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,4 Number 2075. tVAfeilTNGTOX, SATrEDAY, DECEMBER 30, aS99. Price One Cent. fiuon on Ctaiiorfti Hitilrr Ppefwrliig (o At tack the Beer Pusiilaii. UerijteteHes lVm St.HtM Africa Say a Great UvcHt I iMiieHiiiBs-n- oHfwrt'eiMfHi!. fHr ihi- Kniriisii Arm? oh the THKela. Itiver Jouliert's SKch ApprfiHuh Nearer to I.ndj siiiilh. LONDON, Dec. SO. "A great event is jbswt-tatng" are the concluding words of a tlnanetcb dated December 27 in which Win eton Churchill, correspondent of the "Moatm Post," describe the respective positions of the Been and British at and theTagela River in Natal. The same idea caa be read between the lines in soma otter telegrams, and the expectation is growing that Gneral Bailer will shortly mate a second attempt to cross the river. The latest news regarding the transports indicates that he has been re-enforced by JM men and IS guns since the failure of few feat attempt, but as the Atlantian, with tarn batteries, left Cape Town yesterday for Durban it may be assumed that no moe win be made until these additional twelve gaas have reached the front. By then General Bailer's strength will be sufficient to enable him to employ two divisions for the attack, while holding the camp with a whole brigade. The best informed criticism here is in nowise over sanguine as to the results, half fearing that the attack will be a for lorn hone. The Boers, according to the latest tele grama, are carefully preserving the secret of their artillery emplacements. They, therefore, do not reply to the shelling of the British. According to the "Tele graph's" Cheveley correspondent all the Boers who were south of the Tugela River have recrossed. fearing that their retreat would be barred by the swollen river. Their laagers seem to have been removed nearer to Ladysmith. with the object of further pressing the garrison there. From other centres nothing of first im portance is recorded. The papers make much of the Boer "nervousness" at Modder stiver, which, they say, is evidenced by two false alarms which resulted in their aimlessly fuslladmg the veldt all night, but such occasional scares are. of course. familiar incidents In any campaign. The assumptions that the Boers position is becoming untenable through the weariness of the men, typhoid fever, lack of water, and horse sickness may be disregarded, es pecially in view of a Modder River despatch to the "Times." dated December SS, which says: "We have bad no certain information concerning the Boers' doings for several days." A despatch from Lourenc Marques, dated December 26, refers to the rumors that guns and ammunition are being smug gled into the Transvaal, and says that suspicion attaches to a French Line steam er which is now in the harbor there. This brought two large guns from Mad- . The despatch adds: "It is sig that Major Erasmus of the Trans vaal Artillery, arrived coincident!- with the steamer. Other important Boer emis- sanes arc continually coming and going. "It Is noteworthy that the Transvaal's and Mree State's Consul here continues to act as Consul for the Netherlands. The chief of the IVwtnguciW! customs assures me that the suspicions concerning smuggling are groundless, but much depends on the sub- j orouate ameers, xnere ts reason to bei.eve that Pretoria is well informed of the Brit ish military movements. .This is confirmed by the fact that. Lord Rob?rt's appointtceut was known in Pretoria on December -0, though it was only telegraphed here from Cape Town this week There ira suspicion I that the Transvaal Government is in close with a foreign consulate at Pretoria, Consul is notorious for his pro-Boer sympathies." Lard Roscbery has written briefly to the "Tunes." remarking upon the supreme im portance of the question raised by the "disquietinc intimations" that the govern ment is treating food stuffs as contraband of war. and expressing the hope that bis letter will elicit an authoritative state ment on the subject. PRISONERS WELL TREATED. "VlsvteH Churchill DeaicM That the ltoers Are Cruel. SLGXDOX, Dec. . Winston Churchill. the correspondent of the "Morning Post," to despatch detailing the position of the British prisoners at Pretoria, declares the Queen's enemies, they were unable there la no cause for anxiety concerning i to land the goods at the port of destination. them. He adds that the Boers are cer- I They had carried them to the nearest poe latnly not a blood-thirsty people, and that ! sible port That being the case, in view they are most desirous of deserving the ' of the shipping agents, the question would respect of European nations by correct ob- t then lie between the real owners of the enaoces of the usages of war. The only : merchandise and the British Government misbehavior is by renegades, whose cow- j which Intercepted it, for the flour was old ardfee and brutality excite the disgust of and shipped in time of peace. All such the real burghers. goods are shipped at consignees' risk, and The British officers at Pretoria are j the question of the ownership, it is said, fittingly guarded by police, armed with would lie between the sellers or commis ihtea and revolvers. "Hiey are frequently sion merchants and the purchasers. visited. Their only exercise is a daily j It was the agents' opinion that the Brlt gaaM of "rounders." They are allowed to ; ish Government was quite ready to re beoosae members of the State Library, ' imburse the owners of the flour, and mere- where there are many good books. The , Ooverameat allows them a daily ration f "bully beef' and groceries, but any thing may be bought from the local trades men. Aa Great Britain does not pay her efieers while they are prisoners, many of are poorly off financially. All are it, and the Inactivity of their life makes them dull. The reports of Boer victories exaggerate their melancholy. Churchill describes the other ranks who are encamped at Water Fall as very un happy because they are without money and ate unable to buy tobacco. Their ra- are very scanty, but their health is AT CHBVELEY CAMP. ntnrM to Duty of British Soldiers Wounded in Uarly Hat ties. CMKVELEY CAMP. Dec. 28 (Delayed in tranamlsaion) .Lieut. T. A. D. Best, ot the laaiskilling Fusiliers, and Capt- H- M. ahewen. of the Dublin Fusiliers, who were wennded la the battle of Colesso on De cember IS. have returned to duty. In reports of the Tugela River battle the Iriah Fusiliers were mentioned when the InaisWUlng Fusiliers were the ones iatenaed to be referred to. m A late despatch from the front gives the ftatal casualties la General Bart's brig ade In the Colenao battle at one hundred. This includes two officers killed and nine Soldiers who were wounded and sent to the hospital ship Usmore and who have reported back for duty tell extraordinary Btorles of the way they were treated They nay they not only received all the neces oarlea of life, but enjoyed such luxuries as ean 4e cologne, worked slippers, exotic fraitE, and novels. lHads to IBfjtaf I tlie YoBiiwinry. LONDON. Dee. . Baron de Rothschild has appealed Co the pobtle for funds to ofwln the Buckhamahire Yeomanry. He TiaiurT donate !MM to the fund, and William Waldorf Astor also donates a like cum FJ Ilnslness t ollere, Stu uud It. BOER PROVISIONS CAPTURED. Six AVhkhin Taken and Conveyed to Krcre Cniiiji, CHEVELY CAMP. Dec. 27 (Delayed In transmission). Six wagons, convoying p o visions to the Boers, were captured last night and taken to Frere Camp. Last night the Boers heliographcl, anion e- other mipstinns. "How's Bul.er?" n-i.i.j, - -n- Malor C i- ,.hcster has h,, appointed provost marshal , of xatal. It is still very not and the grass is fearfully burnei. GENERAL WHITE IN DANGER. t Bombardment at I.nitysmitli Growing Daily .More Severe. LONDON. Dec. 30. The "Daily News" correspondent at Ladysmith, in a despatch ' ft l .. n j..:u, ltn lvnmlian.'l " wecemuei --. . . wu..... J December 22 and 23 as entailing "e Heaviest casualties oi anj b.c . Several shells fell near the house in which General AVhite is ill with fever. Finally one wrecked a neighboring room without hurting anyone, but headquarters was promptly removed. General White is now convalescent. FENIAN RAID IMPROBABLE. Mr. Kinsley Diselaims ICnovt led we of Any Proposed Invasion. CINCINNATI, Dec 29. J. B. Kinsley, President of the local order of the Fenian Brotherhood, said today regarding rumors of another Fenian invasion of Canada: "I do not believe in the stories. The affairs of the Brotherhood are secret and such a matter, if contemplated, would hardly leak out at this stage of the game to block matters. I really do not believo that such a move is contemplated. We have considerable arms and ammunition, the remains of the vast purchases, made during the last raid. These-are now an tiquated and of little use. Most of the rifles are Springfields. "If the opportunity ever again offers itself the Fenians will attempt another invasion. There are thousands of Fenians in this country ready and willing to go. Fenians are giving the Boers all possible aid. Daring the last invasion I command d five hundred men and got as far as Buf falo." THE CONFISCATED FLOUR. A Misapprehension Coueerninp: the Merehnmlise Dispelled. NEW YORK, Dec 29. Some misappre hension appears to have arisen out of the cabled reports of the seizure by the Brit ish Government of flour sold in New York and consigned to Delagoa Bay. It was said at first that flour wag not ordinarily considered contraband of war. and that protest might tesue from this Government against such an act by the British author ities. Then a story gained currency that the Hour was really not American prop erty, but was owned by British subjects in South Africa, who bad bought it here and paid for it, and that it was transported in British ships by British forwarding and transportation agents. It is apparent now from the conversation of shipping agents down town that there is no likelihood of any diplomatic protest from this Govern ment, and no reason for it, but rather that if this Government Is called upon to act at all It may be in the way of seeing that remuneration is meted to the Ameri can sellers of the merchandise, if it shall appear that they are still legally the own ers of it. The agents here of all three of the (ships, the Maria, Mashona, and Beatrice, whose cargoes it has sometimes been carelessly said were seized, are Norton & Son. whose ships, sailing from here for South Africa us ually make five stops there, four of which are at British ports. The ships stop at Cape Town, East London, Algon Bay, and Dur- ban. all British ports, and then they go to Delagoa Bay, which is in Portuguese ter ritory. Out of a cargo of 6,000 or 7.000 tons, the agents say, 1,000 or 1,200 tons would ordinarily be consigned to Delagoa Bay. That was about the proportion in the cargoes that gave rise to the incident un der consideration. At the last British port where the vessels stopped, the Govern ment stepped in and said that the ships would not be permitted to proceed to Del agop Bay with the consignments which the manifest showed to be destined for that place, but that all such cargo must be dis charged there in Natal. It was so dis charged, and the shipping agents there upon notified all shippers that they would not thereafter receive shipments for Del agoa Bay. Under their bills the transportation agents were freed from liability, if. through an act of war, of providence, or y stopped its delivery at Delagoa Bay be- cause it had rather pay for it than take the chance of its reaching the Boers. THE COLOMBIAN BEVOLTJTION. The State of Santander lleported to lie in the Hands of Insurgents. NEW YORK, Dec. 28. Dr. A. Diaz Guer ra, representative here of the Colombian revolutionists, received a cable despatch to day from Maracaibo, Venezuela, which said: "State of Santander In control of insur gents. Five thousand men from Uoyaca have gone there to re-enforce revolutionary army. Revolution Increases daily." It is believed by Colombians in this city that the battle reported today was a de feat of the Government troops, as the cen sor refused to allow the correspondent at Colon to cable any particulars. VENEZUELA BUYING AHMS. An Order Placed for. Twenty Thou sand Manser It i fie. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. It is said that an order for 20,000 Mauser rifles and 2,000,000 cartridges ha been placed for the Gov ernment of Venesuela with G. Amsinck & Co., of this city. The payment for the munitions is guaranteed, it is said, by Senor M: Matteca, former Minister of the Treasury. There have been persistent rumors afloat I recently of a probable war between Vene- t zuela and Colombia, and the shipment a lew weeKs ago rrom this port to the Co lombian Government of 24,000 rifles and 12,000,000 cartridges gave the rumors the color of truth. A statement made last week by a Colom bian official was to the effect that there were 20,000 Colombian troops on the fron tier of Venezuela. Bubonic I'lngue In Mauritius. LONDON, Dec. 29. Sir Charles ilruce. Governor of Mauritius, ha cabled to the Colonial Office, informing it that there hae lren twenty new cases of bubonic plague m the 5k- H r.td twelve deaths from tho I d.Eeaec. THBDHLAGOA BAY TBEATY France Agitated bv the Anglo-Ger man Agreement. Inspired Articles in the Parisian l're.s A Soonest ion of ISuropenn Intervention Itiissia Opposed to the Contention of (ireilt IJritqfn Portimal's Financial Condition. PARIS, Dec. 29. The Paris press in gen eral shows unwonted reticence in discuss ing the rumored secret treaty between England and Germany in regard to the partition of the Portuguese possessions in Africa. Apprehension of a sudden move is evidently felt. A large-type article in this morning's '.Matin" bears the marks of official inspir ation. It explains the origin of the treaty by England's taking advantage of Portu gal's financial straits, and by the interfer ence of the German Emperor to prevent England from profiting alone. The article then declares the consequcncces in the pre sent situation: "We thus see that the treaty can come into operation only if Portugal is obliged to have recourse to the terrible usurers who have circumvented her. Now, on the one hand, the financial situation of Portugal has a tendency to rise, and, on the other, King Carlo3 mav hope to find money-lenders who will not ask the finest flowers of his crown." To this, direct insinuation of France's willingness to relieve Portugal of a'l ob!. gations toward England, the ariicle adds '.n a fceparate emphatic paragraph: "There can be no present question of the treaty. lor tugal asks for nothing." The article next considers the immediatj effects of sudden aggression on the part of England; if done without the consent of Germany, then outside intervention would be certain; if with the consent of Km g Carlos, whose lynastic rights England has guaranteed, revolution would break out in L'sbon. The article warns England that public opinion in Portugal, France. Ger many, and Russia now fully agrees in faor of the absolute independence of the Boeis and a prompt conclusion of peace honor able to the Boer Republics. "There can be no doubt that all these public opinions wculd rise up against the governments that would allow England to touch Lourenco barques at the present. Moat of al! In France it is considered that Delagoa Bjy in British hands would be a cannon ainitd al Madagascar." The article ends with a direct threat ot international interference on the part of Germany, France, and Russia in the case of sudden aggression by England. This should be compared with the utterances ot two serious evening papers, either of which may be taken as receiving official views. The "Llherte says: "France can never allow England to lay hands on Delagoa Bay, because the British flag at Delagoa Bay means practically the seizure of Madagas car. We are assured that at this special point the support of Russia would not fail us." The "Debats," over the signature of its responsible foreign editor, adds sharp ly: "England, in spite of temptations, must now await the good pleasure of the Berne arbitration committee before taking in advance the pledge which she covets." This further allusion to England's finan cial hold on Portugal cleary indicates the trend of French diplomacy in the matter for the present. BERLIN, Dec. 29. The official "Deut scher Reichsanzeiger" states that it is au thorized to declare that the reiterated statements of the "Lokal Anzeiger," in re gard to an Anglo-German treaty, are im pudent and clumsy inventions. CRUISE OF THE MONTGOMERY. Reasons Assijrned for the "Warship's Voyafce to Africa. The Navy Department declines to furnish further information about the visit of the cruiser Montgomery to Liberia and Sierra Leone, but enough has been learned to indicate that the vessel was engaged in more important work than merely calling at ports on her station to show the Stars and Stripes. There is reason to believe that, as was suggested to a Times report er last night, the real reason for the visit was the selection of a site for a coaling btatlon on the coast of Liberia. The Montgomery made soundings at Monrovia, and there Is on file at the Navy Department a report from one of her officers. Ensign Leigh Palmer, giving the result of the examination made by him self and other officers at that place. It Is probable also that the Montgomery was sent to western Africa on account of the reports tljat England and Germany were preparing to sieze Liberia. As that Re public is a sort of foster-child of the Unit ed States, a report of that character would naturally excite apprehension here. En sign Palmer was very much impressed with the adaptability of Monrovia for de fensive purposes. His report is not en couraging to the emigration of American negroes who seek homes in Liberia. Of a party of eight from the United States that had arrived just before the Montgomery, three died within a week. The people ot the towns, he says, do not observe any sanitary measures, and in consequence the mortality is great. While the report does not say anything about the selection of n coaling station, the information in it points to an intention on the part of the cruiser's officers to select a suitable site. The Montgomery's visit to Africa wan made during September and October. She was absent from South Africa, it is sala, about six weeks. She started across to the African coast from Pernambuco, the easternmost part of South Africa, to Sierra Leone, tho westernmost point of Africa. The distance between these two places la only 1,000 miles, and was probably made by the cruiser at ordinary speed in seven days. The Montgomery was back at Isla Flores, the quarantine station of Monte video, before November 1. Navy Depart ment officials decline to give exact dates. Not a II n nihil rT-American Vessel. NEW YORK. Dec. 29. A representative of the Hamburg-American Line said to night that none of its vest-els sailed from Hamburg today for any American port. The New York ofllco of the line received no despatches stating that any of its fleet was In trouble. Steamships from London, Hull, Newcastle, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Bremen also pataed through the Straits of Dover on their way to the United States. An agent of the North German Lloyd Lino, whose steamships ply between Bremen and Baltimore and this port, said that the ves sel in distress east of Dungeness could not be one of his line. The DKIe Arrives at Norfolk. NORFOLK. Va., Dec. 29. The cruiser Dixie arrived in Hampton Roads this after noon from New York bound to the Nor folk navy yard, for Btoros and ammuni tion. She has on board three hundred naval recruits from the Western States, who will be taken on a cruise to the West Indies and European ports. !?l."r; to Ilnltlmoi'c and Ileteurn via I). t O. Saturday and Sunday, December 30 and 31, good for return until fol lou'rir Monday Tickets good jn ail trams ex Uit It jal Limited. DEFEAT FOR FILIPINOS. American. Troops Storm a. Ilebel Stron Krhnld. The first engagement of any moment re ported by General Otis within a week was cabled the War Department yesterday. The American forces, under Colonel Hare, several hundred strong, stormed a moun tain stronghold, considered to be impregna ble. After fierce fighting the enemy was routed. General Otis' cablegram was is follows: Colonel Ickett, with his rjrfraent, two bat talions of the Forty-sixth, CrtUwifl Schuyler com manding; one battalion of the Forty-filth, Colonel Dorst, and one company. Twnty-seventli In farrtrv, with io khiih. Captain Van Duesen, at tacked the entm. WW utiuntf, on their mountain Ftronphold, brio'nd Monttlhaa, norUica't of San Mateo. A large nmitoer ot the insurgents wore Killed and wounded. Twny-fur were taken prisoner?. ' Iockett captured one cannoa, tyty rifteg, 20,000 round of ammunition, 3)0 pounds of powder, arsenal fortifications all "d supplies, and con siderable other property. ThU captured point is located on mountain trail, and was formerly sup posed to be impregnable. Our carnalities are Lieutenant Knlow. Eleventh Caalrj, and five enlisted men wounded, nimtly slight. I'rivate Matson, of the Forty-fifth Infantry, was drowned. ATTACKED AT TALEVEBA. Four Members of the SlKiinl Corps Killed or Captured. NEW YORK. Dec. 30. (4 a. ra.) A cable to the "Herald" from Manila says: "Six men of the Signal Corp were at tacked yesterday at Talcvcra, east of Tar lac, by a force of two hundred insurgents, and four of them were either killed or captured. "A despatch stating that the Filipinos were harassing the entire Llngayan coast from Vigan to San Jacinto in small bands, and that Lieu.. J. C. GUlmore and the mem bers of the cruiser Yorktown's crew who are prisoners of the rebels Tiad been sepa rated and were with inaurgent bands in the northern mountains was censored by General Otis on the ground that he had contrary information. "The strength of the insurgents at Matal bon caused surprise to the Americans. "Merchants here are anxious to have the campaign in Cavite province begun, so that it may be the sooner finished and the ports be opened to trade. "General Otis' recent daereo authorizing civil marriage makes no nrovision for di vorce. Only the Catholic reasons for sep aration arc recognized in the order. "Girls twelve years old and boys four teen are permitted to marry with the con sent of their parents, but otherwise they must bo twenty-one years old." LIEUTENANT TAYLOR KILLED. General Otis Announce the Death of a Gallant Ollieer. A cablegram fiom General Otis to the War Department yesterday announced the death of First Lieut. Edward Taylor, of the Twelfth Infantry. He was run over by a train in crossing the Aguo River at Bantista, December 2C. Lieutenant Taylor was born in Illinois in 1871, but was ap pointed to West Point from Idaho, in 1S89. He graduated in 1S93, and was assigned to the Twelfth Infantry, serving with it in the West until 1898, when he accompanied the regiment to Cuba and fought at San Juan Hill, later going to the Philippines. TRANSPORTS FROM MANILA. The Tartar and the Newport Heneh San Franelseo. The transport Tartar, flbofei whose safety some persons were apprehensive, reached San Francisco yesterday. She had fiye discharged soldiers on boards In his de spatch announcing her arrival Major Gen eral Shafter says that the remains of James WIggs, a discharged private of the Eighteenth Infantry, who died of chronic dysentery at Manila, and of Samuel Davis, private, Twenty-eighth Infantry, who died on the voyage, were brought to San Fran cisco on the Tartar. General Shafter reported also the arrival at San Francisco from Manila of the trans port Newport. Major Kilbourne, paymas ter; Captain Torrey. Sixteenth Infantry; Captain Jones, Twenty-second Infantry; Lieutenant Burgess. Fifth Artillery; Lieu tenant McGrew, Sixteenth Infantry, and Lieutenant Schindel, Sixth Infantry, were passengers on the Newport, which brought also the remains of Lieut. Maxwell Keyes, Third Infantry. There wese no sick on board the transport, and no deaths during the voyage. CONDITIONS IN ALASKA. Affairs in the Arctic Territory l)l.s eussed by the fnulnet. The future of Alaska was discussed by the Cabinet at its meeting yesterday, and it was decided that new military posts would be established at several points. EfTorts will also be made to promote agricultural pursuits and stock raising in that Terri tory. The Secretary of the Treasury called the attention of the Cabinet several weeks ago to the fact that, from 'reliable reports re ceived by him, there would shortly be a big rush of prospectors to Cape Nome and oth er points, and that more troops would bs needed to keep order, and that additional courts must be established. Since then Secretary Root has been studying the sit uation, and announced yesterday to the Cabinet that several companies of soldiers would be sent to Alaska in the early spring. Congress will also be asked to make pro vision for additional courts. Secretary Wilson stated that expertG from the Agricultural Department had con ducted many experiments and thoroughly investigated the agricultural resources of Alaska during the past summer and that many varieiiee of vegetables could ba suc cessfully raised In that country, and that there was an abundance of grazing land for stock the entire year. Tho Secretary of War reported the prog ress made by General Wood since he be came Governor-General of Cuba. Mr. Root said that General Wood was receiving the co-operation of the best citizens of Cuba in his administration of civil government. General Wood's actions tecelved the ap probation of the Cabinet. WATERSPOUT IN THE PACIFIC. Narrow Kseape of the Coal-I.udou American Ship Kelipne. HONOLULU, Dec. 22, via San Francis co, Dec. 20. The American ship Eclipse, from New Castle, N. S. W., for Honolulu, had a narrow escapo from wreck by a squall on December 2. The vessel, which was coal laden, was sailing along on a quiet sea when it was discovered that the mlzzen royal sail was split. Sailor John Nicholson was sent aloft to bind it. In a few minutes when nearly all hands were below, a squall or a water spout struck the ship, carried away the mlzzen royal mast, and split thirteen sails. No trace of Nicholson could be found. The captain thinks a watarspout caused the disturbance, as iron bars five inches thick were twisted like wire. The Flltrht of General Hernandez. CARACAS, Dec. 29. General Hernandez, the rebel leader, with a few men, is in full flight toward the Colombiau frontier. The revolution is practically over. General Amnesty in Italy. ROME, Dec. 29. The Cabinet has deJded to grant amntbty on New Year Day to all persons accused of rolitlcnl offences. 10 SOLACE FOE MILS New York Assemblymen Refuse to Adopt a Filipino Resolution. Councilman Cnssiily Seelcs to Have the Municipal Assembly Condemn the American Government for Its ICvimiisioii Policy Sympathy H.-vprensed for the Iloer Republic. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. A resolution con demning the Government and sympathising with the Filipinos was introduced in the council today by Councilman Cassidy (Dem., Queens). Hp found his opportunity when Councilman Goodwin (Tarn.) called up for consideration the aldermanlc reso lution adopted en Friday of last week, expressing sympathy with the Boers. This resolution was declared out of order by President Guggenhelmer at the council meeting on Tuesday, and was placed on file. Mr. Guggenhelmer was not present at the meeting today, and John T. Oakley, the vice chairman and Tammany leader on the floor, took his place as presiding officer. Mr. Goodwin took up the duties of leader on the floor and soon after tho council was called together he asked that the resolution of sympathy with the Boers be taken from the fllo and acted upon by the council. Mr. Cassidy jumped up f.nd offered his resolution. Tho conclusion of the resolution follows: He-solved, That the municipal aseembly of the city of New York hereby declares its profound ajmpathy with the Filipinos in the gallant stnitf gle for independence and protests with all earnest ness in the name of humanity 'itself against the continuation of a war in the Philippines which was commenced for political purposes and liss since been conducted in violation of all teachings and spirit of American Democracy. Councilman Engel (Tam.) moved that this resolution be laid on the table. In stead, Mr. Oakley recognized Mr. Cassidy, who made a speech in support of his resolu tion. Some one suggested that the Cassidy resolution be acted upon after the Boer resolution had been ruled on, and Mr. Cas sidy agreed to this. The Boer resolution was put at once. Mr. Oakley called for the yeas and nays. There were a few yeas. Councilman Leich (Rep.. Brooklyn) shout ed "No" at the top of his voice. Mr. Oak ley ignored him and announced that the Boer resolution was adopted unanimously. Tho vote of reconsideration was unan imous. Mr. Cassidy was not present. Then Councilman Hyland (Tammany) moved that the resolution be placed on QJc. This was adopted unanimously also. Mr. Cassidy said afterward that if the Boer resolution was adopted the Filipino resolution should be adopted, and that the action ot the council in reconsidering its vote during his absence was an outrage. GOVERNOR PINGREE'S PLANS. Municipal Ownership and Tax Ite form Advocated In His Message. LANSING, Mich., Dec. 29. Go ernor Pingree put work enough on the Legisla ture today to keep that body busy for twice the constitutional limit of the special session. Notwithstanding his declaration that the solo purpose ot the session was to urge the submission of the' so-called equal-tax amendment to the con stitution, he sent three messages recom mending other legislation to both houses today, the equal-tax proposition having been defeated last night. Aside from a constitutional amendment providing for municipal ownership and operation of street railways and other public utilities, he urges the doublintr of the tnxes: Mnctmi from railroad companies, and the changing of the system of taxation on mining cor porat Ions. In his message he expressed the opinion that the railroads should pay not less than 52.250,000 annually, this being an in crease of nearly $1,150,000 over the present aggregate tax. The bill introduced in com pliance with his suggestion as to mining companies provides for a tax of 3 cents per ton on iron ore, and a graduated tax based on aggregate output of from one sixteenth to one-half cent per pound on copper. The upper peninsula legislators estimate that this will yield $1,500,000 per year, and that two-thirds of this would come from the copper mines of Houghton county. Both of these tax measures were fought to a finish at the regular session of the Legislature last winter. Both passed the House, but died in the Senate. The indi cations are that they will meet the same fate next week. There Is not much more hope for tho municipal ownership pro ject, the fact being that the Senate can be depended on to kill whatever the Gov ernor advocates. SENATOR MORGAN'S CANVASS. Ills Friends ItallyliiKT in All Parts of Alabama. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 29. Friends of United States Senator Morgan from all parts of tho State mot here today and held a conference looking to a vigorous cam paign in behalf of the Senator's re-election. It Is admittod that Governor John ston, through his organization, is a very dangerous opponent of Senator Morgan, and tho latter's friends today devised a plan of action. An organization was per fected, with Capt. Frank, S. White, of Birmingham, as its ohalrman, and head quarters are to be established at Birming ham. It is Intended to organize In every county in tho State in tho Interest of Senator Morgan. Immediate action will bo taken to head off Johnston's lead. Senator Mor gan will be here soon and will bo at the servlco of his friends. Debates with Gov ernor Johnston will be arranged, and a hot campaign will bo waged. IR. PLATT'S DENIAL. He linn Not Announced Ills Prefer ence for Vice President. NEW YORK, Dec. 20. The "Brooklyn Eagle" printed the following this evening: "Senator Thomas C. Piatt made this statement today: 'The report that I favor or havo committed myself to anyone for Vice President, or that the State organiza tion Is committed to anyone, is untrue. I havo announced myself for no one. direct ly or indirectly. I believe it Is entirely too soon to take up this question. And all this discussion Is premature. " 'I like Mr. Woodruff. I believe he Is a solid Republican, but I have not said that I favored him or that tho organization of New York favored him for Vice President Neither havo I said that I believed Mr. Root wits the man, or that Mr. Bliss should be chosen. " 'At the proper time I will lot my opin ions be known. Until then I shall not say anything definite and nil reports pledging me" to anyone are and will be false.' " ijil.-o To Baltimore and He- i?l.lir; turn via Pennsj ivanla Ilallroad. 'i'ukets on sale Saturday and Sundav, De ffinbe' 30 and 31, good to return until Mon et v January 1. All trains except Congressional L.-ittd. SENATOR HANNA SAYS "BOSH." He Declares Thru Secretary GnRe Han No Thought of Hcsljrnluc CLEVELAND. Dec. K.-SemUor Hanna Axlay declared in positive terms that there was absolutely nothing in the report seat out rrom Chicago to the effect that Sec- rotary Gage was to retire from the Cabinet, ecauee of the criticisms evoked by his attitude toward the National City Bank oi New York. "That is all bosh." said Sciutw Hnn j this afternoon. "What do you fellows print such nonsense for? Why Owe . as no mors thought of leaving the Cabinet than the President has of resigning bis omce. There Is absolutely nothing in it." "Than thara iintltU. t .u. ii. I KohlSMt KOinir to Washington i As the question was nut to the Senator I his eyes spread wide with' astonishment, , But all he said was "Pith." j Republican administration toward the out- bto decl,OB- Kealmply waated the Cw- . , going Bushnell administration. Senator ' ban P11 al dlreetrjr with contract j Hanna said today that he believed .In the extending over a term of year-, amounttag . men who won the victory getting the re- practically to concessions, holding that the I wards and that he wanted the decks nr, ....i... ... cleared of air who were not in thorough Prf "5 . -" .were ap sympathy with the new administration. J0""0 military authorities. wffll ha This is interpreted to mean that all the uusnnell appointees will be removed and their places filled by good Hanna iaen. ! OPPOSED TO FUSION. The Indiana I'opullsts to laintnln Their Party Orcniii.atloii. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 29. The Populist State Central Committee met here today to arrange for the meeting of fttfr Mate convention, and it wa determined to nominate a full State ticket February 22. The question of fusion with the Democratic party was discussed at considerable length. anu u was ueciuea mat iwiin ut inexpert i- cnt and should not be entered into either j by the State or national party in the com ing campaign. The members of the conMisitie? were a unit in the sentiment that the party muni be held to its organizat.on, and that Uer is nothing in common between them and the Democrats that would appeal to tae people and on which a successful campaign could be made. STRANDED XN A GALE. A I'a.Hscnprer Steamer Aground on the Bullish Coast. DOVER, Dec. 29. A violent southwest gale is prevailing here. An outward bound steamer for the United States Is aground on the sands to the eastward of Dungen ness, and she has signaled an urgent re quest that tugs be sent to her assistance. Lifeboats have reached here from Folke stone, and they and the lifeboats from here l will go to the stranded vessel. The Dover j harbormaster has ordered tugs, but it is feared that the gale will prevent them from starting before 2 o'clock tomorrow morn ing. The steamer's position is reported to be most dangerous. It is feared that there will be a serious disaster before aid can reach her, unless the gale abates. It is rnortel that hV h. , .,. , board. It is stated that the steamer is one of the Hamburg-American Line, but, this is not certain. 4fi Distress signals have also beaa.iaatyed from the South Sands Head vBdBjfcip. which is reported to be drifting towruJtue sands. UNION OP RICE MILL OW3TBRS. '-ft The Efforts of Planters Prices. in Increase NEW ORLEANS. Dec. 29. Th rtee-mill owners of southwest Louisiana, yho have own in wert Iad h- fr -n !-. adjourned today, having reached afcagree- monr v ment. Every effort was made to keep this agree ment a secret, but it developed that it was a decision by which the rice crop will be held back instead of thrown rn the market at once, in the belief that this holding back will stimulate prices. Under existing conditions, with the fierce competition between the mills, the entire rice crop Is rushed upon the market within a few week3 with the result that prices go to pieces. An attempt will be made to hold back the bulk of the crop, marketing from time tr. time. OHly such rice country neeus. it is saiu mat aM-HKbe country mills have gone into the ment. SAMOA'S BRIGHT ETJTTJR Baron Von Sternberg's Views on the Hecent Convention. BOSTON. Dec. 23. Perhaps the most in teresting feature of the American His torical Association's trip to Cambridge today was the speech of Baron Speck von Sternberg on Samoa. He said In part: "It was a happy day when the vexed Samoan question was wiped out altogether by the signing of the convention of Decem ber 2. It adjusts amicably the questions which have arisen between the three Gov ernments in respect to the Samoan group of islands. Two days ago I received a let ter from the most prominent American merchant in Apia, who, during the last ar In Samoa, was the -taunchest defender of law. truth, and justice, especially aa regarded the trodden down rights of Ma kaaha and his party. The letter says: " 'You know how heartily I sympathized with your people during the late uncalled for troubles, and how continuously I ex erted myself to try and set matters right with the public. Since the happy issue ot the labors of the High Commission has be come known here I take a most hopeful view of things, and feel very certain that masters Samoan will improve vastly to the general advantage of all who intend to obey the law and be good citizens.' "I entirely agree with the expectation of this gentleman. There is no doubc whatever that where the American and German citizens co-operate matters always have improved, and will Improve." A TELEGRAPH COMPANY SUED. Failure to Deliver it MessaKe ISiitnils Sail Coiiseqiienees. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 29. W. F. Beck, of Repton, Ala., has filed a suit for ?10,000 damages against the Western Union Telegraph Company for alleged delay in delivering a telegram, setting forth that through this delay he loat Miss Dora Ward as his wife. The case has been filed in the United States Court. According to the plaintiff he sent a tele gram from Repton, in June to Miss Ward, in which he said he would see her the next day. The telegram was not forward ed, as the agent had been instructed, to Miss Ward, and through this delay he fail ed to win her, causing him much mental pain and anguish, and serious wounding and lacerating his feelings and affections. Miss Ward married a man named Rag land. She telegraphed three suitors, it is said, that she would give a favorable re ply if they were with her on the day named and the delay of Beck's telegram caused him to lose. Kcjoielnjr at Colon. COLON, Colombia, Dec. 29. There is general rejoicing here over the report that control of the Panama Canal has bean se cured by an American syndicate. A ilse in the price of all local property Is antici pated. The United States gunboat Scorpio t. with tho surveying commission on boa d has arrived at Carthagena. Her coiimacder ( reports ' all well." j n ?P'ke i r WOOD'S Ml OF EEFOEi ' Receipts at the Havana CuStOMr l , . I J"iuu nitpiuiy t II cr 01151 Hg. A Misconception Uejcardlnp: Aotian in the CitruViiaft AyHiitamlcnto Investigation Into the Collection of Dulles litis n Salutary HCTeot Spaniards Flocking to Cuba. "' Xc- GTOrnor-QWMWJ ws action ht the matn-r of the Cw- deans ayuatamleato has been isi iimnliaiil , here aa affrctinr th mi Mnirt n ' w'tout power after April, when their cessors will be elected by the people. Far the present he wants the aymtamientetf to go to work and clean up the towns and fee in a position to pay for future improve ment. General Wood is not touching tfea Dady business. He has other matters at more importance to attend to. The receipts at the custom house yeste- ! r were 1""-3. tJ,e largest m the history Ot the island. The imoressMm nrfvaiU, that til0 nrpfcnt InVMtivafinn kma on.fnm. j matters has 'assisted in increasing the amount of duties collected. Vatll now the scandal importers have been given the benefit of every doubt regarding the class!- neat ion of their imports, to Fay nothing of tne absolute fraud that was perpetrated In that connection. But for once undoubted honesty is prevailing in every department, the result of the searching investigation that is being nude. Every invoice for a year past is being examined f jr evidences of fraud, as it is only in this way that the whole conspiracy, which ran through M the departments, can be uncovered. The omcers in charge of the prosecution of the accused say there is eo doubt of their con viction, as the methods employed necessi tated the signatures of the accused, and the papers bearing on these are now in pos session of the prosecut.on. The suspension of tfle orJer trmrsfrrhtp I Colonel Richards has caused n.uca gr&tnt- cation nere. His grasp of affairs as a careful officer has made h;m essential to General Wood, coming, as the latter mt, into a new field. Commenting on the circular recently Is sued by the Cuban Planters' Association advocating Spanish immigratioa, the "Diario de la Marina" says the plantar attitude meets with uiavrsal approval- It' adds that an immigration office is u giaty needed to aid immigrants m obtaining em ployment. The Planters' Association h endeavoring j to establish a permanent : n.-nlgratlja af i flee in Havana. The immigrants at nces- " " large iy uepenucm on caance ra finding employment, and they are at aha mercy of labor agente, who charge a cons mission to both employers ai.d irmi gran'. The latter are often forced 'o accept menial work in Havana, owing to the fact tia. they do not know to what part of the !-lal to go to obtain work suitab e -o them. Tae Spanish immigration ts unabated, anl taa necessity of adopting some measures f-.tr the protection of those who come is becom ing KXgent. It is probable that the Gov- will take action as soon as Gee- dfamoges of more pisssirg mat ter! The newspapers take it for greatsd (hair j Senores Villalon, Estev z. nd Verona wfB I be members of General Woods cabinet. ansT retary of the Treasury. The latter is friend of General Gomez. If it develops that this slate is correct, it will b3 weO re ceived. The comments ot "La Lnefia." "Diario de la Marina." and "La Discnale-' are favorable . It is gratifying to General Wood and his frie-ds that "La D.ssb staa" is well disposed, as it is the organ of Seen Capote, who was displaced by General Brooke from the post of Secretary of thai Government. THE KANSAS INSURANCE WAR. A Suit Aj-nlnst Chicago Companion to Test the Law. TOPEKA, Kan.. Dec. 29. Kansas pre poses to wage war on the "Fire hmiraace Union." Today Frank 3. Thomas, tho agent of the Continental Insurance pany of New York, which recently ducted a Mg rate war against "union" companies in Topeka, sued the SprlngnaW Fire and Marine and the Traders' com panies af Chicago, for damages in the amount $' I1.9C0 each. These companies revoked Thomas? license as Topeka agent in October, he cause he accepted the agency of the Con tinental, a non-union company. Thomas recites that he was promised a goad Una of "union" companies if he would not take the agency of the Continental, which ha J refused to consider. He says he spent ; seventeen years working up basiaesa far j the Springfield and Chicago companies, and. I that he wants damages for the revocatJox I of his licenses. ' This fight is far-reaching, and win teat, the right of the insurance union to violate the antl- trust law ot Kansas. A PAPER FACTORY BTJRNSD. A Destructive Blaze Destroys ilUH- iifKetftrliigr PlHHt. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. The WUHam Campbell Wall Paper Company's factory. which covered half the block between Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Streets on. the East River, was burned tonight. Tne fire was the hottest and most dangerous with which the fire department has had to cope for many months. The great factory furnished endless opportunities for the dangerous back draughts, which are the terror of firefighters, and one of them caught-several of the firemen and burned them, sae seriously. A gutta percha factory on Twenty-north1 Street. Just above the burning hnOdhtg. caught fire. The police estimate the loss on the baai Ing and the fine machinery for the mana facture and printing of wall paper, whisk It contained at 00.000 at least. Tina amount, of course, will be increased hjr the loss of the gutta percha factory and by the loss of a stable, upon which the wall on the Twenty-fifth Street side of the factory fell. The plant of the United States Electric Light Company, to the west of the burning building, was threatened by the fire, and all of the street lights fat that section of the city were cut off. The Dominion Parliament. OTTAWA, Ont., Dec- 29. It waa official ly announced today that the C minton Parliament will be summoned tor last an February 1. The Government wiU anh every effort to have a short session, hat the opposition will be inclined to make it a fighting aession. as It is under no ail that Parliament will be dissolved soon aft. ter prorogation. The principal tHscimias will be in connection with Canada's par ticipation in the South African war. ami the future responsibility of the De-alohas in England's foreign wars. Norfolk A "Washington Steamboat Co, 't IteraT; ,!nt 1 iff.-. U h j .1 i' n ' "'d Point t V s't V -. Vi: ' . jr.d lrgu..