The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 30, 1897, Page 1

e s e s 2| FRANCE SEIZES HAI NAN ISLAND : ON CHINA’S COAST. England Seeks Pacific Liners to Transport Troops, and the War Cloud Over Asia Grows Darker. $ % g $ D¢ e § ¢ BRITAIN WANTS TROOP SHIPS LONDON, Dec. 30.—Ac- cording to a special dispatch from Shanghai, the British Admiralty has requisitioned three of the Empress steam- ships belonging to the Cana- dian Pacific Railway Com- pany. R e e e e e e e S e R Asaaas s e s e e e e e e | | 4444 SHANGHAI, Dec. 29.—It is reported here that the Admiral of the French fleet has hoisted the French flag on Hai Nan Island. The Chinese offer no op- position. LONDON, Dec. 30.—A dispatch to the Daily Mail from Singapore confirms the report of the seizure of Hai Nan Island by the French. Hai Nan Island is off the south coast of China, and separates the Guif of Tonquin from the China sea. It has an estimated area of 12,000 square miles and a population of 1,000,000 Chinese, exclusive of wild tribes in the interior. BERLIN, Dec. 29.—According to the Neuste Nachrichten, of Leipsic, Prince Bismarck disclaims all responsibility for Germany's policy in China, but he approves it on the assumption that it implies an entente with Russia. The Tagelisch Bundschau on what it alleges to be “the best authority in London,” declares that Russia and Chi- na have been negotiating for many months; that China consented last Oc- tober to a temporary Russian occupa- tion of Port Arthur; and that England, hearing of this, demanded a cession of the islands at Hongkong, a strip of coast opposite Kow Loon and mouth of the River Canton; but, knowing that | France also wanted compensation, England suggested that she should take Hai Nan Island. The Tageblatt says Prince Henry of Prussia will visit the Mikado and the King of Korea. Its Kiel correspondent says a further force of marines will start for China in January. ROME, Dec. 29.—The ministers of foreign affairs, finance and commerce conferred yesterday regarding the measures to be adopted to develop the commercial relations of Italy with China. THE WARY DIPLOMATS STILL TALK OF PEACE BUT FEAR A WAR. Some of the Things That Will Happen in | the Event of a Fartition of China. Call Office, Riggs House, ‘Washington, Dec. 29. The rapid movement of events in the Far East continues to be an absorbing topic in diplomatic circles here, partic- ularly at the embassies and legations | of the powers which are aligning for an apparent struggle for Chinese territory. There is no further talk of the United States as a possible factor in the con- test, as the recent understanding at a cabinet meeting is accepted as remov- ing this Government from' the field of | controversy. At the same time an eminent author- ity on international affairs said to-day that a situation might develop when the United States would be called upon to go much further than protect Amer- jcan interests at the treaty ports in China. This situation would come, he said, if the scramble for Chinese terri- tory went to the extent of the extinct- ion of China and the complete absorp- tion of the old empire by foreign na- tions. Such was the apparent drift of the present movement, he said, and if it became a reality a condition would arise similar to the extermination of Coptinued ou Fith Page. | cial loss FOUR THOUSAND PEOPLE HOMELESS IN HAYTP'S CAPITAL Scourged by Fire and Shaken by an Earthquake, Panic Seizes Upon Port-au-Prince’s Population. Copyright, 1887, by James Gordon Bennett. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec. 29.—Panic has reigned in this city for many hours. It began last night, when a fire started which laid fully one-third of Port-au-Prince in ruins. It gained new strength early this morning when | an earthquake shock which left large fissures in the ground around the cap- ital occurred. The devastating flames followed so quickly by the earthquake aroused fear among 20,000 inhabitants greater even than that which seized them when German warships in the harbor leveled their guns against the city and a bombardment seemed im- minent. Many blocks of buildings are in ruins to-day as a result of the fire. About 800 houses were reduced to ashes, 4000 persons made homeless and the finan- is eetimated at more than $1,500,000. Clouds of heavy smoke hang over the stricken city and fear and ap- prehension run riot. A great maljority Port-au-Prince are of buildings of of wood. The | lames, once started and fanned by a slight breeze, gained headway with wonderful rapidity. Hampered as they were last night by an insufficient avail- able water supply, the firemen were at a tremendous disadvantage, and as the flames swept steadily forward, taking up building after building, there was fear not entirely groundless that the entire city would be swept away. This precipitated the panic. The fire started in the business cen- ter of the town about 11 o'clock last night. The flames gained good head- way before discovered, and when the alarm was given more than one build- ing had been practically consumed. The fire fighters paid scant attention to these, but directed their work to ad- jacent buildings in the effort to save them. Hose was run out and connected with the nearest reservoirs and axes were called into use. As the firemen fought, aided by scores of citizens, the flames spread steadily. Portions of houses were cut away and they were flooded inside and: out with water, but flying sparks baf- fled the best efforts of the workers. After an hour or so the water supply began to diminish, and Port-au-Prince was practically at the mercy of the flames within an hour. Many ware- houses were laid in ruins, a hotel | caught fire and was speedily destroyed and within a few minutes the flames had eaten their way to the church of St. Joseph. The edifice and the attach- ed parsonage went down before the blaze. A portion of the residence part of the city was attacked. Residences flim- sily constructed of light material burn- ed like tinder. By this time the fear that the entire city would go became general. A panic began and men, wo- men and children, many half clad, poured through the streets pell mell, frenzied with fear, shrieking, weeping and praying. Thousands saw their homes crumble to ashes. All available aid had been called in the meantime, and the work of re- stricting the flames to a certain area began. Houses were cut away and the flames were kept within this area. With cordons of men surrounding the burning tract, the flames were allowed to do their worst. Four thousand per- sons are to-day homeless, around blackened and smoky ruins of their residences. Several foreigners are among these. Excitement still ran high this morn- ing at 7 o'clock when the earthquake shock—a severe one, continuing at in- tervals of three minutes—was felt. This added to the excitement, and as I write panic still reigns in the city. The earthquake was from north to south. Buildings trembled but none were de- stroyed. There are many fissures around the city to-day, caused by the earthquake. ——— Accidentally Killed His Little Sister. FORT BRAGG, Dec. 20.—The 10- year-old daughter of Simon Barringer was accidentally killed dat Glenbair this evening by her brother, two years older.. The boy had been out hunting, and while returning home his sister ran to meet him. She wanted to shoot the gun, which was a 22-caliber rifle. The boy refused, and a playful strug- gle ensued for possession. The car- tridge -exploded, the bullet pfercing her heart and killing her instantly, KNOWS IT 1§ TELLOW AND PROUD OF IT One More Examiner Fake Pleasantly Noted. Dawson News Aecquired Through the Medium of Clairvoyance. “Intrepid” Egan Passes Im- passable Passes Like an Airy Sprite. FATHER TIME OUTCLASSED “Exclusive News” That Was Not Exclusive and Was for Sale to the Highest Bidder. One would think that the Examiner might learn by experience. The seller of gold bricks, once detected, is cau- tious in displaying his wares. But | ing its way through a world of woe by | words yesterday In an interview. vellow journalism goes right on mark- | 8o plain a trail of exploded fakes that even a detective may follow it. The Examiner has been again; rather it impaled itself, placed | a brand of falsehood upon its yellow caught | | brow and proudly callea attention to | the adornment. It indulges in truth as the Englishman joked—with diffi- culty. But when it tells a lie, a Klon- dike whopper, and then asks its read- ers to note the achievement, it is bound to receive credit for one truth. The exposure is frankness, veracity, simplicity. The Examiner yesterday claimed to | publish exclusive, Klondike news, | brought from the region of snow by | & special messenger who in doing it | deaf ear was to be turned to the pray- | had broken all records, knocked Time | out in one round, sprinted over im- passable passes, and otherwise earned the laurel wreath of fame. He had not paused to implore: “Backward, turn backward, oh Time in thy flight,” but had turned it back, turned it forward, or any old way suited to a journalist in haste. Being a prize- Aghter this was easy for him. This special messenger had the company of | W. A. Kersting, likewise ‘‘commis- | sioner” and likewise “intrepid.” This new giant of newspaperdom is named Egan, better known as Mon- tana Kid, of Sacramento, and as an ac- quisition is a distinct gain to the Hearstlings. They already had among them a thief, a forger and an inclina- tion towards blackmail. They needed a prize-fighter, and now their environ- ment needs the police. The ‘“intrepid” Egan claims to have left Dawson City November 23. The news he bore is dated November 25. The “Intrepid” Egan, in addition to his other gifts, seems to have those of clairvoyancy and gab. In an interview he said he left on the 23rd and there were hig precious despatches of the 25th and nobody thought to make the dates agree. Such careleseness among fakers is little short of unprofessional. He said also that Sam Wall of The Call had started a day ahead of him. Mr. Wall did not. He is in Dawson yet, and not of the mettle to retreat. It will be re- membered that when the weather up that way got frosty, the Examiner special commissioners wrapped the drapery of their state-rooms about them and came home. Mr. Wall push- ed on to warn Dawson of its danger. “Intrepid” Egan claims to have made the trip to Seattle in thirty-one days. If there is virtue in arithmetic he made it in thirty-six days, a trifling differ- ence, but nothing to a real Montana Kid. Here are a few facts, and facts have been characterized as stubborn: When the “intrepid” special commissioner ar- rived at Seattle he or his partner let it be understood that he had news of vast import, news to startle the world, and all of it exclusive. The partner inti- mated broadly that it could be obtained for $200. Remember, this was the news over which the Examiner crows so lustily. But it happened that there was nothing in it that was not also on hand for The Call from Wall, and there- fore the “intrepid” Moarana Kid un- loaded his wares upon the Examiner, to that paper's delight and the gaiety of cruel persons who like to see a sucker taken in. The difference in the news was that Wall's was honestly dated and unaccompanied by any boasts of having sent Father Time to grass. Yet the Examiner has excelled even this stupidity. It has published under date of November 25 Klondike information that was in The Call under date of No- vember 22. The public is beginning to understand that the Examiner is opposed to the hampering presence of verities, that everybody who gathers any informa- tion, particularly of an unreliable sort, is at once announced as a ‘‘special commissioner,” and heralded as a world-beater. So when the world pays any attention, it is for the purpose of enjoying a grin. These commissioners did once have the power to beat the world, in bunko fashion, but they have worn it out. Now their work seems as raw as that of an amateur essaying the shell and pea game. COMMODORE HOWELL T0 RELIEVE SELFRIDGE. WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.—The neces- sary orders were given at the Navy Department to-day for the changes in command caused by the approaching retirement of Admiral Selfridge, at present commanding the European sta- tion. The admiral is detached from his command at Genoa on February 2, and, with his staff, consisting of Lieu- tenant J. J. Hunker and Lieutenant Russell, is ordered home. Commodore Howell gis detached from the command of the League Island navy yard on January 13 and ordered to sail on the Werra from New York for Genoa, where he will relieve Ad- miral Selfridge of the command of the European station on February 2 and hoist his flag. Lieutenant J. J. Knapp will be his flag lieutenant and Ensign Chandler his secretary. PRICE FIVE CENTS. HAWAIIAN TREATY IS DOOMED Senator Perkins Admits Defeat of the Annex- ation Scheme. “So much opposition is disclosed and so much apprehension exists as to the danger of departure from long-rec- ognized principles of national policy that 1 am convinced that annexation is dead for this session and perhaps for all It was with hesitancy and more than | apparent reluctance that United States | Senator George C. Perkins spoke these | I must be guarded in express- ing my opinion, so as not to seem inconsistent with my recently published interviews. I may have my own opinion about an- nexation. As an individual I am not in favor of annex ng the islands, but I do not think it is right for me to wrap muvself in the robes of sel{-knowl:d!c and take a position contrary to what 1 believe to be the sentiments of the people whom | am represent- ing in the Senate. — Senator The Senator shrank from stlutifying himself,.for it was only a matter of a fortnight or so ago that he stated | plain* "nd publicly that in his opinion | p' ..ng could prevent the annexation | of the Hawalian group by the United | States at the present session of Con- gress; that it was a party measure | and an administration duty, and must be done. He frankly admitted that a | ers and petitions of the unfortunate z ; people to whom the little islands really George C. Perkins in an inter- belong, and that practical seizure was view. 0000000000 000000000000 C000OCOE00000000000000000000000! 1 feel bound to vote for annexation, as it is an aZministration measure, and the majority of the people in California, | am convinced, desire me to so vote as their representative. 1 think, however, it is extremely doubtful if the treaty is ratified. Some of the leading Senators, like Mr. Hoar and Mr. Morrill, are inclined to oppose annexation, on the ground that it is a dan- gerous departure from the long-established foreign policy of the United States. The Democrats talk of making, in opposition, a party measure, and in that event only Senators Morgan and Gorman would b2 active advocates of annexation among the Senators of that political faith. It is true that Senator Morgan counts on the support of his colleagus from Alabama and Senator Money o: Mississippi. The Populists, Sena:or Allen of Nebraska and Senator Pettigrew of Dakota, are opposed to annexation. Somuch opposition is disclose | and so much apprehension exists as to the danger of departure from long-recognized principles of National policy that I am con- vinced that annexation is dead—for this session and, perhaps, for all tims.— Senator George C. Perkins in an interview. ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® to be Uncle Sam’s new and heretofore | Yes, annexation is dead, and, honest despised achievement. | man that he is, Senator Perkins con- It goes without saying that the Sen- | fesses it, even though he realizes that ator, who is a man of honest convic- | by doing so he is certain to bring down tions and a man of his word, really be- | upon his head vials of spluttering lieved what he gave utterance to at K Wrath from a certain inebriated branch that time. But -~ has been to Wash- | of the press and a job lot of dema- ington and has met his fellow states- | 8ogues and jingo tricksters. men since he gave voice to those senti- | The Senator was seen yesterday by ments. He has found that what he had | a Call representative at the office of the previously believed to be an over-| Pacific Coast Steamship Company. In whelming and irresistible demand for | the course of the conversation the Sen- the theft of a helpless people’s home | ator remarked that he would prefer to was instead the unpopular and totter- express his views privately rather than ing hobby of a doubtful few. | for publication. The reporter, after ——eeees | thATKINE the Senator for the compli- ment expressed in the desire for a con- fidential talk, observed that The Call requested a statement for publication. “If you quote me,” remarked the Senator, “I must be guarded in ex- pressing an opinion, so as not to seem ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® (O] FRHRER FRRFRE FEXXE R XXRRE * NEWS OF THE DAY. Weather forecast for San Fran- * * with % * cisco: Cloudy on Thursday, | T n fresh northeasterly winds. | lnconsx;tent with my recently pub- Maximum temperature for past | lished interviews. I may have my own twenty-four hours: opinions about annexation. As an in- San Francisco . 8 degrees dividual T am notiin Tae i Portland ... 2 degrees s avor of annexing Los Angeles 160 degrees he islands, but I do not think it is San Diego - .0 degrees right for me to wrap myself in the robes of my self-knowledge and take | & position contrary to what I belfeve to be the sentiments of the people whom I represent in the Senate.” “What are the chances, Senator, of the treaty being ratified by the Sen- | ate?” was asked. “That’s a point on which I do not want to be quoted as expressing an opinion. I feel bound to vote for an- nexation, as it is an administration measure and the majority of people in California, I am convinced, desire me to so vote as their representative. I think, however, it is extremely doubt- ful if the treaty is ratified.” “On what grounds do you base your doubt?” “Well, some of the leading Senators like Mr. Hoar and Mr. Morrill are in- clined to oppose annexation on the ground that it is a dangerous depart- ure from the long established foreign policy of the United States. The Dem- ocrats talk of making opposition a party measure, and in that event only Senators Morgan and Gorman would | be active advocates of annexation among the Senators of that political faith. It is true that Senator Morgan | counts on the support of his colleagues from Alabama and Senator Money of | Mississippi. The Populists—Senator Allen of Nebraska and Senator Petti- grew of Dakota—are opposed to an- nexation. So much opposition is dis- closed and so much apprehension ex- ists as to the danger of departure from long recognized principles of national policy that I am convinced that annex- ation is dead for this session and per- haps for all time. In the Senate great respect is paid to the judgment of Mr. Hoar of Massachusetts and Mr. Mor- rill of Vermont. They have been in the public service very many years. Their judgment has great weight in matters pertaining to foreign affairs.” “Could annexation be accomplished by resolution or bill in the event of failure on the part of the Senate to ratify the treaty?” was the next ques- tion propounded. The Senator replied: FIRST PAGE. Kid Egan Knocks Out Time. France After Chinese Spoils. Port-au-Prince in Ruins. Perkins Says Annexation Is Dead. SECOND PAGE. Great Fire at San Bernardino. Sewer-Diggers on a Strike. Gompers Replies to Gage. Floods in the Northwest. ‘Warring Church Officials. THIRD PAGE. Polsoned Food Sold to Exploreru. A Mystery in the Navy. Anéient Artillerymen at War. FOURTH PAGE. Gage Ready to Resign. On Trial for Matricide. Killing of Ruiz Justified. The Big Pusilists Talking. FIFTH PAGE. Bark Tidal Wave Wrecked. Hanna Gains Several Votes. SIXTH PAGE. Editorial. Europe’s Guilt and Ours. Dr. James I. Stanton. Indulging in Luxuries. The Vote for Freeholders. The Freedom of the Press. Our Public Schools. Beware of Centralization. Musie and Musicians. SEVENTH PAGE. Chauncey St. John’s Nobility. Juror Smythe in New Trouble. Death of W. H. Gagan. EIGHTH PAGE. Juror Smyth in New Trouble. Mission Lodge Hall Dedicated. Horrible Chinese Murder. A New Commercial Leader. NINTH PAGE. A Danger for Housewives. Foxes at the City Hall. Cut in Mint Wages. A Jap's Infatuation. TENTH PAGE. Commercial. ELEVENTH PAGE. Progress of the Jubilee. News From Over the Bay. Hoft Deeper in the Toils. TWELFTH PAGE. Racing at Ingleside. THIRTEENTH PAGE. Births, Marriages and Deaths. FOURTEENTH PAGE. State Teachers in Session. * * S * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * B * * * * * * * * = # * * * B * FEAEX PR ERXN RRRERF R E RS o o ok sk sfe ok ok ok sk o ok ok o ok Sk ke skt ok sk sk ok ok sk ok ok sk ok sk sk ok ok ok sk sk sk ok ok ok ok sk ok ok sk ok sk sk ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok sk sk ok ok sl ok ok ok ok ok ol ok ok ok K ok *Annexation