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THE MORNING NEWS. Established 1850. .- - Incorporated 18SS J. H. ESTILL. President. WAR WITH THE WORLD. CHINESE FOHTS AT T.IKII FIRED ON FOREIGN WARSHIPS, forts then surrendered. ORDER FOR THE ATTACK EMANA TED FROM PEKIN* Twenty-one of the International Force* Killed and Fifty.seven Wounded—Two British Ships Re ported So nk—Reported That 400 Chinese Were Killed—Relief Col umn Returned to Tien Tsln-Legn tlona at Pekin Said to Have Deen Horned. London, June 19, 3:30 a. m.—China de clared war against the world when the Taku forts fire upon the interna tional fleet.' The accounts of what took place, are still unsatisfactory. The best semi-official information being the dispatch received at Berlin from Che Foo. ‘ The German consul at Che Foo tele graphs to Berlin that a Japanese torpedo boat from Taku has brought the following: * "The Chinese laid torpedoes it* the Taku river and collected, troops from Shan Hei Kwan. The foreign command ers assembled on the Russian flagship and addressed an ultimatum to the com manders of the Taku forts, summoning them to withdraw their troops before 2 o’clock, June 17. "At 1 a. m„ June 17, the guns of the for*s opened fire, to which the Russian, British, French and Japanese warships replied. The bombardment lasted seven hours. Two British ships in the river between the forts are reported to have been sunk. "The telegraph line and railroad be tween Tien Tsin and Taku were destroy ed. Communication by water is also threatened." Eater a semi-official dispatch from Che Foo announced that the Taku forts had been captured after a combined attack by the foreign warships. Three men on the German warship litis were killed and seven were wounded. The dispatch adds that the foreign set tlements at Tien Tsin were being fired into by the Chinese. When the dispatch left nothing had been heard from the German* detachment sent to Pekin or from the German lega tion there. Americans Took Part. The unofficial narratives, coming by way of Shanghai vary widely and bear inter nal •vidence of supplementing the main flcta with guess work. One dispatch says that the YOrktowm participated in the bombardment. Another asserts that American marines formed part of the storming force of 2,000. An Associated Press dispatch from Che Too, dated yesterday afternoon, says: "The forts on both sides of the Taku are now occupied. The Chinese opened fire unexpectedly. The casualties to the mix ed forces were as follows: "Killed. British one; German three; Russian sixteen, and French one. "Wounded. British four; German seven, Russian forty-five and French one. "The Chinese torpedo boats were seiz ed." The Shanghai correspondent of the Dally Mail, telegraphing yesterday, says: "The forts began firing in obedience to orders from Pekin, conveyed in a per sonal edict of the Empress Dowager, by advice of Kang Y 1 (president of the min istry of war). Several warships were struck by shells from the 12-inch guns of the fort*. "The heavy Russian losses were due to the blowing up of the magazine at Mands hurt. "Four hundred Chinese are reported to have been killed. The Chinese, when re treating, fell into the hands of the Rus sian force.” The Daily News has the following from Che Foo: “Two of the forts were blown up. The Ihirty-two warships at Taku aggregated two hundred thousand tons, and carried more than three hundred guns.” Peril of the Legation*. The failure of Admiral Seymour's col umn and retreat to Tien Tsin increase, It is presumed, the peril of the legations in Pekin, which Is still isolated, although Shanghai forwards Chinese rumors that the legations were attacked by mobs who were mowed down by machine guns, and also, that the members of the legations were massacred. The situation at Niu Chwang is report ed critical. The British consul at Klu Klang has ordered all foreigners to leave Ku Ling and Nau King Chang. The Powers are taking prompt action. Four thousand German troops have been ordered to China; 10,000 French troops are waitinig to embark at Saigon, capi tal of French Cochin China; and 3,000 to 5,000 more Russians have been ordered from Port Arthur to Taku. Rnssin Send* More Trnopa. More Russians have been ordered from Port Arthur to Taku. This reinforcement, says the Bt. Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, Is announced in the St. Petersburg Gazette, the government pointing out that Russia is sending many troops solely for the sake of peace and humanity. The Brussels correspondent of the Standard, in a dispatch dated yesterday, says: "Russia has massed 40,000 men, with seven batteries, at Klachta, with orders to proceed to Maimatichln, a Chinese town contiguous to Kiachta, and thence to advance along the telegraph route to the Mongol town of Crg.i. 300 miles south of Kiachta, and 750 miles northwest of Pekin." An Account of fltc Fight. The Shanghai correspondent of the Times, under yesterday's date, gives the following description, said to be taken from official sources, of the action at Ta ku: "On the afternoon of June 10, in view of the large bodies of Chinese troops as sembling at the forts, and of the facts that torpedoes had been laid in the river, and that all communications were inter rupted, the naval commanders held a eounotl anti decided to send an ultimatum, calling for the disbandment of the troops, and announcing that If this demand wu satoannaj) Ulofnitta ffetoi not complied with before 2 m , of the following day, the united squadron would destroy the forts. "Shortly after midnight the forts open ed fire. The British. French, German, Russian and Japanese warships replied. Two of the forts were blown up and the rest were carried by assault Two British and American and five Chinese warships: are in Che Foo harbor." The morning papers consider that a stale of war practically exists, and that the issue is between Western and Eastern civilization. The Times says that the latest news infinitely increases a situa tion already sufficiently serious. THOOTS LANDED SATURDAY, Hroilrick Furnishes Further News of the Taku Fight. London, June 18, 5:15 p. m.—ln the House of Commons to-day, Mr. Brodrlck, the parliamentary secretary of the foreign office, amplified the admiralty's news from Che Foo. . He said the Japanese warship reported that the Chinese forts opened fire on the gunboats at the mouth of the river yes terday, at 12:30 a. m.; that the ships thus engaged the forts, and that the engage ment was proceeding until the'Japanese ships left at 5:30 a. m. yesterday. Detachments from ail the foreign war ships were landed Saturday to protect Taku. There was one Chinese warship at Ta ku, which remained passive. Mr. Brodrick added that the British, Russian, Japanese and French reinforce ments were due to arrive about Thurs day. The dispatch of the Associated Press from Admiral Kempff, dated Washington, containing the American Admiral’s re port of the engagement at Taku, was the tirst news Lord Salisbury received of the capture of the Taku forts. The British government was aware that an, engage ment was proceeding, but it was ignorant of the result, and the greatest satisfac tion is evinced. Foreign office officials say no word has beep received from the British minister at Pekin, Sir Claude MacDonald, since June 12, and the government is ignorant as to whether the legations at the Chi nese capital have been captured or not. THE NEWS CAME FROM CHE FOO. Reported That the Legation* In Pe kin Have Been Taken. London, June 18.—According to a Che Foo special, dated June 17, the seventeen forts at Taku opened fire upon the war ships, whereupon the fleet replied and silenced the Chinese guns, and the inter national forces subsequently landed and seized the forts. The news of this engagement is stated to have been brought to Che Foo by a Japanese warship, but the date of the occurrence Is not given. According to a dispatch, the Chinese bombardment fol lowed an ultimatum sent by the com manders of the fleet. An official dispatch from the German consul at Che Foo received in Berlin con firms the arrival of a Japanese torpedo boat with the following message: "The Japanese torpedo boat report* (hat the legations a: Pekin have been taken.” A later dispatch from the same consul riceived in Berlin this mornir*' states that an engagement is proceeuing at Taku between the Chinese forts and the foreign warships. Berlin also has official notification from Shanghai that owing to the interruption of the telegraph lines, no trustworthy news whatever is obtainable of the events transpiring in Pekin. WILL HOLD HIM RESPONSIBLE. Frnnce Notifies tlie Viceroy of Yun nan Sen Province. PaTis, June 18.—M. Delcasse has sum moned the Chinese rtiinister to Paris, and has requested him. to immediately tele graph to the Viceroy of Yunnan Sen, that France will hold him personally re sponsible for the lives of French citi zens. French troops are massed on the Ton quin frontier of China, but their march has been delayed, as the French author ities fear to provoke an uprising of the population, and a massacre of Europeans before the troops could reach them. The French Consul General in South China, who was instructed to send into Tonquin all the French citizens at Yun nan Sen, cables from the latter place, under date of Thursday, June 14, that he has been prevented from leaving with his companions by the Viceroy, and that Ills house and all the missions have been burned. He adds that everything, in cluding their clothes, has been stolen, and that they are practically prisoners. The foregoing is the situation referred to by the French minister of foreign af fairs, M. Delcasse, in his speech of June 11. NEW JAPANESE BATTLESHIP. Cause of Admiral Seymour's Return I* Not Known. London. June 18.—The fitting out of the Japanese battleship Asahi, of 12,500 tons, will be finished at Clyde Banks. The work is being expedited, and she is under or ders to sail within a week. Lord Salisbury was questioned in the House of Lords to-day, on the Chinese situation, and said he regretted he was unable to enlighten the House on the state of affairs in China. Admiral Seymour, he continued, had re turned to Tien Tsin, but the government did not know exactly why, nor what Ad miral Seymour's intentions were. The failure of the international forces to reach Pekin has greatly intensified the anxiety here, as to the fate of the Euro peans huddled together in the legations at the Chinese capital, and it was feared, also that the check to Admiral Seymour’s forces, necessitating their return to Tien Tsin, will lead to large accession* to the ranks of the Boxers, and make their sup pression still more difficult. EXCITEMENT IN JAPAN. That Country Will Send 2,000 Sol dier* to Chinn. Yokohama, June 18—The news of the shelling of the forts at Taku has caused great excitement throughout Japan. It is reported that the Powers will ask Japan to send 2,000 troops to suppress the re volt, It is probable that the government will consent. Additional transports are be ing prepared. HAS NOT HEARD FROM PEKIN. Germany'* Effort to Gel New* From Chlne*e Capital. Berlin, June 18.—The German forelgq of fice has received no telegraphic communi cation from Pekin for several days, either by way of Russia or any other route. This applies also to all the Powers. To-day Germany had telegraphic com {Continued on Fifth Page.} ( SAVANNAH. GA.. TUESDAY. JUNE 10. ’9OO. NO WAR WITH CHINA. -ASSERTED THAT A STATE OF WAR DOES NOT YET EXIST. NINTH REGIMENT WILL GO. CHINESE SITUATION IS OVERSHAD OWING POLITICS. Every Evidence That the Chinese Government 1* Sustaining the Doxer Movement—Onr Coarse In Sending Trnopa to China Is Folly Justified—Fear for Marine Gaard la Pekin—Russia's Shrewd Game. Kempff to Be Given Fall Tower. Washington, June 18— China continues lo overshadow national poliiics at Wash, lngton. The brief cablegram received at the navy department to-day from Admiral Remey in command of the naval forces at Manila containing information to the effect that he had received an official re port from Commander Taussig that the Chinese fortifications at the mouth of the Taku river had fired upon the war ves sels of the allied Powers, and had sub sequently surrendered, occasioned intense interest in official and diplomatic circles. The dispatch reached the navy depart ment in cipher and as soon as it was translated, the information it contained was immediately conveyed to the Sec retary of State by Rear Admiral Crow ninshield in person. While the dispatch failed to contain any confirmation of the reported burning of the foreign legations at Pekin or the murder of the German minister, it was significant to the extent that it demon strated beyond reasonable doubt that the Empress Dowager is back of the Boxer uprising and the demonstration against the foreign Powers evidently is supported by the Chinese government. Otherwise the Chinese fortifications would not have dared to open fire on the vessels of friendly Powers in Chinese waters. Conferred With President. With a copy of Admiral Remey's dis patch in his hands. Secretary Hay went at once to the White House and had a long consultation with the President on the subject. The dispatch fully justifies the course pursued by this government in sending reinforcements to Rear Admiral Kempff, in command of our forces in China. The intelligence contained in Rear Admiral Remey’s dispatch not only justifies the belief prevalent here that the Chinese government Is sustaining the Boxer movement, but U assures this government that our naval officers near the scene of action fully appreciate the intense seri ousness of the situation and are prepar ed to put forth their best efforts to give protection to American Interests In China. This knowledge is gratifying to the ad ministration and warrants the sending of an additional force to sustain the po sition already assumed by Rear Admiral Kempff In defending the American citizens and property. There is also some satisfaction in real izing that in spite of the interference of rapid communication with Rear Admiral Kempff, the way is open to communicate with him by means of slow, but perfect ly safe, methods. It is expected that in spile of the destruction of cable com munication from China, Rear Admiral Kempff will ultimately receive and re spond to the recent instructions forward ed to him by the Secretary of the Navy at the Instance of the President. Great Foreign Interest. The representatives of the foreign Pow ers directly interested in the Chinese ques tion. are anxiously watching for official information from their home departments on the subject. The only intelligence re ceived thus far at any of the embassies or legations, Is from ten to twenty-four hours later than the press dispatches. Commander Taussig's dispatch, show ing that the Chinese forts opened fire on the foreign war vessels, occasioned much comment in diplomatic circles. The repre sentative of one of the nations closely in terested In the subject, remarked with ev ident regret: "It is as I feared. The Chinese fortifi cations are acting with the consent of the Empress Dowager, and the outcome can only result disastrously to the empire.” "it is a mistaken idea," countinued this well informed diplomat, "that the Empress Dowager is what we might call a great statesman, or more properly speaking, a great stateswoman. I admit she is past mistress in court intrigue and the putting out of the way of objectionable -subjects, but she is not qualified to cope with the great diplomats of the civilized world. If it is demonstrated that she Is supporting the Boxers, it is but another of the des perate acts she has perpetrated within my recollection, all of which have tended to retard civilization In China and bring about the tangled condition now existing in that empire. Russia'* Sly Game. "In the meantime Russia Is playing her usual game of pretending to preserve a neutral attitude, but at the same time her representatives are probably secretly at work to ferment discord, with a view to enlarging her property right* tn Chbia The Russian diplomats seldom recj-e detailed instructions in such cases. Her representatives are given the widest dis cretion. They secretly take the most des perate chance* in the interest of their government, and if their effort* are crowned with success, they are rewarded accordingly. If they fail, they are sim ply transferred to another post of duty, not as punishment, but that they may exert their loyal energies in other fields of usefulness. It Is evident to my mind, that Russia, is secretly sympathizing with China In the present instance.” Other members of the diplomatic corps, with whom I discussed the situation, ex pressed similar opinions, a* to the atti tude of Russia, and there seems to be a general opinion to the effect that the re sult wU ultimately lead to the downfall of Empire, or the partition of her with Russia seeking to se cure the largest slice of the pie. REPORT MADE TO WASHINGTON. 11 t Department Admits Ninth Infantry Will Go tn China. Washington. June 18.—The actual news of the situation was received by the navy department in two cablegrams, the con tents of which were made known as fol lows: "The department has received a cable gram from Admiral Remey at Cavite dated June 18, that Informs the depart ment that Commander Taussig cable* that the Taku forts at the mouth of ihe Pei Ho river fired on the foreign gun vessels and surrendered to allied forces oji the morning of the 17tb. The department h instructed Admiral Kempff to concur Tvith the other Powers in taking all steps necessary to protect all American inter ests. “A dispatch from Taussig dated Che Foo 17th, says that the Taku forts tired on foreign gun vessels a< 12t:> in the morning and reports that the British Ad miral is at Tien Tain.” Exposed Secret Plan**. The press dispatch from Manila list night saying that the Ninth Infantry had been ordered to Manila for service in China exposed the secret plans of the war department to dispatch tloops to he scene of trouble in China. Se ret orders were sent to Gen. MacArthur a few days ago to prepare for the prompt dispatch of troops to Taku, but it wa. net intended that the matter should biconic public un til the movement was at least under way War department officials now admit that the administration has eonclu :< and to send troops to China for the protection of lives and property of American citizens. The following cable message from G< n MacArthur, bearing on this dated at Manila yesterday, was mad?- public at the war department this morning: “Ninth Infantry, Col. Liscum, ordered to Taku on Logon; transportation Fort Albert; probably start 31th; typhoon de lays movement.” Tiie voyage from Manila to Taku will occupy at least a week, so that under the most favorable circumstances ii appears that these troops will hardly reach the Chinese port before July 1. The Ninth Infantry has rendered excellent service against the Filipino Insurgents and taken part in many important and decisive, en gagements. This regiment has had its headquarters at Tarlac, about two hours’ distant by rail from iManiia. War depart ment officials say that the regiment is probably already aboard the transport and ready to sail for China. Officials Arc Puzzled. The state department this morning re ceived a cablegram from United States Consul Goodnow, at Shanghai, repeating navy department advices. The officials here are puzzled by Taus sig’s statement that the British admiral has arrived at Tien Tsin. The only Brit ish admiral they know to be on the Pel Ho river is Admiral Seymour, who led the international relief column towards Pekin. If it is this officer who has return ed to Tien Tsin, the assumption is that the relief column has failed and has been compelled to retreat to Tien Tsin. Copyright. 1900. by Rock wood. N. Y„' THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Even against his will he will no ilonbt he nominated for Vice Presi dent by the Republicans. This assumption would explain the statement brought by the Japanese tor pedo boat that the f.reign legations at Pekin had been taken, for that is the only manner In which the news could have reached Tien Tsin In this case, it la said that nothing can be done for the relief of the foreign ministers at Pekin, supposing that they are still alive, until a very much stronger relief column can be formed and marched overland to Pe kin. Weeks must elapse before this can be accomplished. As the Logan draws too much wa'er to get above Taku,the Ninth Infantry will be obliged to tranship at that point to fighter draught craft in order to get up to Tien Tsin. This regiment represents oil of the army wh ch it Is proposed at pre ent to employ. Col. Li cum has been ordered to report to the United States consul at Tien Tsin. Not In a State of War. It is difficult to get a precise official view of the status of our relations with China since this last news. Tr e conclu sion that we are in a stair of war is emphatically r.etatlved by the officials best competent to speak. The Chinese minister, Mr. Wu, was an early visit r to the Siate Department to day. He does not bell.-ve that we ar at war with China. He said there had ev idently been a great misunderstanding, and was confident, that if It were true that the Taku forts had fired upon the international fl -et it was el h*T b cause (he commander of the Chinese for s there did not understand what was wanted, or he hid failed to receive proper Instruc tion from his super or through an eiror. He had. himself received no wor I of new from his home grvtrnment, and will re ma’n here u til further develo mem; Her von H llebai’, he German embis sador. also was wlihout official news to day He eought news from th“ Sta'c Department early In the day. He would not express an opinion respecting the existence of a state of war. State Department'* View. At the state department thi view prevail ed that notwithstanding then: had been a bombardment and that our foi -e. were on Chinese soil, still there was not war up to this stage. So far the state department has had no proof that the Chin ‘se gov ernment at Pekin has sanctione.. or or dered any attack upon the international column or upon the International Beet. It Is possible that the Chinese commandant at Taku himself may have revolted with his troops and Joined the Boxers. There- I {Continued on Fifth Page t, ROOSEVELHIDE EBBS. HANNA SEEMS TO HAVE Tl R>ED IT FROM THE SEW YORKER. GOVERNOR'S PAT STATEMENT. HD REQUESTED HIS FRIENDS NOT TO AOMIN ATE HIM. Lang Now Looms Ip ns the Most Formidable t andtdate—lt I* Re lieved He Is the Atlnilnistratlon** Choice—Roosevelt*. Friend* Have Been I rgilla Delegate* Not to I'u.mU Hi* Candidacy— lliiium Seem ed Aery- .Muel* Relieved. Philadelphia. June 18—Gov. Theodora Roosevelt has made as specific a refusal of the nomination for Vice President as he could possibly make in view of he fact (hat the nominating convention has not met and that few of the delegations have caucused. Standing in a small room facing a crowd of newspaper men this afternoon he made the following statement, reading it from a couple of sheets of manuscript: "In view of the revival of talk of my self as a vicqff presidential candidate. I have this to say: "It is impossible to too deeply ex press how 'touched I am by the. attitude of those delegates who have wished me to take this nomination. Moreover it is not necessary to say how thoroughly I under stand the high honor and dignity of the office, an office so high and so honorable that it is well worthy lire ambition of any mail in the. United States. But while I appreciate all this to the full, neverthe less I feel most deeply that the field of my best usefulness to the public and to the party is in New York state, and if the party should see fit to renominate me for Governor I can in that position help the national ticket as in no other way. I very earnestly ask that every friend of mine in the convention respect my wish and my judgment in this matter.” Scene Almost Dramatic. The document was in his own hand writing and in lead pencil copy, and he read it with the same complacence that he would have given a platform speech. The scene bordered on the dramatic. Sitting near htm as he spoke were Con gressmen Littauer and Sherman of New York and Prof. Jenks of Columbia Col lege, who have all along urged the Gov ernor not to accept. Just behind the row of newspaper men stood Frank Platt, Lemuel E. Quigg and B. B. Odell of the New York organization. As the Gov ernor read and waited for the newspaper men to write down the statement, he fre quently glanced in the direction of the group of politicians. When he finished he said: "Gentlemen, that is all. I have nothing more to say.” Mr. Littauer said he though* the state ment timely, and believed that it would give the delegates who were friendly to Gov. Roosevelt an idea of the situation. "And I don't mean by that,” he ealdj rather aggressively, “the Pennsylvania delegation, or those, who for ulterior mo tives, are pressing the Governor's nomi nation.” Then Mr. Quigg and Frank Platt simul taneously declared that Ihey believed the statement unwise, and they left the room, refusing to talk to the w ilting newspaper men. The statement acted as a cold wa ter douche on those members of the New York delegation, who had planned to nom inate some other candidate for Governor than Mr. Roosevelt. However, the state ment was received by many of the dele gation?. as a mere reiteration of Roose velt's original declaration of lack or desire {or the nomination. Sev eral delegates expressed the opinion that the situation would not change, and If Roosevelt’s name was presented (o the convention be would be nominated and would not dare to refuse. It is pointed out as significant that Gov. Roosevelt will not assert that he will de cline the office if nominated. He hopes, however, with the aid of Senator Hanna to defeat the plan to nominate him. A Hay- of t onference*. It has been a day of conferences on the vice presidential situation. Beginning with a gathering in the room, of Gov. Roosevelt, attended by Senator Hanna. Senator Lodge and Mr. Odell of New York, it was continued in the rooms of Senator Hanna later, when nearly all the leaders in the city were from time to time in conference with the chairman of the National Committee. These were Sen ators Allison, Scott, Elkina, Carter. Lodge, Burrows, Shoup, also Jlr Bliss, besides many representatives of the New York leaders, both Gov. Roosevelt and Senator I’latt being represented. When the last man had disappeared Sen ator Hanna looked weary but satisfied. He was ready to announce that Gov. Roose velt would not be nominated, that the men who were going to make the nomination would accept the declaration of Roose velt, made during the day, and supple mental of more emphatic declarations made some time ago, as final, and would not force the nomination upon him. Plain talk frem Senator Hanna cleared up what had been tn doubt all day. It was evident that Hanna was not going to lie down, it was a distinct show of fight and a signal to the friends of the administration that opposition to forcing Roosevelt upon the ticket against his will would meet with favor. This tip did not circulate until quite late in the evening, but the effect was soon apparent. Notv It Look* Like Long. There were many real friends of Rooee-. velt who accepted his declaration as ab solutely voicing his wish. It changed the current of talk and men who were con fident twenty-four hours ago that Roose velt’s nomination was a foregone conclu sion, began asking: "Well, who will it be?” The answer was generally John D. Long of Massachusetts, Secretary of the Navy. At once delegates began to reason that Long must be perfectly satisfactory to the administration of which he Is a part, or he would not be a candidate for the place. This idea received encouragement in quar ters which made the Massachusetts man a prime favorite. And so the stampede for Roosevelt was checked and turned, and that which seem ed so certain last night seems well nigh impossible to-night. Roosevelt himself, his close personal friends working among delegates and assuring them that the nomination was not desired by him; Sen ator Hanna and his lieutenants, all work ing together, are. responsible for this te sult. It has been a day of hard work, of earnest endeavor, and to-night the men most interested believe that the Roose velt boom has finally been laid to rest. THE NEW YORK DELEGATION. Doubt la .Cast on Chances of Roose velt’s Nomination. Philadelphia. June 18.—The meeting of the New York delegation was a sort of magnet lo the delegatee from other states, and' the corridors in front of the committee rooms, were so crowded at 8 o'clock, that the local police had to be called on to make a passage way for the New Yorkers. The aim of the crowd seemed to be to get a 6ight of Gov. Roosevelt, for when he came through the corridor there was a burst of applause. A policeman assisted him through, and shortly afterward. Sen ator Depew got a similar ovation. Senator Platt was selected amidst ap plause to be the permanent chairman of the delegation . Gov. Roosevelt eat next to Senator Platt and chatted pleasantly. Senator Platt declined to talk on ihe ultimatum Is sued by Gov. Roosevelt, and the delegates about him seemed also averse to discuss ing it. Senator Platt went directly to hi* room after the meeting, and a number of the New York delegates followed him. There were enough remarks dropped to make It evident that the leade.rs of the New York delegation were convinced that Gov. Roosevelt's statement had disposed of his candidacy. To Mr. Platt the question was proposed: "Can Mr. Roosevelt be defeated for the nomination?” to which he replied: "Yes, I think so.” More decidedly in keeping with this view of the matter were the threats of some of the less guarded of the delegation, that "if Roosevelt does not accept the vice presidency he will not be nominated for Governor and will be retired to pri vate life," In Gov. Roosevelt’s room the atmosphere of doubt had somewhat cleared away. Gov. Roosevelt himself said: ”1 believe that the delegations that are really friendly to me will not vote for me, but will respect my wishes.” VIRGINIA IS FOR ROOSEVELT. That Delegation Would Take Dolll rpr as Seeiond Choice. Philadelphia. June 18 —The Virginia del egation arrived early this morning and like nearly all other delegations declared Itself for Roos veil, if he could be Induced to make the race. After Roosevelt they were inclined to favor Dolllver, but said that they would prefer him to any man whom the New York delegation might agree upon. Park Agnew. delegate at large from the state, said: "We do not think there will he any ne cessity of considering any second person If Roosevelt will coneent to run. We think he Is the best m*n for the position if he will accept. After Roosevelt we like Bliss very well, but Dolliver is a good man and we think very well of his chances. The one trouble to our mind regarding Dolllv er is that he Is not from a state where he can add much strength to the ticket." Virginia organized during the doy. As to the vice presidency. Delegate Morgan Treat, United State* marshal, eaid: "We will give Senator Scott a compli mentary vote If his name Is presented There is no concerted action after that. I am for Dolllver Roosevelt has friends among us, but there la no stampede for him.” While the West Virginia delegation was meeting to-day, Mr. Dolllver called and was cordially received. He is a native of West Virginia and ha* many friends on the delegation. He. was assured of the friendly sentiments entertained for him. for while the state will first compliment one of Its senators with a vote it wi'l afterward give him support. The senti ment is not solid, however, os considera ble Roosevelt feeling has developed. Sen ator Scott want* Mr. Elkins' name pre sented and the matter will be settled on Mr. Elkina' arrival later. WILL COMPLIMENT BRADLEY. Officers Said to Be Following Gov. Taylor of Kentacky. Philadelphia, June 18.—Gov. Taylor and ex-Gov. Bradley are the two central flg- IComtlnued on Sixth Pag4j. DAILY. JS A YEAR. 5 CENTS A COPY. WEEKLY 3-TIMES-A-WEEK.JI A YEAR THE REPUBLICAN HOST AVILL GATHER TO-DAY TO DECIDE UPON ITS LEADERS. ROOSEVELT ALL THE TALK. M'KINLEY IS THE ONLY CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT. Roosevelt's Name Struck a Popular C hord in the Hearts of the Repub licans and They Want Him la Spite of Hanna and Mi* Cohort#. Hanna Still Keeping l T p the Fight for Itli** or Somebody Else— -Crowd 1* Enthusiastic. Philadelphia, June 18.—To-morrow, on the forty-fourth anniversary of the day an which Gen. John C. Fremont was nomi nated by the First Republican Conven tion. held at Music Fund Hall on Locuat street, In this city, the National Republi can ConvenUon will assemble in the great Export Exposition building in West Phil adelphia. Here, amid the swelling memories of half a century, and In the presence of men ■who saw the blood-stained clouds lie across the sunrise, of the party, the Republican* will meet in the high tide of their glory, to name their national candidate, and enunciate the platform for the coining campaign. I he cymbals of a conquering army never clashed with more vigor than they do here to-night. Amid the thousands of warriors, there is but one choice for lead er. McKinley again will lead the grey beards, and the young men in the Novem ber battle. Banners are dipped before hi* portrait, and the mention of hia noma arouse* enthusiasm. When Senator Foraker concludes hia peroration in the convention on Wednes day a storm, wild' and tempestuous, will shake the great hall. But that outburst off enthusiasm will be only the forerunner off the pandemonium that will reign If Roose velt should be named to stand beside him In the coming battle. The stampede in his favor, started yesterday, threw the town Into delirium. It swept through the dele gations, who had come here with favorlta son* to present, like a prairie fire. Lika an immense tidal wave It bore down ev erything before it. The booms of the other candidate# collapaed like egg-shell# whoa it struck tnem. Secret Not Uard to Find. The secret was not hard to find. Not Platt and Quay, whose object was to hu miliate Hanna, could claim the victory. They might congratulate themselves that It was their work, but thoy wielded no magician * wand. The secret lay d*g down in the hearts of the Republican*, of the country. Roosevelt’s ngne, unJlk* that of other oandidates, instantly struck a responsive chord in the popular breast* It captured the heart of the convention. It mattered nothing to the rank and 111* that Hanna and Allison and Groavencr and Thurston and others felt chagrined and strained every nerve to stamp out the fire. It mattered not even that Roosevelt and his friends poured wator upon it. Their efforts were as futile a* hand grenades against a conflagration. The people would hear of no on* else. They wore his pictures, they shouted hi* name. They considered him to-day as al ready nominated. The town was Roose velt mad. The Governor hlmsdf was sincerely anx ious to avoid the nomination. He appeal ed to his friends to stem the tide and they did whal they could, reinforced at every point by Hanna and hia lieuten ants. Gen. Greene, In his behalf, even called upon delegations and In his name asked them not to support him. But the temper of the convention was undenia ble. AVa* a Yirtual Surrender. Human nature has its ilmits, so at 4 o'clock this afternoon, after a day off terrifio pressure from both sides, Roose velt Issued a statement. Though it thrnot aside the crown in words, tt Is regarded as a virtual surrender to the will of th* convention. Every sort of story was afloat. It wa* said that Hanna served notice that Room velt’s candidacy, although it would hav# been eminently acceptable at first, put forward as It was by the enemies of th* administration, did not meet now with approval and the fight would be carried to the last ditch. Roosevelt was said to have been told by his friends that to yield would be to stand tn his own light as a candidate for President four years heneA that the vice presidency was a political graveyard from which he could never be resurrected. His place, they urged, wa* at the head of the ticket in New York again this fall. In the last proposition Roosevelt concurred. On the other hand it was said Platt em issaries argued that to turn his back on the manifest wish of the Republican# of the country would be to forfeit his right to the future support of the New York organization, and the Republicans of that statemlght look'elsewhere fora candidate for Govrnor. Of course, there are those who are uncharitable enough to attribute sinister motives to Platt. They Intimated that he desired to kill two birds with on* stone, eliminate Roosevelt from New York politics and humiliate Hanna for his un complimentary criticism of Woodruff. Gossip among New Yorkers even went od far os to suggest that with Roosevelt transferred to the national ticket Wood ruff was already agreed upon as the can didate for Governor of New York. Rooso. veil had also other advisers who that it would be suicide to decline th* nomination. Hanna Still Fighting. As the situation now exists, notwith standing Roosevelt's virtual declaration that, if nominated, he cannot decline, h* may not be nominated, after all. All day long Hanna’s efforts hav* been directed to the rebuilding of the boom* wrecked yesterday in the Roosevelt tor nado. All the favorite sons have been encouraged to remain tn the race, and not without some success. The nomination for Vice President 1* three days away. Much can bo accom plished in that time by shrewd, hard headed political leaders. The delegatg are all desirous of carrying out the Pres ident's wishes, and if the intimation only becomes conviction that Mr. McKlnlsy himself would prefer another candidate the popular choice would be abandoned. Mr Platt very shrewdly decided that th* New York delegation should not formal ly Indorse Roosevelt. It is onld that Roose velt Insisted upon this. Then If he were nominated it would be patent that th* nomination was forced upon him. But while the New York delegation refrained from indorsing Roosevelt. Platt 1 eaid to | have passed the word to Quay and Abe {Continued on Seventh Pago)