Evening Star Newspaper, March 8, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Fenzsylvania Avenne, Cor. 11th St, by The Evening Star N Company 8. H. , Pres’t. ee Rew York Ofice, 49 Pottor Buildins, ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the etty by ctrriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents month. Copies at the cetnter 2 certs each. By matl—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—5o cenis per month. beer Quinta east Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage ad }3.00. (Entered at the Pot Office at Washington, D. C.. as second-class ma’l matter.) > All mail subscriptions must be paid fn advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicotior MOST INTERVENE Belief Exresed by Members of the Cabinet. PREPARING FOR AN EMERGENCY Looking to the Purchase of More Warships. CRUISE §OF THE MONTGOMERY Interest Felt in Her Trip to Havana Harbor. —_—+-— WHAT SENOR DU BOSC SAYS It is coming te the serious attention of the President and cabinet that it is only a question of time now when this country will to intervene in the management of the Cuban situation. It be asserted that there is almost a perfect understand- ing on thi When the time for th intervention comes, a3 is certain, the coun- try will be better prepared to meet the re- sistance of Spain if we have more war- ships, greater coast defenses und more men in the navy and army. This feeling that intervention is cnly a matter of time is great, every cabinet official realizing that all tendencies are in that direction. To see the inevitable with President Mc- Kinley is to prepare for it. Tod. session of the cabinet was un- doubtedly the most momentous in tory of this administr: . and probably for more than thirty This v not from cor.clusion: tuation was r, but tir a buoyancy in me by noticed cial fan and a half hours. present at fi at the } of h a the Fs t s of importan lent qu to the 'y narrated he events ef the p of the ated the $50,000,000 the warmly n taken ni advisers. was sured that | t with Dixeussing Expenditure. + question of how to expend the ap propriation ef $50,000,000 when it is mac cecupicd the greater part of the time of the cabinet. It resulted ia an understand- ing that the amount will be expended by retary Long, for the navy, and Secr tery Alger, for the army, being divided be- tween them in ihe proportion which the Presi t ders best. It was not decided how much of the money should be immediately spent or how th far expenditur tu events. It is id be affected by leved, however, that no matter what happens the President will horize tre early expenditure of the greater pert of the money in preparation rany emergency. He belicves coun- try will uphold the administration in doing this. It i3 probable that all of it will be spe retary Long ard President McKinley ussed with cabinet the matter of tehasing warships torpedo boats. en a anything he reg: finds which suit him of pur- attempt will be country wzrships and thi which will did not 3 no country uarded enter in vi the F but Secretary I 1 about the ships he has all that will be fixed later by and Secretary Long. State of the Army. he does not see future that is y that the coun- wa ted a telegram rom Fred. Alger, at Harvard. It stated t a regiment of hopefuls was ready at t institution and wanted news from The Secretary answered his son by s that there was nothing in the situa- ne b that services of “fuls would be needed now. ram was read in the cabinet say- t everything is quiet {nion was expressed by every cabl- mber that this peaceful condition in capital of Spain had been brought through the Cannon resolution of arr. ing the White that the outlook was more hopeful. declined to discuss the matter of the ture of money for the navy. That to be arranged, he said. After reviewing the situation h=re and vad, the cabinet talked about the out- k in China, where war clouds are mak- ing their appearance in the demands of Russia. No policy was decid=@ upon as to part this country will play in the far t in case of war there, but the feeling Was one of satisfaction that the American Madrid. j Meet in the east is a good one. It will b> able to look after American Interests in China In case ef war there, and can keep an eye on Spain In the Philippin3 Islands, killing two birds with one stone. The Court of Inquiry. The President and cabinet have no idea when <he board of inquiry will report. The President, it is said, would not accept any WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1898-TWELVE PAGES. ment from the court as to the i reach. He would consider the court as an irresponsible one should it de this. He looks upon the court in the same light as a gepreme court of this ccuntry. He would not expect an advance verdict from a court of justice and would have no opinion of one which would act in this way. mferences at the Navy Department. There was a very strong suggestion of the state of affairs that might exist in time of actual war in the busy scenes present2d at the Navy and War Departments today. There was almost an unbroken succession of conferences between officers ani »fB- cials of various d2grees, and throughout both these branches of the war establish- ment the greatest activity was exhibited. Secretary Long was particularly busy. Betore 10 o'clock he had been obliged to retire to his private office and deny himself to the many callers in his reception room, in order to hold a conference. Senator Lodge was present as well as Chairman Hale of the Senate naval committee, Chairman Bouizlle of the House naval committee, Capt. Crowninshield,chief of th> navigation bureau; Capt. Bradford, chief of the equipment bureauand Capt. Brown- son and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. Chief Constructor Hichborn and Admiral Matthews, chief of the bur2au of yards and docks, were also called to the confer- ence by the Secretary to deal with special phases of the question under consid>ra- tion. Of course all this had to do with the Preparations for putting the navy at the bighest state of efficiency, and the fact that Secretary Long is consulting at every step with th> representatives of the legis- lative branch of the government shows the Gesire of the President to keep within the strict spirit ef the Constitution in making what are regarded as nec>ssary prepara- tions for any emergency that may occur. Secretary Long also found time during the progress of the conference to talk a mo- ment with Mr. Lane, who has submitted to th department proposals for the sale of certain warships now building in Europe at private shipyards. What passed be- tween them is not known, but Mr. Lane 1 immediately to the cable office at icn of the conversation to com- 2 directly with his principals in munica Europe Dilficulty in Securing Warships. The Secretary made it plain to the le. lators at the conference that the depart- ment is very much better prepared than has been posed in the matier of ac- foimation of the ship building in But the ent now ond this and forination as to which point seeks io inform itself go upon locks quirement of yet of U beiits bu: ech preperty as on pecial or- | gove ad only a 1 thi haps the most ple type, are in the builders’ hands in h shape thet they can be at once dis- . variou: posed of. In the ¢ f£ some of the European powers, under strong monar- it is ible chial forms of government, n to : the ship builiing to their order to bat in the of more nment, such as suth American re- ps now », it is feare and lexai obje sfer of the rights of for nsum- be & lative branche norizati process ained in o It is particularly with ing infor on th of buying t Capt. Brownson ha to Europe. He is an officer of great cretion, 2nd his experience on the board of inspection which fs. ch: auty of most thoroughly ships built for the navy famillarized Fim with all of the detai the various types of warships, battle armored cruisers, protected cruisers, mon- itors, torpedo boats and all of the kinds of ship that weuld be likely to be available for purchase. After the conference he had a long interview with Assistant Secretary Day of the State Department and arranged to obtain letters cf an extraordinary na- ture to facilitate his inquiries abroad. These are In shape of letters to United States ambassadors and ministers abroad instruct- ing them to place every force at their dis- posal at work to help Capt. Brownson. Two Crack Cruisers From Japan. It is known positively that negotiations are in pregress toward having the United States acquire the two crack cruisers now ing built for Japan, one at the Cramp shipyards at Philadelphia and the other at the Union Iron Works of San Francisco. The negotiations are naturally circuitous, as there are three parties in intere: the pane government, the and the shipbuilders. Th governm thal ter- view to acquir- hat is, the immeliately— been ected to ships bility go ai: United e is good son to believe that terms could be made between the United States and the ship- ilders, and that so far as they are con- rned the tran: n could be concluded without much further negotiation, But there is no disposition to ignore the rights 2 While suggestions have been that the right of eminent domain made would permit the United States to take the two cruisers without reference to Japan's rights,-there is no desire among officials here to resort to such radical steps. More- over, it is said that such action would be an international offense directed against Japan, and an unfriendly act, which this government is not likely to commit at this da friendly power. But the ations contemplate no offense . but rather her full acquiescence. r such negotiations will succeed nnot be said at this time. It is known positively, however, that no overtures have been submitted thus far to the authorities at Tokio, and it would be for them to give the final decision. Pending this, a contract could be made nor an option given. The negotiations took a marked step for- ward today, although, as stated, they have not yet reached the final stage. The two cruisers are not only being built for Japan, but they have already become the actual property of Japan by the payment of a con- siderable portion of the purchase price, to wit, $1,350,000 each. They are within three months of completion on an emergehcy basis, They are designed to niake 22 kifots, which ranks them among the swiftest cruisers in the world. Theif armament, primary and secondary, {s according’ to Japanese standards, which proved so ef- fective in her recent war with China. ‘The government officials here feel that it is not likely there will be any disposition on the part of the Japar.ese government to stand upon“technical objections to the sale of these ships to the United States govern- (Continued on Second Page.) ALL QUIET IN HAVANA Gen. Lee Informs Blanco of Coming of the Montgomery. LATTER LEAVES KEY WEST TODAY Spanish Gunboat Ardilla Captures an American Schooner. WORK OF THE DIVERS Special Cablegram From Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, March 8.—Everything coa- tinues quiet here today. General Lee has informed Blanco that the Montgomery will arrive here shortly. PEPPER. Special Cablegram From a Staff Correspendent. HAVANA, March 7.—All is quiet here. There is no basis for the exciting reports current in the United States. Americans are not leaving and the newspaper corre- spondents are not in danger. Gen. Lee is attending to his official business as usual. PEPPER. Montgomery Under Sailing Orders, KEY WEST, Fla., March 8.—Orders have been issued to the United States cruiser Mentgomery, which has been coaling, to sail at 5 p.m. Commander Converse was ashore during the day and had a long consultation with Rear Admiral Sicard. American Schooner Seized. By Associated Press. HAVANA, March 8.—The Spanish gun- boat Ardilla has captured in an inlet near Casilda, on the south coast of Cuba, th2 American schooner Esther of Edenton, N. C., bound from Pensacola to Jamaica. The captain of the schooner was asked to give the reason for the presence of his vessel in th2 inlet and claimed that his rudder was Lroken. No further details of the affair have been received, but if the statements of the captain of the Esther turn out to be correet the schoonar will be liberated. ‘The captain has protested against the seizure of his vessel. The Esther is of 11.31 tons gross register. Montgomery Still at Key West. aY WEST, Fla., March 8—The United cruiser Mentgorery fs still {n the por. The work of cozling that vessel om a barge was resumed early this morn- K ing. The Marblehead 1s coaling at the cock, The tug Right Arm arrived here from Havana this morning. Captain Everett, the diver of the Merritt & rick and Wreckirg Company, who was on board, id the Right Arm was bound tor Norfolk, and would proceed there as soon as sho can be coaled. Cap ain Everett was very reserved con- cerning the work he has done at the wreck of the Maine; but he expresses the cpinion that it is now doubtful if the big guns caa be saved, so fast is the wreck sinking in the iud of Havana harbor. Lee Always Persona Grata. MADRID, March §.—A semi-official note just issued declares that the Spanish gov- ernment has not received any complaint re- garding the attitude of General Fitzhugh Lee, the United States consul general at Havana, adding. “On the contrar: ‘hapman Der- Captain General Blanco affirms that General Lee's behavior has alyays been correct. Nevertheless, the in- cident serves to explain the origin of the ill will between the two countries. “his is proved by statements attributed to Sceretary Sherman, by which the jingoes have created the belief in the United States that Spain is trying to provoke war, while at the same time engendering the feeling in Spain that ic is the United States which demands the opening of hostilities. It is essential that this double game should ve cnded in order to prevent the two coun- tries from going to war without motives, and without either of them desiring it.” Court Continues Its Work. HAVANA, March &.—The United States naval court of inquiry into the loss of the battle ship Maine, which {is at present in session here, pursued, in some respects, a different course from that adopted upon the occasion of the former visit of the court to Havana. It fs now not uncommon to see members of the court on the wreck person- ally directing the navy divers and obtain- ing from them direct reports on the struc- tural condition of the submerged portions of the wreck and making individual notes for future consideration. All sorts of excuses are made to get on board the wreck, but only authorized per- sons, American or Spanish, are allowed to set foot on the remains of the battle ship. Will Leave With Colors Flying. NEW YORK, March 8—A copyrighted cablegram to the Evening World today from George Bronson Rea at Havana says: “General Lee said last night to me; ‘If Spain wishes to declare any or all of us persoaa non grata it is her privilege to do so, bat If we must leave town we wiil leave with the American flag flying and a brass band at the head of the procession.’ ” —>_—— MARINES FOR THE CRUISERS, Detachments Ordered for the Cofum- bia end Minneapolis. NEW YORK, March 8—The Evening World says: It was learned today that orders have been received at the navy yara from Washington to prepare two detach- ments of marines—one for the cruiser Co- lumbia and one for the Minneapolis. There are between 300 and 400 marines at the barracks. The two detachments are making up and will be ready to start as soon as the order comes from Washington. There was a big rush of men eager to en- list at the navy yard today. Before the gates were thrown open a crowd of men had gathered around, eager to be first to reach the recruiting office on the receiving ship Vermont. Many of those whe came had been at the yard yesterday and had been told to return. A few appeared in old uniforms. They were men who had formerly been in the service and had re-enlisted yesterday. All such are accepted almost at once. se RUSSIA AROUSES JAPAN. Excitement at Pekin Legation @ver Demands on_China. PEKIN, March 8.—The Russian demands from China have caused the greatest ex- citement at the Japanese legation, and the Japanese minister +has had: several in- terviews with the officials of the Tsung- Li-Yamen (the Chinese forelgti office), urg- ing'the rejection of the Riisstan demarids. In addition, it is reported ‘that Japan ‘has threatened to take vigorous action if the demands of Russia are conceded,- SeRENESSLS ET Gen. Rosecrans’ Condition. LOS ANGELES, Cal., March 8—Lieut. General Rosecrans is somewhat improved, but his physicians hold out little hope of hig recovery. SPAIN BOUGHT CHIDSINOT LESS GRAVE & English Papers Confirm Rumored Porchase of Cruisers, OFFICIAL DENIAL TO CONTRARY Financiers Wonder Where the Money Came From. THE UNITED STATES 100 SLOW Rumor in Madrid That Fleet Will Not Go to Cuba. TALK IS MORE PACIFIC LONDON, March 8.—The English news- Papers today confirm the news of Spain’s purchase of warships. The St. James Ga- zette, which yesterday published the de- nials of the Spanish embassy and Spanish naval commission, which has an office in London, says today: “It is ascertained on very high author- ity, in spite of denials, that the Spanish government has almost certainly succeed- ed in buying three nearly completed cruisers here and two coast-defense ves- sels which are about to be launched in France. Experta are almost as much sur- prised at the suecess of Madrid in raising money as by the clever diplomacy which secured the Chilean and Brazilian cruis- ers of the Armstrongs, at a cost believed to be a million pounds sterling, almost be- fore the move was suspected.” The article goes on to say that much competition between Spain and the United States for these various ships constructing was expected, but that America had come to the cenclusion that its naval resources are strong enough to confront Spain, and 1s playing a waiting game. View of Bauval Authority, Continuing, the St. James Gazette says: “An American paval authority now in this country takes a cynical view of the six torpedo boats building for Spain here and of the three already delivered, ‘which might just as well be paid for by Spain in the first instance and make valuable addi- tions te the United States navy later on.’ ” The article quoted also points out that the earliest time in which the Chilean cruiser, which cost. $2,000,000, can be fin- ised is th:ee months, and adding that the other vessels purchased will take longer to finish, so that in the event of war, “which will come soon {f at all,” the ships will be useless, as an international law will pre- vent their delivery. In conclusion the St. James Gazette re- marks: “A feature of the warship market at present is the small number of vessels available. Three cruisers and two coast defense vessels is the best Great Britain and France can do. It is true, these are not the only warships building; but the others, twelve Japdnese and two Chinese cruisers and eight torpedo boat destroyers for Japan, are so keenly and immediately Gesircd by their respective governments that no price would bey them.” It is raid that even if the Amazonas should sail from here with a Brazilian crew she will turn up in Cuban waters with a Spanish crew. Affair Kept Secret. The affair, naturally, has been kept as secret aS possible. ‘the introduction in Congress yesterday of a bill appropriating $50,000,000 for national defense has excited the utmost interest among English dealers in wer munitions. Hiram Maxim of rapid-fire gun fame said significantly that “ig the United States in- tended to make purchases in England she should have begun a week ago.” He also admitted that he was aware that Spain rad placed large orders within a week, but he declined to say whether orders had been placed with hig firm. It is known, howéVer, that if the United States reeds eight-inch guns and powder she could secure 4 full stock at a fort- night's notice. j Norwegian paperg just received here re- veal the fact that three United States na- yal ettaches—Ljeut. John C. Colwell of the London embassy, Lieut. William E. Simms, who is accredited to St. Petersburg and Paris, and Lieut. Albert P. Niblack, who ts attached to the German embassy, and also aceredited-to Vienna and Rome—were present at the, Elsewicks submerged tor- pedo tube trialg in Norway on February 23. Much importance Js attached to this in- vention, with which the Norwegian ship Harold Haarfargre is fitted. The trials were pronounced. most successful. White- head torpedoes werg fired through the tubes at 9, 12 and 15'’knots apeed, with a remark- able accuracy. *: Where Did..spain Get Money? Inquiry made; beré among financiers and diplomats who Are most'likely to know any fects in the case reveals general skepticism in connection wit, the-reports that a Span- ish loan has been-floated in London. Spain, it is true, has made repeated attempts to raise money, as, previously cabled, the most recent: effort liging made only a fortnight ago, whe the*Rothsckilds and other finan- ciets ‘who wekp appreached emphatically and finally informed the Spanish agents that there-was no mere money to be had rom them for Spats. = < f Diplomats here say Spain Has endeavored to raise a loan. among her wealthy citizens abroad, offering a Pen on public buildings as security, and it is thought possible this may be the source of tle present disburse- ments, _,: Sauadron Not to Sail. A letter, ed here today from Madrid says ‘the nish terpedo squadron at Cadia- will ngs saik for Cuba, “owing to information ‘steceived from’: the United Statés sid Captain General Blanco.” : Peace Talk at Madrid, MADRID, March 8.—A semi-official news agency of this city issued today the fol- lowing ammouncerrent: “After brtef uneasiness ‘there is a gen- eral beHef now that peace will not be Deoken and that the relations between pain and the United States will continue amicable, ¥ ees ? How the Situation is Regarded in Congress. WAR PREPARATIONS GOING ON A Political Phase That Cannot Be Ignored. GOOD DIPLOMATIC STROKE The House immediately after the reading of the journal this morning took up the fifty-million defense resolution, which had been attached by the committee on appro- priations to an urgent deficiency bill which carried appropriations for the army and navy and other matters of minor impor- tance. This method of making the report was to give it the usual form of appropria- tion bills. The report of the committee recommending the passage of the emer- gency resolution was unanimous and the bill will be passed by a unanimous vote at twenty minutes after 4 o'clock this after- noon. Much public disappointment was manifested when it was announced that there was to be debate on the proposition. There being absolutely no opposition to the measure, it was thought that the effect of this patriotic action by Congress would be much better if the bill had been passed without a word of debate. It would have been more dignified, given a stronger moral tone to the action and afforded less oppor- tunity for something to be said that might embarrass the administraiton in dealing with Spain. The temptation for members to exploit themselves was too strong, how- ever, to be resisted, and in spite of Mr. Cannon's efforis to induce a sSeneral agree- ment to act at once he had to agree in ad- vance of the matter coming before the House that four hours would be allowed for debate. Mr. Sayers insisted upon this. Theugh there was a general feeling ex- cept cu the part of those who ed io do the taiking that it was bad judgment to have debate, the absolute harmony of m tive rendered it out of place to bh: Y contention on this one pcint. ‘rhe tery of the House was shown when Mr. of Massachusetts interposed an to the agreement, in order that he have an opportunity to an ment. He was a utely hisses were lia thr coming chiefly from the objection was at once withdra Situation Not Less G The opinion expressed abeut ngress is that the situation as respects cur relations with Spain is not less gruve than it has been since Saturday. The siizs scribed as less excited, and mediate,” but as grave as ever. The pass- age of the $50,000,000 appropriation, while it Is expected to have a salutary effect in impressing upon Spain that this country is not to be trifled with, also imposed upon the administration, it is said, an obligation to proceed upon lines of a vigorous policy. Thers hes been no change, it 1s said, which renders the preparation for war less desirable nor the probability for war less apparent. As before, it lies with Spain to choose whether she will have war or not. The feints and moves forward and backward ocenpy the eye and seem to pre- sent a variety of changes, but it is in- sisted that there has been no change in the main issue, except the development in ore direction with steadily increasing grav- ity. This is the plain truth, if truth is desired. Spain has “for the time being” wi drawn her request for the recall of Consul General Lee. All this indicates, in the opinion of those who know, if anybody dees, is that things moved too rapidly in Washington for Spain. ‘There is no doubt in the minds of men in Congress that the request for the recall of Lee was a disclosure of the purpose of Spain to move to desp2rate measures. But Spain did not expect such promptness from this government. The vigorous course of President McKinley, whom De Lome had deceived the Spanish into thinking was not likely to act promptly, set things into motion more rapidly than was anticipated. It became necessary to draw back a little, but this backward movement is well un- derstood to be but a temporary expedient on the part of Spain. Th things that are attracting most at- tention and causing most excitement are referred to as but surface irritants. Moves Toward War Going On. The great moves toward war are going on without check. The reliable signs are the borrowing of money and the buying of ships and the gathering of offensive forces. The action of Spain with respect to Lee is regarded as almost as significant with the request withdrawn as it would be if insisted on. The request was never a cause of war, but was an indication. The withdrawal simply informs this govern- ment that Spain is not quite as near ready for action as her insistence would have shown her to be. The appropriation of $50,900,000 by Con- gress today for national defense, it is said, mcans that this government is going to follcw out a policy which can result in but one of two things—an immediate ameliora. ticn of conditions in Cuba or else war. Spain must back down altogether or main- tain herself by other means than di- plomacy. sjeclion might , and @ Hou: nd the A Political Phase. Aside from the recognition of the grav- ity of the situation in asking for the ap- Propriation, there is a political phase which cannot be ignored. It is said to be reccgnized by every one here, the administraticn not less than Con gress, that when the President asks for and gets from Cor gress by the voie of all parties such an appropriation to be used absolutely at his discretion in national de- fcnse he obligates kimself to bring to 4 conclusicn the irritating Cuban situation. This, {t is said, he undertakes (by implica- ticn) to do, whether it causes war or not. If Spain wisely decides to avoid disaster and not to go to war the otherwise inevita- ble result can b2 avoided. Apparently the ‘only escape is by her retirement. ’ ? ‘The course of Spain-in preparing for war in the way she is convinces practically every one here that she is not wise enough to, or else not able to, retire.” She is drain- ing the resources of ‘her peoplé to make these preparations, and it is not believed that Sagasta will dare yield without mak- ing use of the means which the sacrifices of the Spanish people have put in his hands for the defense of the Spanish con- tention. = All the most conservative and substantial men in Congress with whom a Star re- porter talked today seem to take even a more serious view of the situation than they did under the excitement of the Lee ix it, “Bhese men see beneath the sur- face, and are iniluenced by things they krow, and not by the surface happenings and the news of the hour. - A Gaod Diplomatic Stroke. It is sald that the decision to substitute the dispateh cat Fern for a cruiser to car- Ts. | TWO YEN CEN Ty relief stores to Cuba was not prompted by a desire to gratify Spain, but was to avail ourselves of an opportunity to put erciser in the Havana harbor without fric- tion. It was represented to in that the Fern was the only suitable v y the supplies except the cruiser: it she was Used for that purp. id have to take her pi gratifying to Sy to isfactory this ernment Mcntgomery, in going to Havan m like succeeding the Maine than the Fern. It is viewed as about the best stroke of diplomacy this government has made in this ep'sode. Insiead of merely having two cruisers go to Cuban ports, remaini niy lcrg crough to discharge their cargo, we will have the Monteomery in the Havana harbor, where she can nain for some time. It is recognized as a dangers trission for the M to be of the greatest impc a war v at Havana bring . Lee and in event of trouble such it is felt © to have protect and he nav: rs to require their departure. War being declared the rules of civilized warfare would require that the Montgomery be permitted to ‘depart in sefety, but this rule is not elways ob- served. |) WILL SUPPORT IT UNANIMOUSLY. Senate Appropriations ¢ the Cannon Bill. The Senate commit:ee on appropriations held a special meeting today io cor the proper course to be pursued wheu the Cannon bill, appropriating $59,009,009 sha’ resch the Senate. The bill is not be- fere the committee, and the consideration mittee and given it was therefore informal, but there to Was a sufficient express‘o 1 show that the commiitce ». mous in support of the Was a genera! disposit that the time for which uld b» good shculd be } vary 1, 184, and Senatcr Al! rected to confer wich the of opnion u'd ibe uns reasur ” on was ¢ on this proposition. It was 2 how- ever, that if the House gree to this change it should not be allowed to interfere h the committee's support of the mi re. was no unde as to ber the bi} shculd be taken up in the «d.aely upon is receipt from this point was left to be should a teo late to gets to posed of tot the Senate y it will be referred to ittee on sppr tfens and reported promptly after the vening of the § tomorrow. In rreantime the members of the co wil! devote themsc! to seeing other senators with the vic and uno to securing 1 the mpt PROGR NDEER. received at the leer in- rival in that both nts and their fam- “rt condition, and that ps of any kind had no accidents or ni: occurred A Vancouver, B. C. dispatch says: Brig- adier General Merriam, accompanied by Captain Allison, lef commissary, and Lieutenant Graves, one of his aids, left yesterday afternoon for Seattle to make ar- rangements for the shipment of the gov- ernment re! er from t point to Dy and Coprer . Captain W. crombie, Infantry, also left for Seattle to take charge of the reindeer when they arriy there. He 0) reindeer and proceed up the Copper river and dowa the a river to the Yukon. He will be followed a few days later by Captain Glenn and Lieutenant Brookfield and enlisted men of Captain Eldridge’s de: ment, now at Dyea, who will acom: the Copper river expedition. They will fol- low the route Captain Abercrombie took in 1884, when exploring that part of Alaska under ‘nstructions from General Miles. eae JUDGE CALHOU ‘HOSED ch- Nominated to Be Interstate Commerce Comziissioner. The President today sent.these nomina- tions to the Senate: z William J. Calhoun of Illinois, to be an interstate commerce commissioner, Navy—Passed Assistant Paymaster Geo. W. Simpson, to be a paymaster; Passed As- sistant Paymaster Harry R. Sullivan, to be a paymaster; Samuel Bryan of the Dis- trict of Columbia, to be an assistant pay- master. ————_-e. AT THE NAVY YARD. Orders Issued to Push Work on Biz Guns. Commander E. C. Pendleton. superin- tendent cf ordnance at the Washington navy yard, has recived crders from the Navy Department to push the work on the big guns as rapidly as possible. Com mander Pendleton has issued orders for th force to work in three shifts of eight hours each, in order that the work can go on night and day without interruption. Commander Pendieton has today isu2d a call for 250 mechanics to fill vp bis force, and as fast as men respond they put to work. it is thought that the required number will have been obtained in two or thre days, and ali hands put to work pushing to completion the guns now course of construction and starting any new work that it may be necessary to de. ‘There is a great deai of bustle around the gun shops, and it can easily be seen that this branch of th2 service will not be caught napping, if possible. ——_—_--* Personal Mention, Naval Constructor A. W. Stahl of the Norfolk navy yard has reported at the Navy Department for duty. He is at the Army and Navy Club. Lieutenant Command:>r L, O. Allivone, in- spector of the ninth light house disirict, is at 1740 Q street. Maj. W. F. Tucker, pay department, is at 2520 13th street. Col. G. 8. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers, is in the city in attendance on th> meeting of the light house board. Mr, J. Walter Blandford, private secre- tary to the Attorney General, is still con- fined to his house by illness, and the indi- cations now are that it will be s>veral days before he is able to resume his official duties. Representative Talbert of South Carolina lsft yesterday for the home of his daugh- ter-in-law, who is said to be critically 111. Majer William T. Rosselli, formerly gineer Commissioner, has been in ths city during the past we2k the guest of Mr. GeUrge N. Beale of Georgetown. ~- Late Naval Orders, Capt. H. B. Robeson has been detached from duty at the navy yard, Portsmouth, N. H., and placed on waiting orders. Command2r 8. Belden has been detached from duty as inspector of the seventh light house district and placed on waiting orders. Paymaster L. G. Boggs has been detach- ed from the torpedo station and ordered to the Columbia. ordered LC Paymaster T. J. Cowie has b:en Paymaster Kerr, from the Miantonomoh to the Min- Passed Assistant Paymaster Z. + to the torpedo staticn;~ The regular permanent family circulation of The Evening Star in Washington is more than double that of any other paper, whether published in the morn- ing or in the afternoon. As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and un- approachable. NO OPPOSITION Hearty Support of the Fifty-Million- Dollar Bill. — + REPORTED 10 THE HOUSE TODAY alee Both Sides Favor the Emergency Appropriation. REGARDED AS A MEASURE OF PEACE —_.-___ Tells of Chairman Cannon Its Necessity. ENTHUSIASTIC OUTBURSTS The appropriaticrs committee of the House of Representatives this morning unanimously agreed to report favorably the Dill to appropriate $5,000,000 for the na- tional defense. This was done later, and debate followed. There was pi ussion in the committe The had in- formally discussed the bill yesterday after- noon, and it met with the approval ot all, Ag the bill was to be called up immediately after the House met today Mr. Sayers of Texas, the ranking minority member of the conumittee, was more solicitous about mak- ing a satisfactory arrangement f e con- duct of the debate than anything else. He protested against the introduction of a special rule as liable to place the democrats in a false attitude and asked, he said, only for a reasonable time to allow the demo- crats to define their position. He submitted a proposition which included provision for a general debate of three hours—one and a half hours on a side—and one hour for de- bate under the five-minute rule Chairman Cannon of the appropriations committee conferred with the Speaker after the committee adjourned, relative to the propositicn submitted by Mr. Sayers. At the conference with the Speaker the proposition submitted by Mr. Sayers was agreed to. The committee on rules arranged a rule in accordance with the agrec t for the deration of the bill. Intense Interest in the House. The galleries of the House of Representa- tives were packed to the doors today and long lines of people, unable to gain edmis- sion, surged about the corridors Public interest in the deb: on the £50,000,000 defense bill was reflected in this large at- tendance in the gal On the floor al- most every member was in his seat. On the faces of the leaders on both sides sat indicating their the grim business upon which Congre! the country were entering in making this vast appropriation ible war. As soon as the journal n read the Speaker rapped for or- der and amid deep stile Chairman Cannon arose and presented a deficiency bill the measure appropriating $50,000,000 for the natienal defense. It includes also several other items, among which are $100,- 000 for coal for naval vessels. Gen. Wheeler (Ala.), the nfederate cavalry leader, started a wave of applause when the bill was presented. When the reading of the bill was con- cluded with the item of $50,000,000 for the national defense a spontaneous outburst of applause went up frem the members and the galleries. Mr. Cannon and Mr. Sayers, the minority members of the appropriations committee, then mutually proposed the agreement they had privately mi the House met, for three debate on the bill, to be followed by one hour's debate under the five-minute rule. Mr. Barrett (Mass.) asked if opportunity would be allowed for amendment, and when Mr. Cannon answered that he did not know he objected. His objection was greeted with hisses and loud tf “Vote!” “Vote!” Mr. Moody (Mass.) appealed to his cole league to withdraw his o! The cries for a vote continued. Mr. Cannon stated that he would be glad to vote on the bill with sixty seconds’ de- bate, but he felt bound by his agreement with Mr. Sayers. Mr. Barrett then, yielding to the appeals of the republicans about him, withdrew his objection. The agreement as to time was formally ratified. Chairman Cannon Takes the Floo! After the confusion which followed this dramatic scene had subsided Mr. Cannon took the floor to open the debate on the bill. He spoke calmly and briefly, explaining that the items in the bill, save the last, were strictly deficiency items. Coming to the all-abcording item he said that in the present critical condition of affairs the ecmmittee had deemed it wise to appro- priate this sum, placing its expenditure in the complete discretion of the President. He referred to the fact that the committee had been unanimous in its action and changed only the wording of the bill he introduced yesterday by making the ap- propriation available until January 1, 189, instead of June 30, 1800. This, he pointed out,would give the admins istration funds over the time of the prob- able adjournment of Congress. ‘We have got the money in the treasury to meet this appropriation if it is expend- ed,” he continued, “and, therefore, there is nct presented with this proposition one a cries contingencies. He insisted that this ap- Eropriation must not be construed into