The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 19, 1898, Page 1

VOLUME LXXXIIL.—NO. 109. SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1898. CE FIVE CENTS. Yesterday Morning, at Gravesend on the Thames, the American Ensign *Was Raised on the Newly Purchased Cruiser Amazonas, While a Few Hours Later the American Flag Was Thrown to the Breeze From the Mast- head of the Arctic Exploring Steamer Windward. These Ceremonies Were Hardly Over When the San Francisco, Bearing the Stars and Stripes Above Her Taffrail and Flying the Broad Pennant of Commodore P = it o —— =T s N - — P —— = e 5, Y e OLD GLORY IN ENGLISH WATERS. Howell at the Main, Steamed Up the River and Took Position Near at Hand. T Ll THE AMAZONAS ' NOW FLIES THE STARS AND STRIPES Old Glory Raised Over the Ship Bought by the United States From Gover GRAVESEND, Eng., March 18.—The cruiser Amazonas, built by the Armstrongs for Brazil and purchased by the TUnited States, was formally transferred from the Brazilian flag to the Stars and Stripes shortly after 11 o’clock this morning. The ceremony was simple and dignified, and, to the Brazilian officers, it was somewhat pathetic. DR R R R TR A R R 2 s R 5 Lieutenant Commander Colwell, United States naval attache, accom- | x panied by Ensign Roberts, Assistant Engineer Morris and Consul General Osborne, arrived on board shortly before 11 a. m. The chief officers of the Coast Guard and a number of | custom- officers, all in uniform, were already there. der Colwell and his party were re- ceived at the gangway by Lieuten- ant Santos, and were escorted to the captain’s cabin, where they were re ceived by Commander Corres. In reply to Lieutenant Commande Colwell’s inquiry, Commander Corres said he was ready to transfer the vessel forthwith, and Messrs. Col well, Roberts and McMorris donned their uniforms and, proceeding on deck, gathered near from which the green flag of Brazil was flying. Then Lieutenant Commander Col- well, saluting Commander Corres, said: “Captain, I have here a contract of sale, to which you were a witness, whereby this vessel is to be trans- ferred to me in behalf of the United States.” Commander Corres replied through an interpreter, saying: “In handing over this ship I desire to say that it is done with the sincere friendship of Brazil.” Lieutenant Commander Colwell, saluting, replied: #In behalf of the United States I thank you for the sentiment.” A Brazilian sailor then brought down Brazil’s blue-starred pennant from the top of the mast, carrying it in his teeth. In the center of a cir- cle of officers of both nations Lieu- tenant Commander Colwell then faced the Brazilian uag flying from the cruiser’s stern, and, as the offi- cers bared their heads, the flag of Brazil was hauled down at 11:10 a: m., after which they faced about, , with their heads still uncovered, and 0ld Glory was run up at the main. Lieutenant Commander Colwell and the Brazilian officers tnen shook hands, and Commander Corres in- vited the party into the cabin to drink to the ship. The Brazilian captain then showed the party over E LEE bbb bbb bbbt Lieutenant Comman- | . the flagstaff | the Brazilian nment. FHEEEFFE LR R EE R R R HEF & ONE MORE YELLOW FREAK * % % % MADRID, ler denies the authenti the letter published in the York Journal yesterday in which the former Captain General of Cuba is alleged to have said the United States would not have dared to send a warship to Ha- vana while he was in command there, as “they knew the terrible punishment that awaited them,” adding that he had Havana har- bor “well prepared for such an emergency,” having “rapidly fin- ished the work Martinez Campos carelessly abandoned.” March 18.—General ty of HAVANA, March 18.—Last night a correspondent saw Don | # Francisco de los Guzman, to whom General Weyler is alleged to have written a letter pub- lished in the New York Journal yesterday, apparently suggesting the destruction of the United States bat ip Maine. The former Pre: t of the Cortes was much s ed when asked if he had r ved such a letter. He said: “I have not received any such letter from General Weyler and for that reason it is impossible for any one to have stolen such a letter from me. I am ignorant of the existence of such a letter and consequently of its alleged contents.” * FAEXEEXR XX L LXRRRR R X * * % * | the vessel and furnished them with inventories of the supplies. Tke Amazonas remained in charge of | Ensign Roberts and Assistant Engi- | neer McMorris until the United | States cruiser San Francisco arrived | here. Great interest was taken in the ceremony, said to be unique in naval history, by which one power trans- | ferred a warship to another in the | harbor of a third power. Several American flags were hoisted at | Gravesend after the Stars and Stripes were unfurled over the Amazonas. There was another picturesque cer- emony here to-day, when Alfred C. Tarmsworth, proprietor of the Daily | Mail, hoisted the Stars and Stripes over the Arctic steamer Windward, which is moored a few yards from the Amazonas. She is on her way to the United States, having been presented to Lieutenant Peary, the American explorer. The Stars and Stripes were hoisted at 2 p. m., and all on board saluted “Old Glory” as she went up with three cheers and wishes for the success of the explor- er. The Windward sailed from here at 5 o’clock this afternoon. The United States steamship San Francisco arrived here at 3:30 p. m., passing the Amazonas. After salut- ing Tilbery Fort, the band played “The Star Spangled Banner,” ' with Continued on Second Page. THE MONTGOMERY WAS IN DANGER IN HAVANA HARBOR Why the Ship Was Ordered Back to Key West and the Fern Sent in Her ° Place. BOSTON, March 18.—A. Mau- | rice Low wires the following to- | night from Key West: | The return of the cruiser Mont- gomery to Key West has caused considerable speculation, which the authorities have declined to end by giving the reasons for the step. The redl reasons are in-| teresting, and show how grave‘ the situation is. The accuracy of my statement cannot be ques- tioned. : The Montgomery was ordered to return from Havana harbor at the suggestion of Lee. He pointed out to the authorities that the re- tention of the cruiser in Havana harbor was the source of the circu- lation of rumors, and was a men- ace rather than a protection in case of outbreak. She could not lend sufficient force to be of much, if any, protection to American in- terests, while she was not suffi- ciently powerful to cope with the guns of forts and Spanish war- sfiips, in case of the sudden declaration of hostilities. In view of these circumstances Lee recommended the withdrawal of the Montgomery and the sub- stitution of the Fern or some other vessel of the same character. The Fern can perform equally good service with the Montgomery in the event Consul Lee or other Americans have to leave Havana in a hurry, and stands less danger of being fired on than would a vessel of war. General Lee recommended the sending of the lowa to Havana to bring back the Court of Inquiry here. It will be remembered a few days ago the rumor was printed. that the administration had decided to send the lowa to Havana to impress the Spaniards with the power of our navy. This was Lee’s suggestion. He told the Government the Spaniards could not be made to believe we had a formidable navy unless they had ocular demonstration of the fact. The Spaniards, he re- ported, believed the Maine was the finest ship of the American i***************** OREGON MAY COME BACK. WASHINGTON, March 18.— | afford proper protection to the SPANISH COMPLICITY WOULD MEAN WAR IF CLEARLY PROVED The President Wants Congress to Take the Initiative if the Naval Board Fixes Spain’s Guilt. Meanwhile the Truce Endures and the Torpedo- Boat Flotilla Will Be Destroyed if It Sails From the Canary Islands. : ¥EHEEKKX KK EX K E X R R X ban question, I was assured to-night * | : | by a member of the Cabinet that the WILL DESTROY iPresidenl would deal with the former THE FLOTILLA. | | diplomatically before making represen- | tations to Spain concerning the inde- WASHINGTON, March 18— pendence of Cuba. The blowing up of the Maine. as It has been determined by the officials to continue the sharp | previously stated in the Herald. is to be | used as an additional and final argu- watch which has been kept on * | pnent a5 to why a speedy end should be the torpedo flotila, and should ¥y oy0pt to the war in Cuba. ~ As the they attemvt to move to Porto : b i Rico to'make vigorons: represent- time approaches for the receipt of the ations to’ Spain, looking: to oF- report of the Naval Court of Inquiry ders for their immediate return there is a feeling of suspense among to the Canaries. If Spain should administration officials. Nothing has refuse to comply with these rep- yet come to their knowledge that would resentations the plan prepared indicate the complicity by the Span- :;’1 ;he[hszv;;l!;?:ternfplate; not *|ish Government with the crime, yet the e bare possibility that the court has reach- BQuSALpLS St B nisuatci of ed such a decision causes considerable cruisers to intercept the torpedo = = S flotilla and ‘@estroy it = If the anxiety, which will not be allayed un- torpedo-boats should be sent to til the report is to hand. Porto Rico it is expected that Such a conclusion, the authorities be- Spain, appreciating their fate if lieve, would mean war, and this they are unprovided with protection, will all undoubtedly most anxious to avoid. send a convoy of warships, President McKinley, I am assured. is which will comprise the battle- * | ,nticipating a decision which will show o e AR the disaster to have been due to an out- cruisers Cristobal Colon, Carlos . . - V i and- Intentn Marts e side explosion and that the court will The vessels comprising the first be unable to show what person or per- division of the flotilla, which is sons committed the crime. now at the Canaries, are the de- A member of the Cabinet told me to- stroyers Terror, Furor and Plu- day thatwhile the President was prepar- ton, each of 380 tons displace- ing to make diplomatic representations ment and twenty-eight knots, to Spain on an indemnity basis, he was and “the torpedo-boass ° Asor, not unmindful of the possibilities of a EayojdxistoiandiEreanides oo finding by the court which would make diz. The Rayo and Ciudad de F 3 Chiin 2 cabh: ofeitn touminna war unavoidable, and that extraordinary twenty-two knots, and the Azor military and naval preparations were and Ariete of 127 tons and consequently begun. This official told twenty-five knots. me that only a decision showing posi- tively a direct connection of Spanish officials with the Maine disaster would Call Office, Riggs House, Washington, March 18. At the meeting of the Cabinet to-day the interview with E. J. Phelps, ex-Minister to England, wired from New Haven, was dis- cussed, and it was agreed 'that Mr. Phelps was right in his con- tentions; namely, that proof of the Maine’s destruction through the agency of Spanish officers would justly be considered an act of war, but that should the naval court report that the explosion was from the exterior, the United States would still have no valid claim for reparation or indemnity unless it was conclusively shown that the explosion was due to the neglect of Spanish authorities to | s * ES * ® * Maine. It was generally agreed that it must be shown that the Spanish officers have neglected to afford such protection ‘‘as in the exercise of ordinary prudence and care was requisite and in their power,’”” and that whether due care has been observed is a question of factto be determined upon the evidence and Although it is the general ex- pectation that the Oregon will round the Horn to join Admiral Sicard's squadron, it is known that if by the time she reaches Callao there seems to be no prospects of trouble she will not continue her voyage south, but will return to San Francisco. | | | | | * * * * % * * * * * * * * * *****************: navy, and that her destruction made it impossible for the United States to think of fighting Spain. To correct this impression Lee suggested the lowa should go into Havana harbor, take the court on board and speed out again—an operation ‘vhich would give the Spaniards some material fo/®sober reflection. When the fact of this recom- mendation came to the knowledge of a very high naval officer, who is familiar with every word of the evidence brought out at the Court of Inquiry (I cannot use his name or go more into detail), he made a vigorous protest, objecting most strenuously to the Government taking the risk of sending the finest battle-ship of the navy into Havana harbor. He gave reasons for making this protest, and pointed out the dangers which would be incurred. The arguments by this distin- guished naval officer were so urgent that the lowa was not sent to Havana. The same arguments influenced the department to ac- cept Lee’s suggestion and to order the Montgomery back to Key West. FLEET STEAM YACHTS OFFERED UNCLE SAM. Vessels Which Can Be Fitted With Torpedo Tubes ana Do Service in Case of War. WASHINGTON, March 18.—A num- ber of fleet steam yachts owned in the | United States are being offered to the Navy Department and it is probable | that some of these will be purchased. Secretary Long takes: the view that, failing to secure the torpedo-boat de- stroyers he wants, the best plan is for him to equip some of these speedy boats with torpedo tubes and light batteries and improvise torpedo-boats. POOP0PV0P00000009000090909009009999090900990990P09 9909909009090 0P00900000PPPP06000009PH & Either Commodore J. A. Ho- well or Commodore W. S. Schley prevent the President carrying out his determination to deal with the Maine the circumstances of the case, in will be assigned to the command catastrophe in a strictly legal and diplo- regard -to which no arbitrary rule can be laid down beforehand. of the offensive and defensive squadron, which will be formed at Hampton Roads. aeskook sk sk ok ko sk ok ok ok ok ke ok ok e sk ok sk ok sk ok ok sk ok sk ok sk ok sk ok s ok sk ok sk ok sk ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ¥ % % ckok ok R Kk ok ok ok ok ok K ok ok ok ok ok ok ok stk ook ok ok ok K 3k ok ok sk ok ok ok ok ok sk ok ok %k ok ok sk K ok ok ok ko k k% % ¥ % ¥ Xk matic way. Mc. Phelps fusther contenlied | S o o & o i R N e e B A h i s N AR R n D i e ———— R R R R R R KRR EEXE XX XXX R RRRX X Xy Pe006000000000000000| xx S wmws. or Tnmooar. S|2% GENERALMILES SAYS 2 Weather forecast for San Fran- 2 *: SAN FRANCISCO HARBOR 5 isco: Fal Saturday; light west- & | * % e of %% IS A VERITABLE GIBRALTAR. & Maximum temperature for the past & | % % 3 twenty-four hours O sk e Sen Francisco. g:g**"‘” @ % x WASHINGTON, March 18.—“With a little more preparation the 4 S 56 flii.‘ffii g *%* Golden Gate will be a veritable Gibraltar,” said Major-General Miles . ..54 degrees | ** to-day. b @ | k% General Miles expressed himself as well satisfled with the work x 4 FIRST PAGE. @ | *% now being done to fortify both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. He 4 4 SpuinsiGuIlk Wl Maan Fyars @| x% says that San Francisco, by reason of its geographical position and 4 4 e e & e &]#% the topography of the coast line, especially at Lime Point, Is admira- 4 4 SECOND PAGE. & |*% bly fitted for defense. General Miles expressed the opinion that the . To Buy.a Torpedo Boat. @ | %% coast fortification would in itself be sufficient to repel the invasion * % st Prepmesmrl “'m; @ | %% of a hostile fleet, but is also a firm believer in the monitor type of * Strength of Spain’s Army. @ | %% coast-defense vessels. * Havanese Bltter Aguinst America- @lx% He declares that the coast fortifications and the Monterey and # & THIRD PAGE. &| %% the Monadnock will render San Francisco perfectly secure. * s Famine and Scurvy on Yukon. @ | k% General John M. Wilson, chief of engineers, was asked to-night s x Canadiang Steal More Land. @ | %% what arrangements the War Department was making to place the s s New Klondll«:1 on :?llsh Creek. 9| 4% torpedoes at Goat Island station in readiness for an emergency. 5 GO Aaerlowss Sl HC g E He sald: “Our plans are not well matured yet, and it would s 4 Clancy Writes of Ireland. & | %% not be good policy to publish to the world our system of harbor s Revolutionary. Talk in Germany, ®| xx defense or even our general plans or orders. The Call and the San * % San Rafael Flower Show. @ | %% Francisco people will, of course, understand why it is inadvisable to x s Clark Confession Ruled Out. & % ‘War on Theatrical Trust. pS *: do this. * % FIFTH PAGE. & * * % Burned in His Own Cabin, D B L s e e e T T T Flannelly to Die in May. DSt i R LR R S g Quartz Full of Wire Gold. ® B * b i e i s that the “‘onus probandi’’ or bur-|x [TALY’S CRUISER * Earthquake in the Moluccus. &|den of preof rests with the claim- | * IS NOT SOLD. * e T PAGEL $ | ant for reparation : s SIXTH PAGE. PS . SR * 5:‘:;’0‘1‘_-““ s g There is no doubt that the|* ROME, March 18.—An official == Not a Matter of Choice. PS & . . 3 ;. | ¥ denial is given to the report that #* The Law and the Oplum Dens. $ | President and his Cabinet, ,mitktlelr W e Ao R Ader VAt Turquoise and_ Hieroglyphics. &l 4i i 2 nter-| * been sol Printing and Stationery. & | discussion of Mr P.helps e e d. * Benator Broctor's Statement, view, agreed with him. This is|_ - Music and Musicians. K REREE R R R XX LR R R The Spanish Battleship “Ypirango." Answers to Correspondents. SEVENTH PAGE. News Along the Water Front. A Fight With Bare Knuckles. A Close Finish. How Hearst Was Bunkoed. Sealing Schooner Probably Lost. EIGHTH PAGE. A Poppy That Is a Freak. A Tuler of the President. Dave Pengrin Dead. important, for if the naval court ;eports that the Maine was blown up by an outside explosion, but is unable to show that Spanish officials were participants or in any way connected with it, it It may be further stated that the President hopes and expects this matter can be adjusted diplomatically. So much, however, depends upon the final conclusion of the court of inquiry that it is hardly safe to speculate as to the exact character of the demand which would be made upon Spain. The Presi- Joe Schwartz Indicted. The Oregon Leaves To-day. John Skinner Tries to Die. NINTH PAGE. Evils of Pool Selling. Firemen Want More Pay. Made Sick by Sewer Vapor. Merchants Condemn the Sealer, TENTH PAGE. The Sports of the Day. ELEVENTH PAGE. Drawing the Toils About Hoff. A Chinese Burglar Arrested. Sibyl Sanderson Is Dead. TWELFTH PAGE. The Commercial World. c THIRTEENTH PAGE. News From Across the Bay. Athletic Club Opening. FOURTEENTH PAGE. Racing at Emeryville. FIFTEENTH PAGE. Births, Marriags and Deaths. SIXTEENTH PAGE. ‘The Ferry Scandal Grows. A Wonderful Find. o000 006009 R A A R R R R TR R R RO R RO ORCR X ) * 00660000 l will be necessary _for the United States to show neglect—that is, that ordinary prudence was not exercised on the part of Spain. Therefore the United States will be unable to support its claim for indemnity unless the naval court reports that the Maine was de- stroyed by mines or torpedoes, and that the Spanish officers failed to take the necessary precautions to insure the safety of the Maine. NEW YORK, March 18—The Her- ald’s Washington correspondent tele- graphs: While the Maine disaster is inseparably linked with the general Cu- dent is determined to deal with the question deliberately and coolly, and al- though anxious to be in perfect har- mony with Congress, he does not pro- pose to be swayed by public clamor into making war unless there is full jus- tification for such action. I am further informed that it is the purpose of the President to make Con- gress jointly responsible for any action in dealing with the general Cuban ques- tion which may result in war. He be- lieves, as was stated in the Herald this morning, that the independence of Cuba is written in the book of fate. He fur- ther believes that the blowing up of the Maine makes it imperative upon this. country to do something at the ear- liest date possible to end the war in Cuba, but he is not convinced as to tha ®