The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-28
Ned A NARSH|P THERE
COLOMBIAN INSURGENTS HAVE
CAPTURED IMPORTANT TOWN
OF CARTAGENA
WASHINGTON HAS THE NEWS
Their Victory Is Important, and
Will Necessitate WatchfuIness
to Protect American
Interests.

WASHINGTON, April 27.-The state de-
partment has received confirmation of the
press report that Cartagent has fallen
into the hands of the insurgents The in
formation comes from an indirect but re-
liable source. The taking of the town Is
regarded as a matter of the greatest i'm
portance, for Cartagena is the principal
seaport of Colombia and collects most of
the customs revenues of the country.
Consequently its capture will greatly
strengthen the revolutionists. 1t is prob
able that the navy department will dis
patch one of the smaller gunboats now
cruising In the West Indies to the seat of
trouble in order to insure American in
terests against loss. 1t is not possible to
communicate with the American minister
at Bogota, the capital of Colombia, ow-
ing to the breaking of telegraphic commu-
nication from the coast to the interior.
COEUR D'ALENE INQUIRY.
Before the Occur d'Alene inquiry COM
mittee today Gen. Merriam said the
United States troops were in charge of the
prisoners simply as guards, in carrying
out the authority of the state. The gen
eral said he felt great solicitude as to
the prisoners and their long confinement
he finally took up the matter with the
war department, writing and telegraphing
on the subject. Two of the letters that
heretofore had not appeared in the cor
respondence furnished by the war depart
ment. evidently had been mislaid. In
these letters Gen. Marian pointed out
the evident purpose of the Idaho authori-
ties to continue the military control for
some time, and referred to the adjourn
ment of the district court, with the cases
of many of the prisoners still pending. In
one of the letters Gen. Merriam advised
that part of the troops be withdrawn
He stated also that the continued service
of the troops on government duty had
led to the bribery of a sergeant and the
escape of eight prisoners.
At present Gen Merriam stated, the
troops were not guarding any prisoners.
A few troops remained in garrison in the
locality, but without having any duties in
connection with the disturbance, although
available in case of an outbreak as long
as martial law continued.
Gen. Merriam's cross-examination will
begin tomorrow.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Senator Scott today introduced a bill
specifying the manner in which oleomar-
garine shall be marked, and requiring
wholesale dealers to keep books showing
a record of the transactions, which are
to be open to the inspection of internal
revenue collectors.
Senator Stewart today introduced bill
providing for the acquisition of mining
rights in Indian reservations. 1t author
ICES and agreement with Indians to mine
and prospect their reservation, but re-
quires the approval of the secretary of
the interior The bill provides that no
title shall pass to miners on these reser-
vations except sufficient to give the right
of possession to such land as is actually
occupied.
CABINET SESSION BRIEF.
Owing to the absence of three members
of the cabinet, Secretaries Gage, Root and
Long, the meeting today lasted but little
more than an hour. and no business of
Importance, it was stated, was transacted
The attorney general recommended to the
president the nomination of William Writ
Howe as United States attorney for the
district of New Orleans.
CUBA REGISTRATION.
Acting Secretary of War Meiklejohn re-
ceived a report from the secretary OF
state of Cuba, showing that $3.50 Span
ish residents of the island have preserved
their allegiance to the crown of Spain,
under the terms of the Paris treaty of
peace The registration is complete, with
the exception of the returns from the mu-
nicipality of Caney, in the province of
Santiago. The registration of Spaniards,
according to provinces, is as follows: Ha-
vana 81, ga; Pinar del Rio, 5,2S4; Matan-
zas, 6,24e; Santa Clara, 16,045; Puerto Prin-
cipe, 1,5S6; Santiago de Cuba, 6,431.
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