Evening Star Newspaper, March 31, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING &TAR. teartnea test STs PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, J1€1 Penrsylvania Avenue, Cer. 11th St., by Even! The ee Lie Company Pres’t. ——_— ‘The Evening Star ts served to snbscribers in the ety by crrriers, on their own account, at 10 cents . Copies at the seach. By mail—anywhere in the nited States «r Canada—postage prepaid—S0 cents Per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added $3.00. (Entered at the Po t Gifice at Washington, D. C.. as second-class ma’l matter.) €7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior Che Fve No. 14,066. WASHINGTON, D. ©. THURSDAY, MAR@H 31, 1898-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS WAR NOW LOOKED FOR Hope of a Satisfactory Spanish Reply Given Up. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE MONDAY No More Correspondence on the Cuban Question. COMMITTEES PUT OFF ACTION | | Naval Bill Taken Up in the House. PROPOSED NAVAL STATION A declaration of war is expected by Mon- day or Tuesday. Members of Congress in a position to know the truth say that no hope is held by those informed that Spain's repiy to this country’s demands will be satisfactory. There is to be no further diplomatic cor- respondence on the Cuban question. A presidential message, it is believed, will be sent to Congress Monday. The House of Representatives took up the naval bill. Mr. Allen, in the Senate, spoke on conditions in Cuba. Senator Lodge presented a report direct- ing the purchase of Danish Islands in the West Indies for naval and coaling station. The congressional committees dealing with foreign matters met, but postponed action on the Spanisif situation. It is claimed that a canvass of the House shows 197 republicans determined on the independence of Cuba. The State Department received a message from Minister Woodford, which expressed hopefulness of a peaceful settlement. Senators gnd representatives whose po- sition demands that they should know the truth at this crisis staied this morning that there Is no longer hope entertained by any one informed as to the situation that the reply from Spain to the Presi- Gent's ultimatum will be satisfactory. It is timated that the character of the reply, which is expected late this evening, has alre: y been indicated. Unless Spain shall shift position at the last minute, a declaration of war is ex- pected by Congress on Monday or Tues- day. The statement is made on the same excellent authority that ali expressions of hope of a peaceful solution of the question indulged in since last night may be re- garded as purely formal and perfunctory, end not based on any real hope, unless a sudden change in the attitude of Spain oc- curs. On this same authority, it is asserted that the President intends to send in a message to Congress on Monday contem- plating war. The statement made was that he would vecommend a declaration of war. It is hardly safe, however, to say at this time that he will make that rec- emmendation in terms. The exact words to be employed in his message cannot fafeiy be anticipated, but the message to be sent in, unless there is some sudden and unexpected change in the situation, will at least contemplate a course by Con- gress which in all human probability will mean war, even if there is not a direct and formal declaration at once. It is definitely understood that there is to be no further diplomatic correspondence on the Cuban question after the reply of Spain is received. If this reply is what it is 2x- Pected to be—unsatisfactory—it is to be as- sumed that Spain in making it does so with @ determination to face war. Senator Davis, the chairman of the Sen- ate committee on forzign relations, after consulting with the President this morn- ing, said that ueither of the outlines of the President's ultimatum which were publish- ed this morning, one from Madrid and one from Washington, was exactly right, but that the on> emanating from Washington Was more nearly correct. The Madrid out- line omits < demand for the independence of Cuba and treats of an armistice. The one emanating from Washington includes a de- mand for the ind2pendence of Cuba, to- @ether with a suggestion of a money con- eideration to be paid by the Cubans, and requires an immediate cessation ef hos- tilities, and net an armistice, which would be merely a temporary suspension of hos- tilitiss. The information ‘of a Star reporter this morning is that the demand made by this government for the independence 6f Cuba 4s not conditioned on any payment of money to Spain by any one, but that Spain is to be given an oppertunity to make terms for a money consideration with the Cubans if she is able to do so. Her failure to secure such money consideration is not, however, to re- sult in ary modification of the demand by this government. 7 Presidential Assurances. President McKinley continued to tell his callers today that he thinks he will settle et I eS ee ee Hy i i i the independence of the island. On this ex- pression, constru2d as an assurance, the visitors go away satisfied to, wait a few days longer, how much longefthey do not say. Practically the same thing was communt- cated to all callers. At the same time the President did not reveal the plans wher2by he thinks he will finally secure liberty for Cuba. Some of his callers agree that the pur- chase of Cuba by the insurgents is one of the main plzns. Others, and among them are some of th2 President's closest friends, Say that no such a proposition has been made to Spain. All agree that something definite is ex- pected by tomorrow's meeting of the cab- inet. At an: nute the answer of Spain to the President's propositions may be re- ceived. The Spanish cabinet met at 4 p. m., Spanish time. The Spanish a ought to be in the hands of President Mc- Kinley late tonight or tomorrow morning. There is no assurance, however, that Spanish cabinet will not want further ti It may ask for more delay before g! an answer. It is generally believed that President McKinley will net be disposed to grant any more time than he thinks absolut2ly neces- sary. Another outlook for delay is that Spain may make counter propositions, n.ust be considered here. It is the prospect of these deleys which angers these who bav> agreed to a reasonable wait. Conference With Mr. Hopkins. Representative Hopkins of Illinois, who bas been one of the warmest advocates of immediate action in the House, called upon the President during the morning to mak> arrangements for the reception this after- neon of the committee of eleven appointed by re: scans of the Hous> of Representa- tives last night. The President talked free- ly ebout the situation, and Mr. Hopkins was evidently satisfied with his explanation of affairs. He afterward said: “I am sat- isfied that there will b> no delay in press- ing the negotiations with Spain to an early conclusion and that Congress will be fully informed as soon as possible of the result. “It is my opinion that Congress wiil wait on the President as long as he desires it.” Mr. Hopkins declined to say how long he thougat Congress would watt. Views of Baltimore Visitors. A delegation of the Merchants and Man- ufacturers’ Association of Baltimore today presented resolutions to the President on the existing situation. The delegation con- sisted of Summerfield Baldwin, president; Wm. T. Dixon, vice president; C. H. For- est, secretary; John B. Ramsey, J. Frank Supplee, Solomon Frank, Wm. H. Jones, Ardrew C. Supplee. W. J. C. Dulaney, Dan- ie! Miller, Richard Cromwell. The resolutions were presented by J. Frank Supplee, and the President said he weuld give them consideration. These, after commending the attitude of the President and expressing the opinion that the country’s honor is safe in his hands, go on to say: “That we feel the profoundest sympathy for the sufferings of the inhabitants of Cuba under the horrors of a civil war. “That whatever we can do to relieve the sick, the wounded and the destitute, it is our duty to do; but we hold that war is the last remedy to which as a people we should have recourse. “While we do not underestimate the valor of the resources of the Spanish naticn, in cur opinion a war between Spain and the United States could only result in the triumph of our arms. But the treasure that weuld be spent, the burden that would be left for the country to bear, and, far more than all else, the countless precious lives that would be sacrificed will be too high a price for us to pay solely for the restora- tion of peace in Cuba. “We heartily commend the extension of relief to the suffering and destitute people o* Cuba, and if in pursuit of this humane werk, international law and precedents should operate as an estoppel to the prot- fering of such aid by the federal govern- nent, we believe the generous and peace \cving people of this country will promptly, amply and willingly make the necessary contribution.” Sustaining the President. Representative Alexander of Buffalo, N. Y., preserted to the President a telegram ecntaining resclutions adopted last night by the Liberal Club of Buffalo. These resolutions expressed entire ccnfidence in the President, and conclude with “Let every good citizen stand by the President.” Secretary Porter says he is receiving telegrams from all parts of Connecticut sustaining the position of the President. These telegrams, he says, are from such prominent men as J. M. Allen, James G. Battersen, Charles M. Jarvis, George H. Hammond and Ralph W. Cutler of Hari- ford. Representative Grosvenor's Belief. Representative Grosvenor was in confer- ence with the President. He believes that the end of the situation will be the freedom of Cuba. Representatives Wanger, Butler and Kirkpatrick of Pennsylvania, Stevens and Jenkins of Wisconsin, Hawley of Texas, Fletcher of Minnesota and Adams of Penn- sylvania were other callers with whom the President had talks. Nearly all of these men urged upon the President the fact that the country wants action and is tm- patient of delay. The President answered ‘that he hopedsCongress would not act be- fore it has possession of all the facts, which he would give as quickly as possible. ‘The President, as exclusively statec in The Star yesterday, has temporarily aban- dioned the plan of sending to Congress a message ayvking an appropriation for the relief of the Cubans. The dev ts of the next few days will determine what is to be done about this message. Why Wait Until Mendayt 4 While President McKinley's request for time is conceded by those who have paid him visits today, there ts a feeling of re- luctance about waiting until Monday for news from the White House. “Why can't the facts be given us by Saturday?” is @ question heard from many lips. The same question is probably net put to the President, for in the presence of the chief executive there is no desire to appear to teo much disadvantage. Away from him, the impatient spirit of the last few days rises. Efforts are made to prevent news- paper,men from seeing too many of these congressmen. Orders, for instance, have been given by Secretary Porter against newspaper men remaining at the bottom of the White House steps to see and walk away with men who come down. ‘The newspaper men must remain up- stairs in the vicinity of the tabie set apart hot thought the President hax thing to do with such orders. SEEK NO ARMISTICE Insurgents More Capable Than Ever to Cope With Blanco. SPANISH HOPE OF INTERVENTION Belief That United States Will Help Suppress Revolt. MR. ATKINS COMES HOME aes (Copyright, 1898, by Charles M. Pepper.) Special From a Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, March 30, via Key West, Fla., March 31.—Perhaps in October Spain will end the insurrection, if the United States will aid in discouraging the insurgents. This isthe view of Spain's representatives in Cuba as voiced semi-officially by Cap- tain General Blanco. It comes at a time when statements are made that Spain is getting ready to yield independence,through the friendly offices of the United States and of the captain general's having instructions to arrange an armistice with Gomez. Madrid and Washington are much better places than Havana for knowing what ne> gotiations are afoot between the two gov- ernments. It may be an agreement has been reached which assures ear‘y peace, auc that all that remains to be done is for the United States to smooth the way of Spain in withdrawing from the island. If so, that understanding has not yet been promulgated here. Iasurgents Not Secking Armistice. Everybody in Cuba knows that the talk. of the insurgents seeking an armistice is a humbug. That talk is meant for con- sumption 1 Spain. Officials in Havana think it is based on a proposition that the United States enforce on the insurgents the acceptance of a plan of Spanish sovereign- ty. They have failed to make progress in that line themselves, consequently this is a kind of American intervention that would be welcomed. In spite of evidences that this is impragticable, they cling to the no- tion. It is what they mean by an armistice and by ending the insurrection in October. I do not conceive that multiplied proofs are necessary to show that the insurgents will not accept anything short of actual inde- pendence, even if forcing something else on them is a part of American policy. They were told in December that if they rejected autonomy they would lose the moral support of the people of the United States. Nevertheless, they rejected it and have used up the winter months in demon- strating Spain’s waning control of the isl- and. They can use up the summer. months in showing that they will have independ- ence or nothing. The administration at Washington can secure whatever concessions may be neces- sary for an armistice provided it guaran- tees the recognition of Cuban independence as a certain result of such armistice; other- wise the struggle will go on as it_has gone on for the last two years. Some of the Spanish classes may be suspicious that Sagasta’s policy is being shaped toward ebandoning Cuba, but this is not the com- mon view. Many still betieve Spain will not sell the island, and will not let.go with- cut a war. This belief is at the.bottom of the present calm. It finds expression in many ways. Resentment at Meine Verdict, Resentment over the Maine verdict is deep, but that will not in itself produce an outbreak. The Maine incident is the one subject of whtch the government permits fairly complete and accurate information. News of what is happening in Spain is suppressed at a time when the Spaniards in Cuba are most anxious to know. They are restless, but are confident they will soon know everything. They are also in the dark about public sentiment in the United States. Congress is their chief fear. They look on Congress as a chained monster, which is likely to break its chains, and when once loose to cause havoc’ to Spain's authority in Cuba. So if the na- tional legislature will keep quiet it will oblige many Spaniards. If Congress votes any sum for the re- lief of the reconcentrados and sends offi- cials to supervise its distribution the Span- ish classes will resent it, yet they will hardly insist en the home government go- ing to war on that account. What they fear most now is direct intervention by the United States. “ Return of Mr. Atkins. Usually the return of a single individual to the United States is not of consequence, but when the sugar planter, E. F. Atkins of Boston, goes back it is a momentous event. ‘He will probably be in Washington within a week, assuring Secretary Leng and the New England Congressmen that Blanco will be able to quell the insur- rection by October if the United States wil! do its duty. Because, for good reasous, Mr. Atkins’ sugar plantation at Cienfuegos was able to grind, he has been making reg- ular reports to Washington that the insur- rection was dead. He is one of the few Americans who were relied on by Weyler to defend the reconcentrado policy, and to declare that the stories of deaths frém starvation were grossly exaggerated. As late as December Mr. Atkins was engaged in this work for Spain. Now, I under- stand, he is receiving supplies. from the {and that. ‘American relef fund for distribution among ‘the reconcentrados on his own. plantation. | Nevertheless Mr. Atkins will have much in- information .about Cuban affairs | teresting when he reaches Washington. CHARLES M. PEPPER. —— PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. Army and Navy Promotions Sent to the Senate. The President tolay sent these nomina- ticrs to the Senate: James H. Bolton, to be surveyor of cus- tems, port of Sioux City, Iowa; Samuel L. Overstreet, to be attorney general for the territory of Oklahoma; Walter H. Fauik- ner of Texas, to be consul at Durango, Mexico. + feral Wilson, chief of Advertising is not an It is a business investment. If you want to invest your profitably you will « bane aan A your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly by everybody worth reaching. The Star is the ized household and family journal of the National Capital. and has » No rival as an advertising med- ium, SPAIN'S COUNTER #ROPOSAL. Preeident MeKinley te Bé the Uiti- mate Judge in the Dispute. President McKinley's assurances to Con- gress in regard to the outlook for a settle- ment of the Cuban difficulty without a war between this country and Spain are based upon representations made to him by Min- ister. Woodford. Gen. Woodford express2s:the belief, after repeated conferences with Premier Sagasta and other members of the'Spanish ministry, that after today’s meeting ef the Spanish cabinet that government. will, of its own accord, make-a- proposition to this. coun- try looking to the definite 'settlement of the Cuban question. This propesition is ex- pected to cover three points, as follows: First—That Spain’ shall’ send the recon- centrados baek to their homes and supply them with means of sustaining life until normal conditions can be restored. Second—That there shall be an armistice between Spain and ‘Cuba,’ with the end in view of securing a settlement of the wim- culties and the withdrawal of the Spanish forces from Cuba. ~ : ‘Third. In case of a failure of the Cubans and the Spaniards to come to an under- stending during the armistice, Spain will submit the entire matter to President Mc- Kinley as arbitratcr, with the understand- ing that he will decide in tat event for the entire independence of Cuba. 2 -——____ COL. BENEDICTO SHOF IN BACK. Spanish Officer Who” Killed Col. Arangueren is Wounded. - HAVANA, March 31—It 4s announced that Lieut. Col. Benedicto, Who command- ed the Spanish fcrces which killed the in- surgent leader Arangueren while visiting the house of Dr. Francisco Vidal, at Guan- abacoa, was-woulded by @ revolver shot in the back. A colored man who fired the shot suc- ceeded in escaping. Arangderen was the insurgent chief who caused the execution of Lieut, Col. Ruiz, the ald-de-camp of Captain General Blanco, who visited in the latter part of December fhe camp of the insurgents with propostiog§s of. surrender. Aranguren was surpriseé god killed about @ month later. before it is said to be because his opinions, as well as his direct evidence, is wanted. Some members of the committee have ex- Pressed the opinion that he will be able to give information explanatory of the testi- mony waich will tend to show that the Maine was destroyed by design. Other members believe that Capt. Sigsbee wiil point out to the committee what he re- gards as the significant features of the testimony, not only by himself, but by oth- er witnesses. No Report Until Monday. The committee does rot expect to at- tempt to make a repcrt until Monday on the Cuban situation, as it will wait abso- lutely upon the President's wishes until that time. The committee is proceeding in perfect harmony with the President and wif do so to the ené. The committee, it is stated ty its members, ts proceeding upon absolute information as to the char- acter of the néBotiations between this zy and Spain, ard this ts to the ef- fect that the independence of Cuba is made the one essential consideration of the nego- tations. The President has told Spain in so many words that it is useless to go far- ther upon any other understanding. With this end in view and conceded by Spain he will not attempt to dictate terms or the manner of conducting negotiations between the Spaniards and the Cuban:, and he has indicated to Spain that he will be willing that an armistice shall be arranged for the settlement of the details. It is the desire of the administration not to put the matter so harshly as to prick the netional pride cf the Spanish people, but at the same time to put it so plainly t there can be ro doubt of the one es- sential consideratien. Having this assur- ance, the committee is proceeding delib- eretely, and with no desire unnecessarily te press the question of the form of a reso- lution to be brought in until! it is necessary to cecide that point, which can be done in @ very few moments. Indeed, it was the expectation that the President himself vould by Monday indicate the action he would like to have Congress take in case of the failure of bis diplomacy, and the present inclination of the committee is to follow his leadership in this respect. This inclination was due to the fact, however, that the committee, in this event, would be prepared for armed intervention to se- cure the frecdom of the Cubans. The commiitee is not counting confidently upon being called upon to make a deciara- tion to this end, but it it preparing for it, and, it is stated, will have the facts in its possession if calied upon to act. It is to this end that Capt. Sigsbee, Commander Bradford and others are being summoned before the committce. SSS TO SECURE TORPEDO BOATS. WILL WAIT AWHILE Republicans to Postpone Action Until | Monday. CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES MEET Democrats Attempted to” Force Action. DEFEATED BY PARTY VOTE| The House committee on foreign affairs met today at 11 o'clock. Chairman Hitt was unable to be present, and Mr. Adams of Pennsylvania presided. Before going into the committee the republican mem- bers announced their intention of postpon- ing action until Monday, in view of the communications the President had made to members who called upon him yesterday and today. It was said that they -id no: wish to embarrass the President when he felt that pending diplomatic negotiations should be given more time. All the repub- Hicans seem agreed upon this point, which means that no action will be taken at pres- ent. Some of the democrats will insist upon immediate action, but it is probable that others, in view of representations tnat will be made by members who have seen the President, will not be so insistent and will consent to the delay asked. The democratic plan is not intervention, but independence. Several members have introduced independence resolutions and they will ask for consideration of them if any acuon is to be taken. It was expected there would be sor dis- cussion of the Maine incident, and some re- publicans thought the consideration o the report and testimony might be proceeded with, but the whole tendency of the majori- ty was to do nothing at present. Tried to Force Action. The democrats of the committee attempt- ed to force immediate action, but the re- publicans standing by their agreement cf yesterday to wait until Monday steadily set their faces ogainst having their hands forced until Monday. They stated that if the present negotiations failed they would be willing to act cn Monday. Mr. Clack (Mo.) moved that the subcommittee on the Cuban question be discharged from. fur- ther consideration cf his resolution recog- nizing the independence of Cuba and all Kindred resolutions. No vote was taken on this proposition, the republicsns occupying the time until the hour cf adjournment in discussing the situation and arguing that the President in courtesy should have the few additional days he had asked before action was taken. Mr. Adams, who saw the President this morning, said the 1egotiations would suc er failbefore Monday. ~Mrs-Clark:: rrotion was pending when the committge adjourned. 3 Mr. Quigg, at 12 o'clock, moved an ad- 4curntient until Monday, the regular meet- ing day of the committee being Tuesday. Mr. Pearson moved an amendment to mae the day to which the adjournment shouid be taken Saturday, and Mr. Williams (Miss.), who bore the brunt of the demo- cratic fight against any further delay whatever, moved to meet tomorrow. Defeated by Party Vote. Mr. Pearson’s amendment was with- drawn and Mr. Williams’ voted down by a strict party vote. Mr. Quigg’s motion was then agreed to. The members of the committee present were Messrs. Adams (Pa.), acting chair- man in the absence of Mr. Hitt; Mr. Quigg (N.Y.), - Cousins (Iowa); Smith (Mich.), Heatwole (Minn.), Pearson (N.C.), and Henry (ind.), republicans, and Messrs. Dinsmore (Ark.), Clark (Mo.), Williams (Miss.) and Howard (Ga.), democrats. While the committee was in session, Rep- resentative Marsh of Illinois, who has a resohution before the committee for a dec- laration of war, went to the door of the committee room and attempted to gain ad- mission. The committee, however, had given the doorkeeper instructions neither to allow any one to enter nor to bring in a card. Mr. Marsh saii he desired to urge the committee, if they decided to formu- Ss © 5 ARMY AND NAV¥ ORDERS. Assignments and Trimsfers of Inter- est to the Service. Today’s naval orders. were: Capt. Yates Sterling hats been ordered to duty asa member of the light house board, in place of Capt. R. D. Bvane, transferred to command of the. Iowa. Lieut. J. J. Blandin, one of the survétors @f the Maine, has been placed in “chatge of the branch hydrographic office, Bal . Lieut. Ry C. Wells, jx; from the Ve it to the Te- cumseh; Chief Engineer W. NN. Little, fem the Frapklin to the: naval station, Key West; Lieut. W. B. Whittlesey, detached frcm.duty at Hartford’ gn@ ordered to ordndnge duty at_ Bridgeport vard, from the New Werk tiavy yal the Wasp; Lieut. J, Hood, tothe Haw! Lieut. W, H. H. Southegidnd,-from the Dolphin to the Eagle; En’ Ww. S. Cros- ley, frgin the Mayflower te the Lieut, Jem. He fram the Report of the Speciél Naval Board to Secretary Long. A naval board, consisting of Chief Con- structor Hichborn and Engineer-in-Chief Melville, has made a report to the Secre- tary of the Navy as to the best means of securing the immediate construction by local ship builders of a large number of torpedo boats for use in a possible emer- *| @ertey. -The board. outlines its views on the subject in a memorandum, whith, in part, is as follows: ‘With reference to the problem of obtain- ing a large number of torpedo boats under emergency conditions, the bureaus will state at the outset that these conditions do not admit of the highest class of wark or the best results as regards speed, horse power per ton of machinery, &c., but at the same time strength, safety and general efficiency should not and need not be sacri- ficed. As to type of boat to be adopted in order to build with maximum rapidity, it is essential that we, first, duplicate an exist- ing type; second, build a single-screw type. This reduces us to duplicating the Talbot and Gwin type, or the Mac- kenzie and McKee type The lat- ter are 40 per cent larger, and of heavier scantling. In their design extreme results were not aimed at, and they could be duplicated successfully by a number of firms that would have difficulty with the Talbot and Gwin. Their greater size will enable them to stand without serious detri- ment changes necessary to facilitate rapid work, which, more especially in the ma> chinery, must tend to some increase in weight. “The bureaus would propose that the de- pariment obtain the hull material, ie., plates and shapes, in a lump, and supply it to the builders. If given a free hand, the bureau cf construction and repair can ob- tain the shapes (which are needed first in building) for 160 boats in a littie over a week, and the plates in from four to five weeks, at 2 total cost of a little over $3,000 Army orders were: First Lieut. Mark L, Hersey, 12th In- fantry, is detatled by the Secretary of War as professor of military.‘science and tac- tics at Harvard University, Cambridge, Masé., to relieve First,Lseut. Wirt Robin- son, 4th Artillery, who will join his bat- tery. f Licut. Frank O. Ferris,"4st Infantry, is detailed as recorder “6f_ the examining beard at the Presidio~of San Francisco, vice First Lieut. Charles D. Palmer, 6th Artillery, relieved. : Lieut. Edward C. Brooks, 6th Cavalry, is detailed a8 a member of the board of ‘of- ficers appointed to meet at the Army Me: ical Museum in this cify, vice First Iieut. Charles W. Penrose, th Infantry, who is ordered to join his ¢onpamy. A board of officers, with\Col. 2. H. Hall as president, ts ordered ‘to zonvene at Fort Sheridan, Ill., for the examination of First Lieut. Jos. E. Maxwell, Signal Corps, for promotion. Lieut. Edwin B. Babbitt, ordnance de- partment, will visit the works of the C. ifornia Powder Company, Santa Cruz, Cal on official. business in woffect!on with the inspection of powder. < Lieut. Frank Greene, Sjgnal Corps, will report to the examining féard at the: Pre- sidio of Sen Francisco, fof oxamation fer promotion. — a —. This. too, for material prac- f late a declaration of war, not to slight the | Per boat. | This, too, for oat CR Ee bicwing up of the Maine. “The murder of | cally UP to the’ present high test require- ents. “With an adequate number of competent shipbuilding establishments working at high pressure, the hull work on the first of 10) boats could be completed in six weeks and on all in about twelve weeks. Maing due allowance for the longer time required for machinery, it is believed that the first of 100 boats could be completed in three months, and all of them, except a few fail- ures, which must be expected in suca an undertaking, in five months. “These boats can pass through the Erie canal and a number of lake firms could un- dertake them. There is hardly a shop in the country which could not undertake the machinery or some part of it, having com- plete working plans from the start, and it is believed that if the interests concerned can be induced to rise to the occasion, through a judicious mixture of patriotism and remuneration, phenomenal rapidity of construction will be obtained. An effort would kave to be made to buy torpedoes and to buy or build rapidly torpedo tubcs, but that should be accomplished with ease. “The total cost of 100 such boats, com- plete, ready for service. should not exceed $7,500,000. They should be regatded strictly as harbor defense boats.” our sailors by Spain,” said he, “is the strongest ground upon which we can go to wal Minneapolis and Montgomery Expect- ed. During the’ Week- FORT MONROE, Va.,“March $1.—The belated cruiser Columbia, for which Com- modore Schley of the flying squadron look- ed in vain all day yesterday, anchored off Fortress Monroe. this morning just after Gaylight. She spent some extra-time on her trip from Philadelphia here trying the speed of her ‘engin Everything was found in satisfactory’ ‘condition. She can make twenty-two krots sper ‘hour, and twenty-three if forced!’ The ainder of the fleet will: move down here tonight or tomorrow. She. is yet to be painted the prevailing lead color, an@<may,run up to Newport News for thet purpose. The unprotected creleer Montgomery is expected hére within the.mext twenty-four heurs, and theMinnes polis may get in this week. The ntgoriety is:capable of mak- ing nineteen and a half knots an hour, and ts faster than ‘the fifst-cless battle ship ural speed: in-order t@ keep rot be. in éxcess- of ~ in the Senate Committee. The Senate committee on foreign rela- tons resumed its sitting today, but it be- gan its work with the deliberation of a bedy which feels that it has ample time for all that is to. be done. The committe2 was called to meet at 10:30 o’cioci., but it was almost 11 before a quorum appeared. The members came in one at a time and all had the air of going to a work for which there was mor2 time than was needed. Even Senator Davis, chairman of the commitiee, who is usually at his committee room by 8:30 o'clock, did not arrive for an hour after this time. He was joined about 10:30 o'clock by Senator Turple, and he in turn by other memmbers of the committee until a quorum was s3cured and business begun at 11_o’clock. ‘The members of the committee all refus- t | @d to discuss the situation before entering mba in a day, | upon their labers, further than to say that other boats armve he: be .j they bad the whole Cuban question undcr F ape Rea or | saint cascadarenien’ wear osese tobe, »Chairman Deyis declined to say whether | any .new: resolution embodying the views of the committee as to the course that should be pursued toward Cuba in case of | the failure of diplomatic negotiations: were ‘under consideration, but there is no doubt that. the-senator -has been giving -his ai-'| tention to the formulation of such a meas- HISSED MR. JOHNSON. i ESS See Revised Project for | ding the _ Highway System ered, sheld a | meeting in the office ofthe: Secretary of War this morning an@ gaye Binal approval existing dynasty. erument coal fleet that tied up Just below els of coal, which was pu: burg. The fleet has tied up, waiting the high water to subside. Enough ‘was carried by the fleet to supply 200 war- ships for several da: OUR TERMS OPPOSED —_—_.——— Sagasta and His Advisers Are Against McKinley’s Demands. FORIOUS APPEAL 10 DON CARLOS Press Censor Changed the Tenor of Last Night's Dispatch. ENGLISH PAPER’S apvict MADRID, March 31.—The cabinet council today lasted an hour and a half. Crowds of people watched the arrival and departure of the notabilities; but otherwise there was no evidence of interest in the subject in Madrid. Nothing definite is yet knowg concerning the decision arrived at, and it {§ expected it will not be revealed until after the confer- ence with Gen. Steward L. Woodford, the United States minister. Th> impression prevails, however, that Spain will not agree to the proposals of the United States. Senor Sagasta, the premier, in an inter- view today declared h> would “do every- thing possible to maintain peace, but,” he added, “we cannot submit to any attack on the honor or integrity of the country.” Result of Yesterday's Conference. At the conference yesterday between Se- nor Sagasta and Senor Gamazo and Senor Silvela, leader of the diss dent capservatives, the premier unfolded the terms proposed by the United States minister, Gen. Stewart L. Woodford. The opposition leader coun- seled their rejection. Senor Sagasta re- plied that, personally, he was not disposed to accede to them. He added that he would like to submit the question of the loss of the Maine, which was not touched upon at his conference with Gen. Woodford, to the European powers. The feeling in Madrid today is pessimistic, The newspapers here are ignorant of the actual proposals of the United States, but are urging no surrender. The Heraldo (in- @ependent) and the Nacional (conservative) oppesed even the suggested armistice, and the Corroo (liberal) makes a furious appeal to Don Carlos. In Aid of the Navy. ‘The rush for seats for the performance at the Royal Theater in behalf of the Spanish navy increases. The queen has paid 50,000 pesctas for a box, the Spanish ministry paid 5,000 pesetas for a box and several capitalists are taking stalls at 150, 090 pesetas, the Countess Bornos paid 108,- 000 pesetas, the Marquis E. Laguina paid 25,000 pesctas, the bank of Spain paid 500,- 000 pesetas and other organizations and in- dividuals paid enormous sums. Work of the Censor. LONDON, March 31.—A number of sen- tences from the Madrid dispatch to the As- sotiated Press, eabled-lust.eveaing, a du- plicate of which was mailed to the Spanish frontier, and from there telegraphed to the London office of the Associated. Press, were evidently eliminated by the Spanish censor. The dispatch shculd have contained the following: “Tomorrow will be the critical @ay. Gen. Woodford’s negotiations will then have decided whether it is to be peace or war. Unless Spain gives a favorable an- swer to America’s demands, Gen. Woodford will cease negotiations, and presumably ask for Is passports.” ‘The censor throughout changed the words “demands” to “proposition.” Stood on Their Dignity. The dispatch corcluded as follows: “There would seem te be no difficulty in Spain's acceding and seving both her pride and the possession of Cuba, which ix gen- erally admitted to be slipping from her grasp. But the Spaniards, during the confer2nce. were disposed to stand upon their dignity, and said they would grant an armistice if the insurgents asked for it direct. “The Spanish cruisers Maria Theresa and Cristobal Colon arrived at Cadiz on Wea- nesday, joining the second tornedo squad- ron, to which the Giralda is also attached. “The torpedo boat destroyer Tomo has sought refuge at Alicanton from the storm. “It is reported that Cadiz is being forti- fied. Wertminster Ganette’s Advice. LONDON, March 31—The Westminster Gezette this afternoon, noting “Spain's @:fficulty in yielding, in view of the danger threatening: the dynas asks “How, In this situation, can Eurcpe best help Spain and the queen, whom all respect?” and answers: “By an expression of opinion so unan- in:ous a2d decisive that, In bowing to :t, the queen and ministers would seem to be yielding to force majeure. If this is done, and President McKinley pursues the pol- icy of saving the face of Spain by a scheme of purchase, or other means, a conflict may be cvoided without serictis.damage to tho We hope our government will advise the Spaniards, in the strongest language, to make terms.” ee COAL FOR KEY WEST FLEET. “Hurry” Order Sent to River Fleet at Louisville, Ky. LOUISVILLE, K; March 31.—The gov- the city on Saturday, bound for the gulf, has been ordered by the Secretary of the Navy to proceed at once and at all hazards. The coal is for the use of the United States navy at Key West. obeyed with such alacrity that part of the crew got left here. The “hurry” order was The fiect carried nearly two milion bush- chased at Pitts- for coal vs, ee GERMANY MAY TAKE A HAND.