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A.AAA ▼▼▼▼ | T HI WEATMBO TO-DAY: t For North Carolina: | RAIN. VOL LIV NO 131. Leads all North Carolina Dailies in Maws and Circulation NIGHT SHAKEN BY SHOCK OF BATTLE Vice-Admiral Togo* Attacks the Russian Fleet and Forts at Port Arthur with Terrible Effect. THREE WAR VESSELS BEACHED They Are The Russian Battleships Poltara and Czarevitch and The Cruiser Boyarin. TWO GUNBOATS TAKEN 4 These Were Captured by the Japanese at Chemulpo. The Practical Wreck ing of the Russian Warships a Port Arthur is the Work of Japanese Torpedoes. The Battle is Renewed in the Morning, the Russians Re porting in this Engagement the Loss in Killed of] Ten Men. Withdrawal of the Japanese Fleet. (By the Associated Press.) CHEFOO, FEB. 9—THE JAPANESE FLEET ATTACKED PORT ARTHUR AT MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY. TWO RUS SIAN BATTLESHIPS AND ONE RUS SIAN CRUISER WERE DISABLED BY TORPEDOES. THE BATTLE IS BEING CONTINUED THIS MORNING AT A RANGE OF THREE MILES. THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER DAMAGE. The Attack on Port Arthur. (By the Asso'ated Press.) Cheefoo, Feb- 9.—The steamer Columbia has arrived from Port Arthur with addi tionaLnewa of the attack by the Japanese fleet upon the Russian fleet in the roads outside of the harbor of Port Arthur. The Columbia was in the roads at the time, and felt first shock of a torpedo explosion at 11 o'clock on Monday night. The attack continued all night, and at daylight this morning the two Russian battleships and cne first-class Russian cruiser was seen to have been disabled and beached at the entrance of the harbor. The cruiser was badly listed to one side. This morning the Russian forts opened Are on the Japanese fleet, which was • about three miles distant. The Japanese vessels returned the fire, hitting several of the Russian ships, but doing little dam age. The Russian cruisers then went out and the Japanese vessels disappeared. They were seen later going in the direction of Dalny, apparently undamaged. Although the officers of the Columbia say that there were seventeen in the attacking party, only sixteen were seen later in the day by the steamer Foo Chow. The Russians left one cruiser outside to watch for the Japanese ships. The cruiser was fired upon by the Japanese, and the other Russian vessels took up their an chors and cruised around the roadstead. The Japanese fleet came up within three miles and a battle commenced. The Japanese fired on the ships an ( ] forts, which replied- Two Russian ships were struck by shells, but were only slightly damaged. The Russian fire fell short. The Co lumbia steamed away while the battle was in progress, but later saw the Japan ese fleet leave. One Japanese cruiser with torpedo boats, is reported north of Chefoo. The two battleships disabled are the Poltava and the Czarevitch. The disabled armored cruiser Boyarmin and the grounded battleships blocked the entrance to the harbor, preventing gunboats frorr going out and battleships and cruisers from going in and getting coal. Besides this Japan has the Russian gunboats Variag and Koretz. caught at Chemulpd. They were bound for Vladivostcck. The Japanese fleet was under the com mand of Vice-Admiral Togo and consisted of four fast cruisers, the Cbitosc. Ashf. Uatsuse, Spiki.shima and the Kasagi, and Yoshino, which circled out • ido. drawing the fire of the Russians. They then joined the main fleet and all went in to attack the armored cruisers. In the Japanese fleet, which consisted of two divisions were the Ivlikasa. the flag ship, the fii-st-class battleships Sahi, Fuji, Inashima, Shikashiroa. Hatsuse and the dispatch boat Tatsuma. The second di vision of the fleet under command of Ad miral Kamimura on the flagship Idsumo, consisted of the armored cruisers Yashima Iwate and Asama. When seen by the steamer Foo Chow Tuesday morning, the fast cruisers were circling in a radius of six miles. No torpedo boats were seen, and it is probable The News and Observer that they left the vicinity after the tor pedo attack of Monday night. The Russian fleet outside of the harbor consisted of the battleships Petropaulov.ski, flagship; Pereswet, sub-flagship; Pobieda, Poltava, Czarevitch, Retvizan and Sebas topol, and the cruisers Novik. Boyarin, Bayaru, Dianu, Palada, Askold and Angara. The disabled battleships are inside forts Huan Ching Shan and Chi Kwan Shan. The cruiser is outside, but within range of the forts. The British steamer Columbia which arrived here today from Port Arthur bringing news of the attack by the Japa nese fleet upon the Russian fleet, reports that Columbia had a narrow escape from injury. Her passengers and crew were very much excited. While going out of the roads at Port Arthur the Russian cruiser Novik got between the Columbia and the Japanese fleet. Her flag was cut in*o shreds arc! one shell fell on her deck. The fare*- of those who were on deck were black ened with powder smoke. A naval officer who was recently at Port Arthur says the Russians were not prepared for the attack on their ships and had an insufficient amount of steam up. A boat patrolled the Straits of I’e Chi Li continuously, but apparently the Japanese torpedo boats were not noticed until after the first torpedo was fired. The Rus-ians fired, but the Japanese did not return the fire and backed off. An hour later the discharge of torpedoes was re peat'd, after which the torpedo boats withdrew some distance. At ten o'clock Tuesday morning too Japanese fast cruisers circled within view cf the whole Russian fleet, but they were not engaged. The Russians returned to ward the harbor rfter an hour. The Japanese, continuing, came within three miles. A tattle then began between the Russian forts and fourteen ships and sixteen Japanese vessels. A few oi ‘he Japanese shells were effective, but as far as seen the Russians shots fell short. The Japanese fleet was steaming toward Dalny when seen last. The steamer Columbia left just as Tues day morning’s contest began and was un able to learn the result. It is probau.e that the Japanese fleet was convoying twenty-six troops ships from Sasebo to seme port of Korea. Japanese are reported to be in posses sion of the southern portion ot the penin sula. STORY OF BATTLE. Cheefoo, Feb. 9.—A member of the crew of the Columbia tells this story oi the naval battle at Tort Arthur: “The Columbia was lying in the road stead surrounded by fourteen Russian battleships and cruisers. At 11:30 o’clock Monday night a severe shock was felt on beard the Columbia. The Russians imme diately commenced to operate their searchlights and opened fire towards the sea. The firing lasted only a short time. At 1 o'clock more shocks were felt anti the Russians again commenced firing. “The Japanese did not return the five. At 2 o’clock two Russian battleships went in and* were beached across the entrance of the harbor. They were soon followed by a Russian cruiser which aiso was beached. None of the vessels were dam aged above the water line. Move snocks from torpedoes were felt during the early morning and then all was quiet. “At ten o'clock Tuesday morning three Japanese cruisers passed Port Arthur in sight of the Russian fleet. The whole Russian fleet immediately weighed anchor and went after them but returned in half at hour.” A MORNING NAVAL BATTLE. Port Arthur and the Russian Fleet Attacked. Ten Russians Killed. (By (he Associated Press.) St. Petersburg. Feb. 10th., 1. a. in. The foil iwmg bulletin has Just been is sued in tiic form of a telegram irom 'Viceroy Alexieffs chief of staff, dated February 9: “By order of the Viceroy, I beg to re port that this day at about 11 o’clock in the morning, a Japanese squadron con sisted of about fifteen battleships and cruisers approached Port Arthur and op ened fire. The enemy was received with a cannonade from the shore batteries aud KALKIGU, NOME CAROLINA,! WEDNESDAY MORNING, (KB. 10 1904 the guns of our squadron, which also par ticipated in the engagement. “At about midday the Japanese squad ron ceased its tire and left, proceeding south. “Our losses in the fleet were two offi cers wounded; nine men killed and for ty-one wounded. On the shore batteries one man was killed and three wounded- The battleship Poltava and the cruiser Novik each had a hole knocked in her side below the water line. The forts were slightly damaged. (Signed) “MAJOR GENERAL FLUG.” A Thousand Japs Disembark. (By the Associated Press.) Pekin, Feb. 9.—About one thousand Japanese troops disembarked at Chemul po, Korea, yesterday, notwithstanding the presence there of two Russian warships. North Wilkesboro Votes for Schools. (Special to News and Observer.) North Wilkesboro, N. C., Fob. 9. —At the election held here today on the question of the graded schools, the schools won Out of 173 registered voters 102 were cast for and 30 against the schools. Many voters did not register. DEATH IN PULPIT Rev. J. A. Kuykendall Falls as He Announces His Text. (Special to News and Observer.) Asheville, N. C-, Feb. 9.—Wiley B. Brown, of this city, received the news of the death of his brother-in-law, Rev. J. A. Kuykendall, which occurred at the Corinth Baptist church of this county, under peculiar circumstances. Rev. Mr. Kuykendall is a Baptist minister of this section, and Sunday had gone to Corinth to preach his regular weekly sermon. The p' eacher arrived at> the house of wor ship in his usual good health, and had begun the services, taking for his text the 44th chapter of Genesis: “I will go and see Him before I die. - ’ when after speaking a few words he suddenly placed his hand to his Side and fell to the floor of the pulpit, expiring within a few se conds and without uttering a word. Rev. J. L. Cook, who occupied a seat close to the pulpit, was the first to reach the minister’s side, but Mr. Kuykendall was dead before the brother pastor could reach him. When it became known that death had suddenly invaded the sanctuary and taken from them without a moment's warning their pastor, the excitement among the congregation was intense. Women became hysterical and children screamed, and a number of men were utterly unable to control themselves. Af ter several minutes had elapsed and it was finally realized that the minister was dead, his body was removed from the church. NORTH CAROLINA BASEBALLISTS. A Number of Them to Go to Jackson ville With “King v Kelley. “King" Kelly, once the Captain of the famous “Red Birds,” of Raleigh, is rapid ly getting together his men for .the ball team in Jacksonville. Fla., of which he is the manager and first baseman. Mr. Kelly went to Chapel Hill yester day, his purpose being to sign Jack Curran and to talk with Edward Hobgood with the view of taking him on if terms were satisfactory. The Jacksonville papers are hurrahing up things for the team. In a recent issue of the Florida Sun and Labor Journal there is a big lot or pictures of the players, and among the faces are those of George Kelly, Eddie Person, pitcher; Will Wynne, of Raleigh, fielder; Charles Nichols, now at the A. and M.. left fieid; Richmond Reed, of Concord, catcher; William Fctzer, of Concord, third ba^e. The Jacksonville Tiraes-Unjon is just as liberal with space and pictures, it. lias a long write up and description of the men and praises Eddie Person very highly. Ashenbaek, who is in Charleston at the head of the Charleston team, tried to buy that lad, but failed. The Jacksonville folks have got a hustling manager in "King" Kelly, who will soon take fifteen men to Jacksonville. There is talk of an artesian well for Williamston. Don’t let it be all talk the real thing would be appreciated mote.— Williamston Enterprise. GIB REPORT GIVEH TO WORLD Commercial Bales Ginned are 9,859,277. INCLUDING THE ROUND Or Counting the Round as Half Bales 9.485,537. How These Figwres Compare With Those of the Years 1902 and 1903. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Feb. 9. —The report issued by the Census Office today of the quantity of cotton ginned from the growth of 1903 up to and including January 16, 1904. shows that 30,171 ginneries were operated, and that these ginned 9,859,277 commercial bales. Counting round bales as half bales the number is 9,485,537, which compares with 8,905,503 and 10,588,250 bales to De cember 13, 1902, and March 14, 1903, re spectively. The report for the entire country is as follows: 9,038,890 square bales, 747,480 round bales, 72,907 sea island crop bales, 9,859,277 total commercial bales. The total commercial bales ginned from the crop of 1902 to December 13. 1902, was 9,311,835, and to March 14, 1903, was 11,078,882. The cotton ginned from crop grown in 1903 up to and including January 16, 1904, is given by States and Territories as fol lows: Alabama—3,B73 ginneries, 947,599 square Alabama—3,B73 ginneries; 947,599 .square bales, 72,993 round bales, 1,020,592 com mercial bales. Arkansas—2,s3o ginneries, 619,694 square bales, 44,71 G round bales, 664,410 commer cial bales. Florida —272 ginneries, 30,418 square bales, 26,756 round sea island crop bales, 57,174 commercial bales. Georgia—4.994 ginneries, 1.224,419 square bales, 46,516 round bales, 36,234 sea island crop bales, 1,307,169 commercial bales. Indian Territory—4B9 ginneries, 217,839 square bales, 81,614 round bales, 299,553 commercial bales. Kansas —2 ginneries, 55 square bales, 55 commercial bales. Kentucky—2 ginneries, 563 square bales, 563 commercial bales. Louisiana—2,2ol ginneries. 746.773 square bales, 79,513 round bales, 826,316 commer cial bales. Mississippi—■l,22s ginneries. 1,310,991 •square bales, 56,198 round bales, 1,367,489 commercial bales. Missouri —74 ginneries, 28,597 square bales, 5,6-12 round bales, 32,239 commercial bales. North Carolina—2,733 ginneries, 541,125 square bales, 21 round bales, 541,146 com mercial bales. Oklahoma —231 ginneries, 158,334 square bales, 32,761 round bales, 191,095 commer cial bales. South Carolina —3.198 ginneries, 788.757 square bales, 9,917 sea island crop bales, 798,714 commercial bales- Tennessee —789 ginneries. 216,069 square bales, 18.550 round bales, 234,919 commer cial bales. Texas—4,43B ginneries. 2,197,202 square bales, 308,326 round bales, 2,505,588 com mercial bales. Virginia—ll7 ginneries, 12,255 square bales, 12,255 commercial bales. In the report issued today no account has been taken of linters obtained bv the cotton seed oil mills from re-ginning rot ten seed. Statistics of such cotton will be included in the final report of this season, which report will be issued about March 15. The final report will distribute the crop by counties, regragatc upland and sea i-land cotton and give weights of bales. The Census Office is now engaged in the computation of the average weight of the bale for this crop from data furnished by the ginners and cotton weighers, and a statement, giving the results will be published about February 13th. Myrtle Hotel Has a Blaze. (By tlie Associated Press.) Bristol, Tenn., Feb. 9.—A special to the Herald from Gate City, Va.. says: Guests of the Myrtle Hotel were aroused from slumber at five o'clock this morning by an alarm of fire, the flames having been discovered in W. D. Davidson’s store. This store and stock was destroyed, as was also the general merchandise store of Bowling, Hcacft& Sloan, entailing a total loss of $50,000 partially insured. The .Myrtle Hotel was saved only by heroic work of a bucket brigade, blankets being thrown over the frame building and kept soaked with water. None of the guesTs was hurt. . Caught in a Stream of Liquid Fire. (By the Associated Press.) Bristol. Tenn.. Feb. 9. —A special to the Herald from Pulaski. Va., -ays: \ j>io C ,. of the jacket of the Dora Fur nace bursted off this morning at five o'clock allowing about two car loads of molten metal to escape. Wilber Smith, an employe, was caught ,n the stream or metal and burned to death .n.-tantly. No on- else was seriously injured- One colored man was burned slightly. The damage to the fumace and appliance will reach several- thousand dollars. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE ISTHMUS Guaranteed to Colombia, Says Overman. AND THE PLEDGE OURS ) Yet We Tied Her Hand and Foot in the Panama Revolution. Overman Declares, Explaining His Reasons for Voting Against Treaty. (Special to News and Observer.) Washington, D. C., Feb. 9. —Senator Overman made his maiden speech in the Senate today in opposition to ratification of the Panama canal treaty. During its delivery he had close attention from the Senators on both sides of the chamber and at its conclusion was the recipient of many congratulations.. The fact that Senator Overman has made a good impression on his fellow- Senators that has grown since the first time he occupied a seat among them, and his speech today, though short, has add ed to the high esteem in which they hold him- It is pleasant to know that the most cordial relations exist and will continue to exist between the two North Caro lina Senators though they have spoken on opposing sides of the Panama ques tion and will vote accordingly. Senator Simmons was one of the first t'xlav to congratulate his colleague, and this after noon they had a long conference. This situation is fortunate for the State, whose interest they represent. Senator (Herman began by saving that being a new Senator he had pror'ei r. 1 to adhere to the tradition of the Senate and remain silent for a while at least, in re gard to the proposed treaty with Panama and that even now he did not arise for the purpose of making a speech, but to nr :>kc a plain statement of his position. He con tinued: "I have preferred to vote with my o.i league, who at the very outset, an nounced his purpose to vote for the treaty, and I have hoped, having always been a strong advocate of a canal and knowing that a very large number if not a majority oi my people and the people of the country desire the treaty rat*!ie«l, I that I could get the consent of my con science to support it. I have heard the debate, have for myself investigated evc*y phase ot the controversy, have familiar ized myself with all the facts and cir cumstances surrounding the revolution in Panama and its recognition by this Gov ernment as an independent republic, with a view, if possible, to vote for the treaty and at the same time not to violate my duty as a Senator representing not only the great State of North Carolina, but representing my counntry as well. “But, Mr. President, there has been all the time standing before me an insur mountable barrier which has prevented inv coming to this conclusion. Here is a solemn treaty—the treaty of 1846-enter ed into between this country and Nev Granada (now Colombia), a solemn cover ant, scaled, signed and delivered, ratified, interchanged, and filed in the archives of each Government for its future conduct, the one to the other for all time un less modified and repealed. It Is called a treaty of peace, amity, navigation and commerce. For the purpose oi my state ment I will read only a summary of the thirty-five articles, which is as follows: “ ‘The Government of New Granada guaranteed to the Government f the United States that the right of way o’* transit across the Isthmus of Panama, upon any mode of communication then existing or hereafter construct ed, should be open and free to the Government and citizens of the United States and for the transportation of any articiea of produce, manufac tures, or merchandise of lawful com merce belonging to the citizens of the United States. . . . And the Government of the United States, in I order to secure to themselves the tranquil and constant enjoyment of the advantages mentioned and as an especial compensation for said ad ventages and other favors acquired by the treaty, guaranteed, positively and j efficaciously, by that stipulation, the ■ ’ perfect neutrality of the Isthmus of Panama with the view that free* tran sit from one to the other sea should not be interrupted or embarra 1 sed in any future time while the treaty should exist; and in consequence, the United States cbo guaranteed in the same m a miner, to wit, positively and efficaciously, the right oi sovereignly and property which New Granada then had and possessed over tin: said territory, to wit, the entire Isthmus ot Panama.’ "Therefore, Mr. we not only guaranteed the perfect neutrality of the Isthmus of Panama, but the United States in the most positive terms guaranteed the rights of sovereignty and property which Colombia had and possessed in the said territory, the entire Isthmus of Panama. “it is contended that the guarantee oi sovereignty means only (he guarantee ot sovereignty as against foreign nations and not as against secession and dismembor nn nt from Colombia. “The friends and high contracting par ties could have had no such intention.. Why, Mr. President, I ask—-why guaian j tee 1h& sovereignty of Colombia against i foreign nations only when that vas al ready done by the Monroe Doctrine to Colombia, as well as all other South American Republics, to the extent that no foreign nation should ever acquire any of their territory? “Besides, preceding this clause of sov ereignty, as I have read, there is a ciause of neutrality which has always been hold and construed to mean an obligation on the part of the United States for the preservation of the Isthmus against war and like acts cf foreign nations. Mr. Seward, Lincoln’s great Secretary ot State, said: “ ‘Neither the text nor the spirit of the stipulation in that article by which the United States engages to preserve the neutrality of the Isthmus of Panama im poses an obligation on this Government to comply with the requisition of the President of the United States of Colom bia for a force to protect the Isthmus ot Panama from a b*ty of insurgents of that country. The purpose of the stipu lations was to guarantee the Isthmus against seizure or invasion by a foreign power only.’ Again Secretary Seward wrote to our Minister at Bogota on April thirtieth, eighteen sixty-six, as follows: “ ‘The United States desire nothing else, nothing better, and nothing more in regard to the State of Colombia than the enjoyment on their part of complete and absolute scver°ignty and independence. If those great in terests shall ever be assailed by any power, at home or abroad, the United States will be ready, co-operating with the Government and their ally, to maintain and defend them.’ Again, during Mr. Cleveland’s adminis tration, Mr. Bayard, his Seceretary oi State, said: “ ‘On several occasions the Govern ment of the United States, at the in stance and always with the assent or Colombia, has, in times of civil tu mult, sent its armed forces to the Isthmus of Panama to preserve American citizens and property a’ong the transit from injuries which the Government of Colombia might nt the time be unable to prevent. But in taking such stops, this Government has always recognized the sovereignty and superior right cf Colombia in the premises.’ “Then. Mr. President, the Monroe Doe trine and the Neutrality Clause were suf ficient to guarantee sovereignty as; against foreign nations as to transit across the (Continued on Page Six.) MRS. POST GUILTY So Declares the Jury Af ter a Long and Stub born Struggle. (By the Associated Press ) Jacksonville. Fla., Feb. 9.—A verdict of guilty was returned this evening by the jury in the ease against Helen Wil mans Post, the mental science healer who has been on trial for ilie past ten days in the .United States Court. The charge against Mrs. Post was that of violating section 5480 of the Revised Statutes of the United States. It was specifically charged that she devised a scheme to de fraud divers people and that she used the United States mails to further said schemes. The jury was out for seven hours, it stood ten for conviction and two for ac quit al from the first, t 4 o’clock the jury was called into ourt and the judge stated that the court would in this case require a verdict from the jury, and that if no verdict was returned by 6 p. m., the jury would be locked up and left in charge of the marshal, while the judge went to Tampa to hold a term of the court. At 5:30 a verdict of guilty was returned. The maximum penalty for the violation of section 5480 i 3 a fine not exceeding SSOO or imprisonment not exceeding eigh teen months, or both, in the discretion of the court. The court has not yet passed sentence and the defense has been given ten days to prepare and submit a motion for arrest of judgment or a new trial. The defend and is under SI,OOO bond. There are eleven other indictments against Mrs. Post, her husband, C. C. Post, and her son-in-law, Charles €. Berg man. Mysterious Death of Scott Wright. (Special to News and Observer.) Washington, N. C., Feb. 4.—Scott Wright, who is engaged in hauling logs foe D. B. Willis, of this city, was found eariy this morning about (three miles from here lying on the road dead. His carry log and horses were standing in aie road just a few feet, from the body. Master John Willis found Wright on hi- way to the woods to haul wood. There were no bruises on the body, and how he came to his death is not known. He was a resi dent ot this city. The services of W. P. Rose, an archi tect of Raleigh, have been secured by the public school trustees of this city vo make the plans for (ho new graded school budd ings soon to be erected here. The budd ing when completed will cost approxi mately $30,000. Hanna Rests Quietly. (By the Associated Press.) Washington. Feb. 9.—The following bul letin on Senator Hanna's condition was issued tonight: At 8 p. m. Senator Hanna was resting quietly. His temperature was 102 6-10; pulse 94 and regular. Respiration 24. Th< re ate no complications and his gen eral condition remains good. (Signed.) “RJXEY, “CARTER.” ♦ TMF WEATHER TO ® | Rain or Snow. U RIOI> KIV t, OHMS. RISING IN POWER OUT MR ASHES Baltimore for the Present Needs No Aid. IS EAGER TO REBUILD Day of Conferences Developed That City and State Will Try to Meet Emergencies, Loss About $125,000,000. Cash Vaults Unharmed. (By the Associated Press.) BALTIMORE. FEB. 9.—A REVIVAL OF THE FIRE TONIGHT IN THE LUMBER YARD OF WILLIAM D. GILL & SON, AT THE EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN LIMIT OF THE BURNED TERRITORY. CAUSED A NEW ALARM TO BE SENT IN. FOUR COMPANIES AND FIRE BOAT. THE CATARACT. RESPONDED AND AT 8 P. M. THE BLAZE WAS SAID TO BE UNDER CONTROL. Baltimore, McL. Feb. 9.--Amid ruir.s still hot and smoking. Baltimore has oe gun its resurrection. With the dawn of a clear winter day, whose brightness was in itself an inspiration, the apathy of yesterday gave way to energy, an I from thr Governor of the State to the least private citizen the people of this dis tressed city "aroused themselves to meet the appalling conditions that confront them. It was a dsy of conferences. The Gov ernor, the mayor, and various municipal officials, met and threshed on the prob lems that are theirs by virtue of public office. From this conference c-ame a decision that. Baltimore for the present needs no outside help, but will endeavor with her own resources and those of the State to meet the emergency. At this conference a!,so was dveloped the machin ery for ;.n advisory legislative commission to act in conjunction with the legisla ture. The military officials had unusual problems to decide and solved fh.m in a military manner, for tonight every ra-s that has been issued giving entrance to the fire lines was revoked. No civilian may pass the cordon of citizen soldiers which after forty-eight hours of eonthi '"i icus duty tonight stretches around the fire-swept district where Jay safes and vaults containing untold treasure*. With equal promptness Ihe Chamber of Commerce hel l a general meeting and issued a formal announcement that re flected the prevailing hopefulness, declar ing “there are already such evidences of recuperation that all are encouraged in the hope o r the early restoration ot every branch of trade.'’ The Stock Exchange members met and decided to rebuild as seen as possible. The same story can be told of practically every commercial body, while on every hand is evidence of private effort toward rehabilitation. Old buildings long unused, private resi dences near the business seetio nin tact every available structure d tars crudely lettered signs on board or cloth announc ing that within is the temporary office of a firm. The names on some of these; signs are those that rank high i,n the financial and commercial circles of the world and in the temporary offices m< n who for years have known only mahogony desks work on deal tables and plain boards. Labor is in demand and the newspaper a already contain display advertisements lor men to begin the work of clearing toe ruins. All things considered, the public -dock taking that engrossed the business world of Baltimore today’was satisfactory. But this does not mean that the great live rvas a lesser calamity than nas been pic tured in these dispatches. The words that have hurried over telegraph wires, re stored by almost superhuman energy to meet a Avanting world’s demand fo r nows, haw given but an inadequate conception of this catastrophe of a century. The bald fact is that 110 acres of business buddings, representing property to the approximate value of $125,000,000 were tb stroyed within twenty-four hours. A great cloud Avas lifted this afternoon "'hen it was discovered that practically all of the vaults and strong rooms and saies of the financial concerns aviaosc buildings Avere destroyed, are unhurt. tiemendous loss in securities had been anticipated here, end when vault after vault yielded up its treasures unharmed the joy of the guardians was bound lev-. From the Continental Trust Company's safes alone papers to the amount of m«- e than $200,000,000 were recovered. The neAss cheered the whole city and encouraged immediate and thorough investigation. Merchants and their assistants, smoke soiled and begrimed and hollow-eyed irom anxiety and loss of sleep worked like laborers in the smoking iuins to un cover their safes, and in nearly every in stance they were rewarded by intact con tents. Another surprise was the discovery that financial concerns whose homes were di rectly in the path of the flames, were practically unharmed. These were the Mercantile Trust Company and Brown Bios'. Bank. The escape of th°sc buildings is attributed to their lack of ‘might. They do not exceed four -lories and as they were surrounded by lofty structures thm flames sAvopt over them. There arc betAveen $11,000,000 and $12.- 000,000 now in vaults of the Sub-Treas ury, of which over $7,000,000 are »r> gold. (Continued ou Page Five.)
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