davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Chances Are Very Bright.

Chairman Cowherd of the democratic congressional committee returned today from New York, where he has been for the past week He says he is very much encouraged over his visit to the metrop- oils and believes from his talks with leading democrats there that the state will give its electoral vote to the dem- ocratic nominee and several congression- al districts will be gained for the party under Cowherd. The democrats are pre- pairing for a vigorous fight to obtain con- trol of the next house, and with that end in view not only will the contest be waged in every debatable district, but supposedly safe republican strongholds, including those where a tendency to a modification of the tariff exists will be vigorously attacked.
 The democratic congressional commit tee is prepared for desperate campaign, and the chairman and members of the committee are confident of securing democratic majority in the Fifty-ninth congress. In giving expression to this conviction they refrain from specifying the districts in which they expect to overthrow a republican majority, merely declaring that when the time arrives they will let loose such floods of oratory, and literature as to sweep away the barriers of protection and overflow the country with a resistless torrent of tariff reform.
 In addition to the tariff the postoffce frauds and President Roosevelt himself will form the main basis of democratic literature and speeches
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
BLACKBURN TALKS
 ON THE OUTLOOK Thinks Hearst Will Gain Noth-
 ing in Kentucky A GOOD WORD FOR GORMAN Chairman cowherd, After Trip to New York, is Very Confident of
 Democratic Success
 This Year.
A GOOD WORD FOR GORMAN
BY PATTERSON sTEALEY.

Washington, May 15.-(Special. )-Senator Blackburn of Kentucky will leave for his home this week to assist in the fight against Hearst whose arguments are said to be producing results in the blue grass state The Senator believes, however, that the reports of Hearts strength In the state are exaggerated and that they will be badly beaten at the convention.
 'As for the national convention at St. Louis, said the Senator tonight, i've cannot tell at this time what will be the outcome Parker of course has the lead, but his nomination is, in my opinion, by no means assured. New York and Indiana having instructed for him naturally places him in the front rank. In Indiana 1t was sim ply an anti-Hearst fight. and 1t may be that Kentucky will also instruct for him. My belief is however, that this would be a mistake. I have always believed the best plan to follow would be to send an uninstructed delegation in order that we would be free to act in the best interests of the democratic party.
 "A condition which exists at the time of state convention may not be similar at thS ihue ol ndllOnal convention. Fer haps at the national convention after the delegates have met and talked 1t all over among themselves, there may be a de- mand for the nomination of a conserva- tive and an aggressive party man who has record in which event Senator Cor man would likely be selected Again it is commonly reported that a movement is on foot to stampede the convention for Cleveland. That there will be influence in the convention at work to this end need not be doubted, but speaking of stam- pedes, the nomination of Jo Folk of Mis- souri. would not surprise me in the least. The country is ripe for it. Folks prosecu- tion of the booders has appealed strongly tost the great body of the American peo- pie The people want man who will stop theiving and corruption in governmental affairs. Folk could he depended upon to do 1t. There Is no telling what would hap pen if his name should be sprung upon the convention.
 "Whatever the result, however, I be- lieve the democratic party in its wisdom will nominate a good man who will be elected. It looks to me as if conditions are more favorable to the democrats than they were in 1892, when we swept the country"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Bandits Attack Mines.

Liao Yang, Saturday, May 14.-Delayed In transmission.) )-Chinese bandits are be- coming bolder and are causing consider able trouble to the Russian outposts. A swarm of the bandits at noont of May 13 attacked the coal mines on the branch line east of Yangtai station, ten miles north of Liao Yang. The mines which supply the whole railroad were guarded by 200 rihemen and 100 cossacks. In a fierce flight the Russians repelled the bandits and then charged them, the ban dits fleeing to the hills and to the three neighboring villages. The troops sur rounded the villages and demanded the surrender of the bandits
 The surrender was at first refused, but fearing that the Russians would destroyi their homes, the villagers finally revealed the hiding place of the fugitives The bandits fought with the desperation of en- trapped rats and fifty of them were speared and killed. The Russians suffered no loss.
 Among seventeen prisoners taken by the troops were two Japanese officers who had escaped from the Russians. One of the bandits taken prisoner confessed that the bandits had been hired by the Japa- nese whom they were supplying with in formation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
All Is Satisfactory.

St. Petersburg, May 15.-A statement by the admiralty covering events at Port Arthur from May 6 to May 12 was re- ceived by the Emperor at Tsarkoye Selo tonight, shortly before his departure for Moscow The situation there Is consid- cred satisfactory, as the despatch shows the confidence and preparedness of Rear Admiral Wittsoeft up to the second cut ting of communication with Port Arthur.
 The fact that the Russians discovered another Japanese mine almost in the exact spot where the battleship Pobieda was injured in taken as evidence of the desperate thoroughness with which the Japanese must have carried out their min ing operations on April Il.
 There are continual reports of skirmish- ing with Chinese bandits along the Japa- nese front. and these are considered more serious than the mere numbers engaged indicate. It is feared that flying columns of big bands will form serious menace to the Russian communications and Will not fail to incte the whole Chinese popu- lation ot overt acts if they are convicted that the Japanese are making winning fight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
WENTZ APOLOGIZES
 TO BRISTOL JURY
DECLARES HE DID NOT USE SUCH TERMS AS HAVE BEEN ACcRED- TIED TO HIM IN THE PRESS DISPATCHES.

Knoxville. Tenn, May 15.-A special to the Journal and Tribune from Bristol. Tenn. says:
 The eoroners jury which rendered a verdict of accidental shooting in the case of Edward l.. Wentz, whose dead body was found in Wise county, Va, several days ago. this afternoon received reply from pr. wentzs alleged criminal charge in relation to the hndipg of the body. MT Wentz makes due apology to the jury, declaring that he did not use such term as were credited to him in the press dispatches.
 Dr. Wentz was credited with intimat- ing that the verdict was intended to shield the murders of his son, who were friends of the jury. No one stands higher in Wise county than the men who served on the Wentz jury of inquiry. and in the absence of an apology from Dr. Wentz damage suit would have resulted.
 That Edward Wentz made will. is known positively, but nothing can be learned as to when 1t will be probated, except that 1t will be fin due time."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16

London, May 16.-No confirmation has reached London of the rumors of a great battle at siu Yen, and no attention what ever is paid to the wild rumors of the fall of Port Arthur.
 In Japanese quarters here confidence is expressed that great assault upon that fortress will be attempted before the end of May.
 The correspondent of the Daily News at Che Foo says he left Port Arthur last Tuesday, when the channel had been cleared, two cruisers having steamed out side On May z, he adds, the garrison there numbered 15,OO0 men, and was pro- visioned for nire months. According to a Central News dispatch from St. Peters
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
IN GOOD CONDITION.
Jewish Natic al Hospital at Denver is
 Doing Good Work.

Pittsburg Pa, May 15.-The trustees of the Jewish National hospital for con sumptives at Denver, Col, met here to- day with practically the full membership present. The annual report of the treas urer showed that since the hospital was established, $z5o, GOO had been contributed and $l5,00o is now In the treasury ITO carry on the work s5000O Is needed
 The secretary's report showed that on January 1, 1908, there were 69 patients in the hospital, 165 were admitted ana oI discharged cured. The old officers were reelected. and Simon Guggenheim. Jos. Schoenberger and Phillip Hamburger were added to the executive committee
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
FIGHTING YELLOW FEVER.
Mexico Will Spend Large Sum to Pre-
 vent an Outbreak.

Mexico City May 15.-The superior board of health will enter at once upon an ac- tive campaign to prevent another out break of yellow fever on the isthmus of Tehuantepec, where large number of Americans are engaged in managing plan tations. The cost of this worK will be about $l0O0O0. which has been appropri- ated by the federal government.
 One new case of yellow fever Is report ed at Vera Cruz. The local sanitary au- thorities are dislnfecting houses and water reservoirs, and making daily house 10 house visits.
 Yellow fever has reappeared at Merida, where there are now eight patients at the hospital But short time ago the cti- zens celebrated what was believed to be the end of the fever in that city. Ener- getic sanitary work continues.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16

Cincinnati, May 15.-The programme for the national reunion of the Benevolent and Protective Order of EllSs to be held in Cincinnati the week of July IS has been completed. It provides an unusually elaborate series of entertainments, cover ing a period of five days. The grand lodge of the order which convenes during each reunion Is to be entertained Mon day, the 18th. with an excursion on the Ohio riyeE. ending at night with a display of fireworks on the bank of the river in which the Kentucky lodges will join with the Cincinnati lodge.
 The opening sesson of the grand lodge Tuesday morning will be held in Music Hall. Gov. Myron T. Herrick will deliver an address of welcemesfo the state of Ohio. Mayor F'lelsehmann, exalted ruler of Cincinnati lodge, Grand Exacted Ruler Jos. Tanning and Past Exalted Ruler Charles E. Picket will also speak. A musical programme In which a chorus of 200 voices from members of the May fes-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Northern Baptists to Meet.

Cleveland, May 15.-The annual conven- ton of Baptists from all the northern states will begin here tomorrow and con- tinue until Tuesday, May 24. The gather ing promises to be one of the most impor- tant and largely attended religious con- ventions ever held. The head quarters will be at the Euclide Avenue Baptist church, and the mass meetings will be held at the Grays' armory Two thousand visitors are expected to attend the public sessions. The convention will be given up to the reports and discussions of the sev- eral organizations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
4 PLUCKY RUSSIAN BLOWS
 UP A TAPANESE CRUISER
LAPS ARE TO MAKE GREAT
 ASSAULT ON PORT ARTHUR

burg. mall advices from Port Arthur clearly show that the Russian cruiser Boyarin, which was destroyed February 1s at Port Arthur. struck mine and sunk while assisting in the rescue of the crew of the sinking torpedo transport Yen eisei.
 The Morning Posts Shanghai correspon- dent. under date of May A. says it is re- ported that ten British warships left Hong Kong yesterday for the Yang Tse.
 The Times correspondent attributes the fiasco on the Yalu to the Russians sud den plan the decision to hEd the river and the frenzied efforts then made at the eleventh hour to improve the defective po- sitions. with the result that the Japanese caught the Russians in a state of transi- tion The corr espondent expresses the opinion that the main interest In the near future will center around Port Arthur.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Blockade Is Continued.

St. Petersburg, May 15.-The emperor has received the following report from Viceroy Alexieff, dated May 14:
 T beg respectfully to communicate to your majesty a report from Rear Admir- al Wittsoeft, on the state of affairs at Port Artuhr from May to May 12. The report was brought by express runners from Dichichao on the evening of the second interruption of communications by the enemy.
 Tt follows;
 The enemys squadron, composed of iron-clads, cruisers and torpedo boats appeared off Port Arthur May and con- tinues to blockade without undertaking active operations.
 The work of repairing the iron-clads Czarevitch and Retvizan is proceeding with unabated energy, and with every success.
 During an examination of the road- stead and fairway at the spot where the battleship Pobieda was damaged by a mine, we found one of the enemy's de- fense mines which had been exploded by the force of the hurricane
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
I.ns axinn for the Fleet.

Paris, May 15.-The correspondent ln St. Petersburg of the Echo de Paris says the general staff considers the blockade of Port Arthur as unimportant. The cor respondent adds that he is informed that the railroad has been destroyed since May IA over a distance of twenty-eight miles. General Kuropatkin, he declares, seems more confident, though 1t appears that he still has serious difference with Vice roy Alexieff, who has complained in telegram to the emperor which did not pass through the hands of the military censorship. that Kuropatkin does not heed his orders or advice It is the gen. eral desire that Kuropatkin shall be the sole head of military operations.
 The feeling in St. Petersburg. the cor respondent says, is strong against Sweden
 (Continued on Second Paue.l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
DID NOT TAKE PART.
Old Man of Columbus, Ga., Suffers
 Momentary Weakness.

claek of Phenix City, aged s9 and Jesse Allen of Columbus, aged 1O3, did not run. jump and wrestle in yesterdays athletic contests at Wildwood park Columbus. showing that even youth is subject to indisposition. The two old men were in fine form yesterday morning, but 1t was decided to defer the contest until the afternoon. as it was thought the crowd would be larger then.
 MT Allen was disappointed in the af- ternoon, however, by momentary weak ness which caused him to decide to defer the athletic exhibition until he should be in perfect form. and so boarded a street car for the city greatly to the disappoint- ment of Mir. Clack and the others at tho park
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Russians Commit Expectations.

Seoul, May 15, p. m.-Reports have been received here that 45O captured Rus sian officers and men shortly will be dis patched from Yangampho to Moji Japan.
 The prefect of Tck Chong. which town Is two days march northeast of Aniu. reports that TOO Cossacks arrived there the afternoon of May 10 and communicated provisions, forage and native ponies. and in several instances seized money. The villagers fled to the hills. On the morning of May the Russians advanced to Kar- chong, from which place they attacked Aniu They committed outrages upon the women, broke open the local jail freed the prisoners and kidnapped the jailer and the village headsman.
 Four TongLak leaders have been exc cuted at Chong Ju, small town In North Chumado, Korea.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
TROOPS AT LAO YANG
 IN EXCELLENT SPIRITS

Yang the whole day. varied by the music of the bands of freshly arriving regi- ments.
 General Kuropatlxin while making an in- spection of the hospitals, said to wounu., ed Japanese guardsman:
 'T visited your country and saw very active people Now I am convinced that you are excellent soldiers and am proud to meet such a foe"
 To this the guardsman replied:
 My nation wanted war and will fight to the last but it is Japan's luck that Russia Is vulnerable here,'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
TWO MEN KILLED.
Bloody Fight Takes Place in Tennes-
 see Railroad Camp.

Knoxville, Tenn, May 15.-ln a bloody fight at railroad camp near Copper Ridge tunnel, on the Knoxville. LaFol- lette and Jellico railroad, seventeen miles from this city. Night Walking Boss Andy Johnson. of Hartman, Tenn, was shot and fatally wounded by George Earl. an Alabama negro, employed on the works
 Earl was in turn shot and instantly killed by Deputy Sheriff Gas Estis of Knox county. Earl is said to have fled from Alabama following the commission. of q murder.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Will Not Enter the Merger.

Mexico City. May 15.-The Vera Cruz and Pacific railroad, as also the Tehaun- tepec railroad. will not enter into the all ready formed railway merger controlled by the government, but these roads will be operated under the community of in- terests. There will be entire harmony in the conduct of the lines from Laredo to Salina Cruz. as all are under government control.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Candidates for Vice President.

Mexico City, May 15.It is reported that Fianance Minister Limantour is opposed to the use of his name in connection with the nomination for the vice presidency. He is said to prefer his important post in which he has accomplished good work. Many candidates for the vice presidency are talked of, but nothing appears to be certain In the matter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16

Liao Yang, Saturday. May H.-The Japanese army in Southern Manchuria is marching slowly, evidently being desirous of remaining in close touch with the re- serves. The movement is aimed partly at Hai Chenf, but chiefly at Liao Yang. The Japanese main force is only forty miles from Liao Yang.
 The Russian troops are in excellent health and spirits and anxious to do duty. The inspiring sounds of the Russian sol diers choral songs re-echo through Liao
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Bandits Fight IrreguIars.

New Chwang, May 15.--A band of hri- gands was attacked about a mile and half southeast of this city last night by a number of native irregulars. the fight being witnessed by the correspondent of the Associated Press. Three were killed and two mortally wounded by the natives, who were not assisted by the Russian troops. The Russians are offering splendid v, for natives as railroad guards which
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Peruvian Cabinet ReconsctItuted.

Lima. May 15.-The Peruvian cabinet has in part been reconstructed with AL berto Elmore, president of the council of ministers. and minister of foreign af- fairs Deasosa. minister of public works, and Juan Jose Reinoso minister of finance. The other ministers retain their portfolios
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
MAY ESTABLISH CHURCH.

. London. May 16.-The Daily Tele-
 {. graphs Tokio correspondent ca
 |, bles the following under yesterdays
 . date:
 |. "A great religious meeting pro-
 . noted by influential men was held , in the park today to determine the |. question of founding in Japan a [. church pro-christian in character. |, but on independent lines. Leading . men consider that the time has arr {. rived to adopt the clements ap- |, proved by the majority of the civ : ilized nations. An edict establish , ing a national church is not inn : probable"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Driven from Mines.

Liao Yang. May 15.-Chinese soldiers yesterday attacked the railroad coal mines occupied by the Russian admin istrative force near Port Adams and drove out the officials who were work ing therein, many of them escaping only partly clad. The Chinese footed the works and retired
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Four Democratic Conventions.

Four democratic state conventions will be held this week. The California dem ocrats meet tomorrow, and on Tuesday the democrats of Wisconsin, South Caro- lima and Montana assemble to select dele gates to the St. Louis convention. Hearst has made hard fight In both Califor- mia and Montana, the former Is his native state and the barrel has been much in evil dence. The four states send seventy votes to the convention
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
Will Hold Big Convention.

Mexico City May 15.-The building oe- cupied by the chamber of deputies has been conceded to the national convention of the liberal union for the purpose of holding a convention to nominate a can ddate for vice president of the republic. The convention will begin May 20.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
MADE HANDSOME sEoUEs7

} Liao Yang. Saturday, May l4.-
 } The Japanese officers who were
 > shot here as spies bequeathed sSn , to the Russian Red Cross. in con } sideration of their kind treatment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
DEADLOCK SEEMS
 STRONG AS EVER Illinois RepublicansWiII Resume
 Operations Today LOW0EN IS GETTING BUSY Will Make Desperate Effort to Take Enough of Yates Delegates
 to Insure His
 Nomination.
-OW0EN IS GETTING BUSY

Springfield, H., May 15-It looks tonight that there will be at least another day of fruitless balloting before the gubernator1al deadlock in the republican state conven- tion is broken. It Is quite possible that a break will come early tomorrow after noon, but the developments of today do not justify any such prediction. A com paratively small number of the delegates are here, most of them having gone home to spend Sunday, but the candidates and their trusted advisers remained on the ground, and numerous conferences have been held during the day. It is known definitely that desperate efforts are being made to take from the Yates column enough delegates to nominate Lowden on an early ballot tomorrow.
 The Lowden managers are making a thorough canvass of the situation than has ever been attempted by them before, and they expect by the time the conven- ton opens tomorrow to have brought about enough changes to give their candi- dates majority vote.
 It Is thought probable that Lowden will not permit any of the counties which he may secure to vote for him until he feels confident of having enough to nomi- nate.
 The moment Yates counties begin go-' ing to Lowden the remaining Yates men may be expected to go to Deneen or the Deneen men will go to Yates. There Is now no probability that a dark horse" will be chosen. Indeed, the choice is generally regarded as being between Yates, Lowden and Hopkins. So far, what is known as the federal crowd" headed by Senators Cullom and Hopkins, Speaker Cannon and a number of con- eressmen has exerted but little influence IL. la.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
THE WEATHER.

Washington, May 15.-Fair Mon- : day; Tuesday showers; fresh south :
 east winds increasing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16

would enable them to place more fighting men in the field but the Chinese are not accepting the offer.
 A Chinese engineer reports thirty miles of the railroad crippled within the past twenty-four hours between Hsing To and Wafantien. The total number of Japanese troops landed at Pitsewo amounts to 30000.
 A Russian officer who will not allow his rame to be mentioned informed the As sociated Press that the Russian plan is to retreat to Harbin and remain there until home troops arrive and then make a quick and decisive campaign southward. The late summer rains commence soon and then campaigning will be all but im- possible.