Kansas City journal. [volume], April 02, 1898, Image 1

About Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928

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VOLUME XL. NO. 296.
SATURDAY.
KANSAS CITY, APHIL 2, 1898 TWEE PAGES.
SATURDAY.
PRICE TWO CENTS.
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Administration Regards It as Al
most Inevitable.
NEGOTIATIONS AT AN END
Entire Situation to Be Referred
to Congress.
ISSUE IS REGARDED AS MADE UP
Neither Side Disposed to Yield
Another Point.
WHAT WILL CONGRESS DO NOW?
Will Probably Await the lead
of the Executive.
Frnldfnf McKinley Will Auk for Xo
More Time Xo Offers of Foreign
Mediation An Unconfirmed
Humor That Pope I.eo
Is Working for
Feace.
Washington, April 1. There Is little doubt
that the president and the members of his
cabinet now regard a conflict with Spain as
almost Inevitable.
In his message to congress, which. In all
probability, will be sent in next Monday,
and certainly early next week. It Is under
6tood that the president will review at
nme length VU; reeori nc it elands be-'
tween this government and Spain, but will
not insist upon farther time in which to
continue negotiations looking to a peaceful
solution of the Cuban problem.
The cabinet meeting this morning was
unquestionably the most important held
in many years. It received Spain's answer
to the ultimatum of this government, and,
finding it unsatisfactory, practically de
cided upon a policy, which, at this hour,
seems certainly to involve hostilities.
The whole record will be laid before con
gress, and the question is now under earn
est consideration of what shall be the par
ticular form our policy s?hall take in bring
ing to an end the horrors in Cuba and
securing the Independence of the island.
Propositions ranging from a simple rec
ognition of Cuban Independence to a
stralghtout declaration of war have been
urged at the capltol, but there is hardly a
doubt that the majority of congress will
await the executive lead before taking ac
tion, and is disposed to adopt Mr. McKin
ley 'fi suggestion on this point. It Is thought
that any of the resolutions, except possi
bly simple recognition of Independence,
would lead to war.
There were of course all sorts of rumors
in circulation, including reports of medi
ation by some European powers, but no
sm-h suggestion has come to this govern
ment, for, as late as 5 o'clock, in response
to a direct question. Assistant Secretary
Day raid that there had been no offer of
mediation by any foreign government.
One -member of the cabinet, in speaking
of the meeting to-day, spoke substantially
as fellows:
"Jn the morning It was apparent to all of
us that, having exhausted all diplomatic
efforts to bring about a better condition ot
affairs In Cuba and they having failed, the
whole question must be submitted to con
gress. At our afternoon meeting, the presi
dent requested each member of the cab
inet to express freely his Individual opin
ion as to what should be done. The dis
cussion was entirely on the lines indicated
by the members. Nothing definite was de
cided upon, and no conclusions readied.
The president will now take the views sub
mitted to him under consideration, prepara
tory to his message to congress, which
will bo sent early next week.
Tresidcnt McKinley has done a great
deal of work recently and appears pretty
well fatigued. Consequently, he will take
fome little rest before beginning active
wcri. on the message. lie lias not yet de
termined upon what recommendation will
bo communicated to congress.
"My own individual opinion is that but
little faith can be put In promises made
by Spain, and this makes me hesitate about
accepting with any confidence her latest
proposals.
"In the first place, she promised a long
time ago that the reconcentrados would be
released. The result shows that this prom
ise has not been kept. Now she proposes to
release them, but keep them under military
supervision. 'Who can tell whether she will
adhere to this expressed Intention?
-"Broadly, there appear to be three courses
open to the president In dealing further
with this matter. The first of these Is to
accept the proposals submitted by Spain In
reply to the American representations, the
second to relegate the whole matter to con
gress and let that body do as it seems
proper which I think would mean Inter
ventionand, thirdly, to take a middle
stand. But, as I said before, nothing has
yet been determined upon by the president,
or, if he has reached a decision, he did not
communicate it to the members of the
cabinet this afternoon.
"Yes, reference was made by Spain to the
Maine matter in the reply she sent through
Minister Woodford. She made no offer to
pay for the loss, but suggested that the
matter be settled by arbitration. So far as
I recall, she expressed no regret for the sad
occurrence, and the whole thing was re
garded as a cold-blooded statement."
The second session of the cabinet lasted
from 5 o'clock till 6:20.
The Spanish minister called at the state
department at 4:30 o'clock p. m., and was In
conference with Judge Bay for some time.
Although there was the strictest reserve as
to what had occurred, It can be stated posi
tively that the United States submitted no
further propositions, nor did the Spanish
minister offer anything which changed the
situation of affairs.
Both sides regard the issue as made up,
with no likelihood of further negotiations
between now and the time when the presi
dent will submit the whole case to con
gress. The United States has presented Its
demand, and Spain has given her answer.
Thus the case stands. While this brings a
halt to the active negotiations which have
been In progress for the last few days, it
docs not mean that diplomatic relations be
tween the two countries are terminated, for
such a step Is the last preliminary before
an actual state of war. United States Min
ister Woodford remains at his post at Mad
rid, and Is said to bo entirely safe from
harm. The Spanish minister, Senor Polo y
Bernabe, also remains at his post In Wash
ington, although the critical condition of
affairs with recent days has led him and his
staff to consider what disposition of their
effects would be made In case their position
here became untenable.
From the Spanish standpoint there Is the
same disposition as that shown by the au
thorities here, to regard the issue as made
up. The answer of Spain la looked upon
as the limit of concession which Madrid
will grant. If there is to be another move,
the Spanish government looks to the United
States to make it. This, at least. Is the
situation as It presents itself to those best
informed In Washington. Of course. It can
not be foretold what Madrid will do in the
stress of circumstances within the next
two days. But those best able to judge do
not expect any further move from Madrid,
as they say that Spain has reached the
limit of her concessions.
The Spanish minister has naturally been
a center In the exciting incidents of to-day.
He is fully conscious of the gravity of the
situation, and while still expressing hope
tor peace, Fpcaks to his friends of the
eventualities which may come. To one of
them he said to-day that he could not be
lieve that two nations made up of calm and
sensible people would rush Into the untold
horrors of war. lie added that It would be
a wicked and cruel crime for this result to
be precipitated. The staff of the legation
Is working day and night, and the lights
In the legation office were burning until 3
o'clock this morning, while the secretaries
and attaches were deciphering cablegrams
and, in turn, returning dispatches to cipher
for transmission to Madrid. The minister
personally superintends all this work, and
no effort Is made to condense or spare ex
pense in presenting by cable the informa
tion between the officials here and at Mad
rid. Late thl afternoon a Madrid bulletin
was received stating that the pope was
seeking to exercise pacific influences, by
Inducing both Spain and the insurgents to
accept an armistice in Cuba. If. this be
true, the pope has not given any instruc
tions or Information along this line to
Mcnslgnor Martinelll, the papal delegato
at Washington. The latter has taken no
step toward mediation.
It has been reported that one of the
archbishops of the Catholic church, in the
course of an Informal conversation with
high officials here, suggested the media
tion of the pope. This, however, was un
official and no authorized proposition of
any character has come from Rome. Fur
thermore, there is little reason to believe
the administration would receive with fa
vor any propositions of this character
from a foreign source.
In congress, the situation was little
changed from the tension of the past two
days. While the senate was In secret ses
sion, there was a great deal of war talk.
The subject under debate, the acquisition
of the Danish West Indies, served as a
text for tho discussion. On the house
side, the members gathered In groups and
talked of the war for they seemed to have
the impression that such an outcome was
Inevitable.
The Associated Press bulletin announcing
tho reply of Spain was read with much
Interest, scores of members listening while
one would read aloud the dispatch. The
foreign relations committee of the senate,
or Its sub-committee, was In session near
ly all day considering the Maine disaster
as a part of the Cuban question, as well
as the reply ot Spain, which had been
furnished the committee early In the day.
Nothing of importance was actually ac
complished at the capitol, but the senti
ment showed plainly that it the president's
message is for lnterventkn, he will receive
hearty support. There 'is a disposition in
some quarters of congress merely to rec
ognize the independence ot Cuba. The
recommendation of the president will carry
great weight. If the president should sim
ply report that diplomacy Is at an end and
leave tho determination xtt the future
course with congress, it is probable that
immediate Intervention will be recom
mended. As both houses have adjourned until Mon
day, there can be no action of any kind
until that time.
To-night, for the first time In ten days,
the president enjoyed a comparatively quiet
evening at the White House. He had few
callers, and those who were received re
mained only a brief time. General Miles,
accompanied by Hon. James H. Hoyt, of
Cleveland; O., called by appointment short
ly before 9 o'clock and had a half hour's
chat with the president In the blue room
of the executive mansion. Neither General
Miles nor Mr. Hoyt would discuss the ob
ject of their visit.
While they were still with the presi
dent. Representative Cannon, chairman of
the house appropriations committee, called
by appointment, and participated In the
conference. He remained about fifteen
minutes, and said in leaving that he had
talked with the president only upon some
routine business.
At 10 o'clock Senator Fairbanks, of In
diana, had a five minutes' talk with the
presldent,but declined to venture any statement.
SPAIN BOLDLY DEFIANT.
Says That Xo Proposition Involving
Cuban Independence Would
lie Listened To.
Madrid, April L A semi-official statement
has been issued, which says:
"One of the most immoral devices which
Is being employed at the present moment to
injure Spain and mislead opinion In the
United States is that of supposing Spain
would be disposed! to recognize the Inde
pendence of Cuba In return for the payment
of indemnity.
"Already, on the basis of jingolst fancies,
the people have been led to believe that
President McKinley based his proposals on
this Idea. This impression has been utilized
In Wall street by various means to attract
speculators Into Jingo circles, and to compel
them unconsciously to aid in spreading un
easiness. "It is our duty to declare in the most au
thoritative manner that this is untrue; that
no proposition containing the slightest al
lusion to the independence of Cuba, either
with or without indemnity, has been made
to the Spanish government; the govern
ment would straightway reject any such
proposition, and there Is no party or states
men in Spain disposed to listen to such a
solution."
SPAIN ASKEDF0R DELAY.
Official Statement Given Oat Regarding-
the Xote Received Thurs
day Night.
Washington, April L The following state
ment was given out to-day Immediately fol
lowing the first cabinet meeting:
"The following is an abstract from the
telegrams received from General Woodford
last night on the general situation In Cuba:
"He Informs the government of the United
States that General Blanco has revoked the
decree relating to the reconcentrados in the
western provinces of Cuba, which are un
derstood to be the provinces of Matanzas,
Santa Clara, Habana and Pinar del Rio,
and that the Spanish government has placed
at the disposal of the governor general the
credit or JGOO.000 to the end that the country
people may return at once and with success
to their labors.
"The Spanish government will accept
whatever assistance may be sent from the
United States to feed and succor the neces
sitous in accordance with the plan now In
operation.
"He proposes to confide the preparation
for an honorable and stable peace to the In
sular (Cuban) parliament, without whose
concurrence the Spanish government would
not be able to arrive at the final result, it
being understood that the powers reserved
by the constitution to tho central govern
ment are not lessened or diminished.
"As the Cuban chambers will not meet
until May i the Spanish government will
not, on Its part, object to a suspension of
hostilities, if asked for by tho insurgents
from the general-in-chicf, to whom it will
belong to determine the duration and tne
condition of the suspension.
"The president will communicate with
congress as soon as he can prepare a message."
FURTHER DELAY ADVISABLE.
It la Said That the United States Is
Xot Yet Ready for a
Conflict.
Washington, April 1. From one of the
senators who has been la consultation at
the White House three times a day ever
since the situation became critical, the fol
lowing statement was obtained this after
noon: "The president is flat-footed on the prop
osition that Spain must move out bodily.
He also knows absolutely that Spain can
not, or, at least, will not consent to this
complete abandonment. That means war.
The president squarely faces that. He is
not ready. He recognizes certain serious
unpreparedness. McKinley feels he would
be guilty of great negligence if the de
ficiencies be not made good before we are
plunged Into war. Had he not felt so, mat
ters would have been advancd to a point
where the United States could have stopped
the coming of the torpedo flotilla. This
fact will manifest itself by Monday or Tues
day, when the naval and military commit
tees in the house and senate will support
the president. The committees will be
given information, which the members
should know, that will have a tendency to
sober them up a bit.
"The president may ask that he be per
mitted to conduct further negotiations on
these lines. It will be plain to all that
these negotiations can only lead to war,
but the men who will advocate that the
president be permitted to continue his cor
respondence with Spain will make it plain
that a little delay Is a good thing for us
as well as Spain.
"It perhaps may not be an open confes
sion of unpreparedness from these mem
bers, but their position on the 'fighting
committees, together with their well known
sympathy for Cuba, will bo sufficiently sig
nificant to make the bouse pause."
In discussing this phase of the matter,
the speaker quoted statements of cabinet
ministers freely and said even the warlike
General Alger was compelled to admit the
force of it. He said this would never have
been made public, even by Intimation, were
it not that the cold and stubborn truth
would be necessary to keep congress from
plunging the country into war at once.
He said the president only reluctantly
conceded to this when told It was neces
sary to hold the support of conservative
members. The main thrig that the fight
ing departments are short of Is powder,
and the delivery of projectiles has not been
as satisfactory as It might be.
McMillan is the senator quoted above. He
was positive in his private assurances that
ho was right and quoted Alger and Wilson,
of the cabinet.
A RESOLUTION READY.
it
Recognizes Cuban Independence
and Provides for Armed In
tervention. Washington, April 1. Tho sub-committee
of the senate committee on foreign rela
tions appointed to draft a report and pre
pare a form of resolution outlining a
course of action which this government
shall pursue toward Spain with reference
to Cuba so far completed its work to-day
that it will be able to report to the full
committee at Its meeting to-morrow. The
sub-committeo will recommend the adoption
of a resolution declaring, in the first place,
for the recognition of the independence of
the Cuban republic and In the second for
the Intervention bj- the United States with
her army and navy for the purpose of as
sisting the Cubans to secure independence
in case Spain continues to refuse to concede
It.
The report will treat the rescinding of
the order for the concentration of the Cu
ban non-combatants as a subterfuge, and
will dwell upon the past, if not the pres
ent, treatment of the unfortunates; will de
tail the Maine incident and attempt to
demonstrate that It is a sufficient cause for
tho declaration of war It this country were
desirous of making it such, and also will
touch upon the Injury to American Interests
caused by the Cuban struggle as a full
justification for our Interference.
There has been an effort to persuade the
committee that Spain's release of the re
concentrados leaves the United States prac
tically witnout excuse for Intervention, but
the committee has not so far been convinc-
ed by this reasoning, and there Is great
unanimity in tne rejection of this view, as et statesmanship, and in tendering to him
there is in the decision as to the general tne .ymnathy and Indorsement of the Gen
course to bo pursued. cral Federation of Women's Clubs we
The committee will report upon Monday. thereby express our purpose to give him
unless it is then made evident that It has ur m0Tai support in all that he does, or
been impossible for the president to com-,jeavC3 undone. for humanity's sake."
plete his promised message for lack of time. 'c',v" "
The disposition of tho committee Is now nrnriiirn MHTHPP'Q VIPW
against much further postponement for any A DttttAV tU lYlU I ncn O VIEW.
cause. The committee's present informa- . . ., rTTi.- Mnin. n,i i
tion is. however, to the effect that the mes-she 1-",t a BoT on 4he Mnlne n
sage will be ready for submission by Mon- Ready to Give Another for Co
day. iian Freedom.
IOWA VOTES $500,000.
HarrKcyes Give Evidence of Thelrj
Patriotism Ohio Mar Vote
1,000,000.
Des Moines, la,, April 1. Before adjourn-
lng to-day, the two houses passed a res
olutlon giving the governor J500.000 to ex
pend. In case of war, in enlisting, equipping
and sending to the front Iowa's quota o
troops for Cuba. The resolution met with
a little opposition in the house, where some
of the members seemed to think that an
extra session in case of war would be more
serviceable, but these objections were soon
overcome when the advantages of having
money ready for an emergency were demon-
strated. A number of short speeches were
made, which showed that the legislators
would be ready to appropriate 5,000,000 for
war If necessary. Both houses also passed
resolutions Indorsing the course of the pres
ident, congress and Consul General Lee, in
the conduct of the Cuban question, and
exhorting them to stand firm for the right,
whether the outcome be peace or war. The
scene was impressive, and when the J500.000
was voted to send soldiers to the front,
there was cheering which was mingled with
tears of the women present.
Columbus, O., April 1. Senator Riley to
day introduced a bill to appropriate $1,000,
000 to put Ohio on "a war footing. The bill
provides that the $1,000,000 Is to be expended
to defray the expense of tho National
Guard, naval militia and volunteers in the
defense of the state, and for the support of
the federal government In the event of war
with Spain. Tho money is to be used to the
amount of $110,000 in the purchase of arms
and equips for the National Guard un
der the dbn of the governor.
A half m Is then directed to be used
In carrynto effect any requisition of
the presl to protect the federal gov-
ernment.1 extraordinary contingency j lleve, too. In honor. I believe in It and I
fund of 0 Is further provided to be
placed uithe control of the governor.
To carry the act. the sinking fund
commissi! the state is authorized to
borrow money. The same act also
authorize governor to Increase the na
tional gi to 10,000 men, to be held In
readiness call by the president.
An effeas made to pass tho bill un
der thejenslon of the rules, but it
was fonhat there were not enough
senators-ient to take this step, and it
was refeto the committee on finance.
When friends of the measure found
that it I not be passed in the senate
to-day, esentatlve Parker, of Cleve
land, Intced a similar bill In the house.
As In tluate. It was greeted with much
excitemc The lack of a quorum, how
ever, aljevented immediate action, and
It was red to the house finance com
mittee. I
I
t
j
I
CLUB3MEN WITH M'KINLEY.
Presid.IIenrotin, of the General
Fcition, Strongly Indorses
President's Course.
Chicnpril 1. The clubwomen of the
countrjtiuarter of a million strong, to
day exjed themselves regarding Cuba
in a lefwrltten to President McKinley
by Mrsllen M. Henrotln, of Chicago,
rresldeif the General Federation of
Womerflubs. The letter follows:
"Chicago, April 1, 1S9S.
"Mr. Eldent: The General Federation
of Won Clubs is an organization which
embracwenty-nine state federations ot
womenlubs, which number in member
ship l.clubs; and over MO other clubs
are abnited In the membership of the
Generaederatlon. The Individual mem
bership these clubs varies from twenty
five toO women. The largest state fed
cratlonlndividuals is that of New York,
with 2 women as members; Massachu
setts t Illinois rank next, the former
with l and the latter with 13,000. Ohio
has ab7,0C0 women members of the state
federal It is estimated that the General
Federn has over 250,000 women in mem
bershi' "Thembers of the General Federation
wouldndemn a war which was under
taken; aggrandizement or for territorial
acquijn, as the federation Is founded
upon i principles of fraternity and rec
iproci but Its members recognize the
fact t this nation, in the vanguard of
all relics must stand alone for the cause
of hunlty, for the cause of the weak as
agairthe strong, for the right as against
miglvWo feel that you represent this
caustTherefore, as a federation, we ten
der jour sympathy and express to you
our fldence In your wisdom and your
devoi to the highest good of this dear
coun'of ours.
"Vi most of the members of the fed
eratlrcpresent no vote on subjects of na
tinnaolltles. we do represent great tn-
fluert- On us war will fall the heaviest,
for -snust give our sons, and must, dur
ing i after the war, help repair the rav
ages losses, and mitigate the suffering
whWuch a terrible event must inevitably
brinn its train. Therefore, we have the
besSht to an expression of our opinion.
We edge you while it is a question of
hunlty that you may count on the moral
sup;t of this organization.
"Bn, with sentiments of the highest
coneratfon, truly yours,
"ELLEN M. HENROTIN,
"Pident of the General Federation of
TBen's Clubs.
'the President ot the United States."
Iin interview regarding the letter. Mrs.
Htftln said:
",e Industrial position of the American
worn was greatly Influenced by the re
ceicivll war. Thousands of women, both
Ine North and in the South, were forced
inthe labor market through the death of
fair or brother, husband or son. xnis
wiespeclally the case In the South. The
loin ideality to a nation Is very great by
a ir. General Walker has said to me that
hconsidered the present overweening
conercial spirit of this country due to the
ff that so many men of the idea perished
line war, both North and South, leaving
tj mechanically minded or business mlnd
men In the ascendant. The race also
iters physically, as the army takes not
t lame nor the blind nor the delicate
n. but the strong, well developed man.
For those reasons, women are vitally In
rested In peace and Its attendant train of
sssings. But they are even more interest
f in upholding the cause ot humanity be
re all commercial relations. The Ameri
m people have been very patient with the
uban question, out tney are pui in inu
osition of being obliged to interfere to
ed the hungry, clothe the naked and heal
he sick. And it is folly to longer deny tne
esponslbillty of the United States for the
ondltlon of the unnappy iana so near our
hores. . ,
'The nollcy of the president, therefore.
specially commends itself to such an or-
flenee and his humanity represent the high-
ranization as ours.
iiis nrmness, ni pu.-
lor
Chicago, April l.-Side by side in the Chl-
pnm
tvihiiTK. to-morrow will appear xne
iio,- onm Mrs. Ellen Henrotln, of this
city, who, on behalf of the Women's Clubs
of the United States, wrote to President
McKinley urging him to take the way
that leads to peace, and a statement from
Mrs. ShiUIngton, mother of Harry Shilling
ton, who went down with the Maine. Fol
lowing Mrs. Henrotin's letter Is a statement
by her In which she upholds the stand
she took in her letter and repeating that
the General Federation ot Women's Clubs
will give to President McKinley "our moral
support in all that he does, or In all that
he leaves undone, for humanity's sake."
Mrs. ShiUIngton was shown Mrs. Hen
rotin's letter and asked if she thought It
' spoite for all the mothers of America. Mrs.
Shillington could not read any further than
the line: "On us war will fall the heav
iest, for we must give our sons."
"I've already given one of mine." she
said, "my Harry. But with one boy bur
led In the mud of Havana harbor and an
other on board a United States cruiser that
may be the first to be sunk In case of war,
I have no appeals to make to the presi
dent for peace. I am a mother, and I have
suffered as perhaps not many of the moth
ers who have Joined In Mr3. Henrotin's ap
peal have suffered, but I do not shrink at
the mention of war. We must think of our
own, and, heaven knows, no one could
havo thought more of her boy than I did
of the one who died on tho Maine, but there
arc mothers In Cuba who must be thought
of mothers who have seen their little
ones starve to death by their sides. Their
homes have been destroyed, and families
sundcred and men and women and children
allowed to die like cattle. I have to think
of those things. Of course. I know the
money interests of the country are entitled
to a full share of consideration, but I be-
taught It to my children, and I think they
learned the lesson, for the officers of the
Maine have written to me that my Harry
never swerved from the strict line of his
duty. He never shrank from what was
right, and neither will I. I can give my
other boy to my country. If need be. as I
did my oldest son.
"Charlie sailed on the government cruiser
Alliance to-day. His last letter to me said
that now he had but one thought, and that
was revenge, lou see, he is only a doj- oi
17, and the death of his brother filled him
with hate for those who caused It. It do
not feel, of course, the same about it that
he does. I do not feel any spirit of revenge.
I only w.mt to see the honor of the country
vindicated, so that my boy, who is a sailor
on board a United States ship, can walk the
streets of a foreign city and feel that the
blue uniform he wears Is respected, and
that, if he dies, his government will demand
atonement and that he is something more
than the iron guns or the plating on the
side of the vessel, that can be left buried
in the muddy bottom of a harbor and for
gotten. "I have no criticism to make on the wo
men who have joined in Mrs. Henrotin's
petition. They want to be spared the los
of their loved ones, and 1 pray God that
they may be. But If He should let them
suffer as I have suffered, if it is for the
ake of the dead and dying In Cuba, if it
is for the sake of our country and her flag
and for the sake of the boys who were
killed on the Maine. I can only say to them
. -.1. n Kinr1l-.l 911(1 fl. IhOUS-
as l say u mjstu a. ....u.- - - -----
and times a day: 'It had to be. It had to
be. There was no other way." "
SPAIN VIGOROUSLY ARRAIGNED.
House Committee on Invalid Pensions
Denounces Spanish. Brutnilty
and Duplicity.
Washington. April L-A vigorous arraign
ment of Spain is made in the favorable
report to the house to-day by Representa
tive Ray, of New lorx, cuuuuuiu .. ...
committee on Invalid penslons.of the dick
ering bill "to encourage enlistment of vet
erans of the late war during the anticipat
ed war with Spain."
mr Minnrf SAVS!
"Whenever the attention of Spain has
been diverted from the Cuban colony, the
people have prospered and rapidly advanc
ed but no sooner has considerable progress
been made In civilization and the accumu
lation ot wealth, than the oppressive hand
of the mother country has been placed on
this people and oppression of the men and
brutal and bestial outrage of the women
ha3 followed, while every form of taxa
tion has been resorted to to rob the people
of the fruits of their toil and keep them In
a condition of abject servitude. This op
pressed people has struggled for a good
government, wnicn nas uttii .-i...v..,
promised but never given.
"A few years ago, a Cuban rebellion.
promising success, was only subdued by
pledges of reform, but no sooner had the
rebels laid down their arms- than every
promise was broken, every assurance dis
regarded, and every form of outrage re
sorted to. In the struggle for liberty, now
In progress, this people has been subjected
to almost every form of barbarity. The
representatives of the Spanish nation In
Washington, while beguiling our executive
with smiles of pretended friendship and
promises of Immediate measures to end the
horrible condition of affairs In Cuba, was
writing and sending to Spain letters abus
ing the chief magistrate of this- republic" .
Referring to the Maine incident, the re
port continues:
"Spanish officials alone had the means or
knowledge necessary to secure the explo
sion of that mine beneath the Maine. Mines
and powerful torpedoes do not float about
Havana harbor like bullneads In a pond.
It is an Incident of such magnitude that
the civilized world shudders at Its mention.
American blood has been shed and our
American homes desolated. We are fully
aware that the foot of that cruel, crafty,
degenerate and bigoted nation has never
been planted on a foot of God's green
earth but murder, misrule, outrage and
desolation have followed."
SPAIN HAS FRENCH SYMPATHY.
Hope Still CIunK To In Paris That
Some Peaceful Issue Will
Be Found.
Pari3. April 1. The French International
Arbitration Society has sent letters to the
Spanish minister for foreign affairs. Senor
Gullon, and to the American secretary of
state. Mr. John Sherman, urging the ad
visability of the arbitration of the differ
ences between Spain and the United btates.
The Journal des Debats, commenting on
the "Inadmissibility of America's exorbi
tant pretensions," complains ot the Ameri
can and English papers that are advising
Spain to sell Cuba. It says:
"It would arpear that, for these journals,
the view point ot national honor doe3 not
exist."
Tho sympathy of Frenchmen Inclines
rather to Spain; and the hope is still clung
to that some peaceful issue will be found
through the "sound sense of the two gov
ernments and the good offices of the pow
ers." BOOM IN "WAR RISKS."
Vessels From the South Side of Cuba
Quoted as High as S Per Cent
Yesterday.
New Tork, April L "War risks" reached
to-day the highest figure yet qilotcd since
complications with Spain made shippers
anxious about property In transit by sea.
American sailing vessels to or from tne
east coast of South America (early sailings)
were covered for 3 per cent. West Indian
sailing brought the same rate. These risks
were taken yesterday for 2 per cent. Ves
sels from the south side of Cuba were
ouoted as high as 5 per cent. Rates for
sailings a week hence were double those
charged for early movements. Steamships
were covered, at lower rates about the
same as yesterday but underwriters were
unsually cautious about "war business."
CUBANS READY TO HELP.
Junta Attache Says That They Could
Raise an Army of ,-
OOO Slen.
New Tork. April 1. It was said at th
Cuban Junta to-day that the insurgents
were prepared to give material aid to th
United States should war with Spain bo
declared. "If the United States sent U3
arms and ammunition," an attache said,
"we could raise an army of EO.OOO men.
march or. Havana and raze the city or
storm the occupants into submission."
Finest house furnishirgs on credit, at low
est cash prices. Wurmser's, 1200-1211 Main.
Hotel Victoria offers superior accommoda
tions. Rates 12 and S2.50. O. B. Stanton, prop.
Will paper. latMt. cheapest, beat. Miller. JM5 Graal.
Easter number of The Journal to-morrow.
at
PORTO
Spanish Torpedo Flotilla Arrived
Yesterday.
NAVAL MEN MUCH CONCERNED
Proximity of the Fleet Regarded
With Apprehension.
MAY SLIP INTO HAVANA HARBOR
Hying Sqnadron Is to Eemain
at Hampton .Roads.
NO BETTER STRATEGIC POINT
Present Rendezvous Is the Most
Available One.
Minneapolis to Join the Squadron,
To-day Assistant Secretary Roose
velt I'rues the Immediate
Formation of Xuval 31111
tla la All Sea Coast
States.
Madrid, April 1. Midnight The Spanish
torpedo flotilla has arrived at Porto Rico.
Washington. April L The president mani
fested much Interst in the Information con
veyed In the Associated Press dispatch
from Madrid that the Spanish torpedo flo
tilla had arrived at Porto Rico. About tho
White House a. good deal of surprise was
expressed that the flotilla had made o
swift a passage from the Canaries, and,
there was a disposition among some to
whom the Information was given, not to
credit It, the opinion being that It had been
given out by the Madrid officials to pre
vent the. flying squadron from sailing.
The navy department received informa
tion to-day that the cruisers Viscaya and
Oquendo, the two fine Spanish cruiser
which have been lying at Havana, had left
that port. Their destination Is not known,
but there Is reason to believe they havo
gone to join the torpedo flotilla.
Havana. April 1. The Spanish warships
Vizcaya and Almlrante Oquendo left Ha
vana at 5 o'clock this- afternoon. Immense
crowds gathered on the wharves and
cheered the ironclads as they steamed
away. Rear Admiral Luis Pastor Lan
deras. who relieved Admiral Navarro a3
Spanish naval commander In these waters
last November, Is on board the Vizcaya.
The Alfonso XII. remains here. Her
crew mounted Into the rigging and cheered
the Vizcaya and the Almlrante Oquendo
as they departed-
A dispatch from Madrid says that the
Marquis Lagunas, one of the wealthiest
Spaniards at the capital, has offered to
pay for an Ironclad.
Key West, Fla.. April L The news that
the Vizcaya and the Almlrante Oquendo
had sailed from Havana was conveyed to.
Captain Sampson by the correspondent ot
the Associated Press.
Captain Sampson appeared much inter
ested and was anxious for further details.
The general feeUng in the fleet Is that tha
Spanish warships have gone to meet tho
Spanish torpedo flotilla.
A strict patrol Is maintained In the har
bor to-night by the Cincinnati and two
torpedo boats. The Italian training ship
Amerigo Vespucci sailed to-day for Wash
ington. Washington, April L The flying squad
ron is to remain in Hampton Roads, for
the present at least. This announcement
was made late this afternoon by Secretary
Long and set at rest the reports which,
had been current throughout the day that
a movement of the squadron was imminent.
The secretary stated that the department
believed that the present rendezvous of tha
squadron was the most available one from
which tho ships under Commodore Schley
could operate In carrying out the purposo
for which It was formed, that Is. the pro
tection of tho North Atlantic seaboard.
He added that no orders had been Issued
to Commodore Schley, and that none were
in Immediate contemplation.
In the various phases of the situation to
day the flying squadron stood out promi
nently, both as the center of public Inter
est in connection with rumored orders for
lt3 sailing from the Roads and as a matter
of consideration by the department.
It is stated on reliable authority that tha
department discussed the question of or
dering the ships to sea. presumably, though
not officially so stated, in connection with,
the approach of the Spanish torpedo flotil
la, which has since arrived at Porto Rico.
It has been an open secret for some days