The Mena weekly star., 1897-03-24
CRETANN BLOCKADE
The United States May Protest That Ii
 Is Arbitrary and unjustifable.
OTIS NOT TO BE APPOINTED.
The California Man VIII Not Be Assiatau, Secretary of War Opinion by the su- preme Court Nominations -Sandi-
 dates for Indian Connlsissioper.

WASHINGTON, March 23.-Notes were received by Secretary Sherman yes terday from the representatives in Washington of the six signatorv now CTS to the treaty of Berlin. inforlniuo him that the blockade of Crete had be- gun. The notes were to the effect that the blockade was pacific one and that the vessels of all neutral powers would not be molested further than to ascer- tain that they were not carrying arms or munitions of war to the in- surgents. The receipt of this note led to conference between the president and Secretary Sher- man. Secretary Sherman, when seen last night, absolutely refused to give out any information as to what took place at the meeting between himself and the cRief executive. From a source deemed reliable it was learned that the notes of the powers may occasion a protest from the United States Inter- national law, it is said does not recog- nize any such proceeding as a pacific blockade, and, therefore, inasmuch as there has been no declaration of war, the United States may, merely as a matter of principle, object to the action of the powers as being arbitrary and unjustiiable.
 Otis VIII Not He Appointed.
 WAsHTNaToN, March 23--Col Harris on Gray Otis, of California, will not be assistant secretary of war. This conclu- sion was reached after a conversation in the cabinet room between the pres iaent Secretary Of War Alger and Col. Otis The decision was reached not be- cause Col. Otis was opposed by the In ternational Typographical union and not because he would have been un- acceptable to Secretary Alger, but be- eanse of his geographical location. Had Col. Otis been a resident of Wash ington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, any state in fact that is not represented in President Mckinley's cabinet, he would probably have been appointed to sue ceed Joseph E. Doe, the present as sistant secretary of war, whose resig- nation has already been accepted.
 Opinion by the Supreme Court.
 WASHINGTON, March 23.-By ma jor- fly opinion delivered by Justice Peck ham the supreme court of the United States to-day announced it's decision Shat the agreement in the Transmits sonri Freight association to maintain rates within its territory was a viola tion of the antitrust law of 1890. pro- contracts or combinations in restraint of trade and must be abandoned. This reversed the decision of the courts below, which ordered a dismissal of the governments bill. Justices Field, Gray, Shiras and White 1issented.
 Presidential Nominations.
 WASHINGTON, March 23.-The presi- lent to-day sent to the senate the fol- lowing nominations: Bingor Her. mann, Of Oregon, to be commissioner of the general land office; Joseph L. Bristow, of Kansas, to be fourth assist ant postmaster-general; D. c. Timme, of Wisconsin, to be fifth auditor for the tate and other departments; James D. 1 Elliot of South Dakota, to be attorney # the United States for the district of South Dakota; Commodore Joseph N. Miller to be rear admiral.
 Candidates for Indian Commissioner.
 WASHINGTON, March g. James Me oowell, of South Dakota, and T. Mex. Stuart, of Charlton, Ia., are being Itrongly pushed for Indian commits i2ner, the place for which Thomas Needles, of Illinois, is being urged by ,oth tho senators of that state. Sen ltor Kyle is behind Mcdowell and Hepburn is the chief 'aclSer of Stuart. Needles friends are tili confident he will secure the ap- ointment.
 
 ADJGUEEzsD SINE DIE.