Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1905)
NEWS SECTION. The Omaha Sunday Bee. PAGES 1 TO 10 ESTABLISHED JUNE 19, 1871. OMA1IA, SUv:'Y. MOUSING, FEBRUARY 20, 1905 THIRTY-SIX TAGES. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS. FRENCH CHURCH BILL Proposed Measure is Mora Liberal Than that Offend by Combes Ministry. GIVES GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR WORK Members of Parishes Are Permitted to Unite for Common Purpose. COMBES' FOLLOWERS WIN ONE VICTORY Force totiTier Cabinet to Grant Conces sions in Time of Aotion. PECULIAR CONDITION EXISTS AT DIJON filitop Must Defy tbu Pope or .Priests of the PuUk Will Be De prived of Tbrli Stipends. 1ARI8 Feb. 28. (Special Cablegram to The Bee.) In the circles of the republican bloc the separation of church and elate ia now confidently anticipated, and the prompt performance of its promise to bring that measure before tjie Chamber hita strengthened the position of the ministry. It was apprehended by many members of M. Combes' majority that the Kouvier cabinet would seek for fresh support in the direction of the right. Perhaps M. Rouvier himself thought it would be pos sible and would have no personal objec tion to govern with the assistance of lens radical elements than those that kept M. Combes In office for two and a half years, but on becoming prime minister he was able to form a more correct estimate of the situation and saw that no safe position could be secured for the new ministry by shifting the majority further toward the right. When once he had ascertained so much it became necessary for him and for those of his colleagues who, like himself, professed but lukewarm attachment to the separation of church and state to accommo date themselves to the necessities of the situation and frankly to accept the meas ure which before taking office they would willingly have allowed to lapse. The veteran blocards, as the members of M. Combes' majority were called, are Jubl-l lant, as they have Imposed tne separation bill on those who do not want It, M. Rou vier has another claim on their gratitude. He has relieved them of M. Combes without appreciably modifying his program. M. r..l.k lnnim.il iinnAnnlaritv even V ITO 1 1 H 1-1 lilt V. 1 V. ullrl'-. - j - among some of his most faithful support ers,, because he had brought the govern ment of which he was the chief into dis credit even among stanch republicans. There is yet another reason why the stal wart republicans regard the Rouvier min istry with favor. It Is a heterogeneous cabinet, as it includes almost all shades of republicanism, and could, If necessary, be much more easily upset than If it rep resented but one opinion. It has not been able to found its existence on a majority differing very materially from that of M. Combes, and thus it cannot escape the ' realisation of the tdentioal program which that majority made its own. Greater Liberality Shows). The text of the new government bill has been laid upon the table of the Chamber of Deputies. As it Is essentially a revision of the two' schemes previously submitted to Parliament namely, that known as the Brland bill and the subsequent measure in troduced by the Combes' cabinet many of provisions - are necessarily familiar. It lu distinguished from the preceding schemes by the permission given to the different churches to combine upon a larger scale than waa allowed by the other measures, as also in a greater, liberality of their treatment so fur as the tenancy of placea of public worship is concerned. The new bill, however, establishes as complete a severance as was contemplated by the other projects. It provides for the suppression of the budget of public worship and of all de partmental and municipal grants for similar purposes from January 1 following the promulgation of the law. Within a year after its promulgation ecclesiastical prop erties n f All kinds will he VMtri In Hnnln. tions for the maintenance of public worship to be legally formed In accordance with the association law of 190L Real and personal property derived from ths state Is to return to the state. As Id the former measures, annuities ranging from tt!5 to 1140 are to be granted to clergymen In receipt of state ' stipends. Provision la made for the gra tuitous use of ecclesiastical buildings be longing to the state and the municipalities fw two years after the promulgation of the y law, and afterward on renewable leases for Sen years at a rent not exceeding 10 per cent of the average annual receipts of the parish. The new associations axe to be ex clusively devoted to the maintenance of public worship, for which purpose they may make collections and Impost payments for certain religious ceremonies. The p.vsent bill differs from the two pre ceding schemes In leaving these associations ..tt nierty to -nmblne fir common nhw corona me Boundaries of the department , concession which la doubtless meant to '.leet the objections of the Protestants and . whose organisation would be seri ous! y hampered had the original restriction . .......... ...... . 7icnrni !( Ernnit'ni bill provides that unions of these associa tions extending to more that ten depart r.er'a are to be subjected to certain legal uixu'uiiu-s. j nere is no prohibition against - forming a larger combination than that of ten departments, but such 'larger combina tions are deprived -of the full powers ac fforded to smaller union. The courts are v to have power, at the Instance of those concerned or of the mlnlMter for public wor ship, to dissolve associations and unions of associations. Political meetings are for bidden in placea of public worship,' and religious processions In public can only be held when authorised by the mayor. The bill further comprises police regulations and punishment for forcing. Individuals either to attend or to abstain from public worship, as also provisions Intended to prevent the Interference of the clergy in politics and electioneering. Oat Peculiar Case. The anomalous state of things In the blah aprlo of Dijon, which the Vatican regards is being vacant, but which, as far as the French government is concerned, is still occupied by Mgr. Le Nordcs, Is again at tracting attention here. The Finrk ,- ernment expect the bishop to assert his authority without delay, for the present situation Is an Impossible one.1. If the bishop resumes the reruliu- H-nir.i.tv..i., of the diocese this will be tantamount to .nu.m with Rome, but If not. the ) fiesta dependent, on htm will . necessarily u-iinv-u ui ineir supeuas, and the only hi lion of the question will be through paratlon. The Matin affirms. In an ao- isrtntly insulted article that thla Ingen ious uuemma waa carerully created by M. Combes Just en the eve of his resignation! Uy his approval of the dismissal nf the POLITICS IN ALLOTMENTS Irish Times Accuse Officials of Show ing Prefereaee to Followers of Redmond. DT.'BLIN, Feb. 2S (Special Cablegram to The Bee.) The Irish Times publishes a startling account .of the dealings of the estate commissioners with the tenants on a small estate near Mulllngur. The prop erty contains 440 acres, mostly grass land, i. i. ... .... i - . . ,iiatrlt- where auu 11 ,n nituaicu ill a iwt " " the population supports Itself on holdings of not more than ten acres. The estate commissioners entered Into negotiations iur the purchase of this property from the owner, Mrs. Maher,- with the object of, dividing it, among the peasant farmers of the district, and thus Increasing their pres ent uneconomic holdings. The story told by the Irish Times is briefly this. The commissioners sent sn inspector to Rochfort Bridge to conduct the' subdivision of the Maher grass lands. He was presented with a Hat of desirable claimants which had been prepared by the Roman Catholic priest, the Protestant rec tor and othe responsible persons. He was also presented with a list of claimants by the officials of the local branch of the United Irish league. This second list con tained the names of the president, treas urer and other officials and members of the local branch of the league, and the president and members of the kindred body, called the Labor league. Six of these per sons are artisans and seven are laborers. Many of them have little money and no stock, but, thanks to the estates commis sioners, they now find themselves in the possession of goodt furms, running up to twenty or thirty acres, while the great ma jority of the villagers, not being connected with the political organizations named, find themselves, no better off than they were, and obliged to continue paying for their amall potato plots despite Mrs. Maher's kindly intention. The Irish Times adds particulars of the allotments made by the inspector of the estates commissioners. The president of the local branch of the United Irish league, Thomas Nolan, a work ing mason! who already holds sixteen acres as subtenant to another landlord, gets about eighteen acres of Mrs. Maher's late property. Ho live at ' Knockervllle, six miles from Rochfort Brittge. Luke Boyan, treasurer of the league, a tailor, living iu the village with his father, who holds u house and garden, gets over twenty acres. James Lister, a prominent member of the Southwest Meath executive, who lives at GlbbOIlStOWn. three mllpfl rllatnlit Dtid tuh.t already holds twelve acres on Lord Kll maine'a estate, has been allotted about sixteen acres. The Irish Times gives the names of thir teen persons, in addition to these, to whom allotments have been made. All of them, It says, are prominent members of the United Irish league or the Labor league. Of the three tenants on the estate William Savane, who holds eight acres, gets no additional land, but, on the contrary, lb deprived of his turbary; while the two other tenants, Thomas and John Corrlgari, get aoout sixteen or eighteen acres In addi tion to their present holdings. The disappointed vlllugers have shown their Indignation at the action of the In spector by pulling down the fenoes which were being made to mark off the new farms. A deputation of them waited on the"-etates COmmlSRlnnars jhn ...I. KU - . n a.v .., IIIH, their arrangements could? not be altered. as a last resource the villagers have now petitioned the lord lieutenant for an in quiry, and thoy are anxiously awaiting his excellency's reply. ' One of the heads of the estates commis sion, who was interviewed this week, does not challenge the accuracy of the details given by the Irish Times with reference to the names of the new tenantB. He en tirely repudiates, however, the suggestion that the United Irish league was favored, or that politics had anything to do with the action of the inspector, it appears that this gentleman aubmitted the parish priest's lists and the league's list of de sirable tenants to a representative public meeting, of the villagers, that he discussed with them the .various claim of these persons, and that nobody at the meeting raised any serious objections to the persons elected. As a matter of fact, said the official, of the nineteen person to whom allotments were made thirteen were on the list approved by Mrs. Maher and the parish priest, while only three were on the list submitted by the United Irish league. The remaining three were on neither list, and were chosen only because they have small uneconomlo holdings in the rtiutri,.. mi. official added that his board Is disposed to oojeci to me selection of Thomas Nolan not because he is an official of. the United Irish league, a matter which ih. sioners have no cognizance, but because nis residence is so far away from his allot meat. (Continue eu Second Page.Jj GERMANS CHECK EMIGRANTS Russians Seeking; to Come to America Via Austria to Be Tsrned Back. 1 BERLIN, Feb. 26.-(Bpeclal Cablegram to The Bee.) A further check is to be put on Russian emigrants to America by English and American lines. The German com pan lea have central station on the Russo German frontier, where emigrants who have not booked by the German line are turned bacK. It has been found out that many emi grants evaded the watchfulness of the com panles by traveling through Austria and via Munich or Dresden to Antwerp, where they got Into touch with the Anglo-Continental emigrant office. The German com panies have, in consequence, entered Into a combination with the Austro-American company to extend the control stations all aiuu inw fninnu-wiiimn frontier. In a statement issued recently they naively admit that hitherto their plans have been to some extent frustrated. FRANCE FINDS 'NEW DISEASE "Submarine Rheumatism" Is Now Offl. daily Recognised by the Goversmest at Paris. PARIS, Feb. 25. (Special Cablegram to The Bee.) The latest malady in France Is submarine rheumatism, and its existence has Just been officially certified by the council of state. A widow whose husband had been a lieutenant on board a nhmurir,,, applied for a pension on account of her husband death, asserting that he had died a martyr to his country. II had for two years commanded the submarines Morse and Gymnote, and the widow claims that in consequence of his prolonged sojourn In the narrow quarters of the submarine he had fallen a victim to one of the affections peculiar to these craft and died of rheumatism contracted In the discharge of his dutyi The minister of marine declined to recognise the widow's claim, but she appealed to the council of stuie, ana won ner cane and pension. Ir Hear? Inlet Better. WOLVERHAMPTON, England. Feb. 26.- Slr Henry Irving passed a good night, the bulletin of hi physicians says, and' hit ooudition Unlay 1 markedly Improved, r .A? IS ACTIVE Tentonio Poroes Are Working in China for Power While War Lasts. , INTERFERE IN MATTER OF GOVERNMENT Now Claim Bight to Pass on Chinese Gov ernors of a ProTinoe. MAY CLOSE SHAN TUNG TO ALL OTHERS Efforts Said to Be Made to Hold Trade for Germans. SOME ACTS RECALL RUSSIAN CLAIMS Great Britain Is Said to Be Acqulee- cent la the Blatter, Although It Interest Must Buffer. PEKING, Feb. 24. (Special Cablegram to The Bee.) Germany, apparently realizing that Russia's position Is hopeless and knowing that after the war opportunities of aggression in China will be less favor able than they have hitherto been, Is sell ing every opportunity to tighten its grip on Shantung. Hitherto it has used its in fluence to preserve a monopoly In Shantung and keep the door of Shantung shut against all but Germans. Now it is extending its Interference to purely domestic affairs. It Insists that China shall, before appointing a governor of the province submit his name to the German legation for approval. When Hu Ting-kan was appointed In October as acting governor Germany protested against the appointment because It had not been consulted. Now, in the case of the ap pointment of Yang Bhih-hslang as acting governor, Germany again protests, profess ing anger at his being appointed without its previous approval. It is following ex actly the procedure adopted in Manchuria by Russia, which compelled China to ob tain Russian approval before nominating a new governor general or governors. In the well known case of Chosapu, the Tar tar general of Hel-lung-klang, when this procedure was not followed, Russia vetoed the appointment. Recognition of German Interest. To Germany, China has reDlied that Hu Ting-kan and Tane Shlh-hsla nor wern nn- polnted acting governors only, not substan tive governors. Its explanation Implying a recognition of the right of German inter ference in the case of substantl ve nnnninl. ments. Just as Count von Buelow declared. even when meddling with the Thibet ques tion, that Germany has . no Intereat in Thibet, so, while practically shutting Shan tung against an roreign enterprise except German and enforcing its right to, inter ference with the appointment of a Chinese governor, Germkny will profess adherence to tne policy of the ODen door and iiii-inim any Intention of interfering with the do mestic arrairs of China. Baron Mumm. .,. German minister, moreover. Insisted that before proceeding to his .poet Yang- Shlh hshtng Tnut-ome to Pektna- and hi. Yang- Shlh-hnlang declined and asked saron Mumm to go to Tien Tstn. Baron Mumm refused, ahd, China weakly giving way, Yang Shlh-hsiang this week came to a temple near Peking and had a pro longed Interview with Baron Mumm after a luncheon given In the temple by a Chi nese official. While Germany Is acting In this hin-h. handed way in China, more than ever citing the distrust of the Chinese, It causes Increased amazement that British policy In Peking should be so closely identified with that of Germanv. NntwIthatnnHina, the energy with which Germany is oppos ing every British Interest in China, even opposing China's right to purchase gold in tne open marxet Decause it might give an advantage to the powerful British Hong Kong and Shanghai bank, the British not onlv condone its onnosltlon. hut nn th strength of an agreement dating back to 1896, are even at the present moment ren dering assistance to Improve its financial position in China, although that position will Inevitably be used to Brltuin'B detri ment. ALEXANDER TALKS OF WORK American Revivalist In London Say that Simple Method Win In Religion, LONDON, Feb. 26. (Special Cablegram to The Bee.) Charles M. Alexander, talking this week of the present big religious re vival In this city, said: Dr. Torrey and myself have come to Ten don with ono aim and view, and that is the definite salvation of souls. Every word that is uuereu ana every song mat is sung we want to count in that direction. Our methods are as simple as we know how to make them. In order to deal with such u large mass of people. If we were only conducting services in a church or chapel, with 1.000 people n night, we snouiu iiufr iiwu iiiuriy inillK mat we need In such a treat carapalxn us thnt which we are holding. I do not believe that any otner committee could have run so large an organization as this mission in Iximlon at less expense. The entire fund gathered by the committee will he used for the necessary expenses of advertising, ren tal of the Royal Albert hall, erection of the hall in tirixion ana me worn in Islington It is qylte a fallacy to suppose that the mission Is in any way a money-making one for Dr. Torrey and myself. We are nft souls and not after purses. If this mission nna Deen organized on any smaller scale than It has been all Ixindon would not be speaking of religious subjects as It Is today. Is it not worth many times 17.000 to get the greatest city in the world to make religion the foremost topic of the hour? If T sav airaln. the mission had hun n ganized on any smaller scale the press wouio noi nnvr mousm 11 worm Wnlle to fill their columns, a they have done of lnte, with religious news. The millions who see the London papers are hound to be Impressed by the mag-nit ude of the work and I have not the faintest doubt that thousands will be led to, Jesus Christ slm plv through reading the reports of our meetlna-s. I have known of thousands t d'fferent times who have' been converted by reading reports who were never at our meetings. Moreover, hundreds and thou sands of people who never get Inside will be told about it by those who will come. In reanrd to the character of songs we use I would say that they are Just as simple as I could get. for I find that the simple gospel song reaches the heart better thsn more complicated music. Rome of the'snnss Inst have been criticised most severely bv musicians have been the songs that have sent the people Into the kingdom. I have tried to get words that have a picture in every line, esy to snesk. with a melody thit carries them without a hitch. People sing them s they go about their work snd soon have the words and tunes so thor oughly fixed In their memory that a hymn b"k Is no longer necessary. People ask me whv I do not use classical music for hs higher elsss of neonle. and I reolv that T will adopt classical nnmlc when I see that it leads reople to forsake sin and accent Christ. This simple heart music which I use fuses the audience and nuts them nil n the some level the business man. the socletv woman, the laboring- rnxn the outcast woman nd thev find in It a tuch that makes them sll kin and leads them all along a' common path, to their Creator. The eves of Christendom are on Tindon. d thousands of peoole are rearing daily i aj biMaJna on our atZorta at this Uma. DISCUSSES THE "EMPIRE" IDEA British Member of Parliament Point Ont Dlffiealtle la Way of Chamberlain. LONDON, Feb. 28. (Special Cablegram to The Be.) Mr. Holdame, M. P., spoke-at Chertsey this week at a meeting of liberals held at the Liberal club In support of the candidature of Mr. Francis J. Mamham for the Chertsey division of 8urry. Mr. Haldame said no one doubted the genulne nci. of Mr. Chamberlain's conviction that the empire was In peril unless preference was adopted. The question, however, waa not the genuineness of Mr. Chamberlain' convictions, but the Tightness of his con victions. For a year or more the contro versy had raged, and hi view was that the public mind was more against Mr, Cham berlain's proposals at the present moment than It via at the commencement of his campaign. This, he considered, was a mod erate statement of the result of the con troversy. No doubt protection would be a very beneficial thing to some people. As to the empire, there were two classes. Ono class of people could not let the empire alone. But It must be remembered that If Great Britain tried to put the colonies Into bondage It would cause a scene of friction. A second class of people got fldglty about the empire and thought it should never be talked about at all. He did not think that some of his liberal friends were expressing their real opinion when talking In this way. Britain did not want. any more of the world's territory. The only Justification for holding so much of the Surface of the globe was that it administered it on the generous principle of free trade, whereby it had opened It wherever it cauld to the competi tion of the world. He wanted to see tho liberal party, If only in .power for a short time, put on the statute book really valu able measures. He believed that the party had such a chance as no party had had for twenty years past. They must turn their attention more to domestic affairs and lesj to external affairs. ' ' The "most delicate situation which would have to be dealt with In the colonial office whs likely to be that of Canada In those questions which affected itself and the United Slates. What would be the relations between the United States and Canada if Great Britain adopted a preferential sys tem? The United State would reply to our preference by offering Canada special term and Canada would be free to make a choice between Great Britain and the United States. That was Just the kind of situation which he believed would be fatal to the Imperial bond. He did not think that Great Britain' expenditures could be cut down by the enormous extent some people im agined. Greet Britain could get a big bit oft the bill so far as concerned Its navy, but a strong navy was essential. He was, however, glad to think that there was a prospect of a substantial reduction being made in providing an efficient navy. The liberal party must put the army on a busi ness like footing consistent with due re striction of expenditure. NORWAY WANTS TO BE FREE Hint of Possible War ls Deadlock Over Division of Consular Pore,. ....'",. , -. V. ...... ..i'T.-A' - '- V" STOCKHOLM, Feb. 2B.-(8peiial Cable gram to The Bee.) The Intended departure of the king for Norway has been postponed on account of the political situation. , The press here generally urges that every ef fort should be made to preserve the union between Sweden and Norway, deprecating the speculation of the Norwegian press re garding eventual separation and the sub stitution pf a permanent alliance or con federation for the present union. At the mixed council, held recently, In which the discontinuation of negotiations was decided upon, the Norwegian minis ter showed no disposition to respond to the king's appeal to both peoples In favor of union. In the year 1892 the Norwegian Storthing passed a resolution in favor of creating foreign consulates of its own, at present ambassadors and consuls representing both Sweden and Norway. Indeed the king and the Foreign office are the only Joint constituents of the two parts of the king's dominions. In 1815, Norway, which for four centuries had been united to Denwark, was Joined to Sweden as the result of a treaty signed at Kiel the year previous. Each country retained Its own government. Parliament, army, navy and customs, and in 1897 Nor way obtained the right to fly Its own na tional flag. The agitation, begun thirteen years ago, for separate consular represent ative, was obviously a matter of great difficulty and delicacy, and though King Oscar and the Swedes have tacitly accepted the principle, the negotiations have fallen through, and the Norwegian minister of state recently announced that a deadlock existed, proposals and counter proposals being rejected by the two governments. It Is not impossible that the result may be a war of Independence, the Norwegians demanding an entirely Independent inter national . existence. Norway is essentially a land of freedom. Its peoplo have ever since the union been impatient of monarch ical indifference and eager for democratic reforms. Owing, perhaps, to this spirit of Inde pendence, the country has thriven commer cially, while in literature Norway has given a new lead to general thought, the great European Influences of the last quar ter of a century being found In Ibsen, Jorn sen and Lie. FINDING GOLD IN SCOTLAND Uxverleneed Miner Report Vein of Pay Dirt In Mountain of Klntall. GLASGOW. Feb. 25. (Special Cablegram to The Bee.) "Gold lies in at least one of the mountains of Klntall," says the Scotsman, "and the ore Is now being worked by two experienced miners, who have followed the vein to a distance of ninety feet Into the hillside, and who report that the deeper It goes the richer it grows. "There is ground for the belief that cer tain test have proved that In the rock from which our specimens came there is no less than I per cent of gold. If this be sn there remains no doubt that the mine may be worked to yield a handsome profit." DYING MAN KILLS A PRIEST Spanish Atheist Strangle Man Who Insists Ipon Administering Rite of t'hnrch. MADRID, Feb. 26. (Special Cablegram to The Bee.) A priest waa killed by a dying man named Does Pampana this week, Oces, who was a woll known atheist, had declined to receive the last sacrament, but the priest' Insisted upon entering his room and proceeded to edmlnbUer extreme unc tion. The dying man thereupon seised the aged and Infirm priest by the throat and strangled him before he could be released. Ove then fell back dead upon hi pillow, FIRE AT HOT Southern Portion of City Destroyed, with Less Exceeding a Million. THREE PERSONS BURN TO DEATH Several Are Reported Hissing and Death List Hay Be Increased. SQUARE MILE OF BUILDINGS GONE Several Hotels, Two Chnrohes, Jail and Connty Conrt House Consumed. BLAZE STARTS IN GRAND CENTRAL HOUSE It is Fanned by a Stiff Breese and Spread Rapidly Several Hurt by Jumping from Ipper Window. HOT SPRINGS, Ark.. Feb. 2S.-Fire swept the southern portion of this city early .today doing Immense damage and causing the known death of three persons. The losses are variously estimated at from 11,000, 0U0 to S2,000,000. Three charred corpses have been found among the ruin and as several persons are reported missing, the death list may be increased. The Identity of the victims has not been established. One of the bodies Is supposed to be that of a female guest of the Grand Central hotel. The fire, which started at 4:30 o'clock this morning, was the worst this state has ever experienced and in five hours had burned over an area of one square mile. Block after block of residences, business houses, hotels and other buildings were swept away and the entire town was panic stricken, although the fire was confined to the southern part of the city. Street car wires and telegraph and telephone pole were destroyed and communication was temporarily demoralised. A fire swept area Includes every house on Chapel, all of Market street from Cen tral avenue west; Orange street to Grand avenue and a portion of Oak street. Among the buildings destroyed are the Grand Central hotel, the Lee house, Moody hotel. Plateau hotel, Columbia hotel, the county court, house. Jail, First Methodist church, the Jewish church and a large number of .-esldences and stores, conserva tively estimated to number from 200 to 260. Fire Starts n Orand Centrnl Hdtel. The Are started In the Grand Central hotel and Us origin Is a mystery. All of the guests had retired for the night and only the night clerk and watchman were on duty when the flames were discovered. A strong north wind waa blowing and before tho fire department could reach the scene the flames spread rapidly to adjoin ing buildings. A general alarm wa sounded and every engine In the city re sponded. Guests In the big hotels were awakened and hundreds of these hastily dressed and repaired to the scene of the oonllagrailon.. - - . The firemen and police worked valiantly, but their efforts could not check the onward march of the flames, and to add to their difficulties the water pressure gave out at 5 Antuilf " Bucket brigade were then formed, cltl xens and visitors alike volunteering their service Excitement was general when the flames got beyond control. Many Jump from Window. Many lodging houses and cheap restau rants were in the path of the fire and the occupants were hurriedly apprised of their danger. Many in their anxiety Jumped from windows and sustained severe bruises and shock.. At daybreak the wind increased In force and fanned the flames Into a seething glare, which lit up the country for miles around. The fire swept along Central avenue south, eating up building after building before the occupants could recover their valuables and many of whom barely escaped with their lives. On the west side of Central avenue a strip of woods, covering about ten acres, arrested the progress of the Are to the west. The Park hotel through a favornbale shift in the wind escaped destruction. The guests were hurriedly summoned from their rooms and many of them packed trunks and valises and made their way to the streets. After the fire had gained full headway the streets became choked with people. Hundreds of those who had been driven from their houses were running frantically about, some carrying clothing, valises and other property, looking for a place of safety. The police and citizens rendered .these unfortunate every aid. Mayor George Beldlng took personal charge of the fire and police force and directed their efforts with the assistance of Sheriff Williams. Patrols were established and the crowds kept back to tho danger lines. Three Bodies Are Found. At 9 o'clock the fire had practically burned Itself out. and the work of rescue was begun. In the ruins of the Grand Central hotel a charred female body was found. The remains could not be Identified and as the hotel register and other records were burned the name may never be known. In a lodging house two unknown male corpses were discovered. Mayor Beldlng Issued a proclamation calling upon the cltlxens to open their houses to the destitute and the appeal wa responded to on every side. The large hotels took In hundreds who had lost their belongings and fed hundreds more. A mass meeting called by the mayor met this afternoon. Mayor Beldlng asked for contributions to assist the destitute, and generous donations were made. Many turf men subscribed liberally to the fund. Mayor Beldlng said at the meeting that It waa his opinion that the city can take care of the situation without an appeal for outside aid. The telegraph offices tonight have been flooded with telegrams from all part of the country asking If friends and relatives of the sender are safe. A number of those messages were probably occasioned by sen sational reports sent out from here that the loss of life was great. Four or five per arms are unaccounted for, but the only vic tims that are known to have perished are the three persons whose bodies hare been found. Partial List of Places Destroyed. Among the placea destroyed are th resi dence of H. Williams, the William hard ware store, the Tennessee stables. Valley stables and all of Market street from Cen tral avenue west; the Bluraenstell block, Gu Berlan store. Spear Dry Goods com pany, Evans' hardware store, the laugh er an block of buildings, residences of John O'Brien, Fred Sammons, Thomas Golden, F. Parker, Mrs. Laughton, Mrs. Connelly, J. O. Bear, Judge league, M. Slgler, J. Murks, W. Swearlngen; West cottages. Grand View hotel, Alhambra hotel, Alham bra bathhouse, Palmyra hotel, residences of Mrs. Looney and 8. A. Summons. On Central street the houses of Dr. A. F. THE BEE BULLETIN. Foeeast for Nebraska Fair Sunday and Monday. SF.WS SF.CTIOX 1 n Church Bill More Liberal. German Interests Are Active. Fatal Fire In Hot Springs lintel. Verdict Against RoJeat veusVy. S Turkey Take Hand In Troubles. Japs Capture Russian Position. No Money to Sink Artesian Wells. S Farmer Member Form Combine. Ire norge Break In Loup River. New from All Part of Nebraska. S Tom Dennlson Uoe to Iowa Homer Saloonlate Are Convicted. Past Week In Omaha Society. Woman In Clnb and Charity Happenings In Omaha Suburb. T Day's Proceedings In Congress. Omaha Bowlers Beat Kanaaa City. 8 Public Library a Popular Flare. Affairs at South Omaha. John Steele' Impressions of Cubn- 9 Conarll Bluffs and Iowa New. 10 Public Documents that Are Needed Lively Time on Stock Market. EDITORIAL SECTION 11 Sight and Scene In Old Mexico, ia Editorial. 16 Inaugurations Past and Present. Condition of Omaha's Trade. 17 Financial and Commercial. HALF-TONE SECTION 1 U. W. Llnlnger of the Park Board. Curious tapers Cut by Cupid. Gossip About Prominent People. Two Nebraska Pioneer Are Dead, a Plays, Players and Play Houses. "Return of Sherlock Holmes." S Bankruptcy Court Offlctavls. Mrs. Benson Successful In Business Breeding Corn to Higher Grade. 5 Revival of Roller Slanting Crase, Robins Come During Cold Wentber 6 In the Domain of Woman. T Sporting Gossip of the Week. COLOR SECTION 1 Buster Brown's Mice, a Syrian Girl Worship Men. From Far nnd Near. 8 A Modern Michael Strogon. 4 The White Rest Cure. Shape of Great Men's Heads. 6 Couple Quarrel 5,110 Times. Most Fascinating of Men. 0 Sara Bernhardt' Seven Fear. T Top o' the Mornln'. 8 Finish of Cholly Cushcaller. Alice Help the Paper Hanger. B The Murder In the lO.lO. Practical Hint for Housekeeping. 10 Bevy of Stage Beauty. Temperature at Omaha Vesterdayi Hour. Deg. Hour. Deg. 5 a. m 8H 1 p. m (M 6 a. m 84 a p. m 01 T a. m SS 8 p. m B4 H a. m 8.1 4 p. ni no O a. m 87 B p. m BO 10 a. m ai p. m...... 03 11 a. m 41 7 p. m BO ia m 47 Continued on Second Page) ) RIOTING AT . CALUMET, MICH. Striking Traction Employes Destroy Two Car and Beat Motorman Wit Fired Into a Crowd. CALUMET. MlciTTTeb. 26.-A strike of the employes of the' 'Houghton . County Street Railway company was Inaugurated here today. Seventy-live employes, In cluding motormon, conductors and switch men, refused to go to work until the com pany removes new men recently employed. A week ago the employes organized a union and claim since them the company has been . Importing and employing nonunion men. At Laurlum tonight an Interurban car was mobbed by strike sympathizers and two men were probably fatally Injured. James Cummlngs of Chicago, the motor- man, flred into the crowd. He hit a man named Blackwood In the arm and the bul let passed on and entered the stomach of James Rowe. Cummlngs was then pulled from his car and given an unmer ciful beating. Both Cummlngs and Rowe were taken to a hospital, where It is feared they will die. The mob demolished two cars. REWARD FOR ALLEGED BRIBER Indiana Legislature Will Be Asked to Appropriate KS.OOO to Secure Arrest of O. A. Baker. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 25. The special Investigating committee appointed by Speaker Cantwell to Inquire Into the charges of bribery made by Representa tive Baker "against former Senator O. A. Baker, finished Its work today. The result Is that the Marlon county grand Jury will be called Monday. It was decided to rec ommend thut S5.000 be appropriated to be used under the diiectlon of the governor to obtain O. A. Baker's arrest and to pur sue the inquiry further. The contents of several telegrams, ad dressed to O. A. Baker, who is wanted on the charge of attempting to bribe Repre sentative Ananias Baker, have become known to the detective department. The wording of one of the telegrams la: "Be sure to win." There were other telegrams in cipher. Thus far there has been no trace of Baker. OIL PRODUCERS ORGANIZE Independent Men of Kansas, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana Will Get Together. CHICAQO, Feb. 28. Independent crude oil producer and refiners from Kansas, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana Joined In the formatlo'n here today of an organisation of defense against the alleged eradicating pressure of the Standard Oil company. The new organization Is to be known a the National Crude OH Producers' association. Headquarters will be In Chicago. One of the chief objects of the organization is to prevent discrimination In freight rates. R. H. Heap, president of the Ohio Standard Oil oompany, was the prime mover In the establishment of the organization. Movement of Ocenn Vessels Feb. 25. At New York Arrived: Philadelphia, from Southampton; Ktrurta, from Liverpool; Cnrpathlu, from Trieste. Sailed: Weimar, for Naples; St. Louie, for Southampton; CampanlH, for IJverpool; Graf Waldersee, for Hamburg; Republic, for Naples; Fur nessla. for Glasgow; Prlns Adalbert, for Naples. At Queenstown Arrived: L'mbrla, from New York. At Plymouth Arrived: New York, from New York. At Cherbourgi-tlailed: St. Paul, for New York. At Dover Sailed: Zeeland, for New York. At Antwerp Hailed: Zeeland, for New York. At Boulogne Arrived: Btatendam, from New York. At Manchester Balled: Caledonian, for Boston. .t Liverpool Hailed: Cevlc, for New York. At (llssgow Balled: Hungarian, for Port land; Mongolian, for New York. At Havre Hailed: La Lorraine, for New York. At Naples Arrived: Cltta dl NaooII. from .New York. RUSSIA IS TO BLAME Majority of North Sea Court Bays Bolest rensky Should Not Hare Tired. NO TORPEDO BOATS AMONG TRAWLERS Fishermen Committed No Hostile Aot and BombardmeDt is Unjastifiable. VERDICT IS A COMPROMISE ONE Incident Due to Confusion Following Breakdown of the Kamchatka. RUSSIAN COMMISSIONER DOES NOT CONCUR Member Are Sorry Admiral Did Net Inform Maritime Nation of Aet but Do Not Blame Htm. PARIS, Feb. 26 (3:30 p. m.)-Tho decision of the international commission iiuo in quiry of the North sea incident was pub licly announces at the closing session to day. The decision lengthily sets forth th circumstances and Incidents and glvos th opinion of the Admirals on the various Im portant points involved. The decision says the delay of the Russian transport Kam schatka, following the breakdown of 'Its machinery, wa perhaps the cause of th Incident. The commander of the Kam schutka signaled to Admiral Rojestvensky during the evening that he hud been at tacked by torpedo boats. The admiral therefore had reason to believe he was attacked and gave orders for strict vigi lance against the possible approach of torpedo boats. The majority of the com mission considers that Admiral Rojest vensky' orders were not excessive in tlm of war, particularly under the circum stances, and that he had every reason to consider the situation very alarming. "The commission," the decision says, "recognize unanimously that the fishing fleet committed no hostile act, and, ths . majority of the commissioners being of the opinion that there were not, either among the fishing boats nor in their vicin ity, any torpedo boats, the opening of fir by Admiral Rojestvensky was not Justi fied." Russian Commissioner Disagree. The decision iurther say the Russian commissioner did not share In the latter opinion. "In any event," the decision continues, "the commissioners are glad to recognlz unanimously thut Admiral Rojestvensky personally did all he could from the com mencement to tho end to prevent the trawlers from being the object of tire by the Russian .squadron." Concerning the squadron proceeding without assisting the damaged trawler' the decision says: "The commissioners are Unanimous that under the circumstances preceding and following the incident that there wa such uncertainty concerning the danger to th squadron as to warrant Admiral Rojest vensky in continuing his route. "However, the majority regret that the admiral did not inform the neighboring maritime powers of what had occurred." The decision concludes as follows: , "The commissioners declare that their views as formulated are not of a nature to cast any disrespect upon the military valor nor upon the sentiments of humanity of Admiral Rojestvensky and the personnel of his squadron." The closing session of the commission presented a brilliant scene. The spacious salon of the Foreign office was crowded with prominent officials, member of the diplomatic corps, including the Russian, British and American ambassadors, mem bers of the Japanese legation, officers of the army and navy. Judges of the highest French courts and the wive and other relatives of members of the commission. Contrary to expectation, the admirals forming the commission did not wear full uniforms, but appeared In ordinary civilian dress. Decision a Compromise. Admiral Fournler, president of the com mission, read the decision amid an im pressive silence, the spectators following It minutely. The general Impression among the audience was that the decision was in the nature of a compromise, as the majority approved the British contention that no torpedo boats attacked Admiral Rojestvensky's squadron and that there fore his opening tire was not Justified, and as the majority also approved the Russian contention that Admiral Rojestvensky acted according to his belief, even though mistaken, and that therefore his action did not reflect upon his military valor or senti ments of humanity. Admiral Fournler closed the commission with a speech of thanks to its members. He said that each of them would return to his country bearing as a recompense for his labors the legitimate satisfaction of duty well accomplished. They left be hind them a profound Impression of esteem for the devotion lr which the difficult task had been performed. A significant exchange of remarks was made by Sir Edward Frick, representing Great Britain, and Baron Taube, represent ing Russia. Both spoke In the most amica ble spirit and eulogized the arbitration. Bir Edward said: "This is one of the most Important events ever brought before sn International court. All should feel grateful with the satis factory result attained." The speaker closed with the quotation: "Peace hath her victories no leas re nowned than war." Rear Admiral Charle H. Davis (United States) said concerning the decision: "The conclusion seem to m to be equita ble. They are formulated In a manner to satisfy the legitimate desire of th two parties and mark an Important step In th Pacific solution of International conflict." Great Britain Is Pleased. LONDON, Feb. 26. The Foreign offlc received the findings of the North aea commission with apparent equanimity, but declined to glv out any official expression of opinion thereon. An official said to th Associated Press: "The finding of th commission are final. W therefore must be satisfied and it would be bad taste for ua to express dlssatlsfac I tlon." The Associated Press understands, unoffi cially, however, that the Foreign offlc I well pleased with the findings. The findings were received In London, with every sign of gratification, which waa m.11 th mor marked because of the pre mature reports that the decision of th admirals had been of an anti-British char, actor. The whole report Is regarded her s discrediting th Itussluu case; even the phrase that the tiring whs not un duly prolonged, which semis to afford a certain Justification for opening the firing, 1 at the same time taken as Implying mi( th Russian continued to fir after they baa discovered their mistake. Tit definite