The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 13, 1896, Page 1

The VOLUME LXXIX.—NO . 104. SAN FRANCISCO, FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 13, 1896. PRICE FIVE CENTS CUBMS FIGHT FOR FREEDOM Encounters Between the In- surgents and the Spanish. ESCAPE OF A GUNBOAT. Rebels Block a River With Chains, but Fail to Secure | the Prize. EXPLOSION OF A BIG TORPEDO. During a Reconnoissance the Mine Is Sprung and Many Reguiars Are Wounded. HAVANA, Cusa, March 12.—Several en- | counters between Government troops and | detached bands belonging to the forces of | Gomez and Maceo have been reported around Los Palos, in the province of s, near the line of - the province of | a, and also near Bagaes, in the latter | General Gasco reports from Manzauiilo | that his command has had an engagement with the reb nd led by Reves. One in- surgent was ptured. During a recor noissance the insurgentsexploded an earth nding several soldiers. ement hetween Arapiles’ bat- ¢ band near Manangua, | svince of Havana, the rebels lost five dec | d three prisoners. Lirce parrowly escaped nsurgents at Juan Fernan- | T'he rebels blocked the h chains, made by twisting fence- | , and preventing the gunboat from get- ting out of the river. The gunboat Satellite ue, and, acting in conjunc- 1 force ceeded in break- ins and saving the Lince, to- h her convoy of several schoon- with supplies. ndred and ten prisoners arrived las yesterday and were sent to went tc s Captain-General Weyier has ordered that 1l individuals captured from tbis date in | vince of Havana and Pinardel Rio, | who are supposed to belong to the insurg- ent forces, be set at liberty if the deny hay- ing joined the rebeis voluntarily, and if il promise, hefore twoswitnesses, y to the cause of Spain and do not to be responsible for other crimes. They will, however, be subject to the sur- veillance of the authorities A fire at Royalam, opposite Havana, | last might destroyed the refinery of the American firm of Crab, Tracy & Co. Two warehouse d twelve small houses were also burned. The total loss is estimated at ),000. The refinery was insured for $100,000. s MANY REF The Protest Was Not as Popular as Given Out. HAVANA, Cusa, March 11, via Tampa, la., March 12.—The protest against the action of Congress being circulated in Havana for the signatures of commercial houses, presidents of clubs, corporations and merchants generally has nearly stirred up a riot here. Many bouses refused to sign and have been threatenea: others signed under duress. The members of the Union Club threaten to depose the president for sign- ing the name of the club. The editor of La Discussion declined to sign the name of his paper on the ground that he had no authority during the absence of the di- rector, who is in Madrid. Given the choice of signing or ceasing publishing, he signed. General Weyter's last proclamation pro- viding for confiscation of the property of those in active or passive aid of the rebel- lion is bitterly denounced by Cubans. It issaid to furnish the petty officials a basis for extensive blackmail operations, and also to wreak vengeance upon Cubans generally. Under its terms the property of any person failing to present himself in fifteen days must be seized. Many are compelled to flee to interior towns or to the cities of the coast, and others who have gone abroad, awaiting quieter times, and left their homes deserted or in charge of servants, may lose all. The elections ordered to take place April 19 attract little attention. The three par- ties will go through the form of holding an election, all voting for the same candi- | dates, who have not been named by the | parties themselves but by the Spanish | authorities. The mockery of the elections | will be apparent when among the candi- dates are found the names of Suarez Valdez, now in command of troops in Pinar del Rio; General Polavieja, who is in Spain; General Pendo. who is in com- mand of the second division of the army here, and Romerd Robledo, who is in Spain, and whom all Cubans hate. Just how the voting is to be managed while the island isa vast army camp and a large portion of it in th= hands of the enemy has not been divulged. The wise men at the palace have been at work for days upon a proclamation covering the elections which isawaited with much in- terest. A number of residents of Seiba del Agua, Havana province, have arrived here and teil the following story: A large party of insurgents appeared near the town Saturday. The Spnnigh garrison immediately took from thgnr homes all the Cubans in town at the point of the bayonet and compelled them to stand in front of the garrison. They were in mortal terror, as the insurgents ad- vanced to attack the town. The invaders seeing unarmed men standing in front of the Spanish troops withheld their fire and withdrew withont making any at- ; tinall tack.” After this occurrence the best part of the residents of Seiba del Agua fled to this city. J. FRANK CLARK. ¥ —— CABINET COUNCIL HELD. Spain Witl Continwe Its Warlike Preparations. MADRID, Sparx, March 12.—A Cabinet | other trip down with arms council was held to-day, at which the Queen Regent presided. Senor Canovas del Castillo, Prime Minister, made opti- mistic comments on the action of the American Senate on the Cuban bel- ligerency resolutions. He evidently be- lieved that the fact that the Senate had not already agreed to the report of its committee of conference and the com- mittee of the House of Representatives means there is a good prospect of the Senate not acceoting the House resolu- tion. He added, however, that the warlike preparations would be continued, the Government being deiermined to be ready for any contingency. The Prime Minister announced that it was intended to immediately reopen the universities that had been closed on ac- count of the anti-American demonstration of the students. A special dispatch to the Imparcial from Havena says that Maceo has re-entered the province of Havana and is now near San Nicolas. Gomez remains in the province of Matanzas. o b G ST ARMS FOR THE CUBANS. One Erpedition That Left Philadelphia Was Successful. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 12.—The vessel which is said to have left ,this port for Cuba a week ago with arms and am- munition is reported to have landed safely at a small bay in the eastern end of the island, and within six hours the entire cargo was placed in the hands of the in- surgent agents. One of the Cuban lead- ers who was instrumental in getting this vessel away, in speaking of it, said: “So far as we have been able to learn, the ship with the munitions of war arrived in Cuba on Sunday,and got away all right. 1f she had not done so, we certainly would have had an elaborate report of her seizure or any other circumstances that would affect the enterprise. “There were not many men aboard, only enough to handle the cargo and look after it properly. The ship cleared from here for Jamaica, and, after stopping at Cuba, iled immediately ior Jamaica, from which place she will come to Philadelphia with a cargo, and be ready again for an- *“‘What about last night’s expedition?” “The only thing that I can say is that the ship used is now on its way south. but as to who is in command of her or . her, natne, I cannot say. Besides carrying thirty-three men, she carried a number of machine guns, cannon, about a million rounds of ammunition and a large quan- tity of improved rifles and machetes. We have plenty of men down there at present. ‘What we really do need isarms and money and these are coming along at a fairly good rate. *Should this ship escape the United States revenue cuttérs acting in concert with the Spanish cruisers and get her load of war material safely landed it will put the armies of Gomez on a remarkably good fighting besis so far as equipment goes. As to di line and field and skirmish drill the Cuban troops have no equal.” L. A. W. Weekly Bulletin. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 12:—The L. A! W. Weekly Bulletin is as follows: Afplications for places on the National cir- cuit should be sent at once to the chairman in order to be considered. The list will be held open until April 1, after whica time no place can be assigned. Suspended—Homer Rose, Shenandoah, Tows, for one year from October 4, 1895, for false entry at Red Oak, Iows. Records sccepted—One-quarter of a mile, class B, unpaced, flying start, b; Hendrick, lows, October 17, onds; one-third of a mile, class ‘B, unpaced, dying start, by O. L. Stevens, Hendrick, lowa, October 1885, -5 seconds. Sanctions gr Peoria_Bicvcle I an e 25, 26 and Club, Peoria, Iil.: July —Cedar Rapids Cycling Club, Cedar Rapids, owa; Illinois Cycling Club, Chicago, 1L RIOTS AT SANT KITTS An Account of Disturbances on the Island From a Consular Agent. Cane Plantations Burned and Several Strikers Killed in One Skirmish. WASHINGTON, D. C., March 12.—The State vepartment has received from Leo- pold Moore, United States Consnlar Agent at Saint Kitts, one of the British West In- aia Islands, a complete account of the re- cent disturbance. He says that six weeks ago the laborers of the sugar estates struck for higher wages, their pay having been reduced, and set fire to the canes on the estates whose proprietors refused to accede to their demands. Fortunately H. M. 8. Cordelia had just arrived anda force was landed. Aiter a skirmish, in which three of the negro riot- ers were killed and several wounded, par- tial order was restored. The value of the goods taken or destroyed by the mob is es- timated at $5000. Several attempts were made to fire the town, but the marines ex- tinguishea the flames. Tae warship will remain for the present, as the blacks are makine threats to burn the town and mur- der the white - people at the first opportu- nity. The island is now under martial law. iz Tl s Yot Caused by Light Wires. DETROIT, Micn., March 12.—Fire started from the crossing of electric light wires in the top floor of the Wayne County Savings Bank building, a four-story brick structure, 32 and 34 Congress street west, shortly before 11 o’clock to-night. The firemen succeeded in confining the fire to the third and fourth floors, occupied by the Masonic Temple, Detroit Commandery N 1, Knights Templar, and its chapters. losses will reach nearly $90,000. LS e Baseball in Great Britain. LONDON, E March 12.—The British Baseball Association held a meeting to- day and elected officers. The report of the association, wbich was read to the members, states that last year was a very successful one, and that many new clubs are being started for the coming season, among them one at Crystal Park and an- other at Wembly Park. 0. The International Hurdle Race. LONDON, BExc., March 12.—The inter- national hurdle race, handicap, for 600 sovereigns, was won by Leopold de Roths- child’s Bevil, Captain Aiken’s Banquet 11, formerly owned by M. F. Dwyer, sec- ond, Tait’s Sepoy third. The distance was two and .a guarter miles over nine flights of hurdles. S Lowers a Wheel Record. JACKSONVILLE, Fra., March 12.—The ten-mile world’s bicycle record, paced; was lowered to 24:58 by Harry D. Elkes of New York in this city atthe Villa May- nard track this afternoon. - - s Country Delegate—That donkey won’t be good for much by the time them fellers get through with him. ; THEFTS CARRIED ON MANY YEARS Startling Confession Made by the Junior Partner of a Firm. A HUNDRED THOUSAND. That Sum Taken by a Clever and Prolonged System of Peculations; KNOWN AS A “HIGH ROLLER.” News of the Embezzlement Causes Excitement in Cleveland's Swagger Circle. CLEVELAND, Onro, March 12.—Chattel mortgages were filed thisafternoon against Childs, Graff & Co., wholesale stoe manu- facturers, and the junior partner in the firm, W. H. Huntington, has confessed to pecalations aggregating $40,000.° A hasty examination of the books, however, showed a shortage existing of $100,000. A business statement of the creditors of the house was made Tuesday, and it was then noticed that there was a discrepancy. Huntington then astounded his asso- ciates by confessing that for over twenty years he bad been stealing trom the firm, and that the amount would exceed $40,000. He stated to them that he had done this through the bills payable and by carrying a cash balance short. What has been done with the money is not known. Huntington says he has lived it up, but so far as the members of the firm had knowledge he did not live in an extravagant manner, nor did he have other habits by which he could make way with so large a sum of mcney so far as is known. He has for years enjoyed the entire con- fidence of the members of the firm and has served as administrator of ‘the estate of the father of the present senior member and was named in the will of Mr. Graff as one of the executors of his estate. Huntington is a young man and unmar- ried. He has beem known as a *‘high roller” and was a niember of the Cleveland Athletic Club, the Cleveland Yacht Club, as well as the most. prominent social clubs of the city. Heis the son of John Hunt- ington, one of the prejectors of the Stand- ard Oil Company and an early associate of Join D. Rockefeller. The news of his embezzlement and confession comes as a great shock to Cleveland’s elite society, of which the Huntingtons are prominent members. ROBBING THE TAXPAYERS, An Organized Band of Daring Swindlers Discovered at Chicago. Warrants for Rebates Obtained Upon Forged Receipts for Special Assessments. CHICAGO, Trv., March 12.—For several days the police and officials of the Con- troller’s office, special assessment bureau and law department have been investigat- ing certain startling facts which came into their possession by confession, and otherwise indicating the exiat- ence of an organized band of City Hall employes and men on ' the outside, who, it is alleged. - have robbed the taxpayers of probably $10,000 by means of forging receipis for special as- sessments paid with which theaccomplices not employed in the special assessment bureau or CUontroller’s office obtained | Anstalt, died here last evening. warrants for rebates due proper:y-owners. These warrants were cashed ; without ques- tion by the City Treasurer. The first arrest in the case came to-night when William ‘G. Leondrd, a prominent | eity contractor and politician, was taken |'into custody: on a warrant from the city prosecutor, alleging the forgery of special assessment receipts. He was released on | bail. Hisdesk at his office was searched | on a warrant yesterday, and it 1s alleged some of the forged paper was found there. Willlam Madden, ex-chief clerk in the special assessment bureau, is accused of being the principal leader of the City Hall men, and his return from New Orleans was anxiously awaited this morniug by the vo- lice. Itisalleged, however, that Leonard sent him a .telegram yesterday which served as a tip, and it. is known that he left the train in Mississippi for parts un- known. Other arrests’ are expected when the Grand Jury gets to work. L SEVEN MEN' And Many Othors Infwred « Car. CHARLESTON, W. Va., March 12— Seven men were killed, three fatally hurt and three badly injured at the Central Coa! Works on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, in the New River Valley, to- | night. Thirteen men were on a car riding | down the 1ncline when the rope broke. PG S Failure of a Newspaper. OMAHA, Ngsr., March' 12.—The Even- ing News Republic, a Republican daily paper published in this city, suspended ublication to-day. Editor E. C. Hunt re- uses to make public the assets or liabili- ties of the concern. It was started two years ago as a co-operative concern. UNION TAILORS T0STRIKE Ready to Assist in the Fight of the Clothing Cutters and Trimmers. In Less Than a Week Nearly 30,000 Persons Will Be Out of Employment. CHICAGO, Ir., March 12.—All the union tailors employed in the city will go on strike to-morrow to assist the clothing cutters and trimmers who have been strug- gling for several weeks to win against their former employers. The decision of the tailors was reached by the joint executive boards of the unions last night. The tailors have been willing to join the 800 striking cutters and trimmers since the first day of the strike, but have been kept from doing so. It is estimated that there this number quits work it is believed as many more will join the ranks of the idle the first day. In less than a week it is estimated 25,000 to 30,000 men, women, boys and girls, whose garment work depends on the tailors, cutters and trimmers, will be af- fected by the strike. All the unions held meetings to-night and ratitied the strike action of the executive board. The Cutters’ and Trimmers’ Union re- ceived a setback to-day when fourteen members who had been old employers of Kahn Brothers returned to work. The action of the men was expected by the strikers. —_——— Sunk by a Collision, LONDON, ExG., March 12.—The small British schooner Queen of the Mist was sunk off Beachy Head to-day by collision with a steamer supposed to be the British steamer Sayne. The captain and three of the crew of the schooner were drowned. The mate and one seaman were saved and landed. Will Exhibit at Paris. PARIS, Fraxce, March 12.—Twenty-two countries have given notice of their inten- tion to take part in the exhibition to be held in Paris in 1900. —_—— Mark Twain Seriousty Iil. LONDON, Exc., March 12.—A dispatch to the Central News from Bombay says that Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) is seriously ill af pore. s g GRS Gladstone in Good Health. LONDON, Exg., March 12.—Mr. Glad- stone arrived in London Tuesday from his trip to the Riviera. He is in “excellent health. § 1% Death of Karl Weiss, VIENNA, AusTriA, March 12, —Xarl Weiss, chairman of the Austrian Kredit | are 7500 organizéd tailors here, but when | WILLING TO PAY ALL THE DEBTS, Collis P. Huntington Before the Pacific Railroad Committee. EXPLAINS WITH EASE. Very Few People Indeed Desire Aided Lines. ASKED SOME DIRECT QUESTIONS Of Course, He Replies It Is Only Men With Grievances Who Op- pose a Refunding. WASHINGTON, D. C., March 12.—The ,House Committee on Pacific Railroads to- day heard President C. P. Huntington of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In opening, Huntington said he was not accustomed to public speaking, and would ask the attention of the committee for but a short time. The story of the Pacific rail- roads was an old one, but he had jotted down a few matters which he wished to lay before the committee. The Jentral Pacitic, he said, had complied with every provision of the statute. It had performed not only its contract with the Government, but with individuals. The property had been kept clean, and the Government debt had not been embarrassed, The officers of | the company desire and intend to pay all the principal and as much interest as possible. He did not favor Government ownership. A great many people in California wanted this. 'As a railrond man he did not object to it, but he did not think the Government could do worse. The provisions of the so-called Smith or Frye bills pending in this Congress in the main meet the approval of the officers of the company. The officers of the com- pany think, in following this line, that they could pay upon the principal of this indebtedness for the first ten years the sum of $300,000 per annum, for the second ten years $400,000 per annum and the bal- ance of the debt at $750,000 per annum, and with interest to be paid semi-annually at the rate of 2 per cent. To secure this indebtedness the com- pany proposed to pive its mortgage upon all that property that it has, of every kind and description, and is perfectly willing that the most stringent provisions to se- cure permanent performance of the obliga- tion shall be inserted in any bill. The question of the time of extension was pot specially material, so that the debt was made safer, better secured and in process of gradual extinguishment by frequent payments on the principal and interest on the deferred payments. Boatner called the witness’ attention to the great opposition in California to the settlement of Pacific railroad matters ex- cept by foreclosure and asked how he ac- counted for this. Mr. Huntington replied that a large ma- jority of the people of California favored the roads and wanted to seea just settle- ment made. There werea few, however, who were against the roads. They were bright, smart men. They had grievances. ‘What these grievances were he could tell, but it would take along time and they were matters which the committee would not care to go into. Mr. Boatner then asked him to explain how it was that the California delegation in Congress, one man excepted, were against the roads. 1 In replying to this question Huntington referred to the elections of several years ago. He said that one man complained bitterly to him when Congressman English defeated him, stating that if the Pacific roads had helped him a little he could have defeated English. Huntin told bim that the roads were not in politics. . “How 18 it,” Boatner asked, “that the ’| press of the State are against the roads!” Huntinglon replied that seven-eighths of the press were in favor of the roads. Boatner questioned Huntington very closely about the motives df the Califor- nia press and people in opposing his schemes, Arnold of Pennsylvania objected, declar- ing that this was not material and that local differences - in California had nothing to do with the adjust- ment of the Pacific railroads’ debts to the Government. The matter was allowed todrop for the time, but just before the committee arose Boatner and Faris re- turned to their line of inquiry and insisted upon Huntington giving an answer to Boatner’s question as to which of tne Cali- fornia papers were opposing bim. Huntington complimented the Chronicle and Post and said they were disposed to be “fair.” but the Examiner was against him because it had been dropped from the payroll. Huntington went on to explain that when he became president of the Southern Pacific the Examiner was on the payroll of the company for §1600 a month, and when he ordered this monthly pay- ment stopped the paper immediately be- gan to attack him. Johnson asked him why he used the word ‘‘grievances” in referring to objec- tions to the roads and wanted to know what he meant by it and if it was not mis- leading. Several members of the committee ob- jected to going into the matter and Hunt- ington replied that those who ‘““had griev- ances” were those who had no business. These, be said, were the class of people who complained. In reply to a question by Powers of Ver- mont the witness said he was willing to have the Southern Pacific, ‘‘a solid affair,” guarantee the proposed extension bonds. In reply to a further question he said the roads could not carry out the proposition advanced by the Reilly bill of last Con- gress. ‘ The committee adjourned until next. COMING OVER TO TAKE CHARGE. Commander- Booth-Tucker and His Wife to Control the Salvation Forces in the United States. NEW YORK, N. Y., March 12.—Com- missioner Eva Booth at to-night’s meeting of the Salvation Army auxiliaries an- nounced that she had received a cable- gram from Chief of Staif Bramwell Monday Commarder Booth-Tucker and his wife to take charge of the forces in the United States. The meeting to-night showed con- clusively that Commissioner Eva Booth is fast weaning the rank and file of the army from their hero worshipof their old com- manders, Baliington Booth and his wife. The meeting was called for the:puspose of feeling the pulse of the ausxili hose who help the army with funds other means of sustenance. While at tirgf it Iooked as thiough there would be a seriousioutbreak | during the meeting, there being hisses at intervals, after Com y Booti 'bad spoken fora short, majority of thoke present relented, and “many, under the spell of her urgent appeals and sympa- thetic ‘words, forgot their bitterness and were soon among the applauders. Miss Booth, in the course of her address, denied that there was any attempt to |- anglicize the American army, and held that though the international head- quarters were in London they might some day be in New York, and if they were, surely it could be claimed that other nations would be Americanized by that fact. She said her father had tc do as he-did or renounce the work of his whole Ihfeand the principles that had evolved the army to its present grand proportions. After the meeting Miss Booth denied that General Booth had intimated that his son had come under displeasure because of | his refusal to give up to the General the superannuation fund. FGAT F0R BLODDAT CHIO Editor of the Chronicle-Record Enters the Ring With W. A. Morse. A Fierce and Gory Battle With, the Journalist Apparently Over- matched. CHICO, Car., March 12.—As the result of a challenge issued by Editor Woods of the Chronicle-Record to W. A. Morse a fight took place this afternoon. The affair was kept as quiet as possible on account of a fear that the police would interfere. The seconds were promptly on band and time was called at 2:30. First round—Morse, who appeared eager for action, started off with a quick left, landing on his opponent’s eye. The effect soon showed. Woods wassurprised at the kid's science and went for a mix-up— rough-and-tumble being the order—Woods swinging wildly, missing more times than hitting him. He then cliached and time was called. Honors in favor of Morse. 8:cond round—Woods, tighting savagely, landed a terrific right on Morse's eye, cut- ting to the bone. Morse sent his left with good eflect on Woods’ stomach. After a lively struggle on the ficor time was called. Third round—Morse floored Woods with & right on his jaw. Woods seemed dazed. Woods clinched and forced Morse’s head into a water trough. and but for Morse’s second the fight would probnbl{ hayve ended here. This round ended in Woods’ favor. Fourth and last round—Woods deter- mined to end matters and went at bis outhful opponent, but found him game. {dorse landed a terrific right and left on Woods’ face, leaving it a sorry spectacle. The kid forced matters, and Woods would have surely been beaten, but the cry of police cume and the spectators soon dis- persed, leaving Woods, a pitiful sight, to fina - his way to some drugstore, where he was attended by a well-known doctor. It will be a week or more before Woods will feel as well as usual. Woods is a graduate of the State University and went to West Point from one of the Congres- sional districte. Tervified Women and Little Girls. " SPOKANE, Wasn.,, March 12.—For a week past women and little girls here have been terrified at the actions of a well- dressed man, who would follow them and attempt liberties with them. To-day he was captured in' the act of assaultinga little girl. When taken to the station it was discovered that the man was John Shay., late Chief of Police at Grezt Falls, Mont. He was locked up without bail ' pending hearing. o ! MENELIK'S ARMY NOW ADVANCING, Abyssinians Closing In on the Defeated Italian Forces. GLOOMY IS THE OUTLOOK Much Anxiety Felt as to the Prob- able Fate of Adigrat's Defenders. NOT PREPARED FOR A SIEGE. Three Thousand Dervishes Are Infeste ing Kassala, Which Was Taken Some Time Ago. ROME, IraLy, March 12—The news from Abyssinia becomes more discourag- ing every day. It is now said that after the battle of Adowa only 17 per cent of the Italians engaged in the fight answered at rolleall. One report says tt the Italians lost 12,500 and the Abyssinians about the same number. The Italians fought bravely, but were outnumbered by the Abyssinians. King Menelik’s army is now slowly ad- vancing toward the Italian position. It has rezched Entisco, about midway be- tween Adowa and Adigrat. Communica- tion with Kassala is still unbroken. Much anxiety is felt-as to the fate of Adigrat, which is very inadequately provisioned for a siege. The Abyssinians have been greatly emboldened by their recent successes and will undoubtedly attack the Italians whether they remain at Adigrat orat- tempt to reireat. in either case, with the Booth announcing the appointment og| it minsyndmtens O thet Apesin ians, it can hardly be doubted whut the re- sult would be. Italia says that the policy of the Govern- ment will hereafter be strictly on the de- fensive in Africa, but it is difficult to see how this could avert the threatened dis. aster at Adigrat. The people of Italy are not pleased with the prospect of an Abyssinian campaign. All over the country rmen who would be liable to be called out for military service are hurrying away. Kvery railroad train into France is crowded with fugitives. This stream has kept up for several days, and there is no sigir of a decrease in the numbers. According to the Agenzia d'Italia 3600 Dervishes are investing Kassala, the town which was captured from them some time ago by the Italians. General Baratieri, who was lately superseded in the com- mand of the Italian forces in Africa, in an interview at Massowah on his reasons for attacking the Abyssinians at Adowa, said that information he had received led him to believe that it would be easy to occupy the positions he assailed. He reckoned that the force of Abyssinians would retreat. Instead of doing so they had inflicted a defeat on the Italian army and he was ready to submit to the consequences. The Tribuna publishes an interview with General Baratiera, in which he denies that the Government urged him to attack the Abyssinians, but he adds that all his gen- erals favored making the attack. A vie- tory for the Italians had been partially won and was virtually assured, when the native battalions became panic-stricken and this produced disorder among the Italian troops. General Baratiera declares that he has nothing to reproach himself for, but con- fesses that in 2 moment of madness after his defeat he was on the verge of commit- ting sunicide. He remembered, however, the piety of his family and wished to spare them shame and pain. OF INTEREST TO THE COAST. Favorable Report on the Bill for a Naval Station at Goat Island. WASHINGTON, D. C., March 12.—The House Committee on Territories to-day reported favorably the bill providing a delegate in Congress for the Territory of Alaska. The Secretary of the Treasury to-day submittea to Congress a letter from N. L. Jeffries, attorney for the North American Commercial Company, protesting against the passage of the bill providing for the destruction of seals in Alaska. The sub-committee on Naval Affairs, of which Representative Hilborn 1s chair- man, to-day reported .a favorable recom- mendation on Senator Perkins’ bill pro- viding for the establiskment of a naval station on Goat Island. Representative Hilborn to-day presented to the House a memorial of engineers of the Third Congressional District of Cali. fornia asking. for the passage of the Hou: bill providing for the establishment of a naval enginecring experimental station, and to orzanize and increase the efficiency of the corps of naval engineers. Pensions have been granted as follows: California: Original—John E. Tocer, Maera; Newton E. Denend, Volcano. Additional—George W. Barngrover, Los Gatos. Original widow —Emily Merchant, Los Angeles. Oregon: Original—William W. Tennis, Hebo. Washington: Increase—Humphrey D, Gifford, Toledo. Casica gl co Congressman Johnson Robbded. WASHINGTON, D. 0., Marcia 12.—The apartments of Congressman Johnson of California, at the Cochrane Hotel, were robbed on Wednesday night of jewels and money to the amount of $2500. The rob- bery has been kept quiet by_the police in the hope of catching the thief, who is_be- lieved to be a noted hotel thief from New York. The stolen articles consisted of a watch, pins, diamond rings, cash, ete. i e oot Battle-Ship Massachusetts. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 12.—The TUnited Statessnavy will soon be strength- ened by the addition of another powerful war-vessel. On Thursday next the battle- ship Massachusetts will sail from Cramp’s shipyard on her builders’ tiial trip. As the trial is for the private information of the Cramp Company no guests will be aboard, nor will the Government be offi- cially represented on the trip by any navy officers.