NEW LIGHT ON CHINA
-Sinister Conger Bays Emperor it Willing
to Expedite a Settlement
UXKUS TO 10 ALL TBAT EC CAN
Cm Man It DIM emit forth Eleeea Wo
Utn ta Agra l 'a Tleaadl
Bartbl Peel Certala Pawer
WIU Iwck Ceaeleelea la Short Tim.
NEW YORK. May 6. Minister E.
H. Conger, who ba lately returned
to this country, furnishes an article
on the Chinese situation which will
appear In the coming number of
Leslie's Weekly. Mr. Conger says In
psix:
"Unless matters have changed very
materially eince I left China sis
weeks ago, the powers will reach
some conrlusion in regard to the
Chinese very soon. Of course it is
difficult for eleven men to sjree on
anything, especially when they have
leven governments with differing
views behind them. China is perfectly
willing to do anything that the pow
ers agree upon that is, within her
ability to accomplish. She is only too
anxious to expedite these matters and
Settle down to peaceful pursuits again.
Of course the powers must not de
mand an indemnity which China will
be physically unable to raise. It is
not certain that. Anally, some nation
may not demand territory of China
in Ilea of a money Indemnity. It is
perfectly certain .that if any nation
floes make this demand, the partition
of China will follow, and this will in
evitably cause much distention be
tween the powers. These difficulties
and disputes would be long In the
settling, and would lead to terrible
confusion in China.
"Russia has so far mitigated her
demands that there is not now much
danger of serious difficulty between
her and Japan. Personally, I am very
much In favor of the continued ex
istence of China as an empire, gov
erned by her own emperor. It will
save us and all the rest of the world
lota of trouble If the integrity of the
empire is maintained.
"As far as the punishment of Chi-1
nese officials goes, China has already
done, all that she could. Something
oat of the ordinary had to be de
manded by the powers, for it takes a
good deal of punishment to Impress
this people and this was no ordinary
offense. In some cases the officials
whose punishment was demanded
were more powerful than the govern
ment, and then, of course, the pun
ishment could not be enforced. Ex
cept In these cases, everything was
done as the powers demanded.
"At home I understand that I was
thought bloodthirsty, but in China I
wan the most lenient of all the min
isters, except one. We knew the con
ditions better than those who were
not there could possibly know them.
Drastic measures were demanded, but
I do not think that we were cruel.
What would seem a very severe pun
lshment to us at home would not im
press the Chinese at all, for the rea
son that they Indulge in so many
cruel and unusual punishments. The
reports of cruelty on the part of sol
diers have been grossly exaggerated,
though I am sure that there was
plenty of brutality on the part of In-
amauai soiaiers. as an army, me
allies were exceedingly well behaved.
Nor were the stories of unrestricted
looting true. In Pekln the soldiers
took what they needed, of course, just
as we would have seized anything we
needed while we were caged up in the
compound had we been able to fasten
upon anything that would help as to
withstand the siege. As for the
stories of missionary looting, they
are nndisgulsedly false. The mission
tries did not loot."
KILLS A VALENTINE INSIAN.
IVadaaas Is Held far tbe Mario mt Mm
Boll-Walke-Behind.
VALENTINE, Neb., May . As the
result of imbibing too much firewater
Friday night several Indians engaged
la a . row among themselves on the
outskirts of town, where they were
camped. The row resulted In Antlne
Ladeaux shooting John Bull-Walks-Bealad.
the ball taking effect In the
left side rust below the heart and
raaalag toward the backbone. Sev
an! Indians seised Ladeaux after, he
kad data the shooting, bound him
haad aad foot with ropes and then
tamed hist over to the sheriff. They
called t physician to attend to the
wounded Indian.
BttstN Ott WyafBta Oil.
OClIOf, Utah, May e.-F. M. Phelps
ami otttr California men returned
few & Fossil oil Mas la western
rrsKx3 aad report the discovery of
fcrasraUc springs of the lowtag oil
c:i tot Urn ttotersjfasi to a
r d State as WlapS IN BWs
1 ttA t tOmt&M. Cal., who
czZ Ce toeatloa la the dis-
CM Cat tka wells tprtag up
. A a wm w vni-w asiJ s
1 era a cs nrmauoa.
TKERE ASE MANY MISSING.
Jackaaa-lUe Still Heebie ta Back Har
tal Cart af fir.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.. May . Ru
more of loss of life are heard on ev
ery band tonight and the river has
been closely watched today. Many
persons' have confirmed the report of
loss of life at the Market street wharf.
Numerous advertisements appeared in
the local papers asking for aid in
searching tor persons who are miss
ing. As many have left the city for
the gulf It is Impossible to ascertain
who have been lost In the Market
street pier tragedy.
The hunger of 10,000 homeless peo
ple was satisfied today upon the ar
i ival of relief trains and boats bring
ing provisions from neighboring
towns. Early this morning a com
missary was established in the center
of the city and thousands were fed
during the day. The relief fund is
growing hourly and every mail brings
offers of asistance.
Today an order was promulgated
under martial law requiring all mer
chants whose stores were spared by
the conflagration to open their doors
and sell to all who asked. The streets
have been crowded all day with shop
pers who lost all in the fire and many
stores will remain open all night
It is estimated that 3,000 persons
have left the city and every outgoing
train is crowded with refugees. Five
carloads of tents were received today,
the property of the state, which are
to be used by the homeless tempor
arily. Another shipment of tents Is
expected to arrive from the govern
ment tomorrow.
The Times-Union and Citizen esti
mates the total property loss at $11,
000,000. These figures are based upon
an Itemized statement furnished by
a volunteer committee of citizens.
MAKES THE SHOWMEN SHUT IP.
Buffalo Exposition Management Close
Cooeeeelone.
BUFFALO, N. Y., May 6. The first
Sunday of the Pan-American exposi
tion's official existence brought out a
good sized crowd. The gates were
open, but the buildings v.ere closed.
Guards stood by the doers of the
great exhibit buildings and told the
visitors that no one would be allowed
to enter.
On the Midway two of the shows
opened their doors this morning and
their criers announced that they were
ready for business. They were
promptly notified by the exposition po
lice to close their shows. They did
so under protest and a test case will
he tried to decide whether the Mid
way concessionaires have a right to
give their exhibitions on Sunday. The
claim set up by the concessionaires
is that their contracts specify that
they shall be allowed to run every
day the exposition grounds are open
to the public.
REGULARS WILL COME NEXT.
War Department Pianalag a Farther
Redaction of Force.
WASHINGTON, May 6. It Is ex
pected that within a day or two a pro
gram will be completed at the war de
partment for a substantial reduction
of the present strength of the United
States army in the Philippines. The
regular troops now there who have
seen the most service are the Four
teen, Eighteenth and Twentythlrd in
fantries, and one battalion of the
Third artillery. They went out to
Manila in 1898 In the first expedition
under General Anderson, and if the
announced policy of the department
heretofore lived up to Is continued.
these will be the first organizations
to return to the United States. Some
cf these troops will be replaced with
the new levies Just raised in this
country. It has not yet been deter
mined how large a reduction will be
made.
ft Will Be Mr. HeKlnle.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., May .
The much discussed question as to
whom would fall the honor of launch
ing the battleship Oregon has been
settled by the announcement that this
function will be performed by Mrs.
McKinley. After the simple cere
monies preceding the event, consist
ing of short addresses by President
McKinley, Governor Nash and Irving
M. Scott, Mrs. McKinley will press
the button and the released ax will
sever the rope just at the turn of the
tide.
The Swift Packing company of Kan
sas City was awarded the contract for
furnishing beef to the Missouri peni
tentiary for one year at $5.03 per 100
pounds.
Wsl4e ta Batara la Jaee.
BERLIN, May 6. In view of the
favorable development of events here,
says the Pekln correspondent of the
Lokal Anseiger, it is possible that
Count von Wsldersee will return
borne about the middle of June.
rag sad latay.
LONDON, May o.-The Genera cor
respondent of the Dally Mail asserts
that President KcKlnley ass Inform
ed Mr. Kruger that ft eanaot rseslTS
him, either cfidaUir taoOdally.
1 TOM FUME SWEPT
The City of Jacksonville, Eorida, Suf
fers s Great Conflagration. ,
TBE LOSS IS VERY MANY MILLIONS
Heart of th City Bataa Oat by tha Da
vearlag Kleweat Baalaeat Blocks aad
Besldea la Great Member Ara
Batlraly Wiped Oat.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 4. The
most disastrous fire in tha history of
this city began yesterday shortly after
noon, In a small factory, tarted by a
defective wire, according to the best
belief, and burned tor nearly' ten
hours. In that time property damage
estimated from $10,000,000 to $15,000.
000 was caused.
According to the city map 130
blocks were burned, many of tbem
In the heart of the business and resi
dence section, where the estimate of
houses to the block is ten. Many of
the finest public and private build
ings were destroyed, including hotels,
theater, churches and residences."
The casualties cannot be accurately
estimated tonight That there were
several seems to be well authenticated.
Among tbem was that of Fire Chief
Haney, who sustained a bad fall. The
mayor ordered all saloons closed and
has impressed help to clear the
wreckage. The mayor stated that he
estimated the loss at 115.000,000 and
that 10,000 to 15,000 people were home
less. Along the entire length of Beaver
street, from Davis street to the creek
on Liberty street, all buildings have
been destroyed. This Is fourteen sol
id blocks of residences. For the
came distance Ashley and Church
streets have both been completely blot
ted out When the fire reached
Bridge street In its eastward course
It enveloped in flames an area three
blocks wide, taking In Duval, Monroe
and the north side of Adams street,
burning the entire section of the city
and running fourteen blocks to the
Duval street bridge.
How much further in that direction
the city is burned it Is Impossible
to learn, the street being impassable,
but it is feared that St Luke's hospi
tal was burned and It Is said that the
Presbyterian church in East Jackson
ville is ablaze. If this Is correct the
fire must have extended five blocks
further east The fire, which broke
out at 2:45 o'clock this afternoon, has
covered, as far as is definitely known,
a distance of two and a half miles
by half a mile wide.
When the fire reached Julia street
It was a roaring conflagration and
there was no prospect of it being put
under control. The local military com
panies were called out to keep the
crowds back and the fire department
began to use dynamite to blow up
bouses a block from the fire hoping
thus to prevent the fire from spread
ing. So fierce was the blaze, however,'
and so strong had become the wind,
that millions of sparks and flying,
burning shingles spread over five or
six blocks, setting the roofs of the
houses on fire in advance of the de
partment It is impossible at this hour to as
certain the losses, but It !s estimated
by insurance agents that it will be
between 18,000,000 and $9,000,000. Six
live are reported lost in tbe conflagra
tion. The mayor has called a meeting
of the city council for tomorrow to
consider ways and means of reliev
ing the tufferers.
Well Kaowa Farmer Killed.
NEW LONDON, la., May 4 Harry
Helpbrey of Canaan township, a well
known farmer, "was killed while at
work In his field by the accidental
discharge of a shotgun. He had lean
ed his gun against a fence post and
was plowing, when. In making a turn,
tbe horses knocked the gnn down and
is exploded. The contents entered
Helphrey's hwrt, killing bim Instant
ly. Typhoid at Oermaa Parte,
BERLIN, May 4. An epidemic of
typhoid fever has broken out In sev
eral forts and villages In the neigh
borhood of Metx. Tbe Eighth Ba
varian regiment has alone last six
teen men from the dire and has 281
men sick.
RAPID CITT, S. D., May 4.-P. B.
McCarty of this city has received
word from the supreme court at Wash
ington that be has won tha Holy Ter
ror case, which gives him one-eighth
interest In the Holy Terror mine at
Keystone.
Ooald Get Ark aea Lis.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., May e.-A special
from Helena, Ark., says: John J, Hor
nor, president of the Arkansas Mid
land railroad, today admitted that bis
road would pass andsr the control of
tbe Oould system within the next
sixty days, probably sooner. Hs re
tamed yesterday from St Louis,
where the deal was practically closed.
Tbe sal laeludsd tbe main line from
Hslna to Arkadon and the branch
from Pins City to BrJnklty.
CCINA CANNOT MEET DEMANDS.
ast Have Aid to ray Iademalty Toae
of WalJertoe- Letter.
PEKIN, May 3. At a meeting of
tbe ministers yesterday the report of
the indemnity committee was read.
Regarding tbe resources o! China tbe
report was very voluminous. It was
practically a repetition of Jamesson's
well known pamphlet on the subject
Sir Robert Hart offered suggestions
similar to those already credited to
him and c"ble to the Associated
Press. It is asserted that the reve
nues from all available resources will
not allow China to pay tbe indemnity
unless assistance Is rendered.
The next meeting will be held next
Tuesday. The subject of Count von
Walderaee's letter will then be taken
up and a reply to it will be drafted.
The ministers assert that they know
what they want without being told.
They particularly object to any of the
legation guards being under any au
thority except that of the ministers
themselves.
NEBRASKA PENSION FRAUDS.
'rod Oorer Taken to Omaha for Crime
A(elot Veteran.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo., May 3. Fred
Dorer, alias Fred Dolan, who was ar
rested here on a cha-ge of drunken
ness two weeks ago and later identi
fied as a man wanted by tbe govern
ment authorities for pension frauds,
was taken to Omaha today for trial
in the federal court Pension Com
missioner Tedrow of this city recog
nized the man as one who is alleged
to have committed pension frauds
near Beatrice, Neb., in April, 1899.
It Is claimed thi Dorer represented
that he was a special pension exam
iner and could secure pensions and
increases in pensions for the old sol
diers In that district Under this pre
tense, it is alleged, he collected a sum
ot money and then left the country.
WD THINKS CUSTOMS TOO LOW.
Say Prescat Bat I Inadequate to Pro
ld for New Loan
WASHINGTON, May 3. It is be
lieved here that the hitch which Is
said to have arisen at Pekln over the
proposition to increase the Chinese
customs duties to meet the indemnities
demanded by the foreign powers is
caused by the oroaehing by Mr. Rock
hill of his plan for the abolition of
the likin duties as a condition for
his acquiescence in the customs in
crease. The United States govern
ment has in the past admitted a read
iness to permit tbe Chinese to increase
custom rates providing there was no
discrimination between the powers.
Minister Wu says tbat the present 5
per cent rate is totally inadequate to
provide a sinking fund for a new loan.
COMING HOME OF TROOPS
aTaay ot tbe Volunteer Troop to Ketura
Before the Kad of May.
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 3. Ma
jor Miller, chief quartermaster at Ma
nila, has cabled the war department
an approximate schedule of the sail
ing of transports from Manila with
troops to be mustered out of service,
as follows:
May 10, Hancock, with the Thirty
first; Buford, with the Forty-first;
Pennsylvania, with the Fortieth.
May 20, Logan and Kilpatrick, with
the Thirty-eighth, Forty-third and
Forty-fourth; Indiana, with the Forty
second. May 25, Grant, with the Forty
eighth and Forty-nlntb; Ohio, with
the Forty-seventh.
If there should be any surplus they
will be sent on the Thomas.
Iowa I Lennehed Again,
SEATTLE, Wash.. May 3. Tbe bat
tleship Iowa was launched today from
the Bremerton navy yard, after un
dergoing repairs and a thoiough over
hauling. Less than four weeks were
required In the great undertaking, al
though six weeks had be?n allowed
by the navy department. The Iowa
is now -awaiting sailing orders.
Twin Bara to Dealb.
SIOUX CITY, la., May 3. Jay and
Joy, the 3-year-old twin children of
Mrs. Layton Hubbard, were burned to
death in a stable at Hawarden, la.
The children were playing in the barn
and set fire to some papers. The
charred remains were found after the
barn had been destroyed.
bat Throagh the Heart.
NEW LONDON, la., My 3. Harry
Helpbrey, farmer, while plowing In
tbe field, leaned his shotgun against
the fence. In making turn bis
horses knocked down tbe gun and it
went off, sending the load Into Hel
phrey's heart, killing him Instantly.
Caaada ta Caatral Boad.
OTTAWA, May 3. Tbe scheme by
which the Manitoba government hopes
to control passenger and freight rates
within tbs province has been ratified
by the Dominion railway committee.
The provincial government win lesss
that portion of tbe Northern Pacific
railroad lying within the province for
term of M9 years. It will be Im
mediately turned over to McKentle A
Mann of Tortonto for management,
tbe government fixing all freight rates.
THE CREDIT OF JAPAN
Secretarj lomati Defends by Saying the
Panic is Hot Serious.
EXPENDITURES URGE BUT PRUDENT
Government Ha Something t Show for
th ledemelty Money Paid Oat of tbe
T renter? bad Ma Tory Great Debt Sit
aatloa Qalto Thoroughly Ooaa Over.
WASHINGTON, May 3. Midori Ko
matx, secretary of the Chinese lega
tion at Washington, in an interview
today with an Associated Press re
porter, made an interesting statement
ot the financial situation of Japan. He
said:
"A good deal of comment has been
provoked about the financial condi
tions in Japan by the publication of a
very elaborate report sent, to the Uni
ted States by Consul General Bellows,
snd It Is gratifying to me to see the
American public taking so much Inter
est In my country. While having no
hesitancy In endorsing the statement
contained In the consular report as
generally correct, everything has two
sides and it Is a disagreeable thing to
have one's worst part exposed, the
better One being left out
"I do not deny that our financial sit
uation today is anything but satisfac
tory. It Is true that the government
has deferred all such undertakings as
would Involve new loans. It Is true
that a few local banks have been
compelled to suspend payment and
stringency Is prevailing In the money
market It Is also true that our Im
ports have Increased tremendously
since the inflow of the Chinese Indem
nity. The total value of our Imports,
which was 138,700,000 yen ($69,350,000)
In round numb-rs In 1895, the year the
peace treaty was concluded, Increased
to 324,700,000 yen in 1858, while the
value of exports was 118,0,00,000 yen
and 166,200,000 yen in thi respective
years.
"You will be greatly mistaken, bow
ever, If you Hhould attribute all this
to the Improvident waste of money
or unproductive and useless enter
prises. Although a large portion of
the Chinese Indcmntiy has been used
for the redemption ot war expenses
and military and naval expansion, yet
the estimate of Iron foundries, tbe
extraordinary reserve fund and the
capital ot local industrial banks have
drawn no small shares from It. Rail
ways, telegraph, telephone and postal
service have made great b t itles In tbe
last few years and an enormous
amount of money, has been absorbed
In their Improvement and extension.
You will observe at this moment
twelve twin screw steamers of over
6,000 tons each, all newly built, ply
ing between Yokohama and Europe,
while three great merchant vessels,
recently constructed In England, are
running between Hong Kong and San
Francisco, under tbe managemet of
a Japanese company, and more than
thirteen steamers from 3.000 to 6,000
tons, are being employed on lines
to Bombay, Australia, Viadivostock,
etc.
"Notwithstanding this, our public
debt, as it now stands, does not
amount to more than 437 900,000 yen
($18,950,000). Tbe foundation of our
financial arrangement Is too firmly es
tablished to be affected by any tran
sient depression, any rooe than the
bottom of a river Is apt to be shaken
by (he feeblo waves caused by a
passing wind.
"There Is no danger, In my opinion,
tbat the present situation will result
In any serious crisis. On the contrary
it will produce, I am quite confident,
a beneficial effect upon the national
progress by affording tbe people a
lesson that no good times should be
abused by luxury or extravagance In
any form."
Ca of Wlrelee Telegraphy.
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 3. A
demonstration of the practical usage
of wireless telegraph which occurred
in Belgium has been reported to the
state department In tbe communica
tion from Consul General Guenther at
Frankfort, Germany. A captain of a
cbanel mall s tenner, which was fully
equlpepd with wireless telegraphic ap
paratus, reported that on his last trip
in he received a wlralees message from
a French lightship, anchored some
twenty-five miles from Dunkirk on the
Belgian coast, stating that the warn
ing light could not shine again until
aid was received from shore.
The C. R. Harper. Manufacturing
company ot Marshalltown has filed
ertlcle with tbe secretary of state.
Batata Beady ta Barrow.
BERLIN, May 3. Tbe Vosslscbe
Zeltung prints a special dispatch from
St Petersburg announcing tbat Rus
sia bas virtually arranged wKh France
tor loans amounting to 600,000,000
francs and that another Russlsn loan
Is being negotiated with English snd
American bankers in London. Tbs
dispatch further says that tbe caar is
planning for a trip abroad during
next August and tbat be will soon
Visit Copenhagen and Darmstadt
WEEKS TO TCI VETERANS.
Department Commaador Baasa Makes
Pablle Oaaoral Order Ba. IS.
Department Commander Reess bas
issued tbe following: -
Headquarters Department of Ne
braska, Grand Army of the Republic,
State House, Lincoln, Neb. General
orders No. 10:
First May 30 bas become the na
tion's great day, observed, honored
and respected throughout tbe land.
Since man loved freedom and con
tended for It upon fields of fame, th
heroes and patriots of all ages have
been mourned In poetry and song,
their deeds have been commemorated
In bronze and marble, in sculptured
obelisk and monumental pile, and as
long ss the principles of freedom shall
endure this day will be remembered
by the American nation, who will
ever cherish the memory of our heroic
dead by decking the bosom of their
sepulchres with flowers of the loveli
est hue. Thirty-three years have
come and gone since General John A.
Logan, our most distinguished vol
unteer officer of the civil war and
then commander-in-chief of the Grand
Army ot the Republic, Instituted Me
morial day.
Second It Is proper for us to re
member the sacred duty we owe to tbe
memory of our comrades who have
answered to the last roll call that we
should pay our tribute of love to the
silent dead; and therefore, In the
proper observance of tbe day by the
Grand Army ot the Republic, that the
Woman's Relief Corps, Ladles' Aid
society, Sons of Veterans, Spanish
American war veterans, all national
guard organizations and eivlc socle
ties, as well as the public in general,
should be Invited to participate, espe
cially the school children.
Third Memorial Sunday bas be
come a sacred day In the Grand Army
calendar. No pains should be spared
to make tbe arrangements for this day
os complete and Important as Memor
ial day Itself. The hours should be
so fixed tbat all could attend, and'
the exercises especially appropriate to
tho day and occasion.
Fourth Post commanders will see
to it that the Memorial day commit
tee make proper arrangements with
tho school officers for patriotic exer
cises In tbe public schools on the Fri
day preceding Memorial day, and that
comrades be secured to visit each
school at the hour agreed upon o con
duct the services. Comrades, see to
It that our flag is raised nt half-mast
over every school bouse In the state,
and, wherever possible, on all public
buildings on May 30. Interest tbe peo
ple In our Memorial day; even If your
post Is small In numbers, make your
services so Interesting and your devo
tion so sacred that your neighbors will
Join you In paying homage to the he
roic dead.
Fifth Post chaplains will make full
report of Memorial day proceedings
upon blanks provided for such pur
pose. Sixth We should all remember that
Memorial day is sacred to the memory
of our dead comrades. The day should
not be defamed by games of sport
and amusement, and all posts and
comrades should use all their influ
ence to discourage, and as far as pos
blble prevent, such desecration of the
day.
Seventh The thirtieth national en
campment provided that the reading
of President Lincoln's address at
Gettysburg be made a special feature
in all Memorial day exercises held
under the auspices of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Commanders of
posts will direct tbat It be read In'
connection with the exercises of th
lay. By order of
JOHN REESE,
Department Commander.
JAMES D. GAGE,
Assistant Adjutant Gmcral.
Large Acreage ot Soger Heel.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb., May 6. E.
D. Howe of the American Beet Sugar
company says that while the acreage
ot beets is somewhat better than that
of last year, there Is some doubt as
to whether the local factory will be
operated this year or not' If the ton
nage Is good Mr. Howe states that
there will bo no doubt about it
Should it fall short ot 25,000, requir
ing sn average of ten tons to the acre,
a campaign next fall is a matter of
doubt - - - "
3. t. Loll, Sentenced.
BEATRICE, Neb., May 6. J. F.
Lutx, who has been In Jail here since
February 21, awaiting a hearing for
a new trial, was denied new trial
and sentenced to one yesr In the pen
itentiary. Lutx lived at Cortland, this
county, snd was convicted of barn
burning.
, Aajlam at Baatlaga.
LINCOLN, Neb., May 6. The con
tract for building tbe new $50,000
wing on tbe asylum for chronic In
sane at Hastings wss awarded by tbe
State Board of Public Lands snd
Buildings to Burlingbof tt Grant of
Beatrice. .
Ba. B. r. Tears, Cbaatala.
LINCOLN, Neb., May .-Rev. B. F.
Trefs of Omaha bas been appointed
chaplain of tbe First regiment of tbe
Nebraska National guard.
