The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 20, 1896, Page 1

VOLUME LXXX.—NO 17 SAN FRANCISCO, FRIDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 20, 1896. WEYLER BEATEN N EVERY BATTLE Press Censorship Prevents the News From Being Sent Out. any demonstration, no matter how peace- ful, on the part of the students. The Cubans of New York will haves meeting on November 27, and on-that day the mass that under present circum- stances cannot be celebrated at Havana will be sung in a Catholic church here. —_—— PREPARING FOR EMELGENCIES. Big Contract for Arms Given to the Winchester Comporny. NEW HAVEN, Cons., Nov. 19.—The Register this afternoon prints a story that the Government, ‘‘before noon to-mor- row,” will plice an order with the Win- chester Arms Company for 100,000 rifles of *| the Lee pattern, the standard small arms Cubans Declare That No Honest Man Can Live Under Span- ish Rule in the Island. Patriots Continue to Fight Gallantly for Freedom and Capture Scv- eral Important Strongholds. TAMPA, Fra.,, Nov. 19.—A number of prominent Cubans arrived by the steamer Olivette from Havana this evening and .will make their homes inJacksonville and Ocala until the conflict ends. They de- .clare that no honest man who has any re- spect for his family can live under Spanish jaw as it is administered on the island. A prominent Cuban said relative to the engagement reported between Maceo and Weyler that important battles had been fought and that Weyler had been defeat- ed. Owing to the surveillance of the Gov- ernment definite news has not been re- ceived in this country, but it was true all Cubans in Havana knew through their ofhcial sources. He stated this intorma- tion could be given the American people with every confidence. They further stated that Port au Principe, Cascora and Guamaro were all in the hands of the Cubans under Calixto Garcia and h’s aids. Among the reports is that Weyler is wounnded. MADRID, Spar~, Nov. 19.—A dispatch to the Imparcial from Havana says that Captain-General Weyler has reached the town «f San Cristobal, about fourteen leagues northeast of the city of Pinar del Rio and about midway between ‘hat city and Havana. Maceo's headquarters are said to be in the hiils between San Cristo- bal and Cayabos, HAVANA, Cusa, Nov.19.—A train con- Veying troops was wrecked to-day near Mangas by the explosion of dynamite bombs which had been placed in position by rebels. Fourteen persons were wound- ed. The train was crossing a culvert when the exp osion occurred. The insurgents placed five bombs for the purpose of blow- ingup the train, but one of them did not explode. It is said here that the rebels thought General Weyler was on the train. NEW YORK, N. Y., Nov. 19.—Secretary de Quesada of the Cuban Junta stated to- a=y tamvde Dea just received most favor- able news of the situation in Cuba. “I have just heard by mail,” said Mr de Quesda, “from General Carrillo, in charge of the province of Las Villas. He informs me that he has jast met General Banchez, who was coming from the east- ern department with re-enforcements, and that the situation presents a most cheerful aspect in that section, which em- braces the larger half of the eastern end of Cuba. “I have also received Jetters from the eastern department ifrom civil Governor Cespedes, which are also very encourag- ing. He is establishing public schools throughout the interior. The fact that we have already appointed a civil Govern- ment in the eastern part of the island, which is entirely in our hands, and that schools have been opened to the less in- telligent, proves that our po-ition in this province is certainly a most strong one. ‘“Although nothing of importance has reached me yet in relation to the military operations by the Cuban leaders I have received word that the Cuban forces are gradually advancing westward,” EARE il GENERAL WEYLER WHIPPED, ( Howard Says It Is Time for the Span- ish Butcher to Kesign. ST. LOUIS, Mo., Nov. 19.—In an inter- view to-day anent the ramor that General Weyler had resigned from the command of the Spanish forces in Cuba, General 0. O. Howard, ex-commanding general of the United States army, said: *“As I see,Gen- eral Weyler was a beaten man and it was time for him to resign. His troops were whippea and his strategic resources were at an end when he went back to Havana. The individual rear movement of Weyler - showed the inability of the Spanish army to dislodge the insurgents. If he could have whipped them he would have stayed and whipped them. His retirement was the beginning of the end so far as Weyler is concerned. My view of the Cuban war is simply this: Itis a question of finances, not of nghting.. Spain is big enough to crush out every cane bush as well as insurgent in Cuba, if she can raise the money to pay and provision the troops re- quired, but Spain has a mighty big job on her banas. It bas already been clearly proved that the Cubans are greater fight- ers, greater strategists and a greater peo- ple. Whether Spain can raise enough money to pay the meu is something about which the world is guessing.” General Howard thinks the Cuban war has developed nothing new in tactics. He declined to express an opinion as to whether the United States should inter- fere on behalf of the insurgents. i NOT ALLOWED 10 CELEBRATE. Spanish Authorities Have No Sympathy , Jor Cuban Martyrs. NEW YORK, N. Y., Nov. 19.—Letters received in this city from Havana an. nounce that the Spanish Government has taken every precaution to avoid any pub- lic demonstration on November 27, the anniversary of the execuiion of the stu- dents of the University of Havana who were condemned by court-martial in 1871 for the alleged violation of the tomb of Don Gonzalo Castanon, the Spanish jour- nalist, Every year the families of the victims bave been accustomed to attend mass for the souls of the dead in the Cathedral of Havana on November 27. The newspapers published articles and the students did 80 1ot to their classes in the university on thatday. The rector of the university has been summoned to the palace of the cap- t~in general and warned not to permit of the American army. This announce- ment is made on the authority of a com- mercial agent who had it from an official of the Winchester Arms Company. As usual, the Winchesters will not talk. Ac- cording to this agent, the contract is due to the relations between this country and Spain, and a desire on the part of the Government to be prepared for an emer- zency. _— TRI1AL OF FILIBUSTERS. Evidence Members of Laurada’s Crew Presented. NEW YORK, N. Y., Nov. 19.—The trial of Emilio Nunez and Captain Charles R. Dickman was resumed to-day. John Deumer said he had been a fireman on the Laurada during her alleged filibuster- ing trip last May. His testimony was almost similar to that of the alleged spy, Quinn, and the other witnesses who testi- fied yesterday. On cross-examination witness stated that he had received money since leaving the Laurada on several occasions from some person whose name he did not know. Martin' Kasparit said he had been a seaman on the Laurada, and his story was in the main similar to that of the previous witnesses. He was also under pay. Captain Henry W. Mosher, of the tug Volunteer, te-tified i0 having towed the lighter Green Point, loaded with boxes and other packages, from Astoria to the Laurada, off Montauk Point, on May 4. With Captain M. sher’s testimony, evi- dence for the Government closed. Counsel for the defense then requested Judge Broan to direct a verdict of acquit- tal on the ground that there had been no evidence to show that any crime had been committed. General Tracy raised the question whether the cuse of the defendants came within the jurisaiction of the Southern Di-trict of New York, or even within the t rritory of the United States. The con- stitution provided, he said, that the ac- cused must be tried within the district where the offense was committed. Mon- tauk Point, he said, isin the Eastern Dis- trict of New York. General Tracy said that the prosecution must siiow that Cap- tain Dickman knew before he left New York that men alleged to have been on board ihe Laurada intended to arm them- selves, as they are said to have done alter they left Montauk Point. No offense com- matted in this the Southern Di-trict had been proved aguinst the cuptain. His Henor denied the motion to instruct an acquittal. Counselor Reubens, after a few words to the jury, in which he said the staiement of the case for the defense would be left to the summing up, called A. W. Barrs of Jacksonville, Fla., a real e-tate dealer. Witness said he had seen the Laurada at Hardport. He had gone out to the Lau- radaon a tug. He said the statements of the witnesses for the prosecition that the Cubans had given Captain Dickman orders were absoiutely untrue. Witness and a friena had visited the Laurada once on the tug and later in a =kiff, but on neither oc- casion had Colonel Nunez given any orders. On cross-examination witness admitted he was a sympathizer with the Cubans, adding: “I don’t see how anybody canlive in this country and not be.” General Tracy—So say we all of us. At the conclusion of the testimony of this witness an adjournment was taken until to-morrow morning, when General Tracy will begin the summing up. PRI S ek the s BAD MANAGEMENT IN MANILA. Spain Seems to Be Conducting a Go-as- You-Please Wir, TACOMA, Wasw., Nov. 19.—The Hong- kong Daily Press of October 17 contains the latest news of the Philippine rebellion received from its special correspondent, as follows: MANILA, Oct. 13.—The third batch of troops arrived to-day, 1200 in number. This places altogether over 3000 men in the Philippines ready for the field, which added to the native troops, who so far have with few exceptions been loyal to the Spanish, should give a sufficient num- ber to exterminate the poorly armed reb- els now holding forth in Cavite. Itshould be a sufficient number, but it seems to be tbe opinion that the rebels will still flour- ish and be able to defend themselves against any serious blow for some time, at least until the rest of the band of troops expected have arrived and are in the tield, The Spanish also show an incliration to lay aside and not to take any chances of defeat until the other troops arrive, when with a large force their success would, at least in their eyes, appear certain. From what we saw of the soldiers, it would seem that considerable time could be wisely spent in equipping the troops, for work in the field cannot be successfully carried on when the outfit of = soldier is limited to a gun and cartridge-case. The commissary department seems to be limited to an officer in gorgeous uniform ana two Indians, with a couple of old iron pots; and the medical department to a doctor with & medicine chest. No doubt they are better off than that, although thatis exactly the outfit, so far as could be seen, of the body of troops embarking for Cavite. lv is, however, certain that they are extremely weak in organization. Some disloyalty has been shown by some of the Indian marimmes on shore duty, who firu_i upon some Spanish troops, while the Dative troops at Mindan have revolted, seizing forts and gunboats on the lak; and, in fact, are in full possession. The Spanish troops have been firing at each other as a result of a blunder in maneuver- ing, and considerable loss has been re. ported. Governor-General Blanco no doubt is trying ‘to conduct the campaign in the way it should be, and to him alone is credit due for so little killing taking place in and about Manila. It is unfortunate, bowever, that officers who have the execu. tion of his orders in hand are not of the same opinion. The bi: Krench warship Isly arrived in the harbor last night. The report that affairs are quieting down and the rebellion FOUND w over $6 200.000 Mmen HAVE AMERICAN STUCKS HAVE APPRECIATED e — PRICE FIVE CENTS. ORK AND 0,000 000. “Well, I guess I can get ready for Thanksgiving now.” about over is altogether false, for the rebels | are in a better condition to-day than they ever were, and it has been only during the last few days that a large estate nota dozen miles from Manila was seized and the rebels occupied it undisturbed. The city of Manila its=1f, however, is undoubt- edly safe. DREYFUS THE VICTIM OF A PLOT. Reopening of a Famous Case Almost Causes the Overthrow of the Meline Ministry. LONDON, ExG., Nov. 19.—A Paris dis- patch to the Pail Mall Gazette says thai the Ministry bad a very narrow escape in the Chambter of Deputies yesterday, and nothing but the patriotism of a number of Deputies saved it from overthrow. Hos- tility of the Chamber was also aroused by the overbearing attitude and tone of Gen- eral Billot, Minister of War, in his state- ment which Premier Meline at first was not disposed to supplement until he saw that his own friends were leaving him. In view of the situation the Premier was compelled to accept a compromise in the shape of a modification of the motion, M. Castelane demanding that tie Govern- ment take action in the case of the reports that Dreyfus had been the victim of a plot and expressing confidence that the Goy- ernment would endeavor to punish the gmlty persons. The opinion in the lobby after the debate was that the Government would be obliged to order new prosecu- tions in connection with the case of Drey- fus, many members expressing the belief that it would be better for the country to have shot Dreyfus than to pay £2500 a year to keep bim in confinement. A dispatch from Paris savs: The Jour- nal understands that as a result of yester- day’s debate in regard to Dreyfus the Min- ister of Justice has ordered a recpening of the inquiry into the matver. Syl REV. J. C. HULL PLEADS GUILTY. Admits That He Poisoned His Wife and Escapes With Six Years’ Imprisonment. ST. PAUL, Mixx., Nov. 19.—The trial of Rev. James C. Hull for poisoning his wife came to a dramatic end this after- noon, Dr. Hull changing his plea to guilty. A few minutes before noon Prose- cuting Attorney Butler piaced in evidence a letter which Hull wrote last ¥ebruary to a pastor in Californis, saying his wife was slowly dying of a cancer and that she could not live the yearout. This letter contradicted Hull's previous testimony, especially as it had been shown that Mrs, Hull did not have a cancer and that Hull was aware of that fact, having been told s0 by Dr. Hawkins, his family physician, At the opening of the afternoon session 8. L. Pierce, Hull’s attorney, told Hull that the Catifornia letter in effect contra- dicted him and advised him to plead guilty. This the latter did and Judge Egan sen- tenced him (o six years’ imprisonment in the State prison at Stillwater. The trial had been in progress four days, Hull had insured his wife's life for $2000 and spent several weeks trying {o poison her with arsenic. Up to last winter Hull was pas- tor of the Clinton - avenne Methodist Church and created a sensation by taking a decided stand against the A. P. A. Tom Koed in Chicago. CHICAGO, IrL., Nov. 19.—Hon. Thomas B. Read arrived in Chicago to-day on nis bomeward journey from California, where be did effective stump work for the Pres:- dent-elect. He was accompanied by his daughter and Congressman Frank Aldrich of this city, whose guest the Speaker was at an informal luncneon given at the Union League Club with a small party. Mr. Reed declined to talk on political matters and remained at the club until it was time for him to leave .to take' the Pennsylvania limited train for New York 8t 5:30 o’clock, RUBS PEPPER INTO BUTLERS WOLAS Tom Watsen Arraigns the Senator for Double Dealing. By His Disloyal Policy the Cam- paign Chairman Wrecked the P opie’s Party. The Georgian Refuses to Recognize the Right to Place Him Under Democratic Tricksters’ Heels. ATLANTA, Ga., Nov. 19.—The Consti- tution will print the following to-morrow morning: Tom Watson has been rubbing more red pepper into the wounds of Sena- tor Marion. Butler, In his paper, out yes- terday, he published his answer to Butier and it 1s without any sign of conservatism. In his reply Mr. Watson says in part: “You did not dare to publish it (the first letter) because you felt its arraign- ment of you to be unanswerable. Mr. Washburn’s telegrams (to which I was no party) did not control you then in not publishing the letter any more than they control you now in suppressing it. The truth is, Senator, you feel yourself to be a deeply guilty man, as indeed, you are. Instead of managing this creat campeign in a spirit of broad patriotism and of courageous loyalty to your nominee and your party, you have allowed your per- sonal ill will to divert you into a tortuous, narrow, jealous and disloyal poiicy, which has shipwrecked the People’s party and brought the success of Mr. Bryanto a crisis of extreme peril. ! “You now plead with me to pull you out of the hole. I shall do nothing of the kind. You picked your way into it and you must pick your way out. “Senator, you were selected as chair- man to help me with this campaign, you were expected to act with me and for me. You have not done so. You have acted without me and you have acted against me. In nothing have you consulted me. At no time have you told me of your plans or your purposes. *In all this you may be right and I may be wrong. The committee called off by you to one side at Chicago has sustained you and censured me. Therefore my po- sition is most painful. Tue Bryan.Sewall committee is against me and the Bryan- Watson committee isagainst me. I stand alone. “But, Senator, I was a Populist while you were still camping with the Demo- crats, and Lhave always been a middle-of- the-road Populist, while you never haye been. You have always been a protection- ist, and you bargain with the Republicans in one campaign and with the Democrats in another. In this campaign you have bargained with both Democrats and Re- publicans. God only knows which bar- gain you intend to keep. As for me, I turn from you and appeal to the real, true-hearted Populists. If I have sinned against right I am right in demanding that the party and its creed be protected by the Democrats who came to us for help. “But I do not recognize your right to ‘put me under the heels of the Democratic tricksters and bosses, and I shall continue to claim the privilege of speaking and writing for the National nominees of the People’s party. Ido.not believe that the .candi time has yet come when Populists will say it is treason to be loyal to the Populist ticket. It is unnecessary for me to say that my letter of acceptance muststand just as it is written.” e e CONTESIS IN 'HE HOUSE, speaker Rerd’s Sensitle Methods Cause Them to Dreorease. WASHINGTON, D. C, Nov. 19.—As yet Representative Bowers of the San Diego district has filed no notice of contest against Castle. There is the gratifying prospect that there will be but few con- tested election cases in the next House of Representatives. Thus far, instead of the large number of notices filed of intention to contest, less than a dozen members who were defeated at the election have announced that they will dispute the re- sult of the ballot. This diminution of a number of cases is the result of Speaker Reed’s admirable disposition of these cases in the present House. When the Fifty-fourth Congress met there were no less than thirty contests be- fore the House. Mr. Reed accordingly ap- pointed thréee committees on elections and divided the, contest between these three committees. The result is that there re- mains on the calendar of the House only one or two contests. Each of the election committees having only a few cases fourd itseif able 10 try every contest carefully and deliberately. Not one of the contest- ing parties in any of the cases has ex- pressed himeelf other than fully satisfied that he received absolute justice at the hands of the committee. The chairman of each committee announcea at the out- set of his work that every man would be given ample opportunity and sufficient time to present his case before the com- mittee in its most advantageous form. There has never been a word of eriticism of the work of these three committees. They have been absoiuiely non-partisan. Indeed, in several cases the committees have decided unanimously against the Republicans. b The result has been that the disposition of defeated candidates to enter upon con- tests relying more upon the majority in the House than upon the justice of their claim has been checked. The Republican Congressional Committee has, up to the present time, been notified by six Re- publican candidates of their intention to contest. In each 1nstance the defeated e has asked the opinion of the committee as to the merit of his case, from which it is sale to say the decision of the committee as to the wisdom of the contest may be accepted by the candi- dates. Thus, Mr. Setile of North Caro- lina announced immediately aiter the election that he would contest the seat of his opponent, but has since declared his intention to abandon the contemplated vroceedings. The Congressional Com- mittee will meet shortly before Congress assembies to discuss the situation, and the number of contests that will be actually filed will depend largely upon the resuit of the committee’s investigation. Chair- man Babcock and Secretary Mercer are in hearty accord with the policy of Speaker Reed, which hi Iways been to discounte- nance contests. GOUSSIP ABOUT THE CABINKET, Mark Hanna Noi After a Place, But Others Are mentioned. CANTON, Onro, Nov. 19.—There were no callers of political importance at the McKinley residence to-day, though the report that General Horace Porter of New York was in Cleveland and expected to spend the night here set the tongues ‘wagging and the guessers guessing. Gen- eral Porter did not come, however, but will visit Canton a few days later on his return from St. Louis. General Porter is talked of in connection with the pesition of Secretary of War. Colonel Fred Grant and General R. A. Alger are the other names still most prominently mentioned in that connection. Gossip about the possible appointment of M. A, Hanna to be Secretary of the Treasury has come to an end with the dis- covery of the fact that he is not eligible to this position by reason of his pecuniary interest in shipping. Mr. Hanna will not be Secretary of the Treasury and he shows no signs of abandoning his determination not to accept any political position what- soever. The Cabinet-makers are suggesting John Russell Young of Puiladelphia for Secre- tary of the Navy, and rumors come from Chicago that Lyman Gage of that city may be urged for BSecretary of the Treasury. The statement that Joseph P. Smith is to be appointed Marshal of the District of Columbia has not been veri- fied, Mr. Smith is one of Mr. McKinley’s efficient and loyal adherents, and his se- lection for this or an eqgually good place would occasion no surprise. The office of Marshal of the District of Columbia is werth about §15,000 a year. The Marshal is the executive officer of the district and is often asked to make the presemtations at the Presidential receptions. Mrs. McKinley is improved in health and wes well enough to take a drive with her husband and Captain and Mrs. Heistand to-day. TEXAS WANTS A PLACE, Friends of Ex-State Chairman John Grant Urge Him for a Portfolio, DALLAS, Tex.,, Nov. 19.—Nearly 200 Republicans of prominence, representing all sections of Texas, met here to-day to promote the movement in the interest of precuring a Cabinet position in the coming McKinley administration for ex-State Chairman John Grant, who is now the National Republican Committeeman for Texas. Dr. Grant during the recent cam- paign had much friction with State Chair- man E. H. R. Green and General J. N. Huston of Indiana, who was sent here by Mark Hanna to look after campaign affairs. Grant’s friends assert that neither they nor their chief have any enmity for Chairman Green, but they are bitter against General Huston. Many telegrams and letters were read at to-day’'s meeting expressing sympathy with its objection. Judge C. L Evans was temporary chair- man and Judge J. M. McCormick pre- sided permanently. Many speeches were made and a strong tribute to Dr. Grant paid in a series of resolutions which were adopted. It is the intention to formulate a memorial and petition to Major McKin- ley in harmony with the action of the meeting, getting - as many Republicans throughout th- State to sign the petition as soon as possible recommending Dr. Grant for a Cabinst position. A com- mittee will carry these documents to Can- ton ana deliver them to Major McKinley in person. S S LATE ELECIiON RETURNS, How the Electoral Vote Stands in the Fery Close States. NEW YORK, N. Y., Nov. 19.—The late returns from Kentueky, Wyoming, the Dakotas and other close States give Bryan one vote in Kentucky, the three votes of Wyoming and the four votes of South | Dakota. In the last named State the Bryan electors have only 191 votes more than the McKinley electors. In Wyom- ing the lowest Bryan elector is 65 uhead of the highest McKinley elector. In this State, as well as in Kentucky, the official canvass may change the result. The eiec- toral table now stands: For McKinley—California 9, Connnecti- cat 6, Delaware 3, Illinois 24, Indiana 15, lowa 13, Kentucky 12, Maine 6, Maryland 8, Massachusetts 15, Michigan 14, Minne- sota 9, New Hampshire 4, New Jersey 10, New York 38, North Dakota 3, Ohio 23, Oregon 4, Pennsylvania 32, Rhode Island 4, Vermont 4, West Virginia 6, Wisconsin 12. Total 272, For Bryan—Alabama 11, Arkansas 8, Colorado 4, Florida 4, Georgia 13, Idaho 3, Kansas 10, Kentucky 1, Louisiana 8, Mis- sissippi 9, Missouri 17, Montana 3, Ne- braska 8, Nevada 3, North Carolina 11, South Carolina 9, South Dakota 4, Ten- nessee 12, Texas 15, Utah 3, Virginia 12, ‘Washington 4, Wyoming 3. Total 175, g e TO CONTESI IN MINNESOTA. Democrats Claim That Clough Was Not Elected Governor. ST. PAUL, Mi~xN., Nov. 19.—T. A. Ros- ing, chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, General E. M. Pope, secretary of the same committee, and Thomas D. O'Brien, Minnesota member of the Democratic National Committee, wmet here to-day to consider the advisabil- ity of contesting the election of David M. Clough as Governor of Minnesota. The returns showed the election of Clough by a plurality of 3560 votes. A great many ballots were thrown out because of imper- fect marking. The Democrats claim that a great many of these were all right as 1o Governor, but were improperly thrown out because of double markings as to Bryan and Palmer electors. Over 300 of these ballots are reported in one county. If Mr. Rosing and his associates find tuat the imperfect ballots number as much as 400 they will contest and ask for a re- count. —_——— AN IMPETUS TO BUSINESS. General Clarkson Speaks of One Result of McKinley's Election. NEW YORK, N. Y., Nov. 19.—General J. 8. Clarkson of Iowa was at the Fifth. avenue Hotel to-day. He is president of the North River Bridge Company and is here on business. He said to a reporter of the United Associated Presses that he was out of politics and did not care to give an interview. “McKinley’s election,” he said, has given a great impetus to business already.’ He knew of one enterprise that had raised $1,300,000 since election. As to the Cabinet he cared to say noth- ing. “McKinley,” he concluded, “has a great opportunity, and I believe he will be equal to it in every way. His speeches at Canton showed his ability as a states- man.” el L PERRY HEA1H IS COMING. Gathering Material in the West to Wage War on Silver, CLEVELAND, Ommo, Nov. 19. — Mr. Hanna and Horace Porter held a long con- ference in Mr. Hanna’s rooms this morn- ing. General Porter had come 1o Cleve- land pursugnt to a special call. Perry Heath, chief of the Republican Literary Bureau, came to Cleveland this morning, and after a conference with Mr. Hanna left for California. He will make an exhaustive study of gold and silver re- sources. He will go to Mexico and study monetary conditions. The trip is for the express purpose of obtaining more cam- paign ammunition, and is the first move of the permanent organization to wage war against silver. : —— i oculist asserts that opera- glasses hired in theaters very often spread eye diseases, \ An eminent THAT PECULIAR NIGHT VISITANT Many of Sacramento’s Best Citizens Certain It Was an Airship. Brilliancy of Its Light Caused Residents to Rush to Their Windows. Many Theories Concerning the Strange Phenomenon, but the Mystery Is Yct to B2 So ved. SACRAMENTO, CAr., Nov. 19.—Thers have been as yet no new developments of a trustworthy character in this locality in regard to the mysterious aerial visitant which swept over this city on Tuesday evening, with the exception that the num- ber of persons who saw its briliiant search- light are daily growing more numerous, or tatherin light of what has been pub- lished have less fear of public censure and less hesitancy in making their identity known. There are residents on the outskirts of the city who declare that they received notice of the passing of the airship by having their apartments illuminated by the brilliancy of its electrical light, and rushing to theirr windows under the im- pression that some neirhboring residence was ablaze saw the brilliant light moving through the air overhead. In the mean- time almost the sole subject of conversa- tion is the mysterious visitant, and the leading greeting is: ‘“‘Have you seen the airship?” Those who failed to catch a glimpse of this brilliant light still persist in regard- ing it ratlier in the shape of a hoax, and numerous stories have been circulated of toy balloons, birds with Chinese lanterns attached and similar ridiculous explana- tions of this strange phenomenon, but those who were eve-witnesses—and their names are legion—are strenuous in their declarations that this can oy no means be a myth, but was an aerial vessel of some description. Among these eye-witnesses there were several who were practical electricians, and who claim that in their judsment this light was of an eiectrical character, and they also claim that to produce a light of this size and brilliancy it would require at least one horsepawer, and that would mean a vessel capable of sustaining half a ton weight for 1he light ‘alone, and the one thing most of thy witnesses (0 the phenomenon are positive about is that the light was white, like that shed by an arc lamp. Weather Observer Barwickis at as much loss as anybody to account for the appear- ance in the sky. He says the color of a meteor would be affected by the density of the atmosphere through which it was darting, and on an evening like that of Tuesday, he believes, the light of such an aerial visitor would most likely be pur- plish, and in no event the extreme white of an arc lamp. At all events there can be no possible room for doubt that something ex- tremely mysterious passed over this city, and its passage was viewed by hundreds of Sacramento’s best citizens. This no one denies, and yet there are hundreds who laugh the idea to scorn that the se- cretofaerial navigation has been solved, yet wait in fearjand trembling lest some au- thentic news be received of the existence of a yeritable airship, and they find that the laugh has been turned upon themselves. e ONE BELIEVER IN OSKLAND, John Grieser Says 1he Seoret of Aerial Navigation Is doived. OAKLAND, CAL, Nov. 19.—The account of the flying-machine which was seen vassing over Sacramento Tuesday night bas been read with great interest by one man, at least, in this city. John Grieser of 374 Twelith street has hammered tacks into bis shoes and studied the possibili- ties of making a flying-machine for many vears. He has not rested at studying the problem, but has put much of his iime during spare hours to the work of con- structing something along the line of an aerial ship. It was only the fore part of August that be made a very su cessful trial of his machine. When seen by a CALL representative he said: ‘I was much interesied in the article in to-day’s Carnand the picture that iliuse trates it. The man who designed that machine has the true idea of aerial navi- gation I believe. One must havea bal- loon of sufficient carrying or lifting ca- pacity to support at least half of the weight to be carried and then means to navigate the air to do the balance. I am a firm believer in the success of man to navigate the air and am ready to accept the news that some one has at last suc- ceeded as told in the story from Sacra- mento. “I have no doubt but that some one in the country has been at work on & ma- chine and after getting one that would work had been out for a ride, when he got too low and was discovered. “If I could have had an opportunity to get out and try my models I should have had a successful machine before this time. When I did make an exveriment out in the street at an early morning hour I managed to move myself about, but strik- ing the wires broke my machine. It has not since been repaired. ““1 first took to working on a machine three ycars ago from reading an article which quoted an English scientific gentle~ man who said it was & possibility to be solved. I have never had the assistance of any man or of any money to develop my models, and, with the exception of a boy, I do not allow any one to see what work Thave done. He went and made up a big story about what he was doing and told it to a reporier some time since.” An Extensire Asstgnment. CHICAGO, Iurn. Nov. 19.—The Probst Construc-ion Company assigned this after- noon to Gustave Willitt. The company is one of the largest contracting concerns in the country and its headquarters are in New York. No statement of assets and liabilities was assigned.