Evening Star Newspaper, April 12, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. Se SS PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Ferzeylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th 8t., by i Ne Com The on Aurea Freee Tew York Office, 45 Potter Baildiny, Eveniny itar is served to subscribers In the axty by cotiicts, on thels own accouut, at 10 cents wr week. or 44 cents per mont! Copies at the eccater 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada— postage prepaid—60 cents PSatorday, Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with ed. $3.00. foreli ide 00. (Entered at the Pot Cffice st Washington, D. C.. cha "1 matter.) “ESA mail sutecriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicotior. Star. No. 14,076. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1898-—FOURTEEN 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 mom- ing or in the afternoon. As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and un- approachable. FREEDOM OF CUBANS Forecasting the Resolutions to Be Reported to Congress. LIKELY 10 YIELD RECOGNITION sd Meeting of Committees Consider- ing Foreign Matters. VASS THE HOUSE — The “steering committee” of the House republicans has presented to the House foreign affairs committee a resolution de- claring the people of Cuba free and inde- pendent and directing the President to terminate hostilities in Cuba. The steering committee has authorized a canvass of the House on a resolution for immediate armed intervention. The Senate foreign relations committee is having great trouble in reaching an agreement on its Cuban resolutions. After its meeting today it was stated that the committee favored a declaration for im- mediate intervention and an indirect recog- nition of the right of Cubans to indepen dence. ‘The naval appropriations bill was report- ed to the Senate. The amendments recom- mended increase the House appropriations ever eight million dollars, making the to- tal $46,277,558. Senator Lindsay offered a joint resolu- tion today looking to the co-operation with the Cuban insurgent forces with the pur- pose of securing Cuban independence. Sen- ator Wilson introduced a resolution em- powering the President to take steps to end the war in Cuba. Senator Allen intro- duced a resolution declaring that a state of War existed between the United States and Spain and recognizing the independence of the Cuban republic. Senator Mason of Illinois spoke at length in the Senate in favor of recognizing tke Cuban republic. The steering committee of the republi- cznms of the House met this morning and acjourned until this afternoon to await the action of the foreign affairs commii- tee. They are gereraily agreed to yield the recognition of the existing government, but favor immediate intervention, and a declaration that whatever government may be recognized in Cuba shall be a stable goverrment, free and independent in char- acter and republican in form. Gen. Grosvenor, Mr. Dingley and other House leaders are said to have agreed to the resolution. ‘The steering committee has authorized a cenvass of the House on a reso.ution,which Was blocked out by Mr. Wm. A. Smith of Michigan, declaring for immediate armed intervention for the establishment of a stable government in Cube that shall be incependent in character and republican in form. It will be presented to the re- publicans of the fcreign affairs committe, and things seem in fair shape to secure unity of action on the basis of this com- promise. It is prebabie that the republi- cans will caucus tcnight. Mr. Cannon, chairman of the apprcpria- tions commitiee, said this afternoon: “I regard war as inevitable. The United States will intervene and intervention means war.” Cubaus Declared Independent. The resolution presented to the House foreign “affairs committee by the steering committee is as follcws: “Resolved, That the war now existing Letween the government of Spain and the people of Cuba has been conducted by Spain in flagrant violation of the laws of civilized warfare to such an extent as to shock the moral sense of the nations of nd to create a condition which, suage of the President, has be- come ‘insufferable’ by the United States; that all aiplomatic efforts to terminate this condition have failed; that the people of the Island of Cuba are and of right cught to be free and independent, and that the President be, id he is hereby, em- powered and directed to forthwith termi- nate hostilities in Cuba, and to secure to the people of that island a stable and inde- pendent republican government, and that he be, and he is hereby, authorized and di- rected to use the land and naval forces of the United States for the purpose of carry- ing this joint resolution into effect.” The resolution seemed acceptable gener- ally to the republican members of the com- mittee, but when submitted to Senator Da- vis of the foreign relations committee of the Senate, he pointed out a radical defect in the latter portion of it, empowering the President “to secure to the people of Cuba @ stable and independent republican gov- ernment, ete.” He said it was his opinion that the Con- gress had no power to delegace such au- thority to the President, and, after con- sidering the matter from that standpoint, it was agreed to change the latter portion ef th2 resolution into a declaration that such a form of government shout exist in the island. Foreign Affairs Committee. The foreign affairs committee of the House met this mcrning. The republicans of the committee had come to no agreement before the commit- tee met, and, it being apparent after the committee had been in session half an bour that until they did there could be no action, the democrats, with Mr. Newlands, silver republican, withdrew to give the re- publicans another opportunity of reaching @ propesition upon which they could unite. The egreement when the committee sep- arated was that they should come together again at 11:45. It seemed unlikely that the republicans weuld be able to agree. It seemed certain that no resolution would be presented to the House today. There is a good deal of talk of the repub- Heans meeting in caucus and determining the nature of the resolution upon which they shall vote, and instructing their col- leagues of the committee on foreign af- fairs to report such a resolution. It ts pointed out that this plan would insure the Tearest approach to harmonious action, as the republicans would then be bound by a caucus decree. “the position of the democratic members of the committee is for independence and immediate and armed intervention. The committee took a recess at nocn un- til 3 o'clock this afternoon. The committee remained together at its first sitting until almest 1 o'clock and then adjourned until 3:30 p.m. to hear Consul General Lee. No vote was taken at the morning session, but a conclusion was practically reached. The formal vote was not taken, but the committee knew what its report would be when it adjourned at noon. The result was not, however, made public. For Immediate Intervention. The best information obtainable is that it will be a declaration for immediate in- tervention by the United States and that no action on the part of Spain short of evacuation of the island by the Spanish forces will satisfy this country. It is also believed that there is an indirect recogni- tion of the right of the Cubans to freedom and independence. The Resolution to Be Reported. A republican member of the committee Says that the resoluticn to te repcried by the republican majority will follow the de- sires of the President as expressed in his message, but possibly declaring that speedy action should be taken in view of ail the circumstances. The conference of the re- publican members continued during the afternoon. Another member of the committee says that the report will be made tomorrow and further outlines the tenor of the resolution, saying that it will ask for immediate inter- vention to terminate the war now being vaged in Cuba. It was also stated that there was every prospect of a speedy agreement by the republican conference as to the wording of the resolution. The resolution will give the President power to use the army and navy of the United States, if in his judgment a resort to arms is necessary. In Foreign Relations Committec. ‘The Senate committee on foreign rela- tions resumed its sitting this morning, all the members being present except Mr. Dani2l. The committee immediately tock up the task before it of formulating a res- elution defining its idea of the course to be Fursued in the present complication with Spain. Many minor differences were de- velop2d, but they were not of such a char- acter as to dispel hope of securing a final agreement. The committee is hopeful of being able te report today, but the report may be delayed so as to afford an opportunity to hear Gen. Lee. The committee is finding it a very difli- cult task to reach an agreement on the terms of the resolution it will report. There is by no’ means the same unanimity that there was when the committee first met and decided to report the Foraker resolu- tions. Many propositions have been made covering all the lines of possible interven- tion, but the indications at the beginning of today’s session were that there would be a return to the compromise proposition which was made prior to the receipt of the message. Indeed, a sufficient number of pledges had then been secured to render the adoption of this course quite certain All the republican members of the com- mittee, with the exception of Senator For- aker, are understood to be willing to re- port on these lines, and it is now believed that for the sake of party harmony he may be induced to join his colleagues. This compromise, it will be remembered, in- volved the elimination of the second of his declarations recognizing “the republic of Cuba as the true and lawful govern- ment of that island and the retention of his first premise declaring “that the peo- ple of the Island of Cuba are and of right ought to be free and independent.” The Ohio senator has up to the present time held out strenuovsly for both declara- ticns, but the other republican members, at their meeting yesterday, argued the neces- sity of the Concession in order to insure harmony in the party and to secure 2 form of resolution which would meet the appro- val of the Senate and be sure of passage. The Committee's Conclusions. The committee's conclusions, so far as a conclusion has been reached, are to report all the Foraker resolutions except the sec- ond, together with a strong preamble, re- citing the Maine disaster as a cause for deep resentment on the part of this gov- ernment. Unless the committee changes its decision, the following, in addition to the preamble, are the resolutions which will be reperted by the committee: “First. That the people of the Island of Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free end independent. “Second. That the war Spain is waging against Cuba is so destructive of the com- mercial and property interests of the United States, and so cruel, barbarous and inhuman in its character, as to make it the duty of the United States to demand, and the goverrment of the United States kere- by dces demand, that she at once with- Graw her land and raval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. “Third. That the President of the United States be, ard he hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed to use, if neces- sary, the entire land and naval forces of the United States to cerry these resolu- tions into effect.” Senator Gray’s Position. Senator Gray is the only democratic senator who now appears willing to join with the republicans in eliminating the rec- ognition of the Cuban republic, but his vote, added to the votes of the five re- publicans, would be sufficient to secure the adoption of the resolution and its re- port by- the committee. It 1s, however, not certain that the five republican votes could be secured unless all the republican votes could be controlled, for the reason that some of the other members of this party in the committee are inclined to make unanimous action by their party in the committce a condition of their co- operation. For the rest, if this compromise is ac- cepted, the resolution will be a short and sharp declaration for immediate interven- tion. In case the majority agree upon the compromise here outlined, there will be, in all probability, a minority report provid- ing for the recognition of the present Cu- ban government, which will be made by the democratic members, with the prob- able exception of Senator Gray. There is @ strong effort to prevent this division, but it now seems the most probable result of the committee’s delibcrattons. es DECLARES HIMSELF. The Spunish Pretender Threatens the Sagasta Government. LONDON, April 12.—According to a spe- cial dispatch from Venice, Don Carlos, the Pretender to the Spanish throfe, has de- clared his intention to “hold aloof from hostile manifestations so long as the Span- ish government upholds the honor of the nation;” otherwise he will “take the steps he deems necessary to support the dignity ae * U. S. Cruisers Sait From Halifax. HALIFAX, N. 8., Aprit 12—The United States warships San Francisco and New Orleans sailed at 9 o'clock thi for New York. ‘They took on board 250 tans DON CARLOS AS SEEN BY EUROPE|COMMEND THE PRESIDENTIIN STATU QUO Comment of European Press on the President’s Message. ENGLISH GENERALLY APPROVE ‘IT Madrid El Liberal Declares Spain Will Not Submit to It. eee SES WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY London, April 12.—The afternoon news- papers here differ in their estimates of President McKinley's message to Congress on the Cuban question. The Pall Mall Gazette regards strong, but temperate, and says: “President McKinley is right in follow- ing the constitucional course of throwing upon Congress the responsibility for na- tional action, and there is no doubt what the answer of Congress will be: In our opinion it is too late to avoid war, as Spain is apparently determined to fight a hope- less battle rather than yield to demands which, though expressed by America alone, are in reality the demands of an informal concert of the world’s civilization.” it as St. James Gazette's Complaint. The St. James Gazette complains that the message leaves everything in a state of uncertainty, but says: “President McKinley and Congress may well hesitate to accept the really serious responsibility of committing the United States to the recognition of bands of bri- gands as a government.” In conclusion the St. James Gazette re- marks: “If the United States were a Eu- ropean power, governed by a Pitt or a Bismarck, a war of conquest would result; but it is doubtful if the United States is prepared for that work.” The Globe expresses the opinion that “it is a message of abdication,” adding: “While the situation in Cuba is eminent- ly unsatisfactory, it is a question whether American interference on the lines sug- gested is likely to improve matters. Statesmen Accused of Timidity. “While the statesmen of the United States shrink from entertaining the alter- native of annexation, they must not com- plain if their Cuban policy is condemned 48 combining a maximum of certain loss and a minimum of possible gain. ‘The re- fusal to recognize the insurgents will not relieve the tension between the United States and Spain.” The Westminster Gazette thinks the President's message “has made out an ex- cellent case for the intervention of the United States,” adding: “After all, the United States has large claims for intervention in all affairs in America. The Venezuela arbitration estab- lished a far-reaching precedent.” SPANISH PRESS COMMENT. Spain Cannot Submit to Its Terms. Madrid, April 12—E! Liberal this morn- ing publishes what appears to be nearly a complete translation of President McKin- ley’s message to Congress on the Cuban question, printing its salient points in large type. Commenting on the message, the Liberal says: “Although the dispatches are exten- sive, they do not suffice for the formation of definite conclusions. The mistranslation of a word-or a phrase would produce a complete misunderstanding, and absolute dependence upon the accuracy of the first transmission in so serious an affair would be a grave indiscretion. Nevertheless, it may be said that, in a genera? sense, it af- firms and declares in the name of the na- tion the right of interference in Cuba. Spain Must Protest. “Whether a definite or indefinite period is meant, and whether it is a simple inti- mation or a fixed decision regarding com, ing events, Spain must protest energetically against the principle, prior to protesting violently against the action. No free peo- ple can hesitate to reject by all the means in its power a doctrine annulling its per- senality and reducing it to ignominious tu- telage. Consenting to submit to it would be equivalent to Spain's resignation of her Place among European nations. America clearly indicates her intention, hitherto veiled with hypocritical ambiguities. Amer- ica considers Spain incapable of maintain- ing her sovereignty in Cuba. We have put up with everything; but unless we ignore our history and consider the peninsula on a level with Paraguay, isolated from the rest of the world, we cannot and will not submit to this.” An Appeal to Arms. In conclusion the Liberal say: “To avofd $t, and to restore the self-re- spect due to ourselves, which is more im- portant than the position of Cuba, it be- comes necessary to unite in one all Spanish arms and hearts. Let Madrid, let the whole of Spain recall what we hav been, and what we cannot cease to be while physical and moral laws forbid the suicide of ne- tions.” Imparcial Demands War. The Imparcial heads its leading article “A Short Truce—The Squadron to Cuba,” and says: “There exists today a complete divorce betw2en the government and the governed. This judgment is formed, not on th2 public demonstrations, but on the gen- eral disgust “and sadness prevailing. The ministerial folly cannot go any further, or the Spanish arms rusting in Cuba will be freely used in the Puerta del Sol.” Continuing, the Imparcial urges the peo- ple to units and “demand that the fleet be sent immédiately to Cuban waters.” a EXPECTED EVIDENCE. ‘What It is Understood Will Be Pres mented to the Senate Committee, The information comes from confidential and reliable authority that not only will General Lee present evidence to the Senate foreign relations committee show- ing conclusively that Maine was de- strcyed by Spanish officials, but evidence Montgomery went to Havana to relieve the Fern, which was used to convey food to | the reconcentrados, she was- placed over a mine, which’ was discovered by a diver from the Montgomery, who went down to exam- ine the bottom. The diver cut the wires Pro-Spanish Press at Havana Applaud His Message. Opinion Expressed That the So- Called Armistice Prevents. All Ex- cuse for Intervention. HAVANA, April 12.—The city is ¢ull of politicai rumors, warlike and otherwise and decidedly conflicting in tone. morning rewspapers of Havana .printed extracts from President MeiXiniey’s message to Congress on the Cuban ques- tion and comment upon it from various standpoints. s The Diario De La Marino in an article commenting upon the suspension of hos- tilities, genera!ly referred to as an armis- tice, says this action upon the part of the Spaniards has removed all pretext for the intervention of the United States in Cuba, which now, {t says, would be “arbitrary and impossible to tolerate from the stand- point of right.” Continuing, the Diario de la Marino says: “But if Congress, in spite of this, ‘should recognize the independence of Cuba and decree the intervention of the United States, and President McKinley could not avoid war with Spain, then the Cuban question would convert itself into a Euro- pean question. In any case the proposal to intervene, with no definite date fixed, instead of intervening immediately, demon- strates that the cause for intervention has disappeared. Thus a great danger, pro- voked by the United States, has been avoid- ed by the suspension of hostilities, brought about by the mediation of the great pow- ers, which, represents a failure of the United States.” Forecast of Coming Events. Later the Diario de la Marino asks the question, “What will they do?” and an- swers it: “They will most certainly con- tent themselves with humoring the pas- sions of the jingoes, continue their threats of intervention and formulate various mes- sages which under no circumstances will Prove a casus belli.” The Union Constitucionaf indulges in sim- ilar clouded reflections upon th2 message, attacks Gen. Fitzhugh Lée on'the lines of its contemporaries and ridfeulés Miss Clara Barton, president of the Red Gross Society of the United Stetes. This ‘pap#r also prints an extract from an editofial @rticle in an American newspaper, which it looks upon as sustaining the views of the Union Con- stitucional, and reproducés statements at- Louis Klopsch and “Mr. George J. Angel, Although it lacks offietal authority, there tributed to Special Relf$f Commissioner president of the American Humanity Soci- ety.” On top of this the Union Constitu- cional prints extracts from the resolutions adopted by the New York ‘and Boston chambers of commerce, a@Vogading a peace- ful settlement of the question, ‘ending with the assertion that the Protestant ministers and Catholic clergy of the ‘United States, with few exceptions, ar2 advocating in their sermons a peace which will be hon- orable to both nations. Claims Bad Food in Sent. The Diario de Cienfuegog ridicules the “Yankees’ charity and bad ‘tood,” which it alleges has ben distributed there among the reconcentrados. The Pais, in its editorial’commenting on the President's message, says: “Its tone is moderate, pacific and conciliatory, and Proves that the allegations printed by the sensational newspayers regarding the an- nexationist and separatist, policy of the United States are false and were only pro- uced to injure us and to injure Spain. The attitude of the President does not surprise us. We could not believe he would give wey before the pressure of the agitators, forgetting the traditions’and example of Washington, ard treat a. friendly nation with great injustice.’ Indignation Over Meine Question. The Spaniards profess great indignation at the report that the question of the origin of the explosion which wrecked the United States battle ship Maine in. Havana harbor on February 15 last is to be referred to a ccurt of arbitration with the object of de- termining the amount of indemnity due the United States if the explosion is proved before this court to have gccurred outside the warship. The Dierio Ejercito publishes an alleged plan of the defenses of Key West. ————— CLASSIFICATION OF OFFICES. The President to Exempt a Number of Ponitionn., The President will in ‘a, few days issue an important order in regard to the classi- fication of offices under the civil service law. He has called upon the heads of each of the executive departments for a state- ment of such offices in their respective de- partments, Which may properiy, in their judgment, be removed from the classified service, governed by the rules of the civil service commission as to examination, etc. All the reports are now in, and it is under- stood that the President‘ is about prepared to announce his action. 1s good ground for the statement that the President, on the advice of a large major- ity of his cabinet, has practically decided to restore the offices-of chisfa and assist- ant chiefs of divisions amd ‘messengers and assistant méssengers in the executive de- partments and many outside offices to the status they held before President Cleveland included them in the classified service. If this 1s done all the offices named will be put in the glass exempted ; from examination and leave the appointmerts t@ th>m in the hands of the heads of the respective de- partments, as was the casé to the time of the issue of President jand’s s0- called blanket civil servige ‘orger. Another question that § Ing the se- rious attention of the © < and his cabinet is the constructien tha eee gress a bill for compensation for certain work on the Dolphin and other ships of the navy. The bill has now passed both houses and is in the hands of the President for action. Other callers were Representatives Butler and Low. Before he went to the White House Sec- retary Alger saw Senators Fairbanks and Platt of Connecticut and Hawley of Con- necticut. No New Diplomatic Negotiations in} the Spanish Case. CONSUL MOVES FROM KEY WEST Tender of the Pa The officers of the American line steam- er Paris have tendered to the government thelr services in case of war. This fact is made known in a letter received today by Assistant Secretary Roosevelt from Man- ager C. A. Griscom, jr., of the Internation. al Navigation Company, who transmits a copy of a communication from Chief Officer Charles J. Rodgers of the Paris to Mr. Griscom, as follows: “I desire, on behalf of the officers of the 8. 8. Paris, to tender through you our services to the United States government should they be required in the event of war.” The letter from Mr. Rodgers is similar in Purport to the one already sent to the assistant secretary from Mr. Segrave of the steamer St. Louis of the American line. Naval Movements. There were no specially important naval movements reported at the Navy Depart- ment teday. The revenue cutters Grant, Corwin, Rush and Perry, all stationed on the Pacific coast, have been turned over to the naval establishment for conversion into warships The Perry i: yn- send, Wash. Ty is at Port Town. and the other three San Francisco. raya The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius Portsmouth, Va., yesterday where she will receive ammi preliminary to joining Ca ¥ pt. Sampson's fleet off the coast of Florida. oo The yacht Mayflower, which was trans- formed into a naval vessel at the New York navy yard, has also gone to Newport to receive her tornedo outfit. The gunboat Wilmington has arrived at Key West, and the colli a ie) Healebe ine r Merrimac is at The torpedo boa the regular list, Notes of Activity in Military and Navy Circles. WHAT SENOR POLO —+ SAYS The diplomatic phase of the Spanish situ- ation is ia statu quo. There are no new ne- gotiations, and no further developments in the old ones. It is the expectation that this status will continue for the present at least, while Congress considers the subject. A definite understanding has been reached by the representatives of the great powers of Europe that no additional action from that quarter would be opportune at this time. This is not the result of any meeting of the ambassadors and ministers, for they have not met in a body since the Presi- dent’s message went to Congress. But their personal exchanges have been produc- tive of a common understanding, and their Advices sent to the capitals of Europe are that the present situation calls for no fur- ther movement by the powers. This atti- tude is of material importance, as there was a strong tendency yesterday afternoon to bring about concerted aciion to show that the powers did not share in the Presi- dent’s view that intervention was warrant- ed by present conditions. The armistice has gone into effect in Cu- ba, but up to a late hour today no word had come as to the attitude of the insur- gents in the field toward it. If they accept it the solution appears to be simple. If they do not accept it, the expectation of the Spanish government is that this fact will be made manifest within the next few/Mays by continued hostilities by General ez's forces and the other bands under . if the Spanish troops are attackeg while in garrison, they will defend themselves and will thereafter feel free to take the ag- gressive. In granting the armistice, it is known that the Spanish military authority did so as a tender to the insurgents for a mutual cessation of hostilities. But the armistice is viewed as being a mutual un- dertaking, so that if the insurgents do not accept the tender, it is the understanding that it will not continue to operate as a means of keeping the Spanish troops pas- sive while under fire. left for Newport, nition stores t Morris, number 14 in will be launched at the Herreshoff’s ship yard, Bristol, R. 1, to- morrow and prepared for service ie; ly as possible. aioe The opinion Prevails among naval offi- cials generally = : that a delay of weeks will be a great aavantess so pata as that country will then be enabled to add to her available force several power. fui vessels now being completed, strength- ened or altered, while on the other hand, the United States can make but few addi. tions to her naval force, now nearly up to its best available fighting strength. The Monitor Nantucket. Arrangements are being made to put into immediate service the monitor Nantucket, whick has acted as a training ship for the naval reserves of North Carolina for the Past four years. This old craft took a Prominent part in the bombardment of Fert Sumter and still bears the marks of that engagement. She is said to be the best of the monitors of the war. It is pro- pesed to add to Ker protective armor and to place new guns of high power in her turrets. She is now at Wilmington, N. C. The defense commfttee of New Orleans has asked the Secretary of the Navy to statien a cruiser or monitor at the jetties az the mouth of the Mississippi for the better protection of the Mississippi valley. The jetties are now said to be unprotected and could be easily destroyed by a Spanish cruiser, in which event there would be no outlet from the river. 2 Blanco’s Proclamation Significant. It developed today that General Bianco's proclamation of armistice specifically stat- ed that it was yielded at the solicitude of the pepe aad of the great powers of Europe. The text of the proclamation published yesterdcy referred to the pope, kut omitted the great powers of Europe. The text was given, however, exactly as received. It bad the effect of creating some quiet feeling among the representa- tives of the six powers, as it was thought to be surprising that General Blanco omit- ted all reference to the influences the pow- ers had jointly exerted, which influences were decisive in bringing the final result. ‘This led to the development that General Blanco’s proclamation had in fact speci- fied the influences of the great powers, as well as those ofthe pope, and that the omission was through inadvertence. Gen- eral Blanco’s language is regarded as sig- nificant in two respects: First, in showing that Spain yielded to the great powers and the pope, and, second, that the United States was not included in the influences which brought about the concession. Spanish Consul Retires. Word reached here today that the Span- ish consul at Key West had retired from the consulate there because of threats said to have been made against his life. This is the first removal of a Spanish official in the United States as a result of present trouble. The consul at Key West reported the circumstances in his case to the Span- ish minister at Washington. It is said in Spanish quarters that his position involved much more actual danger than that of the American consulate in Cuba. The feel- ing is said to have extended beyond the consul, and to have included those Span- jards at Key West who supported the home government. As a result, the consul and a number of Spaniards who have been living there have removed to Tampa, where it is said that their safety is better as- sured. The Spanish minister, Senor Polo, feels that his prediction of a more hopeful turn in affairs hes been verified. The legation has largely resumed its normal aspect, and there are no signs of impending depart- ure of the minister and his staff. He made specific denial today of two published re- ports. One of these was to the effect that he had recently asked an audience &t the State Department to submit certain new Propositions, and that considerable trouble had arisen over the request, the audience &t first being denied and subsequently cer- tain notes being withdrawn. Senor Polo requested that the statement be made that he had asked for no such audience, that it had not been denied and that the with- drawal of. notes as reported had not in fact occurred. The mifister also desired @ de- nial of the published statement that he had been in conference with those repre- senting the plan for the purchase of Cuba. He says he has never in his life seen Col. McCook, who is understood to be at the head of this purchase plan. ag Italian Officers Call: Secretary Long this morning had a call of courtesy from Captain Gaetano Chier- chia of the Italian school ship Amerigo Vespucci, which is lying in the Potomac river below Alexandria, Va. The captain ‘was occompanied by Count Vinci, the charge d'affaires of the Italian legation, who introduced him to the Secretary, and by Lieutenant Giovanni Marcucci, an offi- —_—_-o—______ IMPATIENT FOR ACTION. Belief That Vigoro Act Will He Taken in the House Tomorrow. ‘The greatest impatience for action is be- ing manifested among members of th: House. The committee of the republican members who are insisting on immediate intervention held a me2ting today and adopted a resolution, with practical une- nimity, notifying the committee on foreign relations that they would insist upon im- mediate intervention and the recognition of the ind2pendence of Cuba, and that if the committee on foreign affairs did not report such a resolution th would themselves present a resolution for both intervention and independence and us2 their utmost en- deavor to pass it through the House. The republican members of the foreign affairs committee are at great variance in their vizws. Their meeting this morning with the democrats and subsequently without the presence of the democrats of the com- mittee resulted in no agreement, and they adjournad until 3 o'clock, when they are to make another effort to get together. The eager among the republicans are insisting that a resolution should be reported today. The confusion of the situation is extr>me. The democratic members of the committee are insisting on intervention with recogni- tion of independenc2, as are the Cuban sympathfzers on the republican side of the House. It is announced that General Lee will Teach Washington at 2:15, and that after calling on the President h3 will go at once before the Senate committee. His testi- mony is awaited with great interest and ex- pectancy, it being beli>ved that after he has presented the evidence in his possession no one will entertain the doubt that the Maine was destroyed by Spanish officials. This is being used as an argument for delay until tomorrow. The belief is that there will be no report before temorrow and that when timatum” sent by the pro-Cuban republi- cans of the House to the foreign affairs committee does not mean by independence of Cuba necessarily the recognition at this both in the House and Senate foreign com- mittees and resolutions are to be reported ——————_—_—_—_——_ | SHI ) PS GO TO SPAIN Barcelona Companies Buy Two of the Hamburg Liners. FIRST OFFERED 0 UNITED STATES a Active Preparations for War at the Navy Yards. MOVEMENTS OF WAR SHIPS NEW YORK, April 12.—Regarding the Hamburz liners which were said to have been offered to the United States govern- ment, Mr. Emil L. Boas, the New York agent of the Hamburg-American line, sald today that on last Monday he was in Washington and offered the government the steamers Columbia and Normannia, giving till 3 o'clock that afternoon for a response. No reply was received, and he subsequently notified the government that should there be a desire at any time to consider his proposition to let him know and he would at once cable to his com- pany for authority in the matier. He heard nothing from the government for five days, and then he was informed that the Columbia and Normannia had been sold to Morse & Company of London. Transferred to Spanish Company. Today he received a cablegram from his company that Morse & Company had transferred the two steamers yesterday to the Campania Transatlantic of Barcelona, a Spanish commercial line of steamers, of which J. M. Ceballos. & Company are the New York agents, and that the steamers would leave Hamburg today for Cadiz to be delivered to the purchasers. Mr. Bous further said that during the last week he had offered the government the steamer Fuerai Bismarck, and that the offer still remaired open. Exe! ion From Navy Yard. The crders issued yeeterdcy by Rear Ad- wiral Bunce excluding all persons from the nevy yard, Brcoklyn, except those be- longing to the navy or emp! ed in the yard, are being strictly enforced. A great many people were turned away from the main entrance today by the entries. Many of the visitors were anxious to nee relatives who belonged to the different ships throughout the yards. A few per- sens who had urgent business were fur- nished passes by the captain of the yard, but each cne of them was closely watched by the marine sentries who were placed at short distances from each other all over the different docks and buildings. Tugs Ready to Sail. The tugs Uncas, Osceola and Sioux will be ready this afternoon or early tomorrow, when they will leave for the south. Their first stopping place will be Norfolk, Va., where they will coal up. The Saturn was taken out of dry dock to- day and the Wauputuck, formerly the At- las, in command of Lieut. Jungen, one of the Maine survivors, took her place in the dock. The Hornet, formerly the Alicia, in command of Lieut. Helm, went in com- mission at 10 o'clock today. The New Orleans and San Francisco are expected to arrive on Thursday, but the latter may not come up to the yard. At the recruiting ship Vermont a few bright-looking lands- men were enlisted today. New Dispatch Boat Arrives. NEW YORK, April 12.—A dispatch boat, which the United States government beught from the Yarrows of England, ar- rived here today on the American trans- pert liner Minnefaska. Her steering gear is all that is needed to place her in active service, and this will probably be adjusted soon as she is taken off the Minne- waska, so that she may have a trial trip scon. The vessel, which is unnamed as yet, ie 61 feet long, with rine feet beam. She draws two feet of water forward and Wires feet aft. She is said to be one of the fast- est dispatch boats in the world, a speed of thirty knots an hour being claimed for hei I: is also claimed that she may be sw! merged to the deck line. Naval Reserve Ordered Out. NEW YORK, April 12.—A small detach- ment of the New Jersey naval reserve, de- partment of the east, left on an Atiantic ccast line express from the Pennsyivania depot et 9:34 o'clock this morning for Phil- adelpia. The men numbered less than twenty-five. They are the advance guard of the nine- ty-five ordered to man the moniter Mon- tauk, which is at the League Island navy yard in Philadelphia. It is expected that the remainder of the ninety-five men as- signed will depart tomorrow for Philadel- phia. Crew for the Nahant. NEW YORK, April 12.—The first bat- talion of the Naval Reserves of New York started today on their way to the League Island navy yard. * They left over the Pennsylvania railroad. in three special cars. The 102 men who make up the battalion were wild with en- thusiasm. In addition to their hammocks and haver- sacks, the men took along with them ten rifles, 1,000 rounds of ammunition, ten cut- lasses and 500 rounds of pistol ammunition. They will go to the League Isiand navy yard and will do duty on board the moni- tor Nahant, which they will man and bring back to guard New York harbor. Leather for W: Purposes, PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 12—A firm of wholesale leather dealers of this city yesterday received an order from the gov- ernment for 10,000 sides of leather, to be delivered at the Rock Island arsenal at the earliest possible moment. The leather is to be used for the manufacture of cartridge boxes and swords, saber and bayonet scab- i il t