The Weather To-Day: RAIN.
The News and Observer.
VOL. XLVIII.. NO. 33
Leads alll©pth€aF@liaaDailiesmH®w§ andOirenlatien
ROBERTS MARCHES
TOWARD PRETORIA
So the Censored Dispatches
Seem to Indicate.
FIGHT AT KAREE SIDING
This May be an Incident of the Brit
ish Advance.
SCHALKBURGER MADE VICE-PRESIDENT
He Succeeds Joubert in That Office, in the*
Transvaal. General Louis Botha is Gazet
ted Acting Commandant General
of the Transvaal Forces.
(By the Associated Press.)
London, April 20.—(1:50 P. M.) —The re
port of the fighting at Karee Siding, six
miles north of Glen, may be the first
news of the progress of the British ad
vance on Pretoria, but even if this were
only an unimportant skirmish there are
many other indications that Lord Roberts
is either starting or has already started
for the Northern goal. A dispatch from
Gape Town, under today’s date, says the
censorship restrictions have been great
ly increased owing to the movements of
the troops.” All the dispatches bear
traces of the strenuous efforts of the cor
respondents to give their papers an ink
ling of what is afoot.
Thp Boers south of Bloemfontein are
reported to be retreating. Large com
mands were seen April 19tli, near Thaba
N’Chu, moving to the North. Their prog
ress was slow, however, owing to the
terrible condition of the country.
Byway of Pretoria conies a report that
fever is decimating the Mafeking garri
son and a letter from thp mayor of Mafe
king says Lord Roberts asked Colonel
Baden-Powell to hold out until May 20th.
Cecil Rhodes returns to Cape Town to
morrow. The announcement of his depar
ture was unexpected. Never has a man
so prominently connected with the vital
questions of the day paid such a quiet
visit to London. It is learned that the
so-called ‘‘empire maker,” came to Eng
land purely on business connected with
the British Chartered South Africa Com
pany, and the Deßeers Mine Company.
He has accomplished his objects and,
hating inaction and not wishing to meet
people or freely express his views, has
suddenly determined to return to South
Africa, where he will watch the inter
ests of these two companies. Mr. Rhodes
has absolutely refused to be interviewed,
though privately he has expressed scath
ing comments on several of the generals
still holding commands at the front. Lady
Gatacre will be a fellow passenger of Mr.
Rhodes. She is going as far as Madeira
to meet her husband, the British General,
who has been sent back to England.
FIGHT AT KAREE SIDING.
London. April 20. —(11:15 A. M.) —A spe
cial dispatch from Bloemfontein, under
yesterday's date says firing is reported to
be in progress south of Karee siding, six
miles north of Glen. The strength of the
f Boers is not known. The British in
fantry, supported by artillery, held a
strong position on a large dam.
SCH ALKBU RG E R VICE- PRESIDE NT.
/ Pretoria, April 20.—Major General
Schalkburger has been gazetted Vice-
President (in succession to the late Gen
eral Joubert), and General Louis Botha
has been gazetted acting Commandant
General (succeeding General Joubert iri
command of the transvaal forces).
VICTORIA CROSS FOR BABTIE.
London. April 20. —The Gazette an
nounces that the Queen hjis conferred
the Victoria Cross on Major William
Babtie, of the army medical corps, for
conspicuous bravery at the battle of
Colenso.
Major Babtie went to the assistance of
wounded gunners in the face of a heavy
rifle fire, during the fighting December
15th, and later in the day. assisted in
bringing in Lieutenant Roberts, son of
Lord Roberts, who lost hjs life while at
tempting to rescue the guns, for which,
after his death, he was awarded the
Victoria Cross.
This latter feat of Major Babtie was
also accomplished under a severe fusilade.
CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN LITTLE.
Aliwal North, April 20.—Caqtain Little
of Brabant’s horse; “Lieutenant Ilolbeclc
and Mr. Milne, a Router correspondent,
fell into the hands of the enemy while
they were trying to reach Wepener a week
ago. Everything was taken from the
prisoners, who were sent to Pretoria.
The Boers made a night attack on April
11th, but were discovered while creeping
along a deep ditch, by Cape mounted
rifles, with Maxims, who fml into them
at a distance of 20.) yards, with the le
sult that the Boety lost five wagon loads
of killed and wounded.
A simultaneoui attack in other quart
ers was repu!*el ay the British, who used
ilieir bayonets.
The Boers still surrmnl Wepener, but
there has been JitVe firing lately.
“ REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE BOERS."
Desultory Cannon Fire and Sniping Directed
at Wepener.
Maseru, Basutoland, April 19.—.Thurs
day)—The Boers continue to move freely
around Wepener, going in all directions
from which relief columns are expected.
Desultory cannon fire and sniping have
been going on all day, with scarcely any ,
reply from Colonel Dalgety’s force.
The Caledon River rose considerably
during the night. This made the Boers
uneasy, as (hey feared separation. Some
reinforcements have arrived for them,
coming apparently from Thaba N’Chu or
that direction.
Our casualties up to date are believed
to have been 25 killed and 110 wounded.
Owing to the heavy rain and clouds
heliographing has been impossible for the
last two (lays.
The Boers who lately surrendered in
the Wepener district have been forced
again with violence to fight. Ten of their
leaders have been arrested.
President Steyn has issued orders to-the
Boer forces to hold tight to the grain dis
tricts of Wepener, Ladybrand and Fieks
burg, from which they draw their food
supplies, and also to prevent the British
forces from getting rich supplies now in
those districts.
BEGIN A GUERILLA WARFARE.
London, April 21. —(Saturday)—The
Ladysmith correspondent of the Daily
News, says;
“The Boers in Natal are already com
mencing a guerilla warfare. Both the
Transvaalers and the Free Staters are
compelling the natives to bear arms.
General Buller lias ordered all the farm
ers between Ladysmith and the Drak
ensberg range to retire to Estcourt.”
CHERMSIDE AND RUNDLE IN MOTION
Reasons For Publishing Lord Roberts' Spion
Kop Dispatches
(Tty the Associated Pi ess.)
London, April 21.—(Saturday, 4:20 a.
m.) —General Chermside and General
Rundle are moving over the sodden roads.
Rain was still falling when they went
into camp Thursday afternoon eighteen
miles west of Dewetsdorp. They hold the
railway and the Southern frontier of the
Free State with 20,000 men.
How many are going with the generals
who will engage the Boers at Wepener is
not mentioned in the latest dispatches
from Oorlogspoort, where the British
bivouacked Wednesday night. The field
telegraph ends there.
On Thursday the Boers still had Colonel
Dalgety closely penned.
The Government's reason fbr‘publishing
Lord Roberts’ Spion Kop dispatches was
explained last evening at Hull by Mr.
Walter Hume Long, President of the
Board of Agriculture, who said that the
country was entitled to receive all the
information the Government could give.
“The Government is told,” continued
Mr. Long, “that, having published the
dispatches, it is bound to deal imme
diately with the General affected, but in
foljowing such a course, the Government
might have to dismiss every general the
moment he made a mistake. Had such a
policy been pursued in the past, many
most glorious deeds would not have been
performed.”
BRITISH ENTRENCH ALONG HILLS.
Brandfort, Orange Free State, Thurs
day, April 19.—General Delarey has re
turned from a reconnaissance in force
east of the railroad to the Modder River.
He reports that he met only a few scouts,
but that he saw British fortifications all
along the hills.
HE JOINS DEMOCRATS
Son of a Leading Republican
For Wtiite Supremacy.
He Wishes to Help Clear Away the Racial
Gloom That Overshadows North
Carolina.
(Special to News and Observer.)
Chapel Hill. N. C., April 20.—The fol
lowing letter, written by Mr. W. W. Ma
son, son of Mr. J. B. Mason, a lifelong
leading Republican of this county, was
sent to Chairman Simmons today:
Chapel Hill, N. 0., April 19, 1900.
‘‘Hon. F. M. Simmons, Chairman State
Democratic Executive Committee, Ral
eigh, N. C.
“Dear Sir: It was my desire and inten
tion to see you while at the State Dem
ocratic Convention on April 11th, 1900,
(the largest and most enthusiastic I
ever witnessed, and likely the largest
I ever will again see in the State) and
tender you, however little it may be, my
services as a Democrat to help you as
chairman to clear away (lie dark racial
gloom that overshadows North Carolina,
and free her frqm disgrace, corruption,
ring-rule, and incompetency, and place
her upon a high plain of future security,
prosperity and happiness, so much de
pending upon White Supremacy prevailing
in the State.
“I will vote in the coming election,
August next, for the first time in my
life, for the Democratic nominees and
the principles and doctrines which they
will enunciate. The only thing which con
cerns me most and I regret is, to go con
trary to the doctrines and teachings of
my father, who has always espoused the
principles of the Republican party, hav
ing cast his first vote accordingly and has
voted said ticket ever since, as well as
my kith and kin sides lineal and col
lateral.
“I have reached this conclusion after
careful observation, Mr. Chairman, and
the young man who is led to ally himself
with the Republican party in North Car
olina and the South, makes a personal
sacrifice second only to that on Calvary,
differing in this that he has nothing to
gain, and a fine chance for a wrecked and
wasted life, which God had given him for
a grander and nobler purpose.
“Very truly,
“W. W. MASON.”
Washington may have been the first in
the hearts of his countrymen, but the
confidence man wants to be first in their
pockets.
At Si In. India, distress among the
people is spreading and 5.500.000 per
sons are now receiving relief.
RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA, SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 21, 1900.
WON BY A LONG AND
FIERCE SI RUGGLE
Per Ton For Armor
Knocked in the Head,
S3OO STILL THE LIMIT
Majority Sat Down on Establishment
of Armor Plant.
THE MINORUY STRUCK BACK WITH VIM
The Senate Considered For the Greater Part of
the Day’slSession the Conference Re
port on the Hawaiian Civil
Government Measure,
Washington, April 20. —As a result of
a protracted struggle in the House today
the provision of the Naval Appropriation
Bill 10 enable the Secretary of the Navy
to contract for armor for the battleships
Maine, Ohio and Missouri, now awaiting
their armor equipment, at $515 per ton,
the price asked for Krupp armor, is out
of the bill as is the provision to repeal
the 5.300 limitation placed upon the price
of armor by the current law. The fight
came at the end of the consideration of
the bill. Although the provision was
obnoxious to the rule ail the minority
members of the committee had agreed to
it, but today when the majority declined
to allow the discussion of appropriation
for the establishment of an armor plate
factory they retaliated by raising a point
of order against the two provisions
above referred to and they were ruled
out.
The exact effect of the action of the
House today is disputed. The appropria
tion of $4,000,000 under tin' head of “ar
mor and armament” remains in the bill
as well as the language of the proviso au
thorizing the Secretary of the Navy to
contract for armor of the best quality
for the Maine, Ohio and Missouri,. the
words stricken out being “at a cost not to
exceed $545 a ton including royalties." It
is contended by some that this empowers
the Secretary to contract for the armor
without regard to cost. By others it is
claimed that the provision will be ineffec
tive unless the Senate inserts the price.
So much bad feeling was aroused by the
wrangle over the armor plate provision
that Mr. Underwood, of Alabama, began
a filibuster after the bill was reported to
the House and finally forced an adjourn
ment without final action on the bill.
Before the armor plate question came
up two amendments to modify the provis
ion for the increase of the navy, which
authorizes two battleships and six cruis
ers, were defeated. One proposed to add
provisons for six gunboats and the other
to strike out the provision for the bat
tleships. The question of building ships
in government yards did not reach a
vote as the amendment offered to this
end was ruled out on a point of order.
It was the regular war claims day but
the navy committee, by a vote of 100
to 97 won its point to proceed with the
bill.
Mr. Cannon, Chairman of the Appro
priations Committee, asked unanimous
consent for a modification of the lan
guage of the amendment adopted yester
day relative to the naval academy. The
proposed modifications made only one
substantial change in the m-’xiu-ir,
authorizing the Secretary of he Navy af
ter the plans have been approv'd to ( in
tract for all or part of the ini) '' mots
at Annapolis within the $0,000,000 limit.
The amendment was agreed to.
An amendment was agreed to providing
that the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance
should not be below the rank of Lieu
tenant Commander.
Mr. Fitzgerald, of Next York, offered an
amendment to build four of the ships au
thorized by the bill in Government yards.
Mr. Foss raised a point of order against
the amendment, which, after prolonged
debate, was sustained.
Mr. Fitzgerald ihon appealed from the
decision and the Chair was sustained, 82
to 74.
Mr. Vandiver, a member of the com
mittee, offered an amendment to appro
priate $2,000,000 for the erection of a
Government armor plate factory and for
the appointment of three officers of the
navy to select a site for such factory.
Mr. Dayton made a point of order
against the amendment and insisted upon
it despite the protest of Mr. Underwood,
who said it was outrageous that a propo
sition involving the whole question of
armor plate which had betm agitated for
five years, should be strangled, and the
House led like a bull by a ring, and made
to vote.
The Chair sustained the point of order
from which decision Mr. Underwood
promptly appealed.
Mr. Underwood, reviewing the history
of the armor plate controversy, proceed
ed to show the situation which confronted
the country. Under existing law Con
gress could not buy armor except at S3OO
per ton and the provision in the bill to
pay $545 for the armor of the Maine, Wis
consin and Missouri, he claimed, was a
change of existing law and therefore out
of order. He was several times called
to order by Mr. Hepburn for not speaking
to the appeal, and finally amid increas
ing excitement and confusion Mr. Hep
burn made the point that when called to
order. Mr. Underwood must take his seat.
This the member from Alabama did.
whereupon Mr. Bartlett (Ga.), moved
that Mr. Underwood he allowed to pro
ceed in order.
Mr. Bartlett’s motion prevailed, 81 to
73, and Mr. Underwood proceeded. He
was again called to order, and the Chair
recognized Mr. Dalzell to move to close
debate upon the appeal.
Debate was closed, 96 to 82, and the
Chair was sustained, 97 to 83.
Mr. Vandiver then made the point of
order that the provision to pay $545 a
ton for armor of the Maine, Ohio and
Missouri, was a change of existing law
and, therefore, out of order.
The act of March 3rd, 1899. he said,
limited the cost of armor plate to S3OO a
ton. The act of the previous year limited
the cost to SIOO a ton.
The point of order was finally sustained
by the Chair. The Democrats greeted
the decision with applause.
Mr. Bingham (Pa.), speaking to pro
forma amendment denied on the authority
of Mr. Cramp of the Cramp Ship Build
ing Company that ihere had ever been
a proposition for a combination between
his firm and the Carnegie Company on the
subject of armor plate.
The provision for the repeal of the re
striction of S3OO a ton in the current law
went out on a point of order.
Without further amendment the bill
was reported to the House. Mr. Under
wood (Deni., Ala.> demanded a separate
vote on each amendment and on the fir:*f
made the point of no quorum. The Speak
er was unable to count a quorum, where
upon Mr. Underwood moved an adjourn
ment. The motion was lost, but the
quorum failed on the next vote, and at
6:25 o’clock without finally disposing of
the Dill the House adjourned.
THE HAWAIIAN BILL IN THE SENATE.
The Conference Report the Subject of Sharp
Criticism.
(By The Associated Press.)
Washington, April 20. —The Senate had
under consideration during the greater
part of today's session the conference re
port on the Hawaiian Civil Government
measure. Mr. Cullom made an extended
explanation of the changes in the bill.
The report was the subject of sharp
criticism. Final action upon it was post
poned until tomorrow.
The Alaskan Civil Code Bill was con
sidered for a brief time, Mr. Bate, (Tonn.)
delivering a speech in opposition to the
pending Hansbrough amendment relating
to the rights of alien miners.
THE CANAL BILL COMES UP MAY 1.
Mr. Hepburn Says the House Will Consides
and Pass It.
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, April 20.—Representative
Hepburn, in charge of the Nicaraguan
Canal Bill announces that a definite ar
rangement has been reached by which Fhe
bill will be considered by the House on
May Ist and 2nd, and passed.
The National Hank of Savannah and
the Merchants National Bank have
each purchased $.50,000 worth of the
new two per cent, bonds and exchang
ed their old bonds foi* the new issue,
with a view to increasing the circula
tion from $45,000 each to SIOO,OOO, un
der the terms of the new financial law.
PLAY ON THE DIAMOND
Philadelphia Defeats Boston
in a Close Game,
The New York Boys Score a Well Earned Vic
tory Over the Brooklyn Team at the
Polo Grounds.
(By the Associated Press.)
New York, April 20.—The New York's
scored a well earned victory over the
Brooklyns at the Polo Grounds this after
noon. The Brooklyns began with a rush,
but the substitution of Doheny for Sey
mour in the third inning saved the day.
Attendance 4,200. Score: R. H. E.
New York 0 0 4 4 2 0 1 I—l 2 13 4
Brooklyn 14010 00 2 8 7 4
Batteries: Doheny, Seymour and
Grady: Dunn, Kilson and McGuire. Um
pire, Emslie. Time, 2:09.
Philadelphia, Pa., April 20. —The base
ball season opened here today under
auspicious circumstances. Spectators
had the satisfaction of seeing Philadel
phia defeat Boston in a closely contested
eleven-inning game. Previous to the
game the clubs marched across the field
and raised the Stars and Stripes amid
patriotic music.
The game was a pitcher’s battle and
Nichols, while apparently having the bet
ter of it, had weak support. Boston's
defeat was the result of two consecutive
errors by Lowe, in the eleventh inning.
With Lajoie on base and one man out,
Lowe fumbled an easy grounder from
McFarland's bat and then muffed a throw
to catch McFarland at second, permitting
Lajoie to score. Score: R. H. E.
Boston 01 0 3000000 o—4 9 5
Philadelphia ...2 00101 00 0 0 I—s 7 2
Batteries: Nichols and Clarke and Sul
livan ; Frazer and McFarland.
At Cincinnati —Cincinnati-Chicago, rain.
At St. Louis—St. Louis-Pittsburg, rain.
RUSSIA WINS IN KOREA.
Korea Pledges Herself Not to Alienate Kopje
Island.
(By (lie Associated Press.)
Seoul, April 21. —(Saturday)—An agree
ment has been concluded between the
Russian and Korean Governments, Korea
pledging herself not to alienate Kopje
Island, at the mouth of Masampho har
bor.
At BluefielcL \Y. Y;t., .lolm Peters,
colored, who assaulted Kate Ritchie,
a 16 year old white girl, near Taze
well. on Wednesday, was lynched last
! night.
STORM BREAKS IN
THE CONVENTION
I
Culmination of Factional
Fight in Tennessee.
THE EVANS WING BOLTS
Republicans Will Send Two Djlega
tions to Philadelphia.
AND WILL PUT OUT TWO STATE TICKETS
The Evans Wing Will Run W. T. Poston Tor
Governor and the Brownlow Wing John
E. McCall. McKinley is Endors
ed by Both Fact'ons.
Nashville, Tonn.. April 20.—Tennessee
will have two Republican tickets in the
field in the coming State campaign.
Likewise two sets of delegates will go
to tDo National convention at Philadel
phia. As expected the Senate split today,
the Evans contingent walking out and
holding a separate convention. W. F.
Poston, of Crockett county, is its guber
natorial selection, while John E. Mc-
Call is at the head of the State ticket
named by the convention over which Con
gressman Brownlow presided. Pension
Commissioner, Henry Clay Evans will
lead one delegation to the National con
vention, while the other will be directed
from the background by Congressman
and National Committeemen Walter P.
Brownlow. Both delegations are in
structed for McKinley.
The situation is the outcome of a bit
ter factional fight that has been waged
in the State for some time. The expected
storm broke in the State convention
soon after it met today and the Evans
men bolted, proceeding to Amusement
Hall, where they held a convention of
their own. The split came when the
“uncontested” delegates refused to sub
stitute the minority for the majority re
port of the Committee on Credentials. The
committee presented a majority report
seating Brownlow delegates from thirteen
counties. The minority recommended
the seating of Evans' delegates in each
instance. When the motion to substitute
was lost, W. S. Tipton, of Bradley county,
called on oCmmissioner Evans' friends
to follow him out. As the bolters filed
out of the ball, there was much disorder.
Finally order was restored and the ma
jority report was adopted.
Congressman Brownlow was installed
as permanent Chairman and Congress
man Henry R. Gigson, Faster V. Brown,
G. N. Tillman and John E. McCall were
named for delegates at large to the
National convention. The resolution
adopted denounces the election laws of
Tennessee, declaring they differ in no es
sential from the Goebel law of Ken
tucky.
The administration of President McKin
ley is warmly endorsed and renomination
at Philadelphia declared for.
Continuing the resolution says:
“We congratulate the country that
the present Republican Congress has es
tablished by legislation the permanence
of the gold standard. We denounce the
monstrosities of the recent Nebraska
platform, which is admitted to be the
forerunner of the National platform, to
he adopted by the Chicago wing of the
Democratic party at its National conven
tion in Kansts City."
The platform declares for expansion
and on this subject says in part:
“With such Democrats as Senator Mor
gan of Alabama: Senator McLaurin. of
South Carolina and Judges Lurton, and
Wright, of Tennessee, endorsing the pol
icy of the administration in its treat
ment of expansion as an accepted fact,
we contemplate with complacency the
denunciation of the administration by the
Bryan followers, who are ‘hell for war in
time of peace' and ‘hell for peace in time
of war.’ ”
John E- McCall was the convention's
ejioice for Governor and W. C. Harnsby
for Railroad Commissioner.
At Amusement Hall the Evans contin
gent made numerous speeches of indig
nation. J. R. Walker was made perma
nent chairman. The resolutions adopted
declare allegiance to the Republican par
ty traditions. McKinley is endorsed and
his renomination advocated. The admin
istration cf H. Clay Evans as Commis
sioner of Pensions is praised and the up
building of a merchant marine declared
for. The resolutions conclude with a
scathing denunciation of Congressman
Brownlow and the majority faction of
the Republican State Executive Commit
tee.
W. F. Poston was unanimously nominat
ed for Governor and W. S. Tipton for
Railroad Commissioner, Howard A. Mann,
H. T. Campbell. J. C. Napier, (colored)
and James Jeffreys were selected as del
egates to the National convention. The
Evans faction is bitter in denunciation
of the Brownlow cohorts. Mr. Evans to
day sent the following message to Gen
eral H. V. Boynton at Washington:
“Situation most embarrassing and hu
miliating. No box stuffing and perjury
ever equalled what we have here. Decen
cy thoroughly disgusted.”
Uissie Loft 11s, the English music
hall singer, who is resting at Old
Point, last night fell overboard from
the pier at Chamberlain’s Hotel and
was rescued from drowning by Coxs
wain Dal etn, of the United States train
ing ship Monongahela.
Homer Crawford, a negro, was legally
executed in the county jail yard at Haw
kinsville, Ga., yesterday, for the murder
of Johnson Pate, colored.
PRICE FIVE CENTS
THE A. C I. CONSOLIDATION.
Movement Endorsed by Stockholders of W. &
W. and S. ; Railroads.
(By (lie Associated Press.)
Wilmington, N. C., April 20.—Special
meetings of the stockholders of the Wil
mington and Weldon and Southeastern
Railroad Companies wore held here this
afternoon, 98 per cent, of the stock being
represented. The action taken by the
board of directors at Baltimore, Wednes
day, with regard to the consolidation of
all the companies composing the Atlantic
Coast Line system into one corporation
was unanimously endorsed. The name of
the new company will he “The Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad Company,” with a
mileage of about 1.770 miles and an ad
ditional mileage of 800 controlled by leaso
or joint ownership, making a total of ap
proximately 2,600 miles.
Besides the officers named in yester
day's Associated Press dispatches the di
rectors will be:
B. F. Newcomer. Baltimore: E. B. Bor
den. Goldsboro, N. C.; George Howard,
Tarboro, N. C.; Donald Macßae, H. Wal
ters and J. W. Norwood, Wilmington, N.
C.; and Michael Jenkins and Waldo’New
comer, Baltimore: Fred W. Scott, Rich
mond; D. W. Lassiter. Petersburg; H. B.
Short, Lake Waccamaw, N. C., and J. J.
Lucas, Society Hill, N. C.
James F. Post will be Secretary and
Treasurer, and the general offices con
tinued at Wilmington. There will be no
new mortgage and the present bonded in
debtedness will not be increased.
TROUBLE WITH WEST AFRICAN NATIVES
Rumors of Quarrels With the French in the
Yeruba County
(By the Associated Press.)
Lagos, British West Africa, April 20.
Three hundred Nigerian troops have been
dispatched overland to the Gaman coun
try, northwest of Ashanti, where the
British residents report a recrudesence
of the troubles which necessitated the
expedition of last year. One hundred
and fifty other troops are proceeding
from the Goid Coast. There are uncon
firmed rumors here of trouble with the
French at Meko, in the Yeruba country,
in the neighborhood of Dahomey frontier.
Owing to the distance, however, this can
hardly be connected with the troubles in
Ashanti and Gaman.
Accra, April 20. —Heavy fighting is re
ported in progress near Kumassi.
Board of Directors For the Journal.
(By ilio Associated Press.)
Atlanta, Ga., April 20.—Under the re
organization of the Atlanta Evening
Journal, a Board of Directors has been
elected by the stockholders, and these
officers have been named by the board:
President, Morris Branon: Vice Presi
dent. James R. Gray: General Manager,
George H. Dickinson: Business Manager,
H. H. Cabaniss; Secretary, W. B. Rob
erts: managing editor, Josiali Carter;
Treasurer, H. M. Atkinson.
WON BY J HEELS
The Result of the Debate at
Nashville.
Whiteheid Klut'z and William S. Bernard Car
ried Off Honors From Vanderbilt For
North Carolina’s University.
(By the Associated Press.)
Nashville, Tenn., April 20.—Represen
tatives of North Carolina University won
the oratorical contest from Vanderbilt in
the University Chapel here tonight. The
question was “Resolved, That the United
States should not retain permanent pos
session of the Philippine Islands.” North
Carolina had the negative side, and was
represented by Whitehead Klutz and Wil
liam S. Bernard. For Vanderbilt, E. B.
Crooks and Carl Monk spoke. Governor
MeMillin presided.
Heavy Advance in Freight Rates.
(By the Associated Press.)
New York, April 20. —It is announced by
a Wall Street news agency that the
through freight rates between the Pacific
coast and all points south of the Ohio and
east of ihe Mississippi river were can
celled today. All of the interested roads,
including the Southern Pacific, have issued
notices to that effect. As a result of this
action the trans-continental rates east of
the Mississippi river are added to the
rate between San Francisco and tho
river, and the through rate advanced in
the exact amount of the added local,
which ranges from 30c. per 100 pounds, 1o
sl, and more in some instances.
INTERVENTION THEIR LAST HOPE.
Steyn Declares Great Britain Aims at Destruc
tion of the Boers.
(By the Associated Press.)
Gape Town, April 20.—At a meeting of
tDo Volksraad of the Orange Free State
at Kroonstadt today. President Steyn de
nounced Lord Roberts’ proclamation as
"treachery” and declared that as Great
Britain’s object "was their destruction
their last hope was to appeal to tin 1 civil
ized powers to intervene.”
Senator Davis introduced an amend
ment to tlie Sundry Civil Appropria
tion Hill appropriating $25.1)1)0 lor de
fraying" tin* expenses of a delegation
from the United States to ihe Inter
national Conference of American
States proposed to be field in Mexico,
in the interest of the Union of Amer
ican Republic’s. •