FIRST STEP TAKEN.
Jfapan and Russia Recall Miniaters
and Sever Diplomatic Relations.
I Conflict I'.xprrted to Itoffln Without Forma)
Declaration of Wat Japs Weary of
Wnltliur the Slow Process
o the Czar.
SL Petersburg, Feb. 8. Although the
'Tear was general hero that tho pro
v sontatlon of the Russian noto to Japan
jtfnight be followed by an act on the
, part of the Japanese government which
would cplungo the two countries Into
war, the startling action of Japnn In
.levering diplomatic relations with Run
,ala before the actual delivery of the
.Russlan note came like a bolt from a
.clear sky. It was believed that the
.receipt of the note might have un
.masked an ultimatum, but that Japan
.should sever diplomatic relations, n
step little short of a declaration of
war, was almost like a blow In tho
face under the present circumstances
.and it Is resentod here accordingly.
,Tlio authorities believe this action
places Japan distinctly In tho wrong
.before the world, and moreover, after
such a "piece of Impudence," as It Is
denominated here, makes easy an ap
peal to the patriotism of the Russian
people.
Tho news that at any moment Japan
'had drawn the sword and that tho first
slash had occurred would not be sur
prising. .The -events leading to Japan's
abrupt action hnvo marched with great
rapidity. Tho Russian noto was al
ready in the hands of Baron do Rosen,
Russian minister at Tokio, for delivery
to Baron Komura, tho Japanese foreign
minister, when at four o'clock Satur
day afternoon M. Kurlno, tho Japanese
minister bore, presented himself at tho
foreign ofllco and informed Foreign
Minister Larasdorff that his govern
mcnt. In view of tho delays In connec
tion with the Russian answer and tho
futility Hitherto of the negotiations,
considered it useless to continue dlplo
matic relations and would take such
steps as it deemed proper for tho pro
tection of Japan's Interests. In obedl
ance to Instructions, therefore, ho
osked for his passport.
With war imminent, orders havo
been given for a rigid censorship over
ill Information relating to naval and
military movements. Preparations
were also made for tho czar's journey
to tho ancient capital, Moscow, whoro
he goes in accordance with tho tradl-
tlonal custom of his forefathers to In-
roke divine guidance. While tho Im
perial train is passing to Moscow
troops will line every foot of the way.
Outbreak In Italkans Kxprotod.
London, Fob. 7. The prospect for a
great war breaking out In the far east
which Is acknowledged oven in hithorto
pacific quarters, has been brought ap-
prcciably nearer by tho dovelopements
of the last day or two. That a Russo-
Japanese conllict will be followed by
a Balkan outbreak, which In time may
- develop into a widespread European
conflagratJ-on, Is also considered prob
.ble and Increases tho depression here
pervading all political circles in En-
. gland and on tho continent
HO HEAR MORMON CHILDREN.
- Senators Investigating Koed Smoot Want
to Know About tho Violation of tho
AntWolygumy Laws.
Washington, Feb. 7. Complete In
veatigatlon of the protests against Sen-
ator Reed Snoot retaining his seat in
ho United States senate will begin
March 1, before the committee on priv-
leges and elections. Chairman Bur-
trows was given unlimited power to
summon witnesses and to appoint a
subcommittee to go to Utah to take
testimony if such a course shall bo
found to be necessary. A list of 20
witnesses was submitted by the pro-
testants and moat of these will bo here
soon after March 1. It was determined
that the hearing of the case shall bo
.public.
The witnesses to bo summoned are
Cor the most part members of the Mor-
mon church. Among them aro children
alleged to bo the offspring of polyg
amous marriages contracted since the
manifesto of 1S90.
Fell Olf tho Itrldce.
Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 8. Patrick
. Sheehan, a laborer -15 years old, was
drowned yesterday afternoon by falling
off the Missouri Pacific bridge Into tho
' Kaw river. Ho started across the
board walk on tho south side of tho
bridge and lost his balance, fell for
ward and struck his head on the heavy
girders that bind tho bottom part of
the bridge.
To Colonize ?0,000 Farmers.
Chicago, Feb. 7. Now that the Santa
D'e has become interested in land and
colonization schemes In Texas Is la
.purposed to settlo at least 20,000 farm
ers Immediately. C. L. Tallmadge, of
this city, and several others havo se
' cured more than 1,000,000 acres In
' northern and western Texas.
Speed to l'roseento Oklahoma Frauds.
Lawton. Ok., Feb. 8. Horace Speed,
United States attorney, of Guthrie,
has arrived hero to begin the prosocu-
tion of alleged frauds against the gov
- eminent In the letting of contracts fof
Improvements which were paid out ol
tho lot sale fund.
JURY FREES ED BUTLER.;
A Wild Whoop from the Alleged llrlber't
Follower Greeted tho Verdict at Ful
ton Folk Dumbfounded.
Fulton, Mo., Fob. 7. Tho jury In tho
Butler bribery caso returned a verdict
Saturday morning at ten o'clock which
read: "Wo the Jury, find the defend
ant not guilty."
Tho verdict was read by Judgo Graves.
With a wild whoop a dozen of tho But
ler followers dashed out of the room
and down tho street Butler stepped i
quickly from his place and shook hands
with the foreman, Rooser. Then ho
walked down the line of jurors quickly
shaking hands with each of them.
Judge Graves polled the jury and dis
charged them. Butler was himself
again In an Instant. The old man was
fairly laughing and his followers could
hardly find ways enough to express
their satisfaction with tho result.
Circuit Attorney Folk, who was In
tho court room, appeared dumbfounded.
I thought the state presented a good
case," no said, "ueyonu mat 1 navo
nothing to say at this time."
About 18 ballots were taken, accord
ing to Foreman Rosser, and at tho
start the jury stood ten for acquittal
and two for conviction. "Ono of those
voting to acquit changed after tho
first ballot," said Mr. Rosser. "The
other man held out stubbornly until
9:45 o'clock n. m., when ho finally camo
Into lino. I do not care to mention tho
names of the two men who held out for
conviction, nor tho ono who remained
firm up to the last moment. Tho Ju
rors did not want to convict tho de
fendant on tho testimony of boodlors
and perjurers, whoso statements wero
flatly contradicted by men of good char-
actor. Again, we did not think tho cir
cumstances pointed to the defendant's
guilt. On the evldenco of tho state,
oven though wo thoroughly credited It,
there was serious doubt as to Butler's
guilt. Weighing tho facts carefully, wo
think wo did our full duty fairly and
Impartially."
GREAT FIRE IN BALTIMORE.
Many lllncks In Iluslnes I'ortlon Wiped
Out Karly Reports Placed Loss at
Nearly 850.00U.U00.
Baltimore, Md., Feb. 8. Fire started
a few minutes before 11 o'clock yester
day morning In tho wholesale dry
goods house of John E. Hurst & Co
and at three o'clock this morning It
was raging fiercely. It steadily ato Its
consuming way eastward In Baltimore
street, after having destroyed almost
all of the larce stores and warehouses
In the wholesale district around Hop
kins' place and all tho buildings on
both sides of Baltimore street from
Howard to Holllday street, from
Charles and Baltimore to Charles und
Lexington, and in Fayetto street from
Charles to Holllday, Including a total
of about 20 blocks of the most modern
and substantial buildings In the city,
involving a loss which cannot now bo
estimated, biit which has certainly al
ready reached $30,000,000 or $40,000,-
000.
DID NOT SPARE WOMAN.
Mob at Dnddsvllle, Miss.. Hanged a Necro
and lib Wife Charged with Killing
a Whlto Planter.
Doddsville, Miss., Feb. 8. Luther
Holbert and his wife, negroes, wero
burned at the stako hero yesterday by
a mob of over 1,000 persons for the
killing of James Eastland, a prominent
white planter, and John Carr, a negro,
on Wednesday at tho Eastland planta
tion, two miles from this city. The
burning of Holbert and his wife closes
a tragedy which has cost eight lives,
has ongaged 200men and two packs
of bloodhounds in a four-days' chaso
across four counties and has stirred
this section of Mississippi almost to
frenzy.
Clov. Mickey Scores Uruln Uamblers.
Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 7. In a speech
before the State Y. M. C. A. convention
Gov. Mickey said that In 99 cases out
of 100 the man or boy who mado $100
on the board of trade would go to hell.
He said he would rather have his boy
work on tho farm for $1 a day than
have him make $1,000,000 in grain spec
ulation. Tho governor criticised bucket
shops and grain exchanges and said
that one-tenth of every dollar honestly
mado ought to bo given to tho Lord.
To Oust a Hakim; Vowdor Company.
Jefferson City, Mo., Feb. 8. It was
said here that a proceeding would bo
Instituted In a few days In the supreme
court by the attornoy gonernl In tho
nature of an ouster against the Royal
Baking Powder company, of New York,
to bar It from doing business In this
stato on account of a violation of tho
state statutes pertaining to trusts and
monopolies and likewise on account of
a violation of tho state criminal stat
utes respecting tho bribing of public
officials.
A Oulo at St. I.oiils.
St. Louis, Feb. 8. A heavy gale
swept over St. Louis before dawn yes
terday and did considerable damago to
property. For 15 minutes tho wind
maintained a velocity of 00 miles an
hour. Signs wore blown from build
ings, a number of smokestacks and
telegraph poles were blown down, and
a row of flats on Twentieth street was
unroofed.
HE ADMIRES BRYAN.
Senator Patteraon, of Colorado, Digs
Up Soine Recent History.
Gays the Nebrasknn Is Urnro Knnueh to
Fight Those "Who Oo from One Had
of the Political Teeter to
tho Other."
Washington, Feb. G. In his prayer
at the opening of the senate tho chap
lain, Rev. Edward Everett Halo, made
referenco to tho Illness of Senator Uan
na, saying: "Father, wo ask for thoso
who are In great sorrow; wo ask for
those who nro on tho bed of sickness;
wo ask for thoso who minister to them,
that Thou wilt give them life and light
and lovo."
A bill was passed providing for tho
transportation of COO teachers from
Porto Rico to and from tho united
States next summer for tho purpose of
study.
Tho urgency deficiency appropriation
bill was laid before tno Bonato, me
provision for tho SL Loute exposition
loan being tho immediate question un
der consideration and Mr. Patterson
(Col.) took up tho political phaso of
tho question, making a special reply to
Mr. Foraker. Ho said that having
noted tho want of prosperity on the
part of tho trusts and syndicates, tho
Ohio senator had Introduced a bill,
which, If It should become a law, would
supply that deficiency. Mr. Patterson
conceded that prosperity was not. so
much dependent on tariff laws or tho
balance of trade as most people believe.
On the contrary, ho found that good
times depended more upon tho volume
of currency than on other causes, and
ho traced tho prosperity of tho decade
from 1880 to 1890 to the extonslvo coin
ngo of silver In that period. Tills
epoch coverod Mr. Cleveland's first
term but Mr. Pattorson declared that
when democrats contended that his
second term covered a prosperous pe
riod they did violence to tho facts of
history. The panic of 1893 had been
tho result of the crusado against tho
greater circulation of silver both In
the United States and elsewhere. Ho
declared that Mr. Cleveland's last term
was not a democratic administration,
in fact, but that It presented the spec-
tacle of a democratic president putting
republican politics in execution.
Patterson referred to Mr. Bryan, say
ing: "I am glad that there is ono man
In the party with power and Influenco
enough to mako himself felt who en
ters his protest against surrendering
tho party to those who go from ono
end of tho political teeter to tho other
as their Interests may seem to require."
Mr. Patterson reasserted his convic
tion that tho nomination of Mr. Bryan
by the Chicago convention of 189G had
Insured a far larger vote than another
candidate on another platform would
havo secured. He then announced his
intention not to press for a further
recognition of free coinage by the dem
ocratic party, saying that "tho party
Is worse than Insane which continues
to advocate a policy which tho coun
try has declared against." Such a
courso would destroy the usefulness of
any party.
Tho polt of order mado by Mr. Bai
ley against tho St. Louis fair appropri
ation of $1,000,000 was lost by a vote
of tho senate, and tho amendment was
agreed to. The urgent deficiency bill
was then passed.
DRIFTS TWENTY FEET HIGH.
In Montana Trains Wero Ktuck In
.Snow and I'iiuni'Iicum Suffered
for Food.
the
Lewlston, Mont., Fob. G. Pushed by
four locomotives tho great snowplow
?n Montana railroad yesterday
headed the first train that has reached
this place in ten days. During that
tlmo three expresses havo been tied up
in tho drift between hero and Helena
and, it being Imposslblo to send aid
to them, some of the passengers suf
fered for food. Two trains are r.tlll
to be rescued. In somo places the
drifts wero 20 feet deep and tho snow
falls down the locomotive stacks, mak
ing It impossible to proceed.
LOPEZ IS IRRECONCILABLE.
Well-Known Filipino Agitator Will lie De
ported Hecuuxe lie Ilefiises to Tako
the Oath of Allegiance..
Manila, Feb. 0. Slxto Lopez, tho
well-known Filipino agitator, whose
unfriendly disposition toward Ameri
can rule in tho Philippines has been
exhibited upon occasions in the past,
has arrived here and refused to take
tho oath of allegiance. Ho will be
promptly deported.
VOLCANO IN EAST INDIES.
Near Java an Kntlro Town Is Reported
Swallowed Up and Hundreds of
I'uoplit Perished.
Amsterdam, Feb. G. Advices re
ceived here say that an entire town in
the east end of Java, Dutch East In
dies, Js reported to have been swal
lowed up by a volcanic eruption and
that hundreds of persons wero killed.
Stone's Farm Drought I .'I.OOO.
Nevada, Mo., Feb. G. W. A. Lants,
of Creston, la., purchased tho farm of
Senator V. J. Stone, containing 400
acres, in Vernon county, for $i:j,000.
HARM A HAS TYPHOID FEVER.
Examination of the Senator' lllood by a
Mlcrotcoplst Confirmed the Diagnosis
Made by I'hyslclan.
Washington, Feb. C Senator Hanna
Is officially pronounced to havo ty
phoid fever. The following bulletin
was issued by his physicians imme
diately after tho consultation: "Sen
ator Hanan has typhoid fever. Tho
diagnosis Is confirmed by tho comploto
blood examination reported by Dr.
Edward Bchrond. Tho senator rested
fairly well last night, and his tcmpor
aturo is 100, pulno 82."
President Roosovolt walked over
from tho white houso personally to
Inquire after tho senator's condition.
Ho spent ten minutes at tho hotel.
Dr. Behrond Is a microscopic oxpert
of this city. Ho made two tests. Tho
first one showed the presenco of tho
typhoid baccllus. Tho second test was
mado to confirm tho first one. The
doctors say tho caso of typhoid is Ir
regular. THREE WANT THE PLACE.
Klklns, Fairbanks. nnd Webster Actively la
tho Have for Vice Vresldent on the
Republican Ticket.
Chicago, Feb. (5. Tho accoptanco of
plans for seating 8.2G4 peoplo, allot
ment of 2,000 admission tickets to
Chicago people and somo vlco presi
dential politics, marked tho mooting
yesterday of tho sub-commltteo on ar
rangements for tho republican na
tional convention. Senator N. B. Scott,
tho chairman, proclaimed tho candi
dacy of Senator Stephen B. Elklns, of
West Virginia, for vlco president. Com
mlttecmnnNcw, of Indiana, nnnouncod
that Senator Fairbanks was his candi
date, and R. B. Schnoldor declared that
John L, Webster, of Omaha, was also
out for tho' place.
CANNOT ROB THE RIVER.
Mohruska Supremo Court Decides Against
Irrigators mid In Favor of a Mill Owner
ut Concordia. Kim.
Lincoln, Neb., Feb. C Tho supremo
court yesterday handed down an opin
ion In which It holds that Nebraska
lrr'.cators using the water of tho Ro-
j publican river to tho dotrlment of a
Kansas mill owner may bo enjoined In
The stato courts from making such uso
thereof. The complainant, a miller
named Cllne, at Concordia, Kan., al
leged that tho water in tho river Is di
minished by Its uso for Irrigation In
Nebraska and his mill cannot run.
The lower court denied him rollof, but
the supremo court decides that comity,
as well as riparian rights, aro Involved
and reverses tho trial court.
TO SAVE A BROTHER'S LIFE.
One Hundred Members of the Modern
Woodmen Cuvo Strips of Flesh to Charles
Shlsslor, Who Was Scalded.
Des Moines, la., Fob. C Ono hundred
Modern Woodmon ot Los Angoles, Cal.,
bared their arms to a surgeon's knlfo
here giving strips of flesh from their
aims to save tho life of Charles Schiss
ler, tho Des Moines stationer who was
almost fatally scalded by tho oxploslon
of an Instantaneous heater. The oper
ation, if successful, will bo recorded ns
a remarkable surgical feat, as great
patches of skin of Schlssler's chest,
neck and arms wero burned out. The
Woodmen lodge of which ho is a mem
ber volunteered Its services.
Tn Muddle In Oklahoma.
Guthrie, Olc, Feb. 0. Should the
opinion of P. C. Simons, tho attorney
general of Oklahoma, relating to tho
payment of taxes, bo sustained, and
many attorneys think that It is a cor
rect Interpretation. of the law, all deeds
to Oklahoma property sold for taxes
since November, 1898, will bo Invali
dated. The next legislature will bo
asked not only to amend tho tax law,
but to validate thoso lax deeds. Law
yers question tho power of tho legisla
ture to cure tho defectivo titles.
The National Flag Law Dnolared Invalid.
New York, Fob. 0. Tho law forbid
ding (lie desecration, mutilation or im
proper uso of the national flag, passed
by I lie stato legislature last year, was
declared unconstitutional yesterday In
the appellate division of tho supremo
court in so far as It relates to tho uso
of the flag in advertising devices nnd
on trade labels. Tho caso grew out of
the salo of cigars In boxes bearing
labels which included tho national flag
In the design.
Dewey's Naval I'lans Approved,
Washington, Feb. C Admiral Dew
ey's suggestions In favor of heavy light
ing ships lor tho navy prevailed with
the house committee on naval affairs,
over the recommendation of tho gen
eral board, submitted by Secretary
Moody. Tho bill carries an aggregate
appropriation of $95,000,000. The ships
authorized aro ono battleship, two ar
mored cruisers, three scout cruisers
and two squadron colliers.
Situation ICeported as Hopeless.
London, Feb. 0. The Toklo corro
Bpoudent of tho Times says tho sltua
tion la regarded as hopeless. It is gen
erally believed, ho continues, that tho
councils of the eldor statesmon held
February .' and 1 decided upon the
final measures to bo taken in tho event
of an unfavorable reply 1'rom Russia.
MARSHAL HACKETT REMOVED,
Oniccrof Central Indian Territory District
and Ills Subordinates Chanted with
Incomprtunoa and Drunkenness.
Washington, Feb. 5. Acting upon
recommendations of tho attornoy gen
eral, which were based upon an Inves
tigation of tho charges agatnso cortaln
officials under tho department of Jus
tice In tho Indian territory, tho presi
dent has removed from ofllco Benjamin
F. Hackett, United States marshal of
tho Central district of tho territory,
and his successor will bo Instructed not
to rotnln as deputies- Frank S. Doming,
T, P. Hnckott, J. E. Emmcrt, H. F.
Donnthan, W. W. Wall, T. D. Smith,
John A. Hunt, 11. K. Wall nnd J. T.
Hackett, nor ns Jail physician Dr. M.
C. Wilson. Marshnl Colbert, of tho
Southern district, will bo directed to
dismiss Deputy Marshals Gcorgo F.
Gates and Oscar Wilkinson.
Tho Investigation also resulted In tho
removal of J. C. C. Rogers, deputy mar
shal, and II. L. Rogers, a constable, of
tho Northorn district. Tho chnrgcH
ngalnst Mr. Hackett wero incompotonco
nnd failure to punl3h his subordinates
lor misconduct, particularly In permit
ting tho escape of n man named Short,
indicted for manslaughters Tho dep
uties, Genung, T. P. Hackett, J. P. Em
inert, nnd tho Jnil physician, Dr. Wil
son, wero tho porsons Involved in this
escape. The other deputies dismissed
wero guilty of drunkenness, permitting
prisoners to escape nnd violating tho
law concerning tho Introduction of in
toxicants Into the territory.
TORNADO AT RENO, NEV.
Several Hie llnlldluc Demolished by m
Terrlllo Storm That Struek tho City
Karly In tho Morning.
Reno, Nov., Fob. 5. A tornado struck
oast Reno at 0:45 a. in. It destroyed
considerable property, cutting a BWath
through tho town. Tho Stono building.
a ntructuro 70 feet long, 24 feet wldo
and 22 feet high, was torn from lta
foundations and tho walls crushed to
gether In an lncxtrlcablo mass of bro
ken timbers. Tho Wah-Hoo hotel was
lifted from Its foundation walls and
carried to tho oastward. It collapsed
and Is nn utter ruin. Other structurea
were damaged. No ono was Injured.
Children Tried to lie Outlaws.
Elrono, Ok., Feb. fi. James Rico and
William Blackburn, nged 11 and 12
years, wero arrested for many alleged
robberies committed whllo enthused
by reading wild literature. Thoy have
lived several weeks In a cave, whero
dynamlto and loaded weapons won
found by tho ofllcers. Numerous ponies
wore stolen from tho Arnpahoo In
dians, and their last alleged act was
to steal a team in broad daylight from
tho bU8lnosB portion of Elrono.
Ther Didn't Arrest Her.
Norfolk, Nob., Fob. B. Impersona
ting Carrie Nation, Mrs. J. Courtney
vlBited a saloon at Bassott with a ham
mer and smashed all of tho glas3 In
tho mirrors behind tho bar, pounded
tho bottles Into bits, rolled amber fluid
and liquors out upon tho floor, poured
beer Into tho cuspidors nnd scared tho
llttlo crowd of mon who wero standing
up to drink uptll thoy trembled. Mrs.
Courtney has not yet been arrested.
Dry an (lives Salem a Library.
Salem, III., Feb. 5. Whllo hero Tues
day, William J. Bryan confirmed tho
report that ho would erect and glvo to
tho city of Salem a Hlbrary building ol
splendid slzo and pattern. Tho build
ing is to cost $25,000, and In addition
Mr. Bryan will furnish it completely
and install tho library at a cost of fully
$15,000. Mr. Bryan said that this li
brary building was to bo erected In
memory of his father and mother.
Adopted a Clever Kline.
Altamont, Mo Fob. 5. Leo Do Ford,
cashier of tho Bank of Altamont, which
closed Its doors hero last week, was
not captured In Council Bluffs, la., as
was reported. Do Ford lied Monday
night after confessing that he was an
embezzler to tho amount of $21,000.
Do Ford had tho dispatch sent from
Council Bluffs to throw his pursuers
off the track.
Ittirstlug I'lpes Wrecked a Residence.
Guthrie, 111., Feb. 5.A lino resi
dence was partially wrecked and thu
occupant, C. G. Brothorton, ono or tho
leading citizens of Guthrie, was pos
sibly fatally Injured by a remarkable
explosion of hot water pipes. It is
presumed that tho water In the pipes
run low and steam generating brought
about tho explosion.
Itullet-I'roof Vest for Kooiovelt.
South Bend, Ind., Fob. 5. Caslmer
Zoglon, of this city, has Just finished a
bullet-proof vest for President Roose
cit. The vest Is one-fourth of an inch
thick. It Is soft and flexible, and la
designed to bo worn under an outer
vest.
A Campaign for Cnckrell,
Washington, Fob. 5. Senator Cock
rell's presidential boom, according to
telegrams received from St. Louis, Is
to be organized into a fight, at a meet
ing In St. Louis this month.
He Stole Diamonds at Wichita.
Oklahoma City, Ok., Fob. 5. Chavlea
Julian, wanted at Wichita for tho al
leged theft of diamonds, has .been ar
rested here.
