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The News and Observer. VOL. XLIV. NO. 25. Leads all Other North Carolina Dailies in Both News and Circulation. INDEPENDENCE FOR CUBA s: That Much Has Finally Been Decided Upon by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations It is Either This With Peace or Intervention With War. The Flotilla Tweiity=six Days Off From Porto Rico Island Recognition of Cuban Independence not Necessarily a Casus Belli, but in This Event Diplomatic Relations Will Doubtless be Severed, in Which Case Woodford Will Have to Leave Madrid and Bernabe Will Leave Washington, MAINE INCIDENT IS URGED AS THE PROPER BASIS OF WAR BY MANY PUBLIC MEN Rrpresentative Marsh who Amonj Others Urged their Cou*se upon the President .'said that the Destruction of the Maine and the Slaughter of American Sailors Constitut'd a Foul and Inten tional Blow at the American People, the American flag and American Honor. It Was Done by Spanish Authorities. It was this Foul Blow Which Aroused the American People. Many Senators, Including Members of the House To Day Rtce ved Telegrams from Busin* ss Men in Their States Counselling Pacification in Cuba. Some of the Memb-rs Commented quite Vigorously regarding them and the Fact that They Seemed to Come Simultaneously from Different Sections. ALL CONSULS ORDERED TO HAVANA. WASHINGTON, D. C.. APRIL £-TIIE POST TO-MORROW WILL SAY: “DIRECTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE CONST LS IN Cl BA TO .REPAIR TO HAVANA. IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE ISLAND WITHOUT DANGER. IN CASE OF WAIL AIL BANG EM ENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOB GENERAL LEES SAFE WITHDRAWAL. IF SUCH ACTION BECOMES NECESSARY. THE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS IN HAVANA ARE ALSO TO BE GIVEN THE UTMOST PROTECTION, AND THEY WILL BE ATaIXJWED TO LEAVE WITH GENERAL LEE. “SENATOR PLATT. OF NEW YORK, WHO HAS TAKEN GREAT IN TEREST IN THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE CORRESPONDENTS. HAS HAD AN INTERVIEW WITH ASSISTANT SECRETARY DAY UPON THE SUBJECT." Washington, D. C., Aiirii li. —Tin* issue between the United States and Spain remains unchanged. No eoimnumcatlona having any bearing upon the situation have jwissed between this government and Spain since last Thursday night,, when Minister Woodford transmitted the reply of the Sagasta ministry to the President’s projiositions of two weeks ago. Both governments appear to ae eept this issue as made up, and are shaping their course accordingly. Tlii«< being the ease the view is universally entertained, even by representative men of the administration, that Congress upon reeeipts of the President’s mes sage early next week will take action wliicb, it is almost universiall.v expect ed. must result in a scvereuce of the re lations of the two countries. This was in part foreshadowed by the action of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations today in agreeing to a resolu- ( lion favorable to the independence of Cuba, and for armed intervention if necessary to secure independence. With the ciisis so near at hand it is believed that if any European intervention or mediation to come it will In* within the next few days. It was said., how ever, at the State Department late this afternoon that no offer of European mediation had yet been officially trans mitted to this government. It was the general understanding that friendly overtures of this nature were looked for • at almost any time from France or Aus tria. and it wus rej>oried during the day that the presence in Washington of Cardinal Giblsms and Arch Bishop Ire- > land was in connection with mediation from Rome, but it was stated on high authority at the State Department that no overtures of this character had taken official form, nor was the State Depart- 1 ment advised that any such <st«*irs were in contemplation. BERN ABE WOULD WITHDRAW. It is the understanding in official eir- 1 ties, based upon information, that the recognition or Cuban independent-' would not in itself U* regarded by Spain as a eausus belli. But at the .same time there is little doubt that such recogni tion of Cuban iudc]Mmdcnco would be 1 followed by the withdrawal of the Span ish Minister, Seuor Polo y Bcrnahe, and his entire suite, from Washington and the termination of Spain’s diplomatic representation at Washington. Such withdrawal is one of the last steps pre ceding actual recourse to war. It is probable, however, that the withdrawal of tin* Spanish Minister, following the recognition of inde|>endeuce, would yot he so much an indication of war as it would he an emphatic protest by the .Spani«h government against, the recog nition of the independence of a colony over which sin* claims to exercise com plete sovereignty. Although this recog nition of iiidcjaendcucc is not considered a casus belli, by which Spain could de clare war. yet it is viewed in diplomatic quarters as a istep which would have consequences inevitably terminating in war. For that reason it is said that the recognition of the independence of Cu-j ha is likely to be no less grave than intervention. SPANISH MINISTER IS CALM, j The Spanish Minister continues to pro-! serve his outward calm, although In* feels that the relations are extremely strained and that his stay in Washing ton may not he long continued. To some of his diplomatic associates who called today, lie said that his conscience was perfectly clear as he thought that Spain’s cause was a just one. and for this reacion he felt no agitation. His position is r> trying one, however, as the Spanish legation has been subject ed to a number of petty indignities with-' in recent days. These sire of such a petty character that they have not been called to the attention of th government ( officials, although jeolice officer* were, detailed to see that the offenses were not continued, and that no acts of vandalism or personal indignity were committed. SPANISH INQUIRY REPORT. Th*? State Department to-day received the full rejsirt. of the Spanish commis sion which investigated the destruction j of the battleship Maim*. This docu ment lias lieen expected for some days, but it was not until to-day that it reach-: **d Washington by a special messenger j from Havana. It proved to Im* a most bulky and voluminous document, of far greater length than tin* report of the American court of inquiry. The text n.> delivered to the State Department is in Spanish, and it will take some time for the elaborate document to be translated. It covers at least 150 closely written pages of ofticial jutper, double the size of foolscap. The Associated Press early in the week gave a complete ami official synopsis of this Spanish report, the es sential features of vvhieli were that the explosion of the Maim* oeeiirr»*d inside of the ship and that no evidence existed of any exterior explosion. Admiral Irwin to-day was among tlie witnesses before Hu* Senate committee on foreign relations which is making a thorough inquiry into the Maim* disas-i ter. His testimony was regarded as im portant in mceing tin* position of tin* Spanish com/iission that a mine did not explode under the Maine, as no dead fish wen* found in tin* harbor. Admiral Irwin is an ex)K*rl on loris-does and sub marine explosions, and lie told tin* coin-' mittce that lie never knew fish to he killed by such explosions. CALLERS ON PRESIDENT. 1 he While House was as usual a cen tral point in the great activity' of tin- ItALEIOH, N. C., SUJSDAY MORMLNO, APBIL 8, 18S>8. day. and the President saw many public men. Some of them urged upon the President that the Maine incident be put forward as a casus belli, the general Cuban subject being subordinated to it. Among these was Representative Marsh, of Illinois, who said, after talking with the President: "I went to see th** President to tell him that iln* basis of our declaration of war should Is* the destruction of the Maine, and the slaughter of American sailors. That was a. foul ami interna tional blow at tin* American people, the American Hag and American 'honor. It was done by the Spanish aptiiorities. It was Ibis foul blow which aroused* the American people. The general condi tion of affairs is a blow at humanity'; the other was a blow at us.” Many Senators, including members of the Foreign Relations Commit lee and mem hers of the House, to-day received telegrams from conservative business men in their States, counselling pacifi cation in Cuba. Some of the memliers commented quite vigorously regarding them, and the fact that they seemed to come simultaneously from different sec tions. • * I TWO SPANISH WARSHIPS. Late this afternoon tue Navy De partment was informed of tin* sailing of the Spa Wish shijis Pelayo and the Carlos Y.. from Havre and Toulon, France, for Cartlmgenn. Spain. The officials sup pose that these vessels have Ik***ii at the French ports for some necessary repairs and are returning to Cartliagenu. where there is a Spanish Naval station for such additional work on them as may he necessary preliminary to any active ser vice they may be called upon to |K*rform. The Pelayo has twin screws, is 330 feet long and sixty feet beam. She is of 0.1)00 tons displacement, bars a speed of 10.7 knot,- and, besides a formidable ar mament, carries seven torpedo tubes. Secretary Alger to-day authorized an allotment of $1,000,000 from the emer gency fund for the office of the chief of engineers. The entire amount will he spent in purchasing material for the tor pedo defense* connected with the sea coast fortifications. General Wilson. Chief of Engineers, acted promptly as soon as he received the allotment, anil authorized the commanding officer at Willetts Point, N. Y.. to proceed im mediately to contract for the material required. It will be shipped at once to the places needing torpedo defences and work on them will Ik* pressed with all possible speed. ~At~ 1 ITIO to-mglit General Gro-venor announced positively, after an extended conference with the President, that the message would not Ik? sent to Congress before next Tuesday. The participants in the conference were Senator llanna, General Grosve nor and Judge A. C. Thompson, presi dent of the criminal law codification committee. Attorney General Griggs was present a short time. General Gro-venor said there was nothing new in the Spanish situation to night. "Not the slightest change is percep tible,” said he. “The President ’* s care fully considering his message, and it will be a memorable State document.” “No,” lie replied to an inquiry, “it will not be scut to Congress on Mon day. It w.ll not go before Tuesday. It is no child’s play to prepare such a pa per as the President will give to Con gress and to tin* country. It. will thor oughly review all of this government's diplomatic negotiations with Spain re lating to Cuba, and will contain such recommendation* as will appeal to the sense of right and justice of the Amer ican people—just such recommendations as every friend of President McKinley has reason to ex:sect front out* so pa triotic and devoted to his country as Jn* is.” “Do you expect any action by Con gress on Monday, in advance of tin* President's messageV” General Grosve nor was asked. “Oh. iio,” he replied. “Congress "ill be entirely willing to await the action of the President. Everybody thorough ly avalizes that the chief executive of tliis country cannot he taken by the throat in a matter of this kind. He must have time to formulate Ids mes sage in his own way. I’resident. Me Kiuley for many weeks Ims been un der a terrific strain, and is beginning to show the effects of it. Re .will comniu mcate to Congress and to tin* country as soon as possible and there i- no doubt j that Congress will respect his desires in the matter.” During the conference the Associated Dress news that the Spanish torpedo limit flotilla had not yet arrived at I’orto Rico and that the probabilities were that it was now at. Cape I>e Verde is lands, was communicated to tin* Presi dent. It was received with much satis faction, the President reading aloud to the others present the note conveying the information. Commenting upon the information, General Grosvenor said: “That materially relieves the strain upon the situation and modifies it. con siderably.” WORKING FOR MEDIATION. EMBASSADORS OF LEADING POWERS HOLD V CONFER ENCE. MADRID, APRIL, 3—2 A. M.—THE MINISTERIAL ORGAN. EL GLOBO IN A LEADNG ARTCLE INFEREN TIALLY CONFRMS THE STATE MENT OF THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT THE FOREIGN POWERS ARE USING EVERY EFFORT TO MEDIATE BETWEEN THE UNIT ED STVTKS AND SPAIN. AND THAT PEACE IS LIKELY TO RE SULT. -- CONFERENCE WAS HELD LAST NIGHT WID(MI WAS AT TENDED BY THE AMBASSADORS OF THE LEADING POWERS, SEV ERAL OF WHOM HAD SEEN UNITED STATES MINISTER WOODFORD DURING THE DAY. EL GLOBO SWS THAT SPAIN SEEING TH YT THE SYMPATHY OF THE POWERS IS OPENLY WITH HER, WILL SOON COME FORWARD NOT ONLY IN DE FENSE OF HER OWN RIGHTS. Bi r AS THE CHAMPION OF EU ROPE AGAINST AGGRESSIVE AC TION BY THE UNITED STATES. EL CORREO KSPANOLA SAYS THAT THE MAIL STEAMER AL FONSO XIII. ARRIVED AT COR CNN A ON FRIDAY. HAVING ON BOARD TWO PRISONERS CHARG ED WITH AN ATTEMPT TO BLOW FP THE SPANISH CRUISER AL MIIIANTE OOt ENDO IN HAVANA HARBOR. IT IS ALSO RUMORED THAT JULIO ANIBAL ENRIQPES AND A CORRESPONDENT OF A NEW YORK NEWSI’Ad WERE IMPLICATED IN THE ATTEMPT ED. OUTRAGE. PREPARING FOR FLIGHT. Royal Household at Madrid Alarmed at Sit nation. Leiliu. April 2. Ihe German Ambas sador at Madrid. Herr Von Radawitz, reports to tin* Foreign office here that the Spanish Royal family fears an out break unless the differences between tin* l nited States: and Spain are soon net tled. Ihe Cal'lisi movement is iissumiug a more active form and the Royal family fears. especially a promunciiimento tioin General Weyler and the military party. Everything is prepared in tin* royal castles for flight. The hoy king. Al phonse, will be taken to San Luca De Barameda, an Andalusian port, where a yacht is kept ready for sailing. The replies to the Queen’s letter ask ing for the intervention of the Euro pean powers have been wholly unsatis factory. WILL SEND MESSAGE TUESDAY. The President is Hard at Work On it— Will Be Calm and Thoughtful. Washington. D. ('.. April 2. —The quie tude of the White House to-night was in striking contract with the intense ac tivity. and repressed excitement of the past few days. For several hours the President was alone in his private lib rary busily engaged in the preparation of his forthcoming message to Congress. No caiTers were received except by appointment and with the two or three whom the Presidnt did see he conversed very briefly. About !> o’clock Mr. Charles J*. mv Smith, editor of the Philadelphia lb /, and one of the President’s confidential founds, joined Mr. McKinley in the library and remained in conference with him for half an hour. As he left the executive Mansion Mr. Smith said that he wais, of course, not at liberty to dis close- the nature of his visit to the Presi dent. He added, however, in response to inquiries that he could see no change in the situation. War was. In* believed imminent, hut it miglil yet he averted, lie was quite satidied that it would not he precipitated on Monday, and gave the impresison by bis remarks that the forth coming message would not lie sent to Congress before Tuesday. Now, that the- country realized that we were on the verge of seiiot;-* trouble, he said, there was a mediativc spirit abroad. The people wore thinking and preparing themselves for right action as soon as the time for action should arrive. In the message, upon which so much now hinges, Mr. Smith felt assured that the President would deal fully and frankly with Congress and with the country. The entire question in handj SECTION ONt-lAGES I to B*THIRt^^ITION. would 1m- presented calmly and. thought fully, and with a full sense of the re sponsibility of the Executive. The President would, however, indicate his own plants and wishes thereby accepting his share of whatever might be the re sult. as was becoming in a brave, pa triotic, American President. Mr. Smith said, in conclusion that he knew nothing of the prospect of media tion to la* offered by foreign |towers, ex cept what he had seen in tin* newspii jieirt; but intimated that the question now would Ik* settled on the out* hand by Spain, and on tin* other by the Con gress and the President of the United States. SPAIN IS TO BLAME. The Senate Committee Will so Report to the Senate. Washington. D. April 2.- Hie full Senate Committee on Foreign Relations lias practically agreed to accept the recommendation of the sub-committee for a resolution recognizing the inde pendence of Cuba and recommending armed intervention if necessary to se cure it. This conclusion was reunited after a •session to-day that did not continue for more than an hour, and so tar as can be learmnl there was no division of opinion expressed in the committee as to the propriety of this course. Sena tors Gray, Daniel and Turpie were üb sent, but tin* opinion is expressed that none of them will make any opposition to the reporting of the resolution. The full committee to-day gave most of its attention to the text of the report, which will be made to accompany the resolution, and which has been pre pared by Senator Davis. The committee also had Admiral Ir win before them for some time today examining him a*s a torpedo expert on tin* Maine disaster, and also m the strength of the Spanish torpedo flotilla and the best course for this country to pursue in meeting it. While the Foraker resolutions are made the basis and tin* principal addi tions to them and some unimportant changes in phraseology. The most im portant. and in fact. THE ONLY ES SENTIAL ADDITION IS A I'ARA GRAIMI FIXING THE RESPONSI BILITY UPON SPAIN FOR THE MAINE DISASTER. AND CITING. THIS VS A CAUSE FOR AMERI CAN RESENTMENT, IF NOT FOR WAR. The committee was in communication with tin* President during the day. and was informed that while the President would make an earnest effort to get his message to Congress on Monday, he might no* b<- able on account of the great demands iqnm hL; time to get it in before Tuesday. He will at the same time supply copies of the consular cor respondence. There lias been some doubt as to what recommendations THE PRESIDENT WOULD MAKE, IF ANY. IN HIS MESSAGE, BUT HE GAYM THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE WHO CALLED UPON HIM TO-DAY TO UNDERSTAND THAT IIE WOULD RECOMMEND BOTH. A RECOGNI TION OF INDEPENDENCE AND A DECLARATION IN FAVOR OF IN TERYENTION. THIS WOULD BE IN ACCORD WITH THE COMMIT TEE’S ACTION. WAR PANIC ON TllE BOERS!?. Mail rid. A| ril 2.—2 p. in.—The min ister of Marine. Admiral Bermejo. de nies the report that the government has purchased the Italian cruiser Carlo Al berto. On tin* Bon use to-day there was not merely a panic, but ihcre were abso lutely no transactions except in the smaller class of internal and external four per cents., with a heavy drop in each, and a still heavier fall in Cuban bonds. Sucli a state of tin* Hours*.* is considered tantamount to a war panic. SITE All ON AT HAVANA. Consul Lee Has Been Assured That he Will be Amply Protected. Havana. April 2.—The newspapers hero, from news from which they have receive from the exterior and interior of tile island, regard the situation as critical. The tone of all the papers is intensely patriotic. < >rders were received to-day for the dosing of the contract with the wreck ers now at work on the Maine, and di recting that salvage operations s.iould he susiHMided. The tug Merritt and the barges Chief and Sharp will proceed north as soon as practicable. The tat tered flag at the poop of tin* Maine will probably be removed. Any further ac tion that may be taken will be the sub jeet of a con sere nee. The decision arrived at is doubtless bast*d upon the report of Captain (’bad wick. Lieutenant Command**!' Cowles and Lieutenant Commander Waimvright composing the board appointed to decide what was best to Im* done with the Maine wreck. In their report, it iis be lieved. tlie board set forth that it was not possible to save the ten inch guns unless* dynamite wai< used to blow the tops from the turrets. La Luelia in an editorial, under the caption ’V iininom* an Philuntliropliy and Charity” today says that many business houses in Havana have ceased buying supplies outside tin* island, find ing it possible to get t.licir -locks much more cheaply in other ports in Cuba. This, the'paper says, is due to enormous smuggling operations made i os-ible by tin* admission of relief from the United Elates free of duty, and il demands that tin* government inqmse duties on such relief supplies tints preventing the ille gal entry of goods "which -- seriously unfair to the government resources," La Litchu claims Hint many persons who formerly never erH*iu*d or had a dol lar are becoming well to-do through their connection with the relief woik, United States it'mr-iil General Lee has been assured that every effort will he made by the government to prnteel his person and those of other Americans from violence at the hands of irrespon- PRICE FIVE CEJSTS. sible persons who are to Ik* found ill all cities. It is claimed by merchants in interior towns that the rwoncentrados are sell ing jMirk to the grocers for eleven cents a pound in silver. This pork costs four teen events a ]x>und in gold in Havana. The batteries of twelve, ten and eight inch guns on tin* north coast have been engaged in target practice today. The fleet, or wrecking vessels now here will leave on Monday, it is impossible foi them to secure clearance papers sooner. AT DEVEHDE ISLANDS. Will Be 2(> Days Before Flotilla Reaches Porto Rico. Madrid. April 2. —The statement ca bled last night that the torpedo flotilla of Spain has arirved at I’orto Rico was taken from a newspaper here. Investi gation show’s tin* anonuneement to he erroneous. The Spanish flotilla has ar rived at the Cape Dcverde Islands, and it is said will proceed after coaling. As it bus taken the Spanish torpedo flotilla nine days to make the Cape Dc verde Islands, from the Canary Islands, which they left on March 24, it should, roughly speaking, going at about the same rati* of speed, take the flotilla about 2(5 days from now to reach Porto Rico from tin* Cape Pevcrde Islands, supposing the flotilla was able to coal and istart again today, which is un likely. MONTGOMERY AT NORFOLK. Norfolk. Yu., April 2.—The gunboat Montgomery, painted dull lead color, decks stripped for action, came to the Navy Yard to-day for repairs. PURCHASED A CRUISER. London. April 2. —Lieutenant Com mander Colwell, the United States Na val Attache here, this afternoon pur chased from the Thames Iron Works for his government a cruiser of 1.8(H) tons displacement, and capable of a epeed of sixteen knots. The vessel car ries six 4.7 inch guns and ten smaller ones. She is fitted with twin screws, and has a protected dock. At •"» o’clock this afternoon Lieutenant Commander Colwell hoisted tin* stars and striiH's on the cruiser, and had then obtained a crew. The vessel will go to sea within three days. Lieutenant Com mander Colwell says the price paid was very reasonable. BLANCO S ORDER A FAILURE. Great Excitement in Havana Over Ru mor of Declaration of War. Hnvhnu. via Key West, Fla., April 2.-The week ju-t closing has not lack ed in events. All realize that a big game is being played in a larger theatre at Madrid and Washington. The principal hap)M>ning.s here since last Wednesday have been: First. General Blanco’s or der abolishing reeoneeiitration and di reeting the mayors, alcaldes and other officials to provide food for the desti tute am! employment fdr those able to work: second, the telegram to President MeKiuley from Senor Galvez. President of the Colonial Cabinet. lagging for more time for a trial of autonomy; third, the departure of tin* Cruisers Yizcayu and Almirante Oquendo; fourth, the war scare in Havana on Thursday night after Captain General Blanco had called tin* colonels of the volunteers to the palace for advice and a declaration of fealty; fifth, the awakening of all classes of tlie people to the knowledge that war, siege and suffering in Ha vana are at least possible, if not proba ble, with a hitter feeling toward Ameri ca and Americans consequent uikiii that knowledge. As to General Blanco's orders regard ing reconeentration the papers praise it, though in a somewhat perfunctory fash ion. So far as can he learned not a dug!;* reconeentrado has left the shelter of city or town for tin* country, nor is any likely to do so, so long as it is pos sible that thev will fall an easy prey to 8| Kinisli guerillas or Cuban insurgents. There are dissensions in the Autonomist Cabinet, and rumors are rife that So nores I)o!z, Gorin and Montero. respec tively Ministers of Posts amt Telegraphs, Minister of the Interior and Minister of Finance have resigned. These mmols, however, are not confirmed. On Thursday night a story was bruited about, first quietly, then openly, that war had been declared. The result was that in all quarters of Havana great Irersuasion hail to Ik* used by men of good judgment to prevent a demonstra tion, the results of which it would la* hard to foresee. Up to that night the correspondents had really nothing to complain of in the treatment they re ceived at tin* hands of the Havana peo ple. But on Thursday, there wen* black looks and open threats. Police precau tions were at once doubled. Threats of violence in the event of war being declared between the United States and Spain are -still plentiful, but the better classes seem, since Thursday night, to have resumed their outward courteous manner at least. The intelligent people her** believe that the big cruisers Vizcaya and Al mirante Oquendo are bound for Porto Rico, to meet, and if necessary protect and furnish supplies to tin* toi*i>**do flo tilla. now at the Cape Verde Islands. Plaited States Consul General L<*o maintains a calm, cheerfulness through out all the rumoris and excitement. Ik* is constantly watched in accordam*** with government orders, but goes his way as if lie were in Richmond, declin ing to regard as serious the numerous and constantly recurring threats against his lift*. He is armed, of course, ami some times says lit* has not forgotten the lcssoiui of his youth in pistol prne t ice. The steamer Maseotte, from Key West, arrived hen* this morning with out a single passenger, except Cubans or Spaniards. She left for the north with "ininiuues’’ only. The Ward l.ine steamer LnnqtaMas, which was due to sail tor New York this afternoon, tent sold every stale room. (Continued on Second Pago.)
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
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April 3, 1898, edition 1
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