m n iiisa n mm MAY BREAK STRIKE. The National Executive of Iho Union It Ig nored In in Effort to Resume Work it Collieries. The following notice. bearing date of Monday, lias been posted in the vi cinity of all the collieries of the Phila delphia anil Reading Coal and Iron Company in the anthracite region: "Philadelphia and Rending Coal and Iron Company, October I, igon. This company will pay nil advance of 10 per cent, on the wanes of all men and boys employed at its collieries. This ad vance takes i fleet at once. (Sined) "R. C. Luther, Gen. Sup." Beneath this notice another was post ed which read as follows: "Fellow Mine Workers United Mine Workers of America: Do not pay any at!' ntion to this notice posted by Mr. Luther, of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, but wait until von hear from President Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers of America, or until you have decided by your own locals what is right for yoy to do. (Signed) "C. Tl. rotter." Mr. Potter is an officer in the dis trict branch of the United Mine Work ers of America. The regular Reading Compsnv advance for the last half of September and the first half of October had previously been fixed at 6 per cent, pbove the $250 basis. The scale for the proceeding 30 days was at the $3.30 basis. The advance of to per cent, of fered in the nested notice by the Read ing Com any, is separate and distinct from the natural scale increase, and hence the total increase to the miners would be 16 per cent. HURT UNITED STATES TRADE. War With China Causes Exports to Fall Ctl $3,0C0,000 In Ono Month. The war in China dealt a stunning blow to the United States export trade in the cast during the month of August. According to a report just issued by the treasury bureau of statistics the trade fell off marly $3,000,000 during that month. Another reason for the poor showing is the fact that the merchants of the Pacific coast refuse to make any statement of their trade with Hawiii to the government officials, claiming that the islands are now United States territory and business with them does not come under the jurisdiction of the treasury department. Notwithstanding these adverse conditions the report con tinues: "Our csports to Asia and Oceanic will show during the eight months end ing with August an increase of more than 20 per cent, over those of the cor rcsponding months last year. To Ja pan our exports during the eight months ending with August amount to more than $21,000,000 as against $12,000,000 in the corresponding months of last year. "To China, our exports in the seven months ended with July up to which time the disturbances had not seriousiy affected the exports, showed an increase over the corresponding months of 1800 and 1808, to Hong Kong our exports for the eight months amount to nearly to.ooo.ooo, as against a trillc more than $5,000,000 in the corresponding months of last year and to the Philippines, our total exports for the eight months amount to $1,826,000, against $.501,856 in the corresponding months of last year." H CONTRIBUTIONS TO TEXAS. -Governor Sayert Has So Far Received $642, 476 All Being Cared For. Regarding the contributions for the Galveston flood sufferers, Gov. Sayers has made the following statement: "The amount of money received by tne up to noon of Saturday, is $072,476. This sum includes $3,892 that remained of the fund contributed for the relief of the Brazos valley sufferers last year. It also includes all drafts and authoriza tions to draw and which arc in transit and are yet uncollected. This only em braces moneys and remittances that have been made to me directly and amounts for which I have been authorized to draw. During the present week I will submit a full itemized statement of the entire fund that has come into my hands, giving the amount and source of each contribution and the manner in which the sum total has been expended and distributed. Every portion of the storm-stricken district is being provid ed for." BENT ON DISFRANCHISEMENT. Second Attempt Before the Georgia Legis lature Will be Made This Fall. An effort will be made at the first session of the Georgia Legislature, which will be elected on the first Wednesday in October and will assem ble on the fourth Wednesday in No vember, to submit a franchise amend ment to the State constitution like that which has recently been adopted in North Carolina. The proposed amend ment was offered in the last Legislature, but though it was permitted to pass to a third reading and all the time desired lor debate was allowed, it received only three votes out of 175 in the popular branches of the general assembly, where it originated. The author of the measure, however, will be a member of the new Legislature, and he has an nounced already that he will make an other effort to secure the submission of his amendment. ' Murdered For His Money. Charles F. Peck, of New York, a wealthy real estate dealer, was found dead on the sidewalk in West Seven teenth street. A large sum of money and a costly watch and chain were miss ing, and there is no doubt that he was murdered and robbed. Race War Threatened. Monday morning at 13:50 o'clock Gov. McSweeney, at Columbia, S. C, received a telegram from Mayor W. D, Morgan, of Georgetown, appealing to have the militia ordered out to sup press a threatened race riot. The gov ernor immediately wired Col. Spark man. of Georgetown, to have his cava! ry troops hurried there. The trouble was caused by a negro killing a white man. Georgetown is on the coast and the negroes outnumber the whites over whelraingly. LATEST NEWS NOTES. The Fiji Islands are taking steps to federate with New Zealand. Dowictics at Chicago still refuse to stay away from Mansfield, O. The Viola Coal Company of Mounds ville, W. Va., has been chartered. Miners at Oak Hill, O., will strike unless operators agree to pay the scale. The Hank of the Republic of Rio Janeiro has passed under government control, The Twelfth regiment, N. G. P.. sta tioned at Shenandoah, Pa., has been or dered home. Henry Werdman's grist mill, sawmill and dwelling were burned at Allcntown, Pa.; loss $12,000. In Idaho the Ontario and Hums stage was held up by a lone highwayman and robbed of the mails. A pickpocket reaped n harvest from a party of West Virginia Methodist preachers on a train. The steamer Alameda has sailed from Sydney, N. S. W., for San Francisco with 800,000 in gold. South Morgantown has declared for annexation to Morgantown, W. Va., and other suburbs will follow. Because of lack of patronage the Dominion Government will close the Canadian canal at the Soo. James Howard, convicted as a prin cipal in the murder of Governor Goc bel, has moved for a new trial. Lorenzo Snow, president of the Mor mon church at Salt Lake City, has been sued for non-support of his wife. Judge I.acombe, of New York, has appointed three receivers for the United States Flour Milling Company. The health of Secretary of State Hay is so improved that he will be enabled to resume his duties next week. The Wisconsin State board of medi cal examiners will prosecute every doc tor of osteopathy in Milwaukee. The price of anthracite coal in New York has fallen $1 a ton in consequence of reports of the strike settlement. One hundred and four engravers of the Ducbcr Watch Company, Canton, U., are out, demanding higher wages. The navy department has ordered an inspection of the cruiser Baltimore. She will probably be sent into dry dock. Lieut, llobson has applied to the navy department for six months' leave of ab sence, because of trouble with his eyes. A hurricane at Ofiord, Ireland, Sep tember 20, drove fishing smacks ashore, razed houses and killed several people. A crusade against illegal hunting and fishing has been started at Connellsvillo, Pa. Many warrants for arrest are out. Lieutenant General Miles has issued a general order intended to improve the moral and physical condition of the army. The Trinity river has reached .15 feet Friday nnd many people were driven from their homes. No loss of life is re ported. Dr. I.azcar, one of three medical experts who went to Havana to study j'ellow fever, died Wednesday of that disease. L. E. McWhortcr, of Parkcrsburg, W. Va., has been nppointed receiver of the Montgomery Banking and Trust Company. Two hundred men employed by the Fagc Boiler Company, Norwich, Conn., arc out on strike because of a 10 per cent. cut. Because of the employment of three non-union men 1,000 cigarmakcrs at Tampa, Fla., went out on strike Wednesday. Fifty per cent, of the 5,000 coke ovens in McDowell anil Mercer counties, w. Va., have been put out of blast within the past week. The postofficc at Bowlinrr Green, Ky., was broken into Saturday night and rob bed of between $4,500 and $5,000 in money and stamps. A rebellion against the government of President Jimincz has begun nt Moca, Santo Domingo, and is led by the vice president of the republic. The Shenango furnace at Shnrpsville, Pa., has been closed on account of a strike. Several employes were discharg ed and colored men substituted. John Bosung, proprietor of a drug store at Louisville, Ky., killed Miss Grace Preston Thursday and commit ted suicide. Jealousy was the cause. A recent operation for cataract per formed on the eyes of Judge James G. Jenkins, of the United States circuit court at Milwaukee, Wis., has been a complete success, nnd the jurist's sight so long threatened is restored. At Fond du lac, Wis., the Helmer milling plant and elevator, containing 30.000 bushels ot grain, have burned. Loss, $65,000; insurance, about $.35,000, The Canadian Pacific Railway Com pany is about to make the experiment of hauling rova bcotia coal from St John, N, B to Montreal and the West. The quarterly statement of the com missioncr of navigation shows that 308 sail vessels were built in the United States for the quarter ending Scptem ber 30. Detective William L. Foulks was shot and instantly killed at Cleveland, O., while trying to put a stop to a shooting attray between union and non-union molders. Crews boring out the tunnel two miles in length through the Cascade moun tains in Oregon have met from the east and west. The tunnel will cost $5,- 000,000. Congressman-at-large S. A. Daven port is framing a bill asking Congress to appropriate $10,000 to raise the Ni agara, Commodore Perry's flagship, in brie bay. A Chinese squadron of ts vessels is now hovering off Shanghai and a naval battle with the allied fleet is regarded as imminent. The Boxer forces in the vicinity of Shanghai are estimated at 130,000, The 11-year-old son of II. W. Barker. of Thomas, W. Va., who was kidnapped oy gypsies irom 111s nome at 1 eona, III., six years ago, has just been restor ed to his father. Fayette county (Pa.) auditors refuse to allow the bill of $j,ioo for removal of bodies from the old Conncllsville graveyard site of the proposed Car negie library. The ingrain department of the Bice low Carpet Company at Lowell, Mass., will shut down for two weeks, begin ning next Monday. About 500 hanis will De anectea. BULLER TO SUCCEED. Vieler of the South African War Becomes Com mander.ln.Chlef otthe British Army. Canadians Sail Homeward. It Is officially announrrd th.it Lord Roberts has been appointed command er-in-chief of the British army, succeed ing lien, wolsrley. Minday was Jrd Roberts' sixty-eighth birthday. The announcement is hailed by the Unionist party as a welcome pledge that army re-organization will be car ried out in the most effective manner. It was brginning to be recognized that somrthinu was needed to civc strcneth to the Unionist campaign. According ly semi-olticial announcements are out that George Wyndham, parliamentary under secretary of state for war, in his speech nt Derby Monday evening, will outline the government's scheme of army reforms nnd the war office is ar ranging with Lord Roberts for the re turn of a large portion of the army in South Africa. 1 he Canadian continecnts. under Col. Telletier, sailed Sunday on board the transport Idaho. The people of Cape Town accorded them a splendid im promptu reception, the mayor voicing the thanks of the city for their brilliant services in the held. A report comes from Komatl Poort that Mr. Kruger, in a letter to his wife, announcing that he is coins on a six months' holiday, said that after the cap ture of Maehndadorp he knew the strug gle was hopeless and counseled moder ation, but that Mr. Stcyn's "arbitrary behavior" overruled his counsels. EMISSARY FROM AGUINALDO. The Rebel's Formor Secretary Comes to Tell What the Filipinos Desire. Saxto Lopez, formerly secretary nnd confidant of Aguinaldo, arrived at New lork Sunday on the Campania. lie is said to have come here nt the invitation of Fiske Warren, lie gave out this statement : "My object in visiting the United States is not to interfere in American politics, but solely to tell the American people what the Filipinos desire in ref erence to the future government of our country. It has been said that my coming to America is in the interest of certain persons and parties. We, ,;s Filipinos, know no parties in the United States. We have only one desire. To seek justice for our country. Those who desire to give us justice will no doubt be glad to know the wants nnd conditions of the Philippines. All we want is peace with honor to both par ties, and 1 hope to be able to show that the conditions of our country are such as to fit us for the maintenance of that independence." ENGLISH ELECTIONS OVER. Returns Show Great Victory tor Government Now in Power. The elections throughout Great Brit ain show a great conservative victory, the liberals being almost snowed under and lost to sight, theft returns being only three to the tory's five. It is a distinct and emphatic endorsement of the government now in power, nnd Lord Salisbury, Mr. Balfour nnd Mr. Chamberlain may regard their African war and other extreme measures of the past year as overwhelmingly sustained by the English public. It is possible that some of the weak er members of the cabinet will be dis pensed with, but this is not likely to happen until it gets far down beyond Mr. Chamberlain's name. His waning popularity at the time of Gen. Bullcr's repeated defeats has long since been forgotten and he is now known only ns one who added new territories to the imperial government. FILLIPPINOS ACTIVE. Two Americans and Many Natives Killed In Engagements Monday. On Monday night vigorous insurgent attacks were made upon the United States outposts in the district 12 miles south of Manila, the scene of the fight ing last October. It is estimated that the rebels numbered 400. The Ameri cans dispersed the enemy, killing and wounding 50. A party of scouts belonging to the Twenty-fifth infantry landed on the island of Samar, the inhabitants and in surgents fleeing to the mountains. They met with but slight resistance and burn ed a town. It is reported that an American scout ing party encountered a bony ol insur gents in the province of Nueva Ecija, two skirmishes ensuing, in which 12 of the natives were killed. Similar brushes have taken place near Indang and Si lang, in Cavitc province, nnd near Iba and Subig, in Zambalcs province, the Americans having two killed and three wounded. Great Sale ot Stamps lor Year. The annual report of Third Assistant Postmaster General Madden for the fis cal year ending June 30, 1900, soon to be published, will show a largely-in creased use of the postal system. In total number of postage stamps of all kinds issued, including ordinary stamps, postage-due stamps, stamped envelopes and postal cards, reached the enormous total of five and one-third billions, val ued at $q8,coo,ooo, nn increase of over 400,000,000 stamps over the preceding year, An Immense Massacre. A telegram from the convent of the Holy Soul, in Shanghai, says that 45.' 000 Chinese Catholics have been massa cred in various parts ot the empire. Other dispatches state that Bishop Fan tosali was horribly tortured to death in Yun Nan province and that father Quirine was killed at the same time. Wounded by Burglars. Charles A. CollicY. one of the most prominent men in the South, was found M'l I-.. 1..:.... ... U . - f .U .:.. 1 iiursu.iy ij'iuk oi uic iuui ui 111c &i,iirs in the back yard ol his residence in At lanta, Ga., with a bullet hole in his left side in the region of the heart. He ut tered but one word, "burglars," and be came unconscious. His condition is re carded as critical. Mr. Collier was a former mayor of Atlanta, one of the ia United States commissioners to the Paris exposition and member ot tne utayette Monu ment association. DIPTHERIA IS ALARMING. Fifly-lour Cases Reported In Aitoona Dis ease le Raging In Blair and Bedford Counties Schools Closed. The epidemic of diphtheria continues to spread in Altoona, Pa., and unless it is soon checked the death rate will far exceed any previous year in the his tory of that city. To guard against the spread of the disease the Millviic schools have been closed, and it is likely that the Fifth ward schools of the city will close in a day or two. There are now 54 cases of the disease known to the local board of health, which is using all its power to prevent a spread ot the epidemic. An epidemic of diphtheria has been raging for the last week in the small town of Pavia, Bedford county, Pa., 20 miles from Johnstown. Nine children ave so far died with the disease, and more than twice that number are now suffering from it, besides many grown persons. The public schools have been closed and a town board of health or ganized, and everything possible is be ing done by the citizens to combat the disease. The diphtheria epidemic continues to pread at Altoona and the situation has become alarming. Twelve new cases were reported Thursday, making a total of 76 cases reported to the health board this week. 1 hree deaths occurred as the result of the disease. The Millville and Ninth ward schools and churches have been closed to prevent the disease from spreading. I. R. ADAMS SUICIDES. The Well-Known Philadelphia Politician Kills Himself Friday by Shooting. Josiah R. Adams, a prominent club man and lawyer of Philadelphia, Ta., committed suicide Friday in the Hotel Flanders by blowing out his brains with a revolver. He had given his wife no intimation of such an intention and left no note to show that the act was "re- meditated. The couple had been living at the hotel for some time. Mr. Adams was about 52 years of age and about a year ago the nominee of the Republican party for judge of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. His candidacy met with much opposition within his party, led by one of the anti Quay Republican morning papers. He finally resigned as a candidate and ex- United States Senator John I. Mitchell, of Tioga county, was named in his place ami elected. He was a graduate of Princeton and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He was a member of the University, Art, Clover and Philadelphia Yacht clubs. tie was recently commodore 01 the lat ter. CHINA MADE A BLUNDER. Appointment of Tuan Likely to Block the Peace Parleys. Apprehensions of delay in peace nego tiations with China, caused by the ap pointment of Prince Tuan, the Boxer chief and father of the heir apparent to the throne, as grand secretary to the emperor, were strengthened, when, the State department received from Sheng, taotai of Shanghai, announcement that the appointment had been made. Sheng says nothing of the reported designation of Tuan as president of the privy coun cil, but it is according to Chinese forms : . t 'i' ' 1. . - r.ll 1 u ior a prince ui iuiiiib isiik iu 1111 uuiu posts simultaneously. lhc Mate department has taken steps through Minister Wu to impress upon the Chinese government the undesirabil- ity of the appointment of Prince Tuan as grand secretary, and the painful im pression this appointment has created throughout this country. The effect of his appointment, if persisted in, might be to retard any negotiations. MRS. HENROTIN HAS FAILED. One Who Won Fame Telling Women How to Succoed, Wrecked Financially. Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin. of Chicago. former president of the National Feder ation of Women s Clubs, and now a vice president of the organization, has failed in business. She attracted atten tion for two years by her speeches and pleas for "Women in Business." Mrs. Henrotin held that an up-to-date woman was well qualified for conducting business enterprises. When the routine of the household became irksome all she had to do was to go into business and shine resplcndcntly. Thousands of wo men all over the land applauded and looked for business openings. Mrs. Henrotin went into business. Sad to say, the business has gone to everlasting smash. She was a partner, so the unsympathetic creditors say, in the firm of Ulric G. Peters & Co., stock brokers. Peters & Co. have failed, with liabilities $73,244 and assets at $2,067. James Howard to Hang. The motion for a new trial in the case of James Howard was overruled by Judge Cantrill, and Howard has been sentenced to hang Ueccmber 7. It was agreed that the attorneys should be al lowed to file their bill of exceptions in the appeal to the court of appeals any time between now and the third week in October. Howard did not weaken or appear agi tatcd when the solemn sentence of the court consigning him to the gallows was pronounced upon him, but in an swer to the usual question of the court if he could show cause why sentence should not be pronounced, he said in a firm, clear voice: I am innocent. Government Advancos Silver. Owing to the advance in the price of silver Director of the Mint Roberts has increased the price to be paid by the Government for silver purchased from 55 to 57 cents a standard ounce. The Government at present purchases only such silver as is contained in gold deposits from the Klondike, and other gold-producing sections. Under the ex isting statute all silver in gold deposits is paid for at the market price. The price has advanced steadily since 1896, when it touched 47 cents for a standard ounce. The new price went into effect on Monday. Prof. T. R. Bell, principal of the West Alexandria (Pa.) schools, broke both bones of his ankle in a football game. BOllUSlLDfPin PRINCE DEGRADED. Tuan, the Boxer Leader, to be Tried by the Highest Chinese Court Opens the Way for Peace. Consul General Goodnow, at Shang hai, cables to the State department at Washington that Sheng, director of railroads and telegraphs, has handed him a decree from the empress dowager and the emperor, dated at Taig Nan, ordering the degradation of four princes and depriving Prince Tuan, leader of the Boxers, of his salary and official servants. Tuan is to be brought to trial before the imperial clan court. This court is the supreme judicial tri bunal of China, nnd is presided over by Prince Li, with Prince Ching, friend of the foreigners and co-peace envoy with Li Hung Chang, as first vice president. This netion is very satisfactory to the United States government, which re gards it as a long step forward toward a final settlement. Princes Chwang and Vih, who arc re- fiorted to have been dismissed from icreditary rank nnd all offices, were prominent advisers of the throne and nave given anti-foreign advice. Sec ondary Prince Tsai Ying, also said to have been degraded, and Duke Tsai Lan, whose penalty for anti-foreign ac tion is now pending before the board of war, are Tartar generals in command of Manehu battalions. Grand Secretary Kank Yi, said to have handed over to a board of war for the fixing of pen alty, is a member of the privy council and i a virulent anti-foreigner. Chao Chui Chen and Secondary Prince Tsai Lien are conspicuous anti-foreign lead ers. Mr. Wu, the Chinese minister, ex presses his strong approval of Li Hung Chang's suggestion that the United States act as mediator between China and the powers. STUDENTS FIERCE FIGHT. A Class Rush at the Western University Re suits In Broken Heads. Broken heads, bruised faces, bloody noses nnd ruined clothes figured in a desperate battle between students at the Western university, Allegheny, Pa., Wednesday morning in the annual rush of the freshman and sophomore classes. Three students are confined to their beds with serious injuries, and a num ber of others arc nursing painful bruises. I he conflict was precipitated by the sophomores' successful attempt to tear down the " '04" pennant, which the freshmen raised before the regular ex ercises, lhc Hag had been unfurled on the pole above the university building after the Kophomorcs had gone to their class room. At lunch the sophomores saw the flag and several started to climb the pole to tear it down. I he fresh man class came out at this stage nnd a fight among too students followed. I rot. Daniel Carhart, dean of the uni versity, and Prof. A. B. rrost made a futile cltort to prevent trouble. lhc battle lasted nearly an hour. CUBAN OFFICER MURDERED. Deed Committed In a Santiago Cafe by a Drunken Friend. Wednesday evening shortly before midnight, Col. Pavon, of the Cuban army, was killed in the cafe Comercio, at Santiago, by Octavio Mena, formerly a clerk in the olhcc of the captain ot the port. Mena and one of his companions were intoxicated and had been breaking furniture. It was proposed that they should practice revolver shooting nt a quarter of a dollar tossed into the air. Col. Pavon intervened and a sharp con troversy ensued. This quickly develop ed into a furious quarrel and Mena, snatching the revolver of one of his party, shot Col. Pavon in the back of the neck. The officer turned to face his assailant and received two bullets in the head, being instantly killed. In civil life Pavon carried on the bus iness of a tobacco merchant at iloiguin Mena is in jail and incommunicado. JIM HOWARD CONVICTED. Verdict Unexpected Jury Disagreed on Pen ally, but Finally Agreed. James B. Howard, who has been on trial for the past ten days at Frankfort, ky.. charged with being a principal in the assassination of William Goebel, has been found guilty, the jury fixing his punishment nt death. W. H. Culton. who is under indict ment as an accessory to the Goebel murder, and who cave damaging evi dence against both Howard and Caleb Powers, was released on bail and nis case was continued until the January term. His bond was fixed at $10,000. Jim Howard, as he is commonly known in t.ie mountains, was the lead er of the Howard-White faction in the Baker-Howard feud in Clay county, in which numerous lives were taken. He had killed George Baker and was sus pected of the assassination of Tom Baker, who was killed after the same fashion as the Goebel murder, and How ard's friends believe that these facts had very much to do with the making of the verdict sentencing him to the gallows. The trial of Henry F..Yfiutcy, of Newport, will be called next ,ii 'George town, next Monday. STRUCK A GREAT GUSHER. The South Penn Oil Company ha3 made a tremendous strike in a new oil well in Lewis county, W. Va. The well is flowing at the rate of 200 barrels tn hour, or 4,800 barrels a day. The tanks provided are too small to hold this great flow and the oil is being allowed to run into a cek and is there dammed up. with a view of pumping it out later. Tuesday the well made a tremendous spurt and increased its outflow to 250 barrels an hour or 6,000 barrels a day. Unfortunately, there is no tankage for this large volume of oil, and much of it flows on the ground and is dammed "P. Two Oead From Exp oslon. A blaze generated by the brisk appli cation of gasoline to an article of cloth ing and communicated to a tub of the liquid standing near partly wrecked and burned a cleaning and dyeing establish ment at Pittsburg, Pa., Friday after noon, destroyed two lives and injured others. PROGRAM OUTLINED. Both the Kaiser and the Empress Dowager Seem Eager for the Fray A Secret Edict Issued by Prlnee Tuan. Telegrams from London, dated Tues day, say: News from China indicate that events are rapidly drifting in the direction ot war between China and Germany. There is thl f,t rocn fnr hrlivtnfr that Count von Waldcrsee, on arriving at taku, will present .n ultimatum de manding the surrender of five leaderi of the anti-foreign uprising. After a few hours' grace he will formally de clare war, and, taking advantage of Germany's position as a belligerent, will proceed to seize everything available with the German forces and fleet. It is expected Germany will take the Wu-Sting forts nnd Kinniran arsenal. thus dominating Shanghai. It is also believed she will attack the Kiang-Win forts on the Yang-tse from the land and endeavor to seize the Chinese fleet, in cluding the valuable new cruisers. Fail ing tins, sne will at least occupy all the province of Kiang-Su north of the Yang-tse-kiang. The French will sunnnrt Germany. This is no rumor, but reliable informa tion, and will probably be confirmed at the foreign office. Prompt action is necessary to prevent a coup, which will constitute a serious menace to British interests. Chinese officials report that Prince Tuan has issued a secret edict in the name of the cmnress dowager to the effect that the imperial court has decid ed to continue the war against the powers nt whatever cost. The edict threatens that any official failing to sup port the Manchus will be beheaded as a traitor, his whole family executed and the tombs of his ancestors demolished. It is reported from Chinese sources that the dowager empress has issued a secret edict commanding Li Hung Chang to raise an army and recapture Peking. AMERICA WILL INSIST On the Death of Prince ol the Blood and Prominent Boxer Chicle. Deprivation of the yellow jacket or imprisonment in the cases of General Tung-Fu-Siang and Prince Tuan will, it is authoritatively stated, not be ade quate punishment. While no statement to that effect is to be had on the sub ject the general understanding is the drath penalty for Tuan. a Prince of the blood, Yung-Lu, Tung-Fu-Siang and Chuang will be exacted by the United States as well as the rest of the powers. The only disagreement with Germany on that point is as to when those men shall be decapitated, before or after ne gotiations arc formally resumed. There was undisguised satisfaction St the state department over the announce ment that Great Britain has answered Germany in the same terms as the United States. At the department it was protested that no intimation as to Great Britain's position had been re ceived before the press dispatches were received. Britain's answer instead of showing America's isolation shows that Germany is practically alone. WITHDRAWAL FROM PEKIN. Only an Amoriean Guard to Remain In the Chinese Capital. The United States government Tues day took the first step toward the re demption of its pledge made to the Rus sian government August 28 by a cable dispatch of instruction to Gen. Chaffee to reduce the American forces in China to the proportions of a legation guard. This small force will not be included in any military operations which may be conducted by the allied armies, and so will not fall subject to the direction of Field Marshal Count von Waldersee, the commander-in-chief. It is stated at the quartermaster's de partment that there are enough trans ports available to bring off the force which will come out of China. Three or four vessels will be at Taku by the time the troops are ready to move. Talk ol Settlement. President Truesdale, of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railway, says, referring to the meeting at J. P. Mor gan & Co.'s office: "I was at the meeting Thursday and at other previous meetings. I know of no settlement having yet been made, but it will do no harm now for me to tell you that negotiations toward the settling of the strike are actually under way. They are being conducted by a man who does not directly represent either party to the difficulty." Slavery In a Georgia Convict Camp. Charges have been filed with the pris on commission of Georgia by Solicitor W. F.dmondson. of Brooks coumv. against the McRee convict camp man agers in Lowndes county, Ga., in the form of affidavits from prominent citi zens to the cttect that the McRee brothers have kidnaped innocent men and women and made them work under armed guards lor an indefinite period. It is charged that one practice of the McRee camp has been to employ trappers to arrest innocent neorroes passing through the county and without the form ot trial to imprison them and put them to work. CABLE FLASHES. At Hamburg fire has destroyed ware houses and lumber yards to the value of more than 1,000,000 marks. Marquis Yamagata has resigned the premiership of Japan, and Marquis Ito has been asked to construct a new cabi net. Capt. Sidney O Danne, a tutor, of Em peror William during his boyhood, who was arrested at the beginning of the , year for swindling, has been declared insane. Emperor William of Go bestowed the order of th on Mai. Gen. Stoessel, the international forces Tien Tsin." Emperor William h! George U. W ard, ot president of the Cd Company, the order the Second Class. In honor of the ml Pans, the minister ol cd all military prisomA able that the ministek take similar action in t prisoners.