"W&
'Jl' JV JiW-tlP
TWO CENTS.
SCRANTON.
PA.,
TUESDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 22. 1898.
TWO CENTS.
STARTLIi&-
The Accident Theory Seems to Have Been Almost
Entirely Abandoned All Evidence Points
to a Diabolical Plot.
Court of Inquiry Reveals
on the Sanguranca
Upon the
Havana, Feb. 2 (2 a. m. Consul
General Leo says the Spanish officials
are not Interfering with the investi
gation into the causes of the disaster.
He has notified the captain of the port
that the wrecking tug Right Arm will
be here tomorrow from the Merrltt
and Chapman Wrecking company. No
objection will be made to the presence
of the tug or her prospective work.
She will probably make an early at
tempt to save the big guns, and, If
possible, the more valuable parts of the
Maine's' machinery. Tomorrow morn
ing Consul General Lee will escort the
officers of the court of inquiry to pay
visits of ceremony to the captain gen
eral and Admiral Manterola. Today
the divers found a copper cylinder
used In conveying charges to the six
inch guns. The fact that it had explod
ed seems to show that there was an
explosion in the magazine for fixed
ammunition on the port side forward.
All the wounded men, except two,
are doing well. Paul Loftus njid one
other will be taken to Key West
Wednesday by the Drache.
This afternoon the court of inquiry
personally inspected the wreck of the
Maine. By their invitation Captain
Peral, appointed by the Spanish gov
ernment as a special Judge to investi
gate the disaster, and his secretary,
reviewed tho divers at work. Captain
Peral expressed his appreciation of the
courtesies shown to him by the court
of inquiry.
A number of bodies were discovered
today in the forward hatch. It was not
possible to remove them immediately,
but they will probably be removed to
morrow. Havana, Feb. 21. The board of in
quiry into the Maine disaster met on
the lighthouse tender Mangrove at 10
o'clook this morning with Captains
Sampson and Chadwick and Lieuten
ant Commanders Potter and Marlx
present. Captain Sampson presided
and Lieutenant Commander Marix, re
cently executive ofllcer of the Maine,
acted as recorder.
Captain SIgsbee, the commander of
the Maine, was the first witness called.
He was under examination until 1
o'clock this afternoon, at which hour
an adjournment was taken. It Is prob
able that no further witnesses will be
heard today, but the board will make
a careful personal examination of the
wreck, near which the Mangrove Is
anchored.
Captain Sampson received the Asso
ciated Press correspondent immediate
ly after the morning session of the
board. He said, in the course of the
interview:
"I would be clad to give the Asso
ciated Press news, but owing to the
delicate situation, the board has de
cided to make nothing whatever pub
lic. I do not know what testimony
may develop, or when, and it is only
fair to the Spanish government not to
tell the public the testimony until all
has been received and the findings have
been considered.
"You may say that this rule Is ab
solute. Due care will be taken for the
reinforcement of It, and all stories pur
porting to come from the court should
be set down as false. 1 have no idea
ns to how long the court will remain
here. No one is authorized to fix tho
time, as the members themselves do
not know. I shall give to the Asso
ciated Press such routine news of the
proceedings as is proper."
Captain SIgsbee, on board the Man
grove, told the correspondent that he
was quite pleased with the examina
tion and that he was able to answer nil
the questions asked, not only as to his
own acts but as to those of his sub
ordinates on the Maine.
He gave the correspondent a watch
to take ashore for repairs, Tho watch
was found today in a private drawer in
the captain's cabin. The hour and sec
ond hands were gone, but the mlnuto
hand pointed to twenty-two minutes
after four.
There were no signs of disturbance
here today and carnival week Is appar
ently closing in perfect quietude, there
being much less excitement than usual,
Gunner Charles Morgan, of the
cruiser New York, arrived on tho Man
grove and Is in immediate charge of
tho divers. The latter have been at
work ull day, but up to tho time of
sending this dispatch nn discoveries of
Importance have been made. It Is be
lieved that the salvage by the wreck-
lng company will be considerable and
valuable.
NEfUTiVE DEVELOPMENTS.
Mnny Disappointed with Results of
th First Iuvi'stlgiitinii nt lliiriunw I
Washington, Feb. 21. Today's devel
opments In the Maine disaster were of
a. negative character, greatly to tho
I
MENTS
THE BATTLESHIP MAINE DISASTER
Nothing, but Passengers
Shed Some Light
Subject.
disappointment of a considerable num
ber of persons who were looking for
some startling discovery by a diver
working in the sunken hull. The state
department, after learning that Lieu
tenant Commander Sobral was no long
er recognized as an attache of tho
Spanish legation, decided to Ignore the
interview attributed to him, which it
nt first was disposed to resent. It is
now learned that Secretary Long late
Saturday evening called upon acting
Secretary Day and laid before h'im
newspaper clippings containing the re
ported interview. Acting Secretary
Day agreed with Secretary Long that
there was warrant for looking into the
matter and called the attention of the
Spanish charge to the publications.
The charge, however, promptly declar
ed that the naval officer was no longer
an attache of the legation, hl3 success
or having beer, appointed and gazetted
Dec. 24 last. He further explained that
It was owing entirely .to the important
business that the legation had over
looked the sending of the proper notl
rUUion of the change to the state de
partment. It is said that as a matter
of fact there are frequently great de
lays In the receipt of such information
of changes among attaches at tho state
department.
Fcr obvious reasons, Captain SIgsbee,
at Havana, is making the most strenu
ous efforts to hasten the recovery of
thft bodies, probably nearly a hundred
in number, still imprisoned In tho
wreck of the Maine. It was a knowl
edge of the captain's desire that prob
ably led Consul General Lee to notify
the state department of tho need of
more divers. This has the desired ef
fect for the navy department took ac
tion to send more help.
Admiral Sicard telegraphed from Key
West this afternoon that he had sent
five divers to Captain SIgsbee and ask
ed if that was sufficient. Tho acting
chief of the navigation bureau, Captain
Dickens, at once took the sensible
course of directing the admiral to put
himself In communication with Cap
tain SIgsbee and learn h'ls needs at first
hand. The business of the navy de
partment is getting back to its normal
condition, as is evidenced by the fact
that an order Was leen issued to dis
continue the special telegraph service
which was establshed with Key West,
and hereafter the office at that place
will close at 10 o'clock at night, as
formerly. Commander Forsythe, com
mandant at Key West, has also asked
permission of the department to stop
his dally bulletins, and this has been
granted with an understanding that he
will report any deaths that may occur
among the sufferers in the hospital
there. Today he reported that they are
all petting along nicely. The exchange
of official condolences still continues.
SECRETARY LONG'S TELEORAM.
Today Secretary Long sent a tele
gram, as follows, to Captain Eulate:
Commanding Otllcer of the Spanish Cruis
er Viscaya, Tomplclnsvllle, New York:
1 have tho honor to acknowledge tho
receipt of your telegram of condolenco
for the loss of the Maine and to thank
you for tho expression of sympathy.
A similar response was also made to
a cablegram from Vice Admiral Spann
at Vienna expressive of sympathy for
the terrible disaster to the Maine.
What threatened to be another in
ternational incident growing out of
certain alleged utterances by Lieuten
ant Commander Sobral, has been dis
missed summarily, as shown by the
following statement given out at the
department of state:
Tho department of state learns from tho
Spanish charge d'affaires that Lieutenant
Commander Sobral to whom unfavorable
utterances respecting tho discipline of
the United States navy had been recently
attributed In a newspaper Interview, was
relieved of hiB functions as naval at
tache to tho Spanish legation In tho Unit
ed States somo time ago, his successor,
Lieutenant Commander Don Ramon Car
ranzay Regura having been appointed
on tho 24th of January last in that capac
ity. Secretary Long today denied abso
lutely a report that he had advised
certain Phlladelphlans not to send
further relief supplies to Cuba, nddtng
that on tho contrary he wished they
would send all tho supplies they could
afford to send.
Steps have been taken by the navy
department to fill the vacancies In tho
enlisted branch of tho navy caused by
the loss of most of the crew of tho
Maine. The legal quota is now about
three hundred short, and arrangements
have been mode for the immediate en
listment of about that number of men.
Telegraphic orders have been sent to
the recruiting officers In charge of the
receiving ships at New York, Philadel
phia and Norfolk authorizing them to
make tho following enlistments im
mediately: ENLISTMENTS.
Receiving ship Vermont, at New York:
Forty apprentices, twenty landsmen; five
shipwrights, six machinists, second class,
und twenty coal passers.
Receiving ship Franklin at Norfolk:
Ten landsmen, two shipwrights, four ma
chinists, second class, and ten coal pass
ers. Receiving ship Richmond at League Is
land, Pa.: Ten landsmen, threo ship
wrights, four machinists, second class,
and ten coul passers.
These enlistments are In addition to
CONCERNING
thoso previously authorized to complete
tho crews of the monitors Puritan and
Terror and the dispatch loat Dolphin.
In each case It was specified that the
recruits should be citizens of the Uni
ted States.
There will be no difficulty whntever
In securing thse men, inasmuch ns
there are applications on file far In ex
cess of the requirements of the navy
for somo time to come unless congress
shall Immediately comply with the rec
ommendations of the department for an
Increase of a. thousand men in the en
listed strength of tho navy. Numerous
'letters and telegrams have been re
ceived at the department, from individ
uals desiring to Join the navy, asking
to bo enlisted immediately. A tele
gram wao received this morning from
nn organization in detiolt offering the
immediate services of 10,000 citizens of
that city in case of need. Patriotic
offers also have been received from
other places.
The social courtesies which the gov
ernment Intended to extend to the offi
cers of the Viscaya. have been aban
doned on account of the Maine catas
trophe. As a result tho stay of the
Viscaya at New York probably will
be materially short and she is likely
to sail within the next threo days,
probably on Thursday next. The ship
probably will proceed direct to Ha
vana, not stopping nt 'Charleston or
other port, ns had been suggested dur
ing the earlier preparations. The Vis
caya will not coal nt New York, ac
cording to the understanding, nor will
it be necessary for her to take coal
before reaching Havana. This deter
mination gives relief to the authorities
here, as the taking on of coal would
afford an opportunity to extremists for
the secretion of explosives, despite the
utmost precaution that may be taken.
EXCITEMENT AT HAVANA.
Foreign Population ot the Opinion
Tliut tlia iUuino Was Destroyed by
Design.
New York, Feb. 21. The Ward line
steamer Senguranca arrived at Quar
antine today from Tamplco and Ha-
1 vana, The Seguranca arrived nt Ha
vana at 10 o'clock on the morning af
ter the disaster to tho Maine and
passed close by the wreck. The Segur
anca's passengers say that the greatest
excitement prevails at Havana and at
the sailing the foreign population were
generally of the opinion that the Maine
was destroyed by design. They cited
among other things in support of this
theory the fact that the Spanish man-of-war
Alfonso XII., which was an
chored near the Maine, changed her
moorings just previous to the disaster.
One of the passengers, William L. Car
bon, went so far as to say that he
saw a boat go near the Maine a short
time previous to the explosion. He
sold Jie would go to Washington to
make a statement before the proper
authorities.
C. P. Molcomb, of New Castle, Del,,
one of the passengers on board the
Seguranca, was outspoken in his belief
that the Investigation at Havana would
reveal some startling circumstances.
Ho said:
I went to Havana not at all In hym
pathy with tho Insurgents, but on Wed
nesday whe.i we got to Tavnnu. I. bellevo
any of tho Americans on board was In a
mood to commit murder. Tho flags ot
tho Spanish warship were not ut half
mast. The vessels of nil other national
ities had paid this slight tribute to tho
dead. I had a telegram to bring back tho
remains of Apprentice Glazier, who Is tho
son of my bookkeeper. I found that ho
was among tho saved.
A MARKED CONTRAST.
Tho contrast between tho bearing of tho
Spaniards und Cubans is strong. At tho
funeral of tho Maine's seamen tho Cuban
women in tho streets wero almost all
dressed in mourning, while tho Spanish
women wore colors. Tho only American
flags I saw in tho wholo procession wero
two small ones ubout tinea by six Inches.
I went aboard the Alfonso XII und was
received politely. The only expression of
regret I hoard there was from an officer
who complained that tho forco of tho
Malno explosion had broken his toilet bot
tles. There can bo no mistaking the Indif
ference of tho Spaniards In Havana over
tho loss of tho warship and those on
board. On Thursday, while driving to
tho cemetery with two American friends,
I was assailed with Jeers and somo ono
threw a largo stone at our carriage.
F. W. Bobbelt, of this city, who was
v 1th! Mr. Holcomb In the carriage, add
ed: That's perfectly true. In fact, ono or
two children yelled after us that they had
blown up the "Ameiicuno" and that they
wero glad of it. I did not hear u single
expression of regret for tho terrible loss
of llfo from any Spaniard during tho tlmo
I was in Havana.
Frank Welnhelmer, of this city, an
eye witness of tho explosion and a fel
low passenger of Mr. Holcomb, told tho
following story:
On Tuesday evening I strolled down to
tho water front for a breath of fresh nlr,
A number of persons were walking ubout
tho pier near the custom house. Out in
the hurbor I could see tho dim outlines
of thu Maine nnd closo by tho Spanish
warehlp. I was about 300 yards from tho
Maine. Tho first intimation I hnd of an
explosion was a crunching sound. Then
thero came r terrible roar. Immense
pieces of debris How skyward from tho
Maine. Some of them must huvo been
thrown at least 300 feet. It looked as
though tho wholo inside of tho ship hud
been blown out. Muny persons on the
pier wore nearly thrown from their feet
by tho forco of the explosion and the air
became stifling with smoke. Tho crowd
on the pier rushed back toward the city.
.Tho wreck burned for about two hours,
nnd by Its flu rim: light we could see tho
work of rescue in tho wnter, but wero
unable to render any assistance.
Mr. Welnhelmer suld ho heard nn ex
cited Spaniard declare shortly after the
explosion that If tlto 'Americanos' sent
another warship It also would bo blown
up.
M, J. Nachton, an Insurance man of
Chicago, who was staying with his wife
at the Grand Hotel Pasaje, said ho
was seated in front of the hotel when
the explosion occurred. It was follow
ed, lie wild, by another and a much
louder one.
"We thought tho whole city had been
blown to pieces," said Mr. Nachton.
"Some said the Insurgents were enter
ing Havana. Othfrs cried out that
Moro castle was blown up."
THE PANIC.
Continuing his description of the
panic which existed in Havana short
y after the explosion, Mr. Naghton
said:
On tho Prado is a large cab stand. Tho
minute after the explosion was heard tho
cabmen cracked their whips and went
rattling over tho cobble stones llko crazy
men. Tho flro department turned out, and
bodies of cavalry and infantry rush&d
through tho streets. There was no sleep
In Havana that night. Tho Spanish otll
clals wero quick to express their sym
pathy nnd acted very well as a whole,
but I think their expressions of regret
lacked tho spnntnnlety and warmth
which would havo been characteristic of
nn American city had such a disaster oc
curred under similar circumstances.
William L. Carbin, the passenger
who professed to have Important In
formation about tho explosion, refused
to make any further statements. The
other passengers on the Seguranca did
not take Mr. Carbin as seriously ns he
took himself.
CAPTAIN EULATE'S SYMPATHY.
The Commander of the Vittcayn Visits
Admiral IJnnco.
New York. Feb. 21. Captain Eulate,
with four ot his officers, came from the
Viscaya to the Spanish consulate to
day and thence to the navy yard, where
Admiral Huik-p received them.
Captain Eulate spokt at some length
In Spanish, addressing himself olllcially
to the adiuiral. The consul general of
Spain translated as follows:
Captain Eulate said that he has special
orders from the government of Spain
requesting him to sny that he Is hero to
return tho visit made by the Maine and
other ships to tho island of Cuba.
Tho admiral can fancy his surprise and
great sorrow on reaching American wa
ters to learn that tho Maine wus no more.
The captain begs to express his keen sor
row for the appalling misfortune that
has ovortnken tho Malno and his keen
sympathy is with thoso who lost rela
tives and aear ones, in sympathy for
which ho had placed his flag at half
mast and will keep them thero until his
departure, savo on Washington's birth
day, Captain Eufato 'considering himself
and his officers as being In mourning.
Many Invitations have been extended
to him, ho says, and his officers, two en
tertainments having been arranged es
pecially for their pleasure, one by the
Clrculo-Cervantes Colon, a society rep
resenting tho Spanish colony: another
by the consul general of Spain. Rut none
will be accepted, so solemn occasion does
not admit of any festivities. Later the
party called on General Merritt at Gov
ernor's Island and on Mayor Van Wvck
at the city hall.
Captain Eulate greeted the mayor
as follows:
Mr. Mayor: As you aro the ofllclal rep
resentative of Greater New York, and ns
tho Viscaya is in the harbor of this great
city, we wish to call and pay our re-,
spects, following our visits to tho naval
and military authorities.
After a pleasant conversation the
party withdrew and Captain Eulate re
turned to his vessel.
Admiral Dunce will visit the Vis
caya at 1 o'clock tomorrow. Major
General Merritt and tile Spanish con
sul general will also make a visit.
THE SOBRAL AFFAIR.
Spanish Officer Claims to Have Ilocn
.Misquoted.
New York, Feb. 21, Today a represen
tative ot the Associated Press called on
Lieutenant Commander L. G. Sobral,
naval attache to tho Spanish legation at
Washington, now In this city, und dur
ing an Interview held In tho Spnnlsh lung
uago asked If the reported interview held
with him had been accurately stated,
Lieutenant Commander Sobral, who un
derstands a little English when It Is
spoken very slowly, said that he had been
ndsunderstood, henco misquoted, He said
that tho construction placed upon his re
marks had led to an erroneous deduction
that ho had not made any unkind or
harsh remarks about tho oillcers of the
Maine. The reporter In speaking to him
quoted tho opinion, said to havo been
given by nn ofllcer In tho navy of Great
Rrltain, reflecting on tho discipline In
the American navy. Lieutenant Com
mander Sobral ventured the remark that
uccldents happen on ships and that per
haps tho sentinel on duty had become
careless. He also said that ho was not
aware that ho was being Interviewed, ilo
had no unkind feeling toward tho Amer
ican navy, and ho had many friends
among tho personnel and among tho gov
ernment officials in Washington. Ho
greatly regretted tho wholo circum
stance. When asked if his ofllclul connection
with the Spanish legation had ceased, ho
suld that It had not, und that he was as
formerly the naval attache of that lega
tion in Washington,
When questioned ns to his rank in the
royal navy of Spain, he said that ho was
a lieutenant commander; that ho was
promoted ubout ono year ago. There is a
corespondlng rank In tho navy of Great
llritnlu. It being a grade between a lieu
tenant and a post enptatn.
Wushlneton, Feb. 21.-Notwlthstnndlng
tho statement of Lieutenant Sobrnl that
ho Is still the naval attacho of the Span
ish legation, his recall was regulurly ga
zetted on the 84th of January and he is
not regarded by tho legation hero us con
nected with it.
.
ARTILLERISTS READY.
Mending's Soldiers Are 1'ropnrod for
Hnr.
Reading, Feb. 1. Captuln Bamuel WIN
llts, of tho Reading artillerists, says that
their quurtcrmuster has received orders
to secure the name and residence of every
enlisted man nnd verify tho same, so that
la cafe they are needed the members will
bo reudy to rendezvous at any placo In
twenty-four hours' notice.
Today another military company of W
men wus formed. Efforts are being made
to Increase tho number to 200 within tho
next three days.
ZOLA ACCUSES
PREMIER MELINE
An Eloquent Appeal Is Made (or Justice
and Truth.
PROCLAIMS DREYFUS INNOCENT
The Novelist .Unites n Stirring Address
to Court nnd Jury, in Which He
lloldly Chargei the Army Olliclnls
with Endeavoring to Suppress the
Truth.
Paris, Feb. 21. Emlle Zola today ad
dressed tho court, accusing Premier
Mcline of having ordered the jury to
avenge the national honor by return
ing a verdict of guilty. Ho declared
that the government knew Dreyfus was
Innocent and that the ministers them
selves would some day announce his
Innocence.
"I swear before tho world," declared
M. Zola In conclusion, "that Dreyfus
is innocent, and that France some day
will thank me for saving her honor."
The presiding judge said: "You can
not say ihat the premier has given an
order to condemn you."
Continuing, M. Zola said: "Such pro
ceedings aro an abominable piece of
political manners. I have never in
sulted the army, as has been said: but
I liave raised a cry of alarm, and I
leave history to judge me and appre
ciate my acts."
"Those who dishonor France," M.
Zola also said, "are those who mingle
cries of 'Vivo l'Armee' with 'A Bas
les Juifs' and Vive Esterhazy' after
the letters he has written. (Murmurs).
It I am here, it is "because I wished it.
It is I who asked to appear before you,
who are the voice of justice. It Is
for you, gentlemen, that I raise the
cry of alarm, and that I wish to bring
out the truth, perhaps successfully,
but here I stand before your Justice."
Tlfe speech' of the distinguished de
fendant was constantly interrupted by
hisses nnd protests. ,
M. Zola complained of the prevailing
slate of lassitude, and exclaimed:
"Ycur thoughts, which I think I can
read on your faces are 'we have had
enough of It. The matter must be
brought to an end.' "
"I am not defending my liberty, gen
tlemen," M. Zola said to the jury, "in
presenting myself before you. t am
defending the truth'. Look me In the
face, gentlemen. Have I been bought
or am I a traitor? I am a free writer,
who intends to resume his vocation and
again take up his interrupted labors.
I Indignantly protest against the
charge of an Italian.
"No," he added, "I am not defending
my liberty. Condemn me, then. If you
wish. It will be but an additional er
ror. It will be the seed which will ger
minate and prevent France from fall
ing into indifference.
"If the country Is in trouble the
fault lies with the government who In
the hope of saving some culprit has
tried to prevent the truth from com
ing into the light of day.
"The very life of the people is at
stake. It is for you, gentlemen of the
jury, to utter the truth upon this affair
and render Justice."
M. Zola dwelt upon the fact that en
tire people had been thrown Into pain
ful anguish through doubts of the
guiltlne38 of Dreyfus, and said: "The
government, who know all, and who,
like you, are convinced of th'e Innocence
of Dreyfus, will one day make it known
and publish it without running any
risk."
PROCLAIMS DREYFUS INNOCENT.
Then raising his voice, M. Zola three
times proclaimed the following: "Be
fore all the world, I swear Dreyfus is
innocent."
Loud murmurs and hisses from tho
back of the court greeted this utter
ance. M. Zola concluded by saying: "The
day will come when France will thank
me for waving her honor." (Prolonged
uproar).
M. Laborle, counsel for M. Zola, fol
lowed with an eloquent speech. His
opening words, "we are here in defense
of Justice and right," were hailed with
loud protests rom the back of the court
room but, counsel continued, reproach
ing the authorities for "being led astray
by passing interests" and with "not
wishing to deal with the Dreyfus af
fair, although there are few senators
or deputies who doubt his Innocence.
"Nevertheless," continued M. La
borle, "truth will prevail. Tho elec
tions will not bo allowed to pass amid
mystery and ambiguities." (Renewed
protests.)
M. Laborle then thanked "all thoso
personages of the intellectual elite of
France, who have had the courage to
seek for truth and light."
Counsel referred to the "Inspired ar
ticles" In the press "Intended to de
ceive the country," nnd said:
"If a syndicate exists, It is a syndi
cate of good faith and loyalty, whose
aim is to obtain justice and right in the
interests of the entire country nnd this
syndicate has the greatest faith In your
perspicacity."
An individual, In tho back of the
court room, shouted:
"How much have they paid you?"
To this M. Laborle retorted: "If wo
had been paid, such as you would have
applauded us."
M, Laborle then proceeded to re
proach the premier with refusing to
allow generals to be judged before u
Jury, and he asked: "Are generals
then above tho legal conscience of the
country? Our opponents talked of con
fidence In the army. We, toj, have
confidence In It; but, It is not an Insult
to the army to raise a cry ot alarm, as
SI, Zola has done. He spoke In strong
terms, but he did not insult the army."
In conclusion, M. Laborle declared
that ho Intended to prove Zola's good
faith, and review the wholo affair,
"groping into things hitherto un
known." Tho court was then ad
journed. LOST IN A BLIZZARD.
Menominee, Mich., Feb. 21. Throo Mon.
kuunee fishermen who wero lost In the
blizzard on Green Ray Saturday night,
were found by a Dorr county farmer this
morning wrapped in tho sails of their
fishing sleighs and nearly perished. Nino
other fishermen arc supposed to have
perished und searching crews nro now
out. Thoso rescued were: John Swunson,
Erlo Anderson nnd Gus Thorensou.
Tho storm Is tho worst In ten years.
THK NEWS THIS M0MINU.
Weather Indications Today!
Light Rnlul Northerly Wind.
1 General Progress of tho Investigation
Into the Malno Disaster,
Zola's Charges Against Premier Mollno.
Schemo to Purchase Cuba's Independ
ence 2 General President McKlnley Visits
Philadelphia.
Grund and Petit Jurors for March.
3 Local Annual Dinner of tho Lehigh
University.
Eight Divorces In Ono Day.
4 Editorial.
Comment of tho Press.
G Local Luther Keller and tho Scranton
Board of Trade.
Arrested for Robbing tho Dead.
C Local West Sldo and Suburban.
7 Lackawanna County Happenings.
8 Defcnso Opens In tho Martin Trial.
The Markets.
FEATURES OF A
DAY IN CONGRESS
Sonato Disomies n Bill Providing for
tho Taking of tho Twelfth Census.
Newberry College Occupie. Atten
tion ot the House.
Washington, Feb. 21. For threo hours
today, the senate had under discussion
tho bill providing for tho taking ot tho
twelfth and subsequent censuses. It was
so umended as to pluco tho census bu
reau under tho secretary or tho interior,
but tho extended discussion which fol
lowed disclosed so wide a divergence ot
views on tho part of tho saunters ns to
tho various features of the measure that
no further action was taken. A resolu
tion offered by Mr. Allen, NebiVrfu, di
recting the commlttco on nuvul uifulrs to
make an investigation of tho disaster to
tho battleship Maine was adopted with
out debate.
This was private bill day in tho house,
but llttlo was accomplished owing to the
fact that most of the tlmo was consumed
in tho passage of private pension bills
coming over from tho Friday night ses
sion three weeks ago. The featuro of the
day was tb.0 spirited contests over tho bill
to pay Newberry college, a Lutheran In
stitution In South Carolina. $15,000 for
damages sustained by It while used us u
barracks for federal troops shortly alter
hostilities ceased. It was strongly op
posed by Mr. Dlngley and Mr. Dnlzcll,
who announced their antagonism to war
claims of this character.
Mr. Cooper, of Texas, who championed
it on tho Democratic side, was supported
by Mr. Mahon, of Pennsylvania; Mr.
Walker, of Massachusetts, and other Re
publicans and it was finally passed. On
motion of Mr. Bailey, the Democratic
Linilpr thu Vinilcn vnfnil KK tn "S tn ..Ktr.rf.1
Washing on's birthday by adjourning f
over toMorrow, hut Mr. Dlngley raised
tho point of no quorum and before fur
ther action could bo taken the house re
cessed under tho rule until 8 o'clock. The
Republicans desire to go ahead with tho
sundry civil appropriation bill tomorrow.
THE SUICIDE MANIA.
Successful nnd Unsuccessful Attempts
Made Yesterday.
New York, Feb. 21. Jacob Dlllcnburg,
Bl years of ago, a plumber, nnd his wire,
Annie, Ti years of age, died ut their
homo on Chrystle street today from In
haling Illuminating gas. It Is not known
whether they committed sulcldo or their
death was duo to accident.
In tho little Bedell cottage at Hamp
st'ead, L. I., Annie Vollmar, a middle
aged woman, hanged herself to a beam
In tho cellar last night, but was cut down
before life was extinct. She Is in a crit
ical condition. In the samo cottage lies
tho body of Mrs. Charles Bedell, Mrs.
Vollmar and Mrs. Stock, who killed her
self on Friday.
Tho death of Mrs. Bedell's child, eight
weeks old, unsettled the reason of both
women. They brooded for four weeks
over their sorrow and then both decided
to commit su.clde.
LAST OF THE SEELEV niNNER.
Indictments Agninst tho Threo Pro
moters Aro Dismissed.
New York, Feb. 21. On the recommen
dation of tho district attorney's ofllce,
the Indlctmerts against Herbert llarnum
Seeley, Theodore D. Rich and James It.
I'hlpps, for responsibility for events nt
tho "Seeley dinner" In December, ISiiU,
were dismissed today.
Tho ground for the dismissal was that
it would not bo In tho Interests of public
morality to go Into a trial of tho case
nnd that It wus doubtful If convictions
could bo secured.
J0N0RASS RESPITED.
Tho Supremo Court Boluses to Giant
a KehcHrine.
Philadelphia, Feb. 21. Tho Supremo
court today refused tho petition for a re
hearing in tho case of tho common
wealth against Jongress, appealed from
Erie county.
Harrlsburg, Feb. 21. Governor Hast
ings has respited Frank Jongrass, who
was to havo been hanged at New Castle,
February 21. until April 28.
Hredor Plonds Gnilty.
Philadelphia, Feb. 21. Cyrus Breder.
former cashier of the National bank of
Bothlehem, Pa., today pleaded guilty In
the United States district court to tho
embezzlement of over $20,000 of the bank's
funds. Breder left Bethlehem about a
year ago and was arrested In St, Clair,
Michigan. He broke down In court today
as ho entered the plea of guilty. Sentence
was deferred.
1'etinsjrlvanin Pensions,
Washington, Feb. 21. These Pennsyl
vania pensions have been Issued: Origin
al Edward Fitzpatrlck, Wllllamsport. $12;
Urban B. Smith, Hopbottom, Susquehan
na, JS. Additional Levi Stedge, Feck
vllle, Lackawanna, $1 to 110. Increase
Jabez S. Sterling, Tunkhnnnock. Origin
al widow, etc. Lucy Hlgglns, Scranton,
J6.
i m
NtcniiiKlitp Arrivals.
New York, Feb. 21. tieared: Lahn,
Bremen; Majestic, Liverpool; Berll.i,
Antwerp: New York, Antwerp. Gibraltar
Arrived: Normannla, New York for
Naples and Genoa. Sailed: Werra, New
York, Alexandria Arrived: Augusto
Victoria, New York.
Sngnstn Settles It.
Madrid, Feb. 21, Senor Sagasta, tha
premier, says the reports of divers, which
havo been since confirmed, prove that
the disaster to tho Malno was tho result
ot an accident.
Divorced from tho "Kid."
Hamilton, O., Feb. 21. Rose Selby was
today granted a decree of divorce from
Norman Selby, known In the pugilistic
profession as "Kid" McCoy,
Decision for Dnnnlo Mcllrlde.
Trenton, N. J Feb. 21, Dannlo Mc
ilrlde, of New York, got tho decision on a
foul over Tommy Shorten, of Brooklyn,
in three rounds at the Falaca Sporting
club tonight.
TO PURCHASE
INDEPENDENCE
Latest Scheme Proposed
for Consideration of
the Cubans.
PLAN OF THE PRESIDENT
Creates the Greatest Interest
Among Congressmen.
Speculation on tho Maine Dimmer.
Washington In Suspense Pondlnq
the Court of Inquiry's Vcrdlct--Sle-nlficnnco
Against the Torpedo
Theory of No Dead Fish In Hovuna
Ilnrbor--Tho President's Plnn of
Furchnso of tho Island.
New York, Feb. 21 A Washington
special to the Commercial Advertiser
gives tlie following view of the Cuban
situation:
So far us concerns the cause ot the
destruction of the Main?, AVashlngton
is in suspense, and will remain so until
the ofllclal report of the board of in
quiry is received.
It is said by experts here that it may
tnke till Juno to raise the wreck of the
Maine. The difficulties of work in
Havana harbor are extraordinary, nnd,
moreover, there Is said to be danger
that the hulk will sink down deeper in
the mud. The announcement thnt no
dead fish enme to .the surface of the
harbor after the explosion, if it should
be substantiated, is regarded in admin
istration circles as tho most slgnlllcant
development thus far, for this, it is
thought, would be almost, conclusive
evidence that there was no detonation
in the water outside tho hull of thu
ship. The harbor of Havana fniily
swarms with fish. Our northern wat
ers know nothing of the populous life
of the southern sea. Moreover the
harbor is stagnant and the tides aro
scarcely peceptlbie. In almost any
other harbor the dead flsli might havo
been swept out to st-a. by tho flnt
tide, "but not so in Havana. Had their
bodies been there ut all, they woud be
there now.
Should It appear on investigation that
evidence is all in favor of an accident
cause of the explosion, the administra
tion will be In a position to go ahead
with the plan it has in mind to secure
Cuban Independence by purchase. The
greatest Interest I.; shown in this pol
icy by members of congress, who ure
waiting anxiously for an elaboration
of the president's plan. What success
it shall have at .the capltol depends
largely upon the details and upon the
manner of Its presentation to congress.
SPAIN AGREEABLE.
The peculiar strength which tho
proposition has at this time, comes
from the fact that Spain Is now In such
a frame of mind that any reasonable
proposal may receive fulr considera
tion by the government at Madrid.
Autonomy Is acknowledged to be a
failure. It Is known from the consu
lar reports, which soon will be laid
before congress, that the insurgents
are advancing to the possession of new
territory, and that the island is now;
fairly honeycombed with officials ap
pointed under the autonomous govern
ment, who are favorable to the revo
lutionary cause. Spain is able to send
no more troops to Cuba. She has ex
hausted her ability to levy men and
money. She must tight or sell. And it
Is believed that when the alternative
Is presented she will consent to the
proposition which a few months ago
might have been spurned as a reflec
tion upon the Castillan spirit. It has
been suggested that the Cubans should
purchase the Island without any guar
antee by the United States. This Is
quite out of the question. A Cuban
government could give no pledge of the
payment of $100,000,000 or any such
large sum as would bo accepted by any
nation without the endorsement of
some permanent and solvent power,
and the president understands this
fully. The mere offer of mediation by
this government to bring about the
purchase of the island by its Inhabi
tants, Involves a tacit guarantee of the
payment of the bonds In case the medi
ation succeeds.
It is believed that when congress
fully understands that tho purchase
price Is not to Include the $100,000,000
war debt incurred by Spain In putting
down the insurrection, there will be
less objection In any quarter to the ac
ceptance of the president's plan.
STRENGTH OF THE POLICY.
The strength of tho policy undoubt
edly is growing at tho capltol. Eastern
representatives, In particular, declare
themselves favorable to It, and it is
believed that when western men come
to understand fully Its scope and to
realize tho purpose of the administra
tion in presenting it, that they also will
fall In line. At the same tlmo thero
are many representatives who say If
we are going to guarantee the pay
ment of $100,000,000 to secure tho Island
for the Cubans we had better raise tho
amount a llttlo nnd buy tho Island for
ourselves.
The state department is rapidly put
ting In shape tho consular reports
called for a few days ago by resolu
tions of the senate nnd the house.
There may bo some delay in sending
them to congress, owing to the disin
clination to ndd fuel to the excitement
caused by tho destruction of tho Maine,
Tho llern'd's Weather Forecast.
New York, Feb. 22. In tho middle states
nnd New Engicnd, today, unsettled,
cloudy weather will prevail, preceded by
rain and sucw In New England, with
fresh to brisk variable winds, mostly
northeasterly, on the coasts, and nearly
stationary temperature, becoming lower
with light snow, followed probably, byj
clearing in this section, .