Evening Star Newspaper, July 23, 1898, Page 1

eoo°*———oo[S—— == THE EVENING STAR. SUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. ‘ aT THE STAR BUILDINGS, J1C1 Fennryivepia Avenue, Cer. 11th St, by Tee WE AGergane Pree ————— Few York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evenirg Star 1s served to subscribers tn the nity by corricrs, on tbete own account, at 10 cents Per week. or 44 cents per month. Copies at the Eccuter J certs each, By mall—answuere Ia the United States «f Canada—postage prepald—S0 ecnts per month. oe Saturday Quintupl+ Sheet Star, $1 per year, fore! tage added, $2.08. (katerea at th Po.t Cflce at Washington, D. « d-c inatter. EFA. mall suve-riptions mast be paid tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior. LLIN A SHORT HOUR Nipe Harbor Taken, Three Forts Silenced AND GUNBOAT JORGE JUAN SUNK Vicious Work of the Topeka, An- napolis, Wasp and Leyden. — FURIOUS CANNONADING Five troops of cavalry at Camp Alger are to go to Porto Rico. No news is expected from Gen- eral Miles for a day or two, as he is out of reach of cable stations. The letter of Garcia to Shafter has not been received at the War De- partment. he naval war board was at the White House for a long time today ng the situation. diseu KEY WEST, Fla., July °3, 11:50 am— Acting under orders from Rear Admiral Sampson, four American warships on ‘Thursday afternoon last entered the harbor of Nipe, on the northeast coast of the province of Santiago de Cuba, and after a furious bombardment took possession of the harbor as a base of operations for the Porto Rico campaign. It is understood, however, that the plans have the been changed since in consequence of pation of Santiago by the United s forces, and that Nipe will not be ed for the purpose originally intended. engaged were the Topeka, Wasp and Leyden. In the an hour they silenced three forts, panish gunboat Jorge Juan (not as before reported) and riflemen who had taken part in the engagement. For a week or more the Topeka had been blockading the northeastern coast between crecia and Cabonico, with strict or- from Commodore Howell not to at- n entrance into any of the harbors. ago, while cruising past Nipe, ut midway in the blockade line directly across the island from the city 0, an armored launch about 100 t long came out and fired two shells, both of which, however, fell short. Chased by the Topeka. The Topeka returned the fire and chased the launch into the harbor, but in conse- quence of Commodore Howell's orders could not follow her in. Thursday the Annapolis, Wasp and y came from Santiago, and Capt. Hunker of the Annapolis, who was ranking + Was surprised to learn that Nipe ad not been taken. Admiral Sampson had understood that this had been done and had erders for the monitors detailed for the Porto Rico cam- paign to rendezvous there. When the situ- ation had been cleared up Capt. Hunker ordered the ships to go in. The Wasp and Leyden, being the smallest of the quartet, led the way, followed by the Annapolis, while the Topeka, which carried a heavier battery, brought up the rear. The channel leading into the harbor very narrow, and on a bluff to the right called Galory Point, was a fort and signal stction. As the American ships entered the Spaniards were signaling in a lively fa with a blue ball and flag, appar- ly notifying the Spanish ships in the or, which were the Jorge Juan, two r gunboats and the armored launch before mentioned. The Fort Fired. s the Wasp and Leyden rounded the the fort fired a dozen shots, none of which, however, fell near them, and the ka returned the fire with her thre Almost oc tempt immediately the Spaniards de- fort and ran, while the Topeka nto them. A body beach returned the fire but, they, too, Topeka At th ® time another small annel fired on th was silenced as den Ue, the Wasp and L up_a position in the northw, on of the or and opened fire water at the Jorge Juan, which the southeast, in front of the town ari. Her position was about a mile quarter from the beach and behind fort stood on an eminence. This ned fire on the Wasp and Leyden, and Topeka came up boat joined in the fight, battle followed. ank the Jorge Jua: ‘4 enchored in the middle of the harbor about 4,000 yards from the Jorge Juan, and the other three American beats drew up on either side and formed a semi-circle. They then closed in on the Spanish Pp, pouring a destructive fire at her and the fort beyond. The Topeka sent four-inch ehells crashing into the Jorge Juan at such a rate that she sank Within twenty minutes. When the firing became heavy the offi- cers and crew of the Spaniard put off in small boats, mede the shore under a heavy fire and ped into the woods. Two si from the Topeka’s bow gun, fired on an elevation of 4,500 yards, dropped ®quare into Mayari fort, the Spanish pen- ants disappeared and ‘a white flag way run up. This ended a short but one of the most ous battles ef the war. All the American ships sent small boats over to the Spanish gunboat, that of the Topeka ¥ ander command of Lieuten- ant Niblack, the former naval attache at Berlin, Vienna and Rome. found that the Jorge Juan's fore- castle had been entirely nipped away by the Topeka’s feur-inch shells, and that her fore and mizzea masts and flag staff were carried off. It is thought the ‘Spantards ttled her before abandoning the vessel. The Jorge Juan. Jorge Juan was a ‘three-masted, one- neled ship ¢f 960 tops and 1,100 horse- Power. She was 203 feet long, 35 feet wide and 12 feet draft. She carried @ crew of 146 men and had 130 tons of coal, Her bat- tery was heaver than the Topeka’s, the biggest of the four attacking American ships, it consisting of three 4.7 Hontorias, two 28 Krupp guns and two machine guns. Nipe harbor is twenty miles long and ten Telles wide. It os surrecnded by mountains and ts admirably adapted as a base for any campaign. The Topeka, on her way into this passed the Terror, Puritan and Montgom- ary heading for Nipe. v Che Loe tng Star. No 14,165. AT THE WHITE HOUSE The Naval War Board Discusses the Situation. MORE WORK OUTLINED FOR THE NAVY Lieut. Thomas Tells the President About the First Fight. LIEUT. HOBSON’S PROMOTION The.White House looked almost deserted today. Official callers were few, and the President was not rushed, as has been the case eyery day for so many months. One of the noted visitors who was warm- ly received was First Lieut. ohn R. Thomas, the brave young officer severely wounded in the fight In which Capt. Cap- ron was killed and while commanding the company which Capt. Capron had so gal- jJantly led. Lieut. Thomas is still looking pale and walks with the aid of crutches. He was taken to the President's room by the elevator in the private part of the house. Lieut. Thomas, who was accompanied by his father, Gov. Thomaz, was asked many questions by the President, and gave a detailed account of the first blovdy fight with the Spaniards on Cuban soll. Representatives Hitt, Hepburn and Gi son of Tennessee were among the other callers. Representative Hitt will leave for Chicago in a few days to prepare for the journey to Hawaii as one of the Hawaiian commissioners. More Work for the Navy. Secretary Long and the members of the naval war board were at the White Huuse pearly two hours today, discussing, the Secretary said, “the general situation as far as the navy is concerned.” This con- ference was necessary, the Secretary said, “as the navy has practically finished its work for the present, with the exception of the sailing of the squadron of Commodore Watson.” The Secretary then stated that the squadron to go to Spain will sail when tne President sees fit. The Secretary spoke as if it might be a good while before the squadron will get away. Secretary Long said that he did not have any news from Manila. He expects the Monterey to reach Manila about the 3d or 4th of August, and thinks the Monadnoch will arrive about a week after. Beyond the bombardment of San Juan and the sailing of Watson’s squadron the navy, as Secretary Long said, will be with- out serious work until the Havana cam- paign begins. Maintaining the blockade is an easy and unexciting task. This ts done chiefly by auxiliary vessels, leaving the fighting machines with no prospect of work. Under these circumstances it is thought that the Secretary and President are planning fresh work for the navy. What hese plans are may not come out for several days. Lieut. Hobson's Promotion. President McKinley and Secretary Long have not reached a decision about the pro- motion of Lieut. Hobson, and did not men- tion the matter to the young officer yester- day. They take it for granted that Lieut. Hob- son desires to be transferred to the line of the navy, as stated some time ago by mem- bers of his family. This will require a spe- cial act of Con postponing the pro- motion until next winter. If Lieut. Hob- son desires to remain on the staff of the avy his promotion can be made at once by Secretary Long. Lieut. Hobson will return to the city in a few days and may then announce his pret- erence. e+ DISBELIEVED BY MR. DINGLEY. Reported Threats of European Inter- ference in the Philippines. Representative Dingley of Maine, who hag been the city in attendance upon the mecting of the American members of the Canadian commission, expects to leave for his. home this afternoon. “Trade and industrial conditions in New England have improved,” sald Mr. Dingley to a Star reporter this afternoon, “but not so much as would have been the case if it were not for the war. In Maine the people have benefited very Mttle from the demand for goods brought on by the war, while the shipping industry of the state has suffered.” do you think will be the solving of the Philippines problem?” Mr. Dingley was asked. : one can tell at this time. Events adjust themselves, and sometimes in a sud- den and unexpected manner. The situation will undoubtedly be taken care of as it arises and I would not like to venture an opinion in advance of what will be done. “I feel sure, however, that there is no foundation for the talk of alleged European interference in whatever program this gov- ernment may adopt for the Phillppines. I believe the rumored protests of the powers of Europe will be found to be merely un- authorized reports and will not materialize into anything definite. The conduct of the Germans at Manila is subject to eriticiem, but their action, I believe, will not go be- yond bounds. “I do not pay any attention to the alleged attitude of Europe protesting against the sending of Commodore Watson's fleet to the coast of Spain. Such a position would be untenable. This government is at war with Spain, and we have a right to strike her where and when we please. It remains for us alone to say whether we will send a fleet to Spatn. Of course, if we con- templated seizing and holding Spantsh ter- ritery on the continent of Europe, it might cause disquietude among the powers for fear tnat the balance of power might be disturbed. They would nave no right, how- ever, to object to the harassing cf the coast and commerce by a ficet. —-— —_-«+___ MAIL FOR THE SOLDIERS. Major James E. Stuart Placed in Charge at Santiago. The Postmaster General had a conference this morning with his assistants upon the subject cf mail facilities at Santiago. It was decided to place Maj. James E. Stuart in charge of the office, and a telegram was sent to him at Tampa to proceed at once and take superintendence of affairs. It was also agreed that only United States stamps be used at that office and that the working force, as far as practicable, be retained. The various departments were directed to send the necessary supplies at ionce, and it is expected the office will be in satisfactory working order within ten days.: * —_—_—__o—____—_._.. ‘Charles H. Galusha Dead. SAN FRANCISCO, July 23.—Charles H. National Guard, is dead at the German bospital as a result of a surgical operation. He was a native of New York, aged fifty- WASHINGTON, D. ©. SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1898-TWENTY-FOUR P AGES. TWO CENTS. | THE STAR BY MATL, Persons leaving the city for any period can have The Star matied te them to any address in the United States or Canada, by ordering it at this office, In person or by letter, Terms: 13 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or SO cents per month. Invariably in advance. Sub- ecribers changing their address from one Post-office to enother should give the last address as well as the new one. UNCLE SAM: [BB | PATIEND GEN. WOOD'S POSITION. Not Governor General of Santiago, ax Reported. It ts said at the War Department that Gen, Leonard Wood is not governor gen- eral of Santiago, as has been erroneously reported. And in fact there is no such offi- cer at present as governor general, or even military governor. It $s explained that the status is as follows: Gen. McKibbin, as sc- nior officer of the detail of American troops in Santiago proper, was the com- manding officer. He fell ill, and as Gen. Wood was the second in rank, by vir of that fact he assumed command of all the American troops in Santiago city, not very numerous, according to Shafter’s report. The garrison has been kept down from a desire to minimize the number of men ex- posed to contagion. It happens, * fortu- nately for Santiago, that Gen. Wood is a most competent medical officer, so that he is, above all of the general officers with Shafter, the best qualified to immediate}. relieve the city from the unhealthful condt- tions that are said to exist there and put it in good sanitary order. It is surprising how much can be accomplished by an army officer acting with full powers in this direction. The medical officers here recall the fact that during the civil war, by the adoption of rigid sanitary precautions and insistence upon keeping the city clean, Gen. Butler, while in command of the fed- eral forces at New Orleans, managed to absolutely exclude yellow fever from that Place, while the other gulf ports suffered geverely. CARING FOR THE WOUNDED. Medical Officers leased at the Re- sults of Antiseptic Treatment. Medical officers of the army are highly pleased with the excellent results that are being obtained from the antiseptic treat- ment that has been given the wounded in Cuba. The present war will afford the first opportunity for testing this system of treating gunshot wounds. When the war is over it will be possible fur the medical department of the army to prepare a ch .p- ter in medical science concerning the treat- ment of gunshot wounds, wh!.b will be, of vital interest to the medic»! frateriity throughout the world, and specially} to medical officers of the g’‘at stangng ermies of Europe. + 4 The antiseptic treatment Sat has then used in Cuba was developed Ay Dr. Lister, @ Scotch surgeon, who gave @s discoveries to the world about twelve y¢'rs ago, sifice which time it has been teste all over the world in the treatment of gifshot wourds and found to be highly succ{ssful. Wen the present war broke out ghere was: question about the success <} the syst4m, but no opportunity had beenZhad for tist- ing it on an extensive scalef During the war between Turkey and Gréhce this s:ne system of treating gunshot~ wounds ¢as used, but the opportunity far testing ‘ts efficiency was small. 5 § ‘The antiseptic treatment that has ben. used {s very simple, and is “not only is r- pre more effective than the treatment merly in use, but involves véry little on the part of medical officers, As treaged during the civil war a gunsh»t wound ‘yas kept open in order to avold bi0d potsonihe, and such a wound was frequently dresked three of four times a day. Now an antis»p- tie is applied to the wound s 1d it ts bahd- aged and not even looked at for a week or longer. The result {s that iwounds heal that formerly would have proven fatal. The interesting feature of thd war in Cuba has been that the antiseptid powder, the medicated and other bandages necessary for the treatment of the wounds were carried by each soldier in his hip pocket carefully wrapped in & water tight cover- ing. Each man had his own hospital sup- plies with him, and wounds were in many cases dressed by soldiers for thelr ccm- Trades as successfully as if the work ad been performed by a skillful physician, and the bandages were not removed by sur- ~ hae until a cure had practically been ef- ected. The medical department of the army in this city has no reports of surgical opera- tions In Cuba on which to make a com- plete statement showing the exact. results of the treatment they’ have given TROOPS RAPIDLY “LANDING Disembarkation of Second Maaila Expedition in Native Boats, Absurd Insignin of OQMee Worn by Aguinaldo—Alléged Agreement , of the Fowers. MANILA, July 19, yia Hong Kong, July 22.—The disembarkation of the American troops composing the second expedttion is being pushed with the utmost energy. Th Colorado regiment is’ already in the field near Paranajo, and other regiments will be transferred without any loss of time from the transports to the camp, in native boats. The United “States cruiser Boston has been detailed to cover the landing part She now occupies a position almost within range of the guns of Fort Malate, which 4s only a short distance from Manila proper. The brigade commanded by Gen, Ander- son {s still at Cavite, but his troops are ready to move. The arrival here of the United States monitor Monterey is anxiously expected. The Monterey, with the collier Brutus, left San Francisco fer Manila on June 6, but is believed to have been delayed, for her sailing was agdin reported from San 7. She aryived at Hono- Francisco on June 7. lulu on June 24, and left there again on June 29, Rebels Suffer Reverses. LONDON, July 23.—The Hong Kong cor- respondent of the Daily Mail says: “The latest mail from Manila reports that the rebels have: lately suffered several reverses and have Jost territory south of Malate. Gen. Aguinalda has issued cn ab- surd proclamation, dealing chiefly with official insignia. i “He, as president of the Philippin’ min- istry, 1s to wear a gold collar, wit?) © gold triangular pendant, engraved with ‘ *» sun and three stars, and to ¢: ‘yage- whis- tle, as well as a stick with a golcgandle and a tassel of goid. ‘The badges of innumerable ot} clals are-minutely dealt with in ty lamation. . “Mr. Williams, the United State: at Manila, has written as follows: Wildman, American congul in Hon; “If the United -States would suzerain and protecting? power, Aw would hoist our fiag and look tos bonor and emolument which would eral and lasting, and would be Zoll the largest _measure.of s§lid advan’ his people.” SS t — The Powers’ Agreement. LONDON, July’ 23.2Phe Berlin ‘corre- spondent of 'the Daily News says: 7 “The powers, with’ the excerton of Great Britain, have agteed mot to aMow an American annexation of the!Philiprgies or an Anglo-American protéeterate or the islands.” iS ——) 14 Friendly German Relation‘. BERLIN, July 23,—A<dispatch io the Frankfurter Gazette, from *Shangii _as- serts that the Ahetveen tht Ger- mans and Americans) at. Manila aré very friendly. i TO AFFECT STOCKS. | = tae Assigned Motive -for Ciréulating Re- ports of Europeans Combination. The often repeated report that. the Eu- ropean powers, except Great: Britain, have agreed to combine to prevent. the ‘United States permanently- occupying the Philip- pine Islands was ealled to the attention of officials at the State Department today. Secretary Day was out of the city, but other officials declared their ignorance of any such movement, id _ they gave no purngee, ii y believed, of :affect- A rumor; was Aoday in effect that of Minois ‘sion. To a Star reporter’ Mr. Hitt said this foundation. In fact, was Mr. Hitt cme ions for his trip to the Hawailan | BRI WILL FIGHT MeLEAN. Former Senator Must Do It to Control the Ohio State Convention. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 2 The friends of ex-Senator Brice here state that he is about to enter the race for Senator Poraker’s seat. He is beginning early so that he can completely control the party machinery long before the supreme test comes. The decadence of the free silver senti- ment in the country is Mr. Brice’s hope. As the wave of Bryanism seems to be passing, Mr. Brice has decided that the time is ripe for a return to the old party pcreed. | The ex | directed toward first efforts will be uring substantial ree- | ognition and po. contro) of the state convention at Dayton. This, of course, means a desperate fight against John R. McLean. Mr. Brice will also take advan- tage of the Ohio factional feud in the re- publican part WILL BE SE An Elegant Box Co ntnining the De- gree Recently Conferred on Him. Dr. Holland, chanceler of the of Pennsylvania, called at the Navy De- artment today and delivered to Assistant Secretary Alien a unique and elegant box inciosing the degree of LL. D. conferred by the University of Per: ‘ylvania on Admiral Dewey. With the degree are the insignia of LL.D. and a doctor's hood of rich purple velvet. The degree and insignia are in- closed in a highly wrought box made of Pennsylvania oak, lined with velvet and bearing the university seal and colors. This {a turn is done up tu a large silk American flag, then wrapped in Manila paper and the whole inclosed in a handsome outer box of Vermont pine. Mr. Allen will forward the box to Admiral Dewey at Manila. —— TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION. Representative Wadsworth on Yellow Fever Conditions at the Front. Representative Wadsworth of New York, who has just come up from Santiago on the St. Paul, was at the War and Navy Depart- ments today. His visit to Santiago was unofficial, for the purpose of personal ob- servation. He arrived there just in tire to witness the last bombardment, and left the day after the surrender. Speaking of the conditions at Santiago, Mr. Wadsworth said to a Star reporter that the yellow fe- ver trouble did not appear to be so bad as it was feared. While the cases were nu- merous, they were not severe. “The fact is,” he said, “that many of the cases put down as yellow fever are prob- ably not that at all. The authorities are taking every precaution and all suspicious cases of fever are isolated and guarded as if they were yellow fever, so as always to be on the safe side: It is mostly maiurial fever. You see, our troops have been down there now just about long enough to get Well saturated with malaria. The heat and heavy rains, with the exhalation from the rank tropical vegetaticn, which they have been exvosed to, were calculated to give them malaria. You can have no idea what a rain is until you have been in one down there. The water comes down as if it were being poured steadily from buckets, and- the roads are simply gullies of mud when it rains. ‘The clay roads of Virgiria we haa to contend with during the war of the rebellion were nothing to these Cuban roads, and the growth is so thick that you cannot see twenty feet. Military operations under such circumstances were naturally rfficult. It was not posstble to. throw out the ordinary skirmish lines; the growth was impenetrable and admitted of no such dis- Position of the troops as military methods require. The last three days I was down there, however, the conditions were mucin improved. During that time there was cemparatively little rain and our troops were very comfortable. “Under the more favorable conditions the rcads had dried and the men could move with greater ease. They had three days’ rations at the front, and the men were be- ing got on the high ground as fast as pos- sible. It is a source of particular gratiti- cation that the yellow fever is not severe.” 2+ _____ Beach Hotel, at Galveston, Burned. 8ST. LOUIS, July 23.—A special to the Post Dispatch from Galvesten, Tex., says: The Beach Hotel, located cn the gulf front, and one of the jeadirg stmmer and-winter re- in the south, burned-today, @ loss estimated at from $200,000 to S50, 0 Insurance only rertial. W. E. Hughes of Dallas, Tex., and St. Louis owned the bars waich has been closed for several at ‘ ‘ GEN.MILES' PROGRESS Out of Reach of a Cable Station for Some Time, GARCIA’S LETTER NOT RECEIVED HERE Opposing Award to Spanish Trans- atlantic Company. THE SENECA’S CONDITION Being now east of Cape Haitien and so beyond the reach of cable stations for a day or two, General Miles did not com- municate with the War Department after he left Mole St. Nicholas. It is assumed Ly the War Department that all is weil with him, and that his flagship, the Yale, with the remainder of the fleet, will cast anchor tomorrow morning in the waters of Porto Rico, at the point selected for the debarkation. Thus, it may again happen that Sunday, which has heretofore been so lucky a day for American military and raval operations during this war, will be further distinguished as a day upon which the Porto Rican campaign will be initiated. The navy is now actively co-operating with the army in making a success of Miles’ ex- peditioa end will use every effort to land his troops. Unfortunately nearly all the available small boats of Sampson's fleet were damaged, in many cases beyond ser- vice, in making the landing at Santiago, but it is expected that being well equipped with lighters their loss wil. not be severely felt. OPPOSING THE AWARD. Objection to Spanish Vessels Carry- ing the Prisoners Home. The letter sent by a New York attorney to Secretary Alger protesting against the award of the contract for carrying the Spanish prisoners from Santiago to Spain has not reached that official up to noon to- day. All that has been reccived has’ been the telegram from Attorney Robert L. Stan- ton to the Secretary, notifying him that he had been instructed to begin proceedings to enjoin the award of the ccentract to the Spanish company on the ground that it was against public policy and good. Pending the receipt of the letter, Col. Hecker, who ne- gotiated the contract, declines to make any statement for publication. One of the bid- ders for transporting the men was Joseph L. St. Johns, representing a syndicate of manufacturers and United States contrac- who offered to ship the officers at 7 per capita and the men at $24.87 per According to Col. Hecker’s unofficial in- formation Mr, St. John is one of those who desires that proceedings be instituted to enjoin the execution of the contract. This was quite surprising to the colonel, as Mr. St. John had sent him a letter caying that he (St. John) was happy to learn that the contract had been placed advantageously to our government and suggesting that if he could be of any service that he be called on, as there were vessels at his command. Hecker asked him to come to Washington for consultation regarding it, but it appears that Mr. St. John did not receive the tele- gram in time to be of any service to him. GARCIA'S WITHDRAWAL. His Letter to Shafter Has Not Reach- ed the War Department. It is stated positive the War Depart- ment today that the letter which Gen. Garcia is represented to have addressed to Gen. Shafter, announcing his withdrawal from furthcr co-operation with the Amer!- can troops, has not yet reached the War Department. The officials are inclined to believe that if the letter really exists, and of that they have little doubt, it will reach Washington only through the mails from Santiago. So far no mail report of any character has come from Gen. Shafter since his landing in Cuba, to the great dis- appointment of the officials, who are look- ing anxiously fer detailed accounts of cer- tain events in the progress of the cam- paign that were only obscurely outlined by G Shafter. It was hoped that the St. Paul, which arrived yesterday at New York, would bring along a lot of mail, but she did not do so, probably from fear of yellow fever. The only word that has come from Gen. Shafter over night was the statement that Gen. Duffield left Santiago for home yes- terday, and that Gen. Corbin’s son, who Was reported to be better, would leave for home as soon as he could be transported safel He and Gen. Duffield are said to ave suffered the only two pronounced uses of yellow fever in the American camp. No word has reached the department from any official source relative to the re- ported attack by Garcia's Cubans upon the body of Spanish soldiers who were march- ing into Santiago to surrender to Gen. Shafter. In the absence of a reliable re- port on this eccurrence, which, if true, may be fraught with the gravest consequences and affect immediately the attitude of the United States government toward the Cubans, there is a notable disposition to re- fuse to discuss the matter at the War De- partment. CONDITIONS ON THE SENECA. Surgeon General Sternberg Requests an Investigation. Surgeon General Sternberg of the army has requested, through the adjutant gen- eral’s office, thai an investigation be made of the charges that the transport Seneca, which brought sick and wounded from Shafter's army to New York, left the for- mer place with insufficient medical supplies and was otherwise unfit for the work as- signed to her. From letters which have been received by General Sternberg it ap- pears that specially unfavorable conditions prevailed and the surf was running high when the ship was being loaded with her human freight, though why a sufficient amount of medical supplies was not put aboard the vessel is not explained. There was plenty of quinine and also plenty of morphine with the medical corps, but it ap- pears that not enough of the latter drug was sent aboard the vessel. The Seneca was not designed for a hospital ship, and consequently there was a lack of necessary facilities for the treatment of the sick and wounded, xe FEVER AT FORT MONROE. A FOREIGN COMBINE The Report is Not Generally Credited Here. PREPARED 70 MEET INTERFERENCE Appreciation of That Will Pre- vent Trouble. a WILL NOT CAUSE CHANGE The declaration in foreign dispatches that the powers, except Great Britain, have come to an understanding that they will interfere if this government takes posses- sion of the Philippines is not generally cred- ited here. Ever since the battle of Manila bay there has been more or less talk of this sort coming from abroad, and this re- port has been many times repeated. It is given this time with a little more circumstantiality, and it is realized, of course, that there may be some foundation for the statement, but it fs not believed to have gone so far as an agreement between any of the powers. It is understood that Germany is preparing for certain contin- gencies, and it may be that the powers have been sounded by representatives of that government as to what they would do if a situation should develop which would excite antagonism between Germany and the United States. The official and semi-official utterances of Germany have, however, been of a char- acter to allay apprehension of trouble In thet quarter, and it is known that this government accepts the that have been given. What Will Preclude Interference, What it ts believed will preclude foreign powers from interfering 1s the fact that they all fully understand that this gov ernment will not recognize any sort of in- terference, and that, while not expecting that it will be attempted, we are prepare? to mect ft with firmness. An appreciation of this fact proved to be sufficient to compel all to keep hands off during the earlier stages of the war with Spain, before the powers of this govern- ment had been demonstrated, and it is not thought that row that our strength is appreciated the powers will be disposed more than before to run the risk of giving us offense The fact cannot be concealed, however, that considerable attention is being given to the strengthening of our position in the Philippines, and that the improvement of our naval establishment on the Atlantic is probabl cess of any necessity in deal- ing with Spain. It is said that our naval force is, strong enough to confront even the naval power of Germany, and that we are not in a condition where our weakness might invite imposition. WI Not Change Our Attitude. A man whose relations with both Presi- dent McKinley and Secretary Day are close said to a Star reporter today that tt was not believed that the threatened for- eign interference would materialize. “One thing you can depend on,” he said, “is that the course of this government will not be influenced by any fear of foreign inter- ference. There is no phase of the situa- tion that has not been carefully considered. “If there is any interference in the Phil- ippines there is but one source it could come from, and the government {s pre- pared to deal with it. I do not believe, however,-that there will be any interfer- ence. This government is not going to do anything that it is not justified in, and it would be a very serious responsibility on assurances any power that should seek to make trouble.”” Interference Not Expected. Representative Eddy of Minnesota sal@ to a Stur reporter today that he did not believe there would be any foreign inter- ference. He said he was not in favor of the acquisition of distant territory, but that he thought this government would be bound to give a good government to the Philip- pines. We could not restore the islanda to Spain nor turn them over to another country, and we would therefore be obliged to hold possession of them for some time. pean FOR A RIDE DOWN THE RIVER. The Presidential Party to Go on the Triton, The naval tug Triton will take a distia- guished party of officials a short distance down the river this evening. It will leava the navy yard about 6 o'clock and proceed down the river past the ications at Fort Washington and Sheridan's Polnt, and, turning at Mount Vernon, will reach the Washington navy yard about 7:36 o'clock, in time for the party to partake of dinner in the house of the commandant. The party, which was made up by the Secretary of the Navy, will consist of the President and Mrs. McK Secretary and Mrs. Alger, Secretary and Mrs. Gage, Postmaster General Smith, Mrs. Smith and Miss Smith, Mr. Justice and Mrs. McKen- na, Admiral C. S. Norton, commaudant of the Washington navy yard, Secretary and Miss Long and their guest, Miss Pauli. The trip is made mainly for the purpose of giv- ing the President and his cavinet advisers @ slight change of scen2 and a breath of fresh air, as well as a brief respite from the press of official business, which has been exceedingly heavy and arduous for Several months past. It was originally intended to use the gun- boat Princeton, now at the navy yard, for a more extended cruise duwn th» Potomac, but the idea was abandoned because of the President's disinclination to be absent from the capital for any ‘tength of time during the present crisis, an] aiso because of his well-known objections to Sunday travel. It was for these reasons that the tug Tri- ton was ussl for che trip insiead of the larger warship. ———_——-2-_____ TO DENOTE PATRIOTISM. Suggestion for New Stamp Received * at Post Office Department. The Postmaster General has received,