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j i " . .--- .... ..... ' .... . " " - . . , - , " . :. . "l ' ' ' I ' - . - ' ' . VOL. XVII. NO. 15. WILMINGTON N. C. SUNDAY- JANUARY 1?, 1904. FIVE CENTS 4 'ft NO TIME LIMIT Japanese Reply to Rus sian Note Not an Ultimatum LITTLE CHANGE In the Situation It is Certain Tliat Russia Cannot Accede to all of the Propositions Submitted In the Dast Reply -The Way is Open for Fur ther Negotiation The Status of the Situation Remains About as it Was a Week Ago. St. Petersburg-, January 16. It is al ready practically certain that Russia will not accept Japan's last proposi tions as an entirety. Russia is ready to agree to certain points, but on others the foreign office believes, Russia can not yield. The officials are of the opin ion that the way is open for continuing" the negotiations and there is no indi cation that Russia will seek to delay her answer, which probably .will be ready in a few days. The Czar continues to talk peace, and the dowager czarina, in conversation remarked: "War is a horroble thing. There will not be war?" In the meanwhile Viceroy Alexieff and -Eiaron de Rosen, as well as the foreign office, are studying the Japa nese document. Army and navy cir cles continue pessimistic. The bet feature cf the situation is the fact that the Japanese reply ins in no sense the character of an ultimatum. It is couched in pacific terms, does not fix a. time limit and the acceptance by Russia of certain cf the propositions therein mark an advance toward a tet tiement. Many rumors are afloat, in cluding a report that an actual naval fight has occurred at Vladivostock. London, January 16. In peculiarly frank language. Baron 'Hayashi after consultation wi'th the foreign office to day, summed up the situation for The Associated Press as follows: "I only hope the Czar will give us .peace; but my hopes are not strong. If we go to war it will be for issues whereon both America and Kngland have Insisted diplomatically. We have -received no pledges from any country that in the event of defeat it will step in and save us from being absorbed by Russia. We cannot count even in ex tremities on the armed support of any nation in the world. It woufd be a .struggle to the death. Perhaps we aie not strong1 enough to light Ruis a. There are two opinions about that. Baron Hayashi intimated that -e thought Japan was bound to be baten in the end. "If we were beaten." the minister re sumed, "Russia would take Korea and Manchuria by right of conquest, and f possibly Japan. No power on earth could then dislodge her from central China and all the far east. I am sure it Is better to go to war when you -know you are rignt, even if defeat is possible, than to see your indepen dence submerged under a continual ag gression that is bound to absorb you eventually. Nothing1 can avert war between Russia and Japan in future .years, even if peace is procured now, .so long as Russia pursues her present far eastern policy. "The American action in enforcing the opening- of the 'Manchurian ports was a splendid example of honest diplo macy. It was a straightforward step which contrasts favorably with Rus sian methods. No other nation, except Great Britain, when the British admir alty bought the two Chilian warships, has taken any practical step to live up to Its diplomatic demands upon Russia, '- -anent the Far east. We believe we are i now1 fighting a diplomatic battle in be half of America and Great Britain, but jf only war can settle it we know we shall receive assistance from neither. We are prepared to fight out our own battles and take the consequences. Port Said. January If. The Russian battleship Oslabya has left this port for Suez. The remainder of the Rus sian squadron is awaiting orders. London, January 16. In the opinion of the British government, the e;.d of this week 'does not mark any change in the far eastern crisis. . which more than ever keeps diplomatic circles in' Dondon m a state of anxiety. The latest, and if it had been true, the most serious statement, namely that Russia intended to risk sending her Black Sea fleet through the Earden elles, received today a positive denial from the foreign office. Baron Hay ashi, the Japanese minister, visited owning" street and was told that after making inquiries, the British authori ties were convinced that the report was unfounded. Regarding the main issue. Baron Hayashi and the foreign office had no information. Neither at the Japanese legation nor at the foreign office is it expected that any trustworthy indica tion of the Russian action would be ob tained for several days. Paris January 16. Official sentiment concerning -the .Russo-Japanese situa tion is rather less buoyant today. Al though no information is given as to the grounds for the present feeling it probably is .due to the receipt of ful e.- r information regarding the nature of Japan's latest demands. One of the foremost members of th -diplomatic corps, who has been in com munication with French Ocfv r.-me't -concerning- the situation said today that a strong- feeling1 existed in , the highest official quarters that Japan had gradually enlarged her demands until those of today went considerably beyond those at first presented. More over, it is the belief of the officials here that Japan's steady augmentation of her demands is due largely to her belief that Russia is desirous of avoid ing war and that therefore it is safe to push her demands to the furthest limits. - Officials regard this as one of the most dangerous features of the situa tion, as Russia's desire to avcid war has encouraged Japan to develop her claims until they are far bsyond these Russia at first was ready to concede. In particular it is the official view that Japan's present demands for the in tegrity of China and full recognition of Chinese authority over iManchuria represent a considerable and im rt advance over the early representations. It is pointed out that at the outset Ja pan and practically all the powers rec ognized Russia's special interests in Manchuria, but the view now prevails among the officials and diplomats her that Japan's demands seek to mini mize and restrict those special interests within impossible limits. Mill H 1 ' "' """ WORKED AT LEISURE. Yet Burglars Opened the Safe and Secured its Contents. New York, January 16. Burglars entered a cafe on Mercer street, one block from a police station early to day and cut the bottom out of a safe weighing 1,700 pounds, after moving it into a laboratory twenty feet from where it had formerly stood, and took the money it con tained, securing about $500. In the adjoining buildings, into which the burglars first broke in, in order to effect an entrance to the saloon from the rear, were found sectional "Jimmies," drills, and chis els of the finest steel, and tools of which the police say they have never seen the equal. The moving and opening of the safe, it is said, must have taken the burglars at least three hours. SITUATION AT SEOUL American Guard Increased and Danger to Foreigners is About Over Seoul, January, 16. The American guard at the United States embassy has been increased. Sixty additional marines arrived here last night and are quartered in the city at the elec tric power company's building. The native press is slightly offensive to for eign residents and it is quite possible there will be yet trouble with Korea. Troops now guard all the foreign res idences, probably in sufficient numbers to keep the natives in check, should they begin to make trouble. Foreign ers can not be considered in danger. A German man-of-war has just ar rived at Chemulpo. A change in the personnel of the gov ernment has begun in favor of the Japanese and as the people have been more angry with the government than the foreigners, it is likely that this change will completely pacify them. The American authorities have ta ken the precaution to provide male escorts for women and children of that nationality while on the street. POPULAR PASTOR RESIGNS. Rev. J. J. Douglass Will Go to Balti more Handsome Now Banking House Completed. (Special to the .Messenger.) Wilson, N. C, January 10. Rev. J. J. Douglass, the popular and efficient pastor of the Baptist church, will, on Sunday tender his resignation to that body. Mr. Douglass has serv ed this church for several years, dur ing which time he has placed himself very high in the affections of, not on ly his people, but the" general public as welL Every effort has been made to induce him to reconsider the matter but without avail. His health is not the best, and after a short rest, it is understood he will accept a very flat tering call to a large prosperous church in Baltimore. The Branch Banking Company have just moved into their new building, which has been completed. This is the handsomest and oest equipped building n Wilson and the stockholders and patrons have just cause to be proud. Davis & Woodard who prior to the decision of the county commissioners, conducted a saloon at Black Creek, have through their attorney Mr. John K. 'Woodard entered suit to test the legality of the action of the commis sioners in rescinding their license. This township held an election soar time since and the vote was in favor of open saloons, and it is upon this grcund that they will protest. The dec.sion is looked forward to with interest, as t'ne point at issue is a very much disputed one among the lawyers. Thf young ladies of Wilson will give a leap year ball on next Wednesday night, to be followed by a supper. Each girl will invite a gentleman friend. Extensive preparations are be ing made to make this unique affair a great success. i j Missionaries Ordered Away from Korea I Jackson. Miss., Jan.. 16. Bishop C. B. Galloway of the Methodist Episco j pal church, south, today cabled all missionaries , in Korea to move , into Seoul immediately cr go at once to Ja pan. The bishop received advices tat the missionaries are in great danger o losing their lives. JAS. L. BLAIR Well Known St. Lou's Citizen Dies in Florida CAUSE OF DEATH Mr. Blair Was General Counsel of the St. Ixmis Exposition Until a Short Time Ago When Charges of Official Misconduct Were Made Against Him, When He Resigned, His Health Became Bad and the Trip to Florida Was Taken in Search of Relief. Eustis Fla.. January 16. James L. Blair of St. Louis, Mo., died here this morning. Mr. Blair came here about five weeks ago in search of health and it was thought that he was improving until last week when his condition, changed so alarmingly for the worse that the physicians advised that his wife should be. telegraphed for and she and her,., son Percy Blair arrived this morning, a short time before his death. Mr. Blair just 'before coming to Eustis held the position of general counsel for the St. Louis exposition and Mrs. Blair that of president of the board of lady managers, which posi tions they resigned owing to certain charges of official misconduct on the part of the deceased. Mr. Blair had sustained a severe injury to his ankle before he came here and this with his mental condition is 'believed to have hastened his death. The cause of death given in the physician's certifi cate is cerebreal congestion: The body was embalmed today and will be ship ped to St Louis by this evening's train, accompanied by Mrs. Blair and her son. St. Louis, Mo., January 16. Janie3 Lawrence Blair, former general coun sel for the Louisiana Purchase Expo sition who died today at Eustis, F'a., was born in St. Louis April 12, 1So4. He was the third son of General Francis Preston Blair and the grana son of Francis Preston Blair of Wash ington, D. Cf a friend of Lincoln and Jackson. At the inception of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Mr. Blair was made general counsel for the enter prise and Mrs. Blair was made presi dent of the board of lady managers. With their two sons they lived in a beautiful residence in the. suburbs west of the city and were leaders in the social life of St- Louis. Last October rumors were circulated connecting Mr. Blair's name with al leged fraudulent transactions in con ducting the affairs of the. Low estate of this city of which he was a trustee. The rumors finally were published as facts. Mr. Blair became ill from worry over the rumors and upon their publication denied them and threaten ed to sue for libel. The suit was never instituted, but instead the grand jury began an investigation. His resignation as general counsel for the world's fair was tendered and accepted. The grand jury investiga tion resulted in indictments being re turned against him on two charges of forgery and he was placed under a $20,000 bond. During the investigation the family residence was relinquished and Mr. Blair was taken to the Mul lanphy hospital. As soon as bond had been arranged on the indictments. Mr and Mrs. Blah- left the hospital in December and went to Eustis Fla., in the hope that his health might be benefitted by the change of climate and environment While in Florida, the resignation of Mrs. Blair as president of the board of lady managers of the world's fair was tendered to the national committee and accepted. Mr. Blair's trial was to have eorre up during the February term of the circuit court. TO PROTECT THE PARTY. Bryan Will Issue the Commoner Daily During the Democratic Con vention. Lincoln. Neb.. January 16. William Jennings Bryan returned to Lincoln today and went immediately to his home at Fairview. He was in god health and spirits and said he had never enjoyed anything more than his quick tri o Europe. Mr. Bryan will' remain at home until after next Mon day, in order that he may attend the banquet to be given in his honor Mon day night. Mr. Bryan was asked this evening f the Daily Commoner which he pro poses to publish at St. Louis during the Democratic convention would ad vocate the candidacy of any particular aspirant for the Presidential nomina tion. He said: "It will not: it will simply advocate Democratic principles." "And." he continued. "I do not care to discus? anybody's candidacy. I have no fa vorites. All that, I desire is that tne candidate be a man whose democracy is so well known that he will not be a subject of inquiry or discussion dur ing the campaign, and whose fide'itw to the principles of democracy wi'l not be questioned after the election, I simply want to do what I can to pro tect the party from any confidence era me that may be attempted on th voters," HAD A TOUGH VOYAGE, The Steamer Fhonamia Met Awful Experiences in Trip to New Found land. ..Halifax., Nova Scotia, January 16. Buffeted by the mighty seas of the Atlantic all the way from Ireland to New Foundland, the German steam er Phonania came into port today considerably the worse for wear. The steamer sailed from Liverpool on December 20th, and when severvi days out encountered the first of a series or westerly gales. the seas broke over the vessel constantly and one of them went down a stoke hole, extinguishing the fires and causing great confusion. One of the plates on the port side was smashed and the ship from that time on leaked continually. On January 2nd another sea boarded the steamer and extin guished all the engine room fires. The pumps stream choked and at one time there were six feet of water over the cargo in the after hatch until the fires could be rebuilt the vessel wallowed in the trough of the sea and narrowly escaped founder ing. ocarceiy naa she started again wnen another big wave came aboard, ripping off the winch spike guards, deck pipes, coverings from three life boats, the galley funnel and started the. main funnel. On the next day the wheel house was smashed on the side, the chart room flooded, one of the ballast tanks broken and one of the fresh water tanks filled with salt water. When the steamer came into the harbor, she had a big list to port, owing to a shift in the cargo. Dr. Herran to Leave Washington. Washington. Jan. 16. Dr. Thomas Herran. charge d'affaires of the Co lombian legation definitely has decid ed to avail himself of the leave of ab sence granted him and will take his departure, from the United States some time next month. Upon Dr. Hei ran's leaving, the. legation in this city will be closed and its affairs turned over to the Colombian consul general in New York. In speaking of his determination to return to Colom bia. Dr. Herran said tonight that so far as could .see his usefulness at this capital was at an end. S. A. L TRAIN HELD UP The Robbers Were Driven Off Before they Secured Any Booty McClenny, Fla., January 16. Pas senger train No. 76 eastbound on -She " Seaboard .Air .Line was held up one mile east of Sanderson at 7:45 tonight by 1four fc.hjte .men. The door of the baggage car was blown open with dynamite, the robbers mis taking this car for the express car. The engine was stopped by a vol ley of shots fired into the cab. The fireman and engineer were taken , off the engine and escorted to the sec ond class coach and the robbers ran the train ahead about a half mile, when they blew open th baggage car. The train conductor went for ward, but was fired on and driven back to the coaches. Conductor L. S. Peck, who was deadheading over the line called for fire arms and volun teers. B. H. Harrison, cldim agent of the road, B. B. McCaa, traveling auditor and J. C. Williamson, traveling freight agent responded and the four went forward, opened fire apd drove the robbers off. Conductor Peck took the throttle and ran the train four miles down the road. The rob bers secured no booty and made no attempt to rob the passengers, but there was great excitement in the passenger coaches while the firing was going on. The sheriffs of Duval and Baker counties are on the trail of the robbers with bloodhounds. WINNING FAVOR FOR PANAMA. United States Naval Officers Show Courtesy to the Indian Commis sioners. Colon, January 16. 'All the United States warships are cruising off the coast, except the flagship Olympia, the Dixie and the Topeka, and the torpedo boat destroyer Stewart. The six San Bias indian commission ers, including Chief "Joe" Howten, on the invitation of the naval authorities visited the Olympia yesterday, previous to returning to San Bias. Rear Ad miral Coghian extended a courteous welcome to them. The commissioners were shown over the whole ship and were wonder struck at the novelty of the sights, seen - for the first time in their lives. The Olympia's largest guns were a source of great astonishment to them. The Indians all appeared well pleased with the treatment they receiv ed and declared, that the sympathy of their followers was on the side of Pan ama. Shortly after leaving the Olym pia, the commissioners sailed for San Bias. " To Open Up Consulates at Moukden and Tntung. Washington, January 16 The men selected by the President to open up the United States consulates at Mouk den and Antung when Congress shall make the necessary .provision's for salaries and expenses are James T. Cheshire of New York and James W. Davidson of Minnesota. Mr. Ches hire has a record of thirty years service in the state department and its legations, most of his time being spent in China. Mr. Cheshire be comes consul general at (Moukden and Mr. Davidson consul at Antung. Edwin V. Morgan, of New York, will be sent to , Dalny in the capacity of a-' fnmmeriial r con t Tt Iq nndf stood that he is to have a roving commission, with Dalny as his bast.; CASE BEGINS First Hearing Betore Senate Committee in Smoot Case TO BE THOROUGH Attorneys Were Present for Those WTio Protest Against Mr. Smoot Being Allowed to Take His Seat in the Senate and Also in Behalf of Mr. Smoot Each Side Made its Presentations of the Facts That it Would Endeavor to Prove. Washington, January 16. The Senate committee on privileges and elections met today for the purpose of hearing the representations of the attorneys on both sides of the case involvzing the right of Sen ator Smoot, of Utah, to occupy his seat. Former Representative Taylor, of Ohio, appeared for some of the Protestants and T. P. Stephenson for those who are represented by the National Reform Association. A. S. Worthington, and Waldemar van Cott were present -on behalf of Sen ator Smoot, who was also in attend ance. The first presentation was made by Mr. Taylor, who began his statement by saying that he did not know that any proof would be presented in support of the charge that Mr. Smoot was a polygamist. Mr. Taylor said the protestants expected to prove the following charges: That the Mormon priesthood as sumes and exercises supreme author ity in all things temporal and spirit ual, civil and political; that they promulgate the doctrine of polygamy without reservation; that the presi dent of the Mormon church and a majority of the twelve apostles now practice polygamy and polygamous cohabitation and some of them have taken polygamous wives since th manifesto of 1890, plural marriage ceremonies have been performed by apostles since the manifesto of 1890 and many bishops and other high of ficials of the church have taken plural wives since that time. Mr. Worthington in reply laid down the general proposition tlhat the Senate was without jurisdiction of offenses which may have been committed before a member becamo a Senator unless committed in con nection with his election. "Do you mean," asked Senator Pettus, a member of the committee, that this body is not permitted to inquire as to any moral quality of one of its member with a view to his expulsion; that no matter what he did or said before his election, the election purified him." Mr. Worthington replied that uch was. his meaning. In f.reply to a question from Senator Hopkins as to what would be the effect of the of fense should it be of a continuinc character, Mr. Worthimrton admitted that the Senate would have Jurisdic tion. Senator McComas asked whether there was any one present who ap peared for the person who charges Mr. Smoot with belns a nolvgamist. No one answered and Mr. Worth ington said that if any one did ap pear to support that charge, it must be borne in mind that Mr. Smoot has positively denied it. Mr. Worthington referred to the charge that Mr. Smoot took an oath to support the church in connection with his election in 1900 as an apos tle of the Mormon church. The oath taken by Mr. Smoot as Senator had been declared, he said, incompatible with the former oath, "and," con tinued Mr. Worthington, "If any one has proof that this oath of allegiance to the United States was taken with mental reservation let it be pro duced." If that charge would be supported, said he, it would convict Mr. Smoot of acting a lie. Mr. Van Cott made a statement in Senator Smoot's behalf. He invited the fullest Inquiry Into Senator Smoot's life. "We throw down the bars," he said, "and invite you to investigate his entire career!" If," he went on, "you find that he has ever been guilty of any of fense against the law, his counsel will throw up the case and walk out. We also throw down the bars to Mi. Smoot's moral character. He denied that Senator Smoot had ever taken an oath which was inconsistent with good citizenship. Mr. Van Cott de nied emphatically that Mr. Smoot had ever encouraged polygamous cohabitation or any other crime. He contended, that If the committee should decide to make Its intention genera! with reference to the mem bers of the Mormon church, it should confine itself to polygamy and not to .polygamous cohabitation, for on reason that it had -been impossible as he believed, to entirely stamp out Euch cohabitation on the part ofper sons who here entered into polygam ous marriages before President WoodrufFs manifesto of 1890. Senator Burrows, chairman of th committee. askedT Mr. Van Cott spe cifically concerning the charge that j the first presidency ana twelve apos- ties of the Mormon church were to-.-, day "living in the practice of poly- eamv. Mr. Van Cott said he understood and believed that Joseph Smith, the president of the church was a poly gamist. As for Messrs. Young and Winder, his information was that they were both, monogamists. With reference to the apostles Mr. Van Cott said that it was his In formation that six or seven of the twelve are polygamlsts, but he added that none of them are Hvlne in nolv- gamous cohabitation. . He said they had lived in obedience to the law since the Issuance of the Woodruff manifesto. Mr. Van Cott said that where the associates of Mr. Smoot had prac ticed polygamy or violated laws their acts would subject them to punish ment, but that would in no manner unfit Mr. Smoot for qualifying as Senator. Mr. Burrows asked Mr. Van Cott if his answer would be the same if It was shown that Mr. Smoot had knowledge . of the violations, of the laws by his associates. "If he had knowledge of such vio lation and encouraged them, then It was to say Mr. Smoot was disquali fied for service as a Senator," said Mr. Van Cott, "for then he would have been guilty of connivance at the disregarding of laws. But Mr. Smoot has urged over and over again that every law should be strictly ob served." Mr. Taylor replied v that act of a continuance character should be In vestigated even though committed before election. TTe added that" it was impossible to know what Mr. Smoot stands for, unless it Is known what the church teaches with refer ence to the charges against the Sen ator. For instance. Brigham Young had declared that the church should exercise control of temporal affairs. "We want to know wkat has become of that doctrine or' canon," he said. "Six of the apostles who signed the plea to the President for amnesty with vows of natriotlsm and resent ence are today," he said, "living in polygamy," and he added In response to a question tnat tnis was unaouDt edly within the knowledge of Mr. Smoot. In an executive session held after the public hearing, it was made plain that the co.mmittiee will nrosecute a thorough inquiry Into the charges against Mr. Smoot. TO MEET ON JUNE 2 1 ST Call for Republican National Convention Issued . by Hanna Washington, January 16. Senator Hnana today issued the call fer the- Republican national convention to meet at Chicago at noon June 21, 1904, to select candidates fr Presi dent and vice president. The calls make the usual provisions for the number of delegates, four at largo from each state and two from each congressional district, together with alternates. Delegates must be elected at least thirty days before the national convention meets. The delegates at large must be elected by state con ventions and the district delegates by district conventions. Provision is made for the election of delegates from the District of Columbia. Re publican electors and all other elec tors, without regard to past political affiliation, who believe in the prin ciples of the Republican party are Invited to take part in the selection of delegates. The call is signed by M. A. Hanna as chairman and Perry S. Heath as secretary of the Republican national committer.. INSPECT THE IROQUOIS. Coroners Jury Views Interior or Theatre Where the Calamity Oc curred. Chicago, January 16. -But one witness was heard in the Iroquois theatre inquest today and the jury, then adjourned to inspect the interior of the theatre. A lively dispute took place when Deputy Coroner Buckley and tihe jurors entered the building. A force of detectives employed by the own ers of the building followed them around and insisted upon listening to all that was said. They moved only when Mr. Buckley threatened to have all the detectives arrested. Rev. Charles L. Roberts, pastor of the Hamlin Avenue Methodist church died today of injuries received In the fire. His death brings the total to 572 As a result of orders issued by Building Commissioner George Wil liams, only eight of twenty-one churches closeM for violations of the building law remain with closed doors tomorrow. The others will open with either no limit to their attendance or with capacity limited, by Commissioner Williams to a. .de gree considered safe. . Prussian Diet Opened by Emperor William, Berlin, January 16. Tfhe newly elected Prussian diet was opened to day by Eemperor William, as King of Prussia, who read the speech from the throne in a full voice, , which was heard clearly throughout the cious whitehall of-the castle. The Emperor introduced a cere monial not previously used by him or by his predecessors at the open ing of the diet. He entered the hall preceded by two tall heralds, wear ing tabards checkered with the royal arms. "iTh speech, which entirely con cerned domestic affairs, said the king thanked providence 'for his speedy restoration to health, and expressed gratitude tfor the warm sympathy shown him by the people.
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Jan. 17, 1904, edition 1
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