Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-09
News of the World

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 The Spanish minister of finance has prepared a measure providing for the free coinage of gold and pro hlblting inc coinage of silver.
 The European powers have de- cllned 10 receive their second in demnlty installment from China on the silver basis. The question as 10 whether China may discharge these obligations on gold or sil- yer basis may yet me taken to The Hagne tribunal for arbitration. The International Mercantile Marine Company, organized by J. P. Morgan and with Clement A. Griscom as it's president and direct ing chief, took actual control Jan uary i of the management of the various lines combined, says a press dispatch from Philadelphia. One of the first moves of public import ance, Mr. Griscom says, will be a encouragement of sailings to give a fast passenger and mail steamship from both sides of the Atlantic each day except Sunday.
 The commissioner of navigation reports 627 sail and steam vessels, of 171,599 gross ton, built in the United State and officially number ed during the six months ended De- cember 31, 1902. During the cor responding six months ended De- cember 31, 1901, 117 sail and steam vessels, of 154,073 gross tons, were built. Of the tonnage built in the latter half of 1909, 96,319 tons were built on the Atlantic and gulf, 2O,- O39 tons on the Pacific and 47,914 on the great lakes.
 Hilario Placido, a Filipino spy, who was of great assistance to the United States troops in capturing Aguinaldo, has been sentenced to life Imprisonment for murder. Pla- cldO was made nominal command CT of the body of American troops engaged in the capture of the Fill pino chief. This was necessary in order that the enemy might pre- sume the blue coats to be captives. On reaching the Filipino headquar- ters Placido rushed in and threw Aguinaldo to the floor when he was soon under capture.
 President Castro. in his reply to the powers, through United States Minister Bowen, gives practically an unqualified acceptance of their proposals to arbitrate under accom- panying conditions. The nature of the reply is said to be satisfactory. The blockading question is now the gravest problem of the moment. It is thought continuance of the blocade will greatly facilitate con- clusions of the arbitration prelimi- naries. Throughout Venezuela conditions are lamentable. Castro's mandate is the only law and he shows scant mercy. He has filed the jails with his political oppo- nents. Executions take place every where The soldiery is able in tll:s way to gratify personal spite CT d:s- appointment. Within sixteen miles of road close to the capital eighty five corpses were recently counted. These unfortunate persons were been either hanged or shot. The country elsewhere reeks with the dead. Castro seems entirely ire sponsible and is likely to yield to any mad impulse. United States Minister Bowen, who has been ham ding this delicate international difficulty with consummate skill, dreads what may happen in Cas- tro's present frame of mind.
 Ex-Gov. Hogg has disposed of his oil holdings in the Baumont field. It is said the ex-governor has cleared about $2,0OO,O00 on his in- vestments in oil lands.
 Mrs. w. A. Clark, Jr, wife of the youngest son of Senator Clark. and whose boy baby born few months ago will inherit $1,000,000 from his grandfather, just because he was born boy, died last week. The young mother had been i'll since the birth of her only child.