Evening Star Newspaper, March 18, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. gee PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Fennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 13th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN Pres't. Rew York Office, 49 Potter Building, os Ha The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the «ity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents ber week. or 44 cents per month, Copies at the ¢cunter 2 cents ench. By matl—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents PSatteday Qu iaturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with uple, Sheet, Star, $1 per yea foreien postage adi . nee fered at the Post Office at Washt . Cy @s secon)-class mail matter.) Sr asperer ~ ~~ FZAM mall subscriptions must be patd In advance, Rates of advertising mads known on applicatl ~ —— The Zoening Star. No. 13,115. WASHINGTON, D.C., MONDAY, MAROH 18, 1895-TEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. Te proof of the pudding is in f6e eating. furdap’s Sfar confained 61 cofumns of adverfisements, made up of 958 separafe announce: ments. TBSese advertisers Bought pubficifp—not merefp Space. GRESHAM’S DISPA1CH His Friends Think It Hus’ Served a - Valuable Purpose. A WARNING 10 SPANISH COMMANDERS The Exigency of the Case Admitted of No De'ay. IS ACTION WILLBE JUSTIFIED pon Those public men who indorse Secretary Gresham's <ourse in the Allianca matter, and the number seems to be growing, are very confident that no state of the case can arise calculated to detract from the real effectiveness of his first dispatch. The’ » Teal object of that, as they contend, has already been accomplished, and whether the reply of Spain is prompt or not makes little difference in considering the question upon its merits. . Mr. Gresham's Point. According to this view of the case, the point of greatest consequence which Judge Gresham had to consider was the bearing of the episode upon the general. question of the safety of American shipping in or near Cuban waters. The Allianca herself was safe. She had easily out-footed the , Spanish gunboat, and was riding at anchor in New York harbor. Spain was not for a moment to be expected to justify the out- ra, The act of the gunboat was, as re- ported, in such flagrant violation of all Jaw and comity that it would only be neces- sary to call Spain’s attention to it to have her make the proper amende. But this should be done at once and in the firmest tones. To hold the matter up pending an official investigation, with its slow pro- cesses and tvying delays, would be to leave Anerican shipping in Cuban latitudes very greatly exposed. It might not be that every vessel flying the American flag in that quarter could show her heels to a Spanish gunbcat. If all such vessels were under suspicion, and the affair of the Allianca has to be taken as an example of what Spanish com- manders patrolling the Cuban coast con- ceived to be within their rights, then the necessity of a prompt statement of the American case.was not only important, but / imperative. And so the dispatch was writ- ten. The proper warning was served. It would not matter so much about the full details of the episode answering as the text. The Spanish commander and Capt. Crossman might differ as to the position of the Allianca, and even as to the conduct of the Allianca in the premises, but that would be of small congequerce in compari- son with notifying Spain precisely what the United States was expecting and would demand for her shipping while passing within sight of Cuba. = Effect on the Spanish Commanders. The Sparish commanders in Cuban wa- ters received this information as promptly ~‘as the government at Madrid did. It did not come to them officially, of course, but it must have had its effect on them. The dispatch, which appeared authoritatively in print, needed no interpretation. They could see what this governmens would do in given circumstances, and it was for them from that moment to study well the nature of the instructfons they had receiv- ed from home on the subject, so as to be fully justitied in their future course. That they will proceed with more caution from now on is firmly believed in State Depart- ment circles. There is no belief that Spain, however much provoked secretly because of certain sympathy felt in this country with the Cuban revolutionists, desires to offend the United States. A scrap on sea or land is not within the scope of her pres- ent calculations. She is expected to make this plain in her instructions to her com- manders in Cuban waters; but whether she $does formally or not they are expected to be governed by the clear purpose of this government not to submit to any search at sea not entirely consistent with national dignity and within the plain letter of the Ww. No Full Reply Expected Soon. It Is conceded that a full reply to the dispatch as it relates to the Allianca proper cannot be made by Spain prior to the receipt by her of some official infor- mation on the subject. In the absence of this she bas nothing to go upon. She has » so far received only an assertion, a com- plaint, and a demand from this govern- ment. She could oniy reply at this time, F therefore, that if the affair occurred as reported she stands ready to give the proper assurances of regret. She doesn’t know the name of her offending com- - mander, or even the name of his ship, and both must be gscertained. It may be de- cided to make that sailor, with the very guns he trained on the Allianca, salute the flag he is charged with having so in- excusably insulted. , What Gresham's Friends Say. A very interesting discussion has grown out of this incident, which brings the friends of Judge Gresham to the front. ‘They have long chafed under the criticism associating his name with certain un- American ventures of the administration. The Hawaiian matter, in particular, has always rankled in their bosoms. They have never believed that his part in that business was more than to assist his chief in a _ policy which the ~himseelf Had already c termined upon. The story representing Mr. Cleveland as having come to’ Washington in March, 1893, with a plan for the restora- tion of the monarchy complete has always found acceptance with them. And now, 2s they claim, it will no longer be possible to attack Judge Gresham with the former virulence. This Allianca episode should, they congend, serve fully to show both his mettle and his Americanism. The action taken was his own. The President wa not within reach. The case was pressing. It called for both s: has met the emergency a way that de! the men who have been standing by ‘him through thick and thin. They scout the suggestion that the President may not back his premier up in the mat- ter. They do not believe that the Presi- dent, even if he desired to do so, could weaken the force of Judge Gresham's con- tention, or the popularity the dispatch has brought to its author. The great power of the communication, as they appraise it, is in the thorough way in which this gov- ernment is committed by it. The matters in interest were the dignity of the flag and the safety.of American shipping, and a dispatch so clearly standing up for them cannot be made a subject of revision. The official who would understate such a case would err far more grievously than the one who would overstate it. A Valuable Purpose Served. All the possibilities have been canvassed. For an instance, so extreme an inquiry has as een propounded . would be the res of the All that asking what an absolute denial r should be entered by hh authorities. Even this is an+ swere: The dispatch, it is contended, would still have served a valuable purpose. The episode was reported to this govern- ment, and it presented a question of the highest importance to American shipping interests. The government could not af- ford to put such a thing by. It had no means of knowing how long the revolt in Cuba might be expected to last. American shipping could not be left in any peril. Its Mghts on the open sea must be defined gnd as this was a paramount duty It was Eto be executed with promptness and ex- wplicitness. The claim is made, therefore, that, in any and all possible circumstances, Judge Gresham's action will be found to frstify itself, CHARGED TO THE TARIFF The Falling Off in Foreign Oommerce Said to Be a Result. If the Decrease Continues It W! an Argument for Revision Next Winter. It is said in financial circles that the business and financial situation of the country shows gradual and gratifying im- provement. The treasury is maintaining the gold reserve, and it is thought that the syndicate management will be suc- cessful in preventing gold exports under normal conditions. It is said that the banks are getting better employment for money, and that their customers give in- dications of doing more business. In the business world there have been advances in the price of some of the leading Ameri- can staples, and there is a firmer tone in the domestic market value of other arti- cles. Decrease in Foreign Commerce. In contrast to these favorable condi- tions existing in the internal commerce of the country, is an unfavorable report of our foreign commerce. The last bulle- tin issued by the bureau of statistics, giv- ing quautities aud vaiues of tue priucipal articles of agricultural exports for the pest eight months, shows considerable falling off, both in quantities and average prices, compared with the ccrresponding eight months of the preceding year. The value of breadstaffs exported in_the last eight months was a little over $71,000,000, a decrease of over $47,000,000. There was a falling off in the exports of cotton amounting to over 1,000,000 bales and a decrease in price of nearly 21-4 cents a pound. The exports of dairy products have de- creased, and there has been an increase in the amount of agricultural and dairy products imported into this country. There Las been a heavy increase in the imports of manufactured articles of a class similar to the products of the largest manufac- ing industries of this country. This, of course, means the crowding out of just so much American product. charged Against the Tariff. There is a proneness in some quarters to attribute these conditions of the foreign trade to the operations of the new tariff law. The Wilson-Gorman act has had full six months’ operation now, and it is claim- ed that it is fair to begin to judge of its effects. Those who predicted disastrous re- sults from the operation of the law are laying upon it all of the responsibility for the falling off in the foreign trade, and say that since it is shown that the one great claim made in behalf of the low tariff, namely, that it would increase the foreign trade, has been proven fallacious, the law now stands condemned beyond hope of de- fense. If the decrease in the foreign trade con- tinues at the present rate until the assem- bling of Congress next December, it will be @ powerful argument in favor of an imme- diate revision of the tariff, it is said. The impression prevails among those well post- ed that there will be considerable division of sentiment among the republicans as to the advisability of commencing an immedi- ate and sweeping revision of the tariff. There is a well-known disposition on the part of some of the leaders to go slowly in tariff matters ‘and not unsettle the business of the country unnecessarily. On the other hand, there is an element which wants to go at the tariff hammer and tongs, and these people are the ones who are now keeping closest tab upon the short- comings of the present law, accumulating all the evidence possible in favor of their Pians for immediate revision. ————_+o+____. THE NEW SILVER PARTY. Representative Stone Thinks It Will Not Get Much Strength in His State. Representative Stone of the Allegheny district in Pennsylvania is in the city to- day on a flying visit. He has been home since the adjournment of Congress, and re- perts there is a marked improvement in business and a prospect of easier times this spring. “The new silver party will not get much strength in Pennsylvania,” said Mr. Stone to a Star reporter in reply to a question. “There has never been a party or an ‘ism’ that Pennsylvania did not contribute to in some degree, and I suppose it. will be the same in this case, elthovgh the deserters from the ranks of sound money principles will not be strong enough to cut any figure in politics. Pennsylvania is not unfavor- able.to silver, for I helieve every republi- can in the state would advocate bimetal- lism, but we would never agree to follow any plan for national free coinage. We don’t want one standari-of money for this country and another standard for other countries. Pennsylvania would like to see an international agreement in behalf of an enlarged use of silver and gold, but until such an agreement can be reached with other nations of the world we don’t want any free coinage.” ———— oo WILL PRACTICE LAW. Two Ex-Congressmen Who Are Now Ready to Go Home. The city is pretty well depleted of ex- Congressmen now and the last few strag- glers are getting back to their districts or to those portions of the country which they could once call their districts. Among the latest to depart are Representatives Hall of Minnesota and Caminetti of Cali- forria, both of whom go, but not to return. These two ex-Representatives are not among those who have lingered in Wash- ington in the hope of being taken care of by the President and receiving federal ap- pointments. Mr. Hall said before leaving that he has got a big law practice on hand, and $25,000 worth of fees in sight. He has had the “glory” which attaches to two terms in Congress and says now that he is willing to go in and make a little money for him- self. Mr. Caminetti also goes back to re- sume a thriving practice, taking his place in the law firm of which he was a member at the time of his election to Congress. ——————— CRUISER COLUMBIA, THE Secretary McAdoo Will Accompany Her to the West Indies. Assistant Secretary McAdoo will accom- pany the cruiser Columbia on her trip to the West Indies. He will go in an unofficial capacity as the guest of Captain Sumner, commanding the warship. She is now being fitted out at New York and is sched- uled to start Thursday morning. Her pres- ent orders are to join Admiral Meade’s squadron at Kingston, Jamaica, or at Santo Domingo. The flect is now at La Guayra, Venezuela, but will probably be at King- ston before the arrival of the Columbia. Mr. McAdoo left here this morning for New York to keep an engagement to make an address at the banquet of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at Delmonico’s this evening. He will remain in New York un- til the Columbia sails, and will probably leave her at Kingston, her first stopping place, and_return to New York by mail steamer. He expects to be gone three or four weeks. ee Naval Movements, The Castine has sailed from Malta for Port Said, on her way to Madagascar. The San Francisco is at Piraeus, Greece. The Bennington has arrived at San Francisco from Acapulco. The Raleigh has sailed from Colcn for Cartagena. REPLY OF SPAIN One Believed to Have Been Received Through Minister Taylor. REGRET AT THE ALLIANCA INCIDENT Will Avoid Cause for Complaint in ‘ the Future. MR. GRESHAM RETICENT Although lacking official confirmation, there is good reason for the bellef that the rSpanish government has made a prelim- inary reply to Secretary Gresham's mes- sage in regard to the Allianca affair. Ac- cording to the best information, the Span- ish_minister of foreign affairs courteous- ly and temperately acknowledges the re- ceipt of Mr. Gresham's note and expresses his regrét that anything should. have oc- curred to interfere with the cordial rela- tions of the two governments. He calls at- tention to the entire absenée of official in- tormation in regard to the alleged firing upon the Allianca, adds that steps have been taken to have the matter thoroughly investigated, promising prompt action as soon as the report called for from the captain general at Havana has been re- ceived. The Spanish government also gives as- surances that steps will be taken to pre- vent any interference whatever with Amer- ican commerce in- Spanish waters, and that there is no likelihood of a repetition of such an affair as that alleged by the commander of the Allianca. it is made ‘particularly clear that the Spanish gov- ernment will endeavor to avoid any just cause for complaint on the part of the United States. Minister Taylor's Telegram. - Minister Taylor, at Madrid, was the medi- um of communication in this correspond- ence. While the officials of the State Depart- ment are unwilling to say anything what- ever concerning the contents of Minister Taylor's cablegram, it is believed the fore- going is a fairly accurate interpretation of the dispatch. It will be noted that the Spanish government promptly complies with one of the most important of Secre- tary Gresham’s demands, which was for “immediate assurance” that the war ves- sels patrolling Cuban waters should not give further offense in the manner com- plained of in the Allianca affair. As to the other demand made by Secretary Gres- ham that the Spanish government should promptly express its regrets for the at- tempted detention of the Allianca, Minister Taylor's dispatch indicates the willingness of the Madrid government to comply there- with in due time, should the facts on in- vestigation prove to be in accordance with the unofficial representations made by the United States. . The Usual Custom. In taking this position Spain is simply acting in accordance with the usual cus- tom in like procedures. ‘ihe Spanish gov- ernment is said to have stated that no de- tailed information from Cuba bearing on the affair Fas been received, and this is borne out by the debate in the cortes yes- terday, when the minister had no facts to offer. It was not to be expected that any declaration would be made by Spain until such a report had reached Madrid, and this is believéd to be the view taken by ‘the President and the Secretary of State. The cablegram is understood to contain, more- over, strong expressions of good feeling toward th2 United States and a recital of the fact that Spain had no doubt that the incident would be settled to the satisfac- tion of both nations. Conference With the President. Secretary {sresham had a long conference with the President on the subject of our foreign complications this afternoon. Be- fore entering the White House he informed a group of reporters that he had nothing to say in regard to the Allianca case, and he declined to affirm or deny the correctness of the published synopsis of Mr. Taylor's message conveying the reply of the Spanish government. He explained that he could not properly discuss the matter in its pres- ent state, but assured the reporters that all the correspondence would be given out in due course of time. Mr. Gresham Indorsed. It is understood that the President has fully indorsed the course pursued by Mr. Gresham, in his absence, in the affair with Spain, with the single exception that he did not think the message to Mr. Taylor should have been published until the Spanish gov- ernment had had #n opportunity to submit its reply. It is possible that an effort will be made to ascertain how the press secured the manifesto on the very ‘lay it was tel- egraphed to Madrii. Minister Muruaga W Say Nothing. Senor Muruaga, the Spanish minister, de- clined to see callers or to receive any mess- ages. In response to urgent requests for information on the Allianca affair and the answer of Spain, a note from the minister was presented to all inquiries, saying: “Excuse me. I have nothing further for publication.’ Among the callers on the minister was Mr. Gray, former owner of the Allianca, but he, too, was unable to secure an inter- view. He next went to the State Depart- ment. Mr. Gray was receiver of the Amer- ican and Brazilian Steamship Company, which operated the Allianca, and sold her to the present owners. He speaks in high terms of her capabilities. Mr. Gray says that his t business with the Spanish minister and the State Department ts of a private nature and does not concern the Allianca trouble. He is well acquainted with the coast trade between the United States, Cuba and South America and does not believe our commercial interests will be seriously affected by the Cuban uprising or ty the Allianca incident. ‘The President Holds a Conference. President Cleveland conferred at noon today with Secretaries Gresham and Car- lisle. Representative McCreary, until re- cently chairman of the House committee of foreign affairs, was also present. It is understood that the status of the negotia- tion with Spain over the Allianca affair was gone over. The statement is made that the present aspect of the subject is such as to give as- surance to the authorities that there would be no trouble of a serious character be- tween the United States and Spain. —_+ o-+____. AMERICAN SCHOONER SUNK. The Spanish Gunboat Arcedo Charged With the Act. A Key West, Fla., special dispatch to the New York Herald, dated yesterday, says: Passengers on the steamer which arrived from Havana last night bring news of re- ports in circulation there of further depre- dations by Spanish cruisers on American vessels along the Cuban coast. : ‘The latest report is to the effect that the Spanish gunboat Arcedo fired into and sunk an American schooner off Puerto Padre. It is reported that the crew of the vessel, numbering sixteen ‘persons, per- ished with it, It is not known whether’ the schooner had arms or carried an expedition for the Cubans. It was reported in Havana that the schooner had sailed from Key West. Inquiries, however, fail to show that any boat is missing or unreported, except those engaged in legitimate trade. Many sailed recently for West Indian ports with fruit cargoes. Puerto Del Padre, Puerto del Padre is a harbor.on the northeast coast of Cuba, in latitude 21 deg. 17 min. N., longitude 76 deg. 42 nia. W. It has a long and narrow entrance and xf- fords excellent anchorage. It is not far from the place where the Spanish gunboat fired on the Allianca. Not Believed Here, . The State Department has had no in- formation from official sources touching the report that the Spanish cruiser Arcedo fired upon and sunk a small American schooner off the Cuban coast, and the re- port finds little credence here. The naval register shows the Arcedo is a small schooner-rigged iron gunboat, built in Spain in 1883, and of about nine knots speed. It is not known whether or not she is in Cuban waters. . Other sources of information than the State Department are likewise without any information on the matter, and are in- clined to discredit it. ————_—_ A GREAT TASK ACCOMPLISHED, Trandation of the Bible Into the Wenli Language. NEW YORK, March 18.—At the meeting of the board of directors and Foreign Mis- sionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church last week it was voted to make a grant for the publication of the Holy Scrip- tures in the classical Wenli language of China, which Bishop Samuel I. J. Schere- schewsky, late missionary bishop to China, has just completed, after long years of preparation. The work upon which Bishop Schere- schewsky has been engaged has attracted the attention of the church an@ scholars on both sides of the Atlantic, and the publica- tion of his translation of the Bible into the Wenli language is being awaited with interest. For many years Bishop Schere- schewsky was one of the missionaries of the Episcopal Church in the Chinese em- = and was made bishop of Shanghai in ST7. The Wenli is the written, but unspoken language of China. It is understood by the Chinese in all parts of the empire, by the natives of Corea and many of fhe inhabit- ants of Japan. bi During the summer of last year the very Rev. E. A. Hoffman of the general theo- logical seminary went to England at the instance- of the board of missions, and brought the attention of the arehbishop of Canterbury,, and. the authorities of the English Church to the work BisRop Schere- schewsky had in hand. The archbishop be- came interested in the subject and ap- pointed the Rev. Dr. Legge of Oxford Uni- versity and Prof. Douglas of King’s Col- lege, London, to examine the‘new transla- tion with a view of having a portion. of the expense of the publication met iby the so- peed for the promotion of Christian knowl- edge. & With the completion of the translation and the publication of the restlts of his untiring labor of. years, while enduring se- vere pain, the distinguished ecclesiastic will consider his life-work done. He will not, however, permit the printing of the translation except under his own personal supervision, and as this will be done in China, he will set out’ fer the flowery kingdom in the summer, there, as he said; to end his days in the land to/Which he is most atached through long ass asa Christian missionary. His family consists of an adult son and daughter, whom he will leave behind. ——>s—_—_ ANNEXATION INEVITABLE. Keport of Judge Dixon of Montana Regarding Hawatian Agnirs. BUTTE, Mont., March 18.—Ex-Congress- man W. W. Dixon, who, it is understood, was sent to Horolulu by Chairman Mec- Creary of the foreign affairs committee of the House to make an investigation of re- ceat events on the islands, has returned to. Butte. He says he made an investigation of affairs in Hawail even to events as far remote as the overthrow of the queen, and the entire tenor cf his remarks fs in praise of President Dole and his goverhment. He found the annexation sentiment growing among the natives and half-bréeds, who recognized the hopelessness of the cause of royalty and believed annexation would give Hawaiian sugar free entry into the United States and would therefore boom the is- lands. Judge Dixon found that the recent at- tempted revolution has strengthened the provisional government greatly and that the government is very conseryative in the treatment of revolutionists and not at all vindictive toward the supporters of the queen. The stories of torture; he says, were unfounded entirely, and no one was forced to leave the country, but many were given the option of standing court- martial or leaving the islands yntil such time as they would be given permission to return. He also found that the men who claimed the protection of the United States had a fair hearing and will re- ceive fair treatment. Martial law will be remcved within a month or six weeks, and the queen’s sentence remitted. The legisla- ture will be convened in the spring, and a general election called for the election of a president. Judge Dixon thinks annexation is inevi- table and says that the only people who are opposed to it are the English residents of the islands. : Representative McCreary, who is referred to in the dispatch from Butte, Mont., as having commissioned ex-Congressman Dix- on to make an investigation at Hawaii, say! “| wish to deny the whole story. I never sent Judge Dixon to Hawaii, and did not know of his going until after he had gone. He went to recuperate the health of his son, Mrs. Dixon remaining at San Fran- cisco with a relative of mine. In that way I have heard of his trip, but I never heard of an investigation of Hawaii for myself or the foreign affairs committee, and I have not and will not receive a report on that subject.” CAMPOS AS CAPTAIN GENERAL. Minister Taylor Sends News of the Spanish Cabinet Change: The following dispatch was received this afternoon from Minister Taylor at Madrid: “Government has resigned. Campos ap- pointed cgptain general of Madrid. New government probable under Canovas. (Signed) “TAYLOR.” ——o Presidential: Appointments. The President made the following recess appointments today: Joseph R. Herod of Indiana, to be secre- tary of the legation of the United States to Japan. Henry A. C. Emery, a citizen of the United States, to be interpreter to the con- sulate of the United States at Ningpo, China. George F. Smithers, a citizen of the United States, to be interpreter to the con- ‘ssulate of the United States at Osaka and Hiogo, Japan. Postmasters—David C. Marsh, at East Saint Louis, lil-; John Beard, at Danville, Ii; Blanchard Emory, jr., Centerville, Md. Daniel E. Kean, at Cumberland, Md.; George W..Wales, Randolph, Mass.; Al- fred D. Hoitt, at Arlington, Mass.; Charles F. Blodgett, at.Stoneham, Mass.; Michael M. Huck, Schuyler, Neb.; Frank Feyler, at Rochkester, Penn, LYNCHED A WOMAN|8EHIND cLoseD cors|DANA IS COMMITTED Almost Incredible Story of Western Brutality. PROBABLY A DANGEROUS WITNESS Cattle ‘Rustlers” Thought to Be at the Bottom of It. ” A DESPERATE FIGHT MADE a OMAHA, Neb., March 18—A special to the Bee from Butte, Neb., says: _ Mrs. W. E. Holton of Keyahoho county was found dead in hér home last night by neighbors. She had been lynched. Her body was lying on the floor gvith a piece of rope about ten feet long’and a hatchet and hammer lying by her side. The ccroner was summoned and an autopsy showed that she had died of strangulation, and had also been as- saulted. The woman was living alone, as.ner hus- band bad been sent to an insane asylum. It is supposed the motive of the lynchi: was to prev2nt the woman from giving tes- timony against cattle “rustlers,” as she had been summoned as a witness against a gamg of thieves in the county. She had borne a good reputation. It' was evident that she had fought a hard battle for ber life and honor, as the hed- ding and the clothing were torn and scat- tere@ about the home. a DISCOVER ARGON, Mr. Edison Says It Hlustrates Our Comparative Iznorance. NEW YORK, March 18.—As soon as Thomas A. Edison can find the time he means to learn something about argon, the newly-discovered gaseous constituent of the atmosphere. Mr. Edison says that he not only belives in the discovery of Lord Ray- Jeigh and his co-werkers, but thinks it probable that further experiments will dis- close other new elements in the air. “To tell the truth,” he says, “the dis- covery of argon is a fresh evidence of how little we know even of the commonest matters. The air has been analyzed over and over again for half a century without suspecting that it held any new elements.” “How do you suppose this discovery was de?" Well, you see, the investigators would withdraw the carbonic acid and the oxy- gen and say that what was left was ni- trogen.” - “Then you think Lord Rayleigh did not accept this as final?” “Certainly not,” he replied. “Being an uncommonly close observer, he no doubt noticed that this nitrogen possessed slight- ly different properties from pure nitrogen obtained in other ways, and, going further, he discovered argon.” Mr. Edison explained that his investiga- tions concerning his incandescent lamp showed him phenomena which could only be explained on the hypothes's of a new element. But he was unable to say whether argon was responsible for those phenomena. ——_— FAILED TO OPEN. The National Bank Forced to §: KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 18.—The Na- tioral Bank of Kansas City failed to open its doors this morning. The direct cause of the failure was the unfavorable state- ment of the bank’s affairs given out March 5. In the panic of 1898 the bank suspended, but through ‘an arrangement between depositors and the stockholders it was permitted to resume business. The steddy withdrawal of deposits since that mi: time has placed the bank in an embarrass- ing position and necessitated another sus- pension, The statement given out is not complete. It shows assets of $1,800,000, lia- bilities, $1,050,000, The Star this afternoon will say editorial- ly that none of the other banks of the city will in any way be affected, being in splendid condition. The controller of the currency today received a telegram. announcing the sus- persion of the National Bank of Kansas City. Bank Examiner G. W. Galbreath = immediately appointed temporary re- ceiver. —_——_—_ TROUBLE YET UNSETTLED. the Militia Still Guarding the New Orleans River Front. NEW ORLEANS, March 18—The situa- tion in the labor troubles remains unchang- ed. Were it not for the fact that the mili- tia are still guarding the levee there would be no interest taken in the great strike. The militia, after their day’s rest yes- terday, were prompt in responding to the call of duty this morning, and, as a result, the various commands were on the move early. By 9 o'clock the troops had reach- ed their destination, and work was resum- ed.everywhere on the river front. The an- nouncement on Saturday that several com- Panies of militia from the country would arrive this morning to take the place of the city troops seems to have been er- roneous, for Gov. Foster said yesterday that he would not call on the country troops for a while yet. When seen by an Associated Press re- porter this morning the governor said that the military would be Kept on the levee for an indefinte period, probably thirty days, for he was determined that no repe- tition of last Tuesday’s scenes should take place. He said nothing was as yet ac- complished in the way of settlement of the troubles. —__>___ AMOS TOWNSEND DEAD. One of the Lending Men of Cleveland Passes Awny. CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 18.—Ex-Con- gressman Amos Townsend, a prominent merchant of this city, died at St. Augus- tine, Fla., yesterday of heart failure. Ex-Representative Amos Townsend was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 18#1; re- moved at an early age to Ohio and became a citizen of Cleveland, with-whose com- mercial interests he was identified for thirty years; he was for ten years a mem- ber of the city council, serving seven of those years as its president; was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1873; was elected to the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses, and was re-elected to the Forty-seventh Congress as a re- publican, receiving 20,333 votes, against 15,106 for Hutchins, democrat. —_——>——_ DROVE INTO THE RIVER. The Singular Death of Edward Bliz- znrd of Cedarville, N. J. BRIDGETON, N. J., March 18,—Edwarad Blizzard of Cedarville hired a horse and buggy last night and drove to Port Norris. Early this morning he was found standing a corpse in the Maurice river, near Port Norris. One foot was resting on the hub of the wheel, one hand on the tire and the other clutching some reeds on the river bank. It-is thought he accidentally drove into the river in the night amd got fast in the mud, and that the excitement brought on heart trouble, with which he was af- flicted. The horse had to be pulled out of the mud with ropes. Foreign Affairs Shrouded in Mystery by the Department. The American Policy—The Public Not Informed of_Important Matters. A recent Associated Press dispatch rep- resented Secretary Gresham as condemning as a diplomatic impropriety certain com- ments of Consul General Williams at Ha- vana on Cuban affairs. Undoubtedly Sec- retary Gresham was perfectly sincere in what he said, and his solicitude that United States representatives abroad should not subject themselves to merited criticism was altogether natural. But a careful reading of what Mr. Williams said discloses reaily no material enlarxement of the latitude usually accorded to men occupying diplo- matic positions, and sentiment in diplo- matic circles here attaches no particular significance to Mr. Williams’ utterances in the premises. Possibly, of course, the Mad- rid government, which,according to common rumcr, had previously for some reason taken umbrage at Mr. Williams, may seek to attach more or less significance to tne cceurrence, but this will not alter the position of the case. In this connection it is pertinent and interésting to note that of late years, under democratic as Well as republican administratious in this country the custom of shrouding in almost impene- trable mystery the discussion of all ques- iy growing. When Gen. was President there were constantly aris- ing delicate and difficult international ques- tions. With the exception at times of reserva~ tions which no one could disapprove, information on all.these subjects was al- ways attainable, both at the White House and the Department of State. There never was any trouble about “interviewing” President Grant, and frequent personal statcments from him cn public matters ap- peared in the public prints. Neither the President, the government nor the country suffered by this. Change Since Grant's Time. Since his time all this has changed. No President who succeeded him has followed his example, except where there was some particular private object to be gained, and the Egyptian sphinx was not a parallel to the equivocal replies received at the De- partment of State to interrogatories bear- ing on questions of public concern. All this is so different from the habit and the practice of other governments. In the for- eign’ offices of European capitals the most liberal construction prevails as to the pro- priety of providing information of public interest, with the restriction to which no exception can be taken, of sound judge- ment and common sense. It thus happens, and these occurrences are so frequent as to attract widespread comment, that the people of the United States often gain the first information of what .their own government is doing from the cable dispatches. In the last few years there have been many occasions where the open discussions in the house of com- mons had disclosed important cireum- stances connected with the negotiations with Great Britain,..of.. time, we had been in The government of Great Britain recog- nizes the right of its citizens to hear how it is acting for them, and it is seldom in- deed that any official of that government declines to give a straight answer to the pointed questions constantly put as to what is going on. It js a common exper- ience for those who gather news in this city to obtain what they are seeking from members of the diplomatic corps, after failing with our own officials. The United States stands singular in its foreign policy. It has no dark or sinister designs upon other powers, and what is the use of con- cealing what there can be no possible in- jury in communicating? Dumb as an Oyster. The State Department has been dumb as an oyster on nearly every point connected with the Allianca affair, while the Spanish minister talks all about it without the slightest reserve. The other night when Secretary Gresham’s dispatch to our min- ister to Madrid was cabled he refused to give out one word of it to his own coun- trymen, and even declined to admit that such a document had been transmitted. But the very instant it was laid be- fore the Spanish minister for foreign affairs its contents were disclosed to the people of Spain, and the American news- papers were subjected to the great expense of having it cabled across the ocean for them. No ministry in Europe would think of acting in this manner or dare to occupy a position indicating that the public had no business to learn about: its own con- cerns. We see the force of example in the action of the District Commissioners im- itating the “closed doors” business of superior officials. 2 - SENATOR TELLER’S VIEWS. A Benefit to Silver if China Pays Japan in Gold. Senator Teller of Colorado sees a pros- pect for an ultimate benefit to silver in case Japan requires China to pay the war indemnity in gold. “I have no fear,” said Senator Teller, “that in that event Japan will go to a gold basis. The people there have too long been accustomed to the usé of silver, and the country is too prosperous and progressing too rapidly with matters as they are for them to desire a change. Naturally, however, and, notwithstanding the popularity of silver for local purposes, they will ask that the indemnity be paid in gold, because of its greater purchasing power in Europe and America, with which continents Japan has large dealings, and also because she will have probably con- tracted a large war debt. Still, if Japan should conclude to go to a gold basis, that fact would only increase the scramble for gold, and would have another circum- stance to show the inadequacy of the gold supply. “Leaving out of consideration what Japan may decide to do with reference to a monetary basis, the demand upon China for, say, $200,000,000 in gold, would neces- sitate a great scurrying about for the metal. China does not collect to exceed $15,000,000 in goid annually on her import duties, and that is the only way the gov- ernment has for getting gold in the ordi- nary course of business. It would, «there- fore, be necessary that she should go into the market with her bonds, and raise the gold in America and Europe. In that event fully two-thirds of the amount would be taken from this country, and any one may easily see what a drain it would prove to be. This would also become a great object lesson, and would, I believe, strengthen the silver cause.” ——+2+—_____ PRO RATA LEAVES OF ABSENCE. Public Printer Benedict Will Them to Former Employes. The public printer announced today that payments of pro rata leaves of absence ac- crued to former employes of the govern- ment printing office since July 1, 1894, will be made at that office on Tuesday aftert noon. This is done in accordance with a recent law of Congress making appropriations to pay pro rata leaves of absence to persons who were discharged, resigned or died since July, 184, notwithstanding the fact that they had already had thirty days’ leave of absence, with pay, during the fis- cal year on account of service rendered in a previous fiscal year. Pay full Arraigned » Before Commissioner Shields for Criminal Libel. —-- HEARING IN NEW YORK THS MORNING The Case to Come Up Before Judge Brown April 2. LEGAL POINTS INVOLVED NEW YORK, March 18.—The libel case against Charles A. Dana of the New York Sun, which was brought at the instance of Frank B. Noyes of The Washington Star for criminal libel, drew a big crowd of newspaper men and lawyers to Commis- sioner Shields’ room. Mr. Dana was rep- resented by Lawyers Elihu Root and Franklin Bartlett, and United States Dis- trict Attorney Macfarlane appeared for the people. The question at issue was whether the courts of the District of Columbia had the right of demanding Mr. Dana's removal from this city to Washington, and Lawyer oot strenuously asserted that the Wash- ington courts had not the power. He insisted that if a crime were com- mitted by the publication of any statement in this city the case should be tried in New York city; and that there was no™ power invested in the District courts of Washington to try such a case. ‘Mr. Dana arrived shortly after 11 o'clock, and tis son Paul came in a {gw minutes later. 3 United States District Attorney Macfar- lane presented a certified copy of the pa- pers, which contain three counts of a criminal libel. . Lawyer Root objected to the papers being put in evidence, on the ground that they were not properly authenticated, and that the statements contained in them were in- competent end irrelevant. Louis A. Kennedy, who is a clerk in thi marshal's office, was the first witness call- ed, and was questioned as to the identity of Mr. Dana. Thomas Hitchcock was next examined, and Paul Dana was the only other witness, The lawyers for the defense raised a point as to whether Mr. Dana hed anything to do with the publication or circulation of the New York Sun, and whether he could be held responsible for anything that was published in that paper on February 22 of this year Lawyer Root’s objections were invariably overruled by Commissioner Shields. Mr. Hitchcock said that Mr. Dana had nothing to do with the business manage- ment of the Sun newspaper. Mr. Root said that he was advised that Mr. Noyes was a citizen of the state of Maryland, which fact he contended should be considered by the commissioner in mak- ing any ruling based upon the crim‘nal in- dictment returned by the United States court of the District of Columbia. Commissioner Shields ruled without fur- ther argument that an order of commit- ment should tssue for Mr. Dana to appéar Brown of the United States district court, and paroled the defendant in the custody of his lawyers. United States District Attorney Macfar- lane at once went before Judge Brown with the order from the commissiover, and the court announced that he would hear the argument upon the motion for a warrant of removal for the defendant to the city of Washington on April 2. —_—— INSURGENTS REJECT TERMS. Unsuccessful Efforts to End the Cuban. Revolt. KEY WEST, Fla., March 18.—The chief topic among the passengers by the steamer which just arrived from Havana was the unsatisfactory outcome of the interview had &® the commissioners sent by the gov- ernment to treat with the rebel leaders in arms in the eastern. provinces. What in- ducements were offered by the commission for the cessation of hostilities, or what guarantees were promised are not known, but all propositions were rejected by the insurgents. They said they held the situa- tion, and were in a position to dictate their own terms. The entire press, editorially, deprecates the result of the conference, and asserts that it has done more harm than good. ATLANTA, Ga., March 18.—Dr. A. J. Diaz, a native of Cuba, but an American citizen, who is at the head of the mission- ary work of the southern Baptist conven- tion in the island, is in this city today, having come directly from Havana. ‘The doctor ostensible mission is to con- fer with the authorities of the convention's home board here, but Lis sudden appear- ance at this juncture and his well known sympathy with the cause of Cuban inde- pendence have given rise to the rumor that he has found it expedient to be away from the island during the pending trou- bles. Dr. Diaz declines absolutely to talk about the rebellion. He says that the pa- pers in Havana contain no news bearing upon the subject, and that it is impossible for the people there to form any idea of what is going on in the interior. SSS MAY NOT APPEAR, ‘The Government's Course in the U. P. Foreclosure Suit. CHICAGO, March 18.—A special to the Record from Omaha, Neb., says: It is given cut here from the office of John C. Cowin, special attorney for the Ugited States in the Union Pacific matter, that the govern- ment will not appear in the foreclosure suit brought by the trustees for the first mortgage bond holders. In deciding on this action the attorneys for the government hold that the foreclosure will not affect the status of the government's lien. Unless the government appears voluntarily, it can- not be made a party defendant to the suit, and no order of the court can operate prej- udicially to its interests. ‘The Chicago Record’s special from Omaha was shown to Attorney General Olney. Mr. Olney said that no conclusion such as stated had been -reached as yet, but he could neither affirm nor deny it, as it might or might not be decided to take the course indicated. Se JERSEY STATE HOUSE FRAUDS. Ex-Bookkeeper Murphy of Mua Co. on the Stand. TRENTON, N. J., March 18.—The hearing of the senate investigating committee into the state house expenditures was resumed this morning. Eugene Murphy, ex-bookkeeper of John Mullins & Company, was again called te the stand to identify certain stubs in Mul lins & Company’s check books. Mr. Corbit. then showed that the checks so referred to were drawn between the dates of July 19, 1800, and March 31, 1894, and aggregated They were drawn to the order of ‘‘Mul- lins & Company,” “John Mullins,” “Cash” and “Self,” and the total was equivalent to a 10 per cent discount on goods furnished for the old part of the state house and 20 per cent of the goods furnished to the new part of the state house and the furnish- ings of the assembly quarters. Murphy admitted that he had been dis- missed from Mullins & Company's employ for “playing” the races and that he hi testified against Mullins & Company out of a spirit of retaliation.