Evening Star Newspaper, March 18, 1898, Page 1

~ THE EVENING STAR. ——_——___—— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. a — STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 1ith 8t, by The ing Star New Company SiS Pres’t. ———— Yew York Ofice 49 Potter Buildins, per week, or 44 cents r month. Copies at the cecnter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canads—postage Prepaid—S0 cents ‘Sal a Qui: Shi e with turday Quintu; eet Star, $1 per year, foreign postage ‘nde’ $3.00. = (Entered at the Po.t Office at Washington, D. C.. aa second-class ma’l matter.) £7 All mail subscriptions must be pald in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. NO PARTIAL REPORT Findings of the Court of Inquiry Ex- pected in a Few Days. ANNOUNCEMENT 10 THE CABINET Two Hours’ Discussion of the Sit- uation. AT HAMPTON ROADS ee The President and his cabinet considered the Spanish-Cuban situation In a two hours’ session. The President does not expect a prelim- inary report on the Maine disaster. It was announced that the full report would be re- ceived in three or four days. Withdrawing the Massachusetts and Tex- as from Key West and ordering them to Hampton Roads was not in compliance with a request from Spain. No agreement has been made with Spain that lessens the strain on the situation. The semi-official statement cabled from Madrid that Spain would resist paying in- demnity if demanded is regarded as an electioneering device. The strategy board has reported in favor of more torpedo boat destroyers. The army reorganization bill was dis- cussed without action by the House mili- tary affairs committee. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt argued be- fore the House naval affairs committee for the navy personnel bill. The Spanish-Cuban situation occupied two hours’ time in the cabinet today, the met result being, a cabinet official says, that no new plans of any kind were agreed upon, leaving the situation practically un- changed from the last meeting of the President's advisers. A positive and official denial was made that the President expects to receive a partial report from the board of inquiry tomorrow. This question of a report of the board was discussed at length by the cabinet. “An authoritative announcement was made to the meeting,” one of the members said, “that the report of the board would be made within three or four days. This information was imparted by request.” It was clearly intimated that the President had at last become impatient at the delay and had asked Secretary Long to officially find out from the board something about the prospect of a verdict. In response to that inquiry the answer was evidently received that the report would be made “‘within three or four days.” This, {t is thought, is the first official and accurate news as to when the country may expect to know the truth. It is explained that there would be little likelihood of a partial report being sent the President when the actual finding itself will be very short, not much longer than @ partial report. There was an understanding that the President would send the report to Con- gress, but how long after its receipt is not known. The Hampton Roads Rendezvous. The cabinet talked very fully on the sub- ject of forming a new squadron in Hamp- ton Roads cut of a part of the ships, at Key West. Both the President and Sec- retary Long gave the cabinet to under- stand that this new policy had been “pre- cetermined,” to use a cabinet officer's word, and had no connection with the com- plaint of Spain about the assembling of such a large fleet at Key West. Em- phasis, it is understood, was given by Sec- retary Lorg to a denial of reports that this latest move was a concession to Spain. A high authority, closely connected with the cabinet, claims that instead of tris being a concession it is in the nature ef expectation of trouble, as the new squadron is to guard the north Atlantic coast. {The impression ts gaining ground that in case of war the Spaniards will quickly give up Cuba and will set them- selves ‘o attacking our seaport cities. No General Agreement With Spain. It is denied that there is any understand- ing between Spain and this country that each shali halt in certain movements and preparations, but this denial covers a re- pert of any general understanding, and does not touch specific instances. Reports were made as to the work of the past week, covering the purchase of tne Mayflower, contracts for ammunition, pro- jectiles, etc., and the payments on the Braziiian cruisers. The President did not outline to the cab- iret any plans he may have in view as to the settlement of the general Cuban ques- tien. It is said that he cannot entertain propositions for autonomy or purchase un- ul he settles the matter of the Maine dis aster. The President does not expect anything in the nature of a preliminary report from the court of inquiry in the case of the Maine disaster. On the contrary, his expec- tation is that the report when it comes will be complete in all respects. Although foil- lowing the usual course, it is within the power of the Secretary of the Navy to or- cer the body to continue the investigation along certain lines upon which he may be- heve further information is desirable. Detaching the Battle Ships. The withdrawal of the Massachusetts and the Texas from Key West and ordering them to Hampton Roads is a move in accordance with the plan of naval op- eration adopted by the department. The Presence of nearly all the vesseis on the Atlanilc at Key West was regurded as an enwise arrangement whenever there ‘were signs of approaching conflict. It left the sreat stretch of the Atlantic coast uncov- ered, and it is not to be supposed that if Spain were going to make: an-attack she would direct it against that point where the greatest naval force was assembled. Her more probable course would be to send ene or more cruisers to one of the Ameri- can ports not guarded by a naval force and ¢o what damage she could. before American: “vessels could be sent there. =. The establishment of a squadron at Hampton is a protection against this ané makes a stronger and more effective distri- bution of the American naval force. “It ts regarded as a better distribution, ‘beth for defensive and offensive operations, and It is understood to have been in contempla- tion from the first. The statement that the change in the dis- —Ghe. Even “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 Star. No. 14,055. WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1898—FOURTEEN PAGES. times as many pcople as TWO CENTS. read any other paper. tribution of the vessels of our navy and the alleged orders of Spain stopping her tor- pedo fleet at th Canary Islands resulted from negotiations now on between the two countries is denied. The positive statement of Secretary Long that the orders to the Massachusetts and the Texas were not a concession to Spain, and the fact that the Movement of these vessels ts actually in line of preparation for posstble hostilities, disposes of that end of the alleged under- standing. It is stated positively on excel- lent_authority that this government knows nothing about the torpede“fizet having been stopped at the Canaries. It may be assert- ed on authority that there is nothing in the movements of the naval vessels or in the steps being, taken at the department in preparation for an emergency to indicate that the strain between the two countries has been relieved in any way. The sam: is true as to the preparations in Progress tn the War Department. The de- partments are down to the systematic work of preparation and consequently there is not as much bustle about it as there was at first, but there ts no let up in the ac- tivity of preparations. Spanish Electioneering Device. It is not acknowiedged at the depart- ments that any negotiations have put a more pacific aspect upon the situation, nor is there any evidence that such is the case. On che contrary, tha alleged semi-official utterances printad in dispatches from Mad- rid indicate a hostile spirit in Spain which is not reassuring. The declaration that the Spanish flag shali continue’ to float over the Island of Cuba is, of course, to be expect- ed. Spain would, of courss, say nothing else until she had actually drawn down that flag. But the assertion that Spain will not pay indemnity for the loss of the Maine is one that it was unnecessary to make in ad@ance of the demand being made by this government, and it is construed as intended to make display of a threatening attitude. It is not thought that the purpose of it is to impress this government, but rather that it is for the benefit of the Weylerites and for 2ffect upon the elec- tions. At the same time it is regarded as not ju- dicious in the Sagasta government to as- sume so defiant an attitude for any pur- pcse, and, at all events, while such defi- ances are being uttered the situation can- not be said to have become more pacific. Apparently nothing has developed officially to render the outlook more warlike, and this@government is persisting in che as- sumption that Spain will act with wisdom and propriety wh2n the crisis comes. Spain Must Dissimulate. One thing which may explain the de- florit tone of the alleged semi-official ut- terances emanating from the Spanish gov- ernment {fs that it is understood that the Spanish minister here has intimated to the State Department that the Sagugta government is compelled, in order to satis- fy the demands of the Weylerites and to meet the political emergency in Spain, to assume a much less friendly and more defiant attitude than that government in- tends to maintain. This, however, does not tend to improve the situation, since it disclosed a -purpcse of deception not cal- culated to increase the confidence of this government in the good intentions of Sa- gasta. If the Sagasta ministry wiil inui- cate an intention to betray a part of their own people, it is not thought that they will be more smcere in dealing with a foreign people whom they regurd as ene- mies. The thing sounds too much like a Proposition: “Let me pull your nuse to im- press that other felluw. I won't mean it, you know.’ It is said that this intimation having ceme to the ears of the President has no: made a very good impression on him. Torpedo Boat Destroyers Wanted. ‘The Navy Department has by no means. Suspended {ts efferts to obtain possession of desirable warships’ abroad, and in no direction is there visible any relaxation of the steadily pursued purpose of the Navy and War departments to provide for the defense of the country against hostile at- tack. The formation of ghe new squadron at Hampton Roads is in itself only the lat- est manifestation of activity in this di- rection, being the gutcome of the delibera- tions of the strategy board, which has been sitting almost daily at the Navy Depart- inent for some time past. Another conclusion of the board, which it is desired to put in force as soon as possible, is that the navy must be re- inforced by a’ number of torpedo boat de- stroyers, not torpedo boats. These are vessels of about 300 tons displacement, from their size able to keep the sea al- most as well as @ cruiser. With the enor- mous speed of thirty knots an hour and an offensive armament of quick-firing guns equal to the average gunboat, it is said that the power of such craft is certainly very great. Perkaps they may be the ideal naval craft. One distinguished naval ofli- cer, an expert in ordnance matters, ex- presses the opinion that two such torpedo beat destroyers might destroy the biggest battle saip in the world, if they stood ready to run the risk of being sunk themselves. All that would be necessary for them to do would be to hold the battle ship in sight during the daylight hours, which they could do easily, owing to their su- perior speed, and when darkness had come to attack the battle ship from opposite di- rections simultaneously at full speed with torpedoes, None to be Obtained. Such considerations as these have influ- enced the board to recommend the procure- ment of as many of these boats as possible and as soon as possible. But so far the department has been @nable to buy any abroad, and, while four torpedo boats of the larger class of thirty knots speed al- most equal to the destroyer type are bulld- ing in this country, they cannot be com- pleted for many months to come. A repre- sentative of one of the largest English tor- pedo boat firms, now in Washington, says that our government hes been too narrow- minded in alloting money for such boats. Although it is a well-recognized fact that the English ship builders make the lowest prices in the world, no one of them would for an instant think of undertaking to bulid and guarantee a well-equipped torpe- do beat destroyer for jess than $300,000, “yet the United States .has been unwitting to pay its own builders more than two- | THEY NEED OUR AID Thousands in Cuba Dependent on American Charity. REALLY MEANS INTERVENTION Spanish Officials Ignore the Con- ditions Which Confront Them. TEST YET TO COME (Copyright, 1808, by Charles M. Pepper.) Special From a Staff Correspowient. HAVANA, March 16, via Port Tampa, Fla., March 17.—Whether the condition in Cuba would be accepted by the world as justifying immediate intervention can be judged by what is being done and what has to be done for the relief of the re- concentrados. I do not know whether the diplomatic note has as yet gone from Washington to Madrid. If there is delay it imereasea the burden which the Ameri- can people have taken upon themselves and prolongs an intolerable situation. ‘Those who are in charge of the relief movement tell me they felt justified in calculating on a daily issue of 266,000 ra- tions. They are satisfied that through the channels opened up by the consuls and through other agencies this quantity of food can be distributed to people, mostly, women and children, who without it will die of starvation. If there should prove to be only a qucrter of a million sufferers instead of 266,000 the rations may be in- creased a trifle. I have not reviewed in detail the figures on which this calculation is based, and do not undertake to say that it is absolutely cor- rect. But when 30,000 daily rations ‘are needed to meet the wants of the people of. Havana, with an additional 15,000 required for the towns close by, the figures do not seem teo large. Needs Are Understated. My own experience has been that the needs have been understated rather than exaggerated. Every fresh investigation has disclosed gaunt distress in quarters whero its existence had not been suspected. Knowledge of this suffering is said to be breaking upon the American people with the force of a new revelation. Why this should be it is difficult to understand. For fifteen months each day has brought its revelation of hundreds of innocent victims. If there ts a redwakening in the United States it may not be amiss to say that of the abyss of wretchedness it is yet possi- ble to rescue a remnant of the rural dwell- ers of Cuba, nor are all these who await succor reconcentrados; the town people are also suffering keenly. The means of relief are probably adequate for sixty days. By @ great effort they might be stretched over a period of ninety days. If during that time nothing is done to remove the cause the question must be faced whether the United States is ready to feed the inhabi- tants of Cuba indefinitely or whether they shall be left to starve without further ex- ertions for their succor. The official attitude of the Spanish au- thorities regarding American relief is one of acceptance without thanks. The change has been marked since last November, when the officials resented the first sug- gestion and declared that Spain would never tolerate foreign countries distribut- ing food. The government is now willing that the United States shall feed those whom it still claims as subjects. This re- Neves her own burdens and enables Spain to do something for the starving troops. Relief Accepted Without Comment. The civil governors and mayors of towns and villagcs receive the relief and co- operate in its distribution. They must do so, for the responsibility of cnecking ‘siar- vation is on them, and their own govern- ment gives them no aid. When American relief was started, apologetically and with excessive tenderness for Spain's suscepti- bilities, the wedge of. intervention seemed a@ thin one. It has been wide enough for the purpose. Food is distributed to the starving in all parts of Cuba today in the name of the United States and through its official representatives. The Spanish authorities are merely subordinates in the distribution. This is the case as it ap- pears before the world. Independent of the political side of autonomy and inde- pendent of the military side af the insur- rection, Spain ‘s asking the United States to feed the inhabitants, while she strug- gles hopelessly to keep her flug flying over the island, which is already icst to her. In the face of the naked situation ap- parently the Sagasta ministry is going for- ward on a dennite line. ‘This is to ignore the starvation and the succor from tne United State. What is said about the “plogress” of autonomy and of quelling the insurrection i@ not worti analyzing. Pos- sibly the ignorant people of Spain might be duped, but the inteliigent opinion of tne world need not be treated so contemptuous- jy as to assume that it believes any of these things. Pictures of the Cuba of Today. The pictures of the Cuba of today are enough Had there been an improvement in the economic conditions that would have spoken loudly for itself. Starvation, in- stcad of spreading among all classes of the Population, would be on the wane. Some truth is contained in what the minister of the colonies says about the increase in customs ‘receipts. ‘The reason is twofold. The changes in customs officials brought a temporary period of comparative honesty. Mcre duties were collected, not necessarily because of increase in the quantities of imports, but because the stealiugs were less. However, it is probable that there has been a real increase in imports over @ yearago. The country was so thorough- ly depleted of everything which could be EE — WORK IN COMMITTEE Commissioner Knapp Speaks for the Cullom Bill. the heat, the rains and the fevers cause a cessation of active niflitary operations. Probably the processes of diplomacy will consume a month before a square issue 1s reached and Spain say! whether she will or. whether she will-not Accept the friendly. interventioz: of the’ United States. By that time she will have the certainty that even with the recognition 6f Quban independ- ence the insurgents: will: fave te wait six mcnths before they can’ tring the fighting to a supreme test. This is ali that has been gained: by three “months of temporiz- ing on the part of tf United Stateg. It will never be known “whether Spain wilt fight in order to lose Cubs with. “honor” until the actual test “comes. Her course cannot he predicted. The. temper of the Tepresertatives of Spain, both. civil and military, here ts for wer. -They may yet cool off Lately “hints have come of further delays in order that great financial powers might arrange something. The moneyed interests of the world are not powerful enough to make. substance out of the shadow of Spanish sovereignty in Cuba. They cannot advance a retreat- ing flag or drug into insensibility a revo- Ivtion that is infused with new Hfe. CHARLES M. PEPPER. Spain’s Relief Measures, By Assoclated Press. HAVANA, March 18—C€irculars have been sent to the alcaides ofabout two hun- dred towns in Cubs notifying them of the new methods of relief, and also setting forth that corrmes], amounting to one Pound per day per capita, will be the first supply sent. Ccntinuing, the circular asks that alcaldes, personally -or in conjunc- tion with the proper offigers er consals, see that the relief is properly distributed. Further supplies for remote places are made contingent, for the p¥esent, upon the Prompt results of the authorities as to the distribution, the number f.people fed, etc. Visitors to the Colcn cemetery find the graves of the dead of the Maine decorated with many flowers, white from the central Place of sepyicher wavés & long streamer of red and yellow, with an inscripticn showing that the decoraté@n and flowers were placed there by the sailors of the Austrian warship Donau, “in memory of our unfortunate fellow-agilors of the United States ship Mainé.'t- OLD GLORY AT. THE MAIN Stars and Stripes Hoisted on the Amagonas Today. ae ; Formal (Transfer of, the Brastitain Cruiser to the United Staten at Gravesend. © dissatisfaction is prevalent among the workmen of the Watervliet arsenal. Since Col. Mordecai assumed charge over the post he ts said to have discharged a num- ber of workmen around the shops and grounds and imposed their duties upon the soldiers. Another cause of complaint is the small weges paid the laboring m2n at the rsenal, $1.25 a day, 25 cents less than is paid in the city. Col. Mordecai is accused by the men, machinists and laborers, of being too strict in his discipline. Muchias at Boston. BOSTON, March 18.—Tho United States gunboat Muchias, Commander Merrick, passed in by the Hull signal station at 9 o'clock this mornirg, and dropped anchor off the navy yard an hour later. The Ma- chias came here from Norfolk, Va., to un- @ergo repairs, as in the rush of work at the Norfolk yard tt was found impossibie to overhaul her there. ‘The Machias recently returned from the China station, and is in need of a thorough overhauling, which will be given with as much expedition as possible. On reaching the upper harbor the cus- tomary salutes were exchanged between the gunboat and the navy yard. Montgomery at Key West. KEY WEST, Merch 18.—The United States cruiser Montgomery arrived here this morning from Havana, and the United State cruiser Detroit sailed this morning for the Tortugas Islands, with provisions and ammunition for the fleet. From the Tortugas the Detroit will pro- ced to Port Tampa to load some paleo A NO-NEED OF WAR General Horace Porter Discusses the Cuban Situation. WORK OF PREPARATION GOES ON Weyler Denies the Alleged Letter to Sencr Guzman. POWER OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION Had Been Crippled by Decisions of the Courts. . MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS OTHER MEASURES DISCUSSED eae es LONDON, March 18.—The Morning Lead- er today published a dispatch from Paris giving interviews which its correspondent ig said to have had with the United States ambassador, Gereral Horace Porter; the secretary of the United States embassy, Mr. Henry Vigraud, and United States Consul General Mr. J. K. Gowdy. The ambassador, referring to the Maine disaster, culogized Preeident McKinley's attitude, and is quoted as saying that “In spite of the mémrentary sensational atmos- phere, the United States will not rush into war, although the Maine report may prove te be the last straw.” The secretary of the United States em- beesy said: “There will be no war, be- cause the real feelings of both countries are that aH the difficulties can be settled. “There is not an American in Paria who does not applaud the attitude of President McKinley in trying every expedient before resorting to war.” The consul general said: “The real heart and soul of America has not yet been heard. The surface talk which causes the collapse of stocks does not merit serious attention. “Unless I am greatly mistaken, our trou- bles with Spain will shortly be ended.” Auxiliary Cruiser Board. NEW YORK, March 18.—The auxiliary eruiser board spent the early part of to- day preparing reports to be sent to Wash- ington on second-class vessels inspected yesterday afternoon. The reports give the chief dimensions of a vessel, the service it can be put to.and the terms under which it can be purchased. Lieutenant Commander Reeder of the school ship St. Mary’s and G. W. Dan- forth, passed assistant enginzer, were pres- ent at today’s meeting, which closed before rncon. = ‘The inspaction of vessels was then re- The Senate committee on interstate com- merce today resumed its hearings upon the Cullom bill amending the present tn- terstate commerce law. Judge M. A, Knapp of the interstate commerce com- mission addressed the committee in favor of the proposed bill. He said that the situation, so far as the present law was concerned, had resolved itself into this, that the origiral machinery—the present law—crude and ineffective in some respects, has practically broken down. The propos- ed bill is to provide new machinery by which the principles involved in the orig- inal law may-be made effective. Unless these cardinal principles are maintained, Judge Knapp thought, it would be better to take away the power which the inter- state commerce commission is suppesed to heve. He said, however, that in 225 formal proceedings of people aggrieved in not a Single instance did the railroads set up a want of authority on the part of the com- mission. Judge Knapp explained that the courts had seriously affected the law by their de- cisions. Senator Tilimaa The government tug Samoset arrived here SS morning from Philadelphia. organ line steamer Arkansas ar- Tived Here this morning from Havana, with Senator Money an® Congressmen Amos J. Cummings and Alden Smith on board. — DOES NOT WANT HAWAL. English OMcials Surprised pecs In Oar Senate. LONLON, March 18.—The government of Great Britain is surprised at the r2port of the Senate committee on foreign relations, which, after presenting a joint resciution for the annexation ot Hawaii, set forth that Great Britain was plotting for the ab- sorption of Hawaii. : A high official of the British foreign office said toda. “It is unfortunate that the commiitce has such an erroneous impression. I cannot imagine upon what supposed facts they base their report. It seems improbable that the senators would issue official s ments on no other basis than rumors and suspicions. As a gattcr of fact, nothing is further from Great Britain's intentions than to interfere in any way with the ex- isting regime in Hawaii. No steps in that direction were ever contemplated. On the contrary, her reajesty’s governmeat has recognized thet the United S: Utter- incuired what reason there was for believing that the courts would not refine away the proposed bill as they had the present law. Judge Knepp replied that it was impossi- ble to foretell what the court might do. “The best we can do,” said he, “is care- fully and thoughtfully to legisiate upon this subject.” “It dcesn’t seem,” said Mr. Tiliman, “that pain English alone is sufficient as applied to railroads.” “Or as applied to section 22,” interjected Senator Elkins. ~d Cortinuing his statement, Judge Knapp said that section 4 of the present law had, im its operation, been seriousiy crippled by the Cecisions of the ccurts. The proposed substitute for that section, he said, ts prac- lically the British law, and nas received the approval of the commission after the nost careful thought. “As it is proposed,” scid Judge Knapp, “the section will be in enure harmony with the measure as a whole, which confers the right upon carriers to estabiish rates that are higher for short than for longer dis- tances.” One provision of the proposed bill, Judge Knapp explained, made ft imperative upon raliroads to publish their freight and pas- senger tariffs. In that respect he deemed the existing law faulty. Another important amendment to the exisiing law, Judge ‘Knapp believed, was that which reads: “No change shali be made in the schedules of tates, fares and charges filed and published as aforesaid, unless the carrier files with the commission a statement of such changes and posts new schedules as herein- befere provided, or plainly indicates such changes upon those already posted, at least sixty days before the taking effect of such inspection being the Seneca, Saratoga and Yumori of the Ward line. It was learned that the City of Washington, which sallcd yesterday, waa inspect2d Wednesday by a member of the board. The plans of the board have been some- what) changed by orders received from Washington today. One of the orders is said to be a direction to inspect all obtain- able vessels in the harbor for first-class cruisers. » Liewt. Reeder and Passed tant Engi- neer Danforth have be2n added {o the beard, in compliance with a request made by Capt. Rodgers, who found the work so heavy that the increased membership was necessary. Weyiler Letter Denied. HAVANA, March 18.—Late last night a correspondent saw Don Francisco Do Los Sertos Guzman, to whom General Weyler, the former captain general of Cuba, is al- leged_to have written a letter, published in the New York Journal yesterday, ap- parently suggesting the destruction of the United States battle ship Maine. Don Guz- man lives at the aristocratic suburb of Ccrro, in a beautiful house handsomely finished in European style and adorned with valuable antiques, statues, paintings, porcelains and tapestries. The distinguish- ed former president of the cortes was much surprised when asked if he had re- ceived such a letter. He said: “I have not received any such letter from General Weyler, and for that reason it is impossi- ble that any one could have stolen such a letter from me. I am ignorant of the ex- istence of such a letter, and consequently of its alleged contents.” Senor Francisco Diaz, the reporter of the Union Constitucional who is said to have given a copy of the alleged letter to a Jougnal correspondent at Hevana, was even more surprised when questioned on the eubject. He said: “It is the first time I have heard of such a letter from General Weyler or from any one else. This being true, of course I could not have given the alleged copy to any one.” Work on Fortifications. SAN DIEGO, Cal., March 18.—Work on the fortifications at Ballast Point is being pushed with all possible speed by the men of Battery D. Orders have been received not to permit any one to land in the goy- ernment reservation where the big guns are to be mounted. The men under the command of Captain Humphreys have be- gun building a torpedo magazine within 100 feet of the quarantine station. The tor- pedo casement north of Ballast Point bat- tery is ready for the electricians. The tor- pedo system will command the deepest part of the ships’ channel, just inSide the point, although the exact location is a govern- ment secret. It is reported that the com- Manders of the Monterey and Monadnock have received orders to be ready to put to sea at a moment's notice. Artillery Coming- East. MEMPHIS, Yenn., March 18.—Batteries B and F, 4th United States Artillery, ar- rived here this morning from Fort Riley. The batteries are made up of two train sections, consisting of nine stock cars for horses and baggage, three flat cars for the guns, etc., two tourist cars for the enlisted men and a Pullman sleeper for the officers. Battery F goes to Savannah, Ga, and natural and inevitable that Hawaii should be under American inttuence.” Tragic Outcome of a New York Law- yer's Linixon, NEW YORK. March 18.—Lafayette B. Beckley, a lawyer, wes shot in the stom- ach and probably fatally wounded today by Dora Arnold. The shooting took place lv the office of- Mr. Beckley. -Mrs. Arnoid, who is about thirty years of age, is a di- vorced woman, aad came to this city from Cincinnati nine years ago. She alleges that Beckley, who is a mar- red man, and has a family, with whom he lived in Brooklyn, has been supporting her ever since she came to this city, until re- cently. Latterly, secorcing to Mrs. Ar- nold's statement, Beckley has refused to contribuie to her support, and this faci she assigns as her reason for sbooting him. Mrs.. Arnoid was arrested and wili be arralg..ed for preliminary examination this afternoon. GRAVESEND, Engiand, March 18—The Braziliap, flag to the stars and stripes shortly after 11 o’cloek this'imortiing. The cefemony was simple and dignified, and to, the Brazilian offiters it was some- what pathetic. hs Lieut. Commander Colwel}, United States nmavai attache, eccompan! by Ensign Roberts, Assistant Enginesr MeMorris and Consul General Osborne; ‘arrived on board shortly before 11 a.m. The chief officers of the Coast Guard and a number of cus- toms officers, all in uniform, were already on board. Lieut. Commander Colwell and his party were received dt the gangway by Lieut. Santos, and wére escorted to the captain’s cabin, where they were r2ceivéd by Commander Corres. In reply to Lieu- tenant Commander Colwell’s inquiry, Com- mander Céfres ‘said he was ready to trans- fer the v2ssel forthwith;and Messrs. Col- well, Roberts and McMerris. donned their uniforms, and proceeding/o# deck, gathered near the flagstaff, from” which the green flag of Brazil was flying: ‘Then Lieut. Commandér Golwell, saluting Commander Corres, sali: “Captain, Ihave heré’a contract of saie togwhich you were a witness, and whereby this vessels to be trafisferred tu me, in behalf of the United States,” Commander Corres replied through an in- terpreter, saying: “In handing over the ip I desire to say that {t is-done with the incere frier dship of Brazil” Lieut. Commander Co}weil, saluting, re- plied: “In behalf of the United States 1 thenk you for the sentiment.” Ir. the center of a circle of officers of both nations, Lieut. Commander Colwell then faced the Brazilian flag flying from the cruiser’s stern, and, ag ‘the oflicers bared their heads, the flag of Brazil was hauled down at 11:10 a.m., after which, facing akcut with their heads still uncovered, oid glcry was run up at thé main. Lieut. Commander Colwell and the Bra- zilian officers thereupon shook hands, Commander Corres invited them all into the cabin, to drink to the ship, and the Brazilian captain afferWard showed Messrs. Cclwell, Roberts and McMorris over t! vessel and furnished them with inventories of the supplies. See The Amazonas will remath in charge of Ensign Roberts and Assistant Engineer Mc- Morris until the United Stages cruiser San Francisco -arrivea. here. ; Great interest was taken tk the ceremony, which is said to be unique fh naval history, by which One power transfered a warship to another, imthe harbor of-a third power. Several American flags were hoisted at Gravesend after the stars and stripes were unfurled over the Amaazpnag The United States cruiser San Francisco arrived lere~ at 3:30 -5bams Passing ‘the changes. Judge Knapp explained at length some of the other provisions of the proposed bili, them and those of the existing law. had not concluded when the committee ad- Journed. : Rights of Indians. The House committee on Indian affairs has agreed on the bili to submit to the Ceurt of Claims the questions as to’ the status and rights of the Delaware Indians in the Cherokee ration, the Mississippl Choctaws in the Choctaw nation, the Chickesaw freedmen in the Chickusaw tion and the intermarried persons in all three of those nations. Material for Minor Coins. The House committee on coinage, weights ond measures has favorably reported to the House a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to make experi- ments to determine the best material for inor coinage and to submit new designs for coiis to Congress. The committee says the copper perny becomes dingy, dirty, dull and by corrosion poisonous; the 5 cent nickel, three-quarters copper, is too soft. Switzer‘and, Austria-Hungary and ltaly heve acopted pure nickel for their minor ccinage with very satisfactory results, the coins being hard, curable, magnetic, vel- vety to the touch, retain their color and io not ccrrode. New Date of Inauguration Day. The Senate committee or privileges and elections today authorized a faverable re- port on the amendment to the Constitution of the United States, introduced by Se tor Hoar, changing the time of year for the expiration of the terms of the Presi- dent, Vice President, senators and repre- sentatives in Congress from March 4 until the last Wednesdey in April. The change is made to take effect in 1001, and if the amendment should be accepted by Con- gress end be ratified by a sufficient number of states, it would have the cffect of ex- tending the terms of President McK nley end Vice President Hobart for a:most iwo menths. The object of the amendment is to avoid the harsh weather which sometimes inter- feres with inauguration ceremonies when held on the 4th of March. —_—_ ONE OF THE MAINE VICTIMS. Michael Lanahan’s Disappearance is Now Accounted For. CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind., March 18.— The relatives of Michael Lanahan of Craw; fordsville have received information thai he was on the Maine as a sailor and per- ished. A letter from Capt. Sigsbee’s pri- vaie secretary Is to this effect. Lanabin was at one time a prosperous young farmer here, but, having busines reverses, disappeared three years ago. His wife dig not hear of him again until yester- 4 He was enrolled for the navy at Louisville two y: Ts ago. ———— AT THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. Hoase Special Committee of Inguiry. The special subcommittee of the appro- priations committee holding the inquiry into the local telephone service paid a visit to- day to the telephone exchange. Messrs. Grout, Dockery, Pitney and Allen were in the party and they were received by Presi- dent Bryan of the Chesapeake and Potomac ‘Telephone. Company. The visitors were shown the practical werkings of the tclephone exchange and listened to an explanation of the con- struction of the apparatus, the, patents upen which the Bell Telephone Company controls. In the coufse of the interview Mr. Bryan gave come practical demonstra- ticns of the effects of electrolysis upon un- derground construction and explained the manner in which the escape of electricity from ground circuit construction md4y dam- age pipes of 2l] kinds. . The visitors were then shown into the accounting room, where Mr. Haskins, the expert who was employed by the Senate, is now at work in the employ of the tele- pkone company, making up financial state- ments. The committee inspected the sys- tem of bookkeeping in order to obtain an Visit by the —_-o-_____ NEW REGISTER OF THE TREASURY. ; idea of the in which to frame som: oe soe a mr ea Ete a pit enue eee to elicit information desired" | ‘The pepe FN oe semen c. Lyons ? 5 mtract for Coal. ST RTS TACT r with the crew: standing tion."” LITTLE K, Ark., March 18—T PLANTED AN OAK. It is thought today that President Mc- Leary jeasant ROCK, Ark., —It ts J cea from Lisbon” he vecelved earned here on the best authority that the aa Kinley has decided to appoint Judson C. dispatches, and thought’ af that there | United States government has contracted Sieigpeensee- 5 Sout. Re-Batablishes Lyonm colored, register of the treasury to might have been a declarption of war. for the immediate delivery of 500 cars of —_ wh louse Custom. fill the vacancy caused by the death of Cee on ee reensel by | arkansas coal for the use of the navy. B. K. Bruce. Lyons is the republican na- The coal will be shipped from Coal Hill to Galveston, and will go forward as fast as it can be loaded on the cars. Another con- tract of immense proportions is said to have been made with the Westerr Coal are A many years ago, but broken by the failure of President Cleveland to follow in the footsteps of republican Presidents. The tree planted this morwing is a small scariet leaf, or red, oak. The President go to Hole Haven to., emmunition, which is ¥ ‘The Kent: itic‘ans are going t eo a acky poll going to pr cnt the name of W. A. Gaines, but it is sald the President has about on } New York. and Mining Company, was unable to Mr. Lyons. of the the latter-1 ‘but -said that though the incident was witnessed ————_--e officers of the San | }ders bad been ‘ ‘the main office Be. geo A ieee pe tor c SAN CRUDE, Cal. March 18—The Cali-