The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 25, 1896, Page 1

3 4 SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY MORNING, JANU ARY 25, 1896. PRICE FIVE CENTS. APPLY THE LASH T0 THE SULTAN Senators Protest Against the Cruel Massacres of Christians. CULLOM IS APPALLED. Crimes Unparalleled for Ages Committed in the Turk- ish Empire. FRYE'S MOST FIERY SPEECH. If Necessary the United States Should Send Warships to Protect Americans. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. —The | concurrent resolution reported last Wednesday from the Committeee on Foreign Relations on the subject of the Armenian outrages was taken up in the | Senate to-day and was passed after a highly interesting discussion. Cullom (R.) of Illinois that committee, addressed tl taid that he was amazed appalled at the brief s had bad of the awful al of havoe, destruction anda bloodshed which had pre- vailed for a time in a ¢ v with which the United States maintained amicable The concurrent and accumu- mony of hundredsand thousands nt people, Christian and Jew, lic and Protestant, European and can, made it absolutely certain that member of Senate. He a relations. erpetrated in the Armenian lurkey; fire and sword bhad vy over many square miles of the last vestige of Armenian 200 villages the demon of dam- \d fanatic:sm had spread ruin, tion and death. The English Goy- nt had a direct obligation resting on vinces of t av 1t to protect the Armenians, and yet noth- | clety as such to distribute relief to Ar- menia he will permit any persons whom Mr. Terrell names and aporoves to dis- tribute relief, provided that the Turkish authorities be kept informed asto what they are doing. This concession of the Turkish Government materially simplifies the Armenian situation with regard to the efforts of Clara Barton in the fliscretiopn_ry power given Minister Terrell. The Minis- ter will undoubtealy designate Miss Bar- ton and the members of her party now on their way to Southampton. BT HEAVY SNOW D FLOODS. An Unusually Severe Winter in Asia Minor. CONSTANTINOPLE, TURkEY, Jan. 24.— The representative of the United Press learns that the moratorium recently grant. ed by the Government will not be renewed and that all obligations will have to be met at the expiration of the time for which the moratorium was granted. The Levant Herald says the winter in Asia Minor is unusually severe. Heavy snowfalls and floods have blockaded the roads and travel is often impossible. Four of the Consuls at Aleppo made the ney to Aintab, and were a full week in ersing the distance. Ordinarily it takes only three days tomake the journey. Their muleteer was frozen to death. The Consuls expected to reach Marash Sunday. e ey TANTAMOUNT TO A TREATY. jo! An Understanding Reached Between Russia and Turkey. LONDON, ExG., Jan. 24..—A dispatch to | the Central News from Constantinople says that in an interview to-day Xalil Rafaat Pasha, the Grand Vizier, declared that the rumor of an offensive and defen- sive treaty between Russia and Turkey was absolutely unfounded. Such a treaty bad neither been conciuded nor meditated. In well-informed circles this statement is believed to be probably a mere diplo- matic quibble. The arrangement between the two powers may not be embodied ina treaty, but it is coming to be generally be- lieved that an understanding exists be- tween them that is tantamount to a treaty. THEY WILL FIGHT A DUEL. M. Henri Rochefort and M. Edouard Dru- mont to Meet on the Field of Honor. LONDON, Exe., Jan. 24.—The Chronicle will to-morrow publish a dispatch from Paris saying that a duel is impending be- tween M. Henri Rochefort, the widely known editor of the Intransigeant, and M. | Edouard Drumont, also a well-known literary man. The trouble arose from a violent news- paper squabble between M. Rochefort and Mme. Severine, a writer for the French press, M. Drumont having constituted ing had been done by it nor by any of the | himself the champion of the latter. other powers looking to the enforcement of Both M. Rochefort and M. Drumont their treaty obligations beyond mere dip- | have fought dueis before. lomatie correspondence between them and tie Sultan. Committee on Foreign Relations that it could do nothing less than appeal to the powers fo carry out their pledges as it did in the concurrent resolution. As to the right of the United States to protect its citizens everywhere, no odds were asked from any nation on earth. Cullom quoted from a speech of Daniel Webster these words: *There is some- thing among men more capable of shaking despotic power than the lightning, the whirlwind, the earthquakes, and that is the excited and aroused indignation of the whole civilized world. ““And he added that be knew of nothing which had happened in the wor! centnries that more ealled for interference than these slaughters of Armenian Christians. Blanchard (D.) of Louisiana thought that the resolution did not go far enough, and intimated that the Committee on Foreign Relations had been slow in its re- port. The committee was defended by Frye (R.) of Mane, who made a very fiery speech against the Sultan and against the European Governmenst, which had not in- terfered to protect th if he had his way the American Congress would memonalize Russia to take posses- sion of the Armenian provinces and would inform her that the United States would stand behind her in doing so. And he de- clared that if it were necessary to protect American citizens and their property in Turkey he would order United States ships of war, in spite of ports and in spite of agreements as to the closing of the Dar- danelles, to place themselves before Con- stantinople and to give that protection to | which American citizens are entitled. The concurrent resolution was passed without a division and now goes to the House. It expresses the earnest hope that European concert may speedily be given its just effect in such decisive measures as shall stay the hand of fanaticism ana law- less violence and shall secure the rights of the unoffending Christians of the Turkish empire. e ENGLAND ALMOST ISOLATED., It Is Said That Italy Is Now Her Only Aty. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. 24.—A dis- patch to the Sun from London says that the report of an alliance between Russia and Turkey has cansed a great volitical sensation. A few years ago such an al- liance would have promptly resulted in a declaration of war, but now it is be- lieved that the only action be taken by England will bea vigorous protest. England’s only ally now will be Italy. France is believed to be committed to the new Eastern alliance, and Germany will not be friendly to Great Britain. It is pe- lieved that the next step will probably be a demand by the three allies, Russia, Tur- key and France, for England to evacuate Egypt, and then a serious European crisis will arise. —_— THE BRITISH CABINET MEETS. Information Received From the Flying Squadron’s Commander. LONDON, Exc., Jan. 24.—A meeting of the Cabinet was held at the Foreign Office at 3 o’clock this afternoon, Lord Salisbury presiding. Previous to the Cabinet meet- ing a conference was held between Right Hon. George J. Goschen, First Lord of the Admiralty, the Naval Board and Rear- Admiral Alfred T. Dale, commander of the flying squadron. ONLY AS INDIVIDUALS. How Red Cross Workers Can Distribute Aid to Armenians, WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 24.—Secre- tary Olney has received from Mr, Terrell, United States Minister at Constantinople, a cablegram saying that while the Porte refuses permission to the Red Cross So- ans. He said | that will | It had therefore seemed to the | | | — g CRUELTY OF BESIEGERS. Shoans Cut off the Hands of Three Captives. ROME, Irawy, Jan. 24.—Advices from Massowah state that the situation at Maxalie is unchanged. The Shoans in- vesting the Italian fortress have redoubled their vigilance to prevent the Italians sending out any news. ‘The Shoans cut off the hands of three men they captured, and also captured and shot a messenger who was endeavoring to get into the Italian fortress to carry news to Major Galliano, the commandant, of his promo- tion to colonel. P . Condolence to the Queen. LONDON, ExG., Jan. 24.—The Foreign Office has issued the following : “The President of the United States of America, having received through Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British Embassador at Washington, the mournful tidings of the death of his Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Battenburg, immediately made expression through the Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, United States Embassador to the Court of 8t. James, of his sincere condo- lence to the Queen.”” Rioting at Port au Prince. KINGSTON, Jamarca, Jan. 24. — The steamer Hordel has arrived here from Gonaives, Hayti. She is specially char- tered to bring to this port a party of Hay- tiens. The captain reports continued serious rioting in the streets of Port au Prince for the past few days. Gonaives is quiet as yet. The Government is exer- cising a strict censorship over news. SHIT A FRMER'S SON Brutal Murder and Robbery Com- mitted by an Outlaw in Oklahoma. Rattlesnake Bill Believed to Be the Culprit and a Posse Is in Pursuit, WICHITA, Kans, Jan. 24.—A brutal murder occurred at Isabella, Oklahoma, last night, the victim being Howard Rob- erts, the 14-year-old son of J. C. Roberts. The murder was committed by a masked bandit, who rode up to Roberts’ door late at night and called upon him to opeu it. Roberts refused to comply and the robber began to fire through the door. Finally the robber kicked the door in, and cover- ing Roberts with his revolvers, demanded his money, but the boy failed to find it. Exasperated at the delay, the robber de- liberately shot him in the mouth. The boy’s tongue was almost torn away by the bullet, which passed through his neck. ‘‘Get me the money you got for your cattle to-day or I'll serve you the same way,” said tke bandit. Roberts hastily complied, giving up $280 and his gold watch. The murderer then jumped upon his horse and firing several random shots toward Roberts galloped away. A posse of several hundred farmers fol- lowed the bandit's trail all day and his capture seems certain. The boy Magered in great agony through the night and died at1o'clock this morning, The desperado is thought to be Bill Thompson, alias Rattlesnake Bill, an old cowboy, who has committed several murders in the Terri- tory. Rattlesnake Bill was pursued into Mexico by the officers two years ago. LT Reported in Bad Repute. YORK, Pa., Jan. 24.—The York Build- ing and Loan Association is reported to be in bad repute. It is said $118,000 has been paid in and probably not a cent of this will be saved to the ones who paid it. ‘(\\\ 3 4 \\ 7 [ N 5 ) | 3 \ E 1 u'{ui"l ! ! ‘l'| / ’”’ ) A / John Bull —“Well, I'll be blowed!” - COUNSEL FOR THE ACCUSED, That Is Recommended for the Americans Impris- oned at Pretoria. CALIFORNIANS ACTIVE. Secretary Olney Not Permitted | to Relax Efforts to Secure Protection, TELEGRAMS ARE YET RECEIVED Nearly All the Members of the Reform Committee Will Be Released on Bail. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 24.—The resolutions adopted by the Gold Mining John Hays Hammond and other Ameri- cans arrested by the Boer Government were received by wire this morning by each member of the California delegation. Senators White and Perkins prepared.a letter to Secretary Olney, transmitting the resolutions, and it was signed by Repre- sentatives Johnson, TLoud, Maguire, Bowers, McLachlan, Hilborn, Barham and the two Senators. The letter was as follows: *‘The members of the above association are permanent citizens of California and men of standing. We have informed all our friends and all who have correspond- ence with us that the State Department is exerting itself to the utmost in behalf of the accused Americans in the Transvaal, There is one matter suggested by this dis- patch which possibly may be worthy of further consideration, viz.: The employ- ment of proper counsel to guard the inter- est of the accused. It may be that the fact that Hammond and others are de- tained renders it difficult for them to per- sonally act in their own defense. *'We desire to further suggest for your determination that possibly our veople would be better satisfied 1f counsel were employed at our direct instigation. Itis asserted with some force that the great interest taken in this matter by our Goy- ernment would be more obvious and ac- centuated if we pursue that course, than it would should we rely upon the friendly offices of others, however potential these might be.” Senator Perkins said to-night: “It is well known here that Secretary Olney has taken a very great interest in the case of the imprisoned Americans, and is making every effort in the power of the State Department to assist them. Our Consul and consular agent in South Africa have been telegraphed to exercise every means at their disposal to secure fair treat- ment for the accused.” Telegrams urging action in their behalf still continue to pour in upon Perkins, Hamilton Smith has telegraphed seven times from Monte Carlo. All or nearly all of these have been placed before Secretary Oiney, and heis kept advised of all the news that may come into possession of the California delegation. LONDON, ExG., Jan. 24. — The Times will to-morrow publish a dispatch from Pretoria saying that all the members of the reform committee who were arrested at Johannesburg would be admitted to bail on Friday, with the exception of Louis Phillips, president of the Chamber of Mines; Colonel Francis W. Rhodes, brother of Cecil Rhodes, ex-Prime Minister of Cape Colony; Percy Farrar, proprietor of the South African paper, Country Life, | Jameson’s raid.. No details and John Hays Hammond, the American mining engineer. The dispatch adds that the inquiry in thecase of those arrested will probably take place on Wednesday rext, after which most of the accused will be liberated. PRETORIA, Sourm AFRICA, Jan. 24.— General Jubert, commander-in-chief of the forces of the South African Republic, in a speech at Heilbron, in which he thanked the burghers, said that the raid of Dr. Jameson and his followers was not the work of honorable British residents, but was a cunning and insidious attempt to overthrow law and order. Dispatches from Ja! urg repre- sent matters as quiet thers, but a feeling of unrest prevails throughout the populace and the unemployea are beeoming danger- ous. They are leaving the city in small parties, but their destination or object can- not be ascertained. e L A THOMAS MEIN ARRESTED. Held as One of the Chief Conspirators in Jameson’s Raid. POTSDAM, N. Y. Jan. 24—A dis- patch receivea here announces the arrest and imprisonment of Thomas Mein, a native of Lowsville, St. Lawrence County, as one of the chief conspirators in Dr. have been received by his brothers, except that bail in his case has been refused. Mr. Mein's brothers will try to secure his release through the Department of State. Thomas Mein is about 50 years old. He is well known as a mining engineer. He went to California and engaged in gold mining about thirty yearsago. He man- | aged some of the largest gold mining prop- | erties there, and later took charge of sev- Exchange at San Francisco concerning | eral large mines in Venezuela. From Venezuela he went to Alasks, and thence to South Africa. Mr. Mein had control of 6000 men in South Africa. ESCAPED FROM THE MOB. Two Murderers Had a Close Call in a Suburb of St. Louis. The Constable Surrendered, But the Prisoners Whipped Up the Horse in Time to Escape. 8. LOUIS, Mo., Jan. 25, 10’clock A. M.— An almost successful attempt was made last night to lynch Sam Foster, colored, and Peter Smith, white, who murdered B. E. Atwater of Chicago, Thursday night, at Webster Grove, a suburb. After the inquest yesterday the situation became so threatening that it was decided to bring the prisoners to this city for safety. They were handcuffed together and started for the city in a wagonette, driven by Con- stable Fielson. ‘When within six miles of the city limits at 7:30 o’clock P. M. the conveyance was stopped suddenly by a mob of sixty armed men who demanded the prisoners. Con- stable Fielson surrendered, but the prison- ers began whipping the horse and started off on the run. A volley was fired after them and one shot struck ‘the negro in the right hip. They were not pursued and the horse fell, it being impossible tor them to escape. They were finally overtaken by Fielson and brought to the Four Courts, this city, at 12:30 A. M. Foster fired the shots that killed Atwater and admits his guilt. Smith decoyed the dead man to his death. BB B VIOLATED BANKING LAWS. Books of a Defunct Nebraska Concern Fraudulently Kept. BEATRICE, NEBR., Jan. 24.—State Bank Examiner McGrew has filed his report on the Bank of Blue Springs. He says that the bank is absolutely insolvent and has been conducted in an unsafe and unsatis- factory manner; tnat its books have been falsely and fraudulently kept, and that false statements have been' made to the State Banking Board and published in violation of the law. $ " He recommends the immediate appoint- ment of a temporary receiver, and also. calls the attention of the County Attorne: to the flagrant violation of law by J, (:{ ‘Williams, president of the bank. NOTED MEN TALK IRRIGATION LAW, General Harrison Argues in Support of the Wright Act, JUST CLEAR, COLD FACT. Says California Had a Right to Take Charge of the Water Supply. ESTABLISHED BY DECISIONS. Ex-Chief Justice Rhodes Also Upholds the Constitutionality of the Law. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 24.—The fact that ex-President Harrison was to ap- pear as an advocate before the Supreme Court of the United States in the Cali- fornia irrigation cases was largely respon- sible for the throng which gathered about the chamber to-day. It was announced pefore the court was opened that he time for argument had been a second time ex- tended and that eight hours would be de- voted to the consideration of the cases. This extension, it was expected, would per- mit B. Percy Wright, who has charge of the litigation in California, to take partin the argument to-day and give Monday’s session to Joseph H. Choate and ex-Judge J. F. Dillon in which toclose the argu- ment for the two sides respectively. Ex-Chief Justice Rhodes of California resumed his argument in support of the irrigation law and the validity of the pro- ceedings of the several district boards of trustees thereunder. He reviewed the history of public improvements in various parts of the country to iilustrate the con- tention that it was not in 1tself peculiar, although applied to irrigation, and that this analogous legisiation had been, like the Wright law, sustained by the courts. Rhodes spoke almost an hour and was followed by ex-President Harrison, who advocated the constitutionality of the law. He began his areument by saying: “Notwithstanding all that has been said about these cases, as to their nature, they are in fact nothing but tax cases, present- ing the question whether or not the State has power by its executive act to take a portion of the citizens’ property for the use of the vublic. If there is anything clearly established by the decisions of this court it is that .the taxing power of the State is a full one, the only limitations of which are to be found in the constitution of the State or of the United States. If the power to levy the tax is challenged the court will look for the limiting clause in the State or Feceral constitution. If this is not found to be somethink that contra- venes the power, as used, then it must pass the court unchallenged.” As to the subject of the law General Har- rison said that in his opinion there was no matter of a clearer use and purpose than that of irrigation, and it was fully compe- tent by legislation to take charge oi the water supply for the purpose of using it under regulations for the improvement and development of the arid lands within its limits. If that legislation was so con- structed as to lie withiu the limitations of the State’s authority and power, then, said the speaker, it must pass the court. “This court,” he said, *‘in an opinion of Justice Fiecld so often quoted, ‘is nota harbor of refuge for ships laden with pas- sengers dissatisfied as to the expediency or desirability of State legislation.’ ” General Harrison proceeded to discuss ! the first and second sections of the law 1o demonstrate his assertion that the leg@sla- tion was wholly within the limitations placed upon the authority and power of the State, and the Supreme Courtof the State had soconstrued the statute several times, which construction, he said, be- came a part of the statute for all the pur- poses of the Supreme Court of the United States. General Harrison occupied the attention of the court for a few minutes less than an hour, speaking without interruption. His argument was purely a legal one and, be- cause of that fact, to some extent a disap- pointment to his histeners. George H. Maxwell followed, speaking for the aggrieved property-owners, who invoked the protection of the fourteenth amendment against the operation of the Wright law, and he was followed by C. C. Wright, the author of the act, in support of the law. Maxwell and Wright did not require all the remaining time of the ses- sion in which to make their arguments, and Mr. Choate began the concluding ad- dress in opposition to the law at 3:45 o’clock, speaking fifteen minutes before the court adjourned until Monday. The proposition on which Choate should base his argument, he said, was that irri- gation for a district which did not need it was not public use nor necessity, and that a law which provided an irrigation system for a district not needing it and assessing the contiguous property to pay for its con- struction was an unconstitutional law. DWYER MUST PAY DAMAGES. David Gideon, the Racing Man, Obtains a Verdict for Fifteen Thousand Dollars. NEW YORK, N. V., Jan. 24.—The suit brought bv Navid Gid :on, the racing man, against " hilip J. Dwyr, president of the Brook yn Jockey Uiuv, for §50,000 for slan- der, wus irieu before a Sheriff’s jury to- day. The defendant was not allowed to tes- tify as to whether he had used the words attributed to him when he is supposed to have said to Mr. Gideon: “You are no sportsman. You were ruled off the track at Nashville for fraudulent practices there and had to leave the town.” The jury was out ten minutes and re- turned with a verdict for the plaintiff, M#. Gideon, for $15,000. An appeal will be taken to the Court of Appeals. s 287 S £ ACCUSED OF BEING A SPY. Arrest of a Correspondent in Caracas While Taking Photographs. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. 24.—The Her- ald’s correspondent in Caracas, Venezuela, cables as follows: “I was arrested on Wednesday in La Guayra while having some photographs taken in the sireet. The pictures were such as would depict scehes in the public thoroughfares, but the camera apparently excited the suspicion of the authorities. “One of the prominent citizers of the town followed me to the court where I was taken. He knew me and tried to explain that I was engaged in entirely lawful and harmless work, but the Judge would not permit him to remain. I was privately examined by the Judge of the district. He refused to believe that I wasan Ameri- can, and stated that he had been informed that British spies were already in the country in large numbers, and that one of their chief purposes was to obtain photo- graphs of all works of defense. “He added that to use ghything but the most rigid caution and scrutiny at such a time as the present would argue that he was lax in his sworn duty. I was then dispatched on a late train to Macuto, where President Crespo and his Cabinet are staying. ‘“As soon as the chief officers of the Gov- ernment heard of my arrest and arrival in Macuto immediate orders were issued fo my release, which was foilowed by the re- ception of an elaborate apology from the Government. The police later stopped me when 1 attempted to get some photograpnhs of bathing scenes on the beach at Macuto.” e DROWNED IN A STREAM. The Fate of @ Family in a Covered Wagon. FORT WORTH, Tex., Jan. 24—News was received here this morning of the drowning of an entire family in Prairie Dog Fork of Red River, in Randall County, on Wednesday. Joseph Wicker, wife and iwo children attempted to ford the stream in a covered wagon, but the waters, swollen by recent rains, swept the wagon down. The father attempted to swim ashore with one child on his back, but he sank to the bottom with his human burden. The mother and the other child re- mained in the wagon until it was over- turned, and both were arowned. Another family, in a second wagon, turned back in time to save themselves. They could give no assistance to the Wickers. THROUGH AN OPEN DRAW Fearful Plunge of a Fire Engine Into the Cuyahoga River. Two Members of the Crew Were Injured and the Horses Drowned. CLEVELAND, Omnro, Jan. 24.—A fire engine with a crew of tive men responding to a call plunged through an open draw of the Seneca-street bridge at 2:25 o’clock this morning. Al Rose, driver, and Charles Cooledge, one of the crew, were badly injured, but the other three members of the crew miraculously escaped by jumping. At 2:20 o’clock this morning an alarm of fire was turned in from Barrett’s lum- ber yard, and Company No. 2 responded. The route selected was by way of Seneca- street hill, at the bottom of which a draw- bridge spans the Cuyahoga River. The fireboat John Farley had started for the Barrett yards, a: nal the draw was opened. The speed of the engine coming down the steep hill was too great to be checked in time to avert the plunge. The fireboat saw the approaching engine and stopped, otherwise there would have been a collision between the boat and engine on the sur- face of the river. The engine with its team and the two men on the driver’s seat shot over the end of the bridge and down forty-five feet to the water. The horses were drowned, d in response to her sig-, | SURPRISED AND T00K A GARRISON, Cuban Insurgents Defeated the Spanish Forces at Sabanilla, THREE WOMEN KILLED, An Invasion of Many Towns in the Province of Pinar del Rio, GEN. MACEQ SOUTH OF HAVANA, The Cruiser Reina Maria Christine Has Bombarded Camps Near the Coast. HAVANA, Cusa, Jan. 24,—Details of the attack by the insurgents upon Sabanilla, between Matanzas and La Union, on Wednesday last, have been received. The rebels burned the station and two or three bouses and looted several stores. The garrison was surprised and defeated after a hot fight, losing many killed and wounded. Unfortunately three women were killed by stray bullets. Thirty-eight refugees have arrived here on the schooner Maria Carmen from Guane, on the south coast. They report that the insurgents under the command of Maceo, Miro, Gil, Tamayo and Zayas have invaded many towns in the province of Pinar del Rio, taking horses, arms and supplies. Bands under Oliva and Laso ace operating on the north coast. Antonio Maceo and his force are south of Havana. The cruiser Reina Maria Christine has bombarded rebel camps near the coast. Three employes of the Western Railroad arrived here to-day. Trains on that road having stopped running they were com~ velled to walk all the way from the pro- vince of Pinar del Rio. They say that stations, bridges, cars and other railway property have been destroyed in the viciu- ity of San Cristobal. Thetobacco crop has not been injured directly, but the rebels destroyed the means by which it could bo operated. Maximo Gomez, the insurgent com. mander-in-chief, is still betwesn Gunuez and Batabano, southeast of Havana. Three columns of troops under Colonels Linares, Aldecoa and Galyis, sightea Gomez's camp on Wednesday and made an attempt to draw the rebels intoa fight. Gomez, however, declined battle and with- drew leisurely, but still quickly enough to prevent the troops from catching him had they been inclined to make the attempt. Clonel Sanchez reports that the forca under his command has had a fight that lasted six hours with a rebel band under Aulet, near Cienfuegos. He states that the rebel loss was twelve killed and fifteen wounded. The Spaniards lost eleven horses. The general-in-ch’ef to-day transferred the press censorship from the political office to military headquarters, givingas'a reason for doing so the quality of work weighing upon the political office. Staft Major Suarez Inclan is the new censor, he succeeding Secretaiy Casanas, who has treated the newspaper correspondents with great courtesy. An order was issued to-day prohibiting coasting vessels to enter or leave the har- bor between sunset and sunrise. The new military hospital that will ace commodate 1000 patients, was opened here yesterday. e VESSELS WILL BE ARMED. Captains Who Resent Being Overhauled by the Spanish. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Jan. 24.—Cap- tain W. W. Keer, the counsel of the Hart line of steamers, declared to-day that the steamers of that line will be fully armed with guns, which will be used against the Spanish if necessary. He said the acquittal at Charleston yesterday of Captain Hughes of the steamer Laurada, of the charge ot carrying arms and men to Cuba will be followed with similar verdicts here next month in the case of the steamers Leon and Horsa, because, as was shown in the Laurada case, the vessels of the line have done nothing wrong, and that the “trumped up evidence’’ can justly have no weight with the jury. — e INCREASING THE DUTIES. Spain Raising Money to Meet the Way Expenses. MADRID, Sparx, Jan. 24,—In order ta meet in part the expenses of the war in Cuba, the Government has decided to in- crease the customs duties on goods im- ported into the island. The largest in- crease will be made in the duties on goods imported from countries other than Spain and the Spanish colonies. s i OPPOSED THFE KESOLUTION, Some South Carolina Statesmen Not in Sympathy With Cubans. COLUMBIA, 8. C., Jan. 24—To-day in the House of Representatives a stir was created by opposition to the resolution ex- pressing sympathy for the Cuban patriots and calling on Congress to recognize them as belligerents. The few opponents of the resolution took the ground that it was none of their business to call on the Na- tional Government to recognize the Cubans as belligerents. The resolution was adopt- ed by a rising vote, ninety-eight members voting in favor of it. Twn voted against it, some eight or ten not voting. To Open West River. PEKING, Cuixa, Jan. 24.—The Chinese Government has agreed to comply with the demand of Great Britain that the West River be opened to commerce, but makes the condition that China be allowed to re- tain the territory ceded underthe Bermah- Chinese convention of 1894. The matter has been referred to Lord Salisbury, the British Prime Minister. L A Cholera in Russia. ST. PETERSBURG, Russi, Jan, 24— The official cholera statistics for the week ending January 18 show that there were twenty-four new cases and ten deaths,