Evening Star Newspaper, January 7, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY ST Cor. 11th Street, by 1101 venue, Cor. The Evening Star Newspaper a Ceeey, 8. H. EAUFFMANN, pe Rs Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building, Sage ‘The Evening Star is served aity by carriers, on thelr own Bc per week. cr 44 cents mouth. fcunter 2 sents mail—saywhere in the Suited States or Canada—postage prepald—5U cenis mon Ls Sheet Star, $1 per year, with (Entered at the Vost at Washington, D. 0. “'c5'Si1 soll canscriptions iouat he paid tn advance. tex of advertizing made Enewn on application DEATH WAS INSTANT|°YERCOME 8Y GASISTRUGGLING CUBA|NE*? FRIDAY THE OAY/WITH HENRY NORMAN|A REPuaLicaN CaucUS| DENIED BY GERMANY WAS INSTANT Richard Glasser Committed Suicide . Early This Morning. WAS DESPONDERT FROM _ DRINK Made a Previous Attempt on = Life. HIS WIFE INFORMED Richard Glaeser, a young white man, the proprietor of a little saloon at 1926 14th street, shot and killed himself instantly this morning shortly after 6 o'clock. It would be hard to find a stronger moral for a temper- ance lecture than the story of the last year end the ending of Glaeser’s life. Just be- fore he killed himself he started a letter to his wife. This is as far as he had gone when he decided to fire the shot: “Tuesday, January 7, “Washington, D.C. “Dear Vic.: ‘Give all the blame to the business we went into unadvisedly. “My affections to you were of a sincere nature—” The business that he went into unad- visedly was that of a salcomkeeper. It was & fairly prosperous one in other ways, but in it he contracted the liquor habit, and it was while in a state of utter despondency after a night of heavy drinking that he de- cided to end his existence. Glaeser’s wife, with whom he is said to have been on the best of terms, was in Bal- timore on a visit. Last night when he went upstairs to his bed room over the saloon he was in a bad condition from too much liquor. ‘That he was very drunk was shown by the appearance of his room today. The window glass and some of the pieces of furniture in the room were broken, and when he came dc wnstairs this morning he comp.ained that the gas had been escaping full head all right. If this was so, the open window re- moved all signs of it and probably was the only thing that kept him from being asphyx- jated. When he entered the saloon a little before 6 o'clock this morning he said to his barkeeper: “Charlie, who put me to bed last night? Wheever it was he did not make a very good jeb-of it, for when I woke up I found I had Leen sleeping in all my clothes. Now I feel rocky and I wish you would mix me a bracer.”” The barkeeper mixed him a cocktail, and cn top of that Glaeser took a hot whisky, but the barkeeper made the second drink very light, as he thought the boss had had «nough. “Charlie,” said he, “you've always been a good friend of mine and I wish you would do me a favor. I want you to write a letter, for me to my wife. I'll tell you what to say.” The Fatal Deed. Getting paper and a pen, the barkeeper, M. L. R. Miller by name, started to act as amanuensis. He wes standing behind the bar, with Glaeser in front. He was lean- ing over at his work, and did not notice Glaeser as the latter took a pistol from his poeket. The unfortunate man put the muz- zie of the revolver in his mouth and pulled the trigger without another word. He fell back, with his feet against the bar and his heid touching the opposite wall, for the plece is rather a narrow one. "Phere he lay in a pool of blood until after the coroner had completed his investigation, several hours later. Death must have been in- stantaneous, for he did not move or utter @ sound after falling. Glaeser was not quite thirty-three years of age. He was a native of Germany, and came to this city with his father when he was a boy of three years. As a young man he lived im Baltimore, where he was em- ployed in a jewelry establishment on Bal- timore street. He was married in that city in 1886, and shortly afterward came to this city again, securing employment with a 7th street jeweler. Last June he bought the saloon on 14th street, and had managed it since. According to- remarks made to friends recently, he dated his troubles from the time he went into the he apr onecs for he soon becam= rather a hard drinker. He was granted a new license yesterday, but’ evidently planned to quit the business, for the Ecense was to have been transferred today to T. F. Whalen. The dead man’s wife was telegraphed for this morning, and his father was soon on the scene. The coroner decided that an in- quest was not necessary, as it was a clear ease of suicide. Two other men were in the saloon at the time, and thefr stories agreed with that of the barkeeper. A Previous Attempt. A couple of months ago Glaeser tried to commit suicide, but his efforts were frus- trated. He was drinking witli some friends at the bar, and was somewhat under the influence of lNquor. “Boys.” he said, “‘this.is my last night on earth, so you had better make the best of it. It's rear closing time, and when the elcck strikes 12 it will mark the end of me. You may think I’m fooling, but I'm in dead earnest, so let’s have another drink.” They did think he was joking, and no atttention was paid to him when he went into a little back room, which is separated from the bar by a couple of heavy por- teres. One of the men happened to glance that way just In time to see the gleam of a revolver, and, rushing back, with a cry to the others, disarmed the would-be sui- cide. They led him into the bar. He caught sight of a big bread knife in a cor- ner of the room and managed to get hold of that, and it was only by sheer force that he was prevented from cutting his throat. When the excitement had cooled down a bit and he was left alone for a moment he took a penknife from his pocket and tried to sever his jugular vein. In this again he Was unsuccessful, and he was at once turned over to the police, who kept him in custody until his suicidal mania had had time to cool down. Since then he had not spoken of his intention to kill himself, and no motive for his suicide is known oth-r than those hinted at. ed POST OFFICE CLERKS. ‘They May Organize, Lobby. Postmaster General Wilson's attitude on the organization of postal employes Is ex- plained in a letter sent to M. J. Smith of St. Louis, Mo., secretary of the local branch of the National Association of Poat Office Clerks. Mr. Smith recently wrote, inquiring whether the Postmaster Gen- eral was opposed to such an organization or not, and if he desired its disbandment. The reply is as follows: “I am not in the slightest degree opposed to the National Association of Post Office Cierks as organized at present. My order, No. 621, has no bearing on the question of such organization. I have no desire that your association or any other should dis- band. They have my best wishes for the accomplishment of all proper purposes.”* The order was the one recently issued Prohibiting postal employes from eoming to Washington to urge legislation. but Must Not Commander Kingsley’s Funeral. The Navy Department fs informed of the arrival of the training ship Essex at An- napolis, conveying the remains of Com- mander Louis Kingsley, her commander, who died in his cabin Saturday, while the vessel was at anchor at Yorktown, Va. Funeral services will be held at Annapolis tomorrow and will be attended by a large party of friends in this city, who wilf leave here on an early train tomorrow morning. Che Lune No. 13,368. WASHINGTON, D.C., TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1896-TWELVE PAGES. OVERCOME BY GAS STRUGGLING CUBA NEXT FRIDAY: THE DAY WITH HENRY NORMAN A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS DEN Nearly a Double Trag dy Last Night on Q Street. The Sister of Rev. W. P. Gibbons Found Dead—The Housekeeper Overcome Also—The Cause. Some time last night or this morning death invaded the house of the Rev. W. P. Gibbons, No. 421 Q street northwest, and carried off the divine’s sister, Miss Marta Elizabeth Gibbons, who was forty years old. The peculiarly sad circumstances un- der which Miss Gibbons died cast a gloom over the household, and the pastor has the sympathy of the members of his flock, as well as of his numerous friends. Escaping gas from the fixture in the sleeping room caused her death and rendered unconscious Mrs. Isabella V. Hall, about fifty years old, who was employed in the house as housekeeper. She is still in a critical con- dition, but the physicians attending her think she will recover. Rev. Gibbons has for a number of years had « woman to keep house for his sisters and himself, and the one who had been with them so long concluded. only a few days ago that she would leave her place of. employment and return home. Tpen Mrs. Hall, who is about fifty years old, came here from her bome in Heathville, Va., arriving at the minister's house at noon yesterday. Although she was a stranger to the members of the Gibbons family, the latter had been greatly attached to her during the few hours she was in the house, and they take her fllness to heart the same as if she were one of the family. Soon after she reached the house she was given directions about what was to be done, and the workings of the gas fixtures were explained to her. These, She said, she un- derstood, for she had lived in Baltimore, where there was gas in the house. With this statement the Gibbons felt at ease, and when, at sundown, she retired to the room with Miss Gibbons, the other members of the family felt no uneasiness. The Discovery. Miss Gibbons, the deceased, followed her usual cystom of retiring about sundown, after she had kissed her brother and sister good night, and saying: “God bless you,” and her failure to move about the house this morning excited some alarm. She had been in the habit of rising soon after the dawn of day, and when others of the family failed to hear her this morning one of the children mone upstairs to ascertain the reason there- for. She returned in a hurry, and told of the smell of gas in the house, and then the dead woman’s sister went up to investigate. Up- on opening the room door she was horrified at the sight of her sister's dead body on the floor, while on the bed lay Mrs. Hall, who would so soon have followed Miss Gibbons to the other world had not the dscovery nm made As soon as possible the gas was turned off and the windows opened, and four phy- sicians were at work upon the ore who still showed signs of life. Miss Gibbons had been dead some time, and, of course, the physicians were powerless to help her. This afternoon Mrs. Hall was still uncon- scious, although there seemed to be a change in her condition for the better, snd the doctors expect she will recover. Rev. Gibbons thinks that his sister re- tired first and left Mrs. Hall, who probably had something to do, and did not want to retire so early. Then she either blew out the gas or turned it on after the light went ott. The condition of the bed showed that two people had been in it, and the pastor thinks that when partially aspnyx- jated, his sister got up and tried to reach the door, but fell exhausted and was un- able to make an outcry. Miss Gibbons’ funeral services will be held at Mt. Carmel Church Thursday, and her body will be taken to Charlottesville, Va., Friday morning for interment. Mrs. Hall’s son reached Dr. Gibbons’ house about noon, and remained at his mother’s bedside. THE OLD SHIP CONSTITUTION. What It Will Cost to Put Her in Con- dition. The Secretary of the Navy has address- ed a letter to the President of the Senate, in which he says: “I have the honor to herewith make reply to the resolution sent to this department from the Senate, asking that we com- municate to the Senate at the earliest date practicable estimates of the cost of thor- oughly rebuilding the old shia Constitu- ton, now stationed at Portsmouth, N. H., with such recommendations as may be deemed proper to make on the subject. “In reply I beg leave t8 say that the de- partment does not think {it advisable to have this chip rebuilt and furnished with @ modern battery for. the purpose of put- ting her in active commission. If, how- ever, it is intended to put her in active commission estimates show the amount to be $358,000 without a modern battery, ani with a modera battery, $458,000. On the other hand, if the Congress should deter- mine to ptt this historic ship in a good state of preservation, to be kept, say, for instance, here at the national capital, be- cause of her historic interest, and open at all times to visitors, and reproduce her as she was when she verformed her memor- orable service, it will take $230,000.” ————-~2—___ DEATH OF MAJ. POST. Promotions in the Engineer Corps That Will Result. The War Department is informed that Maj. Jumes C. Post, corps of engineers, died suddenly in New York yesterday of an attack of apoplexy. This officer was preparirg for his departure to Detroit, where he had™been assigned to duty as division engineer to fill the vacancy caused by the recent death of Gen. O. M. Poe. The death of Maj. Post will cause the fol- lowing promotions in the corps of en- gireers: Capt. W. T. Rossell, stationed at Mobile, Ala., to be major; First Lieut. Harry Taylor, stationed at Portland, Ore., to be cuptain; Second Lieut. Charles P. Echols, stationed at the Military Acad- emy, to be first lieutenant; Additional Sec- ond Lieut. Wm. B. uc, stationed at Willets Point, N.¥., to be second iteu- tenant. o—___ State Department Chan; The appointment of Mr. Robert S. Chil- ton as chief of the consular bureau of the State Department has resulted in the f[cl- lowing promotions in the classified service of that department: Robert B. Mosher of Kentucky, from $1,600 to $1,800; H. Warren Smith of Iowa, frem $1,400 to $1,600; Wm. C. Mayo of Vir- giria, from $1,200 to $1,400; Miss Lucy E. Abbott of Ohio, frem $1,000 to $1,200; Miss Sara L. Lee of Virginia, from $900 to ‘$1,000. Mrs. Mary D. Moore of Virginia was ap- pointed confidential clerk to the chief of the consular bureau, at $1,000. Mr. Edwin Tarisse of the District of Columbia was appointed cor fidential clerk to the chief of the bureau of indexes and archives, at $900, vice Miss Margaret N. Hanna of Kansas, transferred to similar duty under the secund assistant secretary of state. Mr. Mosher has been delegated to perform the duties of appointment elerk, an office for which no provision has been made. —_— e+ _____ To Reclassify Clerks. Congressman Sperry of New Haven, Conn., has introduced a bill to classify clerks in the first and second class post offices, and readjust their salaries. TWO CEN ee ee See No Opportunity Yet for Congress to Declare Itself. THE PRESIDENT HAS KEPT If BUSY No Doubt as to Its Friendly Feeling Toward the Insurgents. GOMEZ ACTING ON HINTS Congress feels none of the shame that Don M. Dickinson thinks ought to possess it on the subject of Cuba. Its sympathy with the insurgents is as good as declared. ‘That it has not been formully declared is not the fault of Congress. The first reso- lution presented in the House was one for the recognition of the insurgents as bellig- erents. Could it have been brought to a vote at once it would have passed by an overwhelming majority. But a reference un- der the rule was necessary, an’ no foreign affairs committe: was at that time in ex- istence to consider it. ‘This committee had no sooner been sppointed than all atten- tion in the country wes fixed on Venezuela by the President. A prospective war with Great Britain, such as the President's ‘Venezuelan message secmei to threaten, was well calculated to subordinate for the time every other subject. Then followed the racket about the finances, which the President also stands accountable tor. First and last, therefore, Congress has had no opportunity to do anything formally for Cuba. The President’s Fault. Mr. Dickinson, it is sugg2sted, has spoken hurriedly. He is a demecrat, he has been referred to as a possible candidate of his perty for the presidency, and this is a presidential year. It may be good politics te try and handicap the opposition as much as possible, but this, to be effective. must be done with something like skill and with due regard to the record. In this Cuban matter it is strange that Mr. Dickinson should have erred. He knows the record thoroughly. No man better than he knows how promptly Congress woul have re- sponded had the President taken Cuba in- stead of Veneziela as the text for the patriotic deliverance in his annual mes- Sage. That is what a gool many demo- crats—Mr. Dickinscn among the number— wanted the President to do. The argument advanced was very strong. Nothing was to be abated in the Venezuelan matter, but that was not so urgent. It coukl wait a month or two. Cuba was most press- ing. The insurgen with hearts fixed on free government, were in a death grapple with Spain, and as a stitch in time saves mine a word in time, it was urged, would as largely multiply for the good of the in- surgents’ cause. A Colorless Reference. But Mr. Cleveland did not speak that word. His reference to Cuba in the mes- sage was not unfriendly, but it carried with it the discouragement of colorlessness and tentativeness. And when on the top of this came the raising of the Venezuelan issue into the most overshadowing of is- sues the friends of Cuba turned from the White House altogether, and since then have been addressing themselves exclu- sively to Congress, where there has all along been every Ce SEES of sympathy and assistance. Gomez Had a Tip. Furthermore, the belief 1s strong in Washington that General Gomez is acting on the aggressive now in obedience to sug- gestions from his friends in this country. He has heard that the present Congress is not only well disposed toward the Cuban cause, but toward the cause of free gcvern- ment everywhere. It is a patriotic Con- gress, dealing not alone with rates of in- terest and rates of customs duty, but with large questions as well. It is anxious for his success. It will help him if it can. He can make its action the easier by demonstrations showing his power and earnestness. He is now engaged in that work. He is giving the lie to the asser- tion of his enemies that he is merely a bandit, marshaling cutthroats in mountain fastnesses -and unworthy of the name or treatment of a soldier. No Fear for Congre: Leading members of Congress have no fear for the credit of that body, so far as the Cuban cause is concerned. It will be able to read its title clear to the respect of liberty-loving Cubans,-and Americans as well, no matter what the result on the island may be. General Gomes cannot win his fight too soon or too signally to suit Congress. APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. Subcommittees Appointed by Chair- man Cannon—To Consider the District Chairnan Cannon has appointed Mr. Grout of Vermont, Mr. Pitney of New Jer- sey, Mr. Blue of Kansas, Mr. Dockery of Missouri and Mr. Bartlett of New York as the subcommittee to prepare the District of Columbia appropriation bill. This sub- committee is a very important one for the District of Columbia, as the verdict of its members usually stands as the voice of the House in the announcement of the an- nual appropriation bill. The subcommittee gives hearings, makes up the schedules of the bill, and the full committee usually stands by its action and supports it on the floor. of the House. Mr. Grout is an old member of the House, formerly chairman of the House District committee, and a warm friend of District interests. He is a careful, prudent man, however, and while extremely averse to ex- travagant appropriations, will lend his in- fluence to securing adequate ones. Mr. Pitney of New Jersey and Mr. Biue of Kan- sa8 are new members of this Congress. Mr. Dockery, of course, is well known in the District as an economist, and is very much inclined to shave figures pretty close- ly. Mr. Bartlett of New York is now serv- ing for the first time on the appropriations ecmmittee, and, with Mr. Dockery, makes the democratic minority of the subcom- mittee. The following subcommittees of the ap- propriations committee have also been ‘ap- pointed: Sundry civil bill—Cannon, Hainer, W. A. Stone, Sayers, Layton. Legislative—Bingham, McCall, Hemmen- way, Dockery, Robertson. Fortifications—Hainer, Grout, Hemmen- way, Livingston, Bartlett. Pensions—W. A. Stone, Blue, Northway, Rebertson, Layton. Deficiency—Canron, Arnold, Sayers, Livingston. Permanent appropriations—Arnold, Bing- ham, Pitney, Bartlett, Livingston. ——_—____ Northway, Toda}’s Cabinet Meeting. All the members of the cabinet were at the meeting today, and the session was a protracted one. In view of the bond call and the pending economic legis- lation, it is believed these subjects came in for the main share of consideration.~Judge Turner of Georgia, a prominent democratic member of the ways and means committee, was at the White House about the time the cabinet assembled, giving rise to the con- jecture that he was being consulted as to the probable reception of tne tariff and bond legislation when it was returned to the House. ° The E. oning Star Santa Slane Olub Pound Party. very One Invited topTake Part—Sup- Plies for the Poor te Be Collected Through the Schools. The Evening Star §fanta Claus Club pound party willbe held next Friday. Everybody is invited. The object 1s to ac- cumulate supplies to be used in relieving destitution. The severt cold weather since last Friday has intensified the suffering of the poor and greatly increased the need for charitable work by exhausting the llt- tle store of money or supplies that those who have had employment during the win- ter had laid aside. So it is probable even if the weather moderates there will be many appeals to the charitable for relief. Recognizing the efficiency of the methods followed by The Evening Star Santa Claus Club the emergency relief committee at its meeting Saturday evening indorsed the pro- ject and called upon the people of Wash- ington to avail themselves of the very practical means thus offgred to bring quick relief to the needy ones. | The Santa Clau Club. The Evening Star Senta Claus Club was crganized for the purpase of engaging in charity Work at the Christmas season. The members of the club af the school chil- Gren of the city, and acerding to its plan, they raised a fund at Christmas time to be used during the holidays in ameliorating the condition of the poor and especially of peor children. The work of the club was largely under the dfrection of the supervis- ing principalseand teachers of the public schools. The teachers nat only received the contributions of the members of the club, but organized committees which ad- ministered the fund thus secured, and hunted out the deserving poor to become the beneficiaries of the club. Last month, at the time when it was. usual for the Christmas Club to begin its work, the teachers and all of those interested in the Public schools were much engaged in the work connected with the teachers’ bazaar, and as up to that time thefe had been no Severe weather and comparatively little suffering reported as due to poverty in the city, it was decided best to postpone the work of the Christmas Chi until January, and then to hold a big pound party, the pounds to be collected thfbugh the various agencies of the Santa Clans Club. At the meeting of the wchool board last evening the Santa Claus Giub’s pound party was approved, and the board authorized teachers to receive the cgntributions of pupils and others for the=benefit of the poor. Thereupon next Friday was fixed upon as the day for the pound party. The General Pian. The general plan is follows: The dona- tions of food, coal an er supplies will be received in every octisee building tn the District. The school higdren, nearly all of whom are members of, the Santa Claus Club, will be invited to bring their pounds to school with them Friddy morning, eee they will be received and-cared for by teachers. Citizens, whether they have chit dren in the schools or not, are urged to contribute also, and they may send their contributions to the school building most convenient to them. The teachers will be permitted to receive contributions either of supplies or of money. The supplies will pe collected from the different school build- ings by wagons furnish@a by The Evening Star and taken to central points for dis- tribution, where they will be disposed of urder the direction of the Santa Claus Club committee and the Associated Charities. This is quite a departure from the original plan of the Santa Claus Club's work, but it is believed that every little member of the club will cheerfully co-operate. While the work is to be done in-the name of the Santa Claus Club, it is not intended by any means to confine the pleasure of giving to members of that club, The Santa Claus Club will be the custodians of the pounds given by the citizens, afd their work in past years will be a guarantee that the sup- Plies will be devoted to the best uses. While it is called a “pound” party, of course there is nothing in the regulations preventing a person giving two pounds or even a ton, if one chooses.to do so. The need is great, and it is hoped that the re- sponse made by citizens next Friday will be fully in keeping hype the record that Washington has made onjall past occasions hee there has been aifall for help like Nominntions. The President has sept the following nominations to the Senate: Interlor—Elmer E. Halsey of Michigan, to be receiver of public. moneys at Mar- quette, Mich. War—Lieut. Col. Wm. R. King, corps of ergineers to be a member of the Missouri river commission. To be members of the California debris commission—Charles Russell Suter, corps of engineers; Maj. Charles E. L. B. Davis, corps of cngineers; Capt. Cassius E. Gil- lette, corps of engineers. ‘Treasury—Lieut. Wm. H. 0. Hay of Pennsylvania and Third Lieut. Henry L. Peckham of Rhode Island, to be second lieutenants ia the revenue cutter service. Also a number of postmasters now in offices which became presidential January , 1896. Called on Secretnty Olney. Ex-Minister Scruggs, former United States minister to Venezuela, was among Secre- tary Olney’s callers today: Mr. Scruggs is engaged on the volume sion to be issued by Minister Andrade of Ventézuela, giving all the correspondence, maps, etc., in the Venezuelan controversy. Thé volume will be out In a few days. The @flition will be 2,000 copies in English and-2,000 in Spanish. Copies of the English Saition will be sent to all Senators and Repqeséntatives and to officials in general, aad dt is thought there may be such a public demand for the book as to lead to a congressional. res- olution for its publication &s @-government document. On Spectal Dat. Maj. F. V. Abbot of the corps of engi- neers is in the city on spécial duty, under the orders of the cist of engineers. Act “Apprévea! The President has approved the act mak- ing Palm Beach, Fla., a sub-F port-of Cie —= 7) Notice to Subscribers. Subscribers are earnestly requested to report any irregulapity in the de- livery of The Star and*also any fall- ure on the part of the carrier to ring the door tell. % 4 propersserviaé canjonly be main- tained through the courtesy of sub- scribers in reporting shortcomings. The London Chronicle's Washington Correspondent and His Work. A FAMOUS JOURNALIS® TRAVELER Whose Dispatches Have Made England Pause. VIEWS ON REECE AND ASIA The intense interest Great Britain shows in the Venezuelan question is evinced by the presence in this city of Mr. Henry Nor- man, the assistant editor of the London Chronicle. Mr. Norman realizes better. perhaps, than any other English news- paper man the relations of the United States to England, and deprecates that anything should disturb the friendliness of the two countries, It is his dispatches to the Chronicle that have for the first time opened the eyes of the English people to the gravity of the present situation, and to the fact that the position of America is not Mr. Henry Norman. one of politics nor buncombe, but one of earnest and honest patriotic belief in her rights and destiny. He says ‘t makes no difference whether the Monroe doctrine is founded upon international law or not, the American people believe in it, and it would be foolish for Engiand to do otherwise than to acknowledge it and to arrange her affairs in ac:crdance with it. A Journalistic Pence Commission. Mr. Norman comes here, in fact, as a journalistic commissioner of peave, repre- senting one of the greatest newspapers of the world. There are few men so well fitted for such a position. For. the past eight years he has devoted himself to the study of polity countries of the far east are the best of the later authorities.on Asiatic matters today. There are few eminent statesmen in Europe or Asia with whom he has not been in close personal touch at some time during the past few years, and he comes here direct from Constantinople, from whence he has been writing about Turkish affairs and the situation of the sultan as to the Armenians and as to the great pow- ers of Europe. Mr. Norman is a Harvard graduate, of the class of ’81, and he has in the press, with Unwin in London and Scribner's in New York, a book on the problems “Tur- key and the Balkan Peninsula.” I had a long chat with Mr. Norman last night at his rooms in the Arlington Hotel, and there renewed the acquaintance which I had with him in Japan and Corea about six years ago. He was then making a journalistic tour of the far east. He had spent many months in Japan, had gone on horseback across Corea, -had visited the fortifications of Russia.in Siberia at Vlad- ivostock, and was then on his way to China to -have-an interview with Li Hung Chang and to meet Prince Kung and other famous Chinese statesmen. He came near being killed while he was in Pekin in an attempt"to go through the Thibetan Mon- astery there, and after a number of re- markable €xperiences traveled southward, and made a-thorough -stidy of Farther India. ‘He spent some - time in passing through the French possessions in Turkey and Annam, and then went to Siam. Here he remaimed for a number of months, being on close terms With his majesty King Chul- ulangkorn. From Siam he went south to Stagapore, and explored scme parts of the islands of Malaysia, which have never been visited by any other white man. He next spent some time in India, and then went to Europe, got married, and at once took @ wedding tour to Egypt and the Soudan. After this he returned to England, having been away from home altogether for about five years. ° His Tour of the East. I asked Mr. Norman last night how he happened to start upon his tour around the world. He replied: “It was largely on account of my kealth. I was acting as one of the associate editors of the Pall Mall Gazette, with Mr. Stead as editor-in- chief. I was not at all well, and when I proposed to make this trip Mr. Stead fell in with it at once, and we organized a combination of newspapers, consisting of the Pall Mall Gazette of London, the Jour- nal des Debats of Paris and some leading newspapers of Canada and the United States, including The Star of Washington. I paid my own expenses, but I had as par- tial offset from this my receipts from the newspapers. When I started 1 expected to be gone about six months. I found, how- ever, that I could not do the world up, like Phineas Fogg, and my six months were gone before I left Canada and the United States. I traveled in a sled throughout parts of Manitoba, visiting the farmers and studying questions there which were in- teresting to England, and spent some months in the United States.” How the Sultan Caused the Armenian Maasacres. The conversation here drifted to Asiatic matters, and then Mr. Norman’s recent ex- periences in Constantinople, and I asked him as to the position which the sultan holds regarding the present outrages against the Armenians. He replied: “I be- lieve that the sultan has both instigated and permitted the massacre of the Ar- menians. He is disgusted with the trouble that the Armenians have caused him in "onnection with their complaints to the powers of Europe. He is only pretending to do what the nations of Christendom want, but he is, secretly aiding and abetting the massacres.” “Are the massacres as bad as they have been reported?” “There is no doubt of it,” replied Mr. Nor- man. “I talked with persons who saw the killing going on. The Armenians were shot down by hundreds. Thousands were killed, and tens of thousands rendered Fomeless. Constantinople is in an. awful condition. It is fultef-bad characters, and the Armen‘ans there fear for their lives. The sultan remains shut up in his palace. He will receive no one except the diplo- mats and his own officials. He has lately brought his brother Murad to the palace, ~ (Continued on Eighth Page.) Senators Disouss the House Tariff Bill, but Without Action. Prevailing Sentiment Against “an Amendme: — Another Caucus to Be Held This Afternoon. The republican Senators went into caucus at 10:3 o'clock today, but adjourned at 12 to meet again after the conclusion of the day’s session of the Senate. The entire time of the caucus was consumed in dis- cussing proposed amendments to the tariff bill, but no formal expression was secured upon any of them, this being left until the afternoon session. The prevailing senti- ment appeared to be against all armend- ments and the tendency favorable to re- porting the bill as it came from the House. Several Senators expressed doubts as to the wisdom of the bill in aay shape, and there was an evident disposition to regard the bill as purely an emergency measure.* Senator Quay n:oved the adoption of the House bill, but the motion was not voted on, and was in effect lost sight of in the general discussion which followed. Mr, Baker's Opposition. So far as there was any expression of opinion by Senators present the caucus appeared disposei to act harmoniously, ex- cept in one cr two instances. Mr. Baker, the new Senator from Kansas, made a vigorous speech in opposition to the House Dill, repeatedly declaring that he would rot vote for that bill if it came before the Senate unamended. aie sa.d that if any tariff legislation was to be enacted he thought it should be done cn republicsn and prctection lines, and added that he did not regard the House bill as a republican measure. He also ad- viscd against any tariff legislation, saying that he favored a course of non-action in that respect in view of the declaration of the administration that the present tariff would afford all the revenue needed He thought, however, that if any legislation should b2 attempted at this time the changes should be made in a few schedules only, such as those covering wool and sugar, which snould be reformed upon purely protection lines. Other spreches were made by Senators Allison, Aldrich, Perkins, Hale, Chandler, Hawley and Burrows. Senator Burrows contended for an advance in the rates on chemicals, ofls, metals and agricultural Products, while Mr. Perkins advocated in strong language the placing of sugar on a footing of equality with other products. Finance Committee's Attitude. Senators Allison and Aldrich explained briefly the attitude of the republican mem- hers of the finance ccmmittee, saying that while the committee had no formal recom- mendation to make to the caucus, they had considered all the proposed amend- ments and were of opinion that if any changes were to b> made they should be in the way of increasirg the House rates on agricultural predrets, spirits and pot- tery, and add'ng sugar to the list to be in- creased 15 per cent. ° War Department Waiting for Maj. Armen’ Retarn to Custody. The War Department will take no fur- ther action in the case of Maj: Armés un- til that officer has been restored to mili- tury custody, as ordered by the Court of Appeals in reversing the decision of Judge Bradley and sustaining the legality of the |-been action of Gen Schofield in ordering the arrest of Maj. Arnies while acting in the capacity of Secretary of War. Secretary Lamont said today that he had not given the case any consideration as yet and consequently he did not know What course would be pursued. What the Judge arene General Says. - iSanes Adyorate General Lieber says the action of the civil authorities in executing the judgment of the Court of Appeals will be awaited. The decision directs the off- cers of the court to return Major Armes to the custody of the military authorities. When this will be done is not known at the War Department, nor have arrangements .been made as to the disposition of Major “Armes ‘when returned to military custody. When the lower cour? released him he was under “close arrest” at the Washington barracks. Whether he will be again con- fined there has not been determined. Should there be an appeal to the United States Su- preme Court, as seems probable, an arrange- ment doubtless would be made for Major Armes’ release; pending the final decision of the case. The officers of the department of mili- tary justice ar2 gratified at the judicial ap- provul of their contention that officers on the retired list are amenable to the mili- tary authorities for violations of the ar- ticles of war just the same as officers on the active list. Although no arrangements have yet been concluded for the detail of @ court-martial in his case, it is conceded cn all sides that such a court will be con- vened for the military trial of Major Armes as soon as his case passes out of the hands of the civil authorities. The charges upon which he will be tried are those which were made the basis of his arrest in the first instance. Charges d Specifications. The charges and specifications prepared by the judge advocate general of the army, at the instance of the Sccretary of War, charge Maj. Armes (who, by the way, is on- ly a captain), first, with “conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discip- line,” in that he delivered a disrespectful communication to Lieut. Gen. Schofield, commanding the army; and, second, with “conduct unbecoming an officer and a gen- tleman,” in that the said letter “is false, and was known by Armes at the time to be false, in so far as it charges Gen. Schofield with inflicting injustice, wrongs and perse- cutions upon him (Armes) and with trying to ruin and disgrace him, and in so far as it charges Gen. Schofield with unjust and im- proper official action toward him (Armes), as set forth in his communication.” -—— 2 + DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. Commutation toe Soldiers’ Home In- mates. Mr. Lacey of Iowa has introduced a bill in the House, by request, authorizing the issue of commutations to inmates of the Scldiers’ Home in this city. The bill directs the officers of the home to pay to those inmates who may so elect eight dollars per month in lieu of all benefits of the home under the following -conditions: Provided they have betn inmates for five years; that thy do not draw more than $2) a month pension; that they are over sixty years of age; are not on the retired Mst of the army. The bill does not apply to those men who, having served more than twen- ty years, are entitled to commutation by taw. ——_- e- —_____ Pertland’s Water Supply. At the request of Senators Mitchell and McBride, Secretary Smith has sent a spe- cial agent to Oregon to investigate the leged illegal appropriation and occupation of land within the Bull Run reservation, from which the city of Portland receives its water supply, the pasturing of cattle and sheep thereon, and the destruction of timLer by forest fires and Sean. IED BY GERMANY Great Britain's Suzerainty Over the Transvaal. KAISER WILL NOT RECOGNIZE If History of Recent Occurrences in South Africa. EVENTS IN THEIR ——— ORDER BERLIN, January 7.—At a special audi- ence, which Dr. W. J. Leyds, the secretary of state for the Transvaal, had with Em- peror William today, his majesty declare’ that he would not recognize any claim of suzerainty over the Transvaal. Great Britain, by the treaty of 1884, claims suzerainty over the Transvaal republic. A semi-official denial was issued this mcrning of the statement from Cape Town, contained in a dispatch to the Times of London, that Dr. W. J. Leyds, the secretary of state for Transvaal, had a secret fund ai his disposal, and floated a German col- orszatior company, with the intention of in- it Means. War. ‘Special Cable Dispatch to the New York Sun. LONDON, January 6—“Get ready,” is the cry which is ringing through England in tones which have only one meaniug. The country has suddenly been seized with the {dea that war fs at its very doors. The according to Sec: retary Chami Geclaration of the British policy on Saturday, this country would promptly attempt to enforce its sov- ereignty in the Transvaal. This rumor regarding the latest action of the emperor has not yet been published in Lendon, and no confirmation is yet re- ceived. Story of the Invasion. (Copyrighted, 1896, by the Associated Press.) LONDON, January oe dispatches, have been compelied to practically all the revenue of the republic, and. yet»have no representation or voice its government. That is their side of the question. On the other hand, the Boers claim that munition, but was greatly hampered by lack of food on the Transvaal border. When the right moment arrived a letter assistance compatriots, who were in danger eS Se ee were then riding about the strects and country in @ most threatening manner. Crossing the Border. . On Monday, December 30, Dr. Jameson's force crossed the Transvaal border without the knowledge," however, it would seem, of the Uitlanders of Johannesburg. He cut the telegraph wires behind him to prevent being ordered back by the British govern- ment, it is — _ ee ging md Krugersdorp, w expected to reinforcements of 2,000 Uitlanders. On the following day, December 81, there was intense excitement at Johannesburg, people hurrying into the town from the mines and suburbs. ‘The central committee of Uitland citi- zens constituted themselves a provisional government for the town and announced that ample provision would be made to de- fend it against any body of Boers. The provisional government established solidated Goldfields build- ing, and three Maxim rapid fire guns were placed by the citizens in advantageous po- sitions abcut it. The Kew Govermment. The so-called “new gevernment” then sent an ultimatum to the government of President Kruger at Pretoria. The latter proposed a conference at Pretoria on the following day, Wednesday; but the com- mittee appointed by the new government hesitated to go to Pretoria without a safe cunduct. By this time the news that Dr. Jameson had crossed the border was in Johannes- burg, and his arrival at that place was ex- pected hourly. Crowds of people sur- idle. They seem to have been fully aware of Dr. Jamesor’s proposed raid and met the movement by gathering together a force of about five thousand well armed, well mounted, excellently trained farmer huttsmen, whose rifles always speak in idly deadly earnest. ‘This Caused e feeling of alarm among the Uitlanders, numbers of whom left the town during the night in bands of fifty each, end the hope of raising a force to assist Dr. Jameson began to melt away like snow he- neath a warm sun. Later the committes of the provisional government sent the following communica~ tion to Sir oe Robinson, the gov- error of Cape Colony: “We have infcrmation that a larg: body of Boers has been commanded to imme- diately attack.Johannesburg ard shoot on sight all who have been concerned in the agitation. Affairs are so critical that we ask you to intervene to protect the lives of citizens who have long agitated their rights.” Trying to Stop Jameson. This caused a hurried exchange of cable messages with the home government, and everything possible was done to call Dr. Jameson back, but in vain. Eventually, however, the commiitee of the