OMAHA DAILY BEE. ESTABLISHED JUiNE 19 , 1871. OMAHA , WEDESDAY MORNING , MAflCII 0 , 1808 TWELVE PAGES. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS. NO POLITICS HERE House Passes the Bill Providing for a Kational Defense , NOT A VOTE CAST AGAINST THE MEASURE Pcity Lines Are % Forgotten in lace of Possible War. AND WEST UNITE NORTH , SOUTH , EAST Spirit of Intense Patriotism Prevails en All Sides , MIMBKRS EAG-R TO BE PLACED ON RECORD Immediately Upon the I'IIHKIIKLof the 11111 It IN Hurried Over to the , Semite mill Ht-ferred to 1'ropcr Committee. WASHINGTON , March S. In a spirit of patriotism , with eloquent words ringing In their ears , every member of the house of representatives today responded to the pres ident's first call to meet the Spanish situa tion by canting his vote for a bill placing In President McKlnlcy's hand $50,000,000 to be expended at his discretion for the national defense. Party lines were swept away and with a unanimous voice congress voted Its confidence In the administration. Many members who were paired with absent col leagues took the responsibility of breaking their pairs , on unprecedented thing In leg islative annals , In order that they might go on record In support of this vast appropria tion to maintain the dignity and honor of their country. Speaker Heed , who as the presiding ofilcer seldom votes , only In case of a tie , bad his name called and voted In his capacity as a representative. The scene of enthusiasm which greeted the announce ment of the vote ayes , 311 ; nays , none has seldom been paralleled In the house. AH day long the galleries were jammed with enthusiastic spectators applauding to the echo the sterling patriotism of the words of eloquence which were uttered by the mem bers on the floor. All the speeches were brief. Although four houra were allowed for debate , so great was the pressure for time that no onu member was given more than five minutes and most of them had to con tent themselves with a beggardly fraction o a minute. In all fifty-nine npceches were made. With ono acclaim members from the north and tut south , tlirt cast and the west , the Elates ant' ' the territories , battle-scarred veterans o the union and the confederate armies , al joined In proclaiming Ihclr support of the country'u chief magistrate In the face o ! a possible war. General Orcavenor Mid tha If war did not como the $50,000,000 appropri atcd by this bill would be wisely expended If It only served to show the world that when threatened from without the hearts of th American people beat as one. In the wliolo debate there was only a slight discordant note , caused by the speech of General Uhi ham ( Pcnn. ) , u gallant sol dlor who served with distinction under Han cock. He spoke too conservatively for th arouuod temper of the house , and when h Insisted that our relations with Spain wer oa friendly as they had been for years many of the members hissed him. DIFFER AS TO WAIl. Whllo almost every member who spok deprecated the possibility of war , a wid divergence of opinion as to how close w were to hostilities manifested Itself In th debate. The general contention by the ma- jorlty , among them the leaders on hot gidcs , was that this appropriation , by preparing paring for war , would prove the surest guar anty of peace. Others Insisted that \va alarms would loon bo heard and Mr. Man (111. ( ) dolared that war actually existed 1 ell save name. The speeches which attracted most at tcntlon were those of Messrs. Cannon , Hen dcreon and Dolllver on the' republican eld and Mcssra Dalley and Suyers on the demo crntlo aide. On ths floor almost every member -we in hli seat. On the facts of the lead era on both sides win an air of Bter resolution , Indicating their deep appreclatlo : of the grim business upon which congros and the country were entering , making thl vast appropriation for possible war. As sooi as the Journal had been read the speakc rapped for order , and amid a deep sllcnc * Chairman Cannon arose and presented aa deficiency bill the measure approprlatln $50,000,000 for the national defense. It In eludes also several other Items , among whlc are $100,000 for coal for naval vessels. When the reading of the bill was conclude with the Item of $50,000,000 for the nat'ona ' defense a spontaneous outburst of applause went up from the members and the galleries. Mr. Cannon and Mr. Sayere , the majority and minority leaders of the appropriations com mittee , then mutually proposed the agree ment they had privately made before the house met , for three hours general dcbato on the bill , to bo followed by one hour's debate under the live minute rule. Mr. Barrett ( Miss. ) asked If opportunity would bo allowed for aaiondment aud when Mr. Cannon answered that he did not know , ho objected. His objection was greeted with hlFses and laud cries of "vote ; vote. " Mr. Barrett , yielding to the urgent appeals ot republicans about him , withdrew his objec tion. The agreement as to the time was formally ratified. CANNON OPENS DEBATE. After the confusion that had followed this dramatic Incident had subsided. Mr. Cunnoii took the floor to open debate on thu bill. Ho spoke calmly and briefly , explaining that the Items In the bill , save the last , were ttrlctly deficiency Hems. Comlug to the all- absorbing Item , he said that In the present critical condition ot affairs the committee had deemed It ; wlse to appropriate this num. placing KB expenditures In the complete dis cretion ot the president. Ho referred to the fact that the committee "had been unani \ mous en If * uctlon and had only changed the wording of the bill he Introduced yes terday by making the appropriation availa ble until January 1 , 1SS9 , Instead of Juno SO , 1S99. Thin , he pointed out , would give the ad ministration funds orer the time of the prob able adjournment of congress. "We have got the money In the treasury to meet this ap propriation It It Is expended , " he adled , "and therefore there It not presented with this proposition one to borrow money or to lu- creaia taxation , to which almoit any nation on earth would have been obliged to resort. " ( Tremendou * apprau e. ) The appropriation , he conceded , wan ex traordinary , Ita object \VM to eaipowcr lit * . * * , president In an orderly way to prepare for contingencies. He Insisted that this appro priation must not be construe. ! Into a threat. Nothing was further from the minds ot those who reported It. This appropriation was to be placed In the hands of a wise and patriotic executive to make proper preparations to maintain the national honor , nothing more. "It Is not a war appropriation , " said he em phatically , "I say that In my Judgment , measuring my words , that It Is a peace measure. The government of the United States would not If It could trench on the rights of any nation on earth. " ( Great ap plause. ) Mr. Sayern of Texas , the ranking member ot the minority , followed Mr. Cannon. His first statement , to the effect that la the presence of possible danger this appropria tion hid met with the hearty and unani mous endorsement of the appropriation com- mtttco without regard to party , aroused the house to enthusiasm. IT IS NOT A THREAT. He , too , declared that It could not be con strue ; ! as a threat. It was simply a wise and patriotic precaution , the arming of the ex ecutive with power to maintain our dignity after congress adjourned. Mr. Sayers expressed confidence that the money voted would bo wisely and econom ically expended , and closed amid great ap- plauto by saying that he for one would bo found giving honest and sincere support to the president In hLi efforts to support the honor and dignity of the American nation. Mr. Dackcry ( dem. , Mo. ) began by saying hit thu hour for action had arrived , and ho American people must face an Importaut emergency In which no American could alter. At such a time party lines should be aid aside. Mr. Livingston ( dem. , Ga. ) supported the leasuro In a vigorous apecch. He said ho ook this position because ho believed an mcrgcncy exists , but he contended that If ho administration had acted as It should iavo done twelve months ago In declaring a tate of belligerency the present occasion or voting emergency money would have teen voided. Mr. Allen ( dem. , Miss. ) was next recog- ized amid general expectancy. He did not make a humorous speech , but .1 patriotic ne. "I desire , " ho began , "to say for the eoi > le I represent , and for the southern sec- Ion , of the country , that there was never a Imo when all were ao ready to glvo an ad ministration all the money It may need to reserve the honor , the dignity , and the ge'n- ral welfare of the country , to eay nothing f fair play and Justice. " The people of the south , he continued , sk for nothing more. They are not Jingoes , ] or extremists , but they are facing the mergcncy calmly cad quietly , only asking .hat the country's Institutions and traditions may bo protected and respected. They do not want to hurt anybody , and are not urg- ng any rash act en , but they are ready to loner any draft , whether for men or money , ; o keep the flag afloat. AVOULD INCREASE THE SUM. Mr. Mcllao ( dern. , Ark. ) followed in slnv lar strain. He said the occasion was the most Important that had confronted the pee pie in the last halt century. If necessary 0 protect our. honor and dignity he was will ng to kicrcBfio the appropriation to any ex cot , for the flag which floated over the cap .tal was his flag end the flog of his people ind It must bo kept there. Mr. Bell ( pop. , Colo. ) spoke earnestly for ho bill. There jvere , ho sold , now no pop ullsts , no republicans , and no democrats , bu all were American citizens. Tbero was mIme Imo to dwell upon what might have been but It was enough to-know that the time ha como when the government needed support Mr. Norlhway ( rep. , O. ) declared that hi did not consider the bill a war measure , bu rather as ono calculated to preserve anr secure peace. At the same time , he said , w all know full well that there Is a spirit o war abroad and our 'relations with othe countries appear to render this step ncces sary. He was pleased to see that the mem bcrs were speaking not as partisans but a patriots , bringing to hie mind the famllla 1 ncs : Breathes there a man with soul so dead , Who to himself has never snld "This Is my own my native land. " Mr. Boutellc , chairman ot naval affair , committee , said that while no argument wa ncccffiary on this measure ho desired to sa ; that he had been Instructed by his com mlttee to express the hearty endorsement o that committee. His only regret , be aald , wa that this appropriation was not allowed t stand absolutely alone as a proclamation t our country and to the world that congres ; stood ready to vote millions to arm the ex. ecutlvo to uphold the dignity of the flag. FIRMNESS BETTER THAN BRAVADO. Mr. Hopkins ( rep. , 111. ) , a'ter stating hi great confluence In the president , expressc the hope that there would be no war , Thirty-three years of peace , he said , ha not obliterated the ravages of the civil war , Wo did not want Its horrors repeated. W are too powerful to play the bully , too Chris tlan to wantonly engage In war. Let us nebo bo hysterical. Let us show the world tba moderation and firmness are more tha bustle and bravado ; that a wise conservatism will do more than Jingoism to obtain th Independence of Cuba. Mr. Cooper ( dem. , Tex. ) , In a speech o two minutes , recalled the eloquent word "Millions for defense , but not a cent to tribute. " Our co-ist was exposed , ho sale : from Maine to the Rio Grande , and In th face of war it was the duty of all , wlthou regard to party , to support iny measure fo the national defense. "Tho aspirations my soul , " ho concluded , "are that war ma bo avoided , but should It como I say to yo In behalf of my bolove < l Texans that the will rush to the nation's defense cheer fully. " Mr. Bland said that whileno debate was essential 'to the passage of the bill it was Important to show the country that the American people , without distinction of party , were ready to uphold the adminis tration In the present crUls. Mr. Fitzgerald ( dem. , Mass. ) took occasion to refer to the alleged utterance of a Catholic priest some time ago , t the effect that the sympathy and support of the Catholic church would be with Spain , which was a Catholic country. While , he eald , he did not believe the priest had uttered ouch a sentiment , It had -attracted wide attention nild as a Cath olic he dc > ilrcd to repel It. If war came , the people of ttiat faith , he declared , would ba more willing to shed their blooj In defence of tCiclr country than those who had va liantly defended It In the war of 'be revolu tion , the war o ! 1812 , the Mexican war auj the civil wer. Mr. McMUIln ( Jem. , Tenn. ) , while relter- ntitiK his firm belief In the doctrine of the strictest economy In public expenditures , ald he gave the bill his decrty support. Mr , Wheeler ( dem. , Ala. ) alto enthusiasti cally supported the bill , KB did Mr , Drlggs ( dem. , N. V. ) and Mr. Groevenor ( O. ) . GltOSVENOR IS ELOQUENT. Mr. Grjttvrnor aroused the house ta cheers ( Continued oa FUtn Face- ) . ConfTcting Stories About thi Dems Buying War Ships. VERY HARD WORK TO GET AT THE TRUTH Alleireil Fnctn Arc SIntcd In One nnr- ter Onljto He Denied ln 'An other Utieen Vleturla UN Mediator. ( Copyright , UOS , by Tress rubllslilnpr Company. ) LONDON , March 8. ( New York World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The story of the reported purchase by Spanish agents of two Biazlltan and one Chilian cruiser was again prevalent today. I Inquired at the Spanish naval commission' ? offlccs In London , where I was solemnly assured that there was not a word of truth In the state ment. A denial In that quarter was to be expected , however , as secrecy Is essential to the fulfillment of the object that Spain has In , vlcw. I saw later in the House of Commons lob'jy the head of ono of the larg est and best-known ship-building firms on the Clyde , who said : "I know positively that Spain Is hunting not only for cruisers but for eight fast steamships which ure to be converted Into armored cruisers and fitted with quick-firing guns. She has been on the lookout for some weeks , but the difficulty was , of course , the money. No 'British shipbuilder would permit her to remove any craft without pre payment In full. I have also Just heard thut her contemplated purchases , which have been hanging fire for financial reasons , are about completed , us the Spanish government IMS made arrangements for a loan through Fould's bank of Paris with a French syndi cate. Sentiment as well as self-interest prompts France to assist Spain against 'tho United States and France Is the only Euro- can country where Spain stands the ellght- jst chance of obtaining help. " HARD NUT TO CRACK. The member of Parliament who made this tatcment asked that his name should not 10 given , his firm having dealings with the Spanish government. Ho added : "I con- ; lder that the United States will find Spain a hard nut to crack. I. have had large cx- lerlenco with Spanish sailors and regard hem as first rate seamen. They are hardy , : ourageous and extremely clever navigators , but they are badly officered. Their country is destitute of resources , whllo the resources of the United States are practically limit- ess. Your country Is bound to win In the iong run , but It will be no rosewatcr affair 'or ' your navy. " This opinion Is In startling contrast to that expressed on the same subject by William Mian , M. P. , of Gatcshcad , also a shipbuilder and practical sailor , to your correspondent est week. ( Another report current In the lobby was that the United States government had offered 90,000 for Captain McCalmont's famous steam yacht Glralda. It steams twenty knots , has a displacement of 1,480 tons and Is fitted under the requirements of the British navy for use In time of war as an unarmored cruiser. It has ten machine guns. The Glralda Is at present at Algiers and It Is stated that the offer of the United States government Is conditional on Its being handed over at Gibraltar within five days. It Is obviously wanted as a dispatch boat , If at all. Another report was that Spain has pur chased a cruiser from the Barrow Shipbuild ing company and the correspondent there Investigated the matter. The following re ply has been received : "The manager of the Barrow Shipbuilding company told me : 'We are building only for the British government and have no war ships available for sale to Spain , nor have we had any Inquiries from Spain lately. ' " I hear that the queen this week expressed the wish that the United States ambassador should dine at Windsor and was much dis appointed on learning that he was abroad. Undoubtedly the queen's object , was to learn the real facts concerning the relations be twcen the United States and Spain and to use her good offices to avert hostilities. Vic toria must have been advised that war was Imminent before contemplating such a step and as a matter of fact the conviction In offi cial quarters here Is that war cannot be pre vented except by the concession of the In dependence of Cuba , which Spain will never grant except under the pressure of force. ESTIMATES FOIl I1IUTISII XAVY. Sis Million DnlliirM to He Expended nt Will. ( Copyright , 1S98 , by Tress Tubllshlnu Company. ) LONDON , March 8. ( New York World Ca blegram Special Telegram. ) Estimates for the British navy for the ensuing year show an appropriated balance of $6,000,000 for ex penditure which will bo left to the discre tion of the admiralty. This money can be applied at the will of the government to pur chase of war ships and It Is understood It Is being held with that view In case of an emergency. A high admiralty official speak ing tonight on the paval resources of the British empire In case ot war , said : "If wo went to war tomorrow the firs ! thing we would do would be to lay an embargo barge on every war ship being built In the B'rltlsh ' yards whether on an order for forelcn friendly Government or not. We should subsequently compensate these gov ernments for taking their ships , but wo would take them , 'as the matter of charity begins at home. There are at present forty- three war ships of all kinds In course of con struction In the British yards for foreign governments , which would bo a valuable ad' dltion to our reserve. " It Is reported tonight that the possibility o : trouble with France has been lessened by the personal intervention 'Of Queen Victoria , who Invited the French ambassador , Baron Cour- cel , to Windsor Castle last night , though too 111 to preside at the state dinner. Tne queen had a lengthy Interview with Courcel , point ing out to him quite frankly If his govern ment Insisted on encroaching on the British sphere a West Africa war was Inevitable. Courcel reiterated to the queen the assur ances of his government that such encroach ment. If It had taken place , was unauthor ized. Nothing serUus Is the matter with the queen , who suffered merely from elck hcadccbe , and starts for the continent Thursday morning. . liy Crldlrr. ( Copyrlsht , 1S9S , by Tre IHiblUhlne Company. ) PARIS. March 8. ( New York World Co- blegrun Special Telegram. ) Thomas W. Crldler , assistant secretary of state and cpcclal commissioner to the exhibition , authorises mo it state absolutely that there IB no foundation for the allegation th t he has authority to act for the United States for the purchase of war ship * If needed. GLASGOW , March 8. ( New York World Cablegram Sreclal Telegram. ) There are only two torpedo boats at Clydebank for Spain and both are ready , Tbe Audu * ad 1 the Osado left for Ferral 'a fortnight ago. Crewc arrived Saturday for < the PIuton and Protpertna and both * go down the river to morrow and will take oa ; 'ammunltlon and storw at Grceuock. Thejfwlll proceed to Fcrrol on Thursday. It shduld bo noted that these six are really gunboats with torpedo boat speed , not so fast but stronger and a more powerful armament , ntrong , bandy , fast and very dangerous. Commanders' or- dcrs areIndefinite. . * MADII1D 1MIK.S.M IS PESSIMISTIC. CnitinientN . Gloomily nn itie Slump In. ( CopyrlRht , 1S9 ? , by Treis TubllMiIng Company. ) MADRID. March 8. New York Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The whole.Madrld press this morning comments gloomily on the bourse scare wtilch many , Including friends of the cabinet , attribute less to unfavorable rumors concerning the relations with the United States than to efforts ot native and foreign speculators , ever en the alert to takc-n ; advantage of the circumstances to depress Spanish securities. The tone of most papers , however , Is pessimistic as cvc'i the minis terial organ , El Liberal , concludes a long cr- tide on the situation as follows : "Undoubt edly our relations with the United States may be adjusted for the time being to ihe strict dictates ot prudence , but does the government really believe this nation will > e able , without suffering Irreparable dam age , to bear for a few months mure this anxious Indecision , this enervating unccr- alnty ? " Blanco , consulted by the government , tck- grardcd that the conduct of Consul Leo had > een steadily Irreproachable. The Spanish charge d'affaires at Wo/jhldgton telegraphs : , 'I have the satisfaction to communicate that ho American government has abandoned the Idea of sending two war vre els to Cuba wild relief. Day told mo verbally today , asking It Inconvenient , that relief could bb sent by the gunboat Fern , now anchored In Havana harbor , I replied lei ( tie negative. The governor general of Cuba has prohibited landing relief free of duty In the ports of Sagua and Matanzas , despite the note ot Feb. ruory authorizing such Imports. I communi cate this In order that the primary disposi tion may be maintained. " The government has wired Blanco to per mit the Introduction ot relief free of duty at the above ports. Chambers of commerce and other corporations are rapidly sending re ports embodying the opinion that the treaty of commerce with the United States at the request of the government majority Is favor able on condition that coloulal tariffs main tain protection at twenty lothirty per cent. for Spanish Insular p'orte. ARTHUR , E. HOUGHTON. Curdliiiil Hiuiipolla. . Denies. ( Copyright , 1SSS. by Tress rnblUlilnR Company. ) MADRID , March 8. ( New York World Cablegram Special Teingram. ) The minister - tor ot foreign affairs today received from the Spanish ambassador at Rome a telegram stating that Cardinal Rampolla had re quested him to Inform te Spanish , govern ment that It was " "absolutely false that he had granted an Interview la any American correspondent. Theroj'isj.therefore no fou datlon for the report published In a New York newspaper. La , ' Epoca published an article by an Important military critic. Colonel nel of Engineers Alas , .on. the probabilities ot war with the United Statea end the course It would be likely to take. MAXV tATTKXD IA 3IA1JJE BENEFIT. 'Audience ' IN Coimpleuoun for tliiv\o < a- liU-H PreKout. WASHINGTON , March 8. The .audience which crowed the National theater at the woman's concert given this evening for the benefit of the families of the men who lost their lives In the Maine disaster was In every way the most notable body ever assembled In a Washington theater. The president and Mrs. McKlnley occupied seats In tha box ol Secretary and Mrs. Long , while the secre tary and Mrs. Sherman , the postmaster gen eral and Mrs. Gary , the' family of the secre tary of war. Secretary Gige , Congressman Boutelle , with almost the entire body ol Washington society and thousands of sym pathetic residents of the capltol , Including sixty sailors from the navy yard , who filled one entire row of reserved seats In the gal ? lory. lory.Tho The concert was under 'the ' direction of the relief association , which -Is hcadcxl by Mrs Long , wife of the secretary , and composed of Mrs. Long , Mrs. Crownlnshleld , < Mrs. O'Ncll , Mrs. Bradford , Mrs. Matthews , 'Mrs. Highborn , Mrs. .Stewart , Mrs. Heywood , Mr * . Van Reypen , Mrs. Lcmley , Mrs * Clover and -Miss Beecham. The large theater was artistically draped In flags , the silk banner over .the door used by the president being the largest and handsomest owned by the government. The long program closed with "Tho Star Spangled 'Banner ' , " the audience rising and Joining In the chorus. Twenty officers of the army , navy and marine corps , each In full uniform , acted an ushers , while prominent yot'ag women ol < the navy and army families epld programs and small flags , which were waved vigor ously by the eager purchasers during the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner. " A largo crowd1 colleqtcd In front ot the theater Just be f eve the close ot the perform ance and pressed forward to await the ap- pearaace of the prealddit. He left the houao before the audience. The presUent'a ap pearance at the doorway , with Mrs. McKln ley on lib arm , was the algnal for an out burst of cheering , waving' of handkerchiefs and hand-clapping. Both the president tml Mre. McKialcy seemed pleased and smiled as they acknowledged 'it with a slight la cllnatlon of the head. .Another and a louder cheer was given ad the president's carriage was driven awa'y. HAS A TOIU'KUO IW.VT FOIl SALE l IN Uvlnnr Iluilt fur a Soutl A in t-r it-ail Hfpulillo. WASHINGTON , 'Marchi 8.- Charles R Flint of New York called at the Navy de partment today and talked ] with the ofll cers regarding a new torpedo boat which he hao had under contract ; to build for one o the South 'American countries. This boa could bo turned over to the governmen within ninety days should , lt be found de ' sliable. It Is designed , to 'mako forty-two land miles an hour. U will bo fitted with two -engines of 1,200 horse power , and Is ti have twin screws. Whllp b did not mak a formal offer of the YCE > e' ' to 'he depart ment ho will sell If the boat la desired. Mu"vf nieiiH nt Uci-uu Ven rl , lliirch At New Yark-Arrlved-KaLwr WHhelm Dtr Grouse , frpnf Bremen : Cevlc. fror Liverpool ; Ethiopia , from Glasgow ; Ken slngton , from Antwerp. . At Nnples-Salled-Patrla , for New York At LlverpooI-Balled-JFavonla , for Bos ton. ton.At At Gibraltar Saieu > Norro nnla , for New York. At Delaware Breakwater Passed up _ Pennland , from Liverpool. i At Movllle Arrived Furu * * lk , from New York , for Olugow. POSITION OF CONSUL LEE America's Official Representatire and the Demand for His Recall , HAS NO WORD FROM STATE DEPARTMENT All. HP Known of tlic Mnlter InVlint 11(1 Ijcnrn * from ( lip llnvnmi 1'a- licrn CnllM the Turn ua I ( Copyright , 1 ? ! > S. by Vttfs tulill hlnir Company. ) HAVANA ( via Key West ) , March 8. ( New York World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) I am fortunately able to definitely state the exact position of General Lee In respect to real Spanish attacks upon his official conduct and alleged Spanish demands for his recall. Lee knows nothing officially about the de mand for his recall. What he gathers from the scanty and often contradictory cable notices In the local press constitutes his sole Information on that subject. Not a word hps been received from the ( State de partment on the subject up to the present hour , and Lee considers an actual Spanish official demand for his recall pure Imagina tion , as the cable notices here made Sagasta deny having sent such a message. Local papers also quote IMcKlnley as being satis fied with General Lee , as Indeed ho must bo It ho has not changed from the original opinion ho expressed to mo last year. "Wo are well satisfied with General Lee , and wo hope he will be satisfied with the support this administration will always give 'him. ' " As would any experienced military man , whoso duty It is to fully Inform his govern ment , General Lee has noted some thlrga decidedly not favorable to Spain's course ot war and has sometimes thus Informed the State department. This has been pai'tlcu- arly so regarding Spain's offer of alleged autonomy , which now even Its own orlg- nators regard as a farce and so state. Lee's lews on this question were only confldeu- lally expressed to the State department , but omehow they leaked to the Havana gov ernment's ears. The Spanish legation at \Vashington \ had been doing ; good work and .he result was the absolutely ally official exchange of correspondence between General L.CO ariJ the- palace as to the American con sul general's views and their bearing upon his official acceptlblltty to Spain. BREACH OF ETIQUETTE. About six weeks ago Congosto , cither 'rom ' the source mentioned or froin the \merlcan newspapers quoting ru alleged re port of Lee to the department , saw fit to write a note to Lee , wishing to know If It was true that Lee's views did not prognosti cate glowing victory for the extensive au- enemy reforms lately In process of em- ilantatlon In Cuba. In Itself this query won a grave bread of. diplomatic etiquette. A government offi cial's reports to his superiors ore supposed o be sacred. However , Congosto seemed to think that had Leo nucli Ideas , especially thai the present autcnomtc government is noi desired by either Spaniards or Cubans , am that not fitting -the wl.ihes of any element It can hardly ever become adopted by all his position In tho' eyes of Spain would be decidedly "persona non grata. " He plainly threatened Lee with a Spanish demand for lita recall If ho did not rescind such per nicious Idean. Lee trailed and grasped Con- gosto's "bull" by the horns. He answem that should an official document be Inscribed containing the mentioned reasons for his re call and should It then be signed by al officials ot Havana and Madrid that he ( Lee ) would then take great pleasure In afllxlng to the document his own signature and would forward It , thus completed , to tht government of the United States. Imme dlatcly Congosto subsided and the Incident became closed. ANOTHER SORE SPOT. General Leo considers that another sore spot with the new autonomlcal secretaries may be Slgsbec's alleged oversight In not having called In turn upon each of the men though he had already completely and ex actly fulfilled the naval regulations and his Instructions In calling officially upon Genera Parrado and Spanish Admiral Manterola. Before any visits were made General Leo wrote to Congosto and the general secretary asking at what time and upon whom should Slgsbee call In obeying his Instructions to officially visit the supreme power In the Island of Its representatives. Congosto answered In writing , naming General Par rado , then acting governor general In Blan- co's absence , as the proper person. Slgsbco thereupon called upon Parrado In duo and proper form and upon Manterola as well. But the autonomtcal cabinet , whose power lies chiefly In Its title , did not like It and Congosto Inveigled General Lee and Captain Slgsbee Into an Informal call at cabinet head quarters in the palace after an official visit upon Blanco. The autonomlcal secretaries were quickly gathered together and every effort waa made to glvo an official tinge to a strictly acci dental visit. Captain Sigsbee , of course , said ho would be glad to receive the gentle men personally aboard the Maine. They went en manse and proposed an * absolutely unexpected toast of official significance. Slga- bco rose to the occasion and returned their personal ecntlnunts without ono word of reference to cither government or autonomy. A type-written report cif his answer made at once thereafter shows this , although the Havana press quoted him as dvlnklug to the success of Cuban autonomy. The cabinet of secretaries did not like that , either. And Lee , as the man ot most prominent position , has been covertly attacked ever since the oc currence of the three episodes mentioned. FALSE CHARGES. As regards the charges of communicating with the Insurgents , General Leo dubs them as absolutely false. Ho has not followed Do Lome's methods ; has not written letters on Cuban affairs even ID respciise to queries of Important legislators , nor oven mentioned political matters In lettero to his family. Outelde ot sending an agent In an attempt to nave Colonel Ruiz's life , as authorized by Blnico , Lee has sent no word to the field. As to receiving "presendados" and cap tured rebels la the consulate , Lee considers U his duty to send all porelble Information from .both cldes to Washington , and receives all callers at the consulate during bis regu lar office hours. General Lee and Consul Barker , Juit resigned , have always been good friends. Spanish attempts 'to Insinuate to the contrary notwithstanding. 'Barker was not dissatisfied with the tardy receipt of American food at Sagua , for ho understandi the situation. Lee hopci that If Barker per sists In resigning , which course foe has per sonally advised Barker against , some good strong roan may to sent to take the vacant position. Lee admire * Barker's fearlessness in the discharge of difficult and delicate coniula'r duties , Americana have net yet THE BEE BULLETIN. Wenthtr Forecast for Snow ; Colder ; North Wlnd > . Pa ire. 1. Congrem I'msoi Cmmon' * Hill , Spulu'8 Humored I'lirrhniie of War 8htp , 1'imltloii Tukrn by Cumuli I.ro. Unto Set fur Kiin | ltton Inhibits. 2. Meeting uf the Nobrnnkn CnmnilMlnn , Union 1'iicluVn Liberal Subscription. 3. Nrbniskn Invent * III School Securities. Clirnp lUtes to the I'aclllc Const. 4. Killtorlnl nitil Comment , 5. War Feeling In Quieting Down , 0. Council HltilT * lo n I Matter * . Inwn I.egUltttlrc 7 , ( leuernl Now * of the Kurt her V Urology of the Yukon Country. . 8. Comnierrlnl Cluli'ft Monthly I'rorooilliiKR of the City Couti Future at tlio Iloef Market. O. Kcvlcnm of Keoent 1'iitillciitloj Local Comments on the. Cull. r < | iiillr.laff : the Co t of 1'uvlj 1 1 , Commercial ami Financial 1'J. "Sammy the Totulioy. " I.mtcn Sewing llimkcU. been advised by their consul general to leave Havana. EXPEL THE CORRESPONDENTS. Congceto said today that the corre spondents were to be expelled "with the authorization of General Lee , " whatever that may mean. It Is reported that Clara Barton has dis charged several agents for the distribution of concentrado food for dishonestly. They sold canned goads to grocery store keepers. Miss Barton Is doing nobly and Is seeing that every pound of ( American charity goes to suffering ones. She Is ably seconded by practical assistants now. The government buoy la all ready for the Montgomery. The Fern , which was there , , has been moved out to make way for the Alfonso XIL Now the three Spanish war ships are close together. The full typewritten text of Slgsbec's an swer to the toast of the autonomlcal cabinet upon their visit to the Maine was as follows : "I have the honor , on behalf of myself and the ofllcero of the Maine , to reciprocate the very friendly sentiments which you have just expressed. H Is my wish and effort In my posit I en to do all within my power to con. tlnuo the friendly relations so long existent between Spain and the United States. I beg to express my admiration for the high pur pose of your honorable body and assure yon that the officers of the Maine welcome you on boai-d In both your official and private cliaractcm. " This speech tlio autonomlstlc cabinet thought was an American greeting to the new autonomy , it was so called. . In tlio local ' press. The board of Inquiry had a secret meeting today. It Is not known what'1C was about. Four witnesses were questioned. Carpenter Helm , an Important witness , was held forever over an hour. He Is said to have known the Maine's hull better than any one else aboard. Naval Constructor Hoover was also closely questioned. There Is an Impression In naval circles that the Maine question will probably bo referred to an International board for Investigation. Some members of the American board say they are sorry the first Investigation was not so made. Con tradictory reports are certainly to be ex pected from the two commissions now at work. SYLVESTER SCOVEL. SICSHIvIi llimiEEIV1TH : CiMiiiunnder of tin.11 ill lie Full of Sorrow row fur the : UlNnnter. NORWALK , O. , March 8. Captain P. M. Smith of this city , commander ot the Hrnry Chlsholm ot the Bradley fleet , and Captain C. D. Slgsbee of the war chip Malno , arc warm personal friends. Yesterday Mrs. Cap tain Smith roelvcd the following Interesting letter from Captain Slgsbeo in response to ono written him after the disaster to the Maine : HAVANA , iFeb. 2S. My Dear Mrs. Smith : Your kind and comforting letter conveying sympathy from yourself and Captain Smith ciimo today and nceJ It be said -was heartily welcomed ? The sa'lnc-.ss of the great disas ter continues lor mo ! n tha reseptlon of great numbers of heari'jroke.i appeals from bereaved friends of the Maine's crew. I have no time to think of my own troubles ; in fact , they are light by compirlson with those of others. Tint the Amcrlsa'i people think I huvo done my duty U more sustain ing than I ran oypren. I would gladly send von i phoiofjr.iph tf rrysolf , Jiut I have had none taktn for aliout twelve years. ThoHJ that have appeared In the newspapers oanio from I kno.v not where. I will see If I can get you a photo graph of the wreck. Some good ones have been reproduced In 'the papers. I am at present aboard the Fern , a small dlppatch vessel. The Malnu lies , only a few yards off , a distorted and iwlldly disordered wreck , with n number of the hodlts e > f Its gallant dead down In the debris awaiting recovery , which In laboriously illfllc.ilt. How very sail and shocking It all I ? . I would take p.easure In .writing n long letter to you and my good friend , the cap tain , but I am hard prcssol with corre spondence. With my kindest rrs.\rds to both of you and cordial dunks for your letter , I remain always , yours very hln- cercly , C. D. . SIGSUI3B. ininolH .Mllltla llendy. SPRINGFIELD , III. , March 8. Adjutant General Hei o of the Illinois National Guard said today : "Wo arc but waiting for the 'boots and saddles , ' to board the cars for the east. Inside ot twelve hours the greatest portion of the 7,000 men and officers ot the Illinois National Guard could be en route to Now York for embarkation for Cuba. " The general stated that 4,000 latest pattern forty- fivo-callbcr Springfield rifles had just been received at the Illinois elate arsenal from Brooklyn navy yard , ready for Instant use. Transfer * ( lie Ammunition. BOSTON , March 8. AII the modern am munition In . .the. United States magazine In Chelsea , about twenty-six temp , has been put aboard to government lug Nina. That vessel will take the ammunition 4o the Brooklyn navy yard , whence It will be'trans- ferrcd to Key West. It Is. not known at the magazine ; what ship Is to finally recelvo the ammunition , but It Is reported that It will go aboard the Cincinnati. Will Iienve with KhiKN NEW YORK , March S , A copyrighted cablegram to the 'Evening World today from George Dronson Rea , at Havana , nays ; "Gen eral Lee said last night to mo : 'If Spain winlies to declare any or all ot us persona neil grata. It la her privilege to do to , but If we must leave town , we will Icavu with the American flig flying and a bracg band at the bead of the proccoilou. " ' LIMIT TO THE TIME May 25 Cates Oloso Against Reception of Exposition Exhibits. BELATED EXHIBITORS MUST STAY OUT r Very Few Eicoptions if Any Will Be Made to the Rule. ORDER ISSUED BY EXHIBIT DEPARTMENT Action Taken that the Qrcat Show May Open on Timo. iPACE IN BUILDINGS ABOUT ALL TAKEN iidlentloiin Fitvornlilr for tlio EMHIM- tloii lleltiK Oiem > d Promptly ou Time Niiitcrliitcitdeiil * In f llnlldltiK * . "May 25 the gates of the exposition will bo > wnl against the reception ot exdlblts ami any exhibitor not having his material on ho grounds nt that tlmo will bo shut out. Itic time between that date and June 1 will le utilized in making ready for the opening ; if the gates and the Transmls.ilsslppl und In- cniatlonal Kxposltlon will be opened on time and every exhibit will be In readiness for de Inspection of visitors. " Thun tpolto H. B. Hardt , superintendent ot the Exhibits do- psrtment of the exposition , and ho showed a pile of printed notices to this effect which are being sent to all exhibitors us an hi- itlve for them to govern themselves ac cordingly. "It may work a hardship on nome cxtilblt- rs to bo compelled to comply with this rule , " continued Mr. Hardt , "but It cannot bo avoided If the exposition Is to bo opened on Imc. " "It ban been announced that this exposition ivlll bo opened en Juno 1 and Manager Brucft Issued positive Instructions that all cx- ilblts must be In place at that time. Nothing- l be left undo'ne to bring 'about this result and it can bo announced wild certainty that here will bo no delay so far as ( tie Exhibits department Is concerned. Thcro will prob ably be n few exhibitors who will he un avoidably delayed for ncnie good reasons mil these will bo admitted to the grounds nftec Juno 10 , but between May 25 and Jumc 10 no exhibits will bo received. There will bra some exhibits which cannot bo made icady as early as the opening day , ortjiccl-tlly In horticulture and agriculture , and these will bo received alter Juno 10 , but .it the tlmo < ? C the opening thcco will beno contusion , such as Is scon at nearly .all expositions , caused by exhibitors and their asalsUuitii rusting about getting thole exhibits limtalled. Thcro will bo no packing .cascn scattered about la the aisles and no noUef of preparation. Western push and enterprise will how to Ui world that It 1.3 possible to open a rreat ex position promptly ca tlmo with evorythluft ready. " WILL START THEM BARLY. May 1 the floor In each exhibit building will bo marked to show tha space assigned to each 'exhibitor , and on that date every exhibitor will bo required to commence get ting his exhibit In shape. Each building will bo placed In charge of the superintendent of the department In which the building belongs and this superintendent will he required to see that the rules of the department are complied with. Tha office ot Manager Bruce will bo removed to the grounds on that data and will bo established In the Manufactures building , and all operations of Installation will bo directed from that point. The Manufactures building will bo under the direction of Superintendent Hardt , who will look after the Installation of exhibit * In that building. Superintendent F. W. Tay lor will bo In charge of the Agriculture and Horticulture buildings , Secretory Ford of the Woman's Board of Managers will have charge of the Liberal Arts building , Dr. David T. Day , the mining commissioner , will be la charge of the Mines building ; Art Director A. H. Grlfllthfl will have charge ot the _ Art building , Prof. H. B. Owens will bo In charge of the Electricity and Machinery building' . Superintendent D. H. Elliott will take charge of tha Installation of exhibits In the Trans portation and Agricultural Implement buildIng - Ing , J. B. Dlnsmoro will have charge of the Dairy building and E. Whltcomb will be in , charge of the Apiary building. All will bo under the general direction of Manager Bruce , who will take up his headquarters oa the ground and will devote nearly all of bli tlmo to this work. SPACE IS ALL ALLOTTED. The allotment of space In the several ex hibit buildings Is virtually completed. Every building Is entirely filled and additional room cm only bo made by reducing the amount allotted to exhibitors already un signed. Thcro , are very few cases In which this can bo done , as nearly all of the ex hibitors make their preparations to fill a cer tain apace and cannot change their designs without great expense and loss of time. For this reason the department Is encouraging the erection of buildings by certain dcslrablo classes of exhibitors and the Indications aio that thcro will ho no spot ot ground left unoccupied when the gates are opened. 'MEETIXU ol ? ICXI'O.SITIOX 1IOAIII ) . Several Important .Matter * Cumc 110 fur C'liiiNlderiilliin. WASHINGTON , March 8-Speclal ( Tele gram. ) The government Omaha Exposition board met today and all members were present. The question of transportation was considered and propositions of the railroads laid before the boatd. Very reasonable rates were offered , amounting to about one-halt rate for round trip on freight ; the passenger rate the same. It was reported by each de partment that exhibits were In an advance/ ! state and all -would probably be ready for shipment April 15 , and all ready for In stallation not later than May 15. The com mittee on decorations goes ( May 1 , Immedi ately thereafter to begin decorating the hall. The board recommended that the doors at each end ot the bullllng ho widened to ten feet , both for the purpose of receiving ex hibits and to make It easier and safer for the handling of largn crowds. The front door Is to be widened to twelve feet and the two small side doors eliminated , the three being thictwn Into one. iMIchae ! was appointed a committee of ono to copter with the Nu- 'branka congressional dfh'gatlon and others to secure the balance ot the Tennessee un expended fund , amounting to several thou sand dollars , for the use of Omaha. ThU was thought to be proper because of the transfer of $12,000 from the exhibit fund , and applied to thn building , leaving a sliort- of the exhibit fund desirable that should to made uu. Tbu proposition U lo iu UM