Evening Star Newspaper, March 15, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ~ PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 336) Ferreyivania Avenue, Cor. 11th St, by The Erening Star N * Sh RAUrEMARN Preseen eee Few York Office, 49 Potter Buildin. ‘The Evening Star fs served to subscribers in the erty by etrrfers, on thelr own account, at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents per month. Coptes at the ccunter 2 certs each. By nswhere in the ted States «r Canada—postage prepald—80 cents ™ turday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with fereiga pestage added $2.00. ed at the Po t Gifice at Washington, D. C.. < ma’l matter.) subscriptions must be pa’ Rates of advertising made known on ap: Military Preparations of the Depart- ments Discussed. BIDS FOR TRANSPORTATION OPENED pee. First Meeting of the Fortifications Board. ed INVESTIGATION POSTPONED The President's cabinet, in a protracted meeting this morning. discu sed exhaust- ively the military preparations of the de- partments. ecretary Long, it was stated, looked for a report from the Maine court of inquiry later in the week. Bids were epened for the transportation of artillery batteries to the coast defenses. The fortifications board began a series of secret sessions. An attempt was made in the House to take up the bill for the rellef of the Maine sufferers, but objection was made. The Senate naval affairs committee de- cided to postpone the proposed investiga- tion of the Maine disas Reports from Havana indicate that the report of the court of inquiry wili be ready in two or three days. Pope Leo uses his good offices to prevent war with Spain. San Francisco sails from Lisbon. ter. The net today devoted its session to ad m of the details of the work be- = done in the Navy and War Depart- ments. It was said that the actual work ef the meeting cculd have been accor plished in twenty minutes, but that the officials were so deeply interested that they remained two hours listening to the President and other members. A number of telegrams as to negotiations going on in this country and abroad were read and commented on. It is admitted that the government is still in s of good ships and will take all rei it can get that are werth being paid for. ¢ purchase of the Brazilian cruisers has not satisfied that the coun- try is suffi good fight- ing machines, and of others HN recom- merous details of contracts made and vo be made for w erial of all Were sub d 2 conn n with th ion eral preparations, Se Long mitted the offers of of various vessels which might be turn2d into auxiliary ¢ ers in case of war. There are many offe s kind. They require conside ifting. The most of this devolve on the President a: Long, but advice and sugges come from all cabinet officiais. Report of the Court of Inquiry. The cabinet was not given any informa- n the court of inquiry will make its report. Secretary Long is still of opinion, it is said, that the report will rtheoming the last of this week. Noth- Ss to how report will > when it does come. The be- iS expressed some circles that it will public by being sent to Con- by the President. There is a gener: fear in official that ™ ain the the report ahead of the administration. don't know how this could be done, er, and will do all in their power to gainst such an occurrence. President said nothing today, it is to indicate his intentions in fu- dealings with Spain. He enters with deal of interest into the discus- sion of the preparations making with mem- bers of the cabinet, but he carefully re- frains from saying anything which would indicate th nt of his mind. In fact, he gives his confidence on this subject to few persons, and reports as to what the Pres! dent has said to caliers are generally the work of vivid imaginations. The meeting of the cabinet at an earlier hour than usual today had the effect to largely suspend act War and Navy Departments duri fcrenoon. It was Lot long, however, after the ng begar. before some of the bu- reau officers of the Navy Department were called upoa by telephone and messenger to supply information on techincal points, showing that the cabinet was more or less ecneerned in the situation. tion as to w enterprising news substance of ned, me Fortifications Bourd in Session. The fortifications board began its sessions today in the War Department. The pro- ceedings are guarded zealously against publication. Li Howell tot Ver; the representative of the Torpedo Company, has submitted War Department a proposition to supplement the deferses of the larger coast perts, such as New York and Boston, by ing a number of light-draught steam hes with torpedo outfits. He urges by the full u: of this means of de- the harbors may be kept open for ccmmerce up to the last moment, which weuld not be the case were sole reiiance ed on the ordinary fixed mine and tor- pedo. These torpedos have a range of about two miles, and start off at a speed 02 thirty knots, and if the beats from which they are discharged are properly Tred, as pre sed by Lieut. Very, they weuld undoubtedly be valuable adjuncts to the coast defer The difficulty, however, is that the army has heretofore regarded auto-Mobile torpedoes as proper instru- ments for naval use, and are scarcely dis- posed to change their policies at this date. Ability to Supply Rifles. A representative of the Winchester Arms Compai in conference today with General Miles and General Flagler at the office of the bureau of ordnance of the army, with a view to examining various pattern: of rifles made by this concern, and of ascertaining how speedily they cou.u be furnished in large quantities in case of emergency. Samples of two of the latest patterns of 30-caliber rifles, one a Winches- ter and the other a Lee straight-pull gun, were examined. No contracts were made, but the conference led to a full understand- ing as to how speedily an urgent demand for rifles could be met. The representa- tive of the Winchester company stated that the present commercial demand, partieu- larly that connected with the Klondike ex- in Star. 14,052. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1898-TWENTY-TWO PAGES. TWO CENTS. citement, kept tite company at its full ca- pacity, but that governmient orders would be fitied without reference to these private obligations. The company has a force of twenty-two hundred men, and by working ten hours a day, with several shifts, it is believed that the government could be sup- plied with rifles at a very rapid rate. A large number of Winchesters could be sup- plied at once. Contracts for Transportation. B:!s were opened in the quartermaster’s office of the War Department today for transporting seme of the artillery batter! 4 that ar> to men the fortification works re- cently completed. The batteries for whose movements bids were opened include the following: Battery L, 4th Artillery, from Fert McHenry, Md., to Fort Delaware; Bat- tery I, 4th Artillery, from Washington, D. C., barracks to Fort Mott, near Fort Dela- ware; Battery E, 4th Artillery, from Fort onroe to Sheridan's Point, on the Poto- attery I, Artitlery, from Fort ‘oe to Fort Caswell, near the mouth of vor; Battery F, Ist Artil- from Fert Monroe to Tybee Island, Battery I, Ist Artillery, from Fort e to Fort Morgan, Other movements fer which bids will be opened at the nearest le headquar- ters are the band, headquarters and Bat- the Cape Fe. lery, tery C of the Ist Artillery, from St. Au- gustine to Sullivan's Island, Charleston barbor; Light Battery B, 4th Artiliery, from Fort Rile an., to Jacksen barracks, La.; Light Battery F, 4th Artillery, from Fort Riley to Fort Monroe; Light Battery F, 5th Artillery, frem Fort ey to Savannah, Ga. The light battery at Fort Sam Hous- jalveston. later. mov England as in New York and New t of the recent orders h Artillery—Two batteries from Fort 2 to Fort Hanceck, one battery from Sleew Fort Wadsworth to Fort Hancock, and one battery from Fort Hamilton to Vort Han- cock. 2d Artiilery—One battery from Fort Adams to Long Island Head. The Pennsylvania railroad was awarded the contract for carrying the troops from Washington barracks to Fort Mott and from Fort McHenry to Fort Delaware, and the Seaboard Air Line, from Fort Monroe to Forts Morgan, Caswell and Tybee Island. Artillery for the Militia. Inspired by the war sentiment prevailing in many parts of the country, officers of state militia organizations have been 1n- quiring of the War Department as to al- lotments of arms, ammunition, etc., in the nt of trouble. There is an annual ap- ition, aggregating about $400,000, is allotted mong the militia of the ral state cording to their numeri- cal strength, snd the money granted mi branch of the service be expen: desired. That feature which has received some attention lately relates to the artil- lery field pieces, only a few states of which have been supplied with this n ary ad- junct to succ service. The militia organizatt rule, been sattslie@ with the ¢ Napoleon pounder brass cannon, ball, but their use whicn fires a solid be: Imost entirely ded in the ri r army. Of lat states of New York, Illinois, ivania, Verm Utah and a few es have been furnished with the 1 artillery pieces used by the War rvice. The official prompt to to the requests of the mi- iitia erganizations if their ailotment of the annual appropriation made by Congress is not exhausted; but in the absence of any money on-hand to t it of the states no equipment of any acter can be given them. Nery strength of the state militia organizations in time of pea is four field piece: pieces. Designs for Torpedo Boats. The agent in this country of the Thorny- croft Torpedo Boat Compaay of England, Mr. Platt, has submitted to Secretary Long @ proposition for the sale io the govern- ment of designs and complete working drawings for the five torpedo boat destroy- ars built by his firm. Predicting that the department would find it absolutely im- possible to buy any of these craft in Eu- rope at this juncture Mr. Platt has urged the propriety of having the govern: here start immediately a number of our shipbuilding firms in th2 construction of these boats. The particular pattern is that of the torpedo boat destroyer Fame, built for the British government. This craft, the type of those so strongly desired by the Navy Department just now, is of more than £0 Knots speed and 300 tons burden, large enough to be thoroughly seaworthy, and carrying sufficient coal at economical speed to run 4,000 knots. This is an advantage not possessed by any of our boats, the im- portance of which is fully illustrated by the a:flicultiss confronting the efforts of the Spaniards to get their torpeds boat flotilla across the Atlantic to Cuba. Based upon the statements of shipbui!ders who have been approached on the subject the depart- ment has satistied {ts2lf that a number of these boats can be built in from six te eight months. We now have under construction in the United States four boats rated at thirty krots, but with the exception of the one built at the Unton iron works, which is 60 per cent advanced toward completion, very little progress has been made in their con- struction. One of the beats is building at Harlan & Hollingsworth’s, one at the Gas Engine and Power Company, and one at Wolff & Zwicker’s, Portland, Oregon. Work at Recruiting Stations. The navigation bureau of the Navy De- partment is receiving reports of the results of the efforts making at the various re- cruitiag stations to obtain men for the navy. Twenty boys have been received on board the receiving ship Wabash at Bos- ton, and thirty will be enlisted in a day or two. All will be transferred to the train- ing station at Newport. Owing ‘o the lim- ited accommofations there, however, the departmert has not been able to progress as rapidly as it desires in enlisting boys. So far the Columbia is about 200 men short of her quota of 402, but it is hoped that the recessary men, mostly firemen and coal passers, can be secured In the course of a few days. Movements of the Warships. The guuboat Annapolis has started home from the Wert Indies, leaving Curacoa yes- terday directly for Key. West. She has a number of apprentices aboard, being a training ship, and it is not yet determined whether she will be attached to the squad- ron. The torpedo boat Winslow arrived at Key West yesterday. The steel tug Samo- set arrived at Beaufort yesterday morning and proceeded immediately on her way to Key West in the afternoon. The torpedo boat Foote also sailed frcm Charleston for Jacksonville yesterday. The tug Leyden arrived at League Island this morning. She (Continued on Eighth Page) and in time of war six COURT'S WORK DONE Report on Maine May Be Made ina Few Days. DIVERS VERIFYING SOME DETAILS Pope Leo Uses His Influence to Preserve Peace. WAR IN THE PHILLIPINES NEW YORK, March 15.—The World’s corresponcent at Havana telegraphs today that the report of the naval board of in- quiry will be ready to forward to Washing- ton in two or three days at the outside. A few little details of expert testimony are teing carefully coliected to wind up things, and the drawings and plans based on the divers’ investigations are nearly finished. The divers are only descending now to verify the points already suggested by pre- vious discoveries and to take accurate measurements cf certain important plates of the wrecked cruiser and the twisted ram, which tie correspondent asserts Hes in such a position as to prove that an out- side force destrcyed the battle ship. Pope Leo Strives for Peace. LONDON, March 15.—The Pall Mall Ga- zette this afternoon publishes a dispatch from Rome which says there has been a recent exchange of communications be- tween the Vatican and Spain In regard to Cuba and the relations with the United The pope, it is added, Is ready to \s r to prevent hos- Continiiing, the dispatch says: “The Vatican has specially exerted infla- , and has tried directly and indirectly to dissuade the United States from plunging into war with Spain. Ac- cording to information here, if the offices of the pontiff are accepted, he will propose that Cuba remain under the dominion of Spain, but that it be ruled on the lines of an English colony.” Germany's Advice Unasked. BERLIN, March 15.—The North German Gazette this afternoon denies that Germany has received any inquiry from the United States in regard to her attitude in the event of war. O'Higgins Purchase Reasserted. “LONDON, March 15.—It 1s reasserted here today that the Spanish government has secured the Chilean battle ship O'Hig- gins, which has been built by the Arm- strongs for Chile. War Material for Spain. BIRMINGHAM, England, March 15.—The Kynochs Company has already dispatched part of a large Spanish order for special projectiles, standing four and one-half feet high, the largest ever made by the Ky- nochs. é The War in the Philippines. MADRID, March 15.—According to an of- fictal dispatch received here from Manilla, capital of th2 Philippine Islands, today, five hundred insurgents were killed during the suge of Balinao. The dispatch adds that the insurgent forces have not offered any resistance to the Spanish troops s2nt to the relief of the garrison. San Francisco Leaves Lisbon. LISBON, March 15.—The United States cruiser San Francisco sailed from here today, going in a southwesterly dir2ction. The war departrrent has decided to com- plete the defenses of the port of Lisbon as speedily as possible. ence at Wa: It is stated at the Navy Department that. the San Franciseo is not going to take a” scuthwesterly course, but has been ordered to Great Britain, where she will make up a crew for the Amazonas, the Brazilian cruiser purchased by the United States. It is the present intention to have the San Francisco convey the Amazonas across the Atiantic, but this purpose is not a fixed one as yet. == TRAN R OF TORTUGAS. Surgeon General Wyman Conferring With Other Officials. The transfer of the Island of Tortugas from the jurisdiction of the Treasury De- partment to the War Department has not yet been effected, though the marine hos- pital authorities assert their readiness to yucate whenever the necessity arises. Surgeon General Wyman was conferring with the other officials today as to the plan to be pursued upon the relinquishment of the quarantine station at Tortugas, ani went carefully over a number of proposi- tions looking either to the establishment of another station in that general neighbor- hood or the enlargement of some of the ex- isting stations to meet the loss of its ser- vice at Tortugas. As yet there is no defi- nfte action determined upon as to this point. Dr. Wyman said today he did not care to do anything that might be looked upon as an obstruction to the plans, but so far as possible and consistent the “eds of the marine hospital service and ‘ne responsible work dependent upon it should be consid- ered and attended to in connection with the transfer of the island. He had no plans fixed yet, but, if necessary, the service could be removed from the island in twen- ty-four hours on an emergency, o IDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. Promotions in the Commissary De- partment of the Army. The President today sent these nomina- tions to the Senate: L. J. Pettijohn, to be receiver of public moneys at Dodge City, Kan.; Albert L. Love, to be register of the land office at Bozeman, Mont. 7. War—Promotions in commissary general of subsistence department: Lieutenant Col- onel C. P. Eagan, to be colonel; Major J. J. Clague, to be lieutenant colonel; Captain A. L. Smith, to be major; First Lieutenant A. D. Niskern, 2d Infantry, to be captain. Navy—Pay Inspector James E. Tolfree, to be a pay director; George M. Lukesh of Ohio, to be an assistant paymaster. Postmasters—lIllinois: John A. Bingham, Vandalia; O. V. Parkinson, Centralia. Virginia—R. Lee Rosson, Culpeper. ee i DISAPPROVED THE FINDINGS, PR Seerctary Long’s Aciion in the Cave of Lieut. Com. Adams. Lieut. Commander James D. Adams, at- tached to the coast defense ship Monterey at Mare Island, Cal., was recently acquitted by general court-martial of the charge of drunkenness on duty. Secretary Long, be- ing of opinion that the circumstances of the case as disclosed by the evidence, justi- fied a different conclusion, has issued an order disapproving the findings of the court and administering a sharp reprimand. In- asmuch, however, as the findings of the court are binding on the department, the officer has been released from arrest and restored to duty. The common-law rule that a man cannot be put in jeopardy more than once 1or the same offense prevails in the navy just as it does in the civil juris- diction. CONDITIONS UNCHANGED The Feeling in Congress in Regard tothe! Cuban Question, Many Rumors Afloat—The Adjourn- ment Story Not Relinble—The Court Report. of Inquiry According to the statements of men in both houses of Congress who aim to keep themselves posted from day to day as to the developments of the situation there has been no change in c@nditions. The Cuban question has been developing steadily along the lines which have been apparent for more than a week. The preparations for war are going on with all possible energy, and nothing has occurred to render the aspect of affairs less sericus, except that the better prepared this country is for war the greater becomes the hope that Spain will act with some degree of wisdom. The fact that this government has purchased the two Brazilian cruisers gives more prom- ise of peace than would their purchase »: Spain. The fact that we are able to mi such effective preparations for war in a sbort time, while Spain's best efforts make but slow progress, 1s also an argument for Spain to be more reasonable than to force war-upon us. According to the most re- liable information, it is in this way only that the situation has become mere satis- factory. There is no change in the situa- tion that can be foreseen until the report of the board of inquiry has been received. After that developments are expected to be rapid. Rumors of Ali Sorts Afloat. Meanwhile rumors of all sorts are started by men with theories and men who have some selfish aim to advance. Most of the reports relate to impossible conditions and things which could not have any influence upor the main issue. The report that a syndicate is ready to put up the money for Cuba to buy her indepen- dence is not credited by the best informed men in Congress, and if it were true, it 1s said, it would not materially change the aspect of affairs. There 1% no indication that Spain will charge from the position of not being willing to part with Cuba un- der any conditioas, least of all for money. Nor would the willingness of certain wealthy men to make investments in Cuba have any relation to the, Maine disaster. It is pointed out that none of these sug- gestions affect the fact that it lles a Spain to determine whether she is going to make war necessary, aud that the policy of this government is straightforward and does not necessarily invelve war. It is a krown fact that the Cubans would not re- fuse to assume a part of the Spanish debt upcn the island, and that they would be glad to avail themselves of a guarantee of their bonds either by this government or by private capitalists. It is held, how- ever, that if this government is not going to give up the guarantee itself it cannot base negotiations on the private transac- Ucns of individuals, but that the recogni- tion of independence of Cuba by this gov ernment must come independently of y financial deal the Cuban er private parties may enter into with Spain. The whole thing is regarded as ofy@ piece with the many other suggestion of _ settlement which have been made and haye been de- clared a sure thing by their authors. The Adjournment Story. On a par with th{s is tljg story that the democrats in Congregs are seeking to force an adjournment of Congress before any- thing is done in the Cuban matter. The fact is, as disclosed In conversations with mary men in both houses of Congress, that there is no party division on the question of the present crisis, but the democrats almost to a man are opposed to an ad- journment until the poliey of the Presi- dent is definitely announced. Many, and probably most, of the republicans occupy the same position. A few men, not distin- guished on party lines, are anxious that Congre: ould adjourn, leaving the Cuban question unsettled. These are ultra peace men; men who are for peace at any price. The position generally assumed is that the President, having the support of Congress, is going to follow out a policy which will be satisfactory to Congress. If this as- sumption is correct there is believed to be reason why Congress should be in session until it fs shown that there will be nothing for it to do; if the assumption is incorrect, then there will be a strong disposition on the part of Congress, to take some action respecting Cuba.” - Senator Jones of Arkansas, the democrat- ic leader of the Senate, said today that he had heard of no such thing as democrats trying to force an adjournment, and that the suggestion was absurd. The Court of Inquiry Report. Among the reports is one that the board of inquiry is to hold back its report for a long time at the suggestion of the adminis- tration. Men in Congress who are in touch with the administration insist that the President is not trying to control or in- fluence the court of ingpiry in any way whatever, and that he is as desirous of an early report as is any one. ‘The announcement that the Spanish tor- pedo fleet has sailed for Cuba confirms the belief of officials that the statement that this fleet was not to sail was put out for the purpose of deceiving this government. It is regarded as unfortunate, if war is to come, that this fleet should’ be permitted to get safely across: the sea and strengthen the defense of Havana. —_e-____—_ ARMY AND NAVY ORDERS, Notes of General Interest to the Service. Maj. George Andrews, recently appointed assistant adjutant general, has been rs- lieved from duty with the National Guard of Ohio and ordered to take station at Omaha as adjutant general of the Depart- ment of the Missouri. Lieut. William J. Barden, Corps of En- ginzers, has been ordered to temporary duty at Newnes rt, RT... “ Maj. Wallace F. Randolph, 24 Artillery, has been relieved from duty at,Fort Riley, pean and ordered to duty at San Fran- cisco. ae First Lieuts. John R. Williams, 8d Artil- lefy, and George L. Ander jon, 4th Artillery, have been ordered to report at Fort Monroe for examination for promotion... Leaves of absence for one gnonth have been granted Capt. -M, M, Brewer, assist- ant surgeon, and Lieut,.G. W. 8. Stevens, 1st Artillery. ms, Bee Lisut. Matt R. Petersay, Company B, and Lieut. H. J. Hunt, have ex- changed places in the Infgatry. Commander R. Rush hag beep ordered to the command of the he ‘ip Essex, March 19, relieving rE. T, Strong, who is order2d; home and granted two months’ leave. a :. Commander 8. Belden: was d on the retired list today by SS eae Chaplain F. B. Rose: begn detached frem the Naval Home, Philad2Iphia, to await retirement April 5. Ensign D. F, Sellers, from the Essex to the Alliance as watch and division officer, relieving Ensign A. A. McKethan, who is ordered to the Ess2x, Basign H. E. Smith and Pay Inspector Griffing have been tran: from the Baltimore to the Bennington. ~ foie a Ts Se — has n order: under rector 2 C. Cosby, genereh ian eabar of tie Per Civil Engineer u who has |WORK ON DEFENSES ‘San Francisco Harbor Safe From Hostile Fleet Attacks. HEAVY BATTERIES FOR NEW YORK Illinois Nayal Reserves Actively Pre- paring for War. ORGANIZING 1N OREGON SAN FRANCISCO, March 15.—The land defeases of San Francisco harbor have been greatly strengthened of late and the mili- tary and naval authorities agree that the presence of the tattle ship Oregon is not essential for the protection of the port. The ten-inch batiery at Point has been reinforced by the addition of two 0 there are now five ten-inch rifles position. Five twelve-inch s com- manding a fine sweep cf the ccean can be brought to bear on a ship attempting to pass through the narrow c vetween Lime Point and Fort Point. Three more 12-inch guns at Fort Baker, together with the 16 mortars and three dy- namite guns on the peninsula, cen also be brought into use at long or short range. The great guns on Lime Point, nearly 500 feet above the water, are so high that unging fire against the deck of a ship be delivered. All of the formidabic weapons are so situated that their fire may be concentrated on any hostile fleet at- tempting to enter the Golden Gate. Batteries at Fort Wadsworth, NEW YORK, March 15.—Representatives of the goverr ment visited Fort Wadsworth and have secured valuable land adjoining the new fertification Extra gangs of mechanics and laborers have been put to work with orders to rush the completion of the three heavy batteries, which, when completed, will mount the heaviest disappearing guns in New York harbor. Mlineis Naval Reserve. CHICAGO, March 15.—Twelve thousand dollars will be raised py the al Reserve Association of Illinois to uniform and equip the Chicago ships crew. Resolutions to this ¢ were adopted nimously by the officers and the trus- u tees of the association. Oregon Nations! Guard. PORTLAND, Oreg., March 15.—Steps have been taken looking to the organiza’ serve for the state of Oregon. At a meeting in the Ist Regiment Armory of the Oregon tional G a roll was opened and twenty-five signatures s It Is expected that forty gnen will sign the roi, and then application will be made to Governor Lord for authority to organize a company. jon Inspection Board Meets. NEW YORK, March 15.—The board for the Inspection of auxiliary cruiscrs met in secret session today. The board is to de- cide today whether the American line steamer St. Louls may sail tomorrow or shall be held for armament. A draft of thirty-three men for the Co- lumbia and Minneapolis at League Island Was sent off from the Brooklyn navy yard today. They were taken off by a na yard tug and sent to Jersey City in charge of Warrant Officer Peter Ward. Enlistment at New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS, March 15.--The enlist- ment office here was opencd this morning at the custom house, in charge of Lieut. Commander Hawley, Citef Engineer W2b- ster and Surgeon Persons. Long before the offices were thrown open several hundred men had gathsred before the doors, and throughout the morning the crowd increas- ed. The enlisting officers found an abund- ance of good material and all applicants were subjected to rigid examinations. The promise is that the desir3.i complement for the navy will be speedily secured. > TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE. Naval Needs Considered by the House Committee. When Secretary Long was before the naval committee yesterday in the course of his remarks he recommended the pass- ege of the bill for the reorganization of the personnel of the navy which was pre- pared by the board of which Assistant Secretary Roosevelt was president. He said it’would be a good time to remove the strife which has been caused for so many years between the officers of the line and staff by the existing conditions and would also provide some additional officers now urgently needed for the ships which are going into commission. But the matter was not particularly pressed. Nothing was said about the President’s indorsement of the measure. It is likely that the committee will take up the consideration of the bill after the naval appropriation bill is completed. The committee is generally favorable to the in- creases asked by Chief Engineer Melville, Paymaster General Stewart and Surgeon Generai Van Reypen. Chief Engineer Melville asked for an in- crease of 107 engineer officers, and when Mr. Boutelle suggested that 100 additional machinists might meet the demands of the engineer department he made no strong protest. Some of the members of the naval committee are becoming very impatient over the long delay in completing the bill, and a strong effort will be made to settle the dock question today. Several of the members have decided to support a propo- sition for four new docks. Secretary Long today sent to Chairman Boutelle a provision to be inserted in the naval bill incorporating the receommenda- tions he made yesterday as to assistant en- gineers or skilled machinists, assistant pay- masters and assistant surgeons being in- creased in number. 3 For a Naval Training Station. The Senate committe on naval affairs to- day authorized a favorable report on the amendment to the naval appropriation bill appropriating $100,000 for a naval training station on Yerbe Buena Island, California. a —_- 2 +____ EXPECTED CIVIL SERVICE ORDER. —_— It Was Not Discussed in the Cabinet - Meeting. ‘The President did not talk with the cabi- net today about the civil service order he is expected- to promulgate. The general expectation has been that the order was due about this time, but the President has been so heavily employed with other work as to have been unable to give the atten- tion to the order that he desired. The or- ex when promulgated, will follow many of @_recommendati ions of the Senate civil pehpank uasnn ee Lae van Dot bate eoee in exemptions erations of the law. to be_made from the op- ————__o—____ CALLERS ON THE PRESIDENT. Ex-Vice President Stevenson a Caller at the White House. A mysterious kind of a visit was paid to the White House tcday by ex-Vice Presi- dent Stevenson, Ferdinand Peck of Chi- cego and Jobn C. Calhoun of New York, It is claimed that Mr. Stevenson was sum- moned here by the President. The confer- erce with the President was held in the library just befere the cabinet meeting. The members of the party refused to dis- cuss the occasion ef their visit. The interview lasted only a few minuies, and as he left the White House Mr. Ste- venson said that he called simply to pay his respects to the President. In reply to inquiries, he said that he had no informaticn not accessible to every one, but it was his belief that our differences with Spain would be honorably setued without resorting to war. Col. Robert G. Ingersoll and Denman Thempson were also visitors at the White House. 2 SEE RAILWAY LEGISLATION, Senatcr Pettigrew Will Limit the Extension Franchises. When che Capital Traction Company's Dill is c: ed up in the Senate on the mo- tion made by Mr. Lindsay for reconsidera- tion a few da age, Senator Pettigrew will have considerable to say about this and other street railroad bills that are now pending before Congress. These bills grant the companies the most extensive exten- sions of their lines which have ever been given during a single session of Congres: Senator Pettigrew will endeavor to have ali the bills amended so that the franchise for extensions may be a limited one, and at the expiration of a certain term of years may give the an option to either purchase and operate them in the future as municipal enterprises, er to again lease them on terms to be determin- ed upon at that time. Mr. Pettigrew will Falso endeavor to have a provision inserted in these bills which will prevent the w ing of stock or the paying of excessive divi- dends to the stockholders. He will also have a provision in regard to the taxation of the companies which will give the gov- {ernment 2 larger return of revenue from that source —___-e—___ Ss OR QULESADA, Over Hix Attendance at the Vice President's Reception. Considerable gossip was excited today by the fact that Senor Quesada, the secretary of the Cuban junta, was one of tne guests at the reception of the Vice President to Prince Albert last evening. ’ Senor Quesada has been the recipient of much social a tention in Washington, but the aimost o: ficial character of this reception by the Vice President to the heir presumptive to the throne of Belzium r his invita- tion, in th broad recognition. than this it woul] be as equivalent to a of his status as a for SAILED FROM LIs country id, Departure of the Saa Francisco for Englan In obedience to orders from th: Navy De- pertment, the San Francisco, flagship of the European station, sailed from Lisbon, Pertugal, this morning, for Newcas gland, for the purpose of transferring a suitable number ef officers to ship Amazonas, which has just been purchasea by the United States from the government of Brazil, It has also bee arranged that the San Francisco shall a company the new naval acquisition across the Atlantic to this country. The two vessels will start on their voy- age as soon as the Amazonas can be made ready, which is not expected to consume more than a ‘ew days. The .clectiun of a commander of the ship has been left wo Admiral Howell commanding the Buro- pean station, who is now on the San Fran- 2, and the probabiilty is that the dut devolve upon the executive officer of that vessel. Although the United States has aiready taken practical possession of the Abreuall the other Brazilian warship purchased for the United States navy, it will be several eks before thate vessel is in complete readiness for sea service. In the meantime arrangeme will be made to supply her with officers and a crew, so that there may be no delay in her departure for the United S$ While it is known that the the Navy is negotiat ment of other warship: ling in Euro- pean yards, Secretary Long is authority for the statement that no others have as yet been secured KENTUCKY TOW? BAD PLIGHT. Middle: ro’? Has a Smallpox Epi- demic and Needs Aid. FRANKFORT, Ky., March 15.—The ernor received a message from Middles- bcro’ today stating there are seventy new cases of smallpox and 400 suspects there. The city is quarattined, has no money, Advertising is not an expense. It is a business investment. If you want to invest your money profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly by everybody worth reaching. The Sta: is the recognized household and family journal of the National Capital, and has no rival as an advertising med- ium. Dennis J. Canty Shoots and Kills George M. Rye. BOTH WERE WELL KNOWN An Exciting Affair on a Crowded Business Street. > THE PRISONER'S STATEMENT Deanis J. Canty shot and killed George Rye a few minutes after 12 o'clock today at the northwest corner of lith and F streets. Death was practically diate. Canty was taken to the first precinet sta- tion, on 12th t, and the body of Rye Was first cerried to Drew's drug store on the opposite corner and then removed in the the Emergency Hospita’ r cause of the tragedy was a difiiculty yout money matters As may be imagined, an occurrence of such a Sensational character as the shoot- ing of a man in one of the busiest bual- ness sections of the city at an hour in the di more people arc on the Streets than at any other time creaied ihe most intense excitement. Peor were swarming out of the Treasury Department and the places of busizess on the way to lunch and enjoying the bright sunshine. Suddenly the report of a pistol was heard, the shots, thre or four in num follow- ing each other in rapid succession. Looking in the direction of the sound the spectaiors saw a youngish-looking man, Wearing a Prince Albert black « ard a silk hat, stancing in the street about ten or fifteen fe2t from the northwest corner of 14th and F streets. All at once he stag- ambulance probs ge then his arms went up above his head and he sank on one knee. Ne strug- gled to gt up, but in vain, and then he fell cn the pavement, going down heavily and in a h » a8 if he had ivst entire control of his body. Men and »oys ran to the fall man, while others collected about a large, well-dress2d man, who wi stood facing the crowd. The Arres There were cries heard th pale iace f “Don't let him ne threats were uttered. 0 proved to be Canty, as- him that he was not g9- ing to try to get away, and in a few mo- ments a policeman forced a path through the throng and settled the uncertainty that seemed to exist as to what exactly ought to be done with Canty. “He will go with me,” said the officer, as with a firm grasp of Canty’s arm he began to force his way out of the crowd s he moved the spectators i sv the mass of men with the icer and Canty in the center ma: their way slowly across F street and started to go down 14th street. Happening to see a cab sti 14th street, the officer concluded would make bet- ter progress by putting his at his side wrses, the vol- left behind prisoner inside, and, the drive: untary escort w In the meantitne the Emergency Hospital wagon had becn summoned and the body of Rye was brought out from the drug stere Where it had been ried the Wagon followed at a short interval! down 14th street the cab containing Canty. After the removal of the living, the crowd find out the details two principals, dead and rged around trying to f the affair. Much Eacitement. In the excitement of the moment there were several ather sharp encounters among individu: composing the crowd about Canty. was takea away by the officer the seemed to reach @ ratuer acute stage and at ore time there was a liability of personal enc ers, A large number of faw « more phases, but very few the entire affair. VD man at lea as a witness of the entire tragedy, and that was Mr. Pierre aman. He was standing at the north- st corner of 14th street and F street talking with Canty when Rye ne up. It is a singular coincidence, Weggaraan, in about the matter, proached us ( talking to @ Star r hat when ap- saying to me that 2 was afraid t e was going to kill im. Yesterday Canty told me Kye met nty in front of 1331 F street and he drew the county can apprcpriate none and the city’s stricken pecple are liable to starve. The governor at once prepared an emer- gency special message to the legislature, which is in session for the last day, urging them to make an appropriation, and in- timating that he will sign a bill without any question about the irregularities of putting such a measure through in one day. Sick members of the board of health have telegraphed their resignations, in order that well men, able to go to the scene of trouble, may be appointed in their stead. iat a PLEASED AT QUESADA INCIDENT. Senor Palma Thinks It Significance. NEW YORK, March 15—Dr. Tomas Estrada Palma of the Cuban junta in this city seid today: “I consider Mr. Quesada’s pfesence at Vice President Hobart’s reception to the Belgian prince in Washington yesterday a ratter of great importance. He was in vited as the accredited representative of the Cuban republic, together with the Spanish ministez and other members of the diplomatic corps. “Mr. Quesada’s presence under the cir- cumstances as an honcred guest is very significant. It 1s a semi-official recognition of the Cuban repuonc. “I have known that Vice President Ho- bert’s sympathies were with the Cubag cause, and I am glad he has made that fact known in such a public manner.” ea EXPORTS AND IMPORTS. Has Deep t of the Bureau of Statintics for February. The monthly statement of the imports and exports of the United States, issued b» the bureau of statistics, shows that dur- ing February last the exports of domestic merchandise amounted to $93,312,674, a gain as compared with February, 1897, of about $15,500,000. The imports of mer- chandise during the last. month aggre- gated $53,082,117, of which $22,653,304 was free of duty. The total imports of merchandise during February show a decrease of over $6,000,- 000 as compared with February, 1897. ‘The gold exports amounted to $951,367 and the imports $5,329,100. The silver ex- ports eggregated $3,753,331 and the imports Forethe eight months =nded with Feb- |ruary ‘there was an increase, as com- pared with the ‘same period last year, of $77,587,101 in the exports of domestic mer- chandise; a decreas? of $19,982,116 in the Statem knife and threatened to kill him. “When Rye came up to us today,” con- tinued Mr. Wa: 1, “he took out bis knife and was evidently intending to at- tack Canty, when the latter drew his pis tol and shot him. It purely a case of seli-defense,” concluded Mr. Waggaman, The Statement of the Prisoner. Mr. Canty was seen by a reporter for The Evening Star shorily after he was taken to the first precinct station house. He was seated in a chair inside the railing behind which the station keeper's desk is situated, and was calm and collected. He said that he had not yet seen counsel, and was disinclined to talk until he hed done so, but he felt sure that The Star reporter would record him correctly. When th2 brokerage firm of which I Was a member failed some time ago from the effects of the bull market,” said Mr. Canty, “Georg: Rye had un account with the firm, He claimed that there was a bal- ance in his favor, but upon an examination of the books it was shown that he was really indebted to the firm to a_ small amount. This fact was stated to him, but he declined to believe it, and continued to demand what he claimed was due him, something like a couple of hundred dollars. Even if his claim had been well founded it would have be2n impossible to have paid him the debt, because I had lost all I had in the failure, and had even gone so far as to sell the carpets off the floor of my house to help meet my obligations. Meeting of the Men Yesterday. “As time has gone on, Rye has become more persistent in his demands, anil ges- terday, on F street, in front of Jeffrey's broker's office, he assaulted me. He drew out a knife and held it in his hand and de- ciared that he would call me up and down every time and everywhere he met me. I told him that it was not right for him to fe2l the way he did, and that if he would only listen to an explanation he would realize it. He continued his abuse of me, still holding the knife in his hand, and I walked away from him. “Today I was standing wiffi Pierre Wag- gcman in front ef the new West=rn Union tejegraph office, at the corner of 14th and F streets, when Rye came up. He said to me: ‘Do you want to call me now?’ I told him: ‘No, George; I don’t want to call you at any tim>.’ His manner then grew as threatening as it was yesterday and he put his hand behind him. I thgught he was geing to draw his knife and attack me, and I stepped back and shot him, because I felt that it was the only thing for me to ~ do. How ts he?” ° Informed of Rye’s Death, The Star reporter informed Mr. Canty that Mr. Rye was dead. The announce- ment did not change the manner of the prisoner, save to the extent of causing him | to lower his voice. “I am very sorry for that,” h> said, “but I am sure that it was a question of my _