.A 10 PAGES. 1S9S. TWO CENTS. in rtnrirf HBHlsWeSSw r PAGES. 'rlIP PSSSfer TWO CENTS. SCRANTON, PA.. FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 1. THE PRESIDENT HOLDS CONGRESS Out of Respect to His Wishes, No Action Will Be Taken on the Cuban Question Until Monday. The Probable Attitude of Europe in Case of Hostilities Is the Subject of Much Speculation. Preparing the Naval Militia for Action. Washington, April I (2 a. m.) Spain's official reply to President McKinley's latest demand in the Cuban situation was received in Washington tonight. An anxious part', comprising most of the cab inet and several close friends of the administration waited till late in the evening in expectation of develop ments. About 10.30 o'clock the message began to come, in cipher, and the work of translation was begun at once. It was officially stated, how ever, that no intimation as to the nature of the reply would be di vulged tonight. Among those at the White House were Senator Ilanna, Sec retary Alger, Secretary Bliss, As sistant Secretary of State Day, who had dined with the president; As sistant Secretary of State McAdo, (o whom was confined the transla tion of the message: Senator Spooncr and Senator Aldrich. There Nas an intensely expectant crow(fof newspaper correspond ents, larger than often gathers at the WhJte House at night, waiting in the lcibby outside the president's 'But they were destined to intment, for after the tele Vstrument in the adjoining "WlCtf,!' j.A" U1DUJJ graph office v. ItVeadily clattered for half w vlr. Porter, the presi- an hou.1 dent's se etary, appeared with the announcement from Secretary Day that it was impossible to translate the message in thlc to give out any statement tonight. The tclegraji 1, jnstrumcnt was still clicking wh,en the correspond ents filed out, Indicating ti,at tne message was at ,ea(St quite icngthv I Washington. 3Jarch 31,Tnl3 llas been a day of v,.nTl0UB alUnB for Spain's reply to the dmands of tho uniteo. aiaica cu,omplatlng the term ination ot the war , Cuba an(J the ,n. dependence of the ,slan(L Qn Umt ro. ply it was unlveigay be,,eved the ,8. sue between pcnio or Wftr wou,d bc ,c. cided, unlees sor new and unexpected considerations ilose to postpone the ,s. sue further. Bufc de,ay wou,d TOeet the opposltlor of congr0SSi Tne Brav. Ity of the suat,on wns feU ln aU of. flclal fluarcrSt u ug not a day of rapid He0p,nentg j wnen war prep. Millns were followed In rapid suc cession, but the tension wns even greater from the uncertainty that pre vailed and the feeling that Spain would not concede the complete Independence of Cuba. Tho White House continued to be thronged with congressional leadeis, anxious to learn from the president whut his course was to be. The gener al view conveyed by these leaders, ut ter they had been with the president, 1b that ho expected to have definite re plies from Spain In time to present the entlie subject to congress by next Monday. Tho department was the center of In terest throughout the day, as it was there that Minister Woodford's dis patch announcing Spain's attltudo was to bo received. The officials shaied in the general anxiety but throughout the business hours of the day no word was received from the United Stntes minis ter. Secretary Sherman left tho de partment at 3 o'clock, saying that no response had come up to that tlmo. At 4 o'clock Judge Day, the assistant sec retary, started for the Whlto House In company with Secietaiy Long. Ho stated, In response to an Inquiry, that no reply had been received from Mad rid. He added that he had hoped to re ceive the reply this evening, but he began to fear that there might be some delay until tomorrow. attitude or europi: The attltudo of European povveia continued to be seriously discussed In official quarters, as It was felt that an offer of European mediation was a), most certain to follow u wnr crisis. No distinct offer has been submitted up to the present moment. In this connection the cable report from Mer lin ttmt Geimnuy was menacing Spain in an old claim and was about to make a. naval demonstration ln Cuba, attract ed much attention. The dermun am bassador, Dr. von Hollen, said that he had received no information as to this reported move, nor was he acquainted with the Cannambra case referred to ln tho dispatch. The SpanlRh minister Is also unacquainted with the Cannam bra case and does not credit the repot t that Germany has taken steps of a de cisive character. The Spanish ambas sador at Berlin Is tho father-in-law of the Spanish minister here and the lat ter would be quite likely to know If Germany had made a movo Involving the dispatch of a warship to Cuba for punitive purposes. It was the general feeling that If Germany had taken any such action It would have a most de cided Influence upon the Spanish Ametlcan situation and one seriously prejudicial to Spain. Tor this reason It was the opinion ot diplomats that Germany would not choose such a Juncture as the present In order to make emergency demands ln a claim against Spain. Said a prominent diplomat today: "Spain seems to be under the Impres sion that her national honor forbids her fiom surrendering any part ot her colonial domain under the pressure of the United States. There are, how ever, precedents showing that Europe in European powers have preserved their dignity while making similar con cessions. It may be remembered that the Ionian islands, a part of the Turk ish empire, were afterwards ceded to Greece by Great Britain and that Vene tla was surrendered by Austria not directly to Italy but to France, who tiansferred It to the government of Victor Emanuel." CONGRESS WILL, WAIT. Congress will wait until Monday be foie any action is taken. The presi dent has asked delay until that time, and assurances have been given by those ln charge of affair, that there will be nothing done until Monday. Both commltteeea of congress dealing with foreign affairs were in session to day. The senate committee continued Its examination of the report on Cuba and the houso committee by a party vote refused to tako any action on Cuba until Monday. The senate committee agreed to, and Senator Lodge reported, a bill appro priating $5,000,000 to purchase one or more of the Danish West India islands to bo used for naval purposes. The senate committee had before It Captain Slgsbee, of the Ill-fated Maine, and Captain Barker, Secretary Long's naol aide. What these officers told to the committee Is treated confidentially. The committee from the Rspubllcan conference repoited to that conference a recommendation that no action bo taken until Monday and Its report was approed, tho conference adjourning until that date When this committee returned from its consultation, Its chairman commended the course of the president and expressed confidence ln what he was doing. As to his plans they said nothing, stating that ihey agreed to treat as confidential such communications as th president made to them. Thexe was a spirited debate In the house of a partisan nature and Its effect has been to solidify the parties, the Republicans to await action by the president and the Democrats to foico tho Cuban question to the front. AN IMPORTANT ACTION. The most important action taken by tho navy department today was the determination to have tho naval mili tia of the several .nates prepared for Immediate service should this be found necessary. This conclusion was tho outcome of a conference of the members ot the naval strategic board during the afternoon. Letters will bo sent to the governors and to the ad jutant generals of ull stutes where thero are naval inllltli organizations asking them to set In motion tho machinery for drilling and equipping the state organizations promptly so they may be ready within a ery few hours' notice of a ca'. to arms. As sistant Secretary Roo-evelt has chargo of all matters pertaining to the ual militia and he fecjs that the response to thlH lequest will ba hearty and prompt. The officials pxpres3 tho hope that there will be a unanimous sentiment on tho part of tho employers to permit such of their men na are members of the mllltla. fjeo opportunity to Join their command. PAIN'S FAKE NEWS. iltnnco epnrts n "Combat" nnd n Se -Olliclnl Note lustres. Madrid March 31. After tho cab inet mcc g today which wan pre sided ove .fljy tho queur regent, t're ministers "3d another hour's confer ence, after jVhleh th'1 following semi official not vas IfbiimI "Captain 'ncral Blanco telegraphs an account of a clurloim combat of Genernl Luquu against tho Insurgents commanded by Callxto Garcia, ard. also makes excellent reports of tho progress of the operations, setting forth that the pacifications are bo ad vanced ln the western provinces that the concentration of the peasants his been revoked. Public works are nlo being commenced to give employment to all applicants In view of this, new and Important submissions nro expected." The minister of public woiks ln tn Interview today bald the last twenty four hours hnd brought a favorable clnnge ln the situation. Whin the minister was asked If ho meant tn account of the news from Washington he replied: "No. Our feelings of sat isfaction do not refer to the United States." ANXIETY AT MADRID. l'ho Spanish Corornmcnt Opposed ot Even n r'rlondly Interference to I'crminnte the Cuban War. Mndiid, March 31. It has been a dsy of gieat anxiety. The papers have con fined themselves to umblgultles on thr subject of the cabinet council. It shou d be bald to their credit that they hae displayed great prudence In their sup positions and comments, hhowing then appreciation of the fact that In tie picsent critical time It Is ha7.ii do us and might be prejudicial to the coun try to discuss the situation w ltho.it sufficient knowledge of the condltlors The evening papers, without exce -tlon, consider the situation unchanged, notwithstanding tho recent confer ence". They generally admit that Min ister Woodford's conduct of the diplo matic negotiations Is very friendly and that he Is dtslrous of peace, but fie Spanish government Is reported as "ui lllnchlng and opposed to any, even filendly. Interference to terminate the wnr, except through Its own efforts a war which, they claim, Is nearlng the end nnd Is dally crushing tho rebel lion." El Epoca (Conseivatlve) F.iys: "Tie queen regent, presiding at tho cabinet council today, encouraged her ministers to continue their animated patriot c sentiments towaid maintaining no tional honor and territorial Integrity ' La Correspondence de Espnna (Ir dependent nnd semi-official) publishes nn Interview with nn "Important politi cal personage," who sas: "Peace or war now hangs by a thread." There is anxious expectancy respect ing the reply from Washington. At the cabinet council Senor Sagasta, tho premier, explain?! wltn extreme precision all the details of the confer ences and negotiations, together with the state of tho country and existln? conditions, which he regarded as nec essary to tho formation of a proper Judgment. Another minister then spoke, Senor Sagasta listening attentively. It Is needless to bay, after tho emo tion of recent days nnd In view of tin serious issues depending, oveiy min ister poured out all he had In his heart. After four hours' discussion tho min isters were still without a solution, probably because Senor Sagasta Judged It Inopportune to tnke a de cision at the piesent stnge and ndvls able to wait for the l&suo of tomor row's meeting. Prior to the council a note briefly relating the queen regent's ideas on th subject of the reply to be given th United States was written. On this being read at the council, Senor Sa gasta, taking a paper from his pocket, announced that he nlso had condense his opinion Into a few lines, which he proceeded to rend. It Is undei stood that he touched, 0110 by one, upon all tho questions raise I by the United States nnd Indicated the limits to which, In his opinion. It would bo possible to go without preju dice to the national honor or dignity All the mlnlsteis, Including Genetal Correa, minister of war, "show their thoughts reflected In Senor Sagasta s expose, which they unnnlmously ap proved " The ministers then proceeded to tho palace, where they gave on account )f the proceedings to the queen regent, w ho approved them. At Minister Woodford's conference with Senors Sagasta, Gullon and Moret, Senor Sagasta's note, translated Into English, was submitted to General Woodford, who, after rending It, raid "I am solely authorised to negotiate ad referendum, and. therefore, I will transmit the cabinet's reply to Wash ington " The text of the Sagasta note has not been made known, tho ministers main taining absolute reserve, but tho cab inet Is said to have given "ptoif of sentiments of the greatest concilia tion." OVERHAULING THE VESUVIUS. The Dvnnmitu Cruiser .May Lcnvo for tlin South in n I'ow Dnvti. Washington, March 31. Ths woik of oveihauling the djnamlte cruiser Ves uvius Is now almost finished, nnd she will be oidered to leave tho Washing ton navy yard probably within tho next few days. Her officers do not know us yet her destination. It Is thought that she will go first to Nor folk and proceed to Southern waters. Tho Vesuvius has not yet had tho many tons of dynamite that sho is to cany In hr magazines put nboatd. That Is to eve the last woik done. one of the office! s ln discussing tho possibility of hostilities said 'Theie Is one satisfaction about being nlcard tv ship like this. In caso wo aro struck right, there will be no boaid of ln qulty and no trouble about dlveis, etc The only thing to do will bo to erect u monument to our inemoiv and at tend to our obituary notices, for theio will not bo a piece of the boat left big enough for n souvenir. A boat of this stvle, either does fearful damage to her enemies or soes undei in short older herself. Modern war will, In my opinion, bo quick work am how, and wo represent the very quickest typo of death-dealing vessel afloat." Tho work on tho cannons being built at the navy vard Is being" pushed with nil haste possible. More" than live hun dred men hive been added to the foico employed in ordinary times, and tho chops ate bflng worked to their ut nws capacity day and night. There has never been a. time in the history of the ard when so many sightseers lme visited it. and It is safe to say that 11101 e people hnve gone there dur ing tho last two months than lslted the j,ards In two years prior to that time. SPAIN'S REPLY. SI10 N'oltlier Accedes to Nor De clines President McKlnlojr's Proposition. New York, April 1. A special dis patch fiom Washington to tho World, timed 2 a. m., gives the following out line of Spain's reply to tho noto pre sented by Minister Woodford: "Spain neither accedes to nor de clines Piesldent McKinley's proposi tion. "She makes counter arguments that Spain should herself he allowed to pro pose tetms as to what should be done regarding her own territory; that the United States should not do so." S1QSUEE EXAMINED. Ho mid Cnptnin Barker Questioned b the Suimte 'ouiliiittee. Washington, Match 31. Captain Slgsbec of the Maine, and Captain Barker, Secretary Long's naval aide, who went to Key West nfU-r the explo sion on behalf of the department, weie befuie the senate committee on for eign relations this afternoon. Both weie asked In detail ln legaul to the coudltljn and strength of our navy In the vicinity of Havana, and Captain bigsboo was questioned as to his opin ion and knowlejge of the Maine cat astrophe. His htory waj not mateilully differ ent from that detailed to the naval court of Inquiry, but the fact that It was given personally to the members of the committee and Included person al deductions, made a visible Irnpris sion upen the members. Captain Slgs bee did not express a conviction In so many words that the disaster was tho result of treachery on the part of the Spanish, but after the committee had concluded .Is hearing, one of Its mem bers expressed his belief that the ex plosion was due to thit agency. The purpose ln taking the testimony of these naval officers Is to Incorporate their statements ln a, report the com mittee will make if It finds It necessary to report a resolution for intervention. This report will be In the nature of a statement to the country Justifying the po iltlon taken, and It Is considered desirable to support this with an ar ray of pertinent facts which will go fat to convince the American peoplo and the civilized world of the Justice of the com be taken. SMALL COAST TOWNS ALARMED. Ask in Vnin for .11 is huh ol Dofonse In ( use (it t nr. Washington, March 31. Many appli cations aie being received at the engi neers office of tho war department fiom small towns along the coast for the erection of some means of defense to withstand the assaults of foreign ships ln the event of war. The office 1p, however, powerless to comply with the lequest as no funds are available for the purpose. The money received to far Is being expended on a number of fortlflcntlons already under wav, as a result of the recommendations of the Endicott board made muny jears ago. The oillcluls of the engineer corps call attention to the fact that for twenty-five ears urgent appeals have been made to congress for money to con struct defense works, but In many In stances the requests have been Ignored. All tho money available Is being ex pended on the larger cities, as the piobabllllty of attacks on tho smaller towns where the commercial Intel ests ntc not gieat, is reasonably Bmall. LAKE SAILORS READY TO SERVB. Six Hundred, ol .Many Nationalities, to form n Wnr Organisation. Chicago, March 31. Six hundred sail ors of the local seamen's union met last night and Indulged In vigorous demonstrations ot American lojalty In connection with the Cuban trouble. Patriotic speeches weie made and pre liminary steps were taken for the for mation of a navy. Notwithstanding the vailed nation alities of the men who sail on the lakes, they werp all good and sturdy Ameri cans. One bundled men signed their names to an agreement to be ready to go to tho coast at a day's notice If they should be needed. m s nipnlliy lor Americans. London, March 51 At a meeting o' the I'-irnellltc members of the houso of com mons today, Mr. John Redmond, the IVrnelllto loader prodding, a resolution was adopted expressing "deep sympathy with tho efforts of tho peoplo of America, to securo tho It.dcpendenco of Cuba, trusting thnt their efforts will be speedily ciowucd with success to tho Donwlit of nmn uilty and tho greater glory - Mie republic of America." Doping Princess I.ocntr-d. Budapest.March 31 Princess Louc, or Saxe-Coburg-Qotha, eldest daughter of King Leopold, of Belgium, and wife of Prlnco Philip, of Raxe-Coburg-notha, and her lover Lieutenant Mattiichlch-Kegle-vltch with whom l'rlnco Philip recently fought a duel, nre at the custlo of the lieutenant, which Is situated nour Uolu bove.cz, Croatia - m Utile" lor Mnr Risks, New York. March 31 Rates "foi wir MnUs" advanced shaiply toila, sumo marlno under . rltera asking &u per cent. moru than estordny. "Wsr risks" upon Amui.ciin steamships nailing tomorrow for tho enst const of South Amoilea wore tslcn at 1 per cent. American Hailing voxels, accepted estoiday for 2 per cent., biough 3 per cent, today. Rates for futuro snlllng weru proportion lely Ihlghci. EXCITING DAY IN CONGRESS Representative Lewis Denounces ttie Administration. A PROTEST FROM AIR. JOHNSON Ills Declaration Against War Is Itocelred with Hisses from thu (tillcrioK--.tlr. Ilnilov. tho Demo cratic Lender Describe the Horrors ol Vnr--.11r. Urosvonor Supports the Administration. Washington, March 31. In the house today an exciting Incident was pro duced during the conolderatlon of tho naval apptoprtatlon bill by Mr. Lewis (Dem., Wash.,) denouncing the admin istration. In unmeasured terms ho de nounced the administration, which ru mor said was considering a money In demnification from Spain for the mur dered sailors of the Maine. Mr. Johnson (Rep, Ind.,) replied In a heated speech and Indignantly protest ed against the crle3 for war which he heard all about him. Ho declared that he dc-sptsed this cry of war, and ex pressed the belief that If congress would restrain Its zeul and keep Its hands off peace could be preserved. If congress would Jceep Its hands off the president would be able to accomplish In a very short space of time by the arts of diplomacy thoJndependence of Cuba, When Mr. Johnson said he despised the cry of war the storm of hisses from the galleries was so great that the chair warned the spectators against demonstrations. In his further remarks Mr. Johnson said: "We hear the Cuban Junta are willing to raise a hundred million dol lars ln order to purchase their Inde pendence. We have bi ought these two antagonizing forces together to the suecess of Judgment, of diplomacy and exalted patriotism of the statesman In the White House. (Applause). And I believe If wo will give him a fair op portunity to carry out his purpose he will bring us to a triumphant conclu sion without shedding nn ounce of American blood (Great applause.) MR. LEWIS' SPEECH. Mr. Lewis replied to Mr. Johnson In a humorous strain for a time, in which he created n great deal of merriment He accused Mr. Johnson of being muz zled by the speaker and afraid to shako off his shackles, quailing when the speaker looked at him. Mr. Lewis closed by saying: If It should come to pass that the president should receive, as some peo ple in certain quarters hope and oth ers fear, Ills political death, then those who may wilte his obituary, If the gentleman from Indiana continues In the couise he has been pursuing, may content themselves with the elegy "too much Johnson." (Loud continued laughter arid applause). Mr. Johnson rose as soon as Mr. Lewis took his seat and made a speech which, while It met much disapproval from the galleries, was listened to In tently. Jt was an eloquent appeal for peace. War and Its horrors he pictured ln black colors; the anguish of the wid ows and tho cries of the orphans. Every possible expedient should be mged nnd resorted to before we should permit ourselves to be driven into war. Tie feared congress was now driving the president on. If, as has been stat ed, an ultimatum has been sent to Spain, he believed it meant war. -Spanish pride, would, he said, not pennlt her to be foiced. He cared nothing for the hisses or applause of the pub lic. History would vindicate him. MR. BAILEY'S ELOQUENCE. Sir. Bailey, the Democratic leader, followed Mr. Johiion and charged that the refusal of the Republicans yesteiday to vote fieedom to Cuba was to give the president a chance to compel the island of Cuba to buy her liberties from the butchers of Spain. He declared that there was yet it chance to avert war. Within fortv elght hours, he said, a repiesentatlvo of the Cuban lupubllo hud told him that Cuba did not desire to Involve the Tinted States In war. All she desired was lecognltlon so she could buy arms and ammunition and in a few months she- would be free. So eloquently did he descilbe tlu horrors of war ns they had come home to the southern people that members on the floor and ln the galleries actually weot and when In conclusion he decared that his side vi as for free Cuba without war If pos sible, but with war if necessary, the dr monstratlon from the galleries was overwhelming. Mr. Grcsvenor (Rep, O), whose ut terances are given great weight owing to his cloe friendship with the admin istration, followed Mr. Bailey. He de clared that the statement that the ad ministration proposed to dictate or had suggested tho purchase of Cuba, by tho Insurgents was contemptible. Tho ad ministration, he said, was as anxious for the freedsm of Cuba, and no one fiom the president down would agree to anything except the absolute Inde pendence of Cuba. (Republican ap plause). Cuba, he s.iid, would be free by American Intervention A declaration of Cuban Independence without other action would be valueless. The army and navy would back up the adminis tration's policy if necessary. War preparations were going on night and day, continued Mr. Qrosvenor. "What does It inenn? Not that we shall de clare Cuba free and do nothing Vrnt did It mean that we were buying war ships abroad? The president would not miss this brilliant opportunity to place his name In tho temple of fame beside that of Lincoln When all was over the people of the country would shout hl3 name In srtnerul acclaim." After Mr. Grosvenor concluded tho debate went on, the most slgnillcnnt utterance being made by Mr Cum niings, a New York Democrat, who de nounced tho political character which tho question wns -assuming as unpa triotic nnd unwise. Messrs Grow I Rep., P.v.), Gilgg-i (Dem., N Y.), Norton (Dem., O.), and Skinner (Pop , N. C.) also epoke. Llitlo progress was made with the naval bill, The only important amendment adopted was one appropriating JSOO.OOO for the crcc- THE NEWS THIS M0KNINU Weather Indications Today) i'nlr: Nertherlt Winds. Telegraph aocrnmcnt Officials Anx iously Awnlt Spain's Reply. General Blanco's Report. Exciting Tlmo In Congress. Tho Trllmno'H l'opulir Want Columns. Neighboring County News. Tlio Markets. Battle of tho Monitor and Mcrrlmac. Editorial. Comment of tho I'res. Local Sessions of Common and Select Council. City Bank Case on Trial. Local Meeting In Pcnn Avenue Bap tist Church. Locul Van penlcd. Cumberland Quarters. Horn Cass Will Bo Ap Tiro Compnnvs New Local West Sldo and Suburban. Lackawanna County News. Telegraph Pardon Recommended for Thomas Campbell, of Carbondalo, a Llfo Sentenced Prisoner. Relief Agent's Return from Cuba. Congrrsinicn Will Abldo the Presi dent's Pleasure. tlon of new buildings at the naval academy. MILITARY STRENGTH Ttiblo Compiled from tho Reports Illndc to the. Department by Amir Oflicers. Washington, March 31. The military information department of the war de partment has made public a table bear ing on the strength of tho militia of tho United States ln 1S97 It also gives data as to the number.of men liable for militia duty, Information ln regard to appropriations, company officers, en campments and mobilization. The ta ble Is compiled from the reports made to tho department by army oflicers de tailed for duty with the mllltla of the states. The authorized strength of the militia of the entire country (which, however. Includes several states where this strength is not limited) Is 1RG.848, while the aggregate actual strength Is 113.7C0, made up as follows: Infantry 100.179 Artillery 6053 Cavalry 4 UTS Special trocps A'-TO General and staff officers 77S Non-commissioned stuff officers .... EDO Total number of men linblo to military duty In tho country is 10,'t73,118. State appropriations made for tho mainten ance of tho mllltla ln 1807 amounted to J2,723,K4. HEADY AT KEY WEST Warships Htrlpped of Everything That Would Impede Action - Aro Roadr lor Bervloo. Key West, Flo., March 31 Every preparation for action wns taken by the warships today. All woodwork was stripped oft exposed spots and sent ashore. Tho wood pilot houses on the cruisers were taken down. To a cer tain extent Interior woodwork was also removed and sent ashore. Even tho sailors' wooden boxes were removed from some of the ships. These precautions have been adopted to prevent, so far as possible, the dan ger of flying splinters ln case of ac tion. The officers sent their peisonnl valuables and belongings to be stored on shoie. The Castlne and two torpedo boats left their anchorages after dark and steamed to the southward, where they will patrol during the night. This pre caution was ordeted by Captain Samp son today. He Is particularly anxious to watch closely the Havana entinnce to this harbor and nlso to nfford addi tional safety for the Iowa, Indiana and New Yoik, which Ho unprotected six miles out. The naval station officials have re ceived orders to overhaul their marine engineering stock so that It could bo used Instantly In case of emergency. Toipedo boats not engaged1 In patiol Ing tonight made another attack on the battleships, but all these measures were guarded with the greatest se crecy. The establishment of a patrol Is considered by the few who know of It as most significant. The entile fleet la now In readiness to move at fifteen minutes' notice. The five bodies from the Maine wreck bi ought heie last night were buried to day with the usual simple ceremony and without Incident. EVERYBODY TO RNLIST. ravoiHUle Report on (he Bill for a .llllllnry Force Orgniiintiou, Washington, March 31 Tho senate committee on military affairs today authorized a favorablo report on Sen ator Hawie's bill for the organization of the mllltla force of the United States The bill Is practically a codification of the laws relating to the mllltlu, and while It does not make many material changes, It makes a gieat many ln matters of detail It pi ov Ides for an organized and re serve mllltla, the latter to consist of all male citizens between IS nnd 43 years of age who are not Included In the organized corps or engaged In cer tain exempted callings. I" it lie ro t ofAiitoii Knidl. New Yoik, March 31. Pilvato tumoral services over the remains ot Anton Helll wcro held today at his late residence. Tho Rev. Merlo St CroK Wright, pas. tor of tho Lenox Avenuo Unitarian church, delivered n short address, and Honrl E Krehlel rend an eulogv telo giaphed from Pittsburg bv Colonel Rob ert G. IngerBoll, who had been for years an lntltnato friond of tho great conductor. The public services weio held "at tho Mot. lopolltau opera houso, where a musical programme was given Tho body will bo taken to rresh Pond, L. I , for incinera tion. England, Too, shuts Out Our App'ps, London, March 31. It Is said tho board of agriculture will tnke steps to prevent the lundlng 'u England or a consignment of American apples which has been re fused admission Into Oermany because tho fruit Is alleged to be Infected with the San Joso scale. GEN. BLANCO SENDS REPORTS Submitted by the Gover nors of the Provinces of Cuba. AN ELABORATE TREATMENT The Situation Viewed from a Spanish Standpoint. Tho (ovornors Do Not Berk to Mint mio tho Dreadful Condition of 'lhcso People But Endeavor to Show Thnt Ther Aro Doiim Tuolr llost to Alleviate Tho Misery. Washington, March 31. The Spanish legation has received full reports through Captain General Blanco, from the governors of all the provinces of Cuba, and from tho nlcadcs and chiefs of police fiom tho principal cltlen, ns to tho condition of the reconcentradocs. It Is an elaborate treatment of this subject by the oflicers directly ln charge nnd gives the situation fully from their standpoint. It is notewoithy that they do not seek to minimize tho dreadful ccndltlon of these people, but endeavor to flhow that they are doing their ut most to alleviate the misery and mis fortune which exists. General Blanco's report is, ln sub stance, us follows: In tho midst of tho painful Impres sion caused by the situation of tlio reconcentradocs, it Is some satisfac tion tn note tho great Improvement in their condition as compared with what it was four or live months ago. In response to tho keen interest which, thu homo government has shown la the mattei, this government has en deavored from the very llrst in every possible way to alleviate so muclr mlscrj nnd misfortune. Tho cities overfilled with men, women and chil dren, without work who aro uiuiblo to sustain a population of consumers who produce nothing; tho destruction and pilings of so many small hamlets by tho Insurgents compelled tho un fortunate Inhabitants to seek relugo ln the towns to savo their lives, in Pueito Prlnclpo rearly nil tho recon centrados were of this class Tho mal adies originated by tho crowding to gether of human beings nnd the fatal belief In an lrev liable death, combined to take away from many the neces sary energy to struggle for life, and to discourage prlvnto charity which considered itself impotent, without a decided help from official charity. The dispositions of this government weio directed to nttnek tho evil at this source. By the decree or the ltlh of November last, the return of nil the reconcentradocs to their homos was permitted and they were author ized at tho simo tlmo to carry arms to defend their prcperty. By this tlio titles were relieved of a large part of their abnormal population, and a check given to the diseases produced bj overcrowding. Committees of help wero organized, official charity, a lew davs after the establishment of tlieso juntas piovlded tlum with resources handing over 1100,1)00 tho 23d Novem ber nnd JM.000 tho 2d of March Tlio governors nnd alcades wero called upon to show their zeal by giving n good example, an nppenl to whlcli these authorities ro ponded with an Interest worthy of nil praise. In this way wns private charity encouraged and enabled to organize Its own pro tective committees economic kitchens nnd charltablo associations which dis tribute relief personal! and contrib ute powerfully to relieve the suffering. PUBLIC SPIRIT BEGAN TO RISE. As a result of nil this public spiilt began to rlso again, confidence was renewed and at tho same time n dis position to work begun to piuvnll. In Santa Clnra rheio are actually a largo number of those unhappy beings occu pied In Held labor, in J'lnar del Rio five villages nro being reconstructed and effective incisures mo being lalcen to Increase rnd encourage agricul tural labor. In Santi igo de Cuba tho cultivated zones aro in perfect condi tion, thoso of San Luis, Songo and Canery mny be cited as models In Ma'anzas te tliousand fieo railway tickets wero .jlven to tlio rcconeentrj dos who returned to their old homes. Gradually the gavity of tho crisis Is passing away, but owing to tho height it obtained this cannot bo accom plished ln a brief time. Apart from any pioconeelved Idea It Is only just to rdnitt that tlio help which conies from the United States is nlso a poweiful meiiis ot rellif in the uetunl tlrcumstnnces. It Is sad to noto thnt the uopulallon has dimin ished, but It must be remembered that this Is by no means due exclusively to want and miser. Tho emigration which occurred ln some cities was enormous, ln Santiago do Cuba alone, 12 000 passports have been signed. The official statistics also show tint the high rates ot mortality aro not duo In many cases to tho absence of provisions. It has been onserved that the larsest number ot deaths occur upon tho arrival from tho country of new groups of reconcentrndos who un willingly take tho advices of tho doc tors In their debilitated state, eat tho rauclio that the thoughtless charity of tlio soldiers makes them proffer, In man cases with fata! i suits. I will say In conclusion that the sit uation has Improved much nnd that the most acute point of tho crisis has passed The problem, however. Is not ot resolved nor can It be dono Im mediately because tho majority of tho persons dependent ou public nnd pib vnte charity at the present moment ate children and women whose futui has to bo nssuied A statu of war invariably leaves deep rears and much work Is neoesxarv tn repair the damage done In a single day. Tlio Herald's Ncullinr roreoast. New York, April 1, In the middle states nnd New Ergland, today, fair, slightly cooler nnd fresh northerly nnd not til westerly winds, preceded by some clouill. ness on tho New Engl tml const nnd in the lake rcgln. (hi Saturday, In both of theso sections, fair, wntrntr, slight to fresh variable winds mostly southerly and soulheastcil, fi flowed by soma cloudiness.
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