Evening Star Newspaper, April 5, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ~ sho SEE PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, J1C1 Peorselvavia Avenue, Cor, 11th St, by N Com; The Droing Sar ame rere Kew York Qilice, 49 Potter E Buildinz. Star is served to subscribers in the cctnter United States +r Canada— postage cents « month. P Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foretgn posta; 1.00. ce (Entered at the Po.t Office at Washington, D. C.. ‘aa second-class ma'l matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicetior.. No 14,070. WASHINGTON, D. ©, TUESDAY, APREL 5, 1898-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. Advertising is not an expense. It is a business investment. If you want to invest money profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read larly and tho: ly by everybody worth now nd ¢ Star is the recognized household and family journal of the National Capital, and has no rival as an advertising med- ium. ARMED INTERVENTION — That Will Be Recommended by the President. FEATURE OF THE MESSAGE The Independence of Cuba Not to Be ‘Advised. TODAY'S CABINET MEETING All the Members Agree Upon the Proposed Action. NO DELAY EXPECTED Armed intervention is to be recommend- ed by the President in his message, not the independence of Cuba. Reasons are given by a cabinet official. The President and Congress are in ac- cord upon the vital points in his message. The message is to go to Congress at noon tomorrow. The House of Representatives spent the day on the private calendar. The Senate foreign relations committee will not attempt to bring in a report be- fore Thursday. Speeches in favor of Cuban independence were delivered in the Senate by Messrs. Turner, Harris, Kenney, Chandler and Turpie. The British ambassador had a long con- ference with the French ambassador, it is believed in regard to the suggested move- ment of the powers. The British government refused to take part in the movement of the powers of Europe for an ofter of mediation in the Spanish-American dispute. The Mangrove and the Bache arrived at Havana, it is believed, for the purpose of bringing Gen. Lee and other Americans home, if necessary. Capt. Sigsbee testified before the House foreign affairs committee that he believed the Maine was blown up by a mine located by Spanish authorities. Capt. Sampson was notified that he might, at his discretion, dissolve the Maine court of inquiry. ¥ A positive statement @an be made as to the position of the President in the issue with Spain, which will be set forth in his message tomorror Presideut McKinley is opposed to a recog- rition of the independence of the Cubans. He is in favor of forcible intervention in the cordition of affairs in Cuba, and he is in favor of a stabie government for the istand cther than that of the Spaniards. it is probable, it is said, that Congress, or the republicans in that body, will fall in bebind the President without question. He has given the leaders in both houses his views on this question, but has impressed upon them the importance of saying nothing. Whether all of the Presi- dent's views will be made known in his message cannot be said, but they will be developed in the course of the policy he bas outlined, aad which is now made pub- lic for the first time. The President and gabinet have unani- mously decided that it is not proper at this time to recognize the independence of Cuba. Intervention, however, on grounds of humanity and on the establishment of @ stable government for Cuba will, it is said, receive the indorsement not only of America, but of the countries of Europe, which are aware of the horrible state of affairs in the island. A high official today said: “We cannot afford to recognize the independence of a People of whom we know practically noth- ing. That is, we cannot afford to do so at this time. When we get to Havana we cannot afferd to have our movements han- dicapped by a government which can pre- vent our doing what we think proper. Sup- pose we land our troops in Havana and we Want to do something for the protection of life and property which is not agreeable to the insurgents? “They can very properly say, “You have recognized us as an independent country and have no authority to now dictate terms.’ Suppose some of the insurgent leaders want to kill Cubans or Spaniards who are not agreeable to them? Suppose we want to do something to restore order ficm the chaos which will ensue after the entry of the forces of the United States in Havana? How are we going to do it if we have given complete independence to the Cubans. The thing for the United States to do is to forcibly intervene to put a stop to bicodshed and starvation in Cuba; also on the grounds that our enerce has suffered for years. After we have reached Havana nd restored order we can then decide whether independence shall be granted the ‘Cubans. “It can be decid2d whether the insurgents are capable of a government of their own. If they are not, then we can establish a government which we think will be stable and which will continue peace and order on the island. It is not our thought, or the thought of the President, to acquire terri- tory. We simply want to take the right and proper steps at this time. We do not think it advisable to grant independence to the Cubans until we get to Havana and know more about the condition of affairs and the men now running the insurgent government “As @ matter of fact, not an official of this country has ever seen the insurgent seat of government or any of the officers of that government. “The United Statas must intervene on broader lines than giving independence to the Cubans. Should these lines be the res- toration of peace and the establishment of a stable government they will be sufficient to commend themselves to the people of this country and the world.” Resolutio: on These Lines. It is believed from all that can be learned today that the foreign affairs committee of both houses of Congress will have resolu- tions prepared along the lines now laid down. They at last understand the Prest- dent's views and ideas, and will, it is be- lieved by cabinet officials, stand with the President, the understanding being that there shall be no delay in the intervention which the President will put forward. This question of delay has been suggested to the President, but he promises that he will get to work as quickly as possible with the aid of Congress and not delay a settlement of the issue. It is officially stated that the plan now Proposed will be as effsctive and probably more so than any declaration of independ- ence. The adoption of a resolution declar- ing for armed intervention will, it is claim- ed, be a worse blow at Spain than a dec- laration of indepsndence. At any rate it is believed by the administration that this course will be more resented by Spain than anything else. The belief that this will be the case is shown by the uneasiness dis- played in the cabinet today at the sliuation in Havana. The President was advised, it is said, to get General Lee and the Americans out of Havana as quickly as possible. A cabinet officer characterized the situation 2s crit- ical in the extreme. This shows that the administration dces rot regatd the new plan as one which will curry favor with Spain. A Telegram From Woodford. It was positively stated that communica- tion with Spain has not been resumed and will not ber A telegram was received, however, from General Woodford, saying that the Spanish ministry expresses regret that it gave out the statement that the mediation of the pope had been accepted on the recommendation of this country. The dispatch adds that the ministry is aware that the United States has never suggested the mediation of the pope. Cabinet officials say that the President finished his message today, and that it is now being copied. The statement that he had finished and signed it last night is not correct. He made a few changes in it this morning, but may not make any mors. ‘The message will go to Congress at noon tomorrow. A Story Denied. Two men, a cabinet officer and a repub- lican House leader, both of whom know the President's desires in the settlement of the trouble with Spain, emphatically denied to a Star reporter a published story that the President wants a joint resolution substantially as follows: “The President is authorized and directed to take such effective steps as in his dis- cretion are necessary to secure a speedy termination of the hostilities between the government of Svain and the people of Cuba, the withdrawal of the mililary and naval forces of Spain from the island, and the complete independence of the people.” The object of such a resolution would be more delay, and would place in the hands of the President the power to continue further negotiations. It is claimed by his friends that the Presi- dent is perfectly willing that Congress shall take definite action in favor of im- mediate intervention, if not of independ- ence. He does not want the entire respon- sibility placed in his hands again. This is more than he cares for. A resolution for armed intervention would, it is said, he believes, accomplish more than one for in- dependence. He does not care to set a pre- cedent of recognition of independence when this ccuntry is on record in opposition to such a course. Early at Work. President McKinley was in his office be- fore breakfast this morning in consulia- tion with Judge Day over phases of the situation not yet made public. After this conference the President went to break- fast, immediately returning to his oftice and commencing consultations with the leaders of his party. He was first in con- ference with Senator Frye of the Senate foreign relations committee as to the tenor of the resolutions to be reported to the Senate tomorrow after the reading of the Presideni’s message. The same kind of a conference was held with Representative Adams, temporarily at the head of the House committee on foreign affairs, This was followed by conferences with Senator Allison, Representatives Cannon, Dingley and Grosvenor. Senator Allison and Rep- resentative Cannon are the chairmen of the appropriation committees of their re- spective houses. They will soon be called upon to make war appropriations. Mr. Dingley and his committee will naturally have to provide ways end means for addi- tional revenue. Representative Grosvenor, as the close friend of the President, has been present at all the important confer- ences held at the Executive Mansion. Money to Be Provided. There is a proposition to accompany a @eclaration of intervention or Cuban inde- pendence with an appropriation of a large sim of money, to enable this country to take whatever measures it sees fit to adopt in bringing pressure upon Spain. Chair- man Cannon may decide tomorrow to offer an amendment to whatever resolution is introduced, appropriating something like 100,000,000 with which to begin business. This will remind the Spanish nation that the United States does not intend to be trified with. At the same time, Chairman Dingley might see fit to introduce a resolu- tion authorizing the President and Secre- tary Gage to use $100,000,000 in coin bonds, to be disposed of at popular subscription. All these steps will be nec2tsarily in line with the probability of war. <. NAVAL REORGANIZATION. Bill Reported Favorably to the House Committee. Representative Foss of Illinois, chairman of the subcommittee on naval affairs which has been considering the bill for the reorganization of the navy prepared by the board. of naval officers of which Assistant Secretary Roosevelt was chairman, today reported the bill favorably to the full com- mittee. The full committee will take up the consideration of the bill tomorrow, and it ig expected that it will be pressed for early action. The bill was reported to the ful! committee without amendment. The The Highway Act. The subcommittee of the Serate commit- VITAL POINTS AGREE No Substantial Difference Between the President and Congress. OUTLINING THE COMING MESSAGE In Harmony on the Necessity of Spain Clearing Out. ERVENTION JUSTIFIED ——+—___ ‘The general outline of the President's message to Congress is now known to lead- ers in Congress. But one point is under- stood to be unsettled, and that is not one which will be likely to affect the action of Congress. There is an agreement between the leaders in Congress on this question and the President in the determination that Spain shall relinquish all claim to sover- eignty in the Island of Cuba. At this, hour the only difference of opinion between the President and Congress is on the question whether any other government has been established to take the place of the fallen Spanish government. The view of Con- Sress is that the Cuban insurgents have established a republican form of govern- ment. The President has never been con- vinced that this is the case. He is con- vinced that Spanish government on the isiand has failed and that Spain should be compelled to relinquish that claim of sov- ereignty which merely cloaks a condition of barbarism. From this point of view the Island of Cuba is in a state of anarchy, without government of any form. He is said to hold that a government is yet to be established, and that its establishment must follow, as it has not preceded, the withdrawal of the Spanish from the is- land. No Serious Difference. This difference of opinion between the President and Congress is not so serious as it appears on the surface, since both the executive and legislative have in view the same end—the establishment of a Cu- ban republic on a sound and permanent basis. It is possible that the President may, before his message is sent in, con- clude to yield the point to Congress and include the recognition of independence in his recommendation. His principal reason for not desiring to do this is said to be his wish to maintain a perfect consistency and logical order in the policy of the adminis- tration. He has heretofore declined to rec- ognize the independence of Cuba on the ground that the Cuban insurgents have not yet established an independent civil gov- errment. The Cubans have not recently done anything to demonstrate more clearly than heretofore the establishment of their government. The events which have led to the proposition of armed intervention or war have not been developments of strength on the part of the insurgents, but uncon- trovertible evidences of weakness, inca- pacity, barbarity and treachery on the part of Spain. Therefore, from the President's point of view, if the Cuban republic was not entitled to recognition prior to the de- struction of the Maine she is not now en- titled to it, and will not be until her gov- ernment has been established. Justification of Intervention. This view of the situation does not de- tract from the justice of th2 course of this government in insisting that Spain shall re- linquish her claim to sovereignty over’ an island which it has been demonstrated she cannot control and maintain the forms of civilized government. In other words, the barbarity and inhumanity of Spain in Cuba and the destruction of the Maine furnish grounds for this government to intervene to free Cuba from Spanish misrule und to go to war to drive the Spaniards from the is- land if they do not themselves retire; but do not change the status of the so-called Cuban republic. This is consistent with the course of the administration, and it is said that the diplomatic correspondence between this country and Spain on the subject is not of a character to justify an imm2diate recognition of the Cuban republic, though it will justify this government in using its g00d offices to establish an independent re- pubiican form of government on the island after the Spanish claim to sovereignty has been overturned. Contention of Congreas. It is entirely logical and consistent, cn the other hand, for Congress to desire the immediate recognition of the independence of Cuba, in advance of intervention, since the contention in Congress all along has been that the civil government ad been es- tablished and is maintained by the Cuban insurgents. The contention in Congress has been from the first that Cuban independ- ence should be recognized, and that no fur- ther demonstration was necessary to es- tablish the existence of a republican form of government on the island. It.is not maintained by Congress, however, that the destruction of the Mainz has any bearing on the question of whether or not there exists a civil Cuban government. Which Will Yiela? The whole question turns upon whether Congress shall insist that it has all along been right and that the President must now yield or whether it will grant the Propriety of the President's course in the past ard preserve him from possible in- consistency, in view of the fact that the Tecult desired by both is to be attained in any event. If the recognition of the in- dependence of Cubg .and the vindication of the intention of Congress prior to the destruction of the Maine Is a thing to be insisted upcn, it is held that that would be accomplished by the simple recognition without any resolution of intervention, It has been fully demonstrated, however, that this would be entirely unsatisfactory to Congr2ss, and that those who are insisting upen action want either intervention or a declaration of war and base their demand for one or the other, at least, almost solely upon the destruction of the Maine. ; ‘The Senate committee on foreign rela- tions has made the treacherous destruc- tion of the Maine the principal indictment against Spain, and the purpose of the Hcuse committee is to follow the same line. It is ‘understood that the President did not at first desire that this course should be followed. Destruction of the Maine. . He has now decided, however, to make ,the destruction of the Maine, and other were the physical repregentatives of the Spanish dynasty in Cuba or was the act oz miscreants which ¢ould, not have been perpetrated if there were an efficient gov- ernmental power evem-in the. city of Ha- vana alone, which isthe center of whatever uuthority Spain still claims to exercise over the island. Intervention on these grounds is sustained by the representations which have heretofore beem madé to Spain by this government, and is “hot dependent upon the existence of any.‘other civil gov- ernment .oa the island. _ It does not include any discussion of whether the Cuban insurgents have es- tablished an independent form: of govern- ment, and it would be just as strong if hereafter it should be discovered that the republican government doés not exist. This is represented as being the attitude of the President at this time, and is re- garded as logical and strong. Still it fs uncertain whether the President may not yield to a desire to be im perfect accord with Congress, and include at the last mo- ment a recommendation of independence. The message is to go In to Congress to- morrow, and it will be a strong and patri- otic document, whether the recommenda- tion of independenge ig included or not. Independence will be the result, whatever fcrm of procedure is adopted. SAFETY OF GENERAL LEE Arrival of the Mangrove and Bache at Havana. Situation of Americans in Havana May Delay « Declaration of War The Navy Department received informa- tion today of the arrival at Havana of the lighthouse steamer Mangrove and the coast survey steamer Bache. Although the officials of the State and Navy Depart- ments show unusual reticence as to the mission of these vessels, there is good reason for belief that they have been sent to the Cuban capital for the purpose of bringing home Consul General Lee, the other consular officers, the newspaper rep- resentatives and all “American citizens as- sembled in thet poft, in case the events of the next few days makes it necessary for them to leave there. As has already been stgted im The Star, United States Minister Woodferd has beet notiflea oy the State Department to so ar- range his affairs at the Spanish capital that he may be able to leave there on short notice. The consular offieers of the United States in Spain heve been instructed to prepare to return to ihe United States, and, in case it shall beocme necessary, to place thomselves and the property of their offices under the protection of representatives of foreign governments on friendly terms with Spain, the understandipg, being that pref- erence should bé given -to representatives of Great Britain in such cases. - The State Department has.zegeived a dis- patch from Consul General Lee saying that in case war is declared h¢ wii not be able to get the American citizens out of Cuba before next Sunday, A republican member of the foreign af- fairs committee say§-that the delay asked for by Gen. Lee to get the Americans off the island will not ertail a delay in the transmission of the Pfesident’s message to Congress, A promirent republican member of the House said: “If Gen. Lee believes i.at the safety of Americans’ in Havana would be imperiled we must walt. We cannot be re- sponsible for a massacre. But tne fact that Gen. Lee fears the responsibility of such a thing shows the kind of people we are dealing with.” Efforts are being made to get Americans out of Cuba as speedily as possible. It is asserted, and confirmed in several reliable quarters at the Capitol, that General Lee has given warning that Americans will not be safe if not rémovéd from Cuba before actioa 1s taken by CohgreBs. The two ves- sels ordered from Kéy West were sent in response to this call, The anxiety is to get Americans out of Cuba before disturb- ances are excited by the action of this gov- ernment. But for this the message, which is all made up, might bé sent to Congress today. It may be delayed untli late Wed- nesday, if the vessels with Americans on board have not sailed from Havana by the time decided on for. thé tranemission of the message. 5 a STILL HOPING FOR PEACE. Spanish in Havang Continue to Pre- pare for War, However. Special Cablegram From @ Staff Correspendent. HAVANA, April 5,—The news of the me- diation of the pope has not been contra- dicted; and in consequence there has been much talk of peace: At the same time war preparations go on, A coincidence which causes comment {# that while the Pope offers his medistion for peace, Cap-_ tain General Blance gongratulates the Ha- vana bishop for the: patriotic offer of all the property which tlie church possesses ‘in Cuba in case of war with the United States. The tone of the newspapers is more mod- erate. Many families will leave here with- out waiting for President McKinley’s mes- sage. Consul General Lee haa, given notice that the quarantine-laws regarding yellow fever shall not prevént their leaving. Tomorrow are expettedthe vessels Bache and Blake, and perfaps the Florida and other merchant ships. There has been no disturbance of ahy kind among the people of Havana.-Some persops belMeve the de- lay of President McKinley im, sending his message to Congress 1g.9/ gogd sign. PEPPER. ~ ——_—.>——_ BLANCO’S ORDER, INSICERE. No Effort Ring Made to. Release the NEW YORK, April §—A letter to the Commercial Advertiser’ tyom its staff cor- respondent in-Havana, dated April 2, says of Captain General Blanco’s order that the reconcentrados be pérmitt2d to return to their homes: As far as can be-known no steps have been taken yet. to carry gut the provisions of this: proclamation, ; WAR PREPARATIONS Dspartment Officials Becoming More : Reticent. SILENT AS 70 THE FLYING SQUADRON Newspaper Men Want to Go With the Ships. MISSION OF THE TEXAS This being cabinet day there were fewer visitors at the State, War and Navy De- partments than usual. They were ample, however, to keep the secretaries busy until the time arrived for them to go to the White House. The work of nearly all the bureaus of the War and Navy Departments Incident to the preparations for war is now thoroughly under way, the only things to be done being to carry out the directions snd policies already agreed upon. Conse- quently there is a lack of news feature in these departments. In addition the official have become more reticent than ever in re- gard to what is being done. This was typi- cally !Mustrated today when an inquiry was made of Secretary Long as to whether any orders had been given to Commodore Schley’s flying squadron. The Secretary declined to say whether any orders have been sent, and intimated that if they had it would not be proper for the department to make them public. Naval officials say that already too much information has been given to the public regarding many things that have been done, and they have come to the conclusion not to tell anything. Before leaving for the cabinet meeting Secretary Long saw Senators Platt of New York, Allison of Iowa and Sewell of New Jersey and a representative in this city of the company engaged in the manufacture of whet is known as the aerophone. This is an invention designed to increase the facility for transmitting sound between ves- sels on the water. It is claimed to be of Particular service on men-of-war, where, by its use, the least swash in the waves made by an approaching vessel can be readily detected, and that in the case of fogs the invention would be of great value in keeping the ships of a fleet aware of the whereabouts of each other. Representative William Alden Smith of Michigan was also at the Navy Depart- ment in connection with some matters re- garding the naval militia of his state. He had a brief talk with Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. It was said there was no news concern- ing the movements of the Spunish torpedo fleet at the Cape Verde Islands, nor of the ships at Cadiz. At the State Department Secretary Sher- man left the cabinet meeting a few min- utes before 11 o'clock. During the morn- ing the Portuguese minister and Senators Fairbanks and Spooner were at the depart- ment and’had a talk of some duration with Assistant Secretary Day. Col. J. J. Mc- Cook of New York, who has taken an ac- tive interest in the Cuban situation, was also at Judge Day’s office, but did not Secure an audience. Col. McCook then hur- ried off to Vice President Hobart’s house. Secretary Alger also had a number of visitors during the morning with whom he discussed freely the possibilities of the near future. The Secretary is unusually reticent at this time in talking for publication re- garding the operations of the War Dcpart- ment in its preparations for war. The Navy Department has received in- numerable - requests from newspapers throughout the country for permission to have representatives aboard the shirs of the flying squadron under Commodore Schley and the North Atlantic squadron, under Captain Sampson. Secretary Long was disposed at first to accede to many of the requests, but has finally concluded that it will be inadvisable. This conclusion was reached as a result of a communication from Commodore Schley, in answer to 2 letter from the Navy Department, which represented that there were not adequate accommodations aboard the warships for any men, in addition to the officers and crew of the ship. Consequently the £ccre- tary has found it necessary to restrict the privilege of accompanying these squadrons to representatives of the Associated Press, Torpedo Boats in Commission. The torpedo boats Talbot and Gwin. re- cently constructed for the government by the Herreshoffs of Bristol, R. L, were placed in commission at Newport yesterday afternoon. They are 22-knot boats and will Prove a valuable addition to a torpedo flotilla now forming part of Captain Samp- son’s fleet at Key West. The Texas to Go to Sea, Orders have been issued for the battle ship Texas, which was recently repaired at the New York navy yard, to leave that Port as soon as she has completed coaling. The destination of this vessel is kept secret, and it is understood that her commanding officer is instructed not to open his orders until he gets out to sea. There 1s a well- founded impression, however, that the big battle ship is under orders to proceed to sea over the usual transatlantic course, with a view of meeting the cruisers San Francisco and New Orieans, now on their way from England to New York, and es- ‘corting them safely into the home port. There is a fear that these two cruisers might fall a prey to Spanish warships in the event of a declaration of war before their arrival in port. The mission of the Texas 1s said to be for the special purpose of guarding against such a possibility. The New Orleans is one of the ships recently purchased in England from the Brazilian government. The San Francisco was re- cently the flagship of the abandoned Euro- pean squadron, and is acting as a convoy to the New Orleans. The two vessels left Engiand on the 27th ultimo and are due at New York about the 10th or 12th instant. Engineer Bowers’ New Post. - Among the naval orders issued at the a2- partment today was the name of Passed Assistant Engineer Bowers of the ill-fated battle ship Maine. He was ordered to the navy yard at New York. 6,000 tons, and their cost will be met out considering the advisability of placing him ‘aid to the secretary, and a member of the taining to retired officers of the navy, President may, with the consent of the Senate, mand in question, and there is a growing been detached fgom ths Michigan and or- dered et once to his home on waiting orders. : Ensign P. Symington has been detached from the McArthur and ordered to the Franklin. Lieut. N. A. McCulley has bsen detached from the Gedney and ordered to the Ver- mont. Lieutenant Commander C. T. Force has been detached from the Patterson and or- dered to the navy yard at New York. Lieutenant Commander A. P. Osborne has been detached from command of the Mc- Arthur and ordered to the navy yard at Norfolk. Past Assistant Surgeon L. L. Young has been detached from the Marine Hospital, Mare Island, Cal, and ordered to the Michigan. Lieut. W. H. Shoemaker has been order- ed to command the Talbot at once. Lieut. C. S. Williams has been ordered to command the Gwin. Ensign W. 8. Crosley has been ordersd to command the Algonquin. Lieut. C. R. Evans has been detached from St. Mary’s and ordered to command the Tecumseh. Lieut. J. L. Purcell has been ordsred to command the Osceola. Lieut. Joseph B. Milton hag beeu datached frcm the navy yard at Mare Island, Cal., and ordered to the Vermont. Work of Naval Auxiliary Board. The naval auxiliary board at New York has informed the Navy Department, in response to orders given yesterday, that it has purchased ten fine merchantmen for ecnversion into auxiliary cruisers. The veseels secured are as follows: Morgan liners—El Norte, 4,659 tons; El Sol, 4,523 tons; El Sud, 4,659 tons; El Rio, 4,685 tons. Old Dominion Iinera—Princess, 8,879 tons; Yorktown, 2,898 tors, and Jamestown, 2,598 tors. Red D liners—Venczuela, 2,843 tons, and Caracas, 2,584 tons. Savanna liner—Kansas @ty, 8,679 tons. These vessels all come within the author- ity granted by the department for the pur- chese of vessels ranging between 2,000 and of the $50,000,000 emergency appropriation. It is expected that they will all be sent to government navy yards at once to receive their armor and armament to fit them out as cruisers of the auxiliary navy. The Kansas City is said to be the fastest steamer on the Atlantic coest, and the Princess is the newest and probably the best vessel on the Old Dominion line. All the vessels are represented to be in first- class condition and will undoubtediy give @ good account of themselves in case of hostilities. Movements of Warshi; The only information given out by the navigation bureau of the Navy Depart- ment today relafed to the movements of naval vessels as follows: The big monitor Puritan left Charleston, S. C., yesterday for Key West for duty with Captain Sampson's ficet. The armored cruiser Brooklyn dropped dcwn Hampton Roads yesterday and archored off Fort Monroe, in readiness for auy emergency orders which may be sent to the flying squadron, of which she is the flagship. ‘The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius arrived at Norfolk yesterday, and will be docked for repairs to her propeller shaft, on the com- pletion of which she will sail for Newport to take on ammunition and other war stores. She is under orders to join the fleet at Key West. The naval tug Standish sailed from Nor- folk this morning with the training ship Monongahela in tow, bound for Annapolis. Movements of the Katahdin. Captain G. F. Wilde, formerly secretary of the light house board and now in com- mand of the ram Ratahdin at the League Island navy yard, visited the Navy De- partment today for the purpose of consult- ing with the officials in regard to the future movements of that nondescript craft. The destination of the Katahdin is an official secret. Rumor has it that she is under scaled orders to proceed to sea, but beyond this even the gossips are in the dark. Four New Ships. The Navy Department this morning con- cluded the purchase of four of the ten ships contracted for yesterday. The four vessels selected and which are now the property of the government are the Mor- gan Line steamers Ei Rio, El Norte, El Sol and El Sud. No orders have as yet been sent to the naval authorities at New York as to the disposition of these vessels, but it is understcod that the work of preparing them for duty as auxiliary cruisers will be begun immediately. Advantages of Chickamauga Park. ‘The War Department and the general of the army are considering the question of utilizing the eleven square miles which the government owns at the Chickamauga Military Park as the point for concentrat- ing troops in the south for organization and instruction, and also as the location of such reserves as may be needed for the gvlf and South Atlantic fortifications from New Orleans to Charleston. Such portions of the reserves as might be needed reach any of these fortifications in twelve hours from Chickamauga. When not need- ed, they would ve in healthier camps than on the coast in hot weather. A railroad with two stations at ‘the park skirts its western boundary. There are 5,0 acres of open from which all underbrush has been removed, and 1,600 acres of dry fields, the whole suitable for excellent camps. Admiral Walker May Be Chosen. Rear Admiral John G. Walker, retired, had a conference with Secretary Long at the Navy Department today in regard to ‘*he situation, and that fact revived the rumor that the administration is seriously in supreme command of the entire naval forces in home waters. Capt. Barker, naval Nore of those who participated assign Admiral Walker to the com- ENGLAND REFUSES Will Not Join the Powers to Offer Mediation. NO DEFINITE ean aS INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN It is Felt That Some Action is Near at Hand. FRANCE AND AUSTRIA LEAD LONDON, April 5.—The movement of the Powers of Europe for a joint offer of medi- ation between the United States and Spain has received a severe, and probably fatai, rebuff in the form of «@ definite refusal upon the part of the British government to” Participate in it. Many conflicting and erroneous hints re- gerding this scheme to bring the Hispano- American quarrel under the jurisdiction of the “concert of Europe” have been tele- graphed from the different European capi- tals. From the highest authorities the As- scciated Press has obtained an outline of the detatls of the movement, as learned by Lendon diplomats. The project is distinctively of Spanish origin, and was set on foot by two in- fivences, official and personal, the former requesting the good offices of the chancel- Icrles of Europe to prevent war, while the queen regent attempted personally to in- fluence the sovereigns. It is understood that the tenor of these commurications vas to the effect that European intcrests are threatened by what Spain terms “the pretensions of the United States to the right to interfere in colonial matters.” France Led the Movement. France, not Austria, was the prime mov- er in the suggested mediation, and by her counsel it was suggested to the British foreign office that the powers unite in a note to the United States and Spain offer- ing to mediate in the disputes between those two countries. Great Britain, how- ever, definitely refused to join in the move- ment, stating in substance that the Cuban question did not concern her. While it was not actually announced that Great Britain sympathizes with Amefican intervention to end the war in Cuba, such sympathy is a fact. Communications looking to mefiation ere still being exchanged between the >nti- rental powers, but they recognize that Great Britain’s refusal to co-operate will rob the movement of much of its weight. The Emperor of Austria is the most deep- ly interested from certain standpoints, but financial interests seem to have actuaied France even more than dynastic taterest actuated Emperor Francis Joseph. Emperor William Lukewarm. Emperor William of Germany ts known to be lukewarm in the matter, but there 1s reason to believe he has learned that the majority of Germans are unwilling that Germany should oppose the United States. It is still uncertain whether the conti- nental powers: will finally offer mediation. Now that Great Britain has cold-shoulder- ed the mattar, the diplomats do not believe | the United States would accept such an offer, the combination being so evidently biased in favor of Spain that Spain would gladly subm& her quarrel to euch a tri- bunal. , The foregone conclusion and chief im- portance of th> movement, in the opinion of a diplomat who is conversant with the situation, is that it will probably have the effect of widening the cleavage between Great Britain and other nations, and of strengthening the growing sympathy and community of interests of the United States and Great Britain. Spain’s present efforts to secure the me- @iation of the pope are now supposed to be due to the knowledge that European me- diation will probably be a fiasco. No Definite Instractions. Action by the great powers of Europe to- ward mediation between the United States and Spain ie felt to be near at hand, but up to a late hour this afternoon it could rot be learned that any of the ambassadors or miriisters stationed here had received definite instructions to initiate the move- ment. They are, however, fully advised of the telegraphic exchange now going on be- tween the capitals of Europe, and they an- ticipate that this will bring definite results very soon. As one of the members of the Giplomatic corps explained the situation “The accord, or concert, of the great powers is like a concert of musicians, the first requisite being that the instruments are brought into complete harmony. That is what is being done now; the instramence are being tuned io the key preparatory to sounding the first note.” France and Austria. It is known at the embassies and lega- tions that France and Austria are most active in endeavcrmg to bring about a commen basis for concerted action. It ts understood also that the exchange has proceeded sufficiently to acquaint the pow- ers with the fact that any steps they mey take toward mediation will be acceptable to Spain. There is not the same assurance tHat it will be as acceptable to the United for in the absence of a definite United States is against any mediation from foreign sources. This is regarded as making the action of the powers much more difficult. It was said today that any mediation by