THE OMAHA DAILY BEE. ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871 , OMAHA , MONDAY MORNING , FEBRUARY 17 , 1890. SINGLE COPY 3TIVE CENTS. PROCLAMATIONS FOR CUBANS General Wcylcr Announces Formally His Plan of Campaign , COUNTRY COMMERCE TO BE ABANDONED All Ii linliltnn < of CcrJnln Province * MiiHt lilcntlfjTMCii \\llliln niKht IlnjH or ( let lulu Tronlilc. HAVANA , Teh. 1C. The following IB a verbatim ctpy of translations made ot the | inclamat'on publlDhcd today : 1'ioclnmatlon Don Vnlerlana Wcyler , > ' Nlcdnit , innrquls of Tcnerlffe , governor nnd cnptnln pencral of the Island of Cubn , gen- ini'-ln-clilef of the nrmy , etc , deMrotm of warning the. honest Inhtibllnnts of Cuba nnd those loynl to the- Spanish caiife and In conformity to tlio lows , does order and Artle'le I All Inhabitant" of the cll trlct nnd the provinces of of Sonctl Spirit ! J'Uerlo I'rlncipc nnd Santlimo do Cuba will liave to concentrate In places which me tile headquarters of a division , a brigade or column of a troop nnd will have to be provided with documentary proof of Identity ivlthln eight daji of tbc publication ot IhH iirnnrtmnilnn In Hin IIIUIIIUIIMIIIUV- . iiroc umaiiuu in Article II To travel In the country In tbe tndlui covered ! by the columns In op- cntlon It Is absolutely lndippcn able to have n pis < ) from -tint mayor , military command ants or chiefs of detachment * . Any ono Inciting- this will be detained nnd ont to h adiiuiirlers of tbe division or brlcide nnd thence to Havana , tit my dlspo ltlqli. liy thu first possible means. Kven It n pi tIM lie > m- IM exhibited which IH thought to Hllthentlc or grnnted by authoiltlc" to per- ronu with known sympathies toward the rebellion , or who show favor thcrrt" , rcrlous consequences will result to tliou KtpoiiHlblc . . . . Article Hi-All owners V commerclil rs- tiibll'hmcnls In the country dlstilcts will varute th"m and the chiefs ot coliinin will take Ruch measure" nn the HUCCCS" of their expeditions dictates , which , while iisclesi for the country'B vvca'th , scne the cnrmv n < < hiding- places Aitlclo IV All pisoi ! hitherto lf ued hcrc- b > become null and void. will Article V The military authorities Immediate publication ot I bin Fro to the tVrrelamatlon. VALKUIANO WHYLnn. HAVANA. Pcb 1C. ISOfi The pccoud proclamation Is as follow B : In order to avoid suffering ; and de'ay other than that cs entlul In times of wur nnd the summaiy proceedings of the foices In iljcratlon , 1 dictate the following pie - Artlele I Tn accordance with the. farultles oomeded to mo by rule 2 , article 31 , of the military code of Justice. I assume at gen- ( iiil-ln-chlef ot the aruw operating In this iH'aiid .the judicial attrlbutea of the captain 1 * rAIIfit fi Kencini. DKMQATUS HIS AUTHORITY. Artlc'o II In virtue of rule 2 of "aid nrtlc'e I delegate from this date those Judicial attributes to the commanders-ln- hlef of the First and Second army rorp and to the. general commanding thu Third division , that If. In Pueito Pilnclpe. Aitlcle III Prisoner * catmht In nellon would be subject to thu rmift pummnry trl il without any other Investigation , e\ocpl lh.it Indlsponpablo for the ohjects of the lrl.il. Article IV When the Inqulty Is HuMied. subject to con ultntlon with tbo judicial Diith9rltlcs , the inoceedlnu * will not con tinue during the course of opeiatlon- > , and In the picsenco of the Judicial authority With an auditor , the sentence mti > be car ried out. When said authority Is not pres- mt , the Droce-'B will bi > temlttril to him nnd the culpable parties detained ut the locality where thn division 01 brlgadu hcad- Hiiartem arc Mltuatcd. Article V The military Jurldle functlon- aiy of whatever rank , who accompanies In the operation" the Judicial authoiltlep , when the latter thui decide , will act as auditor , dlFpensiiiR with the asEOSfor's assistance at court martini during operations , In c.ises whcro no othci member of the juildlc body Is at hand ArticleVI When the "entenco ls > pio- tiountc'd , If the sentence be deprivation of llbcitr. the cu t > rlt will be brought tc- Havana with the papers In the case ; when thu latter I can decide as to the penalty and thecontencu to be carried Into effect. Article VII The "aid authorities will \ > 2 acquainted with a'l cases Initiated against tlm iinnimpil In Ufil. U10 IICCIISVII "I win. Aitlclo VHI-I reserve the right of promoting meting and sustaining all questions of com petence with other Jurisdiction UH also with the military and to determine Inhibitions In all kinds of mllltaiy piocesscs In the terrl- tmy of the Nund. Article IX I reserve , likewise , the faculty ot mourning an Inquiry Into nil cases when It Is deemed , convenient AS TO DEATH SENTENCES. Article X No sentence of death shal 1 > e effected without the acknowledgment bj my authority of the testlmonj of the Judg ment which must he pent to me Immediate ! } e\cept when no menus ot communication exlHtP. or when It Is a care at Insult to n Huppilor or military sedition. In which e.ist fenlenio vvlil be carried out and the In formation furnished to me artervvuriT. Article XI All previous proclamations 01 orders conUlctlng- with thin on the question uf the delegation of jurisdiction In this Island are lieietiv null and vo'd ' YALEDIANO WCVL1JR. HAVANA. Feb. 16 , ISM. The third proclamation Is as follows : I make known that taking advantage of the temporary Insecurity of the district capitals and the rest of prlvlnces. notlco < which oau-o uneasiness and alarm me Invented and propagated nnd some per rons more duringKtlll have taken ad vantage of this to draw the deluded and the Ignorant to the rebel ranks. I urn de - termlnrtl to hnvu the laws oboved and In ji.uke tpeclul means for this disposition , rul ings frequency applied during sueh time-- UH the present through which the Island Is new p.i Mln , and to inako clear how fill panic certain points go In ndtiptlng them to txrgenclcs of war and In the use of the faculties conceded to me by No. 12 , 111 licit- 7 , of the code of military Juitlce , nncl bj the law of public order of April 1 , 1S70 , ami 1 maki ) known , ordvi and command that the follow Ing case : uro Hiiulect to military Jaw amongst others ppccllled by law : MI'ST NOT INVENT STORIES. Clause. I Those who Invent 01 pinimKate I)1 any means , notlcts favorable lo the ro- lio'llon shall bo consldcicd as being mill ! ) of offcnspH against the Integrity of the nation and comprised In nitlclu l-3 ! , ihixs C. of the mllltaiy code , whenever mich r.otlc-es fnclllutc the enemy's operation1. Clause II The o who destroy or damage lullroads lines , telegraph or telephone wires or apparatus connected therewith , or thorn vtho Interrupt communication by opening lilldget * or ilvstrojlnghighways. . Cluune HI Incendiarism In town or coun try or those who cause damage , a shown In chapter 8. article l.l. volume-2 , of the penal code , rulings in Ctitvi. Clause IV Thorfo v\lu > tv'.l , faclllate , con vey , or deliver uinis or umiiuinltlou to Die c-neiny or who supply such liy any other lin'aiis , or those who keen Mich In their power or loleiute or deal In puch tin ouch the customs , and employes of thu customs who fall to condscatu such Importations will lu held ie > p4iialble. Clause V Those who beliiK telegraphists dlvulno tt'enTams lefcirliig lo Ihu war , 01 who send them to persons who ehould not bo coiiiilzant of them AGAINST THE PRKSS. Clause VI Thofo who thriiiiKh DID pros or otherwise revile. Urn prestige of Sp.iln , her urmy , Ihu volunteers or firemen , or uny other foice that co-opfrules with the urmy , I'laugo VII Those who by the FJIIIO mcaim endeavor to extol thu enemy. Clause VIII Those who tupp'y the encmj with horses , cattlci 01 any other war re- C'unse IX Those who act us spies , and to Ihosii the utmost of the low will bo app'led. ClauseX Thane whn servo uuhU * , unless surrendering ut once and chouliu M iof of force , and Hiving the troopi ut oncv tvlilence of loyalty , Cluiifu XI Those who umilcrnte army food , or conwplre to alter thu prices of 1110- \H | unf. C'uuse XII-Thoso who bj means of ex n'oxlvea , commit offenses refeiml to In Ihc law ; of June 10 , 1S9I , mudn to extend t > ihl Island by the royu' pr < li > r of October 17 , U74. fcpelng that theae olTeni-e affect the public peace and the law of April 23 U70 Krauts me power to leave to thu u'vll authorities the proceedings In fcucli cares us are comprised In captions 4 nnd 5 and tieutlso 3 , ot volume J. of the common penal i ode , when the culprits are not military , or w hen the olToneo renders such action ml- V Fable. Clause XIII Those who by messenger IMKI'OIIM. ' Ore works , or other signal * com- nmnlcnle no wo to the enemy. clause XIV -The ofTt-iiRea enumerated , wlirn the 'avv pretcrlbes the death ucnulty or life Imprlronment , will be dealt with innut tunnnarllj. Claubo XV All other proclamations und orders previously Issued In conflict with this are annulled by thl . VAL.EUIANO WEYLER. JIAVANA , Feb. 1C , 1830 1NSURGKNT CAMPS DESTROYED. Lieutenant Colonel Moretl reports that he has destrojed the Insurgent camps at Her- rudcra and Qallago. In an engagement with ho band of Vcra , near IJavamo , the troops sustained a tons ot three killed , while the nsurgonts lost one prUoncr and their eader , Eduardo Daez , wounded. It Is re ported that lie afterward died. The band ot ARUlrre , numbering 1,600 , attacked the de tachment of troops at Pocho and five armed volunteers surrendered to them. The lead- era , Cardenas and Agulrre , led an attack upon the villages of Carra Ucllo , In Havana irovluce. The garrlmn consisted of Captain Ixirenro and forty-one- volunteers , who of fered heroic resistance to the Insurgents and repulsed them , Inflicting a loss ot two killed , besides cventy-clght wounded , who were carried oft. The column of Condo Les- undl fought the Insurgents" at Ueunos Ayrcs , In the Sanctl Splrltus district , and captured the camp hospital , making prisoners ot the wounded. The police Inspector , Trujllo Mcne- gas , who was on the steamer Olivette , pre paratory to the departing for Florida , was detained by the authorities. Leandro Agulrre was alio detained on a charge of complicity In furnishing ammunition to the insurgents , having attempted to get away under a falbo name' OUITICAI. SITUATION IN Semite MUM * lli-ocilo or Meet With Mull Violence. PARIS , Feb. 10. The caolnet has de cided to Ignore the \oto talon In the tenate jcsterday , vvhlch was a repetition of that bed > 's acts February 11 , deplnln , ; t''e lireg- ularltles exposed In co'iuectUi wilii thu Southern railway scan 111 and demanding a seirchlng Inquiry. The nrwspnpers here express the belief that no i suc from the cab inet crisis Is possible , ex ipt through the resignation of M. Rlcnrd , minister of jint'ce. LONDON , Fsb. 17. The. Paris correspond ent uf the Times telegraphs1 as follows to that pjper : The cab'net has" sounded a clear note. If It succeeds It Is nothing more or less than a coup d'etat. It It falls , It Is an act ot violence to no good end. The setting ae'do of the vote of the senate virtually upset the constitution. Jf the senate stands firm , thdrc aio only two alternatives , the resigna tion of the ministers , or the expulsion of the Senate by a mob. The latter would mean Hie juperfedliiK of the constitution by a revolu tionary convention. The Chamber of Deputies , vvhlch reassem bles on Thursday , after a cabinet council on Tuesday , may , however , recoil from a second vote , which might prove disastrous. Tha situation Is the most delicate seen bore In twenty-five years. The spbclal dispatches from Paris this morning all agree as to the gravity of the French crisis. According to a semi-official statement , Bourg5ols , fne premier , had an Interview with President Paure , Sunday after noon , and explained that the conflict of the Senate with the Chamber had assumed such a character that a resignation of the minis try would not solve the crisis. Tbs cabinet had , therefore , decided to await the furt'ner expression of the Chamber , the minister agreeing that they can no more , yield to the Senate than they can disregard the confi dence ot the Chamber. A dispatch from Paris to the Post says : The real origin of the crisis Is the determina tion of the Senate to overthrow the radical ministry or to die In the atjempt. Not since Maltese has France been on the brink of such -e\ten'lve upheaval. C.KHMvV INFMJUNC'n IN S VMOA. Too MronK ti > nnntilc Oilier > iittmiH < < > Introduce IleforiiiN. APIA. Samoa , Jan. 30. ( Via San Fran cisco , Feb. 1C , per steamship Monovval. ) The bottom has practically dropped out of the Samoan revolution. German Influence Is too strong here to enable the people of other nationalities to proceed with reforms vvhlch are really an absolute necessity. The leso- lutlon of the Apia municipal council accept ing the leslgnatlons of four of Its members was not unanimously approved by the con sular board , and according to the Berlin treats , the question was referred to Chief Justice Ida for final decision. His honor has just handed down his opinion , vvhlch states that there Is no apparent necessity for accepting the resignations referred to , and therefore the members are still In of fice whether they like it or not. However , two ot the leaders of the movement are Americans with large business Intel csts In Samoa , and will leave no stone unturned to lumedy a condition of affairs such as pre vails at present , when 80 per cent of the totil revenue Is paid out In salaries. Ur. Schmidt , for six months' Gorman con sul general In Samoa , has been Instructed teat at once piocoed to Japan on a mission vvhlch at piesent Is a secret. This gentleman If one of the beet Informed on eastern trade subjects ot any In the German diplomatic ; irvlce , and as his nation Is making a strong effort to cipture a good slice of Pacific trade It Is surmised that ho will prepare a report on this question. Two large barques and two smaller ves sels were wrecked In the harbor of Hapall , of the Tongan group , on January 2. No lives were lost , but one of the barques had a cargo of ( ! 00 tons of copra on board , of which voiy little will bo saved. Earthquakes have been numerous and severe during the last month , affecting all the Islands In the vicinity of Samoa. uniivs LvrusT i osrrio\ . CiniiliilNMloii SiiKKeHleil ( o Iiiv tlio V'eiieriieluii AITnlr ut Once. LONDON , Feb. 17. An editorial In the Times this morning contains rome Important and Interesting uggeslons { on the subject ot Venezuela. The Times suggests that England appoint a strong und Independent commission to investigate Venezuela's dls- puto for the enlightenment of Parliament and the public as early as the Washington commlMlou shall report. It ad < U < that there would be nn difficulty In finding eminent men whQ ! conclusion- ) would be unhcpltat'ng'.y accepted. * The Dilly News , In an editorial , regrets that such -u grave subject as the Venezuelan red not been lalsed by a more Influential man than L. Atherly Jones , the radical member who moved an amendment expressing regret that an 0-3 rncc that the Venezuelan question would be submitted to arbitration was absunt "No liberal wishes to pick a quarrel with Lord Salisbury over Venezuela. " the ; Dall ) News continues ; "therefore It Is Imposulble that the House of Commons ihould adopt the Jones amendment. It would be a virtual vote 'of censure , which would , In the- present ease , bo unpatriotic. While the couutiy twould , wo hope , welcome from Mr. lljlfonr ii n announcement of a general arbitration , with a provision that , In the event of the awjrd going agulntt us , England should purchase ihe settled dlttrlcU. " IlL'lir.VH I.UTTKH OP TllVMCS. Wiirm Sj iniuilliy i\tenileil li > flu- MIIHNCM IN Acknowledged. LONDON , Feb. 1C. In a special supple ment to the Gazette published Sunday Is printed the following letter from the queen , dated Oiborn , February 14 ; "I have , ala , once more to thank my loyal subjects for their warm sympathy In the fresh and griev ous allllctlan which has befallen mo and my beloved daughter , Beatrice , princes of llat- tcnberg. This new turrow Is an overwhelm ing und , to me , a double one , for 1 lose a dearly loved and helpful son , whose presence was like a bright sunbeam In my home , and my dear daughter loses a noble and devoted husband , to whom aho was united by the cloo.'tt affection , To wltucta the blighted happliiemi of the daughtir , who baa nctca left mo. Is bard to bear , but the feeling ot universal sympathy to touchlngly shown by all cUiee * of my subjects haa deeply moved my child and inyuelt and helped and soothed us greatly , I wish from my heart to thank ni ) people for this , as well as for the appre ciation manifested for the dear and gallant prince , who la'd down bis life lu the service of his adopted country. M ) beloved child Is an example to all In her courage and Mou to thu will ot QoO. " JAPAN GETS READY FOR WAR Great Activity Among the Naval Forces of the Island Empire , BLAMES RUSSIA FOR THE COREAN REVOLT Troiilili * romeiitcil for the VnrpoNe of AfforilliiR nil 12&ciisc fnr the 12- tiilillMhinelit of it HiiNtilnu I'rutectiirntc. HOC , by I'rfss t'ubllslilnR Compinj. ) TOKIO , Japan , Feb. 1G. ( New York World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) There Is great activity amorg all the naval forces , The Japanese government Is confident that lUiwia Is encouraging the revolt In Corea with a view to the early establishment of a Russian protectorate over the kingdom. The seat ot the Coreau government Is now In the Russian legation at Seoul , where tTic king remains guarded. It Is believed tint the king ot Corca authorized the outbreak In revenge for the murder of the queen. The emperor of Japan suspended the sit ting of Parliament In the midst of opposition attack on Premier Ito's ministry. LONDON , Teh. 10. The Times will print a dispatch from Kobe , Japan , tomorrow , which sa > s : News from Seoul , Corea , proves that * Russia made a remarkable coup on the night of February 10. On that night 200 Russian marines , with a field gun , were landed at Chemulpo and marched to Seoul. The king secretly left the palace for the Rurslan legation , when he proclaimed his ministers guilty of treason. Two of the ministers were arrested and e\ecuted , and the other , the Tal-\Van-Kun ( the father of the king ) , is a prisoner at the legation. An anti-Japanese ministry way then formed. A bitter feeling has bean aroused. A cabinet council was held , attended by the military officials. It Is reported the Russian minister declared that Russia was not responsible and that he merely afforded , protection at the king's request. But It Is believed this pre cludes a Rnsu'an ' protectorate over Corea , WASHINGTON , Feb. 16 Secretary Her bert today received a cablegram fiom Captain McNalr of the Asiatic station confirming the newspaper reports of renewed disturb ances In Corea. The telegram was sent from Nagasaki , Japan , and Is as follows : Telegraphic Information has been re ceived from the commander of the Mnthlas via Chcefoo. China , as follows : There Is much ( great ) excitement In Seoul The king has gone to the IUis lun lecitlon nnd ordered the nnest of the cabinet. The guard K.\9 gone to Seoul , Corea. Tele graph vvltts have been cut. Two men have been killed. M'NAIH. At the foreign legation hero It was said there had been no advices touching the cable referred to and the only advices at hand are from the newspapers. VKMl/.lIHI.A. 1IOILS OVBIl AC VIV I'rcNM I'rtti'M the ( ! < n i-riiiiicnt to 11 DeiiKiiiMtriittfiii AKiilnxt I > liK'iii ' l. ( CopjrlBht. IS' " . 1 > X Press Publishing Compnn > . ) CARACAS , Veneruela , Feb. 1G. ( New York World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The story of an English vessel taking soundIngs - Ings at the mouth of the Orinoco provovcs much warlike comment. The people ot Clu- dad Bolivar , the capital of Guiana , say t' e vetsal Is there for the purpose of dcterm'n ng whether warships are needed to hold the Orlncco , which Is Venezuela's strong strat egic position. The government has been warned that as England Is Incieaslng her force ot men and cannon at the stamens on the Amacuro and Cuyuni rivers , the lat est move menaces the Integrity of tne nation. The press says that now Is the time to teach English arrogance a lesson. The suggestion to arbitrate the Uruan Incident meets oppo sition here. It Is believed that the jurisdic tion of the disputed territory should be set tled first ; otherwise It would be an admis sion of British sovereignty. Public opinion Is averse to treating with England directly In the Guiana boundary matter. The feeling Is that Venezuela should manifest Its gratitude and courtesy to the United Stoics by awaiting the report of the boundary commission. They point out that when Venezuela was alone England never considered Its desires for a peaceful settle ment and that she only regards It now through fear of the United States. A cablegram from London says that the queen's speech to Parliament declares that the difference with the United States Is la a fair way to bo arranged amicably. The board of directors of the English rail road between Quanta and Barcelona has de- c'ded to resume traffic In oboJIence to an order from the minister of public works. A female patriotic society has been or ganized. The president of the society , In a ttlrrlng address , promised that , while women cannot flght they will encourage and a d the men In every way possible. The Colom- b'an ' excursionists left on theTransandean railroad this mowing and were banqueted at Valencia tonight. They will embark on the ship Porto Calullo tomorrow for Kings ton , Jamaica. W. NEPHEW KING. STK.VMEIl MONOWAI AIIH1VRS. Twenty-Severn UIIJM from AiiHtrnlln with Several > otal le I'nuHeiiiferM. SAN FRANCISCO , Feb. 16 The steam ship Monowal arrived this morning , twenty- seven days and six hours from Sydney , vis Aucklands , Apia and Honolulu. She reports all quiet on the Hawaiian Islands. The Mono- wal brought several notable people as pas sengers , among them being the following : Sir William Wlndyer , lord chief Justice of New Zealand , who is on his way to England , and Arthur A. Zimmerman , the champion bi cyclist of the world , who Is completing a tour of the world , having been In Australia about three months. itUAur TO occur v SAVMAOO. Startllnu ; ANxerlloit Mndu liy Ciiliaiix JiiHt Arrived nt KliiKxtoii. ( CoinIIh'lit , UM , hy 1'ross publl lilnK Compnnj. ) KINGSTON , Jamaica , Feb. 16. ( New York World Cablegram Siwclal Telegram. ) Sev eral Invalid Cubans , who have arrived here , report that Immense etorc * of munitions of war have been received by the Insurgent : which have enabled them to take measures for th ? occupation of the city of Santiago thc < moment the United States government recog- nUes tliem. General Weyler's advent has compelled them to plan prompt and det'Ulva action , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ niuirr i-nitso.Nh i'iiiisn IN rins. . I'lriIn n I.omloii Tenement Iluuxe CuiiNeN Mini ) I'nliilltlex , LONDON , Feb. 10. A number of hcirlb'c accidents occurred at a fire earlv Sunday morning In a tenement at No , 7 Jhurch ttreet , Soho , behind the Palace Theater of Varieties. Five children and three ( .dulls were burned to death. One man jumped from a window and was Imp < ibd upon tbe rail ing of a fence. Ho wits temi.ol to a 1 os- pltal In a d > lng condition , feverj ) oiler persons escaped from the buMlnLnllillirj with the greatest difficulty , Sim 111 AfrlfH C minii'N > en Chief , LONDON , I'cb. 16. A Capetown dispatch , which the Times will publish tomorrow , M > S : Major Nldley and several lluatar of- flctrg have left Pleter Maritzburg , Natal , for Rhodesia , it Is understood , to assume com mand of the Chartered South Africa com pany's police , I'erii 1'i'iirx 11 lt < _ - \ oliilloa. LIMA , Peru , Feb. 1C. T'i9 ' government it. . jun now manifesting exces3've UgPanef agulnst a threatened uprising. Yesterday the authorities notlfUd u hundred t'acerl t oll'ccru ' at Arvqulpj thai they had their choiceof exile cr golnj t ? nriiuii. r DOM : is I'reMilent ot the llnivnllnn ni > nltllc ThlnUM the .Nntlve * Are Sntltflcil. HONOLULU , Feb. 8. ( Via Snn Francisco , Feb. 16 , per Steamer Monta'M. ) President Dole returned to this city on the 4th , After paving an extended visit to the Island of Hawaii. In an Interview the president said ! "When \Jslted Hawaii fourteen months ago I saw \cry few natives ; they did ) not exhibit any Inclination to see me nnd bo friendly and I did not Intrude myself upon them. Thla time It teemed different ; there was every evidence ot kindly fcelng | on their part and In nearly every partnlslted I was asked to address them and at the close of the meeting they were profuse In expressIng - Ing tholr feelings by cordialthand shakes. Politics arc not deeply seated iln the hearts ot the Hawalians. A majority of them do not seem to care particularly for the mon archy , but they are Interested In land which , to my mind. Is encouraging. " The conspiracy cato against J. K. Sheri dan and Dr. Frank Underwood ha ! bson pafcsed until called. The trial will probably take place about March 1 , Uoth men arc In Jail. Minister Cooper received a communi cation from Slgnor S. Do Canavarro , Portuguese tuguese charge d'affaires , jcsterday. In It the diplomat acknowledges receipt of the foreign office letter of Invitation to observe January IT as a national holiday and fiylng that , owing to his absence on JCiul on Im portant business at the time , bo was unable to participate. TIIARIC I\UIM ; OK ILLICIT i.ovi : . St. I.onlx filrl Mtinler * IlerXi ter mill Co ml < H Stilelile , ST. LOUIS. Feb. 16. Barbara Kossel , a pretty German girl , about 19 "jears old , to night shot and killed John Rohlflng , her lover , and then with the tinpe weapon , a cheap revolver of 32 caliber , fired a bullet Into her own brain , dying' Instantly. The tragedy occurred In a room adjoining II. F. Sherman's printing office at * Oliver and Third streets. John Rohlflng and his brother , Henry , both of whom worked In the printing cilice , lodged there. When Henry returned to their lodgings this evening he stumbled over the body of his brother lying In the hallway. The- body of the girl was found within the room. John amPMIss Kossel had lived together for two jeers , though unmar ried , but recently they quarreled and broke up housekeeping when Rohlflng b ° gan to keep compiny with another girl. Miss Kos sel was In the habit of visiting her former lover at the room on Olive street , where he had gone to live with his brother. Henry. This morning John left Henry asleep and went out to spend the day. He sajs he knows nothing of what occurred afterward , but It Is supposed Miss Kosse , ! called on her former lover and tried to induce him to re turn to her. railing to do so she shot and killed him and then committed suicide. nits. MVUY in\sc i.v TUB PUMMT. MuUex Her Ilehiit In AVIchlUi Tilth n I.IUKO Aiiillence. KANSAS CITY , Feb. 16 , A special to the Journal from Wichita sa > s : Today Mrs. Lease made her debut Into the ministry. She preached her initial sermon and con ducted her first pulpit exercises In the Cen tral Christian church to an audience that extended out Into the middleot the avenue. The saying tonight is that everybody In Wichita was present , except the preacher's docile- and practical husband , who went down town early In the morning , nwept out hla drug store innd did a prosperous business while hlu eloquent wife was prcacOilng. , , , , , / A great many deaf mutes < w erfe present and had the words of the speaker Interpreted for- them. They presented herewith a fine bou quet Mrs. Lease dellverod another sermon tonight to nn audience fully ns large ; ns the morning congregation. There was only one. Instance In which Mrs. Lease departed from the spirit of love that pervaded her Edrmon , and that wan when she said "that the church heretofore had told half the truth , and while f.hey were discussing the dramatic theology the mouth of a yawning hell was swallowing the popr souls who did not comprehend them. SWITCHMAN ItniMIAHT KII.I.CI ) . Him Over hy a Cur In the Unto" I'll el litYnrilx tit Green Itlver. GREEN RIVER , Wyo , Feb. 16. ( Spsclal Telegram. ) Fred lUinhart , a switchman , em- plojcd In the. local jards , was run over by a arid Inttantly killed. car at 3:15 : this morning Relnhart was 32 jcars of ag ? , aijd lias wo-Ked hors about five jears. He wava man of ex emplary habits , and a member In good standIng - Ing of Green River lodge , Kniglits of Pythias , and ot Castle Rock lodge * , Switchmen ot North America. His mother ami several brothers and sisters live at Cozad , Neb , to which point his body will be shipped tomor row morning. Relnhart's father dlel two months ago , and It was the Intention ot the son to quit railroading today and return to his mother's form. He was < lo have been married next month. The local knjRlits and switchmen will bear all funeral ejcp'ii cs. SIIOOTIM ; MOHA Humor In lliivniin tlmt ylhe "VVrjlor Slaiiuhter llnx llelcun. TAMPA. FU. , Feb. 16. Orio hundred and forty passengers arrived on the steamer Oil- vctte , from Cuba , tonight- They say the rumor prevails < In Havana that * the prisoners In Moro castle are being shotf as the firing can be heard In the city. Oo'mpz baa noti fied General Wejler that shoqld he attempt to repeat the atiocitles of tha former revo lution he will bo shot by Cuban nwjsslns. A Spanish secret service dejcctlve named Garcia will arrive on the next steamer , com missioned to remain here to < spy upon ex peditions. _ . Knitter Will > ot Vlxlt LONDON , Feb. 16. The Berlin corre spondent of the Chronicle , sends a dispatch apparently Inspired by Mr , Le ds , the secre tary cf state of the Transvaal , which Eiys : The Tranevail government coijslders Colonial Secretary Chamberlain's proposed homo rule a preposterous and | itc'i'ly ' unworkable scheme. It may almost t > accepted as cer tain that President K nicer 'will ' not visit England , because his pretqndo , there would be a virtual recognition of Ifnslaml's rlgtt to Interfere in the Intern jf jaffaha of the Transvaal. i Jniuexoii'H Able' CJUijinxel. LONDON , Feb. 16. Sir pltvaril Clark , Q. C. , the distinguished crlnyml advocate , has been retained for Tlho defense of Dr. Jameson upon his trial Jn England. Annul Illrxehllelil Mnrrlcx Aunln. ST. PAUL. Feb 16 Aarpn Ilrbchlluld of Miles1 City. Mont.I formci'.y 9f Helena , wan one of the chief tlgures In about the most sensational dlv rco fiiilt e\'er prosecuted and won ! n North Dakoti1. Ho hav been married to a prominent ChlcaKO woman , The new Mrs. Aaron UlrrcjillclJ was Mi . Marie P. Cluxton of ClilciKO , un EpiscopalIan - Ian In hlKb social circles. Hut has been at the Aberdeen In this city fin ? como time tin la-r health , nnd Hiifchtklirja& stopping ut the Fame place. I.net ni-lit tliev went married at the hole * by Justice William V. Itche'l of the Minnesota supreme court. vVorkx xA-ii. W. Vn , , I'eb 17. The Buck. eye ( "Hues works of Marling Ferry , caught tire at 1:15 o'clock this niuinlni ; . and was tot.illy destiosed The \oy \ will probably rcueh JlW.ooo , and the ln uianco vvl'l not exceed onc-lblid of that turn. Movement of Oecunixxelx I'vli. 1(1. At New York Arr ved Utrurla from Liverpool ; St. Louis from Southampton ; Pru > , ia ! from Hamburg , At Llvei pool Arrived , 16th Laucactorlan from Ilotton ; Umlrla from New York. At London Arrived , isih Victoria from New York. At Havre Arrived La Touralne from New York. At IJrf men ArrivedAachen from N w York , NANSEN'S ' WIFE DOUBTFUL Has Heard Nothing from the Explorer Very Recently. MANY THINK THE POLE'S SECRET SOLVED Hello * c from tlic > e * ( lint Uic Doc tor HIIN Itoiicticil lie Count of Siberia unit In llclurii- lloiuvnnril. CIUUSTIAN'IA , Norway , Feb. 16. Wide- tprcail ns Is the Interest over the where abouts of Nansen , nn Interest extending today over the whole world wherever tele graph and tlio cable- can reach , It can no where bo more keenly felt than In the heart of his devoted wife , who lives In this city , whence the expedition In the Tram sailed on June 24 1893. Having In mind that the first news of him self that the explorer could by any possi bility transmit would probably be directed to tlio wife , a representative of the Associated press has called upon Mrs. Nansen to In quire what news t'he ha" of her husband's whereabouts. She has received no word from her husband directly. But she Is profoundly hopeful that the news which first came from Irkutsk , and has since been corroborated from other sources , Is authentic and that Dr. Nansen has , In fact , solved the secret of tlio north pole and ID now safely emerging from the mystic Isolation of the frozen zone regions. It must be added , however , that there Is a reservation of doubt In Mrs Nansen's mind , despite the hcpefillness that buojs her up. The absence of direct news to herself leaves the loom for this doubt. She v,111 not allow herself to take assurance of her husband's good foitunc until she hears It from him self. She fears the possible fall from this high point of happiness , should there be subsequent disappointment. Scientists here , whoso sjmpathy with Dr. Nansen and the objects of his expedition Is very vivid and cordial , believe fiom the news received that Nansen has really reached the coast of Siberia and Is returning homeward. IT IS I'llHCIjY A KAKK. I'rof. Djcho of INMIPJ'N I'nrl > nil Hie AllliMcli A or til Polo Discover } . JUNCTION CITY , Kan. , Feb. 10 Prof. Dyche , tlio' explorer , who went with I'caiy In bis last expedition to the north , In an Interview , has expressed his disbelief of Dr. Nan < = en'a reported discovery of the north pole. Ho believes It Is a fake rumor , simi lar to the ono current last summer. WASHINGTON , Fob 16 The rumor that Nansen has reached the goal of Arctic ex ploration has stlned up excitement among scientists here. The statement having been made In discussion that Lieutenant Peary had attained the highest point north , 83 de grees , General A.V. . Gieeley has come forward with a contradiction. General Greo- ley stays * ' "Strongly as 1 have admired and praised the courage and endurance of Mr. Peary In successfully crossing the Ice cap of north Greenland , I cannot see ascribed to him the honors that balong personally to gallant soldier , dead on the field of honor , .the. lamented Lockvvood. f 'VaT from attaining the .highest north Peary leached by observation 81 degiees , , 37 minutes , revert miles to the south of the latitude In which my expedition lived for two years He has been BJIpassed by the Swede , Von Otter , 188S , 81 degrees. 42 min utes north ; the Austrian , Pajor , 1874 , 82 de grees 7 minutes north ; Meyer ( with Hall ) , 1872 , 81 ! degrees , 7 minutes north ; Hall and Duddlngton , 1S71 , 82 degrees , 1C minutes north ; the ) Englishman , Beaumont ( with Nares ) , 1870 , 82 degrees , 21 minutes north ; Batry , 1S78 , 82 degrees , 20 minutes north. Lastly , the honors which for three centuries had remained with England , packed to Amer ica through the explorers of the expedition I had the honor to command , when Lockwood and Bralnard reachedV8i degrees , 24 min utes north , a point that to ibis time has been unsurpassed. If Nansen and Jackson niest this record from America I stand fore most among men leady to do them honor , but until Huch achievement shall be substan tiated , I hold fast for the mon and officers who Buffered and triumphed undei my orders and I am sure no man will spiak up more quickly In their defense than an officer of tlio United States navy , to whom these erro neously ascribed honors must be most dis tasteful. " o FOR AAUIIITUVTIOX COUIIT. Cull iHHiieil In NJMV YnrU to Meet l nu- liuid Unit VVii ) . NEW YORK , Feb. 1C. A call signed by Mayor William L Strong , Bishop Hebry Potter , Benjamin II. lirlstow , ex-Justice Charles P. Daly , Prea'dcnt Sctli Low and William E. Dodge has been sent to a num ber of prominent men In this city and Brooklyn looking toward the formation of a committee to further the movement now In progress In England and this country for the establishment of a permanent court of ar bitration to settle all disputes arising be tween the United States nnd Great BrlTaln , The call says : "Simultaneous movements In Chicago , Philadelphia and other cities to consider the uihjcct of a permanent high court of arbitration between Great Britain and the United States Indicate how wide spread is the desire In this country to roach a pacific settlement of such disagreements between Great Britain and ourselves as di plomacy falls to adjust. "It Is proposed to ask fifty representative * cltlzenci cf New York and Brooklyn to fonn a committee , which shall co-operate with similar committees In other cities , to call a meeting to b ; held In Washington to take Eiich action as will best further this sub ject. " SICNATOH QUAY | S IV TIIIJ RACK. .viinoiiiiccM tlmt lie IH Determined lo ( In lli > fort * ( InSt. . l.oiilx Convention , P1TT3BURG , Keb. 16. Senator Quay has dispelled all doubts as to tlio sinceritycf the movement In favor of his nomination for the presidency at the St. Louis conven tion , through an Interview with Frank De If. Robluscn of Cleveland , made public thlj evening. Mr , Robinson , whet \ > the repro- Djntat VD of Mark A. Henna , ex-Governor Me- Klnlcy'o right hand man , called on Senator Quay at his homo In Beaver today and pplnte-lly utOccd the latter what his real iiotl- tlon In the presidential race. The querj was brought about by the numerous state ments that Senator Quay'u candidacy lt < merely a bluff. Mr. Robinson tonight uald Ihi- senator received him cordially , and IP answer to the leading questlrn , unhc&lUt * Ingly and without qualification , said his can didacy wan bona fide In every respect. Should ho fall , It would not be because his friend : would not work faithfully to attain tlicli end. Mr. Robinson wa * plejuol at the out spoken way In which fc'enator Qmy met him , but tnvs the McKinlcy forces will be nothing daunted and will nit wa\cr a partklt In their allegiance to him , Plorlilii for McKlnley. PENSACOLA , Fla. , Pel ) 1C. Thoman Fortune - tune , the New York colored editor , Is here ostensibly on J vUlt , but lead ng colored men say that he la quietly working to secure the Plorlda deli-nation to 81. Loula for Gov ernor Morton of New York. Governor Me- Kinky has had his agents at work here for eomo time among the colored people. lluval county today elected a rolld delegation for McKlnlty. This practically htttle-e the light In Klorlila Fo lar nineteen counties liav acted , sixteen of which huve Instructed McKlnley. MOMtOi : DOCTIUM3 1IIS Sl'IUUCT. Sonntor DIM In i\icc < nl In TnlU on 1114 UpNoliitUm tlila AVoeli. WASHINOTON , Fob. 10. As to the week In the senate , outside of the fact that Sena tor Davis will speak Monday In support of the Monroe doctrine and that the appropria tion bills which have been reported will be taken up and probably definitely disposed of , no definite forecasting of the proceedings can be given. Senator Davis' speech Ii ex pected to bo a strong and logical expres sion of the more advanced views of the Mon- rco doctrine. There are three of the appropriation bills on the senate calendar , but It Is not be- llovcd that nuy of them , unless It Is the consular and diplomatic bill , will arouse any prolonged debate. It Is possible the diplomatic bill may not excite debate. This bill affords an opportunity to open dl cus- slon generally , and It Is vcrv rarely allowed to pass without senators availing themselves of the opening to discuss diplomatic affairs general ! ) . It Is also probable tint the pen sion appropriation bill will be taken advan tage of to discuss pensions. The Ctibin resolution has been given the place of precedence after tuo appropriation bills , but It Is not jet certain that this sub ject will be taken up seriously until the senators who may wish to speak upon It shall have the opportunity to prcpiro tlicm- Bclven. Senator Call will speak on the sub ject If ho succeeds In getting It up , and pos sibly one or two other senators will bo heard. The sotiato committees have been unusually active since the hollda > s with tbc consequence quence that there Is an accumulation of busi sufficient to cover tv.cntj-seven piges of the calendar , embracing biibjecty In which all the senators are Interested. There Is , therefore , a general desire to got together en the calendar , and the probabilities are that with the appropriation bills out ot the way , the calendar will be reached and a largo number of unimportant cases disposed of. There Is much conjecture among the ienatois as to the probabilities of getting up the whole tariff bill In pome form , but much depends on whether the friends can be assured of succesi. In case the mlnorltj and majority of tlie committees on pilvllcgcs and elections on the Dupont case report , the former favoring the selling of Mr. Dupont as senator from Dcla\vaie. and the latter op posing that course , It will go to the senate tomorrow , but the discussion which Is sure to ensue on this question , will be postponed until later In the session. There Is be ginning to bo a great deal of talk In the senate of an early adjournment. If It Is made evident that there will be no tarfff legislation many senators think tint an ad journment by June 1 would be poss'ble. ' APIMIOI'HI.VI 10I11M.S IX HOUSi : . IIiiHt of llu- Time of Hint Ilinlj AVIII lie Thnn Taken lln Thin Week. WASHINGTON , Feb. 1C Most of the time of the house this week will bo taken up with the consideration of appropriation b Us. The agricultural bill , which was tnl.cn up yesterday , should be disposed of tomorrow unless a prolonged ilcbato should be precipi tated on the question of seed distribution by the Agricultural department. The Indian and army appropriation bills are ready and the appropriations committee expects to have the executive , legislative and judicial appro priation bills reported by Wednesday. The foreign affairs committee will call np the resolution to censure Ambassador Bajard as soon as those in charge of the appro priation bills , which have the right of way , afford an opportunity to do so. The foreign affairs committee Is also work ing on a Cuban resolution and It may pos sibly bo reported this week. The Hand of opinion Jft.Jhacoinnil.ttcc ( avors. a resolution cxprcsbTngTrTsntlrgTsenS f-congrtss that a state of war exists In Cuba and Instructing the pres'dent ' to Issue a prcclsmallon recog nizing the Insurgents as bslllgerentB . The contest case of Van Horn against Tai. nej from the Fifth Missouri dlstilct , which has been submitted to the committee , can bo submitted at any time , as It Is a matter of higher importance than an appro priation bill. The report Is In favor of the contestant , but a minority report will .be filed on Tuesday recommending tlmt the case be recommitted and the testimony be reopened. AI'PI3I' ! TOR A VOTK FOR S1I.VKU. Clinlniinn of the .Niillonul CommUtee. of the 1'itrl ) IxHiifH nil AiliIrcHH. WASHINGTON , Feb. 1C J. J. Molt , chairman of the natlotnl committee of the sliver party , has Issued an address to the people. He refers to the late conference In Washington to organl/e the silver forces In the United States and warns those Interested In seeing tbe white metal more generally used and the parity maintained that old party lines must not be permitted to In fluence their votes at the approaching elec tion. The address derfsres that the time has come when separate action Is necessary for the very salvation of the republic and mentions a number of reasons why a new party with silver's Interests the leading Issue should be In the Held early In the contest. The address concludes with an appeal to all voters to be ready for the organisation. A1W1OA * TItAVUMSIl'b mi > UItIUNCr. . Or. DoiiiililNon Smith ArrlveH lit \en YorU from NEW YORK. Feb. 1C. Dr. Donaldson Smith , the young Philadelphia physician who has recently experienced some Etlrrlng ad ventures on his expedition to Lake Rudolph , Afilca , arrived here today from England on beard the St. Louis. He wa.s In the best of health. He goes direct to his home In Phila delphia , uhero be will bo busy with hla bock on lilt last journey. On completing his account of his travels , which will bo pub lished simultaneously In England and Amer ica , Dt. Smith contemplates another expedi tion to northeast Africa , starting , as before , from London. Perhaps of the greatest popu lar Interest Is Dr. Smith's discovery of many new tribes , whoso existence was previously unknoun. Among those In a lace of plgmloB , the fact of whoso discovery lias caused something like a commotion In scientific circles , Thece curious people are of negro type , coil black and absolutely naked. Although of great physical beauty , with well formed limbs , they are barely re moved from animals , ami their coiiu 01 moulity Is very lax. Later In life , however - over , they nettle down and marry. These remarkable people are all between four and five feet high , and live' In primitive conical huts. Their only Industry lu corn raising and the reailne of dhecp and goats. They are born hunteis In warfare they use poisoned nrrous , the woundH Inflicted by which "rove fatal within an hour. Prof. Robert L. Garner of Roanoke , Va. , who waa dispatched last summer on a second trip to the Jungle * of Africa by ( lie African Kf search fochly of Chicago , ai rived today on the KlrurU. He f l for the puip-se of com pleting. his monkey alphabet and Uarnlng more about Die language of monkiya. Prof. S , If , Peabody of the University of Chicago nas ono of the backets of Prof. Garner's en terprise. 1'iof. Garner ta'unis with much new Information. He has in hi ? port folio a phntogrdi/ii of ( lie moat brutal gorilla man In Africa. ThU gorilla nun would be , jllrd In Australia a buslunaii. Prof , ( Junior lontlders tliat hip mU.Von In isrfectliiK hlinu'lf In the monkey tongue iaj been largely accomplished. "I am con- tlnced that monkeys talk to each other , " payti lie. "and that some of them pousesH a h'gher Intelligence and a greater fluency of language than many of the African natives , " Prof. Garner plunged Into the Ilolumbo country on his ury to the Interior of the "Darkenl" Africa at Ainbrlsette , Angiola , In the latter part of last October. DflllllH Of II Ull ) . JACKHONVILU : . Kla. , Fub. -John \Viitlit died nt h'u ' home In Santa llcirn amity , iiRi-,1 U'S > uil > ' . He huil been blind iii * r 'many yourv , but was mentally eounj , Ho leaves four gcncialloiiH of dciccnd.intti Soldier Co in ill I In SALT LAKE , Feb. -Private Murulml T. Mitchell , formerly of Mississippi , com mit led eulcldo ( it Fort DouglusH today b > Klioat'ng ' hlms > elf with u rlllv , caused b > dependency , MAMRSON IS KEPT BUS ! Between Legal Business and Social Galls His Time is Well Occupied , HISTORY OF THE BURLINGTON GRANT MenNiiro < o Donntr I'ulillc I.nnilN if ilic State of ( IriMit liiiiiiirliinc-e to .Nrlirn Uu \i Htciuntlo WASHINGTON , Feb. 1C ( Spcclal.-CJen- ) ewl C. r. Mandcrson has been reviving mem ories ot senatorial days during the past week and his temporary card bisket at the Arling ton hotel tells a etory of his wide acquaint ance. A dinner here , a luncheon there , a muslcalo thrown In as a sauce , plquanto , and Incidentally meeting with senatorial and houra committees upon a multiplicity ot subjects bavo comniindcd his time to a remarkable degree. To The Hoe correspondent he talked freely upon the legislative matters \\htch brought him to the national capital. -I In reply to a question relative to the land ; j grants ot the I ) . & M. and other roids , and the action proposed to be taken ot this ses sion of concress to correct the cloud thrown upon them by the president's message , Gen- crsl Mandcmm said : "It affords me pleasure to comply with ycur request. I will confine injself more particularly to the proposed legislation as It will affect the land grant of the Durllng- ton road In the states of Iu\\i and Nebraska , and this reference will explain the conditions as to many other roads which are similarly situated. "When It was proposed tq build the Dur- llngtcu line It was to be constructed tilrpugh a territory so evarselv settled that congress provided for a land grunt at a certain num ber of sections of land per m'le of road con structed through the tcrrltotj that was to ba naturally tributary to the road. Uy the provision of the law a certain number of odd- numbered sections of land were to bo granted on each sldo of the right of way of the rail road. The date when the legislative grant should take effect to early the title to tlio land.s WIIM tlio time of filing of the line of definite location , and upon such date being fixed by the Interior department all odd- numbered sections ot land on both the north ard the south sldo of the tract were to bo withdrawn from homestead or pre-emption filing and OB It was constructed and accepted by the government , patents were to bo Issued on the payment by the corporation ot th cost of surveying. In the case of the Bur lington the date ot the definite location wan fixed by the department In the year 18G5 ; but by neglect of the Interior department the odd-numbered sections of land belonging to the railroad company were nat withdrawn from settlement. As the result ot this , home steaders and pic-cmptors went upon the lands during the time that elapsed between the fixing of the date of definite location and the actual building and acceptance 'by the government of the road. I SCTTLGRS HAD POSSESSION. "When the time came for the patenting of the lands by tlio government to the rall- load company it was arcertalucd that a large body of land south ot the line pt the railroad , being odd-numbered fcctlons , be longing to tbe company , had been those set tled upon. They were the choicest lands In the grant , and when the Uurllngton corn- pah ) made complaint that by this dftlny of thb government officials , It had bcn Injured , the Interior department expressed a dealro that the settlers should not be disturbed. "The government then proposed that In lieu of the lands thus Illegally occupied It would grant to tbc Uurllngton road odd-num- herej scctlony of land In the northern part of the stale. The Durllngton railroad acquiesced In tbe change. The company having paid the survey fees , patents were Issued by the goveinment to the Burlington road to all these lands , and the Burlington made bale of Us lands , except a email frac tion that It Btlll holds ; the lands thus held being of vcr > Inferior quality and there being no demand for them. "In the state of Iowa , the titles that bavo passed from tbo railroad company to tbe settlers bavo cost an occupancy of from thirty to forty years , and In the state ot Ncbiaska from fifteen to twenty year ? ; and it must be remembered that all the settlers derived their title through the railroad based upon the patent Issued by the government Itself. "In the course of time It was claimed that the grant ot land to the Burlington road was not a grant of quantlt ) , but a grant ot limit , by which I mean tint land could not be taken upon ono side of the road to makeup other. I do up for a deficiency upon the not believe that this contention Is sound , al though It lias dictum back of It to support It. At any rate whclhei sound or unsound It would bo a most Inequltablo thing for tbe government the grantor of these titles to attempt now to disturb the grantees. In the state of Nebraska under the law oc cupancy of lands for ten years , without color of title , gives full title , even as against the owner ot the fee. It Is a marvelous proceeding that the government ot the United States , having Issued Its patents , should , from fifteen to forty jcars thcieaftcr , at a tempt to deprive Its grantees of the title that It Itself has given. SETTLKRS PROTUCFED. "On March 3 , 1891 , there having been much dlbturbancc of thought of those whohcld _ tltlcu , congress pisted an act providing that the United States government should have five > ears and five years only from that tjmo to attack Its OMI titles. The five years were allowed to elapse until within two month ? of the expiration of the time * with nothing done , as nearly a quarter of a century had been allowed to elapse with nothing done , when on tlio 17th of January , 1896 , President Cleveland sent a message to congress asking legislation that this grant bs further and Indefinitely extended. "The matter has been presented to the committee on public lands of the house , anil they have formnlntc'd u bill which materially dlffcru from the legislation requested by the president , In that It fully protects the rlglita of purchasers. I have no doubt that thl bill will paba the house. I am hero to pre sent this matter In argument to the com mittee on piihl'c lands of the senate , and I feel assured that ; hc wiong atteirpteJ will never bo perpetrated by congress , It there Is any Inutanco whcro railroad com panies have not earned their grants , or If there haa been any fraud or deceit perpe trated , of course /he comix nhould be opened to the government to right Knelt against the wrong perpetrated. "Tho purcliapera of railroad lands in the state of Nebraska need have no fear or disturbance of mind. Their titles are secure , and they can rest assured that no action by congress will render them Insecure. " "Can you tell The Ueo anything about the bill proposing to cede the public lands la tbo state of Nebraska to the state Itself ? " asked the correspondent. IMPORTANT TO NIJHRASKA. "Yes. I am familiar with the bill. I drafted U and Introduced It In the Fifty- third congrcea. The propoilt'on of the bill in general tenni ii to cede all public lands In the state ot Ncbrauka to tlio state Itvelf , in order that the viato may by leaia or sale dluposo of non-lrrlgablo landM , and with , the proceeds derived from ruch lease or sale , Inaugurate a uystcm of Irrigation shall reclaim lands miu-cpllble of bong put under ditch , and ( hen inalto palo or leaio of thwe Irrigated lands when they shall be reclaimed. This Mine hill has been Intro duced by Senator Thurt'ton and by Repre- fontatlvo Andrew * 1 conuldor It the most Important bill In either house for Nebraska. Theie could be no greater boon to the state , and It would Inaugurate that vystem ot gen eral Irr gallon that thould bo started and carried out by the ft ate liielf , Irrigation by , 1 cal communities or by private corporation * vlll prove to be , In my cpliilon , a grave ml - Uka. "Another object cf tbo bill in Uia |