Evening Star Newspaper, March 24, 1898, Page 2

2 ON A WAR FOOTING Military Forces Being Prepared for Action. NO MEASORE WILL BE NEGLECTED Important Developments Expected in the Near Future. BELIEF OF OFFICIALS . Important developments are looked fer in the near future. There is no longer any at tempt to conceal the fact that the military forces of the United States are being put on a war fcoting for immediate action. The preparations for a state of war—offensive and defensive—are bemg made on an elab- orate scale, and no measure thai will con- tribute to -the military strength of the country has been neglected. The entire available force of the army and navy has been called into requisition, and every ef- fort is being masie to add to its efficiency. All the warships in condition for service have been put in commission, and naval vessels have been purchased from ‘foreign governments wherever possible. The merchant marine has also been called upon to supply vessels for service in the auxiliary navy, and complete arrangements have been made for the possible use in naval operations of all the available ves- els of the revenue cutter house service, the coast surv i and the aving establishinents, in additioa to which negotiations have been pr af closed for the immediate consiri i fleet of domestic ship builders of torpedo boats and torp e do boat destroyers. Orders have been issued for the completion of all gunb: der construc cess of rep: ats and torpedo boats row un- icn, as well as those in pro- Work on Const Defenses. The army has kept pace with the navy in its preparations for the national defense. Work on the coast defenses has been rushed, and the fortifications and the min- ing of harbors have been put in the best possible form of efficiency. The artillery branch of the army has been increased, and batteries distributed among the forti- fled points along the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Arrangements have also been made for the prompt mobilization of the entire military strength, including infantry and cavalry, at points where they can be used to the best advantage in the execution of the plar of campaign decided upon in the event of an outbreak of hostilities. ‘The employment of the National Guard of the states and territories has also been considered as a probable contingency, and arrangements have been already perfected whereby the citizen soldiery can be utilized for the national defense on short notice. s for suppiying them with arms, am- munition and military stores generally ve been perfected, and nothing remains be done to enable this branch of the Al arrangements have been very expen- nd have absorbed the great portion of » emergency appropriation of $50,000,000 so promptly voted by Congress. Belief in Official Circles. The great and increasing activity of both military departments of the government indicates pretty clearly that a national crisis is imminent over the Cuban affair, ard that the United States government has practically determined upon a policy for its settlement that will probably entail the exercise of force. It is known that the President has con- cluded that the time has come at last for ending the present deplorable condition of affairs in Cuba, but the exact details of his policy have not yet been fully dis- closed. It is generally believed in official cles that the proposed plan involves the armed intervention of the United States for the restoration of peace in Cuba—a step that will certainly result in a confiict with Spain uniess that governmert is dis- posed to peacefully concede the independ- ence of Cuba, which is not regsrded as at all probable. It is contended that no other course is open to the United States for the amelioration of existing conditions in Cuba. Recognition of Independence. According to an official versed in intes- national law, the existence of independence is a matter of fact which is not affected by its recognition or non-recogaitién by another government. It can nardiy be maintained, said he, that the Cuban insur- gents are independent, when, as a fact, they are hemmed in by Spanish trcops and have no intercourse with the outside world. He admitted, however, that if the United States should recognize the independence 0? Cuba, whether it was a fact or not at the time, such action would undoubtediy serve to bring about that result in the fu- ture, but hardly then, in his opinion, with- cut the active assistance of the United States. Under existing conditions, Spaia would undoubtedly regard the simple act of recognition of Cuban independence as an unfriendly act, practically equivalent to a declaration of war, and could scarcely be expected to accept it submissively without loss of honor and prestige among the na- tiens of the world. Forcible Intervention. The majority of the members of the dip- lomatic corps are inclired to the belief that the United States cannot forcibly intervene in the affairs of the Spanish colony with- out making itself liable to the charge of having provoked Spain into a war in de- fense of its sovereign rights. It is said that the President and the members of his cabinet concede the correctness of this conclusion, and consequently hesitate to take the step indicated. On the other hand, it is rted that they have concluded to accept the full responsibilfty for such a course of action on the ground that it is the only possible method of solving the Cuban problem. A Tour of Inspection. Capt. W. P. Duval, 5th Artillery, military | ald to Secretary Alger, will leave the city tonight for the south on a tour of inspec- tion. The mission is regarded as an im- portant one. Capt. Duval has been director of artillery practice at the Fort Monroe, Va. ool, and was very recently ordered to Washington for special duty in the Sec- retary's office. His thorough acquaintance with all branches of the artillery service makes him especially competent to deter- mine the needs of the services and tne im- provements necessary to sea coast fortifi- cations. The officials decline to make pub- lic the itinerary of Capt. Duvai’s trip, but it is assumed that it will include many of the cities and forts on the coast. The officials of the ordnance bureau of the War Department hay> already deter- mined the manner in which the additional $1,000,000 which has just been alloted to that branch of the service out of the $50,- (9,000 emergency fund, shall be expended. Aside from a few unimportant items all the money will be used in the purchase of Fapid-fire guns and ammunition and car- Miages for the same. The department is Making an extraordinary effort to secure all the rapid-tire guns it possibly can for the fortifications on the coast and the addi- tional alletm made available will assist very materially in that direction. The Maxim rapid-fire guns, about twenty or tore in number, which have been pur- chased abroad, will be shipped to the United Stat2s at the earliest practicable moment and will be distributed to the points where the greatest necessity exists for them. te army to go into active service at once. +2 —____ BRING HOME THE DEAD. Quarantine Permission for Receiving Bodies In New York, NEW YORK, March 24.—Sanitary Super- irtendent Roberts of the health depart- ment received a telephone message from Quarantine station this afternoon stating that a cablegram had been received from Capt. Sigsbee of the Maine, asking if there would be any objection to the bodies of the Maine's sailors, now at Key West, passing throvgh this city ,if the bodies were placed in tightly-sealed caskets. Mr. Roberts immediatel ytelephoned to Quarantine to have Capt. Sigsbee informed that every facility would be accorded to the reception and transit of the bodies of the Maine's sailors in this city. PRESIDENTS PLAN (Continued from First Page.) United States either in protesting to Spain or intercepting the fleet_or compelling its withdrawal. There ts a very decidéd cur- rent of sentiment among navul officers, in- cluding some of the highest, in favor of decisive and immediate ‘action. They say that from a naval strategic standpoint it would be most unfortunate at this time to have this great torpedo flotilla brought within easy reach of our squadron at Key West. This is not mere naval speculation, but it has been given official congizance, and has been urged upon the President. It Was due to this official apprehension, that instructions were issued to keep the Navy Department immediately advised of the departure of the torpedo fleet from the Canaries. Capt. Evans to Command the Iowa. Captain Robley D. Evans, well known as “Fighting Bob Evans,” and one of the best known characters in the navy, arrived in Washington this morning from Key West and had half an hour’s conference with Secretary Long. He has been temporarily in the light house service, but he told the Secretary that if there was to be a fight he wanted to be in it. Mr. Long ap- preciated the suggestion, and immediately issued orders placing Captain Evans in cominand of the battle ship Iowa, which stands at the very head of the ships of the American navy, both as to tonnage, guns, armament and all the qualities that go to make up a first-class modern battle ship. The Iowa is now at Key West with Ad- miral Sicard’s fleet. Captain Evans was aboard her only a few days age and dur- ing his visit to Key West talked with Ad- miral Sicard and with the members of the Maine court of inquiry. He brought no in- formation on the report. Admiral Sicard'’s Successor. It developed today that Captain Evans’ crders to take command of the Iowa had a most important sequel in the assignment of Captain Sampson, present commander of the Iowa, to succeed Admiral Sicard in command of the North Atlantic squadron. This is the most important assignment the department has made in many years. It is the result of the findings of the medical ceurt, now sitting at Key West, that Ad- miral Sicard is incapacitated for active duty, owing to long continued illness. He has been ailing for weeks, but has heroi- cally struggled against his sickness until he found that further active service was impossible. He himself requested that the medical board be appointed to inquire into his condition, and it is the result of this inquiry which brings about the changes. Capt. Sampson, who now assumes com- mand of the North Atlantic squadron, has been in the eye of the public very con- spicuously within the last few weeks, being president of the naval court of inquiry which investigated the Maine disaster. He is regarded as one of the best equipped officers in the naval service, having seen active service during the civil war, and since then having occupied many impor- tant positions in the navy. He is a high authority on naval ordnance, and before taking comirand of the Iowa was chief of the bureau of ordnance of the Navy De- partment. He is about fifty years of age, a student on naval affairs, of genial tem- perament, and considered an officer of ex- ceptional executive ability. Capt. Sampson's Elevati The retirement of Admiral Sicard has the effect of raising Capt. Sampson to the rank of commodore, as he is at present the senior captain in the service. He is a na- tive of New York and entered the service in September, 1857. He has seen over forty years’ active service, nearly fourteen of which were spent on the sea. He con- cluded his last cruise in June, 1892, since which time he served as chief of the bureau of ordnance up to the time of his assign- ment to the command of the Iowa. While his naval service has been extensive, the public has come to know him best in con- nection with his recent prominent position at the head of the Maine court of inquiry. He was chosen for this position because of the implicit confidence imposed in him and of his known ability and conservative judg- ment. To Command Hampton Roads Fleet. Hardly less important than the assign- ment of Captain Sampson was the deter- mination to place Commodore W. S. Schley in command of the fleet now assembling at Hampton Roads. This will consist of the battle ships Massachusetts and Texas, the cruisers Brooklyn, Minneapolis and Culum- bia, and such other ships as may be as- signed later. It is commonly known as the flying squadron, the idea being to make Hampton Roads the base of operations, and yet to give Commodore Schley’s fleet easy and effective cruising distance of the entire sweep of Atlantic seaboard. The two commands under Commodore Sampson and Commodore Schley will be of equal dignity, and will be entirely independent of each other, for the present at least. Commodore Schley is another officer who commands the fullest confidence of the ad- ministration for his good judgment and ability. During the present crisis he has been frequently called into consultation with the naval chiefs, who recognize his complete familiarity with every detail cf naval procedure. When the flying squad- ron was first suggested his name naturally presented itself as probably the fittest man for that particular duty In the service. Ho came prominently into public notice by his successful prosecution of the Greely relief expedition, of which he had- -command, during the administration of Secretary Chandler. Later, as the commander of the Baltimore at Valparaiso at the.time of the Chilean revolution, he participated in the critical events following the assault on the sailors of his ship, and is believed to have contributed much to the successful ad- justment of the difficulties which threat- ened at one time.to involve this country with Chile. Says It Means Fight. Senator Mason of Illinois’ was at the Navy Department during the morning, and was one of the first to learn that the Spanish torpedo flotilla has left the Cana- ries. He talked with the officials on this move, and later, when asked what he thought of this action by Spain, he said: “It means that they are coming to this side either to fight the insurgents or to fight us. The fnsurgents are in the moun- tains and the torpedo boats will hardly be used to fight them, unless they succeed in putting wings on them. “That seems to nar- row down the purpose of their coming. I do not know what the naval authorities in- tend to do about this move, but if I had my way that torpedo flotilla would turn back if it took every ship in the United States navy to stop them.” Secretary Long had a busy morning. Aside from seeing the President, he saw Senator Hawley, Senator Lodge and many other public men. The Secretary stated that he had no knowledge of the purchase of a torpedo boat at Eberling, Germany. It was reported that this purchase had been closed yesterday, but the fact is not known to the Navy Department. ° Madrid Dispatch Denied. Mr. Long’s attention was called to the Madrid dispatch stating that Gen. Blanco had reported from Havana that he had de- clined to permit Capt. Sigsbee to use dyna- mite in blowing up the wreck of the Maine. Mr. Long said there had been no proposi- tion to use dynam.e on the Maine, as there THE EVENING STAR, THURSDAY. was still a part of one of the magazines in } present a the wreck of the ship. ‘War Department Conferences. Senator Proctor of Vermont was one of| ‘The bureau of ordnance has awarded the callers at the War Department who spent considerable time with Secretary Al- ger during the morning. With them also was General Wilson, chief of engineers, and it is said their conference related to matters other than those bearing on the general Cuban situation. The Secretary also saw for a few minutes a delegation representing business clubs of various western and southern cities, who are anx- fous to have Port Arthur, Tex., declared @ subport of entry. The delegation con- sisted of William C. Hook, Leavenworth; A. D. Morris of Shreveport, Ala.; C. A. Fellows of Topeka, Kan.; James B. Smith of Pittsburg, Kan.; M. V. Watson of Kan- sas City, John M. Reed of Des Moines, Towa, and John R. Webster of Omaha. Primarily a question of this nature comies under the Treasury Department, but Sec- retary Alger was requested to use his in- fluence in the matter. The remainder of the Secretary's time was taken up com- pletely in conferences with General Wii- son, chief of engineers; General Flagier, chief of ordnance, and Genzral Greely, chief signal officer. Orders to Artillery Posts. An incident of the general plan of prep- aration for any emergency that may arise is found in an order issued today by Adju- tant General Corbin, with the approval of the commanding general of the army. This order contemplates the supply of artillery posts not already having them of various military adjuncts necessary for a proper discharge of duties that may arise. At all such posts commanders are to have com- piled the best charts possible for the use of their respective fire commands by detail of officers and men under their command from such data as may be on hand or readily ob- tainable. Suitable base lines are to be laid off, carefully measured and accurately marked on the harbor chart. When no range and position finders have been in- stalled requisitions are to be made for them, and while awaiting their arrival ar- rangements will be improvised for Position finding. Where . electrical installations have not already been made requisitions on the signal department are to be forwarded for necessary telephones, and material for connecting batteries, base ends, etc. At posts where eight-inch converted rifles and ten and fifteen-inch smooth-bore guns are already mcunted and bearing upon chan- nels, and especially upon the propesed lo- cation of mine fields, post commanders are te place them in as perfect condition as possible, and where suitable ammunition is not on hand requisitions are to be made at once upon the ordnance department. Maine's Officers on Waiting Orders. Orders were tested today detaching the following named cfiicers from the battle ship Maine at Havana and ordering them to procecd home and await orders: Capt. Chas. D. Sigsbee, Chief Engineer C. P. Howell, Surg. L. G. Heneberger, Paymaster Charles M. Ray, Chaplain J. P. Chidwick and Naval Cadets J. H. Holden and W. T. Cluverius. This list includes all the surviving officers of the {Il-fated battle ship who haye remained on duty at Ha- vana since the destruction of the ship, on the 15th ultimo, with the single excep- tion of Lieut. Commander Richard Wain- wright, executive officer of the vessel. Commander Wainwright is in special charge of the wrecking operations, and will remain at Havana until they are con- cluded. Officers of the Mayflower. Arrangements have been made to put the Mayflower in commission as soon as possible. This vecsel is a steel yacht pro- vided with a good battery, and was pur- chased rec-ntly from the estate of Ogden Goelet. It is row at the New York navy yard, being rapidly transformed into a warship. It wili probably be used as a dispatch boat or as a torpedo boat de- Stroyer. She will be ready for any service that may be assigned to her within a few weeks. Her principal officers were select- ed today. Commander M. R. 8S. Mackenzie will be her first commander and Lieut. J. H. Roper, now ¢n lighthouse duty, her executive officer. They are ordered to re- port for duty on the vessel at once. The remainder of the complement of fhe May- flower will be selected either today of to- morrow. Other naval orders issued today were as follows: Lieut. Commander C. A. Adams, detached from the Monterey upon her arrival at Sen Francisco, and ordered to the Independence as executive; Lieut. Com- mander J. W. Carlin, from the Independ- ence to the Monterey as executive. Warships Leave Port Antonio. The Navy Department is informed of the departure of the cruiser Cincinnati and the gunboats Castine and Wilmington from Port Antonio, Jamaica, last evening, but the officials decline to state where they are bound. It has been reported that they have just gone off on a short cruise, and will return to the Jamaica port. What is regarded as a more probable theory as to their movements, however, is that when next heard from they will be at Key West or some other port in the United States. They are not particularly strong ships, and im their present position might possibiy fall a prey to the more powerful Sparish fleet in Cuban waters in the event of a conflict with that country. Inasmuch as considerations of a similar character re- sulted in the recall of the cruiser San Fran- cisco and the gunboats Helena and Ban- croft from the European station, it is not unlikely that the same course will be fol- lowed in the case of the three vessels last reported at San Antonio, whose position is regarded by naval strategists as even more exposed and dangerous in the event of hos- tililics than was the case with the Evro- pean squadron of about the san:e size and power. The Cincinnati and Castine were attached to the South Atlantic station, and their withdrawal for service on the home Station leaves the former without a singl> representative, just as is the case with the European station. The arrival of the six vessels named will add greatly to the strength of the home squadron. Use of Balloons Considered. General Greely, chief signal officer of the army, has urged upon the Secretary of War the importance of an allotment of money for the purpose of connecting the various parts of the fortifications at sea- port cities by means of electrical commu- nications. Another matter which General Greely thinks of great importance to the army in case of hostilities is the employment of balloons for observation purposes. He has asked repeatedly for an appropriation from Congress for experiments in this line, but thus far his efforts to obtain money have been unsuccessful. He hopes that some money may be soon put at nis command for experimenting with balloons, as he be- lieves they would be invaluable for many. purposes in time of war. He docs not be- Neve there is much danger to be feared from the fire of the enemy. Construing Admiral Sicard’s Remark. The remark attributed to Admiral 8i- card at Key West to the effect that the case of the Maine was perhaps the most peculfar in the history of modern times is interpreted at the Navy Department as clearly indicating that the direct respon- sibility for the explosion cannot be placed. ‘The records, it is said, do not show that ever before, in the intercourse of nations, has a vessel of one power been destroyed in the waters of another without the cause feature to the long Met of otherwise r disasters. _ Contracts for Projectiles. GALLERIES FILLED Yesterday’s contracts for supplying 1,600 cast iron pro- jectiles for seacoast fortifications. As rap- eerie SON adele heeeeaeae the various sat which they are need- ed. Two Virginia companies were given the contracts, the Petersburg. iron works and the Tredegar Company of Richmond. Utilising the Revenue Cutters. In addition -to-its other preparations for possible trouble, the Navy Department has takea steps tOward utilizing ten of the sea- going revenue cutters for use along the Atlantic coast. They will be first sent to Norfolk, where additional guns will be mounted, and then’ will proceed to Key West and become a part of the squadron there. Their main service, however, will be as naval pickets, a chain of these fleet cutters being maintained outside of the cruisers and battle ships. The revenuc cutter service now has ready for instant and active service 124 line officers, seventy- four engineers, 900 enlisted men and nin teen vessels, of which fourteen are on the Atlantic coast. Two others are in course of construction at Cleveland, and with rush work can be completed and ready for sea in from ¢hirty to forty-five days. The Man- ning, the Gresham, the Algonquin, the Onondaga and the Windom are all new, fast and efficient vessels and could go any- where. the naval defense with all reasonable re- quirements: to meet any exigency that might arise. ir, Boutelle took occasion to resen: some of the criticisms which had been made the committee. The committee, he said, had patriotically and earnestly labor- ee Se eranary. demands, d @ result of infinite ins had re- Ported the bill. ae Lack of Engineers. With this preface Mr. Boutelle entered vron a detailed explanation of the bill and the increases and extraordinary pro- visions it carried. In the course of his re- marks .he replied to what he termed an “extraordinary slander” upon ~ himseif, which appeared in a New York paper yes. terday, charging him wita responsibility for the lack of engineer officers in the service. He explained the urgency with which the Navy Department had pressed a re- quest for additional engineers upon the committee. Chief Melville had asked for 110 additional assistant engineers. At a Subsequent hearing it was decided that 100 skilled machinists, enlisted as warrant ofli- cers at $1,200 a year, would relieve that number of junior officers. The immediate commissioning of the last two graduating classes of Annapolis cadets and the short- ening of the course at the academy, which was also recommended, would have stil! further relieved the stress produced by the Present deficiency in the number of avail- able officers. Later Assistant Secretary Reosevelt had appeared before the com- mittee and had urged that the whole scheme for the reorganization of the per- sonnel of the navy should be placed in the Rill, but when it was explained that this was impossible he had requested that all the proposed provisions be eliminated lest the personnel bill might be weakened when it was brought before the House. At the conclusion of Mr. Boutelle’s re- rarks he attempted to arrange a time for closing general debate. He suggested 5 o'clock tonight, but there was a chorus ot Protests, whereupon he moved that the committee rise for the purpose of fixing the time at which the debate should close. The motion was hotly contested, but it pre- vailed by a rarrow margin, 93—SS. Several republicans voted with the demo- crats. Speaker Reed himself marched through the tellers. When the committce rcse Mr. Boytelle moved thai general de- bate close at 5 o'clock. Mr. Richardson moved to amend the motion by making the hour 4 o'clock to- mcrrow, but the chair declined to recognize the moticn, accepting the statement of Mr. Boutelle that he intended to move the previous question on the motion. The latter motion was put after some sharp parliamentary wrangling. The motion for the previous question was defeated—91—92. Thereupon Mr. Boutelle demanded the ayes and nays for the purpose of putting on record the republicans who refused to vote to sustain his motion. Before roll call was concluded a compro- mise was reached, by which it was agreed that the general debate should close at 1 o'clock tomorrow, the session cf the House to be extended until 6 o'clock tonight. This arrangement was ratified and then the de- bate proceeded. Mr. Meyer (La.), one of the members of the naval committee, took the floor. WILL MAKE CLAIM Throng at the Capitol Surpassed. — THURSTON SPEAKS ON CUBA Senate to Adjourn Until Next Monday. i NAVAL BILL IN THE HOUSE An hour and a half before the Senate convened today the galleries were crowded with people aixious to hear the sromised discussion of the Cuban question. The crowd’ of yesterday was as nothing com- pared with that of today. Hundreds of people surged through the upper corridors of the Senate sice of the Capitol, eagerly but vainly appealing to the doorkeepers at the various gallery entrances for ad- mission. The crowd had been attracted particular- ly by the announcement that Mr. Thurs- ton (Nebr.) was to address the Senate upon the Cuban imbroglio, basing the ut- terance upon his recent trip to the island— a trip that had brought to him the deep- est bereavement that can come to a man. It was~expected that the address would be a notable oratorical effort as well as a thorough discussion of the political phases of the pending controversy. In the diplomatic gallery were Senor Mendonca, the Brazilian minister, accom- panied by a party, and several ladies and gentlemen from other legations. Mr. M. M. Parker, who accompanied Senator Proc- tor to Cuba, was in the senators’ gallery. Mr. Clarence Thurston, the only son of Senator Thurston, and who is a student at Harvard, occupied a seat in the diplo- matic gallery. Mr. Frye (Me.) of the committee on com- merce reported a bill amending section 4492 of the Revised States of che United States relating to barges. The bill pro- vides life-saving appliances and hull in- spection of ell vessels in tow and carrying Passengers. The bill was passed. Mr. Allison (Iowa) moved that when the Senate adjourn today it be to meet Monday next. The motion prevailed, Mr. Mason (I.) emphatically voting in the negative. Mr. Mason (Iil.) then moved that the vote by which the Senate had agr2ed to adjourn until Monday be reconsidered. Mr. Hale (Me.) demanded the yeas and nays, and the motion was dcfeated—52-¥. Those voting in the negative were Messrs. Cannon, Chandler, Foraker, Mrye, Gallin- ger, Harris, Mason, Mills and Pettigrew. When Mr. Thurston arose io speak not only were the galleries crowded, but in the rear of the senators’ desks were over a hundred members of the House of Repre- sentatives, seated on sofas and cheirs brought in for the occasion. At 12:35 p.m. the routine morning busi- “ness having been completed, Mr. Thyrston was recognized for the delivery of his announced speech on the Cubaa situation. His first sentence, that he appeared. by command of silent lips to present his views: once and for all on the Cubaa situation, containing as it did a delicate and touch- ing reference to his recent terrible be- reayement, commanded instant attention. An abstract of his remarks will be found in another column of The Star. Chamber Rang With Applause. There was no applause from the galleries until Mr. Thurston’s speech was nearly ccmpleied. Mr. Cockrell had asked the Vice President to enforce the rule against applause in the galleries by closing the same should there be any effort on the pert of the assemblage to show approval or disapproval of the remarks. When Mr. Thurston spoke of the influ- erce that was said to be exerted by dealers in stocks because of the depressing effect that a war might have on such securities, ard announced, that he believed the time had come for the pcopie and not money to guide the country in its relations with Spain, there was a ripple of applause, which was soon hammered down. At the conclusion of Mr. Thurston's ad- dress, in which he made a touching refer- ence to the death of his wife, which had come in the form of a sacrifice to the cause of Cuba, the Senate chamber fairiy rang with applause, which continued for several minutes, and no one offered an ob- Jection to it. Correction by Mr. Hale. In the course of his address Mr. Thurs- ton referred to a statement reported to have been made by Mr. Hale of Maine in an interview to the effect that the Presi- dent in the present emergency had been swept off his feet. When Mr. Hale later entered the cham- ber, and had his attention called to the statement, he interrupted Mr. Thurston to say: ‘““the senator from Nebraska referred to an alleged interview, quoting me as say- ing that in the present emergency the Pres- ident has been carried off his feet. 1 not only did not say anything of the kind, but the statement quoted does not correctly represent my views. I believe the Presi- dent has been eminently wise and calm in this whole Cuban matter.” As Mr. Thurston neared the end of his speech he became noticeably excited, and his utterance became the more impas- sioned.. The peroration was brilliantly de- livered. Almost at the instant of conclu- sion of the speech his voice broke with emotion, and he finished with difficulty. A Remarkable Scene. As Mr. Thurston sank into his seat he ‘buried his face in his hands, while a tre- mendous and overwhelming wave of ap- plause swept through the galleries. Tears welled to many eyes, not only in the galleries, but to those of staid and dig- nified senators on the floor. As Mr. Thurston's colleague, Mr. Allen, led him quietly from the chamber many of his associates silently, but with every evidence of feeling, gra: Various Bills Passed. ‘The Senate then resumed its business, and the following bills were passed: To provide for dredging the channel in the harbor of New Bedford, Mass.; for the protection of song birds, providing that the importation into the United States of birds, feathers, or parts of birds for ornamental purposes be prohibited, and prohibiting the transportation or sale of such articles in any territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia; to authorize the Montgomery, Elmore Bridge and {mprove- ment Company to construct and maintain @ bridge across the Alabama river near Montgomery, Ala. To extend for one year the time of begin- ning the construction of a bridge across the Missouri river at St. Charles, Mo.; to authorize the Monroe Railway and Con- struction Company to construct a bridge across Red river at Grand Ecore, La.; to Purchase in Germany. It 1s said in Berlin that the Elbeling Shipbuilding Company has . negotiations with the United States for the sale of a first-class torpedo boat, not yet named, of 474 tons and ready for sea. Proposed Cuban Appropriation. There is a movement in the Senate to have the proposed appropriation for the relief of the starving Cubans made as an independent resolution and not as a part of the sundry civil appropriation bill. The reason given for suggesting this change, 1s the fact that the sundry civil bill will necessarily be slow in making its way through Congress, and it is believed that an ‘independent resolution could be put throug practically without opposition. —_——___+e- HOPES TO AVERT WAR Emphatic Statement of the President Today, Impressions Obtained by Congres- sional Callers at the White House— Result of the Conferences. The President, in conferences with some of the House congressional leaders today, stated emphatically that he would avert war, if possible, and expressed the rcpe that he could do so. Some of the congressmen who visited the President today and yesterday gathered the impression! fromm his carefally guarded talks with them, that the Presideat would not immediately make any important recommendatien toi Congress, but that he wanted time ih which to conduct negotia- tions with Spain with the hope of securing peace by diplornatié means. Some reached thé conclusion that he is hopeful of securing Spain's assent to the independence éf thé islands, or at least of a condition approathing independence, by other means. He Suggested to them that neither the recognition of their belliger- ency nor independence would be sufficient to bring relief to the starving Cubans, and that either act would fail, at least in its immediate effect. He also suggested that there are some difficulties in the way of sending supplies to the island, one of the principal of which was the fact that such a course is a practical assistance to Spain to sustain herself in the conflict. He urged upon tiem the especial impor- tance of doingall they could to suppress excitement and prevent action by Congress in connection. with. the receipt of the re- port on the Maine disaster. ‘The visitors think the President's espe- cial desire at this time is to ellminate the Maine incident entirely from the discussion of the situation, and some of them consider it possible that he may send the report to Congress without making any recommenda- tion of especial moment. A The President said to senators that he would like to see the Cubans obtein their independence by purchase, and he inti- mated that he would even be willing that they should agree to pay a stated annuity to Spain, recognizing to this slight degree the suzerainty of the mother country; but he said at the same time that he recognized the difficulties in the way of thfs procedure because of the disinclination of the Spanish author!ties to consider it. Still the visitors obtained the impression that he had concluded to at least make an effort in that direction. They are of opinion that if this negotiation should fail the President would resort to intervention rather than to recognition of either bel- ligerent rights or the independence of the island. They. do not consider that the President would hesitate at recognizing either belligerency or independence except for the reason that he believes neither would accomplish the result of relieving the suffering, which is the first end he has in_view. The democratic senators talked frankly with the President in regard to the political aspect of the situation. They told him of the report current about Congress to the effect that the Cuban situation was being-manipulated with the view of im- proving the fortunes of the republican party, saying to him that if such was the cese and if war was provoked for this reason the reaction would be against the Ghildren of Dr. Buiz to Proceed Against = Spain. 'y Proceedings Before Pro- bate Court of District. The children of the late Dr. Ruiz, the naturalized citizen of the United States who last year met with death at the hands of the Spanish in Cuba, this afternoon an- nounced their intention, through the me- dium of a petition filed in the local Pro- bate Court, for the appointment of a guar- dian to call the Spanish government to account for the alleged murder of their father. The petitioners are Mercedes, Evange- Ina, Ricardo, Rene and Gloria Ruiz de Ugarrio y Lesca, and they take action Ly their next friend, William A. Edwards of the District of Cotumbia. It is set forth by the petitioners that they were born in the Island cf Guba No- vember 14, 1883, August 12, 1885, April 10, 1857, December 8, 1889, and August 4, 1883, reepectively; that their father, Ricardo de Ugarrio y Salvader, was a -naturalized citizen of the United States, and resided in the United States about six or eight years; that in the year 1881 he went to Cuba to practice his profession as a dentist; that he then registered and is now registered as a citizen of the United States at the United States consulate in Havana in the registry kept there for that purpose, and that all the petiticners are registered at the United States consulate in Havana as citizens of the United States. Executed Without Trial. Continuing, the petitioners state that on February 4, 1897, while peacefuily pursuing his vocation of dentist, tne father of the petitioners was arrested by Spanish au- thorities In Cuba at his residence, near Ha- vana, It is added that February 17, after having been kept in secret confinement for thirteen days, he was executed without a charge being made against him, without an opportunity to be heard, without a trial and without allowed to communi — his family, his friends or Ss eovaen Dr. Rutz, it is explained, remained a citi- zen of the United States until his death, never having transferred his allegiance to any other sove: i “he petitioners, so it is stated, are now Lesca V. living with their mother, Rita ‘ashington, D. C. go on to say that they de Ruiz, in W; see petitioners ire to institute and prosecute a clai against the Spanish government for be- ing illegally deprived of the. care, pro- tection and support of their father. In end to weg! they say, it is nec sary that some fit person be ‘appointed a guardian to act for them in and-about the institution and rrosecution of the pro- posed claim against the Spanish ment. Mother as Guardian. Therefore, the ccurt is asked to appoint and commiesion Rita ‘Lesca V. de Ruiz, mother cf the petitioners, as guardian for them. Arthur English is the proctor of the Ruiz children in connection with the filing of the petition. Action on the ee will be had at the session of the fe Court tomorrow, Judge Hagner presiding. It is understood that the court will appoint Mrs. Ruiz guar- dian, as asked. irty. To. this the President replied that he fully realized this fact, and that he did not intend to be swerved one hair’s breadth in his purpose by political considerat‘ons. To Move With Crre. The conservative senators say that the President is to be given an opportunity to carry out his plans, and that it is now cer- tain that no hasty action without the wish of the President will be taken by the Sen- ate. There has been considerable work done among senators, and the result of a general canvass leads the conservatives to believe that the sentiment in favor of mov- ing with care and refraining from urginz the President to act in advance of his own judgment is growing. Any attempt to bring about congressional action contrary to the wish of the Presi- dent will be most thoroughly debated. “There will_be no hasty action,” said one of the conseryative senators, “and while the President’ willbe supported when ho makes a reqtfest, ‘attem to force any- thing through’ the Senate will be resisted. The Senate will not be swept off its feet, ‘but is ready te actin any emergency.” It was said:thatithe vote in tha Senate today showed that, conservatism will pre- vail. One of ‘the senators, who ts known for his Cuban sympathy, said there was no reason why the Sewate should not adjourn over and await the report on the Maine, and attached no-significance to the vote. ——_—_——_+r> es BALTIMORE AED OHIO INQUIRY. ture to Investigate ‘ash! om Branch. Special Lispatel| ta’ Thp Evening Star. STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, March 24. d to vide for the purchase of a site and thatene ton of a public building there- on at Joplin, Mo., at a cost of 3100,000. Harris Eulogies. At 2:30 p.m., in accordance with previous Maryland the Speaker Schaefer taday appointed Messrs. | {hall (Miss), ME. Hawley (Conn). Mr. Gould of Montgomery, Schirm of Baltimore | Chilton (Tex.) . Turley (Tenn.). city and Wilkinson of Worcester as a com- mittee to look into the. affairs of. the Bal- ttmore and Ohio railroad, especially in con- nection with th>*financial status of the woe Pian bills ame! Rr erg ee ge priating $2,500 to defray any deficiency in the ap} the The FINANCE AND TRADE Inactivity Marks the Business of the Day. ALL AWAIT” THE CUBAN CRISIS Effort to Keep the Market Dull and Quiet. WHAT SALES WERE MADE Siecial Dispatch to The Evening Star NEW YORK, March 24.—Today's stock market was mainly a duplicate of its re- cent predecessors. The trading failed to reflect at any material liquidation, the Professional room element buying and sell- irg alternately. The advaices which pre- vailed pertodically were wholly the resuit of covering. The inactivity of commission houses reflects the conservatism of the general public. Buying of a legitimate character ts scarcely likely to precede some declaration of the administration's plans looking to a settlement of the Cuban difficulty. Wash- ington advices were especially liberal in volume during the morning, and nearly all Were calculated to stimulate the prevailing mistrust of prices. The ordering of the Spanish flotilla to Havana, i of the Maine's officers and the assienment of important commands to others, all had a tendency to inspire caution. The decision of the Ser 0 adjo - til Monday Pad a teneficial inflacy co for = few minutes because of the enforced cessa ticn of inflammatory speecaes. This small ventribution to the pacific side of the sit- uation was soon exhausted, however, an previous low prices were again resto As has been the case for sev cne al days, th vt t the present t et is that looking to the preven- Uon of wholesale liquidation To keep the rarket narrow and as dull effor a8 pessible ts infinitely m. wise than the purchase of Securities simply because they are selling under value. In. some quarters the view is expressed that the danger line has been passed, but. suca sources have as yet adv; a nothing more substartial than an opinion. Th> effort te remove the rapid transtt commission was defeated by a tie vote, the Traction stocks having an especial cause of weakness in consequence. Liberal cov- ering of stocks sold in anticipation of such an outcome of the effort limited the cxtent of the decline considerably. Some selling of Laclede Gas after a period of inaction | Was rated among the day’s developme The much discuss:d suit of this company, recently argued in the supreme covrt, was credited with supplying the incentive in to- day's selling. American Sugar was weak, down to a new level, as the result of an absence of Support and the growing belief in the evil effects of increasing competition. The granger shares were irrezular, but the ar- Zuments apphcable to the general market continue to operate against improvemer in this group. The transactions during th closing hour were limited in volume and contined to the smalier operators of the board room. The absence of pressure to sell, and an equal absence of demand, per- mits of a backing and filling process which is likely to extend still further toward de- pression. a FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL, The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the clusing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- ported by Corson & Macartrey, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents, Messrs. Van Emburgh & Atterbury, No. 2 | Wall st. American Spi American Spirits, p! American Sagar. . Michigam Central Missouri Pacific. Chig. & G Western. 10 om —e———_— Washington Stock Exchange. ‘Sales—regular call—12 o'clock m.—West End Na- tional Bank, 7 at 108. American G: . |, 19 at 15%. “Mengenthaler Linotype, 10 at 140}5;"10 at 140%: 5 at 140 Lanston ‘Mono- Washington cy ae 0%. e f at District of Columbia Bonds.—20-year fond Se, 101% bid. 0-year fund Ge, guid, 110 bid. 8.65e, . currency, 115 bid. Miscellaneous Bonds.—Metropolitan Rallroad fe, 117 bid. Metropolitan Railroad cony. 6s, 117: bid. Mitan Railroad certificates of ind tional Bank Stocks.—Bank of Washington, 280 bid. Central (new stock), Mechauies’, 180 bid. See-