Evening Star Newspaper, March 28, 1898, Page 23

THE Ev 2NING &TAR. ee PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, os Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St., by Evening Star Ne per Company 8. B. GAUFFMANN Pres’t. Lge Se ell Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the erty by ctrriers, an their own account, at 10 cents per week. er 44 cents per mon’ Copies at the cecnter 2 certs each, By mallanywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepald—0 cents per month. Saturday Quintupl- Sheet Star, $1 per year, with ‘added. $00. it: atered at tt it Washington, D. C., fereli (Entered at the Po ax second-class ma‘l matter.) EF All mail subscriptions nrust be pafd in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior.. ro Che Loening Star. | No. 14,063. WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1898, 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. GET READY FOR WAR Warning Sent From Madrid to the Spanish in Cuba. THE WORK ON HAVANA’S DEFENSES Officials Now Acknowledge the Refusal of Autonomy. WILL TRY TO ENFORCE IT (Copyright, 1808, by Charles M. Pepper.) 4pecial From a Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, March via Key West.— Spain’s representatives in Cuba were told from Madrid Thursday night to prepare for war. It was more than a warning. It was definite instructions from the Sagasta cab- inet. It was known to few officiais outside Captain General Blanco, but the represen- tatives of London financial interests had an intimation of it. Beyond this statement the Spanish au- thorities have less knowledge than might be supposed of the purposes of the nome government. They know European inter- vention is to be sought, and that the find- ing of their own board of inquiry is to be made the basis of a counter case, present- ing the claim of an accident, as against the American contention that the Maine was biown up by design. They also know that their own report is regarded in Madrid as incomplete and inconclusive, but as fur- nishing sufficient basis for seeking delay and in forcing the position that the subject 4s one for international arbitration. As to war, the preparations which have been going on since the message came little has been done that was not previous- ly planned. By means of the new floating dock the Alfonso XII has had the Barna- cles scraped off. Her boilers are said to be in good repair now, so that she could put out to sea. The Viscaya, Oquendo and two or three gunboats are still in the har- bor. Work on City’s Defense. Work on the defense of the city contin- ues un-easingly, but the results are unsat- isfactory. The authorities talk in the usual manner about the war preparations being the means of insuring peace, but their anxiety is ill-concealed. Apparently all they hope for is further extension of the time before the crisis In the relations be- tween Spain and the United States is reached. No detinite news is known regarding the Spanish torpedo fleet, but the populace has been led to believe it has left the Canary Islands and is likely to appear off Havana Within a week or ten days. Information regarding the changes in the command of the American squadron at Key West is published withcut comment on its significance. The appearance of the Italian training ship Amerigo Vespucci in the harbor is used to create the impression that it means European friendship to Spain, but little ef- fect has been produce@ in that direction. sm shown over the last ar- ruits from Spain was neither greater nor less than that which has mark- ed previous arrivals. The state of the pub- una while awaiting Presi- dent McKinley's message, though one of - expectancy, is no more excited than it has been for a month past. There have been no anti-American demonstration The departure of Captain Sigsbee and rs of the Maine today was made on of a testimonial by Americans ‘ara, but there was nothing in it to Spanish susceptibilities. jabor continues on the wreck, it is fully understood that the investigation, so as relates to the cause of the disaster, other offi Reported Military Operations. The reports military operations by Spanish troops this week are of the usual order. They come whenever the necessity arises for creating the belief in Spain that progress is being made by the army toward putting down the insurrection. At present they are meant to show activity in both Santiago and Puerto Principe provinces. From official information it is possible to gather that there has been some desultory i i: which the troops have held That they have won important cannot be claimed. Meanwhile Gomez keeps sending small bands of in- surgents west to Matanzas and Havana provinces, while he receives reinforcements of men who cross Jucarro Moron trocha from Calixto Garcia. The complete and final rejection by Go- mez of amplified autonomy is now admitted in government circles. The statement is made that hereafter armies will be the re- Mance for enforcing the system. A little perfunctory talk is heard about elections, but it is impossible to excite interest in any subject except the probable course which will be taken by the United States. The coust towns are showing anxiety over a possible blockade. Information is given to reassure Matanzas and Nuevitas on the north coast that plans for their de- fense were carried into effect by Blanco a fortnight ago. Anent the Food Supply. Inquiries regarding the food supply in Havana show that there is enough to en- able the city in case of a blockade to live ou short retions for thirty days. Efforts ure made to quiet thege and similar appre- he ons, 2nd official assurance is given that diplomacy has yet many resources for averting hostilities. Actually Blanco's gov- ernment knows little of what may happen. In some places in the Interior of the island reports have been circulated and credited that the United States had recognized the incgependence of Cuba. They have caused no outbreak on the part of the Spanish classes. Instead, the tendency has been for them to put on more friendly terms with the insurgents. Reports of dissen- sions between the Red Cross Society and other agencies for the distribution of food from the United States should nde discour- age further contributions. The Red Cross has not been a success, but a system is now perfected under which food and other supplies reach the suffering. CHAS. M. PEPPER. —<—_—___ SICARD LEAVES KEY WEST. Capt. Sampson Has Taken Form:11 Command of Fleet. Rear Admiral Sicard, with his wife and daughter, left Key West Saturday on the steamer for Miami. They are going to Nassau and thence to Palm Beach. The admiral expects to spend several weeks resting at Florida winter resorts. Captain Sampson has taken formal charge of the fieet. The usual cetemony in the change of flags was omitted. of successes HOSTILITIES MUST CEASE|QUTBREAK UNLIKELY Reported Outline of the President's Latest Note to Spain. No Threat Made, But a Dignified Statement of the American Contention. The New York World has received the fellowing special cable dispatch from Mad- rid, under date of March 26: President McKinley has ¢abled two notes t> Spain this week, through Minister Wood- ford. One deals with the destruction of the Maine; the other with President McKin- ley’s plan of “humanitarian intervention by the United States in the Cuban war.” Both notes are expressed in strong? firm language, without suggestion of threat. They are perhaps merely preliminary. For the destruction of the Maine the President demands no indemnity. He merely acquaints the Madrid government with the facts that the naval court of in- quiry finds that the ship was blown up in Havana harbor by an external agency, and that nothing but a mine or torpedo of the largest size could have wrought such Ge- struction. The Preziient submits the facts to the Spanish government and waits re- ply. an early response. As to the war in Cuba, President McKin- ley advised the Spanish government, in the politest terms, that the time is fast draw- ing near whea the United States would be compelled to act upon the warnings so often given to Spain since the struggle in Cuba bezan. The Presideat clearly inti- mated that the war in Cuba must cease, but he fixed no date. The note thus makes the question of Cuban intervention para- meunt to the Maine catastrephe, which the president's memorandum refers to merely as.a lamentable incident. The issues and problems of the Cuban war the United States government now calls urgently to the attention of Spain, declaring that the conditions new prevailing in Cuba, so near to the shores of the United States, have Tong been intolerable to the American peo- ple. No More Waiting. Spain was reminded by Minister Wood- ford that the action of the President and his represer.tatives during the present and lote administration has always been aimed at the preservation of peace and the pro- motion of cordial relations with Spain. She has had the widest scope in choosing her own methods to restore peace in her Amer- ican colonies, and has failed. The United States, agairst its own wishes and desires, has become convinced that Spain has made no substantial progress either toward the pacification of Cuba or the realization of the aspirations of the people of her colo- nies. Reports from the United States con- suls. like those of agents of all European powers who have opportunities for inquiry, have been most unfavorable to Spain. President McKinley signifies to the gov- ernment of Spain his intentions of irme- diately communicating all the official facts in nis possession respecting Cuba, and the Maine report, probably, also, to Congress. He further contemplates steps which will make the distribution of relief by the United States to the Cubans more effective and upon a much larger scale. The nearest approach to a threat in Pres- ident McKinley's memorandum, which is said to be strongly argued and couched in the most dignifiei but unmistakable terms, is the statement that_in making fresh con- tributions for the relief of the suffering people in Cuba the American peop'e expect to see a practical term assigned for the ccemplete restoration of peace and order in that island. Does Not Resist Proposed Relief. The Spanish reply is equally firm. It resolutely asserts the intention of Spain not to tolerate any invasion of Spanish rights or any step intended to lead to the overthrow of the Spanish rule in Cuba. Spain deprecates sending wholesale relief in the manner suggested by President Mc- Kinley, on the ground that it will encour- age rebels (separatists is the term em- picyed), even if it does not lead to actual conflict between the authorities of the United States and Spain. But Spain does se the alms. She will not resist , probably. Spain lays much stress vpen the efforts she has made to satisfy the views of the United States and to pre- serve cordial relations while endeavoring to implant home rule, and thus hasten the pacification of Cuba, which has been re- tarded so long only because of the moral and material assistance given from the United States and the large rebellion fund raised in North America. On the Maine question Spain makes con- ciliatory but vague response, hoping that a just solution will be found, declining to accept the American naval court verdict as final, and suggesting possible arbitration of the entire question, along with her own claims against the United States. On the whole, the exchange of diplomatic notes leaves the matter exactly where it Was, except that the issue is more clearly defined. Sygin will not yield an inch. Spain’s Reply. The American minister had an official in- terview with the ministers of foreign affairs and of the coionies, Senors Gullon and Mo- Tet, at Senor Gullon’s private residence. Minister Woodford had a second official in- terview today with the minister of foreign affairs, at the foreign office, and received the official reply to President McKinley's memorandum, which is outlined above. Neither Senor Gullon nor Gen. Woodford would give to the Worid’s correspondent the slightest word for publication. I have received from other sources the purport of the two official communications. The Spanish torvedo flotilla which sailed from the Canary Izlands last Tuesday con- sists cf six boats, rot thirteen, as erro- neousiy cabled to other American news- parers. They are accompanied by a sveamer carrying fuel. The first-class ar- mored cruiser Cristobal Colon could not jcin the flying squadron at Las Palmas be- cause she Was not ready, but she will fol- low in a few cays. ‘The news of the departure of the torpedo fleet for American waters was received with the wildest enthusiasm in Madrid. A panic in financial circles came today. The heaviest decline ever scored in a single day in the history of Madrid bourses fol- lowed, affecting all classes of securities. Ne assignable reason is given. ‘ Sencr Sagasta, prime minister, on leav- ing the palace after a conference with the queen regent, said to me: “There is nothing new. We are exactly as we were yesterday, but I still trust in being able to avert a rupture with the United States.” es CLARKSON TO THE FORE. der of the G. A. R. Ready to Fight. Ex-Commander-in-Chief Clarkson of the Grand Army of the Republic has sent this letter to Gov. Holcomb: OMAMIA, Neb., March 26.—Should cir- cumstances arise by which the government of the United States should call upon our state for troops for war purposes, I beg to tender my services. A strong constitution, vigorous health and four years field expe- rience give me the right to believe I could Be of much service, as my long residence in this city would enable me to raise a regi- ment here in a few days. Deploring war at this time and fully realizing its horrors, yet Tam prepared to place myself at my moment's notice. country’s service at a am, governor, very les Eas . 8. CLARKSON. Mr. Woodford did not even demand | “only in instailments. Effect of Maine Report Already Dis- counted in Havana. THE TROUBLE MAY COME LATER ON An Intimation of Intervention Would Bring It About. —__ + VIEWS OF EUROPEAN AGENTS (Copyright, 1898, by Charles M. Pepper.) Special Cablegram From Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, March 26, via Port Tampa, Fla., March 27.—Havana is prepared for the naval board’s report on the Maine dts- aster. The public has known for two weeks that this court would declare the explosion was external. It has also been known that the Spanish government had no confidence in the report to be made by the Spanish court upholding the theory of accident, or that it would command the belief of other nations. One reason was the knowledge that other divers had made no such thorough investi- i gation as had been made by the Maine divers. Possibly another reason was the conviction that what the Spanish divers did learn was not what they were wanted to learn, That the plan of the Sagasta ministry was to keep the subject open was well un- derstood when the first suggestion of arbi- tration was thrown out. Whatever is said or done in Washington in regard to the Maine is not likely to take this community by surprise. There is no more likelihood of an imme- diate outbreak because of the Maine report than there has been during the last three months from other causes. The volcano is here, but it is still slumbering. News Will Come Piecemeal. The probability is that the authorities will permit the full history of what hap- pens in the United States to be published It may be several days before the public hears all the facts; this is especially likely to be the case if President McKinley’s message is at all aggressive and if radical action by Con- gress is foreshadowed. Capt. Gen. Blanco has every advantage, therefore, toward preventing an uprising. The Spanish classes believe war with the United States is probable and they are preparing for it. In the ardor of their patriotism and loyalty they are too intent on being ready to make it likely they will break spasmodically. It is true that the attacks on Consul General Lee and the Americen consuls throughout the island have been renewed and the newspapers have teen daily inciting feeling against the American correspondents for sending news of the developmer.ts which showed that the Maine was blown up. Neverthe- less this campaign of patriotism has heen directed to a definite end and a premature showing of it might defeat the purpose. The government cfficials have had since ‘Thursday night their ovders from Madrid to prepare the army and navy and the civil pewers for war with the United States. «In the intensity of loyalty the Spanish classes trust the authorities implicitly. They may rectrain themselves from indulging in anti- American demonstrations until the signal is given. This applies alike to the army, to the volunteers and to the ponulace. What they will do if a reversal of policy should come from Madrid and concessions be made which are hateful to them need not be guessed at until the change of front is made in Spain. Maine Incident is Separated. ‘The Maine incident is treated as entire- ly separate and distinct from the general situation, This will be pleasing to the Spanish authorities. If it is treated as a part of the general demoralization which exists, and which shows that there is practically no such thing as sovereignty in Cuba today, the irritation will be very great. Nevertheless they will be able to stand this and even more. Some hints have been given them that recognition of Cuban independence is under censideration. The certainty that this was coming might set them wild. But the Segasta ministry would be looked to ment that has failed and who want to be relieved of their burden. The dominating government class, which !s Spanish, would find Uttle choice between intervention based on the terms for arranging indepefi- dence and the recognition of indepen- dence itself. The latter might enable them to keep up the friction that the Spanish arms in Cuba are doing some fighting against the insurgents. It will also satisfy their desire to yield Cuba with “honor.” Intervention Not Considered. Direct armed intervention by the United States has apparently not been considered probable. Neither the government nor its supporters are ready for that. Representatives of European commer- clal houses in Havana are watching ex- pected developments in Washington keenly. In some respects their opportunities for forming opinions are better than those of the Americans. Their judgment is abso- lutely cold’ blooded. Said one of them to me: “Your people need not look for an im- mediate outburst here, but they will make a grave mistake if they assume that these crazy Spaniards are not likely to fight— perhaps just when everything seems most peaceful. Their hope of putting down the insurrection is gone and they may do some wild things while they are trying to let go. “The United States must settle this Cuban question, for it will neyer settle it- self. If your statesmen do not begin a definite settlement soon they will find it harder to settle three months from now. It is not our affair, yet we are all praying that you will be speedy about it.” I have heard the came views trom others in almost the same words with scarcely an exception. This is the kind of informa- tion that is going from Havana to the banking end commercial houses in London, Berlin and Paris. Possibly it is having | some influence that will be seen later. No idea on that point can be formed here. If there are persons inthe United States: who think that the crisie in the relations for direction. All realize that the day for the recognition of belligerency has passed. Should the policy decided on in Wash- ington be a final offer of mediation between Spain and the insurgents before acknowl- edging independence some members of the autonomist government would welcome it, but they would be the few Cubans who were drawn into a political move- with’ Spain can be averted by giving auton- omy further time to demonstrate its fail- ure, they might study with advantage the opinions of these financial and commercial representatives. A question has been raised whether the reconcentrados will be in “issue,” and whether further 4drritation will not be caused by the Presidént or Congress mak- ing a point of their condition before the whole world. The fear is groundless. Span- ish “honor” withstood the wound which was inflicted when the system of American relief was inaugurated. It cannot be hurt by anything said on the subject at this late period. An intention to continue the succor with- out removing the cause of the starving would be accepted by the authorities as giving them another period for temporizing. ‘They might then look upon the delays pro- pesed at Madrid as giving real ground for the hope that the insurgents would receive no substantial encouragement from the United States until the rainy season is well advanced. Some of the Spanish officials who are close to Gen. Blanco cherish that delusion. They again talk about “military operations,” and what Gen. Pando may do if he has further time. New Recruits Nearly All There. All but 3,000 of the 15,000 new recruits have arrived, and are scattered over the istand. With more time these officiais hope semething might be done toward weaken- ing the insurrection, but it is a baseless hope. Tne highest 'military officials do not entertain it. The members of the autono- mist cabinet do not put faith in it. They know that the only way the insurrection can be ended is through the United States. CHAS. M. PEPPER. — oe ARTILLERY TRANSFERS. A Number of Officers Assigned to the New Regiments. By direction of the Secretary of War the following transfers in the artillery arm are made: To the 6th Artillery—Lieuts. Harry L. Hawthorne, ist Artillery; Gustave W. S. Stevens, ist Artillery; Louis Ostheim, 2d Artillery; Arthur F. Curtis, 2d Artillery; Edward A. Millar, 8d Artillery; John K. Cree, 3d. Artillery; Charles T. Menoher, 34 Artillery; William P. Stone, 4th Artillery; Samuel D. Sturgis, 4th Artillery; Thomas Ridgway, 5th Artillery; Edgar Russel, 5th Artillery. To the 7th Artillery—Lieuts. John W. Ruckmaa, Ist Artillery; Elisha S. Benton, Ist Artillery; T. Bentléy Mott, Ist Artil- lery; Henry D. Todd, jr, 1st Artillery Isaac N. Lewis, 2d Artillery; Cornelis DeW. Willcox, 2d Artillery; Henry C. Davis, 3d Artillery; John D. Barrette, 3d Artillery; Elmer W. Hubbard,’ 3a Artillery; Lucien G. Berry, 4th Artillery; Willoughby Walke, Sth Artillery. The following assignments of officers to the two new regiments are announced: Colonel Edward B, Williston, to the 6th Artillery. Colonel William Sinclair, to the 7th Ar- tillery. He will take station at Fort Slo- cum, N. Y. ‘ Lieutenant Colonel Wallace F. Randolph, to the 3d Artillery. , Lieutenant Colonel Tully McCrea, to the 5th Artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Frank G. Smith, to the 6th Artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph G. Ramsay, to the 7th Artillery. He will remain on duty at Fort Hamilton, N. ¥., until further or- ders. —_—_+- e+______ PRESIDENT RANKIN PROTESTS. Objects to Proposed Disposition of the Freedmen’s Hospital. Rey. J. E. Rankin, president of Howard University, has written to Senator McMil- lan, chairman of the joint select committee en charities and reformatory institutions in the District of Columbia, in which he protests against some of the recommenda- tions made in the report of that committee. Dr. Rankin says: i “In The Evening Star of the 21st instant, it is stated that your honorable committee recomméend the turning over of the whole plant of the Freedmen’s Hospital to the trustees of the Howard University, of which I have the honor to be president. So far as I know this conclusion has been reached by your honerable committee with- out any official communication with the executive officers of the unive: . I wish efore to submit a few thoughts for tha corsideration of the committee. “You ask the trustees of Howard Uni- versity to undertake to run the hospital (it is chartered as an asylum and hospital, I believe) on $30,000, the present appropria- tien being $54,000.; This proposition takes away from our income $4,000 annually. This sum ‘is received by us as rental for the premises and is a portion of the in- ccme which is our dependence for running expenses. This is equivalent to offering us $26,000 to do a work for the government for which the government has found it neces- sary to expend $54,000 annually. We have no resources on which we could do this. We now pay about $1,000 towards the sup- port of our medical department, giving the prcfessors the tuition which amvunts to. $8,000 or more. The advantage coming to this department from the hospital is not advantage in money. I am very sure that dnless the United States should pro- vide a generous support for the hospital the trustees would be wholly unwilling to accept the trust. If $54,000 is needed now, I do not see why substantially the same sum would not be needed in the future. The institution is partly an asylum—a tewn pcor house, it would be regarded in the north and northwest, and cannot be restricted to the more special work of a hespital without some change in its or- ganic law. “Again, if the trustees are to be held re- spcnsible for the administration of the irstitution, I am sure they would wish to make the appointments and to have the power of removal,’ Mo» persen should .be removed or appointed fér reasons political. “I can see some greatiadvantages to the government and to the university in the proposed change, but I am sure the trustees would not be able ahd would rot be willing to accept the hospital on the conditions proposes: in the bill recommended by your tee,” honorable committee,’ Dr. Rankin closes his letter by saying that he would be. glad to appear before the committee to further consult-with them regarding this matter. ————-« WORK IN THE FIELD. A — Commissioner Evans Issues an Order Regarding Special Examiners. The commissioner of pensions bas pro- mulgated the follawing order with refer- ence to special exgminers of‘the pension office in the field: + “On and after April 1, 1898, no clerts will be detailed or given work as special ex- aminers in the field carrying with-such as- signment per diem and expenses w} aries shall exceed $1,200 per anttrfi.” check the general positions, so soon ag’they have beco: uable to the bureau -by reason of thi EXTRA NOW IN CONGRESS The Maine Report Sub- mitted to Both Houses. AN OUTSIDE EXPLOSION The President Also Transmits a Special Message. RESPONSIBILITY 18 UNDETERMINED Unqualified Opinion Expressed as to the Cause. CAPT. SIGSBEE EXONERATED The President today sent the following message to Conzress: To the Congress of the United States: For some time prior to the visit cf the Maine to Havana harbor our consular rep- resentatives pointed out the acvantages to flow from the visit of national ships to the Cuban waters, in accustoming the people to the presence of our flaj the symbol of 60d will and of our ships in the fulfill- tert of the mission of protecticn to Ameri- can interests, even though no immediate need therefor might exist. x Accordirgly, on the 24th of January last, after conference with the Spanish Minister, in which the renewe! of visits of our war vessels to Spanish waters was discussed and accepted, the peninsular authorities at Madrid and Hevana were advised of the purpose of this Government to resume friendly naval visits at Cuban ports, and that in that view the Maine would forth- with call at the port of Havana. This announcement was received by the Spanish government with appreciation of the friendly character of the visit of the Maine and with notification of intention to return the courtesy by sending Spanisa ships to the principal ports of the United States. Meanwhile the Maine entered the port of Havara on the 25th of January, her arrival being marked with no special incident besides the exhcange of customary salutes and ceremonial visits. The Maine continued in the harbor of Havana during the three weeks following her arrival. No appreciable excitement at- tended her stay; on the contrary, a fe 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 recall, by sending another vessel there to take her place. At forty minutes past nine in the evening of the 15th of February the 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 perished, 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. 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 dead were interred by the municipality in a public cemetery: in the city. Tributes of grief and sympathy were offered from all official quarters of the island. The appalling calamity fell upon the peo- ple of our country with crushing force, and for a brief time an intense excitement pre- vailed, which in a community less just and self-controlled than ours might have led to hasty acts of blind resentment. This spirit, however, soon gave way to the calm- er processes of reason and to the resolve to investigate the facts and await material preof before forming a judgment as to the cause, the responsibility and if the facts warranted, the remedy due. This course light of a dispassionately ascertained cer- tainty coul@ it determine the nature and measure of its full duty In the matter. ‘The usual procedure was followed as in fa S| il tlie na et eee arar print iw issateesan sneer necessarily recommended itself from the | given by the commanding officer. outset to the executive, for only in the Varnishes, dryers, alcohol and other com- Eee together with the voluminous testimony taken before the court. Its purpose is, in brief, as follows: When the Maine arrived at Havana she Was conducted by the regular government pilot to buoy No. 4, to which she was moored in from five anc one-half to six fathoms of water. The state of discipline on board and the conditicn of her magazines, boilers, coal bunkers and storage compartments are passed in review, with the conclusion that excellent order prevatied and that no indi- cation of any cause for an internal ex- Posion existed in sny quarier. At 8 o'clock in the evening of February 15 everything had been reported secure and all was quiet. At forty minutes past nine o'clock the vessel was suddenly destroyed. There were two distinct explosions, with @ brief interval between them. The first lifted ‘tne forward part of the ship very perceptibly; the second, which was more open, prolonged and of greater volume, 1s attributed by the court to the partial ex- plesion of two or more of the forward magazines. The evidence of the divers establishes that the afterpart of the ship was prac- tically intact and sank in that condition a very few minutes after the explosion. The forward part was completely demolished. Upon the evidence of a concurrent exter- nal-cause the finding of the court is as follows: “At frame 17 the outer shell of the ship, from « pcint eleven and one-half feet from the middle line of the ship and six feet above th2 keel when in its rormal position, has been forced up so as to be now about four feet above the surface of the water; therefcre about thirty-four feet above wher? it would be had the ship sunk un- injured. The outside bottom plating is bert into a reversed V shape, A , the after wing of which, about fifteen feet broad and thirty- two feet in length (from frame 17 to fram> 25) is doubled back upon itself against the continuation of the same plating extending forward. At Frame 18 the vertical keel is broken in two and the flat keel bent into an an- gle similar to the angle formed by the outside bottom plates. This break is now about six feet below the surface of the water and about thirty feet above its nor- mal position. In the opinion of the Court this effect eculd have been produced only by the ex- plcsicn of a mine situated under the bot- tom of the ship, at about Frame 18, and somewhat on the port side of the ship. The conclusions of the Court are: That. the loss of the Maine was not in any respect due to fault or negiigence on the purt of any of the officers or members of her crew. That the ship was destroyed by the ex- plesion of a submarine mine, which caused the partial explosicn of two or more of her forward magazines; and that no evi- dence Las been obtainable fixing the re- sponsibility for the destructioa of the Maine upen any person or persens. I have directed that tle finding of the Court of Inquiry and the views of this Government thereon be communicated to the Government of Her Majesty, the Queen Regent, and I do not permit myself to Goubt that the sense of justice of the Span- ish nation will dictate a course of action suggested by honor and the friendly rela- tions of the two governments. It will be the duty of the Executive to advise the Congress ef the result, and in the meantime deliberate consideration 1s invoked. WILLIAM McKiNLEY. Executive Mansion, March 2s, 1898. In r2 Explosion of the U. S. B. S. “Maine.” Before a Court of Inquiry, Key West, Florida. U. S. S. IOWA, Ist Rate, Key West, Flor- ida, Monday, March 21, 1898. After full and mature consideration of all the testimony before it, the court finds as follows. 1. “Maine’ t the United States battle ship arrived in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, on the twenty-‘ifth day of January, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, and was taken to Buoy No. 4, in from five and a half to six fathoms of water, by the regu- lar Government Pilot. The United States Consul General at Ha- vana had noti the authorities at that piace, the previous evening, of the intended arrival of the Maine. 2. The state of discipline on board the Maine was excelicnt; and all orders and regulations in regard to the care and safe- ty of the ship were sirictly carried out. All ammuuition was stowed in accordance with prescribed instructions, and proper care Was taken whenever ammunition was handed. Nothing was stowed in any one of the magazines or shell rooms which was not permitted to be stowed there. The magazines and shell rooms were al- ways locked after having been opened; and after the destruction of the Maine the keys were found in their proper place in the captain’s cabin, everything having been re- ported secure that evening at 8 p.m. The temperatures of the magazines and shell rooms were taken daily and reported. The only magazine which had an undue amount of heat was the after ten-inch magazine, and that did not explode at the time the Maine was destroyed. The torpedo war-heads were all stowed in the after part of the ship under the ward room, and neither caused nor partici- pated in the destruction of the Maine. ‘The Gry gun-cotton primers and detona- tors were stowed in the cabin aft and re- mote from the scene of the explosion. ‘Waste was carefully looked after on board the Maine to obviate danger. Spe- cial orders in regard to this had been bustibles of this nature were stowed on or &bove the main deck, and could not have had anything to do with the destruc- tion of the Maine. The medical stores were stowed aft un- der the ward room and remote from the scene of the explosion. tively low prossure of steam, and being tended by a reliable watch. These bojlers could not have caused the explosion ofithe ship. The four forward boilers have sihce been found by the divers, and are in a fair condition. On the night of the destruction of the Maine everything had been reported secure for the night, at 8 p.m., by reliable per- sors, through the proper authorities, to the commanding officer. At the time the Maine was destroyed the ship was quiet, and therefore least lable o accident caused ty movements from those on board. Explosions. 3. The destruction of the Maine occurred at 9:40 p.m. on the 15th day of February, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, she being at the time moored to the same buoy to which she had been taken upon her arrival. There were two explosions of a distinct- ly different character, with a very short but distinct interval between them, and the forward part of the ship was lifted to a@ marked degree et the time of the first explosion. The first explosion was more in the na- ture of @ report, like that of a gun; while the second explosion was more open, pro- longed, and of greater volume. This sec- ond explosion was, in ihe opinion of the court, caused by the partial explosion of two or more of the forward magazines of the Maine. Condition of the Wreck. 4. The evidence bearing upon this, being principally obtained from divers, did not enable the court to form a definite con- clusion as to the condition of the wreck, although it was established that the after part of the ship was practically intact, and sank in that condition a very few minutes after the destruction of the forward part. The following facts in regard to the for- ward part of the ship are, however, estab- lished by the testimony: That portion of the port side of the protective deck, which extends from about Frame 30 to about Frame 41 was blown vp, aft, and over to port. The main deck frcm about Frame 30 to about Frame 41 was blown up, aft, and slightly over to starboard, folding the forward part of the middle superstructure over and on top of the after part. This was, in the opinion of the court, caused by the partial explosion of two or more of the forward magazines of the Maine. 5. At frame 17, the outer shell of the ship, from a point eleven and one-half feet from the middie line of the ship, and six feet above the keel when in its normal position, has been forced up so as to be now about four feet above the surface of the water; therefore, about thirty-four feet above where it would be had the ship sunk unin- jured. The outside bottom plating is bent into a reversed Vshape 4 the after wing of which, about fifteen feet broad and thirty- two feet in length (from frame 17 to frame 25) is doubled bac. upon itself against the continuation of the same plating extend- ing forward. At frame 18 the vertical keel is broken in two, and the flat keel bent into an angle similar to the angle formed by the out- side bottom plating. This break is now about six feet below the surface of the water, and about thirty feet above its nor- mal position. In the opinion of the court, this effect could have been produced only by the ex- picsion of a mine situated under the bot- tom of the ship at about frame 18, and scmewhat on the port side of the ship. 6. The court finds that the loss of the Maine, on the occasion named, was not in any respect due to fault or negligence on the part of any of the officers or members of the crew of said vessel. 7. In the opinion of the Court the Maine was destroyed by the explosion of a sub- marine mine, which caused the partial ex- plosion of two or more of her forward magazines. 8. Tne Court has been w evidence fixing the rm Me to obtain sponsibility for the | destruction of the Maine upon any person or persons. W. T. SAMPSON, Captain U. Ss. Pp A. MARIX, Lieut. Commander U. 8. N., Judge Advocate. The court, having finished the inquiry it was ordered to make, adjourned at 11 aan. to await the action of the convening au- thority. “ W. T. SAMPSON, Captain, United States Navy, President. A. MARIX, dent. Commander, United States Navy, Judge Advocate. U. 8. FLAGSHIP NEW YORK, March 1598, Of Key West, Fla. The proceelings and fin¢ings of the court of inquiry in the above case are approved, M. SICARD, Rear Acriral, Commander-in-Chieft of the U. S. Naval forces on the North Atlantic Station. —____- e---____. THRONG AT THE CAPITOL. People Began to G: ras Early as 9 O'Clock. Not within the memory of the oldest employe of the Capitol has such a crow@ visited the House wing as the one which assembled this morning. Th» people began to gather when the outer doors of the / House wing were opened at 9 o'clock. They were lined up in the corridors of the upper floor lcng before the doors of the gallery, were opened. By 10 o’ciock the number visitors had increased to such an ext that the police had difficuity in handl them. ‘ To relieve the cotridors thé doors of galleries were opened early and the made a mad scramble for seats. Admis+ sion to the private galleries was confined to persons holding cards issued by members of the House. These galleries were filled almost as soon as tif public galleries. By 11 o'clock there was not an inch of in MH £ g i; el ! if