North Carolina Newspapers

) .... VOL XXXVIII No 8. WILMINGTON ; N. C., JANUARY 27, 1905. SI. 00- PER TEAR , I If I f I t ;1 JV i 4 .v. F1 GOVERNMENT'S PLAN 1 FOR BREAKING STRIKE A Proclamation Issued; Conceived in Patern al Tone THE SITUATION NOT SO ACUTE Strike Have Spread to Several Towns But There Have Been No Great Demonstrations and Xo Bloodshed Strikers Arc Supplied With Money to Meet Their Xeeds The Workmen Seem to Have no Definite I'lai is for the Future Funerals of Many Victims of Sunday's Tragedy Held Yesterday The Authorities at Moscow Claim That They Have the Situation Well in Hand Citizens There Are Alarmed, However, at the Iroslect of Trouble and They De- iitand the Proclamation of a State of Siege. St. Petersburg, January 25., 2:15 in. Governor General Trepoff, and Min I ister of Finance Kokovsoff issued a! proclamation last night which reveals the government's plan for breaking the strike not only here, but throughout Russia. The proclamation is conceived in a paternal tone and points out that honest workmen, who want to better their condition, should have brought their demands to the government, in stead of being vmisled by agitators into affiliating with a movement which is not confined to economic aspirations. U invites them to return to work, prom ising them in the emperor's name a re vision of the general law so as to re strict the hours of labor, the institu tion of a plan for state insurance, and . otherwise to meet their demands so far as the law will permit, and guarantees them protection from interference by ag itators. This document will be followed either by an imperial manifesto along the same lines, in the hope of prevent ing the spread of the strike or by speci fic proclamations by the local authori ties wherever strikes are in progress. By promising to yield the question of the hours of labor, which are now legal ly eleven in Russia, the authorities be lieve they will meet the many griev ances of the workmen. This, together with the guarantee of protection, tne authorities hope will induce those strik ers who are indifferent to political de mands, which class they declare consti tutes a great bulk of the men, to re sume work. It is certain many strikers were forc ed out against their wishes; but the general effect of the proclamation is still problematical. Though the strikes have been spread ing to various towns the situation to night, while disquieting, is not acute anywhere. The. great demonstration with an accompaniment of bloodshed which was anticipated at 'Moscow yes terday did not occur, and the strike In the ancient capital has not spread rap idly, only about 20,000 workmen being out, according to latest reports. Cos sacks charged and dispersed a crowd of three thousand women, and reports were circulated in St. Petersburg thati many were killed, but advices direct from Moscow at midnight, deny thi3, the information being that only a few blank volleys were fired. The Moscow military have received orders to avoid a repetition of Sunday's tragedy here, and not use ball cartridges; unless they are driven to do so by the direct ne cessity. In several Baltic province towns there has been considerable disorder, espe cially in Riga where the military are in complete possession In the streets of Helsigfors there was last evening a resumption of Tuesday night's rioting with bloodshed, some thirty persons be ing wounded. If a general movement breaks out among the Finns it is Ilkeiy to take the form of an armed uprising, as almost every Finn has a weapen in is house. Sir Charles Hardinge, the British am bassador last night received from Cap tain Grove, the British consul at Mos cow, confirmation of the Associate J Fress dispatch from Moscow announc ing the public posting of a London te- '?gram imputing the disorders to Brit-J ish and Japanese Influences, and he wii ask explanations from foreign Minister Lamsdorff today. It is not expected, however that the affair will lead to a -serious diplomatic incident, and it Is thought the Russian government wil. disavow responsibility for the course of acting Chief of Police Roudeneff The dispatch to Ambassador Hardinge makes no mention of Roudeneffs offer tc meet captain Grove. QUIET AT ST. PETERSBURG. St. Petersburg. January 25., 6:15 p. m. Quiet continues in St. Petersburg. Evidence accumulates that the strikers are supplied with money to meet their present needs. All sorts of stories are afloat as to the size and origin of the ! fund. Money is undoubtedly being sup plied by the Liberals. It is said that they nave a fund of $2,000,000, some o which was supplied by German social ists, but there is no way of verifying the stories. It is seriously believed in some quarters that money is being fur nished from Japanese-British sources to bring on a revolution or such interna! complications as will compel the gov ernment to make peace. Some foreign correspondents who have been indulging in the wildest ex aggeration of the situation in antici pation of arrest are trying to arrange for the embassies of their'' respective countries to make prompt representa tfons in their behalf. The strikers seem still to be withou4 lofinitA ninns for- the future. It 13 said that a demonstration has been decided upon for tomorrow on the occasion of the funerals of several of the more prominent victims, but this is denied. For the moment the strikers appear to be content to remain quiet , All the outgoing trains are filled witn people going abroad mostly foreigners. The stories of the Illness of the em peror and the empress are officially de- 1 nied. The correspondent of the Associ : ated Press today conversed with a mem 1 ber of the court who saw the emperor walking in the garden at Tsarskoe Selo : inis morning. 1BURIAL OF THE DEAD. St. Petersburg, January 25. The night was quiet, although a few shot were heard in the Vassili Ostroff quart er. Troops paraded the streets al" night long, stopping and interrogating people. Bodies of workmen continued to march through the principal thor oughfares until midnight. The shop are still closed today. Bodies of troops iemain in several streets, though on the whole the city has a q-uiet aspect. With the exception of the Officia Messenger and. the Russki Invalid, no newsnaners have appeared. The workmen at the -Nevsky yards presented themselves there today m or der to receive the balance of their Thn demeanor of the strikers t fc3 N- ,m.w was nuiet. rvuo. funor-iicnf m.mv victims cf ,kJ " " Sunday's tragedy were held today. Pit iful sights were witnessed. In severa rases a man and wife carried betweer. them a wooden box containing a child killed. Some of the coffins were borne on common carts, the mourners follow ing on foot according to the Russian custom. It was noticeable that in many cases, the usual priest and ikon at the head of the procession were absent. No demonstration occurred, but work men and others stood uncovered in streets as the little groups passed with the dead. In the Volkoff cemetery be yond the Uarva gates, 167 bodies were lowered to their last resting place. PETITION FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. St. Petersburg, January 25. A depu tation from the St. Petersburg press waited on Interior Minister Sviatopolk (Mirsky during the day and presented a petition formulated at a conference of editors. M. Souvorin, Sr., (edit-r of the Novoe Vremya) said that the only means of restoring upblic conn- dence was to grant treeaom oi me press to summon a congress of Zem Btvos. He declared that if the press had btfen free none of the recent de plorable events would have happened. The minister replied that this peti tion would be considered, but that fae must confer with Governor General Trepoff. Two tobacco factories resumed work today. ' GORKY ARRESTED AT RIGA. St. Petersburg. January 26. 4: 45 a. m. The Associated Press has been pri vately advised that tMaxim Gorky, the author and reform party leader, has been arrested at Riga whither he had been summoned by the illness of his wife. SITUATION WELL IN HAND. Authorities ai Moscow Are Deter mined ti Avoid Blood-Shed Citi zens Demand the Proclamation of a State of Sies. Moscow. January 25., 5 p. m. -There is complete tranquility within the boun daries of this city, but the people are keeping indoors, owing to fhe official warning. The strike is &preading grad ually, but thus far is confined to' the smaller mills. The larger industrial con cerns are being guarded in order t prevent the men employed there from being intimidated, but it is the belief that the strike will become general. There are no troops in sight In the city rroDer. Probably there will beno oa rers tomorrow. " ' The citizens are alarmed at the pros- peel of an eruption of hundreds of ; thousand of workmen and demand ihe proclamation of a state of siege. The, Moscow garrison is no more than 20.0C0. ' but the authorities consider that this is sufficient "for .the present needs, and evidently are determined to avoid blood- shed if possible. They declare they have the situation well In hani.' Captain Grove, the 'British eejssttl. ha3 called upon M. Roundneff the assistant police master, who la actins lft the ab sence of Chief Volkoff, and requested an explanation of the posted telegram from London alleging that Russian dis turbances were due to Anglo-Japaness instization. M. Roudneff produced the original tel- egram in evidence of good faith Cap- ! tafn Grove stated that he woti&J report he matter to the embassy at StjPeters- burg as he considered that the posting of the alleged telegrams imperiled the Ives of subjects of Great Britain who are employed in factories here-. M. Roundneff assured him that there was absolutely no cause for apprjihenslan but assumed the responsibility; for the publication and offered personal satis faction In a resort to arms. . PEOPLE WARNED AGAINST PUB LIC DISTURBANCES Moscow, January 25. A correspondent of the Associated Press wnoarrivea here today from St. Petersburg found no signs of troops at the depot or in the surrounding streets. The street cars are moving, but many of the stores are closed and there is scarcely any of the freight traffic which ordinarily fills the streets. At all corners were posted bulletins signed by Police Chief Vol koff warning the people against public disturbances and forbidding them to assemble in groups. NO FATALITIES ARE REPORTED. Moscow, January 25. 7 p. m. A squadron of Cossacks this evening dis persed about three thousand workmen rcho were growing obstreperous across the Moskva. No fatalities are reportea. This was the only event of tne kina during the day. .Reports that a mob was plundering and wrecking shop3 in the Tverskaia are untrue. The mer chants have sent an appeal to the em peror to avoid blood shed. FEARS OF A REVOLUTION. Foreign Office in England Views the Situation in St. Petersburg With Alarm. : London, January 25 The foreign of fice views the situation in Russia with alarm. It believes that while .the pres ent risings will be put down, the affair of Sunday at St. Petersburg is certain to bring about a change in the form of government. The Associated Press learns that the foreign office would wel come a Russian government with which It could enter into a treaty similar to the Anglo-French agreement, feeling that a contract with the present regime would be repudiated at will. But fears are entertained of a revolution which might result in- Internationale compli cations. The remarks of War Secretary Ar-riold-Forster at Croydon last night when he expressed the sympathy of the people of the united kingdom with the people of Russia, are exciting consider able comment, coming from a cabinet minister. He seemed to voice the gen eral suspicion that the British govern ment has of Russian beaurocracy. Mr. Arnold-Forster also made the astound ing statement that it would be a bold man who would say whether this move ment would be likely to help or hurt the British nation, but "We must be on our guard." The British press as a whole takes a no less gloomy view. The papers have been given up almost exclusively since Sunday to alarmist reports from Rus sia, hostile articles and scathing edi torials on the "Massacre," one of the mildest terms used for the affair of Sun day and the Russian emperor and his government are generally compared to MBeasts at Bay." The whole discussion of- the situation in Russia serves again to reveal the poorly disguised hostility of the Brit ish press to everything Russian. The dispatches to the London papers all re port the conditions prevailing In Rus sia to be worse than the Associated Press accounts. . The Russian official figures of the killed and wounde are stigmatized as "Ludicrously official. BIG DEMONSTRATION EXPECTED. ITelsingfors, Finland, January . 25. Cossacks are patrolling the streets of thi3 city. A big demonstration is ex pected tonight, upon the arrival of Finns who had been expelled from the country and who were recently given permission to return. DEMONSTRATION AT HELS1NG FORS. Helsingfors, Finland, January 25. Although the crowds on the streets were smaller tonight, there was savere fighting, Cossacks and police firinrg their revolvers. .Some thirty persons were wounded, of whom nine were taken to the hosipital. Three are se verely wounded. The demonstration is slackening. A PANIC IN A KISCHINEFF THEATRE. Kischineff, January, 25. A seditious demonstration during the performance led to a panic in a theatre here jat night. A crisis In the hostility toward the government was raised In the crowded auditorium by incendiary proclamations which were showered from the gallery. The audience be came panic stricken and some time elapsed before order was restored. Twenty arrests were made including four Jewish soldiers. GENERAL STRIKE AT REVAL Reval, Russia, January 25. A general strike was called here today. All the works are closed. As between regulating the railroads and being regulated by. them It will not fce. difficult for the American people to choose. -New York Tribune, 1 . 'Governor preston Lea, of Delaware declares that vote-buying in that state must stop. ' Let him begin by co railing A ddicks, Louisville Herald. LESS COTTON Convention Agrees on Plan for Reduction in Acreage PLAN OUTLINED The Delegates to the Southern Inter State Cotton Convention Declared Unanimously in Favor of a 25 Per Cent. Reduction in the Acreage of Cotton and In the Use of Fertilizers. They Plan to Secure the Support of ENery Cotton Grower It 1j Be lieved That the Following the Plan Will Solve tlie Problem. Out of Cotton New Orleans, January 25. Firmly be lieving it to be the most important steD in the solution of the cotton problem, the southern Interstate Cotton conven tion without a dissenting vote tdday de clared in favor of a 25 per cent, reduc tion in acreage, and an equal reduction in the use of commercial fertilizer and backed that action up with the adoption of a comprehensive plan to secure the support of every farmer, big and littlt in the cotton "belt. An overwhelming majority of the delegates were present when the report wa3 received and act ed upon. At the opening of the afternoon ses sion, former senator McLaurin, of South Carolina, spoke along the lines of national protection for the cotton grower, saying that heretofore the cot ton planter had been sacrificed to the doctrine of free raw materials. A reference to President Roosevelt's friendliness provoked a favorable dem onstration on the part of the aduience Former Lieutenant Governor Jester of Texas, from the committee on hold ing and financing the balance of tne present crop" presented a report set ting forth that each state and territorial station seemed amply able to finance Its present holdings. The committee be lieved that the cotton now in the hands of the producers should remain on the farm or stored in local ware houses protected against weather and fire and said that the banks and com mission men evinced a williness to aid in marketing the balance of the crop so as to hold in check any disposition to rush cotton unduly and break the market. Belief was expressed that ire plan in reducing the acreage and .reduc tion in fertilizers will solve the cotton problem. After the convention had voted an in vitation to Captain Richmond Pearson Hobson to speak, R. H. Jenkins of Tax as was recognized to read the report of the committee on acreage which the convention had voted to be of para mount importance. The report follows: . "The Hon. Harvie Jordan, Chairman Interstate Cotton Growers' Convention: "We, your committee on acreage and the use of fertilizers, de recommend that acreage planted in cotton in 1905 shall be 25 per cent, less than in 1D1, and that there shall be a reduction of 25 per cent. In the use of commercial fertilizers in growing cotton. "We recommend the following plan for the accomplishment of the said re duction : "First, that the vice president of this association for each state shall call a meeting of all persons interested m cotton on the 11th day of February, 1905, in the county seat of each coun ty not already organized on the plan hereinafter set out. at which meeting there shall be elected a county clmr man for each school district or other small political sub-division of the county. "Second, that there shall toe held in each school district orother small po litical subdivisions of the county on the 18th day of February 1905. at 1 o'clock p. m,. a meeting of all citizens of sail district or other small political subdi vision who are interested in the grow ing of cotton, which meeting shall elect a committee of three on member ship. "Third, at said precinct meeting the faimers and landowners present shall be asked to sign the following agree ment: , " " We, the undersigned farmera or land owners living in (School district). (Beat), (Precinct), number , Coun ty of , State of , hereoy pledge ourselves to reduce the acreage planted by us in cotton and to reduce our consumption of fertilizer in grow ing cotton as shown by the statements set opoosite our names." acrea and m. of the diftlals in favor of Wlx SdSmXixid ask Philadelphia and Baltimore would very all farmers and land owners in sail seriously reduce the amount of export district who do not attend said meet- . traffic carried to those points and would ing, to sign said pledge and said com- . reduce the competition now enjoyed by mittee shall return said pledge to th the shippers. 2Ie said thit if the in- chairman of said precinct. tini rt to all Atlantic rt were said committee "Fifth, said precinct chairman shall preserve said pledges and they shad immediately report to the county chair man showing the total number, of acres planted in cotton in said precinct in 1SC4 and the total number to be !n,vi in:i4fts..thft total amount of fertilizer used In growing cotton in said precinct and the total amount to be used In said precinct in said year. "Sixth, the county cbatrman shall immediately forward to tho state vlr president of their respective ctates a written statement showing the total number of acnes planted In cotton In their respective counties in and the total amount to be planted in 1905 and shall make a like report as to the fer tilizer used and to be used in &a:3 years. "Seventh, the vice president of each state shall immediately upon receiving the reports of the county chairman forward to the president of this asccia- !on a report showing Lne number of acres planted In cotton In this state m the year 19M and the amount of fertili zer used In said year In growing cutton and the amount of cotton to bo planted and fertilizer to be used In 1905. "Eight, the president of this associa tion upon receiving these reports sha.l immediately tabulate the same ani sid a copy thereof to the county chair man in the different cotton states and territories. 'N'inth. if any county not already or ganized should fail to organize, tho vice president of the state In which the said county Js situated, shall cause said county to-be organized as herein provided and Jf any precinct should tfxA to organize, the county chairman of the county in' which such precinct is situ ated, shall cause such precinct to be organized as herein provided. "Tenth, it shall be the further dutv of the officers of this association to re port the names and addresses of such persons who refuse to sign tho agree ment to reduce acreage for 1906, togeth er with the number of acres of cotton planted "by such persons In 1904, and tho number of acres that they will proba bly plant in 1905 and to make a like re port as to fertilizers. Martin F. Calvin and Bert Miller, of Georgia, wanted the report made a special report for tomorrow, but the latter expressing the belief that the reduction might have gone to the ex tent of 33 1-3 "per cent., but T. E. Mai. sengale, of the same State, asked tn- convention immediate consideration on the ground that this was the most vital business that could come before the convention. By an overwhelming vote the convention decided upon ao- tion, finally adopting the report with a thunderous aye, and without a sin gle vote in the negative. Without transacting any other bus iness or listening to any of the papers on the programme the conventtlon re cessed until night. FISIIBURN ON TRIAL. First Evidence Taken Against thi Banker for the Murder of Dr. Le- f ew. Roanoke, Va., January 25. The first evidence In the trial of Charles R. Fishburn, banker and broker, for the murder of Dr. Fred Lefew, was heard today. It was shown that Fishburn struck Lefew's step- son. because he yelled "Ice" at him, the term refer ring to Fishburn's motor bicycle. Le few's widow was the first witness to testify about the tragedy in whlchM Lefew was stabbed. The blood-stain ed garments worn by Lefew were ex hlbited in court. The dying declara tion of Lefew was read and admitted It was to the effect that Fisbburn went to the Lefew home and told the doctor of the difficulty he had had with his step-son. The men had a quarrel, and Lefew struck Fishburn a light blow in the face with the back of his fingers. After Fishburn went out of the yard he reached over the gate and nlunged his knife in Lefew's breast. Lefew was not armed. Norfolk in the Grasp of a Blizzard. Norfolk, Va., January 25. Norfolk is In the grasp of a blizzard tonight and the temperature is heading for the zero mark with steady drops, a fifty mile wind is blowing. A dense fall oi powdered snow covers the streets and traffic is almost suspended. Aside from the wreck of the small bay trading schooner John A Russell at Sewell's Point this morning: no marine disasteis of consequence has been reported, though many small craft are on shores of the harbor. The Russell, coal laden, dragged her anchor and struck bottom at 5 o'clock this morning. She imme diately became waterlogged and her crew of three, were aided in reaching the shore byan Associated Press cor respondent and another newspaper man who reached the scene four hours after the boat struck. Up to that time the people on board had been helpless on an ice coated deck. A Hearing to Rajlroad and Shipping Interests. Washington, January 23. The Interstate-commerce commission today gave a hearing to the railroad and shipping interests in connection with the requests of various commercial bodies to inves tigate the differential rates on foreign and domestic traffic by all rail and by water and rail lines to and from in terior points In the United States and the various North Atlantic ports, from Halifax to Norfolk and Newport News, particularly New York. Boston. Phlla- delphla and BaHimore, The principal witness was vice Presl- cent J. a. Tnayer, oi me. Pennsylvania, railroad. He contended that the abol- the same, the ocean rates from all of . A ' diate wiinoxawai or ocean lines irom the latter , cities. - . tnemwoma oe me same, wnicn. pe- auditor and the bill makes about S7. czuse of the greater cost of ocean car- 00 increase in pensions. Mr. Striig riage from Philadelphia to Baltimore, field, chairman of the pension cott would result In the gradual If not Imme- mittee, said tnere were some who un- LEGISLATURE Proceedings of siato Senate and House Yesterday . AN ACT REPEALED liter Ixmg I)ttcudon In the flow the Bill Pat Wednesday Grant ing Itellef to State Treasurer Lacy lteiealcd Bin to Enable Mar ried Women to Mako Contract Made a Special Order for Friday County of Leo Proposed Several Memorial Presented on the Di vorce Question Other Proceed ings. (Special to. Tho Messenger.) Raleiigh, N. C, January 2A. The Sea- ate met at 11 o'clock. Lieutenant Gov ernor Winston presiding, and prayer was offered by Rev. W. C Tyre of tk. First Baptist church. MESSAGE FROM TlfE GOTERNOIt. A message from Governor Glenn was received stating that there ma abso lute necessity for tho provision of ad equate departments for the preserva tion and safe keeping of valuable pa- ' pers now in the office of the secretary of state, superintendent of public Ins truction and Insurance commissioner, " and saying that the Supreme court building was not a proper, safe, cr suitable place for the keeping of books. The governor said further that the renting paid for keeping law books and records amounted to $S00 an4 this was too expensive and growing more so ev ery year ana he recommends one cr two things a wing added to the state Capitol, or tho erection of a building: known as the Hajl of Record on the corner of Salisbury and Morgan streets. The message was referred the committee on public buildings. PETITIONS PRESENTED. Aaron of Wayne, Eller of Foreytbe. Mors on, of Gastonia presented petitions Morson f Gastnla presented petitions asking for the repeal of the merchants' tax. They were referred to the finiace committee INTRODUCTION OF BILLS. Bills were introduced by Che follow ing members: f By Senator Webb: To amend chap ter 159, public laws of 1903, to proteet water supplies. By Senator Jones: To divide tlw net " proceeds of the dispensary Of Johnson county. By Senator Bryan: To place the names of J. W. McCampbeil an 3 brother on pension roll. By Senator Ward: To protect der, squirrels and biTds in certain dates. By Senator Everette: To amend chapter 58, public laws .1903, regarding stenographers for Richmond. By Senator Sinclair: To regulate conditional pardons By Senator Vann: In regard to re peal of merchants tax. By Senator Aaron: For establish- ' ment of free schools In Fremont. . By Senator McLean: To relieve the board of agriculture from contributing to A. and M. college expenses. By Senator Zolliooffer: To amend general road law extejidlnfr ita provis ions to Vance county. By Senator Odell: To incorporato Citizen's Bank & Trust Co. By Senator Wright: To amend the charter, of town of Woodalde- By Senator Eller: To provide for erect km of building called Hall CS Records. By Senator Stringfleld: To provide a hall In each county for veteran -meetings. By Senator Stringfleld: To prevent fishing in Scott's creek la Johnson county. t ti By Senators Arendell and Ttemer: , destruction of a certain small fish In Eastern Carolina. By Senator Ellington: To amend public school law of Wake county. By Senators ArendaU and Turner: That committees on insane "asylum and deaf and damb and blind institu tions eppoint a sub committee to vlst8 these Institutions. By Senator Crisp: Permitting pen sions to soldiers and sailors who. are unable to work. Mr. Gilliam moved that House bcli 40 and Senate bill 140 which was report ed unfavorably by the committee ana tabled be recalled and be referred to the Judiciary committee. The bill B ti f?0 tlSL blU r'tm t0 tT FOLLOWING BITS PAB3ESO FINAL READING. To amend chapter 273 of the pnblle laws of 1903 for the relief of certain, cera'te soldier.; saJUor d owa. Mr. odell. who Introduced tno bill stated that his original bin waa to increase by $100,000 the Confederate penslons,but that It teemed after arda tbat th fourth class of pensioners were not receiving enough nor as much as the law says. He stated that this! was done at the request of the tat (Continued on Fifth Paes.)