The Omaha f Daily Bee. ESTABLISHED JUNE. 19, 1871. OMAHA, MONDAY MOKNINO, MARCH 14, 1904. SINOLH COPY THREE CENTS. yin i Ited TIIROUCIIRAILROUTURCHESST T00LDWAYS V w. '. In Home laraere the Suggestion 5ew York nl Buenos Ayres Will Ul ) ntUlj Bt in Gommuiottion. RESULT OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Commiiiienef Pepier BnbmlU Eii Beport to the Bute Department. ABOUT 4,800 MILES ARE STILL LACKING Much Progress Made in Advancing Fan American Railway. Inducements to foreign capital Legislation by Set era! Southern Re- Eetabllahea Kund te Kneeur rr Bnlldlug. WASHINGTON, March 3.-Charles M. pepper, appointed by President Roosevelt ss commissioner to carry out the recom mendations of the second International American conference, held In Mexico two years ago with regard to the pan-American railway, haa submitted his report to the State department, by which It will be transmitted to congress. The second conference created a perma nent committee, with headquarters In Washington, of which ex-Senator II. O. Da via la chairman and Andrew Carnegie Is a member. The other members are the ambassador from Mexico and the minister from Peru and Guatemala, Commissioner Pepper spent a year In visiting the various countries and was aided In his work by the United States ministers. His Inquiries covered the gen ral subject of trade opportunities that would result from railroad building, ell as actual railway construction. The report says that the general project of an Intercontinental Una which will ultimately place New York and Buenoa Ayres In through railway communication Is recelv Ing much encouragement. At the present time about 4,800 miles are ' lacking and the estimated cost of con struction Is placed at 1150.000,000. This Is based on an average of 60 cents gold ss a dally wage for labor with an efficiency cf 76 per cent, aa compared with similar labor In the United States. Commissioner Pep per gives five specific causes which have contributed to advance the Intercontinental project, as well as railway building In gen eral. Borne of the developments have taken place since the beginning of the present - year. The encouraging causes aa specified In the report are: Kaeosraglag Causes. 1. Progress at both ends as shown In Imultaneous action by Mexico on the north and the Argentine KeDuhltc on the south to extend their railway Hues so that one will leach the border of Guatemala and the Mhr will pass the frontier of Bolivia. 1 The settlement of disputed boundaries and other questions which heretofore have mused the countries to be Indifferent to railway intercourse among themselves. Notable instances of this, are the delimita tion of the boundary between Colli and the Aiaautlne. Republic. iaj4 the treaty ratified by Braatl and -Holt via in February of this year for the settlement of. the Acre rubber territory. . - (. The law passed by the Chilean Con gress for the tunnel through the Andes vhlrh will enable the long deterred through railway connection between Buenos Ayres una Valparaiso to oe maae 4. Legislation by several of the remibllcs with a view to offering greater Inducements for foreign capital to engage In railway construction and especially the law pusaed by tha Peruvian Congress a few weeks ago which establishes a permanent railway guaranty fund of $1,000,000 annually out of the proceeds of the tobacco tax. . 5. The definite determination of the Pan. etna canal question which Is exptcted to be beneficial both In the stability which will result from tha infl tence of the United States on the Isthmus . nd from the over flow of private capital into private railway enterprises. Commissioner Pepper pays a high tribute to tha Intercontinental survey which was made by three corps of engineers from Guatemala to Bolivia in accordance with tha recommendation of the first pan-American conference. Iatereonttnental purvey. The surveys were concluded In ISM and the report says they have been of very much practical value, having been utilised In actual railroad construction In Peru. temala and other countries. In reviewing In detail the republics vis ited, Commissioner Pepper discusses the great progress In Mexico and the actual railway work that la still going on. Only 171 miles are lacking to reach the border of Guatemala. Reference la also made to the Interoceanlc lines from the Qulf of Mexico to the Pacific and It la stated that within two years two through trunk sys tems will be completed. President Dial la praised for the results which have been had from the railroad policy adopted a quarter of a century ago. Mexico now haa 1,700 miles of railway, ex cluding electric, traction and similar tram ways, against S35 miles In 1871. Comment. Ing on the Investments of citizens of the United States, the report aaya that there has been an Increase slnee two years, when the report of Consul General Barlow placed the capital of Mexican railroads controlled In thla country at 80 per cent of the total. Regarding the Central American coun- trlea, tha commissioner aays that most of them have national policies for the build Ing or interoceanlc railroads, and these will serve aa feeders for the panAmerican route. He states that the demand for supplies that will result from the Psnama canal construction will encourage railroad enterprises throughout Central America and he suggests the poeaihillty of further fa duties for meeting the needs of Interna- tlonal traffic. Guatemala Extension. In the Ouatemala extension of the Cen tral railroad In November, .IMS, has left only thirty miles open from the capital to Ayutla an the northern border, and thla section. It Is expected, will be built In the near future. Importance Is given the con tract concluded by 8lr William C. Vanhornt and Miner C. Keith and the government. In January. 14. for completing the Northern railroad from Guatemala City to El Kancho. This will Insure a through rail route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and also will encourage other Panama llhea to the border of Salvador. In describing the prospects of Nicaragua Commissioner Pepper calls attention to the action f the government In reviving former projects for a rail route through to the Atlantic as soon as It was definitely settled that tne canal waa to be' built aeroaa Pan a ma Instead of aeroaa Nicaragua. Engl fleers are making the survey for what Is known aa the Atlantic route. Tha gov ernment Is negotiating with New York and London capitalists for the establishment of a national bank. If this Is done railway enterprises will bo aided. Something also expected from the mining concessions granted a Pittsburg syndicate. Prea ra In.CoMo Rica. Hallway geogrree la shown In Coeta Rica. (OoatlauaA c Booood Pag. for Reform la Church Maale. it , 14. by It-ess Publishing Co ) 'arch 13 New York World Ca cIh1 Tel gram.) The reform of Is meeting with much reslst tdlness of the United State clerxv to comply with tha eh V a nr. blsh papai. ae'erees has been much commented on here, where things continue largely as they were before. Only the other day at a solemn maea In which several of the Roman churches took part the lomiaaen brass Instruments of a military band alternated with the singers In rendering selections and no protest was made. The musical services of Holy Week and Easter 111 K miixk (h -t, mo that of last VOaT. ss the patriarchal churches still persist In claiming exemption from the new rule. 1 The twenty-five Noble Guards recently pensioned off have succeeded In proving I that their contract with the Vatican was for thirty years and they will be reinstate! Tne many aismissea memoers i m- Palantlne and a Swiss corps are looking for similar decision and are wearing out the I . 1. .11 1 ... vnAMna trt lhal. I 7 . V ; . . 7C. v md f efforts to find at least some other kind of I employment. - I Through all this hubbub Plus X eontlnuas on nis even way, trying to reacn ine goai he has set before him of accentuating the religious spirit over that of political and material contingencies. Every one In Rome Is by this time persuaded that no one In the pope's entourage Is responsible for the reforms and even the cardinal acts only as private secretary, as Plus X Is now known to accept no suggestion, but to take the Initiative himself. In fact no one would be surprised if one day or another Plus X were to end the policy of reaction toward Italy, and, deaf to all protests, la augurnie a more liberal tendency in tne Cnurc n. I Of the cardinals resident In the curia only one-mira can oe renea upon to approve aDsoiuteiy or whatever the pope decides; the others, most of whom did not give tneir vote to him in the conclave, are grouped around the personalities of Ram- polla and the two Vanutellas, and, under I the calm appearance of perfect eubmls- I slon, are quietly obstructing the road of reform which the pope has laid down. I MOTOR LIFE BOAT ON TRIAL Builders Confident It Will Bo a Sue peas and Supersede the Old Style. (Copyright, 1904, by Press Publishing Co.) PARIS. March ll-(New York World Cablegram Special Telegram.) The first motor lifeboat ever built In Franca ha. just torU Lou were entertalned at a reeep becn aunched at Port La Rochelle and U to today at tne re,denc! of Unted now the subject of no end of discussion Mini.,.. ni.r . Marlnno. a uh- among sailor men. The boat is propelled by . '""'-""r-poww eng.no, in wncn ,.CwU.rum UBea ,or xuei, ana in an orai. D(, t0 gnntiago on board the May nary sea Is credited with a speed of twen-! - ,. ,,, th. Rn1,ur.' home ty-flva miles an hour. The lines of the boat rw ime mow or a racer, ana u is equippea I with air-tight apartments that the builders say will keep It afloat In the heaviest seas. I cart or me nnars equipment consists of a lot of new life belts. These have Just been Invented and the Initial experiments have proven them to be vastly superior to the old time life belts made of sections of cork sewed In canvas bags. The new belt , " -" are four alr-tlght pockets. It has been eiea several limes in tne last month, ana In every case has given the best of results. Men wearing the belts jtimped Into the water head first, but Invariably came to the surface head at the top and remained thus without tha least movement of the bodv. Experts say the buoyancy of the new belt Is sufficient to keep any one above water for many days. n SCHWAB GETS NEW MOTOR CAR Gaarevateed to Develop Speed of Eighty Mllea aa Honr with Pall Load. (Copyright, 1904. by Press Publishing Co.) it,-K, r-ranoe. juarcn J3.-(ew xork World Cablegram-Special Telegram.)- . naries an. ncnwaD s new nineiy-norse power Mercedes motor car has arrived here In charge of a professional chauffeuer, who waa aent overland with the machine from Paris. Mr. Schwab will make new records with It. In the maiden trip of the car an aver age speed of 43.S miles an hour waa made. Including necessary stops for slight re. pairs and slow-downa through numberless towns and villages on the route. The makers have guaranteed a maximum speed oT eighty miles in hour with three pas sengers and 300 pounds of baggage. Mr. Schwab Intends to use the new car for long trips to points of Interest on the continent. He Is planning to leave with a party of friends In a few days for tha initial run of several hundred miles. He will then test the speed of tha flyer to the limit. MAD MULLAH PROVES HARD NUT Effort to Craehx It Is Proving lerloua Burden to Brltlah Tax payera. - (Copyright. 1904. by Preas Publlahlng Co.) IXJNDON. March II. (New York World Cablegram Special Telegram.) The expe dition to smash the so-called "mad" mullah In Boroallland has been a failure and la proving ao enormously costly that the British government Is casting about for some m- ana of dropping It. The native In dlan troops employed havo grown weary, discontented and must be sent home with out further delsy. The mortality Is exceptionally high and the task undertaken la reported to be prac tically hopeless of accomplishment. The expedition was to have coat P.tOOOOO. but has already exhausted Ave times that sum, with no return. CHINESE ENVOY TO VATICAN Comes to Consult Regarding; Catholle Mlaaloa la tha Chiaeso Empire. (Copyright. lMei. by Preas Publishing Co.) ROME. March 13. New York World Cablegram 8peclal Telegram.) A special envoy from the emperor of China has ar rived here. Intrusted. It Is said, with the making of special arrangements regarding the Catholle missions In China. Acrom- panled by hla suite and Interpreters, ho paid a formal visit to the Apostolic Col- lege for Foreign Misaions. whlc has charge of several districts In China, and remained In close conversation with the rector. Mgr. Tomasslni, more than an hour. Mgr. Tomasslni afterward went to the Vatican, and It Is said that the pope will soon receive the Chinese envoy ta private audience, Colombia concedes loss Definite! Decides, to Make No Effort to Beoorer Panama. SOLDIERS ARE RETURNING TO BOGOTA Orders Issaed Prohibiting Aar At tack on the Frontier of Panama Sickness Reported Among the Troops. (Copyright by New York Herald Co., 1904.) PANAMA, March IS. (New York Herald Cablegram Special Telegram to The Bee.) The Herald's correspondent in Colon telo- Sraphs that the French steamer arriving there this morning brings the news that the ri..nll.iv de- slsted front any movement to recover Its oft trr1tPV , pntiama and has prohibited "T lunner uiiempts io aimc frontier. Nln hundred Colombian soldiers are now returning to Bogota. Several Colombian frm PArih.ni. have arrived at Colon, probably on their way to Cauca. The last Colombian expedition to Tatu matl, consisting of eighty men, has been obliged to return to Carthagena on account of Illness among the men. MISSIONARY'S DEATH CONFIRMED, Presbyterian Board Receives Km af the Marder of Rev. Lebaree. nrw YORK. March 12. -The Presby .--- un.,J ,.l irivl.n Mlulnni tnriav received bv cable continuation of the pWg 0f the murder of the Rev. Benjamin w. Labaree. near Khol, Persia. He was the son of the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Labaree, a loo a missionary In Persia. The Rev. Mr. Labaree who was murdered was born in I'rumla, Persia, thirty-four years ago. He was appointed a missionary In 1893 and leave a widow and two chil- dren. Mrs. Labaree Is a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Schauffler, now of Cleveland and for mBny year" a ml8"lonary ,n Turkey' S4VIERS ENTERTAINS ENGINEERS, Reception at Mariano at Home United States Minister. Of HAVANA. March 13. The members of the American Institute of Mining, Engineers who, with their wives and families, are touring the West Indies on board the Ham burg-American line steamer Princess Vic- urb of Havana. Assistant Secretary of gtftN Loomls. who accompanied Admiral He ,B't0 eRV8 tomorrow for home on the Mayflower CHINESE LABOR IN THE TRANSVAAL. Asiatics Will Be Imported Rearardlooa of Ulnar Ed ward Decision. LONDON. March 13. The colonial office Issued a statement tonight confirming the AwnlnnatlAn Mifu1 frim Johntineahtire to the effect that King Edward's decision Asiatic labor importation ,. , . lh Transvaal from proceealnK wlth the constitution of .u. o er.t,,i.h the anirzested de- , ,n tne matter waning only that certain ' tiatlons have to be completed with the Chinese government before laborers can be shipped. HERDS OF SEALS DRIVEN INLAND Coast Dwellers of Newfoundland Reaping Rich Harvest ST. JOHNS. N. F.. March 13. Large herds of seals are being carried against the northern ooast line of Newfoundland by the Inshore winds, thus enabling the coast dwellers to kill them. Many sealing ateamers passed north on Saturday and aP- working through the tee floes. It la thought they will be able to reach these without .tifflciiltv. GOVERNMENT AGAIN VICTORIOUS. After Two Daya of Severe Fighting; Insurgents Are Defeated. SAN DOMINGO, March 13. After severe fighting', which lasted two days, San Pedro de Macoris has. been recaptured by gov ernment forces. Louis Tejera Is left to act aa governor of the town. The rebel leader, Rodguex, escaped. Many men were killed on both sides during the fighting. Thla city Is quiet. , DEWEY WIRES EXPLANATION Failed to Call on President Morales at Ban Domingo Beeauao Fight ing Waa In Progress. WASHINGTON. March IS. Admiral Dewey, who with several members of the general staff and Assistant Secretary Loomla of tha State department, are now at Havana, haa telegraphed the Navy de partment the reasona why he failed to call on President Morales of San Domingo when the party were In San Domingo waters several days ago. The failure to visit caused considerable surprise at the time. It appears that there was fighting in progress In the vicinity on the day the party was there and for that reason the admiral did not deem It advisable to make an official visit. During the forenoon there were several casualties In San Domingo city from the fighting then In progress, This waa caused from shots crossing the liver, through which the boat must. paa and aa more fighting waa expected durlri the afternoon, the admiral gave up the projected vlatt. The admiral, however, aent his respects to President Morales by United States Minister Powell. MIGHT HAVE SET EAST ON FIRE Witness ta Smoot Case Hints at Some Terribly I'nrcvealed Secrets. SALT LAKE CITY. March IS We might have set the east on fire had we cared t tell all wo knew about polygamy." said Mr a. Emma Matthews of Marysvalley I ruh on witnesses In the Bmoot Investigation, who returned last night from I Washington with her daughter, Mrs. Mabel Kennedy 'You did not tell all you knew, thenr was aaked. "No, Indeed; we simply answered tha questions that we were ashed." Mrs. Matthews declined to reveal what I she knew of polygamy on the ground that I It might prove embajrasalng to some of 1 her particular mendf EXHIBITORS FAIL TO NOTIFY (en of the St. l.onla Exposition Want More Informa tion. ST. LOUIS. March IS. The management of the 8t. Lmils exposition Is urging ex hibitors to forward by mall Immediately upon the shipment of their displays a no tice conveying full Information with refer- nc thereto, aa to character, destination. car numbers, weight, etc, to reach the exposition In advance of the consignments. It Is stated by tha management that In the majority of cases to date this regula- lon has been compiled with, and delivery an been accomplished. Some exhibitors, however, have failed to ppreclate the necessity of this notifica tion, which has resulted In the consign ment of material to storage and a delay of from one to three weeks In delivery at the exhibit apace. Owing to the peculiar ter minal situation In St. Louis and the V9st amount of exposition frelsrht to be handled In addition to the regular traffic of this grat railroad center. It Is essential, the management states, that the exposition should have definite information with ref erence to shipments enroute. in order that arrangements may be made for immediate delivery upon arrival. An organisation operating under the di rection of the director of exhibits, has been perfected by which the exhibitor is re lieved to a great extent from the neces sity of looking after the details of his ship ments, and which at the same time Is charged with the important task of secur ing Immediate delivery of all material to the proper exhibit space upon Its arrival at the grounds. It is quite necessary, however, that the exposition should be fully advised of ship ments enroute, so that when the material Is received at the gates the exposition railroad can without . further Inquiry or delay deliver to the proper point, and the transfer company at once move the ex hllilt to the space allotted. The program for the Inauguration cere monies, opening the Louisiana Purchase ex position on Saturday, April SO, will prob ably bo officially announced within the next day or two. The greater portion of the program haa been completed by Colonel F3. C Culp, chairman of the committee on ceremonies, but the details are withheld until the arrangements for the speakers have been perfected. The opening celebration will be exclu sively an exposition affair as to partici pants, and will be confined to the grounds. There will be a parade, but the lino of march will be Inside the grounds. After the parade the ceremonies will be held In the plaza of St. Louis. The program, It Is estimated, will have been fulfilled by noon. ot which time the exposition will be form ally declared open. RAWLINS IS NOT A MORMON Former United Stntes Senator Denies Statements Mnde by Judge Hlles at Wnahlngrton. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March Jl Former united States Senator Joseph L. Rawlins today sent the following dis patch to Chairman Burrows of the Bmoot Investigation committee-, relative to '.he testimony of Judge Ogden Hlles of this city, before the commltee yesterday! Hon. J. C. Burrows, United States Senate, Washington: Judge 1 1 Ilea' state ment that I am a member of the Mormon church Is unqualifiedly false. 1 do not be. lleve in any of Its doctrines, dogmas or revelations. Have no affiliations with It. Such has been my attitude In public and In private for thirty years. Give this publicity In your proceedings. (Signed) "J. L. RAWLINS.' In an Interview Senator Rawlins explained further his past connection with the Mor-' mon chyrch. "It Is true that I was born of Mormon parents." he said. "My father waa Bishop Rawlins, but I have never affiliated with the church since I was a child. When I was I years old I was baptized according to the Mormon custom, but was never ac tive In church work. At It years I went to college, attending the University of Indi ana. Already I had begun to doubt sort ously the doctrines. After I went there and came In contact with other thoughts I soon became convinced of the falsity of the doctrines and have been ever since. At one time I was called upon officially with me aemana io Know wnetner I was a Mormon. I replied emphatically that was not. " PRINCE TRAVELS INCOGNITO Member of Royal Family of Japan Reaches New York on His Way to Far East. NEW YORK. March It -Prince Nashl- moto of Japan, who Is related to the lm perlal family and who Is hastening back to his country to take the field, arrived today on the Umbiia. The prince, who Is travel ing Incognito, came under the name of "Mr. Nagal," and registered at the Hoi. land House under one of his titles, Count Tada. The prince Is a captain In the Infantry of the Imperial guarda and for the past year haa been studying the French language In Paris. Accompanying Prince Nashlmoto was Major Yamaue of the general staff and Captain Inouye of the Infantry, who also have been studying In Paris. The prince and his companions will sail from Vancouver on March 14. HIS PARTNER WILL HANG William Rudolph Will Bo Taken to Missouri for Trial for Murder of Detective Schumacher. ST. LOUIS, March lS.-W!lllam Rudolph, who was recently Identified In the pen! tentlary at Lansing, Kan., and brought back to Bt. Louis to stand trial on the change of having murdered Detective Charles J. Schumacher, near Union. Mo. over a year ago, will be taken to Union for trial tomorrow. Rudolph's partner, who was sentenced to death for participation In the killing of Schumacher, will be hanged March 22. FUMES FROM FURNACE FATAL Wife of Prominent Attorney at Wapa koneta Dead and Othera 111 from Asphyxiation. WAPAKONETA. O., March 13. Mrs. J. H. Goeke, wife of a prominent attorney, Is dead, the result of asphyxiation by fumes from a gas furnace, and her three chil dren and a servant, who were overcome by the fumes, are n u critical condition, but will recover. Mr. Goeke has been In Arkansas on a busineas trip gad could not be located today BOMBARDMENT IS TELLING Experts Analyse the Latest Newt from the Far Eaitern OonflloU EXPECT NO HARD FIGHTING IN COREA Port Arthur or New Chwaag Likely to Be the Seen of the Greater Conflict ot Laad Forces When the Real Clash Comes. (Copyright by New York Herald Co., 1904.) LONDON, March 14. (New York Herald Cablegram Special Telegram to The Bee.) Undoubtedly the most Interesting piece of news received In London thle morning Is the report that Port Arthur haa prac tically been evacuated by the Russians, who fear they may be cut off by the Jap anese destroying the railway. Of the land operations little fresh news la known here, though It is stated that the Russians have quit Corea entirely or are about to do so, but that they Intend to defend New Chwang. The Dally Telegraph, In commenting on the situation this morning, says: "Admiral Togo continues his merciless work of demoralising Port Arthur. It la clear from several sources that the results of Thursday's bombardment were far more damaging than the Russians had cared to confess, while the Japanese official report of the fight between the torpedo boats throws quite another light upon the lnd dent 'There Is the flattest contradiction In several points between the rival accounts tf the aame engagement. "But one thing at least seems established this morning almost upon a basis of moral certainty. It is that Corea la going to be the side show of the struggle. If Indeed any exciting events should take place In that quarter at all. "While the first great military movement destined to develop within the next few weeks will be either at New Chwang or In the neighborhood of Port Arthur Itself, It probably will be against the former posi tion, the key of the whole strategical sit uation In the first phase of the war, that Japan will strike quickly and at one blow. For this Mr. Bennett Burleigh haa pre- pared hie readers from the first, and events In that quarter will not be the less sensa tional because we have had to wait for them." Then commenting upon the naval situa tion. Rear Admiral Ingles writes In the Dally Telegraph: "While U is very evident that new Ufa hae been Infused' Into Port Arthur, from neither aide can It be found that the bal ance of naval power haa altered one lota. The Russian report Is trivial, even to the detail of staff officers being sprinkled with splinters, and sounds like a aaylng which, think, came from somewhere east of Sues, 'In the name of the prophet, figs.' But the bombardment of the town must have been bad. There Is a significance In these words of an unofficial report. Terri ble, severe,' which there la no mistaking. "Unless Admiral Makaroff can In some way get lid of that bombarding fleet there can be no doubt that Port Arthur will soon be both cut oft by land and bottled up by water." Shells Damage New Town, (Copyright, by New York Herald Co., 1904.) YIN KOW, March 11 (New York Her ald Cablegram Special Telegram to The Bee.) When the Japanese again bom barded Port Arthur on Thursday morn ing the new town waa badly damaged. Forty persons were killed and 150 wounded. The Retvlsan was hit Ave times and had twenty casualties. The forts engaged the enemy, who re tired without loss. My previous report about the presence of Japanese at Feng Wang Cheng Is con firmed. The Japanese are now reported to be scouting at Lio Tung Ling. Russian reinforcements are arriving here. Oune and other artillery have been put In place and an attack is believed to be Imminent aa soon as the river la reopened by the melting of the Ice. Romor of Abaadonment. (Copyright, by New York Herald Co., 104.) SHANGHAI, March IS. (New York Her ald Cablegram Special Telegram to The Bee.) A telegram received here from Toklo tonight saya that the. Russians have virtually evacuated Port Arthur, prob ably fearing lest they should be cut oft by the Japanese destroying the railway. Groat Damage at Port Arthur. (Copyright, by New York Herald Co., 1904 ) TOKIO, March 13. (New York Herald Cablegram -i-S peclal Telegram to The Bee.) Private telegrams reoelved at Toklo state that during the latest attack on Port Arthur two Russian torpedo boat destroy, era were sunk and treat damage was done to the docks, torts and arsenals, Including an explosion of a powder maga- slne. Dalny Is reported to have been almost destroyed. Bombardment Waa Flereo. (Copyright, by New Tork Herald Co., 104.) CHB FOO, March 11. (New York Her aid Cablegram Special Telegram to The Bee.) The Japanese fleet had the sun and wind In Its favor when It entered the bombardment of Port Arthur for five (Continued on Buoond Pag4 NEBRASKA WEATHER FORECAST Fair Monday and Tuesday Warmer la Enat Portion Tueadny. Temperatare at Omaha Yesterdayi Hour. Dec Hour. Pes. 1 p. sa St 9 n. m n S p. m ..... . ItO 4 p. m ..... . RO ft p. m at A p. m at T p. m !f a p. m...... S l p. m XT ri a. m V fl a. m XM T a. m JIT 8 a. m. . . . . . ar n. m ST 10 a, m sh 11 a. m 8S ta m 8A SUMMARY OF WAR SITUATION Rumor that Port Arthur Will Bo Evacuated Is Generally Discredited. (Copyright, by New York Herald Co., 1904 ) NEW YORK. March 18 (New York Herald Service Special Telegram to The Bee.) Reports gained currency both here and In the east that the Russians had de cided to evacuate Port Arthur. From Toklo, Shanghai heard that the evacuation prac tically had taken place and that the town was in flames. ' Russians were prompt to deny the report, adding that Port Arthur was not evacu ated and would not be under any circum stances. From Port Arthur Itself last night came the brief message: "All Is quiet here." That the rumor is baseless is evident, not even the most enthusiastic pro-Japanese here or abroad appearing to give the slight est credence to It. Vice Admiral Togo's report to Toklo of his bombardment on Thursday and the ac companying sea fight proves the engage ment to have been one of the most desper ate In which warships have taken part. Great courage was displayed on either side. especially in the close range work of the torpedo craft, and there Is no doubt seri ous damage was inflicted, both on the town and the Russian fighting craft Inside the i harbor. The vice admiral's report contra dicts the reports from the Russian side. COKFIDEUCE OF Rt!IA PEOPLE. Removal of Censorship Haa Had a Desirable Effect. ST. PETERSBURG, March 18. The con fldence displayed by the Russian people In the reports of the government on the pro gress of the fighting In the far east, which Is one of the most notable features In Russia of the war. has thus far been largely due to an entire change of policy Inaugurated by the emperor some time ago with the abolition of the censorship on foreign newspaper dispatches. This abolition was followed, when the war broke out, by the emperor's decision to make public as fully as possible all reports regarding the war, In the belief that the loyalty of his subjects would be only strengthened by acquainting them with the truth In victory or defeat. It was an appeal to the sentimental side of the Russian character, which has been more than Justi fied by the almost Instantai eoua effect. Hitherto the government has considered It unwise to give the people Information freely at critical moments, and the rteult was that the people being pessimistic were inclined to Imagine things to be mv.ch worse than they really were. The Associated Press le aseured by a high authority that all official telegrams always have been given out accurately. Insofar as their sense waa concerned, and In most - cases textunlly, although oc casionally words have been changed where the original words were subjeot to mis construction. For lnstanre. In one case the words "The enemy was at our heels.' were altered to read "The enemy was be lilnd us," lest the original language should give the ignorant the Impression that the Russians were flying before Uie Japanese. Even the habitual critics of the .govern ment have been astonished at the manner In which the authorities are taking the people Into their confidence In the war, and this policy of fair dealing would seem to be uniting the nation, as never before In Its history. General Kouropatkin'a open warning to the people In his speech to the municipal council, not to expect too much at first, but exercise patience. Is an evidenoe of the frankness with which the people are being treated. The utJerancea of the gen eral upon that occasion were commended warmly by the press as much better than glittering promises which might not be re deemed. JAPANESE HAD DECIDED TO ACT. Ex-Mlnlater to Russia Intimates that Russian Delay Caused War. PARIS. March 13. The Temps has pub lished an Interview with M. Kurino, the lata Japanese minister to Russia, who Is quoted as saying there is no doubt the Japanese government decided to sever dip lomatic relations with Russia on January 81, when In' answer to repeated Inquiries Count Lamsdorff, the Russian foreign min ister, informed M. Kurino that the czar had not yet reached a decision with re gard to the reply ot Russia to the latest Japanese note. In response to a question, M, Kurino said he did not believe the report that Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minister to Great Britain, had endeavored to force a rupture between Japan and Russia, and that tho only thing responsible for this was the anxiety caused by Russia's prolonged si lence. The news that the Russian reply had been sent too 'late to affect the situation was published the evening of February 4, and the Instructions to M. Kurino to break off relations with Russia reached him on the morning of Februnry 6. Discussing the events which led up to the bresktng out of hostilities, M. Kurino said that Russia had not sufficiently ap preciated the state of popular feeling In Japan and, moreover although the peace ful disposition of the csar and Count Lams dorff waa not questioned, the spirit of the Russian military authorities In the far east was not peaceful. M. K'jrlno said he believed Viceroy Alex leff personally had not wished for war, but that he had come to regard It aa Inevi table, which was a poor way ot prevent ing It. During the six months preceding the out break, M. Kurino concluded, diplomats had been farced to a second place In the ne gotlatlons. In which the military clement bad predominated. Japanese Bonds Take a Tumble. TOKIO, March 13. Japanese bonds have fallen In London from T to I per cent below Toklo quotations. The wide variation Is possibly due to the difference of the hold ers. In London the majority of the bonds are in the hands of bankers, who are naturally timid In time of war, while In Toklo the bondholders are Japaneae, who are exceedingly confident of the outcome. Arrest aa Informer, NAGASAKI. March 11 -It is reported that a Cortan haa been arrested at Genaang on a charge of sending to Vladlvoe-tok In formation regarding the movements of Japanese troopa. Russian paper money will not be accepted by the readdenls of northern Curve. TWO TALES CONFLICT One U to the Effect that EntaU Will 5tt Gits Up Port ArtJina ASSERT LITTLE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE This Beport Comes from Offiolal Bojiian Sources la the City. " OTHER STORY IS CITY IS IN FLAMES Bali to Hare Been 'Praetioallf Abandoned by Boisiina, KNOWN FACTS DISCREDIT THE REPORT Moaae the gaerlneo e the Fleet la the Harbor, Which le la Wo Posi tion to Make a Run for Mfety. (Copyright, by New York Herald Co., ) CHR KOO. March It New York Her eld Cablegram Special Telegram to The Bee.) Replying to the rumor current yes terday that Port Arthur would be evac uated, and that even now tha town was In flamoa, a report received ' today from official Russian sources advises that all Is well and Informs all Interested that they need not be anxious, as Russia will never evacuate or surrender I'ort Ar thur. It Is added that the new town is Intact, and that only one house haa been de stroyed by shells. I learn from an authoritative source that the Japanese bombarded Port AT' thur on Wednesday and not on Tuesday at midnight. It Is learned from Russian sources that one Japanese destroyer was sunk by electrically discharged mines In the en gagement of Wednesday at midnight. The Japanose fleet rescued th,e survivors, but many dead Were washed ashore on the west teach of Port Arthur. The Russian wounded comprise three artillery officers Mid forty-six soldiers, with four killed. In the bombardment of Port Arthur or. Thursday the Japanese attempted to want age the Russian fleet anchored In the west bay, but In consequence of the diffi culty encountered In dropping shells over the high range of hills protecting the harbor the attempt was entirely unsuc cessful. Rumor Port Arthur la Abandoned. LONDON. March 18. A dispatch to the Central News from Toklo says: "It Is asserted here that the Russians virtually have ehandoned Port Arthur." TIEN T8IN, March 13. An unconfirmed report has reached here that Port Arthur has fallen. v SHANGHAI, March U The breech blocks and other mechanism affecting the utility of. the Russian gunboat Mardjur have been removed 'to the Chinees arsenal. The Japanese In, Shanghai show consid erable excitement over the report .- .that the Russians -.have abandoned Port Ar thur. :. Aim Gnna Too Hlgh.' ' " " TIEN TSIN. March 18.-A Ruaatatt refu gee who ei rived Vere todr throws valu able eddltlona light on ' bombardment of Port Arthur last ' Thvri lay. He aays that the attack was intended tor the forts, hut the Japanese fire overreached. , There was small destruction and the casualties were not numerous. Twenty soldiers and two clvlllat.s were killed end three civilians Injured. t Colonel Vershlnln. governor of Port Arthur, was slightly wounded. The Japanese used 800 or 400 shells whloh they found on the raptured transport Man churia. The refugee above mentioned aaya only four Japanese cruisers were aetlvet? engaged, the forts replying with several shots whenever the Japanese left oover ef the promontory. Besides the Retvlsan, the Petropavlovsk received slight damage from a shot. The action of Vice Admiral Makaroff' s armored cruiser Novlk In taking a portion of the fleet out of the harbor on Friday morning appealed to the patrlotlana and ex cited the admiration ef the garrison. The food supply of Port Arthur is fa ported to be normal, though It is necessary to govern prices by ordinance. Three mer chants have been punished for raising price. The French caviar restaurants and tho Russian cafe chantant are running and the naval band plays in the park dally. Replying to the Inquiry of the commander of a foreign gunboat at New Chwang, the civil administration characterises the re port of Russia's Intention to block the Llao river by sinking Junks aa calumnies. The latter report from Feng Huan Cheng, brought by a courier of the regular native courier service, who left that place on March 8, states that there were no Japan ese there or in that vicinity. Therefore the reports of encounters at the outposts there must be discredited. ' Had Twenty-Five Killed. Information from an official who was an eye witness to the bombardment of Port Arthur on Wednesday and Thursday, is to the effect that the Russians had twenty flve killed on the battleship Sevastopol, twenty on the Retvlsan and twenty In the town. The Russians claim to have sunk a Japanese cruiser. The Russians assert that their damaged cruisers have been repaired and are ready for sea. The battleship Czarevitch will be ready shortly. There Is no dock hare Ca pable of taking in the Retvizan. The Russians are preparing for the de fense of New Chwang. finding It Impossible to slop the landing of Japanese. Engagement nt Close Range. TOKIO. March 13.-Admlral Togo'g re port ot the fourth attack on Port Arthur on March 10 reached Toklo late Saturday afternoon. It is as follows: Our ayuadron as prearranged attaoked the enemy at Port Arthur on March 10. Our two torpedo flotillas reached the mouth of the harbor at Port Arthur at 1 o'clock on the morning of the luih. finding no enemy und waning until dawn, one flotilla engaged in sinking special mires In tike harbor entrance. Notwithstanding the en emy's fire, our flotilla succeeded lu sinking the mines. The other flotilla met the enemy's tornado flotilla, consisting of six boats la tha Lao Thie Uhan chajinel south ot fort Arthur at 4u. A hut engagement occurred at close range for thirty minutes. Tha wmr then took flight. Our fire greatly daaaaar-d the Rusautn ships, una of which was bauly crippled by a shot through the boilers and another was observed to be on fire, so close were the two flotillas to eaota other that our destroyers, the Asaahlo, Kawagi and Akatauml, nearly touched the eoemy e ships snd our crews rould hear the cries of agony of the injured men on them. We sustained some damage and lues. The Akatauml bad a steam pipe broken and four stokers were killed thereby. Our toed was seven killed and eight wounded. Among the latter Is Chief Engineer Mlnamlaawa of the Kssugl. Our other flotilla while leaving the har bor entrance observed two Ruattan turptdo boats i'. minx from seaward and Immedl atelv enrnrfd thetn. tHe hotf'e lasting one hour. After causing them severe da maae, one ef theiu made its escape, but eur de sixoyer, the 6ai-M.in.iii. captured tha clear