davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
THE BoERs CONFIDENT.
DO Not Regard the English Soldiers as
Worth Much-sly They surren-
der Easily.

NEW YORK, Jan. ban idea Of
the high hopes entertained in the
Transyaal republic Of the outcome OF
the war with Great Britain IL given
In letter written by e. Houihakkor,
assistant station master Of Johannes
burg. to his sister In Brooklyn. The
letter was sent in November by way
Of Lourenco Marques. The letter says
In part.
We are gstting used to Il bit now.
Since October IS no more letters have
reached Us from beyond the Transvaal.
A solitary cable dispatch manages to
come through occasionally. but then It
is a week I'D. At first still main
tained correspondence with Cape Town
but that is no more possible now. The
Bcnes are scoring an enormous sue
cess and have already conquered the
biggest part Of Natal They are push
ms already into Cape Colony, where
they are Joined by the burgbers. Kim
berley Is likewise completely surrOund-
ed as well as Mafeklng. In the north
ern part OF the Transvaal the Beers
arr already beyond our boundaries. On
every side the British are getting a
good thrashing.
The Internal arrangements here are
excellent An the English have left
the country. Order is beautifully
maintained. The Beers still remaining
may b. seen daily leaving for their
various commands.
johannesburg now is fearfully quiet.
All the male population has been draft
td into special consfabulary. No
ono rs allowed out after 8 .. m. With
the exception OF ten mines which are
being worked by the government all
the mines on the rand are shut down.
Up 70 the present l.5OO English are
prisoners. among which are fifty off,
GERS. aud 5000 are slain. Our loss does
not amount to 200. including the dead
aud wounded II sounds like mir
acle.
Il still looks doubtful who viii come
out ultimate conqueror. but as things
look now the Beers stand a good
chance, No fighting has occurred on
their own country The supply Of
food is plentiful The English soldiers
are not worth much and surrender
easily. Already two of their generals
are dead Cape Colony will revolt.
No doubt It win surprise you to see
me having changed thus. but that
could not be otherwise after having
witnessed everything. II Is now clear
that Chamberlain's sole purpose has
been for three years to make war
against the Trausvaal and obtain pos
st Ssion OF it's territory.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20

vote for him Clark for United States
senator" said the witness.
cason had testified before the grand
jury In the Welcome disbarment case
and after doing 80 had felt sorry for
the part he had taken in the case,
feeling that he did not want to come
to Washington to testify against Clark.
who had done him favors
His state Of mind had been commu-
nnicated TO J. b. Root, the law part
ner Of Welcome. who had sent for him
and asked him TO avoid the subpoena
10 Washington. He then told how Root
hac prepared letter which he (the
wtness) had copied and signed In
which he had said there was no truth
in anything he had testified to in the
Welcome case.
In the letter he was made to dwell
upon the disgrace he had brought upon
himself by the part he had taken In
the mater.
In rsturn Tor this letter Root had
given him 1850 with which to get out
Of the country.
cason Identified the recanting letter
he had given to Root. 1t covered
three pagss Of foolscap and was read
by the witness amid roars Of laughter
by all present. Including the witness
himself
Do you pretend to say that when
You wrote that letter you knew it was
not true?" said Faulkner.
Why, certainly" responded the
witness. cody.
Then you confess here to have writ
ten and signed three pages Of lies In
that ietter?" said Faulkner.
In his reply the witness gave the
second unique definition Of lie that
the hearing has brought out.
mo, l do not" he replied. II con-
fess 10 the writing Of the letter, but I
don't think any statement is ever a lie
watch is made with the understanding
that 1t is false"
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
HOW PLAGUE ORIGINATED.
Believed Germs Were transmitted
From China in Packing Dirt.

PORT TOWNSEND, Jan. 1s.-Ac-
cording to advices from Washington,
received here today, the introduction Of
the bubonic plague at Honolulu was by
means Of merchandise arriving at that
port from the Orient. 1t is believed
that the germs Of the disease are
carried in dirt in which plants are
shipped and also in a sort of muck
composed of dirt and manure in which
duck eggs are packed in China and
shipped both to Honolulu and this
country. So strong Is the belief Of the
department that it Is by this means
the disease Is introduced that Dr. Fos-
ter, United States quarantine officer
here. has been instructed. by the de-
partment to make a thorough investl-
CATION of the matter and report to che
department.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
PAID TOO MUCH TAX.
Important Decision in the Internal
Revenue Law.

FORT TOWNSEND. Jan. 1s.-Ac-
cording to the decision Of the United
States attOrney-general. the internal
revenue department has been charging
an excessive tax ON export bills OF
lading and receipts issued by carriers
from the United States by rail to Can
ada and Mexico. Heretofore the de-
paitment has required a ten per cent
stamp on such export bills Of laden and
receipts and the matter was taken be-
fore the attorney-general who, on the
18th inst, rendered an opinion that
according to the wording Of the law a
one cent stamp on such bills and re-
ceipts was all that was required
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
THE BIG COPPER DISCOVERIES.

VANCOUVER, B. C. Jan. 1s.--1nter-
est in the recent copper discoveries on
Howe Sound is unabated and yester-
day a party of mining men, comprising
representatives of mining syndicates in
Vancouver, Salt Lake, Los Angeles
and Butte. Mont, sailed by the
steamer Defiance for the mines which
are located 81 miles from this city. The
party will spend day at the mines,
returning on Saturday. The proposi-
tions for the erection Of a smelter in
connection with the Howe Sound mines
has been made to the owners Of the
Britannia group, one offer being made
by Portland, Ore, capitalists and the
other from a Vancouver company
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20

been considerably weakened by tho
dispatch OF largir Seinf0cements west
ward to meet General Buffers advance.
and they have now hurriedly evacuated
the river trenches and scattered before
our shrapnel. BY evening none Of the
enemy was left within rife shot at Co
lenso."
sPEARMAN's CAMP. Friday Sir
Charles Warren and Lord Dundonald
are continuing a cautious advance.
hourly expecting a battle.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
BATTLE HOURLY EXPECTED.
Warren and Dundonald Are Cautiously
Advancing

LONDON, Jan, 2o,-The Standard
publishes the following dispatch, dated
Thursday, from spearman's farm: "It
is reported that the Beers opposite
Colenso, ON finding General Butler had
out manoeuvered them, crossed to the
south Of the Tugela Monday and set
fire to all the houses in the village.
The Boer forces at Colanso must have
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
BoERs EvAcUATE coLENso,

LONDON. Jan. 20.--The Daily Mail
publishes the following dispatch. dated
Thursday, from Spearman's camp; 1T
is rumorcd that the Beers have evacu-
ated Colenso in order to reinforce their
troops here, A heavy gun fire was
heard from Ladysmith this morning
General Buffers e,-lers instruct his
men TO heed the white ilag of the
Beers only when they lay down their
arms"
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
BULLERs WAGON TRAIN.

LONDON, Jan. 2e.-The Times has
the following dispatch, dated Thurs
lay, from PietermaSltzburg: General
Buffers wagon train Is 10 miles in
length and embraces 400 wagons and
5000 animals. His officers are betting
Q to l that Ladysmith will be relieved
tomorrow (Friday)."
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
THE ENTRANCE CONTROLLED.

LONDON. Jan, 2O.-A dispatch to the
Daily Telegraph from spearman's
farm. dealing with Lord Dundonald's
movements 20 the west of General
Warren's force, says; His success
gives us control OF the entrance TO
Ladysmith."
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
ANOTHER SHIP SEIZED,

LORENZO MARQUES. Thursday,
Jan. 1s.-The German bark Maria from
Australia with cargo of flour for rhe
Transvaal government. has been taken
as a prize by tn British cruiser Pelo-
rus near Delagoa bay, and has been
sent to Durham with prize crew.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
THE RELIEF GUNS HEARD.

I.ADYsMITH. Jan II. Via Spear
mans Camp. Jan. 10, Everything Is
quiet The position Is unchanged and
there Is very little hombarilng, The
welcome sound Of the guns OF the re-
lief column was heard yesterday from
Colenso and Springfield
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
MAssING AGAINST WARREN.

LONDON, Jan 20.-A dispatch to the
Daily Telegraph dated Thursday, from
spearman's camp. says: The Beers
arrived in largt numbers today from
Colenso and .I.adysmlth, Nearly all
tht Beers have gone to attempt TO
check General warrcn's advance
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
TAXEs AND ETERNAL SALVATION

TORT TOWNSEND, Jan. 1s.-Ae-
cording to the ruling received today
from the treasury department and
made by the commissioner of internal
revenue. beQuest of money to a
priest for the purposes of saying
masses for the repose of the soul is
liable to legacy tax. The case came be-
fore the commissioner from Illinois
where a bequest had been made for
that purpose.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-20
BuLLER WITHIN TWELVE MILES.

LONDON. Jan 2o.--A Durham special
dated Thursday night says:
General Butler IS said 20 be within
twelve miles Of Ladysmith and Gen
oral Warren to be about six miles TO
the rear"
New-York tribune., 1900-01-19

currency limited to 80 per cent Of the par value
Of the bonds bearing higher rate of interest
now outstanding.
1t Is true that when money on call loans
largely at per cent, United States bonds at
that rate and exempt from taxation would be
in demand. But there has been much proof
lately that in times of prosperity people will
not place money at 2 per cent because they
can get more. If the issues of currency based
on per cent bonds were limited in amount the
case would be different But the offer to refund
bonds exceeding $1,000,000,000 in amount pro-
vides for a practically unlimited expansion of
bank circulation IL at any time the banks find
ii profitable to issue notes under the more easy
conditions now proposed. When a speculative
epidemic such as was seen last year. renders
currency in especial demand for time the op-
portunity for expansion will be great But
when reaction comes and credits are sharp
" contracted, how far will per cent bonds fall
in the effort to realize on them? There has
been much talk for years regarding the ad-
vantages of an automatically elastic currency,
but is there not danger that such operations as
those proposed would produce an explosive cur
rency instead?
ANY currency that is elastic does not expand
only, but also contracts. Moreover, it has an
uncomfortable property Of contracting just when
people in difficulty need more of it. The cheap
ness of per cent bonds and the power to issue
notes against them at par, with taxation at
reduced rate are evidently expected TO insure
vast increase in banking circulation, with nat
ural results in the kindling of speculation. But
when the time comes for contraction, will such
a currency be as safe as that we now have?
If the bonds fall below par the law requires the
banks to make additional deposits of bonds or
legal tenders, but at such time of emergency
would that involve no banks in trouble? 1t
seems most questionable whether changes so
radical in the currency system should be made
without far more extensive and thorough dis
cussion and popular understanding than can be
expected in this instance Certainly the gold
standard bill would be less assailable without
an addition so foreign to its purpose.
New-York tribune., 1900-01-19
MUSIC.
THE BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

THE BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
Though the admirers of the Boston Orchestra are
not accustomed to look TO the solo feature in it's
concerts for their highest enjoyment. it found
last night that the feature be a of pro-
found disappointment. When the plans for the
concert first made it was expected that Frau-
lein Ternina would take part in performance OF
the last scene of "G0tterdammerung." The illness
of the lady prevented her participation and the
management announced that it was anxious to pro-
vide first class substitute and had therefore en-
gagged Nine Schumann-H Heink The admired con-
tratO's numbers were to be the "Parto, ma tu
ben mio'' from Mozart's la Clemenza di Tito"
and Adriano's scene and air from Wagner's 'Rien-
I'll" The substitution under the circumstances
could cause serious disappointment. Yesterday
forenoon, however, Nine. Schumann-H Heink notified
her indisposition to the management. and a sec
ond substitute became necessary The dilemma was
awkward one, and the management met it by
engaging Mile. Oitzka, who occasionally sings at
the Metropolitan Opera House. For those who have
heard this singer the necessity Of the change was
made doubly grievous by her engagement. The solo
feature, which the audience would willingly have
foregone, became afliction. instead of JOY and
memory of the concert embittered for all who
that the highest pleasures of the year in the
line of absolute music from the Boston WIS.,
itors.
Against this element of encouragement the or
chestra contended with more than usually brill
liant performance of Brahmss Tragic overture.
two movements from Moszkowskfs Suite in F
major, and a symphony in by Cesar Franck, The
last work to the local public and proved
to be interesting to the curious inquirer into
musical evolution than to the ordinary seeker after
musical delights. cotere In France, originally
small but continually growing has been trying
to canonlze the composer of this symphony for
years. 1t will probably succeed in the degree
that 1t hopes, but his works likely always TO
command a high degree of respect The sense OF
form in it's greatest amplitude and the capacity
for logical consistent and beautiful development OF
well conceived ideas. upon which the use OF the
large forms depends. has never been the possession
of the French school, and is 1t not manifest in
Franck's symphony. Splendidly sonorous is the
orchestration full of interest the harmones,
commendable the ingenious of the old device
TO compel recognition of unity by community of
themes between the movements. but the essential
principle of sound and proper development, of con-
sstency in idea and evolution is still wanting
New-York tribune., 1900-01-19
tu9lork DAILY Gt.ibn,re
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1900.
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FOREIGN-General Butler informed the War
ONCE in London Of the passage of the Tugela
al two points by his troops: British artillery
was bombarding tie enemy's position at Pot
gieter's Drift yesterday, and General Warren's
division was expected to turn the Boer flank by
a nVe mile march from Tricharts Drift; Cen
eral Hector Macdonald, who win succeed Gen
eral WauchOpe in command of the Highland
Brigade, arrived at Cape Town from India -
Paris newspaper asserted that Count Boni
de Castellane had lost sum estimated at from
100000 TO 20000000 francs in speeulatons
on the Bourse, and had gone to America to Sc
, cure financial help; the story of the losses was
denied by the Counts father. French
court has reversed judgment awarding 100000
francs 10 the widow of a victim of the disaster
70 la Bourgogne. - The French Chamber of
Deputies voted confidence in the Government in
its treatment of the ST. Etenne strikes.
CONGRESS- Mr. Wellington spoke
In favor. of giving the Filipinos independence,
and Mr.. Teller continued his speech the Cur
r ing the powers of the Director of the Census
was passed with proviso that the printing
must be done by the Public Printer.
DOMESTIC-A statue of Daniel Webster was
unveiled in Washington, Secretary Long and
Senator Lodge delivering addresses. - Rep
accept the secretaryshp of the United States
Senate. - The report of Henry X. Carroll,
President McKinley's special commissioner to
Puerto Rico was made public he recommends
a territorial form Of government for the island.
cITY:-stocks were dull and irregular at
small final changes - President Johnston
the State Trust Company had not been affected
by the proceedings begun against it, and that
the cash balances were larger than in any time
within three months. - 1t was announced
that the assistants of the chief engineer of the
Rapid Transit Commission in the building of
the tunnel would be appointed only after Civil
Service examination. - In the MolineuX trial
more evidence regarding the death of Henry c.
Barnet was introduced. - The Republican
County Committee voted down Abraham Cru
ber's proposition to take from the president of
the committee the power to select election Off
GERS and vest 1T in the district organizations
THE WEATHER.-Indications for to-day:
Rain The temperature yesterday: Highest A
degrees; lowest, 33 average 3934
New-York tribune., 1900-01-19
A PENALTY THAT MUST BE PAID.

In the food Of talk almost wholly favorable,
which has suddenly been set loose by the sue
cess of the Rapid Transit Board in obtaining q
responsible bid for the underground franchise
and the prospect that work will be begun within
few weeks we find some foolish and possibly
mischievous statements. 1t is said, for example,
that the construction of the tunnels will not in
terfere with the operation of the surface roads,
and the belief is encouraged that no particular
inconvenience will result from the execution of
the project in which Mr.. Mcdonald is preparing
to embark with credtable energy. Now, such a
supposition is necessarily erroneous, and 1t is
especially unwise for persons officially con-
cerned TO spread it abroad. Intelligent citizens
are rejoiced that the plan so long approved and
so obstinately hindered is apparently on the
verge of realization They believe that under
ground roads are essential to the comfort and
welfare of the city, and will repay thousand
fold whatever injury the process of building
them may nfict. But all such persons must
realize, if they stop to reflect, that during the
period of construction the community will have
to put ND with much Inconvenience and more or
less serious losses, and it is the part OF common
sense TO acknowledge that fact at the outset in
stead of cultvating expectations which are sure
to be disappointed.
St. under which the tunnel is to be driven, is
pointed out for example, not as an illustration
of the possibility of conducting such operations
without actually stopping traffic, but as proof
that the building of the tunnel is going to cause
no trouble worth speaking of. Unhappily the
proof is lacking. For a long time FOrty-second-
ST was in wretched condition. 1t couldn't be
helped, but it was great nuisance; and though
the cars were run they were run in fashion to
vex the souls of passengers and pedestrians.
So it will be when Mr.. Mcdonald gets to work.
Skill and ingenuity will, we hope, reduce the in
convenience to comparatively small proportions,
but the evil will not seem slight one, and we
confidently expect to hear pretty incessant
chorus of complaints.
The sensible thing, we have said is to look
the inevitable fairly in the face, and be recon-
ciled in advance to a penalty which it is well
worth while TO pay for the sake of the recon-
pense which is certain to follow.
New-York tribune., 1900-01-19

of Ciudad Rodrigo There is no reason for
paying especial attention to 1t, save In respect
to certain suggestiveness which 1t pos
sesses. That victory was the turning point
not In Welllngton's career In the Peninsula, but
in popular esteem of It, couple of years be-
fore the Court of Common Council. of London,
pettioned the King to inquire into his conduct
and accused him of "proiting by no lessons of
experience, and exhibiting with equal rashness
"and ostentation nothing but a useless valor"
And less than year before after the battle OF
Albuera, the other generals of the British army
would, If they could, have written a whining
report upon it which would have driven the
people in England mad" However" said
Wellington, with grim significance, II prevented
that" Such was the state of affairs right down
to Cudad Rodrigo. And the next day Yelling
ton was the hero of the nation and the foremost
commander Of the world. We are not saying
any one of the present British commanders in
South Africa will presently gain such an apothe-
osis, or deserves it. But the memory of ninety
years ago should have a restraining influence
upon the eXuberance of non-combatant criticism
at the present day. Whatever is going on In
South Africa, and whatever mistakes have been
or are being made, the chances are that the
generals in the field know pretty nearly as
much about the business In hand as do their
civilian critics at home and are doing pretty
nearly as well as the latter could do And it Is
quite certain that they are doing right in keep
ing their own counsel about ii.