Evening Star Newspaper, February 18, 1898, Page 2

2 THE EVENING STAR,. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1898-14 PAGES. Praight forward, as if vizwing manifold }errors, but they have a cheerful look when tegether, and joke each other about aot being troubled with extra baggage, on shore leave, ete. Lieut. Hlandin, who was officer of the deck ai the time of the disaster, says there is no truth in the report that a smoking ob- ject was seen approaching the Maine just before ihe explosion. —-—.— — JUDGE KEY TALKS PLAINLY. If Not am Accident, Inde Re Asked of Spa: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., February 18.— Judge D. M. K+y cf this city, Postmaster General in President Hayes’ cabinet, and ex-United States judge, expresses himself strorgly on the disaster to the Maine. He is quoted literally as follows: “If this catastrophe can be traced to any Spanish officials cr ary subjects claiming allegiance to Spain, I tnink the United States should demaad indemnity, and take eny necessary meastre to collect it without delay. No dilatory tactics should be em- Floyed with Spain in a matter of this icind. No amount of money ean pay for the lives lest, but the American people will demand some heavy compensation fer ihe disaster, and will not rest uatil they get it. The time has come for decisive action.” MELVILLE FELT TWO SHOCKS. One of Maine’s Crew W Watch Talks. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., February 18—A special to the Times Union and Citizen from Key West says: The general opinion of many persons here is that the Maine was hit by a torpedo, after which the mag- azine exploded. In en interview with ‘Thomas Melville of Brooklyn, who was not injured, and was on watch on the quar- terdeck, he said that he felt two distinct slocks. The first was not as severe as the second, which blew up the ship. Other sur- vivers are of the same opinion that it was foul work Martin Riordan, a cubmarine diver of Key West and a survivor of the Maine, has heer telegraphed for from Havana by Con- sul General Lee and Captain Sigsbee, and will go r immediately to Give under the Maine and discover the cause of the dis- a ity Should New York is now anchored awaiting instructions from ‘The flaeshi off the bay M ashiegton. POLICE ALL ON DUTY. Outhrenk Feared at New York on v ya's Arriva NEW YORK. February 15 po- iceman in this city is on duty Last night Chief McCullagh caused an order to be sent to all police captains notifying them to report back to their precincts immediat fter supper and there to re- Between 3 and 4 o'clock this morning another order was issued from neadquar- to the fect. that all off platoons remain in reserve during the day his action has been taken in compHance with the request made to the police depart- ment by Mr. Koosevelt, assistant secretary of the navy. last night, that precautions be taken agtinst the possibility of hostile “monstration upon the arrival of the Span- cruiser Vizcaya. The police have provided the Spanish con- sul general in this city with a special d. A harbor policeman today sat in the outer room of the consulate, in the hall a policeman in full uniform was stationed, ard on the street extra precautions were observed by the police with beats in the vicinity. Consul General Baldasano de- chi ed to discuss the presence of the police- me In response to a request from Rear Ad- miral Bunce, commandant of the navy yard, Chief of Police McCullagh today notified that officer that a detail of one rovadsman and four patrolmen had been assigned to each tug boat which Admiral Bunce would employ to guard the Vizcaya while-in these waters. As saon as the Vizcaya is sighted, sixty- seven policemen will board the patrol and go down as far as Sandy Hook to escort the cruiser up the bay. Two tugs,from the xovernmem navy. yard will- also ‘meet the Vizcaya. When the war vessel makes her anchorage in the river a cordon of police boats will be placed around here and the docks in the immediate vicinity will be closely watched. EXPECTED TO BE BLOWN UP. = Letter Home From a Member of > Maine’s Crew. WILTON. N. H., February 18.—August Blomberg of this. sown, father of Fred. Blomberg, one of the crew of the battle ship Mathe, has made public a letter which he received from his son on Monday last, dated from Havana, February 10, in which the writer said: “We are in mortal terror of our lives and expect to_be blown.up at any moment.” Young Blomberg was twenty years of age, six feet three inches in height, and was the tallest mam on the vessel. FEELING IN NEW YORK. Star Correspondent Tel of Sen ment Among the Masses. Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. NEW YORK, February 147, 1898 Flags are flying at half mast in all sec- tlens of the city In honor of the sailors and marines who went to their-death at the time of the explosion of the Maine. The city hall flag was first lowered. To- day the posi of the national colors at the hotels, dry goods stores, wholes: houses and even private residences indi- cates the imiensity of the city’s grief. In the financial portion this evidence of grief is well nigh universal. The govern- ment buildings, Including the custom Louse, subtreasury, barge office, post office, Army and Navy building and public stores all show the stars and stripes at ialf mast. The exchanges are not behind in their manifestation of respect, while all the leading ered. banks have their flags low- aims, at the restaurants, where- upS gather, the Maine affair und Spain are subjects of conversacion. The sue editions hourly and even In addition to this, monster rds keep the peopl: posted con- latest news from Madrid, Ha- vana and Washington. possibilities of war w chief At the Brooklyn navy yard and at the various ment offices men are con- stantly a ng for permission to shoul- der a musket and march y to fight the Spanish government. War ‘alk is all the rage among the organized working- men of this city. Before the meeting of the beard of delegates of the building trades In East 50th street the -epresenia- tives of rty large trades untons Ciscus: blowing up of the Maine. Trere y 4 man among them wno did to the belief -ihat the explo- Was the result of a Spanish plot con- cocted in Havana. Nearly every man de- clared his wilirgness to take up arms if necessary. and said 50,000 union working- men of New York stood ready w vid in freeing Cuba. Theory of a Caisson Expert. When the deicgates of the building trades section of the Central Labor Union assem- bled at Clarendon Hall they expressed sen- timents similar to those of he board of delegates. Delegate Fitzgerald, an ert caisson and compressed air worker, who has had large experience in the use of explosives, gave an interesting idea of the manner in which the Maine could have been blown up by the use of a tor- pedo or other device sent from the shore. Mr. Fitzgerald also explained how casy it would be for the Spanish warship Viz- caya to blow Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton into smjthereens by sending a torpedo against those works so that the concussion would explode the mag:zii The intense feeling of hatred against Spain prevailing among the workingmen was manifested when a “living picture’ Was manifested when a “living picture” was displayed in Clarendon Music Hall. Many large contingent of the Cuban colony at- tends the performances in the music hall. In a huge frame were three shapely .young women—one, Columbia, resting upon a young woman representing prostrate Spain, with Cuba holding the Cuban flag as she gazed in triumph at her fallen foe. Eyery man and woman in the crowded ali arose to their feet and shouted and cheered for ten minutes and vociferously demanded half a dozen repetitions of the picture. Volunteer companies are being organized in Jersey City for enlistment in case of war with Spain. The Uncle Jolin Association met in Kaiser's Hall, Jersey City, last night and discussed the Maine incident. Each one of the 150 members declared his intention of otfering his services in case of war. If volunteers are enlisted the Uncle John Association will form a com- pany by itself. ‘ Sympathizers at the Junta. Cuban sympathizers flocked to the office of the junta to watch and discuss all news of the situation in Havana. When H. 8. Rubens, the attorney of the junta, was asked concerning the matter, he said: “The chances seem to be greatly against any final and definite solution of the question as to the first cause of the di pr. The Maine itself probably destroyed all trace of its enemy, whoever or whatever that enemy was. The fact is that Havana's harbor is known to be planted with the usual means for destroying an enemy's vessels. Our government must be fully in- formed of that, for it is.a matter of com- mon knowledge. It explains,.too, why the government's representatives in Havana cannot deny, any more than we here can as yet affirm, that the Maine was de- stroyed by a Spanish mine or torpedo.” oe FALSE REPORTS CORRECTED, Secretary Long Contradicts Stories in Circulation. Secretary Long said to a Star reporter this afternoon that he had been misrepre- sented as having said yesterday that the divers were already at work on the Maine. What he said, or at least what he had in- tended to have said, was that the divers had been ordered to begin operations as soon as possible. It appears from the tele- gram received from Capt. Sigsbee late last night that the weather was too rough for such work yesterday, and that the divers would probably begin operations today. In the absence of Assistant Secretary Rooseve!t, Secretary Long was asked as to the truth of the report from New York that the former had suggested to the gov- ernor of the state that he have the Na- tional Guard of the state in readiness for immediate service in anticipation of trou- ble following the expected arrival of the Spanish warship Vizcaya. Secretary Long said the report was absurd and did not require denial, as to his mind it denied it- self. He also denied absolutely that Naval Con- structor Bowles would go take charge of wreck of the Maine. He said this work weuld be in the hands of a private wreck- ing parties. The Navy Department does not expect @ny opposition from Spanish authorities in the wrecking operation. ‘The diving operations at Havana, as un- derstood at the Navy Department are in full charge of Captain Sigsbee, and the or- der to keep private parties away from the wreck is said to apply to the divers em- ployed by papers in New York. Subscript Suggested. Mr. William Howard Mills writes as fol- lows to The Star: ‘The destruction of the United States baitle ship Maine by an explosion in the harbor of Havana Tuesday night bas re- 1ited in the death of two officers, Lieut Friend W. Jenkins and Assistant Engineer Derwin R. Merritt, and 24 men of a crew that numbered 354, of whom seventy are more or Icss seriously injured and twenty- six _escayed unhurt. ‘The money due the heirs of the deceased annet be paid until certain prescribed fcrias of law have been complied with. It is possibl> that Congress may provide for the temporery support of the families of the unforturate men, but lorg before that may be done they will experience the hard- ships ef aor-support. “I suggest therefore that private subserip- tions be invited for the benefit of needy families of the dead. The co-operation of heads of departments should be s2cured and they migit cause to be prepared and circulated in the different bureaus and di- visions of their departments papers for tn2 subscription of such sums as thé sympa- thetic and liberally disposed may desire to afford. Phe co-operation of the press and citizeus generally, not only in Washington, but in other citi>s, should be obtained, and it'may be that a goodly sum can be raised, that will help keep the wolf fromthe door until Congress may act, or, if the destrue- tion should not have been the result of ac- cident, obtain prop2r indemnity in their be- half from the Spanish government. “In such an emergency there may be per- sons of abundant means glad of the oppor- tunity to subscribe for the benefit of the familiss of the American sailors wlio were hurled into eternity without a momeat’s warning, and whose names shouki’ be en- rolled upon the scroll of American herees as indelibly as if they had been ‘kiiled in batilz. “I shall be glad to send The Star my mite at the proper time.” z - i SYMPATHIZING NATIONS. Expressions of Sorrow Received by the State Department. Condolences were received at the State Department today in addition to those"pre- viously given out. E Domingo Gana, Chilean mfnister: ‘The government and people of Chile sincerely take part in the sentiment of profouhd grief which have been aroused in the government and people of the United States by the news of the tragic and calamitous destruction of the war vessel Maine, and by the loss of so many valuable lives. In having the honor to convey to your excellency the expression of the sympathy felt by my government, I beg to be allowed respectfully to add that of my own.” Gen. ‘Woodford, United State minister to Spai “The Spanish minister of foreign affairs has sent Senor Aguera, subsecretary of the Spanish foreign office, and Senor Polo de Bernabe, chief of the commercial bureau of same ministry, to express the sincere sympathy of the people of the Spanish government with the government, the navy and the people of the United States in the sad misfortune which has be- fallen the United States steamer Maine, i officers and crew in the harbor of Havana. J. B. Calvo, legation of Costa Rica: “Be- ing deeply touched by the terrible news of the destruction of the United States war steamer Maine, with the loss of many lives and the injury of a considerable number of persons belonging to the crew of said steamer, I desire to express to your excel- lency, faithfully interpreting the sentiments of my government, the deepest and most sincere sympathy on account of this occur- rence, which was as dreadful as it was un- expected. Joining the expression of my own personal sentiments to this official manifestation of condolence, I reiterate to your excellency the assurances of my hig! est and most distinguished consideration. Victor Egviguren, legation of Peru—"T m the duty of expressing to the ‘nited States government the sentiments condolence and sympathy of the govern- ment of Peru, together with my own, on account of the catastrophe which has be- failen the war steamer Maine and the loss of the lives of so many citizens of the United States. Peru, which considers all the republics of this continent as her sis- ters, laments their misfortunes and feels them as she does her own. The grief, there- fore, which now afflicts the great republic is alse ours. I reiterate to you, Mr. Secre- tary of State, on this sad occasion, the re- newed assurances of my highest considera- tion.”” Consul Roberts, Capetown, Africa—Amer- ican citizens here deeply sympathize dis- aster to Maine and men.” President Moraes telegraphs expressions of sympathy. Wu Ting Fang, Chinese legation—“I have the honor <o express the sincere sympathy of my governmen: with the government and people of the United States on account of the deplorable disaster which has be- fallen the Maine. I may add that I was shocked to hear of the terrible catastrophe, and I deeply sympathize with the families of the unfortunate victims.” Chin Pom Ye, legation of Corea—“I here- by desire to express on behalf of his ma- jesty, the en peror, and the government of Corea, sympathy with the United States on the loss of the battle ship Maine and so many brave officers and men. —_——-o+—__. Bowles to Raise the Maine. NEW YORK, February 18--The.Com- mercial Advertiser today says: “It was te- perted at the navy yard today that Naval CenstFuctor Bowles is to be sent fo Havana te si the work of; raising Maine. Constructor Bowles had nat. re. ceived his orders up to 10 o'clock thie morn- ing, but expects them today.’ =:iinj1 “6. ¥ise carrera lot betmar |WHAT SECRETARY LONG SAYS THECABINETMEETING| TRIED 0 KILL ZOLA|COMMENT IS CAUSED Official Belief That the Maine Disaa- ter Was an Accident. Flowers for Mrs. Sigsbee and the Relatives of the Dead. PREPARING CUBAN REPORTS ‘There were no new or important messages from any official in Havana to lay before the cabinet at its session today. The only message of any kind was that of Captain Sigsbes telling of the funeral of the dead seamen of the United States. =. The cabinet convened at the usuai hour and was in session less than the usual time. Secretary Long stated that the official body headed by the President had nothing to discuss, and that there were no develop- ments. He emphatically dented many of the sensational stories*now afloat, some of which have obtained publication. One. of these is that there have been secret ses- sions of the cabinet; another ig that tele- grams have been received and sent which have been suppressed. The Secretary said that he had suppressed no information of any kind. The only special session of the cabinet to talk over the disaster, he said, was on Wednesday. It is further denied that the President has talked with army and navy and congressional people to as- certain the condition of the fighting forces of the country and to find out how quickly consent to a war loan could be obtained from Congress. Another Warship to Be Sent. An important statement made by Secre- tary Long, however, was that in the course of time another warship will be sent to Havana. “How long will be regarded as proper be- fore this step is taken?” the Secretary was asked. The reply was that the time cannot now be fixed. The Secretary did not care to further discuss this point. The cabinet meeting was a sad one, in view of the terrible misfortune, and much of the talk was over the sad side of the affair. During the session the President ordered that a bouquet of flowers be cut from the White House conservatory and sent to Mrs. Sigsbee, wife of Captain Sigsbee. This was done and Ensign Kattelle, a son-in-law of Captain Sigsbee, was sent for to receive them. The bouquet was a beautiful one, isting of roses, orchids, hyacinths, 2s of the valley and greens. The tribute to the bravery of the captain of the Maine is one which will be appreciated by mem bers of his family and friends. The Pres- ident has not forgotten the brave seamen who were killed. He gave orders that the families of any of the dead ‘seamen resid- ing in Washington be sent bouquets. He did not know the names of Washingtonians who were sacrificed, and instructed that they be looked up, a The Official Belief. The official statement Is made that the President and practically every member ef the cabinet now believe that the Maine was blown up as the result of an accident. ‘That was the unanimous opinion of the members of the cabinet assembled around the cabinet table, and the President shared the same views. The exclusive sts was made in The Star on Wednesde. the President was convinced that the catastrophe could be attributed to an acci- dent. The chief executive has not at undergone a change in his views. There have been times when his raind was im- Tressed with the mysterious phases of the explosion, but he bas consistently believed there was no reason for treachery, etary Long, Secretary Gage, Attorney General MeKenna and Seeretary: Bliss -have. all been talked to and do,not hesitate to give as their opinion that an acefdent caused the horror. : ‘There is hardly a question about it, now," said one of these men. “There ts a bare possibility that something to the con- tary will be shown by the inyestigations of the court of inquiry, but every fact now tends the other way.” 5 LG The President constders that iheney-wilt be nothing new on the subject, unti} the. court of inquiry gets to work; probably ‘rot | until ft makes a report." + eeiee Making Up Cubam-Repor: : ‘Another scare story is that. the Presi- dent is going to send a message to Con- gress. “This 1s officially proriouhtea unttie today. The facts are that the State’ De- partment is making up the Cuban reports called for by the House resolution the other day., These reports will be trai mitted to Congress in the most_for manner and without a line Indfcating any. belief or policy of the President. The reports of the consuls and of General Lee ate now being arranged in the State De- Ppartinent ready for transmission. i Senor Du Bosc, the Spanish charge d’af- faires, called at the White House with Assistant Secretary Day just before the cabinet meeting and personally expressed to the President the sympathy of the | Queen of Spain in the, tragedy at Ha- vana. : Secretary Bliss submitted to the cabinet meeting today the report of the governor of Alaska on a subject now before Cun- gress. oo RAILWAYS IN EUROPE. Consul General's Estimate Submitied to the State Department. Consul General Du Bols, at St. Gall, Switzerland, has made a report to the State Depariment in regard to the raflroad mile- age of Europe. At th> beginning of the year 1807, he says, there were, in all Europe, 159,026 miles of railroads in operation, this being an increase during the year 1896 of 3;144 miles. Of this increase, Austria-Hungary had 806 miles, of which Hungary had 579 miles. In Russia, there was an incraase-of 565 miles. This, of course, does not include the great Transsiberian and Transcauca- sian lines, with their 2,853 miles, a large portion of which has recently been open3d to traffic. Germany increased her railroad mileage 579 miles—the same as Hungary— the kingdom of Prussia receiving 387 miles. ‘The countris of Europe now having the most railroads in operation, according to their areas, are, in their order: Belgium, 3,582 miles; Great Britain and Ireland, 21,- 217 miles; Germany, 29,355 miles; Switzer- land, 2,209 miles; Holland, 1,008 miles; France, 25,08 miles. Tha other countries of Europe have the following railroad mile- eges: Austria, 18,951; Denmark, 1,605; Spain, 7,615; Greece, 590; Italy, 9,349; Lux- emburg, 269; Portugal, 1,451; Roumania, 1,784, Russia, proper, 22,455; Finland, 1484; Servia, 335; Sweden, 6,073; Norway, 1,201; Turkey end Bulgaria, 1,507; the islands of Jers>y, Malta and Man, 63 miles. —_———_-e-—______ Capitol Notes. The Senaie at 3 o'clock resumed business in open session to consider resolution on thé death of Representative Wright of Mas- sachusetts. Mr. Henry (Miss.) was the first speaker in the House today on the bankruptcy bill, He opposed the measure. There Were three other speakers before 12 o'clock, when the regular session began, Mr. Rixey (La.) for the bill and Messrs. Linney (N.C.) and Love (Miss.) against the measure. 2 By ——————_-e+______ _ Spain's Message of Sympathy. President McKinley today received Senor Du Bosc, the chargo d'affaires of Spain, who had been commanded by the -Quech Regént of Spain to bear in person to the President her expression of profound sor |’ row over the calamity to the Maine. Being @ communication from the ruler of one Clara Nevada: * = -by the tug Caribson, Paris Mob Hig Lify Today. - ESTERUAZY (0g WARNES STAND'| nas ——— Judge Very, for Defense. TRIAL AT AN AQUTE STAGE] not PARIS, February 18.—There were rictous Proceedings after, the adjournment of the| the tact assizeg court today and M. Zola narrowly through every ut: escaped. being lynched by the .mob out- side. General Boisdeffre was the first witness today,.the eleventh day of the trial of M. Zola and Perreux, on, charges brought | made today. against the conduct of the Esterhazy court- mrartial. Ihe general confirmed the state- ments made yesterday by General Pel- eux. : ° . The presiding judge addressed General Boisdeffre as follows; ' “General, an incident we did not antici- Mago.uaotber Attempt on | Secretary Arbitrary With Counsel | Asserted Long’s Efforts to Allay’ Suspicion of Foul Play. ALREADY PASSED JUDGMENT That the Administration's Attitude Is a Mistaken One. RESERVING OPINION Comment is caused about Congress by that the Navy Department fterance which has offi- celal sanction is endeavoring to allay sus- picion that the blowing up of the Maine Was the result of foul play. Particularly active efforts in that direction are being In the opinion of congress- men who are reserving judgment until the facts are known, the attitude of the Secre- tary is Hable to prove embarrassing, and offictal or sem!-official expressions of opin- ion ‘should be reserved. In a semi-official way, they say, the Secretary has already passed judgment on a case which a court Pate..occurred yesterday. A desire was} of inquiry has been appointed to investi- manifested that you should be examined,| gate, and the investigation of which has ard the court has acceded to it.” ‘The presiding judge then read the shcrt- hend on the subject. Gen. Boisdeffre replied: “I confirm fully the authenticity of Gen. | Seriously embarrassed by the arguments Pellieux’s statement. Ido not wish to‘add |already advanced by the department to ‘but gentlemen of the jury yqu-| Convince the public that the explosion was are the nation here, for you represent it. jeccidental. a word to fi If the ‘nation has not confidence in the chiefs of the army let it say so, and we are ready to leave to others the burden of our responsibility. Gentlemen of the jury, you, | the Spanish authorities in Cuba have desig- who represent the nation, pronounce an |nated officers to make an investigation opinion.” Vive L’Armee. This address caused a prolonged sensa-| probably make a private as well as this tien. “Yes,” exclaimed the general, “Vive L’Ar- | caution recognizes that the circumstances mee.” (Cheers.) 2 As General Boisdeffre was leaving the stand M. Laboris, counsel for M. Zola, ris- ing, said: “I should like to question Gen- eral Boisdeffre.” é “You cannot,” replied the presiding judge. “What!” exclaimed M. Laborie. “No,” vehemently retorted the presiding judge, “you canrct. Call the next wit- ness. M. Laborie vainly protested against this ruling, but an usher called Major Ester- hazy, who immediately appeared, and, amid profound silence, took the stand. “What questions haye you to put?” asked the judge, aédressing M. Laborie. “lam drawing up a formal application to cross-examine General Boisdeffre,” replied counsel for the chief defendant. “Very well,” said the judge, “then I will put my own questions.” Turning to Major Esterhazy, the judge said: 8 “It is said that _yqu are the author of the border2au. «What have you to an- swer?” tic. Ia “Firstly,” repiied, ihe witness, “I have a statement to meke. . Esterhuzy Adidiesses the Jury. “Gentlemen of thé Jury: On a shadow of proof: this miseyable Mathieu Dreyfus has accused me of: being guilty of his brother's crimes:¥ohave been judged by my peers, who! hit acquitted me, but today I am sujqninged as a witness, so that he may reaccuge me, when I have neither adviser nor ¢eunsel to defend me. “I will answet,auy questions you put to me, gentlemen of, the jury; but as for those Deaple,” turning,tq M- Zola and, his coun- , “I won't reply to them.” (Sénsation.) The judge they. turped to M. Labortle, fn- quiring: “Have you any gt terhazy?” 7) Aas? ‘auatt “Tam stit;dmiwiag-up my. application,” answered M..Laborip, pny, a estlons, until the court has given .a Gtcstch upon it"! iH pal “Put your’ questidns’ “iramedtitely)”” ex- claimed the judge, “or you: will not. put: any.” (Mlurmurs.) < ay “I can say nothing for the moment,” re- plied M,,Lahbcrie, “‘but I protest against thfa attitude.—" meh beat pee Judge jntérnintid, Go = sel, exclaiming: “What do yo Mi Eplorbii Tesume. your Fi baa EB iadtok re,was prolonged. cheerlng as Mayol Esterhaey left the witness sland.” —-. ‘and I shall not ask « Hore: {he presiding » uu say? HY W-CLARA NEVADA, List of Persons Thought to: Have Been See on Stenmer, 5 SEATIEE, Wash., February 18-In atai- tion .to the crew, the:following-persans are thought-to. have. perished on.the..steamer "> PERISHED Al.’ Noyes, “a mercharit of 3¥jheau. Frank Whitney of Cripple Greek, Cor A. young man named. Hill of Seattle. Harry Hunt of Montana. George:Rowe. of;Seattle.- jz A. Bonnick of Portland,.Oreg. It probably: will never: be known just how mjeny passengers the:Clara Nevada carried or who..they .were, owing to the fact that no list 4s obtainable. See : ‘ALASKAN PORTS, a OHAOS AT Trémendousd Crowds Flocking Into i Dyea apd Skaguay. SEATELE, Wash.,.. February 18.—Mr. 1 W. Nestell, who ‘has. arrived here from- Dyea, Alaska, on the steamer Queen, says: “For the past month,men have, been pour- ing into Dyea by thousands, There is a congestion of freight along the trail and at Dyea. The Chilkoot Railroad and Trans- port Company railtaad is completed, but has been, unable to run for several days becduse ten were ynable to live on the summit of the pass. Chaotic*condition of things cannot be concélved by those who have not seen-tt.”> ¢ 2 Among ‘the Queen's ~ passengers were Thomas W. ©’Brien, James McNeill, Stew- art Meryles, Robert Lowry ant George Mc- Chie, who left Dawson City*January 1. O'Brien*is said to ‘have “brought ‘out’ $30,000 in drafts and “au! zo bs : ae INTERNATIONAL "PRESS. LEAGUE, Office: , Blected at, Meeting. Just Closed at, New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS, February-48—The In- ternational Press ue last“hight élécted: P. C. Boye’ of OAS city, president; BP. s. Halway,., first..ge aresident;. George . W. Peck, Milwaukeas1zecond viee president; Henty ‘Rightnors’New’ Ortéans, ‘third! vice" president; C fk! Rice, Boston, secre- tary; James ney, Phitadelphia, treasurer, aa ? The directors, Ryder, Mrs. “M. wu If > Seres.T. J. Kee John rs nan, idy:9'Donogbue, O. He A. Chamberlain, Fas: Madeira, Dr. J. H. ‘Fred . A. Es lericks, vena Armand. Cap: dqviell a jamgon, = aitinors, sath: as the next place of meeting... ctamt 9) uy x =r FOUR GO DOWN ON A BARGE. 4 gates Excelsior i on Handkerchiet | Seval With All Hands. | STON, Fehyuary; 18—Four men, com- prising the ‘crewr 0fs the : barge Excelsioi which foundered 6@*Hatidkerchief shoal, off Cape Cod, Wednesday ‘night, were lost. It ‘was thought that the men were taken off whic! tug in sh had the tow, but upon the’arrival “of-the tug’ here today it was announced that they had. not been saved. ts ‘With the Pecegties of , thé Na?” 3 Of ‘the report of Gen. Pelliéux’s ‘statement |circumstantislly led to the conclusion that and asked the witness wkat he had ‘to say |the Maine was destroyed by design it is be- j#overnment with atrocities quite as. sayase, [made not orly in the press, -} official, even in.his private capacity, would 2}.connive at such a horrible deed ‘as the fant the assumption that such a thing is .} longing to Sir Henry Irving have been de- not yet begun. Should that court secure evidence which lieved that this country would be very The Spanish Investigations. Dispatches from Havana announce that jointly with the American officials as to the cause of the accident. The Spanish will public investigation. Their taking this pre- of thee explosion warrant suspicion, ani this action is one of self-defense against the possibility of a biased report by Amer- ican officials. It is a foregone conclusion that, no matter what the American board of inquiry may discover, the report of the Spanish officials will be that the explosion was accidental. In the event of a con- trary report by the court of inquiry ap- pointed by Admiral Sicard, the contention of the Spanish authorities will be sus- tained and that of our own officials dis- credited, the congressional critics say, by the declarations which are emanating from the Navy Department prejudging the case. Administration’s Mistake. It is held by them that a mistake is being made by the administration in not main- taining an absolutely neutral attitude. This mistake is, they say, the more apparent from the fact that the accident theory ad- vanced by the Secretary and by expre: sions with semi-official authority, is not the universally held theory in the depariment, and is disputed by very eminent authority. The fact is that it is not known whac caused the disasier. Individuals are at Mberty to speculate on the matter as mucii as they please, and to support their theo- ries by such facts, scientific or otherwise, as they can. But it is felt to be unwise for the administration to go further than to express the hope, which is entertained by everybody, that the explosion was not the result of foul play The department's action in issuing today a typewritten opinion and argument by Professor Alger, seeking to prove that the explosion could not have been caused by a torpedo, and that it was the result primari- ly of an explosion in the magazine, is criti- cased. Not ‘Charged tq Spgnish Officials, __ Dispatches from Havana by. Associated Press, after*stating that torpedoes might kave been planted under the Maine, stated hat “all this, however, is regarded as be- ing unlikely to occur, as being almost im+ possible to:occur without thé collusion of Spanish officials.”” fee The {dea of colluston of Spanish officials, ven ‘on their individual’ responsibility, i$ ,@hunned by. everybody. es KA fact, However, Which has been over- locké& ‘ir the’ discussion of this. question is that before the matter came’so close home to uf! there was. no hesitancy about charg- ing the Spatish officials and the Spanish brutal and treacherotis’as the blowin; et the Maine. These Ene Fee ‘been but in the most: clibérately considered speeches and reso- lutions in Congress, and have been referred .to by the President in a message to. Con- ‘gress. It is held that while these charges, ublicly made and often repeated, do not varrant the assumption that any’ Spanish treacherous destruction of. an. American battle ship, yet the fact. that such atroci- es were charged in good faith does war- Possible and suggests the withholding of judgment until the facts are known. The purpose of the administration to pre- vent, as far as possible, the hasty forming of a public opinion-adversé to Spain, is approved cf by the best men in official I'fe in Washington, but an official assumption, in the face of expert testimony to the con- trary, that the explosion was accidental is regarded as unwarranted and unwise. It is not regarded as “reserving” -opinion. ——_—____-e+__ WRIT FOR VON DER AHE. Base Ball Magnate’s Counsel Secure a Habeas Corpus. PITTSBURG, Pa., February 18.—Another effort was made today in the United States court to secure the release of Chris Von 2r Ahe on a writ of habeas corpus. The new points embodied in the application ‘were chiefly on Missouri laws, and the al- leged unconstitutionality of the Pennsyl- vania law, which it alleged discriminated against residents of other states. Judge Buffington took the papers and this afternoon granted an. order on Sheriff Lewry and Jail Warden McAleese. requir- ing them to produce Von der Ah> in court next Wednesday and show cause why he should not be released from custody. Mean- ‘while Von der Ahe must remain in jail. —- Ex-Attorney General Miller Very 11. INDIANAPOLIS, February 18.—W. H. .: Miller, Attorney General for the United States under President Harrison, was taken suddenly ill with congestiye chill yesterday and much alarm was felt for his condition during the day. At one time it was thought that he would not survive the attack. In the evening he rallied somewhat from the prostration, but is not much improved. His physician is with him constantly. i —_.—__ Irving’s Properties Destroyed. LONDON, February -18.—All the proper- ties and scenery of half a dozen plays be- $e Se eo oo Oe stroyed in the fire which was discovered after midnight in the archwey under the London, Chatham and Dover railroad, near ‘the Ludgate Hill station, which was used as @ storehouse for the scenery of the Ly- ceum Theater. gee Ex-Auditor Moore Acquitted. LINCOLN, Neb., February 18—The su- preme court has handed down an opinion reversing the decision of the trial court in | the case of ex-Auditor Eugene Moore, and dismissed the case. Moore was convicted IMPORTANT CAPTURE. jt of Mam With Miss Dingley's Property in Possession. Detective Boyd has arrested a colored man named Charles Brooks, who is sup- posed to be the robber of Miss Edith Ding- ley, daughter of the Maine representative. He told Detective Boyd that his home is in St. Louls. In addition to making this capture the detective recovered the plush bag, opera glasses and the handkerchief with Miss Dingley’s name 6n it. The officer arrested Brooks this afternoon about 2 o'clock on D street northwest be- tween 9th and 10th streets. He had been in a store and endeavored to sell the opera glasses, but the dealer was susp:clous of him and refused to make the purchase. - He was standing on the sidewalk trying to decide upcn what other store he would visit, when the detective came along and al him on icion. Brooks’ ac- ticns indicated that he wanted to escape, but the officer, feeling certain his prisoner was guilty of some offense, held a tight grip on him until he reached police head- quarters. Then he was searched and the green plush bag and tell-tale handkerchief were found stuffed in his hip pocket. When questioned the prisoner declared he had bought the articles in New York. Later he said he purchased them from a man on the street near 15th street and New York avenue. was that he made the purchase o! known mar whom he met on Pennsylvania avenue. After being questioned for some minutes he changed his name to John Brookes. He was locked up at the fifth precinct sta- tion and Miss Dingley will be asked to visit the station for the purpose of iden- tifying him. The case may be heard in the Police Court tomorrow. | CANNOT CARRY ARMS. Canadian Conditions for the M Escort to the Yukon. The Secretary of State has received a communication from Sir Julian Pauacefote, the British ambassadcr, in response to @ rete expressing the desire of the United States War Department that the relief ex- pedition which it is proposed to send to Circle City, Alaska, be accompnaied on its Passage through Caredian territory by an armed United States force. Sir Julian says he is authorized by the Marquis of Salis- bury to state that the dominion government are quite willing that United States troops which are destined for places in Alaska beyond the 141st meridian, and are consid- ered nec for the protection of the relief expedition while in United States ter- ritory shou!d pass through Canadian terri- tery under the same regulations which govern the passage of Caradian mounted police through the United States territory, namely, thai the men shall not be under arms and that arms and ammunitions of war shall go through Camadian territory as baggage. Sir Julian adds: “The dominion govern- ment, at the same time, desire to make It clear that they fully appreciate the wish 0! the United States government to afford relief, and have forwarded instructions to the local officials to facilitate the expedi- tion in every possible way. An escert of deminion police will be furnished for the expediticn during its passage through Can- adian territory.” In conclusion, he says he will be glad to learn as early as pcessible whether the above arrangement is satisfactory to the United States government, in which case he will so advise the Marquis of Salisbury and the governor general of Canada. Acting Secretary Meiklejohn has notified the Secretary of State that the arrange- ment suggested by the British premier will be satisfactory to the War Department. 2 ee tary PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. A Large Namber of Postmasters Selected. The President today sent to the Senate the folio’ ‘& nominations: Justice—Edmund W. Van Dyke of the District of Columbia, to ba justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia. Postmasters: New York—Wm. C. Froeb- ley, Hamburg. . Pennsylvania—Jam2a W. Bartlett, Doylestewn. Arizona territory— Russell H. Chandler, Yuma. California— Orlando W. Maulsby, Santa Barbara. Illi- nois—James A. Cummins, Aledo; Wm. H. Shaw, Canton; James Bromilow, Caiili- cothe; Martin A. L. Olsen, Dekalb; M. F. Walsh, Harvard; Francis M. Love, Lewi: town; Henry Mayo, Ottawa; John W.Forn- of, Streater; Hervey L. Ho2niine, Colfax. Indiana—J. Z. Powell, Logansport; Geo. M. Robinson, Rensselaer; Horace G. Miller, South Bend. Iowa—J. R. Small, jr., Stua: Wm. D. Lee, Toledo. “Indian territory. Theo. Von Kelter, Coalgate. Kantucky— Jacob B. Coffman, Russellville. -Michigan— R: B, Lang, Houghton; Elmer N. Orr, Manistique; Hopkins, Saint Clair. Minnesota—Harriet E. Morcom, Towe! *Missouri—Harry Buttes,’ Memphis. Ne- braska+MW. H. Andrews,-Lexington; F. G. Simmons, Seward, North Dakata—Albert F. Hijl, Cando,. Ohio—Georg? B. Frease, Canton; E. H. Aldrich, North Amherst. | South Carolina—J. id, Summerville. South Dakoeta—R. Z. Bennett, Beresford. Wisconsin—John C. Freeman, New London; G. A. Kuechenmeister, West Bend. —_____-.-_____—__ CAPT. SIGSBEE SUSPICIOUS. He Did Not Care to Take Coal im at Havana, Among the people at the Arlington last night who were discussing the explosion was Joseph Mora, who is interested in the celebrated Mora claim, who has just re- turned from Havana. One week ago he dined with Captain Sigsbee and General Lee on board the Maine, and after dinner Captain Sigsbee conducted him over the vessel, and they went to the magazine which it is now alieged caused the explo- sion. The captain told him that he had very little ammunition there and it was chiefly of the non-explosive kind, and re- marked it was hardly enough to cause the blowing up of a launch. ‘The captain further remarked that he did not care te coal at Havana, because he was suspicious, and hoped to be ordered to Key West to take on coal. This is taken to show that the officers of the Maine were somewhat suspicious of their surroundings, and were on the lookout, Government Bonds, Quotations reported by Corzon & Macart- ney, bankers. 2 per cents, registered. . Asked. Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets. Furnished by W. B. Hibbs.& Co., bankers and brokers, 1427 F st., members New York stock. exchange, correspondents, Messrs. Ladenburg, Thalman & Co., New York. GRAIN, Wheat ig Saas e 2, (bs ia 1 38 Sots ‘ 32% 31% 31% 27 26, 264 244% 24 or ‘PROVISIONS. ‘Open. High. Low. Close. 11.17" 10.90 10.95 11-00 10.95 10.95 520 5.15 515 522 52 522 5.27 5.30 5.30 Low. Close. 5.96 5.99 603 6.06 616 613 Baltimore Markets. RALTIMORE, February 18.—Flour un- 9.275 barrels; exports. ‘none: IFINANCE AND TRADE ents Standard Oil Interests Sell Sugar and Buy &t. Pral. STOCK OF FORMER ON A DECLINE During Closing Hour the Whole List Showed Weakness. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star, NEW YORK, February 18.—Opening pices this morning reflected consideraole itregularity, but the undertone of the market was decidedly improved by the more pacific character of the correspon- dence relative to the Maine disaster. The feverish conditton established by the early reports of the disaster will not casily be remedied, perhaps, but the effort is aimos wholly in the interest of general market improvement. An early impression that Standard Oil interests were selling sugar and buying St. Paul was fully sustained by the subse- quent direction of the two properties. ‘The former was decidedly weak at a de- cline of two per cent and the latter excep- tionally strong at an advance of one and one-half per cent. The motive for the activity in St. Paul is said to be an encour- aging prospect for an increased or extra dividend. That the earnings warrant a more liberal payment cannot be doubted, but the question of policy is always a seri- ous consideration in such cases. The con- fidence exhibited in the buying today is taken to indicate the presence of reasonably safe assurances that the advance is at least contemplated. The outlook for Sagar, cn the other hand, 13 less satisfactory because of the already over-discountir.g of its future without prop- er regard for increasing ¢ and possible adverse legis! re- spensible for the phencmenal advance of last summer are now quoted as the most cerfident believers in a lower speculative level for these shi The traction issues were all moderately active but irregular. Interest in the group is centered largely in Brooklyn Rapid Transit and in Manhattan. As at other points of the market directly opposite bas are expected in these sha‘ lower-priced issue being expected The earnings of the have been improved by loop. future dividends have become a probability. The buying of Lake Shore by specialists vas the feature of the trading in the Van- derbilt issues. an order to accept all offer- ss around 1 to ad- latter com- 2, inspiring speculative pur- is ases above that figure. one of especial features, common characteristic, The points of activ lected and special movements have taken the place of general activity The best movement, judged from the standpoint of experience and capacity, is the one favoring higher prices. There have been many strong markets with conspicu- ous exceptions to dominant tendency vist- ble on the surface and the present is Just sich a market. Discrimination and pr dence are essential requisites to successful participation under such conditions. ‘The last hour’s trading was largely pro- essional, and at fractional declines from midday prices. Sugar was weak during this period of Mberal offerings and served to unsettle the inactive list generally, > AND COMMERCIAL. The market and has but NANCIAL The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- ported by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents, Messrs. Meore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway. Open. High. Low. Close. American Spirits... Ss 8 KS American Spirits, ptd. + 20% By By American Sugar... ": i36ij 186% 182 1Ba%y American Sugar, pfd.., 112%) 112, 1184 1184 American Tobacco ..... 92" "92% 1K... American Cotton Ott = aa Atchison ... 2 18% 12K NR ig Baltimore & Unio. wv uw 165, State. sit’ Chi P.,M. 20. Consol dated G uisvitle a N Metropolitan ‘Traction. Manhattan Rgraned. Ont. & Western. Pacitie May Phila. & Hew Paliman P. Southern Hy.. pf Phila. Traction . ‘Texas Paciti ‘Teun. Coai & Union Pacific. Brookiyn R. Transit Chig. & G Western. *EX-div. 1. — i Washington Stock Exch: Sules—regular call—12 0" istered, $1,000 at 113%. and Trust, 10 at 115. | Washington Loan and ‘Trust. 50 at 128: 10 at 128% 2s at 128: 1 ¥ ce e, 00 at 100 at, 34 cent call—Preumatic Gun Carriage, 100 at 35 cents; 100 at 35 cents. National Sate Deposit and Trust, 30 at 114%; 69 at 114%; 100 at 114%; 50 at 114%. District of Columbia’ Bonds, a Be, r fan 110 bid. 3. 101% bid. “30-year fund 5s, funding, currency. 115 b | "Miscellaneous Bonds.—Metropolitan Railroad 5s,- 118 bid. Metropelitan Railroad cony. 6s, 120 bid. Metropolitan Railroad certificates of indebtedness, A, 125 bid. Metropelitan Railroad certificates of indebtedness, B, 11444 bid. Belt Railroad Bs, 50 bid, 70 asked. "Eckington Rutlroad Gs, 99 asked. Columbia Rallroad €s. 121 bid, 120 asked. Wosb- ington Gas Company @s, series A. 113 bid. ington, Gas Company 6s, series B, 113 bid. Electric Light debenture imp., 106 bid. peake and Potomac Telephone Se, 102 bid. Ameri- can Security and Trust 5s, 100 ‘bid. Washington Market Company 6s, 110 bid. Masonic Hall Asso- ciation 5s, 10 Sbid. Washington Light Infantry Ast 3, 9 bid. National Bank Stocks.—Bank of Washington, 285 Metropolitan, 306 bid. Central (new stock), 135 bid, 150 asked. Farmers and Mechanics’, 185 bid. Second, 140 ‘bid. 160 asked. Citizens’, 140 bid. Columbia, 130 bid. Capital, 125 bid. ‘West End. 10% bid: 109 asked. ders’, 9% bid, 190 Safe Deposit’ and ‘Trust Conspanies.—National fe. it and Trvst, 114% bid, ‘ey asked. Washington Loan snd Trust, 125% bid, 130 asked. ‘and Trust, 148 s bid. Washing: ton ‘Sate ‘Deposit, 49 bid. Rajlroad Stocks.—Capital Traction, 75% bid, 754 goked, Metropolitan, 121 bid. Columbia, @6 bid, 7 nd Electric Light Stocks.—Wasbington Gas, et 47% bid 48% asked. Georgetown Gas, 40 bid. 8. Electric Light, |, 107 asked. Inswrance Stocks. ‘n’s, 32 bid, 40 asked. letropolitan, 70 bid, 80 asked. Potomac, 60 bid." At on, 185 bila. id. People's by ‘hid 6 2 Line s, ‘ 5 ae mercial, 3% bid, 4; anked. nge .—Keal Estate ‘Title. 80 bid, 90 asked. Columbia Title. 4% bid. 3 cenre . 2 District Title, ‘Telephone Stocks.—Pennsrlvania, 38 bid. Chesa- Pinks and Potomac. 54% Wid. 58 caked. A Grapbophone, bid, ‘asked.