m I : if ff Wilt fP
"V OL. XXXI. NO. 19.
WILMINGTON, N. C, FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1898.
S1.00 PER YEAR.
WAR PREPARATIONS
STILL BEING MADE BY ARMY
AND NAVY DEPARTMFNTS.
Looking After the .Parchate of TVarshlps
Iaghthoase Tenders to be Armed Look
Looking Into Army Equipments An
American Schooner Seized Spain Bays
Warships and Attempts to Slake a Loan.
I Her Complaint Against Captain Crown
Inshleld Washington, March 8. In spite of nu
merous conferences of officials, of the
continuation of the preparations now
in progress on a large scale to put the
ooun'try in a state of defense, and of
the outburst of patriotic speeches in
congress, there was a feeling- apparent
an the 'best informed circles that the
situation as to our relations -with Spain
"was today much more favorable than
it 'was yesterday. Perhaps the semi
official advices received through the
Associated Press from Madrid, indicat
ing 'a peaceful purpose on the part of
the Spanish government, contributed
in large measure 'to the feeling-, or it
may have been that the growing
knowledge of the vast extent of our
own resources .tended to the belief
that they would' impress others with
the futility of attacking the United
States. However that may be, the
feeling prevailed, and at the White
'house, too, 'after the Cabinet meeting
wherein all of the facts that were
known to the president as to the ex
isting1 state of affairs were laid unre
servedly ibefore the cabinet members
and discussed.
NAVY DEPARTMENT AGENT GORS
TO EUROPE.
Perhaps one of the best evidences of
the confidence in a peaceful outcome
was the declaration that 'while Cap
lain Brownson was going abroad for
the governiment to learn What whips
of war are for sale and their condition,
.he 'would not necesssarily imake any
purchases, as it was hoped and expect
ed that by the time that he arrived in
Europe the present cloud .would hav'3
rolled by. -The officer left "Washington
tonight anid will take the St. Paul to
Southampton, sailing from New York.
He will report his arrival jimmied lately
at the United States embassy in Lon
don, but further than that the captain
declines to indicate the places he will
visit in Europe. He has been furnish
ed all the information in the possession
of the navy department respecting 'the
shipping in course of construction in
Europe and had a talk with 'Mr. Lane,
who is said to have some oi these ships
for sale, though lie does not a't present
'have the right in the case of the two
small Brazilian (battleships now build
ing 'at La Seinne in France. As to
these, or indeed any Brazilian or Chil
ian warships. Jit 'has been discovered
that Brazil and Chili are parties to a
treaty Iby the terms of which neither
country can sell any of its warships
unless the dtber 'also sells a ship. The
reason for this peculiar provision is to
ft He found in the alliance that lis reported
to have Ibeen entered into by these two
countries for mutual protection against
Argentina and other South American
nations.
LAW AS TO SALE OF WARSHIPS.
As to the right to 'buy foreign war
ships all authorities agree that such
purchases may be made, even after
hostilities have begun, if the neutral
nation exercises strict impartiality be
tween the belligerents, 'and the ships
are not armed and outfitted ready for
service. The trade of shipbuilding is
recognized as a legitimate one, which
may 'be carried on at ail times.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
(A good deal is being -accomplished in
the way of preparation in 'both the
navy and war departments. The con
ference at the navy department today
looked Into the procurement of a suit
able store of ammunition, coal and sup
plies, touched upon the question of
drydocks and generally considered a
number of other matters connected
with the operations of a warship. The
war department was not 'behind the
navy. 'General Flagler, Chief of ord
nance, is very 'busy reaching out in
every direction by means of telegraph
and the mail to learn just how far the
resourses of the 'big private manufac
turing concerns can 'be relief on to
com'etfto'theXaid of the department inarming-
and equipping a volunteer army,
should one be found necessary. Major
General 'Miles is looking after the per
sonnel closely and today was trying 'to
perfect the organization of the two
new regiments of artillery which con
gress has granted. Beyond the state
ment that the two senior lieutenant
colonels of the existing artillery regi
ments will ibe made colonels of the two
new regiments, the names of officers
are withheld.
NO REPORT FROM COURT OF IN
QUIRY. Three weeks ago tonight the Maine
was blown up. As it was last week at
this time, so it is now; nothing is
known officially as to the cause of the
disaster. The court is at work hard,
that is all that is known at the navy
department. It i3 not even known
when at may be expected to finish its
work. But 'the importance of its report
does not 'diminish lin the slightest de
gree by the lapse of time and in the
midst of diversions, caused by more re
cent happenings, the more thougWtful
officials 'have not lost sight of the fact
that when the report of the court of in
quiry comes to the navy department in
the hands of some trusty naval officer,
probably Lieutenant Commander
Marix, himself the Judge advocate of
the court, the government may 'be face
to face with another and vital issue.
Senor du Bosc called at the state de
partment late In the day and had a
naif hour's conference with Judge Jay.
He "brought no dispatches and the talk
did not relate to the present strained
"condition of affairs, trot was rather an
finformal discussion of the condition of
affairs in Cuba. In the course of-the
visit, it is understood that Mr. du Bosc
suggested that some of the newspaper
correspondents at Havana were tres
passing on the privileges which the Ha
vana authorities had accorded them.
NEW SPANISH MINISTER.
The new Spanish minister, Senor
Polo y Bernabe, will arrive in New
York tomorrow on the .German Line
steamer. He is expected at the lega
tion the following day, and arrange
ments then will be made for thy pre
sentation of 'his credentials to Presi
dent McKinley.
TO PURCHASE JAPANESE CRUIS
ERS. It is known positively that negotia
tions are in progress toward having
the United States acquire the two crack
cruisers now building- for Japan, one at
the Cramps' ship yards at Philadelphia
and the other at the Union iron works
of San Francisco. How far they will
succeed cannot be said at this time. It
is known positively, however, that no
overtures have "been submitted thus far
to the authorities at Tokio, and it
would be for them to give the final de
cision. Pending this, a contract could
not be made nor an option given.
THE BROOKLYN ORDERED TO
NORFOLK.
The big armored cruiser Brooklyn
started away from La Guayra today
under orders from the navy depart
ment directly for Hampton Roai,
She has been making a flying cruise
in the West Indies and around the
eastern end of Cuba, and it was the
original intention to have her go to
Colon on the Isthmus and thence to
work northward along the eastern
coast pf Central America. The send
ing of the ship to Hampton Roads in
stead of returning- her to Key West,
whence she came, is taken as an evi
dence of a change in policy on the part
of the naval strategists, who miay have
come to the conclusion that the gath
ering of the most and best of the ves
sels of the 'North Atlantic squadron at
Key West is putting too many of our
eggs in one basket, and unduly expos
ing the eastern coast. There has also
been talk of
ORGANIZING t FLYING SQUADRON
composed altogether of fleet cruisers,
four in number, and having- them
ready to go to sea at a moment's notice
in pursuit of an enemy's ships, relying
upon the big 'battleships for the home
guard. This, however, 'has not been
decided upon.
TO ARM LIGHTHOUSE TENDERS.
A proposition that received instant
attention, and is expected to 'be approv
ed in the end, came to the navy de
partment today. This was to turn over
to th'e navy department ten of the ibest
boats in the light house service. These
boats are from 300 to 400 ton burden,
good sea 'boats, manned by officers
thoroughly familiar with every inden
tation of the Atlantic coast and capable
of being easily transformed into effi
cient gun boats. The Mangrove is a
vessel of this character, new, staunch
and speedy. It is proposed to place a
6-inch rifle on a pivot mount on each
vessel forward and to place a ligiit ar
mor around the 'boilers and machinery
to protect 'them from small arms fire at
least. The attention of the department
has also 'been Called to the feasibility
of recruiting the naval list from the
revenue marine cutters, a number of
which are fully equal, being given
arms, to the smaller type of gunboats
now in the service. If these vessels
were availed they would be assigned
to duty along the southern coasts,
maintaining blockades and' relieving
the larger and more expensive cruisers
of much worrisome duty.
DU BOSC THINKS GREAT HAR
MONY PREVAILS.
Senor du Bosc, the Spanish represen
tative in Washington, When seen at the
Spanish legation today and asked as to
the present status of affairs, said: Not
withstanding the apparent agitation, I
am gratified to note that so far as
natural locc u rre nc e s are concerned .they
are adjusting themselves naturally and
in a manner more satisfactory to both
governments."
SPAIN'S THIRD COMPLAINT.
In conjunction with the intimations
of the Spanish government regarding
Consul Geeral Lee and the class of
vessels in which the relief supplies to
Cuba, a third inquiry was made. Cap
tain Crowin Shield was the object of
a request for 'information as to the na
ture of his receinlt trip to the "West Im
dreis. The Spanish government had
been informed that CrowmLnsfielM on
thus (occasion had been in communica
tion with Itlhe insurgents and even went
so far as to give them indirect aid
through1 filibustering sources. When
fhe matter was brought to 'tlhe atten
tion of Presid'ettit iMcKLnley an immed
iate denial in explicit terms was re
turned. Spain thereupon closed the in
cident -Wiith acceptance of the preisi
d'etnt's stta'temenlt, saying- they fhad been
misinf o rmed .
New York, March. 8. !A copyrighted
cablegram to The 'EveniLmg "World, to
day from George Branson Rea, ait Ha
vana, days: General Lee said last
night to me: Tf Spain wishes to declare
any or all of us persona non grata it
is her privilege to do so, but if we must
leave town, we will leave with the
American flag- flying anid a brass .band
at the head of the procession."
'Some persons, in order ,to increasJe
'the excitement, are urging1 General
Fitzlhug Lee to resigmi, tout the consul
general said to a correspondent today:
"T will stick by the Ehip of state un
til the clouds roll by."
CONSUL BARKER RESIGNS. .
The resignation of Walter B. 'Barker,
United Sflates consul at Sagua la
Grande, was cotrtfirmed. by today's aid
vices. Mr. Barker 'has been on. the
verge of nervous1 pTostratkm. . Alexan
der C. Brtce, tine United States consul
at Matainzas, says lie cannot much long
er stkmd the s)fcrain under which, he
has lived the last two years.
The Fern.' 'will ibe replaced- by the
United! States : cruisea-1 . Montgomery,
whi'wh is. -to 1 arrive here tomorrow
morning. The crew of the Fern have
been unable 'to wash, (her decks recent
ly, owing- to the- filthlwess of the harbor
water, and; must clean, up it sea in, or
der to avoid sickness- among the crew.
Whew cleaned the Fern will go to Key
"West and from there to Matanzas with
relief supplies. The1 United States
cruiser Nashville will, it 4s understood
here, take rJlief (supplies to Sagua la
Grande.
Ensign PoweHsoa is to he detatched,
from the Fern and remain here, doing
work for "the. court cf inquiry.
Tcure is r.c-ihlng known officially
yet, about the deportation of any of
the newpaper correspond erils, except
Honor E. Dane, who was arrested on
Saturday last.
The United States naval court of in
quiry into the loss cf the battleship
Maine, which is at present in. session
here, pursued, in some respects, a dif
ferent course from that adopted upon
the occasion of the former visit of the
court to Havana. It is now not un
common to see members of the court
on the wreck, .personally directing the
navy divers and obtaining- from them
direct reports on the steamer, the ac
tual condition of the submerged por
tions of the wreck and making individ
ual notes for future consideration.
AMDRICA1N SCHOONER CAPTURED
BY SPANISH.
Havana, March 8. The Spanish gun
boat Ardilla has captured in an inlet
niar Casilda, on the south coast of
Cuba, the American schooner Esther,
of Eden'ton, 'X. C, bound from Pensa
co'la to Jamaica. The captain of the
schooneT was asked to give the reason
fcr the presence of his vessel in the
inlet and claimed that his rudder was
broken. No further details of the af
fair have been received, but if the
sta'temtnt of the captain of the Esther
turn out to be correct, the schooner
will be liberated. The captain has pro
tested against the seizure of his vessel.
The Esther is of 11.31 tens gross reg
ister. TO INSPECT FORTIFICATIONS.
Key West, Fla., March 8. Briga'der
General John M. Wilson, chief of en
gineers, U. S. 'A., arrived here today
from Tampa on board the Olivette.
General Wilson, it is understood will
return to .Tampa on tornorrow's boat
and will not visit the Tortugas. Ac
cording to official authority, he is here
merely to gain some slight relaxation
from his labors in engineering under
takings on St. Johns river, Fla. On the
other hand, it is reported that his com-'
ing had been anticipated for several
days and that he will inspect two land
batteries, recently finished, and get a
general insight into the condiim of
the fortifications here. He had long
conversations this evening with Rear
Admiral Sicard and the officers in
charge of the local land batteries now
nearing completion. Preparations have
ibeen made at the barracks to receive
General Wilson tomorrow. In the
event of his failing to visit the Tortu
gas, it is certain that he will fully dis
cuss the possibilities for offense and
defense of that station with Admiral
Sicard.
The tug Right Arm sailed for Nor
folk tonight.
The lighthouse supply steam'er Ar
menia, after touching at the Tortugas
this morning, arrived here this after-
noon. The American yacht Ruccan
neer, with Senator Gallinger on board,
reached here this afternoon.
The receipt of, news that Represen
tative Cannon's 'bill 'appropriating $50,
000,000 for the purposes of national de
fense had passed the house unanimous
ly created great enthusiasm among the
naval officers here. It is believed that
Key West and the Tortugas will re
ceive a good share of the amount.
The yacht Anita, from Norfolk,
hound for Havana, with Senator and
Mrs. Thurston, Senator Money and
Congressman Cummings and Smith on
board has arrived here.
SPAIN DID NOT MEAN ANYTHING.
Madrid. March 8. A semi-official
news agency of this city issued today
the following announcement:
"After brief uneasiness there Is a
general belief now that peace will not
be 'broken and that the relations be
tween Spain and the United States will
continue amicable. Political person
ages assert that the late sensational
dispatches are completely wrong in at
tributing an aggressive tone to the
diplomatic relations between the two
governments, which have not for a
single moment lost their friendly
Character."
A semi-official note just issued de
clares that the Spanish government
has not received any complaint regard
ing the attitude of General Fitxhugh
Lee, the United States consul-general
at Havana, adding: ,
"On the contrary, Captain General
Blanco affirms that General Lee's 'be
havior has always been correct.
Nevertheless, the incident serves to ex
plain the origin of the ill will .between
the two countries. This is proved by
statements attributed to Secretary.
Sherman, by which the jingoes have
created the belief in the United States
that Spain is trying to provoke war,
while at the same time engendering
the feeling in Spain that it is the Unit
ed States which 'demands the opening
of hostilities. It is essential that this
double game should be ended in order
to prevent two countries from going to
war without motives, and! without
either of them desiring it.
SPAIN BUYS THE "WARSHIPS.
(London, March 8. The English news
papers today confirm the news of
Spain's purchase of warships. The St.
James Gazette which yesterday pub
lished the denials of the Spanish em
bassy and Spanish naval commission,
which has an office in London, says to
day: "'It is ascertained on very high
authority, in spite of denials, that the
Spanish govemmenit has almost cer
tainly succeeded m buying three nearly
completed cruisers here, and two coast
defense vessels -which are about to be
launched in France. Experts are al
most as much surprised at the success
of Madrid in raising money as by the
clever diplomacy which secured the
Chilian and Brazilian cruisers of the
Armstrongs at a coast believed to be
1,000,000 almost before the move was
suspected."
Inquiry -made here among- financiers
and diplomats who are most likely to
know any facts In rhe case "reveals gen
eral scepticism in connection with the
reports .that a Spanish loan has been
floated in London. Spain, it Is true,
has made repeated attempts to raise
money, as previously cabled, the most
recent effort being made only a fort
night ago, when the Rothschilds and
other financiers were approached em
phatieaUy and finally informed the
Spanish agents that there was no
money to be 'had from them for Spain.
Diplomats here say Spain has endeav
ored to raise a loan among her wealthy
citizens abroad, offering a lieu on pub-
iv TM?Tr 4 wriirltv aTvi it is
UiOTigfit possible this may be the source
of tne , present disbursements.
London, March 9. The 'Madrid cor
respondent of The Times says: "Owing
to .war rumors, bread riots and other
disquieting circums:ances the Span
ish provinces are in such an hysterical
stat? as to distract attention from the
coming elections and to make predic
tion pf the results a difficult matter.
The government ought to secure a fair
majority. The carlLsts will only cutest
the seats they are corifiditnt of gaining.
The republicans are undecided and the
CCnS3TVa.tivfsj -a rf r broken In drr.Lri?i
j spirit anid numbers that they are pow
erless greatly to turn the scale either
1 ,-.oi
,
THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
Htyana, March 8. The court of in
quiry did little today. Consul General
Lee'was very briefly examined and also
one diver. Considerable time was spent
on the wreck. Captain Sampson listen
ed patiently to various theories pro
p3ujdid by tnewspaper men and others
as tp the causes cf the explosion and
also. to S'Satemenifs as to hawsers found
: in the harbor and boiler ircn on the
' sh'crie. Evidently he attached little im
' portance to any "of these stories, but
he )nti'mated that he would investi
gate, any that he deemed worthy.
The. Spanish divers put in a good
day's work, examrnilnig chiefly the for
ward i'part of the wreck, on the star
board side. Captain Peral, cf the Span
ish court of inquiry, was at the wreck
in a boat for some time during the
afternoon.
OsOTIFIED OF THE MO'NTGOM-
, ERY'S COMING.
The orders tor Llie Bache were chang
ed at-the last moiment to the Dry Tor
tugas instead of Key West. If there
were significance in the change, it was"
mot made public. Captain Sigsibee has
advised admiral 'Mamtercla, as did also
'Consul Gemieral iLee, tof the expected
incoming of the cruiser Montgomery,
and a, buoy has been assigned to her,
Where the Fern was moored. The buoy
is near the wreck, for the convenience
totf Captain! Sigsbee and, Lieutemant
Comim-ainder Warnwright, in their su
pervision, of the divers on'd wreckers".
A small number of tourisits, who have
ibeen detained by the health regulations
expect to leave 'by the Olivette, but
there will be no general exodus of
Americans.
THE ESTHER RELEASED.
The American schooner Esther, cap
tured by the Spanish gunboat Ardilla
in an inlet nieiar Casilda, on the south
coast of Cuba, was towed to sea by the
gunboat, after repairing her rudder,
and released, and has sailed for Ja
maica. Sema'tfcr Proctor, .Miss Clara Barton,
Mr. Parker and Dr. Egan returned to
nli'ght , f rom a very initeresting trip to
Sagua "Ja Grande arid Cien'fuegos. Sen
ator Procter says he feels confident
Chat he has induced Walter B. Barker
!fco withdraw his resignation as United
S'tiaites consul at Sagua la Grande and
he will be very much pleased if Mr.
Barker continue in that capacity, as
ihe ctoni'siders him a valuable man. Sen
ator Proctor, with his friend. Colonel
Parker, expects to leave for Washing
ton tomorrow on the Olivette. His
trip, he says, has been productive of
much useful informa-'cion.
Key West, (March 8. The Iowa, will
leave during the might or early tomor
row for the Tut tu gas. It is said of
ficially that (She is going there to coal
and is expected to return here.
fWas'hingtoh, (March 9. The feature
of the day's events was the prompti
tude wMi which the senate passed the
house bell carry inig the appropriation
of $50,000,000 for 'the nati'on'al defense,
and the haste with which ft was put
through the formal proceedings, en-
grosse1
While
it can
I anid signed by the president,
'ihe maitlter has been considered,
Ee stated that the fund has not
yet betm allotted, among the various
brancil?s of the government service.
Each if these had prepared roughly
and
tmta't'ively an estimate of the
fund3
t could "dispose of ta advantage,
but xri m looking over the ground the
presJd- nt concluded that it would be
well p chaps to avoid making the al
lofcmen . until 'the necessity becaime ap
parent i The reason back cf this is
that x e sum that can be profitably
spent for warships cann jt even be
gu'esse at with approximation to ac
curacy just now. As the ships are to
be firs choice in the sfteps for defense,
until t eir cost is ascertained it is not
possih to divide the remainder of the
approi iation among the other branches
of the nilitary and naval services.
The lecretary of the navy is making
every ffort to secure from our naval
attach-?s and diplomatic officers
abroad
all information obtainable re-
pectin
r the number of fhips bunding,
their price and other da'ta. This does
not nebssarily 'interfere with '-the exe
cution if the plans confided to Captain
Brownin, who sailed: for Southamp
ton to-lay, but rather promises Vo as
sist hih materially in making speed
with hi inquiries. Up to this moment
not onlf has -the United States govern
ment liyught no warships, but it 'has
not evrt secured an option ori one.
There ie many applications coming to
the department from persons and firms
who dttre Ito sen ships to the govern
ment, kit in most of these cases one
or two ratal obstacles are encountered
to th4 consummation of the sale.
Either Ibe craft offerdd is not suitable
for naAiH needs or the date of possible
compl ton fis so Viistanfc, from three
months upward, that it cannot be re
garded las worthy of purchase to meet
an ena-ergency.
Theri 5s less difficulty experienced
in sectag tenders of war (material,
such a shot arid shell amd powder,
and th navy department has afanost
assure: itself of an aburidant supply of
certain kinds of smokeless powtder
abroad at abort notice. The officials
of the department are daily m corre
eponde ice by mail aorrd telegraph with
agents of ammunition houses, and, be
sides, -are now fully acquainted with the
plans if domestic powder makers for
enJarg.lLg their plants to meet an emergency-
The represewtjatrres of the ar
mor miikimg firms are m consultation
wtfth tHe deportment steadily, general
ly relative to the supply of gun Xorg
Ings aid such material for use in the
gunshopshere and at Watervlietvbu t the
question of aranor 4s receiving KrtJe at
tention, as the armor makers report
known agency to turn out such armor
as would be required for a mokm bat
tleship in ls than seven months, for
the reason that Tempering: and face
hardening cannot be hastened without
destroying the value of the armor.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE EXPECT
ED NEXT WEEK.
The statement was made at the navy
department today that the report .!
the Maine court of Inquiry pruiiably
would come to the department rvjcrie
time next week. It did not appiw,
howxfver. that thC's statement was
founded upon any direct report from
the court, but was rather an wtimate
tased upon the progress so far made
as revealed by the change of methods
cei the part of the court.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TIFE AD
MINI ST RATION.
Many congratulations are coming to
the White house and the staae depart
ment from all parts of the country
upon the patriotic spirit exhibited in
dealing with the atti?t phasvt of the
Cuban question. Most of the them are
official in character, but many are per
sonally directed to the president.
TO ENLIST SEAMEN AT KEY
YVEST.
Adm'iral Sicard has txen authorized
to enlist suitable mn for the navy at
Key West if he can find the material.
He reported that he had received mv
applications from machinists and sea
men and was immediately given the jjow
er to take the men. The depart nent is
sttill striving vigorously to ecure ma
chinists, especially men Who know how
to run stationary engines. These men
can be quickly taught how to run ma
rine engines and require little othtr
training to make them valuable a'bard
ship.
AUTONOMY AT PORTO RICO.
Official reports indicate that the au
tonomy scheme projected for lVrto
RJco has been put into suoceful op
eration. This is interesting mainly le
cause of resemblance 'between the pro
ject and the plan 'Which it is now
sought to put in play in Cuba.
WAJt PREPARATIONS.
The war department is arranging to
secure a large supply of the most mod
ern rdfles, sufficient in time of fjner
gency to arm a force of 500,000 men.
Senor Mendonea, the Brazilian min
ister, sa'id today that he has received
no information as to the reported ie
gotations toward the purchase of
'Brazilian warships, now in omrse of
construction in foreign yards. In other
official quarters the impression is
growing that there is better prospect
of securing ships now building for
Argentina and Chile. Brazil has been
active of late in building up her navy
and there 1s doubt as to her willingness
to part with any of the ships now
building 'for her. These include two
ironclads at La Seine, France, and
three torpedo .boat catchers at Stettin,
Germany. Considerable payments
have been made on these and they
have become largely the property of
Brazil. It is claSm-ed, however, that
the report of a treaty between Brazil
and Chile, which would prevent either
from se l'liing a ship unless the other
sold at the same time, is erroneous.
The adm i n'i st ra tion has defi nf t e i n -formation
from a source which 'is re
garded as beyond question to the ef
fect that Spain has not purchased the
two Brazilian cruisers Barboso and
Amazonas.
COLUMBIA AND MINNEAPOLIS
ABOUT READY.
The cruisers Columbia and Minneap
olis, it is now expected, will le fitted
out and manned by the 15th instant.
It is likely the two vessels- will go im
mediately to Hampton Roadts, Where
they will meet the Brook! yn.
. Inasmuch as the return to Washing
ton of Mr. Hulse, who acted as one of
the stenographers of the court of in
quiry at Key West, has been made the
basis for tJhe assumption that he
brought to the secretary of the navy
a report from the court and also that
he gave the isecretary what xmrportol
to Ue the conclusions of the court as
to the cause of the Maine disaster, it
may be stated by authority of the wc
retary 'that he has not seen or com
'municated with Mr. HuLse Hi nee the
Tatter's return, nor does he expect to do
so. So far as can ibe gathered Mr.
Hulse lef t the court of 'inquiry lecause
it. had no longei need for his services.
THE CANNON DTLL SLGaVED.
The president at 3:40 o'clock this
afternoon signed the measure appro
priating $50,183,000 for the 'national de
fense and it is now a law.
.NEW SPANISH WA'RSinPS.
Glasgow; March 9. Thf Spanish tor
pedo boat destroyers Osado and Audlz
left the Clyde bank this afternoon, fully
manned and wirh all their gurrs and
other armaments on board. They will
embark their ammunition tomorrow at
Greenock and will sail on Saturday.
At their 'trials they developed a sjeed
of thirty knots.
ARRIVAL OF THE "MONTGOMERY.
Havana, March 9. The United States
cruiser (Montgomery arrived here at
9:35 o'clock this morning. The arrival
here of the Montgomery was very
quiet, ft being generally understood
that she comes to replace the coast
survey steamer Fern as quarters for
Captain Sigsbee and others.
Oairariandw Converse, of the Mont
gomery, is a high authority on ex
plosives and his advice will be useiful
to the court of inquiry 'into the loss of
the M adne.
lAfter firing the usual eahrte and be
ing saluted In return, the Montgomery
was moored m the principal harbor
near the wreck of the Maine and In the
centre of a circle of Spaniel rtrips.
Later in the day CVrrmtander Converse
received the correspondent an board the
cruiser and treated him graciously,
though he had notnfrtg to tell hdm be
yond the facts already sent. He seem
ed satisfied to have a rest In Havana
(harbor for a while, as the cruwer has
been very busy touching at -West In
dian ports lately. Captain Sigsbee,
Lieutenant: Commander Wain Tight
and Ensign Po wesson will occupy quar
ters on the Montgomery, the Tern leav
ing Havana this afternoon. The Mont
gomery is 3 trim and neat as possible.
Nobody as- allowed on board without
Royal makes the fo4 pure.
holcsoae and dcllvi
P017DEF2
Absolutely Puro
CW AC POW.!. .... fcCw V .
Permission, but no mo Is exohafcuJ tiT
business or courifsy demand tin afcd
mission of the visiur. Tlit-rx is t in
dication if tht? lonjgrh of the o.ruii
stay in this harbor, any mr tlmn
there is any news f the d ur.it iott or
the sessions KVf the ourt f imravrjr
here.
The court held fts uual !ejiiwis t
day examining the divers. fKiJr
the Spanish divers wt-re at wxrrfc aiifi
they were wcupiid but part oi Stie
day. The wreckers are sutifily mi
moving the unx-r debris of the Ttfe
f-me of which will k' dunxjeVl into Ttie
sea. Other rrions of thv vti nrr
wxrth saving.
Senator Pnrtr left here tIay fvir
Key West and will g, t. Miami lry tx
morrow's steamer.
Consul General I'e s.iy.- then ciAf
r.oih'ing of imjNcrtance in the ma-il nntc
ter Whkh he has just received fnrtn tlt
I'nTted Statts.
The Olivvtte'.' ia.weng.r li.t of iei
comers was small and her outgolru: twrx
of passengers is not as larg. as ut-ijirfl.
(Norfolk. Va,. March Th" i:r.4ti
States gunlnjat 'Machias arrived Hkk
morning and proceeded t the rmw
yard, where she will be irtsi . ed mtt
reveive necessary repairs. Sin re; lift
ed a pleasant trip and all wen; utt
on board.
SLOW PROGRESS OF THE COl'ICT.
Havana, 'March 9. A further i-xanAi-nation
of the divers Hx,uijitd tin cu.rt
Vvf 'inquiry today. The sessions w"
not long and It would '1 hard for etrty
one not possessed of inside infontKsrPoti
to tell what keeps the mtmbrs hec.
unless it 'be that they are waiting ura
til the divers are alle to exam.it' arrrl
rei)Tt uAn portions f 'the hull alrcud.y
engulftvl in the haricr mud.
The court o? inquiry pursues Its trT -turn
and ever secret! w Way. The
lief here is that the urt U 'prmciimlfji
engaged now in killing time and is im
likely to go north until next week
It is certain that the memirs turry
strengthening the t'iwtimvny daiiy ijr
personal ols?-rvatlon of the wreck atrl
the carefully prepared plans madi try
Ensign Powelron from the almit luc--ly
reports of the divers. T1h court ihmt
has photographs, drawings and da
grams showing us near a 'issible ttw
cond!itin of things submarine.
AVhat effect the presence of th
gomery will have no one will U '.itar
to tell until tihe ha.s )n--n h.-p s"i?iai
days. She Is so much smaller than tW
V'izcaya or the Almirante 0juendi twt,
it is apjarent to every on- trmt
was not sent in a warlik. mHl, fmrt
only to replace the I-N-rn. Th-re in -rrt
airpreh' nsion among naval o!f?i-rs
the Montgomery will hare 'th fate l
the Maine.
With reference to th" sv-nvy irr
observes as to the work and pnrpurtiojnst
of th;, testimony U'fore th e urt ' iu
quiry, a high naval fh. r says tlr-rr
is no special reas- n for m i: nt;unit:
jaecreoy, except the fact ih:U luir
statements of comparatively unfininr
iar.t incidents are exagger.it el by srrrr?
and worked up Into dangfjrus sen na
tional stories. In view of this., f aid 2Zt
officer in question, it was deemed It
to crmmand aUsolub reserve tn tbr
part of all eonmeted with th c-urt Tt
ami nation of the work of salversre.
Senator Proctor before leaving oxa jr
by the Oli-ette said: "You may
nay that my visit, call it a,
mission of pleasure or bumK bt
what you will, has 'been very soiwj
ful. I cannot epeak on iritw-al anxlr
JecLs iK-rtainhng to Cua hero
now."
The Fern left for Key Wst tznlgTit.
Americans here are gnvitly pleased ut.
the prompt action of ongress in ptn
ing the defense bill, eeryone ntgad
ing the arrpropriation as a wise nun
ure in time of peace.
Henry Laine, the American rjorn
spondent has been expel led fnm the is
land. He left on the ILant I:ne ttiat
er Olivette at noon tolay. There luonr
leen further arrests on charge of oin
?piracy. An entertainment and social funntimn
tor the benefit of the Spanish, navy tm
1-eing arrangetl to take place at -theatre
Tacon. Several Ifjres hitvr
leen nold at r30 each and the K-i
have leen disiKjed of at 13 each.
Iuis Klcpsch, proprietor f Tff
Christian Herald, of New York n"tsv
arrived on the Ward Line ntwnxrr
Seguranca today. He is one of Unrmm
corrrmlsRloners appointerl by Prvdet
McKinley to supervise the collection r
a relief fund and Is here to see Consul-General
I-e and Miss Clara I&arni
an J to oiwtrve the distriVation of re
lief. LEE NOT UNEASY. ,
Havana escaped the excitement mT
Sunday last which ms to haw roacti
d a high pitch at Key West and cfcw
where. ConsuMJeneral Lee wom nt
advised from the state dpartnvnt T
the request from Madrid fcrr his recaCL.
nor of the withdrawal of the requivrx.
Information as to both points was rrr
nished to -him by the correspondent nS
the Associated Press. In the Aicsaoe
of particulars. General le lxHswm
that the request was prompted by -ftke-autononibjts,
who prolably alJegsj bt:
he was not a 1-Jever in autonomy tu.
it exists here, and, therefore, task! Jtim
removal. In torder to get a sturrAatis
.block out of the -way. General Lot .tu
on the Hjest of terms with GeoiutJ
te (Continued on Fith Page.l
Mj