OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11593, 29 November 1899, Page 6

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

CHICAGO, 111., October 27. On Saturday last the international yacht races sailed by America's cup defender, Columbia, and Sir Thomas Lipton's Irish challenger, Shamrock, were concluded, and for another year at least America's Cup stays here. The victory of the Columbia was complete, and for the tenth time in history America has won the international yacht trophy. Preceding the final decisive races there were no less than eight flukes owing to the total lack of wind, and public enthusiasm, which, in the beginning, was at high pitch, began to wane as the news of the successive failures on the part of the yachts to finish within the time limit was bulletined. The announcement of_ the courses to be sailed was as follows:— I he. starts of the America's Cup races are to be at the Sandy Hook lightship, and the course from the starting line will be laid to windward. The first race will be 15 knot= to windward or.leeward, and return. The second race will be an equilateral triangle, 10 miles to a. leg the first leg to windward. The third and fifth races will be the same as the nrst. ihe fourth race will be the same as the second. Every course to be laid down will bo as nearly as possible an even 30 knots." The crowds that sailed out to Sandy Hook lightship on the day of the first race, October 5, were larger.than have ever before been in attendance at the races. The excursion steamers seemed to have been gathered from ad along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to \ lrgmia, and the whole was a pageant well worth seeing. However, they were doomed to disappointment, for the boats failed to cover the 30-mile course in the time limit of five and a-half hours. At the end of the attempted race in cat's-paws and pocket winds i the bhamrockwas in the lead, and the experts who witnessed the trial expressed themselves ! as surprised at the result of the drifting match. -I he Columbia, people had counted on possible clef eat m heavy weather and stiff winds, but the showing made in what was universal] v termed Columbia weather came in the nature ot a surprise, and it was generally acknowledged that America's Cup was in greater danger than ever before. The succeeding race? up to the 16th of the month were of a similar character. Each time if a start was made, it was only to see the breeze die out of the canvas, or a thick banket of fog settle over the course, j In the first real race of the series the fog was so thick at times as to almost hide the boats from view, but they got well away, and the Columbia led at the finish by lOmin and llsec. News that the race would be finished within the time limit served to again awaken public interest, and the bulletin boards were besieged with crowds anxious for any news of tho race. In the second race the Shamrock, in standing up to a stiff breeze had tho misfortune to break her topmast, and had to be towed back, while the Columbia hastened on to finish without a rival. The regret expressed at the outcome of this race was universal, a though-it, was generally conceded that it would prove a needed lesson in yacht construction—namely, that the limit had been reached in, sacrificing, everything to speed and that in.future more attention would have to be given to seaworthiness, even at the coH of diminishing the speed. There was no delay in stepping a. new Oregon pine topmast for the challenger, and she was also given an extra ballast ofrnearly two tons. A re-measurement ot the Shamrock now gave the Columbia a* time allowance.of 163 ec, whereas, in the races already sailed the former boat had had the advantage in this particular of 6 2-3 sec. Tho third race proved to be a superb speed spectacle, and was witnessed by thousands of enthusiastic yachtsmen and deck-loads of passengers on the excursion boats, which crowded about the starting line. The wind freshened to a velocity of from 12 knots to 18 knots, and the yachts began the struggle in true Lipton weather. It was patent from the start that the Columbia was by far the better sailed boat. At times the Shamrock was famished for more canvass, and much of its defeat was certainly due to poor sailing." This is the* substance of the criticisms of the yachting experts on the race. Until the slake'boat was nearly reached the Shamrock maintained the lead and proved itself a faster boat on this line of running than the Columbia. Both boats were running over 13 knots an1 hour, and the spectacular part of the-race was the-overhauling ot the challenger just before the stakeboat.. and the.close running which preceded that In the beat home the Columbia held truer to the course, wasted less time in tacks to the leeward and to windward, arid, though running slower through; the water than her rival showed better handling, and sailed across the finish-line on her starboard tack smin and 17see in the. lead: While the whistles were sciteaching the victory of the Columbia, the Maamrock tacked for the last timeihi its competition for the AmenVa's Cup, and after a short run passed, in across the line. This, the one great race of the series, was won by the Columbia in 3hr 38min and 9sec elapsed time, the Shamrock allowing it 16sec on measurements. / Columbia thereby smashed all records ■ since the final race between the Defender and Valkyrie IT in 1893, when the lankee boat finished in 3hr 24min and 39sec There is little doubt that the Columbia will go to Europe next year and compete in the important yacht races there. C. Oliver Iselin, her owner, announced a short time ago that if she defeated the Shamrock she would race in the Mediterranean next March, and in English- waters at the sommor regattas. An interesting feature of the races is the fact that they were reported in detail by Marconi's ■ system of wireless telegraphy. The utility of this wonderful discovery was demonstrated with abundant success. Signor Marconi sent wireless messages from the steamer Ponce to Altantic Highlands, several miles away, and to the cable steamer MackayBennett,' anchored at the starting line. The messages- were sent in' Continental code, but were recorded by the Marconi instruments and readily translated, the;bulletins being received without error or delay. It is declared that those tests mean the entire success of Marconi's plan for communicating with vessels at

The climax of the recent festival, the plans of which were carried out in their entirety according to the arrangements (mention of which was made more in detail in the last letter), was the banquet to. President M'Kinley and the nation's notable guests—Premier Laurier, of Canada, and Secretary Mariscal, who was tho personal representative of President Diaz, of Mexico. Men of prominence from all parts of the country occupied seats at the' feast of international amity. The great* auditorium was bright with the decorations of the green, white, and, red of .Mexico, the crimson of the Union Jack, and the red, white, and blue of the Stars and Stripes! Behind the huge bow' of the Speaker's table, above the President's head, hung the arms of the United States, flanked on cither hand by the eagle, serpent, and cactus of Mexico, and the much-quarterpd sl-ield of the'Dominioh. Premier Laurier and Secretary Mariscal sat on either side of the President, and their pledges of international goodwill wore greeted with enthusiasm and delight by the nearly 3000 people who listened to the toasts. President M'Kinley, in responding to tho toast, "The Nation," put himself squarely on record for expansion, pledged a closer friendship and co-operati.m with the Dominion? and prophesied a closer union with the Republic of •Mexico. Replying to " The Republic of Mexico," Secretary Mariecal declared that the settled policy of Mexico was the cultivation of friendly and close relations .with the United States. Both speakers were interrupted again and again with bursts of applause and wild choruses of approval. Premier Laurier, speaking to the toast of "The Dominion," aroused almost as much enthusiasm as the President. The band started " God save'the Queen ";as he rose to speak, and the audience sung the British anthem through. Thq Premier waited until the chorus had ended to tell the people that no two nations to-day upon the earth are as closo as are the two great Eng'iish-sneaking peoples. When, he ended, "We know that ncvex* again shall the flags of Great Britaia and the United States meet, except in peace, or, if in.war, in war together for liberty,, progress, and civilisation," he received a most thrilling ovation as the throng arose and roared its appreciation. The banquet was significant as tending to show the bonds of friendship cementing the Governments of North America. .

Oh leaving. Chicago, at the close of a most remarkable series of patriotic demonstrations, President M'Kinley and his party continued their trip into -the north-west admittedly to feel the pulse of the people in this section of the country upon the policy of expansion and the scheme of island government; which he has already formulated,' but which remains dependent to a, great extent upon popular sentiment. Crowds greeted the Presidential party all along the route, and at almost every stop the President delivered an address upon expansion, and the policy of the Republican party with regard to the prosecution of the war in the East. At St. Paul he said in part: " The treaty of peace with Spain, which gave us the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and G\iam. met with some opposition in the Senate, but was ratified by that body by more than a twothirds vote, while in the House the apnropriation .of 20.000,000d0l vvas made with little or no opposition. As in the case of the

Ai,' Impudent Fraud lias been perpetrated upon a well-known member o£ Parliament. This gentleman recently entered a 3mall chemist's establishment in Northampton, and asked for a box of Holloway's Pills. A packet was given to him, for which lie paid, and then left tho shop. Having to leave for London that evening, it was not until he was in the train, many miles away from Northampton, that he discovered ho had been swindled. Instead of Holloway's Pills he found that a pernicious and worthless imitation had been foisted ui)on I'im. Of course the rubbish was thrown away, and the M.P. had to wait until he arrived in London before he could get the genuine article.—l 4

Louisiana purchase and Alaska, the opponents of the treaty were in the minority, and the star of hope to an oppressed people was not extinguished. The future of these new possessions is in the keeping of Congress, and Congress is the servant of the people. That they will be retained under the benign sovereignty of the United States I do not permit myself to doubt. That they will prove a rich and valuable heritage I feel assured. That Congress will provide for them a government which will bring them blessings, which will promote their material interests as well asadvance their people in the path of civilisation and intelligence, I confidently believe. They will not be governed as vassals or serfs enslaves—they will be given a government of liberty, regulated by law, honestly administered, without' oppressing exactions, taxation without tyranny, justice without bribe, education without distinjbjsmi of social conditions, freedom of religious worship, and protection in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."' 1 resident M'Kinley and his'Cabmet are well pleased with the success.&f the trip, aud are convinced by the receptions tendered him by t.ie people of the Nor^h-West, that the policy for which he stands is in favour with the public. It is believed that he will endeavour to have Congress postpone all action in regard to the possessions for the period of at least a year.

Admiral Dewey has announced that he will accept from his admirers throughout the United States the proffered gift of ?. home in the city of Washington. Contributions toward a fund for this purpose have been received by the committee from more than 43.000 people, and have reached a tola' of more toan 50,000d0i, and it is thought that tae fund will be materially increased now that the Admiral has expressed his willingness to accept the gift. Admiral Dowey intimated that he looked upon this gift as a great honour, comings it did, not from any class, but from thousands of people in all,parts of the United atates, and that he "would accept it as such. 1-^e expressed his appreciation of the sentiment wlr.cn prompted the "contributions, and said he would accept the home as a grift akin to that of the sword which was voted and presented him br Congress. The original intention was to build the home, but the Admiral admitted that lie would much prefer an immediate purchase, as he desired to have it ready for occupation as soon as possible. Admiral Dewey was unable to bo present at the festival in this city, but lie lias signified his intention of making an extended trip in the west during the month of November, at which time lie will be the guest of Chicago for a day or two. It is proposed in this event to give the city over to civic, muitary. and naval parades in his nonour. The vexed question of the temporary Alaska boundary line has at- last been satisfactorily adjusted, and Great. Britain has accepted the terms offered by Secretary Hay. This establishes a divisional-line, which, it is believed by. the department, has conserved eve>-v American interest without unjustly treating Canada. The text of the medus vivendi, as finally agreed to, is as follows: —

L, is hereby agreed between the Governments of the United States and of Great Britain that the boundary line between Canada and the territory of Alaska, in the region about the head or the Lynn Canal, shall be provisionally fixed without .prejudice to the claims of either party m the permanent adjustment of the inter-' national boundary as follows: In the region of the Dalton trail, a line beginning at the peak west of Porcupine Creek, marked on the mat) Ao 10 of the United States Commission, December 31, 1895, and on sheet No. 18 of the Lntish Commission, December 31, 1895, with Ao. 6500; thence running'to the Klehini (or JilaJieek) River, in the direction of the peak north of that river, marked 5020 on the afore-S!l-n v -}^ States ma: i> nn<:l- 5025 °n the aforesaid British map; ttience following the h>h" or right bauk.of the said Klehini River to the junction thereof with the Chilkat R.Ver, a mile and a-half, more or-less, north of Klukwan. Provided that persons proceeding 'to or from Porcupine Creek shall.be freely permitted to-follow tne trail between the said" Creek and the said Junction of the rivers, into and across the territory on the Canadian side of the temporary line wherever the trail crosses to such side, and subject to ■'such reasonable regulations the protection of the revenue as the Canaaian Government may prescribe; to carry with them over such, parts of the trail between the said points as may lie on the Canadian , side of the temporary line such goods and articles as they desire,\without being required to pay. any customs duties on such goods and articles; and from said junction to the summit of the peak east of the Chilkat River, marked on the aforesaid map No. 10 of the United States Commission with the No. 5410, and on the map ho. 17 of the aforesaid British Commission with the No. 5490. On the Taiya and r-/ rai S' the summ"s of the Chilkoot and White Passes. It is understood, as formerly set forth, m communications of the De-' pa-rtment of State of- the United States, that the citizens or subjects of either Power found by _ this arrangement within the temporary junsdiction of the other shall suffer no dimimition of the rights and privileges which tkey now enjoy. The Government of the United btates will at once appoint-an.officer or officers in conjunction with an officer or officers, to be named by the Government of her Britannic Majesty, to mark the temporary line agreed upon by the erection of posts, stakes, or other appropriate, temporary marks

By a study of the map and the text of the modus vivendi, it is revealed that instead of placing the line directly at the town of Klukwan, whidv marks the head of canoe navigation, as the British sought to do, it has been located several miles above that town, direct 1 y at tne junction with the Chilcat River of the important tributary, the Klehini. This maintains the Indians at Klukwan under American jurisdiction without question, and also provides a natural and uninistakabb boundary line such as is always sought by topographers, in the shape of a considerable river Then when it comes to the point of departure from tins river, the Klehini, the line has been pro longed toward its s-ource, so as to include in American territory the mining town of Porcupine, the head of mining operations in the Porcupine section.- The divisional line of the West Pass by which" the Dallon trail is reached, is placed 22i miles above Pyramid Harbour, wnieh is regarded under the treaty as tide watei mark, so the Canadians are not allowed to reach any point on the "Lynn Canal Moreover, there is no permission given for a free port or even for the free transfer across American territory of Canadian goods except of miner's belonging It is not known at this time to what extent these matters will figure in the establishment of the permanent boundary line. According to Sir Loins Davies, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Marine, who visited England for the purpose of confemng with United Statas Ambassador Choate. and the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, the position taken by Canada is a willingness to consider any permanent solution of the dispute arrived at by the representatives of the United States and Great Britain; although he adds: "I must confess that the prospect is not bright." Iho sympathy of the people of the United States in reference to the war now being waged m South Africa seems to a considerable extent to be with the Boers. In many localities the Irish and Dutch are thoroughly aroused, and have signified their willingne/s «? VI a*™ theJrar for the freedom of the South African Republic, Several attempts Have been made by the more zealous to have one or more regiments created from the ranks ii ?. ym?athis9rs ''ere, and doubtless there would be little difficulty in doing so. 'However the more conservative recognise this as utterly impracticable, as an open demonstration ot hostility of this character toward Grc-at Britain would not be allowed by this Government. They express themselves/however, as hopeful that the Government of the United States will proffer its good offices to brin? anmit an early termination of a needless aid unjust war.

li tne_ recent reports, coming as the result ot certain careful investigations made by those mterestea in the opening up and further development of the south,'be true, there is a wealtli of gold storad in the Appalachians waiting omy to to reward the enterprising miner. It is said that the next few months will see many northerners beginning operations in the gold-bearing belts of the south, ana that the region will become the centre of interest to miners. The gold belt of the south is nearly /00 mjjes? long, and ranges from 50 to 120 miles in width. $he area is divided into several minor belts known as the Virginia, the Eastern Carolina, the Carolina htate, the Carolina Igneous, the King's Mountain, the Georgia, and the Alabama. The Carolina and Georgia districts are the most productive, and in them the operations are being carried on with the most modern machinery and newest methods. It is well known that the ores of most of the southern fields are chiefly low grade, but pay well, for the reason that they are found in abundance. .Uus, however, does not apply in all regions, tor in many places the gold is of exceptionally fme quality. Most of the gold deposits of the Oarolmas are placer, and are divided into the stream gravel, gulch, an d rotten-rock classes. In the gravel mines, few of which are being worked at present, the gold is found almost exclusively in the shape of nuggets, it was in one of those mines a- few years ago that a nugget weighing 10] b was found. According to the reports, there is reason to believe that many of these mines will be in operation again in the near future. The quartz-fissure veins contain free gold and gold in combination with sulphurets. The quartz veins vary greatly in value, the con!?n i i sulphurets runnin" from 30dol to Wdol a ton after the free milling portion has been extracted, and the large body of low-grade auriferous schists yielding about sdol a ten in quantity. But not alone in gold are the Lower Appalachians rich for experts are represented to have said that the gem industry in Worth Carolina could be carried on most profitably, provided it were conducted on the same technical lines as in Europe. Among the goms to be found there are hiddeniie, emerald, smoky topaz, spinel, lazolite, jasper, carnelian, tourmaline, quartz crystals, eyanite.

chrysolite, rub}', citrine topaz, sagenite, rose garnet, sapphire, and amethyst. In North Carolina alone, it is said, more of these "ems are to be found than in any other two states in ttie union. Southern developers are seeking to turn the minds of the gold-seekers from the KlondyKe to the fields of fortunes in the south and predict that a few years will prov° the gold mining industry there second only to the cotton-raising. It is believed that a boom m this region is imminent. W \ c r c^ance with the usual custom, Presi- •™ n W" .designated by proclamation the last Thursday m next month, November 30, as the national Thanksgiving Day. Milton B. Marks.