University news Letter,
KJJ WET$ VSHtEEiAIJD
THE NEWS. Estabished Nov.5. lti. ' ronsoltdated i im
TUE UKHALlJ, Established April 10. JSW. (-OnBonaloa Jan- I. ISO.
PLATTSMOUTH, NEB.. JULY 13, 1900.
VOL. IX, NO. 70.
SEMI WEEI
i
NOTHING IS CERTAIN.
That Conies Purporting to Give
News From China.
BTOSY OF A BATTLE AT PEKIN3.
Geo. Nieh, a Chinaman, Fights Prince
Tuaa's Army.
Report That the Tien-Tain Garrison
Has Been Defeated mid of a
Despairing Message from
Sir Hubert Hai-U
London. July 13. The news from
China yesterday is included in the fol
lowing dispatches:
Shanghai. July 12. It Is reported
that General Nieh has made a detour
and eutered Peking with 9.0UO men. In
order to foree his way into the city he
had to fight Prince Tuau's army. In
the course of the fighting he Is said to
have lost 2."iO men. He is reported to
ii'fVe rescued Prince Chlng, who was
sorely beset by Prince Titan's army
and Boxers. The report that two lega
tions were standing in Peking and that
the foreigners were safe on July 7 is
considered doubtful." '
There is no confirmation of yester
day morning's report that the allies
had been defeated at Tien-Tsin and
that a courier had arrived at Chefoo
from Sir Kobert Hart, at Peking, with
the message: "We are close to the end;
good-by." i
Sarmaor Blake a Report.
The British admiralty has received
the following dispatch from Vice Ad
miral Seymour: I
"Tien-Tsin. Saturday. July 7. The
Chinese continue lighting, often shell- ;
ing the settlements. They are ex- i
leuamg ineir lines along tueLU-iai- wn, desttoving his line of railway
Au canal to the northeast and are ap- r I..1.,riii:kr.1:ll Wt.re driven off ves
peariug in greater force west of the ft,,r sIli,,.f .,(.tii(I1.,
city.
"Yesterday we bombarded the city
and immediate suburbs, which stopped i
the Chinese gun lire for some time.
The French settlement and station are
most subject to attack. Today there
was another bombardment.
"Am steadily gettlug up more guns.
Tea thousand troops are now here.
More are required, but both the Bus
giau and Japanese are expected."
Sinister Silence of Peking.
Paris, July 13. The Temps an
nounces that It Is in a position to af
firm that, contrary to statements from
various sources, no European telegram
has been received from Peking since
that of Sir Bobert Hart (inspector
general of Chinese customs), dis
patched Sunday June 24. declaring the
situation was desperate.i Continuing.
The Temps says: "The subsequent
sileuve is sinister. If it is true the
legations are safe they could communi
cate with Europe. If they eanuot it
Is because the Chinese hare juggled
'date and the massacre h..-. taken
place on June . or July 1."
THAT CHINESE KAKAT1VE.
WMhlnftoo People Jet an Kiprrtiloa
from the Chinese Minister.
Washington, July 13. The good Im
pression made by the edict of the Chi
nese government given out by Minis
ter Wu threatenede to be offset to
tto ine extent yesterday by the reports
from London stating that Prince Tuan
was the real author of this edict, and
that some of its most forcible anti
foreign language was omitted from the
Version given out here. But at the Chi
D?se legation these intimations from
London are dismissed as groundless.
The dispatch was received here in Chl-
"e that is. iu the numerals by
' .icu the Chinese government trans-
2 pits Its official code messages. This in
Slf, it is said, indicates that it came
wiiil the sanction of those in imperial
authority, as the official code is not
known outside of this limited circle.
Following an invariable custom in
time of disorder the war officer at
Faking was entrusted with furnishing
JMie runners to carry the message to
Itne imperial treasurer or emu. who
in turn got It to Shanghai. Prom that
point It was lent direct to the various
ministers the world over, coming to
Washington direct instead of by the
usual route of London. Under the
'foregoing circumstances, the Chinese
'officials regard it as established beyond
'Che slightest question that the edict
is a bona fide expression from the
i imperial government of China, and
moreover that it Is complete as given
put here.
Illinois Climate and Crop.
Springfield. Ills.. July 13. The
nefLireau for the Illinois section
ays of the crop and climate conditions
tor the week ended July 9: "The past
fv4Alr Ik a a ViAAfl OTPillont ) u 1 1 irr n'
f Jag crops and farm work. Dry weather
'4 s prevailed generally In those parts
4' i the state where previously excessive
. ;alns has fallen, and good rains fell In
hose parts where the weather had
ieen too dry
Mora Storiii Havoc la Wisconsin.
T, Oshkosh. Wis.. July 11. Oshkosh
nd Winnebago county last evening
ecelved the third visitation in a week
f wind, rain and haiL The loss to
-ops and other property is placed at
. lousands of dollars. Janesville. Madi
.'T u.Plainljeld. Portage and West Bend
so report severe damaging storms.
! Gov. Hodgson at Cape Coast Castle.
f London. July 11. The Daily Mali's
eora correspondent, telegraphlDg
-jly 10, says: "Sir Frederic Mitchell
.odgson, governor of the Gold Coast
.jlony. and his wife, arrived at Cape
ast Castle today. The remainder of
,J e party is expected tomorrow."
. Score on the Dlaniona.
-"''Chicago, July 13. Scores at base
11 recorded by League clubs yester-
"y were as follows: At Pittsburg
iooklyn f.. Pittsburg 7; at Cincinnati
' Philadelphia 0. Cincinnati 4; at St.
, lois Boston 1. St. Louis 2.
Lnierlcan League: At Buffalo Kan--
'. City 7. Buffalo 8; at Cleveland
'-.nea polls 8. Cleveland 0: at Detroit
v -licago L Detroit 3; at Indianapolis
Milwaukee 6, Indianapolis 3.
Parry Heath to Resign.
Washington, July 13. Perry S.
ath, first assistant postmaster gen-
L is eted to announce nis resig
ilon within a few days in order to
ept a position as secretary of the
jiubllean national committee to suc
U Dick, v. ... .
ROBERTS REPORTS A DEFEAT.
Boers Capture a Position with Gnm and a
Lot of I'risourrs.
London, July 13. Lord Roberts re
ports to the war oftire, under date of
Pretoria. July 12. as follows: "The
enemy having failed in their attack
upon our right rear, as mentioned in
my telegram of July i. made a de
li rmined attack upon our right flank
yesterday, and I regret to say suc
ceeded iu capturing Nitral's nek, which
was garrisoned ly a squadron of the
Scot's Greys, with two guns of a bat
tery of the Royal artillery, and live
companies of the Lincolnshire regi
ment. The enemy attacked in su
perior nuiiilHT at dawn, and seizin?
the hills commanding the nek brought
a heavy gun lire to bear upon the
small garrison.
Nitral's nek is about eighteen miles
from here near where the road crosses
the t.rocodiie river, it was held bv us
in order to maintain road and tele
graphic communication with Rusteii
berg. The lighting lasted more or less
throughout the day. and immediately
oti receiving information, early this
morning, of the enemy's strength 1
dispatched reinforcements from here
under Colonel Godfrey, of the King's
Own Scottish borderers. Before, how
ever, they reached the spot the gar
rison had iH-en overowercd and the
guns and a greater portion of the
squadron of the Greys had been cap
tured, owing to the horses being shot;
also about ninety nifii of the Lincoln
regiment.
"A list of the casualties has not been
received, but I fear they are heavy.
Simultaneously an attack was made
on our outposts near Durdepoort north
of the town, in which the Seventh dra
goons were engaged,. The regiment
was handled with considerable skill
by Lieutenant Colonel Low and kept
the enemy In check until they retired
on their support, and would prob
ably have suffered but slight loss bad
not our troops mistaken some linen
In the hushes for our men. Smlth
Dorrleii had a small engagement with
the enemy yesterday near Krugers
dorp. and iniiicted heavy loss on theni.
Buller reoorts that the Boers who
TRIAL OF J. W. MORRISON.
Testimony Against Him Seems To Be Very
Much to tli Point.
South Bend. Ind.. July 13. John W.
Morrison, charged with murder and
arson in setting tire to the Hotel Mor
rison, had his preliminary hearing be
fore Judge Whitcomb. and was held
to the grand Jury. Bail was fixed at
$."i.Ouo. The testimony ottered by wit
nesses did not agree with the state
ments made by Morrison at either the
coroner's inquest or the previous hear
ing. From Fire Chief Jacob Kerner
It was learned that there were three
distinct tires in the hotel building.
Miss Cliloe .Vfallott. of Wabash. Ind.,
testified that on one occasion she
heard Morrison threaten to blow up
the hotel. The threat was made while
the accused stood in the dining room
and Miss Mallott in the office. Mor
rison was tal'.i'ig to hi wife. Mor
rison adm'ited .. ' -Uv- r . had ' n
fired, and stated that 'he suspected a
man named McGill, from Kendallville.
Ind. Later, on cross-examination, he
said that he did not think McGill would
blow up the building.
Morrison had stated that he was
pulled from his bed on the night of
the fire, and had escaped only partly
clothed. Several witnesses emphatical
ly impeached this statement.
Lacey Renominate)! Without Opposition
Albia, la.. July 13. Major John F.
Lacey received the Republican nom
ination by acclamation for congress
from the Sixth congressional distriet.
Lacey was present ami made an hour's
talk on the political issues.
Tid for the Wales' I'rifj.
London, July 13. At Bisley in the
shooting for the Prince of Wales
prizes, the tirst rize Wing loo pounds
and a badire. Musketry Instructor
Wallingford and Corporal Cole tied
with a score of !..
New Head for Vluirnnri College.
Vlncennes, Ind.. July 11. The board
of trustees of the Viucenncs university
has elected Professor W. H. liersh
nian to the presidency of that Institu
tion, to succeed 1 'resident A. II. Yoder,
who resigned to begin the publication
of a college paper In Chicago. Viu
cennes college is the oldest college in
the state.
Rudder Cot "Out of Whack.
Detroit. July 11. The Michigan
Naval reserves started on their annual
cruise Monday, but some of them did
not get any further than the head of
the Detroit river. Their old ship, the
Michigan, smashed its rudder at the
foot of Orleans street and was towed
to dry docl;
NEWS FACTS IN OUTLINE.
The new Gorman steamer Deutsch
land made her lirst trip to New York
in five days, fifteen hours, and forty
six minutes, thus beating all records
for the distance. Her average speed
was 22.12 knots an hour.
Ills speeches to the three fusion con
ventions ut Lincoln. Neb.. Wednesday
are expected to Ik? the last public ut
terances Bryan will make for several
days.
The National Educational association
has elected J. M. Green, of the Tren
ton, N. J.. State Normal School, presU
dent of the association.
President and Mrs. McKinley are
expectcil as guestsof Senator and Mrs.
Ilanna at the latter's cottage In El
beron. N. J., for ten days from July 21.
Georger & Co.. wholesale dealers in
ptraw goods, hats and umbrellas, at
Buffalo, N. Y.. have assigned.
David Kionlan dropped dead on the
street at Chicago. He was on his w ay
home from a lodge meeting.
Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway
and Italy are now training dogs for
use in war.
A prize has been offered by a Ger
man society for the best design for an
electrie railway upon which trains can
travel at the rate of 123 miles an hour.
Wood pulp paiHT as military cloth
ing. Is used by the Japanese troops.
The coral roads of Bermuda are "!?
finest In the world for cycling. They
are as smooth as a dancing floor and
are never dirty.
Dr. Charles Butt, of Chicago, at
tempted to commit suicide in New
York city by taking four ounces of
laudanum In attery par. He is 80
and will recover.
The twelrth annual convention of
the Baptist Young People's Union of
America is in session at Cincinnati.
NOJ
tllNEES ARE NOTIFIED
Kcpublican Leaders Are Given
Oilicial Notification.
QUITE A GATHERING AT CANTON
Only a
Small Party at Roosevelt's
Horn
unionists at Lincoln Fin
iob
Democratic Notification.
Canton, O., July 13. Uncjer an azure
sky. with the sunlight glinting through
the leafy trees, with the banner of the
republic draped above him. William
McKinley was yesterday notified of
his second nomination by the Repub
lican party for the highest office in the
civilized world. Grouped about him
were leading men of his party, while
surrounding his Canton home were the
friends among whom he had lived for
more than thirty years, together with
vast crowds from the surrounding
towns of his native state. The scene
was inspiring, there was enthusiasm
enough and to upare, and to many of
the utterances of both Senator Lodge
and the president in the speechmaklng
there was hearty and cordial approval
shown.
Features ot th Speeches.
Important features of the speech of
notification by Senator Lodge and the
response by President McKinley were
the references to the Chinese situation,
which seemed to be a notification to
the world that the United States in
tended to preserve all its rights in
China. Iu the president's speech there
were also references to the mainten
ence of the gold standard, and the
financial public faith, the preservation
ofa protective tariff, the enlargement
of our markets, and the maintenance
of our authority in the Philippines, of
which he said there would be "no
scuttle policy." He also declared that
there should be continued legislative
control over the territory possessed by
the United States, and such authority
would be coupled with "liberty and hu
manity."
"ICeclalnied from Imperialism."
II is declaration that we had "re
claimed IO.ooo.oih) human beings from
imperialism" was loudly cheered. At 1
the very outset he declared his accept- j
ance of every plank in the platform.
While the speech of the president i
closed the fomal notification there had
not been oratory enough for those who i
had gathered in Canton, and other
peakers were called for. Senator Fair
banks, of Indiana: Senator Hanna;
Charles Emory Smith, postmaster gen
eral: Colonel Samuel Parker, of Ha
waii, and Senator lAdge (with a sec
ond installment) were heard. It was
evident that Senator Fairbanks in
tended to make the money question the
dominant Issued of the campaign. The
notification committee and party came
from Cleveland on a seelal train, and
there were a large number of delega
tions from the neighlorh(od to swell
the crowd that heard the speeches.
'otl! "T ' icodoti SueMTktt.
Oyster Bay. L. I.. July 13. On the
breeze-swept veranda of Sagamore,
his country home. Governor Theodore
Boosevelt yesterday was officially noti
fied of his nomination for vice presi
dent on the Bepublican national tick
et. The ceremony was so simple as to
be almost informal. Surrounded by
the members of the committee on not!
fication. a little party of invited guests.
Mrs. Boosevelt and the rest of the gov
eriior's family. Governor Boosevelt
listened to the address of notification
by senator Wolcott. of Colorado, chair
man of the committee. To this the
governor responded briefly, and then
luncheon was served. An hour was
spent in general conversation on the
cool porches, and then the party re
turned to Oyster Bay. where a spe
cial train was waiting to convev them
baek to New York.
IN SF.SSION TH K WHOLE NIGHT.
4 on ventions at Lincoln Work Hard
to Complete Their Job,
Lincoln. Neb.. July 13. Daylight
yesterday morning found the three
fusion state conventions which began
Wednesday afternoon still in session.
Jifier a record-breaking all night ses
sion. and with practically no progress
further than the adoption of their
separate platforms. The whole ques
tion hinged on whether the Democrats
would back from the position that had
been taken that they should have two
plaees on the state ticket, together
with all the electors for president and
vice presidenL An effort to bring
about a surrender in the Democratic
convention was howled down derisive
ly. Iu the Populist gathering at the
same time some fiery speeches were
made iu denunciation of the stubborn
attitude assumed by the Democrats.
At the same time in the Democratic
convention W. H. Thompson pleaded
for harmony and further overtures to
the Populists. The Silver Republicans
were quiescent, simply waiting for the
others to act. Shortly before 4 a. in.
the Populists voted to take a recess
for a half hour, the Democrats in the
meantime doing nothing, but refusing
to adjourn. Shortly after 3 the three
conventions took a recess until 10
a. m.
The work of the conventions was
finally completed at JU) p. ui. yester
day after an almost continuous ses
sion. The tieket follows: Governor.
William A. l'oynter, Boone eountv,
Populist: lieutenant governor. E. A.
Gilbert. York county. Silver Republic
an: secretary of state. C. V. S4oboda.
Howard county. Populist; treasurer. S.
B. Howard. Holt county. Populist: 'at
torney general. Willis D. Oldham. Buf
falo county. Democrat: auditor. II. S.
Griess, Clay count". Populist: land
commissioner. P. J. Carey. Saunders
county. Populist. Presidential electors
were also ag-eed Upon.
The conventions were the most re
markable since fusion became a fac
tor in enraska politics. National poll
tics was injected into the proceedings,
and at one time, though it had in real
ity no bearing on the direct Issues,
threatened a spilt between the Demo
crats and Populists. The question was
over the indorsement of Stevenson for
vice president by the Populists. The
matter was finally settled by silence
and a division of the electors, the Pop
ulists refusing to indorse Stevenson.
WILL OCCIR AT INDIAN A POLISL
Notification of Bryan and Stevenaoa Sat
for the Same Time.
Washington, July 13. William J.
Bryan and Adlal E. Stevenson will be
formally notified of their selection as
I tha nroel.lontlal and vice presidential
nominees of the Democratic party on
Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Indianapolis.
Information to this effect was received
by Representative Richardson, of Ten
nessee, chairman of the Democratic
congressional campaign committee,
yesterday from Senator Jones, the na
tional chairman.
Richardson will make the speecB of
notification to Bryan and Governor
Charles S. Thomas, of Colorado'that
notifying Stevenson. It is expected
that the notification will be made the
occasion of a large popular demonstra
tion, somewhat similar to that at Madi
son Square garden, New York city,
four years ago.
ILLINOIS SOLDIERS AT WORK.
Losing No Time at Camp Lincoln Gov
ernor Tanner In Camp.
Springfield,- Ills., July 13. The First
brigade Is finishing its tour of duty in
cool weather. All regiments put in a
hard morning yesterday. The First
went to the rifle range, and iu battalion
formation reproduced the battle of
Wednesday. The Gatling guns and
Seventh practiced in skirmish work on
the range. The Second and Eighth
worked away on the parade ground in
the dust. Last evening, at dress pa
rade, all bands consolidated under the
director of the First regiment. Govern
or Tanner arrived this morning, but
the ceremonies of the day did uot com
mence until 4 p. m.. when he and his
staff will be met at the gates by de
tachments and escorted to headquar
ters.
Later a grand review, with the First
holding the right cf line, took place.
followed by dress parade, the last of
the week. Vass at (5 this morning was
celebrated by Father Kelly, of the Sev
enth. Major Martin Buhig, of the Sev
enth. Is field officer todav.
A large tent opposite the parade
grounds in which Pat O Brlen sold
liquors, was raided Weduesday night
by order or General Fitz-SInions, and
twenty-nine Second, fourteen Seventh.
and three Eighth regiment soldiers cap
tured for disobeying the brigade orders
prohibiting officers and men from en
tering saloons. A number of offenders
escaped.
ST. LOUIS STREET CAR STRIKE.
KObrta Being Hade to Adjust tha Diffi
culty hy Arbitration.
St. Louis. July l.j. Cars are run
ning as usual, and traffic on the vari
ous lines of the St. Louis Transit com
pany is growing heavier. Officials of
the Transit company declare that a
number of the strikers have deserted
the union and are applying for work.
This Is denied by the strikers execu
tive committee, which makes a coun
ter-assertion that men are leaving the
employ of the company.
Efforts are being made by the citi
zens' committee, of which John T. Wil
son Is chairman, to settle the strike
Issued a statement reviewing the sit
uation and requesting loth parties to
the controversy to submit the matter
in dispute for settlement by a board
of arbitration. Neither side has
answered the request. The Transit com
pany officials say that as far as they
are coneerji'fi, there is no trlJse.
Ford Smith, attorney for Sheriff
Pohlman, says that while lie though
the posse comitalus would not be
needed, yet It is so disposed that it
can be gotten together, armed and
equipped, and massed In barracks
within an hour after being ordered out
Boy and Rifle Combination.
DeForest. Wis.. July 13. Christian
Opstedahl, a 14-year-old adopted son
of Mr. and Mrs. Opstedahl, was shot
and killed by Carl Olson, a youth of
about the same age, who came hen
from Chicago to visit with friends. The
two lads were berry picking and Carl
who had just received a rifle from his
father, took It with him. Christian
was picking berries and Carl was busy
Bhootlng. Olson, who was watching
something moving about In the high
hushe, and thinking it was game,
fired. The unfortunate boy was carried
into a farmhouse near bv. He died
within a few minutes.
English and Irish Prisoners.
Cape Towne, July 13. Batches of
prisoners are, arriving here daily from
the front. One lot contained . thirty-
eight English and Irish names.
Illinois Woman Dropi Dead.
Fort Scott. Kas., July 13. Mrs. C.
C. Turner, wife of a prominent Illi
nois land agent, and formerly Mrs.
Carrie L. Milburn. of Jacksonville,
Ills., dropped dead while down-town
shopping. She had seemingly been in
good health, but had stopped In a doc
tor's office and fell dead while wait
ing for him.
Milwaukee Museum Robbed.
Milwaukee. July 13. Officials of the
Milwaukee public museum report the
robbery at that institution of a large
collection of rare coins estimated in
value at between $5,O(t0 and $10,000.
The museum is located in the new
public library building. There is no
clue to the perpetrators.
Council Agrees with Committee.
Paris. July 13. The municipal coun
cil yesterday annulled the action of the
council of last year in voting to grant
gratuloudy a site worth 400.000 francs
for an American National Institute, on
the ground that such a gift would be
antagonistic to the interests of French
artists.
They Jumped Oat of Danger.
Iron River. Mich., July 12. A head
end collision between a gravel train
and switch engine occurred at the
sharp curve near here yesterday, which
demolished a gondola car and badly in.
jured one of the engines. No one was
Injured, the trainmen all jumping be
fore the collision took place.
No Site for Our Institute.
Paris. July 12. The committee to
which the iminicinnl ennncti Kfarroit
the proposal to grant gratuitously a
site worth -H)0.fMH) francs for an Amer-
lean National institute has decide! tn
report against the grant.
Victim of a Novel Accident.
Huntington. Ind., July 12. While
John Wall was driving along a country
road, the wind blew a board off a roof,
the end striking him between the knee
and the ankle, breaking both bones of
his leg.
Froze lo Death While Climbing.
Berlin. July 12 Herr Joseph Bann.
of Hamburg, well known in musical
circles, was frozen to death while
climbing the Schueeberg.
'Bar. Moult Telegraphs "All's WelL"
London. July 12. A telegram via
Shanghai from Rev. Christopher
Idoule. a missionary at Tien-Tsin. says
"All's well."
LONDON INCREDDLOUS.
Fear That a Foul Crime
Been Done at Pekin.
lias
LATE CHINESE NEWS DISCREDITED
Fact Is Ominous That No News Comet
from the Legationer.
Li Hung Chang- Ordered to Peking
and Why He Is Going Meantiiue
Matters Are Desperate,
Nearly, at Tien.Tsin.
Washington, July 12. The navy de
partment has a cable from Admiral
Remey announcing his arrival at Che
foo with two battalions of the Ninth
Infantry. One of marines, Colonel
Meade, lauded and proceeded to Tien-
Tsin, where Admiral Seymour told
Remey the allies were hard pressed.
Paris. July 12. The Chinese minis
ter here informed M. Delcasse yester
day that Li Hung Chang had cabled
him from Canton, under Tuesday's
date, saying that he had just received
a telegram from 1'eking asserting that
the soldiers and relels'who surrounded
the legations had gradually dispersed
London, July 12. The Chinese tsltu-
tlou again bears a most ominous as
pect. Eighteen days ago Sir Robert
Hart dispatched his last message de
during that the situatiou was desper
ate, and since then no word has come
from the Europeans In Peking. Accord
lug to The Daily Mall's Shanghai cor
respondent Li Hung Chang has re
ceived an Imperial decree ordering bis
Immediate departure for Peking, pre
oUtnably to break the news of the Pe
king tragedy to the European powers,
and in his usual role of negotiating
with Europe In difficult matters to en
deavor ot act as mediator and to avert
the vengeance of the powers.
Allied Force Are la Trouble.
To add to the grlmness of this sug
gestion all devices from Tien-Tsin tend
to confirm the reports of the perilous
conditions of the allied forces and be
lie the optimistic Chinese rumors. Un
less reinforcements speedily reach
Tien-Tsin another disaster may be ex
pected. The Daily Mail's Tien-Tsin
correspondent, telegraphing on July
5, says: "The situation is about as
bad as it can well be. I only trust
that we shall not soon want relieving
ourselves. A forward movement is im
possible. From 30,000 to 40.000 troops
are wanted and there are only 10,000
here. The foreign troops are working
well together, but it is inconvenient
that there is no supreme commander.
In some quarters the feeling is 'Let
us rescue Peking and then clear out in
favor of Russia.' "
Japan la Tardy with Troops.
Other Tien-Tsin correspondent? say
that no advance Is possible until Sept.
1, and explanations are being asked
by the papers here of the tardy ac
tion of Japan in sending troops, since
It is known that she was ready and
willing to send them and that Russia
raised no objection to her doing so,
It is hinted that a difficulty arose as to
the manner in which Japan was to be
recouped for her heavy outlay. Ru
mors are current that Japan demanded
the cession ot a Chinese port.
DECREE ISSUED AT PEKING.
Practically Throws All the Blame for All
tha Trouble on Europe.
Washington. July 12. On the third
day of the sixth moon which
in English means June 20 an
imperial decree was issued In Peking,
and by tortuous ways a copy of it has
come to Minister Wu at Washington. It
is a very important document, in that
it explains the uprising of the Boxers.
The Chinese government disavows re-
sponsibilty for the Boxers' acts.
which it declares began with religious
and mystical ceremonies and developed
until they ended with the cry, "Down
with the Christians!" The government
was unable to quell the riots, much as
it desired to protect the foreign lega
tlons; but now that order is once more
to be restored, the anarchists will be
severely punished.
Referring to the presence of foreign
troops in Peking, which the decree says
was an extraordinary mark of courtesy
on the part of the Chinese government.
it adds that "The legations at the cap
ital never had much to do with the
people. But from the time foreign
troops entered the city the guards did
not devote themselves exclusively to
the protection of their respective le
gations. They sometimes tired their
guns on the top of the city walls, and
sometimes patrolled the streets every
where. There were reports of persona
being hit by stray bullets. Moreover,
they strolled about the city without re
straint, and even attempted to enter
the Tsung-Hua gate (the eastern gate
of the palace grounds). They only de
sisted when admittance was positively
forbidden.
"In this account both the soldiers and
the people were provoked to resent
ment, and voiced their indignation
with one accord. Lawless persons then
took advantage of the situation to do
mischief and became bolder than ever
in burning and killing. Christian con
verts." The decree refer to the defeat of
Seymour's object and his retreat, and
the attack on Taku. which it evi
dently considers entirely unjustifiable,
and to the killing of Baron von Kettel
er. It generally excuses the inaction of
the Chinese government by the claim
that it feared anv harsh action would
make matters worse and then admits
that matters got worse anyhow, while
the government hesitated. In short
the defense of the Chinese govern
ment is that there Is a state of anarchy
tuere wnicn tne government cannot
control.
The decree Is said to have orig
inated with the privy council, and at
the state department this 1ody is de
clared to be identical with the tsung-11-yamen,
belnsr the power next the
throne and the one which deals ex
clusively with foreign powers. The
eorlous means adopted of forwarding
the note are supposed to have been
resorted to because what amounts to
martial law in civilized countries is
now in force in Peking and Shantung,
so that the taung-ll-yamen would nat
urally confide the message to the war
board, now in supreme control, to se
cure its transmission to Shanghai. The
announced purpose of the Chinese gov-
j eminent to protect the foreign minis
ters is gratifying to the officials here.
HANNA SAYS IT'S A FAKE.
That Alleged Assassination Plot Od ell's
Comment on the Sensation.
Cleveland, July 12. Senator Han
na yesterday referring to the report
that a plot to assassinate President
McKinley had been discovered in New
York, emphatically declared that the
story was false. "This." said Hanna,
pointing to the story of the alleged
plot published in the morning papers.
"Is the first I have heard of it. There
is absolutely to the best of my knowl
edge, no truth in it."
New-burgh. N. Y., July 12. Chair
man B. B. Odell, of the Republican
state committee, said concerning the
alleged plot to assassinate President
McKinley: "I have made an Investiga
tion on the line of what I supposed to
be political Information, and I dis
covered either a crank or a Baron
Munchausen, and on the principle that
an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure, it Is probable that my
report to Secretary Dick Is the cause
for the extra care now being taken of
the president."
OCCUPATION OF BETHLEHEM.
Considered Important In the Camnalen
Against the Boera.
London, July 12. Lord Roberts' re
ports again reveal the progress In the
Orange River Colony by which the re
lease of several divisions for service
in China is brought nearer. The oc
cupation of Bethlehem by Generals
Paget and Clements after a hard fight
deprives General De Wet of his chief
center of supplies, and forces him to
retire to Harrismith and the mountain
district, where his commandoes can
find little food.
Vrede ami Harrismith are now the
only towns of the Orange RlverColony
not under British control. T he chances
rf a counterstroke are rapidly dimin
ishing both In the Orange RlverColony
and in the Transvaal, and it may be
possible within a fortnight for Lord
Roberts to send reinforcements to
China.
Suicide Blows His Head Oft".
Fort Dodge. Ia., July 12. C. John
son blew his head off at Pomeroy with
dynamite. 1 he tragedy occurred in
the Roman Catholic cemetery about
half a mile from town. He had been
drinking for several days, and it Is,
thought he was afraid to go home. He
bought a stick of dynamite and went
out to the cemetery, where the deed
was don. Evidently he put the dyna
mite In his month. His head was
blown into atoms and one band, the
one with which he probably lighted the
match, was also blown off. He was
unmarried and leaves two brothers.
Scores on the Diamond.
Chicago. July 12. Yesterday's
League base ball scores were as fol- :
lows: At Pittsburg Brooklyn 0. Pitts- i
Durg ; at st. louis Boston 3. st.
Louis 0; at Cincinnati Philadelphia 6,
Cincinnati 7.
American League: At Buffalo Chi
cago 5. Buffalo 10: at Detroit Kansas
City 6. Detroit : at Indianapolis
Minneapolis 3. Indfvoany.lls 10; (second
game) Minenapolls 0. Indianapolis 9;
at Cleveland Rain.
Harper Brothers To Be Sold.
New York. July 12. The big Harper
A Bros.' publishing plant will be sold
under foreclosure on Aug. 9. The sale
will include the right to use the name
Harper & Bros., together with the real
estate, machinery, stock, copyrights
and authority to publish Harper's
Weekly. Harper's Monthly Magazine,
Harper's Bazaar and Harper's Round
Table. The real estate includes the
Franklin Square real estate, valued at
$1,200,01 H.
Const it ut Ion Does Not Follow.
Chicago. July 12. Judge Kohlsaat,
In the United States district court, con
firmed the seizure for duty of. gems
brought to this country from the Phil
ippines by Eniii J. Peke, a soldier from
North Dakota, who was arrested last
May. Although the court did not an
nounce any brond principles of law,
the confirmation is taken to mean a
denial of the dictum that "the consti
tution follows the flag."
Kndeavorers Flocking to London.
Loudon, July 12. Members of the
United Society of Christian Endeavor-
ers from the United States and every
other quarter of the globe are arriving
here In great numbers to attend the
Worlds Christian Knoeavor conven
tion, which opens July 14 and closes
July IS.
Wants Sixteen Years' Salary.
Atlanta. Ga., July 12. Mrs. Mollle
D. Florida, of Nashville, Tenn., has
filed suit against the Southern railway
for $100,000 damages. CShe alleges
that her husband, J. R. Florida, was
killed in the Camp Creek wreck. June
23. and that he was earning $0,000 a
year.
Mnscatlna fo Own Waterworks.
Muscatine, la., July 12. At a special
city election for the purpose of voting
on municipal ownership of waterworks
the voters decided by nearly 1,000 ma
jorlty to purchase the plant of theMus-
catlne Water company for $100,000.
The company s twenty-five-year fran
chise expires De 1, 1900. omen were
permitted to vote, but few turned out.
WANT BAUMHOFF DISCHARGED.
Latest Position of tha St. Louis Strikers-
Company's Statement.
St. Louis, July 12. A statement of
the position of the local street railway
strikers, reviewing the strike since its
Inception, was given to the public
yesterday afternoon. In the closing
paragraph the statement declares that
in the opinion of the union a fair set
tlement of the strike cannot be - ob
tained while Baumhoff remains in the
position of general manager. Harry
A.. Bryan, the national organizer, was
called to his home in Cleveland by the
serious illness or his mother. Secre
tary Mack Misslk states that W. D.
Mabon. the national president, has
been apprised of the situation and
asked to return. He is expected today
or tomorrow.
Cars are running on all the lines
about as usual, but it is noticeable that
the number of wagons and other
vehicles carrying passengers has in
creased during the past two days.
President Whitaker had this to say:
"I know nothing of any statement hav
ing been made that the company would
proceed to live up to the agreement by
which the strike was settled. We have
reinstated several men who submitted
their applications after the settlement.
The company stands ready to take
back any former employes who asks
for a position and who is known to be
a good man."
NO CANT0NCA1IPAIGN.
President McKinley (live Out
Something or Interest.
BTAY AT HIS HOME 13 UNCERTAIN;
Besides He Is President of the United
States Now Nebraska Populists
Meet in Convention.
Canton, O., July 12. The campaign
f 1;xm) In Canton will uot be a dupli
cate of the campaign of 189G. It Is
not the present intention of McKinley
to make speeches to delegates who
may visit Canton during the summer
and fall, even if he should remain
here all the time. The president will
be so much occupied with public busi
ness that he will have but little time
to devote to the campaign. He says
his position is much different front
what it was four years ago. Then be
was a private citizen and as the candi
date of his party felt justified in tak
ing the active part he did in the cam
paign. Now he is president of the
whole people, and feels that he should
give his attention to the niauy ques
tions of government that are pending
and which are constantly arising.
Of Interest to Delegations, Etc.
It is the present intention of the
president to confine his participation in
the campaign to his speech today and
his letter of acceptance. Various clubs,
delegations and deputations have tel
egraphed here asking when they can
be received by the president. The re
plies sent in response to these mes
sages have said that the length of the
president's stay in Canton Is indef
inite, and that he can make no ap
pointments for the reception of such
delegations. Those who call to pay
their respects will be received at times
when the president is not engaged, as
they would be were he in Washington.
But the president will uot make
speeches from the front orch to visit
ing delegations.
Not Disturb by That Alleged Plot.
The publication of the alleged plat
against President McKinley did not
disturb him in the least. He drove out
with Judge Day yesterday mornlot
and walked about the lawn and porch,
chatting with visitors during the after
noon, as if fear of assassination was
the thing farthest from his thoughts.
During the day Senator Clark, of Wy
oming, called with the delegation from
Hawaii which participated in the
Philadelphia convention. There was a
brief discussion of affairs of the isl
ands. Comptroller Dawes arrived from
Washington yesterday afternoon, and
Senator Fairbanks, of Indiana, last
evening.
FOPl LISTS OF BKVAN'4 STATE.
Question of Fusion Involved la tha Actloa
of the Convention.
Lincoln. Neb., July 12. The Populist
state convention was called to order at
3:15 p. m. yesterday with over 1,200
delegates present. After prayer by
Rev. J. E. Harris Chairman Edmisten
in his opening address referred to W.
J. Bryan as "that nobleman, that free
man, who represents the Interests of
common humanity," and was en
thusiastically cheered. W. V. Allen
was elected temporary chairman, a vic
tory for the conservative element as
against the middle-of-the-road men.
There were on contesting delegations
and a motion to make the temporary
organization permanent was carried.
The convention then got into a wran
gle over the selection of the committee
on conference with the Democrats and
Silver Republicans. The far western
couuties. where the middle-of-the-road
movement is strong, Insisted on the
election of the committee by congres
sional districts instead of leaving the
appointments to the chair. This motion
finally prevailed. After the announce
ment of the committees on platform
and rules and order of business the six
congressional districts elected mem
bers of the conference committee. The
convention then took a recess until 8
p. m. The question of fusion In the
state is involved in the action of tha
convention.
There were three conventions In ses
sion yesterday Populist. Democratic
and Silver Republican. There is no
trouble about fusion ia the conven
tions of the last two. They will In
dorse the Democratic national ticket.
But the middle-of-the-road element in
the Populist convention is not so cer
tain. Looking for Headquarters.
Chicago, July 12. Henry C. Payne,
of Wisconsin, who is regarded as al
most certain to be named as chairman
of the national Republican executive
committee, was iu Chicago several
hours Monday. His time was devoted
for the greater part to looking for
headquarters for the Republican com
mittee, and in the evening he left for
Cleveland.
Would Like Bryan to Coma East
Buffalo. N. Y., July 12. National
Committeeman Norman E. Mack said
yesterday: "Unless Mr. Bryan desires
the notification made in a western city
I should prefer that It be made in some
of the large cities of some of the mid
dle states. Naturally I would favor
New York because of its importance as
a political and commercial center."
Chairman Jones at Chicago.
Chicago, July 12. Senator James K.
Jones, of Arkansas, chairman of the
Democratic national committee,
arrived in Chicago yesterday morning
from Lincoln. Neb., along with sev
eral other leaders of that party and
registered at the Auditorium Annex.
Rallroad8trlke Settled.
St. Paul, July 11. The strike de
clared on the Montana Central has
been settled. The strike was an out
growth of the troubles on the Great
Northern system last May. It is stated
that only a few men went out and
that trains were running ail day.
Will Be Order at Cape Noma Now.
San Francisco, July 11. The steam
er St. Paul arriveu last nignt xroui
St. Michael, Alaska, with news that
martial law had been proclaimed at
Cape Nome.
Jack Root Defeats O'Brien.
Chicago, July 11. Jack Root, the
nndefeated middle-weight of Chicago.
at Tattersalls last night, obtained the
decision over Dick O'Brien, of Lewis-
ton. Me., at the end of six rounds, after
one of the fiercest battles ever wit
neased In this citjr.
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