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THE MACON TELEGRAPH.
ESTABLISHED 11(1828.
MACON. GA., FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 25. 1898.
DAILY,W.OO A YEAR.
HELM 1 Ml
The President's Eye Fixed on
the Polar Star of
Dnty.
STEERS TBEjLD SEIF
Through Storms Toward a
Haven of Peace.
A WAR SHOULD BE AVERTED
BUT NOT AT THE SACRIFICE OF
HONOR AND DIGNITY,
The President Appreciates the Gravity
of the Situation and Declares He Will
Uphold tho National Honor and
Do All Ho Can to Avoid War.
War News in Brief.
Washington, March! 24.—The last day
before the arrival of the report of the
Maine -court of inquiry was one of un
exampled activity in all official quar
tern. Throughout the day the White
House presented an animated appear
ance, senator® and representative® from
both .political parties calling to confer
with the president. Among the callers
were Senator® Cuilom, Fairbanks,
Lodge, Aldrich, Jones of Arkansas, and
Spooner and Representative Bailey, the
Democratic floor leader in the house of
representative®. The uppermost ques
tion at ail the conferences was the
Maine disaster and the anticipated ac
tion of the president in laying the re
port beforg.congress. The conferences
Kturweu Trial me president still hoped
for peace, but that there would be no
abatement of preparation to meet the
other alternative.
Tho l J rosideni** Views.
The preseldent said to several of his
visitors today, in discussing the situa
tion, that he would do everything con
sistent with the honor end dignity of
the country to avert war, and he still
believe® war could he averted. He also
said that he believed the government of
Spain was as anxious for peace as we
were, but at the same time he did not
hesitate to admit the gravity of the sit
uation. The president frankly acknowl
edges that he believes the report of /he
board of Inquiry will find that the
Maine wua blown up from the outside.
His programme has -been definitely de
cided. It is hi® purpose to treat the
blowing up of the Maine as an Incident.
The report of the board will be sent bo
congrec** Monday* with a very brief
message, relating the event® leading up
to that point and Informing congress
that the facts contained in tho report
have been cabled to Madrid to be laid
before the Spanish government by Min
ister Woodford. No demand will bo
made upon Spain, but the laying of the
facts before the Spanish government
will be equivalent to calling upon Spain
for an explanation) and such action us
he may deem proper. It is the purpose
of the house leader to refer the Teport
and message to the committee on for
eign affairs without debate, and to this
purpose it 1® believed the Democrats
of the house have acquiesced, reserving
the night to demand action if a report
from the committee is too long de
layed.
Much will depend upon Spain’s
sponoe, but there are those <do*e to the
president who believe that from the
•time the report 1® sent to congress it
will drop out as a factor of the situa
tion.
Talk of Intervention.
The second part of the president's
programme reaches the main question
and Involve® Intervention on humani
tarian .ground® within a week or ten
day® after the report of the board goe®
** to congress. It will be intervention to
relieve the starvation in Cuba, and upon
Spain's acquiescence in or. objection to
this act will depend peace or war. A
prominent member of the house said
today that, in hi® opinion, the next two
weeks would determine which It would
be.
Such information as exists here lead®
those close to the president to believe
that the Spanish government wdOl go to
any length It dares to preserve peace.
The queen regent I*N?*peclally i
to prevent a war, and it I® belle
ministry wlH go just as far a® it aan
without Jeopardising its own existence
and the survival of the present Spanish
dynasty.
Activity in All Qnnrters.
Advices came early that the Spanish
torpedo flotilla had sailed from the Ca
naries for Porto Rico and from this mo
ment the most energetic warlike mea
sures Hollowed one another In constant
succession. The movement of this fleet
had been watched with the keene®t In-
teresr, as It was felt to Involve serious
possibilities which might compel
United States government to protest
against the movement as of a hostile
character. limnediacely on the receipt
of the official dispatch from one of our
naval attache® abroad, briefly announc
ing the calling of the fleet, the fact
was made known -to the president and
an earnest conference was held be
tween him and Secretary Long and As
eisiant Secretary Roosevelt. The re-
rlousneas of the movement waa fully
considered and the president was ad
vised that the naval strategist® regard
ed It as essential that thin torpedo fleet
eould not be allowed to reach Western
waters. What, if any, conclusion was
reached i* not known.
Later in the day the Spanish minister,
Benor Polo y Bernabe, called at the
state department and *?pent some time
with Judge Day. It was naturally in
ferred that the approach of the Spanish
flotilla was one r/f the subjects referred
to. Whether there was any suggestion
against this move was not disclosed by
either Judge Day or the Spanish min
ister, both of whom maintained the
strictest reticence regarding the con
ference.
FI rot on n Wnr Footing.
Following the flotilla announcement
important new® came rapidly. The first
waa this announcement by Secretary
Long, indicating the placing of our
squadron ami fleet on a war footing:
“Admiral S!card ha® been granted
leave, very much to the regret of the
navy department, on account />f his
health. Copt. Sampson has been made
commam dr of the fleet at Key We* f .
Capt. Evans has been ordered to take
command of the battleship Iowa.
“The orders to the squadrons in
Hanvp:on Road® have not yet been Is
•ued.“
Although the announcement did no'
Tho president, discussing tho situ
ation. says ho would do everything
consistent with the liouor and dig
nity of the country to avert war,
and still believes that war can he
averted.
There was intense excitement at
the national capital all day. This
feeling was intensified by a thrilling
speech in the Senate by Mr. Thurs
ton, who demanded that the presi
dent take action on Cuban affairs
and that “guns accompany food sent
to sufferers on the island.*'
Capt. Sampson succeeds Admiral
Sicard in command of the fleet at
Key West. There were several
changes made and the fleet was put
on a war footing.
Capt. Sigsbee asked permission to
destroy the Maine wreck, but Gen.
Blanco refused to grant it, saying it
must remain in tact until the cause
of the disaster had been fully estab
lished.
The report of the court of inquiry
arrived at Washington last night
at 9:35 o'clock.
Tho plan of intervention has been
arranged and the president will take
action within ten days.
War preparations are going on at
every point where defense appears
necessary.
Lieut. Marix Readied Wash
ington Last Eight.
BIG CROWD AT THE DEPOT.
TUB DOCUMENTS WERE GUARDED
BY ARMED OFFICER!).
Tho Report Will Be Dellrered to the Sec-
relarj of the Nary This Moraine,
Who Will Then Submit It
to tho 1-re.ldent,
The Battleships Koarsarge and
Kentucky Aro Afloat.
CROWDS IN LOUD CHEERS
MADE THE WELKIN RING WITH
SHOUTS OF JOY,
A Bottle of Water Was Broken on the
Bow of tho Kentucky Whon 6ho Went
Down the Wnja-Both 8h!ps Wcro
Launched Successfully,
so state, It coon became known that
Commodore W. S. Schley waa elated to
command the “flying aquadron.” This
announcement was recognized as of un
usual Importance at this Juncture. Ad
miral Sicard has (been In command of
the fleet at Key Weet throughout the
critical period of the Maine diaaster.
Capt. Sampson has been in command of
the Iowa, but more recently has been
conspicuous before the public as presi
dent o'f the Maine court of inquiry.
Capt. Robley Evans is better known
as “fighting Bob.”
The next Important move was a de
termination to create a Joint commis
sion from the -war and navy departents,
so as to bring them inito harmonious
action on all measures. Capk. Barker,
the naval aide of Secretary Long, was
designated to represent the navy de
partment in this common plan of ac
tion. The report of the war department
has not yet 'been made. It will not be
necessary for these two officers to
leave Washington, as they can best ar
range a Jolnit plan of action in con
ference with the bureau chiefs of the
two departments hefe.
Morn V*b<oU for ITncl^nm.
Then at the close of the day oamo an
announcemeivt tiiattihe navy deportment
had succeeded in purchasing eight steam
yachits and four steam -tug® presumably
at nn<l near New York for use iu the
auxiliary naval' fleet. The boats are
about 400 tons etioh and in nn emergency
could be suitable as torpedo boats. The
yachts purchased ere 'among the fleet'
est along the Atlantic const and are said
to be Bomew<h>at similar to the May
flower, recently purchased of the Ogdeii-
Goeleb estate. This acquisition to the
nu'V-y is regarded as an- exceptionally val
uable one at the present time, as ‘the
greatest need is felt for small cruft, suit
able ns torpedo and despatch boats. Tho
names ami amount® paid for .the various
yachts and tug® are not disclosed.
With the report in Washington tonight,
it will be laid before the cabinet at tho
regular meeting at 11 o’clock tomorrow,
und at that time the president and his
advisers will begin the grave work of
weighing the conclusions reached and de
termining the action that is to be taken.
The formal plan of it* 'tranumlsslou to
congress next Monday is already ar
ranged, but with the report and evidence
before them, the president and hi® ad
visers for the first time will be in a
position to outline the character of 'the
message which is to accompany the sub
mission of ith-e report to congress and to
arrange a definite plan of detailed pro
cedure, which us yet has not been
worked out. _
The* nnvy department was advised to
day of the culling of the monitor Terror
from New York for Key West; tho nr-
rlavl of the Texiia at Hampton Ronds*
the monitors Puritan at Newport News
and ‘Monndnook and Monterey at San
Francisco. The battleship Texas came
up from Key Weet, making an excep
tionally quick run for a vet*el of her
claes.
The Wreck to Homo In Intact.
The Spanish authorltle* here Jme been
Informed Hurt some time ago Capt. Sigs
bee asked permission to use dynamite
iu the destruction of the wreck of the
Maine. This was refused by Oapt. Gen.
Blanco, for the tea soli, K to officially ex
plained, that ns there are evil disposed
K roons who insist that the Maine was
>w» up from external onuses, the
Spanish anithorlUn* do not want the
wreck destroyed, us it affords all the evi
dence obtainable as to the actual cause
ot the disaster.
MINE UNDKU .THE MAINE,
Columbus, O., March 24.—.A. special to
the IDispatch from Limn, O.. says: Mrs.
William H. Jones, of this city, has Just
received a letter from her cousin, Lieut.
Jenkins, who lost his life in tho ex
plosion of 'the Maine. The letter wan
written to .his mother In Pittsburg a few
days before the explosion. He elates
In the letter that he had discovered a
mine under tho Maine. He writes much
of a startling, nature, but the relatives
refuse to make It public, saying that It
will nil come out in the report of the
hoard of Inquiry. The letter has been
forwarded to several different relatives
aud Just reached Mrs. Jones yesterday.
Prof. Kent Ordered to Wnsbingtnn.
Halifax, N. S., March 25—Professor
Kent of . the royal engineers, who for
years has .been at the head of the sub
marine mining operations In Halifax
harbor, left for Washington this morn
ing, having been enimmoned thither by
telegrams from Gen Montgomery Moore,
commander of the forces In British
North America, who Is visiting Sir Ju
lian Pauncefote. the British ambassa
dor at Washington-
rpsnleh llonds Weak.
Parish, March 24.—Spsni.h 4s opened
weak on the bourse today at 52 13-15.
against 53%. yesterday’s closing price.
London, March 24.—On the stock ex
change today Spanish 4s were quoted
at the opening at 53Vi, but soon weak
ened and dropped to 5214. lhe closing
price yesterday was 5314,
Rank ntHoaln"to tho Rescue.
M'rdrid. Mat-ib 24.—It wae announced
this evening that the Bank of Spoilt Is
to lend tke Spnn-jdi government 200,000.-
000 pesetas, gaurautecd by the new
ireaottry bonds.
Washington, March 24.—The report of
the naval board of Inquiry Into the
Maine disaster was received In Wash
ington at 9:35 tonight. The four naval
officers who have guarded it since Its
departure from Key West were hustled
ait once to a carriage by an attache ot
the navy department and driven to the
Ebbltt house.
The party consisted of Lieutenant
Commander Marix, Lieutenant John
Hood, Lieutenant Carl Jungen, Fast
Assistant Engineer Bowers, A. T. Ma
rix. a nephew of the. Judge advocate,
and Ship Carpenter Helms of the
Maine's ill-fated crew.
There was an Immense crowd walling
at tho depot when the train pulled In.
The naval contingent avoided the crush
of citizens by alighting at the upper
end of the platform and going out
across the tracks. The party was met
by Lieut. Ward of the navy depart
ment, who wae the sole representative
of Secretary Long. Ho informed Com
mander Marix <that -the secretary would
not receive the report tonight.
Lieut. Hood carried the bulky docu
ment In a white canvas bag slung under
his arm. It must have weighed ten or
twenty pounds without its carrying
case. That the whole party carrying
the report was armed was demonstra
ted la a rather theatrical way Just as
they were about to get into the car
riage. Some one ran against the end
of tho mysterious canvas bag In which
the report was concealed. Quick as a
flash Lieut. Hood’s hand went back to
his lilp and Lieut. Jungen laid his hand
on the butt of a revolver that was
sticking from bis side packet. The
movements were sufficient to prevent
further Jostling.
Tho report, in due process of law,
must first be delivered to the secretary
of the.navy, and this, according to all
precedents, will be at .the navy depart
ment. It will then be submitted to
President McKinley, upon whoso decis
ion Its future migrations will depend.
LOl’AL bob’ I’ttEUNElts.
Pilots at Wilmington lender Their Ser
vices to t lie Government.
Wilmington, N. C., Biarch 24.—Ait
special meeting of the Cape Fear Pilots’
Association, held at Southport, with
Capt. E. A. Grissom presiding and CUpt.
J. J. Adkins as secretary, the following
preamble and resolution were unani
mously adopted:
“Whereas, It appears to this body that
a war Is very probable between the
United States and Spain and that
of our calling can bo of ruluabto scr
vice to the country, therefore bo It
“Resolved by this association. That
we tender our service as a body and our
pilot plant to the seoretary of the navy
in cnee of war with Spain,
"We also asmire the seoretary of the
navy that we stand ready to render to
the navy of the United States such aid
and assistance as our knowledge of the
coast from New York to Key West and
ports of the Gulf of Mexico make pou-
sl'blc; oSeio Inland route from New York
to Savannah. We recall with pride the
great service rendered by our pilots
to the Confederate states during the
civil war."
WANT TO PREVENT A WAR
BRITISH FINANCIERS HAVE TAKEN
STEPS FOR PEACE.
It Is Said American Bankers Are in Sym-
pathy With This Movement — Spat
Will Havejto Accept Terms If
Indemnity la Demanded.
London, March 24.—The Imminence
of the Cuban crisis ha® prompted flnan
dens to maflio efforts to avert war.
movement to this end is on foot in
Lombard street, and American bankers,
who aro leading it, ore supposed to have
the sympathy and perhaps the co*opera.
tlxm of the Rothschilds. The American
bankera are endeavoring to secure the
influence of financier® and governments,
representing to them the damage to
the commerce of all nations the war
would involve. The financiers are wil<
ling to Invest liberally lo prevent war,
but apparently they are unable to de
vise 4 a plan promMng success. The
American hankers tell the illplomatft-ts
if the United State® demands an In
demnity and Spain is willing to pay,
financiers will gladly furnish the funds.
The beat Informed diplomats believe
the Spanish cabinet and dynasty dare
not r!»k the wrath of the populace
which; would Inevitably follow acqui
escence to the demand of the United
States for the reparation of lhe i
the -Maine.
Prominent financiers calling upon the
United State® ambassador. Col. John
Hay, to ®eek Inside information regard
ing the political situation, have been
tow toy -the ambassador that he ha® not
been Informed a® to the content® of the
report of the United States navel court
of inquiry.
Financiers are also seeking to bring
pressure upon Washington, through
diplomats, but it Is believed they have
met with little eivoce®*.
The Spanish and Cuban firm® and
financial houses in London generally
agree in expressing the opinion that
there wttl be no war.
Wnr VrsHelH llnvn l.«it .Inmates.
Washington, March 24.—The nary de
partment is informed of the departure
of the cruiser Cincinnati and the gun
boat* Cnstlne and Wilmington from
Port Antonio, Jamaica, Jast evening, but
the officials decline to ltate where they
•ire bound. \t is regarded a® a f»rohnb!e
theory that when next heard from they
Will he at Key Weet or some other port
In the United States.
No Reinforcement* for Cub i.
•Madrid, Maroh 24.—The government
deities that there I* any question of
sending fresh reinforcement* lo Cuba.
El Naclonil publishes a leCer from
Gen. Maximo Gomex to Gen. Blanco re*
ftnrtng proposals that he should make
submission. r.
Newport News. Va., March 24.—In the
presence of the largest crowd ever as-
sembled on n similar occlusion the first-
clans' battleships Kearsarge and Ken
tucky were launched at the plant of the
Newport News Ship Building and- Dry
Dock Company this morning.
Fully thirty thousand person® wit
nessed the launching. The two big de
fenders were oonstruteted lat either side
of a (huge 140-ton traveling crane, and
now loomed up in all their dignified
magnitude, seemingly eager ifidr the
time when they should* take thetr first
dip In the briny walens of the historic
James./ N
The arrival of the christening parties
was the signal for cheers from the Im
patient spectator® and also for the ship
ard employes to commence the work
transferring the ship -to it® orajtie.
The regular sound® of the hummer could
be heard In all sections of the yard as
the brawny workmen drove home the
U'll-impoirtant wedge®.
In the meantime the guests of the
Newport News Ship building Company
had assembled on the large platfiorm at
the ship'® prow. Among the distin
guished persons wtho occupied positions
on the platform were:
Governor, W. O. Bradley, Governor
Hoge Tyler and their respective
staffs; Gen. Nelson A. Miles, com-
mamder r ln-ohlef of the United State®
army; Admiral (Matthews, United
State® navy; Oommodore* McNair and
Wallace; Senators Thomas S. (Martin
of Virginia, J. L. Rawlings ot Utah,
Representative® Jacob Yo*t, W. A.
Jones and P. J. Otey, Representative
A. J, HopkinB of Illlnoi®, Representative
D. A. Mepcer, ex-Sanator Black,* Rep
resentative D. H. Small and F. 8.
HicpOcinii of Kentucky, President C. B.
Orcutt of the ship .building company,
Naval Constructor J. J. Woodward and
wife, Mj*. Gen. Pickett, Mies Belle Ty
ler, Mflu Mile®. Miss Miary Orcutt and
Mra. Governor Bradley.
The'sounds of the hammer died away
and' the Immenwo crowd was hushed
with the cessation ot the work a® If
by magic command, and the attention
of all. was directed to the bow of tlio
Kearsarge, where Mrs. Wins-low was
standing awaiting the starting of the
ship,
Another miijcute and the cracking of
the huge timber was beard a® the saw
completed.lt® work of severing the bast
wedge. The towering nteel frame hes
itated a ®econd, not longer, and at
10:02 slowly started on it® Journey to the
water. Am it did »o, 'Mr®. Winslow,
casing the bottle in her right hand
against the receding bow, exclaimed:
"I christen thee Kearmrge."
A mighty cheer went up from the
vast throng of spectator® as the vessel
struck tho water, stern first, and with
a graceful dip, first aft and then for
ward, glided out upon the waters with
the buoyancy of a duck. Another cheer
arose from 30,000 throats when It was
seen that the Kearsarge had been safety
and successfully launched and was
ploughing the river without leaning the
■lightest to starboard or port.
Tho steam wldiiles in the ship yard
and those on the large fleet of naval
and pleasure craft in the river shrieked
forth their glad welcome to the new
coiner. The Kearsarge glided out Into
the channel, where she wa® picked up
by the Cheatpeake and Ohio tugs and
proudly towed to one of the lower ship
yard's piers.
After the launching 1%-s. Winslow re
ceived a handsome moael of the Kear
sarge, presented by the men who
worked on tho ship, as a memento of
the occasion.
When tho latest addition to Uncle
Sam's floating marine monsters had
been safely moored, there was n genera!
rush on the part of tho large assem
blage to the opposite side of the Im
mense crane, where the formidable
Kentucky proudly awaited the honors
to be conferred upon her by one of tho
Blue Grass state'B most charming
daughters.
As soon a® the Kearsarge wa® moored
lo one Of the piers the force of Hhip
launcher® crossed to lhe other side of
the high trestle and commenced to pre
pare the Kentucky for her baptism.
Finally the blows beneath the hull
of the ship died away. Tho large saw
was placed against the sole-pieces at
the bow of tho vessel, as in the pre
vious launching, and the two workmen
looked up at Superintendent Smith for
the expected signal.
Mr. Smith motioned to MIbr Bradley
to take the christening bottle, and then
nodded the final Instructions to the men
below. The monotonous buzzing of the
saw »tar ted again, and everybody held
their breath, eagerly awaiting the
strange spectacle of seeing a ship chris
tened with pure spring water. There
was only another instant of suspense,
ns the weakened timbers commenced to
crack under the severe strain of the
ship’s burden, and tho Jong expected
snip quickly followed.
At 11:36 the big hull started from It®
long occupied bed, and Miss Bradley
smashed the cut glass bottle, Ailed with
water from a spring In Kentucky, from
which Abraham Lincoln In his youth
was wont to quench his thirst, squarely
against the sharp prow.
Si multan county- with the sound of
breaking glass and the downward rush
of glistening water, the great orow/I of
spectators saw Miss Bradley’* lips part
and those in the Immediate vicinity
beinl, iu lone* of girlish sweetness the
following time-honored exp region
“I christen thee ’Kentucky,”
Ah the vessel started on II* journey
to the water, n. number of pint bottles of
old bourbon whisky were hurled from
the crow! and smashed against the shin
iug side of the hattloshln.
Amid the cheer* of the masse®, the
Kentucky dssited down the grensgd ways
at u twelve knot clip, starting slowly
and gaining momentum n« It neared 4t*
rotnr.il clement, striking the water
with •». loud splosh, she »>klmmed out
upon the lashing .waves and cut the wa
ter for a distance of several hundred
Ship Building and Dry Dock Company
were bnnquettol at the Chamberlin
hotel, Old Point Comfort.
The presence of Geo. Nelson A. Miles
and many ©ongrewuneu and senator® lent
additional eckri to. tho hrilliant erent,
which took place in the ivftemoon.
The commodious bail room wa* con
verted into a banquet hall in order to
accommodate the guest*, who numbered
700, Including mnnv ladies. Toasts were
responded to <as follow®:
“Our President,’’ by Congressman R.
S. (Hoplklns. of Illinois.
“Old Dominion,” by Governor J. Hoge
Tyler.
“Kentucky,” by Governor W. O. Brad
ley.
“Our Navy,” by Senator J. L. Raw-,
ling*, of Utuh.
“The Newport New® Ship Building
and Dry Dock Company,” by M. E. In-
gulls, president of the Chesnpeake and
Ohio Railroad Compnny.
Governor Bradley was the orator of
the occasion. When (he nroao to respond
to the toast of “Kentucky,” he received
an ovation from the delegation from
the Blue Ora?* stiaite and the
Vinslnhui* that lieted several min
utes. UN address was punctuated
with periods of deaftmlng appkiufo.
In his reference to Cuba he shI»1: "It
i* Kentucky whose generous -j>e<>ple sym
pathize with the opposed and down
trodden of every land and who earnestly
desire that the nation shall intervene to
prevent further atrocltie* upon the suf
fering people of Culm; and, if the in
vestigation should justify, to /avenge the
^enth of our sailors not by demanding
nn indemnity in mouey, but an indemnity
in blood.”
BALKED HV HLANCO.
He Refused to Allow tho Mnlne Wreck
to bn Dent roved.
Mu dr Id, Mnrcli 24.—A semi-official
uote Just issued says:
“At the cabinet meeting yesterday
Seiior Sngasta, the premier, read a tele
gram from Capt. Gen. Blanco saying
that the captain of the Maine had re
quested .permission to blow up the wreck
with dynamite, end ithnt permission to
do so had been refused him.
“Tho cabinet empowered the minister
of foreign affairs, Senor Gullon, to watch
the situation with 'the view of seeing
justice done and defending the rights o?
Spain.
“The minister of fltmnoe,, Senor Fulg-
cerver, declared the resource® were suf
ficient for aJl war expense* until tho new
chamber meet.”
The note i® absolutely reserved in re
gard to the Spanish commission** report
on the loss of the Maine.
Senator Thurston Wants Mus*
kots to Go With Food
to Cuba.
That Reminds the Old War
riors of the Sixties.
BUTCHERY AND BRUTALITY
yard* In-fore coming to a full stop.
Ah In the cane of tho Unit «h’»p, the
DHv-'">me.r wi.s welcomed with the «hrill
bluKs of tho Meant whistle* on oil tho
largo craft lying 4n the harbor. -Many
■tote mlmary or»inlzaUona came from
nearly towns in honor of the occasion,
and a drw*g ftogaiW .was held on the
Casino ground* hr me (afternoon.
Immediate!/, gfter the launching the
favtted gut:.a at the Newport New®
WHAT SiG-ltKt: wanted.
Ho Did Not Ask l'ormlnalon to Destroy
tbo Wreck,
Havana, March 24.—Regarding the
use of dynamite by (the contracting
wreckers, Capt. Sigsbee said today:
“More has been made out of the mat
ter than was warranted by the facts,
which are simply these: Tho contrac
tors asked my permission to use dyna
mite in small quantities, and also nsked
leave to use dynamite tape to blow off
protuberances, angle*, etc., where the
wreckage is so entangled that it Is very
difficult to hoist. ’There never was any
intention to use the explosive In large
enough quantities to destroy tho wreck.
I submitted the request ol the contrac
tors to Consul-General Lee, for him to
ask permission from the Spanish au
thorities. and I also asked for orders
from the United States naval depart
ment. Both our own and also tho Span
ish authorities refused the necessary
permission. That Is all there waa to
the mutter.”
Tho result will naturally delay the
work In removing the debris, and also
it Is possible, necessitate the use of
more hoisting apparatus. It is probable
the wreckers wished most to use dyna-
mlet or dynamite taps 'to get tho top
off the wreck so that 'the ten-inch guns
could bo hoisted out.
The Fern, It Is believed, will stay here
and afford quarters for Lieutenant
Commander Walnwrlght.
TOUCHING TIUBUIE,
American Soldiers at tbo Burial of a
British Marine In Klorldn.
Jacksonville, Fla., March 24.—A rpe
clal to the Tlmes-Unlon and Cltlzeu
from St. Augurtine says:
United States soldier® Joined tho men
of H. M. S. Cordelia 'this afternoon in
the ceremonies attending 'the funeral of
J. McCormac, a seaman, who died
aboard tho *hip yesterday morning.
Such an occasion Is raTe and the tribute
paid to the memory of the dead marine
of her majesty'® service created a fa
vorable impression among the many
who witnessed Hhe Interment. When tho
death of McCormac wa* made known
to Col. Rawlcs, In command of
Francis barracks, he Immediately sent
word to Capt. Bourke of the Cordelia
that a gravo would be set aside for tho
Interment in hhe national cemetery, and
that he would be plea>e<l to detail the
First United States artillery hand and
a *quad of company B, Fifth United
Static® Infantry, to netond the funeral
a* a mark of respect. The offer w f as
graciously accepted by Capt. Bourko
and tho ceremonies were carried out on
that lino.
STRONG 1IIUTIHH ADVICE.
Want* McKinley to Declar* Illmavlf on
tho Klluntion,
London, Maroh 26.—The Dally Graphic
say* editorially this morning:
“We think it time that Washington
ceased wobbling. Week/* ago it wa*
said that the starting of the Spanish
torpedo flotilla for tne West Indie®
would compel America to declaro war.
Today the flotilla I* steaming ntralgtot
for Pirto Rico. Meanwhile Acute sen
ator* in Washington and over-clever
Journalists In New York are planning
ingenious campaign® to fix the odium
of dictating war on Spain., Surely this
t® unworthy the Amicrican poople. Two
clear lines of policy are before Pretd-
dent McKinley:
"Either to co-operate with the Sa-
gosta cabinet 1n making Cuban home
rule a rctilHy. or tv give Spain per
emptory notice to quit.
"To avoid both course* 1® to turn the
terrible Maine disaster Into a sort of
grew»eme red herring. If President
McKinley doe* not mean war let him
say so, and the horror® in Cuba will
■oon toe mitigated.”
HPANIhtI TQRPF.no BOATS,
Tho Flotilla Leave* the Canarte® for
Porto IMco.
Washington, Maroh 24.—New® reached
the navy department today that the
Spanish torpedo -boat flotilla toad left
the Canary Inland* for Porto Rico.
Thkr fact ban been communicated to
the president. No question too® been
asked of Spain e* yet concerning thl*
movement rjor ha* it been ddeeded what
action the navy or Mate department
will take, If any, under the exceptional
circumstance* In the ca*e.
Germany to Strengthen the Navy.
Berlin, March 24.—The relehstag to
day, by n vote of 212 to 139, adopted the
firm paragraph of lhe navy bill provid
ing that the navy be raised to the
strength proposed within, six year®.
THE RORROUS IN THE WAR
CURSED ISLAND DESCRIBED.
The Senator Call* for Action, Even tc
tbo Unleashing of tho Dogs of War,
to Protect the Uelptoa* Starv
ing Women and Children,
Washington, March 24.—A scene dra
matic In the Intensity of It# interest waa
presented In the senate -today during tho
delivery by Mr. Thurwboin of Nebraska
of a Hpeoeh on ‘the Cuban situation.
Not since the inauguration of President
McKinley have ®o many people been on
the senate side of the capitQl.jui were
there today. The galleries were packed,
many arriving at the capltol as early;
9:30 In order to obtain seat®.
Within a few minutes after the sen
ate convened 1 every senator who could
be present was in ha* seat, and by the
time Mr. Thurston had begun' hi®
speech dozen® of members of the houso
were either standing or occupying!
chair* in the area without the semi
circle of seats.
Mr. Thurston’s first sentence, In which!
he said he spoke by command of silent
lips—a delicate and touching reference
the loss of hi* .wife on hi® memorable
trip to Cuba—commanded instant at**
tention. A hush fell over the great au*
dienco, which hung with almost breath
less attention and Interest upon every;
word.
Some surprise ha* been expressed that
Senator Thurston ohoukl appear In pub
lic prominently bo soon after the demise .
of Mrs. Thurston, tout the first sentence
of his speech furnished the key to hid
action. It Is true that Mr. Thurston'®
speech today, viewed from one stand- .
point, was an unutmal proceeding, but.
It was Justified toy tho condition* at
tending at r
•Mr*. Thurston’s dying request to her
husband wo® that he should lose no
time on occmrnt of her death to do hi®
utmost to ®ave and free Cuba and it®
people.
in accordance ; with this request,
therefore, Senator Thuraton sacrificed •
his personal feeling and dollvered his
speech—a speech that was hi® tribute
to tho memory of his wife. Without
knowing the motive which animated
Mr. Thurston and inspired him to his
best effort*, hi® auditors Instinctively. ,
realized and (thoroughly sympathized
with hi® evident emotion. ^
Tho speech was Very generally re
garded a® a masterly effort, and even
those who could not agree with hi®
concluilono, conceded tho power of hi®
oration. As he neared the end of the
?eech hi® voice, which had been h®
ear and ringing a® the tone of a bell,
noticeably broke. Ho wo® almost over
come by emotion, but Tallied with an
effort and closed In a manner that
thrilled hi® auditors.
As Mr. Thuraton sunk Into his seat 1
and burled hi® face In hi® hand® the
galleries were swept by such a tumult'
of apulaune as has not In a long time
been heurd in the senate chamber.
A® a brother might have dono, Mr.
Allen, (Mr. Thuraton's colleague from
Nebraska, walked to him and, placing
his arm over his shoulders, quietly led
him from <ho chamber. Tho act wa®
one of the spontaneous and touching
amenities amid th«- turbulence and dis
cord of political llfc.\
Mr. Thurston began his speech as
soon as the routtno business had been
disposed of.
Mr. Tharatnn Speak*.
“Mr. President,, said Mr. Thurston,
I urn hero by command of silent lip*
to speak once fi nd for all upon the Cuban
agitation. I trust that aio one litis ex*
jHM-tod anything Motisntioiwil from me.
God forbid 'Hut't the IdttopncH* of a per
sonal low should Induce me .to color in
the slightest degree .the statement that
I feel It my duty lo mike. I shall en*
deavor to l»c honest, eouoervntlve and
,u®t. I halve no purpose to Htir the pub
ic paFHiou in nny action not necessary
and tmper.itIvo meet the duties and
necessities of Atneriuui responsibility,
ChrUt Ilia humanity nnd national -honor.
I would shirk this lank if I could, but t
dove not. I cnivnot sntiafy my conscience*
except by speaking and rtpeuking now."
Mr. Thurston said he had gone to
Cuba firmly be'.ievlng tint the condi
tion of affairs on that inland had been
greatly exaggerated and that he had
directed his effort* in the first instance
ito the exposure of the supposed exag
gerations. He had concluded, however,
that an over-ataternenit of the horror®
of the situation was Impossible. Ho
was prepored, he stated, not only to
adopt every word of the careful, con
cise and specific statement of the sena
tor from Vermont (Sir. Proctor), but he
was oven convinced that he had under
stated the facts.
Mr. Thurntoo then tersely summar
ized his observations and conclusions a®
follows:
After three year® of warfare and the
use of 226,000 Spanish troops, Spain had
lost control of every foot of Cuba iwt
surrounded by an actual Intrenchment
and protected by a fortified picket line.
She hold* possession with her armies
of the fortified seaboard .towns, because
they are under the vlrturil protection
of Spanish war ships, with which the
revolutionists cannot cope.
The revolutionists are In absolute and
almost peaceful possession of nearly
one-half of the Island including the
eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba
and Puerto Principe. In those province®
of Santiago they have established a
form of government, levy and collect
taxes, maintain armies and generally
levy a tux'of tribute upon the principal
K lantotions In «thcr provinces, and, It
i commonly believed, upon tho entire
railway system of the Island.
In the four so-called Spanish prov
inces there Is neither cultivation nor
railway operation except under strong
Spanish military protection or by con
sent of the revolutionists In consider^
tlon of tribute paid.
Under the Inhuman policy of Woy er
not less than 400,000 self-supportt .g.
simple, peaceable, defenseless country
ocople were driven from their iK-mcg ir
