Evening Star Newspaper, March 28, 1898, Page 2

been found on top of the magazine had | office been broken by the pilates. Ensign Powelson then said that @ vix- irch powder tank that he saw appearcd t> be an empty tank, broken by the exp!o- sien, as {t was not badly dented and mere- ly ripped the length of the seam. A ten- inch tank was badly battered cut of all conceivable shape. Continuing, witness said the div up to the night before he was then on the stand had not been on the outside of the ship. The mud was too deep for them to walk cn the bottom. Starboard Turret Not Found. What is the condition of the starboard trrret?” witness was asked. “To my knowledge it has not been found, sir,” was the reply. He urderstood something had been found under the place where the turret formerly was, but its exact character had not been eetermined. “What impression is produced upon your mind by the reports so far as you have quoted them?” Ensign Powelson was asked. “From reports alcne er from the appear- ance of the wreck?” “Either from such reports or the condi- ticns which you belicve to exist.” The impression produced upon me,” re- lied the witness, “is that an explosion tock plece well to port of the midship lire, end at a point in the length about ite the conning towe ess, in reply to further questions, said his opinion was based upon the obser- vation of things above water. He gave no weight to Mr. Morgan's state- trent about falling into a hole on the port side, because Morgan might have been mis- taken about it. Referring to his notes made of things cn the Maine, Ens‘gn Pewelson stated that the arc of the engine rcom telegraph and the shaft of the ste°r- ing gear coming down through the armored tebe (turret) were bent from port to star- board. The port sid> of the protective deck was covered with a greasy deposit. the starbeard side being comparatively free frem it. The forward smokepipe hatch, betwe2n the main and superstructure decks, did not stow signs of the internal pressure of za On the main deck forward of the conning tower, where the fore and aft angle bulb beam was located, the planking was blown off on the only remaining plate of the main deck on the port side, while the wood was still attached to. that part on the starboard side between the conning tower base and the turrets. What witness saw would indicate that the pressure lifted the protective deck up on the port side, and the protective deck on the starboard side held fast and bent that deck down- ward. Witness here exhibited two sketches te the court, showing diagram of various parts of the sunken ship and explained them to the qpurt. Resalt of undings. The witness’ evidence about the strip on the starboard side of the outside plating of the ship which was folded and rolled back was recalled to him and Powelson said he could see the plate underneath it Was bent outward as he could see it, as it was enly two feet under water where the shear occurred. Witness had taken soundings and had fcund five fathoms of water on both sides of the Maine down to the mud, taking a pound lead line and dragging with a wherry for obstructions on the port side. Dragging clese to where he thought the ‘ould be fourd he found no obstructions whatever. On the starboard side he found obstructions for twenty feet where he had reason to believe the water- ays had originally been. In answer to questions witness said there was nothirg left of the part plating at all. He drazged along the outside to see if enything had fallen out and found noth- ing. Witness thought the ship on the port side was entirely gone opposite a point indicated on a diagram handed the court. It was entirely blown out. This concluded Ensign Powelson’s testi- mcny on tke third day. Powelson Recalled. Ensign Powelson was recalled on the sixth day, when he said that since his last testimony he had received a book of speci- fications of the Maine. Refreshing his memory from these records, he said the plates of the protective deck were one inch thick, weighing forty pounds per square foot. Ensign Powelson, wishing to give some testimony regarding the condition of the wreck, Gunner’s Mate Olsen, the diver, was admitted in order that he- might correct any erroneous statement, the two having worked together. Mr. Powelson said that on February 26 Diver Oisen reported to him that on com- ing up from below he had followed the forward and after wings of the V-shape made by the bottom plating at frame 17, and said on the forward wing of the V the plates ran down on a very steep slant and then turned under and out under the star- board side; that just above where the plates turned to go under the starboard side he found two dents, as if tne platings had been bulged in between the frames from the outside in. The court asked the size of these two dents. Mr. Powelson replied they were about two and one-half feet long and bulged in about six inches. He further testified that Olsen again went down and came to the surface at 11 o'clock, saying he thought he had found the flat keel. Olsen bad reported that the keel was slop- ing downward about forty-five degrees and to port with the after part of the keel uppermost. He said he had explored the after wing of the V and had found a semi- circular hole about two feet in diameter with rivet holes all around it. He said that semi-circular hole was about twenty feet from the top of V, made by the bot- tem plating. He sdid the plate presented @ jagged appearance as if it had been torn and that a crack had extended from the bottom edge of the semi-circle hole to a distance of about eight inches, and that Piates about this hole were bent away ircm the green side of the plating. Mr. Powelson continued to say that Olsen told him he had found a hole cut in @ plate twenty-five feet from: the angle of the V, and exhibited a sketch showing that the keel line was feund by him sloping down sixty-five degrees below the hori- zontal and to port. The point where he had found the keel was about twenty feet under water. He He saw no reason to flood ‘the magazine because water was coming up. He saw fire forward. Boats began to ‘rewd around the wreck. He mduced boats to take the wounded to different vessels. He ordered a list taken of the saved and wounded. There was excellent discipine after the explosion. Orders were followed h promptness of a drill. The only or- der not obeyed was the order to leave the ship. He first examined the wreck at daylight the fellowing morning. He took a gig, with Licut. Hood and a few men, and at- tempted to board the wreck. He was warn- ed off by an armed boat's crew of Span- jards and then pulled areund the wreck. ‘There were still some burning fragmenis. Capt. Sigsbee. Captain Sigsbee, in testifying before the court of inquiry which convened in the har- bor of Havana Monday, February 21, said that he assumed command of the Maine on April 10, 1807, and that his ship arrived in the harbor of Havana the last time Janu- ary 24, 1898. The authorities at Havana knew -ef the Maine's coming, Consul Gen- eral Lee having informed the authorities according to official custom. After he took on an official pilot sent by the captain of the port of Havana the ship was berthed in the man-of-war anchorage off the Ma- china, or the shears, and, according to his understanding, was one of the regular buoys of the place. The Place of Anchorage. He then stated that he had been in Ha- vana in 1872 and again in 1808. He could not state whether the Maine was placed in the usual berth for men-of-war, but said that he had heard remarks since the explo- sion, using Captain Stevens, temporarily in command ef the Ward line steamer City of Washington, as authority for the state- ment that he had never known in all his experience, which covered visits to Havana for five or six years, a man-of-war to be anchored at that buoy; that he had rarely known merchant vessels to be anchored there, and that it was the least used buoy in the harbor. In describing the surround- ings when first mvuored to this buoy, Capt. Sigsbee stated that the Spanish man-of-wrr Alphonso XII was moored in the position now occupied by the Fern, about 250 yards to the northward and westward of the Maine. The German ship Griesenau was anchored at the berth now occupied by the Spanish man-of-war Legaspe, which is about 400 yards about due due north from the Maine. He then located the German man-of-war Charlotte, which came into the harbor a day or two later, which was anchored to the southward of the Maine’s berth, about four or five hundred yards, In describing the surroundings at the time of the explosion, Capt. Sigsbee stated that the night was calm and still. The Al- phonso XII was at the same berth. The small Spanish dispatch boat Legaspe had come out the day before and taken the berth occupied by the German man- of-war, the Griesenau, which had left. The steamer City of Washington was anchored about 200 yards to the.south ard east of the Maine's stern, slightly on the port quarter. ‘The Maine coaled at Key West, taking on akout @50 tons, the coal being regularly in- Wcted taken from the government ¢oal pjle. Phis coal was placed generally in the forward bunkers. No report was re- ceived from the chief engineer that any coai had been too long in the bunkers and that the fire alarms in the bunkers were sensitive. Regulations Strictly Carried Out. In so far as the regulations regarding in- flammables and paints on board, Captain Sigsbee testified that the regulations were strictly carried out in regard to storage, and that the waste also was subject to the same careful disposition. As to the situa- tion of the paint room, he fixed it as in the “eyes of the ship,” just below the berth deck, the extreme forward compart- ment. 4s for the disposition of inflammablies, they were stowed in chests, according to the regulations, and when inflammables were in excess of chest capacity they were allowed to be kept in the bath room of the admirai’s cabin. Regarding the electric plant of the Maine, Capt. Sigsbee stated that there was no serious grounding nor sudden flaring up of the lhghts before the explosion, but a sudden and total eclipse. As for regulations affecting the taking of temperature of the magazines, etc., Capt. Sigsbee said there were no special regula- lions other than the usual regulations re- quired by the department. The after part of the saip appeared to be intact. The main deck was folded back in a direction from fort to starboard. The conning tower pointed downward toward the armory. The forward smoke-stack was lying abreast the after smoke-stack, lying on the nort side. There was an angle be- tween the after body of the ship and the forward, with an apex to the starboard. First important thing found by divers was two powder tanks, one six-inch and one ten-inch. They were crushed together and flattened in. They did not contain any powder. A ten-inch tank was recovered full of powder, with cover slightly opened. This gave the impression that the tank had been forced open by pressure, without flame or heat. Flame or heat would have fired it before water could have reached and drowned it. : 5 After the questioning Wainwright asked to state the following: “I saw in the chief ergineer’s room of the City of Washington a large plece of cement heavily coated with ofl. I then thought it was a piece of bot- tom cement. I am not Inclined to believe it came from the forward blower on the pert side.” Demonstration of Animosity. ‘When asked whether there was any dem- onstration of animosity by people afloat, Capt. Sigsbee said that there never was on shore, as he was informed, but there was afloat. He then related that on the first Sunday after the Maine's arrival a ferry boat, crowded densely with people, civil and military, returning from a bull fight at Regla, passed the Maine and about forty people on board indulged in yells, whistles and derisive calls. During the stay in Ha- vana Capt. Sigsbee took more than ordi- nary precautions for the protection of the Maine by placing sentries on the forecastle and poop, quarantine and signal boys on the bridge and on the poop, A corporal of the guard was especially instructed to lookout for the port gangway, ard the officer of the deck and quarter- THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, MARCH 328, 1898-22 PAGES. get instructions from Madrid. Say that for friendly purpose, as claimed, delay is unimportant.” It was too late, however. The Maine had already safled. She arrived next day ami Lee reported her arrival to the State De- partment. Engineer Bowers. Passed Assistant Engireer Bowers, senior assistant engineer to the chief, was examimed particularly as to the precau- tions taken on board the Maine against spontaneous combustion. He said the or- der had been to inspect the bunkers every day and log it. In the case of the bunkers that had an escape door they had always opened those doors. He was on duty on the day before the explosion. The coal in bunker A, he said, had been stored either in Norfolk or Newport News. There was about forty tons of it, and it was soft coal. The bunkers immediately aft were empty. The door leading from the bunker to the 10-inch loading room was kept closed. Asked his opinion as to what effect heat generated in a bunker which had become lighted by spontaneous combustion in the bottom would have upon the upper part of the bottom and the bulkheads, Mr. Bowers said it could be very materially noticed. As to the condition of the after boilers, he said they were practically banked and were in good cendition, and he did not con- sider that there was any danger of their having too mich pressure in for safety on the evening of the explosion. The safety valves blow, he said, at about 130 pounds, and only 80 to 100 was carried for auxiliary purposes. They had the usual thermostats in the bunkers, but as these instruments did not work very well, the bunkers were examined daily by feeling. Mr. Bowers said there had never been a fire from spontaneous combustion in the bunkers. They had once thought they had such a fire, but it,was from a leaky exhaust pipe from the ice machine. Chief Gunner's Mate Olsen. Chief Gunner’s Mate Olsen of the United Stetes Iowa, told how he had been sent to Havana for the purpose of doing diving duty on the wreck. He had-ascended four times, making about eight of nine hours of total examinatien. Olsen told bow cn his first descent he went over the forward part of the ship. To use his own expresion, he said, “I found the wreck all blowed up. I found a lot of grate bars down there.” The second time he went down further forward, and there located a lot of 10-inch shells. Forward of these the plates were bent inboard over them. Asked if he imagined himself lcoking fcrward, he stated that he did. Going over the plates, he struck into a lot of six-inch shells with the slings on them. Going to the right, witness stated he found a lot of wreckage. It seemed to have been blown over the starboard. Olsen stated that he put his hand into the cranks and brought out sev2ral six-pounder shells. The next time he went down, Olsen testi- fied he went outside the ship, forward of the crane on the port side. He followed the bottom along, and found that the ship's side was blown outward, and alongside the crane it could be walked on. Bottom Plates Turned Up. “At the part where she is blown up com- pletely,” witness said, “part of her hottom piates are turned up. Then you follow the bottom from there up, and the plates are blown outboard. At the top and under- neath the bottom they are blown dnboard and bent in. About three feet forward of that spot there is a piece of iron laid along the bulkhead. The skin of the inside of the double bottoms is curled like a sheet of paper inboard from stem to stern. ‘Amidships on the same place there is an armor plate, one plate complete, the top of the plate standing up. The plate ts in- clined over the starboard completely. It Stands up, with the thick part of the plate down. It is inclined forward and over to siarboard. Chicf Engineer Howell, The first witness cn the third day of the inquiry was Chief Engineer Chas. P. How- ell, U. S. N., who joined the Maine in De- cember, 1895. He describel the location of the various magazines on the Maine and the coal burkers; he showed by diagrams their proximity to each other. Two bunk- ers were adjacent to the 10-inch magazine. One of these bunkers, A 15, was difficult to put coal into or take it out of. A 16 was also difficult in the same way, as four oth- er bunkers had to be emptied before they eculd be reached, two bunkers each being in the way. There had never been any @gus of any kind of spontaneous combus- tion in the Maine’s bunkers since he had been chief engineer. Witness never found any signs of heating ia the bunkers. Bunker A 15 was half full of coal at the time of the explosion, and A16 full. Any spontaneous combustion in the bunker would have been undoubtedly felt by peo- ple going to and fro in the passing room. There was no steam piping in dangerous prcximity to the Maine’s magazines. The two aftcrmost boilers were in use while in pert, carryirg about 80 to 100 pounds of steam fcr auxiliary purposes. They car- ried 120 pounds at sea. Assistant Engineer Morris and a watch of reliable men were on duty when the Maine was wrecked. Witness described the explosion. He was in the ward room mess rocm when the explosion occurred. “I was suddenly startled with an unsual shock. There was then a continued series of convulsions and a noise like the tearing oZ the ship to pieces, then a tremendous crash; then apparently the sound of falling debris. Then the ship felt as if it was waving and unsteady on the deck.” Witness did not notice any list of the ship at the first shock. He did not notice it until after the series of shocks, when he started to go on deck. Then the ship ap- peared to be listed over about 43 degrees to port. Witness saw no upshoot of flame or any- thing of that sort when he reached the deck. Now and then there would be a small explesicn, like the explosion of a 6- inch shell perhaps. Examined in detail by-Capt. Sigsbee, Chief Engineer Howell further explained the im- pessibility of the coal in the bunkers heat- ing or combusting to any extent sufficient to fire a magazine without such condition being known long before such a result could be reached. Cadet Crenshaw. ‘Naval Cadet Arthur Crenshaw was in his rocm when the explosion occurred, but he RAILWAY EXTENSIO: Favorable Report by the House Din- trict Committee. The Hopse pipine. committee hag favor- ably ed the bill for the extension of the Columbfa rafiway eastwardly. The re- port says: “The object of this bill is to extend the lines of the company east along the Ben- ning roadéjjac: the Eastern branch, along the Anacostia road to the northeast bound- ary of the District of Colimbia, and also from a pgint at or near Deanewood east- ward to & poin& on the District line to be designated by the Commissioners, to con- nect at the D@rtrict line with a railroad row being constructed b ythe Chesapeake Beach Railway Company, a Maryland cor- poration, from a point on Chesapeake bay near Fishing creek, in St. Mary’s county, to the District line- Work on this Mary- lend road to the bay has been vigorously pushed since last October, and it is repre- sented to the committee that the road will be completed and in operation to Ghesereake bay during the present sum- “Phe proposed extension of the Columbia road will afford to the residents of the District of Columbia access to this road, by which passengers can be conveyed from the city of Washington to the salt waters of the Chesapeake bay in but little more than half an hour. The great advantages that will result from the construction of these roads, and,the benefits they will <on- fer upon the residents of Washington aad Maryland are obyious. Independent of any connection with the road now being built to the Chesapeake, the extensions provided for by this bill will give street railroad facilities and access to all parts of the city to the large population living east of the Eastern branch. This region “is now greatly in need of direct and rapid transit. “The bill provides for the use of the over- head double trolley east of Fifteenth street northeast, outside the city limits, but pro- hibits the use of steam locomotives inside the boundaries of the District. The ex- tended lines are to be constructed outside of existing highways,.and the right of way is to be acquired by the company at its own cost. The bill -has been before the committee for several months, and its pa sage has heen earnestly urged by the resi- dents In the northeast portion of the city and of the District and by representativ of the people residing in the adjoining coun- ties of Maryland. ‘The only opposition to the bill is that very recenily made by persons claiming to represent the Washington and Potomac Railroad Company, a Maryland corpora- tion, claiming te be the successor to the rights granted to the Southern Maryland railroad by an ‘act of Congress approved June 22, 1882 (22 Stat. L., 114). The act re- ferred to authorized the Southern Maryland railroad to extend its railroad into and within the District of Columbia from a peint near its northeastern angle, across the Baltimore and Potomac raiiroad near Benning station, to a point on the Metro- politan branch of the Baltimore and Oh!o railroad near the existing subdivision called Eckington, and provided that unless the said railroad shall be completed within two yeurs from the date of the passage, the act and all rights and privileges thereby granted shall cease and determine. “This railroad has not been built. The requirements of the law have not been complied with. The only construction made was to lay rails from the District line to the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, a distance of about two miles or less, only a part of the route described in the act. Over this track no locomotive or car ever ran, and during the sixteen years that have elapsed since the act was passed no attempt at further caystrugtion has been made, nor has there been Any attempt to resume the work of constrtiction by either the South- ern Maryland railroad, or by its alleged successor,sthe {Washington and Potomac Railroad Company.” oo A HEARING TOMORROW. dl The Case of Joshua Stone, Charged With Altering a Money Order. The secret service of the Treasury De- partment, which has been investigating the meney order frauds, arrested, last Satur- day afterngon, Joshua Stone, a clerk in the office of the auditor for the Post Office De- partment, gn a charge of altering a money order. The order which was altered was iseued by, the Postmaster nt Lake Athens, La., but being spéit, was sent in by the postmastet for cancellation. When it was received, it it charged, it was so altered as to be made payable. to William Wagner for $100, and Was cashed, it is alleged, by Stone. The ‘case was heard before United States Commissioner Mills and Stone held in $1,000 bonds for a hearing tomorrow. Si ge VOLUNTEBR RESERVE POPULAR. Goveruogs of Several States Their Hearty Approval. NEW YORK, March 28.—Work in con- nection with the organization of the na- tional volunteer reserve, which, according to expectation, will number millions of vclunteers hitherto unaffiliated with any military organization, is being pushed rap- idly today. The office of Colonel William D. H. ‘Washington, where the work of perfect- ing the new organization is going on, was filled today with army men, and many of them survivors of the late war. Letters and telegrams of approval have been received: from the governors of New Mexico, Alabama, North Carolina, Ne- braska, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Utah and a dozen other states of the Union. eS eS Arrival of a Cuban Officer. NEW YORK, March 28.—On board the Ward Line steamer Yucatan, which arriv- ed today from Havana were Colonel Jose L. Cepero and family. Colonel Cepero be- lorgs to the Cuban army and is the bearer of important dispatches to the junta in this city. He will leave his wife and four children with friends in New York and then return to Cuba. ————— Mich! m Students Tender Service: In response to a messag> from the stu- dents -of the University of Michigan, ten- dering their services in case of war, Secre- tary Alger has replied: “I am sure all wish for continued peaca, if we can have it with honor; but should we be unhappily plunged ihto war it is gratifying to know that creeds, rationality and party affillations will all be merged in- to one thought, and that the defense of the nation’s honor and its flag. Iam happy to know that among those who ar3 willing to make the sacrifice, if need be, the stu- dents of the great university of my state stand among th3 lst of those noble young men who are ready Yor a call.” Retired for Disability. Post Chaplain Winfield Scott and William H. Hubbard were placed on the retired Ust today on accoulit of disability. Tliness .g¢ Hepresentative Brosius. Representatives Brosius of Pennsyivania is very ill at Mt. Vernon, N. Y., where he recently went to visit his married daughter. Mrs. Brosfifs ‘hk® been summoned to her Send ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS, St. James Gasette Sayn Spain Reparation. LONDON, March 28.—The St. James Ga- zette, commenting, this afternoon, on the report of the United States naval court of inquiry into the less of the battle ship Maine, says: “There can be no doubt Spain owes reparation to the American govern- ment, to say nothing of the most humble apologies and the most extreme considera- tions for the feelings of the nation which has lost a fine cruiser lying in peace in a presumably friendly harbor. The outlook is as threatening as it could be. Spain is in the wrong, and it is for Spain to. walk warily.” The Westminster Gazette says: “The re- sources of diplomacy ought not yet be exhausted. We trust President McKinley will maintain his unexceptionable attitude, and net allow himself to be jingoed into wae The Globe thinks the report “gives Spain ground for maintaining that it shows bias,” adding:.“‘The evidence that a mine caused the explosion is meeger, unconvincing, and not borne out by previous experiences of the effects caused by mines exploding.” In conclusion, the Globe says: “Which- ever way we look at the matter, it is hard to agree with the verdict of the court of inquiry.” ————— CONFERENCE SELECTS DELEGATES. Prayer for Pence Offered by Rev. James P. Gardner. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. HINTON, W. Va., March 28.—Five min- isterial and as many lay delegates to the general conference were voted for this morning at the 114th session of the Balti- mcre ennual conference of the M. E. Ckurch South. The ministers elected were: Revs. Collins, Denny, Rumsey, Smithson and Whisner. At noon the conference suspended bus- iness and a prayer for the preservation of peace was made by Rev. Jas. P. Gardner, one of the veteran members. The lay deiegates held a caucus Satur- day night and today, unanimously sup- Pcrted the following ticket: Robert Ma- sruder, Baltimore; Ed. P. Conrad, Har- risonburg; P. V. D. Conway, Fredericks- burg; Judge John W. Woods, Roanoke City; L. J. Wiliams, Lewisburg. Alter- uates, Judge E. D. Newman, Woodstock; Dr. H. H. Jones. Dochill, V: Dr. W. L. Jarrett, Jarrettsville, Md. . The Baltimore conference was the last to elect representatives to the general con- ference, completing the personnel of that body. Appointments are expected to be reed at the closing session tonight, Alex- andria being selected for the next meeting place. CALMLY AWAITS THE END. Gladstone Seemed . Thankfal When Told Recovery Was Impossible. LONDON, March 28—The Westminster Gazette this afternoon, discussing the health of Mr. Gladstone, says: “It is no news, we fear to say, that Mr. Gladstone's illness must necessarily be fatal in a com- paratively short time. Mr. Gladstone is fully informed as to his own condition. He asked the doctors to tell him the truth, and he was thankful when informed that he had no chance of recovery. “His state of mind is one of complete happiness. His life goes oh quietly and evenly. Music is his chief solace. It soothes the pain. “The death cf a black Pomeranian dog, Petz, which for nine years had been a constant companion of Mr. Gladstone, has been an additicnal pang to the whole fam- ily. When Mr. Gladstone went to Cannes Petz was left with the Drews, but he pined, would not eat and was returned to Hawar- den the day Mr. Gladstone returned, and he died on Friday SSS NEW BATTERY AT °FRISCO. Sixteen More Mortars Being Mounted at the Presidio. BAN FRANCISCO, March 28.—At the Presidio on the north side of the Golden Gate a second battery of sixteen mortars is being put up. The carriages dre here and everything essentiai to their mounting is on hand. The Presidio fortifications will include thirty-two twelve-inch mortars. The twelve-inch rifled disappearing gun which arrived last week ought to be in shape for testing in fourteen days. There are still a number of rapid-fire guns to be furnished before the fortificaticns of the Presidio are complete. After they have been mounted work will be commenced on the fortifications of Point Lobos. ———— EXPERT NAVAL GUNNERS. Class of Thirty-One Just Arrived at New York. NEW YORK, March 28.—The Savannah line steamer City of Birmingham, Captain Burg, which arrived here today from Sa- vannah, had on board, besid?s a large number of other passengers, thirty-one members of the gunnery class who have jvst graduated in gunnery from the United States warship Amphitrite, and are the first to take such graduation while in gov- ernment service Among tkem were fiv> men who had been detailed from the Maine. While on the passage a committee was appointzd to take up a collection for the Maine monument fund, and Captain Burg was appointed the treasurer, with the re- sult that $51 was realized. . ——— MOVEMENTS OF REVENUE CUTTERS. Hudson Will Sail for Key West Next ‘Thursday. NEW YORK, March 28.—The revenue cutter Hudson, under command of First Lieutenant Newcomb, which has been or- dered to Key West, will not sail until ‘Thursday. 5 Second Lieutenant J. H. Scott of the revenue cutter Manhattan has been trans- ferred to the Hudson as executive officer. First Lieutenant .C. H. McClellan, in- spector of life saving district No. 3, has been Getailed to the cutter Daniel Man- ning as executive officer, and will join her today at Boston. Chief Engineer Weber of the cutter Chan- dier has been ordered to the cutter Mor- rill as chief engineer of that boat, and will jein her at the Norfolk navy yard, and Second Lieutenant G. O. Carden of the Manhattan has been transferred to the cutter Merrill as watch officer. LATEST NAVAL ORDERS. Owes | Assignments of General Interest to the Service. The naval orders issued today are as fol- ws: Commander H. Elmer has been detached frem duty at Cramp’s yard and ordered to duty with the Mosquito fleet; Medical In- spector W. G. Farwell, from special duty at Philadelphia to the League Island navy yard; Surgeon W. H. Rush, from the League Island navy yard and prepare for sea duty; Surgeon A. G. Cabell, leave re- voked and ordered to the Puget sound na- val station; Passed Assistant Surgeon A. Farenholt, from the Puget sound station to the Independence; Passed Assistant Paymaster J. S. Phillips, to the Franklin; Assistant Engineer C. B. Price, to the Vicksburg; Passed Assistant Paymas- ter S. McGowan, from the Michigan to the naval station, Port Royal; Passed Assist- ant Paymaster G. M. Lupesh, to the C tine; Paymaster W. W. Galt, from the leigh to wait orders; Passed Assistant Pay- master S. R. Heap, from the Bennington to the Raleigh; Assistant Paymaster P. B. Du Bois, from the Albatross to the Ben- nington; Assistant Engineer R. 8. Griffin, from the Vicksburg to the May- flower; Chief Engineer J. H. Perry, from the Brooklyn to the Minneapolis; Chief Ergineer J. L. Hannum, from the Minne- apolis to the Brooxiyn. Sa, JUSTICE BRADLEY ON LYNCHING. Recently Reported Remarks on the Bench to Be Investigated. A resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives late Saturday afternoon by Mr. McCall as foliows: “Whereas Andrew C. Bradley, as associ- ate justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, on the 4th day of March current, at the court house of the United States, in the District of Columbia, immediately after sentencing one Edward Smith to be hanged for the crime of mur- der, is reported to have said from the bench, ‘I do net know of a case in which the government should be more deeply con- gratulated in being rid of such a man as that. Lynching probably would be better than putting the government to the ex- pense of keeping and hanging that brute.” “And, whereas, such a statement, if made, would tend to subvert, not only the law which said Bradley is sworn to admin- ister, but the essential principles of govern- eg and civilization as well; therefore, “Resolved, by the House of Representa- tives, That the committee on the judiciary be authorized to inquire into the foregoing, and to ascertain whether the said Bradley made the said or any similar declarations; that the said committee be authorized to send for persons and papers and to admin- ister oaths, and that it be directed to re- port its findings to the House, and to rec- ommend such action by impeachment or otherwise as it may deem proper upon the facts stated.” The resolution was referred to the com- mittee on the judiciary. — LEGISLATION FOR ALASKA. Its Necessity Shown in a Letter From Marshal Shoup. The following letter from Marshal Shoup of Alaska shows the interest taken by the residents of that part of the domain of the United States in the legislation now pend- ing by which it is proposed to establish adequate laws and regulations for its gov- ernment, a step rendered especially neces- sary by the fact that large numbers of peo- ple are now being attracted to that sec- tion through the gold discoveries of the Klondike. “I have carefully examined Senate docu- ment No. 60, criminal and penal laws re- lating to Alaska, etc., reported by Commis- sloners A. C. Thompson, Alexander C. Bot- kin ard D. B. Culberson, and in my opinica their said report is just what Alaska needs. The commissioners are entitied to the high- est encomiums for formulating a code es- pecially adapted to this district, which should be enacted into law at the earliest possjole date. I have found nothing that [ would strike out, nor can I think of any- thing to add. While some of the provisions at firet glance may. appear innovate, one familiar with the difficulty of punishing criminals in Alaska will readily see the wisdom cf the commissioners in adopting them. While some of the changes in the Oregon code are very slight, they are far reaching in effect, and all in the interest of g00d government for this district.” aaa Will Be No Armistice. Concerning the reports of an armistice, it can be stated positively that there will be no agreement on the basis of an armis- tice for eight months cr any other period. 2 .___ Detectives Ausisting at Capitol. Shortly befcre noon today word was re- ceived at police headquarters that the crowd at the Capitol threatened to be larger than the Capitol police could man- age. It was also reported that some steal- ing of books was being done, and Inspec- | Lake Savre... : Louisvuie & Nasnvuie.. tor Mattingly sent several of the mem- bers of the detective corps to assist the Capitol officers. Up to 2:30 o'clock this afternoon no reports were received of the work of pickpockets. ————_—_ Property Bequenthed to His Father. The will of the late John Cochran, dated March 10, 1891, was this afternoon filed for Probate. The estate of the deceased is be- queathed to his father, George Washing- ton Cochran, who is named as executor. ——.—_—_ “Rush” Orders on the Rowan. SEATTLE, Wash., March 28.—A telegram from the Secretary of the Navy has been received by Moran Brothers telling them to complete the torpedo- boat Rowan at the earliest possible moment. Under the contract the Rowan will have a speed of thirty miles an hour. It is fitted with three torpedo tubes. oS Smokeless Powder for the Navy. NEW YORK, March 28—The Atlantic Transport Liner Michigan, which arrived from London today, brought 200 cases of smokel2es powder to order. as to the destination of the powder could not be obtained, but it is believed to be the Nayy Depurtment. —— Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets. exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, pee Co., New York. ot FINANCE AND TRADE Peace News Uauses a Wild Stampede Among the Shorts, WHOLE LIST ADVANCES SHARPLY The Mercurial Industrials Take the Lead in the Rise. i meen GENERAL MARKET REPORTS ee Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK. March 28.—An indiserim- inate rush to cover outstanding short con- tracts resulting in advances varying from 5 to 12 per cont was the record of today’s stcck market. A bear panic of extreme ecnfusion aud severe losses, in some in- stances, characterized the bulk of the day's trading and monopolized the larger propor- tion of business, The entire list was active, and the in- vestment shares joined the erratic dustrials in sharp upward movements. latter group, especially Sugar and Me politan, were particularly wild in their fligat. The volume of the trading wis enormous and the rout of the bear party complete. The fright produced peace exceeded the sc more than three! in nearly all con: rally would follow th in- the by report n exp that es a pments of the last few days. The submitting of the Maine report to Congress has all along been looked upon as fixing a date for a re- covery in security prices. Nothing Uke to- day’s market contemplated, howe although a rise of generous proport was practically a certainty. . The reported consent of Spain to this government's plan for fceding the starving Cubans, the absence of excitement in Con- grcss and a reported stay of proceedings were construed to mean a practical rest tion of peace. The postponemert of further mili action by Spain in Cuba until ne Was reported to have bren dec and this news gave a the advance. The subsequent official nial of this part of the agreement resulted in a moderate reaction, but the de: for siocks cc ntinued to be good up to the mirl- dle of the final hour. During this period some evening up of contracts resulted in concessions. It will be a new experience to have pres- ent prices hold, but should they yicld un- der average dealings a good demand will be uncovered. The daily changes in our international relations will be reflected from time io time, but the fear of war has apparently been taken out of the situation. It now remains to have the public indorse the professional estimate of values a3 forced by today’s business. The penalty for selling stocks from ten to twenty points under easily computed merit has b2en paid and the future of the market can only be determined after tran- quillity hus been restored. Liquidation of long holdi:gs has given Way to the liquidation of short contracts, and a normal market must be de befor? the public will find confide prices. It is reasonably safe to assume, however, that the low prices of Saturday morning will go down in stock exchang= bistory as the low-water mark of the Spanish-Ameri- can war crisis, aap aca FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the high. est and the lowest and the c/sing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- perted by Corson & Macartne New York stock exchange. Corre Messrs. Van Emburgh « Atterbu Wall st. American Spirits... American Spirits, pf American Sugar. . American Sagar, pfd. American Tobacco Chi & Ohio eet a St Lows... chicago, B&Q...” Chicagoa Nortawemern C M. & St. Pani. pfa... Chicago, R.1, & Paciti Chic St. P., M. & O.. Consolidated Gas. Del. Lack & m Centrai ir call-42 o'clock Preumatic Gun Carriage, 100 at 34 cents; 10) at 33 centa, Mergenthaler ‘Linotype, 10 at 138%; 10 at 138 10 at aoa: 30 at 136: ” 3 30 at 138; District of Columbia ey 101% bid. fund 8, gold, 1 an Ssctvepolitns Raltreed Sa, = in Raflroa M tam Rafirond cony. MM tan Railroad cer- A, 117 bid. Metropolitan Tckington Iatlroed te, ington 38 bid. Washing- 21 bid. Wi 112 bid. 103 wid. & h ipeees iis ic i , Sree gees on ini aE ,# i BR % Ep noah ns had not followed the keel at that point, as the platings between which he was wedged oyened out so that he had nothing to sup- husband's bedside. —? ctr ah Blends Guilty, ‘New Bedford, and as soon en on her coal and stores Norfolk, where she will receivé master were especially instructed to look- out for the starboard gangway; a quarter did not remember hearing anything, though he felt the shock—only one. It watch was kept on deck all night; sen-| seemed to be @ lurch. He made his way ment and proceed to Key West. —_ tries’ cartridge boxes were filled, their arms | aft and ran for the steerage ladder. Charles .4o Kapuse, alias H. Bernhardt, | Captain LN. Stoaddard, Mr. Powelson said Olsen testified that recently. ingyctedofor. violating a section of scene in New York harbor, kept loaded, a number of rounds of rapid fire an:munition kept in the pilot house, and in the spare captain’s pantry under the after superstructure was kept addi- tional charges of shell close at hand for the second battery; steam was kept up on two boilers instead of one and positive in- structions were given to watch carefully all the hydraulic gear and report defects. Consul General Lee. : Consul General Fitzhugh Lee appeared before the court on March 8. “His testimony felatel to the official formalities preceding the Maine’s-arrival On January 24 he re- ceived a message from the State Depart- ment, saying that the Maine would be sent. tweea the two countries, and he was or-, dered to make arrazigements at the paliee Lieut. Holman. Tdeut. George F. M. Holman, who per- formed the duty of navigator and ord- Rance officer and was in charge of the électric plant, testified that all possible Precaution was taken to prevent accident. ‘ashington to Shoemaker, chief of service, = ive to ‘ou about twenty feet from the sluice valve he ihe: arian Sin lee: Oe tae Uinitet Usa sen fcvnd an opening in ships’ side. He had found boarding near the sea suction in apartment Al0 about twenty- one feet from the sluice valve, in an almost vertical pesition, although it was originally horizontal. Lieut. Com. Wainwright's Testimony. Lieut. Com. Richard Wainwright testi- fled that the regulations in regard to Bains ond inffammables ard all other precautions were strictly carried out on board ship. Every possible care was taken to avoid sceidert. All visitors were scrutinized be- fcre being allowed to come on board :he ship. Nobédy was allowed unaccompanied. Speciat “lookouts” were required at night. No unauihorized boats were allowed to ap- preach the ship. ~ ‘There was fine dizcipiine, obedient crew, quiet men. He was in the captain's office at time of the explosion; felt a very heavy shock and of falling objects on de>k. ship was being Say it will obstruct omy end pr captain see were | excitement and most probably a deménstta-’| saw few coming, mostly | tion. Ask that it not be done iM they’can astaf senate? wen i i ‘was stowed in forward ten inch magasines, representing seventy-five or eighty charges. The electric wires were separated from the magazine by a double plating of. gless. x3 If thé after part of the plating had : pushed out from the inside the boarding lig i for the interchange of: official After a call at the palace he sént | Department a cipher méssage saying, thoritles profess to think the United has alterior purposé in i n ‘as told wered. to men x - Ege