Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, December 16, 1899, Page 2

The Rierali-Review. E. C. KILEY, Editor, GRAND RAPIDS - MINNESOTA, The barber’s face must be his shav- ing mug. The flirt of today will be the old maid of tomorrow. Even the deaf mute is able to hear money when it talks. If vanity fails to catch a man in one disguise it assumes another. Somehow the more you try to be funny the more people don’t laugh. When the landlord raises the rent the tenant must raise it also or get out. Lexicographers think favorably of changing the word politician to pulli- tician. Political reform may be all right, but political corruption has the advantage of age and experience. The man who is the architect of his own character often puts up a job no other man would take off his hands. ‘Tis said there are but few great women oratars; but when it comes to great talkers—well, that’s another proposition. No woman should ever be allowed to vote until she is able to sharpen a lead pencil for the purpose of scratching her ticket. Sir Thomas Lipton was banqueted on his return to London, just the same. He had certainly done as well as could have been expected, considering the circumstances. A firm at Sycamore, IIl., has started a turtle farm on the banks of the Kish- waukee river. Both before and after death it appears that the festive turtle is to be in the swim. Time was when the word “plague” filled every heart with horror. . Amer- ica has never been devastated by the fell disease and now when a vessel from Brazil has arrived at New York with several cases on board there is nothing to fear, for they have been promptly quarantined. The “black death,” as the plague has been appro- priately named, is always present in Asia, where native ignorance and dis- regard of cleanliness have rendered it epidemic. Europe, which was peri- odically decimated by this fatal putrid fever, has got rid of it by proper at- tention to sanitation. The United States with’ its good drainage, good living and the accompanying increased vitality has nothing to fear from the presence of a few isolated cases at the New York quarantine. London correspondents state that after twenty-five years of bankruptcy America’s first colony, Liberia, is now rehabilitated, the interest on its pub- lic debt being paid. In 1871 Liberia floated a loan of $500,000, chiefly in England, but three years later the lit- tle republic failed to meet the interest, and this condition of affairs has pre- vailed ever since, until now Liberia’s fiscal agents in London have an- nounced that the government is once more able to meet its obligations. This step was rendered feasible by a new source of revenue derived from rubber, and the interest which the bondholders despaired of getting is now being paid from the royalties turned into the gov- ernment of the republic by the Li- berian rubber syndicate, an essentially English concern. The development of the rubber industry in Liberia has at- tracted considerable attention, which has not confined itself to the commer- cial aspect, and there is likely to be in the near future diplomatic activity in relation to the status of Liberia. The year 1900 will offer a consider- able range of choice to persons inter- ested in anniversaries pertaining to literary men whose claim to remem- brance is indisputable. Scholars will have the five hundredth anniversary of the death of Chaucer in mind, and will repair with fresh delight to that “well of English undefyled.” Richard Hooker, the English divine, will have been dead three centuries. His dis- tinction had the added felicity of win- ning Izak Walton’s pen to record its fullness The centenary of Cowper's death is to be numbered with the notable days in the new year. Many to whom his works may not otherwise appeal will be grateful for the spiritual refreshment which they owe to his devotional writing. On the other hand, the centenary of Macaulay’s birth will be commemorated, at least by special recollection, by the large com- pany who are his debtors because when he wrote history, the poet’s imagina- tion kept dullness at a distance. There will be other days and names for end- of-the-century mention which good readers and good listeners will not forget. Masked highwaymen in Greater New York climbed aboard a trolley car the other morning, robbed the conductor and left the motorman tied to a tree in a lonely patch of woods. Possibly the Englishmen who came over expect- ing to chase buffalo along the New York boulevards and shoot Indians in Brooklyn were not so far astray in their reckonings after all. A man is liable to cast his bread upon the waters during his first ocean voyage, but it’s his first excursion in a balloon that makes him soar, SAID TO CONGRESS Touching Tribute to the Late Vice President—Financial Affairs in Good Condition — Recommenda- tions for Currency Reform—The Philippine Question Exhaustively Reviewed—In Duty Bound to Put Down the Rebellion—Future Gov- ernment of the Islands for Con- gress to Decide—Business of -the Government Reviewed. The following is a synopsis of President McKinley's message: ee The messege opens with a touching tri- bute to the memory of’ the late Vice President Hobart. The fifty-sixth congress convenes, says the president, in its fitst regular session with the country in,a condition of unus- ual prosperity, of universal good will among the people at home, and in rela- tions of peace and friendship with every government of the world. Our foreign commerce has shown great increase in volume and value. The com- bined imports and exports for the year are the largest ever shown by a single year in all our history. Referring to the government finances, the president says that the receipts from all sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1899, aggregated $610,082,004.35. For the fiscal year the expenditures were $700,093,564.02, leaving a deficit of $89,111,- 559.67. The secretary of the treasury estimates that the receipts for the current fiscal year will aggregate $640,95£,112, and upon the basis of present appropriations a sur- plus of $640,000,000. The present gratifying strength of the treasury is shown by the fact that on Dec. 1, 1800, the available cash balance Was $278,004,837.72, of which | $239,744,- 905.36 was in gold coin and bullion. The conditions of confidence which prevail throughout the country have brought gold into more general use, and customs re- ceipts are now almost entirely paid in that coin. The president directs the attention of congress to the necessity of reforms in the national banking act, and expresses the hope that reasonable modifications be made in the act to make its service more responsive to the people’s needs. He says: “I urgently recommend that to sup- port the existing gold standard, and to maintain ‘the parity in value of the coins of the two metals (gold and silver) and the equal power of every dollar at all times in the market, and in the payment of debts,’ the secretary ef the treasury be given additionai power and charged with the duty to sell United States bonds and to employ such other effective means as may be necessary to these ends.” In summing up the financial section of his message, the president says: “Our receipts now%equal our expendi- tures; deficit revenues no longer create alarm. Let us remove the only remain- ing cause by conferring the full and nec- essary power on the secretary of the treasury and impose on him the duty to uphold the present gold standard and preserve the coias of the two metals on a parity with each other, which is the re- peatedly declared policy of the United States. In this connection I repeat my former recommen¢ations that a portion of the gold holdings shall be placed in a trust fund, from which greenbacks shall be re- deemed upon presentation, but when once redeemed shall not thereafter be paid out except for gold.” ‘the attention of congress is called to to the value of an American merchant marine for the extensicn of our commer- cial trade and the strengthening cf our power upon the sea, and immediate ac- tion is urged. On the subject of trusts the president says: Combinations of capital organized into trusts to control the conditions of trade among our citizens, to stifle competition, limit production and determine the prices of products used and consumed Ly the people, are justly provoking public dis- cussion, and should early claim the at- tention of the congress. It is universally ccnceded that combi- nations which engross or control the mar- ket of any particular kind of merchandise or commodity necessary to the general community, by suppressing natural and ordinary competition, whereby prices are unduly enhanced to the general consum- er, are obnoxious not only to the common law but also to the public welfare» There must be a remedy for the evils involved in such organizations. if the present law can be extended more certainly to contro! or check these monopolies or trust, it should be done without delay. Whatever power the con- gress possesses over this most important subject should be promptly ascertained and asserted. It is apparent that uniformity of legis- lation upon this subject in the several states is much to be desired. It is to be hoped that such uniform‘‘v founded on a wise and just discriminat‘»n between what is injurious and what is useful and necessery in business operations may be obtained, and that means may be found for the congress within the limitations of its constitutional power so to supplement an effective code of state Icgislation as to make a complete system of laws throughout the United States adequate to compel a general observance of the salutary rules. e A review of our relations with foreign states is presented, with such recom- mendations as are deemed appropriate. Our relations with other nations are on most friendly terms. The president again fefers to the nec- essity for the construction of the Nicara- gua canal and urges congress to take early action in the matter. é Of the dispute regarding the Alaskan boundary, the president says a modus vivendi for provisional demarcations in the region about the head of the Lynn canal has been agreed upon and express- es the hope that negotiations now pend- ing will end in an early and amicable adjustment. With regard to the British-Boer war, the president says this government has maintained an attitude of neutrality. The president refers to the lynching of foreigners in Louisiana, and says the federal courts should be given jurisdic- tion in such cases. The president urges the necessity of a cable to Manila, and invites congress to give the matter consideration. The year has been marked, says the president, by constant increase in. the intimacy of our relations. with Mexico, and the magnitude of mutually advan- tageous interchange. This government has omitted no opportunity to show its strong desire to develop and perpetuate the ties of cordiality now so long happily unbroken. mr, i Samoan, affairs. are ‘briefly reviewed by the president. He says a satisfactory ar- rangement was concluded between the governments of Germany .and of’ Eng- land, by virtue of which England retired from Samoa in view of compensations in other! directions, and both parties re- nounced in favor of the United States all their rights and claims over and in re- spect to that portion of the group em- bracing the islands of Tutuila, Ofoo, Ole- senga and Mauna. The convention is re-~ ferred to the,senate for its constitutional action thereon. as ; The president reviews Cuban affairs since the close of the Spanish war. He declares that our pledges*to restore or- der and establish a stable government in the island must; be sacredly kept. He Says the greatest blessing which can come to Cuba is the ‘restoration of her agricultural and industrial prosperity, which will give employment to idle men and re-establish the pursuits of peace. This is her chief and immediate need. The resumption of diplomatic relations with the government of Spain is referred to with satisfaction. The United States minister to Turkey continues, under instructions, to press for a money payment in satisfaction of the just claims for injuries suffered by American citizens in the disorders of’ sev- eral years past and for wrongs done to them by the Ottoman authorities. Some of these-ciaims are of many.years’ stand- ing. ,This government is hopeful of a gen- eral agreement in this regard. The dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela regarding the boundary line between Venezuela and British Guiana has been adjusted, thus endig a g¢gontro- versy which has existed for the greater part of the century. - £ Conventions of reciprocity have been signed during the congressional recess with Great Britain for the respective colonies of British Guiana, Barbadoes, Bermuda, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos islands, and with the republic of Nica- ragua, Important reciprocal conventions have also been concluded with France and with the Argentine republic. Of the work of the peace conference the president says: The final act of the conference includes conventions upon the amelioration of the Jaws and customs of war on land, the adaptation to maritime warfare ef the principles of the Geneva convention of 1864, and the ‘extension of judicial meth- ods to international cases. The conven- tion for the pacific settlement of interna- tional conflicts embodies the leading features of the American plan with such modifications as were rendered necessary by the great diversity of views and inter- ests represented by the delegates. The four titles of the convention provide for the maintenance of general peace; the exercise of good offices and mediation; the formation of committees of inquiry and international arbitration. The mediation provided for by the con- vention is purely voluntary and advisory and is intended to avoid any invasion or limitation of the sovereign rights of the adhering states. The commissions of in- quiry proposed consist of delegations to be specifically constituted for’ particular purposes by means of conventions be- tween the contesting parties, having for their object the clear understanding of international differences before resorting to the use of force. Theprovision for ar- bitration contemplates the formation of a@ permanent tribunal before which dis- puted cases may be brought for settle- ment by the mutual consent of the liti- gants in each case. The president speaks in terms of the highest praises of the work of the volun~ teers and regulars engared in war in the Philippines, and recommends that con- gress grant a medal of hanor to those who voluntarily remained in the service. The operations of the army are fully presented in the report of the secretary of war. I cannot withhold from officers and men, the highest commendation for, their soldierly conduct in trying situations, their willing sacrifices for their country and the integrity and ability with which they have performed unusual and difficult duties in our island possessions. The president says the navy has main- tained the spirit and high efficiency which have always characterized that service, and has lost none of the gallantry in heroic action which has signalized its brilliant and glorious past. The nation has equal pride in its early and later achievements. Its habitual readiness for every emergency has won the confidence and admiration of the country. The peo- plo are interested in the preparation and prestige of the navy and will justify lib- eral appropriations for its maintenance and improvement. é Pension affairs are considered briefly by the president. and some changes in the laws and regulations are recommended. ‘The situation in the Philippines is dealt with at considerable length by the presi- denf. He says: - On the 10th of December, 1898, the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain was signed. It provided, among other things, that Spain shpuld éede to the United States the archipelago known as the Philippine islands: that the United States should pay to Spain the sum of $20,000,000, and that the civil rights and the population of the native inhabitants of the territories thus ceded to the United States should be determined by the con- gress. The treaty was ratified by the senate on the 6th of February, 1899, and by the government of Spain on the 19th of: March following. The ratifications were exchanged on the 11th of April and the treaty publicly proclaimed. On the 2d of March the congress voted the sum contemplated by the treaty and the amount was paid over to the Spanish gov- ernment on the first of May. In this manner the Philippines came to the United States. The islands were ceded by the government of Spain, which had been in’ the undisputed possession of them for centuries. They were acepted, not merely by our authorized commissioners in Paris under the direction of the executive, but by the constitutional and well considered action of the representatives of the people of the United States in both houses of con- gress. } I had every reason to believe, and I still believe, that; this transfer of sovereignty was in accordance with the wishes and the aspirationg,of the great mags of the Filipino people. From the earliest mo- ment no opportunity was lost of assuring the people of the island of our ardent de- sire for their welfare and of the intention of this government to do everything pos- sible to advance their interests. In my order of the 19th of May, 1898, the com- mander of the military expedition dis- patched to the Philippines was instructed to declare that we came not to make war. upon the people of that country “nor upon any party or faction among them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments and in their personal and religious rights." That there should be no doubt as to the paramount authority there, on the 17th of August, it was di- rected that ‘there must be no joint oc- cupation with the insurgents;”’ that the United States must preserve the peace and protect persons and property within the territory occupied by their military and naval forces; that the insurgents and all othe~* must reeegnize*the military occupation and authority of the United States. As early as Dec. 4, before the cession, in anticipation of that event, the commander in Manila was urged to restore peace and tranquility and to un- dertake the establishment of a beneficent government and should afford the fullest security for life and_property. On the 2ist of December, after the treaty was signed, the commander of the forces of occupation was instructed ‘to announce and proclaim in the most public manner that we come not as invaders and: conquerors, but as friends, to protect the natives in their homes, in their employ- ments, and in their personal and religious rights." On the same day, while order- ing Gen. Otis to see that the peace should be preserved in Iloilo, he was admon- ished that “it is the most important that there should be no conflict with the in- surgents.”” On the first day of January, 1899, urgent orders were reiterated that the kindly intentions of this government should in every possible way be commu- nicated to the insurgents. a On the 21st day of January I announced my intention of dispatching to Manila a commission composed of three gentlemen of the highest character and distinction, thoroughly acquainted with the Orient, . and Maj. Gen, Otis, were instructed to “facilitate the most humane and effective extension of authority thoughout the isl-_ ands and to secure with the least possible delay the benefits of a wise and generous protection of life and property to the in- habitants.” + While the treaty of peace was under consideration in the senate these commis- sioners set out on their mission’ of good will and liveration. Their character was sufficient guaranty of the beneficent pur- pose of which they went, even if they had not borne the positive instructions of this government vhich made their errand pre-eminently one of peace and friend- ship. * * But before their arriyal at Manila the sinster ambition of a few leaders of the Filippinos had created a situation full of embarrassments for us and most grievous in its consequences to themselves. The clear and impartial preliminary report of the commissioners, which I transm{it herewith, gives so lucid and comprehen- sive a history of the present insurrection- ary movement that the story need not be here repeated, It is enough to say that the claim of the rebel leader that he was promised independence by any officer of the United States in relation for his assistance has no foundation in fact and is categorically denied by the very witnesses who were called to prove it. The most the insurgent leader hoped for when he came back to Manila was the liberation of the islands trom the Spanish control, which they had been laboring for years without success to throw off. The prompt accomplishment of this work by the American army and navy gave him other. ideas, and ambitions and insidious suggestions from various quarters perverted the purposes and in- tentions with which he had taken up arms. The rebellion must be put down, eivil government cannot be thorougly estab- lished until order is restored. With a devotion and gallantry worthy of its most brilliant history, the army, ably and loyally assisted by the navy, has carried on this unwelcome but most righteous campaign, which richly de- served success. The noble self-sacrific with which our soldiers and sailors whose terms of service had expired refused to avail themselves of their right to return home as long as they were needed at the front forms one of the brightest pages in our annals. Although their operations have been~somewhat interrupted and checked by a.rainy season of unusual violence and duration, they have gained ground steadily in every direction. and now look forwaré coifidently to a speedy completion of their task. The unfavorable circumstances con- nected with an active campaign have not been permitted to interfere with theequel- ly important work of reconstruction. Again I invite your attention of the re- port of the commissioners, giving interest- ing and encouraging details’ of the work already accomplished in the establishment of peace and order and the inauguration of self-governing municipal life in many portions of the archipelago, A notable beginning has been made in the establish- ment of a government in the island of Negros, which is deserving of special con- sideration. This was the first island to accept American sovereignty. Its people unreservedly proclaimed allegiance to the United States and adopted a constitution looking to the establishment of a popular government. The authorities of the Sulu islands have accepted the succession of the Unived States to the rights of Spain, and our flag floats over that territory. Concerning the future government of the archipelago the president says: The future government of the Philip- pines rests with the congress of the United States. Few graver responsibili- ties have ever been confided to us. If we accept ther in a spirit worthy of our race and our traditions, a great op- portunity comes with them. The islands lie under the shelter of) our flag. They are ours by every title of law and_ equity. They cannot be abandoned. If we desert them we leave them at ‘once to anarchy and finally to barbarism. .We fling them, a golden apple of discord. among the rival powers, no one of which could permit another to seize them unquestioned. Their rich plains and valleys would be the scence of endless strife and bloodshed. The advent of Dewey’s fleet in Manila bay, :nstead of being, as we hoped, the down of a new day of freedom and pro- gress, will have been the beginning of an era of misery and violence worse than any which has darkened their unhappy past. The suggestion has been made that we qc uld renounce our authority over the island. ‘ This proposition will not be found, I am sure, worthy of your sericus atten- tion. Such an arrangement would involve at the ouset a cruel breach of faith. It would take the peacable and loyal majority who ask nothing >etter thin to accept our authority at the nercy of the minority of armed insurgents. It would make us responsible for the acts of the insurgent leaders, and give us n> power with the task of protectirg them against each other and defending them against any foreign power with which they chose to quarrel. In short, it would take from the congress of the United States the power of declaring war and vest that tre- mendous prerogative in the legal leader of the bour. It does not seem desirable that I should redommend at this time a specifte and final form of government for these is-. ands. When peace shall be restored it will be the duty of econgr-ss to cunstruct a plan of government which shall estab- lish and maintain freedom 1nd order and penee in the Philippincs. Until cofréss shall make known the formal expression of its will, I shall use thy authority vested in me by the con- stitution and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty of the United States in those distant islands as in al «ther p'aces, where our flag rightfully fioats. 1 shall put at the disposal of the army al navy all the means which the liber- ality of congress. and the people have provided to cause this unprovoked and teful insurrection to:cease. If any or- ders of mine were required to insure the teen marked by a humanity which surprised even the misguided insur- The truest kindness to them will eneficient work. We shall continue, e have begun, to open the schools powejr to make these people *hom provi- dence has brouzht within our jurisdiction hac ae». » liberty and net our power, their welfare and not our gain, we are seeking to enhance. Our flag has never) waved over any community but in blessing. I believe the Filipinos will soon recogihize the fact that it has not lost its gift of benediction in its world-wide jour- ney td their shores. i Of Hawaii the president says: “Sonhe embarrassment in administration has o¢eurred by reason of the peculiar status| which the Hawaiian islands at present occupy under the joint resolution of annexation approved fTuly 7, 1898. While by that reason the republic of Hawaij as an independent nation was ex. tinguisHed, its separate sovereignty de- stroyed and its proptrty and possessions vested in the United States, yet a com- plete establishment for its gévernment under our system was not effected. ¥ who, in association with Admiral Dewey, By the resolution of annexation the ‘president was directed to appoint five commissioners to recommend to congress such legislation concerning the islands as they ‘should deem necessary or proper. These commissioners were duly appointed and after a careful investigation and study of the system of laws and govern- ment prevailing in the islands and of the conditions existing there they prepared a bill to provide a government under the title of the ‘Territory of Hawaii.” The report of the committee with the bill which they prepared, was transniitted by me to congress on Dec. 6, 1898, but the bill still awaits final action. . The people of these islands are entitled to the benefits and privileges of our con- stitution, but in the absence of any act of congress providing for federal courts in the island and for a précedure by which appeals, writs of error and other judicial proceedings necessary for the enforce- ment of civil rights may be prosecuted, they are powerless to secure their en- forcement by the judgment of the courts. of the United States. It is manifestly important, therefore, that an act shall be presented as speedily as possible erect- ing these islands into a judicial district, providing for the appointment of a judge and other proper officers and methods of procedure in appellate proceedings, and that the government of this newly ac- quired territory under the fe4*en® con- stitution shall be fully defined’ and pro- vided for.” Th? president says a necessity for im- mediate legislative relief exists in the Territory of Alaska. The present civil government is fitted only for the admin- istration of affairs in the sparsely inhab- ited country. The increase of immigra- tion -consequent upon the discovery of gold has produced such a condition as calls for more ample facilities for local self-government. The president sees no reason why a more complete form of territorial organization should not be provided. According to the president the time is ripe for the adoption of a temporary form of government for the island of Porto Rico. It is desirable, he says, that the gov- ernment of the island, under the law of belligerent right now maintained through the executive department, should be su- perseded by an administration entirely civil in its nature. In conclusion the president says: “The 14th of December will be the one hundredth anniversary of the death of Washington. For a hundred years the republic has had the priceless advantage of the lofty standard of character and conduct which he bequeathed to the American people. It is» an inheritance which time, instead of wasting, contin- ually increases and enriches. We may justly hope that in the years to come the beneticient influence of the Father of His Country may be even more patent for good than in the century which is draw- ing to a close. I have been glad to learn that in many part of the country the peo- ple will fittingly observe this historic zn- niversary. Presented to this congress are great op- portunities. With them come great sponsibilities. The power confided to us increase the weight of ur obligation to the people, and we must he profoundly sensitive of them as we contemplate the new and grave problems which eu..frcnt us. Aiming only at the public good, we cannot err. A right interpretation of the people’s will and of duty cannot fail to insure wise measures for the --elfare of the islands which have rome under the authority of the United States and inure to the common intetest and lasting honor of our country. Never has;this nation had more abundant cause than during the past year for thankfulness to God for manifold blessings and mercies, for which we make reverent acknowledgment. MAJ. EDWADS AS GUARDIAN. Aids a Larimore Lad to Realize a Martial Ambition. Richard Shoemaker, a Larimore youth, who was under age, had con- siderable difficulty at Fargo getting into the service of Uncle Sam. He wanted to’enlist, and his mother was willing. His stepfather, with whom he was not on the best terms, opposed. Jndge Roberts of the county court ap- pointed Maj. Edwards guardian of Shoemaker, and Chairman Barnes of the county commissioners authorized the judge to act without the usual fees, The major gave his consent, and young Shoemaker is now enlisted in the reg- ular army and may get to the Philip- pines in time to chase a few of the in- surgents. Mayor Johnson of Fargo and Presi- dent Worst of the agvicultural college are in Duluth conferring with the ele- yvator men to raise funds for the pub- } lication of the proceedings of the flax convention to be held hére Dec. 10. It is intended to publish the speeches and send out 30,000 or 40,000 copies to the farmers on both sides of the valley. Lieut. Tad Foster surprised his father by wiring of his arrival in San Francisco. He went to the Philippines as quartermaster. sergeant of Company B of Fargo in the First North Dakota regiment. After his service there with his home company he was Appointed to a lieutenancy in the regulars. A severe attack of malaria laid him out and he was ordered hor> on sick Jeave. It is supposed he will come on to Fargo after a short stay at the hospital in San Francisco. DBSPICABLE WORK. Incendiaries Make Another Effort to Burn St. Peter. A disastrous ‘fire occurred in St. Peter Saturday €vening. The Lampert Lum- ber company’s yard, which carries. a stock valued at $15,000, was totally destroyed; also the residence of Mrs. M. M. Stark. It was valued at $2,000. The St. Peter furniture factory was saved by the work of the*fire depart- ment. The fire was started by a firebug, as the sheds and lumber were saturated with oil. This is the third attempt at setting fires within a month. The hydrant wrenches were missing from the engine house when the alarm was turned in, and it is supposed they were taken by the firebug to delay getting water to the fire. ‘The entire cigy was threatened for a time, but at 11 o’elock the flames were under control. Being Polite. “A little girl in England was asked out to tea. On her return her mother said: “I hope you were very polite, Caroline.” “Qh, yes, mother,” said she. “The first time they handed me the cake I said, ‘Yes, thank you.’ And the second time I said, ‘A very small bit, please.’ And the third time I said, ‘Not any more, thank you.’ But the fourth time I didn’t know what to say.” “Well,” said the mother, “what did ou say?” ‘ “Oh, I said just what daddy says— ‘Oh, take the d—d thing away!’ "—Life. The capital stock of the Bank of Bowdle has been increased through the buying of an interest by Iowa parties. DEFEAT FOR BRITIS SERIOUS REVERSE IN THE ATTACKS ON STORMBERG. * Gen, Gatacre’s Repuise Regarded af the Most Serious Defeat Britislt Arms Has Sustained in the Wholé Campaign—Two Men Killed, Nine and = = Seventecn Mew Wounded And Nine Officers and 596 Men .Missing—Gen. Gataere Evidently the Victim of Treach¢ ‘erous Guides. ray _o— 4 London, Dec. 12. — The war offic@ publishes the following dispatch front Gen. Forestier-Walker at Cape Town: “Gatacre reports: Deeply regret to inform you that I met with serious re= verse in attack on Stromberg. I was misled as to the enemy’s position by the guides and found ground.” ‘ Officers , It is hardly too much to regard Gen. Gatacre’s repulse near Stormberg as the most serious defeat British arms have yet sustained in the whole cams paign. Already the official advice show that two men were killed and nine of ficers and seventeen men were wounds ed and nine officers and 596 men are, missing. But it is evident the worst is not yet known. The proportion of; wounded and killed is so small when compared with the missing, who are undoubtedly prisoners in the hands of the Boers, that the supplementary list of casualties is awaited with ious. misgivings. It is also feared there wera serious losses of guns and equipment, The most serious aspect of the affair’ is the effect it is likely to have on the Duich in Cape Colony who have been! wavering whether to throw their lot! with the Boers. The Dutch farmerg are now likely to join the rebellion. The disclosure of such a strong fore@ about Stormberg was quite unexpected! Doubtless Den. Getacre was the vic- tim of treacherous guides. But the movement points also to the absence of proper cavalry scouting. Story of the Disaster. ' Molteno, Cape Colony, Dec. 12.—Gem! Gatacre left Putter’s kraal by traim for Molteno and then proceeded by; forced march twelve miles toward Stormberg. He had 2,000 men, inchid-, ing the Northumberland fusi the; Royal Irish rifles and two batteries of field artillery. The British were vin-! molested by the Boers until the Boer, position was reached, when a hot fire’ Was unexpectedly opened upon the ad-| vancing column. The engagement be- gan at 4:15 a.m. At 7a. m.. after sharp artillery duel, the British retired. They are now marching toward na teno. Gen, Gatacre found the enemy’: position impregnable. It was impossi-} ble for the British infantry to get at} the Boers. Gen. Gatacre’s movement may be termed a reconnaisance inj force. Tits object was to ascertain thy strength of the position of the oe who were strongly intrenched alo the Stormberg range. The column ar-| rived safely within a coupie of miles of its destination, the only incidents of the march being an occasional sudden) call of “halt” under the belief that the} Boers were near. Suddenly a terrifie fire opened simultaneously on the Brit-! ish front and right“flank. The Royal Trish rifles, which formed the advance, Sought Shelter behind a neighboring kopje and were speedily joined by the remainder of the column. It was soon found, how-) ever, that this position was also cov-| ered by Boer guns, which were more powerful than had been supposed. ‘The troops, therefore, found a safer poste tion about half a mile away, two bat+ teries in the meantime engiging the} Boers and covering the troops in their withdrawal. The action now became general at long range and a detach-| ment of mounted infantry moved northward with a view of using Gat-! lings on the enemy's rigit flank Sud- denly a strong commando v seen) moying from the north and the Roy Irish rifles and the Northumberlan regiment were sent out to meet it. Tt} was soon discovered, however. that the Boers had machine guns well placed and the British were compelled to face a terrible fire. Finding it impossible to hold the position in the face of am enemy apparently superior in position in numbers and in artillery, the British retired on Molteno, the Boers following up the retirement closely and firing two big guns to bear on the re- tiring column. It is believed here that the British casualties were not serious, Communieation With Ladysmith. , Frere Camp, Natal, Dee. 12.—Helio- graphic communication with Lady- smith continues daily. Gen. Schalk- berger and Commandant Louis Botha are in and of the Boer forces ine yesting Ladysmith. heir horses are said to be in poor-condition. A heavy, report was heard in the direction of Colenso yesterday. The sound was ron lowed by a big cloud of smoke. Th , supposition is that “the enemy had blown up the highway bridge. i Victory for the British. { Ladysmith, Dee. 12. — The Briti troops made a sortie between 1 and o'clock in the morning. They crawl up a ravine and stormed and carri Lombardskop, which was hekl by th Boers and on which were placed Creusot gun and a, Howitzer. ‘hes guns were destroyed with dynamite. ‘The British captured a Maxim gun and then retized. The Lancers, Hussa’ and Guards made a sortie west of La~ dysmith at daybreak under cover of a heavy artillery fire, which the Boers r turned briskly. The British afterwar returned to Ladysmith. The Bor losses are reported to have been slighi A strong burgher column has cros: the Tugela river at Colenso with th object of attacking the British and the: court column. 2 A Boers Repulsed at Kimberley. Cape Town, Dec. 12.—It is rumored 7 here that the Boers attacked Kimber — Jey at.close quarters last night bul were repulsed with heavy loss. 3 eg a impracticable ve re es 7 Ay $e ~~