The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 24, 1898, Page 4

4 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1898. SENATORS WHO WOULD DECLARE WAR SENATORS IN FEAR OF WAR Do Not Believe the Conflict Can Be Very Long Postponed. ot Talk Brought Out in Debate Precipitated by a Resolution Introduced by Allen of Nebraska. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23— ‘While the Senate had under con- sideration the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill to- day a sharp debate on the Cu- ban situation was precipitated by Allen of Nebraska, who of- fered as an amendment the reso- lution passed by the Senate a r ago recognizing the bellig- ent rights of the Cuban insur- ge . The debate became gen- eral and occupied nearly four hours. In the course of a reply to the preliminary atement by Allen Mo n of / said this country’s relations with & Spain at the present time were & ic strained and interven- & tion by the United States which ago would have been in- almost ed be express the opinion that the Cuban at- d now He ve f wo! ause for wa % fair would event be submit- # ted to the arbitrament of the % sword between the United States ¢ and Spain, but he did not want ®: war precipitated by rash acts of % legislation. Foraker of Ohio ¢ *: thought the day not far distant & % when the time for action by this 8 & country would arrive. % Thurston of Nebr: counseled calmness and prudence, for he believed was rapidly drifting into a war with Spain. Hoar of Ma: sachusetts maintained that the floor of the Senate was no proper place for disc ions of international af hator ought to utter an g that might not well be uttered > President of the United States. mendment was finally ruled er and the appeal taken by the Ne ka Senator was laid on the able by a vote of 51 tc Early in the y Allen offered a resolution provid- | for a committee of five Senators who shall go to Cuba and asceMain the precise situation on the island. Under the rules it went over until to-morrow. The resolution follow: It is the established nited States that the o dedics f government, of hum neiple a that the country doctrine | lican form the political equality nd wherea e doctrine or the doctrin: If-preservation is as applicable ¢ portion of this continent of foreign countries as in a from gaining additional the island of location and close =nting th and wher on of J igh »d to a republican form of governmen can form of government is and has been for nearly three years maintained in said | nd by force of arms; and whereas, it alleged that 500,000 persons on have died of starvation by reason waving been concentrated by the Span- | authorities at vario s without wg afforded an opportunity to provide | food for themselves, while hundred dying , the dictates of umanity require the nited States in such I v case; be it Resolved, That a select committee of five Sen shall be appointed whose duty it forthwith make a thorough investigation and inquire into and report on the following subject First—To what extent the work of con- centrating the inhabitants of Cuba has been carried on and how tarv ufficie food and diseases incident thereto, and to extent concentration is now being i there by Spanish authorities, condition of the people concen- Whether the concentrated Cu- ave been adequately sheltered, and fed by the Spanish Govern- others, or have been per- s hed ment or by mitted to obtain food and clothing for th s. ry and can be taken by the to bring the war in Cuba to a -edy termination on grounds alike hon- ble to Spain and Cuba, and which will ult in the kingdom of Spain relinquish- ing its hoid on the island and in the es- tablishment of a republican form of gov- ernment there. , Fourth—To determine to what extent Spanish barbarity and cruelty have, dur- ing the war now in_ progress iu Cuba, been practiced toward the inhabitants of Cuba, and what can be lawfully done by the United States, if anything, to amelior- ate the conditions. To these ends and for these purposes said committee may sit at such times and places as they m: sessions of Congress and in vacation, and shall haveé the right to visit and take testimony in Cuba, if deemed proper to d« so. Al testimony taken shall be p served, and the finding of said Senatorial committee, together with all testimony, shall be reduced to writing and reported to the Senate at as early a date as prac- ticable. Both the military academy and the diplomatic and consular appropriation bills were passed. Hansbrough at- tempted to secure action on the bill to regulate the laws of Alaska, but on ob- jection from Tuner of Washington it went over. Respecting the belligerency amend- | ment Allen thought a statement was due to the country. ‘The amendment, he said, was practically a copy of two resolutions which had already passed the Senate. Referring to the unfavor- able report presented on the amend- ment by the Foreign Relations Com- mittee Mr. Allen said it was a confes- sion and avoidance, and meant simply that the committee did not desire to act upon it. The truth was, he said, Congress was merely finding some ex- cuse under which it could continue e United States, should of | and whereas, & republi- | of making @ declaration of war against aid | are | ntervention of the | therefore | % | twice passed | violation of its platform and sire was to find whether Congress could in any way be induced, cajoled or kicked into putting the country in a dignified attitude on the Cuban ques- tion. Taking up the main issue involved, he said he had reliable information that no less than 33 per cent of the Cu- ban population, or 500,000 people, had perished within the past three years as a result of Spanish cruelty. “And yet,” said Allen, “lest we, the Senate, a body of eighty-nine men, of- fend the House of Representatives, consisting of 357 men, a point of order is to be made against this amendment and-it will go the way of very much valuable legislation.” Mr. Allen said if the Republican party could suffer to see the Cubans exterminated by starvation in plain of the Christian sentiment of the country, the Republicans ought to be willing to face the question on an aye and no vote. Mr. Morgan said the Senate had the Cuban belligerency resolution, substantially as it was now offered, but both times it had been done openly and frankly. “We have no right,” said he, “to mak2 a declaration of war against Spain under cover, and that is pre- cisely what this resolution would mean. If this amendment were attached to the appropriation bill, Spain might well regard it as a cause of war. As I have before indicated, the conditions and situation in Cuba were entirely dif- ferent when this resolution was passed | by the Senate.” He asserted that between 300,000 and | 600,000 people had straved to death in | cate. | | | | e proper during the | I Cuba. “This awful condition of affairs,” aid Mr. Morgan, “makes our position n the Cuban matter extremely deli- Intervention now of the kind proposed a year ago means war. It could mean nothing else. An inter- vention on the part of this Govern- ment in the present critical condition of affairs would almost certainly be regarded by Spain as a cause of war. I almost dread to refer to the condi- tions and circumstances which have been brought about by the events of the past ten days. In the present cir- cumstances it would not be consistent with the feelings or characteristic of the sentiments of the American peo- ple to do anything that would in any way aggravate the situation which has been brought about by the events lead- ing up to the inquiry now in progress at Havana. “If, however, any Senator be- | lieves in a declaration of war, and will draw up such a declaration with sufficient and proper grounds upon which to base it, I will vote for it.” At this point Mr. Allen interrupted Mr. Morgan to d laim any intention Spain. He expressed the opinion that his amendment could, ih no way, be construed into such a declaration. “If we should put this amendment on the pending appropriation bill,” re- plied Mr. Morgan, “Spain.would be fully justified in interpreting our mean- ing to be that we were offensively in- terfering in her affairs. However, 1 do not believe any Senator has in mind a declaration of war. “It would not overtax the ability of any man to prepare such a de- claration with proper and sufficient | grounds upon which to base it, “I will not, however, vote for any declaration of war in disguise. The Spanish are a great and powerful and proud people, and they believe their course is right. I do not wish to pro- voke them to a declaration of war. I have always believed and believe now the war in Cuba could not be termin- ated without involving the United States in hostilities. I believe the matter will be eventually submitted to the arbitrament of the sword. The whole world recognizes Spain’s inabil- ity to conquer the Cubans, and sooner or later we shall become, in my opin- ion, involved in the armed controversy. The pending amendment is little else than a declaration of war in disguise. If we mean to declare war, let us do 0 like men and not endeavor to con- ceal ourselves behind so transparent a cloak. Those who are constantly seek- ing to benefit the sacred cause of Cu- ban liberty cannot accomplish their purposes by such rash acts of legisla- tion as is this amendment.” Mr. Morgan declared the Cubans had already fought and won their revolu- tion, and nothing remained but for | them to continue their belligerent at- titude until Spain should recognize the republic. o Mr. Teller did not accept Mr. Mor- gan's position that the adoption of this amendment would be a declaration of war. He had, he said, reached the conclusion that the recognition of bel- ligerency rested with the executive. He had reached this conclusion with .re- gret, but still he thought it correct. In this view, Congress could .do no more than announce its opinion. True, this opinion: should receive some attention at the hands of the executive, but the last administration had given no weight to such an expression of opin- ion, and he (Teller) was convinced the present would follow the example of its predecessor. In the matter of inter- vention, Mr. Teller said he never had gone beyond the point of saying the United States had a right, under inter- national law, to interfere to the extent .| of compelling Spain to treat her sub- UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP MONTGOMERY. jects on our border in a humane man- ner. Neither such interference nor the declaration of belligerency would be an act unfriendly to Spdin. Still, if the matter rested with him exclusively he would recognize the belligerence of the Cubans if he knew it would bring war to-morrow, for he was sure such inter- vention at such a time and in such a cause would secure for us in such a struggle the sympathy of all civilized nations. Mr. Foraker announced his intention to vote against the amendment, ex- plaining.his reason to be the fact that it was sought to make it a rider on an appropriation bill. He said he had voted for the belligerency resolution, | couched in precisely the same terms as this, which was adopted a year ago, and he had always been glad he had done so. He had always believed a mistake had been made in not recog- nizing the belligerent rights of the con- tending Cubans. A declaration of bel- ligerency would not be an act of hos- tility. In conclusion, Mr. Foraker said: “I expect at no very distant day there will be an appropriate occasion for further remarks upon this question. I think the tlme is coming for action. When it comes the time for discussion will be here, and the problem may be appre- priately discussed.” Mr. Thurston said he had voted to accord belligerent rights to the Cuban insurgents both times it had come be- | fore the Senate. “I have never ceased to regret,” said he, “that the United States did not afford to the Cubans bel- ligerent rights at the time when the cruelties and barbarities of Weyler would have won for us the sympathy of the civilized world. Had we recog- nized the belligerency of those strug- gling people then, this they would have been in posses- sion of the island, and we would be in | no danger of war. “I believe now that we are drift- ing into a war with Spain. “When the President delivered to us his message he set time to running, and that time has ever since been run- ning. Spain has not been able to 1 believe that ere | guell the rebellicn, and the possibility | of peace is growing more and more re- mote. The time is coming, God knows how soon it will be here, when action in accordance with the President's message must be taken—when we shall either have to back down from our po- sition or intervene in the Cuban af- fair, with the probability of war. “There is enough being said all over this country concerning the inquiry now proceeding in Havana into the Maine catastrophe to involve us in war. Our people in the present delicate situation might well be at their altars praying for calmness and peace. I hope that the inquiry now proceeding in Havana will develop nothing that may involve us in hostilities, but while that inquiry is proceeding we in the Senate should maintain a mose cir- cumspect attitude and be calm and quiet.” Mr. Allen made an extended reply to the arguments advanced against his position. He maintained this was the first time the belligerency proposition had been presented to the Senate when there was any chance of its being ef- fective. The House would be brought face to face with it, and it would be brought to a vote in that body. It could not be buried in a committee. Mr. Hale, in charge of the bill, yield- ed to Mr. Hoar, who said he desired, in justice to himself and to those who be- lieved with him, to refute the charges of cowardice which had been hurled at those who differed from him by the Senator from Nebraska (Allen). He discussed the situation from the stand- point of an international lawyer, main- taining that the recognition of belliger- ency in ordinary circumsrances was not a cause of war. It was not necessarily an unfriendly act. Mr. Hale made the point of order against the amendment that it was general legislation and had, under the rules, no place in the bill. The Vice- President sustained the point and Mr. Allen took an appeal from the ruling. Mr. Hale moved to lay the appeal on the table and Mr. Allen demanded the ayes and noes. Mr. Hale's motion was carried—51 to 5—those voting against the motion being Messrs. Allen of Ne- braska, Cannon of Utah, Heitfeld of Idaho, Mason of Illinois and Teller of Colorado. PROTECTION FOR THE COAST LINE OF MAINE. Mounting of Guns in Portland Har- bor the Result of Recent Orders. NEW YORK, Feb. 23—An Augusta (Me.) special to the Herald says: It is no doubt true that the Government is taking extra precautions to see that the coast line of Maine can be speed- ily protected, but not much that is of- ficlal can be learned from any of the authorities. The resuming of work in the mounting of guns in Portland Har- bor is not the carrying out of any old plan, as has been alleged, but is the result of recent orders. The National Guard of the State will be kept in as gocd condition as possi- ble, and if any call for troops is made the Governor will at once offer the guard service. Members of the Na- tional Guard of ‘the State cannot be compelled to do duty outside the State, and at once it will be ascertained how many of the guards will be willing to enter the service of the United States. By many it is taken as significant that the surgeon general has been ordered to see that stores for his department are at once purchased, so as to be in readiness at & moment's. notice. One officer high in authority tells the Herald correspondent that it is a fact that all the United States troops are being put into shape to be moved in- stantly if required for service at any particular point, G i the new pattern. THOUSANDS DIE OF STARVATION Horrible Conditions in One Province of Cuba. Death Rate in the City of Matanzas Is Forty-Six a Day. Laborers Have All Perished, and Men Once Well-to-Do Are Now Begging for Food. Special Dispatch to The Call. | SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Feb. 23.— While the United States cruiser Mont- | | gomery was at Matanzas recently a | board of officers was appointed to in- quire into the condition of the people of that province. Although the exact | terms of the report are not known, it | may be said that, in substance, it sets | forth that there are 14,000 people abso- lutely without food and clothing within | the city limits. About 3000 of these | live in small huts of palm branches. | These huts féorm three separate villages | beyond the built-up portions of the| city. The other 11,000 unfortunates live | in the streets of the city, and are ab- solutely without homes or shelter. These 14,000 people are of the labor- ing class who have been driven into the cities from their country homes, which have been destroyed in the war | operations. Most of them are women and children, and they are all emaci- ated, sick and almost beyond relief, un- less they can have the benefit of regu- lar treatment in the hospitals. As it is, they are dying in the streets for want of food. According to statistics gathered from the best official sources, the number of | deaths in the province of Matanzas from starvation is 59,000, and the num- ber of starving people at present in the province is estimated at 98,000, out of a total population of 233,616 in December, 1897, and the number of starving peo- ple is rapidly increasing. In the city of Matanzas alone there have been about 11,000 deaths during the past year, and the number is in- creasing d; The death rate at pres- | ent averages forty-six per day, as| shown by the reports from the ceme- | tery. The increase in the death rate is due to the fact that the distress is no longer confined to members of the la- boring class, most of whom have al- ready perished. It is now extended to the people who, before the war, were in meoderately comfortable circum- stances. Those now begging in the streets were, in large part, well-to-do people or children of the well-to-do. In addition, the citizens of the city of Matanzas themselves are beginning to suffer for the actual necessaries of life, having exhausted their resources in or- der to supply the needs of the labor- ing classes who have been quartered upon them. The citizens of Matanzas have an organized system of relief for the starving people, but it is entirely in- adequate and is daily becoming more glaringly so, for the resources of those who were well-to-do are rapidly di- minishing, while the demand for food is constantly increasing. At one of the stations the board of officers found 100 starving, this being the actual number of people for which the citi- zens had been able to provide relief’ there. Pans of rice and fish are ar- ranged in rows ready for distribution among the people who were waiting in another part of the house. But this relief does not begin to supply relief for the 14,000 people who are starving in the streets, for the citizens are only able to issue food three times a day at each place and then to only about 100 at a time. Consequently only about 900 of the destitute people receive food in a day. It should be added that a large num- ber of the citizens of Matanzas have fed the starving in the streets in front of their own homes, but the citizens themselves are feeling the pinch of privation, and, unless assistance soon comes to them, they will be compelled in self-protection to cease the work of charity in which they are now en- gaged and which is seemingly the only salvation for the starving thou- sands. The only other public relief at Ma- tanzas is that given to the sick chil- dren by the management of the Emer- gency Hospital, which is under the di- rection of the Volunteer Fire Depart- ment of Matanzas. There about eighty children are treated daily and are fur- nished with nourishment under the di- rection of the city physicians. These statements are the conclusions, facts and figures arrived at by a board of United Statés naval officers. When the officers.landed they were constant- ly followed by clamoring crowds of starving men, women and children, who importuned ‘them ‘In the most heartrending manner for a little food, for the want of which they were slow- ly dying. Demand for Modern Rifles. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.—Adjutant General Barrett of the California Na- tional Guard has wired to Congress- man de Vrels asking him. to rush through Congress his resolution pro- Vviding for an exchange of old rifies for RUSHING WORK ON WAR VESSELS Columbian Iron Works Has Completed. the Plunger. Submarine Torpedo-Boat Now Ready for Its Speed Trial. The McKee, Also a Battle-Ship Destroyer, Will Be Launched in Two Weeks. Special Dispatch to The Call. NEW YORK, Feb. 23.—A Baltimore special to the Herald says: Work on a number of Government vessels is being completed at the Columbian Iron Works, where 500 to 600 men are kept busy. The submarine torpedo-boat Plunger has been completed and turned over to the engineers of the John P. Holland Company for steam trials, and the torpedo-boat McKee will be launched in about two weeks. Work is progressing rapidly on the new triple- expansion engine for the torpedo-boat Rodgers, which is to take the place of the one recently injured by the break- ing of her crankshaft.. The lengthen- ing of the Holly, a side-wheeler, for the Government lighthouse service is also under way. In the event of an emergency requir- ing the rapid construction of vessels, the Columbian Iron Works can hold its own with any plant of its size in the country. Being asked as to the full ca- pm;iity of the plant, the superintendent said: “I believe we have room at the works for the constyyction at the same time of three batti®ships and at least three smaller vessels. This would demand a working force of from 1000 to 1500 men, which we could readily supply. How soon a ship ordered at the out- break of hostilities could be completed it would be difficult to say. Ordinarily we are delayed by the failure of the material to measure up to the specifica- tions demanded by the Government. The slightest flaw in metal renders it unserviceable. Where speed is required, machinery might be constructed con- currently at some of the shops in the interior and shipped to the yard where | the shell lay. In the case of the Maine, if I remember corréctly, this was done, certain portions of the ship being built by the Richmond Iron Cempany. “I should say, however, that it would be necessary in almost any circum- stances to allow a vear and a half for completing a_ battle-ship. Smaller cruisers could be turned out in much less time. When we built the cruisers Detroit and Montgomery we were at it for two years, and had a force varying from 800 to 900. Of course, we could have taken less time had necessity de- manded it."” MORTARS ARE USELESS IN MODERN WARFARE. Congressman Hepburn Opposes an Appropriation for Their Purchase. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.—The con- ferees on the fortifications appropria- tion bill will not agree on their repf)rt for several days yet. Representative Hepburn of Towa said to The Call cor- respondent to-day that he had no sym- pathy with the policy now prevailing in the management of the army in the matter of seacoast defenses. “It is proposed,” said he, “to spend many millions of dollars to cast and mount powerful mortars. Theorists of the army expect to shoot great big shells up into the air and drop them on the decks of hostile vessels. the best possible aim they cannot come within a half or a quarter of a mile of the moving war vessels of any modern navy. As an example of mortar prac- tice I can tell you a story of the Civil war, which is a matter of history. “I was under the command of Gen- eral Pope in 1862 during the operations which resulted in the capture of Island No. 10 in the Mississippi River. For three weeks sixty-nine mortars were working day and night sending ex- plosive shells up into the air and over intothe Confederate works, where more than 7000 men were assembled behind masked batteries. During the three weeks, with sixty mortars constantly at work, hundreds of tons of shells were thrown upon Island No. 10. Fi- nally, when the rebel batteries were silenced, I was ordered out with the Second Jowa Cavalry on a reconnois- sance. I found that Island No. 10 was deserted, and I immediately moved in and took possession. The enemy had evacuated, and very soon thereafter our entire army was in possession of their works. A few prisoners were cap- tured at the time, but later on we cap- tured a number of officers and men who were in the Confederate works, and from them we learned our three weeks’ bombardment had made many holes in the earth, but killed no one and injured no one extept an old army mule, and that fool mule would not have been injured if hé¢ had not ‘wan- dered far away from the old fireside.” “I am convinced,” he added, “that every dollar spent for mortars for pur- poses of firing at vessels is a wasted ldol.hr." Probable Th ‘With. There Will Be a THE NAVY NOW NEEDS MORE MEN at Congress Will Permit Further Enlistments. Couple of New Battle-Ships Also as a Result of the Maine Disaster. NEW YORK, Feb. 23.—A Washington special to the Herald says: Additional measures were taken by the Navy De- partment to-day to put the navy in a condition of preparation for an emer- gency. Besides conferring with Chair- man Boutelle of the House Naval Com-. mittee in regard to navy appropria- tions, Secretary Long issued orders to- night to the monitor Terror to proceed to Hampton Roads, there to await further orders, and to Colonel Chase Heywood, commandant of the Marine Corps, directing him to have his ma- rines ready to move upon notice. Orders issued to the monitor Terror are the result of telegraphic advices received this afternoon that the ves- sel was ready for sea. Secretary Long told me the Terror would remain at Hampton Roads for several days, when it would definitely be Qetermined whether she would go to some north- ern port, possibly New York, or Key West. As stated this morning in the Herald, the Terror's movements de- pend upon the Vizcaya. In accordance with orders issued sev- eral days ago, the northern division of the North Atlantic squadron is mob- ilizing at Key West. The department was informed by wire to-day that the Texas and the Nashville had left Gal- veston, Texas, the former for Dry Tortugas and the latter for Key West; that the Marblehead had left New Orleans for Key ‘West and that the Detroit left Mobile, Ala., for XKey West. Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard, commander-in-chief of the North At- lantic squadron, may be compelled to temporarily relinquish active command of the squadron, although he has no in- tention of asking to be relieved. This officer has been suffering from malaria for some weeks, and several days ago he asked the department for permission to proceed to Tampa, Fla., which was granted. Upon reconsideration of the matter, Rear Admiral Sicard deter- mined that he would stick to his post. In his letter to Secretary Long this morning, Rear Admiral Sicard said that if the cruiser New York were or- dered to leave Key West he feared that he would be unable to accompany her, and he asked the department to au- thorize him to remain at Key West until his condition improved. This request will be granted by the Secretary. It is recognized by the de- partment that Rear Admiral Sicard is not in the best of health, and a request from him to be relieved would un- doubtedly be complied with. Secretary Long, however, has no present intention of summarily detach- ing Rear Admiral Sicard. It is gen- erally believed in naval circles, how- ever, that Rear Admiral Sicard will have to take a rest in order to rid his system of malaria, and there is con- siderable gossip as to the officer who will be selected as his successor. The department has every confidence in Captain W. T. Sampson, who com- mands the Jowa, and who has been temporarily assigned to duty as presi- dent of the court of inquiry investi- gating the Maine disaster, as was shown by its recent decision to place him in command of the squadron in case it becomes necessary to relieve Rear Admiral Sicard. Commodore W. S. Schley ‘is under- stood to have advised the department of his desire to go to sea, and that he would be glad to take command of the North Atlantic Squadron. Commodore Schley’s last tour of sea duty expired a year ago, when he commanded the flagship New York, and he is therefore thoroughly familiar with the evolutions of the squadron and ships composing it. Captain Sampson will-be promoted to flag rank during the summer, when he will necessarily have to be detached | from the command of the Towa and given flag officer's duty. It is gener- ally believed that he will be Rear Ad- miral Sicard’s successor. I understand that Colonel Charles Heywood, commandant of the Marine Corps, has received orders from the Navy Department, directing him to have the men under his command at Washington Barracks and other points ready to move at an instant’s notice. It is probable the men will be ordered to duty on some of the ships of the North Atlantic squadron. As a result of his conference with Secretary Long and other officials of the department, Mr. Boutelle was im- pressed with the desirability of adding at least two battle-ships to the navy, one to replace the Maine and the other in accordance with recommendations made by Secretary Long.in his annual report. Chairman Boutelle learned several things regarding the precautionary steps taken by the department, and left the building with the wishes of the officials fresh in his memory that his committee and the House be liberal with the navy. The crowning need of the service, it is admitted by officials, is more men with which the monitor Miantonomoh and cruisers Minneapolis and Colum- bia can be placed in commission. The navy appropriation bill as so far passed by the committee simply pere mits the enlistment of 800 more boys where the navy desires men. It is hoped by the officials that in the con- sideration of this matter the commit- tee will authorize the enlistment of a couple of thousand men and that when the increase feature is passed upon provision for the construction of at least two battle-ships will be made. It was officially admitted to-day at the department that the cruiser Cin- cinnati and the gunboat Castine, com- prising the South Atlantic squadron, had gone to Barbadoes. The date of the departure of these ships from Para was February 18, so that they should be near their destination by this time. The Annapolis has gone to Laguayra, where the Wilmington is anchored, and the Brooklyn is en route to Laguayra, having left St. Thomas for Santa Cruz. The Navy Department is in receipt of applications from retired officers and officers on the active list on shore duty asking for assignment to ships. The department has also received ca- blegrams from officers abroad asking if there is any need for their servi in the United States. VULTURES FEAST UPON BODIES OF THE DEAD. HAVANA, Feb. 23.—A large quantity of clothing has been taken from the wreck, and, after it has been disinfect- ed, it will be given to the reconcentra- dos. The bodies of the missing officers, Lieutenant Jenkins and Assistant En- glneer Merritt, have not been recov- ered. The divers reached the former’s room, but it was found that his body ‘was nét there. Thus far the sharks have given no trouble, but the vultures have left scarcely anything but the skeletons of three men who were entangled in de- bris very near the surface of the w: The bodies were not noticed by a until the foul birds had completed the s_) ghastly work. From the hand of on Chaplain Chidwick removed a deeply chased gold ring for purposes of id:enti- fication. Chaplain Chidwick says that the to- tal number of missing 85 or 86, and five have died in the hospital. Of the missing many doubtless were blown to atoms, no portions of their bodies being recoverable, and there exists much doubt that any considerable number of those whose remains are now being re- moved will be identified. One of the most extraordi- nary occurren- ces of the year was that of a stranger visiting - the city last week who was much in evidence around the stores where Klondike outfits are being made special fea- tures. He was of a very quiet and yet nervous disposition. He seemed not to be purchasing anything, for he spoke to no one. With his eyes fastened to the goods, or else gloomily turned to the floor, he was an object of no small degree of wonder. Last Thursday,while stand- ing in a Market-street store, he suddenly seemed to recover himself from thought, and an attendant asked him pointedly if he could serve him in any way. The stranger raised his eyes to those of the sales- man, and the moment he met the inquiring glance of that gentleman he fell prone to the floor. He was assisted to rise and immediately taken to the Hudson Medical In- stitute, where it was discovered that it was simply a case of severe nerv- ous debility. A trifling stimulant was administered and the patient made the very extraordinary state- ment that he could no longer look aman intheeye. “Hudyan” treat- ment was*at once given him, and he is now already almost well. The condition was brought on, he explains, by those follies which men are prone to in early youth. Lookea a Man in the Face and Col- lapsed. The Reason. Very - Simple and Very Plain. Yet There Are T hose Who Do No t Know The Hudson Medical Institute s at the junc- tion of Stockton, Market and EIlis sts - Claoo lars and testimonials telling all about ““Hudyan" are sent free to every one asking. If you suf- fer from any sort of blood taint, ask for free