Loup City Northwestern. VOL. Will. LOUP CITY, SHERMAN COUNTY. NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1901 NUMBER2ti, Uinictor Conger Say3 Emperor i3 Willing to Expedite a Settlement. ANXIOIS 10 DO AIL LilAT HL CAN Considers It Difficult for the Eleven Min ister* to Agree t'|ion a .Modus Vivendi— Nevertheless Feels Certain rowers Will Keuch loiiclnsloti In Short Time. NEW YORK, May 6— Minister E. II. Conger, who has 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 part: •'Unless matters have changed very materially since I left China six weeks ago, the powers will reach some conclusion in regard to the Chinese very soon. Of course it is difficult for eleven men to agree on anything, especially when they have eleven 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, finally, some nation may not ncmuuu utiiiuij in i nniu in liou of a money indemnity. It is perfectly certain that if any nation does make this demand, the partition of China will follow, and this will in evitably cause much dissention be tween the powers. These difficulties and disputes would lie 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 lots of trouble if the integrity of the empire is maintained. “As far as the punishment of Chi nese officials goes, China has already done all that she could. Something out 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 eases, everything was done as the powers demanded. “At home 1 understand that I was thought bloodthirsty, but in China I was 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 ishment to us at home would not im press the Chinese at all. for the rea son thnt 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 dividual soldiers. As an army, the allies were exceedingly well behaved. Nor were the stories of unrestricted looting true. In Pekin 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 us to withstand the siege. As for the e,lories of missionary looting, they are undisguisedly false. The mission tries did not loot." KIllS A VALENTINE INDIAN. La.leaux U IIH.I for the Sl»yl..(t of John Mul'-Wnlkn-Hehlnd. VALENTINE, Neb., May G.—As the result of imbibing too much firewater Friday night several Imlians engaged in a row among themselves on the outskirts of town, where they were camped. The row resulted in Antine I adeaux shooting John Bull-Walks Behind, the ball taking effect in the left side just below the heart and ranging toward the backbone. Sev eral Indians seized Ladeaux after he had done the shooting, bound him hand and foot with ropes and then f- turned him over to the sheriff. They called a physician to attend to the wounded Indian. TMRf ARE MANY MISSING JacI.tonTllIt! Mill I imhlr to Iterkon Mor tal Com of Fire. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 6.—Ru more of loss of life are heard on ev ery hand tonight ami 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 for persons who are miss ing. As many have left the city for tlie 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 nr lival 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 fir? 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 lie 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 SHIT IP. ItnfT.ilo Imposition Manngement Closes Concessions. 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 !>e 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 WILE COME NEXT. War Departtnen t rianning a Furthei Reduction of Force*. WASHINGTON, May 6.—It is ex pected that within a day ox two a pro gram will be completed at the war de partment for a substantial reduction of tho present strength of the United States army in the Philippines. The regular troops now there who have seen tho most service are the Four teen, Eighteenth and Twentythtrd in fantries, and one battalion of the Third artillery. They went out to Manila in 1S9S 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 organisations to return to the United States. Some of 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. It Will lie Mrs. McKinley. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., May 6 — 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 $3.03 per 100 pounds. A TOWN FIJI Tha City of Jacksonville, Elorida, Suf fers a Great Conflagration. THE LOSS IS VERY MANY MILLIONS Heart of the City Eaten Out by the De vouring Klement — lluniiie** Hlork* and Kesldenren in Great Number* Are Entirely Wiped Out. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 4.—The most disastrous fire in the history of this city began yesterday shortly after noon, in a small factory, started by a defective wire, according to the best belief, and burned for nearly ten hours. In that time property damage estimated from $10,000,000 to $10,000, 000 was caused, According to the city map 130 blocks were burned, many of them 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 them 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 $15,000,000 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 same distance Ashley and Church streets have both beeii completely blot ted out. When the Are 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 houses 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 is estimated by insurance agents that it will be between JS.OOO.OOO and $9,000,000. Six live are reported lost inutile conflagra tion. The mayor has called a meeting of the city council for tomorrow to consider ways and means of reliev ing the cufferers. Well Known Farmer Killed. NEW LONDON, la.. May 4.—Harry Helplirey 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, the horses knocked the gun down and is exploded. The contents entered Helphrey’s heart, killing him instant ly. Typhoid at German Forts. BERLIN, May 4.—An epidemic of typhoid fever has broken out in sev eral forts and villages in the neigh borhood of Metz. The Eighth Ba varian regiment has alone last six teen men from the disease and has 281 men sick. Wins Holy Terror Case. RAPID CITY. S. D., May 4.—P. B. McCarty of this city has received word from the supreme court at Wash ington that he has won the Holy Ter ror ease, which gives him one-eighth interest in the Holy Terror mine at Kaystona CHINA CANNOT MEET DEMANDS. Mast lluveAM to Fay Indemnity—Tone of Walflerftee'n letter. PEKIN, May 3.—At a meeting of the ministers yesterday the report of the indemnity committee was read. Regarding the resources of China the 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 cable to the Associated Press, it is asserted that the reve nues from all available resources will not allow China to pay the indemnity unless assistance is rendered. Tiie next meeting will be held next Tuesday. The subject of Count von Waldersee’s letter will then be taken u; 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 E RAIDS. Fred Donr Taken to Omaha for Crime A|;riitiMt Veteran*. ST. JOSEPH. Mo., May 3.—Frod Dorer, alias Fred Dolan, who was ar rested here on a change of drunken ness two weeks ago and iater Identi fied as a man wanted by the 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 thuii 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 l he country. WU THINKS CUSTOMS TOO LOW, Say* rrexent Kate I* Inadequate to I*ro vlde f«»r New I.niui. WASHINGTON, May 3.—It is be lieved here that the hitch which is said to have arisen at Pekin over the proposition to increase the Chinese customs duties to meet the indemnities demanded by the foreign powers is caused by the uroaching 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 I'nited States govern ment has in the past admitted a read iness to permit the Chinese to increase custom rates providing there was no discrimination between the powers. Minister Wu says that the present 5 per cent rate is totally inadequate to provide a sinking fund for a new loan. COMING HOMT Of TROOPS | Many of the Volunteer Troop* to Return llefore the End 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 23, Grant, with the Forty eighth and Forty-ninth; Ohio, with the Forty-seventh. If there should be any surplus they will be sent on the Thomas. ---- - Town is Launched Again. SEATTLE, Wash., May J—The bat . tleship Iowa was launched today from the Bremerton navy yard, after un dergoing repairs and a thotough over hauling. Less than four weeks were required in the great undertaking, al though six weeks had been allowed by the navy department. The Iowa is now awaiting sailing orders. Twin* Itiirn to Drnth. SIOUX CITY. Ia., May 3.—Jay and .Toy, the 3-year-old twin children ol Mrs. Layton Hubbard, were burned to death in a stable at Hawarden, Ia. The children were playing in the barn and set fire to some papers. The charred remains were found after the bam had been destroyed. Shot Through the Heart. NEW LONDON. Ia.. May 3.—Harry Helphrey, farmer, while plowing in the field, leaned his shotgun against the fence. In making a turn hta horses knocked down the gun and It went off, sending the load into Hel phrey’s heart, killing him Instantly. IS GOULD AND CLARK These Are the Men Now Figuring in Union Pacific Thecvies. BUYING IN ORDLR TO CONTROL. New Yorker Thought to f'herlsti Tlirto* IT out I Control Hclieme—Chirk Wants Outfit for New Lint*, t&ml Is Said to H« Seeking Privileges In the East. NEW YORK May 2.—The Mall and Express says: It was learned from offi cial sources that William K. Vander bilt is a large holder of Union Pa cific stock and that he acquired his holding after reaching a full under standing with E. 11. Harriman. Those m a position to know assert that Mr. Harriman was placed at tlie head of the road at the Instance of Mr. Van derbilt, although others declare that Mr. Harriman is the joint choice of Messrs. W. K. Vanderbilt, George J. Gould and Kuhn, Loeb & Co. Mr. Harriman is a close personal friend of Mr. Vanderbilt and was pick ed out to manage the Union Pacific because lie was regarded as an able railroad man. Prom sources close to Mr. Vanderbilt, it appears that the present management of the Union Pa cific is not only In thorough accord with that gentleman, but has stood ready for a long time to make a deal with the Chicago & Northwestern, which the Vanderbilts control. But up to the present year of great deals, Mr. Vanderbilt, it is said, thought it was better for the Northwestern to have several strings to Its how. rath er than tie tip exclusively with the Union Pacific. j lie uurnngion ueai, nowever, changed the western situation and the aggressive policy of eMssrs J. J. Hill and J. P. Morgan in combining the Burlington, Northern Pact Pc and Great Northern forced the Northwestern to prepare for future emergencies. There are excellent reasons for the assumption that Mr. Vanderbilt lias been the largest buyer of Union Pacific on the great rise to nearly 130 either for his own account, with a view to increasing his interest, or on account of Chicago & Northwestern, so thi^t the latter can exercise a leading influ ence in Union Pacific. There is good ground for believing that George J. Gould, as president of the Missouri Pacific and a leading di rector in Union Pacific, has been a heavy buyer of the latter stock and that by means of his large private holdings of stock which may later be turned over to the Missouri Pacific, the latter road will, jointly with the Northwestern, and possibly the St. Paul, control Union Pacific. LOS ANGELES, Cal., May 2.—The Evening Express this afternoon pub lished a report that private advices have been received here to the effect that John W. Gates, the steel mag nate, is rsponsible for the recent phe nomenal advance in I’nion Pacific Etock and that Gates is acting for Senator W. A. Clark and associates, who are endeavoring to secure con trol of the Union Pacific as an outlet for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake railroad. ANNIVERSARY Of MANILA BAY Admiral I>«\v«*y and Ills Comrades In Hattie Meet ot Banquet Hoard. WASHINGTON, I). C., May 2.—The third anniversary of the battle of Ma nila hay was celebrated her tonight by a banquet at the Raleigh hotel, participated in by officers cf the Amer ican fleet who took part 'u that con flict. These numbered about twenty five persons, less than one-fourth of those who were in the battle. The greater number of them came from stations along the Atlantic coast, from Portsmouth, N. H., to Norfolk, Va. The floral decorations were unusually attractive, but four large American flags, with the American eagle and shield as a centerpiece, were the fea tures of the decoration. Center of Population. WASHNGTON, May 2.—The cnsus bureau issued a bulletin announcing that the center of population of the United State, excluding Alaska and re cent territorial accessions, on June last was six miles southeast of Columbus, Bartholomew county, in southern In diana. Orrnian'* Surprising: Action. HONG KONG. May 2.—It Is reported that the Germans have selected a con cession at Canton, that the prelimi naries have been arranged and that possession will be taken soon. MANAGER BALDWIN TESTIFIES. Montj Paid Captain Jumrs C. Re