SE
WILL THERE BE WAR OR PEACE?
WHAT THE WEEK HAS DEVELOPED IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN CRISIS.
Senator Proctor’s Dispassionate Story of Cuban Woes
Moves the Werld to Sympathy with the Stricken Island
The Record of the Week in War Circles.—The Report of the Main Court of Inquiry
Not Yet Given Ount.—Work on Coast Defenses and the Purchase of
Boats Still Going on.
FRIDAY.
WASHINGTON, March 17.—Nothing that
Senator Proctor could say would convince
the majority of Senators that he did not
speak to-day in his remarkable address that
can be found on page 7 of this issue with
the knowledge of approval of the President,
inasmuch as they believe that he would
not have made such a statement without
the consent if not at the request of the
President. The Cuban sympathizers in
the Senate were delighted with what Sena-
tor Chandler termed ‘‘a clear indication
that the conservatives, including the ad-
ministration, have determined to act for
the liberation of Cuba, so that the radicals
like myself can let them take the lead.
The fact that President McKinley has
withheld, for more than a month since they
were called for, the consular reports contain-
ing the facts which Senator Proctor sum-
med up in his statement to Senators general-
ly not to indicate that the President did
not authorize Senator Proctor’s public re-
port of what he saw, but on the contrary
they interpreted the speech as the introduc-
tion to the consular reports which they
expect to have later, and are the more con-
vinced of this because Senator Proctor’s
statement was delivered in open Senate in-
stead of an executive session, notwithstand-
ing its unfavorable account of the Spanish
policy in Cuba and its plain intimation
that Cuba ought to have independence.
The immediate effect of the speech was
to stimulate the idea that early action must
be taken by the administration, and if it
does not move rapidly enough, then by
Congress, and that Congress ought to re-
main here until the Cuban question is
settled.
Senator Proctor’s private views before he
went to Cuba were known to be sym-
pathetic with the Cubans, but as an ad-
ministration Senator he was expected to
await the action of the administration.
Senators had no difficulty in inferring that
he favored, and therefore that the admin-
istration proposed, action to secure the in-
dependence of Cuba.
SECRETARY LONG SAYS THERE
NO YIELDING.
WASHINGTON, March 17,—‘You can
state officially for me that no concessions
have been made to Spain by the with-
drawal of the Texas and the Massachu-
setts from the fleet at Key West ; that noth-
ing can occur which will change the at-
titude of firmness which have been taken
by this government. Neither was the
withdrawal of the Montgomery from Ha-
vana the outcome of any intimation from
the Spanish authorities. The Fern had to
return to Havana for her diving apparatus,
and it was thought that the Montgomery
could be of more service in the fleet.”
Secretary John D. Long, of the navy,
made this statement to-night: when asked
about the formation of the new flying
squadron. It had been charged that the
withdrawal of the Massachusetts and Texas
from the fleet at Key West and of the
Montgomery from Havana was a symptom
of weakening on the part of the adminis-
tration and a sly way of placating the
Spanish cabinet, which had intimated its
displeasure at the concentration of a fleet
at Key West. The secretary continued :
‘The formation of this new fleet is ex-
actly the reverse of a concession. Amer-
ican interests are now protected instead of
weakened. In the event of an outbreak of
hostilities the northern coast would have
been practically unprotected by any bat-
tleship. The department has been receiv-
ing appeals from all points® on the North
Atlantic coast for the formation of a
squadron in Northern waters. This new
fleet is given as an answer to these de-
mands. It is the result directly of sug-
gestions made by a naval board of which
assistant Secretary Roosevelt is chairman.
The squadron will be concentrated at
Hampton Roads at once.”
SAGASTA IS WORRIED.
MADRID, March 17.—Madrid is now
quite excited. The cabinet ministers sat
up late last night with Premier Sagasta,
discussing the situation. 1 saw Sagasta
to-day, looking ill and careworn. He
said :
WILL BE
“I see no objection to having an inter- |
national committee of experts make a new |
inquiry into the Maine disaster. They
would be able to approach the subject with
minds more prepared to give due weight to
the evidence than either the Spanish or
American committees of investigation.
Jurists recognize the influence, even un-
intentional, of mental predispositions, and
it has a value which the fair-minded do
not overlook.”
TORPEDO FLOTILLA STOPPED.
MADRID, March 17.—Admiral Bermajo,
minister of marine, has wired the com-
mander of the torpedo flotilla at the
Canaries not to proceed to Havana.
PAYING FOR THE AMAZONAS.
WASHINGTON, March 17.—The first dis-
bursement of the $50,000,000 has been
made by the treasury department on an
executive order for $145,995, to be cabled
to London to the credit of Sir William
Armstrong in part payment for 12 rapid-
fireing guos, including mounts and ammu-
nition. The purchase price is $21,000 for
each gun. The treasury department to-
morrow will cable Rothschilds’ at London,
$1,689,621, in full payment for the Brazi-
lian cruiser Amazonas, and in part pay-
ment for the Abrenall.
SATURDAY.
General Miles Says War is Inevitable.
Honorable Settlement of Our Difficulties With Spain
Beyond the Scope of Diplomacy in His Estima-
tion.
WASHINGTON, March 18.— ‘If diplomacy
succeeds in reaching an acceptable and
honorable settlement of our differences
with Spain, it will accomplish what now
seems to me impossible. In my opinion
there can be no settlement except through
war. I regacd war as inevitable.”
This is the view of the present situation,
expressed in conversation with a friend,
held by General Nelson A. Miles, com-
mander of the army of the Unite States
After making due allowance for the per-
sonal and professional considerwtions which |
might impel General Miles to accept the
issue of war with more readiness than
civilian statesmen, his view is still entitled
to great weight because of the position he
occupies and the knowledge which must
come to him regarding phases of the situa-
tion of which the public knows little or
nothing.
The developments of the last 24 hours,
accepting at face value the official and semi-
official utterances of Washington and
Madrid, have again utterly dissipated hopes
of peace and brought the general public
aronnd to the same view as that held by
General Miles.
If the Madrid government is correctly
represented by the semi-official statement
declaring that Spain will never pay in-
demnity for the loss of the Maine, this is a
demonstration that the Spanish temper is
what has all along been believed here, and
not what the administration in its peace
talk has tried to make this country believe
it to be.
STRENGTH OF SPAIN’S ARMY.
WASHINGTON, March 18.—Seventy thou-
sand men is the number of Spanish soldiers
who have been killed, wounded and other-
wise incapacitated for duty during the pres-
ent war in Cuba. These figures have been
received in this city recently from reliable
sources. The present force of Spain in
Cuba is as follows :
Regulars, 135,000 men. Of this number
it is estimated that 80,000 are effective ;
about 25,000 are in the two Eastern prov-
inces of Santiago de Cuba and Puerto
Principe, and the remainder in the prov-
inces of Santa Clara. Matanzas, Havana
and Pinar del Rio. There are about 30,-
000 members in what is known as the
volunteer army, mostly in the province of
Havana, aud corresponding to our State
militia. There are 55,000 men who are
not effective for military duty.
The strength of the Spanish army at
home and including her nearby possessions
is 100,000 men, which may be increased as
follows : First reserve, 50,000 ; second
reserve, 160,000 ; all instructed in mililary
tactics, and a second reserve which is not
instructed of 300,000 men, a total of 610,-
000 men. Since these figures were received
here recent drafts of 15,000 men to strength-
en thearmy in Cuba leave only 85,000 men
of Spain’s regular army now in the pen-
insula, the Balearic islands, the Spanish
possessions in North Africa and the Canary
islands.
In the Philippine islands Spain has an
army of 32,000 men, which includes about
15,000 native troops. In Porto Rico there
are 5,000 Spanish troops, which could be
supplemented by 4,000 volunteers.
AUSTRIANS HOBNOB WITH SPANIARDS.
HAvANA, March 18.—The banquet at
the palace of Captain General Blanco Wed-
nesday night was fraught with deep signif-
icance, which did not develop until to-day.
The Austrian cruiser Doneu’s officers were
the guests of honor. Blanco himself pro-
posed the toast to the Emperor Franz Josef
and the Austrian navy.
Then occurred the startling event of the
evening. Captain Kelwig, of the Donau,
rose, proposed the health of the queen
regent and of King Alfonso.
The Spaniards rose, glass in hand. Then
the Austrian spoke these words :
‘Austria can never forget Maximilian
and his fate. As heretofore, Austria stands
beside Spain.”’
The brilliantly lighted banquet room
was a scene of wild tumult in an instant.
There were cries of :
“To the memory of Maximilian ; neither
Austria nor Spain can forget his fate, and
will stand together against those whose un-
justified threats of intervention brought
about his cruel and untimely fate.”
The Vizcaya leaves Havana harbor to-
night for Mexican ports, it is said. She
has finished coaling now and is making
evident preparations to depart.
It is reported late to-night that the
Austrian cruiser Donau will follow the
Vizcaya to Mexico to emphasize her com-
mander’s opinion expressed in the toast at
the banquet. Those bombastic freaks seem
to wish the stirring up of Diaz as well as
Uncle Sam.
BISMARCK BELIEVES CUBA WILL BE FREE.
FREIDERICSRUHE, March 18. — Prince
Bismarck to-day gave an audience to Editor
Bockel, of Chicago, who is here for the
New York Journal. The prince’s utter-
ance on the Cuban question is without
doubt the most important that has been
in Europe since war for the independence
of the island began. These are his words :
‘We Germans condemn war as impracti-
cal. We sympathize with the grievances
of the Cuban insurgents. I prophecy that
Cuba will soon become an independent
republic by diplomatic means.’’
SUNDAY.
McKinley Gets Information of the Maine
Disaster.
Not in the Form of the Court’s Report, But from
the Ship's Officers Themselves.—They Call at the
White House.—President Will Probably Send his
Message to Congress With the Verdict Late This
Week.—Long Suddenly Grows Reticent.
WASHINGTON, March 19.—President Mec-
Kinley, the members of his Cabinet, Con-
gress, all official Washington and the pub-
lic generally are eagerly and anxiously
awaiting the report of the Naval Court of
Inquiry, which will set forth the cause of
the explosion that wrecked the Maine and
perhaps fix the guilt or innocence of Span-
ish peopie. For several days the state-
ment has been persistently made that the
report, or a portion of it, would be in th
hands of the President to-day. :
Secretary Long declares that it is not
here and all that can be learned now is
that the administration expects to have it
“in the course of a few days.”’
This may be a correct statement, so far
as the report itself is concerned, but there
is good reason to believe that sooner than
**in the course of a few days’ the Presi-
dent will know what the verdict is and be
able to prepare his indictment against
Spain, to be submitted to Congress with
the report of the Naval Court of Inquiry
promptly upon its receipt. The message
is not apt to go to the two Houses until the
latter part of next week.
MAINE OFFICERS SEE MCKINLEY.
The arrival of several survivors of the
Maine and their extended conferences with
President McKinley and Secretary Long
furnished the most interesting feature in
to-day’s developments on the Spanish
situation.
Three officers of the Maine, Lieutenant
G. F. W. Holman, George P. Blow and
Lieutenant A. W. Catlin, of the marine
corps, accompanied by Boatswain Larkins,
came out unexpectedly from Key West.
It was said their visit was purely voluntary
on their part, as they are now on waiting
orders and are free to go where they please.
Their long conference at the Navy De-
partment, and later at the White House,
led to much conjecture, it being asserted
that Lieutenant Blow brought with him
the report of the Court of Inquiry, or, at
least, the general conclusions reached by
that court. It can be stated positively,
from an authoritative source, that the of-
ficers did not bring with them the report,
either in whole or its general conclusions.
It is stated, with equal positiveness, that
they do not know what the action of the
Court of Inquiry is, and therefore, are not
in a position to convey any information
to the President or Secretary of the Navy
on that point.
DONS PLAYING THEIR FINAL CARD IN
CUBA.
HAVANA, via Key West, March 19.—
News has just reached this correspondent
from authentic sources that the Autono-
mist Government, backed by the military
authorities here and the Government at
Madrid, is now playing its last card to
secure peace in Cuba and prevent inter-
vention on the part of the United States.
All the insurgent Generals, President
Masso and the insurgent officials, with
General Garcia, got through General Pan-
do’s lines some time ago, and the latter
gave up the campaign, which was to have
been a grand military coup de grace in the
Province of Santiago de Cuba or the
Province of Puerto Principe ; but in addi-
tiod to passing through the trocha the in-
surgents turned General Pando’s flang. It
is just possible that the flank movement
was winked at by General Pando for the
purpose of attempting to carry out his ul-
terior purposes.
Such was the position of all concerned
when the last advices were received at the
palace in Havana. General Pando’s pur-
pose, to further which he has ordered a
practical armistice in the eastern part of
Cuba, is stated succinctly as follows :
To have a personal conference with Gen-
eral Calixto Garcia, President Masso and
other insurgents, and even with General
Gomez, if possible, and to make them a
formal offer of autonomy, according to the
program drawn up by the Left, or Radi-
cal wing of that party.
ALMOST COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE.
As previously cabled, this offer includes,
in return for the ending of the insurrection,
the disarmament and disbanding of all vol-
unteers ; commercial treaties to be con-
cluded without Spanish interference; a
maximum sum of $2,000,000 annually to
be paid to Spain by Cuba, as the latter’s
nominal suzerain ; no insurgents to be
shot or imprisoned on account of the ex-
isting insurrection, and no insurgents to be
sent as prisoners out of Cuba for further
political offenses.
The advices received here are, in sub-
stance, that Captain Pando felt confident
of securing the conference, while on the
other hand, Captain General Blanco, Secre-
tary General Gongosto and the Spanish
staff officers of high rank and many radical
members of the Autonomist Government
felt sure that the proposition, being the
best ever offered, and assuring practical
independence, would be- accepted ; that
the rebellion would be declared at an end,
and that, consequently, all excuse for the
intervention by the United States would be
ended.
They class as false the assertions that
the Spanish soldiers are ‘‘unpaid and un-
fed and living in towns, while their officers
are conspiring against the Autonomist
Government and refuse to take the field,
either denying the presence of the insur-
gents or saying : ‘‘Let the troops who are
in favor of autonomy fight its battles.’
The general opinion seems to be that the
Pando conference will, in any event, be
the end of autonomy, and the most san-
guine assert that it will make the inter-
vention of the United States imperative.
Those who have this view claim that the
intervention of the United States will be
necessary to prevent outrages which will
disgrace civilization, and also to protect
American citizens in Cuba. Under the cir-
cumstances, news from the scene of the
conference is awaited with the greatest
anxiety.
In spite of official and other denials it is
believed that serious troubles for Spain in
Puerto Rico are imminent, and it is assert-
ed (though the report cannot be verified at
present) that the Spanish cruiser Vizcaya,
when she leaves Havana, will go to Puerto
Rico in order to strengthen the hands of
the Government officials there.
MONDAY.
An Air of Suspense !
it is now Noticeable in the Navy Department.—New
Squadron Discussed.
WASHINGTON, March 18.—An air of
suspense was noticeable in the navy de-
partment to-day due to the approach of the
time for the delivery of the report of the
court of inquiry. It is not known just
when the document will come to Washing-
ton and, of course, in view of the reports of
the determination of outside parties to ob-
tain possession of it before the department
receives the report, the officials, if they
know, will not say how the papers are to
be brought to Washington. All that is
known definitely is that the President has
suggested that the report be made as soon
as possible, and in consequence it is ex-
pected to reach this city in the course of
two or three days. The cabinet to-day
talked over the matter, and the time stated
was the general opinion of the members
when they had heard all that Secretary
Long had to report on the subject. There
is an impression that Lieutenant Command-
er Marix will bring the document, though
it is within Admiral Sicard’s power to
choose any other officer. A cabinet officer
expressed the belief that the report will
require careful consideration on the part of
the President and his cabinet before given
to the public, which seems to postpone
publication to some time about the middle
of next week, although nothing is certain
on that point.
THE PAY ROLL LARGE.
Some idea of the activity prevailing in
naval circles is given by the statement that
the pay roll of the construction department,
only one of several departments in the
Mare Island navy yard, for March was $80,-
000. This great expenditure per month, it
is said, was not equalled during the late
war.
It is said to be the purpose of the Presi-
dent and his advisors to keep a separate
and distinct account of all funds expended
from the $50,000,000 emergency appropria-
tion made by congress for the National
defense. In accordance with this in-
tention a separate form of requisition
has been prepared and all amounts allotted
from the fund are made upon the direct
order signed by the President himself.
‘The President wants to report to con-
gress just how every cent of this money is
spent,’’ said a member of the cabinet to-
day, ‘‘and for this reason is adopting the
course above outlined.”
WORK OF RECRUITING.
The amount paid for the Mayflower was
about $400,000. Recruiting is going in a
pace at all stations for the army and the
navy. The Michigan, at Erie, Pa., has
enlisted fifty-five men so far and the re-
ports come from all quarters. The Colum-
bia and Minneapolis are still 210 men each
short of their proper force. This is ac-
counted for by the fact that firemen, ma-
chinists and coal passers are wanted. An
officer at the department said that 5,000
landsmen could be secured in a day if they
were desired.
TUESDAY.
The Crisis Has Come.
McKinley Realizes That Congress Can't Be Controll-
ed. Maneuvering for an Adjournment of One or
Both Houses for a Few Days to Give Him Time to
Act on the Report of the Court of Inquiry—Prepar-
ing Himself for the Mandate of Recognizing Cuban
Independence or of Intervention.
WASHINGTON, March 21st.—For the first
time since the destruction of the battleship
Maine, on February 15th, a definite date
has been fixed when the American people
will know officially the facts ascertained by
the Naval Court of Inquiry. The Presi-
dent has also partly formulated his plan of
action for dealing with the Maine incident
and the entire Cuban question.
The report of the Court of Inquiry will
reach this city Thursday night. The Presi-
dent has suggested to the party leaders
that one or both Houses of Congress shall
adjourn over from Thursday to Monday.
The Senate has promised compliance with
this request, and the fact of the House be-
ing in session Friday and Saturday, will
consequently prove immaterial. Several
Senators have already accepted invitations
to witness the launching of the new hattle-
ships Kentucky and Kearsarge, at Newport
News, and will leave for that place Wednes-
day night.
MCKINLEY PREPARED FOR CONGRESS.
Congress not: being in session, the Presi-
dent will have three days in which to ex-
amine the Court of Inquiry’s report, and
possibly make some representations to Spain
on the subject of an explanation ; but if the
temper of Congress proves to be such as is
now indicated, the President is prepared for
the passage of either a resolution instruct-
ing him to recognize the independence of
Cuba or one directing him to intervene by
force and establish peace on the island.
It is almost the unanimous belief among
public men that Congress will pass a reso-
lution in favor of immediate intervention.
If Congress can be held in check for a
few days, itis the intention of the Presi-
dent to present first the destruction of the
Maine to Spain for settlement. Failing to
receive a satisfactory response within a rea-
sonable time, he may then suggest recogni-
tion as a result of such a refusal. If the
reply from Spain should prove satisfactory
—if, for instance, an apology is tendered
with the promise of ample reparation—he
will hold the consular reports and other
correspondence bearing on the Cuban ques-
tion and make them the hasis of subsequent
representations to Congress for dealing with
the general and broader question.
SMALL COMFORT FROM REED.
Speaker Reed said the House would be
difficult to control. While personally he
is opposed to the annexation of Cuba, and
has not heretofore been friendly to the cause
of the insurgents, he has become convinc-
ed, since the destruction of the Maine, that
definite action has been too long delayed
by the United States Government.
The Maine report will go to Congress
Monday. This comes from high authority.
The full report will be held for considera-
tion by the President until then. As the
climax approaches the situation becomes
more grave.
The report to Congress will be accom-
panied by a message from the President
stating that, after receiving the report, the
conclusions were laid before the Spanish
Government and appropriate action from
that quarter asked.
The reticence in Administration circles,
high and low, has been so accentuated to-
day as to amount to almost complete
reserve ; but it is certain that the Presi-
dent has informed some of the leaders of the
Senate and House that he will give the two
bodies the opportunity to act. The Presi-
dent will send a message to Congress with
the Cuban consular reports. Whether or
not the Maine report will accompany the
other documents I cannot positively ascer-
tain.
CALLING IN THE WARSHIPS.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 21st.—The
American cruiser Cincinnati and gunboats
Castine and Wilmington have arrived at
Port Antonio. They are coaling with sen-
sational dispatch.
A Washington special says : The arrival
of the Cincinnati, Castine and Wilmington
at Jamaica is in pursuance of orders from
the Navy Department, as well as to all oth-
er ships outlying, to proceed to United
States ports as soon as possible.
The Cincinnati and the Castine came direct
from Barbadoes, and the Wilmington from
La Guayra, Venezuela. They all stopped
at Kingston, as is usual, for courtesy and
for coal. They will sail immediately to
United States ports for further orders.
THE NEW CRUISERS GET THEIR NAMES.
WASHINGTON, March 21st.—Secretary
Long has issued an order that the Ama-
zonas, the cruiser recently purchased at
Newecastle-on-Tyne from the Brazilian
Government, hereafter shall bear the name
of New Orleans, in honor of the principal
city of Louisiana. Telegraphic instruc-
tions were sent to the naval officer in com-
mand of the vessel, who will take immedi-
ate steps to carry them into effect.
New Orleans was chosen as the name of
the warship, for the reason that Louisiana
is one of the few States of the Union not
represented in the navy at this time. There
was quite a contest among several other
cities to have the new warship named in
their honor. Albany, Providence and Buf-
falo adyancing their claims quite stren-
uously.
Secretary Long has also christened the
cruiser Abreuall, the sister ship of the
Amazonas, the Albany, in honor of the
capital of the Empire State.
WEDNESDAY.
To Intervene In Behalf of Cuba. 5
Both Houses Eager to Act.—Such a Movement De-
manded, Irrespective of the Report on the Maine
Disaster, and Spain Must Fight or Knuckle.
WASHINGTON, March 22nd.—The crisis
in our relations with Spain will not come
through the report of the Maine court of
inquiry, according to the developments of
to-day" It will come through the adoption
by this Government of a policy of almost
immediate intervention in Cuba to save the
lives of the hundreds of thousands of recon-
centrados whose appalling condition was
forced on the attention of the world last
week by the speech of Senator Proctor,
whose dreadful pictures of death and dev-
astation will besupplemented by a speech
from Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire,
and by a speech from Senator Thurston, of
Nebraska, both of whom are fresh from the
scenes they will attempt to describe.
It appears from all that can be learned
of the discussion at to-day’s cabinet meet-
ing that the President and his immediate
advisers realize Congress will not be satis-
fied even with recognition of Cuban inde-
pendence. That step would not, it is plain,
materially change conditions in Cuba nor
be of real benefit to the insurgent cause,
while it would not alleviate in the slightest
degree the mistery of the reconcentrados.
At the same time it would place this
Government in a position before the world
that might be less tenable and less advan-
tageous to us in any future action we might
feel called on to take, than if we now took
the more decisive step on humanitarian
ground of intervening in Cuba in order to
save the lives of the starving women and
children and putting a stop to the war.
BROAD HINTS TO SPAIN.
It was disclosed at the cabinet meeting
to-day that besides getting from Spain a
formal statement of her willingness to give
Cuba absolute autonomy, retaining noth-
ing but the flag, which the Cuban leaders,
flushed with the sight of success, are not
expected to accept, the administration
. through Minister Woodford has been try-
ing to convince the Spanish government
that the time has come for it to relinquish
Cuba and to choose between peace and war
in doing so, with the probability also that
if it acts quickly it can get a part of its war
debt which the Cuban leaders have agreed
to pay.
President McKinley’s preference for the
recognition of independence was based upon
his desire not to seem the aggressor, which
is exactly the position of Senor Sagasta, but
under the practical objections raised by
members of the cabinet and of Congress the
President’s confidence in this method of
proceeding was so shaken that he must
turn to the alternative of intervention. As
cabinet officers pointed out, the Cuban re-
public, so-called, has done nothing to en-
title it to recognition.
WOULD BE A CASUS BELLI.
Under all precedents, since the President
in his December message to Congress stated,
as President Cleveland had stated, and as
President Grant stated before them, sub-
stantially that there was nothing to recog-
nize either for belligerency or for indepen-
dence, the active recognition would be, in
the circumstances, regarded by the ciyiliz-
ed world as well as an act of war justifying
any retaliation that Spain might take.
SPAIN PREPARING FOR PRIVATEERING.
WASHINGTON, March 22.—Advices have
been received here that the Spanish govern-
ment if war breaks out, is ready to equip
90 cruisers for the purpose of preying upon
American commerce under the right of
privateering which Spain, like the United
States, refused to renounce when it was re-
nounced by thegother continental powers
by the treaty of Paris.
Bryan’s Confidence in McKinley.
FAYETTE, Mo., March 22. —W. J. Bryan,
who delivered an address here last night,
was asked for an: opinion on the outlook
for war, and said :- ‘‘I have: every belief
that the President will act satisfactorily in
this matter, and in fact the confidence im-
posed in him by the American people is
shown by Congress in passing the $50,000,-
000 appropriation bill. Ialso firmly believe
that the national honor will be maintained,
but whether there will be a resource to
arms I don’t know, nor would I care to
express an opinion.’’
TEEURSDAY.
National Aid to Cuba.
No Doubt but That the Appropriation Will be
Sanctioned at Once.
WASHINGTON, March 23.—The sugges-
tion made in the Senate committe on ap-
propriations for an appropriation in the
sundry civil bill of $250,000 to relieve the
destitute Cubans is one of the results of the
conference yesterday between the Presi-
dent and Senators Allison and Gorman,
and it is the understanding in the commit-
tee that the President will follow the sug-
gestion with a request to Congress that the
approprittion be made. He thinks it as
well that the money with which to relieve
the distress of the Cubans should come
from the national treasury as that it should
be collected by private subscription.
The committee will report favorably on
the recommendation, and Congress will
passit. In certain quarters it is thought
the provision should be accompanied by a
declaration favoring the recognition of the
belligerency of the Cubans, but the indica-
tions are that this will not be attempted
unless such a recognition should be recom-
mended by the President. No fear is ex-
pressed that Spain will refuse to allow this
government to officially furnish aid to the
sufferers, and it is pointed out that if she
should she would bring upon herself the
condemnation of the civilized world.
Sree eeeee——
Motion for Recognition.
Congressman Clark, of Missouri, Put in a Pointed
Resolution.
‘WASHINGTON, March 23.—Representa-
tive Clark, of Missouri, to-day introduced
the following resolution: That the Con-
gress of the United States of America par-
ticipate with the people of the United
States in the deep interest which they feel
for the success of the people of Cuba, who
are struggling to establish their liberty and
independence, and do hereby recognize the
independence of the republic of Cuba.
ADDITIONAL LOCALS.
——The new $2,000 United Evangelical
church at Linden Hall was dedicated on
Sunday under very auspicious circum-
stances. The services were conducted ex-
actly as announced in the description of
the church and program published in last
week’s WATCHMAN. They had no trouble
in raising $891.75 which was somewhat in
excess of the amount needed.
a
——Judge WickHAM, of the superior
court, banded down a decision on Monday
ruling that a constable cannot legally
claim circular mileage for executing a war-
rant and serving = subpoena. According
to his ruling they can charge at the rate of
ten cents a mile for one way. Fifty cents
additional can be charged for each addi-
tional witness subpeenzed.
HARRY BusH HAS REACHED SKAGUAY.
—A great many of the WATCHMAN read-
ers know Harry Bush personally, others
have read hefore of bis gold mining exper-
iences in Alaska and Arizona, of his lum-
bering and coffee growing in South Ameri-
ca and have become more or less interested
in his travels. We have already published
an account of his latest venture, how he
organized a Klondyke gold company in
Philadelphia and started for the north-west
on Feb. 2nd, but we told you then that he
had expected to go overland from Edmon-
ton, B. C. It was very much like him Go
change his route after leaving here, so in-
stead of going as he had originally intended
doing he went via Seattle, Juneau and Skag-
uay. At the latter place he hurriedly
wrote the following letter to the WATCH-
MAN.
DEAR WATCHMAN :—
Having found that it was almost
impossible to get horses and feed at Edmon-
ton we decided to change our route to the
North-west and go by Seattle. Accordingly
we left the Reading depot in Philadelphia on
Wednesday morning, Feb. 2nd, taking ad-
vantage of the weekly tourist sleeper. We
did very well until after leaving Buffalo
when much time was lost and we reached
Chicago just in time to see our western con-
nection pulling out. At 2 a. m. we got a
Wisconsin Central train and arrived in St.
Paul with 10 minutes to our credit before the
Great Northern left.
There our troubles began for the berths
which had been sold to us in Philadelphia
were in the possession of others, so we had to
content ourselves with second story affairs.
While going through Montana I decided that
the Great Northern is a lulu. We were fly-
ing around the spur of a mountain, seem-
ingly suspended in mid-air and as the curve
was very sharp the road was graded decid-
edly to the outside so that it seemed as if we
were sure to topple off into the canon, thous-
ands of feet below. Just after leaving Ever-
ett a stump that got under the baggage car
delayed us for some time so that we realized
that we couldn’t reach Seattle that night and
insisted on having our berths made up. The
porter refused to do it, whereupon twenty of
us became our own chamber-maids and made
such snug berths that we were still in them
when the train pulled into Seattle the next
morning at 7 o’clock.
. We had no trouble in getting accommoda-
tions and were greatly surprised to find how
reasonable charges for outfits were. It was
really much better to equip in Seattle than it
could possibly have been in the East, because
of the greater variety to select from and the
fact that merchants there make a specialty of
the Klondyke trade. We found it equally as
hard to gain reliable information as itis in °
the East. No two stories were alike, even
when told by men who had come from the
same diggings. The outfitting didn’t cost
much, but the steamer fare to Skaguay was
from $35 to $50 and $18 per ton for freight
until you go to pay it and find the charge to
be $25. Their harvest will soon be over for
the larger, safer boats from the East are en
route to enter this traffic.
There are a great many who start for the
North-west and get as far as Seattle, there to
strand. One of the parties who came from
Philadelphia on the same train with us_dis-
appeared one night in Seattle and we didn’t
see him for three days, when he turned up
‘full as a boiled lobster.” In three days
time he had ‘blown in” all of his money and
had nothing left but his ticket to Dyea to
show for it. He is on the boat now without
heavy clothing or any outfit. They tell in
Seattle of a couple of miners who were grub
staked by a Montreal banker and had a two
years’ outfit and $5,000 each. They got as
far as Skaguay and got drunk there only to
sober up when everything was gone. This is
the story of a great many.
We had everything in shape to leave on
Monday, the 14th, and sailed on the Utopia
that afternoon at 2:30. She is of 375 tons
register and carried 80 passengers, 45 horses,
37 dogs and 600 tons of freight. The state
rooms are 7 x 7 x 9 and accommodate six by
crowding two into each of the three berths
that are one above the other. At present I am
lying in berth 6 room 8 writing to you. The
boat is anchored because it is snowing so
hard that we can’tsee to go on. When it
clears up we will be able to see the Corona,
one of the vessels of this trade, which struck
a rock and went to the bottom a short time
ago. They are raising her now.
On Feb. 19th we landed in United States
territory to drop a stowaway. They had re-
fused to let us land him at the last port we
touched because a boat ahead of us had left
20 of them there and the residents had
enough of stowaways. We landed ours on a
beach about one-halt mile away from an In-
dian saw mill where he can get feed if he
works for it.
That afternoon we touched at Ft. Wrangle
and as soon as we left the place struck a stiff
gale that retarded us very much and made
things look a little blue on the old tub. On
the 23rd we ran into Juneau, having had the
longest trip on record. Bad weather made us
lay up for :8 hours there and we had a storm
all the way to Skaguay. The scenery be-
tween the two latter points is magnificent,
but the storm was so frightful that we had
no time nor inclination to enjoy anything
other than a most hopeless longing for a good
solid rock or stump to hang onto.
I have not time now to tell you the details
of Skaguay, but will do so with the first op-
portunity.
Yours cordially, .
HARRY P. BUSH.
On the Trail.
SHEEP CAMP, March 6, 1898.
We landed at Dyea wharf, 4 miles below
Dyea, on Thursday, February 24th, and
walked up to town to try and find lodging.
The hotels are all built on the principle of
Atlantic City bath houses, with the place
just long and wide enough to hold two single
beds. side by side, and allowing space at the
foot for the door to swing in. To get into
the beds one is compelled to crawl over the
foot-boards. The proprietor furnishes you
two quilts, two blanketsand a pillow without
a slip for four bits, or 50cts. They also have
bunks large enough to accommodate two per-
sons, built up three tiers high in which there
is a mattress, but you have to furnish your
own bedding at 25cts per night.
We took lodging at the San Francisco
house, Capt. White proprietor, and paid 50cts.
each in advance. The key to our room was
carried by Hunter and as it fitted Lucas’
room and one other it was the only key, so
when these fellows wanted into their rooms
they would have to hunt Hunter up and get
him to unlock their doors.
On Friday we made all arrangements to
have our goods hauled from Dyea to Sheep
Camp at the rate of 80cts per hundred and
were to get an early start on Saturday morn-
ing as the sleighing was good and it looked
as if a thaw might come soon, which would
put the price of freighting away up. As it
happened the price went up to $3 per hun-
dred just after we left.
When we returned to our hotel after hav-
ing completed our arrangements for striking
the trail early we came very near having a
fight with the Captain. He said we were
“too dammed articular” because we kicked
when we found our beds wet clear through.
The frost had been melting out of the boards
and dropping down onto the beds like rain.
When we called his attention to it he said it
was only frost, but we didn’t intend paying
for the privilege of sleeping in such a cold
bath house and told him so. When he found
that we wouldn’t be bluffed he told us that
we could get out, but afterwards he hunted
up dry bunks and we had a good night's rest.
A few miles out of Dyea, which impressed
me as all boom towns of a few frame shacks
and tents have done, you come in sight of
“Irene” glacier. It is magnificent but sent a
cold shiver down my back as I looked up
1,000 feet above my head at the great moun-
tain of frozen indigo water—for it reminds
me for all the world of the blue water