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OMAHA [ DAILY BEE
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. SINGLE COPY TTVE CENTS ,
ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. OMAHA , TUESDAY MORNING , 29 , 1898-TWELVE PAGES.
IffHB.TI BE
Financial and Political Circles in Madrid As
sume a More Quiet Mood.
Dons Desire to Discuss Diplomatically the Questions of the Maine Report and
the Be-establishment of Peace in Cuba , With the Idea of Reaching
an Amicable Understanding Madrid Papers Say America
is Yielding to Pressure by the European
Powers , Especially Austria.
( Copyright , in , by rm Publishing Compan
'MADRID ' , March 28-HNew York Woi
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Both flna
clal and political circles today arc quiet
owing to the report that relatloa'J arc li
etralneilwith the American government ,
United Statea officials are disposed to i
Journ the examination of the Malno rep
questions connected w
and more Important
the erllcf. of the Cubans and the re-estabU
ment of peace In Cuba to discuss diplomal
ally Vlth Spain to see It an understand !
Is possible. Woodford today called at I
foreign office to hand over a copy of I
Maine report , and had a long converaat
with Senor Oullon , agreeing to call ag
tomorrow for another Interview with Gull
Fagasta. and Morct. Much Importance Is
tached to these conferences in official
diplomatic circles as Indicative ot a fl
exchange of views In the Interest of pea
The quieter Impressions tonight are
trlbuted by the ministerial papers Cor
and Correspondent to amlc.blo press
brought to bear on the American governra
"by the European powers , headed by Aust
The Spanish naval officer bearing the t
and translation of the Si > anlsh commit
cannot reach Washington before Thursi
The minister of state telegraphed the BI
Ish minister , Polo y Darnabe , extensive
tracts ot the report , with Instruction *
lay them before the president today
give them the widest circulation In
United States. Wood'ford ' will hand
minister of foreign affaire tomorrow a tn
latlon of the American commission's rep
with an Intimation that the president i
ists in placing the whole Issues of the Cu
question In the hands ot the st-nato
hou e of representative * , wlta correspt
ence and consular reports.
haa again made officially >
Tho-l > opo
friendly demonstrations for Spain and
uccess In Cuba. My Investigations ul
that all rumors al
mo to say posltlv
the alleged attitude of European gov
menta must he received with caution.
ARTHUR E. HOUGHTO :
SCEXKS 0V WANT IS ! UWA
StnrvltiB llfcniicentrnilo * Arc Fn
on Every llniul.
' ( Copyright , 1838 , by Press Publishing Compi
HAVANA , March 28. ( New York \ \
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) War , i
and despair are written all over this h
Ick , careworn old city ot Havana from
prado to the wharves. Yet the recot
trades who come trudging la from Plnai
| l Rio and Matanzaa speak ot Havana as a
'
> ot plenty. ,
) By comparison with the rest of the Is
ot Cuba they undoubtedly tell the t
Havanti'tiivlth all Its hunger and horro
a .hundred tlmea better than the hcai
ashes which all the -way from Capo San
tonlo to Capo Muyal mark tbosites of
wore plantations and villages. About
that U left of wealth and property tn i
t * In Havana. There still is money enter
tor Jbull fight every week. Between
000 and | CO,000' ' was raised at a r <
theatrical performance tor the Spanish i
There are liveried coachmen on soaie
rtigce ; gold braid and-.epaulettes g
about the palace. Havana hold * the lait
nant of Spanish glory tn tbo western h <
phere. But right here and In. the prin
etrccts men , women and children d
starvation every day.
Whenever time * are hard or worklni
trlke In < New York , one hears much of s
Ing strikers anl starvation wages. IIu
worklngmcn around Walla llalla hall
co Idea ot what the starvation here Is
A * one walks along any street of Jin
he will see In some archway or doa
what at first glance he will take to
bundle of rags. 'But ' If he looks again hi
notice a yellow , shriveled face and i
fcuratn being crouched there. All look i
Children have the same wrinkled , p
ment faces as their mothers ; all are 1
kelctona.
'Each reconcentrado usually has at hit
a tin hi which Is a paste made of
beam and water. This Is his food fo
day ; ha * been for many a day. Reco
trade * do not beg. It you hand one a ce :
be will look up at you with his big 'cyei
ay : "Muclms graclas , " In a voice 1
( or want of food. It you ask ono whei
came from or the cause ot his condltloi
auswer 1s : "I am a reconcentrado. "
tell * the whole story , driven Into Havai
Spain to starve ; without friends , wl
hope. Sometimes a well-to-do Cuban
diop a penny as he passes a crouching r
ceDtrudo. But a Spanish officer never
Many do not hesitate to say that all r
centradoi ought to die.
At No. 14 Eatrclla ctrcet a dlstrlb
tatlon for American relief stores In
very day except Sunday. Havana 1
vlded Into * lx districts and a week's
supply U dealt out each day to all
r reconcentrado * In one ot the districts. 1
7 ne * ed the distribution of rations t
Two orden publlco * ( armed police ) kept
crowd of about 1,000 person * . That
not dlffloult , because the crowd was
nd * lck. There were sufferers on cru
< ( > their kl * terrlMy swollen from star ?
and dropiy. There were , mothers with
aad there were children ot 9 and 10
younger brother * and ( liters. The
cant * ware admitted 100 at a time.
had t pasteboard ticket and a gunny
A * a ttoket wa * laid on the countei
. ! ckarf * count * ! the name
It * ta to M tUMteBt , who
* ! , . . * _ . .
It with the rations allowed to the fa
'
represented.
The Interior ot the relict depot looks
a well aranged American grocery. Cai
beef and condensed milk are piled hlg
shelves along with Cuban bread and At
can crackers. Yellow corn meal Is the i
clple article ot reconcentrado food ,
pounds of it , with a little salt , is suffl
for a good sized family for a week. As
rations are slipped over the counter
rcconcentrados said : "Thank you. "
of the women added , with a courtesy :
bless the Americans. " A woman knel
the paving etones In front and prayed he
to bless the United States.
SYLVESTER SCOV !
1MIOOK3 OF A SUIOIAHI.VE M
Hoard of ItrvoMtlKutlon MakcM S
StnrtlliiK UlNenvrrlcM.
( Copyrlcht , 1E98 , by Press Publishing Comj
HAVANA , March 28. ( New York \
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) I am
to Btato definitely and decidedly thai
board of Investigation two weeks ago I
absolute proof ot d submarine mine. E
found a portion ot apparatus not used
where on the Maine nor anywhere else 1
world except for working regularly e
llshcd governmental mines. Until gn
permission I cannot cable the exacl
ecrlptlon ot the article found. I can
now eay It could only have been usi
detonating a mine and that plenty o
same thing has been recovered and
now remains In tbo Spanish govern
.naval arsenal here.
General leo Is tranquil. He expec
have time enough to leave properly I
hcstllltlea commence. Officers of the
yesterday afternoon discovered the com
tlon of a big pontoon bridge ready to i
across the narrow entrance to Havana h
between two points a little Inside o
Punta on the ono sldo and Morro 01
other. It Is probable that the po
bridge la Inteiided to save a twenty-mil
tour about the rear of the city. The Spai
cannot move their really good field art
each way In four hours.
All Js breathless expectation here. E
guards'are held In readiness and everj
caution hao been taken by General E
to put down rioting. When the Bache 1
there will be only two very email v
hero for American refuges.
The Vlzcaya and Oquendo ecem to b
paring for sea. It Is expected that
will go to Porto Rico for two reaaons-
to avoid being trapped In Havana 1
In case of a declaration of war ; seco :
go to Porto Rico as the real strategic <
now of a possible war. Spain's only
able coallug station Is there and thlthi
Spanish torpedo fleet Is bound.
SYLVESTER SCOV
Clf.VSIXG A MYSTEKIOUS I
Officer * ot the Fern , llnvc a Sti
( Copyright , ' ISOS * by Pre" Publishing Coir
HAVANA , March 28. ( New York
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Last
about 7:30 : tbo lookout on the Ferni
challenged a suspicious small boat. .
"Boat ahoy" the man seemed to drop
thing heavy overboard. He then took
oars and slid into 'the nlRht towards
and with a brisk wind behind. After
ond'a consultation the boat falls rattli
came down b > the run. Two men i
Into the little shell and off they wer
the night after the Just disappearing
boat to overhaul Its contents &vd
Then the dingy was manned and , unO
direction of Captain Cowles , it made
after trio with grappling- Irons In tow.
; a half hour's search the wherry re !
but the mysterious boat had not surel
Identified. It rounded close under th
caya'a stern , but -when the Fern's
reached there they found a couple of
neither of which wan suspiciously n
nor loaded.
The dingy kept dredging for over a
and all that section where a torpedo
have been was crossed and crosseJ
Nothing was found and the little bo :
hooked on to the falls and hoisted or
The mjsterlous boat was first chal
half a ship's length , a little to the left
It had no sail , and there seemed to
one man at the oars. He appeared un
gain against a strong wind blowing
the Fern's bow and was drifting for I :
challenged. lie then leaned over the
aide , appeared to drop something and
fast away la a direction somewhat c
from that In which he approached.
SYLVESTER SCO'
yo SIM.MAIUIS SI3AUCH Till * MA\G
6 llurnun Harbor Olllolnl * Nub JIM
t Vt-HHfl to Iiullvnltloii.
X ( Copyright , 1S93. by .Pre Publishing Coi
t HAVANA , March 28. ( New York
11 Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The i
Ing of a vessel belonging to the An
government Id the last In the scries
sultii und affronts by Spain. A Span
ficlal wearing the military uniform
a Havana customs house ipent Satun
n board the United States lighthouse
Mangrove prying Into closets and do
d pert secret service work for his gover
o He left only on the vigorous protest o
cral Lee to Captain General Blanco.
When u vessel of any description
k Morro Castle and enter * Havana
s three Spanish government boats ta
k from La 'Machlna wharf to meet It.
are the government pilot boat , the
n officer * ' barge and the customs houio
a The ordinary method ot procedure U
h to corno alongside of ( he Incoming
whoso captain hand * oat the ne <
h papers for each department. .Then v
[ . adlo * and a bow from the sturdy Spi
e at the oars the boat * hurry back to a
d Early Saturday morning the llfl
d tender Ma'ufiwre wrlv * * to HC.TIW
jfja.'trii rtniij > 'iTn > > g
.1
Key West. Its errand hero Is to carry b ;
the cannon and torpedoes that the dcrrl
ottho wrecking tugo have been hauling ou
the Malno for the last week. The Mangr
belongs to the Treasury department ot
United Statce , but Is commanded by a i
ular officer , Lieutenant Commander BcU
Its regular work la to carry supplies ;
provisions to the various lighthouses 1
are scattered all along- the Florida co
> But ever slnco the Malno explosion It
been detailed as a sort of dispatch boa !
carry messages and supplies between
White Squadron In Key West and Aincrl
government officials here.
All ot the mail for Captain Slgsbce
the survivors haa been brought over on
Mangrove. The Mangrove hca a cab la 1
Is the Joy and pride of the lighthouse si
Ice. Around Its heavy oak table tbo c <
of Inquiry conducted Its entire examlna
Into the cause of the Maine explosion. Si
lards In Havana know the trim , neat 1 !
Mangrove well and like everything else
has to do with the Malno they hate It.
work connected with the Maine comes wl
the province of the Navy dcpartm
Lieutenant Ccrnwell was detailed as
Mangrove's commander on this visit to
vana The Spanish customs house is a
ot the military service. The adtianaroi
Inspectors wear the regulation unlforn
the Spanish atcny. ,
When the customs boat came along
yesterday morning , Lieutenant Corn
stepped to the roll to hand the custor
papers to the captain , who sat in the a
holding the tiller ropes. As he took them
aduanaro climbed aboard and Immedlc
proceeded to make ( ilmselt at homo on
Mangrove' deck. Bctoro Lieutenant C
well had time to make any Inquiries of
captain the rowers of the customs boat '
bending to their oars and out ot spea
distance. Then the aduanaro began his c
work. With his hands behind him
walked all over tbc Mangrove , beglnnla
the engine room. He walked Into the cc
galley and peered Into boxes of provli
and 6ags of potatoes. Ho oven went
the pilot house , where was tne mall
containing department letters to Cai
Cowles. The aduanaro etared hard at
mall bagc , but there ho drew the line ,
did not open them. ,
Ono of the Mangrove's crew is a Fre
man who speaks Spanish. Through
Lieutenant Cornwcll questioned his vh
But hie replies were short and not a
satisfactory. "It Is my orders , " was a
all that could bo gotten out of him. 1
tenant Cornwell Jumped Into his la
and wont over to the Fern , where ho
of the searching ot the Mangrove tc
ranking officer , Captain Cowles.
Tbo big captain of the Fern at once
ashore and laid the matter before Get
Lee. Twenty minutes later a mcsst
from the American consulate was or
way to the palace with a letter to Ca ;
General Blanco from the consul genen
was a polite note , but It was short and
and to the point. "Tho presence ot Spi
officials on vessels belonging to the U
States government will not bo allowed
said.
said.There
There were the usual whisperings a
palace. General Blanco replied thai
searching of the Mangrove was all a
take. He regretted It. A short time i
ward a Spanish government boat pul
from shore and brought the aduanaro
That clceed the Incident.
Senor Arrlctte , the administrator ot
toms. who directed the searching ol
Mangrove , said to me last night : "Of c
I put an aduanaro on the Mangrove , t
orders from the palace to Inspect
American ship that Is not a man-ot
The Mangrove Is not a man-of-war , Is
That is why I inspected her. "
SYLVESTER SCOV :
SAYS UXITEO STATES IS TO 11L.
Spain ChnrRon Thin Country '
Fonterlna : the Ilebelllon.
LONDON , March 28. The Madrid i
spccident of the Dally Mall gives aera
the negotiations 'between ' United i
Minister Wnodford and the .Spanish c :
last week , differing somewhat from
given yesterday by the Standard's M
it correspondent. He says :
"Tho note which General Woodford
sented -Wed-aeflday was of a commlr
nature. It demanded that 'Spain ' put ate
to the war In Cuba Immediately , recapl
Ing the damage to. American Interest :
further hinting that the war was a d
to the public health of the United State
continual smuggling between the coa :
Cuba and Florida being the means ot cc
Q
Ing the yellow fever.
"Spalns reply was energetic. It de
that the war would have ended loni
but for the material and moral hell
suppoei the rebels were continually r
. Ing from the United States. The Si
' note complains of the policy followed 1
United States In demanding from Spa !
. termination ot a war which the I
States was virtually maintaining b ;
s
! presence ot a squadron In the nelghbc
ot Cuba and by organizing succor ft
reconcentrados In a manner that woi
offensive to any nation , as well as by
ing In Havana a consul who Is public
agent and representative of the rebel
"Public opinion rejects all Idea ot
Ing and apparently neither desires noi
war with the United States. Yet
knows it Is confronted with the most s
conflict it has had to face slnci
Napoleonic war. There is an omlnoi
BCIICO of excitement among the r
whose' ono topic Is the possibility of v
Is the calm before a storm , which will
out If the American ultimatum come
Think * -War In Likely.
( Copyright , J598 , by Pros Publishing Corr
LONDON. March 28. ( New York
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Sir C
Dllko Bald tonight : "It Is Impossible
press an opinion on euch meager del :
the findings of the Maine Inquiry aa
been published here , but as to the g
American-Spanish situation I can't t > c
war can now beavoided. . Does it oc
you that affairs have come to such
' * with Spain that now she may welcom
as the best means of getting rid of
It has become euch a millstone roue
neck she roust free herself from It
how , and to the proud Spaniard war
bo the least displeasing way. I do not
mediation by any European pan
powers likely. "
PrauiUe * n Statement.
LONDON , March 28. In the Hou <
Common * today A. J. Balfour , acting :
tcr for foreign affulrv , replying to Sli
Ham 'Yemen Harcourt , the liberal I
promised a ministerial statement on tl
uatlon in the fan east before Eaatef.
( ntuaon Appoint * HU St l
KEY WEST , March 28.-Capt ln Sa
announced bl * * taff appointment *
Rear Admiral Slcard' * force , with ti
ception ot ConmaBdar Wet , wbe wll
t Ik *
itfv w m r * r / *
WAR TALK SOFTEN
Ifore Peaceful Feeling N6W Prevails
Washington.
SPAIN SHOWS A CONCILIATORY SPil
Cabinet Officers Admit the Outloofc is M
Assuring.
AMICABLE ADJUSTMENT 13 EXPECT
Precipitate Action by Congresi May Brin
Conflict.
SOME DISSATISFACTION IN THAT BC
(
Hut While the Danger Point I * :
Yet l'nm c l , tlie Political Atniog.
Vhere In Clearer-Titan for
Maur Weck .
WASHINGTON. March 28. Today has b
one of action In every Branch of oOl
lite ; action In the White House , where
'resident ' and his cabinet advisers assem'
n epeclal cabinet sesalcn at 10:30 : o'cl (
ctlon In both branches of congress , wl
ho message of the president on the Mi
loaster and the report and testimony
he court of Inquiry were received ; actioi
ho secret ccnferences of plate officials
Iplomats concerning the latest phases
panlah-Amerlcnn negotiations ; and actlo :
he War and Navy departments , with
ipanlsh situation as tha common puri
> f all tbo varying aspects ] of official act
Seldom has a day been replete wit !
many diverse and Important phases c
Ingle subject. .And yet ; throughout this
Ivlty , the prevailing tonofaa removed t
dmlntstratlon sources , has been more
urlng. more In the line of pJace tha
as been for some dais.
Thla was the Impression conveyed to c
et officers after the special/cabinet eess
'he same sentiment characterized the dl
malic conferences at the State departrc
But in congress , which afforded the grcs
eld for anti-Spanish and Warlike exf
lone , a strain of discontent and uneaol
rovalled after the presldttiV'fi message
ho Maine report were submitted , espec
D the house side. r
The president's message- , { submitting
.lalno . report and accompanying evldc
was the main event of the day. Tho.ro
ad anticipated that the message \\ould
rlbuto to the aggressive spirit were
ppolnted. It contained no surprises.
In the house of representative : ) the :
ago and report was referred to the com
, ec on foreign affairs , and Spanish de
as for the 'time being diverted. In
enate there wSB a * lraltar reference to
ommltteo on foreign nations , and
Money of Mlaslaslppl d ) lTtrod a brief
energetic speech picturing the woe * of C
iVith the report was. submitted the vo
nious evidence taken at Havana and
tVest before the court of Inquiry. Exair
n detail , this evidence proved to be r
more interesting in recital than the cold
dispassionate review submitted by the c
The special cabinet session was held I
over the president's message , ani more
Icularly to consider the latest developn
: n the negotiations now proceeding
Spain. These had assumed a wide field ,
bracing not only the Maine question , bu
entire Cuban problem.
The answer of Spain was In hand tc
flrm note sent through Minister Wooi
.ast week , stating that the condition of C
affairs had 'become ' so Intolerable that
United States could not much longer re
nactlve toward It. The general tone o
Spanish answer impressed ine presldenl
cabinet officers most favorably , so mm
that after the meeting it was said by i
bers that the outlook was far more a
, and that Spain has shown such a
dilatory tone that It was believed It \
make concessions sufficient to perml
amicable adjustment of the present str
relations.
DANGER POINT NOT PASSED.
This was qualified , however'by the i
raent that the danger point' has-no
passed , and that war , while no longer a
ability , was yet a poastlbllty. The pree
has distinctly disclosed to his cabloet
elates his purpose to avert war it it was
slble , with a just solution of the C
.problem , and he had .felt from the dli
lion manifested by Spain that this just
tlon could 'bo reached. Thlo , howcvi
without considering congress , which
now that the subject U formally befo
take some radical action.
Meantime at the State department <
grams were being received from Mil
Wood ford and tbo Spanish minister ,
Polo y Dernabe , was In lengthy confe
with Judge Day as to the prospectlv
justinent.
The meeting between . ( he Spanish mil
and Judge Day came after the cabinet
fcrence , so that such representation as
submitted through him 'did not get t
tbo cabinet. At least two of these
phases submitted by the minister we
exceeding Importance.
The Spanish government made It k
that no objection would be made ti
humanitarian objection * ' "o ! the t
States government in extending relief 1
'
sufferers In Cuba on a far."greater
than hitherto had been .contemplated ,
the contrary , Spain has made'lcnown t !
recognizes the humane jiurposca anlrc
this country and that It does Vet doubl
theeo purposes will be executed In si
way as to avoid all opportunities for
tlon. It Is not expected that''the relie :
be carried In war ship * , as thin would
duce a political aspect into a project
Is purely humane.
Thla acquiescence by Spain clears tin
for the president' * message' of the nex
da > s , asking a large appropriation to
relief of destitution In Cuba. It bad
feared that this relief given directly b
United States government would b
sented by Spain as Indirect Intervcntlc
that event there la little doubt that tl
lief would have been forwarded at any
even the cost of war , M the admlnUti
has felt that a war In. behalf of a hu
object would commtnd the unlversa
probation of the world.
Another important Spanish doci
which reached the loternratnt durini
day was the abstract of the report c
Spanish naval coramkwlon , which in
gated tne destruction of the Matoe.
the only answer Spain lias thus far
to the action of thU government' In ou
ting to Spain through. Minister' ; Woo
Utt KjiAlBfi of the American e ut.
THE BEE BULLETIN.
Weather Forecntt for Nebraska
rnlr ; Colder : Variable Wlr
Pnec.
1 Spnln CooU Oft n lilt.
War Talk l Nat no. l.nuil.
President' * MenmiKc to CongreR
2 Tenlimnny In OnMnlne Cane ,
n KuRene Moore Not Yet Free.
Ueneral XrlirnnUn. XCWH.
4 editorial and Comment.
R Commodore Seliley In Commani
U Council lllnffH l > acal Matter * .
Municipal Election * In lotra.
1 SenlemV IVrlnh In rt Storm.
ATnlr at South Omaha.
8 Mvi- Stock Kxcliniiice llearlnR.
Ilemlo Hair Company Will Ilulli
Ucrtcr I * Held for Trial.
O Ctihan ConiitK and Portn.
Police- Hoard In Imiieuelied.
Hare I.ace for the Kxitnnltlaii ,
Ordem for New llox Cam.
11 Commercial and Financial Xow
lli "The PalmlNt' * Itownril. "
Phtloiiouhy of the Dance.
Temperature at Omaha I
slon are directly opposite of those ot
American court. No demands have I
made In connection with the Maine ,
therefore there Is no response beyond
submission ot the Spanish report.
Following the call of the Spanish mini
at the Stole department , the French
toreador , M. Cambon.Tiad n conference i
Judge Day. This renewed the talk ot
ropean mediation , which Is assuming ta
bio form. The speech of Premier Hanoi
In the Paris chamber last Saturday Is lo <
pen as foreshadowing at least sympa
f not direct steps , toward mediation
Franco and other continental powers. T !
Is good reason to believe that Spain Is n
nd anxloua for this move and has been
xmroglng It at the European capitals ,
.vould not be an offensive Intrusion ,
a. friendly offer to mediate the dlftcrc
which have recently threatened to terml
war between the United States and Si
It Is understood , however , that up to
resent time , M. Cambon has not rcce
ny definite Instructions to take the In
Ivo step In such mediation.
PLANNING THEIR CAMPAIGN.
After the adjournment of the house t <
here was considerable discussion over
loscd consolidation ot the forces In the h
, vho favor some form "of Immediate ac
n the Cuban Issue.
There was a sttong feeling shown over
avoidance In the message ot any outlln
a definite administration policy , and a
Idcd disposition apparent not to await
'urther ' delay nor ersort to tcmporl
measures.
The project to furnish ad libitum
'
Uppllcs to the Cuban norT-combah'ant
'meeting wlth"oppoaltlon , to which'mem
an both sides of th'e house have given '
n private discussion , on the ground , :
hat Spain alone Is responsible for the
dltlons on the slland ; and. second , the
ending of such largo and continued
abroad Is unjust to the people of this c
ry.
The steps taken today on this line we
an Informal nature. Representative Hu
Iowa , chairman of the bouse commute
military affairs , Is leading the movemer
prompt action.
A number of senators and representa
ot both/ / parties conferred with the prea
at the White House today. It Is sale
opinion expressed by those who talked
Mr. McKlnley was that congress wai
cllned to object to further delay town
settlement of the Spanish situation ,
that unless the next message nas
definite the radical members could m
held In check.
At the meeting of the senate commltt
foreign relations Wednesday Mr. Frye
move that the committee remain In cereus
ous session until the questions rclatli
the Maine , Cuba and Spain are settled
Mr. Foraker will Introduce tomorn
resolution recognizing the Independen
Cuba.
nBPOIlT OP THE SPANISH CO
It Klmln ( lint th Explanloni'n
Internal Onv.
WASHINGTON , March 28. A full syn
of the report ot the Spanish naval con
sion , which investigated the destructli
the battleship Maine , Is hero given bj
Associated Press. It Is taken from a
of the original report , which la now o
way here from Havana , the synopsis 1
cabled In the meantime and today plac
the bands of the government. The
elusions are directly opposite to thoao 1
report ot the court of inquiry submltt
congreas today. The synopsis la as folio
The report contains declarations mai
occul.ir witnesses und experts. From
statements It clearly deduces and p
the absence of nil these attendant cii
stances which are Invariably preset
the occasion of the explosion of n torp
The evidence of witnesses compara' '
close to the Maine at the moment
the effect that only'one explosion occi
thnt no column of water wns thrown
the air ; that no shock to the Bide o
nearest vessel was felt , nor on land
any vibration noticed , und that no
flnh were found.
The evidence of the senior pl'ot o
harbor states that there ls ubundnn
fish In the harbor , and this Is corroba
by other witnesses. The assistant
that after thi
nc.er of works states
plosions made duringtne execution ot
In the harbor , ho has always found
fish.
fish.The divers were unable to exnmln
bottom of the Maine , which was burl
the mud , but a careful examination e
sides of the vessel , the rents und bre.n
which nU point outward , shows with
doubt that the explosion was from tl
side.
side.A minute examination of the bott :
the harbor around the vessel shows
lutely no sign of the action of a tot
und the fiscal ( Judge advocate ) ot the
mission can Ond no precedent for th
plosion ot the storage magazines of a
sel by a torpedo.
The report makes clear that owlngi I
special nature of the proceedings foil
and the absolute- respect shown foi
extra-terrltorlalldad of the Maine , the
mission has been prevented from m
uch an examination of the Inside o
vessel as would determine even thi
pothesls of the Internal origin o ( the
dent. Thla U to be attributed to th
grettuble refusal to permit of the nece
co-operation of the Spanish comml
both with the commander and the cr
the Maine , and the different America )
elate commissioned to Investigate
causes of the accident , and later on
tnoie employed In salvage work.
Tae report finished by itatlng that a
( CettBBe4 Seventh
'
DDrcinruT i live IT orrnor rnurorcc
LuNliKtbo
rHLblUtNl im II DLrlmt
Sends Report of the Naval Inquiry Board to
Legislative Branch.
Executive Mnkoa Little Commrl j fiE the Situation Further Than to Say
% nud that Ho
J2sJindine8 to 8Pain
that Ho Has Transmitted * §
ai
Thinks the Eonso of Justice of that Nation Will Induce
it to Continue Its Friendly Relations with
the United States.
WASHINGTON , March 23. The presldi
today eent the following message to ci
gross :
To the Congress.of the United States : 1
eomo tlmo prior to the visit of the Malno
Havana harbor our consular reprcsenMtl1
pointed out the advantages to follow fr
the visit of national ships to the Cut
waters , In accustoming the people to
presence of our flag as the symbol ot g <
will and of our ships In the fulfillment
the mission of protection to American Int
ets , even though no Immediate need there
might exist.
Accordingly , on the 24th of January li
after conference with the Spanish rr
Ister , in which the renewal of visits of
war vessels to Spanish wa'.ers was discus
and accepted , the peninsular authorities
Madrid and Havana \\ero advised ot
purpcso of this government to rcsu
friendly naval visile at Cuban ports , and t
in that view < the Malno would fnrth\\
call at the port of Havana. This annouii
ment was received by the Spanish gave
ment with appreciation of the friendly cl
actcr of the visit of the Maine and v
notification ot intention to return
courtesy by sending Spanish E-hlps to
principal ports of the United States. Me
while the Malno entered the port of Haven
on the 25th of January , her arrival t <
marked with no special incident besides
exchange of customary aalutca and ci
monlal visile.
The Maine continued In the harbor
Havana during the three weckij follow
her arrival. No appreciable excitement
tended her stay , cii the contrary a feel
ot relief and confidence followed the
sumption ot the long Interrupted frier
Intercourse. _ So _ > notlceable was this Im
dlalb effect ait her visit that the consul (
cral strongly urged that the presence
our ships in Cuban waters should bo V
up by retaining the Maine at Havana ,
in the event of her recall , by sending
other vessel there to take her place.
DESTROYED BY EXPLOSION.
At forty minutes post 9 In the ovenlni
the 15th ot February the Malno was
strayed by an explosion , by which the en
forward part ot the ship was utt
wrecked. In this catastrophe two off !
and 260 ot her crew perished , those
were not killed outright by the expla
being penned between decks by the tai
of wreckage and drowned by the Immed
sinking of tbo hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by
neighboring vessels anchored tn the har
aid being especially given by the boats of
Spanish cruiser Alphonso XIII end
Ward line steamer City ot Washing
which lay not far distant. The woui
wore generously cared for by the author
ot Havana , the hcspltalo being freely opi
to them , while tbo earliest recovered beef
of the dead were Interred by the mui
paltty In a public cemetery In the i
Tributes of grief and sympathy were off
from all official quarters ot the Island.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
pie ot our country with crushing force ,
for a brief time an intense excitement
vailed , which In a community less Just
self-controlled than ours might have le
hasty acts of blind resentment. Thlo e ;
however , soon gave way to the calmer
cesses ot reason and to tbo resolve to
vestlgato the facts and await the mati
9 proof before forming a Judgment as to
f cause , the responsibility , and If the I
warranted , the remedy due. This co
T
* necessarily recommended Itself from the
set to the executive , for only In the
ot a dispassionately ascertained certo
could it determine- the nature and mea
of Its full duty In the matter.
FINDINGS OF NAVAL COURT.
The usual procedure was followed , a
all cases of casualty or disaster to natl
vessels of any maritime state. A naval (
of Inquiry woe at once organized , comr
of officera well qualified by rank and i
tlcal experience to discharge tbo one
duty Imposed on them , and by a st
fbrco ot wreckers and divers the court
cceded to make a thorough investlgatlo
the spot , employing every available m
a for the impartial and exact detonnln :
cf the causes ot the explosion. Its opera
Q
have been conducted with the utmost d
lt
oration and Judgment , and while indep
ently pursued , no eource of Information
neglected and the fullest opportunity
allowed for simultaneous Investigation
the Spanish authorities.
The finding of the court of inquiry
reached after twenty-three days ot con
ous labor on the 21at ot March , Instant ,
having been approved oil the 22d by
commander-ln-chlef of the United S
naval force on the North Atlantic att
was 'transmitted to the executive.
It lo herewith laid before tbo cong
together with the voluminous testii
taken before the court. Its purport I
brief as follows :
"When tbo Malno arrived at Havana
waa conducted by < ho regular govern
pilot to buoy No. 4 , to which she
moored In from five and one-half to
fathoms of water.
"The state of discipline on board and
condition ot her nuigazlncs , boiler ? ,
. _ bunker * and storage compartments
passed In review with the conclusion
j
excellent order prevailed and that ,10
cation of any cause for an Internal c
Ion existed in any quarter.
"At 8 o'clock on the evening of Fcbi
15 everything Lad been reported secure
all VIM quiet.
"At forty minutes past 0 o'clock the
el wu suddenly destroyed.
"Tber * war * two distinct explosions ,
iBttrwU totwcM lUa. Tte
T
llftetl the forward part of the ship very per
ceptibly , the eccond , which was more pro *
longea , Is attributed by the court to the
partial explosion o& two or more ot the for
ward magazines.
"Tho evidence of the divers establishes
.hat the attorpart ot the ship was practically
Intact and sank In that condition a .very
few minutes after the explosion. The for
ward part was completely demolished. "
Upon the evidence ot concurrent external
came the finding oD the court is as follows :
BOTTOM FORCED UPWARD.
"At frame seventeen tbo outer shell ot
the ship , from a point eleven and one-halt
feet from the middle line of the phlp and
six feet above the keel , when In Its normal
poa'llcii ' , hofl been forced up so a.s to bo now
about four feet above the surface of the
water ; th.ere.fore , about thirty-four feet above-
whcro It would bo had the ship sunk un
injured.
"The outside bottom plating Is bent Into a
reversed 'V shape , the after wing of which ,
about fifteen feet broad and thirty-two feet
In length ( frcm frame seventeen to frame
twenty-five ) is doubled back upon Itself
against the continuation ot the same plating
extending forward.
"At Jramo eighteen the vertical keel I *
broken In two and keel bent Into an anglo
singular to the angle formed for the out-
eldo plates. Thlo break Is about six feet
below the surface of the \yatcr and about
thirty feet above Its normal position. In the
opinion of the court this effect could have
beeu produced only by the explosion of &
mire situated under tbo bottom of the ttilp.
at cboiit frame eighteen and somewhat on
the port sldo ot the ship. "
The conclusions of the court arc :
"That the loss ot the Maine was not In any
respect due to fault or negligence on th
port of any of the officer * or members ot
Its crew.
"That the en'P ' w13 destroyed by the explosion -
plosion ot ( a submarine mine , which caused
the partial cxploslcti of two cr more of Ita
forward magazines ; and , '
"That no evidence has been obtainable fix
ing the reapahslbillty Tor the destruction of
the Malno upon nny person or persons. "
I have directed that the finding ot the
court of Inquliy and the views of this gov
ernment thereon bo communicated to the
government of her majesty , the queen , and
I do not permit myselt to doubt that the
sense ot justice of the Spanish nation will
dlctf to a couroo of action suggested by honor
and ttie friendly relations of the two gov
ernments.
It was the duty of the executive to advlso
the congress of the result and In the mean
time deliberate t-oiitldcratlon Is Invoked.
( Signed. ) WILLIAM M'KINLBY ,
Exjjutlvo Mcnslon , March 28. 18'JS.
GAULERIES OP HOUSE CnOWDEO.
CruNh IM n Hciiiliulrr of InnitKiiratlon
TIlIlfH.
WASHINGTON , March 28. Except on the
occasion of the Inauguration of a president ,
no such crowds as surged through the corri
dors and stormed the galleries for admls-
slon have been seen at the capltol In a quar.
tor ot a century. Public Interest In the
fin ill rs of the board of Inquiry , appointed
to Investigate the disaster which sent one
of Undo Sam's noblest vessels to the bottom
of Havana harbor and sacrificed the lives ot
2CO bravo American sailors , was at whlta
heat. At daylight this morning pcoplo were
already seeking entrance to the capltol , and
hours before noon , when the bouses con
vened , the marble stairways were choked
with a pushing , Jostling , crowd , pressing to
ward the galleries. Not an Inch of space
remained In the public galleries at 9 o'clock ,
though long lines of people stretching down
the stairways to the lower corridors con
tinued to press forward. Within a few min
utes of the time the reserved galleries werd
thrown open they were completely filled ,
with the exception of those reserved for thtf
diplomatic corps and the families of th
president and cabinet. Admission to these
galleries was strictly by card. Many dls-
tlngulshed pcrsonagea were In the galleries.
The hall buzzed like a beehlvo with the
sound of many voices. On the floor there wan
almost as much excitement as in the gal
leries , although the full synopsis of the report -
port which was printed by the Associated
Press this morning had taken the keen
edce off the anxiety with which the mem
bers awaited the reading of the official find-
ins of tbo board.
Upon the desk of the late Representative
Slmpklns of Massachusetts , who riled sud
denly on Saturday night , a wreath of caster
lilies. Interwoven with tulips , crocus and
lilies of the valley , cast an air of sadncs *
over the vast assemblage.
Fifteen minutes before the house convened
the floor was cleared. The diplomatic and
executlvn galleries shortly afterward were
opened and before the gavel fell at noon not
a scat was vacant. Altogether there were an
unusually large number of women In the
galleries and their gay spring costume *
power that these clouds might pan away.
scene. Chairman Dlngley and Mr. 'Bailey and
the other leader * entered tbo hall without
demonitratlon.
At exactly 12 o'clock the speaker ascended
tbo rostrum and called the houte to order.
Amid tbo Impressive alienee that followed
the blind chaplain delivered a solemn prayer
which rang through the hall like a warning.
He referred to the storm cloud * that hung )
above the country , threatening to break atJ
any time. Ho prayed to God to Interpose hi *
power that ttuso cloud * might pais away
leaving u * In peace and tranquillity. "Yet
If war must come , " he prayed , "In vindica
tion of the truth urd Justice , mercy and ;
flint , lielp u * to be prepared with brain anA
> ' "
