Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-21

time of war, they are likely 10 serve
only as conveniences to the enemy.
- The South African war is having
a disastrous effect on German manu-.
facturers. 1t is because of failure of
the coal supply that has heretofore
been drawn from England. 1t is ex-
planned that this failure is due TO the
fact that such large number of coal
miners have volunteered for service in
the British army but another explain
alton is given in the theory that the
British government, foreseeing the
possibility of still other complications,
is laying up large quantities of coal
against future contingencies. Hun
dreds of factories throughout Germany
have closed down on account of their
inability to secure coal, and large num-
bers Of coal dealers have retired from
business on account of their inability
to obtain supplies. 1t is estimated
that the cost of producing coal in
Germany is greater than the selling
price in the United States, and there
is a probability of a large increase in
the expectation from this country.
- Suit has been filed in the
Federal court at Chattanooga, Ten
nessee, by the Hanover National
Bank, of New York, attacking the
constilutionality of the National bank
ruptcy act. 1t is claimed that the
act violates the federal constitution in
that it is not uniform and equally ap-
plicable TO all citizens. The objection
on this ground is that the act denies
voluntary bankruptcy to corporations
that are citizens of their respective
states, as much as ordinary citizens,
while permitting all other citizens to
90 into voluntary bankruptcy, and
also denies the right to proceed in in
voluntary bankruptcy against wage
earners or persons engaged chiefly in
farming or the tillage of the soil, while
allowing involuntary proceedings
against all other citizens whether per-
sons or interpretations. 1t is also al
legged that the act is not uniform "a
guaranteed by the constitution, be-
cause it allows exemptions to debtors
in varying amounts, according to the
law of the state of the domicile OF
such debtor. 1t is expected that the
case will be taken to the United States
supreme court.
- Says a Havana dispatch of Fri
day: Political workers are becoming
active in all the municipalities, and
the three parties, the National, the
Veteran and the Republican, are lay
ing out plans Of campaign for the COM
ing city elections which General Wood
has now decided shall be held early in
May. The National party, which is
strong in the west, especially in Ha'
vana, is inviting to its ranks the Cuban
autonomists, with the object of sup
porting restricted suffrage and barring
the uneducated blacks from active
participation in the election. This
stand is strongly opposed by both the
Veteran and the Republican parties,
and protests are beginning to pour in
upon General Wood against any dis
crimination in the right Of suffrage.
The Veterans have already entered
their protest, and the movement is
now being taken up by the Republi,
cans who have strong organizations in
Matanzas and Santa Clara. Nightly
meetings are being held in the cities,
and an American named Drake, said
to come from Chicago, is making a
tour of the two provinces, arguing
that Cuba was freed for all and that
no class distinction should be permit
ted. His actions have been brought
to the attention Of Governor General
Wood.
- The long dearth of South African
war news has been succeeded by q
flood. 1t is all favorable to the Brit
ish, and that, of course, is the reason il
is coming through. 1t was estimated
in these reports last Saturday that
General French had gotten behind the
Boer forces under General Cronje that
were confronting General Methuen at
Modder river. Since then it has de-
veloped that General French has sue
ceeded in relieving the sorely be-
leaguered town of Kimberly, and Lord
Roberts, following with the main army
has put General Cronje to flight to-
ward Bloemfontein, the capital of the
Orange Free State. The relief oi
Kimberly seems to have been effected
with but little opposition. The Beers
appear to have been taken largely by
surprise, and large quantity of their
supplies, including provisions, ammu'
milton, siege guns, ETC., fell into the
hands of the British. In fact the ad
vance was accomplished with so much
ease as to give rise to suspicious o
another trap, such as has been worked
several times before. From the re-
ports, it would seem that Lord Roberts
advanced along the railroad as far as
the track remained open, and then
continued forward with an immense
wagon train especially organized fol
rapid progress. General French's ad
vance to Kimberly was made with q
lightly equipped cavalry force, capa
BILE of rapid movements. General
Cronie commenced his retreat with
10000 men and l, 600 wagons. Gener-
al Kelly-Kenny took up the pursuit
with flying column of cavalry, and
General French also went in the same
direction. There are statements oi
clashes between the British vanguard
and the Boer rear guard but it does
not appear from last account that the
cavalry was able to bring Cronje to q
stand. 1t was understood that Lord
Roberts had already arranged to ad.
vance on Bloemfontein with his main
anl IL ,rnc estimate pd that wit h