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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (May 19, 1899)
Will Not Walt For the Conclu sion of Peace. CAPT. BARKER PIT IN CHARGE. Bear Admiral Watson Halls at Once for Manila—Americans Stager to Welcome the Naval Hero on Ills Itetnrn—dreat Ovation Looked For on If is Arrival. WASHINGTON, May 13.—"Send Olympia's mall to B. F. 8tevens, No. 4 Trafalgar square, London, England,” was the notice given out ut the navy department today. This is the first formal indication that the famous flagship is coming home immediately. Upon Inquiry it was ascertained that Secretary Long had last evening cabled Admiral Dewey permission to return at onco. He has been relieved of the obligation of remaining at Manila until, the Philippine commission com pletes Its work. He is not even re quired to awuit the cessation of hos tilities, but may start homeward at once. The notice posted at the navy department Indicates that the Olympia Will not remain long enough to receive the next outward mall. Mr, Stevens referred to Is the navy department’s agent at London to distribute all of the mall for United States warships in European waters, so he will see to it that the Olympia receives Its mall M eoou as it passes the Suez canal. It Is estimated at the navy depart ment that Dewey will reach the United States in time for a national demon stration on the Fourth of July next. The Olympia will not come under full •team, but nevertheless It should make the run to New York In about fifty five days from Manila. That It is to come to New York Is nearly certain, as shown by the fol lowing response made by Secretary Long to the urgent message of Invi tation to Dewey from Mayor Van Wyck of New York. It may be stated that this was sent before the notice was sent to Dewey that he might come home at once: "I am in receipt of your telegram with regard to the return of Admiral Dewey and expressing a desire that he arrive first in the country at New York. The time of his return has not been fixed and the department has taken no other action than to authorize his return whenever the condition of the peace commission shall permit. As to the route he shall take In return ing, the department Is inclined to leave that to him. He has served with great ability and must necessarily feel so much the effect of his arduous labors .in a trying climate and under trying circumstances that the department Is disposed to let him govern himself in this respect largely by the considera tion of his own personal convenience and wish. It is understood, however, that Admiral Dewey will elect to re turn to New York. Very respectfully, "JOHN D. liQNO, Secretary.” Admiral Watson will sail from San Francisco next Tuesday as a passenger on one of the regular Mall steamships, but cannot possibly reach Manila be fore the middle of June. Orders have been Issued placing Captain A. 8. Barker in command of the Asiatic squadron after Admiral I>ewey’s de parture until relieved by Admiral Watson. Captain Barker is now In command of the battleship Oregon, the pride of the navy, and next to Admiral Dewey is the senior officer on the station. He Is an officer of ability and discretion and may be depended on to take good care of the interests of the United States. Moving Order* Received. OMAHA, Neb., May 13.—Orders have been received here from Washington for the movement of the Sixteenth infantry, which is at present stationed in the department of the Missouri. The regiment is to start in time to reach San Francisco by May 29, the expectation being that It will sail on the transport Grant June 1, The movement will probably begin about May 25. Four companies of the Six teenth are at Fort Crook, four at Fort Leavenworth and four at Jefferson Barracks. The transportation for the regiment was urranged for several weeks ago in anticipation of these orders. The Burlington and Itock Island will carry the troops from Fort Crook to Denver und there turn them over to the Union Pacific. "Purr* the Mglii ln(." NEW YORK, May 13.—A apodal to tbe World from Hot Sprint;*, Va.. say*. “Force the fighting. Penat rate far into tiie interior and rapture or destroy ttvcry wttrrlng Klllpiuo." That la the pith of a loan cipher cablegram President McKinley *eiit to Oeneral Otis In Munlla. It wm prompt ed by severul dtsputi he* from Orueral Otla, transmitted by Secretary Alger, which greatly encouraged the presi dent. lilt Idetl uti ftirr d«Hllnit. 1/lNlMiN, May li-A special re ceived here today from Manila aaya that the Klllpiuo emigres* now sitting at Sau Isidro Is rumposed of flfty-aia members, of whom twenty favor peace and an equal number are Irreconcil able*. The others, holding the balance of power are ready to admit that ab solute Independence la hopeless of at tainment, but demand better terms at the hands of the t'nlted States. tresh Temps In lb# Peml MtNIIA. May IS Kreah troop* are beginning to go to the front Two bat lallun* of the Seventeenth Infantry tregnlarsi that had been holding the Hues a Unit the city of Manila will fola Major Oeneral Nla« Arthur a division at Stit t • rhandet tomorrow and one bat talion of the same regiment will rein force Major Oeneral l.awton's division near Raeoior Those troops will be re placed her* by the Twenty gr*t In sanity realment. which arrived from the t sited States on board the liana port Hancock yeatrrday. NEBRASKA SOLDIERS Will Go I luck to the Fighting Ling After Rer operation. MANILA, May 13.—The First regi ment Nebraska volunteer Infantry Is taking the annual step of respectfully petitioning the division commander. Major General MacArthur, to tempo rarily relieve them from duty at the front. The regiment Is badly ex hausted by the campaign In which It has taken an active part, and not many more than 300 men of the organization are at present lit for duty. On Sun day last 160 men of this regiment re sponded to the sick call. The men, in view of the facts, have prepared a respectful memorial to General Mac Arthur askUig that their regiment he withdrawn for a short time from the lighting line, In order that they may recuperate. The memorial states that the men ure willing to light, hut are In no condition to do so owing to the strain of long marching, continued lighting and outpost duty In which they have been engaged. It Is added that many of the men have been un able to have their clothing washed for months past, having been com pelled during all that time to sleep in their uniforms to be In readiness for fighting. The memorial adds that since February 2 the regiment has lost 225 men In killed and wounded, and fifty-nine since the hattle*’of Malolos. The officers of the regiment propose to present a similar memorial on be half of the men. The splendid record of the First Nebruska In the entire campaign and the tone of the memo rial prepared by the men Is such that no Imputation of Insubordination can bn brought against them. Officers of the regiment said to the correspondent of the Associated Press here today that they thought the men had been worked beyond endurance and should be given a rest and some of the regu lar regiments which are now guarding the city he sent to the front. Five volunteer regiments and the ('tab battery of artillery are at Ban Fernando. They muster In all about 2,500 men. Muny of the soldiers are in the hospital suffering from heat or other causes. The wounded were all suffering acutely and showed the effects of exposure to the sun when they arrived. Three days’ rest has already worked wonders. Since the army entered Malolos the soldiers have had little water to drink except that which was brought on railway trains from Manila, and thav was of poor quality. The artesian wells at San Fernando are doing much toward making them feel contented. WASHINGTON, May 13.—No dis patch received recently from Manila has been read with deeper Interest at the war department than that which was sent by the Associated Press via Hong Kong. War department officials and army officers did not care to he quoted upon the subject, hut the com ment generally among army officers was that the troops which had been fighting so long and continuously are exhausted and were really in need of rest. It Is explained that the men did not fear fighting, hut after fight ing and marching and constant picket duty they were no doubt much ex hausted. Some army officers suggest ed that the action of the Nebraska regiment was like a town meeting and that the army could not be conducted upon such lines. Comment was made to the effect that the dispatches indi cated that the various regiments were on duty constantly and that there was no reserve to relieve them when they reached the limit of endurance. It was stated by an officer in the department that one reason why it had been Impossible to relieve the volun teers with the regulars now at Manila was because the regulars recently sent to the Philippines were at least two thirds recruits and were necessarily untrained and lacked the discipline of the volunteers, who are now veterans. It is believed that General Otis does not care to risk the hard fighting to untried men that he desires the volun teers to remain at the front because he is sure of them In any emergency. Dlsust rous l(mr Kutl Collision. READING, Fa., May 13.—A collision of passenger trains occurred on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Exeter, about six miles south of this city, tonight, and a great number of people were killed and injured. There is no telegraph ut Exeter, and de tails, therefore, are difficult to obtain ut this writing. The number killed is variously stated to be from fifteen to twenty-live. Fully fifty others are injured. The regular express train from Fottsvllle for Phlladoplhla connected at the station in Reading with u train from Harrisburg, which was crowded with excursionists who had been to the state capltul to witness the cere monies tn connection with the unveil ing of the Hartrunft monument. Many of the Harrisburg passengers at Read ing went aboard the Philadelphia ex press, hut It being found that all could not be accommodated. It was decided to send an extra traiu to Philadelphia to run ns the second section of tha express, The extra train left twenty minutes later than the express At Exeter the express stopned for orders and while standing still the extra train crashed Into It while moving at great speed. Three of the rear cars of the ex press were telescoped and (he flist ear of the extra train was also wrecked The passengers In these cars ! were terribly mangled, many tielng i killed outright, while others had llniha | and trodles maimed Word was at ; one* sent to reading and n special train, with phtablana and nursea. waa aettl to the acme aa eutckly aa It could powslbly be pul In rewdlneaa. fitHM Ami iimi mil At'tri.N. T*» . May IJ rh* ho«i« i>f lb* T«*»aa l*«lalaiur* unlay ttniAlljr pa ■•*•4 lb* unit iruol bill a* It un» IruM Ik* »*uat* Twa.lay. The bill, a* pa*a«4 Mi 4«<»4*4ly »«»*• Uiaatu* 'Kan lb* Arbau*aa law ll at«M»lul*ly 4* tiara an* pmil »r irual |t<mm 'lulM bualMMM In ib* iUI*; pr*t*nit lb*>lr Itwb (rum b*ina wnl In tb* alala, fur lb* t««a*Mi lbat II rkr»r|) »»>•« ifl«* ibat f«MMta kmikl front any Itwal uf •impurailon nblrb may prut* in Iw a Irual n**4 n»l b* pal.I tup. Otis Reports Forces of the En emy Disintegrating Daily THE GUNBOATS JOYEULLY RECEIVED Ripeitltlon I'p filter Mrrtt with Friendly ll«ini)nilration of Jfittlvr* Troop* *liow Their I.O)itliy liy I'atletuly Kndiirlnff Delay—AH I’oulhle DUpatrh Will He I'tril to Hurry Them Home. WASHINGTON, May 12 —Genera! Otis hat» cabled the war department concerning the situation In ihe Phil ippines. He says that It la very en couraging. The tone of the dlapatcii leads the officials here to believe that the end of the Filipino Insurrection la near at hand. Following la the text of the dispatch from General Oils: MANILA, May 11.—Adjutant Gener al, Washington: Succeeded In passing army gunboats to Galumplt for the use In Klo Grande: railway connections with that point secured thla week; pas sage of gunboats through Macabebc country balled with Joyful demonstra tion by Inhabitants. • • * In coun try passed over by troops temporary civil administration Inaugurated and protection to Inhabitants against In surrection abuses given as far as pos sible. Signs of Insurgent disintegra tion daily manifested. Obstacles which natural features of country present can be overcome. OTIS. In reply to the cable of the adjutant general laHt night regarding return of volunteers, General Oils cabled this morning: MANILA, May 11.—Adjutant Gen eral, Washington: Volunteer organiza tions first to return now at Negros and forty-five miles from Manila at front. Kxpected that transports now arriving will take returning volunteers. Volun teers understand they will begin to leave for the United States the latter part of month; know Importance of their presence here at this time and accept the sacrifice which the United States’ Interests make Imperative. Hancock now entering harbor. Trans ports returning this week carry sick and wounded men. Pennsylvania and St Paul not needed longer in south ern waters, where they have been re tained, hence dispatch; transports Nel son and Cleveland brought freight; re turn without cargo. OTIS. The Hancock which General Otis reports entering the harbor sailed from San Francisco April 18, carrying the Twenty-first Infantry and Light Bat tery E, First artillery, thirty-nine of ficers and 1,451 enlisted men, Colonel Kline, Twenty-first Infantry, com manding. A later dispatch from Gen. Otis says: MANILA, May 11.—Adjutant Gener al, Washington: Health condition troops arrived on Hancock excellent; two deaths enroute. Private ltelo K. Jones and Elmer H. Chevalier, com panies L and E, Twenty-first Infantry, April 24 and 20. OTIS. Ad Manila WASHINGTON, May 12.—'The cables from General Otis today were gratify ing to the officials of the war depart ment. Portions of the dispatch re garding the situation were not made public, relating, it is understood, to prospective movements. The cable re garding the return of the volunteers Indicates that the troops are making no clamor to be sent home, hut see the necessity of remaining until they can he relieved of the regulars now on the way and to be sent to Manila as soon as they can he shipped. General Otis says the troops to be sent first are In the island of Negros and at the front. This no doubt means the Cali fornia regiment, which Is probably In Negros, and It is known that the Ore gon regiment Is with General Lawton somewhere In the vicinity of Maasin. Regular* Going to Manila. NEW YORK. May 12—A special to the Tribune from Washington says. The war department is preparing to send four regiments of regulars to Manila by way of New York city and the Suez canal, utilizing for the pur pose the transports Thomas, Meade and Logan, which are to be perma nently transferred from the Atlantic to the Pacific fleet. These vessels will, it Is thought, transport the Seventh and Nineteenth regiments of infantry and the First and Seventh regiments of artillery, although some other con mand may be substituted for one of these before their sailing dates. On the Pacific roast two more regiments, the Sixth and Sixteenth Infantry, will start for Manila this month. The for mer will leave San Francisco on the Shermun on May 22 and the latter ou the Grant a week later. Within a week It is believed that General Otis 1 will be In position to be«tn sending home the volunteeis from the Philip pines by every available steamer, a* Important reinforcements which left San Francisco April IS ami 2d ar. about due to reach him Third Nebraska lloniaeir.l Ititund ACGCSTA. (la . May 12 The Thir l Nebraska was mustered out here yes terday. The regiment started home ward In supectal trains over the Geor gia railroad At Atlanta the regiment will be turned over to the Nashville, Chattanooga * St l.outs road Only three regiments now remain at Camp Onward, the Forty-ninth Io wa, the Third Kentucky and the Thir ty Aral Michigan The Iowa regiment will ha mustered out next Saturday. T«me (of taoihsM l« sinks. MAMI A Mai t| Air HI—tit manager of tie Manila lugupan rati road. and two of hie assistant# who had irmatned inside the Insurgent lines to proles t the property of the railway company, arrived ai San Fer nando yesterday, f hey had been in formed by the insurgents that they would he no longer responsible for their safety If they remained within i their lines Mr lllgglna corroborated the st or law that have been told of the demoralisation of the Filipino# and says that the rebels are looting all the Halites property. CUBAN SITUATION llrljliter I>a>* Evidently In Store for tli* Ieland. NEW YORK, May 12.—Among the passengers who came In on the Ha vana, which was released (rorn quar antine today, was General H. O. Ernst who has been In Cuba since January. He has been stationed in Havana as inspector on General Brooke's staff. ‘The situation In Cuba today,” said he, a’ls bright and the condition of the Island is Improving. One bears very little about annexation down there, though there Is a sentiment tending that way among the people. Those who have money and business Inter ests are generally in favor of annexa tion. Many, however, are willing that the islund should come In as a state after Independence has been declared. "The government was surprised when the roll was found to contain the names of 40,000 soldiers. Both Gomez and General Porter had cal culated that It would contain the names of only 30,000 men, who would get about $100 apiece. When It be came apparent that there were so many names on the list It was decided tj strike off the names of commissioned officers, those who enlisted since July last and those In the employ of the government. After these names had been dropped there were left about 3K, 000. These will probably be sifted down more, for on the new pay roll blanks Issued to the paymasters there is a certificate attached which must be filled out by the company command er for the man who will receive the money and give up his arms. There has been a little feeling over this or der for the men to give up their urm.<, but I do not bcdleve It will amouut to much.” General Ernst «pld that In his opin ion there was one man lu Cuba whom be thought was qualified to be elect ed president. Ho said that he did not think Gome/, would ever fill that po sition. "Gomes Is a good man, but he has many enemies. Then, again, I do not believe be is qualified to hold that office. Should the sentiment for annexation increase I believe Gomes would cause trouble. He keeps quiet as long as they dangle ‘Cuba I.lbre' before him.” No Travel I’ajr In the l'« nlruet. SAN FRANCISCO, May 12—The crew of the transport Grant has been paid off and discharged. Including all hands, there were upward of 150 men. They shipped at New York for the trip to Manila, thence to San Francis co, and understood thut they were to receive transportation hack to New York. Every man of the crew de clares that the articles were read to him with the transportation clause in them when he shipped from New York. The articles were read to the crew at the time of their discharge, but in them was nothing about transportation to New York. The crew of the Sher man will come out of quarantine next week with a similar story and the men of the transport Sheridan, now on its way from Manila, will probably have a similar tale to tell. The crew of the Grant realize that for their fare home they are dependent entirely on tho government’s generosity. Mr >1111:111 V*. Alger, DETROIT, Mich., May 12.—Senator McMillan arrived from Washington today. Asked whether he had read General Alser's announcement of bis senatorial candidacy and his state ment that McMillan had told him he would he a candidate. Senator Mc Millan said he had seen the announce ment, but that General Alger must take the responsibility of having made it. “During the entire time for over a year at Washington," said the senator, “and during the very many casual conversations 1 have had with Geueral Alger, we have not mentioned the sen atorial matter; at lesst, not in regard to his candidacy and my stepping out. There is the very strongest fooling among Michigan republicans that 1 should seek re-election.” Preservatives Ar* Harmful. CHICAGO, May 12.—The senatorial pure food Investigating committee heard testimony today regarding the use of preservatives and antiseptics by manufacturers In preparing food, I)r. Albert H. Prescott, agricultural chemist and professor of chemistry In the University of Michigan, and Vic tor Vaughan, professor of hygienne of the same institution, were the prin cipal witnesses and both ngreed that the use of ffrcservatlves In the manu facture of foods was injurious to the public health. The substitution of any food fur another, the witness said, should be made known to the con sumer, because certain kinds of adul terated foods or drink, while harmless In some cases, are extremely injurious in others. Uoutl I rrllng In Third Nebraska. Al’UI HTA. tia. May 12. — In the muster-out of the Third Nebraska th* feeling that existed tietweeu the offl o'H and men wa» exceptionally fin*. 1 They ail seamed to be on the treat of terms. Colonel Vtf'iualn goes out of ! the service very highly thought of as a colonel of holunteers ills men all love him Colonel Vllrjualn has at ail times been very strict, but *the Mien and officers were repaid for this, aa when the time of muster out raiue, | tt.etr buiki. rer un's etc., were tn the last 'if shape 'the regiment was very highly iompliH’ented on this feature by the mualerli.g offi er. Msdraid a>rlis| tress l.iiNtfciN, May 12. the I am don Matt <le. Isres that a group of Ameri can and Ktrgltsh literary agents has lor me l a syndicate tor the put pu*« of inntrolll.tf the fu*ore production# of tludvard Ktptlna MomuiisI M Itivt hsi«l VI*lire I’bVbi; ti May 12 Memorial ser vice# were held here lu-lay In honor u( tlvorgs l> n t o< Mrk« a sailor on th* and the list llhioan hilled In the npsatsh ear donator Porahsr delivered the funeral oration IS IN FAVOR OF PEACE Session of Filipino Congress Advised Capitulation. MACABEBES WANT TO FIGHT TAGALS No Mora Now llrlnf Made lij Urn. Mae Arthur, m lie la Watting lor Itrgulnra to (live the Volunteera a Heat—The Sit uation at the Front. MANILA, May 11.—Reports re ceived from the Insurgent line, which, however, have not been confirmed, say that, a meeting of the Filipino congress has beetj held at San Pedro. There was no quorum present, but In spite of the fact that some business was transacted. The reports add that although those who attended were mostly partisans of Agulnaldo, a a strong desire for peace was expressed. Major General MacArthur will prob ably remain at San Fernando until fresh troops can be forwarded to him from this city to replace some of the volunteers, who have become exhaust ed from the long campaign. Filipino riflemen to the number of 8,000 are entrenched on three sides of Jlacolor. The Americans, however, are fully able to hold the city If Monday's attack was a specimen of the enemy's fight ing ability. The United States Philippine com mission has been considering a pro visional constitution for the Island of Negros, which was framed by Colonel Smith und leading r.utlvea. It is largely modeled after the constitution of California. This constitution, It. Is Intended, will give the natives self government, co-operating with the military regime. Work on the con stitution has been apportioned to the several members of the Philippine commission. The report of President 8< hurmann will give special attention to national, provincial and municipal government; Colonel Charles Denby will consider the organization of courts and Prof. P C. Worcester will In vestigate tribal, physical and commer cial features In the Islands, All the members of the commission are con sulting with resident experts. The army "Unclad" gunboats Isi guna de Bay and Oavedonga, under command of Captain Grant, steamed up the Rio Grande to Caluroplt today, clearing the entire country of rebels from the hay upward. When the vessels reached Maeabebe about 1,000 of the Inhabitants of the place assembled upon the banks of the river, cheering the expedition lustily. Captain Grant was given an ovation when he went ashore. Many of the Macabebes expressed themselves as being anxious to enter the service of the American army for the campaign against the Tagals. The United States transports Putddft and Pennsylvania sailed for home to day by way of Nagasaki. The trans ports Charles NelBon and Cleveland will leave on Thursday and Friday. 10:15 a. m —The Filipino army of General Maseardo, Inspired by wine taken from the storehouses of Bacolor and by the general’s oratory, on Mon day evening attacked San Fernando. There was tremendous yelling and a great expenditure of cartridges by the rebels, but very little result. General Maseardo holds the outskirts of Haco lor west of the railroad. In front of his positions are the Kansas und Montana regiments, which occupy trenches that the Filipinos built in anticipation of an attack from the direction of the sea. During the afternoon of Monday General Maseardo, with a large retinue of officers, rode along the lines, fre quently stopping to harangue his war riors. At dusk a detachment of rebel* i-UBhed toward the outposts of the Montana regiment, but were met by a hot fire from the Montana line. The insurgents, from trenches neurly three miles long, responded. Artpr an pour q tiring, during wntcL one private soldier or the Montana regiment was wounded, the Insurgent.-) subsided, although they kept up a scattering fire throughout the night Prisoners who were brought Into the American lines said that General Muscardo distributed barrels of wine among his soldiers, telling them that he expected to capture the city of San Fernando. The trenches undoubt edly saved the Americans from heavy loss, the bullets falling thick about them during the engagement. General Luna Is massing his army east of the railway, bringing up troops by trainloada In sight of the American lines. The country between San Fer nando and t'alumplt Is filling up with nalleca, who profess great friendship toward the Americans, but who are suspected br many of sympathy with the Insurrection. A Filipino connected with the Amer ican hospital corps was killed. It Is supposed, by amigos t l»|« for l urtu Kirn WASHINGTON, I) C„ May II.- F.y cry postothce In the Island of Porto j Htco, about eighty In number, aonu will Is* flying a t’nited States flag The war department today was naked by Acting Post master General Heath to furnish tits service sufllclwnt Bags for this purpose and pti#tal oHIctals expect the response will be favorable Other wise flags will be bought by the po*t ■ >flti e department and forwarded to |H m tor of Posts Flllolt wuMgww Astt'Tewat hoi IWHISO Mich May II A hill |M*w>l the senate today pra* tl< ally •hutting trusts out uf Michigan and Ita friend* tlalm votse enough In the house lu yaw It It prevents truaia and nwnupoltsw of capital, skill .* aria, tram creating ur ranting ua In crease ur reducing I he price uf test j rhandlse ur any commodity. ur Using any standard ur Ngms whereby the price la the ponlic . utsamer uf any nrlt ie or commodity wf m r-Ncu im shall he in nny manner tuatrolled w established. SAMOA COMMISSION Will llnre Supreme f'owrr From Time off In Arrival. WASHINGTON, May 11.—Ihe Unit ed States naval transport Dailger with the Samoan commission aboard was due to arrive at Apia, yesterday, and there Is much Interest among officials In the Important changes of conditions which will be brought about when tha commission assumes charge of affairs* It will Involve a practical suspension of the treaty of Berlin and the system of administration by which the Islands hav^ been governed for the last tan years, and the temporary rule of the commission with supreme executive and administrative authority. My arrangements made before the Badger sailed, it will enter the harbor of Apia with the flags of the UniUd States, Great Britain and Germany dis played. TJie war ships of the three countries will fire the salute accorded to ministers and there will be an ex change of calls between the naval com manders, the commission and the con suls of the three governments, Herr Hose and Messrs. Maxse and Osborne, will suspend their functions, as all the authority heretofore exercised by the consuls and other officials for the time being will be In the hands of the Joint commission. The same suspension of functions will occur as to Chief Justice Chamijers and the president of the mn uiclpal council. The cable advices that all is quiet in Samoa gives re newed ussurnnee to officials that the work of the commission will be pro ductive of good results, as it will en able them to begin their labors freo from the excitement of open hostili ties. In view of the Berlin press report* that a number of German claims would be pressed, growing out of the recent bombardment, it Is stated in an au thoritative quarter that no such claims have been presented and that If any claims are made by Individual Ger mans they will be passed upon by the Joint commission, their functions hav ing been made broad enough to permit them to pass on all such question*. Their report, however, would he con fined to the merits of the claims, amounts and the parties liable, and it would remain for the respective gov ernments to carry out the recommend ations by making the necessary ap propriations. Damage lluln■ Itejertcd. NEW YOHK, May 11.—A special to the Herald from Washington says: Major General Otis has virtually de cided aguinst the legality of claim* for Indemnity filed by residents of Il oilo whose property was destroyed during the operations incident to the capture of that city on February 1L Claimants who reside In other coun tries are advised to present their claims through the government* of their respective countries. The claims, according to inrormar tlon received here, are held by per sons of various nationalities' including Filipinos, and amount to several mil lions of dollars, German subjects resi dent at Iloilo are said to be among the principal claimants. In response to these claimants General Otis has ad dressed to them a circular letter, p copy of which reached the War depart ment yesterday. This letter calls at tention at the outset to the fact that the claims presented vary greatly In their statements, and offer no proof of actual ownership by the claimant of property destroyed, so that even If liability of the United States were con ceded, no conclusions could be reached on the facts as presented. The general further says that the li ability of the United States to indemni fy owners of the property even if de stroyed in rebellion against this coun try would not exist. The only valid basis for claims would be the charge that the destruction resulted from ne glect by the United States authorities, and General Otis adds: “Such neglect Is not charged, nor can it be truthfully alleged." , Talk of An Kitra N«mI»d. ,»N,yVnV0RK May n ~A "Peclal to the tribune from Washington says The revival of talk of an extra session of congress has more behind it than idle gossip. The contingency of sucti a session has been discussed at a cab inet meeting und a member of that body wild was present at the time Is authority for the statement that tho president's mind Is strongly Inclined toward such a move. Two reasons chiefly control the president In this mutter. He wishes the policy of the government with respect to the Phil ippines defined und the currency qur*. tlou disposed of before the parly enters the campaign of 1900. The president has declared bis belief to his advlaers that peace will lie established within the next thirty or sixty days and that the ownership and possession of thoas Islands will no longer be disputed. This subject coming to him so soon he does not < are to formulate a policy with re spect to their government without the gid of congress. Uuia Ulv.kee la Alaska. HAS rKANCIHCO. May II—The Eg amlner prints a story regarding tha , new gold ill tcoierlea at l*o!nt Nome In Alaska, shlch Its advices declare to exceed In richness those of the Klon dike The strike Is on the Hnake riv er and Its tributaries, about twenty miles hark from Cap* Nome and IM miles from Ht Michael -Just outside the Ht. Michael military reservation of the ratted States government. 1 he mine* are all In American territory. *»•••>• MUI 1*1 H<u» #KW YOHK. M»r It Curator Own vikttf Wllli«« J IH»m uf *414 in an lalartlnw lant nigNt ‘Witt* Inw J tlr>4it will k* ik« n««l • rail* amnia** I >t Ikm pi*«M«an) An *« il»« pl«Ut>f«h | >k< iui kn<>« a hat kntur a* »»ul i .!■» than u>«*rn IM «* Ctilrifti N.>'htu« rsm lw «4ia*J by a tkiN- If Ik* alltvr punk la Ml » *»*> «» thv p. , mu *>n Um a*t tar rapublunan »k< l'*M to Itryaa, iM la lk*M *i*«4 *>*«W ma* th* a<44 •*<•<•* ' !«■* #»ai, «« a<4taka* In la««NMl4arakla,