Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-02-01
RIVER PURIFICATION.
State Department Collecting Data
at the Instance of Missouri.
BRITISH CONSUL IT WW ORLEANS,


su- of Commercial Travellers.
Washington. Jan 31.-The state de-
partment has been collecting data
upon the publication of rivers. at
the instance OF IL citizen of Missouri,
who probably desired to use il in
connection with the discussion of the
effect of the Chicago drainage canal
on the Mississippi. Consul General
Gowdy at Paris has sent report
upon the publication of the Seine
and sewage farming. He states that
the studies and experiments in 1864
with view of solving the problem
of purifying the waters Of the Seine
by passing the water through land
under cultivation has resulted in
complete success. The water thus
filtered back into the river is compar-
atively free from microbes or organic
matter. At present 1850 acres of
land are thus supplied with sewer
water to the amount of 1868 100000
cubic feet annually. OF the land
1000 acres are let out to individuals
and the demands for water are stead
lily increasing. Near Paris, green or
small vegetables are chiefly cultivated
on the lands. Further away where
The land is leased in large tracts, beets,
potatoes and grass are grown and
the dairy interests are foremost. The
cost of the work of canalization,
which began 80 years ago, is 1854 OOO
British Consul at New Orleans.
Washington Jan. 31.-The cabinet
meeting yesterday was shorter than
usual and the results were not i'm
portant. The debate in the senate
Monday relative to certain utter
ances attributed to Mr. Won Sittart.
the British consul at New Orleans, was
referred to and Secretary Hay set
out the facts in the case so far as he
had been able to learn AS soon as
the newspaper statements were drawn
to his attention, which was some time
last week, Secretary Hay laid them
before Lord Pauncefote, the British
ambassador. The latter could not
credit them but promised an investi-
CATION. The result has not yet taken
official form, but sufficient was as
certained 70 warrant the ambassador
in assuring the secretary that the
consul disclaimed responsibility for
the criticisms directed against the
United States senate. The formal re-
ply of the ambassador will be in hand
soon and will be laid before the
senate committee on foreign rela'
tons.
The BubOnic Plague in Honolulu.
Washington. Jan. 31.-Surgeon Gen
eral Sternberg received telegram
yesterday from Col, Forwood, of the
medical department at San Francisco,
saying that Maj. Taylor at Honolulu
reports under date of January Is that
there have been "a eases of bubonic
plague and q deaths in Honolulu,
and that the situation is serious
According to Maj. Taylor the disease
has appeared in several isolated
places outside of the original district
and native guard and white woman
have been stricken. The soldiers are
closely quarantined and the hospital
is in safe place. Maj. Taylor says
that the board of health is acting Wig
orously and has burned Chinatown
and other infected localities.
Wants u Representative at Pretoria.
Washington, Jan. 31.-Representa-
tive William Alden Smith, of Michi-
gan, member of the committee on
foreign affairs, intends to offer an
amendment to the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill, now be-
ing prepared by the foreign affairs
committee, for minister resident
and consul general to the South At
rican republic. If the committee re.
iects it he says he will offer it in the
house. He says he has examined the
treaties and that there is no stipula.
ton to prevent the United States re.
ceiving an accredited representative
here. The republic he said, was given
representation at the international
Post convention.
Census Of Commercial Travellers Wanted.
Washington, Jan. 31.-The director
| Of the census has received numerous
letters asking that census of com.
mercial travellers he taken. The as.
sistant director of the census said yes.
terday that the matter rests entirely
with the commercial travellers them.
selves as every person will be asked
his occupation and all those giving
their occupation as Commercial tray.
elers" will be listed as such.