Evening Star Newspaper, February 7, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Peonsylvania co Cor. 11th 8t., by The Evening Star New Com: *'S.H. KAUFFMARN, Pret. New York Offce, 49 Potter Baildinz. served to subscribers in the account, at 10 nonth. — Copt By mail—anywhere in the postage prepaid—50 cents Frening Star ts ¢ ‘son certs each. sor Canada ay Quintuple Sheet zo postage added. $3.0¢ ed at Post Office at Washington, D. C.. -class mail matter.) tions must be paid in advance. made known on fication. CAN ONLY WATCH NOW — Star, $1 per year, with >». German Complaint Suspected to Be a Pretext. ——__+__ —_— DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICANS The Use of Boracic Acid in Curing Hams an Example. PLAINS r White at Berlin has by cable te Department confirmed the tion of the de- nt relative to an e following cablegram was received turday: “Hamburg consul reports examination commenced and ail fresh fruit admitted ex- ty-one cases where claim is made insect was found. No trouble about i fruit.” said at the department that there is ing to do on our part but to watch the workings of the decree as a means of ng the spirit in which it was conceived, whether it was framed with the single pur- pose of keeping out diseased fruit, ot whether it was a mere pretext to prevent the competition of our fruit with that of German produc That the department has reason t » latter is evident comes to it from Barnes at Cologne, ul points out the local German against American hams. The con- n his report incloses the following lation of a decree printed in the local newspapers of Cologne: Horaciec Acid on Hams. “The chief mayor publishes the following nol American hams have been brought into the market which wer> painted with beracie acid in order to preserve them. Al- though they were carefully washe ly impregnated with boracic acid, and erys- of borax had formed on the bone, as shown by the results of the chemi :al court of correction is of th> opinion of is a poison liable mitted to keep on s 1 with boracic against this or- cording to 0, touching this statement, the con- pork is cured by what is known as th» ‘wet process’ (the dry process rt in America being unknown), and re- quires the following ingredients in the ration, to wit: Thirty per cent of b cld, 30 per « of nitrate of potash per cent of common salt. In view composition of this pr2paration, it at the court ef correction per- of a limited q y of bo- the people of this country in ing of their meats, whi and forbids the use of the the meats coming from ar- America. cid in American an products d_ health- r words, boracic while in » against American meat pro- and only the greatest care in prep- n and the most careful selection will st s, and, it is to be hoped, cure in this country the proper of the superior quality and rties of the pork products healthful pr: ef America.” Complaint Agninst German Wines. In connection with the s®bject of exelu- sion of American products from Germany, it may be s a fact of interest that he U had for some time past a sainst Germany which h spirit of cour- marked — con- t of the rman this last ex- = it in operation s compla an ¥ w imported into tities so great of our fresh fruit in slume insignificant by com- Department, having rected to the statements ny relative to wines, laid fore the German government afforded it an opportunity aracter of the wines. Only atisfactory answer has so ed, and although that was our government has not upon taking radical action, matically speaking, the ques- en. n of Bremen has made a State Department in regard railroad charges of lumber, trem which it appears that discriminating to German charges are levied against American pitch pire. Lumber, the consul explains, is ed under two classes, the ¢ ‘wes being m.uch greater in the case of class one, as, for instance, the charges from Bremen to for class cne is 33 cents, while cents. nd is now, the practice of sian railway,” adds the consul, American pitch pine in class one, shippers claim: it should be “8 two, as similar woods from y ard other countries are 1, and as American pitch pine, it is id, is sted when the railway officials are hot aware of its origin. The trade in American pitch pine in Bremen ts consid- and the Prussian railway is the ly means b: which it can be conveyed into the trterior. This discrimination ts keenly felt by those engaged in the trade, and the hope is entertained by them tkat e way may be found by which ft can be I am informed,” concludes the hat the Oldenburg government, over whose reads this lumber is often con- veyed for short dist not only not make this discrimination, TWO LOCAL MEASURES. ills Introduced in the Senate by Mr. MeMillan. today introduced in the jon prepared by the Commissiomers for the relief of gardeners and truckmen selling >of n raising on the south site of B street between 7th and 13th streets this city; also a bill prepared by the to amend the act of July 24, 1892, relating to the duties of the dis- bursing officer of the District. See Sa Secretary Alger Takes a Drive. Secretary Alger was so much better to- day that he was able to indulge in the pleasures of a drive about the city. It is expected that he will go to Fort Monroe before the close of the week to fully re- ecuperate. The trip will probab): made on a lighthouse tender, 2 fies: Mr. McMillan 2a proc Che Hven q Star. No. 14,021. WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1898-TWELVE PAGES. FIRE AT ATLANTIC CITY/AT THE WHITE HOUSE | NOT MUCH GOLD ExPECTED|THF CRISIS AT HAND Half a Block of Buildings Swept Away This Morning. Academy of Music, Bryn Mawr Hotel and Several Other Buildings Go Up in Flames. ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., February 7.—A fire which originated in the Academy of Music this morning, destroyed a half block of buildings, entailing a loss of about $65,000 before being brought under control. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Of- ficer Robinscn discovered smoke issuing from under the board walk in front of the Academy of Music. A general alarm was sent In, but before the engines arrived the Academy of Music was enveloped in flames. The fire spread to Lapre’s confectionery store, and there communicated to the rear of the Bryn Mawr Hotel. The flames quickly spread to Bacharach's ing store, Rutter’s School of Phre- Myers’ Photograph Gallery, the Mime bath houses, Smith’s rolling Gold chair establishment and a portion of the vitascope parlors on the board walk. For a time it looked as if the Berkeley Hoicl, the largest hostelry on Kentucky avenue, would sure’ be destroyed. Tne rear of the hotel adjoined the burned build- ings and the stiff westerly wind fanned the flames towerd the big house. Several lines of hose were run out of the hotel windows and the side of the building and surround- ing property was thoroughiy drenched. The 5 in the Berk Hotel hurriedly cked their clothing aud prepared for a y exit, but the wind shifted at this rad this alone saved the building. e floor of the big board walk for a distance of half re was so badly damaged by the flames that it will have to be entirely rebuilt. The heaviest losers are: Academy of Music, entirely destroyed; loss, $30,000; insura small; owned by Joseph Fralinger. Lapre’s confectionery store; loss, $5,000. Gold Mine baths; loss, $4,000; owned by S. Merv! Stewart McShea's household goods stored over the Academy; loss, $2,000. Bryn Mawr Hotel; loss, $10,000. Bacharach’s furnishing store; stock, $1,000. Owing to the fact that the property de- was all beach front buildings, there y little insurance, the insurance com- nies refusing to take the risks except at very high rates. The Academy of Music was destroyed by fire in 1893. s. loss on ————— FUNDS FOR THE STRIKERS. Little Change in the New England Cotton Mill Situation. NEW BEDFORD, Mass., February The beginning of the fourth week of the cotton mill operatives’ strike showed noth- ing but the same apparent determination en both sides to stick to their respective pesitions until the cther ylelds. Secretary Cunnane of the joint strike committee has issued a statement saying that the total amount of money received up to Saturday, February 5, at 9 a.m., was $1,345. “In looking over from outside sources, TZ the amounts received ” says Secretary Cun- rane, “there is every evidence that New Ergland is beginning to wake. The peo- ple of Lowell, Lawrence and -Boston in particular give encouraging signs.” Arbitration Offer Ignored. BIDDEFORD, Me., February 7—The arbitration committee of the board of trade bave as yet made no progress in the propos- ed efforts to remedy the strike situation here. A communication has been sent by the cemmittee to the Dressers’ Union, which inaugurated the strike, expressing the will- ingness of the committee to try to open negotiations between the mill management and the operatives if the strikers so de- sire. No answer to the communication has yet been received. The three corporations still remain shut down. Se JOSEPH P. SMITH'S FUNERAL. It Will Take Place at Urbana Tomor- row Afternoon. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, February 7.—The funeral arrang>ments of the late Joseph P. Smith, at Urbana, Ohio, are in charge of Mr. Jas. B. Johnson, an intimate and close friend of the deceased, but have t.ot yet been completed. A number of details are y2t to be perfected. Services will be held at the family resi- dence tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock, and the remains will be temporarily placed in @ private vault. Indications point to a very large attendanc> at the services ef men prominent in political affairs from Washington and throughout Ohio. —. IN INTEREST OF W. J. BRYAN. His Friends in Ohio Will Organize State in His Interest. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohic, February 7.—Demo- erats have tak2n the first step toward nursing Bryan's political boom for 1900. A number of party leaders gathered at Co- lumbus yesterday afternoon at the office of Allan W. Thurman, and it is understood outlined a plan whereby the Ohio delega- tion might be delivered solidly to Mr. Bryan. The movement therefore appears to be an anti-McLean and pro-Bryan deal, and will be followed by a complete organization of the state. The probable candidacy of John R. McL2an for the presidency in 1900 is the situation which is most embarrassing for the friends of the Nebraskan. McLean haz a strong hold on the political machine in Ohio. It was therefore decided to begin the work of county and district organiza- tion at once. —— ORIGIN OF SAN JOSE SCALE. Troublesome Pest Came From Europe via New Tasmania. SAN JOSE, Cal., February 7.—San Jose has attained an undesirable and undeserv- ed notoriety in cornection with the neme of the fruit-tree pest which has spread terror in the official circles of the German empire. It has been inferred that San Jose has been the birthplace of the dreaded scale, and that the fruit trees in this city have been af- fected by it. As a matter of fact the scale in this coun- try has been practically stamped out of existence, and in regard to the name, it was foisted on San Jose because the first efforts to eradicate it were made here. ‘The scale, or Shield louse, was imported to this state from Tasmania over twenty years ago and originally came from Europe. It had a healthy existence in the world long before there were any fruit trees in this counmtry—long before the name of San Jose was attached to it. It was known to entomologists and may be found mentioned in the works of Canstock. Sir Robert Peel to Go om Stage. LONDON, February 7.—It is reported that Sir Robert Peel is to adopt the stage as @ career, aS Sie Austrian Cruiser at Santiago. HAVANA, February 7.—A dispatch from Santiago de Cuba announces the arrival there of the Austrian third-class cruiser Donau, of about 2,300 tons displacement. The President Fills the New York Judicial Vacancy. A LARGE NUMBER OF POSTMASTERS Selection of the Successor to Collector Clagett. GUARDSMEN COMMISSIONS ‘The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: Justice“Edward B. Thomas of New York to be United States district judge for the eastern district of New York. George G. Covell of Michigan, attorney of the United States for the western district of Michigan. A. Oren Wheeler of Michigan, marshal of the United States for the western district of Michigan. Treasury—Wm. H. Powell of Illinois to be collector of internal revenue for the thir- teenth district of Mlinois. Christopher C. Wimbish of Georgia to be eurveyor of cus- toms for the pert of Atlanta, Ga. To be collectors of customs—Henry T. Dunn of Georgia, for the district of Bruns- wick, Ga.; Joseph H. Short of Mississippi, for the Vicksburg district, Mississtop1; Frank E. Lee of Texas, for the district of Galveston, Texas. To be consuls of the United States— Lewis M. Berg of Texas, at Durango, Mexico; Frederick W. Goding of Mlinofs, at New Castle. New South Wales; Jacob’ H Thierlot of New Jersey, at Lisbon, Portu- gal. Postmasters—New York—Edwin V. Hard, Cobleskill; Fred C. Nagle. Dunkirk; Joha D. Van Nostrand, Flushing; Nathan Van Wagenen, New Paltz; John Dwyer, Sandy Hill; Levi A. Shove, Brewste: ‘Titus Coan, Albion; Robert M. Skillen, Akron; Frank E. Holmes, New Berlin; Fred O'Neil, Malone; Bryan S. Dayton, Middletown. New Jersey—H. B. Rollinson, Rahway; Alfred R. Messler, Upper Montclair. Pennsylvania—John W. Jones, Bangor; Henry 8. Blatt, Ellwood City. Massachusetts—Charles LL. Hammond, Quincy. North Carolina—Ada Hunter, Kinston. North Dakota—Emma C. Arnold, Lari- more. Ohio—Fred W. McCoy, Carrollton; John L. Sullivan, Saint Mary. - Oklahoma. Territory—John B. Williams, Aberdeen; Kenneth McKenzie, Groton. Virginta—Wm. L. Mustard, Pocahontas; Cc. L. Dillon, Pulaski City; Charles T. Holtzman, Luray. West Virginia—James F. McCaskey, New Martinsville; Mary Gibson, Romney. Wisconsin—Wm. F. Gruetzmacher, Wa- tertown; John C. Outhwaite, Depere; John M. Reese, Dodgeville; Albert L. Fontaine, Grand Rapids; Frank T. Brunk, Ellsworth; James P. Baker, Shell Lake. Kentucky—Wm. 8S. Boggess, Ashland; James A. Deboe, Clinton; Clarence Mathew: Maysville; Frank M. Fisher, Paduc: S._T. Moore, Princeton; Ludlow F. Petty, Shelbyville; Sherod Stanfield Williamsburg; Frederick A. Van Renss Jaer, Owensboro’. Michigan—George W. Jones, Imlay Ci Wm. Baird, Marine City; George W. E: ery, Hancock. Minnesota—Samuel Y. Gordon, jr., Brown Valley; Andrew Eiken, Crookston; George B. Huges, Redwood Falls; Stuart Bates, | Virginia. Montana—George W. Irwin, Butte; J. H. Miskimen, Glendive. Nebraska—John Peters, Albion; Alexa! der N. Thomas, Aurora; Tillie C. Buckley, Stromsburg; Leander M. Jewett, Broken Bow. New Mexico—Artie E. Galloway, dilver The Trip to Gettysburg. rly all the members of the cabinet have accepted invitations to go to Gettys- burg, Pa., May 30, to take part in the Memorial day celebration there. The Presi- dent informally accepted an invitation a few days ago to go to Gettysburg. It is thought that every member of the cabinet will make the trip. Many of them will take their families. . New Georgetown Collector. Some time in April the President will nominate William B. Todd of this city to succeed Dorsey Clagett as collector of cus- toms at Georgetown. Mr. Todd is a grad- uate of Harvard, and has been practicing law here for years. Mr. Clagett claims that his term does not expire for more than a year. The President, it is said, considers that Mr. Clagett’s term dates ‘from the time W. H. Manogue was appointed. This would bring Mr. Clagett’s term to a close in April next. Prominent Visitors, Secretary Gage and Representative Wal- ker, chairman of the banking and cur- rency committee of the House, were to have had a conference with the President this morning cn the subject of proposed cur- rency legislation, but Mr. Walker could not remain until the President concluded an- other appointment and went away. Secre- tery Gage later talked with the President for a short time. Another cabinet officer who called during the day and saw the President was Attorney General Griggs. Representative Bartholdt of Missouri, saw the Président and introduced Col. James T. Beech of St. Joseph. Col. Beech is a can- didate for a collectorship at St. Joseph. Representatives Joy and Pierce of St. Leuis conferred with the President later in the day on Missouri affairs. Senator Cockrell saw the President on a personal Matter. He was accompanied by ex-Rep- resentative Wade of the same state, who has been spoken of for some time as a can- aidate for a good place. Dispute Among Missourians. There ts almost as much lack of har- mony among Missouri leaders as in other southern states. National Committeeman Kerens hes called at the White House several times lately, and is expected to make other visits before he gets the situa- tion in shape fuily satisfactory to himself. His old political enemy, Chauncey I. Filley, meskes things uncomfortable for him yet although Mr. Filley w relegated to the rear when Mr. Kerens succeeded in captur- ing Missiouri for McKinley delegates to the national convention. Col. Beech, who saw the President today, is one of the Filley leaders and has been identified with that faction for years. The three republi- can members of the House from 8t. Louis do not pull in harmony with Mr. Kerens and have resented his selecting the ap- pointments for that city. Senator Burrows of Michigan arranged with the President for two nominations for his state. They will be a Wheeler for marshal and Mr. Covell for United States district attorney. Representative Dingley chatted awhile with the President. So did Senators Alli- son &nd Gear and Representative Hender- son of Iowa. National Guard Commissions, President McKinley has signed the coms missions of the following officers of the District National Guard: Wm. T. H. King, captain Company B., 5th Battalion of In- fantry; Anton Stephan, first Heutenant and adjutant, 4th Battalion of Infantry; Daniel V. Chisolm, second Heutenant, Com- gs B, 24 of pai G Charles master, Sth Battalion of Infantry: Phi B surgeon, Ist first Heutenant and Battalion of Infantry. — Big Importation of the Yellow Metal Not Looked For. An Anomalous Condition of the Money Market—Immense Balance of Trade in Favor of This Country, Opinion concerning the present anom- alous condition of the money market has undergone a change, and officials of the Treasury Department and prominent New York bankers now predict that there wiil be little gold importation from Europe to the United States for the next six months— or possibly for a year. Lazard Freres, whose firm is probably the largest importer of gold in New York, called at the Treasury Department one day last week, and in conversation with As- sistant Secretary Vanderlip stated that he was not expecting any influx of the yellow metal. Mr. Vanderlip shares the same opinion, but sees in the failure of the much heralded gold flow only evidences of a healthy soundness in the industrial situa- tion. ‘The fact that there is @ balance of trade of many millions in favor of the United States has been the basis for predictions repeated many times since early last sum- mer that the United States would soon be- gin receiving the yellow metal in settle- ment of its accounts. It seemed the nat- ural consequence, and the prophecies were given further appearance of reasonabieness by the experience of previous years. Specu- lators used the argument for temporary booms in the stock market, and bankers awaited the fulfillment of great expecta- tions. But the gold did not come. At first the Bank of England raised its sterling rate to prevent raids in its reserve, and then the bankers in New York changed their rates of discount, and there was a cry of “jobbery.”,Along in November a few mil- lions came from Australia by way of San Francisco, and one or two New York bank- ers ordered in the aggregate about a mil- lion. But here it stopped. An Anomalous Condition. “The situation is one of the most anoma- lous ones that ever existed,” said Mr. Van- derlip today. ‘With a tremendous balance in our favor the gold is kept from flowing this way by the scarcity of gold abroad, and the fact that higher rates of interest can be had in Germany amd ‘England than in the United States. A vast amount of Chicago capital—at least $88,000,000—is loaned in Germany. There is» Ameri@in capital in France, Austri@ and 2ngland. “At home we are overloaded with money. ‘With call money at 1% percent there is no demand for it. But it is not beeuuse we are not doing business. The bank clear- ances are almost unprecedented. All finan- cial reviews show that there is.a tremen- dous volume of business doing. But # 1s on a cash basis. The har times have re- sulted in a shrinkage of credits. I was talking about this with Mr. Ingalls of the Big Four railroad, a very shrewd observer of finances, and he called attention to this phenomenon. Never before was so much business done on so small amount of credit. “In time,” continued Mr. Vanderlip, “this will change toward an insion of credits. The man who ist iz a good cash business will see am oppértunity to double his profits by more cap!- tal, and the demand for money will grow. But there seems to be no immediate need for more money, and our gold will remain loaned abroad.” PRESIDENT TO INTERVENE. Senator Mason to Introduce Cuban Resolution. Senator Mason of Illinois will introduce in the Senate tomorrow a resolution direct- ing the President to intervene in Cuba and put an end to the war. Senator Mason will deliver a speech in advocacy of his resolution tomorrow after- neon. —-e-______ REVOLT IN NICARAGUA. This Country Well Represented Near the Scene of the Trouble. It appears from a more careful scrutiny of the news cabled to the State Department from San Jose, Costa Rica, Saturday that a reyult is in pregress in Nicaragua and not in Costa Rica, as was at first under- stood. The advice came from United States Minister Merry, who is now at his pest in Costa Rica, where he has been re- ceived without difficulty. The United States is well represented near the scene of the trouble, the gunboat Newport being at Port Limon, on the east coast, and the Alert at La Libertad, on the west coast. —<<<o— EWART NOMINATION POSTPONED. Senator Butler's Request Judiciary Committee. Senator Butler of North Carolina went before the Senate committee on the judi- ciary today with a request for the post- ponement of final consideration of the nomination of Hamilton G. Ewart to be judge. of the western district of that state until he could have opportunity for the fermulation of charges he will make against Mr. Ewart. He did not make known the character of the charges, be- yond stating that Mr. Ewart was not of judicial temperament, and that he was not a lawyer of sufficient standing to entitle him to the distinction sought to be con- ferred upon him, In obedience to this request the consid- eration of the nomination was postponed a week. ———__+e—. NO HEARING TODAY. of the ‘The Senate Civil Service Committee to Meet Tomorrow. The Senate committée on civil service and retrenchment did not continue its in- vestigation this morning, when «it was ex- pected that several empleges of the civil service commission would be placed on the stand. The committee on the juiliciary, of which the chairman, Senator. PAitchard, @ member, expected to congider nomina- tions for places’in North Carolina, and Sen- ator Pritchard found it to be present at the meeting. The civil service committee will resume its investigation to- morrow morning at 10 o’cleck. ———+o+____—__ Secretary Wilsoms Tip. Secretary Wilson of the: Agricuitural De- partment, accompanied by'J, Mb L. Curry of this city, left here todsy for a trip to the Carolinas and Florida. The @ecretary’s visit is in the interest of agricuitural mat- ters, and he will be gone probably a week. A visit-will be made tothe Sea Island cotton-growing region and to the tobacco- growing portions of Florida, where Secre- tary Wilson believes er cultivation and attention the eat rade of tobacco grades found in the world be successf ‘a. may 8 ‘uly —-e+_______ Proposed New Street. Mr. Jenkins today. introduced a bill in the House to opera. through square 205, n General Pando’s Statement Regarding the Situation in Cuba. DESPATRING CRY OF SPAIN'S GENERAL "God Help My Country, for She Cannot Help Herself.” CONCEALMENT NOW USELESS Special Dispetch to The Evening Star. HAVANA, February 5, via Rort Tampa, Fla., February 6.—Crisis is on every tongue in Cuba. That may be one reason why it will not come soon. I do not pretend to know whether it will come tomorrow or next year. Some things cannot be concealed either in Ha- vana or in Madrid, and one of these is the complete failure of Captain General Blanco’s mission to the eastern provinces. What excuse or explanation Sagasta will make to the people of Spain cannot be fcretold. Possibly his course will be to strengthen the monarchy as best he can, end then give an inkling of the truth that the island is lost. Grounds exist for thinking that the rep- resentatives of Spanish sovereignity in Cuba have given the word to tell the truth. General Pando, who Is next in rank to Blanco, was at the town of Sagua in Santa Clara province this week. He was on his way to meet Blanco at the seaport. He talked freely to his friends, some of them autonomy officials. “This month,” said General Pando to them, “will bring about astounding de- velcpments. The crisis can no longer be de- ferred. What the end will be no man can say. All I have to say is, God help my country, for she cannot help herself.” Remarks Well Authenticated. Now, I cannot vouch for it personally that General Pando used this language, but I know that they who say he used it are persons of good repute. They feel as deep- ly as he does the impending disaster, and they would gladly have reported some mes- sage of cheer and hope. Pando had hoped to receive while in Santa Clara the pre- sentation of an insurgent chief of some importance named Monteagudo, who was said to be considering the inducements of- fered him by laying down arms and ac- cepting the regime of autonomy. His de- sertion would not have weakened the in- surgents except in one spot, yet it would have encouraged the Spanish military au- thorities to believe they were making progress. Monteagudo is giving his an- swer to the offers made him by attacking the troops which garrison sugar planta- tions that are attempting to grind, and is making successful raids into the fortified towns. The arswer tells. While General Pando was disappointed at the failure of the insurgent chief to sur- render, that was not the cause of his des- pairing confession. This was based on broader grcunds. Pando has a_ better chance than Blanco himself to know the utter hopelessness of the outlook. He 1s in command in the province of Santiago, and under his direction the vigorous mili- tary campaign was begun to dislodge the insurgents from their control of that pro ince. In three months just one thing been done, the rescue of the survivors of the garrison of Guanna. No progress has been made in forcing a passage up the river Cuato, which is the key to militar operations. In a dozen engagements the insurgent forces under Calixto Garcia have had the advantage. Spanish advices say that Garcia is drink- ing heavily, and that his followers are dis- gusted with him. It must be the kind of whisky Grant was charged with drinking at Vicksburg, and which Lincoln wanted other generals to drink, for it helped to win battles. Pando Does Not Hope for Success. Gen. Pando knows that even with the reinforcements given him there is no pros- pect of the Spanish arms winning a d2- cisive success between now and the wet season. He knows, tcc, the hopes that had been raised in Madrid from this campaign in the eastern provinces, because, in criti- cising Weyler’s tactics, he had done some boasting. Possibly the knowledge of the disappointment that awaits the Sagasta ministry and the people of Spain is what leads him to predict astounding d=velop- ments this month. It is plain that Sagasta will be in no better position to save the monarchy in April or in July :han in Feb- rtary. Evéry week will make the task of telling the truth more difficult. I have sometim2s wondered in seeing the scenes of wretchedness and starvation in Cuba if the outside world understood the sacrifice of innocent life that has been caused by tkis effort to save the crown to young King Alionso. Whatever may happ2n, he will never know the hunger ‘hat has gnaw- ed out the vitals of thousands of lads in this island and left only their wasted frames for the grave. His right to the crcwn was no better than their right to live. Yet other thousands may be sacri- ficed because the troops of the Spanish monarchy are too weak to withstand the shock which must come when it is known to the people of Spain that Cuba is lost to them. Talking War With United States. Th2 signs of the crisis are apparent in the palece. That may be another reason why it will be temporarily averted. The officials are again talking war with the United States as the only means of letting go. That may be ground for beli2ving that Spain will contrive to let go without bringing another avalanche of debt and misery on her distressed people. This question can only be settled when the t=st actually comes. Meantime, the pretense must be kept up that autonomy is in opera- tion. Government must go forward as though the crisis w2re not impending and plans be devised for staving off intervention of the United States until the yellow fever TWO CENTS. WE WILL FURNISH THE MEAT Europe’s Navies in China Waters Buying Supplies Here. Big Orders for Canned Goods Placed With Chicago and Kansas City Packing Houses, SAN FRANCISCO, February 7.—The of- ficials of the Pacific Mail Steemship Com- pany say that within the past few days there has been an astonishing incre in the shipments of food supplies to the orient consequent upon the gathering in Chinese waiers of the English, German and French warships. They also state that a few days ago the representative of the English government placed an order in Kansas City for 2,000 tons of beef, to be sent to the English fleet in China waters. The Russian govern- ment, they aiso state, has given a big orde to two Chicago houses for canned goods end beef, part of which will be sent from this port to the orient and the remainder by way of Vancouver or Seattle. The agent of the Russian government has an order for 1,200 tons of beef. This order for canned goods is intended as part ef the supplics for the Russian troops now being sent from Odessa to frontier. Agents of the Fren man governments have also placed ori: for meat supplies both in Omaha and C cego. ee CONTROL OF FRE! MIEN’S HOSPIT Seeretary Bliss Would Like to Have His Department Relieved. Secretary Bliss is in favor of taking the Freedmen’s Hospital from the supervision of the Interiur Department. In conversa- tion with a reporter of The Star this morn- ing upon the appointment of a new head for the institution, Secretary Bliss said: “No appointment will be made at Freed- men’s Hospital until after the Senate com- mittee which is investigating the charities of Washington makes its report. Freed- men’s Hospital ts embraced in the subjects under consideration by the committee, and it would not be altogether proper to ap- point a new surgeon-in-chief until it had developed what recommendation would be made concerning the management of the institution. It may be that Freedmen’s Hospital will be taken out of the jurisdic- tion of the Interior Department. I would not object in the slightest, but, on the con- trary, would be rather glad if this depart- ment were relieved of its supervision. Un- der these circumstances I have not thought it best to consider any names in connec- tion with the position of surgeon-in-chief. Tbe civil service commission has not been called) upon to certify the eligibles, al- though it is understood it is ready. No, 1 shall do nothing until after I hear from the Senate committee.” This position of the Secretary of the In- terior will be hailed with delight by mar interested in the institution. It has been ccntended all along that the managemer of the hospital should be under the super- vision of the local authorities. The Dis- trict is called upon to bear its share of the expenses of maintenance, yet it is not given a voice in its management. Even the money raised from the taxpayers of this city is disbursed by the Interior De- partment without regard to the District or its accounting officers. Notwithstanding the position taken by the Secretary, the friends of the several candidates for the vacant office are bring- ing all kinds of influence to bear to secure the place. Nothing will be done, however, until the Senate committee indicates its wishes, or rather its purpos regarding the future of the institution, and even then the civil service commission will be called up- on for a certijication of the eligibles. The position is under the civil service classifica- Uon, and, barring the reinstatement of Dr. Cody Purvis, the appointee must have ed the special examination for - sition last June. pene sig INCREASE IN CUSTOMS RECEIPTS, What Assistant Secretary Howell Says on the Subject. In analyzing the receipts of the govern- ment for the last month, the treasury of- ficials are much pleased in contemplating that while the total receipts from customs amounted to nearly fifteen millions for tae month, as against less than twelve millions for Januar 1897, that in this total for January there were very nail receipts from either sugar or wool. The reason this fact pleases the officials is that it shows that the Dingley bill is already making good its promises of increased rece!pts, outside of these two articles. Assistant Secretary Howell, who was in New York jiast week, inquired into this subject, and found that there was not the rec ipts in sugar expected since the fi of the year, and yet he learned that the receipts from customs generally were increasing at a healthy ratio. In speaking about this mat- ter, Assistant Secretary Howell said touay that this was most encouraging. It meant that from now on the reecipis from cus- toms would increase, arfd when the impor- tation of sugar and woo: began in earnest, the treasury receipts would imezease, and amount to what was predicted when the bill was enacted. “Sugar {s not one of the problematical sources of receipts,” said he. “It is a thing we must have, and we will have to import. As soon as the present supply, which was brought in before the enactment of the Dingley bill, is exhausted, the im- ports will be steady and regular, and we can estimate accurately tne amount we are to receive in customs each month. There- fore, if the first month of this current year shows the customs receipts to be nearly fifteen millions, which is three millions in excess of the corresponding month last year, without any extensive receipts from either sugar or wool, we can confidently predict that for the remaining months of this fiscal year the receipts will increase at such a satisfactory rate that ihe will gradually become a thing cf The Treasury Department is preparing an interesting statement in this ¢onzection, showing by comparisons the receipts from sugar and woo! and what may be expected from these two articles before the end of the fiscal year. ——__o—____ Proposed Distribution of $25,000. Mr. Hansbrough today laid before the Senate an amendment he proposes making to the general deficiency bill, providing that $25,000 be distributed among patent office officials and others who gave extra time and labor in connection with the recent in- vestigations by the Interior and Post Office Departments of irregular practices of patent agents and attorneys. —_——_+o+—_____ Government Receipts. Government receipts from customs today, $050,263; internal revenue, $805,666; miscel- laneous, $62,275. Expenditures, $1,605,000. Pea ees The regular permanent family circulation of The Evening Star in Washington is more than double that of any other paper, whether published in the morn- ing or in the afternoon, As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and un- approachable. ———_—_—_—_——_—_—_—_ "PHONE CASE ARGUED Hearing Today Before Justice Cox of District Supreme Oourt. COUNSEL DISCUSS THE CONTRACT -- Matter Taken Under Adyv:sement by the Court. HOTEL FREDONIA CASE eg ees Arguments in the injunction case of Wil- j lam W. Danenhower against the Chesa- peake and Potomac Telephone Company were continued today in Equity Court No. 1, Mr. E. H. Thomas of counsel for the complainant opened the discussion this morning. Mr. Thomas said in the beginning that the question to be considered was not one of compensation, but who shall say whether the hotel proprictor is using the telephone in his legitimate business or not The company, Mr. Thomas said, did not consider the question of ce It seemed to segregate the hotel business, and tell Mr. Daneuhower that it would take out yensation, the telephone which he had and put in a slot machine. It had no right, he argued to make a distinction in this case. It had no right to discriminate, no matter whether or not there was a stipulation in the « tract to that guests we the as hot Attorne: ed that as the telephor 1 for eight years, he thought an interpretation as to the tract had been surely made by this. Mr. Thomas deciared it tate the hotel w > that the goo: the lease of the a, jon wa called to the law und ompany operates, as interpreted in Maryland, which states that the ce shall be given with impartiality to all. d Precedent. 1 a case, similar to the one being argued, which had been d>cided in Maryland, where a telephone had been used under much the same conditions and no specification had been made as to the amount of business or the character of ess to be carried on over the line, in there had been a decision against Numerous cases w Mr. Thoma: telephone compa decided that the tracts had b must be and tha di it had been for which con- pany cor operation right to dis te in any any one patron subscribe crimination, the attorney st applied to Mr. D: vhower iscrimination had The point was made tuted the hotel busir Mr. Tobriner thought this i its strict sense. ould be decided much better by the proprietor of the hotel than by the telephone compary. He was much better fitted, it was conter Say whether the > of the instru: @ guest was tc benefit of th Was not the mere physi phone by a guest, it was declared, was to be considered, but th transmitted by him. For ins might be sary to summon a cab or apply for r service. No matter what it should be, the n e of service to |which the hotel proprietor or his guests, it was stated, are rcstri should not be judged by the telephone any, nor Ww it capable of doing so. Message Co ming the Sick, “I krow of a case,” Mr. Thomas said, “where cne druggist telephoned to a brother druggist as to the condition of a relative who was sick. Both had t owa ‘phones in thelr places of business. The conversation was interrupted. by the tcle- op: tor, who sa that the conver- was not one connected with the business and therefore it should be id for. Why, if I had « telephone in my office, according to th of the telephone company, a Q into my office : be p where could not mitt Ss, though I paid for the telephon had |my permission to do so. if I 1 to telephone for t er tickets I could not do so without paying extra for the priv- flege. “Corsidering the hotel business the pro- prietor alone can decide will enlarge his bu $s and should ie allowed to decide hims s to how this snail be dene. Hf he 3 that the use of hi "phone by a guest may serve his interests better he chould be allowed to assume the privilege of permitting the use of his in- strument without being prevented by the comy It was maintained by Mr. Thomas that the placing of a telephone in a hotel was an invitation on the part of the company for the use of it. It could cer used, ne said, for calling mess was called espe ty fact that up to November last, for of about cight years, no effort made by the company to. prevent the use of the telephone in the hotel. For the first time there was discrimination against the hotel. Mr. Daneanhowe! the complainant de, ciared, had two places of business, at the hotel and another at his warehouse. Complainant was told that if he had to send a message from his hotel to his ware- house he should act in the matter as any outsider—pay extra for sending the mes- sage from one to the other. “ase of a Gas Company. A case in New York city was cited by Mr. Thomas, in which an injunction was iesued against a gas company. A con- sumer complained that his gas meter was not working properly and that he refused te pay the bill. The company wished to remove the meter, but an injunction te rrevent the carrying out of the wish of the ccmpany in this respect, until the matter was finally decided, was issued by the court. In concluding his argument, Mr. Thomas maintained that the contract had been interpreted to mean that guests have a right to use the telephone in question. The paragraph in the contract, “the sub- scribers’ use only,” it was declared, means any use required in the business of the complainant, including the use of the "phone by guests, and that the true in- terpretation of the contract cannot be ad- judged by the company, but only by the court. Irrespective of contract, it was declared, : fivist