Evening Star Newspaper, March 17, 1898, Page 2

WEYLER A BRAGGART |WiLKINS GeTs six MONTHS] NOT BEFORE MONDAY Tatimates He Would Have Blown Up Our Warships. HE KEPT THEM AWAY FROM HAVANA Letter to a Friend Published for First Time. SITUATION AT MADRID eee NEW YORK, March 17.—The New York Journal this afternoon prints a statement written by Honore F. Laine, the hewspa- per corfespondent recently arrested and searched by Spanish’ officials in Cabanas prison, Havana, and later expelled from the island. This is the opening of Laine’s statement: “On January 24 at 10 o'clock at night I met in the Cafe Inglaterra, the headquar- ters of the reporters in Havana, Francisco Diaz, a reporter of the rabid Spanish pa- per, La Union Constitutional, with whom I ircquently nsed news. “On asking him if he had anything to give me, he took from his pocket a ietter and handed it to me, saying: ‘Weyler wrote this letter to Santos Guzman, who sent it to Nove (the editor of the Union Con: tutional) for him to read and write an ar- ticle on the acceptance by Weyler of the candidacy of deputy to the cortes for Ha- which you car vana. I took this copy, keep.’ ” Letter to Guzman. wing is the alleged letter: Don Francisco de Los . Havana. My Distinguished Personal and Political Friend: Since the latest events 1 have changed my views about the attitude waich our political party in Cuba ought to as- sume. If I have thought before (hat it was more dignified for us to abstain from the electoral contest, [ believe now that it is a patrio! uty for us to go to the polis. Our success canrot be doubted; ne:the can be our majority of voters, nor that with a program of defense of the national henor we wiil have side by side with us alt these lukewarm politicians who, though Spaniards by heari, are deceived by the irside combinations of Moret and Sagasta, and take as scientific solutions of our eclonia! problems what zre really dishon- oreble humiliations of our country betore the United States. Write om your flag, the flag of Spain, “Defense of national honor,” and 1 offer you my name as your candidate. After having commanded during the two years 200,000 Spanish heroes in Cuba, the title I shall be more proud of is that of a jeputy from Havana at the cortes of Spain. sinuates Assassination. By the way, I have read these days that the Americans are por-dering about sending one of their warships to that city. During my command in Cuba they did not even dare to dream about it. They knew the terrible punishment that awaited them. I had Havana harbor well prepared for such an emergency. work I rapidly finished the that Martinez Campos carelessly insult is made, I hop> that there Spanish hand to punish it as ter- will be ribly as it deserves. Romero is in better heal friends could have expected, standing how morally sick I feel br2athing than’ kis nd notwith- this humiliating atmosphere, I am well a’so. Your affectionate friend and servant, VALERIANO WEYLER. Madrid, January $, i80S., Will Not Pay Indemrity. MADRID, March 17—The following semi- official note was Issued h2re today: “The Feport of the Spcnish commission on the Maine is not yet known; but the statements of several technical officers, who have made a close examination of the scene of the disaster, show it was indisputably due to an internal accident. American asser- tions to the contrary are therefore deplored in official quarters as tending to mislead public opinion ard rerder the situation stili more difficult from the standpoint of main- taining friendly relations between the two countries. “It may be regarded as certain that should the American technical commission present @ report declaring the disaster to be due to @n_external explosion the public here will refuse to accept such a finding, and any demand for an indemnity based thereon will be indignantly repelled by Spain.” Statement by Laine. Laine says that he read the letter and Pigeon-holed it, and when the Maine ar- rived he called at the office of the Union Constitutional to see Diaz, in an effort to secure the original of the letter. Some days after the Maine explosion Laine met Diaz, who asked kim if he remembered the letter and what its contents were about an American warship. The American correspondent replied that he did, and that be believed some one had followed Weyler’s advice. Laine eays that he has since found out that Diaz informed the chief of police that he (Laine) had a copy of a letter written by Weyler whieh might bring trouble to the Spanish govern- menz, especially as he was an American newspaper correspondent who was asso- ciating with Captain Sigsbee. On March 4 Laine was arrestei by Col. Paglieri, chief of police of Havana. His friends were informed of his b2ing impris- oned by @ cabman who knew him. Accord- ing to Laine Chief Paglierl said to nim: “Well, sir, we have you here secured, and let me tel! you that th: secret that I know you possess will never be known by others, as no one will ever know what becomes of yeu. Laine replied: “If you think that you can murder me as were Ariza and rozasa, the two young men who were taken from here and killed in the Cerro, you are mis- taken.” + The colonel replied in a calm but stern way: “No, sir; I am not mistaken.” “You may not be mistaken,” said Laine, “but I can tell you that at this moment the French as well as the American consul has been notified that I am here.” This changed the chief's attitude some- what, but he persisted in trying to secure information from Laine. GEN. PANDO IS FOUND. Missing Spanish Officer Turns Up in Puerto Principe. HAVANA, March 17.—General Pando, concerning whose safety anxiety has been expressed in some circles, arrived this morning at Ciego do Aviia, in the middle of the military trocha, extending between Moron and Jacuro, the province of Puerto Principe. Naval officers here are sceptical that the Gestination of the Vizcaya is Vera Cruz, and they believe she will be watched by the United States warships. All will be glad if the reported purchase of.the Bra- and chiefs of volunteers together, and has ordered them to drili and otherwise train bes men in military exercises. t is Oleomargarine Dealer Sentenced Today at Philadelphia. He Must Also Pay a Fine of $1,500 and the Cost of Proseca- tion, PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 17.—Joseph Wilkins of the firm of Wilkins & Company, oleomargarine dealers of Washington, D. C., and Howard Butler, an employe of the | firm, who were recently convicted of violat- | ing the laws governing the sale of oleomar- garine, were today sentenced by Judge But- ler in the United States district court, the judge dismissing the motion entered for a rew trial. Wilkins was senterced to pay a fine of $1,500 and the costs of prosecution and un- ¢ergo an imprisonment. of six months, and Butle- was fined $500 and given months’ imprisonment. It was shown at the trial that Wilkins had frequently violated the law, as in this ease, by removing government stamps and latels from packages of cleomargarine, but kad never before been convicted. side AQUEDUCT TUNNEL. four Bill for Completion Passed _by- the Senrte. The Senate this afternoon passed Senate bill 918 to authorize the complction of the Washington aqueduct tunnel, The bill as passed provides: “That the Secretary of War be, ard is hereby, authorized and directed to resume work on the Washington aqueduct tunnel and its accessories, and the Howard Uni- versity reservoir, authorized by section two 6f the act approved July 15, 1882, entitled ‘an act to increase the water supply of the city of Washington, and for other pur- poses,’ and to prosecute and complete the same; the work on the said tunnel and ac- cessories to be carried on in accordance with the plans of the board of experts as set forth in its report dated January 17, 185, House document No. 166, Sith Con gress, first session, which plans have been approved by the chief of engineers and the Secretary of War nd to carry out the provisions of said act and this paragraph the balance r: maining unexpended from the appropria tions mad= by the said act of July 15, 1856, and by subsequent acts for said purpose, amounting to $293,882.38, is hereby reap- propriat2d, to be advanced out of the rev- enues of the United States, and not subject to the conditions of the capital account created by the act of July 15, 1882, and the sum of $29,852.70 is also hereby appropri- ated out of the surplus general rev»nues of the District of Columbia, to be applied to such parts of the work and in such order as to time a3 the Secretary of War may de2m necessary to promote as soon 4s practicabl2 the completion of the entire system of said works: Provided, that the sum herein set apart and appropriated HI be expended under the direction of the Sec- retary of War and the super’ ion of ths chief of engineers; and the work shall be carried on by contract or otherwise, as the Secretary of War may deem best for the public intzrests. ——_—-e. ABANDONED TRACKS. Senate Passes Bill to Compel Their Removal From Streets. Senator McMillan’s bill to compel street railway companies In the District of Co- lumbia to remove abandoned tracks was passed by the Senate this afternoon. The bill provides: That hereafter whenever the track of tracks or any part thereof of any street railway company in the District of Colum- bia shall not have been operated for rail- way purposes for a period of three months, the Commissioners of said District, in their discretion, may thereupon notify such company to remove said unused tracks and to place the street in good condition; and if such company shall neglect or refuse to re move said tracks and place the street in good condition within sixty days after such notice, the prestdent of said company shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be liable to a fine of $10 for each and every day during which said tracks are.per- mitted to remain upon the street or streets or said roadway shall remain out of repair, which fine shall be recovered in the Police Court of said District, in the name of said District, as other fines and penalties are row recovered in said court. POSTMASTER BAKER’S MURDERERS. The President Assures Those Who Want Justice of His Sympathy. Senator Penrosé of Pennsylvania and ex- Representative Smalls of South Carolina today a:companied a delegation of Baptist ministers from Philadelphia to see Presi- dent McKinley regarding the Baker mur- der in South Carolina. ‘The Philadeiphia Gelegation represented the colored Baptist ministers’ conference of that city and con- sisted of Rev. A. Gordon, Rev. E. W Moore, Rev. W. A. Burch, Rey. J. L. Barksdale and J. 8S. Trower. The delegation laid before the President a series of resolutions adopted by the minis- ters’ conference, concluding as foliows: “Resolved, That we urge upon his excel- ler cy, the President, and the present Co: gress, that this government shall not leave a stone unturned in giving this case a thor- ovgh investigation and bring the perpetra- tcrs of such a horrible crime to speedy and lawful justice. And be it further “Resolved, That such stringent enact- ments be enacted by the present Congress as to give the government of the United States the right to make the government of the state in which the crime of mob rule may occur pay damages to the in- jured family and also the national govern- ment pay such amounts for damages as the United States may determine for each and every such crime. And that the United States pension all the families that have suffered loss at the hand of mob violence while in the government's employ.” The President informed the ministers that everything is being done to bring the perpetrators of the murder to justice. —_———_-o—____—_ POSTMASTERS NOMINATED. A Large Number of Selections Sent to the Senate. The President today sent these nomina- ticns to the Senate: Postmesters— Massachusetts—Albert G. Thompson, Low- ell. New Jersey—Alexander C. Yard, Trenton. New York—J. P. Moran, White Plains; T. Frank Jones, Ballston Spa; Amos You- rans, Fulton; F. B. Dodge, Mount Morris; G. C. Siisbee, Avoca. Ohio—H. Newhard, Carey; J. M. Wilcox, Ashtabula; C. T. Lacost, Bryan; Frank Shaw, Cardington; Abner Allison, Mount Gilead. . Mississippi—Lizzie Baldwin, Canton. Missouri—S. J. Kleinscmidt, Higginsville. Se aed ne L. Bantz, Humboldt; T. E. > mies ae Monroe, 8. Newoomb,” Coronado; 8. 0; G. F, Wood, ita Monica. (Continued from First Page.) Long to christen one of the newly acquired Brazilian cruisers in its honor. A tele- gram from the New Orleans newspapers was effectual in bringing the entire New Orleans delegation to the Navy Department soon after the opening of the doors for the day’s work. Albany, N. » is ako a formidable condidate for the honor of act- ing as sponsor to the Amazonas, and Sena- tor Platt called upon Secretary Long a. lit- tle before noon to urge that the boat be celled Albany, udding, in support of the application, that Albany was the natal place of Capt. Sigsbee. The naval officials are somewhat per- plexed at the receipt of additional quanti- ties of provisions at Key West destined for the relief of the suffering reconcentradoes in Cuba.- The point is that the department has not just now available any suitable vessel for the delivery of the supplies, and it may become necessary to charter a mer- chant Vessel. sf A representative of a Kansas City news- paper called at the State Department today and notified Judge Day that it had collect- ed a yery large quantity of fruit supplies, which he desired transported, in accord- ance with the promise held out in the President's proclamation, to Cuba. Without doubt some methcd will be found speedily to forward these supplies. Movements of Warships. The gunboat Vicksburg sailed from Mar- tinique for St. Thomas, and the expectation is that the boat will finally join the Squad- ron at Key West. That peculiar and ex- perimental craft, the Vesuvius, sailed this morning from Fort George, Fla., for this city. Many and substantial advances have been made in the mechanism of dynamite guns, such as the Vesuvius carries, since she was built, and the department proposes to immediately overhaul her machinery at the Washington navy yard. . First Payments of the Big Appro- priation. The first payments out of the Cannon $50,000,000 national defense appropriation were today ordered by the treasury on war- rants drawn on the order of the President himself. The Treasury Department today cabled £30,000, or $150,000, to the Armstrongs of England, in part payment for twelve rapid-fire guns, including mounts and am- munition. These things were ordered by Secretary Alger, because he desired them at once, and because they are of a pattern not to be had in this country. The guns will be brought to this country as quickly as possible, to be used on fortifications. The first payments on the Brazilian cruisers Amazonas and Abreuail were also ordered by the treasury. The warrant is- sued is for $1,689,621, and is in full pay- ment for the Amazonas and part payment on the Abreuall, which is not yet com- pleted. The amount will be cabled to the Rothschilds. a Both of these payments will have to be made in gold. The amounts will come out of the abundance of gold in the treasury, and will not be missed. Fleet to Be Increased. The fleet at Key West will be augmented within the next day or two by the arrival of the gunboat Annapolis, the torpedo boat Foote and the naval tugs Leyden and Sam- oset,-while the grmboat Helena is now on her way from the European siation, under orders to report at Key West. These and the other vessels previously ordered to that point constitute the largest assemblage of war vessels made since the demonstration following the Virginius affair, and, consid- ering effectiveness and armament, if Is the strongest assemblage of ships, for other than review purpeses, since the war. The fleet now at Key West and Tortugas is as follows: Cruiser New York, battle ship Massachusetts, battle ship Indiana, battle ship Iowa, battle ship Texas, cruiser De- troit, gunboat Nashville, cruiser Marble- head, dispatch boat Fern, torpedo boats Du Pont, Cushing; Porter, Winslow and Ericsson. To these will soon be added the five vessels now en route there. In addi- tion to these the Montgomery is at Havana, and is practically a part of the fleet; the gunboats Wilmington and Castine and cruiser Cincinnati are at Barbados; the Newport’ at Colon, with the Puritan, Ter- tor, Amphitrite, Columbia, Minneapolis, Katahdin and other ships of the North At- Jantic squadron at points along the coast further northward. The Fern sailed for Havana, from: Key West, yesterday afternoon. She goes to relieve the Montgomery as a home for the officers engaged in supervising the wreck- ing operations in Havana harbor. It may be stated unequivocably that the Mont- gomery is not withdrawn owing to any suggestion from Spanish sources that her Presence is not desired. It was the an- nounced intention of Secretary Long when the cruiser was sent to Havana to keep her there only so long as the Fern should be engaged in the work of distributing re- lef among the sufferers tn eastern Cuba. This task having been performed, and, owing to the return of the court of inquiry from Havana, there being fewer persons to accommodate, the Fern, which is better equipped than the Montgomery to assist in the wrecking operations, is returned to her position, To Raise Army's War Strength. Representative Hull of Jowa, chairman of the House committee on military affairs, introduced today a bill reorganizing the line of the army. It is a sweeping meas- ure, making many changes in the existing system. It makes the peace organization of each regiment of infantry now in serv- ir ereafter embrace one colonel, one lieu- tenant cvlonel, two majors, ten captains, twelve first Heutenants, ten second Heu- terants, one sergeant major, one quarter- master sergcart, one chief musician, two principal musicians, two battalions of four companies each and two skeleton or un- manned compasties, the organized com- panies to be constituted as now authorized by law. It 1s provided, however, that nothing in the bill shall be construed as abolishing the foffice of chaplain in each regiment of col- Section 2 provides that in time of war, the President, in. his discretion, may e@s- tablish a third battalion for each infantry regiment consisting of four companies to| be supplied by manning the two skeleton a be likely that the torpedo boats will cost in the neighborhood f $100,000 each, though it is possibl fhe gum given may exceed that. tes Z A member of th¢;committee stated that. the torpedo beat destroyers may cost be- tween $200,000 and $350,000 each. There has been no conclusion ag to the amount to be given for the construction of the five new ary docks, absut which, however, it is sig- nificant as showing, economy that all of them except that at Algiers is to be built of timber. It is now improbable that the bill will be in shape for reporting to the House before Saturday or Monday next. 3 Gen., Wheeler's Policy. ‘While at the breakfast table early this morning General Wheeler received the fol- lowing dispatch from the New York Her- ald ‘Will you kindly give the New York Her- ald your view as to how under the existing circumstances and conditions the Cuban difficulty between the United States and Spain can be peaceably settled by states- manship.and diplomacy in a way honorable and satisfactory to both nations? #lease wire us as fully as you may desire at Herald's expense.” General Wheeler turned from his break- fast and immediately dispatched the fol- lowing: “Your telegram is this moment received. A nation which seeks to keep at peace by statesmanship and diplomacy is surest to be involved in disastrous war or become overwhelmed with disgrace. Congress and the executive should, in firm, courteous language, notify Spain and the world that Americans and American interest in Wuba must be protected, and that the atrocities now being perpetrated almost within sight of the shores of this great Christian repub- lic must cease. If this results in peace, well. If it results in war, it would be bet- ter than peace at such a price. “If the Baltimore Sun and other papers are right, that international law does not permit one nation to interfere witn the affairs of another on the ground of human- ity, now is an exceilent opportunity for the greatest nation on earth to incorporate such a principle into the laws that in -uture are to govern nations.”” Wants Eighteen More Monitors. Senator Stewart today gave notice of an amendment he will offer to the naval appropriation bill providing for the con- struction of eighteen ccast defense mon- iters of the type of the Puritan, Monterey and Terror, and appropriating $1,%00,009 with which to begin the work. May Instruct Minister Woodford. Another opinion respecting the Presi- dent's disposition of the report is that he will cable a synopsis to Minister Woodford, together with instructions, and will follow this. by sending the report to Congress within twenty-four tours. ‘The report may be made the basis for notifying Spain that the war must stcp. Those close to the President, however, be- lieve that this ultimatum to Spain will not be sent until’a settlement of the Maine affair is secured. Spain Did Not Make the Ofer. Assistant Secretary Day said today that there was no truth’in the report published this morning ‘that! Spain had agreed to move her trogps from Cuba if the Untied States would: disperse the fleet at Key West. i ta is Sent in, is 10,301,339. of each state and territory is as follows: yoted Faletet ied Been Saguaa ee eeaeen sade QUeaeERSETUSESE ia Washington West Virgini Wisconsin Wyoming Arizona New Mexico. Oklahoma 54! District of’ Columbia 1,271 A recapitulation of this total by arms of service shows as follows: Generais, 58; of- ficers on the general staff, 916; regimental, field and staff officers, 2,420; company of- ficers, v2; non-commissioned officers, 20, ; Musician, 4,64; privates, 80,067. _ GIN. WHEELER’S RESOLUTION. Proposed Address to Spain Demnand- ing Cessation of Atrocities. Representative Wheeler of Alabama in- treduced the following joint resofution to- Gay: Resolved, That a joint committee, consist- ing of five members of the Senate, to be ap- pointed by the Vice President, and five members of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker, be created to report without deizy to the two houses an address to the government of Spain declaring in firm and dpicmatic language that Americans and American interests in Cuba must be pro- tected, and that the atrocities now being perpetrated :n that island must cease. Resolved, That the executive be requested to immediaiely transmit the address to the government of Spain by such methods as he may deem most advisable, together with a letter of indorsement and approval of this action on the part of Congress. NAVAL BATTALION. Senate Agrees to Organization in the District. The Senate this afternoon passed a bill introduced by Mr. Hale to provide for or- ganizing a naval battalion in the District of Columbia. The bill provides: That in addition to the companies of vol- unteer militia now authorized in the Dis- trict of Columbia there may be organized not more than four companies of naval militia, which shall"tonstitute a battalion to be known as the naval battalion of the Nation Guard of the District of Columbia. Sec. 2. That the officers of the naval bat- talion shall consist of one commander, and a staff to consist of one executive officer with the rank of lieutenant commander, one navigating officer with the rank of lieutenant, one signal, ordnance and equip- ment officer with the rank of. lieutenant,. one chief engineer, one paymaster, and one surgeon, each with the relative rank of lieutenant. Sec, 3. That each company shall consist of one lieutenant, one lieutenant, junior grade, two ensigns, and not less than sixty nor more than one hundred petty officers and enlisted men. Sec. 4. That in all matters not otherwise specially provided for the provisions of law which provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia shali apply to the naval battalion. Sec. 5. That general routine of duty, dis- cipline and exercise of the naval battalion, and parts thereof, shall. canform wiu.. the laws, customs and usuages of the navy, as far as the same apply, and where they do not apply then such routine of duty, dis- cipline and exercises shall conform to the WILL MAKE STATEMENT. Senator Pri tor Will Ixsue One on Cuba Shortly. Senator Proctor |had another extended ccnference with Président McKinley today. This was immediatély after the return of President McKinley_from a walk with Sec- retary Long. |The conference took place in the library, where interruption was imp. sible. Senator Proctor, after Teaving the Presi- dent, said he- would make a statement in a few days which, would be his own views of the situation as he saw it in Cuba. He said that he had been badly misrepresented up to this time, and would give out the facts in the coming statement. In view of the senator’s conferences with the Presi- dent- the fortheoming statement is ex- pected to be of extreme importance. NEW TORPEDO BOAT FOR NAVY. District of Columbia. ——_—_—__+-2+—_____ Reindecr Sail From Seattle. The Secretary of War has been informed Government Buys a Yacht of Charles R. Flint. NEW YORK, March 17.—The Navy De- partment will, in a few days, be in pos- session of a torpedo boat of the latest and most formidable construction, which is nearly completed. The boat is the property of Charles R. Flint of this city. Negotiations have prac- tically been completed for its transfer to the government. A few months ago Mr. Flint placed an order vith Charles D. Mosher, for a steam: yacht much larger than most private boats, and to possess unusual speed. Subsequent- ly Mr. Flint bargained with the Argentine | Republic to let that government have the craft for a torpedo boat. The plans were altered to suit her new mission and work was continued. Argentina decided later that it did not want the boat and Mr. Flint again became its owner. « Mr. Flint went to Washington and of- fered- the boat to Secretary Long, who took the matter under consideration and had the boat inspected. Last Saturday Mr. Flint’s offer was accepted. Mr. Mosher went to Washington last night to get orders as to changes to be made in the boat. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Very of the American Ord- nance Company. ‘The boat is to be a twin screw, withtwo er.gines of 1,200 horse power each. She will be 130 feet long, 5 feet draught and capable of a speed of 31 knots, Her coal capacity will be sufficient to allow her to cross the Atlantic. She will have accom- modations for twenty-four men. Artillery Going South, KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 17.—Battery. B of the 4th Artillery and Battery F of the 5th Artillery’ which had arrived in Kansas City during the night from Fort Riley, Kan., left for the south this morning. Bat- tery # of the 3th Artillery, ordered to Fortress Monroe, Va., will doubtless leave Fort Riley during the day. 2 Batteries B and F left Fort Riley at 10 that the 337 reindeer selected by the offi- cers for transfer to the Interior Depart- Pyramid Inlet. The remainder of the ani- tion of the Copper river route to the Klon- dike. : —_—__+e. Will Receive the Reward. the asylum ——_-+—— Sets Anide the Findings. the man be dismounted and petrol duty afoot. ed No License for Cabin John. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. ton, fave Montgomery pres2nted a minorit; which he moved should be substituted. motion was carried by a vote of 50 to 25, at the time that the statement of the mili-: _ The trganized ard unorganized strengta, laws governing the volunteer forces of the by Gen, Merriam, at Vanccuver barracks, ment sailed yesterday from Seattle for mals will be used in the scientific explora- There has been nothing new developed in the case of Ernest Beck, the baker who ‘wes murdered two months ago, and who vas afterward fourd in the river. Today a scn of the deceased handed over to the po- lice $25, the amount of reward offered for the recovery of the body. ‘This money will be paid to Clarence Rowland, the boy who "discovered the remains in the water. below Mounted Policeman Elijah Cleveland was recently convicted of the charge of gross neglect of duty in leaving his beat.» The ckief of the department recommended his removal, but Commissioner Wight today set that recommendation aside, recommend- ing to the board of Commissioners that assigned to 2. NDITIONS IN CUBA co Senator Proctor Relates His Observation on His Recent Trip. More Importance Than Necessary Has Been Attached to It-Not a Mis- stom for the President. Senator Proctor, in a speech in the Sen- ate this afterrcon, gave his observations on his recent Cuban trip. H€ began by saying that more importance had been attached to bis visit than necessary; but he thought & public statement would be beneficial. The only thing that he had seid about the mat- ter to the President was that he was going and asked if there was any objection to it, and was told that there was none. He had letters from Assistant Secretary of State Day and business men of the United States. He said that General Lee and other Unit- ed States representatives in Cuba afforded him opportunity to secure information. He denied that he made the statement that the Maine was blown up from the out- side, but might have said that was the opinion in Havana. The senator thought there was no definite information tu be ob- tained upon this feature. Outside of Havana there was desolation and misery. People were surrounded by the soldiers and controlled by forts or block houses. His observations, he said, were in the four western provinces. 01 side of the trochas and forts there wer no habitations er people living. The Span- jards, he said, held in the four provinces only what their army sits on. Senator Proctor described at some length the condition of the reconcenirados, say- ing one-half of them had died owing to ine manner in which they had been kept small Aor ro wonder one-half had died. He went to Cuba thinking the condition of the people had been overdrawn, but 2 the 28 and bad sanitation. It was FINANCE AND TRADE ‘Sugar Broke Sharply on Prospect of Hawaiian Annexation, WHOLE LIST OF STOCKS WAS WEAF The Granger Shares Also Suffered i From Weakness. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS —_———____ Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, March 17.—Kfforts to realine on recent purchases resulted in lower prices dvring the opening hour this moraing. Lon- Gon was barely steady at tue closing level of yesterday, and, as hereiofore, was dis- Pcsed to imitate the local tende. y of prices. The proceedings relative to Hawaiian an- rexation wer> reflected adverse in the day's prices for American Sugar, this prop- erty being sold extensively for bota long and stiort account. For a time Standard Oil brokers were em- ployed to buy moderately around 120%, but this device was of smail weight in the pressure of liberal offerings. The d to 119 was accomplished very delibera in spite of a large short interest. been generally commented upon of that the believers in lower prices for Su have displayed superior confidence in t position. The traction stocks were influenced by new selling of professional characte: withstanding the reported prospect some valuable concessions by the rapid transit commission. It has late found their situation terribi2. What he saw he could not tell so others could s-e. In one place in Havana, the senator said, he saw 400 emaciated people lying on stone floors with httle clothing chil- dren had no clothing. American people may be assured that their bounty will reach the destitute. The condition of the recon- centrados will not be changed until peace ecmes. Gen. Blanco’s order of November 13 is of little practicak use. No beneficial results have followed. For this he did not blame Gen. Blanco, as he looked at the matter from a military point of view. . He said the Cubans had about 30,000 men in the field and were very active. As to the military situation, he said, there were about 60,000 Spanish troops. He thought they would fight well. There was no artillery. The troops live in barracks. ‘The cavalry is mounted mostly on ponies. ‘The Cubans were well armed, but poorly supplied with ammunition. About one- third of the Cuban army are negroes. The cavalrymen furnish their own horses. Senator Proctor said he was not in favor The conditions for self- government in Cuba were favorabl2 and not of annexation. much danger of revolutions. He would not make any recommendation as to what should be done. He thought the matter might be safely left to an Amer- ican President ard the Afnerican people. With these words he closed. ee GAME AND FISH. Memorial Front the Protective Asso- ciation of the District. The Vice President today laid before the Senate a voluminous memorial of the Game and Fisch Protective Association of th2 District cf Columbia, in favor of the passage of Senate biil 2005, providing for the investigation of ine poliution of rivers where the sanitary condition of the people of more than one state or ierritory is af- fect2d. The memorial was referred to the committee on public health and national quarantine, which has charge of the bill to which it refers. The memorial is signed by W. S. Harban, cheirm: W. P. Young, Secretary-treasurcr; Richard Sylvester, I. Walter Siarp, Rudolpn Kauffmann, Joe H. Hunter, Frank B, Curtis, Chas. 41. Laird, Harrison Dingman, J. Mijidleton and De Witt Arnold. Accompanying the memcrial is a report of Henry Talbott, chairman of the association’s committze on river pollu- tion. This report includes a_comumunica- ticn from Geo. M. Bowers, United States fish commissioner; a I>tter trom Professor F. H. Newell, chief hydrographer for the geological survey, and a paper by Dr. Geo. M. Kober. +e +____ THE COURTS.” Equity Court No. i—Justice Cox. - Hitchcock agt. Shuster; pro against certain deferdants ordered. The granger issues were sold in consid- erable volume also, the narrowness of the market making the group particularly vul- neradle to short selling. The general situaticn is an improving one, and needs only the elimination of cer- tain doubts to find a more accurate refle lion in higher prices. The delay in reac ing a verdict in the Maine disaster is thought to be influencing prices more ad- versely than the actual findings of the court. While the delay continues, however, the investment of idle capital will proceed aiong very conservative lines, Periodically some publication of earnings, traffic agreements or similar advantageous developments will deter seiling, but pc cal considerations are strongly arrayed against extensive buying. During the continuat! of this period of i few contracts are likely to be carried over the end of the week. The market continues to be influenced by Washington rumors, and extensive opera- tions credited to that center. These rum- ors are almost always lacking in proba- bility, but the speculative mind is not suf- ficiently normal to detect this fact until after the market has the direc- ticn indicated by the surface reading of the rumor. One of the most significant facts dis- closed by recent trading is that there is no Cemand for stocks 2 per cent above to- day's level. Such advances as can be en- ginecred through the necessities of the shert interest are alone possible at this juncture. Influential buying has frequently relieved the situation because ultimate results are certain, but there is small confidence in im- mediate sustained advances. The possible iving out of important information on days, rather than on a business day, is having its influence on timid holders. —_~. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- perted by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents, Messrs. Van Emburgh & Atterbury, No. 2 Wall st. American Sprrite.. American Spirits, pi American Sugar. American Sugar, pt American Tobacco . American Cotton Oil Atchison Baltimore Bay State Gas. ‘Sou Open. Tigh. Low, Close. fesso John- s0n agt. Johnson; commission ordered to is- sue. Hamner agt. Ketcham; rule on T. M. Sullivan, returnable March 23, granted. W. E. Edmonston and W. Alien agt. McAllister; sale decreed, with Towers, trus- tees, to sell. In re. Jas. E. Burdette, Jas. Wood, Amelia Trilling, Wm. Ss. Mc- Devitt and Margaret Landwehr; inquisi- hwartz agt. tiers in lunacy cynfirmed. Sc’ Costello; order of February 11 vacated and cause returned to calendar. commission tered to issde. Cissel agt. Chisolm; time to file transcript extended. Circuit Court No. 1—Justice Coie. Railroad Company; for d2fendant for costs. Belt agt. Kimme certified to Justice Bradley for hearing. Brown agt. Young; on trial. ‘Criminal Court No. 1—Chiet Justice Bing- Witmer agt. Witmer; D. W. Doub and A. T. Coumbe eppeinted receivers. Godfrey agt. Dutton; ord Rouser agt. Washington and Georgetown judgment on verdict United States agt. Fredk. Cole, Waiter Green, Ernest Fenwick and Joseph Ross, hcusebr2aking; verdict, guilty on second count. United States agt. John Skirving- ‘ton, iarceny; defendant pleais guilty; sen- tence, jail six months. United States agt. Eaw. Harris, larceny from the der to restore proparty. United States Stella M. Scott, murder; defeadant ar- reigned; plea, not guilty. agt. Benj. Slater and Isage Kenner, man- do. STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 17.—The temperance committee of the house reported the bill licensing the Cabin John Bridge Hotel, near Washing- today. Delegate Ayton of report, The account state of Karl H. Deutelin; will filed. > Ore agt. United States Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call—12 o'clock m.—Ca; il Tra fiom, 20 a aBblngten Gas, 25 oa a Es- tate of Sarah A. Pollock; handwriting and o’clock last night amid considerable com- motion among the townspeople. The bat- teries were made up in two trein sections, i ae 2 Hi FF