Evening Star Newspaper, April 14, 1900, Page 1

- eee ee Le , < P< é THE EVENING STAR. paki dL PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY Temporary Busivess Office, 1109 Pennsylvania Aveaue. The Evening Star Newspaper Company. S Ii, KAUFFMANS, Pres’t = ee New York Ovfice: 126 Tribune Building, Chicago Office: Boyce Building. London Office: Trafalgar Balldiags, Trafalgar Square. The Eveniog Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers, ov their own account, at 10 cents Der week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the counter, 2 cents each. By matl—anywhere in the Tnited States or Canada—jostage prepaid—60 cents ¢ month. mecurday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year; with postage added, $3.08. (Entered at the Post Ottice at Washington, D. C.. ‘lass mail ms r.) subscriplions must be paid In advance. ertie ng made known on application. Che Lvening Star. No. 14,704, WASHINGTON, D. ©. SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1900-TWENTY-SIX PAGES “TWO CENTS THE FORTUNE BRINGER, Frequent and constant advertising brought me all I own.—A. T. Stewart. TO LAND AT BEIRA|NO ™ipoLe POLICY STREET EXTENSIONS General Carrington’s Command Sails From Cape Town Today, GEN. BULLEN’S FORCE WEAKENED Gen. Roberts Expected to Make Forward Move Soon. BOER ATTACK AT WARRENTON +. LONDON, April 14—The only develop- ment reported thus far today In the cable dispatches received here from South Africa is the heavy bombardment of the British trenches at Warrenton April 13, but which resulted in no damage, the Boers, apparent- ly, being under the impression that the British meditated an attack. Major General Sir Fredsrick Carrington, accompanied by detachments of bushmen and Scotch scouts, sailed today from Cape Town for Beira, Portuguese East Africa. Prince Adolphus of Teck has returned to Bloemfontein after a short visit to Cape Down. From Boer sources it is learned that Gen- eral Botha has returned from the fighting lines at Glencoe and reports that the Brit- ish have removed their camp in the direc- tion of Elandslaagte. As the British camp has been situatzd at that place for somo time, the significance of General Botha's statement is not quite clear. Good News From Bloemfontein. The reassuring reports from Bloemfontein published in this morning’s papers have done much to restore confidence In London. All the ce: rrespondents seem agreed that 1 Roberts knows what he is about. The of the afternoon papers eagerly possibilities of the Boer pener being cut off. This possible, as the force from ein is ad ing by way of De Gen. Chermside is nearing the third division by way of nt's force fs y of Roux- Kop. while across the 2e of Basutos are clos Bushman = Gen. Rundle’s division at Springfontein, Lord is trying to get to Hoop- belie d that Ge Hunter's nm the British left at een Streams. en. Buller Confident. The weakening of Gen. Buller's force by of the Union and Irish er Gen. Hunter, fs at- ct that the general com- Natal has decided that the troops is impracticable and merely attempt maintain ‘ matn ad- ing’s Nek. Town hint n of good news about ng there fs no further informatio: 1 in conneetion with beleagured town, which now must be t straits. START FOR THE HAGUE Beer Peace Commissioners Leave Milan With Dr. Leye MILAN, April 14.—The Boer com- d for The Hague this the diplomatic agent mpanying them as s known here of the rep published von Buelow, the German had visited the s at Milan, and the fhe Portuguese min- ho Vasconcellos, how- abroad that Co: roof fc Transvaal peace a here in whi one of the Tran to retain it republics, mkherr Fischer re- on reading it he ex- from Africa.’ << ___ SHERIFF CAL OR TROOPS. Trouble With Strik. New «at Croton Dam, York. Ww N YO 14.—Ifostilities be- tween the stri the sheriff's forces at Croton dam *roton-on. Hudson be- gan car! rning. A party of men al- leged to be st th rs made an attempt to cut “nd of one of the suspen- charge he There was a liv fight, » marauders were driven away from vicinity of the bridge. They were armed ives, stones deput overs. sherii armed with re In the con- » deputy sheriffs were wounded. One named Berwick, was struck on the head with stones. His head was rut. Another deputy, named Doyle, on the foot and leg and painfully Hoth men were sent back to head- shots were tired. eit Wm. D. Mo went having « to that the onkers and > nt Vernon would be The troops will go to Sing Sing } march from tl up to the aqui They will disper. lolterers they may meet along the Which is z tance of three miles, and will take pos of the dam upon their arrival there. ——~-- FILIPINOS ACTIVE AGAIN. Two Men of Capt. = Com- mand Killed Near Orion. MANILA, April 14—The insurgents, eup- Posedly Mascado's command, are again act- ive about the Martvales mountains, across the bay from Manila. A force estimated at 300 attacked Balanga, where three com- panies of the 32d Infantry are stationed, on Monday night, but Were easily repulsed. Yesterday they attacked Captain Goldman, with thirty men of the 324 Regiment, near Orion, killing two Americans. Goldinan then retired. ‘The transport Thomas sails tom taking Gen. Theodore Schwan and 800 die. charged and sick soffliers, —~~-<___ Nothing Known About Dr. Cocke. It ts stated at the Russian legation, in Fegard to the suicide of Dr. Cocke in Bos- ton, that nothing whatever was known of his personality by the legation officials, and the same fs believed to be true of the other embasstes and legations in the city. It was state the dispatches from Boston an- nouncing the suicide of the doctor that he was belleved to be negotiating with the Russian embassy for the sale to them of certain valuable ordnance patents Invented by him, WHAT POLITICIANS SAY OF DEWEY PROBABLE PLATFORM. Must Stick to the Philippines or Quit —Dewey Will Have No Following. When politicians at the Capitol crow tired of roaming over the vast field of sveculation the probable vice presiden‘ial candidates, they turn to Admiral Dewey candidacy for first place. This ts a both near and concrete, forming a basis for consideration. It {s a bare proposition up to this time,” as one of them sald, “devoid of any fanci- ful or substantial vestinents of platforms, policies or principles. It is the candidacy of Mr. Dewey, per se.” Already snap-shot forecasts of his ex- pected announcements cf platform are be- ing made, however. The latest forecast relegates the money question to the remote rear and suggests an alleged “middle ground” for the Philippine problem Yague position somewhere between the Me- Kinley plan of holding on and the Bryan preposition of letting go. Fractical men in Congress do not take readily to such @ course, regarded either from a political viewpoint or one of sta manship. They see nothing in the last year's course of events in Luzon and the questions confronting this government. The general opinion among senators and repre- sentatives is that the United States mu: assume the responsibility of absolut sov- ereignty or turn it over to cther hands. Must Stick or Quit. Representative Livingston of Georgia, who is regarded as one of the ablest politi- clans in the democratle party, voiced the ments of a large element to a Star re- er today. > must stick or quit,” he said, refer- ring to the Philippin ‘There is no mid- dle ground. The south is not willing relinquish sovereignty of the Philippine We want to sce the people given a wide measure of self-government, of course, but no backing out from the task ahead of us: Representative Dalzcll of Pennsylvan who is one of the republican leaders in th House and a politician of high standing his party, expressed the sentiments of th ns. Do you think there is a middle-grov policy for Admiral Dewey on the Philipptr sked. replied, emphat nan w then, I d nink he is a fig- tuation, anyhow.” + e+ E NEW DISTRICT CODE. ure in the TH Report on the Bill Submitted to th House. Representative Jenkins of the House com- mittee on the District of Columbia this af- ternoon submitted the report of the com- mittee on the bill to establish a code of law for the District of Columbia. The re- port quotes the amendments to the code which have be red by the commit- tee and which » been published in The n short, the by the joint commit judges may well be s bor of the entire of the courts of th final revision had been ed upon bmitted to the Bar ion and at a very full meeting of that body, which was held on the loth day of March, 1900, by a unanimous vote the committee on legislation was instructed to present the code to Congress and urge its passage, the committee being given discre- as finally agreed upon of the rs and i to represent the and all the judges District. After this mpleted the code tion as to any further changes in matters of detail. The work was then submitted to the special committee on the code of the board of trade and after having received its pro’ as submitted to as: ing ¢ e board of trade, which was hi March 17, 1900, and which was largely at- tended by many of the most prominen citizens of the District. The board of trade by a unanimous yote approved the work and requested Congress to enact it into a law with such amendments i tion 1. if any, as the committ of the Bar Association and the committee on the code of the board of trade should find to be advisable. Like other codes, this work deals only with those general and permanent statutes hich affect al and property ghts of the at large and the pro- cedure by which these rights are to be established and defende of laws relating to particu or classes of corporations, or other merely private statut It omits, of course, ail appropriation acts and other matters mere- ly of a temporary natur ee DEMOCRATS WELCOME Tt takes no n corporations DEW He ix Expected to Abide by the Con- vention's ce. CHICAGO, April 14.—Bryan democr: have decided to welcome Admiral Dewey into the democratic party. Such is the position officially outlized in today’s Issue of the democratic press bulletin: “We may ration of his polit- accept the admiral's dec ical faith ting that he ts with th dem rty at least on an overwhelm ing majority of the issues it has taken up, runs the article which is written by Willis J. Abbott, head of the democratic literary bureau. a most gratifying fact,” the artic continues. ‘It indicates that should the democratic party, after mature deliberation, deny to the admiral the nomi- nation which he seeks, it may, nevertheless, count on his hearty co-operation and his influence in behalf of its efforts to end the evil of McKinleyism by ending the reign of Emperor William I." In commenting on the purport of bis ar- ticle, Mr. Abbott says: “We are naturally delighted at the prospect of such a dis- tinguished acquisition to our ranks as Ad- miral Dewe But, of course, wi the admiral to ‘play fair’ and accept the d old democratic doctrine of abiding by ult of an honest democratic conven- —__++<-___ THE KENTUCKY GOVERNORSHIP. Case to Be Filed in Supreme Court Next Monday. LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 14.—Attorneys Lewis McQuown and Helm Bruce, repre- senting, respectively, Governors Beckham and Taylor, left Louisville for Washington today, and on Monday, in the Supreme Court of the United States, they will file the record in the suit for the Kentucky gov- ernorship. At the same time the attorneys will make a motion to advance the case on the docket, and will urge the court to take up the case and decide it as quickly as pos- sible. The suit will be argued before the Supreme Court by Messrs. McQuown and ex-Chief Justice Wm. 8. Pryor for the dem- ocrats, and by Helm Bruce and ex-Gov. W. O. Bradley for the republicans. ————_+ 2+ Archbishop Hennessy’s Wills. DUBUQUE, Ia., April 14—The late Arch- bishop Hennessy’s two wills, dat2d January 18, were filed yesterday. One 1s like his probated will of January 17, giving his es- tate personally acquired to Catholic institu- tions. The other gives the estate inherited from his brother, David J. Hennessy of St. Paul, to his relatives. There will be no contest, the amicable suit having been en- tered by his brother, Michael, merely to meet legal requirements, Report of Commissioners on the Bills Before Congress, TABLE SHOWING THE AGGREGATE COST The Probable Expense to Be In- curred for Grading. SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS ————— The District Commissioners today sub- mitted to the House District committee a report upon the following House bills for the extension of streets: No. 104, for ex- tension of Kalorama avenue; No. 1045, for extension of Wyoming avenue; No. 1044, for extension of Columbia road; No. 97S, of Le Droit avenue and S for extension for extension of 15th for jon of 1ith ion of Bacon of Sth street, for extension of for extension xtension of . for exten- sion of Sth street or Railroad avenuc. With their report, a very voluminous one, the Commi nitted a map showing the zed during the third s fifth Congress to be exten ately north of t cent of the money count of the extensions now by law and those named in these al to be in a territory r cent of ge covered the plans for the permu highw em of Mest o ing L f the highways named in the pend- corres to the streets pro: ied as orig- inally laid down on the plan for a perma- nent system . The highways outside ¢ first section cor- respond, witn one exception CL. street), to the p wh for & permanent not,’ state the for the grading rn roughly be ted for this in the + highways named fil » exception. "Some of the pe bills do not contain the clause which provides for levy a Sessments against abutting property which may be benefiicd for a portion of the cost of the condemnation of the streets. It 1s believed that this provision s' be in- ciuded in each one of the sit has been found one of the gr uards: ag: ds by jur g Commiss! feel that the portion of the cost not ps y ssments should be charges the Disirict of Columbia ane United States n appro improy- ‘Some of th priations for paving ng bills cont nd ot ing the ended streets when opened. It Ss belleved better to have appropriations for street improvements made in regular ap- propriation bills in the usual manner, and street extension bills should contain enly suffic it appropri om to carry out the condemnation proceedings and pay the expenses of the Jur: Colum The Commissioners expluin that a report was made some time ago upon the bill for the extension of Columbia road, which h in Road. ed the House. Considerable care, they was expended in the preparation of a modification of the bill, t beommit- tee of the House rict committee and the ci sioners, s to have it form, if model bill for street extensions. j biil is, therefore, not included among t returned he un The Commissioners believe that if the bill be- a law in its pi de to apply to 4 and subsequent street ex om bills, and thus greatly sim- plify them, and much more rapid progress night be ‘made in before the court. S pos: nit. ‘The estimated cost of the extensions pro- posed by pending bills is to the large amount called and to the fact that the D rior to July 1, 1901, may not be suffic meet all expenses, the Commission 1 that while the opening of these streets matter of great public importance, such cannot be accomplished unless’ Con- lopts some method, by loan or oth- erwise, of raising the funds necessary to meet the additional expense involved. Matter of Revenue. Outside of this adverse recommendation the Commissioners express no opposition to the passage of the bills, provided, of course, they are amended so as to conform to their position in such matters. A statement in de- tail is made in their report as to each bill, and in each instance attention is invited by them to their preliminary statement “that the revenues of the Distriet prior to July 1, 1901, wil! not be sufficient to meet the expense the enactment of this bill would involve.” A report similar to that sent to the House District committee was also forwarded by the Commissioners to the Senate District committee. y the bills strict revenites actid —— The Cruise of the Hartford. The training ship Hartford has sailed from Montevideo for Bahta, where she 1s under orders to rendezvous wiith Admiral Schley’s South Atlantic squadron. There is some talk of sending the Hartford across the Atlantic to Havre while the Paris ex- position is in progress, but this project may be negatived by the need of the South Atlantic squadron for fresh members for its crews. Captain Hawley has succeeded so well in the development of. his project for the training of landsmen on the Hart- ferd that he is able to repart that more than 140 of the grcen crew shipped at San Francisco are alread? proficient sailors. —_—_—_-o+_____. Army Orders. Col. James M. Moore of the quartermas- ter's department, has been ordered to take station at Governor's Island, N. ¥. Major George 8. Cartwright, quartermas- ter, U. S. V., has been assigned to duty as hief quartermaster of the department of Matanzas and Santa Clara. Assistant Surgeon J, 8. Fogg has been erence to duty at Columbus barracks, Ohio. Major H. G. Cavanaugh, upon his own application, has been detailed as professor of military science and tactics at Girard College, Philadelphia. ———_+2+_______ Prince of Wales is It. COPENHAGEN, April 14.—The Prince of Wales, who visited this city for the pur- pose of taking part in the celebration of King Christian's birthday, April 8, is suffer- ing from an affection of the throat and has been obliged to consult a specialist. PAN - AMERICAN CONGRESS INITIATIVE TAKEN BY OTHER GOV- ERNMENTS, Successful Launching of the Project— Meeting ef Diplomatic Rep- resentative, The mecting of the diplomatic represen- tatives of the Three Americas at the bureau of American republics today resulted in the successful launching, from an international point of view, of the project for the re- assembling of the pan-American congress. There were present the Mexican ambassa- dor, Senor Aspiroz;. the Chilean minister, Senor Vicuna; the Brazilian minister, Sen- hor de Assis-Brasil; the Hatien minister, Mr. Leger; the Guatemalan minister, Senor Lazo Arriaga; the Costa Rican minister, Senor Calvo; the Venezucian charge, Senor Pulido; the Colombian minister, Senor Cal- deron; and Mr. Stewart, the consul general for Urugu: Secretary , the president ex-officio of the ‘ulive committee of the bureau of American republics, who would naturally have presided, was hot present, nor was Director Rockhill of the bureau. ‘There was purpose in thi nee, it is assumed, for it is regarded irable that the repre- des sentatives of these southern republics shall not be under the slixkhtest appearance of influence from the Washington government in the pending matter, The members of the conference spent fully an hour and a half in close con. tation. Senor Calvo, the Senior member of the executive committee of the bure sided, and the outeome of the me agreement of the members proposition that the upon executive committee of the bureau should be charged with draw- a ing up a tentative program for the pro- posed international congress. This pro- gram will be submitted by the ministers to their respective governments for approval and amendment. In this manner will be avoided a mistake made by the State De- partment in arranging for the first pan- American congress, The United States government itself in that case submitted to the various governments invited to par- ticipate in ¢he congress a complete pro- gram for the government of the body. Nothing was left for the other nations to do but to accept the whole or decline to partictpate. der the new order the effaces Itself, leaving the e upon the subjects to be considered by the congrc ‘There subjects that could not be con- idered at all without jeopardizing the re- sults of the whole congress, and these will be cluded by the proce: of s ‘ction which the tentative program to be prepared by the executive committee will undergo. +e POWER OF THE DAIRYMEN IT WILL RE THROWN OF THE GROUT BILL. TO FRIENDS Lively tim are ahead in Congress in connection with the oleomargarine bill. The fight, which is now on, promises to de- velop into a very serfous affair for a num- ber of representatives. The Dairymen's Association, representing the allied dairy interests of the entire country, have settled down to a vigorous, aggressive and bitter campaign in behalf of the bill which is now pending in the committee on agriculture of the House. The dairymen are convinced that an or- ganized effort is being made by the oleo- margarine manufacturers of the country to defeat the bill. They have already di covered that secret and powerful influences are at work against them. With this fact staring them in the face the dairymen have resolved to make the bill a personal issue with every representa- tive in Congress. A poll has been taken of the House and each man has been located as favorable, doubtful ur opposed to th bill. With this material at hand the Dairy- men’s A’ ion proposes to work In every nal district through the farmers and with such other influence as it can command. The fight will be waged at the nominating conventions of. representa- i as well as In the November elections: well-known representative from a nm state who has had a contest on nds growing out of his attitude on the Rican bill has practically won his Porto renomination through the aid of the dairy- district. This Grout Dill and his district and men, who are strom in hi man is m friend of th the dairymen went into made such a strong appeal in his behalf that the opposition to bim has disappeared. The farmers sald that they. were more con- cerned in keeping this representative in Congress to help them win their fight with the oleomargarine manufacturers than they were in his vote on the Porto Rican bill. The dairymen say that they are strong in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and other sections of the countfy where the Porto Rican bill is an issue. ‘They say that they propose to help their friends In these states and that where a man {Ss in trouble on ac- count of his Porto Rican vote they will pull him out. On the other hand the enemies of the bill will be promptly located, and if they are already carrying the burden of being on the wrong side of the Porto Rican ques- tion it 1s sald that they will find their hands full of trouble with the added oppo- sition of the dairy interests. —— Personal Mention. Mr. G. Oakley Totten, Jr., who Is slowly recovering from his accident, was taken yesterday from the hospital to his home. Mr. Eugene Gorden has left for an exten- sive trip through the south. Dr. Stacy A. Ransom has severed his connection with the Digtrict health office, having been appeinted an acting assistant surgeon in the marine hospital service and assigned to duty at Angel Island, San Fran- cisco, Cal. He left the city Thursday for the station named. Mr. Charles Addisen Foster, son of Sen- ator and Mrs. Foster, is home from Yale College spending his Easter holidays with his parents at the Cairo. He has with him his college chum, Mr. Thomas McGinlay of Pittsburg, Pa. f J. Willard Ketgham, who has been ill since September fast, is mew en route to Britton, South Dakota, where it is hoped he may greatly tmpreve. TO INCREASE #RICE OF COAL. Object of Sceret.Mecting of Mine Operatoraiin ‘Chicago. CHICAGO, April 14—Mine operators rep- resenting over a domen mines in Indiana and Illinois held a mecret meeting at the Great Northern Hotel.» After the meeting it was reported they had agreed % increase still further the price of soft coal, but how much was not stated. It wna claimed that under the present wage scale to miners it is impossible to operate mimes at a profit without raising prices. —-+s——_. M. A. Moody Renominated. PORTLAND, Ore., Agr 14.—At the re- publican congressional cofvention, second district, held in this city yesterday, M. a. Moody was renomimated for Congress by acclamation. Senator Joseph Simon and F. 8. Stanley were unanimously elected del- egates to the national convention to be at Philadelphia on June 1%, The Galeganes mare not instructed. aS tral committee held Bon tuseercer of per- fecting an organization, Sess A. Steel TW Benj. F, Barnes Appointed Assistant Secretary to the President, RUDOLPH FORSTER EXECUTIVE CLERK Both Have Served at the White House Some Time. —_-+__ CIVIL SERVICE RECOGNIZED ——_+__- The promotion yesterday of Assistant Secretary Cortelyou to be secretary to the President was followed today by the an- nouncement from the Executive Mansion cf two other appointments: Benjamin F. Barnes of Pennsylvania, to be assistant secretary to the President; Rudoiph Forster of Virginia, to be execu- tive clerk to the President. Benjamin F. Barnes was born abroad of American parentage December 3, 1863. He was educated in the public schools of New Jersey and Chicago High School. He is a graduate of the law department of George- i ~ if, if Benjamin F. Barnes, town University. He was private secre- tary to James S. Clarkson of Iowa for sev- rs, entering his employ when he Was first assistant postmaster general and continuing with him when Mr. Clarkson was chairman of the republican national committee and president of the National Republican League and later in private busini Mr. Barnes held several other confidential positions under promi- nent public men, including Col. Smith A” Whittield, when that gentleman held the office of fi sistant postmaster general; Chier Post Office Inspector M. D. Wheeler and Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Robert A. Maxwell. He entered the exec- ulive office as a stenographer in January, 18¥8; was appointed executive clerk to the President July 1, 1898. A District Man. Rudolph Forster was born in Washington, D. C., October 30, 1872. He was educated in the public schools of this city. After leav- ing school he took up the study of expert accounting. In 1894 he was appointed from Virginia to a clerical position in the United States commission of fish and fisheries. in March, 1897, he was detailed for duty at n Rudolph Forster. the Executive Mansion, and in May of that year was appointed on the regular rolls. He was subsequently designated to act as chief clerk of the office. Mr. Forster is a graduate of the Columbian University Law School. Both of these appointments will give gen- eral satisfaction. Mr. Barnes and Mr. For- ster have worked hard and faithfully, and Secretary Cortelyou recommended them for the promotions they so richly deserved. Mr. Barnes has done a great deal of confidential work for President McKinley, and is con- sidered one of the best men in public serv- ice. Secretary Cortelyou, recommending these promotions to the President, has sct a@ precedent which is appreciated by the entire executive force at the White House. He has recognized both the principles of civil service and the merit of valuable men. Assistant Secretary Barnes has already entered upon his duties. ————_-e—______ AQUEDUCT BRIDGE REPAIRS. Work Will Begin Some Time During the Present Month. According to Col. Allen, corps of engin- eers, the work of repairing the cofferdam and false work at the defective pier of the Aqueduct bridge will begin during the present month. The Central Contracting Company, which has the contract for the work, is now dressing stone and assembling it at the Georgetown wharf. The contract calls for the completion of the work of re- constructing the pier by July 31 next. ——__-+____ Reichman Was Not a Fighter. The report that Capt. Reichman, the United States army officer who is accom- panying the Boer army, was participating im its operations against the British has evidently reached Pretoria, as Mr. Hay, the United States consul there, felt im- Pelled to cable the adjutant general at ‘Washington yesterday that the “rumor of Retchman's active participation absolutely false.” No inquiry had been made on that point, the War Department officials being satisfied that Capt. Reichman could not have committed such a palpable breach of the rules of war. It is supposed that Con- sul Hay’s message was inspired by Capt. Reichman, who is believed to be In Pre- torla, and who, it is said, undoubtedly thought a statement from the consul would be better than @ personal denial. IT WILL FORCE MANY SHIPS TO GO OUT OF COMMISSION. Fully 160 Vacancies in the Line of the Navy—Trying to Find a Remedy. The Navy Department was under the ne- cessity today of ordering the United States cruiser Detroit to the Portsmouth navy yard, New Hampshire, to go out of com- mission. In addition, orders have been pre- pered to put the Marblehead out of com- mission at Mare Island, and telegraph or- ders have been sent to Admiral Watson to send the gunboats Bennington and Con- cord, now at Manila, home to San Fran- cisco, where they will also be put out of commission. The big battle ships Indiana and Massachusetts, which have just been overhauled at the New York navy yard, are also to be sent to League Island about the first of the month to be laid up in ordinary instead of being commissioned. This remarkable reduction of the number of ships in commission is ascribed at the Navy Department to the lack of a suff- cient number of officers to furnish comple- ments for the ships absolutely required for naval purposes. The battle ship Kearsarge has just been put in commission, and the Ulinois on the Atlantic side and the Wis- consin on the Pacific coast must also be commissioned immediately, in order that the ships can be taken over from the hands of the contractors. Then there arc fhe chmaller craft, like the Stringham and h Chesapeake, also callin; is- sions and crews. ety eels he extent of the shortage may be sui 2 ay sug- gested b; the fact that fer all of the four great guns in the double turrets of the new battle ship Kearsarge but one officer could e spared, involving undue risk, even in of peace. The navigation bureau ts the statement that there are cies In the line of the and the total number of office: less than it was fifteen standing the great inci of ships. course at Annapolis, prov pending naval bill, would not relieve the situation in years, so the officials are striving to find Some method for temporary relief, such perhaps as the graduation of the An lis classes for the next two years on in advance of the usual time, or an thorization for the immediate appointment not with- e z number The projected shortening of the se in the an fifteen to Annapolis of about a hundred extra cadets, ———+« +_____ FAVORABLE COMPARISON. Our Loss in Spanish War Compared With That of England. ‘The War Department has prepared an in- structive statement c mparing the mortal- ity figures in the Spanish-American war j With those of the first six months of the present South African war, the purpose being to show that the casualties suffered by the American troops (at the time of their occurrence, regarded in some quarters ¢ excessive, and so made the basis of much criticism), were actually very much less in humber proportionately than those suffered by the British army up to date. As to the British showing, the statement covers the returns from October 11 to April %, nearly six month: There were 3u0 ofti- cers and 3,944 men ied in action, by acci- dent, or by wounds and disease. There Were set down as ing and as prisone! 168 officers and 3 men, and 288 officers and 4,94 men were invalided home, making the total British losses, exclusive of sick and wounded in the hospital in South Africa, 765 officers and 12,60) me: It is estimated that nearly 10,000 officers and men are sick and wounded in the hospitals, showing a loss in effective strength since the beginning of the war of about 23,000 men. The number of wounded is not stated. During the war with Spain the American army lost by death 107 officers and 2,803 men. There were wounded 113 officers and 1,464 men. Only 12 per cent of the Amer- ican death rate resulted from wounds or occurred in battle, while the correspond- ing rate for the British army was 63.13 per cent. The War Department statement reads in conclusion: “The conditions, both military and cli- matic, under which t the campaigns were carried on were s different that it is ditti- cult to make any comparisons. The Amer- fean campaigns were carried on in the tropics in midsummer, the most unfavor- able season of the year. The diseases most prevalent were tropical fevers. The climate in the theater of operations In South africa is remarkably healthy. There was much sickness at Ladysmith, but that was due to siege conditions and not to climate. In the American campaigns the clothing worn was as light as possible. Lord Roberts has sent from Bloemfontein for warmer clothing for his army on account of the threatened prevalence of pneumonia ———_—_—__+-e+____ DREDGING THE RIVER. It is Expected That Operations Will Soon Be Resumed. It is expected that dredging operations in the river channels opposite this city, which were suspended last September, will be re- sumed in a few days. Mr. A. M. Clegg, the contractor, 1s now preparing his plant. An examination of the dredged channels by representatives of Col. Allen, the engineer officer in charge, shows that the upper end of the channel above the Long bridge has shoaled somewhat since it was dredged by the present contractor nearly two years ago. In a report to the War Department, Col. Allen says that the delay in completing the cut through the bar has undoubtedly been an important factor in the shoaling of the channel. Dredging operations “have been com- menced for the improvement of the river below Washington. The project aims to secure depths of twenty-four feet and widths of 200 teet through the bars at M: tawoman shoals, Smith Point shoals, Ma land Point shoals and Kettle Botiom shoal: The work is being done by Rittenhor Moore of Mobile, Ala., under a continuing contract, at a cost not to exceed $176,0K), Dredging operations have so far been con- fined to the bar at the lower end of Matta- woman shoals. The work has been delayed recently by high winds, ——_—_——_~o+______ THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Mr. Hopkins Will Oppose the Proposed Change. Representative Hopkins of Illinois has an- nounced his intention of opposing the sec- tion of the District of Columbia appropri- ation bill which proposes a reorganization of the government of the public schools of Washington. Mr. Hopkins objects to the change being carried on an appropriation bill, and thinks that it should be provided by a special bill, accompanied by a report of committee. Mr. Hopkins is said to be a fellow-towns- mon of Mr. Powell, the present superintend- ent of public schools, ——————-—--____ Japanese Mining Regulations. Minister Buck at Tckyo writes to the State Department that at the recent session of the Japanese diet a change was made in the mining regulations by which mining privileges were extended to foreigners or- ganized as juridical persons under Japanese law. This the minister regards as indica- tive of a Mberal attitude toward foreigners. A bill for the control of foreign patent medicines was also passed by the dict. —_—+o+______ Chaplain Perry’s Assignment. Chaplain Barton W. Perry, recently ap- pointed, has been ordered to San Francisco for assignment to duty. 0 PROMOTIONS|*ck OF Naval oFFiceRs! AT THE WHITE HOUSE District Matters Brought Before the President, DARK HORSES FOR COMMISSIONER A Delegation for Dr. Hughes of the Northeast. EGG-ROLLING MONDAY a District matters were again prominent at the White House today, although the Presi- dent did not give them as much time as he desired, owing to a pressure of other business. Two dark horses for Dis- trict Commissioner meandered around the building, and the good points of one was presented to the President. The strong points of the other are to be put before the President on Monday. Dr. Wm. D. Hughes. The name of Dr. William D. Hughes of the northeast was presented to the Pregi« dent by a prominent delegation, headed by Rev. Dr. Wallace Radcliffe and R. E. Doan of the local bar. Other members of the Gclegation were ex-Representative D. K. Watson of Ohio, ex-Governor Alphonsa Hart of the same state, E. R. Haight, Capt. George J. Bond, Capt. Cullen, L. A.’ Hart= man, W. 8. Odell, Dr. Robins, J. C. Yost and L. Mackall. The presentation of Drs Hughes’ name was ma¢ n, dure ing which it was stated that Dr. Hughes Was a man of excellent training and liberal education, that he and that he had be and was acquain istration. Mr. Doan Hughes represented the northeast, and that the eltizens of that section cesired to see his appointment. The President said that he would have to settle the commissioner- ships in a short time, and that he would take into consideration the name of Dr. Hughes. It is stated that Justice Harlan of the Supreme Court, who was at the White House Thursday, and ex-Secretary John W: F ‘ged the selection of n elder of the New Harlan and Mr. Foste: Another Dark Horse. The other dark horse is M. A. Davidge. He was at the White House with Nathantet P Wilson, but owing to the rush of business they did not wait to fill their engagement, making another engagement to call next week A delegation of colored men was at the White House to add to the strong Indorse= ments of Judge Scott. These were E. M. Hewiett, Reuben Smith, P. W. Frisb: Fountain Peyton, Dr. C. W. Childs an Royal Hugh They declare that the cole cred people of the city are unanimous for Judge Scott. The candidacy of Mr. Knox was also pushed along by Representative Mondell of Wyoming. Mr. Mondell told the President that Mr. ‘ould make a splendid Com- missioner. The commissionership was c: attention of the President by: gressmen, but during the day Statement indicating upon candidat Ready for Egg-Rolling. The White House grounds are in readi- ness for the Easter cgg-rolling festivities on Monday. The big gates to the grounds will be opened at 9 o'clock in the morning, and the children and their baskets may en- ter as soon after that as they desire. The ed to the veral con- made no settled he that he had privilege granted the children = year ts special one, in that Mrs. McKinley is not in the best health, and t omeration of noises mad ne not calculated to s weakened nerves. 3 ys enjoyed the fe: annually look f bright pleasure. sm’ MORE BRIGADIER GENERALS. Secretary Root Recommends the Ad- dition of Six to Reward Merit. Secretary Root has recommende@ to Con- gress that provi: mb made in the rmy appropriation bill for sox brigadier generals in addition to these now in the service, with the provision “that when the office appointed are fer any reason elir from the active list, their plac officers in the regular army filled.” The clause is proposed the President to reward specially torious servic cretary Roi provision fs ne if suitable to ssary, served reward is to be given the Phi The names likely to be appointed in the event creation of such commissions have not been but in his te selected by the President mony before Senate mi y commiitec re- cently, when he presented the matter to the committee, Secretary Root said he th: Wheaton, Bates, Sci to be brigadier ger they have earned lant and meritorious shame that this cour nize it.” Secretary Root has ais: this provision, “that the appoint from among the general volunieers now in service not exceed three brigadier generals in the regular vice, With a view 1. placing them st of the ngular means Genv-als W Wheeler. an and Chaff Is, adding, President Ss PERINTENDI NTS OF SCHOOLS. s Senator McMillan Presents a Petition From Locai Taxpayers. Mr. McMillan today !aid before the Sen- ate a petition of 400 citizens and taxpay- ers of the District of Colum asking that two superintendents instcad of one be provided for the schools of the Dis- trict, and that one superintendent be a ored man and in charge of the colored schools; also that t! leis be appoint- ed instead of two, tha: the os ments of superintar cts Le ver board of education. ———__+ Licut. Stetson’s Insanity. Lieut. Frederick T. Stetson of the quar- termaster’s department, having been ad- judged insane by a board of medical officers at Manila, has been ordered to the govern- ment hospital for the insane near Wash- ington for treatment. He will be brought home on the transport Sheri —_—_- e+ ____—_ Completion of Battle Ships. Naval Constructor wies the New York navy yard has reported to the Navy Department that the battle ship Indiana will be completed by April 21 and the Massachusetts by May 8. The ships will proceed to League Isiand, where they will be placed in ordinary. —_—_—_—_———o+_____—_ The New Siamese Mi ter. Phya Prasiddhi, the new minister from Siam, has arrived in this city with his sec- retary and has taken icmporary quarters ai the Arlington Hotel. Minister Prasiddhi has had previous experience in this coune try. having been an attache of the Sias mese legation here in 1837.