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TWO CENTS.
SCRANTON, LA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 23. 1898.
TWO CENTS.
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PAGES
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COURT OF INQUIRY
FORMALLY OPENED
Investigation of the Condition of the Battieship Maine Several
Divers Are at Work on the Wreck Progress Impeded by
Darkness The Army and the Coast Defenses Are
Strengthened Preparations for War.
ilavana, Feb. 22. Tht court of In
Airy opened nt half-past ten and took
i recess at half-past twelve. Lieuten
ant F. F. AA Hotmnn, navigator and
ordnance officer of the Maine, was ex
amined at the morning session. The
court met for the afternoon session at
half-past one and Lieutenant Coin
mnnder R. AVnlnwrlght. executive olll
eer of the Maine, was railed to the
witness stand. Lieutenant Commander
Walnwrlght has been In Immediate
charge of ths. wreck since the explo
sion. Four divers are at work In the for
ward part of the ship, and the others
nft. Tho task Is most laborious, and
the men are naturally extremely care
ful, as they have had to work in com
plete darkness, and several have had
'bad falls. Electric lights, worked from
the Mangrove, are now available, and
much good Is expected fiom them.
Nearly all the possible salvage has
now been made from the cabin aft.
The efforts to reach the ward and mess
rooms are frustrated by some unknown
obstacle. It Is expected to find bodies
In these rooms. Two cases of ten Inch
ammunition have been found, the one
having exploded, the other full of pow
der These were found forward.
The work of securing the bodies
under the hatch has been most dlllicult
In the dark, but it Is hoped that the
electric light will be of great assist
ance. The bodies are much mutilated
and some are partially burned.
The officers of the court of Inquiry
paid another visit to the wreck today.
Captain Sampson, nfter the visits of
the members of the court to the Captain
General and Admiral Manterolu this
morning, said the reception extended
them had been polite and cordial. The
captain general aM! Utlmlral had ex
pressed deep sympathy and the hope
that nothing would Interfere to prevent
a thorough investigation. They offered
to give any help In their power. Cap
tain Sampson referred to the visits us
"tending to promote a better under
standing." Among the salvage were the table
ware and tho silver service belonging
to the Maine.
George V. Koehler. of Brooklyn, died
toduy at the military hospital. All tho
other Injured show some Improvement.
La Lucha, In an editorial today, com
ments upon the "unfairness of the
United States In making Cnptaln Slgs
bee the adviser and assistant to the
court of Inquiry."
The editorial Is evidently based on
Incorrect information from the United
States, as naval officers here say it Is
Impossible under the rules constitut
ing naval courts of Inquiry, that tho
captain commanding the ship destroyd
should have anything to do with the
findings of the court, being In one sense
on trial himself. It is made Captain
Slgsbee's duty to give all the testimony
as to the facts in his possession.
TORPEDO BOATS LEAVE CADIZ.
Madrid. Feb. 22. United States Min
ister Woodford was received In audi
ence by the queen regent today.
A squadron of torpedo boats has left
Cadiz for Havana harbor.
Key West. Feb. 22. The torpedo
bouts Ericsson nnd Cushlng have made
frequent trips by the New York and
Iowa, now off Sand Key with dis
patches. Hear Admiral Slcard, with
several officers of New York and Iowa
l;as spent part of the day on shore.
Havana, Feb. 22. Gunner Charles
Morgan, of the cruiser New York, who
Is In charge of the divers, will devote
attention to examining the ammunition
in the foro part of the Maine's hull
and to ascertaining the condition of
the plates, magazines and engines.
The bodies of twelve firemen have
been taken out from under the hatch
leading from the superstructure to tho
Are room. None were recognized and
all were necessarily dismembered In
course of removal.
An additional ten-Inch casing charge
was found today exploded. A number
of such casings are believed to he in
sldo the hull, but It Is not known
whether they exploded or not. Tho
dlverB have recovered, In addition to
Captain Slgsbee's silverware, as nl
ready cabled, some of his cutlery, his
rifles nnd a number of his books.
Tho wounded In tho hospital are all
doing better tonight.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
Activity ut tho Navy Ynrds.-Contriict
Signed with Wrecking Coiujiuuic,
Washington, Feb. 22. All the gov
ernment departments were closed In
Washington today save tho navy de
portment, where a fow of the officials
assembled to receive nny dispatches
that might arrive und to close tho con
tract with tho wreckers for the recov
ery of the effects on the Maine and the
vessel herself if that be nrnctleablo.
The Blgnlng of the wrecking contract
twas me most important event of tho
way, ana this concluded, the officials
rcioseu up snop ana went homo to en
Hoy a respite from tho ruBh of the past
week. Captain Slgsbee was heard from
In a dispatch which Indicates that close
attention will be given to the coal
bunkers by the naval court of Inquiry
at Havana.
Officials unquestionably have been
for some time preparing for any emer
gency that may arise, but appearances
at the department today would Indi
cate that any necessary orders already
have been given and that the situa
tion was not one calling for Immediate
activity at Washington. The Cnstlne
and Cincinnati, In accordance with or
ders made known some time ago by
the Associated Press, are to move much
fuither north to West Indian waters
and at Norfolk the monitor Terror was
ordered to be In readiness and may be
sent to New York later. The senate
passed a bill to add two artillery regi
ments to the strength of the army.
This measure has been urged for many
months by officials of the war depart
ment who foresaw that while congress
of late years" had taken measures for
the protection of our coasts by appro
priations for defensive works and great
guns. It has not provided the men
necessary to operate these engines of
war.
Should the house pass the bill It will
enable the department to carry out
plans it has long had In view. Criti
cisms lately passed upon the state of
the army and our fortifications has
caused Increased activity In military
matters, and to some extent this Is re
sponsible for reports arriving from
various quarters of movements at army
posts. A report was circulated that
General Miles as commander of the
army had issued additional orders for
troops at all forts to be on the ulert
and ready for Immediate service, but
this was promptly denied by the gen
eral's chief of staff. Nothing what
ever of a sensational character oc
curred In Washington and on the whole
the dav was free of rumors by com
parison wllh its immediate predeces
sors for the past week or more.
THE WRECKING EXPEDITION.
The plans of tho wiecklng expedition
for the relief of the Maine were com
pleted today, after long conferences
between Secretary Long and the rep
resentatives of the Merrltt & Chapman
comnanv of New York nnd the Boston
Towboat company. Tho companies had
expee'ed to begin work In Havana Har
bor in about a week, but at tho last
moment Secretary Long Insisted that
a provision should be made for send
ing forward at once at least one large
wrecking Voat with divers and equip
ments. This was agreed to and a dis
patch was sent to the captain of the
sea wrecker Hlght Arm, now at Key
West, to suspend his private work there
and proceed at once to Havana. If tho
Right Arm has started north, a tor
pedo boat will be sent after l'er with
orders to proceed .to Havana. At tho
some time a dispatch was sent to tho
New York offices of the company to
send two of the most experienced dl
vei h by train to Key West, where they
will go to Havana and join the wreck
eis and divers on the Right Arm.
Tho commander of the Right Arm Is
ordered to place himself, with his di
vers and much'inery under the orders
of Captain Slgsbee. who thus will be
free to avail himself of their services
In the lecovery of bodies or any par
ticularly desirable piece of equipment
or property. These are emergency
steps which precede the Maine wreck
ing expedition, which will be outfitted
at Roston, New York and Norfolk.
The terms of the contract as con
cluded and signed today provide for
the payment to the wrecking companies
of the sum of $S7t per day for their
regular plant and an additional pay
ment of $510 per day for the use of the
Monarch while thp latter Is actually
employed. An express provision Is
made that the government may ter
minate the contract at any moment.
It Is also provided that the compensa
tion shall not exceed the sum of $200,
000 appropriated by congress for this
purpose. Finally it Is provided that
If tho companies succeed In raising the
Maine and towing her to New York,
they shall receive a bonus of $100,000.
In view of the large first cost of the.
Maine, about ?&,uuu.uuu, una the nation
al deslro that sho shall bo raised, Sec
retary Long believes that ho Is fully
Justified In making the above terms
with the wreckers. It must be borno
In mind, ho said today, that this will
constitute tho largest wrecking expe
dltlon ever equipped in this country.
Moreover, the wreckers expressed a
willingness to go to work In the usual
way that they serve underwriters,
namely, to do the wrecking work and
then take tho award of a hoard of ar
bitration. This plan, however, was not
open to the government, which Is com
pelled by law to fix exact terms In ad
vance. WORK WILL RE HASTENED.
A clause of the contract requires tho
companies to proceed with all despatch
with tho work, nnd though this haste
adds to tho cost. It Is believed to be
necessary In view of the possibility of
tho early appearance of yellow fever nt
Havana.
Cnptaln Humphreys and Mr. Chap
man, representing the two companies
who will do the work, explained to the
Associated Press the plana they will
adopt. In addition to the emergency
work to be prosecuted, the main ex
pedition will bo made up of about 100
men, Including six skilled divers; the
wrecking stenmer Underwriter, of
Boston, of six hundred horse power,
the wrecking steumer John G. Jones,
of Norfolk, of similar power; the Iron
barge Lone Star, of Boston, capable
to carry 3,000 tons; the tloatlng der
rick Monarch, capable of lifting 2fi0
tons, the largest lloatlng derrick In
the country; and nnother derrick cap
able of lifting thirty tons.
The forwarding of the boats, der
ricks and men will begin at once. Tel
egrams were sent today to begin the
outfitting, the taking on of coal and
tho assembling of men and equipments.
The boats are ready to start at any
time, but It will take a day or two to
get together. The wreckers say It will
be Impossible to assemble the material
and get It Into Havana harbor ready
for work for a week.
The Underwriter has a crew of sev
enteen men, including her own .staff of
diverse, who are veterans In this line
of work. The Jones has a like crew and
equipment. Each wrecking vessel has
a large complement of pumps, anchors,
Iron masts with heavy hoisting gear,
etc. Captain Thomas Kiviln, of New
Vork, is mentioned as likely to bo
placed In charge of the expedition. The
wrecking master will be in complete
charge, ns tho government will trust
entirely to the experience of the wreck
ers, although a naval officer will be
detailed to Inspect tho work as It pro
ceeds. The officers of the two wrecking com
panies said today that after the ex
pedition was assembled a complete In
spection of the wreck would be mn.ln
und the exact line of work determined
upon. Most of the lifting will be done
by the smaller derrick, but It will take
the monster derrick Monarch to lift
the huge turrets of the Maine and the
guns mounted within them. Cnptaln
Humphieys stated that tho purpose
was not to separate the big guns from
the turrets but to lift them as. a whole.
This will be. a tremendous undertak
ing, as the combined weight of each
turret and gun Is lfifi tons. The Mon
arch can lift 2C0 tons. '
Tho wreckers were loath to express
an opinion as to their ability to raise
the hull of the Maine.
They are hopeful, however, that the
ship can be brought to the surface.
The Iron barge Lone Star will be used
to receive the turrets, guns and wreck
age, and as fast as loads are made up
such will be towed to tho Norfolk navy
yard.
REQUEST FOR DRAWINGS.
The following telegram was received
by the navy department this afternoon
from Captain Slgsbee:
"Send to Forsythe for Slgsbee trans
verse sectional drawing of Maine
through forward ten inch magazine
and shell room showing pocket coal
bunkers."
This request was Immediately com
plied with. It Is supposed that Cap
tain Slgsbee wants the drawings to as
sist In the wrecking work. They will
be useful also for the court of Inquiry.
The fact that It Is deemed essential
thut the drawings shall show tho
pocket coal bunkers, Is evidence that
Captain Slgsbee has In mind the spon
taneous combustion theory. Some of
the employes of the navy department
have been making estimates of the
amount of money that will be required
to meet the demands of the Joint reso
lution which Mr. Boutelle proposes to
Introduce In the house allowing a year's
sea pay to the families of the dead
sailors and money for lost clothing and
effects not to exceed a year's pay to
the survivois. They fix the sum ut not
to exceed $1.10,000.
The naval officers assert that tho re
port that the movements of the South
Atlantic squadron now under way are
with a view to the early assembling
of the vessels near Havana is without
foundation.
THE TERROR WILL SAIL.
Norfolk, Va., Feb. 22. The repairs
on the monitor Terror was completed
tonight, and It Is understood she will
sail for New York In the morning.
Repairs on the torpedo boats Foote
and Wlnslow also are practically com
pleted and they nre ready to leave the
dry dock. The Puritan will hardly be
ready to leave the yard under ten days.
All of her boilers have been repaired
but one.
It is said that the gunboat Machlns
will be repaired at this yard, and a
requisition for more men has been
made.
FOR RELIEF OF MAINE VICTIMS.
Legislative Provision Agreed Upon
Yestcrdiiv Afternoon.
AVnshlngton. Feb.22. Legislative pro
vision for the relief of the victims of
the Maine disaster occupied the house
committee on naval affairs ull day, a
general measure being ugreed on late
this afternoon, similar to the relief
measure that followed the Samoan dis
aster In 1889. The resolution will ho
finally passed on nt a special meeting
of the committee tomorrow morning
and will be Immediately reported and
its passage expedited.
Though based on the precedent of
the Samoan bill, approved February 19,
1890. it will Ignore the differentiation
then made between tho Injured and
uninjured survivors, and its terms nre
to be general Insteau of citing indi
viduals. Any losses sustained by the
survivors will be made good to the ex
tent of not exceedlnge twelve months'
pay, and provision Is to be made for
bringing the remains back to this
country at the discretion of tho naval
authorities, The relief funds aro to be
paid first to the wife or child of the
victim, then parents, or If there nre
neither of these relations, then to tho
brother or sister or other collateral re
lations. The pay of the deceased Is to
be continued to these nt least three
months.
ORDERS TO TUB GUARD.
Mnjor (Jniiernl Snowdon Desires Ito
crillts to tho Pull Quoin nt l.nw.
Philadelphia, Feb. 22. Major Gener
al Snowden, commnnder of tho Nation
al Guard of Pennsylvania, has Issued
general orders to every officer In the
state to recruit his command up to
the full quota required by law.
The orders were Issued five days ago
with Instructions that they be kept a
profound secret. The officers were In
structed to have their men ready to
march fully armed and equipped In
twenty-four hours' notice. Neither of
ficers nor men will talk of prepara
tions that arc going on, because they
say It is against military regulations,
but the work of recruiting men, In
specting arms and ammunition, and
the general air of activity at the dif
ferent armories speaks for Itself.
The National Guard of Pennsylvania
comprises nearly 9.000 men.
STEEL PROJECTILES ARRIVE.
Two Thousand Missiles (or Six, Eight
and Ton Inch (Jiiiik.
New York, Feb. 22. The first of the
expected projectiles lrom the Carpen
ter Steel works arrived at tho Brook
lyn navy yard today. There was about
2,000 of them for the six, eight und
ten-Inch guns of th'o cruisers nnd bat
tleships. A number of torpedo bends
from New England manufacturers are
expected by tomorrow
"The collection of ammunition," said
an ordnance officer, "does not mean
that we expect Immediate war. These
supplies were ordered some months ago,
when some representative said in con
gress we had not either powder or shot
enough to last the navy a day. Pow
der has been arriving for the last six
weeks. More projectiles are expected
an.', when they get here wo shall have
ammunition enough on hand to last
during six months of dally fighting."
MR. CRAMP'S OPINION.
Thinks tho Wreck of the .llnino Cnn
not He Successfully Raised.
Philadelphia, Feb. 22. A number of
photographs of the wrecked battleship
Maine, taken soon after the explosion
occurred, were submitted to Charles
H. Cramp today, for an expert opin
ion. After carefully examining them,
Mr, Cramp said:
"The damage wrought by the ex
plosion, ns shown by the photographs,
was something terrible. After seeing
I he pictures I am more undetermined
than ever ns to the real cause of the
d'saster. The appearance of the wreck
indicates that there were two or more
terrific explosions. One thing la cer
ta'n. If the wieck Is as bad below
the vvnter ns It appears to be above,
nnd the Inference Is natural that the
portion covered by the water Is In a
worse state than that nbove It, the
government will never be able to raise
tho torn and twisted mass of steel ex
cept by the use of coffer dams In my
opinion tho proposition to raise what
Is left qf her with pontoons is Imprac
ticable, and the building of coffer dams
Is absolutely necessary."
M. LABORIE'S PLEA.
Zola's Counsel Resumes His Argu
ment lor Pefenso.
Paris, Feb. 22. M. Laborle, counsel 'or
Zola, resumed his argument tor the do
lense today.
"However opinions may differ In this at
falr," si. Lnborlo explained, "In tho hour
of danger we all show a solid front to tho
foreigner." (Applause). .
Then, denouncing the nctlon of the pros
ecution In having Dreyfus write from dic
tation, counsel said:
"Such a trick proved tho emptiness of
tho prosecution, for had they possessed
proof of his guilt they would havo hud
recourso to such theatrical effects at tho
opening of the court mnttlul, and tho
Judges, having only the Bordereau, would
havo acquitted Dreyfus had not, con
trary to all laws, their Judgment been ie.d
astray by tho secret communication of a
document."
Counsel after rending nn account of the
court mnrtlal, added: "I have all tho pa
pers concerning the affair In my hands,
und I solemnly affirm that there Is noth
ing In them against Dreyfus. I pledge
you my honor, gentlemen,, that this Is no
proof against Dreyfus."
After the court adjourned M. Laborln
received a veritable ovation, cries of
"Vive Laborln" mingling with counter
cries of "Vive l'Armce'' and "A Ban lo
Julfs."
Tho public emerged from tho court In a
stute of extreme excitement, but there
was no disorder.
An Offer nl Tmnps.
Newark, N. J., Feb. 22. Commander
Irving, of the division of tho east, New
Jersey naval reserves, telegraphed to tho
ravy department In Washington today,
offering his command for Immediate ser
vices should It bo required. There aro
soveral hundred men In the division.
Ntcnuiftlilp ArrivnlN,
Now York, Feb. 22. Sailed: Lahn, Bro
men, Antwerp Arrived; Kensington,
New Vork.
WAR CLOUD
IN WEST AFRICA
France Protests iter Innocence, but
England Is Serious.
FRENCH HAVE NOT ENTERED SOKOTO
War Humors Concerning tho I'ossl
lilty ol' u Conlllct--Trench Battle
ship Soils lor tho I'nr VnU
Oplnloni oT tho Kuroponn News
papers on tho Subject.
Paris, Feb. 21. A semi-official note
Issued this afternoon says It Is quite
untrue that French forces hnve en
tered the Sokoto region, nnd that the
story Is merely a revival of an ex
ploded rumor.
In nn article expressing the views of
M. Hanotau, minister of foreign af
fairs, the Journal des Debats says that
both tho French and English govern
ments have Instructed their officers
and agents In West Africa to nbstnln
from anything that would possibly
bring about n collision. The consensus
of opinion In Paris Is that the possibil
ity of a conflict arising from the Niger
dispute Is absurd.
The French battleship Vauban, with
Admiral de Beaumont on board, sailed
from Toulon today for the far East.
London, Feb. 22. Replying to a ques
tion In tho house of commons today,
Mr, Chamberlain, secretary of state
for the Colonies, said that he received
yesterday a dispatch from Lieutenant
Pllcher, commanding at Lokojah, stat
ing that she had received Information
that four French European officers,
with 100 men, had arrived at Argun
gu, on the Sokoto river. In West Af
rica, nnd within the sphere of British
Influence. Mr. Chamberlain added:
"I cannot believe that, pending the
negotiations, the French government
can hnve authorized this Invasion of
territory over which our lights have
been recognized by the convention be
tween Great Britain und France."
REGARDED VERY SERIOUSLY.
The St. James' Hazed,, this nftnr.
noon, commenting on the subject, says:
"If the Invasion of Sokoto Is directed
from Paris, It admits but of one in
terpretation, and the seriousness of the
situation Is Increased when it Is re
membered that the Invasions of Brit
ish territory must have been planned
weeks before the present ferment In
Paris over Dreyfus. It would appear
that the French cabinet, foreseeing
the revelations which should be caused
by the trial of M. Zola, had determined
to bring affairs In West Africa to a
crisis to secure a renewal of Its pop
ularity." The Times says: "We cannot allow
them (the French) to strai.jle our col
onies at Lagos and on the Gold Coast
as they have strangled them at Gam
bia and Sierra Leone."" '
JARUCO'S AWFUL STATE.
Terrible Situation round by Clarn
Barton-.Three Hundred Patients
in tho Hospital witli 81.80 in Span
ish Silver to Feed 'I' lie m.
Havana, Feb. 22. Miss Clara Barton
reports that she found the reconcen
trudos at Jaruco, Havana province, In
an awful condition of starvation and
misery. She says that she could not
believe it was possible to witness more
human suffering and more appalling
spectacles of distress than those she
had nlready seen In Cuba, and yet they
did not compare with what she found
In Jaruco.
Miss Barton found that the entire
funds of the so-called hospital in that
place were $1.80 in Spanish sliver. "Thut
Is all I have," said the doctor to her,
"to feed and treat over 300 patients."
Besides, there was not a single pill In
the pharmacy of tho hospital.
The doctor had no surglcnl Instru
ments to make any operations and no
attendants to care for the rooms of
the poor sick. In one room Miss Bar
ton found a dead man's body, which
hud been kept there for three days.
She visited the jail of the town nnd
saw similar carelessness and pithiness.
Two pounds of rlco nnd two ounces o'f
snusnge were the only food In the whole
building.
An Immense crowd followed her to
the church, nnd tho poor people knelt
nnd gave thanks to God for sending
Miss Barton to them. ' Sho was ap
pointed by unanimous vote of the city
council "adoptive daughter" of Jaruco.
She left a good hospital In the place,
and has greatly relieved the general
misery.
DIO GUN CARRIAGES.
To Ro Used nn United Stntes Battle
ships tor Thirteen-Inch Ciiunon.
Cleveland, Feb. 22. Work on tho big
government contract Is now under
rapid headway at the Otis Steel works.
Five enormous gun carriages are be
ing constructed there. They are for
13-lnch guns to bo used on United
States battleships. A similar carriage
was completed some time ago and
shipped east, where It met with the
approval of tho naval department.
General Manager Bartol said today
that orders had been received to com
plete five moro carriages.
Tho great Gatllng cast steel gun will
be returned to the Otis works within
a fow days from the Cleveland city
forge to be reamed out in readiness
for the rlillng which is to be performed
In the east.
STRANGE D0X FOR ALDERMAN.
Looked Llko an Infernal Mnchlno,
but Was llnrmnes.
Capo May, N. J., Feb. 22. A susplo-Jnus-looklng
box camo by express to
Alderman Sandgran this morning, and
for a time created considerable con
Hternatlon. State Senator Hand, tx
Postmnster Richardson and Game AVar
den Hilton happened in at tho time and
Hilton displayed nerve enough to ex
amine the thing, while tho others re
mained at a safe distance,
Tho box was found to contain a lot
of cunningly arranged springs and
wires, but perfectly harmless, AVho
was the perpetrator of tho Joko Is a
mystery.
THE NEWS THIS MOKNINU.
Weather Indications Today:
Partly Cloudy; Variable Wind..
1 Gener.vl Court of Inquiry at Havana.
War Preparations.
Cuban Autonomists Charged with
Treason.
Africa's War Cloud.
2 State Testimony for tho Defense In
tho Martin Trial.
Enthusiastic Reception to President
McKlnley at Philadelphia.
3 Local-Superior Court Opinions.
Companies A nnd C Condemn tho Old
Armory.
Editorial. i . I '
Comment of tho Press.
S Spain's Rise nnd Fall.
C Local-Deadlock in tho Board of Con
trol. 7 Locni-Celobrntlon of Wushlngton'3
Birthday.
Board of Charities Indignant nt tho
Attncks on the Society's Agent.
S Local-West Side and Suburban.
9 Lackawanna. County News.
10 Whitney's Weekly News Budget.
Neighboring County Happenings.
CUBA OCCUPIES
THE SENATE
Terriblo Condition of the Reconoen
tnidoi Is Consldeicd.-IJill Provid
ing lor Two Regiments Passed.
Washington, Fob. 22. As soon as the
reading of the historical farewell ad
dress was concluded by Mr. Lodge
(Mass.) In the senate today, Mr. Haw
ley (Conn.), chairman of tho military
affairs committee, called up the bill
providing for the enlistment of two ad
ditional regiments of artillery for ser
vice In manning the heavy coast de
fence batteries which congress lias
provided during tho past two years.
Thero was no factious opposition to the
measure nnd it was passeu uy a vuw i
&2 to 4. Mr. Morgan, of Alabama, of
fered nnd secured the ndoptton of a
resolution Instructing the committee on
naval affairs to Inquire and report to
the senate whether a war ship to be
named the George AVashlngton. and to
be ottunl to the most powerful in the
world could be constructed within
twelve months.
Cuba usurped the place of Hawaii
In the executive session and was under
consideration for an hour or moro.
Th'is proceeding was based upon a doc
ument presented by Senator Morgan,
of Alabama, ns the icsult of an Inter
view between himself and a. Mr. Koop,
of Boston. Tho document consisted
of questions by Senator Morgan and
replies by Mr. Koop, and dealt with
the unfortunate condition of the ro
concentrados. There was some comment upon the
document by Senators Morgan, Gal
llnper and Mason, but no olllcial nctlon
was taken. Senntor Mason said the
statement was no more than ho had
expected to hear, and Senator Gallln-
i,.i....,..i tiiftt Mir. ii!rturp drawn
was a deplorable one. He said tlmtt
two months ago no nnu nuviscu wmi
the United States should Intervene to
put a stop to the war nnd that every
development since had confirmed tho
wisdom of the suggest km then made.
It seems probable that the bill to
create two additional regiments of ar
tllleiy will pass the house without
much opposition, If It Is reported while
the house Is in its present temper. The
military affairs committee has juris
diction over the bill and Chairman Hull
Is now absent ut his home In Iovvn.
To opposition Is likely to bo encount
ered from the appropriations commit
tee . .
AVashlngton's birthday was celebrat
ed In the house -tfter a motion of Mr.
Bailey to adjourn had been voted
down, with a vast deal of political
speochmaklng, nnd It was also bignal-'
Ized by the firing of the first gun in
opposition to Hawaiian annexation.
Mr. Johns-on, an Indiana Republican,
delivered a speech that electrified the
house and the galleries In denuncia
tion of what he termed ns an attempt
to cut loose from the traditional policy
of the United States nnd enter upon a
scheme of colonization that had proved
the ruin of empires and of nntlons. He
used some very strong language, but
his remarks were enthusiastically ap
plauded by the minority, and many Re
publicans Joined in the demonstration.
He declared that he did not believe the
proposed scheme to annex the Sand
wich b lands could sttujd the crucial
test of n contest, either in tho senate
or house. Ho declared that while ho
had denounced at the time the state
ment that the Hawaiian monarchy
had ben overthrown with the aid of
American citizens that ho now firmly
behoved it was true. The speech com
ing entirely unheralded produced a
deep impression. The gem-rul debate
op the pundry civil bill was concluded
today and tomorrow the bill will le
taken up for amendment.
BADE EVANOEUST FAREWELL.
Scouo in Cape Jluy's Itnilrond Httition
ns Jennie Smith Lull.
Cupe May, N. J.. Feb. 22. A remark
able scene was presented in the station
of the AVest Jersey and Seashore rull
road this afternoon when Jennie Smith,
the evangelist who has been conduct
ing successful revival services here,
started to leave the city.
A large crowd gathered at the sta
tion to bid her farewell and an Im
promptu service was held. Experi
ences of converts were told, addresses
made and hymns were sung till tho
warning whistle of the locomotive gave
notice that the train was about to
move. AVavIng of handkerchiefs and
other demonstrations of regard were
kept up till It was out of sight.
One Thousand .Men Bendy.
Reading, Pa., Feb. 22. The city execu
tive committee of the American Protec
tive association met todny und Deputy
State President Taylor ent u telegram
to AVashlngton offering the government
the services of the entire membership of
one thousand In this district In the event
of hostilities. Organization of four mili
tary companies has been under way here
during tho past twenty-four hours.
llritish Ship Asia Wricked.
Boston, Feb. 22. Thero Is scarcely a
doubt that the British ship Asia, com
manded by Captain (1. M. Dnkin, bound
from Manila for this port, wus wrecked
near Nantucket during tho gulo of the
past few days nnd that her entire crew
of twenty men have perished.
THE ASPECT
AT MADRID
A Gloomy Tone Pervades
Political Circles at
Present.
CRISIS MAY BE AT HAND
Split in the Cuban Ministry Is
Threatened.
Tho Autonomist! Aro, It Is Uellovcd,
Secretly Treating with tho Sepnr-ntiitc-Opinloni
of tho Pross--Tho
DIlnLtrr In Groat Danger.
lladrldi Feb. 2. A gloomy tono per
vaden political circles on tho reports oS
a split in tho Cuban ministry. Tho
Autonomist Senor GIgberg and Scnot?
Amblard, ore, It Is 'believed, secretly
treating with tho Separatists in tho
direction of independence for Cuba.
Senor Govln, the Cuban secretary of
the Interior, Is accused of treason by.
the Imparclal which publishes a fac
simile of a letter from Senor Govln to
a friend hi which the former says:
"How- could you think that Sagasta,
a man Inferior to Canovns and Liberal
only In name, has Inspired my atti
tude and not my ideas and sentiments
whether I am a Spaniard. Long llvo
our country nnd liberty."
The Impnrclal adds that it predicted
a weak ministry In Cuba and warned
Senor Moret, the Spanish colonial min
ister, or wnat was llKely to be tho out
come of his autonomy scheme.
El Fnls says: "Spain should treat
with tho rebels direct rather than tol
erate tho traitor Govln."
121 Correo Espano asks: "How will
Senor Moret, tho patron of Covin,
stand now that Govln Is n traitor to
his country? AVhoever supports a
traitor Is likewise a traitor."
The olllcial press, on the cither hand,
counsels prudence and confidence In
the patriotism of the Cubans.
m -
SHOPLIFTERS BY WHOLESALE.
Voting Women Und u Carriage Full
oI'Mcrclinnilir.
Brldgeton, N. .!., Fob. 22. Two well-
Wressed, rospectablo-loolUtiK.young wo
men were caught in the act of shop
lifting in one of tho city's stores this
afternoon and placed under nrrest.
They gave tho names or Ada and Rosa
Hewitt, of Falrton. They had driven
to town in a buggy, and nfter their
arrest the buggy was found loaded
with goods, presumably stolen.
The same young women piled their
vocation in Rosenthal's store last Sat
urday afternoon, but a bright young
daughter of the proprietor detected
them and suddenly threw open a lnrgu.
cape which one of them wore. Sho
found It stuffed with goods. Thero
were stockings, towels, pins, combs and
other urtlcles, while further search
showed that the visitors had concealed
goods In their stockings. They dis
gorged without a murmur, and, strange
ly enough, were allowed to depart.
Later in the day they were seen driv
ing from the city with tho front of tha
buggy crowded with goods. They evi
dently returned to town for nnother
load today, but fell by tho way.
SON WITH A POKER SAVED HER.
Sirs. Cnrov's Tnrrlblo Kxperlonco in
n Hurlv Xrgro's llnnds.
Delmnr, Del., Feb. 22. Mrs. William
Carey, wife of a prominent young
farmer, was called to the door of her
home about 9 o'clock Saturday even
Ing by a negro, who seized her by thq
throat and threw her down. Mrs.
Carey Is a frail woman, but fought her
burly assailant fiercely that her 7-year-old
child was attracted by tha
noise, and came to her old with a
poker, with which ho belabored her as
snllant about tho head until ho de.
slsted In his assault and ran.
Yesterday search was made for tha
negro, and Joseph Dorsey was arrested
nnd committed to the county Jail. Mrs,
Carey could not positively Identify him
as her assailant, but, as lie has bruises
about the head such as might havg
been mado by young 'Carey's poker, tha
people believe they have the right man,
nnd they even tnlk of violence In casa
he should be released.
OBJECTED TO DR. STEARNS.
A Jersoy Presbyterian Church Ols
misses lis Suprrlntcndeot.
Philllpsburg, N. J., Feb. 22. James L.
Lomerson, superintendent of the Firsj
Presbyterian Sunday school, hns been
requested to resign by the session oj
the church because he circulated tracts
In the Sunday school yesterday which
contained the lessons of Rev. Dr. D,
M. Stearns, pastor of tho Reformed.
Episcopal Church of the Atonement, o
Germnntown, Philadelphia.
These lessons, the session hold, ar
not In thorough accord with the Pres.
byterlan doctrine. Mrs. Lomerson, wlw
Is a Sunday school teacher and promt,
nent worker In the church, has alsq
resigned, and tho affair has causcij
trouble In tho congregation.
Binned by Gas Explosion.
AVIlkes-Barre. Feb. 22. Mrs, Edward
Spencer and daughter, Elizabeth, who
were burned by u gas explosion In tha
cellar of their house at Mill Crook last
week, died toduy from their Injuries,
Tho lleru'd's Heather Porocust,
New Vork. Fob. 23.-In tho middle states
nnd New England, toduy, cloudy, unset,
tied weather, light to ficbh vurlabli
winds will provnli with slight changes ot
temperature and Heht rain or snow, tha
winds mostly southwesterly nnd westerly
In the Interior and northeasterly on th
coasts, followed by pnrtlnl clearing niuj
colder cuiidltlcns lu tho southern parts, ;
V
4