davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
FITz is AFTER THE COIN.
Does Not Care to Accept Rhuln's
Challenge at Present.

Tacoma, Wash, December 13. = Bob
Fitzsimmons said today in reply to Gus
Ruhlin's challenge for six-round bout
before the Pennsylvania Art club of Phil
adelphia:
"Jeffries and 1 can make more money
than $500 in one night. We are getting
along with great success, and from here
we will work east and then we intend to
tour Europe. We can draw 5000 in Phila-
delphia without bothering with any such
challenge as Rubin sends out. Personally
am ready to meet any man in the world
that can offer sufficient inducement So
far as Corbett is concerned, / guess fe
can ultimately get a match with Jeffries
If he wants it bad"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
State Appointments.

Montgomery, December Especial y
The governor today made the following
appointments:
Tuscaloosa-S. A. Turner, notary at
Tuscaloosa.
Fayette-J. A Sudduth, notary public
and justice of the peace in beat at
Hico; D. Pearce. notary public and JUS
tice of the peace in beat II at Glen AL
len; P. r. Wakefield, constable In beat
II, at Glen Allen.
Mobile-W. w. Cation. notary at Mo-
bile.
Etowah-w. C. Hall, notary at Noun
tainboro.
wilcox-H. A. Mcclure, constable in
beat 8, at Lamison.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14

Caracas, Venezuela, December 13.-The
following are authentic copies of the de-
mands presented by the German and
British ministers Monday, December 8,
before embarking on the warships OF
their respective countries at La Guayra:
The British uItlmatum.
ITO the Minister of Foreign Affairs:
Replying to your excellency's note
of the 4th inst, have the honor to is.-
form you that have. recei we'd Instructions
from his maJestys government to point
out to the Venezuelan government in
writing that regarding the steamer Ban
Righ. the British government has given
full explanations and has shown that
their exists no legitimate ground for
complaint Nor does his majestys govern
ment think that there is any reason to
attribute blame to the authorities of
Trinidad, who only acted conformibly
with instructions.
'I have the honor to further express
that his majesty's government regrets the
situation which has arisen, but cannot
accept your note as sufficient reply to
my communication, nor as indicative Of
the intention of the Venezuelan govern
ment to satisfy the claims which his
majesty's government has brought for
ward, and it must be understood that they
include all well-founded claims which
have arisen in consequence of the last
civil war and the previous ones, and the
ill-treatment and Imprisonment of Brit
ish subjects, and also include an arrange
ment for the foreign debt.
II have asked the Venezuelan govern
ment to make a declaration that they
recognize in principle the justness of
these claims; that they will Immediately
make compensation in the navigation
cases and the cases above mentioned, and
in those In which British subjects have
been unjustly imprisoned or i'll treated,
and that respecting other claims they will
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
GOVERNOR OF VA.
SUED FOR $4,000
NEGROES BEGIN A WHOLESALE
FILING OF SUITS AS RESULT OF
BEING OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TO BE FILED.

Atlanta, December 13-A special to the
Constitution from Richmond Va. says:
Suits for $4,000 each against the gov
ernor, members of the constitutional con-
vention and election officers in behalf of
negroes disfranchised by the new vir-
ginia constitution, were filed today in the
United States court here, and at Norfolk.
The suits are against the governor. all
the convention members In the eastern
district of Virginia, and the judges of
election at precincts where the negroes
were not permitted to vote, all made de-
PENDANTS collectively and individually.
Edgar Poe Lee of Richmond and An
thony N. Pinner, a Norfolk letter car
rier, are the plaintiffs.
Similar suits are to be filed next week
in the United States courts of the west
ern districts, against members of the
convention living in that section of the
state.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
DEWEY CONFERS
WITH OFFICERS
kEARSARGE HAS LANDED A BAT
TALON AND ESTABLISHED A
CAMP AT CULEBRA ISLAND.
SUMNER TRANSFERS HIS FLAG.

San Juan, P. r., December 13.-Admiral
Dewey is conferring with the squadron
commanders on the pending evolutions.
Rear Admiral Summers squadron ar
rived here yesterday and saluted Admiral
Dewey's flag. Admiral Sumner today
transferred his flag to the Chicago, and
assumed charge of the cruiser squadron.
The Kearsarge has landed a battalion
and has established a camp at Culebra
Island. The other warships are engaged
in boat and minor drills, which will con-
tinue until Monday. Then there will be
evolutions by the vessels forming the
divisions, to be followed December II, IS
and 10 by fleet evolutions Between De-
cember 10 and 29 there will be holiday
al the various ports
Admiral Dewey has announced the fleet
organization to be as follows:
The first squadron, Rear Admiral Hig-
ginson. commanding.
First division, Kearsarge, Alabama,
Massachusetts and Iowa.
Second division, Rear Admiral Crownin-
shield commanding-Illinois, Indiana,
Texas and Olympia.
Second Squadron-Rear Admiral Sum-
ner, commanding.
Third Division Chicago, Raleigh. Cir
ciri att and Newark.
Fourth Divison-Captain A. Walker.
commanding; San Francisco. Albany, At
lanta and Montgomery, with the Nash
VILE and Mechias and Detroit as picket
boats.
Rear Admiral Coghlan commands the
base attached to which are the auxil-
larry and supply ships.
After the holidays one squadron will
blockade a port and the auxiliary ves-
sells and torpedo boats will attempt to
raise it and break their way through.
This will last five days. Then there will
be tactical evolutions.
Admiral Dewey is greatly gratifled by
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
Wife of Former President Is
Rapidly Sinking
SHE IS 75 YEARS OF AGE
Has Been Suffering With Severe At
tack of Bronchitis and Sudden
Change for the Worse
Came Last Night.

washington, December 1S-1frs. Ulysses
S. Grant, wife of the former President
of the United States. is dangerously Ill
at her home In this city. She has been
suffering with a severe attack of bron-
chitis for some time, and now valvular
disease of the heart, with kidney compl-
cations, have developed and the gravest
apprehensions of the outcome are felt.
A sudden change for the worse in her
condition occurred late last night, and
she sank still lower today.
Drs Gardner. Mcdonald and Bishop
have been in consultation during the aft
ernoon and DR.. Bishop remained at the
house throughout the night
kilograms have been sent to Mrs.
Grants sons. General Frederick Grant,
commander of the department of Texas;
Ulysses Grant, Jr., and Jesse Grant both
of whom are at San Diego Cal. notifying
them to come at once to Washington.
Mrs Sartoris. her daughter, is at Mrs.
Grants bedside. After the physicians
made their call, shortly before IL o'clovlS
tonight Il ives said that Mrs. Grant was
a little better than she was earlier in the
day. 1t was announced that 1t was possi-
Bile that she would not survive the night.
She is in very feeble condition, and the
severe drain that the bronchitis has made
upon her system has precipitated an old
trouble with the heart. Mrs. Grant spent
last summer at Coburg, Canada but her
condition at that time was far from good.
She was taken quite i'll in October, and
on the advice of her physicians there was
hurriedly brought to Washington In a
special car, arriving here on the 18th OF
that month. She has been confined TO her
bed most of the time since then, although
on several occasions she has succeeded
in waking about the house snd has neen
cut OF eers ore or twice. Mrs. Grant IL
about rs years old
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
TO CHANGE INAUGURATION.
DeArmond Introduces Resolution Max
ing the Date April 80.

Washington, December ia joint reso-
luton was introduced in the house today
ty REPRESENTATIVE De Almond proposing
an amendment to the constitution of the
United States providing thai the term of
the president continue until April 30, 1905.
st noon, and thereafter April 30 at noon
shall be substituted tor March as the
beginning and ending of the term of
President and vice president, and that
the fifty-ninth congress shall end and the
sixtieth shall begin on January s, 1907, at
noon, ard thereafter each congress shall
begin and end on January at noon.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
CAPTURE OF THE FLEET.
Germans and Britons Took the Vene-
zueian Vessels Far Out to Sea.

Caracas, December 13.-The following
details of the capture of the Venezuelan
vessels at La Guaira Tuesday by the
Anglo German forces have reached here.
AT o'clock Tuesday afternoon thirteen
boats, manned by 24O British and German
seamen and towed by two steam launches
without giving any notification of their
intention to Venezuelan authorities, en-
tered the harbor of La Guaira and pro-
ceeded to the docks. The German con-
tingent belonging to the cruisers Vineta
and Fake, went on board the Margarita,
formerly the torpedo boat Rayo, which
was given to Venezuela by Ecuador, and
with revolvers in hand, compelled the
men who were occupied IN repairing ner,
to abandon the ship.
The German sailors smashed the tor
pedo tubes, the compass and the ma
chinery and left the Margarita in dock
in this disabled condition. The Germans
afterwards boarded the Ossun, freight
steamer belonging to q Frenchman ana
chartered by the government Tor the
transportation of troops, and ordered the
few sailors on board to quit the vessel.
which they did without making any re-
sistance. The German sailors cut the
anchor chain and towed her outside the
harbor.
British Took the Other Vessels.
At the same time the sailors of the
British cruiser Retribution boarded the
General Crespo and the Tutno and obliged
their crews to lower the Venezuelan flag
and leave the vessels. The Venezuelans
made no resistance. The British blue
Jackets then cut the vessels loose from
their anchors and towed them outside the
harbor. The Venezuelan crews were al
lowed to return to the shore.
The captured steamers were seen at IL
O'Clock at night still in the same position.
At o'clock in the morning the British
cruiser Retribution towed the General
Crespo and the Tutmo further out, and
the Venezuelan vessels have not been
seen since The government asserts that
the soldiers at the fort at La Guaira saw
them sunk with dynamite. 1t is fact
that the Retribution returned alone a few
hours later to La Guaira, and 1t was i'm
possible for her to lave conducted them
either to Curacao or Trinidad. The gov
srnment complains that the German sail
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14

accept the decision of the mixed commits
sion as the amount and guaranty which
should be given for payment. I have
also expressed the hope that the Vene-
zuelan government will defer to these
demands and not oblige his majesty's
government to take steps to obtain sat
isfection.
II have added that his majesty's gov
ernment has been informed of the claims
of the German government against Vene-
zuela, and that the two 60 ers ulents
have agreed to operate jointly for the
purpose of obtaining an arrangement Of
all their claims, and that his majesty's
government will require the immediate
payment of a sum equal to that which in
first case should be paid to the German
government Any balance after the pay
ment of urgent claims shall be held on
account for the liquidation of claims
which must go before the commission.
81 have moreover, instructions from
his majestys government to clearly state
that this communication must be taken
as an ultimatum.
'sHAGGARD, British Minister"
The German Ultimatum.
'"To His Excellency, senor Lopez Baralt.
Minister of Foreign Affairs;
Caracas. December T. 1902.
''Mr. Minister-In the name of the gov
ernment of his majesty, the German
emperor, l have the honor to make the
following communication to the govern
ment of Venezuela:
1.-THE imperial government has been
duly informed of the note of the minis
ter of foreign affairs of Venezuela, dated
the 9th of May last, in that note the
Venezuelan government refused the de-
mands of the imperial government rela-
tive to the payment of German claims
arising out of the civil wars of 1898 to
1900, and to support their refusal referred
to arguments already put forward The
imperial government even after examin-
ing those arguments anew do not think
they can consider them satisfactory. The
government of Venezuela argues in the
first place owing to the interior legisla-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
THE HOUSE.
Consideration of Big Appropriation Bill
Has Begun.

Washington, December 1s-The house
today entered upon the the consideration
of the legislative. executive and Judicial
appropriation bill. and made rapid pro-
gress fifty of the 142 pages Of the bill
having been completed before adjourn
ment Several Of the democratic MEM
bers voiced their protests against report
ing big appropriation bill one day. and
taking It up the next. without affording
sufficient time to members outside Of
the committee to properly examine it. No
material amendments were offered.
An urgent deficiency bill was reported
and at 4:05 D. m. the house adjourned.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
NEGRO SHOT IN RESTAURANT.
Two Refuse to Remove Their Hats
and One Reaches for His Gun.

Asheville, N. c., December ia shoot
ing ARRAY, followed by a number of ar
rests, occurred today in the center of the
business section of Asheville. Two ne
groes walked into white restaurant.
and were at once ordered to remove their
hats.
One of the negroes reached for his gun,
whereupon the proprietor and two white
patrons began shooting. One of the ne
groes was shot four timesl not, however,
fatally
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
W. E. CURTIS MADE PRESIDENT.
Chicago Man at the Head Of the Fam
GUS GrIdiron Club.

Washington, December 1S-At the an
nual meeting of the Gridiron club today
the following officers were elected:
President-w William e. Curtis, Chicago
Record Herald.
Vice Presidential. Coolidge. Boston
Journal.
ecretary-Richard Lee Fearn. New
York Tribune.
Treasurtr-Georgs H. Walker
Executive com mittee. in addition to the
above named officers: Francis e. Loupp
New York Evening Pest; Rudolph Kaufr-
man. Washington Star; James s. Henry,
Fhiladelphfa Press.
Joseph Ohl, Atlanta Constitution, was
elected a resident member Of the club.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
Take out Clearance Papers.

New York. December 13.-Vessels leav-
ing for Venezuelan ports took out their
clearance papers as Usual, notwithstapd-
ing the reports of blockade OF the vepe-
zuelan coast and refusal OF the German
end English war vessels to allow mer-
chent vessels to enter No official notice
has been received by the collector OF the
port to warn vessels asking for clearances
to Venezuelan ports Of the blockade.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
Increased Wages on Southern.

Washington, December 13.-A gen.
eral increase of wages of trainmen on
the Southern railway, averaging about
8 per cent in amount, has been
granted. This statement was made to-
day by General Manager Eckert, who
stated that the majority of the en-
gineers, firemen, conductors and brake
men, largely on the main line of the
Southern system, had received in
creases. The wages or the engineers
were raised from to 8 per cent and
the conductors and brakemen in a few
cases as high as 10 per cent
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
Discuss Banking and Currency.

Washington. December 13.-The repub-
lican members of the house committee on
banking and currency held conference
this afternoon to discuss financial legis-
lation. After deciding that this session
is too short to admit of taking up the
bill reported at the last session, the con-
ference practically agreed upon certain
recommendations relative to financial and
currency legislation, which they expect
to press for early consideration. The de-
tails of these recommendations have not
been fully worked out.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
british COMMODORE
HAS ARRIVED At CARACAS
Castro Has Changed His Attitude to
Certain Extent and All Seized
Property of Foreigners Is
iii. to Be Returned. IL

~ ARACAs, December H.-3 a. m.-
w 1t is now stated that Italy has
- handed to the Venezuelan gov
ernment similar demands to those made
by Germany and Great Britain for the
payment of her claims.
The immediate object of the German
commission in coming to La Guaira Is to
try to induce the commodore to delay
the blockade.
Popular demonstrations continue here
and the government is protecting the
German legation in which Madame Won
Pilgrim-Baltazzi is lying Ill. 1t Is i'm
possible to remove her to the United
States legation.
Three thousand two hundred Venezue-
Ian troops are in the neighborhood Of La
Guaira.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
CREW HELD PRISONERS.
British Steamer Topas Seized BY the
RabbeI at Puerto Cabello.

La Guaira, December 13.-The British
steamer Topas, from Sardiff, was seized
by the rabbel at Puerto Cabello Wednes-
day and pilaged. The captain and crew
were held as prisoners, but were released
today and the steamer will sail at noon
tomorrow for Cienfuegos.
The German cruisers Fake and Pan
ther have arrived here and the German
training ship Slisch is cruising around
outside on the lookout. The steamer
Prinb William w. entered the port at
o'clock this afternoon and discharged
She is now about to sail again. Other
ships which arrived off the port this
morning will proceed without communi-
eating.
A commission composed Of leading
merchants of Caracas has arrived here.
and has been on board the British
cruiser Charybdis and the German cruiser
Vineta. On the departure of the COM
mission, the Vineta sailed for an un-
known destination.
The fortresses here has been evicted
and all the soldiers have left the town.
The militia has been called out to main
tain order. All the drinking saloons and
booths have been closed by order of the
President.
The United States gunboat Marietta
arrived today from Curacao and has an
chored outside the harbor.
American Fleet Interested.
San Juan, Porto Rico, December 13-The
American fleet here is deeply interested
in the news of the Anglo-German action
in Venezuela. The Kearsarge, Alabama,
Massachusetts,, Iowa and Scorpion, with
Admiral Higginson in command, and the
Chicago, Newark and Eagle, Admiral
Sumner commanding, will sail for Trini-
dad next Friday. The United States navy
will thus have a strong force within easy
distance of the Venezuelan coast. This
movement, however, has no connection
with the situation in Venezuela and was
arranged before matters became acute.
Another Boat Captured.
La Guaira, December 1S.-The German
cruiser Vineta yesterday captured near
Guanta the Venezuelan gunboat Res
taurador, formerly George ]. Goulds
yacht Atalanta. A crew from the Vineta
was put aboard and the captured vessel
was sent to Trinidad.
Newspapers Protest.
Guayaquil, Ecuador, December 13.-The
newspapers here protest against the step
taken by Germany and Great Britain
against Venezuela, especially the sinking
of the Venezuelan vessels. They say the
Monroe doctrine is only used when con-
venient to the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14

Bioctcn, December 18--(SpeciaI.)--At
$50 o'clock this evening at the home OF
the brides parents in Blocton, J. M.
waddle win be married to Miss Katie
Louise Rice. The bride is the daughter
of Editor Rice of the Biocton Messenger
and is quite popular. The groom Il con-
nectsd with the Meseenvsrs
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14

the mobilization. He says it is the finest
feet ever assembled under one flag, and
that it is an honor to command it.
During the search problem, Rear Ad-
miral Higginson was handicapped by the
absence of the Texas and Norfolk, and
the breakdown of several of his ships.
The problem. the admiral adds, showed
the need of fast scouts, and an increased
navy
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14
New Complication.

Caracas, December 13.-A new compli-
cation has arisen. 1t Is feared that Italy
will deliver a memorandum asking for
the same treatment as demanded by
Great Britain and Germany. Up 10 the
present moment 1t is impossible to Obtain
definite information on the matter, but
the italian legation denies the delivery
of any ultimatum.
The news of the arrival of the British
commodore, Montgomery. at La Guaira,
has created excitement at Caracas, but
up to 5 o'clock tonight, the authorities
here have no knowledge of his design. In
government circles 1t is believed that
notification of the blockade of the Ven
ezuelan coasts will be transmitted Z
1t is learned from a government source
that on the advice of Minister Bowen
calm and cool attitude for twenty-four
hours more has been advocated, and That
if the Anglo-German forces disembarkeo
at La Guaira the troops at the fort and
in the newly erected redoubts will not
fire on them, the object being to obtain
time for washington to answer as to the
proposal for arbitration made to Berlin
and London.
Castro Takes New Attitude.
President Castro has taken up ne"
attitude. Strong in Venezuela's rights, he
has ordered that reprisals are to cease,
and yesterday he gave instructions that
all the property of the British and Ger
man railroads and British telephone COM
panies should be returned. The govern
ment will retain still the control OF the
La Guaira railroad. but its administra-
tion will be left independent.
Patriotic demonstrations took place
again yesterday and today. The Venezue-
lans have decided also to boycott all
goods manufactured in Germany and
Great Britain, and In all stores notices
are posted declaring that henceforth the
owners will refuse to sell goods coming
from those countries.
AT / o'clock this afternoon a special
train left Caracas for La Guaira, taking
Alfred Blohm, a leading German mer-
chant, and German banker of Caracas.
The German consul accompanied them
part of the journey. They are going on
board the Vineta on a special mission to
try and obtain Germany's acceptance of
arbitration. President Castro gave the
passports, though the initiative in this
mission was taken by Germans and not
by the government
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-14

ors ate the meals prepared on board the
captured steamers for the Venezuelan
crew.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-08-08
The Sixth District.

State Senator Carter Glass. of Lynch.
burg, was nominated by the Demo
cratic primary Saturday for Congress
from the 9Th district to succeed the
late Maj. Otey. His opponents were
Senator Graham Clayton, of Bedford,
and Hon. A. M. Bowman, of Salem.
Mr.. Glass majority was about $500.
In a letter to his old friend, Capt.
Morton here, Col. Bowman, referring
to the result of the election which he
good naturally accepts, says: I'm Sa-
lem (where be liyes) had 400 votes,
Glass 2, Clayton l. The county was
the same throughout, most precincts
not having vote against me. / also
carried every ward in Roanoke city.
These are some of the consultations. Of
course there are many explanations of
my defeat, but the most weighty is the
fact that Glass had too many votes. y
In Augusta where Col. Bowman once
lived and has many warm friends, his
campaign was watched with much
interest, and if this county had been
in the 9Th it would probably have given
him the necessary number of votes to
get to Congress on. He at any rate
has Augusta's congratulations on his
fattering home vote.