Evening Star Newspaper, April 29, 1898, Page 1

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T STAR. T = PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, ICI Ferreyivania Avenze, Cer. = St, by The Evening Star Ne m pan, Ss. H. RAUPFMANN Pres’t. ¥ —>—_—_— Few York Ofice 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star ved to subscribers In the ants by crete, on thee own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the ceunter 2 cects each. By matl—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepa! cents per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.08. (Entered at the Po.t Gifice at Washington, D. ©. 2 sec nd-cliss ma’l matter.) €F All mail subscriptions must be pafd In advan Rates of advertising made known on applicetto The regular permanent family circulation of The Evening Star in Washington is more than double that of any other paper, whether published in the morn- | ing or in the afternoon. j As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and un No. 14,091, WASHINGTON, D. ©. FRIDAY,’ APRIL 29, 1898-SIXTEEN PAGES. approachable. TWO CENTS. | TO INVADE CUBA Troops Break Camp at Chicke- manga Park Today. STRONG FORCE OF ARTILLERY Entire 24th Infantry and Four Companies of Cavalry. WILL ROSH THROUGH 10 TAMPA Remaining Colored Troops Will Move in a Few Days THE NATIONAL GUARD The House of Representatives met at 10 o'clock to consider the war revenue bill. The Senate adopted the conference report on the naval appropriation bill. The democratic senators will cau- cus on the course to be pursued on the war revenue bill. The cruiser Nictheroy, purchased from Brazil, has been renamed the Buffalo, the steam lighter John Dwight the Pawnee, the tug Hes- peria_ the Apache and the tug Justin the Chickasaw. ; The Navy Department has re- ceived information that the Spanish squadron has left the Cape Verde Is- lands. Her destination is unknown. It is believed that the American liners recently obtained by the gov- ernment will head directly for the Spanish coast to lie in wait for prizes.. Today’s cabinet meeting was un- eventiul. President McKinley had an ex- tended interview with General Meyer of Louisiana in regard to the enlist- ment of immunes from yellow fever. It is contended that the success of the Montserrat in running the Cu- ban blockade does not, as Spain claims, establish the ineffectiveness of the blockade. The declaration of Paris is aimed at mere “paper block- ades.” It is understood that the volunteer army will be composed of three corps, commanded by Major Gens. Grenville Dodge, J. H. Wilson and either Fitzhugh Lee or Joseph Wheeler. Secretary Alger has designated Col. W. H. Forwood, assistant sur- geon, to examine the physical quali- fications of the District volunteer troops. The French ambassador and Aus- trian minister are looking after the interests of those Spanish subjects who are prisoners in consequence of the recent captures of Spanish mer- chantmen. Representatives of the powers are arranging for the departure of for- €igners at Havana as soon as any in- dication is made of a move that is likely to imperil their lives. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., April 20—The entire eight batteries of artillery, besides the 24th Infantry and four compantes of the 9th Cavalry, broke camp today, under orders to proceed to Tampa, Fla., at once. As fast as possible men, guns, horses, caissons, ammunition and camp parapher- nalia were loaded on the long lines of cars waiting for them at Battlefield station and started cn their journey south. The trains will be given preference over everything between here and Tampa, and a speed of twenty-five miles or more is expected to be made. Though no intimation of the ultimate des- tination of the troops has been given out here, there ts no doubt in the minds of the Officers and men that en immediate invasion of Cuba, or at least the capture and occa- pation of some Cuban seaport, is in contem- lation, in order to open up a line of com- munication with the Cuban forces under Gen. Gomez and Garcia, and to act in co- Operation with those forces in the imm3- @iate relief of the starving reconcentrados end the driving of the Spanish forces from the island. Will Be Gone by Tonight. The artillery wili all have left here before pight, as will in all probability the 9th Cav- airy. The 24th Infantry hardly be able to leave here before tomorrow, though it 4s possible that these troops too, will be ready for departure by nightfall. A corps of four surgeons accompanied the battalion. Mejor Lancaster, in com- mand, went out with the last section. Col. Randolph, commanding the artillery brigade, remained on the ground until the last battery was loaded. Ali these bat- teries are at present on the former peace footing as regard men, but recruits to fill them to the maximum strength will be sent as fast as possible. Remaining Colored Troops to Move. It is the general belief that all the re- maining colored troops at Chickamauga willbe on their way south before Saturday night. This will include the 10th Cavalry, Col. Ge V. Henry, and the 25th Infantry, Col. A. S. Burt. Two companies of the lat- ter regiment are already in Tampa. The 16th Infantry from Washington and Idaho posts were brought out to the park today, after spending the night in the Chatta- nooga yard. This was a great disappoint- ment to the men, who hoped to receive or- ders to proceed to Tampa. It will be made part of the first brigade. The New York Militia. NEW YORK, April 29.—The first troops of the New York state volunteers to start out for active service were the members of Company H of the 7ist Regiment, who left the armory today for Hempstead Plains, where they will begin the work of establishing quarters for other volunteers who are to follow them. Of the sixty-five members of Company E, 2d Regiment, N. J. N. G., only twenty have volunteered for service against Spain. The captain and one of the lieutenants of the company are among those who decline to go to the front. Company C of the same regiment, and with a like number on the roll, has reported fifty men ready for serv- ice, while sixty members of Company F have volunteered. - Light Batteries C and M ef the new 7th Artillery, which was organized at Fort Slo- cum, Davids Island, left Jersey City today via the Pennsylvania railroad for Fort Myer, Va. Col. William L. Watson, commander of the 13th Regiment of Brooklyn, is still in- sistent that his command should not go to the front except under conditions that will preserve its complete identity. He said to- day: “The 13th is willing to go to the front only as a regiment of National Guardsmen. It must remain a distinctive body and re- tain its own officers. Legal Point Involved. “To volunteer as individuals and enter the regular service would be running the risk of not only losing our regimental identity, but our armory as well. The armory, in our absence, might be turned over to some other organization. Again, we would prob- ably have to undergo re-enlistment. We do not propose to have the regiment shat- tered, and want its officers and men kept strictly together.” e Hempstead Plains, the state camp, is to be occupied by the 60th and 7ist Regiments of New York, the 13th, 14th and 47th of Brooklyn, one troop of Squadron A, Troop C, of Brooklyn, and various separate com- panies from different parts of the state. They will begin to arrive at the camp on next Monday. PEEKSKILL, N. Y., April 20.—About 2,000 tents arrived from New York at the Peekskill camp today and were placed in position in company streets on the north parade grounds. They are for the use of the volunteers of the 8th, 9th and 12th Regiments of New York, who are to occupy the state camp here. Col. Grigsby’s Cowboys. SIOUX FALLS, S. D., April 29.—Four full companies of cavalry volunteers have been turned over to Col. Grigsby and will be mustered in at once. They were recruited from the ranges west of the Missouri river and are largely made tp of cowboys. State Treasurer Phillips has command of one company. FRESNO, Cal., April 20.—In compliance with instructions from Gov. Budd, Com- panies C and F. N. G. C., met in Armory Hall and muster rolls were opened. Sixty- seven volunteer2d. SAN FRANCISCO, April 29.—The Aus- trian Military and Benevolent Association of this city has adopted a series of reso- lutions expressing the utmost loyalty to the United States. The resolutions also disclaim sympathy with Spain. Many of the association members are ex-soidiers of the Austrain army. They say that they are ready and anxicus to serve under the stars and stripes if there is need of their services. Lieut. Wholley’s Command. TACOMA, Wash., April 29.—Lieutenant John W. Wholley of the regular army, who has been stationed at Washington State University, has been appointed by Gov- ernor Rogers as colonel of the regiment of voluntecrs to be mustered into the army from this state from the National Guard. STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Cal., April 29. —Following the call fer volunteers, about ferty Stanford students have enlisted in Company K, 1st Infantry of San Francisco, and will go to the city on Monday prepared to-go to the front. President David Starr Jordan has promised all students enlisting now their full credits for the present se- mester. N2arly half of the members of the foot ball team are among the recruits. SAN FRANCISCO, April 20.—When the United States recruiting office-closed yes- terday 232 able-bodied men had made ap- lication for places in the heavy artillery volunteer service. One noticeable feature of the day’s erlistment was the increased number of men of experience and goodly showing from among the membership of the League of the Cross and the Boys’ Brigade organizations. Candidates for cavalry service were nu- merous and could not be induced to enlist for any other branch. DONATION FRoM HAITI. The Republic Subscribes $1,000 for a Monument to Frederick Douglass. The Department of State has been in- formed by Minister Powell at Port au Prince, Haiti, that the Haitian Republic has donated the sum of one thousand dol- lars toward the erection of a monument by the citizens of Rochester, New York, in that city to the memory of the late Frederick Douglass, at one time minister resident and consul general to Haiti. Mr. Powell, in acknowledging the gift, congrat- ulated the Haitian government by saying that “under all the difficulties that have be- set you since you won your independence, isolated, as it were, from the great family of nations, you have maintained your in- tegrity and with it the honor of your re- public, neither of which have become tar- nished or dimmed by age, until you stand a& the recognized factor of what a race can achieve under the blissful life of free- dom and independence.” e+. DEMOCRATS TO CAUCUS. ‘Will Discuss Their Course om the ‘War Revenue Bill. ‘The democratic senators will hold a cau- LEFT ST. VINCENT Satisfaction at the Departure of the Spanish Fleet. INTENDED VISIFATION OF BIG LINERS Transformed Into Destroyers of Commerce. NEW VESSELS RENAMED The Navy Department early this morning received news of th? sailing from St. Vin- cent, Cape Verde, of the Spanish fleet, and when the additional information came through the pr2ss dispatches initially that Portugal had at last proclaimed neutrality, there were many expressions of satisfaction among the officials. However, almost from the moment of the departure of the fleet anxizty arose as to its destinatio: The statement that the vessels when leaving St. ‘Vincent were headed in a southerly direc- tion is valueless as an indication of the real course of the fleet, for the veriest beginner in the study of naval strategy would real- ize the importance of misleading an en2my as to the intentions of a fleet circumstanced as is that of Spain. While the field for speculation is very wide, still the majority of the naval officers here feel confident that the Spanish fleet will next appear at the Canary Islands, about half way between Cape Verde and Spain, and lying dir2ctly in the homeward path of the ships. As th Canaries are Spanish islands and possess some fortifications worthy of con- sideration, it may be that the fleet will be allowed to. remain there for some time, as the islands form a good strategic base. What most concerns the naval officers just now is how to learn when the fleet does arrive there. The cable to the Ca- naries being in Spanish hands, the arrival of the fleet would without doubt be kept secret, so far as the public or our gov- ernment was concerned. The intended vis-. itation of the converted American liners to the coast of Spain may have the effect to hasten the return home of the Cape Verde squadron, for it is believed that that squad- ron comprises about all of the vessels in the Spanish navy that are speedy and pow- erful enough to warrant an attack upon wessels of the St. Paui class. Big Liners to Look for Prizes. It is entirely possible that the operations of the American fleet In Cuban waters in the matter of seizing Spanish vessels as prizes will be scon completely eclipsed by the performance of the swift ocean grey- hounds recently obtained by the govern- ment from the American Line Steamship Company, the St. Louis and St. Paul, Har- vard and Yale (lately New York and Paris). It was the intention of the department to considerably supplement their present bat- teries at the navy yards. But owing prob- ably to the receipt of information from abroad of the movements,.of some very 4 richly-laden Spanish vessels en route to or about to depart from Spain, the depart- ment does not consider that time remains to complete the work in the ordinary man- ner at the navy yards, now overwhelmed with other work. The transformed liners, therefore, are to be rushed to sea, and it 1s rumored that they carry in their holds some guns of heavy caliber, which will be mounted when they are in blue water. Of course, following the rule whitch has been so rigidly observed at the Navy De- partment touching the movements of war- ships, no official statement can be secured as to the destination of these splendid aux- ihary cruisers, but it is rumored that they are to head directly for the coast of Spain, where they will lie in wait for the Spanish prizes. Unless the small observation force of the Spanish navy in the Mediterran- au, composed of torpedo boats and de- Stroyers, is reinforced before the liners reach those waters they are likely tg fall easy victims to the guns of the cruisers. New Names for New Vessels. The Secretary of the Navy today select- ed new names for several recent acquisi- tions to the auxiliary navy. The crulser Nictheroy, formerly the Morgan liner Ei Cid, purchased from the Brazilian gov- ernment, has been renamed the Buffalo in honor of the New York city of that name. This cruiser left Rio de Janeiro a few days ago under escort of a Brazilian warship bound for New York. Her departure from the Brazilian port was undoubtedly hasten- ed by the neutrality order issued by that government giving vessels of the bellig- erent nations twenty-four hours to leave Brazilian ports. . Other vessels renamed today are the fol- lowing: The steam lighter John Dwight was named the Pawnee, the tug Hesperia ‘was named the Apache, and the tug Justin Was named th? Chickasaw. Naval officers were very much concerned this morning at the reported destruction of the powder factory at Dover and the wires were put to work instantly with a result of showing that the concern suffer- ing from the explosion was not the one, supplying the government with powder, but was the Atlantic works. Contraband Goods. Both the Navy and War Departments. are engaged in the preparation of a circu- Jar’ thet will stete in exact terms, just what constitutes contraband goods. The matter is not easy of definition because the recent developments of science and. changes in the methods of warfare, both afloat and ashore, have made many ar- ticles useful or necessary to an army and navy which were formerly quite exempt from suspicion of being contrabend. The lists when completed by the technical of- ficers of the two departments will be fypr- nished to the Btate Department, which wil in turn add certain items to them and promulgate the combined list. 7 Admiral Sampson's Report. Secretary Long ‘has received a brief dis- patch from Admiral Sampson, reporting the firing on Matanzas. The admiral says that few shots were thrown at the defenses, He gives no details of the affair or its re- eults, ‘Today’s Naval Orders. The following naval orders were issued today: Passed Assistant Engineer H. N. T, Har- ris, from the Naval Hospital at Pensacola and be ready for sea duty. “Ident. E. Lloyd, jr, from the “Naval Academy to the Solace. Acting Ensign T: L. Jenkins, to thé ‘teb- | i; of the Montauk tothe navy yard at Ports- mouth. 2 Naval Cadet C. L. Leiper, from the Yo- semite to the Franklin. Commander J. Bishop, retiréd, to Norfolk yard. “ Paymaster J. Furey, retired, to New York yard. ; Pay Inspector W. Goldsborough, retired, to Norfolk navy yard. Passed Assistant Engineer R. D. Taylor, retired, to League Island yard. Assistant Engineer H. C. Baughman, re- tired, to Norfolk yard, Passed Assistant Engineer G. W. Mc- Elroy, from the works of Harlan & Hol- lingsworth Company at Wilmington, Del., to duty as inspector of machinery on the Stringham. ‘ Passed Assistant Surgeon G. W. Allen, Acting Passcé Assistant Paymaster George E. Norris and Acting Passed Agsistant En- gineer Goold H. Bull, to the Prairie. The following officers were ordered to the Prairie: Acting Lieut. Gunior grade) Charles H. Bingham, Acting Lieut. George R. H. Buffington, Actiig Ensign Daniel H. Sughrue, Acting Ensign Herbert L. Smith. AT CHICKAMAUGA PARK Gen. Boynton’s Views of the Big Oamp of Regulars No Finer Body of Troops in the ‘World—Room for Fifty Thou- md Soldiers. Gen. Boynton, who has returned from Chickamauge to repert to Secretary Alger in regard to the conditions at the camp, 50 far as they affect the National Park, said to a Star reporter today that the prompt action of the Secretary in directing certain speedy preparations has made just the difference to the arriving troops hetwecn @ very comfortable and a very urcom- fortable occupation of the extended camp grounds, and all solditrs there are thank- ing him. “While Col. Lee, quartermaster of Gen. Brcoke’s staff, is a most efficient and un- usually energetic offleer, and while Gen. Brooke gave constant personal attention to every detail of the ftmmehse work on his hands,” said Gen. Boynton, “they were both shackled in the outset by red tape. ‘This required advertising, followed by legal waiting, awarding contracts, and then sometimes not: getting what was wanted at fair priceg.:Meantime the troops would have suffered had it not been that Secretary Alger found means to supply all immediate wants. -€ongress cannot too soon untie the hands. of its officers in the field. Fortunately, the troops al! came with thirty days’ rations. A Fine-Body pt Men. “No finer body of troops has ever been assembled in this contntry’ than the regu- lars who form the army cérps at the paris. ‘The many years’ Worlof<thé” War De- partment in impgoving the personnel of the army, beginning under Gen. . Schofield, brought about a marked revolution, It is now a body. of native and naturalized Americans of the best physique, every man certified to mustering officers as one of 00d, character and standing among his as- sociates; well drilled, well set up by regu- lar exercise—in person, equipment and discipline a splendid body. Gen. Brooke’s Personal Supervision. “The best illustration of Gen. Brooke’s fitness and energy is found in the fact that for days, ang for several of them in the rain, he stooa fom. morning till night, with his staff, superintending and expediting the unloading of the troops and supplies, and establishing them in camp. Such personal attention as he has given to these details ia not common among major generals. “The colored troops have excited great en- ihusiasm. They are in every respect the equals of the white regiments for effec- tive work, ard in drill and general appear- ance, The stories of disorderly conduct have been greatly exaggerated. There haye been a few inexcusable’ affairs, but not mcre than arise im every command from the bad conduct--of a few—the cause, in every case, being Hquor. Room for Fifty Thousand. “The camps are well drained, and fully supplied with wood and excellent water. A few writers, new to war, have found muddy cémps after hard rains’ and telegraphed that the soldiers were camped in the mud and sleeping in water. Camping anywhere in this country in the spring of the year 1s not by any means a dusty affair. But at the park the soil ig gravelly and the drain- age excellent. There are thirty miles of roads through the camps which are hard and smooth. There is abundant room in the park to give 50,000 “troops regulation camps.” ——__-e—___ SPANIARDS AT KEY WEST. Looking After the Welfare of Those Taken on the Prizes. ‘The French ambassador and- Austrian minister are lookizg after the interests of those Spanish citizens, sailors, passengers, &c., taken on tie‘ various Spanish ships captured by American war vessels, and now held at Key West. as prisoners of war. There has been no occasion, how- ever, for the exercise of this protection thus far, as the prisoners are being treat- ed with all the corsideration and courtesy consistent with the circumstances of their Position. They are heli at the military barracks at Key West;..and it is under- -un@er the direction t dttorney. for that the“prisoners found stood that their care of United States dis district. At the ou! méail or telegraph, with their-friends in atitside world. As there is no h*consul at Key ‘West, the duty of looting Miter these Span- fards necessarily devdlives pon the French ard Austrian authorftles, @ho have taken charge of Spanish isferes$s. There is no French or Austsfan pnsulfr agent at Key ‘West, so that such AWAITING ORDERS District National Guard Ready to Re- spond to Call. SOLICITOR O'CONNELL'S OPINION et Decision Affecting Leaves of the Government Employes. COMPANY OF IMMUNES Brig. Gen. George H. Harries, when seen by a reporter for The Star this afternoon in reSard to the movement of the District's quota of the National Guard, said. “I know nothing new today. We are simply awaiting orders. We are rendy to move on short notice.’ The District guard, despite the oceur- rence of last Monday, is ready to a man to respond to any call that may be made upon them. Everything is In readiness to go into camp anywhere with the same Promptness as was shown when they were ordered out Mcnday. Col. W. D. Forwood, assistant surgeon gcneral, has been detailed tc the duty of examining the volunteer troops in the Dis- trict of Columbia called out under the President's proclamation of the 23d in- stant as to their physical qualifications for the military service of the United States. James A. Roston and L. W. Pulies, col- ored yellow fever immunes, have enlisted 124 colored men in Washington and vicin- ity who have had yellow fever and who Want to go to Cuba to fight. The list of the men enlisted, two companies, was hand- ed President McKinley today. The organ- izers of the company say they are ready to go to the front at once. Solicitor O'Connell of th2 treasury has rendered a decision regarding the National Guard of the District which will be of deep interest. The decision, addressed to the Secretary of th? ‘Treasury, is as follows, and is self-exp!anatory: “DEPARTMENT OF- JUSTICE, “Office of the Solicitor of the Treasury, “Washington, D. C., April 26, 1898. “Sir: By your letter of the 25th instant my attention is specifically directed to sec- tions 40 and 49 of the act of March 1, 1889, providing for the organization of the mil- itia of the District of Columbia, and my opinion is r2quested as to the effect of the Provision contained in said act governing members of the National Guard who are officers and employes of the United States. “In this connection you inclose, for my consideration, copy of an order issued Sat- urday, the 2éd instant, calling out th>"Na- tional Guard of the District, and directing 2 certain portion of them to encamp at a specified place and another portion to en- camp at a different location, specifying the duty to be performed by the last-nam2d portion of the guard, namely, the guarding of the reservoirs and conduits by which the District receives its water supply. “You observe that section 49 of said act dces not specify the period for which leave of absence shall be given, and suggest, un- less the act of March 15, 1898, making ap- Propriations for the legislative, executive and judicial services of the government has the effect of limiting such leave of absence, that section 49 must be construed by your office as allowing indefinite leave of absence with pay. Act Not Affected. “I do not think that the act of March 1, 1889, providing for the*organization of the militia of the District of Columbia is af- fected by the act of March 15, 1898, making 2ppropriations for the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government. “Section 7 of said act of March 15, 1898, is amendatory of section 5 of the act mak- ing appropriations for legislative, execu- tive and judicial expenses, approved March 3, 1893. A similar act was pessed on the 3d of March, 1883 (22 Stats, p. 531.) See section 4. “In 1895 the acting secretary of the treas- ury inquired of my predecessor whether, in his opinion, the leaves of absence provided for by section 49 of the militia act were in any way repealed or affected by section 5 of the act approved March 3, 1893. It was held by Fim that they were not. The ques- tion wes then presented to the Attorney General for an expression of his views. That officer held, in an opinion dated May 23, 1896, that the act of March 1, 1889, sec- tion 49, was not repealed or modified by the act of March 8, 1893, section 5. “The object of the former was to provide for the public defense, and that of the latter to regulate leaves of absence for private reasons or purposes; and that, therefore, there was no inconsistency be- tween the two acts. “The Attorney General says: ‘This ques- tion had arisen in my own department be- fere your letter came, and I had decided it in the same way as the solicitor of the treasury, a copy of whose opinion you ip- close. I approve that opinion, which states some of the reasons which require the conclusicn that the earlier law is not affected ‘by the latter. The objects of the two acts were different, that of the for- mer being to provide for the public de- fense and that of the latter being to regu- late and limit leaves of absénce for private Yeasons or purposes. “There is, therefore, no inconsistency or conflict between the two acts, so that the general repealing clause in section 6 of the act of 1883 ‘Goes not apply to the part of the act of 1889 above quoted, or to any other Parts, as it must be held to do if it applies at all.’ A Former Opinion. “It was held by the Attorney General, in 1802, that an employe of a department ab- sent from his duty while at Omaha, Neb., at a prize drill duly-ordered by his superior -Officer of the National Guard, of which he TH | act of Congress. From the dictionaries we learn that etymologically it 1s formed from paratus, and was applied to the ground pre- pared for the assembly of troops, and that @ secondary meaning was the assembly it- self that was held on the ground. In the military art it has acquired varied but d2fi- nite significations. For the present purpose it is important to ascertain rather what the term Go2s not mean than what it does em- brace.” HAD AROUGH VOYAGE ee Transport’ Panther Lands Her Ma rines at Key West. BROUGHT IN BY THE MONTGOMERY ——— Definition of Terma. Then, citing section 4 of said act, the Attorney General proceeds: ay ~ 5 “From which it would seem to be ciear| Waluable Addition to the Fighting that to the terms “drill,” ‘parade,’ ‘inspec- tion’ and ‘instruction’ definite and sepa- Force of the Fleet. rate meanings attach, and that ‘parade’ cannot be held to embrace the service or duty signified by either of the other terms. ‘Rifle practice’ is certainly embraced with- in the terms ‘drill’ or ‘instruction,’ or else it falls within the general expression of ‘other duties.” “It cannot, with any regard to propriety of expression, be termed a ‘parade or an en- campment’; and hence I am of the opinion that employes of the United States whe are members of the National Guard are noi entitled to leave of absence from their respective duties without loss of pay or time in order to engage in rifle practice, even although in the general orders of the commanding general of the militia such rifle practice may be called a parade.” eae BLANCO’S OFFICIAL REPOR’ ENGRACIAS WAS A SCOUT a Special From a Staff Correspondent. KEY WEST, April 29.—-The transport Panther has just entered the harbor under convoy of the cruiser Montgomery. The Panther brings 800 marines from New York city. Her arrival has been expected for two days. The 800 marines who arrived on the Pan- ther will be distributed among the larger ships with a view to their utility as land- ing forces. They will increase the efficiency of tho navy in co-operating with the regular troops whenever the time comes for ocou- pying Matanzas or other places on the coast. It is not known yet whether the Mont- gemery, which convoyed the Panther, is ta join the blockading squadron or not. Capt. Converse of the Montgomery re- ported to the naval station that the run with his convoy had been made from Fort Monroe in seventy-two hours. Tuesday night a cyclone was encountered, which lasted till Wednesday afternoon. No harm was done either vessel. Th? marines on the Panther are all in good condition. No sign of hostile ships was met with anywhere at sea. Captain Harrington of the Puritan re- perted to Captain Forsyth of the naval station that everything was quiet yester- day at Cardenas. He ran along the coast there before com- ing into Key West. Quiet Along Cuban Const. The monitor Puritan, which came in this morning to coal, reported everything quiet off Matanzas. No definite information has yet been received about the number of cas- uallies at Matanzas as a resuli of silencing the batteries there. The inhabitants are évidently expecting @ further movement. Conditions are ali favorable for an early landing of troops there with food supplies. The ship State of Texas, which arrived here from New York, has 1,400 tons of food. This could be con- veyed across the gulf in a night. Some private expeditions have left here with small quantities of arms and some Cubans to carry them, but the government has nothing to do with these. When it sends arms and ammunition to the insur- gents some other landing place than the Matanzas coast will probably be selected. Importance of @ Prize. Importance is given to the capture of the fishing smack Engracias, which was brought in by the Newport early this morn- ing. It was coasting along almost under the lee of Cabanas fortress, and had come out to spy on the movements of biockad- ing vessels. The Engracias, while osten~ sibly a fishing schooner, is understood te be enrolled as part of the Spanish naval reserve. If that proves true, its crew will be held as prisoners of war. PEPPER, ——- FRANCE PREPARING FOR WAR. He Belittles the Bombardment at Matansas on Wednesday. MADRID, April 29—Noon.—The following is the substance of the official report made by Captain General Bianco on the subject of the bombardment of Matanzas by ships belonging to Rear Admiral Sampson's squadron on Wednesday last: “Three American cruisers fired on the batteries of Fort Morillo at Matanzas with- out doing any damage. We fired fourteen shots, to which the Americans replied with @ multitude of mitrailleus (quick-firing guns) shots, which did not do any injury. “The American squadron also fired four- teen cannon shots at the Sabanilla battery, only one mule being killed, to which the Spanish battery only replied with four shots, as the squadron was beyond range. “The whole squadron of five ships then threw several shells into the town, with- out doing any damage. The French and Austrian consuls have protested against the bombardment as it was commenced without any previous warning to foreign subjects. “The troops manning the stations are full of fight. “It appears that our shots did some dam-- age to the American ships.” One of Captain General Blanco’s dis- patches reporting the alleged grounding of an American ironclad on the coast of Pinar De! Rio has been received with great joy by the newspapers of Madrid. They de- ciared it proves “the Americans are not yersed in seamanship.” SEs “SES IN SENATE DISTRICT COMMITTEE, Favorable Reports Ordered on a Namber of Measures. The Senate committee on the District of Columbia held a meeting this morning and erdered favorable reports on a number cf local measures. A bill lately submitted to the committee by the Commissioncrs to authorize the at- torney for the District of Columbia and his assistant to administer oaths was passed upon adversely. The committee did not consider that such powers belonged of right to the legal advisers of the Com- miesioners. . The bill lately introduced in the Senate providing for a new municipal building and court house on Judiciary Square, was referred to a subcommittee, consisting of Senators Faulkner, Proctor and McMillan. Senate bill 2930, te establish building lires on minor streets in the District of Columbia, was referred to Senaior Gorman as a subcommittee. Senate bill 3909, to relieve Mrs. Harriet A. Fergueson from the operation of the law forbidding the holding of property in the District of Columbia by aliens, was considered favorably and will be reported to the Senate by Mr. Stewart. Senate bill 4159, relative to the payment of claims for material and labor furmshed for District of Columbia buildings, was referred to Mr. Martin. Senators Proctor and Faulkner were ap- pointed a subcommittee to consider House bill 6859, to quiet land titles in the Dis- trict of Columbia. =. Senators Faulkner, Baker and Martin were appointed a subcommittee to consider House bill 5370, relating to negotiable in- struments within the District of Colum- bia, and they were given authority to re- port when satisfied with it. On Merday at 2 p.m. there wiil be a hear- ing by the subcommittee of the commitiee on the District of Columbia in charge of the bill for the regulating of plumbing in the District of Columbia. At this hearing representatives of the Journeymen Plumb- ers’ Association will be heard. At 2 p.m. next Tuesday the subcommittee having charge of the Washington and Gettysburg railroad bill will give a bear- ing to persons interested in that measure. es PASSED BY THE SENATE. musual Activity at All Arsena' Navy Yards. PARIS, April 29.—The Aurore announces: today that extraordinary activity prevails in naval and military circles tsroughout France At Brest there is much com- ment on the fact that work at the arsenal continues until 8 o'clock every evening, and that the workmen work all day Sunday. Large orders for war materials of all sorts have been placed and ail the coasi batteries have been supplied wit provisions and munitions sufficient for several months. It is also announced that fresh batteries have been erected at Ushant; that all the French warships recently mobil zed are kept in fighting trim and ready for sea at & moment's notice, and that the reserves have been notified to expect a call for ac- tive service. and Favorable Action Taken on Bills of Local Interest. The Senate today passed Senate bill 1217 for the relief of holders of certain Dis- trict of, Columbia tax sale certificates. bill was amended by motions of Mr. Cockrell to strike out the pro- vision for the payment cf six per cent in- terest on tax sale certificates for two years a FIRST WAR DEATH SENTENCE. Spaniard on the Puritan Convicted of Treason. NEW YORK, April 29.—A Key West spe- cial says: A sailor on the mcnitor Puritan from the date of sale. The failure of the collector of taxes to report such tax sales | Mr. Strong still active at ninety-five to the. recorder of years and ‘been a coroner years, —_——— g Bi Bs riatle : ji | : | : i j : i ; i ' iit ; F wy SEE

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