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VOL. LXV.-NO. 198. NEW YORK, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1898.-COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY THE SUN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION. PRICK TWO CENTS, 9
MAINE REPORT ON MONDAY
XT TTILTt ESTABLISH TUB JFACT OP
AN OUTSIDE EXPLOSION.
nat Mar rait t ru the rtesnenstbiiity DirMtt
Onln The President Wilt Hold That
Spain nespenilbla .Thrensa Nesllsenee.
nod Will Dtmtail the raiment at In.
damnify The Bepert and the President's
Action Thereon te Bo Sent Csnsress.
Washington, March 10. It Is understood
here In official circles that the report of the
Maine Court of Inquiry will not be dellrered
In Washington before Monday next. This
Information Is probably based on authen
tlo advices, the source of which cannot
be ascertained. The board, it Is reported,
baa completed its work, with the exception
f routine a review of the testimony. Influ
ential Senators and Representatlres have been
Informed of the fact that the report Is looked
for on Monday, and they are assured that
It trill establish the fact of an outside
explosion, although admitting that the re
sponsibility for It cannot be fixed di
rectly upon Spain. Tne Prestdont nlll
lalm that Spain Is legally responslblo through
contributory negligence for the destruction of
the battleship. It Is thought that Spain will
deny this on the basis of the report of tbo Span
ish Courtot Inquiry, and tbo President nlll then
demand tbe payment of an Indemnity.
He nil) also submit to Congress the consular
reports, showing tbe condition of tho people In
, Cuba and demonstrating the failure of auton
omy. Tbe President Trill not recommend any
action by either House, but mill simply submit
the facts for tho information of tbe Senators
and Representatives. Indeed, no action by Con
gress would bo advisable or proper, as tho only
course left open would be to trait until Spain's
reply Is received. A reasonable time wlllbe given
(or an answor to the demand for reparation, and
the I'rosldent Is hopoful that in the meantime
Congress will hare concluded its labors and ad
journed until December. After putting Con
gress In possession of all tho facts the President
would Hko to be left to settle tho Cuban ques
tion In his own way. At no time lias ho favored
the mitch-talked-of plan of having Congress
adjourn before the report of tho Board of In
quiry Is mado public. But tho statement that
he did desire snap action of this kind has been
so persistently mado that the President's In
timate personal friends and political advisors
wero obliged to refute It on the floor of the
House to-day.
President McKlnley Is a vory cautious man,
and one who never takes an Important step on
a public question without first seeking tbo ad
vice of those most deeply Interested. Ills pro
gramme for making public the report of the
Board of Inquiry was not determined upon
without taking; counsel with tho members
of his Cabinet nnd Republican leaders
In the Senate and House. They agree with
blm that after Congress has been acquainted
with all tbo facts in tho Cubnn quostlon in tho
possession of the President, nnd nftor being in
formed of tho nature of bis demands upon Spain,
it would be Incumbent upon them to remain
piastre. To do olherwiso would bo to work at
cross purposes with the Administration and
suke Impossible a satisfactory settlement
r of the controversy over -tho auesUon. of
Cuban independence. So far pt tho important
, or necessary business of legislation Is con
cerned. Congress can bo ready to adjourn by
April IS or May 1 at the latest, and It is too
ranch to presume that by that time tho United
States and Spain will bare come to an agree
ment over the question of Indemnity for tho
loss of the Maine. Should Congress romaln
tn session beyond tho dato last mentioned It
would necessarily be for the purposo of taking
a hand in tho Cuban question, and this would
be Inexcusable from every point of view.
It has been stated to-day that tbe Taction of
the Foreign Relations Commltteo reporting a
joint resolution providing for the annexation
of the Hawaiian Islands means that the session
Is to be prolonged Indefinitely. This, however,
seems not to bo tbe case. Senator Davis,
tbo Chairman of tho committee who re
ported the resolution, says no programme
has yet been arrangod for its consideration.
The Senate Is at present without any
business on lis calendars of a pressing nature,
and there la no reason why tbo joint resolution
should not be discussed at once nnd disposed of
promptly. A large majority of tbe Senators,
probably as many as Qfty-flve, are warm ad
vocates of annexation, and only a majority
vote Is needed to pass the joint resolution.
Tua treaty was temporarily abandoned in
the first Instance because Its most active
uyiiuiii-nt. Senator White of California, was
oollKsd to go to bis home in California on im
portant business. That was about a month
ago, and the Senator baa not yot returned,
"Senatorial courtesy" will hardly require
that the joint resolution shall be hung
up In like manner Indefinitely, and Senator
Davis will probably ask that Its consideration
snail be proceeded with without delay. The
question involved in tbe joint resolution Is tbe
same as that in tbe treaty, and it has been so
thoroughly discussed in executive session that
tbcro oan be no good reason for prolonging tbe
Slsousslon that will take placo with opon doors.
In rlenof the fact that tho joint resolution
will have tbe hearty and active support of a ma
jority of the Senate, Itwould bo necessary to do
bato It again exhaustively or to resort to an out-and-out
filibuster to defeat It. Atpresontltlooks
as it a programme of delay would be fostered,
not so much for the purpose of preventing a
vote upon the annexation proposition as to
ksep Congress la session In order that it can
take a band with tho President In thoscttlement
of tho Cuban question. The loaders of both
parties In the Senate and House have no sym
pathy with such a plan. Tbcy think that the
President should be allowed to carry on the
negotiations with Spain iu his own way. They
are aattsfled that he means to intervene in
some manner to end tbe Cuban war and make
I Cuba free, and they aro willing to trust him.
They thinx congress should adjourn as soon as
the necessary business of tbe sesilon is disposed
of, and tbero Is no reason why the joint resolu
tion for the annexation of Hawaii should not be
passed without causing delay tn any other
measure.
Speaker Reed is opposed to the annexation
proposition, hut be will probably not oppose the
will of the House, If, therefore, the joint reso
lution Is unduly opposed In either tho Senate or
House, It will be by tbe small handful of states
men who are such radical advocates of Cuban
freedom that thoy fear the President, acting
upon his own advice, will not pursue a policy
sufficiently aggressive to bring Spain to terms.
Assistant Secretary of State Day, who has
cotnplote nnd direct chargo of tho diplomatic
end of the Cuban question, still declluos to dis
cuss tbo report that another "Intimation" lias
been received from the Spanish Government
similar to that con r eyed a fortnight ngo with
regard to tho Intention of tho Administration to
send relief supplies to Cuba in war vessels. This
tluin It Is said that Spain objocts to tho presence
of Admiral Sloard's fleet nt Key West. Tne ob
jection was made known, it is alleged, during a
talk between Judge Day and tbe Spanish Minis
ter yesterday. It Is rumored that while making
this " Intimation" the Minister also took occa
L "Ion to suggest to the Assistant Secretary
that Spain would be pleased to have the
United HtaUe give Cuban autonomy another
chance, and by diplomatically hinting to the in
surgents that it would bo to their Interests to
. v accept what the Madrid Government Is offering
fBKl
them In lieu of freedom, thus aid Id bringing
about poace In Cuba, There Is reason to sup
pose that this dlplomatlo hint of what tbe
Begasta Ministry thinks would be the proper
thing on the part of the L'nltod.States will not be
put in such form as to require a formal reply,
but it one becomes necessary It will probably be
of the same nature as the response to the intima
tion that don. Lee be rerallod and the "mild
protest" s gainst tho sending of relief supplies
to Cuba tn a naval ship. Minister Polo does
not admit that be mado the allogod "intima
tion" to Judge Day, but If ho did 'it was
undoubtedly without any hope of having It
taken seriously. It it was actually conveyed
to tbe Administration in any more formal man
ner than through the columns of tbe news
papers. It was evidently designed as an objeot
lesion to the cations ot Europe to demonstrate
to them how unsympathetic the United States
Government is In the efforts ot Spain to give to
Cuba a plan ot autonomy that would practically
amount to the freedom for which they are fight
ing and dying.
TUB M ONTOOXIBBT ZEATES HAT ATI A.
Raman Tlutt She Was Withdraws! at the
Spanish Minister's Reeneat Are Bonled.
Washington, March 10. The cruiser Mont
gomery will leave Havana to-morrow, under
orders from tho Navy Department. She will
return to Key West.' Tho transport Fern left
Key West to-day f )r Havana, whore she will
take the place of tho Montgomery. A rumor
was circulated to-day that the Montgomery
had been withdrawn at the request ot the Span
ish Minister, who, it was assertod, hod repre
sented to tho Stato Department that the pres
ence of tho Montgomery at Havana was a
source of lrrttatton'to Spanish subjects there
and hotheads might attempt to lnjuro tho ves
sel. Secretary Long and other officials of the
Navy Department denied this report, Tho ex
planation given by tbe Secretary was that the
Montgomery had gone to Havana merely for a
temporary stay while the Fern was engaged in
her trip to Matanzas and Sagua la Grande
with supplies for starving reconcentrados, and
now that this duty was completed the Fern, a
vesssl moro suitable for assisting in the opera
tions on tho wreck ot tho Maine, would return
to Havana, as originally Intended. '
When the Spanish Government euggoted to
the United States that the crulsor Montgomery
and the gunboat Nashville bo not used in carry
ing relief supplies to Sagua and Matanzas, tbo
Navy Department had determined that the
Fern was more suitable for tho work, and hod
considered tho use ot the two warships only be
muse tho Fern was fitted with diving apparatus
In Havana harbor. The Fern is a transport and
not a vessel ot war. She has only one gun, and
this merely for saluting purposes. It was
found that the Montgomery and the Nosh
vlllo could not convey to the Cuban ports all
the relief supplies Key West,'and tho Fern
was therefore substituted.
Tho Montgomery was sent to Havana lost
week to receive tbe dlvlrur apparatus from tho
Fern nnd to serve as quartan for Capt. Slgsbos
and the oftlcors of the Court ot Inquiry, and the
Fern came back to Key West, took on board the
rellof supplies and delivered them nt Sagua
and Matanzas. The Fern onco moro available,
tho Navy Department assigned her to the duty
which the Montgomery was performing tem
porarily In connection with the wrecking opera
tions. Tho Fern Is a better platform for the
work which tho divers are doing and has am
ple dock room for their apparatus.
As further cvldenco that tho withdrawal ot
tho Montgomery was not due to any representa
tions mode bythe'Upsnish Minister 'at "his con-''
fcrenco with Assistant Secretary of State
Day yesterday. It can bo Btatod that on Mon
day Mr. Day asked Secretary Long to let him
uso tho Fern for delivering somo moro relief
supplies, which 'the Central Relief Committee
in New York would send to Key West by rail.
Secretary Long was "obliged to; refuse the re
quest. Ho explained that the Fern was needed
in Havana harbor on account of her greater suit
ability for tbo wrecklne work, and thnt be
would send her there just as soon as she re
turned to Key West from Bogus.
Tho Fern reached Key West yesterday, and
tho orders directing hrr to go to Havana wore
accordingly issued to-day. No attempt to keep
secret the movements of tbo Montgomery and
the Fern was made by tbo Navy Deportment.
tuib cztx's ronra and ovnb.
Gen. Mile Inspected Them Yesterday "Plan to
Connect Tbeni by Tslearnpti.
Major-Gen. Nolson A. Miles, commanding the
Army ot the United States, and Brlg.-Gcn.
Adolphus W. Greely, Chief Signal Officer, visit
ed New York yesterday. Gen. Miles combined
business with pleasure. Gen. Greely was here
for business only and he left for Boston as soon
as It was transacted. Gen. Miles came here be
cause be bad promised to be present at tbe mili
tary touruament at Madison Square Garden last
nlirht. Gen. Greely came to And out just what
work has to be done in order to connect by tele
graph all tbe fortifications in Now York harbor
with Governor's Island and with each other.
Gen. Miles took breakfast with Gen. Merrltt
on Governor's Island, and afterward tbe Gov
ernment boat Gen, Meigs took tho two Generals
to Fort Scburler. where the pott nnd the new
fortifications at Tbrog's Neck wore In
spected. These fortifications, whloh have been
In process of construction for about a year, are
noarlng completion. The work of mounting the
big disappearing guns Is now going on, as well
as the mounting of some 12-lnch guns. Some of
these reached Fort Schuyler from Sandy Hook
yesterday morning,
From Fort Schuyler, Gon. Miles and Gen. Mer
rltt visit In turn Willets Point, and Fort Slocum
at Davids Island. Tbe fortifications at both
these posts wero carefully Inspected. Gon. Miles
was particularly anxious to learn just what the
present gun defence of each fortification was.
and just how long It would take to put In posi
tion any unmounted guns. Gen. Miles returned
to New York about the middle of the afternoon
and went to the Waldorf-Astoria, where he will
stay while In the city.
Gen. Greely reached town about noon, and
Eroceeded directly to Governor's Island, where
e had a conference with Capt. James Allen of
tbe Signal Corps. Capt. Allen, by order of Gen.
Merrltt, recently laid out a plan for connecting
all tne fortifications In the harbor by tele-
frapb. It Includes tho laying of a cable
rom Governor's Island to Sandy Hook, and con
necting cables to Forts Hamilton and Wads
worth. Land wires are to connect Forts Schuy
ler and Slocum and Wlllot Point with one
another and with Governor's Island. Tbe
cost of this work has been estimated
nt 648.000. No money has been appropriated
for the work, and It It Is done at all It must bo
Said for out of tho recently appropriated $50,
00,000. Uen, Greely went over the schema
with Cant. Allen and then the two visited Wll-
Gen. Greely left for Boston about 4. o'clock,
and he will thero go over tbe plans for connect
ing the fortifications In Boston harbor by telegraph,
ojt.v. aiTAUAU in Atlanta,
The Hand or the .ten Department of the Isatb
Assumes Command,
Aw-xta, Ga., March 10.-Brfg.-Gon. William
M, Graham, the head of tbe recently created
Department ot tbe South, with headquarters
nt Atlanta, arrived here this morning. At
the ttalu to receive him and bis aide,
Lieut. Barney, and Col. John Simpson,
Department Quartermaster, was Col. II.
C. Cook, commanding Fort McPberson,
and several staff officers. They est-ortod Gen.
Uruhum to his apartments at the Arsgon Hotel
to-nluht, nnd he and his companions attended a
reception, followed by a serenude from the Fifth
Regular band. Gen. Ornham said to-day:
"From u strategic point of view there cannot
beany question of Atlanta's advantages over
Ban Antonio as headquarters for the Depart
ment of tbo South. From Atlanta one can com
municate readily withal) parts of tbe depart
ment. This Is a point from which troops could
be thrown quickly In any direction If it was de
sirable for the Government to do so."
Gen. Graham and his staff will soon begin an
Inspection of the new territory allotted to them,
which will Include a visit to all the coast cities.
Tbe General declines to talk about the Cuban
situation.
BUYING AN ANNEX FLEET.
IBB TACttT XATPZOWBB PUB
CBABED TEBTEBDAT.
be Will no rated Dp as a Torpedo Beat Da
atrelor Other Yackta ana Seaseln- Tucs
to De Conrerted Into War Vessels and
Added to Admiralties rd'ariettal HerW est.
WismNOTuw, March 10. Secretary Loner Is
of the opinion that no big warships can be pur
chased by the United States at this time, but
the efforts of the naval attache's abroad and of
Commander W. U.Brownson, the Commissioner
sent to Europe by this Government to buy
vessols and ammunition, will be continued in
tne hope of securing any nrmorclsds or tor
pedo craft which forolgn Governments may be
willing to sell later on. To-day tbe Navy Depart
ment purchased the stoam yacht Mayflowor.bullt
last year by the late Ogdon Goelot, and will fit
ber for servlco at once. Orders wero Issuod this
aftornoon for Bonding tho Mayflower to the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, where she will bo over
hauled and mode eultable for war purposes.
Tbe Mayflower will be converted Into a tor
pedo boat destroyer, of which type the United
btates do not possess a slnglo specimen.
She will be fitted with torpodo tubes,
and tbe small battery Installed by Mr.
Goelot, consisting of two Hotchklss three
pounders, two Hotchklss one-pounders, and two
Colt automatlo machine guns, will bo aug
mented by rapid-fire rifles, probably of four
inch calibre. Whllo somewhat slow for the
purpose, tbo Mayflowor Is believed by the Navy
Department to be worth a trial as an enemy of
torpedo boats. She can niako only seventeen
knots an hour, while some of tbe destroyers
which the department is trying to obtain abroad
can develop thirty knots. When tho Mayflower
has been convertod into a moro formidable
vessel sho will be better for hostile servico than
the despatch boat Dolphin and the ltttlo gun
boat Petrel, and quite the equal of the Bancroft,
.designed as a praotlce ship for naval cadets and
until recently employed as a crulsor on tbe Euro
pean station. After the work ot conversion has
been completed the Mayflower will join Ad
miral Sloard's fleet for use principally as a de
spatch and picket boat. ,
Other steam yachts and ocean-going tngs will
be selected by tho Naval Board on Auxiliary
Vessels now in New York, nnd purchased by tho
Government out of the emergency appropria
tion, if reasonablo terms can be mode. Several
vessels of this character aro now under consid
eration. They will also be employed in picket
and despatch duty with the North Atlantlo
squadron.
In considering tho question ot making the
naval forces ot the Government as effective as
possible under the circumstances, the officials
of tho naval administration haverejectod propo
sitions that more monitors be secured. A pub
lished Interview with Rear Admiral Klrkland,
in which he said that more monitors and tor
pedo boats were needed, meets with the approval
of the officials only so far as it applies to the
torpedo craft. There Is a general feeling among
thosi who have authority to expend money
for new vessels out of the emergency fund
that Admiral Klrkland is behind tbe times In
Dollovlng that monitors aro suitable for a pres
ent day omergency. Ills statement In regard to
tneso low-lying armorclads has been severoly
criticised at tho conferences held to determine
wuat character of vessels were needed at this
time. mtUeshlps ot the seagoing class, armored
miners, torpedo-boat destroyers and torpedo
'uuataa'ro the kinds of vessels wanted, and tho'e t
furit) ot tho Administration are being directed to
taeir acquirement. It is urged in opposition to
Admiral .Klrkland's statement that monitors
are not of much use, even as harbor defences.
Tney are so few in number that only one for
each of the most Important coast cities could be
assigned, and one monitor would hare short
shrift in an encounter with a hostile fleet. It
was also the opinion of the naval conferees
that If several monitors were congregated at
a few principal ports, an enemy's squadron
would avoid these ports and devote its atten
tion to tho places which had no such protection.
iln. It was agreed that the monitors are too
slow for making quick movemonts from one
port to another which might bo threatened,
'ine vessels of the enemy would bave created
devastation at a coast city and departed before
tne monitors could appear on tbe scene. Thesa
considerations have been thoroughly discussed
and tho sentlmonts expressed agreed to.
Since the passs ge of the $50,000,000 Appropri
ation bill tbe navy officials havo been express
ing their disappointment that the money could
uot have beon available two years ago, when
the outcome of the Cuban question was In
volved in such uncertainty and war with
bpaln was considered as likely to occur before
the question was settled. It has boen estl
turned that within that period tho naval
forces of the United States could have been
Increased to a dozen battleships and a hundred
torpedo craft, at least thirty ot tho latter being
sea-going destroyers. In the presont situation
the United States are obliged to go abroad to
purchase ships from foreign shipbuilders and
Governments, when the purchase money might
have boen better employed at home In buy
ing stesm yachts, tugs, and other craft for con
version Into Improvised auxiliary vessels. While
no ocean steamships to be used as auxiliary
cruisers will be purchased or chartered before
war Is In sight, the Navy Department Intends to
buy soveral vessels for otbor purposes. In addi
tion to steam yachts and sea-going tugs, an am
bulance ship, a number of steam colliers and
two repair ships will be secured at once. As
soon as tho members ot tbo Auxiliary Board
havo completed their work at New York,
tbey will look out for an ambulance ship.
Surgeon-General Van Reypen returned to
Washington to-day, after an inspection of the
Grand Ducbesse at Newport News, wblch he
had hoped could bo utilized for that purpose.
He found the vessel admit ably adapted in all
respects, with ample berthing space and fine,
large ports, through which air and light entered
and by which ventilation could be marie
perfect. This vessel Is regarded by the
constructors as ono ot tho most capablo of tho
auxiliary cruisers, but unfortunately she has no
boilers just now, and cannot be avallablo for
war purposes under two months. Dr. Van
Reypen found that, while the boilers wero nearly
completed, tbcy could not bo placed iu until a
large crano arrived, nnd ho ha- therefore aban
doned tho idea of utilizing this ship, and will ask
tbe Inspection board now at work in New York
to select some vessel of Its list best suited for the
purposes of a floating hospital, He has sent
plans for converting the board's choice at New
port News. He says that any hlp selected can
bo turned into an ambulance vessel within ten
days.
vnczb a Air nvxa a taout.
. t
Uair a Million Dollars ror Ocdoa assist
Mayflower.
Upon the recominondatlon of the Board on
Auxiliary Cruisers, tbe Navy Department has
purchased of tho estate of the late Ogaen Goelet
the twin-screw steel yacht Mayflower. The
terms upon wblch the yacht was bought wero
arranged botween Capt. Frederick Rodgers,
Chairman ot tho board, for the Government,
and by Frederlok Tarns of Tarns U Le
moine. yacht brokers, acting for tbs Goe
let estate. The purchase price is reported
to bo a little moro than $200,000. The vessel Is
to be used by tbe Government as a scout boat.
Tbe Mayflower Is the first vessel purchased
upon the recommendation of the board appoint
ed by tbe Secretary of tbe Navy to examine and
report upon merchantmen and other vesssl
(hat might bo used as auxiliary cruisers In time
o( war,
, OspU Rodgers said jesterday that tho board
r---e
had come to New York with instructions to reo
omraend to tho Nary Department as soon as
possible one or two vessels whoso spoed
and coal-carrying capacity would make them
available for servlco ns scout boats. The
board learned that tho Mayflower was for
sale, and went on Monday to Bobbins'!
dock at the Erlo Basin, where tho yacht
now Is. Tho naval tnon woro surprised
to And how well suited sbo is for tho purposes
to which she would bo put under Government
ownership. Besldos having an average speed ot
seventeen knots an hour, it was found that the
yacht bad a coal-carrying capacity of about 700
tons, and that tho had something Hko 000 tons
already In her bunkers. Aftsr making a most
caret pi examination the board decided to recoin
mond her purchase. The transaction was closod
oh Tuesday.
The yacht will probably bo towed around to
the Brooklyn Navy Yard this morning, where
suob alterations as will be necessary to convert
her Into a man-of-war will be made. Capt,
RodgcrsaId yesterdaytthat very few alterations
would be needed. The work will be done under
the supervision of Naval Constructor Bowles.
Mr. Bowles recetred plans and Instructions
from Washington yesterday morning. The
work will be hastened as much as possible, and
it Is thought that the yacht can be mado ready
for servico within a month. Mounts for 0-lnch
rapid-fire guns will be placed upon her. and her
armamont will also Include torpedo tubes and a
number ot rapld-flro guns. The Mayflower is
rated In Lloyds at 100 Al, and is one of the most
luxuriously appointed yachts in the world. She
was tnillt for Mr. Goslet by J. & G. Thomson at
Clydebank, England, at terdeslgns byG. W. Wat
son, who designed all three or the Karl of Dun
raven's yachts, Valkyrie L. IL, and III. She
was launched on Nov. 7. 1HD0, but has never
been entirely fitted out. Sho Is 321 feet long over
all, 86 feet O Inches beam, and has a displace
ment of 2,100 tons. Sho Is brlgantlne rigged,
has two seta of triple-expansion engines, nine
separate watertight compartments, and a mean
draught ot 10 feet 8 Inches.
In fitting up the yacht no expense was spared.
The main saloon was finished In teak and ma
hogany, while the mural and celling decorations
were tbe work ot noted French artists. The
library Is supplied with 2,000 volumes, all of
which are still on board. The smoking room
was finished In mahogany and painted white.
A foaturo which ratbar startled naval archi
tects, when tbey knew about it, is the large re
ception hall, finished In rosewood. Into which
ono steps from the companion ladder on board
ing the yacht.
There are twelve staterooms, a doctor's room,
and two bathrooms. On tho main deck is a
bicycle track. To a most complete cold-storage
plant are added a system of electric lighting,
electric fans, and electric heaters. The dining
room Is 30x24, and can seat twenty-four per
sons. There are accommodations for thirteen
officers and twenty-two sesmen. There Is a
steel magazine for the ammunition for two
breach-loading saluting guns, two Maxim guns,
and several racks of Lee-Metford rifles. The
yacht la equipped with two searchlights.
It was on tho Mayflower, lying in tho road
stead at Cowes, that Mr. Goelet died of lung
trouble, on Aug. 27. 1607. and on her his body
was brought to New York for burial. During
the yacht races at Cowes in the early summer of
1607 Mr. and Mrs. Goelet entertained the
Prince and Princess of Wales. Mrs. Goelot is
tho eldest daughter of Richard T. Wilson ot
this city, and a sister of Mrs. Michael Henry
Herbert and of Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbllt. Jr.
Capt. Rodgers and Lieut-Commander J. D. J.
Kelley were the only members of tbe Board on
Auxiliary Cruisers left in New York yesterday.
Chief Engineer Dixon and Lieut. Sargent were
In Boston, and Assistant Naval Constructor
Tawresov was In Philadelphia and Baltimore,
Tbe lattor three members of tbe Board aro
expected to return to Now York to-night.
Capt. Rodgers and Lieutenant-Commander
Kelley spent the day In their office In the Army
building in talking with tho owners of fast
yachts that might be available for scout boats
and torpedo-boat destroyers. Among the yachts
offered were the Vamoose, owned by F. T. Mor
rell. and tbo Satanella, owuod by tbo Hon. Perry
Belmont. In roference tovtho Satanella Mr.
Iiolmonti sent the, follosglng note to Capt.
.Bodgers on Vednesdaxjifc-ijSj
I recelrod your Utter Of March 29, in wblch you
ask for Information In regard to the yacht Satanella,
wbtcb jrou describe as twins available for servlco in
caso ot war. I herewith send you the Information
requested, and I place the yacht at the disposal ot
the Oo'ernmtnt for such service as may bo required.
BtspeoUully yours, Pcbbt Bzuioirr.
Capt. Rodsers also hod a talk with Lewis
Luckenbnch In reference to bis steam launch,
Now-Then, and with Michael Moran of the
Moran Towing Company. In reference to the
company's big steel tun. For tbe next few days
tbo board willdevoteits attention to yachts and
steel tugs. It Is tho desire of the board to be
able to recommend several of these to the Sec
retary of the Navy for use both as scout boats,
torpedo boats, and torpedo-boat destroyers.
The American liner St. Louis sailed for South
ampton yesterday morning at 10 o'clock. No
naval ofilcor win aboard of her. The plan to
sond Commander William H. Emory of the Board
ot Inspection and Survey on the liner so that she
might be placod undor naval command at once
in the event of a sudden outbreak of hostilities
was abandoned by the Secretary of tbe Nary.
The Government was reluctant to take any
action so openly significant as the holding ot
one ot the auxiliary vessels from a regular trip,
tbo fear being entertained that suob a step
would be regarded as an indication that war is
anticipated In the immediate future. Nearly
every ono who went to the pier to see the steam
er off and nearly all the passengers displayed
American flags, with which, Instead of band
kerchiefs, thoy waved tbelr adieus. It will be
about seventeen days before the steamer returns.
O.E.Y. ItJZJtS TO TUB VETEBANB.
IfWarSbould Come, lie Sais. YTe Ifould De
Keadr to Make It -bore, Sbars, and Decisive.
W-BniNOTOH, March 10. Before leaving for
New York to inspect the newly garrisoned forti
fications Gen. Miles last night mado an address
In this city at the annual banquet of the vet
erans of the Second Army Corps. Gen. Miles,
who was at one time commander ot the corps,
was received with cheers, and his speech was
wildly applauded. Ho said In part:
" During the last few weeks we have wit
nessed a memorable display of patriotism. Hun
dreds of our bravo sailors have gone down in
the Maine; havo met death in tho terrible stool
bound compartmenla of tho battleship. They
aro entitled to all credit and honor as national
heroes. Notwithstanding tbe horrors of that
night In Havana harbor, we have seen hun
dreds of men marching up, ready and anxious
to take the places of those noble sailors on the
ships of our navy, regardless of tho fate that
may befall them. No grander sight was ever
presented than that at our recruiting stations
during tho last two weeks.
" Uuclo Sam fired a gun up at the Capitol tbe
other day-u to0,000.000 gun that sent a thrill
of patriotism throughout this land and reechoed
all over tbe world. And Mr. McKlnley wo
made to understand that it $60,000,000 wai not
enough to defond this country and IU honor, be
might add another cipher to tho right ot the
figures, and the money was his. It was tho
grandest exhibition that a people over gave
that slumbering deep In their hearts is a loyalty,
patriotism, and spirit of sacrifice never equalled
In any legislative body on tbe face of God's
earth.
" la there to be war t I hope not I, as a war
rior, would not like to see a war begin with two
or three Bull Runs, but would rather have the
Appomattox Instead, But If war should come
wo would be ready to make the conflict short,
sharp, and decisive."
TO JOIN TUB BIO BQUADBON.
Tbe Helena siablac Quick Time Aei.se tbe
Ocean rroua Usbou.
W-sntNOTOK, March 10. Tbe gunboat Helena
is making good time under her hurry orders to
proceod from Lisbon to join Admiral Slcard's
squadron at Key West. She left Lisbon on
Monday and reached Funchal, Madeira, to-day.
Tbe gunboat Macblas, which has justreturned
from tbe Aslatto station by the Mediterranean
route, will not bo put out of commission. She
Is now In Boston for a partial overhauling. A
new complement ot officers for tbe Maohlasls
being prepared nt the Navy Department. Bbs
will be sent to join Admiral Slcard's squadron.
Tbe despatch boat Dolphin, after extensive
repair at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, will be put
into service again on March Si, She, too, trill
go to tbe big squadron.
i
Haralaa-, Mesa aad Might
yon may Were Oread Contra! Station forihs Wail on
oas of tbe great thresib trains ot the Mow York
Central-Justly styled "Amertoa's -testes! Ball-road."-Ad.
SABS-fsftiB-i
. . . j. s
ii liii-imii in ill i-ill nun li-Ti ili i
FOR SEACOAST DEFENSES.
BEOBETABT ALOEH UAS A X.ONO CON'
TBBENOB irjTU IBB PBEajDENT.
Ills ItetBleUloa for 09,800,000 of the Enter
gone? Fund to Da Promntly Honored 95,
000,000 Hera Asked Per Projectiles ror
oneoasi Cna-en and Tilde Cartridges.
Was-TOOTON, March 10. The absence of sov
eral leading officials from tho War Department
to-day occasioned only n momentary pause In
tho extraordinary preparations for national do
fenoa which have beon making during the last
ten days. Gen. Nelson A. Miles was In Now
York, where he went for the purpose of Inspect
ing fortifications and ot conferring with Gon.
Merrltt, commanding the Department of tbe
East and Gen. Flagler, Chief of the Bureau ot
Ordnance, was confined to his homo by a slight
Illness. Secretary Alger, however, had a
long conference with the President, and It
was decided that the Secretary's requisition for
(-,083,000 ot the 550,000,000 emergency fund
should be immediately honored, for the pur
pose of buying small arms, ammunition, and
general ordnance supplies for the army. Tbo
needs of tbe Ordnance Department vrore laid
before the President In detail, and a further
long conference was held on the subject of
coast fortifications. The Secretary has asked
the President to authorize the immediate ex
penditure of t3,000,000 for seacoast defence,
and the request Is now under consideration. It
may be granted to-morrow.
Bids will be opened on Monday, at 3 P. M for a
quantity ot cast-iron projectiles for seacoast
cannon. The shot and shell for which the ad
vertisement ot tbo Ordnanco Bureau calls are ot
the heaviest Kind used In the army. The bureau
asks for 187 ten-Inch solid shot. U10 twelve-Inch
mortar shells, weighing 800 pounds each, and
000 twelve-Inch mortar shells, weighing 800
pounds eacb. These projectiles are ot different
character from thoss ordered yesterday, when a
million-dollar order was given for wrought steel
armor-plerclng shot and shell. The kind adver
tised for to-day aro to be usod against ships
having little or no armor, and as " deck pierc
ers." These projectiles, being made of cast
iron, are much less expensive than " armor
piercers," and In case of war aro to be fired
from mortars, with a plunging Are into the
hulls or decks of hostile ships off tho coast.
It is expected that contracts will be awarded
to-morrow or Friday for supplying the War
Department with a quantity of brown and
smokeless powdor rifle cartridges. Bids for tbls
ammunition were opened in the Bureau of Ord
nance last Monday, but tbe award of tbo con
tracts may be delayed slightly by the absence
of Gen. Flagler from tho department.
The amount to be expended by the War
Department for coast fortifications under
authority of the President from tbe
available fund of $50,000,000 at bis dis
posal depends to a large extent on tbe
success ot the Navy Department in buying
ships in forolgn countries. If, ns it seems at
present, tho naval administration does not
succeed in buying more expensive ships from
foreign Governments, tbe proposals for coast
defences will recelvo generous treatment. Tbo
President Is determined to make a judicious
and well balanced disposition of tbe funds ap
propriated by Congress for national defence,
and he regards the purchase of warships as a
matter of prime importance in tho present
emergency.
Itisoxpected that inch funds as are allotted
for tbe construction of seacoast defences will ba
expended In prosecuting the work on projects
already in course of execution. The War De
partment now has under way coast defences at
twenty-two of the twenty-seven points where
the Endicott board several years ago recom
mended that fortifications should bo con
structed. The estimated cost of these defenoes
was 955,000,000, but only (9,000,000 has been
used up to this time.
According to the reports received In the Adjutant-General's
office, 220 men have boen enlisted
for the two additional regiments of artillery au
thorized by the Hawley law. The department
Is enforcing tbo same strict requirements in re
gard to enlistments that are practiced In less
urgent times, and no men whose physical and
moral qualifications are not up to the standard
are being accepted. Tbo department has pro
hibited tho enlistment of men who wore for
merly members of artillery regiments, but who
hare elnoe joined the cavalry or infantry arms.
BIO a EST BBT DOCK IN TUE WOBED.
Tbe Jfewport STewo Company te Balld Oae
Tbat Will Held Two Dattleihlpa.
W-BrnxoTOtr, March 10. C B. Oroutt, Presi
dent of the Newport Nows Shipbuilding Com
pany, informed Socretory Long this afternoon
of his purpose to begin the construction of the
largest dry dock In the world, capable when
completed of accommodating at once two of the
largest battleships or three small cruisers. The
dock will be without an equal, and for length
and breadth surpass all ot the great docks of the
British Government and others controlled by
private parties. Work on this big basin begins
next week, the site having already been se
lected. In length It will exceed 000 feet, or be
at least 250 feet longer than the biggest ot the
transatlantic liners. It will have a beam double
that of almost any battleship, and when com
pleted will havo cost (1,000,000.
Mr. Orcutt says that ho asks no Government
assurances of patronage or bonus and that he
does not expect any. Secretary Long, however,
regards the building of such a glgantlo dock as
of the utmost Importance to the navy, consider
ing that Newport News will be protected by the
defences at Fort Monroe, and has water facili
ties permitting docking of tbe largest ships at
any stage of tho tide. Its proximity, also, to the
Virginia capes and Hampton Roads make it
especially valuable to the navy In, war time
when ships nearby are Injured. Mr. Oroutt says
bis dock will be completed within two years. It
will be constructed ot wood, with masonry entrances.
WIIEBE IS PANDOt
It b Said tbe Whereabouts or Ibe SpanUb
Oenrral Aro Unknown la Uavana.
Havana, March 10, vln Key West " Where
Is Pando I Report at once to tho Palace."
Tbo above Is a despatch sent to all command
ers at military posts In Santiago de Cuba prov
ince ten days ago. A satisfactory reply has not
yet been received. Tho report is that ho was
last seen midway between Manzanlllo and
Dayamo. It may be that Callxto Garcia can
account for blm. All communications are cut
off, and no positive Information Is available.
Everything Is qulot, but tho dally papers are
tilled with war cries, and hoavy trucks laden
with ammunition are seen on tbe streets carry
ing their loads from tho powder magazines to
the forts, fearing a blockade as the result of war.
Many families aro buying provisions, dry
cisterns are being replenished with water and
everybody seems to be preparing for an out
burst. Military operations continue largely sus
pended. Tbe Spanish columns are acting
merely on the defensive, constantly harassed
by the patriots, who keep them in check.
Have We doubt lbs Carle Albert I
AMtal Cuoi's Dtipateh to Tmt Box.
Romk. March 10. In the Chamber of Deputies
to-day LleuL-Col. Santlnl asked whether it was
true that the Italian worship Carlo Alberto had
been sold to tbe United States.
Admiral Brln, Minister of Marine, replied
ambiguously, oreatlnir. tho Impression that the
report ot th sale was true.
t
s ' '" --"SrHil i i VsVsraWri arfitmni
BIDNET ZOtr BA TB WE ABB PATIENT.
Bnsland, In Oar Place, Would Lens As Have
Stepped Ibe Atrocities In Cuba,
Sp4oil Cabtt Dttpateh to Tmt Btrt.
London, March la Mr. Bldney Low, who
recently retlrod from theodltorshlp ot the ultra
consorvatlvo St. Jama' Qaxtttc, writes from
New York as follows:
" To an Englishman the feeling of the Ameri
cans about Cuba Is Intelllglblo enough. What
chiefly surprises him Is tho patlrnco wblch has
allowed It to remain dormant so long. Reflect
on what our own sentiments nnd action would
havo beon If wo had at our vory gates a rich,
fortilo territory which for years had been a
welter ot barbarous anarchy and brutal sav
agery. Wo went wild over tho atrocities In tho
remote recesses ot the Armenian hills, among a
peoplo with whom wo had no part or lot; but
what If we had nn Armenia In tho English Chan
not. If villages had beon bnrned and devas
tated, womon outragod, men shot and bayo
not tod. and starved to death, nnd a civil war
wsgod in the most roroltlng form under our
very eyes.
" There la only one answer. Wo should not
havo endured It. Tho Spaniard would hare
beon cloared out bag and baggago from Cuba
long ago. With a reluctance wblch.would hare
been perfectly genuine, with tho emphntlo pro
testations ot disinterestedness, which wo should
have meant, though nobody would havo believed
ua, we should have blockaded the Island, bom
bardod Havana as we did Alexandria, and oc
cupied Cuba as wo are now ocoupylng Karpt. to
the bubbling indignation and resentment of
foreign nations, and the Inestimable benefit ot
the inhabitants.
" Some Lord Cromer or Gen. Kitchener would
havo taught tho Islanders what law, order, and
honest finance meant, and tens of thousands of
miserable paclflcos and wretched Spanish con
script! would not have dlod of starvation,
butchery and disease.
"It would havo been an unprofitable and un
welcome task, but It would have been under
taken and accomplished If tho shores of Great
Britain instead of thd United States hedged
tho blue waters ot tho Mexican Gulf. That Is
what would have boon done If our section of the
Anglo-Saxon race had the management of tbo
Cuban question, and we cannot bo surprised if
another branch of that race are arriving at tho
conviction that It Is about time that tbey took
the settlement of tbo problem seriously In hand,
quite apart from the Maine incident. This
opinion has been ripening In the American
mind, and it might well havo been expocted to
havo reached maturity before."
COXXANDEB BBOJTNBON IN ZONDOX
Urn Will fia Aboat His mission or Arrensinr to
Buy Wanblpe.
Brtcial Cata Df patch to Tarn Boa.
London, March 10. Commander W. H.
Brownson. U. S. N., who sailed from New York
on March OJon the American liner St. Paul to
make arrangements for the purchase ot war
ships for the United States Government, arrived
at Waterloo Btation at 0:05 P. M. to-day.
Commander Brownson expressod himself as
much pleased at the purchase of the Amazonas
by the American Government. He made Inqui
ries regarding the Chilian battleship O'Hlgglns,
whose purchase by Spain has been repeatedly
asserted and as often denied, and later saw
Lieut. Colwell, naval attach to the United
State Embassy. Commander Brownson sold
tbat ho would begin the business which brought
him abroad Immediately.
BPAXN BEPUDIATES OBBAZZOS.
Toe Ministry Sara He Bid Hot Represent Spain
In His Talk wltb tbe President.
Special CalU DtlpatcK to Turn Bra.
Madrid, March 10. Tho Cabinet to-day dis
cussed .the Interview had on Saturday last by
Sofior Juan M. Ceballos of New York with Presi
dent McKlnley on the Cuban question, the cabled
reports having declared that Scflor Ceballos
visited tho President as a special Spanish com
missioner. The Ministry repudiated SeflorCoballos's au
thority to in any way speak for the Spanish Gov
ernment. Sefior Gullon, the Foreign Minister,
has cabled to Sefior Polo, the Spanish Minister
at Washington, asking far details of the Interview.
SPAIN BUT1NO VUNTTIONB.
Tbe Cabinet Yelos a Credit I Bay War Mate
rial and Build Deftness.
Spictal Cable Desvatch to Tbs Sen.
Madrid, March 10. The Cabinet this after
noon adopted a supplementary credit of 0.600,
000 pesetas for the purchase of war material
and the construction and strengthening of de
fence works.
The Government has received no official in
formation concerning tbe Inquiry into the cause
of the disaster to the battleship Maine.
OOSISIEBOIAE THE ATT TTITU SPAIN.
Tho Spaniards Want Benefit Under tbe Bool,
proelty Clauses or the Dlnclev Bill.
Special CaMs Supatoh to Tux Bus.
Madrid, . March 16. The Customs Commis
sion has approved a report relating to the basis
of a treaty of commerce with the United States.
It provides for tbe concession of oertain reduc
tions In tbe Spanish tariff If tho United States
will grant benoflts under tho reciprocity clauses
ot the Dingley bill.
NAVATj btation at iobtvoab.
avontraels to lie Awarded To-day Involving nn'
Expenditure or S000.O0O.
WAsnmoTON, March 10. Contracts will be
awarded to-morrow or the next day Involving
un expenditure of 500,000 for tho conversion
of tho Dry Tortugna Into a flno, outlying naval
station, and, under plans In course ot prepara
tion uy tne army engineers, ample fortifications
will be provided for tbe protoctlon of the naval
supplies and ships that may soek refuge within
the new harbor. Tbe Bureau of Yards and
Docks, under whose charge the erection of coal
sheds, wharves, and other buildings has
been placed, is now preparing to award the
work under bids that were opened yes
terday. Plans call for a coal shod cap
able of holding 4.0,000 tons of coal,
with wharves leading out Into the harbor to
which the heaviest draft vessels may tlo up.
An imruenso amount of dredging is to be por
formod, so thata winding channel Is given, lead
ing around behind the proposed emplacements
for modern guns and of sufficient depth and
width to permit the entrance of a big fleet.
This channel is to be marked by buoys and
lighted by double row of electrlo lights, so that
war vessels may safely enter nnd come to an
chor at night. ... , .....
Dry Tortuvas will become tbo only coaling
station of tho navy beyond the coast line of the
country, and If tbe present plans of tbe military
authorities are carried out a formidable fortress,
with it large garrison, will be there very soon,
Beuator Lodge has for years endeavnred to
sscuro tbe purchase of tho Danish Islands In the
West Indies for a coal station, but with tho
Tortugas defended tho requirements of tho sor
vlce in war will bo amply met.
riZOAYA OHBEHKIt TO TEBA CRUZ.
Wroebero Hare Begun lo Break Up tbe Hull of
tbo Statue.
Kit WitaT, Flo., March 10, The Plant line
steamer Olivette from Havana to-night brought
Carpenter George Holmsford of the Maine's
crew; also two bodies recently recovered from
tbe Maine.
The passengers ssy the Spanish cruiser Viz
oaya has been ordered to Vera Cruz, Mexico.
The wrecker at work on the Maine began
breaking up tbe bulk, a It to clear the harbor,
slnoe tbe Board of Inquiry left last nlgbt. Tbelr
work. It Is asserted, will leavo, no opportunity
for further examination of the bulk by tbe
board. Havana la reported onisu
lsn IS I as.ll 'I tollirtkiTliY llTriri TtjByuBMElnllllMiinlBlnrM
DESIGNS ON PORTO RICO? 9
H
OVBAN PLANS FOB AN INVASION 09 iH
TUE ISLAND. ffl
The Itepert Makes n dentation In Madrid nntt 1fj
Havana Minister IMIn limirnptrd la I-onhl Ssanl
Out for Thlo I'rojeet opnln Haja sue ttaa gH
Ma rear That There Will nn n War Mitts' jH
the United Htatea But alio Doesn't Fear 3H
Wnririt Comas Morn AbnaeoriheRtarvlnga a
Havana, March 1(1. Tho ilospatctios from !H
Madrid and Now York rocolvod here to-day have) 4H
caused a groat sensation. It is reported that tho H
BDanlsh Government hits Icnriicd from llsso 'jH
nrct agents In New York Hint Mm Cuban rotl- 'jH
dents In tho United Btates nnd somo CubnB gH
officers who hnvo roccnlly arrived thero from) t9H
Gen. Garcla's camp aro planning nn important M
expedition to Invndo tho Island of I'orto Rico. ,fifl
Sefior Don Plo Quyon, Hpntilsh lllnlitor ot For SM
olgn Affairs, sont to Sofior Polo y Ilornabo In 'r$f
Washington to-day along dopatch instructing; ,!
him, nccordlng to tho Mndrld correspondent of ,s
a Lucha, to make alt efforts to prevent, at any iaH
cost, tbodopnrturo of such an oxpodltlon. JfcH
In official circles hero It Is publicly doolared MM
tbat Sefior Polo y Bornabd has rocolvod th H
most reliable Information coucemlng the plans fj
of tho Cubans, nnd thnt the man who Is to com jRH
mand tbe expedition Is Gon, Josd Lacrct Morlot. 'fj-B
a brave veteran of tho Cuban war, who has jus M
arrived In New York from Cuba. j 1H
Tbe excitement hero nnd in Spain has bcl sol
Intense over this news that an official declnraV jH
ti"-. has boen given out by Sefior Saaasta to tho ' Iffl
effect that tbo Government, though kocplnjj ffljW
close watch on tho filibusters, does not attach, flfl
much Importance to their project ot lnvadintT "XriS
Porto Rico. !S
It is also reported from Madrid that Gen. H
Correa, Minister ot War, Intends to resign his "M
portfolio on account of his disapproval of tho aral
poaceful policy of tho Government. v -H
The correspondent tn Havana of tho Madrid JjjH
Iltraldo sent a despatch to his paper from this 'fflH
city yestorday saying that great uneasiness 'j-fl
prevails on account of tho warllko preparations jH
of the United States. Tbls despatch has also JjM
caused a great Impression in Spain, and to allay -mil
tho anxiety ot tbo Spanish In Cuba tbo follow llll
ing semi-official statement was sont horo this jH
aftornoon by cablo from Madrid and published lyH
by La Lvcha and tbo Vlarlo de la Marina: JJfl
"Itlslearnodfrom Madrid that the Govern fl
mont bolloves that President McKlnloy has 'Sl
assumed his present nttltudo in order to dlson- j8S
tangle himself from the difficult position in SM
which he Is placed by tho American minority JS
that favors war. But tho Government has not '9
the least upprchonslon with regard to these war llfl
preparations, and it has knowledge tbat tho f'-Lfl
United States Government is well awnro ot tbo ipB
groat damage that would bo inflicted upon its SH
people by a war with Spain." -gOI
This Is followcdby anothor statement in these SjEI
words: Wm
"It is said in Madrid that sovoral Gorman, lis
French and Austrian warships will soon arrlvo -$9
In Havana." :Sfl
La Lucha editorially comments upon tho slfr, ijfl
nation and saya that all the nawspapers, as well Wm
aa private letters recoivod from Spain and tho j3
United States, speak only of the war feeling. It 39
adds that it is hard to explain this suddoa j$jM
change of attitude tn tho people ot tho Unttod
States. "Tbe unlinpassloned, peaceful nation;" j?3B
says La Lucha, "has suddenly become a warllko JXJ
people. What retina have tbe Americans for -;9
this transformation I Thoy havo none. Spain ijU
has not given them any direct or indirect causa g$M
for complaint. Spain helped thorn in tbelr 9
war of Indepondenco against England. If, - jSH
thoy havo any reason for tboir presont at- AjJ
tltude it is an unjust groed to possess gPfl
the island of Cuba. No other explanation Sjjl
ot the present bo'llcose attitude of the United "aH
Btatos can be found. But in tbo long run wo !9
shall see who Is tho wlnnor. It Is no secret that jf9
Spain does not fear a war with tho United 3B
States. Spanish publlo opinion Is unanimous j9
that after all war might bo tho best and shortest JjB
solution for the present comnltcatcd situation."
La Union. Conttituctonat says that tho send mSm
lng of relief to the reconcentrados by tbe United fii
States ought to be stopped by the Spanish Gov 9
ernment. "Tho supplies are scnt,"i Union tSJ
says, " upon the protox of relloving the recon- :$jm
centrados. but tbey are designed to really servo iS
other purposes. They aro not needed by tho vw
people. Tbey only Incrcaso tho vagrancy of tho H
degraded personR who shnmelossly live on alms. 9s
That shame Is all tbe greater whan the alms MM
comes from the hands of the foreigner." 'U
To-night Gen. Blanco Is giving a banquet at WM
his palace to tho commanders and officers of WM
the Spanish cruisers Vlzcaya aud Almlranto ',
Oquendo. Consul-Goncral Leo, Capt. Converse, JS
and all the Amorican ofllolals and officers who &
were Invited to attond sont their oxcuses, on tho IfiS
ground of the recent loss of tho Maine. '- WSm
The enthusiasm is increasing here among tho tS
Spaniards tor tho project of raising funds to J?fl
buy a new cruiser for tbe Spanish Navy. A fjM
battalion ot volunteers has decided to send ono fjB
representative to the gnla performance that will ''Aiil
be given at tbo Tacou Theatre to raise money $M
for tbat purpose, and w HI pay $1,000 for his seat. tiM
The railroad btidgo between Cocodrilo and ';$
Guira, in Matanzas province has been blown u -4Sgl
by tbe Insurgents. -?a
It Is said here that tho Board of Inquiry will ffl
probably not return to Havana, and tbat prep- aJB
aratlonsaro making to blowup tho hull of tbo MM
Maine with dynamite, so as to make It easier to S9
remove tho wreck. The dynamite for that pur yfjjl
poso has been suppliod by a company tn New CH
York which somo time ago sold a large quantity Wm
of dynamite to the Spanish naval authorities in jjl
Havana. 'MM
On next Sunday there will ba a religious cere. fjB
niony at the Huvana cemotery In hnnor of tno 'ijH
Maine's dead. It will bo conducted by tho f9
Bishop of Havana, Don Miimtcl Santaudcr, who Jpfl
has ordered a fciico to be placed temporarily WM
around the placo where the American sailors l
aro burled. Wm
Sefior Martinez Cadrann has been appointed v-9
Commissioner of the Colonial Government to Si
negotiate a traaty of commcrco at Waalilngtoa jiS
between the United States and Spain. nfll
Your correspondent has been notlflod that no -J
moro cable dospiitchcs.rau lo suit to-nluht be- 4jM
cnuso tho press censor, Dun Hainan Mender., Is Mm
to attend tho banquet given b) don. Blanco lo &
the Spanish officers of tho Viucajn nmlAhul- - -mm
rante Oquendo. Jail
HUT HOCUS AND TOItPEDO BOATS, WQ
House Naval Coiumltlrn Will ItfHiommead SISI &J9
Torpedo Boats and Mix Torpodo lleatroiera. 1111
Wabiiixotov, March Hi. Chairman Boiitoll jfl
and several members of tho House Commutes "111
on Naval Aff.lrs were at tho Navy Department .-.J
severs! hours to-day, In conference with th AS
oflklsls over tliodctJlloof the soveral drydncks, ;M
tho construction of which the loiunilttoe yestor- ;wH
day votod should bo authorized In tho forthcom- yV
IngNaval Appropriation bill. Tliolr absence from ,j
the Capitol prevented tliatiJtt.il nioctlnir of tho 3S9
cuiumlttvo until - o'clock tlili aftornoon. Thoy ij9
remained In session three hours, dorotliig most 'AM
of tbo tlmo to a discussion of the request of tho IHJ
soveral bureau chiefs fur Incroasus of the forts B
under their churls. As to t bete, mombors of the f 3
conimltteo say thoy roiclicdnu conclusion. When ftjffJ
tho present flurry arose-. It wasauggustod by tbo B
department officials tint authority bo i;lvcii for SM
thoic?nllaiooiitof engineers and other former 'gj
officers ot vhe navy who are nt prosenl in civil KM
llff-Ut that recommendation has since been .ijM
withdrawn, foi what reason It Is not slated. JH
The Naval Coum-lttee took llual uctlon upon fM
the provision relating to torpedo boats, adopt- sK
Ing Mr. Bull' provosttlon to direct tbe con- JM
struction of six torpoc'o boat and six torpedo 4M
destroyers. jHJ
br, , llll,,rilll.,r M imYini I WoooMiisstfiiiM