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tU^c & Fayetteville News. VOL. XVI FAYETTEVILLE. GA.. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 12. 1904. ; Three Battleships f of Business by of Czar Put Out Torpedo Boats. A NAVAL BATTLE ON Port Arthur Bombarded by Ny Japanese Cruisers and if ' More Damage Inflicted. T v ' World Amazed at Daring Japs. Advices from Che Foo state that the Japanese fleet attacked Port Ar thur at midnight on Monday. Two Russian battle ships and one Russian cruiser were disabled by torpedoes. The battle was continued Tuesday morning at a range of three miles. The steamer Columbia arrived at. Che Foo from Port Arthur with addi tional news of the attack by the Jap anese fleet upon the Russian fleet 1n the roads outside of the harbor of Port Arthur. The Columbia was in the roads at the time and felt the first shock of a torpedo explosion at 11 o'clock Mon day night. The attack continued all night, and at daylight Tuesday morn ing two Russian battle ships and one first-class cruiser were seen to have been disabled and beached at the entrance of the harbor. The cruisers were badly listed to one side. Tuesday morning the Russian fleets opened fire on the Japanese fleet, which was about three miles distant. The Japanese vessels return ed the fire, hitting several of the Rus- , sian ships, but doing little damage. /The Russian cruisers then went out, And the Japanese vessels disappeared. ' They were seen later on in the direc tion of Dalny, apparently undamaged, although the officers of the Columbia say there wore seventeen in the at tacking party, and only Sixteen were seen later in the day by the steamer Foo Chow. The battle ships disabled Tuesday are Poltava and the Czarevitch. T.ie ' disabled armored cruiser Boyarim and the grounded battle ships block the entrance to the harbor, prevent ing gunboats from going out, and bat tle ships and cruisers from going in and getting coal. Besides this, Ja pan has the Russian gunboats Variag and Korez caught at Chemulpo. They were bound for Vladivostock. In a dispatch received in London from Tien-Tsln, dated February 9, a ‘■correspondent of The Daily Mail says it fit-reported there that tho Russian L crulsel's Variag and Korietz hauled down their flags without firing a shot, and tiiat 8,000 Japanese immediately landed at Chemulpo and the march to Seoul was commenced. Circling About Russian Foes. When seen by the steamer Foo Chow Tuesday morning, the fast Japanese cruisers' were circling in a radius of six miles. No torpedo hj>ats were seen, and it is probable tiiai ' -they left the vicinity after the torpedo attack of Monday night. The Russian fleet outside of the harbor consisted of the battle ships Petropaulovsk, flagship; Pereswet, sub-flagship; Po- bieda, Poltava, Czarevitch, Retvizan and Sebastopol, and the cruisers No- vik, Boyarin, Bayaru, Gianu, Palada, Askold and Angara. The disabled battle ships are inside Forts Huan Ching Shan and Chi Kwan Shan. (, Alexieff Admits Defeat. Admiral Alexieff’s official report of the attack by the Japanese was as fol lows: “I most respectfully inform your majesty that at or about midnight of February 8-9 Japanese torpedo boats made a sudden attack by means of mines upon the Russian squadron in the outer roads of the fortress of Port Arthur, in which the battleships Ret vizan and Czarevitch and the cruiser Pallada were damaged. An inspec tion is being made to ascertain the character of the damage. Details are following for your majesty.'' Plucky Japs Applauded. Naval men in London regard the result of Japan’s first attack with tor pedo boats on the Russian fleet off Port Arthur as staggering. They point out that Viceroy Alexieff’s ref erence to “mines” obviously meant “torpedoes” and said that if the Rus sian vessels had been struck by “whitehead” torpedoes, they probably have been sunk or are resting on i”ie mud in Port Arthur; in any case hope lessly out of action for a considerable time. In Paris the news of the first Jap anese attack with torpedo boats on the Russian fleet off Port Arthur crea ted consternation. The officials of the foreign office wore among the first to receive the information, and their ad vices wore similar to those of the St. Petersburg Official Gazette, showing that two Russian battleships and one cruiser were damaged and also show ing that four torpedo boat3 made the attack. Daring Deed, Say Germans. Japan’s initial success in the first attack with torpedo boats on the Rus sian fleet off Port Arthur produced a deep impression both on the people and military, and navy critics in Ber lin. Groups gathered around the dis tributors of the "extras” in the streets and read the news almost with excla mations of gladness. The comment at the marine dtpart- ment was that even the temporary disablement of three warships placed the Russians at a great disadvantage in the future operations. 7t was add ed that the torpedoing of the enemy’s vessels lying under powerful land bat teries must have been carried out. dar ingly and skillfully. As Viceroy Alexieff did not mention any Japanese losses in his first dis patch the common talk of the naval officers was that the Japanese have shown that they can handle their war ships better than the Russians. Port Arthur Bombarded. A second telegram was received at St. Petersburg from Viceroy Alexieff, dated February 9, saying; “A Japanese squadron of fifteen bat tleships and cruisers today began to bombard Port Arthur. The fortress replied and the squadron weighed an chor in order to participate in the battle.” A third telegram from the viceroy says that after the bombardment last ing one hour, the Japanese squadron ceased its fire and steamed southward. “Our losses,” the viceroy continues, “are two naval officers and HTty-oue men wounded and nine men killed, and on the coast batteries, one man killed and three wounded. “During the engagement the battle ship Poltava and the cruisers Diana, Askold and Novic were each damaged on the water line. The damage to the fortress was not important.” France to Remain Neutral. At a conference of ministers held at the Elysee palace at Paris Tuesday under the presidency of M. Loubct, Foreign Minister Delc.asse communi cated the news of the first Japanese attack and announced that the French minister at Tokio had been instructed to assure the protection ot Russian subjects and their interests in Japan. The attitude of the French govern ment in view of the war is now defin itely determined upon. I-'ranch will maintain neutrality under any and all circumstances, the Franco-Russian al liance being construed as not requir ing France to intervene in behalf of Russia even should Great Britain or any third power intervene in L'ehalf of Japan. RUSSIA SEEKS INTERVENTION. Is Now Willing to Concede Every thing, But is Too Late. The Japanese minister at London. Baron Hayashi, is quoted as saying: "Russia is making desperate efforts through the various embassies, to have the powers intervene. Russia is now willing to concede everything, but the offer comes too iato.” Baron Hayashi added: “i learn on good authority that the reply Russia intended to send merely reiterated all the cardinal points to which Japan consistently objected.” RUSSIAN WOMEN VOLUNTEER. Many in Moscow are Anxious to Go to the Front as Nurses. Advices from Moscow staui that, the |i> „ Muscovites are animated by patriotic sentiments which have been strength ened by the actual outbreak of war. V The local Red Cross Society is be sieged by women of high and low de gree, offering their services. Prices on the Moscow stock ox change are falling. AMERICANS AID JAPANESE. Many Yankee Gunners are Serving In Navy of the Mikado. A special from Savannah, Ga., says: American gunners and engineers, whose term of service have expired in the United States navy are being transported to Japan in great num bers. The exodus has been in progress for some time past in a quiet way, the result being that the Japanese navy has secured many of the finest, gun ners in the world, and these at high prices. Low Rates Louisiana and Texas Points For New Orleans Mardi Gras visitors. February 17, 18 and 19th the Texas and Pacific railway will sell tickets from New Orleans to points in Louisi ana and Texas, as far West as Ft. Worth, at rate of one fare for the round trip, good to return until March 4, 1904. For rates and other informa tion, call on O. B. Webb, Passenger and Ticket Agent, St Charles Hotel, New Orleans. GEORGIA NEWS Epitomized Items of Interest Gathered at Random. Hay Leaver, Thomasville. Secretary Hay left Thomasville last Saturday morning at G o’cock via the Atlantic Coast Line to resume his du ties in Washington. The secretary prnounces the climate of Thomasviiie second to none in the souui.. His health is greatly improved by his stay among the pines. Sanitarium for Hawkinsvillo. A movement is on foot to establish in Hawkinsville a modern, first-class sanitarium by a certain well known physicians of Pulaski county. The sanitarium will he fitted up with elec trical and modern appliances and will prove a boon to the people of this section and to Hawkinsville. Inspection Orders Issued. General orders No. 2, relating to the coming annual inspection of state troops, have been issued from the of fice of Adjutant General S. W. Harris. These orders call attention to the de tail of Major F. H. French, of the Six teenth infantry, to inspect the Georgia troops, and his inspection will be made at the same time as that by Colonel W. G. Obear, inspector general. Fruit Growers to Meet. The Fruit Growers' Association of the state will meet in Valdosta Febru ary 18-19, It Is expected that the session will be one of the largest attended in the history of the organization. Rates of ono and one-third faro have been granted on ail the railroads. The com mittee is already busy preparing for them and the growers are getting their orchards into first-class order for in spection. Little “Georgia Magnet” Arrested. Annie Abbott, the “Georgia Mag net,” and heroine in a number of sen sational episodes, has been under ar rest in New York city, where she is appearing at a theatre in a vaudeville turn. The “Georgia Magnet” is charged with purloining jewels to the value of $12,000 from Mrs. F. C. Bay- ler, of Waterhury, Conn., the homo of the watches. Her manager, Theodore N Abbott, also well known in Georgia, was arrested at the same time. Beth have been released on bond. More Money ijs Needed. If Georgia is to have a building at the coming St. Louis exposition, such as has been proposed, considerably more money than has already been subscribed will have to be saised. This fact is developed in a report macle a day or two ago to Governor Terrell by the active members of the Georgia commission for the Louisiana Purchase exposition. This report shows that less than $9,009 has been sub scribed so far, while nearly $30,000 is needed to carry out the plans in view. Tho subscriptions up to the present, time have cofne practically altogether from the southern part of the state, with the exception of ono or two from middle Georgia. Call to Democratic Committee. The state democratic executive com mittee has been called by Chairman E. T. Brown to meet in Atlanta on Mon day, February 29, at 11 o'clock a. m. The date of the meeting is compara tively an early one. Two years ago the committee met on March 29, a month later, and in 1900 I he meeting was held March 17. When asked about the date Chair man Btawn said: “Everybody seems anxious to know when the committee is going to fix the date for the primary, and there ap pears to he no reason why the matter should not be settled without any great delay. “But my particular reason for select ing February 29 for the meeting of the committee is that it is the fifth Monday in the month, a date on which it will be more convenient for most of tho out-of-town members to bo present, because there are usually no courts fixed for that day.” Pulaski Farmers Plant Tobacco. The culture of tobacco on a large scale has begun in Pulaski county. J. T. Jones, who lives a few miles south of Hawkinsville, is now preparing to plant 6 or 8 acres of the weed. He has already sown his bed of the long leaf variety. Mr. Jones has interested with him in this project nn experienced tobacco raiser from North Carolina, who expe rimented very successfully on Pulaski county lands last year. Mr. Jones says he enn clear more money on eigth acres of tobacco at less expense than he can on fifteen acres of cotton at 10 cents average. Other farmers around him also an nounce their intention of taking up the tobacco culture at once. Wants Change in Law. Governor Terrell will, in his next message to tho general assembly rec ommend that some provision be made for legislators to serve during tho in terim which exists between October and June, becauso If there should be nn extra session of the legislature, or If the governor should die between Oc tober, when the elections are held, and next June, when the general assembly meets, there would lie no ono to take the governor's place. The constitution of the sltite, in par agraph 1, section 4, article 2. says: “Members of the general assembly shall be elected for a term of two years and shall serve until their suc cessors are elected.” If the leg'slaluro adjourns in June and their successors elected next Oc tober, then the- members ot the pres ent legislature, according to the con stitution, are out of office. If the gov ernor should die between October and June, under present conditions there would he no successor, as the presi dent of the senate would no longer be president for reason that his term as senator expired when his successor as senator was chosen at the general elec tion. "Cunjer” Doctor Gave Arsenic. After making a thorough analysis of the stomach of Sarah Mann, a negress of Ellington, Clayton county, suspected of having been poisoned, Dr. Edgar Everhart, of the Southern College of Pharmacy, of Atlanta, has reported to the authorities there that unmistaka ble traces of arsenic had been discov ered. Charles Mann, the husband of tha deceased, Bob Middlebrook and George Shaw, all negroes, have been held in the Clayton county jail awaiting the result of the investigation. The Mann woman died a few days ago under sus picious circumstances, and the coronet insisted upon an investigation and sent the body to Dr .Everhart for analysis. According to report, Mann and Mid dlebrook were suspected of having in duced Shaw, who poses as a sort of negro “conjure” doctor, to poison the Mann woman. It also seems that Shaw had been suspected of similar practice on former occasions. The story told by the negroes is that the woman was suffering from some kind of pain, and the conjure doctor gave her a drink of whisky. Her death followed in a few Hours. In tho qualitative analysis that followed un mistakable signs of arsenic poisoning were found, and the charge of murder against the three negroes is expected to follow. Otherwise the stomach was found to be in a normal condition. Does Not Affect Georgia. The decision of the supreme court of the United States in the r . f-j of South Dakota vs. North Carolina, where it is held that the bonds of Norlh Carolina must be paid by that state will have no effect on the bonds which the state of Georgia repudiated about twenty years When the announcement ot the de cision was made it was understood that Georgia could be made liable and forced to pay the bonds which had been repudiated by the Georgia legis lature. In the North Carolina case the state was owner of a majority of the stock in the North. Carolina railroad, which stock had been pledged as security for bonds issued. The people buying the bonds presented ten of them to the state of South Dakota to be used for educational purposes, and South Da kota filed suit in the United States court to collect the money for the bonds, the North Carolina officials claiming that they had never been asked to pay for them. The supreme court held in Us de cision that the railroad could be sold to pay for the bonds. Governor Ter rell states that the decision would not apply to Georgia, because the sover eignty of the state was involved when it repudiated its bonds years ago, while the state of North Carolina ot\n- ed a controlling interest in the rail road which had issued the bonds. 1 he bonds repudiated by Georgia were not secured by any personal property of tho state. A Graded Course of Study. State School Commissioner W. B. Merritt has just sent out a graded course of study for the common schools of Georgia, based upon the books recently adopted for use in the schools. The commissioner has done his work well. The course is well graded, the requirements for each year being well balanced and the subjects properly correlated. The work for a first reader pupil is clearly outlined so that every teacher in the state will know what tho pupils of this grade must be studying in read ing, spelling, language, writing num bers and nature study. Each reader with the corresponding work in other subjects is indicated. The course ex tends through seven years of nine months. In schools ot shorter terms the time will-be longer, though the course will be tne same. It is thus ad justed to any and •'!! schools. One of these programs or courses of study will be sent to every teacher in tha stato to be posted on the school wall as a guide to teachers and patrons and children. If faithfully carried out it will systematize the work of tho school room and the instruction of the chil dren, so that each child will have a well rounded education as far as he goes. The language, history, arithme tic, spelling, writing and geography work will be carried along together There will be no neglecting of any of these essential studies for any one ot them or for any fad or frill. The child can thus pass easily from school tc school or from teacher to teacher without loss of time or repetition of studies rt becomes a guide to each teacher in tho use of the new text books and in the organizat'on of tho classes. It will enable county school commissioners to inspect the schools to better advantage and examine th? work of any grade in his several schools. It will enable the state school commissioner to prepare tests for the grades all over the state ami compare the work of the several coun ties. It -**111 bring order into the school work. It is hoped that every commissioner and teacher will put the new course of study into immadia’e operation. Following this outline course of study will come during the year a full syllaous describing in do tail the work, each subject for each grade, with touching suggestions, sup plemental work—in short, a school room guide. This is now being pre pared by Mr. Merritt, and he hopes c have it ready for use in the surnmei institutes.—J. S. Stewart, of State University. LIKE A TOBOGGAN SLIDE, Price of Cotton Tumbles In New Or leans—war Rumors Caused Reign of Pandemonium. About the worst brea kin the his tory of cotton future trading in New Orleans happened Thursday. On the most absurd and vague of war rumors prices were sent down until they were from 166 to 180 points lower than the close of Wednesday, and May was $9 a bale cheaper. In former times such a break would have been attended with a score of failures, but at the close there was little or no excitement about the cotton exchange and no fear was expressed that any of the local cotton firms would go to the wall. The day’s t/ading saw many sepa rate and distinct breaks. At the open ing prices broke sharply, March going off 106 points from Wednesday’s close to 15.50. Prominent bulls supported the market and prices recovered. Toward noon the market became quiet and uninteresting, and the gen eral opinion was tnat the trend of prices would continue upward. Soon after the noon hour and while many brokers were out at lunch a tele gram was received from Chicago by a wire house saying that cables had had been received there telling of the declaration of war between Japan and Russia. Values commenced to slide swiftly downward, and in five minutes' time the ring was in a pnnic. Traders and brokers who a few minutes before appeared to be the sanest and calmest of men, suddenly became crazy in tneir efforts to sell either their own or their customers’ cotton. The gen eral desire was to sell a,nd get out, no matter what, price the cotton offered for sale brought. The combination pit and ring at the cotton exchange was an ampitheatre of struggling, yell ing humanity wild with anxiety and their fears appeared to be all the greater because they were not exactly aware of what they were afraid of Hats were smashed and coat’s were ripped, but still the nrokers labors! in their attempts to dispose of their cotton. Hundreds cf thousands of bales of ‘'speculative” cotton were thrown into the ring, and tho sellers exceeded buyers teu to one. The low er prices went, the more frantic the rin gbeeame, and the more selling or ders were received from the country which was just beginning to lear» ot the panic at the exchange. The space in the center of the ring where a fountain plays in summer became fill ed with stools and chairs, kicked there by brokers in their ma-1 efforts to get nearer the center of the pit so they might stand a better chance of selling their contracts. This mad scene lasted until well on toward the close of the market, when the ring finally had % soulout appear- S0IVIE FACTS AND FIGURES TIES ARE SEVERED Regarding Russia and Japan, Area of Territory, Finances and Strength of Their Fighting Forces. GEORGIA IN SIXTH PLACE. According to Census cf State Troops Made by Assistant Adjutant General. According to a recent census ot Georgia state troops made under the direction of Assistant Adjutant Gener al A. J. Scott, the state ranks sixth in tne United States in the number of men in the service, the total being 4,6S4, officers and men. New York comes first. Pennsylvania second, Massachusetts third. Ohio fourth, Illi nois fifth and Georgia sixth. This showing is regarded as a re markable one, in view of the fact that the population of the north is far greater than that in the south, and the interest in the military affairs thero is gnraeelly SHRD SHRD DL there is generally more than in the southern section. One hundred and fifteen thousand dollars was spent by the state last year on the Georgia troops. Forty- eight thousand dollars in cash was spent, $20,000 appropriated by tha stato, and $28,000, which was given the state by tho United States govern ment under the provisions of the Dick bill for the purpose of encampment. The remaining amount came from the government in the shape of arms, uniforms and other equipment. The area of the Russia empire, in cluding Manchurna, is 9,200,000 square miles, so that it comes next to the Brif.’sh empire in extent among the groat powers. The population is 135,- 000,000, including Manchuria. The revenue is £207,000,000 ($1,033,000,- 000), and expenditures the same. There are large reserve funds in the treasury, on paper, at. all events, to talling about £50,000.000, while the sum of £92.000,000 is kept in gold in the state bank. The treasure of the church, which is said to be worth £ 100,000,000 or even more, could oe utilized in any great national emer gency. The area of Japan is 160,000 square miles, including Formosa, or one- third larger than the area of the Uni ted Kingdom. Her population is great er than that of the United Kingdom, standing at 45,000,000 in 1900 and is increasing at the rate of 500,000 an nually. Her revenue and expenditures are each £27.30^,000, and she has re serve funds for war totalling about £10,000,000, or rather more, available only in a great national emergency. Railways. In Korea a line is being constructed by the Japanese from Fusan (Masam- pho) to Seoul, and another from Che mulpo to Seoul is open. There is a good railway system in Japan, connecting the chief towns. There are railways connecting (1) Port Arthur with Moscow; (2) a branch from this line to Vladivostock: (3) another branch running via Niti- ehwang to Pekin. Armies. The Russian army is recruited by compulsory service, and on a war foot ing can dispose of 5,000,000 trained men. But only a small part of this army is available in the Far East, since the question of supplies has to be kept in mind. The war strength of the Russian army in Asia is 239,000 men. In the Far East the Russians are believed to have a force of about 200,000 men, 40,000 of whom are Cos sacks. or mounted infantry. In Port Arthur is a, garrison of 30,000 men. The army under Admiral Alexieff can he reinforced from Europe by the Si berian railway at the rate of about 4,000 men per day, but it is not cer tain that such a rate could be long maintained. T*wo army corps are stated to be on. their way from Euro peaen Russia to tne Far East, and their strength may he taken together at 6S.000 men. The Japanese army has a tota! strength of ,500,000 trained men. ot whom 252,000 men with 79S guns form the field armj, organized in thirteen divisions. It. is recruited by compul sory service. Its great weakness lies in the paucity of its cavalry, as this arm only numbers seventeen regiments and 10,000 men. This weakness is compensated to some extent by the ex traordinary marching power and mo bility of the infantry. Navies. Ja^ppan has the predominance in nav al forte. Her fleet consists of the fol lowing important fighting ships: 6 large battle sTiips, G modern and very powerful armoured cruisers, 16 other powerful cruisers, 17 destroyers and torpedo gunboats, 60 torpedo boats, There are two old armored ships, useful in the second line. The whole of the above force is mobilized and ready for service. It is recruited and commanded by Vice Admiral Togo. The Russian fleet is weaker. Its important ships are: At Port Arthur—7 battle ships, 1 modern armored cruiser, 6 protected cruisers, 20 destroyers and torepedo boats. At Vladivostock—1 modern armored cruiser, 3 other cruisers, 10 destroyers and torpedo boats. Korea. Korea, the bone of contention, is a small state, with an area of 82,000 square miles and a population of 5.- 600,000. It is governed by an emperor and is nominally independent, but for ten years a struggle has been in pro gress between the Japanese and Rus sians as to who shall be the real mas ter of it. The Japanese have the right of maintaining a force of 1,000 men to protect the telegraphs there, which are their property. The Russians have obtained concessions in the north on the banks of the Yalu, and are re ported to have fortified Yongampho. The strategic importance if Korea is great. The country is only 115 miles from Japan; from it Japan draws a great part of her food sypply, and to it sho sends her surplus population. Diplomatic Relations of Jap and Russ Broken Off. IS FIRST STEP TO WAR Russia Alleges Surprise at Disruption, and Tries to Lay All Blame on Japan—Crucial Moment Comes. A special from St. Petersburg, undo* Sunday’s date, says: It is officially announced that Couni Lamsdorff, the Russian foreign minister, has informed Russian representatives abroad that Japan lias decided to break off negotia tions with Russia and to withdraw her minister and the entire legation staff from St. Petersburg, and that upon the receipt of a note to this effect from the Japanese minister Russia had or dered her minister, Baron de Rosen, and the legation staff to leave Tokio. In notifying Russia’s representatives abroad of Japan's action in breaking off negotiations, Count Lamsdorff says, in concluding his telegram: "Such attitude on the part of the Tokio government, which has not even awaited the arrival of the answer of the imperial government, which was sent off during the last few days, throws the whole responsibility for the consequences which may arise from a rupture of diplomatic negotia tions between the two empires on Japan.” In a general way the Russian posi tion is understood to be that Russia, while making concessions, declined to yield on the four following points: First—Japan's right io ask for a treaty covering the sovereignty o£ Manchuria. Second—She insisted upon mutual recognition of the independence ot Korea. Third—That there should he no for tification of southern Korea which might threaten Russian Communica tions with Pert Arthur and Vladivos tock; and Fourth—She declined to meet Ja pan's wishes with regard to neutral zone on both sides of the \ niu river. The news of the breaking off of dip lomatic relations between Russia and Japan was spread far and wide throughout the capital by extra bulle tins of the papers. Much excitement was created, and tlm resulted in pa triotic demonstrations. A Step Toward War. A special from Tokio. Japan, says: The severance of diplomatic relations between Russia and Japan appears to be only a step toward war. although when the ministers of Russia and Ja pan withdraw from their respective posts quick and decisive action is ex pected. When Minister of Fore’gn Affairs Komura, on Saturday notified Baron De Rosen, the Russian minister, of Japan's determination to sever diplo matic relations, he is reported to have declared to him that “Japan’ is tired of Russia's delays, evasions and insin cerity, and has decided to take inde pendent action for the conservation of Japan’s Oriental interests.” “PEACE BE TO THIS HOUSE.” Members of Dowie Mission at Chatta nooga Visit Homes of Citizens. The Dowie hosts are verv active m Chattanooga and the various repre sentatives have visited hundreds of homes and greeted the residents with the salvo: “Peace be to this house.” They have secured the aid of several local people, there being a small Dow- ieite cotonv in the city. SCHOOLS SEEK STATE AID. China Will be Neutral. China, it is understood, has given official assurance that she will imme diately issue a declaration of neu trality. RUSSIAN TROOPS ON MARCH. Scotland Yard furnishes statistics which show that 34.000 persons were lost in London last year, and much tho same number in the preceding year, making a total close on 70,000 for the new century. Report Says that Six Thousand Will Attempt to Land at Chemulpo. A dispatch to Tho Central News Agency, London, from Seoul, Korea, says that about six thousand Russian troops have sailed from Port Arthur and will endeavor to land at Cifemul- po, the port of Seoul. Longer Terms Asked for Children in North Carolina. A special from Raleigh, N C., says: Fifty-eight counties have asked the state for aid in order to keep their public schools open four months in the year. The amounts allowed theso range all the way from three hundred to four thousand dollars. BOLD GANG OF BURGLARS. Torch and Guns Used In Robbery of Home Near Phenix City, Ala. After burglarizing tlx* homo of Sam Waller, just west of Phenix City, Ala., early Friday night, robbers fired at Mr. Waller and members of his fam ily and then set Are to his house. The kitchen and cook's house wero burned, but the maiu dwelling wai saved. Investigation showed that the bur glars had stolen a lot of silverware and a watch from the house while iho family was at supper. KILLS STATE SOVEREIGNTY. Opinion of North Carolina Officials Re- gardlng Bond Decision. North State officials, tn speaking of the decision of the United States eu : preme court in the case ot the suit by South Dakota against North Carolina Involving bon<s, gay they regard the decision as a death blow to state sov ereignty, and that this is Us most se rious aspect. -■m