Evening Star Newspaper, March 24, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAP BUILDINGS, 311 Ferreylveria Avwone, Cor. 1th Bt, by The reise pees Company Few York Office, 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star fs served to snbseribers in th: aty by ctrriers, on thelr own accouut, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. at the cecnter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepald—60 cents Per moat Saturday Roe Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $2.00. (Entered at the Po t Cffice at Washington, D. C.. sec mi-class ma'l matter. © All mail subscri must be pafd in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior... _ Dee Hue ning Star. No. 14,060. WASHINGTON, D.C. THURSDAY, MAROH 24, 1898-TWENTY PAGES. TWO CENTS. ————_ The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washington that receives the dispatches of the Associated Press. It is therefore the only one in which the reader can find the complete news of the world, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. PRESIDENTS: PLAN Program of Action Has Been Outlined. TO RELIEVE THE CUBANS; Supplies to Be Sent to Those Who Are Suffering. MAINE REPORT COMING TONIGHT Spanish Torpedo Flotilla Leaves the Canaries. ADMIRALSICARD’SSUCCESSOR The President has decided upon a partial plan of action on the Cuban question, which, however, unexpected events may cause to be chang2d. The report of the Maine court of inquiry will arrive in Washington tonight. The Spanish torpedo flotilla has left the Canary ‘Islands for Porto Rico. The fact was at once communicated to the President. ' Capt. Robley D. Evans has beer order2d to command the battle ship Iowa. An immense gathering struggled to gain admission to the Senate to hear Senator Thurston describe what he saw in Cuba. The House galleries were crowded by those who looked for exciting speeches dur- ing the consideration of the naval appro- Priation bill. The Cincinnati, Castine and Wilmington have left Port Antonio, Jamaica, it is sur- mised, for some United States port. Ten revenue cutters will be used by the Navy Department as naval pickets along the Atlantic coast. Capt. Sampson has been assigned to com- mand of the North Atlantic squadron, suc- ceeding Admiral Sicard. Commodore Schley will be assigned to command the vessels at Hamptcn Roads, known as the flying squadron. Putting together what has come to light of the various important conferences of the lasi three days at the White House, it begins to look as if a program has been eutlimed by President McKinley, one from which there will probably be no material departure unless Spain does something to break the chain now about formed. The substantial points of this program are: First. Reception of the Maine court of inquiry repori and its transmission to Con- gress Monday or Tuesday. Second. An appropriation next week by Congress, either with or without a request from tne President, of a sum yet to te agreed upon for the relief of the Cuban people, regardless of where they live or to what faction they belong. Third. A message to Congress, by the 20th of April, setting forth the terrible con- dition of affairs on the island, the duty of this country to prevent a continuation of this condition, and a suggestion for inter- ference, either in a recognition of inde- pendence or by force. Ne Recommendation Monday. There is nothing today to establish the belief that the President will make any suggestion to Congress on Monday as to a settlement of the question as to Cuba. What he will do Monday will be to truns- mit to Congress the report of the Maine court of inquiry, together with the testi- mony. He will say little himeelf. His own expressions may be confined to the statement that Spain has been notified of the findings of the court, and that a copy of the findings has been presented to that country through Minister Polo. Of course, if there are important developments of a great international character between now and then the President will touch Lriefly on them, but he will not say any- thing of the Cuban situation in general. The Question of Indemnity. It is now seriously doubted, as exglusive- ly mentioned in yesterday’s Star, whether the President will make any demand for indemrity vpor Spain for the loss of the ine. A number of distinguished men have suggested this to the President, tak- ny the ground that this will not bind the United States to a policy of money repara- tion; that it will prevent a request from Spain of international arbitration, which wculd entail enormous expense of time and Prevent a settlement of the graver ques- ticns. It is averred that this country would not be in pesition to intervene to stop hostil- ities and starvation in Cuba if there was pending a settlement of indemnity by an international court. To intervene pending this settlement would be to throw the country open to the charge of seeking re- venge for its failure to collect dollars and cents. Intervention of Humanity. After the Maine report goes to Congress the President will follow with a message, or a request, for an appropriation to re- lieve distress tn Cuba. This will be an in- tervention of hu:nanity. The President will begin to take steps te properly expend this appwopriation, an- neuncing that succor will go to all the people of Cuba and not to reconcentrados alone. While all this is going on it will be interesting to see what Spain will do. She has announced that she will not per- mit this country to officially feed her peo- ple. She may consider the act of Congress an insult, and direct intervention, and war may cnsue from what takes place as a result of this policy of humanity on the part of the United States. If it comes acted as he thought best, and in such way to haye received the approval of the nations of the earth. The President's Announcement. ‘The final step will be that of intcrven- tion, fercible or of whatever kind is neces- sary. This will be in line with the Presi- dent's ideas since he was inaugurated. In his message to Congress in December last the President concluded his discussion cf the Cuban questicn with the following, now seen to be of the greatest significance: “If it shall hereafier appear to be a duty in posed by our biigations to ourselves, to civilization and humanity, to intervene with force, it shall be without fault on our pert and only because the nezessity for such action will be so clear as to command the support and approval of the civilized world.” The President today feels that the duty of this couutry to interpose has been reach- ed and will follow the warning he sound:d in December. The Report Coming Tonight. The reporf of the Maine court of inquiry wiil arrive here tonight. Secretary Long was with the President som:> time this morning, and it was inferred; with the re- THE PATRIOT’S VOICE General Gomez Sends a Message to} the American People, “INDEPENDENCE, AND NOTHING LESS” a His Army is Increasing and’ Au- tonomy is Failing. CUBA’S PURCHASE DISCUSSED (Copyright, 1808, by Charles M. Pepper.) Special Cablegram From Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, March 23, via Key West.— I transmit Maximo Gomez's last message to ‘the American people. It comes direct port so near at hand, that plans for its re-| from his headquarters, between Sancti ception were being arranged. It is hardly | Spiritus and Placetas, in Santa Clara prov- probable that more than a formal delivery | ince. He has estabiished his line of com- munication from Placetas. Less than a year ago that town was Weyler’s head- quarters. While in Santa Clara not long ago, a messenger going out to the insur- gent camp carried my request for certain information. He has returned, bringing the statements asked. This is the first news received from the insurgent com- mander-in-chief since the Maine disaster and since De Lome’s letter. Gomez knew of the blowing up of the Maine, and the probability of foul play, but on that subject he sought to obtrude’ neither advice, comment nor suggestion. He wished the people of the United States to receive the expression of sympathy from him and from his followers for the loss of the ship and the brave men whose lives were sacrificed. All else he thought was in the provirce of the American govern- ment. Gomez does not want the United States to begin war with Spain, in order to settle either the Maine incident or the gen- eral Cuban question. He hopes hostilities between the two countries be avoided. “To take the first ste said Gomez, “will cgst the United States $200,000,000, and Cuba might have to pay half of that amourt. The most feasible and the best plan for all is for Spain to sell the isiand to the Cubans for not to exceed $200,000,000, of the night. President McKinley is out of bed and ready for breakfas: before 9 o’cluck every morning. Shortly after 9 o'clock he re- ecives some of his closest friends in the private apartments of the house. It is thodght the President will be in pos- session of the report of the Maine court of inquiry by 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Secretary Long will take it to the White House by that time. They will both go over it together, and by the time the cab- inet meets—at 11 o'’clock—will know the contents well. Not a visitor will be received at the White House during the day. Every hour will be devoted to a consideration of the report and its bearing upon the relations of Spain and the United States. Every possible feature will be fully and gravely considered. Conferring With the Leaders. President McKinley today resumed im- portant conferecces with both democratic and republican leaders. His consultations with the democrats are as long and as free as with the closest friends of his own party. Senator Jones, chairman of the demo- document will be carried out to- Alvarez said he would: not.gtye it up, he had to mounted. “Thereupon Capt. Noa cried out: ‘Cul libre! Shoot the traitors!” = “Alvarez fell with eleven shots in his “|FLOOD-SWEPT WEST a body. Nunez tried to escape, but was cap-| Railroad Traffic Blocked All Over tured and shot. + Cannot Be Bought. “The four insurgents who had voted to accept autonomy were held as prisoners by their companions and taken back to Gen. Bermudez, insurgent commander of that district, for trial. “The firing brought out from Esperanza the Spanish troops, which had been await- ing the surrender of Alvarez and Nunez. They took back to the village the two ccrpses.”” ; I have given this dramatic episode be- cause it is evidence whether Gomez is right in saying his men cannot ‘be bought. With peace in prospect, even though not imme- diately, Gen. Gomez was especially anx- ious to have it impressed on Spaniards in Cuba, soldiers as well as residents of the island, that the Cubans are making no war on them, but against the oppression of the Spanish government. “Cubans,” he said, “want the soldiers to remain and help build up the island, now @ barren wsste.” Concerning those Cubans who have at- tempted to nake the insurgents as weli as all Cubans accept the promised reforms from Spain, which has never kept a pledge made them, Gomez said: “Our people will take care of them after this war Is closed.” Discussing De Lome‘'s Letter. De Lome’s letter was so far overshad- owed by other events that in the United States it has ceased to be a living subject. Tn the insurgent camps it is still discussed. Gomez's opinion is worth knowing. He thought exposure was not unwelcome to De Lome, who was thereby able to get out before the crash came, and to gain some popularity with former conservative asso- cistes in Spain, who had become estranged through his hoiding office under Sagasta. Gomez's view is that De Lome and Canal- ejas may yet build up a political urganiza- tion cut of fragments of the liberal and conservative parties. Fuller details-of Gomez's ideas will prob- ably follow later, and possibly reach the State Department in authentic form through the regular official channels. The above is the sunumary of his talk to a per- son who enjoys his confidence. It is the first utterance from him gince last Decem- ber, and shows he has in no ways changed Ohio. GREAT DISTRESS AMONG THE HOMELESS The Nat‘onal Guard Called Out at Columbus. WATERS GOING DOWN ae PITTSBURG, March 24.—A sudden and decided fall in temperature checked the flow in the headwater streams this morning and tke effect of this was soon apparent fa the rivers here. After reaching thirty feet, the water began to recede, and is now falling rapidly. At 10 o'clock it had de- clined one foot, the gauge showing twenty- nine feet. The swell while not quite equal- ling the flood of 1891, was the most de- structive known since the ever-memorable one of February, 1884. The financial loss will be something heavy and will run up weli into the hundreds of thousands. It will not be confined to property destroyed, swept away and damaged. Thousands of workmen have been temporarily thrown out of employment, and the aggregate of the wages they will lose will probably equal the direct loss on property. The greater part of the devastation is above Pjttsburg, on the Allegheny. In Sharpsburg, Millvale and Etna there were many bad washouts. All the railroads cea- tering in Pittsburg and Allegheny were crippled, especially the Pittsburg and West- ern and West Pennsylvania roads. Opera- tions on these two roads are practically suspended and may not be resumed for a week. No loss of life has been -reported, but many narrow escw from drowning were experienced by those who live in the flocd districts. In Pittsburg the inundated district includes the lower portions ef Fort. Ist, 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th streets and parts of 7th, Sth and 9th streets. The Flooded District. In fact, the lower parts of every strest are more or less submerged, but the deepest water covers that part of the city at the point, where are upward of 600 families liv- cratic national committee, was one of the first of the President's cailers this morning. He remained with the chief executive near- ly an hour. The democratic senators who have so far talked with the President are Gorman, Gray, Morgan, Cockrell, Turpie, Faulkner, Bacon and Walthall. The last three were with the President an hour late yesterday afternoon. Ail of them know as much of the President's ith the guarantee of the United States, which shall place a protectorate over it. Annexation Disavowed. “I fully realize that the only annexation the people of the United States desire is a favorable commercial treaty, and to have the entire trade of the island, to which they are justly and logically entitled. “I can well appreciate the reluctance to either his views or his purposes. In Good Health, The messenger who visited his head- quarters found him in fine health and spir- its. He was worrying more over the rela- tioas of the United States and Spein than over the Cuban war. To the American peo- ple who were relieving starving Cubans he sent the message that they would never be ing. Many of these last night were walled in by two and three feet of water, and there was no way out or in except by means of skiffs and yawls. Every cellar and basement. north of Pennsyivania ave- nue, from Water street, and along Water street, is filled with water. The expcsition building is submerged, and the damage will b2 at least $5,000. On the south side the warehouses, factories and mills along the entire river front were under become embroiled with a weak power, and senseless, sensational people like the Span- iards. “Let Spain consent to the sale, and war will be avoided.” Gomez is awaiting in serene confidence the early recognition of Cuban independ- ence. He stated with frankness that he did not hope or expect as early a termina- tion of hostilities as was looked for in the minds of nearly all. The season is too far advanced for that. “I am prepared,” he said, “and my men are equally determined to remain under arms until independence is accomplished; this and nothing less.” Gomez's declaration on this point was in answer to g question in regard to the prop- ositions of radical autonomists, with the sanction of Blanco and Sagasta, that the insurgents accept “amplified autonomy,” with Gomez himself forming a part of the Cuban government. The old warrior will plans as any republican leader, because the President has held nothing back. These and the republican leaders know that the President intends to put a stop to starva- tion, murder and war in Cuba. His prom- ise is said to have been made to the demo- crats to this effect. He simply wants a little time, less than a month, and it will be given him by the men of both parties. All that Senator Jones would say at the conclusion of his conference was that he thought that the country is rushing to con- clusions too soon in regard to the Maine report. Nobody knows what the report wil: find, he said, yet the country today believes that the findings will be in a cer- tain direction. “We ought to wait,” he. said. “We* ought to take the advice of Captain Sigsbze and suspend judgment un- tit we know the facts.” Senator Jones said he was confident Pres- ident McKinley knows nothing of what the forgotten by him and the men in the field with him. Comment on .Spanish military impotency and the evidence that the in- surgents hoid the country is furnished: by the fact that in visiting the insurgent head- quarters and in returning the messenger did not sce a Spanish Soldier outside the garrison town frora which the journey was made. Gomez himself 1s Where he can be reached easily. — ” These were his concluding words: “Should any person want to see me or our civil gov- ernment, it 1s well known L-can be quickly found, and can much soonet convey them to the seat cf government if they desire to treat for peace. But let thém not come in with anything short of independence to ofter.”* If the United States recognizes Cuban in- dependence, a commission leaving Havana could reach Gomez's headquarters within a week from time of departure. C, M. PEPPER. several feet of water and operations com- pletely suspended. On McKean street,where a large number of Polish families are living, the water is rearly up to the second fioors and the occupants are going to and from their houses in boats. The low- er tracks of the Pittsburg and Lake Erie railroad, in the Vicinity of the Smith- field street bridge, were covered with water, and pass2ngers were carried over the Pan- handle railroad to Nimick station, where they were transferred to its own road. On the Allegheny side the water covered the streets two blocks back and extended for miles up the river. There is a total sus- pension of work at all the mills along the Allegheny >iver. Works Shut Down. Last night it was found necessary to quit work at the works of the McConway and Torley Company, Samuel B. Rheam & Co., Crescent Stcel Company, Lucy Furnaces, Fox Pressed Steel Company, upper and lower mills of Carnegie Steel Company, Limited; Black Diamond steel works, Wm. court of inquiry has found. Representative Bailey at the White House. The first of the democratic House leaders to talk with the President was Representa- tive Bailey. He reached the White House this afternoon shortly after 1 o’clock and did not leave the President until shortly before 2 o'clock. He excused himself to newspaper men. Mr. Bailey went to the White House with General Grosvenor, the republican leader, and the latter was pres- ent during the conference. The conferences with Senator Jones and Representative Bailey were undoubtedly of the greatest importance. Representative Bailey was telephoned for and went hur- riedly from the House to the White House. ‘The President sent word to Representa- tive Sayers of Texas, the ranking minority member of the appropriation committee, that he would like to see him this after- noon. Republican Senators Consulted. Republican senators held important con- ferences with the President during the day. Three oz them—Senators Cullom, Fairbanks and Spooner—participated in one conference. Senator Lodge was with the President in another, and Senator Aldrich in another. Every conference is believed to have the chief purpose of finding out how long Congress will wait before it insists upon taking action. President McKinley does not want un- necessary delay, but he does want a rea- scnable tims to develop a line of action outlined in The Star today. The commit- tezs in Congress to which will be referred the Maine report will take their time in re- porting to the House. This will be dene with the consent of the democrats, who row understand the President's intzntions, and wiil aid him in taking time. Assistant Secretary Day was at the White Heuse twice during the day. Secre- tary Bliss and Secretary Gage were also with the President a short time. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt conveyed to the President the information tha‘ the Spanish torpedo flotilla has sailed from the Canary Isiands for Havana. Spanish Flotilla Sails. The Navy Department developed the im- portant news features of the day. First came the definite information to the de- partment from one of our naval attaches abroad that the Spanish .torpedo flotilla bad sailed from the Canaries for Port Rico. This move has been watched by the Navy Department with intense interest, and some Officials regard it to some extent as a hostile demonstration against this coun- try. The fleet consists of six torpedo boats, and seven torpedo boat destroyers, thirteen in .all—constituting oné of the most for- midable torpedo squadrons now afloat. As scon as the telegram making the an- nouncement was received it was taken to the White House and laid before the 6 IE AOE ENO DESI ELAI GEE SESE ELIRSY au RISS ah ZSRRA eee S ce aaa oer beandaic See yeu! ‘ | “A vote was taken, and only four out of never be part of a government over which the Spanish flag flies. His repudiation of these propositions was so explicit and ¢ci- rect that it left nothing further to be said. Gomez spoke with freedom regarding the condition and strength of the insurgent forces. ‘The messenger who visited head- quarters informs me from observations in different camps he is satisfied there are five thousand insurgents in Santa Clara prov- ince, well armed and supplied with ammu- nition, but lacking in clothing. He found them full of determination. Insurgent Strength. Gen. Gomez said: “I wrote Martinez Campos while he was in command and he answered my letter. His successor, Wey- ler, I would not dignify in such manner, but I did write Blanco and stated to him that Spain is killing the young men of the country, not in battle, but from climatic diseases. She is exhausting her treasury in hopeless war, for by the methods I pur- sue in resisting Spain's efforts to suppress the revolution she cannot combat me suc- cessfully, and meanwhile my strength in- creases and hers diminishes. My army has been underestimated, particularly now I have in successful resistance to Spanish rule nearly 50,000 men. Since autonomy was first agitated I have gained 5,000 men in the Oriente (Santiago province) alone. Three days ago eighty men, many of them of the best Cuban families, reported to me as having just left Cienfuegos. They were well mounted and equipped and said they got their horses and all from the guerrillas without paying for them. That is one of many cases. “Renewed efforts have lately been made by the government to bribe insurgents in the fleld to accept autonomy.” Gomez spoke of these attempts with con- tempt. “In every army,” he said, “there are a few traitors. With us, very few.” Treachery That Failed. He then gave an account of an occurrence near Esperanza, Santa Clara—of an at- tempt to induce two insurgent officers to betray their followers into Spanish hands. ‘This event is said to have caused a “pro- found sensation” in Madrid. Here is the story from the ps of Gomez himself. who cited it as an illustration of the spirit per- vading the insurgent ranks: “Cayito Alvarez and Vicente Nunez, leu- tenant colonels commanding in this army, bad agreed to accept autonomy for a money consideratjon and had secretly arranged the terms. The day they were to. meet the Spanish commander they took thirty men, Capt. Noa being the only other officer in “Getting near Esperanza, Noa said fo them, ‘You are certainly not going to at- tack Esperanza in broad daylight with this little band?” . , “They were then within one mile and a half of the village. They halted and Al- vi sald: ‘No, but Col. Nunez and I have decided to accept autonomy.” E - “Capt. Noa replied: ‘We will take a vote and ses how many are willing to go with Clark’s Sons Company, Carbon Steel Com- pery, Armstrong Cork Compeny, Harbison & Walker Company, fire brick manufac- turers; Hairsworth Steel Company, 25th and Smallman streets; Pittsburg Mortar and Supply Ccmpary; Totten & Hogg, iron and steel manufacturers; Ireland & Hugies, oil well supplies; Zug & Co., lim- ited, 14th street; Howe, Brown & Co., 1030 7th street, and Brown & Co.’s mill, 10th street. From 5,000 to 6,000 workingmen are thus thrown out of work on account of the flood. The mills will not resume work until the water recedes. The Junction rail- read below 25th street was completely flood- ed and all werk suspended on it. At most of these mills the shut-down was caused by the water coming up through the sew- ers and stopping machines where a streain of water is kept constantly running for ccoling iron. The freight traffic on the roads going west is completely paralyzed. Local accommodations on all of the raii- rcuds except the Pittsburg and Western are running as usual. On the Pittsburg and Western railroad washouts and land- slides will practically interrupt the pas- senger trains for several days, while the Pittsburg and Lake Erie is compelled to transfer passengers at Saw Mill Run, where for 1,000 feet their tracks are under the Ohio floods. Not for twenty-five years has the Al- legheny Valley railroad been struck so hard by stress of weather. Since 1:20 on Tues- day afternoon no trains have been run north of Titusville, and since 5 o’clock on Tuesday evening no trains have run north of Kittaning. On the Fort Wayne the washing out of a bridge just east of Canton delayed trains for hours, as a roundabout detour over the tracks of the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus was_ necessitated. The river division of the Cleveland and Pittsburg is tied up by washouts at Wells- ville, and miles of submerged track. Many Washouts. The scene along the Pittsburg and West- ern railroad is one of great devastation. The highways are impassable for wagon traffic, and are in a horrible condition. Railroad bridges are washed out by the dozen and no trains were run since Tues- day night. The roadbed sank in several places, It will take weeks of labor to get the road in good shape again. MR. WIGHT EXPLAINS Detailed Statement Showing Necessity for Proposed Appropriation. Commisioner Wight today had a confer- ence with Chairman Cannon of the House committee on appropriations, and Mr. Say- ers of the committee, relative to the esti- mates sent in by the District Commission- ers yesterday for extending and equipping the District fire alarm system. As stated in The Star, the Commissioners recently and unexpectedly became aware that the system is neither up to date nor properly equipped sufficiently to protect in an effective mauner either life or property, and they therefore asked for an appropriation of $50,009 for the extension and equipment of the fire alarm system, and $6,000 for adding another story to the engine house now in course of erec- tion on 8th street between D and-E, for a permanent fire alarm headquarters. Mr. Wight explained to Chairman Can- non and Mr. Sayers the abgolute necessity for the apprcpriations, stating that the District is one of the poorest equipped places in the country in the matter of modern fire-alarm appliances. He assured the members of the committee that not until a few days ago did the Commission- ers become aware of the inadequacy of the system, and submitted the following de- tailed statement as to the proposed dis- bursement of the sum of $50,000 asked for: For the complete equipment of the cen- tral station system, including provision for thirty box circuits and ten alarm circuits, equipped with all modern appliances, to take the place of the present system, which fs incomplete and inadequate, $21,500. For the necessary cabinet work for mounting the same, $3,000. « For stcrage battery system, to take the place of the gravity baitery system now in_use, $3,500. , rs For replacing sloty old. fire alarm boxes, which have been worn out, with sixty new, modern - boxes, $6,000. ’ For placing in eighty boxés standard cut- cuts, to prevent their @estroyed Pas or other electri Partarbaricns: float | tet of the treasury. Glenshaw and Wittmer are completely sub- merged, and the families living in the val- Ps Asis csetiprim hana oe Many were wi expended to boxés which were de- stroyed by htning, which expense would have pee caved hed the boxes had — ae ie Local Measures in the Senate. ‘tor offered a resolution, which: was adopt- ed, directing the committee on public build. Ings and grounds to report’ to the Senate by what authority the Metropolitan Rail- the storm last night and early this morn- ing was the severest that has occurred in this section for many years, and as a con- Sequence a large part of Lawrente county is under water. At 2 o'clock this morning the gauge recorded 29 f still rising. feet 9 inches, and Hospitals Crowded. CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 24.—Specials to the Times-Star say that the situation at Dayton is distressing. The hospitals and other public buildings are crowded with Persons driven from home. Not a railroad is is running in or out of the city. At ‘iddletown th> Miami river is higher than i eae and is still rising. The atl, Hamilton and Dayton t 5 gta taen with water. e ee ‘ymour, Ird., White river ceased ris- ing today. ‘The Southern Indiana bridge went out. It had been weighted and Super- intendent Thompson was on the bridge at Se Seep difficulty. The more an re) a are still running. sere oro Dire Distress. COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 24.—The water of the Scioto river was 35% inches higher than ever before known in this city. The fall of the river in twelve hours has been about 6 feet. The estimat2d fall by tonignt will b2 12 feet all told. Three companies of the National Guard are on duty assist- ing in getting relief to families injured by the flood. The city council has appropri- ated $5,000, and l2ading citizens are sub- scribing rapidly and liberally to relief fund. The railroads are putting large forces of men at work, but cannot, in all cases, hope to move trains today. The Columbus, Hock- ing Valley and Toledo road is open to Toledo. The Big Four is op2n to Cleveland. South and west lines are nat open. Some of the roadbeds of these lines in this city are quite heavily damaged. The National Guard reli2ved the police, who have been almost exhausted by thirty- six hours’ work in and about ‘the water. The water department notified consumers “for heaven's sake to use sparingly, as the enly pumping station in operation’ cannot sup} enough water for the business dis- tric In all that part of town water closets are closed. ‘There is not enough water to flush them. The Big Four is op2n via Delaware to Cincinnati. The Panhandie this evening ee to be open to Cincinnati and to ittsburg tomorrow. The Norfolk and | Western is open here. but tied up near Chillicothe, whore, iso, the B. and O. Souihwestern has a washout. The C. A. and C. to Cleveland is closed. The Ohio Central is open by detouring, and the B. and O. is open to Newark, thirty-thre> miles. It will remain that way a couple of days. Water Caused a Fire. DAYTON, Ohio, March 24—Water caused a fire here last night. shops in North Dayton were flooded with ten feet of water, which reached some packages of carbide of calcium. This form- ed acetylene gas, which caused several ex- plosions and caught fire, doing $10,000 worth of damage. The fire department had te fight the flames from boats. Miles of Track Washed Ow SHERRODSVILLE, Ohio, March 24.- This town is completely flooded. Business is entirely suspended; three feet of water over whole town. Great damage to prop- erty will result. The Wheeling and Lake Erie railroad tracks are washed away for four miles. The Cleveland and Canton and Scuthern road is in practically the same condition. The town is completely cut off f:cm railroed communication. High Water in Marylan Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. HAGERSTOWN, Md., March 24.—A four- days’ rain, which yet continues, has swol- len all the streams in this locality. At Williamsport, the river has risen ten feet, and at this hour (1 p.m.) threatens the submerging of the canal, into the levels of Which the water had been turned Monday lest. Unloaded boats in large numbers which were en route to Cumberland, are tying up for safety. The Craig-Reynolds —_>—__. LETTER FROM LIEUT. JENKINS. He Said There Was a Mine a pected Disaster. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, March 24—Mrs. W. H. Jones of Lima has received a letter from Lieutenant Jenkins, who went down on the ill-fated Maine in Havana harbor. The dead officer was a cousin of Mrs. Jones, end the letter was written the day before the explosion. Jenkins said he had just made the discovery of a mine and had notified Captain Sigsbee. He then wrote to his relatives, telling them of the danger the boat was in and that he would not be surprised if the boat was blown up at any minute. Jenkins’ body was never feund, but his sword was, and was re- ceived by the family a few days ago. The family decline to give anything else out regarding the contents of the letter. They say it will all be brought out probably in the report of the board. Ex- —.__ SITE OF FORT YATES, Bismarck, N. D., Will Present Suit- able Land to the Government. Senator Hansbrough of North Dakota was at the War Department today and in- troduced to the officials State Senator Lit- tle and Capt. I. P. Baker of Bismarck, who compos? the local committee appointed to come to Washington to urge a change in the location of the site of Fort Yates. This post is sixty-five miles south of Bismarck, and the citizens of the latter city are anx- lous to have it removed to a siie of about 640 acres within a mile or so from Bis- marck, This sits has been irchas if the War Department will establish the fort there. Senator Hansbrough says that transportation, department promised to give the matter their early attention, ———-e+—_____ REGISTER OF THE TREASURY. Judson W. Lyons of Georgia Selected by the President. The President today sent these nemina- tions to the Senate: Judson W. Lyons of Georgia, to be regis- REPORT CONCLUSIVE Admiral Sicard Says No Further In-* vestigation Will Be Required. COURT OF INQUIRY 70 BE DISSOLVED Rumor That Weyler is to Be Sent Back to Havana. WORK AMONG THE STARVING KEY WEST. March 24.—Rear Admiral Sicard sald to a correspondent last ht that the United States naval court of in- qviry into the loss of the battle ship Maine Was not yet dissolved. He added: “I expect to dissolve it in a few days. “I am almost certain that the Washing- ton authorities will not require any fur- ther invest!gation.” Commander McCalla of the United States cruiser Marbichead 'eft his ship in the har- bor yesterday and sailed last night on the Olivette for Tampa. is presumed his visit is in connection with the investiga- tion conducted there and here by Capt. Barker. Lie Marix Keeps Silent. At Jackscnville last night Lieut. Marix’s attention was called to a published dis- patch, in which he was quoted as say- ing: “It looks like war; it certainly does.” Before the words bad been read to him he exclaimed: “It is utterly false. I have said nothing of the kin i don't talk about this matter.” All efforts to get him to make any ex- Pression of opinion were equally futile, so far as the present crisis or his rela- tions to It are concerned. One officer of the police remarked to one member of the party that Florida was ready to send 50,000 men to Cuba when they should be wanted. “All right, maybe they be wanted down there before lorg,” was the reply. Beyond this expression not a word was uttered that could be construed as an expression of opinion that war was pos- sible or imminent. Licut. Marix was ask- ed if the two officers of the Maine who passed through Jacksonville Sunday night carried a part of the Maine report, to which he replied very significantly that he could not say, but admitted that two cffi- cers were sent from Key West to Wash- ington. RED CROSS WORK. Miss Barton Affirms That It is Doing Great Good. KEY WEST, March 24.—Miss Clara Bar- ton, president of the Red Cross Society of the United Stat who has just returned from Havana, seen last evening in her cabin on board the Olivette. She said: “I wish to say to the whole world through the Associated Press that the published statements regarding internal dissensions in the Red Cross Society, tardiness in sup- piying relief after its arrival in Cuba and the stories of my own feeble health are utterly without foundation. Provisions are reaching the suffering Cubans with com- mendable promptness. The statements that my health or mental powers are im- paired is cruelly false. The ssension emanates from outside and not from in- side the Red Cross.” Miss Barton was intensely indignant cn this subject and spoke with considerable warmth. It was the first time in her life, she declared, that “derogatory sts ents” had been published about her work. Con- tinuing, she said: “During the six weeks I have been in Cuba the condition of the starving thousands has much improved, thanks to the generosity of the American people. Still, much more remains to be done, and it seems hard that work of th description is hampered by external criti- cism and interference. Spaniaris, Cubans and American officials have done ail in their power to help, taking much needed relief to the sufferers. The im; m that the Spaniards do anything to distribution of provisions is err: am returning to my home in W shington and expect to return to Cuba shortly.” Another Burt KEY WEST, Fla., March 24.—An uniden- tified body from the wreck of the Maine, which was brought here from Havana on the Olivette last night, was interred this morning. The remains were followed to the grave by a squad of blue jackets from the Detroit. Chaplain Royce of the flag- skip New York read the burial service. BOUND FOR KEY WEST. The Cincinnati and Wilmington Have Leit Kingston. KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 24.—The United States cruiser Cincinnati and the United States gunboat Wiimington, without the United States gunboat Castine, return- ed to Port Antonio late last night and sail- ed an hour later. It is thought the war- ships have gone to Key West. BLANCO REFUSED. Sigsbee’s Request to Blow Up th Maine Wreck Failed. MADRID, March 24.—A semi-official note just issued sa: “At the cabinet meeting yesterday Senor Sagasta (the premier) read a telegram from Captain General Blanco saying that the captain of the Maine had requested permis- sion to blow up the wreck with dynamite, and that permission to do so had ‘been re- fused him. “The cabinet empowered the minister for foreign affairs (Senor Gullen) to watch the situation with the view of seeing justice done and defending the rights of Spaia. “The minister of finance (Senor Puigcer- vor) declared the resources were sufficient for all war expenses until the new cham- bers meet.” ‘The note is absolutely reserved in regard to the Spanish commission's report on the loss of the Maine. LONDON, March 24.—A special dispatch from Madrid says the Spanish cabine: de-