Evening Star Newspaper, May 6, 1898, Page 1

—_—<$<<—<—————————— ———— = = = = = THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCErT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, ! yiverin Avene, Cer. 11th 8t., by The Evening Ster Newspaper Company 8S. H. EAUFFMANN, Pros't. - te the . at 10 conte Copies at the where in the 50 cents ADMIRAL SAMPSON, News Expected From His Fleet by Sunday or Monday. - DEFEAT OF SPANISH FLEET ———e That or Capture of Porto Rico Looked for. > TODAY'S CABINET MEETING. Se ges The French liner Lafayette was] captured by eruisers of Admiral Sampson’s fleet last evening. The ship was trying to break through the blockade after being warned not to do se. The news of the capture of the French liner L States gunboat off the harbor of Ha- vana was received here with grave attention, as an event likely to cause serious international complications. ot. ALS. Barker v igned to command the Newar Mr. J. L. Torrey, ize a regiment of mounted riflemen in Wyoming, reports many applica- tic who will ergan- nS. The President has issued an order that hospitals of the marine hospital service be used for the army and navy when needed. The Senate finance committee re- sumed consideration of the war reve- nue measure. General Wheeler took the oath of office as major general of volunteers today, and was followed by Generals Lee and Breckinridge. Mr. Roose- yelt was also sworn in. The commissions of the recently appointed major generals were sign- ed by the President. The volunteer army will consist of seven corps, each to be commanded by a major general. The administration expects to hear avette by a United | teday pr that Admiral Sampson has either de- feated the Spanish fleet or captured | not only time, but ships, and it is not to be Porto Rico by Sunday or Monday. Reports of continued rioting at Ma- drid come from points beyond the press censor’s jurisdiction. Secretary Long expects to hear some- thing from Admiral Sampson on Surday or Mon He expects this news to be im- Pertant and to determine the policy of many things next week. The Secretary ave this information to cabinet members teday. I: is pocitively known that no movement of troops to Cuba will begin until some- thing definite is known of the destination of the Sp.nish fleet which left the Cape Verde Islands. This was discussel at to- day's cabinet meeting, and the opinions of Secretaries Long and Alger were that news Wil come of the whercabouts of that fleet within a few days. Secretary Long fs di Poxed to believe today that the first news WEI be that Admiral Sampson has met and deveated the Spaniards somewhere Porto Rico. When this news fs received there will be no further loss of time about sending an expedition to Cuba. There will also be no delay if it becomes certainly known that this fleet has gone to the Canary Islands or to Cadiz. near Fora Fi Blow. The fact is that everything is not ready for the landing of troops In Cuba. Secre- tary Alger himself admits this. The full arrangements for the dispatch of the expe- dition 1. completion, and it is not pro- posed to send an army ‘forward without having it fitted to perfection. This army, which will be ready to em- bark next we -k, ts expected to aid the navy in striking a blow which, the administra- tion thinks, will settle the further desirs of the Spantards for war. The President hopes that this blow, fully planned several days will e the war. The naval part of ylow will be the destruction of the ish fleet or the capture of Porto Rico, probably both if the fleet makes its appear- ance. Then will follow the bombardment of Havana and the landing of a United Mates army. A Story From Madrid. Caciz to defeat Dewey and retake the Philippines. It ts officially stated that if the Spaniards were to send any of their Ships tc the east cne of our fleets would leave at once for the Spanish coast and cause more damage than the Spaniards could inflict at Manila, where they would agein meet their matches. This story, therefore, causes no uneasiness at this end. Reinforcements are to be se: in a few days anyhow. The Charleston will augment his fleet, and the damages done to the American fleet again Spain would have to send too many vessels away from home. Today's Cabinet Meeting. The cabinet held an exceedingly short session today, but some of the results were dated fro interesting. Secretary Gage and Attorney General Griggs were absent from the cabinet ses- sion. The former has gone to make an ad- dress before the Cornell students, and the Ietter has gone to his home in New Jersey for a few days. Secretary Day has not re- 4urned to the city. he £vening No. 14,097. ef was that a mess: before mic Philippine islands. a demo. He nie eae nat his of the tavor of taken from her if sick enough. We did n, but for hramanit esession sive sake. O ain persi: War we will have to ‘2 porarily at least whatever comes our w tne Unive ypines until J would be sare to want a port would was Mason ler and Merce morning. ne s auring the Mason was the w mana: atrical Mr. Harri: low ver immunes and wants to go to the fre service. € errix’ Commissions Signed, The commissions of the cleven m Senerals neminat on Wednesday signed t the Pr. nt this mor sent to Secretary Alger, who w them pe nally to the men nomi ed. R. A. . Smith, a > S 1 Pres aph of Hav: yard long ndid phe photegray’ nd shows the n of Morro Castle and the city, th to bombar . and where N stand as succeeded Col. yhite House phy regular visits to ; 1. Woed is in e n ™M ive allers at the was pain all we enter upon this ator i by Dunean Harri- WASHINGTON , D. ©, FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1898-SIXTEEN PAGES. LAFAYETTE CAPTURED ig French Liner Tried to Break Through Havana Blockade. MAY CAUSE TROUBLE WITH FRANCE f Belief That the Recruits for Spain. Vessei Carried 1} VALUABLE CARGO ABOARD > ‘T, May dis enc’ KEY W ciated Pr The big F c 6.—(On board Asse- ch boat Kate Spencer).— tte, with a full nd a 1 passengers ner Lafay aplement of general April Was captured off Havana shortly be- sundown last night by the Annapolis. cergo, bound from 2, Coruna, Spain, fore The Lafayette was heading directly into Havana and was captured only after an exciting After by an officer of the Annape ed to run for it, but was a to heave io. The participated in the capture. hours ¢ n Hunter ef the Annapolis, the te y flag off and Capt. Todd of the Wilmington exchanged signals After the of B.an's papers h: ade a prize crew rd of being boarded once he a ain compelled ase, tempt- Wilmington, Newport Morrill For over two and por nation the French- 1 been r fem the Annapolis was placed ab ertcenag Sees eis reeimiene Of Wer (Hie iene was sent to ev West ander reugh rider Awalting: News From Dewey: escort of the Wilmington. The fifth day since the battle of Manila | A very delicate international question is pened without bringing the slightest trace | thought to be involved because of the long ws of that eng: pment from ofh- source to the Navy Department. The spartment was in equal ignorance, ding the fact that it had (aken to receive the earliest information ight reach Hong Kong, throvgh Mr. . the United States consul at that ‘There was no apprehension express cr, as to the safety of the Amer- t Manila, though there was a nd the defenses of Ma- intention. Indeed, from ¥ reports that were received from Muntla before the interruption of eabl: communication it was rot made quite clear that the Sparish forts at Cavite were fore- ed to surrender immediately succeeding the naval engagement. If that were the case, Commodore Dewey would be ‘ler the necessity of destroying or capturing them afterward, in order to nila proper by fir: the m insure the safety of his own fleet. Likewise it weuld be necessary to silence the Corre- gider guns in order to avold being bottled up in the harbor. Both of these tasks take supposed that Commodore Dewey would feel justified in sending one of his vesse away for the simple purpose of carr news when she was necded in the fight. To Command the Newark. Capt. ALS. the Secreta’ aker has been detached from y’S office and ordered to com- ind the Newark. Others detailed to the Newark are Lieutenant Commander W. H. Turner and Lieuts. W. F. Halsey, J. H. Gibbons, C. B. Brittain and H. F. Bryan. Lieut. C. W. Bartlett has been ordered to the Topeka as executive officer, and Lieut. E. T. Witherspcon to the same vessel; Lieut. G. C. Hanus to the Free Lance, Lieut. A. Rust to the Hist and Lieut. W. M. Kilburn to the Aileen. Plenty of Naval Officers. With the best disposition in the world to ny young men who are coming forward to serve in the navy Secretary Long has beea obliged to nat he will not be able to do so. Tne reason for this is that dissimilar to those that prevailed at the outbreak of the We have sow a considerable naval militia that Is entering the naval ser- vice as a volunteer force, and it so hup- the organizations come into service fully equipped with their As for the new is that have been added to the navy in large numbers receaily, it happens that the government has been obdiiged to accept ares muining ou board and in the service, leav- pa «f regular except in the highest grades. se of the y, no additional officers are required, j e advance having been along th? whole meet the wishes of the m make an announcement the conditions ar: entirely evil war. pens that Im their cas own officers of all grates. Wee them as they were, Officers and cre ing no need for the ad naval office in spite of the great ine: ne th line. Of course this statement appi to officers, and particuurly to appl! for aciig paymasters, ens:s ants, q ments below th2 commission grade. ———————~--—__ Addressing Mail to Soldiers. Mr. Heath, first assistant postmaster general, today said that friends and rel- atives of roldiers tn the field In addressing letters to them should mark plainly the company and regiment to which they be- long, as by duing so the distribution of the volunteers. ————— a+ _ ___ Accident to an Express Train. PHILADELPHIA, May 6.—The City at 10:14 o’clcck this Chicago, ran into a freight South Bristol at noon today. the debris piled upon the tracks. —.__ The News Came via Formosa? LONDON, May 6—A special dispatch m Shanghai and published today purports to give Japanese reports of the fighting at Manila, received via the Island of Formosa. ‘It says that after disposing of the Spanish fleet and Cavite Commodore Dewey bombarded Manila itself. The city, it appears, was soon on fire in many parts, the work, it ts added, chiefly of the insur- gents. Great loss of life is reported to have The five officials present went over the | Occurred among the Spanish resiients of entire situation to date, teuching upon the | the city. Philippines, the movements in and around Commodore Dewey, but neither the Presi- Gent ror any member of his official family expressed any uneasiness. The general be- Saturday, under the auspices of Wimo- daughsis. The party will not start on its ‘clock, @@ enable those until after 4 0’ and liqnten- and is not intentel] tu discourage en- Penn- sylvania limited express whith left Jersey morning for train at The engineer, William Sherman, and John Connelly, the ‘nt to Dewey | fireman of the express train, were seriously hurt, but all of the passengers escaped in- jury. The engine and four. coaches on tis vessi se express train were derailed, and sev. the vessels there will be repaired. To meet Selene cara Were Gases de epliters, eng consultation which fi y resulted in send- ing her to Key West. The fact that she is thought to have left a Spanish after the declaration of war, seems to be the On the question of contraband of war the Officers of the Wilmington port warrant for holding her. are reticent. The very large nvmber of male passengers is to the suspicion that she car- ecruits for Ha NS FLEET NOT DIVIDED. na. More Points About the the Lafayette. Captere of 1 From a Staff Correspondent. WE Fla., May 6—Commodore Watson has rot yet arrived here. If the plans for dividing the fleet and placing one division in his command have been matured nothing is known of the fact here. The Freach government can hardly make a complaint over the seizure of the trans- Atlaniie mail stzamer Lafayette, which was brought into Key West this morning by the cruiser Wilmington. The captain claimed that he had not informed of the blockade, but his ship left port after it had been proclaimed, and the warships which been Neverthel it should determine if they are, 2 officers and soldiers. not be difficult to suspected, Spanish Passenger Travel is the Other Way. At this season of the year transatlantic ships do have heavy passenger lists cither for Havana or for Vera Cruz, which was the destination of the Lafayette. Pas- senger traffie now is fiom Mexico and Cuba to European ports, not from them. Commodore Watson has arrived. Col. Lawton of Gen. Shafter’s staff also came to ecnfer with the military authorities. News out of Havana foi not not more than ight hours old has been received on board the v of the blockading sqifad- ron. It is a short story, the city being rapidly starved to death. PEPPER. GERMANY WILL BE NEUTRAL But Will Protect German Commerce From Molestation. Emperor William Addresses the Reichstag on the State of the German Empire. BERLIN, May 6.—The ceremony of clos- ing the session of the reichstag took place today in the white hall of the royal castle. The emperor, in the speech from the throne, after referring to the fruitful leg!s- lativ Its of the session, “Including the of the army and navy, whereby ceful security of the empire and an ed gu; tee of the maintenance of European peace have been secured,” em- pkasized the pacific character of the Ger- man foreign policy, “while at the same time vigorously protecting German rights.”” Referring to the war between Spain and the United States, his majesty said: “The gcvernment will fully fulfill the duties in- velved by its neutral position, but on the other hand will preteet so far as possible German navigation and. commerce from molestation or injury.” In regard to the Chinese question, the emperor said: “The dispatch of a squad- ron to Kiao Chou to demand atonement for the blood of German missionaries made it possibl+ to satisfy our long-cherished and fully justified desire to obtain feotholds in East Asia, capable of commercial develop- ment and military defense. This has been accomplished by a friendly understanding with China and without a distyrbance of the relattoxs between Germany aind other states.’” f After alluding to the settlement of the Greck finances the speech said it was the earnest endeavor of thé emperor and his federal allies to promote the economic de- velopment of the empiré, ,raitjgate the bur- dens of agriculture and ‘assure the secur- ity and expansion of trade and mavigation, His majesty concluded with thanking the relchstag for the discharge @@ its “import- ant duties.” Cee Se MAY ATTACK THE CANARIES Rumored Intention -of Part of Admiral closed in around him w2re numercus enough to make # understood. He an- nounced his purpose of entering Havana and ‘was warned off. Instead of proceed- ing on he= course to Mexico, the Lafayette stood off, and later in the day was heading toward Morfo Castle. ‘The captain again declared his purpose of entering the port. When the second warn- ing was disregarded the Wilmington took control of the steamer without further cere- mony and brought her into Key West, where the excitable French captain and of- ficers are now venting their indignation. It was a clear case of a defiant attempt to break the blockade after being warned off. The Lafayette ran from Havre to Mexi- can ports, touching at Havana. Should Not Be Released. ‘The case appears to be one that aves not call for hasty action at Washington, no matter what urgent diplomatic representa- tions may be made. ‘An inquiry by the prize court now sitting at Key West is desirable to determine whethe: the ship was carrying Spanish soldiers and also contraband of war. ‘The captain of the ship has been cabling the French minister, and a demand may be made for immediate release. It should be | refused. The Lafayette touched at the two Spanisi ports of Santander and Corunna. Her log shows that she !eft Corunna April 23, or two days after the beginning of hos- tities between the United States and Spain. Not a Good Claim. The claim that the ship is carrying French mails would not entitle her to enter Havana. It is disputed that the ship made two efforts to run the blockade after being warned, but there is no question that her captain insisted on his right to pass the blockade. The ship did not have to wait until a blank shot had been fired across her bow by the Annapolis, as an international signal for heaving to had been displayed. While Captain Hunter of the Annapolis was debating the question of placing the Lafayette in charge of prize crew Captain Todd of the Wilmington observed the ship making heliograph signals to Havana, and notified the commander of the An- napolis. After dusk an attempt was made, Captain Todd says, to communicate with Havana by flash light signals. This evi- dence was conclusive enough, and a prize crew was placed on board the Lafayette from the Annapolis, whiie the Wilmington escorted the Castine to Key West. The coal bunkers of the Lafayette were nearly ex- hausted. She had evidently been making a hard run. Her manifest shows a cargo of general merchandise and medicines. If the prive ccurt directs the cargo to be broken, it can. easily be determined whether there is con- traband of war.aboard. The passenger list is for 161, and one of these claimed to be passengers are. admittedly Spaniards. whe were taken aboard at Santandar or Corunna, They are in white suits, but ngt in the ' > an American. citisen, but was not able to | to support his own statement. es Sampson's Fleets LONDON, May 6.—A story {s published here to the effect that the British admiral- ty has been advised by the Washington naval strategy board to remove British subjects from the Canary Iglands, and it is added that unis accounts for the British second-class cruiser Charybedid being or- dered to Las Palmas and leads to the con- clusion that Rear Admirat Sampson may attack the Canary Islands,which woud either draw the Spanish Heét out of Cadiz or give the United States @ naval base frem which to attack Spdin. —— “DEATH TO CIVIL GUARDS’ Significant Cry Raised by Spanish Rioters at Madrid. LONDON, May G—It is announced in a letter from Madrid, dated May 2, describing the military procession in honor of Murat’s victims, that among the tries heard on the Puerto del Sol was the fatalsone of “Death to the civil guards!” ag a éection of this famous boGy passed. Centinuing, the letter says: ‘The civil guards are the very backbone of Spain, the one incorruptible bedy’of men, whose very presence has a powerful effect in suppress- ing riot and sedition. So when ‘Death to the civil guards!’ is heard the prudent men will prepare for the worst.” —+__ MURDERED MISSJONARI Names of Those Who Lost Their Liven in Sierra Leoye. LONDON, Mey 6.—The colonial office to- day received the names of the American miseionaries who were murdered during the rebellion at Shaingay, in the Sherboro district of Sierra Leone, ‘west coast of Africa, as ennounced on Wednesday last. They. are: Mr. and Mra Cain and the Misses Archer, Hatfield and Schenck. It is not known whether-the foregoing in- oe —— rebel! = as ‘The other : Me ‘and Mrs. Burtner, Mr. and Mra: heal, end the Misses Mullen ad Ward, are safe at Free- town. La They Will Be Used When Needed by the Army sn@Bavy. The President has gswed an orfier ‘di- recting that all the hospitals of thé marine hospital servite be used fer the reception and treatment of sailors and ealdiers of the navy and army wherever a necessity there- for arises. There are about’ twenty of these hospitals in all and they are scat- tered along the Atlagtic, gulf and Pacific gos aE. the tinge ain losion that + We a Teception‘of the sai pag Aes eae ed on that ship, = ¢ | LAFAYETTE’S SEIZURE | News of the Capture Received With Grave Attention. a SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS POSSIBLE => The French View is That the Vessel Will Be Released. THEIR BASIS FOR CLAIM The seizure of the French li by the gunboat Annapoli Key offic er Lafayette ted from West, caused a distinct sensation in 1 and diplomatic circles here today, t was believed to involve the possibility of mere serious foreign complications than had thus far arisen. The cffic! of the State Department and of the French embassy received the news of the capture from the press dispatches and in both quarters it was received with grave attention. In the State Department it was taken as a forerunner of a number of cases of like character to follow, for this was the experience of the United States blockading forces during the civil war. Many times during the progress of that war the courf&y was on the verge of a breach of diplomatic relations with some of the European nations because of the seizure of blockade runners. Taking the facts as reported, the officials of the de- partment declare positively, and in this they are supported by the unanimous voice of the naval officials, that there can be no question that the Lafayette was a blockade runner pure and simple, and as such is a lawful prize The State Department has been disposed to treat with the greatest liberality the shipping of neutral powe: and, as already stated, we have taken an advanced position in this matter. In his proclamation of the 26th ultimo the Presi- dent said: The President’s Proclamation. “The right of search is to be exercised with strict regard for the right of neutrals, and the voyages of mail steamers are not to be interf2red with except on the clearest grourd of suspicion of a violation of the jaw in respect of contraband or of block- ade.” it will be noticed that in this the Presi- dent expressly warns fcreign vessels, even mail vess:ls, against breaking the block- ade, which seems to have been exactly what the Lafayette attempted. It is said that whether the ship carried contraband of war Is;@psolutely immaterial in th: disposi- tion of ber case. In his preceding procla- tation of the 22d ultimo the President said: The Lufayette’s Offense. “Any mwutral.vessel approaching any of said ports, or attempting to leave the same, without notice or knowlzdge of the estab- lishment of such blockade, will be duly warned by the commander of the blockad- ing forces, who will indorse or have regis- tered the fact of the date of such warn- ing, where such warning was mad2; and if the same vessel shall again attempt to en- ter any blockaded point, she will be cap- tured and sent to the nearest convenient port for such proczedings against her and her cargo, as prize, as may be dee! ad- visable.” In the opinion of the officials the Lafa- yette has clearly violated the prohibitions of this section of the proclamation, which was carefully drawn in accordance with the most advanced theories of the rights of peutrals. The seriousness of the question, however, arises from the fact that tne foregoing view of the ofticiais here is not likely to be accepted by the French goy- ernment and its representatives in Wash- ington. At the French Emba: At the French embassy the ne of the seizure of the Lafayette was ccccived with great seriousness. The assadcr had intended to go to New York today, but on hearing of the taking of the Lafayette, he determined to remain here to look after such questions as are likely to arise. In the absence of official informaticn, he asked to be excused from discussing wlat course the French government would take. It is said to be unquestionable, however, tuat Frence will iodge a protest with G+ State Depart- ment immediately upon the receipt of offi- cial information of the se! This was expected to come al momentarily, probably from the c: in of the Lafayette as soon as he arrives at Key West, or else from M. Bocande, general agent of the French Transatiantic Company at New York, to a branch line of which company the Lafayette belongs. French Expect Releasc. The view is entertained in French quar- ters that the State Department will promptly direct the release of the Lafay- ette, owing to certain circumstances in her case. The embassy was advised eight days ago that the Lafayette was on her way to this side, and accordingly a notice was sent to the State Department that this French merchantman might be expected to reach Havana about this time. No answer was received from the State Department, but after giving this notice the French author- ities teok it for granted that the Lafayette would be allowed to proceed on her voyage without molestation.~ The understanding here was that she had sailed from St. Nazaire, France, not from Corunna, Spain, as St. Nazaire is the usual sailing point for the steamers of this line. One of the officers of the legation made the trip on one of these vessels a short time ago, and says no stop is made at Co- runna except occasionally cn a return voy- age. It was the understanding also that the Lafayette was stopping at Havana merely to recoal, prior to going to Vera Cruz, Mexico, the final destination of the dine. From the French standpoint it is quite clear that the Lafayette has been detained through a misapprehension, and that her Teiease will speedily follow. ‘The French Contention, ‘The grounds for this view are that she sailed prior .to the declaration of war, and therefore her captain could not know of that declaration. It is pointed out that the declaration of war was on April 25, the ‘President’a proclamation concerning the (Sad Aas eB: Le ee econo RN OS TWO CENTS. on, however, is that the declaration of war was not until the 25th and the official no- Nee to foreign governments the addition to this the fact that the French the State Dey comin loing away w cion that the steamer was ma! t move. this w ther Diplomatic Quarters. er diplomatic quarters i insist by the Tn of an French governm at the Lafayette be released migh volve serious consequences. Whil> shi merchant, and not a gov: nt sh Pre overnment has always been very insistent upon the protection of its mer- chant vessels. It is not .hought this woull 2Atend in the present case to any and that French the bl 1 ether count popular such on the pp pel the government: to a st what it believed to be the merchant ship = uphol dirs of i rights tment | The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washin, that receives the dispatches of the Press. It therefore the only one in which the reader can find the news of the worl |, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. Associated is iplete 1 OO READY FOR SERVICE ruiser Charleston Goes Into Commis- sion at San Francisco, CALL FOR VOLUNTEER EXPERTS They Will Be Taken Out to Repair Dewey's Ships. COAST MOSQUITO FLEET now on board. THE WAR REVENUE BILI Republican Amendments Considere by the Senate Finance Comm The Senate committee on finance resumed consideration of the war revenue bill. The committee devoted its forenoon session to the consideration of a number of amendments suggested by the rejubli- can members to the schedule devoted stamp taxes. There were a large num! of these amendments, many of them dea ing with the phraseology of the bill, 2 others with the rates. here is a general effort to find an effective y of taxing contracts for “future” sales, and the indi- cetions are that some amendments in this direction will be made. Senator Wolcott of Colorado offered some ame this subject, in addition to th by his republican colleagues. The democrats presented their ame ment for a tax on corporations, but it not taken up for consideration. This amend- ment includes a tax on insurance and gas companies, The democratic members of the commit- tec held a conference late yesterday after- nmcon and agreed upon an amendment to the bill, imposing a tax of 1 per cent upon the revenues of certain corporations, in- cluding railroad, express, sleeping car, tele- graph and telephone companies. This prob- ably is the only addition they will suggest to the revenue portion of the bill, but it is probable that they will also urge the coinage of the silver seigniorage in the treasury and the issue of at least $150,000,- 000 in greenbacks. These two latter propo- sitions have not been agreed upon, but they have been discussed sufficiently to warrant the prediction that they will be incorpor- ated in the democratic substitute for the bond feature of the bill. The seigniorage amounts to about $42,000,000, and the in- tention Is to authorize the issue of certifi- eates for it, so as to secure immediate money and not wait upon the coinage of the silver. These certificates, with the greenbacks, would give $192,000,000 of im- mediate cash, and the democrats think this would be sufficient for the immediate wants of the government. They believe that the tax they propose on corporations would increase the regular revenues to the extent of about $59,000,000 annually. WILL GRANT KE! today RS REQUEST. Other Business of the Methodist Con- ference at Baltimore. Spcelal Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, May 6.—The request of the aged bishop, Keener, to be relieved from active work, will be no doubt acted upon favorably, and one of the two members of the episcopal board recommended to be electeé at this session will be to succeed him. Rev. Dr. J. J. Tigert of Nashville, Tenn., who was first assistant secretary at the last general conference, was elected sec- retary. Rev. Dr. W. S. Harrison of Geor- gia, the former secretary, cied about three years ago. Dr. Tigert chose as his assist- ants Rev. Gross Alexander of Louisville, A. T. Watkins of Mississippi, J. McF. Bar- cus of Texas and W. T. McClure of Mis- scuri. Bishop R. K. Hargrove of Nashville, Tenn., read the episcopal address, in which wus reviewed the material and’ spiritual Frogress made in the past lour years. Part of the address follews: “The statistical tables of cur church show for the present quadrennian the net in- crease in the number of itinerant preach- ers to be #2, and of members, 12 “1. The present number of itinerant preachers is 5,989, of local preachers, 5,685—a total of 11,674 preachers, and of 1,478,431 members. The aggregate value of our chureh pri ty is estimated at a little over $35,040 an increase of about $2,KW,4 within the quadrenmium. The records show that the church is not receding, but advancing in its appointed work of evangelization and in the accumulation of means and agencics for still more rapid strides. “We mave at present 14,188 Sunday schools, 104,135 teachers and 851,488 pupils, an increase within the quadrennium of schools, 8,459 teachers and 86,202 pupils. “The Epworth League has been doing very valuable work. There are now 3,456 leagues chertered, with 126,584 members. “The board of education crganized four years ago has made a fair beginning in the broad and inviting field committed to its care, The church now owns or has under its control and auspices, of all grades, educational institutions, with over 1,009 teachers, over 16,04) pupils, property val- ued at $4,661,8%) and endowments amount- ing to $2,189,69 Last night the delegates were formal'y welcomed by Governor Lo city to the visitors. Bishop Alpheus W. Wilson, who is a resident of Baltimore, also made an ad z ‘The response on the part of the dele- gates was made by Bishop KE. R. Hendrix. ———— A MUNICIPAL BUILDING. Senate Committee Orders a Favorable Report on Mr. Faulkner's Bill. The senate ccmmittes on the District of Columbia met this merning and author- ized a favorable report on Senator Fautk- ner’s bill providing for a municizal build- ing on the site of the present court haus The subcommittee in charge of the Washington and Gettysburg railroad biil was authorized to report it to the Senate favorably, as. soon #s they are satistied with its detatis. Sa WYOMING’S MOUNTED, RIFLEMEX, Mr. Torrey Leaves Thin Afternoon to Assume Commend. Mr. Jey L. Forrey of Wyoming, who ix to raise one cf the three regiments of al of the brought dceked. to Mare Island navy 4.000 ton s of am- munition and provisions a. When the Peking reaches the Philippines she may be transformed in 1 for Va An order was Issued foreman, junteers. the 5 ailing for volunteer m ip fitters, coppers:nith to go to the Philippine Peking to repair our da Asststant Naval been de- dered to go in charge of the men. chinery, tools and for the re- pair of the ve: taken on the Peking. pplianes els will Pacific Coast Mosquito Fieet. SAN FRANCISCO, May 6.—The revenue ers Grant, Rush and Corwin have been painted the regulation color. Alter- ations on the tugs Fear Vigilant and war Active are rapidly progre: z ina few days they will be rea to join the revenue cutters, and then the mosouito fleet will be ready for action. The U.S. S. Albatross, late the fish com- missioners’ steamer, is being fitted out at the Union iron works. Nearly all the companies of the Ist Regi- ment of the Calffornia ational Guard have been passed by Captain Carrington, U.S. A., and the board of army surgeons, and the regiment as a whole will probably be mustered in today. Officers Sworn Captain A. J. Kelleher and First Lieu- tenant Fred W. Dohrman of the Ist In- fantry, who were by special orders from Washington assigned to the duties of ad- jutant and quartermaster respectively of the Ist Regiment of California Volunteers, have been formally sworn into service by Captain Carrington. As svon as the new regiment of infantry is formally organized, Dobrman will draw upon the government quartermaster stores for such equipment as will be necessary to completely equip the twelve companies, —_—-.—_— HARTZELL PRAISES ENGLAND. Methodist Bishop Hopes to See Anglo- American Allinace. ALBION, Mich., May 6.—ishop Hartzell, who recently returned to this country from Africa, and who is now here in attendance at the conference of Methodist bishops, spoke to the students at College Chapel on the Transvazl question. The students dis- played great enthusiasm when he said: “God biess England! She has always stcod for civilization and progre the great colonizer, the great civilizer of the world. She is on the side of rizht in this struggle. The time will come—and may it come—wken the stars and stripes and the union jack will fly from the same staff and Americans and Englishmen will fight shoulder to shoulder for liberty and against the cause of oppression and bar- bariem. England is cur natu ally, and the Ume is past when America can live its own life in and of itself. We are com- petent to take a part in the affairs of the Zicat world of nations, and we are proving our right to such a course.” The applause was still more enthusiastic en Bishop Hartzell said: We must thank God for Dewey. Our brave com-nander has been twenty years getting ready for Menila. When the crit- ical moment came Dewey did not fail us. Why? Because he had been seasoned. For twenty years he has been laboring and studying as an under-cfficer in the Navy Departinent, and his study of naval war- fare. with his pluck and good judgment, prepared him for one of the most famous naval victories in our history.” ——— ENGLAND REFUSES TO INTERVENE. wi Two New Battle Ships Will Imme- diately Be Placed in Commission. LONDON, May 6.—Certain powers, it has been learned by the Associated Press, have again made overtures to Great Britain looking to intervention in the war between Spain and the United States, but Great Britair persisted in her refusal to take part in any such movement. It is a significant fact that the British naval authorities have decided to imme- diztely comraission two new battle ships jvst completed. Gata Sampson's Ships Of Cuba. NEW YORK, May 6—A special front Kingston, Jamaica, says that four United States warships have been sighted off Port de Banes, Cuba. They are supposed to be @ part of Kear Admiral Sampson's fleet. Se Mr. Hanuna’s Yacht Bought. CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 6.—The splen- did steel steam yacht Comanche, which was built by the Glove Iron Works Com- pany for H. M. Hennah in 182, has been bought by the government. The vessel was cxamined by naval of- ficers about ten days ago and the deal has’ jest been closed. The Comanche is 185 - made ready for sea in a short time and , will not have ie be altered to gct through the canals to the coast. She has made the trip to the coast several umes. —->—— ‘ Big Fire at Cincianeti. CINCINNATL Ohio, May 6—Mauss Brothers’ and. Wolff Brothers’ shoe jes at 7th and Sycamore streets, each seven |