Newspaper Page Text
the MORNING NEWS. )
eqjMlshed 1830. - Incorporated 18S8. >.
p J. H. ESTIL.L, President. )
COMBUSTION IN THE COAL
SIGSBEE TO INVESTIGATE THE
THEORY CAREFULLY.
(| ll, on tiie Navy Department for
Traverse Sectional Drawing; of the
Maine— No New Developments of
Importance at the Department,
strains of a Wrecking Contract
,lie Most Important Work, of the
OHV-Uen. Miles Denies u Sensa
tional Report.
W ellington, Feb. 22 —The following tele
gram was received liy the navy depart
„„ n t this afternoon from Capt. filgsbe*:
,„I to Forsyth for Sigsbee transverse
i anal drawing of Maine through lor
v .: ,1 10-ineh and magazine and shell room,
showing pocket coal bunkers.”
TANARUS: is request was immediately complied
with It is supposed that Capt. Sigsbee
wants these drawings to assist in the
ttork of wrecking the ship, as they would
In of great aid to the divers.
Titty will be useful also as the basis
for the testimony now being taken by the
court of inquiry at Havana.
The fact that it is deemed essential that
tin' drawings shall show the pocket coal
hunkers which abut on the magazine is
, vidtr.ee that Capt. Sigsbee has in mind
lit, spontaneous combustion theory,
though it does not follow by any means
unit he is committed to it.
Some of the employes of the navy de
partment have been tnakiug estimates of
ih< amount of money that will be required
to meet the demands of the joint resolu
tion which Mr. Boutelle proposes to in
troduce in the House allowing a year’s
si a pay to the families of the dead Sail
ors and money for lost clothing and ef
fects not to exceed a year's pay to the sur
vivors. They fix the sum at not to ex
ceed $150,000. •
All the government departments were
closed to-day, save the nuwy department,
where a few of the officials assembled to
receive any dispatches that might arrive,
nnd to close the contract with the wreck
ers for the recovery of the effects on, the
Jlaine and the vessel herself, if that be
practicable. The signing of the wrecking
contract was the most important event t>C
the day, and, this concluded, the officers
closed up shop and went home to enjoy
u respite from the rush of the past week.
The navy department officials unques
tionably have been for some time prepar
ing for any emergency that may arise, but
appearances at the department to-day
would indicate that any necessary orders
have been given already, and that the
situation is not one calling for immediate
action at Washington.
The Castine and Cincinnati, in accord
ance with orders made known some time
ago by the Associated Press, are to move
much further north to West Indian wa
uis, and at Norfolk the monitor Terror
lias been ordered to be in readiness and
may be sent to Ne\v York later.
The Senate passed a bill to add two
artillery regiments to the strength of the
army. This measure has been urged for
many months by officials of the war de
partment, who foresaw that while Con
ti re-s of late years had taken measures
for the protection of our coasts by con
siderable appropriations for extensive
works and great guns, it had not provided
the men necessary to operate these engines
at war.
Should the House pass the bill it will
enable the department to carry out plans
it has long had in view. Criticisms late
ly passed upon the state of the army and
our fortifications has caused Increased ac
tivity in military matters, and to some ex
t' nt th's is responsible for reports arriving
from various quarters of movements at
army posts.
A report was circulated that Gen. Miles,
- commander of the army, had issued ad
ditional orders for troops at all forts to
be on the alert and ready for immediate
in tion, but this was promptly denied by
the General’s chief of staff. Nothing what
*'v< r of a sensational character occurred
in Washington, and on the whole the day
was free of rumors by comparison with
its immediate predecessors for the past
week or more.
The navy department received a tele
gt im from Capt. Sigsbee this evening say
ing that fourteen more bodies had been
recovered of the wreck of the Maine.
A;I the remains are unidentified. It is not
thought any bodies will be identified here
■tlter unless by the clothing. Aside from
the effects of long submersion, the men
f and. missing; were nearly all directly under
'he main deck, which was blown up, and
t > tremendous force of the explosion prob
ably blotted scores of them out of exist
ence entirely.
Ihe department knew nothing of the
plaited report that the tender Bache has
1 i Havana with dispatches for Admiral
b" ard at Key West.
< ot n r OF INQUIRY'S WORK.
1 our Divers flow nt Work in the
Wreck of the Ship.
Havana, Fob. 2i.—Consul General Lee
and the members of the United States
t ourt of Inquiry to look into the loss of
* ■ battleship Maine cailed thin morning
l; P<>n Captain General Blanco and Ad
"ir tl Munteroia. When these ceremonies
h’re ended the court returned to the
1 nu.(j States lighthouse tender Mangrove
Si 1 resumed its sessions.
1 ne court opened at 10:30 and took a re
f at 12:30. Lieut. G. F. W. Holman,
1 gator nnd ordnance officer of the
line > was examined at the morning ses
sion.
I he court met for the afternoon session
: ; J0 and Lieutenant Commander K.
inwrlght, executive officer of the
■ One, was called to the witness stand.
' ’ "tenant Commander Wainwright has
1 11 in immediate charge of the wreck
>' the explosion.
1 ” Ul ' divers are at work, two in the fore
-1 m of the ship and Ihe others aft. The
k is most* laborious and the men are
"tally extremely careful, as they have
. 1 'o work In total darkness, and several
, had bad falls. Eiectrlb lights from
Mangrove are now: available, and
atiich good is expected from them.
Nearly all the possible salvage has now
| n moved from the cabin aft. The efforts
■ re.o h the ward and mess rooms are
"••rated by some unknown obstacle. It
| | xperted to find bodies in those rooms.
. vases of ten-inch ammunition have
• n found, one having exploded, the
‘" er fun of powder. These were found
forward.
1 he work of securing the bodies under
,le hatch has been moat difficult in tbs
§he JUufraitg
dark, but It is hoped that the electric j
lights will be of great assistance. The
bodies are much mutilated and some are
partially burned.
The officers of the court of inquiry paid
another visit to the wreck to-day. Capt.
Sampson made a visit to Capt. Gen. Blan
co to-day. The Captain General and Ad
miral Manterola have expressed deep sym
pathy and hoped nothing would interfere
with a thorough Investigation. They of
fered to give any help in their powea*.
It is announced that 1,600 Spanish troops
arrived at Santiago de Cuba Saturday.
The military commander of Guanabaeo
has ordered the suspension of the public
festivities as a mark of respect to the
ipemory of the Maine’s dead.
The investigation will continue for three
days.
George W. Koebler of Brooklyn, died to
day at the Military Hospital. All the in
jured show some improvement.
La Lucha, in an editorial to-day, com
ments upon the “unfairness of the United
States in making Capt. Sigsbee, the ad
viser and assistant of the court of inqui
ry." The editorial is evidently based on
Incorrect information from tije United
States, as naval officers say it is impossi
ble under the rules constituting naval
courts of inquiry, that the captain com
manding the ship destroyed should have
anything to do with the findings of the
court, being in one sense on trial himself.
11 is made Capt. Sigsbee’s duty to give all
testimony as to the facts in his possession.
Gunner Charles Morgan of the cruiser
New York, who is in charge of the divers,
will devote special attention to examin
ing the ammunition In the fore part of the
Maine’s hull, and to ascertaining the con
ditions of the plates, magazines, and en
gines. He is a graduate in gunnery and
is regarded as entirely competent, as in
deed are all the divers under his direction.
He is under strict orders not to give out
anything on the subject of his investiga
tions except to the officers of the Court of
Inquiry when called upon.
Capt. Sigsbee received a dispatch from
Secretary Long to-night saying that the
wrecking tug Right Arm had been ordered
from Key West to Havana with an addi
tional diver and further apparatus.
The bodies of twelve men have been
taken out from under the hatch of the su
perstructure of the fire room. None was
recognized and all were necessarily dis
membered In course of removal.
There was nothing picturesque or com
prehensive in the scenes in or about the
light house tender Mangrove, in which the
court of inquiry sat to-day. The sessions
were held in the captain’s cabin
aft. The officers were not in
full dress, but in the uniform used
every day aboardship. The proceedings
were very quiet, no one but the witnesses
and the shorthand reporter being admit
ted. The arrangement is that the stenog
rapher shall write out his notes day by
day and the court will adjourn from time
to time to give him opportunity, as was
the case to-day when the court again vis
ited the wreck and spent some time in ad
ditional inspection.
The pomp and ceremony of the tribunal
are not as much as an ordinary garrison
court martial would show, but the high
character of its members and the evident
earnestness of their purpose to find the
truth, if possible, give dignity to the court
of inquiry.
SALVAGE WORK AT THE MAINE.
Tiie Merritt Company .signs a Con
tract to Send a Big Expedition
Washington, Feb. 22.—The plans of the
wrecking expedition for the relief of the
Maine were completed to-day after long
conferences between Secretary Long and
the representatives of the Merritt-Chap
man Company of New York and the Bos
ton Towboat Company.
The companies had expected to begin
work in Havana harbor in about a week,
but at the last moment Secretary Long in
sisted that proviso should be made- for
sending forward at once at least one large
wrecking boat with divers and equipment.
This was agreed to and a dispatch was sent
to the captain of the sea-wrecker Right
Arm, now at Key West, to suspend his
private work there and proceed at once to
Havana
The terms of the contract as concluded
and signed to-day provide for the payment
to the wrecking companies of the sum of
$B7l per day for their regular plant ar.d an
additional payment of SSOO per day for the
use of the Monarch while the latter is
actually employed. An express provision
is made that the government may termi
nate the contract at any moment. It is
also provided that the compensation shall
not exceed the sum of money ($200,000) ap
propriated by Congress for this purpose in
the joint resolution passed yesterday.
Finalfy, it is provided that if the com
pany succeeds in raising the Maine and
towing her to New York they shall re
ceive a bonus of SIOO,OOO. In view of the
large first cost of the Maine (about $5,000,-
000) and the national desire that she shall
be raised, as evidenced by the prompt and
unanimous action of congress upon the
joint resolution, Secretary Long believes
that he is fully justified in making the
terms named with the wreckers, though
at first the per diem compensation seems
large.
Capt. Humphrey and Mr. Chapman,
representing the two companies who will
do the work, explained to the Associated
Press the (dans ttyey will adopt in wreck
ing the Maine. Iti addition to the emer
gency work to be prosecuted by the Right
Arm, the Maine expedition will be made up
of about 100 men, including six skilled div
ers, the wrecking steamer Underwriter of
Boston, of 600 horse-power; the wrecking
steamer John G. Jones of Norfolk, of sim
ilar power; the iron barge Lone Star of
Boston, capable of lifting 2GO tons, the
largest floating derrick in the country,
and another derrick capable of lifting thir
ty tons. The forwarding of the boats,
derricks and men will begin at once.
Telegrams were sent to begin the out
fitting, the taking on of coai and the as
sembling of men and equipment. The
boats are ready to start at any time, but
It will take a .day or two to get logether
tiie exceptional facilities required for this
large undertaking. The wreckers say it
will be impossible to assemble the outfit
and get it into Havana ready for work
for a week. They will make every effort,
however, to expedite the work, and on
leaving Secretary Long at 1 o’clock they
took trains for New York and Boston,
with the determination of rushing the
work.
Key West, Feb. 22.—The wrecking tug
Right Arm. which has been taken by the
government, leaves for Havana harbor to
night to work on the hull of the Maine.
The torpedo boats Krlcsort and Cushing
have made frequent trips to-day lo the
New York and lowa, now off Sand Key.
SAVANNAH, GA.. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 23. IS9S.
COWARDLY CRIME IN CAROLINA
11l LLETS AND TORCH USED TO GET
RID OF A NEGRO POSTMASTER.
The Negro ami a Baby in Arms Shot
Dead oil the Threshold of ID*
Biasing Home—His Wife and
Three Daughters Shot nnd Maimed
for Life—A Hundred AVhlte Men
Armed N\ ith Pistols nnd Guns Al
leged to Have Committed the
Crime.
Columbia, S. C., Feb. 22.—The most re
volting crime ever perpetrated by white
men in South Carolina was committed at
Lake City, Williamsburg county, at 11
o’clock this morning, when Postmaster
Baker, a negro, and his family were burn
ed out of their home, the postmaster and
a baby in arms killed, and his wife and
three daughters shot and maimed for life.
Baker was appointed postmaster three
months ago.
Lake City is a town of five hundred in
habitants, and the negro population in the
vicinity is large. There was a protest at
Baker’s appointment, but not very vig
orous.
Three months ago, as the postmaster was
leaving the office at night, in company
with several colored men, he was fired on
from ambush, but It was not known that
the would-be assassin was prompted by
other than personal malice.
Since then Baker had moved his family
into a house on the outskirts of the town,
where he also established the postofflee.
Last Tuesday night a body of men, who
kept concealed behind buildings and fences
in the neighborhood, riddled the building
with shot and rille bullets. They shot
and no one was hurt, but it was supposed
to convey a warning.
It was a short time before that Senators
Tillman and McLaurin ar.d Congressman
Norton had asked the Postmaster General
to remove Baker because of his color, and
tiie request had been refused.
Baker did not move Ms family, and gave
no evidence of being frightened. He felt
confident of protection from Washington.
At 1 o’clock this morning a torch was
applied to the postofflee and Baker’s house.
Back, just within the lihe of light, were
over 100 white men. armed with pistols and
shot guns. By the time the fire aroused
the sleeping family, consisting of the post
master, his wife, four daughters, a son and
an infant at the breast, the crowd began
firing Into the building.
A hundred bullet holes were made
through the thin boarding, and many
found marks in the people within.
Baker was the first to reach the door,
and lie fell dead juar within the thresh
hold, being shot in several places.
The mother had the baby in her arms
and had reached the door over her hus
band's body, when a bullet crashed
through its skull and fell to the floor. She
was shot In several places. *
Two of the girls had their arms broken
in the shoulder and will probably lose
them.
Another of the girls is believed to be fa
tally wounded.
The boy is shot.
Two of the seven occupants of the house
escaped with slight Injuries.
The bodies of Baker and the Infant were
cremated in the building.
All the mail matter was destroyed.
A Coroner's jury was impaneled this
evening and viewed the charred remains
and adjourned tyll Saturday.
Indignation is expressed everywhere.
CONGRESSMEN ON THE CRIME.
South Cnrolinlnnx at Washington
Deplore the Tragedy.
Washington, Feb. 22.—The report of the
lynching of the negro postmaster, Frasier
B. Baker, at Lake City, S. C„ created the
biggest kind of a sensation when it be
came known among the South Carolinians
now in Washington.
Though they knew that a state of bad
feeling had been existing between the
negro postmaster and the people in and
around the little Southern town, they were
greatly surprised to hear of the sensa
tional story of his being lynched.
“My God, it can’t be true,” said Con
gressman Elliott, when he was told of the
occurrence. “Such hot headed action does
not represent the feeling in South Caro
lina, I am sure.”
All of the South Carolinians from the
congressmen down to the spoil hunting
politicians, who are here after patronage,
greatly deplore the affair, and some of
them absolutely discredit the story.
To-day being a holiday, the postofflee
department was closed, and the postofflee
authorities seen to-night have no official
notification of the lynching. They simply
said the matter would be thoroughly look
ed into and the guilty parties punished,
but in the absence of any official infor
mation would not discuss it.
Postmaster Baker was appointed at
Lake City last September, and at the
time of his appointment there was a gen
eral protest arising from the white people
of the community. Baker was appointed
on recommendation of E. H. Deas, the
colored deputy collector of internal rev
enue of South Carolina, who is in Wash
ington now, and who is greatly stirred
up over the summary killing. He de
nounces the act and Is disposed to lay the
blame on tiie administration, which he
accuses of having been very cowardly in
the matter
Deas says that an attempt was made to
kill Baker and his deputy, James Brave
boy, also colored, last December, and at
that time Chief Postofflee Inspector Ham
let Bent an inspector by the name of IJarre
to Lake City to mate a report of the af
fair.
Since that time the trouble has been so
great that other inspectors have been sent
there to report as to the best way for the
department to proceed in the matter of
remedying the trouble. The last inspector
made recommendation that the office lie
discontinued, so unsatisfactory was the
state of affairs there.
The department, it seems, was determin
ed not to have their appointee forced out
of the office, and it is said that the offi
cials were considering the proposition of
discontinuing the office, temporarily at
least.
ADMINISTH ITIOX TO BLAME.
Washington Officials Had Been Tolil
of Their Mistake.
Charleston, 8. C., Feb. 22.—A special to
the News and Courier from Kingstree, 8.
C., sags: “Baker was a coal black negro
about 40 years old. He was n native of
Florence county and never had lived at
Lake City until he went their to take
charge of the postoffice. The people of
Hike City were Justly Indignant of an
appointment of this negro as their post
master. The authorities at Washington
had been notified of their mistake and
error in appointing this man, they knew
of his incompetency, and the i>eople of the
whole United States ougiit to be made
acquainted with the fact that the post
offiee authorities in Washington are large
,ly responsible for the death of Baker."
DEVEAUA CONFIRMED.
Soys He Will Have No Trouble In
MnklnppHts Bond.
Washington, Feb. 22.—John H. Deveaux's
nomination as cbllector of tiie port of Sa
vannah was confirmed by the Senate to
day after a protracted session.
Senators Clay and Bacon resisted favor
able action, and Senator Clay made a
strong appeal to his associates in behalf
of the white people of Savannah, whom,
he explained, resented the appointment of
Deveaux, principally on account of his
color and the prejudices which naturally
exist in the South against placing colored
men in public office.
Both of the Georgia senators were lis
tened to attentively, but when the vole
was taken party lines divided and De
veaux was confirmed.
Deveaux received numerous congratula.
tlons to-night, and lie says he will have
no trouble in securing the necessary bond.
In fact, that matter was all arranged in
Savannah before his nominalion was sent
to the 'Senate. H* says he will probably
qualify and be ready to take charge of
the custom house within ten days or two
weeks, and he is confident that he will
give the people of Savannah and the
government an acceptable administration
of the office.
As to changes in the custom house, he
says he will not have more than three ap
pointments at his disposal, as everything
there is covered by the civil service. He
will remain here several days and then
proceed to Savannah with Judson Lyons,
who has been his tried and true friend.
STRUCK ON NANTUCKET SHOALS.
British Ship Asia Probably Lost With
Twenty Lives.
Boston, Feb. 22.—There is scarcely a
doubt of the British ship Asia, command
ed by Capt. J. Ji|. Dakin, bound from
Manila for this port, was wrecked near
Nantucket during the gales of the past
few days, and the' her entire crew of
twenty-turn have pis , i s)irdr~~
This conclusion is not only borne out by
wreckage, consisting of the stern of a
boat with “Asia” painled on It, yards and
other materials which were cast ashone
at Monmoy, but Capt. Haiey of this city,
telephoned from WoodshoH to-night that
while the tug E. V. McCaulley was steam
ing out to the barge Elsinor, which lies
sunk off Handkerchief shoal, she saw pos
itive evidence of the wr£k of a large
square rigged vessel and recovered two
hortles from a portion of a dismantled
hull.
Capt. Haley stated that while near the
Hamycerchief light ship the tug passed
through a large amount of wreckage, In
cluding bales of hemp and broken ship
timbers. Drifting in the midst of this
mass was a portion of the wreck on which
the bodies were lashed. It was discovered
the bodies were those of a man and a lit
tle girl, 10 or 12 years old. They were
fast in the mizzon chains. The tug was
quickly headed in the direction of the
wreck, and the crew released the bodies,
and the tug returned to WoodshoH, where
the news was sent to this city.
The man's body was hanging to the
mizzen rigging with the child In his arms.
He had apparently made frantic efforts to
save the little one when the seas over
whelmed them.
TERROR READY TO SAIL.
The Repairs on (lie Monitor Complet
ed nnd She Will Go to New York.
Norfolk, Va., Feb. 22.—The repairs on
the Monitor Terror were completed to
night, and it is understood she will sail
for New York in the morning. The tor
pedo boat Foote and Winslow also are
practically completed, and they are ready
to leave the dry dock. The Puritan will
hardly be ready to leave the yard under
ten days. All her boilers have been repair
ed but one.
It Is said the gunboat Machias will be
repaired at this yard, and a requisition
for more men has been made. The number
of men nt the yard will probably be dou
bled by March 1.
FILING I F FItOJECTIEES.
Big Supply Received nt the Brooklyn
Navy tnrda}
New York, Feb. 22.—The first of the ex
pected projectiles from the Carpenter
Steel Works arrived at the Brooklyn navy
yard to-day. There were about 2,000 of
them, for the six, eight and ten-inch guns
of the cruisers and battleships. A number
of torpedo heads from New England man
ufacturers are expected by to-morrow.
"The collection of ammunition,” said an
ordnance officer, “does not mean that we
expect immediate war. These supplies
were ordered some months ago.”
Forty Rapid Fire Guns Ordered.
New Haven, Conn., Feb. 22.—The Ameri
can Ordinance Company of Bridgeport,
Conn., has received by telegraph from Its
vice president at Washington, an order for
forty rapid firing six-pounder Hotchkiss
guns. The order is for quick delivery, and
the guns will be delivered in about three
months.
New Haven, Conn., Feb. 22.—The Amer
ican Ordnance Company of this city says
• hat they do not attach any significance
to the order of forty six-pound Hotchkiss
guns.
Ensign Brumby nil Athenian.
Athens, Ua„ Feb. 22.—Ensign Harde
mann Brumby, who is In charge of the
divers investigating the wreck of the
Maine, is the son of Capt. J. W. Brumby of
this city.
COUNSEL WINS THE CROWD.
LVIIOIU MAKING A Git EAT SPEECH
IN' ZOLA'S DEFENSE.
The Cries of "Death to the Jews”
Mingled With Cheers for tile lat fl
yer—He Clironologienlly Reviews
the ( asp Front the Arrest of Alfred
Dreyfns— He Refers to MnJ. I’aty
ilu Clam's Attempt to Intimidate
Drejfus nnd to MnJ. Forselnettl’s
Relief In His Innoeenee.
Paris, Feb. 22.—The precincts and lobbies
of the palace of justice wore deserted to
day, the fourteenth of the trial of MM
Zola and I’errleux for the allegations
which the former brought In the Aurora,
published by the latter, against the con
duct of the Kstorhazy court martial. Tiie
Assizes Court itself was thronged.
M. Labori, counsel for M. Zola, resum
ed his argument for the defense. He chro
nologically reviewed tiie case from the ar
rest of Alfred Dreyfus, pointing out that
as Maj. Paty du Clam interdicted Madame
Dreyfus from speaking, the announcement
of his arrest, published by the Libre Pa
role and Eclair alone, must have been
communicated by the ministry for war.
Continuing, M. Labori charged the Libre
Parole ami Eclair with lying in regard to
the guilt of Dreyfus, and referred to Maj.
Paty du Clam'a attempt to
intimated Dreyfus, and to Maj.
Forseinetti's belief in the latter’s inno
cence. He also dealt with the court mar
tial’s decision to conduct the trial in se
cret in spite of the protests of the press.
He said this was the reason of the unceas
ing protests in behalf of Dreyfus “which
troubled all high-minded persons,” adding:
“The strength of those of our adversaries
who are acting in good faith, lies in their
belief that the whole affair was conducted
with Justice and legality, but the facts do
not bear out this belief.” (Murmurs.)
Counsel for the defense then declared
that eight months prior to the arrest of
Dreyfus the minister of war possessed
photos of the paper containing the ex
pression "that scoundrel of a D ” nnd
showing that a French officer had rela
tions with two foreign military attaches.
This document, M. Labori pointed out,
did not refer to Dreyfus, but all the same
the charge against Dreyfus was founded
upon It, and it was the document which
the veiled lady handed to Maj. Esterhazy,
the latter only surrendering it to the min
ister for war on securing ii receipt.
Referring to Gen. Mereler, M Labori
said: "Maybe he is a brave soldier, but
he is not familiar with great affairs. In
the absence of proofs he substituted his
own arbitrary impression, and thus had
an Innocent man condemned."
Counsel asked also why the document
referring to that “scoundrel D ” had
not been previously spoken of, as the de
fense could have been brought Into court
foreigners who have disputed Its gen
uineness.
The statement caused a sensation in the
court and the presiding Judge interrupted
counsel to say: ”VVe would not have
heard thenft.”
“If we did not summon them,” M. La
bori said, "it was because we wished to
discuss t)etween Frenchmen alone an af
fair solely concerning Frenchmen,"
“However opinions may differ in this af
fair,” M. Labori explained, "in the hour
of danger we all show a solid front to the
foreigner.” (Applause)l
Then denouncing the action of the pros
ecution In having Dreyfus write from dic
tation, counsel said: "Such a trick prov
ed the emptiness of the prosecution, for
had they possessed proof of his guilt they
would not have had recourse to such
theatrical effects at the opening of the
court martial and the Judges, having only
the bordereau, would have acquitted
Dreyfus had not, contrary to all laws,
their judgment been led astray by the se
cret admission of a document.”
Counsel reviewed the act of the court
martial, and added: “I have all the papers
concerning the affair In my hands, and I
solemnly affirm that there is nothing in
them against Dreyfus. I pledge you my
hotior. gentlemen, that there is no proof
against Dreyfus."
The statement made a commotion, and
there were marks of approbation among
the public.
A short adjournment of the court fol
lowed, during which a number of persons
shook hunds with M. Laliori, whose mod
erate, but firm utterances made a con
siderable impression upon the audien -e
When the hearing was resumed M. La
bori referred to the alleged confession of
Dreyfus to Capt. Le Brun-Kenault and re
marked: “If a written report of u exists
it was drawn up as an after-thought, and
I could have proved It by witnesses had
Capt. Ia: Brun-Renault testified.”
Recalling M. Mobile's declaration in the
Chamber of Deputies, in reply to ex-Min
ister Cavignac, that the presentation of
this report would open the door for a re
vision of the trial, M. Zola' counsel read:
"The report was not produced because the
alleged confession was neither possible or
probable.”
iM. Labori I hen gave a moving descrip
tion of the degradation of Dreyfus. He
recalled that amid shouts of “Death" from
the pitiless crowd, Dreyfus had not ceas
ed to cry, "Vive la France” and swear
upon the heads of his wife and children
that he was completely Innocent. “Drey
fus,” M. Labori asserted, "only appealed
for one act of mercy—that the ministry
should continue the inquiry.” (Commo
tion). ■
After this M. Labori read a series of let
ters written by Dreyfus to counsel and to
his family, In which the prisoner always
demanded that the real culprit should be
sought, and added: "If M. Mellne did not
produce the report of Capt. Le Brun-Ite
nault It was because the vehement pro
testations of innocence of Dreyfus
troubled his mind, and for the moment
his sense of Judicial rectitude had prevail
ed over his conception of political consid
eration." (Sensation.)
“In order to obtain avowals," M. La*
borl proceeded,” the prosecution went to
(he point of a fraud. Did not Maj. Paty
du Clam say to Dreyfus, ‘the minister will
receive you If you go lo Congress?’ "
Thereupon counsel dwelt upon JHaJ. Paty
du Clam's interrogation of Dreyfus. In
which Dreyfus agreed there was some re
semblance In the details of his writing and
that of the bordereau, but taken altogeth
er they were quite distinct, and, he (Drey
fus) affirmed his Innocence, counsel add
ing: “A monument of falsehoods and hy-
poerisy had been built up, false
hoods for abettors, hypocrisy for
the stronger and guiltier par
ties. Let these men know this. la't them
listen to my words and remember that the
place which occupies in history the most
humiliated place Is that of Pontius
Pilate." (Vehement applause).
After the court udjourned M. 1.-iliorl ro
ce \od a veritable ovailott. cries of "Vive
laibort" mingling willt cries of "Vive
rarmeo," and lories of “Abas les Julfs."
The public emerged from the court in a
state ot extreme excitement, hut Hide was
no disorder.
-M. Labor! will continue his address to
morrow.
lilt 1 III.s OI’FEII ID THE JIHV.
Source From Whence the Letter*
Come Suspected.
London, Feb. 22.—The Paris correspond
ent of the Daily News says: "The great
est efforts are being made outside the
court room to influence the Jurymen by
threats or bandlshments. Yesterday (Tues
day) each Juryman received an anony
mous letter promising him the sntn of fid)
($2,€00), if At. Zola should lie acquitted. The
letters, of course, emanated from the
same source as the forgeries by which
some sought to prove the existence of a
Dreyfus syndicate.
"M. Zola throughout the day was cool
and collected, t can vouch some personal
assurance that ho is qullo Indifferent as to
the result of the trial, so fur as his own
person Is concerned. Several of his Inti
mate friends, as well as his wife, would
not he sorry if lie were condemned to
three months' imprisonment, as that
would l>o an apt conclusion of one of the
most dramallc trials of the century.
"The outpour of passion against him has
l>oen fanned to such n fury that an acquit
tal would make h!s position most uncom
fortable, while if he were sentenced to Im
prisonment, popular opinion would per
haps soften and relent."
"The final daring and eloquent passage
of M. Laborl's speech evoked an outburst
of applause lasting nearly three minutes.
Ills friends rushed forward to congratulate
Him. M. Zola, who was terribly excited,
threw his arms around M. Laborl’s neck
and kissed him.
"Meanwhile violent quarrels broke out
in the court room. After M. Laborl's
mention of Pontius Pilate ns 'the name
•which occupied In history the most humil
iating place,' somebody exclaimed, 'After
that of Judas,' The whole audience yell
ed 'Judas.'
"A young officer insulted several Jews
and demanded that they bo expelled. Free
lights ensued In the lobbies and passages
of the palais of Justice as the guards
cleared the precincts."
BRITISH Td MU', IN CHINA.
Intcrnnl Iltghnn;> to Re Opened to
Foreign Simmers.
I/Ondon, Feh. 22.—The foreign office has
made the following announcement: "Fol
lowing are the arrangements In the
Interests of British trade which have
been agreed to by the Chinese government
on the representations of Sir Claude Mac-
Donald, British minister at Peking:
"The Internal highways of China are to
be opened to British and other steamers In
the course of June next. Thus, wherever
the use of native boat* Is now permitted
by treaty foreigners will be equally allow
ed lo employ steamers or sienm launches,
whether owned by them or by the Chi
nese.
"In view of the great Importance attach
ed by Great Britain to the retention of the
region In Chinese possession, the Chinese
government has formally intimated to the
British government that (here can be no
question of territory In the valley of the
river of Yang-Tse being mortgaged, leased
or sold to any power.
"The post of Inspector general of
maritime customs. In the fu
turo as In the past, shall be held by a
British subject so long as British trade
at the ports of China continues to exceed
that of auy other power. A port will be
opened in the province of Hu-Nan within
two years."
HISftIA AT POUT AIITHI'U.
Permanent Occupation Relieved to
Re the Intention.
London, Feb. 22.—The Pekin correspon.
dent of the Times soys: “Japan, distrust
ing Russia's activity at Port Arthur, re
cently pressed China to renew the assur
ance that the Russians would withdraw!
from that port in the spring. Chiba,
through her minister at Ml. Petersburg,,
endeavored to obtain the requisite assur
ance.
"Russia reput'd that her ships would re
main longer than was originally intended,
their withdrawal being op postal ty the in
terests of both China and Korea. This
reply la-lng communicated to Japan was
taken as an Intimation of Russia’s Inten
lion to occupy Port Arthur permanently."
SOKOTO NOT INVADED,
Minister Hanotaus Denies Hie Story
to tbe British Ambassador.
London, Feb. 22.—The Marquis of Salis
bury, In the House of Lords to-day, said;
"My Lords—Before moving tho adjourn
ment, perhaps it would be convenient that
I should read a telegram from Sir Edward
Monson. the British ambassador at Paris,
with reference to matters which have ex.
cited some attention: ‘I placed in the
hands of LM. Hanotaux (the French minis
ter for foreign affairs) as soon as I coufd
obtain an Interview, a note drawing atten
tion to the report published this morning
of a French advance Itlto Sokoto. I said
that If the report was correct the laws
must be regarded as of a very serious
character. M. Hanotaux replied that he
had no knowledge of any such proceed
ings and that if anything of the kind had
occurred, it must have been done, not
only without the orders of the French
goverrynent, but aguinst their wishes and
Instructions, as they had no desire to ap
proach Mokoto. He said he did not be
lieve the news was true and he has since
communicated to rnc the assurance that
there are no French troops In that re
gion.' ”
The reading of the dispatch was receiv
ed with cheers.
Chinn** New Loan.
Berlin. Feb. 22.—1 tls announced that the
Chinese loon of £16,000,000 (280,000,000), has
been arranged with the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Bunk of London and the Ger
man-Asiatic Hank,
f DAILY, 110 A YEAR.
} 5 CENTS A COPY.
( WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEKK J 1 A TEAR
SPLIT IN CUBA’S CABINET.
SOME OF THE MEMBERS ACCYSEU
OF TREASON.
Senor (illiera and Ainhlnrd Ilellevedl
lo He Secretly Treating With Ilia
Sepiirnllsl* In the Direction o<f In—
dependence for the Inland— lenop
Gorin Also Voder Attack—Madrlit
Imparclal Attack* Senor Moret foil
I'ulllnu' Ihc tulonomy Scheme li*
Force.
Madrid. Feb. 22.— A gloomy tone per
v.iils in political circles on the reports ol
a split In the Cuban ministry. The au
tonomists, Sentfr Gibera and Senor Am-
Ward, are, it Is believed, secretly treatina
with the separatists in the direction 06
independence for Cuba.
Senor Govln, the Cuban secretary of th*
Interior, Is a<*cused of treason by the Im
partial, which publishes a fao simile let
ter from Senor Gov in to a friend In which!
the former says: 'ilow could you thlmg
that Sagasta, a man Inferior to Canovas.
ami liberal only In name, has inspired myt
attitude and not my Ideas and sentiment*
as a Cuban? McKinley as well as Cubat
■will determine whether I am a Spaniard-
Long live our country and liberty."
The Impurcia! adds that It predicted al
weak ministry In Cuba and warned Senor
Moret, the Spanish colonial minister, of
what waa likely lo be the outcome of hi*
autonomy scheme.
El Pais says: "Spain should treat witM
llie rebel* direct rather than toleratu
the Traitor Govln."-
El Correo Espanol says: "How wilt
Senor Moret, tin- patron of Govln, and
Senor Sagasta, the patron of both Mores
and Govln, stand now that Govln Is a
traitor to his country? Whoever sup
ports a traitor Is likewise a traitor.”
The official press, on the other hand,
counsels prudence and conlldenco In tha
patriotism of the Cubans.
Havana, Feb. 22.—The autonomist gov*
ernment has confirmed the appointment of
Senor Manuel Rafael as representative of
the colonel government at Washington to
prepnre n commercial treaty under Instruc
tions which ho will receive from Senoit
Moro and Senor Rodrigues, colonial secre
taries of the treasury and commerce re
spectively.
WOODFORD TO GIVE A BANQUET.
Premier Hagn.l* and the Spanlah
Cabinet to He Hl* Gaeal*.
Madrid. Feb. 22.—United States Minister
Woodford was received In audience by tho
Queen Regent to-day.
U. 8. Minister Woodford will give a ban
quet on Thursday to Senor Sagasta, th
premier, mid the other members of the
cabinet, Senor Polo y Bernabe, the new
Spanish minister to the United States and
other members of the diplomatic corps.
A squadron of torpedo boats has lefH
Cadiz for Havana harbor.
BFNCE ON THE VIZCAYA.
Tbe Admiral Helnrn* the Visit of
(apt. Eulnle.
New York, Feb. 22.—Admiral Bunco,
commandant of the navy yard, returned
tho ofliclal visit of Capt. Kulale of the
Spanish cruiser Vizcaya to-day. Admiral
Buncc wns accompanied by his two aides,
Capt. (! 11 more and Lieut. Ward.. They!
left the navy yard on board the command
ant's barge Undine, and steamed down th<*
bay. The three officers wore -their full
dress uniforms. The visit was altogether
formal.
Two Lehigh Valley coal barges weru
towed to the Vizcaya to-day and their
cargoes transferred to the man-of-war.
The vessel needed coal, and Capt. Eulale
ilecided to tuke on board a supply here.
The water boa* Croton also visited tha
Vizcaya and filled her tanks with fresh
water.
PENNSYLVANIA'S NATIONAL GI’ARD,
Every Command Ordered Recrnltrd
I p to ll* Fnll Quota.
Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 22.—MaJ. Gen.
Snowden, commander of the National
Guard of Pennsylvania, has issued general
orders to every officer in the state to re
cruit his command up to the full quota re
quired by law.
The orders were issued five days ago wttlf
Instructions that they be kept a profound
secret.
The officers were Instructed to have theid
men ready to march at twenty-four hours*
ilLtloe.
BOMB EXPLODED IN FRANCE.
.Serious l)nmuue Done Hut No Los* ol
Life.
Montpelier, France, Feb. 22.—A bomb
was exploded to-day at the residence of
M. Messine, a former president of tho
Chamber of Commerce. Serious damage
was done, but there was no loss of life.
The iiollce have discovered three similar*
bombs In the vicinity of the headquarters
of tlie staff, and at the railroad depot.
Several anarchists have been here for
some days past.
GEN. JOHN 11. GORDON ILL.
i
I liable to Leave Port Huron, to Fill
a Lecture Enungrnient.
Toledo, 0., Feb. 22.—Gen. John B. Gor
don, the brilliant ex-Confedcrate officer,
was to have lectured In this city to-night.
Shortly after noon, a telegram came from,
Port Huron announcing that the General
had been taken suddenly ill ut that poise
and could get no farther. Private advices
since are to the effect that he is very 111.
Judge Hnghr* Resign*.
Norfolk, Va., Feb. 22.—Judge Robert W.
Hughes of the-Federal court of the east
ern district, appointed by President Gfant
In 1*67, has forwarded his resignation to
President McKinley.
Ilelke* Win* the Medal.
Dayton, 0., Feb. 22.—Helkes beat Budd
for the cast iron medal and championship
by score of 91 to 82.