Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE MORNING NEWS. Established 1850. - Incorporated 1888 '\rTT'\TT>T7'r -* r/n t J. H. EBTILL. President. XNIJMKKK 17CVL4 COSSACKS DRIVEN BY THE JAPANESE MET IN A HOT SKIRMISH. THOUGH DEFEATED, RUSSIANS RE TIRED IN PERFECT ORDER. Japanese, on Account of Their Loss es, Did Not Advance and Oocapy tbo Position tlie Rassimm Were parced to Abandon—Russian Gen. ora.l Paid a Tribute to the Gal lantry' of the Japanese—Details of the Flfflit. EVENTS IN THE EAST. Gen. Kuropatkin gives Gen. Mishtchenko’s account of the sharp skirmish he had with the Japanese at Chong Ju. Japanese held their ground, being reinforced, and final ly forced the Russians to retire. As> though on parade, the Russians re treated. Admiral Togo makes an official report upon his last effort to bot tle up the Russian fleet in the harbor of Port Arthur. He says that the attempt was partially suc cessful. He gives the details of the plan and the method of Its exe cution. Russia will not permit war cor respondents at Port Arthur. They will not be permitted to proceed to the front from Harbin until April 2. Russians ordered the American flag over the correspondents’ mesa at New Chwang to be hauled down. Minister Conger makes a report upon the declaration of martial law at New Chwang. Report of a skirmish from Seoul, in which fifty Japanese and one hundred Cossack3 were killed or I wounded. St. Petersburg, March 29.—Gen. Kuropatkin, in his first dispatch to the Emperor from the scene of war, announced that offensive land opera tions had taken 'pla-ce against- the Japanese upon the sixth anniversary of the occupation of Port Arthur by the Russians. The operations took the form of a cavalry attack yesterday by six com panies of Cossacks, led personally by Gen. Mishtchenko, against four squadrons of Japanese cavalry which the general believed to be beyond Chong Ju, but which he found to be in occupation of that town. Despite a cross fire, which Gen. Mishtchenko cleverly directed against the enemy, he pays a tribute to their tenacity and bravery, the Japanese only ceasing to fire after a combat which lasted for half an hour. Before the Russians could follow up their ad vantage, three squadrons galloped to wards the town, of which two succeed ed in entering, while the third was driven back in disorder, men and horses falling. The fire maintained on the town was so destructive that the Japanese were unable to make an effective return. Further Japanese reinforcements ar rived an hour later and in view of the superiority of the enemy Gen. Misht chenko determined to retire, doing so without embarrassment, although he carried with him three killed and six teen wounded. Gen. Mishtchenko’s Cossacks have been endeavoring for some days to come in contact with the Japanese pa trols, but the latter refused to come back. The skirmish of to-day will have the effect of encouraging the Russians to retard as much as possible the ad vance of the Japanese army. Gen. Kuropatkin’s dispatch, report ing Gen. Mishtchenko’s operations as published, does not give the place of its origin, but it is presumed that the commander-in-chief is either at Liao Yang or en route to New Chwang. REPORT ON THE FIGHT FROM KUROPATKIN. St. Petersburg, March 29.—The Em peror has received a dispatch from Gen. Kuropatkin, giving a lengthy re port from Gen. Mishtchenko, dated at 10 p. in. March 28, which says that an Important engagement occurred near the town of Chong Ju, in which the Russians were defeated, retiring in perfect order. The Japanese suffered heavily. Cavalry and infantry on both sides were engaged. The Russians occupied a commanding position. The Japanese fought gallantly, but owing to their heavy losses, were un able to occupy the position abandoned by the Russians. Gen. Kuropatkin’s report is as fol lows: “I have the honor to respectfully communicate to your Majesty the re port of Gen. Mishtchenko, dated March 28, at 10 p. m., which says: ‘For three consecutive days small outposts attempted to draw the Japa nese cavalry Into action, but their pa trol. after contact was established, re tired beyond Chong Ju (about fifty miles northwest of Ping Yang.) •• ‘Having learned that four squad rons of the enemy were posted five versts beyond Chong Ju on March 27, els companies marched toward Kaeen and on March 2* reached Chong-Ju at lo SO a. in. As soon as our scouts approached the town the enemy opened file from behind the wall. Two squad Jfeninji rons promptly dismounted and occu pied the hlghts 600 yards distant. An engagement ensued. “ ‘ln the town a company of infantry and a squadron of cavalry were lying in ambush. Our men were reinforced by three companies and attacked the Japanese with a cross fire. Notwith standing this and our commanding po sition, the Japanese gallantly held their ground, and it was only after a fierce fight of half an hour’s duration that the Japanese ceased fire and sought refuge in the houses. The Japanese hoisted the Red Cross flag at two points. “ ‘Soon afterwards three squadrons of the enemy were seen advancing along the Kasan road at full gallop to ward the town, which two of the squadrons succeeded in entering while the third fell back in disorder on re peated volleys from our troops. A number of men, and horses were seen to fall. “ ‘For an hour afterward our com panies continued to fire on the Japan ese in the town, preventing them from leaving the streets and houses. “ ‘An hour and a half after the beginning of the engagement four com panies were seen on the Kasan road, hastening to attack. I gave the order to mount, and the entire force, with a covering squadron, advanced in per fect order, and formed in line behind the hill. The wounded were placed in front, and the retirement was carried out with the deliberation of a parade. “ ‘The Japanese squadron, which was thrown into disorder, was evidently unable to occupy the hill which we had just evacuated, and their infantry ar rived too late. “ ‘The detachment protecting our rear guard arrived quietly at Kasan, where we halted for two hours in or der to give attention to our wounded. At 9 p. m. our force reached Noo- San. “ ‘lt is supposed that the Japanese had heavy losses in men and horses. On our side, unfortunately, three of ficers were severely wounded —Stepan- off and Androoko in the chest and Vaselvitch in the stomach. Schilnikoff was less seriously wounded in the arm, but did not leave the field. Three Cos sacks were killed and twelve were wounded, including five seriously.’ “Gen. Mishtchenko bears witness to the excellent conduct and gallantry of the officers and Cossacks, and especial ly praises the third company of the Argunsk regiment, commanded by Krasnostanoff.” TOGO REPORTS UPON LAST ENGAGEMENT. Washington, March 29. —The Japan ese legation has received from Toklo the following official report made by Admiral Togo respecting the action of the second attempt to "bottle up" the Port Arthur squadron: “About 3:30 a. m. of March 27, the “bottling up squadron,” composed Of four ships escorted by a torpedo boat destroyer flotilla and torpedo boat flotilla reached Port Arthur waters and without minding the searchlights of the enemy steered straight towards the entrance of the harbor. “At about two marine leagues from the entrance the ‘bottling up squadron’ was discovered by the enemy. There upon the shore batteries and guard ships showered hot fires upon the squadron, but, in spite of the terrific fire, the ships made their way into the inner roadstead, one after the other. “The steamer Cliiyo Maru anchored at a position about a half a cable from the Golden Hill, blew Itself up and sank. “The Fukui Maru passed a little ahead of the Chiyo Maru by its left side, and at the moment when she was low ering anchor was shot by a torpedo from the enemy’s destroyers, and sank in that position. “Hachi-Hlko Maru anchored to ‘he left of Fukui Maru and blew itself up and sank. “Yoneyama Maru, colliding with the stern of one of the enemy's torpedo boat destroyers, passed between Chiyo Maru and Fukui Maru and anchored in the middle of the roadstead. At this moment the ship was shot by a torpedo from the enemy and, conse quently, by reason of that torpedo, she was carried toward the left side shore and sunk sideways. “The result of the action being as above described there is some space left yet between Hachi-Hiko Maru and Yoneyama Maru. It is a matter of re gret the roadstead could not be com pletely closed up. . The casualties were as follows: “Killed —Commander Hirose Takeo, one under officer and two sailors. “Seriously Wounded—Sub-Lieut. Shi mad a. “Slightly Wounded —Lieut. Masaka, Engineer Kurita and six sailors. "The remainder were safely taken in by our torpedo boat destroyer flo tilla and torpedo boat flotilla. “Of the torpedo flotilla the Aodaka and the Tsubame, while escorting the ‘bottling up squadron’ and at about one mile from the entrance of Port Ar thur, engaged in a fight with one de stroyer of the enemy and inflicted se rious damage on her. The enemy's ship retreated, raising an enormous column of eteam, as if her boiler was broken. “When all the members of the ‘bot tling up squadron’ had been taken In and our boats withdrew to the outside of the harbor a ship which appeared like one of the enemy’s was seen at the foot of Golden Hill utterly in capable of navigation. "Although both our destroyer flo tilla and torpedo boat flotilla were sub jected to terrific firing from the enemy until dawn, not the slightest damage was done to any of the boats.” ADMITTED THE FLEET WAS NOT BOTTLED UP. Toklo, March 29.—Admiral Baron Yamamoto, Minister of Marine, r*kd Vice Admiral Togo’# account of the sixth Jape near attack on Port Arthur In the lower house of the Japanese Diet this afternoon. The report was received with tremendous apple use. Admiral Yamamoto referred feeling ly to the heroic death of ah Continued on fifth I’M*' SAVANNAH. GA.. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30. 1004. _ 5 JAPANESE COLUMN ADVANCING UNDER HEAVY FIRE. COLLISION DUE TO CAPT, COWLES THINGS HE DID NOT DO CAUSED ILLINOIS TO RUN INTO THE MISSOURI. Court of Inquiry Holds Capt. FI rad io ril of the Illinois Blameless. Fault Lay With the Brother-In- Law of the President—No Further Proceedings Against Him, How ever, Will Be Taken—Court De scribes the Actions of Cnpt. Cowles Before the Collision. Washington, March 29.—The report of the court of inquiry, of which Rear Admiral Wise was president, on the investigation of the collision between the battleships Missouri, commanded by Capt. Cowles, brother-in-law of President Roosevelt, and Illinois, com manded by Capt. Bradford, was made public to-day. ■JBie court recommends no further proceedings, and its action is approved by Rear Admiral Barker, commander-in-chief of the North At lantic station. Accompanying the report are opin ions by the judge advocate general and by Admiral Dewey, each of whom concurs in the recommendation that no further proceedings be had. The case is accordingly closed. In its opinion, the court says: “As to the question of responsibility, the court is of the opinion that the collision was not due to fault or negli gence on the part of the commanding officer or any officer or man of the Illinois. "On board the Missouri Capt. Cowles gave the necessary, orders for immedi ately reversing the engines for full speed astern, repeated the signal as an emergency signal and ordered the dis play of the signal which should warn the Illinois of the Missouri's break down and movements, but failed to in dicate the course to starboard by one blast of the whistle and of backing by three blasts, in addition to or in ad vance of the speed cone signals, and also failed to sound the siren as a call for a collision when collision became inevitable. “The orders for the display of the signal by dispatch flag was not obeyed by the officer on the deck, Lieut. W. Pitt Scott, U. S. N., or was not obeyed with sufficient promptness to be of service to the Illinois, while the ab sence of p-escribed whistle signals left the captain of the Illinois in absolute ignorance of the Missouri's actual movements. “Capt. Cowles acted promptly and decisively in the expedient which he adopted to control his ship's headway. Whatever expedient he adopted, how ever, had his course been immediate ly communicated to the Illinois by the prescribed signals, the latter could have maneuvered to avoid the collis ion.” ntOTERS qIIETKD DOWN. Mont of the Negroen Pled When tlie Whiten Threnteued. Houston, Tex., March 29.—The man ager of the lumber mill at Silsbee to night stated that the rioting at that point had quieted down, most of the negroes having fled when warlike dem onstrations were made. They had considerable friction at that point, several white men being robbed and the homes of the negroes fired. The man Bullock, who was am bushed and shot by negro footpads, died this afternoon of his wounds. The other two wounded men are getting along well. While a search was made for the negro** who had done the shooting, there was no attempt to molest the other negroes, ouslde of closing up a blind tiger. JUAREZ PLANT BURNS. Dallae. Tex., March 29.—A special to the News from Bl Paso, Tex., says: The Juerex. Mexico, smelter and con centration plants were destroyed by Are to-day. entailing a loss of flfei,- 000. The plant was the property of the Juares Company. • brunch of ths Cora llitos Mining snd Ranch 'Company, owned by New Yorli captiaHace. It toae iMten Idle for several years. It Is thought the fire was started by a spark from a locomotive. HAWLEY AND RAY ARE TO TELL ABOUT SULLY. Their Evidence Relative to Hi* As sets Is Wanted. New York, March 29.—David H. Miller, one of the two receivers for the suspended cotton firm of Daniel J. Sully & Cos., said to-day the receivers had applied to the United States courts for an order for the examination of Edwin Hawley and Frank Ray, the alleged partners of Sully in the big cotton deal, which resulted in the sus pension of his firm. The application was made under that section of the United States bank ruptcy laws which permits a creditor or receivers to examine any person from whom any light can be obtained regarding a bankrupt. The object of the examination will be to find out more about Sully’s assets. United States Commtsisoner Alexan der will appoint a special examiner in the bankruptcy proceedings. He has issued an order for the appearance of Edwin Hawley and Frank H. Ray on Friday. Receiver Taft announced to-day that Elihu Root, former Secretary of War, has been retained as associate coun sel for the receivers, to conduct the examination of Messrs. Hawley and Ray on Friday an® to be counsel in any subsequent proceedings that may be instituted against them. Mr. Taft stated that the proceedings against Hawley and Ray were not in the nature of a suit. They will only be called as witnesses, he said, to de termine the amount of Sully's assets. He added that as receivers he and Mr. Miller could not bring a suit against Hawley and Ray. The trustees in bankruptcy would have to do that. Mr. Taft did not explain the mean ing of his statement about Mr. Root’s connection with "any subsequent pro ceedings against them.” FLOOD COST FIVE LIVES AND FIVE MILLIONS. Writers. However, Are Kow Receding In Michigan. Detroit, Mich., March 29.—Five lives have been lost and probably upwards of 35,000,000 worth of damage to prop erty has been done by the flood which has devastated many parts of Michi gan during the part five days. To-night the indications are that the end is in sight, althdugh conditions are still very bad at Grand Rapids and also along the course of the Sag inaw river. At Grand Rapids the wa ter has fallen two feet to-day and at Saginaw and Bay City, while no such marked improvement is to be noted, the fact that much of the ice that blocked the mouth of the Saginaw river at Bay City has gone out Is tak en as a very favorable Indication. To night the Ice gorge went out and the river began ‘ailing. workinghardljpon LEVEES IN INDIANA. Indianapolis, Ind., March 29. —All riv ers tributary to the Wabash and Ohio are overflowing, and great damage has been done to farms and buildings throughout Southern Indiana. At Vincennes the danger seems greatest. Every precaution is being taken to prevent the possible breaking of levees. All sanitary sewers have been stopped with sand bags. Nearly all of the large manufacturing plants have been forced to close, and It Is thought that the city gas plant will be closed to night. The electric light Is also in danger. Several of the city bridges are In danger and the Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad has suspended opera tions. WOOD CONCEDES THAT DAVIS HAS DELEGATES. lie Will. However, l.'iinfrat the Ar kniiHiis klrrllim. L'ttle Rock, Ark., March 29.—Re turns have been received from seven ty-one out of seventy-five counties, and these show that Gov. Jefferson Davis Is entitled to *O2 delegates In the state convention. The number necessary to nominate is 222. Judge Wood has conceded that on the face of the returns he hue not enough counties to win the nomina tion, but he will appeal to the state convention end contest Die vote as re turned In g number of counties. Nest list urdsy each county will hold g convention for the purpose of else* - Inc delegates to the suits convention, indications see that contesting delega tions will lie sent f • out g Ague or inure uvuiikm BIDS TOO HIGH FOR FT, SCREVEN MAY ALL BE REJECTED. CONTRACTORS WANT TOO MUCH FOR IMPROVEMENTS. Col. Rnlilen to Whom tlie Bids Have Been Submitted for Review, Holds That They Are Un reasonably lllull—lt May Be Necessary to Ad vertise for New Bids—Names of the Bidders and Amounts of Their Bids Are Withheld for the Present. By R. M. Larner. Washington, March 29.—Considerable delay may be experienced in award ing the contract for the improvements at Fort Screven, for which bids were recently called. Lieut. Col. Ruhlen, assistant quar termaster general, who has charge of the contract division of the quarter master department, says all the bide submitted for the proposed building and other work at Fort Screven are unreasonably high, and it may be nec essary to advertise for new bids. The names of the bidders and the amounts proposed are withheld for the present, until Col. Ruhlen, the review ing officer, has an opportunity to ex amine them. The papers in the case only came before him to-day, but he says he is informed that the bids are much higher than was expected, and it may be necessary to reject all of them. When interviewed on the subject to day Col. Ruhlen said he was not pre pared to make a final announcement concerning the Fort Screven bids. He said he would take the subject up for consideration within the next few days. As soon as the department de cides what action shall be taken, the names of the bidders and the figures will be announced. BENNETT* WILL CASE. Proceedings Are Again Under Way In New Hnven. New Haven. Conn., March 29.—Philo S. Bennett’s will was admitted as a competent document for probating by Judge Edwin B. Gager of the Superior Court as the result of the first day’s hearing in the appeal of William Jen nings Bryan from the decision of the probate court, which disallowed the “sealed letter” found with the will giving Mr. Bryan $50,000. The chief contention —the admissibility of the “sealed letter” as evidence —was being argued by counsel at the time the court adjourned for the day. Former Judge Stoddard, who appears as senior counsel for Mrs. Bennett and the other heirs, fought every inch of the ground over which the appellants moved in their efforts to introduce evi dence, and at time he directed bitter invectives and sarcasm against the opposing side. Practically the whole day was taken up in the effort of Henry G. Newton, counsel for Mr. Bryan, to have ad mitted as evidence the will, the “seal ed letter,” and a typewritten copy of the "sealed letter.” Four times At torny Newton asked the court to admit the “sealed letter,” and on final re fusal argument was begun by Judge Stoddard. FOUR MEN DROWNED WHILE HUNTING DUCKS. Their Roots t o liaised ns They FI re.l Into a Flock. Chicago, March 29.—Four men were drowned to-day In Lake Calumet by the capsizing of their boats while hunt ing ducks. The dead; Tunis Hlirigerland. Abram filingerland. Peter Plersna, John Brandt. The men were In two row boate, two being In each boat, Avery high wind was blowing over the lake, and the water wss very rough The turn were ween from the shore to rise In their hosts snd fire at a flock of ducks that passed over them Just si they fired their boats went over, and )J four men were thrown Into the wafer Joseph Vougbt, watchmen of the Pullman Company, and Edward Fra - r <t, s fisherman hastened ou* to save hem, if poaelble. bu> when they reach ed tkw p</< where the bouts had cup, ■lead Mof the aitm bad in vet* drown. 1 ad. Tbs bodies wets hot recovered, CANAL COMMISSIONERS HAVE SAILED FOR PANAMA. They Will Inspect the Entire Knnte for the IMtoli. New York, March 29.—The members of the Panama Canal Commission sail ed to-day for Colon on the steamship Allianca. They will inspect the en tire route of the canal and will look over some of the documents of the canal company preparatory to the de livery of the property to the United States government. They probably will remain at the Isthmus about two months. The commissioners were accompa nied by Col. William C. Gorgas, as sistant surgeon general of the army; Dr. Lewis LaGarde, of the medical department of the army, and Dr. John W. Ross, medical director of the navy. Roger Farnham, representing William Nelson Cromwell, counsel for the Pan ama Canal Company, also sailed on the same vessel. The medical men who go with the commission will make an inspection of the canal route with particular re spect to the sanitary conditions and will plan arrangements for the sanita tion of the canal zone. "Our present plan,” said Rear Ad miral Walker, “Is to go over the en tire route of the canal, making an In vestigation of the work done, the Im provements that are necessary, and the arrangements that wili have to be made for proper sanitation of the district. We shall begin our tour of Inspection as soon as possible after our arrival at the isthmus. "There is hardly anything that I can say regarding our plans. No contracts will be let as the canal is not yet ac tually ours.” THINGS THAT CONGER DOES NOT REPORT. Washington, March 29.—Minister Conger ha a cabled the State Depart ment from Pekin that the Russian au thorities have declared martial law at New Chwang and have formally no tified all foreigners. Mr. Conger’s message makes no ref erence to the reported hauling down of foreign flags by the Russians. The officials here assume that If this hag been done It simply means that Russia has assumed the responsibility for the protection of foreign property belong ing to the belligerents, and that no effort will be made to Interfere with the consular flags. Nor does Mr. Conger refer to the reported notice from the Russian au thorities at New Chwang to the con suls that they may no longer exercise consular Jurisdictions and consular functions, especially extra territorial Jurisdiction. It Is said that if any such action has been taken it will raise a very serious question, for the con suls exercise their power in this treaty port under treaty stipulation with a sovereign power which Is not party to the war. It Is not recalled, moreover, that It has been customary In time of war for a belligerent to undertake to deprive consuls of their functions. The State Department will let mat ters run along for a while in order to allow actual experience to determine whether American interests really suf fer from any of the acts taken by the belligerents In Manchuria before taking any action. DIDN’T WANT TO KILL HIM. Nothing In a. Threat Made Against Roosevelt. New York, March 29. —The story of an alleged plot to assassinate Presi dent Roosevelt, which upon Investiga tion proved to be entirely without foundation, was made public to-day by Police Commissioner McAdoo. Sever/*! days ago the commissioner received a letter from an Italian in Italy, saying that another Italian was about to come to this country for the express purpose of assassinating the President. Investigation, however, showed that the case was one of spite on the part of the man who wrote the letter. The object of the letter, it was found, was to have the Immigrant deported, no ploTto 'kill the pope. Home, March 29. —The report publish ed by the Dally Chronicle of London, and cabled to the United Whites, that the Vatican has for ‘lays past been guarded by large force f Italian soldiers snd police, owing to the dis covery of a plot again*! the life of the Pope, Is ridiculed by the Vatican au thorities, who say that the number of r'arbioeers arid police on duty at the papal pain* Is no larger then usual. tlrssiss* la Dal I Carta. Mew Orleans March h—‘The Havana CeMirg)*ci Commute# *ompoand of railroads In the fife to river <err ttor y, derided to adjust rales so as *o ft*# lire guif poils the advantage they are entiled lo by Jocetbin lit hoodlhlg t’ufeei* buabtese ' bsum sn Wilson of lb* ’Frtaoo presided, 5 CENTS A COPY. DAILY, *8 A YEAR. WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK, St A YEAR SPURNED THE BODY OF MAN HE KILLED COOK SHOT HIS SON*IN-LAW. TRAGEDY WAS ENACTED IN COF FEE COUNTY. Waller McNeal and Henry Coolc, Hla Father-In-Law, Met In the Rond. McNenl Alighted from His Baggy and Cook Opened Fire-—Put Three Ballets Into McNenl'* Body and Spurned It With HU Foot—Trouble a Domestic One. Waycross, Ga„ March 29.—Walter McNeal was shot and killed by his father-in-law, Henry Cook, near Pear son, in Coffee county, this morning. The killing was the finale of a rotv which had been going on between the men for several days. McNeal mar ried Cook's daughter a short time ago, and there had been slight trouble be tween the couple. About two miles out from Pearson this morning Cook and McNeal met. When Cook ordered McNeal to get out of his buggy, McNeal did so. Then Cook pulled his pistol and fired. The first shot struck McNeal in the mouth; the second shot struck him in the breast. The wounded man fell, and was again shot by Cook, who then kicked the body. McNeal died almost Instantly, and Cook left the scene of the killing, go ing toward Douglas. It is supposed that he went to give himself up to the officers. Sheriff Southerland of Doug las has been notified to be on the lookout for him. Cook was about 60 years old and Mc- Neal was quite a young man. Both were prominent farmers, residing near Pearson. ... .. SAW HER FATHER KILL HER HUSBAND. Kirkland, Ga„ March 29.—About 2 o’clock this afternoon Henry Cook shot and instantly killed his son-in-law, Walter W. McNeal. The circumstances in regard to the sad affair from best accounts were that Mr. Cook, accom panied by Mrs. McNeal, had started from hie home to Douglas to be present in a suit pending for alimony and de fense In a divorce suit. When reaching the farm of Mr. Daniel Moore, soma three miles north of here, they were stopped by McNeal. After some con versation threats were made by Mc- Neal If Mr. Cook would get tout of his buggy he would whip him. Cook ex plained his Inability to combat with him on account of his old age and be ing crippled, but after the second In vitation alighted from the buggy. In the presence ol Mrs. McNeal and Mr. Daniel Moore, McNeal advanced threat eningly toward him. when Mr. Cook drew his pistol and shot him once. Mc- Neal shoved him backwards, but the shot was a fatal one, going through his right breast. McNeal then stag gered back and was shot again in his mouth, dying instantly. After this Mr. Cook proceeded to Douglas to surren der himself to the sheriff. McNeal and his wife have been sepa rated for some time. FIVE MEN SAVED BY TURNING OF TESTIMONY. Little Girl Reversed Statements She Had Made. Chicago, March 29.—A child’s testi mony reversed saved five men to-day from the gallowj. The result was a striking parallel to the case in which a fortnight ago Millionaire Peter Van Vlissinger. practically demonstrated that under police pressure a boy named Wlltrax had given false testi mony leading to the conviction of tho boy’s father for murder. To-day’s Instance of youthful unre liability under oath was in the case of William McCarthy and four Polish young men on trial for murder, the witness being a little girl, Appolonia Tarpsta, who gave first direct, straightforward, eye-witness testimony, apparently establishing beyond ques tion the guilt of the men, and then re pudiated her sworn evidence. In explanation of the remarkable change of front, the child declared that she had been instructed how to testify by the widow of the murdered man. Charges against the prisoners were withdrawn on the spot by ths state's attorney, the flv-r men Imme diately walking out free by order of the court. STEBL MAGNATES OONKERRkffID. ffo niching Suspected Relative to Dividend on Preferred. New York. March 29. —Some of the leading officials of the United States Steel Corporation, Including Georgs W. Perkins, chairman of the Finance Committee, and P. A. B. Widener of Philadelphia of that committee, were In conference with J. P. Morgan to day, and the financial district took It for granted that something had been done regarding the next dividend on steel preferred. According to a direc tor of the corporation the question of maintaining or reducing the present 7 per cent, rate will not be determined much In advance of the quarterly meeting next Tuesday. The Finance and Executive Committees are sched uled to meet to-day. ST. LOUIS^HAS^RAISED THE PROMISED $40,000. St. Louis, March 29.—1 t wss an nounced to-day by the local commit toe in charge of lbs National tarns erst la Convention, which will be mM here, beginning July 4, that the Mfi/xKi pledged i a the National Committee, has been subscribed by business man. Tbs Motions! Commit toe dll) meet hare nest Monday to arrange definitely for seating *rng*merits during tbs con vention It le estimated (feat the arena will have s easting capadty of iw end in that division wtil be seated lbs delegates end hswepsper represents •teas The gaiter* end be loan ms will b# iasa* vsd for spect ataddt