Evening Star Newspaper, November 24, 1896, Page 10

10 THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1896-16 PAGES. » ree nce caren meee BALROADG MAP OF THE PROVINCE OF PINAR DEL RIO, WHERE ANTONIO MA pemipitinpeciare eee CEO IS OPERATING. AGAIN IN HAVANA Captain General Weyler Returns From Pinar del Rio. HIS CAMPAIGN IN THAT PROVINCE Ineffective Attack Upon the Cuban Insurgents. —— MACEO’S GUERRILLA TACTICS ——E Captain General Weyler returned to Ha- vana last evening on board the cruiser Legazpi from Mariel. His return was a complete surprise, as he had asserted in an interview with the correspondent of El Liberal of Madrid Saturday that he ex- pected to remain to conduct active opera- tions in Pinar del Rio province for fifteen or twenty days longer, adding: “Wait un- til Christmas. By that date we shall have dealt a mortal blow to the revolution.” Exploring trains left Artem!sa Sunday night and yesterday morning for Cande- leria and San Cristobal, in order to prepare for the arrival at Artemisa of Captain Gen- eral Weyler. Artemisa fs in the province of Pinar del Rio, near the border of the province of Havana. At 7 o'clock in the morning Artemisa and its vicinity was in a state of considerable excitement, for it became known that the captain general was at Mangas, five miles distant. Gen. Arolas, accompanied by his staff and an escort of cavalry, started soon af- terward for Mangas, and at 3:30 news was received at Artemisa that the cruiser Le- xazpi had arrived at Martel, the port at the northern extremity of the military line across the province of Pinar del Rio, with instructions to her commander to place the vessel at the disposal of the captain general. At 9 o'clock Gen. Weyler entered Arte- misa with the columns commanded by Gens. Aguilar and Arolas. It was seen that the captain general was considerably sunburned. He wore a field uniform, with a Panama hat, and rode a black ho The captain general was received by the town authorities, crowds of people and bands of music. Trumpet salutes were sounded and belis ere rung in his honor. He went to the house of a prominent citi- zen, whose large garden enabled the Span- ish commander to receive there the staff officers and others, and transmit orders in various directions. There he also trans- acted considerable business with his chief of staff. After visiting the military hospital and breakfasting the captain general started for Mariel. Cubans Are Jubilant. A dispatch to the New York World from Jacksonville, Fla., says: A cipher cable- gram from Havana to a Cuban leader here says that Gen. Weyler has been forced to return to Havana and that the cliy 1s in great confusion. Weyler gives no excuse, id, except that it is too hot and un- thy to do any fignting. Jt is openl serted in Havana chat Weyler be frightened because Mazco had set a price upon his head or his capture. Weyler's scouts informed him that make an attempt on Havana and the Span- ish general retreated in not haste to the safety of his palace. It is ulso stated in the cablegram that Weyler's recall fs as- sured now, as the Spanish government is incensed against him for his dilatory tac- tics. Cubans here are jubilant, for they think this will have a favoravle effect upon Congress. Gen. Weyler’s Short Campaign. After many months of command in Cuba Gen. Weyler finally decided to take the field in person against his chief antagonist, Gen. Antonio Maceo. Accompanied by his staff, Gen. Weyler, November 8, embarked on the Legazpe at Havana for the port of Mariel, the north- ern terminus of the trocha, where he ar- rived the following morning at daybreak. Six thousand troops, under Gen. Sanchez Echavarria, were drawn up to receive him. His forces consisted of six battalions of infantry, 400 cavalry, six pieces of light mountain artillery and his private body guard—the famous troopers of Col. Pinto. The column was formed into brigades, the vanguard commanded by Gen. Aguilar, the center by Gen. Weyler and the rear by Gen. Echavarria. By a preconcerted plan the Spaniards were to make a combined ace on the Cuban position in the Rubi is. At the same time that Gen. Weyler left Mariel another large column, under Gen. Gonzalez Mun started from Cabanas, to cut off any possible retreat of the Cubans. Another column, under Gen. Echague, was stationed at Cayajabo, to the southeast of Rubi, while still another column, under Col. Segura, had entered the hills from the south. Early in the morning of November 11 the Spaniards started from their camps to cloce in on Maceo. Gen. Echague, from Cayajaba, was the first to enter into ac- tion, meeting the insurgents under Vidal Ducasse near Rosario. For three hours the fight was kept up, resulting in the Cubans leaving their positions to fall back to the south of Rubi to sustain Gen. Maceo’s rear, which was threatened by the column of Col. Segura. Gens. Weyler and Aguilar had in the meanwhile commenced the attack from the north, but he did not succeed in entering these hills. Gen. Munoz was met by Perico Diaz, and held in check all day. During the night Gen. Maceo and his forces broke camp and retreated toward Valparaiso. In the morning Gen. Munoz entered Camp Rubi and Gen. Weyler passed through to Rosario. Maceo, after resting im Valparaiso, en- tered the hills by the San Blas road, and encamped at El Brujo and Roble. This is a favorite encampment of his, as it is one of the most secure fn the hills. Gen. Weyler, when he found that Maceo had given him the slip, advanced along the road taken by Col. Segura, from Soroa, thinking that no insurgents would be found in that direction. As he cautiously picked his way through the forest paths of the Rubi hills his flank was constantly harassed by Cuban sharpshooters from their secure hiding places on the top of the hills. General Munoz, following Maceo’s trail, e1.tered the hills at the same place, but the Cubans refused a battle at this point. Maceo, retreating from Brujo at the ap- proach of Munoz, has probably taken the read to San Diego de Tapia or Sabanilla, where he is certain the Spaniards will not attempt to penetrate. ‘These hills are little known to the Spanish guides, as they were seldom traveled before the war, and are wilder and covered by a denser under- growth than the eastern section. Geo. B. Rea says in an exhaustive article in the New York Herald: “There can be but little doubt that Gen. Weyler's cam- pa‘gn has failed. It is hardly possible that he can succeed’ in either driving Maceo out of Pinar del Rio or in inflicting a severe defeat upon him.” Not Cast Down. Gen. Weyler says that his columns have Maceo might | operated at Rubi, Rosario, Brujo, Brujito, Soroa, Oleaga and other points. He de- clares he has excellent success in destroy- ing the rebels’ supplies and compelling all detachments to divide into small bands and flee before him to avoid a conflict. Con- tinued expeditions are being made in the hills, searching for some body of the enemy large enough to have a fight with. Gen. Weyler expresses himself as satis- fied with the prospect, and he thinks that in a few weeks he will be able to press the cperation to completion. Gen. Weyler locates Maceo south of the railway line, or in southern Pinar del Rio, instead of further north, toward the Cac- arajicara hills, where insurgent reports lo- cate him. So far, Gen. Weyler says, the insurgents, even in good positions, refuse to risk an engagement. Gen. Weyler says that he believes the in- surgents have not in the hills supplies suf- ficient to last them for more than three en- gagements. After these engagements had occurred it would be easier to estimate the resources of the rebels, but he believes that it would then be found that the am- munition of the insurgents was exhausted. He adds that he has still fifteen or twenty days’ work to perform at the camp to com- plete his preparations for an advance on the rebels, but that. he would wait until after Christmas before he moved his troops forward. Then he intends to strike a mortal blow at the insurrection. Maceo’s Tactics. Maceo is apparently following his old tactics of drawing the Spaniards as far as possible into the hills from their base of supplies, when, by dividing his forces into small commands, he will be able to con- tinually harass them with guerrilla tactics, for which they have no liking. Some distance to the west of San Cris- tobal are mountain passes, where a com- peratively few rebels would be able to hold their own against any force that Spain cculd concentrate there, and it is thought by Cubans that Gen. Weyler will not meet Maceo until he comes upon him unexpect- edly in some of these mountain fastness: The fact that they have more than held their own in all recent encounters with the Spanish forces, would also account not only for the absence of any details of Gen. Weyler's operations in the newspapers, but for the intense feeling of indignation said to exist in Havana at his failure to anni- hilate Maceo and his forces immediately, as has been expected by the ultra loyal since the general took part in the cam- paign. Gen. Weyler has been constantly harassed by Maceo’s outposts since leaving the line of the trocha at Artemisa for the moun- tain district. According to the report of a well-in- fermed correspondent in the field of El Diario de la Marina, Gen. Weyler was at the town of Candelaria on the 18th, where he breakfasted, and left the same day by rail for San Cristobal, a town on the line of the railroad, between Artemisa and the city of Pinar del Rio. From an account sent by the same corre- spondent of the blowing up of a train with dynamite, it is evident that the Cuban in- surgents had been advised of Gen. Weyler's whereabouts and were awaiting his coming. Four dynamite bombs were successfully ex- ploded with disastrous results. The engine and four passenger cars were demolished. Several other cars were thrown from the track, more or less damaged, while the track was torn up for a considerable dis- tance. Several soldiers were killed and a large number of troops who were being transported to the front were wounded. The account adds that the grotind in the vicinity of where the explosion occurred | was thrown up as if an upheaval caused | by an earthquake had taken place. All communication westward beyond Cande- laria ts cut off. The impression is that the object sought by the insurgents was either the maiming of Gen. Weyler or the check- ing of his further advance westward. It is stated that Gen. Weyler did not go on the train as he expected. The Country Described. Grover Fiint, writing in the New York Journal, describes as follews the topogra- phy of the province: If you were to go up in a balloon above the city of Havana and look westward your eye would rest on a flat tract of land | lying between two sheets of ocean, and just twenty-one miles in width. The country 1s gray and desolate, a waste of burned cane fields, with white dobe plan- tation houses smoking from a recent raid, or charred and in ruins. A reddish “trail,” like a great, wide wagon road, extends across this strip at its narrowest place. Little white posts, some- times of wood, sometimes of masonry, dot this “trail” at regular intervals of 500 yards. Along the dusty road you can see small, solid masses of dirty brown flashing here and there, with the sun’s rays re- flected from bayonets and rifle barrels. They are the patrols passing regularly be- tween the little fortresses. If you looked with a glass of strong power you would see that on either side of this reddish belt, or “trail,” are rifle pits, and low earthworks, and stubby fences, bristling with many strands of Yankee barbed wire. This is the “‘trocha,” and the fort near- est to you as you look from Havana is strongest. The forts are bigger near the city, the rifle pits more frequent and the fences of barbed wire more plentiful. There are also white cities, a little way apart, on either side of the line, each surrounded by a string of white forts, and you see lon, columns of infantry, with small advance guards of cavalry, moving slowly over the country. Eastward of the trocha are the plains and cane fields; westward the country be- comes green and rises into abrupt, thickly wooded mountains. In these mountains Antonio Maceo has his strongholds. Columns of soldiery move out from the white towns, and march to the foothills of these mountains. Then come suddenly lit- tle puffs of smoke from the jungles and a patter of irregular firing. The great col- umns both return fire with long volleys, and return to the towns with nothing ac- complished. Along the Trocha. If you could see far to the southwest you would find that the “trocha” becomes a planking nailed on logs—floating in the mi- asmatic slime of the Majana swamps. Here illness and immunity from attack render Spanish picket duty lax. The insurgents may wade at will between the sentries: but a day spent in those swamps gives a fever = ey = for months. n Spanish, the word “trocha” m boundary. It’s the same sort of thing that has been established in Texas in times of sickness of cattle. It was conceived in the last war, when the insurrection broke out in one:end of the isiand and a quar- antine was established to prevent its spreading any further. But in this war the insurrection broke out. in. ali Parts of the country at once, and the “trocha” became useless. The “trocha” is undoubtedly strong, in spite of the poor-material of which the forces are composed and the incompetence of their officers. The line between Mariel, on the north shore, and Mangana, on the Gulf of Malamano, ts guarded bya chore of small forts, and an army corps under Gen. Arola of 14,000 men, artillery, infan. try and cavalry, stationed in the towns and villages. This fs the narrowest por. tion of the island. There are only twenty- one miles to cover, and there are, there- fore, about 700 soldiers to every English mile. Cavalry and guerrilla patrols of 200 and 300 men ride the country between the towns and forts day and night, und heliograph stations, on the surrounding hills, can signal the approach of the dread- ed ‘“‘Cabecilla’’ Maceo. Some of the Towns. At Guanajay, two leagues in advance of this wall of steel, is a garrison of 2,000 regulars, to say nothing of the local guer- rilla force and the volunteer infantry. At San Cristobal, scarce four leagues from the “trocha,” is an equal garrison, which, with the forces of Guanajay, can fall back to reinforce the main line. On the Havana side is the great garri- son of the capital and Guanabacoa, within two hours by rail at the most from Banos, the apex of the “trocha.” To the south- ward lie Marianao, Rincon, Bejucal and San Felipe, each with a garrison 2,000 strong. With Gen. Arola in the center, flanked by the brigadiers, Ruiz and Barnal, a flying wedge of 15,000 men could be thrown to the point of attack within four hours under crdinary circumstances, and six hours if the rails were torn up and the troops had to march. Four warships guard the north shore and two are sta- tioned on the south. The two most important towns on the trocha are Artemesa and Guanajay. Be- tween these two towns there is an ex- cellent macadamized road. Each side of the road is efther a barbed wire fence or a stone wall, and a mud gutter. Five hun- dred yards apart are the palm-leafed shan- ties called forts. The forts can hold com- fortably about a dozen soldiers. Then there are palm groves all along the way. Insurgent Amusement. The ¢nsurgents keep up the war and at the tame time amuse themselves by creep- ing up behind the trees during the night and shooting off a carbine. The Spanish soldiers immediately fire about ten volleys up at the moon and the stars. The in- surgents call this economic warfare. For the one cartridge which they expend th Spanish expend from 200 to 500. _ After the trocha wae completed, Weyler waited for the rebels to come out en masse and attack it, but the rebels didn't see any fun in it. They occasionally went around by the swamp of Majana, or pre- tended to make a night attack on Artemisa, when some of their number would cross ever to the north. Weyler offered” them pardon if they would only come out and urrender, but they refused to be fooled. Then he sent his battalions in to chase them out, but his soldiers either got lost or killed, among the hills. ——___ +0+ —__- NOT A COURT-MARTIAL, Merely n Preliminary Examination of the Competitor Prisoners. The State Department has received abso- lutely no information of any kind from Havana or elsewhere concerning the New York World's report that the Competitor prisoners have be2n tried in Mora Castle by a secret ard summary court-martial. Under these circumstances no statement will be made at the department concerning the report, but in view of the plain pro- fons of our treaty and also of the clear requirements of the domestic laws of Spa‘n the officials are loath to believe that the report is correct. It is pointed out that under the law for public order promulgated in Havena some months ago it is absolute- ly essential that counsel shall be allowed prisoners or. trial and that there shall be no secrecy in proceedings. Under the pro- tocol of cur treaty with Spain there like wise is a provision for publicity in trials and for full representation of accused by counsel. It is believed, in view of these provisions of law, that’ the authorities at Havana would not make such a flagrant breach of law es the report alleges. From further inquiries it is apparent that the reports concerning the Competitor's prisoners are at least based on a miscon- ception of the nature of the present pro- ceedings. They have not yet been placcd on trial in the general sense of the word, the facts being that the Spanish authori ties are making an investigation of the Competitor cases similar to that provided for under our grand jury system—that Is, a scrt of preliminary examination. The con- suls and vice coasuls of Spain in this coun- try are investigating the claims of the per- | scns arrested to American citizenship. For instance, one of the men claims to be a resident of Kansas, and the consul for that district is engaged in an inquiry as to his citizenship, either by birth or naturalizo- tion From Spanish sources it is learned that there is no intention of dealing with the Competitor prisoners in a harsh or unjust manner. The World Story. A New York World special from Havana ays: The Competitor prisoners have been tried by vourt-martial in the Fortress La Cabana in spite cf Consul General Lee's official protest, filed just before he left Havana. The exceptiors taken by the prisoners were cverruled by the naval courts, Gen. Lee’s note was pigeonholed, and in defiance of Secretary Olney’s intimation of disap- proval tre Competitor’s crew and Mr. Mel- ten, the American newspaper correspon- dent, have again been tried by a drum- head couri, sitting within the walls of a Spanish fortress, where, according to Capt. Gen. Weyler’s orders, no representative of United States consulate may enter. ‘he prisoners were allowed neither in- terpreter nor counsel. ‘Those partly acquainted with Spanish were compelled to interpret for the others. So quietly was the affair conducted that Acting Consal General Sprirger does not yet know, I understand, that the case was virtually closed November 14, on which day Melton, Maza, Dr. Vedia and the witness, Geerge Ferran,were forced by Naval Judge Ferrandez to sign statements admitting their complicity in the fillbustering expedi- ticn whicn the Competitor is alleged to have brought under Monzon and Laborde to the Pinar del Rio coast. This written evidence is now under consideration by the court. Judge Saul told me today that a decision may be renderei at any moment. It is expected that all the members of the party whose American citizenship has not been clearly shown will be shot. The bera fide Americans probably will be sen- tenced to from three te ten years’ impris- cnment in some Spanish penal station off the ccast of Africa. The prisoners are much disappointed at the failure of the United States to obtain for them a civil trial and the right to em- ploy coursel. Spain, however, it seems, set tp the claim and insists still that these rrivileges, conceded by treaty to Ameri- cans residing in Cuba, can hardly be con- strued ¢8 applicable to citizens of the United States not lezally domiciled here nor visiting the island upon legitimate busi- ness with the tacit or expressed congent or licerse of its lawful authorities. ———~e.—__. An Enjoyable Musicale. The home of Miss Helen*Nye, 936 O street northwest, was crowded to its utmost ca- pacity last Saturday evening by a very ap- preciative and enthusiastic audience, who were gathered there to witness the first musicale given by Miss Nye and her pu- pils. Miss Katie Hendricks, Miss Blanche Landon and Mr. Harry Claflin made their first appearance as soloists, and were hear- tily applauded. Mr. J. Harry Davis gave a tenor solo very prettily, and Miss Nye sang three solos. The accompanyist was Miss Bessie Gardner. Among the other contribu- tors to the entertainment were Miss Blanche Reukert, in a soprano solo with violin obligato; Miss Irma Callaghan, alto solo; Miss Josie Burton, solo with violin obligato; Miss Susie Buckler, who gave a recitation of “Eugene Aram’s Dream,” and the Metropolitan Quartet, Mandolin and Guitar Club. i THE GERMAN EMPIRE. Its Rapid Change From an Agrical- tural to a Manufactaring State. The rapid change of the German empire from an agricultural to an industrial state is set forth by Consul J. C. Monaghan in @ report to the State Department. He says everywhere one sees new mills in course of construction. In Chemnitz and_there- abouts the manufacturing development is simply enormous. Nothing like it has ever been seen tefore. Hereafter, says the con- sul, Germany will do all her manufactur- ing at home, buying only agricultural pro- Gucts and raw materials abread. He cites the fact that Germany is no longer buy- irg steel rails abroad, but is making them et home. The manufactured exports of Germary during the first nine months of the current year reach the enormous total cf 18,705,000, or an increase of three mil- Mon tors over the entire year preceding. The consul says Germany must continue to look to the United States for cotton, corn and petroleum, and he says there is a lesser demand for wooden ware, car- riages, shoes, typewriters, crackers, bis- cults, etc. The importation of American textiles fell off last year because of the textile depression in the United States. The consul says Germany continues to look to the United States as the best mar- ket in the world for textiles. oS: SENATOR SQUIRE'S SUCCESSOR. The Most Extreme Kind of a Populist Expected to Be Chosen, It is said that the wildest-eyed of popu- lists is likely to succeed Senator Squire in the United States Senate. Senator Squire bolted the republican party on the eve of the election and supported Bryan. ‘There is a decided silver majority in the legisla- ture of Washington, but advices from t state indicate that Squire has a pect of re-election. Neither the stra pops, democrats or republicans have a n Jority, but the pop-democratic fusion con- trol, it being practically a populigt legisla- ture. The republicens, the silver repub- licans and the democrats stand nearly equal in numbers. It is said that nearly all the populist leaders in the state avé Candidates for the senatorship. This wit! make {t possible for the republicans to so- manipulate things as to throw the cholcé to a populist of the most radical type!’ The senatorship is expected to fall to the newly elected pop- ulist governor, who has'written a book, in which he says that a vent Is simply te: imaginary units called mills; that a dollar is a thousand such tmaginary units, and therefore 1s itself only an imaginary thing, and that there is nothing but an imaginary standard, or something to that effect. ge The Election and Miiteracy. To the Editor of The Evening, Star: A communication appeared in last Tues- day evening’s Star ‘der the caption of “Statistical Tables,” prepared by a “Gov- ernment Clerk,” whose sijatements are manifestly unfair. 9+ ~~ 1 It is not the interition of the writer of this article to furnish moré tables for com- parison, for in my first I. gave a full, com- plete and authentic statement of the popu- lation, wealth gnd percent of illiteracy in the forty-five states that took part Jn’ the selection of Maj. McKinley for the office of President of the.United States. “Government Clerk” acknowledges the truthfulness of the statement that two- thirds of the pepulation are in states that repudiatcd free silver. In this does he not likewise acknowledge the truthfulness of the particular point to which he makes such strong objections? The gentleman says tnat I included the “colored popula- tion” in the preparing of my table of illi- eracy. Most assuredly, but no more so in the column of illiteracy than in the col- umns of wealth and population. Let me ask “Government Clerk” what warrant he has for omitting the colored population from either of the tables mentioned? Are they nct a part and parcel of this great and glorious nation? Are they not also subject to the laws, of the land? Why, then, eliminate them in any such compari- son? Why not obliterate the entire female Population. of the United States? There would be just as much justice in so doing as there would be in “counting out” the colored population. The statistics furnished in_ the article so unfairly criticised by “Government Clerk" embrace the entire population, wealth and per cent of illiter- acy in the forty-five states. He says that my first article is mani- festly unfair to the southern states and un- just to the western states who supported free silver. Let me ask wherein this is an injustice to these states? Do they not constitute nearly 25,000,000 of the population and about $17,000,000,000 of its industrial wealth? Why did he select Kansas, Colorado, Ne- braska, Montana and Idaho, whose entire Population is only 3,273,000, for comparison with the states of Vermont, New Hamp- shire, Massachusetts, New York and Penn- sylvania, whose population is 15,696,315, or nearly five times as great, if, as he says, his only “object is to get at the truth?’ I quite agree with the gentleman's eulogy of the citizens of the western states. No one who has traversed that country will deny the fact that its citizens are as law- abiding, intelligent and enterprising as can be found anywhere in the world, and that the percentage of illiteracy is very small compared to its population. I can cite the gentleman to many counties in the states of Kansas and Nebraska whose every in- habitant over seven years of age can either read or write. But this is not the question in controversy. We find the states that voted in favor of repudiation when grouped together have an illiteracy of 22 per cent of their entire Population. No one knows what the per- centage of illiteracy “might have been” had not the free silver republicans in the five western states mentioned assisted in giving its electoral vote for the fifty-cent dollar. 2 “Government Clerk:’-says many econo- mists contend that the west has been a Prey to the east for, a,generation through unjust tariff legislatign. If this be true, why is it that the five states whose illit- eracy, according to his own figures, is only 3.6 of its population, have insisted from the time when they first ‘put on their’ robes of statehood on sending lawmakers to both branches of Congreds’in favor of a high protective tariff? As.a:matter of fact, the western country, including Kansas,’ Ne- braska, Colorado, Montana and Idaho, are all in favor of protection, and have so re- corded their votes inthe selection of their members: to Congress in conclusion, let me say that I insist that the tables as published in The Evening Star of the 9th instant..are absolutely and unqualifiedly correct, and, in my humble judgment, offer the only fair and equitable manner of computing percentages of this character, STATISTICS, —————_ Fatal Epidemics in Cuba. Reports from United States sanitary offi- cers in Cuba show that yellow fever and smallpox are fatally prevalent in the vicin- ity of Havana, Sagua la Granda and Cien- gugos. Dr. Burgess at Havana says he is informed that “the government has taken possession of and is occupying all of the large almacenes, or sugar and general storehouses around the harbor, except San Jose, for military hospitals and quarters for soldiers. “It is not difficult to foresee what the sanitary condition of those places and their contents will soon, be. Credible informa- tion has been given me that there are over 10,000 sick and wourded soldiers in the city and its inmediate suburbs.” *| THE MATTHEWS TRIAL (Continued from First Page.) day fternoon, about 4 o'clock, he rowed up the river, intending to meet a friend near Stoddard’s Bar. He rowed as far Chaptico wharf, and not seeing his friend -he returned home, reaching there about 10 o'clock at night, an hour before the murder Was ccemmitted about fifteen miles away. The court then took a recess until 2 o'clock. Because of reports concerning the prisoner's threat to commit suicide or other damage the court ordeved the prisoner searched, but nothing was found on him or in his cell except a small piece of !ook- ing glass. Securing a Jury. Contrary to expectation, not a great amcunt of trouble was experienced in se- curing a jury In the Matthews’ case yester- day afternoon, and after 3 o'clock the court heard the evidence cf two witnesses before adjournment. The grand jury reported a number of indictments, among them being ore against Mrs. Irwin for her alleged part in the killing of her husband. It was Stated that the state would not claim she took ary part in the actual killing, but that she knew of Matthews’ alleged deter- miraticn to get her husband out of the Way. It is now interesting to know what Was said ty Mrs. Irwin in her conversa- Uon with State's Attorney Posey and friends of Matthews fear that she is to be Put on the witness stand against him. The custcm of arraigning the prisoner as soon as the indictment was returned waz not followed in the woman's case, and this Jeads to the belief that the state does not ii.tend to try her case. On the other hand, it is claimed that her cate is to be tried. The ccurt room was crowded, many of the spectators standing on their chairs In order to get a glimpre of the prisoner and hear what was sald. Several of the spec- tatcre seemed particvlarly anx‘cus to stand immediately behind the prisoner aud some of them had to be ordered down by the court. Matthews was nervous most of the time, although at times he made an effort to laugh at some avnusing incident. Nearly three dozen of the county's citi- zens were called before the court and ques- tioned before twelve men who satisfied the court and counsel were accepted. The first member of the regular panel callqd was eligible for jury duty, for he had already served on the jury. Still there were questions to ask him about his con- victicns and the present case before he eculd be accepted. “Are you opposed to capital punishment?” was the first question asked him “I don’t know,” was his response. “Don't know?" ‘nquired the prosecutor. “If you don’t know I don’t know who does.” Explanations were mede and the man sald he was not opposed to taking life for e. “Then would you convict a man on cir- evidence alone, if the evidence d you that he was the guilty party don’t know,” juror. “What?” asked the astonished prosecu- tor. “Don't know tha Do you know vhat circumstantial evidence means?” No, sir,” admitted the member of the regular pan-l, and he was excused by the court. Most of those examined had formed opin- came again from the ions, but only one was willing to admit that his opinion was such ax to render him ineliginle. Three men who had scruples against the inflictioi were called and like’ of capital punishment ise excused. One man said he would require witnesses to prove that the evidence was circum- stantial, and the rt could not under- stand ju: t the man’s idea was. Some of the talesmen were more than willing to serve their county, while a few indicated that they were anx to be excused. It mattered not to most of them who was accepted or who was not until the name James Mason was called. Mason is the e barber. < qualified,” anrounced the court the hearts fell of those who had not brought their razors with them; but when the word “challenged” was heard scores of faces were seen to brighten. The Jury. When the work of selecting the jury was ended it was found that the jury was com- posed of Benjamin Stonestrect, foreman; Bernard M. Mudd, Robert F. Lloyd, George N. Simms, Richard T. Wheatley, Edward T. Berry, Perry Rennoe, Emanuel McMil- lan, George R. MecDaniels, John I. Jenkins, James T. Lyon and Thomas H. Murray. The jury was sworn, the clerk read the indictment, and the case was on. In his opening remarks counsel for the state said the state would contend that the prisoner was guilty of murder in the first degree. This crime, he expected to abow, was willful, deliberate and premedi- tated. ‘On the night of the murder James I. Irwin, I expect to sho was in his bed with his wife, and they were surrounded by their little children,” said Mr. Posey. nd the killing was done in cold blood. The state also expects to prove that illicit rela- tions had existed between the prisoner and the wife of the murdered man. The pris- oner at the bar had expressed threats against the murdered man; had said them and had written them, and on Friday, two days previous to the murder, he had met Irwin's wife by. arrangement.” Counsel continued that he expected to show that the prisoner had made conflict- ing statements as to why he borrowed the gun. Mr. Mitchell, of counsel for the defense, said he would reserve his opening. It was then 3 o'clock, and counsel suggested that the case go over, but the court decided to sit until 4 o'clock, and witnesses were sworn. Dr. Posey’s Testimony. Dr. Charles H. Posey, the first witness, is a brother of the state’s attorney, and lives near Allen’s Fresh, not far from the scene of the crime. In company with Dr. Spencer he went, he said, to the house of James Irwin and there found the diad man’s body lying cn the bed. His skull was crushed in; they found that there were pieces of lead in the brain showing that a gunshot wound had caused death. There was also a cut which had the appearance of having been made by a hatchet. Part of the skull was shattered and pieces of the skull were found lying on the bed as well as about the floor. The witness show- ed with the assistance of a skull how the injuries had been inflicted and ex- plained in what position the dead man was lying. The gurshot, he said, vas enough to have caused instant death. Wit- ness said he also found pleces of paper, part of the wadding, and these together with, the shot he gave to the state’s at- torney. Witness explained that the corzaer’s jury was there when he reached the house, and he thought the members of the jury had preceded him to the room. The room was a small ore, he thought about 8 by 10. ‘The head of the bed was against the wall, there not being space enough between the bed and wall for a person to pass. Wit- ness thought there was but one window in the room and this, he said, faced the road which leads to Mr. Tippett’s store. The shot, witness was satisfied, was fired from behind. When he first looked at the body he was under the impression that the wound had been inflicted with a blunt in- strument, and it was not until after the autopsy was begun that he discovered that a gunshot wound had been inflicted. The shot was fired at close range. The piece of the skull that looked és if it had been cut off with a hatchet was more than three inches long. It had been pressed into the brain. “Did the skull look as if it had moved 2” asked the after the wound was inflict state's attorney. “No, sir.” “Was there any evidence of a struggle?” “None whatever. Death was no doubt instaneous.” . Dr. Spencer Testifies, Dr. Ernest Spencer, who assisted in the autopsy, was also examined. He said that about daybreak on the morning after the tragedy he was called to the house. He was satisfied that the man had been lying on his side, and, being killed instantly, his muscles relaxed and his body turned over on its back. Counsel for the prisoner produced a dia- gram of the room, and witness explained the position of the bed and windows. “Doctor,” said the state’s attorney, “can you tell about the size of the shot you found?” “I think they were fours and sixes,” he answered. “Are any of them duck shot?” “Fours are about the size that are used for ducks.” “What was the condition of the shot?” “They were mostly mashed or broken.” Some shot shown the witness he said re- ees those taken from the dead man’s hea: On cross-examination, witness said that 20 per cent off the entire Stock until Saturday, A>Os isa Big Saving on Jewelry. — It is our annual custom to relieve the great pressure of the Xmas holiday rush by offering this discount on our entire stock for ome week, Three days yet remain in which you may take advan- Buy your Xmas gifts now at this reduction. tage of it. Exquisite goods in Silver Ware, Gold Ware, Cat Glase, Watcher, Diamonds. Moore & Leding, It 1109 Penna. Ave. N.W. E. P. Mertz Assignee Sale. Special S fro a the Mertz Stock. What a_ pri I it is admired on all sides! How ma Would not give almost anything to possess plump figure, a beautifal neck and shoulders? A woman can't be beautiful unless her ty a and pli To impror othing to compare with th ing le ‘ " stomenrs last week, amd speaks for T used Ceratine with surprising results. y three applications my bust was de. ped over two Inches, and T warmly recs d it to every woman desiring a well-shaped irs. R.W. C7 Bailey’s Chill Pills, 17¢. A sire and prompt cure for chilis and mularla—now so prevalent in Washington. soc. Bottles Syrup White Pit e, 39¢. Builds up all run-down systems and cre- ates an appetite. Cor F& uth Sts. Wine of Calisaya & Iron, 47¢ An ex, it tonle for the blood. Liebig’s Malt Extract, doz., $1.47. The best tonic for convalescents, ck brings back ‘health and happiness, CU%' Dougias’ Emulsion, 47c, xeelled for weak people. Adniirable theh Diphtheria Prevented 3 By the u stroys all of our sc. Nail Brushes, 19c. Imported Bay Rum, 43c. 25c. Tooth Brushes, 19c. Whisk Brooms, 13c. Coca, Beef and Celery, 37¢. | Sterling Si ver Penknives, 69c. S. T. Thomas (Assignee), Mertz’s Modern Pharmacy, blood had spattered on both sides of the bed, and he could see there was no indica- tion that any one other than the man had occupied the bed that night. The witness was cross-examined at length by counsel for the prisoner, and soon after 4 o'clock the court adjourned. MAY BE PEACEFULLY to Patch Up the Difficulties in the Morton Cadets. Many of those interested in the Morton Cadets were hopeful today that the con- troversy, threatening to disrupt the com- pany will be peacefully settled, and that there will be no division in the company. The older folks who have taken an interest in the cffairs of the company think they will be able to smooth the whole affair over. Second Lieut. Charles M. Robinson, jr., ‘ko was said to be one of the leaders of the bolting faction, has assured Captain Shilling that he has taken absolutely no part in the movement. Captain Shilling has beeen visited by the rents of several of the bolters, who de- sire to bring the matter to a peaceful ter- wit ie reported that the bolting faction is willing to withdraw tke articles of incor- poration filed by it. 3 _o— ONLY APPROPRIATION BILLS. ENDED. Senator Cockrell Thinks Their Pas- ange Will Be the Only Legislation. Senator Cockrell of Missouri is again located at his home, 1518 R street north- west. He was asked by a Star reporter today what legislation he expected would be enacted by Congress at the coming ses- sion. “No one can foresee what legislation will be enacted during the coming winter. The chances appear to be that the passage of the appropriation bills will be all that will be done. A short session generally doesn’t give opportunity for much legislation, though I remember we passed a very im- pertant tariff bill in the short session of Evi anything be done to help along in- ternational bimetallism?” he was asked. “There is no earthly chance for interna- tional bimetallism,” Mr. Cockrell replied, “until the United States has first estab- lished it. When the United States has es- tablished and maintained it, as it can very easily do, then other nations will probably follow, but it will never be done by inter- national agreement. Men have been dream- ing of international-agreements for years. Various international congress2s have been held without result.” ——___- e+—. Mr. Stewart's Reply. In the case of Maj. and Mrs. Geo. A. Armes against Henry C. Stewart, jr., and others, in connection with a deed of trust of $10,000 on part of lot 15, square 345, Mr. Stewart has filed his answer. Mr. Stewart denies that he has refused to account for rents collected by him on the property, stating that he has twice made a state- ment in the matter. Mr. Stewart aiso says that since July last he has been act- ing according to the directions of Judge Hagner, who then refused to enjoin a sale under the deed of trust, the judge suggest- ing that the sale be deferred until the ¥th of this month. No part of the loan has been paid, says Mr. Stewart. ‘Therefore, he prays that the order made by Judge Cox, temporarily restraining the sale, be revoked and the suit dismissed. : Ladies’ Bicycle Boots. These are the grandest rid- ig days of the whole year— it’s the kind of weather when lady bicyclists take a pride in looking their _ neatest. Nothing else “sets off” a bi- cycle costume quite so much as a trim, snug-fitting pair of Bicycle Boots. We have the only stock in Washington de- serving of the name. § Ladies’ 16-inch Bicycle Boots, in Vlack and tan— With neat, close-fitting canvas tops, Reduced to. Full-length Black and Tan Jersey Cloth 3 Bicycle Leggins. Our price, $1.00 a pair. Seeneetesenteshesboneeepeteadeahonoontonteabeabeegerantodton ea tontonsensnsedaesaronse diene aetGod ge onsen oS We have jast received A new Hne of 16-4neh Black Viel Kid Bicycle Boots—in all sizes—regu ler $4 values for. Fine Black Viel Kid and Tan Goat 16-inch Bi cyele Boots—all sizes and Widths—$5 qualities for... Oe Gostenteceecentonsoriosionteratontontenteetete ‘The sale of our Dr. Janon's Hygienic Shoes for Ladies is increasing daily. They are equal to the best $5 Shoes—our price, $4 a A TMUILY SHOE STORE, 310-312 SEVENTH ST. N.W. 313 EIGHTH ST. Why don’t you ask the Yale Laundry to send after your wash today? It'll begin an ac- quaintance you'll never be will- ing to part from. 514 10th st. Phone 1092. it