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About The Oregon mist. (St. Helens, Columbia County, Or.) 188?-1913 | View Entire Issue (March 11, 1898)
On mirt J W 1 VOL. XV. 8T. HELENS, OHEGON, FRIDAY, MA11CII 11, 1898. NO. 12. il ini In . U u u. u -a NEWS OF THE WEEK From all Parts of the New and Old World. BRIEF AND INTERESTING- ITEMS Comprehennlre Review of the Import. nl Happening's of tlie Cur. root Week. General elections for the Ontario legislature took plaoe throughout tti province the early part of the week and resulted in virtnitl defeat for the liberal government, which has held power for more than 35 years. It li mill In London that the Bank of France hat advanced the price of gold, with a vlow of preventing further export of diver. The market ia weak, on rumors that the Indian import duty on sliver will be rati. A special from Port Angeles, Wmh,, says: Charles Hendricks was aliot and killed from ambush by Fred Edward, who then committed suicide. The wen were neighbor and quarreled over trivial affair few days ago. The monthly treasury statement of the publio iloht shows that the duht. less cash In the treasury, at the close of business February 28, amonnted to f 1, 010,104,816, s decrease for the month of 11,697,133. Thli decrease ia afr counted lor by a corresponding In' crease in cash. At a mast meeting held in Spring' field, O., to raise funds for a n0uu went to the victims of the Maine, Gov ernor Botbiiell, in lettor pledging f 10, said that if it were proved that Spanish treachery destroyed the Maine, lie was In favor of building the monu ment on the ruins of Morro castle. : It "how seems eertain that the steam er Corona, whioh went ashore on I wis island, January SB, while on her way to Uyea and Bkagwny, will be saved. Captain Miner O. Goodall reports that under favorable weather conditions ha will be able to float the vessel and have her on her way south very shortly, According to a late Issue of the Skag' way News, the ill-fated Clara Nevada carried down to death 65 human beings on her fatal voyage. Among the pas sengers were several members of the O'Brien party on their way buck from the upper Yukon gold fields, and carry ing with them their Joint fortune, variously estimated at from 100,000 to 120,000. Representative Bell, of Colorado, has introduced a bill in the house providing that no person interested in anamocia' tlon whioh issues government money hall be eligible to the office of sttcre tary of the treasury. The ineligibility is not to be remedied by disposing of the interest in the association or hank for the purpose of taking the office of secretary. In the United States supreme court an opinion was handed down In a case Involving the constitutionality of the territorial law fixing a day s work in smolters and mines in the territory at eight hours. The court held that the law was an exercise of the state's polite powers. The decision of the supreme court of Utah was affirmed. The navy department has just com pleted the allotment among the states of the appropriation of $50,000 made for the assistance of the naval militia organisations. The . allotments are smaller this year than heretofore, ow ing to the fpct that while the organiza tion are increasing in number, hence the-effort now being made, to secure from congress an increase of $00,000. Senator Wilson, of Washington, says that the amendment of Representative Ellis, which has been proponed to his bill to settle the land claims and con tests with the Northern Pacific, will result in defeating all legislation rela tive to the matter. Neither bill can go through, he declares, if they are to be amended. The senator hopes to iret his provision made a part of the sundry oivil bill. . According to a report placed before President McKinley there are now available for military duty in the United States 10,078,716 able-bodied men, and of these 113,082 are already in the militia, forming the nucleus of tremendous fighting force. This is without considering the skeleton United States army, whioh could on short notice recruit up to 100,000 men. Senator MoBrlde of Oregon, has re ported from the committee on com merce hie amenlment to the diplo matic and consular appropriation bill, providing tor a consulate at Vladivo stok, with a salary of $3,500, and also for consulate at Rossland, B. C, at a salary of $3,000, TheBe amendments Bmator McBrlde intotids to urge before the senate when the diplomatic and consulate appropriation bill it consid ered. It can be stated positively no river and harbor bill will be reported at this Session of congress. The house lead ers are opposed to more river and har bor bills, and the friends of the bill on the committee believe it will be better to wait until the short session after the congressional elections next fall, when a complete and comprehensive bill can be reported, rather than attempt to pass an inaklequtae bill at this session, Annie I Edwards, of Jamieson, Pa., ; wss found murdered in her bedroom Monday night.- Her head was beaten nHost to a jelly and the room bore evi dence of terrible struggle. There It no clow to the murderers. Emperor William hps arrived at Wil hemshaven to attend the ceremony of swearing in the naval reoruits. Infer ring to the bars of the German Sag, he said that black represented work, white rest and peace, and red blood, each of which was necessary to cement the others together. A DUEL WITH SWORDS. Cavalotti, the Italian Poet and States man, Killed. Rome, March 8. Signor Felloe Carlo Cavalotti, the poet, dramatist, publicist and well-known radical mem ber of the chamber of deputies for Cor telona, was killed here this afternoon In a duel with swords with Signor Ms cola, member of deputies and editor of the Uuzaetta di Venozia The eiuioun. tor was the outcome of a press polem ioa in the columns of the Milan Seoolo at an unfrequented spot outside the Porta Magorn. Signor Maoola't sec ends were Demit Ins Signor Guido Ku' slnato, a professor at the university of Turin and member of Foltre, and Signor Bizzonl, the publicist, snd Signor Tassl, member of the chamber of deputies. Shortly before the meeting, Signor Cavalotti seemed in excellent spirits, and even Joked with his seconds. When the word was given, he attacked his opponent vigorously. The first two engagements wore without result, but in the third, Signor Cavalotti re ceived a thrust In the throat that severed his ingular vein. At first, it was thought he was only slightly injured, but the gravity of the wound was scran perceived on his put ting his hand to his mouth. He with drew it covered with blood and oonld not utter a word. The doctors and his seconds carried him . to Zelllno, and laid him in a bed in the residence of the Countess Celiro. There, tracheot omy was performed, and artificial breathing attempted, but all efforts were useless. Signor Cavalotti expired in 10 minutes, without speaking again. Signor Manila did not receive a scratch. The news, on reaching the oity, caused a great sensation. Numerous deputies and friend hurried to the scene, and there Is universal regret over the death of Cavalotti. CUSTOMS INSPECTORS. Mounted Patrol for the Northern Part of Wanhlnton. . Port.Towsned, Wash., March 8. A feature- heretofore unknown in the Pnget sound costume district has been inaugurated. It consists of mounted inspectors, and the first man appointed to a position on horse hack is Enoch F. Plummer, of this place. Collector HuNKtit was recently authorised by the treasury department to establish a mounted inspecotrs' patrol on the boundary between Eastern Washington and British Columbia, with headquar ters at Northport, A mounted inspector is allowed a salary of $3.50 per day, with SO cents extra per day for horse hire, and is expected to cover the boundary line for a distance of from 35 to 40 miles as often as possible, riaroa Street Battle. . Texar&ana, Ark., Maroh 8. A fierce street battle occurred here this after noon in which one man was killed out right, another mortally wounded and a third seriously injured. Vinson Ura vlanl is mortally wounded, shot through the breast, shoulder, arm and leg. Pete Darigo is seriously wound ed. , The participants were barbers. S. A. Uingola and his son-in-law, Mike Cannela, were about to come to blows. whon the Graviani hoys and Darrigo unnoted, to intrecede. Oingola and Ounnela turned upon theGraviauis and both sides drawing revolvers, the battle was soon in progress. More than 80 siiots were fired. Gingola and Can nela fled. The Corona Floated. Seattle, Maroh S. The steam schooner Lakmo, which arrived this af ternoon from Alaska, brings the newt that the steamer Corona, which went on a rook at Lewis island, was floated last Thursday evening. The Corona it Considerably injured, the worst plaoe being under the forward hatch, where she first struck the rock. At this point, her keel is turned over for 80 feet. This can be temporarily fixed from the inside. . After entering and oloaring at Victoria, the Corona will be brought to Port Townsend, where her cargo will be unloaded. Captain Goodall then expects to take her to San Francisco without going intoadrydook. Crnlu of an Klght-Tonnar. Port Townsend, March 8. The eight-ton schooner Anna Catharine put Into this place last night en route from ... , San Francisco to Alaska. schooner left the Golden Gate, nearly three months ago, she carried five persons, four men and one woman. On the way up the coast the little crait came near being wrecked, and was forced to put into Tillamook, where the woman deserted and returned to San Francisco. Fresh suppliet were taken on her today, and the schooner headed for the north. Mounting Gnnt at Point Loin a. San Dicco, Cal March 8. Lieuten ant Humphreys, commanding battery D, Third Artillery, stationed at this place, has received orders to send his company of artillery at once to Point Loraa to mount the three 10-inoh rifles recently delivered there by the United States government for the defense of this harbor. Itus.la Takes a Slice. London, March 8, The Peking cor respondent of the Times says: "Russia has demanded that China surrender to her all sovereignty over Port Arthur and Talien Wan for the same period and on the same conditions as given Germany at Kiuo Chou. . , One Kngllahman'e Opinion. London, March 8. The Daily Mail, disotissing the "probability that the United States may goad Spain into de claring war as a late desperate move,' says: . . '' J 'In America's unprepared condition Spain could inflict appalling damage. Neither could conquer the other, and the utmost America could, gain would be the eqtilvooal triumph of securing Cuban indenondenoe. Jf Snain takes the first step, America will have herself ( to thank." ASKED LEE'S RECALL Government Refused to Com' ply With Spain's Request. TUB CUBAN BELIEF EXPEDITION Mpaln's Doalre That the Warahlps Be Replaced by Merchant Ves sels Alu Refused. Madrid, March 8. Senor Gullon, Spanish minaister of foreign affairs, re cently intimated to Unite 1 States Min ister Woodford that the Spanish govern' ment desired the recall of Consul-den' eral Lee, and that the American war ships which have been designated to carry supplies to the relief of the auf ferers in Cuba should be replaced by merchant vessels, in order to deprive the assistance sent to the reconcentrados of an official character. Minister Woodford cabled the request to Washington, which replied refusing to recall General Lee in the present circumstanes or to countermand the or dors for the dispatch of the war vessels, making the representation that the war vessels are not fighting ships. Sold Spain the Mines. London, March 8. According to the statement of a man whose cards de scribe him as an electrloallengineer, whose name cannot be disclosed, but which has been forwarded to Washing ton, he told to Spanish officers in Lon don several yean ago large number of mines, eight or ten of which were placed In Havana harbor. He says they were made in a special way, and had a specially and peculiarly con structed cable, which he contends he can positively identity, if the smallest piece it produced. Some of the mines, the man continues, were fixed so they could be fired from a fort, and two of them had bulbs arranged so that they would explode when a vessel came in contact with them. But the alleged electrical engineer adds that he does not believe that the bulbs would be used in water as shallow as that of Ha vana harbor. He exhibited the plans of one of these mines, which, he point ed out, waa the most likely to produce the effeot described in the wreck of the Maine. It was number "3," and was constructed to contain 600 pounds of gun cotton. This is the story told by the man, who gives one the impression that he has been sergeant of engineers or hss held some similar position. He was apparently thoroughly posted upon electrical matters and submarine mines. The man ia an Englishman, and he says ha is willing to go to the United States as a witness. TAKING OF HAVANA. Cuban City Would Ho Kany Prey rot Americans. Havana, Maroh 8. As the convio tion becomes settled that tbo court of inquiry will decide that there was a mine explosion under the Maine, dis cussion among American naval officers and civilians here ia prevalent as to the warlike measures which it is believed the United States government will adopt in case the question of payment of indemnity by Spain is overruled. A majority believe that American troops will be landed at some port east of Havana and the insurgents communi cated with; - that the Spanish soldiers will be defeated or captured in detail and that, in the meantime, a fleet of United States vessels will blockade, if not bombard, Havana harbor. No one seems to doubt that the re duction of this oity would be oompsra' tively easy, Four 13 inch guns, two weet and two east of the city, are the only ones that are considered danger ous. They are not likely to be well served, while their emplacements are not modern. That some Spaniards are of the opin ion that an attack on Havana will be made is believed to be shown by the abnormal aotivity . displayed onboard the Viascaya. The press correspondent has the best naval authority for the statement that the Viscaya is in a con- . - , ,: , . i 5"?" ' Z 1 day and night inside the harbor and ontHide the harbor at night. It is pointed out that the men-of-war Vlc caya and Almirante Oquendo might be caught in a blockade and fall an easy prey to a United States fleet. The cruiser Alfonso XIII is without boilers and would be of no account. All this discussion of the probability of war among Americans and Spaniards proves nothing, and only shows the state of feeling here. Now that the Almirante Oquondo and the Vlacaya are lying in the har bor, the Spaniards exultingly declare that their city is safe, and it is given out officially in the papers that the new arrival is of the same else, as to armament and complement, as the Vis oaya. - The conduct of the Spanish divers who are investigating the wreok of the Maine ia a mystery. Thus far they have not been down five hours in the aggregate, and they show no disposi tion to make a thorough inquiry. It is impossible to learn the truth fully re garding the purpose of the Spanish court of inquiry, but it ia generally be lieved that the divers went down for form's sake only and that their report will be made in accordance with In structions from Madrid. It may be that the Spanish divers have discovered that the whole port side of the Maine forward is gone, and, having so report, ed, further examination is deemed un necessary. ." .; ' The work of our own divers hence forth is bound to be slow, owing to the ponderous weights to be moved and the I BBACl.J' VtHUH'., UUVO HUU . ...... I I . . .1 M,ia,a Mm, safety clamps, nuts and rivets J must be tint. BUILD THE CANAL. Object of Newly Formed Syedlcele of Snt.ni Capitalists. Chicago, Maroh 7. The Tribune ays: A syndicate to take the conoes tiont granted the Maritime Company by the republics of Nioaragua and Costa Rica for the construction of the canal is in process of organization by E. F, Oram in, of this city, who it now in New York negotiating the contracts by which the new owners of the conces sions granted by the Central American republics and for the work already ac complished will come into his posses' tion. T. E. Cooley, who has been as sooiated with Mr. Cramin in the enter' prise, is also in New York, gathering material for the specifications, which will be within the next 10 days present' ed to contractors for bids on the differ ent sections of the work. The new syndicate for the construc tion of the Nicaragua canal will soon know within a few million dollars just how much it is going to cost, fin' ished and ready for the passage of the first ship. A rough estimate from the data at hand on the return of Mr. Cramin and Mr. Cooley from their trip over the canal a few weeks ago, placed the cost within $76,000,000. Mr. Cooley was of the opinion that at fur ther data was collected regarding the nature of the excavation over a part of the route, the cost might be out down to $66,000,000. This it far inside the estimates which have been presented to congrets in the appeals of the Mari time Company for government aid. The preparation of the specifications of the contractors hat been as -thor ough as the data in existence permitted. Mr. Cooley secured all the material col lected by the engineers for the Mari' time Company. He then took the re ports of the commission from the United States engineer corps and to these he added all the material to be had during his thorough inspection of the canal at the capitals of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Immediately upon bit return from his trip of inspection a to roe of engineers was set to work un der his direction, bringing Into form thit mast of material. Just prior to bis departure from New York, he inti mated that the specifications were so nearly completed that in a short time they would go into the hands of the contractors for bids. Bonds will be re quired with all bids, and when the figures have been added, for the first time in all the years that men have been trying to join the Atlantio and Pacific by ship canals it will be known somewhere near the actual figures just how much the work is going to cost. the .Nicaragua canal, he aaid, "is being treated as a business proposition. Our people want to know where the thing is going when they begin putting in their money. We are going to tell them. There is no great mystery in canal-building that it should not be determined approximately what a canal is going to cost, if engineers are honest enough to estimate properly the work before them. The construction of the Illinois drainage oanal has educated the contractors who did that work, and tbey know just what to expect on the Nloa ragoa canal. Their representatives have been over the ground, they have studied climatic conditions, learned what their labor would cost, can esti mate closely the cost of transportation to the canal of their machinery and mateiial. With the specifications in their hands they can bid as intelli jently as if the work waa in an Ameri can state." . The terms by which the control of the property and concessions of the Maritime Company has come into the hands of the new syndicate are not given out. Their arrangement waa the work of several months before the trip to Nicaragua was mado. ' Who are back of the syndicate it not given out by the promoters, but it ia olaimed that the contractors have been satisfied of its financial stability. How much government aid and in what shape will be asked are also matters whioh neither Mr. Cramin nor Mr. Cooley gives out for publication at the present juncture. Mr. Cramin and Mr. Cooley are expected to remain in New York about a week longer in the settle ment of the transfer of the canal from Uie Maritime Company to the new syndioate. ALASKA BILL PASSED. Concessions' Given Canada In Lien oi Certain Privileges. ' Washington, Maroh 7. After de bate lasting several days, the senate late thit afternoon passed the bill ex tending the homestead laws and pro viding for'rlght of way for railroads in the district of Alaska. Comparatively little dieoussion of goneral interest was created by the. bill. Section 18, pro viding tor certain bonding concessions to Canada, in lieu of privileges to be extended by the Dominion government to this country, however, induoed a rather lively debate, at it brought into the controversy the old fisheries ques tion on the New England coast, which has been pending between the United States and Groat Britain for 100 years. The statement was made on the floor of the senate that there was every rea son to believe that by the passage of the bill the fisheries question oonld be settled without great effort, as assur ances to that effect had been received from large and influential element in Canada. . In the Bouse. Two more appropriation bills were sent to the president today, the pension hill and the consular and diplomatic bill, both of whioh went through their final stage In the house today. This was private bill day. ' The most im portant action taken was acquiescence in an agreement to make the bill ap propriating about $1,800,000 for war claims, approved by the court of claims, under the provisions of the Bowman act, a special order for next Friday. ON AMERICAN-SOIL Canadians Raise British Flag on Summit of White Pass. SLOWLY KEACHISO FOB COAST Payment of Doty to Canadians at That Point Will Bo Restated No Mar tial Law at Skafway. Seattle, March 7. -Five steamers arrived . from Alaska today the Uto pia, Hoeneme, Del Norte, Protection and Queen. The Queen left Skngway last Sunday. E. R. Knapp, of Boston, who came down on the Queen, author. izes the statement that the Canadian authorities raised the British flag on the summit of White pass on Saturday, February 26. This has heretofore been considered American territory. Mr, Knapp't authority for the statement is the foreman of the Humbert Trans portation Company's pack train. He reported the affair to Mr. Knapp, who Is connected with the company, just belore the latter left Skagway. In reference to the report that mar tial law had been proclaimed at Skag way, Mr, Knapp said that when he left last Sunday no such action bad been taken; neither was it anticipated. Mr. Knapp also said that the reports of deaths at Dyea, Skagway and on tlx trails had been very much exaggerated. He had made s personal examination, and ascertained that since November I there had been 19 deaths at Skagway, and 18 at Dyea, This is not at all large, considering the population of the two plaoes. . The report tbat.two men from Daw son had perished on Whtie pass, with a large amount of gold dust on them, is said by Mr, Knapp to have no founds tion. .... .'. The rivalry between the towns of Skagway and Dyea is characterized by Mr. Knapp as being "at white heat," and is the reason, he thinks, that so many exaggerated stories of death and hardship are sent out. Each town is doing all it can to throw discredit on the other. It is feared that serious trouble will grow out of the Canadians' attempt to collect duty on the summit .of White and Chilkoot passes, and the Americans will resist the payment of duties on what they consider American ground. Another complication will result from the various tramways which are being constructed to carry freight over the passes. The officials of these tram- wavs are reported to have declared that any interruption with their construc tion work or any attempt to exercise any right of ownership wil! be resisted. It is thought at Dyea and Skagway that the next movement on the part of the Canadian authorities will be to claim sovereignty over those two places. Last Sunday the boundary line was at Lake Bennett, then at Lindemann, and now is at the summit of the mountains. which is only about 30 miles from salt water. Two days before the Queen left Skag way, the wind, which had blowa from the north continuously for seven weeks. shifted and began to blow from the southwest, causing a general thaw to set in. The changed weather caused hundreds of people who had been de tained by the severe cold to start over the trails from both Skagway and Dyea, and when the steamer left, a gen eral exodus from both towns was taking place. Both trails are reported in ex cellent condition. A Portland Man' Opinion. Portland, Or., March 7. Northwest territory officials have taken the initi ative in the contest for possession of Summit lake, by raising the Canadian flag on its shores. This lake, according to Dr. Horace R. Littlefield, one of the best-posted men regarding Alaskan affairs on the coast, is situated, as its name implies, at the summit of White pass, about 16 miles from Skagway. Both the United States and Canada claim it, and the dispute regarding it has engendered bitter feelings between Americans and Canadians in Alaska, whioh have rapidly increased in inten sity of late. The American claim to the lake is generally considered to be quite as well founded as that of Can ada, and the action of the Dominion officials is premature, if not wholly un justified. Suffering Ii Terrible. Portland, Or., March 7. Following is an extract from a letter dated Febru ary 81, from Rev. W. W, Warne, at Haines mission, Chilkat, Alaska, re ceived by William Wadhams yesterday: "Winter set in four or five days ago and now we are experiencing all the rigors of an Alaska winter. The suf fering of some of the newcomers it ter rible. The Perry Humbert expedition, stationed here.is going to lose 180 head of horses and oxen in day or two more if they cannot get feed. I have loaned them all I had; now we are all out, except few sacks of grain I kept for myself. "There is not a bale of bay to be bad in the country, and all of the grain is gone. Mr. (smith is now reeding 1,000 sacks of flour to try and tide ever the storm. They have a little rioe they will feed next. They cannot keep the poor animals either tied or blanketed, as they chew everything up. 'There have been several cases of froeaing before thit on the passes, and I expect when the storm ia over and time elapses for people to get out and back, there will be a good many dead bodies brought in. So far as I have learned, no bodies have been recovered yet from the ill-fated Clara Nevada. Winter is a terrible thing up here; I don't see what possesses people to come. My heart aches for their fool ishness. They should at leant wait nntil spring, when the trails are open and the weather not so severe." CABINET IS ANXIOUS. Wants to Know When the Report May Ha Kzpeeted. Washington, March 7. It was de veloped thit afternoon, through tele graphic correspondence between Seere tayr Long and Admiral Sicard, that the court of inquiry it unable to fix even an approximate date for the conclusion of its Investigation into the disaster to the Maine. Sharing in the general anxiety for information,' Secretary Long today, at the instance of the cabinet, telegraphed Admiral Sicard asking when it was probable that the report of the court would be made, and late to night the following was received: "Secretary of the Navy I have talked with the president of the court of inquiry and agree with him that it is not yet possible to fix a date for the finding, as so much depends upon the progress of tun divers and wreckers, and the results they obtain. Every effort is being made to advance the in' quiry. The court intends to return to Havana this evening, having finished the investigation at Key West. SICARD." Admiral Sioard't message is regard ed as disposing of the reports that the court has obtained positive or oonolu sive information beating on the subject of its investigation. It is taken to mean that upon the testimony or dis coveries of the divers will depend the finding, the examination of the officers and crew having been insufficient to enable the court to even form an idea as to what lines may be opened up from the investigation of the wreck itself. While the telegram was naturally somewhat of a disappointment, in leav ing the termination of the inquiry as much in doubt as ever, it was wel corned as practically setting at rest the reports as to the results of the invest igation np to date. It is stated that the board, in all probability, will not return to Key West, the department having intimated that it was its desire that the examination of the officers and men should be concluded at this sit ting, as they are needed for reassign ment to other ships. , ; THE SOUND'S DEFENSES. Contractors Are Offered Bonuaea to (Expedite the Work. Fort Townsend, Wash., March 7. It is reported here today that both firms of contractors, now constructing fort it! oations for the government at Marrow stone point and Admiralty head, have been offered bonuses to expedite the work. An additional gun pit, not pre viously provided on the estimates for this year's work on Admiralty head, at the entrance of the straits opposite this city, will be oommenoed in a short time. The pit will be about SO feet square, sufficient to accommodate guns and the machinery for operating them. In ad' dition to the pit proper, there will be underground rooms for storing ammunt tion. The work of securing title to laud to be used for the government fortifies' tions at Point Wilson is being pushed at rapidly as possible, and the work of construction will be under way there early in the coming summer. Spain Bonaht Two Cruleera. London, March 7. Spain has pur chased two cruisers which the Arm strongs have been building for Brazil, the Amnzosos and her sister ship, no rm rued, of 4,000 tons each, S3 knots and 10 guns. Spam is also negotiat ing for and will probably secure two cruisers of a similar type whioh have been building in France for Brazil. The Amasonns is ready for launching, and ber sister ship will soon be ready The Spanish government is also en deavoring to secure guns and large suppliet of ammunition in England and the Continent for immediate use. The government of Spain seems to have funds, for it ia understood to be paying a large part of the purchase money in cash, giving good security for the balance, these being the only terms upon which the Armstrongs wonld deal. Will Be Anthorlaed. Washington, March 7. The senate committee on military affairs today de cided to recommend the passage of a joint resolution authorizing the aban donment of the expedition for the re lief of the miners in the Klondike re gion, which was authorised last Decem ber. There solution provides for the sale of both the reindeer and the sup plies purchased for the expedition. There was a suggestion that the rein deer brought here from Norway could be ntilized by the interior department, but the committee took the view that the animala should be sold in prefer ence to holding them for any depart ment of the government. Proctor Saw a Fight. New York., March 7. The Herald's Havana correspondent says that in his recent excursions Senator Proctor saw a lively engagement between a band of 360 insurgents and an equal number of Spanish infantry. This took place al most within sight of Matanzas, in the streets of which city the senator was later approaohed by a messenger from General Gomez, who openly proclaimed his identity and mission. Marines Sent Weet. Atlanta, Ga., March 7. The navy department is transferring marines from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. For three days a party of two or three marines have passed through Atlanta each day on their way to the Pacific coast. The marines come from Norfolk and are all going to Vallcjo, Cal. Wants Cuban Corroepoadeneo. Washington, ' March 7. Senator Morgan said today it was his purpose to introduce a resolution at an early date making a second call upon the president for consular correspondence bearing upon the condition of affairs tu Cuba, I PREPARING FOR WAR Unwonted Activity at the New York Arsenal. AMMUNITION STORES INCREASED Shipment of Shell and Other Frejeo. tile to Harbor FortlOeatlons Twenty New Mortars. New York, Maroh 6. There ia a continuance of unwonted activity at the New York arsenal. The shipping of shells and other projectiles, to the fortifications a boot the harbor con tinues. At army headquarters there are no new developments, and no or ders out of the customary routine are expected. It it laid that s battery of 20 12-inch mortars will be soon re ceived at Sany Hook for testing before they are forwarded to the points for which they are destined. There are t number of unmounted guns at the tion of carriages. The supply of am munition has been increased in all the magazines, and it so arranged that it can be made immediately available. The men at the posts seem much more pleased at the work they have to do than when the gunt lay idle and in a condition unfit for active use. At Sandy Hook, however, there ia a slight complaint among the men, who say that too much work is expected of too small a force. A large consignment of ammunition, including powder and projectiles, it ready for shipment at the ordnance de partment in the Brooklyn navy-yard. Commander Swift, who has charge of the department, superintended the work of packing. Commander Swift has received instructions from Wash ington to forward the supplies as soon as possible to Key West, whence they will be distributed among the United States war veasels now in that neigh bor hood. When asked if the consign ment was not an unusually large one, Commander Swift replied that it is not, and that when it had been divided up between the severe! ships none of them will have more than the regular complement in her magazines. Many of the projectiles are for gunt of large caliber. As yet no information has been re ceived as to what disposition is to be made of the guns whioh have recently been shipped to the yard from Washing ton. These guns are of different sizes, and as neither the Chicago nor the At lanta, which are being overhauled at the yard, will be ready to receive the guns for at least six months, it ia ru mored that they are for auxiliary ves sels. PROCTOR FULLY POSTED. Has Seen the Darkest Side ofthoCahaa Situation. Havana, March 5. A naval officer here today, in reply to a suggestion that it was a pity such an important decision as the verdiot of the court of inquiry into the Maine explosion should rest solely upon the testimony of divers, who seemed men of only average intel ligence, replied: . , "The court of inquiry has not had to depend upon divers' testimony alone.' Then, realizing that he bad said more than he intended, the officer resumed his habitual reserve. It is believed that the testimony of Lieutenant Com mander Wainwright was highly impor tant as bearing on the question of the existence of submarine mines. . Senator Proctor has seen much in a short time, and there is good authority for saying that he will make the results of his observations known in a strong speech in the senate on his return to Washington. Senator Proctor, however, said to a correspondent: "Certainly a peculiar state of affairs exists. Residents of Matanzas told me that if I wished to correspond with General Gomez they would send my letter to him and have an answer back in a short time." The fleet at Hons Kone;. Madid, March 6. The public is much exercised over the report of the pres ence of a squadron of United Stales warships at Hong Kong, as it is pre sumed the vessels intend to threaten Manila, the capital of Philippine island, in the event of war between the United States and Spain. Imparoial, in an article headed To Manila, to New York," quotes an un named high personage who scouts the idea of an imminent rupture, and says: The presence of warships at Hung Kong it only Washington's policy with a view to contenting the jingoes." The high personage is said to have added: "But America has not so many warships as to warrant such bold action. If the Yankees go to the Philippines, the Spaniards will go to New York. " El Globo remarks: The govern ment is still alive to the critical 'situa tion, and is silently preparing for the worst. But it is too diplomatic to dis close the procedure by which it is pre paring for emergencies." San Francisco, Maroh 6. The war department hat issued orders for the immediate transfer of ammunition from the Benicia arsenal to this city. The object is to supply the needs of the mortar batteries and heavy ordnance at the Presidio and Black point. Chicago, March 5. A special to the Daily News from Washington says; Spain will have to reckon with Japan as well as with the United States in the event : the ' responsibility of the Maine explosion is laid at the itnnr of the don. The navy department h: as certained that on the Maine wnre sev eral Japanese subjects cnijihiyed as cooks or other servants, and ih:t thny were lout. The fact of their de ath ha been made known to the Japans ; "v ernment through the state dej.'Hrm;'