Evening Star Newspaper, March 14, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING &sTAR. ——s PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, J1C1 Pernsylvazia Avenue, Cer. 11th St, by The Eveni e eS surrmany’ Company Kew York Ofic i jew York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star Is served to subscribers In the city by cirriers. on t&cir own account, at 10 cei per week, er 44 cents per month. Coples at th cetnter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—S0 cents yer moath. Satur ¥ Quintupl- Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $3.00. ‘ntered at the Pot Cflice at Washington, D. C., < ma'l matter. E> All mail subscriptions must be pald In advance. Rates of advertisiag made known on application. WARSHIPS BOUGHT -_ T¥0 Craisers Have Been Obtained From Brazil. FAILURE OF SPANISH EFFORT > Senator Proctor Tells the President of His Cuban Trip, SECRETARY LONG AT THE CAPITOL Secretary Alger Wants Money for New Artillery. RETURN OF THE BROOKLYN The two Brazilian cruisers, Amazonas and Admiral Breu, have been sold to the United States. Senator Proctor had a long interview with Secretary Alger this morning, and sub- sequently called on the President, to whom he related the result of his trip to Cuba. The crufser Brooxlyn arrived in Hampton Reads from Venezvela. Secretary Long and other naval officials appeared before the House naval affairs ecmmittee and pointed out the most urgent needs of the service. The Senate adopted Mr. Chandler's reso- lution authorizing the naval affairs com- mittee te send for persons and papers while investigating the Maine Gisaster. The Senate also edopted a joint resolu- tion authorizing the President to obtain indemnity frcm Spain for treatment of Au- gust Bolten and Gustave Richeiieu. A Spanish fleet sailed teday from Cadiz. Its supposed destination is Cuba. The reported sale to the United States of the two Brazillan cruisers Amazonas and Abreuail, now receiving their finishing touches in an English shipyard, was co: firmed here this afternoon. It is learne also that Spain has not secured the O'Hig- sins and that Chile will not sell her to Spain. It is said furthermore that Spain has rot and cannot purchase ships from either Chile or the Argentine Republic. A member of the foreign relations com- mittee of the Senate says that it is true hat the United States has purchased two zilian warships. He also stated that Spain had rot and could not purchase ships ile or the Argentine. tor Proctor called at the War De- partment this morning to Secretary A! He was given right of way ever a number of persons who were wailing for the Secretary in the reception room, nearly half an hour recited to Secr tary Alger the everts and observations of his Cuban trip. Secretary Alger call upon the Pres- ident shortly after the interview with Sen- aior Proctor at the War Department. He Was with the President a short time, men- t ing some of the things spoken of by Proctor. Secretary Alger’s visit fly for the purpose of ‘uring the -nt’s consent to a purchase of ord- mance he has in view. The Secretary said enator Proctor would call upon the mt in the afternoon and tell his ary Alger Proctor vigorously asserts that js not the bearer of any kind of 2 message from the court of in- quiry relating to its work. The value of Senater Proctor’s information to ihe ad- ministration, he said, is in his knowledge of resent conditions on the island. Ta: familiarity of Senator Proctor with War Department matters causes the belief t he made numerous suggestions to Sec- ary Alger as to fortincations in the scuth. Senator Brooklyn Reaches Hampton Roads. The big armored cruiser Brooklyn arrived at Fort Monroe this morning directly from La Guayra, Venezuela. She nas made a fine run up, and will, it is expected, await at Hampton Roads the arrival of the Minne- apoils and Columbia, which ae just fitting out at Philadelphia. This force will form an excelent nucleus for the projected “fly- ing squadron” in case the department de- cides to form one. ‘The tug Leyden, a fine steel boat, has been ordered from Newport to Key West. She will stop on the way at League Island to pick up a ceal lighter, which will be used in supplying the vessels of the squad- ren with coal. The Leyden goes under command of Lieut. W. G. Hannum, who Was cetached from the New York navy yard for that purpose, and it is expected will remain at Key West as long as Acnural Sicard desires to make use of her. Cablcgrams received at the Navy Depart- iment (his morning announce that the Ban- Sroit sailea yesterday from Lisbon for Nor- folk and the Helena from Lisbon for Key West, to join the squadron. This leaves Adm.ral Howell at Lisbon with his flagship San Francisco as the sole representative et the United States navy in European Waters. It is now stated at the Navy De- partment that the Marblehead, which ar- rived at Tampa Saturday night, was or- dered to that place simply to take on some stores for the squadron. The torpedo boat Foote arrived at Charleston yesterday on her way to Key West to join the flotilla. The Fern sailed sesterday from Sagua for Key West, hay- ing, it is presumed, delivered all the stores for the starving reconcentrados, which, so fur, have been received from-the central relief committee, New York. The battle ship Iowa cxme over from.Tortugas to Key West yesterday. The Annapolis, ‘gunboat. arrived at Curacoa. The training ship Es- sex has sailed from New York for Ports- mouth, Other Naval Movements. The gunboat Machias, which has just wrived at Norfolk from the Asiatic sta- RAE Die RS Che Foening Star. No. 14,051. WASHINGTON, D. C.,, MONDAY, MAROH 14, 1898—SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. 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. tion by way of the Suez canal, has been fcund to be in fair shape, as a result of the examination by the naval inspection beard. A thorough overhauling will be un- necessary in the present instance, as she will be sent to Boston. where all necessary repairs can be made to her in about twelve days. Orders have been issued to the Mare Island navy yard to prepare the Charles- ten for commission without loss of time, end it is expected this ship will be in serv- ice again by the first week in April, or seme days ahead of the Philadelphia. Both vessels will be retained near San Fran- cisco, and with the two monitors Monterey and Monadnock will defend that city against war vessels that might be scnt against it. Authorities have been advised that re- pairs to the monitor Puritan are practizally completed, and she will drop down to Hampton Roads in a day or two to await developments. The cruiser Breoklyn will join her at that point, and these ships will soon be reinforced by the cruisers Co- lumbia and Minneepolis. ‘The monitor Miantonomoh will be retain- ed at the mouth of the Delaware to guard the city of Philadelphia, and the ram Katahdin, it is expected, will be ordered either to New York or to Key West, with the chances in faver of her reinforcing tre Terror for protection of the port of New York. To Give Up the European Station. It has been decided to abandon the Bu- ropean station for the present to meet the exigencies of th2 situation. Orders have been sent to Commodore Howell, command- ing the fleet, to send the gunboats Helena and Barcroft to the United States with all spezd and to prepare to return himself on the flagship Sen Francisco on short notice. These three vessels comprise the entire Eu- ropean fleet. They have be2n at Lisbon, Portugal, for several weeks awaiting orders. The Helena was originally intended for the. Asiatic station, and was proceeding thither by the Mediterranean route when @irected to remain at Lisbon until furth orders. The Bancroft was built as a prac- tice vessel for the Naval Academy cadets, but was sent to Turkish waters during the critical period of the Armenian troubles, wh2n so many American citizens were be- ing ill-treate@ in the sultan’s possessions, and hes been retained on the station ever since. The Helena has a displacement of only 1,302 tons and that of the Bancroft is oniy $39 tons. The San Francisco is a prot2cted cruiser of 4,008 tons, and is a very good vessel of her class, although in need of a rapid-firing battery. It is expected that the Helena will ar- rive at Hampton Roads and the Bancroft at Key West within two weeks’ time. They will be attached to Admiral Sicard’s formidable fleet, and in the event of trou- ble will be used in blockading Cuban ports. The abandonment of the European sta- tion is due to the desire of the department to remove from a possible sphere of dan- ger three ships which might there fall an easy prey to Spanish battie ships or ar- mcred cruisers, and which could render much more effective service on this side of the Atlantic. Disappearing Gan Carriages. The ordnance department of the army has sent an invitation to all of the firms which have in the past proposed to build disap- pearing gun carriages, in answer to the department's advertisement, to now come forward and submit on their own behalf proposals for building such carriages. They are invited to state how many carriages they can undertake at one time, and are especially enjoined to state the exact time to be consumed in making them. The ordnance officers have discovered to their great gratification that it is possible to use the carriages of the old fifteen-inch Rodman guns to mount the eight and ten- inch guns of modern manufacture. This is be ie the Rodman carriages were fortu- nately of particularly heavy construction for the guns they were designed to carry, so that with even the vastly increased power of modern ordnance the fifteen-inch Rodman carriage is still able to carry safe- ly an eight or ten-inch breech-loading rifle. Of course, the expedient is only a tem- porary one, as the carriages are very slow in operation, according to modern stand- ards, but they would serve very well in an emergency. Clothing the Naval Militia. Representative Elliott of South Carolina called at the Navy Department this morn- ing to talk with the officials respecting the clothing of the naval militia. Representa- tive Elliott is endeavoring to secure the department's aid in having the section of the naval bill providing for clothing go into effect immediately upon the passage of the bill, in which case a considerable bedy of the South Carolina militia can be put into active service at once. The de- partment is thoroughly committed to the measure. Conditions appear to be quieter on the surface at the Navy Department today. Probably this was because Secretary Long, Captain Crowninshield, chief of the navi- gation bureau; Engineer-in-Chief Melville, and other leading bureau officers of the de- partment were called to the Capitol during the forenoon to inform the appropriations committee of the needs of the naval service in the matter of legislation. In the various bureaus there was a hum of industry, how- ever, and the work progressed as inces- santly and steadily as it has for the past two weeks. Men for the Brazilian Ships. The recruiting service of the Navy De- partment is naturally one of the biggest branches of the service just now. It is in the temporary command of Captain Hemp- hill during the absence in the south of Cap- tain Hawley. He was busy this morning with representatives of the various rail- roads engaged in arranging for terms for transportation of recruits to the seaboard and of sailors already in the service from one port to another made necessary by the commissioning of new ships. A problem that confronts his office is to procure the necessary force of enlisted men for man- ning the two ships which have been pur- chased from Brazil, the Amazonas and the Admiral Breu. It will probably require about 250 men for each ship, and the qués- tion is whether these men shall be hired abroad in England, under special arrange- ments for the one trip, or whether their regular crews shall be sent out from the United States to bring them home. The first method is undoubtedly the quicker, but it will not be, available incase there should be an open rupture before the com- pletion of the two ships, : To Fortify the Tortugas. It is understood that Secretary Alger and Secretary Long have reached an under- Standing as to the Tortugas. This under- standing is that the island shali be fortified and used as a bas2 of operations by the | navy so long as there are vessels in the vi- (Continued-on Second Page) — BIG NAVAL DISPLAY Spain’s Warships Present an Impres- sive Picture to the Cubans, MONTGOMERY 15 OVERSHADOWED Sharp Lookout Maintained to Guard Against Another Disaster. DESTINATION OF THE FLEET (Copyright, 1898, by Charles M. Pepper.) Special From a Staff Correspondent, HAVANA, March 12, via Port Tampa, Fla., March 13.—Havana harbor these day is full of fe and color. The Almirante Oquendo and the Vizcaya, with their black hulls, make a fine showing. To my inex- perienced eye, they seem « little too broad and squatty, and therefore likely to offer a good mark for an enemy's guns. I have heard some naval officers say that in the deplorable event of war, it might not be difficult to drop sheils into the boilers of these sister warships. That may be a mat- ter for future demonstration. Externally, they look formidable enough, and the Ha- yana people who admire them are not to be blamed if they show a feeling of pride over Spain's naval power. Tne graceful lines of the compare favorably with the harsher ap- pearance of the Oquendo and the Vizcaya. Her anchorage is quite close to the Vizca- ya. It has been observed that an explosive which had power enough to destroy one vessel would probably leave nothing but wreckage of the other. The Montgomery ts painted white. The Vizcaya forms a dark background, which brings in relief the American cruiser. The officers of the Mont- gomery are proud of their ship. They tell of her “going” quality and speculate on her probable record in case of a naval combat. The praise which the vessel receives be- cause of her looks is not unwelecme to them. Yet one evening in the mess room, when an officer of the Montgomery gave his opinion that what was needed in this har- bor now was something as big, as ugly and forbidding as the Puritan, there was no dis- sent from this sentiment. An Object Lesson Needed. The object lesson which gives something ike a correct idea of American naval strength is still a necessity. A small craft which has been moved about the harbor several times before find- ing an anchorage excites much curiosity, though it does not draw the attention that the big ships recelve. This little craft flies the Spanish flag. It ts painted red, so there is red, white and black forming the picture of war on the water. The small vessel has a 6-inch gun mounted forward. It came mysteriously into the harbor one night— whence no one seemed to know. The story was that the red craft had been in the navy yard undergoing repairs, and lately had been engaged in coast patrol duty to pre- vent filibustering, but all the vessels which were in the navy yard are there now, and credence is given to the report that the new arrival is a torpedo chaser, the first of the torpedo flotilla which is to be sent out by Spain. I also heard it described as a small ram. The designation is not important. The chief thing is that its. presence adds to the activity in the harbor, which seems to promise greater activity in the near future. The presence of the Austrian training ship Donau is also to be noted. The Span- ish officials will not be satistied with the showing of their country’s prowess until the Pelayo and others of that type are kere. They have moved the Alfonso XII pretty well down the bay. That vessel had been in the harbor so long that it had ceased to be a symbol which appealed to the imagination. Moreover, the popu- Jace had come to know the crippled con- dition of the Alfcnso and to understand that she could not hobble out to sea with- out a tug for a crutch. The boilers have been repaired finally, and the Alfonso might now get out under her own steam. Preparing for Active Duty. Around the bend in the navy yard the ships which have been lying there for months show “signs of preparation for active duty, but none of them is of much strength. It is upon the vessels which. have come from Spain and which are to come ihat the minds of the officials are fixea, With these they expect not mere- ly to defend the ports of Cuba, but to attack the perts on the Atlantic seaboard. Before long they look for Spanish col- ors to be flying from a dozen men-of-war in the harbor and for the stars and stripes to come down from the mast which rises from the wreck of the Maine. While everybody is waitirg the waters of Havana are carefully policed and picketed. The officers and crew of the Montgomery may have been a trifle nervous the first night. Perhaps they lost some sle2p, It will never be said that the discipline is lax or that either accident or design could cause harm to the Montgomery, through jack of watchfulness, The Spanish ships are guarded with equal care. They can not be approached closely enough for eith- er a torpedo or a floating electric mine to be exploded where it would do harm. A hypothetical fear is entertained that some fanatical Cuban might attempt something of this sort. The narrow entrance to the harbor is also guarded, so that no hostile torpedo boat could run in under cover of the darkness. The exchange of official courtesies goes on with more or less sem- ance of cordiality, but tension ts not relieved. Feeling Against Americans. ‘The loyalists say that powder wasted in firing salutes had better be used in firing shells. Formerly they would have said it could be put to better advantage by using it against the insurgents. Their temper is changed,and the insurgents are forgotten in their resentment against the Yankees. The sight cf the warships helps the popular sub- scription for the rehabilitation of the Span- ish navy. It had been lagging. The contribu- tions from this source night amount to enough to keep the ships painted..As a practical measure it could be worth no more. But in fostering the spirit of Span- ish patriotism the effect is important. The navy Is said to be better taken care of than the army. Instead of nine months’ arrears of pay, which Is the case with the troops, the officers and crews of the war- Montgomery ships are said to be only three or four} months jate in receiving thetr dues. ‘They haven't worn out their clothes. as the sol- Glers have. - The Oquendo and the Vizcaya haven't coaled since they came into the harbor. How far they could go to sea is a problem. The officers enjoy the several entertain- ments given them, yet they do not seem unmindful of other things. The understand- ing is that when the torpedo fiotilla arrives muca cruising will be done by these bouis. Nominally they will be on the lookout to Ppreveat filibustering expéditions from iand- irg close to Havana. Squadron Might Ke Trapped. It would be inconvenient if, after the Vizeaya and the Oquendo are reinforced by the Pelayo and other big ships, the whole squadron should be shut up in the basin. The entrance to the harbor ts nar- row. A strong arm can almost throw a stone across to Morro Castle from the fort of the Prado. If they were going out cn a sudden call to meet a foe, they would have to proceed in single file. No gvod anchorage exists outside the harbor, a the big vessels cannot be cruising arcund aimlessly. Before the cruisers and the battle ships start on their voyage on the Atlantic sea- toard the torpedo boats may be useful in making sure that there is an open pus: out to sea. All these matters are di here as though peaceful interven the United States were not yp that is a mistaken guess and Spain tina!ly yields to mediation, these naval maiters are of little account. All that will remain will be a passing impression of the picture presented in Havana harbor when a naval combat was thought to be probab} CHAS. M. PEPPER. —_>__ CEBALOS’ AUTHORITY Not Empowered to Represent the Spanish Government, Named by the Caban Autonomous Cabinet—Coming of Torpedo Boat —Findings on Maine Disaster. The Spanish minister, Senor Polo y Ber- nabe, received a number of dispatch2s to- day from the minister of state at Madrid and from Captain General Blanco. Thos from Gen. Blanco were’ reassuring in tone, and stated that the sltuation at Havana and thtoughout th island was quiet and satisfactory. The minister of state cabled in substance: “The uprising’in the Philip- pines is so insignificant that:tt will be end- ed by the time you reeeive this.” This is a source of Satisfaction to the l2gation ofli- cials, as the trouble in the Philippines has been intermittent during the last two years, and has distracted attention from Cuba. Senor Polo did not have cecasion to visit the State Dapartment teday. At 11 o'clock he mace his first formal call, by appoint- ment, on the French ambassador, and at 12 o'clock on the British ambassador. Infor- mal social exehanges had previously been made, but the calls today were in the na- ture of the formal meetings of the repre- sentatives of the various governments. ‘The minister asked -that an emphatic de- nial be made in his name to the reports that Senor Juan Cebalos had been it Washington as a commissioner from the Spanisn government to make overtures for terms of settlement-with the Cuban insur- gents. SciSehor Cebalos: is nota commissioner of Spain,” said the minister, “nor has he any authority, directly or indirectly, to speak for the Spanish government. The only person qualified to speak for Spain in the United States is her acerediled minister. 1 wish to make the denfaLas broad and em- phatic as possible.” It was explained by: the minister t Senor Cebalos had recently been named by the autonemous cabinet ef Cuba as an aid to him in framing the proposefl commerci, treaty between the United States and Cu- ba. This was in accordance with the au- tonomous plan by which the Cubans them- selves were given’control of their tariff af- fairs. But in naming Senor Ce minister pointed out, he and his a were to assist him as the plenipotentt of Spain. In any event, however, Mr. Cebalos’ mi sion was confined wholly to commerce: affairs. Even in this capacity the minister expresses doubt whether Senor Cebalo will be able to act, as he lives in New York and is a citizen of the United States, whic apparently incapacitates him from bei a direct representative of the Cuban: Whether Mr. Cebalos, on his personal re- sponsibility, made overtures here is not known at the legation. He did not call there, and it is id that anything he may have done was thcut that consultation or sanction which would give it the slisht- est status as the act of the Spanish gov- ernment. : Coming of Spanish Torpedo Boats. Senor Polo's attention was called to the reports from Spein as to the prospective sailing of the Spanish torpedo fleet for Havana, and to the significance which had been attached in this eountry to this move- ment. The minister said that the move- ment of torpedo craft had long been con- templated, and even before he left Madrid the queen regent bade good-bye to the cap- tain of the fleet. Their coming had no re- lation whatever, he sald, to recent condi- ticns, as they wore wanted for work along the Cuban coast. Some of them were de- signed for use in the Ceuto river, while others, being swift, would be used as the dispatch boats between shore poiats in case land communication was interrupted. Probable Spanish Findings. The minister has received no intimation as to the findings gf the Spanish naval commission which js investigating the Maine disaster. He says this commission is proceeding with the same formality and secrecy as the United States court of in- qviry, and that no intimation of its tind- ings will be justitied uutil the formal report is presented to the Spanish government. Mr. Polo expresses his personal belief, hewever, that there is no doubt the Spanish commission will report ‘thatthe Maine ex- Plosion was due to accident, and he feels cenvinced ‘that this also be the con- ciusion reached by the people in this coun- try when all the facts in the matter are "Ihe. ey publishs ming of The repo! morning of an alleged visit of Senor Gebalow to the Presi- the Cuba question are got Daene out by any the a a mare mot out by any information. Nobody t&ere imows anything of Senor Cebalos. visit. Even if he had, mo eee could have been attached to was not in- troduced at the White’ through any Spanish. request of the ‘The ai- loged ‘proposition, of Gebalos is that Spain will consent to independence of the Cubang in everything but in name. SENOR GANA GOES TO LONDON. Chilean Minister Here Transferred to Court of St. Jnmes. ~ LONDON, March 14.—Senor Domingo Gana, the Chilean minister at Washington, has been appointed minister plentpotentiary to the Court of St. James. THE NATIVE PETITION An Analysis of That From the Ha- waiian Patriotic League. FACTS SHOWING ITS INACCURACY Duplication of Signatures andMany in the Same Handwriting. a WHAT MR. THURSTON SAYS ———— A few weeks ago a royalist commission from Hawaii appeared in Washington for the announced purpese of opposing annexa- tion. The sheet anchor of their opposition was a “gigantic petition” from the “Ha- walian Patriotic League,” whose president, Jam K. Kaulia, the head of the commis- sion, personally brought the petition to Washington and delivered it to the Senate, the united commission certifying to the bona fides of the decument. ‘The opponents of ennexation have waxed eloquent over this “prot of a united peo- ple,” and made it the foundation rock of their opposition. The petition was referred to the Senate foreign relations committee. Senator Davis, the chairman, has heard of petitions before, however, and decided not to take what was claimed for it on faith. Although it is difficult to as i the genuineness of the document ori ing 5,000 mil way, he decided to the petition analyzed, to see’ if on it gave evidence of good or bad faith. ‘The following is the result of ta’ sis, which such overwheln dence of f rjury, forge as, in the opinion of the in’ utterly destroy the value of the pe The Analysis of the Petition. ‘The petition consists of 556 vhich 308 pages of contain what purport to pages, be male signatures and 248 pages femate signatures. The number of male signa- tures purports to be 10,378; female, 10,891, making the total num of signatures 9. The petition contains a column in which opposite exch name the age of each petitioner purports to be written, and it appears that 4; of the number are minors. It thus appears, even from the face of the petition, that r cent of the peti- tioners are minors. There is strong r son to believe that a much ‘ger number of the petitioners are minors Reasons for Diserediting the Petition. The certificate or summary accompany- ing the male petition states that the min- ors are all between fourteen and twenty years of age. s The petition shows on its face that there are 350 male petitioners and 327 female pe- titioners, or 677 in all, under fourteen years of age, of whom seven boys and six girls are only two years of age. There is strong reason to the numbcr of minors und. much greater. than reason of the believe that er fourteen is that given above, by et that several hundred fraudulent changes in the ages of petition- ers is apparent on the face of the peti- tion. TH 2 ages of fifty-three of the male peti- and 228 of the female petitioners, 278 in all, have been fraudulently a lewer to a higher 5 ject of these changes is manifestly to try and make the face of the petition comply with the statement contained therein that the mi een; and. econd, to give <n appearance of greater responsibility and ight to the petition than it would have if so many young children appeared to be signer: The signatvres of over 1,400, or nearly 10 per cent of the adult petitioners, are not original, but forgeries. Each and every page of the male petition is countersigned with the original signa- tures of Enoch John: secretary, and James K. Kaulia, president of the’ “Ha- waiian Patriotic League,” and each page of the female petition is countersigned with the original signatures of Mrs. Lilla Ahol secretary, and Mrs. K. Campbell, presid: of the “Women's Hawaiian’ Patriotic League.” These four people are all Jobnson and Kaulia are bar of the supreme court of Hawaii. Kau- lia Is now chairman of the royalist deleza- tion in Washington, and personally brought the petition from Honolulu. There is no possibility that the officers of the organizations named did not know of the frauds and forgeries enumerated above, and yet they have certified to the correctness and genuineness of each individ- ual page, and have even taken oath before a notary public certifying thereto, and se- cured the certificate of ihe United States consul as to tho official stan notary inconsistent with Johnson's and Kaulia’s certificates of genuineness of pe- tition, * Summary of Facts. A summary of the facts, which appear upon the face of the male petition, incon- sistent with its genuineness and bona fides, which must have been known to Kaulia and Johnson when they certified it, are as follows: 1. The petition certifies that the minor petitioners are between fourteen and twen- ty years of age. 5 The male petition shows on its face that out of a total of 306 pages, 105 pages, or more than one-third, contain the names of 350 minors, ranging from two to thirteen rs of age. 2. That on thirty-one pages of the male petition, the ages of fifty-three petitioners who are under fourteen have been fraud- ulently changed to fourteen or upward. 8. That on eighteen pages, twenty-three persons have signed 303 signatures, as high as forty-six signatures on one page being in the same handwriting (page 164, male petition). 4. In a great number of instances the ages are all in the same handwriting and in round numbers only. . 5. The signatures of the boys, two and three years of age, are in good, round handwriting. This may be claimed as evi- dence of the advanced educational system of Hawaii. =) Each and every one of the 154 pages above specified is coumtersigned by Johnson and Kaulia. 1, The female petition shows on its face that 327 of the minors are under fourteen years of age. 2. There is no separate certificate on the female petition that minors are over four- teen, but the common management of the two petitions is evidenced by the fact that on seventy-three pages of the female peti- tion, the ages of 228 petitioners, who are under fourteen, have been fraudulently changed to fourteen or upward. 8. On forty-two pages forty-three persons have signed 1,104 names; as high as 12% signatures in one care and 178 in another being all in the seme handwriting; and in cne instance sixteen female names (page 8) and in another thirty-one (page 240) are in the handwritings of well-known men. 4. In a great number of instances the ages are all in the same handwriting, and in_ round numbers. _ 5. The sigaatures of the two and three- intelligent. members of the ‘What Mr. Thurston Had te Say. Mr. Lorrin A. Thurston was seen by a representative of The Star and asked what he knew, if anything, in regard to the pe- - tition. He said he did not care to discuss this particular petition, but said: “It is common knowledge in Hawaii that even to a greater degree than in this coun- try there is little feeling of responsibility attached to signing a petition. Among the native Hawaiians especially the feeling is that it is rather an honor to see one’s name attached to’ a petition, and that it would be unfriendly to refuse to sign a petition, an uct which costs nothing. For example, the petition in quesion was, 1 am edibly informed, taken to many prom- nt supporters of annexation, and they were requested to sign it simply to show that there was no hard feeling in the mat- ter. Subscription papers were also passed around to raise money to send the royalist delegation now in Washington, and leading annexationists asked to subscribe thereto. __As an example of the irresponsible sign- ing of petitions, which have come to my personal knowledge; I was a member of the Hawaiian legislature in 1886, and noticing a native member sitting at my side, writing at the top of a document which contained a number of signatures, I asked him what he was doing. He replied that he was pre- paring a petition in support of a bill which he had introduced. “I said: ‘Why, you don’t mean to say that you get your petition signed first, and write in the heading afterward, do you?’ ““Why, certainly I do,’ he replied. ‘It’s too much bother to send clear to my dis- trict to get a petition, so I had a lot of blank sheets signed up in advance, and every time I want a petition to back up one of my measures I fill in a heading on one of these sheets." He thereupon pulled open the drawer of his desk and showed me some twenty or thirty sheets, all signed in blank, with a space at the top in which to insert the object of the petition. “Another member of the Hawaiian legis- lature once made a wager that within a given time he could secure a hundred sig- natures to a petition praying the legisla- ture to make an appropriation to move one of the islands so that it would be nearer to headquarters and easier to get at. He got the signatures within the time named.” ——$-e-____ PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. A Large Number of Selections Sent to the Senate. The President today sent these nomina- tions to the Senate: Horace H. Thomas of Illinois, to be ap- praiser merchandise district of Chicago, lll; Edwin Parsons of Maine, to be col- lector customs district of K>nnebunk, Me. State—Herbert H. D. Peirce of Massachu- and Edgar O. Achern of Massachusetts, to be second secretary setts, to be seeretar: of the emba: B. F. Bi ciate justice supreme court, Oklahoma. To ve registe Fivher of Kansas, B. West of Idaho, Lewiston, Idaho, Charles A. Sehlbrede of Orego! comm: in Alaska. F nue Engineer E. P. Webber of Mar: a chief engineer, cond Assi neer J. Q. Watson of New Jer: y at St. Petersburg, Russia. W. A. Wiley of Ohio, and a number of restmasters, including W. T. Knight, at Richmond and ene at Ports- mouth, Va. NEEDS OF THE NAVY. Secretary Long and Others Before a House Committee. Secretary Long and Chief Engineer Mel- ville, Capt. Crowninshield, chief of the con- struction bureau; Surgeon General Van Reypen, Capt. O'Neil, chief of ordnaace, and Paymaster General Stewart were before the House committee on raval affairs io- y to explain scme estimates they made for the naval appropriatioa bil. Nothing was said about the bettle ships or dry aocks. The main point of Secretary Long's hear- ing was a suggestion to raise the age limit of entrance to the service of the officers of tho medical corps from twenty-one to thirty. This, however, has heen aiready dcne by the committee. The raising of the limit Will result in a material increase in the number of officers in that branch of the service. Chi crease in the engit.eer corps of the navy which he said was imperatively neede He asked that provision be made for 5 enty-live m: assistant engineers. also pointed out that the number of ant paymasters was deficient by abou An appropriation was asked fo n the hearing w: began the consideration of the blishment of new dry docks, and en- ion as to the rela- fer the docks. KANSAS LAW UPHELD. Prohibition of Transportation of In- fected Cattle Held Valid. In the United States Supreme Court to- day an opinion was handed down by Jus- tice Harlan in the care of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company Charles Haber, affirming the constitution- ality and validity of the state laws of Kensas prohibiting the transportation into the state of cattle affected with Texas fever, and providing for a civil action for damages in case of the infraction of the law. The Supreme Court today dismissed the case of Jcseph P. Merritt vs. Bowdoin Col- lege for want of jurisdiction. It involves a bequest to the college, end today’s opinion will have the effect of sustaining its va'id- ity. ————— NAVAL OFFICERS’ HEALTH. Satisfactory Reports Concerning Ad- miral Sicard and Capt. Sigsbee. From unofficial information received here there has been a satisfactory improvement in the health of both Admiral Sicard, who is commanding the north Atlantic squadron, and of Capi .the Maine before the explosion which wrecked her. ever, disappeared after a few days’ stay at Key West. Mrs. Siéard is now at the Tatter place in constant communicatign with the a@miral, and the latest reports from ter indicate that her husband has entirely recovered his usual good health. Captain Sigsbee’s illness was of hardly more than a day's duration, and yielded promptly to treacment. The latest advices here by his family and by the Secretary of the Navy, as well, show that he has en- tirely recovered. ——-o->___- Oregon Taking on Supplies. SRN FRANCISCO, Cal., March 14.—The battle ship Oregon is lying in the stream with scow schooners all about her. From il of Oklahoma, to be asso- to be a and for the district of cutter service—First Assistant nd, to be it Engi- to be a ser. To be third Heu- ‘el of California; H. y Ulke, jr., of District of Colunbia, J. V. Wild of Virginia and Engineer Melville calied for an in- closed the com- merits of the respective cities asking in Sigsbee, who commanded As a result of his stay in the gulf of Mexico, especially in the vi-|]- cinity of Dry Tortugas, Admiral Sicard ccntracted a case of malaria, which, how- GOT AHEAD OF SPAIN United States Secures Two of Brazil's New Warships. THE AMAZONAS AND ADMIRAL BREU Spain Reported to Have Bought the O'Higgins From Chile. FLEET SAILS FROM Santi LONDON, March 14.—The Brazilian min ister confirms the report that the warships Amazonas and Abreuall have been gold to the United States government. The contract is to be signed today, end the Brazilian officers and crew now on board the Amazonas will return to Brazil by the next mail steamer sailing for that country. The Press Association says Spain has purchased the battle ship O'Higgins, built by the Armstrongs for Chile, but the Chilean charge d'affaires does not confirm the report. He says a Chilean crew for the vessel is expected here next week to teke the O'Higgins to Chile. Spanish Squadron Satis, A special dispatca from Cadiz, Spain, an- nources that the Spanish squadron hag sailed from that port. It is understood the Spanish weiships are going to Porto Rico, where they will await the orders of Capt, Gen. Blanco. - The special adds that enthusiastic crowds of people gathered there to bid farewell to the Spanish war vessels. In the’ house of commons today the par lMamentary secretary for the foreign office, Mr. Curzon, replying to Michael Davitt, anti-Parnellite, who asked the government whether Great Britain had offered to lend men-of-war to the United States in thé CADIZ event of a conflice between the Unit States and a European power, sald thi government had not made such an offer. In answer to a series of questions which Mr. Davitt put with the view of eliciting whether there have been any negotiations for an alliance between Great Britain ang the United States, or whether Great Britain had offered to mediate in the Cuban crisis, Mr. Curzon said these questions were of such a nature that ic was inexpedient to reply to them. Helena and Bancroft S: LISBON, March 14.—The United States war vessels Helena and Bancroft sailed teday, going in a southwesterly direction. The departure of the United States war- Helena and Bancroft in a southwest- direction, from Lisbon, may possibly connected with the seemingly simul- taneous departure of the Spanish squadron from Cadiz, which is situated on the south- western coast of Spain. Rumors have had it that the Bancroft and Helena might fol- lew the Spanish ships across the Atlantic. aa DISTRIBUTING MINOR COINS. Cireular Order Ixsued by the United States Treasurer. The United States treasurer has fssued the following circular in regard to the dis- tribution of minor coins: “Five-cent nickel and one-cent bronze pieces will be furnished in the order of ap- plication from the United States mint at Philadelphia, Pa., to points reached by the United States and connecting express com- panies, free of transportation charges, In sums of $20, or multiples thereof, except New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans and San Francisco, upon receipt of lawful money by the superintendent of that mint, Applicants desiring to remit by draft on New York or Philadelphia may do so, but the superintendent of the m! ssumes no lity in the collection of such drafts, and no shipment will be made until the pro- ceeds of such remittance have beey recetved wful money at the mint. To points not reached by express companies, delivery un- der contract with the government being im- practicable, these coins will be sent by registered mail at applicant's risk, registry fee to be paid by the government. “A supply of these coins will be kept on hand by the a nt treasurers of the Unit- ed States at York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Chicag: Louis, New Orleans and San nei ppli cation for them should be made to the sub- treasuries. ae SENATOR PROCTOR’S MISSION. He Pursucd a Line of Inquiry for Secretary Alger. It fs asserted today on authority that ought not to be subject to question that Senator Proctor fulfilled a mission for Sec- retary of War Alger during his visit to Cuba, Senator Proctor was himself Sec- retary of War during Mr. Harrison's tert, and is necessarily thoroughly familiar with the War Department matters. He would probably know as well the line of inquiry in Cuba th> department would be interest- ed in as would the present Secretary him- self. Senator Proctor arrived in Washington last night. He was very careful not to say anything that might affect the Cuban sit- uation. He disavowed any sort of official krowl2dge on the Cuban question or on the svbject of the Maine disaster. He sald he thought the Maine had been destroyed by an external explosion. The condition of the inhabitants of Cuba, he said, was ter- rible. From estimates of Spanish officials, he said he judged that about 200,000 recoft- centradoes had died since the Weyler order went into 2ffect, and as many more were now in need of immediate relief. The im- provement duri:g Bianco’s regime, he said, had been but little. If let alone, th> pres- ent form of hostilities in Cuba would con- tinue indennitely, tne condition of the island growing steadily-worse. The settlement of ths-question must come from the outside of the island. He spoke of Blanco as a kind- hearted official, who did the best he could under difficult circumstances, @".d said that the result of his efforts to ameliorate the condition of the peopl: was but slight. Mr. Proctor denied that he had an official mission, and said that the purpose of his missary general of subsistence, stationed at Chicago, was placed on the retired list two of the scows coal is being discharged, F wa ser trons fourth shells board the hip a for the big guns. The ultimate destination of the Oregon is presumably the At.antic coast. She is taking in one hundred tons of coal, which, it is figured, will carry her to Callao, as already stated. She will await orders at, Valparaiso. 3 ——_+—. Steamer Libeled. ‘the State, War and Navy Departments A libel was today filed in the District building, who has ae ee to bis | ccurt by George Love against the schoone: house with rheumatism days past,| “Briny.” It is sought by this means tc encal (genie a oy meme yates rk paneer collect $22 claimed to be due as seaman’: sume = ; wages.