davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
CASES OF BUBoNic PLAGUE.
Sufferers Are the Cooks on Board the
 Prince Line Steamer.

New York, December ie.-Three cases of bubonic plague are under treatment in the Swinburne Island hospital at quar- antine The sufferers are the first and second cooks and the second steward or the Prince Line steamer, Saxon Prince which arrived from Durban, South A. rica, yesterday.
 One of the patients is convalescent, but the other two are still under treatment All three men slept together in smoll compartment. The total number of the crew is thirty-one. There are five pas sengers on board, a woman and four chil- dren. The steamer will be sent to sea to discharge the water and sand ballast taken on board at Durban. She will then return to quarantine, where the passon- gers and crew will be transferred to, Hoffman Island. where they will be held for ten days for observation. Dr. Doty, health officer of the port, says there is no danger of a spread of the contagion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
ItaIys UItinatun Presented and Minister Boards
 a Warship
DEMANDS IMMEDIATE
 PAYMENT OF $542.OOO
United States and France Are Said to Be the Only Powers Not Ready to Make an Attack on
 Venezuela.

Caracas December 16.-Signor DeRiva, the Italian minister, presented Italy's ultimatum to Venezuela at o'clock this afternoon.
 Caracas, December 16.-The Italian minister to Venezuela, Signor De Riva, has received orders from Rome to leave Caracas tomorrow morning. He will go on board the Italian cruiser Givoanna Bausi at La Guaira.
 Signor DeRiva has been instructed by his government to present to the gov ernment of Venezuela Italy's demand for the immediate payment of $542,000 to meet the Italian claims arising from former revolutions, in the form of an ultimatum. As 1t is known that the Venezuelan government cannot pay the amount demanded, the communication to the minister includes orders to leave Ven- ezuela at once The ultimatum from Italy is couched in stronger terms than those used in the ultimatums presented to Ven- ezuela by Great Britain and Germany. Italy will take part in future demonstra- tions against Venezula-
 The interests of Italy in Venezuela will be placed in the hands of United States Minister Bowen The Italian shield over the legation door will be removed from the building and instructions will be sent to all Italian consuls in Venezuela | to remove the shields over their consul | lates This step will be taken in order that the rupture between Italy and Ven ezula may be apparent
 Italys ultimatum had not been deliver ed at o'clock this afternoon The Ven- ezulanezulan government was not aware | at that hour that the Italian minister had received instructions to present an ultimatum and leave Caracas. A government official remarked to a representative of the Associated Press to- day that the United States and France are the only powers who do not attack l Venezuela,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
CONNECTS ARMED
 AND ROBBING STORES
THREE WHITE TRAMPS, BEATING THEIR WAY SOUTH, WERE FIRED UPON - TWO ARE WOUNDED, BUT THE THIRD ESCAPES.

Montgomery, December 16.-(Special)- Deputy Sheriff Sam Reeves of Pike county brought in tonight two badly wounded tramps from Sprague Junction, fifteen miles down the fAtlantic Coast line.
 For several days Deputy C. A. Nichols of Pike and a guard named Vaughan from the Henderson Lumber company's convict camp at Sanford have been fol- lowing the four convicts who escaped last Friday. The convicts are armed and have been robbing stores along the road. This afternoon, just as night closed in, the pursuers got to Sprague and on searching a box car three men jumped out, and, being called op to halt, ran off.
 The deputies, supposing they were the eonvicts, fired and wounded two. One of them had his hip broken and the other got shot in the hip and three fingers shot away. The third man escaped. They were three white tramps, beating their way to Montgomery. The wounded men are now at the city infirmary being operated on and one is dangerously 4urt. One of them is named Ike Levy and is from Savannah, where he has a brother named Bob who has been tlegraphed to-. The other is from New York.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
IMPORTANT MEETING
 OF U. s. CABINET.

Washington, December 16. = President Roosevelt and his cabinet had one of the most extended and important meetings today that has been held this fall. For eign affairs practically consumed the en- tire time of the session. The Venezuelan situation was discussed in all its phases, but no conclusion was reached different from that which has actuated the Presi- dent and his advisers throughout the consideration of the troubles. From an authoritative source the information IS obtained that there will be no recession on the part of this government with re- spect to questions involving Venezuela or any of the other governments of the South or Central American republics as laid down by the President in his message to congress Every detail of the develop ment in the Venezuelan section is being scrutinized with the utmost care. It can be said authoritatively that no apprehen- sion exists in the minds of any or the ad- ministration officials that serious trouble growing out of 1t will accrue to this country. It is believed that both Great Britain and Germany will act within the arrangement which was originally pre- scented to this government and to which the United States passively assented.
 The treaty with Cuba, which was mel gotiated in Havana by General Bliss and which arrived in Washington in General BLISS hands tOday, was presented to the cabinet and considered in detail It Is ready for presentation to congress, and probably will be transmitted to the senate within twenty-four hours. It is regarded as highly important that 1t should be rati- fled promptly, as the present Venezuelan situation emphasizes the necessity for coaling stations in Cuba. while definite action upon the treaty by the senate or by congress if the necessity arises to present also to the house of representa- tives Is scarcely to be expected before the holiday recess. The administration is hopeful of it after congress reconvenes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
MIR. BAER IS NOT PLEASED.
Deprecates the Course Pursued By the
 Independent Coal Operators.

New York, December 16-President Baer of the Reading road made a statement to- day deprecatlng the course pursued by the independent coal operators, who, it Is alleged, have forced the price of their coal up to s11.5O ton to dealers, equal to $14 to the consumer.
 unfortunately, there seems to be no way to compel them to sell down to the level fixed by the railroads" said Mir Baer. If their sense of obligation to the people cannot deter them from asking prohibitive prices, nothing the public or the railroads can do would be of any eff feet. The railroads cannot refuse to transport their coal; the law regarding the business of all public carriers opposes 1t. The charge that the combine is sell ing coal to the independents is false. We are doing everything in our power to keep down the price of coal and to get 1t to market quickly"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17

Washington, December 16.-Dispostion of the men-of-war of Admiral Deweys fleet during the holidays, is to be made under the direction of the secretary of the navy, in view of the increasing com plications arising in connection with Venezuela, and the wishes of this gov ernment not to arouse suspicion unneces- sarily by dlspatching large naval force to Venezuelan waters. Admiral Dewey cabled the department yesterday in re- gard to the orders for his fleet during the Christmas holidays, though Secret y Moody did not announce the receipt of the dispatch until today.
 Orders are now in preparation for the various vessels and will be forwarded to the admiral in the next day or two.
 No reflection upon Admiral Dewey is intended by the navy department in de- ciding to give up the orders for his ships rs-A-~-&-~-&%->-e-~%&-%% edged the manifestations. President Cas- tro received a vociferous ovation. The purpose of the meeting was to approve of the patriotic stand taken by the gov- ernment The enthusiasm throughout the republic to stand by the government baf- fles description"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
ITALY JOINS GERMANY AND ENGLAND LN
 TRYLNG TO FORCE LITTLE VENEZUELA
People 0f South America Want War
 But the GObeYnn1enfS Are HeSifant.

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The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
MONTEREY TO HAVE CARS.
Baltimore Concern Proposes to Put In
 Modern System.

Baltimore, December 16.-Details of the plan by which a local syndicate will sup ply Monterey, Mex, with a modern troll ley system has been completed. The Mon terery Electric Railway company, with a capital of $1.50OOO0 in gold bonds, and a bond issue, the amount of which has not yet been announced, will be organized. The company will own the following prop critics: Empress company, with thirteen miles, main line and other holdings, in- cluding a franchise that runs sixty-six years; Monterey and Santa Catalina rail- road, a main line, fifteen miles long, fran chise runs so years; Macin and Dillcn concessions for all other streets of Mon terey of any value about twenty-three miles, franchise 99 years, with certain tax concessions.
 The company will operate 100 miles of street railway, and will at once equiy fifty miles for electric operation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
BIG SHIPS STRUCK
 BY VENEZUELAN FIRE.

Puerto Cabello, December 16.-It has been learned here that during the bom- bardment of Puerto Cabello December 15 by the British cruiser Charybdis and the German cruiser vineta. that the Charybdis was struck in the bow by a shot fired from a cannsn on the Plaza Brusual. The Vineta was struck twice by the Venezuelan fire.
 The report which has been in circula- ton here that an officer of the Vineta was killed during the bombardment by a rifle bullet fired from the shore, appears now to be true. The Vineta left this port suddenly, although 1t was supposed she would remain here to protect German in- terests. She Is at present at Willemstad, where she arrived with her flag flying at half mast. It Is believed she went to willemstad for the purpose of buryine the body of the dead officer there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
Ohio River Rising.
GOVERNORS CONFIRMING.

New Orleans. December 16.-Governors Longino and Heard and the oyster com mission of Louisiana and Mississippi, held a conference on the disputed bound ary line pending action by the Supreme court Louisiana has already made some temporary concessions and refused to make any additional Attorney General McClurg of Mississippi thought the dis pute was rather for legislative action, but Louisiana decided to rest on the case in court. Another conference will be held in January.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
AMERICAN VESSELS WILL
 kEEPCLOSE VENEZUELA

instead of giving him free hand in the matter, as it was expected would be done. That there may be a thorough co-opera- ton of the navy with the state depart ment in the handling of the Venezuelan situation, however, 1t seemed that the question could be more satisfactorily set tied here, as the navy department Is in possession of all the facts regarding the action of the allied powers, and danger of conflicting with the policy of the state department will be averted. It Is unlikely that men-of-war will be sent to La Guaira, the feeling being that the pres ence of American memo war at this time might cause uneasiness among the allied powers, as well as offer encouragement to President Castro to maintain his de- liant attitude. On the other hand the situation has grown so acute within the past few days that both state and navy department officials are agreed that 1t will not be unwise to rendezvous the fleet in ports within easy range of the Venezuelan coast.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
To Amend Civil Service Law.

Washington, December 16.-Senator Scott of West Virginia today introduced a bill for an amendment to the civil ser vice law. It provides that all persons employed in the classified service shall serve for term of six years and that after the expiration of their term they only. Railway mail clerks are exempted and provision is made for their perma. nent employment. The bill also provides that the classified service shall Include only persons whose salaries range from S9O0 to S1SOO
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
DOES NOT APPEAR TO
 BE NEARER SETTLEMENT.

London, December 16.-Judg1ng Irom
 statements given out by the foreign of-
 flee, the Venezuelan situation does not
 appear to be any nearer a settlement. Up to a late hour tonight no suggestion has been made that Great Britain could
 eventually see its way clear to submitting
 its claims to arbitration, and the foreign office points out that VeneZuela's offer
 to arbitrate is extremely vague. Presl- dent Castro, in the communication in
 which he expresses his willingness to
 report to arbitration, provides no guar
 antee that the rights of British subjects in Venezuela will be respected pending
 the award. The foreign office claims
 that some matters are impossible to ar
 bitrate instancing the disrespectful treat
 ment of MT. Haggard, British minister to Venezuela, to arbitrate the financial
 claims, however, will meet with no oppo- sition in official circles in London, nor
 is there any desire to stir up opposition here by continuing unnecessarily the
 present compart with Germany, but, ln quoting from the foreign office lat the
 same time there is not the slightest in-
 clination to let Venezuela go unpunished for her reported insults and injuries" The offer to arbitrate comes very late in the day. We are not seeking quarrel, but we must insure ourselves against a N~%S present situation"
 The foreign office appears to be without official cognizance of the attitude of the Washington government although 1t is
 convinced unoficially that Washington is anxious that further hostilities be
 avoided. It Is known that the foreign of flee has made inquiry as to whether the
 United States would be willing to guaran- tee the fulfilling of Venezuea's pledges, t1A1 fnf1 n ent European action or pending the award of the arbtrators. This Inquiry re-
 suited In direct negative from the United States.
 With the guarantee of the United States the foreign office says arbitration in the Venezuela matter would be an imme-
 diate probability, but with only the word of a government hitherto unreliable, ar
 bitration Is difficult of accepting. even
 upon the points where international rela-
 tions admit of such method of settle ment.
 Details of Sinking.
 Washington, December 16.-A dispatch
 received at the German embassy today,
 relative to the sinking of the Venezuelan
 gunboats by the allied fleet, bring inn
 portant details about this incident. It
 seems that of the three Venezuelan mem
 of-war captured by the German squad ron, the Restaurador is of 600 tons dis placement. and the two others the Totu-
 mo and General Crespo, were of 137 tons. Manned with German sailors the Restau- rador, now flies the German flag. The other two vessels it is claimed, were not seaworthy enough to make the voyage to Trinidad, nor was it possible to tug them to port, as the squadron was in search of Venezuelan men-of-war. The German commander, it is added, realizing that the ships were of no value, decided to sink them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
PENN. ROAD GETS FRANCHISE.
Will Be Allowed to Construct Tunnel
 Into the City.

New York, December 16.-After repeated postponements and protracted debate the board of aldermen today, by vote of fl to 36, granted the Pennsylvania raii- road tunnel franchise.
 President Cantor of Manhattan was the only one of the borough presidents to vote against it. Immediately after the granting of the Pennsylvania franchise. the New York and New Jersey tunnel franchise. granting the privilege Of enter ing Manhattan in West street, was taken up and passed by vote of 45 to 15.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
Details of Sinking.
VENEZUELANS STAND
 BY THE GOVERNM ENT.

New York, December 16.-E. Gonzales Esteves, Venezuelan consul in New York, received the following cablegram today from Dr. Ferres Gardnas, President Cas- tro's secretary, dated Caracus, Decem- Der 16:
 "A solemn meeting organized by the honorable patriotic board of citizens, pre- sided over by Don Juan Estevan Linares, a prominent merchant was held yester- day.
 "Over 10000 people marched from Wash ington square to Bolivar square, where President Castro and cabinet acknowl-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
Cars Must Be Cleared.

Washington, December 16. = Secretary Wilson today issued an order directing that all freight cars which have carried animals within the limits of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Yer mont which have been quarantined on account of the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease, shall be cleaned and dis infected before leaving the state where unloaded.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
Governor Remits Forfeiture.

Montgomery, December 16.-(Special.)- The governor today remitted a forfeiture taken against w. G. Lunsford ct al. by the Criminal court at Birmingham as sureties on the bond of one William John son. colored. It seems that Johnson was convicted in the Inferior court and ap-f pealed. and Lunsford and others made his bond. Then Johnson died and inad- vev-tently the forfeiture was taken and made final.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
Coalition Cabinet Resiqns.

Santiago de Chile. December 16.-The coalition cabinet has resigned after hav- ing been ten days in power. The resigna- tion of the ministers was the outcome of a disbursement between the cabinet and presideA ss,esco over election matters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
Bid Lumberman FaIIs.

Texarkana, Tex. December 16.-L. E. Breathitt. one of the heaviest lumber deal- CTS in this country, confessed judgment today. The liabilities are sl0O,o0O. assets s110,O00. Breathitt controls plants along the Cotton Belt road in Texas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
FLOOD STILL RACES
 IN THE SOUTHWEST
TRACKS OF L. & N. AND N., c. & ST. L., BETWEEN NASHVILLE AND MEMPHIS ARE SUBMERGED AND TRAFFIC IS IMPEDED.

Memphis, December 16.-The flood sit- uation in western Tennessee and northern Mississippi is still grave and but few of the railroads have repaired the damage done by the overflows The Louisville and Nashville, and Nashville Chattanooga and St. Louis tracks between Memphis and Nashville are still submerged and trains between these cities are being de- toured by way of Paducah Junction. over the tracks of the Illinois Central On this line between Paducah and Memphis, water is still standing over long stretches of track, and all trains are being pre- ceded by hand cars to insure safety. It is thought that another day must pass before the railroads can hope to resume traffic over all lines Into this city. The washout on the Southern railroad near Grand Junction. Tenn, has not been re- paired and the mail trains are being sent out over the Frisco lines to Tupelo and thence over the Mobile and Ohio to Corinth.
 The situation in Arkansas Is better. Trains are running more regularly and reports from many points in the state are that rivers and streams are receding. The loss to farmers has been heavy. much live stock has been drowned and in the lowlands farms are inundated.
 A dispatch from Collierville, Tenn, to- night says that the three men reported drowned last night have turned up after an exciting experience with the rush of water. The weather Is clear and cold.
 Ohio River Rising.
 Pittsburg, December 16.-At g o'clock tonight the Ohio river at the dam ergis- tered 12.9 feet and rising rapidly, but river experts don't expect more than 16 or r feet to follow the rains and snow at headwater points The shipments of coal to the south today aggregated l. 225 mn husheIs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
To Amend Antitrust Law.

Washington, December 16 Senator Quarles of Wisconsin today introduced a bill for the amendment of the antitrust law, the purpose of which is to prevent trusts from forcing ruinous competition on rivals in the same line of business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
SPAIN AND BELGIUM
 NOW WANT PAYMENT.

Caracas. December 16.-The Spanish minister to Venezuela, Senor Gaytan de Ayula, and the Belgian charde daaires, NJ Van DerPeyde, have presented a Joint letter to the Venezuelan minister of for eign affairs, in which they ask, in case the claims of other foreign powers are paid by Venezuela, that the same treat ment given these powers be accorded to Spain and Belgium.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
sritons AoaInst Partnership.

Berlin December 16.--The newspapers here today print long dispatches indi- eating that British public opinion is against the partnership with Germany in connection with the coercion of Venezue- la, and the papers are evidcing a certain amount of pique. They suggest that Ger many would have done better to act alone, and say the German government must think twice on a future occasion before agreeing to act with Great Brit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17
chattahoochee Is RisInq.

Columbus, Ga. December 16-The Chat tahoochee river has risen ten feet within the past twelve hours. The rise came very unexpectedly, sweeping away many bales of cotton on the wharves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-17

(continued on Second Pase)
Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1902-03-05
MaryelS of Surgery.

There seems to be no limit to the marvels that can be performed by modern and up to date surgeons Within the year just past we have seen them remove a mans stomach and patch him up so that be gets along comfortably without that sup posedly indispensable article; also re- move a section of the spinal column and substitute therefor a silver rod without causing the patient serious inconvenience. And now comes a dispatch from Clinton, Iowa saying: "The operation by which the cornea of the eve of a rabbit was substituted for that of man, is proving success ful beyond the hopes of the physician who performed the operation. About ten days ago Dr. Paul Walter, to whom William Stickell went, in an effort to recover his lost sight, put his patient under anaesthetics, cut the cornea from the eye of a live Belgian hare, removed a leathery growth which had taken the place of the cornea of the blind mans eye, and today the bandages were remov- ed. Stickwell says that he can see light once more, and though his eye is still badly infamed it is possible that Stickell will so far recover the sight of his eye, that he will be able to read" A few years ago no one could have believed these things pos sihle.=EX.