The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-27
THE WEEKS NEWS.
TUESDAY. JULY 23.

THE Hon. John w. Foster, who was
President Harrison's Secretary OF State
after the death of Mr.. Blaine, has just
returned from China, having been en-
ployed by the Chinese government to
assist in the peace negotiations with
japan. Mr.. Foster is reported as saying
in an interview: "Of all the countries
automatically concerned in the contest
the United States have come out OF it
With better grace than any other, be-
cause, from the fret, her interest has
been recognized by both belligerants as
purely disinterested, her only desire be-
ing TO render such service as would
bring about an honorable and lasting
peace. The conduct of the State De-
partment in its very delicate relations
with both combatants has been marked
by good judgment and by few mistakes,
and the good offices of our Ministers and
Consuls in China and japan. where they
represented the interests of both Gov
ernments, have been very useful, and
are highly appreciated by both nations"
A SPECIAL dispatch from Pittsburg,
dated July 81, says: 1.-THE industrial
boom has reached such proportions in
this city that the big iron and steel pro-
ducing plants, with their heretofore I'M
equaled capacity, ara unable to meet the
demands. The flood of orders upon bill
let manufacturers is so great that dur
ing the past week local buyers were
compelled to go to Philadelphia for their
supply. There are more men at work in
the iron, steel, and tin trades than at any
other time prior to the panic OF 1892.
The wages are not so high, but the en-
ployes are happy at the prospect of
steady work until next spring at least.
During the last week. two mills, that
have been idle since before the panic.
were leased, and will be put into opera
ton. Local billet manufacturers decline
to take orders for Immediate delivery.
and few contracts specifying shipment
Billet prices upon which the steel bust
ness is based are within half dollar OF
the figure of three years ago, S2l 90 per
ton being asked at the mills. The rate
on which the high-wage scale, which
caused the Homestead strike, was based,
was 800. The settlement of old con-
tracts at lower prices during the week
helped to swell the clearapces OF the
Pittsburg banks during the six days to
nearly s15,OOO,O0O. For the first time in
many wears the mills are being run
through the hot summer season, instead
of closing for repairs. The manufactur-
ers say they cannot afford to stop to
overhaul machinery until it becomes alb
solutely necessary. Labor is scarce for
indoor work around the furnaces. The
coal miners are the only class that has
not been benefited by the return of the
wave of prosperity"
CHESTER w. Rowe. defaulting treas
urer of Poweshiek county, Ia, has been
located in the City of Mexico. Rowe
left Montezuma, Iowa. on April 70, with
a small grip and dressed in new black
suit, stating that he was going to Grin
nell. AS he did not return when ex-
pected, an investigation followed, which
resulted in finding that some $4,000 or
s35, 900 Of the county funds we're miss
ing. 1t was ascertained that he had left
his wife and children destitute. His
bondsmen have been suspicious OF him
for some time, and several of them at
tempted to get off the bond, but their
petition to be relieved was disallowed by
the county judge. 1t is developed that
there is law in the Republic of Mexico
that foreigner can go there, renounce
all allegiance to his native country, be-
come a citizen of Mexico. and in this
way evade extradition. Defaulter Rowe
has taken advantage of this law and has
become Mexican citizen. and there will
be as result of this strong legal fight
made on the part of the Iowa authori
ties to get him back, which Rowe will
undoubtedly resist so far as he can.
Two sign painters of New York were
arrested and fined for defacing rocks in
a picturesq ne locality with advertising
signs upon their surface. 1t served them
right. There is time coming when
every selfrespecting city will abolish
the unsightly bulletin boards which now
abound upon every street. They are an
eyesore and a nuisance.
FURTHER details are constantly COM
ing to light concerning the action be-
tween the Cuban insurgents and the
column of Marshal Martinez Campos,
between Manzanillo and Bayamo, on
July IL. The more that is known of
the action, the more it is seen that the
Captain General and the government
forces we're in a position of extreme
peril and that it was only by the per-
sonal leadership and military skill of
Marshal Martinez Campos that the day
was saved for the Spanish army.
TrpANs are eIafad over the late adj