Evening Star Newspaper, April 22, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ———+-_— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, Seg eer wiig Cor. 11th &, by ao B. H. KAUPYMANN? Prost” “ Bow York Ofice, 40 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents week, or 44 cents per month. at the Sounter 2 cents each. "By in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents month. i aaterday Quintuple Sheet tts #1 per year, with (Entered at the Post’ Omice at Wash'agton, D. C., as second-class mail matter.) Che Fvening Star. ———————— No. 13,772. WASHINGTON, D. C.. THURSDAY, APREL 22, 1897-FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. JUDGE HOLMAN DEAD The Great “Objector” Passed Away This Afternoon. —__+ HIS LONG LEGISLATIVE CAREER Important Services Rendered Dur- ing Many Congresses. HIGH LEGAL ABILITY SS Representative W. S. Holman of Indiana died this afternoon “at 2:05 o'clock. The members of his family have been with him all day, for they realized that the vend was not far off. Mr. Holman had been seriously ill for about ten days. Early in the month he had a fall, as a result of an attack of vertigo, and since that time he has steadily grown worse. More than two weeks +go he complained of feeling badly, and ex- pressed the intention of going off for a rest and change. He was never able to get away, and soon after,that he took to his bed. At one siderable improvement in his condition, and his family hoped that he might recover. A few days ago he took a turn for the worse, cime there was a con- and since yesterday he had been uncon- scious and under the influence of opiat He passed away without recovering con- sciousness. Mr. Holman has occupied a hands»me house this winter, 2125 R street, and was Icoking forward with great interest to renewed activity in Congress. The news of his death will cause genuine regret to a large circle of friends. He was just entering upon the thirty-first year of his connection with the House. His four chil- dren are all in the city, Mrs. R. E. Flet- cher, Mr. Wm. S. Holman, jr., Mrs. Fred Harvey and Mr. Paul Holman. Sketch of His Career. William S. Holman was a native of Dear- born county, Ind., and wasi born September 6, IS, at his father’s homestead on the Ohio river hills, near Aurora. He was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood and at Franklin College, Ind., where he studied two years. When he was twenty years ef age his father died, and this prevented his completing his college course. He studied law, and when of age, was admitted to the bar and at once began the practice of his profession in his native county. In the same year in which he was ad- Miited to practice, 1843, he was elected probate judge of Dearborn county. He was chosen prosecuting attorney in 184, and in 1850 was elected senatorial delegate from Dearborn county in the constitutional convention. He was a representative in 1851 in the first legislature under the new constitution, and was made chairman of the judiciary committee, although one of the youngest members of the house. While @ member of the legislature he supported Most of the reform measures which he- came laws, and secured the passage of the bill which extended the township system to the several counties of the state. From 1852 to 1856 he served as common pleas judge, and during his incumbency received a commission as circuit judge, but held the office of common pleas judge until the end of his term. Thirty-eighth, Fortieth, Forty-first, ‘second, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, -seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, Fift third and Fifty-fifth Congresses, and nh: Ss served for a longer period than any other western man. He has always acied with the democratic party. During the war he “as a Union democrat, and supported the War measures of Mr. Lincoln’s administra- tion and voted for all the appropriations tnade for the suppression of the rebellion. He brought forward many of the measures which became laws touching the increase = pay and the bounties of the Union sol- iers, Judge Holman while in Congress earn- y oppesed the subsidy system from the r ie resources, either in bonds, lands or imoney to promote private enterprises. He has opposed all forms of class legislation. He was an earnest advocate of the home- stead policy. He has generally been a member of the committees on war claims, commerce and @ppropriations. At the last session of the Forty-fourth Congress he was chairman ot the committee on appropriations and also of the committee on public buildings and grounds. He was chairman of the com- mittee appointed by the Forty-eighth Con- gress to inquire into Indian affairs. in the Fifty-second Congress he was chair- man of the committee on appropriations, ‘and in the Fifty-third Congress was chair- wan of the committee on Indian affairs. Judge Holman was a fcrmidable candi- date for the United States Senate in 1875 and for governor in 1876 and 1880, and was talked of for the democratic nomina- tion for President in 1844. As a lawyer he has stood in the frent rank 9f his pro- fession. ———~-2______ ALWAYS A DEMOCRAT. Dentes That He epablican Ticket. The attention of Commissioner Ross was today celled by a Star reporter to a state- ment contained in an editorial of the Post of the 15th instaay, which was to the effect that the Commissioner “was a supporter of the republican tieket and platform in the last campaign,” and the Commissioner was asked to state what the facts were in regard to the matter. Commissioner Ross said: “I did not sup- pert the repubjican tieket in the last cam- paign. I have never in all my career given support to any other than the democratic ticket, and to that ticket FE have uniformly given my support, except during the last campaign. I took no part in that cam- paign other than to write the letter recent- iy repubitshed in The Star, but. attended strictly to my duties aw -Commisstoner of the District.” THE PRECEDENCE QUESTION Sir Julian Pauncefote Has Made No Oommu- nication About It. He Has Not Protested te the Graat Monument Committee — What His Friends Say. a= “I have not communicated with the Grant memorial committee, the Secretary of State or any one else regarding the place I should be accorded at the ceremony to take place in New York,” said Sir Julian Pauncefote when called upon by a Star re- porter at the British legation today. “The stories that I have protested to the com- mittee are mere inventions.” Sir Julian said the question of precedence at the New York ceremony was one that would be decided at the State Department. Persons close to the ambassador state that the question of precedence of diplomats is one of international law, which will be de- cided by a reference to the standard works. The fact that the ambassador, they say, is the personal representative of the sovereign gives him the position that would be oc- cupied by the sovereign if present in per- son, and is so interpreted abroad. It has been stated that at a dinner given by Gardiner Hubbard, when the Vice Presi- dent and the British ambassador were both invited guests, Sir Julian declared his intention of leaving the house if he wer: not accorded the place of honor to the right of the host. The ambassador's friends declare that, so far from that being the case, Sir Julian was offered the place of honor Gn that occasion, but declined, telling Mr.Hubbard that, as the Vice President was entering upon his office here, the dinner being given in his honor, he wished the first place given to the Vice President, which was done. The friends of the am- bassador are laying much stress upon the fact that at a dinner given at the home of Secretary Olney, when the President, Vice President and ambassador, among others, were present, the ambassador was given the precedence of the Vice President. These sentiments are far from being in- dorsed by well-informed people generally. It is declared by many that the office of Vice President is unique, and has no par- allel abroad. The Vice Pr2sident being elected by the people as the rightful suc- ‘or to the presidency, in the event of the inccpscity of the President, they say, he should be accorded a place second to that of the President on all official occasions. The Grant memorial committee may have another question of precedence to decide in acdition to that raised by Ambassador Pauncefote. It is announced that ex-Queen Liliuokalani intends to go to New York to attend the ceremonies at the Grant tomb next week. The ex-queen and her party intend to leave Washington Monday and go to the Albemarle Hotel, New York. Her apartments have been engaged on the sec- ond floor overlooking the route of the pa- rade. It is understood that correspondence has passed between the ex-queen's “grand chamberlain” and the committee on ar- rangements, but the nature of the corres- pondence has not been disclosed. The ex- queen and her “court” expect to remain in New York three days. ————__-e-_.. THE PERRINE LAND CASE. Senator Pettigrew Filed a Minority Report on the Investigation, Senator Pettigrew, from the committee on public lands, today flied a majority re- port on the result of the investigation of the Perrine grant in Florida conducted during the last session. He takes issue with the majority and contends that it is the duty of Congress to declar2 the grant forfeited, and of the executive department te cancel the patents and punish the of- fenders. He says that ‘No compliance on the part of the ferrine heirs with the pre- sions of the grant has ben made, but by fraudulent, pretended cempliance patents have been secured to nearly 34 acres of public domain in fraud of ine rights of the people of the United States and without any consideration whatever. ‘The report also expresses the opinion that “there are both fraud and misiake of fact of the officers of the government in issuing the patents.” He says there are indications of collusion en the part of the officers of the govern- ment in helping aiong “this netarious and fraudulent transaction." 9 chief Interest in ‘he matier is be- cause the Perrines are related to ex-Presi- dent Cleveland. A BENEFICIAL EFFECT. Pension Office Clerks More Attentive to Their Daties Today. The announcement made by Commis- sioner Evans regarding clerks who are tardy in reaching their office in the morn- ing, and who leave the building for an hour or two now and then to attend to private business, had a very apparent effect on the force of his bureau today. There were very few* of the employes of the bureau who arrived there after 9 o’clock this morning, and they remained at their desks without leaving the building, except dur- ang lunch time. ‘The publication in The Star last evening also caused quite a stir among certain ones of the office who are said to be in the habit of going to their daily labors with eyes showing that their hours for sleep were greatly curtailed on account of indul- gences in wine when it was red or beer when it is frothy. Speaking to a Star re- porter today, an old employe of the office said he had frequently noticed clerks come to work when they had difficulty in walk- ing steadily, and had on many occasions advised such men to go home’ instead of going to their desks. “I have looked out for such ‘men this morning,” he said, “but I have failed to discover any one who did not appear fit for hts duties. The publication in The Star has created quite a scare among the clerks. They have discussed it in groups this morning with much interest, and there is a prevailing idea that the commissioner proposes to enforce his declarations, which is having a very good effect on all hands.” —_+e~- QUALIFIED TODAY. of War Meikie- . John Enters om His Daties. Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn of the War Department qualified this morning and entered at once on the discharge of his new duties. The oath of office was admin- istered by Mr. A. N. Thompson of the chief clerk's office, after which the new as- sistant secretary recelved all the bureau officers and the clerks and employes of the Secretary's office. Mr. Meiklejohn is a tall, address and and bids fel to be a most popular offical. He ig well known here through his former service In Con- gress. —_——_-e-—______ THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS. Both Nominations Expected te Be Fa- vorably Reported Temeorrew. ‘There will probably be a meeting of the Changes in the government printing office: Wm. H. Fisher, Jesse F. Grant and promotea £ + AT THE WHITE HOUSE| THE: SILVER COMBINE|AT THE NAVY YARD|THEY SAW AN AIRSHIP Effort to Secure Commutation of Fearson’s Sentence. MORE TALK ABOUT JUDGE DAY The People Who Called to Office Today. : THE TEXAS DELEGATION ———— ee T. C. Taylor, the attorney for Lum Fear- son, saw President McKinley today in be- half of his client. Mr. Taylor told the President that both Juige Cole and ex- District Attorney Birney have signed the petition for the commutation cf sentence of Fearson. He said to the President that there was no record in the courts of the District of a President refusing a com- mutation of sentence when the presiding judge and prosecuting attorney were fa- vorable to such action. Mr. Taylor called to the attention of the chief executive the law passed by Congress seven days after the conviction of Fearson giving to juries the power of doing away with capital punishment. Mr. Taylor ar- gued that this was practical abolition of death sentences in the District. Miss Virginia Fearson, the oldest child of the condemned man, was at the White House to see the President, but wae re- strained by Mr. Taylor, who feared she would be unable to hold up under the strain. Mr. Taylor has been hard at work for several days, frequently visiting both the White House and Department of Justice. It is not known what kind of a report was made on the case by Attorney General Mc- Kenna. Mr. Taylor, however, is very hope- ful that Fearson’s sentence will be com- muted. Secretary Porter does not see any let-up in tye White House crowds. There were five men in the crowd today who didn’t want office. This was an unusually large number. . The promincnt visitors of the day includ- ed George M. Puliman, the famous car magnate; Prof. Andrew D. White, the new ambassador to Berlin, and Theodore Roose- velt. A delegation of ladies attending the migsionary meeting at the Calvary Baptist Church was received by the Presiieut in the east room. = ‘The President continues to have the Alas- ka governorship brought to his attention. This was done today, when Representative Hull and H. M. Creighton of Ohio saw the President in behalf of Col. J. H. Creighton of Iowa, for governor of the distant terri- tory. It is said that nothing has been set- tled as to the offices for Alaska. Col. Creighton has been a prominent republi- can of his state for many years.. Conger May Get a Mission. Towa men who have talked with the President about ex-Representative E. H. Conger of Iowa and about the foreign mis- sions which have not been filled, say that Mr. Conger will be given a South American mission. He prefers to go as minister to Brazil, which he formerly held. There ts, hcwever, sharp competition for this mis- sion, and if Mr. Conger cannot go there, he will be satisfied with something ‘equally as good.” They Have Lots of Candidates. North Carolina politicians turn up at the ‘White House nearly every day with a new candidate. They are not likely to miss anything from lack of aspirants. Senator Pritchard and Representative Linney pie- sented John M. Brower to the President today. Mr. Brower is one of the men who were talked of as opponents of Senator Pritchard in the last senatorial race. He is now presented as an applicant for chief of the bureau of engraving and pritting. Maryland Matters. Senator -Wellington and Representatives McDonald and Baker had a pleasant talk with the President tgis morning about Maryland matters. They went pretty fully into the wants of Maryland republicans. Senator Wellington presented a candidate for recorder of deeds of the District. Jas. T. Bradford, a well-known colored poli- tician of Baltimore, is the man. Despite the stories that ex-Representative Cheat- ham of North Carolina is to get the place, Senator Wellington intends to make a strong pull for Bradford. Arthur Stabler of Montgomery county, a candidate for fourth auditor of the treasury, was intro- duced by the delegation. M. M. Holland, the District candidate for recorder of deeds, was at the White House today for a conference with the President. Many Consular Applicants. Consular applicants are losing no time in filing their papers and in getting indorse- ments. Representative Simpkins of Massachu- setts presented J. W. McGregor of his state as an applicant for a foreign berth. Senator Fairbanks of Indiana presented W. W. Kennedy as suitable material for the Vera Cruz consulship. Representative Stone of Pennsylvania has an applicant in Wm. Stadlander of his dis- trict. The consulship at Dusseldorf, on the Rhine, is the place he covets. Representative Low of New York neglects HO opportunity to push the application of James Kehnedy, who has the Leith consul- ship for his ambition. The same is true of Representative Mitchell of New York, who is earnest in his endeavors for Col. Chas. N. Swift, who wants @ good consulate and is not particular where it is. Senator Mason and Martin B. Madden, the man who was a strong candidate for the illinois senatorial toga, were White House visitors. Mr. Madden is not seeking office for himself or anybody else, and simy y wanted to shake the ‘President’s hand. Jesse Tulle, a candidate for marshal of southern Iiinots, was presented to the Pres- ident by the two distinguished callers. ———_—_o-____ NEW CHILEAN MINISTER. Arrival of Senor Irrasaval at New ‘ York. NEW YORK, April 22.—Among the pas- sengers who arrived today by the Colufi- bien Hne steamer Finance from Colon was Senor R. Irrazaval, Chilean minister to the United States and representative to the postal congress at Washington. Senor Ir- canes was formerly postmaster general of —— NO QUORUM VOTED. Republicans at Frankfort Refused to Answer the Roll. ‘A Scheme to Defeat the Tariff Bill in the Senate. Information. Given . the President— ‘Will Watch the “ef the War f™ the East; “One of the mist observant of the repubii- can senators: called on the President last evening and told-him that from informa- tion he had picked up, he was satisfied that the silver combine in the Senate intend to defeat the tariff bill if they can. He said that he did not think an organized conspiracy for this purpose had yet been effected, but a scheme was on foot under the influence of some of the Gemocratic leaders, and that it looked as ‘if the whole combination would eventually fall in with it. The republicans are being given to un- derstand that no interference will be made with their reporting thé bill from the com- mittee, but the President’s informant said that he had good reasons to believe that this information was misleading. He expected that the comtbine would at- tempt to overturn all the Work of the sub- committee and either defeat the bill out- right in the Senate or logd it with an amendment which would be destructive of its purpose and result In lingering death. The President expressed great surprise at this information, which was contrary to his general understanding of the situation, and said that the republieans should be on the alert. One suggestion made.in this connection is that the action of the: opposition will be influenced by developments in the Buro- pean war. A general war in Europe grow- ing out of the struggle between the Greeks and Turks would result in a great increase in the demand for American products and serd prices up to a high paint. It is said that the combine senators will hold up the tariff, at least until they are satisfied what will come of the “eastern situation,” and that if it becomes grave enough to have a@ pronounced influence on jiness in thi country, they will endeavor to defeat the tariff bill in order to prevent tariff legisia- tion being credited with the consequent improvement in business. e+ ____ PRESIDENTIAL N@MINA&TIONS. Harold Sewall to Be,MMinigter to Ha- wati—Many Postmasters Named. The President today sent te the Senate the following nominations: State—Harold M. Sewadl of Maine to be envoy extraordinary ané minister plenipo- tentiary of the United States te Hawai. .Treasury—Thos. H. Phair of: Maine, col- lector of customs, distmict™ of Aroostook, Me.; James S. Hariman tf Maine, collector of customs, district of Belfast, Me.; Assist- ant Surgeon Ezra K. Sprague of New Jer- sey, to be a passed assistant Surgeon in the marine hospital service of .the United States. M ‘ Postmasters—John B.° Hinds, Decatur, Ala.; James K. Barnes, prt Bmith, Ark.; Bennett C. Atwood, Watertown, Conn.; Johua A. Fessenden, Stamfogd, Conn.; D. E. Peiper, Fitzgerald, ‘Ga.; ben 8, Cor- win, Peru, Ill.; Thos. 8. Fekete, East St. Louis; Ill.; J. H. McArthur, Oakland, Iowa; JA. Conerd, Atlantic, Iowa; Jos. W. Jarna- gin, Montezuma,.Ia.; J. B. Kennedy, Troy, Kan.; Alex. Cestia, New Iberia, La.; Jas. H. Phair, Presque Isle, Me.; Chas. B. Jones, Rockville, Md.; Edwin O. Shaw, Newaygo, Mich.; Iver Iverson, Halstad, Minn.; E. F. Joabert, Wheaton, Minn.; Seth J. Arnett, Madison, Neb.; Geo. W. Tilton, Epping, N. H.; Moses N. Harshaw, Lenoir, N. C.: Starling W. Waters, Warren, Pa.; James Lewis, Canton, 8S. D.; Wm. Drawe, Caero, Tex.; Esta Witcher, Rockdale, Tex.; Jas. B, Seargent, Orange, Tex.; Chas. P. Smith, Martinsville, Va.; James Craig, Waynes- boro, Va.; Cassius C. Pillshury, West Su- perior, Wis. Effect of the Noniination. ‘The appointment of Harold M. Sewall of Maine to be minister to. Hawaii is regarded as having important bearing on the ques- tion of annexation. While Mr. Sewall, who is at present Im Washington, will not dis- cuss the question at this time, it is well understood that he is in sympathy with’ the annexationists. Mr. Sewalt has talked over the whole question with the Secretary of State, and thoroughly understands the attitude of the administration toward Ha- wall. The appointment, being made £:. this time, is regarded as dndtcating that the Hawaiian question is. at: present under serious consideration, and; the selection of Mr. Sewall seems indicatlve-of the aqmin- istration’s policy, which nit be a reversal of the blundering policy of Mr. Cleveland. Mr. Sewall is quite familiar with the si uation on the Pacific.islands.. He was consul at.Apia, Samoa, and spent some tim? at Honolulu im 1887, stopping there on his way to Apia at the request of Assistant Secretary of te Porter. Dur- ing the past ten years he has spent con- siderable time in Hawai, and has made a study of the people and their conditions, ‘both under the monarchy and since tie establishment of the republic. His exten- sive end influential acquaiftance there will serve him well in his prégbnt mission. Mr. Sewall, though a republigan, is a son of Gen. Sewall, who was a candidate for Vice President of the silver ty and on the ticket with Mr. Bryan. ung Sewall was formerly a democrat, but tas been a re- publican for several yi » and took an active part in suppor the republican presidential ticket at’ th it election. He is about thirty-eight ygars’ old, and was born in Bath, Me. He. was’ inted consul general to Samoa by» Prosident Cleveland, but left that office on 4ccount of his dis- agreement with the policyjof Mr. land, which he regarded ag un-American. About the time of -his disagreement with the Cleveland administ: became a re} ican. He was ite-at-large Maine to. the rep fi tional con- vertion at St. Louis last year. - oo TODAY'S CONFRRMAMIONS. Mr. Sewall’s “Nomi =m: Promptly Acted Upen by @enate. The Senate in exec: ) mgpsion today confirmed the following’ ions: Har- old M. Sewall of to, bes minister to Hawail, James A> Smit Vermont to be consul at Leghorn, Ii 8, Harri- son of Pennsylvania to and consul general at R. Moore of New York to be of internal deputy coi Milton C. Phillivg of sownes: for. the United Lively Fire Gives Work to the De- partment. ONE OF HE BUILDINGS RUINED Marines From Barracks Rendered Effective Service. FLAMES UNDER CONTROL ee An alarm of fire was sounded from the alarm bex at the navy yard about 1:30 o'clock this afternoon because of fire in one of the big buildings ir the yard, and a few minutes later several companies of the fire department were on hand. The flames were discovered by one of the men in the yard, who telephoned to the gate, and an alarm was sent in without any delay. When the firemen arrived and the blaze was seen coming through the roof, a second alarm was sent in, and additional companies were scon on hand. Chief Parris was among those to reach the scene early and he di- rected the efforts of the firemen to keep the flames from spreading to other build- ings. Some difficulty was experienced in getting water, some of the streams being very lit- ue larger than streams sent through gar- den hose. This caused more anxiety than ever on the part of the officers of the yard, who feared that the fire department would not be able to cope with the flames, but Chief Parris, seeing the danger, ordered some of the men to pick up their lines and get water from the river. This was done, and the chief said he was confident that the flames would not go beyond the outer walls of the building in which the fire started, This is known as the naval examiners and retiring board’s building. The offices of the steel inspectors are also in the building: Capt. E. R. Robirson of the barracks was scon on hand, and he ussisted the fire de- partment as much as he could by ordering out all the marines from both the main bar- racks and the navy -yard. The Origin. It {s thought that the tire originated on the top flocr of the three-story building, and that spontaneous combustion was the caus, because of the amount of paper and Perhaps some oily substances stored there. There were no explosives in the build- ing, and when this became known those who were in the yard were willing to ven- ture nearer the scene of the fire. At first it was reported that some dynamite ws Stored there and that there was danger of @ wholesale explosion. But beyond some oils stored in the cellar there was nothing to cause alarm. The marines worked with as much will as did the firemen, and they rescued rec- ords and furniture enovgh to furnish a large building. Their movements were made with as much regularity as the move- ments of the engines in front of the build- ing sending’ the streams of water from the fire plugs and river. But there were some amusing incidents connected with : these clock-work movements, for the men never seemed to forget they were soldiers, and no matter how much of a load they were able to get they moved off and made room for others. Several of the big marincs were seen in the fire lines carrying as littic as one book, a few sheets of paper or a pair of scissors, but there wes nvt the slightest confusion nor was there any broken furni- cure. Under Control. . Chief Parris, with his men, attacked the fire from the front and soon had the roof covered with firemen. The marines, who assisted the fire department by their hard work, prevented a greater spread of the fire. Adjoining the scene of the fire is the residence of Captain O'Neill. At one time it looked as if the fire would consume the building, and the occupants left in .haste, watching the fire from a point of vantage on_the lawn. The fire laddies fought bravely, and be- fore 3 o'clock the fire was well under con- trol. £ Water Needed. So intense was the heat during the pro- gress of the fire that the slate roof gave way to the flames, and every few minutes part of the roof would give way, until finally most of it was destroyed. Despite the fact that there was a scarcity of water, the firemen got the flames under control in @ comparatively short time, and prevented the total destruction of the building. There ‘was no powder or other explosive stored in any building close by the one that was burned. A number of clerks were in the building at the time, but as the fire started on the floor above them, the flames gained considerable headway before it was known that there was anything wrong in the building. As already stated, most of the valuable documents ‘were recovered and removed to the lawn in front of the burning structure. Before the firemen finished their work, however, all this material had been re- moved to one of the big buildings by the marines under the direction of Capt. F. H. Harrington of marine headquarters. The damage, it 1s thought, will not exceed $10,000, Chief Paris discussing the fire with a Star reporter, complained bitterly of the scarcity of water, and seemed very much astcnished at the scant supply at so im- portant a place as the navy yard. When the flames had been almost extinguished Chief Parris directed some of the compa- nies to return to their houses in order to keep the city well protected. Soon after the fire-alarm was sounded against them have been lost with the pa- pers destroyed. ~ = ee THE MAILS IN ALASKA. ‘A Conference as to Their Transporta- tion to Be Held. isto discuss the carriage of the maiis from Juneau to Circle City, and the re- sult probably wil] be a distinct saving to this government in contract cost through Mysterious Object Watched by Many People Turned Out to Be am Official Aero- piane Kite That Was Flying Over Fort Myer. That mysterious airship once more. Re- ports have had it that it was seen by per- sons in Denver, headed eastward. Next ir was heard from in Iowa. Then it was fly- ing merrily over western Pennsylvania; headed for Lake Erie. There were a great many people in Washington this morning who were morally certain they had seen it saHing over the Potomac and gradually disappearing from view over the Virginia hills back of Fort Myer. It seems that the mysterious object in the heavens first attracted the attention of some rivermen in Cumberland’s boat house, at the foot of New Hampshire avenue. They in turn notified the man in charge of the Analostan club house ‘nd- joining, and gazed wonderingly at the aerial stranger. Glasses were brought into requisition, and with their aid the cbject seemed to bear resemblance to a canvas box, oblong in shape, some said a mile or more in the air, and at that great distance apparently a yard or more in dimensions. The rumor spread in the nelghborhvod, and the employes in Littlefield & Alvord’: yards, at the Cranford paving works an: in Heurich’s brewery were considerably ex cited over the discovery. The residents in that vicinity stood in the streets or peered out of windows, gazing iniently on the mysterious ship. Undoubtedly it was some floating obj and not, as was suggested by some sk tics, the top of a tower of xome building, the base of which was »bscured in the haze. It was seen to sway in the wind and to reck from side to side, now turning Its breadside to the eyes of the intent eb- servers, displaying its expansive width: now shifting in position until it seemed thin line. With strong glass two dar objects were to be faintiy discerned within the ship, and the more imag se watching its flight made these out to be the navigators of the mysterious craft. The supposed ship was first sighted shortly after 9 o'clock this morning. It was then high in the heavens and appear- ed to be hovering over Fort Myer and the Arlington reservation. It was seen by hurdreds of veraciovs citizens, who will make affidavit, if necessary, to the fact. It remained in view until after 11 o'clock and then was lost in the haze in the hori- zon. Several of those who saw it are con- fident that it was traveling southward. No wings or smokesta-ks appeared to be attached to the craft, and those who watch- ed it both with the unaided eye and with the help of glasses were unable to see any propeller or to determire the motive power that speeded the skip on its southerly course. Of course, the capital city of the nation dees not wish to be passed by without « visit from the airship when that vessel shall have been constructed and successful- ly launched end navigated. No doubt those who so quickly jumped to the conclusiun that the ship had this morning arrived will be chagrined to learn that the supposed ves- sel was none other than one of the weather bureau kites which was sent up back of Arlington for purposes of meteorological experiment. So Washingtonians will have to wait a while yet for a real, live airship. ——— COL. HAY IN LONDON, The Ameri Ambassador Calis at the Foreign Office. LONDON, April 22.—The United States ambassador, Col. John Hay, accompanied by the secretary of the United States em- bassy, Henry White, called at the foreign office this afternoon and saw the permanent officials of that department of the govern- ment. 3 All the afternoon papers cordially wel- come Col. John Hay, the new United States ambassador to the court of St. James, and remark upon the good taste he displayed in his speech in reply to the welcome yes- terday of the mayor of Southampton upon the ambassador's arrival at that port. The Pall Mall Gazette confesses to a feel- ing of relief at the fact that Col. Hay promises to be more reticent than his pre- decessor, and leave arbitration, the tariff and the fisheries alone. The Giobe says: “His antecedents justify the hope that he will emancipate himself ~ sufficiently from party fetters to represent the repub- lic as a wkole. He is likely to be less in evideuce on public platforms than some of his predecessors; but-that can scarcely *e regarded as a fault, for loquacity is not a cardinal virtue in a diplomat.” The St. James Gazette remarks: “Col. Hay is aware that his welcome here is sincere enough to need no gush. Doubt- less he will do his best to promote good- will betweer. ourselves and the United States. Perhaps his services will be cailced into play earlier than expected. The set- tlement of the Honduras boundary dispute with Mexico is remarkably like a violation of the great Olney-Monroe doctrine.” —$_o——__ TRIED TO KILL KING HUMBERT. A Political Crank Attempted to Stab Him. * ROME, April 22—At 2:30 this afternoon, while King Humbert was on his way to the races, a man named Pietro Acciarito, an iron worker out of employment, at- tempted to std#b his majesty with a dagger. ‘The man was seized before he could carry out his purpose, and the king proceeded to the Campanelle race course, seemingly un- moved. On arriving at the race course his ma- jesty was greatly cheered. Acciarito appears to be a political fanatic. He says he has no accomplices. ee TRIAL OF THE ANNAPOLIS. ‘The New Gunboat Of for Her Official Test. sailed twice over. i oe WARSHIPS AT DELAGOA BAY. TURKS NEAR LARISSA Edhem Pasha’s Advance Guard Within an Hour'’s March. HE ESTIMATES HIS FORCE AT 35,000 Greek Warships Go to Seek a Naval Engagement. ep eeieon PLANS FOR INTERVENTION Eas é VIENNA, April The Neu Free Presse publishes a dispatch from Consten- tinople saying that Edhem Pasha, the Turkish commander-in-chief, has — tele- graphed to the sultan announcing that his advance guard ix within an hour's march of Larissa. The Turkish general adds that he has a force of 35,000 men with him. He esti- mates the Greek army opposing him to number 40,00) men, and esses the howe that the fall of Larissa, “with the help of God, is imminent.” PARIS, April 22.—The situation on the Thessalian frontier, according to a dis- patch from Athens today, Is considered to be highly critical. It is feared the troops, exhausted by three fighting, will be unable to re longer the furious attacks of the The correspondent of Le Journal at Athens telegraphs that in the advance 1 Damasi the Greek troops suffered } and that the Turkish mous. At ioughazi losses were - entire Turkis') two The Sent of War. companies were annihilated while trying to capture the Greek batteries. Continuing. the dispatch says that the Turkish fort at Viglia is surrounded by Greeks, who are trying to silence the six Turkish batteries remaining in position. Even these, it is further stated, are not supported by in- fantry. 1 Combat Proposed, ATHENS, Greece, April 22.—It is reported here that the Greek fleet is proceeding tOward the Dardenelles for the purpose of metting the Turkish fleet stationed there. A dispatch received here from Arta to- day ennounces that Major Sontzo, with two squadrons of cavalry, has captured three villages which were occupied by two Turkish battalions. A third squadron of cavalry has oc- cupied Fort Salegova, on the Gulf of Arta. The Turks retreated, leaving three cannon and a quantity of dynamite in the hands of the Greeks. 1 a.m.—The latest advices to the govern- ment from Larissa as to the situation at Damasi seem to indicate that the eartier rumors as to the fighting there were in- accurate in important details. A battle has taker place on the Damasi plain. ‘The Greeks approached close to Damasi, but they have thus far failed to capture it. LONDON, April 22.—According to a spe-, cial dispatch from Athens, mass Greek citizens have occurred near Prevesa, the Turkish togn at the « Gulf of Arta. The Greek troops, it is sail have stormed five v! ccupted by the Turks. Pashing Through the Pass. Headquarters of ihe Turkish Army, Mi- loune Pass, Tuesday, April 20, 5 p.m.—De- layed in Transmission.—The Turks are be- ing rapidly pushed through the Milouna Pass to the plain in front of Tyrnav Since 2 o'clock this afternoon an artillery duel between the Turks and Greeks has been proceeding at a distance of two miles. In the meantime Greek reinforcements have been pouring over the bridge beyond the town this side*of the river Xerlas. The Turks have carried several Greck positions on the heights above Tyrnavo, but the town and a small hill on this side are sill in the hands of the Greeks. SOPHIA, Bulgaria, April ‘The Turk- ish authorities, fearing a Bulgarian raid into Macedonia, have reinforced the Otio- man troops holding the passes of the Rilo mcuntains. The Macedonian junta has its headquar- ters here, and has decided not to act until the result of Emperor Francis Joseph's coming visit to the czar is known. The Macedonian junta expects important de- velopments from this visit. LONDON, April 22.—A special telegram from Bucharest, Roumania, says that the Roumanisn minister for war has ordered the garrisons on the Dobrudscha frontier to be reinforced by two battalions of troops. The King of Roumania has post- poned his foreign trip.