Evening star. [volume], April 26, 1898, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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THE EVENING ST A It.
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No. 14.088.
WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1898-TWELVE PAGES.
TWO CENTS.
If you want to buy, sell
or exchange Anything,
lease property Of rent
rooms, Want ft situation or
want iiclp, it will pay you
to announce the fact in the
advertising columns of The
Star. They ftre closely
studied by more than three
times as many people &a
read any other paper.
SPANISH SHIPS HERE
Merchantmen Given Until May 21 to
Depart.
SUCH VESSELS NOT TO BE MOLESTED
Neutral Flag Covers Enemy's Goods
Not Contraband.
ANOTHER PROCLAMATION
The State Department has given
notice to all nations and powers of
the declaration of war made yester
day against Spain.
Rear Admiral Erhen, retired, was
put in command of the mosquito
fleet.
lioth houses of Congress agreed
to the conference report on the
armv reorganization bill.
Chairman Dingley reported the
war revenue bill to the House and
gave notice that the bill would be
called up tomorrow, general debate
to continue until Thursday, the bill
to be considered Friday for amend
ment under the five-minute rule until
4 o'clock, when a vote should be
taken.
The State Department has sent all
foreign nations notice of Congress'
declaration that war has existed since
April 21. This was done to save
our rights.
Most governors have made prompt
and gratifying responses to the call
for volunteers.
Secretary Long authorized an em
phatic denial of reports current that
advices had been received that Mor
ro Castle had fired on the fleet, and
that it had replied.
The President nominated Wm. R.
Day to be Secretary of State and
John B. Moore to be assistant secre
tary. Secretary Day was confirmed.
Details were received of Lieut.
Fremont's land'ng in Cuba.
Rear Admiral Walker will be suc
ceeded on the naval strategic board
by Capt. A. T. Mahan.
The Mangrove captured the big
Spanish liner Panama about twenty
miles out of Havana this morning
and the gunboat X.ewport caught
two small coasters.
The President issued a procla
mation defining the attitude of the
government over Spanish ships in
United States ports.
The President today issued the following
proclamation respecting th? rights of Span
ish vessels now in or bound to United States
ports and also with regard to the right of
search:
By the President of the United States of
America,
A proclamation.
Whereas, by an act of Congress approved
Arril 2T>, 1SUS, It Is declared that war exists
and that war has existed since the 21st day
of April, A.D 1S08, including said day, be
tween the United States of America and the
Kingdom of Spain, and
Whereas, it being desirable that such war
should be conducted upon and in harmony
With the present views of nations and sanc
tioned by recent practice, it has already
been announced that the policy cf this
government will not be to resort to priva
teering, but to adhere to the rules of the
declaration of Paris:
Now, therefore, I, William McKlnley,
President of the United States of America,
by virtue of the power vested in me by the
action and the laws, do hereby declare and
proclaim:
First. The neutral flag covers enemy's
goods with the exception of contraband of
war.
Second. Niutral goods not contraband of
war are not liable to confiscation under the
eyjmy's flag.
'i'hlrd. Blockades in order to be binding
must be effective.
Fourth. Spanlsn merchant vessels In any
ports or places within the United States
shall be allowed until May 21, lb!>S, inclu
sive, for loading their cargoes and depart
ing from such ports or places; and such
Spanish merchant vessels if met at sea by
any United States ships shall be permitted
to continue their voyage, if on examina
tion of their papers It shall appear
that their cargoes were taken on
board before the expiration of the
above term, provided, that nothing herein
contained shall apply to Spanish vessels
h&ving on board any officers in the military
or naval service of the enemy, or any coal
(except such as may be necessary for their
voyage) or any other article prohibited or
ccntral.and of war, or any dispatch of or
to the Spnnteh government.
Fifth. Any Spar.'sh merchant vessel
which prior to April 21, 1SIW, shall have
sailed from any foreign port bound for any
port or place in the United States shall be
permitted to enter such port or place, and
to discharge her cargo and afterward
forthwith to depart without molestation;
? nd any such vessel If met at sea by any
United States ship shall be permitted to
continue her voyage to any port not
blockaded.
Sixth. The right of search is to be exer
cised with strict regard for the right of
neutrals, and the voyages of mail steamers
are not to be Interfered with except on the
clearest grounds of suspicion of a violation
of law In respect of contraband or block
ade.
(Signed.) WII.L1AM McKINLEY.
In witness whereof, etc., done at the
Department of State, etc., this 2ttth day of
April, etc.
The President's Visitors.
President McKlnley had many visitors
this morning before the time for the cabi
Mt meetir?. Nearly all of them are In
terested in securing places or promotions
in the army or navy for constituents.
Senators Quay, Penrose, Pritchard. Lind
say. G?>r Fairbanks. Spooner, Represen
aiives Jenkins and Grosvenor, Lieutenant
General Scliofield. and ex-Govenor Oates of
Alabama, were amor.; the callers.
Prof. Moore, the new iirst assistant sec
retary of state, called as the cabinet was
assembling. He had a long talk with the
President. There is much satisfaction at
his selection.
Wayne Ma'cVeagh. ex-ambassador to
Ithly. was a visitor. He has been at the
White House frequently since the begin
ning of the trouble with Spain.
Ex-Secretary John W. Foster was with
the President a short time.
The visit of ex-Gcverr.or Oates was to
urge the appointment of General Wheeler
of Alahama as a major general of volun
teers. This appointment is being urged
from all parts of the country. Senator
Davis of Minnesota has indorsed the sug
gestion, saying that he knows of General
Wheeler's ability, having been chased over
several southern states during the war, by
the noted Alabamian.
UlHcamilnK Coniti Defennea.
General John M. Wilson, chief of engin
eers of the United States army, went to
the White House this morning with a num
ber of Important maps and papers in his
possession. He was present during a great
er part of the cabinet session and was un
doubtedly consulted regarding the coast
defenses throughout the country. It is
generally believed that his presence at the
White House was exceedingly significant.
The click of telegraph instruments at the
White House never ceases now and makes
merry music when everything is still. Hun
dreds of messages go across the White
House wires dally. All the newspaper dis
patches are sent to the President, in addi
tion to the numerous official dispatches.
The C.ililiiel Meeting.
The two hours' session of the cabinet to
day did not reach any agreement changing
in any way the movements of the army
and navy heretofore agreed upou. Every
thing is said to be proceeding to the satis
faction of the President and cabinet.
The cabinet discussed numerous matters
in connection with the pending situation.
Secretary Sherman was present for the hist
time. His resignation was accepted at the
close of the meeting, and the venerable and
much-beloved statesman hade good-bye to
the President and his fellow-officials.
The farewell was affecting and historical.
As he was leaving the White House he
crn plied with a number of requests for
his autograph.
The lluenn Ventura's Case.
The seizure of Spanish ships by the Key
West fleet was informally discussed by the
cj.bir.et. It is said that there is not unanim
ity among the administration officials ?s
to the case of the Bucna Ventura, but it
Is felt that no orders can be given from
here regarding that ship or any of the
other vessels wh'.ch were captured.
The prize court will settle all these cases,
and the government here will have to
abide by the decision cf the court. Attor
ney Gt"neral Griggs will represent both
the government and the captors through
the district attorney of the southern dis
trict of Florida, who is now engaged in the
preparation of the papers.
Report of GDgiiKi'ment Denied.
Cabinet officials denied the rumors of an
engagement between the fleet and the bat
teries of Morro Castle. No news intimat
ing this was .'eceived during the day by
Secretary Long, who reported that every
thing stands as ordered several days ago.
It was authoritatively stated that the
government has received no official news of
the sailing of the Spanish fleet from the
Cape Verde Islands. It is said that the
government is keeping a close eye on this
fleet.
The run of the Minneapolis and Columbia
to the New England coast is declared to
have had no particular purpose in view, ex
cept to give the people along the coast an
idea of how quickly they can be protected
in case of the approach of the enemy. Tho
quick run of the two splendid cruisers was
gratifying to the officials.
The reports that a Spanish fleet Is head
ing this way gave no alarm to the Presi
dent and cabinet, who feel sure that the
coast Is well protected at every point by
fortifications and mines. General John M.
Wilson, chief of engineers, increased this
assurance today by showing the assembled
cabinet officials Just how everything stands.
War Revenue.
There was some discussion as to the
question of war revenue measures, but It
v.as purely informal, pending action by
Congress. Secretary Gage, who always
keeps the cabinet posted as to financial af
fairs. ;s In New York, and was absent from
the mooting.
Secretary Day will take his seat at the
cabinet table Friday, If he Is not detained
at Canton'. He has been present at nearly
every cabinet session for weeks, but did
not participate In the deliberations except
to unfold the pi ogress of affairs, when
called upon to do so, and to order the
carrying out of such matters as wero
agreed upon.
SPAIX WILL PLAY BADGER.
To Wait for nn Aggressive Warfare
prom l?,
MADRID, April 26.?The general public
here is in complete Ignorance regarding the
Spanish war movements. The newspapers \
make no mention of them, while fuUy re
c.Tding the tactics of the United StaLes
fleet. !
Judging from the available advices, Spain
appears to have the tactics of the badger.
The Liberal says: "We are inside our
house, Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philip
pine Islands, and inside we will remain
until you come and drive us out In fulfill
ment of your arrogant boast."
It is generally believed that In conso
nance, with this policy the Spanish fleet,
unless compelled to fight, will avoid en
gagements, and the fastest ships will be
employed to destroy the commerce of the
United States. >
The newspapers today reflect general sat
isfaction at the unanimity of the support
given the government in the cortes yester
day.
A bill to indemnify the government for
gianting autonomy to Cuba, which was not
authorized by the cortes, is expected to
pass by acclamation today, unless the Reb
ledoists, who are hostile to autonomy, oo
pese the measure.
Mr*. MeKlnley's Rftua,
Mrs. McKinley returned from Nmt York
at 8 o'clock this morning, accompanied by
Mrs. Barber and Miss Barber, her Canton
Ohio, guests The President was up early
to greet them, but did not go to the station.
Mr. Webb C. Hayes met them instead
There was a happy breakfast party, com
prising the President and Mrs. McKinley
Mr. Hayes, Gen. Hastings, the President's
old war colonel; Mrs. Barber and MIm
parber. They were later Joined by Mr
Abner Mc^nley, the President's brother. '
THREE MORE PRIZES
Blockading Fleet Continues to Prey
on Spain's Commerce.
BIG USER PSMMi CAPTURED
Mangrove, With Two Six-Pounders,
Gets the Big Prize.
NEWPORT GETS OTHER TWO
KEY WEST, Fla., April 26?The big
Spanish steamship Panama of the Ceballoa
line, which left New York April 20, for
Havana, with a number of Spanish refu
gees on board and a very valuable cargo,
including, it is understood, stores for the
Spanish army, was < apturcd last evening
about twenty miles from Havana, by the
little lighthouse tender Mangrove, now be
longing to the Mosquito fleet. The Man
grove mounts two slx-pounders and four
.38 revolvers. She is commanded by LJeut.
Commander Everett and has a crew of
thirteen men.
Tfle Panama is of about 2.HU0 tons, and
a very ricl. prize.
The United States gunboat Newport,
Capt. B. F. Tilley. has brought in the
Spanish s]_c-op Puquete and the Spanish
schooner Pireto, Cuban coasting vessels,
which she laptured off Havana this morn
ing.
When the Mangrove sighted the Panama
she ran up to her and fired a gun across
her bows. The liner did not take the hint
and a second shot was lired, after which
the Panama slowed down a little. A thirl
shot was flred across the bows of the Pan
ama. at a hundred yards, and the dejx
officer of the Spanish vess;l was hailed and
notified that if he did not "heave to" a shot
would be sen through his vessel. This
notilication caused the Panama to be
brought to.
Ensign Dayton then boarded the Spanish i
steamtr and took possession of her.
The battle ship Indiana tljen steamed up
and Commander Everett notified Captain
Taylor of the Indiana that he had cap
tured the Panama and borrowed a prize
crew from the battle ship, consisting of
cadet Falconer and fifteen marines. The
Mangrove was then ordered to report to
the flagship and Rear Admiral Sampson
told Commander Everett to take his prize
into K'jy West.
The Pani-ir.a is understood to have thirty
nine passengers on board. As she rounded
to after the little Mangrove overhauled
her, Commander Everett knowing the Pan
ama was an auxiliary cruiser, expected to
be fired upon. It is not yet known whether
the Panama had guns on board.
Carrying tlie War Into Afrleu?
MIDDUESBORO', Ky., April 20.-Two
Spaniards with tame bears were ru.i out of
JocesvlUe, Va. One was seriously hurt,
but they escaped
| Value of (he Panama.
NEW YORK, April 20.?It was stated at
the office of the Spanish transaslantic line,
which owns the Panama, that that vessel
was valued at $200,000 and her cargo at
CARLOS V IX PARIS' PATH.
Sl>uni?H CrtilMer Una licen Siglited l>)'
the l'ennlaud.
QUEENSTOWN, April 20.?The Red Star
Line steamer Pennland. Captain Albrecht,
which left Philadelphia on April 10, has ar
rived here, and reports that she has not
sighted the American liner I'aris, char
tered by the United States government,
which the Spaniards are said to be trying
to capture, but last Sunday the Penniand
sighted the Spanish warship Don Carlos
(possibly the Carlos V), which was steam
ing rapidly at the time.
The Carlos V, a first-class armored
cruiser, left Havre for Ferrol, it was said
at the time, on April 3.
TO MISTER IX TROOPS.
Colonel Heyl to Reeelre the District
Battalion.
Col. C. H. Heyl, adjutant general of the
District militia, was today assigned to the
duty of mustering Into the United States
service the battalion of Infantry to be re
cruited In the District for service In the
volunteer army of the United States, under
the President's call for 125,000 men.
?
TAKEN TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
Agreement on the Army Reorganiza
tion lllll.
The conferees of the two Mouses reached
an agreement this morning on the army re
organization bill. The House conferees
agreed to the Senate amendment requiring
that the quotas of militia of the various
states and territories shall be in compa
nies, troops and batteries In order to be ac
cepted by the President, and also the Sen
ate amendment Increasing the Signal Corps
to the extent of ten corporals and 140
privates.
The conference ^refused to accept the
amendment authorizing the active employ
ment of retired army officers in time of
war, and It was therefore eliminated from
the bill.
Both houses agreed to the report and the
bill left the Capitol at 2A? o'clock for the
President's signature.
FIRST CHEERS, THEN' CLRSES.
Wnrd Line Steamer Una Exciting Ex
perience In Havana.
NEW YORK. April 20.?The Word line
steamer Saratoga. Captain Johnson, ar
ilved today from Havana with 211 passen
gers and a full cargo of cigars, sugar, etc.,
and about one million dollars in specie.
The Saratoga sailed from New York April
14 with a cargo of supplies for Havana,
where she arrived April 18, and was re
ceived by the pecple with cheers. The fort
at Morro hoisted the American jack and
great rejoicing prevailed.
The people ran wild about the streets,
and troops were seen marching and coun
termarching on all sides. When the
steamer had discharged her cargo the
?cents were overwhelmed with applica
tions tm and the ship's steward
was obliged to go ashore and purchase sup
plies for the 211 passengers who embarked.
The Saratoga sailed about 0:30 a.m., April
22. This time the sentiment of the people
was displayed In a different manner.
They lined the shores of the narrow
channel in dense crowds, jeering and hoot
ing, cursing and hurling obscene epithets
at the steamer and her passengers. While
passing down the channel three guns were
fired from each side of the entrance and a
red flag waa hoisted on Morro Castle.
BLANCO IS DEFIANT
Says Ho Can Defend Havana Without
Fleet's Help.
Aniirer to n Spanish Admiral?
Polo May Quit
Canada,
MADRID, April 25 (delayed In transmis
sion).?Tha Pai3 today announced that
the Spanlsa admiral in command or the
lleet at St. Vincent, Cepe Verde Islands,
has cabled to the government here that
when the I'nited States fleet is be tore Ha
vana his place is not at the Capo Verde
Islands, adding thf.t he would sail against
tho American squadron in the morning, or
ders or iio orders.
lil;uicu i)(KN Net IVanl TUem.
HAVANA (via Ijoiidon). April Z'l.?Cap
tain General f'lei-.so has cabled the povern
rrit nt at Madrid to the ?. ffect that the S,>an
i.-h sqr.adron of w-arsli ps may be utilized
I i-lj-ew hers, as he can account for the de
fense of Havana without tho assistance of
the lieei.
Wliy is I'cla iu Canadaf
LONDON April VG.?In the house of com
mons tudaj Mr. Jan-.ts F. Hcgari, antl
Parneilite, mi inter for the mlddie division
of Tipperary, will ask the government
leader, Mr. A. J. Balfour, first lord of the
treasury and secretary of state for foreign
affairs, whether Senof Polo y Bcrnabe,
the former Spanish minister at Washing
ton, who is now in Canada, is at liberty to
use Toronto as a base for supplying Spain
with information, and whether there is
any foundation for the suggestion thai
?t nor I'olo is accredited to the whole of
America north of tho equator, and that he
has thereby acquired a definite status in
Canada, and generally to "indicate the
limitations imposed by precedent and diplo
matic usage on the activities of an ex-min
ister of a belligerent power who keeps up
a temporary residence in a British colony."
PROSPECT OF 11(1 M) 1SSIE.
ll<'|?ulill<*niiM ('ouliileal of the Senate
Farnrlnn; it.
At the meetirg of they ways and means
committee today, Mr. Baliey, on behalf of
the democratic minority, offered the sub
stitute agreed upon by them for the propo
sition in the bill authorizing the issue of
l.vio.ooo.ooo coin bonds. It provides for an
income tax of 3 per cent on Incomes from
all sources in excess of $4,000. State,
county and municipal bonds, however, were
excepted from its provisions to meet the
uranimous decision of the Eupreme Court
in this respect. The minority estimated
thut such an Income tax would raise $100,
000,000. Coupled with It was the proposi
tion to coin the silver ?c'gnlBrage. which at
present amount* to tt2,<XX),0G0.
Tho substitute was veted down by a
strict party vote. No amendments were
offered to Qther provisions at the bill, owing
to the lack of time.
No doubt is expressed.among republicans
of the Senate finance eommltt?e as to pass
ing the war measure with the bond propo
sition In It. Nearly all republican members
of the Senate are said to favor it, and from
six to ten on the democratic slds are ex
pected to vote with them.
There Is quite an Interesting contest
among democrats of the Senate for the
place on ths finance committee made va
cant by tho death of Senator Walthall. Sen
ator Gorman of Maryland has bean favor
ally considered, hut the ardent silver men
want a pror.o'- r.ced silver man for the place.
The fact that in the immjdiate future the
committee will "be compelled to act upon
the bond proposition in tho tariff bill Is be
ing considered in connection with the filling
of thj vacancy.
The namts of Senators Bacon of Georgia
end Chilton of Texas are also mentioned in
connection with the vacancy.
??. ?
NOW SECRETARY DAY.
Nomination Sent to tlie Senate nnil
Confirmed.
The President todaj nominated William
R. Day of Ohio to be Secretary of State,
vice John Sherman, resigned, and John B.
Moore of New York to be assistant secre
tary of state, vice William R. Day.
The Senate committee on foreign rela
tions agreed unanimously to a favorable
report on the nomination of Secretary Day.
The Senate later confirmed the nomination,
and the nomination of Mr. Moore was re
ferred to the committee.
Judge Day's norrilratlon was favorably
reported from the committee on foreign
relations without the formality of a meet
ing, the meniberj expressing their concur
rence through a poll made on the Iloor of
the Senate by Senator Davis. When the
executive setsjon was called Mr. Davis
reported the action of the commlttec, and
the nomination wa? taken up and confirmed
without comment or delay. Senator White
suggested the propriety of similar action
In the case of Prof. Moore, nominated for
assistant secretary, but Senator Davla said
the committee preferred to have his nom
ination referred to it. The reference was
accordingly made.
? a
Spy nt Fort Hancock,
NEW YORK, April 26.-It is reported
that a man In an army uniform was ar
rested at Fort Hancdck and Imprisoned at
Governor's Island today as a spy.
France to 1'rocHllm neutrality.
PARIS, April 20.?At the cabinet council
here today, the minister of foreign affairs,
M. Hanotaux. Informed hia colleagues of
the neutrality Instructions tEsued, and the
council approved of a program of neutral
ity which Is a/bout to be published by the
French government and which Is Identical
with the prcgrtm Issued at the time of the
Russo-Turklsh war.
Minneapolis DliappMU* Again.
BOSTON, April 26.?The cruiser Minne
apolis, which left the flying squadron at
Hampton Roads last Sunday night and
passed in by Highland light at 0:45 p.m.
yesterday, was nowhere to be seen in the
bay this morning, and incoming steamers
from the eastward and other points this
morning saw nothing of the warship.
WAR CHART SUPPLEMENT.
On Thursday, the 28th, a hand
somely colored chart of the scene of
the present naval operations will be
issued as a supplement'to The Star.
This chart will be so arranged that
the location of th% various naval ves
sels can be readily indicated from
day to day and will be of permanent
value. No additional charge will be
made for The JJtar containing this
supplement
A DARING EXPLOIT
Lieut. Fremont's Landing of Marines
in Oaba.
IMPORTANT ISFOMATION GAINED
Uncertainty as to the Course of the
Spanish Navy.
OUR SHIPS OX LOOKOUT
The dctallB of Lieut. Fremont's daring
exploit with the torpedo boat Porter have
been revived by an official who visited th
White House today. The story printed In
the morning's papers wan censored by the
ffcvernn-.ent's agents at Key West, and all
the facts did not come out. Lieut. Fre
mont ran his boat In under the Runs of tlie
Matanzas batteries and landed a company
of marines in Cuba. The pilot who guided
t c Porter was the same man who suc
ceeded In landing so many filibustering ex
peditions in Cuba. The point selected for
the landing was the same one at which the
War Department Intends to land its first
forcc of 5.0(10 infantry, cavalry and ar.>i
lery. The pilot, on reaching shore, was in
trusted with dispatches to deliver to Gen.
Gomez acquainting him with the plans of
the approaching expedition and directing
him to hold ills forces In readiness to co
operate with those of the United State..
Capt. Sampson has characterized the expe
dition of Lieut. Fremont as "a darirg ex
ploit."
Xews at thr Department.
The Navy Department also, it is under
stood, has received dispatches re'atir.g to
the landing of Lieutenant Fremont from
the torpedo boat Porter for a short time
In Cuba with relation to the landing of
munitions of war and supplies for the es
tablishment of the base of supplies. It
Is known that the information secured bv
Lieutenant Fremont Is of great Importance,
but whether it shows the plans for a"
junction with Gomes' army have been suc
cessfully managed or not is not disclosed.
It Is believed, however, that the informa
tion was Fatisfaclory. It is problematical
as to how ma ly troops Gomez can assem
ble, and upan that depends lurge.iy the Im
mediate operation-: in Cuba. It is not tfco
ir.te-ntlon of the President to begin a for
midable Invasion of Cuba until after there
has been a test of strength between the
American and the Spmish fleets, or unii!
it has been established that Spain docs net
intend to send her fleet to American waters
PI ii ii L iicha iiff ed.
It is believed that the information secur
ed by Lieutenant Fremont was not of a
character to change in any way the plan of
landing five thousand troops somewhere on
the coast of Cuba to establish a base of
sappHeB. On the. contrary, it is supposed
that a thorough understanding has been
arrived at with the commander of the Cu
bnn forces with respect to the establish
ment of the base of supplies. The Ameri
can troops landed in Cuba will not be there
for any aggressive movement, but will be
strong enough to maintain themselves in
the position which they will occupy. The
authorities on which the administration
relies chiefly for advice with respect to
operations on the island regard a force of
five thousand men as ample for this pur
jose, and this force will carry munitions
of war and provisions for a large army, so
that If Gomez' army should fail to make a
junction with them and Sampson's fleet
should be called away from blockade duty
to meet the Spanish fleet on the high seas
the force would be strong enough to de
fend itself against attack, and would be so
well provisioned as nof to suffer from being
cut off from communication, even for a
long lime. If the plajis work out satis
factorily and Gomez can provide a suffi
cient force the Cuban army will be weil
supplied and equipped for such aggressive
movements as may be deemed advisable
lor them to make.
Objections to a Larpe Invasion Force.
The re are some authorities here who urge
VI ry strong-ly the immediate Invasion of
Cjba by a large force, but serious objec
tions are raised to this, and it is not con
template in ihe present plans. The plan
of invasion, in fact, ha-s not yet been defi
nitely decided upon, and the President is
Still In consultation with the Secretary of
War. Gen. Miles and Gen. Schofleil on the
subject. Th> reason that the President and
Secretary of War do no', intend an Invasion
f1 .Ume by a large arn,y. In addition
to the danger from disease, is that If the
two Spanish fleets, that at dt. Vincent
Cape Verde, and the Cadiz fleet, should join
and procied at once to attack any of our
perls or to give battle to our fleets, It might
result in cutting our army in Cuba off from
communication for a Ume and subjecting it
to practically a blockide la Cuba, such as
Havana is now undergoing. If by any mis
chance our fleet should suffer reverses a
large army In Cuba wouid be placed ' at
great disadvantage It Is regarded as desir
able, therefore, that military operations In
Cuba should be confided chiefly to Gomez's
forces until the naval operations have led
to tome definite result.
Uncertainty of Spanish \avr.
The department here, it Is said, is lert
largely to surmise for a conclusion as to
the course which will be pursued by the
Spanish navy. It is regarded as deflnitely
settied that the Spanish flee: at St. Vincent
Cape Verds Islands, will not remain there
and that the Cadiz fleet is on Its way either
to form a Junction with the St. Vlrcent
fleet at the Canaries or on an Independent
expedition to our northern coast.
Our own vessels have been so distributed
is to meet either of these movements. If
the two Spanish fleets are Joined in an ag
gressive movement they can be met, it Is
said, by the Hampton Roads fleet and a
large part of Sampson's fleet at any point
toward which their movements are direct
id. A small part of Sampson's fleet ooui l
maintain the blockade now established in
Cuba, if the entire Spanish fleet were be- '
tag engaged by our fleet, so that they could
not attack , the blockade. The Interpreta
t.on put upon the movements of the Min
neapolis and Columbia in our northern wa
tersIs that they are on the lookout for the
Cadiz fleet, should It proceed at once to
American waters without forming a Junc
tion with the fleet from St. Vincent. It it
should develop that this course has been
followed by the Spanish, Bchleys fleet
trom Hampton Roads would be amply able
to cope with them without any assistance
hom Sampson's fleet, which would remain
to maintain the blockade of Cuba and to
??eet the Spanish fleet from St. Vlncen*
?hould that be sent to the relief of Blanoo.*
Neither Schley's fleet nor Btiri?on'i fleet
alone mlcht be strong enmieh to warrant
their ensnglrg t*e eofnblnwl Cadis and S'..
Vincent Reel. But Should this combined
fleet appear both our fleets would probably
be able to ejuiekly unite in an attack
tfcem without relieving the block.* la c-f
Havana or Matanzas, and the belief Is that
the united foree of Bchiey and Sampson
could sweep the ati'.teJ Spanish fleet from
the oeean.
Aavloas for a larni Itittle.
If It iB not the Intention of Spain to sen-1
her naval foree ft^i'npt hr, it is eKP?pte<l
that the war will continue for' Some time
without any very freat amount cf ini'itarv
activity en the tftrt of this government.
Our navy la nnklous to meet the Spanish
fleet, and to ir.ak? the first battle a naval
battle. If the blockade of Havana is con
tinued for K'mt time, and the military
operations on the islnnd are confided to
the Cuban*,, Spain will be compelled to
attempt the relief of Binneo by the use of
her navy, thereby havinK to brave a naval
engagement In American wnters. Where
as. If Havana should-' fall speedily and the
entire Island be captured by rn invasion,
lilnnco having to capitulate, Spain wm.ld
not then b? r-nder the pressing necessity
of sending her warships here, but could
entcnge In retaliatory operations, makins
predatory expeditions with her fleet and
keeping up the war for a lonR lime at Vin*
range. It is only within a day or two, it
Is said, that the department hps felt it
to be probable that the Spanish fleet would
be ordered to American waters, but it Is
'realized now that under the plan of cam
paign we have adopted the Spanish nary
i&nixit be kept idly In port, while Blanco
and his army ore beli.g subjected to the
lingering starvation of a blockade, without
the power to strike a blow at our fleet in
self-defence. Spnin, with her warships at
S*. Vincent end Cadiz and her army help
lessly blockaded in Cuba, would be in an
Impossible position, and could not eontinue
her navy in an attltv.de of ina* lion.
Meanwhile the destruction of the small
Spanish fie'.t at the Philippines and the
capture of the Philippine Islands by our
Asiatic squadron Is expected at an early
date.
G1UTKIILI.Y UKMCMllKItliD.
Tl?c Prcxldent Spcaka of Mr. Slur
man's Services.
The following is a copy of the note writ
ten by the President today In reply to the
letter of Mr. Sherman, tendering his resig
nation fts Secretary of State:
Hon. John Sherman,
Secretary cf State.
Hear Sir: Your letter of the 23th Instant,
tendering your resignation of the office of
S>;. rt tary of State, lias been received, and
the resignation is accepted.
I can not let this occasion pass without
congratulating you upon your useful and
distinguished career, covering a period of
r.eariy half a century In the public service
and tilled with exceptional honor and suc
cess.
Your great service has added luster to
American statesmanship, and will always
Le gratefully remembered by your fellow
countrymen.
With ccrdlal good wishes.
Very truly yours,
william Mckinley.
Jl'DGE DAY AT CASiTOX.
Hla Friends Say Br Will Accept Port
folio of State.
Special DigpatcL to The Evening Star.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, April 29.?Judge W.
R. Day. accompanied by his son Luther,
arrive-d In Canton yesterday morning. He
was met by Postmaster Frease and other
friends and was at once driven to hla home.
When asked whether It was true that he
had been tendered the portfolio of stale,
he said: "I have the matter under con
sideration."
Being asked how long he would remain
in Canton, he said "a day or two."
His friends state that he haa decided to
take the place and had a/lviied his law
partner to that effect before leaving Wash
ington. One of them stated that the prin
cipal object 01' his coming at this time is
to arrange his business affairs for a long
siege at Washington. He had intended
retiring as assistant secretary, and the
turn affairs have taken has made It neces
sary to make corresponding changes In his
business affairs. Mr. Day was made aware
on his arrival that the resignation of Secre
tary Shcnr-an had been made public, but
he declined to say cnythlng on that sub
ject. There Is no doubt of his acceptance.
W AR LEGISLATION.
Xraiorra Intended to Fnrllltnte the
Carrytnic on of Hostilities.
Senator McMillan today Introduced a bill
intended to reconcile the naval militia of
the various states to the national service.
The bill provides for their (service as or
ganizations in the same lines as the land
militia will be utilized under the bill which
recently became a law. The bill is as fol
lows:
"That the naval militia of the states
vhen called into the service of the United
States shall be organized under and shall
be subject to the laws, orders and reguia
tlcns governing the United Stales navy,
provided that when members of the naval
militia of any state shall enlist In the
United States navy as a body, as such
naval militia, the officers in service with
the organization thus enlisting shall be
an-olnted by the governors of the states
and shall when so appointed be officers of
correspond! ig grades in the same organi
zation when it shall have been received
Into the service of the United States as a
part of the volunteer navy."
Secretary Alger has recommended to Con
gress ths removal of the restriction of the
number of hospital stewards of the army
hospital corps to 100, in view of additional
stewaids needed in the field and increased
military posts.
Chtlrman Hull of the House military af
fairs committee Is framing a bill suspending
the laws appiicabl; to the quartermaster's
department of the army for report to the
House tomorrow. It follows administration
recommcndrtiors.
Assistant Secretary of War Meiklejohn
has recommended to Congress legislation
authorising enlistment of members of hos
pital corps. He recommends the following
in connection with the call for 12T>,000 vol
unteers. Pot each regiment of volunteer
Infantry or cavalry mustered Into the serv
ice of the United States there be enlisted
the following members of the hospital
corps: One hospital steward, one acting
hospital steward and twenty-five privates:
for each artillery battery, one hospital
steward and five privates; each army
division, in addition, one hospital steward,
one acting steward and fifty privates of
the hospital corps, under the chief sur
geon of the division.
These men, in accordance with the Geneva
convention, will be non-combatants and will
wear the arm badge bearing a red cross on
a white ground, by article seven.
Senator Proctor today Introduced a bill
providing for the organization of a volun
teer brigade of engineers for the nation
at large for the Spanish war. The bill
limits the brigade to threr regiments and
86,000 men, who ari required to possess the
special qualifications necessary for engineer
troops.
Col am lit a Sails Asala.
NEWPORT. R. I., April 20.?The United
States cruiser Columbia sailed at 8:3l) am.
Her destination is not known.
PROMPT RESPONSE?
? ? ? ? -?
Gratifying Reports From the Govern
ors of States.
?
PETOLVANIANS EQUIPPED FOR DUTY
Dispatch Received From Governor
Hastings.
WAR DKPAKTMKNT NOTKS
JSnr ssKrxrr r- z
ri^tZrXlul? *h"n "f
1L ,, , " ?> mi*.
wh*? "rh ?rocj* nil tKm4 r*
ZHTf 'h* ?:Mes ^
?'h; ?trun^ h?*- "PiM-.-i v.???^Tf
Alw. ?*.** and ,hfffT
Mm wLnTLnM'K,fcC*Wr' <*?*??*? *X
"h*n ,h* ?Ut? trrKjp. will he reartr
or muster Into servfo* of th? t;Bit?d StaK-.
government. ****
?rnor^L^" ?.> the grrr
Z "l ta" *W?t N.lV,r. ? rtto.
Patch e.m- U?m Governor H.MIng.Tf
P?n?>W.?h, whk-h Mh]
called for wtr? VMifJ lh* m#n
<5utv i7fl ^ &n<l wjuipp^j fnf
b."u
sf^^'WsrjarS
under whoso dlrec-tlm the ?rr- * ?
asrrs^-r!?1?
congressmen anT?.'^ Ur?* numh?* ?"
r=
-*n Mralieal lot*
,^"7 uamm* ^ hi. uta
th*Tt.,? "?!,flcaUo,i 10 ?* ?overnon of
the sta.es let. yeaterday with a tetter rfv
K.tlonal Uuard ??
or*. which, except in surfln* th, n^^
'? UM7 ?ted from ? s,at^7th1
place of rendervous. i, identical Ic'?
caae. is a* follow.:
"To the Governor of
vtrr;~C?der the act of ^"ertv -to pro
vide for temporarily Increasing the i^T
ttoi ??^,U*hmeJU <* the United States in
time of war, and for other put pose* ?
SZ? THior l*Z
I have the hoLr ta ? fr? J"-*"*
? Quota, of vol uuteers a* folio ws ? ^ ^ "U"?
^rT^f? :urv^'^
^r^r'.rsL-'*
quota will be at IU
be met as soon as practicable thertlftL- to
an officer to muater it irto the ^ ' ^
Pay of the United States Th
officer wtii u i ? The mustering
r will be Instructed tn ~-?i?
UkTy^ rSUlk ?f ^'"'"""'ored rffl e?r Tho
igor. As soon jjl murtert-,1 Into the Pnlte.l
service i, u the Intention tha
from your cut, shall be
othera for ln>-trucVon and servic ur l,r the
irectlon of the major general commandln*
of the army. at 81me point nr points to J
designated hereafter. It 18 dr?i^, fcr ^
sons stated In tel,Tra... ?f thie ^TZ '
as far as practicable, the National Gwrd
Riven prcfercnce.
"The rendesvouf for your state wffl b
If ,or "n>' cause it is foun.'
ne?r?ary t, change the point of concentra
tlon your recommen.laUoii is requ?t<.j.
Iiacds may be organiaed ftrm thr
army^l-?f s'e ^ ^ in r-gular
ZSfZJr ,,arapra"h -?? A?>?'ru
l^elnrrr, ?? Volunteer.
Expecting that the governors of the
states will be prompt in getting thr volun
teer, concentrated a, th> .,E,mb.n? pol-.u
nr* ^ ^partmen . ITIciaU hav^ ai^a.ly
Prepared . ?8t of offlo?s who wfl, ^
Irto !he US, Srn,,>S 10 t"Uf,->r "" -'n
W-ben ,h. r ?f ,h? Cnit?1 Stat-,.
?hen this :s acsompliahed thtv will be
under direct control of the f.d.ral g/l'.r^
?pnt and ?.11 b? sut.Jret to the discipline
rtgulronents of the army. Tie te'^
Bram from the po\crncrs of the states in
rep* ,o F?reury Alters te^mm ,f v^
te?lay Indicates that the jatr'otls.n of the
e.ti?tr-so!dl?ry is at Its height. Th.re is
everywhere an eagvrnes, to ?erv- th"
niteo States government in Its p-esent
emergency. The officials d-W'?- to make
rubllc the text of these tel. grai,s at tl.Is
tln-e saving ,hat thfy Cf.iUajn <f
detail that Is of nc popo'jir Inter,at. The
dispatches also coniain information bear
ing on the requirements of the mii'tla as
respects equipments. amtnuniUon. arm,
blcnkets. tents. *c.. and 1, Is su^X,
that the best inters, of the country would
not be subserved by making them public
Some opposition l;as erisen on the pa,.
of .everal of the slates to the Ice uion of
the assemb.ing points selected b. s ivtary
Alser. The War Depar.ment ofiicials say
the selections were made with a view to
satlsfjlng all persons interested, and in
most cases the regular camping grounds of
the National Guards were selected
The department officials dec del' lod .y
mll^r^ CCTn,nitln* P0,nt for !"e
m! K*nsas from Kansas city to the
military pom at Fort Learauworth. The
?tate troop, wfll .thus be enabled to avail
themselves of the advantages that w?l
Ewue from their presence at the p?st
Several changes have been mad, In th,
apportionment of the troopa. Idaho, which
UotJL f"' 6-1 **" to furn "h '*o
H cavalry, will. Inst, ad. be asked
?"nd ? battalion of Infantry, and la.]).,,
2tS W1", be on for two troop.
* ,n ?t the conditions ex
i? 2?.i v- territory. |t |. thought that
m"ch c"1'r to raise cavalry
t roc pa there than in Idaho.
Ho Batteries la Csaaeellpat.
HARTPORD, Conn.. April 2a--The vol
unteer call causes difficulty. There are bo
batteries In the Connecticut ml.ltia. Th.
War Department has been "feakud If th.
Ball cannot be changed.