Evening Star Newspaper, February 26, 1898, Page 1

————— . THE EVENING &TAR. Footy esi iad PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 116) Feansylvenia Avenue, Cor. 11th 8t., by © Smears on ——— New York Office, 49 Potter Buildiny. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers In the city by c:rriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents per month. Copies at the ceubter 2 cepts each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepald—60 ceuis per month. Seturday Quivtuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $3.00. (Entered at the Po t Gffice at Washington, D. C.. as second-class ma’l matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advaece. Rates of advertising made known on applicati MINES AT HAVANA|- anes eee Discussing the Official Denial of Du Bose, WAY THE STATEMENT WAS MADE Secretary Long Gives Up His Pro- posed Vacation. —- THE FEELING IN CONGRE Coenen The attention of naval otficers has been stro ected to the it made by representatives of the Spanish govern- ment to the effect that there were no mines or torpedoes of any kind in Havana harbor. It must be said that this statement ex- actly agrees with the inquiries that have been under way for many months by agents of our government, for su far, it is said, they have been unable to find the slightest evidence of the existence of any plan of defense in the harbor by means of mines or torpedoes, much less 40 locate them, us has been reported in some quar- ters. Of course, the effect of this state- ment, if it is to be accepted as conclusive on that point, is to almost negative the supposition that the d ster resulied from other than accidental causes, as the al- most unanimons testimony of ordnance ex- perts here, based on the history of torpedo work, is to the effect that no single tor- pedo of any knowr type could have c=used the terrific wreck of the Maine. In the pursuit of details, some of the ord- nance officers, acting upon the theory that the large WW-incl magazine forward was rot exploded, have Leen looking into the contents of the smaller and adjoining inch magazine. They find that, allowing for the amount of powder that was prob- ably consumed in practice driils by the Maine before ske arrived in Havana har- bor, there was certainly no less than 8,000 peunds of powder in this magazine, an “mount sufficient to have caused enormous Gestruction had it been exploded at one time. Col. Heywood, commandant of the ma- rines, acting under orders from the Navy Department, is preparing to send all the marines at Key West, survivors of the Maine, who are able to travel, to New York, where they will be placed on the re- ceiving ship Vermont, there to be held for further assignment. They will go by steam- er to New York. The sailors at Key West will be disposed of ir similar fashion. Secret Long to Remain in Charse. Secretary Long enjoyed a sound sleep last night, the first he has had for some time. and in consequence he felt so much refreshed this morning that he decided to abandon his proposed absence from the Navy Department and continue at his duties. So he early at his desk, and in consultation with Assistant Secretary Roosevelt and Captain Crownfnshield, chief of the navigation bureau. As to the out- leok, he said he thought things were look- ing much better. He said the public ought not to be under any misapprehension with regard to naval movements; that so far they had mostly been the ordinary disposi- tions which are made from time to time— for instance, the shipping of guns to New York, he sai is to supply the Chicago and other vessels which are under recon- struction there, and they would go in any event. The gun factory at Washington, he explained, is where they are made, and they are sent to various points as the occa- sion requires. So, too, the call for more men, he added, is simply the revival of the recommendation in his annual report. This statement by the Secretary was evi- dertly made to allay the impression caused by the reports of heavy shipments of guns frem the Washington’ navy yard and other warlike measur The movements of some of the warships, such as the Detroit and Marblehead, toward Key West had al- ready been shown to have been in accord- ance with orders not only made, but pub- lished in the newspapers as well, before the Maine disaster, so that the Secretary's explanation on this point is only confirma- tory of the statements of the subordinate officials of the Navy Department. Movement of Vesscis. The telegraph brought news this morn- ing of the arrival at Key West of .the two vessels named, the Detroit coming from Mobile, where she was sent to participate im the Mardi Gras festivities, and the Mar- blehead from New Orleans, where she went for a similar purpose. The Detroit is go- ing up to the naval statiom at Pensacola to take on coal, and both vessels will re- main attached to the North Atlantic squad- ron. It is again stated at the Navy Depart- ment that the Montgomery, which has been ordered to drop down to Key West from Tampa, where she landed Captain Crown- inshield, has not as yet received any orders to proceed to Havana, and it és not decid- ed yet when the orders will issue, if at all. Reason for the Du Bose Statement. The government authoritles were today placed in possession of the information re- celved by Seror Du Bose, charge d'affaires the Spanish legation, to the effect that no mines exist inside or ou harbor. Mr. Du Bose's statement to the Associated Press last night was made not a8 @ matter of opinion or personal convic- tion on the part of Senor Du Bose, but as a conclusion of fact ascertained from those official position makes them familiar every circumstance coanected with Havana harbor. Until this information was in the possession of the charge d'affaires he had no personal knowledge of the facts, It Was suggested to him curly yesterday that in many quarters positive statements were being made that mines existed within Ha- vana harbor and in the vicinity of the Maine. Under such circumstances he was @sked for a direct statement bearing on this point, with a view to clearing up any mis- apprehension that might exist. In view of the request, he set on foot an inquiry by cable which gave him the {n- formation, which up to that time he had not possessed. The inquiry was distasteful to the charge and to the Spanish authori- ties. as they deeply resent even the impu- tation that the catastrophe to the Maine could be due to mines or other external influences. But for the purpose of giving the one essential statement of fact in the knowledge of those having the only direct information on the subject, the official statement was made by Mr. Du Bose. It is not, however, a statement of the Spanish government, for the government has not felt called upon to repel insinuations which, from its standpoint, grossly reflect upon its nonor. The purpose of Mr. Du Bosc, it is No. 14,038 WASHINGTON, D. a ©. SATURDAY, FE Star. > BRUARY 26, 1898-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS. THE TORREADOR’S “Those Yankees are pretty good | explained, was to make the statement one of fact, esteblished from the best offi- cial authorities, and not to make it as government utterance, which Is regarjed as unnecessary. { As a statement of fact, however, it is | given by Mr. Du Bose with the positiveness and from sources of information whose authority, he not open to question. When seen to y Senor Du Bose said ne had nothing to add to his statement of last right. The information reaching him was | confined to the one succinct declaration that no mines or submarine eicfenses or ny kind exist inside or outside of Havana harbor. With emphasis he expressed his indignation t he should feel it to be his duty to repel the insinuations and state- ments that the harber was mined, whi assertions were inspired, he said, by per- sons anxious to stir up passion and resent- al greatest ment between the two nations. He con- sidered such suggestions an insuit to Spain, nd without deigning to answer them he submitted as a bare fact that no mines or submarine defenses of character in or about Havana harbor.” i Considerable Comment Caus: In other circles Mr. Du Bosc’s was the subject of considerable comment lt was pointed out by those familiar with Havana harbor that its entrance is through | a narrow strip of water. This seographicat | feature, it was argued, would naturally re- sult in defenses at the entrance of this pas- sage rather than by mines inside of the harbor. A barge load of coal, for instance, would be an effective obstruction in this narrow strip of water sufficient to keep out | hostile vessels and to prevent its use as means of escape. Taese features are cited | in connection with the discussion of the mine explosion theory and as a possible ex- planation of the Spanish declaration that ro mines exist within the harbor. Although no official evidence on this point had been at hand up to the time of Mr. Du Bosc’s statement, the naval experts here had always been inclined to the view that Havana harbor was like other strategic points and provided with a system of sub- taarine mines. They accept Mr. Du Bosc’s statement to mean that other defenses than mines are considered more serviceable for the protection of Havana, or else that any system of mines for that harbor is designed to be put into operation only after it is ap- parent that they are actually needed in the event of hostilities. Cannot Exhume the Bodies. Notwithstanding the repeated explana- tions by Captain Sigsbee couched in lan- guage as broad as consideration for the feelings of relatives of the deceased sailors would permit, to show that it is practically impossible to bring the remains of the vic- tims of the explosion to the United States for interment, some of these people per- sist in their efforts to overcome his de- cision. Recently an application was made through the friends of Keyes, one of the victims, to the State Department for per- inission io have his remains brought to the United States. The had already been interred for several days, his body being among the first to be recovered. The request was referred to Consul Gen- eral Lee, who has just replied to the State Department that the Spanish law forbids the exhumation of dead bodies. This legal obstacle, in addition to the other serious objections that have been made to the re- moval of bodies, such as the danger of bringing contagion into the country, the impossibility of accurately identifying the remains and other reasons will probably be snffictent, it is thought, to deter the prose- cution of further applications of the kind. To Work on the Maine. Judge Advocate General Lemly has re- ceived a telegram from W. F. Humphrey, president of the Boston Tow Boat Com- pany, one of the concerns engaged in the wrecking of the Maine, stating that the big tug Underwriter sailed from Boston yesterday for Havana, to join the Merritt Company's boat now at that place. The Underwriter is to stop at New York on her way south and pick up the Merritt & Chapman floating derrick Chief, and later on the big derrick Monarch will follow. The principal function of the latter craft, which 1s specially engaged at large ex- pense, will be to undertake to lift off the turrets and big guns of the Maine, a weight beyond the capacity of the smaller derrick, the Chief, to handle. No Word From the Court of I ies. No word has yet come from the court of inquiry at Havana touching the time when they will leave Havana for Key West, nor, in fact, has the court been heard from in any manner since the last published re- pert. Will Not Influence the President. The President is understood to have had laid before him the denial of the existence of a submarine rine in the harbor of Ha- vana at the time of the Maine explosion. This denial will have no effect on the de- a SOLILOQUY. bull fighters thems:ly cision of the- President, which will be reached from the verdict of the court of inquiry. NOT POPULAR IN CONGRESS, The Idea of Demanding Money demnity From Spain. The idea of demanding a mere money in- | demnity for the dastardly destruction of the Maine Is not popular in Congress. It is rot thought in Congress that the coun- try will be satisfied to constder this as they weuld 1 commercial question. ‘The only circumstances under which a money idem- nity would be regarded as adequate would be if Spain should prove conclusively that the act was that of a private citizen and should produce and punish the culprit ‘The complicity of any political organi: tion or facticn of Spain, though an enemy to the present mimstry, aud even to the crown ef Spain, weuld place the respensi- | bility upon the Spanish government in a way to preclude a money settlement. A oposition held to be clear by well-in- curmed men about Congr if it is ion curred liate as et of Spain. this assump wrong, will then lie upon Spa If she could prove conclusively that crime was committed n individual, that the manner of its accemplishm stch as to acquit the government of ne gence or connivance, an hu and the payment of indemni' fie shown that the explos external causes the Imm will be that it was the burden of preof to correc if it b the «nd zl ble apobgy would suf- If Spain Yielded. If, in the face of evidence that the ex- plosion was frem the outside Spain should yield in the face of hostile demonstration, making no istance or counter-demon- stration, there could, of course, be no bloodshed, and the horor of this country would be as clearly vindicated as it would f we had destroyed her ce and Killed her soldier like a fort navy and com- in battle. IL urrendering without would by and the Uement would be at tne discretion of th govern- Spain could not, however, with the or the di ing upo y: “Well, what value ‘our ship and your Ye" pay for them.” With responsibilit for treachery and crime upon her she could do no less, according to the best authori- ties, than place herself humbly at the dis- eretion of this government, and ask that we pass sentence upon her—if she would void wat. ‘Ihe national humiliation would uve to de as great as an unconditionai surrender at the close of a war. Then this government could collect indemnity, have the Spanish colors dipped and the Amer- ican flag saluted, or ex: the circumstances demanded. Attitude of the Spanish Ministry, A thing that causes the situation to be looked upon with extreme gravity in Con- gress is the difficulty that must be experi- enced in qualifying the responsibility of Spain for the disaster if it 1s proven not to be an accident. The presumptive evi- dence is generally held in Congress to be that no one could have exploded a mine under the Maine without the connivance of authorities. The accident theory once dis- ,|CITY BOMBARDED oe Pieces of Iron F; alling ‘on the Streets of Washington. BLASTING ON POWER HOUSE SITE Many Narrow Escapes From Death or Injury. THROWN GREAT DISTANCES = ee At noon teday quite a stir was caused in the neighborhood of 14th stzeet and the avenue by an explosion ef dynamite in the ruins of the Tyacticn Company's power Luilding. Under the direction of Contractor Hixson workmen were engaged in hreak- ing up the huge iron hubs of the cable wheels which were dismantled by the fire of last September. ‘These hubs are six feet in diameter and from two to three feet thick. They were keyed on immense steel! shafts which are a foot in diameter. The action of the heat and rust made it im- po: which fasten the hubs: to ti Skilled workmen have been eccupied for months in trying to disengage these hubs, without success, and finally it was decided to use dynamite. A permit for that purpose was obtained from the District authcrities, and work began this morning on a hub which lay imbedded in debris between two heavy ferndation walls, As dynamite has been used a good deal in tearing down the wails h ible to drive out the sieel key without any menace to surrounding prop- erty or to human life, no more than the ordinary precautions were taken inst consequent from the blast. On> stick of d weighing a quarter of a the charge used. It was fired t was a startling one and sur- prised nu one more than the men who had se of the a The pieces of the hub were large piec the blow blocks distant. the Nailor stables posite sid Mth street. ¢ weighirg about ten pounds, imbedded Three on If in the brick walls between iwo y dov.s, where it will probably remain as lons as the building stands. A similar picce fell ou Pennsylvaria avenue near the Southern ratiway offices and bounded aeross the av: nue to the front vf Ogram’s drug stor where it was picked up by Mr. Fred Top- bam, who brought it at ence to the office of The ar. Another made an even longer tight, landing in Ben nue are! iv n front of the Raleigh Hotel, where it d the head of a boy who was ng 2 bicycle toward the treasury, and thea bounded to the corner of lich strece and Pernsy! ia avenue, directly in front of ‘he Star buildings. Soon after the explosion Mr. Hixson w A by the police authorities to disc > use of dynamite umti an ing made into the cireumstances of th n and precautions taken to prever bility of damage in the fuiur Under the contrac‘or’s divectians the wotk- men went on placing beayy timbers over the hub, on which it {$ intended™to plac: iron weights. By flooring over a large spac above the hu’ ‘s @tpected that no frag- nts of iron could be sent any distance. As there are eight. of these hubs which must be broken up by blasting, it is sikely that the work will take several weeks be- fore it is completed. The Permit. Under the law the use ©f explosives is permitted on private work only d a permit by the chief of police is 1 sf permits, however, can be issued only by order of the District. Commissi 5 This was the routine in the present case Two days go Maj. Moore received from the Commissioners the following: “Ordered; That permit be issued by the major and superintendent of police io Frank Samuel to dynamite a few large castings at the ruins of the Capital Trac- tion Company's power house, 14th street and Pennsylvania avenue northwest; per- mit to be subject to such,conditions as the major and superintendent of potice may deem necessary for safety. “Officlal copy furnished major of police. “By order. WILLIAM TINDALL is eretar’ ‘The permit was issued in due form and the work was allowed to proceed. Soon after the explosion occurred, Lieut. Amiss called on Maj. Moore and acquainted m with the facts. The major immediately *t whatever else | directed that the work of blasting should be stopped. While the work was going on Lieut. Amiss had a squad of officers in the vicin- ity of the corner where the blasting took place. These men he detailed there to keep away pedestrians in order to protect them, should the explosion result in sending the pieces of iror from the big pile of debris. Maj. Moore, speaking to a Star reporter, said that the- contractor wes required by the terms of the permit to ure all necessary precauticns for the protection of life and limb. In addition to this requirement of the contractor, he sail the police department posed of, it is believed that this country | had a detail of officers there as an extra will be forced to the conclusion that the | precaution. crime was the act of Spanish officials. It is believed that the present Spanish minis- try, if convinced that the explosion was not the result of an accident, would be A plece of iron weighing about four pounds was delivered to Officer Vernon at police headquarters. This piece of iron had fallen near seme street sweepers on Ohio Y vi E streets. willing to make any sort of reparation, and } averue between 13 1-2 and 1ith would do this with every show of humility | Another piece of iron, it was reported, had which the dastardly character of the crime would demand, but it is feared that the fallen in a yard in rear of a pool room near the scene of the explosion, A number of £ ft state of public feeling in Spain and among | other reports of the finding of pieces o: the Spaniards in Cuba will not admit of | metal in different places were made to the their doing what their judgment and senti- ment of justice and propriety would dic- tate. It is not thought that the Sagasta government can have anything but the greatest abhorrence for such a crime, if crime {t was, but the ministry is not felt to be strong enough to deal with the matter as they should. Little doubt is entertained in Congress that if the Maine was de- stroyed by intent it was the work of Wey- lerites, almed as much at Sagasta and Blanco as at the United States. RECRUITING OFFICE NEEDED. Many Young Men Here Who Would Like to Join the Navy. A young man, resident of this city, who was discharged from the Maine some time before the departure cf the ship for Havana, in speaking to a Star reporter to- day, said he thought the government should police. —_>—_——_ GAS AND TELEPHONES. Preliminary Meeting of the Investi- gating Committee. The special committee to investigate gas and telephones has had a preliminary meet- ing with the object of mapping out the plan of action. Chairman Grout was authorized to prepare a course of p) jure and call the committee together as soop as possible. It is the desire of the committee to pro- ceed with the investigation as rapidly as may be. The opinion prevails among the members of the committee t whatever legislation is decided upon correct the evils of which the public complains should be prepared, so that it be incorporated in the conference. the District ap- have a receiving ship or a naval recruiting | propriation bill. To me ie end will re- office in this city. He knew a number of able-bodied young men of good character who are anxious to enlist in the navy, “but who are prevented from doing so because Philadelphia is the nearest place where they can get an examination. Only three | mittee will be glad to days ago, he said, about forty young men called at the Navy Department to make inquiries, but could not go to Philadelphia because of the lack of funds. He said he thought the government might provide an examining officer here, so that the young | —Adjt. Gen. men who want to enlist might be examined | werriam at before going away. Many of them, he said, would be willing to trainp to Philadelphia or Norfolk if they were only certain they would be accepted. But he said they can- | lief expedition, not afford to pay the car fare to either place, nor do they care to make the long tramp and take the chances of being re- jected. He sald he felt certain there are quire quick action, 3 The committee would be to have any information uy the subject which is in the hands person sub- mitted to it without. dt . If it is nec- essary to give some oral hearings the com- lo so, but it de- sires to avoid a course of hearings which would drag the proceedings out to any length. 7 eS SS Indians to Be Uneq as Scouts, Corbin today: Vancouver authoriz- ing him to eplist 200 Indians for ice as scouts with government re- Troops Sent. Dyea. Gen. Merriam fears poate the War several hundred desirable in this city, who | Department from Vameouver bartacks that arrangement, he thinks, is cal- culated to keep Washingtonians out cf the service, Col. Anderson, with four companies of the 14th Infantry, satled yesterday IN CONGRESS TODAY. Corbett Case in the Senate and S: dry Civil Bill in the House. In the Senate today Mr. Gallinger (N. H.) |introduced ard had adopted a resolution requesting the President, if not incompat- fble with the public interests, to send to the Senate copies of all reports and com- munications received by the State Depart- ment since the 24th of February, 1895, from ; Tcmas Estrada Palma er any agent of the Cuban insurgents which relate to the state of war in the Island of Cuba, or such perts of said documents as it may be deem- ed advisable and proper to communicate. Mr. Hoar then cailed up the Corbett case | ana Mr. Kyle (S. D.) addressed the Senate briefly in support of Mr. Corbeit’s claim to a seat in the Senate. Houxe of Representatives. The House of Representatives resumed ccnsideration of the sundry civil bill to- cay immediately after the reading of the Jcurnal, the pending amendment being that of Mr. Tongue (Oreg.) to appropriate $150,- «oo for Yaquina bay, Oreg. The amendment, was lost—36—7 An amendment, appropriating $390,000 for the harbor of Cleveland, offered by Mr. Burton (Ohio), was adopted. BI INTRODUC! LOCAL Proposed Bonrd to of Streets, Alleys ontrol Opening ind Sewers. Mr. Curtis of Iowa has introduced a bill in the House, by request, providing that the Commissioners of the District of Co- lumbia are authorized to appoint three persons of experience and good judgment a permanent board, for the opening, by ondemnation proceedings, of streets, al- leys, rights of way for sewers and for the acquisition of any real estate required for the use of the District of Columbia, such condemnation proceedings to be conducted as nearly as possible according to chap- ter 11 of the Revised Statutes of the United States relate to the District of Columbia, for the opening of highway mar- the land for the ‘hat should vwner of the {So condemned pe dissatisfied with the award of the poard aforesaid, either may appeal from de ision of the board to the Court of Appeals of the District of confirm, modify, nd their de and binding upon all hat h ap- ‘ : y days from » date of the filing of the award in the ce of the Commissioners of the District of Columt of each of the members of shall be at the rate of $4,000 annum and shall be included the stimate of the Commission- ers, Against Pers ¢ ating 2 Weighmaster. Mr. Babcock has introduced a bill in the House providing that it shall be unlawful for any persen to falscly represent him- self or herself as being a weighmaster of hay, straw, fodder or corn, or to make, give or i: any certificate of the quanti- ty of hay. straw, fodder or corn weighed in the District of Columbia. Hereafter it shall be unlawful to sell rorn in the District ef Columbia except by right. end 35 pounds of corn on the cob shall constitute a barrel and 280 pounds of shelled corn shall constitute a barrel. Suitable penalties are provided fer vio- iun of these provisions. ———_---e.— : MR. PROCTER OPProsED. minxsioner Argues Agal Evans Bill. the Civil Sei eared before the House committee on re- fcim in the civil rervice teday in opposi- ice Comm sioner Procter ap- Mr. eter said the bill would take out of the cli ssified service 54,000 positions and throw them open to political influences. In discussing the bill in detail he called attention to the prevision which limits the tenure of cffice to five years. He-said the effect of this would be that at the end of five years all employes not in sympathy With the administration in power would fail to be reappointed, while those who were in touch with the administration weuld retain their positions, and the va- cancies would be filled by persons of the same party affiliations. He said that this had been shown in the case of the pension examiners who are appointed for one year and gen have to be reappointed. He said that at the end of the last fiscal yea> all those pension ex- aminers who were not reappointed were democrats, with the exception of one man. During the Gemocratic administration be- tween March, 1893, and July 1, 1893, ev=! pension examiner who failed to be r pointed was a republican. Mr. Pro: held that just such procedure as this woz follow the adoption of the five-year tenure. The committee will hold a meeting next Friday. ee ARRIVAL OF THE REINDEER. ticn to the Evans bil! now pending. Pr D- er Welcome News Reecived by the War Department. Secretary Alger was much relieved today to hear of the arrival at New York of the steamship Manitoban, twenty-four days out from Alten, Norway, with 500 reindeer for the Klondike relief expedition. Lieut. D. B. Devore, Secretary Alger’s aid, and Mr. John Tweedale, chief clerk of the department, have been in New York several days await- ing the arrival of the Manitoban and mak- ing arrangements for their transshipment with as little delay as possitle to Seattle, whence they are to be sent to Dyea for use in forwarding supplies to the starving min- ers in the Kiondike country. Dr. Sheldon Jackron, who was charged with the duty of purchasing the reindeer, together wich moss, as well as to secure the services of Laplanders to care for the herds? is on the Manitoban. —_—_——__-o-_____ SENATE A DMENTS APPROVED. Diplomatic Bill Foreign Considered by the Affairs Committee. The House committee on foreign affairs held a meeting today. It was almost en- tirely devoted to the consideration of the Senate amendments to the consular and diplomatic appropriation bill. There was no discussion .of the Cuban question, the Maine disaster or any topic involving our foreign relations. Chairman Hitt gave no intimation as to when the Cuban corre- spondence was to be expected. All the Senate amendments to the’ con- sular bill were approved and Chairman Hitt was instructed to ask the House to concur in all of them. None of them is of importance. They consist principally of slight increases in the salaries of consuls. A subcommittee of the foreign affairs committee has reported favorably to the full committee a bill for the erection of a monument to the memory of Lafayette, to cost $250,000. The purpose of the bill ig to create a commission to superintend the collection of a fund among the colleges and schools of the United States to: erect such a monument at Paris, to be dedicated during the exposition. —____-o__ TO TEST TEN-INCR, GUNS. Representatives Going Down to Sheridan's Point. te Chairman Hull of the House military af- fairs committee, together with other mem- bers of that committee, are going to Sher- idan's Point, | Be Demanded if Accident Theory ts Disproved. Secretary Sherman spent some time at the Capitol today. He talked freely with senators concerning the situation in Hava- na in view of the Maine disaster. He told them that no important addition to the in- formation previously received had reached the department for the past few days, but stated that the situation was being consi !- ered with tue view of having a policy de- veloped in case the naval court now mak- ing an inquiry into the disaster should find that it was not the result of an accident. To this he added the statement that he thought an indemnity would certainly be demanded, and that, if it should be, a good round sum would be asked. What that sum should be, would, however, depend largely upon circumstances. The Secretary did not think the Spanish authorities had been aware of the inten- tions of any one who may have caused the explosion, but he advanced the opinion that whether they were or not, the Spanish gov- ernment would be liable for mdemnity if it — shown that any Spaniara had caused a OUR COAST DEF! ENSES. Mach More Formidable Than the American People Suspect. “It should be readily understood rm said an official of the- ¥ Department, “why no one has been allowed to visit any of our coast defenses, and the department regrets that the rrohibitory order was not given before tt was. What we most fear is that some one vill make a sketch of the fertifications showing the exact strength, which just now would be of great value to the Spanish government. There is no harm to result in their knowing that we have some big guns planted along our she It will only cause an enemy to ap- ach Uncle Sam’s domain more cau- ticusly. “It is not that thé department distrusts newspaper tnen that they are excluded, but ; they might inadvertently and unintention- ally ® public just such things as it is ne 2d that @ hostile country should not know concerain, Centinuing, the offic “The present sit ast defenses.’ ion seems to have gecatly opened the eyes of the people of the United States. They had no idea apparent- of the splendid system of coast defenses have been qufetly made during the st few yea n the people of New York and tie citiens of Washington were ware of the measures that ve been taken toward their protection. om Portland, Me., to the southernmost point on the Auantic coast big guns and mortar batieries have beeen planted, and, in case of war, an invading force could not land or. Uncle Sam's sofl without suffering severely at le The Pacific coast has not Veen neglected by any means, and a hos- tle fleet seeking an entrance to a harbor anywhere along that coast tine would tind Violent opp One good result of the present critical times, if it only amounts to e, is that there will be le propri r coast defenses needs of the army and navy service.” a RS WANTED. MORE $+ Communtention ef the Navy De; ment to Congress. Chairman Boutelle of the House naval irs committee has reccived a ieiter from Navy Department, together with a draft of a bil providing authority for the enlistment Of 1,500 additional men io man the Columbia and Minneapolis, which have been ordered into commission. Chairman Boutelle of the naval committee reccived it last night, but up to noon teday had not decided to call a special meeting of the naval committee to consider it. He says the request 1s practically identical with that preferred by ex-Secretary Herbert to the last Congress. The chairmen of the two naval commit- tees of Congress conferred with the Secre- ury of the Navy today upon his estimate for 1,300 additional men, and came to the conclusion that the resolution providing for the increase will probably be passed through both houses by the middie or latter part of next week. —_—___—-e._____ NO GUNS SENT FROM HERE. Statement of Commander Pendicton at the Navy Yard. Commander E. C. Pendleton, superinten- dent of ordnance at the navy yard, said this afternoca that no guns had yet been shipped to the New York navy yard for the Chicago or any of the auxiliary cruis- ers, and he had no definite information from the department as to whether any would be shipped. —<—_-9.__ the TO SUCCEED CHIEF NAZEN. John A, Wilkie to Be Head of the Secret Service. Next week John A. Wilkie, a former Chi- cago newspaper man, will succeed William P. Hazen as chief of the secret service of the treasury. Mr. Wilkie, who was at one time city editor of-the Chicago Tribune, was recently appointed a detective on the secret service force, and has now been promoted to the position of chief. Mr. Hazen has been transferred to New Ycrk, and made chief of the eastern di- vision of the bureau. He will succeed his own brother, George W. Hazen, in that po- sition, and the latter is to be sent to the Pacific coast and placed in charge of the western division. The difference in salary between the chiefship here and the New York office is not great. It is said to have been the intention of the treasury to dis- place Mr. Hazen altogether, but this de- termination was changed. Mr. Wilkie is known to both Secretary Gage and Assistant Secretary Vanderlip. He Is said to be one of the brightest news- paper men in the country, and to have qualifications which especially fit him foi the position, which he will assume in @ few days. air. Hazen will go to New York next week. pees Dee FEBRUARY CUSTOMS RECEIPTS. A Small but Satisfactory Surplus for the Month Looked For. The receipts from customs today reached a total for the month of $14,436,715, with Monday yet to be recorded. These will swell the total for the menth of February to about $15,000,000. The total for January was $14,269,492. This has been a short month, and, notwithstanding this, the re- ceipts will exceed the month of January by close to $1,000,000. Tne receipts from internal revenue have fallen of€ compared with January, yet tae increase in customs has been sufficient vo run the total receipts up to the regular ex- penditures. The monthly statement of the treasury is expected to show a small but satisfactory surplus. What promised to be a deficit for the month has been wiped out by big receipts from customs this week. On two days this week the customs receipts reached over $900,000 each day. —__—__-e~. Personal Mention. Lieutenant M.-C Buckey, 5th Artillery, is at the Maples, Woodley road, on leave of absence. Lieutenants J. A. Shipton, Ist Artillery G. w.&. Stevens, Ist Artillery, and James Bayliss, 10th Infentry, are in this city on assigned to duty at the Navy it. Passed Assistant Engineer Biez, If you want to buy, sell or exchange anything, lease property or rent rooms, want a situation or want help, it will pay you to announce the fact in the advertising columns of The Star. They are closely studied by more than three times as many people as read any other paper. BACHE AT KEY WEST —_ +——_ Four of Maine's Wounded Brought Over From Havana. - SURGEONS AFRAID OF FEVER Members of Court of Inquiry Exe pected Over Ton‘ght. - MOVEMENTS OF WAKSHIPS K WEST, Fla., February 26 United States coast survey steamer Bi: arrived here this morning from Havona. She had on board four of the Maine’ wounded. Two of them well well en ugh to walk. Admire! Sicard today explained the de- parture yesterday of Commander West for Havana. “There is nothing particularly significant about it,” he said. “<= West asked my permission to run over to ia- vana to talk with Capt. Sigsbee and the officers of the court of inquiry, Command- er West, ag chief of my staff, has all the papers in the case, and we keep in close touch with what ix going on at Havani Commaader West will probably return today. Regarding the movements of the fleet, Admiral Sicard said: “The boats at Tore tugas are doing some target practice, but the elaborate plan of maneuvers which I had laid out has had to be postponed pend- ing developments. I brought the New York in here because I wish to be in close and constant communication with the Navy Department.” Referring to the land naval station here, the admiral remarked: “Only nominal fcrces are here now. Should anything oc- cur,” added Admiral Sicard guardedly it would have to be strengthened considera- bly he Court of Inquiry Expected Back. ‘The officers composing the United States court of inquiry into the loss of the battle ship Maine are expected here tonight. A prominent naval officer said the court Would almost certainly return to Havana after ils session nere. Absolutely nothing is known here regard- ing the rumored intention to Increase the strength of the Key West garrison. No piovisiors have been made for the accom- modation of additional troops at the har- racks, and there is only room for the two batteries now in quarters, Fort Taylor, which is unoccupied at pres- ent, is where the additional troops would probably be quartered, and nothing has been dene there to make the fort ready for occupation. Several officers, who were questioned to- day, said no word had been received from the War Department regarding the trans- fer of troops from Fort McPherson or any other place to Key West. The United States cruiser Marblehead is in the harbor. Wounded Satlors Brought Over. The wounded sailors brought from He vena by the Bache were left by her at the qvarantine station at Tortugas. They will stay there about ten days. The Bache returns to Havana tomorrow ard will probably bring back five others of the Maine's wounded. After undergoing the proper quarantine surveillance all the men of the Maine will be brought here. Some fear of fever vevy officials here. The Bache also brought some small arms is expressed by the from the Maine. ‘The survivors here will be put to work for two hours a day in cider to clean the rifles, &c., recovered from the wreck. The survivors of the Maine at Tortugas are Loftus, Shea, Heffcn and Walters. An officer of the Bache said: e senti- rent in Havana is much changed. The Spaniards there scem almost more con- cerned than we are over the possivility of the Maine's destruction proving to have been due to an external explosion. Havana is quiet, and there are no signs there of in anti-American feeling. DEFENSES AT SAN FRANCISCO. Two More Ten-Inch Guns Arrive for the Presid SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., February 26— Two more big ten-inch guns have arrived from the east for the Presidio fortifications, The guns will be placed in position with all possible speed, in view of the di-quieting rumors prevalent. During the past six days large quantities of ammunition have been stored in the magazines at the Pre- sidio and at Lime Point. The ammunition sent over to Lime Point is tor the three twelve-inch guns recently mounted there. In the new fortifications at the Presid welve-inch rifles are ready for us three ten-inch rifles, three dynamite guns and sixtcen twelve- inch mortars. Additional guns and car- riages are expected to arrive from the cast wiimn a few for the new battery at the Presidio. batteries at the Pre- sidio und at Lime Point command an effec- tive range, the hew guns being capable of throwing pound projectiles over ten miles, ard doing very effective work at five miles. COLORADO FULL OF PATRIOTISM. State National Guard W President's C DENVER, Col., February 26.—“Every officer and enlisted man of the Colorado Nativnal Guard will immediate! in the United States service if President McKinley @ks for their services in case of a war with Spain,’ said Attorney General Car at the Glenarm Armory last night, and his statement was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the officers of the guard from different parts of the stat2, who had as- sembied at the call of the brigadier gen- eral of the state. The meeting was called to discuss the subject of what the Colorado National Guard would b> expected to do in case of a war. Dering the meeting Adjutant Gen- eral Moses issued an order which gave the cfficers to understand that they must be prepared for an emergency call at any time. QUINCY NAVAL RESERVES. Respond to