The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 11, 1898, Page 10

10 HE N FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 189 FOUR ROUTES FOR THE CANAL ARE FEASIBLE Facts and Figures for Congress. REPORT OF THE COMMISSION COST OF CONSTRUCTION LESS THAN $100,000,000. Recommendation Will Be Made That Both Ochoa Dam and San Fran- cisco Basin Be < Avoided. Special Dispatch to The Call. 10.—The Herald's NEW YORK, Dec. W hington correspondent sends the following: I understand the Nicaragua Canal Commission is preparing a pre- liminary report of its work,which it will submit to the President probably in a few days. This report will be immedi- | ately presented to Congress and will contain facts and figures which will be of great value in connection with the consideration of Government aid for the | proposed waterway. | The report will submit estimates for for canals with a dif- The variation stern side of the our routes and ent number of locks routes lies on the e s , it being nece; v from the topo- graphical character of the country to adopt the Maritime Canal Company's youte from Brito to the lake and lake to San Juan River. portant feature of the Com- report will be the recommen- to avoid Ochoa Basin. It through the An make Francisco it will and San Dam will be recalled that the Ludlow board suggested that the Ochoa Dam problem was the greatest that would be met, but in the opinion of members of the present commission San Francisco Basin contains much more serious dif- ficulties. The Commission has, therefore, con- the practicability of avoiding Dam and San Fran o Basin arrived at the conclusion, I that it would be cheaper re advantageous to run and Ochoa and San Fran- or at 1 the canal ar cisco Basin and thus avoid the dangers which exist at these two points. The Commission will find the canal | practicable in all its details. Even Ochoa Dam and San Francis can be crossed, though at heavy ex- pense. Estimates are submitted for a canal of thirty feet depth. The comm: on will further find that canal can be built in six years. Fi- 1 estimates to the cost have not t been fully determined, but I was gain assured to-day that estimates on ch of four lines would not be less than $100,000,000 and would range above that figure considerably, though $115,- T0 IMPROVE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS Germany Wants New Treaty. ANXIOUS FOR RECIPROCITY EMBASSADOR HOLLEBEN HOPES FOR AMICABLE SETTLEMENT In View of the United States’ New Colonial Possessions It Is Recog- nized That New Trade Ar- rangements Are Needed. Copyrighted, 1898, by the Associated Press. BERLIN, Dec. 10.—Before leaving Berlin for South Germany, Dr. von Hol- leben, the German Embassador to the United States, said, in the course of a conversation: ‘‘Both the German and Washington Governments are anxious to improve the existing relations be- tween them. This fact will soon be- come evident.” Baron von Bulow, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, had several long inter- views with Dr. von Holleben last week. All the important questions concerning America were thoroughly discussed. “I fail to see any reason,” the Em- bassador said, “why, with good on both sides, all differences—and none is of great moment—cannot te adjusted | amicably. In behalf of the German | Government I can state that the most hearty friendship exists toward the rising American nation and that there | is no intention of doing anything on | our part to interfere in the slightest | degree with all the legitimate aims of | the Unitcd States. In a few words, an | effort will be made, more than in the | past, to adjust all trifling differences outstanding, and the negotiations for a reciprocity treaty, which have been greatly delayed, mainly because of the war with Spain, will be taken up after the new year and pushed vigorously. “As to Germany’'s claims to retain or recover certain commercial advan- tages hitherto enjoyed in Spanish | colonies now under American sway, | their justice will undoubtedly be recog- | nized at Washington, especially as the | claims are quite modest and do not ex- | ceed anything the United States under | similar circumstances would demand themselves. I return to my post at Washington with the firm expectation that the relations between the two countries, political and commercial, will become better.” The Germans are now following American affairs much closer than previously. A *very full report of the| President’s message was published | PALACE TO REPLACE THE WHITE HOUSE Plans for Magnificent Building and Grounds @Are Presented to Congress. WASHINGTON, Dec. * * * * in the session of Congress. most any other section. the Governrnent buildings. on the east. House. 10.—The question of replacing the historic ‘White House with a Presidential residence more in keeping with the dignity of the office of the occupant, and in a measure indicative of the wealth and power of the country, has been revived this early Plans were presented to Congress: to- day for a new building which will, with surpass anything of the kind in the world, its elevation above the other buildings of the city affording a panoramic view of Virginia, the Potomac River and the surrounding country unobtainable in al- It is proposed to erect a new mansion or palace, for if the plans are adopted the structure will equal, if not surpass, in size and grandeur the famous palaces of the Old World—on Meridian Heights, where it will stand out in full view from every part of the city. will rise in a series of terraces to the plateau of the building site. The plans are somewhat similar to those of the Congressional Library and combine all the most ornate features of and the new Postoffice building, being in perfect harmony with all of One wing is appropriated to the exclusive use of the President and the rest of tne buildings and grounds are designed for public uses and the general beautifying of the city. of white marble, somewhat in the form of a letter “H,” with the President’s apartments in the west wing and the State apartments On top of the arm connecting the two wings is a roof garden, intended for the private use of the Presidential family. Every arrangement is made for handling large crowds of guests and facilities for entertainment are sufficient to meet every exigency. The plans certainly show a structure of most unusual which, combined with attractiveness of location and convenience of construction, makes it a perfect residence, and yet preserves in it ani adaptability for official uses that it is not possessed by its surrounding grounds, The grounds the Capitol The building will be beauty, the White throne at the opening of the Reichstag. The comment was generally fair and calm, many of the papers expressing agreeable suprise at its peaceful tone. The Lokal Anzeiger says: “Neither the United States nor England can at- tach so much weight to a position in the Carolines as to be willing to jeopardize their amicable relations with Germany on account of it.” The Beorsen Courier, referring to President McKinley’s allusion to Ger- man neutrality, says: “Germany has no need to fear this member of the con- cert, with which we may hope to re- main on the best terms.” The semi-official Post says: “In vielding to America’s demands, one success after another has fallen into her lap. But in view of the entrance of the United States among the com- petitors for colonial possessions, a re- adjustment of German-American com- mercial relations will have to be made a matter of nece: v This view is expressed by a large por- tion of the German press, but no in- timation has been received from the American Embassy, and it is under- stood that even Dr. von Holleben thus far has no specific instructions on that point. The German Foreign Office, as a mat- ter of fact, does mot possess sufficient data or reliable information from mer- here and was commented upon as much | 000,000 was en as the mean. as the Emperor’s speech from the | chants to enable it to put forward clearly expressed views. The German Agrarian press violently comments on the latest official statistics of Germany's meat imports for the first nine months of the current year, show- ing that the importation of American pork has more than doubled, compared with the imports of 1897. The Agrarian organs insist that tariff provisions with the United States ought to be framed to wholly exclude Ameri- can meat products from Germany. They also bemoan the increasing imports of American horses, which were valued at 4,143,000 marks in 1897 and which have almost doubled this year. These papers also maintain that much American horse flesh comes in the shape of saus- ages. The Berlin Tageblatt makes this in- teresting admission: “In German com- mercial circles the conviction has long become settled that the dangers arising from American pork and the notorious San Jose scale have been magnified, Jjust as years ago were the perils of the Colorado beetle. We are therefore anx- ious to ascertain whether the renewed attempts of the American Government to convince the Agrarians and the Ger- man Government of the thoroughness of American supervision of pork ex- ports and the hygienic results of the drying process applied to American fruit have been successful. We doubt it, for whatever does not put money into the pockets of our Agrarians they do not believe in."” COLLECTING DIMES FOR A BATTLESHIP Scheme of a Trio of San Joseans. “ENDLESS CHAIN”OF LETTERS CLAIM THEIR INTENTIONS ARE “SQUARE.” Trying to Raise Millions Through Ten-Cent Subscriptions for a Craft to Be Called the California. Special Dispatch to The Call. SAN JOSE, Dec. 10.—Three citizens of Santa Clara County have formed a copartnership under the name of the California Battleship Club for the pur- pose of building a great fighting ma- chine to be named the California and to be donated to the United States Gov- erment. These men are J. W. Hamble, president of the club; W. E. Jackson, secretary, and A. H. Upton, treasurer. The scheme for raising the millions of dollars necessary for such a purpose invélves the old “endless chain” letter proposition. Citizens of this city and county are now receiving these letters and are asked to remit the modest sum of 10 cents to aid in building the great warship. = They are asked also to make four copies of the letter and mail them to four friends, with the request that they do likewise. The scheme has been used by swind- lers all over the country to obtain money from country people on the plea of erecting churches, etc.,, and, al- though a “home products” people of this city view the idea with suspicion. Secretary Jackson asserts, however, it is_‘“on the square.” ‘W. E. Jackson, the secretary, is a wood and coal dealer at 335 North Fourth street. When questioned to- day he said the letters sent out truth- fully explained the matter. The Cali- fornia Battleship Club was organized on August 29 last. He said himself, Jackson and Hamble, the latter two orchardists on the Stevens Creek road, got the idea from an Eastern paper, which spoke of an “endless chain” founded by a Red Cross Society. Jack- son said the scheme had not been ad- vertised, but from five to ten letters are being received every day. So far $14 had been collected. When told that it was a big undertaking to raise sev- eral million dollars for building a war- ship, he said if the amount could not be realized the money received would be given to the Red Cross or some charity. While the object of the California Battleship Club is commendable, the fact that its work has been secret arouses suspicion. Such a move should have the support of the entire public. Instead it was only to-day that the matter became publicly known and then through no fault of the club, but :hmugh a person who had received a etter. Have you seen the new collection of paint- ings at Wm. Morris’ art rooms, 248 Sutter? ® PRISON DIRECTORS RIGHT A WRONG Persecuted Lads Freed at San Quentin. ARE OVERJOYED AT RELEASE HAPPY SEQUELTO THE SAN LUIS OBISPO OUTRAGE. State Board Recommends Pardons for the Gibson Brothers—Many Other Applications Are Passed Upon. Special Dispatch to The Call. SAN QUENTIN PRISON, Dec. 10— The Board of State Prison Directors held an important session to-day, at which over forty petitions for pardons, commutations and paroles sent in by Governor Budd were acted upon. The day was rendered memorable by the release of the three boys who were so inhumanly “railroaded” into the peni- tentiary from San Luis Obispo County. Earl Tousley’s sister was waiting for him in San Francisco. Accompanied by Guy Lamb, the two proceeded to Bakersfield on the first train. Christone Portlock proceeded to Watsonville, where he has relatives. The little fel- lows were simply overjoyed at their good fortune and thanked Warden Hale and Captains Birlem and Edgar indi- vidually for many little kindnesses shown them during their incarceration. After a lengthy consideration of the case of the Gibson boys, who were sent to prison for the murder of Fletcher Burton in Kern County in 1893, the board decided that the two young fel- lows were entitled to a pardon, and so recommended to the Governor. This is | one of the most famous criminal cases known in the State, and has been the most bitterly fought. Letters were sent by every prosecuting attorney connect- ed with their trial, by two District At- torneys, the Sheriff, all the attorneys at the Bakersfield bar and every county official, asking for the pardon of both Willlam and Charles Gibson. A peti- tion to the Governor in their behalf was signed by nearly every business man in Bakersfield. Every protest had been withdrawn except that of one sis- ter of the murdered man, and it was al- lered that she acted from personal mo- tives. Even Luther Burton, a brother, asserted his belief in the boy’s inno- cence. There were affidavits without number on file, but the one given most con- sideration was made by A. R. Craw- ford, who deposed that Mrs. Myra Orr, a former wife of “Jack” Spratt, whom many affiants believed was the mur- derer, and who had been concerned in a robbery near Kernville with both James and Fletcher Burton, had told him she could make an affidavit to facts showing the Gibson boys innocent, and would do, so were it not for fear of causing Spratt to be imprisoned. latter disappeared The shortly after the : or without removal. J. Noonan, 1017-1023 murder and has not been heard of ce. Other petitions acted upon Wwere as follows: W. McLaughlin, Calaveras County, murder in the first degree, committed in 1896; life sentence; action favorable. J.) J. Alvarez, San Diego, murder, committed in 1890; life sentence; par- don recommended. L. Carr, San Francisco, grand lar- ceny, sentenced for five years; petition denied. H. E. Brown, Sonoma County, murder in the first degree, life sentence; peti- tion denied. Brown is the man who saved the life of “Uncle Jlmmy_" Hughes of Ukiah while confined in jail there. He has powerful friends, and, it is believed, will obtain freedom soon- er or later. 2 Malati Rossi, Marin County, life sen- tence, commutation recommended to twenty-eight years if Rossi consents to leave the State. C. W. Hawes, murder in the second degree, sentenced to fifty vears; peti- tion denied. Steve Wade, Santa Clara County, se- duction, sentenced to 750 days; petition denied. Burr Bebee, Modoc County, murder, life sentence; case referred to prison physician for examination as to mental soundness. C. J. Hooley, Sierra County, assault with ‘deadly weapon, sentenced to one and a half years; case referred back to the Governor. Jose Maria Alviso and Frank Alvi murder in the second degree; life sen- tence; case referred back to the Gov- ernor. Warden Hale reported the establish- ment of two new guard posts, and gav= the number of grain bags on hand available for sale at 3,309.500. with enough raw jute to last until May 1899. GUNBOATS TO JOIN ADMIRAL DEWEY’S FLEET The Bennington, Helena, Concord and Petrel Will Do Duty in Phil- ippine Waters. WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.— Admiral Dewey's fleet will be strengthened short- Iy by the addition of some serviceable gunboats. The Bennington, now at Hon- olulu, has been ordered to proceed to Guam, in the Ladrone group, and to make a survey of the harbor with a view to the establishment there of a naval sta- tion. This done, she will join Dewey’s fleet. By that time or before the Helena will have arrived at Manila and t_hvi‘ (‘,01’14 8 he Petrel, now cruising in f?%‘}(rlnes‘:x‘dm'::lccl's will have returned and, altogether, the Admiral will have a suffi- ient force of small vessels under his command to carry out the President’s pol- icy respecting the Philippines; to bring into submission any of the islanders who may prove refractory and to release Span- ish prisoners held in confinement by "the insurgents. PR Death of Judge Showalter. CHICAGO, Dec. 10.—Judge John W. Showalter of the United States District Court died to-day. He had been ill with pneumonia. Judge Showalter was born in Kentucky in 1844, He was a graduate of Yale. He came West in 1867 and prac- ticed law in Chicago until February, 1 when he was appointed to the Federal bench by President Cleveland. He was | unmarried. L Death Strikes in Martinez. MARTINEZ, Dec. 10.—Francis Willlams, one of the best known men in the county ed dead this afternoon of heart d g;ggp He was born in Denmark in 182 He came to this country in 1846. Tor years past he followed the trade of ship carpenter, and has been prominent in poli- tics. He held the position of Public Ad- ministrator by appointment at the time of his death. Advances made on furniture and pianos, with Misston. 2! N diaaa A A LAV ANALANAANALAVAAVANAVAVATAMANA AVATA ARV AN AN AN ALANAUE AUAVAAMANAVANAUAMANALAMANAVANATIAVANAUAVAMAURANANAUAMAIALSV 1A AVANANATAUANAIALANAINBLAVA)11/A n8R s8N © % Py K88 53 [ gRURLULLLEN 00 8% nRURLYYUR o2 020000 KsBuN LR R R R A AR LR R E AR LR EA B R N R R R R NN R NENRRRRRERRRNS il nuRRRRK 88 4 20 80 S8 8 Nk cananantntn e S N T S N AN A LA A A AL A A AL BPR{YKRUELRRLVELRNN PACIFIC STATES OAKLAND SAN JOSE STOCKTON SACRAMENTO . . . . . FRESNO . BAKERSFIELD . . . . SANTA ROSA . . . 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