Evening Star Newspaper, May 6, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 5. H. KAUFFMANN Pres't. Seta aetlS, New York Office, 49 Potter Building, See gee es ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on thelr own account, at 10 cents Det week, or 44 cents per month. Goples at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Cansda—postage prepaid—60 cents per mon Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with Wiputersd at the Post Offer: t Washington, D. C., fered at the Post Office a . C., as second-class mail matter.) a3 [All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applleation. Che Fven g Siar. Se proof of te purding is in fe eating. furdap’s Sar contained 60 cofumns of advertisements, mare up of 1,059 separate announces ments. Zese advertisers foug$t pubficitp—nof merefp Space, Wo. 18,157. WASHINGTON, D.C, MONDAY, MAY 6, 1895—-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. NO CONFERENCE|S!LVER IN THE SOUTH/BAYARD AND EUSTIS|S&FORE THE Alleged Parties to the Gathering Deny the Story. WR. PLAT? EXPLAINS HIS VISIT HERE Bo Do Messrs. Foster, Clarkson, Alger and Payne. NOT OF PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE eee There has been during the last two days @ gathering here of somewhat noted re- publican politicians, but if they are to be permitted to speak for themselves their visit 1s without public significance. The politicians are Thomas C. Platt of New York, Gen. Alger of Michigan, ex-Gov. Foster of Ohio, James S. Clarkson of the republican national committees, and Mr. Henry C. Payne of Wisconsin, who has long been a prominent political factor in his state, and who, at times, has had much to do with the national republican commit- tee. The story which has gained some sensational currency is that these gentle- men are here in order to come to some agreement as to the result of which the candidacy of Gov. McKinley of Ohio for the presidency will be promoted. The per- sonage around whom this conference is said to center is Thcmas C. Platt of New York, who, it is said, met the other gen- tlemen by appointment in order that they might have an opportunity to induce him to abandon the support of Thomas B. Reed of Maine, which they ascribed to him, and to unite with them for McKinley. The inquiries which have been made of the leading principals in this conference do rot seem to warrant such a conclusion. At all events Mr. Thomas C. Platt denies that they have had any consultation with him for such a purpose, or that he came to Washington by appointment to meet them. Mr. Platt, just before leaving for New York yesterday afternoon, when his atten- tion was called to the reports connecting him with such a movement, said: Mr. Platt’s Denial. “The story is all nonsense. There Is a very simple explanation of my visit to Washington. I came over to meet my wife and family, who have been spending six weeks in Florida, and I am about to ‘c- company them home. I have seen Gen. Alger. I did not know that Gov. Foster, who is from McKinley's state, was in Washington, and I am not just now en- gaged in President-making. There are some other things going on in New York politics just now which are attracting my attention.” “And what is the outlook in New York politics? Is the report true that they are going to annihilate Boss Platt?” “The report is not true. They are not going to annihilate Boss Platt. You hear @ great deal of that sort of thing in the New York newspapers. You also hear in those same newspapers a great deal about the reformers. A gentleman named War- ing—Col. Waring is the title he is known by—is one of them. You may have heard something of his doings within the last few weeks. Mr. Platt is not to be annihilated. But you will, perhaps, do well not to an- nounce that his encmies are assured of an escape from annihilation. You can say ab- solutely that there is nothing in the report that I have come here by conference to at- tend an appointment the object of which is . to throw Tom Reed overboard and to nomi- mate Gov. McKinley for President.” “By that is it to be understood that you are a firm adherent of Mr. Reed?” Mr. Platt looked at his watch and said: “My train starts in ten minutes, and I have a mile to go.”” And the wheels of his carriage began to move. Had his train been scheduled to leave at a later hour it ts possible that this question might have been answered; but it is probable that it would not have been. The Others Explain. ‘The other members of this alleged con- ference have rot been very communicative, but all have some explanation of their pres- ence in this city, if any is needed, apart from any connection with any pretended conference. Goy. Foster is simply stopping over in Washiz gton on his way home from the east. He is, of course, for McKinley, but he is not personally taking the active part in Ohio politics which he once did, and robably has less influence in that state. ir. Foster begins to show some of the signs of advancing years, but in language, speech and feeling he appears to be as young as he was when he first came here, twenty years ago, and more. Gov. Alger answered all inquiries as 10 the cause of his presence here witha smile, and the statement that he was just tra ing through. Goy. Alger has not made any ected any the prestden: There are those who think that he has not altogether abandoned his own aspirations. Mr. Clarkson, who h. 2en in New York of late, says that he has come here to look after some furniture which has been stored ever since he was in the Post Office De- partment, and which, doubtless, needs at- tention by this time. It will be news to many of the friends of Mr. Clarkson to hear that he is cuspected of being a party to a movement In favor of McKinley's nom- ination, in view of the declarations which he has made in favor of’ Senator Allison. Why Mr. Payne Came. Mr. Henry C Payne of Wisconsin, an- other one of the gentlemen who were sup- Posed to be in this political conference, sald: “I did not know there was to be any con- ference. I have seen nothing of it. I did not know that Goy. Foster was represent- ing McKinley, or that he was in politics. I had supposed that his connection with politics had enued, as mine has. I am not in politics. of the receivers of the fie Railway Company, and s$ occupies my entire time. I am here to consult the la ers of the road. ea 1 of business I suppose that we have the United t upreme Court, and there a‘e a great y appli- cations for patents for land to the company which have not yet been granted. It is fome time yet to the republican nation: convention. I uon't know that I shall tend the convention. It is a subject a which I have not yet given much thought.” ee eg Iiness of Rear Admisal Almy. Rear Admiral Almy, U. » retired, 13 very ill at his residence, No. 1019 Vermont avenue, and, In view of his advanced age, his family and friends are s! over his condition, Ad @ severe attack of prostration in February, and since then has been in poor health’ He grew worse not gained any tended by Dr. Dt y, and so far has He is being at- on of the navy. Government Reecipts. National bank notes r tion today, $23 internal The Trouble Settted. Acting Commissioner Smith recetyed the following dispa' today from Ralph Hall, e Mountain res- le settled. The have surrendered and the mob been disarmed without bioodshed.” What Ex-Speaker Orisp Says of the Situa- tion in That Section. The Coming Sound Money Convention Will Not Represent the Mass of the People Nor Their Sentiments. Ex-Speaker Crisp is in the city today, en route home from a trip to the north, which was undertaken for the purpose of getting well, he says. Mr. Crisp looks well, and apparently has not lost any flesh worrying over the silver situation in the south, which is believed to be a source of anxiety to some People in publte life about this time. Silver Talk Down South. “Well, yes, there is considerable talk about silver down south,” said Mr. Crisp to a Star reporter today. “I don’t know that it Is any more pronounced now than at any other time, although !t may seem to be so on account of the general prominence given to the financial question throughout the country. You see, the south has always believed in the use of silver in our national currency. I am not prepared to say that the thinking people of that section would come out radically on a silver single stand- ard. They are not radical about anything. They believe, however, that we cannot have a return of prosperous conditions in this country on the contracted currency of a gold basis, There seems to be a general willingness among our people to give silver an opportunity.” Coming Sound Money Convention. “What significance do you attach to the. coming sound money convention at Mem- phis?” asked The Star man. “That gathering will represent the boards of trade and commercial organizations of the south. It will not be representative of the mass of the people nor of their senti- ments about silver. I hope at that meeting they will argue and discuss the silver ques- tlon from their standpoint. These self- styled ‘sound money’ people do not make arguments to support their general allega- tions. They simply state something as a fact and let it go at that. This will not satisfy the people. They want to know the reasons, the yhy and the wherefore of the matter, because the advocates of silver have explained their position and the reasons actuating them in taking it.” An Off Year for the Politicians, Mr. Crisp says that, aside from the dis- cussion of silver, politics are quiet in Geor- gla. This is an off year for the politicians down there, he says, and the absence of campaigns of any kind leaves them nothing to talk about. Mr. Crisp had heard nothing of the movement said to be on foot in the south for a silver convention to follow the anti-silver meeting at Memphis. —__e___ MEXICO’S PRESIDENT. What Gov. A. R. Shepherd Thinks of Gen. Porfirio Diaz. The editor of the principal paper in Chihuahua, Mexico, wrote lately to Gov. A. R. Shepherd, asking his opinion of Gen. Diaz, president of Mexico, for publication in an extra of his paper to be issued the 5th of May (Mexico's 4th of July), the day Mexico won her victories over Maximilian through Diaz and others. President Dinz. The letter, which is given below, will be of interest to Gov. Shepherd's friends in Washington as an intelligent opinion of Diaz formed after fifteen years in Mexico: HACIENDA SAN MIGUEL, April 16, 1 Editor Revista de Chihuahua: Dear Sir: As an American for the past fifteen years, residing and doing business in Chihuahua, I desire to add my tribute to the president of this republic, Gen. Porfirio Diaz. When I first visited Mexico in 1879 Gen. Diaz was not popular. During these fifteen years he has so conducted himself and the affairs of this republic as to gain the affections and respect of all classes of citizens. Those who reviled him in 187) or “damned him with faint praise” now are all eager to do him justice and award him the meed of praise which is his due. “Peace hath her victories no less re- nowned than those of war.” Gen., Diaz won fame and honor as a soldier und patriot, but history will record him as the great Mexican who brought order out cf chaos, peace, prosperity and good govern-4 ment out of revolution and anarchy, prog- ress from inertia, with a private life hon- orable, blameless and free from taint or scandal. What better things can be said of mortal man? Long may he live to see the fruition of his labors. Truly yours, ‘ALEX. R. SHEPHERD. —— UNDER THE BAN. ‘The German Newspapers Have Con- demned American Evaporated Apples. It appears from a report made by Con- sular Agent Krausse at Zittau, Germany, that American meat 1s not the only pro- duct of the United States which has fallen urder the ban of German consumers. American evaporated apples haye been condemned in German journals to such an extent that the demand has fallen off per- ceptibly. It was stated that these apples were sufficiently irapregnated with oxides of zinc to make their use dangerous. The authorities filed complaints against grocers for violating the food laws by knowingly selling ‘apples containing zinc. Two cases brought for trial were dismissed, and a physician submitted a statement that the zine contained in the apple jam made from the 1 apples was about one-fifth of the amount of that mineral which might be given to an Infant without nausea. But at the same time Mr. Krausse asserts that the Germans object to taking any food impregnated with zinc, and the result is that American apples are not in demand. He says that the only way the apples cas be restored to favor is by showing that they are absolutely pure, and by the pack- ers being careful to see that zine is not mixed with them, either from the drying pans or the process of curing. ———— Not Writing a Book. Private Secretary Thurber says it fs not true, as reported, that the President is writing a book on economic sclence, or on other subject. He says that the Presi- dent is constantly busy with his official duties and has no spare time to engage in private literary work, Comment on Their Widely Contrast- ing Utterances, THE TIMES COMPLIMENTS THE LATTER ‘A Vigorous Foreign Policy Neces- sary for This Country. A CHANGE DESIRABLE —————>—_—_. Last Wednesday The Star mentioned the fact that an exchange of places between Mr. Bayard and Mr. Eustis would be very gratifying to some of the most prominent men in this country. Yesterday a New York newspaper prinied in a special cable from London the statement that such an exchange would be welcome in American circles there. It would seem that in Lon- don, as in the United States, the measure of the two ambassadors has been taken, end that it ts agreed that Mr. Eustis would be likely to give a more distinct and vigor- ous tone to American policy and purpose 4t the English capital than Mr. Bayard has succeeded in doing. Sharply Contrasting Utterances. The speeches delivered by the two emi- nent men at a recent dinner opening the American Club in London have brought out this contrast. Mr. Bayard, as usual, spoke with a touch of easy grace, and in what passes for the tone of a courtier. He seemed to be all for England. His fellow countrymen at the board were somehow made to feel that their country, while dear and deserving, was still young, and ought not to undertake yet awhile to be too in- dependent or too venturesome. He exe- cuted, very skillfully, indeed, that old rhetorical May pole dance, in which the American and English streamers are artistically blended. The speech, with all of its merit, failed to please. It was left for Mr. Eustis to strike the true note, and he is voted to have done it to Uncle Sam's honor and delight. As cultivated as.Mr. Bayard, and as rich in vocabulary, he found it possible to improve the occasion by lauding his country for her fairness and frenkness in dealing with foreign powers, and declared in truth that the ted States could, in a show down, put all other countries to the blush in this regard. T cable next morning descrided the speech as creating “a mild sensation.” But the sen- sation has been growing, and is no longer mild. The speech is now considered a gem, and even the Londen Times has compli- mented Mr. Eustis on it. The Conseryative School, Here, then, as is suggested in this coun- try, is food for thought. ‘Those two speech- es are accepted as representing the op- posing ideas in the United States as to what the bearing of this country should be toward foreign powers. On the one side are those who are constantly counseling moderation, and even inaction. “We are very young,” they say, “and if we are not careful we'll be considered loud. If we are not careful we'll get to be noisy. The world will come to regard us as rough and ready. We'll tuke place as the ugly cus- tomer among the nations. We must avoid that. It would be in wretched taste. Let us be modest and retiring, and see how our elders carry themselves. In_particu- lar, watch England. John Bull is a nice old gentleman. He never did a noisy or an unkind thing in his life. He’s a model to study, both as father and neighbor. serve how well he gets along. iks wh follow John Bull come to wear diamonds. Must Look Out for Ourselves. Mr. Eustis, clearly, does not belong to this school. In his opinion, Uncle Sam is old enough to look out for himself. He is free, white and twenty-one, has a credit- able record as citizen of the great com- monwealth of nations, and need not hesi- tate to call attention to it. He can do this, too, without being impolite or bump- tious. It is possible to assert o1 without undue noise. As with indiv so with nations; the world respects those who respect themselves. If Uncle Sam is always to hang his head and wait for somebody else to speak, and then, when his own times comes, ts to speak with a tremor of voice and in words of apology, he'll never come to anything among nations. He'll always play the part of the poor boy at a frolic. He'll not only miss all of the fun, but may, !n the end, get cuffed for his bare presence at the en- tertainment. And be modest and retiring in the company of Johr Bull? Study and copy him? “Well, not much,” say men of the Eustis stamp. “We know John Bull very well. He'll not think anything of us for standing abashed and hesitating In his presence. On the contrar he'll think all e of us if we stand up for ourselves him, if need be, as against other powers, and secure cur just of con- sideration. +He knows—no one better—what cur proper place is among natiors, and a heart he'll be disappointed In If we fail to take it and hold it. The enly p when it comes to John Bull is to stand up to him. He likes a fighter better than he does a flatterer.”” A Vigorous Assertion Necessary. ie The necessity for a vigorous assertion of an American foreign policy is regarded as being greater now than ever before. The Ccrinto matter, it is true, Is ended, but other matters of like and even greater importance are coming on, and the feeling is that they should be met with a spirit and firmness unmistakable in the eyes of any foreign power.The United States will en- ter the next controversy at some disad- vantage as the result of the fiasco just recorded. Opinion seems to be general that her opportunity was not improved in the Centrai American episode. She hesi- tated end debated until in the end she was made to appear as walking in the train of Guatemala, when she should have headed the procession. The effect has been bad, both at home and abroad. Her next ap- pearance on the stage, therefore, elther as principal or second, ought to be made with care and with due regard to the lost pres- tige. Her representatives, it 1s thought, ovght to be men both of skill and resolu- tion, and not afraid to commit her to what- ever may be necessary to impress all pow- ers with her sense of assertion when need- ed, as well as with her sense of justice and good feeling. — Dividends Declared. The controller of the currency has de- clared dividends In favor of the creditors of itsolvent national banks, as follows: A first dividend of 20 per cent in favor of the creditcrs of the City National Bank of on claims proved, amount- 1 A first dividend of 15 per cent in favor of the creditors of the First National Bank of ‘Tenn. Johnson City, amounting to A fourth dividend, 10 per cent, in favor of the creditors of the Albuquerque } ticnal Bark of Albuquerque, N. M., maki in alk 55 per cent on claims proved, amount- Ing to $253,386.02. ——_+o+_____ Naval Movements. The cruiser Charleston arrived at Na- gasaki today. The cruiser Marblehead ar- rived at Naples today. The flagship San Francisco is at Naples. The two vessels will proceed in company to Gibraltar, where they will be fitted out for partici- pation in the naval demonstration at Kicl. on claims proved, The New Spanish Minister Formally Hands Over His Credentials. His Speech Full of Expressions of Good Will Toward This Coun- try—Mr. Clevelund’s Reply. Senor Don Enrique Dupuy de Lome, who succeeded Senor Muruaga as Spanish min- ister to the United States, presented his credentials to President Cleveland today and was formally received as the diplo- matic representative of Spain. The cere- mony occurred in the blue parlor of the White House at noon. The new minister was accompanied by Senor Don Jose Felipe Sagrario and Senor Don Julio de Gallerza of the Spanish legatiom They were all at- tired in rich court costumes, showing con- siderable gold lace, and made a fine ap- pearance. Acting Secretary Uhl of the State Depart- ment met them at the entrance of the White House and escorted them to the blue parlor, where he presented them to the President. Minister de Lome’s Address. Senor de Lome addressed the President as follows: “Mr. President: I have the honor to place in your excellency’s hands the credential letters whereby her majesty the Queen Regent of Spain credits me, in the name of her son, the King Don Alfonso XIII, my august sovereign, as his envoy extraor- dinary and minister plenipotentiary in the United States of America. “For the third time I have the honor to serve my country in this noble nation, and I come now, as heretofore, with the pur- pose to employ my feeble efforts and all my earnest zeal in ‘drawing closer the bonds, already century old, which jom Spain and the United States. “I had the honor to be personally pre- sented to you, Mr. President, beneath the arching roof of the vastest building ever reared in the world, constructed to cele- brate the marvelous progress of this peo- ple and to commemorate, with the coa- course of all the nations of the globe, an event which is for Spain a seal of glory. “Recalling this, permit me, Mr. Presi- dent, to commend myself to your especial benevolence, which I crave and need for the accomplishment of my mission. “Her majesty the queen regent and her government, in expressly charging me to repeat to you the most fitting assurances of alfection and consideration for yourself and for the people of the United States, have enjoined upon me, as the first and most Important of my duties, the cultiva- tion of good relations with a ration united to our own by so many moral and material ties, and whose commerce with Spain and with her American and Asiatic provinces is so considerable. “To augment and develop these ties I shall devote all my efforts, doubting not my success therein should I receive your excellency’s indulgence, both governments being animated, as they are, by the desire t their relations should rest upon mu- 1 friendship and upon the eheerful and loyal fulfliment of international dutles.” The President's Reply. The President replied as follows: “Mr. Minist “I have much pleasure in accepting from your hands the letters whereby her ma- jesty the queen regent, in the name of the infant king, Don Alforso NII, accredits you as the envoy extraordinary and min- ister plenipotentiary of Spain at this cap- ital. “It is fitting, and indeed needful, in the intercourse of two great nations, whose history and long continued associations tend to draw them into close and lasting that their respective repre- sentatives should alike voice the sincere emity of their own government and under- stand the sentiments of the people among whom they come to dwell. “It augurs well, Mr. Minister, for the success of your mission that you come among us, not only inspircd by the ami- cable desires of your government, but as a personal friend, already made acquainted with my country and my countrymen by previous residence and official intercourse, and returning to renew the friendships you have deservedly won in the past. Re- calling your connection with the celebration of the fourth centenary of the great Cas- tilian achievement that added a new world to the old, and your acceptable fulfillment of the office of your country’s envoy a few years ogo, it gratifies me 16 welcome you again and to fromise the cordial co-opera- tion of myself and the members of this government toward the realization of your mission and the enlargement and perpetua- tion of the many and important ties that already happily exist between our two countrie: ~~ oe INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, Senator Jones of Arkansas Believes One Will Be Held. Senator Jones of Arkansas is among those who believe that an international monetary conference will be held during the present year to consider the relation- ship of silver to gold as a money metal. He is ene of the members on the part of the Senate who will attend the conference in case one 3s called, and has naturally kept track of all that has been done in the mat- ter. He said, in discussing the probabili- ties, that while Germany had got, to his knowledge, issued an executive call for a conference, the action of the reichstag had been accepted as official by the govern- ments of the United States, France and Great Britain, and added that he did not belleve the executive authorities of the German empire would allow the other coun- tries to conclude that she had been trifling merely. Hence, he believed that the in- vestigation would come in due form later, if it had not already been sent out. Asked as to the time when he thought the confer- ence would be called for, he said it would probably be late in the season, not earlier than October and possibly as late as No- vember. He said tha both sides of the controversy were apparently anxious for delay, and this being the case, he believed they would be gratified. The English. bi- metallists claim to be making substantial headway, and are asking for all the time that can be given before the meeting of the conference. . Plans Approved. Secretary Carlisle today approved plans for the temporary building to be construct- ed for the use of the Chicago city post office. Asia: Gone to New York. Assistant Secretary Hamlin kas gone to New York to confer with Collector Hil- breth in regard to the effect of the alleged retroactive provision of the tariff act. Alleged Counterfciters Arrested. The Treasury Department is informed of the arrest cf Michael Finnerty and Joseph Smith, in Brooklyn, for passing counterfeit silver coir, and thé capture of a complete counterfeiting outfit. > SSS Personal Mention. Capt. George Ruhlen of the quartermas- ter's department {s in the city on his way to Texas. First Lieut. A. B. Heyl, assistant sur- geon, is in the city under special orders. See ee Opera House Lease Transferred, Edw. H. Allen and Wm. H. Dempsey have transferred all their interest in the unex- pired term of the lease of the Grand Opera House to the Grand Opera House Company, a body corporate, under the laws of the state of Virginia. Japan Yields to the Advice of the Powers. EVEN PORT ARTHOR IS RENOUNCED The Privy Council Summoned to Kioto. WARSHIPS AT CHEFOO —_-____ ST. PETERSBURG, May 6.—The Journal de St. Petersburg says that Japan, in con- formity with the advice of Russia, France and Germany, renounces her claims to the possession of Feng-Tien. PARIS, May @.—The Japanese minister here has informed the minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Hanotaux, that deferring to the friendly advice of France, Russia and Germany, Japan has renounced its claim to the permanent possession of the Liao Tung peninsula, including Port Arthur. BEKLIN, May 6.—The Japanese govern- ment has informed the government of Ger- many that in accordance with the advice of the powers Japan has relinquished her claim to the Liao Tung peninsula under the treaty of Shomonoseki. YOKOHAMA,May 6.—The Japanese privy council and the head officials of the govern- ment haye been hurriedly summoned to Kioto in order to attend a meeting tomor- row at headquarters. Warships Gather at Chefoo. CHEFOO, May 6.—The warships of sever- al of the powers are fast assembling here. The situation is regarded es ominous. Al- ready eight Russian warships, including three torpedo boats, have gathered here, and more are expected. In addition, an- other British, French and American and two German warships have arrived here. PARIS, May 6.—The Figaro, commenting on the situation of affairs in the far east, says this morning: “Although the situation is grave, the bcmtardment of the Japanese coast by the Russian and German fleets is not expected. The negotiations do not pro- ceed easily. TOULON, May 6.—The French cruisers Sfax and Cecille will accompany the French cruisers Tage and Suchet to China seas today. They were loaded yesterday with ammunition and provisions. €xchanging Ratifications. YOKOHAMA, May 6.—Viceroy Li Hung Chang has been appointed Chinese envoy to exchange the ratifications of the peace treaty which is expected to occur at Che- feo tomorrow instead of on Wednesday, as at first proposed. Frequent cabinet meet- ‘'s, which are attended by all the Japan- ¢ ministers, are being held at Kioto. No official ratification has been _re- ceived here of the ratification by the Em- peror of China of the treaty of peace ar- ranged between China and Japan. But re- ports from many sources confirm the state- ments that the treaty has been ratified. Count Myogi, secretary general to the Japanese council of ministers, has arrived at Port Arthur and will proceed to Chefoo. TIEN TSIN, May 6.—The Chinese peace envoys have left Taku for Chefoo, where the ratifications of the treaty of peace ar- ranged between China and Japan are to be exchanged. It is reported that Lit Hung Chang has been degraded. ONLY ITSELF TO-BLAME. What the Former Commander of the Chen Yuen Says of China. WASHINGTON, Pa., May 6.—“The Chi- nese government has but itself to blame for the loss of the war with Japan. Goy- ernment officials high up in China were in the employ of Japan, both before and dur- ing the war. The enemy in most cases anticipated all our moyements.”” Such was the startling announcement made by Captain P. Norton McGiffin, who has just returned to his home here from a ten years’ service in the Chinese navy. He was commander of the Chen Yuen, the famous iron-clad during the late unpleas- antness between China and Japan. He has returned to America, most likely to remain, as he evidently does not think well of the Chinese military and naval af- fairs. “I was in the hospital and not In com- mand of the Chen Yuen at Wei-Hai-Wal, as was reported. Had I been in that fight I should not be here now, as I would never have been taken alive. No, I should not have given them the satisfaction of catch- ing me. The Japanese had an iron-clad agreement in which ‘no quarter to foreign dogs’ was very conspicuous, and they meant it. “When we went into the big battle of Yalu I made all preparations to keep out of the hands of the Japanese in case we shculd get the worst of it. Yes, to be plain, I would have killed m; before being taken for torture by the Japanese. “Now, that the war is over, I want to say right here that there is a blot on the previous fair fame of Japan which will never be effaced. Without one word of arning, before war had been declared, ir fieet pounced down on the defense- Kow Shing and sent her, with 1,000 soigs, to the bottom. It was one of the mst cold-blooded tricks if the history of the world.” Important Advices Received. Important official cablegrams concerning the Japan-Ckina situation have reached Washington within the last twenty-four hours. The Tsung-Li-Yamen, or Chinese foreign office, cables that Mr. John W. Foster has left Pekin for home, going by way cf Tien Tsin and Shanghai. This would take him to Chefoo, which 1s be- tween the points mentioned, where the ne- gotiations culminate. Li Hung Chang re- mains at Pekin, so that Mr. Foster, who has been in conference with the emperor and the ing-Li-Yamen will act with Viceroy Li's son in representing China. Another official cable to a.different quar- ter gives decisive information that the Em- peror of China has ratified the treaty. The information is so positive as to be beyond question. It clears up many contradictory statements from unofficial sources as to whether the emperor had or had not rati- fied. A press dispatch from Yokohama today says that China's ratificatton is still in doubt. All this doubt is put at rest, how- ever, by the authoritative information reaching Washington. The ratification of the Chinese cmperor brings China and Japan to a final accord, so that it remains only for Japan to settle with Russia and other protesting powers. It also makes certain that the armistice. which runs un- til Wednesday, will not be followed by a Japanese advance on Pekin. It is said by officials that the exchange of ratifications at Chefoo will be largely a formality, now that China has ratified. Japan's ratification was glven some time ago. The manner in which the two powers are treating It as a formality Is indicated by the fact that Count Ito, Japan’s chief envoy, is not going to Chefoo, and Li Hung Chang, China's chief negotiator, also sends a representative. Officials say also that the gathering of foreign warships at Chefoo ts less bellig- erent than would appear on the surface, It had been arranged that the diplomats of European countries should hold a confer- ence at Chefoo, and the vessels are said to be a part of this gathering, although the strength of the Russian fleet shows she means to be prepared for emergencies. An Important Decision Affecting Officers of the Army and Navy. The Status of Civilians Employed in Either Service in Time Peace Declared. of Most interesting of the several cases de- cided by the Supreme Court today was that of David B. Sayre, formerly a clerk to the paymaster at ithe Norfolk navy yard, against Capt. M. L. Johnson of the navy. In November, 1894, Sayre was sentenced by court-martial to two years’ imprisonment in a naval prison for mbsappropriating about $2,000 of government money. Sayre appealed to the United States circuit court for the eastern district of Virginia on the ground that his sentence was contrary to the constitutional provision that citizens shall not be deprived of liberty except by due process of law and upon a present- ment or indictment by a grand jury. Judge Hughes’ Ruling Reversed. Judge Hughes of the circuit court granted the writ of habeas Eorpus on the ground mentioned, but the Supreme Court today reversed his ruling. Judge Hughes had held that Sayre’s conviction could not be sustained by that clause of the Constitu- tion, excepting ‘‘cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger,” because the country was not then in_war or danger. Justice Gray, who delivered the opinion of the court, said that the oposite con- struction had always been presumed. Those citizens in the army and navy were in the actual service of the United States at all times, whether in war or peace, end the military ana naval authorities had jurisdiction and custody of their persons. Of Vital Interest to the Service. The principle involved in the case is con- sidered of vital interest to officers of the army end navy. Before Judge Hughes ren- dered lis opinion the power of courts-mar- tial to imprison had been seldom question- ed, and had the Supreme Court sustained him the custom of the army and navy authorities would have been overturned. Decision Affirmed. In the cass of the corporation of the Cathclic bishops of Nesqually in Washing- ton territory against John T. Gibbon, R. T. Yeatman and the United States the de- cision of the United States circuit court for the district of Washington was af- firmed. o-—_______ MR. CLEVELAND AND FINANCE. What Young Mr. Thurman Says of the President's Recent Letter. Mr. Allen W. Thurman, the free silver apostle of the Ohio democracy and son of Allen G. Thurman, was in the city yester- day. In an interview last night, when asked what he thought of President Cleve- land's letter to Governor Stone, Mr. Thur- man said: “It will help the cause of silver immense- ly. The people will not tolerate any effort that office holders may make to dictate to them what the democratic party shall do on the money question. If any of the Ohio office holders go into the convention and try to carry out the administration policy the Ohio democrats will resent their tnterfer- ence. I don't know of anything that the President could have done that would help us more. It reminds me of the conversa- tion I had with my father when President Cleveland sent to Congress his celebrated message in favor of his banking scheme. I asked father what he thought of that mes- sage and he said, ‘If Jefferson, Jackson or any of the other fathers of democracy have a lever that they can use in their coffins they will certainly make a determined effort to get the lids off.’ Father also said, and in this I agree with him entirely, that while he had not the slightest doubt about Pres- ident Cleveland's integrity and purity of purpose, he was beginning to lose confidence in his judgment and knowledge of the financial question.” Mr. Thurman predicts that if the next national democratic convention adopts a free silver plank the democratic party will carry every southern state, every state west of the Mississippi and enough of the central states to insure the election of a democratic President. GOING TO GREYTOWN. The Cruiser Montgomery Leaves To- morrow From Mobile. Acting Secretary Uhl has recetved a cable message from United States Minister Ba- ker, dated Cuestamara, Costa Rica, May 3, saying that differences between Great Britain and Nicaragua have been adjusted and that the British fleet would leave Cor- into on the 5th instant. Other advices from unofficial sources show that the pro- gram indicated by Minister Baker has since been carried into effect. It is believed at the Navy Department that there is no prospect of further trouble in Nicaragua, and it is almost certain that the orders of the Atlanta to proceed to Greytown will be revoked. The Atlanta started for that port, but met with an ac- cident to her machinery and was com- pelled to return to Key West for repairs. The report that the Raleigh, also at Key West, would be sent to Nicaragua in her place is not true. The cruiser Montgomery will sail from Mobile tomorrow for Grey- town with the Nicaragua canal commis- sion, and she will be fully able to protect American interests in the canal and vicin- ity, especially as the cruiser Alert will be at San Juan del Sur, at the western termi- nus of the canal, for the same purpose. It is not Hkely that any other vessels will be sent to their assistance. The Atlanta and Raleigh, which have just returned from a cruise to Colon and vi- cinity, will probably be ordered to join the Minneapolis at Norfolk. —_—- e+ ____ REGARDED AS UNLIKELY. ‘fhe Formation of a Central Ameri- can Commercial Union, As for as can be learned the subject of a ecmmercial union such as indicated in press dispatches from Managua has not been a question of very recent discussion here by the diplomatic representatives of the South and Central American republics. A union of the Central American states is regarded by some to be desirable from the standpoint. of a general proposition, but the formation of a union that would con- template the prohibition of the importation of English products and the closing of the Central American ports to English bot- toms is regarded as highly improbable. It is not believed that any dispatenes on this subject have been received here. Dr. Guzman, the Nicaraguan minister, would discuss the matter but briefly, and then rather discouraged the idea of the formation of such a union as that suz- gested. He did not believe it was probable at this time, but thought that it might ccmo In the course of five or six years. His whole manner seemed to be against the probability of the union. Minister Mendonca of Brazil was also disinclined to believe that a commercial union between the states of Central and South America was probable at this time. He did not think that Brazil would take such a step as that indicated, partly on ac- count of her large interests with England. Fourth-Class Postmasters. Forty-four fourth-class postmasters were appointed today, of whom forty were to fill vacancies caused by deaths or resig- nations, PRESIDENT| GIVES UP HER CLAIM|RULING REVERSED) BAL FOUR REMANDED Retim of the Ex-Member of Parliae ment Charged With Fraud, ARRAIGNED IN BOW STREET COURT Precautions to Avoid the Throng in London. ———— GENERAL FOREIGN TOPICS ee LONDON, May 6.—Unusual scenes were witnessed and precautions of an extraor- dirary nature were taken upon the arrival at Southampton last night on board the steamer Tartar Prince from Buenos Ayres of Jabez Spencer Balfour, the ex-member of parliament, whose extradition from the Argentine Republic was obtained after great delay, on the charge of fraud in con- nection with the collapse of the Liberator Building Society and other concerns con- nected with it. The steamer was met off Calshot Castle by a police tug, upon which Balfour was taken ashore, surrounded by a crowd of de- tectives and policemen in uniform. The most elaborate precautions were taken in order to prevent the public from discover- ing where the prisoner was to be landed, as it was feared that an attempt might be made on his life. The police and Balfour finally reached the railroad station at Southampton, where the latter was smug- gled into a first-cl. railroad carriage, the shades of which were drawn down. At Waterloo railway station here an enormous crowd of people was in waiting, attracted by the news of the arrival at Southampton of the Tartar Prince, and in expectation of seeing the prisoner landed at that station on the train from South- ampton. But Balfour and his escort were landed at Vauxhall station, and were driven to Bow Street police court. In spite of the precautions of the police, the news of the ariiva. at Vauxhall of the notorious prime mover in the management of the Liberator Societies quickly spread, and when he was driven from the station to Row street the carriage in which he was piaced was fol- lowed by a big crowd of people, who shouted, “Here's Jabez,” and similar cries, During the voyage from Buenos Ayres Balfour was generally cheerful, and was soon on friendly terms with the rest of the pessengers. But at Las Palmas he broke down completely, and wept bitterly. The proceedings at Bow street were of the character usual upon such occasions; the prisoner was formally charged, the papers in the case were examined, and he was remanded until May 9 in order to en- able the prosecution to complete their case against him. BURNS CALLED A TRAITOR. The Workingmen’s Member of Pare liament Bitterly Assatled. LONDON, May 6.—John Burns, the mem- ber of parliament and labor leader, in the course of his speech at fhe Labor day demonstration in Hyde Park, was greeted with groans and cries of “Why did not you support Keir Hardie?” “Traitor,” &c. Replying to this outbreak of dis: vi Mr. Burns said: “If you don’t want teak me I will go home.” a This was followed by cries of “You are no workingmai “Go home,” Success of the French. PARIS,May 6.—Additional advices recety- ed from Majunga regarding the victory of the French on the Betaiboka river,in Mada- gascar, Friday last, show that the Hoyas lost 300 men, including several important chiefs. The French forces, as already cabled, captured a number of prisoners, several guns and a quantity of provisions, }-The French losses were only one killed and four wounded. Mr. Gladstone on Turkey. LONDON, May 6.—Mr. Gladstone, in a letter to Mr. Francis Seymour Stevenson, chairman of the Anglo-Armenian Associa- tion, says that the conduct of the sultan and the Turkish government in the Ar- menian question has been worse than their conduct regarding Bulgaria.in 1876. Cuban Rebels Surrender. HAVANA, May 6.—Twenty members of the band of rebels at Villas, commanded by. Quintin Brave, have surrendered. Dissolved for Irregularities. LISBON, May 6—An order has been gazetted dissolying the Nyassa Company of Portuguese East Africa on the ground of irregularities in its management and in- stituting criminal proceedings against its officers. Leslic Stephen's Wife Dend. LONDON, May 6.—The wife of Leslie Stephen, M.A., the well-known author and editor of the Dictionary of National Bi- ography, is dead. —_——__. Extending the A. P. Service. BOSTON, Mass., May 6.—The system of leased wires operated in New England by the Associated Press has been extended to Woonsocket, R. I. The Evening Call of that city, one of the progressive evening papers of the state, has become a member of the Asscciated Press, and today began taking the full wire service. —_—— Ocean Stenmships Arrived. NEW YORK, May 6.—Arriyed: La Nor- mandie, Havre; Zaandam, Amsterdam. SOUTHAMPTON, May 6.—Arrived: Ful- da, New York for Bremen. MOVILLE, May 6.—Arrived: Numidian, Portland, via Halifax, for Liverpool. LIVERPOOL, May 6.—Arrived: Sachem, Boston. GLASGOW, May 6.—Arrived: Hibernian, Boston. SS Not Corruption, Gnly a Joke. NEW YORK, May 6.—The senate com- mittee’s Investigation of the alleged cor- ruption In the fire department was contin- ued today by the cross-examination of As- sistart Foreman Reed. This witness sald that he had found that the firemen kept @ book in which they entered remarks drop- ped by the offi and as a joke he had said at various times that he had put up $100, $75, $50 for the salary bill, but there was no truth init. He knew of no corrup: ticn fund in the department. Seg Sentenced for Life. CHICAGO, May 6.—Emanuel Barker was found guilty of the murder of his brother- in-law, Harry Bonner, by a jury in Judge Freeman's court today. A jury sentenced him to life Imprisonment. At the time Barker killed Bonner he also killed hi wife, but he has not yet been tried on this charge. — Bank Officials Held for Trial. BINGHAMTON, N. Y., May 6.—Ex- Cashier Tracy R. Morgan of the Chenango Valley Savings Bank was today held for trial in $10,000 bonds under nine indlct- ments for forgery in the third degree, two for grand larceny in the first degree and two for perjury. Brownson, president of the bank, was placed under $3,000 bonds to answer with Morgan to the charges of burglary in the third degree and grand larceny in the first degree.