The Oregon mist., February 25, 1898, Image 1

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VOL. XV. . ST. IIELEX8. OREGON, FRIDAY, FEMtUAHY 25, 1898. NO. 10.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
From all Parts of the New
and Old World.
BRIEF AND INTERESTING ITEMS
Comprehensive ItovJew of tha Import,
nl Happening r tha Cur
rent Week.
Th seorotary of the Interior bn dis
missed the appeal of tint state of Ore
gon from tho decision of tha land office,
holding for cancellation tha Indemnity
Wjhool selection of lands In The Dulles
land district of Oregon.
Authentic reports have reached
Shanghai of recent date from nil ' -tlona
ol the Chinese empire, indicating
that riot and attack upon foreigner! I
the order or. tfte day. The attacks
teem to be those of isolated ruffians
rather than a concerted action on the
part of the populace.
Another rich strike ii reported at
having been made in the Blue Jay
mine, on Yorrinon gulch, a tributary
of Coffee creek, Trinity county, Cali
fornia, by the Graves brother. The
new pocket is said to be worth (10,000.
It will be remembered thut a 10,000
atrike by the Graves brother canned
rush to Coffee oreek lent summer.
The innate Committee on edncnlioo
and labor haa decided by unanimous
vote to report favorably the bill pro
pared by the trainmen of the century,
and recently introduced in the senate
by Kyle, providing for the arbitration
of railroad strikes by a board of arbi
tration to be chosen by the strikers and
the interstate ootnmerce committee.
A special from Washington says: A
cablegram received by the secretary of
State from Minister Woodford, at Mai
rid, announce that the government of
Spain has disavowed the letter of De
Lome to Senor Canateju. Thia dis
claimer, as the administration ofllciuls
' are pleased to call it, is regarded as
satisfactory, and the president hug au-
tboriaed the announcement that the
incident la closed.
Itev. C. a Brown, the California
milliliter who figured in the Overman
case, ha been formally dropped from
membership in the Chicago Congrega
tional Association,
Tho outlook in France Ih gloomy,
nd many prominent men fenr a down
fall of the government muy result from
the recent agitation. One writer de
clare that anaruhy prevail in the
army, the law and the streets.
Dispatches from Gtiatemula state
that anarchy reign supreme through
out the country, as a direct result of
',. the assassination of President Burrio
nd the plotting of the lenders of vari
ous factious to get into power lu the
republic.
The house library committee has
made a favorable report Ou the bill to
appropriate 110,000 to erect a statue in
Monterey, Cat., to Commodore John
D. Bloat, who, on July 7, 1849, landed
at Monterey and declared tho land
United States territory.
A dispatch to the New York World
from Havana says: General Blunco's
rlaitoo In Kastorn Cuba, the postponing
of the elections, De Lome's retire
ment, and the recent activity of the in
surgents make the outlook black for
autonomy and for Spain. The failure
of the scheme of election will be proof
to all nation that autonomy is dead,
and the government is naturally de
laying tha evil hour.
There la rumor in Havana that the
palace authorities have a letter written
by Consul-Gencral Lee, the content of
which are as interesting, even exciting,
for Spain, a the De Lome letter to
Canalejas was for the the United
Status. Another roport was set afloat
that Genearl Loo had resigned. This,
howover, 1 known to be untrue. A
strong effort Is being made to get Gen
eral Lee in the sauin boat with De
Lome. The members of the autonomist
cabinet do not like him.
There is general impression among
the pan-American diplomats in Wash
ington, saya a correspondent, that
Costa Rica and Kioaraguti are very
near war. Both governments have as
sumed belligerent attitudes, accord ing
to information which has reached
Washington, and it is the expectation
of Central American in Washington
that President Zelnya will demand a
disavowal of Costa Itica's responsi
bility in connection with the revolu
tion in Ban Juan del Sur. Two British
warships are now in Nicaragoan wa
ter, and more are expected. One of
those now In Nicaragua is at Cot into
and the other at Ban Juan del Bur.
The annual roport of theoivll service
commission for tho fiscal year ended
June 80, 1807, has been presented to
the president. It begins with a state
ment to show that af'er an experience
of nearly 15 years the hopes of tho ad
vooatos of the civil service law have
been largely realised. In practice the
law ha proved effective In the direc
tion of economy. Considering the few
change in the service under the merit
system, following the wholesale re
movals system the economy and effici
ency of the one stand in striking con
trast to the extravagance and Incfliol
enoy of the other. The report speak
highly of the promotion system, busod
on the efficiency record.
Lord William Neville, fourth son of
the Marconi of Abergavenny, who waa
placed on trial in London, charged
with fraud in connection with tho suit
of "Sam" Leads, the money-lender,
against Spencer Clay, pleaded guilty of
fraud, but claimed he was not guilty
of forgery. He was sentenced to five
year' penal servitude.
The stockholders in the Paoiflo Rail
way Company must pay the creditor
and bondholders of the corporation the
imouut of the Inflution of the stock-
QUESTION OF IDEMNITY.
rr.rlorlvk It. fnixlm-t Interviewed
the Maine Mutter.
New York, Feb. 23 The Herald
tomorrow will say: Frederick It
t.oudort, formerly counsel for th
United males before the Bnhring sea
commission, and a well-known author
Ity on international law, was inter
viewed regarding the matter of an in
demnity, if it cim be shown that tho
Bpanish at Havana failed to take
proper precautious to Insure the safety
oi tne Maine.
Spain should pay indemnity for
tha lost of the Maine," Mr. Coudert
said, "provided the accident i found
to be due to tho negligence of Spanish
officials. Tho vessel went to Havana
on a friendly visit anil was entitled to
full protection. It was proper that
extraordinary precaution should bo
taken to insure hersafety. It was well
known that there were individuals be'
longing to tho Spanish nation who had
ill feelings towards jthe United States,
If sny danger wa known to exist in
Havana harbor, it wa to bo expected
that Bpain should inform the captain
of the Maine of tbe fact and use every
means to prevent any accident to the
vessel. If, on the other hand, a man
with basket of dynamite should have
come aboard the Maine and blown up
the vessel, the fault plainly would
have been with the officers of the
vessel. It wa their duty to keep the
strictest watch over everybody who
cameon board. The destruction of the
Maine by accident or by the act of Ir
responsible individual would not jnsti
fy a declaration of war. Carnot, for
instance, wa assassinated by an
Italian, yet France did not blame
Italy. Italian subjects were killed by
a mob several year ago at New Or
leans. Italy wa justifyed in demand
ing an indemnity, which she received,
because the men when slain were in
charge of offioer of the law, who
should have made every effort to pre
vent their prisoner from being killed
It did not result in war,"
SAILORS WANT REVENGE.
No Doubt la Their Minds Thut Spain
Hid II.
Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. S3. A spe
cial to the Citizen from Key West,
lays: Bailor of the battleship Maine
suffering from wounds, In the Key
West lnitul, are smarting over the
delay of the government in punishing
what they term a Bpanish outrage. In
their mind thero is no doubt a to the
cause of the explosion, and they think
the delay in taking summary action by
the president saying he is morally cer
tain that there wus an accident, is to
soothe Bpaniards into a feeling of se
curity to secure time for his ultimatum.
If no sction is taken, not a man among
them will again pace the deck of an
American man-of-war, but if business
ia meant, it will take a strong force to
keept them from hurrying to the front,
wounded though they are, to take a
hand in what they look upon as per
sonal vengeance.
"We were warned not to go to Ha
vana," one said today, "being told
thut danger awaited us here. When
we got there it was current rumor that
the harbor bottom waa honeycombed
with mine. We lirst ' chose our an
chorage and rested there for several
hours, but the harbor master compel
led ns to weigh and proceed to a spot
marked by a buoy. We were reviled I
on the street of Havana, ineoreii at
until our blood boiled, and found out
for our own safety that it was safer
for ua to make our visits to the city in
force. No man dared to go alone.
There wa no knowing what would
happen to him. The explosion itself
ia the beat evidence that it was a mine
or torpedo. There were two sharp
and distinct reports. The first was
like a peal of thunder close at hand,
and then darkness and chaos, made
more horrible to the screams of dying
men, the tierce snout oi mose ngiung
for egress and the moans of those
hemmed in to die by Are or by dro vn
ing. . : ' ' .
COMMANDER BARNET'S VIEWS.
Investigation Mar Show
tho Magasln
Intact.
Havana, Feb. 83. Lieutenant-Com
mander Bamet, of the coast survey
boat Bache, said to a pres correspond
ent today: '
"You want the fact. I cannot tell
you. mere are wo onancos out oi iuu
that tha investigation win snow mat
the forward magazine of the Maine did
not blow up flrBt, if it exploded at
all, and that it was not the cause of
the terrific consequences that followed.
The condition of the wreck when flrBt
studied and a later careful scrutiny
make this an almost absolute cer
tainty." Chanlain C hidwlcK lias recovoreu
considerable sums of money with let
ters and other personal property Irom
the bodies taken from tho wreck, In
the offBcts, the initials can be seen on
the coat lining and may serve to iden
tify the wearer, but the harbor water
is so filthy that tne mams are nearer
all illegible. Chaplain Chidwiok Is
one of the hardest-working officers, and
upon him dovolvea some of the met
revolving duties ol tne situation.
It ia aimarent that efficient work i
not possible with the diver and ap-
Daratus at hand and tne arrival oi
others i auxiously awaited.
Father Power, of the Jesuits, arrivea
yesterday from Tampa, and immedi
ately visited the Maine's wounded In
the hospital. -Tha
lighthouse tender Mangrove
with the oourt of inquiry and addition
al divers and apparatus, is expeotou
here tomorrow. Neither bpanisn or
Cuban divors will be employed. To
day divers recovered the cipher book,
the logbook Of the Maine and many
offlloal and private papers.
Tnhanen In said to have been first
brought into England from Virginia in
1683.
COAST IS PROTECTED
Vessels of the Navy Within
Easy Reach.
WHAT ; SPAIN MIGHT EXPECT
In Cat of Hostilities T trinity Warships
Could llo Had on tho Paolfla
Coaet In a Month.
Portland, Or., Feb. 29. The possl
bility of a war with Bpain in the near
future, has, of course, aroused an im
mense interest in the fighting strength
of the United States navy, and especi
ally in this pait of the country, what
manner of a defense could be made
should an enemy send a hostile fleet to
Die Pacific coast. To a great extent,
tbe immunity of this coast from in
vasion would depend upon the strength
of tbe navy which Uncle Sam could
muster, at short notice. At tbe present
time the Pacitio coast squadron, under
the command of Rcnr-Admiral J. N.
Miller, consists of nine warships in to.
tive commission. The flagship of the
squadron la the armored cruiser Balti
more, 10 guns, Captain N. M. Dyer
commanding. Bho is now st Honolulu.
Probably the most effective ship In
time, of war is the battle-ship Oregon,
10 guns, under the commend of Cap
tain A. II. McCormiok. She is now
in the drydock at Bremerton, Wash.,
getting bilge keels put on, but, in oase
of necessity, she could be put in shape
on short notice. Next to the Oregon
is the douhle-turreted monitor Mon
terey, four guns, Captain C. E. Clark
commanding.
Tbe monitor Monadnock, six guns,
under the command of Captain W. H.
Whiting, iniiled for Magdalena bay
from Ban Francisco, January 39. On
her return she will tie held at Mare
Island in reserve, The Alert, a cruiser
of four guns, under Commander E. If,
C. Lenta, is at San Juan del Sur, Nica
ragua. Commander Leuts February 8
landed a force to protect American in
terests during the revolution. Three
gunboats, of six guns each, are scat
tered along the coast. The Benning
ton, Commander H. E. Nichols, ia at
Honolulu. The Marietta, Commander
8. M.' Bymonds, is at Libertad, and the
Wheeling, Commander U. Sebree, is
cruising in Alaska. - The Adams,
training ship of six guns, under the
oommmand of W. C Gibson, is at
Mare Island, Cal. To this formidable
list must be added the "ships at the
Mare Island navy-yard, which could
all be put in commission inside of two
or three months at the most.
The protected enrisers Philadelphia
and Charleston, of 10 guns each, are
the most formidable of. these. The
gunboat Ringer is also undergoing
light repairs, and the wooden frigates
Pensaoola and Hartford are being re
fitted. This makes a total of 14 war
ships, which could be available almost
immediately in case of war.
Besides these, the Asiatic squadron
could make tho run home in a short
time in case of urgent necessity. Tbe
Asiatic squadron, under the command
of Commodore George Dewey, comprises
ix warships, Tbe armored cruiser
Olympia, 14 guns, Captain Charles V,
Gridley, commanding, stands at the
head of the vessels of this squadron,
She is the flagship, and is now at
Yokohama, Japan. The cruiser Bos
ton, eight guns, under the command
of Captain Frank Wildes, is probably
the second In fighting strength. She
is now at Cliemuliio, Corea. The
Mouocaov, six guns, under the com
nmnd of Captain O. W. Farneholt, la
an old gunboat, and will probably be
sold as soon as possible. She is at
Woo Sung, China, and her place will
be taken bT the Helena, formerly of
the European station, and under tbe
command of W. T. Swinburne. At
Canton is, the gunboat Petrel, four
guns, under the command of Com
mander E. P. Wood. The cruiser
Kaleigh, 11 guns, under Captain B.
Coglan, sailed on February 10 from
Singapore to Hong Kong, and will re
main at the latter place for quite a
while.
The gunboat Concord, six guns, Com
mander A. Walker, completes the list
of the Asiatic squadron. These ships
are all available for uso on the Paoiflo
const and should such heroic measure
become necessary at a month's notice,
30 warships could got togother for de
fensive purposes. This is a fleet whioh
Spain could not match without con
centrating her strength on this coast,
whioh she is very unlikely to do. "
Thus it can be seen that on this side
of the United States there is no spe
cial oanse for fear if wai should break
out. There is not the least danger of
a hostile warship ever getting near
enough inland to do any harm. It
would be an act of suicide for a hostile
vessel to enter the Columbia river, un
less her nation had control of the Pa
cific ocean. Otherwise, she would be
caught like a rat in a trap, and blown
to pieces at ease.
Woman's Ufa Crushed Out.
'New York, Feb. 33. Mrs. Arthur
Levy, wife of a member of the Whole
sale clothing firm of Hays, Goldberg
& Co., was instantly killed tonight in
an elevator at the Holland 'house.
The aocident was due to the careless
ness of the elvator boy.
Snorot MUiton ot m Spanish Officer.
El Paso, Tex., Fob. 33. Much ex
cltenient was caused here today by the
presence of an officer of the Spanish
army, it is said lie is on nis way to
the City of Mexico on a secret mission,
which is supposed to be to enlist the
services of the Mexioan government, in
the event of trouble between the
United States and Spain.
The largost printing office In the
world is in Wahingotn, D. O.; it is for
printing government documents.
t . - i .... ....
ANOTHER RUMOR.
A Wounded Sailor Clnlina to Haro Soon
tho Torpedo,
Washington, Feb. 21. A wounded
sailor in tha marine hospital at Key
West has told a New York Herald cor
respondent that while looking over the
Maine' bow into Havana harbor junt
previou to the battle-ship's destruc
tion, he saw an illuminated missile
apparently torpedo approaching in
the waters, and that before he could
give the alarm the explosion occurred.
If true, this story settles ill doubts as
to tbe destruction of the Maine having
been the work of an enemy of the Uni
ted States.
Later dispatches from Havana fail to
confirm the rumor.
A Joint resolution passed both houses
of congress today, appropriating f 200,
000 for the purpose of raising the
Maine. Until this has been accom
plished it is probable that the manner
-of her destruction cannot be definitely
learned.
Tbe feature of the day at the navy
department was the large number of
rumors of a warlike tendency that re
quired attention and in every oase con
tradiction. So formidable had grown
the list that at the close of office hoars
Secretary Long was Induced to make a
statement, as the easiest manner of
disposing at one time of all these
stories:
"Really no information has been re
ceived, since Captain Sigsbee's first
dispatch, adding anything to our
knowledge of the disaster. All we know
is that the Maine blew up. There is
abundant room for speculation, but no
conclusion can be arrived at until an
examination has been made by the
divers, and more facts obtained,
rather think it waa accidental." :
VUeaya Roaeheo Mow York.
New York, Feb. 31. The Spanish
armored cruiser Vizcaya is in New
York waters. She dropped her big
anchor five miles south of Sandy Hook
lightship at 6:80 P. M. When her
officers and men learned of the startling
disaster to the American battle-ship
Maine, in Havana harbor and of tha
downfall of ex-Minister de Lome, they
broke into a wild uproar of talk. For
couple of minutes all discipline on
the great warship seemed to vanish to
the winds. Men rushed below to tell
their comrades on the lower decks.
Every policeman in this city was on
duty today. Last night Chief McUul
lah sent orders to all police captains
notifying them to report back to thei
precincts immediately alter supper,
and there to remain in service until
further orders. This action, it is said
was taken in compliance with a request
made to the police department by The
odore Boosevnlt, assistant secretary of
the navy, last night, that precautions
be taken against a possible hostile
demonstration upon the arrival of the
Spanish cruiser Vizcaya.
Spain Baying Cartridges.
New York, Feb. SI. An order for
8,000,000 Manser rifle cartidges,
charged with antipyrite powder, has
been placed with a powder firm in this
city by the Spanish government. The
order was given through a contracting
agent, who has so far managed to con
ceal his identity. The powder, as its
name implies, is smokeless. It is used
by the Russian and German armies
and England.
Attompted to Lynoh Zola.
Paris, Feb. 31. There were riotous
proceedings after tbe adjournment of
court today, and Zola narrowly ecsaped
being lynched by a mob. On leaving
the palace of justice all the officers were
acclaimed by a crowd outside the build
ing, and General Pellieux, who de
scended the steps bareheaded, was given
a great reception. Esterhazv was greet
ed with shouts of "Vive I'armiel" The
police were powerless to maintain order
in the immense crowds, and several
Jews were objects of insult and menace.
There was a general fight The mob
threw itself on tbe Jews, yelling "Death
to the Jews," "Throw the Jews into
the Seine." Finally republican guards
charged the rioters and cleared the
square. The crowd fell back after the
charge of the army, singing the "Mar
seillaise" and shouting Spit on Zola I"
The authorities weie oblgied to pro-
teot Zola's carriage with a double cor
don of police. On reaching St. Michael
bridge, the mob made a murderous rush
for the carriage, but the police threw
themselves between the vehicle and the
mob, and a series of miniature battles
ensued. Ultimately, the police drove
the mob back, and M. Zola was enabled
to proceed without further molestation.
A number of arrests were made, but all
those who were taken into custody weie
released later.
THE NEVADA FOUND.
Was
Burned to tho Water's Kdgo la
Lynn Canal.
Seattle, Feb. 21. The steamers
Queen and Humboldt, which arrived
in Seattle Thursday morning, brought
confirmation ot the loss of the steamer
Clara Nevada. The little steamer
Hustler, sent out from Juneau to learn
the fate of the missing steamer, found
the blackened hull, burned to the wa
ter's edge, in about aix fathoms of
water, but in two days oruising along
the bleak shores of Lynn canal failed
to discover a single sign of a survivor.
The beach tor miles was found strewn
with wreokage of all descriptions.
Tortured by Turks.
London, Feb. 91. The News corre
spondent at Constantinople tells a ter
rible story of murder and torture in the
most horrible fashion of Bulgarians in
Macedonian villages. Many have died
Bnder torture.
nine. Wounded In a Duel.
Vienna, Feb. 31. A duel was fought
today between Prince Phillip of Baxe
Coburg and Gotha and Lieutenant Mit
tachioh. The prince was wounded
severely in the right arm. I
LEFT "TO TELL
Fifty Believed to Have Per
ished in Clara Nevada.
SEWS OF DISASTER CONFIRMED
accident I Thought to Hare Been
Caused by an Exploalon of
tho Veeul'e Boiler.
Nansimo, B. 0., Feb. 21. A special
from Juneau, Alaska, under date of
February 13, confirm the news of the
loss of the Clara Nevada, and says:
The cause of the disaster was doubt
leas the explosion of ber boilers. Of SO
people on board none is believed to
have been saved. Tbe wreck was dis
covered by Customs Inspector Mar-
quam, of Juneau, who ordered the
Kustler to Lynn canal, where the burn
ing vessel had been seen. Wreckage
bearing the name of the ill-fated vessel
was found, but there was nothing to
show the identity of the passengers.
It is thought she carried about 30
passengers, of whom two or three were
women. Several were bound for Ju
neau and the balance for Seattle.
Frank Whitney, of Cripple Creek,
Colo., was known to be one of the tin
fortunates. Ai Noyes, of Juneau,
also supposed to have been on the Ne
vada. This is all that is known of the
victims.
The first report of the loss of tbe
Clara Nevada was brought here on
Monday evening, by the crew of the
steamer Islander, and was to the effect
that on February 5 the inhabitants of
Seward City, a town 30 miles south of
Skagway, saw the steamer off shore,
ablaze from stem to stern, and that
while tbe witnesses to the awful sigh
still watched the burning vessel a loud
report, aa of -an explosion of boilers.
was heard, and that afterwards nothing
more waa seen of the vessel or the luck
less persons on board of her, but that
the following day the beach in that
vicinity was strewn with wreckage.
In the absence of details of the catas
tropbe there is now no way of learning
the indentity of the passengers. The
crew, according to a dispatch from Se
attle, whence tbe steamer sailed on her
fatal voyage, was made up substantial
ly as follows:
Captain, C. H. Lewis, of Portland,
Pilot, Ed Kelly. .
First officer, Smith.
Second officer, Harry Bowen, of San
Francisco.
Purser, George Forster Beck, of
Portland.
Freight clerk, George Rogers.
Chief Engineer, D. Reed, of San
Francisco.
First Assistant, Thomas Williams.
Second assistant, Moser, of Seattle.
Carpenter, W. A. Jacobs.
Assistant carpenter, L. Boyle.
Steward, O'Donnell.
Mess boy, Frank Bowen.
Two cabin boys, Perkins and Butler,
also known as Tascot.
There were also aboard, whose names
cannot be learned, four quartermasters,
two sailors, three firemen, three coal
paesers, one nightwatchman, assistant
steward, four cabin boys, three cooks
(Chinese) and two helpers.
MISS WILLARD DEAD.
founder of the W. C. T. V. Famed Away
In Mow York.
New York, Feb. 81. Miss Frances
E. Willard, president of the Women's
Christian Temperance Union, died
shortly after midnight this (Friday)
morning, at the Hotel Empire, this
city. At the bedside of Miss Willard
at the time of her death were her niece,
Mrs. W. W. Baldwin; Mrs. L. M.
Stevens, vice-president of the W. C. T.
U.i Miss Anna M. Gordon, .Miss Wil
lard 's secretary, and Dr. K. Hill.
Miss Willard had been ill for three
weeks. There will be funeral services
in New York citv, and later in Evans-
ton, III., Miss Willard'a home, where
the body will be taken.
(Miss Frances E. Willard, founder
and for four years president of the
World's Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union, and president of the Na
tional Woman's Christian Temperance
Union 13 years, was born September
38, 1839, at Chnrchville, N. Y. She
was a graduate of the Northwestern
university, Chicago. She took the de-
gret of A. M. from Syracuse university.
In 1862 she was professor of natural
science at the Northwestern fomale col
lege, Evanston, 111. In 1866-1867 she
was preceptress ot the Genesee Wesley
an seminary, Lima, N. Y., and in 1868-
1870 she traveled abroad, studvins
French, German, Italian and the his
tory of fine arts, visited nearly every
European capital, and went to Greece,
Egypt and Palestine, In 1871 she wus
president of the woman's college of
Nothwestern university, and professor
of aesthetios; she was elected corre
sponding secretary of the N. W. C. T,
U. in 1871, and in 1877 was associated
with D. L. Moody in revival work in
Boston. She became president o' the
Illinois W. C. T. U. and editor of the
Chicago Daily Post in 1878, and in 1879
was ohosen president of the National
Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
which position she has since held.
Miss Willard was an author of much
distinction, and wrote a number of
books. ,
Floods In Paloueo.
Palouse, Feb. 91. ThePalouse river
waa higher today than it has been for
years, and the lower part of the town
was flooded. The water reached the
floor of the bridge on Main street near
the depot and covered the street to a
depth of nearly three feet for several
blocks from the bridge. Houses and
barns on the flats were surrounded by
water, and one family living near the
depot was forced to move out, the wa
ter reaching almost to the windows of
the house.
EXPECTED TO BE BLOWN UP.
Prediction of One ot tbo Men
Battla-Shlp,
on tha
Detroit, Mich., Feb. 19. A special
to the Kews from Bay Cty, Mich., says:
A letter was received today from Elmer
Meilstrup, a gunner on the Maine.
dated February 11, in whioh Meilstrup
wrote tnat he would not be surprised
if they should be blown np any day;
tnat tne snip was surrounded wth tor
pedoes and could not leave the harbor
without the consent and direction of
the Spanish authorities.
Meilstrup's letter says:
"The Spaniards have a couple of gun
boats and a cruiser and there -are two
German gunboats. The guns of Morro
castle are pointed at us as I write. The
whole bottom of tbe harbor is covered
witn torpedoes, so, if they did not
want to let us out, we would not be
able to go very well. We are lying
between the Spanish and German men-of-war,
and they have picket boats out
11 night watching us."
In a letter of February 7, Meilstrup
says:
"Don't look for any trouble unless
something very unexpected should bap-
pen."
In a letter of January 15; Meilstrup
told of an accident aboard the cruiser
Marblehead, when five men were in
jured by a shot. ; Commenting, he
says:
It is a wonder some of the ships
oon t olow up; they are so careless."
Those letters were addressed to the
writer's mother, Mrs. James Meilstrup.
Washington, Feb. 19. Elmer M.
Meilstrup, of West Bay, Mich.j accord
ing to the naval records, was not a
gunner, but was rated as an ordinary
seaman on the Maine.
Meseages of Condolence.
Washington, Feb. 19. A number
of messages have been received at the
state department from foreigr govern
ments, expressing regrets in connection
with tho Maine disaster. Among
them are the following:
"Secretary of State: I have the
honor to inform yon that I am com
manded by tbe queen to convey to the
president the expression of her majesty's
sympathy with the American people
on the ocasion of the sad disaster which
has befallen their navy by the loss of
the battleship Maine and tbe mem
bers of her crew. I request that yon
will be good enough to transmit the
above message to its high destination.
I have tbe honor to be, with the high
est consideration, your most bumble
servant,
"JULIAN-PAUNCEFOTE '
Berlin, Feb. 19. To the President
of the United States, Washington:
"Let me express my sincere sympathy
to you and your country at the terrible
loss of the Maine and the death of so
many brave officers and men.
"WILLIAM III."
Secretary Long received the follow
ing cablegram from the Russian min
ister of marine at St. Petersburg:
I have just received the news of the
Maine's terrible disaster. I beg you
to accept my own and the Russian
navy's sincere sympathy,
VICE-ADMIRAL P. TYRLOW,
: "Minister of Marine."
Secretary Long received the follow
ing during the day:
'I regret with all my soul the ter
rible catastrophe of tha Maine, and send
mv condolence for the victims aud
their families. The Spanish navy it
in mourning for the American navy.
SOBltAL,
."Naval Attache, Spanish Navy."
WRECK OF THE FLACHAT.
Only Survlng
Passenger
llsaeter.
Telia of tha
Teneriffe, Canary Islands, Feb. 19.
M. Munoz, the only surviving pas
senger of the Campagnie Generale
Transatlantic steamer Flachat, bound
from Marseilles for Colon, that was
wrecked at Anaga point, this island.
early yesterday morning during thiok
weather, says: ,
When the Flaohat grounded, her
engineers let off the steam and thereby
prevented the boilers from bursting.
The passengers, under charge of the
doctor and the second offioer, were shut
up in the deckhouse nnder the bridge.
The oaptain ordered tbe boats out, but
the vessel took a heavy list to port.
and three of the port boats were car
ried away by a heavy sea directly after
launching. An attempt was then made
to launch the starboard lifeboat, and,
after working steadily from 8 till 9 in
the morning., it succeeded.
Those on board made a rush and 60
umped into the sea in an endeavor to
reach the boat. Only 16 succeeded.
and two of these were washed out.
The boat was full of water, and it was
impossible to use the oars. After
half an hour the steamer Susie arrived
and picked up the 14 in the boat.
"There were still about 40 people on
the wreck, but when the Susie re
turned from Santa Cms not a soul was
to be seen, and the sea was washing
over the wreok. The captain and
oftioers did their best, but owing to the
mountainous seas it was impossible to
save the women and children. All
were obliged to jump to save their
lives. The oaptain was in bed when
the vessel struck, and tbe second officer
was in oharge."
The fastest railroad in the world it
"the Flying Welshman;" its fame hat
extended around tbe globo.
SENATE OPPOSES IT.
Action In tho Upper Honaa on tbo Kan
aa PaclSo Sale.
Washington, Feb. 19. After a
spirited debate, occupying more than
two hours, the senate, today, by a vote
of 34 to 39, agreed to the resolution of
Turpie declaring the senate's opposition
to the sale of the Kansas Pacilic
The only reference thus far made to
tbe Maine disaster was in the form of
a resolution introduced by Allen, as
follows'.
A COURT OF INQUIRY
Investigation Into Cause of
Maine Disaster Begun.
MANY ABSURD ItUMOES AFLOAT
Wreck Will Bo Balaod-Bttrlal ot tho
Dead and Caring for tha Wonnded
-. - Kxpreaalono of Sympathy.
Washington, Feb. 19. The govern
ment has settled back into a waiting
attitude in respect to the terrible Maine
disaster in Havana harbor. The great
shock caused by the news has given
way to a calmer and more Judicial state
of mind, and, realizing from the events
of the day that the court of inquiry is
the sole dependence in the search for
the cause of the Maine's disaster, the
naval officers are now resigned to await
the results of that inquiry by a court
opened today by the navy department.
There was little news to add to tbe sum
of information as to the disaster re
ceived during the forenoon. No tele
grams came, and tbe only news gleaned
was a denial of some absurd story or
other that had crept into piint or be
come current gossip. All the news of
the day came in the late afternoon in
tbe shape of Captain Sigsbee's report
of the authorization of the funeral of
his dead sailors, and General Lee's
graphic story of the terrible struggle
for life in the dark hull of the Maine.
The officials at tbe navy department
devoted the day to the effort of correct
ing tbe list of living and dead, to an
swering frantic telegraphic appeals from
relatives of men on the battleship,
and last, but not least, in meeting
with nnwavering courtesy and patience
the exacting demands upon their time
by th? press reporters.
The disposition of the survivors, Cap
tain Dickens, acting chief of the navi
gation bureau, has arranged for as well
as could be done from this distance.
The wounded sailors in the Havana
hospitals, on the Spanish flagship and
elsewhere, when not in condition to be
brought back to Key West.'will be
carefully looked after by Miss Clara
Barton, who has been given carte
blanche to buy anything and everything
necessary, food and delicacies, and hire
nurses and physicians. The wonnded
able to get across to Key West will be
taken care of in the marine hospital
there. The sound survivors will be
quartered in tbe army barracks there.
As for the Maine herself, notwith
standing discouraging reports from
Lieutenant Howe aa to her condition,
the navy department will try to raise
her. They say they are bound to re
move the hull from tbe small harbor,
in any case, and it may be as easy, or
easier, to raise her as it would be to
destroy the hull and machinery by the
use of divers and dynamite. It is be
lieved the work can be done by private
wrecking corporations, and negotia
tions are already afoot for placing the
contract, based on work by the day, at
an estimated cost of $200,000.
At tbe navy department specific de
nial was given of the report emanating
from Madrid that a torpedo flotilla
was about to leave Key West for Cuba.
It was stated that only two torpedo
boats, the Cushing and Ericsson, are
at Key West, and these have not been
ordered, and will not be ordered, ac
cording to the present plans, to Cuba.
It was strongly asserted that no pres
ent purpose existed of sending another
warship there.
On the streets there was noticeably
less excitement than yesterday, when
the people were loth to believe that
the loss of the Maine could be traced to
other than Spanish sources.
All the flags throughout the city, in
cluding those on the capitol and the de
partment buildings, are flying at half
mast, and among the others is con
spicuously that of "Cuba libre," which
flies from the staff of the Hotel
Raleigh, tbe headquarters of the Cuban
junta. '
- BelloToa a Harvey Torpedo Did It.
Chicago, Feb. 19. Emil Gathman,
the inventor, believes the Maine was
destroyed by a Harvey torpedo. He
is conversant with Havana harbor, and
from personal examination is familiar
with tbe equipment of the Maine.
Mr. Gathman served two years aa a
naval apprentice aboard the training
ship Portsmouth when Captain Sigsbee
waa her commander. Three years ago
he was a member of the engineering
corps which conducted the second triul
trip of the Maine.
The Inaoioneo of Woylor.
Barcelona, Feb. 19. Lieutenant
General Weyler, who arrived here to
day, expressed the opinion, in the
course of an interview, that the dis
aster which had befallen the United
States warship in Havana was due "to
the insolence of her crew." He an
nounced his intention to ask the gov
ernment's permission to go to Havana
and stand as a candidate for the cham
ber of deputies for the Havana district.
Dlnn and Wrecking Gear.
Key West, Feb. 19. The coast sur
vey steamer A. D. Bachs arrived this
afternoon from Dry Tortugaa in com
mand of Lieutenant Barnet. Early to
morrow morning she will leave for Ha
vana, taking divers and such wreckage
gear as is obtainable.
Major Myrick Not Surprised.
Savanah, Ga., Feb. 19. Major John
B. Myrick, of Fort Wadsworth, N. Y.,
here attending the Carter court-martial,
said today that be was not sur
prised at the explosion on the ns
the Cincinnati came near auf a
similar fate in almost exactly tl.e t-
spot in 18AS, ber coal lguitina (nun
spontaneous combustion and ivt.ic I i
way almost to the compartment fur
storing explosives, ,