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About Oregon City press. (Oregon City, Or.) 1896-1??? | View Entire Issue (March 16, 1898)
CITY PR The News . While It Is News Leading otthe Paper., county VOL. II. OHKGON CITY, OREGON, MAliCIl 1G, 1898. NO. 59. OREGON -V V I r i FEEDING THE CUBANS America Doing What Spain Has Failed to Do. WORK OF DISTRIBUTION BEGINS Senator 1'iootor Ilellrret That Maine KxpInloii Came From Did OuUlile. th ITnvniia, Marcli 15. Kvorything dioates tliat the distribution of rulio dtores sent from the United States will go forward hereafter more speedily and effectively, attaining hotter results than ever before. Whilo much good ltus been done, no doubt there is more room for improvement. Matters appear to have reachei criHiH yesterday in Matanzas, where there was a want of proper preparation on the purt of certain relief agent up pointed ironr Havana, whore, in view of the large daily averugo of deaths, it was felt that there should have been greater dispatch in delivering supplios ami in arranging to have them properly cooked, lint it is slated that the United States coiiHiil-gonreral and Lewis Klopseh, of President MoKinley's Bpeoial commission, will not only ex ereise a close business supervision, but will insist that the work of today shall not be put off until tomorrow. Everyone is gratified to learn that a famous Catholio priest, who will not ullow his namo to be published, will give all the aid in his power to Consul General Lee and Mr. Klopsoh, not only in Havana, where . tho suffering is much alieviated, but outside, where re lief is most urgently needed. The United States consuls nt Matan- ns and Sugnn and tho consular agents in other oities can be relied upon, it is hulieved, with tho help of tho local Spanish committees, to push forward the good work with all due speed. The need of relief supplies is practically undiminished, and there is no fear that the contributions already here or to :oine will not be properly used. A correspondent at Matanzas says the governor has uppoionted a distribution oomniittee. They secure his signature to orders for fond, winch is then deliv ered by United States Consul Brioe from the warehouse. The, local firemen see that food is delivered to the needy. They have been active in, relief work hitherto, ami have made a careful oun vuss from house to house. Mr. Brico has appointed three Amer ioan women with power to give aid in dependently of the governor's signature to thoso who are en I led "silent suffer ers," the class who have sold or pawned everything, but are too proud to let their wants be known. The Fern MM Bergen have gone with supplies. Mr. Briee is sutisliod with the arrangements and is much en couraged. He says great good will be accomplished in the course of a week. Condensed milk, of which too niuoh has been sent to Havana, is badly needed at Matanzas and Sagua. One woman in the Matanzas hospital, on hearing the word "milk", went frantic, Bhrieking "milk" for hours. Mr. Briee has supervision of the en tire relief work, with full power to give personally in cases he knows to be deserving. Senor de Annas, the gov ernor, is said to be a humane and good man. The Anita, with the congressional party, loft today for Sagua. TO MEET THE EMERGENCY. BOWERY MISSION FIRE. Elf ven Men Were lturneil to Death In the Vlamti. Now York, March 15. Eleven men lort their lives in tho fire which Bwept the Bowery mission lodging-houso t!:is morning and left it a blackened shell. Their bodies are so charred that most f'f them may never be recognized. The lead are supposed to be: Ellas Cuddy, 29 years old, address not known. John Moran, Staploton, 8. I. McDermott, 20 years old, address not known. James O'Rourke. James Soden, of Spottswood, N. J. Six bojies unidentified. No. 105 Bowory is one of the best- known lodging-houses on that thorough fare. It is callod the Bowery mission lodging-house, and is conducted by the Oliristian Herald. In one part of the building there is a cheap rostaurunt. rho second floor is used exclusively for mission purposes, gospel meetings bo ing held thore daily. The two upper Boors were fitted tip us cheap lodgings, with accommodations for 100 mules, who paid 10 to 25 cents each, accord ing to the location of the room. Last night almost every bed was was occupied. At 1:30 o'clock this morn ing, one of the lodgersdiscovercd flames coaling from a washroom on the third Hoor, Out before ho had time to alarm the house, the fire was noticed by per sons on the street. By this time the flumes had euton their way to the top jf the building, and were bursting through the roof when the alarm was jiven and the inmates aroused. AVild scenes of excitement ensued. Many of the lodgers became panic-stricken. They rushed into tho halls and fell Dver each other in their -efforts to reaoh the streets. Those on the lower floors got to the streets safely by the stair ways, wlule those on the upper floors groped their way through the blinding smoke to tho tiro cscapo in front of the building. A majority of them saved only portions of their clothing, while several of them were naked. ' Those who made their way to the streets by the fire escapes wore superficially burned by the excessive heat of the iron ladders, which in many places had become redhot from tho flumes within. The firemen saved many lives. DOLE HOME AGAIN. SPURIOUS COINS IN PRISON. Two Cnnvlote at FulHom Are Caught In the Act of Counterfeiting. Folsom, (Jul., March 14. A coun terfeiting plant has been discovered within the walls of the state prison hero. Tho work was dono in the engine-room by Conviots L. H. Coyne and James Brown, and so far as known only nickels were coined, presumably be cause no precious metals could be ob tained. The men were discovered in the act of making bogus ooins by guards', who had been told of what was going on. When the officers rushed in Coyne and Brown leaped through a window and threw their dies and cruciblo into a canal leading to the American river. A large number of well-executed 5 cent pieces wero found. They were made ot Babbitt metal, taken from the engines which run through the prison grounds to haul rock from tho quarries. It is thought the dies wore not made by the men who coined the money, but by some of the expert counterfeiters in the prison. The impression prevails among the officers that it was the intention of the convicts to -oin a great quantity of nickels and ship them out on the freight cars,- where their friends on tho out ride could receive them in exchange for opium. Several of tho bogus coins have beoti found in circulation in the town of Folsom. HE CALLS IT TREASON Governor Leedy's Denuncia- tion of Supreme Court. A STARTLING PUBLIC ADDRESS TWO NEW WARSHIPS. Special Beiilon of Kamai Legislature Will lie Called to I'm. An other Itate Law. th be of Policy Said to Have llecn Formulate d by the Administration. St. Paul, Maroh 15. The Globe's Washington special says: Tho presi dent and his cabinet knpw officially the result of the Maine inquiry. They are prepared to act. They have canvassed the course of events so far as they can foresee them, and have formulated a policy to meet the emergency. Along its line, the administration expeots to move unless it is swept off its feet by a wave of popular dissatisfaction. The Globe's special correspondent is able to present the forecast of events as viewed by the. president and his cabinet. It can be outlined thus: First The board of inquiry will re port that the explosion was external. Second The president will imme diately, through Minister Woodford, demand from Spain an indemnification of f 10,000,000. Third Spain is expected to reply, ex pressing her willingness to pay if she is responsible, but maintaining that her own investigation shows that the ex plosion was internal and purely acci dental. She will, therefore, suggest reference to an international board of arbitration. , Fourth-Mr! such an event, the ad ministration would be disposed to com ply with the suggestion, unless there is a conflict in Havana or an irresistible demand for war sweeps through con gress. Fifth If congress acquiesces in the suggestion, the attempt will be made to adjourn the body and leave the whole uiatter in the president's hands. Sixth It is expected that a large ninjority of congressmen will claim that such a matter of honor cannot be arbi trated. It is further expected that the leaders of both houses, including Sen ator Davis of Minnesota, will favor arbitration. He Bel level That Annexation Will Ulti mately Hueueed. San Francisco, March 15. The steamer China whicfi left Hong Kong February 13 and Honolulu February 24, arrived today, biinging these Ha ni inn advices: President Dolo returned to Honolulu le morning of the 4th. After a cabi net meeting held immediately upon his arrival he was interviewed bv a pres representative. He spoke very frankly 3ii matters pertaining to his mission to Washington. "Yes, I shall bo very glad indeed to tell the people anything I may know relative to annexation," said tho presi- ent. The Maine disaster ' absorbed the attention of tho statesmen in Wash- ngton previous to my departure for Hu- un. When that has quieted down interest in Hawaiian annexation will paramount in congress. When I us in Washington I met many friends Hawaii. They feel conlident that annexation will como. While there was a donbt whother the treaty would seoitre tho required political votes in the senate, still it was tho concensus of opinion that a joint resolution would carry in both houses. I place much reliance in what was said to me by sen ators and representatives who tire light ing for Hawaii, for I know them to be working faithfully and earnestly." "What is Speaker Heed's attitude?" "When I was in the Amciicun capi tal I learned that he has always opposed annexation, although he has made no demonstration against the treaty. My impression of President McKinley? Well, I will reply that it is extremely favorable. I found him to be un unas suming, frank and sterling man. He seems to have set his heart and souon me annexation treaty. "Our leception was extremely cor dial and hospitable. . All along the line to and from Washington throngs of people came to see me. We shook hands, and in many instances I was obliged to speak briefly from the car platform. It was from these people that I gathered the impression that tho addition of Hawaii was tho popular sentiment throughout the land." GAVE A Yukon Coal Mine. Seattle, March 14, Coal in paying Quantities has bcon found on the Yu kon river about 1,000 miles above St. Michaels, and a company is about to be formed of Oregon and California capi talists to operate the mine. This dis covery will be of vast importance to the river interests, as coul depots will be established at various points along the river so that steamers can depend on getting a supply of fuel at intervals of 800 or 400 miles. Tho promoters (I the scheme say they can mine and transport coal to St. Michaels and in termediate points to sell at 1(5 a ton, which they say will reduce present fuel bills over 300 per cent. Tho mine is close to the river hank, so that coul oan be dumped direct into barges on the river. A Terrible Fatality. St. Louis, Marcli 14. Mrs. Helen Bchwann was burned to death yester day while lighting a gasoline stove. She spilled' some of tho liquid on her dress whita filling the tank. When she struck n mutch to light the stove her dress ignited. Her screouiB at tracted her three small children, who ran to her and attempted to pull the burning clothes off their mother. The woman was burned almost to a crisp and died in terrible agony. The three children were all badly burned . about tho hands and face. Favorable lteport Ordered. Washington, March 14. The house committee on public lands agreed to report favorably the Shafroth bill for the cession of all arid lands to the states in which they are located. Un der the Carey act, 1,000,000 acres have already been ceded to the respective Btates, but none but Wyoming huvo taken advantage of the act. Konucratlfl Dead. Los Angeles, March 14. General William Stark liosecrans, the last great captain of tho Union army, died at T o'clock this morning at his home near Redondo. His death was not unexpect ed, it having been reulized several days ago that his illness oould not have other than a latal termination. Union I'aolfla llni Met the Cut. Omaha, March 14, The Burling ton and Union Pacifio announce a rate from Omaha to Portlund and Seattle, meeting the latest out made by the Northern route. Tho fare from here is $20 for first-class and $10 for second class tickets. Lomax, of the Union Pacifio, and Francis, of the Burlington, are both op posed to the war and are doing all they can to get the rates restored. UP THE ATTEMPT. Klondike Could Not (let In liy the Stlckevn Itouto. Port Townsend, March 15. The tteamer Cottage City, which ar--: -1J from Alaska tonight, brought a num ber of passengers from Fort Wrangel, who have given up the attempt to get into the Yukon country by way of-the Stickeen route. Among theni was A. L.' Brown, of Massachusetts, who suc ceeded in getting about 40 miles above Wrangel with his out lit before the depth of the snow stopped further progress. Mr. Brown says about 1,000 men with their outfits are snowed in between Wrangel and Glenora. Philadelphia, March 15. Over $0, 000 was realized for the fund of the woundeil survivon. and the families of those killed on the battle-sihp Maine by a monster theatrical matinee given at the academy of music Kansas City, March 14. Effective, today, the Rock Island announced a rate of $20 second-class on all passenger business from Kansas City to eithor Seattle or Taooma. Mr. Ilryan'i Opinion of It. Atlanta, Ga., Maroh 14. Hon. W. J. Bryan spent a few hours at Atlanta last night on his way to Macon. When asked his opinion as regards the action of congress in placing $50,000,000 at the president's dhposal for the nutional defense, Mr. Bryan said: "I am glad the house acted promptly and unanimously. In fact, it might have been better to have made it a hun dred millions to bIiow the world that congress and American people, without regard to political differences, are ready to support the administration in any action necessary for the protection of the honor and welfare of the nation." "Does this appropriation mean war?" "Not necessarily," replied Mr.Bryan. "Instead of leading to war, a prompt liberality at this time may lessen the probability of war, and in the end prove a wise economy." Shot and Shell for Fort Warren. Boston, March 14. A consignment of ammunition, consisting of 24 tons of shut and shell, came in today, and la being transferred by lighter to Fort Warren and the fortifications at Long Island head. Topeka, Kan., March 14. ThePopu list administration of the state of Kan sas gave out a startling public address today, ono bristling with severe criti cism of the recent decision of the United States supreme court in the Ne braska maximum freight case. Tho ad dress is significant in that Governor Leedy hus already taken steps prelim inary to calling the stuto legislature in special session, with the especial pur poso of enacting a maximum freight rute law. While the address is given out over the signature of Governor Leedy, it had first been approved by Chief Justice Bosler, of the state su preme court and other prominent Pop ulists. In giving the address to tho reporters. Governor Leedy said: "How long do you suppose a man can write treason like this without getting into jail? You may nut my signature to it and make it a signed statement, so that if anybody goes to jail it will bo mo." The governor begins his address with the statomcnt that for a year tho press dispatches have said that the opinion in the Nebraska case would be adverse to tho state. Then he says: "The opinion has been handed down. and the Associated Press dispatches say that it is a clean victory for the rail roads. On the contrary, It is an un clean victory in every respect of the case, showing that no matter how care fully the robes of justice are folded about the personnel of the supreme court, the robes can no longer conceal the cloven hoof of official malfeasance and usurpation. As this decision was due a year ago, and as there was no known reason for the delay, and as the decision as rondered confirms the state ments made in the Associated Press llisputches from. -time. .to, time, strong color is given to the -suspicion that the press dispatches emanated from some person in touch with the court, and were for the purpose of feeling the pulse of the public and preparing it for the decision which goes mnoh fur ther in the direction of usurping power than any that has been made." The governor declares that the con stitution of Nebraska gives the legis lature jiower to estauiiBli maximum charges for transportation, and de clared that tho supreme court has tried to abrogate it. He challenges Justice Harlan's declaration that a corporation is a porson under the 14th amendment to the federal constitution, and says: "I deny it, and so will ovorybody but a corporation lawyer or a subserv ient judloiul tool ot corporate inter ests." Governor Leedy then quotosthe 14th amendment, and says: "How, in the name of God, can this apply to corporations? Corporations are not born; they are created mudo by law. Thoy cannot be naturalized; thoy can tako no oath of allegiance,; only human being!) can do that." After more in the same strain, the governor, still referring to the 14th amendment, says: "Who are the persons who shall not, according to tho provisions, be deprived of life, liberty or property, nor be de nied equal legal protection? Every body outside the asylum and off the judicial bench knows them to be and to only be natural persons. Thoy are those who, beside the capacity to hold property and enjoy legal protec tion, also have life and can, en joy lib erty, and that means human beings." Continuing, the governor quotes "Hare on American Constitutional Law," and a decision by Justiao Woods, of the United States circuit court, afterward supreme court justice, to prove that the 14th amendment does not refer to corporations, and declares that the Woods decision had been fol lowed in California, Rhode Island and other Btates from 1870 to 1882, "when Justice Field and another federal jus tice of the poaoe named Sawyer decided the other way, and since then, when Governmen Huya Thine Building England for Draiil. Washington, March 14. Hoping for the host and prepared for the worst about rcpiesents the situation in th war and navy departments these days The officials still profess confidence that there is to be a peaceful outcome the present threatening differences, but meanwhile, prepare with sorenity meet their duty, if events shapo them elves otherwise. It now seems probable that the Bra liluin cruisers which have been Severn times reported as having been soli Spain, will become the property of th United States government, negotiation for their purchase having been opene in England. Other than these vessels the government has no warships in sight for immediate purchase, accord ing to department officials ut Washing ton.- The most important and signilioan developments of the day were the do. cision of tho house naval committee to place is the naval appropriation bill provision for three now battle-ships, and a conclusion, on the part of the secretary of war, to issue tomorrow morning an order creating a now mili tary department, including within its confines that part of the country which would be in all likelihood nearest the field of hostilities in case it would come to that. The order will causo com motion In the Souiii. ever a corporation starts out to oommit M'16' J"1' th?J W0T,e b;ouh' to B 811,1 highway robbery, pick a man's pocket, or loot a publio treasury, it diguises it self as a 'person' and goes out on its mission of plunder. Nobody but a slave or a knave will yield assent to the hideous distortion of meaning which Judge Harlun gives to the word 'per son,' as used in the 14th amendment, and npon which he bottoms his infa mous decision, and which shows to what depths of iniquity the supreme court of the United States has de scended." "I desire," the governor said, "to quote some of the decisions of the su preme court of the United States before it went into partnership with Morgan, Vanderbilt, Gould & Co., in opposi tion to the opinion they hold in the Nebraska case." (Long decisions by Marshall in 1860 are quoted). In conclusion, Governor Leedy states that his maximum rate bill will be presented to the Kansas legislature. New Military Department. The present department of Texas abolished, and the headquarters, which have been at San Antonio, Tex., for so manr years, are "liaiidouod. In place of the old department is crcatod a now one, the department of the South. General Graham, at present commander of the department of Texas, will com mand the now department. This do partmont will include the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala bama, Mississippi and Texas. All of the states, save the last, are at present attached to the department of the East, under command of General Morritt, of New York. It is said at the department that General Merritt is fully compen sated for the strength of the command which has been taken from him, by the addition to bis forces of tho two regi ments of artillery now recruiting. Headquarters of the new department of tho South will be at Atlanta, chosen because of its fine strategic value and its exoellont railroad connections. At preHent, the government has no aocom modations in Atlanta for the head quarters of the department, so it will be obliged to hire the most available buildings. Geneial Wilson, chief of engineers, who has been in Florida, is expectej back tomorrow to report to Secretary A Igor on the progress of tho fortifica tion work in that section of theoountry and probubly especially as to the de fense of Tortugas. For the first time today the officials of the war department admitted that they wore straining every nerve to im prove that part of the defense of the country confided to their care. The immediate purchase of largo number of rapid-firing guns for the sea coast dofeiises lias boon authorized by Secretary of War Alger. So utgent is the nocosslty fororompt aotion in this matter deemed that the allotment of the $50,000,000 carried by the Cannon defense bill will not be awaited before making the purchases. Orders have been givou to the various arsenals and armories controlled by the government to increase their working forces to their fullest extent in oider to expedite the completion of existing projects. PROCTOR SAW A SKIRMISH. Crunlilng the How the Spaniai-de Are Itebnllloa New York, March 14. A Horald dis putch from Key West says: Senator Proctor and Colonol Parker give a most graphic and amusing description of a skirmish between a company of Span iuli cavalry and a handful of insurgents which took phioe while they were on a train near Muianzus and which was uu doubtedly prepared for their special benefit. Before they reached the station they noticed that the telegraph wires hai been out, and some slight obstructions placod upon the track. On a hill in the distance thoy could see the sil houette of a dozen insurgents outlined against the sky. In the valley the Spunlsh cavalry bad started toward A CHANGE OF POLICY. Spain support! the Cuban Conitltu tloiiHllatn. Madrid, March 12. Political and financial circles here realize that Spain is facing a grave problem. In view of the attitude of the United States, it is understood the Spanish government has changod Its policy toward Cuba and is now courting the co-operation of the Cuban constitutional party, urging the maintenance of volunteers and the pushing of tho campaign against the insurgents, thus giving the military policy predominance over diplomacy mis change is due to the fact that, tne rauicu' autonomists insisted upon the disarming of the volunteers or in cited the constitutionalists to disuffeo tion, a conflict would supervene, arrowing the United States an oppor tunity for armed intervention." A Hitter Spanlah Defeat. Now York, March 12. The Cuban junta has received by messenger the official report of General Recios, wh commundod the Cuban forces at the biittlo of Najaaa on February 21-24 Tho details of the battle show that while the Cubans were outnumbered four to ono, for four days thoy held their position and caused the Spanish troops to retreut, leaving 293 doud men on tin) field. I lie messenger who brought the news also brought a copy oi a hpanisli paper admitting the re treat of the Spanish soldiers, but as sorting that the four days' fighting re suited in a victory for Spain. WORK IS NEARLY DONE. U Ex lteport of the Court of Inquiry peuted Huon. Key West, March 12. The United States dispatch-boat Fern arrived this morning from Havana. The United States battle-ship Iowa has sailed for Toitugas. The torpedo-bout Portor also sailed for Tortugas with mail for the fleet. The Fern brought the Maine's silver ware and 00 rifles recovered from the wreck. Mr. Bissoll, stenographer of the court of inquiry, was on board. uom oi me stenographers nave now loft the court, and it has only a torn porary clerk. This leads many to tbink that its work is practically done and that it will return to Key West shortly, me i'orn coaled, and provi sions for the starving Cnbuns were then put on board. She is scheduled to start for Matanzas tomorrow, The Marblehcad will go from the Tortugas to Tampa, where it is report ed she will take on additional ammu nition. The British cruiser Cordelia sailed today. THE ALASKA BOUNDARY. den bait by the bullets from the enemy. The Spanish halted and formed a hol low square, whilo the officers found safety behind Somo convenient trees. Meanwhile the insurgents called fur a truce and withdrew iifto the dense woods and the Spaniards returned to the station in time to meet the truin and receive the congratulations of tho commander of the district. ' All this byplay struck Senator Proo tor as most amusing war tactics. An old Confederate veteran who accom panied the party asked the Spanish officer why he had not given chase to the insurgents. His reply was that there were more than a thousand be hind the hills. The story is told that each member of that cavalry has al ready received a modal in commemora tion of his bravery in thut battle. A Kentuckian says the luckiest man he ever knew was drowned in a vat of whisky. Bald to Hare Been Settled Favorably to the United Statei. New York, March 12. A dispntoh to the Press ftom Ottawa says: Sir Julian Pauncefoto, British ambassa- lor, hus informed the Canadian minis try officially that he has arranged a convention with the United States whereby the Alaskan boundary dispute as boon settled, Under tho terms of the convention the British government as conceded tho claim of the United Btates that throo marine leagues should bo measured from the shore of the mainland, and should proceed along the shores of tho inlets, which are thus recognized as arms of the ocean. The contention of the British and of tho Canadian governments was that the throo-league limit should begin on the ocean side of the islands, and that the olimlting line should be run across the inlets, and not follow their shores. These inlets are numerous and extend into the mainland a great distance, and the decision, therefore, is of much mportunce to the United States. The United States has agreed to tho British locating the boundary on the limit of Chilkoot and Whito passes, bocauso by the Russian-British agreomont of 1825 the line oi demarcation w'us fixed us one running along the' tops of the mountains. The decision, while not entirely unexpected by the Canadians, is regarded with disfavor, it was un derstood that the British government was irritated at the forwardness of the Canadian ministry, but it was not thought that the surrender would be so swooping. YAQUINA ALONE FAVORED. Adverse lteport on Amendments to Sundry Civil 1)111. , Washington, March 12. The senate committee on commerce has reported adversely on the proposed amendments to tho sundry civil appropriation bill, providing for rivor and harbor im provements under the continuous con tract system and fur which estimates have not been made. This decision has the effect' of ruling out all the amendmenst of this character, except the one offered by Senator McBride, providing for the improvement of Ya quina harbor in Oregon and appropri ating $150,000 for this purpose, on which fuvorablo action was rocom mendod. Senator Frye, chairman of the com mittee, aftorwards explained the ad verse action to tho senate, and the house amendments and various amend ments tor rivers and harbors were laid on the table. I WORK IN NAVY YARDS Arming and Manning of the Merchant Marines. MANY UNAUTHENTIC RUMORS The United Atatee Not Hnylng Any Cn. Oft Warihlps Large Number of Offer Have Been Made. Washington, Maroh 12. The United States government has not acquired a single additional ship for the navy. This is true, not because of a lack of offers of warships from abroad, but simply for the reason that the navy de partment is proceeding with all the circumspection consistent with the needs of the case in looking to the prices and quality of the craft. Thore is a strong disposition to refrain from being drawn into bad bargains and to insist on getting good vessels at prices not extortionate. Seorotary Long was in recoipt of a large number of cable messages today, almost all relating to offers of ' ships. Lieutenant Niblock, Unitod States na val attache at Berlin, St. Petersburg and Vienna, is paitioularly active in quest of vessels. There was a good deal of talk during the day about the assignment of offi cers to the command of auxiliary crui sers, the St. Paul and St. Louis being especially mentioned, but Secretary Long set these stories at rest by the statement that he had not made any such assignments, and had only pro gressed to the point of informing him- self of the possibility of getting the ships officered and manned quickly. While looking after new ships, the officials of the navy department are not neglecting the other- vessels, and ar rangements have been mado to' make short repairs on several ships that H 11 the ordinary course would not lie treated in that fashion, but would re quire an entire overhauling. Thus, in the case of the Philadelphia, which has had five yean hard work, and has never yet been gone over, as is the oustom, orders have gone to Mare island to put her in shape for sea within 40 days. The Yorktown. at the same yards, is not to be touched at present, not only because tho Is in fair condition, but also because she Ib not so formidable a craft as to make it desirable to divert to her repair the attention required elsewhere. At Norfolk the Newark is set down for 80 days' repairs, and as a good deal of work has already been done on her, she will be almost a new ship when she comes out of the yards. . Hie big monitor Puritan has practi cally completed her repairs. . The ' monitor Comanche at Mare Island has , been examined and found in tolerable ', condition. At League island the Mon- . itor Miantonomoh and the ram Katah- , din 'wont into commission today, al- I though they have not yet received their ? orders. They will probably fernuln in if the Dolaware river or drop down into '' the bay. The torpedo boat Dupont ) Bulled today from Mobile to attach her- ' self again to the flotilla at Key West. Again it was said at- the navy depart ment that nothing had boon heard from theoourt of Inquiry at Havana, nor from Admiral Slcurd at Key West. Ihe presence in the city of persons connected with steamship lines and teel works led to the circulation of a number of tensational stories during the day, but perhaps none of these had the persistency of one, which mot sum mary denial at the hands of Assistant Socrotory Day, to the effect that Minis tor Woodford had notified the Spanish government that the president intended sending to congress a message announc ing his reoognitidh of Cuban independ ence. . , A conference was hold at 8 o'clock In the office of Assistant Secretary Roose velt, to map out plans for arming and equipping merchant Vessels as auxiliary cruisers. This work, it is said, oould be accomplished readily within two, wookB' time, as all materials, except the guns, are on hand. The bureau of ordnance could not supply all the guns required within, that short time, al though some 70 or more are now avail able. The supply would be adequate, however, for the most effective auxil iary oru I sors and the complete armo ment otthe merchant ships could pro ceed as rapidly as possible thereafter. As to the question of manning the auxiliary fleet, the navy department foela that the most effective step would be to enlist in the United States naval service the present merchant crews of the several ships. , These crews are thoroughly famliiar with -the vossls, and could handle them with far greater effect than green orews 'of blueji'rckctsil'1' The ships would be officered, from 'the line of the navy. ; In theoase. .of,enlisV . Ing a merohantorow, the pay and allow-' snoes would be about equivalent toitlw . rates paid ordinary sailors, and .the time of enlistment would doubtless be limited to short periods. ' " '' In the Interest of Mllei. Washington, March 12. The senate lommitttoe on military affairs today decided to recommend the passage of a bill authorizing the revival of the grade of lieutenant-general of the army. The bill authorizes the president to nomi nate any officer to this grade. The bill is in the interest of General Miles. It I