Evening Star Newspaper, September 30, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. = = PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCERT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Ave., Cor. {1th St., by The Evening Stor Newspaper Company. 8.8. K. THEY MUST EXPLAIN Men Wh ay Give Thei Statements Must Authority. —— WAR INVESTIGATING COMMISSION General Assertions to Be Carefully Sifted. PLANS TO BE FOLLOWED mmission met in the Lemon building and continued consider letters of complaint t en received by them direetly or through war ii ting ¢ President. The President today sent another batch of such letters and “mn mail is daily increasing in size. There were four members of the commis- sion present today, as foliows: Col. Den- by, chairman; Gen. Wilson, Capt. Howell nd ex-Gov. Woodbury. The morning s ted ) the commis: ntil 11:30 o'clock, and on reassembled to con- from 10 > the same work it had been engaged or the morning. ‘Fhe members of the commission now the city are not acting on important questions relating to the policy to be their guide during the in- deferring all such matters un- I membership is present at their upying them- already been the full mem- of the comm tion t il on a1 inst medical « nee Calling for the Facts. commis- fal article in th rnishing them explic npact and aka reve tines HADES, bu t all the fetters coming to the com- ntuin charges ef wrong-doing in A very large number of com- ations are being received from offi- the vol r army, saying that s that have come to thetr notice are arranted. One officer has writ- commission, saying he had visited Chickamauga, Fernandina and Tampa and was we ed with the conditions ort d that charges which he had them ng to mismanagement ! e Fen = = = No. session of the war | group | insist | in | ere wholly unwarranted. He said | in the coming camraign. WASHINGTON, D. C, TWO CENTS t wish to have the pay expense in coming to Washington » testify before the commi: om. He was perfectly willing to pay his own expenses government if he would be given a chance to tell what w. The commission will give him tunity to offer his testimony. As heretofore stated in Tne Star, Gen. Wheeler will probably be the first witness te come before the commission. Up to thi afternoon no word had been received from him in reply to the commission's invitation for him to testify. When this testimony will be heard will depend upon Gen. Wheel- er. The commission wiil be prepared to hear him early next week. i Gen, Lee has also been invited to testify before the commission, but no intimation has yet been received from him regarding the time when he will be ready to appear. Merely Invited The Letters sent to both Gen. Wheeler and Gen. Lee have been in the form of invita- tions to appear before the commission. If officers of the army decline to testify the President will be notified of that fact, and has already promised the commission will bring to bear all the power in command to force testimony. Such means for procuring testimony from Gen. Wheeler or Gen. Lee is not thought ef. No one expresses a doubt that they will both respond to the commission's invitation. are the only officers of the army o have been invited to appear before the sion. The 1 of the invitation Miles and Gen. Shafter has not, it red by members of the commission, ronsidered by them. The sensa of the commission's procee?- re ig to be a sensational fea- he of Gen. ture ly to be called out when these two generals get on the stand, and that fact see to be ge rally recognized. Fer this reason it is likely that those generals will not be invited to appear before the commission until other matters have been itended to, and until the commission has had more time to consider their plans of procedure. ‘The War in the Pacific Region. The examination of complaints to the President was continued at the afternoon investigation committee yesterday. Aé fon was reached at this s pn to include in the work an inquiry into the conduct of the War Department in the Pa- cific as well as in the Atlantic region, and te this end letters were written io Gen. Merriam. in command of the department of the Pacific; to Gen. Otis, in command i the Philippines, and to Gen. Merritt, who cccupied this latter pest until recently. the letter to Gen. Merritt is as folloy “We have the honor to request you to h us, #s early as possible, with such tion as you may possess as or ir ey of the quarierma ommMIssar al supplies and staff of the ps under your com- hile In this country, while en route whi ? were in ccmmand at Manila, and whether or not h supplies were promptly and sufficiently issued to the trocps. Also, as to the proper or improper preparation of the tran: orts for the ‘aus- portation of r troops to your station. We would alsc be pleased to be informed the raticn issued to the troops.” letters to Gens. Merriam and Otis are copies of the letter to Gen. Merritt, ex cept that Merriam is asked to supply m- mation concerning the expedition to i. TO HOLD LUZON ISLAND Instructions of the President to the Peace Commission. peral Government for the Rest of the Philippines—Cession Oniy With American Consent. s of the President to our ioners at Paris did not con- acquisition of the — entire Philippin ands by the It is learned on indisputa- authority that the instructions briefly re, as already been guessed, that emand should be made for the ces- to the United States of the Island of that a sa shall the ludi in Manila and Manila liberal government people of the rest of Philippines, and that de all or any part of this foreign government without the consent of the United bay; actory yrded th of the Spain sball not ¢ to any securing ace first ates. What the nt Wants. This demand, St is understood, repr 1 that the President wants, and that he 1 be ant to this govern- quire absolute possession of the is- of Luzon. T Pres sents reluc have atsidc ne belief is grow- , that will not want to itional sovereignty over the 1) if Luzon is lost to her. fersiood that Spain desir possessions at a pr i to re requirement that a government Spat hoi ited, and tha to part with ign power, will take fre ir value to her, and se terms it is aver to gain 1 or of other uishment oweve xin it, ain a nomi- liberal t ever con the y of -ommerci: for the It is u view at fully rea demands mac commissioners may com- the United States of ities than we desire. We nfronied in attempting to pro! n the our in the sition to the Island of the necessity to make Ween assuming responsi for Pp or permitting ome forcign power, probably Germany Selling the Rest of the G up. It is anticipated that the Spanish commis- sioners, after finding that they are com- pelled ield to the demand of a relin- sishment of sovereignty over Luzon, will upon her right to dispose of other to the best advantage to herself. 's will be resisted by our commissioners, islands and it is believed that they will be In- j exorable. In that event it is believed that the Spanish commissioners will insist thi if we will not permit the transfer of this territory to a foreign power we shall take it ourselves for a consideration. Inasmuch s comparatively little value is attached to e possession of the entire group, the bur- lens attending it being great, this govern- will net be disposed to yield any com- nsation to Spain in consideration of our suming greater responsibilities and more remote territory than we desire. COL, BRYAN Gosstp Caused y a Visit of John R, McLean, Col. William J. Bryan is still a victim of the malartal fever which fastened upon him in Florida, and has not recovered strength to warrant his return to his com- mand. He ts besieged by callers, and yesterday received so many visitors that the doot attributed a rise fn the fever last night $3 that fact. Mr. John R. McLean called upon Col. Bryan today, and his visit gave the pollt- ical gossips something to talk about.. Mr. McLean Is one of the most ardent support- ers of the free silver democracy, and 1s credited with still maintaining an’ interest GEN. WOOD'S TASK Frightful Sanitary Conditions to Be Relieved. CLEANING UP THE CITY OF SANTIAGO The Death Rate Has, in Conse- quence, Steadily Dropped. RESTORING THE SEWERS Secretary Alger has received a long let- ter from General Leonard Wood, military governor of Santiago. It is personal to a great extcnt, but deals with many ques- tions of interest to the public, and Secre- tary Alger has allowed some extracts to be published. It may be stated that the Secretary feels that the course of events at Santiago has demonstrated the wisdom shown in the selection of General Wood for this pecu- liarly difficult post. Combining, as he did, medical skill with the highest type of sol- Gierly qualities and executive ability to meet and overcome the problems presented at Santiago. The letter, moreover, presents vividly the frightful conditions that con- fronted the American army of occupation after the surrender of Santiago. General Wood says, in part: I have had,” writes Gen. Wood, “a very ifficult position from a sanitary point of w, and not an altogether easy one from a military and civil standpoint. When we came into the city the sanitary situation was something frightful. ‘There were a great many unburied dead in the houses, between two and three thousand Spanish wounded and sick, and a great horde of f-famished and sicic people, nearly 20,- 6M) in number, who had just returned from El Caney, where they had gone during the ege. The water supply of the city had been cut off; there was no water to be obtained except from cisterns and a few wells, and the streets were full of dead animals and all sorts of filthy materials. I had to start in from the bottom and re- 1ir the waterworks. Then came the re- moval of the dead. Some of these were burned, because the number was so great and dcecmposition kad advanced to such an extent that they could not be buried. Burning is not uncommenly practiced here during the epidemic season. “We had yellow fever all around us, end about twenty in the Spanish Military Hospital. The civil hespital was full of ‘ple, and public buildings were be- dying ing used as hospitals. On the whole, it was an extremely difficult’ task, requiring a t deal of hard work. I have been ing systematically with every means sanitary condition department that a vast amount of work has been done. 1 have a force of about 170 men constant! employed and at many times have had ac- cumulations of indescribable filth removed which has accumulated in the out house: and yards, as well as the streets of the city, which is reputed to be one of the most healthy and filthy in the world. Drop in the Death Rate. he deth rate has dropped steadily since we came in, and is ncw about fourth of what it was in July. The water been put in order and a great many s made to it, and the supply, although insufficient, is. utilized to the greatest advantage. “I have had to hire doctors for the hos- hand to improve th city. It is In th at of the one- system } pitals, purchase medicine for them and § ply them with beds and bedding and food— in fact, re-establish and take entire charge of them. I have also established a strict system of house inspection and inspection of the streets, and have a disinfecting de partment as well as a cleaning department. The city has been divided into five districts in each of which is a relief station, where nod is distributed and a physiclan 1s in attendance who prescribes for those who present tiemselves sick and visits the sick in the houses. The police department, all doctors und the officials in each ward have received instructions to furnish these ph. sicians a list of sick requiring attention, and also of the worthy poor, in order that may be somewhat protected in the dis- tribution of medicines and rations. I am issuing at present about 15,000 rations per day. The physicians are probably prescrib- ing for about 600 or 700 people, and on some days many more. These physicians are native Cubans, educated in the United States and employed by our government as contract surgeon: Burned the Garbage. “The garbage and material which I col- lect in the streets I have dumped outside of town and burnt. I have also had the lower and most unhealthy portion of the city ditched and drained and the ditche: running into the harbor cleaned out, also the water-front system of sewerage, which was completely obstructed and in a fright- ful condition. It has long been the custom in this town to depend cn hi rains and the rushing floods through streets to sWeep away the accumulated filth of the dry season. All this has been swept down to the water front, where it has been col- lecting for years, choking the drains and filling the shallow w near the shore so that when the tide goes out ma: of de- composing material are exposed to the in- tense rays of the sun and furnish frightful causes of di e. Later this year when the epidemic season shall have passed, it is my intention, if I am granted funds and authority, to have the shallow places dredged out, so that at least a thin layer of watér wili cover them at low Ude and prevent the present condition of affairs. “The police force has been re-established uniforms changed to one similar to worn by the Cubans, and they will be entirely rid of all suggestion of nish rule. he light house system In the harbor I have re-established, and arranged pilots, harbor masters, ete. Acting as Police Judge. “As the courts are not yet running, 1 have the delightful experience each day of acting as police judge and clearing the docket of all sorts of odd cases. Of course the most serious cases, such as crime, are being held for trial, either by military com- mission or by the courts when they are es- tablished and in operation. “The receipts of the city from customs since we occupied it, I understand from Generals Shafter and Lawton, who have charge of this matter, have been about $100,000. The expenses of the city per week, supporting the hospitals, cleansing the streets, doing the necessary engineer- ing work and the many little things that are required to keep up the different de- partments of the city of 50,000 people, are at present $4,500 to $5,000. Of this about $1,600 is for sanitary work and engineer- ing, the balance for hospital, police, etc. _ “I have been as economical as possible, but have felt that in this matter of sani- tation expense should not be taken into consideration, as the lives of all Americans here might be said to depend upon a prompt and thorough correction of the frightful unsanitary condition in which the city was found. “The great expert on yellow fever, Dr. Guiteras, assured me in July that an epi- demic of yellow fever of great severity was absolutely unavoidable, and that we were destined to lose a large proportion of our people here. Thus far it has been avoided, and not only avoided, but today I do not know of an authentic case of genuine yel- low fever in Santiago de Cuba proper, and every day increases our chances of escape.” General Wood then makes. some recom- and it! that mendations as to what he needs in the way of management of the hospitals and sanitary affairs. He also speaks of management of the city under military and civil authority. have been able to rule the city by a com- bination of both. The use of military force has been avoided as far as possibile, and only when the police have been inadequate. The general continues: “I am very anxious to have the schools started in the city and get the children out of the streets; also to get the issue of rations down to such a point that we are sure we are not pauperizing the people.” On the subject of rations Gen. Wood makes some recommendations. He thinks it would be well to get the rations out to the small places in the country, so that the Cuban soldiers as they leave the army may be able to get thetr farms in the vicinity of these towns These men could then have a limited amount of food, from which they could be supplied while the erops are ma- turing. After the first crop nearly all the assistance should be brought to an end. Disbanding the Cabans. Gen. Wood discusses the problem in Cuba, which is well undersiood here, of getting the Cuban army disbanded and the men composing fit at work. In discussing this phase of the situation he seems to think that it will be necessary to discourage the idea among the Cubans that rations will be constantly issued to them, because as long as men can get a full food supply they will not need very much else to get along. Gen. Wood communicates the gratifying intelligence that all indications now point to the speedy disbanding of the Cuban army. He says the feeling of the better class of Cubans toward the Americans is very kind, and they appreciate what the United States is trying to do. The general is very hopeful that everything will come out all right. No one can tell, he sa: how long it will take to establish a stable government, but he thinks it will be quile a period of time. The letter from which the above extract was taken was dated September 9. On Sep- tember 16 Gen. Wood wrote another letter to Secretary Alger, in which he says: Continued Improvement. “Since my last letter everything has been going on smoothly and the improvement is continued. People have all they want to eat, and I do not think there is hunger, to any extent, In Santiago. I have increased the number of doctors and the relief sta- tions of food. Committees of prominent citizens in each ward voluntarily make house-to-house visits daily in addition to those made by our physicians, and report in full all cases which command attention. They are authorized to glve out diet al 1 have located an old artesian well machin and am going to try for artesian water near the water front. We ought to find it in a basin surrounded by beautiful moun- tains. “You would be delighted to see the old bronze cannons and mortars which we have taken here. Some of them go back to the middle ages, and were evidently captured h. I hope they will be taken n, where they will be the most to Washingt interesting and ornamental in our parks In the later letter General Wood speaks in high terms of Aurelius E. Mestre, who has been an official interpreter and ‘nas becn with General Wood's command ever since they have been in Cuba. General Wood s he would be very valuable if given the commission of captain, and could attend to many matters inte which he has to examine.He is an Ameriean citizen and a highly intelligent and educated Cuban. It rather an interesting coincidence that General Lawton and General Wood, who were the only survivors of the Geroni- mo aign in ‘SG, and Were the only offi- cers with the expedipion during the latter month of its work, ghould be at Santiago, representing about the only survivors there of the first army that went to Cul It is « * prebable that Genel will be granted leave of absenc during October, and will come ul Wood ome time o Washing. ton. When he returns to Santiago he will no doubt be accompanied by Mrs. Wood. ee NEW SECRETARY OF STATE. John Hay Sworn in by Justice Harlan. Mr. John Hay went to the White House about ten minutes before the cabinet met this morning and was sworn in as Secre- tary of State by Justice Harlan of the Su- preme Court. The ceremony was the usual one. The President and a few of the cab- inet members were present. Invitations are being sent out to the dip- lomatic body in Washington to attend at the State Department Monday morning a reception to be given by Secretary Hay, in order to establish formal relations with the representatives of foreign powers. The diplomatic room has been put in order for the occasion and the introductions will Probably be periormed by Assistant Secre- tary Ad On leaving ite House Mr. Hay went to the Department of State and en- tered actively on the discharge of the du- ties of his new office, signing the official mail for the first time in his capacity as Secretary of State. During the afternoon he received the heads of bureaus, cler and other employes of the department, in many cases renewing acquaintances form- ed when he was assistant secretary of state, a great many years ago. Although no uppointment has yet been made, ft seems to be settled that Mr. Spencer Eddy, who accompanied Mr. Hay from London, will be his private secretary in the State De- partment. He acted in that capacity for Mr. Hay while the latter was ambassador at the court of St. James. GEN. LEE REPORTS HERE. He Will Be Ss Cuba Without nt to Doubt. Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee was at the War Department this morning. He is in this y in response to a telegraphic order from Secratary Alger. After a brief interview with the Secretary, che general sald that the Secretary desired to see bim after the cabinet meeting. Gen. L3e says that he will go to New York, vésit his son at West Point, and then return to Washington. If there is no pressure for his immediate re- turn to Jacksonville he Intends to spend a few weeks in the Virginia. mountains upon the recommendation of his, physician. Gen. Lee has been suffering slightly from ma- laria. ‘There is no doubt that Gen. Lee fs sched- uled to go to Cuba. Some question has arisen, howaver, ag to the ppint in Cuba that he will occupy. It is understood that Gen. Lee would prefer that his command go to Havana. Capt. Algernon Sartoris, grandson of Gen. U. S. Grant, who is serving as an aid-d2- camp on the staff of Gen. Lee, accompanied the latter to Washington, and was at the War Department today on offirial business. + e+ __—__—_ WILL SPEAK IN THE WEST. The Postmaster General to Take a Month’s Trip. Postmaster Gereral Charles Emory Smith, with the delegation from Pennsylvania, will leave Philadelphia Sunday night for Omaha, wher? he will deliver the oration at the Omaha €afosition on Pennsylvania day, October 5. From Omaha he goes to To- peka and delivers a campaign speech on the 7th. The next day he speaks at Wichi- ta. Short trips Will be made to Denver and Colorado Springs, after which he re- turns to Omaha and meets the President and cabinet. On the 15th of October he speaks in Columbus, Ohio, and then goes to Crawfordsville, Ind., for a speech. On the 18th he will visit Chicago to participate in the peace jubilee. From Chicago he goes again to Ohio and Indiana for several speeches. Since it became known that Mr. Smith would do some campaign work, republican campaign managers all over the west have been writing him urgent letters to speak in their districts. Mr. Smith will be accompaniad by his wife and his private secretary, Mr. Clar- ence Dawson. The trip will last about a month, the The United States officers T. Cahell, phoid ana strangulated herni typhoid malaria; SUIT OVER WAR LOAN Secretary Gage Required to Answer to Proceedings. ALLEGED REFUSAL 70 DELIVER BONDS William H. Wharton of New Jersey the Complainant. CONTENTS OF PETITION William H. Wharton of Jersey City today filed in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia a petition for mandamus to compel Mr. Lyman J. Gage, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, to de- liver to him or to the Produce Exchange Trust Company of New York certain bonds of the recent $200,000,000 war loan which were subscribed for by the plaintiff. In the petition it is alleged that Secyetary Gage, June 18 last, signed and issued a cireular, designated and known as Depart- ment Circular No. 101, division of loans and currency, inviting subscriptions from the people of the United States for S200,- 600,000 of the 2 per cent loan authorized by the act of Congress to provide ways and means to meet the war expenditures. The circular is given in full. The petitioner, who is represented in the proceedings by ex-Secretary J. G. Carlisle, states that no regulations, except such were contained in the circular, were pro- mulgated or adopted by the defendant as Secretary of the Treasury concerning the loan or the manner of subser:bing or p: ing for or issuing the bonds. and that while the circular was outstanding and in full force and effect, July 8, ISS, the petitioner made and signed a = ription on a form ‘ribed and sent’out by the ‘Treasury rTtment for coupon bonds to amount of $520, and at the same time ¢ attorn to the Prod cuted a pow 5 York, the of Exchange Trust ( of New authorizing and empowering that company to pay for the said bonds in accordance with the requirements of the circular and to receive the bonds when issued Agreement Mnterec The subscription and px 3 he placed in the hands of G. B. Wightman, to make a contract with the trust company te advanc? a sufficient of me pay for the bonds the same as ccil rent of the money to interest thereon. In entered into IS0S, forw tion sum ney to 1 hold repay > the urer, who now holds the same time paid to the treasurer United States, for and on account subseription, the cent of the whe the circular. aiter this, it is alleged, Secr decided that the petitioner was was entitled to have and receive the bonds subscribed for by him as said, and then and there awarded and allotted the sume to him and caused a notice of such award, officially signed by F. assistant secretary of the scnt to the petitioner. sum of $10.40, mount, being 2 per required by Amount Paid. The petitioner further states that in ac- cordance with the requirements of the bond circular and the n that honds to the full amount of his subscripticn had been allotted to him, the sum of $104.63 was paid through the trust company to treasurer of the United States on account of the subscription, and being 20 per cent of the amount thereof; and on September 17 another installment ‘of $106.20 was paid to the treasurer on account, being another 20 per cent of the same with interest from August 1; whereby the petitioner says he be- came and now is the owner of coupon bonds to the amount of $208, being 40 per cent of the whole amount subscribed for, and entitled to have t same delivered to the Produce Exchange Trust Company for him. the Secretary's Alleged Refus: ‘The petitioner claims that the trust com- pany has no Interest in the subscription or the bonds, except the right to receive them from the defendant and hold the same as security for money advanced with the in- terest thereon. Notwithstanding the prem- ises, Secretary Gage, although requested so to do, has refused and still refuses, it is alleged, to deliver or to forward said bonds or part of them to the Produ or to any alleged is other pers about to attempt, has _at- tempted, to cancel the award and allot- ment, reject the subscription and deprive petitioner of his property in the bonds Without due process of law, or any proc of law whatever. Justice Cox granted a rule requiring See retary Gage to show cause on or before October 14 at 10 o'clock a.m., why a per- emptory writ of mandamus should not be issued as prayed. The bonds in question, it is understood, are u portion of those held up by ihe Treasury Department on the ground that the subscriptions were not bona fide, but Were made at the instance and for the benetit of large corporations. Much inter- est will attach to the suit and the outcome will be closely watched. i it is Second Suit Entered. Geo. B. Wightman, the agent mentioned in the above suit, acting between Wharton and th trust company, has also entered suit in equity against Secretary Gage, seek- ing to restrain that official from pull or setting aside the award of $325,240 worth of the 3 per cent war bonds which were subscribed by the plaintiff for different partizs in lots of $520, $540, $54u and $600 each. He executed pow of atto authorizing the Produce Exchange Tr: Company to pay for and receive the bonds. The facts set forth in this suit are the same as in th? proceedings for a man- damus. This case has also been set for a hearing October 14. ————— DEATHS AT PONCE. Gen. Brooke Reports Further Loss From Disease in Porto Rico. A dispatch was received at the War Department today from General Brooke, dated Ponce, September 30, stating that the following deaths have occurred since September 28: Private C. A. Laoden, Battery C, Pennsylvania, smallpox; Pri- vate Charles Dana, 5th Artillery, ty- phoid; First Lieut. R. V. Beach, Ist Vol- unteer Engineers, typhoid; Private James G, Ist Volunteer Engineers, ty- Private Hespital Corps, Private Louis H. Buttolph, I, 19th Infantry, typhoid; Private John A: Frederick C. Woodburn, Gibson, Battery H, 5th Artillery, typhoid. + o+______ CONSOLIDATION OF BANKS. fen or Twelve National Institutions Will Be Merged. Consolidation of ten or twelve of Boston’s national banks is as good as assured. A circular has been issued to the savings barks, which practically own a controlling interest In these banks, naming a price which will be paid for their holdings. The intention is to liquidate these banks and organize 2 new naticnal bank with a capi- ial of $3,000,000 or $5,000,000, The largest spitalization of any Boston bank at the Present time is $3,000,000. The banks named are the Boston, Colum- dian, Eagle, Harvard, Market American, Globe, Linccin and Massachu- Setts. However, all these banks may not be included. P. Morgan & Co. of New York are said to be nd the movement, and are alied by Price, McCormack & Co. of that city, and Kidder, Peabody & Co. and R. L. Day & Co. of Boston. The plan is in keeping with the sugges- tion made by the Savings Bank Company scme time ago. In the meantime the City and Everett banks have liquidated, and a controlling interest has been bought in the Continental National with the purpose view. The Tremont and Revere banks reduced their capitalization a while ago in furtherance of this scheme. —____<__+9«___ THE BEST CAMPS, The War Department Will Not Hag- gle Over Expense. chwan has been for some time past inspecting sites for camps in the south. He now at th: War Department preparing his report. He discussed the matter of tes briefly with Gen. Corbin today, and TO HAVE that officer that the desire sident and the Secretary of War to have th> very best possible places ected for camps, without regard to ther they were offered by the communi- ty, er whether they were to be paid for by the government. The War Department hes acthority to condemn ground for car and if it is found that desirable pro: can be secured in this way, they ¥ selected without regard to ex aid that the department is determined to have the very best camps that can b: found in the south. ee BOXES FULL OF NOT Return ef the Engineers Who Ex- ned the Nicarazua Canal Route. pers, who have n in the beginning of the in- y the present Nicaragua canal com- ssion into the feasibility of the projected canal, The civil engin Nic: sua since final report. +o + Counterfeiter of Silver Coin. Detective Barker of the secret s:rvirc teday wired Chief Wilkie, from Elkins, W. V that he had arrested Albe Cous' for passing and making counterfe:t silver coin. Co: s Leen held for the erand juhy with a streng case against him Considerable counterfeit silver has been in ion in Tucker county and oth in that section. — 0+ ADMIRAL SiCARD RETIRED Will Remain at the Head of the Promotion Board. Sketch of His Notable Career During the Civil War and in Bureau Offices Since. Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicar¢ pres dent of the board charged with the pro- motion of officers distinguished for gal- lantry during the late war, was retired today by operation of law, having reached the age of sixty-two years. Secretary Long has, however, by special order, directed that the officer retain his place at the head of the promotion board. Admiral Sicard stands distinguished among the officers of the American navy for m ny notable accomplishments, covering not only the period of the civil war, but that of peace in the development of naval terial. He was born in New York September 30, 1836, and appointed to the Naval Academy from the same state in 1851. Hi: ice was on the frigate Pot steam frigate Waba in 1855, when the ma- first serv- and the ae sh in the Mediterranean and on In 1861 he was a 1 war broke utenant, out took station the Oneida cutive officer in the west adron, wh he served from He was in the bombardment and passag> of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Phil- isted In the destruction of the re of gunboats and participated in the of the Chalmette batte 1 the ‘e of >} Orleans in April, 1S6: He engaged with the batteries be- low Vicksburg and finally with the suc- cessful passage of the river at that point, and in the same year he was engaged with armored ram Kansas. executive officer of the Ticonderc part in the pursuit of the crui d_ other confederate cruisers, : North Atlantic squadron in 7 He was in comm of the Senator during the attacks on Fort Fisher, in 1SH4 and 186° and led the left wing of the naval assault im the final successful land assauit on Fort Fisher. He was also a participant in th bombardment of Fort Anderson in Febru- ary, 1865, In 1ss1, being then captain, he was made chief of the bureau of naval ordnance This was a period when the United being recast on new lin icard jed the w: so far ordnance was concerned. To him the credit of inaugurating the new fof steel breech-loaling ordnance, makes the Amer’can naval rifle 3 the Lest in the worl. To do this he found it necessary to estab’ish a gun factury at the Washington navy yard. Meanwhile }he found time to engage in the develop ment of many bra tion As es of naval constiuc- he the New York navy yard for several commodore was commandant at re & rear admiral, and in April, 1897, beco he was made commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic squadro: For nearly a year Admiral Sicard devoted himself to the training of the personnel cf the ship: to the development of a system of fieet maneuvers, to the instruciion of the crews, particularly in gun practice, and, mdeed, in all of those matters of naval trsining which made the North Atlantic squadron such a tremendous engine of wurfare cur- ing the war with Spain. Just a month be- fore war was actually declared the admiral, then with his fleet lying off the coas: of Florida ready to swoop down upoa Cuba, broke down in health, and by or’ ofa medical board was succeeded in command of the squadron by Capt. Sampson. He came to Washington, and, notwithstanding his ill heaith, consented to serve as the president of the naval war board, whcse brillant services are now a matter of record. ————— Assistant Secretary Allen’ Trip. Assistant Secretary Allen of the Navy Department left here this morning on the @ispatch boat Dolphin for an inspection of the navy yards at Norfolk and New York and the naval station and war col- lege at Newport. Leaving Newport he will go to his home in Lowell, Mass., and spend a short vacation with his family. H2 will resume his official duties in this city about the Ist of November. = ee THE STAR BY MAIL Persons leaving the city for any Period can have The Star mailed to them to ary address in the United States or Canada, by ordering it at this office, in person or by letter. Terms: 18 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or 50 cents per month. Invariably in advance, Bub- scribers changing their address from one Post-office to another should } give the last address as well as the new one. en THE PEACE PLANS > aes American Commissioners at Paris Are Preparing Them, IN READINESS FOR JOINT SESSIONS Spaniards Repudiate Alleged Inter- have reported here to Admiral Walker, the president of the board, and have been p ted to return to their home The engineers, who have been engaged in making actual tests and inspec- tion of the country which will be traversed | by the canal, have brought with them an enormous amount of field notes, filling jo less t enteen packing boxes. These hav hed over to the commission, which, Admiral Walker says, is now ready | to proceed with the collation of the ma- terial collected and the preparation of the views in Certain Newspapers. THE DENIAL FORMAL PARIS, September 30. The United States peace commission has taken possession of its working quarters, a suite of sever recms on the ground floor of the Hotel Con tncntal, at the corner cf the Rue De Rivoll and the Rue Ro: commanding the Tul Heries tens ormerly used by th ente. American flags drap of the peace commission’: apartmer The clerical of the commission har been systematized, and is now working busily, The spirit of the Parts press i# iaily rendered into English for the infor. fon of the commissioners, and the same thing is done with the newspapers of Mw rid. Many wooden boxes of records, date and authorities affecting the case of the United States were unpacked today an carefully arranged. izing Their Plans. The American commission held its usual Crysta session this morning. It is ved the commissioners are crystallizing their plang and arrangiag all the details of the work which will be taken up when the commts- begin their joint sessions. is the first inclement day since the ission has been abroad, and the wives niesioners and other members of arty are devoting it to visiting the Louvre and other 5 of interest The Spanish commissioners formally deny rious interviews and paragraphs pur- erting to give the substanc their in siructions which have appeared in the news. The secretary of the Spanish com- i to the representative of the i Press with the American com- No member of our commission has given any interview and all which have appeared in print as to our instructions fs false, We re here to defend ourselves, and, naturally, we are not willing to give any of our weapons to our opponents.” ——__ >>. —— TODAWS CABIN MEETING. Seeretary Alger Telis His Plans About Sending Troops to Cuba. ries Gage and Bliss were the ab- from today n of the cabinet Secretary Alger told the President and his rliow ¢ at ntee S sess net members something of w he had found on his tour of inspection of southern camy He narrated many in- stances of the former conduct of the camps. The Secretary then told of his plans for sending troops to Cuba. The Secretary has received mal from medical experts that there will be ne regiments in Cuba af ber, and that it will be safe to s regiment a short time after that ‘he War Department engineers Cuba now locating suitable id making all arrangements for troops. In fact, every divisi Department is bending its eners ting things in shape for tt in sites for camps sending War get- men who will the represent the United States on the Island. nee +o. - DEA AT CAMP iOMAS. Gen, Boynton Reports That They Numbered 42 General Boynton, at Chickamauga, today telegraphed th utant general that the total number of deaths at Chickamauga camp from arrival of regulars, April 14, to date. is 425 volunteers and 1 regular. Of the number, 14 deaths were accidental Gen. Boynton says figures include de in Chatt »spital: eee IN NORTH CAROLINA. intive Settle Republican Prosr Ex-Representative Settle of North Cur- olina was a caller at republican congres sional committee headquarters today The republicans expect to elect four representatives in North Carolina,” i Mr. Settle to a Siar reporte dur pros pects are fair, although there are some odds to contend against I think the ou!- lcok will improve soon.” “To what extent will fusion prevail?’ he was asked “Well, the republican and p pulst mittees have agreed wpon and i only remains to be seen how far the voicrs will carry out the agreement. The fusion is upon practical he same basis a= the last election.” ales osu THEY EXCHANG = SIGNA Youthful Heroes of Sa bardment Meet at WICHITA, Kan, Scptember 30.—Ned Larimer, signal boy on the battle ship In- diana, Sergeant McG signal boy on the Oregon, met here t Both are Wichita boys, but have never McGhee stood on t Cw Santiago and signaled t th ombardment the location guns. Larimer left for Annavc report for duty. CYCLONE IS APPROACHING. Observer at Jamaicn Gives Warning [of a Coming Storm. KINGSTON, Jamaica, The weather bur September 30.— su reports that a cyclot northeast of Jam: rapidly approach- ing. The weather at this port ts fair, but there is an ominous sca swell on the north and east coasts, ca, is > Orr TO Company of Ilinoix Militiamen Sent by the Governor, 0.—The sher TRVOPS PANA. tember re there has been trou- Me between in:ported negroes and the union , telegraphed Gov. Tanner m teday to send 300 rifles, and have the wea pens in Pana at 7 a.m. The governor sali the request could not be complied with. AURORA, IIL, September 30.—Company G of Col. Hamilton's new regiment, Tlinois National Guard, seventy-five strong, Capt L. M. Harris commanding, has ieft for Springfield in response to orders. it is intended for service in strike troubles at Pana. — ae Missing Man F Again. CLEVELAND, Ohio, September 30.-- Henry Gray, superintendent of the Duluth Rolling Mills, who mysteriously disappear- ed from the Weddell House Tuesday night, has been found. He was located by the police. Mr. Gray is a sick man and a nurse and physician are in constant attendance.