Evening Star Newspaper, March 28, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Fennsylvania Avence, Cor. 11th 8t., by The Evening Star New: r Company 5. H. EAUFFMANN, Pres't —— A New York Office, 49 Potter Buildins, aeoten et ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the eity by crrriers, om their own accouut, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents " month. Copies at the cetnter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «x Canada—postage prepa cents per month. Seturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. }.00. (Entered at the Po t Office at Washington, D. C.. 3 second-class ma’l matter.) [> All mall subscriptions mast be pald in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicatiot. a Che Zvening Star. No 14,063. WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1898-TWENTY-TWO 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. MILITARY ACTIVITY Secretary Long Holds Many Con- ferences. A NEW FLEET ORGANIZED Arrival of Three Warships at Key West. WARNING SENT 10 THE OREGON Some Uneasiness Over a Spanish Torpedo Boat. NAMING OF NEW BOATS ——ee The President sent to Congress today the findings of the court appointed to investi- gate the Maine disaster, with the testimony taken by the court, together with a mes- sage of transmission. ‘The message was referred in both houses to the committees appointed to consider foreign affairs. The House adjourned, while Senator Money addressed the Senate | on Cuba. A special meeting of the cabinet was held and messages from Minister Woodford were considered. A reply has been received from Spain on the subject of restoring peace in Cuba. It is understood to be conciliatory. The Cincinnati, Wilmington and Castine arrived at Key West. Commander Elmer was ordered to the new mosquito fleet organized by the Navy Department, to comprise the small boats recently purchased. Instruct ms were sent to the Oregon, speeding down the fie coast, to be on the lookout for the Sp h torpedo boat which left Montevideo Satur- Temerario, The great activity which has prevailed in all ches of the War and Navy Depart- ments for the past month was apparent gaia today. Particularly was this the casz in the latter department, when Secretary Long was on hand early holding confer- €nces with bureau chiefs and a number of visitors who had business of importance. Among the public men who saw Secretary Leng was Senator Frye of ne. At 10 o'cicek the Secretary left the department for the White House and did not return until 2 o'clock. There was no additional information at the department regarding the location of the Spanish torpedo boat flotilla now on its way to Porto Rico from the Canaries, ex- cepting that it was advancing steadily. ‘The highest naval authorities continue to ay that this movement is the most formid- ie setback to our preparations for war that has yet occurred. The Mesquito Fleet. It was disclosed for the first time by one ©f the naval orders issued today that the department has determined upon the form- ation of an additional fleet, to be known as “the Mosquito fleet,” to be composed of tugs, steam yachts and other email vessels which may be obtainable, and which are to be used as a sort of mobile defense of sea- coast cities. It was further developed in this connection that the naval militia of the eeveral states will be called upon to man this auxiliary fleet. fact that Admiral Walker cabled aragua to the State Department announcing his departure from Nicaragua Saturday for home revives the speculation as to the likelihood of his being placed in charge of the entire naval operations on the home station, including the command of the fleet under Captain Sampson, Commo- @ore Schicy’s “flying squadron” and any suxiliary lines of defense that may be estahished. It was stated, however, at the Navy De- partment that Admiral Walker's home coming is be of the conclusion of the work of the Nicaragua canal commission, of which he is president, and that it was not hastened because of the present naval activity. Moreover, the name of Admiral who is still on the active list, is the most frequently mentioned among raval officer’ as the one most likely to be chosen for this supreme cemmand if it should be determined upon. Ship Builders Thanked. Secretary Long has written a letter thanking the Harlan and Hollingsworth ‘ompany of Wilmington, Del., for its on of patriotism” in hurrying werk on the torpedo boat Stringham and declining to exact any extra amount from the government for the additional work necessitated by the rush orders. The com- pany’s action was made known to the Sec- etary in ihe following letter from #. G. Biorse, the president: “In connection with your telegram urging the work on the Stringham, I beg to ad- vise you that we are pushing the con- struction of the boat by working until 10 o'clock at night in our machine shop and in our draughting room, have taken on about fifty additional men for day work, and have employed a special superintendent for that boat. We do not expect to: make any claim for extra cost due to the extra work which we are doing to push the boat along.” New Boats Named. Secretary Long today gave names to a number of the recent additions to the navy. Indian names were selected for the newly purchased tugs, and the rames of stinging insects were assigned to the newly ac- quired yachts which are being transformed into torpede boats. The torpele boat built tor the German Bavy and recently purchased for the United States navy has been named the Somers, “ after the famous brig of that name which rendered such valiant service in the early days of the republic. The 1ames selected for the yachts and tugs purchased in this country and now being put into condition for the use of the naval service are as follows: Yachts—Alicia, to be called Hornet; Almy, to be called Eagle; Hermione, to be called Wasp. Tugs—Edgar F. Luckenback, to be called Tecumseh; Walter A. Luckenback, to be calied Uncas; Winthrop, to be caiied Osce- ola; P. H. Wise, to be called Sioux; El Toro, to be called Algonquin. At the War Departmen Secretary Alger was at his office only a short while before he left for the cabinet meeting today. During the brief time he was there he saw Senator Platt of New Yerk, Senator Proctor, who has had many consultations with the Secretary during the past few weeks, and Senator Frye and Rep- resentative Hooker of New York. Additions to Key West Fleet. The naval movements reported today were the arrival of the battle ship Texas at New York and the Alliance at Newport, and the departure of the monitor Terror from Norfolk to Key West. The big naval fleet in the vicinity of Key West received an important addition today in the arrival of the cruiser Cincinnati and the gunboats Wilmington and Castine, which were at Port Antonio, Jamaica, when last heard from. The Cincinnati and Castine comprised the recent South Atlan- tic squadron and were called home several weeks ago, when it first became apparent that war with Spain was probable. The Cincinnati was flagship of the station. The gurboat Wilmington was under orders to join the South Atlantic fleet at Monte- video and had proceeded as far as La Guayra, Venezucla, when she received or- ders to return to the United States. The three vessels came together in the Barba- dos and came north in company. They are a!l believed to be in exceilent condition for active service, and will be retained at Key West for the present. Owing to great speed the Cincinnati will probably be add- ed to the “flying squadron” in case it is deemed advisable to enlarge that fleet. The most significant of the naval orders issued by the department today was that of the detachment of Commander Horace Eimer from Cramps’ shipyard ani ordering him to duty “in re the mosquito fleet.” Its prespective formation is the result of the observations and work of the Naval Col- lege for the past five years, and the offi- cials believe that with the material that may be obtained and the manning of the vessels by the raval militia of the states a formidable organization of its kind will re- sult. The naval militia of the states, how- ever, will not be entirely relied upoa to an the ships. In case of necessity resort will be had to seamen wherever they may be picked up. Commander Elmer is at the New York ravy yard, which wiil be the center of the future operations of his fleet. Commander Elmer's Duties. His duties respecting the selection of craft for the fleet are exactly the same as those performed by the board which for the past two weeks has been engaged in the inspection of merchant vessels for the aux- iiiary defense preliminary to their purchase by the Navy Departmént. The command- er and his assistants will visit various places along the coast and will communt- cate by letter with persons and firms own- ing small craft with a view to determining just how many there are available and at what price the owners would sell or char- ter them to the government. So far as practicable it is the intention of the depart- ment that there shall be a separate set of sr all ships for the defense of eaeh of the scacoast cities, the whole te be under the rame of the “mosquito ficet.”” In.tye evant of a necessity for a rendezvous of several of these local fleets at any one place this will also be arranged for; but the primary idea is for each local fleet to form the “mobile defense” of each particular city where it fs made up. The bureau of ord- nance will be called into requisition to as- sist in furnishing armament for the ves- sels, and in the event of war naval officers wili be assigred to the command of each of the severai local fleets. Commodore Schicy, ccmmanding the fly- ing squadron, has selected Lieut. J. H. Sears, who is on duty at the Philadelphia Naval Home, as Fis flag lieutenant and Lieut. B. W. Wells of the Monadnock as his flag secretary. Possible Peril of the Oregon. Naval officials are somewhat apprehen- sive over the movements of the Spanish torpedo boat Temerario, which left Monte- video, Uruguay, somewhat mysteriously Saturday. Her destination is unknown, and feer is expressed that she may be beund for southern waters for the purpose of intercepting the battle ship Oregon and the gunboat Marietta, now speeding dewn the Pacific coast on their way to jein Capt. Sampson's fleet at Key West. As a measure of precaution telegrams have been sent to the commandirg officers of the Oregon and Marietta, to be deliver- ed to them on tkeir arrival at Callao, Peru, instructing them to be on their guard against possible attack by the Tem- erario or any other Spanish vessel that they may mect in the course of thei? voy- age around the Horn. ————-2-—____ ARMY REORGANIZATION. The War Department Interested in the Hull Bill. That which mostly interests the War De- partment at this time is the passage by Congress of the Hull reorganization bill, recently favorably reported to the House. With this a law, our army, small though it may be, would become flexible to a de- gree that would enable the department in a very short time after a declaration of war to double, or even treble, its strength, without creating a single new organiza- tion. In all the plans, none contemplates other tian the three-battalion organization for infantry. This is to make the army conform to most of the National Guard or- ganizations. It is believed that within a short time after the passage of the Huli bill the entire National Guard of the United States will be put on this footing. When once in the field, all the power and in- fluence of the War Department will be used to keep regiments full to the maximum, taking advantage of the lesson of history that the great mistake of organization in the last war was letting the old and fight- ing regiments become depleted and trying to reinforce the army with newly organized regiments. Ii is proposed to guard against this in every way possible. ——————————_.____ Mblack Buys a Cruiser. BERLIN, March 28.—Lieutenant Niblack, the United States naval attache, has re- turned here from Kiel. It is understood he government, is considering the purchase of a vessel building at the Voss yards at Hamburg. paniment of armed intervention." A DEEP IMPRESSION NOW IN CONGRESS A ee SPAIN Effect on Congress of the Message and Findings. SPAIN NOT FREED OF RESPONSIBILITY Good Effect of Sending in the Testimony. TALK AT THE CAPITOL A profound impression was made in Con- gress by the reading of the President's message cf transmission and the findings of the Maine board of inquiry. The indication that a failure to send the testimony with the report would be misin- terpreted and cause tromble led the Presi- dent to send everything to Congress, thevgh it was a great inconvenience to do so. The failure of the President or the court of inquiry to dwell on the responsibility of Spain, while the findings by implication teft an inference plainly to be drawn, prob- abiy made a deeper impression on Con- gress than would have beea made by any suggestions made or circumstantial testi- riony would have created. At the conclu- sion of the reading there was but cne ex- pression on every face in the Senate—that oi gravity which comes of a solemn con- viction. Spain Not Acaquitted. ‘The Presidert’s message was interpreted te mean that Spain was not acquitted of the responsibility, and the tone of the re- pert left it open for ary inference that might be drawn, after establishing the fact that the explosion was caused by a sub- marine mine in a harbor controlled by Spanish officials. How the mine could get there and be exploded was left to inference based on the testimony, which excludes the pessibility of the explosion having occurred without design. Disappearance of Discontent. All the grumbling and evidence of dis- content disappeared on its being known that the testimony had accompanied the repori. After the reading of the documents in the Senate, Mr. Money made a speech on Cuba, but this was not an outcome of the report being presented, but had been pre- vicusly announced and was in line with speeches made by other senators who have recently returned from Cuba. The belief is becoming more general that Spain will not dare to dispute the findings of our court after reading the testimony, or that if she does dispute it, she can make no’ defense of such a course and will be compelied to yield. The “new autonomy” talk has no vitality. It is the gasping of a Gying contention or a foolish attempt on the part of Snain to justify her in a cause of resistence. Which it is has not yet been determiied, but it is well understocd at the Capitol that Spain 1s to be compelled to restore peace in Cuba, and that she will have to make the best terms she can with the insurgents, or else tolerate intervention by this government, Self-Control of Congress. The self-control of Congress in making no demonstration tuday is founded on the conviction that there is to be no backward step. It is insisted that if there is any collapse it will be on the part of Spain. as to whether Spain will or will not yield there 1s a division of opinion. ‘The prevail- ing opinion at the Capitol appears to be that Spain is “up” to treachery. The report that “autonomy” is to ‘be forced upon the insurgents is still being circulated with great persistency, but it finds credit only among those who are aiways ready to credit a report that the President is weakening. The better in- formed say that now, us before, the preser- vation of peace depends upon Spain, and cannot result from any change in the atti- tude of this government. Sayers for Armed Intervention. Neither Speaker Reed, Mr. Dingley, the floor leader of the majority, nor Mr. Bailey, the democratic leader of the House, would make any comment on the message. Other members, however, were not so reticent. Among the most significant utterances of the day were those of Repr2sentative Say- ers and Representative Dockery. Gov. Sayers ts the ranking democrat on the com- mittee on appropriations and was chairman of that committee in the last dzmocratic Congress. Mr. Dockery is next in rank on the committee and is high in the councils of the democratic party. “I will not vote for an appropriation,” said Representative Sayers to a Star re- porter,’“to furnish food for th2 suffering Cubans unless it be accompanied by armed intervention. “Conditions, in my judgment, are such that no such appropriation should be made by Congress unless accompanied by inter- vention, in order to put an end to the strife. “Unlzss this be done the practical effect of any such contribution by our govern- ment to feed Spanish subjects would be so much substantial aid to the Spanish gov- ernment. “Spain could well afford for the United States to support her starving non-com- batants while her soldiers were fighting those re2volutionists who were in arms against her authority. “This, in my opinion, is the true situa- tion, and the administration should face it and deal with it accordingly.” Dockery Disappointed. Mr. Dockery said: “I have not read the findings of the court of inquiry or the ac- companying evidence, and therefore my opirion is based solely upon the President’s message. . “I confes® to a deep sense of disappoint- ment at its tenor. Doubtless the language of diplomacy calls for respectful phrases; but"the facts already known to the coun- try in relation to the Maine do not, it seems to me, warrant any departure from a strict and simple recital, devoid of coloring either way. 2 : “I do not know the contemplated policy of the administration; but it may as well be understood now as later that the peo- ple of the United States will disapprove of any attempted settlement of the Cuban question involving the payment or guaran- tee of bonds, or leaving the Spanish flag flcating on the igland, or any action re- sulting in the feeding of Cuban non-com-. batants while the Spanish. is fighting the insurgents in the field. “An appropriation for reef to the starv- ing Cubans will be a very proper accom- The Maine Report ‘Sub- mitted to Both Houses. AN OUTSIDE EXPLOSION The President Also Transmits a Special Message. RESPONSIBILITY I$ UNDETERMINED Unqualified Opinion Expressed as to the Cause. CAPT. SIGSBEE EXONERATED The President today sent the following message to Congress: To the Congress of the United States: For some time prior to the visit of the Maine to Havana harbor our consular rep- resentatives pointed out the advantages to flow from the visit of national ships to the Cuban waters, in accustoming the people to the presence of our flag as the symbol of £01 will and of our ships in the fulfill- ment of the mission of protegticn to Ameri- can interests, even though po immediate need therefor might exist. Accordirgly, on the 24th of January last, after conference with the Spanish Minister, in which the renewal of visits of our war vessels to Spanish waters: was discussed ard accepted, the peninswlar guthorities at Madrid and Hevana were advised of the purpose of this Government to resume friendly naval visits at Cwban ports, and that in that view the Maime would forth- with call at the port of Havana, This announcement wasereccived by the Spanish government with appreciation of the friendly character of the visit of the Maine and with notificatigm of imtention to return the courtesy by @ending Spanish ships to the principal ports”pf he United States. Meanwhile the Maine emtered the port of Havara on the 26t# of January, her arrival being marked swith mo special incident besides the exchange of customary salutes and ceremonial wisits. The Maine continued in the harbor of Havana during the three weeks following her arrival. No appreciable exeltement at- tended her stay; on the contrary, a feel- ing of relief and confidence followed the resumption of the long-interrupted friendly intercourse. So noticeable was this im- mediate effect of her visit that the consul general strongly urged that the presence of our ships in Cuban waters should be kept up by retaining the Maine at Havana, or, in the event of her reeall, by sending another vessel there to take her place. She Was Hlown Up. At forty minutes past nine in the evening of the 15th of February thé Maine was de- stroyed by an explosion, by which the entire forward part of the ship was utterly wrecked. In this catastrophe two officers and two hundred and sixty-four of her crew pevished, those who were not killed outright by her explosion being. penned between decks by the’ tangle of wreckage and drowned by the immediate sinking of the hull. a Prompt assistance was rendered by the neighboring vessels anchored in the har-, bor, aid being especially given by the boats of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso XII and the Ward line steamer City of Washington, which lay not far distant, The wounded were generously cared for by the authori- ties of Havana, the hospitals being freely opened to them, while the earliest recov- ered bodies of the dea@ were interred by the municipality in a public cemetery in the city. Tributes of grief and sympathy were offered from all offigial quarters of the island. ‘The appalling calamity fell upon thé peo- ple of our country with crushing force, and for a brief time un intense excitement pre- vailed, which in a community less just and self-controlled than ours might have led to hastysacts of blind reséntment. This spirit, however, soon gave way to the calm- er processes of reason and to the resolve to investigate the facts and await material prcof before forming a judgment as to the cause, the responsibility gd if the facts Warranted, the remedy due. This course necessarily recommended itself from the outset to the executive, for only in the light of a dispassionat¢ly ascertained cer- tainty could it determine’ the nature and measure of its full duty in the matter. The usual procedure wa followed as in all cases of casuality or disaster to na- tional vessels of any maritime state. A na- vai court of inquiry was at once organized, composed of officers well qualified by rank and practical experience i ‘diseharge the onerous duty. imposed / them. Aided by a strong force of wreskers,and divers, the court proceeded ‘te make # thorough investigation on the spot,-empleying every available meins for the ippertial and ex- act determination of the @siuses.of the ex- P‘osion. Its operations hawe bean conduct- ed with the utmost delibewatios-and judg- ment, and, while independgntly pursued, no scurce of information wes fegtected, and the fullest opportunity was allewed for a simultaneous investigation by the Spanish authorities. ¢ “Phe finding of the gourg of imquiry was reach@d after twenty-thage days of con- tinuoys labor, on the’ 2i@¢ of March, in- stant, and having been approved on the 22d by the commander-in-c of the United States naval force on the:north At- lantic station was trangmitted to the Executive. sae it is herewith laid Congress, together with the volumigous testimony taken before the bs Tt is in the Hands of This Gov- ernment. PRESENTED THROUGH MR. WOODFORD Cabinet Members Inclined to Be Hopeful of Peace. —_+ SPECIAL CABINET MEETING The United States government has pre- scnted, through Minister Woodford at Madrid, a carefully worded note dealing with the distressing condition of affairs in Cuba, and maki.g clear that this govern- ment cannot much longer withhold such definite action as will bring the present struggle and the suffering it is occasioning to a close. Thé note was submitted to the Spanish government the latter part of last week. The Spanish government has made its reply to the note of the United States thus submitted by Minister Woodford. A brief cable dispatch was received from Minister Woodford last night, but this is believed not to have conveyed the Spanish reply, 2s it was confined largely to an inquiry. It can be stated positively, however, that the Spanish answer has been made, and it can- not be doubted that it is in the hands of the authorities here. Both the note of the United States and the answer of Spain are marked by .& con- servative tone, which, however, does not overcome the dignified firmness which characterizes the representations of botn governments. The United States note clearly indicated that the situation in Cuba couid not much longer be tolerated, and in detail recited the distressed conditions prevailing and the apparent inability of the present Span- ish policy in Cuba to bring these conai- tions to a close. The Spanish repiy is re- assuring and furnishes a basis for a live.y hope that ail differences may be adjusicd on a basis satisfactory to this governmeni. Another Peace Wave. The White House was engulfed in an- other peace weve today, anu cabinet mei bers, after attending a special cabine: meeting, proclaimea that tre situation “looks more hopeful.” Sagasia has made more promises, and negotiations are row 1n Progress between the two governments to find out exactly what the Spanish minisiry will do. This is the sum of the situation as se around the White House, where the day has been 1n active and interesting one. ~ Barly in the morning the President decid- ed that he would send to Congress the tes- timonyf the Maine court of inquiry, along with the findings of the court and his own message. About the same time he engaged in a long conference with Judge Day, as- sistant secretary of state, at the conclu- sion of which nctifications were quickly sent to cavinet members to appear at the White House for a special session. Before the cabinet adjourned the papers of the Maine explosion were in the hands of Congress. Shortly after 12 o'clock the cabinet ad- journed, members claiming that the situa- tion was decidedly more hopeful than it was three days ago, and that the prospect was fairly good fcr an adjustment of the differences between the two countries. The cabinet officials would not go into a dis- cussion of this change in cor-ditions, except to say that certain negotiaticns are in pro- gress which promise to com: to a head. The President's Next Message. It was also announced that the President’s message on the starvation in Cuba will probably go to Congress tomorrow. The President will suggest, it is said, an ap- propriation of $500,000 for relief, but will intimate that he will be satisfied if the ap- propriation is larger. It is understood that the negotiations in Progress were the results of representa- lions made by this government that it de- sired a chenge of conditions’in Cuba as speedily as possible. It is now admitted that Sagasta has suggested another form of autonomy for the Cubans, the most lib- eral yet offered. His proposition is said to be to give Cuba a form of government identical with that of the Canadians,“prac- tically” independence, as it is now put. The Spanish ministry has assured this gcvernment of its desire for peace, and as the propositions made tend that way, at least temporarily, the administration an- reunces a more hopeful outlook. Despite this situation, it is admitted that the plans row framing are embryonic and likely to go wrong at any minute. It is simply a matter of hope with those who are exceed- ingly conservative. Spain Not Likely to Object. It is said to be improbable that Spain will resist the official interférence of this ccuntry in the way of feeding the starving people on the island. President McKinley has, it is claimed, not changed his determination to put a stop to the war and the deplorable condi- tions in Cuba. He is simply taking time to see whether Spain can induce the insur- gents to accept certain terms which may or may not bring peace. If he finds that the insurgents will accept no terms other than independence he may decide to alter the present program and to intervene for- cibly. Senators Objected. Members of the foreign relations commit- tee of the Senate made vigorous protests yesterday and this morning against the progtam not to send in the testimony, say- ing that it would be a great deal of a farce to refer to that committee the findings of the court and withhold the testimony. The committee desired the testimony at the earliest possible moment. It was also pointed out that the with- holding of the testimony would be con- strued by some persors to mean that an attempt was being made to keep from tila at Porto Rico. They are under the impression, however, that the flotilla will be stopped by the Spanish government at Porto Rico without representations from this government. No Reply Regarding the Maine. Cabinet members say that Spain has not yet made a response to this country as to the Maine explosion. The Pnesidefit ex- pects something from Spain shortly. It is thought the Spanish government will take time in preparing a response as to the Meine explosion, as the response will fix her position. Proposed Joint Mediation. A report is on the rounds that Spain has proposed that France and the United States mediate on the differences between Spain and the insurgents, France to repre- sent Spain and the United States to look after the interests of the insurgents, the two to agree upon a form of government for the Cubans. If this proposition has been made it was not spoken of in the cabinet today and cab- inet officials know nothing of it. They suggest that the story is improbable, as it would mean European intervention with the position of this country. Cabinet members express satisfaction with the continuaticn of Sagasta as prime minister. This, they say, meats a strong element in the peace negotiations on foot. The President Takes a Walk. President McKinley took a walk after the cabinet meeting today, going through and around the White House grounds with a friead who called on a special visit. On returning from his walk the Pres- ident held a conference with Judge Day. —__——e-_____ MAY BE TERMED “STRAGGLERS.” Many Good Men Who Have Left the Navy. In view of the great desire for experienc- ed men in the naval service just at this time, it is mere than probable that the N Department will exercise considera- ble leniency in dealing with the cases of men who are charged with having de- serted from the naval service and who remain absent from fear of punishment: In such cases, where the records of the men were good prior to their desertion, they will in all probability upon surrender- ing themselves at a receiving ship be offi- cially *regarded as simple stragglers and not as deserters. Accerding to the regula- tions a “straggler” is an enlisted man who has mercly overstayed his leaye and is subject to minor punishment. Desertegmy however, are discharged from #he service and are ineligible for re-enlistment. It is recognized that many gocd men Have left the service without permission during the past few years of peace who would will- ingiy re-enter the navy and render good ce in the event of an outbreak of ities. The policy of the department looking to a more liberal treatment of technical deserters is due in a great meas- ure io the difficulty the recruiting officers are having in securing men up to the naval requirements. SS SS THE MEMORI4L BRIDGE. Col. Allen's Report on the Survey to Be Sent to Congress. The Secretary of War “tomorrow will send to Congress the report of Col. Allen, ccrps of engineers, in regard to the sur- vey made by that officer, in accordance with a special act of Congress, for a me- morial bridge across the Potomac river, frcm the old observatory grounds to the Arlington estate. The report contains @ general estimate for a steel briige, rest- ing on stone piers at a total cost of $1,385, 000, In forwarding this report to the de+ partment, General Wilson, chief of engin- eers, said that the amount appropriated for the survey, $2,500, was not sufficient for the preparation of the necessary plaus for a bridge of the character de ed, end he therefore recommended an-a appropriation of $3,000 for this work, at the same time, suggesting that reputable bridge architects be invited to sumit com- petitive designs for the proposed structure. It is proposed to use the appropriation asked for in compensating the architects who may be employed in the preparation of designs. DISTRICT DAY WAS LOST. The House Committee Considering Local Matters Met. In all the stress of excitement at the Capitol today the faithful House District committes continued to do business at the old stand, Mr. Charles Poe and a delega- tion of persons interested in the corpora- tion which succeeded the old Southern Marylayd railway appeared before the com- mittee and urged an amendment to the bill for the extension of the Columbia railway eastwardly which would protect the vested rights of the corporation. ‘The committee held an executive session, and authorized Mr. King to draw an amendment to that effect. Under the rules this was the day for the consideration of District business in the House, but the District was lost. Chairman Babcock will endeavor to ar- refge to have a day set apart later in the week for the consideration of bills now on the calendar. ——o--______ WORK OF THE RE CROsS. Miss Clara Barton ll Shortly Re- turn to Cuba, Miss Clara Barton of the Red Cross Socie- ty, accompanied by ex-Mayor Schiren of Brook!yn and Mr. Stephen Barton, calied on Assistant Secretaries Day and Roose- velt this morning and talked over the re- Mef work of the Red Cross Society in Cuba. Mr. Barton said that today 100 or 15) tons cf stores would ‘be shipped to points on the south shore of the tsand by cne of the Ward Line sieamers. On the 30th the Munscn Line will take 200 tons to Sagua. About the 3d of next month some 700 or 800 tons of suppties will leave New Orleans for Matanzas. Ten carloads of supplies are now cn their way from Omaha to New York, from which point they will be sent to Cuba, probubiy leaving on the 4th of April, This is known as the Thurston donation, being given in honor of the late Mrs. Sen- ator Thurston. Contributions received by the society up to date amount to $100,000 in money and as much again“in suppiles. Miss Barton expects to return to Cuba in a few days. Ps ———_——-e. Personal Mention. Col. J. W. Barlow, Corps of Engineers, has reported here for duty et the State De- partment in connection with the work of marking the boundary lime between the United States and Mexico. Lieut. W. H. Hay, 10th Cavuiry, is at the Cairo. 3 ‘Capt. Cornelius Gardiner, 19th Infantry, is fn the city on business National Gvard <f THE TESTIMONY Evidence Submitted to the Maine Court of Inquiry. ENSIGN POWELSON'S STORY Results of the Investigation Made by the Divers, BLOWN UP FROM OUTSIDE Capt. Sigsbee, Gen. Lee and Other Witnesses, NO NEGLIGENCE ON BOARD The tesiimeny taken by the court of in- quiry in the investigation of the di ter to the battle ship Maine was submitted to the Senate today, together with the m2s- sage of the President and the findings of the court. This testimony makes in ail upward of 100,000 words, and the following are portions of it: Ensign Powelson. Ensign W. V. N. Powelson was called the third day of the court. He testified that he had been present on the Maine cvery day from the arrival of the Fern and daring a a1 it deal of the diving. In reply to a question to tell the court all about the condition of the wre he said the forward part of the ship forward of the after smokestack had been to all ap- pearances completely d2stroyed. The con- ning tower lay in a position opposite the docr leading to the superstructure aft and to starboard, inclined at about 110 degrees te the vertical, with the tup of the conning tower inboard. Continuing, h> described with close detail the condition under the main deck of the port side. The fixtures were completely wrecked, while fixtures in the sam2 position on the starboard side were in some cases almost intact. The port buikhead between the main and berth decks, at the conning tower support, had been blown aft on both sides, but a great deal more on the port than on the star- beard side. The fire room hatch immedi- ately abaft of the conning tower had been blown in three directions—aft, to starboard and to port. The protective deck under the conning tower supports was bent in two di- the piates on the starboard side being bent up and on the starboarl side bent down. In reply to an inquiry as to whether he meant with reference to their original po- sitions, Ensign Pow-lson replied atlirma- tively. The beam supporting the protect- ive deck a few inch aft of the armored tube to port of the midship line was bent up to starboard of the midship line. Just forward of the conning tower underneath the main deck two beams met at right angles. One beam was broken and pushed from port to starboard. A grating was found on the poop awning just forward of the after search light. Plating Bent Outward. A piece of the side plating just abaft of the starboard turret was bk This plate was bent outward and then the for- ward end bent upw and folded back- ward upen itself. “This plate was sheared from the rest of the plating below the water line. This plating below the water line has been pushed out to starboard. The unarmored gratings of the engine room hatch were blown off. A composi- ticn strainer was picked up from the bot- tom of the starboard quarter at a point about opposite the poop capstan and about 70 feet from it. The chief engineer thought the strainer was from the firemen's wash- room. It was not a strainer in the ship's side. Near the plece of cutside plating to which the witness referred above he said there wera pieces of red shellacked planks. On these planks was bolted a composition track two inches wide and an inch thick. Ensign Powe!son then asked if the court meant for him to say anything about what the divers reported or just what he saw. The judge advocate replied that he would like to have him state any important dis- coveries which might lead the court to draw some conclusion as to the cause, and if a diver gave such information to state the diver’s name. Befure doing so the judge advocate asked wimess to state if the forward and after part of the ship were in line. Ensign FPowelson replied that as far as he could judge they were not. The end where the explosion occurred seemed to be pushed from port to starboard from five to ten degrees, he should judge,with the apex to the starboard. The divers reported to witness that at a point where the 10-inch shell room should be they discovered 10- ifch shells regularly arranged, but the ship had sunk down so much that some of the shells were in the mud. What Gunacr Morgan Reported. Gunner Morgan reported that in walking on th bottom he fell into a hole on the port side and went down in the mud. He also reported that, as far as he could judge, everything seemed to be bent upward in the vicinity of this hole. He also reported that the plates seemed to have been pushed over to starboard and bent down. Powelson then asked if the court meant for him to say anything about what the divers reported or just what he saw. ‘The judge advocate replied that he would lke to have him state any important dis- coyeries which might lead the court to pertaining to the | the diver's name. Before so doing the Judge advocate asked witners -to state if the forward and after parts of the ship were in line. Ensign: Powelson replied as far as