Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, April 15, 1898, Page 5, Image 5

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    TilE OMAHA DAILT BUt. FRIDAY , APRIL 15 ,
LKHT ON MAINE EXPLOSION
EstneM from Tertlwmy Taken by the
Committee.
LEE GIVES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Ktren tor Hellerlmr
' t r ( Jc alnrA i IU tltsme *
f iimvinv A r tmiitr
WASHINGTON , April 14. The testimony
taken before the senate committee on
foreign relation * to connection with the In *
realisation Into the relation * between the
United State * nd Cuba was made public
today. It constitute * a book of about 650
pageu and Includes not only the testimony
taken since the disaster to the Maine , but
also much ( hat wan taken before , and run
ning back for a year or more. The state
ment which contains the greatest current
Interest la that made by Consul General
Lee on the 12tfi inst. In this statement
General Leo said that he waa Informed en
very good authority that the Spaniards bad
placed two rows jot torpedoes Just at the
mouth of the Havana harbor by Morro cas
tle within the past two montha subsequent
to the Maine disaster and that the switch
board Is In a room In the ca.rtle. He eaU ,
however , that be had no Information of the
placing of nny torpedoas before the Maine
mad destroyed , and none In regard to the
purchase abroad by the Spanish authori
ties.
ties."Have you ny reason to suppose that the
harbor was mined at all before the blowing
up of the Maine ? " asked Senator Frye.
"No sir , I had no reason to suspect any
thing of that sort up to that time. " He
then went on to nay that General Weylcr
letter to Santo * Guzman had led him to be-
aieve .that mines might have been placed
there previous to the Maine Incident and
ho said that thto supposition was strength
ened by a telegram from GeneralWeyler ,
of which ho had cognizance. Upon the
whole he thought the Weyler letter ( The
Lalne letter ) was a correct , copy of the gen
uine letter. ,
REQUESTED TO DESTROY LETTER.
The telegram to which toe referred wan
addressed te Eva Canel , a noted Spanish
woman , and an admirer of Weyler's and
to Senor Guzman , and It read aa follows :
Grave circumstances cause me to ask you
to destroy the last letter of February 12.
General Lee said that this telegram hart
never before been published and lie found In
It strong confirmatory evidence of the gen
uineness of the Weyler letter.
With reference to the responsibility for
the destruction of the Maine. General Lee
said :
"I am satisfied the explosion was from
the outside. I cabled the State department
a few day after the board assembled that
It was almost certain that the explosion was
from th'e exterior.
"I have always had an Idea about the
-Maine that , of courae , It was not blown up
by any private Individual or by any private
citizen'but It was blown up by oomo of the
officers who bad charge of the mlnea ana
electrical wires and torpedoes In the arsenal
there wno thoroughly understood their busl-
DIES , for It was done remarkably well.
"I do not think General Dlanco , the pres
ent captain general of the Island of Cuba ,
had anything to do with It. I do not think
he had any knowledge of It. I saw him Jusl
shortly after the occurrence. I was sit
ting In my room at the hotel , when tht
explosion oocurred. I heard the explosion
and saw a great column of flre go up In
the air. A few momenta after I ascertained
luat It was the Maine I went right down
to the palace and I asked for General Blanco ,
He came In directly by himself. Ho had
Just heard It and waa crylns ; tears were
.coming out of his eyes. He aeemed to re
gret H as much as anybody I saw < c
Havana. I think It came from some of the
subaltern officers who had been there undei
\Veyler and who were probably antl-Dlancc
anyhow , and who had full knowledge ol
( ho business. "
SIGNIFICANT MESSAGE.
General Lee said be had seen a telegram
from Admiral Manterola , dated Havana ,
prior to the explosion of the Maine , to the
Spanish commission In London , asking the
commission to "hurry up the electrical
coble * . " "Whether that referred to wire foi
ubmarlne mines or torpedoes , I do not
know. " be continued. "I tried to ascertain
tl any of the wire or electrical cables had
arrived there , but they came on Spanish
whips If they came and I could not find out. "
tteneral Leo said that this testimony in re
gard to Manterola and also that with ref
erence tor the Weyler telegram had been
furnished to the court ot Inquiry whlcl
investigated the Maine disaster , but had nol
been cent to congress nor published bccaust
of a request of bla , made to the State de
partment , not to make them public , "as 1
was afraid the Spanish papers there would
ro-publlra It and they would probably kill
the man that gave It to me. "
Continuing his testimony. General Lee
aid that ten minutes after the explosion h
was at the police headquarters talking tc
General Blanco , and that the latter gave him
an order for a boat to take him out Intc
the harbor. Senator Morgan asked If when
be got to the water's edge he saw any light !
burning. "I did not notice that , " said Gen
eral Lee. "but I have made Inquiries alnce
and have ascertained that no electric light :
went out. I sent for electric light men and
gas men. Seme gas Jets went out In one
or two places , caused by the shock or some'
thins , but I could not ascertain from thesi
men that a single electric light went out
One of the electric light men whom I callec
tip Is a friend of mine and he sent for tbi
nan who baa charge of the lights , who camt
to ray oflce. This man said he had not heart
ct any such thing. I said I want to know
with certalnlty. The man then made ai
exploration ot an bour or two and returned
saying that , .with the exception of om
, electric light near the harbor and one a1
another place , not very far distant , when
be thought perhaps the lights might bavi
gone out by the shock , no other electrli
lights went cut. "
General Lee also said be had not felt thi
bock ot the explosion it the hotel.
* OFFICERS MAKE MERRY.
n
"Have you heard since the explosion of tb <
Maine any expression by Spanish officers li
relation to It , Indicating theJr pleasure a
the fact ? " asked Senator Frye.
General Leo responded : "I heard two o :
three days afterwards from various person
who came In that there was a good deal o
rejolclns among some of the officers. Al
reports I got said they were drlnklni
champagne , quite a thine to do. In hone
of the event , and In different portions of th
city officers were making merry. I attribute )
It' to the fact that what they considers
almost an enemy's battleship had been blowi
tin. and It was that much In their favor.1
He said that hs had not beard any threat
or allusions to the destruction ot the Main
previous to the explosion.
Senator Lodge asked If be bad heard o
am attempt on the Montgomery.
"I beard , " responded General Lee , "tha
there was something of that sort , one even
Ing. but I believe upon Investigation It wa
found that It did not amount to anything. '
jThe following colloquy between Senate
ForaUcr and General Lee brought out som
_ farther opinions ot the general In regard t
the destruction ot the Maine.
Senator Fcraker You think that no novlc
could have destroyed the Maine ?
Consul General Lee Oh , no , air. Th
man who did that work was an office
thoroughly acquainted wltb explosives of al
orts. and who knew all about It. It wa
very well done.
.Senator Foraker A man who bad exper
knowledge , necessarily ?
Consul General Lee Yes , sir.
Senator Clarke And -who must have ha
knowledge of the location ot the torpedo ?
WHEN THE MINE WAS PLACED.
'Consul General Lee Yes. 1 never bav
been certain that the submarine exploslv
was placed there prior to the entrance e
the Maine Into the barbor. I
might bave been done afterward. Th
Maine waa anchored to a buo
by some llttla cbaln. A Teasel awlngln
arouad that way sometimes gets at varlou
BlacM all atound the circle. When It woul
wing oS that way. wltb tte bow nest to th
buoy , and these boats plying about the barbc
II the time , anybody could go pretty we
te froat of It a * dark Bleat and drop oa
t ! BM submarine mlM * of WO pouRM. They
ave flniers , ai It wtrc , sod M the bo t ROM
round It wuuld toucfc tile flngtr , wftlch
Btakca contact and explodes th * mine. That
might have been done after the Maine got
n there and not be discovered. One or two
men rowing quietly In a boat could drop It
IT the stem ot boat on a dark night ,
hough Slgsbee hid his patrols out A bsat
would not bave been noticed because bjato
o there always to a late hour ot the nlgbt.
The harbor U full of thtao little boats. A
nine weighs about GOO pounds , and I suppose
t would take two or three men one man tc
ow and ccobably ttoree or four to handle the
mine. "
In reply to a question from Senator Gray ,
General Lee said that the Spanlih popula-
ten Is not eipiclally hostile towards the
United States. The Spanish portion are
irlnclpally the merchants , commission mer-
hanta , ttiopkeepers and all this agitation \
affecting very much their buslnesa. A great
many of them , whilst they give expresslor
o great loyalty , are really aroexatlonlsts ,
tecause they think It Id the only way out ol
he trouble , and they would much prefei
annexation to the United States than o
Juban republic. As to the Cuban part ol
he population , they are generally tor fret
Cuba.
PEQPLE STILL HELPLESS.
The condition ot the reconcentradon out It
he country Is Just as bad as In General
Veyler's darr. It has , been relieved a good
eal by supplies from the United States , bul
his has ceased now. General Blanco hai
> ubllshed a proclamation rescinding GOT era
Veylor's bando , as they call It there , but II
ias had no practical effect , for , In the flrsl
> Ueo , those people have no place to go
herl houses bave been burned down ; then
n nothing but tbe bare land there and li
takes them two months before they cat
alse the first crop. In the next place the ]
are afraid to go out from the lines ot th <
owns , because the rovkig bands ot Spantst
guerrillas , as they are called , would kll
hem , so they stick right In. the edges o
owns. Just like they did. wltb nothing t <
eat except that which they can get fron
charity. The Spanish have nothing to give.
Senator Lodge asked : "What does thli
cessation ot hostilities spoken of In the las
ew days amount to ? "
To which General Lee responded , "Noth
og ; practically netting the armlstlc <
amounts to nothing. "
In response to an Inquiry from Senatoi
Prye as to hU reasons for saying that thi
nsurgents would pay no attention to thi
armistice. General Lee said :
"Because every attempt so far to maki
terms or t make peace or to buy the In
anrgents or their leaders has met with fall
ure , and whatever may be said abaut ol.
Jencral Gomez , he U , In my humble opinion
Ightlng that war In the only way It can ' b <
done scattering his troops- out , be
cause not to scatter them would bite
to starve they have no commisear !
train and no way to get supplies. The ;
come In sometimes for the purpose ot ma.k
Ing some little raid where he can get some
thing , but he boo given orders , ro I am In
formed , not to fight , not to become engaged
not to lose their cartridges ; and eometlmci
when ho gets Into a flght each man la or
dered not to flre more than two cartridges
When General Weyler was there he wen
out after htm sometimes and they wouli
move up a column and flre , and sometime
flank the column , and the Spanish soldier
would deploy and throw out skirmishers
and the Cubans , like Indlacn , would ecatte
out. Then the Spanish troops would coun
tcrmnrch and go back to town , three moi
killed and ten or twelve Injured. "
Senator Mills How much provisions bavi
they In store for the army ? How long cai
they maintain their forces there withou
bringing In more provisions ?
LIVE FROM HAND TO MOUTH.
General Lee They are living there almos
from hand to mouth , the Spaniards and th
cltlzzens In tbe town ot Havana also. Every
thing that the town of Havana has recelvci
In the last four or flve or six months ha
been from the United States.
Senator Mills Can they get no aubslstenc
from the Island ?
General Lee Nothing more than froc
this floor ( Indicating ) . The way the In
surgenta do Is thtai "They bave llttl
patches of sweet potatoes everything grow ,
thcro very abundantly In a abort time m
Irish potatoes and fruits. They drive thel
pigs and cattle Into , the valleys and hill
sides , end they use these and scatter out
That Is the reason they scatter out. Th
Insurgents plant crops In many parts of th
Island. "
"Speaking about an armistice , they hav
not been Interfered with much since General
oral Blcnco came there. Wltb the excep
tlon of the campaign ot General Pando ti
the eastern part ot the Island there hav >
been very few military operations in
augurated by the-Spanish. So It baa beei
practically a sort ot true ? for some tlme-
the Insurgents because they did mot want t
flght and because It was against orders t
flCbt. "
"Suppose Havana , was blockaded , " sal
Senator Mills , " 'so that no provisions coul
go in , would tbe people there bave any wa ;
to get any ? "
"None whatever , " responded General Lee
"The town would surrender in a shot
while. "
General Lea raid that all but about 300,00
Spanlardo of tie population ot Cuba , wblcl
Is about 1,500,000 , were Cubans.
General Lee atd that he bad expended al
but about 15,000 of the $50,000 approprl
ated for the relief of Americana In Cuba.
Senator Morgan aaked If it waa a matte
of actual necessity to feed them , to whlc
General Lee replied :
"They were practically in tbe condition o
all the other Inhabitants ot the island. The
bad very little to work at. There were no
many sugar plantations In operation , no
tobacco places , and they were suffering Ilk
everybody else. " ,
Senator Cullotn asked If the Spanish arm
got any of the supplies sent by the Unite
States' .
"No sir , " said General Lee. "Occasion
ally they might have got a little here an
there. "
Senator Frye asked various questions In re
g > ud'to tbe physical condition ot the Span
Ish soldiers and the method of provldln
for them , to which General Lee replied tba
the condition ot tbe Spanish soldiers Is ver
bad. They are badly clothed and very badl
fed ; not well organized ; not drilled.
Senator Frye If Spain has really apprc
prlated $ (00,000 for the sustenance of th
reooncentradotv do you believe that will b
given to those people and their own soldier
will be left to starve ?
Consul Lee Oh , no.
LEB FROM MISSOURI.
Senator Foraker What will become of It
Consul Lee They will divide It up hei
and there a piece taken off here and a plec
taken off there. I do not believe they oj
propriated anything of the kind.
General Lee said that there were Amei
lean citizens left on the Island for whoi
there Is no provision since'lie had left. H
thought there would have to be active ste [
taken for their relief'aa they are sufferln
and starving. He said ho thought Mil
Clara Barton would have remained to tali
charge of the distribution of supplies , "bi
very much to my surprise she turned aroun
and came out tbe same day we did. brlngln
every Red Cross. "
Senator Frye What in your judgment 1
the postlblllty ot Spain conquering tbe It
surgenta and restoring peace to the Island ?
Consul General Lee I do not think ther
is the slightest possibility of their doing '
at all in any way. The same condition <
things existed when Mr , Cleveland nake
me to go down there laat June , a year agi
I. told him there was no chance. In m
opinion , ot tbe Spaniards ever suppreeslD
that Insurrection , nor was there any chanc
of the insurrectionists expelling the Spanis
soldiers from tbe island.
In response to an Inquiry from Senate
Lodge for his opinion of the Insurgent goi
ernment. General Lee said : "I have neve
thought that the Insurgents bad anythln
except tbe skeleton form ot a government-
a moveable capital. I asked them one da
why they did not bave some permanent cap
tal , and I think they 'gave avery goo
reason. They said It would require a tare
force to protect and defend It and tbe
could not afford to mass up their men then
that the capital and tbe government offlcei
bad to move where they could be tbe safest.
General Lee aatd he did not know any of tl
oBclaU connected with their civil goverz
ment. The armed force would number prol
ably 31.000 or SZ.OOO. Tbe number has be
up probably a * high as 34.000 or 17,000 m <
well armed.The'ammunition varies. Tl
Spanish force 'was 65,000 or 50.000. Qenen
Lee said that an American army of occupi
tlcn could go Into tba liliod with "safel
j now. Tbe climate nor anything else ne <
1 prevent them entering Cuba. General Li
uM tkut wk * h Mt < Havaaa tko
troops had not been t > ild for about nine
months , nor the Spanlit officers for about
our racnths.
Senator Daniel asked : "Do you think
OtTieral Blanco wai licking In courtesy to
you on ( raving tbe Island ? "
General Lee : "I went wltb the British
consul general and saw Dr. Congest } , the
ecrrtary ot the general. I told Dr. Con-
Koato ItMt I had received Instruction to
rare the Island and I called to par my final
cspects and would like to see General Blanco.
le asked me to sit down and Mid be would
30 and let him know. He went off and
stayed about fifteen minutes and came back
and said the general s-ild pletae excuse him ,
10 was not well and wa lying down. I
old Dr. Congoato then to say good-bye to
film , and turned around and left"
Senator Daniel : "Were there any demon
strations ot 111 will toward you w you loft ? "
Consul General Lee : "When we were corona
na : out on the steamer Saturd-iy evening
acre waa some hallooing , oat-calling and
whletlkig , and some Spanish expressions ,
mean cowards , ' 'running away , ' and no nn.
I think that waa conflned to the lower order
of jnen , uowever. "
SIGSBEE'8TESTIMONY. .
Captain Slgsbc , fa command of'the Maine
at the time of the -disaster , was examined
on the 31st ot March. He repeated his opln-
on that the Maine -was destroyed by a mine ,
Ither temporary or permanent. He thought
t had been a very large mine , but , In his
opinion , no larger than could be planted
war the vessel at any time In broad day-
Ight , aod under direct vision with the means
available In Havana for that purpose. He
bought twelve men having mutual confi
dence and preserving secrecy could have
rianted It , and that It could have been done
while the ordinary discipline and watchful
ness waa observed on tbe ship. A ship
moored at a buoy would swing around to a
given point , where a mine might be located ,
and when It reached that point the mine
would be exploded. He thought It could be
planted fem a scow between deck- ? . There
were , ho aald , a lot ot Idle army officers
la Havana , and while he would not charge
Idem with anything , he thought It not out
} f place to speak ot the possibilities of
the case. Captain Slgsbeo Bald ho had
shown a sketch Involving three stories * to
Cptaln Sampson , who had aso ! commanded
a torpedo station , and aeked of him If a
vessel could drop a mine like the ono he
had described , and that Captain Sampion
and other officers had replied that It could.
"That. " said Captain Slgsbee. "is the
real reason I asked to have tbe Montgomery
taken away. It they were going to do any
thing to blow us up , I wanted to have It
done with a smaller vessel. They had no
vigilance whatever , and no guard over our
cacCa. Their vigilance was great where
their own vessels were concerned. Their
boats coming and going all the time and
they generally refused to answer when we
hailed them. When tbey did reply It. was
generally In an Impudent manner. "
In reply to a question , Captain Slgsbee
said he thought It posolble that the explo
sion could have occurred without the knowl
edge of the higher officials.
FIRST TIME IN THAT POSITION.
Continuing , he xald that It was a curious
fact that the officers of the deck said the
vessel bad never swung before In the par
ticular direction ID which It swung oa the
night of the explosion , and continuing , he
said : "The Maine Is lying now In about the
position It would have taken to play on
the Spanish batteries. Now , If a mine had
hem planted there , I assume It would
have been planted In Just that place. If
only one had been planted It would have
been planted Just there. "
la reply to a queatlon as to what exam
ination the Spankh divers made , Captain
Stgsbee said they had not done anything
for a week. They had not been down at
all. Our people laughed at them. .They did
little work on the wreck. It was absurd
as compared with our work. Captain Stgs-
bee said that the keel plate was driven up
about thirty feet from its normal place by
the explosion.
Asked 'fthy he bad advised that no war
vessels be sent after the explosion , Cap
tain Slgsbee replied : "In the first place
tnere was a great deal of excitement and I
wanted to work without men-of-war , and
to allay the excitement In the city , and In
the next place If there were any more mines
I did not want any more war vessels blown
up. Up to that time I had etrcngly recom
mended that the Indiana be seat ] there , Juat
to show them that the Maine was -not thp
only vessel In the navy nor the most power
ful. After that time I had no more confi
dence In the people. Treachery had been
shoSwn me , and there was no special care
for us ; tbey had not tried to protect us , as
we did tbe Vizcaya In New York. "
KUENCH PUBLIC IS IXUKJXAXT.
Prmm Compare * President McKInley
to PoniltM Pilate.
PARIS , April H.-The teellng here ot both
the press and the _ public Is very strong
against the United ( States , especially since
President ( McKlmley's message. Mr. Mc-
Ktaley Is compared to Pontius Pilate , and the
American congress Is accused of a buccaneerIng -
Ing spirit which It Is feared will extend to
the possessions of other nations as well as
those of Spain.
There Is feverish activity at the govern
ment dock yards In completing vessels aad
rearming old ones.
Frenchmen are quite Indignant at the sug
gestion that the United States will possibly
decline privateering , and the powers la con-
sequexice may force Spain also to renounce
tbe privilege. U 4s believed that the govern
ment will , however , preserve a strict
neutrality.
American residents In Paris are Intensely
excited. The idea ot war Is not very popular
among them , but the betting la very brisk
at all the American resorts.
Henry Vlgnaud. secretary of the United
States embassy. In the course of an tater-
vlew with a representative of the Soire , is re
ported as saying that he considers war In
evitable , although America desires peace and
does not desire to annex Cuba. The hour hai
struck , he believes , for the severance ot Cuba
from Spain.
„ "Prance has no need to appear shocked , "
sati Mr. V.'gnaud , "at tbe supposed motives
of the United States. They are the same that
prompted it to assist the Amerlcaa colonies
In the -war of Independence , yet the position
of America as a British colony waa fai
superior to tbat of downtrodden Cuba. "
KXtiLISJI PRESS HAS GOOD WORDS ,
Criticise * Comrre * * * Behavior , bat
Ulibolila the Motive.
LONDON , April 14. The afternoon news
papers today print long comments on "tbe
evil ot leaving the Iscnie of peace or wai
In the bands of congress. " Not one of the
papers , however , questions the duty ot the
United States to Intervene In , Cuba , bul
they are disposed to criticise the nethod :
proposed.
7lie Westminster Gazette r.aya :
The scene In the house and the * eenate'i
Insulting report In regard -to the "Maine ar.
hardly edifying , but they are the Inevltabli
result of the provision ? of the constitution
which disarm > the executive and compel thi
last steps to bo taken In blazing publicity
It Is Impossible not to bVmpathtze with th <
Indignation of the Anurlcan ? , and the sol
cum lectures which omo of th ? Hrltlsl
papers are administering to America an
ridiculous. Still there Is a feeling that thi
two countries are marching to an unavold
ebl calamity.
The Pall Mall Gazette expresses the opin
ion that the resolutions of the house of rep
resentative ) ] were the "logical and practical
corollary ot the message , " adding :
The scene In the house was not pretty
but It was quite human. On the eve of wa :
It Is quite natural that people should b
excited.
Referring to the comments of the Times or
tbo situation , the Pall Mall Gazette says :
The committee was not meaning peace
nor U President MuKlnley. He has done al
he could to that end. and In a way whlcl
would secure hls-fam . but he knows when
statesmanship and tact became weakneta.
The other papers bave little patience wltt
tbe Times. They freely acknowledge tbi
Americans have shown "the greatest of pa
tience , " eulogize tbe crvsade against Span
tab cruelty and refer to the newspaper !
which criticise tbe United States as being
the same "who supported the Turks against
Armenia , and the slave owners against tb <
slaves. '
LONDON , Aorll 15. Tbe morning paper
are flllei wltb dispatches from the contl
neat , nearly all of tbe same tenor. The belief
lief tbat war U Inevitable 1s universal , a
well aa tbe feellnr of hostility to tbi
United States.
The Times says editorially :
Spain's note to the powers can have n <
effect except perhaps to delay the Issue
Toe powers certainly will not Intervem
while If they' did neither th * United BtatM
nor Spain would IMtsn It la doubtful
whtther If PresIfcnkJfcKlnky regained Mi
authority over "tho Wfntlon be could now
item the tide of tMsrtflar centlment In
Amerlcn for war ,
BV70t
The 'Dally ' Chronicle ) from what It calls a
nrtll known correspondent , signing himself
' " ) remarkable letter
'Anglo-Saxon , prldta
idvocatlng an overt ( Aggie-American alllaoce
: o compel the liberation of Cuba without war
t > y an overwhelriilng.-tJJ pIay of force.
Commenting edltofUrtfy on this letter the
Dally Chronicle thtffts it an opportune
moment to seek to bring about such an al-
llaoce or entente , especially In view of the
: ommcm Interests offctM Untied States and
dreat Britain In Araflfjca.
'
The Morning Po'st tylvlses Spain to act
promptly , as every air's delay Increases the
probability that thelfsrce against It will be
itronger than It , Is npwf
Commenting upon. the disturbance ot the
balance of power from America's annexation
of Cuba the Post
Our children wllli probably regret the
policy ot Isolation Encland has pursued ,
Mhlch has left Europe divided , and left the
pontrs pioslvj on-lookers nt a process
which Is agreeable to none of them.
The Dally Graphic , referring to Servitor
Hoar'd statement that President McKlnley
still bcllevca In the possibility ot peace ,
sajii :
The United States 'Is pledged to . .theb.ig
and IxiRfr.iffo policy , , and Its only chance of
avoiding war Is by climbing down.
The Dally News , Commenting on a dis
patch from Its Washington correspondent ,
who continues 'hopeful cf peace , and cajerts
that It Is believed at" Washington thU Presi
dent McKlnley Is acting upon a "plan agree !
upon by the alx European powers , " gays :
De.oplte the optimistic views of our cor
respondent we 'fcnr that the chances for
pace are slender.
PLAKS FOR Ol'fcll.VTIOXS IX CU11A.
Joint Military- unit \nvnl Movement
on linvnnn.
NEW YORK , April 14. A special to the
Times from Washington says : The plans
for the Joint land and naval attack on
Havana have been practically decided on.
They have been the subject of deliberation
of a number of meetings ot the naval
strategic board , of councils of the , joint war
and navy board and ot conferences between
the government and mtlltla officials. From
the first it was considered absolutely essen
tial that there should be a Joint movement
ot the land and naval , forces of the United
States against tbe Spaniards In Cuba and
the only thing left for dlscuwlon was the
best course to be pursued In carrying out
this plan. One difficulty that baa continu
ally presented Itself Is the fact that the navy
U ready for an advance on Havana within
an hour after the declaration of war , while
the army could not pceslbly throw any con
siderable force In Cuba In less time than
forty-eight hours. Should the fleet of Cap
tain Sampson wait until the army was ready ?
baa been asked , or should It , as soon as
war was determined on , proceed to carry out
its own instructions and invest Havana from
the sea ?
Ita \ now decided that the fleet wilt at
once move on Havana , Invest it and at the
oamo time hold open the Florida straits for
the free transportation of troops Into the
Island. A part of the fleet will bn em
ployed for this purpose , as well as to keep
open the gulf to the west of Havana for u
llko purpose.
Aa soon as the army Is ready , which will
be within forty-eight hours , a considerable
body of troops would be thrown Into the
province of Plnar del Rlo , In the neighbor
hood , probably , ot Bahla Honda and en ad
vance upon Havuna\yni bo begun at once ,
The fleet will cooperate"with the land forces
from the moment they land In Cuba and
both will attack Haxana. simultaneously.
Even If the Tceoju qn finally passed by
congress does not recognize the present re
publican government In. the Island the plan
of the urmy is to ynlt i with the armies ol
Gomez and Garcia , ps 'allies against the
Spaniards. It Is piobaJble that troops will
bo sent to Join these 'revolutionary armlet !
In Puerto Principe , 'Or' Santa Clara or thai
ships will be sent irensport eome of the
Cuban troops to thp .ymlnlty of the capital ,
In any event an effor wlll be made to co
operate with the arhilw > f the revolutionary
leadero in the work.dtaHvlng the Spaniards
, out of the Island. V , ,
With , the establishment of a , stable , and In
dependent government jn , free .Cuba the army
'will bave nothing to do , at least In the pre
liminary part of the dampalgn. Its task le
to sweep the Spaniards out of the Island ,
To do this elfecyvely.lt will at once seek
the closest alliance .with the revolutionary
troops. '
As soon as war la declared the War depart
ment will Issue , upoa the call ot tbe presi
dent , orders for the enlistment ot at lecat
150.000 troops. At first there was some
talk of 40,000 volunteers bc4ng sufficient foi
the purpose , but It was soon found tbat this
number would nol , be sufficient to keep ut
tbe garrlsana along tbe ccust. together wltb
a body of traps sufficiently large to defend
the country from Invasion. It would not be
at all adequate to the task of supplying re-
inforcemento for tbe army of occupation ot
of forming a nucleus' of a still larger army foi
any operations on a larger scale than is now
contemplated. Certainly not lets than 60-
000 troops will be called for at once and 150-
000 will be assuredly organized Within a short
time after the opening of hostilities.
HKMEVES CONCESSIONS AMPLE ,
Conservative' tender Uphold * the
Liberal Ciililnrt.
MADRID. April 14. The correspondent ol
the Associated Press had a long interview
wltb Senor Sllevalas , 4be conservative leader ,
As a man who has neld power and may be
fore long be In office again , Senor Vllevalas' '
views are Important 'at this Juncture. He
maintained that Spain1 has made every con
cession In favor of peac6 consistent wltb Its
national bonor. Hev added : "Spain bai
granted Cuba an autonomist government , full
and ample , a form of borne rule which would
be found to be a satisfactory solution ot tbe
long existing conditions between England
and Ireland. In fact , It Is doubted whether
the most ardent borne rulers demand more
than Spain bas freely granted to Cuba , foi
Spain's Interests in the. Island are now lim
ited to the boner of the flag. This Is to say ,
tbe foreign affairs of tbe country depend upon
Dr. Miles' Restorative Nervine.
*
Nature's Cure for the Wornout Nerves.
Nature intended the night for sleep , and the
man or woman whose nerves are strong and
healthy can go to rest with the assurance of re
pose. Hut to some the night is worse than the
day. The worn , excited nerves , the tired out
body , the grief-stricken , or anxiety-laden heart
refuse to consign themselves to the restorative
hush of nature. Wide awake , tossing , weary ,
discouraged , life becomes an unutterable bur
den a thing hated , almost without relief.
Without hop ? ? Ah ! No ! Thousands of weak ,
sickly , incompetent invalids have been trans
formed into strong , healthy , happy men and
women by Dr. Miles' Restorative Nervine. It
is an unparalleled slumber bringer. and with its
generous , soothing and healing qualities it be
comes the angel of the quiet , dreamless night ,
bringing health and strength to the afflicted. .
, h * "
Mrs. A. K. Johnson , of Northfleld. Vt. . says : "I suffered for flve years with a
nervous trouble which prevented me from g citing more than two or three hours se < > p
In a night. Every little noise would sMr tie me and set my nerves In such a itato
that I would tremble from head to foot. M y stomach win very weak and pained me
greatly after every meal. Nothing seemea to do me any Rood and I lost all ambition
and hope of recovery. Finally I wan Induced ajulnst my will to try Dr. Miles' Kestor-
live Nervine. Imagine my Joy when I found 1 could cat and eleep and rest Juat
pt I used to. In less than three months I was completely cured. " , .
Dr. Miles' Remedies are for sale by all druggists under a guarantee first
bottle benefits or money refunded. Book on heart and nerves free. Address
Dr. MILliS MEDICAL CO. , Elkhart , Ind.
Spain and the safety and defense of tbe
island Is guaranteed by Spain's fleets .and
armies. It the Spanish government is ready
to submit all the pending questions , Includ
ing the Maine , to the European powers for
the appointment ot an arbitrator , the pope
or another , my party will give them un
grudging support. The conservative party la
In complete accord with the government's
efforts to maintain unstained the honor ot
Spain and preserve peace It possible.
"Don Carlos' manifesto Is likely to fall
dead , as In every province where the Car-
lists are the most numerous there Is a strong
feeling that no division must at tbla Juncture
weaken Spain's attitude In the face of an
ageresslve policy upon the part of a powerful
naMon.
' The rumcrs attributing political Ideas to
General Weyler deserve only a smile. The
general Is not likely to seriously mix In
politics , which are outside of his profession. "
WAR WOULD BO OHIEVOUS M1STAKH
Owen McGnrr Tloeon't Umlemtniul All
Tliln I'xfltomeut.
BOSTON. April 14. Owen McGarr , United
States consul at Clcnfuegos , Cuba , arrived
In Beaten today. To the Globe , he said :
"A declaration of war against Spain by
the United States would be a grievous mis
take. The situation In Cuba has been moat
grossly , yes , criminally , exaggerated by Ir
responsible persons for the purpose of bring
ing on"a war between Spain and the United
States.
"The people of Clenfuegos , where I was
stationed , were profoundly grieved and sur
prised at the Idea of war between Spain and
the United States when I left there.
"I do not know what all this fuss means.
Why , when t embarked for Boston last Fri
day morning It was as quiet at Clenfuegos
as It is In the streets of Boston at tbe
present time. I hardly believed my Instruc-
tlora'Tecalllng mo a week ago yesterday. "
"How many Americans are there In Clen
'
fuegos ? "
"I should say about 150 In all. "
( Mr. McGarr was especially emphatic on the
point that Amerlcinswcre in no danger at
Olenfuegos. ( He said so tar as he was able
to learn the rebels about Clenfuegos num
bered about 2,000.
"How about reconcentrados ? "
"They number between 1.000 and 1,100 In
Dlenfuegos , " said Mr. McGarr. "There Is no
denying they are In a bad condition , caused
by the rebels firing the sugar fields and pre
venting tbe grinding ot sugar. This Is their
only occupation , and' , of course , when de
prived of their eely Income , want and suffer
ing followed. Private charity Is small. "
On the steamer were Vice Consul Canovas ,
his son and a Maine physician , and In their
Interview they flatly contradicted Mr. Mc-
Garr's statements , the first-named saying
that Consul McGarr was more Spanish thaa
the Spaniards themselves.
SPANIARDS SHOW A RED PIVAG.
Emblem of Annrcliy Ran Vp at
Valencia.
LONDON , April 14. According to a special
dlspatcb this afternoon from Madrid , there
wai a big revolutionary demonstration at
Valencia , capital ot the Spanish province of
tbat name , yesterday evening. A large
crowd assembled , a red flag was displayed
and waved and tbe "Marseillaise" was sung.
Tbe police , U Is added , dispersed the people
wh.o took part In the demonstration and
captured tbe red flag.
Slock * Take a. Tumble- .
LONDON , April 14. Tbe bears are cam-
palznlnz bn tbe Stock exchange today and
prices are tumbling all around. The opinion
here has completely veered and few people
hope that peace will be maintained. The
expectation of'further gold withdrawals for
the United States wltb a consequent rise In
The tag only cost Drex L. Shooman a
dollar , but It's just as necessary as
shoes for the baby some of these cost
§ 1.00 , others ouly 50c , and all sorts of
pi ices between did you know before
that we could shoo the little tots ? Well ,
we've shoes for their little feet In tan or
black the greatest variety of toes , colors
and styles In the city special care is
taken in fitting the babies shoes for
little , narrow , slim feet fat , chubby
feet large ankles .and weak ankles
we've a stiff comjto.rj for them call It
our HI.- , ankle shoerrwe've a man in the
department that knows how to fit baby
feet. . . < ! !
bli t
Drexel Shoe Co. ,
0 5 f
Omnli ' Vp-tolniifte Shoe Ilonse.
1419 FARNAM STREET
v no
{ 19
More mattings usetf every year in
many of our lluest'crtsldencc * you will
find matting usertTti ! ? floor coverings
especially lu the , ° AijUtcr rooms it has
been found to be by far the cleanest and
coolest floor covering no dirt no moths
our line of desirable mattings was
never any more complete than right now
all the grades that can be recom
mended are what we show we-find our
customers like to buy here , for they nro
sure of getting only the brat while the
price we ask for tbe be.st is much
cheaper in time than the inferior kinds
at any price.
Omaha Carpet Co
Omaha's Exclusive Carpst House ,
1515 Dodge St
the Bank of 'England'a rate of discount ,
caused a sharp setback. Consols and all the
gllt-cdEcd securities sympathized with the
movements. Spanish 4s opened at two points
lower than yesterday's closing prices , the
rumor of a possible default being added to
the war scare. Other International securi
ties went down In sympathy.
MAOVKAUH WAISTS TJIE CAUSE' ' JUST
Slniloiitx Xnt to Allow Tlieni-
elve * to Ilecome Uxcl'lril. '
PHILADELPHIA , April 14. Wajtie Mac-
Veagh , foimer minister to Italy , In an ad-
rtrcts to the students of the University of
Pennsylvania , used the following language
In discussing the crisis with Spain :
"Lot us be assured that our cause Is Just
before we glrJ on our ac-mor. I beg of you
not to be carried away by the excitement of
the day. If you will consult your professors
of history , you will find tfcat Spain for the
flmt time In 400 years has accepted the dic
tum of western civilization.
"On last Sabbatd mcxalng It declared Ito
willingness to give to Cuba as free a govern
ment as that which Canada poyeas ? * . It
has declared Its willingness to submit the
cose of the Matae to arbitration , and , finally ,
It has declared Its wllllngnces to withdraw
Ita soldiers from that utihappy Island , and
has declared an armistice. Now let us nee
to it that our cauae Is Just before we utclkc. "
SPIUAGlill SAYS IT WAS A -
Vice Coniinl nt lliivnim TnlkH oil the
Mnln'e- ' Explosion ,
NEW YORK. April 14. Jo--ph A.
Springer , United States vice consul at
Havana , said today of tbe destruction of
ithe Malao :
"While I am not a naval expert , I might
say tbat taking the report of the experts ,
there can be no doubt cs to tbe cause of
the blowing up of the vessel. Thcro Is no
doubt that It was blown up by a mine.
We know tbat to be a fact In spiteot tbe
denial of the Spanish government. Mines
were placed In the harbor under orders of
Spanish officials , by expert men. Ttielr lo
catlca wai ? well known to a large number
ot men. The Mabne was anchored to a
buoy assigned by the harbor master , and
was brought there by a pilot under orders
of the barber master. It was moored over a
mine and no matter wtoat the Spanish gov
ernment knew about the plan for blowing
tbe Maine up It is rcspcaslblo to us for U. "
Seonrillen OB the Decline.
LONDON , April 14. American securities
opened dull and below New York parity.
Later prices became easier. Consols opened
% lower , owing to fears of dearer money.
At 12:30 : oclock they showed a slight gain
over the initial prices. Spanish 4s fluctuated
widely. Tbe opening price was 44 , followed
quickly by sales at 43 % . 43U , 43 % and 43 .
Yesterday's closing quotation was 45 % .
PARIS , April 14. 1 p. m. Spanish 4s
opened at 44 % . aa against 45 11-16 , yester
day's final price.
BARCELONA , April 14. Spanish 4s sold
at 47.10 today , against 68.20 yesterday.
i Wcj-ler Reaches Mndrlil.
MADRID , April 14. General Weyler
arrived here .today , apparently called by tbe
government. He considers war wltb the
United States Inevitable.
The general was met at tbe railroad sta
tion by General Pratt , in full uniform , and
many friends , military and civil. The gov
ernor of Madrid prohibited tbe demonstra
tions which it was proposed to make and
took precautionary measures. There was a
detachment ot police at the station , police
man in the streets through , which the gen
eral pasted and police were stationed even
within the entrance to tbe general's resi
dence. From the rallrcud station the formw
captain general was drlyen to his home , a-
' ' " " " "I" ' ' hv Pcnnr Mesamena. a member of
the Chamber of Deputies. When question * !
< . . . . . < u ujeut oei.eral Weyler refused to
my ho was called to iladrld by the gov
ernment , but he added , speaking to the cor
respondent of the Associated Press : "I have )
Indeed offcced my eervlcea to the queen. I
consider war with America Inevitable , or
Cuba Is lost to Spain. I believe war Is pref
erable to a continuation of the prolonged ]
tension between 'Washington ' and Madrid.
\ceollnlf for More llrnull
.BERLIN. April 15. According to advice *
from Kiel , the United Statca Is negotiating
for the purchcsc of the torpedo catchers
Tlmburl and Tupy. now being built at the
Gcrmanla yiirda for Brazil , which offers more
ships for sale. Holland also Is Inclined to
sell two armored cruisers. The Tlmburl and
Tupy are among the fastest vest-els In the
world , capable of twenty-three knots aa
hour. It ia salil here that all the Amcrlcao
officers on furlough In Europe have been or
dered home.
Million n PntrJotlo Offer.
NEW YORK. April U. The Amerlcrn Bx-
press company bas notified such of Its em
ployes as are members of the National Guard
and naval reserves of the several states that
If called upon In case of war with Spain they
will be allowed half pay during such service ,
and upon their return to their duties with
the company will he given their former pay
and positions.
Slnllon lit St. I.oul * .
ST. LOUIS , April 14. Lieutenant Com
mander John'M. Hawley , U. S. N. , baa )
arrived her and established a recruiting
station for ordinary seamen , machinists otvl
apprentices. Chief Kng noer Webster and
Surgeon Pearsons will conduct the examina
tions. The recruits will be Bent to Nw
York In equada of forty or fifty , atid thea
sent directly to the Vermont.
MnvemrntK of \ v I Vetmeln.
NEW YORK , April 14. The United States
cruloers Sun Francisco and NevOrlcarn
were sighted south of Flre lalanl at 3:40 :
this afternoon , bound In. They left Halifax
Tuesday morning , where they had put In for
coal , on their way from London for New
York.
Ruined ti > tlii Hlxlioprlcv ,
ROME. April 14. The pope baa appointed
Rev. Alexander Christie , rector ot St.
Stephens church , Minneapolis , to the
blshcrrlc of Vancouver. H'a ' holiness has
approved the transfer of the see of Vln-
cennes to Indianapolis , from 'which It wilt
take Its name.
ConHiil McfUirr Hetileliew IIOHion.
BOSTTON , April 14. The fruit steamer
BarnstabCe , from Clenfuegos , Cuba , reached )
hero today , having on board United States
Consul McGarr. Mr. McGarr said all -was
quiet when he left Clenfuegos.
Dynnuilte for Gulvexrton Harbor.
AUSTIN , Tex. , April 14. A carload of
dynamite , to be used In mining tbe harbor
at Galypston , baa passed through here tor
the south. Great care Is being exercised
In handling tbo explosive.
"Rath" Order nt Fort Ru rll.
CHEYENNE. Wyo. , April 14. ( SpecW
Telegram. ) A "rush" order waa received at
Fort Russell this evening b ship the pack
Baddies ot the army pack train to St. Louts
at once.
JTew War Ship Arrive * .
NEW YORK , April 14. The United State *
cruisers San Francisco and New Orlc-ant
passed Sandy Hook at 7:45 : p. m.
Many new thlnsn are being received
by us every tiny we are showing some
new platinum prints of the old masters
among the subjects arc Baby Stuart
The Drama The Nlghtwatch The Per-
sipolls the Tale of Troy these are very
handsome and come In the most desir
able sizes then again we are showing
a number of new medallons , the beauty
of which can only be appreciated when
seen. We would like to show you these
new arrivals , as well as the new frames
In ovals In all natural woods and the
genuine Florentine gold frames lu th&
new shapes.
A. HOSPE.
OSlC Onfl HI ! I5'3 ' Douglas
KODAKS.
The Adlake Camera at f 12.00 Is the .
leader of them all complete with ' 12
light-tight metal plate holders one load
ing takes 1'2 pictures , 4x5 can use any
dry plate without failure or mistakes-
is llllcd with expensive , universal focus-
rapid single achromatic lens Metal
plate holder is light , strong aud neatly
finished No bulky holders to carry The
camera is covered with black seal grain
leather appropriately trimmed and
handsomely finished. We would J > a
pleased to show you this camera.
TheAloe&PenfoldCo
Amateur I'boto Sapplr House.
144) Farnam Street. CAMERAS.
Opposite Paxton liotat .