Evening Star Newspaper, March 23, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. Seige PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AJ THE STAR BUILDINGS, 101 (Fortra Aveire, Gor. 11th St, by The Evening Star New: Company 8. H. KAUFFMAN, Pres Few York 40 Potter Building, The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the nity by crrriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. Coptes at the center 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United — «8 Canada—postage prepaid—50 cenis per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with fereiza postage added $5.00. (Entered at the Po t Gflice at Washington, D. C.. ond-class ma'l matter.) € All mail subscriptions niust be paid in Ravance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstiot.. Che Fyening Star. No 14,059. WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1898—TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. If you want to buy, sell or exchange anything, lease preperty or rent rooms, want a situation or - want help, it will pay you to announce the fact in the advertising columns of The Star. They are closely studied by more than three times as many pcople as read any other paper. SEEKING THEIR VIEWS The President Conferring With Dem- ocratic Senators. OLD MONITORS TO GO INTO SERVICE Terror Ordered From New York to Key West. SENATE PASSES RELIEF BILL The President conferred with Senators Cockrell and Turpie this morning, pre- sumably on the attitude of the democrats in the Senate on the Cuban question. Secretary Long issued orders bringing into service the eight monitors of the civil war that have been lying at League Isiand, Philadelphia, and has ordered tae monitor Terror to Key West. The Navy Department has practically de- cic@d to give contracts to American build- ers for a number of torpedo boats and tor- pedo boat destroyers. It has been practically decided to give up the wreck of the Maine and to recall the naval officers in Cuba. A garrison will be sent to Fort Jefferson, Tortugas. The army reorganization bill was unani- mously adopted by the House military committee and reported to the House. Senator Bacon introduced a joint resolu- ticn, declaring that it 1s the policy of the United States to maintain peace as long as fs consistent with honor, and especially in the present emergency. The Maine relief bill was passed by the Senate without debate. Lieut. Commander Marix admitted to a reporter at Miami, Fla., that it looks like wer. Gen. Lee, in a report to the New York relief committee, says 225,000 people are starving in Cuba. The double-turreted monitor was ordered from Norfolk to Key West. Every conference at the White House, every surface indication, points indisputa- bly to the fact that the critical point in this country’s relations with Spain is about to be reached. This is felt in the atmosphere and exhibited in the grave faces of the men who are taken into President Mc! ley’s confidence, and who sit behind closed doors with him discussing the situation. A few days or weeks ago many of the men who now leave the President with such solemn and thoughtful mien went away from him with voluntary predictions on their lips that everything would soon clear away. Today's conferences at the White House were all of the greatest significance. Again the President held conferences with lead- ing democratic senators. Yesterday he talked with Senators Gorman, Gray and Morgan. Today he gave considerable time to Senators Cockrell and Turpie, the former the leading minority member of the Senate committee on appropriations and the latter a@ member of the foreign relations commit- tee. Nobody attempts to disguise the impori- ance of these conferences. Unless the sit- uation had grown exceedingly grave, the demecratic senators would not have been called in. They had not been called in up to yesterday, and naturally did not volun- teer their advice or suggestions. The Pres- ident sought their opinions because he Wents a united country with him. Senator Turpie was with the President a consider- able time. Senator Morgan said yesterday that he Was not in favor of asking an indemnity from Spain for the destruction of the Maine. If the vessel was deliberately de- streyed, it was a cause for war, he said. nator Gray said today that the situa- tien is undoubtedly serious, but that he be- licved it is somewhat exaggerated. Cabiuet Members Call. Secretary Sherman and Assistant Secre- tary Day were with the President this morning. Other cabinet visitors were Sec- retaries Long and Alger. Secretary Long said to a Star reporter that if Lieutenant Commandar Marix does not arrive with the report of the court of inquiry until after 8 o'clock tomorrow night, he (the Secretary) will probably not receive it until Friday morning, when it will be immediately laid befor: the Presi- dent. Secretary Long did not think the President would give the papers any con- sideration at a late hour tomorrow night. It locks as if Lieutenar.t Commander Marix will spend th: night at a hotel with his papers. There is no change in the program to send the papers to C ress Monday,or by Tucs- day, anyuow. Other Conferences. Senator Foraker conferred wita the President on the situation today for the time In weeks. He did not care to talk later. When he was asked, however, as to his opinion of the situation in general he quickly answered: “It lcoks better to me.” Those who know how advanced are the views of the Ohio senator as to the free- dom of the Cubans will easily see the sen- aior’s meaning in these words. They carry the meaning that the senator is highly pleased with the or tlook. Representative Wiilicm Alden Smith had # short telk with ihe President, briefly giving the horrible situation of affairs in Cuba as he recently saw for himself. He will see the President again. Gen. Dan. Sickies was also one of the President's visitors, and was warmly re- ceived. May Not Ask Indemnity. A member of the cabinet said today that the President has not fully matured a plan for dealing with the Maine report or the general Cuban situation. Everything, he said, will depend on the character of the report of the board of inquiry and on the developments of the next few hours. A belief is growing that it is doubtful if the President will demand an indem- nity fro Spain if the findings are such @s to justify this demand. Instead of doing that, he will submit the horrible situation of affairs in Cuba to Congress, with a recommendation for intervention in some shape or other, yet to be determined. By asking no indemnity, but by firmly decid- ing that the condition in Cuba. must change, the country and the world at large will see that it ts not money the United States wants, but an end to the ™most deplorable condition ever known in civilized days. This plan would also prevent Spain ask- ing for international arbitration. The President, it is argued, might submit the findings of the court to Spain without re- quest or demand, leaving it to indicate what course she will pursue, and prevent- ing an appeal to arbitration. It is practically settled that the Maine explosion is merely & factor in the situa- tion, and that it will and must be disposed ot independent of the main questions. The settlement of these questions will not be teuched on by the President when he sends the report of the board cf inquiry tv Con- gress on Monday or Tuesday. They will be left as a sequel to the Maine horror, and the result will be satisfactory to the country. May Not Ask nn Appropriation. There are many positive statements to- day from the President's advisers that he has not decided to ask Congress for an ap- Propriation of $500,000 for the relief of suf- ferirg Cubans. Senator Cockrell said he knew nothing of this, and Senator Foraker said he had not even heard of such a sug- gestion. Senator Cockrell said the Presi- aent had not intimated such a course. It is said to be doubtful that such a course, without the knowledge that it was to be followed by more satisfactory inter- vention, would be satisfactory to Congress. Republican members of the House say to- day, as for the last few days, that they Will not be satisfied with anything less than the recogniticn of the independence of the Cubans. Representative Barthoidt of Missouri said today that recognition is what the House will insist on. It will not be satis- fied with delay of any kind. Old Monitors Pressed Into Service. The Navy Department took the most de- cisive step today toward defensive prepara- tion for emergency that aas been made since the squadron was centered st Key West. The orders today bring into service the eight single-turreted monitors of his- teric service during the civil war, and uliize them as coast defense ships. They bave been lying for some time at the League Island navy yard at Philadelphia. Secretary Long today ordered the Catskill and Lehigh to proceed at orce to Boston. The Nahant and Jason are ordered to New York. The Mohorac, Manhattan, Montaulk and Cancnicus are ordered to be put in re- peir at the League Island yard and made ready for service at the earliest day possi- ble. The monitors ordered to Bosten and New York will proceed under their own st€am, as they are good sea boats and their engines are in fair condition, capable of giving them a speed of five to seven knots an hour. The orders direct that the four monitors remaining at Philadelphia shall be completed and ready for commission within the next thirty days. in order to d» this three of them are to be given new boilers, and Secretary Long approved or- Gers for these boilers, at a cost of $25,000 each. The Terror Ordered to Key West. Simultaneous with the issue of these or ders to the old single-turreted monitors, Secretary Long also ordered the modera dcuble turreted monitor Terror from New Yerk to Key West, where she is to join Admiral Sicard’s fleet. This last move takes from New York city what has thus far been regarded as her chief reliance for harbor defense, and the monitors Nahant and Jason will now supply the piace of the Terror. While there is a vast difference between the old and the new type of these peculiar naval engines of destruction, they are essential, and naval officers say that it is « great mistake to believe the effectiveness of the old monitors is past. They are of the second and third lot pat- terned after the original monitor designed by Ericcson. When that craft won its his- toric victory in Hampton Roads over the confederate ram Merrimac, which up to that time kad been the terror of the north- ern navy and northern seaboard, the fed- eral government ordered a large number of moniters on the same design. They served during the latter days of the war, and those now brought into commission took part in the notable naval engagement resulting in the fall of Charleston. Puritan Ordered to Key West. Secretary Long today ordered the double- turreted monitor Puritan, which has re- cently been overhauled and repaired at Norfolk, to proceed at once to Key West for service with the North Atlantic squad- ren. The Puritan is the largest monitor in the navy, and by many naval officers is regarded as the most powerful warship in the service of the United States, The Puritan ene the Terror, which has also been ordered to Key West from New York, will bring up the fighting strength of the fiecet in Florida waters to about what it wzs before the departure of the battle snips Massachusetts and Texas for Hampton Roads. The two monitors are wood sea-going craft, though somewhat slow, and would have no difficulty going to Cuba or Porto Rico, in case it was found necessary to send them there. Effective for Const Defense. in recent years they have be2n somewhat cvershadowed by the fine cruisers and bat- tle ships of the new navy, but the Navy Depariment has never lost sight of them as effective coast defense vessels in time of need. Monthly reports have been mad3 on them and these show they are well equip- ped for thg special service they ar2 now called on to perform. They have two 15- inch guns, mounted in a revolving turret. The turrets are in perfect condition and the mechanical devices which operate the turrets are in good working order througn- out. The guns, while not of the latest type, are effective for heavy solid shot. The fact that they will proceed under th3ir own steam from Philadelphia to Boston indicates the confidence of naval authorities in their seaworthiness. In a heavy sea they are completely awash, save the turret, but it is said that this is an ad- Vantage rather than otherwise, and that even in this condition they can make some five to seven knots an hour. Of course there is no intention of sending them to sea, or of using them as harbor def2nse boats. Even in this latter character the naval officials are fully conscious of their defects, but are satisfied that they will prove adequate for the limited d2fensive purpose to which they are assigned. The Catskill and Lehigh will undergo some ad- ditional repairs when they arrive at Bos- ton, although they are w2ll along toward the point of bemg put into commission. Tkose going to New York may also require some additional work there, although these, too, are among the best of the lot. The main work will have to b3 done on those remaining at Philadelphia. o Small Vessels to Be Built. Another important step in the prepara- tions for defense now being taken has practically be2n decided upon by the Navy Department. Since it has demon- strated that it will be impossible for this gcvernment to obtain from abroad any (Continued on S3cond Page.) “IT LOOKS LIKE WAR” > The Marix Party on the Way With; the Maine Report. OFFICERS WHO EXPECT WAR 70 COME Insurgents Said to Have Suffered Several Defeats. SIGNS OF HOSTILITIES MIAMI, Fla., March 23.—Lieutenant Com- mander Marix of the Maine court of in- quiry, with the following party, arrived here this morning from Key West: Lieut. John Hood, Lieut. ©. W. Junger, Passed Assistant Engineer F. A. Bowers, Cadet Amon F. Boyd, Assistant Engineer J. R. Morris and Carpenter G. M. Helm. A few minutes later they left by the East Coast railway for Washington. Lieutenant Commander Marix was very reticent, but when your correspondent said, “It looks like war,” he replied, “It surely does.”” Others of the party, in answer to the same question, were more emphatic in their replies, one saying, “I cannot see how it can be avoided.” Another, in answer to the same ques- tion said, “There will be no war.” His face was as genial and bright as sunshine, but suddenly a change came over his coun- tenance, his eyes flashed fire, and, when asked when their report would be made, the reply was, “As soon as we reach Wash- ington; there will be no detzy.” ‘ The strong impression left here was that the board's report would be against the ac- cident theory. BLANCO SUSTAINED. Sagasta Approves the Denial of the Dynamite Theory. MADRID, March 28.—Senor Sagasta, the premier, is quoted in an interview as say- ing: “The government entirely approves of Captain General Blanco’s conduct in de- nying that the Maine’s magazines were blown up with dynamite, as the Americans have alleged.” VICTORIOUS SP‘ IsH. The Insurgents Engaged in Several Unsuccessful Skirmishes. HAVANA, March 23.—A Spanish report says that General Hernandez Velasco has been engaged at the farm of Delfin, south of San Luis, province of Pinar del Rio, with an insurgent force under Ramon Vidal, Luis Peres and Negro Cesareo. The Span- iards are said to have destroyed the camp of the insurgents, who are also alleged to have left 15 men killed and a quantity of arms and ammunition on the field and to have retired with many wounded. The Spanish lcss, it is added, was one captain and two soldiers killed and two officers and eleven soldiers wounded. Unimportant skirmishes are also report- ed to have occurred at Nueva Paz, Guira Molena, Montes, Carmvlo and Hoyo Colo- rado, this province. It is also announced from the palace that eleven unimportant skirmishes have taken place in the province of Santa Clara, and it is asserted that 72 insurgents under Col- onel Benito Socorro have surrendered to the Spaniards at Jaguey la Grande, prov- ince of Matanzas. The insurgents who surrendered are described as having among them 42 armed men and two officers. THE NEW ORLEANS SAILS. She Goes to Hole Haven to Take on Ammunition. GRAVESEND, England, March 23.—The United States cruiser New Orleans, former- ly the Amazonas, started for Hole Haven at 11 o’clock this morning to take on board her ammunition. GETTING WARSHIPS, Selevting Merchant Vessels Suitable for War Purposes. NEW YORK, March 23.—The board ap- pointed to select merchant vessels for the use of the United States navy resumed its sessions today. This afternoon the board will go to Erie basin to inspect a number of boats of various classcs now anchored there. THE “WAR CLAUSE.” Steamers Can Be Chartered Only for Neutral Une: NEW YORK, March 23.—An ominous sign that the strained relations between the United States and Spain will result in war is furnished by English ship own- ers, who have cabled their agents here that all charters must contain the ‘war clause.” This clause, which is posted in the maritime exchange, is as follows: “It is understood the steamer is to be enly employed in strictly neutral trades; is not to carry contraband cargo or trade with ports declared under blocade; also in the event of war being declared by or against Great Britain by maritime power this charter is to be null and void at the end of the then current voyage.” GEN. GRANT’S CAMPAIGN. He Outlined to Adgm Badeau How to Capture Havana. NEW YORK, March 23.—The remarkable disclosure is made by Leslie's Weekly, in this week’s issue, that on April 30, 1883, General U. S. Grant wrote to General Adam Badeau, telling how easy it would be for the United States to capture Havana by a combined attack by our land and naval forces. In this letter, which is printed in fac simile by Leslie’s Weekly, General Grant says that “the hostility of the native population to Spanish authority would make this (the capture of Havana) a com- paratively easy task for any first-class power, and especially easy for the United States, in case of war with Spain.” FEEDING THE STARVING. Lee Says 225,000 People Need Feod in Cuba, NEW YORK, March 23.—The steamer Orizaba, which sailed for Havena today, carried 250 tons of Cuban relief suppties, consigned by the central Cuban relief com- mittee to Consul General Lee. “Corsul General Lee has just informed this committee,” Stepten E. Barton, presi- dent of the committee, said today, “that he ascertains by careful investigation that no less than 225,000 reconcentradoes are in absolute want and helplessly destitute. ‘These are scattered through about 400 tewns, which can be reached by the dis- now being em} a mee what teomed to be immense quant food, we need, in order te relieve this distress effectively, the equivalent of 300 of Gen. that quantity wou!d bemuch msre satisfac- tory. In order to guarantee this, Mr. Schferen and myself estimate that we need at least $10,000 a week. Our receipts at the present time are about $5,000, about half in money and the other part in pro- visions. Up to the present time New York city has contributed far less than many cities of one-sixth her population and much jess in ratio than almogt any city cf 100,000 inhabitants.” LETTER FROM CONSUL BARKER. He Says No Pen Can Describe the Awful Situation. NEW YORK, March 23.—Mrs. M. J. Congdon of Gowanus, N. Y., sent to the central Cuban relief committee in this city today « letter which she received from Walter S. Barker, United States consul at Sagua la Grande, Cuba. In part the letter is as follows: “The situation cannot be penned nor ex- pressed. One must see it in all its dis- tress and desolation. There are in my con- sular district not less than 50,000 souls ut- terly destitute and without food, who must soon die. The conditions here at present render it impossible for succor to be given, unless sent here by cur generous people. Rice, condensed milk, quinine for the sick, as also light-weight clothing for women and children, second-hand clothing equally as serviceable, and similar necessaries, are most needed. “Canned soup, meats and bread, and where the contributions are not large, I would advise sending money in exchange an any eastern city (New York preferred), with which provisions and medicines can be purchased here, and thus give relief the earlier, as owing to the inaccessibliity of this zore or district it requires much time in which to transport supplies. “If money is sent, I have to request it be transmitted through Consul General Lee, at Havana, with request to forward same to me. “wot the large number so utterly destitule, 90 per cent are women and children, the latter being in the large majority.” The Mayflower in Dry Dock. NEW YORK, March 23.—The steam yacht Mayflower, which was purchased from the Ogden Goelet estate by the government about a week ago, was put into dry dock at the navy yard today, and will be imme- diately transformed into a war vessel. The rifles which will be put aboard her are now at the navy yard and the torpedo tubes will arrive from Newport within a few days. Going to Their Ship. ‘ NEW YORK, March 23.—About 150 biue- jackets from the Brooklyn, navy yard left the Pennsylvania railroad depot at Jersey City this morning for Philadelphia. ‘The men were in charge of several petty offi- cers. . It is understood the men are for the Columbia and Minneapolis, mow at the League Island navy yard. Spnin’s Fours. BARCELONA, March °28.—At the open- ing of the bourse here today Spanish fours were quoted at 7610. The closing price yesterday was 76.40: PARIS, March 23.—Spanish fours on the bourse today opened weak at 539-16, 5-16, the closing price of yester- LONDON, Marc 23.—On the stock ex- change today Spanish fours: were weak, opening at 541-4. Later they declined to 53, a net loss of 17-8 fréme yesterday's sing price. panish fours later advanced to 53%, -but eased off’ slightly to 533-8. : See ARMY AND NAVY CHANGES. Nominatiens Sent by the President to the Senate. The President today sent these nomina- tions to the Senate: To be second lieutenants of artillery, to supply vacancies created by the act of Congress approved March 8, 1898—Second Lieutenants Frederick E. Johnson, 11th In- fantry; Earle D. Pearce, 8d Cavalry; Ar- thur S. Conklin, 20th Infantry; Benjamin M. Koehler, 15th Infantry; James F. Brady, 19th Infantry; Hugh L. Applewhite, 22d In- fantry. Additional second licutenants—R. L. Car- micha2l, Harry G. Bishop, 19th Infantry; Andrew Moses, 11th In- fantry; Fred A. Pearce, 16th Infantry; T. Q. Ashburn, 25th Infantry; S. F. Bottoms, 10th Infantry; W. D. Newbill, 5th Infantry; H. E. Cloke, 3d Infantry, Navy—Civil Engineer Mordecai T. Endi- cott, to be chief of the bureau of yards and docks with rank of commodore. _ Passed assistant paymasters to b: masters—S. L. H2ap and John Q ell. James Edward Palmer ‘of North Carolina to be passed assistant engineer. ——— SOUTHALL TO BE ARRESTED. Charged With Uttering False Claims Against the Government. An order for the arrest of J. H. Southall, former chief clerk in the United States en- gineer’s office at St. Paul, has been sent by the Department of Justice to the United States district attorney at St. Paul. The crarge against him ts that he uttered false claims against the’ government. Attorney General Griggs said today that the amount of money realized by Southall through the issuance of false time checks will reach at least $300,000. The statement of the amount is based.on the report of a national bank examiner, who was sent to Minnesota for the purpose of making an investigation. Mr. Griggs said that the government is 1.ot liable for the acts of Southall, ang that the holders of the fraudulent checks can make no claim against the federal treas- “gouthall severed his connection with the engineer's office iast April, but many of the worthless checks were issued after that time. —————_-e-+—____—_ PROPOSED MONEY. LEGISLATION. A — Bill Reported to the Bamking and Currency Committec. The House committee on -banking and currency today brought up the proposed general currency legislation for this ses- sion. The report of the:suboommittce ap- pointed to draft the general measure was made to the full committee by: Representa- tive McCleary of Minnesota and it was read by sections, and led ¢o much discus- sion. ‘The subcommittee tookeas their basis the four bills introduced at this aession, known as tha monetary commiasion, Gage, Walker and Fowler bills, and cansidered the feat- ures of those measures, @ut did not confine themselves to them. The bilkis the result of about six weeks’ clos conference of the subcommittee, who met most of the time at the private residence of @ member It pro- vides for the substitution ofsbank money for legal tendars and throws the burden of gold redemption on the banks. ——-e Bulogies on Senator Harris. - ‘The Senate today decided to set aside to- morrow afternoon after 2 o'clock for eulo- es on the late Senator Barris of Tennes- = Senator Harris waszone of the most distinguished members te, as he was one of the most . A large num- ber of senators are to speak in bis memory. Rodgers Averaged 25 Knots. A report has been received here showing that the torpedo boat Rodgers exceeded Dee Set ae eee ficial trial trip in Ha FLOOD AND WRECK Rivers of the Middle West Steadily Rising. SERIOUS RAILROAD DISASTER IN OHIO Pittsburg Reports High Water and Widespread Danger. DAMAGE IN INDIANA PITTSBURG, Pa., March 23—The Al- legheny and Monongahela rivers wili in all Probability reach a stage of thirty feet of water tonight. Tremendous rains fell at all points in the two upper valleys last night, and the water is rushing toward Pittsburg at a very rapid rate. At 11 ain the Monongahela marks had reached a stage of twenty-six feet, and the river is rising about three inches an hour. The following districts are already flood- ed: All of Allegheny, south of Robinson Street and South avenue; River avenue and Upper Robinson street and the upper dis- tricts traversed by the Pittsburg and West- ern railroad; the lower bottoms of Wood" Run; lower district of Saw Mill Run; lower districts of McKee’s Rocks and Es- plen borough and all the low lands be- tween the Davis Island dam and Beaver; Sharpsburg and Millvale districts and the lcwer. districts of upper Allegheny ana Pittsburg on the Allegheny river, includ- ing the Allegheny Valley railroad tracks in the vicinity of Kelly station. The reports from the up-river stations in reference to the rainfall reccived by the Pittsburg weather bureau show that from one-half to nearly three inches of rain fell at different water points during the night. Great damage is reported and fears are entertained that the flood will be as great as in 1884. About 5 o’clock this morning was a sudden rise in the Allegheny river and a clean sweep was made on the Allegheny side between Chestnut street and the railrcad bridge. All coal floats ceal boats, shanty boats, rafts and every thing afloat were swept away, wrecked or sunk, entailing a less of many thousands of dolla " Along the Miami. DAYTON, Ohio, March 23.—Dayton is in worse danger than any time since 1966, when the central part of the city was flood- ed. The Miami river shows eighteen and two-tenths feet at the government gauge, and Is rising. Last year, when about $5 000 damage was done, the river's highest mark was sixteen and four-tenths fect. North Dayton is completely under water and about three hundred houses are almost covered. There were several narrow es. capes, but no lives are reported lost. The backwater is doing great damage below the ty. Three of the six trolley Ifnes in the y are blocked, and the steam rafiroads nerth of the city are demoralized. At this writing the levees protecting Miami City and Riverdale, very populous sections, are in danger, and every effort is being made te strengthen the levees. The water is in the cellars in the central portion of the y, and large and valuable stocks of mer- chandise will undoubtedly suffer, so that the loss in that direction alone will be tre- mendous, Serious Damage. RICHMOND, Ind, March 23.—Heavy floods are doing incalculable damage. The large bridge over Whitewater river has been destroyed by fire and water. The city electric light plant is drowned out. The Starr piano factory and the Nixon paper mill have suffered heavy loss. Many peo- ple have been driven from their homes. The Streets are badly damaged. - Wrecked by a Washout. ZANESVILLE, Ohio, March 23.—Balti- more and Ohio train 105, leaving here at 1:50 a.m., because of floods between here and Newark, was detoured by way of C. and M. V. and Panhandle tracks. Four miles west of Trinway, on the Panhandle, the train jumped the track into Wakato- mika creek. The engineer and fireman and several passengers were killed. A telegram from Trinway, Ohio, says that the Baltimore and Ohio train wreck was caused by a washout. The engineer and fireman were Killed. The passengers are being transferred by boat. Any report concerning the wreck is al- most impossible to obtain before the return of a special correspondent sent to the scene. Almost all telegraph wires are down. The best information obtainable now indicates that the crew and passen- gers all have had a narrow escape. It is stated that so far as they are known all the railroad men and all the passengers aboard are accounted for save the Balti- more and Ohio fireman and the Panhandle pilot, and it is reported that these swam the stream and escaped on the west bank. As the train approached Wakatomika creek from the east the roadbed, weakened by recent rains, gave way under the load and the engine, followed by all the cars, rolled off into the back water that had ‘spread over the fields from the creeks. The en- gine was completely submerged and ali the cars except the last went nearly under wa- ter. How the passengers escaped from such a death trap is not yet explained. The Ohio Rising. < CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 23.—The rain still continues. The river at 10 a.m. reach- ed the danger line and was rising four inches an hour. The real danger point is fifty feet. It requires over fifty-three fo reach the railway tracks. With the river rising rapidly from Pittsburg to Cincinnati and the Great Miami pouring in an unusual flood below Cincinnati, and with the rain stil! falling, it is difficult to see how a dis- estrous flood can be avoided. Rivermen and others hope for the early appearance of cold weather to check the flood. Mean- time the usual precautions are taken to remove goods from the cellars and floors that can be reached by high water. Highest in Thirty Years. MIDDLETOWN, Ohio, March 23—The Great Miami river is higher; here than at any time since 1866, when almost the entire clty was under water. The state dam has broken, causing the hydraulic water to run into the canal. Its bank threaten to be overflowed into the streets. The break- ing of the reservoir bank would undoubt- edly cause less of life. All the paper mills mere stop Water is ten or twelve feet wired Gencral Superintendent Graham that passengers and crew were safe. Through travel between Chicago and the cast is not affected by these washouts, as tkere is no high water between Chicago, Chicago junction Pittsburg and the east by way of Akron. At the President's Home. CANTON, Ohio, March 23.—One of the heaviest rain storms in the city’s history was experienced last night, and the greater part of the east end of the city is under water today. Heavy damage will result. ‘The Fort Wayne road is unable to move trains, elther cast or west, the tracks being in many places under water. No trains are being run on the Cleveland, Canton and Southern raflroad, south of here, on ac- count of washouts. Panhandle Road Closed. PITTSBURG, Pa., March 23.—The latl est reports received at the office of Superin- tendent J. F. Miller of the Panhandle show that the road is practically slosed to traf- fic. The bridges between Steubenville, Co- lumbus and Denison are covered with water and it is feared they will be swept away. All through trains are coming in over the Fort Wayne. The Wheeling branch of the Panhandie is in bad condi- tion and no trains are being run on the Cumberand branch. At Dubois the water is higher than it has been since the Johns- town flood. A Leader dispatch says Sabula dam, about four miles above Dubois, is expected to break. If it does many lives will be lost. The railroad tracks are washed away and traffic is completely blocked. MARYLAND REPUBLICANS, Their Probable Action Legisintion. Special Dispatch to ‘The Evening Star. STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, March 23. —The republicans in the assembly who have advocated reorganizing the Baltimore city police board decided today to suspend further effort this session and to go into caucus tomorrow night for the election of a successor to Edson M. Schryver, demo- crat, on condition that all republicans sign the call to be circulated by Senator Scott, chairman of tie republican state central ccmmittee, and pledge themselves to abide by the decision of the caucus. Delegate Gould of Montgomery introduced a bill today to appropriate $00,000 to uses of the public schools throughout the state and in Baltimore city. 9 Mr. Gould also introduced g bill today empowering the Montgomery county elec- tion supervisors to establish two voting precincts in election district No. 13. ARRANGE NT PROPOSED. on Local NEW Allotment of in the City Post Office Building. fotwithstanding the fact that the gen- 1 deficiency bill set aside the space in the new city post office building, the ofti- cials of the Post Office Department will shortly make an effort to have approved by Congress an ertirely different apportion- ment of the space for the department and that branch of the Treasury Department identitied with the pest office servic in the general deticiency bill not only was the general scheme of apportionment of the floor space set forth, but it was specifically previded that the Treasury Department should have the sixth and seventh floors exclusively and a portion of the fourth. It also provided that the executive offices should all be on the second floor. This proved an unwise decision, since it com- pelled the heads of the various departments to travel a long distance going to the Post- master Gereral’s room. The sixth auditor's office has charge of all the accounts of postmasters, and being thus intimately icentified with the Posi Cffice Department it is deemed necessary that it occupy the same building. At the present time only a small portion of the force is lecated in the Post Office Depart- ment, the remainder being scatt=red tLrough several buildings in the immediate vicinity. It has been figured out that the head of one department with an office in the ex- treme northwest corner of the building to go to the Postmaster General's room would have to travel a sixth of a mile. This was not by any means the most im- portant reason that actuated those in au- thority to desire a change in the appor- tionment. Yo put all the executive depari- ments on the second floor would remove the heads of the several departments from their respective divisions. The second assistant postmaster general devised a plan which has met with the approval of all irterested. It contemplates the location of the heads ef the different departments on different floors in the southeastern corner of the building. This will be known as the executive corner. On each floor will be located the clerks employed by the head of that particular department. An electric elevator will con- nect the different offices in the executive corner, and when one official desires an audience with) the Postmaster General he will be able to reach him quickly. According to this arrangement, the audi- tor for the Post Office Department would occupy the sixth and seventh floors and a part of the fifth. This plan has been submitted to the ar- ckitect, who says he can make the change without any trouble, and the officials have received assurances from Congress that the law will be changed when they indicate iis necessity. ——__+e+_______ THE NEW SIXTH ARTILLERY. Orders Issued Making a Distribution of Batteries. Maj. Gen. Miles has issued orders making ‘the following distribution of the batteries of the newly organized 6th Regiment of Artillery: Col. Williston, with regimental head- quarters, one major and two batteries, at Fort McHenry, Md. Two field and two foot batteries at Wash- ington barracks. Four foot batteries and one major at Fert Monroe, Va. Two foot batteries and one major at Fort Hamilton, N. Y. This distribution is considered better for purposes of military operations than the original intention of assigning the entire regiment to station at Fort McHenry. The garrisons at Washington barracks, Fort Monroe and Fort Hamilton have been drawn upon to man new defenses in New York harbor and other places along the ccast. Proposed Congressional Appropria- tion of $250,000. An amendment to the sundry civil bill is appt appropriating $250,000 to fur- nish suppliss to the destitute people of the amendment, but It is stated that ie wil Probably be adopted. ———__-o-+______ ATTRACTED CROWDS Many lniboanted ‘patitens in the Senate. MR. BACON'S PEACE RESOLUTION Maine Relief Bill Passed Without Debate. GALLINGFR ON > CUBA An expected discursion of the Cuban question was the magnet which drew unusually large crowd of interested 5; tators to the galleries of the Senate today. Some time before the Senate convened public and reserved galleries were packed, and long lines of pecple swayed througn the corridors, eagerly seeking the admis- sion which it was impossible, on account of the limited gallery space, for them to ob- tain. On the Senate floor the interest was no less than the galleries. The chamber gradually filled during the disposition of the routine morning business, until almost every senator at the Capitol was in his seat. Mr. Tillman (S.C.) announced that he would next Tuesday at 3 p.m. ask the Sen- ate to consider the resolutions upon the death of his colleague, the late Senator Earle. A Peace Reso! 5 Mr. Bacon (Ga.) presented the following joint resolution: ‘That the government and pecple of the United States, while avowing that at all times and to the uttermost limit they will maintain their national honor and -protect their material interests, and while they will count no cost of bood or treasure which may be nece y for the accomplishment of this high re: theless declare chat it is their live at peace with all the nations and ples of the earth. “That, supremely confident in the loyalty and patriotic devotion of the people of every class and of every section of the country, strong in more than nm) of people. resolute, brave and iy for any persenal sacrifice the honor and safety of their government may require of them and on of material resources without limit, the United States neverthel desire and intend in the present threatening emergency earn- estly and patiently to use every practica- ble and honorable means to preserve peace so far as the same may be consistent with the honor of the nation and with their duty to themselves and to others. “That while uw rving in their purpose to fully protect the honor and the property of the nation as well as the persons of its citizers, and while determined upon he performence of their duty to humanity and to a neighboring people struggling for lip- erty, uhe United States desiring peace and ecating war will in good faith endea\or to accomp.ish these ends, consistently with national honor, through ‘peaceful agencies and without unnecessary resort to War and bleodshed,” Mr. Bacon said that owing to the im- pertance of the resolution he would not ask for its immedicte consideration, but avould permit it to l= on the table uncil tcmorrow. The Maine Relief Hin. Very quietly and with no attempt to pro- duce effect, the bitl providing for the retief of the survivors of the Maine disaster was presented to the Senate for consideration. Mr. Hale (Me.), chairman of the naval affairs committee, reported the bli fay: ably and asked that it be placed at once upon its passage. The bill was read, and without a word of debate was unanimously passed without amendment. Then, in accordance with notice yesterday, Mr. Gallinger (N. H.) was nized for a speech upon the conditio: affairs in Cuba, which will be found else- where in The Star. given Mr. Gallinger'’s Speech. Mr. Gallinger has recently returned frm the island. He reccived the most careful and thoughtful attention of every person within the sound of his voice. a the delivery of the s interrupted by Meri hearty applaus When he dec es sis that “a go’ delits ately starve 400,400 of its people will do pretty much anything” the galleries with applause. An instant afterward chamber was again resounding with hand- clapping in response to the declaration that the lives of American sailors if purposeiy taken could not be paid for with gold or silver. The further declaration that the time had row come for Spain to retire from the western Lemisphere also called forth ap- plavse, and the Vice President had some difficulty in restoring ord: Mr. Gallinger was thirty-cight minutes in delivering his speech, and as he com- mended “the poor, suffering Cuba to the gieat heart of the American people” a great wave of applause swept through the galleries. Mr. Gallinger was warmly congratulated by many of his colleagues. The Alaska Bill. Mr. Carter (Mont.) then cailed up the bi!l making further provision for a civil govern- ment for Alaska and resumed his speech, begun yesterday, upon that measure. After a brief discussion of the bill by Mr. Carter, Mr. Perkins (Cal) offered a long amendment to the measure, providing for the placing of a license upon almost every kind of business and for the taxing and regulation of the liquor traflic. The tax on a wholesale liquor establishment is fixed at $2,009 per year; upon a bar room or saloon in any town of more than 1,300 inhabitants, $1,500 a year, and upon any retail liquor saloon in communities of less than 1,500 in- habitants, $1,C00 per year. Quarantine Bill Taken Up. At 2 o'clock the unfinished business, the national q bill, was taken up and Mr. Caffery (La.) resumed his speech, gun yesterday, in support of the bill. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. of the eontested election case of Thorp vs. Epes. Mr. Rhea (Ky.),.a member of the elections committee which considered the case, opened the debate today with a forci-