Oregon City Goariep.
A. W. CHENEY, FublUher.
OREGON CITY, OREGON
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Interesting Collection of Current Eventr
In Condouged Form' From
Both Continents.
The United States supreme court has
decided that a person born in this coun
try of Chinese parents ia entitled to
citizenship.
Chicago Typographical pnion has tel
egraphed the Illinois representatives in
congress calling for the intervention of
the United States toward ending the
inhuman war in Cuba.
Frank B. Clark, of Chicago, has pur
chased 1,000 feet of river frontage at
Linn ton, a few miles below Portland,
Or., and is negotiating for more. He
will construct a large ship-building
plant.
A diet kitohen and dispensary, where
2,000 sick will be cared for daily has
toon started in Havana. The kitchen
was built by the central committee, and
eorves its purpose excellently. The sick
and feeble will find the dispensary a
groat Bource of comfort and help.
The dispatch of the British fleet from
Halifax to Bermuda, following the agi
tation for an Anglo-American alliance,
is considerably commented upon by
diplomats in London. The authorities
explain that it is meroly considered de
eirable that the British ships should be
in the vicinity of Cuba in order to
eafoly guard British commerce and
British subjects, in case of war. The
idea of Anglo-American co-operation in
Cuba is scouted. ,
The levee on the Wabash river, noar
Sullivan, Ind., front out with a break
ot 100 foot, entailing a loss of $100,000.
Twenty thousand acres of land are
ovorflowed, and hundreds of families
are rendered homeless and destitute.
Citizens are responding for miles
around in the effort to romovo families
end stock. Hundreds of cattle and
horses are hemmed in. Such a rush of
water was never known in this section
of the country before.
Deep intorest is felt in Havana in
the news received from the United
States. La Lnuha, in an editorial,
enys: "The United States' note to
Spain demanding that a date be fixed
to end hostilities is simply a declara
tion of war. It was not issued until
after the finding of the United States
court of inquiry had been received,
which finding is without scientific
basis, and is open to question oven
upon the part of the most prejudiced."
The most significant of the naval or
dors issued by the navy department re
cently was the dotachmont of Com
mander Horace M. Elmor, from Cramps'
ehip yard, and ordering him to duty
jj"in tlio mosquito floot." This auxiliary
organization of tiie navy, which is to
be called into service in time of war,
is to bo composed of small craft of all
kinds that may be obtainable by tho
department upon whioh a gun may be
mounted, and other defensive devices
placed. As far as practicable, it is tho
lintontion of tho department that thoro
'shall bo a separate sot of ships for tho
dofense of the eoaooast cities, the wholo
to eomposo tho "mosquito fleet." In
the event of necessity for a rendezvous
of several of thoso local fleets it can be
arranged, us the primary idea is for
each looal fleet to form the "mobile do
iensu" of tlio particular city where it
will bo called into service to assist in
furnishing armament for vessels, and
in tho event of war, naval officers will
be assigned to the command of each of
the several looal fleets.
An explosion occurred at tho Mano
wan coal mine near Monongahela City,
Fa. Two men are known to have been
killed. Five woro injured, and from
10 to 25 are suid to be entombed in the
mine.
An explosion toon place nt San
Kafaol, Cal., at the United States
smokeless powder works, whioh result
ed in tho death of two men, Charles
A. Junks and Charles Nelson, who woro
employed in the material room. Two
Vmildinga woro completely destroyed,
and the roofs torn oil tho other build
ings close by und windows broken for
miles around.
A Havana dispatch alleges that Captain-General
Blanco and General Man
terola have notilled tlio Madrid govern
ment that they will resign their oflkva
if the Spanish torpedo fleet is to be de
tained at tho Canaries in obedience to
tho demand of President MoKinloy.
Captain Kulato, of the Vizeaya, is also
alleged to have sent a similar mossago
to the Spanish admiralty.
Chaplain Chidwiok, of tho Maine,
lias completed his mortuary report,
which shows that 357 men and two
titlloors perished in tho catastrophe.
Six succumbed to their injuries while
lying in San Ambrosio hospital; one
died on the Spanish transport; 171
liodios have been recovered from tho
wreck, of which C1 have been identified;
101 have been buried in Colon cemetery
and 11 at Key West. This is the otVi
rial report, made public after careful
correction.
After being opened to tlio publio for
more than live years for recreation pur
ines. Castle island, in Boston harbor,
lias been closed. Ciders from Wash
ington to this effect have been expect
ed ever since the work of handling ex
plosives was begun at Fort Independ
ence on the Island some three weeks
ago. More than a score of men have
boon at work painting torpedo shells
and getting ready tlio wiring and other
necessary preliminaries to laying
them in position iu the harbor if
necessary.
A WARNING TO SPAIN.
Two Note Cabled by the President to
Minister Woodford.
Madrid, March 29. President Mc
Kinley has cabled two notes to Spain
through Minister Woodford. One deals
with, the Maine, the other with Presi
dent McKinley's plan of humanitarian
intervention in the Cuban war. Both
notes are expressed in strong, firm lan
guage, without a suggestion of a
threat. They are, perhaps, merely
preliminary. .;
For the destruction of the Maine,
the president demands no indemnity.
He merely acquaints the Madrid gov
ernment with the fact that the court
of inquiry finds that the ship was blown
op in Havana harbor by an external
agency and that nothing but a mine or
torpedo of the largest size could have
wrought the destruction. The presi
dent submits the faots to the Spanish
government, and waits a reply. Mr.
Woodford did not even demand an
early response.
As to the war in Cuba, President
MoKinley advised the Spanish govern
ment in the politest terms that the
time is faBt drawing near whon the
United States would be compelled to
act upon the warning so often given to
Spain since the struggle in Cuba began.
The president clearly intimated that
the war in Cuba must cease, but he
fixes no date. The note makes the
question of Cuban intervention para
mount to the Maine case, which the
president's memorandum refers to
meroly as a lamentable incidont. The
issues and problems of the Cuban war,
the United States government now calls
urgently to the attention of Spain, de
claring that the conditions prevailing
in Cuba, so near to the shores of the
United States, have long been intoler
able to the American people.
Negottationa to Und the War,
Washington, March 29. The de
Telopments of the day in the Cuban
situation indicate progress in the nego
tiations of this country and Spain look
ing to tho maintenance of ponce, forth
presont at least. There is good au
thority for saying that Spain's wish is
to secure a cessation of hostilities in
Cuba, rather than to engage in a war
with the United States, and that it is
more than probable that the negotia
tions with the Sugasta ministry will
take such a turn in the immediate
future. The present Spanish minis
try has expressed a pacific disposition
from the beginning, and tho indica
tions are strong now that it will avail
itsolf of the good offices of the United
States to the fullest extent that publio
opinion in Spain will allow in bring
ing to an end the hostilities in Cuba.
To what extent the United States
may go in assisting Spain in hor pres
ent design of securing an armistice is
not determined, but the couservative
element in the administration consider
the manifestation of this desire on the
part of Spain for even a temporary
peace a direct result of President Mo
Kinley's diplomacy, and they naturally
are disposed to contend that the presi
dent should be loft free, for the present
at least, to pursue a policy which prom
ises much in the way of preventing war
between this country and Spain; also;
of bringing to a closo the hostilities in
Cuba. Hence there will bo an effort
on the part of the peacefully inclined
in congress to hoM that body in cheek
and to prevent inflammatory utterances
there until tiiis promising diplomatic)
lead may be exploited.
On the part of the administration it
is stated that the development of tho
situation will not requiie a great length
ot time, and hence there will be no ex
tended delay.
A policy lias been fully determined
upon by tlio president. It is to bring
tho Cuban war to a closo. This will
be accomplished by pointed interven
tion, if necessary, but it is considered
far preferable that the end should come
as the result of peaceful negotiations
than that it should be accompanied by
hostile demonstrations on the part of
tho United States. Hence the disposi
tion of the president is to give Spain
an opportunity to secure an armistice
with tho Cubans and allow her a rea
sonable time to come to an understand
ing with the hostiles.
It is stated that there is no abate
ment of the president's intention to see
that the war is terminated, and that it
is closed on terms that will render the
Cubans practically a free people.
Friends of tho administration feel
thnt tlio situation is very delicate, and
much will depend upon the course the
Cubans may pursue.
The HpnnlNh Klurtloua.
Madrid, March 29. The elootions
for the popular branch of the eovtes
have passed quietly. The indications
are that the government of Senor Sa
gasta will have an cnorinoiH majority,
estimated at 300 of the 432 seats iu tho
chamber. Disorders are apprehended
nt Bilbon, where the polling caused
great excitement. The military judge
at Bilhoa issued a warrant for tho ar
rest of three socialist municipal coun
cilors. Cue of them was taken into
custody, but the other two escaped.
Kpniu'a lttfnHl.
Berlin, March 29. The Madrid
correspondent of tho Berliner Tageblatt
says: "Spain will not only refuse to
allow American interference in assist
ing the suffering Cubans, but will de
cline to pay indemnity, unless it is
shown unmistakably that the Spanish
authorities were responsible for the
Maine explosion. If President MoKin
ley demands these two things, wur is
unavoidable."
A Fund to liny Warahlpa.
Madrid, March 29. The latest intel
ligence from the United States has oc
casioned a great patriotic movement
throughout Spain. A large number of
persons have announced their intention
to give tip day's pay for services in
order to raise a fund to purchase war
ships. A committee, over which the
bishop of Madrid will preside, has been
organized to receive the subscriptions.
MAINE BLOWN UP
Report of the Board of
Inquiry Received.
RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT FIXED
Spain Notified of the Finding! of the
Naval Court Madrid Refnaea to Re
eall the Torpedo Flotilla and Is
Actively Fortifying Forto Rloo.
Washington, March 28. The court
of inquiry appointed to investigate the
cause of the Maine disaster has report
ed that the loss of the battle-ship was
due to an outside explosion. The state
department, by direction of the presi
dent, has cabled Minister Woodford, at
Madrid, to notify the Spanish govern
ment of the conclusion.
The president and his cabinet ad-'
visersheld two extended sessions today,
one at 10:30 A. M. and another at 8:30
P. M., at which the report was consid
ered in detail. Members of the cabi
net stated after the meetings that the
discussion was of a grave oharacter,
and that never since the wrecking of
the Maine has the situation seemed so
critical.
The Spanish government has cabled
officially to Washington that the Span
ish naval commission holds the disas
ter to the Maine to be of internal
origin.
The government of Spain, it can be
stated positively, is not disposed to
turn back the torpedo fleet now pro
ceeding from the Canaries, and would
be disinclined to consider a suggestion
from this government tending to inter
fere with the disposition by Spain of
her own naval foroes.
War preparations on an unprecedent
ed scale are being hurried to comple
tion by the war and navy departments,
and the country practically is on a
war footing.
The foregoing gives the record of one
of the most eventful days the national
capital has seen since the close of the
civil war. It was a day of profoundly
important action and of the deepest
anxiety, coupled with naval and mili
tary activity, one step following another
in rapid succession.
Representative men of the adminis
tration, public men in all branches of
official and congressional life, no less
than the public in general, shared in
the tension to which the situation has
been wrought. There was no effort
among the highest officials, nor, indeed,
was it possible from what was cloarly
apparent in the development of tho
day, to minimize the situation.
Verdict of the Court of Inquiry.
Viewed in detail, the finding of the
court of inquiry was the most vital fac
tor. Commandor Marix, judge advo
cate of the court of inquiry, delivered
the report to Secretary Long early this
morning, and shortly afterward it was
carried to the White House and placed
in the hands of the president.
At 10:30 the cabinet assembled, half
an hour earlier than usual, and began
tho consideration of the momentous
document. Even the rigid rules of
secrecy which prevail at cabinet meet
ings were made doubly strict in this
case, and no intimation of the results
reached by tho court was known until
2 o'clock, when a pi ess bulletin gave
the information to tho country, as woll
os to the eagerly waiting officials
throughout Washington. These re
sults, briefly stated, are that the loss
of tho Mai no was due to an explosion
from tho outsldo, tho court being un
able to fix tho responsibility for the
explosion.
Tho court does not express an opin
ion as to the character of the explosion,
but tho testimony goes to show that it
was a poworful submarine mine, the
exact character of whioh was not deter
mined, though tho belief was expressed
that it was a floating submarine mine.
There were two exposions, the court
finds. The first was from the outsido,
und that set off one of the smaller
magazines.
It was this, expressed in detail, and
with tho precision of a court deeply
conscious of Its responsibility, together
with tho evidence upon which it was
based, that occupied the attention of
the cabinet throughout its extended ses
sions of the morning and afternoon.
All other subjects have given way to
this foremost question. There was no
change iu tho plan of making the re
port public and transmitting it to con
gress, accompanied by a brief message
from the president.
The afternoon cabinet session lasted
until nearly G:.10. Tho entire sitna-
! tion was discussed at length, but no
' definite point whs reached. The situa
tion is regarded as decidedly critical,
and it is feared there will bo great
difficulty in avoiding trouble,
j While interest was thus centered at
i the White House, the navy and war de
partments were hurrying forwurd their
work of preparation.
The Kimnl.h Flotilla.
The advance of the Spanish torpedo
flotilla continued to receive the olosest
attention of naval officials, and while,
so far as could be ascertained, no defi
nite line of action was determined
upon, the need of intercepting this fleet
was urged by the highest naval author
ities. From the standpoint of the Spanish
government, this movement was not a
menace, having been decided upon
many weeks ago. On the contrary, the
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
No Recommendation Ia Made Regarding
Action to lie Taken.
Washington, March 29. The presi
dent today sent the following message
to congress:
"To the congress of the United
States For some time prior to the
visit of the Maine to Havana harbor
our consular representatives pointed
out the advantages to follow the visits
of naval ships to Cuban waters in ac
customing people to the presence of our
flag as a symbol of good will and of our
ships in fulfillment of the mission of
protection to American interests, even
though no immediate need therefor
might exist. Accordingly, on the 25th
of January last, after a conference with
the Spanish minister, in which a re
newal of the visits of our vessels to
Spanish water was discussed nnd ac
cepted, the peninsular authorities at
Madrid and Havana were advised of
the purpose of this government to re
sume friendly naval visits at Cuban
ports, and that with that end in view
the Maine would forthwith call at the
port of Havana.
"This announcement was received
by the Spanish government with ap
preciation of the friendly character of
the visit of the Maine and with notifi
cation of an intention to return the
courtesy by sending Spanish ships to
the principal ports of the United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the
port of Havana on the 25th of January,
her arrival being marked with no spe
cial incident besides the exchange of
customary salutes aud oeremonial visits.
"The Maine continued in the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol
lowing her arrival. No appreciable
exoitement attended her stay. On the
contrary, a feeling of relief and confi
dence followed tho resumption of long
interrupted friendly intercourse. So
noticeable was this immediate effect of
her visit that theoonsul-general strong
ly urged that the presence of our ships
in Cuban waters should be kept up by
retaining the Maine at Havana, or in
the event of hor recall, by sending an
other vessel there to take her place.
"At 40 minutes past 0 o'clock in tho
evening of tho 15th of February, the
Maine was destroyed by an explosion,
by which the entire forward part of
the ship was utterly wrecked. In this
catastrophe, two officers and 260 mem
bers of hor crew perished, those who
were not killed outright by her explo
sion boing penned between decks by
the tangle of wreckago and drowned by
the immediate sinking of the hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by
neighboring vessels anchored in the
harbor, aid being especially given by
the boats of tho Spanish cruiser Al
phonso XII and the Ward line steamor
City of Washington, which lay not far
distant. The wounded were genorously
cared for by the outhorlties of Ha
vana, tho hospitals being freely opened
to them, while tho earliest recovered of
the bodies were interrod by the munici
pality in the public cemotery in the
olty. Tributes of grief and sympathy
were offered from all offioial quarters
of the island.
"The appalling calamity fell upon
the people of our country with crush
ing force, and for a brief time intense
excitement prevailod, which, in a com
munity less just and solfishly con
trolled, mnst have led to hatsy acts of
blind resentment. This sprit, how
ever, soon gave way to the calmer pro
cess of reason and to a rcsolvo to in
vestigate tho facts and await material
proof beforo forming judgment as to
the responsibility, and if tho facts
warranted tho remedy duo, This
oourse necessarily recommended itsolf
from the outset to the executive, for
only in tho light of a dispassionately
ascertained certainty could it deter
mine the nature and measure its full
duty in the matter.
"The usual procedure was followed
as in cases of casualty or disaster to
national vessels of any maritime state.
A naval court of inquiry was at once
organized, composed of officers well
qualified by rank and practical experi
ence to dischargo tho onerous duties
imposed npon them, and, accompanied
by a strong force of wrecKers und div
ers, tho court proceeded to make a
thorough investigation on the spot,
employing every available means for an
impartial and exact determination as
to tho cause of the explosion. Its oper
ations have been conducted with the
utmost deliberation and judgment,
and whilo independently pursued, no
source of information was negloctod
nnd tho fullest opportunity was allowed
for simultaneous investigation by tlio
Spanish authorities.
"Tho findings of tho court of inquiry
were reached after 23 days' continuous
labor, on tho 21st of March, and hav
ing been approved on the 22d, by the
commander-in-chief of tho naval force
of tho North Atlantic station, were
transmitted to the executive, it is
herewith laid before congress, together
with tho voluminous testimony taken
beforo the court, which is la brief as
follows:
"When tho Maine arrived at Havana
she was conducted by a regular govern
ment pilot to buoy No. 4, to which she
was moored in from 6i to 6 fathoms
of water. The stato of discipline on
board and tho condition of her maga
zines, boilers, coal bunkers and storage
compartments nro passed in review,
with tho conclusion tli tt excellent order
prevailed and that no indication of any
Atlanta, Ga., March 30. Firemen
responding to an alarm found tho
bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Briley, white,
a nd liobert Wilkinson, colored, in a
Btore at 75 Humphrey street, which
was being rapidly destroyed by firo.
The bodies were taken out witout being
marred by the flames. All wore he;
ribly mutilated, the instruments of
death, a hatchet and meat knife, being
found on the floor. Briley was the
proprietor of the store, and it js be
lieved robbery was the motive. 1
cause for internal explosion existed in
any quarter.
"At 8 o'olock in the evening, on
February 15, everything had been re
ported secure and all was quiet. At
40 minutes past 9 o'clock the vessel
was suddenly destroyed. There were
two distinot explosions with brief in
tervals between them. The first lifted
the forward part of the ship very per
ceptibly, the second, which was more
prolonged, is attributed by the court to
the partial explosion of two or more of
the forward magazines.
"The evidence of the divers estab
lishes that the after part of the ship
was praotioally intact, and sank in that
condition a very few minutes after the
explosion. The forward part was com
pletely demolished.
"Upon the evidence of concurrent
exteral cause, the finding of the court
is as follows:
" 'At frame 17, tho outer shell of
the ship, from a point 11 feet from
the middle line of the ship and six feet
above the keel when in normal posi
tion, had been forced to about four feet
above the surface of the water, there
fore, about 84 feet above where it
would have beon had she sunk unin
jured. The outside bottom plating is
bent into a reversed "V" shape, the
after wing of which, about 15 feet
broad and 33 feet long (from frame IT
to frame 25), is doubled back upon it
self against a continuation of the same
plating extending forward.
" 'At framo 18, the vertical keel is
broken in two and bent into a singular
angle, formed by the outside plates.
This break is about six foot below the
surface of the wator and about 30 feet
above its normal position.
" 'In the opinion of the court this
effect could have been produced only
by the explosion of a mine situated un
der the bottom of the ship at about
frame 18, and somewhat on the port
side of the ship.'
"The conclusions of the court are:
" 'The loss of the Maine was not in
any respect due to the fault of or negli
gence on the part of any officer or
member o! her crew.
" 'That the ship was destroyed by
tho explosion of a submarine mine,
which caused a partial explosion of
two or more of her forward magazines,
and that no evidence has beea obtain
able fixing the responsibility for the
destruction of the Maine upon any per
son or persons.'
"I have directed that the finding of
the court of inquiry and the views of
this government theron be communicat
ed to tho government of her majesty,
the queen regent of Spain, and I do
not permit myself to doubt that the
sense of justice of the Spanihs nation
will dictate a course of action suggested
by honor and friendly relations of the
two governments.
"It is the duty of the executive toad-
vise congress of the result and in the
meantime deliberate consideration ia
invoked. WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
"Executive Mansion, March 28, 1898."
PERISHED ON AN ICE FLOE.
Terrlblo Fate of Forty-Seven Pallort on
a Newfoundland Sealing Steamer.
St. John's, N. F., March 30. The
steamer Greenland has reached this
harbor with a grewsome cargo. Twenty-
four corpsos wore on dock and 55 men
were moaning in terrible suffering in
the hold in the pain of frostbitten
limbs and bodies. Tlio dead bodies
were on tho docks disfigured aud almost
nnrecognizublo. The effects of the tcr
riblo suffering whioh they had endured
presented one of the most horriblo sight
human eyes over beheld.
The frostbitten men number 55. All
will rocovor.
The Greenland set sail from St.
John's about the first of March on her
fateful voyage. She was commanded
by Captain George Barbour, and car
ried a crew of nearly 300 sealhunters.
The steamer proceeded northward with
tho rest of the sealing fleet, but after
a couple of hours she diverged on a
separate tack, and reached the hunting
grounds not long after. All went woll
until Tuesday last. Seals were quickly
encountered, and several good packs
wore secured.
On Tuesday morning the hunters
left the ship about 7 o'clock, as usual,
when tho lookout reported ice plentiful
around them. Tho men were clad in
light clothing, for tho slaughtering of
seals in exhausting woik, Scattered
over tho ice field, they wandered far
from the protection of the ship, and a
gale and snowstorm shut them out from
viow. The ice floe parted nnd they
drifted away from the steamor. Long
ere tho storm subsided many of the un
fortunate fellows had succumbed to the
terrible cold and exposure. Those who
did not dio were terribly frosbitton and
suffered excrutiating pain.
Tho long night passed, but morning
brought no help, for tho storm still
raged and the atmosphere was thick
with enow driven by the galo. Snow
continued nearly all day, and the
evening brought no cessation to tho
high wind. Another night was passed
in untold agony. Some of the victims
had already given np hope, and in de
spair laid down and died. Every hour
witnessed at least two deaths.
Toward morning tho Btorm subsided
and dear weather enabled the survivors
to see that tho Greenland was not far
away, searching for the missing. The
steamer boro down on the drifting field
of ice, and began the work of picking
up the stark bodies of the dead aud the
lifeless bodies of the living.
Summer Garden on Wheels.
Dayton, O., boasts of a "trolley
party" car worthy of the name, one
which is not simply an ordinary enr
decorated with a multiplicity of in
candescent lamps. This car is provid
ed wi. 'uari8, instead of seats, and
several tables, all of which are portable
and may be placed in any position that
is most convenient and comfortable.
Another feature of the car ia a refriger
ator, where refreshments may be stored
and served on the car if desired.
FRESH SIGNS OF WAR'
The Spanish Flotilla Starts
for the West.
THEIR FLEET MAY BE STOPPED
Secretary Long Places Our Squadron on
a War Footing Additional
Veaaela Purohaaed.
Washington, March 26. Today was
one of unexampled activity in all offi
oial quarters. Advices came early that
the Spanish torpedo flotilla had sailed
from the Canaries for Porto Kico, and
from this moment the most energetic
warlike measures followed one another
in constant succession. The movement
of this fleet is watched with the keen
est interest, as it was felt to involve
serious possibilities which might com
pel the United States government to
protest against the movement as of a
hostile character.
Immediately on the receipt of the
official dispatch from one of our naval
attaches abroad, briefly announcing the
sailing of the fleet, the fact waB made
known to the president, and an earnest
conference was held between him and
Secretary Long and Assistant Secretary
Koosevelt. The news of the movemont
was fully considered, and the president
was advised that naval strategists re
garded it as essential that the torpedo
fleet should not be allowed to reach
Western waters. What, if any, con
clusion was reached is not known.
Lator in the day the Spanish min
ister, Senor Polo y Bornabe, called at
the state department and spent some
time with Judge Day. It was natural
ly Inferred that the approach of the
Spanish flotilla was one of the subjects
referred to.
Navy on a War Footing.
Following tbe flotilla announcement,
Important news followed rapidly. The
first was this announcement by Secre
tary Long indicating the placing of our
squadron and fleet on a war footing:
"Admiral Sioard has been granted
leave, very much to the regret of the
navy department, and altogether on ac
count of his health. Captain Sampson
has been made commander of the fleet
at Key West. Captain Evans has been
ordered to take command of the battle
ship Iowa. The ordors to the squadron
in Hamtpon Roads have not yet been
issued."
A Joint Coimnlaalon.
The next important move was a do
termination to oreate a joint commis
sion from the war departments, so aa
to bring them into harmonious action
on all measures. Captain Barker, the
naval aid to Secretary Long, was desig
nated to represent the navy department
in this oommon plan of action. The
representative of the war department
has not yet been named. It will not
be neoessary for these two officers to .
leave Washington, as they can arrange
a joint plan of notion in conference
with the bureau chiefs of the two de
partments here.
Then at the closo of the day came an
announcement that the navy depart
ment had succeeded in purchasing
eight steam yaohts and four steam tugs,
presumably at or near Now York, for
use in the auxiliary navy fleet. Tho
boats are of about 400 tons each, and
in on emergency would be suitable as
torpodo boats. The yachts purchased
are among the fleetest along the At
lantic coast, and are said to be some
what similar to tho Mayflower, recent
ly purchased from the Ogden Goelet
estate. This addition to the navy is
regarded as an exceptionally valuable
one at the present time, as the greatest
need is felt for small cruft suitable for
torpedo-boats and dispatch boats.
There was additional satisfaction at
the navy department at tho largo num
ber secured in u single purchase. Tho
names and amounts paid for tho vari
ous yachts and tugs are not disclosed,
as it is said this would prove an em
barrassment to tho government in pro
moting speculation in other craft for
whioh negotiations aro now pending.
I'aealdent Saya Maine Wan lilown I r
Throughout tho day the White House
presented an animated appearance, sen
ators and representatives from both po
litical parties calling to confer with
the president. Among the oallers were
Senators Cullom, Fairbanks, Aldrich,
Jones of Arkansas and Spooner, and
Representative Bailey, the Democratic
bader in tlio house The president
said to several of his visitors today, in
discussing tho situation, that ho would
do everything consistent with the hon
or aud dignity of the country to avert
war, and that he still believed war,
could be averted. Ho also said he be
lieved the government of Spain was as
anxious for peace as we were.
The president frankly acknowledged
that he believes tho report of the board
of inquiry will find that the Maine
was blown np from the outsido.
Maine Report Reachea Waahlngton.
Lieutenant Commander Marix und
his naval companions, bearing the re
port of the Maine court of inquiry,
reached Washington at 9:45 tonight.
The crowd was so denso at the depot
that the party left the train outside
the shed and took carriages for the Eb
bitt house, where the officers will
spend the night.
Orders were issued today detaching
Coptain Sigsbee and other officers from
the battle-ship Maine at Havana and
ordering them to proceed home and
await eiders.
Tho old single-turrcted monitor Ken
tucky has been ordered from League
island to Portland, Me.
Brought Ip From the Maine.
Havana, March 20. The body of
Lieutenant Friend W. Jenkins, of the
Maine, was found early this morning
near the torpedo tube aft, as it hns
been hoped would be the case.