The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 9, 1898, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1898. 3 OTHING NOW CAN AVERT WAR. MUST N QUIT oW CUBA R FIGHT Just One Course by Which Spain Can Avoid a Conflict. Only the Improbable and Unex- pected Before Next Monday Can Avert the Approach- ing Hostilities. e {EW YORK, April 8—The © + Heral on corre- + + ' Only the + + »bable unexpected be- + 4 twee now and Monday 6L ¢ + war Tt the unani- + - s ¢ 1 of the President ~ his 1 advisers as a re- + + C yinet meeting, + - ring hases of the + + Cuban stion were discussed + + every conceivable stand- 4 @ [ ] 1 abinet, with most of the rs at the White with members of the t one of these can In summing it I prefer to > of the most ex- Washington, keep his true situation, in ome. er th 1 of the iness to be close the authorities here and ts. He is one in the diplo- in al even erver: 1 broad and libera is his verdict after re 1e subject and nts of the week in and Hava I a: “There seemc= to be no escape from | war. t Monday night the telegraph | ables will be flashing mes- | by General Miles moving | vints of concentration al- | 1; others signed by the y dispatching war s of the wosld to - the purpose of for the inevitable. Congress bv that time will have 1 upon the President’s recom- T ion for n 'iate intervention There gre now ot a difference factions " in Congress 1d the I ident regarding the que tion of the recognition of the indepe i i Cuba. - All of this will disap- the President’s message is veen oreign Relations ly familiar with the mendations, and g his views will be the two committees the message has been re- will be reported imme- ies are that 1e day. At ct that there € to pr will not be twenty-f on by Congress after the Presi- submitted his message. There now, but they will be d all branches of the Gov- ernment will present a united front on great question—the ending of Spanish misrule in Cuba. “In my opinion it is no longer a question, ‘Will there be war?’ It isa question as to how long it will last. ence: are The action of the President and Congress will not be a formal declara- tion of war. armed intervention, which, when into effect, means war. Naval weeks. It is idle to prognosticate on point. After it begins no living | g can tell what will happen. In| ing the international aspect of the n I cannot see that it is possible | iin to withdraw her troops and rom Cuba until forced to do so. “There is a feeling that the six | powers, which combined for the pur- | pose of soliciting the reopening of | negotiations between Spain and the United States, now that they have not met with any encouragement from this side, will force Spain to yield, and that after all there may be a peaceful solution. But Spain | has not yet shown any signs of yielding. On the contrary, every- thing looks as dark and gloomy on the other side as it does here. § “Spain will make a good stroke in p 2 or y by publicly announcing her ermination to accept the offices of the powers in the interest of peace and to proclaim in favor of an armistice, agreeing to a plebiscite to determine the future government of the island, pro- | vided that the United States will agree to withdraw her vessels from Key West at the same time she is withdrawing her This would place her in a good position in the eyes of the nations of the world, as it would be equivalent to yielding to the powers every point which the President will make in his a| -four hours’ delay in | It will be a declaration for | put | officers | lict that it will be all over in two | | alize that the President | message as reasons for intervention in and to end the war. ording to the President’s posi- tion, as is now well known, the sole ob- ject of the United States is to put an end to the horrible conditions in Cuba, to re-establish peace and order and to recognize any stable form of govern- ment when organized. In short, his plan is to stop the war and maintain order until the people of the island can decide for themselves what form of gov- ernment they want. By taking the po- sition indicated . in the note to the by formal proclamation, Spain would show that she was ready to do herself just what the United States is attempting to force her to do. But Spain has not up to this time shown that she would make any concessions which by any possibility would mean the hauling down of her flag even at a remote date. “Assuming that she would go that far, it would not be satisfactory to the | United States, as under no circum- | stances would the President consent to a withdrawal of warships, nor would public sentiment in this country permit him to enter into any new negotiations which did not mean immediate inde- | pendence and satisfactory reparation for the Maine disaster. ‘“Hence, any way you look at it, I do not see how diplomacy can avert the forcible intervention which the | President has definitely determined upon.” President McKinley received few callers outside of members of his Cabi- net to-day. Senators, .Representatives seekers seemed to realize that the President wanted this day for rest and relaxation. | Senator Lodge of Massaghusetts {called and had a long consultation with the President. When he left the White House he informed me |that the President’s mind is fully | made up to send his message to Con- | gress next Monday. JEas Vothing short of a complete with- | drawal of the Spanish forces from the | island of Cuba will satisfy the American people,” said Senator Lodge, “and the President fully realizes that fact. There is no disposition on his part to further | delay this matter, and it will be a great relief to him and also to the country when the subject is finally presented to Congress on Monday.” The time has passed for the “peace- | at-any-price” party to have any effect on | the President. He has passed beyond | the realm of indecision and procrastina- tion, and has been carried along by the tide of popular sentiment aroused by | the destruction of the Maine until he is far beyond the reach of domestic or for- eign peace commissioners. As one of his closest advisers remarked to-day. | “The President could not retrace his steps if he would, and would not take | a backward step if he could. Having | fully made up his mind to face the in- | evitable, he calmly but confidently awaits the crisis which must come with the delivery of his message to Con- gress.” Brief and uneventful was the Cabinet meeting. During the hour and a half the President and his advisers sat around the table the situation as above indicated was freely commented upon. There is no longer any division of opinion among Cabinet officers as to the inevitable result. Talks with the Presi- dent’s official family show that they re- has exhausted everything that honorable diplomacy might suggest to bring about a peaceful solution of the difficulty. It is the unanimous verdict of the Cabinet that Spain must relinquish her claim to Cuba or suffer the con- sequences of war. It is said by a member of the Cabinet that no official information has been re- ceived from Madrid to-day, powers, or Cabinet was a message from Consul- General Lee at Havana stating that he would be prepared to take his departure for Key West to-morrow. He also stated in his dispatch that he had made provision for all American citizens to leave Cuba. After the Cabinet left the White House Lieutenant-General Schofield. retired, called and had a lengthy inter- view with the President. He again as- sured the President of his willingness to be assigned to active duty in any ca- pacity the President might see fit to suggest. Senator Spooner of Wisconsin called by special appointment to discuss points and the | only foreign dispatch presented to the | | | AMERICANS FLEE FROM THE ISLAND OF PORTO RICO United States Consul Hanna and Members of the Colony Seek Safety at St. Thomas After Spending a Night on a British Ship. Copyrighted, 1898, by James Gordon Bennett. i : ST. THOMAS, April 8,—So serious has the situation become in San Juan de Porto Rico that :: + % the United States Consul there, P. C. Hanna, has been ordered to this island, where the rule « #% of Denmark will insure his safety. Fearing an outbreak against foreigners, and particularly *: :: against Americans, Consiil Hanna and all members of the American colony spent the night on :* %% board the British steamer Virginius. They did not dare to remain in their homes, not knowing = * ’:: what direction the fury of the inflamed populace might take. :: * % Military rule, which always prevails in Porto Rico, has now become most stringent. The x* :* Censor will not pass any news, and I am forced to use special boats to this island to file my dis- :I % : patches of March 30, in which I stated that all but two of the Autonomist Cabinet had resigned = *s% and the people have become more turbulent. Even with the greatest efforts the police and I: :: troops have not been able to prevent bloodshed. Weylerism is blamed for the failure of au- _ x *x tonomy and the troubles following. The elections are known to have been falsified, the military * : : * forces taking possession of polling booths to insure the success of their candidates. The indig- Wi nation of the people at what the Government forcibly imposed on them is bey ond bounds. *:: The number of persons in prisons throughout the island has been increased fifty per cent. :* There have been riots and bloodshed in the principal towns, Ponce, Aquadilla, Cayey and = * Vegabayor. before that time. EEEE R R REEREEEE S TORPEDO FLEET READY FOR SEA. ST. VINCENT, Cape Verde Is- lands, April 8 —The Spanish tor- pedo fleet is making hurried preparations for sea. Each one of the torpedo-boats and destroy- ers has been coaled to its full capacity. The torpedo-boats car- ry from eighteen to twenty-five tons and the destroyers 100 tons each. Six hundred and ten tons of coal was to-day placed on board the flotilla and its convoy, the Cludad de Cadiz. The crews are in good condition and are very enthusiastic. In addition to what is carried in the bunkers, coal is stored in bags, and securely lashed in such deck and hold spaces as each ship affords. Senor Villamil, commandant of the fleet, is momentarily expect- ing orders from Madrid. * * * * * * * * * * * % #* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * #* * * FREEEE KRR R R X KR XX K ok K ok ok K of international law bearing upon the situation. It was shown that the posi- tion taken by the President to insist that Spanish misrule in Cuba must cease was impregnable from a legal and patriotic standpoint, and any further overtures for a peaceful settlement of the difficulty must come from Spain. After leaving the White House Senator Spooner said: “I see but one chance for an adjust- ment of this controversy on a peaceful basis, and that is for the Queen-Regent to take the responsibility for relinquish- ing the Spanish control of Cuba. In my judgment, if the Queen Regent is guaranteed the support of the foreign powers in maintaining her dynasty she may see her way clear to disregard the war sentiment of her own subjects in the interests of peace instead of having re- course to law, which may not only re- sult in the loss of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands, but in the ulti- mate downfall of the Spanish crown. “Of course her action will have to be sanctioned by the Cortes, but with the guaranteed support of the powers of Europe in maintaining her dynasty she can afford to take the responsibility of anticipating the action of the Cortes by a provisional understanding with the powers. It is fair to assume that such action as she might take to preserve the crown which she holds in trust for her son, young Alfonso, would under the circumstances be indorsed by the Cortes. After having studied. the situa- tion with great deliberation, I am frank to confess I see no other way of avoid- | ing hostilities. The President has taken a position ‘which meets the approval of the American people, and he can- not—and in my judgment will not—re- cede from it.” Notwithstanding the mental and phy- sical strain through which the President has passed, he looked the victure of per- fect health. He has good color, his step is firm and he smiled pleasantly and saluted acquaintances, v'ho raised their hats as he started for a drive with Vice- President Hobart this afternoon. ANCHORED IN POTOMAC BELOW WASHINGTON WASHINGTON, April 8.—The Italian cruiser Amerigo Vespucel is anchored in the Potomac, a few miles down the river below Washington. She is a ca- det school ship, and is understood te be on a practice cruise. She draws about 17 feet of water. There was considerable gossip in na- e 1 wsfienre nirelee ragardine the visit of this foreign vessel to this city BN AT Juticilee. Lhere was unconfirmed gossip that the presence of the vessel at this time was for the purpose of using her as an asylum for the Spanish Minister and his staff in case it was found impracticable for them to leave the country by the or- dinary means of travel. Senor Polo, the Spanish Minister, when his attention was called to the rumor that the Vespucci might be here to take him away from the country, characterized it as absurd and without basis of fact, O Big Guns Along the Columbia. ASTORIA, Or., April 8.—The new 10- inch disappearing guns at Fort Stevehs were placed in position to-day. Work will be rushed at Scarborough Head on the Washington shore of the Columbia River, and when the guns there are in position the defenses at the Columbia's mouth will be practically complete. The arrival of the torpedo fleet from Spain, it is believed, would cause an upris- ing against both. Americans and British if they had not all gotten safely away from the island XXX X XXX XXX XXX XXX XL ERRE R R XXX KRRy % HEKR K KR KK F X R KRR % KR F SECRET OF THE DE LOME LETTER Representatives of thei Cuban Junta Given Secret History. Quesada Tells of the Stams‘ of the Little Island | Republic. The Deputy Treasurer Also Gives Information as to Bonds and the Securing of the De Lome Leter. Special Dispatch to The Call. Call Office, Riggs House, + Washington, April 8. The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House met at 11 o'clock this morning and continued the examination of Mr. ]Quesada. the representative of the Cu- ban republic in this city. President Palma of the Cuban Junta was also present. Mr. Quesada continued his statement as to the status of the Government of the republic. Some very interesting facts came out to-day. The deputy treasurer of the Cuban republic appeared with his books, and they were inspected by the committee. He explained that of the $10,000,000 of bonds authorized only $122,000 had been actually disposed of. Some of these were in payment for provisions sent to Cuba. For some of the bonds par had been obtained. These were taken main- ly by the friends of Cuba. The lowest price at which any were sold was 25 cents on the dollar., A batch of $20,000 was sold for $5000 in a pressing emer- gency. One million of the bonds, he said, were locked up in the safe of Bel- mont & Co. of New York, to be sold when the fixed price, 45 cents on the dollar, had been obtained. Three mil- lions of the remainder had been signed, but were locked up In the treasurer’s vaults. The deputy treasurer was asked if he knew the story of the publication of the De Lome letter, and, without names, he gave the first authentic statement of how it was obtained. He explained that it was abstracted by a elerk in the Postoffice in Havana, who was in sympathy with the Cuban cause, and sent back to New York. There its importance was at once realized, and it was given out for publication, the action being justified because it showed conclusively what the Cubans always contended, that Spain was guilty of double-dealing. Mr. Quesada then continued his statement about the status of the Cu- ban Government. He went extensively into the authority exercised by it over the eastern provinces, where, he said, all was comparatively peaceful. In- dustry was going on, war taxes were being collected and all the functions of government were being discharged. With regard to the capability of self- government of the Cubans, he said that | they were a much higher class of peo- ple than those who had successfully revolted from Spanish domination in South America. TORPEDO BOAT : ROWAN LAUNCHED. First War Vessel Built in the State of Washington Leaves the Ways ’ at Seattle. SEATTLE, April 8—The United States torpedo-boat Rowan, the first war vessel built in the State of Wash- ington, was successfully launched this afterncon. She was christened by Mrs. Edward Moale, wife of Lieutenant Edward Moale, U. S. N. It is expected | to have the Rowan ready for service | within two weeks’ time. The Rowan is 170 feet long and 17 feet wide. Her normal 'draught is b feet 6 inches. She is a twin screw, and has two triple expansion engines. Her combined indicated horsepower is 3300. Her contract speed is twenty-six knots per hour. — Uncle Sam Needs the Money. NEW YORK, April 8.—The New York banks which acted as depositories for the Union Pacific purchase money for the Government received word from the Treasury Department to-day that the balance of the TUnion Pacific moneys now In keeping of these banks would have to be paid in with the least possible delay. The original amount was $52,000,000, and the balance due to the Government amounts to Agout $12,000,000. K * * * FLY # % * * * ® * * * ING SQUADRON READY TO MOVE. OLD POINT COMFORT, Va., April 8.—Orders have been given by Commodore Schley to the commanders of the ships of the flying squadron to be in readiness to get under way on Monday night. As matters now stand the squadron officers expect to move toward the scenes of ac- tlon not later than Tuesday morning. This expectation is based on the latest orders from Washing- ton, which are designed to antic- ipate action by Congress following closely on the trans- mission of President McKinley's message on Monday. sk sk ok kR ok gk R sk ko ok sk K R R R K Ry ok % % ko R ok sk osk ko ok ok sk ok ok ok kosk sk ok ok ok sk KB KRR X X K X X X HH KK FH XK HE XK R XK RXH SPIES ARE NOW WORKING Men in the Pay of Spain Are Seeking Infor- mation. Two Foreigners Observed Making Sketches at the Bath lron Works. Information 1s Also Being Collected in Reference to Ships and Forts on the Coast. Special Dispatch to The Call. NEW YORK, April 8—The Washing- ton correspondent of the Herald says: Spanish spies ar- sharply watching the developments of the American navy, besides keeping an inquisitive eye on the work of fortifying the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Two foreigners re- sembling Spaniards were observed yes- terday afternoon in the yard of the Bath Iron Works making sketches of the uncompleted torpedo boats T. A. M. Craven and Dahlgren, which are under construction there. Information respecting the action of the foreigners was received at the Navy Department to-day in a dispatch from Naval Constructor J. F. Hans- com, who is superintendent of con- struction of these boats. ‘Mr. Hanscom stated that the men acted very sus- piciously. Unfortunately the sketches were completed and the men had left the yard before the matter was called to the constructor’s attention. Hans- com informed the department that the Bath Iron Works had promised to ex- clude all suspicious characters in th future. Y The authorities have no doubt that Spanish representatives are at work on the coasts of the United States collect- ing information and forwarding it to their Government. The report reached ‘Washington some days ago that Col- onel R. T. Frank, commanding the gar- rison at Fort Monroe ghad caught a man endeavoring to secure informa- tion, but as there was no law allowing his apprehenslion in time of peace he was compelled to turn him loose. Be- ginning with next week there is re: son to believe the authorities will de- cline to make publlc any information respecting the destination of vessels, even their departure from a port at which they may have been stationed. BRAZIL SELLS US ONE MORE WARSHIP. The Nictheroy Said to Have Passed Into Possession of the United States Government. Copyrighted, 1598, by James Gordon Bennett. BUENOS AYRES, Aoril 8.—I am in- formed by the Herald's correspondent at Rio Janeiro, Brazil, that the news- papers there announce that the Gov- ernment has sold the cruiser Nicthe- roy to the United States. It is stated that the price paid for this warship was $550,000. ¢ el Urges Young Men to Enlist. CARSON, Nev., April 8—The ad- Jjutant-general of Nevada has issued a card urging the young men of Nevada to join the militia to place it on a war footing. In the event of war between the United States and Spain the cap- tains of the various companies will sus- pend certain regulations as to gualifi- cations for membership so that the companies may increase their numbers. SPAIN IS SHOWING WEAKNESS She Is Reported to Be Now Willing to Grant an Armistice, Nothing Short of an Abandon- ment of Cuba by Spain Will Satisfy the Pres v ident. Copyright, 1898, by James Gordon Ben- nett. MADRID, April 8.—Last night, after a Cabinet Council in which the important decis- ion was arrived at to accept the advice of the Pope, a Min- ister who had been present said he thought we are nearer peace than we have ever been since the troubles began. Early this morning Minis- ter Woodford, who was in a hopeful mood such as has not been his for some time, said to a friend that everything seems to be going the right way for peace. Both press and public sen- timent have changed from the pessimism of yesterday to eager optimism and the peo- ple seize at the idea that peace may be maintained by the dual efforts of the Pope and the powers. NEW YORK, April 8.—The Wash- ington correspondent of the Herald telegraphs: Spain has indicated her desire not to engage in war with the United States by agreeing, it is un- derstood, to the armistice suggested by the Pope and advocated by France, Italy and Austria. This information was officially re- ceived here to-night. It is the ex- pectation that the Queen Regent will issue a decree to-morrow formally proclaiming that an armistice has been granted. It will then be nec- + R R R R R YO S R P OPPP PP essary for the representatives of | Spain to confer with General Gomez, Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban insurgents, to learn whether he is willing to accept the armistice. It is said that the Pope will extend his in- fluence to the Cubans, with a view to getting them to accept the armis- tice offered by Spain. Regarding the proposed action of the Spanish Cabinet, a diplomat thor- oughly informed as to the negotia- tions leading up to the armistice, said to me to-night: “I think you will find to-morrow that the action of the Spanish Ministry was due to the withdrawal by Minister Woodford of the offensive note he sent to the Sa- gasta Ministry yesterday. This note stated that he had been waiting for an answer to his representations, and that he would like to receive a reply before midnight of last night. This was an ultimatum. “At the time it was received the Spanish Cabinet was considering the proposition regarding the proclama- tion of an armistice. The first propo- sition of the Pope which was made to Spain and to the United States suggested that Spain issue an armis- tice on the consideration that the American fleet be withdrawn from Key West. “The American Government would not consent to this action and the Pope, supported by France, Austria and Italy, then urged the Queen Re- gent and the Sagasta Ministry to grant an armistice without any such concession from the United States. The Cabinet was considering the proposition yesterday and would have acted upon it favorably at the time had not Minister Woodford written his unfortunate note. Dur- ing the day the representatives of the Vatican, the French Ambassador and the representatives of the other powers have been negotiating with the Cabinet and with Minister Wood- ford, and, as I have said, I will not be surprised to learn that the armis. tice is the result. “Spain, having given this conces- sion in the interest of peace, her ac- tion will mean that the whole ques- tion will return to the diplomatic | phase, provided President McKinley is willing to so allow it. It is un- fortunate that the armistice was not granted with the representation of the powers yesterday, for the two coming together would undoubtedly have had a greater effect from the peace standpoint than they will have coming thirty hours apart. “To my mind the negotiations, | which I hope will be resumed by the formal transmission of the an- nouncement of the issuance of the | armistice to Minister Woodford by Senor Gullon, will then deal with the charter of overnment to be given to Cuba, so that the peace and order | which President McKinley yesterday informed the powers be desired should prevail in Cuba can be re- stored as soon as possible. “Following the granting of the armistice, the reconcentrados will un- doubtedly be released and the United States, to insure their safety and to aid in the restoration of order in the island, should withdraw its moral support from the insurgents and show them that it has no intention | of intervening. It is recognized that the attitude of the United States is the one hope of the Cubans, and should its attitude change, then their hope is gone.” ‘Whether the proposed armistice | will be satisfactory to the President and his advisers is another matter. Much depends upon the details of the Queen’s decree. It is a matter that will have to be considered by the President and his Cabinet when all the facts are known. From the way the authorities talked to-day nothing short of a_ complete compliance with the President's de- mands for independence for the peo- ple of Cuba from the Spanish do- minion would prevent President Mec- Kinley sending his message to Congress on Monday. It is understood here that the proposition does not contemplate the removal of the Spanish flag, but the granting of autonomy to Cuba such as is enjoyed by Australia or Canada. It is expected that the powers, which, through their representatives in Madrid, made a presentation to Spain similar to that made to the President, will bring influence to bear upon the administration to aec- cept the armistice proposition by Spain, or at least to reopen negotia- tions having as their object some agreement. SPEAKER REED [IN FAVOR OF PEACE. Sends a Letter to the Massachusetts Reform Club in Which He Op- poses Intervention in Cuba. BOSTON, Mass., April 8.—At a meet- ing of the Massachusetts Reform Club this evening a letter was read from Speaker Reed, in which Mr. Reed stat- ed that he was not in favor of the an- nexation of Hawaii, and was also op- posed to the intervention of the United States in Cuba. The Speaker wrote that he was for peace and would do all in his power to have a full and free discussion In Congress before action was taken by the House of Represent- atives looking toward war. Mr. Reed expressed the strongest hope that the whole gquestion now before the Presi- dent and Congress might be settled by peaceful means. He wrote that he thought war would be avoided. ADVERTISEMENTS. h to . and receive in return » haa & IR N "Pronounced by & ' all expert Judges 7 e the best.m Mafl 36 silver paper strips from 5-cent cuts of N FINZER & BROS., Loulsville, Ky. ootJask Tobacco Root Jack to the manufacturers, m pocket tobacco case. ~