Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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.