THE OMAHJ i DAILY BEE ESTABLISHED JTJJSfE 10 , 1871. OMAHA SATURDAY MORNING , MAEJKHI 10 , 1808-TWELVE PAGES. SINGLE COPY CENTS. NO NOTE BY SPAIN Dona Deny Filing Protest Against American War Va STATEMENT COMES FROM HIGH OFFICIALS Bo Kot Like Oar Ships to Remain Near Cuban Perls , BUT DO NOT MAKE ANY SU3GISTION Spaniards Do Not Look for Material European Aid. THEY WILL FIGHT JHEIR BATTLES ALONE Mnilrlil Orwnn l > enlen the Yellorr FnUe About Hln Aliened Letter Ilrlntliiir to llavniut | Hnrliur. * MADRID , Spain , March W.-Ncw York ' ( Vorld Cablegram Special Telegram. ) On i high authority U Is stated that the Spanish government has not sent any note since February 23 , nor Instructed Us minister at Washington to make any representation against the presence of American war ves- ecls In Cuban ports , or In the vicinity of the Spanish West Indies , although their presence tt calculated to encourage the Insurgents nil cripple the new homo rule policy. Tliero Is absolutely no foundation for the rumor that the Spanish minister of foreign affairs read In the council of ministers any dispatches on the attitude of Queen Victoria or any other European sovereign. Indeed , the Spanish government Is perfectly aware that the friendly disposition ot the courts And governments mean no alliances or ma terial support so well satisfied on that point that the ministerial press says Spain must rely solely on Its own resources to crush the rebellion and pacify the Islands , regardless of foreign opinion , Intimations or Interference. Telegrams from the Canary Islands report that the "Flying Squadron" will resume Its voyage soon. But the Imparclal says it has grounds for believing that the squadron has been ordered to await fresh Instructions at Las I'almas , which order the Imparclal ascribes with bitterness to "some representa tion made by the American government , " adding : "This would only bo admissible If America had agreed to withdraw Its own war vessels from West Indian waters. " Conflicting rumors persist concerning the cllcKcd clco'ilng of the naval commissions' rcportn on the Maine caMmlty , although the general Impression Is that neither govern ment Is In a hurry to make koown Uio 'board's conclusions , and It Is Interred that Affairs are taking a more pacific atid dilatory turn. DENIAL BY WEYLER. El Naclonal , the organ of Qencc-al Weyler In Madrid , beads its number onlght wild an authorized statement declaring absolutely false the letter attributed to Weyler In New York. The Naclonal adds that OP re gards the question of the defenses of Havana there la no other correct version but that published In Its number of February 27 , denying that any submarine defenses had been made In the port ot Havana , because unnecessary. In reply to a query Marshal Campos write * roe : "When I was for the first time captain general of Cuba I examined the question of land and coast defenees of Havana llko thojo of older Cuban perls. As nothing had been done andi In view of the Improvement of ar tillery , at the end ot 1S95 I again paid at- tontlcti to the matter , but I did nothing for the Interior defenses of the port , not did I think there was any call for doing so In any cise I would not have thought ol constructing mines In a port frequented by BO many vessels. It would have been very costly work and would have driven commerce merco from that port. The assertions thai have been made concerning mines In tha port are among the many Infamous calum dies Invented by the enemies of Spain. " ARTHUR E. HOUdHTON. cmi.'isicn ' o'iii < ; ; i.\s NOT FOR SALE Chill AVniitH the VrxNel for It Own VHP. ( CopyrlRlit , 1508 , by I'rofs fubllsMnff Company. ' PARIS , March 18. ( New York World Ca blegram Special Telegram. ) Admiral Urlbl Chilian naval commissioner to Europe , seen tcday , said : "No negotiations are In progress for the sale of the O'HIgglns. In any case Chill presumably wants the ironclads It orders , whether In view ot the possibilities of war or not , I cannot say. " In order to test the matter completely I obtained an In terview with the Chilian minister here , Don Ramon Rabbas Luco , who said : "Chill has been approached by both Spain and the United States for purchase , but Chill re fused , as she wants the O'HIgglns to replace a vessel out ot service. In tbo ordinary course of affairs the O'HIgglns leaves Els wick early next month for Chill. " OL'ASaOW. March 18. ( New York Worli Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The Amer lean commissioners arc unlikely to vlsl Clyde , as the war ships building for Brltali . cannot bo sold. The only foreign war shl ' ' on hand Is the Asaka battleship , 15,200 tons ' . for Japan. Were the Japanese willing t sell the vessel. It cannot bo ready In elgh teen months. Americans have no need fo merchant cruisers , but the Alaska , whlc Spain had on charter , Is being Inquired atte . by agents ot possible owners. The Falrflelt 1 company , which owns the old Filer , will sel if the price offered Is sufficient. No othe cultablo merchant cruiser In on the river. TRIESTE. March 18. ( New York Worl 1 1I Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Austria wll I cell no war ships cither to Spain or America. : The highest naval authority' at Trieste said today : "Austria needs all her ships and will sell none. " Ho spaku very emphatically and added : "It it were otherwise I should have no tlmo for an Interview. Two war * blps are" being built herp. for this govern ment In private ship yards and will be com pleted In two months. Another U building In the government ulilp yards at 1'ols. That the Austrian court sympathizes with the queen regcut of Spain , who Is an Austrian prlnceen , needs no prof , but for reasons anof ( tate this country will keep out ot any en ' tanglement , " ' , , - - - " - * . . ' . * ' * * Solirnl 1'lueeil on AiliulrultV fctnff. NBW YORK. March 18. A special to the Herald from Madrid says : U U significant ( bat Senor Sobral , late naval attache at Washington , who has full plans of all the United States coatt defenses , has been ap pointed on the staff of the admiralty and had a long conference with the minister ot state. Tbo publication of official returns showing that tbe receipt * ot the Cuban ciuton'o for month ktst year arc rcgatdcct hero us throwIng - Ing cold water on Senator Proctor's report that tbo general conditions In Cuba are worse. VIOLATION OF JfAV.U , RULES. llalenlili 'Montgomery Gctn Itxelf Into n Fix. ( Copyrleht , 1E58 , by frees Publishing Company , ) HAVANA , March 18. ( New York World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Until Cap tain Converse's explanation appears , tt must bo considered disagreeably true that the American ship Montgomery has violated ! naval usage In general and the United States navy "blue book" In particular. It seems It dipped Ita national colors to the Vlzcaya and Oquendo and that they merely answered this unprecedented salute. Section 118 of the American naval regula tions says : "No ship of the navy shall lower her sails or dip her ensign unless In return for such compliments. " But one flag can ever be placed above the national ban ner and that Is the church flag , with Its blue cross , which denotes religious services aboard' ' ! in fact on no occasion Is a man-of- war supposed to lower Its colors except as the signal of surrender. In the battleship Montgomery's unaccount able action American officers hero say that Captain Converse could not possibly have known about It , even though ho could not fall to see the Vlzcaya's and Oqucndo's flag salutes In passing. It Is argued that Converse - verso might have thought the Spaniards saluted first , not having seen some stupid quartermaster raising and lowering the American colors. On the little Fern the most Important American officers were seated where they saw the 'Montgomery's ' ensign dipping. One exclaimed , "My GoJ' , what's that ship doIng - Ing ? " And then followed an explosion and exasperated comments. Both Spanish Ad miral Manterole and Captain Eulate oftho Vlzcaya courteously received me. Mantcrolo said ho had gone aboard the Oquendo to see that the usual formal forming of the marine guard was properly done hi boner of the Montgomery's departure. He saw the Amer ican ensign dipped three times to the Vlz caya. It had hardly finished answering when the Montgomery dipped again three times to the Oquendo. The little cruiser was pas sing fast , so Its dipping was practically con tinuous. The Spanish admiral appeared very much pleased and concludoJ , "We considered U and do now consider It a very great com pliment. " Eulate said : "The Montgomery honored us .with a salute. " He was alsore - olced. Two bodies were brought up today from ho forward part of the wreck. Ono fully r scd can probably be Identified , as It Is n a wonderful state of preservation and ; ko all the others tears no marks of fish Ibbllng. Wrecking Company Diver Edward Ilcknwn brought up the bodies and alaa jroko out the six-pounder rapid-fire gun re- overed today. It was hanging downward , 'ho superstructure deck , upon which , It had iccu located , had been folded over. Navy divers are working aft , clearing the cabins f valuables. They expact to hoist the elx- nch guns Monday. Gunner Morgan found the dry guncotton oday. Its place was In the captain's cabin and it was put up In glais tubes and was ho mcst detonatlvo material aboard. It Is till dry. The bottlps ore uninjured. Now hat the guncotton Is secured dynamite maybe bo used in releasing the big , valuable ten- nch gutB. They may not be seriously dam aged. The small guns brought up are In a air condition , except these near the point of greatest heat. * Spanish divers wore down a long while this afternoon. They say they are still look- ng for the Maine's ram. Tuesday * bcautltul wreath of flowers was placed upon the graves of the Maine's dead ; In Colon cemetery by the officers of the Austrian , training ship Donau. The raw mounds of earth bear their flowers and six-foot streamers of red and whlto ribbons bens bearing the words , "Our Unfortunate Comrades of the Maine. " ( In German , "den verunglockten under berufsgenosaen der Maine. " ) The Donau was at New Orleans when the Maine disaster occurred. Jts cap tain Immediately halt-masted his colors and now the tribute la gracefully finished by the floral touch of sympathy. SYLVESTER SCOVEL. SEXTIMEXT IS OPPOSED TO AVAR. Interview * with 'American ' Reprenent- ntlveH lu I'nrl * . LONDON , March 18. The Morning Leader today publishes a dispatch from Paris giv ing Interviews which Its correspondent Is said to have had with the United 'States ' ambassador. General Horace Porter ; the sec retary of the United Stated embassy , Mr. Henry Vlgnaud , and United States Consul General J. K , Gowdy. The ambassador , re ferring to the Maine disaster , eulogized Pres ident McKlnlpy's attitude and ; Is quoted as saying that , "In spite ot the sensational atmosphere , the United States will not rush Into war , although the Maine report may prove to be the last straw. " The secretary of the Unltoi States em bassy said : "There wll bo no war , because the feelings of both countries are that the difficulties ran be settled. There Is not an American In Paris who does not applaud the attitude of President McKlnley In tryIng - Ing every expedient before resorting to war. " The consul general said : "The real heart and soul have not yet been heard. The sur- fate talk which causes the collapse of stocks does not merit serious attention. Unless I am greatly mistaken , our troubles will shortly be ended. " HE TIIIXKS TJIEUE. WILL HE XOVAIl Governor I.eeily Siiyn the Cornomfc tloiiN Are llehlnil the Scare. KANSAS CITY , Mo. , March IS. A special to the Star from Topeka , Kan. , says : Governor Jchn W. Lcedy , In an Interview ( hero today , declared that In his oplnlca the administration at Washington Is taking ad vantage of the present troubles to Increase the army , nt for the purpose ot fighting Spain , but to have a standing army to keep down strikes and Internal trouble at home. "If they eall for volunteers Kuueas will . furnish them , " ho wld , "but they won't call for them unless I am badly mistaken , I don't expect to see war with Spain , but this crlsLi In Just what the corporations have been looking fct * to give an excuse for a big standing army to keep dawn labr troubles. I have CID confidence In the gov ernment's * tA Linen to I'oMllleuUuni , NBW YORK , March 18. Further i 'ius ' to make perfect the metcu of communication between the defenses of New York have been made. Within a * day or two It Is probable > - able that a contract will be let for laying bm a largo cable of the site uted In tbc ocean , between all ot the local fortification * . Thla plan to connect all the forts surrounding New York City with Governor' Island wa ouo of the mitters towhich Major General OLD GLORY AT THE MASTHEAD Stars and Stripes Now Ware ( her thofc Cruiser Ama naSi UNITED STATES TAKES POSSESSION Recently I'nrclinned of the llrn- illlnn Government IN Turned Over to the Ulrtirexentntlvo of Uncle Snm. ( CopyrlKht , 1898 , by Press rublliililnir Company. ) LONDON , March 18. ( New York World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Gravesend , the ancient riverside town on the Tbames opposite the historic Tilbury fort , whence Queen Elizabeth visited the English fleet before It sailed for Plymouth to meet the Spanish armada , today witnessed a unique incident cf the almost simultaneous transfer of two ships , each noteworthy In Its way , to the United States. At 11 o'clock Lieuten ant Colwcll , naval attache of the United States embassy , with General Osborne , En sign R. H. N. Robinson and Assistant - Engineer gineer MacMorrls , took over the Amazonas from Its Brazilian commander and hoisted the stars and stripes In token of the trans fer. fer.Tho The ceremony was simple to a degree. Thp Brazilian captain , who obviously felt sorrow at parting with the fine ship which so re cently came under his command , said : "I am pleased to hand over the- vessel In the name of my government , the transfer being regarded as a friendly act. " Lieutenant Colwcll expressed thanks and bopcd no inconvenience had been caused the Brazilian officer's crew by the sudden change. The Brazilian flag was then lowered and the United States ensign run up In Its place. The American officers and journalists raised their hats in salute to the flag. At the satno moment the stars and stripes were floating from the flagstaff on the town ball ot Gravesend by order of the mayor , and also from several other points In town. The Brazilian ship bad been lying off Gravesend for a fortnight without getting a single salute , but Immediately the flag was .run up all the ships In the vicinity , led off by the ( Australian liner Orizaba , dipped their ensigns In honor of the United States. The Brazilian crew with few excep tions now went ashore. and al though the Brazilian ccmmander and a couple of officers remained aboard , they were visitors on what had recently been their own territory. The thrco American officers now awaited the arrival of the cruiser San Francisco , whlc-h had been signalled off Dover at 7 o'clock In the morning , having made a re markably good passage across the bay of Biscay from Lisbon. The Brazilians still hovered about llko disembodied spirits. Halt a dozen Graveseild longshoremen were pressed Into the service of the United States until the arrival ot the San Francisco. ANOMALOUS SITUATION. Altogether , poss'ibly so anomalous a cor- dltlon of things never prevailed before on any war ship of aay nation as en the United States' latest naval acquisition during these few hours. When tbo San FmicUco appeared down river Lieutenant Colwell went off in the British coast guard officer's gig to board It. On the American cruiser having fired a salute , it passed to Its moorings. Ensign Robinson and Assistant Eng'neer MacMorrJs stood to salute CD the Amazonas' poop deck , the smallest naval force that ever had pos session ot so formidable a war ship. At 6 o'clock Lieutenant Colwell returned In Admiral Howell'a launch , accompanied by Lieutenant Commander Nazro , who formally took over the commend of the Amazonas , with Lieutenant Johnsca , Ensign McDougall , Dr. A. W. Dunbar , Lieutenant of Marhxa Barnctt and Past Assistant Englacer Miner. The keys to the magazines were handed over to Commtudcr Nazro and then Lieutenant Colwell and Ensign Robinson went ashore. The Amazonas Is recogalaed by the Amerl. can officers as a formidable and handaomo vessel , though owing to the neglect , ot all attempt at cleanliness It will aced a rlgor- ous overhaul before It looks Us best. It will have a working crew transferred tomorrpw from tbc SMI Francisco and expects to leave tbo Thames Tuesday. ANOTHER TRANSFER. Another Interesting ceremony took place on board Alfred Harmsworth's famous Arctic whaler Windward , In which Nansen was rescued , and which lay In the next berth to the Amazonas. Harmsworth , with charac teristic liberality and enterprise has given the Windward to .Lleutcnrnt Peary for hlo expedltleu and arranged for hauling down the union jack and hoisting the stars and strioes before It sailed for New York. Mr. Harics- worth was on board and gave orders for the unfurling of the American flag , although the transfer of the Windward from Eng land to the United States must be ratified by an act ot congress. Harmsworth , thq keenest and ablest of English journalists , holds firmly that the feeling ot bis country men In this crisis Is warmly sympathetic to the United States and said when the stani and stripes bad been uufurlcd over the Windward : "If I had flown the French or German flag over this ship , I should bo regarded with obloquy and loathing by every Englishman ; but not an Englishman would think of ob jecting to placing It under the American ensign. That shows bow differently English men regard the Vailed States as compared with other natlcos. " The Windward called today and as Its ma chinery baa been greatly Improved It Is ex pected to make New York In twelve or four teen days under favorable ccndttlocs. COL'KT COXTIXUES ITS SESSION. DOCKet Know When It Will lie iltenily to Iteport KEY WEST , Fla. , March 18. The court of Inquiry Is diligently ccntinulng its ses sions on board the battleship Iowa , and , judg'ng from statements made by members , It Is quite problematical bow many more daj-ri will pcss before the public learcs its concluslcna. "The courtla still hard at work , " said Captain Sampson. "I have Just left my con- fereca. U Is utterly Impossible to say when our report would be ready. If I surmised the date , and you reported It , I am afraM onje- * ' " thlng would 6ccUr that Wo'uVt defeat "the ! Expectation and only serve to dltappolnt the anxious public. When Iho report I. ) ready It will not be for ua to make the announce ment. Washington , I presume , will do that. " If a preliminary report had already been eent to Washington , Captain Sampson ap parently knew nothing ot It. In the course of the atternoon , while the court continued In session without once com ing out of the cabin , largo quantities of am munition were taken on beard. Tbe lame thing took place on the New York. Both are now better supplied * ltt h fck n Marlx la staying on board the Iowa. The court will resume Its .sessions tomorrow. Unusual precaution/ ! observed on the New York and Iowa , double harbor watches being enforced. Every craft that pastes on IU way Into the harbor la submitted to the Itcl closest scrutiny of searchlights. Both vessels clSI sels are ready to pull out at fifteen minutes' SIn notice , and special attention Is be'ng given to ( the Instruction ot the tallore In small arms and firing practice. Tomorrow the court will devote consider able time to the preparation of diagrams showing parts of the Maine as found after the explosion. „ INSPECTION IIO AHD IS AT WORK. ItciiortH Fnrornlily on Three of the \VnriI I.I no Shift * . NEW YORK , March 18. The auxiliary crulecr board spent the ereater part of to day preparing reports to be sent to Wash ington on second-class vessels .Inspected yes terday. Lieutenant Commander1 Rceder of the schoolshlp St. Marys * and Q. W. D n- forth , past assUtant engineer , were present at today's meeting. It was learned that the , ship Washing ton , which called yesterday , was Inspected yesterday by the merabero of the board. The plans of. the board have been some what changed by order * received from Wash ington today. One of the orders Is said to be a direction to Inspect all obtainable ves sels In the harbor for first-class cruisers. Lieutenant Rceder and Passed Assistant Engineer Dan forth have been added to tht > board In cctnpllauco with a request made by Captain Rodgere , who .found the work so heavy that the Increase membership was neccsesary. After the morning aceclcn the board In spected the Ward llnera Orizaba , Saratoga and Seneca , and the schooners Carrie E. Lane- and Flora Moran. It was. understood that the board at the afternoon ecnslon wan preparing favorable reports to send to Wash ington regarding the Ward Line steamers. * The Orizaba la now being repaired by the Morgan Iron Works company , who are put ting new steel plates on It. METHODIST nilSHOPS AHE I.OYAI. . Make 1'ntrlotlc Spccchr * In the CniirMO of n Conference. CHESTER , Pa. , March IS. The sesslsn of the Philadelphia Methodist Episcopal con ference was notable for the ringing declarations ( tions of patriotism raado' b Bishop Walden of Cincinnati and the outburst ot applause which greeted his remarks. Bishop Walden said the country was at a critical period , but he had an abiding faith In the sober Judgment 'of the American people and In that of Rreeldent McKlnley. The Influence ofthe , church ' , he said , should be on the side'of peace , .and be believed that peace would be preservedi and the freedom of Cujm obtained"1-"While , however , ho deprecated/ / war , he .w ti10i venture to ay that If war shoul conie here would bo < u many Methodist's amfw'er the'call ' as In days ' " * gone by. , r Bishop Goodsell of Chattanooga , -who pre sided , expressed hearty endo/semcnt of Bishop Walden's utterances. He paid no Jioblcr sight was ever witnessed In the his tory of nations than the patriotic wrath that followed the destruction ot a great battleship , and a great nation , conscious of Its strength , waiting patiently to learn the truth before It strikes. Ho hoped for peace , if possible to maintain It , and. saidour , cause must be declared a righteous one before wo resort to the sword. CIHCUI/AHS COXCEHVIXC .RELIEF. . One I'oimil of Cornmenl Per Day Per Capltn to He hutted. HAVANA , M rch 18. Circulars have been sent to the alcaldes of about 200 tow s In Cuba notifying them or ho new methods of relief and also setting forth that cocnmeal amounting to one pound per day- per capita will 'be the first supply sent. Contlnunlg , the circular asks that , alcaldes personally erIn In conjunction with the proper officers or consuls eco that the relief Is properly dis tributed. Further supplies for remote places are made contingent fo the present upon prompt results of tbe authorities as to the distribution , the number of people fed , etc. Visitors to the cemetery flnd the graves . of the dead of the Maine decorated with many flowers while from the central place of sepulchre waves a long streamer of red and yellow with an Inscription showing that the decoration apd. flower * were placed there by the calicos of the Austrian war ship Donau , "In memory of , our unfortunate 'fel- low < allors of the United States ship Malno. " Onler for Povrcler SANTA CRUZ. Cal. , March 18. The Cali fornia Powder works received orders from the Navy department Wednesday for 3,000- 000 pounds of brown prismatic powder. Yes terday the game concern received an order for 200,000 pounds of the same kind of powder for Immediate delivery. These to gether make the largest single order for > powder over given by the United States government on this coast. About six months will be rerqulred to fill $ heso orders , even with the addltlonil machinery now In course of construction by the company. Previous orders for smokeless powder will keep the works running at their' full capacity for a year. SimiiUh SeenrltlvN Tlovrn. LONDON , March 18. On the Stock ex [ change today Spanish i * were quoted at 54 % . The closing prlcjs yesterday was 55 11-10. , PAWS , March 18.r-SpanUU 4a on the bourse today were quoted at 54 11-1C against 6511-16 , ycsterday'a clollns .price. Elder Keellnir AfralMut American * , NEW YORK , March 18 A spwlal to the Herald from San Juan , Porto Rico , says : Feeling against Americano here Is growing very bitter. In view ot the growing feeling , the United States consul'here , Mr. Hanna , will probably ask for a. war ship. It en HO u for Htopiilntr Torpeilo Iluntx. iMADRID , March J8 , The Iropirclal today says : "The Instruction * sent to the torpedo fleet to remain la the , Canary Islands are due to the government's desire th t the squadron should be csjortei to Cuba by a crulecr and for no other reason. " ninilHtoiie'H CuinfjUoii IK SrrloiiH. BOURNEMOUTH. March 18. The follow ing bulletin .has been Issued with reaped to ' Mr. Gladstone : In the absence of any Improvement In Mr. Gladstone's condition , It has been settled In consultation that he should return to Hawarden next weeV. The bulletin la regarded t * having only one meaning. U U understood the grievous ( aclarpalni have returned tnd will BO longer ANXIOUS FOR THE REPORT , Navj Department Waiting to Hear from Ooart of Inquiry , IT IS EXPECTED WITHIN A FEW DAYS Every Precaution Will He Tnkoii to Uiinnl HIP Heport Tilt Ofllelully Given Ont by the OincliilM lit , WllMlllllKtOll. WASHINGTON , March IS. An air of sus pense was noticeable In the Navy depart ment today , due to the approach of the time for the- delivery of the report of the court of Inquiry. It la not known just when the document will conic to Washington , and of course In view , of the reports of the deter mination of outside parties to obtain pos session of It before the department receives the report , Iho oOlclals , If they know , will not say how the papers are to bo brought to Washington. All that Is known definitely Is that the president has suggested that the report be made as eoon as possible , and In consequence quence It Is expected to reach this city In the course of two or three days. The cabi net today talked over the matter and the time stated was the general opinion ot the members when they had heard all that Secrc. tary Long had to report on the subject. There Is an Impression that Lieutenant Commander 'Marlx ' will bring the document , though It Is within Admiral Slcard's power to choose any other officer. A cabinet officer expressed tbo belief that the report will require careful consideration on the part of the- president and' ' cabinet before - fore ' being given to the public , which would appear to postpone publication until some tlmo the middle of next week , although nothing Is certain on that point. The new naval policy embodied In the creation of another squadron to rendezvous at Hampton Roads was also discussed at the cabinet meeting at length today , and received unanimous approval. The San Francisco reported Its arrival orders the commander will divide his crew with the Amazonas acid sail at tbe earliest possible moment for the United States , con voying the new ehlp. Beyond the Amazonas , Its sister ship , Abreuall , and the Mayflower , no purchases of ships have been made by the Navy de partment. A number of fleet steam yachts owned In tbo United States nre being of fered to the department and it Is probable that some of these will be purchased. IMPROVISE TORPEDO BOATS. Secretary Lccig takes the view that falling to secure the torpedo boat destroyers he wants , the best plan Is for him to equip some of these speedy boats with torpedo tubes and light batteries and Improvise tor pedo boats. The Navy department Is con vinced that the Spanish government has not , acquired possession of the Varez , 'the Italian armored cruiser , H would pot , however , be a matter of deep ccuce-rn If the report were true. The department itself. ' had the vessel In mind as a possible acquisition , but aban doned the Idea upon learning that it could not be made ready for service In less than three or four months , which practically put It. out of consideration as an emergency pur chase. The gunboat Newport reported Its arrival by cable to the Navy department , from Grey- town. It will bring back to tbe United Slatc.i the Nicaragua canal commission , and then will be attached at once to the North Atlantic squadron. - Some Idea of the activity prevailing In naval circles Is given by the statement that the pay roll ot the construction department , only one of several departments , In the Mare Island navy yard for March was $80,000. This great expenditure per month , it Is said , was not equaled during the late war. It Is said 'o be the'purpose of the president and his advisers to keep a separate and dis tinct account of the Junds spent from the $50,000,000 emergency appropriation made by congress for the national defense. In ac cordance with this Intention a separate form ot requisition has been prepared and all amounts allotted from the fund are made up on the direct order signed by the pres ident himself. "The president wants to re port to congress Just how every cent of this money was spent , " said a member of the cabinet today , "and for this reason is adoptIng - Ing the above course. " The amount paid for the Mayflower waa about $400,000. RECRUITING IS CONTINUED. Recruiting Js going on apace at all sta- tiers tor the army and navy. The Michigan at Erie , Pa. , has enlisted fifty-five men so far , and good reports COIEO from all quar ters. ters.The The Columbia and the Minneapolis : still 210 each short ot their proper force. Thla Is accounted for by the fact that fire men , machinist * and coal passers ore wanted. An officer at tbc department cald that 5,000 landsmen could bo secured In a day It they were desired. The Marblehcad ! s at Tampa. The little Bancroft , on Its way across th& ocean , reported by cable Us arrival today at Horta , Fuyal. It appear * to bo making about as good time as Its larger consort , the Helena. The Samosct arrived at Key West today , as did the Montgomery , whllo the Detroit . < from that poit for Tortugas. The Machlas has arrived at Boston , whcro It will have slight repalm made. The ordnance bureau of the War depart- ment today awarded contracts for a largo number of steel armor-piercing and deck- piercing projectiles for the coas't fortifica tion guns. There were several bidders , but Instead of giving tbe contract to one con cern , the bureau divided it so that supplies will be coming tram several quarters at ths same time. The report that Oie Vesuvius had been sighted rarly In the day coming through the Virginia capes , headed for Washington gave rlsa to the rumor that It was bringing tbe report of the naval board of Inquiry to Washington. This could not be confirmed from any official source. At the Navy department It was admitted that the Vesuvius was bound for Washing ton , but It was explained that It was coming merely for repairs to Its armament , and it waa denied that It had on board any mem ber of the naval board or that It was carry ing the report ot that body. Tbe Vesuvius did not reach Washington tonight , but It was reported at the navy yard that It anchored off the government proving groundo at Indian Head about 8 o'clock , where It was met by the big navy yard tug Triton , which returned to tbo yard bout 9 p. m. It was denied that the Triton brought anyone from tbo Vesuvius to Wash ington. Secretary Long went to bed at 9 o'clock strict ordera not to be disturbed , THE BEE BULLETIN. Weather Forccait for Ncbrn kn Vr Knlr ; Colder ) Northerly Wind * . TUB * . 1. Spnln MnkcH Another Denial. \ViilMiiK for tilt * Mnlite llcport. Olit filory nit tli < > AniiimiinnH. Seitntor Uiilllnuer nil. Culm. it * Siirirl o on the Hartley Cnin. Senator TliufNton Shirt * for Oiiinlin fl. XelirnxkniIMVN. . I. Eilltorlnl nnil Comment. R , Summer Eiirittiinnieitt nt Omnlin. Oi | ioxltloti to Stiittuiry I'liui. ( I. Council lllulTH l.oonl .Mutter * . limit l < PKlNlnllv ( * Proeeeillimii. 7. lliiHlneHH ItfvliMV of Hie Week. Shuiv City t.oftPN nt llnnket Hull. AITiilrw lit South Omiihn. 8. AVork nil Omnliii'N llnllrnnit Depot * .Smyth K11 I'M IIU Alllilnvltx. After lletter .Mull .Service. II ) . ItltH of Ft * in I n I IIP Coxxlli. II. Commercial mill Klniinelal Xuw * . 11 ! . "Cinylorit of the Went. " Temperature lit O inn lull Hour. Ilrtr. Hour. Heir. R u. m II ! 1 1 > . in ! ! > U n. lit 41 li | i. m l.f 7 n. m. . . . . 41 It p. m - ION N n. in II 4 it. m 17 I ) n. m 12 R | i. m 11 II n. m 42 ( I | i. m Ill 1 n. in \'Jt 7 | i. m 4.1 a m 4U H p. m 14 o u. in tt : sslstant Secretary of State Day spent the veiling at the theater , stopping for a few nlnutes only at the White House , where ho iad a talk with the president In the pres- nco of the other members of the family. OI.UMIIIA GUTS HEADY TO SAIL. lonltor Mlnnloiiomnli IN Arvnltlni ? OrilerH from Wiinlilnntnii. PHILADELPHIA , March 18. Operations t the League Island navy yard today , In- Hul I UK the undocklng of the seagoing tug Leydon , the continuation ot the coaling of , ho cruiser Columbia and the making ready f the monitor Minntonomah for an Immedl- to response to the sailing orders that are momentarily expected. The sailing of the Mlantonomab within the c loursa ot n very few days appears to bo a 'oregono conclusion In official circles at the ards , though Commandant Casey says no , - cflnlto orders have been received. It Is said that when the tug Samosct sailed or Key West recently It carried a cargo of orpedoes from the naval magazine adjoln- ng Fort Mifllln. The Samoset's first orders I'ero to convey to Key West the barge Edith lowes , laden with coal for the fleet , but his mission lias since been transferred to he tug Leyden , which awaits sailing orders. The torpedoes referred to had been accu mulating at Fort Ml ( II In for some time past. 'art of them came for the cruisers Columbia mil Minneapolis. Others arrived direct from ho torpedo station at Newport , whcro they liad been manufactured. All told , there were stored two weeks ago In the big brick liouses along the river front near Fort MltTlIn thlrty-flvo or forty of the powerful missiles , and now not ono remains. It Is only known that they have Ibeeu shipped to Key West In response to orders from Wash ington , and that In accordance with these orders every precaution was taken to pre vent the transfer from becoming known. Only ten applicants for enlistment on the Minneapolis and Columbia proved acceptable today. Over 200 moro are etlll needed. BETHLEHEM , Pa. , March 18. The Beth- chem Iron company tonight shipped three live-Inch .guns , jackets and hoops to the Washington navy yard. SAVANNAH , Qa. , March 18. Battery F , First artillery , arrived hero from Fort Mon roe tonight , and was eent at once to Tybco Island to man the gueis on the heavy forti fications In progress there. Battery F , of light artillery frccn For Rlley , Kan. , will arrive tomorrow and go Into camp near the city. A force Is at work planting the harbor with submarine mines and torpedoes oft Fort Puloekl , at the mouth of Savannah river. Three Inland steamers , owned and opcratei 'by W. T. Gibson , were tendered the gov ernment today for ttils purpose. The tcnde was made through Inquiry -from the Wa : department. WEST SUPERIOR , WIs. , March 18. Th American Steel Barge company , recently pre pared plans for two torpedo boats and a stee monitor which were shown to tbo Washing ten officials by Captain Alexander McDougall who will return tomorrow , It la understood with contracts tor the two torpedo boatn. PORTSMOUTH , N. H. , March 18. A schooner arrived today from New York with a cargo of ammunition and two eight-Inch guns for the fortifications at Now Castle , The defenses of Portsmouth harbor -will b < pushed as fast as possible to completion. 'BALTIMORE ' , March 18. The new tor pcdo boat Rodgeru , built by the Columbian Iron works ot this city , will leave here to morrow morning for Its official trial trip The present plan la to speed from hero t Norfolk , where it will go Into commlsslo If the trial proves successful. ATLANTA , Ga. , Match IS. Battery First regiment of artillery , en route from Fortress Monroe to Mobile , passed throug Atlanta this evening. CUIIA.VS MKiHT PAY 1XDEMXITY If the Flulit Continue * . However , They Will 1'iiyotliliK. . NEW YORK , March IS. That the Cuban are willing to end the atrlfo In their lalan 1s without question , but whllo they are will Ing to pay Spain an Indemnity , the leader hero are positive in their assertions tha thc-y are not weakening In the slightest de grcc , and are willing to continue the fight. The question of the amount of Indcmnlt which might bo paid In caeo such an agree incut were feasible was talked of earnest ! by the officials of the Cuban junta here to day. Just what amount might have bee . paid a year ago , and that which might ueen : reasonable- now , from the Cubanu' point o view , may be gathered from the followln reply to such a question , which T , Eatrad Pulma made this evening : "At the beginning of the dry season 1S9S-7 they would have paid $150,000,000 , bu' ' now they would not give moro if ae muc than $100,000,000. It the wet season should set In tble year before such on agreement could be arranged , wo would not think of paying anything , " nury Maine Victim * . KEY WEST , Fla. , March 18. The two un identified bodies of victims of tbo Maine dU- aster which arilvcd here on the Olivette from Havana last night were Interred today. A squad of blue jackets from the Nashville followed the remains to the grave. The funeral service was read by Chaplain Royce of the cruUcr New York. Klllluiiter * Join the C NEW ORLEANS. March 18. The crew ol the filibuster. Dauntless , seventeen In alt , finding their occupation gone by Uie seizure of " the boat , joined the United State * carte / to ING IN CDBA Senator Gnllinger gays Conditions Ther Are Simply Indescribable. HORRIBLE CONDITION OF TKE PEOPLE Death Rate in Ma tan z is Ten Times tbo Ordinary Rate , RESULTS OF SPAIN'S ' BRUTAL POLICY Red Cross Doing What it Can to Alleviate Buffing. FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND ALREADY DEAD One \Vlu lloen Rot Sec for Hlnmclf Hun \ < t Aileuinile Idea nf the Horror of the Sit- . tuition. WASHINGTON. March 18. Senator Gal- linger was at the capltol today for the first time since his return from Cuba. When requested to make a statement a to his observations on tbo condition of affairs ou that Island , ho responded : "You can sign my name to any picture you may draw of utter wretchedness , destitution and hellishness - ness In that country. The condition of af fairs , so fur aa I had opportunity to obscrvo It , and I was only In Havana and Matanzas. Is simply Indescribable. I had not expected to find tt half as bad as It ! and I do not bcllevo that any one who simply reads the accounta and do s not eea. for himself can afford an adequate Idea ot the situation. The rcconccntradoes are wedged Into all availa ble places In these cities and are perishing by the thousands for want of the common est neccscarlcH of life. The best Information obtainable leads to the conclusion that there have been beyond n doubt 400,000 deaths as a result of Spain's brutal policy and the tragedy goes on from day to day. The So. clcty of the Red Cross Is furnishing nome relief by Its efforts , but most of the people are beyond the reach of aid , cither through medlcino or food. The mortality In Matan- zas for the last four months previous to our visit has been equal to ton times the or dinary death rate. SPAIN'S POOR ARMY. "With reference to the military aspect of affairs In Cuba , I saw nothing which Im pressed mo with the Idea that Spain knows much about modern warfare. The soldlero I saw are not drilled as our soldiers ore. Indeed , they lack every clement of soldierly bearing , whatever may he said of their mer its as fighters. The drills that I witnessed KOTO a travesty on military Ideas. Whllo they weto undergoing their evolutions , the soldiers were talking1 to each other and smoking us freely oad unconcernedly .an they would do In their , racrflrqoms. Erom my observation of them I should not con sider them very formidable antagonists . n the field of battle. "Naturally , there was much talk about th Maine disaster , and so far as I could ascer tain from my conversation with Americans and with these not entirely under the Influ ence of the Spaniards , the opinion was uni versal that the Maine had been destroyed by an external agency , and almost every person with whom I discussed the subject In Cuba expects that the findings of the Amer- can court of Inquiry will substantiate thla view. "There is a divergence of opinion on the Island as to the probabilities of war be tween Spain and the United States , and I am sure that I am within the bounds of the truth when I eay that almost the entire na tive population would welcome any turn ot events , however tragic , that would wrest Cuba from Spanish dominion. This Is true , not only of those who are avowedly favor able to u war for Independence , but of many of those who are ranked an Spanish sympa thizers , but who are at heart In favor ot Cuban Independence. Even in Havana tha allegiance to Spain Is of a very weak and doubtful character , and If vyar should come. It would bo found that there would be an uprising In that'cUty against the mottjer. country which would bo a mcst Important factor in shortening the contest and decid ing It against Spain. " PAIKT1TIOX OF CUIIA IS SUGGESTED. " to llnvif Two nnil Four of llii > I'rovliiccM. CHICAGO , March 18. A special"to Uio Journal from Washington says : The latest plan In to divide Cuba. Senator Proctor suggests that Cubans take all they have -woo' , Spain all It holds. The Cuban * have possession of Puerto Principe and San tiago do Cuba. The Spanish control tha provinces ot I'lnar del Rio , Havana , Matan- zaa and Santa Clara. It may bo that Spain ran bo coerced by diplomatic ; means into giving up Puerto Prin cipe and Sactlago do Cuba , retaining tha most fertile r-urt ot Its dependency. When peace Is rcatoccd , os the United States will Innlst that It must be , the Cubana will po&scss all tney have won and Spain all It has successfully defended. It appears a _ reasonable solution of tlio perplexing flltua'tloirtliat now prevails 'and It ought to bo satisfactory to Spain. Senator Proctor k ) the cloak rooms IIM been strenu ously advocating thla scheme of partitioning Cuba ccd already It is finding some sup port. port.Whether Whether It will bo pleasing to the In surgent * la doubtful. They want tbo entire Island , but under certain circumstances a compromise might bo effected and If It In , the president would bo happy. Ho woulit have estopped the war In Cuba , given tbo Insurgents their Independence and have ren dered It possible for Spain to capitulate without sacrificing all of Us pretentloui honor. mv.UM' ' TIII : AHMIMAX : OUTH.UJKS. Kliulii Ott-rlopN tin * TurU In Govern * HH 1'rovliivoN. DETROIT , March 18. Prof. Dean C. Wor- cheater of the University of Michigan , who has twice visited the Philippine lelandt In the Interest of science , nald that people hero are unwilling to bcllevo the things said about the SpanUh treatment of the Cubans. They scent too abhorrent. Hut If they could appreciate that the outrages In Cuba dwarf thcie of Armenia , they would have stopped them long ago. Bald ho : Kor two years nnd a Imlf I was In close contact with olllolalB of Spain In the Phil ippine lnlnndH and wltncfied the abus ; of the Kovi-rnmmt. Wcyk-r wno at the time gov ernor senernl. IIU salary for the tlmo ho v.ns In the Inland wan 0,000 , but It was positively Vnonn tli.Tt he place. ! U.SOO.OCQ to hla rrtdlt in the banks of 1'arla uiul I/ondon al the cud f that time. \ \ ftrwrt ntv.frt 11 cd.innufi !