The herald. [microfilm reel], February 21, 1898, Page 2, Image 2

About The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900

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2
rlnes will go on duty and stand by until 4
oclock tomorrow afternoon, when the
naval tugs will take up the same positions
which they assumed this afternoon. These
are the plans so far arranged by Lieut.
Dougherty and they are not likely to be
changed. All the vessels mentioned will
remain off Tompkinsville until the Vizca
ya leaves her anchorage and points out to
sea. In case the cruiser comes through
the upper bay and anchors in the North
river the patrol boats and tugs will accom
pany her and the same arrangements will
obtain.
Upon receipt of a telegram stating that
the Vizcaya had anchored off Tompklns
villo, Senor 1 ton Manuel de Suarez, sec
retarj' of the consul-general of Spain in
this city, accompanied by a representative
of the Associated Press, proceeded to the
warshlp on the tug Lohman, to deliver
mail and telegrams to tbe officers. The
Vtscaya was guarded by the navy tugs
Nina and Narkota, and the police boat
Patrol. Tbe three were slowly circling
around the big .cruiser, anil tho Lohman
was warned off. After a lengthy expla
nation, she was given permission to pro
coed. An officer ami guard of four marines
received the secretary of the consulate,
and a card to Capt. Eulate led to an in
vitation to proceed to his quarters, aft
on the main deck. There a very friendly
reception awaited Senor Don Manuel de
Suarez and the reporter.
ln an interview with the Associated
Press representative, Capt. Eulate said
that wdille his ship was in port his officers
would accept no Invitations of any kind.
The Spanish warship had ooine here em a
visit of courtesy ami friendship, ami when
the dreadful accident to the Maine was
learned the flags were put at half-mast,
and there they would remain until the ship
took her departure. He likened his visit
to that of one intimate friend to another
when disaster had overtaken the latter.
The same delicacy dictated what to do—
to mourn with the friend and to avoid all
festivity. No Invitations of a social char
acter would be aceptcd. This he wished
to have understood.
Referring to tin- catastrophe, he de
clared that he and his officers were great
ly shocked, and that tbe sympathy of all
was with tbe bereaved families.
First Lieut, dc Fuentes gave a graphic
account of the Vlzcaya's trip from Her
llrst anchorage, inside of Sandy Hook, to
that off Tompklnsvllle. At U oclock to
day the anchors were hauled In. It was
very foggy when tbe ship got under way.
so foggy that they had incessant difficulty
In finding the buoys. The heavy draft of
the Vizcaya. the fog and the tortuous chan
nel made matters interesting.
Capt. Eulate, when aske d how long the
ship would remain In port, said he had no
orSers from his government, but be evi
dently expects to lie here for some time.
He was eloquent in his praise of his ship
during the- hurricane met between the Ber
mudas and Cape Hatteras. She rode the
heavy se as without an effort, and although
Jhe storm lasted thirty-four hours no ac
cident of any kind occurred.
The Vizcaya has a full crew of engineers,
marines and torpedo corps, and carries ten
torpedoes, marine artillerymen, quarter
masters and other officers and a diver, a
total complement of 492.
IN THE HOSPITALS
Most of the Wounded Are Progressing
Favorably
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.. Feb. 20.—A spe
cial to tbe Times-Union ami Citlaen from
Key West says: The following are the
Wounded In the marine hospital here: G. J.
Dressier of New York city, fractured jaw.
knee cap, wound In breast.
George Fox, Grand Rapids, Mich.,,("ol
on head, right arm burned, foot and hand
injured.
Robert Huichins (colored), New York,
arms anel face badly burned.
Frank G. Thompson, Austin. 111., dislo
cated ankle, arm cut.
Carl Cnrlstenson, Sweden, right arm and
leg bruised and burned, arms and bead
bruised and badly shaken up.
Wm. H. Thompson. New York city, back
hurt und both hands burned.
George Worth. Brooklyn, bruised on leg
and neck.
Patrick Foley. Mount Vernon. Ky.. cut
on nose, eyes and mouth. He is the most
seriously injured and is in great pain.
Martin Larson. Philadelphia, was in the
hospital when the explosion took place.
He has had continued fever, but Is now
convalescing.
The marine hospital men ore the mopt
seriously hurt but none are In danger of
dying. They are cheerful and keeping In
good spirits.
Many of the wounded at the I'nlted
States navy barracks hospital could not
be seen, but the commanding officer staled
that none were dangerously hurt. Among
those seen were Wm. McNalr of Pittsburg,
w ho Is slightly injured.
Geo. David, Island Malt, slightly injured
In the back and hip.
Louis Mormermen, Newtonville, Mas-.,
uninjured; M. Lanahan. Louisville, Ky.,
uninjured: Thomas Melville, Brooklyn,
uninjured. He was on watch on the quar
ter deck and was thrown eight feet in the
air and forty feet from the ship into the
water. He swam back to the Maine and
climbed aboard again. He then saved thc
llves of men floating in the water.
Edward McKay of Boston, Is uninjured.
He was on duty on the poop deck, only
heard tho explosion and was thrown from
port to starboard side and saved his rifle
and ammunition.
M. Mehan, injured.
K. Kushlda, Japan, uninjured.
F. Awo. Japan, slight scar on head and
hands.
Westmore Harris, Charles City, Va., un
injured.
Peter Larsen, New York, uninjured.
A. Wllley, Keyport, New York, unin
jured.
John Turpln, Long Branch, uninjured.
D. J. Topfln, New York city, uninjured.
Harry McCann. Brooklyn, has a strained
back. He was thrown overboard by the 1
shock from the quarter deck and immedi
ately swam back to the ship and attempted
to get the whaleboat with tbe help of Mel
ville, a comrade. Many of the me nof the
quarter deck who had lost their presence of
mind were thrown overboard by McCann
and Melville, who afterwards succeeded in
manning Ihe whaleboat, which sunk from
the suction of the ship going down. They
were then rescued by the gig and were af
terwards complimented by the navigator
and officers ft r bravery.
Martin Riordan, a well known diver of
Key West, .who served on the Maine, was
saved. He has been recalled to Havana by
Consul General Leo and (.'apt. Sigsbee to
complete the Investigation and dive under
the ship to ascertain the true cause of the
disaster.
M. Maiville, Brooklyn, Injured.
Oscar Anderson, Sweden, slightly cut.
The remainder of the men at the bar
racks and at the hospital could not be
seen nor their condition ascertained,
The hairbreadth escapes told of by the
survivors are almost miracles. Men who
wera between decks fought for their lives
like demons to reach the deck. The wound
ed who could not get out met their deaths
bravely. As the water rushed Into the ship
the cries of the wounded men could be
heard calling for aid. In a tew minutes
their doom w as' st ait d.
No searchlight was thrown on the ter
rible scene. It Is not known why, but a
gentleman in the city who was at Havana
ut tbe time says tha: lilt f it minutes after
the explosion he was looking toward the
wreck und wailing I'or a searchlight t.>
be thrown on tbe ship, bot nonej&ppeari I
and the work of rescuing had to be done
In the dark.
SIGSBEE'S SILENCE
Lets Newspaper Men Form Their Own
Opinions
WASHINGTON. Feb. M.-Capt. Sigsbee
today sent two telegrams to the navy de
partment on the subject of the Interviews
with him. The llrit merely said: "I have
consistently refrained from expressing any
Opinion on the .Maine disaster."
Later in the day he wired: "No newspa
per divers have been used on the wreck of
the Maine. One man engaged by me was
subsequently bought up by a newspaper,
declined bis services. Subsequently, on
his being unconditionally released. I might
have used him in charge of an officer in
recovering bodies, but decided not to do so.
Any interviews with me, If printed, are un
true.
The navy department received tonight
tnc following telegram from Capt. Sigsbee:
"Following is the condition of our
wounded in Havana hospitals: Apprentice
lioebler, slight Improvement, condition
still very grave: Holzer, same; Allen, slight
improvement, condition grave: Heffron,
Shea, Mattison, favorable; Loftus. conva
lescent; Cahlll, grave; Mack, Waters and
Weber, favorable."
The report on the same subject from
Capt. Forsyth at Key West says: "Maine
survivors are in good condition this mortt
ing: surgeon reports wounded doing well."
The following telegram was received by-
Secretary Long from New York: "When I
arrived ut New York I heard of the Maine
disaster. We feel very deep sorrow nnd
send our condolences for the dead and
their families. (Signed) EULATE,
"Captain Spanish Cruiser Vizcaya."
AFFAIRS AT HAVANA
Wreck Speculations—Suffering of the
Reconcentradoes
Havana. Feb, £o.—Lieutenant Com
mander Harnett of the survey boat Bnche.
■aid to a correspondent ot the Associated
Press today: "You want the facts. I can
tell you theie are ninety-five chances out
of a hundred that tho Investigation will
show that the forward magazine of the
-Maine did not blow up first, if it exploded
at all, and that it was not the cause of the
terrific consequences that followed. The
condition of the wreck when first studied
and a later careful scrutiny make this an
almost absolute certainty,"
Chaplain Chadwlck has received consid
erable sums of money.with letters and oth
er personal property, from the bodies tak
en from the wreck, ln one case the initials
can be seen on the coat lining and may
serve to identify the body of the wearer,
but the harbor water is so filthy that the
marks are nearly Illegible.
It is apparent that efficient work Is not
possible with the divers and apparatus at
hand and the arrival of the experts from
the United States is anxiously awaited.
Father Power of the Jesuits arrived yes
terday from Tampa end Immediately visit
ed the Maine's wounded In the hospital.
Some friction, it is reported, has oc
curred between Consul General Lee and
the other United States consuls in the isl
and over the distribution of funds and sup
plies sent from the United States for the
reconcentrados. The complaint Is made
that though food and money have been
coming for several weeks, nothing has
been distributed outside of Havana prov
ince. Consul Barker of Sagua la Grande
and Consul Bryce of Matanzas, who came
here to lenrn the- particulars of the Maine
explosion, left, It is said, without calling
on the consul general. The reason given
was that they felt they bad not been treat
eel fairly by tbe consul general. Each
expected aid for his district from the
American supplies, but received none. The
statement is made that it is their intention
to appeal directly to the American state
department and to ask that food be con
signed to them Instead of the Havana
consulate.
The incident has caused some comment
among Americans here, who regret it.
Consul Bryce says he Is sick at the sights
forced on him during the last two years.
He has reported the facts of the case to
Washington and believes his district en
titled to a share Immediately in the aid
offered. Both consuls say this distress
must grow daily and that ileath will keep
pace with it unless relief is afforded.
Consul General Lee. when these matters
were brought to his attention, replied that
there was rot the slightest intention to
neglect the reconcentrados in the eastern
provinces. He has deputed much of the
wo-k of distribution to Miss Clara Barton,
who has the confidence of all parties and
who is almost constantly at work in con
junction with the special agent of the con
sul general.
Totlay divers recovered the cipher book,
the log book of the Maine and many offic
ial and private papers.
Neither Spanish nor Cuban divers will
be employed.
Senor Jose CongOStO, the secretary gen
eral, is said to have asserted in a private
Interview that the government expected to
be able to "buy up several members of the
New York junta." It is generally believed,
however, that the statement was made to
quiet discontent here, arising from the mil
itary failures of Gen. Blanco and Gen.
PandO in the east.
Senora Isabella, Rubia, owner of many
tobacco estates in the eastern part of the
state, and an active Insurgent, has been
captured by the Spanish in the province of
Plnar del Rio, and is now in the hospital.
At the time of the Maceo incursion she in
duced half the province to join the insur
gent cause-. She accompanied one of the
original Maceo expeditions to Cuba, then
left the Island and after a time returned
with an expedition from Key West.
Rumors have reached here of the land
ing of an important expedition near the
river Mariano, this province, but as yet
the name of the vessel and that of the lead
er of the parly are undisclosed.
SICK SAILORS
Think the Government Is Very Slow
to Act
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 20.—A spec
ial to the Times Union and Citizen from
Key West says:
Sailors of the battleship Maine, suffering
from wounds In the Key West hospital, are
smarting over the delay of tbe government
in punishing what they term a Spanish
outrage.
lv their minds there is no doubt as to tbe
cause of the explosion and they explain the
delay in taking summary action by saying
that the president is morally certain that
thero was no accident and. wishing to de
ceive the Spaniards with a feeling of secur
ity, Is using the short time to make the
ecessary preparations to enforce his ulti-
matum. If no action Is taken, they say,
not a man among Hu m will again pace tlie
deck of an American man-of-war; but if
business Is meant, it would take a strong
force to keep them from hurrying to the
front, wounded though they are, to take
a hand in what they look upon as a per
sonal vengeance.
"We wi re warned not tn no to Havana."
ono said today, "being told that danger
awaited ns there. When we got there we
were again told, and it was current rumor
that the harbor bottom was honeycombed
With mines. We tirst chose our anchorage
und rested there for several hour", but the
harbormaster compelled us to weigh and
proceed to a spol marked by a buoy. We
were reviled on the streets of Havana,
sni ered at until our blood boiled, und found
out for our own safety that It was neces
sary to make our visits to the city In force.
No man dared to go alone. There was no
knowing wdiat would happen to him.
• The explosion Itself is the best evidence
that It was a mine torpedo. There were
two sharp and distinct reports. The llrst
was like a peal of thunder close at hand—
a sound as ~f ripping parchment, a quick
report, followed by a tremendous and awful
roar, and then darkness and chaos, made
more horrible by the screams of dying men.
tin tierce shouting of those fighting for
egress, and the- moans of those who were
h mmcd in to die by lire or by drowning.
The Spanish warship was lying close at
baud tind .Morro castle was not a pistol
shot away. Both have search lights, but
none was turned upon us to help the work
Of rescue, and because of the darkness
many brave men who could have been res
cued went down lo Davy Jones."
COAST DEFENSE
Hr.s No Connection With the Maine
Affair
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.—Referring to
General Miles' recent order to General
Merritt, commanding the department of
tbe east. to Immediately send men and offl
eers to all coast defense points where mod
ern guns are mounted, it was said at the
war department today that while the order
was issued ns reported, it was nothing
more than following out the plan of the
war department formulated several years
ago When the present sy stem of coast de
fense was Inaugurated. The order calls
for at least twenty men and the necessary
offleers to take charge of such coast de
fense implacements as have been com
pleted and turned over to the war depart
ment. These defense points are planned
and constructed by the engineer corps and
the guns furnished by the ordnance de
lta rtment.
As soon as they are completed they are
turned over to the war department and
men are at onco detailed to care for the
works and ordnance. It is said that a de
LOS ANGELES HERALD: MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 21, IV*
tall of twenty men, so far from being an ef
fective lighting force, is barely sufficient
to properly care for the property. There
have been a number of these coast defense
works oompleteel recently, but the order
detailing men to cure fer them Is merely a
routine matter. In addition to detailing
the men. a special board is now in session
in Washington preparing plana for perma
nent quarters at the various new posts,
anel work will be begun on these as soon as
practicable,
The men who arc stationed at these new
points will be drilled in the use ot the
puns and w ill form the nucleus of a perma
nent heavy artillery force which will be
augmented from time to time.
TORN TO PIECES
Bit! Enough Remains to Tell the
Story
NEW YOHK. Feb. 21.—A dispatch to tho
Tribune from Havana says: The Maine Is
actually in ribbons, but enough of the ves
sel remains to make possible a determina
tion whether tho explosion came from
without or within. The officers of the
Maine do not publicly discuss tbe theory of
a submarine mine which may have been
set off by explosion, but it evidently has
weight with them. They are particularly
anxious for points to be gathered from the
examination of the plates of the hull. Their
belief Is that these will have to establish
whether the explosive force enme from
without or not. The nature of tin nnnir.gc
to the port, side has not been folic si •" '
but the weight of opinion seems to bo that
the bole was made by nil external exp.o
slon.
Capt. sigsbee thinks that the Investiga
tion to be made by him would be cotnpil : i
in three days and the result laid before
the court of inquiry. Special pains seem
to be taken to gather facts which would
help tn establish whether or not the de
struction could have been caused by a sub
marlne mine. The Spanish authorities have
an ailvantage on this point, for they know
whether the torpedo system in the harbo
has actual existence and whether subma
rine mines were laid.but 1: could not be ex
pected that they would disclose tbe secrets
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RICHARD WAINWRIGHT
Wainwright is one of the officers who escaped death when the explosion occur
red on the warship Maine in Havana harbor. In his judgment the disaster was
raused by the short circuiting of the dynamo, which allowed a spark to reach
the powder in one of the magazines.
of the Havana defenses to aid foreign In
vestigation. Some persons believe that a
plot was carried out by Weyler's partisans
and that the secrets were disclosed to con
spirators by the officials wdio were with
Weyler and who, during his incumbency,
through their official position, became pos
sessed of the information. All this is pure
speculation, without basis of fact. Its only
significance is that the matter should be
discussed at all. The Maine's officers,
wdille not denying the possibility of an ac
cident, continue to show that many theo
ries on which statements of accidents are
based are untenable. They do not share
the Spanish admiral's offhand confidence
that the explosions came from within. It
is well for everybody to await the official
investigation before accepting that con
clusion.
Capt. Gen. Blanco ami the palace officials I
show every official courtesy. Their sin
cerity is undoubted, so great is their anx
iety. A special effort is being made to dis
courage the talk of the explosion being
otherwise than accidental. The newspa
pers give prominence lo dispatches saying
that it is recognized in the United States
that the casualty was pure ly an accident.
Prominence is also given the Madrid dis
patches tpioting Sagasta and other Span
ish statesmen to the effect that their sym
pathy and sorrow has caused friendly feel
ing between Spain and the United States.
Notwithstanding these assurances front
abroad, a painful impression is caused in
Cuba by the knowledge that a considerable
element among the Spanish classes re
joices with little secrecy over the dlsasti \
If instances were Isolated It would not be
Important. Unfortunately the verified
cases are too many to support this charit
able view. lii several places Spanish army
Officials have <Irll nk toasts that other ves
sels of ihe American navy may follow the
Maine, ir Matansas, where mutterings
were heard at the time of the Montgom
ery's visit, the intransigent newspaper La
Beglon, published an article saying in sub
stance that the calamity to the Maine was
a judgment on tlie United States for send
ing a ship lo Havana as "an affectionate
sign of sympathy toward the suffering and
heroic Spanish nation."
The tone Is one of mingled sarcasm and
mock condolence.
In a frequented restaurant in Havana
last night, on the bill of fare was "Chicken
a la Maine." This indicates the feeling of
a part of the populace, and especially of
the volunteers. While aware of these man
ifestations Capt. Sigsbee and Consul Gen
eral Lee concur in advising against sending
further warships to Havana at present.
MAINE'S MAGAZINES
Claimed to Have Been Found to Be
Still Intact
NEW YORK, Feb. 20.—A dispatch to the
Herald from Key West says:
It is learned from what may be consid
ered v seml-oitlc in I source', that divers sent
down on behalf of ihe United States to
examine the wreck of the battle-ship
Maine have made a pre liminary report of
the result of their work.
Incredible as it may seem, it is said that
from a partial examination of the maga
zines the divers report that the one in
which the' explosion Is'supposed to have
occurred is intact. According to the cor
respondent's informutlon, the' contents eif
tbe-se mugazines are unharmed. Therefore,
if this report be true, an entirely different
aspect is given to the terrific explosion
which brought death and destruction to
the Maine.
This report reaching Key West, It is
said, caused the members of the court of
Inquiry to decide to proceed to Havana
and begin their Investigation at once. In
stead of organising the court here. At
any rate, the lighthouse tender Mangrove,
with the court ot inquiry aboard, left for
Havana yesterday evening.
On arriving in Havana the court will
make a personal examination of the wreck,
and will then take testimony regarding
the loss eif the vessel. When the- Man
grove sailed it bad not been decided when
the board would convene, but Admiral
Btcard told your correspondent this even
ing that it would probably meet either
on board the Mangrove or the Fern, the
supply ship of the North Atlantic fleet,
which is now in Havana. The admiral
added that the court would, in all proba
bility, hold another session In Key We t
be fore Its iinal conclusions arc reached.
MORE LEGAL OPINION
As to Spain's Liability For Fannntics'
Actions
CHICAGO, Feb. 20.— The question of re
sponsibility which might atach to the gov
ernment of Spain In case the Maine ex
plosion was due to a mine In the harbor
of Havana and was the work of a fanatic
or an accident has become the subject of
discussion among lawyers. International
law Is a matter largely of precedent, and n
mine explosion in a fortified harbor in time
of peace has no precedent. All unite ln
saying that if such an event wus design,
i; would lie eauifo for war. No less an au
thority than Robert T. Lincoln, former
minister to England, is positive that in
case of accident or If the mine was ex
ploded by a Spanish fanatic Spain would
not bo burdened with any legal responsi
bility.
Mr. Lincoln said: "In neither case
would the slightest liability attach lo
Spain Assuming a mine exploded by a fa
natic or by accident, that would be the end
or the affair. Giving international law the
wi h st latitude and stretching precedents
to their limit, there would be liability
against tin- government of Spain. It is an
elementary precedent of international law
that a government Is In no way responsible
for the acts of private citizens. If It were
not so complications would be arising con
tinually. •
"It is another primary principle that no
nation Is responsible for accidents.
"As to Phe richt of a nation to fortify its
harbors as it sees fit there cannot be the
Slightest doubt. This right is a conceded
one am] | 4 exercised by all nations.
"Whenever a vessel, therefore, enters the
harl.or of a foreign power it is with notice
of such defenses and with an assumption
of the chances they Involve. It would not
do to say that one nation is bound to give
the ship of another notice where and how
Its harbor defenses are arranged, as the
result of such a rule would be obvious.
In entering the harhor of Havana the
Maine did so with full» knowdedge that It
was a fortified harbor and took all the
chances of accident or the acts which
might he done by those for whom Spain
is not responsible."
INSURGENT FUNSTON
Cannot Believe That the Maine Was
Torpedoed
KANSAS CITY, Feb. 2!.—C01. Fred
Funston ol luia. Kas.. late chief of artil
lery In the Insurgent army of Cuba, talk
ing to a reporter, gives it as his opinion that
the destruction of the Maine was due to an
accident. Colonel Funston spent over a
year in the Cuban army, was ln many en
gagements with the Spaniards and re
turned home recently to recover from a
bullet wound in the leg.
"It mlk tit have been done by the Spunlsh
offic rs using the battery connected with
the harbor torpedo mines." he continued,
speaking of the Maine, "and It may have
bi en done by some- foolhardy Spaniard who
attached a torpedo to the vessel, but 1
cling to the accident theory and feel cer
tain it « ill be shown to be correct when the
physical evidence of the explosion la
brought to the surface, 1 knew the Span
iard..: are treacherous, but I am not pre
pared to believe that they would deliber
ately destroy a vessel of the American
nation.
•If they had wanted to do that, they
.■ hould have destroyed her at the entrance
t - the bay. and If they really believed she
was there for war they would have never
have allowed her to get into the bay, be
hind the city, where she could have re
duced the city at pleasure/
SCATTERED SHOTS
i Fired at the Target Made by the
Mains
i The published statement that Sen
ator Proctor of Vermont, who Ik
j now on his way to Florldu, was
going to the interior of Cuba as a
j special agent or President McKinley, to
report on the conditions In the Island, was
denied last night nt the White Hone.
It was said that Senator Proctor has not
even di elded that he will go to Cuba; that
jhe might take a pleasure trip that far, if
he succeeded In finding some congenial
companion, but his visit, if made, would
be entirely on bis own responsibility.
The Machlas, en route for the I'nlted
States from the Asiatic station, has ar
rived tit Madeira,
Workmen at the Norfolk navy yard were
engaged all Sunday on the repairs to the
monitors Terror and Puritan. A draft of
men for the latter vessel has arrived.
Naval officers will not discuss the rumors
of trouble.
I'nlted State.-; Ambassador White and !
the American colony ln Berlin were pres-j
eat at the church yesterday at a requelmj
sorvh c in hunor of the Maine. A commem
orative discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr.
Dickie.
Yesterday the queen regent of Spain gave
i farewell audience to Senor Polo y Ber
nnbe, the new minister to the United
State-s. Today she will receive Minister
Woodford, w ho w ill present President Me-
Kinley'a dispatch of thanks for Spain's
expressions of sympathy with the United
States ln tho misfortune that befell the
Maine.
The Spanish government Is now con
vinced that the Maine disaster, instead of
estranging, will tend to improve relations
between Spain nnd the I'nlted States.
The lighthouse tender Mangrove, carry
ing the members of the court of Inquiry
into the Maine disaster, left Key West
for Havana yesterday afternoon. The
Mangrove wll stop at the Tortugas to
take on board Capt. Henry C. Kyler of the
Indiana. She carries also air pumps, elec
tric lights for divers nnd other diving ap
paratus.
SPAIN'S LIABILITY
Torpedoing a Vessel Is Not a Casus
Belli
NEW YORK, Feb. a).-The Herald to
morrow will say:
Frederick R. Coudert, formerly counsel
for the I'nlted States before the Bering sea
commission, and a well-known authority
en international law, was Interviewed re
garding the mailer of an Indemnity, if it
can be shown that the Spanish at Havana
failed to take proper precautions to in
sure the safety of the American warship
Maine.
•'Spain should pay indemnity for the loss
of Hie Maine," Mr. Coudert said, "provided
the accident is found to be due to the neg
ligence of Spanish officials. The vessel
went to Havana on a friendly visit, and
was entitled to full protection. It was
proper that extraordinary precautions
should be taken to insure her safety.
"li was well known that there were in
dividuals belonging to the Spanish natjim
who had ill feelings toward the I'nlted
States. If tiny danger was known to ex
ist in Havana hurbor, it was to be expected
Unit Spain would inform tho captain of
the Maine of the fact, and use every means
ti, prevent any accident to the vessel.
"If. on the other hand, a man with a
basket of dynamite should have come
aboard the Maine and blown up the vessel,
the fault plainly would have been with
the officers of the vessel. It was their duty
to keep the strictest watch over every
body who came on board.
"The destruction of the Maine by acci
|dcnt, or by tbe act of irresponsible Indi
viduals, would not justify a declaration of
war. Carnot. for instance, was assas
sinated by an Italian, yet Prance did not
blame Italy. Italian subjects were killed
by ti mob several years ago In New Or
leans. Italy was justified tn demanding an
indemnity, which she received, because the
men. when slain, were in charge of officers
of the law. who should have made every
effort to prevent their prisoners being
killed. But it did not result in war."
CUBAN FREEDOM
Is to Be Purchased by an Issue of
Bonds
PHILADELPHIA. Eeb. 20,-The Inquirer
will print tomorrow, under a Washington
date, a lengthy dispatch from Robert P.
Porter, ex-suporlntendent of census, giv
ing what he believes to be the policy of
the administration regarding Cuba-
Mr. Porter thinks that Spain shall be
asked to allow the Cubans to purchase
their liberty by the issue of Cuban bonds,
this government to assume the responsi
bility of collecting the customs duties and
thus see that the revenues of the govern
ment are applied to the payment of inter
est on the bonds.
Concerning the Maine disaster, Mr. For
ter says there is little doubt that she was
blown up from without, but it will be diffi
cult to fasten the guilt on the Spanish au
thorities.
He concludes that the situation Is critical
and that the coming week may bring about
ti crisis.
THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
MAKES BUT SLOW PROGRESS IN
THE SENATE
Henderson of Missouri Will Be One of
a Hundred to Supply the
Needed Funds
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-In reply to an
inquiry into the present status and pros
pects of the national university enter
prise, cx-Gov. John Wesley Hoyt, chair
man of the naitonal committee, says good
progress seems to be making in all quar
ters, unless It bo In the senate. There op
position has occurred, of ecclesiastical
origin, in committee, nnd this, ln connec
tion wdth other circumstances, has delayed
action. The most notable of the many aids
actually rendered to the national univer
sity it: the past are:
1. The voluntary gift of $1500 by Mrs.
Phoebe A. Hearst of California and Dis
trict of Columbia, for the salary of the
chairman's secretary during the year just
passed.
2. The support accorded by the George
Washington Memorial association, under
the lead of Mrs. Ellen A. Richardson, Mrs.
Phoebe A. Hearst, Mrs. ex-Senator 13rice
of Ohio and other distinguished women of
the country. The immediate objeo' of the
George Washington Memorial association
is the raising of (250,000 for the lirst na
tional university building, to be erected on
the site selected by Washington himself
anil preserved for university purposes in
the pending bill.
The offer just now made by Gen. ./. B.
Henderson, ex-United States Senator fr«,m
Missouri and now of this city, to be one
of ono hundred to pay into the treasury of
the university (10,000 each when congress
shall have done as much. Ills object is
to encourage the creation of a special
fund of $100,000 for some shares in tbe
university, and there is no objection on
his part to the taking of any number of
such shares by any one contributor, while
preferring, in the interest of the cause of
the university, that the distribution should
be as wide as tlie country itself. The new
committee assumes that this example of
Gen. Henderson will be promptly followed
by liberal friends of the enterprise and that
tie- institution, when once established by
congress, will, as Washington believed, be
come so popular as a center of patriotic
gifts as to relieve congress from the de
mands of government appropriations.
Persons wishing further information arc
referred to ex-Gov. Wesley Hoyt, chair
man of the committee, Washington, D. c
A NORTHERN STORM
Generally Precedes a Rainfall in
Southern Sections
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.-A storm
which hail been blowing up from the south,
west all day broke Into rain at darkness,
and the precipitation has continued at In
tervals during the night. Reports from
interior points indicate that the rainfall
has extended throughout' the greater part
of the state.
SACRAMENTO, Feb. 20.-H commenced
raining here this evening, and the indica
tions favor a good heavy storm. The grow
ing crops In this section have been doing
splendidly since the January frosts ceased,
but the ground would stand a good soak
ing and everything would be benefited.
On the Diamond
OAKLAND, Feb. 20.-The Recreation
park at Klmhurst was opened today with
a mate!; game of baseball between the
Reliance and Acme club wheelmen. A
large crowd witnessed ihe defeat of the
Acme club by a score of II to 13.
SAN FRANCISCO. Feb. 20.-The Heese
man and Reliance nines played a game of
baseball today at Central park for the ben
efit of Jim Herlett, who was injured some
time ago. Reliance won.
APPROPRIATION BILLS
SET FOR CONSIDERATION BY
CONGRESS
ANIMATED DEBATE PROBABLE
Annexation and Belligerency Amend
ments to Appropriation Bills
May Prove to Be Firebrands
Associated Press Special Wire
Washington, Feb. Sfc—The diplomatic
and consular and tho military academy ap
propriation bills will be considered and
parsed by the senate during the weelt.
There will be more or less debate in < xcc
utlve session of the Hawaiian annexation
treaty and speeches will he made on the
claims of Mr. Corbett to a seat in the si n
ate on the appointment of the governor of
Oregon. The Corbett matter will not be
pressed except to the end cf having the
speeches so far disposed of as to make
sure of getting a vote at the time fixed, n
week from tomorrow. The expectation Is
that the bill making an appropriation for
the consular and diplomatic service will be
made the basis for considerable debate. It
is understood to be Senator Allen's Inten
tion to make an effort to secure the In
corporation in the bill as an amondmi nt
of his provision for the recognition of Cu
ban belligerency, and If be should make
this effort the result might be a general
discussion of the Cuban question. While,
however, this is among the possibilities,
is does not appear probable that the senate
Is now lv a mood for the opening of this
question pending the Maine investigation,
so that If it should be taken up this week
there would have to bo a quite radical
change ln sentiment. There are some sen
ators, however, who are desirous of having
the subject debated and they may force
the issue. Mr. Allen's amendment was
adversely reported to the committee on
foreign relations, anel Senator Hill will
raise a point of order against it. This the
vice-president will sustain, and Mr. Allen
will, of course, appeal. There will be stub
horn opposition to such an amendment If
offered, anel the contest may be an ani
mated one if Mr. Allen persists in his pur
pose. Independently of the Cuban amend
ment the diplomatic bin is likely to causi
debate on other questions. It seldom get.-,
through the senate without being made
Ihe basis of more or less g, neral discussion
of the country's foreign policy.
The advisability of amending this appro
priation with a provision for the annexa
tion of Hawaii, which w as at one time con
sidered by tiie supporters of the Hawaiian
treaty, appears to have been abandoned.
The treaty will, however, receive Independ
ent attention during the week if the appro
priation bills and the Corbett ease do not
crowd it out. Senator Havls, who as chair
man of the committee on foreign relations
has charge of the treaty, will be absent
from Ihe senate during the entire llrst half
of the week, but Senator Frc. who Is act
ing chairman, will move an executive ses
sion for the consideration of the treaty
if there should be an opening.
There Is a general impression that th,
tre>aty will not be further debated at great
length. There are several senators who
desire to be heard upon It. hut none of
these are likely to make long speeches.
The presentation of the friends of the
treaty Is to secure a test vote as soon as It
can be conveniently done, anil for this pur
pose Senator Bacon's amendment provid
ing fer submitting the treaty to a vote of
the people of Hawaii will be utilized. If
they find upon this vote that the treaty
cannot command the support of two-third?
of the senators, the number necessary to
secure its ratification, they will move to
recommit to the committee on foreign re
lations and then take up Senator Morgan's
bill for annexation, which was favorably
reported to the senate during the extra
session. This Is the present plan, but de
tails may, of course, be ohnnged.
The friends of the treaty regard tin
Bacon amendment as entirely unfriendly,
and they would regard as antagonistic io
the treaty any senator who would cast hit
vote for It; hence they think they can use
it as a foil and by its use secure the equiv
alent of a vote on the treaty without im
periling that document.
If the vote on the amendment should
show that the treaty commands the sixty
votes necessary to Its ratification It would
then be pressed to a tlna! vote as speedily
as possible.
IN THK HOUSE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.—Unless the
Cuban question or some phase of the
Maine disaster should come before the
house this week the time, with the excep
tion of tomorrow, which under an arrange
ment made last week will be given up to the
consideration of private bids, will be de
voted, nominally at least, to tbe civil ap
propriation bill. This bill will be reported
to the house tomorrow. It la a very volum
Inous measure, containing all the odds and
ends of appropriations, as Its name indi
cates, and Is usually productive of more
protracted contests than any of the other
appropriation bills. It Is understood that
the information regarding the situation in
Cuba, asked for Inst week by the house,
has been prepared by the state dopartrm nt
and Is ready for transmission. Some of
the consular reports bearing upon the sit
uation have been edited in some places, but
It is said the situation as presented prob
ably will call for some action before the
information goefe to the house this week.
An effort may be made to get It In tnls
Planner. On account of public .sentiment
pending the result of the Investigation into
the cause of the disaster to the Maine it is
considered probable that the answer of
the state department will be withheld for
several days. In the face of the catastro
phe which has occurred members of tbe
house who have usually pushed to the fore
on the occasion of any sensational develop
ments in foreign or domestic affairs were
ominously silent last week. The extreme
gravity of the situation anil the far reach
ing consequences of hasty or ill-considered
action tended to disarm them. At any time
during the consideration of tlie appropria
tion bill, where the widest latitude In de
bate is allowed, a stirring debate involving
the recent sensational events in connection
with the explosion of the Maine and there
call ot the Spanish minister and the latest
dcv tlopments in Cuba may be precipitated.
But those in authority, by keeping the ap
propriation bill in the right of way, can
easily prevent actual action by the house
if they so desire, and the prevailing opinion
of the conservative leaders on both sides
is that both action and agitation are oul
of place until all Ihe facts upon which a
calm judgment can be predicated are
known.
ANTI-IRRIGATIONISTS
Need All the Water in the Arkansas
River
WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 20.—An assembly
of farme-rs und business men from several
counties along the Arkansas river was
held here te> discuss means whereby the
Rockyford anel other irrigation companies
in Colorado can be compelled to cease tak
ing water from the Arkansas river for Ir
rigation purposes.
Several communications from places
along the river from as far as Little Rock,
Ark., were read. Committees were ap
pointed to take different methods of ac
tion under advisement and J. F. Houston
was retained as legal counsel.
Should the action be successful much
hind in Colorado that has been cultivated
umler Irrigation would be rendered utterly
useless. It is believed there, is smtiil
chance for success, but every stone will be
turned to bring this about.
Joe Geardlr.a. an Italian fruit dealer who
is unable to speak English, was arrested
yesterday afternoon by C. W. Fairbanks
of the health office on a charge of selling
frozen oranges contrary to the city ordi
nance. He deposited a cash bond and was
released.
The ardent lover Is all at sea when ftls
*"st girl throws him overboard.—Chicago
News.
All prices of wall paper greatly reduced.
A. A. Eckstrom, 524 South Spring street
Commencing
Monday
21st
ONE WEEK OF
Genuine
Bargains
In the Largest Exclusive Men's
Furnishing Goods House on
the Coast. Just previous to the
arrival of our large stock of
spring goods we will have a
complete cleaning up of stock
At Big
Reductions
We handle no job lots or sec
onds, therefore what we offer
you is all fresh lines of Under
wear ■* Hosiery Neckwearv*
Negligee Shirts..* Fancy Shirts
EtC. eu* |}i jt
[agleson & Co.
112 So. Spring Street
Opposite the Nadeau.
OFF FOR ALASKA
Staunch or Unseaworthy All the
Steamers Are Crowded
SEATTLE. Wash., Feb. 20—The steamer
North Paclllc. bound for Alaska, which
was abandoned by a number of passengers
at Por: Townsend on account of her al
ii ged unseaworthiness, continued her voy
age this morning, a new crew having been
secured. The twenty-three passengers who
refused to go to sea on the steamer have
retvirned to this city. A member of the
old crew gives as the reason for the crew's
desertion the bad quality of the food fur
nished and tiie crowded quarters.
The largest party arriving here on their
way to Alaska reached here today on the
Northern Pacific in two special tourist
cars. The party is from Lancaster and
other Wisconsin towns and numbers fifty
four. With the party were eighty-seven
dogs which Idled a baggage car.
The steamer Farrallon sailed tonight for
Alaska with sixty passengers.
The Oregon Railway and Navigation
company's ship Victorian will be placed In
the Alaskan trade. The Victorian Is one
of the finest steamers in Pacific waters.
FOREIGN FLASHES
A dispatch rrom Helslngfors Fays Ihe 20»
fishermen who were carried to sea lasl
Wednesday on a tract of lee, have been
saved.
The Capetown correspondent of the Lon
don Dally Mall says: Tho Transvaal gov
ernment is mounting guns'at Johannes
burg and conveying Maxims, shells, rifles
and cartridges to that point In an offensive
and ostentatious manner.
The Swiss referendum has resulted ln
popular approval of the proposed state pur
chase of the railroads of Switzerland at a
cost of about a billion francs (1200.000,000.)
The government is projecting a loan for the
purchase.
Robert Welling! on-Ht a pleton-Cot ton,
Viscount Combermore, 1? dead. He was
born in IMS. He was third viscount and
grandson of the celebrated Sir Stapleton-
Cotton, who srrvetl with remarkable dis
tinction ln the Peninsular war.
Pere Favbr, the head of the Roman
Catholic missions in China, and a resident
at Pekin of thirty years' standing, was
yesterday consecrated bishop in the cathe
dral with great ceremony. The Chinese de
clare that this was owing to direct repre
sentations made by tho emperor to the
Vatican.
STATE NOTES
The droves brothers, the Trinity-county
miners, whose rich strike several months
ago caused a rush to that part of the state,
arrived ln San Francisco yesterday with
sixty-two pounds of gold, valued at ?16,000.
the product of a pocket recently found
ia a lower lovel of the Blue Jay mine, the
same property ln which their first phe
nomenal linel was made.
11. Burnham, a pioneer, died yesterday at
his home ln Oakland, aged 71. Ho came
to California in 1853. He located in El
Dorado county and made a fortune in toe
mines. Thirty years ago he removed to
Oakland, and after serving two years ln
the Internal revenue service, established a
planing mill.
Undelivered Telegrams
Thero are undelivered telegrams at the
Western Union Telegraph office, comet 1 of
First and Spring streets, for the following
persons: L. M. Fletcher. Mr. J. Chandler
Braman, C. Robb, Ducle Noonan, Richard
Wall paper, uuv *..>".•», low prutes, ut
A. A. Eckstrom's, 321 South Spring street.
■ I