Evening Star Newspaper, April 4, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ——_.—_—_—_ PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31€1 Fernsylvania Avenue, Cor. Lith St, by The Evening Star Ne Company on. CAUrr: IN, Pres't. pone en Evening Star 1s served to subscribers in the aty by Ci rriers, on thete ewn account, at 10 cents per week. cr 44 ccnts per month. Copies at = counter 2 certs each. By ma!l—anywhere in t United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—S0 cents © month. M Saturday Qu Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreiza postage a $3.00. (Entered at the Po t Gffice at Washington, D. C.. as second-class ma’l matter.) CF All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior.. a Co Star. No. 14,069. WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1898-SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. The regular permanent family circulation of The Evening Star in Washington is more than double that of any other paper, whether published in the morn- ing or in the afternoon. As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and un- approachable. THE MESSAGE The President Working; Hard on the Document. SOE RECOMMENDATIONS Independence of Cuba and Also Armed Intervention. WILL BE SENT IN WEDNESDAY Many Callers Were at the White House Today. SGGESTIONS MADE The President will send a message to Congress probably Wednesday and will recommend recognition of Cuban independ- ence and forcible intervention. Minister Woodicrd, Consul General Lee and all American consular officers in Spain and its colonies have been ordered to hold mselves ready to return home ai short he Senate foreign relations committee umed its sessions and discussed the Cu- tuation in general. Many details of ort and resoluticn to be submitted undetermined No offer of medicticn has been made to the United States by the pope in the dis- pute with Spain. Representattve Canron tried to secure the passage of a joint resolution in the House allowing the erection of fortifica- ticns on private property, but Representa- tive Bailey objected, tnless some definite assurance was given of the government’s intentions. are A general movement is in progress for the concentration of additional war ships on the coast where their services may be needed. The Secretary of War has made an addi- tional allotment of $1,000,000 to the ord- nance department of the army. Representative Grout introduced a joint resolution recogaizing Cuban independence anc providing for expending $500,000 to en- able non-combatant Cubans to establisa themselves in their homes. Speeches on the Cuban situation were made in the Serate by Messrs. Clay, Per- kins, Rawlins and Mantle. It 1s altogether probable that the Presi- dent’s message te Congress on the Cuban situation will not be sent in before We nmesday. What specific recommendations the President will make in this message cannot be stated at this time, nor is it cer- tain that the President himself has yet fully worked out all the detatis. The general features of the message, however, have been decided upon. The President, it is learned, Will favor a Tecognition of independence and forcible in- tervention, if necessary, to prevent further hostilities in Cuba. Spain’s answer, in enect, will be declared to be unsatisfactory and to leave little or no reasonable ground for hope that a satisfactory settlement of the Cuban question is at all likely to be reached through diplomatic agencies. The President will favor intervention, and his message will make no recommen- * suggestions in conflict with that The disaster to the Maine will be promi- nently brought to the fore, and will be treated in a vigorous manner. The whole subject, it is believed, will be discussed in @ spirit of patriotism that must commend itself to the entire American people. ‘This policy, however, it is said, does not necessarily involve var, but leaves the de- termination of that question to Spain her- * self. Without something now unexpected heppens within a comparatively short time, the indications point to at least a show of force against Havana. The published report that the pope has cffered to mediate between this govern- ment and Spain with a view to a peaceful solution of the difficulty is again officially denied. This soverrment, it is stated, can- not under any circumstances accept media- tion or interference from any foreign Pewer, nor up to this time has any beea proffered. The Situation Unchanged. The opening of the week finds no material change in the situation at the White House except that brought by the closing up of the gap of time in which President MeKinley will send his message to Con- gress. The President is today hard at work on his message. He is doing as much as he can considering the constant interruption of official callers. Most of the visitors to- day have left the White House with a rather uncertain idea as to when the message would be ready. “In several days,” is the way most of them put it. Judge Day, assistant secretary of state, Was, however, more explicit. He said that the message will go to Congress tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning. Cabinet officials who were also with the President said that he might have the message by tomorrow afternoon, but that in all probability it will be Wednesday. For the better distributiow of the docu- ment in Congress and to the ppess, S2cre- tary Porter is trying to arrange to have the message printed before {t is made pub- lie. Forecast of the Messag¢. It is positively known today that the ™messag> will not be a dull statement of facts for many yeafs back, but that it will x contain recommendations of..a positive character, probably in line with the inten- tion of Congress in recognizing independ- ence and providing for its becoming a re- ality. It is In th2 framing of these recom- mendations that the President will require the most time. Whatever portions of the correspondence of rec2nt years are used will not have to be written by the Presi- dent, but will be prepared at the State De- pertment. It is claimed by warm friénds that the President's recommendations will be strong in their nature and satisfactory to Con- gress and the country. The President has been delayed to some extent in getting his message ready by waiting for the report of the Spanish court of inquiry into the Maine disaster. The re- port came here in Spanish and the State Department officials were at work nearly all day turning it into English. The Presi- dent intends to give the report considera- ticn simply as a matter of courtesy to Spain. This country submitted the report of its board to Spain and that country has done the same thing by us. No Mediation Likely. All of the President's visitors say that mediation of any kind is out, of the ques- tion, so far as this country is concerned. Our position has been taken and cannot be changed. The European countries, it can be stated almost officially, will have to use all their pressure upon Spain. They will waste their efforts upon the United States unless they can assure this country that they can induce Spain to make Cuba free. That kind of mediation might be accept- able to this country if it carried witn it a practical guarantee. Senator Gray of the Senate foreign rela- tions committee had a long talk with the President today, and gave expression to the belief that no form of mediation will be of avail at this time. Communication With Spain Closed. Officials close to the President say that ro communication has ‘been held with Spain since last week. Several dispatches have been sent to Minister Woodford, but they were about other business than the Cuban question. .The President has not changed his deterthination to close com- munication with Spain on the subject un- less the latter country reopens the matter. The best information is that nothing of } this kind is expected from Spain. There was no meeting of the cabinet at the White House today, although a number of the members had conferences with the President. Secretaries. Gage, Alger, Long, Sherman ang Attorney General Griggs were in the list. Other important callers were Sfnators Hanna,” Fairbanks and Rep- resentaives Dingiey, Grout, Hull, Parrett, Mitchell and Johnson of North Dakoia. All of these men talked with the President as to the status of affairs. They found the President with his partly written mes- sage before him. Wiiling to Give Him Time. Although some of them are impatient for action they said that in the face of this evidence of hard work they were disposed to give the President all the time he th‘nks necessary in getting his message ready. Representative Grout said he had been talking with the President about resolutions he had prepared recognizing the independ- ence of Cuba, the distribution of relief sup- plies and an appropriation for raising the hull of the Maine. President McKinley ie showing the result of the recent weeks of worry. Just before his usual lunch hour today he lay down for a short nap, something he never in- dulges in. . The President has discontinued the public receptions which he has been holding tri- weekly, giving more time for work on his message. Spanish Minister's Preparations. A member of the Spanish legation here told a friend todey that as soon as Con- gress passed any resolutions looking to the recognition of the independence of Cuba or suggesting the armed intervention of the United States on that island the fact would be immediately communicated to his government at Madrid. In response in- structions would be at once cabled to the Spanish minister, Seror Polio, and his at- taches to demand their passports and to leave Washington, thus breaking off all diplomatic relations with this country. In articipation of this action he said that preparations to leave were being made by every member of the legation, and that seme of the effects of the legation had al- ready been packed up. ———eeS CROWDS AT THE CAPITOL. How They Are Being Handled by the Police Force. The great crowds that have sought the Capitol during the past couple of weeks have made necessary various regulations for preventing overcrowding of the corri- ders of the building. The crowding cf the serators’ galleries has been so great that families of senators have laiely been urable to secure admission except by going there at a very early hour. The rule that orly the families of senators should be ad- mitted to this gallery has been enforced, with the result that today at noon there were a dozen vacant seats there. On the House side a rule was put in force this morning by which no one is allowed in the corridors leading to the galleries after all the seats in them have been filled. Only as people go down’ the stairways or elevators are more people allowed to go to the gallery floor. “ The ordinary police force on duty in the Capitol during the sessions of the Senate and House number sixteen. Today Capt. Garden had his two lieutenants and twenty- nne of his men on duty in addition to the two detectives always employed there and six extra detectives. Capt. Garden has also reques:ed Superin- terdent Powell to have the practice of teachers in the public schools in visiting | the Capitol with numbers of school chil- dren discontinued during the present ex- citement over the Cuban question. Last week on some of the days when the Cap- itol was greatly crowded with visitors about seventy-five school children were teken through the buliding. Another measure to lessen the crowding of the Capitol was taken yesterday when the building was opened to visitors. There Boston, guides and see the building in order that they would not add to the crowding today. The usual crowd wason hand today, {he galleries of both Senate and House be! filled a couple of hours before noon. ee Evaporator for the Navy. ~ CLEVELAND, Ohio, April 4.—A mam- moth evaporator was shipped from this city today to Key West, with from the government that it bs rushed forward with all possible haste The evaporator will located. nently at Key West a the purpose ay fresh water to war ‘verses. to 50,000. were about 700 cxcursionists here from” and they were allowed to hire , perma- PROPOSED ARMISTICE | Awa'TING cat MESSAGE | GATHERING THE SHIPS Rumors of Possible Acceptance by the Cubans. WCOOK AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE Urging the Plan on. the Presi- dent. APPEAL TO A White House official this afternoon | Precautions. said that what he considered the most im- portant news of the day was the possibility Americans in Havana Anxious Over Presi- Cuban City is Stilt Quiet and Gen. Lee Does Not Anticipate Any Distarbance, Special Cablegrams From a Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, April 4—We await President McKinley's message in Havana without any intimation of what it is to contain. Everything is quiet this morning. Talk is INSURGENTS | already heard of Eurcpean mediation. Con- sul General Lee dees not anticipate any dis- turbance, and the authorities have taken PEPPER. Quict Sunday Passed. HAVANA, April 3—Havana has passed tkat the Cubans will accept the armistice | anoth:r quiet Sunday. The loyal Spanish Proposed to them by the autonomist gov- j feeling has been intensely gratified by the ernment of Cuba and sanetioned by the Spanish government. He said that Col J. J. MeCook, “‘as the representative and best friend of the Cubans,’ was disposed to accept this armistice on behalf of the Cubans. He did not*say what authority Col. McCook has for putting this plan tor- ward for a solution of the trouble, but spoke as if Col. McCook knows what he is taking about. The same ofticia! went on to say that “a number of senatois” think the Cubans will accept the armiStice proposed to them. Who these senators are is not known, but Senator Hanna is generally accredited with working in harmony with Col. Mc. Cook. The senator was in conference with President McKinley today. Co]. McCook was not among the day's visitors, however. it is impossible to learn how such a scheme could obtain a foothold with the President or anywhere else, in view of the fact that there has been no time in which te communicate with the officials of the in: surgents. Again, the representatives of the insur- gents have positively announced that they will accept nothing but independence and will not agree to an armistic2. Pushing the Plan, It 1s stated that “while nothing may come of the plan,” tle idea is being vigor- ously pushed that the insurgents will accept an armistice. How much progress the people in favor of this have made in presenting their case to President McKin- leysis not given, but it is believed that a good deal of stress has been laid by cer- tain senators on the willingness of the In- surgents to accept this new plan‘ for their benefit. Nothing has been proposed in this arrangement but that still. more liberal government will be given the Cubans, something which they would be doubtful about receiving {f promised them, ‘The Cuban Cabinet's Appeal. The home rule government of Cuba, through the Cutan cabinet, of which Premier Galvez is the bead, today issued @ manifesto appealing to all those bearing arms in Cuba, insurgents as well as Span- jards, by mutual congent and understand- ing, to cease hostilities and consider a re- establishment of peace on a strong and firm basis. The manifesto” will appear in an exiraprdinary issuc of the Official Ga- zette, probably tcday, explaining the ben- efits of home rule, declaring that the colon- actioa of Bishop Sentander in offering Blanco church property, including chalices, to be converted irto war uses. ‘The news thet the Carlos V has sailed is circulated, and causes great satisfaction. Presijent McKinley’s message is awaited with keen interest. The newspapers all ex- pect the Spanish to be ready for war; nev- ertheless, talk of European mediation finds believers. : Consul General Lee has telegrapned to Washington a sharp remonstrance agai the marine hospital's action in directin: the enforcement of quarahtine laws April 1, instead of May 1, as in previous years. Under the Florida law no. Americans can now land there, because they are not im- mune. Great hardship is also worked on Cuban families who have children under ten years of age. Many expected to leave during April, and had no notice that the quarantine would be advanced a month. In the event of war these families will be forced to remain in Cuba. General fice has asked that the Treasury Department give Dr. Brunner, in charge at Havana, discre- tionary authority. PEPPER. The Future of Cuba. Special From a Staff Correspondent, HAVANA, April 2, via Port Tampa, April 3.—Cuba’s future is exp2cted to be settled this week by what is done in Washington. It is now an old story that the Spanish officials in the island expect it will be se! ued by war. If a rainbow should appear in a black sky, and the war spirit again give way to diplomacy, they would be disap- point2d, but would acquiesce in whatever the Madrid government decided on as the best policy. . The great struggle within is to keep the autonomist cabinet from going to pieces, so the claim may be made to th3 world that autonomy is not a demonstraied fali- ure. 1t is among the gutonomists that the bope is yet held of Spaln’s peacefully yieid- ing the island through an indemnity. They. cling to the idea that tha intermediary question may be settled, sand. Sagasta, through the cortes, “Suceeed in educating the Spanish people up to that. point. A few of the officials undar’ Gen. Blanco hold the 6ame hope, but most’ of them.do net. How War May: Come. The majority discuss war as something that may come not by formal declaration of either country, but ag following on the heels of action by Congress, such action ial constitution may be reformed on broad | Possibly as the recognition of Cuba’s in- lines, and making a patriotic call for the celebration of peace, after a previous un- Gerstanding and mutual consent. One of the paragraphs of the manifesto says: dependence. A little while ago it seemed as if independence might be recognized without causing immediate hostilities be- tween the two countries. Judged by the temper of the official Glasses as well as “The provisional government ardently | of the populace and the army that proba- cesires, as facts prove, that all Cubans, bliity has disappeared. No half way policy with no exception whatever, should unite | either of Congress or the executive will in the noble and wise undertaking of re- | meet the situation. storing peace and harmony upon a strong and enduring basis. The provislonal gov- Whatever course is takeii regarding Cuba should be with the full understanding that ernment, by its own inspiration and also | armed intervention is likely to be necessary as a faithful wishes of the country, addresses itself to the Cubans who interpreter ‘of the warm | at an early date. In advance of develop- government of the mother | ments in Washington little can be said. Either Spain’s representatives in Cuba are in the field, fighting to attain what in | will make a desperate fight or else at the reality has been atiained, the triumph cf last minute they will make a complete sur- right and justice, with perfect assuraaze | render. At the present time they are sin- ot future improvement and for ghe orderly | cere in believing they will fight. Any other and rising development of all the rcsources “aid elements of society. “Let the noise of arms cease. shake hands. warmly as brothers of the Cuban country, regenerated by sacrifice; let us work unit- edly to make the Cuban people great, pow- erful, prosperous. Let us, we sons Cuba, come to a frank and loyal under- Let us assumption would be an unfortunate one for the United States. They are prepared for radical action by Congress and if this Let us embrace each other | does not come they will be surprised. A fortnight’s delay would. serve their pur- poses better, though it;would not change their spirit. - PEPPER. Enthusiasm Among Spaniards. standing to deliberate calmly and resotve | By Associated Press. rightly on the bes{ means to reach, py common accord, peace without dishonor to apyone and with honor for all. t us voice of patriotism between brothers equal- ly interested in the fate of Cuba. “The provisional government comes for- high ends that have been enumerated, solamnly offering every assurance and al- government of the mother country.” HAVANA, April 4.—There is great en- thusiasm here among the Spaniards, and thousands of them are enlisting in the bat- suspend hostilities in order to hear the | talions of volunteers. The sentiments of the immense majority are in favor of war. They are awaiting anxiously the conclu- sion of the diplomatic efforts, and seem to ward to take the initiative to attain the | have confidence that Spain will triumph over the United States. The Spaniards generally say they prefer to fight with a ways relying on the approbation of the | great nation than With a smalier one, as they would rather “die as heroes than live Senor Quesada, representing the Cuban | as cowards.” They add that Spain has ai- junta in Washington, said today: armistice until their independence is rec- ognized. Until that time they will not cease fighting. When independence is rec- island. autonomist cabinet. 2+ _____ CAMBON NOT INSTRUCTED. Feench Ambassador Not® Directed to Look After Spain’s Interests. ‘The French ambassador, Mr. Cambon, has received no instructions to act for the Spanish minister, Mr. Polo y Bernabe. ‘This statement is authoritative, after in- quiry at the French embassy and the Span- ognized, the Cubans will consent to an| many depositors have already withdrawn armistice for settlement of conditions in tNe | their money from the Bank of Spain. There This statement is made in reply to a|on about as usual. It ts said that a major- query as to what the Cubans would do with | ity of the business mén-have for a long regard to the recent appeal by the Cuban | time past had their funds déposited in their Spain in the event of the withdrawal. of ways had a special Providence in great “The Cubans will never consent to an | contiicis, and they have confidence that Providence will not abandon Spain in her “defense of justice and her rights.” In spite of this seemingly brave showing, ig no panic, however, and business is going ‘own houses and safes,! The aAvanced $800,000 in gold to the Bank of Spain in order to pre- vide for eventuaiities. | ish legation. The story originated in Lon- | T¢!ations with Spain don and stated thet Premier Hanatoux had given definite. instructions to temporarily as the diplomatic representa- tive of Spain as soon as her own diplo- matic official withdrew. This was embel- the French ambassador at Washington to act | t state of war. Al the. bome on short notice. Similgr notices have been xent to Minister Woodford at Madrid ‘and Consul General et Havana. All lished with the statement that Preniter | 'h© Consular offices in Cuba, except that at Hanatoux’s. instructions tsclosed the Havana, have been ordered Reports Received Indicate a General Movement. ADDITIONS 10 THE AUXILIARY NAVY Allotment of a Million to the Ord- nance Department. _ DISCUSSING PREPARATIONS ra Reports received at the Navy Depart- ment today indicate a general movement for the concentration of additional war- srips at Key West and other points on the ccast where their services may be re- quired in the event of hostilities. The mon- itor Terror, the gunboat Newport and the tub Leyden have arrived at Key West. The ficet cruiser Minneapolis has arriyi at Newport News for duty with the flying squadron. The gunboat Bancroft, recently detached from the European stati ar- rived at Boston, and will be at once put in ecndition for active service. She is said to be in need of a general overhauling. The yacht Mayflower, recently transform- ed into a dispatch boat, has arrived at Norfolk, and this is taken as an indication that she will be assigned to duty with the flying squadron. The revenus cutter Hud- son has also reported her arrival Nor- folk, where she is to uaderg> struc- tion into a gunboat. The torpedo boat Scmers, purchased in Germany, arrived at Weymouth this morning on her to the United States. The moni has arrived at Mare Is! The steam collier Saturn has «i Brooklyn navy yard. The yacht Josephine, recently purchased of Mr. Widen of Philade!phia, arrived at League Island navy yard this morning, and will be at once converted Into a torpedo boat de- stroyer. It has been practicaliy decided to change her name to tie Vixen. Ten More Vessels Wanted. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt today sent tructions to the naval auxiliary board, in ion at New York, to secure immediate- ly, if possible, ten first-class steam vessels of fom 2,000 to 6,000 tons burden for use in the auxiliary nayy. : Mr. Rooseveit stated that the department had no information as to what vessels the beard would select, full discretion being allowed these officers to buy such ships as they deemed most suited to the present needs of the navy. It is very probable that the purchases will include some of the coast steamers, there being few ships of as great a tonnage as 6,000 available out- side of these lines. These vessels will be used as cruisers in the proper sense of the term, and they are not to be ciassed in the “mosquito fleet” of yachts and tugs. The larger boats will make formidable na- val crafts, there being few cruisers in the Pavy of a tonnage exceeding 6,000. It is understood that orders will immediately be issued placing the newly acquired ves- sels in ship yards for the necessary refit- ting. These orders do not contemplate the ac- quirement of any of the transatlantic lin- ers, such as the St. Paul or the St. Louis, which are of much greater tonnage. The full report of the board on auxillary ships for the navy have been received at the department. It is an exhaustive review of their work in eastern seaports for the Past three weeks, and contains a list of several hundred vessels of all classes from tugs to transatlantic liners. A detailed description of each vessel examined is given. Special attention has been paid to structural matters, with suggestions as to the adaptability of these boats for con- version into naval craft. The report is accompanied by a large number of pho- tographs and drawings. ‘he report has been referred to Chief Constructor Hich- born, who will Teview it and submit to the Secretary his opinion on the vessels. On his report will largely depend the se- lections te be made hereafter. Work on Fortifications, Gen. Wiison, chief of engineers, has taken Prompt action for the immediate utiliza- tion of the additionai allotment of $1,000,- 000 made to his department by the Presi- dent out of the $50,000,000 emergency ap- propriation. Orders have been given for the resumption of work on fortifications which in some instances had been suspend- ed because of the want of funds, and ar- rangements were made also for the estab- lishment of a system of submarine mines and torpedoes at harbors along the coast where such means: of defense are deemed essential in case of hostilities. These or- ders have necessitated a partial rearrange- ment of the engineer department as at present organized. Nearly all the younger members of the corps engaged in river and harbor works in the interior have been detached from such duty for the present and ordered to report to the officers en- gaged in strengthening the defenses of the coast by the erection of batteries and sub- marine mines for duty in that important and pressing line of work under their direc- tion. This action will not result in any neglect in the prosecution of river and har- bor work in progress, as other arrange- ments have been made for t, but, on the other hang, will enable the department to expedite the preparations for the national defense. = Another Million Alictted. The Secretary of War has made an addi- Ucnal allotment of ‘$1,000,000 to. ihe ord- nance department of the army for the pur- chase and construction of guns and the purckase of ammunition for use in prepur- ing for the national defense. Consulting Gen. Schofield. dieut. Gen. Schofield, who formerly com- manded the army, was at the War Depart- ment today, in consultation with Secretary Alger in regard to the formation of the Proposed volunteer reserve army, of which he is the commander-in-ghief- The moye- ment for the organization of this reserve meets with the hearty approval of*Secre- ir He said there had been no new develop- ments of importance, and that, so far as he was aware, there had been no additional news received regarding the movements of Spanish warships. There is no subject just now which ap- pears to be of more interest to the naval officials than the movements of the torpedo fleet, last reported at Cape de Verde, and they are watching no less intently the movements of the Spanish ships which are rendezvoused at Cadiz. SIX MORE VESSELS FOR THE NAVY, Fin: 1 Arrangements Completed by the Department. Final arrangements have been made by the Navy Department for the immediate acquirement of six more vessels for the government service, the cost of which will be met out of the emergency appropriation of $50,000,000. The list is made up of the Cromwell line steamship Creole, the steam yachts Sovereign and Josephine, the steam colliers Saturn and Lebanon, and another fine collier, name not given. The Creole is to be transformed into a floating hospital, and, according te Surgeon General Van Reypen of the Navy, will afford better ac- commodations for the care and treatment of the wounded of the navy than has ever before been possible. She is now at New York, under orders to proceed to Newport News at once, to be fitted out for hospital purposes. When ready she will hoist the flag of the Red Cross Society and proceed to Key West for s e with Capt. Samp- son’s fleet. Capt. E. V. Gager, commodore of the Cromwell Line fleet, has applied for her command. The yacht Josephine was purchased from P. B. Widener of Philadelphia. She was built at Elizabeth, N. J., in 1896, and has a gross tonnage of 546, is 192 feet long, 28 feet broad and 15 feet deep. She will be converted into a warship at the League Island navy yard. The Sovereign was bought from M. C. D. Borden at a cost of $300,000. She is a ia. | Steam yacht of 628 tons displacement and j Was built at Brooklyn in 1896. She is 228 feet long, 28 feet broad and 17 feet draught. She and the Josephine will be fitted out as torpedo boat destroyers and will be as- signed to picket duty either at Key West or Hampton Roads. They will be equipped with the best battery availabie for vessels of their class. The collier Saturn hails from Boston, but is now in New York. The Lebanon be- icnged to the Pennsylvania Reiiroad Com- pany. She and the other collier are also at New York. They are said to be the best vessels of their kind in the country. They will be prepared for naval service at the New York navy yard, as also the yacht Sovereign. One of the coilliers will be as- signed to the flying squadron and the other two to the fleet at Key West. Negotiations are in progress for the pur- chase of the steam yacht Cleopatra, owned by T. G. Blackstock and Albert Gooder- hem, and now at Torento, Canada. Ske is a stanch iron vessel, easily capable of 17 knots in any weather. She is handsomely fitled out, and can easily be altered ints a tcrpedo boat destroyer, a type of vessel much in demand in our naval service. In- asmuch as the neutrality laws would pre- vent her sale to the United States efter war had begun, the negotiations will Probably be settled one way or the cther in a short time. Naval officials are somewhat worried over the fact that the new cruiser Albany, re- cently purchased from Brazil, will not be ready for sea for some weeks yet. She is tow under construction at Newcastle on Tyne, and there may be some question as to her departure from the British port after the opening of hostilities. Even if the British authorities offered no objec- tions to her sailing under such circum- stances, her passage across the Atlantic would be attended by many risks, noi the least of which would be Spanish men-of- war on the lookout for just such prey. The new torped2 boat Rodgers, built at the Columbian iron works, Baltimore, ¥ put in commission at Norfolk Satur She will be added to the torpedo fiotilla at Key West. PROPOSED NEW BATTLE SHIPS. Constructor Hichborn Determines to Lose No Time. Chief Constructor Hichborn has deter- arined to lose no time in the construction of the battle ships authorized by the naval appropriation bill which has just passed the House, with every prospect of faver- able action by the Senate. The plans fer these vessels are practically completed al- ready. Each will be of nearly 12,000 tons displacement or 500 mcre than the lowa, the largest battle ship of the present navy and have twin screws and a speed of six- teen krots. They will be constructed cn the sheathed principle in order to reduce fouling to & minimum. The batteries wil be more powerful than the Iowa's, and will include thirieen-inch guns for the fore ard aft turrets and a broadside of eight- inch guns, together with strong secondary batteries of rapid-fire and machine guns. GOING TO KEY WEST. The First Div! of the Mosquito Flect te Sail This Week. It is expected that the first division of the Mosquito fleet, comprising yachts, tugs ard other small craft, now being hurriediy fitted out at New York for naval service in southern waters, will leave New York Thureday cr Friday next and proceed dj- rect to Key West to assist the torpedo boats already ‘here in outpost or patrol duty for the protection cf the battle ships and cruisers of Capt Sampson's fleet, and especially those lying at anchor weil out to sea, from possible attack vy Spanish tor- pedo boats at night or in foggy weather. sent to Hampton Roads for similar patrol duty around the vessels of the Flying Squadron. Commander Horace Elmer, who is In command of the Mosquito fleet, will probably accompany the division assigned to duty at Key West. The leave of ab- sence of Lieut. W. A. Marshall has been re- Other vessels of the Mosquito fleet will be POPE TAKES A HAND Asks Queen Regent to Declare Ar- mistice in Cuba. SSS SS FAVORABLE REPLY IS RETURNED Consent of President McKinley Asked for the Mediation. ———- COMMENT OF THE PRESS MADRID, Sundé. layed in transmis: rapidly, and the be April 3, 8:30 p.m. (de- n).—Events are moving e here believe an armistice between the nlards and Cubans will be proclaimed within twe cays. Th2 pope, it now appears, sent an elo quent telegram to the queen Spain to grant an armistic: the view of allowing n ried on between the Cuban authorities for of @ permanent p © pope dwelt on the suffering in Cuba and urged that her majesty take action on human: and not on political grounds. be car- Ss and the ly conclusion The pope in his telegram to the queen regent added that, “As the father of all the faithful,” he could not intervene unless, a stop was put to the “shedding ef blood of the people who are God's sons.” Therefore he asks for a suspension of hostilities. McKinicy's Views Asked. Previous to taking this action, it is add- ed, the pope, through a representative at Washington, asked President McKi it would be agreea to him sh pope advise the qu gent to g the ant an et armistice, and it is understood the Presi- dent expressed will ss that the pope should do anything in his power. Since then the extraordinary bi jors has been no! AS a result of all of tt made to 8; activity of the am- and, it is claim- represi tions in on the subject, Senor Mor: the minister for the colonies, wno, through- out, has been anxfous to do anything to Preserve peace, consistent with what he conceives to be Spain’s honor, had an inter- view with the United minister, Gen. Stewart Woodford, which he expressed S: He pointed out that the only condition Spain asks in return 1s one “which America would erant, even if unasked,” and refers only to “her action after Spain proclaims the armis- tice.” Confirmed by Mor: The United States minister was busy at the legation all day, but the correspondent of the Associated Press saw Senor Moret at the colonial office this (Sunday) evening. He confirmed the announcement made of the pope’s niediation between Spain and the Cubans, and added that the Suggestion did not come from the United States Bov- ernment, but from Rome direct. He added: “I cannot say anything more on the subject as the matter is unsettled, pend- ing an answer from the United States.” Senor Moret’s manner, as well as that of General Woodford, conveyed the impression that they both believe that peace, for which they have so earnestly labored, will result from the present negotiations. The Correspondencia (semi-official) to- right (Sunday), under the heading “Media- tion of the Pope,” gives a history of the Gay's events, and says. “Senor Sagasta received a message from the Spanish ambassador at Rome, which he immediately took to the palace. A few minutes later the nuncio arrived and had an, interview with the queen regent at which all the ministers were present. At its conclusion a favorable reply was sent to Rome. Interview With Woodford. Senor Moret had a long interview with General Woodford before the former went to the cabinet meeting, and the United States minister afterward conferred with Senor Gulion, the minister for foreign af- fairs. After the cabinet council, Senor Moret again called upon General Woodford, and lad‘an hour's interview with him. The Correspondencia says: “Spain's reply to the pope, in accepting his mediation, said the honer of Spain would be safe m his hands and that full justice would be done in the case, owing to the high prestige of his holiness everywhere.” “The mediation,” the Correspondencia adds, “can clear up 2very point at issue; but We must not be too sanguine, because things in America have been precipitated in such a viclent manner that, even taking for granted President McKinley’s good faith, w2 are not sure the mediation will arrive in time to prevent Congress from making a question of its own.” The ministerial Globo in its leading ar- ticle tomorrow (Meaday) will assume an at- titude of reserve, saying: “The papal me- diation is satisfactory, but the government must noi disconiinu2 its preparations for the worst. The good offices of the pontiff are admitied, but Spain can never counten- 8 being ignored.” Refectx Credit on AML cans have in their President. States would have been swept into war.” The St. James Gazette this afternoon r2- voked and he was. togay ordered to duty | ‘With the Mosquito fleet as assistant to Commander Elmer.