The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 3, 1895, Page 1

VOLUME LX SAN FRANCISCO, SUNDAY MOR PRICE FIVE CENTS. FRARCE I A MUDOLE Bourgeois' Ministry Will Be Very Short-Lived | Indeed. BEGINNING OF THE END. Clash of Conflicting Factions En- dangers the Existence of the Republic. DISGUST OF THE GREAT ARMY. Troubles of Other Nations Also Re- viewed in Graphic Style by Harold Frederic. [Copyright, 1895, by the New York Times.] LONDON, Exg., Nov. 3.—France has had abundant occasions for a quarrel with its Parliamentary servants during the last quarter of & century, but there seems to be a general disposition in Paris to agree that this time they have done her decidedly the worst turn yet recorded. I received from a public man of distinction there the laconic message to-day that in all proba- bility the Bourgeots Ministry will not live through the coming week, and that this is the only good thing that can possibly be said about it or about the political situa- tion in France. Others not less impartial or well in- formed add that it marks definitely the be- ginning of the end of the republic. This beginning of tie end has been neralded so often before that skepticism is more than excusable now, but there are certain novel aspects in this new combination which de- serve notice. It is the first Ministry yet gazetted in France which cannot expect a majority in the Cha: of Deputies without theaid of the Socialists, and cannot look for a ¢ in the Senate at all. Further- it deliberately affronts both the avy and army by turning them over to two Ministers whom they have publicly denounced as enemies of the service. In the case of Cavaignac of the War Office this becomes peculiarly grave. Ever since the beginning of the year, when thisam- bitious “Poseur’’ failed to be considered seriously as a Presidential candidate, he has been concentrating his energies on in- cessant demands for army reform, and ex- hibiting himself as the chief critic of mili- tary abuses. Very likely abuses exist, but that is of secondary importance compared with the fact that every general in the army, and, for that matter, the whole force of officers, regards Cavaignac with active enmity and outspoken contempt. They may be wrong, but that is the way they feel, and they are not hesitating nowto say publicly that the army will not tolerate bim as even its nominal head. Thisisex- tremely serious. The army isa tremen- dous factor in French affairs and itisa commonplace of politics that if the army ever become hostile to the republican idea the republic would disappear over night. Boulanger climbed to the dizzy height he attained simply on the theory that the army was behind him. When it was re- vealed that he really had no backing among the important officers he dropped immediately. But these important officers are now precisely the ones who are display- ing the greatest rancor about Cavaignac, and if it were not so probable that he will £o out of power almost before he gets in there would be a genuine.menace in their attitude. Even as it is, it is felt that the wind which has set the fonces stirring in the army may not be easily stilled. And what is to be said of the spectacle of Hanoteux, who was not in the Parliament at all, and who heid in trained hands all the myriad threads of a complicated diplomacy involv- ing the peace of the world, being jumpea out of office by a casual vote on anabstract railroad question. To do them justice the French editors admit without exception that it is supremely silly. Everybody, ex- cept one little group of colonial extremists, to whom Cavaignac has been paying assid- uous court, desired Hanoteux to remain at the Foreign Office. There most of his life has been spent, all histastesand ambitions are centered, and he would have gladly re- mained on the condition that his work in Madagascar would be supported by the Ministry. He had arranged for a protectorate scheme which would not have come into conflict with the treaty rights that Eng- land, America and other countries have in Madagascar, and he tried to explain that it was impossible to ignore these without pre- cipitating misunderstandines, perhaps ruptures in foreign relations. Cavaignac made himself the spokesman of a crowd which declined to bother about these treat- 1es at all, and insisted on flatfooted annex- ation with a standing colonial army to conquer the whole island and hurl de- fiance to all outside nations. Hanotaux shrugged his shoulders and withdrew, and the Foreign Office, after being hawked about for four days, was declined on all sides and turned over to a chemical expert in coal- tar products, who is principally known by Renan’s bitter gibe at his restless passion for office, which took the form of an epitaph, “Here lies Berthelot in the only place that is never coveted.” Much space could be given to the vary- ing phases of' this transformation scene, in which the Radicals, who will not let any one else rule, are momentarily on the stage to illustrate their own inability to govern. It seems most likely that after a brief sea. son of parliamentary chaos there will be dissolution, and possibly a constitutional crisis out of which anything may emerge, but 1t happens for once that a political convaision in France comes at a time when it can only take its place as one among numerous world-important subjects of concern. Such diplomatic denials as Russia has given to the London Times’ Port Arthur story do not at all allay the general belief that in its essentials it is true. Similarly Ahe jugglery by which it is sought to ascribe the anti-English attack in the St. Petersbu. g Official Messenger to & misun- derstanding or to a conspiracy of bears to affects England’s perception of the reali- ties. !n the kaleidoscopic shifting of the situ- ation it once more looks as if the Turkish problem might assert precedence over the Chinese, but in both cases it is manifest that England’s and Russia’s interests are now defined as hostile. Henry Norman, who has been in Con- stantinople for a fortnight for the Daily Chronicle, says to-day, under date of Octo- ber 23, that the Sultan will die or be killed very shortly and that the revolution is a matter of weeks. He writes excitedly and perhaps sees things unduly red, but from all quarters of Turkey come vivid tales of a complete breakdown in the official machinery and universal reign of murder- ous anarchy. It issaid thatin Constanti- nople itself the Armenians and the young Turkish party have made a combination, and that an uprising is to be concerted by Christians and progressive Mohammedans together, but in the provinces they seem not to have heard of this arrangement, for savage massacres are proceeding on strictly racial lines, The Standard’s correspondent asserts positively that the Armenian committee arranged the recent bloody riot at Bitlis and also instigated and managed Thurs- day the panic-stricken run on the Ottoman Bank. Others lay the blame on the Turk- ish rabble, who are pictured running amuck among the Armenians, and all sides reflect the conviction that if the wild disorder that is now epidemic throughout the empire be not checked within the next few days the whole politico-social struct- ure of the Osmanlis will go to pieces and prompt intervention of outsiders become inevitable. England’s anxious lookout for possible allies continues. Italy, of course, is counted as a certainty, and large hopes are built on Austria. Most moderate lines of English leanings in the Vienna press are tele- graphed to London and clutched at with quite pathetic eagerness here, but it is to- ward Berlin that most nervous glances are directed and apprehensive ears strained, and everything there is coldly buttoned up, motionless and silent. The German official papers, when they mention England at all, do so slightingly. This may signify only that Germany is holding out for a price. If so, England de- sires to know what it is to pay, because the terror of the present isolation is getting into the marrow of her bones. It was al- most touching to note the flutter of de- light with which the people here the other day welcomed the statement by cable that all buta few jingo journals in America displayed sympathy with England as against Russia in the event of trouble in the far East. The English were never able to compre- hend at all why any Americans snould wish them ill, particularly when Russia was invoived. Only last week a high offi- cial here said to me that to him the most incomprehensible thing on earth was why the Americans should not make common cause with people of their own blood, language and civilization like the men of British Guiana, but should befriend wholly un-Americans like the Venezuelans. The arrival of the Guiana Governor and bis report that the whole Venezuelan busi- ness is of the most trivial character afforded immense relief here. There has been growing up a certain uneasiness lest Chamberlain might manage to embroil the British relations at Washington,which everybody would have resented as gratuit- ous, mischievous nonsense. An intimate friend of Dufferin’s says that all reports that he is to succeed Salisbury or any one else are untrue. He is too old, extremely deaf, whoily tired out and looks forward eagerly to retirement from public life next year. It would not be easy to exaggerate the calamitous nature of the shape that the shipbuilding crisis has now assumed. Continental politics, especially when they are boiling, as at present, have such a fascination for the British press and the reading public that up to now small men- tion has been given to this really serious domestic matter. Next week, however, it will be certain of its full share of notice, for with the lock- out order on the Clyde for Tuesday the most important industrial fieht that the British have known will be in full blast. In the number of men involved in the deadlock it will not compare, of course, with many others of recent times, but in value to the nation of interests involved and in the danger of irrevocable damage to the country it has no parallels. The great builders of the Clyde and of Belfast say that they are forced to stand together, because if one began to cut the other in wages, or other matters, it would be im- vossible for either to maintain himself against foreign competition, hence an agreement of masters under which the Clyde firms now shut out their men be- cause the Belfast men are on strike. Itis suspected that three Clyde firms which got the Admiralty contracts will withdraw from the association and keep their yards open, but even if they do this will affect the situation only slightly. Another aspect of the matter is the im- mense impetus that this northern trouble will give to the Tyneside yards, where during the week orders for three big Jap- anese warships were placed. But enter- prising as the Newcastle men are they can accommodate only a fraction of the work which the Clyde and Belfast send begging, and already important contracts have gone to the German yards at Stetlin and Dant- zig and others are reported to be trans- ferred to America. The experience of London shows that ship-building is the most difficult of industries to get back once it is disestablished, and the possibility that the enormous business of the Clyde and Belfast, incomparably the greatest in the world, is to be ruined and dispersed may well frighten the whole nation. As was obvious it would happen, the English Tories are beginning to write the papers, pointing out bitterly that it was for the sake of these Belfast strikers that the Unionist party waged a ten years’ war against home rule, whicl they now repay by doing the best they can to gestroy irre- trievably the greatest and most vital of British “industries. Efforts at mediation are still proceeding in Belfast, but both sides display the characteristic Ulster mulishness, which gives small hope to the peacemakers. Harorp FREDERIC, Compromised the Frauds. KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 2.—The Fraker insurance moneys, involving the $35,000, paid to ex-Judge James E. Lin- coln as trustee for the supposed heirs of the swindler, will be withdrawn from the Federal Court, & settlement having been effected here. Judge Lincoln and the other relatives of Dr. Fraker who would have benefited by the swindle, although innocent of wrongdoing, have offered to return the $35,000, less incidental ex- break the Continental bourses, in nowise | penses, and the offer has been accepted., - .assistant engineer as a fit person to intro- HEALY OF THE BEAR Serious Charges Against the 0ld Revenue Service - Captain. COMPLAINT OF OFFICERS. Misconduct of the Veteran Is Alleged on Various Occasions. SECRETARY CARLISLE NOTIFIED. Again the Cutter Commander Is Called Upon to Answer for His Brusque Style. WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 2.—Serions charges have been preferred against Cap- tain Healy of the revenue cutter Bear. Twenty-tive officers of revenue-cutter service now on duty on the Pacific Coast bave signed a paperaddressed to Secretary Carlisle, in which the conduct of Captain Healy during the last cruise of the Bear is severely reflected upon and a request is preferred for an investigation. Among the signers of this paper are Chief En- gineer E. L. Swartze, First Lieutenant George E. McConnell, First Lieutenant Worth E. Ross, Chief Engineer George R. Dally and others equally well known in the service. One copy of the charges was furnished Captain Hooper, in command of the Bering Sea fleet at Unalaska, upon the re- cent arrival of the fleet at that port, and another copy was given to Captain Healy, who was left with the Bear at Unalaska to convey officers of the Government from the seal islands to San Francisco. It is expected that Captain Healy will formulate a reply of some kind on his voyage to San Francisco and forward it to the Treasury Department. In case he shall fail to take any notice of the matter there is no doubt that the department will direct his attention to the charges and ask for his reply. ‘While the charges against Captain Healy contained in the communication to Secre- tary Carlisle are general rather than spe- cific, it is an open secret in the revenue cutter circles that there is deep-seated op- position to the captain among those who have served with him, and the opinion pre- vails that the officers who have signed the vaper will willingly give particulars con- cerning Captain Healy’s alleged mis- conduct. There are eight counts in the complaint. An outset statement is made in a round- about way, peculiar to communications which precede official- investigation, that | Captain Healy conducted himself on the last cruise of the Bear in a manner calcu- lated to bring discredit to the service and disgrace manhood. He is said to have placed one of his subordinates under arrest and then ordered that mo record of the action be made in the official logbook. There is a world of suggestion in the ad- ditional charges that it became necessary for other officers of the Bear to relieve him temporarily from the command of the vessel because of his behavior while on the | cruise. The logbook of the Bear, it is said, contains no allusion to this interesting proceeding. Another charge is in effect that in violation of regulations of the ser- vice Captain Healy relieved the navigat- ing officer of the Bear and placed another officer in that position. The substitute must have given offense to the captain, for he too was relieved before the cruise ended and still another officer was ordered to navigate the Bear. The language and manner of Captain Healy in his intercourse with his officers is the basis of another count in the general indictment. He is said to have inaulged in much profanity and prejudiced dis- cipline of the ship by making an unseemly spectacle of himself in the presence of the crew and several civilians who were passen- gers on the Bear at the time. Several of these passengers, it is charged, were ill- treated by the captain. What officers who have signed the paper evidently regard as one ofl the most serious offenses charged against the captain is that on the quarter- deck of the cutter Grant he told another officer that he did not consider a second duce that officer to him (Healy). Captain 1 Healy was on board the British warship Pheasant on the night of September 16, and, according to the officers who now op- pose him, he ordered an officer not under his immediate command to ‘‘get out of my cabin,” under pain of arrest. In view of the fact that this interesting incident is said to haye occurred on a foreign vessel it is likely that Secretary Carlisle will desire to know all about it. Captain Healy is one of the oldest officers in the revenue cutter service and has a fine record. One who has served with him said to-night to TEE CALL correspondent that he was one of the ablest seamen in the ser- vice. For the last fifteen years he has been in command of the revenue cutters in the Arctic region. While he has an exceptionally good record as an executive officer, his language and the manner toward his subordinates have frequently been adversely commented upon. Three years ago he was tried on charges similar to those noted in this dispatch and was acquitted. Since then his manner on ship- board has not changed for the better, it is claimed, and those who have been obliged to serve with him have found life farfrom pleasant. From the nature of the charges now laid before the Secretary of the Treasury, it is believed that Captai; Healy is confronted with the most serious difficulty which he has yet had to answer, for the standing of the officers who have affixed their signa- tures to the complaint is regarded as a plain indication that his associates on the quarterdeck are actuated by motives of deepest resentment. Some time will necessarily elapse before the captain will reach San Francisco with the Bear. Suffi- cient time will be afforded him after he arrives in port to make known his answer. It is believed here that an investigation of the charges is certain to be made. SPREAD OF A BIG SCANDAL The Colt-Van Alen Case Promises to Attain Worldwide Notoriety. In Self-Defense the Accused Millionaire Will Produce Sensational Evidence. PROVIDENCE, R. I., Nov. 2.—The Colt- Van Alen case, altnough enjoying more than ordinary notoriety in society circles, promises to become even mere famous, and it was announced from authoritative source that' within the next two weeks there | would be developments which will startle | the whole’ country. The investigation of the Washington end of the case has been going on quietly, but none the less surely, and from what information has already been gathered, it is positive that the evidence from the capital will be of the most sensational character. Colonel Colt and his attorneys have been especially active, and as a result evidence has not only been secured in the United States, but extends even to the Austrian Empire and to Switzerland. The evidence in relation to Mrs. Colt's movements in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Washington has aiready been made public, but according to Colonel Colt’s at- torneys nearly everything of value was held back and they claim to have a very strong case. In thismove, as in all others, Colonel Colt simply follows the lead of the petitioner's counsel in striking back. In fact, during the whole case he has not shown any disposition to press matters unless he had to do it in self-defense. There is the greatest secrecy concerning what happened in foreign climes, and although attempts have been made to keep it a secret it has leaked out that not only James J. Van Alen but a number of other persons, prominent in society and the diplomatic world, will have their names brought into the affair. No names have been learned as yet, but it is claimed that they are very high in office. It is certain that some very interesting details have been gathered abroad which promise to make the Colt vs. Colt vs. Van Alen case of worldwide notoriety before it is fin- | ished. ———— ROCKEFELLER'S RICH GIFIS. Frequent Donations to Chicago University Greatly Enlarged. CHICAGO, CaL., Nov. 2.—-John D. Rocke- feller has made another magnificent gift to the Chicago University, which he found- ed by his royal endowment and enlarged by frequent ‘donations. His latest act of unificence—the unconditional presenta- tion of $1,000,000, available January 1 next, and the gift of $2,000,000 more, conditional on raising the same amount within & specitied time—was made known to the stuaents in the fizmn-mum of the uni- versity to-day while the football team was reparing for the game with Wisconsin niversity. MUDGETT MUST HANG Holmes, as the Thug Is Better Known, Convicted of Murder. ONLY ONE BALLOT CAST. Jurors Quickly Decided That the Swindler Killed Pietzel. ARRAIGNMENT FOR HIS CRIMES District Attorney Graham of Phila. delphia Unmercifully Scored the Prisoner. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Nov. 2.—Her- man W. Mudgett, or, as he is better known, H. H. Holmes, was to-night convicted of murder in the first degree for killing Ben- jamin F. Pietzel in this city on September 2, 1894, The jury needed but one ballot to reach this decision. The jury retired at 5:45 o'clock, at the conclusion of Judge Arnold’s charge. After the retirement of the jury from the courtroom the spectators streamed out into the corridors and eagerly dis- cussed what the verdict would probably be. There was considerable difference of opinion, as many believed the common- wealth had not thoroughly established its case against Holmes, but the majority were inclined to believe that the jury would convict him. At 8:45 o'clock word was sent to Judge Arnold that the jury was ready to return the verdict. When Judge Arnold entered the room there were not nearly as many people present as had attended the day session. The prisoner was brought in and placed in thedock. He wasasimpassive as ever as he took his seat. The jury camein and took their places and it needed but little skill as a mind reader to know what the word would be that the foreman would | pronounce. The court ordered Holmes to arise and then in reply to the question of the court the foreman of the jury pro- nounced the fatal words, “Guilty of mur- der in the first degree.” The verdict was greeted with absolute silence. The charge of the Judge must have foreshadowed what his fate would be, but the word “Guilty” fell upon Holmes with stunning force. He made no outery or exhibition of emotion of any kind—the blow was too stunning for noisy outbreaks. He sat down and while the jury was polled and each man an- swered to his name and as each pro- nounced his sentence, Holmes stared va- cantly before him. ' His face was that of a corpse. It was as absolutely expression- less as a mask. Only a nervous twitching of the eyelids and dilation of the eyes showed that there was a living, breathing man that sat in the dock. As the effect of the shocks began to die away Holmes be- gan to recover himself. He realized that his attorney was mak- ing a motion for a new trial. His under lip fell and he ran his tongue across it, and moistening and clasping his hands to- gether he leaned forward to hear what the Judge had to say. The Judge said he would hear the mo- tion for a new trial on Monday, November 18, and an expression of something like hope broke across Holmes' dull face. Turning to the court officials he said in an eager whisper, “Monday, November 18.” These were the only words he uttered. Judge Arnold then expressed to Mr. Rotan and Mr. Shoemaker his appreciation of how difficult their task had been. He complimented them that they had been able to make as good a show for the de- fense as they did. He intimated that their withdrawal from the case was a device oi the prisoner. In a manly, honest way Mr. Rotan gave the court to understand that their with- drawal was no device of theirs, but was done from a sincere conviction because they believed that they had not been given time to prepare their case. Judge Arnold then ordered the prisoner removed. By this time Holmes had re- covered much of his composure and he walked from the room with the quick, springy step that is natural to him. The Judge thanked the jury for their attention and discharged them, 2nd so ended the trial of the most notorious and infamous murderer that has ever been convicted in the courts of Philadelphia and probably in the United States. If ever the value of a good name would have been a shield and buckler to a man in his hour of peril that man is Holmes. If ever a man’s black deeds rose up to con- front and convict him that man is Holmes. If Holmes had only been in the dock for the murder of Pietzel it is an open ques- tion if the prosecution would not have failed of conviction, but unquestionably his bloody record served to condemn him. The jury was never in doubt. When they retired from the courtroom they took their suppers and then a brief discussion took place. One ballot was taken and every man voted to convict. They consumed three hours for their retirement from the courtroom, but they could have found a verdict in fifteen minutes if they had so wished to do. ‘When Holmes was brought into court this morning he showed that the strain was beginning to tell upon him. His manner showed that he was extremely nervous, but he did his best to conceal it. All through the long day, while Mr. Grabham was making his closing argument and his aitorney was making his defense to the jury, he endeavored to relieve the tension of his mind by making hurried notes of the speaker’s words. When court opened this morning, Mr. Rotan, one of Holmes’ Jawyers, stated to Judge Arnold that his colleague, Mr. Shoemaker, was ill. He guoted from authorities, purporting to show that in the event of one of the counsel in a capital case being too ill to make his closing argument, counsel on either side have the privilege of making but one closing speech. Judge Arnold dissented from this. Thereupon District Attorney Graham said he would waive his right to make the closing speech in view of Mr. Shoemaker’s illness. Mr. Graham then began his argument. The District Attorney is & man of fine presence and one of the most eloguent and impressive speakers at the Philadelphia bar. But in his address to the jury he made no attempt to make use of his ora- torical powers to influence their minds. His address was a simple, clear, analytical review of the evidence. Hisforcible cogent reasoning from the testimony that Holmes was guilty was terribly convincing. Only at times did he rise to the height of elo- quence that he is capable of. In referring to the testimony of Mrs. Pietzel and Miss Yoke he poured on the prisoner in the dock burning words of denunciation and contempt. His peroration thrilled his hearers in the courtroom. 1t was a magniticent appeal to the jury to be true to their oaths, and if they be- lieved the prisoner innocent to acquit him, but he charged them that it was his belief, in view of the evidence, that Holmes was guilty. Mr. Graham spoke for two hours and forty minutes. Throughout his ad- dress Holmes listened attentively, and the only sign of discomposure that he exhib- ited beneath the lash of Mr. Graham’s in- vective was when it became too strong for him he would eonceal his face by bending over the table in front of him and writing hurriedly. At the conclusion of Mr. Graham’s ad- dress a recess of an hour was taken. Im- mediately after the opening of court Mr. Rotan began his closing argument for the defense. Mr. Rotan spoke for an hour and forty minutes and then Judge Arnold charged the jury. Judge Arnold’s address was most unfavorable to the prisoner, and as a conviction of the Judge’s words forced themselves upon Holmes’ mind he sarank visibly in his seat and a dazed, helpless look came into his eyves. Judge Arnold’s charge consumed an hour and a quarter. STRIKE FOR INDEPENDENCE Cuban Patriots Realize That the Turning Point Has Been Reached. During the Past Week the Fighting the Most Desperate Known in the Campaign. BOSTON, Mass., Nov. 2. — Dispatches which were received from the rebellion in Cuba to-day state that the turning point of the war has been reached, and that the events of the month will show for a surety whether Cuba is to gain her indepen- dence. A dispatch from Santiago de Cuba, dated October 21, says: : *‘The fighting in the vicinity of this city during the week has been the most desperate since the opening of the rebel- lion. There1s a lull at present, both sides seemingly having fought each other toa standstill, and are taking a little time to recoup before resuming operations. “The insurgents have distinctly the ad- vantage, as their field headquarters are situated way upin the mountains where they are practically free from the death- dealing fever which is raging in the low- lands among the Spanish garrisons. How- ever, disease is working fearful havoc, at times disappearing for a short while, only to take possession again with more than increased violence. The hospitals are filled with patients and many others are dyving simply from the lack of proper 12eans for treatment, the field force of the surgeons being utterly inadequate to cope with the disease.” Another dispatch says: ‘“A heavy en- gagement took place on October 19 near Gibare, news of which has just reached Santiago de Cuba. A Spanish force which had been sent to cover the retreat of the regular garrison from that city was sur- prised by a greatly inferior body of insurg- ents in the sugar plantations near that place. The Spaniards numbered 1500 men, while the insurgents had a force about half as large. The regulars made a gallant stand, but were badly defeated, losing over 200 men, while the insurgents’ loss was very light. Among those killed was Captain Diros, brother of the Spanish Minister of Finance.” R e Forger Ward Captured. MEMPHIS, Tesx., Nov. 2.—A special from Washington says: Minister Young reports from Tegucigalpa that A. K. Ward, the forger for a vast sum, who fled from here on the 15th inst., is in prison and will be held pending arrangements to return him to the scene of his crimes. It is only required by the Fonduras Government, despite the absence of an extradition treaty, that the prisoner’s guilt be estab- lished and he' will be promptly sur- rendered. ORGANIZED FOR WAR, Railroad Companies Have Enlisted an Array of Fighters. RECRUITED BY THIEL. Seven Hundred Heavily Armed Men Sent to Different Parts of the Union. ON THE EVE OF A GREAT STRIKE Plans of the American Railway Union Evidently Anticipated by the Corporations. 8T. LLOUIS, Mo., Nov. 2.—For the pas three days the vicinity of the office of Thiel’s detective agency in this city has resembled a recruiting station in time of actual war. Men came to the place singly and in squads and departed in companies of 100 or more. A morning paper will state to-morrow that the American Rail- way Union is on the eve of a great strike, compared with which the strike of 1894 will be a mere skirmish. Debs and his followers, it is said, are particularly bitter upon the Great North- ern Railway for breaking the agreement of two years ago. The Wabash, it is said, will also be attacked and every road in the West and Northwest will be drawn into the strike. The situation is deemed so critical by the corporations threatened that measures for protection are being carried out. For several days the fol- lowing advertisement has appeared in the papers: WANTED—Able-bodied men; ex-reguiars and ex-policemen preferred. Apply at room 722, 0dd Feliows’ building. Room 722, Odd Fellows’ building, is the main entrance to Thiel's Detective Agency, which agency handled thousands of men protecting railroad property during the A. R. U. strike in 1894. The agency in the past few days has been actively en- gaged in securing the men. Over 700 were engaged and shipped to different points Friday night and nearly 500 to-day. Each and every one of these is armed with 45- caliber revolvers and each squad has an experienced man to lead it. A great many ex-police officers went with the crowd sent away to-night. The Thiel agency is located on the ninth floor, but as the chief did pot wish so many men tramping about the offices, two va- cant rooms on the second floor were se- cured, and there the men congregated and received their orders. They were husky a lot of men as is often gathersd together, and nearly all carried gripsacks. They filled the two rooms and overran the halls, and when talked to or asked for information were as mum as oysters. By the time the Chicago and western trains left in the evening, however, they were all gone. A railroad official stated to-night that when this private army was well toward its destination each man would be given a uniform overcoat and ammunition, and would be paid $2 per day and expenses till mustered out. The Thiel agencies at Chicago and Kansas City are also enlisting men and shipping them to different points. The A. R. U. in this city refuses to dis- cuss the matter, and profess to know noth- ing about the threatened trouble. DULUTH, M1xxy., Nov. 2—Up to noon the threatened strike on the Great North- ern had not occurred, and the officials do not anticipate any. David McInnis, ex- president of the A.R. U., who wrote the leiter that called out Senator Davis' fa- mous speech at Washington, returned this morning from Montana. He says that the men will tieup the entire system, as not one is sure of his job for a day. BUTTE, Moxt, Nov. 2.—It was an- nounced to-night that a general strike would go into effect on the Great North- ern at 12 o'clock to-night on account ot the refusal of President Hill to meet the mediation committee at St. Paul. Investigation proved that a strike was ordered to take effect at that hour, but the employes of the Montana Central have refused to take any part in the trouble, and they have announced that they will not strike under any consideration. It is believed, however, that there will be trouble on the main line, east of Minot. The employes on the Montana Central in Montana are circulating petitions to-night on each branch that they have no griev- ance and no representative on the media- tion committee. The petitions will be forwarded to Hill to-morrow. For Pacific Coast Telegrams see Pages 4, 5 and 6. LEY] STRAUSS &COs COPPER RIVETED OVERALLS ° AND SPRING BOTTOM PANTS. EVERY PAIR GUARANTEER FOR SALE EVERYWHERE,