The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-02
While Congress "'Plays Check
erS'' With British Parliament.
The Country Waiting for De-
layed Prosperity.
BUT CONGRESS is BUSY
With an s"InternatiOnaI Game
of Chess"
ShafrOth Plays While David
ling Statesmen Look On.

Washington, June 2-The interna-
tional chess match between members
of the house of representatives and the
English house of commons today re-
suited in a draw, each side having won
and lost two games, and one being a
draw.
When the match was concluded by
Mr.. Shafroth winning his game and
tieing the score, hearty cheers were
given on each side of the water for the
president, and her majesty, the queen
When the announcement of the result
of his game came, the cheers of the
spectators filled the room for several
minutes. The time made Monday in
transmitting messages in regard to
plays was surpassed, when a message
was sent from Washington, move
made in London and the answer sent
back in 40 seconds.
At 2:1O p. m. play was begun. The
greatest interest was manifested in the
game.
After a time the crowd shifted to
No. 5, where there were but three pieces
on the board, white king and pawn and
black king, and a draw was predicted.
A message conveying the information
that Jones had exceeded the time limit
two seconds, thus forfeiting the game,
was answered with a message saying
Go ahead"
A message from Wilson proposing
draw justified the predictions of the
on-lookers. After some deliberation
the proposition was accepted. The con-
sultatiOn game was then started with
the rule that 20 moves should be made
each hour The next event of import
ance was the resignation of Mr. Plow
man in the 46th move. This left the
games two for England one for Ameri-
ca, one drawn and one unfinished, thus
leaving to Mr.. Shafroth the oppOrtuni-
ty of making the match a tie by win
ming his game. So interested did the
spectators become that it was repeat
edly necessary to admOnish them to re-
frain from crOwding about the players
and making remarks referring to the
games. Mr.. Shafroth continued to play
deliberately, studying long before max
ing a move and consuming his time al
most to the limit AS the pieces chang
ed~their locations and We're one by one
removed from the board, the game i'm
proved from an American point of view
and experts expressed the opinion that
Mr. Shafroth would win. Toward the
close of the game the following mes
sage was received:
Hon. Richard Pearson: The Rt. Hon.
A ]. Balfour, is now witnessing the
game at No. 2 board, and is very inter-
ested in the contest.
HENNIKER HEATON.
Comment upon the fact that Mr. Bal
four was like Mr.. ShafrOth, blmetaI-
list drew forth ripple OF laughter ana
induced the reply: Mr.. HeatOn: Mr..
Shafroth of Colorado is an ardent be
metaIlist and is naturally inspired to
even greater exertions, learning that the
present. -
Mr. ParnelI, after his 5Sth move, sent
a message to Mr.. ShafrOth resigning
he game, and said: I send con-
gratulations on the long fight. Better
luck the next time. Hope we Will re-
new friendly struggle at an early date
There was an Outburst of applause
and Mr. ShafrOth was warmly con-
graduated upon tieing the score OF the
match. He replied to Mr. Parnells
message as follows;
Il wish to express my compliments and
the pleasure 1 have had in playing this
ably defended game"
The next measure was:
Announced the result as draw. Three
hearty cheers were given for the presi-
dent of the United States.
This was received with another storm
of applause and when the question
arose as to what response should be
made, three cheers for the Queen of
England" was proposed and they were
given with a will.
Woes of thanks were passed by both
parties for the services rendered as
referee by Baron HengeImuller, the
Austrian minister. The hope was ex-
pressed that it might become the an
nual one between the two houses.
Ambassador Hay was requested to
thank the gentleman who had rep
resented the American players. Mr..
Handy had been substituted for Mr..
PlOWman in the consultation game
which was in progress while these mes
sages were being transmitted It was
not concluded at o'clock and remains
unfinished. 1t was decided to place a
diagram of the board in the hands of
Baron HengeImuller and allow him to
make a decision as to whether the
side or be declared a draw.