Evening Star Newspaper, May 31, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ————— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31€) Fenreylvania Avenue, Cor. 1th St, by i Com; The Brening Ser Bovey Oesrsny Kew York Office, 49 Pottor Buildin. to subscribers in the Piatt ites Semae agate month. P'Saturday Quintuple Shect Star, $1 per year, with fore! Entered stro Fo.t Office at Washington. D.C. matter. “ES Ail mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior. <= Che Zvenii No 14,118. Star: WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, MAY. 31, 1898—FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO OENTS. Advertising is not an It is pay og investment. you want to invest your money profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read coy and thoroughly by everybody worth reaching. Star is the ized household and family journal of the National Capital, and has <= rival as an advertising med- jum. ONWARD IS THE WORD Activity Throughout Military and Naval Circles. —_— + POINTS OF INVASION INDICATED Jacksonville, Fla.,to Be Made a Base of Operations. THE SPANISH 1N SANTIAGO SS There continues to be official reticence as to the exact points of invasion, but the concensus of opin- ion is that the eastern end of Cuba and Porto Rico will be the objec- tive points at first. Reports that a formidable ficet is being prepared at Cadiz to sail for the West Indies cause little appre- hension here. War Department officials are com- pleting arrangements for mustering in the 75,000 additional troops called for by the President. The appor- tionment will be made probably this evening or tomorrow. : There are indications that Jack- scnville, Fla., will be made a base of operations against Porto Rico. The second expedition for the Phil- ippines is expected to leave San; Francisco in a few days. Major General Butler has been as- signed to command the first division of the second corps in camp near Falls Church, Va. The District of Columbia is not likely to be included in the appor- tionment of troops under the second call for troops. The District troops will probably leave Chattanooga for Tampa tomor- row night. The steamer Florida returned, to Key West and reported the Safe landing of the Lacret expedition with men, arms and ammunition for the insurgents. W. J. Bryan has been offered the coloneley of a Missouri regiment by Governor Stephens. The word of command to advance, given yesterday, has infused intense activity into every branch of military and naval circles. It was shown today in the hurried but sys- tematic preparations at the various bu- reaus of the War and Navy Departments and in the keen air of expectancy every- where prevailing. The authoritative state- ments made yesterday by General Miles and others that the orders for an advance had been issued left no further doubt on that point. jor to the cabinet meeting reports were nt that the President had told some callers that he expected Commodore Schley would attack Admiral Cervera to- day in Santiago harbor. On inquiry this report was not borne out, but, on the con- trery, those In a position to know the gen- eral plans of attack stated that the navy anu army would act together, and that one branch of the service was not likely to strike a decisive blow until the other was ready to co-operate, and thus make the vlow doubly effective. The Points of Invasion. While there continues to be complete offi- | | harassed by the pr2sence of small Cuban bands at Cuaba and other points surround- ing Holguin. Besides Holguin and Gibara, the Spanish General Pando has small gar- risons of from 1,000 to 3,000 men at Mayan, Tanamo and Baracoa on the north coast ard at Guanteramo, Santiago and Manza- nillo on the south coast. These points are said to be the only ones held by th> Span- ish, for Santiago province is overrun throughout the interior by the insurgents. The Cuban commander, General Garcia, has his headquarters at Bayamo, seventy-fiv2 miles west of Santiago. The reports brought by General Collazo and Lieutenant Rowan indicate that Garcia has about 3,00) men under his immediate command and about 5,000 scatters:d in bands around Holguin, Vitoria de las Tunis, Jiguaal, Meron and ether points. Aside from their offensive strength, the Cuban forces are looked upon as valuable in that they hold the interior roads and passes and k2ep the Spanish gar- risons penned up in the six or seven sea- Port towns which they continue to hold. The Cadiz Fleet a Paper One. The frequent reports from Spain through other countries to the effect that a for- midable fleet is being prepared at Cadiz to sail for the West Indies m aid of Cervera give very littie apprehension here. The naval officers through private means of communication have pretty well satistied themselves that the Cadiz fleet is a paper fleet. In other words, its offensive power is altogether illusory. More than half of the Vessels whose names appear so frequently in the press dispatches as formidable war crafts are of antiquated type, and in a sad state of disorder. Of course it is not to be understood from this chat our naval officers are neglecting the adoption of precautions against sur- QP at Santiago. The: haye thrown scouts well cut to the castward of Cuba’so that the ve quick notice if any may rece | of the Cadiz fleet were foolish enough to hav Indie started a day or two aso for the West as is now reported from Europe. At Army Headquarters. The departure last night of Maj. Gen. Miles and his staif for Tampa leaves army headquarters in the War Department bui ing aimost deseried, and there was today n absence of life and bustle which as characterized that branch of the de- for three months past Brig. Giimere of the general's staff at headquar- ers that er Gen. Gil- more expects to juin Gen. Miles, but just when he is not at this time able to state, as it depends entirely on conditions which may hereafter arise. Several of the ci ian clerks at headquariers left with Gen. Miles last night, but the larger portion of the force remains on duty here. Should necessity arise, additional help will be seni to the front to assist the general and his staff in their official correspendence. There was a large number of visitors to the War Department today, including many members of the Senate and House interested in appointments in the volun- teer army. Considerable interest is being taken by members of Congress from the south in the “immune” regiments which are to be recruited largely from persons accustomed to tropical climaies. Eight of the colonels of these regiments already have been nominated by the President, and the work of recruiting already has begun. Five of the regiments are to be composed of colored men, who will undoubtedly be especially valuable for service in Cuba. Two Russian ofiicers, accompanied by a member of tne legation here, were at the War a vy Departments today to ob- tain permission to observe the operations of the arm They are Col. Yermoloff and Lieut. Zelenoy. They will be granted the permission desired. partment Hours for C is on Secretary Alger. Secretary Alger desires to have it under- stood that he will receive visitors at the War Department between the hours of 10 and 12 o'clock each morning, and that it will be useless for them to call at other hours. A rule of this character was neces- sary to enable the Secretary to attend to the important business now engrossing the attention of the War Department. The Second Apportionment. The officials of the War Department are completing arrangements for the mustering of the 75,000 additional troops called for by the President. It is expected that the ap- ial reticence as to the exact points of in- 4 portionment of these troops among the dif- vasion, the consensus of opinion, drawn from best informed sources, is that the eastern end of Cuba, constituting the prov- nce of Santiago, with Santiago de Cuba as its capital, and Porto Rico will be the ob- lective points at first. For this reason the situation in Santiago province and Porto Rico has been thoroughly canvassed. Jacksonville to Be a Base. eral Lee last night left Tampa for jonville on the eastern side of the peninsula to open heaéquerters There can be but one inference wn from that movement, namely, that cksonville is to be made a base of oper- ations against Porto Rico. For that p pose the town is admirably situated, fact, tt surpasses Key West as a for operations even against any of the eastern points of Cuba. The terminus of an excellent railroad system leading from the north and west, with good steamboat con- nections with New York, with a navigable river affording a good harbor and distant {n an air line only 1,200 miles from San Juan, Jacksonville leaves little to be de- sired as a base of military operations. There seems to be little doubt that the plan of campaign contemplates the redue- tion of Porto Rico, and the President is be- ing urged very strongly to begin this move- ment even before any serious attempt 1s made upon Havana. His advisors are point- ing to what they regard as a very imminent -r of an unqualified retreat on the of the Spanish government. It might eble, according to this view, for the y assert that they accept nds of the celebrated ulti- matum and were prepared to withdraw their troops from Cuba. in ferent states and territories will be an- nounced this evening or tomorrow. There appears to be a diversity of opinion among the governors of the various states as to the wisdom of the department's pian to re- cruit the existing regiments up to che max- imum strength out of the second call for troops, instead of organizing entirely new regiments. While most of the governors approve the plan, there are many who would prefer a plan whereby entire regi- ments might be mustered into the service under their existing organization. The de- partment decided, however, to adhere to its original plan, to first recruit the volunteer regiments now in the service up to the maximum strength. This will absorb about 50,000 men and leave only 25,000 men under the second call to be organized into addition- al regiments. Each regiment will consist of twelve companies of 106 men to euch com- pany, or 13,126 men to a regiment. Officers from each regiment will be detailed for re- cruiting duty, and the work of recruiting the quota of each state under the second call will proceed precisely as it does in the regular army. As rapidly as the men are recruited they will be examined and sent forward to join the regiments to which they may be assigned. The new recruits will be assigned to regiments of their own states, and, so far as possible, to companies and regiments which represent the cities and sections of the states in which they re- hide. Thus the recruits will be among friends and acquaintances, and not among strang Only after the existing regiments have been recruited up to the maximum strength will new regimental organizations be formed. Some of the regiments now in the service have less than the required num- |REAL WAR IN SIGHT |!NCENSED AT THE SPANISH] AT THE WHITE HOUSE District Troops Under Orders to Co to the Front, WILL BREAK CAMP acs The Men Are Well Pleased With the Prospect. TOMORROW Se COMPLIMENT TO EFFICIENCY anes ees Special Dispatch to The Eventing Star. CHICKAMAUGA PARK, Ga., May 31-- Tere is joy in the heart of every member of the Ist Regiment, District Volunteers, teday, over the fact that this camp will be broken tomorrow and the regiment moved to Tampa to report to Gen. Shafter. Shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon Col. Harries received word from Ger. Erooke that the District regiment had been selected as one of the eight regiments to go to Tampa at once. Coi. Harries imme- diately had officers’ call sounded, and a few minutes after the glad news was tered throughout the camp. ‘The regiments that wiil go to make up the the brigade to which District troops will be attached York, the Goth New York and the Sth Maryland. These regiments were selected because of the fact that they are the best equipped ta the entire ticles of which ed today. Generzt Carpenter in Command. Ger. Carpenter, who i prezent in com- mand of the Ist Diy rmy Corp: will commend the brigade. Another 1 of the Ist Ohio, the , $d Pennsylvania and Ist Titin under command of Gen. Snyder, will leave here for Tampa Thursday. The two brigades will be equipped with iber Springfield rifles, and each mau Il be supplied with 500 rounds of am- munition. Each regiment will have thirty mule teams. The men will carry two days’ rations with thezm. will go on the wagon train. rive at ‘Tampa they will be suppi.cd with fifty days’ rations per man. The District boys are especialiy plea! over this program, and smiles may be s¢ on every face. Short and tough rations are forgotten in anticipation of going to the front. From day to cay the comments re- garding the efliciency of tae District regi ment are more favorable, and the boys ure rapidly approaching that high state of per- fection known only in the regular army. This is shown in the fact that out of #ll the regiments in camp this was one of eight selected to go to the front at once. Light Siek List. The sick list today is,’as usual, very light, and only a few minor cases were reported at the hospital this morning. These cases are due entirely to indiseretion on part of the men in the use of water Capt. Dovglas Simons of Company I has been detailed as brigude quartermaster. The army, it appears, calis on the Disirict contingent to fill the best positions, where hard work is required. The District reg.ment has all of its monthly reports aud field returns ready to send in to headquerters on time today. Will Leave Their Tents Behind. The comfortable wall tents which the boys now use will be left behind at Tampa as soon as the regiment is ordered to the front. In their stead shelter tents will be carried. These tenis are made of brown canvas and come in two pieces, which are buttoned together at the top when set up. ‘They look like an inverted V and are open at each end. The men have to carry tents on their backs, two men carrying one tent. Our men are becoming acclimated, and the change to Tampa will not be a severe one on them. B. Preparing to Depart. By Associated Press. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., May 31—The preparations for the departure of eight regi- memts of infantry from Chickamauga for Tampa are being vigorously pushed today, and tke indications are that all of the 2ight will get out during the next forty-eight hours. The first to go will be ine Ist Lili- rois, the Ist Ohio, the 157th Indian and the 3d Pennsylvania. These are scheduled to leave tonight. The work of breaking camp and packing vp car be easily tinished during the day. j The men and equipment will b led on trains in the park and se tra il be given the right of way over ail others by the railroads. The detachment formed by the four regimeais will number about 4,0u0 men and will be comiranded by brig. Gen. Snyder Second Detachment Leaves Tomorrow The second detachment, which will prob- ably leave tomorrow night, will be com- posed of the 2d New York, 69th New York, 1st District of Columbia and 5th Maryland. Brigadier General L. H. Carpenter will command this detachment. General Carpenter has been in command of the first division of the 3d Corps at the park, while General Snyder has been in command of the third division of the Ist Corps. It is now generally believed here that the various regiments encamped in the park will be sent on to the front as soon as they are in fit condition. The idea that the big army will be kept intact here all summer is now entertained by few officers. The Ist Maine Infantry, the 2d Arkansas Infantry and the 52d Iowa Infantry, which arrived yesterday afternoon and last night, settled down in camp today. Each of the regiments numbers about 850 men. Arrival of Other Troops. The 1st Mississippi Infantry, 1,028 men, under Col. George M. Govan, arrived this los Capt. Merlin Criticises the Gunrers at Santiago de Cuba, Instend of Aiding Him to Land Hts: a Coal They Calmly Ri Cigarettes. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. KEY WEST, Fla., May 31.—Ca Inles Merlin of the British steamer Restormel appears to be more incensed at the coward- ly action of the Spenish at Santiago do Cuba than at his capture by the St. Paul. “Why,” he said, “I wes within two mil of the forts, and my colors flying. Al- though they knew I was bringing coal for their bottled-up fleet, they were.more oc- eupied in rolling cigarettes than in rolling up their sleeves to help me. Anothcr half hour and I would have been safe. “The first words the Heutenant of the St. Paul said when he came along were, ‘Hard lines, cavtain; well tried,” and I re- plied, ‘Yes, if they had been British gun- ners I would have got in.’"" Capt. Merlin lay sixteen hours at Porto Rico, and confirred the reports that five men were killed and fifty wounded during the bombardment. He wag there three days after Rear Admiral Sampson Icft. No attempt was made to repair the fortress. There did not appear to be any lack of pro- | Visions, and business was proceeding as usual. E At Curacao te learned that the Spanish fleet did not procure much oal there, but took on a large supply of provisions and then proceeded to Cienfuegos, He does not Lelieve all of Cervera’s fleet is at Santiago. Judge Locke will probably confiscate the 0 tons of coal and probably ¢ the vessel. The steamer Florida is coming into this her She is believed. to have landed an o ithcut incident, but the officers @re reticent. —_+—__- SAILORS’ FOOD POISONED Dastardly Act Attributed to the Spanish in Manila. * (Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.) HONG KONG, May. 31.—According to mail advices to the correspondent of the Associated Press from Maniig, dated Muy 27, there is serious sickhess on board the United States cruiser Boston. It is be- lieved that the Spaniards poigoned the fish. Rear Admiral Dewey promised to refrain from bombarding. on. condition that the Spaniards refrained from strengthening their defenses. On Sunday, May 22, they were observed violating-the pledge, and Ad- miral Dewey fired as a warning. The work was stapped. Nobody was hurt. Numerous dispatches congratulating Ad- miral Dewey have mis¢atried. The anti-British demonstrations at Ma- nila are intensifying. ‘The queen's por- traits are insulted and all the® foreigners are preparing to take refuge at Cavite. ag TREATY WITH FRANCE, M. Hanotaux Announces the Signing of the Commercial Agreement. PARIS, May 31.—At thé meeting of the cabinet today M.. Hanotaux, the minister for foreign affairs, announced the signing of the commercial agreement with the United States. In so doing he pointed out that the ar- rangement was indicative of the friendly sentiments which the two governments showed in their reciprocdl desire to im- prove the commercial relations between the two countries. SCHLEY HAS CERVERA. Opinion of the Officers in Sampson's Fleet. Admiral Special Dispatch to The Evening Siar. : KEY WEST, Fla., May 31—All the offi- cers of Admiral Sampson’s ficet believe that in Santiago harbor Commodore Schley holds the Cristobal Colon, Vizcaya, Almi- rante Oquendo, Infanta Maria Teresa, Fur- ror and Pluton. But other Spanish rovers are reported at large in the Caribbean sea, and they will be the next to be disposed of. American sailing vessels have*reappeared in the Florida straits. Yesterday after- neon we sighted at least a score—harbin- gers of a time less disturbed by the Span- ish bugabcos and evidence of an impres- sion among the coasters that our naval forces are supreme in West Indian waters. All sides of Cuba are, indeed, well scout- ed. There is a blockading squadron on the north shore strong enough to protect the landing of troops when the time for it comes. DISTRICT TO BE OMITTED. Will Not Be in the Apportionment Under the Seeohd Cah. The calculations made at the War De- partment show that-the District of Colum- bia and the states of, Delaware and Ver- mont have already exceeded thefr quota of troops under the callg for’ 123,000 "and 75,000 velunte2rs. Consequently the two states named and the District:9f Cglumbia are not included in the apportionment of troops under the second cajj,, to «be issued this afternoon or tomorrow, and. are not likely to be again called upon fog, troops except in the event of a large.igerease in the army as at present authorized. FEW DAYS. WILL LEAVE IN Betails of the Expeditions Discussed by the Cabinet. NO CHANGE IN PORTO RICO PLAN Admirai Sampson Will Escort the Transports. DEPENDENCE ON CUBANS Sa ek, No details of the expedition now about to leave Key West were discussed at the ses- sion of the cabinet today. All the arrange- ments were made yesterday. afternoon at a conference participated in by the Pres- ident, Secretary Alger and General Miles. The latter talked over the whole situation with the President and left for the front last night with the fullest conception of the President's desires and intentions. It is known that the President has great con- fidence in General Miles and has intrusted everything at the other end of the line to him. It is also known that large bodies of troops at points outside of Tampa have re- ceived instructions: to get ready to leave for Florida by tomorrow. It is the impres- sion of cabinet officers who are not con- cerned in the direction of war movements that the expedition getting away from Tampa is a formidable one, and that it is not the intention of the government to land anywhere with a mere handful of men who will be unable to take good care of them- selves. Nobody proposes that there shall be a reverse of American arms at the outset. Hending for Porto Rico. The information from the best source available is that the expedition is primarily heading for Porto Rico." There has been no change in the plans as to this island since the exclusive announcement in The Star early last week. The taik today, how- ever, is that there may be a diversion for the invading force before Sampson thun- ders in front of San Juan and American soldiers land on Porto Rican soil. The idea is that a portion of the invading force will be detached when near the Windward Pas- sage and sent to Schley for the purposes of making a combined sea and land attack on Santiago. If this is the correct idea American troops will land simulianeously in Cuba and Porto Rico, and the roar of battle will fill the air for hundreds of miles in the West Indies. There is excellent authority for saying that the major part of the expedition, about 25,000 men, will be taken to Porto Rico, and will probably be landed by the end of the week. Admiral Sampson will escort the transports and turn over to Commodore Schley the portion he desires. Then Samp- son will go on to San Juan and will turn +his guns loose. While he is doing this a few of the smaller ships of the navy will protect the landing of United States troops at a place some distance from San. Juan. It is sald to be known that there are not over 13,000 Spanish soldiers, including vol- unteers, on the island. A large number of these will be engaged in the fight at San Jvan, which will be to the finish unless the Spaniards surrender. They will find a big difference between this attack and the one before, now known to have been simply a fecler. Tke army of Garzia, strong in numbers and patriotism, holds the rear of Santiago. Instructions have probably been sent to him as to the intentions of the United States. He may work his way around to the seashore, where he will join the Ameri- can army, if such is the intention, or he may begin an attack from his present posi- tion simultaneously with attacks in ail directions by the naval and army forces of the United States. Great dependence must be placed on the Cubans in this matter. The government feels kindly to Gen. Garcia. He has lived in this country many years, and is an American in spirit and feeling. He can be depended on to do what he premises. He is said to have a better army than Gomez, with his men in better fix and krewing more of the regulations of stand- ard warfare. . Awaiting a Message From Schley. A cabinet officer said this afternoon that the actual starting of the expedition would be delayed a snort time, until another mes- sage is had from Schley. This message is expected to give the commodore's ideas of a land attack and the number of soldiers needed, as well as the situation to the last minute. This message may come at any time, as instructions were wired Monday merning to Schley. These probably gave the government's belief that it would be well to send land forces to the aid of the navy, and asking for the opinion of the commodore. The message from Schley will also determine definitely whether a portion of the expedition will be sent to Santiago, but will have no effect on the expedition to Porto Rico. In Gencral Wallace's Behalf. The republicans of the Indiana delegation in Congress are exerting all their influence to have Gen. Lew Wallace made a major general. They have put General Wallace's claims before the President and Secretary Alger and hope to be successful. Gen. Wal- lace is an old and stanch’ friend of the President. He was recently in the city and had a conference at the Whit® Houee. Senator Pritchard of North Carolina is endeavoring to have Major Moody of his state assigned to the staff of Major General Butler. Among the day’s callers at the White House were Governor Atkinson of Georgia, Senators Thurston, Platt of New York, Platt of Connecticut, Lodge and Foraker. No Communication From the Pope. A report to the effect that the pope has to relieve the government of financial la- bility for the loss of the merchantman in case it is shown that the cruiser was not at fault in the matter. The master, offl- cers and men of the Foscolia will be ex- amined by the naval court, and an effort will be made to fix the amount of damages sustained by both vessels. The Columbia has been placed in dry dock at the New York navy yard end will be repaired as rapidly as possible, as there is great need of her services in the prose- cution of the war with Spain. The injury to the Columbia consists of a large rent in her starboard side just forward of the sponson of the after 4-inch rapid-fire gun, extending five feet below the normal water line. It appears that the cruiser had a nar- row escape from destruction. The bows of the Foscolia knocked a tube containing a live Whitehead torpedo from its stand, and so twisted the incasing cylinder that the torpedo remained stuck fast. There Was a war head fixed to the torpedo, and had this cap been struck fairly 500 pounds of guncotton would have exploded, in which event the Columbia would probably have been wrecked. The hole in the side of the cruiser is about ten feet wide at the top, and the opinion of experts is that the pro- tective deck was the only thing that saved the ship from being sunk. The Plates of the cruiser were found to be of excellent material. Although twisted and bent, there was an absence of breaks in the metal. The plates of the Foscolia, some of which were left within the hole she made, displayed cracks and granulations that indicated in- ferior material. It is hoped that the Co- lumbia will be repaired inside of ten days or two weeks. Once before has the Columbia sunk a merchant ship. Four years ago she col- lided with the Wyanoke, a side-wheel steamer of the Old Dominion line, sinking her off Old Point Comfort. Not long after her launching, in 1892, she scraped the bed of the Delaware river, bending some of her plates. After the Wyanoke collision the Columbia was repaired at the Norfolk navy yard. Later she was run down by the steamship Wyandotte, suffering serious damage. —___e-—______ WORK ON THE COLUMBIA. May Take Ten Days to Repair the Disabled Cruiser. NEW YORK, May 31.—The disabled cruiser Columbia will probably not be able to leave the dry dock at the navy yard for ten days at ieast. More than a hundred mechanics are at work on the vessel rip- ping off the injured armor plates and spon- son. The plates which are being taken off are about 7-8 of an inch thick. Several plates have been taken off below the water line which are not very badly injured, and it is expected that the plates for a dis- tance of six or eight feet on each side of the aperture caused by the collision will have to be taken off and new ones substi- tuted. The steel protected decks, which begin right at the water line, do not seem to be materially injured. The cotliers Alexarder and Hannibal are being prepared for sea service, but as the officers who have been assigned to the command of the vessels have not reported at the nevy yard as yet, the colliers may not go to sea for several days. —_>+—. BRYAN OFFERED A COMMAND. Governor Stephens of Missouri Will Give Him a Regiment. ST. LOUIS, May 31.—A specal to the Post-Dispatch from Jefferson City, Mo., says that Governor Stephens in a telegram today offered the command of a Missouri regiment to William Jennings Bryan of Ne braska, “in view of the fact that he (Bryan) cannot lead a regiment from his own state.” = os gs NEW MINISTER FROM BRAZIL. Senhor De Assis Brasil Arrives in New York Today. NEW YORK, May 31.—Senhor J. F. De Assis Brasil, Brazilian minister to the United States, arrived here today on board the steamer Kulser Wilhelm Der Grosse, from Bremen and Southampton. Other passengers were Victor F. Lawson and Potter Palmer of Chicago, and Ex-Mayor John Boyd Thatcher of Albany, N. ¥. wess aes SENDS DISPATCHES. American Warships Sighted Cruising Off Mole St. Nicholas. KINGSTON, Jaraica, May 31—A_ hot exchange of dispatches between Commo- dore Schicy and Washington has occurred during the last thirty-six hours, and an important movement of Schicy's ficet is eapected soon. The auxiliary cruiser Yale put in here Saturday, receiving and send- ing cablegrams. The Eagle and the Har- vard have been in Jamaican waters several times acting as dispatch boats. CAPE HAYTIEN, Hayti, May 31—A Haytien gunboat, which arrived here from Fert au Prince at 8 o'clock this morning with the minister of public works on board, reports that while passing the Mole St. Nicholas yesterday afternoon she saw five American warships cruising in that vicin- ity. SCHLEY ee Army Orders of Local Interest. Lieut. J. C. Johnson, 4th Artillery, has been ordered to duty with Battery A, 4th Artillery, at Fort Washington, Md. Maj. W. S. Schuyler, A. A. G., U. 8. V., has been assigned to duty with the 2d Army Corps at Falls Church, Va. Private G. H. Beebe, Company G, Ist District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, new at Chickamauga, Ga., having enlisted urder false pretenses, has been discharged from the service of the United States. Col. J. 8. Pettit, 4th U. 8S. V., and Capt. J. M. Lee, 9th Infantry, are appointed a board to meet in this city for the examina- tien of applicants for commissions in the 4th U.S. V. Infantry. 8. V., and Col. L. Col. P. H. Ray, 3d U. G. ‘Thyson, 6th U. 8. V., have been orde: ed to examine applicants for commissions in the Gth U. S. V. Infantry. The examina- ticns will take place in this city. 5 Military Aid to Secretary Alger. Major George H. Hopkins, assistant adjutant general of volunteers, reported at TO ANNEX HAWAII The President Talks on the Subject With His Oallers, BELIEF THAT ACTION WILL BE HAD Necessity of Possessing the Islands Now Imperative. SUGGESTED POSSESSIONS President McKinley hi not abanfoned hope that Congress will annex Hawaii be- fore it adjourns. He has not ceased quiet and telling work with friends in the nation- al legislature to have something done. Prior to the cabinet meeting this morning he chatted with a number of his callers, renewing his expressions of hope that Ha- wall will become part of the domain of Uncle Sam before Congress finishes its work for this session. Senator Elkins was one of the men who talked with the President. “I am willing to stay here until black frost comes to see Hawall annexed,” the senator told the President, with that earnestness which characterizes him in all his undertakings. Senators Frye and Lodge, also earnest advocates of annexation, were among the President's visitors, and to each the chief executive spoke of the imperative necessity of action by Congress. It cannot be said that the President has in his mind “a dream of empire” for the United States as a result of the war with Spain, but it is said by close friends that there is dawning upon him the fact that the opportunity for extending the great commercial interests of the United Btates is one which may not come again in an- other century, and which, if passed now, may be regretted. Effect of Hawaiian Annexation. The annexation of the Hawallan Islands is one step in a direction which the Presi- dent believes will be satisfactory to the entire country. This step taken, there will be advocates of the permanent possession of the Philippines, or at least of so much of the islands as may insure to the United States coaling and trading facilities in Asia. Stretching from the orient to the great western hemisphere will be the flag of Uncle Sam, with cable Mnes connecting all he owns, and with hundreds of busy merchant ships plodding the waters of the Pacific carrying the things made and grown here. This is the tmaginary picture affecting that side of the earth and being presented to the President by active end vigorous minds. More Suggested Posscastons. Then there is another picture which has been set before him and many others. This is the limited possession of Cuba, the full possession of Porto Rice and the Canaries, three pearls between the old and new world, which will add riches to America and enlargement of our share of the world’s trade. The Presilent, with his years of study of commercial matters, realizes that the world’s struggle today is for trade and business. “He wants to see shrewd Uncle Sam hold his own ir that struggle; if pos- sibie, to surpass eny other nation of the earth. Whether the President, with these bread ideas of the future, is willing to amend tradition is a matter of which his closest frieads refuse to talk. He is meet- ing events step by step, and assurance is given that he will be foremost in whatever will legitimately and honorably increase the riches and trade of the country. EVIDENCE OF WEAKNESS, The Opposition to Mr. Lodge's Spe: ing in Open Scasto The action of Senators White and Turple in preventing Mr. Lodge from speaking on the progress of the war in the Senate to- day is regarded by Hawalian annexation- ists as a confession of weakness on the part of those opposed to the annexation of the Hawalian Islands. Mr. Lodge had insisted that he did not intend to make a speech on Hewallan an- nexation, but those opposed to annexation apparently feared that what he had to say would bear upon that subject, and took the precaution to close the doors of the Senate and forced Mr. Lodge to deliver his speech in secret legislative session. waiian annexationists about the Senate re- gard this action as an evidence of fear lest Mr. Lodge should make arguments in open session bearing favorably upon the subject of annexation which those opposed to that policy would not be able to answer. The action of Messrs. Turpie and White is re- garded as a great mistake by many be- cause of this interpretation, which is very generally being placed upon it. SENATOR LODGE’S PROPOSITION. Will Not Offer It as cn Amendment te the Revenue Bill. Senator Lodge has decided not to formal- ly offer his Hawalian annexation proposi- tion as an amendment to the war revenue bill, but he thinks that final adjournment of Congress can be delayed in order to al- low the Hawaiian question to be disposed of this session. Senator Mcrgan said today that it was his purpose to press his messure providing a form of government for territory acquired in the present war as an amendment to the war revenue hill. H2 expressed the opinion that the Lodge amendment for the annexation of Hawail should be made @ It is just as much a wat jugation of the Spanish he said. part of this bill. measure as the si fleet in Santiago bay, NAVAL BATTALION. More Active Steps Toward Recruiting Being Taken. Active steps looking to the organization the War Department this morning and Was assigned to duty as military aid to the Secretary of War. Major Hopkins is a resident of Detroit and a personal friend of Secretary Alger. His special duty will be to assist the Secretary in the recep- tion of visitors and in the dispatch of ‘business of a more or less confidential character. Licut. Devore of the 23d Infan- try, who has been acting tn this capacity for several months, will be assigned addressed himself to President McKinley directly in an effort to bring about peece between the United States'and Spain proves upon investigation to be groundless, and it is not expected that the pontiff would be led into the rather unusual course in ad- of a naval battalion in the District of Co- jumbia continue, and a recruiting office has been opened in the rifle gallery of the Na. tional Guard Armory, over Center Market, Pennsylvania avenue between Zth and 9th streets northwest. This office is open every evening between & and 10 o'clock. White it Is desirable that. men with nau- tical experience shall compose the large portion of the organization, yet the enlist- ments are not confined to these. Any one of good moral character and physically sound, between the ages of elghteen and thirty-five, may enlist. ber of companies New companies that may be organized wiil be assigned to the regiments until each regimental organiza- tion has twelve full companies. After this work has been accomplished new regi- mental organizations of the maximum Strength will be formed. The number of new regiments probably will not exceed twenty. morning. The regiment ig without arms and uniforms. Ohio officials began the work of paying the Ohio volunt3ers today. The Pennsylvania officials finished paying their men today. The majority of the volunteers have had no pay for their services before being mustered in, and ar3 loud in their complaints. The second division was scheduled for a skam battle today, but this morning it was decided to postpone the event. Regimental and company drills are ke2ping the men employed. Inspector General Breckinridge states .that he will remain here a week longer. —_e——- 5 Change in the Weather Bureau. -H._E. Williams, férmsrly chief of the The Second Expediggon Designed for Spanish in Santiego Province. bacwicns 3 z As to Santiago province, th situation was explained today by an official thoroughly conversant with the conditions there. He pointed out that it was the easiernmost gec- tion of Cuba, and the one completely isolat- ed from Gneral Blanco so far as railroad connections @re concerned. For that rea- on it will be tmpossible for Blanco to hurry reinforcements to Santiago, and the Span- ish forces already there constitute all that it is possible.to ass2mble immediately for its defense.. These forces. are under. Gen- eral Pando, with headquarters at Holguin, ebout 100 miles northwest of Santlago de Cuba. Pando has a force of about 5,000 troops with him, and 1s strongly intrench2d. It is said at the War Department that the second expedition fof @he occupation of the Phihppine Islands will start from San Francisco in a few days, probably be- for the close of the present week. It will comprise five large: transport. steamers, carrying 5,000 troops, and-will undoubtedly Prove a valuable addition to the military ‘and nfval forces at Manila, Captain os joner. - INJURIES TO THE COLUMBIA, aS ee DROPS 50 CENTS. MAY WHEAT A Court of Inquiry to Investigate the Recent Collision. Climax of the Grent Leiter Deal at Chi ——— ‘Bids for Gan Forgings. , The Navy Department today opened bids for furnishing two sets of steel forgings CHICAGO, May 81.—Today raw the climax of the Letter wheat deal, and May was down 50 cents to $1.25. There was 2 big break in the deferred futures, on favor- able crop reports; large receipts ‘SAnch guos. There wers two bidders, | ppecial from Port au Prince to the Evening A short railway connects him with ine | where and. e Brendes ‘Bethlehem iron-Works end the afia- ‘small seaport of Gthare, on.the nartn coast, cavats Svves-Ssipaneiniaeene Wasa stip eal Cam ‘st twenty-three where there are about 1,000 Spanish troops. 2 ; But while Pando ts strong at Holguin, he is