Evening Star Newspaper, April 7, 1897, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT suNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, noi Peeps — Cor. 11th St, by The E tar Com; 8. H. KAUF perm New York Oice, 40 Fotter Building. ‘The Brening Star is served tc subscribers in the city by carriers, om their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. jes at the counter 2 cents each. By mafl—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—0 cents month. ‘Satarday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.00. (Entered at th> Post Office at Wasbingtoa, D. C., as second-class mail matter.) 5 ©7-All mail sudscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. bate Che ay) ening Star. Pages 11-14. WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1897-FOURTEEN PAGES. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS!| The Height of Proposed Buildings Consid- ered by the Association. Dumping Refuse on Vacant Lots— Pools of Water a Menace to Health. ‘The regular monthly meeting of the Co- lvmbia Heights Citizens’ Association, held at St. Stephen's Parish Hall last evening, was a brief one, but much routine business was transacted. President M. A. Ballinger presided over the meeting, and he called attention te the proposed erection in Co- lumbia Heights of two or three flats. It had been suggested to him that the r a lations prohibiting the erection of a build- ing of a greater height than the width of the street would be violated, and he in- quired what action the association would take in the matter. After some discussion the executive committee was instructed to inquire into the matter and take whatever action it deemed necessary. Mr. C. M. Campbell reported from the special committee appointed in the matter nat the health officer dees not consider t the refuse being dumped in the low nds on Sherman avenue is injurious to ith. Dr. Woodward, said Mr. Campbell, k the ground that the refuse depo: isted of street sweepings,which have to dumped somewhere, and that as they not injurious to health they might as well be dumped there as anywhere else. Mr. Campbell, President Ballinger and Si retary Simmons begged to differ with the Ith officer in the matter, ig thar ney Know that refuse highly injurious io alth is being ed upon the grounds in question. Mr. Campbell said that some of the lots are owned by a man who is a candidate for appointment as Di: trict Commissioner, and he thought that if ed such refuse to be placed on hould not be appointed. President Ballinger suggested to the com- mittee that it would be weil for it to ignore the health officer in the matter and secure the arrest and punishment of every one iting objectionable matter on the nds in question. He believed that Dr. jward is an honorable man and one to do right, but he believed been misinformed. Tne com- continued, with instructions to din the matter. Campbell also called attention Mr. pools of water which are allowed to stand to in Columbia Heights. One of these pools, he said, is at the corner of 13th and Har- vard streets. on property owned by Secre- tary of State Sherman. The Secretary, he i been told, has taken no notice of a re- of the health officer to abate the nui- @ sance, and the Secretary, said Mr. Camp- bell. had told him (Campbell) that he would spend no more money on the land. Mr. Campbell offered a resolution directing the secretary of the association address a note to Secretary Sherman requesting him to abate the nuisance, but upon the sugge: tion of President Ballinger the Secretary's name was omitted, and the letter was di- to to be addressed generally to all land owners in fault Mr. Ramsey suggested that the associa- jopt a resolution asking the United Supreme Court to decide the sion cases at the earliest day, t Ballinger suggested that the S$ aS soon as pos- y suggestion from any on d did not press the Upon the motion of Mr. Campbel ve committee was instruct with the Mount Pleasant Citize m in the matter of uring the ishment of a park at the northwest of Columbia road and 14th street Previous to the adjournment of the asso- ciation the following were elected to mem- Wm. A. Rogers, S. P. Langley, tr L. North, Robert L. O’Brien, A. L. Watson, W. H. Thomas, H. I. Gregory, Clarence Y. Allen, L. A. Clarke, L. B. An- derson, David A. Floyd and I. L. Johnson. —-_>+—__ DECLARED FREEDMEN. without and Mr. Rams emancipation Proclamation by the Sultan of Zanzibar. The Sultan of Zanzibar has issued a de- eee abolishing slavery. It provides that existing rights over concubines shall re- main as before, unless her freedom “is claimed by a concubine on account of cruelty. But in general terms the concu- bines will be regarded as wives. The gov- ernment will pay compensation for all slaves leeally held. If Zanzibar is unable to meet the full expense it is believed that the imperial government will assist. The sultan explained the decree to lead- ing Arabs before issuing it, on the theory that the compensation and harem clauses e is expected, as the Arabs have i completely cowed by the recent bom- bardment. It is feared, however, that the revenues will suffer. == seo ENGLAND'S FOOD SUPPLY. The United Kingdom at the Mercy of Russia and America. Attention was called in the British house ef commons yesterday by Henry Seton- Karr, conservative, to the wholly inade- quate pr n of food supplies in the om, in relation to its large nereasing population. Mr. Seton-Karr nounced that the dependence of the Kingdom upon foreign imports for necessaries of life and the nich might arise t of war demand the the conse- therefrom in erious atten- tion of the government. Speaking to the motion, Mr. Seton-Karr expressed the be- lief that the reserve of breadstuffs never exceeded three weeks’ supply and fre- ks below a week's supply. nce, he pointed out, was self-support- and Russia and the United States were ly self-supporting, but able to make orts. The Dreibund, he continued, tically self-supporting, and Great alone lived from hand to mouth and drew her principal supplies of wheat from Russia and the United States, which might possibly, at some time, be hostile to Great Britain. Mr. Seton-Karr further remarked that, should the harvest in America fail and Russia refuse to supply Great Iritain, the latter's position would be most serious. The speaker called attention to the damage done to the commerce of the United States the Alabama and remarked that many ach vessels might be set to prey upon British commerce in time of war. He did ne © action which would raise the to consumers, but he hoped the gov- would consider the subject seri- ously and proposed that state granaries be for keeping supplies. Sir Charles Dilke, radical, contended that Russian exports of wheat to Great Britain wi jecreasing in average years, and he asserted that half of Great Britain's food came from the United States. Continuing, he said: “If the United States, Canada and Av ia can feed us, we are independent of Russia, as the interests and advantages of those countries would be so strong that we could rely upon them to supply us.” Sir Charles Dilke, continuing, said he thought the other states were not likely to take any steps in regard to contraband ing, longing for a closer union with the British colonies, both in regard to commercial and military affairs. But he scarcely thought a zollverein was necessary, and he did not think there was danger of foreign coun- tries refusing to supply Great Britain with food. The United States, he insisted, would not allow food to be declared contraband of war, as it would affect her interests, apart from her inherent sympathy for Great Britain, and, combined with the United States, Great Britain could stand against any conceivable combination of the powers. The real thing upon which Great Britain was dependent, Mr. Balfour asserted, was her navy, for which the government ac- cepted the responsibility. The discussion was then dropped. CARTER HARRISON CHOSEN. Result of the Election at Chicago Yesterday. The mayoralty election in Chicago result- ed in a victory for the “regular’’ demo- cratic ticket, whose candidate, Carter H. Harrison, received more votes than all the other candidates combined. Returns received up to a late hoer last night gave Harrison, “regular” democrat, 348,000; John M. Harlan, independent repub- lican, 72,000; Judge Nathaniel Sears, “regu- Jar’ republican, 60,000, and Washington Hesing, independent democrat, 18,000. The democrats made almost a clean sweep of all the offices in the west town and north town, and were also successful in the south tewn, although the republicans have a fighting chance to get an assessor in the last-named part of the city. Of the thirty-four aldermen the returns pointed last night to the election of twen- ty-six democrats, four republicans and four independents. Three of the independents are democrats who went upon the ticket by petition. Harrison gained heavily in the banner re- publican wards. He carried the thirty- in which he received 5,019 votes, ed with 4,281 for Harlan and 3,434 for Sears. The third, fourth and twelfth wards, which hitherto had been republican strongholds, were also carried by Harrison. One of the surprises of the election was the strength shown by Harlan. He ran second to Harrison, and, although an inde- pendent republican, with no organization behind him, he secured more votes than the regular republican candidate, Judge Sears. One thing that helped Harlan greatly was that Sears was looked upon as the necminee of the republican machine, which has grown unpopular in the ranks of the lccal republican party. Harlan got a heavy vote from men who would have voted for the regular republican nominee had It not been that they wished to ex- press their opinion of the machine. He drew some votes from the democratic party, but not many. The vote for Hesing was largely from the Germans, and came from both parties. He was the nominee of the gold demo- crats, although he went before the people on_a business men’s platform. The “regula democrats had a strong organization, and their campaign was han- dled well. The leaders of the -republican machine were not quite as hopeful as they boasted, and it is said that Sears was quietly traded for Roy C. West, the repub- lican candidate for city attorney. The campaign was contested for the most part on strictly local issues, although the aemocrats had a plank in their platform praising Mr. Wm. J. Bryan. Harrison boldly announced that he opposed civil ser- vice reform and was for a “wide-open town.” Sears and the other candidates were for civil service reform and wanted the saloons closed on Sunday and after midnight. All the candidates except Har- rison and Sears were opposing machiue methods in politics. Carter H. Harrison is the son and-n sake of Mayor Harrison, who was assas- sinated in the closing days of the world's fair. The popularity of his father was a great advantage to the mayor-elect in his campaign. He is thirty-seven years od, and has never held a political oilice. Mr. Harrison was educated at Heidelberg and Yale. During the greater part of his recent career he has been associated in the rcal estate business with his brother, Preston Harrison. He was the business manager of the Chicavo Times during the four years, when the Harrison family owned that newspaper. ++ GRANT'S TOMB DEDICATION. New York Expects a Million Visitors on the 27th. The police department and hotel men es- timate that there will be one million vis- itors to New York city April 27, when Grant’s tomb will be dedicated. There were nearly that many when Grant's fu- neral took place, twelve years ago. The entire National Guard of New York, 13,000 men, will take part in the parade, having a place in the line directly follow- ing the United States troops. Ten vessels of Admiral Bunce’s squadron, including the new torpedo boat Porter, will participate in the naval parade, five ves- sels of the revenue fleet and eleven of the light house fleet. Italy, France and Spain will represented by one warship each, and England will probably send two. Pres- ident McKinley will review the naval pa- rade after the land parade is over. The Grant Monument Association has re- ceived from the park commissioners per- ion for the removal of the body of Grant from its temporary resting ce to the new tomb. The removal will ended with great secrecy, and will take piace at night. At a conference of the general officers of the Pennsylvania National Guard yester- day afternoon it was decided that a pro- visional brigade be sent to New York to at- tend the unveiling of the Grant tomb, April 27. This brigade will likely be composed of five or six regiments, selected from the three brigades, together with a battery, one troop and a pottion of the naval re- serves. - + e+____ Complaints Against the L. and N. ‘The interstate commerce commission has begun an investigation at Savannah of the complaints against the Louisville and Nash- ville railroad. All the members of the commission are in attendance. The claim is made that the Pensa- cola and Atlantic branch of the Louts- ville and Nashville road has made an arbi- trary system of charees which compel naval storemen and oi. ‘0 ship to and from Pensacola and Mobile instead of do- ing business with Savannah as heretofore, the railroad even going to the extent of refusing cars for shipments east and de- clining to give through rates on naval stores to Savannah. A large number of naval stores producers will give evi- dence. After the naval stores complaints are sifted, the commission takes up charges relating to fertilized freights. Col. John B. Porter, chairman of the committee arranging for the dedication of the Washington monument in Philadelphia, May 15, has received a letter from Major General Nelson A. Miles, stating that he kad thus far directed to participate in the parade two foot batteries of artillery from Fort McHenry, Md.; two foot batteries and one light battery of artillery and a band from Washington barracks, D. C. and the band and four troops of cavalry of war, which would be likely to bring the United States down on them. After Mr. James Lowther, conservative, had advocated a duty on foreign grain, the government leader, Mr. Balfour, said that the peculiarity of the motion was that it had given a suitable text both to pro- tectionists and free traders. The adoption of the proposal to establish state gran- aries, he claimed, would mean turning the chancellor of the exchequer into a gigantic corn dealer. As to the commercial zolverein, Mr. Bal- four continued, he looked with considerable from Fort Myer, Va. Gen. Miles adds that these troops will also participate in the Grant parade in New York on the 27th instant. ——-—-+e+—___ Assignee Mason’s Bond. Fred.~c G. Mason of New York, the as- signee of the United Press, has been grant- ed leave by Justice Beekman of the su- reme court to file a provisional bond of $55,000 until the corporation's schedules are filed, when the amount of the bond will be fixed by the court. HAWAII DISTRAUGHT Hundreds of Japanese Immigrants Sent Back Home. FEAR OF A NEW COUP WETAT Strong Restriction Laws Being Rig- idly Enforced. MENACE TO PEACE ee Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. HONOLULU, March 23, 1897. The government of Hawaii has just taken a very serious and possibly dangerous step—one that is Hable to produce grave conflict with Japan. A determined stand has been taken in enforcing our immi- gration laws in the case of several hun- dred immigrants from Japan. On the night of the 19th 413 out of of the immi- grants per Shinshin-Maru were taken from quarantine and replaced on Board that steamer to be taken back to Japan, having, after careful examination, been found, under our laws, to be disqualified to enter this country. It is regarded as not unlikely that so severe a measure, entail- ing so much loss upon the parties con- cerned, will result in reclamations and other difficulties with the Japanese gov- ernment. A similar action is now proceed- ing in the case of 317 passengers per Saku- ra-Maru. This government clearly sees that the time and occasion have arrived for a firm stand to be taken in this matter, and that weakness or delay in doing so will only in- crease the mischief. Certain Japanese emi- gration companies appear to have deter- mined to force their people upon Hawaii in large numbers, in defiance of our laws and regulations. It seems to be a bare- faced attempt to evade and override our laws, which have been carefully enacted to prevent our being crowded with undesira- ble strangers unprovided with means of subsistence, or otherwise unacceptable. Great excitement prevails upon the subject among the resident Japanese, who resent this exclusion of their countrymen, and on the other hand, to a less degree, among our white population, who regard the in- crease of Japanese with great apprehen- sion, as well as among the Chinese, who detest them. Strict Emigration Laws. 3 The Japanese steamship Shinshin-Maru arrived March 5 with 670 Japanese passen- gers for Honolulu. They were landed to complete their quarantine period upon the sand-spit of Koholaloa, upon the west side of the harbor, where are ample accommo- dations. A careful examination by the deputy collector, as by law provided, re- sulted in finding only 25 of them qualified to enter the country. The captain of the steamer was then informed that he must take the rest of his passengers back to Japan, and that he would receive no clear- ance for his ship until he had taken them aboard. At the same time the two agents of the immigration company were arrested, to be punished for bringing the people hi The laws violate One of them prohibits any to land who is not the owner of as much as $50 in coin, as guaranty against his becom- ing a public charge. Another provision of the law permits contract laborers not so provided to enter the islands, if under sp cific contract to labor on plantations b special permit from this government. The deputy collector found that the majority of the immigrants having in their possession the required $0 were not the owners there- of, but had been loaned it temporarily for the purpose of evading the law. He also found that the majority of those claiming to enter as contract laborers were under no permit from this government. Such per- mits are issued to the plantations under careful restrictions, in order to prevent too many Asiatics from coming. The present rule is to grant permits for only half as many Japanese contract laborers as Chi- nese, and to require 10 per cent of the con- tract laborers to be Portuguese or other Europeans. These agents were attempting to run in over 200 contract laborers for whom no permits had been previously se- cured. Delay was then interposed by recourse being taken to the Supreme Court in be- Lalf of the immigrants. It was claimed that they were entitled to enter and locate in Hawali under the existing treaty made in 1871; that they were unjustly restrained and deprived of their liberties, and that they were threatened by the collector gen- eral with deportation. The collector made return to the court that the petitioners were aliens; that after careful examination it had been determined that they lacked the necessary qualifications required by law for admission to this country and that they must therefore be deported. A lengthy traverse to the collector's re- turn was made by counsel, denying that any legally conducted examination of the right of these Japanese to land had been made by the deputy collector, or that any legal decision thereon was made. It was claimed that the court should inquire into the proceedings, in order to ascertain if the statute relating to the landing of aliens in the Hawaiian Islands (act 66 of 1894) had been complied with. Counsel also claimed that the deputy collector's decision was not final, because not communicated to the immigrant Japanese, so as to enable them to appeal to the collector general; also because no opportunity was given them to consult counsel, in derrogation of the treaty right of Japanese subjects to remain and reside in these islands, like subjects of other nations and with like privileges, which in the case of treaty with Spain specify. the right to free and easy access to courts of justice and em- ployment of lawyers or agents. Following the United States. Several days were occupied in hearing this case. On the 17th the court rendered its decision against the Japanese. It was held that the treaty provisions as to coun- sel applied only to aliens actually resident, and not to aliens not yet landed, but un- der examination as to their right to land. Those treaty provisions, moreover, apply only to judicial proceedings, whereas those conducted by the deputy collector were only executive, and not judicial. The act direct- ing the examination to be made by- the deputy collector does not conflict with the treaty with Japan, because it makes no discrimination between Japanese subjects and those of other countries. Has the statute been complied with? Ref- erence is made to decisions of United States Supreme Court, relating to act of Congress of March 3, 1891, from which our statute was mostly taken. Both statutes exclude certain classes of undesirable per- sons, and confer upon certain executive of- ficers the duty of inspecting all alien pas- sengers, and deciding upon their right to land. The United States court decided that such officer “is made sole and exclusive judge,” “and no other tribunal” can “re- examine or controvert the sufficiency of the evidence on which he acted.” Under those United States decisions “‘the proper inspection officers are required to go on board any vessel bringing alien immigrants @ud to inspect end examine them; and may for this purpose remove and detain tl on shore without such removal being con: | sidered a landing, and shall have to administer oaths, and to take con- sider testimony touching the right of aliens to enter the United States’ “Noth- | ing 1s left for the court to inquire into,save only whether the petitioner is an alien, and whether the collector has made a deci- Following the United States precedent our court dismissed the petitions of the Japanese immigrants, ana remanded the petitioners to the collector general. This action of the court was followed by in- creasing excitement on both sides. A mass meeting of Japanese adsembled the same evening, at which somé intemperate lan- guage was used, and resolutions were passed declaring the action of the govern- ment to be “in contravention of the ‘most favored nation’ clause in its treaty with Japan,” wherefore be it resolved ‘That the Japanese residents in Honolulu communi- cate threugh their consul with the gov- ernment of Japan, stating the facts of the case, and abide by the decision of the of- ficiails in Tokto. The proceedings of the court were closely watched by the Japanese consul. general, Shimamura, who is known to be greatly exercised about this business, and who in reply to very close questioning early in the affair by a newspaper representative used some language respecting it which seemed to exceed the bounds of diplomatic pro- priety. He seemed to regard the restric- tions placed upon the landing of his people as a derogation of treaty rights. Therets. the best reason to believe that he has al- ready made strong representations to his government, and has urged the hastening of the expected war vessel. What Will Japan Do? The decision of the court was rendered on the 17th The whole of the two ensuing days were closely occupied by Minister H. E. Cooper, who has the department of for- eign affairs, and is also acting attorney general, in a very careful re-examination cf all the cases of the immigrants detained for deportation. The Japanese consul gen- eral was invited to participate in this in- quiry, which he did for several hours. He was then permitted freely and apart to conduct independent inquiries among the immigrants. It seems to have been thought expedient in this first serious case of ex- clusion under the law to give the fullest opportunity for correcting errors, also to construe doubtful cases with leniency. The final result of over twenty-four hours’ hard work was that out of 535 persons previously rejected by the deputy collector, 122 were passed by Minister Cooper and Collector Castle. The remaining 413 were re-em- barkei upon the steamer, without the use of active force, or any but passive re- sistance from the officers of the ship. Both parties were undoubtedly advised by the consul general to obey the government peaceably, trusting to have any wrong done them set right by Japan. Successive parties were embarked, as the decisions in their cases were completed, between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m., up to which hour the officials continued their labors. The steam- er sailed for Japan on the: 20th. Although serious apprehension cannot fail to be felt as to the attitude and action which the government of Japan may take in so serious a matter as the refusal of admission to 400 of their people, and their compulsory return, this government have no misgivings as to their legal and moral right to take this action. At the same time they are most strongly convinced of {ts urgent necessity. No delay is permissi- ble in putting a stop to attempts to over- ride what partial checks treaties permit us to apply to prevent being overrun by an alien and somewhat turbulent race. A firm stand must be taken at once, or suc- ive importaticns will rapidly follow continue until in a very few years the Japanese will outnumber the rest of our population, and take the affairs of these islands into their own hands. This is not an imaginary danger. We constantly receive the most positive infor- mation from experienced missionaries in Japan that the idea of annexing Hawati is widespread and popular there. The large number of their people going and coming have familiarized the public mind with the delightful climate and resources of Hawali, as well as with its central com- mercial importance. Both there and here the Japanese do not hesitate to declare that Hawaii naturally belongs to them, They are already largely in cccupancy of it, and will soon be in the majority. Such being the ardent popular aspiration in Japan for holding this central and con- trolling point in the Pacific, it will be more or less difficult for their government to resist it, however sensible they may be of inevitable cpposition from other powers. And they will be under strong pressure forcibly to resent the present adverse at- titude of Hawaii. A Possible Japanese Uprising. A very considerable peril is becoming ap- parent from the disposition of late develop- ing in the native and half-white royalists toward the Japanese. Significant intima- tions for some time past in the native royalist papers, and even in the small En- glish daily of that stripe, make it quite clear that they are entertaining a definite scheme, as soon as the. Japanese are a little stronger here, to unite with them and seize the government, restoring the mon- archy. The Japanese, who are full of po- litical ambition and audacity, would read- ily join in such a scheme, sure that them- selves would be at the top and control queen and everybody else. The natives can hardly be so blind as not to see the danger of this, but their avowed sentiment is “bet- ter the Japanese over us than these Ameri- cans.” I speak of the feeling of a consid- erable royalist body of natives, not of the whole, large numbers of the best of them recognizing the salutary character of the present white domination. Such an event is not a remote danger. With a few thousand more Japanese it would be liable to happen any day." Indeed, with the presence of thelr warships to lend them confidence, it might be accomplished with present numbers, many of whom have had active military experience in their late war. The government so established would be nominally the old monarchy, nominally independent. Practically it would be a de- pendency of Japan. Such’ a government would entertain no thought of union with the United States, but would promptly ap- pend itself to Japan, whenever the latter deemed it safe to propose it. The present situation is a very critical one, unless American protection is exerted in a more efficient manner than we now haye eny assurance of. The little oid- fashioned Marion now represents the United States protection of us. Probably in a few days a Japanese ship will arrive which could handle half a dozen Marions. An illustration of the restlessly violent character distinguishing Japanese from Chinese is now being given on the great Spreckelavilip plantation on Maui, where the people of a large Japanese “camp’’ or village clubbed to death a Japanese inter- preter who did not please them. Five of the ringleaders having béen run into Wai- lukee jail, 300 of the rest marched toward Wailukee, eight miles distant, but hearing that the town was guarded, most of them went back. About seventy Japs went on and patrolled the town all night, while fifty armed police and citizens stood guard over the jail. A week later the same 300 marched down to Kahului to meet their consul, who was expected up to look into the affair. He was detained here by more serious business. It is evident that these “little brown men” are capable of making any amount of trouble if duly organized and supported, and without the check at present exercised by their own officials to keep them in order. A large body of this dangerously explo- sive material is: ready to. be set in action whenever Japan in combination with our royalists may quietly give the signal. Hawaii is on the American side of the Pacific, and naturaly belongs to the white race. Only the most fatuous neglect on the part of America. will permit Japan to oc- cupy and control this group. One hundred aud sixty-three of her 316 passengers have been reshipped upon the Sakura-Maru, and are compelled to proceed with her to. Sedt- ile, and perhaps Japan, 3s completed, and all resumed over the main ————+e-. If you want anything, try an ad. in Star. If anybody has what you wish, will get an answer. EAST WASHINGTON Important Subjects Considered at Last Night’s Meeting. RECLAMATION OF THE FLATS ‘Engineer. Commissioner Black Ex- presses an Opinion. THE CHARITY QUESTION 5 Great enthusiasm was created at the meeting last evening of the East Washing- ton Citizens’ Association by Mr. Tracy L. Jeffords, who, in making a report as chair- man of the committee “for the reclama- tion of the Anacostia flats,” stated that the first practical step taken in the matter by a member of the body which is to provide the money to make the improvement, if it shail be made, was initiated during the day by Senator McMillan, who introduced in the Senate a bill to appropriate $10,000 for the purpose of making the necessary surveys and securing such other informa- tion in the matter as is necessary for Con- gress to have before the latter can adopt @ plan by which the flats can be converted into the great park which it is hoped some day to have on the south side of the Ana- costia river. The entire report made by Mr. Jeffords was very interesting, but much of it has already been published in The Star, having been printed subsequent to the recent meet- ing of the committee having charge of the subject, which took place at the city hall. Mr. Jeffords explained at length the steps which have been taken by the committee, and said that one of the greatest difficul- ties in the way was the fact that the Ana- costia river above the Navy Yard bridge is unnavigable, and that heretofore it has not been customary, except in unusual in- stances, to appropriate public funds for the improvement of that class of streams. While Mr. Jeffords was speaking Engi- neer Commissioner Blake dropped in to the meeting room, and in closing his remarks Mr. Jeffords announced the fact. Capt. Black’s Opinion. Chairman Babson requested Capt. Black to come to the platform, which the iat- ter did, and he was given an ovation. In respense to recuests frem various mem- bers for his opinion on the subject, Capt. Biack in effect assured those present that he was heartily in favor of the reclama- tion of the Anacostia flats, and would do all in his power to bring the issue to a successful conclusion. There was, he said, a vast amount of information necessary to be secured as to ownership of property to be benefited and possibly some damaged if the proposed improvement is made, but all of which, he thought, would be ready for submission to Congress when that body meets in regular session in December next, Capt. Black further stated that if the flats are reclaimed, there would be no doubt that the navy yard would become vastly more valuable to the government than it now is, or has been for many years, as the channel would be much deep- than at present, and much larger ves- els would be brought there to be repaired, if the Secretary of the Navy should se de- sire, than is now the cace. Opening the Library. At the meeting President J. W. Babson presided and Judge O. B. Hallam was sec- retary. After tiie reading of the minutes of the previous meeting of the association were read and approved, the chair gave a review of the work which the association has undertaken, and said further that he was glad to be able to say that he and the other members of the executive com- mittee had spent a part of an evening with Capt. Black, the new Engineer Commis- siover, and all were well pleased with him and believed that the latter- would prove a worthy successor to Major Powell, who was always a friend of East Washington. The remarks of the chairman were made previous to the arrival at the meeting of Capt. Black. Dr. Patten, chairman of the committee on schools, to whom was referred the sub- ject of the opening of the new public library at night, made an interesting address on the subject, in the course of which he quoted from a letter written to him on the subject by Mr, A. T,. Stewart, super- vising principal of public schools in the southeastern section of the city, a report from a congressional commitice on the subject as follows: “The joint committee on the library would suggest the advisability of such further ap- propriations as may be necessary for the employment of an additional force in order that the library may be opened at night for the use of the general public.” Dr. Patten said he believed that if the agitation of the subject was continued the efforts of the association to have the library opened at night would be success- ful. The action of the trustees of the Cor- coran Art Gallery in opening the gallery Sunday to the public would, Dr. Patten said, he believed, be a powerful influence in favor of the opening of the library, as many of the best people of Washington go to the former, and if it was not for the fact that the gallery is open on Sunday they would never have an opportunity to examine the paintings and other works of art there. Mr. Girouard said there would be no use for the association to attempt to get any appropriation from Congress at the extra sessien for the purpose of having the Mbrary opened at night, because it was well understood that no important changes would be made in the appropriation biils, as they have already been reported to the two houses. Gen. Yoder thought it would be worth while to make an effort to secure the ap- prcpriation desired, especially as it was understood by many persons that Con- gress would soon take up matters of gen- eral legislation. Mr. B. W. Clark indorsed the remarks of Gen. Yoder, and on motion a resolution was adopted authorizing and requesting the committee on schools tu call on the proper committees in Congress and urge an appropriation for the purpose sought to be accomplished whenever in the judg- ment of the committee it would be proper and wise to do so. Caring for the Poor. Gen. Yoder, from the committee on health, police and charities, made the statement that his committee was anxious to secure two improvements, the reclama- tion of the Anacostia flats and the adop- tion of a plan by which the poor of the city needing aid, and who do not belong to any church or society, can be reached and helped. Gen. Yoder recalled the fact that the association had adopted a plan for dividing the city into districts, with friekdly visitors in each, and had explain- ed the plan “to Surgeon General Stern berg of the army, who is supposed to have @ sort of general supervision of charity matters in the District, but no expression of cpinion has been had from Gen. Stern- berg on the subject. Gen. Yoder con- demned in strong terms the superintendent of charities, who, he said, has an office and. a secretary, but performs no duties except to make up reports from other re- and draw his salary regularly. ~ Mr. B. W. Clark moved that the commit- ee — on ith, police and charities be in- eall-on the special committee authorised by Congress to investigate the entire subject of District charities anda sapien thee Disa: ‘This led to a long dis- Mr. Jeffords said he did not think the committee was appointed for the purpose of hearing any suggestions as io plans for the distribution of charity, but to_investi- gate those institutions to which Congress votes money. Mrs. Emily Briggs,in an entertaining man- ner, related her experience in trying to help all the individual cases of deserving poor people who called on her, and that after working in that line for about five months she was compelled to relinquish the task from physical exhaustion. Mr. A. R. Sperry and General Ydder said their views as to the work about to be be- gun by the special committee in Congress, referred to above, coincided with those of Mr. Jeffords. The discussion after this threatened to take a wide latitude and President Bab- son explained that the object of the plan of the association was to provide prompt relief to deserving poor people without de- lay, and he believed that this if tried would be found to be the only feasible way to care for this class of the poor and to reach those who are without claims on the usual channels of relief. “It is a way in other words,” said Mrs. Briggs, sotto voce, “to reach the devil's poor.” Explanation was further made that the plan of the association did not contem- plate asking Congress for any appropria- tion, and the question was as i, why if this was the case it was necessary to con- sult any congressional committee in refer- ence to the matter. The resolution au- thorizing the association's committee to call on the special committee of Congress was adopted. Mr. Hallam offered a resolution, which was adopted, requesting the committee on public parks and spaces to call the at- tention of the proper authorities of the District to the fact that there are miss- ing trees at 5th and C streets southeast and other places, those formerly there hav- ing been destroyed by the cyclone last year. Se CHICAGO BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS. Taking Steps to Prevent Defalcation and Restore Confidence. Fifty secretaries of building and loan asscciations, representing thousands of de- positors and millions of capital, met in Chicago Monday evening. They gathered to devise a plan which would prevent fur- ther defalcations of officers and restore public confidence in building and lean as- sociations. It was unanimously agreed that the re- cent troubles reflected no discredit on building associations as such, and that more stringent legislation and economical administration of affairs would prevent a recurrence of the recent failures. As a first step to bring about a better state of affairs, it was decided to organize a federation of societies, and a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for such an organization. A num- ber of the secretaries present favored an association of the societies on the lines of the bankers’ clearing house, governed by a sort of board of control, to which no society would be admitted excep: after a thorough examination of its standing. ee ee REVERSED THE UNCLE. How President Barrios of Guatemala Won the Support of the Church. Guatemala is in the turmoil of an elec- tion. The steamer Newport has brought news to San Francisco that the fight be- tween President Barrios and ex-Minister of War Prospero J. Morales has stirred up feeling In many factions. Barrios and Morales cre bitter enemies. Barrios sub- jected Morales to severe discipline while the latter was minister of war. Morales resented Barrios’ action. In a ft of anger he resigned from the ministry and an- nounced himself a candidate for the presi- dency. His announcement was favorably received and his support steadily increased. Then Barrios became alarmed. He feared opposition to his re-election and began to lcok for opportunities to increase his popu- larity. While the Newport was at Guatemala Barrios had so far succeeded in his plans as to win the support of the church party. About ten years ago ex-President Barrios, the uncle of the present chief executive, exiled from Guatemala Archbishop Cas: nova, a porular ecclesiastic. The nephew Barrios ordered Casanova's return, at the same time promising the churchman re- instatement. The archbishop returned to the republic and was met by Barrios and a large delegation of supporters. When the Newport left Guatemala, a grand reception was/ being arranged for the exile. NEPHEW —_——-+ee- CLAIMS AGAINST TURKEY. A Vigorous Policy by the Adminis- tration to Secure Settlement. The administration has under serious consideration the adoption of a vigorous policy for the settlement of the claims against Turkey on account of the destruc- tion of American property during the Ar- menian troubles in the fall of 1895. As nas been already indicated in The Star, the pres- ent plan contemplates the sending to Con- stantinople of Gen. John W. Foster, former Secretary of State, as a special envoy, with the rank of ambassador, to secure from the sultan the payment of the claims which have been filed and the speedy trial of those American citizens against whom charges have been made by ‘Turkish cff- cials. The President probably will send to Congress a message recommending that authority be given to him to commission a special ambassador for this purpose, and while no name will be proposed by the message, Mr. Foster will be intrusted with the mission in the event that Congress gives to the President the power which he desires. Mr. Foster has already been asked to undertake the mission, and al- though he was at first reluctant to accept it he finally consented to do so on certain conditions. Under the proposed arrange- ment Mr. Foster may be sent to Turkey when the resignation of Minister Terrell is accepted, to serve there as envoy ex- traordinary, with the rank of ambassador, until his work has been performed, end then give place to the minister who will be appointed as Mr. Terrell’s successor. Several questions are at issue between the United States and Turkey as a result of the Armenian troubles, the unsaiisfac- tory adjustment of which the sultan bas postponed from time to time, and which the administration desires to settle. Claims amounting to $150,000 have been presented on account of the damage done to the Eu- phrates College at Harpoot, which is the property of the American board of foreign missions, to the Marash Theological Sem- inary and the residence of an American missionary at Hasquey, a suburb of Con- stantinople. The new administration desires to secure the payment of the claims for damages preferred by Mr. Terrell; to secure trials for Mr. Knapp and other Americans against whom charges have been made; to gain permission for Mr. Knapp to retura to his post, and to have the consuls who have been accredited to Turkish cities rocog- uized. Members of the Senate committee on foreign relations and the republican zeaders in the House who have been con- sulted are of the opinion that a bill to authorize the President to send a special representative to Turkey would not be op- posed in Congress. ——__o-_<_ Spanish Opinion at Havana. The Union Constitutionale, conservative, of Havana, commenting upon the capture at Fernandina, Fia., Saturday last of the tug Alexander Jones by the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius, says that the adminis- tration of President McKinley shows that it is sincerely decided to comply with the neutrality laws in suppressing filibustering expeditions, and expresses the hope that it will be successful in preventing the in- surgents from obtaining assistance until the revolution ends, a climax which is sald to be approaching rapidly. ; It matters little what it BOTH WANT THE ROAD Sale of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Line. The Southern Seaboard Are Re- garded as Sharp Competitors for Posscasi. The decree of Judge Simonton of the United States court at Wilmington, N. C., for the sale of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad is likely, it is said, to pro- duce a pretty warm contest between the Southern and Seaboard Air Line when the property is put up at auction, as it will be, cn a day yet to be named. The Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley has been in the hands of Gen. John Gill of Bal- timore, as receiver, for several years past, and has been operated in the utmost har- mony with the Southern railway furnishing it with a direct outlet a mington, N. C., on the Atlantic coast. Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley taps Southern at Greensboro’, Wilmington, but extends almost 70 miles further north, and has a branch line from Bentsville to Fayetteville, i The Seaboard Air Line al 3 from Charlotte, N. C., to Wilmington, miles, but the possession of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley would enable them, some believe, to shut the Southern out of a direct route to Wilmington and compel the latter to send all their freight and passen- ger traffic to and from points on their main line by the more circuitous one via Golds- boro’, where the Southern already has a terminus. A fight for the sale of the road has been in progress for some months betw: a committee representing a number of New York bondholders who, it was understood, favored the Southern Railw Company as the final purchaser, and a committee repre- senting the Baltimore bondholders, who the 178 miles from have, ft is said, received an offer from the Seaboard Air Line Company. The former committee wanted the road sold in sections, the Baltimore committee contended that tho property should be dispcsed of as an en- lrety, and the latter won in the lower court. The Lowest Bid Limited. ‘The decree provides that the entire sys- tem covered by all the mortgages shall be sold as a single parcel, and that no bid shall ve received for the property exclusive of the rolling stock and the interest in the lease of the South Carolina Pacitie railroad which does not equal the sum of $2,000,000, The decree also provides that after the payment of expenses the proceeds shall be distributed as follow: : Fifty-five per cent to series “A” bonds, 19 per cent to series “B” bonds, 19 4-10 per cent to series * bonds and 66-10 per cent to the branch on the property covered by the consolidated mort- gage. The rolling stock is to be sold separate! and also the Interest in the South Carolin Pacific lease, and the rolling stock will be divided as follows: Seri ." $72,000; series “RB,” $60,000; series “C," $94,000. The lease of the South Carolina Pacific is an asset of the entire road, and of any particular branch. The bonds are dis- tributed as follows: A division, 146 miles in length, § B division, 70 miles in length, C division, 82 miles in length, 000, Mr. William H. Blackford, chairman of the committee of Baltimore bondholders, in speaking of the result of the suit, said: “Judge Simonton's decree has settled the point on which the whole fight was prac- tically made, that a road, consisting of several divisions, but built under one char- ter, cannot be parceled out and sold by divisions, but that the sale must be made as a whole, and the proc vided among the holders of the divisional bonds upon the basis of physical value, as wel as the earning capacity of the different divisions.” What is Likely to Be Done. Another authority sald: “Whie it is possible that the New York committee which endeavored te secure a separate sule of the A division, may take an appeal, It is not thought they will do so. If they do not, the Baltimore committee proposes to buy in the property at the public sale and proceed with their plan of reorganization. It is alleged that a large majority of ihe holders of the outstanding bonds have cast their lot with the Baltimore commit- tee, including over one-third of the A bonds. It is stated that while the case has been pending the A bonds have sold consider- ably higher than others owing tc the sup- position that they were more valuable, be- cause the division on which they are @ mortgage lies between the Seaboard and Southern railways, and it has been under- stood for some time that President Spencer of the latter company was after it. It has also beer. said, as above mentiored, that the Seabcard people have already made an offer for the entire property ——— “Want” ads. in The Star pay because they bring answers. ——___ __ Hagar Elected in Kentucky. The news from the thirty-fourth Ken- tucky senatorial district last night that Hagar, the democrat, has certainly won in the special election to choose a succe: or to the deceased Senator Salyer, has dashed one hope of Hunter and his sup- porters. They hoped that Atchison, the republican, would win and put Hunter within two instead of three votes of an election. He believed that he had one more democratic vote ready to come to him, and that Stege, the republican, would come back to him whenever his vote would elect him. But Hagar’s election and early arrival may result in Ogilvie, the sick democrat, being brought to Frankfort, when seventy votes would again become necessary to a choice, and Dr. Hunter would be four instead of three votes short of election. +. Suicide of a Murderer. Cc. F. Kicupfer, who killed C. R. Dodge and Alexander Borland at Newhope six weeks ago, and who had since been in the ccunty jail at Stockton, Cal., hanged him- self in his cell yesterday morning with a handkerchief tied to the grating of the window. He was dead when found. ourryawes: = In Honor of Miss Willa ‘The memory of Frances E. Willard will be perpetuated in the Northwestern Uni- versity by a life-size bust of white marble, which is to be presented to that institution during commencement week, The bust will be given to the college, which is Miss Wil- lard’s alma mater, by Mr. J. C. Schafer, a wealthy resident of Evanston, Ill. Our Diplomatic Relations. Mr. Hoar introduced in the Senate yester- day a resolution directing the Secretary of State to ascertain and report to the Senate from time to time the following particulars in regard to each of the nations with which the United States has diplomatic relations: The amount of taxes or excises and the mode of collecting the same. Statistics of exports and imports and methods of collecting duties. Tariff laws. Several objects of public expenditure, Judicial system. List of crimes, offenses and punishments, Members of the army and navy. Police or other arrangements for preserve ing the peace and enforcing the law. The adminis:rative mechanism. Method of enacting laws. public poet A have practically the wi ve the determination of what laws shall be put upon their passage.