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| Lord Salisbury. |
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| Joseph Chamberlain. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, September 21, 1899.
ON THE EVE OF WAR.
Great Britain Is Rapidly Preparing For Hostilities.
MILITARY OFFICIALS KEPT BUSY
Working Night and Day Preparing For the Signal to Begin Hostilities—Departure of More British Troops. An Equal Activity in the Transvaal.
LONDON, Sept. 21.—Despite all outward show of calm, Great Britain is in practically the same condition as was the United States a few weeks before the opening of the war with Spain. Beneath the crust of diplomatic reserve the military officials are working night and day, preparing for the signal to begin hostilities, whether that comes or not.
England is not going to be caught napping any more than the Transvaal. While Lord Salisbury is quiet at home in Hatfield house, Mr. Chamberlain is buried in work at the colonial office, and double forces at the royal arsenal and dock yards are straining every nerve to equip and transport troops to the Cape.
It may be set down for certain that Great Britain will do nothing to precipitate matters, and the colonial office is far from admitting that the case is hopeless.
The report that Great Britain has demanded the dismantlement of the forts at Johannesburg, together with a material reduction in the armament of the burghers, the colonial office would neither confirm nor deny, although it is much doubted.
Meanwhile the Marquis of Lansdown, secretary of state for war, who has just returned from Dublin, has held long conferences with General Lord Garnet Wolseley, field marshal, and General Sir Evelyn Wood, adjutant general to the forces, and the activity at headquarters is reflected in the contract, supply and transport departments.
The departure of the British transport Jelunga for the Mediterranean with 1,100 troops was witnessed by a large and enthusiastic crowd.
At Woolwich activity increases dally, especially in the ordnance department, where Maxim guns, Lyddite shells, balloon equipments, gas reservoirs, wagons for limelight apparatus, water carts, ambulances, army wagons and other paraphernalia of modern warfare are being hurried forward.
While rumors of the reassembling of parliament are current, the fact is recalled that in the Afghan war in 1878, Great Britain declared war first and then assembled parliament.
The Marquis of Lansdowne has issued a strict order to the staff of the war office warning all subordinates to refrain from giving the press any information without the authority of their superiors, and calling attention to previous breaches of duty in this respect, which, the order says, "will be no longer tolerated."
BOERS ARE READY.
Martial Law Will Be Proclaimed Within Twenty-Four Hours.
LONDON, Sept. 21.—The Johannesburg correspondent of The Morning Post says: "The Boer preparations are as perfect as the government can hope to make them. It is expected martial law will be proclaimed within 24 hours, if no reply has been received from England by that time.
"It is understood that the dispatching of British troops to South Africa will be regarded as a casus belli. The Boer officers are urging the government to begin hostilities forthwith. It is felt that the Orange Free State can best be forced to action by a successful demonstration on the part of the Transvaal."
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Transvaal Situation.
There is a possibility that diplomacy may yet avert an armed conflict between Great Britain and the South African republic, but at present the situation is decidedly warlike. The reply of the Transvaal government to the latest dispatch of Joseph Chamberlain, British secretary of state for the colonies, is somewhat vague in its declarations. It, however, makes it plain enough that the proposition for a five years' instead of a several years' franchise for the Outlanders and a quarter representation of the new population in the volksraad is not agreed to. It is also pointed out that the Transvaal government cannot take part in a conference, because such action is made dependent upon its acceptance on precedent conditions, which it does not feel at liberty to submit to the volksraad and because the subjects to be discussed at the conference remain undefined. The reply expresses the hope that Great Britain will adhere to its first proposal of a joint commission of inquiry. Between the lines it practically repudiates suzerainty.
That the British government realizes that, in case of war, it will have on its hands a campaign of no trifling description, is shown by the military preparations it has already made. There are already 12,000 troops in South Africa, and 10,000 white troops are in readiness in India to be transported. Other soldiers are prepared to move, so that fully 50,000 men can be put into the field, the greatest army Great Britain has dispatched to fight under modern conditions. This looks like an overwhelming force in view of the fact that the Boers can not put at the outside more than 18,000 men in the field. But it will take at least three weeks after an outbreak of hostilities to get to South Africa all the British troops considered necessary. Again, the Boers are great guerrilla fighters, have a perfect knowledge of the country, are fearless, are expert marksmen, and will be in a fight for their existence as a nation. The capture of any of their cities would have a small effect on the issue, and they have no seaports to be attacked. Moreover, the British will find it difficult to preserve intact their lines of communication, especially as the rainy season is coming on. Finally there is danger of an uprising against the British of the native tribes, active sympathy on the part of the Orange Free states, and possible trouble with the Dutch element in the British South African possessions. While, therefore, in the long run the British may win by superiority of numbers and resources, the war is likely to be a bloody one, and thus to be avoided by both sides if possible.
◘ Kenosha, a progressive little city in Wisconsin, is getting some free advertising by reason of a bit of brilliant local legislation. The municipal council has passed an ordinance forbidding women to ride bicycles until they have passed an examination as to their ability to steer a wheel. It will be edifying to see the ladies going through their examination maneuvers before a solemn committee of experts in the public square. If each one who passes the test gives a bond of $100, there will be an ample fund for the payment of damages. It will cover most of the depredations caused by women who run down ice wagons and injure defenseless aldermen by charging into them unawares. All this is excellent, but there is danger that some inconsiderate women may object to this reform on the ground that it is class legislation and hence unconstitutional. A fine of $10 will be imposed for each violation of the ordinance. These fines are to go for the payment of the experts who imperil their lives by testing the riding abilities of feminine beginners. The experts undoubtedly deserve compensation, and it may be a boon to the surrounding country to be protected from feminine rough riders.
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| Sig. Sautelle's circus on parade. |
SAUTELLE AT HOMER.
Exhibits To-night on its Return from New England States.
Mr. D. H. Haley, the general agent for the Sautelle shows, was a caller at The STANDARD office last night. The Sautelle circus exhibits at Homer this afternoon and to-night on its return from a successful tour of the New England states, where it has almost uniformly shown to large crowds. But two more days remain for this season. To-morrow the circus is at Tully and on Saturday at DeRuyter, which was the place at which it opened the season and where it now spends its winters.
The show is known as one of the very best of the smaller circuses. Special care has been taken in the selection of the trapeze performers, tumblers, riders and trick performers in general, and the newspapers of the eastern cities have regularly given it good notices. The circus to-night begins at 8 o'clock [at the John Bell lot on West Cayuga-st.]
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| An American Baseball Game--Lithograph by L. Prang & Co. |
STATE LEAGUE MEETING
HELD IN SYRACUSE TUESDAY NIGHT.
President Farrell's Annual Report Read—Important Recommendations Made—Same Teams Next Year—Final Official Standing Announced.
There is every indication that the New York State league will be made up next year by the same cities that comprised the league this season. No applications have been received by President Farrell for entrance to the league and according to the president there is not likely to be any. At the meeting of the league held at Syracuse Tuesday night each member of the league paid $40 renewal money for a franchise next year. Over half the clubs made money this year and the few that did lose were not much out of pocket. Every city in the league declares it will go it again next year.
President Farrell's annual report, which will be submitted to the league in January was read Tuesday night. The league has had a good deal of trouble with umpires the past season, some clubs refusing to play with certain umpires and several managers even went as far as to refuse admittance to the grounds of an umpire. The clubs have heretofore paid the umpire after each game. To do away with this method President Farrell suggests in his report that at the beginning of the season each club shall pay into the treasury of the league $300, making a total of $2,400. Mr. Farrell says that the umpires can then be paid the first and fifteenth of each month by the president of the league, thereby doing away with much of the trouble that the umpires have with irate managers.
Mr. Farrell also suggests in his report that an individual salary limit be adopted by the league. Both of the above suggestions will be passed upon at the annual meeting of the league. Mr. Farrell's report showed that each club in the league had traveled an average of 3,200 miles.
Two games that Cortland won, one being from Albany and the other from Schenectady, were thrown out. On Aug. 21 Cortland played two games at Albany. The second one was not scheduled and as Cortland did not have any postponed games to play off with the Capitol City team the game was thrown out. A few days after the Albany game Cortland went to Schenectady and insisted on playing two games in one afternoon. Schenectady would not play the second game as they claimed that had not been notified of the double header forty-eight hours in advance, which the rules state must be done. Schenectady refused to play the game and the umpire gave the game to Cortland. President Farrell rules that the decision was in direct violation of the rules and throws the game out of the standing.
The pennant was formally awarded to the Rome team. President Farrell reported that the reserve list would be ready in a week and that he would send it to President Young of the National league. Every club was represented at the meeting as follows: Cortland, F. M. Van Hoesen; Binghamton, J. L. Bacon; Oswego, C. J. McDowell; Utica, Howard Earl; Rome, W. P. Binks and W. P. Rayland; Schenectady, J. L. Brearton; Albany, William Quinlan. President Farrell held the proxy for Troy. The final and official standing of the league is as follows:
TAX REFORM.
Interesting Address by Mr. A. P. Potter of Syracuse.
Mr. A. P. Potter of Syracuse addressed a small audience of taxpayers in Fireman's hall last evening upon the subject of tax reform. Mr. Potter is a representative of the New York State Tax Reform association, and in his remarks strongly advocated the exemption from taxation of personal property. He opened by referring to the unequal assessments that result from the present method of assessing both real estate and personal property. If the present system must be continued, he would advocate the itemization of a man's property by the assessors. This would give a good basis for comparison and correction, but the system of putting it all into a lump sum is an unjust one. But better than all this is the exemption of all personal tax assessment. The association is endeavoring to get placed upon the statute books of this state the following proposed law:
Sec. 1—It shall be the duty of all assessors and officers performing the duties of assessors, in assessing real property of any kind, to assess the value of land separately from all buildings, fences, structures, drains, crops, plants, trees and other improvements thereon, and to state in separate columns the assessed value of each piece of land and of the entire improvements thereon.
Sec. 2. The board of supervisors in each county may, in their discretion, direct that all direct taxes in such county (other than those which such county may be required to collect for state purposes, and other than city taxes, concerning which an express direction may have been given under the authority of Sec. 3 of this act) shall be levied exclusively upon the assessed value of real estate alone, including land and all improvements thereon, or upon the assessed value of land alone, exclusive of improvements and of personal property, or upon the assessed value of land, improvements and personal property, taken together.
Sec. 3. The common council or municipal assembly in each incorporated city, may in their discretion, direct that all direct taxes in such city, collected exclusively for city purposes, shall be levied upon the assessed value of real estate alone, including land and all improvements thereon, or upon the assessed value of land alone, exclusive of improvements and of personal property, or upon the assessed value of land, improvements and personal property, taken together.
Sec. 4. Nothing contained in this act shall be construed as diminishing the proportion of the state tax which any city or county may be required to pay into the state treasury under existing laws or under any laws which may be hereafter enacted; but in every city and county the value of all real and personal property shall be assessed and returned in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, and every city and county in which any species of property may be exempted from taxation by virtue of the powers hereby conferred shall nevertheless pay the same proportion of state tax which it would be liable to pay if no such exemption were made.
In 1894 the Oswego county board of supervisors unanimously voted that that county would be the first to try the plan providing the law could be enacted. He gave instances of other localities in which personal property tax is exempted, referring to Pennsylvania and California. In Massachusetts the rate of interest has gone down 1 per cent. He referred to Canastota, which is a prosperous and growing village because personal property is not assessed. Manufacturers are not afraid to locate there, and not a store in that town is vacant. He answered emphatically in the negative the question, "Will this increase the tax on real estate?" He explained by saying that enough new real estate would be created to more than make up the difference and pointed to the state of Massachusetts as an example.
After Mr. Potter's address a number of questions were asked and answered, and it developed that he personally favored the abolition of the legal rate of interest and let that regulate itself the same as the prices of commodities other than money regulate themselves.
COX-RILEY.
A Pretty Wedding Witnessed in Cortland Last Evening.
One of the prettiest and most charming weddings that has occurred in Cortland in a long time took place last evening when Miss Anna Louise Riley became the wife of Mr. Frank C. Cox of Homer. The ceremony was performed at St. Mary's Catholic church by Rev. Father Flynn at 8 o'clock in the presence of a large number of people, among whom were over 200 invited guests. The ushers were Messrs. William and James Riley, brothers of the bride, Mr. John McDermott and Dr. A. J. Leamy. The bridesmaid was Miss Mary E. Mack and the best man was Mr. Michael H. Kiley. The bride wore her traveling gown of mote broadcloth with imported broadcloth and white satin trimmings, and her beauty was the remark of all. She carried a bouquet of handsome white roses. The bridesmaid was similarly attired and carried red roses. Mrs. F. W. Lanigan played the wedding march.
Following the ceremony, a delightful reception was given by the parents of the bride, Mr. and Mrs. William Riley, at their home, 88 Madison-st., which was attended by about 225 guests. Elaborate and elegant refreshments were served by Griffith, the caterer, and dancing was enjoyed with music by McDermott's orchestra. The rooms were decorated with a profusion of evergreens, palms, ferns and asters, and the porch was enclosed. An immense variety of presents were received. They included checks for large amounts from the parents of both bride and groom, also silverware, solid and plated, tableware of all kinds, furniture and fancy articles.
Among guests at the reception were friends from Raritan, N. J., Syracuse and Trenton, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Cox left this morning for Rochester and other places for a trip of a week, and upon their return will make their home for the present at 88 Madison-st.
"The Sleeping City.''
Plays with a heart interest having a bearing on some familiar spot or tradition always appeal largely to the average theatre-goer. In "The Sleeping City" which comes to the Cortland Opera House next Monday evening, the author has built around the various types of character to be found in the American metropolis after midnight a most interesting story. Battery park, the Germania club, Hudson river docks, and a typical East river den represent localities well known to every New Yorker and of no less interest to those who have never seen their like. The plot tells of the oppression of the poor by the rich, introducing character sketches of real life into a tangible story of thrilling denouement. Picturesque stage pictures claim the attention of the auditor, and clever mechanical devices excite the wonder and admiration of all. The company engaged for this production includes dramatic talent of known reputation who have been thoroughly schooled in the different roles they essay. Specialties of a high order will be introduced. Reserved seats on sale Saturday morning at 9 o'clock at Rood & Co.'s.
BREVITIES.
—The Loyal circle of King's Daughters will meet to-morrow at 3 o'clock at the home of Mrs. A. A. Sprague, 144 Port Watson-st.
—The Y. P. S. C. E. reception to Normal students which was to have been held at the Congregational church Saturday is postponed to Monday evening.
—New display advertisements to-day are: Burgess, Hats and caps, page 4; Pearson Bros., Upholstering free, page 8; C. F. Brown, Rooms to rent, page 6; F. D. Smith, Stoves, page 6; Mrs. J. T. Davern, Millinery opening, page 6; W. W. Bennett, furnaces, page 8; The Model Clothing Co., Clothing, page 4.
—The Normal football team lined up against the Y. M. C. A. team yesterday. The work of the Normals was not all that could be desired and the team needs strengthening in two or three places. If this is done they ought to defeat Ithaca High school Saturday This game promises to be one of the best ever seen in Cortland and will be well worth attending.
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