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