The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 6, 1898, Page 2

o THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1898. AMERICA purchase of the ships, for he recognizes that in armorclads the Spanish navy is superior to that of the United States. 1d the additions made yesterday have increased the superiority to a pomt which it should be the duty of this Government to overcome. > y Long confirmed to-day the exclusive announcement re- garding the propositions received from foreign shipbuilders for the purchase of en-of-war now nearing completion. e Secretary stated during the morn- ing that he had no information respect- ing the purchase by Spain of the Ama- zonas and her sister ship, but at the close of ¢ hours this aiternoon I ially ad- these vessels and ad been placed in the nt. Some chagrin istratior. circles at 1e failure of tl buy ers which Spain has gob- cials who to-day after ieard from the President. told the Madrid Gov- 1sed the officials to be that Spain wa had 1 sale n e Presid off iderstand h 1 of the expres 1is Government to administration off my rmation tic in anticipation United States. nistration officials with 1 T taliked gave mg the particulars | 1e negotiations which have been ied on by shipbuilders of England with the President and Secretary Long. The ter was first brought to the at- of the Navy Department several i ma nths ago by Mr, Thomas ent in the United States of Vickers s and Maxim, Limited, of London, at that time offered to this rnment for sale two battleships and mored cruis: There was then ent necess for augmenting nited States navy and no action n upon the proposition. ter, however, and the f the President to > for emergencies, the President cretary Long have considered Mr. proposi and the builder’s as at the Navy Department some go and went over the plans of | Since ships with Secretary Long,. Cap- A. S. Crownin Chief of the f N Commander of Naval Intelligence, and other officials of Navy Department and naval ex- The perts. authorities were particularly | pleased with the Amazonas and her sis- ter ship, and®it is believed the vessels have been purchased if the Pres- had made up his mind before ain finally closed the deal. Of the vessels which the President is now considering with a view to pur- two are under construction for the Government of Brazil, one for the Government of Japan, and the torpedo gunboat and the torpedo boat destrover | have probably been built on speculation. These ships- have been offered to the| United States, not at an emergency pr but at a much cheaper rate than they could have been built in this coun- try. 3razilian vessels which may be p thus described by al Annual for 1807: I he hased are in his Na “The two coast defense ships ordered from the F s et Chantiers de la Mediterranee have been named Mar- Deodoro and Marshal Floriano. 1struction was suspended for ne owing to the modifications the Brazilian Government wished to introduce in the design. Length. 267 feet 6 inches; beam, 47 feet 3 inches: max 1 draught, 13 feet 2 inches: dis- 3162 tons. There are two triple expansion engines of 3400 horse-power, to which steam is sup- plied by eight Lagrafel d’'Alest boilers. ir speed, with natural draught, 14 with modified force draught, 15 knots. Protection is afforded | n armored belt 5 feet 6 inches amid- the thickness of which varies from 0 1.4 inch and by a 1.3 inch armor- Che total weight of armor of 1053 tons. Armament comprises two 0.4- inch Armstrong guns, four 4.7-inch quick firing guns, two 6-inch howitzers. four 6-pounders, two I-pounders, and two machine guns, besides two field pieces and two torpedo tubes. The 0.4- inch guns are mounted on turrets pro- tected by 8-inch Harvevized steel. The 4.7-inch guns are in small casements of 2.9-inch armor. Coal capacity will be 236 tons and complement 200 men.” The cruiser which has been offered to this Government was that probably laid down at vick several years ago for the Japanese Government and launched last May. This vessel has a displace- ment of 4150 tons and a speed of 24 knots. S is 360 fet long, 46 feet 6 i s beam and has a mean draught of 17 feet. Her coal capacity is 1000 tons. Her armament consists of two 8-inch rapid-fire guns, ten 4.7-inch rapid-fire guns, twelve 6-pound rapid-fire guns, six 24-pounder rapid-fire guns and five torpedo tubes. She has a protective deck extending over the whole length of the ship 1.75 to 4.5 inches in thick- ness, and the conning tower is of steel and is 3 inches thick. The torpedo gunboat is said to be one which has a maximum speed of 33 knots and the torpedo boat destroyer has a speed of 30 knots. When I saw Mr. Lane. who has been consulting with Secretary Long in re- gard to the proposition made by the builders, whom he represents, he abso- Jutely declined to discuss in any way the negotiations whith have been in progress or even to admit that he had submitted any proposition to Secretary Long. There are no agents of the Thornycrofts in Washington. so far as 1 have been able to learn, and it is un- derstood the proposition made by that firm came by letter. It was officially admitted at the Navy Department to-day that it had been de- termined to augment the Asiatic squad- ron by the cruiser Baltimore, which is the flagship of the Pacific squadron. The cruiser Mohican will take. on board a supply of thirty-five tons of ammunition which are at Mare Island and will start at once for Honolulu, where she “will transfer her cargo to the Baltimore. That vessel will go at once to Hong- kong and report to Commodore Dewey for duty. : ) plac vertic ck. | which, since the wreck of the Maine, | | have been the chief feature of the spe- | | the Maine Inquiry will absolve Spain | with the shipbuilding and other firms, | burned their fingers during FIRMNESS IS COMMENDED English Papers Approve the Course of the President. Believe That McKinley and Cabinet Are Preparing for the Worst. Indications That Both the United States and Spain Confidently Expeect a Conflict. Special Dispatch to The Call. LONDON, March 5.—Now that time and opportunity for reflection havebeen allowed by a temporary cessation of the and bellicose statements | patriotic .able dispatches from the United . Englishmen are beginning to re- he depth of the pro-Cuban feel- ing in the United States, with which | the thoughtful element here cordially | ympathize, although they still believe | from complicity in the disaster. An | impression, almost amounting to con- | viction, prevails that public opinion will compel the Government of the TUnited States to acknowledge the Cu- bans as belligerents and to intervene | between Spain and Cuba. The very | calmness and patience of the peovle of | the United States tends to confirm the | conviction here that Americans have become aware that their Government | is preparing to satisfy the country's | aspiratiol when the auspicious mo- | ment arrives. Every one in this coun- | try acknowledges the dignity and self- | possession with which the Cabinet of | President McKinley has been handling this most difficult affair, and this atti- | | tude of the United States Government has had a great effect in influencing | opinion on this side of the Atlantic. | ‘Amhericans express themselves as be- | ing much gratified at the friendly nt-} titude which the British Government | has evinced toward the United States By advice of the British Government shipbuilders and dealers in munitions of 'war still insist, practically, upon cash payments in the case of all orders booked by Spafn. It seems that the Spanish embassy, when bargaining directly suggested that Great Britain sympathized with Spain. This came to the ears of the British Government, and the jatter lost no time in putting the | firms whieh are in the habit of doing s Government work on their guard. Anothér rumor which has decidedly | pleased the Americans was that the | Government had succeeded .ip. obtain- ing complete plans of the principal | Spanish barbors and their defenses. In short, both Americans and Bnglish- men have about coneluded = that the present .state of _affairs has been brought by President McKinlev in or- der to Allow the completion of prepara- tions for defense and-for possible inac- | tive action, and few people here will be sorry when a decision is reached and the long-standing tension is ended. Oprators on the Stock Exchange are inclined to leave Americs securities alone until the crisis ettled. They the past week, the net result of the see-saw movement being that London lost con- siderable to New York, and although there is no doubt as to the final out- come, it is feared that the struggle will cause the trade of the United States to suffer severely. ~ Hence . the London purchases at present are not likely to be appreciable. An exemplification of the feeling here is contained in a long article published by the Statist. After complimenting President McKinley, ‘“‘whose powers are perhaps greater than those of any European sovereign,” upon having ex- hibited ‘‘admirable firmness of charac- ter,” the Statist points out that how- ever strong the President may be he 1s finally to obey the will of the people. Continuing, the Statist says: “It would be the gravest mistake to sup- pose that because the jingoes, Whohave discredited themselves by reckless charges which they were unable to substantiate, have failed to move the President, public sympathy for Cubans, which is very real and very widespread, will also fail."” The Speéctator believes that botia ‘Washington and Madrid “expect war without desiring it,” and “both are arming as rapidly “as they can,” and that “‘both are cogitating upon possi- ble alliances, Spain with France and Russia, and America with Japan, which wants the Philippine Islands, and can double the American fleet ai a few hours’ notice if Russia permitted.” The Spectator continues: . “Great ef- forts are being made on both sides to be in time, by McKinley because the arsenals are not full, and, by Premier Sagasta because he must elect a Lib- eral Parliament.” The French Foreign Office, dreading a financial crash in Paris, is suggest- ing mediation, but it will in the end make a mistake in threatening a peo- ple who, at heart, believe there is noth- ing strong in Europe except Great Britain. The Consul-General of Spain is re- sponsible for a curious : dvertisement which has appeared in the lLondon newspapers, calling upon Spanish de- serters, fugitives and youths who have not yet drawn lots for military service, to come to the consulate and acquaint themselves with an important royal de- cree of pardon which concerns them. Thus far there has been n. response. The pastoral letter of Cardinal Cas- cajares, Archbishop of Valladolid, has added another danger to the long list threatening Spain by giving such a boom to Carlism, and no student of Spanish history would be surprised were an outbreak to occur shortly in the northern provinces. The text of this letter shows that it practically amounts to a manifesto in, favor of legitimism as the sole reme of the manifold evils existing in Spain. The Carlists are using the manifesto for all it is worth, declaring it to be one of the blackest, yet most truthful, paintings of the condition, of Spain under the reign of Marie Theresa. . The Correo, organ of the Carlists, calls the pastoral letter “an outburst from a soldier’s heart suffering the miseries of the fatherland and indig- nant at the insults offered to the Span- ish flag by the North American mer- chants from the heart of an apostle filled with compassion for our brave soldiers fighting and dying without glory, the victiins of treachery,” and says: ‘“The prelate clergy points out that the Carlist is the 'only . party with the' necessary cohesion, strength and faith to carry on the glorious tra- ditions of Spain.” Even the liberal Imparcial stoutly ] commends the Cardinal's action. SECIRITIES IRE ILLVMERED Bears Cause a Drop in Prices of Stocks at New York. Rumors of War Preparations Cause Much Weakness in the Market. Conditions That Prevent the Specu- lators From Splurging as Heavily as Usual. Spectal Dispatch to The Call. NEW YORK, March 5.—From no ap- parent cause, so far as actual develop- ments were concerned, there was a sharp break in the prices of stocks to- day, and during two hours of business there was very active trading, the to- tal sales being about 227,000 shares. Most of the leading stocks declined from 1 to 2 points, and in seme of the specialties there were losses of three points. Manhattan and Union Pacifie’ pre- ferred, were features and were special objects of bear aftacks. Reports that Spain had borrowed a large amount of money and had actually secured two warships as well as the knowledge that the United States had been offered eight men-of-war, seemed to have im- pressed the average trader with the pe bility of early hostilities. Rumors about Spain’s financial operations, how- ever were taken with a great deal of allowance among the bankers, some of them expressing the opinion that there was probably no foundation for the story except that that country was looking around for available vessels. Leading bears embraced the opportun- v to “hammer” prices, and when the weekly statement of the New York as- sociated banks came out these profes- | slonal operators pointed to the . great falling off in deposits and in loans as evidence of uneasiness of many inves- tors and smaller financial, institutions scattered throughout the country which have credit balances in New York banks. ‘When this statement’ came out, however, there was, a_parfial re- vival in prices. According to the bank statement the total loans were $628,- 256,400, a decrease of $13,622,000, com- pared with the condition of a week ago; specie holdings were $120,125,900, an in- crease of $939,400: legal tenders, $T 202,700, a decrease of $8,873,700; deposits, $706,020,400, a decrease of $23,193,900; cir- ruh‘a,(t)z)on. $13,774,900, an increase of y the ordinary way of reckoning the decrease in deposits would average nearly $4,000,000 a day, but considera- ble of this withdrawal occurred during the latter part of the previous week and did not show in the report of last week. The heavy withdrawals were in- cident to the anxiety that prevailed im- mediately after the Maine disaster. | These withdrawals were made largely by country banks that thought it a good idea to have their momey within easy reach in case of complications with another country. Many individ- ual depositors took their currency from smaller banks, and some traders also thought it was wise to get out of stocks for the time being. In'the opinion of brokers, however, traders rarely be- | come uneasy enough to withdraw their accounts. They simply wait until the situation becomes calmer. That the so-called commission bus- iness in stocks has shrunken since the first scare caused many of them to drop their ‘holdings is shown by the decrease in loans, for a very large part of the dealing in stocks and bonds is conducted on margins, necessitating the negotiation of large loans. BIG RUSH CONTRACT MADE FOR COAL Four Hundred Thousand Tons to Be Shipped to Key West Within Forty Days. PITTSBURG, March 5.—The Post to- morrow will say The TUnited States Government, by Secretary John D. Long of the Navy Department, has just closed a contract with Peale, Peacock & Kerr, coal operators in the New Pittsburg district, for the delivery at Key West within forty days of 400,000 tons of steam coal. This contract is unauthorized by Congress, but is made ~ under the emergency clause, which permits the heads of national departments to make large expendi- tures on the national credit without specific authority when. the occasion arises therefor. The contract calls for the delivery of 10,000 tons of coal per day at Key West for forty days, ship- ments to commence on or before April 1. The contract given the firm of Peale, Peacock & Kerr is of the rush kind, and is similar to the contract closed with the Pocohontas coal people and the firm of Rhodes & Beadle. WORK ON MONITORS d AT LEAGUE ISLAND. Eight Old Fighters That Will Be ‘Made Ready for Active Service in Case of War. PHILADELPHIA, March 5—Work was begun to-day on the old monitors which for years have been lying at the League Island Navy Yard. There are eight of these old fighters—the Nahant, Lehigh, Jason, Montauk and Catskill, each of 875 tons displacement, and the Canonicus, Mahopac and Manhattan of 2100 tons displacement. Men were placed at work in the interior of the monitors. The machinery of the ves- sels will need but little attention. It is said that the monitors will be hauled out into the main channel, so that it can be ascertained just how they will respond to the working of their machinery. While this test is being made the turrets will be turned and the guns put In operation. In the turret of each monitor are two 15-inch smooth-bore guns, ¢apable of throw- ing a 500-pound projectile. e S Cruiser €olumbia Ordered South. PHILADELPHIA, March 5.—It was reported at the: League Island Navy Yard this evening that Commandant Casey had received orders from the Navy Department to-day to send the cruiser. Columbia south as soon as pos. sible. The Columbia will be ready 38 leave the yard by the 15th inst. The tug Samoset, now at League Isl- and, it is said, will accompany the Co- lumbia and will probably be used as a %gvspttch boat by the squadron at Key es POWELSON 13 RE-EXAMINED Important Testimony Is| Given by the Ensign at Havana. Naval Court of Inquiry to Lose No Time in Concluding Its Labors. Spanish and American Divers Con- tinue to Work Harmoniously on the Maine. ames Gordon Bennett. Copyrighted, 1898, by HAVANA, March 5.—The naval court of inquiry reached Havana at 10 o'clock this morning on the lighthouse tender Mangrove, after a comfortable run from Key West, and went to work so promptly as to give the best possible evidence. that its purpose, whatever it may have been hitherto, now is to dis- patch what business remains to be done in Havana at the earliest possible date. Only one witness was summoned to- dey. That witness was Ensign Powel- son. The Mangrove had barely tied up to her moorings when Powelson was rowed over from the Fern, and going aboard was ushered to the cabin below immediately. Ensign Fowelson brought with him new drawings, on which he had been at work during the week spent in Key West. The entire morning session from 10 until half-past | 12 o'clock was devoted to the witness | and to his narrative of the work ac-| complished by divers since the court left here. During that period the Amer- ican divers, by direction of Lieutenant Commander Wainwright, have been working in close touch with Mr. Pow- elson. After the noon recess, lasting from half-past 12 to 2 o'clock, Powelson’s ex- amination was resumed. It was con- tived until 4 o'clock, when the court adjourned until Monday morning. Two Spanish divers, who have been doing efficient work in behalf of their own Government, and with whom the | American divers have been acting har- moniously, though independently, dis- tinguished themselves to-day by bring- ing to the surface two unexploded 6- inch powder cylinders, similar to some | already found by the other divers. The | brown hexagonal powder contained in | one of them was practically intact. A rousing incident occurred this aft- ernoon when five American and two Spanish divers were all under water to- gether. One of them mud\'erlemly‘ sprung the trap which acts on the life buoy, which hitherto has remained un- noticed in the wreckage. The life buoy is one of those calcium phosphate con- trivances which, when thrown into the water, by mesns of chemical reaction caused by immersion instantly bursts into bright flame, which illuminates | the surrounding waters. It is used for | life-saving purposes at night. The in- stant the buoy was released to-day the | proper chemical reaction promptly | took place. There was a sputtering flame and curling smoke poured from the wreck, accompanied by a sudden caleium light effect that was decidedly startling to the divers at work under the water. Seven life lines were pulled vigorously and in concert seven badly scared men were hauled to the surface so speedily as to take their breath. Captain Sharp of the wrecking tug Merritt promptly ran out his fire hose and prepared to squirt a stream on the wreckage. One of the cooler men, who instantly surmised the cause of the phenomenon, soon allayed the ex- citement. Then all had a hearty laugh over their momentary scare. The Bache returned to Havana this afternoon. Five bodies are now ready for transportation to Key West. Of these three were recovered to-day. Two have been identified—one as that of Stewart White and the other as that of a Japanese servant of the steward's department. It is now thought that Monday and Tuesday probably will suf- fice to conclude the work of the Board of Inquiry in Havana, the remaining time to be mainly, if not wholly, devot- ed to some witnesses. Fitzhugh Lee Jr. arrived here to-day from Richmond. He was unexpected by the Consul-General. His purpose was to visit his father and give him a pleasant surprise. The wrecking tug Right Arm, it is said, will return north to-morrow, leaving the tug Merritt to complete the work remaining to be done on the wreck. Senator Proctor will Sagua to-morrow. A NO GREAT HURRY - WITH TS WORK AT MARE ISLAND Continued from First Page. go to be placed in the same condition she was in when she came up from Honolulu last No- vember at short notice.. That is, her huil has_ been cleaned and she could be sent to sea if it were absolutely necessary as saon as her guns and stores could be placed on board. But even this would take some time, for her main battery of six and eight inci guns has been sent to the Washington navy yard to be converteq into rapid-fire guns, BATILESHIPS ARE NEEDED “Bulldogs” to Guard the Ports Better Than . Cruisers. * At Least That Is. the:GCandid Opinion of Representative Hilborn. Secarcity of Powder Will Be Reme- died by the Construction of Government Works. Special Dispatch to The Call. Call Office, Riggs House, Washington, March 5. Congressman Hilborn was inter- viewed to-night about the probable ac- tion of Congress in providing more bat- tleships and ammunition for the navy. As a member of the Naval Affairs Com- mittee who has been in close touch with the administration his opinion is valua- ble. He said: “My own belief is that what we most need is more battleships, instead of cruisers, for it is obvious that in case of war with Spain our operations would be defensive, for the most part, instead of offensive. Instead of naval grey- hounds we need more ‘bulldogs,’ or, I might say, naval watch dogs to guard our great harbors. The modern big guns on a man-of-war can stand thir- teen miles out at sea and bombard our great cities. The 13-inch gun, with which modern war vessels are equipped, can fire a shot thirteen miles, or one mile for every inch of caliber. To ex- press my meaning in plain words, it is much easier for a hostile warship to fire a shot into New York or San Fran- cisco than for a coast defense gun to strike a hostile warship thirteen miles at sea. I have reason to believe that the Secretary of the Navy is of the opinion, too, and that if any negotia- tions are made for the purchase of war vessels they will be of the ‘bulldog’ or ‘battleship’ class instead of ‘grey- hounds,’ or ‘cruisers.’ " Congressman Hilborn was asked, whether, in his opinion, the purchase of two battleships (already constructed, or near so) would obviate the necessity of Congress making an appropriation for the construction of one or more vessels in this country. He replied: “No; if battleships are purchased by the Government, they will be for emer- gency, and this same emergency will necessitate the building of other ves- sels. These could not be constructed within a year, and I believe it would take considerably longer than that to complete thém: but who can say how long a war with Spain would continue. I am sure that Congress will pravide for at least one more warship to re- place the Maine, whether or not any vessels are purchased by the Secretary of the Navy, and I believe that the new vessel will, very appropriately, be called the Maine.” Hilborn was asked whether, in his opinion, the Secretary of the Navy would feel justified in purchasing war vessels without the direct authoriza- tion of Congress, and in the absence of an appropriation of money to pay for them, and he replied: “I believe that the President and his Cabinet have faith enough in members of Congress to act patriotically in time of peril, regardless of party affili- ation or political considerations, and that whatever action the Secretary of the Navy may take will be sanctioned and supported by Congress and by the people.” Hilborn said furthermore that he be- lieved that the Secretary would, if the emergency arose, not only purchase more coal but would make contracts with the Du Pont Powder Company and the California Powder Works for smokeless powder. “It is useless to deny that we are shy on gun powder,” said Congressman Hilborn, “and it is true that we have a large amount of black and brown powder on hand, but it is out of date. ‘What we want is the smokeless pow- der with which Spain-will equip her ships. The naval appropriation bill, soon to be reported, will appropriate one million dollars for smokeless pow- der, but to give you an idea of the enormous amount of powder consumed it is only necessary to say that ordi- nary target practice will consume a million dollars’ worth of smokeless powder in two vears’ time.- I under- stand, after careful investigation, that the capacity of the Du Pont Works is fifteen thousand .pounds per day and the California Works about ten thou- sand, making a total of twenty-five thousand pounds daily. This may seem like an _enormous eutput, but in case of hostilities it would be inade- quate and would take several months to furnish our vessels. But the naval appropriation bill will, I believe, ap- propriate $93,000 (in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy) for the establishment of our own powder factory. Our naval at- taches stationed in Europe obtained the formula for making an excellent quality of smokeless powder, and the process has been perfected by experi- ments at Newport, R. I, so that if the Government factory is established smokeless powder equal to any in the world could be manufactured by the United States cheaper and more ex- peditiously.” \ MAINE WRECKED and it would require several weeks to bring them back, and even -then the vessel would not be neariy as effective as she would be were she properly repaired. The Mohican arrived at the navy yard at 3 o’clock this afternoon and docked at once at the quay wall astern of the Charleston. Preparations were immediately begun to take on board the supply of ammunition she is to convey to the ships of the Asiatic fleet. Nobody at the yard knows when the Mohican will be ordered to sail, but it is the intention to have her-in readiness whenever the de- partment calls upon her. She will take about 100 tons of powder direct to. Hong- kong, where the fleet is now assembied. ‘The officers at the yard would like to see work on the Charleston and Philadeiphia rushed to completion, but they are power- less to do otherwise than directed by the heads of the department, and if training- ships and . vessels of the Ranger type are deemed of more il than modern warships why the powers at Washington can have them. AS THE RESULT OF A CONSPIRACY Continlied from First Page. advanced the theory that Alphonso XIII had anything to do directly with the explosion, and this charge puts the case in an entirely new light. It will be recalled that the Spanish ship was said to have shifted her position before the explosion. This covers a most significant detail in the light of to-day’s revelations. The writer does not state by what method he traced the passage of the torpedo through the water and the direction from which it came, but his friends here say he certainly would not have written them in this cir- cumstantial manner unless he had confidence in his evidence, WILL BE FOUND READY. 10 EXHAUST - DIPLOMACY But the President Also Proposes to Meet -~Emergenciés. And Congress Will Be Found Ready to Back Up the Administration. It Is Feared That Publicity in Con- nection With the Purchase of Ships May Hasten Hostilities. Special Dispatch to The Call: NEW YORK, March 5.—The Herald's ‘Washington correspondent telegraphs: President McKinley, I understand, very much regrets some recent publications to the effect that the administration has definitely decided upon a forcible intervention policy for the purpose of ending the war in Cuba. As has here- tofore been stated in the Herald re- peatedly. no definite programme of ac- tion in this direction has been'decided upon’ and none will be decided upon until after the report of the court of in- quiry has been received. The Presi- dent will be prepared to meet any emergency that may grow out of the demand which may be made for rep- aration. It is also his purpose to make some further representations to Spain in regard to the general Cuban ques- tion at an early date if there is not speedy improvement in existing condi- tions on the island. Nothing he has in mind at the present time, however, contemplates forcible intervention un- less affairs on the island and the atti- tude of Spain should force that course upon him. It is still the policy of the President to exhaust all resources of diplomacy to avoid hostilities with Spain, but at the same time he is wise- ly preparing to meet any emergency that may be thrust upon him as a re- sult of either the Maine disaster or future representations which he will make for terminating the war. Congress is silently, but none the less effectively, standing by the administra- tion in all preparation for possible hos- tilities with Spain which are being made, Members of the Military and Naval Committees and Appropriation Committees of both houses of Congress are frequent callers at the White House and at the War and Navy Departments, where the situation has been discussed in all its details, and the needs of mili- tary and naval services have been ex- plained. As a result of these confer- ences the administration is proceeding with entire confldence that whatever may be done in emergeney preparation whieh is not specifically authorized by law will be ratified by Congress. There is certain legislation, like provision for new regiments of artillery and the naval emergency bill which was sent to Chairman Boutelle, which the adminis- tration would like to have put through. The President and his advisers are do- ing what they believe to be their duty in the present emergency, and are mak- ing every preparation that is possible without further legislation from Con- gress. There is a desire upon the part of the administration and of leaders in Congress to avoid as far as possible anything that would serve to increase the irritation already existing, both in this country and in Spain. Debates on the emergency bills in Congress might tend to inflame the situation and make a diplomatic settlement of the Maine affair and the general Cuban situation more difficult even than it is now. Dis- cussion and Congréssional action on some matters might even defeat the plans of the administration. Especially is this true of any proposed purchase of ships abroad. Should ships now in foreign ports be bought it would be de- sirable to get them into the high seas before the actual commencement of war, and it is regarded as possible that the outbreak of hostilities might be brought on sooner in order to prevent this. BATTLESHIP OREGON WILL COME HERE Will Leave the Northern Anchorage in Excellent Condition for Cruise or Scrimmage. SEATTLE, March 5.—The battle-ship Oregon .will proceed at omee to San Francisco, in accordance with orders received. Early to-morrow morning she will leave her anchorage in the stream at the Puget Sound naval sta- tion and steam away. The Oregon, after being thoroughly overhauled and repaired, came off the drydock two weeks ago last Tuesday. Since then she has been at anchor in the stream. Her coal sup%;; has been received from the steamer pid Tran- sit. The huge vessel is in excellent condition for an extended cruise or a scrimmage. She is clean and fresh looking as though just from the hands of her builders. ADVERTISEMENTS. PECIAL. On account of our buyer and manager, Mr. Rossi, approach- ing departure for Europe, we offer at special prices the most artistic Hand-carved Furniture, made in solid walnut or oak, wood well seasoned, and which, we guarantee, stands any cli- mate. Also a fine assortment of French Tapestry, Wrought Iron and Antique Brass Lan- terns, French Cabinets, Desks, Tables, Chairs and Genuine Carrara Marble Statuary. Full satisfaction given. Money refunded if goods do not suit. At THE P. ROSSI (0., 117 SUTTER STREET, Bet. Kearny and Montgomery Sts.- ‘side. SURVIVORS SENT NORTH Five Men of the Maine Sail on the Tampa for New York. Liberality of the Seamen of the Fleet in Aiding Families of Victims. All of the Enlisted Men of the Lost Ship Will Probably Be Given Leave of Absence. Special Dispatch to The Call. KEY WEST, March 5.—The Mallory steamer Tampa, which salled for New York to-day, has on board five surviv- ors of the Maine. They are Master of Arms Load, Cook Schwartz and Toplia Russidia and two stewards. They will be taken to the receiving-ship Ver- mont, and from there will be trans- ferred to other ships. All the marines and other sailors of the Maine now ‘here and fit for duty were to-day dis- tributed among the vessels of the fleet, The commissioned and warrant of- ficers of the Maine have not yet re- ceived orders, but it is said that the orders are here and as soon as the Naval Court of Inquiry definitely an- nounces that it will not recall the of- ficers they will be ordered to their homes on leave of absence. A subscription has been raised throughout the fleet for the relief of the families of the victims of the Maine disaster. Every enlisted man on board the cruiser New York has given $5 out of his month’s pay in spite of the en- deavors to limit the subscription to $2. The men say they fear the Congression- al appropriation will be some time in reaching the families of the dead of the Maine. The Marblehead, Montgomery, New York, Detroit and Nashville, in the harbor, have each received a con- tingent of the Maine's survivors, while the Texas and the Indiana, at Tortu- gas, have also added a few survivors of the disaster to their muster roll. Forty men in all were distributed among the fleet. The Maine's officers and men hoped that they would be assigned to one ship. The new Kkits for the survivors were provided for them at the naval station. There are fifteen of the Maine’s en- listed men still here, and it is said all of them will be able to report for duty within two weeks. It was learned later to-day that orders for a month’s leave of absence for all the Maine's officers, excepting Lieutenant Holmanand Lieu- tenant Caldin, have reached Admiral Sicard, but they are held pending the pleasure of the Naval Court of In- quiry. Lieutenant Holman, the senior officer, will stay here. it Is gaid, ngm all of the Maine's enlisted men have been distributed. Editor Dungan Exonerated. WOODLAND, March 5.—Judge Hart to- day exonerated Editor Dungan and dis- missed the contempt case against him. ADVERTISEMENTS. My Mother Was subject to sick headache and dyse pepsia, had no appetite, severe pains in her head, and her stomach so weak she could not retain what food she dared eat. 80 many remedies failed, she lost faith in medicines. But one day I read of a cure of a similar case by Hood’s Sarsaparilla, and persuaded mother to try this medi- cine. We were greatly gratified to notiee improvement before she had finished the first bottle. 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