davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24

Following is summary of war
news for the week ending Saturday,
June 18th:
The rigid censorship over dispatches
from the seat of war for several days
before June 10th, made it almost i'm
possible for one to keep minutely in
formed of the movements of the bel
'ligerents.
This censorship was broken by the
important events resulting in Jap
lanese victory on the Lao Tung penin-
,sula and when a successful sortie had
been made by the Russian Vladivos-
ItOk squadron. AS it was evident that
IA Russian force had been dispatched
to harass General Oku's rear and
hamper him in his operations against
Port Arthur, the Japanese, instead of
waiting for the Russians to attack
them in their entertainments across
the narrow part of the Lao Tung Pc
ninsula. sent some three or four divis-
lions north to attack the Russians. The
engagement took place at Vafangow,
about eighty-five miles north of Port
Arthur and not far from Foo Chou
The battle seems to have begun on
June 18th, when the japanese began
developing the Russian force. This
was continued on June 14th. when
both armies maneuvered for position.
On June 18th the Russians seem to
have taken the offensive and attempt
,ed to enyelop the japanese right,
which, however, they were unable to
turn. The japanese, meanwhile, had
assembled number of troops. prob
ably two divisions. on the Russians
light, and on June 18th the main at
10 1y do nd 40 IN Si n T.,
ed. Again the excellent Information
of the Japanese as to the enemy's
number and position was shown to be
accurate and that of the Russians de-
'flcient Also the tactical handling of
the japanese troops, especially their
artillery arm, was marked. The artil-
1ery arm Of the Japanese in each of
their three great fights has given them
an Overwhelming advantage, due to its
efficiency and handling. In each in
stance the Japanese artillery has been
tnaSsed and all pieces available
brought into action at the earliest pos
sible moment, while the Russians. ap-
,parently still sticking to the old re-
serve artillery notion, have their bat
tteries scattered, and a good many
pieces which might have been brought
up are held back Also from strate-
gic standpoint the Japanese in each
engagement had put more men in a
given place than their opponents, thus
carrying out the saying Of one of our
old United States commanders that
strategy was getting the mostest men
there firstest."
The situation on the Lao Tung Pc
ninsula and Manchuria is thought to be
about as follows at present: General
Stakelberg with probably $4,000 or 30,
600 men, after being defeated at Va
fangow, is retreating northward. ex
pecting to be attacked at any time on
his flank by detachment Of General
kuroki's troops. Renforcements are
being sent to General Stakelberg from
Liao Yang by General kuropatkin to
guard against his possible annihilation.
Meanwhile the Russians at Lao Yang
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
Meenan Murder Case.

Denver. June 21.-A hearing was
had in the Supreme Court yesterday
on the application for a writ of super
sedeas in the case of Harry Tuttle ard
Elmer Shanks, convicted of the muir
der of Joseph Meenan of Akron. Tut
tie and Shanks are now confined in Jail
and the i'll effects of their confinement
is having upon their health is one of
the grounds urged by their attorneys
for the granting of the writ. The court
did not pass upon the application. and
probably will not do SO for several
days, but gave the attorneys until
Thursday to file reply brief to that
submitted by the attorney general yes.
terday.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
THE FARM AND RANGE
Irrigation Bulletin.

The ONCE of experiment stations
United States Department of AericuI.
ture. will soon issue a bulletin de
scribing methods of preparing land for
irrigation and applying water to land
crops in different sections of the arid
region of the United States.
This bulletin brings out the fact. no,
we'll understood. that the cost of prc.
pairing land for irrigation is in mauy
instances greater than the cost OF
building canals and reservoirs, De.
tailed figures Of the cost of CHECKING
land show that it varies in certain dis
tricts in California from 1886 to SIS
OS per acre. This is more than tyice
the cost Of the canal systems in the
San Joaquin valley, California, which
is given in the report OF the census
bureau for 1902 as $4.99 per irrigated
acre. Where the preparing OF land is
contracted for the cost of checking va
ries from $3.50 to $4,000 per acre. The
price of preparing Land for flooding is
much less-but is IS per acre in W.
oming The need OF better under
standing of this particular branch Of
irrigation practice is becoming more
and more important.
Reservoirs and canals are hut means
to accomplish purpose. That pur.
pose is to increase the products of the
soil. The value of the ditch or reseT-
voir depends upon the acreage of land
which it will serve and the increase in
the value Of the products which thu
use of the water will bring about, The
time is coming when the most import
ant problems connected with irrigation
will be the best means of applying wa
ter and not. as at present, those of can
al and reservoir building.
About thirty different methods of ap.
plying water are now in use. This
does not mean that there are thirty
distinct systems, but includes the diff
terent ways Of preparing land, by
checking. compartments, deep and
shallow furrows. flooding. sprinkling,
and sub-irrigation. The bulletin gives
some Of the results of series of tests
of different methods OF applying water
and the difference in loss Of water by
evaporation in deep and shallow fur
rows and in flooding.
About one and one-half times as
much water was needed to irrigate an
acre of land by flooding as was re
quired in burrows twelve inches deep
About one and one-third times as
much water was needed to irrigate in
burrows three inches deep as in fur
rows one foot deep. A saving of one,
third of the water by the adoption Of
a better system would mean not only
Increased profits to farmers, but a
large increase in the acreage which
could be irrigated from canals or res
ervoirS.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
PORTLAND SUIT
is WITHDRAWN BY DIRECTORS
Peabody.-Mine Will Reopen
With Non-union Men.

Denver, June 21-A Colorado Springs
dispatch last night says: All litiga-
ton against Governor Peabody Gen.
eral Bell and Teller county officials
will be dismissed at once and the Port
land mine reopened upon the same ba-
sis adopted by other mine owners OF
the Cripple Creek district. This COM
prises the result of the special meet
ing Of directors of the Portland Gold
Mining Company, held yesterday after
noon in the Portland Offices in the
Bank block
1t was voted, without objection on
the part of President James F. Burns.
who was present. and who instituted
two suits against Governor Peabody
and other state and Teller county Off
cials recently, that both suits be with
drawn and that the attorneys take &C.
ton at once.
1t is expected that the litigation
started in Denver and St. Louis will be
dismissed tomorrow.
It was voted also without opposi-
ton on the part of President Burns
to reopen the Portland mine as soon
as practicable and to continue It's op-
Grafton In harmony with the move
ment inaugurated by the Nine Own
ers' Association.
The action of the directors puts an
end to the trouble which for time
threatened to cause a serious disrup
ton among the members of the board.
The situation was calmly discussed in
an exhaustive manner and each phase
gone INTO carefully. the decision being
reached without objection on the part
Of any director
No member of the Western Fedora
ton Of Miners will be employed on the
Portland when it reopens. This appar-
federation has had on the Portland
mine.
For several months the four other
have resented President Burns friend
ship for the federation. Matters
reached a climax upon the institution
Of the two suits above named against
state and county officials.
One suit was brought in Denver to
recover 100000 damages from Gov
ernore Peabody for the closing down
of the Portland mine. while the other.
filed in the Federal Court at st. Louis,
sought an injunction restraining the
reference with the operation OF the
mine.
The four directors. R. c. Shannon,
one of the nuelber. being in New York,
were unit against the presidents
policy, despite the fact that Thomas
Burns and F. G. Peck are respectively
his brother and brother-in-law. Irving
Howbert, also Of this city, vice presi-
dent Of the company, is the fifth direct
or. Although nothing was given out
to this effect by the directors it is
common talk that President Burns was
given the option of resigning the pres
idency or of agreeing to withdraw the
suits and fall in line with the other d.
rectors. Hence the vote without OBJ
lection"
There were present at the meeting
this afternoon President j. F. Burns,
Vice President Irving Howbert, Secre.
tary-Treasurer F. 6. Peck 7. F. Burns,
all directors; former Governor G. S.
Thomas OF Denver and Judge A. L.
Gunne} The two latter appeared as
the attorneys for President Burns.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
RAID BY VLADIVOSTOCK SQUADRON
AND CONSTAND FIGHTING ON LAND

and Mukden are afraid that General
Kuroki will move TO their rear and cut
off their retreat to Harbin. and they are
eXerting themselves TO stop this by
making strong intrenchments to the
east Of Muklen.
The japanese near Vafangow are fol-
lowing the retreating Russians with
part OF their forces, probably 10000.
while the remainder. probably 20.OOO.
fhave stopped at Vafangow ready to re-
inforce their pursuing force il neces-
sary. Japanses force from General
Kurokis army is undoubtedly march
1 ing to intercept General Stakelberg.
This move is made. probably, with tho
hope that General kuropatkin will send
such a number OF troops south from
Lao Yang as to weaken himself at
those places, in which case General
kuroki viii attack the main Russian po-
sitions at Lao Yang and Mukden, and
ir case he can get in the Russian rear
Kuropatkin's army will be enveloped
on three sides, south, east and north.
by a superior Japanese army, in which
case the Russians Will either have to
literally cut their way out, whip kuro-
XII, be annihilated or surrender. The
lNo last SSSIIl IlIoSl lioDooIS, 40 AAA
roki, with the 10000 Japanese troops
in the vicinity of Vafangow, must have
over 100000 men, while the Russians
have not to exceed 100000 that can bs
brought to bear. The Russian position
in Manchuria is considered more crtti-
cal at this time than ever before. In
the vicinity OF Port Arthur, due to re-
Inducements which have been poured
into the Japanese lines during the last
week, General Oku has probably $4,000
men in addition to those sent north.
The siege is being vigorously pushed
by land and sea, probably with success,
as liberal preparations in men and
guns have been made, while the fleet
co-operates from the sea under COM
mand of Admiral Togo
During the past week no naval en-
counters have occurred between war
vessels. The Russian Vladivostok
squadron, with three fast cruisers and
some torpedo boat destroyers, has made
a successful raid and has sunk two OF
the best Japanese transports, loaded
with many tons of supplies, and with
loss of life of approximately 1000 men.
These transports were encountered by
the Russians near the Oki Islands,
which lie between the straits of Shi-
monoseki and Korea. Due to dense fogs
prevailing in these parts. the Japanese
squadron under Admiral Iriu has been
unable up to this time to intercept
them. The transports sunk were each
of about 5000 tons displacement, and
are said to have belonged to the Japa-
nese Toyo Kisen, Kaisha Steamship
Company. The raid of the Vladivostok
ships has been one OF the most daring
acts of the Russians since the begin
ming of the war AS soon as the devel-
opments on the Lao Tunk peninsula
and Manchuria will permit, the Japa-
nese will undoubtedly send a force to
Possiet bay to isolate Vladivostok and
March to Harbin. In anticipation Of
this move. the commanding officer at
Vladiyostok has ordered all non-com-
batants away. AS affairs stand now, it
looks dark for the Russians.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
LAW SUSTAINED
INHERITANCE TAX LAW VALID
Sustained by Supreme Court Of Colo
u rado in Test Case brougs& BY
Aareement.-AGams County Wins.

Denver, June 2l.-The validity OF the
inheritance tax was fully established
yesterday in an opinion handed down
by the Supreme Court, affirming the de-
clsion of the County Court. The case
was that of Charles S. Elder. treasurer
of the city and county of Denver
against the estate of Peter Magnes, de-
ceased, and Samuel r. Brown as ad-
ministrator of the estate.
Justice John Campbell wrote the
opinion of the court. An excerpt from
the opinion follows:
The sole question for determination
is whether the so-called Inheritance tax
law of this state is valid. 1t is said
to contravene several provisions of our
state and federal constitutions. AS
throwing light upon the object of this
legislation and as pertinent to some OF
the objections made to it. a brief ref
erence to the history of the states
financial condition and standing will
lie helpful
Here follows review of the rates OF
taxation which have prevailed in Colo
RADIO and the condition of the state
treasury existing at different periods
Inability to meet outstanding obliga-
tlons was the situation which confront
ed the Thirteenth General Assembly
when it convened in January, 1901. The
special session of 1902 was called by the
governor with the primary object in
mind Of providing ways and means for
securing additional revenue for the
general purposes Of the state, and at
this session was passed a measure en-
titled IAN act in relation to public rev.
enue." Included therein from sections
q to Al are what constitute the So
called inheritance tax provisions,
which were made the subject of attack
in this case.
The opinion goes fully into various
tax cases that have bearing on the
present one. Lack of uniformity was
perhaps the greatest contention raised
against the measure. Further the de-
cision reads: We have already held
that our law imposes tax upon the
privilege of taking, receiving and en-
joining property that passes by will or
under our interstate laws, and that au-
thority for its imposition is found in
the sovereign power of the state tn lay
a tax upon privileges and SUGGESTIONS
IN legal contemplation it does not
change the law of descent in the sense
of the inhibition of our constitution,
and 1t no more modifies or abrogates
the law of descent or the right to hold
and enjoy property which passes by
will than does any kind of tax on
property change the general law under
which the owner enjoys it."
Adams county was also victorious in
the tax levy case. in which the Su-
preme Court affirmed the opinion OF tho
lower court. The case was brought by
the Board of County Commissioners of
Adams county against the City Council
and the city and county of Denver.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
Metcalf to Succeed corteIyou.

Washington. June Pit can be
stated with defniteness that Repre-
sentative Victor H. Metcalf. of the
Third California district. will succeed
Secretary George B. Cortelyou as head
of the Department of Commerce and
Labor. It has been assumed for ten
days that Mr.. Metcalf probably would
be invited to accept the portfolio. The
President holds him in high esteem,
and for long time he has been in
closer touch with Mr.. Roosevelt than
almost any other member of the House
of Representatives.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24

Colorado cattle feeders are waiting
impatiently for the bulletin to be is
sued by the Colorado experiment sta
ton on the beet pulp experiment just
completed 1t is well known that the
experiment has been very success
full from a financial standpoint and
many feeders will go in heavy on
pulp next fall.-Denver Record Stock
man.
The secretary of agriculture has an,
nounced that his department on July
l will begin the collection and test.
ing of seeds. The appropriation bill
for the Department of Agriculture for
the year beginning July LIST directs the
secretary to obtain in the open market
samples Of seeds of grass, clover. or
alfalfa test the same and if any such
seeds are found to be adulterated or
misbranded, or any seeds OF Canada
blue grass are Obtained under any 9th
er name than Canada blue grass. to
publish the results of the tests to-
gether with the names OF the persons
by whom the seeds were offered for
sale. The object of this provision is
to protect farmers who in the past
nave purchased large amounts Ol ClON'
er and other grass seed advertised as
new varieties from which excellent re,
suits could be obtained in mostly any
soil. It was also alleged that when
the crop obtained from these new
varieties was made into hay it pos
sessed many advantages over the or
dinary and well-known varieties. As a
matter of fact, the seed was from
Canada blue grass, quick growing
lay grass, but notably lacking is nu-
triment.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
Transports Mostly Escaped.

Toxic, June 2o.-rhe transports
Sado Hitachi and IZumi were the only
ones overhauled by the Russians.
Japan had thirteen transports in and
near the strait of Korea the morning
the Sado and the Hitachl We're caught
and she was fortunate that only the
three ships mentioned were oVertaken
by the enemy.
The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-24
Morton Offered Cabinet Position.

Washington, June Z1.-The Post to-
day says: President Roosevelt has
formally invited Paul Morton to be-
come a member of his official family
as secretary of the navy. Mr.. Morton
has the matter under consideration
and has not yet given any intimation
bf acceptance or declination. >! J
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-07
ELDON.

Eldon, April 5.-Mrs. H. Cremer,. Of
Ottumwa, returned home last evening,
after pleasant visit with relatives in
this city.
Mrs. G. w. Whistler and son Harve
left today for Brighton to visit rela-
tives and friends.
Miss Cora Ball, of Fairfield, return
ed home yesterday, after a visit with
her friend, Miss Maud Baldwin.
VIM. Walter ]. Sharp, j. W. Hall
and VIM. Adams left today for Pierre,
South Dakota. where they will take
claims and remain the rest of the year.
Mrs. w. G. Grow is improving slow
ly after two weeks illness.
Dwight Norton, who has ben en-
ployed in Ottumwa is visiting relatives
and friends in this city.
Will Smith, of Des Moines, is visiting
his parents at this place.
Miss Carrie Myers, of Eddyville, re-
turend home yesterday after visit
with friends in this city.
Miss Cloe McCreary has returned
from visit with relatives in Douds.
Miss Nora Kettle returned yesterday
from visit with relatives in Corydon
The Eastern Stars had regular meet
ing at the X. p. hall last evening, and
two candidates were taken in the
membership, after which luncheon was
served.
Miss Opal Taylor spent Sunday with
friends in Ottumwa
c. Q. Ehinger and ]. W. Robinson
spent Sunday in Ottumwa.
Dave McHaffey left for Oklahoma
today on business.
A small fire started in the kitchen of
the Hotel Eldon at noon today, caused
by a defective fiue. The fire company
was called out but the flames were ex-
tinguished before they had gained any
Roadway.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-07

Belgium is today reputed to be the
largest dealer in ivory and rubber in
the world. as the result of this forced
labor and military service. Great and
unspeakable cruelties are practiced on
the native people. l have seen $4,000
fleeing into the forests to escape from
the cannibal soldiers. have seen
these soldiers scouting through the
country and after catching a number
of men whom the government wanted
as laborers, going away with the cap.
tives tied together by ropes around
their necks.
Raid the Villages.
"Raids upon the villages are being
constantly made Some of the people
are killed and eaten and others are
carried away into captivity and sold
can buy all the slaves you want at
Luebo at from $40 to SIS each.
Kill Innocent Women.
Innocent women and children are
killed or captured and their hands are
cut off to be taken back to the white
Belgian officers to show that the work
has been done and well done. Great
sections are being depopulated After
one of these raids one of our mission.
aries encountered eighty-one hands
cut off and drying over fire to be TAX.
en- back to the Belgian officers. Forty.
five dead bodies were counted
nearby"
Appeals to Government.
DR.. Morrison said that he has appeal.
ed to the governor of Congo State
and prominent officials at the Belgian
capital to have these atrocities stop.
ped but always they said they could
do nothing and denied all charges
Consul Roger Cazament the English
and the acting American representa-.
tive in the Congo State, has just made
tour of investigation, and has a re,
port in the hands of the government at
Washington, which presents most de.
plorable condition of affairs
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-07
AN ARMY OF
CANNlBALS
MISSIONARY SAYS LEOPOLD HAS
INHUMAN SYSTEM IN
CONGO STATE.
NATIVES ARE TORTURED
DR.. w. M. Morrison In Lecture at
Louisville, KY, Reveals Practices
Most Revolving Which He Says King
of BeIgians Endorses Yet Denies.

Louisville, KY, April g. DR.. w. NJ.
Morrison a southern Presbyterian min
lister and former missionary to the
Congo Free State in speaking to the
Presbyterian Ministers association
here, gave an impressive recital of the
alleged barbarities practiced upon the
natives Of the Congo State by those
holding power.
An Army of Cannibals.q
81 lived with these people seven
years." said DR.. Morrison. King Leo
pold has there native cannibal army
of 10000 men. Differed by white Bel.
gians, armed with repeating rifles.
These men. representing the worst and
most savage type of the natives, were
first caught and then carried far away
from their homes and forced into mill
tary service. There this soldiery is
used to compel the natives to bring
in an enormous tribute of ivory and
India rubber.
VIKINGS Riches From Natives.
at is worth noting that the king OF
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-07
ISSUE is AN
IMPORTANT ONE
PEOPLE OF CHICAGO VOTE ON
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP
QUESTION TODAY.

Chicago, April s. The municipal
election in Chicago today was the
most interesting in many years, involv-
ing not only the selection of thirty-five
aldermen or one-half of the city coun-
Gil but the question of municipal own
ership of street railways, and whether
the members Of the board of education
now appointed by the mayor, are to be
elected by the people.
Many Candidates.
There were a multitude Of candi-
dates in the thirty-five wards, and the
contests have been lively for weeks,
as the aldermen elected, with the hold
overs, will have to act on the necessa-
ry ordinances in case the city &C
quires the street car lines.
A Hot Campaign.
The advocates of municipal owner
ship made hard preliminary fight,and
the interest brought to the poles an I'M
usual number of voters for a city cleo.
ton.
Kansas City's Many Tickets.
Kansas City, April 5.-Five tickets
were voted for here today in the mu-
nicipal election because of a split in
the democratic party there were two
democratic candidates for mayor. The
republicans, the labor party and the
socialists, each had complete ticket
in the field.
Big Vote In Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, April 5.-The municipal
elections and the election of justice of
the supreme court are being held
throughout the state today. In Mil
waukee large vote is being polled.
Important In Omaha.
Omaha, April 5. Municipal cleo
tons were held in all the cities and
towns of Nebraska today with the ex
ception of Omaha. Considerable i'm
portance attaches to the result of this
campaign in many cases, as forecasting
the result of the fall election.