The Oregon mist. (St. Helens, Columbia County, Or.) 188?-1913, March 11, 1898, Image 1

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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;'