Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE ENGLAND AN EASY CONOUEST | Lord Hamilton Overestimates the Ocean Tonnage Required. THE CHANNEL INVASION SCARE. A Number of Interviews With High Authorities—An Enemy's Army Could Enter the British 1sl- and With Ease. Could an Enemy Reach England. [Copyright 1888 by James Gordon Bennett.| LoxpoN, June 13.—[New York Herald Cable—Special to Tne B ~The channel invasion scare intensifie No sooner has parliament, by vetoing the channel tunnel thereby practically admitting gland’s inability to guard a hole thirty-three feet in circumference, than Lord George Hamilton, first lord of the admiralty, deevens the channel invasion scare by a privileged speech night before last, upon which half a dozen newspapers immediately founded stirring leaders. 1 calied upon several naval and mil- itary magnates to-day in hopes to get their views upon the mooted questions which may be concisely expressed thus: How many tons of shipping would be re- quired to carry an army of 100,000 from France to England? How long would ittake to collect the trans- port? How much time would be occupied in put- ting the troops on board ship and taking them out againt How far availably the steamn navy of any continental power would be of use for the purposet Almost everyone visited seemed saturated Wwith thoughts on the subject, but each one ‘was unwilling to utter them. Admiral Sir John Hay was yisited at his residence over- looking Pimlico pier, to-day and was willing to talk but reservedly. He said “Lam not prepared to definitely state whether the ton- nage mentioned by Lord George Hamilton for carrying 15,000 soldiers over the channel is really required. Lord George doubtless had data for what he said, which is more than I have, but I had in my younger considera®fe experience in the transport service, and_my own impression is that such soldiers could be transported with less ton- nage than that he mentioned. As to a sur- prise invasion by sea I believe it could be made. It is quite feasible. That number of men from, say France, could land on our shores and give us a little surprise, but what the result would be is more than I can an- ticipate. You newspaper men can prognos- ticate as much above that as apy one, but 1 should think that with the number of men we have and the efficient state of our volunteer system we could give a good account of our- selves. Of course it would remain with the people whether or not a seare took pls In such an event why should not foreign in- vaders be able to surprise this country? ‘William the Conqueror landed 60,000 at Hast- ings and in those days it took two or three days to row across. Other countries besides our own have made considerable progress since then, it is true, but looking at the ques- tion all round I think in these days of mod- ern appliances it could be accomplished. Much would depend upon the commander of the invading body, but I don’t believe such a commandex has yet arisen, The actuai land- ing would be a great initiative and the ulti- mate progress of the undertaking would de- pend entirely upon that mitiative.” Sir Henry Havelock Allenson, the famous General ¥ ock and now a retired general, said when I visited him: “Lord Geory Hamwilton is afriend of mine and an old comrade, but looking at this question from a purely techuical point of view I must disagree with him. You remember I inter- rupted his speech at the house of commons last night to inquire how the problem would be effected. I was assuming that an invad- ing force should arrive in sections and he plied that such a supposition would destroy the surprise. But the fact is so farasl know neither the great Napoleon, nor Lord Woolsey, nor anyone else who has considered the matter ever counted for a moment on there being a surprise. If the proposed tun- nel beneath the channel were a reality there would be reason for such apprehension. As it is we may be sure that the telegraph and newspapers will keep us informed ‘of the movements of a hostile fleet. The question is not whether an enemy could effect a land ing in spite of our full knowledge of their plans, 1 am convinced that the thing is possible—in fact under certain conditions nothing could be casier. Mind, I don't say what would become of the invaders after they have landed, Isay that France could place 100,000 troops on our southern const within two days, and that Germany could with ease land half as many more men in tho same time. Germany's advantage would consist in the large number of oceun ‘steain- ers at her disposal and the superionty of her troops on the sea. Lord George Hamilton scems to think a foreign army could not depend on steamers und wmen-of-war, which, he points out, furnish inadequute accommoda- tions for troops, but it must be remeinbered that each steamer can draw two trunsport vessels und with the horses and equipments on their decks the carrying capreity of first- class sailing vessels is something astonishing, Of course progross would be slow, but sup- posing a French expedition to les shmul- tancously from Boulogne and Cherburg, which later harbor is admirably adapted to the purpose, I can see no rea- son why they might uot land 40,000 men in England in Bix hours, later to be reinforced by a like number in an- other six hours and so on, It remains to consider what such a foree could uccomplish, Laving reached its aestination. I will not deny that properly commanded and fully equipped an arimy of 120,000 strong might get to London. They might siege the surround- ing heights and bombard the city. But now as to the probability of anything of this kind coming to puss. 1t 1s not so remote s many people suppose. Within & year Russia may seize Coustantinople. She may do it within three months. England would be forced to submit or fight. Submission secws the loss of the use of the Suez canal and danger to India. Fighting means the concentration of our fleet in the Mediterrancan, leaving the chunnel open to Russia’s ally. France might limit her nostility to interfering with our food supply, or she might make such an at tack as 1 huve supposed.” Sir Edward Hamley, M. I, of the Egyptian military, gives these views: * I had some dificulty in believing the first lord of the wdi- miralty to be in earnest when he lightly dis- posed of the possibility of invasion by stating the amount of steam tonnage which the oper- ation wonld require. What he said was equivalent to the assertion that an invading army could only eross the channel in steam- ships'of the largest size, and that the whole of it must pass at one trip. What folly was it then shat possessed our graudfuthers when, oo seeing @ great army assemibled at Boulogue for the wvasion of England, they r'ed‘.m effoits by sea aud lund 10 weel the OMAHA, THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 14, 1888, enterprise which the first lord perceives to be impossible, and which was presumably ten times more impossible i the days before | steam. Napoleon, writing to the admiral whom he had aposintad to direct the opera- tions,told him that the force he had assembled for the intended descent was 120,000 men with 500 guns and 10,000 horses. The flotilla prepared to convey them consisted of flat bottomed vessels of three classes, The troops were practiced in embarking in this flotilla. The experiment, says Allison, proved that 100,000 men with 800 pieces of cannon and their whole caissons and equip- age could wind their places in less than half an hour. In the same lotter Napoleon re- marked, ‘Let us master the strait for six hours and we are the masters of the world.! The ideas of Napoleon and of the people of England at that time, also of the Danes and Saxons, Julius Caesar and William the Con- queror, were evidently widely at variance with those of the first lord on the subject of the transport of armies across the channel. But we need not go 8o fur back for examples, Many are now living, of whom I am one, who took part in the landing of an invading army of 55000 men with 121 guns on the shore of the Crimea, the same army which a few days afterwards de- feated the Russian on Alma, There is now a new circumstance greatly in favor of the in- vader —namely, the power of a fleet to insure an unopposed landing. When Abercromby's troops approached the shore in Aboukir bay they entered a tremendous zone of fire from the French field guns which sank many of their boats, but now every warship is an im- pregnable fortand carries guns of irresistable power, so that the area of coast is kept abso- lutely clear for the landing, and as the first troops landed can either remain within that area or begin an advance, the same trans- ports which conveyed them would be free to return and bring over the rest. Thus, while the steamers are not indispensible except to tow transports, the flotilla need not necessarily be so large as to be able to couvey the whole army at one trip.”” The European situation to-day is prac ally thus: Every continental power has thoroughly armed itself suspicious of each other, while at last England has a popular and political scare aboat a possible French invasion, the home rulers saying that Ircland is ready to become a base of supplies for the French when the time comes. LoxnoN, June 18.—[New York Herald al to Tne Bre.|—Major ( . 1., who is per- authorities in the subject of Lord ¢ Haumilton's calculations, said: *I cannot give you the detailed figures but it scems that Lord George Hamilton must have been mistaken. It is diffeuit to imagine where he got his figures. It almost secms ns if he caleulated the tons per man as re- quired for a long vo; To my mind he under-estimated France's transport capacity. There is the point on which his whole state- ment rested. Few people would doubt but that France has ample shipping tonnage. en ou the figures mentioned by the first lord to carry 100,000 men, personally I think that an invasion would be possible- - that is if France had control of the sea. The great question for England is the strength of her navy. I an enemy were to land the object for us would be to have strategical points of vantage and to force the invaders to meet us where we would wish and not wheve they wis This difference between the army and navy departments ainly unfortunate and should not exist in a great country like this. Lord Wolsley will cer- tainly have some reply to make when an op- portunity occurs, BEkLL Cable ment made by Lord ¢ lord of the ddmir 4,000 tons, or un a in other words Germany — possc ze. 3. —[New Be L Hamilton, that 120 steamships of garegate of 450,000 tons, or more steam tonnage than ses and almost - as much as ¥ could command, would be requi to convey across the chanuel an army of 100,000 men, has caused re comment and criticism in the milita, sles of Berlin, 1 conversed on the sub- ject with several of the most prominent ofticers of the German army, among them Count Von Walderze, quartermaster-general of the army, These gentlemen said it would be a breach of professional confir dence to indicate how an army could be shipped from Germany to England by the means of less than 480,000 steam tonnage, but 1 can say that the figures of the first lord of the admiralty and the conclusion that he intends to be deducted from them—namely, that without taking into account the defensive power of the British fleet a land- ing of 100,000 foreign troops in England is practically an impossibil- ity—s regarded by the most compe- tent military authority in rmany as utterly absurd and as simply throwing dust in the eyes of the British public. One of the most prominent officers of the Prussian gen- cral staff, said to me: *‘The fallacy of the first lord of the admiralty, or rather one of the fallacies in his statement, is to take it for granted that the whole of an invading army could only cross at one trip. Morcover the obvious use of barges, fishing oraft and the commodious canal boats of France, that could be towed by steamers, are utt ignored in Lord Hamilton's calculation, Why, apply Lord Hamilton’s theory to act- ually accomplished military facts, If the reasoning of the head of the British admir- alty be sound then the following examples of the transportation of armies would have been impossible—namely, the landing of the Anglo-French armies in the Crimea in 1855; the transportation of general MeClellan’s army of the Potomac to the Vir- ginia peninsula in 1852; the transportation of General Bank's army to the mouth of the Mississipl iu 1863; the transportation of the Fort Fisher expedition to North Carolina later in the American war. The broad fact remains that the lord of the British admir- alty is utterly at variance with the caleula- tious made by the oficers of the German stafl.” Panis, Juoe 18.—[New York Herald Cable —Special to Tue Bee. ) —Vice-Admiral Dom- pierre d' Homory received the Herald re- porter with that genuine polifeness which characterizes naval oficers. Aftor express- ing a natural desire not to be asked any too pomnted questions with regard to France and England’s relations, e said: “To land 100,- 000 men in England, or oven 50,000, is an im- possibitity. Unless, of course, you can sup- pose that the English were warned of the cucmies intentions and were kind enough to retive suliciently far from a large beach offering & convenient landwig pluce and allow the operation to be performed witkout inter- fercuce. Otherwise, are the troops to land? Ships of the size and tonnage re- quired to trausport large numbers of troops cannot run too close in sh The embark- ing is nothing for @ short voyage, such as that from any part of rorthern Europe to England. The majority of transport could carry 2,000 mon cach, but the men wust be landed in cockle shells unless England would lend oce of her docks for the purpose. Theu York Herald again, it is not only a question of men. You must have artillery and cavalry if an army is 0 10 any service, and provisions and equip- ments. Think of the sp: occupied by heavy field artillery and cavalry. This would almost double the carrying power required for landing. Believe me, sir, England has no cause to fear an invasion. She is sur- rounded by a belt of water worth more to her than all the standing armies, Her position is infinitely superior to that of the other con- tinental nations who are obliged to ruin themselves by keeping the whole nation under arms, 1 remember during the Crim- ean war, when I commanded the flagship Ville du Paris, the time it took us to land only 25,000 men. We had to press all our transports into service. The English, of course, had their own. I distinctly recollect my surprise when 1 found we were allowed to land without opposition. Why, had the Cossacks: been there to reseive us we should not have effected the landing of half our menfand means, Coast defences to-day are very different from what they were when I was before Sebastapool. It was for his brilliant conduct on this oceasion that the then commander, Dom Pierre, was promoted to the rank of post captain. Although seventy-two years old he is still as active as ever, and with his manly, sunburnt face looks quite ready to enter active service again in case of need.” Mr. Rudolph H. Graefe, Paris manager of the Inman, Red Star and American lines, who has had considerable experience in the transport service, said: “I really caunot understand these scares in England and the strange assertions, that are made across the channel in connection with them. The Inman steamer, City of Berlin, carries 1,500 steerage, 200 saloon, and 150 second-class passengers, together with about 4,000 tons of cargo. If this ship were used for troops, according to the measurement or- dered by the government, she could carry )00 men and offcers, while ‘the cargo space could be used for stores, ammunition, horse and artillery. As for the 450,000 tons required of which you speak for 100,000 men, calculating onthe City of Berlin of 5,400 tons, carrying 2,000 men, fifty such ships to carry 100,000 men would only have a gross tonnage of 270,000. So General Wolseley seems nea the mark than Lord Hamilton.” The reporter then called at the French Trans-Atlantic companies’ offices. M. Val- mon, passenger und traffic manager, said: “Our large ships, like the Champagne, carry 200 saloon, 80 second-class and 900 stecrage passengers, besides 8,000 tons cargo. If rrying troops then she could take 1,500 or more easily. The cargo space could be en- trenched upon if not required for cavalry. Our Atlantic fleet of twenty-two ships show a total tonnage of 95,500 tons, and there are other companies in France beside ours.” g s THE EMPEROR BETTER. A Change For Gooin Ris Condition —The Cyclists. (Copyright 1658 by James Gorden Beanctt.] Brruy, June 1 [New York Herald Cable—Special to Tur Ber.|—The latest re- ports to-night of the condition of the eni- peror show a decided improvement. The artificial feeding to which his majesty at first manifested great aversion has become less distasteful, and the operation is now per- formed by Sir Morréll Mackenzie without difficulty. It has been stated to-night that the emperor has again been able to take food without the employment of an instrument, but I have not yet b able to sce anyone who could confirm this statement. Tne international cycle race attracted a great concourse of spectators, Again Herr Lehr, of Frankfort-on-the-Main, the winner of the emperor’s prize, and now champion of Europe. fell in the race to-day. but was not much hurt, In the cyele race to-day for pro- fessionals, the American, Woodside, gained second, and Temple, another American, third In another to-day for profession- als, the first prize was won by Temple, and the second by Allard, of England, and the third by Woodside. Not a little harsh comment has been ex- cited by the fact that the crown prince at- tended the races and gave a luncheon to th king of Sweden and was a guest at a rog mental dinner. He is not at Potsdam, The danger to his father, howevel not 80 imi- nent to-might as it was last night, which may be the young man's excuse, The doctors are just as much surprised as the public by the sudden change in his condition and are of course mere hopeful than they wer ter- day This, however, does not justify an) very sanguine expectations that the improve- ment will continue The League Col Meeting. CLEVELAND, June 13,—The executive coun- cil of the Irish National League of America concluded its session to-day. Thequestion of the advisability of holding a convention this year] was referred to o sub-committee, A long set of resolutions were adopted reaMirm- ing the pledges of fidelity to the present organization—the Irish Nutional league—and promising the continued support. All the riends of Ireland are calied upon to con- tribute in the effort to aid the suffering peo- ple in their struggle, and the officers of the different branches of the league to vigorously prosecute the work of extending the member- ship and enlarging its resources, Resolu- tions of sympathy to Sheridun and a prayer for his speedy recovery were also adopted. S1. PAvr, Minn, June special to the Dispatch from Menominee, Wis., said a clay bank in the brick yard there caved in this morning burying seven men. Two brothers named Jagsen have been taken out dead and terribly mangled. Two of the others can live only a few hours and the remainder escaped with broken arms und legs and in- ternal iujurie —— Managed to Kill Himself. S1. Louis, June 13.—This morning John McCulloch, a broom maker, shot his wife and theu put the muzzle of the revolver to his temple and sent & bullet through his head, dying instantly. The woman received a painful wound in tne head and wus taken to the city hospital. Mrs. McCulloch had re- fused to live with her husband, plocineadl ccocaniny Down With All On Board. LuckNow, Ont., June 18,—Stephen Martin, living on the lake shore near Kingsbridge, found a bottle on the beach on Sunday last. Tuside was a piece of bark signed by Captain McDunn and saying the schooner Tiffin, of Bay City, Mich., went down with all hands thirteen wiles from Goderich, There was no date on the bark. e i— Another Victim of the Rior. Cnicago, June 13.—The Haymarket of 183, has claimed another vietum. e Officer Timothy Sullivan, one of the detail on that memorable night, Who reccived a bullet in the thigh, died to-night of blood- poisoning. Sheridan's Condition, WASHINGTON, June 18.—General Sheridan has slept naturally the greater partof the day. He hus taken sufficient nourishment and has not been annoyed by a cough. —— A South Omaha Fire. At 2 o'clock this morning fire destroyed two frame residences in South Omaha, one block and & half west of “Swift's packing house. ‘One of the houses was the property | of & wan named Duna, THE BIG GUNS ON THE SCENE Heroes of Many Battles Gathering in Chieago. HALSTEAD SINGS FOR SHERMAN" He Considers Gresham's Boom Busted By His Friends—Chairman Jones Says He Bears No Further Message From Blaine. Forerunners of the Convention. Cricaco, June 13.—[Special Telegram to Tre Bee.|—Among the guests at the Palmer are Chauncey 1. Filley of Missouri, and John C. New of Indiana. Filley is an old and astute politician whose opinion, if sincerely spoken, is always valuable and interesting. He has no favorites just now. He says he is for the party first and that he wants to find out who would be the strongest candidate. He has begun to size them up and will not announce his decision until he has consulted with the leaders from the other states. He deplores the discord in Indiana. New had a long consultation with Filley, but failed to make him believe that Harrison, if anybody from Indiana, should be nominated. When Tom Platt gets here heand Filley will put their heads together and somebody will be hurt. It is surmised, but he does not say so, that Mr. Filley is of the opinion that an eastern man with ex-Governor Porter, of Indiana, for vice president, would make an inimitable combination. He thinks Blaine is clear out of the fight. Murat Halstead, editor of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, came in on an early train, *Ohio is undoubtedly for Sherman, reports to the contrary notwithstanding,” said he. ‘‘There may be a crank in the dele- gation—there generally is one crank in a body of fifty—butIdo not think there is more than one, if there is that. It will therefore Stand by Sherman,*with Governor Foraker at the front* loyal to the choice of the state. Sherman has already a large vote assured— more than 300—and he will grow. Blaine is out of the race for good and all, but it is not to be denied that the Ohio delegation is com- posed of Blaine's friends, who would gladly be for him if he were in the field, but he isn't, and no one Knows it so well as White- law Reid, William Walter Phelps, Charles Emery Smith and other intimate friends of the plumed knight.” “Do you think the Blaine men are secking to create diversions from this man or that, in order to get the delegates on the ground com- paratively untrammeled to pledges “No, I do not. In faet they ure utterly un- settled themselves. They do not know which way to turn, “Are they likely to tirn to Alger?” *‘Hardly, but Tom Platt of New doing all in his power to turn the delegution to Alger, and he may succeed, i Depew is not in the field. Depew could car New York, but he might lose Kansas and Tow: Harrison will have a great pull in the confident claim which'is set up for him that he can carry a state which Blaine lost in 1884, und the Harrison men urge Phelps for second place becanse he can carry New another state lost by Blaine four ago. It must npt be overlooked that indeed a strong combination. It will ttention in the convention.” ““And about Gresham ¢’ “Oh, Gresham has been killed by the methods of his friends. His boom is just like that one we started for Bristow in 1876, We ran it into the ground and broke it off.” Mr.Lane,assistant secretary to the natio committee, wore a Blaine badge and taiked Blaine with great fervor. *‘Av least 500 of the delegates ave really for Blaine,” said he with enthusiasm. “I think some of them will vote for him and the woods may be set on tir I don’t know who could put- the blaze out, once started.” He said there were men in the New York delegation who would Ay vote for the plumed knight in any He also said Chicago had killed v its proseriptive methods, Roswell G. Horr of Michi, uous figure about the Grand P this forenoon. Referring to the Chi reshuam organs, he said their conduct wis amous,and that v had m: impos: men have been catled in from lowa for a con- ference this evening or to-morrow. Mr. Christy, of Iowa, while booming Allison, said there were at least 700 delegates at heart for Blaine. The most notable event of the day politi cally was the arrival of F. B. Jones, chair man of the republican national committee and recipient of the famous Florence letter from Blaine, A rumor was in circulation that he was the bearer of anotner epistle from the man across the water and that the new missive would give Mr. Iilaine's choice for the republican presidential nomin Mr. Jones was seen by a representative of the Associated press this evening and asked if had such a_letter. He replied, “*No, sir, I have not. No communication of a political kind has been received by me from Mr. Blaine since the Florence letter reached me."” “‘Don’t you think ghe situation calls for further expression from him at this time in case of a deadlock in the convention ! ““No, I don't think so. The great majority of the delegates come here unpledged, and they may nominate a candidate at the out- set, o the talk of what should be done in the event of a deadlock need not be dis- cussed,” ‘‘Has Mr. Blaine ever admitted to you that he would not accept the nomination if unanimously tendered ¢ **Most emphatical'y no.” Chairman Jones said he would not accept the chairmanship of the national committee again. He intimated that Senator Quay, of Pennsylvania, might be b successor and that Chairman Cooper, of the Pennsylvania state committee, was also a possibility. GENERAL k'l)l TICAL NEWS, Gosslp From the Gathering Hosts at the Lake Oity. Cuicaco, June 13.—The most remarkable feature of the political situation throughout the day was the strong undercurrent for Blaine, There were many men from al parts of the country around the political neadquarters who still think Blaine the coming man. They quoted speeches in which be said that no man had a right to refuse the call of his country if it came with unanimity, and coneluded that Blaine would not be the first to violate his principle. There was great activity at the Gresham headquarters to-day. The register was kept open and every Gresham man who dropped input down his name. Muny former resi- dents of New York held a meeting in Greshams rooms this afternoon for the pur- pose of booming the judge. They organized @ committee to receive the New York dele- gation with hospitality, They called upon all former New Yorkers, now residents of Chicago, to lend their active co-operation. The names of those who shall make the nominating speeches was the subject of con- siderable inquiry to-duy. General Alger will be nominated by Colonel Robert P. Fra- ser of Detroit, u lawyer and old campaiguer. General Harrison will be nominated \Hv Governor Albert Porter, of In Sherman’s name will be presented by eral Hustings, attornay general of - Pennsyl- vania. Judge Gresham will probably be nominated by Leonard Swett, of Chicago. The two most observed newcomers Lo-day were Murat Halstead of Cinclonati, and Chauncey I. Filley of St. Louis. Halstead was outspoken for Sherman. Filley was non-committal, Fourtcen national committeemen were in | the cify tonight. The committee will mect to-morrow, the chief business being the election of the temporary officers of the con. vention, but it is not likely anything will be done in the matter before Saturday. The Palatial Coast Train. DesveR, June 13.—[Special Telegram to Tk BEE. |—At 6 0'clock to-morrow morning the Pacific coast delegation on the way to the Chicago convention will arrive at D over the Union Pacific in a special train of nine sleepers and two dining cars, which it is reported is the handsomest train that ever crossed the continent. The party is in charge of Colonel J. V. Parker, Umon Pacific: gen- eral agent at Salt Lake, and Mr. W, B. San- born, of San Francisco. The delegation sup- plied themselves and friends before starting with 500 white handkerc which is in- terproted by the democrats to indicate a flag of truce. The delegation will be entertained in Denver to-morrow by the Union club and republicans generally, and spend the day in riving about the city and talking over polit- ical matters with the leaders. MThere is little or no talk among railroad men about cut rates o Chicago, It is said the rates have been placed at so low a_ figure that there is nothing in it now, and each one knows by this time about how many it will have, and the few additional to_be obtained by a cut rate are not worthy fishing for. The rate for the round trip is still maintained at 3150, The Buriington and Missouri Pacific in this city is in receipt of applications for space in several sleepers in_addition to the two reserved by the delegates. The Union Pacific company 18 already promised eight conches full for Friday night, and the Rio Grande started in this morning selling berths in the fourth and fifth cars, so the indic tions are promising for an unusually large delegation from Colorado. LarAwie, Wyo., June 18.—[Special Tele- gram to Tik Bre.]—The Pacific coast dele- gation to the Chicago convention, including all the California delegates and a majority of the Oregon and Nevadn ones, e route st to-day, on the train_organized the Pacific const delegates and determined to cast the solid vote for Blaine on the first ballot. De Young, of the Chronicle, says they have not agreed upon any second choice. This is offi- cial. They were given an immense rec tion at this point. Speeches were made by Chairman Hamman of the delegation and Corporal Tann Whiskered Young Democrats. SruNeriELp, 11, June 13.—The conven- tion of democratic clubs of the state met in representatives hall to-day with about eight hundred deiegates in attendance. It was called to order by Stuart Brown, of Spring- field, who delivered the address of welcome. Dewitt Cregier, of Chicago, was chosen chuirman, Ralph E. Sprigg, of Chester, sec- retary with_four gssistants, and Seymour of Springfield, reading sccretary. rinan Cregier made a speech after which the roll of delcgutions was calted and cach named o member of the committee on cre- dentials, on permanent officers of the s league, on resolutions and on deleg large to the national convention more. A recess was then taken until noon. Tn the afternoon the temporary or: was made permanent with two or th tional seeretaries. Resolutions were adopted reafiirmmg the principles declared by the national and_ state conventions und pledging the delegates to all honorable means to secure the clection of Cleveland and Thurman and the democratic candidates for the state oftices. The committee o delegates for the state at lwge to the Bultimore co vention, reported the following W. Richards, J. A. King and C. D. Wells, Chicago ; D. B. Sherwood of Elgin, R. S. Carlter of Pittsburg, H. Schaldenmin of Decatur, R. E.Kilburgh of Danville, and_Benjumin Bur- roughis of Edwardsville. The following were teportéd as alternates: Joseph Den- nersberger of Chicago, D. Compton of Wheaton, W._ W. Kyle of Princeton, Ira P, Morris of Watseka, D. M. Halstead of Keithsburg, Edward Ridgeley of Springticld, A. Hoffman of Mattoon and D. W. Audrews of Centralia, The report was od. “The committee on_oranization of the state 1eague recommended the adoption of the plan proposed by the state central committee that the officers be I, H. Jones of Spri icid, president; J. L. Pickering of Spring- i cretary; H. M. Stratten of Mount ou, trensurers J. H. Farrell of Chicago, grand marshal, und @ vice president for cach ssional 'district. The report was ut- tacked vigorously by Mr. Eckles of La Salle, who insisted that Picker 1 not demo’ crat. Amid the great confusion that ensued, Governor Paler avpeared, and business was suspended that he might address the conven- tio close of Governor Palmer's speceh Mr. Brown of Lasalle urged harmony nd the report was adopted. Delegates were s0 reported from The convention was addressed by Hon. A. J. Bell, candidate for lieutenant governor, and F. H. Jones, president of the state league, and then . At night there was a parade of clubs, fire- works and several specches. after- They Want Protection. Pir1sBrne, June 18.—At to-day's session of the Amalgamated association the follow- ing resolutions were submitted by the tariff committee and adopted : Resolved, As representatives of the iron and steel workers of the 2d Stat resenting New York, New Jersey, F vania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indi- ana, 11linois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Alabama, and other states, we are in favor of the serti- ment, ‘*America for Americans,” native and naturalized. Tesolved, That in our judgment the citizens and industries in this country can not be pro- tected in an; ¢ thitn by imposing a protective tariff on all articles imported from other countries thut can be produced by our own people, in order that those who produce them may be better able to do that, which as citizens and upholders of this government they are justly entitled to, an equitable share of the profits of their toil to maintain their fawilies, Resotved, That we are most emphatically opposed to any reduction of the present tarift and we hereby c our unqualified con- demnation of the provisions of the Mills bill, believing as we do that its adoption as a law would be detrimental of the interests of the American workingmen, and we respectfuily call upon our representatives in congress to vote against it. The balance of the session was devoted to routine business, Colorado for Depew. Dexver, Colo., June special Tele- gram to Tue Bee.]—The delegates from Col- orado to the national convention at Chicago are rapidly assuming a Depew phase, and it is thought that the New Yorker will receive the entire six votes. Gresham has been pop- ular in the west, and particularly in Colorado, but the real spirit of the Depew boom scems to have found favor here. Henry Wolcott, who heads the Colorade delegation, is an out-and-out Depew mau, and will probably be instructed to cast the solid vote for Lim.~ Wolcott is very popular here, and his brother, E. 0. Wolcott, is the most prominent candidate for the seat in the senate now occupied by Hon. T. W. Bowen. The party in the state is broken by factional fights and so bitter has been the fight which has been concentrated against Mr, Wolcott that several bitter attacks on his personal reputation have been published in the east and west. The democrits of the state have refused the inspection of them and it is believed that they emanated from fuctional sources, The fight has been brought to bear on the national delegates and the six delogates are belng persuaded daily to switch from Depew to some other candidate. It is probable, however, that Depew will gather the prize I Republican Campaign Club. McCoow JUNCTION, June 12.--[Special to ‘Tue Bee. {—Pursuaut to a call the local re- publicans of McCool Junction aud vicinity met at the civy hall on last Saturday evening for the' purpose of oOrganizing @ campaign club. A deep interest was manifested by all present, and harmony reigned supreme. The following are the ofticers elected:. Captain C. W. Hays, president; R T. Lord and wver | 1 mith, vice presidents; J. F. Albin, ‘Little Breeches.” MaxsriELn, O, June 18.—[Special Tele- gramto Tk Bee]—The story circulated from Columbus yesterday that Senator Sherman had concluded to withdraw from the race is most emphatically denied here Loud complaint is made by Sherman men on ount of the train to Chicago, Tt is said this is one of the means to be used to boom “Little Breeches” for something or other. To Weaken the Sherman Boom. New Yorx, June 13, al Telegram to Tie Ber.]—A special from Columbus says that wer will not tak oud place and says he would not tuke first place. 1t is part of the programme to weaken the Sherman boom. There will be another gathering of Blaine men at Columbus Thursday night. Judge West*will be one of the speakers. Corn For the Convention. Sioux City, Tn,, June 18.—~A special train of Pullman coaches will leave here Sunday night for the Chicago convention. 1t will be known as the Corn Palace City train, and wiil be handsomely decorated, and is char- tered by Sioux City peoplé for the round trip. California For Blaine. SAN Fraxcisco, June 13.—A dispateh from Wamsutter, Wyo., states that the California delegates to the republican convention held « meeting there to-day and agreed to act as a umt upon Blaine as first choice and to c the first vote for him unless they decide upon a more available man after their arrival at Chicago.® Democrats at Davenport. sront, Ia., June 18.—[Special to Tne 'he democratic convention for this judicial district. was held here to-day and nominated for judge, Andrew Haworth, the present incumbent. The democratic congres sional convention renominated by acclama- tion Congressman Walter I Hayes, THE KNIGHTS' CONCLAVE, The Big Procession—A Ladies’ Rank ation From Omaha. June 18.—[Special Telogram —This was the big day of the Knights of Pythias couclave. The parade was a grand success, over 15,000 knights par: ticipating. The brigades were arranged in the order of their age. The Indiana brigade, the oldest in the order t. The knights were reviewed by Supreme Chan- cellor Douglass from the grand stand erccted for that purposo. At the session of th supreme lodge to-day numerous avguments were presented pro and con on the question of establishing a ladies’ rank in the order. The majority favored such an inuovation, und it is likely that legislation to that end will result at this meeting. The resolution providing for the crection of a temple at Washington as a per: headquarter adopted. The qnes- tion of the disloyal Pennsylvania representa- tives was up for discussion again ta mong the_chancellor’s recommen; was that the loyal grand lodge be recogn as the grand lodge of Pennsylvania Knights of Pythias. To-night a grand concert was tendered Su- preme Chancellor Douglass by the citizens of Cincinnati. It whs an_eclegant affair. Among the songs rendered was one written by the founder of the Knights of Pythias order, Justus H. Rathbone. The Omaha boys all say it is tho biggest day's march they have ever had. Still they come, the in- coming traing being still loaded with ar- als, and it is estimated that over ,000 visitors are intown. “The board of trade of Omaha sent an invi- tation to the supreme lodge to hold its next bicuninl mecting there. 1t was immediately followed by one from Indianapolis. THE HOG IDUCT. ce Current’s Review Wecek and Situation, Crxersxam, June 13.—[Speeial Telegram to Tur: Bek.]—The Frice Current to-morrow The weel’s packing in the west has been 215,000 hogs, comparcd with 2 the preceding week and 235,000 for the cor- responding time last year, m; total of 000 since March 1 against 2,440,000 a In the provision market liberal ceipts of hogs and continued moderate calls for the product from consuming depots have given courage to operators, who have been disposed to turn their influence toward d pressing values and the weakened and al ready tired holding intercst, under which values have scttled - sharply the latter part of the week, bewng lower thag ago with t the close Of m the lowes They The P of the 2 is con- may settle still more, when if a large propor- tion of the holding of the product centers in strong hands with lessencd hog supplics and more liberal exports, under stimulus of reduced prices, the position may shape so as to give an upward course to values to be maintamed for a considerable time, e -— TRIED TO DIE, An Omaha Man Makes an Unsuccess- ful Attempt on Stovx Crry, Ta, al Tele- gram to Tur B Rhoads, of Omaha, a traveling man for the Des Momes tank line company, attempted to commit sui- cide here to- atnoon. He was found lying in some strubbery near the packing houscs blecding freely from ashes made in his breast by a broken bottle, When the officers cume he resisted but was prure He refuses to say anything, but is demented, A Meavy R . Ta., June at Dunlap. [Special Te | ening u te storm k Dunlap between 10 and 11 o'clock, doing much damage. In ashort time the families, living near the stream which runs through town, were driven to their neighbors or the upper stories of their houses, the first floors und cellars being filled with mud and debris. All the sidewalks and wost, of the bridges 1o that part of town 4 washed away. As near a8 can he us tained this worning, the storm is only local— not over a mile o two wide, aud ziot doing very much damage to crops. Death of a Pion Warekroo, Ia, June 13.—[Special Tele- gram to Tae Bee.] - Rev. Samucl McComn, a pioneer preacher in northern lowa, died suddenly at his home in West Bend yester- day morning from apoplexy. He settled in thist part of the state in 1558, organizing the tirst Protestant cong tion in Pulo Alto county. His remaius were taken to Algona er Preacher. -— Finished Their Speeches. Des Moix Ia., June 13.—[Special Tele: gram to Tug Ber.|—The railroad trafic mal rs concluded their hearing before the commissioners this evening. Their talk to-day was largely informal, but they d know how it was ceived. The commis. sioucrs resume to-morrow their work of cowplet the freight schedule. Steamship As Barrivoke, June 18.—( to Tug Bee, | —Arrived Liverpool. Sovraamproy, June 13 —Arrived Lahn from New York for Bremen, New Youk, June 18 —Arrived genland from Auntwerp, ; Buesmes, June 18.--Arrived—The Weser from Baltimore. June 13.—Arrived—The Har- QUEENETOW. rowmore from Baltimore. ‘he Baltimol The The Bel- A WEEK OF POLITICAL WORRY Anxious Days and Sleepless Nights For Republican Aspirants. ECHOES FROM THE CORRIDORS. Depew Not Considered a Possibility at the Capital—Blaine's Sherman Letter the Emanation of a Newspaper Fakir, McKinley Says It's Sherman, WASHINGTON BUiEAU Titr OMATA Bra, 518 FOURTEENTI STREET, WasHIN D. C.. June 18, Nearly all the conferences have been held by the managers of the various candidates, and the work will, after to-night, be carried on by wire. Major McKimley did not leave for Chicago until to-night, having been de- tained just before the hour of his intended departure last night. T saw him at the Ebbitt as he was gotting ready for his de- parture, and suggested that he ought to keep down his lightning rod or some of the electrie current might strike him; that there was a belief that he stood in danger of being. struck with oue or the other end of the ticket. The major looked earnest when he responded: *Oh, I wuess not. I am going to Chicago for Sherman, aud I am for Sherman first, last and all the time, and don’t you get it into your head that T have any fear of being struck myself. Weare going to mominate Sherman or a lot of us will be very sadly dis- appointed. Tt is a mistake to suppose that there are some men in the Ohio delegation who are getting selfish or who will do any- thing for personal ends. Blaine is surely out of the question.” As the senators and representatives and a few straggling delegates who are lingering here on their way to the convention met in the corridors of the capitol during the day, cchauged opinions on the outlook and ppointments to meet in Chicago. Much said about the possibility of a deadlock which would result in the selection of Mr. Blaine. It was noticed that the fecling that this thing may occur has greatly diminished during the last forty-eight hours. 1tis the general be lief that'a large majority of the repuls licans. are opposed to the nomination of Mr. Blaig and that being on their guard they will suffer no complication which will make it possible for the Maine man to be brought in a whirlwind to take the con vention off its The Florence and Paris letters and the report circulated t v to the effect that Mr. Blaine had declined again, have had the effect of bringing out a great deal of ‘flnlu ke, and this has materially weakened the rgiment of the Blaine men that he will yet > u necessity, us they claim he has been'all along. LONLY A COMPLIMENTARY VOTE FOR DEPEW. One thing the people here seem to be pretty conclusive in, and that is that is that Mr. Depew’s name will not be seriously placed before the convention. It is thought that after he has received a good endorse- ment his nume will be withdrawn and that his support will go to three or four stronger men in the field. Senator Hiscock has not lost hope of being @ candidate who will fill a “a long felt'want,”” and it is said that he ex- pects o see an_emergency arise which will cull for him. ~ All kinds of combinations are being wade, all of which leave Mr. Blaino and Mr. Depew out. Among those most fre- quently mentioned are Allison and Phelps, Harrison and Morton, Alger and Phelps, nan and Phelps or Morton. There is 3o Vi Harrison stock sen several points this week, The Morton and Phelps people are talking Harrison continually, They are unanimous, it seews, on one point, and that is if the head of the ticket comes from the cast Harrison must tuke the second place. General Gresham remains a favovite with western men and ho will undoubtedly have a large following from the cast, If the Blaine men do not combine against him e s going to cut a prominent figure in the proceedings. Representative Anderson, of Kunsas, who has been making such a determined effort against monopolies during the past four years, said this after- noon that. Sherman was strong throughout the country and Harrison or Gresham would be the strongest man in the west. He made the prediction that the ticket vould be Had rison and Morton or Hirrison and Phelps. THE BLAINE STORY A “rake” Very little attenion was paid to the dise patch received and published from Pittsburgz this afternoon to the effect thut Mr. Blaine had written Chairiman Jones that he would decline the nomination if it was tendered to him, and declaring in favor of Senator Sherman, A bullctin came about, 2 o'clock announcing that such a letter was in existence and that it would be published vey- batim in the evening papers, but men in both houses of congress were disinelined to be- lieve it, although the representation was per- feet and absolute that there was such a letter in existence. The representative from Maine hooted at tho idea of Mr. Blaine pre-emptoy- ily refusing in advance to aceept the nominag tion, and declared that: he wus not o maniad and would therefore not announce in favor of unybody; thut although it was well known t Mr. Blaine was very friendly toward Mr, Shermun, he was very kindly disposed toward Messrs. Allison, Harrison, Alger and the other men who arc aspiring to the nomina tion, There was very emphatic comment upou the substance of the alleged letter be- fore the dispateh was printed. One of Mr, Blaine's warmest friends, who is a membor from Muine, said that in no event would Mr. Blaine say thut he would accept the nomina- tion. becauso he would not refuse it. He said that My. Blaine was on record us favor- ing thrusting a nomination upon a wan when the occasion scems o make it necessary; that in 1856 Mr. Blaine delivered a speech, when Hannibal Hamiin declined the nom: ination for governor of Mumnc, in which he aid thut Mr. Hamlin had no right to refuse the nomination: that he had accepted other ominations ut the hands of his party and was therofore within the dictation of the party, and that he must accept, und Mr, Humlin accepted. After the dispateh from Pittsburg ~ appearcd in _ print, public men said it bore on its face discredit and that it was a roorbuck. The publication has had no effect wha Hud it been 4 genuine lotter from Mr. Blaine positively declining The nomination and expressing a- preference for Mr. Sherman it is said that it would have great weight in favor of the Ohio man, -I #poke to Mr. Sherman in reference to the alleged letter, and he seemed to be in no wi worked up over it, simply saying that if wits true it was important but that he did not be of Mr. Sherman's most intin fricnds intimate that there will be an announcement made in an_ authors itative wa; woand which will put M. Blain the cons nomination under This may come in th but he will not decling the nomination in advance MISCELLAN A Gi. MeShane, of Omaha, a sentative John McShune, brother of is at Wils Luigi Lomla, Rifth artillery, has been ore dered to his battery, s Wilson, commissary of sub. 20 to Mon- ticello, la., on public business connected with the subsistence department, and upon completion thereof will return 1o his proper station, Senator Paddock today received notice from the pension ofice that the peusion claims of George W. Swedly of Brock, Nebi, and Amos C. Evans of Dawson, Neb., in which he has been interesting himself > time past, had been pllowed by the ment. . sceretary of the treasury to-di awarded the coutract for the flooring attic work of the federal building at Cou Blufts to Cudell & Lehman, of Chicago, fop the suw of §10,107. Veusy 8 Hears,