Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-08-04
MULTIPLIED FIVEFOLD.
Exorbttant Prices Maintained at
Porto RiCO--War NOtea.

San Juan, Il. r.. Aug. lowing to the
condition OF currency exchange. rents
and the prices of food, labor and the ne
cessitles OF life. have advanced here
6G 2-3 percent. Apparently there Is u
concerted effort on the part OF merchants
and shopkeepers to hold prices to the
gold basis. Houses that formerly rented
for IS now rent for S25. Articles that
formerly cost 20 cents now cost 81.
Although an indefinite extension OF
time was allowed Tor the redemption of
native coin, the fact was not published
widely, and prominent people have been
under the impression that the pesos
Q9 cents) would be OF no value after
July 81. Through wilful ignorance OF
from other causes the pesos has fire.
quently been refused In payment, par
ticurly In isolated insular towns, where
business Is at a standstill. Many shops
are closed. owing to the shortage OF
American small coin. The ignorant
classes. unable to understand that an
American dollar Is worth 66 2-3 centavos
more than a peso, refuse to accept 60
cents in payment.
Pesos are still worth considerable at
pioNil.Sioi EollitS Hot ySt NiSitcu Wy tue
treasury agents. Serious trouble among
the laboring classes is expected before
the difficulty Is settled, but the law of
supply and demand and competition will
force a readjustment Of the ratio.
London, Aug "A correspondent with
General Hunters force, at Slapkranz.
says: The Winburg and Senekal COM
mandoes are now arriving, about GOO
men. General Roux has arrived, and
also the commandant Of the Wepener
commando. 1t will take days to get all
in. There Is q continuous stream of
wagons for seven miles up the valley
road. All the leaders have surrendered.
The prisoners include foreign artillersts.
Lima, Aug. 2.-The celebrated convent
of Ocopa, which had been partially
ruined by two fires. believed to be in
cendiary. was completely destroyed
Wednesday by third. All three fires
are attributed by The ignorant peasantry
to the work Of the American mission
aries. The more fanatical are quite be-
yond the control Of the local authorities.
Government troops have been sent to
the scene Of disturbance to maintain
order.
London, Aug. 2.-The Daily Telegraph,
on the authority Of it's Cape Town corre-
spondent, asserts that documents Of the
highest Importance, emanating from
England, have been discovered In Pre-
toria. duplicating members Of the house
of commons and other prominent persons
in England, who have agitated in favor
of the Beers. 1t says that startling de-
velopments may be expected shortly.
Washington, Aug. 2.-Secretary Of the
Navy Long has issued to shipbulders
circular calling for bids for the con-
struction Of six armored cruisers. TIE
bids are to be opened Dec. I. The limit
Of cost Of each of the three ships au-
thorized by the act Of 1899 Is $4,000, ,OtO,
and that Of each Of those authorized by
this years naval bill. !4.25o. 900:
of the Ninth infantry. reported by Col
onel Daggett is probably due to severe
service and exposure, together with the
change Of climate, and water which may
be bad. The surgeon general says that
such illness would not be unusual under
the circumstances.
Atlanta, Aug. 2.-General Gordon,
commander in chief Of the United Con-
federate veterans, will be guest at the
encampment Of the Grand Army of the
Republic at Chicago, Aug. 27. General
Gordon was extended an invitation at
the request Of General Shaw, COM
mander-in.chief OF the Grand Army.
Berlin, Aug 2.-Emperor William has
approved the employment Of non-com-
missioned men on leave who have al
ready done tropical service who may
volunteer for service in China. They
will receive a bounty and additional
pay.