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A WESTERN FAIRYLAND. S The Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha is an Artistic Triumph. In that groat stretch of mountain •nd prairie known to eastern people only a few short years ago as the Wild West a veritable fairyland has sprung into existence, with scarcely a louder herald than the swish of the saw or the sound of the hammer. Tho Trans- Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, Neb., which was opened by telegraph by President McKinley, in Washing ton, on June 1st, has grown into pro portions far beyond its original con ception, until it stands to-dny stamped with an international character, count ing its friends in every seotion of the globe. Pay by day it lias developed into a living reality, and the magnifi cent buildings are typical of tho art, the science, the enterprise and tho progress of the West. The project, as it first found ex pression, contemplated a great fair to manifest to the world the resources of tho territory west of tlje Mississippi Biver. Gradually its scope broadenod. Congress recognized its National character; foreign countries appre ciated tho value of tho opportunities offered; State after State fell in lino, demanding space for propor represen tation until, when it wns opened, it bad assumed the magnitude and im portance of n World's Fair. Tho site selected is just, north of the City of Omaha, on a plateau, and n visit to it is like a trip to fairyland. On every side is the element of orig inality. It is a oopy of nothing ever befure attempted in this field. From the beautiful auditorium at the east ern extremity down to the magnificent building abutting the western end of the lagoon and dedicated to tho United States Government every de tail strikes tho eye as boing unique end original. In one respect only does it suggest Chicago. It is a white city, every building being finished in the material known ns "staff." In every other respect the “dream city” of the Trans-Mississippi and Interna tional Exposition is tike nothing ever before planned and accomplished in America. Every crown, cap, figure and pilaster is cast from models en tirely new, rich and tasteful, aud all are typicnl of tho culture, the refine ment, the progress and tho resources of the West. Besides the usual buildings devoted to the arts, trades, scicncos and natural resources of the West, nearly every State west of tho Mississippi ltiver has erected its own representative structure. In the Grand oonrtat the Trans-Mis- •issippi Exposition, looking east from the island which occupies tho oonter of the lagoon, one is impressed by the artistio architectural effects before him. When the great Government building, with its massive dome and Hanking colonnades, was built at tho west end overlooking tho court, it was thought difficult, in view of the faot that a viaduct at the east must connect the bluff and main trncts, to finish thnt end in a like artistio and imposing manner. But the architects happily solved the difficulty in making tho viaduct not only a thing of beauty and usefulness, but one of the most artis tic conceits on the grounds. The vis itor may go by boat the entire length of the basin from the Government building to the Sherman avenue via duct, passing many of the rnuiu build ings. Arriving at the cast eud ho will see a beautiful green sward rising in terraces, adorned with sculpture and shrubbery, before him. Beyond this, and facing him iB a great hemicycle stairway, thirty feet in width, adorned on either side with a tower, which is crowned by a kiosk or minaret. Sweeping out on either side aud con necting these towers with others of like design are graceful arches. Back of all this and rising in five gently graduated towers, aud orowued with statueB of heroic design, are the two great viaduct restaurants. Tho tow ers and stairs are tinted to an old ivory •bade, decorated with dull Pompeiian colors. Beyond and across the viaduct, the bluff tract has been transformed into • park, where the various state build ings are located and which also is the site of the great Horticultural build ing and some of the larger structures of the amusement section. At the eastern end of the lagoon the auditorium, with a seating capacity of twenty-five hundred, rears its front, and abutting the western end of this grand canal the United States Govern ment Building stands, • majestic structure, overlooking the broad basin, surmounted by a handsome dome with a statue of Liberty boaring aloft the flaming toreh of progress and enlightenment. The lagoon, which is widenod hore by excavating a trefoil, is nearly 400 feet in width and forms a watcr-amphitbeatre, which, with the colonnades surround ing it, easily forms one of the prettiest offects to be found in the ex position. Lining the lagoon on either side and reflected into its waters stand the buildings devoted to artB and me chanics. That of Mines and Mining aud tho Machinery and Electricity Building are splendid structures. The lagoon itself lias many novel features made possible by the rapid improvement in the methods of eleo- trio lighting. At the east end are located olectric water grottoes, the Bluo Grotto of Capri and the Mam moth Cave. Tho educational features of the ex position have not been overlooked. They are in tho hands of representa tive Western women, to whom has been assignod the management of philosophic and scientific congresses, tho Boys aud Girls' Building, us well uh nil brandies of woman’s work. They will have ohnrgo of tho exhibits of the work of public schools, kinder gartens, nrt, reform, industrial and all schools of speoinl instruction. Not tho loast important feature of the great exposition is the ethnologi cal exhibit. It in possible that never again will an offort of this chnrueter be unaided to securo an Indian ex hibit ot the proportions contemplated by this. Tho Indian race is rapidly disappearing, and tho opportunity to study clear-out types of overy known tribo will be hniled with delight by overy lover of ethuology. And the Midway. The management has provided a programme of unique and wholesome attractions, uud is adding to it daily. Novel and mer itorious show features are encouraged, and tho visitor will not lack amuse- mont. Foreign villages are in abun dance. An exnct reproduction of Cripple Creek in miniature is exhib ited. This concession alone ocoupies IS,000 square feet and requires 800 people to produce it. The Afro- American village typifies every phase of their life. A novel example of engineering skill is Sherman's Um brella, by which passengers are ele vated to a height of 300 feet aud re volved within a cirole of 250 feet. Tho Moorish village will be hero; so will tho Irish, Tyroleau and Chinese villages, and many others. Nothing will be left undone to contribute to the satisfaction aud pleasure of the visitors. The Pope does his private writing with a gold pen, but the pontifical sig nature is always written with a pen. made from the feather of a white dovej —Pittsburg Dispatch. ISLAND OF ST^THOMAS. A Splendid Bute For Fleet Operation* In the Caribbean. “There is not any doubt," said a foreign officer of high rank at present in this country, “that it has beat a set tled point for some time between the Danish Government and the American Administration that Bt. Thomas will pass under the dominion of the Flag of the United States. It will bo ncqnired by purchase just as soon ns the war with Spain is OTer. "If tho arrangements Hid heen com pleted beforo the opening of hostili ties, the possession ofl Si Thomas would have been of incahmlable value to America just now. ItTwonld be a splendid base of operations for the fleets in the West Indie* and would contribute much to assert American dominion in the Caribbsap.. Coneed* ing oven that PorSfTToo will be held by the UniteoP^tStatea, St. Thomas easily could bo nxads a little Gibraltar.” \ Denmark's possessions in the Went Indies consist of the islands of St. Thomas and Santa Cruz, also called St. Croix and St. John. The most important of these is St. Thomas, which is about the same size as Man hattan Island, being twelve miles long and three in its greatest width. St. Thomas is of great importance, both commercially aud strategically, having one of the best harbors in the West Indies and possessing coaling, dry and floating dock and ship repair ing fnoilities that surpass anything in thnt section, even including Havana. In timos not so long ago St. Thomns wns the emporium of the Caribbean Sen, but tho enormous expansion of the stroam navigation enabled the other islnuds to enjoy dircot and rapid communication with tho northern countries nnd caused the loss of the bulk of this trade to St. Thomas. Tho island would be nil especially valuable possession to tho United Stntos, ns it hns immense coaling depots and a floating dock capable of accommodating tho largest ships that frequent those wators. Santa Cruz is wholly given up to agriculture, being especially famed for its sugar and rum. St. John is of lit tle or no consequence, being very scantily populated. The inhabitants of the Danish Islands are still in favor of annexation to tho United States, since they know that their fortunes are more closely allied with ours than with those of any European nation. Even among the Danish officials there is the same strong feeling that it would result to the ben efit of all concerned, for the rank and file would bo relieved from service so far from the homeoountry, and the higher officers and officials would be retired on ample pensions. Tho Government is at present expensive and somewhat oppressive. The annual deficit to Denmark is from $50,000 to $100,000, and there are no means of alleviating the financial distress. Liko the in habitants of all the islands of these seas, tho people see that their only salvation lies in closer political con nection with the United States, since that would imply increased commercial advantages and resultant prosperity. As the peopleall speak English,even the Danish officials, there would be no violence to national or racial preju dices, and the transfer could be effected with very little friction. In an oratorical contest at the Idaho University for the Watkins medal Jennie Hughes, the only colored stu dent in the institution, was the winner. BLANCO SAYS.SPAIN DECIDES TO HOLD Pit ISON ERS. WILL FIRE UPON FLAG OF TRUCE. Bound* of (.'Ivillzrd Warfare I* Over- stopped IIj the .Spaniard* In Their Deeperatlon Over Repeated Defeat*. Secretary Loug received Monday morning the following dispatch from Commander Watson, commanding the blockading fleet off Havana: , "Captain general Rays that the Span ish government refuses to exchange prisoners.” This relates to Lieutenant Hobson and the crew of the Merrimac, and is the outcome of the visit of Captain Ludlow to Havana. The refusal of the Spanish anthori- ties to exchan re Lieutenant Hobson and his men exciteB the utmost indig nation. This action on the part of the Spauish government is spoken of not only by American officials, but by for eign authorities on intoruational law as absolutely unjustifiable and unwor thy of a civilized nation. No doubt is felt that Hobson and his men are being kept at Morro castle for the purpose of giving that fortifi cation immunity from attack, and that they are being retained as prisoners for the purpose of using them as a shield for the safety of tho Spaniards. Tt is not only that Hobson and his men nre being used thus as a hostage, bnt they must necossarily, while re tained as prisoners, be subjected to the dangers of disease and of priva tions and famine. Not only would every shot fired against Morro Castle endanger their lives, but the blockade of the harbor and the cutting off of the base of sup plies must inflict upon them ail the suffering which is legitimately brought upon the Spanish forces. • If food is source at Santiago Hobson and his gallant crew sra probably the first to go hungry. The wants of the Spanish army will be the first cared for, and while the Spanish soldiers are on short rations, it is not likely that these prisoners are getting much food. It is recognized ns legitimate in warfare that the feeding of soldiers should be first looked after. Bnt it is not legitimate warfare to retain prisoners when an exchange is possible so that they shall suffer famine. It is olficinlly stated thnt Cap tain Gonernl Bianco has notified the Amvricnn blockading fleet that he will hereafter recognize no flag of truce, adding that every vessel within six miles range will be fired upon,whether flying tho stars aud stripes or a white flag. LAWLESSNESS AT LYTLE Results lit Culling Special Term of Walker County, flu., Court. What promises to he the most sen sational court ever held in Georgia was convened at Lnfnyetto Monday morning. Tho grand jury is investigating the wholesale truffio in crime which is alleged to have beou carried on at U> THBBE DYNAMITE CBATEBE ON THE VE SUVIUS. Lytle, the Ohickamauga camp station. It is believed that two hundred in dictments will be found, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies involving the extreino penalty. Judge Henry’s charge was a sensa tional one. He addressed the grand jury for two hours and handled the topics without gloves. His charge was intended to refer exclusively to the Lytle atrocities. RIG INCREASE IN REVENUE. Three Million. More I.E.t Month Than In May, One Year Aro. The monthly statement of the col lections of internal revenue, given out at Washington Tuesdny, shows that tho May collections amounted to $14,- 098,117, an iuorense over May last year of $3,281,225. The receipts from tho several sources of revenue nnd the increase as compare^ with May, 1897, are given as follows: Spirits, $7,090,460, increase $1,988,- 057; tobacco, $3,724,062, increase $1,018,759; fermented liquors, $3,181,- 505, increase $247,887; oieomargerine, $88,014, increase $23,712; miscellane ous, 28,074, increase $4,962. MAJORS FOR RAY REUIMENT. Two Georgian. Are Appointed IIy Fre.l- tlent McKinley. The president has appointed Mr. Frank Gordon, of Atlanta, Ga., and Mr. Thomas S. Wylly, of Savannah, majors of the Third Georgin regi ment, aud has appointed as surgeon, with rank of first lieutenant, Dr. Jo seph A.Quinn,of Georgia. Bev.Daniel H. Parker is appointed chaplain, and Mr. John P. Estell, Jr., is appointed second lieutenant. WAR PARAGRAPHS. A Brief Compilation of Daily Occurrences. The United States transport Zafiro, which arrived at Hong Kong nnd an chored in Chinese wnterR, brought news from Manila, from which it ap- I ears that the insurgents now hold 1,000 Spaniards anil 1,000 natives prisoners with their arms. It is fur ther stated that the rebels have pro claimed a government of their own. A speejal dispatch from Paris says in Austrian ngent has returned from Madrid, where he delivered to the Spanish authorities, via tho Pyrinees, three million empty cartridges and 120 tons of explosives, derived from 1'ranch, Austrian and Belgian sources. _ It is learned from naval officers at Key West that Captain Genernl Blanco Iiuh notified the American blockading fleet thnt he will hereafter recognize no flag of truce, adding that every ves sel within six miles’ range will be fired upon whether flying the stars and stripes or a white flag. The people of Caimauern, four miles up the bay of Guantanamo, nre starving, eating horses, mules and even dogs. A Madrid correspondent of the Lon don Times says that Spain’s refusal to exchange Lieutenant Hobson nnd his companions of the Merrimao is easily explained nnd is justified. Without any intention of acting as spies, they must have seen many things in and around Santiago of which the Ameri can naval aud military authorities would gladly hnve information. Lieutenant Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac, will be transferred from the construction corps to the line of the navy and raised to tho grade of lieu tenant commander. This aefion lias been definitely deeided by tho adni'n- istration, and legislation empowering the action will be pressed in both houses. Although scouts, deserters and pris oners nt Guantanamo report the Span ish soldiers ready to surrender from luck of food, still a perfect guard is kept day and night ngninRt surprise, as nu attack in force is expected at nny time, especially at night. An official dispatch received at Mad rid from Manila indicates that the sit uation there is worse. If Captain General Augusti is obliged to take refugo in the citadel he will be entirely cut off from communication with the outside. Mr. F. W. Rnmsden, the British consul nt Santiago de Cuba, who is acting for the United States in the ne gotiations with the Spaniards for tho exchange of Lieutenant Hobson and hiH comrades of the Merrimac, expedi tion, bus suggested to the officials nt Washington that a ransom might be pnid to secure the prompt releuse of the American prisoners. The Spanish flag was displayed at half mast on Morro castle for several hours nfter the firing censed in the re cent bombardment at Snntiago, but the significance is not known. It is not customary to half-mnst flags, but possibly some Spauish leader was kill ed by the honvy fire of our guns, though some officers of tlio squadron believe that the flag was half-masted as a noti fication to tho Americans that Lieu tenant Hobson and his bravo men were dead. If such is the case they must have been wantonly murdered. The Spanish might seek to lay their death to the bombardment, but not a shot from the American ships struck the fortress. The reports from Santiago that about 41,000 Spanish troops are in and about the city, do not agree with the reliable estimates in the possession of the war department. According to the latter figures there are not to exceed 14,000 Spanish troops at Santiago de Cuba, while 100 miles away to the north west, at Holguin, the Spauish corps commander, General Pando, has 10,- 000 men. Spain has officially announced that certain lighthouses on the Spanish coast will remain dark until further notice. The warships which convoyed the transports have materially strengthen ed Sampson’s fleet. They nre the In diana, Detroit. Montgomery, Bancroft, Helena, Ericcson aud Foote. The French cable at Guantnnnmo, by way of Mole St. Nicholas, has been repaired nnd Sampson now has direct communication with Washington. The cable company is allowed to send bus iness messages subject to the super vision of the censor. An additional army corps, to he known ns the Eighth, is to be crented. It will be composed of the troops as signed to the Philippine islands, and will be in command of Major General WeBley Merritt. The troop transports hnve arrived safely off Santiago de Cubn nnd orders for debarkation are anxiously nwaited by the 16,000 patriotic fighters on board. Three Englishmen accnsed of being American Bpies were nrrested in San Jnan, imprisoned, and afterwards put upon a French steamer and forbidden to return to the island. The Bnnk of Spain has practically stopped Bperie payments. It is stated on authoritative infor mation that the Spnnish reserve fleet has returned to Cadiz with one of the most formidable ships, the Victoria, disabled nnd in tow. David H. King, millionaire clubman of New York, and secretary of the Jekyl Island Club, has tendered his $40 ,000 home on Jekyl to the govern ment for a hospital. The tender to the authorities includes the residence and the estate, without cost or restric tion, for nse as a military hospital un til the cose of the war. FALL OF MHNILII IMMINENT. INSURGENTS ARE CLOSIXU IN ON THE CITY. SPANIARDS WILLING TO GIVE UP. All Suburbs Are Iu the Foe.eMlon «f Insurgents—Spanish Soldiers , Starving. Advices from Mnnila, via Hong Kong, state that Spanish power is rapidly and irrevocably orumbling in the Philippine islands. General Bena and a thousand Span ish soldiers have surrendered at Santa Cruz. Similar surrenders have taken place at Laguna and at Pampaga, and in each case hardly anybody was killed. It is developed that Admiral Dewey is nnable to restrain the insurgents, but their conduct is satisfactory. There is no necessity for interference, as no excesses whatever have been commit ted. This is partly due to the merely nominal assistance furnished the in surgents. The latter propose to form a republic under Anglo-American tutelage and threaten to visit with severe penalties the insurgents who have become turncoats. There was desultory firing Friday in every quarter of the outskirts of the town with no material result, although there were several artillery accidents and one explosion which killed six Spaniards and wounded mnuy others. The ammnnition of the Spaniards is utterly untrustworthy because it is old, rotten and has never been tested. The Spaniards a.-e impotent with rage, bewilderment and despair. Cart loads of food hnve been stored inside the walled citadel, with the in tention of standing a siege and defying the American warships. But the idea is ridiculously preposterous, for the citadel, so called, is totally untenable •gainst the fire of a modern fleet of warships. There is a story current to the effect thnt the captain and officers of the German warship Irene went to a pionio C.u horseback to the furthest outpost of San Juan, accompanied by the highest Spanish staff officers. They had a champagne lunch, and the oap- tain of the Irene is said to have made a speech, during which he declared: “The Americans, will never annex the Philippines while William remains emperor.” The Germans, it is further said, with their Spanish hosts, might have been killed by the insurgents, who had the road to San J nan strongly ambushed. But it is further asserted the insur gents had orders to avoid giving a pre text for German intervention. Finally, it iB said, tho Germans pro posed to remove the wounded Spanish soldiers to a hospital ship under the German flag, but Admiral Dewey is reported to have replied that hitherto mediation had always been British, and it must so remain. There is intermittent firing on the outskirts of the city in nil directions. The Spaniards are utterly exhausted by hunger, sleepiness nnd incessant alarms. They have no information re garding the enemy’s movements until suddenly attacked. In the menntime, they are in constant dread of the pop ulace rising up and attacking them in the rear. Besides this, in every skirmish di rectly the retreat begins the native troops desert. The insnrgents avoid disturbing the non-combatants, and English women and children nre living peaceably and unhurt in the zone of hostilities. FLEET REPORTED AT SEA. Agent at Gibraltar Notlfle. the Slate I)e- partment n. to Camara'. Ship., The state department has received the following dispatch from its agent at Gibraltar : "Carlos V, Pelnyo.Rapido, Patriota, Audaz, Osado, Proserpina', Giralda, Pelajo, Colon with the minister on board, Alfonso XII, Canadonna, An tonio Lopez, Islu Panos, Buenos Ayres and San Francisco left Cadiz yester day (Thursday.) First eleven paaaad the Rock bound for Carthagena for orders. The last three have troops on board.” This is Admiral Camara’s Cadis squadron and appears to be in the Mediterranean bound for African shores. EXCHANGE IS DELAYED. Spaniards Are Not Yet Ready to Give Up Hobson nnd HI* Companion*. News comes from Havana that the Spanish government, it Is said at the palace,has not authorized the exchange of the prisoners of the Merrimac. The gunboat Yanez Pinzon exchang ed communications Thursday afternoon with an American warship, under a flag of truce, and the commander of the latter was informed that Captain General Blanco has no authority to exchange Naval Constructor Hobson and his gallant companions for Span iards who are now held as priaoneia in the United States. LEE’S STENOGRAPHER KILLED. Struck By a Bolt of Lightning From a Clear Sky. M A special from Jacksonville, Fa., says: When about to go in bathing at Pablo beach Sunday afternoon James T. Gatewood, private stenographer to General Lee, Seventh army corps, was ■track by lightning and killed. The lightning came from a clear sky, striking Gatewood at the baae of the brain and passing down the- spinal column.