deceived by the managers of tlhe fight re garding the varlscope pictures and that the question must be righted. Sharkey Willing NEW YORK, Aug. 29.—The following dis patch hu-s been received by the Associated Press from Tom O'Rourke, manager of Tom Sharkey: "Providence, R. 1., Aug. 29.—Sharkey ac cepts the National Athletic Club offer of $17,000, all the purse to go to the winner. Let Fitzslmmons shut up or put up. "TOM O'ROURKE." Earned a Decision NEW YORK. Aug. 29.—Kid McPartland of this city got a well-earned decision over Jack Daly of Wilmington, Del., after fight ing twenty-five clean rounds Before the Greater New York Athletic club tdnlgfit. The last time these two met, Daly got the decision on a foul in the peventh round at tho Lenox Athletic club, and since that time McPartland has always been claiming that ho had really whipped Doly then. He In sisted that on their next meeting he would demonstrate his superiority over the Dela ware man and he did this very effectively tonight. Both men were ln splendid form ar.d showed that they had trained carefully when they Btepped In the ring. The bout was devoid of foul work and was one of the cleaneßt and cleverest exhibitions ever given under tho Horton law. There was little to chose between the men at the end of the go. but as McPartland had done more leading than his opponent, the referee's de cision In his favor was fair. Daly's friends lost a lot of money on the result and a few bets were made in the early part of the fight at two to one on the Delaware man. At no stnge of the contest were these odds warranted and It was evident at the end of the twelfth round that the fight would go lo the limit. Wire Drawers' Strike CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 29.-All nego tiations between the Wire and Steel Com pany and their striking employes have been declared off. The strikers have again taken up the battle and say that they will fight to the bitter end. Hundreds of strikers mounted picket guard around the plants of the company In anticipation of an at tempt to smuggle In new employee. By 4 o'clock today 500 strikers were posted, covering every approach to the works. Each workman as he camoalong was Intercepted by a committee, who asked him to stay away from the works. No threats were made and no violence offered. It did not take much persuasion to prevail on all the machinists and laborers, nearly all of the "handy" men and firemen, to remain with the strikers. It was claimed early ln the day by the strikers that fully 160 men were kept from going to work. ALPINE DANGERS Four English Climbers Dashed Down to Death BERKK, Switzerland. Aug. 29.—Dr. John Hopktnson, an English electrical engineer, und his son and two daughters have been killed while ascending the Delts de Velsivi In the Canton of Valals, the mour tains of which are among the highest ln Europe, and which are exposed to furious torrents and destructive avalanches. The party had gone on their perilous trip without the as sistance of a guide. Dr. Hopk'nson had Intended starting for New York on September 20th, the trip to be made in connection with a syndicate which he was forming for th* purpose of developing his inventions. An Early Rain EUREKA. Cal., Aug. 29.—A thunder and lightning storm visited this section last night with showers of rain. TTni nriataWa tlon amounted to six hundredths' s*f a* lash. It wm th* first nsta of t>» ssassa., 3