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| Prime Minister Taro Katsura. |
Cortland Evening Standard, March 5, 1902.
JAPAN'S ENTHUSIASM.
Wild With Delight Over Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
CHINA AND KOREA STIFFENED.
Mining Concessions to Russia Rejected—Korean Official Has Torn Down Telegraph Poles—Work of Recovering Bodies of Frozen Soldiers. North Pacific Steamers.
Tokio, Japan, March 5.—Japan has gone wild with delight over the conclusion of the Anglo-Japanese alliance and is only considering how best to celebrate. Until the ratification everything is in embryo, but some of the communities will not be denied. There has been an elaborate torchlight procession at Tokio, besides the formal interchange of congratulations at a joint meeting held by the two houses of the diet, at which Sir Claude MacDonald, the English Minister, was present. At various towns in Japan, special celebrations have already been held or are in contemplation. The Vernacular press is brimming over with cheerful forecasts of the result of the "diplomatic union," flags are flying and altogether young Japan is patting itself on the back.
The news of the dual alliance has already stiffened China and Korea. The Chinese plenipotentiaries have definitely rejected one of the chief mining stipulations in the new Manchurian convention with Russia and a Korean official has actually torn down a line of telegraph poles which were being run through Korean territory without due authority.
Little has been done in the way of recovering dead bodies from the snow drifts around Aomori, where a battalion was recently frozen to death during a snow storm. Out of 210 about a dozen survivors are accounted for and up to the 4th inst. 133 bodies had been recovered by the aid of dogs. Heavy snow storms hinder the operations.
Subscription lists for the sufferers reach into the 10,000 yen limit. In the meantime the ardor of the Japanese troops is not dampened and many battalions insist on prosecuting dangerous marches in the snow.
Much interest centers around rumors of the forthcoming enterprise of the North Pacific line of steamers to ply between the United States and China, touching at Hawaii and Japan.
It is reported that Premier Katsura has obtained the sanction of the emperor to send a first-class battleship and a cruiser to take part in the Spithead naval demonstration. The chambers of commerce throughout the country are also proposing to send two representative merchants to attend the coronation ceremonies.
Another feature this spring will be joint naval maneuvers by the British and Japanese fleets in the China sea, in honor of the conclusion of the alliance. The British were going to hold maneuvers there anyway and it is now proposed that their squadron will be reinforced from the Japanese fleet. As it happens, Russia is preparing to hold naval maneuvers in the same region about the same time and the coincidence has been noted.
SLAVES IN MORO ISLANDS.
Governor Taft Estimates Them at One-Quarter of the Population.
Washington, March 5.—Representative Patterson of Tennessee asked [for] the number of slaves. Governor Taft replied that he and his assistants had sought to learn the number, with the idea that we might buy them and avert an exercise of force, but when the natives learned this they all represented themselves as slaves. The governor estimated about one-fourth of the Southern Moro population as slaves, or from 250,000 to 300,000 in a population of 1,000,000 to 1,500,000.
When asked how many sultans there were Governor Taft answered that sultans and datos were as numerous as barons in Germany or justices of the peace in the United States. In reply to a question by Mr. Patterson, Governor Taft stated that the slaves were punished by their masters and whipping was not unknown to them, although there was little severity. The slaves were subject to sale, but he did not know of any separation of mothers from their children.
To a question from Chairman Cooper as to whether American women should go to the Philippines, Governor Taft said they would be helpful as teachers, but he did not encourage the idea that they should go in large numbers.
Representative Sibley of Pennsylvania asked what annual charge on the United States would be made for the maintenance of the Philippines.
Governor Taft answered that there was no reason why the United States should be called upon to pay anything toward the expenses of the insular government except for military operations. There are now $5,000,000 in gold on hand and only $2,000,000 debt in sight. The outlook was for considerable income from customs, etc. He looked for a large increase of American trade in canned goods, cotton and machinery.
"I think we may come to congress and ask a modification of the tariff on machinery," said Governor Taft. "It is too high, particularly on electric machinery."
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| Ellen Maria Stone. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The Case of Miss Stone.
Now that the Bałkan brigands have released the American missionary Miss Stone, and her companion Mme. Tsilka, upon the payment of $73,000 ransom, no time should be lost in bringing to account the sovereignty, whether Bulgarian or Turkish, which either willingly or otherwise permitted this gross outrage to occur.
The tale of the capture of Miss Stone and Mme. Tsilka, and of the negotiations for their release that have been carried on since last September, is one of curious interest. It seems like an anachronism in this century. The record of the dickering of the consular agents of this great and powerful nation with a gang of kidnapers over the payment of ransom is rather humiliating, but perhaps it was necessary to save the lives of the captured women. But now that they are fully restored to safety prompt reparation should be demanded and sternly exacted. The United States has an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that it has the power as well as the disposition to protect its peaceful and law abiding citizens wherever they may be.
The unwisdom of sending or allowing missionaries to go into wild and semi-barbarous countries to propagate a religious system other than that prevailing in such countries may be urged in some quarters, and further, that this country ought not to be burdened with the responsibility of securing the protection of persons who set out to impress their religious notions upon remote peoples of another faith, but these are questions quite apart from the one immediately involved.
Whether actually in Turkey when captured or in Bulgaria, which owes allegiance to the sultan, Miss Stone, as an American citizen, was unquestionably acting within her rights under the treaty of the United States with Turkey, which guarantees protection to American citizens within its territory. It appears that Miss Stone was captured on Turkish soil and freed in Macedonia, which is ruled by the sultan. It is believed that the kidnapers were Macedonian revolutionists. But this is not material. The important thing is to push without delay the demand for restoration of the ransom and an indemnity of such proportions is to convey a wholesome lesson.
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| Cortland, N. Y., waterworks. |
THE WATER QUESTION
DISCUSSED AT GREAT LENGTH BY THE COMMON COUNCIL.
The Renewal of the Contract for Municipal Use and the Overflow Section of the First Ward—Appropriation for Memorial Day—Railroad Commissioner's Report— Sidewalk Rebates—Street Markers—Bills Passed.
The water question, both in relation to the general city supply and to the condition of Otter and Dry creeks, was paramount at the regular meeting of the common council last evening. All the members were present, and these two features of water economy, as they affect the city, were thoroughly discussed.
Messrs. B. F. Taylor, secretary and treasurer of the Cortland Water Works Co. and J. P. Gray of that office, were present and were asked to speak before the board in reference to the renewal of the contract between the city and the Water Works company. Mr. Gray said that the company would like to renew the contract, but there were certain features of the contract being violated which should be remedied. One of these, he said, was in the too frequent flushing of the sewers. The contract, he stated, provided for the flushing of the sewers twice each week, but this had been done much oftener. Some days it was flushed from ten to fifty times, making a needless waste of water. In fact the company could show that during the past six years over $30,000 worth of water in excess of what the contract calls for had been used for flushing alone.
The company also objects, he said, to furnishing free water to the schools for flushing purposes. The furnishing of drinking water, used in the schools was not objected to, but the sewer connections in the schools were bad,, and water is being wasted thereby. This difficulty, be thought, is particularly noticeable in the Schermerhorn-st. school, where the water can be heard running through the building by any one on the sidewalks in front of the building.
He also stated that the company would require a longer term contract, as at this time additional water supplies and facilities must be obtained to keep up with the demand. A twenty-five years' contract would have to be given in order to justify the company in making the necessary outlay for additional water facilities.
He then showed that Cortland is getting its water supply much cheaper than are other nearby cities. Cortland's hydrant rates are $33.33 a year, while the same for Ithaca are $50, and a gravity system at that. Elmira pays upwards of $40 for each hydrant. In Ithaca the kitchen faucet rates are $8 and $10, while in Cortland the rate is $6.
For the extra flushing, be thought a cheap rate could be fixed upon, and for the schools a half rate would be satisfactory.
Mr. Taylor showed that as high as 160,000 gallons per day for flushing had been used. This had been cut down a great deal, and now about 60,000 gallons are used. He contended that 25,000 gallons per day is sufficient for flushing the sewers. He said that the company had swelled the river long enough for fun, and that if the city continued to use more water than was necessary it would have to pay for the extra amount. So far as municipal ownership was concerned he said that the Water Works company is ready to sell out at any time. Their books are open at any time for an inspection. He pointed out, also, the difference in cost of maintaining a pump system and a gravity system.
Mayor Brown said that it was generally supposed that the people were to be given an opportunity to vote on the question of purchasing the water works in 1902, and he was in favor of giving the people a chance to express their opinions in the matter. The aldermen were of the same opinion, and if there is a desire on the part of the people to vote upon the proposition it will be readily given them.
Mr. Gray pointed out that the state laws now provided that the people could vote upon such a proposition at any time and this would not in any manner affect the contract asked for. It was thought best to put the matter over until the next meeting.
On motion of Mr. Skeele the mayor was authorized to appoint a committee to investigate the matter and report to the common council at the next meeting. The mayor appointed all the aldermen; also E. L. Becker, Commissioners Knox and Collins of the board of public works, and Commissioner Alley of the fire board.
The question of giving relief to the people in the vicinity of Otter and Dry creeks was then introduced by Alderman Yager of the First ward where the bulk of damage is done by tbe overflow of of these two creeks. Mr. Yager said that while in former years the banks of these streams were overflowed once in about four or five years, they now get beyond their banks each year four or five times and raise the mischief by filling cellars, putting out furnace fires and tearing out walks in general. He said the people in that neighborhood are willing to do a part of the work of straightening the creeks and cleaning them out, but they felt that the city should meet them part way.
Superintendent of Public Works Becker, who was asked to attend the meeting, said that he had gone to Former City Attorney Kellogg at the time of the freshet a year or more ago to have the position of the board of public works defined, and had been told that the jurisdiction of the board did not extend outside the high way line. He stated that he thought that there would not be much trouble from Otter creek if Dry creek were properly looked after. He thought relief could be given, but he doubted if there would ever come a time when the people of that section would be entirely free from all bother from it.
It was thought best to confer with the city attorney to see if the city had any right to go on private property to change a water course. If it is found that the city can do this, the aldermen and mayor seemed inclined to help the First ward people out of their dilemma, and on motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded and carried:
Resolved, That the city attorney be requested to represent the city at the public meeting of citizens of the First ward, called for Wednesday evening, March 5.
A petition was read from the commander and chaplain of Grover Post, No. 98, requesting that the common council appropriate $75 to defray necessary expenses of Memorial Day, May 30, 1902.
On motion of Mr. Richards, seconded and carried:
Resolved, That the sum of $75 be appropriated for such purposes.
All voting aye, declared carried.
Mr. H. M. Kellogg submitted his annual report as railroad commissioner of the town of Cortlandville, which was, on motion of Mr. Scudder, duly seconded and declared carried, received and placed on file.
Mayor Brown appointed Aldermen Scudder and Yager to examine such account and the vouchers thereof.
The report showed that the commissioner had paid out for interest on bonds $5,021.60, of which the city paid 81.3 per cent or $4,082.56, and the town of Cortlandville 18.7 per cent, or $939.04. Seven thousand dollars of principal was paid in the same proportion.
A special assessment roll for the building and repairing cement walks opposite the respective premises and in the several amounts therein specified by the board of public works, was presented and placed on file, and no one appearing to object to the same, on motion of Mr, Skeele, seconded and carried:
ResoIved, That the same be ratified and confirmed, and be final and conclusive upon all parties interested in said real estate or affected thereby, and that the same be collected in the manner and with the fees prescribed therefore, and that a warrant be issued for the collection thereof to the Chamberlain of said city, as follows:
Commissioner of Charities F. E. Price and City Chamberlain G. J. Maycumber presented their monthly reports for February, 1902, which were, on motion, seconded and carried, approved and placed on file. Mr. Prices report showed that the orders for the month amounted to $87.05.
Mr. Skeele suggested to the board that the city ought to be furnished with street markers. It was his opinion that these could be put up at a cost not to exceed 12 1/2 cents each.
On motion of Mr. Pettigrew, a committee of Alderman Skeele was appointed to ascertain the cost of placing street markers at street corners throughout the city.
The following bills were allowed and ordered paid:
CHANGE AT PECK BROTHERS.
Sold Lumber Business—To Extend Trade In Other Lines—New Location.
For the past four years Peck Brothers have handled lumber in connection with their business in carriages, harnesses, farm implements, etc., but both lines of business have so increased that, as they are planning to expand still further in the latter line, they have decided to close out their lumber trade entirely. They have made arrangements with the Benton Lumber Co. to take off their hands their entire stock of soft lumber, and will handle it no more. Their saw mill is at present cutting up a stock of hard wood logs that came from Pennsylvania. All their hard wood lumber, however, is handled in wholesale lots and they will do no more with this after the logs already contracted for are worked up. The sawmill will not be operated after this season.
On March 15 the firm will take possession of the north store in the Wells building, at the corner of Main and Orchard-sts. The adjoining store on Orchard-st. has also been secured and the two will be thrown together into one. The retail trade in harnesses, robes, blankets and everything in that line will be conducted a t this store, together with the repairs in agricultural implements. The big rink on South Main-st. where their business is at present conducted will be retained as a store house and all the stock of carriages, sleighs, wagons and agricultural tools will be kept there. A portion of the building will also be set aside as a storehouse for household goods, where any one who wishes to do so can arrange to have goods stored.
Mr. J. J. Łarrison of Blodgett Mills, who has had long experience in the sale of agricultural tools, has been engaged by the firm to go on the road to represent them in the sale of tools, and it is the plan to carry a much larger stock of all kinds of tools then previously.
BREVITIES.
—New display advertisements today are—McKinney & Doubleday, Winner and Fountain pens, page 4; E. M. Mansur, Groceries, page 4; Glann & Clark, Shoes, page 6; Opera House, Side Tracked, page 5; McKinney & Doubleday, Wallpaper, page 6; Oliver Churchill, Gladiolus Bulbs, page 7.
—Snow shovels are again needed.
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