Newspaper Page Text
THE MORNINO NEW& •*
rtaMlabert 18*0. - Incorporated IKS V
* J. H. ESTILL, President. )
n i m in.
Nations Going on Record in
Favor of Neutrality.
MOBILIZING THE MILITARY.
All Our Consuls Safely Out of
Spain.
SEA DOGS ARE SQUIRMING.
Naval Officers on Shore Wan! Some
of the Prize Money,
Washington, April 26.—Conditions in
Washington are rapidly settling down to
those of actual war.
Notices came to the state department
from the four quarters of the globe to-day
showing that the nations are, as a rule,
prepared to assume an attitude of strict
neutrality as belween the United States
and Spain In the present struggle. In most
they were in answer to the identical
note sent out yesterday by the State de
partment to all United States embassies
and legations, instructing them to inform
the governments to which they were ac
credited that war has existed since April
Great Britain always has taken an ad
vanced stand In the principles of neutral
ity, so that it was with great interest that
the news was received here of the terms
of the neutrality proclamation issued in
London.
On the whole, the officials are disposed
lo take the view that a strict adherence
by Great Britain to these rules will be
rather more advantageous to the United
States than to Spain, particularly as we
are now operating In the naval sense close
(o our own base of supplies, and in all
probability soon will cut Spain oft from
the two bases that she now has in the
neighborhood of Cuba.
The President issued a proclamation
during the day laying down rules as to
the seizure of prizes and the result, It is
believed, will be the release of some of
the ships already captused, though it will
be for the prize courts to determine in
each case whether the conditions under
which the ship was captured are such as
lo warrant release. The Impression pre
vails that the Buena Ventura, the first on
the list of prizes, will be declared no prize.
The case of the Panama, whose seizure
was reported to-day, is a more complicated
one, owing to the fact that while other
wise exempt the ship was reported to
have supplies for the Spanish ' army in
Cuba, which are contraband.
It is noted that the administration has
not been deterred by any criticism in Con
gress from again formally pledging itself
to the nations of the world to refarin
from privateering and abide by the declar
ation of Paris of 1836.
So far as is known all the United States
consuls have made their way safely out
of Spain. Consul Fay at Dania, has re
ported to the department from Lisbon;
Bowen at Barcelona, from Paris,
and Consul Carroll at Cadiz and Consul
B.trielam at Malaga, from Gibraltar. The
department has assured Itself that the
others are safe.
Secretary Sherman retired finally to-day
from ihe position of Secretary of State,
ai I his successor was confirmed in the
1 i -on of Judge Day. Prof. Bassett Moore
"ill be confirmed to-morrow in Judge
1 s place. The lalter is* expected to re
-1 ‘ to Washington in about two day's
1 \
"■ army reorganization bill became a
1 during the day, and the war depart
*J 'it officials have begun to devise the
k' means of carrying out the purposes
'-e act, which will result in an Increase
o: the regular army tp more (han 60,000
the war department preparations went
0 with ceaseless energy for the organlza
' of the volunteer army. All of the
' • rs were detailed who are to be sent
iJ 'he various states, there to muster in
1 state volunteers.
■ ne plans of the full organization of the
" were also perfected. To provide oifl
; fur the regular army and volunteers
• retary Alger ordered the assignment to
and 'y of all the cadets at the West Point
" maty academy who would in the ordi
j 1 y ‘ ourse of events have 'graduated In
ue leatest anxiety was shown at the
y department for news from the block
( ''g quad. Notwithstanding the fre
( rit report* that come from two unofll
.. m ‘ lr ces of engagements between the
1 and the shore batteries, no word of
"rmatlon came officially,
I * i ire* prizes reported to-day to have
" ’ ’ '**d by the fh-et were not referred
r " ' official dispatches, but the press
'd the seizures were received with
, • r ‘ siest satisfaction by the officers of
'Spariment who, In some esses, did
'i**Pal# to declare their envy of theli
fortunate brother officers with th*
, In fact, It is becoming very hard
** '*isry lawig to retain la Ihe arr
"r Hi* department tb* officers who
absolutely required, Iri view of thru
She JUlofmng ffetoi
earnest desire to go to the front. A few
days ago, for instance, Commodore Brad
ford, chief of the equipment bureau, ten
dered his resignation of that place and
asked to be given a warship. After con
sidering the mutter for a day or two, the
secretary was obliged to ask Commodore
Bradford to withdraw his request, as it
would be exceedingly difficult, if not im
possible, to fill his place in the depart
ment.
Among the orders issued to-day was one
directing Capt. A. P. Mahan, the author
and world renowned authority on naval
tactics, to report for duty at the navy de
partment. Capt. Mahan is a retired officer
and will be assigned to a position on the
strategy board. Probably he will replace
Admiral Walker, for whom the President
cherishes the highest regard on account of
his professional ability, and who is to be
assigned to duty of the highest importance
in the immediate future.
Upon the recommendation of Capt. Lem
ley, Judge advocate general, Secretary
Long to-day directed the release from a
Boston naval prison of twenty-eight sail
ors. The men have been in prison for va
rious infractions of military law and the
department believes that conditions war
rant their restoration to active service.
It appears that the assignment of Rear
Admiral Erben, retired, to relieve Com
mander Elmer, in charge of the Mosquito
fleet, was caused by the ill-health of Com
mander Elmer. More than a dozen retired
officers were called into the service by
Secretary Long to-day.
Representatives Elliott and Brantley
were at the navy department to-day. Mr.
Elliott wants additional guns for protec
tion of the naval station at Port Royal.
Mr. Brantley wants further protection for
Brunswick.
SECRETARY ALGER’S DETAIL.
Stations and Mustering Officers of
the States’ Troops.
Washington, April 26.—Secretary Alger
has detailed the following named officers
To muster Into Ihe service of the United
States for the states and at the stations
preceding their names, the troops called
out by the President’s proclamation. The
officers are lo go without delay ”to the
rendezvous designated and report their
arrival to the Governors of the states
and execute the work assigned them as
soon as practicable. The states, places of
rendezvous and mustering officers follow:
Alabama—Mobile, First Lieut. Mangus
O. Hollis, Fourth Infantry.
Arkansas—Little Rock, First Lieut. Per
cy E. Trippe.
Florida—Tampa, Capt. Thomas M.
Woodruff, Fifth Infantry.
Georgia—Atlanta, Capt. Oscar J. Brown,
First Cavalry.
Kentucky—lx>ul*v!lle, First Lieut. Her
bert 9. Whipple, Seventh Cavalry.
Louisiana—New Orleans; Second ' I.fcnf.'
Jacques de Lafitte.
Maryland—Baltimore, Capt. Walter L.
Finney, Ninth Cavalry.
Mississippi—Jackson, Second Lieut. Her
bert O. Williams, Eleventh Infantry.
North Carolina— Raleigh, Capt. John C.
Gresham, Seventh Cavalry.
South Carolina—Charleston, Second
Lieut. Marcus B. Stokes, Tenth Infantry.
Tennessee—Nashville, First Lieut. Sam
uel Seay, Jr., Fourteenth Infantry.
Texas—Houston, Second Lieut. Bryant
H. Wells, Second Infantry.
■Virginia—Richmond, First Lieut. Rich
ard C. Croxton. First Infantry.
West Virginia—Marlinsburg, Second
Lieut. Douglas Settle, Tenth Infantry.
If from any cause the Governors find it
necessary to change the place of rendez
vous they are to notify the war depart
ment at once.
PROCLAMATION OF NEUTRALITY.
Great Britain Order* to Her
Colonial Authorities.
London. April 26.—An extraordinary is
sue of the London Gazette, issued this
morning, contained the customary royal
proclamation of neutrality defining the at
titude of the British officials and Brit
ish subjects during the war between Spain
and. the United States. It is identical with
the proclamation issued at the time of the
Chlno-Japanese war.
The instructions of the foreign office to
admiralty and colonial authorities relat
ing to the belligerents use of ports is dat
ed April 23 and gives belligerents twenty
four hours to leave.
This accounts for the departure of the
United States squadron from Hong Kong
and the orders given to the Spanish tor
pedo boat Audaz to leave Queenstown.
Soma of the newspapers here asesrt that
the rule in regard to coal being contra
band of war is new; bul it is identical with
Lord Granville’s proclamation of 1870, at
the time of the outbreak of the Franco-
Prussian war, and identical with the proc
lamation issued at the time of the com
mencement of hostilities between China
and Japan prohibiting supplies being fur
nished to belligerent ships except provis
ions and coal sufficient to carry a vessel
to the nearest port of her own country, no
coal to be again supplied to the same ship
without special permission, within three
months of the time she had previously
been supplied.
INSURGENTS AT MANILA.
A Massacre of Spaniards at That
Port Apprehended.
Hong Kong, April 26,-Mall advices
which reached here to-day from Manila
dated Saturday last, state the insurgents
were then gathering in masses around
Manila and that a massacre of the Span
iards at that port was apprehended.
It Is also announced In the dispatches
that the Spaniards have laid mines about
Manila.'
The Untied Hiatea squadron leaves Mlf*
Bay to-morrow lo watch the Philippine
* The Insurgent leader Aguinsldo is on
board the United States cruiser Olympia.
Minneapolis Off.
Boston, Mass., April 2.-Th* cruiser
Minneapolis, which left the flying squad
ron st Hampton Roads last Hat unlay night
and pars-d In by Highland Light at 8.15 p.
m yesterday, was nowhere to be seen in
the bay this morning.
T*ro Mure fearners Bought.
New York, April iR-Th* Hamburg-
American line "itvial* Hint lilt
Fuersi Bismarck til Hamburg hv boon
pine bused by the Ufliiud ttvatus
SAVANNAH, GA„ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1808.
ItElllf
Charleston and Columbia Both
Want the Soldiers.
FORMER’S CHANCES IN FAVOR
President Gratified at Southern
Patriotism.
SOLTHERNERSINTHESWARM
Captain James Erwin Held for
Georgia’s Bidding.
Washington, April 26.—Secretary Alger is
in no way responsible for the effort being
made to rendezvous the South Carolina
volunteers* t Columbia. In his telegraphio
instructions to Gov. Ellerbee yesterday.
Charleston was named as the place of ren
dezvous because it was thought that the
facilities offered by Charleston are better
adapted to military service than some oth
er point In the state.
Besides Charleston has displayed a great
interest in army matters and the zeal her
citizens have shown in connection with the
military establishment on Sullivan’s Is
land was taken into consideration and that
city was selected as a site for the rendez
vous.
Secretary Alger has no disposition to dic
tate to Gov. Ellerbee where the rendezvous
shall be established. Charleston was nam
ed in the Secretary’s original order for the
reasons stated.
If Gov. Ellerbe concludes that It will ljp
for the best Interests of the service to as
"Semhle the state troopsr-et Columbia, there
will probably be no serious objection to the
change. The Secretary in his letter to the
Cfovernor, stated “the rendezvous, for your
state will be Charleston. If any cause is
found necessary to change the point of
concentration your recommendation is re
quested.’’
Representative Elliott, acting upon the
telegraphic suggestion of Mayor Smyth,
called at the war department to-day and
entered an earnest protest against the
proposed change to Columbia. Col. El
liott assured the Secretary of War and
the Adjutant General that Charleston is
anxious and fully prepared to do every
thing In her power to make the rendez
vous a success. He urged the secretary to
allow the order naming Charleston to
stand, and he pledged the city of Charles
ton to co-operate with the state and na
tional authorities in carrying out and
meeting the responsibilities of the occas
ion. Final action will be deferred until
Gov. Elerbee is heard from. ,
The President Is highly gratified at the
energy and patriotic zeal displayed by the
representatives of the Southern states In
response to his call for volunteers. During
the meeting of the cabinet to-day he took
occasion to state to his associates that one
of the most gratifying features of the past
few weeks of hard work was the fact that
the South had, if anything, excelled the
North in the general desire to stand by the
old flag. • He quoted the words of ex-Gov.
Oates of Alabama, who called upon him
this morning in the Interest of Gen.
Wheeler, and who assured him that Ala
bama is ready to do her full share in de
fense of the nation's honor.
Representative Brantley called at the
navy department to-day to protest against
the removal of the monitor Passaic from
Brunswick. He was informed that inter
est of the service demands the use of the
Vassalc elsewhere for the present, so the
order as given will stand.
At to-day’s cabinet meeting not a little
anxiety was expressed concerning the
whereabouts of that portion of the Span
ish fleet which left Cadiz, and which, so
far as official reports go, seems to have
entirely disappeared. The latest reports
from St. Vincent make no mention of the
arrival of this formidable fleet, and it is
understood that the real meaning of Ihe
action of the navy department In sending
the cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis
into Northern waters was the desire to
guard as far as possible against the sud
den approach of these vessels. The idea
is to have the Columbia and Minneapolis
druise in a large circle and keep a lookout
for Ihe Spanish vessels. If they are found
headed for the Atlantic coast our cruisers
could speed back and get word to Commo
dore Schley. It was the anxiety about
this fleet, which consists of a battleship,
two cruisers, four torpedo boat destroyers
and three torpedo boats, which caused the
cabinet to send for Gen. Wilson, head of
the fortification* department, to-day. The
General took with htm to the cabinet
room plans showing the fortifications all
along the Atlantic coast, attd he explained
these in detail to the members of the cab
inet. While the cabinet was in session the
report reached the White House
that the fleet at Key West had
made a capture, whfeh was In
terpreU’d (o mean either the troop
ship Montgerat or the Alphonso XII. For
a lime there was great rejoicing not only
there, but throughout the city, but when
the verification of the rumor came, ft ws•
(Continued eg Second J’oge.j
WILLING TO GO TO THE FRONT.
Governors’ Heports Fnt an Enconr
sgliig Color on Matters.
Washington. April 26.—At the close of
office hours Adjutant General Corbin had
received dispatches from the Governor, of
nearly every state and territory In re
sponse to Secretary Alger’s call for Infor
mation as to the troops the states and
territories will be expected to furnish un
der the President's call for 125,000 men. The
tenor of these replies shows there is no
mistaking the patriotism of the people of
this country in the present emergency.
On every hand there was expressed a
willingness to come to the government's
aid, and the off^ - * Mere ln exceßa of the
present demands. The body of telegrams
was made up for the greater part of an
enumeration of what the national guard
had on hand, and for this reason the re
ports of the Governors were not made pub
lic.
The condition of the guards, as regards
their arms, equipment for field duty, etc.,
is In many instance* not satisfactory, and
these will have to be furnished by the
government. Such are the conditions otf
affairs in the war department that this
will be only a matter of time, however,
so that when the militiamen are regularly
mustered in the United States service
prompt measures will be taken to equip
them thoroughly for every duty.
Recruiting for the regular army under
the Hull army reorganization will be b§-
gun at once. With an adequate force, the
officials believe that quick progress will
be made toward recruiting the army to Its
full war strength of 61,000 men.
SOMERS CANNOT SAIL.
Permanently I.aid Up nn Account
Neutrality Law.
Falmouth, April 26.—pommander Hazel
ton of the United States torpedo boat
Somers whs notified last jevenlng, as a re
sult of the neutrality measures adopted by
the British government, that he must not
leave these waters. Consequently the
Somers lowered her pennant at 1 o’clock
this afternoon.
A British torpedo boat has taken up a
position in her vicinity. The Somers will
be towed further up the harbor, and will
be moored until further orders.
One American and four Scandinavian
seamen arrived here to-day from London
to Join the Somers. The customs author
ities sent .them to th“ sailors' home and
warned them that they would be arrested
If they left the building.
lit developed later in the day that the
commander of the Somers was only noti
fied this morning that he must leave by
Wednesday, with only sufficient coal to
reach the nearest port of the United
States.
Consequently the navy department at
Washington cabled Commander Hazleton
that the Somers must be permanently laid
up and the crew paid off. This is now being
done under the supervision of the local
naval authorities.
It is understood that if a prosecution is
instituted for attempt to illegally enlist
seamen, It “will be directed against Com
mander Hazelton.
LOUISIANA’S VOLUNTEERS.
Full Quota Has Volunteered anil
Ready to Be Mastered.
New Orleans, April 26.—The various city
battalions, as well as the First Regiment,
composed of country troops, have volun
teered, and the full quota from this state
will easily be filled. The constitutional
convention appropriated $50,000 to fully
equip state troops, and recommended that
Gov. Foster tender one regiment of na
tional guards and one of volunteers, as a
number of volunteer regiments are being
raised, particularly one by Duncan B.
Hood, a son of Gen. Hood and a NVest
Point graduate.
Gov. Foster wired the Secretary of War
this evening that a full quota had volun
teered and would be mustered In as soon
as they could be concentrated.
MILITIA FOR EGKMON’T KEY.
Four Detachment* of Naval Militia
Sent There.
Tampa, Fla., April 36.—Four detach
ments of naval militia from the Tampa
and Port Tampa divisions, left to-night
for Egemont Key, Satbal Island, Key
West and Tortuga*, and consisted of five
men for each detachment. They were
looked on with envy by remaining mem
bers of the division as they were the first
to be ordered out for duty as signal corps.
Work will begin at once on the base of
the three gun battery to be established at
Egernont Key, as the contract for the
lumber has been let by the engineer corps
of the United States army.
BLOCKADE THE SAME.
Fleet Retains Its Position Without
Firing.
Key West, April 26,11 p. m.—The torpedo
boat Porter ha* atVived from oil the Cuban
coast, and reports that thq position of the
blockade continue* unchanffcd. There has
been no firing on either side.
The Unit'd Slates cruiser Cincinnati to
day captured Lieut. Pedro Fernandez, of
the Spanish army, who waa returning to
his family on a small sloop. Lieut. Fer
nandez is detained on the flagship.
COLUMBIA A SCOUT.
Thought That She Will < have Span
ish Vessels.
Newport, R. 1., April 38.— 1 t la believed
generally by naval officers her* that the
Columbia will Join the Minneapolis to
scout for Spanish vessel*.
It Is iearned that a number of carrier
pigeons were taken aboard the cruiser be.
fore she sallsd.
Word was received hra from ffchatfsH
Beach that the Columbia waa sighted Just
before noon several ut 4*s oO the coast
. heading eastward.
if ME il
Lieut. Andrew S. Rowan on
a Perilous Mission.
GUIDES LAND HIM IN CUBA.
Will Arrange With Garcia for Co
operation of Forces.
NEWS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK
Probabilities of ffls Being Treated
Asa Spy.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Kingston, Jamaica, April 26.—First
Lieut. Andrew S. Rowan of the ’ Nine
teenth Infantry, under orders from the
war department, was landed on the Cuban
coast somewhere west of Santiago, prob
ably before dawn on Monday. His Cu,
ban guides and an open sailboat were
used. The guides have not returned.
Lieut. Rowan is on his way to the camp
of Gen. Calixto Garcia. He will represent
the war department in arranging for the
co-operation of the insurgents for the in
vasion of Cuba by forces of the United
States. The time and place of Invasion
will be controlled by events and the char
acter of Lieut. Rowan’s dispatches.
Lieut. Rowan was detailed from the bu
reau of Information for this dangerous ser
vice-dangerous because In his civilian
dress he is liable to be treated as a spy. He
speaks Spanish and knows Cuba, having
•written a book on the subject. More
over, he is an expert map maker.
Lieut. Rowan left Washington under in
stant orders on April 9. He was directed to
wait here prepared to go to Porto Rico or
Cuba.
As he went to Eastern Cuba it is in
ferred that a blow will be struck there be
fore one is struck at Porto Rico.
With him he look a Spanish sectional
map of Eastern Cuba with emendations
made by the war department hydrograph
ers. The expectation is that Gen. Calixto
Garcia will dispose his forces to cover a
landing of United States troops, as pre-ar
ranged.
A courier with Lieut. Rowan’s first dis
patches to the war department will prob
ably leave Gen. Garcia’s camp next week.
OHDER9 OF G(!N WADE.
Three Companies of the Fifth Join
Company F nt Port Tampa.
Tampa, Fla., April 26.—Gen. Wade issued
no orders to his division and the only
movement of any Importance was Ihe de
parture of the thred remaining companies
of the Fifth Infantry for Port Tampa to
Join Company F., which moved Monday.
This Is the smallest regiment in camp as
four companies of it are stationed at oth
er places doing guard duty. It is engaged
in placing the batteries that are to defend
the entrance of harbors in St. Augustine,
Pensacola, Savannah and Charleston. As
soon as the batteries are all placed and the
artillery companies take charge the infan
try companies will be ordered to Tampa
to Join their regiments. Lieut. Morrow .who
has been detailed as topographical engin
eer for the First Brigade, and Lieut.
Gregg, topographical engineer of the Sec
ond Brigade, have been engaged for the
past two days in prospecting for a camp
site and drill ground for the 20,000 volun
teers that are expected to arrive here very
shortly. The engineers selected three sites,
all in the vicinity, but not adjoining the
camp pf the Tampa division of the regu
lar army. The formal order appointing Col.
Cochran of the Sixth Infantry to the com
mand of the First, and Col. Poland of the
Seventeenth Infantry to the command of
the Second Brigade of the Tampa division
of the army, have been promulgated by
Lieut. Col. McArthur, assistant adjutant
general.
The announcement of the appointment
of MaJ. Benjamin E. Porter, surgeon, as
chief surgeon of the command, is also
announced.
The official staff of the brigade of Gen.
Wade is now as follows:
Lieut. Cos). Arthur McArthur, adjutant
general.
MaJ. Dan D. Wheeler, chief quartermas
ter.
Capt. Richard E. Thompson, signal
corps, signal officer.
First Lieutenant William E. Almy, Fifth
Cavalry Sid.
First Lieutenant George W. Reed, Fifth
Cavalry aid.
Col. McArthur, adjutant general, statgd
to-day that no information had been re
ceived regarding the reported ordering of
the camp division to Cuba. He also said
that the report that the Thirteenth Regi
ment was to b* sent to Key West to as
sist in preserving order ws* entirely with
out foundation as far ss this division was
Informed. ll* say* that sit of the officers
are very much pleased with Tampa ••
division headquarter*.
The headquarter* of 1 tie general staff
•re established |*rninenuy in tla Casino
m the Tutu pa Ray JivUtl
SPAMSII STEAMER SEIZED.
The 4 cilia Hum I,liter Panama Cmißhl
Off Havana.
Key West, April 26, 11:15 a. m.—The big
Spanish steamship Panama ot Ihe Cebftl
los line, which left New York on April 20
for Havana with a number of Spanish ref
ugees on board and a _ very valuable
cargo, including, it is understood, stores
for the Spanish army, was captured Imsl
evening, aliout twenty miles from Havana
by Ihe little lighthouse tender Mangrove,
now belonging to the mosquito fleet.
The Mangrove mounts two 6-pounders
and four 35-revolvers. She Is In command
of lieutenant Commander W. H. Everett,
and has a crew of thirteen men.
The Panama is about 2,800 tons, and a
very valuable prise. The Panama is com
manded by Capt. Quevdo. She sailed from
New York last Wednesday, heavily laden
with food supplies and merchandise, her
manifest showing her cargo to consist of
bacon, hams, lard, beans, peas, corn, bran,
flour, hay, milling machines, etc. She was
cleared for Havana, Progresso and Vera
Cruz by J. M. Ceballos & Cos., the New
York agents of the Transatlantic Com
pany of Barcelona, the owners of the
steamer.
The prize of the Mangrove was former
ly the British steamer Branksomehall.
She is of Iron, and was built at Glasgow In
IS7S. She registers 2,085 tons gross. She
Is 331.4 feet long, 34.2 feet brogd, and 24.7
feet deep.
When the Mangrove sighted the Span
iard. she ran up to her and fired a gun
across her bows. The liner did not take
the hint, and a second ehot was fired,
after which the Panama slowed down a
little. A third ehot was fired across the
lows of the Panama at a hundred yards
and the deck officer of (he Spanish vessel
was hailed and notlfledMhat IT he did not
he(ve to a shot would be sent through
his vessel. This notification caused the
Panama to be brought to.
Ensign Dryer then boarded the Spanish
steamer and took possession of her.
The battleship Indiana steamed up and
Commander Everett notified Capt. Taylor
of the Indiana that he hod captured the
Panama, and borrowed a prize crew from
the battleship, consisting of Cadet Falco
ner and fifteen marines.
The Mangrove was then ordered to re
port to the flagship, and Rear Admiral
Sampson told Commander Everett to take
his prize into Key West.
The Panama is understood to have 39
passengers on board. As she rounded-to
after the little Mangrove captured her, the
latter knowing the Panama was an auxil
iary cruiser, expected to be fired upon. It
Is not yet known whether the Panama haa
guns on board.
The United States gunboat New
port, Capt. B. F. Tilley, has
brought In the Spanish sloop Pa
quete nnd the Spanish schooner Pireno,
Cuban coasting vessels, which she cap
tured off Havana this morning.
Capt. Quevedo was grlef-strlcken and
greatly humiliated because of the capture.
The passengers declare they krv-jw noth
ing of the blockade, and,that when they
saw the searchlight of the Mangrove they
thought It was the llgnt of a Spanish man
of-war. The first shot changed their Joy
to apprehension, the second and third
created a panic. The women ran scream
ing for shelter from the enemy’s guns, and
the captain ‘locked himself sullenly In his
cabin.
I!lia POWDER MIL.I.EXPI.ODEM.
Seven People Killed—Mpnnlsli
Treachery Snspectrd.
Santa Cruz, Cal., April 26.—Three explo
sions about 6:15 this afternoon at the Cali
fornla'Coallng Powder works caused a
greater loss of life than any of the pre
vious accidents In the history of these
works.
The wildest rumors are prevalent regard
ing the number of killed and Injured, the
exact number of which cannot be ascer
tained before morning.
It Is known that seven were killed and
four seriously Injured. The first heavy
shock from the explosion was felt for many
miles around and was followed by two
lighter shocks.
It wa* said that the fire was spread
ing and the main magazine was In Immi
nent danger. IThe bugle call was accord
ingly sounded for members of tba Califor
nia naval reserve, who responded prompt
ly.
As nearly as can be learned, the primary
cause of the disaster was the explosion of
the cotton plant.
The scarcity of water on the creek re
tarded the work of the volunteer fire bri
gade. Shovels and other tools were used
Instead of water In fighting the flames.
No doubt Is entertained among the of
ficials of the works that the explosion
was due to an accident. Extraordinary
precautions had been taken to prevent
treachery, and no well-informed American
entertains the opinion that the accident
was the work of a Spanish spy as was at
first sflggested. It Is not thought the ex
plosion will Interfere with the manufac
ture of smokeless powder for the govern
ment.
The Are Is now under control and ell
Immediate danger Is pnssed. None of the
plants for making powder for the fulfill
ment of government contracts are injured.
In addition to the gun cotton plant most
of the cottages occupied by the employes
were burned, this comprising the properly
loss, a financial estimate of which cannot
be made.
MOV EM OK MPAIVM KI.EET SECHET.
Relief Expressed That It Will Avoid
Engagements.
Madrid, April 26, 11 a. m.—Tho general
public here Is In complete ignorance re
garding the Spanish war movements. The
newspapers make no mention of them,
while fully recording the tactics of the
United State* fleet. Judging from the
available advices Spain appears to have
Dm tactics of the badger.
It Is generally believed that In conson
ance with this policy the Spanish fleet,
unless compelled to fight, will avoid en
gagement* and the fustest shlpa will be
employed (o destroy the commerce of ihe
United States.
Th*> newspaper* to-day reflect general
satisfaction at the unanimity of Dps sup.
pon given to Di gout timeut Ip the Cortes
gvruiasy,
f DAILY. flO A YEAR
1 5 i’ENTS A COPY.
I WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK (I A THAI*
UNHUff.
He Says His Own Forces Gan
Defend Havana.
NO ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED,
Doesn’t Think Americans Will Darn
Enter Guba.
ALLEGED SPANISH VICTORY.
Three American Destroyers Said to
Have Been Repulsed,
i
Havana, vlrf London, April 26.—Capt,
Gen. Blanco has cabled the government at
Madrid to the effect that the Spanish
squadron of warships may be utilized else
where, as he can account for the defenso
of Havana without the assistance of that
fleet.
MPANIMIf ADMIRAL TO EIGHT.
Cabled That He Would Suit Against
Our Elect Yesterday.
Madrid, April 26.—The Pals yesterday an
nounced that Die Spanish admiral in com
mand of the fleet ot @t. Vincent, Capa
Verde Islands, has cabled to the govern
ment here that when the United Stated
fleet is before Havana his place Is not at
the Cape Verdo Islands, adding that ha
would sail against tho American squadron
this morning, order or no order.
In tho Spanish Senate yesterday Count
Almenaa asked whether the government
adhered strictly to the treaty of Paris in
regard to privateers, or whether It would
Issue a letter of marque to any one asking
for such authority.
The premier, Senor Sagasla, said the
moment was Inopportune to reply to the
queetlon.
On Count Atemas Insisting on an answer
the minister for foreign affairs, Senar
Gullon, sold Spain occupied the same po
sition as she held before the treaty of
Paris.
In the Senate, Marshal Count Chaste eu
logized the army In Cuba and recalled hla
experience forty-flve years ago when as
captain general of Culm, he ordered tha
forts to fire on the Anglo-American fleet,
which was obliged to retire. He said ha
hoped Gen. lllanco would fulfill his prom
ise to rome through the conflict dead c#
victorious. (Cheers.)
The Congress (lower house) of the Cortes,
which met for the first time since the as
sassination of Senor del Castillo, passed a
resolution of condolence. A deputy then
raised tho question of the rise of exchange.
Honor Pulgcerver, In reply, said the gov
ernment would do its utmost to prevent
a further rise, adding: “The fall in Span
ish funds Is due to exaggerated fears
based upon the conflict with America. Tha
payment of the coupons is assured, add
even admitting lhat Spain has to traverse
further difficulties, the country will re
cover easily. We are believed to be In a
worse position than we really are In; and
there Is no reason for the present pessim
ism."
Gen. Blanco cables that the situation Is
unchanged. His dispatch adds: “Thl*
(Tuesday) evening a division of five Amer
ican vessels approached Marlanao. Tha
Spanish gunboat Niger a repulsed three de
stroyers which entered the port of Car
denas, and compelled them to retreat. I
believe the Americana will not dare to
disembark In Cuba.”
HKI’OHT OK BBPVUIOW. ,
lllnnro’s Story Causes Enthusiasm,
at Madrid,
London, April 27—The Madrid corre
spondent of the Dally Mail, telegraphing
Tuesday evening, says: "A proposition
has been made to the Congress (lower
house of the Cortes) for obligatory mill,
tary service. The Republicans propose a
revolutionary campaign In the chamber, in
which case It Is practically certain that the
constitutional guarantees will be suspend,
ed.
“Great enthusiasm has been aroused
here by a report, a* yet unconfirmed, ttfat
a Spanish gunboat has repelled an Amer.
lean destroyer at the entrance to Cardenas
harbor.
“To-morrow (Wednesday) the entire Sen.
ate will go to the palace to deliver to tha
Queen Regent a reply to the speech from
tho .throne.”
APT TO HAVE MIHIT AL LAW,
Hepubllesns’ nnd t’nrllst*’ Attitude
Make It Accessary.
London, April 27.—The Madrid corre
spondent of the Dally Mull telegraphing
Monday rays* “Minister* say that If tha
Republicans and Carlisle |>er*l*t In the
attitude foreshadowed yesterday In tho
Cortes, it will be necessary for the gov
ernment fn suspend the constitutional
Ituaraniec*. This Is generally a preliminary
step to decreeing msillal law.
“Tha patriotic demonstrations are *.
(ending throughout Ih<* whole country,
.ivmi to Du- emaUeot Villages, end the gov
Cun ill. ucd vu JjfcvMM* is**.