The Press., 1896-02-13

elected department commander of the G. A. R. of Massachusetts. A bridge over the Pequabuck river on the New England road, near Bristol, col lapsed last Thursday night, and six work men were drowned. A new bridge had been built, and the men were at work re- moving the old one, which had become weakened by the high water. NIT. Terrell, the American minister, has procured for Miss Clara Barton and her assistant, now en route fol COnstantino- pie, the sultan's safeguard, which will allow them to visit the six distressed provinces of Anatolia and personally dis tribute relief among the sufferers.
 The convention of the League of Amer ican Wheelmen is in session at Baltimore, Md, this week Sterling Elliott, of BOs- ton, has been elected president. Class B is abolished. and all riders belonging to that class ale reinstated as amateurs. There are 573 Class B riders, all of whom will be given the option either of becom- ing amateurs or of accepting profession alism
 Experiments with the cathnode rays were made at Trinity college, Hartford, Monday night. Prof Robb had charge, and the experiments were fully success full Keys inside a purse, razor in it's case, a fountain pen in it's case and other metals in opaque coverings were phOtO- graphed, the results being definite and clear cut Thomas A. Edison is experi- menting in photographing the human brain, and expects to be successful in few days.
 The death is announced at Paris of Charles Louis Ambroise Thomas, the celebrated musical composer M. Thom- as was born at Metz, August ,, 1911. He was the composer of many works well known to music lovers. He was elected a member of the Academic des Beaux Arts in 1851; was appointed ''OfficPr din struction publique'' in 1869, and became director of the Conservatoire de Musique in 1871. He had been commander of the Legion of Honor since 1868, and grand officier" since January 1, 1881.
 Whatever grievances eX-COnSul Waller may bear against the French authorities in connection with the loss of his con- sessions in Madagascar, he will certainly be ill-adviSed if he fails to take advantage Io IL L Paris government to release him on con- ditiOn that the United States enters no claim for him against it based upon his arrest, conviction or imprisonment. For, according to the correspondence submit ted to congress Tuesday by the president, the state department seems convinced that MT. Waller has been guilty of the offence imputed to him, and if such be the case, his release, even upon the con ditions named can only be regarded as such an act of courtesy on the part of France toward the United States as to preclude the latter from according any official support to the ex-consups claims. He had best be content with this conces- sion. If he persists in pushing his pri- vate claims they will have to be present ed, not in the American, but in the French courts, which, under the circumstances can hardly be expected to entertain fav- orable view of his case.
 An aerolite burst over the city of Mad, rid, Spain, Monday morning, causing great cOnsternation among the inhabitants The first warning of the explosion was a flash which Illuminated the sky, and was almost immediately followed by tre- mendOus report, the vibrations of which shattered hundreds of windows. The aerolite was accompanied by great white cloud, and simultaneous with the explO- sion there was trembling of the earth resembling the sensation produced by an earthquake. When the flash and ensuing report took place the people rushed panic stricken into the streets and some min utes elapsed before the excitement was allayed. It is estimated that the rhetoric body was twenty miles above the earth when it burst
 The people in the surburbs of Madrid were also panic stricken by the explosion of the aerolite. The operatives in the factories, the children in the schools, and the employees and others in the markets rushed into the streets in wild stampede believing that the world was about to be destroyed. The shock of the explosion was so great in the city that it caused the collapse of one house and threw down the partition wall in the building occupied by the American legation,
 General Weyler, the new captain-gen. eIal, arrived at Havana, Cuba, Monday and at once assumed the command of the Spanish forces. It is said that core spOndents in the future will have more difficulty than ever in sending news ot any kind, especially of Cuban successes.
 Gen Weyler, has an army of about 100000 troops of all arms, much more ca valry than his predecessor, a naval force sufficient if properly handled to put close cOrdOn around the island, a picked corps of subordinate commanders, and absolute authority to use this great power as he sees fit toward the suppression of the in- surrection. He is, moreover, a man ot strong character and demonstrated firm ness, commander whose ability in semi guerrilla warfare has been demonstrated in Spain and Morocco, as we'll as in Cuba in previous rebellions. More than this he is a believer in severity as the surest means of bringing about peace, and with out patience with the temporizing and compromising policy of Campos. This harsh side of Weyler's character has been painted in fully as black colors as the reality deserves, and he has been called a butcher and accused of bloodthirstiness.