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THE MORNING NEWS, established 1850 - . incorporated 1888. J. H. ESTILL. President, german steamer seized. IitVOESSATH TAKEN TO DI'RRAN AS A mtITISH PRIZE. Captured Off Delation liny by the M i raiser Magirienne—Henson Given |> That She Carried German Offl eere and Men Who Were Guinn to Serve llie liners—German Govern ment Has Promised to Take Early Action in the Case. Lourenzo Marquez, Delagoa Bay, Dec. 3(l—The German steamer Bundesrath, be longing to the German East African Line, has been captured, as a prize, and taken to Durban. The Bundesrath arrived here from Mozambique. The capture of the Bundesrath has in , i • sed the already strong anti-British (V, iing here of the Hollander and German section of the population. To Go Ilefore Prise Court. Durban, Dec. 29.—The British cruiser Magicienne seized the German steamer Bundesrath in North Delagoa bay. She w ", be brought before a prize court. Had So Contraband of AVar. Hamburg, Dec. 30.—The directors of the German Eat African Line have received laws of the arrest of the imperial mail steamer Bundesrath. The commander of ihe i>ort of Durban refused an explanation of the cause of the seizure. It is declared here that there was no contraband of war on board, and when ap plication was made to the German for eign office, the latter immediately prom pt and interposition with the British govern ment. The seizure of the Bundesrath was re ferred to at a meeting of merchants held here to-day. After a speech by Adolph Woertnann, president of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, deal ng with the great progress of the German empire dur ing the closing century, Herr EilTe, speak ing in behalf of the firm* trading wi h South Africa, asked whether ihe Cham ber was doing all that was necessary for the protection of German trade in that part of the world. German commerce, he asserted, had already suffered de rl ment through the war In South Africa. Herr Woermann replied that the Cham ber had already considered the matter: the vessel’s owners had telegraphed to Prim e Hohenlohe, the imper al chancel lor. asking the govenment’s intervention, and it was declared that nothing what ever had been done by the company which could in any way Ire regarded as a breach of neutrality. Why Steamer Was Seised. London, Deo. 30.—A representative of the Associated Press has learned that there were three German officers and twenty men attired in Khaki, and intend ing to serve the Boers, on board the Bun ik.-rith, which explains her capture. Kegarding traffic generally on the east co,ist of Africa, the British admiralty offi cials gay the British government desires that all ordinary and legitimate trade Con ti t,d by foreign vessels, should suffer as link.- restriction as possible. ALL IS WELL AT LADYSMITH. Boers Sought to Interfere With Flashlight Messages. London, Dec. 31, 4:30 a. m.—During the night of Dec. 28, Ladysmith and Chievely • ' nip wore In full communication, Ihe former reporting "Alt well.” , While Ihe signalling was in projffess the Boers attempted to muddle the mes- Sives with flashlights from each extrenr iiy u their long, entrenched line. The na val brigade shelled the Boer positions, I M h were plainly revealed by thrown lights. The naval battery resumed the shelling of the Boer trenches on the morning of L" 29. but their fire failed to elicit any Hsu of life. and dispatch from Cape Town datid Wtdmsday, Dec. 27, announced that an am o and train had restored communication viiii 11 rdrecht, where the Free State flag i gel been hauled down, and the Boers had " driven from the adjacent hills to Form berg. BRITISH LOSS AT MAFEKING. brim Christmas Greetings Were Fired Into Ladysmith. Lour, t zo Marquez, Dec. 29.—Advices re 'eivo l here from Pretoria under date of ' ■ I: ' sday, Dec. 27, say that un official I al h from Mafeklng announces that in ilu s irtle which the British made from II a pace Dec. 25, attacking one of the I" forts with cannon, Maxims and an artro cd train, so persistently that the *8 b x raged up to the walls of the fort, 1 ‘ Lriiish lost 109 men killed and wound- L while the Boers only lost two men kill "i aid seven wounded. ' ••e dispatch adds that C'apts. Kirkwood an Grenfe.l were captured by Boer scouts lf t'oienso and were being sent to Pre tnr a “ n unloaded shells Inscribed “The Sea * 1 Greetings” have been fired at Lady "int ■ h. ' ' Bouth African medical students i Ldlnhurgh have arrived at Pretoria 1:1 I t' i igoa Bay with five tons of mod i' toll from the Boer camp at Mod -1 iv <r dated Thursday, Dec. 28, reports _'| i >i lery duel lasting an hour. Dec. i ■' 'i i-h reconnollerlag party made a ' '' !li it did not come within the Boer '■ Ihe British Dec. 28, commenc. and a L mbar Intent of the Boer iiosltlon. tf TIVITV AT CHIEVELY. hull, r Probably I'repHrliiK for Im portant tiiarnirnl. Iy " ion, Dec. *o.—The reported sortie l!l Liijysmlth, resulting In the capture 1 **' > r<o*Uion, la not confirmed. ’ i'-vely dispatch, dated yesierday, I't.i wed activity of the British, ap- I preparatory to om action. The 5 iilon eastward of the camp was ■ v i I ' onnolirred Thuraday. ■ *'i, ,| guna are engaged in drily n and it is said on good authority I Of forty Mam have lawn k<lt* I llf at* dining two d.i># ■ 'i 11om Durbar jn*-')!' 1 a ftits ( ■ *li Is relieve-1 on of a trout a 1 h*r* la soßiw dfsrerai i ton to In* ■ 'Butatr la preparing ausd/na a' * |f!F J&fttittg tempt to advance, this time by an attack ta . n * le ® oer position on Inhlawe moun e^!)?. 80Vernm * nt haf accepted 125 Ceylon n^!l!S rS fu mostly l >la nlers, and has oiso _ te< l th< ‘ ofters ot Indian princes to supply horses. •WO CAPTAINS WERE KILLED. Sortie From Lndyamlth for Purpose Taking Boer fan non. Pretoria, Friday. Dec. 29.—Thtee British prisoners from Maiapo report that Crpys. Vernon and Sandford, of Col. Be.len-Pow ell’s staff, were killed during the engage ment In which Lords Edward Cecil and Cavendish Bentinck were wounded. The object of the sortie was to capture Boer cannon. The losses of the British wer very severe. The “Long Tom.” injured at Ladysmith, has been rejiaired and is being replaced. The new contract reducing the price of dynamite instituted by the Raad in Au gust was registered Dec. 21 between th government and the factory. BOERS WERE DRIVEN BACK. Their Attempt to Cot the Railroad Track Was a Failure. Cape. Town, Dec. 29.—The troops in the British camp of Victoria West turned out last night to repel an attempt of the Boers to cut the railroad near the station. A patrol reported early in the evening that they had sighted the Boers in the neigh borhood. At 10 o’clock at night the Boers opened a heavy Are near the station. The British replied and the Boers retired at daybreak, their attempt having turned out a fail ure. GREETINGS FROM KIMBERLEY. Compliments of the Season Exchang ed With the Queen. London, Dec. 30.—The war office issued a dispatch, dated Cape Town, Friday. Dec. 29, evening, saying that Col. Kekewich wired, through the general commanding at Modder river on Dee. 28, as follows: “I am desired by the Mayor and Coun cil to forward the following for trans mission through the proper channel: “ ‘To Her Most Gracious Majesty, the Queen: The Inhabitants of Kimberley beg to send Your Majesty New Year’s greet ings. The trouble they have passed through and are still enduring only tends to love and loyal# towards Your Majes ty’s throne and person. “ ’R. H. Henderson. “Mayor, on behalf of the inhabitants.’ " The war office also issued the follow ing addressed to the Secretary of State for War: •Please send the following to Cos!. Keke. wich for communication to the Mayor and Council from the Queen: "’I am deeply touched by yoffr kind and loyal New' Year’s greeting. I watch with admiration your determination and gallant defense, though I regret the un avoidable loss of life incurred.’ ” IT IS A PRETEXT, SAYS LEYDS. Boers Are Not Importing Arms Through Delagoa Bay. Hamburg, Dec. 30.—The Handelsblatt publishes reports of interviews with Dr. Leyds, in the course of which the Trans vaal representative dentes the statements that munitions of war are being imported into the Transvaal through Delagoa Bay, end says these reports are spread as a pre text for the coming Briiish occupation. Dr. Leyds furiher says that the Boers are now able lo manufacture their own war munitions. BOERS SEIZED ALL THE GOLD. Took Thousands of Dollars From British and Americans. New York, Dec. 30.—Howard J. Roths child, an American citizen, who was em ployed on the Standard and Diggers News, a mining paper published in Johannes burg. has just got back to New York from the Transvaal. Mr. Rothschild was at Pilgrim's Rest, a little mining camp 180 miles northeast of Johannesburg, when the Boers declared war, Oct. 11. “There were 800 whites, mostly Ameri cans and Englishmen, in Pilgrim’s Rest,” said Mr. Rothschild, “when the war was declared. We ail asked permission to stay, and the Boers at first gave us permission to do so, on the understanding that we would form a home guaid lo protect the place from tr.e British or any one else. We accepted on these conditions, but the next day we were told by the burghers that we had twenty-four hours to either eniist in the Boer army or get out of the p ace Most of us decided to get out. "There was 890,000 in gold which had been taken from the mine and the burgh era seized this, first giving F. B. Thomp son a Scotchman, and secretary of the Exkstetn Mining Company, a receipt and a note promising that the Transvaal gov ernment would repay the money upon the conclusion of the war. This same pro ceeding look place at all of the mines not shut up in the besieged towns. "Mr. Thompson and I went to the sta bles lo get horses to ride out to inspect a mine some miles in the country, when we were approached by an American nam ...t Blake now a second lieutenant in the Boer army. Biake, who had recruited 200 Americans for the Boer army, showed us a proclamation confiscating all horses, fodder, gold and stores. “Thompson ;u*d I returned to his house, hut found that the Boer commissioner had taken possession of Ills residence, worth tWMtXt In it was the finest collection of void nuggets lit South Africa, worth |sfl.- on Mr Thompson also had 845,000 in gold in his own, all of which went lo the '"Tnou-and of Engl shmen were treated in the some way. When the Boers look possession of the gold mine at Pilgrim's’ R. -t titey turned out all the Kaffir labor* ,-!> hrok- the pumping machinery and flooded the mine, ... •The Boers furnished us witli hors"* and on armed escort for Ihe ton* r!d to Johannesburg. .. , , • Being unable to prove tliot I was an Amerelan <Risen, I was treated Ihe same as the British subjects. “The Boer women, the yobn* boy* and the old m.n have left the r own firms and sre worltln* the government farms, nided by Kaffirs Jn this way they can keep ihalf armies well proylslonad." 1,,s mans In Montgomery. M'Sitgomery. Ai*., I*c. .ry .sieved tlta first snowsiaim of th rea-oti This sf.etnoon •<“ -"tobt Tie lief. ti ion a tel be* been 'town tv sad do #/ vv. above *VIu lor at*••! "*• j SAVANNAH, GA., SUNDAY. DECEMBER 31. 1893. THE FAMOUS HILTON TROPHY. NEW JERSEY REPLIES TO GEOR GIA’S STATEMENT. Gov. Voorliee* and .Indue Advocate Mean;- Express Surprise That Geor gia Should Say Anythluu More About It—They Charge ttu Effort to Prejudice the Public by -Garbled Facts"—Georgia’s Contention "Jus tilled But Not Well Founded.” New York, Dec. 30.—Gen. Bird W. Bpn -cer, inspector general of rifle practice of I the New Jersey Guard and head of th rifle range at Seagirt. N. J.. issued a statement to-day in. rep’y to the Georgia rifle team, which claimed It won the Hil ton trophy last year at Sea Girt, although the trophy was awarded to New Jer.ey. The statement is as follows: "The Georgia team, desiring apparently lo keep alive the controversy ab ut the Hilton trophy, and having published an address to the public, notwithstanding their appeal was heard and decided against them by the Executive f mitiitio* of the New Jersey Rifle Association, Gate. Voorhees and Gen. Meany constituting ttu committee which heard and decided the appeal, have given out to the pubi c the following statement: “ "The attention of the undersigned has been called to a communication, published in the public press of Dec. 22, 1899, ap parently signed by members of the rifle team from the state of Georgia, which competed at Sea Girt at the last meeting of the New Jersey Rifle Association, ques tioning the Justice of our decision with reference to the protest from the Georgia team upon the award of the Hilton trophy to the New Jersey team. " ‘The facts which were brought out in the hearing had before us and upon which we rendered a decision, dismissing the op tical of the Georgia team and affirming the award of the executive officer, tire not fully set forth in said communication. “ ‘At said hearing the members of the Georgia team and their counsel, Col. Law lon, were given every opportunity to pre sent all facts within their knowledge or reach, and to make such arguments as in the judgment of Col. Laiwton the evidence would permit. " ‘After hearing all the evidence offered by both sides to the controversy, and af ter a full and fair consideration thereof, the undersigned were of the opinion that there was not a shadow of doubt that the decision of the executive officer was cor tect and should be affirmed. “ ‘We assumed that the memhers of the Georgia team were also convinced that they were in error, and that their conten tion, though Justified, was not well found ed, and their counsel did not consider it worth while to make any argument ufter hearirg the evidence in behalf of the claims of the New Jersey team. ’’ ‘We, therefore, confess considerable surprise that further efforts should be made to prejudice the public mind by the rub 1 ntlon of garbled facts end arguments lased upon, but a partial statement of the evidence produced before us and upon which our decision was made. "Foster M. Voorhees, Governor of New Jersey.” “Edward P. Meanv, Judge Advocate of N. J. Executive Committee N. J. State Rifle As sociation.” MERCIER MAY HE ARRESTED. Report Tiint He May Hi* Prosecuted Before High Court. Tarts, Dec. 30.—There are persistent reporis In Nationalist circles that the gov ernment has decided upon the arrest and prosecution of Gen. Mercier before a sec ond high court immediately. According to these reports an important debate respecting th’ conspiracy cases and the charge against Gen. Mercier will take place in the Chamber of Deputies ns soon as the session begins, and it is said the premier, 'M. Waldeck-Rousseau. will re ply to his adversaries by announcing the arrest of Gen. Mercier and his arraign ment before the high court. The Nationalist organs insist that the government has decided on the plan, but they suggest that it may be changed, in view of the premature revelation. Gen. Mercier at the present moment is a senatorial candidate In the Lolre-Infer ieure. One of his friends said to-day the general has resolved not to discuss 'ha matter ns he was determin’d not to give the government a weapon to use asainsi him. He was convinced, however, that his arrest would sound th? defiat of the government candidates In the senqiorlii elections, while he him.-elt was certain of election. It is expected that the trials before the high court will be concluded before h> middle of nex> week and MM D roulade and Meurlt will almost certainly be con victed. although gome of the other pri-on ers will probably be acquitted. The Journal des Debats to-night says: “Th? nearer the trial draws to a con clusion. the plainer the emptiness of th? charges becomes. Agitation, demonstra tions and a few slight offenses have per haps occurred, but there is no evidence shown of the concerted plot or crime against the state, the repression of which the public, prosecutor demands." The Journal des Debats concludes with out expressing itself in favor of the sim ;le solution of the unsatisfactory situa tion suggest'd by the Figaro, namely, that W aideck-Rousatau accord the convicted prisoners the benefit of the Berenger law which pardons first offenses. AN OFFH ER WITH THE BOERS. Permission Granted the I nlled Slates lo Send One. Washington, Dec. 30.—President Kruger has granted a request of this govern ment, made through United States Con sul Hollis, at Pretoria, to allow an Amer ican army officer to accompany the Boer troop* a* on observer and the war de. parttnent will hurry to the scene of h<- 1 titties a suitable nun an soon us se lected France, Germany and perhnpa other na tpitta have offirera In ilmt capacity thera now, 1.1 Ilona ( haute Honored. Wsahlngtotl. Dae. i~Mr W# Tin* Fan*. Ike Chinese mltlliW, h received it <1 leaf’ll Dora China *i'ln* that J J Hun* Chun* bo* been appointed aettli* vt .y of two province* hi Die Mouth of China, adjacent to Canton, an unusual honor. Mil to Ur a tut >o*olol to that of vto loy of India. FI SFaR AI, OF GKV UWTOX. Hl* ll<]y lit* in i* veil to Trmift|orf TliomiiN (o Bo llrouwlit Homo. Manila. Dec. 30, 3 p. m —The funeral of j Gen. Henry W. Lawton, who was k.aed a< San Mateo Dec. 18. was held to-day with I impressive ceremonies. The remains weifo I conveyed from the Peco Cemetery down to : the Luneta. to Pasig and ihence to the I transport Thomas, which sails to-mor- ! row afternoon. As the body was removed from the vault Chaplain Marrin read the prayers. The personal staff of the lata General was aug mented by Color Sergeant Simon, Trump eter Haberkam and Privates Oakum and Mohrusen. The latter, who were closely connected with Gen. Ijewton’s recent cam paign, bore the casket from the vault to a sixdiorsed caisson waiting ai the gate. The funeral procession was composed of the band of the Twentieth Regiment, Gen. Hall and his staff, two troops of the Fourth Cavalry, who were with Gen. Lawton at the time of h s death, a bat tery of artillery, a number of clergymen, the caisson, covered with flowers; the per sonal staff of the General on foot. Gens. Wheeler, Bates, Forsythe, Kobbe and Schwan and Rear Admiral Watson In three carriages; a naval bivttalion, MaJ, Gen. Otis and tiis staff, the foreign con suls in full dress and the members of the Philippine Supreme. Court. Native delegat ona from the towns where Gen. Law'ton establish**d civil gov ernments presented wreaths. Women from the same towns waited on Mrs. Law ton yesterday and presented her with their condolences and flowers. Crowds of natives and Americans wit nessed the procession, the band played dirges and the crowds uncovered. At Pasig the casket was transferred to a tug. “taps” was sounded and prayers were offered by Chaplain Pler<?e. Four enlisted pell-bearers will accom pany the remains to the United States. LOCKETT DROVE THRU Ol T. Georgia Colonel Had Another Tilt With the Insnr&enti. Manila. Dec. 31, 9:30 a. m.—Col. Lockett has had a second engagement with the in surgents northwest of Mantalban and by a brilliant charge drove the enemy from their position. Only one American officer and five sol diers were wounded, but the loss of the insurgents wos heavy. Our troops captured a number of rifles and a quantity of ammunition nd pro visions. SCHOONER BLOW* ASHORE. 1 Life Saver* From Hooky Point Sta tion Rescued the* Crew. New York, Dec. 30.—The twomasted schooner Rabborri, Capt. Thurston, bound from Providence for New York, with a cargo of empty barrels, is to-night drag ging her anchors in Long Island found, and will likeiy go ashore before morning. All the crew, numbering six, have been rescued. The Rabboni hall* from Bangor, Me. At 1 o’clock this morning, in a heavy gale, the schooner lost her main top mast. Then her main mast and fore mast broke away, and anchor* were of no avail. The schooner was blown rapidly ln-hore. The life saver* from Rocky Point sta tion loaded their boat on a wagon and traveled nine miles to I’econic, L. J., to the rescue. With a head seu running. It took the life savers over an hour to reach the schooner. They found live men and a boy aboard her and took them ashore. HI > G\ A SAVIAGS DANK. Wan the Result of Globe Hank Fail ure, But \\m Easily Met. Lynn, Mass , Dec. 30.—A run on the Lynn Five-cent Savings Bank began to day because of rumors that the bank is involved in the failure of ihe Globe Na tional Bank of Boston. This five-cent sav ings bank held eighty-eight shares of the Globe stork. The surplus of the hank is 41.000,000. About 440,000 was withdrawn dur ing the day and about $14,00(1 was depos ited. Judge Harman said that in several In stances depositors who had withdrawn ihelr money, almost immediately re-depos ited it. The bank’s solvency wos not in the least shaken by to-day’s demonstra tion against it, as it has a guaranty fund of $193,(00 and with that alone could stand many demands like the one mode on its treasury to-day. The officials of the bank anticipate no further trouble. ANDRADE IN PORTO RICO. American Rule Affords Him Every Proper Protection. Washington, Dec. 30.—Word has been received here that Gen. Andrade, late President of Venezuela, who fled on a war ship when the’ Castro revolution proved successful,,is living quietly in Porl<* Hlco. where the American ru!e affords him ev ery proper protection. Gen. Andrade ha* sent back the warship on which he eft Venezuela, together with every other pos session in any way belonging to the coun try. and he Is now living as a prlva .e cl i xen. DYNAMITE ON A HOT STOVE. Two Italians Are Dead and Several Are Badly Injured. Pittsburg, Dec. 30.-Two Italian. Peter Yolente and Ambrosio Donatello, were fa tally injured and several others slightly injured in a dynami e explosion in the East Knd to-day. They were blasting in a cut and sought to thaw out some frozen dynamite by placing it on a hot stove, with the usual result fcuteide of 11. It. Hood, Norfolk, Vs., Dec. TO-Mr. R, B Hood, a prominent druggist of Bmlthftrld, S. C., committed suicide at his home yesterday by taking an oveniose of laudanum. Ifo was writ known .both In North Carolina and Virginia. ■— S> * Fire Isnm !m New lrl* f7fW.no'*. New York, Dec 2W.~~Klre Utils? Crokrr MHiumtc* Pats of isf ii fbts fbe, which dswifuyod lb#- wail pspor factory of Will* lam Csmptwi * Cos., at ITSfUtM* iPiasoi :jv nr A 4Us employe* ere thrown u-t of work. CONFLAGRATION IN CHICAGO. LI’SS IN ESTIMATED VT NEARLY A MILLION DOLLARS. Two La rat’ Monro* Str.-.-t RulKllna* anil Their I’.ontenta Were De stroyed—Two Firemen Were Nerl onal y Injured—Walt Fell til and Several Narrowly Eaenpeil With Their Live*—Firemen Had to t’on tend W ith Severe Cold, Ohleajro, Dec. 30.—Fire at an early hour to-day completely gutted the building* ex tending from 210-222 Monroe street, badly damaged the building at 212-214 Monroe street, causing a loss aggregating 8950,- OCO, and resulting lti the Injury of nine firemen. Two of them. Capt. Robert O’Connor and James VVolley, were serious ly Injured. The fire Is supposed to have originated on the second floor In the work room of Woolley & Cos., wholesale woolens, at 220 and 222 Monroe street, and fanned by a fierce northwest wind, spread so rnpldly that when the first fire companies arrived on the scene the whole south end of the building was a mass of llames. A second and then a third alarm was sent In, but in spite of the tons of water thrown Into the burning buildings by thirty-eight, engines and two fire tugs, the wind and the bitter cold no hindered the firemen that for a time the entire whole sale district was jn danger. The flames quickly communicated to the buildings at 216 and 218, but there tnelr progress was finally checked. Immense brands were carried long distances, und the firemen were kept busy extinguishing small fires on near-by roofs. The prin cipal losses follow: ' Building at 220-222 Monroe street, loss JC25,010; Edwards, Stanwood & Cos., suc cessors to Phelps, Dodge & Palmer, boots and shoes, third and sixth floors, woolen goods, toss 1136,000; building at 216-218 Monroe street, occupied by J. W. Butler Paper Company, loss $25,030; J. W. Butler Paper Company, damage to stock. 1250,- 000, fully insured; Henry O. Shepard Com pany, printers, occupying building at 212- 214 Monroe, loss, iion.unn. The building at 217 Fifth avenue was damaged to the extent of $2,000. Most of the losses are well covered by Insurance. gome Narrow Escape*. The i scapes from death of Capts. O’Conno:-, Evans and Carey, and Firemen Pad en, O’Hara and three others was lit tle short of miraculous. All of the men were working on 4he roof of the building :it 216-218 Monroe street, and us the Hie crept closer to the west side of the etruc. lure, the men were gradually driven to ward the middle of the roof. Suddenly the east wall of the building adjoining fell with a terrific crush. An im mense mass of brick and timbers crushed Into the roof where Capt. O’Connor and Ills men were at work. The roof tore away from th? sides and tell with a crash to the floor beneath, carrying Plpemen O’Hara anil Padden down In the debris ond leav ing the otfters on the fmil broken edge of the roof high above the flames, Capt. O'Connor, Lieut, Callahan and Plpemen Fountain and Horgan, Anally sue eeded In rescuing the two unfortun ate pipemen, and crawling along the shaking walls, made their way to the tire esetpe and safely to the ground. Af er the fire had been raging about an hour and a half, the walls began falling, and several firemen were more or less in ju ed, James Wolley so seriously that he w s tak< n to the hospital. The fire was one of the worst In years, ond the Intense cold hampered the firemen In their work, CLAIM OF THI-: DEMOCRATS. They Nay They Will Organise Rath Houkc# in Kpntiifk)'. Frankfort, Ky., Deo. 30.—The Demo era tic leaden* to-night assert that they will organize both houses of the Leglsla ture Tuesday. They say that in no event will more than a half dozen of the anll- Qoebrl Democrats vote for tho candidate of the antl-Ooehel and Republican coali tion. If a slate Is put up by that side. The anil-Goebel leader* held several con ferences in Louisville to-day and were In communication with Republican members ek'Ct here to-night. Their plans serin to he atlll In embryo as to the most import ant matters. tiOV, GEN. WOOD’S < AIIIMiT. Assignment of the I’orlfollos W 111 Re Made To-day. Havana. Dec. 30,—The names of the members of Gen. Wood's cabinet and the assignment of portfolios will bo Issued to morrow. It Is believed that the list will be as follows: Secretary of Stale and Government— Die to Tamayo. Secretary of Justice—Luis Estevez. Secretary of Education—Juan Hautlste Hernandez. Secretary of Finance—Enrique Varona. Secretary of Public Works—Jose Ramon Villa lon. Secretary of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce —Gen. Rlus Rivera. MERGED INTO THE PULLMAN. Wanner Palace Car Company Has ( eased to Exist. New York, Dec. 30.—The Wagner Palace Car Company to-day ceased to exist as an Individual organization. The formal and official transfer of the Wagner Com pany, under the terms of Its merger agree ment with the Pullman Company, was af fected this afternoon at the offices of the Wagner Company in this city, $20,000,000 of stock of (lie Wagner Company being trans ferred lo Pullman interests and an equal amount of Pullman stoek being transfer red la Wagner people on even terms. New Trade Treaty W lib Spala. i/mdon. Dec. 30—A special dispatch from Madrid a ays It la officially snnoun el there that negotiations have lawn op net with the Untied Slates for a n* w treaty of commerce; and that tlm United Stun government has agreed to pa> e Hpn l<h trade on an equal fooling wl h I hit of America In (lie I’UUrttia* fr a decade Eighteen He toll Zero Alba. Mb h . Dsn JO -The Is tip future Lara 10-dsy was 1 degrees briow *ro INCREASED FREIGHT RATER. Attorney General Can Take. No Ac tion Under Anti-Trust Uw. Washington. Dec. 3f1.-Attoi ivey Gene al Qrtgga 1,, ,i u raturned i<> tin- Tnitfilßn Commerce Commission tho transcript of the evidence taken at a hearing liefore the commission last week in the matter of tho new freight classification, with a view to aelion by the Attorney General under Ihs anil-trust law. If his judgment war. an s the same. Tho Attorney General he’d that on lh facts submitted such "action would not only be futile, but absurd,” arwl that the only remedy is by appeal to iho commis sion under the Interstate commerce law. The new classification, operative next Monday, advances rates all along the line on the railroads, north of the Ohio and Potomac and east of the Mississippi riv ers, some sixty roads in alt adopting the new schedule. The Attorney Genernl aay#*‘the cl ang, s mode and not the method of making them Is what the shippers complain of; that there Is no contract combination or con spiracy shown as Is necessary to violate the anti trust law; no supp:esslon of com petition, no arbitrary fixing of tales, n r restraint of Interstate commerce. WAS THE ATEAMF.It PEI.OTAA. Ashore Near Danueriess—Two Other Atrnioers Were l.nst. London, Dec. 30.—The Hamburg and South American Line steamer Pelotns, from Santos for Rotterdam, went ashore near Dungcncss soon after midnight dur ing the heavy storm. She was laden with coffee and had eight passengers on board. In spbe of the heavy weather prevailing, the Dungensss life boats succeeded In reaching the steamer and remained with her all night. The Pelotas Is so far In shore that she is left almost dry at low water. Her stern lost and rudder have been washed away. The captain of the Pelotas refuses assist ance and Is rapidly Jettisoning his cargo, The tugs uie attending her anil It Is hoped she will lie refloated at the next high tide. The gale, however, continues. The Hamburg and Month American Line Is In no way connected with the llamburg- Atr.erlcan Line. The Hrlttsh sailing vessel Emily Lloyd has been wrecked near Cherbourg. The captain and twelve of her crew wifre drowned. The French steamer St. Jean has been sunk near llresi. Seven of her crew were los'. FOUR KILLED HY EXPLOSION. Life anil Property Lost by the Horst, log of a Holier, Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 30.—Four men were killed and several others Injured by a lioiler explpslon one mile west of Kllxa bethtop this morning. They were em ployee of Keller A Kresson, railroad con tractors. The dead are: Donald Haldeman of Halnltrldge, Wit Sherbahn of West Donegal, Burt Davis, a negro of Orange county, Virginia, and on Italian, known as Tony. The latter was hurled 150 feet. The boiler was used lo drive a steam drill, ami the explosion occurred just ns Davis, who was the engineer, turned on the steam He was decapitated, his head and body being found forty yards opart. Ilaldeman's head was crushed flat. The littban's body was torn In two, und parts distributed over 100 yards. The shed and all the machinery were completely wiped out. The cause of the explosion Is unknown. CAPT. KEEN SENT TO TAMPA. lie Has Been llellcved From Daly at Fort Ottra. N. Y. Washington, Dee. .30.—Capt. Thomas H. Rees, Corps of Engineers, who was re. cently called to account by the war de partment for visiting O. M. Carter, for merly of the army, In Ills cell at Govern or's Island, in contravention, of (he ar ticles of war, has been relieved from duly at Fort Otten, N. Y., and ordered to take the station at Tampa, Fla., relieving Capt. Jervcy, Corps of Engineers, who Is as signee! to Capt. Rees' former duties at Fort Otten. ■ROBERTS CASE IN THE HOUSE. Chairman Tnyler Says It Will Come Up (be Middle of .Innanry. Washington, Dec. 30.—Representative TayJer of Ohio, chairman of (he special committee investigating the Roberts case, says that the case Will not come up for action in the House before the middle of January. The arguments will begin Jan. 1. When they are finished the commit tee will form Its conclusion. Then the report must be written. As It will lie ex haustive, the greatest care will be re quired In Its preparation, and Mr. Taylor does not think the cose will reach the House before the middle of the month. AUDITOR ROGERS A SUICIDE. Well-Known Railroad Man Shot Himself In llie Head. G rind Rapids, Mich., Dec. 30.—Auditor Uriah B. Rogers, of the Chicago and West Michigan and Detroit end Grand Rapids snd Western Railroads, commlt’ed suicide (hts neon by shooting himself through the head while sifting at his desk In his pri vate office. Death was Instantaneous. Des pond* ncy ovi-r a long Illness, and a severe nrrvous strain are the probable causes. CLOVER COM MITT ED SUICIDE. Mu, Former Congressman nod Farmers' Alliance Lender. Topeka, Kan., Dec. 30.—Former Con gressman Ben Clover, a Farmers' Alli ance leader, commuted suicide at his home near Douglas, Duller county, to day, by shooting himself Despondency, resulting from sickness and business re veries, was the cause. Price of Silver Gars Down. Washington, Dec JO.—The quarterly statement of the values of foreign coins leaned by Ihs director el (he mini allow* that during Ihs last three months the value of sliver has dnereaw .0111 cenia per Olga e, and ih* status of foreign l oin* has d* creased accordingly These figures will be followed In estimating the value* of all foreign meiv handler raja>rd to Ihe Cull ed tlsu* on mid aflr Jan. I, MM. PAftiT, W A TSAR, 1 S CENTS A COPY. WEEKLY S- TIMES-A-WEEK H A MUI ALL BUT ITALY HEARD FROM. POWERS AGREE TO MAI N'T AIN AN OPEN DOOR IN CHINA. Favorable Responses Have lleea Re* eel Ted From Grent Britain, Gr many. Kroner, Russia and Japan. Believed Italy Will Give a Favor able Reply—-Pills Important Ver— diet Concerns Future Commerce of Ibe World With China. Washington, Dec. 31.—The negotiations < per.ed by Secretary !lay with the Great Powers of Europe nnd with Japan, to wards securing a common understanding for a continued open door policy through* out Ch tin, have met with most gratifying (•suits. The stale de|>artmenl Is unwilling al present lo make public the nature of Al-o replies received, as this Information will lo unit all . and in a special message to Con gress But In other quarter*, thoroughly re table, and In a |>osltlon to have trusl worthy and accurate Information, it Is learned that favorable responses hava been made by Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia, the Russian communica tion coming as late as yesterday, and Ja; an. There Is no doubt. It Is thought here, that Italy, the remaining country ad dressed, will make favorable answer, If, Indeed, It bis not already done so. Tho IKisition of Europe Is felt to Is- assurrod by the favorable course adopted by thS oilier four great Powers of Europe. The Importance of this unanimous ver dict by all tin- tlrst-class Powers of tha world—Great Rrltuin, Russia, Germany, France, Italy and Japan, In conjunction with the United Stales—can hardly b overestimated so far ns It relates to the future of China, and the commerce of tha world In that empire., The state deport ment is loath to discuss the far-reaching results to be secured when the agreement advance* lo the stage, of formal consum mation, for each favorable response Is con ditional on the favorable action of all the other parties, so that In each case the negotiations may lie regarded as short of tibsolute finality. But while the depart ment la silent, the details come from sources believed to be fully conversant with what has occurred. British Answer First. According to this information, the Brit. Ish answer was the llrst to be submitted, and was exceptionally comprehensive and explicit In yielding to every suggestion made by the United States relative la maintaining the freest entry to the ports of China. Tho British answer Is said to emphasize the concurrence with the Unite! States by adopting, word for word, much of tha phraseology empoyed by Secretary Hay when he addressed, his original note to Great Britain and the other Powers. The wording Is auch as to make It pi.in, that tho British government concurs, for the present and hereafter without limlla tlon. In a petlcy of free ncceaa to China. Although much secrecy was observed Inr the transmission of the British answer, its general purport soon became known at the other European capitals, and there was not a little Irritation at what was re garded as a precipitate response, |>ur- IxMifiy designed to embarrass the conti nental Powers by .showing Great Britain and the United States acting In concert, while the rest of the world held aloof. But this situation was made much more satisfactory to the continental Powers by their determination to act for themselves. Germany Is said to have been the nex* Power to answer in the affirmative. Ac cording lo the Information already refer red 10. the German answer was rathe# more vague than the one which had pre ceded 11, but 11s general tendency was favorable, the only condition being that any arrangement as to free access to 'China should be universal, and assented to by all of the Powers. Haw France Replied. Tho French answer Is understood to hav# come nexi, and the clrcumstanoes attend ing It were rather peculiar and not In tha nature of a direct answer, although tha result wa* regarded as most satisfactory. Secretary Hay'# note had been forward ed to <l*n. Horace Porter, the United Stales ambassador to France, who prompt ly called upon M. Deleaose, minister of foreign affairs In the French cabinet. Gen. Porter made known his mission, where upon M. Delrasse showed the moat sym pathetic spirit, and stated that he had al ready made ample answer to just auch a communication, although at the tlm# he had not intended It as an answer to the American note. This answer, M. Del eu nse explained, was given in a speech made by him on Nov. U, in the French chamber. The main point of that speech in its references to China, was that Franca desired the, most ample freedom of com merce. M. Delcasee referred Gen. Porter to this speech, and told him that it fully gave tho assurance which the United States desired. It is said that the meet ing wa# gratifying on both sides and that the results were considered to 1* a fav orable acceptance from France. Russia Ha# Joined In, Too. The Russian negotiations have proceedod less briskly, so that it seemed for a time (hat Russia's attitude might not be fa vorable. This was dissipated, however, by ti e Russian ambassador, Count Cassini, In the course of interviews with Secretary Hay. On the** occasions, Count Cassini pointed out that a hurried answer was by no means the best evidence of a favorable attitude toward the American proposition, but that Russia was proceeding with duo deliberation in order to arrive at somo solid ground for a iiermsnent understand ing. The Russians were desirous of weigh ing the many Incidental questions lnvolv . <l, such as the effect of the understanding of the territory known as "spheres of In fluence;" as well as on the territory act ually leased to the foreign powers, sueti as Talltn-Wnn. Klao-Chou, and the Brit ish and French ports. Beside# giving these assurances Count Catmint showed pertonally the mt friend ly spirit toward the American proposition as well as being dslrou# of giving an an swer In thl* case which wood be anoth er Instance of the friendly co-o|ieratl<>n long observed between Russia and thl United Slates. The tiuKHtan position. It Is understood. Is similar lo those preceding 11. with tho same condition that Russia alone thill not tie bound, but that ull of the Interest 'd countries shall Join In the agreement to keep the ports of China forever open. In what order In the negotiations Ja pans favorable attitude was made known cannot l— stated, but It suffice* that Ja■ l,u:i made her position unmlmakaMe n favor of the American piupoalllon win ilie same reservation a* In nil the other tasea that unanimity should he retched. Although Rely I* yet In be hoard tretn definitely. nu doubt is tiiimi nett that this eternity will he favorable, iboa mak ing complete the ant Ist actor y ivapuoeo# o{ ail thi great Uowtrs.