Kansas City journal. [volume], April 04, 1898, Image 1

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

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VOLTXME XL. NO. 298.
MONDAY.
KANSAS CITY, APRIL 4, 1898.
MONDAY.
PRICE TWO CENTS.
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1EVEB V"'- KS An SHAWXEE
TOWJf, rs OVERWHELMED.
HUNDRED;! Y BE DROWNED.
:v
SMALLEST ESTIMATE IS 20O, AXD
3,000 IS SUGGESTED.
ALL COMMUNICATION CUT OFF.
two relief sTEoinns ox the
"WAY FROM EVANSVILLE, IXD. '
Brcnk Occurred a Mile Above the City
Last EenlnB-Walfr Stands From
Twenty to Thirty Feet
Deep AH Over the
Tonn.
Evnnsville, Ind., April 2. At $ o'clock p.
m. the levee at Shawneotown, III., broke
a mile above the town, and from all the
Information that can be secured here It Is
learned that a great part of the place has
been destroyed and that probably a large
number of citizens have been drowned.
Shawncctown is seventy-flvo miles below
Evansvllle, on the Ohio river. It la situated
In a valley of extremely low land, with
hills skirting it in the rear, and with, a
twenty -live foot levee front running from
hill to hilt. The town Is -very much in tho
position of a fortified city, and when the
levee gate way a mile above town, under
tho pressure of tho very high rhcr, the
water shot through a twenty-foot opening
and struck tho place Ilka a hurricane,
sweeping everything before it.
Houses were turned and tossed about like
boxes. The people were not warned of the
break, and for that reason many were
caught. Thoso at home sought refuge In
second stories and on housetops. Those in
tho streets were carried before the ava
lanche of water, and probably a majority
were) drowned.
Citizens camo from the place by skiffs to
a H:cc-!ic i;all ullA' avayund aited
for aid from Evansvllle. They said that
moro than 200 people were drowned, and
they had reason to believe it would reach
D00 or even 1,000. '
Tho water stands from twenty to thirty
feet all over tho town.
There Is, of course, no fire and no lights
in tho place, and total darkness envelops
the desolato scene. Consequently It was
Impossible for them to have anything like
definite Information. The men quickly left
the telephone and no communication has
since been had with the place.
Chicago, April 4. At 12.30 to-night, the
operator in tho Long Distance Telephone
Comranv's office at Mount Vernon, Ind.,
lnlonrcd the Associated Press that the
estimate on the" loss of life at Shawnee
iown was, at that hour, 200. Mount Ver
non is but thirty miles from Shawncetown,
and the information on which the estimate
Is based is believed to bo reliable. The
operator stated that the company's wire3
to the stricken city failed soon after 4
o'clock this afternoon. At that hour it
was known that the levee was giving way.
f.
ut it was not thought that it would go
o pieces quickly enough to cause loss of
life.
By S o'clock It wa? known In Mount Ver
non that many people had been drowned,
the c&tlmato then being 100.
All telephone and telegraph wires are now
down, and outsldo communication appears
to be Impossible.
At 10 o'clock to-night, two steamboats
and a couplo of tugs started for Shawnce
town under full head of steam, and It is
expected tome of them will arrive there by
2 o'clock In the morning. They carry large
supplies of food and blankets quickly col
lected by the city officials.
"When tho river is at its normal stage, it
is l.noo feet wide at this point and the cit
izens have long feared a catastrophe such
as occurred to-night, as a tremendous pres
sure Is brought to bear on the levee dur
ing freshets. Several jears ago. during a
flood, the water flowed over the levee and
tho streets were under two feet of water.
Tho levee was strengthened and built up
afterward, and tho town has since consider
ed there was no danger.
A relief boat tearing food, blankets and
surgeons was started down the river and
was expected to reach Shawneetonn before
morning. Gradually the reports of loss of
life Increased the estimates, stories com
ing from various iolnts near the scene or
tho flood, showing that the disaster was
far more disastrous than wns at first be
lieved. People from Mount Vernon and the
surrounding country besieged the telephone
and telegraph offices:, frantic for tidings
from relatives and friends In the flooded
town. No attempt at an accurate lift of
tho loss was possIMe, however, nnd the
crowds stood all night before the bulletin
boards on which were posted the meager
reports being received.
A specl-il to the Record from Cj press
Junction. III., sajs:
Two hundred and fifty persons wcro
drowned to-day by the Inundation of Shaw
ncetown. six miles from this place. The
north levee broke at 4:20 o'clock this after
noon and the Ohio river flowed over the
town many feet deep.
Scores of houses are floating about to
night and many persons are cJlngTng1o"the
wreckage in the hope that rescuers will
soon appear with boats to take them to
places of safety.
All communication with the town is cut
off. Trains cannot reach there and tele
phone and telegraph wires are down.
The first report that reached here was
that the entire population had been drowned
but this Is not confirmed.
Tho levee was built by the government
and was regarded as impregnable, hence
the people had taken no precautions against
a possible flood.
It is reported that the flood now extends
four miles inland, and people are fleeing
for their lives from all tho lowland hamlets.
SHIP ON FRE AT SEA.
Ron Ashore at Tj liee Honda, Georgia,
Where Her Twenty-live Pas
sengers Were Landed.
Savannah, Ga., April 3. The Ocean
Steamship Company's steamer City of
Macon, Captain Savage, bound from Bos
ton for this port, was discovered on fire
at 9.30 o'clock last night, while off Mar
tin's Industry lightship, eighteen miles
north of Tybee. A stream was Immediate
ly turned in the forward hold, where the
fire was located, and the ship was headed
for Tybee with all speed. She arrived at
Tbee roads early this morning and sig
naled the tug Cjnthia, which was on that
station, to come to her assistance.
She was run ashore, stern foremost, op
posite Quarantine station.
The tug Paulson brought the City of
Maccn's passengers, about twenty-five In
number, to the city. There was no ex
citement on board the steamer during tho
night. At 8 o'clock to-night it Is reported
that the fire is out.
The cargo In the forward compartment,
which consisted of general merchandise,
is a total loss.
The ship is said to be uninjured.
SIX PERS0NS DROWNED.
An Arkansas Family Met Death In the
St. Francis River Yester-
day Afternoon.
Piggott, Ark., April 3 M. TVehrendorf,
his three children and sister and brother-in-law
were drowned In St. Francis river,
near St. Francis, this afternoon. Their
boat capsized. None of the bodies has been
recovered.
The Rock Hill, S. C, Fire.
Charlotte, N. C, April 3 Fire at Rock
Hill. S. C, this morning destroyed twelve
bui'dit.gs, involving' a loss of $250,000 upon
which there was an insurance ofl50,lK)
tMnr:uA.d la slxUeir companies. "The or!-"
gin Is jet a matter of speculation. The
Charlotte tire department arrived there
after tho lire was under control.
Thirteenth Body Recovered.
Chicago, April 3 Tho body of William
A. Olmstead. president of the Olmstead
Scientific Companj ,w as recovered from the
ruins of the Aycrs building on Wabash
avenue to-day. All of the missing have
now been accounted for. Olmstead was
tho thirteenth victim of the fire.
SNOW INC0L0RAD0.
Two Inchea West of Llmon and the
Storm Is Coming This
Way.
Topeka. Kas., April 3 Reports received
at railroad headquarters here show that a
severe snow storm is raging in Colorado,
and Is coming this way. About two Inches
of snow have fallen already. A high wind
Is blowing and snow plows have been
placed on all the engines to fight the drifts.
The storm la most severe from Llmon,
CoL. westward, the worst drifts occurring
at Flagler and Arribau. No damage to
property or delay In traffic Is reported.
At Santa Fe headquarters, a general
heavy rain throughout Eastern Kansas is
reported.
Denv er. Col.. April 2 A heavy wet snow
has been falling In Colorado Eince noon
to-day, and promises to last throughout the
night. Tho snow was preceded by high
winds and a misty rain, which quickly
changed into snow and the ground is cov
ered to tho depth of several inches. Tele
graph and telephone wires are down and
railroad traffic Is being interrupted. The
snow is a blessing to stockmen, however,
as It Insures plenty of grass on the ranges.
Lincoln. Neb.. April 3 Teiegrams receiv
ed at the Burlington railroad headquar
ters say a terrific snowstorm is raging
along its lines in south, central and western
part of the state. From Holdredge west
the snow has been heavy and continuous
throughout the day and telegraph wires are
prostrated. In Lincoln and vicinity there
has been a downpour of rain since morn
ing. MRS. D. J. BREWER DEAD.
Wife of the Supreme Justice Passed
Anny In Washington Lust
XIBht.
Washington, April 3 Mrs. David J.
Brewer, wife of Associate Justice Brewer,
of tho United States supreme court, died at
her home here to-night. She had been in
bad health for several jears, but was not
an invalid. Some weeks ago her phjsicians
decided that an operation was necessary.
It was apparently successful, but on Fri
day a relapse occurred and she died to
night. There were with Mrs. Brewer at
tho time her daughters. Mrs. L. J. Karrlck,
of Denver, and Miss Elizabeth Brewer. Her
other daughter, Mrs J. Admire, of To
peka, Kas , was not present, because of Ill
ness In her own famil. Mrs. Brewer was
00 jears old and was born in Burling
ton, Vt.
Mrs. Brewer's milden njme was Miss
Louise Landon. She was married to Judge
Brewer at Burlington, October 3, 1S61. The
made their Kansas home at Leavenworth
until Judge Brewer was elevated to the
Minreme bench of the Cnited States by
Pres-ident Harrison in 1S.
MISS0URIP0PUUSTS.
State Committee Has Decided to Hold
the State Contention at St.
I.outx Jul) 7.
St. Iiuis. Mo, April 3 The PopulM
state committee has decided to hold the
state convention in this city on July 7,
wlnn candidates for supreme judge, super
intendent of public schools and railroad
commissioner will be elected. A new state
committee will then be elected.
The basis of representation was fixed at
one vote for each representative and sana
toria district, and one for each 100 votes
and over fifty cast for O. D. Jones for Judg
or the supreme court In VSi. This will
result in about 600 delegates. Ex-State Sen
ator Owen Miller and Frank Ritchie, of St.
Louis, and B. H. Cow gill, of tho Eighth
congressional district, were appointed a
committee to edit and promulgate an ad
dress to the public showing that the Pop
ulist doctrine is the true "Vox Populi."
Will pater, Utcst, cheiput, tat. Miller, 15 GranJ.
A DARING BURGLAR.
CHLOROFORMS THE FAMILY AXD
ROBS HOLSE AT LEISURE.
HE SECURES MUCH PLUNDER.
11031 E OF W. J. HOWELL, 0 EAST
TETH STREET, ROBBED.
The Thief Gains an Entrance With a
"Jlmm"-Lighted the Gas and
Searched for Valuables M.
T. WriRht'M Homo
Msited.
W. J. Howell and his wife and baby girl,
of 1700 East Tenth street, were chloroform
ed Saturday night by a burglar who ran
sacked the house from top to bottom, aft
er they were sound asleep. The burglar
used the chloroform as scientifically as
a surgeon w ould. It requires a good know I
edge of this deadly anesthetic to adminis
ter it safely and successfully. But this
scientific burglar put Just enough of the
drug to the faces of the sleeping family
to ar.csthizo them till he had finished his
work, and when they awakened the only
bad effect each felt was. a severe head
ache. This burglar was remarkably daring and
cool headed. His first entrance to the house
by means of a jimmy and skeleton keys,
awakened the Howell baby, and she
screamed that a man was trjing to catch
her. It was 2 o'clock in the morning. The
screams awakened Mrs. Howell, who arose
nnd took the child to bed with her. The
burglar was in the house then and he
waited and listened till the family was
asleep again and then he used his chloro
form. After that he had things his own
way. Ho lighted the gas, rummaged leisure
ly around, tried on several suits of Mr.
Howell's clothing till he found ono that
suited and wore that away, and carried
with him considerable money, jewelry and
bric-a-brac
M. T. Wright's Home llsltcd.
Later he went to the home of M T.
Wright, assistant cashier of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, which was a
block away, at S20 Vine street, and went in.
It was not necessary for him to use chloro
form here. The family was away. He
found an overcoat of Mr. Wright s that
fitted well over tho suit of clothing from
Mr. Howell's and ho took it. He gathered
up about $100 worth of silverware at Mr.
Wright's and carried it auaj.
Mr. Howell, who is the shipping clerk for
the John Deere Plow Company in the West
bottoms, awoke jesterda morning about
S o'clock with a peculiar headache. He
was drowjf even 'ter he had comi to his
'senses. lie turned" to his wife, who was
still sleeping heavily, and aroused her. She
complained of the same feeling of drowsi
ness as her husband.
"I smell chloroform," she said, suddenly,
when she had fully awakened. Howell
sprang out of bed, his head peculiarly diz
zy. His bedroom was in a sad state of con
fusion. His clothing was gone from the
rack near his bed and all the doors in the
house were open. A chilly draught came
through the house. Mr. Howell stepped
Into tho adjoining bedroom and there
everything; was in a state of supreme con
fusion also. The door leading from the
second bedroom to the dining room, which
he distinctly remembered having locked
the night previous, was wide open and the
damp, chilly air that came through it
showed the back kitchen door was open
also. The first glance Mr. Howell had of
his bedroom had convinced him that burg
lars had paid him a visit during the night.
He then began looking about to see, what
had been taken. His business suit, which
ho had hung up near his bed on retiring,
was not to be found in the house. Even
Ms shoes and all his laundry were missing.
He found that the burglar had been con
siderate enough to leave his business let
ters and bank book, which had been in his
coat pocket, on the diningroom table After
finding some clothes to wear, Mr. Howell
made a search of the rest of the house to
see what had been left. Each room bad
been visited by the burglar and every
drawer and closet had been carefully
starched. Mr. Howell's gold watch, valued
at $40, was taken with the vest, and about
$15 in change was taken with his trousers.
Mrs. Howeli's pocketbook which the burg
lar had taken from a drawer, and a small
box In which their little girl, 2 ears old,
had been saving her pennies, were also
empty. The burglar had helped himself to
Mr. Howell's box of cigars and probably
wore Mr. Howell's nose gla-sses during his
search and forgot to leave them when he
took his departure. None of the silverware
in the dining room was touched b the
burglar. He preferred Mr. Howell's freshly
laundried linen to the silverware and bore
off the entire lot of shirts, collars and cuffs.
A Discriminating Thief.
The burglar had taken all his booty into
the coal shed in the back jard and there
leisurely sorted it over. He tried on Mr.
How oils shoes, but they evidentlj did not
tit. The lace in the shoes, liud been loos
ened up and the lining torn in the burg
lar's efforts to get his feet into them. But
ho left them in tho shed, together with a
few collars and cuffs
Tho burglar gained an entrance to the
house by prjlng up a kitchen window with
a "jimm." It is thought he got into the
house about 2 o'clock jesterday morning
At that time Mrs. Howell was awakened
br her little girl, who sleeps in the bed
ioom adjoining her parents. She was
screaming with fright. Mrs. Howell took
the little one into her own bed and there
attempted to quiet her.
"Man catch me," she kept repeating be
tween her sobs.
Mr. and Mrs. Howell thought the baby
had simpl been dreaming, and after get
ting tho child to sleep, fell asleep them
selves without making an investigation.
The daring spirit of the burglar is evi
denced by the fact that the bab s
screams and the fact that its p irents had
been awakened for a time, did not frighten
him awa from the house Mrs Howell
said jctirday that the two bedrooms had
not been disordered enough when he was
up to attract her attention. After the
hil fallen asleep again the burglar evident
ly di termined to make sure he would not
be further interrupted In his work, and
chlcroformed both Mr. and Mrs Howell
V hcther he applied the chloroform to the
babj is not known. It was awake when
the parents awakened vesterday morning
After getting into tho house the burglar
unlocked the door leading Into the bed
room with a skeleton kcv. Mr. Howell had
locked this door on retiring at 11 o'clock
Saturdav night. leaving the kcv on the
irslde The kev was found on the floor
jestcrday morning The robber evidently
moused the sleeping child while entering
the room and his strange appearanre had
frightened it. He must have stepped back
into the kitchen, closing the door so that
when Mrs. Howell hid gone into the
child's bedroom she did not observe that
th door had been unlocked.
The robber's footprints were left In a
flowerbed in the back vard, as he walked
towards the coalshed.
Had Tried It npfore.
The burglar Is thought to be the same
that has attempted on two occasions be
fore to gain an entrance to the house.
Several weeks ago Mr. Howell was re
turning home from work late at night,
when he saw two men run from his jard.
On Investigating he found prints of ,i
"jimmj" on a side window. Three weeks
ago last Tuesday night. Mr. Howell was
preparing to retire, when he heard a noise
at one of tho windows opening into the
dining room from the west side of the
house. He stepped into the room and wait
ed. He heard the window rattle as it was
pried up and then the mufilcd whispers of
two men in the dark ouf-ide. The room
itself was dark and Mr. Howell waited for
an opportunity to seize one of the men
as he crawled through the window.
"Go through feet first," he heard one of
the men -av. Just then the little girl, who
was asleep in the room awakened and be
gan erjing and Mr. Howell mde known
ins pre-ence b jumping towards the win
dow. The men took to their heeld.
"I think there was. onoly one robber in the
houso this morning," saidMr Howell, yes
terday. "He was evidently determined to
thoroughly search the house in hopes of
finding a large amount of money. He prob
ahlj figured that as it was the end of the
w-ek and the first of tho month. I must
have my salarj in the house somewhere,
and he was determined to get it if it was
to lie found. The money had been placed
in the bank, however. icepting about $20
which wa.s in change and In veve-'al differ
ent places But he found ever cent that
was here."
Took Mr. Howell's Linen.
An incident of the robbery was that the
burglar greatly inconvenienced Mr. Howell
by taking all his shirts. Each of these had
Mr. Howell's full name on it in indelible
Ink. The suit of clothing which the robber
"I think there was onl one robber in the
coat was a brown sack cheviot which
matched the vest, while the troupers were
of dark blue mateii.il with a light pin
btripe running through the goods.
After leaving Mr. Howell's home, the bur
glar, supposedly the same, went to the
home of M. T. Wright. usM'-innt ta-sliier of
the Western Union Telccnnh Company.
Mr. and Mrs. right spent Saturdaj night
with Mrs Wrights mother in the eastern
part of the citj. leaving the house unoc
cupied. The burglar pried open the south
parlor window. When Mr. Wright returned
to his home jesteid.av nbout noon ha found
the hou"-e in the wildest state of disorder.
Each room had been completely ransacked,
the drawers in the bookcase in the front
room had been taken out and their con
tents dumped in the middle of the floor and
then earefullj searched The wardrobes
had been pill tged and clothing and linen
scattered through all parts of the hov.se.
A roll of carpet which had been stored in
one of the closets had been taken out and
unrolled as if the burglar suspected tint
money might be hidden in it. From a case
on the sideboard in the dining room, the
burglar took a set of solid silver pie forks,
with pearl handles and gold tips, which
Mrs Wright prized greatly as an heirloom.
The set had been purchased by her grand
mother and was very valuable. On one side
of the forks the n ime "Woodward" was
engraved and on the other, "Finkbinc."
The actual value of the forks Is $100 Tho
burglar did not molest any of the siier
ware on the dining table. He, however,
added to the wardrobe ho had secured
from Mr. Howell's home, by taking Mr.
Wright's overcoat and a black slik skirt
belonging to Mrs. Wright.
The full details of both robberies were
reported jenerday to the police and de
tectives were immediately sent out on the
case. As nearly all of the booty taken by
the burglar can be easily identified, the
police expect to capture him.
OMAHA EXPOSITION.
Architect Promise That All Construc
tion Work Will Be Com
pleted Soon.
Omaha, Neb , April 3 Tho announce
ment was made to-day upon authority of
the chief architects of the trans-Mississippi
exposition that all construction work
will be finished in ample time for the in
stallation of exhibits and the perfection of
concessions by tho opening day June 1.
The large buildings are nearly ready for
the artistic decorations save the fine arts
building and the immense structure which
the United States government Is building.
On the latter the staff work Is nearly done
and the dome is receiving the finishing
touches. The concessionaires are pushing
construction work rapidly as are the vari
ous states, fifteen of which are erecting
buildings.
WARRENSBURG BURGLARY.
Sedalla Bloodhonnds on the Track of
Men Who Rohhed a Hard
ware Store.
Warrensburg, Mo., April 3 (Special )
The hardware store of T. J. Whitfield, in
this city, was entered by burglars and a
large quantity of cutlery and two revolvers
were taken. The entire loss amounted to
about $100 Entrance was effected into the
building through the cellar. The Sedalla
bloodhounds were brought to this city on
an afternoon freight train. They immedi
ately struck a trail, leading to the Black
water timber, north of the city, and it Is
hoped that the perpetrators will be appre
hended. It is thought that the work is
that of an organized gang of criminals who
have been operating in this vicinity for
some time, as there have been a number
of petit larcenies from stables and dwell
ings in tho city within the past few weeks.
ANOTHER SOUTHERN' DUEL.
Prominent Men at Hnynes, Ark.,Fls;Iit
With Pistols Both
Stay Die.
Little Rock, Ark., April 3 A desperate
revolver duel occurred at Haynes, Ark.,
Saturday night, between Dr. W. W. Scott,
a prominent phjsician of that town, and
John J. Hughes, a leading merchant. Seott
entered Hughes' store and opened fire up
on him. The latter drew his weapon and
both combatants emptied their revolvers
at eacli other at close r inge. When the
shootiiig ceased both men were Ijing on
the flcor. Seott bleeding from four wounds
and Hughes struck by five bullets. Both
men aro still alive, but their recovery Is
doubtful. The cause of the trouble is not
definitely known, but it is said to have
grown out of family affairs.
OLD CRIME RECALLED.
Louisiana Aesrro Ljnched for His Part
In a 3Iurder Two Years
Alto.
New- Orleans, April 3 In the fall of ISOfi
a family by the name of Cotton, in Tan
gipahoa parish, consisting of seven people,
was brutally murdered b negroes, with the
exception of one girl, whom the murderers
spared
She escaped and told the story, resulting
in the Ijnching of two of the negroc-s. who
were dragged through a lire before being
hanged and shot to death
A third has rccentlv been captured and
was this morning ivnehed by a mob about
seven miles above Ainlte Citv.
This negro was first hanged and his body
riddled with bullets A card was pinned on
him to the effect that the murder of the
Cotton famil was at last avenged.
GOLD FROM AUSTRALIA.
Eighth Shipment, Aow En Route, Will
IlrlnK he Totnl Up to
9i8,r,oo,ooo.
San rrancisco. April 3 The steamship
Alameda, from Sjdney, via Auckland and
Honolulu, which is due, here next Wednes
dav, carries $2fi00,0u0 in English sovereigns
in her strong box. This is the eighth ship
ment of gold received from the same source
since last fall bringing tho total amount
received up to the enormous sum of Jis.lyi
Crt). This money is in pavment of the bal
ance of trade In favor of the United States
for wheat, flour, lumber, canned good.-,
raisins and other staples shipped abroad, in
excess of our imports of merchandise.
n KIEF BITS OF AEWS.
Lewis Adams, aged 17, is in Jail at Nor
man. O T., having been arrested under an
Indictment charging him with stealing a
horse from his grandfather.
W A. Lane, a farmer living near Altu,
O T . committed suicide by shooting him
self in the temple with a revolver. He
was 3S vears old and leaves a wife and
three children.
Judge Haincr. of Oklahoma, has appoint
ed B. W. Morphius United States commis
sioner at Pawnee: Dr. W. C. Bacon, deputy
district clerk at Pawnee, and I, W. Mc
Kinley, deputy clerk at New kirk.
NO SPEEDY ACTION.
SEXATE MW DO IVOTHIVG USTIL
LST OF THE WEEK.
SEVERAL DAYS OF DEBATE.
CIIBAV REPORT EXPECTED SOT
LATER THAX WEDNESDAY.
Strong; Element in the Senate In
Favor of Strategic Delay Com
mittee on Foreign Rela
tions "Not in Sympathy
With This Idea.
Washington, April 3. The expectation In
the senate Is that the report of the com
mittee on foreign relations on the Cuban
situation will be made to tho senate not
later than Wednesday, and If the report
should be made at that time the probabil
ities are that it will engage the greater
share of tho senate's time for the remain
der of the week.
The committee will make an effort to se
cure action upon the resolutions which it
will report without having them debated,
but with very little probability of success.
Undoubtedly a large majority of the mem
bers of the senate are favorable to some
declaration apropos of the Cuban situation,
but there is certain to be difference of opin
ion on the course to be pursued and on the
larguage to be used, which will be suffi
cient to prevent immediate action, except
in ono contingency. This contingency is the
posslblillty of an agreement as to details
between the president and the committee.
If the committee's report should prove to
be in accord with the president's recom
mendation in all essential particulars, the
senate likely would adopt the resolutions
brought in without debating them.
There is, how ev cr, a considerable element
In the senate which is opposed to war ex
cept as a last extremity, and there are sev
eral others who think there ought to be
delay of at least a week or ten days before
action is taken In congress in order to In
sure the safe landing of ships and war
supplies now on their way to this country
from Europe.
The committee on foreign relations Is not
Impressed with this line of reasoning, and
the members urge that Spain is no better
prepared for hostilities than we are. The
members of the committee do not expect
the president's message before Tuesday,
and they are prepared to wait until
Wednesday. Under great pressure, ttiere
might be a delay bejond that time, but a
reetuest for delay would cause great rest
Iveness on the part of a majority of the
committee. While desirous of giving the
president all the time he may actually re
quire for the preparation of his message,
they are very Impatient of the outside
InPuence which Is being exerted to hold
them In check. This pressure is in the
shape of letters and telegrams from people
throughout the country who are opposed
to a war policy, and with these the mem
bers of the committee are being flooded.
"The writers," a member of the committee
said to-day, "generally ask us to maintain
an 'honorable peace.' Of course, we all
want an honorable peace, but thi. time
has gene by when that can be secured un
der existing conditions in Cuba. We can
not allow our conduct to be controlled by
such expressions."
When the president's message Is received
It will, on Senator Davis' motion, be re
ferred to the committee on foreign rela
tions, which may bring in Its report later
in the day or It may not do so until the
following day. So far as it is informed a3
to the probable line of the president's com
munication, the committee Is now prepared
to report, but the members realize that
there may be some detail of the message
that will require careful consideration, and
in that event they will give more time to
it than an hour or two on the day of its
presentation.
Unless there is a change In the commit
tee's conclusions after the president 13
heard from, the resolutions reported will
recommend the recognition of independ
ence, with a declaration for armed inter
vention to make independence practicable.
The will also Include the Maine explo
sion as one of the causes set forth for
this action. The resolutions will be accom
panied by a carefully drawn report writ
ten by Senator Davis Justifing them.
For the rest, the senate will probably
give Its attention to appropriation bills
and miscellaneous measures on the cal
endar. There Is little in the way of a pro
gramme for tho house this week. Every
thing awaits the president's message
and the momentous events that are to
follow its presentation. To-morrow tho
bill for the reorganization of the army is
to be called up. Chairman Hull, of the
military committee, believes it will be
passed without opposition. It Is consid
ered a part of the war preparations and
as such its urgency would preclude the
opposition which it might encounter in
ordinary times. The senate District of
Columbia naval battalion bill is on the
speaker s table and it, too, may be passed.
Tuesd ty and Friday are private bill das.
The deficiency appropriation bill Is almost
ready and could be considered any time
after Wednesday If the message does not
come in on that day.
A FORMIDABLE FLEET.
Spanish Torpedo Flotilla to Be Ac
companied by Four Power
ful Cruisers.
Madrid. April 3 The Spanish cabinet has
decided that the torpedo flotilla In to re
main at the Cape de Verde islands until
further orders. The flotilla will be joined
later b a squadton composed of the ar
mored cruiser. Emperor Carlos V,. of 9.233
tors; tho cruier Alfonso XIII, of 5 000
tons; the armored cruiser Infanta Maria
Teresa, of 7,O,0 tons, and the armored cruis
er Cristobal Colon, of 6.S40 tons, which will
accompany the torpedo flotilla to Cuba.
ft has also been decided by tho govern
ment to send the armored cruisers VIzcaa
and Alml'ante Oquendo, both of 7,000 tons,
back to Havana. They will receive orders
to this effect as soon as they sight Porto
Rico. '
A flotilla of torpedo boats and torpedo
boat destrovers is being prepared for active
service at Cadiz
A national subscription to strengthen
the Spanish fleet will be organized by a
rcal decree; but the decree will not be
published before a declaration of war.
The cabinet, which met at S o'clock last
night, discussed the situation until mid
night. At the close of the conference, it
was declared that no omcial news had
been received at that time from Washing
ton, but it was admitted that the minis
ters were filled with gloomy Impressions.
One cabinet minister declared that he had
received private information confirming
the extreme gravity of the situation.
The minister of war. Lieutenant General
Cotrea submitted for the approval of the
cabinet, elaborate plans for the organiza
tion of the military forces of the kingdom.
The minister for the home department.
Don Ruiz y Capdepon, in an Interview de
clared that eveothing pointed to war.
The cabinet has examined propositions
for the arming of merchant vessels as
privateers, but it has been decided to
wait events before coming to any decision
on this subject.
Finally, a telegram from the Spanish
minister at Washington, Senor Polo y Ber
nabe, was read at the cabinet meeting, in
which Senor Bernabe said President 11c
Kinley will be overruled by congress.
Officials here now frankl admit that
the situation is delicate in the extreme.
The consider war as being Imminent, and
it 13 popularly believed President McKinley
will address an ultimatum to Spain early
this week.
The majority of the newspapers here to
day regard war as inevitable. They think
General Stewart L. Woodford has communi
cated a final answer to the government.
The Liberal says:
"It is clear that no concession will satisfy
the United States except the independence
of Cuba, and we had better Immediately
end the uncertainty."
The whole article of the Liberal on the
subject is bellicooe in tone.
The Pais asserts that "great uneasiness
prevails at Washington concerning the at
titude of the Southern states in case of
war with Spain, and also because the Span
lards are organizing in Mexico to invade
the States from the Mexican republic."
In conclusion, the Pais asserts that "It
will not be all beer and skittles for the
United States.
Much excitement was caused during the
da by the receipt of a dispatch sajing it
Is expected that the passports of the Span
ish minister at Washington will be handed
to him on Tuesday.
From all the pulpits in Madrid to-day the
priests read a letter from the bishop of the
diocese announcing that he considered war
to be imminent, and ordering praers for
the success of the Spanish arms.
Other bishops are calling on the govern
ment to resist the United States and are
offering money to aid the military and
naval preparations. The newspapers say
there is a great patriotic mov ement on foot
throughout the provinces in aid of the
naval fund.
The minister of marine. Admiral Ber
mejo, continues receiving many petitions
from foreign and Spanish merchants and
sea captains who are desirous of obtaining
letters of marque, so as to lit out privateers
in the event of war breaking out between
tho United States and Spain.
WOODFORD STILL HAS HOPE.
Says He Believes a. Peaceful Settle
ment Is yot let Oat of the
Question.
Madrid, April 3. In answer to a request
from the Associated Press, Geneal Wood
ford, the United States minister, has made
the following statement:
"The obligations of my diplomatic posi
tion absolutely forbid my granting an In
terview or giving the slightest intimation
as to the present condition of the diplomat
ic negotiations intrusted to my care. I
came to Spain under instructions from
President McKinley to secure peace In Cu
ba, with a permanent peace between the
United States and Spain, a peace that
should be built upon bedrock conditions;
conditions of justice to Cuba, with assured
protection to the great American interests
in that island.
"I have labored steadily to obtain this
result. I have never lost my faith, and,
doubtful as conditions may seem to-day, I
still believe these great and good purposes
of my president may jet be secured. I
shall not desist from my labors for a Just
and honorable peace until the guns actually
open fire, and my faith 13 still strong that
war, with all Its horrors, can be avoided.
"Enough blood has been shed in Cuba al
ready, and I cannot believe the closing
hours of the nineteenth century will be
reddened by a conflict between Spain and
the United States. My country asks for
peace based upon conditions that shall
make peace permanent and beneficent, and
I have faith that Spain will yet do what
Is necessary to assure justice in Cuba. And
with justice, peace Is certain."
AUT0N0MISTSSUE FOR PEACE.
Address nn Appeal to the Insurgents,
Proposing a Peace
Armistice.
Washington, April 3. The Spanish minis
ter has received a dispatch from Havana
stating that the autonomist cabinet there
has addressed an appeal to tho insurgents,
asking to arrange an armistice for the
purpose of arriving at terms for peace.
The full text of the message could not be
secured to-night, as Its translation was not
made at the legation. The Insurgents are
appealed to on the ground that they are
all Cubans and should unite for peace and
liberty, which all want. The appeal also
states that Spain is willing to enlarge the
present scope of autonomy, and will sug
gest such a plan to the cortes which is
soon to meet.
SPANISH AGENTS BUSY.
Provision Houses In Eastern Canada
Visited by Them to Purchase
Supplies.
Halifax. N. S.. April 3. The Spanish gov
ernment Is evdently prepared to take no
chances that peace will be preserved, for
It Is making all preparations for the worst.
That Halfax is going to prove an im
portant center for certain operations in the
event of war has been made quite appar
ent by measures taken during the last
week.
Representatives of the Spanish govern
ment have been making careful Inquiries
at certain points In Eastern Canada, Includ
ing Halifax, relative to the quantity of
food supplies for ships of war which can
be secureU for Immediate delivery or at
short notice at this port.
Several provision houses In this city have
been approached on the subject of filling
heavy orders with quick dispatch, and, ac
cording to the inquiries that have been
prosecuted, the orders, if they were given,
would be for quantities sufficient to supply
a large-fleet of warships at one time.
Austria's 1 lew of Mediation.
London, April 4. The Berl'n correspond
ent of the Daily Chronicle claims to have
trustworthy authority for the statement
that though the Austrian court is deeply
concerned for peace. Emperor Francis Jo
seph believes that intervention between
Spain and America would do more harm
than good.
END NOT IN SICHT
SL'SPEXSE LIKELY TO COTIXCE FOR
SEVERAL DAYS.
MESSAGE WILL BE DELAYED.
IT MAY SOT BE SENT TO CONGRESS
UVTIL THURSDAY.
CAN CONGRESS BE RESTRAINED
EVERY DAY SOW IS PRECIOUS IS
WAR PREPARATIOX.
President McKinley, It Is Sold, Is Xot
Wholly Decided as to the Proper
Course to Pursue Has Xot
Abandoned AH Hopo
of Peace.
Washington. April 3. The opinion almost
universally held in Washington to-night
by leading public men and diplomats 13
that the crisis will reach Its climax this
week, and that tho question of war or peace
will be determined within the next seven
dajs. Senators and representatives met
and conferred all day about the gravity of
the situation, and at the White House tha
president consulted with several members
of his cabinet and other confidential ad
visers regarding the message which he is
preparing to send to congress. At the
state, war and navy building, active work
was going on. and altogether it has been
a day of suppressed feeling.
No absolute day has been yet announced
when the message Is to be sent to congress
and all that seems to be absolutely certain
to-night Is that it will not go In to-morrow.
Tuesday, possibly, but more probably
Wednesday or, perhaps, Thursday.
In addition to the physical work: of pre
paring tho comprehensive document upon
which the president expects to rest Amer
ica's case with tho world, there are other
reasons why those in charge of the war
preparations will welcome every hour's de
lay. War material which we have ordered
Is not yet shipped, and the factories In this
country which are at work day and night
making powder and projectiles are anxious
for delay. Some of the factories in Connec
ticut with contracts have telegraphed Rep
resentative Hill urging all the delay possi
ble. They say every day now Is precious.
There Is still a divergence of opinion as
to exactly what the president will recom
mend In his mesage; Indeed, there seems
to be still a question whether the president
will make any specific recommendations.
Some of his most Intimate friends, how
ever, assert emphatically that his recom
mendations will be specific and vigorous,
and such that his party and the country
will willingly follow when he points tho
way. One of these says to-night that tha
president. In his strong desire for peace, al
though yielding somewhat to the sentiment
of tho leaders of his party and the country,
has not given up hope yet that hostilities
may be averted. There are those who be
lieve the president has not yet made up his
mind as to the exact course he will pursue
and there seems to be a question as to
whether the consular reports and the diplo
matic correspondence are to be transmit
ted with the message.
The suspense caused by the necessary
delay in the preparation of the message Is
very trying upon members of both houses,
and the most universally discussed ques
tion In Washington to-night is whether
congress can be restrained until the mes
sage is transmitted. All realize the dif
ficult and arduous task of preparing our
case for the world's inspection and tha
care which must be exercised, and there
seems to bo no disposition "unduly" to
hasten the president- The party leaders
are extremely anxious to avoid a breach
with the executive, such as would occur If
congress were to take the Initiative. After
a careful canvass of the situation to-day
they believe the radical Republicans can
be held in line a few dajs longer, until
Wednesday at least.
The conference of Republicans of tha
house who have been Insisting upon prompt
action is to hold another meeting to-morrow
night. While many of them are now
In favor of giving the president more lee
way than they were last week. It Is real
ized that twenty-flve Republican votes In
the house would, with the Democratic and
Populist votes, be sufficient to act. It can
be pretty confidently asserted that the Re
publicans of the house, with possible ex
ceptions which could be counted on tha
fingers of one hand, can be controlled until
Wednesday. .ter that, what might hap
pen if the president asks for further delay
is problematical. Mr. Bromwell. of Ohio,
for instance, who says he hopes he will not
be obliged to part company with the presi
dent, sas he will vote with the Democrats
If necessary to overrule the speaker after
Wednesday. Mr. Cooper, of Wisconsin, has
made a similar statement.
The Republicans of the house committee
on foreign affairs held an Informal meet
ing to-day and have practically agreed to
report a resolution of a tenor similar to
that agreed upon by the foreign relations
committee of the senate yesterday. The
house resolutions will probably follow the
language of thoso of the senate regarding
the blowing up of the Maine.
These resolutions will be practically
agreed upon by the committee to-morrow,
but will not be reported until the president
sends his message to congress, although
there is at least one of tho Republicans
of tha committee who Is In favor of form
ally reporting them to-morrow. Mr.
Adams, the acting chairman of the com
mittee in the absence of Mr. HItt. saw the
president to-day and Informed him of tha
probable action of tho committee. All tha
J Republicans called upon Mr. Hitt at hii
ii
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