Evening Star Newspaper, April 8, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. —___o——_—_— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 71C) Ferrsylvania Avenue, Ccr. 11th 8t., by i i N "he Ereng is I Sony Kew York Office, 49 Potter Buildin. ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the sity by cirriers, on thet own account, at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents per month. Coples at the ceunter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—pestage prepaid—50 cents Per month. 5 Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $3.90. (Entered at the Po t Gffice at Washington. D. C.. &a sec nd-class ma‘l matter.) £7 Ail mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates cf advertising made known on applicstior. Che Zoening Star. 0. 14,073, WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1898—-SIXTEEN PAGES. WAR 1S CERTAIN Ualess Spain Makes Concessions, Which is Not Likely. TODAY'S CABINET MEETING Plans for the Beginning of Hostili- ties Discussed. SIGNIFICANT INDICATIONS TODAY Consul to Porto Rico Preparing to Leave. ed POWERS TO GO NO FURTHER The Spanish-American situation is re- garded today as even graver than at any time heretofore. Hopeful views of peace have given way. It is asserted that the European powers will take no further steps toward media- tion here. It is said that General Lee will makesome startling disclosures regarding the con- spiracy to blow up the Maine when he ap- pears before the foreign relations commit- tee. The deputy treasurer of the Cuban re- public testified before the House foreign affairs committee today that only $122,000 of Cuban bonds had been disposed of. He told how the famous De Lome letter was secured. The Navy Department named command- ers for the vessels bought from the Mor- gan line of steamships. The United States consul to Porto Rico wiH leave at once. General Lee will leave Havana tomorrow. Many army officers on duty at military colleges have been ordered to their regi- ments. The new tug Wilmot, bought by the gov- ernment, has been named the Potomac. ‘The Italian schoolship Amerigo Vespucci arrived off Fort Foote. The Spanish cabinet at Madrid was re- Ported to be considering with unusual se- crecy some question of grave importance. It was surmised that the matter might be @ communication from the pope. A member of the Spanish cabinet was qvoted as saying that he regarded war with the United States as inevitable. . Not a line from Madrid. Not a line from Lee, except that Havana was quiet. No hope for peace except of the frailest na- ture. Uncle Sam and Spain both standing firm. This represented the outleok as viewed at today’s cabinet meeting, which did not last over an hour and a half. At its con- clusion cabinet members gave out the fore- going information. Each member who quietly expressed his belief to friends said that there is practically no hope in the administration that war will be averted. Every man thinks that another week wiil see actual hostilities in progress. If Spain makes no further concessions war is cer- tain to be the outcome. The President's message rests in a big package, sleeping hke a lazy Mon until called into action. Not a scratch of the pen has been made in it since Wednesday morning. Not a change will be made uniess Spain shifts her posi- tion completely and in such a manner that the President will have no doubt of her sincerity. The message now lying so quiet- ly will start the conflict. No disappointment was expressed in the cabinet meeting that there was nothing from Madrid. This had been expected since yesterday morning, when th: news of the inaction of the Spanish cabinet came. The brief message of General Lee was gratify- ing. The cabinet read a press dispatch saying that the Spanish censor would allow no more cipher telegrams to leave his place. ‘That also created no surprise, and it was the fezling that General Lee is not likely to have any necessity for sending or re- celving more cipher messages. The act was, however, considered as typical of Spanish work. Discussed by the Cabinet. Beyond a general discussion of th> Inci- Gents of the last few days there was little else in the cabinet room that would interest the public, unless it was the compietion of the plans that hav2 been making for be- ginning hostilities. These plans were not discussed by the cabinet as a whole, but the President {s thought to have consulted with his navy and war secretaries about certain movem2nts. The note of the European powers yester- day was talked over with a good deal of interest. The cabinet found satisfaction ia the response of the President and in the ertire incident. The note is regarded to have conceded the right of this country to interfere in Cuba. Nothing further ts ex- pected from the powers. ‘The President and his advisers are confi- dent that Europe will take no part in the coming conflict. There will be no change ef the President's policy as a result of yes- terday’s not2. The ambassadors of this country are thought to have telegraphed this goverument fully as to the intentions ef the European governments. While the Fope, prior to a delivery here, the United States ambassadors kept this government ‘well posted. The fight will be to a without intervention of any kind rope. The only possibility is that, powers saw that the very existence Spain was threatened after the war was United States corsul there. Powers Wili Do No More. Inquiry at the foreign embassies and le- gations today made it plain that the action of the great powers yesterday in presenting the joint ncte to President McKinley urging well on, they might appeal to this country for a halt. They n&turally do not -iesire to see Spain reduced to the position of Turkey. One Sick Man in~ Europe. is enough for them. Cabinet officials decline to discuss the question of an armistice with the insurgents. They regard it as impossible. Should an armistice be offered the insurgents between row and Monday, as may be the case by reason of Spanish trickery #nd diplomacy, the situation will not be changed so far as the President ig concerned. All Spanish tricks will be closely watched from now on. General Schofield, commander of the vol- unteer reserve, called at the White House after the cabinet meeting and talked with the President about the new organization. Preparations Steadily Gcing On. The hopeful views of peace heretofore entertained have given away to the con- viction that the issue between the United States and Spain nas become practica.y irreconcilable, if not absolutely so. The preparation for all eve itualities is proceed- ing steadily. One significant evidence in this direction developed today when it was learned that the United States consul of Porto Rico, the sister island of Cuba, was about to follow the course of Consul Gen- eral Lee and come home. It is expected that Gencral Lee will take the boat from Havana tomorrow noon. Whether he will Teave the vice consul or other subordinate temporarily in charge is not made known. Considerable depends upon this, as his retirement wi:h his entire staff would mesn the closing of the American legation at that island and the comp'ete termina- tion of all official communication between the United Sta‘es and the insular govern- ment, wheress the leaving of a subordinate in charge would at least continue a sem- blance of these official relations, and would to some extent, take a the significance of complete offictal withdrawal from Cuba. The determination to have the United States consul at Porto Rico leave indicates that the government is not alone turning its attention to Cuba, but to Spain's other cclony of the West Indies. There is no in- surrection in Porto Rico, nor has that island figured prominently of late, but it scems that its future may to a large ex- tent follow that of Cuba. The probability that the Spanish torpedo fleet will rendez- veus at Porto Rico may have contributed to the determination to withdraw the peace constitutes all that these powers will do. There is no present purpose to take further action,.or to follow up this guarded and diplomatic utterance with any further suggestion of mediation or intervention. It was stated today by influential members of the diplomatic corps that the joint note contained nothing between the lines which indicated further negotiations. This was the view taken by the administration yes- terday, and today this is fully borne out by the attitude of the foreign representatives, who are in close touch with taeir foreign offices. This alleged determination is im- portant at the present juncture, in that it practically eliminates the influence of the powers beyond a sentimental expression toward peace. While this is the limitation of the action of the powers here, yet there is no doubt these foreign influences will continue to be strongly urged at Madrid toward securing further concessions. The foreign representatives seriously doubt, however, that Spain is in a position to con- cede any more. Indeed, as one of the best informed diplomatists tersely explained the situation today: “Spain has apparently placed her back against the wall, deter- mined to yield no more. Even the heroic efforts of the queen regent toward peace, by granting extreme concession, seemed to be overruled, and the radical element is in control. Individual Action of the Powers. In connection with the action of the pow- ers, much interest is shewn in the indi- vidual acticn of the several governments which signed the joint rete. There is little further dcubt that the British ambassador, reflecting the views of his government, served as a repressive infiuence in keeping the note down to a mild and polite expres- ston cf a desire for peace. It seems equally apparent that had the influences of the French ambassador and Austrian minister, representing their gov- ernments, prevailed, the note would have been considerably more than a vague ex- pression fur peace. No significance is at- tached to the fact that the German ambas- sador was the first to sign the document, and that the British ambassador's signa- ture is toward the end. It was determined when the signatures were attached to take the countries elphabetically, so that Alle- T™agne, the French diplomatic word for Germany, came first, with Austria, France, Great Britain, Italy and Russia signing in the order named. Russia and Italy have appeared to take the least interest in this joint action, although they join, as the re- sult of influences brought to bear from the foreign capitals. Neither has the German government shown any ardent interest in Joint action. Minister Woodford’s Note Withdrawn. It developed today that the situation took a serious turn late Wednesday night at Madrid, when Minister Woodford sent a note to Senor Gullon, minister of foreign affairs. At the time the note was received the Spanish cabinet was in session consid- ering the question of armistice, which, if granted, would have contributed largely, it is said, toward a peaceful solution. It is understood, however, that the imperative tone of Mr. Woodford’s note had an im- portant influence on the deliberations of the cabinet, and may have influenced the subsequent announcement that the cabinet would not make any further concessions. Part of the text of Mr. Woodford’s note has been repeated in press dispatches from Madrid, and these give the language of re- questing an dnswer before Wednesday night. Although the letter was unofficial and ad- dressed personally to Senor Gullon,there is reason to believe that it was construed as none the less official und to some extent an ultimatum. It is known that it occa- sioned deep personal offense, and led to the expression of belief that the United States was ‘no longer seeking a peaceful adjustment. Mr. Woodford subsequently withdrew the note, stating that at the time it was written he was not aware that President McKinley’s message had been deferred. The personal feeling engendered by this incident has continued, notwith- standing the withdrawal of the note. the two countries. In the event of a break, (Continued on Second Page) i 8 i 2 E a ‘ | Buckingham, now on sick leave, who was TWO CENTS. Advertising is not an expense. It is a business investment. If you want to invest your money profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly by everybedy worth reaching. i Star is the recognized household and family journal of the National Capital, and has no rival as an advertising med- ium. AT THE WHITE HOUSE|!NSURGENTS RECRUITING|IT WAS A QUIET DAY The President Practically Gives Up Hope of Averting War. SCARCITY OF OFFICIAL VISITORS Constant Stream of Sightseers at the Executive Mansion. WAS A FIELD-DA¥ FOR THEM That historic, much-battered, but still-in- the-ring expression of the “calm before the storm” had full opportunity to be worked off today as descriptive of the serenity which pervaded the White House today. President McKinley did not have a visitor before 10:30 o'clock. The usual early morn- ing visit of Judge Day was postponed, and the President spent several hours with his family in the private apartments of the Executive Mansion. Just before the hour for the assembling of the cabinet Senator Lodge of the Senate foreign relations com- mittee and Representative Fenton of Ohio called and were shown into the President's office. Phey learned nothing to indicate that the situation has undergone the slight- est change, unless it is in the direction of war befcre the end of another week. The President himself had practically no hope that there would be a peaceful solu- tion of the pending crisis. The President's demeanor is said to be more significant than his words. He talks as little as pos- sible to avoid the probability of exaggerat- ed rumors of his position, but nearly every- thing he says has a strong significance to those who are closely associated with him. Stream of Sightseers. While there was a scarcity of official visi- tors there was a constant stream of sight- seers all day. They came in droves, talk- ing of war, and peering curiously at all ar- rivals having a distinguished appearance. Cabinet officials are worth coming a long distance to see, and the visitors who wit- nessed the arrivals of these cool-headed counselors of the President considered themeelves fortunate. Altogether the day was a good one for sightseers. The east rcom still contained the decorations placed yesterday for the luncheon of Mrs. McKinley. Ordinarlty visitors expr2ss disappointment at getting to see nothing in the interior of the White House but the big east room. They were satisfied, huwever. Few Office Seekers. The absence of office seekers has been a marked and surprising feature of recent weeks et the White House. Like small fish which have been run out of certain waters by largec ones, the office seeker is no longer seen in skoals or even in bunches, Occasionally a stray specimen makes his appearance, but is quickly lost in the shuf- fie. This lone secker no longer tries to sea the President. He ambles up in a §hy fashion to Secretary Porter, quietly asks a@ question about his papers or his pros- pects and is away to hotel corridors to give his opinion of the crisis and to say that he is just from the White House, where he has held a long conference with the Pres- ident. More Purchases in View. The naval auxiliary board at New York is considering the advisability of the purchase of the steamer Matteawan of th> Lone Star line, the steamer Catania of the Sloman line, and the tugboats E. H. Mead and Thomas P. Fowler of the Cornell line. The tugs were insp2cted wiih a view as to their use as gunboats or dispatch hoats and the steamers as water-distilling boats. The Matteawan is own2d by T. Hogan & Sons, and was built in England in 1893. She is a single-screw steamer, 324 fest long, 42 feet beam and 3,309 tons displacement. She was recently on the line batween New York and Galveston. The Cctania is a single-screw iron ves- sel, owned by R. M. Sloman & Co., and bullt at Glasgow in 1881. She is 3i5 feet long, 37 feet beam and 2,115 tons displace- ment. For some time past she has been plying between New York and Hamburg. The steam pilot boat Philadelphia, owned by the Philadelphia Steam Pilot Beat Association, hes been offered to the government for naval purposes. She was built in Philadelphia in 1896, and is 135 feet long and has a displacement of 200 tons. Orders have been given to expedite the work on the ‘cruiser Chicago at the New York navy yard as much as possible. Lieut. Barnett Ordered Here. Lieut. Cemmander W. J. Barnett, now in command of the ccast survey steamer Bache, which has recently rendered such important services at Havana, will shortly be ordered to Washington for duty as na- val aid to Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the trans- fer of Lieut. A. Sharp, jr., to the command of the torpedo beat destroyer Vixen, which will go into ccmmission at League Island Monday. The assignment of Lieut. Com. Barnett as naval aid to the assistant sec- retary is understocd to be merely tempo- rary, perding the recovery of Lieut. Com. recently chosen for that assignment. To Command the Bancroft. Commander Richardsen Clover, chief of the office of naval intelligence and ex- officio member of the naval strategic board, will shortly be relieved of those duties in order to enable him to take command of the gunboat Bancroft, which recently ar- rived at Boston after a two-years’ cruise in the Mediterranean. It fs understood that the Bancroft, which is now undergoing re- pairs, will be retained at Boston as part of the naval defense of that harbor. No one has yet been selected to succeed Com- mander Clover in his present duties, but it is expected that the detail will be an- nounced in a few days. ———__-______ A White House Appointment. Mr. A. J. Leonard, formerly a clerk in the general land office, has been appointed to the vacancy at the White House made by the appointment of Mr. C. O. L. Cooper as private secretary to Attorney General Griggs. Mr. Leonard had been on detail at the White House for more than a year. During that time he made a good record, and as a testimony of his efficiency-he was given the vacancy. Both Sides in Cuba Make Active War Prepa- tations, Blanco Expected te Begin Conscrip- tion Seen—Belief is General That War is _Inevitable. Special Cablegroms froma Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, April 8.—There is no change in th2 situation here this morning. Every- thing is quiet and Good Friday is being observed. PEPPER. HAVANA, April 7, via Key West, Fla— While Havana was in uncertainty over re- ports of peace prospects from Madrid the insurgents in the field continue their prep- arations for action in case of war between the United States and Spain. It ig the be- lief cf the insurgent chiefs from Gomez down that Spain will not yleld independ- ence until after a. clash of arms with the United States, though it may not last more than a week. ‘The insurgents are said to have agents in Havana récruiting for the “‘army of Cuba,” and the activity of the government in mak- ing arrests gives color to this statement. It is certain that all over the island large numbers of Cubans are. preparing to go to the field the day hostilities begin. Their numbers will be swelled because the only choice open for them will be in the Spanish army fighting against American troops or in the insurgent ranks fighting Spain's army in the rear. Actual conscription has not been ordered yet, but Blanco’s direct- ing a census of all able-bodied males not already enrolled in military organizations means conscription. As to the probable actton of the execu- tive and Congress, it does not seem to be understood why Gomez and the insurgents want simple recognition of independence without armed intervention. The reason is simple. They are fighting for a Cuban re- public. They do not want annexation. They fear that if armed intervention comes the United States would seize the island, and when Spain lets go annexation would follow. So they prefer. recognition and in- dependence, and possibly a delay in the war between Spain an@ the United States. While this may be 00d reasoning from @ Cuban point of view, it does not meet the situation. If the United States is go- ing to settle the Cuban question armed in- tervention must come at some period, and the quicker this intervention comes the bet- ter it will be for all parties. It does not necessarily mean angexation any more than Independence means annexation. * PEPPER. Awalting Deyelopments. By Associated Press HAVANA, April 8+Bverything is quiet here, and the state of. waiting, expectancy and doubt continues.as it» hes during the past week or more, Accogding to outward appearances, there tis jokutely no change in the usual routine of life in a happy, trop- {cal city. Good Fyiday, with its proper ob- servance, is mére the topic tm the sputite mind here than war or diplothacy. From today on all code telegrams from or to Cuba must be translated at the cen- sor's office with the Godé book in siguc sae P Ear) LEE TO LEAVE, TOMORROW. Expectéd Exodus of ‘Americans From Havana Not Realized. NEW, YORK, April &8—A special cable dispatch from Havana to the Commercial Advertiser today says: The expected exodus of Americans and others has not occurred yct, except on a small scale. When the Bach2 ané the Man- grove arrived on Tuesday, following the of- ficial notice from the State Department that they had been sent to take away Americans who decided to go, it was be- Neved that many would leave immediately. The Bache and Fern-ara here stilt. The Mergrove was prepared to go or Wednes- Gay, but only twelye persons cpplied for passag, and General Lee thought it un- necessary to send the vessel out then. She left last night with fifty persons. On Wednesday word came that all quar- antine restrictions were removei and that the Mascott2 and the Oliveite would make extra trips to take people away, and that the Yucatan, from New. York to Mexico via Havana, would also go 10 Key Wesi for the same purpose. But only ninety-six peo- ple left on the Mascotte on the ragular trip. Wednesday she réturnel from Key West and took away seventy-three more. Yesterday the Yucatan’ arrived, six days from New York. She istepped at Palu Beach over night to ascertain if it was safe to come here, and ieft for Mexico di- rect without going to Key West. The Oli- Vetée has teen waiting at Tampa, but will arrive here on Saturday, at the special re- quest of Gen. Lee, A list of passengers has been rrepared for the Bache and the Fern. Lee to Leave Snturday. Gen. Lee and the newspaper men expect to go to Key West on the Fern. They may ieave on Saturday, but that program is subject to change. ‘The alarm of the people, which was very pronounced three days ago, subsided when it became known that the President’s mes- sSege was not to he sent to Congress this veek, and the unofficial news that the queén had taken:Cutan matters out of the ministry’s hands, an@; would accede to the demands of the United. Stages, also allayed the feeling. Pecple who #ed arranged to leave decided, with the usgal Spanish pro- ciivity for procrastimation, to wait, and they believe present indicagions point to an amicable settlement. . If they are misfaken in this there may be no bots to take them in case of sudden excitement next week. The United States goverpment has given them ever: opportunity to escape if they desire to go, but does not-propose to urge them to get out, —.—_—— CONSUL HYAT?R, ATX KINGSTON, Reports All Was; @uiet at Santiago ‘Whe: left. this morning from thercity of Santiago de Ouba, having on board the United States consul, Pulaski F, Hyatt, tha staff of the consulate and. twenty-five Americang, ‘chil- dren included. All was quiet at Santiago when the Brogkline left thaf port. There are three small Spanish the entrances of the harbor torpedoes, Fewer Visitors Than Usual in the} Big Granite Building. TO COMMAND AUXILIARY CRUISERS Vessels Bought From the Morgan Line Named. ARMY OFFICERS RECALLED Affairs wece unusually quiet today in the Ig building in which are located the Stete, War and Navy Departments. In- deed, to many of the lookers-on the un- usval serenity app2ared ominous. Officials ge.erally In discussing the situation aow arpear to be resigned to what many of tkem think is now inevitable war. ‘The talk has shifted in a measure from that of preparations for offensive and defensive operations to the possibilities of an actual conflict between the Spanish and American forces. Cabinet day tcok the Secretaries away from their desks much earlier than usual, and this probably was responsible for the fact that very few persons were cn hand for the transaction of business. Sen- ators and represeatatives were conspic- ucus by their absence, and this, too, in spite of the fact that neither house of Congress was in session. There was a singular absence of visitors ac the State Department, and the officials were able to devote their entire time to the preparation of Cuban correspondence which will accompany the President's mes- Sage on Monday. Likewise was there a scarcity of news in the diplomatic branch, and Assistant Secretary Day said, in re- sponse to inquiries, that there was nothing to make public either from Minister Wood- ford or from Corsul General Lee. The officials of th> department now appear sanguine that all Americans in the Island of Cuba will be able to leave there before hestilities commence. Ample preparations have been made by the government with this object in view, and if any Americans there néglect to avail themselves of the opportunities offered to get away from the island, it will be at their own risk. It is a matter of gratification that up to this time ro’ hostile demonstrations have oc- curred either in Spain or in Cuba against citizens of the United States. Such an out- burst of resentment was perhaps to be apprehended at this time more than any other, especially because of the Easter holidays, when business is suspended and the streets are crowded with people. The only news given out at the Navy Department today were the naval orders and movements. ‘These indicated, ho ever, great activity. The list of orders was larger than has been the case at any time during the recent emergency. Secretary Lung saw put few callers be- fore he left for-ths cabinet meeting. These included Senator Wfison of Washington, Senator Sewell of New Jersey, who came with Mr. S. C. Neal, the counsel of the American line of steamships, which may b> impressed into the service of the United States in case of war, and Senator Butler. At the War Department Secretary Alg2r had conferences with General Wilson, chief of engineers; General Miles, commanding the army, and Quartermast2r General Lud- ington, each of whom represents a branch of the department which will be called upon to perform important duties in case of war. Senator Proctor was also one of the callers on the Secretary. Commuanders of Auxiliary Cruisers. Commanders have been selected for the four auxiliary cruisers recently purchased from the Morgan steamship line. El Sud will be commanded by Commander Wm. H. Emory, a nativ> of this city, and recertly detached from duty on the Asiatic station. Commander Wm. H. Brownson, the hero of the Brazilian revolution, and now in Eu- rope looking after warships available for purchase, has be2n assigned to the com- mand of Ei Norte. El Rio will be under th command of Commander Charles H. Davis, now on duty at the naval observatory. The fourth ship, El Sol, will be under the com- mand of Commander Charles L. Train, now on waiting orders. The names practically selected for the four big merchantmen are ‘Yanke>,” and “Dixie,” and “Prairie,” and “Slope.” It was first intended to name these ships after cities, thus following the custom in the matter of vessels of th2 cruiser class, but as the merchantmen are not likely to be kept permanently on the naval list it was concluded best not to give them names which mig&t confiict with the naming of r2gular cruisers which may hereafter be added to the naval establishment. The names under consideration are intended to represent the different sections of the coun- try—“Yenk2e" the north and east, “Dixie” the south, “Prairie” the middle west, and “Slope” the extreme west. The last-men- tioned name is not aitogether satisfactory, and may give way to either “Argonaut,” “Yosemite” or some other designation dis- tinctly representative of the Pacific states. Ordered to Their Regiments. Many army officers now on duty at var- ious military colleges have been relieved from such duty and ordered to joi their regiments. The i.nderstanding is that they ere to return to duty at these institutions at the beginning o: the next scholastic year if not prevented by war. The foliow- ing are the officers affected: Capt. Arthur Murray, lst Artillery, Yale University; First Lieut. John ‘T. Honey- cutt, Ist Artillery, St. Thomas Hall, Holly Springs, Miss.; First Lieut. Wm. C. Rat- ferty, Ist Artillery, Seton Hall - College, South Orange, N.J.; First Lieut. Henry H. Ludlow, 3d Artillery, Agricultural College, Oktibbeha county, Miss.; First Lieut. Wm. G. Haan, 3d Artillery, Northern Illinois Normal School, Dixcn, Ill; First Lieut. Stephen M. Foote, 4th Artillery, New York Military Academy, Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y.; First Lieut. John C. W. Brooks, 4th Artillery, State University of Wisconsin, Madison; First Lieut: Wirt Robinson, 4th Artillery, Harvard University; First Lieut. George E. Sage, 5th Artillery, Mt. Tamal- pais Military Academy, San Rafael, Cal.; Second Lieut. Wm. C. Davis, 5th Artillery, Henry, Maryland, for duty with that reg- iment. Lieut. Hubbard will join his regiment at Fort Slocum, N. Y. Capt. D. A. Lyle, ordnance department, kas been ordered-to inspect steel forgings at the works of the Pennsylvania Steel Ccmpany, Steelton, Pa. Capt. Charles T. Wetherill, 19th Infantry, has been retired on his own application after thirty years’ service. Lieut. I. N. Lewis, 7th Artillery, nas been assigned to duty as recorder of the board of ordnance and fortifications in place of Capt. J. C. Ayres, relieved. Latest Naval Orders. The following naval orders were issued today: Naval Cadet F. S. Ridgely, order of April 6 detaching from the New York and or- dering to the Mangrove, revoked. Naval Cadet C. L. Poor, order of 6th re- veked, detaching from New York and or- dering to the Franklin. Naval Cadet D. M. Wood has been de- tached from the Massachusetts and or- dered at once to the Wasp. Naval Cadet R. C. Curtin has been de- teched from the Brooklyn and ordered at once to the Wasp. Naval Cadet E. C. Jesop has been de- tached from the Massachusetts and ordered at once to the Hawk. Naval Cadet R. E. Walker has been de- tached from the Texas and ordered at once to the Hawk. Naval Cadet C. E. Gilpin has been de- tached from the Brooklyn and ordered at once to the Suwanee. Naval Cadet M. S. Ellis has been detachea from the Brooklyn and ordered at once to the Hornet. Naval Cadet R. E. Earle has been de- tached from the Massachusetts and or- dered at once to the Hornet. Naval Cadet W. T. Cluverius has been ordered to the Vermoit at once. Passed Assistant Engineer F. H. Conant has been detached from the Naval Acad- emy and ordered at once to the New York ravy yard. Naval Cadet C. P. Burt has been detached from the Naval Academy and ordered at once to the Vermont. Lieutenant Commander B. H. Bucking- bam, sick leave extended one month. Commander W. H. Emery has been or- dered to be ready to command the El Sud. Commander C..H. Davis has been ordered to be ready to command the El Rio. Commander W. H. Brownson has been ordered to be ready to command the El Norte. Commander C. J. Train has been ordered to be ready to command the El Sol. Ensign R. McLean has been detached from the Vermont and ordered at once to the Armeria. Lieutenant L. M. Garrett has been de- tached from the Franklin and ordered at once to the Armeria. Ensign P. Symington has been detached from the Franklin and ordered at once to the Eagle. Passed Assistant Surgeon L. Morris has been detached from the Essex and ordered at once to the navy yard at Portsmouth, Naval Cadet L. C. Palmer, order of 6th modified. Detached from the New York ‘and ordered at once to the Mangrove in- stend of the Franklin. Ensign O. P. Jackson, from the Essex and to the navy yard, Portsmouth, N. H. Ensign A. A. MacKethan, from the Essex to the navy yard, Portsmouth, N. H. Ensign J, W. Stuart, from the Essex to the navy rd at Portsmouth. Commander R. Rush has been detached fiom the Essex and ordered at once to the fiavy yard, Portsmouth. Lieut. J. H. Hubbard, from the Essex to the nayy yard, Portsmouth. Naval Cadet J. H. Holden, to the Scor- pion. Naval Cadet D. W. Knox, from the Mas- sachusetts to the Maple. Passed Assistant Engineer A. Mortiz, from the Minneapolis to the Saturn. N; 1 Cadet -A. Brownson, jr., to the Scorpion at once. Naval Cadet J. H. Roys, from the Brook- lyn to the Eagle. = Naval Cadet T. T. Craven, from the Mas- sachusetts to the Kagie. Naval Cadet A. E. Kalbach, from the Brooklyn to the Armeria. Guuner H. Campbell has received a war- rant as gunner from March 25, 1897. Lieut. W. S. Hafher, from the Vermont to the Scorpion. Ensign C. F. Preston, from the Vermont te the Secrpion. Naval Cadet C. H. Tozer, from the Naval Academy to the Maple. Licut. Commander A. Marix has b>en de- tached from the Vermoat and ordered at cnee to the Scorpion. Ensign H. A. Wiley, from the Frankiin to the Maple. Lieutenant Commander W. Kellogg has been ordered to command the Maple. Lieutenant R. Wells, from the Vermont to the Wasp. Ensign H. F. Schoficld, ro the Hawk as executive officer. Lieutenant Commander J. F. Moses hi been ordered to the Suwanee. Lieutenant V. Blue, from the Naval Academy to the Suwanee as executive of- ficer. Lieutenant A. Sharp, jz., has been ordered to command the Vixen. Lieutenant C. H. Harlow, to the Vixen as executive officer. Naval Cadet F. A. Kearney and Naval Cadet A. M. MacArthur, from the Naval Academy to the Vixen at once. Movements of Warships. The naval movements reported to the Navy Department early in the day were of ro special significance. They included the arrival of the cruiser Topeka, formerly the Diogenes at Weymouth, England, whence she will start for the United States in company with the torpedo boat Somers, recently purchased in Germany. The ram Katahdin left the League Island navy yard yesterday for Hampton Roads, and wiil arrive there this evening or tomorrow morning. She will probably be attached to the flying squadron, but will not be used in any. movement requiring Perticulariy rapid execution. The gunboat Annapolis, recently from Key Wet, arrived at Tomp- CALMLY WAITING Less Excitement Today Than Sinog War Talk Began. es PUBLIC OPINION CRYSTALLIZED Belligerency May Be Recognized Instead of Independence. THE FOREIGN POWERS‘ There is less manifestation cf excitement in Washington this morning than at any cther time since the war talk began. This lack of excitement is due to the fact that Congress and the pubiic believe that they know substantially what the President will scy in his message Monday, are saiisfied that the message will go in Monday, and that there will be war, unless Spain immo- diately yields at every point. A belief in war brings calin. A suggestion of peace Without the liberty of Cuba causes excite- ment. The periods of great excitement have all been brought about by intimations that the administration might not stand | firmly to the position which the country ! demands, and that Spain might be per-/ mitted to retain her sovereignty in Cuba. ; Today opinion is crystallized, and in no_ quarter is doubt expressed that the Span-! ich are to be compelled to evacuate Cuba. This conviction brings contentment to Congress and to the public here. This is shown not less in administration circles than at the Capitol. In the departments active prevarations for war are being made as heretofore, but it is understood in Congress that the government ie ready even now for the opening of hostilities, Nothing is expected to happen here until! the President's message is received. There is a perfect understanding that nothing! can happen to change the situation unless it happens et Madrid. If Spain pulls down! her flag at Havana it will not be fired on.! If not, war wiil come, probably before the! cose of next week. There is some talk of| Gebating the resolutions in Congress which | ere to follow the receipt of the President's{ message, but the chances are that the debate will be brief. A compromise of the question of the recognition of the Cuban! republic is suggested, and, it ts believed, | stands a good chance of being adopted. It is that which was mentioned by Mr. Quesada in his statement to the foreign affairs committee yesterday—the recogni- tion of belligerency before intervention. It | is believed thet those who are insisting | upon the recognition of the Cuban republic as now organized will be willing to accept this suggestion, and it will probably be acceptable to those who do not think the time has arrived for the recognition of the republic. The strongest plea for the rec- ognition of the republic in advance of in- tervention 1s that of the desirability of ree moving the insurgehts from the category of Spanish subjects. Unity Necessary. A recognition of their belligerency and of | the independence of the island from Span- | ish sovereignty will accomplish this as ef-} fectually as would the recognition of the republic. Abov® all things, it is regarded! as desirable that Congress and the admifi-‘ istration should present a solid front at this crisis, without party or factional di- visions. And it is felt to be the duty of | both sides to avold a conflict over this one | point of difference, if possible. But two or | three members of the House and Senate went to the White House today, the cab- inet being in session and it being under stood that there was nothing in the situa- tion which required further discussion to- day between the President and the congress sional leaders. Confidence in the firmness of the President has relieved the anxiety which before has sent congressmen throng- ing to the White House. It is said that the plan will be to report the resolution in Congress immediately after the receipt of the President's message and to hold a night session Monday night and dispose of the whole matter before the close of the day on! Tuesday. Prominent men whp have been most active in efforts to secure peace, even at some sacrifice, now state that they would not be surprised to see our fleet in motion by Tuesday or Wednesday. Foreign Powers. The visit of the representatives of the foreign powers to the President yesterday, has excited a great deal of discussion. A few persons expressed doubt and suspicion as to the effect of it, but the general and almost universe] opinion is, as stated yes~ terday, that there is no possible entangie- ment to result from the President's receiv- ing such a note as he did from their hands,” ard that the President's reply fixed in the minds of the world the calm, firm and in- dependent attitude of this government. The incident involves no recognition by this gcvernment of the “concert of powers,” as it is understood abroad. If any precedent is established it is one winch expands the sphere of American influence, but does not impair the independent attitude of this government among the nations of the earth. It may open the way to the United States partictpating in a “concert” with re- Spect to other questions, but that is a thing of the remote future, not in contemplation, except perhaps in the mind of the British foreign cffice. The conference has resulted in a perfect understanding by the powers that whatever is to be done by them to preserve peace must be done in Madrid and not in Washington. 1t is suggested that there shall be some kinsville, N. Y., yesterday, where she will take on a full supply Gf ammunition. The Morgan line steamer El Sol was turned ;