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X I •' Spring Place Jimplecute. CARTER & HEARTSELL, Ppoprietors. “TELL THE TRUTH,” One Dollar a Year. VOLUME XI. SPRING PLACE, G-At, THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1891. NO. 19. CHINA AND JAPAN. Kuba contain much land suitable for toliacco growing. Rattan, gutta pur- cha, beeswax, and timber also abound. SACRIFICE TO THE HEAVEN. TEMPLE OF Special New* Prom Oriental Land*. An Arabian Monte tlristo Depart* Prom Singapore. Interesting Marriage Statistic* Prom Japan.—Sir P.&wln Arnold'* Farewell Dinner at Toklo. Special tomspondenez. San Fraksisco.—(By Pacific Mail from Yokohama and Hong Kong.) His Im perial Majesty, the Emperor of China, has offered his annua) sacrifice to the Temple of Heaven. Three days hefore the event an Imperial Edict was pro mui gated appointing Princes and Min isters to participate in the sacrifice, and to fast. The Emperor started from the Chung-tsen palace, iu the palace-gardens, and stepped into his chair which was carried by sixteen gu&idsmen dressed in red satin uni forms. Passing through the Teh- chon, Si-yeun, Si-wha and Pi-ho gates the Imperial procession arrived at Wu-men (the main gate). Here a crowd of Princes and Ministers in. full court costumes, who were not to ac company the Emperor, knelt to receive him ; and afteiwards the procession passed on to the Temple of Heaven. First came a guard of soldiers armed with swords aud whips, and then the bannermen. Behind these rode the captain and officers of the Imperial Guard to the number of two hundred or more. Immediately following was an enormous elephant carrying the sacred vase, surrounded by spear-meu, bow-men and swordsmen. Three large banners with a troop of cavalry equipped with swords, bows and arrows appeared next, and then walk ing in measured space were eight splendid and fine looking horses deck ed with gold saddles, jade stirrups, and yellow silken reins, a groom hold ing each by the bridle. Following these were golden incense hurners smoking with fragrance. The Imper ial chair was then seen preceeded by a large umbrella of yellow satin em broidered with nine dragons sporting A curious phenomenon occurred New Zealand recently. During a heavy squall there fell a shower of small red worms of bright color, varying iu size from an inch to an inch and a-lialf in length. Vessels, such as milk dishes, were filled to a depth of from one to three inches, and the worms lay nearly an inch thick upon the grnss They were, however, soon dried up by the heat of tne suu. There is a big lake in the Lichuen district of Foochow, China, abou thirty li iu circumference. During winter the farmers, by the aid of rude and primitive machinery, pump out its water to irrigate their fields. Late ly some fishermen, when the water was rather low, were fishing on the lake and saw through the clear water a huge animal resembling an ox in every particular, except that the head had no horns. The news of the dis covery of this strange beast caused great commotion, and with much difficulty and excitement it was finally caught. Its hair, or rather bristles were hard aud thick, and it weighed several hundred cattieH. The most learned of the village patriarchs failed to designate the animal by its proper name. in the clouds, the umbrella having a curved handle. On each side of the chair several Ministers wearing but tons of precious stones, embroidered garments, and swords, rode on horse back. The streets were lined with troops. Five camps of soldiers, com prising Bannermen, Mongols, and Chinese were stationed about the Temple of Heaven. When the Em peror arrived he entered the palace oi Fasting, changed his dress and dined and passed the night. At day-break the next morning, the Emperor rode in an uncovered chair carried by eight men to the sacrificial grounds. After the usual ceremonies he offered incense at the Palace of Ihe Seasons. Then he put on the dragon robe and made the return journey. He entered the Tsing- yang gate, burnt incense to the God of War, and reached the Palace gar dens by way of Ta-obing gate v then offered congratulations to Empress Dowager. He the It is reported of Sir Edwin Arnold that at a dinner at the Rokumeikan in Tokio, before his departure for Eng land, ho adjured the Japanese not to go seeking after other religions, as in Buddhism they had a very good one of their own. other Englishman has become a Japa nese subject and a raeuitx-r of his wife’s household. An application to marry an American has been made by a Japanese woman, but as yet permission has not been granted. Two women have asked for permission to marry Chinamen, but as yet have not received permission. Another request of the same kind was made by a Japanese woman, but was sulisequently withdrawn. GERMAN trade treaties Syed Mohamed Alsagoff. one of the best known Asiatic merchants in Sing apore left, that colony in the steamer Poseidon recently for his home in Arabia. The Poseiilon is a steamer with magnificent passenger accomo dation, the whole of which was taken by Syed Mohamed for himself and Ills household, 130 souls in all. The price he paid for passage from Singapore to Jeddah was $8,000. Syed Alsagoff leives Singapore in the belief that he has been harshly used by the English Government, and by English opinion Whether that view be just or not it will doubtless spread in Arabia. In the suburbs of the Singwei dis trict in Kuangtung, China; a child was born who could call “Papa” and “Mama” as soon as he saw light. The villagers considered anything oot of the common would bode no good to the family and advised the parents to do away with the child. The bus hand and wife were ignorant and hardhearted enough to follow the suggestion. Through carelessness in keeping poison in a house has resulted a sad case in a shoemaker’s shop in Hong Kong, The shop was invaded with rats; consequent ly the boss ordered the little cook, a boy of 14 years of age, to buy some poison which is made expressly to destroy rats, and much resembles common pepper, Somehow or other the little packet of poison got among other seasoning stuffs and the mischievous little cook used it as pepper, with the result that six men were poisoned, three of whom died im mediately, the rest narrowly escaping a similar fate. A youth coming to Shanghai to learn the trade in a fancy goods store was at tracted liy some gambling that was go ing on in the neighboring shop. Two lays later he borrowed one thousand cash from a friend, entered into the game and lost every cent. He knew he could not pay, and hanged himself dur- ng the night. A returned traveler from Kuangsi Province .in Northern China, tells of a strange fish found in the Kweiling river of that province. The fish is black in color, has four feet and walks like a quadruped. The natives call it a dog fish from its similarity to that animal. When quiet reigns late at night, the fish crawls out of water and climbs to the top of trees in search of birds and eggs which seem to be its favorite food. It is said that the fish also inhales the rays of the moon and regulates and trains its breathing powers so that its agility and cunning excel anything in the air, or earth, or in water. To capture it, is necessary to koep very quiet, spread a net under the tree up which the fish has climbed and when it descends fold over the net; otherwise no bullet or arrow or line and hook will take it v Asthe natives believe it an infalliable cure in consump tion or other diseases of general debility, it is much sought for. A certain Can ton merchant bought a few to present to lusfriends; while the servant was carry ing them he accidently fell and had his finger badly bitten. A short time after wards the servant stole from his master and ran away. Then the natives claim the fish possessed a prophetic knowledge of coming events and gave the master warning by biting the servant! Josh. DULL FOR THE PRINCE. Bagar Api Api, a coast town In Slak- furnishes a remarkable instance of Chinese enterprise and push. A few years ago, that place was only a col lectioa of miserable huts inhabited by a scanty Malay population with a sprinkling of Chinese. These Chinese settlers seeing the commercial advan tage of Bagan migrated to it in greater numbers and soon ousted the Malay dwellers. In 1887, they so prospered that the Government set to work making roads and the huts made room for neater dwellings. A police force, including a body of Sikhs, keep order, but the three thousand Chinese inhab itants of the town seldom raise any disturbance, They are Hokiens, mostly, and manage to keep the other tribes under control by force of num bers. These people gain 'a living by catehing and salting fish 'and shrimps to admit of which their fishing craft musters 800 vessels. The fish caught and salted finds its way to Singapore and sometimes to Penang. The ex tent of the business brings the salt re quired for the trade to 20,000 piculs a year. Two rival steamers carry on sommunication with Singapore. The Chinese who have thus been the making of Bagan contribute 44,000 guilders to the Excise revenue a year. The place is healthy in spite of the fishy smell prevalent owing to strong sea breezes. The neighboring districts About eighteen miles from Hugfi, In dia, there is a municipality which, how ever it may perform its work, is certain ly recruited in a novel fashion. It ap pears that an election is now on the boards and everyone in the locality, from the chairman down to the lamplighter,is in a fever-heat excitement. One of the rival parties has hit upon a device for electioneering purposes which has the merit of novelty, to say the least. The candidate mounts upon a traveling plat form and after he has delivered a forcible harangue the assembled crowd fall upon their knees hefore an idol of Siva and invoke her aid in purging out of the board certain evil commissioners! This would prove effective in England. Im agine the chairman of a Birmingham meeting exclaiming: “The Hon’ble Joseph Chamberlain will now lead us in prayer for the speedy removal of the Parnelite party.” The board of admiralty has purchased a foreign sleigh for the emperor of China. The body consists of four dragons with scales and claws complete, The four tails are curled up, forming the back of the seat. The top of the seat is between the two dragons’ heads. The whole sleigh is covered over with gild ing and its cost is said to be several thousands of taels, It will be transport ed to the Palace gar4ens for the use of His Imperial Majesty. Tli f 1 PrcHem London Niimon fiieeMllngly Slow. London, May 20.—The present Lou- don season of social, dramatic and mu sical entertainments has been the dull est on record, in spite of the mahy so- called attractions whieb have been pre sented. This dullness may in the main be attributed to the financial depres sion. the ravages 'of influenza, /.ie many deaths resulting from that/lis ease and the cold weather, whir/i has prevailed at this usually balmy period of the vear. The uealth of the Prince of Wales causes grave anxiety to his family and intimate friends. The malady from which the prince suffered so severely in 1890 has reappeared in a different quarter and this fact is looked upon as one of great significance, in spite of his precarious state of health the prince continues his visits to the theatres and attends numerous balls and other en tertainments, hut the heir apparent is carefully guarded while thus enjoying himself and every care is taken to pro vent him from suffering too much fa tigue, GRANDFATHER WALES On Saturday last the prince visited the horse show at the Royal Agricult ural Hall, Islington, accompanied by two of his daughters. The same day the aeeouehment of his eldest daugh ter, the Duchess of Fife, was announced and consequently the prince and his daughters, upon entering the royal box, received a tumultuous warm greeting from, the audience assembled in the agricultural hall. After the first cheers had subsided a voice in the gal lery was heard to yell: “Three cheers for grandfather Wales.” Renewed bursts of welcoming cheers followed this remark, which the prince laugh ingly acknowledged by rising and bowing to the cheering people. Although the Prince of Wales has been subpoenaed on behalf of the plaintiff In ihe Sir William Gordon Gumming case, otherwise the “Bacca rat scandal,” he will not appear in the witness box, as his evidence is not re quired. Great efforts are still being made on all sides to obtain seats at the trial of this much-talked-of suit, but every seat has been already allotted. Thousands who expected to be present will be doomed to disappointment. The trial commences Monday, June 1. The number of cases of application for marriage from foreigners and Japa nese last year amounted to eight. Di vided according to nationality they were as follows: One Englishman and one Swiss married Japanese women. An other Englishman has received consent to marry a Japanese woman, butthe called Bangka, Tanaa Putefe, and mairiage has not been effected. An. was not a Bostonian, it is true. THE UPPERMOST SUBJECT IN THE PUBLIC MIND. Flipping a penny for $1,000 a flip is pretty steep gambling for Boston town. After a New Bedford man had lost $15, 000 by this flippancy he staked $10,000 against his opponent’s winnings, and his adversary won again. Twenty-fiye thousand dollars on the toss of a cent is worse than baccarat. To think of such a thing in the gelid, thoughtful atmos- Nearly all the Knmipeitn;Pnwer« Will Join In—The Spanish-Amerlcan Convention. Tlie Czar’* Liking for France. Berlin. May 29.—The attentiomof the foreign office is absorbed in the commer cial treaty negotiations, some of the re sults of which will have direct bearing on Germany’s relations with the United States. The arrangements with Italy, Switzerland and Roumania are progress ing toward an entente. Belgium is also negotiating with Germany, but that country is less likely than the others to be drawn within the customs bound. Russia’s overtures for a reduction of the government corn tariff in exchange for a lessened tariff on German manufac turers haye been received in a friendly spirit here, but the opposition of Austria is expected to bar the war to a definite arrangement. Austria tried to secure a reduction of the German grain tariff in favor of herself exclusively. She failed in this however, and now raises the points of the German-Austrian treaty as precluding a differential treatment for Russian imports into Germany, Servia has offered to join the commercial alli ance on the basis of free entry of her leading products, swine and cattle, into Germany, Austria and Hungary. As the Servian exports cross the Austrian terri tory in order to reach Germany,the Ber lin government wants the Austrian authorities to guarrantee against danger of infection from Servian swine. The admission of Servian pork into Germany would be in consistent with prohibition against American pork which is gener ally acknowledged to be safer and of superior quality. A FORMIDABLE COALITION. A general view of the negotiations now really gives reason to expect a for midable central European customs coa lition, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Switzerly-Roumania and Servia, while Belgium, Russia and Spain may have partial reciprocity with the general European band. The effects of the American conven tion with Spain has begun to excite pres3 comments. The Hamburg pajiers de nounce the covention as the permanent blocking out of German trade with the Antilles. They contend that the Ger- man-Hpanish treaty of July, 1888, af fords a basis for the foreign office to interfere. Until the pending European treaties seem to be secure no pressure upon Spain will probably be tried. As soon as these are arranged, the special privileges, which the convention ac cords to America, will be contested by the combined powers. The situation of France, which coun try is menaced with commercial isola tion, dictates the government’s policy of adhesion to a moderate tariff admitting of reciprocity treaties. As far as Ger many is concerned, tho French govern ment appears to rely upon the mainten ance of the Frankfort treaty as insuring France, “the most favored nation” treat ment, but among the critical political consequences arising from Germany’s commercial alliances a denunciation of the Frankfort treaty is now freely discussed in official circles. Schouvaloff, German ambassador to Russia, jirho is now in St, Petersburg, supports Girs, the Russian prime minis ter, in proposing a commercial entente with Germany. Vlangali, M de Girs’ issistant in the foreign offee, who is a strong pan-Slavist, having great influ ence in the czar circle, uses his power to paralyze the negotiations as tending to weaken the alliance between France and Russia. SOLICITUDE FOR THE FRENCH. A sensation has been caused by a dis covery relating to the French exhibition at Mobcow, which gave the czar an oc casion to show his solicitude for the French. To avoid wounding the feel- ngs of the French committee, the exhi bition which was in need of funds, the secretary applied to the Jewish and Rus sian capitalists, Grunwald and Poliakoff, and got a loan on depositing 1,200,000 tickets as security. Grunwald and Pol iakoff became involved in a quarrel with the committee over the control of tho entrance money of the exhibition. The rupture led to a scandal. The czar was incensed that the fair should have fallen into the hands of the detested Jews, and to-day it was an nounced that the projected visit to Mos cow of himself, the czarina and their family depended npon a settlement be tween the committee and the Jewish loan mongers. If the matter is not speedily settled, he will abandon his visit in order to avoid giving offense to France by going to Moscow without pat ronizing the exhibition. THE PROGRAM DROPPED. His ire has also been increased by the fact that during his stay in Moscow he desired to lay the foundation stone hibition of control association products held in Russia. The whole program has been dropped. The czar would now send Grand Duke Vladimir to inaugu rate the monument, himself remaining n St. Petersburg. A message plainly expressing the czar’s indignation has been telegraphed to the Moscow author ities stating that the original French promoters of the show must buy out he Jews. The Rev. Mr. Ayres, a young Ameri can clergyman, who has been preaching in the English chapel here, has been the victim of a peculiar persecution. A young German woman took a strange fancy to him and made it a habit to at tend the church and gaze obtrusively in apt attention at the* preacher. She fol lowed him about the streets and finally went to his rooms. She forced him to remove from one boarding house to mother to elude her. She threatened to commit- suicide before his eyes unless he listened to her suit 4 n\orican Min ister Phelps was finally appealed to by Mr. Ayres. Phelps communicated with the lady’s family and it being evident that her mind was unbalanced, she was sent to the asylum. phere of the Hub! The man who lost; monument to be erected in memory THE WEATHER FOR THE PAST WEEK WAS FAVORABLE. GOVERNMENT FINANCES. Secretary Foster’s .Views of the Present Situation. Washington, May 29.— Secretary Foster said this morning that he an ticipated no difficulty in meeting the quarterly pension payments, aggrega ting $20,000,000, which fall due June 4. The available cash balance is now nearly $16,000,000 and will go beyond ! 126,000,000 by the early part of June by reason of the continued excess of receipts over expenditures. The secretary said there would be no necessity, so far as he could see, for calling in any of the government deposits held by national banks to meet the pension obligations. This bank fund now amounts to $24,500, 000, exclusive of the money deposited to the credit of disbursing officers. REFUNDING THK BONDS. Secretary Foster said further, in re sponse to inquiries on the subject, that while it was not altogether set tled, it was more than likely that the department would give the holders of the $50,000,000 4.) per cent, bonds out standing an opportunity to renew those bonds after September at re duced rates o f interest. The secretary said a San Francisco banker had given the opinion that these bonds could be floated at 11 percent, interest. He, however, did not think such a thing feasible with an interest rate less than 2 per cent. It was his impression that the matter would be settled definitely in a short time. He said that the recent gold shipments liad clearly established one thing and that was that the credit of CONDITION OF TIIE CROPS The Wheat Region Condition Generally Improved- Hall in Texas—Too Cool for Cotton in Moat of the Section. Washington, May 29.—Weather crop bulletin: About a normal tern* perature prevailed during the week over all tho agricultural districts east of the Rocky Mountains, and also on the Pacific coast, although it was slightly cooler than usual in the east ern portions of the cotton region and in the lower Missouri valley, the de ficiency in these sections amounting to about 30 per day. It was a cool week in the central Rocky Mountain and southern plateau sections, the departure from normal temperature ranging from 60 to 80 per day. There was a slight excess of temperature in the Mississippi valley and Minnesota and the Dakotas. The timely rains which occurred during the week over the central valleys have prevented the threats ened drouth over the principal wheat and corn States, and will doubtless prove of great value to growing crops. Excessive rains have occurred from the New England States west ward over the States of the Ohio valley and the southern portions of the lake region and thence further westward to the Rocky Mountain districts. GENEROUS SHOWERS. Within the greater portion of this area the precipitation exceeded one inch and in Kansas and portions ot Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Colo rado it exceeded two inches. Exces sive rains also occurred in the cen tral portions of Minnesota and the Dakotas and portions of Georgia, Al abama aud Mississippi, while gener ous showers occurred throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Southeast Missouri, The precipitation was very light in the South Atlantic States, and no rain occurred on the greater portion of the West Gulf coast and also in Northern and Central California and in Oregon. Reports from the spring wheat re gion of Minnesota and Dakota state that the recent showers in that sec tion have greatly improved the crops in that section, especially late wheat, while warmor weather and more rain would be beneficial. The crop conditions were also generally im proved in the States of the Mis souri valley and in Illinois and Iowa, and wheat is heading in fine condition, except in the central coun ties of Illinois, where insects arem- I growth. PROSPECTS IMPROVED. In the States of the Ohio valley and | in the lake region crop prospects wore greatly improved by the recent rains, although in many sections the rain has not been sufficient to com- the United States was above that of any other nation and coul<T*not be|j ur *ng grain, and the hay and oat shaken by the severest decline. crops Will be short. Corn planting is the situation coNSiBERKD. about completed, but the cool and The financial situation was consid- * clou ^y weather has retarded the ered at a meeting of the cabinet to day, but without result, so far as known. Unless the secretary of the treasury decides to continue the 4£ per cent, bonds beyond the date of their matu rity, September 1, next,without abate ment of interest, it will be necessary! pletely relieve the crops from the for him to give three months notice to 1 preyious drought conditions. The the bond holders of his policy in re-1 frosts on the 17th caused some injury gard to that loan. This will have to to erops and fruit in Michigan and be done under law, either in case he j in the northern portion of Ohio, In decides to redeem the bonds at matu rity or in case he decides it best to ex tend them at a reduced rate of inter est. A circular on this subject will be is sued by the treasury department in a few days. It will announce that pres ent rate of interest on the 4.J per cent, loan will cease on September 1, and will probably say that the holders of all such bonds as do not desire their redemption at that date may secure their continuance at the interest rate of 2 per cent, thus allowing the own- diana'and Illinois. The prospects were also improved n Tennessee and Kentucky, butthe light rains have given only tempo rary relief. In Tennessee rust and a small insect is damaging wheat. Texas and Western Arkansas report weather favorable to cotton; plauts small but in good condition, deep rooted and well cultivated. Corn is in tassle and general prospects prom ising. Considerable injury resulted from hail iu Texas, where these ers the option of retaining their bonds! storms coyer an area of 25,000 acres, at a lower rate of interest if they de-1 Some benefit resulted from the sire to do so without placing the gov- showers in the northern portions of eminent in the position of asking for more time. the Gulf States, but the drought con tinues in the southern sections, and the outlook is generally more unfa- i vorable than during the previous I week. ». TO(* COOL FOR COTTON. The weather continues dry in the he father , an t oto open the first ex rue thj of a| y of j i ; ex-| wii The Hausers Oil Hatteras. Washington, May 25.—Arrange ments have been made by the light house board for the survey of Dias mond Shoal bar, off Cape Hatteras, N. C., with a view to the selection of] South Atlantic States, and it was too a site for a lighthouse at that point, cool for cotton, the stand of corn and The coast survey ’steamer Blake cotton is pbor, and in some sections will start from Hampton Roads cotton is being replanted. Light Monday- with a party, including rains revived the crops in the north' Capt. Recht, of the lighthouse ser- ern portions of the south Atlantic vice, and they will be joiraed at Cape States, but the ground continues too Hatteras by the contractors, Messrs. 1 dry. Anderson and Barr. A caisson for the foundation will be launched in I Butler (Pa.) Methodists can give the about a week. The appro priation for Ehzabethport people points on boycot- this lighthouse is $500,000. I tiD « “ their church ’ I 1 te*’ • /. ' il I i war A Pasha of Three trails with Kudyard Kipling, Their trustees sat up all night to keep a newly appointed is not on it j preacher, whom they didn’t want, out of the pulpit. ( r . WPPHK