Newspaper Page Text
The Abbeville Chronicle
VOL II.
CREATED IN SOUTHERN STATES
I1Y WASHINGTON OFFICIALS.
TERRITORY EMBRACES SIX STATES.
XV] 11 Be Known as “Department of tl.e
Gulf,” Under Brigadier Geu. Graham.
Headquarters In Atlanta, Ga,
A Washington special says: The
war department has promulgated an
official order creating the department
of the gulf aud the department of the
lakes, and abolishing the departments
of the Missouri and of Texas. The
order says:
“The department of the east will
embrace the states on the Atlantic
coast to and including North Caro
lina.
“The department of the lakes will
include Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennes
see, with headquarters at Chicago.
“The department of the gulf will
comprise the states of South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Missis
sippi, Louisiana and Texas, with
headquarters at Atlanta, Ga.
Major General John It. Brooke will
command the department of the lakes
and Brigadier General Wm. M. Gra
ham, the department of the gulf.”
So far as Atlanta and the south is
concerned, the creating of the depart
ment of the gulf by the secretary of
war is one of the most important acts
of the war department in many years.
It makes Atlanta one of the leading
military centers in the United States
aud that city becomes the base of op
eration in event of war with Spain.
The new department consists of six
states, five of which were previously
in the department of the east and one
of which was a department in itself.
These five states are taken from the
department of the east, and together
with the state of Texas, are made the
department of the gulf.
As headquarters of this department
and with the offices of the command
ing general here, Atlanta assumes a
position the importance of which is
hardly realized except by those in mil
itary circles. All the posts in the new
department will receive their orders
from Atlanta and all the business of
the department will be transacted
through that city. In case of war with
Spain, Atlanta will be the base of oper
ation. The troops will be mobilized
there and the supplies will doubtless
be distributed from that point.
Brigadier General W. M. Graham,
who with his staff was located at San
Antonio, Tex., has been, under the
order creating the new department,
transferred to Atlanta. The officers
who were of the department of Texas
and who are also transferred are:
First Lieutenant T. R. Adams, Fifth
Artillery, A. D. C., and inspector of
small army practice.
First Lieutenant G. F. Barney,
Second artillery, A. II. C., aud acting
engineer officer.
Lieutenant Colonel W. P. Hall,
A. G.
Captain F. L. Hoods, acting judge
advocate.
Lieutenant Colonel John Simpson,
chief quartermaster.
Major E. E. Dravo, chief of cow
missaries.
Lieutenant Colonel P. J. A. Cleary,
chief surgeon.
Major C. E. Dutton, ordnance offi
cer.
First Lieutenant Samuel Iteber,
signal officer.
General Graham will have complete
charge of this department and his po
sition toward it will be the same as
that of General Merritt toward the de
partment of the east. The inspection
will be made by him and all the work
of the department will pass through
his hands.
The army posts which will be under
the command of General Graham, are
as follows: Fort McPherson, Georgia;
Fort Barrancas, Warrington, Fla.;
Fort Bliss, El Paso, Tex.; Fort Brown,
Brownsville, Tex.; Fort Clark, Brock
erviHe, Tex.; Eagle Pass, Tex.; Jack
son Barracks, Louisiana; Key West
Barracks, Florida; Fort McIntosh,
Laredo, Tex.; Fort Ringgold, Rio
Grande, Tex.; St. Francis Barracks,
St. Augustine, Fla.; Fort Sam Hous
ton, San Antonio, Tex.; Sullivan’s
Island, Moultrieville, S. C.
CONGRESSMEN IN CUBA.
They Will Sojourn On the Island For Some
Time To Investigate.
The American yacht Anita, with a
congressional party on board, arrived
at Havana Thursday. The party
sisted of Senator Galliuger, Senator
Thurston and Mrs. Thurston, Senator
Money, with his father, mother
sisters; Congressman Cummings,
gressman Smith, Mrs. Eva Valesh
Herbert J. Brown.
The visitors breakfasted at the
Pasaje. Consul General Lee
about noon.
The visitors are likely to remain
days or a fortnight, as the health
ulations would prevent an earlier
parture, even if desired.
ABBEVILLE. GA.. THURSDAY MARCH 17, 1898.
HOLOCAUST IN LOOMING! HOUSE.
Kleven People Lone Tlielr Live. In a FIv.
at Now York.
Eleven men lost their lives in a fire
which swept through the Bowery Mis
sion house, at 105 Bowery, New York
city, early Sunday morning and left it
r. blackened shell.
Their bodies, now at the morgue,
“ re 80 charred that most of them may
never be recognized.
A thorough search of the promises dis
# closes the fact that only eleven persons
were burned to death. At first it was
rumored that the loss of life was much
greater, but after searching the -ruins
very carefully the policemen and fire
men found eleven charred bodies aud
removed them to the morgue.
No. 105 Bowery is one of the best
known lodging houses on that thor
oughfare. It is called tho Bowery
mission lodging house and is con
ducted by the Christian Herald. In
the basement of tho building there is
a cheap restaurant, while the ground
floor is used exclusively for mission
purposes, gospel services having been
held there daily for several years. The
four upper floors were fitted up as a
cheap lodging house with aeeommada
tions for 150 males, who paid 15, 20
and 15 cents each, according to the lo
cation of the rooms. Saturday night
almost every bed was occupied.
GERMAN PRESS CONVINCED
Thut There Will Be Conflict Between Spain
and United States.
Advices from Berlin state that the
German press has given utterance to
tlie unanimous conviction that war
between the United States and Spain
is probable, although it is believed the
latter country will do everything to
avoid it.
In diplomatic circles it is said Spain
during the past week sent a circular
note to the cabnets of Europe to the
effect that the Spanish government
hoped the rebellion in Cuba would be
completely suppressed by April 1st,
adding that if foreign influences had
not stimulated the insurgents and
supported them with arms, men,
money and ammunition, there would
be at the present moment no insur
gents left.
So far as the correspondent has been
able to ascertain, the document has
not elicited any replies.
The opinion that the United' States
is not honestly attempting to preserve
peace, but is seeking to keep the war
party iu control, is widely dissemina
ted in Germany, and finds ready cre
dence, not only in the newspapers,but
in official aud diplomatic circles. One
newspaper interviewed the United
States ambassador, Andrew D. White,
and printed his opinion that the ma
jority of the Americans are anxious to
maintain peace. But the newspaper
added tiint Mr. White’s opinion was
not supported by facts, saying that
the vote of congress was unanimously
regarded as a clear indication to the
end that war is coming, aud that the
Americans want it.
MADRID RARER DESPERATE.
Calls Upon Spanish Government to Take
Immediate Action.
A Madrid newspaper, tho Imparcial,
in its issue cf Friday contained the
following: “There is still time to
prepare a few men for war and it is
perhaps possible to buy a few vessels
abroad, but in any case, we have some
merchant ships which could do a lot of
harm to American commerce and we
still have time to arrange to carry oil a
privateering war, from which as much
renown may accrue as from the gueril
la warfare which vanquished the great
Napoleon.” Imparcial exhor's
Continuing, the
the go eminent not to allow the pres
ent crisis to pass over and to turn the
time g ined to goo i use, concluding:
“If our fing falls into m uming, let
us at least be ah e o put s ine pieces
of crepe on the Americans’ obnoxious
flag.” _
OUR DEMAND FOR GOLD
Will Probably lttesult In an Advance of
English Bank Bate.
According to advices from London
tiie money market has tightened con
siderably and an advance iu the bank
rate is noted. The American demand
for gold has exceeded all expectation,
and in addition to all the bar gold,
about £400,000 ($2,000,000) in Japan
ese yen has been brought to New
York. This, with the withdrawal of
eagles, has induced the bank of En
gland to raise the price of Japanese,
French and German gold coins to 76s
5d per ounce.
THE STRIKE SITUATION.
End of Eighth Week Finds the Strikers
Badly Split Up.
Advices from New Bedford, Mass.,
state that it was fully expected that
the end of this, the eighth week of tiie
big strike now on iu that city, would
see au end of the present difficulties;
but the strike is still on, and simply,
many think, because the weavers will
not come to auy terms with the manu
facturers on the fines question.
This practical blocking of the end
of the strike has caused bitter
among the strikers outside of
weavers and many union
threatened to withdraw from
strike council.
SENATE ALSO PASSES THE MEAS
URE BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Staid Senators Did Their Duty With Grim
Silence and Suppressed Sentiment.
A History-Making: Day.
The bill appropriating $50,000,000
for national defenses passed the senate
by a unanimous vote Wednesday. It
was an impressive scene. Tho sena
tors quietly and resolutely put the
measure through with a quietness and
determination that was more than irn
pressive.
The president at 3:45 p. m. signed
the measure, and it is now a law.
The vote by which the measure was
passed was unanimous. Sixty-six
short, sharp and emphatic speeches
were delivered in favor of the bill,
each one being simply a ringing “aye”
during the roll call upon the passage
of the measure. Not only did every
senator present register his vote in fa
vor of the hill, but for every absent
member the authoritative announce
ment was made that if he were present
he would vote aye.
From the time the bill was present
ed to the senate by Mr. Hale, of Maine,
until it was passed not an inharmoni
ous note was sounded. Party lines
were swept aside. In the general out
burst of patriotic feeling pairs were
broken, eTery senator being anxious to
register his vote on the measure.
All pairs in the senate were broken
as they were in the house Tuesday in
order to make the voice of the Ameri
can people as compact as possible.
It was a red letter day in the senate.
It is an epoch in congress. It is an
epoch in the history of the country
standing, as it will, as a witness of the
power of the American people to act
unanimously upon great measures af
fecting the national welfare.
The next step if it be found tliat an
external explosion destroyed tbe Maine
will be a demand for indemnity and
the occupation of Cuban waters by
United States battleships. There are
several ways by which the president
may recognize Cuban independence.
First by treaty with Cuba. This would
require the consent of the senate. Sec
ond by the passage of a law regulating
commercial intercourse with Cuba.
Congressional co-operation in such
case would be required. Third, by
sending a diplomatic representation to
Cuba. Again the senate would have
to concur. Fourth, by the president
recognizing a diplomatic representa
tive from Cuba, perhaps in the person
of Senor Palma and Senor Quesada,
the present ranking officials of the
Cuban junta in New York and Wash
ington, respectively, and issuing a
proclamation.
HOW MONEY WILL DE SPENT.
Warships, Guns, Bombshells and Powder
Will Be Bought.
A Washington special says: The
question is now being asked: How will
the $50,000,000 so readily appropri
ated by congress for the nation’s de
fense be expended? million infantry
Guns for half a
will be bought that ,, s certain. More
warships will he purchased and built
and ammunition will lie put m stock.
While the matter of expending the
funds has been considered, it can be
stated that the fund lias not yet been
alloted among the various branches of
the government service, Each of
these had prepared roughly and ten
tatively an estimate of the funds it
could dispose of to advantage, lint
upon looking over the ground the
president concluded that it would he
well, perhaps, to avoid making the
allotment until the necessity became
apparent. back of this is that the
The reason
sum that can be profitably spent for
warships cannot even be guessed at
with any approximation ships ns to accuracy be first
jutft now. As the are to
choice in the steps for defense, until
their cost is assured it is not possible
to divide the remainder of tiie appro
priation among the other branches of
the military aud naval services.
MEXICANS WANT INDEMNITY
For Guano Shipped From C’lipperton Is
land By Oceanic Phosphate Company.
•The San Francisco Call says the
Mexican government will attempt to
compel the Oceanic Phosphate Com
pany to pay an indemnity of $1,500,
000 for unlawfully shipping guano
from Clipperton island, iu the Pacific
ocean.
Although the Mexican government
claims the ownership of this island
aud presumes to the right to command
this indemnity for the foreign en
croachment upon its territory,
phosphate company is equally con
vinced that it has as much right
the island as the Mexicans.
NEW SPANISH MINISTER TALKS.
1’ells of Spain’* Position and Says Slio
Does Not Want War.
A Washington special says: Seuor
Beruube, the new Spanish minister,
was Press seen Friday by an Associated
reporter, and for the first time
since his arrival at the capital con
sented affairs, to speak concerning Spanish
observing such retioence
certain phases os diplomatic propriety
required.
Since the minister’s arrival ho has
received u cablegram from Captain
General Blanco, stating that the Cuban
cabinet had designated Senors Seval
lios, of New York, and Barilla, secre
tary of the Havana chamber of com
merce, to act with Honor Angulo in
negotiating a complete treaty between
the United States and Cuba. The
minister referred incidentally to this
fact, as he regarded it as to the com
plete autonomy which Spain had
granted to Cuba.
Although Senor Bernabe will be the
plenipotentiary in arranging a Cuban
treaty, the Cuban delegates above
named by the Cuban cabinet will have
entire control of the terms of such a
treaty.
Speaking of the present policy of
Spain in giving autonomy to Cuba,the
minister said:
“The government has granted au
tonomy on the broadest and most lib
eral lines. It is designed to give to
the Cuban people the complete direc
tion of their internal affairs, thus grat
ifying tho honorable ambition of the
Cubans, while at the same time main
taining tho historic allegiance of Cuba
as a colony of Spain.
“The government is not executing
this plan grudgingly, or with any tech
nical restrictions. On the contrary it
appreciates that the largest degree of
prosperity for the island may be ex
pected from such a measure of reform
as will meet the cherished expectations
of Cubans loyal to Spain. Already
much has been accomplished and there
is the fullest confidence that the plan
will be carried into full execution.
Naturally with an insurrection drag
ging toward its close there are diffi
culties in,the way of a complete reali
zation of plans so comprehensive ns
to embrace the entire internal ma
chinery of Cuba. The autonomist
cabinet is organized and in its hands
is the direction of the domestic affairs
of the island pending the meeting of
the Cuban parliament.
When his attention was drawn to re
cent critical phases of the Spanish sit
uation the Senor spoke with much re
serve. The Lee incident happened
while he was on the ocean and he
knew nothing, he said, of the circum
stances, although he felt confident a
misunderstanding had grown out of
! some casual allusions to General Lee,
| not meant us any intimation that his
j reca ^ was desired.
| minister was then asked if he
■ viewed the present condition of affairs
| between indicating the United States After and moments Spain
; «« war. a
hesitation he answered gravely:
“I am sure that the United States
does not want war, just as I am sure
thfl t the Spanish government does hon- not
want war, and will do everything
orable in its power to avert such u ca
lamity.”
GENERAL ROSECRANS DEAD.
Passes Peacefully Away at His Home In
Lom Angeles, California.
General Rosecrans died Friday
morning at his home in Los Angeles,
Cat.
William Stark Rosecrans was born
in Kingston, Delaware county, Ohio,
September 6th, 1819. His parents
wera () f Dutch stock. He was
rn]se ,j on a f arm an d educated at the
public schools. He clerked iu a store
and in 1837 applied to the secretary of
war for appointment to the West Point
military academy. He was appointed
and graduated in 1842.
His brilliant war record is a matter
of history. mustered volun
He was out of the
teer service in January, 1866, and re
signed from the army in March, 1867.
He had been breveted major general.
He was appointed minister to Mexico
iu July, 1868, and held the office until
June, 1869. He was elected to con
gress from California in 1881 and
served four years. He then settled on
a ranch near Redondo, Los Angeles
county, California, and spent the last
years of his life quietly. His wife,
the daughter of Judge Hedgeman, of
New Y’ork, died in 1878. Three chil
dren, Carl Rosecrans, Mrs. J. K.
Toole, of Helena, Mont., and Miss
Annie Rosecrans still survive him.
NEBRASKA LAW INVALID.
Harlan Declares Maximum Freight ltatn
Act Unconstitutional.
Justice Harlan, of tbe United States
supreme court, lias rendered an opin
ion in the Nebraska maximum
rate case, holding the Nebraska law to
be contrary to the fourteenth amend
ment in that is used the taking of
property without due process of law.
This case was instituted to tost the
validity of a law passed by tbe Ne
braska legislature in 93,
the maximum rates for the transporta
tion of freight by railroads within the
state. argued in
The case has been twice
the supreme court.
ATTITUDE OF NATIVES TOWARD
AMERICANS IS STRAINED.
THREATENED TROUBLE MAY OCCUR
Proctor’s Visit Looked Upon With Disfa
vor liy Spaniards, Who Ktdiuvo Court
Has Adjudged Them Guilty.
According to Friday's dispatches a
decidedly pronounced anti-American
feeling has been openly displayed at
Havana and grows more pronounced
as the time goes by.
The new outbreak is attributable to
several events of recent date, the
most emphatic of which is a general
belief that the Maine court of inquiry
has forwarded to the American gov
ernment a forecast of its verdict
and that that verdict charges the de
struction of the battleship to treachery.
Just how this idea first took shape
it seems impossible to say, but that it
lias become fully developed there who can
be no doubt in the minds of those
hear discussions in clubs and hotels.
In some way Senator Proctor’s de
pnrture had something to do with this
theory. Deny it as he would the im
pression prevails in Havana that the
Vermont senator went to Cuba as tho
special and personal representative of
President McKinley.
Not riciitted With Proctor.
Accepting that as correct the average
Spaniard declares that the sending of
Proctor into Cuba to acquire any in
formation is a reflection upon the hon
esty and veracity of Spanish officials
who make reports. It is not believed
either that a special emissary would
come unless he came to seek informa
tion calculated to injure Spain and it
is asserted that his report must neces
sarily bo decidedly partisan.
No one in the city can lie convinced
that Senator Proctor did not carry
back with him the result of the court
of inquiry and that result is univer
sally believed to be of such a nature as
will break all relationship between tho
two countries.
Court of Inquiry Finishes.
It is known that the court of in
quiry is doing no more work. It is
realized by those conversant with the
situation that the board is only wait
ing for orders to return to Washington
to make its report. The absence of
both stenographers and the presence
of no shorthand writer is taken ns
significant.
Both stenographers have been away
some days and one of them has been
in Washington. There, it is believed
in Havana, lie has read his marks and
that the departments have made a
verdict in advance of the court of in
quiry’s finding.
The ill feeling manifested itself twice
Friday. The call of a member of the
autonomist cabinet on tho Montgom
ery officers was witnessed by a great
throng. When the salutes were fired
the temper of the crowd was shown in
the uncomplimentary remarks made
about the American cruiser nnd her
officers.
Then again the American yacht
Anita, which brought a congressional
party, has been fined $500 for, it is
alleged, not having her papers in
proper order. The fine was paid un
der protest and the charge declared
without grounds.
Spanish Admiral Interviewed.
Captain Feral, president of the
Spanish naval court of inquiry into the
cause of the Maine disaster, granted
an interview to the correspondent of
the Associated Press, whom lie author
jzed to say it was the first and only
interview he had ever given any news
paper on the snbject of the inquiry.
Captain Peral, among other things,
said:
“Our divers are hard at work exam
ining the hull of the Maine.
“We think we have located tho ram
or prow, but not in the position sup
posed. The forward turret, mounting
two large guns, was blown clear of
the hull into the water on the star
board. We shall continue our work
and try to examine the hull forward
down to the keel. It is possible that
wo may propose to tho American au
thoritied to raise the hull by means of
the floating dock brought from Eng
land and now in Havana harbor.
“Wo cannot believe there was an ex
ternal explosion of a torpedo.”
MANY PLANS OF SETTLEMENT
Regarding f lic Unban Question Being Sub
mitted to the President.
Projects for the settlement of tho
Cuban question presented to President
McKinley are numerous, but most of
them are regarded in official circles as
unworthy of serious consideration.
One plan, however, has been pre
sented to the president which has re
ceived the approval in a general way
of leading men whose counsels have
weight with the administration, and
there is reason to believe it is the sub
joct of studious reflection in the cabi
net. The proposed plan gives to Cu
ha all thejights, privileges aud immu
nities enjoyed by C’auada.
9.
PLANNING FOR INTERVENTION.
Presiriant McKinley la In Communication
With Cuban Insurgents.
Advices from Washington of Thurs
day state that the president is in direct
communication with the insurgents.
He is getting data from them as to
the details of their strength and the
form of government they have estab
lished and also with a view of learning
whom they desire to have recognized
when ihe independence shall be recog
nized.
. • The president will do nothing to
force war, ami everything to avoid it,
but be is determined upon the policy
to free Cuba from the Spanish yoke.”
These were the words of a senator who
had just loft the white house after an
interview with the president. The
hope is- expressed that Spain will act
in accordance with the advice of na
tions friendly to her, and upon the
request of President McKinley with
draw her troops from the island of
Cuba. It is believed, however, that
she would accede to the demaud with
the assurance from the governments
that its present dynasty shall be kept
in power.
To save the throne for the young
.king is the Alpha and Omega now of
Spain’s policy. It is possible, though
not probable, that it can bo savod
through peaceful negotiations.
While still hoping that a settlement
may he reached through diplomacy,
the president is buying powder, All
factories are working to their limit, and
yet Commander Brownson is commis
sioned to secure large supplies of it
abroad. But Brownson’s chief commis
sion will be to inspect the ships on
which this government lias already se
cured options, and if they he what they
were represented, to close the deal at
once.
REMISSION OF DUTIES
On War Material tiie Intent of a Bill
Introduced In the Senate.
A Washington dispatch says: Sena
tor Candler lias introduced a bill pro
viding for remission of duties on war
materials that may ho imported.
This action is one more step which
shows in which direction the adminis
tration is moving. This resolution is
for the purpose of encouraging indi
viduals to import ammunition, even
with Ihe hope of speculation, in time
of trouble.
The United States has Virtually
taken charge of the American line of
steamers, consisting of the St. Louis,
tho St. Paul, the City of Paris, and the
New York. President Griscom, of the
line, is in Washington, and had au ex
tended conference with the president
and with the secretary of the navy. A
naval officer, it is reported, will be
put in command practically of each
of these four vessels as they arrive
and sail from these shores.
Patience iu delay and confidence is
now the watchword of every public
man.
FACTORY OPERATIVES IDLE.
Mills In Woonsocket, IC. !., Will Kcnialu
Closed Another Month.
The 1,200 employees of the Alice
mill of tho United States Rubber Com
pany at Woonsocket, It. I., were noti
fied Tuesday that the plant will not be
staited until after the inventory is
taken on April 1st. The mill shut
down two weeks ago.
Needed repairs is the reason ad
vanced by the management for the
continued idleness.
The Candeo factory at New Haven,
controlled by the United States Rub
ber Company, has shut down for a
month. It employed 1,500 hands.
WILL DONATE BUILDING.
Georgia Lumbermen XV1I1 Furnigli Mute
rial For State Exhibit at Omaha.
The lumbermen of Georgia will do
nate the material to he used iu the con
| struction of the building for the state
1 exhibit at tbe Omaha exposition. Mr.
| j C. members E. Harman, of the one commission, of the most will active visit
; Omaha within the next week or ten
j site days, for and the while building, there will select the
HANNA ELECTION CONTEST.
Mayor McKisson, of Cleveland, Will Op
| pose Heating For the Long Term.
A special from Cleveland, O., says:
Mayor Robt. E. McKisson has an
nounced that he would contest the
election of Senator Hanna when the
latter attempted to take his seat for
tiie long term.
It will be recalled that McKisson
was the candidate of the opposition
for senator at Columbus last January.
CHURCH WINS AVAR CLAIMS.
After Thirty Year* Methodlit Publlxhlug
Bourn Will Me Paid 8288,000.
[ A Washington special says: The
president signed the Methodist Pub
Bailing house bill Friday morning,
which ends a fight of thirty years,
: The incident will be closed when the
: to the book
treasury department pays of
concern in Nashville, the property
the Methodist church, south, $288,000.
j The publishing house, with its
splendid and complete plant, was
taken possession of by the Federal
army and kept for nearly two years,
During that time it was used for
printing blanks for the armies of tho
i Cumberland and Mississippi.