Evening Star Newspaper, March 25, 1895, Page 1

= THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN Pres't. Few York Office, 49 Potter Building. ele aes ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, mont! Copies at the ccunter 2 cents cach. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with iB r a a ce . tered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., $*_sccon-class mail matter.) ‘All mail subscriptions must be paid In advance. ites of advertising made known on application. Che Lveni Star. No. 13,121. WASHINGTON, D.C. MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. yn akg in eat Soturdaa’s Star contained 57 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 976 separate announce: ments. hese advertisers fouaSt pubficitp—not merefp space. TALKING IT OVER Conference on Nicaraguan Affairs at the State Department, GREAT BRITAIN'S DEMAND FOR CASH Uncle Sam Will Stick by the Mon- roe Doctrine. MR. GRESHAM’S POLICY There is nothing absolutely new developed in connection with: our foreign complica- tions, but the impression seems to be grow- ing in diplomatic circles that the Bluefields matter presents a more serious aspect than &cssip on the subject for the past few days ~phas indicated. It is stated that the im- pression that Mr. Cleveland has been dis- posed to modify the attitude of the State _ Department both with regard td this and _ the Spanish incident is not really warrant- ed. Apparently the State Department has reason to believe that Nicaragua will not accede to the demands of Great Britain, and it remains but for England to make the attempt to enforce those demands for trouble to grow out of the matter, which will involve the United States at once. @ Will Support the Monroe Doctrine. It is predicted in quarters where the pre- diction Is liable to be based on information trat Nicaragua will not yield and will feel secure in the support of the United States against any military aggression by Eng- land. It is assumed that England having declared herself firmly in the matter will make a display of force, and no statement made by England to our representative has in.dicated the contrary.“ The attitude of the administration at Washington is said not to be at all In doubt, and notwithstanding statements to the contrary, which have been made, Mr. Gresham and Mr. Cleveland appear to be in perfect accord upon a policy of firm support of the Monroe déc- trine. There are reasons to believe that if Ergland makes a display of force to Nica- ragua the United States will interfere at any cost. It is certainly expected at the State Department that there will speedily be some interesting developments in this _ matter. The Allianea Incident. No further communication has been re- ceived from Spain with reiation to the Allianca incident, but it is fully expected that as soon as it can be done without too great a sacrifice of dignity the Spaniards will make ample apology for the offense. ‘There does not seem to be a disposition on the part of the State Department to resent the language used by the Spanish minister as vigorously as the alleged and very doubtful offense of Mr. Thurston was streated. The talk of passports being furnished the Spanish minister is dying out, and while it is believed that his stay in this country will be short, it is not thought that his re- tirement will be the result of any request from the State Department, but will be the voluntary act of Spain, and the dispatch from Madrid today announcing the selec- tion of his successor is regarded as ac- curate. It was denied today that there is any friction between Mr. Cleveland and his Secretary of State on account of the demand which Gresham made for immedi- ate reparation for the firing upon the American flag. Conference nt the State Department. Dr. Guzman, the Nicaraguan minister, was at the State Department this morning, although this is not diplomatic day, and the inference is that he has been consult- ing Secretary Gresham respecting the Brit- ish ultimatum. It is evident that the State + Department is deeply concerned in this matter, and a statement from Ambassador Bayard explaining the purposes of Great Britain is anxiously locked for. It is now recalled that when Mr. Bayard, last year, at the time of the Bluetields trouble, se- cured from the British government an as- surance that it had no desire to interfere with the politics of Nicaragua, it was dis- tinctly stated that Great Britain reserved the right to secure redress for the oppres- sion of British subjects. Not much heed was given to this qualification last year, but it appears to have suddenly assumed an importance as large as the original is- ~ Sue, namely, the right of Great Britain to assert a protectorate over the Mosquito reservation. As for the British ultimatum, it is not be- leved that our government can object to the creation of a commission of fair com- plexion to ascertain and fix damages sus- tained by British subjects in Nicaragua, and the issue appears to have narrowed down to the demand of an indemnity of $75,000 for the expulsion of Mr. Hatch, the British consular agent at Bluefields. It is felt here that in the present depressed financial condition of Nicaragua this is rather an exorbitant demand, but aside from this there is already a disposition to examine into the matter further and ascer- tain whether the Nic2>aguan government did not act entirely within its rights in ex- pelling the consular agent. The Expulsion of Hatch. This question will turn on facts that ~®should not be difficult to ascertain. It was charged by the Nicaraguans that Hatch, who was not a diplomatic officer, and so could claim no exemption on that score, took an active part in the political turmoil at Bluefields and did much to_se- cure the overthrow of the Nicaraguan gov- ernment in the town and the reinstatement 6f Chief Clarence. If this were true, then, under ordinary conditions, tn would be little doubt of the right of the Nicaraguan government to expel him from the country. But the con- Gitions in Bluefields at the time were not ordinary, for, according to the British con- tention, the Mosquito reservation was act- « ually under a British protectorate up to the date of the Mosquito convention, which re- solved upon the incorporation of their lands into Nicaragua, and that before this: latter date the Nicaraguan government could not lawfully exercise any such right as that of expulsion or the oppression of Eritish sub- jects in the reservation. Hence, the de- mand in the case of Hatch is entirely dif- ferent from any other case on record, and it is felt at the State Department that it will require the exercise of great caution to safely determine upon a line of policy that will not lose for the United States the re- spect of the smaller republics of this hem- isphere, and at the same time will not vio- late any of the established principles of in- ternational law and equity. ———————-2e+____. Judge Springer's Departure. Judge William M. Springer left here this 4 afternoon for Muskego, Indian territory, to organize the United States court for the northern district of that territory, to which he has just been appointed. He expects to return to this city in about two weeks to close up his private affairs before entering @,ermanently upon the discharge of his judicial duties. rs "Executive Clemency. The President has granted pardons in the case of John R. Miller, alias Dick Mil- ler, sentenced to three years’ imprison- ment for illicit distilling in Arkansas, and in the case of Anton Caba, convicted in ¥ Kansas of perjury. An application for par- don was denied in the case of W. G. Has- sell, convicted in North Carolina of em- bezzling money orders. SPAIN’S NEW MINISTRY Its Effect Wiil Be Direct Upon the United States. « The Entire Diplomatic Service, With Three Exceptions, to Be Changed—A New Captain General in Cuba. The organization today of the new Span- ish ministry, formed late Saturday, Is be- ing watched with interest.by officials and diplcmats here, owing to the direct and speedy effects it will hav2 on affairs be- tween the United States and Spain. Offi- cial advices received here state that every member of it is conservative. This is di- rectly contrary to cade reports saying that five of the new,ministers are liberal. The effect of this will be far more sweep- ing in the charge of officers, including for- eign ministers end the adoption of a rew policy on foreign and domestic affairs. Changes in the Diplomatic Service. It is known that the entire diplomatic service of Spain, with three exceptions, will be charged. The exceptions will be the embassies at Berlin, St. Petersburg and the Vatican. These three ambassadors have occupied the anomalous position of being conservatives in office during a lib- eral administration, just as a few of Pres- idept Harrison's diplomatic appointees have held over auring the present administra- tion. The Spanish diplomats serving in Great Britain; Austria, France, Italy and other leading places, including, of course, the United States, are linerals, and are certain to tender their resignations. It is believed that in a majority of cases they have already done so. A New Captain General in Cuba. ‘Another change sure to follow will be in the captain generalship of Cuba. He is al- ways chosen from Spain, and not from Cuba, and belongs to the party of the ministry. The present captain general is a liberal, so that his resignation is re- garded as a certainty, and it is thought cuite probable by officials here that he has already tendered it. His.retirement at this critical time in the affairs of the island, it is believed, will have an important effect on Cuban affairs. It is expected here that the new captain. general will share tke redical sentiment of the new ministry, which is said to be in favor of crushing the revolution in short order. His pres- ence in Cuba is likely to be accompanied Ty heavy reinforcements of Spanish troops, skips and materials of war. The Allianca Affair. This being the first day of the new min- istry, a reply to the United States on the Allianea affair is not expected, nor had it ccme up to a late hour. It is thought, hewever, to be one of the first subjects wich will engage the ministry. Before reaching the merits of the case, the min- istry will first have to decide whether to ccrfirm or reject the preliminary assur- ance given by the last ministry to Secre- tery Gresham that a proper explanation weuld be made when the facts of the Allianca case were ascertained. The new ministry is rather inclined to be belligerent in its tendencies; that is, so far as can be judged by the record of its principal mem- bers. —j[—.—_—_ MR. OUTHWAITE’S POSITION. He Has Been Appointed on the Forti- fleations Board. The President has made the following appointments: Joseph H. Outhwaite of Ohio, to be a member of the board of ord- nance and fortification, vice Byron M. Cutcheon, resigned. Julius G. Tucker of Texas, consul of the United States at Martinique, West Indies. Mr. Outhwaite is well known in political circles through his work in the House of Representatives, where he has always been one of ex-Speaker Crisp’s lieutenants, and, in fact, has been the ex-Speaker’s chief rep- resentative on the floor from the northern states. He was a member of the House committee on rules in the last Congress and also chairman of the committee on military affairs. He has been a warm friend and admirer of President Cleveland. The office is worth about $7,000 a year. Mr. Outh- wailte’s predecessor was also formerly a Congressman and has served in the House as chairman of the committee on military affairs in the last republican Congress. Mr. Outhwaite is a native of Ohio, having been born in Cleveland in 1841. He was a school teacher in early life and subse- quently became a lawyer. His present home is in Columbus, Ohio. He served in the last five Congresses, but was defeated last November. ee ee To Command the Newark. Capt. John R. Bartlett will probably be ordered to command the cruiser Newark, flagship of the South Atlantic squadron, to relieve Capt. Silas W. Terry, who has nearly completed his regular tour of sea service. It was reported thet Capt. Bart- lett was incapacitated for active duty by reason of physical disabilities. An exami- retion by a medical board cf survey showed, however, that he was physically sound. The Newark is now on the Brazil- jan station, where she has been ever since she was made part of Ad- miral Benham’s fleet for the protection of American interests during the Brazilian revolution two years ago. oo ____ Increasing the Circulation. The controller of the currency has de- clared dividends in favor of the creditors of insolvent national banks as follows: A first dividend of 35 per cent in favor of the creditors of the Central National Bank of Rome, New York, on elaims prov- ed, amounting to $412,310; a first dividend of 25 per cent in favor of the creditors of the National Broome County Bank of Binghamton, New York, on claims prov- ed, amounting to $317,072; a third dividend of 15 per cent in favor of the creditors of the First National Bank of ‘Sundance, Wyoming, making in all 35 per cent on claims proved, amounting to $40,602. _ = a we The Cruiser Alliance. The cruiser Alliance, which has been con- verted into a training ship for naval ap- prentices at the Norfolk navy yard, left this morning for New York, where she will take on a class of apprentices for a cruise. She will be manned by sailors from the Chicago, which is to be put out of com- mission. —__ + 2+______ The Observatory Circle. Secretary Herbert has rejected the bid ef James R. Ellison for the purchase of a portion of plat L of the government prop- erty outside of Observatory Circle as not in accord with requirements. ——. An Assignment. Edward E. and Isaac K. Hunter, dealers in tobacco and cigars, at SI7 Market Space, teday made an assignment to Edward L. Gies and John M. George for the benefit of their creditors. The assets are placed at $1,261.72, and the liabilities at $1,493.48. ‘An assignment for the benefit of her creditors was also made today by Belle C. Morris, dealing in dry goods, &c., at 221 Pennsylvania avenue southeast, to Geo. . Meigs. The assets are fixed at $600 and the liabilities at $1,981.63. ——.—__ His Will Filed. The will of the late Francis Soewyn, dated February 11, 1885, filed today, ap- points John Linden executor and gives him the estate. THE. CASE OF DEBS An Egho of the Great Strike in the ‘Supreme Court. APPLICATION FOR A HABEAS CORPUS An Imposing Array of Counsel on eet Both Sides. ae Bare oe MR. TRUMBULL’S ARGUMENT ite Se An echo of the great Chicago strike of last summer was heard in the United States Supreme Court today, when argu- ments were commenced in the case of Eu- gene V. Debs and others for a writ of ha- beas corpus. The principal question invoived in the case is the legality of the action of the circuit court in issuing the injunction against the strikers last summer. When the case was taken up in the court this afternoon, Mr. Lyman Trum- bull, in behalf of the petitioners, asked that, on account of the importance of the case, three attorneys upon his side be heard, and the Attcrney General making no objection, this was agreed io. This ac- tion will carry the argument into tomor- row. Mr. C. S. Darrow and Mr. 8. 8. Greg- ory will support Mr. Trumbull in behalf of the petitioners. On accovnt of the importance of this case, the government is represented in the argument by the Attorney General in per- son, who will make an oral argument up- holding the jurisdiction of the circuit court. Mr. Edwin Walker of Chicago, a special attorney employed by the government dur- ing the strike troubles, will submit ». brief, and Assistant Attorney General Whitney will take part in the proceedings. The Claim of Jurixdiction. It is understood that the government will rest its claims of jurisdiction upon the fol- lowing propositions: First, the United States may invoke the aid of an equity court to restrain a threatened public nui- sance; second, the circult court had juris- diction under the bill to restrain the de- fendants from unlawful interference with or obstruction to the transportation of in- terstate commerce; third, the court also had jurisdiction to enjoin and restrain the defendants from hindering, obstructing and preventing the transportation of United States mails. ~ Each of these propositions, it is claimed, was submitted to and carefully considered by the circuit judge in a most exhaustive opinion. The judgment of the court was reached, it is said, after full argument of the counsel of the respective parties and the presentation of all authorities within reach of counsel both in support and against the claim of jurisdiction. Mr. Trumbull’s Argument. Mr. Trumbull opened the argent for the petitioners this afternoon. He said that the main question is whether the bill states a case over which a court of equity has jurisdiction; if not, then the injunction issued against Debs and his associates was void, and the priscners are entitled to their discharge. Mr. Trumbull held that the in- junctior was unlawfully issued without no- tice, and the priscners were ut liberty to disregard it. No person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without due pro- ecss of law, and to issue an injunction without notice is not due process of law. He said’that provisions of the acts of Con- gress clearly implicd that no injunction or restraining order shall issue until after no- tice to the parties. In this case an injunc- tion, absolute in terms and perpetual, not a restraining order, was issued in contra- vention of the provision, which orly au- thorized a temporary restraining order af- ter notice, before a final hearing in the ease. A distinction is made between a temporary restraining order and a writ of injunction, and the latter never issues until after notice and ar cpportunity to be heard. Reckless Statements. Mr. Trumbull in referring to tfe injunc- tion as extraordinary declared the state- ments in the bill in equity as reckless. He declared the statements made in it had only been sworn’to by an unknown per- son, a man who, for aught he knew, had been picked up on the street for the pur- pose. He called attention to the fact that the road of the stock yards and transit company was only a local road, but did not question that some of the twenty-two roads mentioned in the bill were engaged in inter- state traffic. He contended that the pri- mary object of the A. R. U. was to bring about a peaceful adjustment of the dif- ficulties between the Pullman company and its employes, and said this was praise- worthy. Furthermore, he declared that this object would have been accomplished but for the refusal of the Pullman oflicials to grant any concessions. Psoliman Sleepers and the Mails. He said it was an insult to every intelli- gent citizen to say, as was said in the bill, that it was as necessary to- carry the Pull- man sleepers as it was to carry the mails. He also argued the right of the railroad and Pullman employes to quit work when they chose, an¢ criticised the language of the bill in characterizing this action on their part as a boycott. He also took ex- ception to the use of the word conspiracy as used in the bill; declaring that the pur- pose of the strikers was that of preventing the hauling of the sleeping cars, ard not that of preventing the transportation of ee ats or of interfering with interstate -affic. ~ The great question was, he said, whether @ court of equity had jurisdiction in a case of the character of the one under consid- ation, and he proceeded to argue the con- stitutional bearing of the question. He did not believe it competent for Congress to confer upon the courts of equity jurisdic- tion in any but equity cases, and he in- sisted that Congress had never undertaken to confer such prerogatives. The present case involved a criminal offense. Had a case ever occurred when a court of equity had attempted to restrain a citizen from committing a criminal act—burglary or murder, for instance? If the petitioners had been guilty as charged they should have been proceeded against in the regular manner, by indictment and trial by jury. The Regulation of Commerce. ~ He took issue with the contention that the constitutional provision for the regula- tion of commerce between the states gave authority for such a proceeding as this in equity, but declared that this was entirely contrary to the holding of the courts, in support of which position he quoted vari- ous authorities. But even if this were correct, the present case was one confined entirely to the state of Illinois. Continuing, Mr. Trumbull de- clared that the Supreme Court of the United States had been overwhelmed with cases growing out of a strained construc- tion of the Constitution, and he thought it time to call a halt. He contended that the anti-trugy bili had no bearing upon the case of an association of railroad employes, but was intended to prevent combinations, corporations and trusts, as was made evi- dent by the fact that provision was made for the seizure of pronerty. ———— Mr. Hamlin Has the Grip. - Assistant Secretary Hamlin returned to Washington today, but, owing to an attack of grip, he will not be able to resume his official duties for a day or two at least, THE. PAYMASTER GENERAL Gen, Smith Will Be Retired on Acoount of Age Tomorrow. Quite a2 Good List for the President to Select Hix Successor Frem—No Vacancy in the Corps, ‘Today marks the close of the active mili- tary career of Brigadier General William Smith, paymaster general of the- army. By operation of law he goes on the retired. list tomorrow, because he will then have reached the active age limit of sixty-four years. He has a creditable military service of nearly thirty-four years, of which the first five and a half were in the volunteers during the civil war. On the 20th of Au- gust, 1861, he was appointed an additional Paymaster in the volunteer establishment. He was born in Vermont, but was‘appoint- ed to the army from Minnesota. His war record was excellent, and on March 13, 1865, he was brevetted lieutenant colonel of vol- unteers for faithful and meritorious service during that exciting period. _Honorably mustered out in July, 1866, he was ap- pointed a major and paymaster in the per- manent establishment in the following Jan- uary. He was promoted to the grade of Heutenant colonel and deputy paymaster general September 6, 1888, and was made paymaster general, with the rank of brig- adier general, March 10, 1890. He has therefore held his present office-as head of the pay department a little over five years. He has been a faithful, efficient and conscientious official, and his many good qualities of head and heart have gained him innumerable friends, outside as well as within the military establishment. Like many other veterans of the army who have closed their active service,he will probably take up his permanent residence in this city. Candidates for His Place. The selection of his successor rests en- tire'y with the President, and is restricted only to members of the pay corps. Inas- much as the proper administration of the fiscal affairs of the army would suffer by a prolonged vacancy in this important of- fice,-it is more than probable that it will be filled before the close of the present week. Naturally, there is lively competi- tion among the eligible officers for this most desirable appointment. The officer next in line of promotion is Col. Charles M. Terrill, now stationed in Texas, who entered the volunteer service in June, 1562, and was brevetted Heutenant-colonel for meritorious service during the war. His chances of promotion are said to be weakened, however, by the fact that he has less than a year to serve on the active lst. In case he ts passed, the selection of paymaster general is believed to rest with Col. Thaddeus H. Stanton, who retires in 1sv9; Lieut. Geo. E. Glenn, who does Lieut. Col. J, P. Canby, who retires in 1897; Lieut. Col. G. W. Can- dee, who retires in 1000; Maj. A, B. Carey, who retires in 1800, and Maj. F. M. Coxe, who retires in 1:0;‘Maj. A. E. Bates, who retires in 1004, and Maj. C. I. Wilson, who retires in 1001. Of this lst, Stanton, Can- dy, Carey, Coxe and Wilson were brevetted for service during the war of: the rebel- ee Peer Wilson is on duty ig this city. Col. Stanton’s chances ar the best. e thanght to be No Vacancy in the Corps. The promotions consequent upon the re- tirement of Gen. Smith will make no va- cancy in the grade of paymaster with the rank of major for the reason that the list is already four in excess of the number to which it has been limited. ‘The excess will be reduced, however, to three, ‘These places are more coveted than any others of similar rank in the army. Cap- taigs and even majors of the line endeavor to secure them. The work is less exacting than in other branches of the service and Promotion is much more rapid and certain, --——___+« RECIPROCITY, NUT CONQUEST. Semator Proctor'n Views a: Dealings With © “I do not agree,” said Senator Proctor of Vermont today, “with those of my col- leagues in the Senate who court trouble in Cubs in the hope that we may have an op- portunity to aunex the island. The char- acter of a part of the population of Cuba ig sach that I should not consider it de- sirable as a state of the Union, as it would recessarily become if annexed. I consider Cuba of vast importance to this country commercially, but prefer that it should re- main as it is or be an independent state to its becoming a part of the United States. I am for the commercial annexation, but not for territorial annexation. We can ac- complish that result without a war of con- quest and without purchasing the island, simply by reviving the policy of reciprocity. We made immense striaes in our commerce with that country under the reciprocity clause of the McKinley law and had a trade of vast proportions with the island when the law was repealed. All that is changed now, and our Cuban trade is of comparatively little consequence. It is un object lesson which the people of this coun- try should study with care.” The Senator added that he believed the republican party would take the first op- portunity to revive the policy of reciproci- ty, but said he did not know whether the effort would be made in the next Congress, owing to the probability of a veto of any reciprocity measure which might be en- acted by Congress. —_——_«. CAPT. MAHAN’S SHORE DUTY. He Has Been Tendered an Office, Which He May Not Accept. The fact that the cruiser Chicago, which has just returned to New York from a European cruise, will be put out of com- mission in.a few days has revived the gos- sip as to the probable shore duty of her commander, Capt. A. T. Mahan. That offi- cer was the recipient of unusual honor in European perts visited by the Chicago oni account of his ability as an author and critic on military science and tactics. He has*been tendered the office of chief intel- ligence officer at the Navy. Department, now held by Lieut. Sanger, who has been ordered to the Castine, but is not inclined to accept, on the ground that it is not of sufficient dignity or importance for an offi- cer of his rank. That objection would be removed if the office was raised to the grade of a bureau and was put on the same plane as the regular bureaus of the de- partment. Another office to which Capt. Mahan is assigned by the gossips ‘is that of commandant of the training station at Newport, now held by Commodore Bunce. This speculative assignment is contingent on Commodore Bunce’s vcluntary retire- ment under the forty years’ service clause. o——__—_— THE SUPERVISING ARCHITECT. Mr. Aiken Says He Will Assume His Duties on the First Prox. Mr. Wm. Martin Aiken of Cincinnati, who was recently appointed supervising archi- tect of the treasury, has notified Secretary Carlisle of his acceptance of the appoint- ment and says he will arrange his private affairs so as to be prepared to assume the cuties of the federal office on the Ist prox imo. to Our ° The Income Tax Case: The United States Supreme Court did not hand down a decision today in the income stax cases. Inasmuch as it is not absolutely necessary that the matter should be de- cided before April 15, it is possible that the court may not announce {ts decision until rear that time. NOT AN OUTPOST Washington Now an Important Dip- lomatic Assignment. A FOREIGN POLICY FAST DEVELOPING ‘Things That Foreign Representa- tives Cannot Comprehend. AN INVITING FIELD A gentleman well acquainted in official circles in this country and abroad, in dis- cussing some re22nt diplomatic complica- tions, said to a representative of The Star today: “It looks very much as if Washington might soon become one of the most im- portant assignments falling to men in diplomatic service. For years we were not only in a great measure unknown, but considered undesirable as far as known. We were an outpost. Foreign diplomats lcoked upon the assignment as a sort of banishment—a penitential period in their official careers. They didn’t want to come. The town was represented to them as small, and the opportunities for enjoyment few. There was no opera, no great race course, no great fete-at any time. Their business was humdrum. The government had no foreign policy except to let foreign governments alone as much as possible. They looked upon life at this capital, there- fore, as fatiguing to the last degree. They felt that while here they would have noth- ing but time on their hands. But all this within the past twenty years has changed. Washington now highly considered abroad. It does not, of course, rank with the European tapitals in its equipment for great social functions, but its beauty and its growth are now well advertised, and the growing importance of the United States gives assurance to the diplomat that his opportunity is here, and not longer in the older capitals. Diplomacy, like the star of empire, and, indeed, following that, is tak- ing its way westward. The big ventures are all launched on this side of the water now. The greatest wealth is here. Emigra- tion sets this way. The government is fast developing a foreign policy, and this, with the manifold interests involved, makes a little business now and then for diplomats to attend to. The Difficulty Increases. “And as his opportunity increases so does the foreign diplomat’s difficulty increase. This is getting to be a somewhat trying post to fill. The diplomats are waking up to the fact that not only some very nice questions of diplomacy, but some equally nice questions of governmental responsi- bility, naturally inhere in a government like this, madé up, as it is, of divided re- sponsibilities, reaching all the way from the munictpality to the national control. The average foreigner findS the general structure difficult to comprehend, and I am frank enough to admit that I myself have found it difficult to explain. I was in Eng- land when the mob in New Orleans killed several Italians in the parish prison there, and Mr. Blaine wrote his admirable letter to Rome in response to the demand of the Italian government for an explanation of and an atonement for the unfortunate af- fair. I was besieged with questions on the subject by my English friends. It really was amusing the way they puzzled over the municipal, the state, and then the na- tional aspect of the case. I may have added to their difficulty by my way of put- ting the matter, but I believe the best ex- pounder of things would have failed. As a rule they would give it up, and take refuge in the assertion that the national govern- ment in such circumstances should be re- quired to take full responsibility at once in responding to the demands of foreign gov- ernments, and settle at its leisure and Pleasure with its own local authorities.” “How do the foreign diplomats themselves feel on the general question of*the Ameri- can method of doing business?” was asked Diplomats Have Little to Say. “Well, being diplomats, they have little to say. They cannot openly complain, whatever their feelings may be. But I think it safe to assume that the situation now and then puzzles even them. And several things have happened within the past few years well calculated, we our- selves must admit, to disturb them. The case of Lord Sackville has never appeared to foreigners as it appears to us. That is the most famous case. Foreigners feel that the British minister was first tricked and then sacrificed to election clamor. In other words, they feel that he was dealt with in- hospitably by this government. His career up to that time had been very successful, and his services in this country very ac- ceptable to the authorities. He had, they contend, never shown any disposition to meddle with American affairs, and they do not believe that a fair reading now of the Murchison letter convicts him of a desire to do so in that case. But he was packed off in pretty short order, and it practically drove him from office. Then in a few years came the embarrassments that overtook Baron Fava in his efforts to effect a prompt settlement of the New Orleans affair. Like Senor Muruaga at the present time in the Allianca matter, he was criticised here for excessive zeal and by some of his own countrymen for not bringing this govern- ment up with a round turn. It looked for a time a8 if his fate might be similar to that of Lord Sackville. But he was more fortunate, and a very good official was saved to the service. Now we have Baron Fava again, zealous about an affair in Col- orado, over which, as in the New Orleans affair, the local authorities are asserting the first control, and Muruaga held at arms’ length by the State ‘Department, and Thurston's recall requested of the Ha- wallan government. All of this is well cal- culated to set the diplomats to guessing, and to keep them guessing. Matters get mixed here in a very short time, and very much mixed, and the diplomat who doesn’t get his bearings at once is soon out of the channel, and finds it difficult to make head- way.” “What's the remedy?” ‘Time and Patience the Remedy. “Oh, I'm sure I can’t say. Probably there is none but time and patience. These things straighten themselves out after awhile. But meanwhile, with all nationalities already represented in our population, and the tide of immigration still strong; with great en- terprises afoot, and others under, serious discussion; with the government at last on the eve of taking a place with other na- tions in acquiring more territory; the dip- lomat is hkely to find more important busi- ness to attend to at this capital than at nearly any other post in the whole list of diplomatic assignments. I suppose his way ought to be made as smooth for him as pessible when he comes. He ought not to be picked up on trivialities, or held to the accountability of a constitutional lewyer on the question of the powers of our gov- ernment. But, of course, he ought to know his business; and inasmuch as the diffi- culties are so greatly increasing here, it must result in raising Washington in the diplomatic scale. Foreign governments, in making changes from time to time, will be certain to slate their good men for a post so important. We are no longer an outpost of diplomatic civilization. The field, though difficult, is really inviting for ambitious men.” 2 ——_+o+—___. A New Naval Attache. Capt. Lewis E. Wintz, R. N., has been appointed to succeed Capt. R. N. Custance as naval attache to the British embassy here. SECRETS. OF GOVERNMENT Very Few of Them Escaps From the Com- missioners’ Room. Failure to Give Prompt Public Notice of Impertant Actions—Order May Be Modified. The Mystic Order of Three assembled again today in their lodge rooms on Ist street. During the working hours of the day they were hard at work, presumably engaged upon matters of interest to the citizens of the District. If such was the case the time is evidently not ripe for the public to hear just what was done. This begins another week of public busi- ness transacted behind closed doors and shrouded in the veil of mystery. Safety pins were no needed to hold the veil, for the faithful messengers armed with the consciousness of official support guarded the sacred entrances to the holy of holies, and their presence spoke as loud as words to the outlaws of the press, “Thus far shalt thou go and no farther.” A few outsiders were given the mystic pass word and were allowed admission to the august presence, but what went on behind those doors the Ccemmissioners do net care to have the public know. It is presumed that the Mystic Order of Three approve of the system they have edopted fcr. doing business, but there are those who feel that the business, being of a public nature and affecting the commun- ity, might just as well, in the interests of all concerned, be open to the public gaze. If the presen: system should continue much longer, though of this there is every reason far doubt, things may get into bet- ter working order, and those who are af- fected by it may find out with more defin- itepess just what the recent order of the Commise‘cners means. Not Given Out Promptly. A case in point may well be cited as showing how it works at present. The first vlause of the now famous order says: “All olficial aets of the Commissioners will be promptly given to the press by the secre- tary of the board.”.It is hoped that the attorney for the Commissioners will soon be called upon for a legal definition of the word “premptly.” As a rule the Commis- stoners nowadays rarely allow any of their oiticial acts to percolate through their offi- cial filter until such a late hour in the day that they cannot be noted in the newspa- pers until the next day. For some reason they broke through this well-nigh inviolable rule last Saturday and signed the new schedule of surveyor's fees shortly after noon. According to their own rule the schedule, being of public interest from every point of view, should have been given out without further delay. Such was not the case, however, and had it not been for the fact that The Star man knew that such a schedule had been adopt- ed there is no telling when the public would have been told of the new system of fees in a public office. Considerable scurrying around with the consequent exhaustion of a certain amount of gray matter developed the fact that the precious document had escaped across the hall into the hands of the engineer department. In due course of time, under the present system, the sur- veyor would have been notified of the new schedule, and the first the poor public would have known of it would be when in- dividuals had business with the surveyor’s office. The kindly services of the secretary of the board were invoked by the news- paper men, who called attention to the first sectlop of the Commissioners’ own order, and in the course of a couple of hours the precious paper was recovered. By a close squeeze the schedule was ex- clusively printed in Saturday's Star. The bosiness training of the Commission- ers is evidently not such as to develop in them a knowledge of the value of news, and it is to be questioned whether cither of them or their secretary would find it an easy task to get a job on a big paper as news editor. The best cf public officials are not necessarily good reporters. This morning the Commissioners opened bids for the construction of curbing in the District. A sccre or more of contractors were present when the bids were opened, but the newspaper men were noticeable by their absence. If any of the taxpayers of the District care to knew what the bids were they might find it to their advantage to question the contractors. °¢ May Rescind the Order. There are reasons for thinking that the Commissioners are not altogether satisfied with the way the present system is pan- ning out. As a result no-one would be at all surprised if their recent order should be rescinded or at least so amended as to bring it more within the bounds of reason. They are not so thick skinned as not to feel to some extent the effects of the storm of disapproval that was brought sbout their heads by the “exclusion act.” A ru- mor was out that Maj. Powell, bored be- yond endurance by the continued criticisms published in the local papers, was thinking of requesting the Secretary of War to as- sign him to another billet. This has been put to rest by Maj. Powell’s unqualified denial of the story. But, of course, there never was any real ground for the rumer. It is not likely that Ma}. Powell was in the least surprised to find out that the people did not like the order. Why Philadelphians Are Indignant. Washington is not the only place where the city"fathers are endeavoring to muzzle the press, although the muzzle is supposed to fit tighter here than it does elsewhere. In Philadelphia the reporters have alwa} had free and uninterrupted access to the floor when the city council and the board of aldermen are in session, and the result has been that the public have been kept well informed of all that was being done for them by the powers that be. In the new city hall an effort is made to relegate them to a gallery reserved for them on the order of the press galleries in the Scnate and House of Representatives at the Capi- tol. No effort is made, of course, to keep them out altogether, but, even as it is, the press of the Quaker city is up in arms at this attempt to restrict the privileges of the newspaper men and to hamper them in their efforts to secure legitimate news. The Philadelphia editors ought to assign their city hall reporters to do the District Com- missioners’ office for a while, and then they would have a more beautiful appreciation of the privileges they still enjoy. A part of the Commissioners’ rule which is particularly ynpopular is the last section, which says: “Letters received. are not to be given out for publication or otherwise made public except on order of board of Commissioners.” Complaints Hidden Away. In the old days, before the bars were put up so high, communications received were regarded as public property, quite as much as communications sent out by the Commissioners and copied in the bexutiful yellow calf-bound letter book, which is now the only resource of the reporters In their search for news. This was only natural, as these letters were almost invariably on matters in which the public has a genuine interest. Among them were reports of fail- ure on the part of District officials to do this, that or the other, complairts of non- collection of garbage, recommendations of work to be done, letters finding fault with the condition of streets and sidewalks, and covering the thousand and one subjects connected with the government of a big city. Things are different now, and a cit- izen may find all the fault he wants, and not a line of his complaint can ever get into print, albeit it may interest all his neighbors and lots of other people besides. Since, the obnoxious rule went into effect not a word of criticism of any sort on any branch of the District government has escaped the eagle eye of the news censor, and the two or three letters which have been given out have been of the most in- nocent and complimentary sort. It is nat- urally a pleasant condition of affairs for public officials when the only things that can be said about them or their official acts are the things they want said and practically dictate. JUGGLING ACCOUNTS Sensational Report to the Whisky Trust Receiver. A DISCREPANCY OF A MOLUON Directors Sold Stock to Them- selves. A CONFERENCE IS CALLED CHICAGO, Ill, March 25.—A most sensa- ticnal report was submitted to Receiver McNulta of the whisky trust today by the experts who for a month have been cx- amining the books of the Greenhut man- agement of the concern. Charges of juggling accounts, “doctor- ing” books and similar work are made and the report asserts that the former direct- ors and officers, by disposing of stock to themselves, have left a discrepancy of $1,924,120. The report states that 34,498 shares of stock were sold by the officers and direc- tors to themselves at 45 cents on the dol- lar, and that consequently almost $2,000,000 is due from them to the stockholders of the Distilling and Cattle Feeding Com- pany. Whether or not any action to recover the enormous amount thus said to be due will be taken {s as yet undecided. Gen. McNulta has called a conference of interested parties to consider the matter, and what the decision will be is a question, but there is little doubt that the expert’s report will result in a hot fight between the geal management and the Greenhut people. PUZZLING THE DOCTORS. A Minnesota Man Living Who Has Lost Nearly All His Brains. GRAND RAPIDS, Minn., March 25.—The cese of a man living with the top of his bead cut off and the brain cavity almost empty is agitating the surgeons of Grand Rapids and vicinity. A week ago Charles Olsen attempted to board a moving train, but missed his footing and fell under the wheels. His head was crushed so that over half the brain fell out, and when the injured man was picked up It was sup- pcsed that he was dead. Arrar gements were made for the funeral, but just before the coffin was closed the undertaker noticed a movement of the supposed dead man’s eyelids, and had the tody placed in bed. Surgeens declared that Olsen was not dead, but simply in a state of coma. By the use of electricity the surgeons managed to rouse him to a ecnsiderable extent. It was supposed that he could last but @ moment or two, as there was nothing in the brain cavity except a few shreds cf gray matter, but in a short time the pa- tient began to improve. He could not speak, but seemed to comprehend all that went on around him. His recovery was rapid, and today he can sit up in bed and say a few words. Olson does not remember anything in re- gard to himself prior to the accident, nothing of his past life, and at first did not even know his own name. The surgeons- will have Olsen examined by eastern spe- cialists in order to find out how it is that he is living, when, according to all surgical rules, he should be dead. A silver plate has been put in Olsen’s head, and he is now doing nicely. He complains frequent- ly that he can feel nothing and that noth- ing he eats has any taste. He has lost nearly fifty pounds since he was hurt. ——_—_ CANNOT WEAR BLOOMERS. Edict of the Victoria, B. C., Police as to Wheelwomen. VICTORIA, B. C., March 25.—The police have decided that bloomers are not suita- ble for ladies’ street wear, even when worn as a bicycling costume, and have taken steps to enforce this decision. Miss Ethel Delmont is an enthusiastic wheel- woman, pretty and graceful. Last week she made her appearance in the bloomer costume, and if Lady Godiva had herself assayed a repetition of her famous ride, the sensation could not have been greater. ‘The town came forth to gaze, and for the moment the police were petrified ‘with amazement. Then they aroused to action, and Miss Ethel was informed that a repe- tition of her appearance in that costume would mean a police court summons on the charge of creating a disturbance on the public street. Miss Ethel’s bloomers are discarded. ——>—__ A THRICE-TOLD TALE. Suicide of a Runaway Girl Deserted by Her Husband. CHICAGO, March 25.—Frances Bailey, twenty-eight years old, was found dead in her room, No. 1235 Wabash avenue, last night. On a table near by was an empty two-ounce bottle of morphine. She is the third of three handsome sisters at Allegan, Mich., who at different times made runa- way matches and were each in turn dJe- serted; each then committed suicide. Frances went off with a traveling sales- man. A roller skater and an actor were the faithless spouses in the other two cases. The father of the girls is said to have died of a broken heart. ——_—_ WITHOUT MILITARY PROTECTION. Negroes Went to Work at New Or- leans Today. NEW ORLEANS, March 25.—The negrces went to work on the levee this morning without military protection. The soldiers are held in their armories in case of trou- ble. 4s many of the so-called rioters, who made the murderous assault on the colored laborers two weeks ago are under arrest. It is not believed there will be any further violence until the murderers are well cut of their present trouble with the law. — > ‘Was Senator Fair Poisonedt SAN FRANCISCO, March 25.—The Call says the latest sensational development in the noted Fair will case is that insinua- tions dre abroad that the deceased mil- Nonaire died by poison, administered by parties interested in his death taking place at a certain time. Miss Phoebe Cousins, who claims to have been the affianced wife of Senator Fair, broadly hints at her sus- picions that Senator Fair had been given poison at mere than one time. —_—— Irwin Gives Up His Books. PITTSBURG, Pa., March 25.—George M. Irwin, the famous blind pool cperator to- day purged himself of contempt by sur- rendering his books and papers to the Union Trust, where they will be acces- sible to the receiver and his own attor- neys. The books and papers will be used by the receiver to discover if Irwin really did use the money of his clients in iegiti- mate speculation, as he alleges. If not, a number of civil and criminal suits will follow. ge SS A aE Gov. McKinley to Rest. THOMASVILLE, Ga., March 25.—Gov. McKinley will rot leave today for Florida as he expected. Under the advice of his physician he will remain in Thomasville until Wednesday. —————— Ocean Ste: pn Arrived. LIVERPOOL, March 25.—Arrived, steam- ers Kansas, Boston; Numidian, Portland,