Evening Star Newspaper, February 13, 1896, Page 2

2. where it was picked up near God- haven. This is not proved absolute- ly beyond a doubt, though I place a good deal of confidence in {t myself. Nan- sen believed that if the currents would car- ry this wreckage through to Greenland they would, in course of time, curry a ship through as weil, and it was his belief that he would come out somewhere between Greenland and Spitabergen. For this rea- son I cannot see why he should have been heard from by way of Irkutsk. True, the dispatch does not say that he was heard from there, but how else Jid the news reach his agent at that point? “{ regard Nansen as the «blest artic explorer of the day and the best equipped for the Lusiness. He is an athlete, a splen- did skater, most proficient in the use of skiis, and, above all else, he is an enthusi- ast on the subject of Arctic exploration. In fact, you might almost call him a zealot. He has a handsome residence in Christi- ania, but he used to leave home and take a@ fur robe with him simply io go up into the mounta:ts and sleep out all night tn the snow so as to harden himself and keep in condition for roughing it. He thought and dreamed of nothing but reaching the pole. He was the first man to cross the ice cap of Greenland, and, in my opinion, has accomplished a great deal more than Peary has ever done. en's ship, the Fram, which means the Forward, was built especially for his Lit! It is a small steam vessel of wood, as strong as could possibly be made and offering a greater resistance te the fice than an iron vessel would. She was designed by an Englishman and built in England. In her lines an attempt was le to design a ship which, instead of being crushed in a freeze, would simply be forced upward out of danger. No one believes sincerely in the possibility of such a thing, but it was a chance worth trying. Nansen is not a wealthy man, but his equipments were of the very best. The expenses of the expedition were de- frayed by a subscription headed by King Oscar, and to which scientific societies and men of means contributed liberally. On board the Fram he had two large boats, about thirty-five feet m length, which were big enough to accommodate his en- tire party and outfit. They were too big to be navigable, but were intended for drifting purposes, like the Fram herself. Besides these were other small boats which could be used in open water or dragged across the ice. It has always been my belief that sen would eventually re- to civilization by means of these boats after the Fram should be de- stroyed. ere were In the party thirteen beside en. While I have thought that they would come out all right, 1 should natural- ly be very much surprised if they should turn up in midwinter. On board the Fram vas an electric plant, which was operated by turning the capstan. This was in- tended for a double putpose, to give them light and also to furnish the men with exercise and something to do during the Jong arctic night, when there would be nothing for them to do but wait for the eral Greely, Nansen held thet into the Jeannette current he Pest pole, and acromr it south, into warmer wales sem Seed. based his belicf upon the ee Of such a current on the finding of what was claimed to be relics of the Jeannette which had been found on‘ the* coast, and on a theory he conceived based on the direction of the currents-of wind. Now, according to General Greely, the sup- posed relics of the Jeannette had never been authenticated as such, although it would have been easy to do Upon this flimsy foundation, said Gezerai Greely, the Fram expedition started. He said he did not be- lieve that it has soiten to the pole, but, in view of the length of time since the party started, he believes that it has perished or is in great peril. .The Norwegian govern- ment evidently takes the same view, he said, for it has projected an expedition to go to Nansen’s relief, though no one can suggest the point where the relief expedition should be sent. THE NANSEN EXPEDITION. His New Way to Reach the North Pole. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen and his party sailed from Christiania, Norway, June 24, 18%. His vessel was named the Fram, which is the Norwegian word meaning “forward,” and was built from his own plans. She is 101 feet long, 33 feet wide, pointed at both ends and has rounded sides and a com- paratively flat bottom. Her sides are from 28 to 32 inches thick, which in Dr. Nan- sen’s opinio&i would resist the crushing force of the ice floes and cause the vessel to be lifted up out of danger. Dr. Nansen’s party originally consisted of twelve men, and was equipped for a five- years’ stay in the north. His idea was a novel one, and its execution extremely hazardous. Instead of avoiding the ice floes or attempting to plow his way through them, he hoped to become frozen in the ice and drift with it in the arctic currents. His study of these currents led him to be- lieve that within three years the ship would be carried very near the pole. His plan was to enter the Arctic ocean by way of the Kara sea, and from the point near the New Siberian Islands, where the Jeannette was wrecked, to drift with the ice d:agonally across the region of the north pole into the East Greenland sea te- tween Spitzbergen. and Greenland, and in that way pass by or near the pole. He calculated that the drift would carry him to the coast of Greenland, where articles from the Jeannette had been found. The Fram was so equipped that having freed itself from the fce it could hoist sail and proceed independently of or contrary to the ocean currents. Dr. Nansen’s Theory. In an article by John R. Spears in the a ANSEN'S PROPOSED ROUTE. ice to break up, when their drifting would be resumed. “{ have the greatest confidence in Nan- gen as an ideal expiorer, but I am not tak- ing much stock in this story about him until we get some fuller details.” MELVILLE AND GREELY. Both Discredit the Story That Nansen Has Been Heard From. Tha story coming from Russia to the ef- fect that Na the explorer, has dis- covered and landed at the north pole, and is now on his way home is received here with absolute incredulity by the two per- sons who of all others in the United States are best qualified to pass an opin- on the probability of the statement, ly, Commodore Melville of the navy and Gen. Greely of the army. Commodore particularly confident that the story was mable foundation. “The “entered the Arctic to the va Zembla, with the intention of forcing her way to the east- ward to the vicinity of Bennett Island, which is south of where the Jeannetté was m the ice. As the Jeannette had 200 miles in a northerly direction, had an idea that if he could get {n‘o the same current it would carry him to the pole. This, to my mind, is imp9s- sible. There Is an tce cap at the pole ex- « tending down to the vicinity of the eighty- degree of north latitude. Soundings, the observed phenomena tic region assure us of this fact. Fram should have managed to get north as Bennett Island, ed by the current which Jeannette, the probabilities are, if the ship was not crushed and sunk by the ice, as was the Jeannette, and the pro- yisions held out, that she would drift out into the Atlantic ocean between Franz Jo- seph Land and Nova Zembia. If, however, there should be a ckannel north of Franz Joseph Land and between it and the Ice cap tioned, it is possible that the ship may ha ‘fted through It to the northward of Spitzbergen and gotten into the drift ccm- img south along the east coast of Greet- Jand. If beset in the {ce there, she may have turned the cape and drifted around to the west coast of Greenland, eventually to be cast out into Baffin’s bay and drift southward. These are the results which 300 years of exploration and observation in- dicate may be expected as the ending of the attempt made by the Fram.” What Gen. Greely Says. Gen. Greely calied attention to the fact that the dispatch announcing Nansen’s suc- ‘cess did not state where he was when heard from, and this-he regarded as a suspicious circumstance. It would have be2n easy When telegraphing the reported discovery of the pole to have stated just where Nan- sen was when this trader heard from him. “As a mutter of fact.” said General Greely, “nothing authentic had been heard from the explorer since his departure from civili- gation. It was expected that he would touch at the New Siberia Islands on his way und, to take on extra provisions and dogs for his sicds. Several parties had touched at the islands during the past two or three years, however, and they had found no evidence that Nansen had been there.” General Greely has gone on record as con- demning the theory upon which Nansen’s expedition was founded, and, like Commo- dore Melville, he believes the ject to be utterly impracticable. - Accot to Gen- north and eas’ New York Sun prior to the departure of the expedition an outline of the theory of Dr. Nansen was given, with his own expression ef his hopes. The article says: First of all, there is the great ocean cur- rent sweeping down the east coast of Green- land with its burden of field ice, but devoid of icebergs. It is 250 miles wide and fills the space between Spitzbergen and Green- land. It runs at a varying speed, faster or slower, according to the season and the wind, but Nansen thinks it can be safely averaged at two knots a day, and no one says this is too high. Allowing a depth of 200 fathoms for this current, here is a vol- ume of 100 cubic miles of water flowing down between Spitzbergen and Greenland every day. Where does it all come from? In the an- swer to this question Dr. Nansen finds his indication of a possible route to the north pole. There are but two possible inlets for sea currents into the Arctic bagin. One is eround the northern shore of Norway and the other through Bering strait. The important point in his calculations, however, is in the current flowing north through Bering strait. Here, then, is a current flowing into the Arciic basin to no one knows where. On the Greenland coast is one coming out of this basin that originates no one knows where. No very great imagination is required to connect the two pieces of current into one long stream. The Throwing Stick Find. But that is not all. There are certain physical proofs demonstrating to ordinary minds that these two pieces of current are Farts of one stream. The first proof is in the shape of a stick called a harpoon throw- er or “throwing stick.” A number of years ago a throwing stick was picked up at God- haab, on the west coast of Greenland, and delivered to Dr. Henry Rink, then inspector of Scuth Greenland, and a distinguished writer and authority on arctic matters. This simple stick created a great stir in the geo- graphical world, for it was found to be orna- mented with Chinese beads and shaped af- ter a fashion followed only by the Eskimos living on the north coast of Alaska. Mr. John Murdock, now librarian of the Smith- sonian Institution, but formerly, while in the signal service corps, stationed at Point Barrow, also a writer of repute on arctic matters, has demonstrated beyond dispute that this throwing stick was made and lost on the north coast of Alaska and drifted on an ice cake all the way to Godhaab. Dr. Nansen says it drifted north of Franz Josef’s land, passed not very far from the pole, and so on down the east coast of Greenland and up on the west coast of God- haab. Mr. Murdock also thinks this was the route. Gen. Greely says that “the nearest Toute would have by way of Smith sornd and Baffin's bay.” The Jeannette Relics. Then there were the relics of the Jean- nette, abandoned off De Long Island, north of the coast of Siberia, and picked up ag Julianashaab, Greenland, three years later. Gen. Greely says he does not believe they were Jeannette relics. Engineer Melville, who was with De Long, does not believe they were. The only reason for the dishe- lief offered by Greely is that the Danes re- fused to send the articles to America for seks THE EVENING STAR, THURSDAY Explorer Nansen, the contrary arguments that the current may be accepted. That this current will enable Nansen to reach the pole, or within 300 miles of it, by no means follows, but he means to try it. Nansen’s Plan. His plan is simple. The Norwegian as- sembly has voted 000, and the king, with twelve private citizens, contributed $30,000 more. With this Nansen is building a novel ship. It is to be of about 200 tons burden, and fitted with full sail power and sufficient steam power to enable it to make six knots an hour in calm water. The form of a cross-section of the hull will be that of the letter V, so that the floes can get no hold of her when they come together, but will, instead, squeeze her up out of the water. ‘She will be built of excellent oak, her sides will be made very thick, and in- side she will be strengthened by a system of strong beams and braces. Her bow will be extraordinarily strong. Outside she will have two oak plankings, one without the other, and outside of these a third planking of hard oak or greenheart. £ am also think- ing of giving her a thin sheathing of mild steel several feet broad along the water line, in order that the ice shall not be able to cut into and damage her wooden sides when it is pressed against them. The diffi- culty will be, however, to fasten this sheathing properly. I feel certain that the ship will be the strongest ever used in the arctic regions, and that she can be crushed only in an raordinary combination of cireumstance: to quote the words of her builder. Nansen’s Expectations. Then, to allow him to tell his own plans, “when we have arrived at the New Siber- ian Islands we shall have to walt for the right moment to reach the furthest pos- sible point north In the open water. I think this will probably be in August or in the beginning of September. To be able to get a better view of the surroundings, and to examine in what direction there Is open water, etc., I think of using a captive bal- loon fror the ship. At the most favorable moment we must push northward as far as we can. This will be very likely along the western coasts of the Island, as I ex- pect to find most open water there. When we can get no further we shall have noth- ing left but to run into the ice at the most favorable spot. We shall then be in the current which the Jeannette struck, and, like her, shall be carried northwest. The ice will, perhaps, soon begin to press, but it will only lift our strong ship, and this will give us good quarters on the floe. While drifting we shall have plenty of time and exellent oportunity to make sci- entific observations of great importance. Probably we shall in this way, in the course of some years, be carried across the pole or near it and into the sea between Spitzbergen and Greenland, where we shall get into open water and be able to return home. “There is, however, a possibility that the ship, in spite of all precautions, may be crushed in the ice; but if this happens the expedition will have another resource. It will now be time to use the ice as quarters instead of the ship, and we shall have to move all our provisions, coal, boats, etc., to the ics floe and encamp there. For this purpose we shall probably, besides the common light boats, take a boat big enough for all our men to sleep in. This boat will be like a second ship, only on a much smaller scale, and, as it will stand on an ice floe, it cannot be crushed. Be- sides, we shall take warm and light tents made of a double iayer of canvas, or some similar stuff, well filled between with rein- deer hair. That there is no great risk in leaving the ship and taking refuge on the drifting ice floe, we have to some extent learned dvring our Greenland expedition. Other expeditions have drifted in a similar way for considerable distances and during many months without an accident. I need only here mention the Hansa crew and the men from the American Polaris.” In the Jeannette’s Drift. Mr. Spears continues: He hopes that the current which drifted the Jeannette on to her destruction at from two to eight knots per day will carry him at not less than two knots per day over the unkncwn course that stretches away 2,000 miles long. He hopes that in this region, vhere the days are six months long and the nights no shorter,” he will have ample time and opportunity for, scientific investi- gation. He hopes that’ the current will drift him near the pole, and that he will make great discoveries there. He hopes that at the end of three, or at most four, years he will find the floe breaking up around Lis ship not very far off the coast of Greenland. He hopes once more to es- cape the dangers of ice fields driven hither and on in chaotic fury, and once more to see the little ship heading away with an unbroken company for home and friends. Dr. Nansen’s Greenland Trip. Dr. Nansen in 1888 went to the east coast of Greenland in a whaler, carrying with him an outfit of sleds, utensils and so on, with which he proposed to cross Greenland. Be- ing unable to reach the shore, because of the floating ice there, he landed on a great ice cake. The story of his experience on that floe of ice is one of the most thrilling in the annals of arctic exploration. It was a great merit of Dr. Nansen that he has not in any way tried to impress on the reader of his writings the extent of his own bravery, or endurance, or sufferings. Indeed, there is a sparkle and a disposition to tell the facts cheerfully in all that he has published, that should entitle him to a high place in the estimation of readers. Dr. Nansen at last landed on the Greenland coast, scaled the mountains and glaciers there, and then struck off afoot over the ice cap, where the temperature was often more than 60 degrees below zero, Fahrenheit He lived in a tent, slept In a bag, and thrived on it. He event- ually ieached the west coast, where he made a small boat out of sled frames and canvas and paddled her down to the Eskimo settlement of Godhaab, where he remained all winter and enjoyed life immensely. He was the first man to cross Greenland, and he destroyed the illusion long held that in the interior of that country might be found vaileys green with vegetation and alive with game and strange people. His success emboldened him to undertake ens following of a new route to the north pole. NANSEN AND HIS FRIENDS. An Enthusiast on the Subject of Polar Exploration, Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is a distinguished scientist of Norway and an enthusiastic believer in the possibility of finding the north pole. He is about thirty-five years of age. He entered the University of Christiania in 1880 and two years later went on a sealing trip to Denmark straits, on the east coast of Greenland, in the Viking. Later, in 1882, Nansen was appointed curator of the museum at Bergen, which position he retained until 1888, when he led a small expedition of six men to Greenland, crossing the southern part of that tion of the globe. It was probably during thia trip that Nansen conceived the plan of making an attempt to reach the north pole in @ vessel constructed specially for such an undertaking. In any case, after his re- turn to Norway Nansen took the prelim- inary steps toward fitting out his expedi- tion and the Fram was planned and con- structed. The Fram was launched October 26, 1892, Ne an pe Gesoribing the fitting lorwi paper fit out of the Fram said: “Bread is the prin- cipal nourishment of Nansen and his peo- ple. The bread of biscuit, large and | ry cornpact. The ration is to consist of four Discults a at least, was given out when the mn left Norway. Silk is used as the ee mat for “ee aR else. ‘abin of Nansen's ship, the Fram (&* d), ia heated by of an English petroleum stove, which con- sumed three Utérs of As the explorer sufficient supply=, eight or nine ye of heating material, along with him this fuel to last. hinr there will be no lack “The library Bizine expedition consists of 1,000 book: if of which are scientific works and the r half novels, poetry, &c. “The crew numbers twelve men, and all occupy the cabj which ‘geasures omy thirteen {ect square, There they dwell, eat and work. The suits they wear cannot be penetrated by water.” Dr. Nansen’s companions were: Capt. Otto Sverdrup, ship's master; Sigurd Scott Hansen, lieutenant in the Norwegian navy and director of the astronomical meteoro- logical and magnetic observations; Henrick Blessing, surgeon and botanist; Theodore Jacobsen, mate: Peder Hendriksen, har- pooner; Anton Amundsen, chief engineer; Lars Petersen, second engineer; Hjalmar Johannesen, officer in the Norwegian army, fireman; Bernard Nordahl, electrician; Ivan Mogatda, carpenter, and Adolf Juell, steward. AFTER SCIENTIFIC DATA. Preparations Made by the Nansen : Expedition. Elaborate preparations were made by Dr. Nansen fcr taking observations and making explorations, and the party was well sup- plied with instruments and other scien- tific equipments. It was hoped that facts would be brought out that will increase the present knowledge of terrestrial mag- netism and settle many disputed questions as to the magnetic poles and their motion. It is well known that the magnetic needle dces not point to the north pole, or true rorth, but toward a spot on the earth's surface supposed to be about 1,200 miles to the southward. There is at present a constantly reduced westerly variation of the magnetic needle, and two daily varia- ticns in the rate of this motion. This con- stant needle variation has given rise to the theory that the magnetic poles are mov- able, and, while some magnetists would carry this motion entirely around the geo- graphical poles, others allot to it a much more limited path. There are still others who insist that the poles of a magnet are persistent,and therefore the magnetic poles of the earth, which fs itsel! 31 PAO self a magnet, must It is not unlikely that upon Dr. Nansen’s return much valuable data wiil be dis- seminated which will throw new light upon these disputed qu ctinitely. questions or settle them —_—. —__ TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE. Mr. Uhl ts Now the Ambassador to a Germany. Mr. Edwin F. Uhl is row ambassador to Germany, having taken the oath of office yesterday after ioon at the Department of State. He will go to his home at Grand Rapids, Mich., before starting for his post at Berlin, in order to close up some private business, so that it may be about thirty days before he reaches Berlin. Mr. W. W. Rockhill, who succeeds Mr. Uhl as first assistant secretary of state, 1s confined to his house with a severe cold, and has not yet assumed the duties of his new office. So far as known, no one has yet teen selected as third assistant secre- tary of state, but the gossips have it that the appointment will go to an outsider. ees DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. Wants His Salary Restored. Mr. Quay presented in the Senate today a petition from James S. Crawford, asking for the restoration of his salary to $2,000 for the term of years when he served as chief clerk of the office of f pa mails, ut during which period he received $1,800 per annum. Leave of Absence for Printers. Mr. Cummings has introduced a Dill in the House providing that the compositors and pressmen employed in the awards di- vision of the bureau of engraving and printing shall be allowed leave of absence with pey not exceeding thirty working days in any one year, or a pro rata por- tion thereof for a less time than one year, under such regulations and such time or times as the chief of the bureau, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, may prescribe and designate, and in con- formity with the act appproved July 6, 1892, granting leaves of absence with pay to the employes of the bureau of engrav- ing and printing. For the purpose of car- rying into effect the provisions of this bill the sum of $3,500 is appropriated. Washington and Marlboro’ Railroad. ‘The annual report of the Washington and Marlboro’ Railroad Company, submitted to the House, states that the company has de- clined taking subscriptions for stock on ac- count of the fact that the charter requires the crossing of the Anacostia river on a bridge with s draw span, and that it is impracticable for an electric rallway to be operated in this manner. Mr. Coffin has introduced a bill amending the charter of the road so as to authorize it to connect with Pennsylvania avenue ex- tended, thence to and across the Baltimore and Qhio railroad, thence along Railroad avenue to Naylor road, and by the same to the Anacostia river, crossing the river on a steel bridge. It is provided that if at any time hereafter a draw span in the bridge is required by the interests of navigation, the bridge shall be altered accordingly. ‘The read is to enter the city at 15th street east, thence north to Florida avenue, and along Florida avenue to 7th street northwest. ‘The time for the completion of the road is extended three years after the passage of the bill. The Eckington Extension. The delegation from the Brookland Citi- zens’ Association called at the room of the Senate committee on the District of Colum- bia this afternoon to ask a hearing on the subject of extensions of the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Railroad Company. As a hearing on this subject will be given by the Commissioners, it was considered advisable to postpone any action looking to a hearing before the committee. °. ‘GLE ESTATE. THE KL! Bill for an Accounfing Filed in Equity Court. Georgiana M. Kiingle today filed a bill in equity against Arthur A, Birney, executor of the estate of the late Gay B. Spranger, for an accounting. ‘The bill of complaint relates to the estate of the late Joshua Pierce Klingle, and the complainant prays that the-sum of $161,059.20 be charged against the estate, and thdt it be, credited with the sum of $1,800 annualty,from April 1, 18%, to April 1, 1890, except, from September 1, 1877, to February 1, 1883, during which period it be credited with fhe sum of $4,000 annually. She also asks that/the estate be credited with further sum Of $73,043.78, Upon the payment by the complainant of the amount found due from her upon the accounting the complainant prays that all notes of Joshua Pierce Klingle held by him be can- celed and property mentioned in the trust be released. Mr. Henry Wise ‘Garnett represents the complainant. 2 —_— TITUS AND CABANNE. Their Reinstatement Favored by the BALTIMORE, February 13.—The life sus- pension of Titus and Cabanne has been reconsidered by the National L. A. W. and the racing board requested to reduce it to one year. The convention has adjourned sine die. ——————— Bills Presented in the Senate. Bills were introduced in the Senate today by Senator Lodge, prohibiting the removal of employes of the Post Office Department except upon written charges, and by Sena- tor Cockrell, to provide for the revision “of the laws of the United States. ———-2___ Public Reception at the White How: President and Mrs. Cleveland will hold a public reception at the Whjte House this evening from 9 to 11 o'clock. They will be assisted by the members of the cabinet and their families. A large number of young pas ave been invited behind the receiv- FEBRUARY 13, 1896—TWELVE PA GES. LATE NEWS BY WIRE|MANGING OF Patsy “Hanns Likely That the Big Fight Will Come Off in Mexico, - qRAT 1, IF IT TAKES PLACE AY ALL Spectators Not Likely to Much Exceed 2,000. TROOPS ON THE ALERT EL PASO, Texas, February 13.—It is prac- tically certain now the fight arranged for tomorrow will be on Mexican soll some- where. It will be a dash across the border and a run for home after the fight is over. If the Mexican troops can manage to reach the battle ground, the chances are that it wili be more than a race. It will be a wild and tumultuous flight, with the chances against those who are unable to swim the Rio Grande. There are places where an agile man man may be able to jump across it, and, although nobody has ever done it, a terrified “sport” can do great things when he tries. Large delegations are expected from the east before the start is made for the battie ground tomorrow. More than 1,500 visitors are here now. The number at the ring side will not greatly exceed 2,000, if it reaches that number. Many of the sports here are becoming anxious about tke chances of seeing the big fight, and they last night declared their intention of watching the depots all of tonight to avoid being left. Besides the “sports” Gen. Mabery’s rangers are carefully watching every train that pulls out with the intention of boarding it if they see any intention of pulling off the fight in Texas. Stuart has repeatedly assured the adjutant general that he has no intention whatever of ‘pulling off the fight in Texas. At 2:30 a.m. today the rangers discover- ed two cars loaded with what they thought to be carnival paraphernalia attached to a Southern Pacific freight train just pull- ing out for the west. Capt. Hughes of the rangers ordered the train delayed unti} permission had been obtained for four of his men to accompany the cars to the state line. This was granted and three Tangers rode away on the train. It is stated at army headquarters that no application has been received for United States troops to prevent the Fitzsimmons- Maher fight, and that troops will not be or- dered out in the absence of application from the proper authorities. ——— THE GOVERNOR WON. Opposed to Calling a Caucus at An- napolis. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. ANNAPOLIS, Md., February 13.—The outcome of a fight between the republl- can members of the general assembly and a little coterie of party leaders, headed by Gov. Lowndes and Speaher Mudd, over the proper tire to hold the caucus for nomina- tion of police commissioner for Baltimore, has aroused considerable attention today. ‘A paper callirg for a republican caucus to be held tenight was circulated early in the week and obtained some sixty signa- tures. Th: majority of the signers presum- ably favor the nomination of Mr. Daniel C. Heddinger of Baltimore for the short term, while the party leaders aimost to a man advocate ex-Postmaster W. W. Johnson. The latter faction became alarmed at the strength developed by Mr. Heddinger, and they did all in tReir power to postpone the caucus until Monday night, by which time they bel‘eve thet Mr. Johnson will have sufficient support to insure his nomination for the shert term. Speaker Mudd displayed great activity in attempting~to prevent tonight's caucus. He telegraphed for Senator-elect Welling- ton, who favors Johnson's nomination, and who was expected here this morning, but he failed to materialize, and then Mr. Hed- dinger’s friends exulted. It was finally decided to postpone the caucus until next Tuesday night. The cp- position of Gov. Lowndes and Speaker Mudd prevailed, and the followers cf Mr. Heddinger were induced to agree to the postponement. A bill was introduced in the house today to give the governor the appointment of three police commissioners for Baltimore, one of whom must be of the minority party. This bill provides for an entire re- organization of the police force of Baiti- more on a non-partisan basis, and will come up as a special order on Monday night next. This bill was gotten up under the direct supervision of Gov. Lowndes and will re- ceive his active support. There is much opposition to it, however, among the city representatives. The governor bas named the following for supervisors of election in Washington county: John H. Harp and S. Olin Houser, republicans, and George H. Hager, demo- crat; for Hagerstown, Edward H. Mobley and Elias Cost, republicans, and Willim H. Hoffman, democrat; for minority super- visor, in Howard county, Edward A. Tal- pbott, vice L. Kemp Duvall, declined. Goy. Lowndes has named Col. L. A. Wilmer of Charies county as adjutant genera’ to succeed Col. H. Kyd Douglas. Col. Wilmer is an officer of the first regi- nt, M. N. G. mie ‘was decided in the house today to make Senator Bruce's civil service reform bill the special order of the day for next Wednesday. The advocates of the measure tried to have it made the special order for Tuesday, but only five votes were cast in favor of this effort. a es ANOTHER COREAN REVOLT. Premier and Seven Officinis Said to Have Been Murdered. YOKOHAMA, February 15.--Advices just received from Seoul, capital of Corea, say that an uprising took place there on Tues- day last, February 11, during which the premier and seven officials were murdered. The dispatches add that the king and grown prince have sought-shelter in the Russian legation. Twi Won Kun 1s also there. It is stated that the king ordered the ministers to be put to death. ‘A force of 200 Russian sailors and marines are now guarding the legation of that coun- try. It is presumed that Twi Won Kun, refer- red to in the bulletin from Yokohama,should be Tai Wan Kun, the father of the King of Corea. —_-_——>—_—_ ANALOSTAN ISLAND. Officials Said to Approve it for a Hos- pital Site. Building Inspector Brady and Health Of- ficer Woodward of the committee appointed by the Commissioners to inspect Analostan Island with a view of determining its avail- ability as a site for the contagious hospital made an inspection of the island today and expressed themselves as much pleased with the place. The only objection that they found to it was its inaccessibility, but they believe that this can be remedied by a small expenditure, which will throw a bridge from the property at the south end of the Aqueduct bridge over to the island. The report, however, will not be made to the Commissioners until after Capt. Fie- beger, the other member of the commii- tee, hes had an opportunity of examining the property. —_—.__ LIVED ON THE FAT OF THE LAND. John Harmens Found the Spoil Train Robbers. SARCRAMENTO, Cal, February 13.— John P. Harmens, fifty years of age, who by his own confession recovered over $20,- 000 that was hidden by robbers a year ago, is locked up in the jail, this city. For months he has been living in San Francisco on the fat of the land from the proceeds of the money taken from the Overland express, near Sacramento, by Jack Brady and Browning a year ago. The prisoner has turned over to the police $2,000 which he had in the German Savings Bank in San Francisco; $5,900 in securities, a diamond ring and a diamond collar button. Hap mens found the money hidden under a clump of bushes, near Sacramento, where the robbers who held up the train had buried it. It is known that the robbers obtained over $50,000. from Welis, Fargo & Co., but ens did not find all of the plunder. of Harm: He says he obtained only $20,000. Will Interfere, The Execution Expected to Be Wit- messed by a Limited Number ef Persons. Wardea Leonard this afternoon notified the witnesses he has selected to be present at the cxecution of John, alias Patsy, Har- ris, at the District jail tomorrow, to attend between the hours of 10 am. and 1 p.m., during whica hours the sentence of the court requires the man to be hanged. No in- vitations have »een issued, and none will be, it Is said, the warden simply furnishing the few witnesses he has selected with his card. To a Star reporter the warden stated that he had not yet been informed by the Presi- dent as to what action he had taken in the matter of the petitions presented for a com- mutation of the death sentence. Harris, he explained, is displaying a wonderful amount of nerve, and fs fully resigned to his fate, having apparently lost all hope of executive clemency. This morning the wife and mother of the condemned man paid him a last visit. The interview was a brief one, and while the wemen wept and sobbed, Harris bore up bravely under the trying ordeal, calmly assuring them that they should not trouble themselves about him. For, as he hope- fully explained. he felt that God has for- given him, aad that he will pass from a world of sorrow and trouble to one of eternal joy and peace. As stated in yesterday's Star, all prepa- rations for the execution are’ completed, and the sentence will be enforced by the death of Harris ab E marcia about 11:30 tomorrow No Executive Action. Up to 3 o'clock this afternoon no action had been taken by the President upon the petition for the commutation of the death sentence imposed upon Patsy Harris, whose execution at the District jail is set for to- morrow. The matter is before the Presi- dent, however, and will be disposed of by tomorrow morning, in ample time for a cee of sentence in case it is deemed ad- : le. —EE PROTECTION OF GAME. Mensures Considered and Congres- sional Enactment Fi red, CHICAGO, February 13.—The third an- nual meeting of the National Game, Bird and Fish Protective Association was held at the Sherman House last night. Matters relating to the passege of better laws for the protection of game in various parts of the country were discussed. President M. R. Bortree in his annual report called at- tention to the need of such laws in Texas, especially where there are no game laws, and yet, on account of the yearly migration of birds, the state becomes ‘a rich game Pocket, and ¢housands of birds are slaugh- tered each year. A letter was received from M. B. Davis, president of the Game Club of Wecv, Texas, calling upon the association to aid the citizens of that state in securing the passage of suitable laws to restrain the wholesale destruction of both song and game birds by hunters. The attention of the members wes also called to the defect- ive laws of some of the eastern states,which discriminated against some western states, and render their game laws ineffective by allowing the shipment of game into eastern states from the west. _J. S. Baird, the attorney of the associa- tion, has drafted a bill which is intended to amend the interstate commerce act so as to regulate the traffic in wild game, making it unlawful for any railroad or other com- pany to receive for shipment any sort of game from any place of the United States to a point outside of the United States un- less the same be conspicuously labeled “wild game,” with kind and quality of such stated and the consignors’ and consignees’ names given in full, the penalty for diso- +beying of the law to be the same as for the other parts of the interstate commerce law, viz., a fine from $100 to $1,000. Copies’ of this bill were ordered printed by the association, to be used in securing the adeption of the said law by Congress. The other matters discussed by the asso- ciation were-the formation of a closer fed- eration of all the western states as one body, all the southern states as another and all the eastern states as a third, ail to be centralized in the national association, which could carry out such measures as should advance the interests and objects of the organization, and harmonize the laws of these different sections and unite all in one combine to increase the game. After the reports of the various officers and other matters were discussed the fol- lowing officers were elected for the ensu- ing year: President, M. R. Bortree, Cai- cago; first vice president, J. P. Barnum, Prairie Du Chien, Wis.; second vice presi- dent, L. K. Bartram, Dexter, Ohio; secre- tary, H. L. Lakey, Chicago; treasurer, W. H. Thompson, Wisconsin, ——— BAT SHEA’S FUNERAL, It Was Made a Grent Thing of by Friends of the Family. TROY, N. ¥., February 13.—The “Bat” Shea funeral 1s being made the occasion of a great demonstration of sympathy with the family of Shea. Until midnight there Was a constant stream of people passing through the parlor in which the body of Shea lay encoffined. The employes of the shirt, collar and cuff factories sent a num- ber of floral tributes. The most pretentious was a “gates ajar,” bearing the inscription, “Innocent.” At each of the shops funds have been subscribed for the purchase of flowers to be sent to the Shea house—$300 at one, $100 at another, $50 at another, and smaller amounts at each of the others. This money will be used for the purchase of flowers and the funeral expenses. At the funeral this morning a vast con- course of people was present. Several ve- hicles were required to carry the flowers. FORTY LIVES Lost. Capsizing of a Stenmer in the Bris- bane River in Queensland. BRISBANE, Queensland, February 18.— The Brisbane river at this point has been greatly swollen recenily, owing to the floods. While a small steamer today was crossing the river with about elhty passengers on board she was capsized, and only forty per- sons were saved. The capsized steamer was a ferry boat named the Pearl. The current was exceed- ingly swift at the time of the accident, and the river banks and Victoria bridge were endangered. oe S Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, February 13.—Fiour firm, unchang- ed—receipts, 9,746 barrels; shipments, 2,695 bar- rels; sales, 150 barrels. | Wheat fir Ot month, 74a74% els; stock, 138, x 76; de nd May, 73a73\%4—recelpis, 925 bush- wheat by sam- Corn firm—spot 4a bushels—southera cn grade, 72s March, 3314a33%; April, steamer mixed, 32a els; sales, southern’ white and yellow cor, rmer—No. 2 white western, 29a20%4; y 26a26'4—stock, 56,238 bushel ) 2, "44045 nearby: ' 4748 western—receipts, 3,077 3 , 92.370 bushels. Hay very “quiet— choice timothy, $16.00 asked. Grain freights weak —steam to Liverpool per bushel, 3d. March; Cork 2s.9d.a25.104 February. |. Butter steady—tancy 19220; do. imitation, 16al7; do. ladie, ‘12a18; store packed, &a10. creamery, 14; ood steady—fresh, 14: cold storage and limed, 8. aged. unc steady, unchanged. Whisky ——.—_ Grain and Cotton Markets, Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., 1421 F street, members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, Thal- mann & Co., New York. a Low. Close. ¥Ss 3 304 314° 319 BL Bika Bit Bae 10.52" 10.10 10.32 GRAIN. Wheat—May. 2 10. 10.25 10.50 5 5. 5. July. ‘May. aa FINANCE AND TRADE London Senti Helps Prives in New York. VOLUME OF BUSINESS WAS SMALL Confidence in an Advance is Marked. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, Februery 13.—A strong; London market, attributed to the probable amicable settlement of the Venezuela con- troversy, had a beneficial influence on local values this morning. The volume of busti- ness was small and trading in the main pro- fessional. The street has appzrently di- gested the securities marketed earlier in the week, and confidence in higher prices is again clearly marked. Tae absence of any significant outside demand 1s the one con- spicuous reactionary elcment in the present situation, the public being unwilling to as- sume speculative risks at this level. The market for sterling exchange was re- ported to be firm at a % per cent advance from the recent low level. There being no outgoing steamer until Saturday, transac- tions in fereign financial accommodations were naturally limited. The absence of any large amounts of bankers’ drawings would indicate that no unlooked-for shipments are probable. Money rates are practically upon a satisfactory basis, and show no disposi- tion to become embarrassing to borrowers. The recent selling movement in Missouri Pacific was resumed by the interests iden- tified with the original decline. St. Paul and Burlington were in good de- mand throughout the day, the advance in the former being practically without oppo- sition, while the latter moved up only after the absorption of short sales. The pessi- mistic element in Burlington has as yet been unsuccessful fn influencing a general selling movement, and higher prices as a penalty for such failure seem to be among the reasonable probabilities. American To- bacco and Sugar were the active features of the industrial group, and while, refiect- ing some difference of opinion amofg trad- ers as to their probable course, were well supported above the opening level. The statement of earnings made by the former is relied upon to improve its price. The trading during the late afternson was moderately active though unchanged in character. The dullness of the morning having failed to force out any considerable amount of long stock traders bought back the securities sold earlier in the day. The more prominent features of this later move- ment were identical with those previously noted. Washington advices relative to the reve- nue bill were almost unanimous in the opin- ion that the bill will pass the Senate in its original fo1m. The length of time required for this purpose is involved in considerable doubt, however, and both sides of the mar. ket are liable to be influenced by the vary- ing fortunes of the measure prior to th final vote. All thihgs considered, the ai tion of the general market is decidedly en- couraging, and, barring some undesirable development in the arrangement of the final details of the government's bond transaction, should continue to improve. The success of the bond sale cannot be of more than temporary benefit, unaided by increased revenues, however, and the de- feat of the pending revenue measure would be a most undesirabie speculative argu- ment. Congress and the condition of the federal treasury will, therefore, furnish the bulk of all incentives immediately applica- bie to stock and bond transactions. ——— FINANCIAL AND COMMERICIAL. The following are the opening, the highest and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as reported by Corson & Macartney, members New York steck exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway. Open. igh. Low. Last. M2 1 118K 100%; 100" 10035 American Sugar. American Sugar, American Tobacco. Chicago Gas, Cis. C.M.& St. Paul. C.M.&St. Paul, Chic Delaware & Hndson.... Den. & R. Grande, Pia. Dis. & Cattle Feeding... General Electric. : illinois Central Louisvilie & Nashvitie:: Long Isiand Traction... Metropoiitan Traction. Manhattan Elevated. Michigan Central Missouri Pacific. U. 8. Leather, Pid. New Jersey Central. New York Central. & N, Eng. Cf Northeru Pacitic, Pid .. North American. Ont. & Western, Wheeling & 1. Erie. L- Erle, Pfd Wheeling & . eee Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call_12 o'clock m.—Coluwble Ratl- road Gs, 0 at 113! Ohio Naw 1 Bank, 7 at $5, Ghesapeate Potomac Telephone, 10 at Government Bonds.—U. S. 4s, registered, 1091 bid, 110% asked. U.S. 48, conpon, 100% bid, 11 asked. U. S. 4s, 1925, 116 bid, 117% asked. U. & Ss, 1304, 1124 Sid District of Columbia Bonds.—20. bid. -30-year fund Gs, gold, 108 bid. 7s, 1901, currency, 110 bid! Water corrency, 112 bid bid, 116% asked. Miscellaneous |B politan Railroad Sa, 07 bid. Metronolitan Railroad conv. 6s, 112\4 bid, 113% asked. Belt Railroad 5s, 79 bid, 84 ask Wekington Ratlroad 6s, 9S bid.” Columbia Raili 8s, 113% bid, 113% asked. Washington Gas Com- pany 6s, series A, 108% bid. 112 asked. Washing- ton Gas Company Gs, series B, 110% bid. Washi ton Gas Company conv. 6c, 130 bid. 130 asked. O. 8. Electric Light conv. Gs, 125 bid. Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone 105 asked. American Sccarliy and Trust ts, F. and A., 100 bid, Americ arity and Trust 5s, A. and ©., 100 bid.” Washington Market Company’ Ist 6s, 108 bid. Washington Market Company imp. 68, 108 bid. Washington Market Company ext. Gs, 108 bid Masonle Hall Association Ss, 104 bid. Washington Light Infantsy ist 6s, 90 bid. National Bank Stocks.—Bank of Washington, 200 asked. Bank of the Republic, 240 ropoiltan, 280 bid, 310 asked. Central, ‘armers and Mechanics’, 180 bid, 1 ord, 134 bid, 140 as : Juuibia, 128 bid. | Capt bid, 108% asked. rr Lincoln, 98 bid, 100 bid, a Safe Deposit ‘and ‘Trust Compantes.—National Safe Deposit and Trust, 118 bid, 125 asked. W: Loan and Trost, 118% bid, 120 asked. Americam Security and Trast, 143 bid. Washington Safe De posit, 59 bid. Railroad Stocks.—Oapital Traction Company, bid, bri M bid, 76 asked. Metropoliten, 98 bid, 101 @ Columbia, 55 bid. Belt, 2 ed. ‘Eckington, Did, 30 asked. Georgetown ‘Tennallytown, bid, 30 asked. Gas and Electric Light Stocks.—Washington 46 bid, 48 asked. Georgetown Gas, 45 bid. U. Hlectric Light, 126 asked. Insurance Siocks.Firemen's, 30 Did. Pranikl 33 bid, 45 asked. Metropolitan, 70 bid, $5 ask Corcoran, 50 bid. Potomac. 65 bid. Arlington. 1 bid. German-American, 160 bid. National U1 - bia, Ret a 11% _ 4 Pe 9 Toco, THe vids Sy, asked.” Commerclaly iM, asked. tle’ Insarance Stocks.—Real Estate Title, bid, 14 asked. | Columbia Title, Gi Dd, Ti Washington Title, 744 bid. District Title, § bid, “Telephone Stocks ‘Ivania, $8 bid, 50 6 -— . i Chesapeake and Potomac, 61 bid, 86 asked. Gun On °5) bid, “2y asked Onfiscelinnconn Storks.—Atengentbaler Dig, (240 asked. Lanston Monotspe, is 6 gaked._, Washington Market, 18, bid. Great Tce, ‘asked. Norfol Sieambeat, 60 bid. "Lincoln fall, 10° bid, 99