North Carolina Newspapers

Yesterday in congress. Corbetl'a Claim to a Seat )n tile Senate Ictl -Senator Allen With draws His - Cuban; K solution GoVernmient Pre- pariDg lor Contingencies f ' . SENATE. T '.- U 1 . - ! . ..iSin, r eoruary 24.-A feature of senates session today was tjhe speech ul aenaior bpooner, of Wisconsin, on the yiffht of Henry w. Cqrbett to ia seat In. Jhe senate from Oregon under appoint ment of- the governor. Senator Spooner made a .constitutional argument in favor ?f seating Mr. Corbett, and had not co'n . f luded when the senate adjourned. An effective- point was made, by Senator Spooner when he cited the credentials of John Walker, of Virginia, who! was ap--?oni-ted to the senate on Martih 31, 1790 py the governor of Virginia. This case' fhe first gubernatorial appointment made ; the Senate under the constitution Senator Spooner said, was precisely sim ilar to that now under consideration as ffenator Walkers credentials' shbwed that S?ie .Lesrislat-ure had had opportunity to 2 . h? vacancy ahen existing! and had Jailed to do so. The senate accepted Mr alker s credentials and seated him t An effort .was made to obtain -consid'era-fiort of tho Alaska homestead and rail- t " --r?r "j "-" uut on a tiar nentary technicality it went oer. The. resolution offereri vM4rHa- J-nator Alien, of 'Xchraska rih. committee of fivo senators, tik invti. rate the Cuban situation wn ohtv,H.-Q.r' y its author when it was laid lWnrt th . Senate. Senator Allen said thaTt he was Ibatished from the vote on htfe amend ment yesterday that the fight oh his res olution was quite Well sealed, f jr' HOUSE OF REPRESENTAlriVE3. i The house devoted i'tself stirir-t !v trv pu.TiK-sr, lotiay. arm -Uisposed i tedduional psfges of the .sundry! of thirty civil ap,- mn. sn uxisuccestul at tempt to increase the appropriation for ' suppression or epidemic' gpOO.OOO iud to considerable deha dise'ases te on the . uivmatniiiy of establishing a national , yMU.ua.ni.ifUV. . The ract that the government is pre paring for ccntinnencies was Recognized n the hou.-e today when Chairman Can s'? ton, who has 'been! la.bpring to keep down Impropriations, acefted without a word . jbf protest an amondanent -to increase the iippropriation to care .for the uriused ma viiinery at t,he Sp: ingfield arse lal. Mr. 4illett ex.plain.ed that necessity I for using '?this machinery might occur at Many time. Two joint resolutions were, adopted jfcro.vidink for the appointment dt THomas praytoji Parker and i James E. Halrhfer, as. amuseu assistant engineers in the Inavy ,r jrt tine engineer class. I t was ' explained i.nat tnese men were dropped after grad . .ihition, owing to tle lack of yaeancies. ifriu re 'W(fre now fourteen vacajpcles. one pt which was caused By theil death of IJeutenant .Merritt, of the Maijne. These .'Resolutions were objected to a few weeks . At D:lo o cloek p. m. the house ad journed Hoard of Public I x i miner (Special to The 'Messenger.) Raleigh, N. C., February -23. The State (board of pul:Iic examiners meets. .h re tomorrow: The state sujperinten "peht 'says that in addition ' foljprescrib- ng a cpuratB of stuidy, it will aS!so pre are a form of examination fjpr appli- 4antjs- for; life-" certiflcate.s, as ieaclfers, ffvhU-h, examination 4iJly. . f The state charters will bej held, in it--. . the Smithfield orolmcco Varehouse Company, J H. JKOU hrtd other stocklholders. . ...Two negro convicts from Hornet ar- ei'e at the penitentiary, onejlT years l'd get? fifteen years fur murder in the Bee end degree. Deaths In Forest Flr 8 (Special to The Messenger.) Raleigh, Si. - C, February 24. The state forester, who returned, here today after jfi tour through thr vast pirife region swept by nre last -week. reports that fourteen persons were burned to death this state and South Carolina. Chijdren and. adults tortured by Jfurns, scalds, injuries, eczemai or skin 4jseases may secure instant relief by sing DeWitt's Witch Hazel Salve. It is the 'great Pile remedy. -Robt. R. lietiaray. if 4 Contents of XliirU l'ge a Ttaleigli letter. Decision of federal su preme court on question of usUjry by .na tional, banks.' Uncertain valde ol'niod- iXU1 navies. s-Sad enjd,ing of a useful life. ? MoKinley on the alert aa o Cuban Wiatters. Searching government ' coal tsA Key West-.- Capacitj of railroads to transport trobps to seaboard. -i Market reports., . . " 'J "I don't know, there may bd others," he said, "but I have used 'Parker's Tolu Coiigh Syrup' in my family for years and would not be without it." He knew better than to buy 'the1 In ferior preparation that wab I hetng urged upon him." Parker's Tou ,Oough Syrup" has no equal. It willrirhmedi fely relieve' any Cough oii Cold, Whooping Cough, Soi-e Throat,. Hoarse ness, Croup, BronchiUs and kitjdreid ail menta. Cohtaina no injurious! ingredi ents, is pleasant to take and a safe remedy for children. . For sale .by J. C. L. Fen- J&hej ard, J. H. Hanim. and H To Thoroughly Investigate the La Ice City , . Murders r 'aehingtoni February 24. The po-.tof JJce department' has directed vVUliams at Chattanooga. Ten., to de itfaii another iniHetor to prqceejl to Euke rft;ity, S. :C. ar.l assist Mr. Moyej, who ar yived there last night, to condubt the in vestigation into the murder of Postmas- It r Uaker and the burning ot the post- iffici. A "singular -coincidence ill the c- case Jhe df Baker is that on February; 21st, llay of the night on which he &vas roup iOVrcil. he wSote a letjter to the post office (department saying that his life had been 'j.lircateiived and asking that the govern WUKli i ntend some protection to Shim. This fetter eme to hand i yesterday Afternoon, tf.tior. McLuirln, of Souh (Carolina, was among Postmaster General Gary's itallcrs today and expressed horpbr at the ar.rime tn which Haker losT. 'his lft. he tasked that the department use every ftneans at its comman'd to discover the ' ms rpetrators of -the outrage anid assured Sbenerai Gary that he would ;jflo every- ;-Ttirtn In his power to assist hiin. A dispi-h was received from Inspec tor Moye- et Like City this jafternoon paying i that he pursuing the in vest i- rantloh directed by tt- ii partmSnt. There ytaa no-clue to the perpei-ri torsi mt Julian Paucpfote My Follow; Do Lame -i'ljndon. February 24. The daily Mail fins morning alleges that atteihpts have : jjeen meuje by newspapers in London hnd Klew York to obtain sorhe letters that the ttrjtish- ambassador to the Ppn'lted States,' Mr Julian Pauihcefote, is supposed to have written, containing jMrohg expressions regar)nf - tjie Ameri can senate's rejection of the-iJtra tion treaty,1 The S idea, according! to fhe 53a ify Mali was to compel Sirulian to . follow Sviior !Dnpuy de Lome. The paper ' -Kdde"; The campaign failed, butt.it is eyi . tfenc thai Sir Julian Pauncetfote will . ghave to tread warily. . a , : : i food pure, i 4 POWDEH iUraolutcly Puro mm IF TREACHERY IS PROVEN I HE ADMINISTRATION WILL ACT VIGOROUSLY. i . HcKinley Waiting for Report of the Conrt of Inquiry Evidence of an Outside Ex plosion Accumulating Pitiful Appeals to Have the Bodies Brongbt Home Its Impossibility-Spaniards Admit Subter ranean Passages NO Official "ews to fie Ifad Violence of Madrid Press Washington, February 24. Rumors of startling discoveries in the wreck of the Maine were less frequent, but there were enough of them still afloat today to warrant Secretary Long in making this statement to the newspaper men as he.left his office: "Summing up the situation, I should say that the navy department knows today nothing more about the cause of the disaster than it did five minutes after the receipt of the first dispatch from Captain Sigsbee." The secretary's attention was drawn to the published statement that Cap tain Crownhishield, chief of the bureau of navigation, had just arived at Tampa, Fla., on the (Monterey, from a trip to Cuba, where he had been in specting coaling stations near Matan zas. The secretary's comment 'was simply this-: -"Captain Crowninshield has not been to Cuba, He has been off T with his boy on matters not in any wise connected wiith the business of the inavy." Secretary Long further said that he rather expected to see Captain Crowninshield tomorrow. -. .Until the conclusion of .the investiga tion of the court of inquiry at Havana, the principal business of the mavy de partment in connection with the Maine will relate tp the conduct of the wreck ing operations. Captain Lemly. the judge , advocate general, who' has this branch of ' the work immediately in charge, today received telegrams from the Merritt and Chapman Wrecking Companies at New York, stating that the steamer 'Merritt and wrecking lighter Sharp has sailed for Havana and that the tug Underwriter, with the chief, would leave New York Saturday for the 'same place. The assistant wrecking master was going to Havana on the Ward Line steamer Saturday, and it was suggested to the depart ment that its inspector should take the same steamer. In asmuch as Lieuten ant 'Commander Kim'ball, who is now at Havana, has been assigned to the duty of inspecting the wrecking opera tions it will not be necessary to observe this suggestion. 'The only exact information received at the navy department from Havana during the. day was conveyed in Cap tain Sigsbee'a telegram, as follows: "Havana, February 24, 1898. "Long, Secretary of the iNavy: "The wrecking tug Right Arm arriv ed yesterday. She begins work today. Much- encumbering metal must be blasted away in detail., 'Navy divers have been down aft seven days and forward four days. The bodies 'of Jen kins and Merritt have not yet been found. Two unidentified bodies of the crew were found yesterday. The after compartment is filled with detached, broken and buoyant furniture and fittings, mud and confusion. The Span ish authorities continue offers of as sistance and care for the wounded and dead. Everything that goes from wreck to the United States should be disinfected. "jPhe wrecking company should provide for this. The surgeon of the i'Majne, after consulting with others, recommended that all bed ding and clothing should be abandoned. It might go to the acclimated poor. Useless fittings and equipments might be towed to sea and thrown overboard. I will takeall immediate responsibility, but invite the department's wishes. Shall the old metal of the superstruc ture and the like be saved? Friends of dead should understand that we are In the tropics. Chaplain Chidwick is charged with all matters relative to the dead. His conduct is beyond praise.. I don't know what reports are being printed, but the intensely active repre sentatives of the press here have beep very considerate of me and .my posi tion. " ' "SIG&BE3E." Secretary Long immediately answer ed Captain Sigsbee, approving all his recommendations. He was directed to have Lieutenant Wainwright, the ex ecutive officer of the 'Maine, make ar rangements with the wreckers for the disinfection o'f everything sent to the United States. The recommendation that all bedding and clothing be &bar done and if need be, be given to the acclimated poor, was approved without comment. The same approval was giv en to the! suggestion that useless fit tings and equipment be towed to sea and thrown overboard, it being left to Cap.tain Sigsbee's judgement to deterr -mine bow far this destruction should iio carried on. To the captain's inquiry as -to the saving of old metal and parts of the superstructure, the answer was given that such material was of no use to the bureau of equipment. It was left to Captain Sigsbee to say what of this shattered material was worth pre .orrinir H1 statement that much blasting will 'be required io ;ear away encumbering material h.dicates that Is fessantial further to destroy the up per . portions of the wreck in order to get at what, is wiore valuable beneath. Captain Sigsbee's' statement that the divers have been down aft seven days and forward four days, gave the nayy department the first information of the time that the divers had been in the vicinity of the "zone of the explosion," as he had termed it- This zone is coiv fined to the forward part of the ship, and while the divers have been down aft for the last .week, their work for ward, in the vicinity or tne targe wag, azine, has been in progress only four days, whicn presumably began on Monday and included today. WHY . THE DBAO BE BROUGHT HOME. The statement in the Sigsbee dls. patch that "friends of the dead should understand we are in the tropics" is understood at the navy department to refer to the urgent pleas of relatives Of the dead that they be brought to the United States. rnese appeaia continue to '&e re'eeiyed here, and while they excite the deepest sympathy of of ficials, no hope can be held opt that the dead can be brought back, One of these appeals makes a pitiful plea against the burying of the dead '"by alien hands in an alien countiry." There fcre circumstances Which, if they could be made 'knvn, would end such a de sire to bring the remans to this coun try. These circumstances tafcve heen withheld, mainly through a desirt "to $ae friends and relatives from the pain w-bici would be caused by a full disclosure of tne effect of the explo ir,n. The press reports k&YP given in i&art tja terrible mufiliatioh of the f bodies, but M. m feared this bas not been fuhy reaiizea oy frjenas rel atives. Tne men were seepnt4 yu iuc SSSi" by theforee A the explosibn, und together Unto a confuse Were gro -r - -' T nik I 1 I r 1 t IS 11LL1D hope that fflWpr tne " ing will be founa of , u touuu, c.- --. will be in a condition ty brought to the United States. STRENGTH OF NAVAL MILITIA. The navy department today gave out the figures sh 6 wiser the strength of the naval militia up to date. Thjs shows a. total force of 4,445 officers and enlist? ed. roen, which" is a gratifying increase from the 3,703 shown toy the lat re port. The number of officers and men by states is as follows; janrornia o, Connecticut 165. Florida, 186, Georgia 26, Illinois 63, Louisiana 262. Maryland 240, Massachusetts 441, Michigan 193, New Jeruey W, New TH NorU Carolina 230; Ohio 216, Pennsylvania 216, Rhode Island 136, South Carolina, 152, Virginia 44; total 4,445. Aside from the forces shown in the above list, new brigades are hi process of formation, which promises to swell the total to much larger figures at an early day. The organization of this auxiliary arm of th8 navy service is under Immediate direction of Lieuten ant Gibbojns, U. S. 1ST., whose energy has accomplished much msecuring state organization and in the har monizing -of the bodies into one com pact force, capable in emergency of co operating with the regular navy. !fa his last report, 1Mr. Roosevelt said that the state maval militia, in the event of sudden emergency, cbuld be utilized at once for manning the smaller national curisers. It could be depended upon mainly, he said, as a second line of de fence, and also be j used in placing mines and the establishment of "signal stations for coast defense. The appropriation of $50,000 made by congress to aid the work of the naval militia will, be appropriated among the states Iti a few days. WASHINGTON SAFE FROM AT TACK. Thanks to the promptness and ef ficiency of the ehief of engineers and the- chief of ordnance of the 'army, the city of Washington is now regarded as being well nigh safe and secure from attack by water. The fortifications at Fort Washington and 'Sheridan point, onj the opposite side of the Potomac are sufficiently advanced to be able to repel an ordinary fleet of invaHers, and in case of necessity they could be, vastly f trejigthened in. a-comparatively short umf . These defenses are Scmsidered sufftcient to- keep all hostile vessels be yond the rangs of gunshot of the. na tional capital. Moreover, the river has een blocked off and prepared for mines and torpedoes at a point below the fortifications already mentioned, so that it is probable some of the ships of an enemy would be'blown out of the water before it would be necessary, to use the guns 'at the forts. EVIDENCES OF OUTSIDE EXPLO SION. The Evening Star has received the following cablagrarrt from Charles ; M. Pepper, its staff correspondent in Cuba: "Havana, February 23, "Via Key West, Fla. "At this writing divers are develop ing important results. From examina tion of the interior wreckage they have secured evidence which seems con clusive that the explosion" came from underneath the ship. Some of the smaller magazines may have exploded. The main 10-inch magazine did not ex plode. The condition of the interior of the ship shows further probability of the wreck having been due to outside force. The further the investigation progresses the more untenable becomes the theory which the Spanish govern ment adduced to show accidental cause. It ?!is evident the Spanish ease will be based on the claim that a, fire preceded the explosion. Captain Sampson and his colleagues of the naval board may have outside evidence offered regarding a torpedo float producing the explosion. "Said one diver , who had been en gaged in the work of getting bodies, out from under , the hatch: 'God may be merciful to the men who blew these poor fellows to eternity: the United States should not.' This was" 'before Long's order prohibiting officers from talking. This diver' evidently thought the explosion was not an accident. He had ah expert's capacity, ami oppor tunity for judging. "The Havana public is not permitted to know the intensity of public senti ment in the United States. Only meagre details' are permitted to be know of what, happens in Washington. Congress is watched with excessive anxiety by palace officials, but the pop ulace knows nothing of what is liable to happen. Evidences of ifl feeling toward American people and exultation over the iMaine disaster do not lessen. The 'Maine inquiry dwarfs interest in Cuban politics, but recent develop ments carry official confession of the failure of autonomy." QUESTION OF RAISING s THE MAINE. In view of the many expressions of doubt concerning the possibility of raising the wreck ti the Maine the message sent yesterday- to the navy department by Admaril Sicard may have some weight. The admiral report ed that the court of, inquiry, which ' Is oh the spot and has had the advantage of the opinions' of divers, had declared that the most powerful appliances would be necessary . to remove the wreck or raise the ship. The last ex pression is taken tb mean that the court has so far not concluded that it would be impossible 'to again float the Maine.else the language would seem to have been unnecessary, an unwar ranted supposition, fi the ease of ex pensive cablegrams Nothing has been heard from Gen eral Lee at Havana since day before yesterday in the, shape of a cablegram and, as ' the consul general has been prompt heretofore in informing ,he state department of any developments of significance' It is supposed that there have been npne since General Lee's last report. BLANCO'S CONDOLENCE. In the mail received from Consul General Lee this morning was a copy of the message of condolence received by him from 'Captain General Blanco in the following terms: Havana, February 16, 1898. "Mr. Consul: ' "It becomes my painful duty to ex nrus tn van to v nrofound sorrow for I" - ' f?."T f- . . .. , . n . . - , . . 1.. . V. , i , t , ;j i ire the misfortune' which occurred yester day on board tne American snip Maine. I associate myself wth all my heart to the grief of the nation and of the families Who have lost some of their members-; and ypon doing so ' I do not only express my personal senti ments, but I speak In the name of all the i-nhabjt-ants of Havana, witnesses of the catastrophe, which has afflicted so many homes. "God guard you many years. (Signed) '"RAMON BLANCO. tm the Consul of the United States. "Habana, February 16, 1898." NO VESSEL ORDERED TO HAVANA No prders have been issued as yet for any vensfe! to !0 to Havana to re iolace the Maine. Secretary Long said some days ago that a vessel would be sent to Havana later and that either khe Nashville or the Montgomery would Ibe selected. It can toe stated authori tatively that this is still, the situation and that ho conclusion has been reach ed as to When another warship will replace the Maine, The cruiser Cincinnati reported her arrival today from Barbadoes. She ran over from Park, Brazil, the reason assigned for the trip being the desire o the department that she should take ' this ppal at an uninfected port. News of the arrival of Jhe Castine at Barbadoes is expected at any moment, and ." the two ships probably will re main cruising ampng the smaller is laud5 of the Caribbean sea until about April 1st, when it is the present inten tion to return tnem to . me uraziuan NO NEW WITHHELD PROM THE PUBLIC Late reports from 'Havana haye pot changed in any degree the views of the high officials of the government as o the probable cause of the disaster to ik$ yiilie. :It can be stated. oS !hu highest authortMf $hft- absolutely noth ing of a disquietihgnature fas been received at the White hbuse.'oor is U& portant news of any character expected until the court of ihquiry has complet ed its Investigation and submitted its report. It can also i& stated upon au thority not to be questioned that the public has been fully Informed as to .11 mnrrm nnnnvui nrihi tho A 1 3f-4- ter to the 'atame wnicn nave come w .the knowledge of the government. 1?fothln hi toefr withheld of the least public intejest, and this policy will be continueyuntiL the problem has been solved and the whole truth brought to light. It is known that the govern ment has not received -and information from official sources tending to show with any degree of certainty that the explosion was the work of enemies. At the Spanish legation much in terest is manifested in the develop ments attending the Maine inquiry and the earnest hope is expressed that con servative judgment will not be i4puenc ed by reports which by the legation are regarded as untrustworthy, Mr. du Bosc and his staff of the legation are maintaining a calm attitude, and are seeking to allay everything whioh might inflame public sentiment. The Spanish cruiser Vizcaya will probably sail tomorrow for Havana. That, however, is a matter wholly with in the discretion; of Captain Eulate. It is probable that she would haye gone before this time if it Were not for the misleading impression which an early departure might occasion. Reports received today at the lega tion speak with satisfaction of the courtesies which the government fieia'ls at New York have shown of the officers and men of the ship. SOBRAL TO SAIL. Captain Sobral, the late naval at tachee of the legation, came to Wash ington yesterday and conferred with Senor du Bosc. Any misunderstand ing which has occurred as to his official status is due to the fact that the of ficial notification of the termination of his service has not come to him from the naval chiefs under which he serves. The decree was formally gazetted, how ever, and during Captain Sobral's visit here he received orders from 'Madrid to report there at once, 'He, therefore, will take an early steamer, ana this apparently disposes of the incident with which his name has been connect ed. THE DAUNTLESS STILL AT SEA. The whereabouts of the steamer Dauntless said to have sailed from Florida w.ith a filibustering expedition, is beginning to excite much comment. The expedition is said to have sailed over a week ago and; there has -been ample time for her to reach Cuba. No reports to this effect have been receiv ed. It is felt that she must have encoun tered heavy weather and is possibly dis abled, or else has made a q uiet landing and is now cruising about to secure a safe avenue of escape from the Spanish ships in watching. The increase of the artillery force of the country by two regiments as pro vided for in the senate bill was agreed on by a sub-committee of the house military affairs Committee today and will be reported to the full oommittee at the regular meeting tomorrow with out the change of a word. CABLEGRAMS FROM CAPTAIN SIGSBEE. Late tonight fhe navy department received two brief telegrams from Cap tain Sigsbee at Havana. One related to, some routine matter of expenditures in connection with the work on the Maine. The other is as follows: "Div- Tthe guests incjd the Austrion, Rus ers report more bodies in the. wreck, j siar, French,-jfnian, Italian, Turk Some are in their hammocks, involved 'i Ish, Dutch, atljBritish ministers or in debris, probably not recognizable." j This dispatch indicates that the div ers have finally secured at least a partial entrance to the quarters in the forward part of the vessel where the crew were asleep when the explosion occurred, and under which were the magazines. The fact that the divers were unable to extricate the bodies shows the fearful obstacle against which they are laboring and bears out the belief that the Work of submarine investigation will necessarily proceed slowly. t Mckinley to act! vigorously if treachery is proven. St. Louis, February 24. General Wil liam H, Powell, of Belleville, who was in command of the regiment in which President McKinley served during the civil war, and who was recently ap pointed collector of internal revenue I for the southern Illinois district,' rc- turned from Washington today. The general who is a personal friend of I President McKinley, ,said that while ai the capital, he discussed the Maine disaster and its possible results, with ; the chief executive. "The president j stated to me," said the general. "that he was only waiting for a complete re port of the naval boardj of Inquiry, and that should it report that our sailors had met their death "through Spanish treachery he was prepared to act at once, anl in a mamneri which would meet the approval of every loyal Amer ican citizen." General Powell said preparations for war were being pushed with the ut most vigor and added: ."I am. con vinced that President McKinley is the right man in the right place and that as soon as Spanish treachery has been proven his policy will toe rigid enough to meet the approval' even of the most pronounced jingoes.'1 WITNESSES BEFORE! THE COURT. Havana, February 24. The court of inquiry held its usual session today. Captain Sampson reports that Chap lain Chidwick was examined as to his personal experience? at the .time pf the disaster to the Maine, and that the testimony wag taice'n of the captain of a British bark in the harbor and the superintendent of the West Indian Oil W orks, across the bay at Regla, both of whom witnessed the explosion. Mr. Rolf, the British engineer of the float ing dock in the harbor, wrote a letter to the court, but, it is said, did not add anything material to what was known. At the afternoon session the divers were examined more fully than before. Their testimony uf taken from day to dav. The court expects now to finish here todajr and to sail du the Mangrove foif Key West, where the other officers arid men will be examined. The wrecking tus Right Arm did not go north, as was txicjeted yesterday, She is now moored beside -the poop of the wreck, and will salve he smaller portions as far as possible In advance of the arrival of other tugs with bet ter facilities for heavy work. Chaplain Cnidwick reports that all the wounded here are doing well except Frederick C. Hoizer, of New York, who may die at any moment. Neither the officers of the court of inquiry nor the witnesses will give the oHcrbtest indication (. the testimonv or tha conclusions deinfciple froih it, anq all say that the men employed on the wrec'k have toeen warjned to observe an equally strict reticerice. This course is regarded as eminently wise by the American and all intelligent Spanis'.i officials, as there is no telling what passions might be arbused or what ferii!rewuUs might be piough't 'touvtoy. talking freely on official matters in the. present state of public feeling in Hft vana. Thus far Americans are treated with the utmost courtesy and kindness, and it seems the special care of the res idents of Havana "to show friendliness. Consul General Lee says there is no truth in, tfcs report that he has asked Captain General Blanco yo' dismiss from Cuba certain newspaper men for sending sensational stories to ' the United States. On the contrary Gen eral Lee has never Inteff erred with the Arr.erivan newspaper mien in any way. Geheral Sbjanb, the second, cyief o staff, today returned on board the Manerove the visit to the court of in quiry, acting as the representative of tHa VaicrnLr fit 'Artmlral ilai:- terola personally returned" the visit" to him by the court. The Thursday r cepna of General Blanco were re- auiuru iuia - . j THE SUBTER'KANJflA'JN PASSttAi'iii. In connectioH wiife le claipT. made by the Cubans that there are mine gar? lerles under the harbor of Havana, leading from subterranean passage?, and known to have existed for years between Fort Cabanas, Morro Costle i on4 tliia nnrf the. Snaniarrls PXT)lain that for over a century a. subterranean passage about two miles longf and eiyht feet at its narrowest diameter, capable of giytjf, passage to a column of troops hasTiisted from the navy yard to Castil jfiel Principe. But, the Spaniards fut assert, the existence of this passage svas not known to the present authogps or to those who have 'been iigisWer for many years past. Tne ebjILihG63 and exits, it is added, have a closed for years by thick walls ni covered with debris and their exae location is said to be lost. At the ,s&? time it-is admitted that the recor-1 egarding the subter ranean passag can "-be found in old decunients inj.f 5 archives of Havana. Finally, the ,g&aiards insist that this passage does nKt go under the harbor a: any point.- The sessiov'g Uthe court of inquiry this afternooh'" ras devoted to talcing the testimony two civilians, Ameri cans, who safFe explosion from the deck of the jt d. Line steamer City of Washington haft was moored a few hundred yards,, om the Malh, and of two divers, wrf have. been at work on tne wreck forii-eral days. Although it fjf wfobable the Mangrove will leave for lfcv West tomorrow, Cap' taia Sampson ;i-inot yet certajn. It is believed the cflifH Will return to Ha vana taffter he&JVj.ir the Key West wit nesses, but nv t Hicial confirmation of this report carta -4 obtained. With the departure of "vita court the centre of interest will p:.. ably be at Key West, although the ters will maintain the same reserve ?fJe as hece.' The news given out by iourt is strictly con fined to that ;afly sent by this cor respondent ania$ very scanty at the best. :'. The explosioSiiJs no longer the sole topic of conve4Li04:ion. The public here appears to be Jitent to await the re port of the coid"":of inquiry and to be well assured t'tt nothing except sur mise is possibY until the report is made. The coast sjgjey steamer A. T. Bache, after rt jy delays, left for the Tortugas thimorning witn three wounded, all ?1l& well. Owing to the American qua&. uine regulations, the wounded havirj- been in hospitals here and exposed to? vyer, must be taken to' hospitals -in WYT'urtugas for quaran tine. The ot i wounded are doing well late tonight? (Even Hoizer, though sorely woundefife better and is mak ing a gallant 'i'-t for life. No bodies wef recovered today from the wreck. 'Ref-mt orders from Cap tain Sigsbee fefestly fprbid all officers of the Maine tt-ive out, any informa tion except 't6 mme officially empower eu to askit. Tie order is generally understood to- ly all official mat ter though sam, " think it affects only matters connei2fd with the disaster. Madrid, Febffiry 24. The queen-regent today prefled at a cabinet coun cil which disc&jted the relations be tween Spain a?p' the United States. MINISTER ;t OODFORD'S BAN : ... ) ;yUET- The United 4 jjttes Minister, General Stewiart L. WJford, gave a banquet today in 'honor, f the new Spanish minister at W fiingt on, Senor Polo y Bernialbe. ' lifted di tion to the later, charge d'affairm'Sand . their wives, and. the Duke f ffiferagua the lineal de scendant of CJgtfm'bus. who was the guest of the US jnl. States at the time of the Chicago, 'air, and the premier, Senor SUgastaJk there were also pres ent Senor Mo. y Frendergast, the minister for th Jplonies and his wife; Senor Gullon, V loinister for foreign affairs, and Sen,'? A. Gullon; the Mar quis Zarco, thtey vtroducer of ambassa dors; thc 'Cou ps Sastago, first lady in waiting to-(,ie .-queen, regent; tte dusOhess of 3f carlos, the Marquis Valdo Igleslas; ; dj the staff of the United States S Wtion, VIOLENT LA-'lTfiAG-E OF THE IM- RCIAL. .. it . . Much politi",. toportance was at tached here to-gthe incident, and the banquet "coUrff .with the peaceful utterances laf pf sident MoKinley" ac cording to a & li-official report have been "opti'misMy utilized, by the ministerial. pr' i. But The Imparcial today takes tltfe'Sipianash government 1 4 Crf ft country" ttl Patriotic JA r e country andw rns , mW'UOn f amSt J? ! really aims at aihe' independence of T - . : ,- . ft -u 1 Cuba." Conti( the Imparcial cays: j ' "President H jtinley may make and reiterate proijitiohs of friendship and pacific iryfriSions, but his actions contradicts hi.flfdrds. While the pres ident of the iied States is cajoling us with ' wfj;fe- he sharpens his dagger to stal- 'behind. While talk ing concord l.ttt'-SutQizes his Sunday's in unusual Urilrrt States war prepara tions at the "diJ and cancels the fur loughs of fcelfiirines. Can w"e trus;t those who areqeventing the paciflca toih of Cuba -set fe'eiing and foment ing retoelllon -d;flli'bustering expedi tions, sending 2M"'ships under the pre text of 'friehsfitfi'ip and preaching peace? We m prepare for war. There is no tiii iHb acquire new war ships but we ycu(i S t out immediateiy iwhat we 1haveJ fending -the Pelayo, Colon, Chlos 'fe,' and Maria Teresa to 'play the Anr &n game , which ia Vizcaya to Cuff rt water and the rest of the fleet to-) fuard the peninsula. Other policy thv? preparedness is only to ' play the M-tcan game, whichis to exhaust ourS 'eisources and gain the independence ot Cuba without risking 'anything. Ho Jong does the govern menlt, mean m .vor the American plans. How i($m twill the agonising nation tolerat 'p apathy of the gov ernment?" ; ' ' This langu-aB.fl.rvci m a semi-official organ is much feimmen ted upon. The Paix f r-fely declares that Cu ban independei Mis imminent. The ltoIlt ii Subniarin. Rout Ml nne ooat Holla s, which was built by iewis Nix'on," .the Crescent shipyards in Elizabeth, H is now lying in deep wa.ier on mac liace. She has not yet had a trial tri$ arid 'Builder Nixon said he jiM iiyi- riI ? :vueu it woukl UKe piace. He'safd. 4at his firin ha-ftuflb its contract ne.7y m year ago, and that Whatever wasi hw tn.r . ti,0 wnatever wns" ow done, bv the vessel would be unde he! direction of Inventor no.iana. 11 is vaerstood .that Mr. Hol land has ben f iking on the machinery! of the t5ut q-; .e'ral months and that ha is now conf int that the vessel can travel under Wj Sv Mr. Nixon s? today that he did not know whether;if-e; present relations be tween the Unl' i States and Spain had anything to d&fUh 1-nventOr Holland running the be:.f into deen w"- Mr. Holland ..irdf $sx eVehlfigr 1fhiat if his poat &&vify&& s'ticcess he was sure it "would, he v iuTfi allow the United States to purJtSe h?F. mt weukl net sell the HollaO - to any other govern ment. ; ': 8 I ; The M: (napoHs Floated Philadelphia, ebruary 24. The United oicLutr-a c-i uiser;i.MijMiapoiis was success to the contrari ' t&ipre is no unusual ac tivity at the ijCl ;beyond the extensive improvements are being made at the back channel, i.vhich is to be used as a fresh water .for vessels of the &a.v.y. The receiving-ff Richfliynd-Is' bealged daily by' appl tets' for enlistment, but very few are tt ,n.,r taken. Beside tbe Sfej jiheapdlis, there are now at League Isla- ft.'the Cruiser Ogliiniibia, the monitor M Jrsionomiih, anvl te tscth KatahdlH, all tiKC it comihissjon at ires7 ent. There aIso -igftt old monitors at the yard, a. them relics of the civil war, but whidfe n uld be fitted upquickly i n case- they 51 Ji t needed. V' "' . The Vifc -a to Sail Today New York, i ruary 24. ITnle TOe unexpected ortfj reeeiyed from Madrid the Spanish of-war Vizcaya wfl! l'ofrow afternoon and weigh anchor- steam througJ sea. on her wa Jse narrows to the open Irect to Havana, AlttHiO Baldasano, th qgnytkt go8ui general In on Captain Eulate this New York, afternoon an vook to him important dispatches, m whidh ordered him to iev thi por?'tB0Ut delay. League' I,jlaiia tnm ya.Vd at high ti this afternoon. NW.-lthstandine a-il reoorts ACTIVITY B THE FORTS. PREPARATIONS FOR ACTION VIS IBLE AT ALL POINTS. Troops at Fort Leavenworth Ordered to-j bs In Readiness to Move Soldiers at Fort Thomas Recalled From Rifle Range. Trip to the Mountains by Artillery at San Antonio Postponed Stir at Fort Mc pherson Monitions of War Increased. Ohio State Gnard Enllstisg Men i Kansas City, Mo., February 24. A dispatch to The Journal from Leaven worth, Kas., says that great tension exists at Fort Leavenworth caused toy the recedtot of the telegraphic orders to have the entire Kwanhrand in readiness to move at twenty four hours notice. Cincinnati, O., February 24. Under instructions from Washington, Colonel Obchman, commander at Fort Thomas, Ky., today issued orders bringing the men on rifle range at Culbertson, Ky., back to the fort. New (bayonets" that can also be used for trenching tools, were issued to all the trooips. The men are daily undergoing fatigue drill and expect to go to Key v West instead of Charleston, S. C, as reported The first regiment of the Ohio nat ional guard,, located here, is filling up with recruits. Skn Antonio, Texas, February 24. An order was received today from headquarters suspending for the pres ent the order sending light battery K., First artillery, into the mountains on its annual thirty days' target .practice. The battery, consisting of four pieces and 165 men under command of Cap tain Dillonback, were to 'Wave started fbr the artillery -range in the moun tains on March 1, but last night in srtructions were received to keep the (battery at Fort Sam Houston, until further orders. Colonel Louis H. Carpenter, com mander of the fort, stated' that no rea sons were given for declaiming the ba;t itery at the post, saying that it wias surmised that Che artilleny was to re main here to await the arrival of In spectator General Colonel Lawton. Carpenter had no idea, when the in sfpectator general wias due to arrive at this post. a Atlanta, Ga. February 24. Activity has never been so great at Fort Mc- Pherson as at the present time. The stir is attri'butaible to General Merritt's' arrival. Everything js in readiness to move the regiment to any point that may toe designated withn a few hours. At a. consultation today between Col onel Cook, commandant of the fort, anid railroad officials. Colonel Cook, was assured that the men could be transported to Florida within a night. Any reports to " the effect that the regiment is about to move is denied by the officers at the fort. General Merritt will go . to the fort tomorrow morning! and inspect, the troops. The munitions, of war have been greatly increased during the last few days. .. General Merritt was seen tonight and asked if his arrival in the city was an indication of immediate action on the part of the. regiment. "No," said he. fit is a part of my duty to inspect each post in my division every year and i have come here merely as a part of my routine' work. It is not war like move at all," ' For Relief of the Maine Victims Washington, February 24. Representa tive 'Boutelle, of Maine, chairman of the house committee on naval affairs, intro duced, a bill late this afternoon provid ing for the relief of the victims of the United States battleshiD Maine. It fol lows, generally the lines of the Sampan disaster relief bill of 1890 and is the rer suit of Several days' conferences in com mittee and embodies the views ,of the ad ministration. ' The bill provides that the survivors of the officers and crew shall be paid for losses incurred by them respectively, in no case the reimbursements to exceed the am'ount of twelve months' eeavpay of each, according to his rank. To the widows or children or parents, or nearest relative of the ' hulled shall be given twelve months' pay. In case of death resulting from injuries from the disas ter within a year- of its occurrence the same. provision is .rnAade. If any arrears of pay are due the dead, this shall be giveh additional.. Allotments which may have been made in favor of the relatives of the deceased will be continued for three months, provided that the amounts are deducted from the twelve months' pay. No claifn will be allowed if not pre-, sented in two years from- the time ef the disaster. The secretary of the navy is given the discretion of having the bodies removed to Arlington cemetery. The rel atives who wish sb may have the re-, mains taken to their homes in the United States. The sum of $10,000, or so much as may 1e needed is- appropriated for this purpose. . . The Terror Awaiting Orders Norfolk, Va., February 24. The moni tor Terror, which has been repairing at the navy yard, lft her dock at 10:15. o'clock this morning and proceeded slow ly ' out of the harbor under her own tetSam, dropped down to Old Point and anchored for the afternoon and night. It Is believed she is awaiting orders and that her present orders do not carry her farther than Old Point. The monitor's departure was attended by considerable excitement, thousands of people crowd ing the wharves to watch her as she passed by. . . Mrs WuU&ey's Case Critical Aiken, 8. C February 24 The condition of Mrs. William C Whitney remains very critical. The severe blow she re ceived on -her head paralyzed her body and caused loss of use of 11 her limbs. Railroad Engineer Testifies to Benefits Received From Dr. Miles' -Remedies THERE is no more resiwtisiblo position on earth than that of a railroaa snstn eer. On his steady nerve, plsar brain, bright eye and perfect tcii command, de pend the" safes ftitho train and tho lives of passengers. Pr. Miles' Nervine and other remedies are especially adagt4 to keeping the nerves steady, th.o. byia clear and the menta,! fp5ev lilts uaimnaired. EngisePE F, Wc-Ooy, formerly of 1323 Broadway. Council, Bluffs, but now residing at 3411 numboldt St., Denver, writes that he "suffered for years front constipation, caus ing sick, nervous and bilioa3headaches and. was fully restored to health by Dr allies' rxerve St Liver Pills. I hearly peoamsaend ur. nines icemec!e." P.r, Ji lies' Memedies awi'spW lay all drug gists under a positive guaranty $b bottle beaeaU or money re funded. Book "on dis eases of the haf and nerves ttee. Address, OR. MILES MEDICAL CO., JSlkiuu, lad, , Beginning Monday, 21st inst .. we will sell off the balance of Stoclc in the ) i Heinsberger" Store at Auction Prices. This Stock consists of Miscellaneous Books, Fancy Goods, Toys, Sheet Music Musical Instruments, Etc., Etc. i Also, one SO foot Walnut Wall Case, with plate glass doors. Eleven Volumes "Wilmington Journal." 18G2 to '73. WILMINGTON. N. C. J. W. NORWOOD, President D. L. GORE, Vice President Atlantic National Bank, WILMINGTON, N, C. CAPITAL $125,000. SURPLUS AND PROFITS $75,000. Average Deposits J $700,000. ESTATE AND CITY DEPOSITORY. We desire new accounts, both large and small, endeavoring at all time to please our customers. WeJ'extend every accommodation consistent with good business. Safety Deposit JBoxes for rent at a nominal price'. JN0. S ARMSTRONG, PRESIDENT THE NATIONAL BANK OF WILMINGTON, WILMINGTON, N. C. j THIS BAJNK HAS BEEN TN BUSINESS THREE ANlj) A HALF YEARS AND HAS PAID OUT $12,000 IN DIVIDENDS? WITH $19,000 TO SURIPiiVS AND PROFITS. WE OFFER TOU QUR SERVICES. WILL. PDEAsij TOU. MONBY LOANED ON CHOICE SECURITY AT 6 PER CENT. OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT WITH US. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. G DIR HiCTORSO JNO. S. ARMSTRONG, GEO R. FRENCH . jc. W. YATES, GABRIEL HOLMES, WILLIAM CP LDER" jj G. I GIESCHEN, HUGH MicRAE, . CHAS. Ej BORDEN, IwM. E WORTH, JAMES H. CHADBOURN. JB DISCOUNT WEEK j Ttio O. "W. POLVOGT Co'. , Beginning Monday, Feb. 21st to March 1st, will offer their entire Stodk at Ten iDer Cent IDispouLrrt ON ALL CASH PURCHASES WE MAKE THIS OFFER IN ORDER T MAKE ROOM FOR OUR SPRINO STOCK, WHICH IS j BEGINNING TO ARRIVE DRESS GOODS, CARPETS, MAT TTNGS, TRUNKS, RUGS, LACE CUR TAINS, WINDOW SHADES, LACES, EMBROIDERIES, GLOVES AND CORSETS ARE LL INCLUDED IN THIS DISCOUNT SALE. BLANKETS, COMFORTERS , LADIES AND MISSES WRAPS ,f ILL BE OFFERED AT STRICTLY COST. . . REMEMBER DATES AND PLAGE. i I T Have You Seen Them ? If not you had better come down. They won't last long at the prices offered. LADIES' READY MADE WRAPPERS Corsets, Muslin and Merino Underwear, All sold for the next two weeks AT COST, but for CASH ONLY at 118 MARKET STREET, LINENS AND WHITE GOODS. : THIS WEEK AT JOHNSON & FORE'S, You will find a most Elegant Assortment of New Goods at very close prices. We have little competition in these lines, as our Stock surpasses any ever shown in this city. New Things, in Embroideries. Laces in Endless Variety Ask to see the REDFERN CORSET. Jon nson c5fc Fore No 11 Market Street. -PLUMBERS FITKTKTY IS IT? ; -I j r - ' ! - -1 ' 'Jk HAVE YOU EVERISTOPPED TO THINK HOW MANY -HOURS ARE . j , . : 1 ! , 7 a ' " j . I 1 ' ' ; WASTED ON THE STREET ? i 1 . '('-'' ' ' 1 ' ' -f '' You Pay by the Hour. TRY. US A5D SEE THE DIFFERENCE. Owen F. Love& Co. LEE H. BATTLE Cashier. F BJ HAWES, CASHIER WILLIAM GILCHRIST ON BIOYGLES- 1 J