Evening Star Newspaper, April 7, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ————— *UBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT AT THE STAR ING BUILD! 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Steeet, The eo New: oage eeuves seer Kew York Office. 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star is served to subseril tty"by carriers, on thelr own account. a per —— = cents: oes eas each. Gaited’ States or Cunsdapostage prepaid 80 ceats moat. PSSaturday Guinteple, Sheet Star, $1 per year, with feretzo tage xdd (Entered at The a Office at Washington, D. secondd-cla matt er ait Tents cobsetipeions must be pald tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. WASHINGTON, D. SS a ee TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1896-TWELVE. PAGES. IN A IN A TURKISH JAIL|z2.taiser.c.cc™"""" "A MAIL CAR ON FIRE|°/STRICT IN. CONGRESS|WITH THE PRESIDENT nz Sims aa"@lEREP TIRRARY Qi” JAIL —— Rev. Mr. Knapp, the American Mis- sionary, Arrested. INTERNATIONAL conrucaron LIKELY Red Cross Agents and Others May Be Expelled. THe pease IES ACTIVE ———_+—_—_. Copyright. 1896 by the Assoelated Press.) CONSTANTINOPLE, April 6, via Sofia, Bulgaria, April 7—Advices received here today from Diarbekir Indicate beyond any reasonable duubt that the Rev. Mr. George Cc. Knapp, one of the American mission- aries at Bitlis, is confined fn the jail at Diarbekir, capital of the vilayet of that name. in Turkish Armenia, and that serious international complications are more than likely to follow. The Turkish government, replying to the representations of the United States charge Waffaires, Mr. John W. Riddle, has an- nounced, through the grand vizier and through the minister for foreign affairs, that no news has been received by the porte regarding the reported expulsion of the Rev. Mr. Knapp from Bitlis, and it was intimated that if it was true he had ar- rived at Diarbekir it would appear that the local authorities were desirous of se- cretly expelling the American missionary. But the latest news from Diarbekir shows that this cannot possibly be the case, as it is further announced that the Rev. Mr. Knapp ts to be sent from Diarbekir to lexandretta, a seaport on the Bay of Is- Gerun, opening into the eastern portion of the Mediterranean, there to be either shipped out of the country or delivered to the representatives of the United States. At the timation of trouble the Uni- ted States charge d'affaires, after com- municating with the porte and receiving the unsatisfactory reply cited above, cabled to Washington for further instructions, and it is now said that the United States squad- ron in the Mediterranean, consisting of the flagship Minneapolis, commanded by Ad- miral T. O. Selfridge, and the cruiser Mar- blehead, will shortly assemble in the Gulf of Iskanderum and at the me time a formal protest against the treatment of the American missionaries may be made to the porte, coupled with the demand for an ade- quate indemnity for the damage recently done to the property of Am ans. May Expel All Missionaries. ‘The imprisonment and proposed expul- sion from the Turkish dominions of the Rev. Mr. Knapp is, however, understood to be but eliminary to the expulsion of all the Christian missionaries, mostly Americans, English and French Catholics, from Asiatic Turkey, and, possibly, from European Turkey. Besides, {t is rumored that the agents of the American Red Cross Society, now dis- tributing relief funds in Asiatic Turkey, in the presence of the local Turkish officials, are also to be expelled from that part of the empire. In support of this report. it is stated that an imperial irade providing for the expulsion from Turkey of the Christian missionaries and agents of the American 1 Cross Society has already been signed by the sultan, although it has not yet been issued from the palace. That this is the case would seem to be proved by the activity at the French and British embassies during the past few days, and by the visits which ghe United States charge d'affaires has made to the porte. a It is also known that a panic exists among the Armenians of the district of Suedich, owing, it Is explained, to the Presence there, for some unknown reason, of a strong force of Turkish troops. Charge Against Mr. Knapp, The United States charge d'affaires has obtained from the porte the assurance that the Vali of Aleppo has been instructed to Frotect the American missionaries in the Suedich district. Of course, in the matter of the arrest, imprisonment and proposed expulsion of the Rev. Mr. Knapp, as in all other cases of a similar nature, there are two sides to the question. The claim made by the friends cf the American missionary is that he is being unjustly persecuted by the Turkish authorities. On the other hand, the Turkish officials assert that the Rev. Mr. Knapp has persistently encouraged ditious movements among the Armenians, in spite of several official warnings. It should be added, however, that a dis- interested observer, Mr. Hampson, the Brit- ish consul at Bitlis, has carefully inquired into the charges brought against Mr. Knapp and has pronounced them to be absurd. The American missionary, nevertheless, was informed that it had been decided to try him before the criminal court on the charge of conspiring against the Turkish government, and he was not'fled to appear for trial. This was in February last. Mr. Knapp thereupon placed the matter before United States Minister Terrell, and asked for the latter's advice. Mr. Terrell telegraphed the misstonary to obey the orders of the Turkish authorities, under protest, pending action upon the part of the United States minister here. Mr. Terreil then notified the porte that he would not consent to having Mr. Knapp tried in the manner proposed, and suggested that the case be brought before a mixed commission. It was leter decided to try the missionary here, in the presence of a representative of the United States government. But, it ap- pears, the roads were so blocked with snow until the end of last month that the mis- sionary was unable to travel to this city. Hence it seems, his arrest and imprison- ment at Diarbekir, pending his expulsion from Asiatic Turkey, and also, it seems, the determination of the sultan to expel all Christian missionarles and agents of the American Red Cross Society from Turkey. NO ALARM FELT HERE. State Department Fully Advised About Missionary Knapp. The officials at the State Department are fully aware of the condition of the mlgsion- aries in Turkey, and of the developments in the case of Missionary Knapp, who is reported by cable to be in confinement at Diabekir, but they refuse to discuss the matter in any phase. However, it is ap- parent they do not feel under any great degree of apprehension as to serious trou- ble in Turkey. In addition to their private cable advices from Charge Riddle, they have the beaefit of the presence and advice of United States Minis-er Terrell, who was at the State Department again this morn- ing. Consequently their state of mind ap- pears to be justifiable. It is quite certain that no orders have gone forward to Admiral Selfridge to gather bis fleet In the Gulf of Iskanderun, or to make any sort of a demonstration. Although he has a large measure of dis- cretion and authority in the movements of Fis ships, it is unlikely that he would go so far as to make a naval demonstration without the sanction and direction of the Navy Department. Admiral Selfridge’s ships are well scatter- ed at present: His flagship, the San Fran- cisco. is at Piraeus; the Minneapolis is at Taranto, Italy, making small repairs, and the Marblehead is at Mersine. It is pos- sible that the intention of the admiral to move one of the ships to Alexandretta, which is on the Gulf of Iskandarun, and has been made headquarters for the fleet, may have given rise to the idea that he to make a demonstration in force with all three vessels. All May Be Expelled. So far as the case of Missionary-Knapp is concerned, it presents no feature of nuvelty, and the only point involved on its face Is the old question of extra territorial juris- diction by our legation in Turkey. The State Department has insisted upon the ex- ercise of this right steadfastly, and the correspondence sent to the present Con- gress relative to the Armenian troubles shows that although the Turkish govern- ment has always interposed obstacles to the exercise of this right, it has generally con- ceded the point, and it is presumed that the outcome in the case of Mr. Knapp will be the same. The more serious aspect of the matter is brought to light by the re- newal of the report that emanated from Constantinople some weeks ago to the ef- fect that there is to be a general expulsion of alt foreign missionaries from Turkish Armenia. Notwithstarding the reticence shown at the Siate Department in reference to this subject, it is believed that there is some real foundation for the report. Probably the reason for the reserve shown by the department in its treatment of this mat- ter is to be accounted for by a desire on its part to avoid giving offense to another great power. by making pubiic its belief that this power te really responsible for the attempt to expel the missionaries, but that is the fact, and the story has come to Washington with every appearance of verity that the American and other for- eign missioraries are to be driven out from Armenia only to make room for a church that they do not represent. However, this is not to be brought about without the most earnest resistance upon the part of our government, and it happens that in the present case the United States has a much better opportunity to consistently make the issue against the expulsion of its citizens than {it would have in the case of other nations than Turkey. As a general princ‘ple, the United States has conceded the right of a nation to expel objectionable foreigners from its territories, but it happens that in the case of Turkey treaty stipulations come to the rescue of the missionaries in a roundabout fash- ion. The French government has a treaty with Turkey explicitly conferring the right of their missionaries to reside and work in Turkey, and as the United States has a treaty with Turkey including the usual favored nation clause the contention of our government is that we have as good a right as the French to maintain our miss‘onar!es in that country, and upon that point the issue will be made if it should finally come to the promulgation of the irade of expul- sion. DESERTED THE WHITE HOUSE Measles Causes a Hasty Departure for Woodley. The Cabinet Mecting Today Postponed —Little Esther Taken Down With a Mild Case. The meeting of the cabinet today was Postponed without date owing to the sud- den appearance of the measles in the presi- dential household. Private Secretary Thur- ber’s children have all had the disease in regular course, and to prevent the possibil- ity of its transmission to the White House, Mr. Thurber has absented himself from his own domicile for the past week and made his residence at the White House. How- ever this step was of no avail, for this morning the tell tale eruption suddenly ap- peared on little Esther Cleveland, marking her as the first victim at the White House. To prevent the spread of the disease among the families of the cabinet officers, word was sent by telegraph to the various de- partments that there would be no meeting of the cabinet today, and steps were also taken to combat the disease in the house- hold. Hasty Departure for Woodley. Orders were sent to Woodley, the Presi- dent's residence out of town, to put the place ineshape for the immediate recep- tion of the family, and Mrs. Cleveland, ac- companied by all of the children, left the White House to make their residence at Woodley until_the disease has run its ceurse. Little Esther was taken away in a separate carriage, and in the hope of con- fining the disease as much as possivle, she will be secluded at Woodley from the other clildren. Meanwhile the President and Mr. Thurber will keep house at the White House until the measles has run its course in the family and the mistress and children may safely return. The Kindergarten Cloxed. One effect of the appearance of the dis- ease was the immediate abandonment of the kindergarten, which has been so suc- cessfully operated im quarters specially fitted for the children at the White House. The attendance was not confined to the President's children, but about a dozen of the smaller children of the cabinet families end of friends of Mrs. Cleveland were regu- lar attendants. The teacher, Miss Beth- mann, removed from the White House at the same time that the family left. It is said that Esther's attack is a mild one, and will yield to skillful treatment and careful nursing in due coursé of time. ——-o+—_____. THE “RECORD VOTE.” Mr. Boutelle’s Position Not Equivocal or Uncerta! The statement in The Star's report of the vote cn tke Cuban resolutions, that “Mr. Boutelle, who had made himself conspicu- ous by his oppositicn to the report, made no effort to secure the yeas and nays,” does Mr. Boutelle injustiee- -He was unaware that the resolutions had been zeached until members began to arise, as he was con- versing with a member while Mr. Wads- worth was talking about seeds.’ Mr.° Bou- telle arose and was ccunted “conspicu- ously” on the demand for the yeas and nays, and voted distinctly on the roll call. Of course it was altcgether improbable that Mr. Boutelle, who has opposed the meas- ure so vigorously throvghout in seyeral emphatic speeches on the floor, would be inclined to avoid a record vote. In fact, he had insisted on this vote frcm_the first. - pee ses Baltimore and Ohio Asks a Hearing. George E. Hamilton, attorney for thé Ral- timore and Ohio road in the District of Co- lumbia, has replied to the notification given to the road some days ago in regard to va- cating the square between Delaware avenue, Gand H and Ist streets. Mr. Hamilton asks for a hearing when the Secretary of the Interior may have placed before him the history of the occupation of the square by the road. The request will.be complied with at an early day. a Movements of Naval Vessels. The training ship Essex left Newport, R. L, today on her summer cruise in the Mediterranean. , The cruiser Detroit sailed from Shanghai yesterday for a trip up the Yang-tse-Kiang. The flagship Newark sailed from Bahia, Brazil, yesterday for Hampton Roads. + e+_____ Army Orders. Lieut. Wm. G. Fitzgerald, seventh cav- alry, has been relieved from further duty at Willet’s Point, and orderé@ to“Join his proper — Fort Grant, Ariz. fol transfers Lie to battery K. A MAIL CAR ON FIRE|°'STRICT IN CONGRESS) WITH THE PRESIDENT An Exciting Scene on Fifteenth Street This Morning. BRAVERY OF THE CLERK IN CHARGE The Flames Put Out Finally by the Engines. LITTL E MAIL DESTROYED —_+—_— One of the” most remarkable fires that ever cccurred in this city broke out on the Capital Traction Company's cable tracks at 11:25 o’clock this morning. Mail car No. 1 caught fire en route, and before the flames were extinguished was £0 badly burnt that only an extended visit to the repair shcps will put it in condition again. ‘The mail car was at the end of a three- car train coming east, and was carrying considerable mail matter frofn Georgetown and way statioris. J. B. Shugrue was in charge of the car. Just about thé time the train reached the junction at 15th street and New York avenue the little coal-oil stove, whick was used for heating pur- poses, exploded, and almost before Shugrue realized what had happened the inter‘or of the car was one mass of flames. It made the liveliest kind of a fire, and for the time being there was considerable excitement in the neighborhood. Fifteenth street was thronged with pedestrians and vehicles at the time, and the sigit of a street car on fire drew hundreds more to the scene. An alarm was turned in from the box at the corner of 15th and G streets, and the engines respended promptly. s soon as the conductor in charge of the train saw what was going on behind him he uncoupled the rear car and the brakes were applied, so that it came to a stop be- tween the treasury and the Rig, BOLLS The rest of the train pulled a . and there the burning car stood surrounted| by a@ curious crowd. Bravery of the Clerk. Mail Clerk Shugrue showed that in an emergency like this he could live up to the record for bravery established by mail clerks in the regular railway mail service. it was just as hot a fire as !f it had oc- curred on a railway car, notwithstanding the fact that it was in a way an amusing fire and devoid of dignity, but Shu, c stood at his post amid the fiames* never a thought of jumping off into cool air outside. He devoted his atten n entirely to looking after the mail intrusted | to his charge, and he threw bag after bug out onto the street away from the flas ee A big mail wagqp was standing at the corner, where it regularly meets the mail car to turn over matter from the no sections of the city. As far as possible t bags were tossed into the wagon as ther were thrown from the car, and in t way all signs of the fire were quickly re- moved. Fortunately, Shugrue was not hurt, though he will probably need a new uni- form, and it will take some time for the smell of smoke to get out of his nostrils. While the fire engines were on their the proposition was made to raise the brakes and let-the car run down the grade to meet them. This would have been a novel way of handling a fire, to take it to the extinguishers; but the proposition was not seriously considered. When the engines reached the scene it took but a few minutes to subdue the flames. The chemical engine did the work, and there was no call for axes or ladders? Trafic Was Blocked. The whole affair only lasted some ten or| twelve minutes, but for that length of time traffic was blocked on the avenue and 14ih Street lines. When the fire was out the car Was run down on to the track which lea:is to the power house on the avenue. The chemical engine went along with it, and after it was run cnto the siding continued to play on the embers. The inside of the car was completely wrecked, and the front part, around the doors.and windows, was badly charred. Shugrue was very reticent after the occurrence, referring all inquirers to Postmaster Willett. He insisted that very little if any mail was destroyed. He went at once to the post office, as soon as he had seen all ‘his matter taken care of, to make a report to the proper cfticials there. —_——-___ ¢ ‘TO WHOOP UP McKINLEY. A Big Anti-Quay Meeting Proposed in Philadelphia. It is learned here that arrangements have been made in Philadelphia for a big masa meeting on Saturday night for the purpose of whooping up McKinley. It will be an anti-Quay meeting in disguise. It is prob- able that resolutiéns indorsing the candi- dacy of McKinley will be passed. The meeting will be held in the Academy of Music, and the presumption is that it will be under the auspices of the Protective Tariff League. If the projectors of the plan succeed as they hope to do, the im- pression will be given to the country that Pennsylvania 1s really for McKinley, and is held in line for Quay through “boss” methods. J. Hampton Moore, chief clerk of the city treasurer of Philadelphia, is at the head of this new McKinley move. He is an anti- Quay leader. David Martin is also sup- posed to be at the back of the scheme. A committee having the meeting in charge came to Washington a few days ago, and extended invitations to Gen. Grosvenor and Senator Sherman to: be present Saturday night and make speeches. It is not known whether either will ac- cept, but it 1s thought that they will not, as it would further increase the hostility of the anti-McKinley men to the Ohio can- didate. Other prominent -men bea eer invited, and some of them may Several laboring men of Philadelphia. wai make speeches. o- Patents Allowed. ‘Twenty-one patents were granted Tolbert Lanston of this city today on a machine for making justified lines of type. Patents were allowed William H. Linger for a oes bed bottom and James A. Maloney for a ——__-e Fourth-Class Postmasters. ‘Thomas H. Ward was today appointed postmaster at Jarrettsville, Harford coun- ty, Md., vice Thomas B. Jarrett, resigned. Nineteen fourth-class postmasters were @ppoimted today, of whom six were to fill caused by removals. A Grade ae Bill toBe Introduced by Mr, McMillan. Satisfactory Agreement With the Bal- timore and Ohio Rend Reached— Favor Street Railway Extension, — Within a day or two Senator McMillan will introduce in the Sen&te a bill requiring the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company to change the system of-tracks in this city atd to abolish grade ¢rossings. This bill has been the subject of discusssion between. the chairman of the Senate District com- mittee and representatives of the Baltimore and Ohio road for some #ime, and an agree- ment has about been reaghed between them with regard to the chiéf point in contro- versy, the time that is t@ be given the road in which to make the improvement re- quired. ‘The bill will, in genera}, follow the Ines of that introduced gwo or three years ago requiring the road mter the city on. a single viaduct elevate@ from the street sufficiently to sive the stiet traffic free ac- cess, beneath. The en: ring details of this project will be left largely with the engineer authorities of ithe District, and the bill to be introduced=by Mr. McMillan a embrace the gener@l outlines of the plan. ‘The railroad company ly In the session with ref@rence to the lorg- pending preject for abol'shing grade cross- ings in this city, but fof;some months no satisfactory response waf received. When. the road went into the Bands of receivers during the winter Mri. McMillan again wrote to President, Cowén arf called at- tention anew to the negessity of getting some plan put in chap@at this seasion. Later Mr. Hamilton, thesrepresentative of the road in all matters #@lating to legisla- tion, called on the Senat~r and presented the railroad’s proportionjwhich was prac- tically thit embodied ir ke Sherman bill of two years ago. The railroad, however, wanted more t!me in whieh to begin and to complete the operations Man Senator Mc- M'llan thought advisable to grant. On this point there were scveral consultations, un- til at last an agreement bas been reached and a per:cd has been fized that is sat!s- factory to both sides. Waiting for a. Report. Meanwhile the District Commissioners are considering the bil] for the depression of the tracks of the Pennsylvania road in South Washington, and until a repert is received from them no action, of course, will be taken by the committee. It is understood at the Capitol that the engineers of the District government and of the railroad company are in constant communieation, and that work is being done in preparation of a plan mutually acceptable to the railroad and the Distvict government. Senator MeMillan sald this afternoon that he was highly gratified at the prospect of securing legis- lation orf these two vexatious problems at th: session. @The chief difficulty in the past has always been to reach an agreement with the railroad companies, and all propo- sitions have been antagonized by the rep- Tesentatives of those sreat corporations. Friends of both roads are in decided evi- dence on the floor of heth House and Senate, and it is practically impgssible to secure action unl there has been a certain ve-and-take™ In the negotia- 26m: “-6f the bile, In this case the Senafor thinks the ratl- read companies wiil be reasonable. As far }as the Baltimore and Ohio is concerned, time is of more moment than engincering details, as the financjal “endition of the road is now such as to make it exceedingly dificult for the company to meet ordinary obligations, let alone the inauguration of 1 an enterprise that will cost several million | dollars. ‘s addressed car- and the | Favor Strect Railway Extensions, Messrs. Herman T. Walbridge and Chapin Brown called on Senator McMillan this af- | ternoon for the purpose of urging speedy | action upon the Commissioners’ omnibus Street railway bill recently submitted. Property that they own and represent is located in the territory’ adjoining the ; Zoological Park tapped by the proposed rstem of railroads centcring at the Zoo, and Messis. Walbridge and Brown urge | that the bill be passed to give access to the Froperty and to settle, the uncertainties that now exist with regard to street rail- | Way extensions in that vicinity. They said | that they did not care whether all of the reads embraced in the Commissioners’ bill were permitted to make these extensions, but they especially desired that at least ene of the main reads of the city should be allowed to run a line through that sec- tion, which is the land lying north of Co- jlumbia road, west of 14th street and east of the Zoo. They were told by the Sena- tor that the main difficulty in the way of permitting the extensions suggested in the Commissioners’ bill is the present condition of Columbia rond, which he thought to be entirely too narrew to allow an electric road to occupy it. This road, Senator McMillan thinks, is the main driveway north of the city, and is the outlet for all vehicles driven north on Connecticut avenue, ‘There is now pending a project for the widening of the road by setting the curbs back a few feet, and it is possible that this work may go on si- multaneously with any street railway ex- tensions that may be authorized along that thoroughfare. If an understanding can be reached on this point it is possible that the Metropolitan road may he permitted to ex- tend its line fromm the present terminus at the. head of Connecticut avenue to the junction of Columbia road and 18th street, which will give the company the desired start in the direction of the territory that is now unsupplied with transportation fa- cilities. The section of the road, however, lying between that point and 14th street is so narrow that it is unlikely that any Proposition to utilize the road for street railway purposes will be entertained by the committee. It was intimated by Messrs. Walbridge and Brown, who said that they were the advance guard of a great host of property owners who are eager for this legisiation, that in the minds of many of the citizens the street railway and the street exten- sion matters are so closely identified that action upon the former will necessarily involve action upon the latter, and it is quite possible that the committee may be persuaded to take up the question of strest extensions with reference, to the street railway matters now pending and to give some attention to that problem, notwith- standing the determination to do nothing whatever with street extensions uniil the courts haye finally acted upon the consti- tutional questions involved in the high- way act. To Remove Political Disabilities. Senator Daniel today introduced a, bill removing the political disabilities of Col. John Taylor Wood of this city, Judgments to Bear Igterest. Senator Pugh today int in the Senate the bill (H. R. 7169); recently in- troduced in the House, pi that all judgments in civil causes in the District of Columbia shall bear interest, Mr. Pugh proposes two amendments,which will make the bill read as follows: “Judgments in civil causes in the District of Columbia, without regard to the character of the action in which rendered, whether founded in tort or bassd upon contract, shall bear interest, except as against the District of Columbia, at the rate of @ per centum until paid or satisfied; as egainst the of 4 per cent per anni and intéfest in actions ex Selicto” shall run: from the date of the rendition ‘of hoe judgment, but in actions ex contractu It shall run from the time ascertained by the t of the jury in the pakenien: mavens by law.” submitted tith the bill copies of the favorable reports sent to the House committee by the District rs and their sul The Cuban Resolutions Taken to the Wists House. x THEY WiLL TAKE THE USUAL COURSE Gen. Schofield Said to Be Giving Counsel on Cuban Affairs. THE PRESENT SITUATION SS Upon President Cleveland alone now rests the responsibility of action in the matter of the Cuban insurrection. The Senate con- current resolutions looking to the recogni- tion of the belligerency of the insurgents and the ultimate independence of the people were officially delivered to him early this morning. A certified of the rerclutions was taken to the White House by Mr. Platt, one of the executive cle-ks of the Senate, and was personally handed to Private Secretary Thurber, with the request that it he submit- ted to the President. The latter was in- formed of the receipt of the resolutions, and directed that they follow the usual course of business. Accordingly, they will be sent to the State Department for preservation in the archives, like all state papers, and will also be incorporated in the book of laws annually published by the government. Matter of Form, Ordinarily concurrent resolutions are not forwarded to the President, as they do not requirc his signature, but these resolutions were laid before him, as the Armenian reso. lutions were, because they express the opin- fon that he should tender the offices of the United States to Spain for the recognition of Cuban independence. Secretary .Olney celled early at the White House, and remained in close con- sultation with the President, undeterred by the notice that had been sent to the other members of the cabinet to the effect that there would be no meeting of the cabinet today. There is reason to believe that the meet- ing would have been postponed, regardless of the appearance of the measles among the chilaren at the White House, in order to afford the President an opportunity for private deliberation with the chief mem- ber of his cabinet, for there was a story current, that seemed well founded, to the effect that the two were engaged in the preparation of a special message to Con- gress. Of course, this was immediately assumed to relate to the Cuban situation, and to be an exposition by the President of the actual state of affairs on the island, as revealed in the reports of the United States consular officers and other trusted sources of information. The President’, Reasons. It is reasoned that the President may feel it his duty, in view of the overwhelm- ing majority by which the resolutions passed both branches of Congress, to come out with a plain statement of the reasons that influencé him {m preserving unchanged the position he has assumed toward the in- surrection in Cuba, showing from the best obtainable information that has reached him that, regardless of the sympathy he may fcel personally for the rebels, he is absolutely bound by the facts as he sees them, by precedent, and by the dictates of international law iv persist in his attitude. This, of course, means only so long as he is left free to decide upon the course to be followed by the government, and it may be that he would take an entirely different view of the matter if Congress should send to him a joint resolution embodying the features of these concurrent resolutions, and assume that by so doing the legislative branch had taken the direction of the mat- ter out of his hands. The President's Power. It is said that the President does not consider the passage of the concurrent resolutions as intended in the least to alter his policy-in the matter. It was within his discretion before to recognize the bel- ligerency of tne i: curgents, and the status of the case in that respect has not been changed by the action of Congress. If it were intended to force the executive to action in this matter the resolutions would have been put in the form of a joint meas- ure, in which case they might be enacted into law with or without the President’s approval. Inasmuch as _ the legislative branch preferred the concurrent form, it is assumed that it was for the express pur- pose of leaving the President entirely free to act, according to his best judgment, up- on the information at hand. Data Kept Seerct. Since the transmission to Congress last February of the correspondence relative to Cuba much matter has accumulated at the Department of State bearing on the later phases of the struggle. For prudential reasons these reports have béen withheld from even Congress, and so it iggnot pos- sible to learn whether or not the state of facts as set out therein 1s such as to war- rant any change in the attitude towari the revolution the President assumed and defined in his annual message to Congress. The tests he laid down in the beginning which the revolutionists must fulfill re- main unchanged, so far as can be gathered. Relative to the extension of his good cf- fices toward bringing about independence, it is entirely possible that the President may find it within his inclination and dis- pcsition to move in that direction as far es as he can safely, for he is on record in his message as deprecating the continuance of the present “cruel and bloody” war on the island. However, In either case, the President is not under the present necessky of decid- ing whether he will act and how upon the resolutions, and as the rainy season is about to begin in Cuba, putting a stop to all military operations for five months, it may be that the President will decide to wait further during the enforced truce be- fore acting himseli in the matter. Gen, Schofield’s Presence. To many quiet observers the appearance in the city at this time of Lieut. Gen. Scho- field is somewhat significant, especially as he has been in long and frequent confer- erces with the President, the Secretery of State and the Secretary of War. His busi- ness seems to relate especially to the diplo- matic branch of the government, or, at any rate, he and Secretary Olney appear to have something important to talk about. They were closeted in the Secretary's o: fice for several hours yesterday. Gossips have it that the President desires better in- formation concerning the situation in Cuba, and that he has selected Gen. Schofield to go there to get it. He has great faith in the judgment and ability of Gen. Schofield and would not hesitate to act upon a report made by him, based upon a personal inves- tigation of the subject. Just after the close of the civil war Gen. Schofield went to Paris on a special diplomatic mission con- nected with Frerich designs on Mexico and performed his duties to the greatest satis- faction of all concerned. Mr. McCreary’s Opinion. Representative McCreary of Kentucky, who was chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the House in the Fifty-second and Fifty-third Ccngresses, speaking today as to the probable action of the Presiaeat on the Cuban resolutions, said: “Mr. Cleveland throughout his public career has shown a disposition to investi- gate for himself all important public ques- UE ee tions. While I have no doubt that he will show great respect for the expression of the Senate and House of Representatives in favor of the recognition of Cuba in- surgents as belligerents, after all that was simply an expression—it is true by an over- whelming majority of the representatives of the people, but action and responsibility are for him, I have no doubt that he has put inimself in a position to secure accurate information as to the true condition of af- tairs In Cuba. He has ample means at his disposal for such an investigation, and that such an investigation ‘will be made, or is now in progress, I entertain no sort of doubt. Upon its result, taken in connection silibs the ,©xpreased opinion of Congress, he wi ‘Asked an to whether he believed that Mr. Cleveland had sent an egent to Cuba Mr. McCreary declined to commit _ himself. When shown a report to this effect he sald: “That may be simply a guess, no authority 1s given, and such a mission would, of course, be secret.” Se PLEADED GUILTY. The Robbery of 1 the Eckington Rall- road Office. Monroe D. Shenk today pleaded guilty to breaking into the office of the Soldiers’ Home and Kckington Railroad Company the night of the first of last February, and stealing therefrom $206 in cash and $150 in car itckets. In answer to the inquiries of Judge Cole District Attorney Birney explained that masked and armed Shenk overpowered the night watchman or superintendent, and then made off with his booty. Later, said Mr. Birney, Shenk was arrested, together with Grace Gooding and one Wm. IL. Rob- erts. Yesterday an indictment was return- ed jointly charging Shenk and Roberts with breaking into the office and robbing it, and | the young woman, who claimed to be Shenk's wife, with receiving the stolen Property. Shenk told Judge Cole that he is twenty-one ycars of age, that he came here from Virginia, where his parents live, and that he was at one time a conductor on the rcad. Mr. Birney stated to the court that the woman would probably plead guilty, and he doubted whether Roberts was with Shenk at the time of the robbery. Roberts has, however, also been indicted for re- ceiving the stolen property. The offense had, thought Mr. Birney, been committed by Sherk because He was out of work and because of his love for the young woman. Judge Cole stated that he wished to con- sider the matter further before imposing sentence, and directed that the young man be remanded to jail until Saturday next, when he will impose sertence. —_—— TO PROMOTE GEN. MILES Report in Pavor of Making Him Lieutenant General. Ne Public Hearing Given, Bat the Committee Discussed the Proposi- tion Thoroughly. The House committee on military affairs today decided to repert favorably to the House the resoluticn to bestow the rank of lieutenant general on Gen. Nelson A. Miles. The resolution is as follows: “Resolved, That the grade of Meutenant general be, and the same is hereby, re- vived in the army of the United States, in order taat when, in the opinion of the President and Senate, it shall be deemed proper to acknowledge the distinguished services of the major general commanding the army, rendered in the volunteer army during the late civil war and in command of expeditions against hostile Indians in the frontier states end territories, the grade of lieutenant general may be special- ly conferred: Provided, however, that when the said grade of lieutenant general shull have once been filled and become vacant this joint resolution shall thereafter ex- pire and Lecome of ro effect: Provided fur- ther, that nothing in this resolution shall increase the number of general officers of the army.” The vote was 8 to 4, in favor of the resolution. How the Vote Stood. ‘Those who voted for the resolution were (all republicans): Hull of Iowa, Curtis of New York, Marsh of Illinois, Woomer of Pennsylvania, Griffin of Wisconsin, Parker of New Jersey, Fenton of Ohio, Tracey of Missouri, Catron of New Mexico. Those opposed were (republicans): Bishop of Mich- igan, (emocrats) Tyler of Virginia, Mc- Clellan of New Jersey and Lockhart of North Carolina. In the beginning the committee decided to settle the question without outside ad- vice and abandoned its previously formed plan to give a hearing to the army oflicers who might be interested. This decision was a disappointment to the group of officers “5 were waiting in the corridor outside of the committee room. Although Gen. Miles had been invited to come before the com- mittee he did not put in an appearance. This decision was reached because the com- mittee feared that personal grievances and army prejudices might be unpleasantly aired in the investigation. In the commit- tee discussion which followed there were no reflections upon the character or career of Gen. Miles. Question of Permanency. It was contended by the opponents of the resolution, however, that as the lieutenant general's rank had been conferred upon Gens. Scott, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan and Schofield as a recognition of their eminent services in commanding large armies in im- portant acticns, they would only approve the resolution if the rank was to be perma- nently established for the head of the army. A substitute for the resolution was of- fered by Mr. Parker to make the rank a permanent one, but this proposition was lost by a tie vote—6 to6. The argument was advanced in its support. that the standing army of the United States, although com- paratively small, is large enough to demand a lieutenant general as its commander. Al- though little was said about Secretary La- mont’s report against the resolution re- cently sent to the Serate committee, the democratic members,made their arguments along the lines of that letter. Mr. McClel- lan gave notice that he reserved the right to make a minority report to the House against the resolution, but the members who voted ageinst It have not yet decided whether to make such a report. ————__e+_____. THEY HAVE A REMEDY. How Workmen on Government Bulld- ings Can Recover Dues. The appeal for relief of the workmen on the government barracks at Hot Springs has not yet been received at the War De- partment, but pon hearing of the case the officials 1aade it plain that the workmen had their remedy in their own hands, if the contractor has failed to pay them their wages, as reported. The iast Congress passed an act intended to meet exactly such cases as this, for up to that time. there being no way in which a person who ed supplied material or labor upon pub- lic works could garnishee the contractor, many abuses of workingmen had occurred. ‘This act was approved October 13, 1894, and was entitled “An act for the protection of persons furnishing material and labor in the construction of public works.” It pro- vides in substance thai government con- tractors must include in their bonds an obligation to promptly meet all such bills for material and » and upon their fail. ure the sufferers may secure upon aypli- cation a certified copy of tke bond trom ‘Washington, and may sue the regres J in the name of the United Sta FREE LIBRARY BILL Mr. Baboock Moves to Accept the Senate Measure. SPEECHES FOR AND AGAINST IT Gen. Henderson's Warm Advocacy - of Sharing the Expense. THOSE IN OPPOSITION es In the House today Chairman Babcock of the District committee moved that the House recede from its ameilments to the Senate bill providing a free municipal li- brary for the District of Columbia. Mr. Powers of Vermont opposed the mo- seal and was recognized to lead the oppo- siticn. Mr. Wellingto: ocates the Senate Mr. Wellington of Maryland then took the flcor to advocate the adoption cf the Scnate bill. He spoke of the necersity for the establishment of a public library in Washington, and of the propriety of mak- ing it a municipal affcir. It is just as nec- c:sary to have a public library as tt is to have schools. Congress has devoted its crergies to interposition in behalf of Ar- nenia, of Venezuela and Cuba, and would now do well to devote some attention to ng crying need of the people of Washing- Mr. Talbert in Opposition. Mr. Talbert of South Carolina opposed Chairmen Babcock’s amenament, reiterat- ing the objection urged by him when the bill was under consideration several weeks ago. Hg did not think it right for members of Congress who own property in this city to be continually asking for legisiation of tMis kind, taxing the many for the penetit of the few. It would be just as reason- able to furnish bicycles for the people of Wéeshington as books. A Colorado Opponent. Mr. Shafroth of Colorado said this bill is an entering wedge for the creation of a library of unknown expense. He said the finest Mbrary in the country is situated here. and why should another one be lo- cated here for the accommodation of the people of the District of Columbia? Why not pass a resolution to give the working people access to that library. The ( ; sicnal Library is ample for all purposes, and to supply another one would be a use- Jess expenditure of money. It would not be an expenditure for the municipality either. Mr. Plincy Repeats Himscif. Mr. Pitney of New Jersey opposed the mo- tion. He admitted the need of a public Ubrary, and acknowledged that the Con- gressional Library cannot fill that need. The question, however, at issue was who should pay for the public library. Tie District revenues are ample to provide for the brary and leave a surplus besides. He repeated the argument made by him upon this line several weeks azo. He re- sented what he called the practice of the press in sneering ai members who oppose local 4pprepriations and the imputation that new members oppose such legislation until they become preperty owner: I owning property biases the judgement members of Congress, it would be better to pass a law limiting the right of mem- bers of Congress to hold property. He resented the imputation that only members representing the less Intelligent communities oppose appropriations for the District. He held that the law of Isis was not in question fn this bill. Gen. Henderson's Strong Advocacy. “I take it that no argument fs needed in the American Congress in favor of the establishnert here of a free public Mbrary said Mr. Henderson of Tov. “If there if any one at this y needs this question Giscussed, I am not going to discuss it with hit “The question involved here really, as I understand it in this report, is shali the government of the United States and the government of the District of Columbia y im equal proportions these expenses, which it has been proposed pat the people of the District alone s pay. “Now there are a few theughts that I would like to submit to the memb: the House in this connection: that I am without reserve in government, and the District of Columbia paying these expenses equally. In the first place it must not be forgotten that the general government has donated from the public domain of this country millions of acres of land for educational purp»: to the various states and territories, while on the other hand the District of Columbia bas given to the general government neariy five-sevenths of the whole soil in po: nm of this District, and has receivel for educauvonal purpeses in exchange tor government, it was upon the theory, and th at recegnized by all at the time, would be built up as a of the advantages which should the great capital city of a nation like the United States. No advantage, in the way of educational facilities, can be greater—save and except- ing only the public schosls—than the free public library. Again the general govern- meat has spent many thousands of dol- lacs in keeping up the Vibraries in the » eral departments of the govern: ; which our force of clerks—somewhe7 the neighborhood of twenty thousand- access. If this provision Is carrie] out as now proposed in the pending report free public Ifbrary established in th trict, that expense in the various depart- menis will be substantially saved. The Act of 1878, “But now, Mr. Speaker, I come to the fundamental question involved in this prop- ogition, and I call your attention to the fact that the act of 1878 made the District of Columbia and the general government in a sense partners, in respect of the expendi- tures in the District. Since that time, or within a very few years past, there has teen manifested from time to ‘time pcsition on the part of various me Congress to destroy this law by in though not by an effort for its absolute this re- peal. One gentleman, my friend from Mis- sovri (Mr. De Armond), has attacked it in a manly way, and has sought to strike out the law of 1878 in the general appropriation bils for the District of Columbia. But I do not know of any member of Congress since that law was adopted who ever in- troduced a bill to repeal the act of IS7%, and change the system of doing business with reference to the District of Columbia and the general government. “Now, I like a good, square fighter, a man whose position you can always understand, and if it is the purpose of any gentleman who represents the people on this floor to seek to repeal the act of 1878, and put the entire burden of the expenditures of the District, the expenses for schools, open- ing streets, repairs of streets, the mainten- ance of them, police force, the fire depart- ment and all of the varied machinery necessary for a city of this size entirely upon the people of the District of Columbia, let us get at it in a manly way by repeal- ing the act of 1878 directly, and put a new act on the statute books in its stead. But with that law on the statute book, with that principle governing the relations be- tween the general government and the District of Columbia, and recognized as binding upon both, I do not think that these indirect assaults upon the principle are