The times. [volume], April 25, 1898, Image 1

About The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
XZ.fT-
f -dircuhtion Yesterday, 21,500
' " Daily average last week, 61,864
Fair wealhsr.j cooler; northerly winds.
ffiglMil I lid u tWwBffPi fii&emi Pfitu igg. TTTTtTIi i U
ONE CENT.
NO. 1.468.
WASHINGTON, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1S98.
RMERIGA'S ALL
I STATE OF WAR EXISTS
Tie Pmtit fill AslCoipss
to Say So.
SlilSni
Tliey Confer Villi Geo. lies, .
of lis Army.
TOBEAEIEDATOOim
1 ECESSAEY IOBIADTY
England Instructs Her Colonies
to Observe Neutrality.
WILL CALL MORE VOLUNTEERS
The uHTeefive Fiprlitin: Force to He
M:ih- IMMMHiO Ollicials Are Amused
by iVs.eiatcd Pros Cnnards
Lfiui.-Geii. ScJiftHcId to He nn Of
ficial AdVlver A Council ol "War.
The President mrtll semi to Congress to
.i a message recommending that a con
Oi'Kin of war be declared to exist. It Is
understood that the advice of the Presi
dent Trill be acted on at nee and that
before tonight the formal declaration will
K- made.
The message of the President has been
written since Friday and .-was Intended
t. go to Congress Saturday, hut was post
poned for some reason. The announce
ment fas made officially that it will go in
today, however.
It was stated last night at the White
House that the only thing that would
prevent the message from being sent In
w.uld he a declaration of war by Spain
in the meantime.
Whether Spain's action of yesterday
will he taken as a formal declaration of
war is not known.
There was a conference at the White
House yesterday over the message and its
reception in the Senate. Senators Davis
end Hale and Judge Bay. and Attorney
General G-rigf-x were with the President
for an boor or more. The message was
read to the senators. It will be sent to
the Foreign Relations Committee when
it is received and will be acted on favor
ably by that committee immediately.
There has been some difference of opin
ion as to the necessity of this step, but
the President has been in favor of it as
hae ate his Cabinet and other advisers
on whom he relies. It is thought that
even If the declaration is not absolutely
necessary. It will aid in the settlement of
international questions depending on the
existence of war. Already questions as
to prizes and as to the neutrality laws
r.nd the international code relating1 to
contraband articles are coming to the
State Denartment for solution, and a
definite official statement that war exists
will make the answers to these much
simpler.
Cmttrahnml Article.
The matter of contraband articles is
receiving considerable attention by the
Government. There Is nothing more cer
tain than that the question of what is
contraband of war has not a fixed an
swer. It depends on circumstances, and
the only general definition is that every
thing is contraband that may be used as
war supplies. It is probable that the
Vnited States will make t-ome formal
statement as to the articles that will be
considered contraband during this con
flict by thhs country. It is said to be
quite possible that Spain's official list
may be different from this country's.
The decision as to coal is to be an inter
esting one. Foreign nations will be oblig
ed to make their own decision if this
country makes coal a contraband and
Spain excluded K, as is thought probable.
There fs reason to believe that the deci
sion will be tn favor of the United States,
however.
It was announced at the State Depart
ment yesterday that the governors
general of Newfoundland and Jamaica
have notified the American Government
that by order of the British foreign of-
125,000
out of
70.
3000,000
still leaves quite a nu m
ber of people who will
need to wear civilians'
clothes, and to them we
wish, to say that our
stock of fine Clothing is
worthy of their notice.
We specially wish to call
their attention to a very
fine line of
Ladies' Suits
at $9-59,
the equals of which can
not be found under S20.
They are a verr fine
quality of the fashiona
ble cloths, in the favor
ite shades, and are all
man-tailored.
Cash or Credit
Mayer & Pettit,
415-417 7th SI.
Everything you buy of Lllibcy &
Co. will please or money refunded.
"l&i ieC Spain has issued an official proclamation announcing that a state of war exists between 7-'' -w waWS'
v3sl Ji2iiS!5' A iat Government and this. She reserves the right to grant letters of marque, but announces t H wlwSwWia
fesS 'j"pjjjgj that she will not do so. She also reserves liberty o" action in regarding coal as a contraband jfl mvjl&W
7. w5""ati-o of war, and will search neutral vessels on the high seas. American vessels are given five days TWA vA wcv
Ml 1. 5 - - rhL Two more prizes have been taken by Aniericaipfvessels. The Paris is beljevecTToJJejafely w BEr&J
IVj- -- -fWnW mafc-ing her way to this country. The Oregon has been notified of the war and it is believed ft31a 7
Jjjyi . "llSiffl Villi she can take care of herself. . , r pj "VW'w
siw ffl ' il flf'ii Secretary Sherman says he will be glad to retire from public life. He will make his home i-rC- - ri. . sjjal y rp
feX rm at Mansfield. - " t " UJffifcS
aisf-ri:??- The report that this Government has seized the Hawaiian Islands is semi-officially con- "k Jr$3Mx-afl &
VSMZikKs' fmned- - of twI
Sv'W,l Judge Day will succeed Mr. Sherman as Secretary of State. He left for Canton last night. SL'r-r- -l CnZ$ijMji
' f Jli "f 1 ne iresiaeut win senu 10 congress touay a message recommeuaiug cnac a condition or
Wl Z -vvaj- be declared to exist between this country and Spain.
lice they will observe strict neutrality
during iJip conflict. This means for one
thing that already war is recognizd to
exist in England.
It means also that there will be no
further exportation of supplies for Cuba
from Jamacla, which is only a short
distance from Cuba.
3Icire Volunteers to He Called.
A further call of 175.000 volunteers Is
being considered by the President. It
will probably be made in a few days,
thus Increasing the volunteer army to
30fl,000 men. Xo particulars cacbe learn
ed at the War Department as to the con
templated new call, but it is stated on
excellent authority that Gen. Miles is
strongly in favor of a big increase, and
that the President is acting on his sug
gestion. It may be stated positively that JJeut.
Gen. Scofield, retired, will be connect
ed officially with the War Department
hereafter as special adviser to Secretary
Alger in matters relating to the volun
teer army.
Assistant Secretary of War Meikeljohn,
Adjt. Gen. Corbin and the other chief
War Department officers worked all day
yesterday on the latest details of the call
which will be issued to the governors of
States today. Theje has been an im
mense amount of work on the call and it
is stated positively that it cannot go out
until some time this afternoon.
The information given in the Associated
Press telegrams yesterday to the effect
that the Army will be concentrated at
Washington, Richmond and Atlanta is
incorrect.
As stated in The Times yesterday, the
troops will be centralized at some point
to be determined later. After the troops
have gotten thoroughly into shape with
all their equipments and have seen a week
or more of actual army duty they will
be sent to points on the Gulf, not yet
decided on, but probably to the three cit
ies where the Regular Army is massed.
Olllelnls Are Amused.
Some amu.sement was created by the
Associated Press dispatches in the AVar
Department. It is said that it would be
utterly impossible to mass 125,000 men
from all parts of the country, with as lit
tle experience as these will have, in the
three cities named or in any three cities
immediately. Some one is supposed to
have thought that Washington would be
a good place to receive 'CO.OOO troops or
more and io have, worked the remainder
of the story entirely from imagination.
It was stated at-the-department yes
terday iha cyjry State and Territory In
the Union has signified its willingness and
desire to furnish immediately troops
largely In excess of the apportionment.
One or two of the Territories, with an
apportionment of two or three hundred,
desire to furnish regiments.
The Navy Department has received offi
cial information as to the whereabouts of
the battleship Oregon, but will not di
vulge It. It 1b understood, however, that
she has rounded the Horn and Is on her
way northward tip the coast of South
America. It is understood that the Span
ish ship Tcmerarlo has left Buenos Ayres
and that it Is her intention to engage the
Coui: Coal! Coal!
J5.25 per 2,240, delivered, Gayton stova.
egg and nut. Powhatan Coal Co., 135
C at. nw.: 'phono G20; or dealers gen
erally. fol3-tI
100 ft. of. best boards for $1, J 00 ft.
100 ft of Common Boards for 75 cents.
Oregon as soon as they meet. The depart
ment will make no statement as to this,
either, but the fact Is pointed out unoffi
cially that the Oregon is far the superior
vessel.
Di.spatebes From the Fleet.
The department received several im
portant dispatches from the fleet off Ha
vana yesterday, but Secretary Long and
other Navy Department officials, who
were seen, would make no statement as
to their contents. The Navigation Bu
reau received all messages yesterday and
the Important ones were sent immediate
ly to Secretary Long. Lieut. Whittlesey
at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, hurriedly
left the Navy Department for Secretary
Long's residence, and not finding him
there, went next to the White House.
Secretary Long and Capt. Crowninshield
were in conference with the President
and Lieut. Whittlesey was admitted. The
conversation afterward was animated,
and evidently of Importance, and It is be
lieved that some important developments
In the situation off Havana had been
made known.
The I'firix.
The Navy Department has received no
information ot the Paris. It Is the opin
ion of the Navy Department officials
that she has escaped the war ships and
gotten away from England safely and is
on her way at top speed across the
ocean. The department people say she
could never have been captured by any
ship outside of the waters immediately
around the British Isles, and that it" the
capture had been made there It would
now be known certainly.
A Council of AVnr.
There was a council of war at the
White House late last night which lasted
something over an hour. Those present
were the President, Lieut.-Gen. Schofield,
who acts in an advisory capacity to Sec
retary Alger, and Mujor-Gen.-Miles, com
manding the land forces of the United
States. It was decided to make the
campaign about to be opened in Cuba
aggressive from the start, and to lose
no time in further waiting. The volun
teers who respond to the first call of
the President, made Saturday, will be
drilled as rapidly us possible and equip
ped with all expedition, and they will
will be loaded upon transports and hust
led off to Cuba as soon as their transpor
tation can be arranged for.
The firing on the fieet from Iorro Cas
tle yesterday morning :na the previous
night was discussed at length, and it
was decided that Capt. Sampson acted
right in not returning the fire. One of
tho conferes said that had he fired back
the firing would have become general,
and that some of the ships of the fieet
undoubtedly would have been damaged,
necessitating putting Into Key West for
repairs and placing the fieet at a dis
advantage. Other matters were discussed at-length
and as a result of the conference there
will be renewed activity -.n all lines of
work connected with hostilities.
Vice President Hobart called. Gen.
Grosvenor and Judge A. C. Thompson,
of Ohio, a member of tho commission
appointed to revise the Federal criminal
laws, followed Mr. Hobart. They
would not say anything regarding their
interview.
Clear while pine itliinsles, ?-.oO
per 3,000; sell elsewhere for $5 for 1,000.
Fill BOB CURIOUS
Asks the Admiral How Close He
May Go to Morro Castle. .
THREE VESSELS CAPTURED
The Torpedo llmil I'ortcr Went "Well
lii.slioro and Intercepted a Two
MiikUt The .Monitor Terror Joins
the Fleet ClntMctl an Italian
Cruiser by rUiMnke,
With tho Squadron Before Havana,
April 23, via Key West, April 21. After
the assembly of the squadron this morn
ing, and after the reports had been made
to Admiral Sampson, the squadron was
divided, and that part of it before Ha
vana has started to their stations nearer
shore, there seeming -nothing more to be
done. The orders of the Newport had
been changed, however, ,and she is now
blockading Cabanas, a port a few miles
eastward of Bahia Honda. By this move
the blockade line was extended to the
westward.
It was now 10:30 a. m., the ships going
to Matanzas and Cardenas were hull
down to the eastward, wnen at 11 a. m.
a vessel was sighted in slore to the east
ward and the Cincinnati "Chasing her. A
few moments later the lldgship started to
chase also, and also was, heading for
Havana, the object beingto cut off her
entrance. After about fifteen minutes
It was discovered that she was a man of
war, and great . excitement spread
throughout the shlp Signals were made
and the Wilmington anfl Marblehead
joined in the chase? while the Iowa and
Indiana were to get more hearly between
her and her destination
The flagship was now .making about
sixteen knots and her crew was busily
engaged In making all those little pre
parations for battle whfch go before
manning the guns. Wlito the call to
quarters was sounded every man and of
ficer went to his station with a deter
mination to win, for it was now believed
to be a Spanish man of war. But they
were to wait yet awhilo-to try their metal
for she proved to be the Italian cruiser
Giovanni Bausan. At noon she saluted
the flag of Admiral Sampson with thir
teen guns, which was returned by the
flagship. Thus ended (,Ue;first chase of
the day.
About noon tho torpedo boat Porter
went well inshore . t investigate a
schooner, which they brought alongside
the flagship at about 1:- she having
proven to be the Antoniafa. small two
master from Sierra Morna for Havana,
with a cargo of sugar. -.
At 10:30, when assigning thefatations of
the fleet, the Iowa and Indiana were told
to take a position to thCJnorth-northwest
of Morro Castle, just out'of range of their
fire. Capt. Evans evidently desired to go
nearer, for he asked the admiral several
times, "Hew near may I go." It seems
to be the desire of all ofilcers to have a
Flyiui'n IliiNfncN.t College, St and Iv.
Nono better. 125 a year: clay or nlghx.
The AVeatlier Lilibey fc Co. Say
Fair weather; cooler; northerly winds.
chance to compare our ordnance with
that of Spain and when the permission is
given, it will not be long before the big
guns of our battleships and monitors
boom.
Monitor Terror arrived alongside the
flagship about 1:30 from Key West and
will make a pleasing addition to the fieet,
as seen from the water side of the affair.
If there was any lack of enthusiasm be
fore the evidence given when the call
was sounded to quarters on the flagship
this morning, it has been shown that it
no longer exists and that our jack-tars
are all anxious to avenge the Maine.
Naval Cadet Du Boise Is to take com
mand of the schooner Antonia with a
prize crew of four men and take her to
Key West tonight. He is a brilliant
young officer.
CAPTUHED OPP HAVANA.
The Gunboat Helena Intercepts a
SikhiIhIi Steamship.
Key West, Fla., April 2t. The gunboat
Helena Intercepuvt the Spanish steam
ship Miguel Jover, of J. J. Serras's Sons'
Periello Line, from New Orleans, April 21,
for Barcelona, via Havana, one hundred
miles out of Havana, early this morning
and captured her. The Jover was loaded
with staves and cotton. She carried no
passengers, but had fifty-two in the
crew.
Ensign McFarland, of the Helena, with
nine marines and twelve sailors, boarded
her as a prize crew and brought her to
this port, where she arrived at 9 o'clock,
convoyed by the Helena. Only one shot
was fired at the Jover by the Helena.
The Helena being the only warship in
sight at the time of the capture, the en
tire prize goes to her officers and men.
THE WINONA'S PRIZE.
CaptureM
Spnnl.sli Steamship
at
Ship ImIuimI.
Biloxi, Miss., April 21. The revenue cut
ter Winona, which left this port last
night, captured the Spanish steamship
Saturina at Ship Island at 1 o'clock this
afternoon.
It is likely the cutter will have to re
main in quarantine with the prize until
the health of those aboard the Spaniard
Is found to be satisfactory.
MR. GLADSTONE SINKING.
Ills Condition Very Grave and the
End Is Xear.
London, April 24. Mr. Gladstone's con
dition has become very grave and It is
no longer concealed that the end is not
fur off. Drs. Dobie, Hubert, and Bliss,
called in consultations with Drs. Haber
son and Sir Thomas Smith, at Ilawarden,
today. They issued the following bulle
tin: "Mr. Gladstone's condition is one of In
creasing weakness, though he Is more
free of pain."
t'rinee of AVnles Presides.
London, April 21. The Prince of Wales
presided yesterday at a meeting of tho
privy council in behalf of the Queen. The
meeting was held at Marlborough House,
and was called for the purpose of ap
proving a draft of a proclamation of neu
trality. The Duke of Devonshire, presi
dent of the council, and A'iscount Cross,
lord privy seal, were present.
CjViists!
Weighty as
Pa. ave.
Cellular Cloth Sfilrts.
thistle-down! Auerbach's,
All heart lumber, ?t.r0 per 1O0 ft.
Sells elsewhere for $2.50 per ICO.
- a
..!.. at v --?'-'
(WVSft4i
OFF FOR THE WAR.
.Spanish Troops Heeeive an Ovation
in Madrid.
Madrid, ADril 24. The members of the
infantry battalion which started for the
Balearic Islands yesterday were the re
cipients of a popular ovation. A great
crowd, among whom were many ladies,
lined the route from the barracks to the
railway station.
The cable dispatches yesterday told of
the enthusiasm over the soldiers man
ifested by the market women and female
cigar " makers, who were indulging In a
patriotic demonstration. Their evidences
of patriotism were equaled if not excelled
by the ladles who gathered to bid the
troops godspeed.
As the march was sounded the crowd
broke into deafening cheers, which fol
lowed the battalion as It passed along to
the station. Ladles in the balconies of
houses along the route showered flowers
upon the troops, while others standing
along the streets filled the soldiers pock
ets with cigars and provisions and often
handed them money.
Some of the more excitable ladies
seized the officers and men and kissed
them.
'Nor will they forget."
Mr. McKinley Apprt elates EiikIuimIVi
Expressions of Sympathy.
London, April 21. The AVashington cor
respondent of the Daily Mail cables that
In an interview this afternoon President
McKinley said:
"Not the Government alone, but the
whole nation feel most deeply the good
will sent to them across the sea," and
he added Impressively:
"Nor will they forget."
LONGING TO EIGHT US.
Presence of the Fleet Increases Pa
triotic Fervor.
London, April 21. A dispatch from Ha
vana to the Standard says that the ap
pearance of the American squadron has
heightened the patriotic fervor in that
city.
The presence of the detested Americans
has only increased the longing to fight
them.
A Tour of Inspeetion.
Tampa, April 21. Gen. Graham, com
munder of the Department of the Gulf,
arrived this afternoon on the steamer
Mascotte from Key AVest. He consulted
with Gen. AVade for several hours.
Gen. Graham has been on a tour of in
spection and is thoroughly satisfied with
the result of his trip along the Atlantic
coast to Key West. His stay here was
very brief and he did not have time to
examine the sites of the coast defense,
which are to be begun at the entrance
to Tampa Bay in a few days.
At 7:30 o'clock tonight the general left
for Atlanta, but will return in a short
time. Thero is a strong probability that
the headquarters of the Department of
the Gulf will bo moved to Tampa.
MnjfK'itine Advertised XorfolU ami
New Brunswick Merino Underwear, 51.
Auerbach's, Pa. ave.
To sell or store your furniture go to
Sloan's, 1407 G St. Best location in town.
ap21-Gt
Pickets and pnlinjrs, .square mill
flat, clear dressed (4) sides, 2c. apiece.
Gomez May Then Invest Havana
by Land.
THE FLEET WILL CO-OPERATE
Avar to Be Prosecuted "With a VicrnJ
to Ei-diiif? If; lief ere the Itaiuy,
Season Sets lu All the Patriots
Aceil Is Powdpr. Shot anil -Shell
and They AViji Ho theMlest.
New Tork, April 21. The co-operathi o
the Cuban army with the United States
Navy and Army in the war against Spain
was definitely arranged in Washington
yesterday. Although the junta maintain
great secrecy about the plans, it is known
that Gen. Miles has had several confer-
ences with Senor Palma, Senor Quesada
and Brigs. Gen. Castillo and Nunez, dur-
Ing which the military plans of tha Cu-
bans were discussed at length and & final
agreement reached.
El Porvenir, the Cuban newspaper In
this city, said today:
"The co-operation of the Cuban arniyj
with the American has been finally ar
ranged." Brig. Gen. Castillo returned from Wash-
Ington today. According to reliable infor-
mation he will immediately begin opera
tions among the Cubans In the United
States for landing on the Island a largo
expedition that will enable Gen. Gomez to
put fifty thousand men in the field. Dry
Castillo may be able to raise 5,000 Cuban,
volunteers in this country, but he has
been conservative In his estimate antr""
his idea for the present Is to enlist onljy
IfoOO men, a sufficient number to insured
the delivery of the war material to Gem?
Gomez. If more men are enlisted, as.ilt;
appears certain In view of the great en-'
thuslasm prevailing among Cubans alt
over the United States, so much the bet-
ter. Dr. Castillo will then have the oppor-
tunity of picking his men. ,
Munition anil Supplier.
The expedition will not be an invading
force to engage in battle with the Span
lards, but will merely convey to Geni
Gomez the munitions and supplies, tha
lack of which has sadly hampered him
In his efforts to drive Spain from the isl
and. The landing will be under the Prtv
tection of the American Navy and for ob
vious reasons the point of disembarkment
must be kept absolutely a secret. Tha
Cubans in charge of the project believe
that if it Is as successful as they hope
It will be Gen. Gomez will end the wac
before the rainy season is over and with
out the risk of a single United States
soldier succumbing to yellow fever, ma
laria or the deadly dysentery which rav
ages the island at this time of year.
The centralization and armament of tha
Cubans, who are now scattred all over
the island will be accomplished quickec
than may be Imagined, and will be aj
comparatively easy task. The famous
march of the forces of Gomez and Maceo
from east to west in 1S95 was wonder
fully rapid. It took Maceo only two
months to march from the eastern to the
western extremity of the island.
To Mobilize. '
The bulk of the Cuban army, which Is
under Gen. Garcia in Santiago de Cuba
province and under Gen. Menocal In
Puerto Principe, may reach Santa Clara,
where Gen. Gomez is at present, in two
or three weeks.
If the Jucaro-Moron trocha proves a,'
serious obstacle Gen. Gomez himself cart
help them from the other side with tho
new and formidable equipment then at
his disposal. Once In Santa Clara ami
provided with the rifles and ammuni
tion landed by the expedition, the whale
army, led by Gomez, will march to the
west.
On the way they will arm the Cuban
bands they meet and the large number ot
volunteers who are expected to join
them from every city and town. In two
weeks Havana will be invested by 58.080
Cuban soldiers, while the American
squadron maintains the blockade by sea.
If by that time Gen. Blanco has not sur
rendered because of the starved condi
tion, of his army Inside Havana, he will
not be able to hold out long agaln3t such,
a formidable attack.
One thing to which the attention of
Gen. Miles has been called is that tho
Cuban army must be well provided with,
horses. With plenty of horses the Cu
bans are splendid fighters. Their best
soldiers are not cavalry, strictly speak
ing, but mounted infantry. They use
the horses for quick marching, but UghC
on foot.
SPAIN'S MISTAKE.
I
Aaval Ollleer's Views Kcsrardinpr Hetl
Cape A'erde Fleet.
A prominent naval officer, during cen-vert-atlon
with a reporter for Tho Times
last evening, said that he thought Spain
made a great mistake in keeping tho
Spanish flotilla at the Cape Verde Islaads
He pointed out the Azores as a better
base for operations and strategic work.
Tho Cape A'erde Islands belong to Portu
gal, which is a neutral country, and thit
Hotilla could not sail without some notico
of the fact being cabled over the neutral
cable to London, and thence to tho Unit
ed States. As long as Portugal remains
neutral, however much she may sympa
thise with Spain, the American coagal on.
the islands can cable to this Government
of any movement of the Hotilla.
Frunlc l.ilibcy & Company, Sixth:
Street and New York Ave.