BERING SEA AGREEMENT DECLINED AND MRS. GREY INSTEAD OF MRS. BOUTON

Lord Salisbury, Prime Minister of United Kingdom.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, December 28, 1897.

AGREEMENT DECLINED.

England Refuses to Enter Bering Sea Alliance.

MEETS DISFAVOR IN CANADA.

Bomb Exploded In a German Theater In Olmuts—Germans Do Not Fear a Tariff War

 With the United States—Russian Vessels Sail For China.

   LONDON, Dec. 28.—Lord Salisbury has written to United States Ambassador Hay, in response to America's latest proposals in the Bering sea controversy, her request that Great Britain should enter into an agreement with the United States, Russia and Japan to stop sealing.

   Great Britain declines to enter into such an agreement. Lord Salisbury says, in substance, that he has communicated with the Canadian government, which has the foremost interest in the sealing question, and that Canada is unwilling to become a party to such an arrangement as is proposed by the United States. Therefore, England, continues Lord Salisbury, whose interest is but slight, would not be justified in acceding to the proposals. Lord Salisbury's answer emphasizes the policy of England not to interfere in Canada's foreign relations.

Bomb Exploded In Theater.

   OLMUTZ, Moravia, Dec. 28.—A bomb made of gas piping and filled with powder, was exploded in the German theater. Little damage was done, but the incident has caused great excitement among the German residents.

No Fear of a Tariff War.

   LONDON, Dec. 28.—Despite the suspension of tariff negotiations between the United States and Germany, which has created great uneasiness there, a Berlin correspondent says it is not believed in Berlin that a tariff war will result.

Russian Vessels Sail For China.

   ODESSA, Dec. 28.—It is reported that two first-class cruisers, with a large number of extra marines, have been ordered to join the Russian squadron in Chinese waters.

Insurgents Leave the Philippines.

   MANILA, Dec. 28.—The insurgent chief, Aguinaldo, with 36 other insurgent leaders, embarked at Socal for Hong Kong. They are accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Primo Rivera. Aguinaldo and the insurgent chiefs are emigrating to China under an arrangement agreed to by Marshal Primo Rivera, governor general of the Philippines, when the peace conditions were signed on Dec. 16.

   In the document of surrender, which bore the signatures of Aguinaldo, Lianera and other insurgent chiefs, the signatories asked a free pardon and money with which to emigrate to China. Both conditions were agreed to by the governor general who, in compliance with their request for a personal guarantee, assigned Lieutenant Colonel Primo Rivera to accompany them to Hong Kong.

James G. Blaine.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

   ◘ In 1889 Secretary of State Blaine took the position that Bering sea was a mare clausum, or closed sea—in other words, private property belonging to the United States. This country therefore, according to his claim, had the right to seize British or other vessels catching seals in those waters during the closed season in the United States. Great Britain rejected this claim, and it was submitted to an arbitration commission, which decided against us. The United States had already seized a number of British schooners engaged in seal catching outside of the international three mile limit agreed on as the line beyond which a country has no jurisdiction over its shores. The decision involved, therefore, the result that the United States would have to pay damages to the British sealers.

   President Cleveland and the English minister, Sir Julian Pauncefote, agreed on $425,000 as a sum which would cover the damages. Congress, however, refused to pass the bill authorizing the payment of the money, declaring the amount too large. A commission was then appointed to fix on a sum. It has reported that nothing less than $464,000 will be sufficient. Congress should have let well enough alone.

Old Comrades Meet.

   Mr. Henry Hayes of Athens, Pa., who has been spending a few days in Cortland with Mr. William Forest, was a fellow comrade of Mr. R. J. Lucas for a period during the civil war. They were both members of the Fourteenth N. Y. Infantry and were confined in rebel prisons at the same time. Mr. Hayes was captured at the battle of the Wilderness and was taken to Andersonville prison. Mr. Lucas was made prisoner at Petersburg and was imprisoned at Salisbury, N. C. After being released they again joined their regiment at Annapolis, Md., in 1865. The present meeting was their first since the close of the war and the adventures of their army life were revived and recounted. The recalling to mind of these experiences furnished a fund they did not exhaust while visiting together in Cortland.

Wedding at Taylor.

   A quiet home wedding took place in Taylor Tuesday evening, Dec. 21, at the residence of the bride's parents at 6 o'clock, when Miss Stella Cotton of Taylor, and Mr. Geo. F. Coy of Symrna were united in marriage by the Rev. E. E. Benson. After the ceremony refreshments were served, and those present enjoyed a pleasant social time.

   As a church and community we shall feel deeply the loss of Miss Cotton from our midst. Practically all her life has been given to the church as organist and leader. She has been correspondent of this paper a great many years. Mr. Coy of Smyrna—where they will reside-is a well-to-do farmer and all their friends unite in wishing them a happy life.

   E. E. B

Mrs. Keech Dead.

   Mrs. Charles A. Keech of Harford died yesterday at her home. The funeral will be held Thursday. The deceased was an only sister of Mr. Robert Purvis of Cortland, and was about 60 years of age.

Mrs. Gray Instead of Mrs. Bouton.

   Through a misunderstanding and indefiniteness of telegrams, the report came to The STANDARD yesterday of the death of Mrs. John Bouton in Englewood, Ill. It now appears that Mrs. Bouton is alive and well, but the lady who died was Mrs. Ogden Gray, mother of Mr. Ed P. Gray, formerly of Marathon. The interment was made at Marathon yesterday. Mrs. Bouton, who is still living, is the mother of Mrs. Ed P. Gray.

Family Reunion.

   A family reunion was held at the home of Charles Wight, Sr., in the town of Taylor on Christmas day, there being present the entire family and grandchildren, viz.: Charles H. Wight, wife and son Glenn; Ernest D. Wight, wife and daughter Louie; Thomas H. Wight, wife and son Ward; Misses Abigail and Fannie Wight; their daughter, Mrs. J. D. F. Woolston and husband.

   A Christmas tree well laden with many nice presents for the grandchildren was one of the enjoyable features of the day, after which the whole family gathered around the festive board and did ample justice (some did more) to a roast turkey that had been appetizingly prepared for the occasion. The remainder of the day was spent in social converse and relating family reminiscences of many years.

Wilson's Company Last Night.

   The Frederick H. Wilson company opened a week's engagement at the Opera House last night in "Paradise Regained,'' a piece that is new here. To say that the company made a hit would be putting it mildly for it is far above the average repertoire troupes. The piece was played in a manner that would do credit to any metropolitan attraction. Minnie Barrie in the character of Ruth Hedges was one of the sweetest characterizations noted this season. James Durkin and Stewart Anderson, who played the parts respectfully of Frank Rollston and Old Man Hedges were to be specially commended, Mr. Anderson being particularly fine.

   The specialties introduced by the company were taking and refined [sic]. Robert Harris in illustrated songs sang "Just Behind the Times," and received two encores. Little Bessie followed with coon impersonations and gave a very strong imitation of the southern darky.

   The hit of the evening was made by Baby Florida and Alex Turner in their military sketch which so enthused the auditors that they had to respond to several encores.

   The motograph gave several fine animated pictures, the Black Diamond express being specially good. Of the drama it must be said that it fulfilled all promise. The piece is new, the story well told by capable people who are enthusiastic and painstaking. The continuous performance is a new feature and keeps the interest up to the last.

   To-night the company presents "A Noble Outcast," a four-act romantic drama and, as an inducement, the management will sell any down stairs reserved seat tickets, if purchased before 6 o'clock, for 20 cents. The specialties, drama and motograph are all new.

BREVITIES.

   —Miss M. Louise Myers very pleasantly entertained several invited guests at her home, 95 North Main-st. last evening.

   —The Fortnightly club will meet to-morrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Miss Elizabeth Turner, 93 Tompkins-st.

   —The Ladies' Literary club will meet to-morrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. J. L. Watrous, 26 Clinton-ave.

   —The STANDARD is indebted to Mr. Martin W. Boone of Galesburg, Ill., for copies of the papers of that stirring city showing a list of some of the improvements during the past year.

   —Mr. and Mrs. Robert Purvis were summoned to Harford yesterday by the death of Mrs. Charles A. Keech, sister of Mr. Purvis. Funeral will be held from her late home Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock.

   —Willard state hospital is the largest institution of its kind in this country and possibly in the world. Its present inmates number 1,123 men; 1,153 women; total, 3,276. Employees number about 470.—Ithaca Journal.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Warren, Tanner & Co., clearance sale, page 8; Case & Ruggles, great reduction, page 6; Stowell's, five days clearance sale, page 8; T. P. Bristol, tailoring department, page 4; C. F. Brown, if you need a nurse, page 4; Wilson Comedy company, repertoire this week, page 6.

   —There will be a meeting at 1 o'clock to-morrow afternoon at the home of Mrs. J. L. Watrous, 26 Clinton-ave., of the board of managers of the Woman's Riverside Home. All interested in the Home whether members of the hoard or not are cordially invited to be present.

   —Over fifty Cortland Masons attended the St. John's day services in the Calvary Episcopal church, Homer, last night, and were afterwards guests of Homer lodge in the elegant new lodge rooms. The Cortland people made the trip in two special cars, and speak very highly of the treatment accorded them by their brothers in Homer. A more complete account of the service will be found in the Homer letter.

South Cortland.

   SOUTH CORTLAND, Dec. 27.—Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson and daughter attended Mr. Dickinson's sister's funeral in Freetown last Tuesday.

   Mrs. Sykes of Syracuse has been visiting her aunt Mrs. Fayette Cole.

   Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Sanders entertained friends from Cortland Christmas.

   Mr. and Mrs. Whiting spent Wednesday in McLean on business connected with the Elm Tree House which has come into their possession again. He has rented the property to Mr. Monroe Thomas until the first of May, hoping by that time to sell the same otherwise he will move there.

   Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bosworth spent Saturday with relatives in town.

   Mr. and Mrs. Dudley and son and daughter spent Sunday with Mrs. Dudley's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Whiting,

   Mr. and Mrs. R. Niles spent Christmas at Mr. Fred Lonsberry's near Cortland.

   Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Freer of Virgil and Mr. and Mrs. Byron Lyon of Cortland spent Sunday at Mr. Walter Wilcox's.

   There will be no preaching service next Friday evening.

   Grange meeting next Saturday evening: let there be a full attendance.