The morning news. [volume], December 24, 1897, Image 1

About The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900

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THE MORNING NEWS. -v
Established 1850. - - Incorporated 18SS. V
J. H. EST ILL, President. )
ENGLAND’S HAND IN THE EAST.
ITALY DECLINES A PROPOSAL FOR
COMMON ACTION.
Great Rritain Reported to Have Pro
posed n Conference AVitli Russia
With a View of Avoiding Danger
ous Rivalries—China Going
Through the Farce of Mobilizing
Troops—Great Cariosity Manifest
ed ns to the Attitude of the United
States.
London, Dec. 24.—A dispatch to the Daily
Chronicle from Rome says: "It Is rumored
there that owing to, her obligations to
Germany, Italy has declined England’s
proposal for < t.trmon action in. the far
east, including a joint occupation of Chu
ean.”
According to the same dispatch it is as
serted that England has proposed to Rus
sia a conference on the Chinese question,
with the view of avoiding dangerous rival
ries.
The Shanghai correspondent of the Daily
Mail says: "The Chinese government is
helpless. It is mobilizing a few troops
under the lead of incapable generals, who
conducted the campaign against Japan.
The British fleet is at present at sea.”
The Daily Chronicle this morning says
it has great reason to believe that the
government has decided upon a watching
policy, and will refrain from occupying
any Chinese territory for the present; but
it will give its moral support to Japan
and distinct warnings to China concern
ing England’s action in certain contingen
cies. It is understood, says the Daily
Chronicle, that Japan, will propose the
strongest measures against Germany’s ac
tion and diplomatic circles ridicule the
idea of a Russian-German entente con
cerning China.
The German press is evidently deeply
concerned as to the attitude that Great
Britain and the United States ore likely
to adopt in the Chinese affair. Every at
tempt is being made to create ill feeling
against England and to represent her as
isolated. The official newspapers pre
tend that Japan has acquiesced in the
German and Russian moves and will take
no aggressive action. Everything indicates
the anxiety that hinges upon the ultimate
grouping of the powers. Japan’s action
in withdrawing her protest with reference
to the course of the United States at Ha
waii is interpreted as showing a desire to
he unincumbered abroad and to have her
hands free to deal with the Chinese ques
ton.
The Berliner Tageblatt ridicules the idea
of an Anglo-Japanese-American alliance,
yet seems to fear It.
The Kolnische Zeltung thinks America
will side with Russia.
Berlin, Dec. 23.—The National Zeitung
Bays: "It is easy to believe that England
will tYRVU’ffFfT'C'e eps to induce action on
the part of the United States, but hard to
believe that the United States will adopt
such a policy of friendship toward Eng
land and of hostility toward Russia, con
trary to all its traditions, for the sake of
either England or China.”
TWELVE CHRISTIANS KILLED.
Conflicts With the Mnitnlmnni Re
newed In Crete.
Canea, Island of Crete, Dec. 23.—There
has been a renewal of the conflicts be
tween the Mussulmans and Christians.
The former yesterday attacked a. caravan
near Armario and killed twelve Christians.
Toulon, Dec. 23.—1n view of the disquiet
ing- news from the island of Crete, two
French cruisers have been ordered ready
to sail for the island at a moment’s no
tice.
The French cruiser Pascal sailed for
China to-day. The Pascal is a second
class cruiser of about 4,000 tons displace
ment. She carries about six four-inch
quick-firing guns, ten nine-inch guns,
eight 10.1-inch guns and forty-four one
inch rapid-fire guns, and has a crew of
378 men. Her speed is estimated at thirty
knots.
CHILE'S XEiV CABINET.
Senor < nnns Succeeds in Forming n
Coalition Ministry,
Valparaiso, Chile, Dec. 23. Senor Cuevas
has succeeded in forming a coalition min
istry with the following distribution of
portfolios:
Premier and Minister of the Interior—
Senor Antonio Caldes Cuevas.
Minister of Foreign Affairs—Senor Silva
Cruz.
iMinisler of Justice—Senor J. Domingo
Rivera.
Minister of Finance—Senor Gonzales
Krrazuriz.
Minister of War and Marine—Senor V.
Davila Larrain.
Minister of Industry and Public Works
—Senor Horboso.
C'AHLISTS STILL ACTIVE.
Spaniards In Europe's Capitals I rged
to Bally to Tlielr Baunnr.
London, Dec. 24.—The Paris correspond
ent of the Daily Chronicle says: “Some
agitation has been caused in the Spanish
colony here by the issue of a circular in
viting the Spaniards in European capitals
to rally to the Carlist cause and to save
the nation from revolution and anarchy.
“A remarkable feature of the movement.
Is the understanding that evidently exists
between the Cuban group In Paris and the
adherents of Don Carlos. It is asserted
that Don Carlos has promised to abdicate
in favor of his son, Don Jaime.”
LADY MILLAIS DEAD.
John Ituskin Gave Her I p When She
Fell in Lore With Mlllnls.
London, Dec. 23.—Lady Millais, widow of
Sir John Millais, the late president of the
Royal Academy, is dead.
Lady Millais was the divorced wife of
John Ruskln, who voluntarily gave her up
w hen it was evident that she loved Millais.
Ruskln stood by in the church while, in
1855, she wss married to Millais.
Pern's New Law Promulgated.
Lima, Peru, Dec. 23.—T0-day President
IPleroia promulgated the new law as to
non-Cathoiic marriages, and Senor Ale
jandro Lopez de Romans, premier and
minister of the interior, tendered hi* res
ignation as a protest.
%\)t Jtofnittf
SPANISH ANGER SOFTENED.
American Condemnation of Killing
of Ruiz Appreciated.
Madrid, Dec. 23.—The manner in which
the American press has condemned the ex
ecution of Lieut. Col. Ruiz has aroused in
Spain sentiments of sympathy tending fa
vorably to modify the relations between
the two countries. The ministers and
statesmen consider the moment propitious
for arriving at an accord between Spain
and the United States which would speed
ily put an end to the war in Cuba. They
hope that the Washington government will
loyally adhere to the promises of Presi
dent McKinley’s message, making it un
derstood, as did Gen. Grant, that only cen
sure and the rigorous application of the
law must be expected by those conspiring
on American territory against a friendly
nation. They consider that the Cuban re
ception of the autonomy scheme and the
concesssions made by Senor Palma im
pose an imperative duty to do everything
possible to prevent bloodshed and destruc
tion of property in Cuba.
PLOT TO KILL GOMEZ. '
Cuban Junta at New York Knows
lilaneo’s Emissary.
New York, Dec. 23.—The Cuban junta
to-day gave official confirmation to a sto
ry that Gen. Blanco has sent to this city
from Cuba a man whose mission is to join
one of the filibustering expeditions to the
east coast of Cuba and secure the assassi
nation of Gen. Gomez.
“Yes. we know all about Blanco's emis
sary,” a representative of the junta said
to-day. “We know the steamship he is on
and we know his name. He is not likely
to join any of our expeditions."
SHOTS OF THE MAINE.
Nevy Department Snre Copt. Sigsbee
Has Not Exceeded His Authority.
Washington, Dec. 23.—N0 report of the
action of the commander of the battle
ship Maine in firing upon the schooners
at the entrance of Key West harbor, as
reported in the news dispatches this morn
ing, has as yet reached the navy depart
ment. Officials say the Maine was as
signed to stop suspicious vessels for a.
time in place of some of the revenue cut
ters, which had been withdrawn tempo
rarily for repairs, and it is not assumed
that Capt. Sigsbee has exceeded his au
thority in the matter.
Sugar Plantation in Flames.
London, Dec. 23.—A dispatch received
here from Havana late this evening says
that the flames of a large sugar planta
tion, ignited by the insurgents, are plainly
visible from the city.
Porto Rico’s New Captain GenPrtiT.
Madrid, Dec. 23.—The queen regent has
signed the appointment of Gen. Gonzales
Munoz as captain general of Porto Rico.
CHI RCH LEADER UNDER A CLOUD.
Brooklyn Lawyer Accused of For
gery anil Embezzlement.
New York, Dec. 23—William H. Kent, a
well known lawyer of Brooklyn, a promi
nent member of Plymouth church, in the
Sunday school of which he is a teacher,
and the organizer of the Penny Savings
Bank connected with the Bethel Mission
Sunday school, a branch of Plymouth, ts
in Jail in Brooklyn, having been arrested
on a warrant charging him with forgery.
Kent is accused by Mrs. Mary 11. Mc-
Cord of Brooklyn of falsely* certifying and
acknowledging a satisfaction of mortgage.
Mrs. McCord, who is a wealthy* woman,
declared that her name, which appeared
on the satisfaction, was not put there by
her, nor with her consent. She further
charges Kent with falsely acknowledging
the satisfaction of the mortgage, knowing
that her signature was not genuine. It is
alleged by Mrs. McCord that Kent has
betrayed the trust reposed in him by her
self, and that he has not only appropri
ated the $1,500 charged in the warrant,
but that he has allowed the taxes on prop
erty to accumulate and has used money
belonging to Mrs. McCord’s neice and her
servant, an elderly, frugal woman, who
had been advised that Kent could be
trusted.
Assistant District Attorney Caldwell
stated that Kent had taken no less than
$40,000 from his clients.
Kent also is involved in a difficulty over
the estate of William Anderson, who was
a member of Plymouth church. He left
an estate valued at about $75,000, end In
his will left Kent $5,000 and made him
sole executor. v
The heirs at law* endeavored to get an
accounting from Kent, and failing, they
began a civil action in the supreme court.
Former Judge Nathaniel H. Clement was
appointed referee by Judge Gay nor. and
the case is stiil pending. The referee’s in
vestigations succeeded in finding that
Kent’s affairs are in a confused condition.
SCHEME TO DEFEAT HANNA.
Antl-Hnnna Republic'll ns nml Demo
crats to Unite on Biislinell.
Columbus, 0., Dec. 23.—The State Jour
al this morning prints a story that the
republicans, led by Hon. Charles Kurtz, in
opposition to the re-election of Senator
Hanna, have promised to support free sil
ver as the price of the defeat of Senator
Hanna.
The story, the Journal states, comes
from a man who claims that Mr. Hnnna
will be defeated. The Journal says: “Con
ferences are being held on various parts
of the state by democrats, who have gath
ered at the direction of (McLean and free
silver leaders, to plan for bringing pres
sure to bear upon democratic members of
the legislature to vote for Gov. Bushnell,
and the argument which is used in these
conferences to convince the doubting and
bring conviction to the hesitating, is that
Gov. Bushnell has surrendered to the
Bryanite Idea of finunce, and will net with
the free silver men in the United States
Senate if elected.”
CZEt 118 ATTAI K A SCHOOL.
Police Fire on tlie Rioters nnd Kill
One of Tlieir Number.
London, Dec. 23.—The Vienna corre
spondent of the Daily Telegraph says that
the Czechs yesterday (Thursday) make an
attack on a German school at Werscho
w’itz, a suburb of Prague, and began to de
molish the building. The police fired upon
the rioters, killing one.
SAVANNAH, GA„ FRIDAV. DECEMBER 24. 1807.
BANK SUSPENDS BUSINESS.
OWES DEPOSITORS 91,200,000 AND
OTHER BANKS $500,000.
Trust Company Connected With the
Rank Also Suspends Owing 81,300,-
OOO—-The Collapse Due to Deprecia
tion in the Ynlue of Paper Mill
Securities on Which Money Could
Not Be Realized—Willium M. Sin
gerly of the Philadelphia Record
the President of the Two Institu
tions,
Philadelphia, Dec. 23.—The Chestnut
Street National Bank did not open its
doors for business this morning. The rea
son therefor was stated in a notice posted
on the door, which read as follows: "The
Chestnut Street National Bank is closed
for business, and is in the hands of the
national bank examiner. (Signed) William
'M. llardt, examiner.”
A crowd of depositors soon gathered
about the door, but there was no special
excitement, and as a general rule, after
each had learned the nature of the notice
on the door he moved away and his place
would be taken by another anxious to
glean something regarding the situation.
The bank has at all times held a good
reputation, but it has been known for
some time that its business, and necessar
ily its profits, have fallen off considerably.
The bank’s suspension, however, was a
great surprise, especially so in view of the
high standing of ils officers. William. M.
Singerly is its pi'esident, and Isaac Cooper
its vice president. The hank was started
in 1887, on a capital of SSCO,(X)O, with Rob
ert E. Pattiaon as president. When the
latter took his seat ns governor of Penn
sylvania in 1891, Mr. Singerly succeeded
him as president of the bank.
The Chestnut Street Trust and Saving
Fund Company, the officers of which ure
identical with those of t+ie Chestnut
Street National Bank, the offices being lo
cated in the same building, was also
closed for business to-day, hut to what
extent the trust company is involved In
the hank’s affairs has not yet been an
nounced.
The bank was a city dei>ository and
there were city funds in the bank to the
amount of $289,845. The state of Pennsyl
vania also had a deposit with the bank
on Dec. 1 of $225,000, according to the of
ficial statement of State Treasurer Hay
wood, issued on that date. The bank was
also a depository of the national govern
ment, but the government is fully protect
ed against loss by holding SIOO,COO United
States bonds as security. It is said that
the bank holds the funds of the city po
lice and the firemen’s pension fund, the
school teachers’ pension and annuity fund,
and the deposit of the Fairmount park
commission, which latter includes be
quests for the park improvement.
The members of the clearing house say
that no other hanks are involved in the
“Failure. Concerning this phase of the case
Mr. Singerly said that arrangement had
been made to make an extra stock issue
of $2,000,000 by the Record Publishing Com
pany, and that it was thought this would
be satisfacory, hut somehow or other the
plan fell through.
It was stated that if Mr. Singeriy's in
debtedness to the bank could he liquidated,
all danger of failure would be averted, and
it was suggested that these various finan
cial interests should join in subscribing to
or underwriting a proposed issue of $2,000,-
000 6 per cent, preferred stock of the Re
cord Publishing Company, the proceeds of
which could be devoted to the liquidation
of that indebtedness and other obligations
of Mr. Singerly. A statement was sub
mitted at the same time, showing that the
profits of the Record last rear amounted
to $220,000, or sufficient to pay the interest
on the proposed issue of preferred stock
twice over. The response was almost
unanimous, and as but few of the institu
tions or individuals invited to co-operate
refused to do so, no difficulty was experi
enced in raising the $2,000,000 required. A
member of a leading banking house was
invited and consented to represent the sub
scribers in the negotiations, and at the
close of business yesterday, it was con
fidently believed that ail obstacles 4b the
bank’s continuance in business had been
removed.
Upon final investigation, however, It
was discovered that the affairs of the’in
stitution were more deeply involved than
had been supposed, and the condition dis
closed was such that the amount of money
raised was deemed insufficient to relieve
the embarrassment. The leading financial
interests referred to were, therefore, re
luctantly compelled to withdraw their
proffer of aid, and the result was the
closing of the doors this morning. The
meeting, at which this decision ivas
reached, was held last evening, the finan
cial interests being represented by a com
mittee of their number, and it was not
until nearly midnight that it was decided
that the catastrophe could not be averted.
7 he bank s affairs have been under the
scrutiny of the controller of the currency
for some time, and he has paid several
visits to this city in connection there
with. In banking circles the embarrass
ment of the Chestnut street bank has re
cently been an open secret. The bank has
for some time been a debtor at the clear
ing house in making the daily exchanges,
anti on one or two occasions some di'.Ti
culty has been experienced in meeting its
balances. This morning, however, the
Chestnut Street Bonk was a creditor at
the clearing house to the amount of sl2 -
000
The liabilities of the bank and the trust
company together will aggregate about
$3,000,000, represented by $1,700,600 of depos
its in the bank and $!,300.(*X) In the trust
company. Of the $1,700,000 in the bank
about $1,200,000 is to the credit of individ
ual firms nnd corporations in this city,
while the remaining $500,000 represents the
accounts of honks in other cities.
President Singerly gave out a brief
statement to-night in which he said: "We
are working to secure the indebtedness of
the two banks so they can go into volun
tary liquidation, and thus avoid a receiv
ership.”
In this connection. Deputy Con
troller of the Treasury George M.
Coffin, who was sent here from
Washington by Controller Eckels to
day, said: "The matter of putting
the Chestnut Street National Bank Into
voluntary liquidation has been taken up
by Philadelphia men of great financial
ability. Their first step will be to ascertain
the value of the assets of the bank. They
must first be satisfied they have value suf
ficient to warrant them in assuming the
Indebtedness.”
Mr. Coffin will remain here several days
aiding the men who have token upon them
selves the task of extricating Mr. Singerly
from his financial difficulties. These gi*n
th men are in consultation to-night, and
the belief is strong that they will provide
the funds necessary for the voluntary li
quidation of the two banks.
It was known for some time In banking
circles that Sir. Singeriy’s hanks were in
trouble, and the nationat hank examiner,
it is said, was aware of the condition of
affairs. Last night it is said, a number of
leading bankers of the city had a confer
ence which lasted until nearly 3 o'clock,
considering the matter of raising a suffi
cient amount of money to relieve Mr. Sin
geriy's banks of their distress. It is un
derstood a proposition to float $2,000,000 pre
ferred stock of the Philadelphia Record
Itad been practically agreed to when the
discovery was made that owing to the iPr
volved condition of the trust company’s
finances, this sum would not be within sev
eral hundred thousand dollars of the
amount required. The negotiations were
therefore declared off, and the banks were
forced to the wall. Now it is hoped that
the committee which begin to-night
where the former committee left off will
succeed in satisfactorily adjusting the
finances, and thus permit the hanks to pay
depositors dollar for dofiur.
The statements of the cause of the fail
ure current here agree with that made by
Controller Eckels at Washington to-day,
that it was primarily due to the loss of
much money by Mr. Singerly in his un
productive itajter mill a: Elkton, Md., one
of the largest in the country. One state
ment placed the sum thus involved at near
ly $1,000,000. Mr. Singerly also has much
money invested in other *. nterprises in
this and other cities. Rumors were cur
rent to the effect that the ownership of the
Record would pass from Mr. Singerly, but
this he denied, stating positively that he
is in absolute control of the paper and will
continue at its head.
It is said there have .been quiet but
steady runs on both hanks for several
days past. ,
Much sympathy Is expressed on all sides
Fj(i Mr. Singerly. He lias occupied such a
prominent [dace in the affairs of the city
and the state for years past that the news
of his financial difficulties naturally cre
ated a sensation.
Crowds were gathered in front of the
big granite banking building all day, hut
all was quiet. A great number of small
amounts were carried by the trust com
pany, and apprehension was expressed
that some distress miclit follow the fail
ure. if the hopes of a quick settlement
are realized, however, all depositors will
be paid in full within a short iime.
The iast report of the condition of the
Chestnut Street National Bank, made on
Oct. 5, 1.897, was:
Resources—Loans and discounts, $2,790,-
508.65; overdrafts, secured and unsecured,
$3,552.34; United States bonds to secure*
circulation, $250,000; United States bonds
to secure United States deposits, $100,0(1);
premiums on United States bonds, $10,500;
due from the national hanks. $226,631.70;
due from the slate banks and hankers,
$8,851.46; due from approved reserve
agents, $300,732.78; checks and oilier cash
items. $54,387.74; exchange for clearing
house, $174,595.47; notes of other national
banks, $3,184; fractional paper currency,
nickels and cents, $2,835.94: lawful money
reserve in bank, $1,040.50; redemption
fund with United States treasurer, $2,250;
total, $3,868,070.58.
•^Liabilities—Capital stock, paid in, $500,000;
NWrplus fund, $150,000; undivided profits,
less expenses and taxes paid. $24,924.86;
national batik notes outstanding, $43,600;
due to other national banks. $506,110.41;
due to state hanks and bankers, $134,771.70;
individual deposits subject to cheek,
$2,035,856; demand certificates of deposit,
$11,070; cashier’s checks outstanding, $126,-
572.51; United States deposits, $94,715.10;
hills payable, $250,000; total, $3,808,077.58.
CAUSE OF THE C OLLAPSE.
Depreciation in Hie Ynlue of Securi
ties Broiiy, lll tlie Suspension.
Washington, Dec. 23.—Mr. Eckels, the
controller of the currency, said to-day in
regard to the failure of the Chestnut
Street National Bank of Philadelphia, that
the suspension was primarily due to the
shrinkage in value of the bonds and notes
of the pulp and paper mills located at
Eimton, Md. The capital of the hank was
$500,000. and at the present time its depos
its aggregated about $1,700,000 and its sur
plus about $150,0(9.
Mr. Eckels has been in Philadelphia sev
eral times recently trying to make ar
rangements by which the pulp and paper
mills’ securities could be taken out of the
assets of the bank and preferred stock of
the Philadelphia Record Company substi
tuted. By this and other changes Mr.
Eckels hoped to put the bank in first-class
condition. Up to 5 o'clock last night it was
thought that the plan would he adopted;
hut at that time a hitch occurred which
rendered suspension necessary. When the
pulp and paper mills securities were tak
en by ihe hank, they were regarded by
everyone as first class, but since that time
its paper has fallen in price from ten cents
a hundred to less than 2 cents, and the se
curities have depreciated In proportion. Mr.
Eckels said there was not Ihe least suspi
cion of any wrong-doing on the part of any
one connected with the bank, and he still
had strong hopes of arranging for the vol
untary liquidation of the bank's affairs
without the expense incident to the ap
pointment of a receiver.
Mr. Eckels expressed the belief that the
hank ultimately would pay every dollar It
owe. The Philadelphia Record, which Is
owned by President Singerly, Mr. Eckels
said, is a very valuable property, paying
about 5 per cent, annually on about $5,-
000.000.
Controller Eckels said this af
ternoon that no other banks
were Involved, and that in his Judgment,
none would be affected by the failures. Mr.
Eckels and Mr. Hart, the bank examiner
in charge, had a conversation late this
afternoon over the Long Distance tele
phone. Mr. Hart said that a joint meeting
of the directors of the two failed concerns,
with Mr. John C. Bullitt, who is acting
counsel for Ihe department, Mr. Coffin, the
deputy controller, and himself, was then
in progress, and that they were working
on a plan to bring about a voluntary li
quidation wit it reasonable hope of success.
Among the directors present were several
men of large means, and it was hoped that
a final settlement on this basis untimately
would be secured.
NEW YORK BANKS ALL RIGHT.
Bunk of Hie Re|iulille nnd Seaboard
National Not Hart by the Failure.
New York, Dec. 23.—The correspondents
In this city of the Chestnut Street Nation
al Bank of Philadelphia are the National
Bank of the Republic and the Seaboard
National Bank.
C. H. Soul, cashier of the National Bank
of the Republic, said that that hank was
not worrying about the failure, but he
declined to say whether the failed bank
owed his concern anything or not, and said
he did not know the cause of the failure.
Stuart Gleckeon, vice president of the
Seaboard National Bank, said that the
Chestnut Street National Bank had a bal
ance to its credit in the Seaboard National
Bank, and did not owe the latter hank a
dollar.
SEAL CLAIMS TO BE SETTLED.
AWARD OF THE C OMMISSION FILED
AT W YSHINGTON.
The Amount Tills Government I* to
Pay on Account of the Seizure of
tu umlin n Vessel* Probably tho lit
9 014.000—The Government llouml
by tlie Treaty to I’ay the Claim
Promptly—Congress Expected to
Note tin* Necessary Appropriation
Promptly.
Washington, Dec. 23.—The finding of the
Rritlsh-Ameiican commission chos, n to as
sess the damages for seizures of British
ships in Bering sea, has been received by
tlie .state department and the British em
bassy. Tlie strictest secrecy Is maintained,
however, on the general character of the
finding, though it is admitted that the to
tal awards against the United States is
$464,000, which Includes principal and inter
est. A special statement of the award di
vided Into principal and interest is refus
ed at this time.
In order to avoid misapprehension it
should he understood that the finding
against this government is no surprise,
it being a certainty under the finding of
the Paris court of arbitration that the
United Stales had no right to close Ber
ing sea against foreign ships. The In
ternational commission's only duly was to
assess the amount ot damages. Tlie amount
allowed is considered to some extent a
vindication of the state department, which
had sought to settle the question without
a commission for $425,000. The award now
made exceeds litis sum considerably, and
besides there will he the expense of arbi
tration and also the possible establish
ment of some unfortunate precedents as
to the obligation of the United Slates to
pay estimated or prospective damages. •
The controversy Inis occupied the atten
tion of tlie authorities here and in London
for Ihe last eleven years. At tlie outset
the tone of the controversy was very bel
ligerent, suggesting a possible resort to
arms. This was following the seizure by
the United Plates steamer Corwin of the
British schooner Carolina and Thornton
on August, !SB6. The facts of the seizure
were not known until some time liter,
and in the meantime the Corwin had tak
en the Onward and Favorite. The same
policy of seizure and confiscation occurred
during the next scaling Hensons, despite
the protest of Great Britain
the United Slates ship Rich
ard Kush taking the Sayward,
Grace, Anna Peek, Dolphin, Alfred Adams,.
Juniata. Opath. Black Diamond, Lily,
Ariel, Kate and Minne, while the United
titates cutter eUnr took the Aca.
The claims for these -- Izures took a wide
range, beginning with the value of the
Vessels and outfits, including not only the
value of the sealskins confiscated, but al
so the value of the skins which might have
been taken if ihe ships had not been
seized. This last .feature of prospective
damage caused tlie main contention. In
the case of each British ship the largest
item of the claim was for estimated future
catch. For instance. In the case of the
Carolina, the claim for the ship was only
$4, C00. while that for skins which might
have been taken that year if she had not
been seized, was $16,61)7. Each ship esti
mated a prospective catch of from 3.560
to 5,000 skins, the value being from $3.50
per skin in 1887, to $12.25 in 1889, The total
of (he claim.- without Interest amounted
to $439,161, and with Interest at 7 per cent,
and other charges, the total reached $786 -
The claims, as presented by* the
British government to the commission
on account of ('.madian vessels seized In
Bering sea, aggregated, with Interest.
$1,500,000. These included, under the claims
treaty, several cases not embraced in the
settlement proposed by Secretary Gresh
am. The award now made amounts to
am.
The award of the commission is final
and disposes of all the eases before it.
Payment, under the treaty, must lit- made
within six months.
The department officials, it Is assumed,
will proceed at once to prepare a hill or
an amendment to one of the regular ap
propriation hills for submission to con
gress, covering the necessary appropria
tion to pay the judgments for, being bound
by the treaty not only to pay any judg
ments rendered, hut to pay them prompt
ly, the government is in honor bound to
take the remaining steps towards a settle
ment in short order.
Gen. Foster, who is now in general
charge of the Bering sea affairs, said as to
the award that he was not surprised at
the result. President Cleveland having of
ficially declared that $425,000 was a just and
equitable sum in settlement, and therefore
having appointed as the American com
missioner to adjudicate the claim, n close
and personal friend. It could he hardly ex
pected that the latter would strenuously
contend for an award of a leas amount,
Mr. Foster was absent from the country in
Japan when congress took action on Pres-
I lent Cleveland’s recommendation, but he
regarded the cbmmisslon as the proper
method of reaching a settlement and the
only one which would satisfy the country.
Notwithstanding the seizures, which
gave rise to (he award, were Initiated un
der a democratic administration, president
McKinley will doubtless unhesitatingly
recommend congress to provide for the
payment, und he hoited and felt sure that
congress would promptly make the neces
sary appropriation to discharge the treaty
obligation; end es the Canadians receive
interest up to date on their deferred
clmms, the result should be accepted in
gAI spirit.
“ere appears to be little doubt that Ihe.
United States carried its point ,on the
main question Involved, viz: As* to the
right of prospective damages for sealskins
which might have been taken If the ves
sels had not been seized. The British
c’aim included the estimated profits, which
in the aggregate ran the claim up to tt
high figure. In view of the small amount
of the actual award, without interest,
these large prospective damages are evi
dently scaled down to un Insignificant
amount, or rejected entirely.
While department officials will make no
definite announcement to this effect, in
timations are given that the smallness of
the award precludes the possibility of any
allowance having been made on account
of prospective damages.
The Alabama claims commission estab
lished the precedent that the remote dam
ages could not be included In a claim, and
the present award is evidently on the
same line.
London, Dec. 24.—The Times, In an ed
itorial this morning expressing satisfac
tion with the Bering sea settlement, which,
U anticipates, congress will not object to,
takes occasion to protest against the
"loose insinuations of bad faith on the
part of the United States government,
which have been thoughtlessly and un
justifiably made in England.”
It points out that there could not be a
question of bad faith because no agree
ment Jtad hitherto been arrived at os to
the amount of compensation.
Dealing with the general aspects of the
scaling question, the editorial concludes:
"The American company must either m ike
fair and business-like proposals or the
present conditions of seal-fishing must
continue. They are not, after all, so ut
terly distinctive of the fur seal as inter
ested persons represent them to be.”
GERRYMANDER IN ILLINOIS.
House Fusses Hu* Senatorial Henji
liorHonineitt Bill.
Springfield, 111., Dec. 23.—Amid scenes of
tioictts disorder and intense excitement
the House to-day passed the republican
legislative reapportiotiment bill by a vote
of 79 yeas to 51 nays. There were but two
votes to spar*. It was a hair-breadth es
cape from defeat for the republican ma
jority. Representative J’atrlck Meany of
Chicago saved Hie hill for the republican
organization. He furnished the seventy
seventh vote necessary to pass the meas
ure, and wh it he ettdi and a speech with Hie
words, "I vote yea," State Treasurer Hen
ry Hertz, a republican leader, who stood
by his side, trembling with anxiety and
excitement, flung his arms aboul Meany’s
neck and hugged him as though he wire
n long lost son returned from the Klon
dike. Representatives Funk and Scrog
gins*, the McLean county kickers, then
voted for the bid, making 79 in all.
it was a dramatic end of the apportion
ment fight in the House. The democrats
shouted and jeered and did their best to
make so much noise that business could
not be transacted. A score of their loudest
tongued men mounted their desks and
started a hullabaloo that was maintained
until two calls of the roll were* finished. Ho
great was ihe tumult that everybody in
the state house was drawn to tlie scene,
and the floor of tlie representatives’ hall
was crowded with excited men, whom
neither the speaker’s gavel nor the ser
geants-at-arms could control.
To day’s events insure the success of the
apportionment, as the Senate is certain to
p.’ws the lilll the first week in January.
The hill provides for a republican renp
portionment of the legislative districts of
the s:ate. According to the democrats the
reapportionment Is a gerrymander. The
republicans assert thnt tlie changes slm
piy correct the outrnges alleged to have
been perpetrated in the so-called demo
cratic gerrymander of the state. So clever
was the democratic map-making that un
der existing conditions it is necessary.
Gov. Tanner, rep., declares, for the repub
licans to carry Illinois by at least 80,000
majority, if the republican party is to con
trol the state legislature.
GEN. UILLIAM BOOTH COMING.
tins W ritten to Hi* Son Only Once In
Two Yrun.
N< w York, Dec. 23.—Gen. William Booth,
coniroander-in-ehlef of the Salvation
Army, is expected to arrive in New York
in Jau. 8. H!s coming will he of no ap
preciable importance at this time, owing
to recent developments in the affairs of the
volume u s o f Baffin non Booth and the
Sulvatiyn Army here.
Gen. Booth has written to his son, Bal
iington. once in tlie two years of Iheir
estrangement. Tills letter was a request
tor a private Interview.'
it is probable that his interview with
his son Bailington will not occur until aft
er Ills trip to Canada and the visit is
ended.
Mrs. Dallington Booth Is dying of aneur
ism of the heart, at the Presbyterian hos
pital In this city.
Regarding the statement that Mrs.
liootli'H illness was In any way due lo
mental troubles produced by the separa
tion of the Salvation Army, Commander
Booth (.referred not to speak, but referred
the matter to Secretary Halllman of the
volunteers, who said:
"From the commander to the youngest
member of the volunteers all believe Mrs.
Booth's condition is due, to a great ex
tent, to the cruel treatment she has re
ceived at tlie hands of various persons
since separating from the Salvation
Army.”
Commander Bootli-Tueker of the Salva
tion Army has issued the following state
ment in reference lo the attitude of the
Salvation Army regarding Mrs. Booth’s
illness: "While realizing that this is not
the moment to enter Into any argument,
controversy or defense, yet, in case our
liosition should be misunderstood, and in
view of the statements made by the press,
I am constrained, on behalf of our people
ail over the world to say that there is
but one feeling In our hearts regarding the
illness of Mrs. Booth, and the consequent
sorrow and anxiety through which Com
mander Ballington Booth is passing, and
that feeling is love, which would find ex-
Ifression in unceasing prayer.”
Mrs. Booth-Tucker has been in constant
communication, both with the hospital
und with Commander Ballington Booth,
expressing her sympathy and proffering
any assistance within her power, while
Gen. Booth has cabled from London the
assurance of his prayers.
At the Presbyterian hospital late to
night a bulletin on Mrs. Booth’s condition
showed there had been no improvement
whatever.
GEORGIA AND THE QUARANTINE.
Hie Hill Embodying Uniform I.nit
in the IlnmlH of Hie Senator*.
Mew York, Dec. 23.—Stewart Woodson, a
leading merchant and president bf the
chamber of commerce of Atlanta, is In the
city. Mr. Woodson came from Washing
ton, where he has been as a member of a
delegation, including the mayor and other
prominent citizens of Atlanta, who visit
ed the national capital, to urge on con
gress the enactment of a national quaran
tine law.
A bill has been prepared, says Mr. Wood
son, providing a general and uniform
quarantine law. This Is now in the hands
of the Georgia senators. It is to be intro
duced imemdtately after the holidays and
the President, Mr. Woodson says, has
promised to send-a special message urging
Its passage.
CHILDREN KILLED BY HOGS,
Climbed Into the Stye and Were At
tacked by the Porkers,
Tlfferty, Mo., Dec. 23.—Two little chil
dren of George Coakley, a farmer living
near here, climbed Into a pig stye to-day
to catch one of the pigs.
The children were set upon by a num
ber of hogs. The hogs killed both chil
dren. Tlie children had been ieft alone at
home while (he mother went on an er
rand to a neighbor’* house.
f DAILY. $lO A YEAR.
-7 S CENTS A COPY.
( WEEKLY 2-TlMEfci-A-WEEK $1 A YEAR
BECKWITH WON’T BE BOUNCED
COLLECTOR TO BE ALLOWED TO
SERVE OUT HIS TERM.
Secretary Gage Orders No Action!
Taken Toward Appointing a New
< olleetne I util the Protest of the
Savannah Cotton Exehnnge and
Hoard ot Trade I* Considered—Jo
Hoyle's Papers I, poked Upon ns
I cry Strong—Tom Johnson May Be
the Dark Horse.
Washington, Dec. 23—John Deveaux
will not get the Savannah collootorshlp in
his Christmas stocking. At the treasury
department. Acting Secretary Vanderllp
*ny j no change 4s contemplated in Savan
nah until the term of Collector Beckwith
expires.
Secretary Gage is absent from Washing
ton. having gone to Philadelphia, to deliver
a speech at the Commercial Club dinner.
Before leaving the city he received word
that the commercial bodies of Savannah,
at a meeting last Tuesday, adopted manly,
straightforward resolutions protesting
against the appointment of Deveaux or
any other colored man to the collectorshlp.
The scope of the resolutions, as set forth
in the dispatches from Savannah, evident
ly made a strong Impression upon Secre
tary Gage, for he wrote a note to the chief
appointment clerk directing that no action
be taken in the Savannah case until the
cotton exchange ami the hoard of trade
of (hot city have a hearing.
This note Is pinned on the outside of the
brief of the Savannah case, and waa
shown to the correspondent of the Morn
ing News to-day.
Mr. Vanderllp says he does not know
what Ihe President intends to do in this
case.
The papers on file are very strong In be
half of Joseph F. Doyle, who is evidently
the most formidable opponent Deveaux •
has.
T. F. Johnson, the former collector, also
hits some papers an tile, and it i possible
thiit lie may he the dark horse in the race.
M. A. Connolly is ulso un applicant, but
he does not appear to have much backing.
J'ollector Beckwith has filed a request to
lx* reappointed, and his papers are in
dorsed by many of the best men in Savan
nah. it Is not believed that the adminis
tration Intends to reappoint him, but there
Is no disposition on the part of the treas
ury officials to see him removed before his
let m expires.
M’KINLEY'H MOURNING.
( lirlstinns Henson n Mail One at the
White House.
Washington, Dec. 23.—During the re
mainder of the present week the white
house will he practically closed to all ex
cept those who call upon urgent official
business, or who have, engagements to
see the President, In order that Mr. Mc-
Kinley may consider some Important ques
tions and obtain a needed rest.
The death of the President's mother and
Ihe more recent death of his cousin, Mrs.
Charles R. Miller of Canton, caused an
entire abandonment of preparations for
the holiday festivities at the white house.
Christmas day will he observed quietly.
Only tin- President and Mrs, McKinley arid
their immediate household, which includes
Iheir nieces. Miss Barber and Miss Dun
can ami two or three personal friends, will
is? Dresent nt the Christmas dinner.
FAST TRIP ON THE PACIFIC.
%
Itun From Yoknboma to ’Frisco Mode
in 1414 liny*.
San Francisco, Cal., Dee. 23.—The steam
er China, which arrived this morning front
the orient, via Honolulu, made the quick
est trip on record, not only between Yok
ohama and Honolulu, but between Hono
lulu and San Francisco.
The ship was detained ninteen hours and
thirty-six minutes at Honolulu and front
Kokohama to tills port. Including thl* de
lay, she made the trip in fourteen days,,
twelve hours and eighteen minutes.
Tlie passage from the island was made
In five days, seven hours and forty-one
minutes. At one period of the voyage
18.15 knots was averaged for four hours.
All pievlous records of the speedy lines
were beaten by one day, one hour and
forty minutes.
STRIKE MAY BE AVERTED.
Influence of Cooler Head* Felt at
l-'nll Blvcr.
Fall River, Mass., Dec. 23.—The confer
ence of the operatives’ committee, which
waited on the manufacturers to-night,
lasted on hour, and the discussion went
into the details of the mill situation, and
brought out varying opinions. While It is
understood that the general sentiment is
for a strike, the method of making the
strike operative is not agreed upon.
The delegates who took the most active
part in the discussion to-night declined
to talk. It is believed that the influence
oi the more conservative operators ha*
hud effect upon some, and It Is not un
likely a proposition to postpone a strike
will ha made.
•NOW FOUR FEET DEEP.
Illiszard Uniting Forty Mile* South
of HorlicNter,
Rochester, N. Y., Deo. 23.—A blizzard I*
raging In Wyoming county, 40 miles south
of this city Nearly four feet of snow has
fallen during the last twenty-four hours,
und the storm continues with no sign of
abatement. Hoads are blocked, and the
farmers are shut In their houses.
POHTUGI ESE MASSACRED.
Two Offleem and Twelve Men Killed
In Giiiunn.
Lisbon, Dec. 23.—An official dispatch
from Bt. Paul de Loanda, Portugese Low
er Guiana, says that the natives of tha
Humbo plateau In the Portuguese section,
have massacred a Portuguese officer, a
sergeant and twelve men. Reinforcement*
have been sent from St. Paul de Loanda.
SIKH POLICE ROUTED.
MnJ. Gen. .lone* and Six of Hl* Faroe
Killed in l.nbunu.
Victoria, Labuan, Dec. 23.—The Sikh po
lice attacking the stronghold of Ihe Insur.
gent Matsallo, has been forced to retire. 4
MaJ. Gen. Jones and 4ilx Sikhs wera
killed.