Evening Star Newspaper, April 23, 1898, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR. —— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31€1 Fenzeylvania Avenve, Cor. llth 8t., by bas eae bp en ‘The Evening Star Is served to subscribers in the aty by cx ee thcic owe account, st 10 cents month. Cop! the cecater % certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage io Prepald—60 cents per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with fore! pestage a ‘Euterea at the Po t Office at Washington, D. C.. sec md-clase ma'l matter.) 7 All mail subseriptions must be paid tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior: Che Lvening Star. re a No. 14,086. WASHINGTON, D. ©, SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1898-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS. If you want to buy, sell or exchange anything, lease property or rent rooms, want a situation or want help, it will pay you to announce the fact in the advertising columns of The Star. They are closely studied by more than three times as many people as read any other paper. MEN NOW WANTED A Call For One Hundred and Twenly-Five Thousand VOLUNTEERS ARE ASKED FOR To Serve for Two Years, Unless Sooner Discharged. A CHANCE FOR PATRIOTS The Quota of the Different States and Territories. TEXT OF THE DOCUMENT The President has issued a procla- mation calling for 125,000 volunteers to serve for two years unless sooner discharged. The passage by Congress of a formal declaration recognizing the existence of war is being discussed. and the President may next week send a message to Congress request- ing such action. Two battalions of marines have left New York to join Capt. Samp- son’s fleet. They are the advance guard of the force to land at Matan- zas, Cuba. The Hull army reorganization bill was passed by the House. The New York naval militia have been ordered to the Yankee; Mary jand, to the Dixie; Michigan, to the Yosemite, and Massachusetts, to the Prairie. It is expected that Secretary Sher- man will soon retire, on accourt 0 ill health, and that Assistant Secre- tary Day will succeed him. Admiral Sampson’s fleet has es- tablished a blockade at Havana. The cruiser New York overhauled and captured the Spanish tramp steamer Pedro Bilboa. It is rumored in London that the American liner Paris has been cap- tured by a Spanish cruiser. The ru- mor is not credited by those whose opinion is the best on the subject. ft is also reported that the Shen- andoah, a ship belonging to Arthur Sewall & Co. of Maine, has been captured by the Spanish. The President today issued the fol- lowing proclamation calling for 125,- 000 troops to serve two years: By the President of the United States—A Proclamation : Whereas, a joint resolution of Con- gress was approved on the 2oth day of April, 1898, entitled “Joint reso- lution for the recognition of the in- dependence of the people of Cuba, demanding that the government of Spain relinquish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba, and to withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the President of the United States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions into effect,” and, Whereas, by an act of Congress, entitled “An act to provide “for tem- porarily increasing the military Es- tablishment of the United States in time of war and for other purposes,” approved April 22, 1898; the Presi- dent is authorized, in order to raise a volunteer army, to issue his procla- mation calling for volunteers to serve in the army of the United States; Now, therefore, I, William Mc- Kinley, President of the United States, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and the laws, and deeming sufficient occasion to exist, have thought fit to call forth and hereby do call forth volunteers to the aggregate number of 125,000, in order to carry into effect the pur- pose of the said resolution; the same to be apportioned, as far as practi- cable, among the several states and territories and the District of Colum- bia, according to population, and to serve for two -years, unless sooner discharged. The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the proper authorities through the War Department. In witness whereof, I have herc- unto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be af- fixed. Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-third day of April, A. D. 18y8, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and second. [ McKINLEY. c Secretary of State. President McKinley signed the proc! ma- tion calling for 125,000 troops shortly before noon today. Alger and Judge Day were pre sed the sign- ing. The proclamation was promulgated later at the State Department. Secretary Alger said that the efficial call for troops would not be made upon the gov of the various states before Monday, ne President did not desire to have the ccuntry in a state of ferment on Sunday. To make the official call today would neces- sitate the assembling of trooys in every nd hamlet on Sunday. The beating of drums and the excitement of millions of »ple would be more than the President 1 to bring about, when it could be pre- until Monday without detriment to the intores count nges of Plan. It was almost impossible to keep up with the day's developments on the subject of the proctamaticn. J after 11 o'clock a | memter of the President's official family 5 e out the pment that the proclama- tion would be signed, but would not be pro- muigated until, Monday cr offic.ally put into op: 1 before that date. Tais informa- tion was flashed by wire to every part of the country. About this time Gen. Alger went to the House and had a conference with the Pres.dent The whole situation changed few minutes and the announcement made that the prociamation would be de public today. There has been a good of goxsip to the effect that the co try expected notification of the call toda and Gen. Alger urged that it be made at once. It is barely possible that the first information given out was miscon- strued, but if so, the misconstruction was It is known that Gen. Alger fa- action as speedily ible, and has urged this line from thi Pressure for Army Appointments. The provi of the volunteer army Dill previding for four major generals is giving | the President some concern. Senators and | representatives cf all parties have been busy for several days submitting the names of friends for these positions. The President will have a long list to pick from in selecting the major generals. Pienty of pressure is being already brought to secure the other good places provided, for in the bill. There will be an ambitious scramble for the nine brigadier generalships, as weil as for the many other high off Nothing is given out at the White House as te what will be done with Gen. Lee. Everybody believes he will be male a mz jor general, but it is not thought this has been | eecided upor. A Declaration of War. The question of a formal declaration of War was under consideration during the morning by the President, who had a long talk with Assistant Secretary Day. On this question, as on others, there has been a change of op The cabinet at its | session yesterday agreed that a formal de laration of war is not necessary at thi time. Attorney Gencral Griggs then held, and was of the same opinion today, that a state of Hostilities already exists, and that no declaration of war is necessary. He is of the opinion, however, that a formal dec- laration will soon be necessary to fix the legal status of affairs. Many opinions have been given, and all these are now under consideration. If the President contemplates a message to Con- gress asking for a declaration some of the members of his cabinet are in ignorance of his purposes. The best opinion is that no {such a message will go In before some time next week. This is likely to change with events as other changes have been made. The President's reasons for urging Con- &ress to declare war immediately are, first, that he may avail himself freely of services of retired officers; second, that Spain, by its acts, has practically declared war, and third, that naval officers may be entitled unquestionably to prize money for captures. Feeling in Congress. The best authorities in Congress say that there is not yet anything in the proposition that the President will call upon Congress at once to declare war. If later Congress takes action in this direction it will not be in tne form of a declaration of war, but a declaration recognizing that war already exists. The President is proceeding on the assumption that war was declared by Spain and that it already exists. For him to call on Congress for a simple declaration of war would be, it is claimed, to abandon this po- sition, but a declaration that war already exists 1f mad2 at any time would not con- flict with the position taken. A test of whether the action of Spain In refusing to reeeive a communication from this country and in giving Mr. Woodford his passports for the reasons assigned was a declaration of war, wiil be made at once in the case of th2 prize captured by the Nashville. This case will be submitted at once to a prize court. If that court decides that the capture was legal and recognizes the existence of a state of war, there will be no need for Congress to act except as a matter of convenience to declare that war dces already exist. If ths court should de- cide that the capture was illegal because of the fact that a state of war did not exist at the time of the capture, Congress will then be called upon to mak? a formal dec- laration of war at once. It is not anticipated, however, that there is any likelihcod of the prize court deny- ing that a state of war does exist. Number of Volunteers. Another change mage -since yesterday was in the number of troops to be called for. It was agréed at: yesterday's cabinet ‘to make the number 100,000. Deliberations at the White House since yesterday in- duced the President to make the call for | 125,000 men. Many of the President’s friends and advisers were in favor of mak- number ‘larger than this. It is known that several of his friends urged him to make the number 200,000, It was urged that this number of men would not be necessary in the operations against the (Continued on Second Page.) THE CUBAN INVASION Fighting by Land Forces Not Ex- pected for Some Time. FLEET MEANT TO BLOCKADE Spanish Fleet Not Expected to Come to Give Battle. TE ISLAND CAMPAIGN — The cause of the anxiety to get the au- thority conveyed in the army reorganiza- tion bill, taken up by the House of Re: resentatives this morning, is that the War Department wants to be able to avoi far as possible, the use of unseasoned vo!- unteers in an army of invasion. The strict discipline of he regular army better ts withstand the climatic condi- idable hardships of such he President does not want ly subject our citizen soldiers to the dangers of the Cuban c at this on of the year. ected in Congress that it ma be two or three weeks before there fighting by land on_the Cuba. While the orde soldiers to nd wu ions inva not contemplate their provoking a tight, it is realized that an engagement of some sort is possible to occur zt any time, and it is not thought to b than two or three days more hout of sh , is that the princ operations for the next two or three weeks will be directed toward the destruction ef com- merce. There is n> doubt abcut the block- fe of the Cut effe nd there i n prizes brougat until experience convine ntmea that their oniy safety lics In pot trying to avoid the blocl:td engagement with the Spanish feet not expected for a long time. Members ef the Heuse and Senate who are in close communication with the execu- tive and the Gepartments say that there is no expec come into American w It is with a feeling of a this conclusion is rea ospect of @ pre ment. ‘The decis ernment that coal pro- gulf the bs comm: nto tion that the Spanish fleet will te 5 to give battle. ppointment that d, because it op acted warfare of ha- on of the British gov- hall be considered a munition of war is regarded as effectively hg an end to any cperations by the sh fleet on this side of the Atlantic. inst any city on our coast or *t our fleet by the Spaniards would leave the latter out of breath out of ccal and helpiess—when they got he Instead of any such desperate venture the Spanish will pre y content themsely, with preying upon our comm trously and as icng as the render it nee ry for us to inst them in their own waters, The Cuban Campaign. at. is, lculated that the two enemies we most to dread at present are the fever In Cuba and the fifty-odd small Spanish vessels, launches, ete., now in Cuban waters, one of which might sneak up and get a torpedo under one or more of our war vessels. The latter danger can be and will be carefully guarded against, but the yellow fever is a more serious enemy. To avoid the dangerous climatic condl- tlons as much use as possible is to be made of the Cuban soldiers under Gomez. It is expevied that as soon as the military Benization has been com leted, a bi of supplies will be established at Matanzas or scme other conventent point, where the American soldiers can be kept on the high unds and a junction effected with Gomez's forces and the latter be supplied with arms and put in condition to meet the Spanish in the fleld. The best informa- tion obtainable is that the Cuban a:my will not be found strong enough for the purpose, but will be joined to the regular ferces of the United States, and assigned to such duty as they are best fitted for, yellow 1 So as to protect the health of our own un- a limated soldiers as far as possible. As soon as 4 base of supplies has been es- tablished and held by a strong force, time will be given for Gomez to get his army together and to make a junction with our forces. Meanwhile relief will be extended to all the suffering Cubans who can be reached from our base of supplies. No Immediate Invasion. The present intention fs to rely to a considerable extent upon the Cubans to corduct the military operations during the reainy season, and {f their operations are not entirely successful before the close of the rainy season, the island will be invested by a great army of the United State: This ts taking into consideration the most extreme possibilities of the Spanish hold- ing out on the island. Tae belief is that the operations which can be entered upon without great danger to the health of our soldiers will be sufficient to speedily reduce t.e island to subjection, the squadron op- erating in conjunction with the land forces. Strength of the Insurgents, The Cuban insurgent army in the -fi2ld, armed and equipped for service, is said to number about 20,000 men. If arms and supplies ere landed by the Americans 30,- Quo more caa be fut in the field in a few days by General Gomez, commander-in- chief of the insurgent forces. The insurgent troops are scattered threughout tne eastern section of the is- land. General Calixto Garcia has about 7,000 men in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Puerto Principe. General Max- imo Gomez has about 3,000 men in Santa Clara. There are 3,000 insurgents in Ha- Vana province, 4,000 in Pinar del Rio and 3,000 mm Matanzas province. 2 It is said that these men are well armed and fairly well supplied with ammunition. Their greatest need is clothing. The army is in rags, and presents a very dismal ap- pearance. It is said that General Gomez maintains communication by means of ‘post routes and courier service established through- out the insurgent provinces, by whicn means he can communicate speedily with the Cubans who have not joined tte army up to this time, but who are ready and, willing to swell its ranks as soon as a port is opened to them and arms and ammuni- tion can be furnished them. ‘The proclamation of the President declar- ing a blockade of certain ports in Cuba leaves open a number of important harbors. upon the southeast coast of the island. The country back of these ports is a stronghold of the insurgents, and there are no Span- jards in that section of the island, except a few left in the port towns. The Spantul- Forces, ss It fs said the Spaniards have in Cuba about €0,000 regular troops. In addition there are about 40,000 vonmteers, ‘cor- responding to our militia. These men are described as brave and gbod fighters, but poorly officered and with lax discipline. Oa the other hand, the insurgents are just as brave, and their officets are men of their s. moved by the same patriotic feelings and who risk their lives in every engagement at the head of the attacking column surgent army are the of patriots who tock part in the ten y owe They are thoroughly imbued red cf the Spaniards and have d the memory: of the bitter wrongs upon their famili d friends pregress cf the struggle whicn infl during the continued for ten years in Cuba when the ted former attempt to s made. cure liberty wi To Wlockade Perto Rico. It is said to be part of the naval pro- gram to blockade the port of San Juan, Perto Rico, within a few days, and that that duty has been devolved upon Captain Sampson's ficet, in additicn to the general duty of maintaining a blockade of Cuban perts. it is therefore probable that Cap- tain Sampson's fleet will be divided into two divisions, one opérating on the coast of Cuba and the otHer operating against the Spanish bese Of supplies at Porto Rico. According to one authority, the smaller vessels of the fleet, including gunboats and torped6 boats, will be assigned to the gen- eral blockade of Cuba, while the battle nips and cruisers wilf devote their atten- tion to the blockade of Porto Rico. In case foliowed out it is expected that the E dent will sogn be able to declare by proclamation that the ports of Porto Rice, as well as those of Cuba, have been -e-_— SHERMAN TO RETIRE The Venerable Secretary of State to Tender His Resignation, ‘The Strain Upon Hjm Wow Too Great— On the best information this afternoon it can he stated that Secretary Sherman con- templates leaving the cabinet, and that he will probably withdraw within the next few lays. It is generally umderstood that he will be succeeded by Judge Day, now as- nt secretary of state. ceretary Sherman will withdraw from the enbinet because of a breaking down of his health and inability to keep up with the strain of the present situation. The fact that.Mr. Sherman's health has been failing since his#entrance in thé cabi- net is well know: President McKinley and ail of the cabinet members, together with the hundreds Gf closé pérsonal friends of the Secretary, have noticed this condition, but owing to the sincere desire to have Mr. Sherman remain at the head of the ate riment bis attemtion was never called the himself had not observed. Secretary Sherman has regularly attend- ed the the Spanish crisis grew more acute, but he has sions of the cabinet since not been able to remain at his office longer than an early hour in the afternoon, has willingly turned over the arduous work ef the Spani Me stion to Judy! has Goatented himsebt with ais such other attatrs as could be managed without requiring exira hours. Secretary. Shermun's pays.cilan has ac- Vised him that ne ougdt not aiiene vo any work in the Gopartment and sy ua Deure. nto :1Un. He 1s the Giy person, wae bias ayuk the Secretary cir ine quescon ot aes It Was not until the Seeretary vegan Lo re- utize that he caught w give way to young- er und stronger men to aid the Pres that he began to give consideration to tiie question of retictig. Almost viuimeous opsnion tary Shermaua will reure to his home devote e he chcoses tu ABCMENL OF My personal affairs. ‘The oyinicn wat Judge Day will succeed Secretasy Sherman is basea on the knowi- edge that President McKinley desires this. The only quesuon is wnecher Juuge Day 4s willing to accept the position. His prei- erences are tor his law practice in Ohio. He became assistant sceretary of state at the urgent request of the President. it is said in some quarters that both Sen- ator Davis, chairman of the Senat> com- mittee on foreign relations, and ex-Senator Edmunds of Vermont are named for the Position of Secretary of State, and many of their friends will urge their appointmant upon the President. - Secretary Sherman wes on duty at the Stata Department as ugual today and de. clined to say anything ape way or the other in regard to the renewed report that he will resign from the cabjnet within the next few days. Judge Day hes strongly objected to be- coming Secretary of State, but the Presi- dent and entire cabingt @esire that he shall take ihe position. ent is that and Widlever t the manu DENQUNGED <AS PIRACY. Are Ini t Over the Cap- 2 tare be ies. “MADRID; April 23.—The capture of the Spanish steamer Brena Vetitura by the ‘Unked States-cruispr Nashville, off Key ‘West, -yesterday, has aroused the greatest indignation, the Spaniards claiming that hostilities are not yet supposed to have be- gvn. The newspapers of this city criticise the seizure of the évestel @ an act of Piracy aiid as being a defiance of interna- tional.law, “ebaractéristic of the Yankees.” it 1s. again that the Spanish sq nis frofa<the Cape Verde Telandg,. but its mais not given, though .it ig be}ieved:the ships will sud- denly @ppear and create’a surprise. — German “Press is Abusive. BERLIN, ‘April 23—The German press of every stripe. .js. condeming the United States. All the ers impute selfish and" base motives to America, and praise the attitude of Spain. HULL BILL PASSED Proposed Reorganization of the Regular Army. — +—__—_. NEED FOR CHANGE DEMORSTRATED Forcesto Be Promptly Restored to Peace Basis. > NO DIVISION WAS MADE ARMY REORG ‘The House Met at 10 0% win Consideration. The House of Representatives met at 10 o'clock this morning, in. purcuance of the order made yesterday, in order to expedite the passage of the army reorganization bill, which the War Department deems impera- tively necessary at the earliest possible moment. Mr. Hull, chairman of the committee on military affairs, called the bill up imme- diately after the reading of the journal. Provisions of the Bill, The bill has been materially modified since it was recommitted by the House a fortnight ago. It provides for the three- battalion formation, and gives 84 instead of 100 privates to each infantry company. It authorizes 25 regiments of infantry, to be recruited up to a total of 31,800 enlisted Congress would respond promptly by pass- ing the pending bill to avoid complications. Mr. Bailey said he thought it was not a very high compliment to the army to be told that Ineffictency of the army on the eve of war was admitted. After thirty Years of peace it seemed to him the plans of the army to mteet an emergency should have been perfected. It was strange that an obsolete formation should -have been retained all these years. What he was par- ticularly insistent about was that the su- pernumerary officers and men should be mustered out when the war closed. Mr. Dockery (Mo.) pressed the point. Mr. Hull finally agreed to offer an amena- ment which would make the language ac- ceptable to Mr. Bailey. Mr. Lacey (lowa) offered an amendment providing “that during time of actual war Promotions for gallantry on the field may be made for any Vacancies in any grade in the army without examination and with- out regard to seniority. Mr. Lacey made a speech in support of Hs amendment, which aroused enthusiastic approval. The provision of the bill, he said, would make promoilons depend upon seniority and technical skill. Such officers as Custer and Sheridan, if the war shoul develop such, would be handicapped. Fignt- ing ability should be regarded, not ability to pass examinations. Mr. Lacey's statement that General For- est, one of the most dashing confederate officers, could hardly read and write met @ storm of. protests from the ex-confeder- ete veterans, Mr. Handy (Del.) supported the am»nd- nt. He called attention to the fact that Napoleon's, system of promotion depended entirely upon the demonstration of the ebility of officers for high command. Mr. Handy offered an amendment to the same men in time of war, the recruitment of 10 |,amendment providing that the President cavalry regiments up to 12,000 men, and 7 regiments of artillery to a total of 16.457 men, and the engineer battalion to 752 men, making a total war strength of 61,010 en- listed men. It provides that nothing in the act shall be construed to authorize a per- manent increase of the commissioned or enlisted force beyond that now provided for by law, except as to the increase of 25 majors. The following important proviso was offered by the committee as an amend- ment: “Provided, that in the event of a call by the President for either volunteers or the militia of the country the President is au- thorized to accept the quotas of troops of the various states and territories, includ- ing the District of Columbia, as organized under the laws of the states and territories, Including the District of Columbia.” e General Debate Limited. It was decided to Nmit the general debate to half an hour. Mr. Hull briefly explained some of the features of the bill. He said the infantry force of the army as at pres- ent organized was not efficient in time of War with only fifty privates. It placed but twenty-five men to each company in the fighting line and made the regular army, which cost on a peace footing $23,- “000,000 per annum, merely ornamental. The number of privates in each company had been placed in tae bill at eighty-four to conform with the organization of the National Guard in the majority of states. Mr. Hull said that it was the purpose of thé gene of the army to effect a land- ing ! Cuba at the eai ‘st possible mu- ment. It would take six weeks or two months to equip the volunteer army. The United States was doing what no other country on earth would dare do—it w: going into war without provision for a land force. Congre made no provision for war until war was at hand. Our vol- untecr army would be organized while war sted. Our experts on coast defenses Quid it would be absolutely impossible to ce volunteer forces upon the coast ¢e- fenses within three months, owing to the complicatg? character of the new ma: ery on the > guns. This made the in- crease in regular artillery force im- perative. Mr. Huil was besieged b, the manner in which the reduction of the army would take place when hosiilities ceased, and he explained that the officers of the skeleton regiments would be absonb- ed by promotion. Mr. Underwood (Ala.) vigorously opposed the questio;s as to the measure,, which, he declared, ca Possibly pass save under the 2 war pressure. It did not, he said, the approval of the American peopic. was a false pretense. it It was, in fact, a Dill to increase the standing army from 26,000 to avery member on the floor, he said, nad recelved scores of letters from his con- stituents protesting againsi the increase of the standing army. ‘They were willing to enlist in the service ef their country, but they wanted to serve under volunteer offi- cers, not West Pcint martinets. Mr. Hay (Va.), who warmly advocated the bill, repelled Mr. Underwood's charge 2at Congress was becoming hysterical, Maine Purpose of the Bit. The main purpose of the bill, he said, Was to obtein the three-battalion forma- tion. For our scidiers to confront the Spanish array with our present formation, he said, meant ceriain death. The ne fermation made the irerease in the in- fantry regiments necessary. The bill inade no increase in the cavalry regiments. He denied that the purpcse cf the bill was vo sive West Point ctficers commands which they would otherwise not odtain. Mr. Cox (Tenn.), a member of the com- mittee, svppcrted the bill, which, he said, would make the army efficient in time of war. When hostilities ceased the surplus nen and officers wouid be mustered out of the service and the army woutd be reduced to 26,000 men. Mr. Marsh (ill), also a member of the committee, said, in justice to the War De- pactment and the regular army, he would state that the former bill, which provided for infantry compinies of 2) men, met the approval of neither. The bill did not pro- vide the mode and method of mustering out the supernumerary officers when hos- tilitles ceased. Additional legislation would be required to acccmplish this, or possibiy the bill could ‘be construed as conferring this authority upon the President. Necessity for Action. : Mr. Hull said there could be no doubt about the construction of the law. The su- pernumeraries would be mustered out when the war ceased. Mr. Hull said he was just in receipt of the following telegram from Adjutant General Corbin: “Have sent your telegram to the President in order to get guthority to reply. All plans of this de- partment are being built on prompt. pas- sage of the battalion bill. Have just seen Senator Cullom and he thinks it quite pos- sible to have Senate assemble after funeral today to consider any army .bill that paas- ea the House.” He said that he also had a telegraphic message from the White House saying that the call for volunteers would be issued im- mediately, and that the President hoped should be authorized to promote enlisted men to the rank of second lieutenant for gallantry in action. Mr. Sayers (Tex.) vigorously opposed both amendments. He declared that if adopted they would open the way for favoritism and the exercise of political influence. Both amendments were voted down with- out diviston. Then at 11:55 a.m., without completing the consideration of the -bill, the House tcok a recess in order to attend the funeral of Senator Walthall. The Bill Passed. The amendment removed practically all the democratic opposition to the bill. Mr. King (Utah) offered an amendment, which was rejected, which provided that the act should expire by limitation at the end of two years. Without further amendment the bill was passed without division. —————— PARIS REPORTED CAPTURED. Another Rumor is That She is Re- turning to Port. LONDON, April 23.—A report was in cir- culation today that the American lincr Paris, chartered by the United States gov- ernment, which sailed from Southampton yesterday afternoon for New York, had been captured by the Spanianis. A second report said the Paris was returning to Southampton. Both reports are discredited. The first rumor appears to have arisen from the fact that before salling the cap- tain of the Paris was warned to run for the nearest port in case of danger. As to the second rumor, it is pointed out that the Paris passed the Lizard at 11:45 o'ciock last night. No Fear for Paris’ Safety. PHILADELPHIA, April 23.—The fear for the safety of the steamship Paris express- €d in some quarters is not felt by the o! cers of the International Navigation Com- pany. No news had been received at the company’s office this morning of the vessel passing Hurst Castle, but no significance is attached to this, Clement A. Griscom, jr., one of the man- agers of the American line, laughed at the idea of the capture of the Paris. “There is not a vessel in the Spanish navy which can steam within two knots of the Paris’ speed,” he said. “If the day is clear, a vessel can be sighted twenty mites away. If there is any doubt of the vessel's nationality, it is hardly likely that BLOCKADES AFACT MoroCastleis NowUnder the lowa's Big Guns, ‘NEW YORK CAPTURES A PRIZE ee ee Spanish Freighter Pedro Bilboa Caught Near Cuba. a PRIZE TOWED TO KEY WEST —__ + —— Admiral Sampson May Have Some Fighting to Do Today. i , EXCITEMENT IN HAVANA pee (Copyright, 1898, by Charles M. Pepper.) Spectal From a Stuff Correspondent OFF HAVANA, Friday night, via dis- patch boat Echo to Key West.—Admiral Sampson's fleet commands Havana tonight. Morro Castle is in range of the big guns on the lowa, for it is not more than a dozen miles away and its ligi seen. The ships lie close in to the coast, almost under the brow of the low hills, but out of the range of the shore batteries. They are ¢rawn up in battle formation with the cruisers in shore. The New York has returned to fts sta- tion with the fleet after capturing the Span- ish tramp Pedro Bilboa. That was the first act of real naval warfare. The freighter thought ft could slip away. It was sighted by the torpedo boat Foote, which was doing scout duty along the west coast. When its presence was made known the New York started after the Rilboa, which sought to ignore the warning given it. Thought It Came From Shore. At first the shot across its bow was mis- taken by those who were followiag the fleet for a gun from the shore, but it was soon known that the shot was from the New York. The Pcdro Bilboa heeded this business and within a few minutes nad been boarded by Ensign Marble with a prize crew from the New York. ‘The cap- tain and crew of the merchantman had not known thet war between the United States and Spain had begun. They ac- cepted the explanation which the presence of the fleet gave. The Bilboa was put in tow of the Hornet and towed back to Key We: Another coasting steamer sighted by the New York paid prompt attention to the signal. She Froved to be under the German fiag, with 1egular papers, and was allowed to pro- ceed. Blockade is a Fact. The blockade, however, is now a fact, tke Paris will try to make it out. of se, a careful lookout wiih be kept for Spanish vessels, but we don’t expect any will be sighted which will give her any —__— POWERS PREPARING A NOTE. They Will Warn Relligerents ai Rights of Neutrals. BERLIN, April 23—There has been a lively exchange of notes in regard to the propesed concerted action upon the part of some of the powers for the protection of neutral flags. It is understood that Ger- eS y, France, Austria and Italy have about agreed to send a strong note to both the United States and Spain, warning them to exercise the greatest caution in dezling with neutral shipping, adding that, other- wise, full reparation will be insisted upon. ‘These powers also intend to send vessels to the seat of wur, to observe the naval end other operations. Germany wili prob- ably send the Koenig Wilhelm. Great Britain and Russia are still hanging back. The German government is strongly in- censed at the sale of the Hamburg-Ameri- can Lners Normannia 2nd Columbia to a Spanish company, as the vessels were aux- iliary cruisers, and; therefore, the consent of the government of Germany, which was hot obtuined, was necessary for the sale. to CRUISER TOPEKA Is SAFE. Vessel in Collision With the Albatross is Accounted For. LONDON, April 23.—The United States cruiser Topeka is safe. The ste2mer which collided with the Albatross has been ider- tified. Wheat Goes Up im London. LONDON, April 23.—The prices of wheat have advanced three shillings per quarter at various centers, owing to the short supply. ~ | | —> Newfoundland is Neutral. 8ST. JOHNS, N. F., April 23.—Governor Murray has issued a neutrality proclama- tion. —— Fleet Lenves the Canaries. LONDON, April 22—A report has reach- ed the United Staies embassy here to the €ffec: that in spite of denials the Spanish fleet left the Canary Islands several days ago. 2 VINCENT, Gape Verde Islands, Aprii a.m.—The Spanish fleet ts still here. ————— and no vessel wil! enter or seave Havana harbor tonight. The torpedo boats are keeping close to the shore; patrols are out in every directicn and at intervals the searchlights from the warships flash across the waters. It is real war. When the squadron came in sight of land this afternoon the air was hazy, and while the oufline of the hills wes visible the most_powerful glass was unable to distinguish what was going on in He- a. But the whole city knows the fleet is at its gates. What the first move tomor- row .will be only Admiral Sampson and the other commanders know, but it is certain that the ships will be much closer to the shore, and if Bianco's plan is to open fire from the shore batteries he will have a chance to do so. incidents of the Trip. The run «cross from Key West this morning was full of incidents. The ves- sels moved from Sand Key light a little af- ter sunrise. Viewed from the deck of the newspaper dispatch boat, the morning mus- ter was the most interesting sight. The men Were alert. The ships were stripped bare. This was the order in which they started across the gulf, sailing ten minutes apart: Fiagship New York, battle ships Iowa and Indiana, cruiser Cincinnati, gunboat Nash- ville, monitor Amphitrite and the Castine, Newport, Wiim.ington, Machias, Mayflower and the torpedo boats Porter, Foote, Du- pont and Winslow, in the order named. It was 2 majestic marine procession. PEPPER. (Copyright, 1893, Uy Associated Press.) As Scen From the Shore. HAVANA, April 22-8:30 p.m.—(Delayed in tramemirsion).—At 4:45 o'clock this aft-