Evening Star Newspaper, December 8, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING &STAR. —_—_—__—_—_ PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31€} Fenzsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th &t., by The Bring a5 AEC EY Kew York Office, 49 Potter Buildiny, ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by esrriers. on thelr own account, at 10 cents per week. or a4 cents per montk. Coples at the ccunter 2 cents each. By mall—anywhere in t! United States or Cenada—postage prepaid. Fer mont! Saterday Quintuple Sheet ftar. $1 per year, with foretzn postage added, $3.00. ‘Entered at the Post Office at Washington. D. C.. cend-elngg mall matter.) [7 Ail wall sutecriptions must be pald in advance. Rates of advertising made koown on application. ccnts ' | ¢ Fvening Star. The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washington that receives the dispatches of the Associated Press. It is therefore the only one in which the reader can find the complete news of the world, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the No. 13,969. WASHINGTON, D. 0... WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1897—FOURTEEN PAGES, moment of going to press. TWO CENTS. | FILIBUSTER +KEPORT Secretary Gage on the Action of the Treasury Department. ONLY SIX AMERICAN VESSELS LANDED Vigilance of the United States Pa- trol Shown. SPANISH INEFFICIENCY ————— Secretary Gage has submitted to the De- partment of State his report upon tne ac- tion of the Treasury Department in sup- pressing filibustering expeditions to Cuba in violation of the neutrality laws. The re- Port consists of about 12,000 words and Is mainly a critical examination of the state- ments of fact in the elaborate brief of Mr. Calderon Carlisle, legal adviser of the Span- ish legation. At the outset Secretary Gage points out the significant fact that during two years and a half only six American vessels of an aggregate of 1,331 registered tons are al- leged to hav sssfully landed expedi- su tions from the United States in Cuba. With the exception of the Laurada, the six American vessels alleged to have success- tully taken part in expeditions in Cuban Waters are small tugs and a pilot boat, each of less than 100 net tons, and ovvious- ly incapable of carrying large numbers of men or jlarge quantities of arms and am- munitions. © Foreign Veasels. Three foreign vessels of an aggregate of 1,772 registered tons are aileged to have been su ful in the same effort. Re- ferring to th foreign ve the Nor- amer “Leon,” the Danish steam- and the British eamer . Secretary invites attent the fact that the crews of (hese vesse required to be shipp consuls SE their respective ‘ord with the iaws of tie ions, Which also tm- S of those formed verore the asuve of Tes) This erred to it fs alleged erated about a dozen or four hters, a few and about a dozen small sloops and schooners, in all | an fifty. On the Atlantic and gulf c , in 1896, there were iv, under 200 tons, and 2. f 1,000 tons or less, a total of a description an American v els s ed in reaching Cuba, and that less than fifty had any share in these expeditions, Secrety Gage says is a demonst law-abiding spirit ef the nation and of the ebedience of the people to the Presi proclamation, and second, of a wholes and repressive f who might be di violate our obligations as a neuiral nation, and of a belief that their cfforts would be frustrated by the authorities «f the United States, and that the risk of discovery and pun shment greatly cutweighed any chance of profit from the exceptionally high meney offered to vessel owners by the The Patrol Fleet. Eight revenue cutters, with crews of 317 men, armed with fifteen guns, have cruised 75,768 miles, occupyirg 129 months in the aggregate, patrolling the coast to prevent flibustering expeditions. They have cap- tured seven vessels and 115 men; have breken up two expeditions and have held vurder surveillance thirteen vessels under suspicion. From time to time several other revenue cutters have been employed on temporary duty. Perhaps the strongest statement in the report is this: “If the Spanish patrol of 2,2 miles of Cuban coast had frustrated one-half the number of expeditions which were frus- trated by the United States authorities along a coast Mne of 5,470 miles, not one man nor one cartridge would have been L.licitly landed in Cuba from the United States.” Out of sixty alleged expeditions only four have been broken up by Spain. Ilus- trating this statement he refers partlen- lutly to the expedition that left on the Laurada from Baltimore and landed at anes on March 21. anes is an import- ant seaport on the northern coast of Cuba, with which the United States carried on a valuable fruit trade until the Spanish prohibiting the export of bananas Yet it appears that the Laurada remained in this seaport two days, landing men and arms, and was not molested by the Spanish authorities in Cuba, who had been Informed of her landing ‘and even minutely where torpedoes had been placed. Unie Spain is prepared to avow the ina- iy or indisposition to defend her ir = in Cuba, Secretary Gage holds that ponsibility for the success of this expedition may properly be fixed upon Spanish officials in Cuba, who had been. fully informed by the Spanish legation. The Spanish authorities have repeatedly assert- e nat all of the ¥ in tneir possession. eS eiwere Vigilance of the Treasury Depart- ment. On the other hand, as tilust Tating th = lance of the See Treasury Department, Secre- tary Gage points out that from Key West, but ninety miles distant from Cuba, no al- legation has been made by Spanish autior- ities that even one successful filibustering expedition has left, though the course Cuba could readily be run in the hows of any dark night. The success of the treas- ury in preventing flibustering expeditions he attributes in part to the fact that the prevalence ef yellow fever every year in Havana and other Spanish seaports in Cuba, and the generally unhealthy condi- tion of those cities, constituting not only an injury to the commerce of the United States, but also a menace to the health of our people, have for many years rendered ft necessary for the Treasury Department to Kcep Intercourse between the United States ard Cuba under strict watch. ‘The report takes as a basis the table of forty-two alleged expeditions found in the Carlisle brief for the Spanish legation, and adds to these the several expeditions sup- posed to have been undertaken since June 2, where the Spanish brief ends, up to October 50. It also includes fourteen al- lesed expeditions against which the Span- ish legation has urged the treasury to act, and which for some reason have net been included in the Spanish brief. In all, sixty alleged expeditions are examined. Of these sixty expeditions, Secretary Gage shows that twenty-elghg have been frus- trated through the efforts of the Treasury Department, five have been frustrated by the United States navy, four have been frustrated by Spain, ‘two have been wrecked, one driven back by storm, one failed from a ccmbination of causes, one, the Delaware, he declines to recognize as other than a violation of the British for- eign enlistment act. As Spain has suffered no injury from there forty-three failures, it is assumed that they will be accepted by Spain as evidence of the success of the United States in maintaining iis obliga- tions, and that a detailed statement con- cerning each is unnecessary. Wenkness of Spanish Patrol. Secretary Gage then examines in detail the seventeen alleged successful expedi- tions. He points out that the partial suc- cess in one case was due to the weakness of the Spanish patrol of the Cuban coast. That in one case the Spanish authorities at New Yory have exonerated the officers of the treasury from all responsibility. That in one case the Spanish minister disagrees with the legal adviser of the Spanish legation, and also disagrees with himself as to the date of the alleged suc- cessful expedition, and the department has no information warranting it to request that any proceedings be instituted. That in three cases the vessels have been wrecked and proceedings against them are obviously impracticable, while the principal in one ca<e is imprisoned, as below. That in five cases the principals have been sentenced to imprisonment, or are in prison. That in one case the vessel is under British jurisdiction, and cannot, therefore, be reached by the United States, while the principal has been sentenced to imprison- ment in this country, as above. ‘That in three cases the vessels have been libeled fur forfeiture on evidence furnished in part by this department, and are await- ing the action of the couris. ‘That in one case the officers are under indictment. That in one case the lihel on the vessel Was dismissed by the United States district judge. ,, Phat in one case the question of institut- ing proceedings {s under consideration. That in one case the department asks time fer a further investigation. Cuse of the ‘Silver Heels. ‘The case of the Silver Heels is included, as the vessel may have been successful, though nothing has been heard of her since her departure, six weeks ago; she may have perished in the severe storm a few days after her depurture. Concerning that case, however, it is to be observed that the collector at New York reports: “Mr. Han‘, representing the Spamish con- sul, stated to me that he did not desire the vessel detained at dock, but seized after de- parture therefrom. Mr. Hand and Mr Thornhill stated to me that they proposed that the Pinkerton detective agency have the watching of the pier, and they would advise the United States marshal prompily of the departure of the sloop. They seemed most anxious that this part of the affair be left entirely to them: and {t impressed me at the time that they felt, . that there would be less chance of a failure if their own men were assigned to this par- ticular duty: and, second, that they feared their plan of allowing the vessel to leave the dock might be interfered with if this detail were in charge of a customs officer. I made the suggestion that the vi could no doubt be detained at the dock, and that we might scek advice on this point from the United States district attorney. Mr. iland objected to this, and stated unquali- fiedly that they desired the vessel to be taken after she had left her berth.” And the surveyor of the port adds: “Investigation shows that instead of the information being telephoned direct to the barge office, which would have taken less than five minutes, it was first sent to 57 Broadway, the office of the Pinkerton agency, from Catherine and Market sireets, and thence to the barge office by messen- ger. This proceeding consumed about twenty minutes, during which time the tug and sloop, having the wind and tide in their favor, secured sufficient lead to pre- vent their bemg overtaken. Secretary Gage makes no estimate of the gost involved, which has evidently been very large, deeming the extent end results of the work performed by the department a better measure of the fidelity of its offi- cers to their oaths and a better standard by which to measure their efficiency. Interest to the General Service. Captain Wi!liam Crozier of the ordnance department has been ordered to the Provi- dence Steam Engine Company at Provi- dence, R. I., for inspection of gun carriages. Captain William W. Gibson of the ord- nance department has been ordered to the Notes of Morgan Engineering Company at Alliance, Ohio, for inspection of disappearing gun carriages. Captain Sidney E. Stuart of the ordnance depariment has been orlered to the Du Pont powedr works, near Wilmington, Del., and to the Frankfort arsenal, Phila- delphia, Pa., on business pertaining to the supply of smokeless powder for small arms. First Lieutenant Walter L. Taylor, 22d Infantry, Is granted four months’ leave. The resignation of Cadet James J. Flem- ing, jr., of the fourth class, United States Military Academy, has been accepted. The leave of absence granted Lieutenant Colonel William J. Volkmar, assistant ad- jutant general, is extended two months. Licutenant T. D. Griffin has been detach- ed from the bureau of equipment and or- dered to the Brooklyn. Lieutenant A. T. Long has been detached from the Brooklyn and ordered to the Min- neapolis. Lieutenant J. A. Bell has been detached from the Minneapolis and ordered home, with two months’ leave. Lieutenant Wm. H. G. Bullard has been detached from the Lancaster and ordered to the Columbia. Ensign J. R. P. Pringle has been de- tached from the Columbia and ordered home, with three months’ leave. Naval Cadet G. Webber has been de- tached from the Montgomery and ordered home, with three months’ let Personal Mention. Captain W. O. Owens of the medical de- partment registered at the War Depart- ment today. He is at 1012 13th street on leave of absence. Lieutenant W. L. Rodgers of the United States torpedo boat Foote is at the Metro- politan Club on leave. Major H. A. Bartlett of the marine corps is here on leave. = Dr. Sheldon Jackson of the bureau of education, since his return from the Klon- dike, has been the recipient of special honors upon the part of the Presbyterian Church. November 9 he was given a ban- quet at Madison Square Garden by the Presbyterian Union of New York city No- vember 22 by the Presbyterian Union of Philadelphia at the Bellevue Hotel and last night (December 7) by the Presbyter- fan Union of Pittsburg and Allegheny at the Monongahela House, Pittsburg. — Iliness of Senator McLaurin. Senator McLaurin of South Carolina is confined to his bed with an attack of typhoid fever. The senator was ailing when he arrived here a week ago, but the typhoid attack did not develop until a day orso ago. No apprehension is felt over the attack, as it is not of a violent character, and the senator has a rugged constitution. ——_——__-_2-_ Opposing Mr. Bruce's Confirmation. ‘The Natioral Protective Labor Associa- tion, an organization of colored men, at a meeting held in this city last night adopt- ed resolutions charging the present ad- ministration with unfairness in its ap- pointments of colored men to office. The resolutions declare that the Harrison ad- ministration received a rebuke from re- publicans for pursuing @ wrong policy in| months or a fine of not less thai the selection of colored office holders, and also protests vigorously against the selec- tion of ex-Senator B. K. Bruce for register The resolutions make a Mr. Bruce’s con- of the treasury. solemn protest against firmation by the Senate, ITS PLAN OF ACTION Meeting of the Banking and Currency Committee, ATTEMPT 10 REPORT A MEASURE Favorable Report on a Bill Against Pelagic Sealing. COMMITTEES IN CONFERENCE The House committee on banking and currency, which will have the shaping of a considerable portion of the financial legis- lation before the House, held its first meet- ing this morning ande outlined its general Pian of action. In view of Secretary Gage's recommendation of a comprehensive re- vision of currency and banking affairs, a resolution was adopted inviting the Secre- tary to embody his views in a bill. The ecmmittee was informed that the Secretary was now at work on a measure and that it would be available for the committee in about a week. Mr. Hill of Connecticut then precipitated a sharp debate by moving that the com- mittee act at once by reporting to the House a bill embodying three of the finan- cial features which had the President's ap- proval. These were embodied in a bill heretofore offered by Mr. Brosius of Penn- sylvania, and Mr. Hill now proposed that the first three sections be placed before the Ho immediately. The three sections provided: Bank circu- lation up to the par value of bonds de- posited, reduction of the tax on circulation to one-fourth of 2 per cent, the establish- ment of small banks in rural communities. Mr. Hill salu the committee would do well not to go through the tedious pro- cesses of considering and dividing on these three propositions, which appeared to meet with general acceptance, and had received executive approval. Mr. Johnson of Indiana earnestly opposed such hasty action. He sald there should be time to hear from the gentlemen forming the monetary commission and to weigh all proposttions. Precipitate action on such a vital subject would, he said, seriously pr udice it ‘ore the House and the count: Mr. Mitchell of New York also upposed such speedy action. The debate was proceeding with anima- tion when at 12 o'clock the meeting went over, a vote on the Hill motion not baving been reached. Chairman Walker anounced four sub- committees and assigned to each a number of the banking and currency bills already introauced. The Suffolk Bunk Syatem. The subcommittees will begin work at once on the bills before them, each subcom= mittee having charge of the bills introduced by its members. The Walker subcommit- tee will have charge of the Walker bill, which has attracted consideraole uttention in banking circles. It proposes to introduce the New Isngiand Suftoik bank system to the whole currency, ad.ting a government gvaranty for all notes issued by bunks, und impos-ng a small tax on bank notes as a safety fund. The bill of Mr. Hill also goes before this con-miitee. Mr. Hill says he has endeavor- ed tu draw it on conservative fines, mcet- ing the financial ills which most need re- form, without going to a radical extent. He provides for an increase of bank cir- culation to the par value of bonds de- posited; reduces the taxation on circula- tion to one-fourth of 1 per cent; provides for the establishment of small banks in rural communities, and dces away with the restrictions on the free issue and withdrawal of national bank notes. Except in ths last particular, the author of the Lill fezls that he is in line with President McKinley's recent currency recommenda- ticrs. This committee will also deal with the Lills of Representative Cox, the ranking democrat of tne committee. The main one is gencrally known as the ‘‘Carlisie bill,’ which was originally urged by John G. Carlisle when he was Secretary of the ‘Treasury. Mr. Cox is also pressing the bill for the repeal of the tax on state bunks. Secretary Gage’s Plan. The Brosius subcommittee will probably deal with Secretary Gage's plan of cur- rency and banking reform. A bill on the same lines has been intro- duced by Mr. Mitchell of New York, a member of the subcommittee. Its essen- tial feature is to separate the funds of the government into two branches, one relating to fiscal expenditures and the other relat- ing to the breader monetary affairs of the country, the details being much the same as those outlined by Mr. Gage. Mr. Brosius, the chairman of this sub- committee, also has a comprehensive meas- ure of currency reform. It covers the fea- tures which Mr. Hill sought to have report- ed today, and also a separate redemption fund calculated to reinforce the treas- ury reserve. The Brosius biil also gives the Secretary of the Treasury the discre- tion of redeeming notes in silver or gold, at the option of the holder. The Johnson subcommittee will deal with Mr. Johnson's bill, which more particularly seeks to allow national banks to issue cir- culation up to the par value of their bonds deposited. The Van Voorhis subcommittee will han- dle the Fowler bill, which provides for the refunding of bonds for new United States gold bonds bearing 2 per cent interest. There are many other measures which are before the several subcommittees, but the foregoing comprise those which have attracted the most general attention and are likely to furnish the basis of discussion. AGAINST PELAGIC SEALING. Favorable Report by the Foreign Re- lations Committee. The Senate committee on foreign rela- ticns today authorized a favorable report upon a bill prohibiting pelagic sealing by the people of the United States. The bill is a joint production of the State and Treasury departments, and its passage is asked upon the grcund that with such a law upon the statute books of this coun- try the administration will be in better Position than at present to ask that other governments prohibit pelagic sealing. The bill received the affirmative votes of all the senators present, but its provisions were discussed at considerable length. The bill was reported to the Senate later in the day. The first section of it is as follows: “That no citizen of the United States nor person cwing duty or obedience to the laws or treaties of the United States, nor any person belonging to or on poard of a vessel of the United States shall kill, capture or hunt at any time or in any manner whatever any fur seal in the waters of the Pacific ocean north of the 85th degree of north latitude and including Bering sea and the sea of Okhotsk.” The bill also prohibits any citizen of the United States from equipping, using or employing or furnishing supplies to any vessel engaged in killing or hunting fur seals, and declares that no United States vessel shall be employed in this work. ‘The penalty for violating the law Is imprisonment for not more = six nor more than $2,000, or both, and the forfeit- ure of vessels so engaged. The fourth sectiom of the bill is as fol- lows: “If any vesse} of the United States’ shall be found within the waters to which this act applies having on borad fur seal- : skins or bodies of seals at apparatus or implements suitable for killing or taking seals, it shall be presumed that such vessel was used or employed fn the killing of sald seals or that said apparatus or tmplements were used in violation of this act until the contrary is proven to the satisfaction of the court.” The United States courts in Alaska, Call- fornia, Oregon and Waahington are given eeeictics over cases arising under the act. It Is especially provided that the act ts not to inte-fere with the privfleges of coast Indians nor with the taking of seals on the Pribylof Islands. Officers of the navy and-the revenue cut- ter service are empowered to search sus- pected vessels. The importation of seal- skins by any person taken contrary to this law Is prohibited, and all such skins so im- Ported are to be seized and destroyed. Contested Election Cases The three House committees on elections are beginning to map out their work, with @ view to determining contested election cases at the earliest possible day. There are twenty-one of these contests pending. Some of these will require extended hear- ings, but quite a number can be disposed of without much delay. At best, however, it 4s not expected that any of the contests can be brought before the House before the holidays. Chairman Taylor of committee No. 1. eaid today that there was nothing in the current reports that these contests would be brought before the House with a view to occupying time and thus limiting work on general legislation. He pointed out in this connection that even when reported to the House election cases take littlé time for consideration, seldom more than a day or two, so that they could not postpone other business for any material length of time. Mr. Taylor feels, however, that the right to a seat in the House 1s of primary im- portance, both to the sitting member and the contestant, and for that reason he will use every effort to have cases disposed of by the House at the earliest moment. The contest of W. F. Aldrich against T. 8. Plowman, for the fourth Alabama dis- trict, was set for December 21, before com- mittee No. 1. Rules of the House. The committee on rules of the House, of which Speaker Reed is chairman, will gct together during the holidays to consider such change of the House rules as expe- rience has shown to be desirable. It is not expected that these will touch any vital points, but will be rather in the nature of routine changes to facilitate the dispatch of business. Messrs. Walker and Barrett, both of Massachusetts, have submitted proposals for numerous changes, which will be considered. Agriculture. The House committee on‘azriéulture or- ganized today. The sessiom’ was @evoted to work of a preliminary natare, and several subcommittees were appéinted. Messr=. Wadsworth, Henry, Warner, Clardy and Williams were designated *as sabcummit- tee in charge of the agrfeyltufal appro- priation bill, and work on that measure will begin at once. Foreign Affatra, The House committee on foreign affairs will hold its first meeting Thursday, when Chairman Hitt will name the subcommit- tees which will consider the several ques- tions of Cuba, Hawaii, etc. ‘Thus far there has been no consultation on the general line of operation on the accoms foreign subjects before the committee, ; Rivers and Harbors, The river and harbor committee will meet the early part of next week. Already strong pressure is being brought to bear for the preparation of a river and harbor bill. The indications are that it will result in the reporting of such a Dill, notwith- standing efforts toward retrenchment. Appropriations of Local Interest. Among the additional estimates of ap- propriations sent to the House committee on appropriations today were the follow- ing: For a fire-proof bicycle shed in the court of the State, war and Navy building, $1,983. To compare, reproduce and correct eer- tain records in the office of the register of wills of tlre District of Columbia, $2,000. For a government. wharf at Wakefield, MeehGes birth place of George Washington), ‘87. é TRIES TO COMMIT SUICIDE Mrs, Harbaugh Slashes Herself With a Razor and Jumps Into a Well. Mrs. Helen Harbaugh, fifty, years of age, attempted suicide at an carly hour this morning near Highland station, Marland, by cutting herself with a razor and then jumping into a well. The unfortunate wo- man Is the wife of George H. Harbaugh, 2 harness maker of this city. They have been married a number of years, and have three young children, but ‘the union, it is said, has not proved to be q happy one, and frequent separations between the partics have taken place. ¢ About three months ago the last repara- tion occurred, Harbaugh remaluing in this city and his wife and children taking up their abode with Mrs. Harbaugh’s brother, Frank Gantt. who lives at the old Penn homestead. near Highland station. Mrs. Harbaugh is subject.to spellg of great de- spondency, due, it fs alleged, to unhappy domestic affairs. In consequence her brother usually keeps her under some sur- veillance. About 4 o'clock this morning Helen, the ten-year-old daughter of Mrs. Har- baugh, missed her mother from the room. Search was immediately instituted through the house, but without avail, The alarm was then given, and several neighbors joined in a search of the grotinds. The trap of the well was soom found to be open, and upon investigation the unfor- tunate woman was discovered at the bot- tom, and several hours elapsed before she could be taken out. z Bleeding and Uncénscfo Finally a well digger was summoned, and Mrs. Harbeugh, in an unconscidus condi- tion, was brought to the suffacef clad only in a night dress, and bleé@ing® profusely from a number of bad cuts about her neck and shoulders. These weré‘infiléted, it 1s said, with a aaees which Was féund close well. wn Ge A” Stichardson réiiderett: medical assistance, and after sevefal hours suc- ceeded in restoring the wWomafi to con- sciousness. She remembere@ not#ing wha‘ ever regarding her rash aet. Besides the razor cuts, Mrs. Har! Fecelved a num- ber of severe bruises. It is feared she is injured internally, although jt is believed she will recover. On several previous oc- casions she attempted to take her life, and has frequently expressed her desire to dle. Had it not been that the well contained only a fcot of water, Mra. Harbaugh would undoubtedly have been drowned. ee Secretary Sherman,at the Capitol. Seerctary Sherman: was at the Capitol this afternoon and fad corferences with several senators. H@ was in the Senate chamber, where ‘he éccup! nef his old seat alongside Senator Hoar for a time, and then took a seat beside Senator/Forsker, with whom he had an extended canversa- held a Pragiaras Here morning, but Mr. Sher- man was no! committee room while the session lasted. eee MR. MORGAN ON CUBA The Insurgents, He Says, Have Won the Fight, PRESIDENTS POSITION CRITICISED Conditions Favorable, He Claims, for Recognizing Belligerency. _——— SPAIN’S LOST OPPORTUNITY —— “TI agree with President McKinley regard- ing Hawaii and differ from him about Cuba," sald Senator Morgan to a Star re- porter today, when asked if he would give his views on those portions of the Presi- dent’s message which treat of these ques- tions. “Cuba has evidently won the fight,” con- tinued Senator Morgan, “and if she main- tains the same tactics and strategy that have brought her into this commanding and successful position, for even a few months, she will realize the fruits of her patriotic struggle. President McKinley's message is very much more likely to pro- duce a change of government in Spain than it 1s to dishearten the Cubans and to strengthen the hands of Gen. Blanco in the island. The message has a basis of false logic and misconceived facts and mistaken views of the law, as to belligerent rights, that deprives it of value as the foundation of our national attitude toward Spain and Cuba. “In one part of the message the President admits that a government de facto in Cuba is entitled to have belligerent rights, being engaged in open public war. In another part he quotes from Gen. Grant in support of his attitude toward Cuba, a statement which Mr. Cleveland seems to have in- dorsed—that it requires a fully equipped civil government and full possession of all territory centended for to entitle such an organization to actual belligerent rights— the rights that belong to a state of war. Cuba, however, has a fully equipped civil government for all the purposes that can be necessary, in time of war, to any civil government. In time of civil war no coun- try ever had a civil government that could possibly enforce, or protect all the civil ts of the people. Government, in time of internecine war, must be, to a great degree, a military government. If Spain has a civil government in Cuba, in authority over the istand, it is one that does not de- serve the recognition of any Christiac power, but, rather, the reprobation of man- kind. A civil government that undertakes to aid the war against the people of Cuba by the starvation of five or six hundred thousand of the natives of the country is not entitled to be recognized as a legiti- mate government. It is only a titulary and tyranical oppressor of the people. In every possible sense the Cubans administer more of the laws and institutions of civil govern- ment in Cuba than the Spaniards do. This is true, both as to the extent of territory and as to the number of inhabitants within the jurisdiction, and loyal to the republic. No courts are held in Cuba by the Span- lards Outside ot the fortified towns. No executive office- of the Spanish government dares to attempt to go outside of the forti- fications‘to arrest a criminal or to execuie @ process, or in any respect to administer the laws of Spain in that island. So when we come to consider the actual existence of civil government over the people in Cuba, we find that it alone is administered there by the Cuban republic. No body of Span- jards without arms, or even with arms, in numbers less than hundreds or thousands, venture to set their feet upon the soil of Cuba outside the range of their guns in their fortifications, or without a heavy mil- itary escort. Spanish Army in a State of Siege. “When I say that Cuba has won the fight I mean that the republic has taken the country into possession as to ali parts of it which are not under the immediate military command of the Spanish army. That army is in a state of siege in its forti- fications, I mean, further, that the repub- lic has driven Spain from the arrogant at- titude which even Martinez Campos as- sumed, in the beginning, in obedience to the orders of the former Sagasta govern- ment, that no reformation in Cuba which included autonomy or any other relief to the people would be attempted so long as there was a Cuban under arms oppesed to the government. Canovas said that the last man would die in the last ditch for the dominion of Spain before any conces- sion or overture would be made to the Cubans. “How have the mighty fallen! “The Cubans have forced Spain to come forward now with pretentious offera of au- tonomy, which includes a wide concession of liberties on paper. The Cubans under- stand too well, from all the history of the Spanish dominion of that island during the present century, that these overtures and promises are entirely deceptive, to be persuaded or cajoled into laying down their arms on account of the renewal of the same promises that Spain has heretofore made by the treaty of Zanjow and has croken. The promises now made to the Cubans of autonomy and representation in govern- ment are made by a decree of the queen regent, with the concurrence of the Sagas- ta cabinet. These are not acts of the cortez, and have never so been considered in Spain. They are merely temporary ex- pedients. A change in the government based upon the fact that those promises ought not to be complied with wou'td re- sult in such action of the cortez as would wipe out and render utterly nugatory such decree. ig “It is idle, and under the circumstances it is cruel, that the government of the United States should refrain from per- forming any duty it owes to its own peo- ple and to humanity in Cuba because of these deceptive overtures. But what are we to say as to the strength of the Cuban power that has brought Spain to the point of even making an offer of this kind? What less than Cuban determination to free themeelves from the yoke of Spain has resulted in this great victory in their favor, and why should they despair of ultimate success within even a few months, when the Spanish army in Cuba, outside of the volunteers and guerrillas, has been reduced to 60,000 men out of 225,000 sent there, and Spanish resources are not equal to the task of recruiting and supporting it? The hardest task that Spain now has is to feed and jothe its army. onBut Cubans are not asking for bread nor for Spanish autonomy. All they ask for is ammunition. They yet have men without guns. They hold the country in the central and eastern departments of Cuba that furnish the people and the army all necessary supplies, and in all General Bianco's expeditions and in the recent movements of Weyler when he was in command they have not dared to attempt the occupation of the eastern provinces of Cuba. jousands of the reconcentrados hsve escaped from Weyler’s horrible pens ard have gone out for food and also for guns and ammunition in the mountainous regions of eastern Cuba. That is why the reporters who send m from that country, and the consuls who write to the gevernment, inform us that the very much greater proportion of starving reconcen- trados are women and children. I do not believe that General Blanco expects to sub- jugate Cuba either by the force of arms or by the temptations of bribery. Spain’s Opportunity. “If he and the Spanish authorities could persuade themselves, even at this late day (as I hope they may), to do what Great Britain did toward us in the revolutionary, war—aeccept the situation and concede the QUICKLY ADJOURNED Short Sessions Held by House and independence of Cubs rather than protract @ war of destruction which can only inten- sify hatred between Cubans and Spamards, they would have immense advantages over any other nation in the commerce of Cuba and their future relations would be as cor- dial as they would have been had Spain never indulged in these persecutions. But 1 suppose that it is needless to ex L pect that Spain will ever yield to the dictates of Senate. common sense. Hers is ‘the pride that —-—_—— goes before a fall.’ “The excoriation of Spain, which was in- dulged in by President Grant during the lust ten years’ war, and was somewhat re- newed, in a Ceprecatory way, half apolo- getic, in the message of President Cleve- land during the present war, and has been repeated and emphasized in acrimonious form by Mr. McK:nley, cannot produce less than serious irritation in Spain. Yet these Presidents have said nothing about Span- ish atrocity in Cuba that the whole world dces not concur in. They have stirred the hearts of our people with bitter resent- ments, but have smoothed the surface of their agitaticn with the oil of diplomacy. “I regret that the attitude of our govern- ment is such that our Presidents, in defer- erce to what they have assumed to be thelr duty as to the recognition of Cuban bellig- erency or independence, should have found @ proper or necessary occasion to rebuke Spain in this extraordinarily severe way. It would far better comport with the dig- nity of the United States and with our history to have said nothing reproachful to Spain or about Spaniards, if we had no right and no occasion for actual interven- tion in the wars they have waged against the Cubans. We have seen that fhese ex- pressions of disgust at Spanish oppression and their methods of warfare have only provoked re:aliation upon innocent people. Our scolding has enraged Spain to the point of moral insanity azainst the Cuban peo- ple. I prefer a course that better comports With the dignity of the American govern- ment, so that when we have wrongs to complain of we shall also have remedies to MR. ALLEN URGES ACTION ON CUBA Wants Independence of the Insur- gents Recognized. CRITICISES THE PRESIDENT In his Invocation at the opening of the Senate today Rev. W. M. Milburn, the chaplain, delivered a brief but touching eulogy of the late Senator George of Mis- sissippl. He deplored the death of one who was endeared to all who knew him by his kindly and gracious traits of character, Mr. Davis (Minn.) reported from the com- mittee on foreign relations a bill prohibit- ing the killing of fur seals in the North Pacific ocean. He asked immediate con- sideration for the biil, but Mr. Hale (Me.) objected on the ground of the importance of the measure, and asked that the bill be printed. Mr. Aldrich of the committee on rules presented a Joint resolution providing that apply, unless the wrongs cease. The use of epithets, !n state papers, against a for- eign government is the worst form of Jingoism. “If we had recognized the belligerency of Cubz when a resolution to that effect passed both houses ef Congr was then as rauch tury and aggravated a hundred-fold Cuba. that any government- would destroy for a new set of people. “I confess that I am appalled to think that these iniquiles have so deeply af- fected the Cuban people, and especially the women and children of that unfortunate island, that Gen. Blanco seems to despair of saving their lives or of restoring them in which their lives are to a condition worth living. American Rights in Cuba. “So-far as I am concerned, I have en- deavored only to do what I thought to be necessary for the protection of the rights of the people of the United States, both at home and in Cuba, against the excesses of the brutality of Spanish warfare. In doing this I have felt warranted in stat- ing the truth as to Spanish barbarities, hewever revolting it might be. The juiut resolution which passed the Senate at the extra sessior ought to be passed by the House, in which event it is hardly to be supposed that the President of the United States would inmterpose his veto to do away two houses recorded in different years. It is unless we ascend to the height of national re- spect for the rights of an oppressed peo- ple that caused France and Holland and Spain to acknowledge the independence of our states in the early days of our revo- with the solemn judgment of the the only legal step we can take, lutionary struggle. “I have not looked very closely into the scheme of autonomy that is proposed the Spanish cabinet to Cuba, and the Pre: ident has not sent us a copy of it if he has one. Yet in all that has been said as to autonomy there has been a marked silence as to general amnesty toward the Cubans, and also as to confiscations that will ce tainly take place when Spain has resume her dominion cver the Island of Cuba. As to damages against the United States,when it is alleged by Spain that we have lacked vigor in the execution of our own laws of neutrahty, I think that Spain couid not se- riously have a decent pretext for present- ing such claims. I have not heard that Spain had set up any claim to damages on the ground that we have violated the laws of nations. If war does not exist in Cuba I cannot see how the laws of nations affect the relations of the Cubans and the United States. Our claims against Great Britain at the close of our civil war were based upon the fact that public war existed here, and that Great Britain clandestinely aided the enemies of the United States. Spain alleges that she has no public enemies in Cuba. They are only citizens in a mob. If peace exists in Cuba, Spain has no public enemies in the islands, and the laws of war, as they apply to the condition of open public war under the laws of nations, can- not be applied as between Spain and the United States. If there is no war, there is no room for neutralfty, in the sense of that doctrine in the laws of nations. Our statutes that prohibit wrongs to other na- tions are not laws of neutrality; they are restraining acts, that the laws of nations have not anything to do with, Aid Given Spain. “We have furnished Spain, in violation of just neutrality, all of her coal and nearly all of her provisions, munitions of war and horses during the present civil war in Cu- ba. For these services she appears to have no recognition, in the form of gratitude or of just consideration of the heavy losses and wrongs she has caused to our people and country. I should be sorry if she should honestly confess that she had jus! ground for feeling grateful to the United States for aiding her in the terrible war in Cuba, and that she could not have butch- ered the Cubans without our help; but, in fact, she owes the government of the United States that sort of gratitude. Spain recompenses it by intimating that at the close of this war a vast amount of claims that she has piled up against us will be pressed for payment. I believe that the patriots in Cuba will relieve us from the long controversy we may have, otherwise, over these claims by achieving their inde- pendence, in spite of the assistance that this government has actually given to the Spanish government in conducting the war. It is about time that the United States had faced about, and put in practice the neutrality which will forbid our further alliance with Spain.” ———_o-____ HOUSE DEMOCRATS’ POLICY. Difference of Opinion Regarding Need of a Caucus, The democrats of the House will caucus soon on party policy. Representative Rich- ardson, the caucus chairman, said today that he was consulting with members as to what day would sult them, and he expect- ed that the meeting would occur the latter part of this week or early next week. Considerable difference of opinion has arisen among the democratic members as to the necessity of a caucus, and some of the democratic leaders have withheld their names from the call on the ground that 2 caucus et this time could do no good, and considerable might lead to difference and division. < The ters of ae woul m ing @ome question as to the democratic lendersaip in ie House came up. . it seems to be beyond <ioubt that we should have saved very much of the awful suffering that both the Spanish army and the Cu- ban people have endured in that Island. I impressed with the disasters that would fall upon Cuba in consequence cf our hesitating course as I am new, except that I did not imagine that the terrers of war, as they were en- acted in Hoiland by the Duke of Alva, would be repeated in the nineteenth cen- in I did not then conceive the thought its colonists, who are natives, to make room the northern half of that part of the Capi- tol formerly occupied by the library of Congress should be placed under the juris- diction of the Senate and the southern half under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives. Mr. Quay (Pa.), chairman of the commit- tee on public buildings and grounds, ob- Jected to preseat consideration of the reso- lution, He said that his committee would tomor- row have a meeting, at which the whole matter pertaining to the old library rooms would be discussed. Mr. Allen (Neb.) presented a resolution declaring it to be the sense of the Sen- ate that Congress should with all due and convenient speed acknowledge by appro- priate act the political independence of Cuba. Mr. Allen said that he had long urged the United States to recognize the independence of the Cuban insurgents. Me would not be content with the recognition of belligerer: but would insts acknowledgment erty. He was would rot be co! with the course ad- vised by the administration. Inasmuch as the Cubans for more than two years on many battlefields had demonstrated their valor and love for Mberty, he felt that they had earned a recognition of their political Mberty, and that it ought to be accorded to them without further tempo- rizing. If necessary this recognition should be backed by a fleet of American vessels in Cuban waters. He expressed a jet that the owners of Sprnish bonds in this country, American citizens holding peep- erty In Cuba which had been injured or destroyed by the insurgents, and the carry- ing trade of the country, which ht be affected by such a step, had joined to prevent the recoguition of Cuba's politi- cal independence. Mr. Allen ex: resse4 the belicf that Pres- ident McKinley’s statement in his mes- » that the recogniion of the belliger- asurgents is now un- e unadmisstble, would be ppointment to the members of throughout the United States. The al convention of that party had declared in favor of the inde- penderce of Cuba, going farther than the simple recognition cf Hi thought that th gations to carry out the pledge which his party nad made—a pledge which had been made to 734.00 people, The P: Mr. Allen thought, had been lulled to sleep by the Geclaration of Spain that she would the republi give Cuba a semi-political exist He expressed the bi f that the Pr jent’s negiect to take such action 2s would in- sure the political inde of Cuba was an exhibition of rauk hypocrisy and a flagrant neglect of public duty, which vuld be corrected by the All Ruling Power n His own good time. olution expressing the regret of the Senate at the news of the death of Representative Ashley B. Wright of Massacnuse ts and provid'ng for an adjournment as a further mark of respect. At 12:55 the resolution wes adopted and the Senate adjourned HOLSE OF RE RESENTATI The session of the House today lasted only fifteen minutes. Mr. W. A. Stone (’a.) reported the pension appropriation bill, the first of the appropriation bills, and gave notice that he would call it up immediately afier the reading of the journal tomorrow. The committees on election and the com- mittse on banking and currency were given leave to sit during the sessions of the House. Then, at 12:15, the House adjourned. ees ee ee sag EASTERN BRANCH BRIDGE. Col, Allen's Report Estimates Its Cost at $441,208. The Secretary of War today transmitted to Congress a report made by Colonel Charles J. Allen, Corps of Engincers, giv- ing the results of a survey made by him for a bridge across the Eastern branch of the Potomac on a line with Massachusetts avenue extended eastward. By an act approved February 17, 1897, Congress appropriated $3,0W0 for a survey, plan and estimate of cost of a bridge at the point above indicated. . In his report Colonel Allen recommends as best sulted to Jol esi A and pur- oses, a steel truss bridge resting on ma- sony piers, the bridge to be a deck bridge except where it crosses the trestle of the Baltimore and Potemac railroad, where @ through span will be required. Plans are submitted for a bridge of the character indicated with fixed spans and having a total length, including approaches, of 2,517 feet and a width of 52 — -~ i The cost of construction of suc! naaae is estimated at $441,208. The plans provide accommodations for ordinary high- way trafiic and for street car tracks; also for the construction of a draw should one be required in the future. The estimated cost of a bridge with a draw (swing span on @ pivot pier) is $476,643, but Colonel Al- len says that the necessity for a draw is not now apparent. ——————-~s—___— THE HOLIDAY RECESS. Indications That It Will Extend From December 18 to January 3. The indications are that the holiday recess of Congress will extend from Satur-