The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-11


rival. take measures to acduaint him With
his new duties. The greatest confidence Is
placed by the department in Rear Admiral
Watson and no doubt Is felt OF his ability
TO thoroughly handle the situation after
the admirals departure.
Major General Otis has virtually decided
against the Legality OF claims for In
demnity filed by residents OF iloilo whose
property was destroyed during the opera
lions Incident to the capture OF that city
on February IL. Claimants who reside in
other countries are advised to present
their claims through the governments OF
their respcctiys countries. These claims,
according TO Information received here.
are held BY persons OF various nationalities
Including Filipincs. and amount to several
millions OF dollars. German subjects resi-
dent at Iloilo are said TO be among tie
principal claimants.
In response to these claimants General
Otis has addressed to them circular let
ter. COPY OF wh4ab has reached the war
department. This letter calls attention at
the outset to the fact that the claims
presented vary greatly in their statements
and ofier no proof OF actual ownership by
the claimant OF property destroyed, so
that even IL liability OF the United States
were conceded no conclusions could be
reached on the facts as presented. The
letter continues; The claims in question
are not returned for submission of more
complete proof in the view that the de-
struction of property at Hello, whether re-
sulting from the acts OF United States
forces or the insurgents, can furnish no
basis OF claim for indemnity as against
the United States II being held 10 be q
generally accepted principal Of interua-
t!onal law that all property situated with
in the theater of actual military opera
lions whether belonging to citizens OF
foreign powers. alien residents or natives,
no liability is incurred 20 indemnify such
owners for the destruction OF such property
resulting from legitimate belligerent ac-
ton" The general further says that the
liability of the United States to indemnity
owners Of the property even II destroyed
in rebellion against this country, would not
exist. The only valid basis for claims
would be the charge that the destruction
resulted from neglect by the United States
authorities. and General Otis adds: such
neglect Is not charged, nor can 1t be
truthfully alleged"
! Trusts, their Organization, operations
and general economic effects, will be in
vestigated by the industrial commission
in a series of hearings beginning ON
! Thursday of this week, Prof. j. W. jerks
of Ithaca, N. v. has arranged the prelim-
naries for the commission and has ad
vised the two collateral methods of IN
i Quiry. One is the use of circular sched-
+, iile making the most searching inquiry
/ into the plans OF operation OF the syndi
/ Gates and calling for details as To capital
! ization, prices Of raw material and product
profits from, effect on labor and industry
and general economic tendencies. This
schedule is 10 be sent to the president OF
| each Of the syndcates, with request that
he respond as fully as possible. There Is
an understanding that those who do not
| send satisfactory answers may be required
| to testify under subpoenas. Information
that comes to the board in response to
those inquiries will be- used by The COM
! missioDers to guide them to conclusions.
The other source of information win he
| oral testimony. The hrst witness to be
heard Will be State Senator Lee OF Pitts
| burg, Pa, who has acted in legal capac-
ity with independent petroleum companie ,
! which have been lighting the Standard o |
! company, The commission has decided to
defer the hearing of John n. Rockefeller.
head OF the Standard Oil company and
William I. Wardwell its treasurer, who
were to have been present in May, until
the June meeting, This was done in com
pllanee with their request. The witnesses
on Friday will he Henry O. Havemeyer
head OF tho sugar trust, and James H.
Post of New York. who VIII doubtless
state his business experience In rivalry
with the trust for market
Upon spot Of surprising beauty on
Virginia soil, high above and affording a
perfect panorama OF the city OF Washing
ton, was organized league of Southern
women. A number OF prominent Southern
ladies living here have recently agltated
the erection, in or within view of the Ma
tional capital, monument to General
Robert L. Lee. They were profrered site
adjoining Arlington, the former home of
General Lee and now the National ceme-
terry. The donors are a Northerner and q
Southerner. who jointly owned the prop
erty, Daniel j. Trimmer of York, Pa, and
George p. Robinson of Washington. a
former Vlrginian. large party uf ladies
and gentlemen viewed the spot aud eff
fected the organization Of the Robert Il.
Lee Monument Association of the District
OF Columbia, and with Informal but appro
pirate ceremony accepted the gift. The
officers Of the association are: President,
Mrs Florence Vance (wid3w Of the late
Senator Zeb Vance OF North Carolipa)
vice presidents, Mrs. S. b. Stevenson, Mrs.
Rusk Smith. Mrs. Albert Akers and Miss
Virginia Miller; treasurer Mrs. Gadsden
"a daughter of General Pendleton, General
Lees artillery chief; secretary. Miss Nina
d. Stevenson. a telegram Of greeting was
sent to the Confederate veterans, announce
ing the purpose OF the association. The
great object Is 10 erect on the commanding
eminence chosen a grand equestrian statue
OF the reyered Southern hero. The eques-
trian statue OF Lee on old Traveller, 4"
his white war horse, as they appeared in
the thick Of the battle of the Wilderness,
just thrty-hve years ago this May. Is in
tended TO present an overlapping figure
and mark a spot consecrated 10 Southern
valor, a mecca for the emulation Of all
who do homage TO an American who was
the noblest in peace, as he was the grand
, est In war
Fourth-class pcstmasters appointed to-
day; Livingston, Polk county, Thomas J.
Epperson; Lott, Falls county. A. -. Hemp
hill; Scranton, Eastland county, II. r.
let.-