Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA ! DAILY BEE.
ESTABLISHED JTJNE 19 , 1871. OMAHA , MONDAY HOMING _ . , APRIL , , 4 , 1808 * . SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
fcv \ V aS
r ? MANY ARE DROWNED
Levee Breaks at Ehawneetcwn , 111. , with
Disastrous EesaltJ.
TOWN FLOODED DEPTH OF TWENTY FEET
Wall of Water Sweeps Everything Away in
IU Wild Btuh ,
OVER TWO HUNDRED REP3RTEDDI AD
Disaster Oooura at Four O'Olook ' in Ui9
Afternoon ,
WIRES ARE ALL DOWN IN THAT VICINITY
Ilcllcf llont IlenrlnR Food , IllnnkeU
anil Surncoim Lcmo * Mount
Vc-rnoit for the Scene of
, the Calamity.
EVANSVILL.E. Ind. , April 3. The levee at
Shawncetown , 111. , broke this evening and
the entire town is floode.1' from ten to twenty
4 Icet. The lovce Is In front of the town and
the hills are in the rear. It Is reported that
rcore than two hundred lives are lost. All
wires are down and ao particulars can bo
iiod. Ktans/'llo ' has cant two steamboats
. with food and blankets to the scene.
CHICAGO , April 4. At 12:30 : this morning
the operator in the Ions dlotance telephone
.
/ company'a ofllco at Mount Vernon , Ind. , In
formed the Associated Press that the esti
mate on the Icsa of llfo at Shawncctown at
that hour was 200. Mount Yemen Is but
thirty miles from Shawncctown and the In
formation on which the estimate Is based
ufi believed to 'bo ' reliable.
The operator statsd 'that ' fho company'a
Vires to the stricken city failed eoon after
4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. At that hour It
wco known that the darn was giving way
but It was not thought that It would go to
pieces quickly enough to oiuso loss of llfo.
By 8 o'clock It was known In Mount Vcr1-
inVm that many people had been drowned ,
ths estimate tlien being 100.
A relief baat bearing food , blankets and
Burgeons was started down the river and
wai expected to reach Shawncetowr before
morning. Gradually 'tho ' reports of Ices ol
llfo IncreaaEd the estimates , stories coming
from varlouo points nwr the scene of the
flood bhowlng clearly that the disaster was
ifar more disastrous than was at first be
lieved.
People from Mount Vernon and the sur
rounding country besieged the telephone anc ]
!
telegrapli offices , frantic for tidings from
relatives and friends In the flooded town ,
No attempt et an accunito llrt ot the lost
waa possible , however , end the crowds aloof
nil night before the bulletin boards on whlcl
Iwcro pooled the meager reports 'being ' re
ceived.
TWO HUNDIIER AND FIFTY.
CHICAGO. April 3. A. special to the
Record from Cypress Junction , 111. , saya
Two hundred and fifty persons wen
drowned today by the Inundation ot Shaw ,
ncetowo , six miles from thia place.
Tre north levee broke at 4:20 : o'clock this
afternoon , ari.l the Ohio river flowed ovc ;
the town many feet deep.
Scorca of houses are floating about to.
night , and many persons are clinging to th <
wreckage In the hope that rescuers will eocc
appear with boats to take them to place :
of safety.
All communication with the town Is cut
off. Trains cannot reach there and tele
phone and telegraph wires arc dowm Thi
first report that i cached hero was that thi
entire population had been drowned , but thi :
is not confirmed.
The levee was built by the government ani
was regarded ns impregnable , hence thi
people had taken no precautions against i
possible flood. '
It Ji repoi'ted that 'the flood now extend
four miles .inland , and people are fleeing fo
their lives from all the lowland hamlets.
EAUL1NGTON. Ky. , April 3. At 8:15 : thi
evening Superintendent W. S. Martin of th
Henderson & St. Louis division of the LouU
vlllo & Nashvlllo railroad , stationed a
'Kvansvlllc , Ind. , received a telephone mea
from Cypress Junction , 111. , saying that th
levee surrounding Shawneotown , 111. , on th
Ohio river , had broken , and the waters ha
tlrowncd cvcrycce iln Shawncetown.
There has been no railroad coinmunlcatlo
direct between Evansvllle omd Shawneetow :
for over a week on account of the high wate
In the Ohio river. The levee was built b
the government after the floods ot 1S84 , an
has been regarded as safe and people fel
ecurc.
FIIOM LOUISVILLE.
LOUISVILLE ) , Ky.April 3. A special t
the Courler-Jourcal from Evansvllle , Ind
mys :
At C o'clock this afternoon the levee a
Shawncctown , Jll. , broke a mlle above th
town and from all the Information that ca
1)0 secured her < j It Is learned that a grca
part ot the place has been destroyed an
that perhaps a large number ot citizens hav
been drowned. i i
Shawncetown la seventy-five miles bclo'
Kvansvlllo , on the Ohio river. It Is situate
In a valley ot extremely low land , with hill
klrtlng It In the rear and with a twenty
five-foot levee front running from hill to nil
The town Ii very much In the position c
a fortified city and when the levee gave wa
\i \ a tulle above town under the pressure ot th
ivery high rher the water hot through
twenty-foot opening and struck tbo place Ilk
hurricane , sweeping everything before 1
'Houses were turned and toned about Ilk
boxes. The people were not warned ot th
break and for that rcaion 10 many wet
caught. Those at homo lought refuge I
cecond itorlc * and on house tttt * . Those I
| ( \ iho streets were carried before the avalancfc
I IT'
of water and probably a majority were
drowned.
Citizens came from the place by skiffs
to a telcphono neveral mllej away nd asked
for aid from Evansvllle. They said that
more than 200 people were drown el ; and
they had reason to believe It would reach
EOO or cvea 1,000. The water Hands from
twenty to thirty feet alt over the town.
Thcro are , ot course , no fire or lights In
tbo place , and total darkness envelopes the
deeolato scene. Consequently , It "WES Im
possible for them to have anything like defi
nite Information. The men Immediately left
the telephone and no further communication
has been had. No telegraph or telephone
wires are working and outbid ) communica
tion appears Impossible.
At 10 o'clock two steamboats and a couple
of tugs started for Shawncetown under full
head of eteam and It Is expected some of
them will arrive thcro by 2 a. m. They
enrry large supplies of food and blankets
ulckly collected by the city officials.
DESCRIPTION OP THE TOWN.
ST. LOUIS , April 3. Shawneetown , III. ,
as a population of about 3,000 Inhabitants
nd la situated on tbo west bank of ( tie
hlo river. The streets were parallel with
ho river , the principal business street being
ut two blocks distant from the water. The
evcl of the river Is about fifteen feet above
ho city , and the lc\ce bank Is about
wcnty feet thick.
Situated on thla bank , and level with the
Ivcr , Is the Riverside hotel , a large four-
tory building built by Henry Docher. The
otel la generally occupied fully all the year
ound , being not only a transient hostelry ,
iiit families also reside there. It Is feared
ho hotel has been washed away.
When the river Is at Ita normal etago It
s 1,000 feet wide at thla point , and the
Itlzecs have long feared a catastrophe such
.s occurred tonight , as a tremendous pres
sure bj brought to bcav on the levee dur-
ng freshets. Several years ago , during a
Icocl , the water flowed over the levee mad
treets were under two feet of water. Tda
eveo was strengthened and built up after
ward , and the town has slnco considered
here was no danger.
SAG.\ST.l A.MJ HIS TIIOUIILISS.
liliiiiilxU 1'rrnilur .MiiUcw n llcrluvr of
the Situation.
LONDON , April 4. The ( Madrid corre-
wpomlent ot the Standard , telegraphing to
night , says :
'I ' have been able to obtain an Interview
with Senor Eagasta , the premier , and to
Jlclt from him a brief statement with refer
ence to the present crillcal situation. In the
course of the conversation Senor Sagasta
aild :
In our recent negotiations with the
United States wo have used friendly nnd
conciliatory language In expressing our
views. In discussing the matters In respect
to the Maine matter wo said wo consid
ered the question to bo one for diplomatic
negotiation and t'nat If wo and the United
States found It Impossible to come to an
understanding on the conflicting reports of
the two commissions then the matter
ought to bo submitted to technical experts
and to the arbitration of a naval or other
power , who might bo selected by mutual
ugreoment between the two governments.
On the second point wo were able to
-nform Minister Woodford that Governor
General Blanco 'nad issued a proclamation
authorizing : th return of the reconcentra-
dos to their homes nnd that the Spanish
government had sent 120,000 to the relief
of the distressed and would devote to the
same object nil the proceeds of relief
amounting to 200,000 , which had been sent
by Spanish residents in Mexico.
These measures are supplemented by the
assistance already given by the Cuban
autonomist government. We have never
objected to relief being also sent by the
United States , on condition that It did not
have an olllciul character , or bear the np
pearanco of Intervention.
We did not object In principle to an
armistice to the Cuban insurgents. We are
however , of the opinion that It does no
be'noovc Spain to take the Initiative and
that n , suspension of hostilities ought to bo
asked for by the Insurgents. We sug
gested that the United States governmen
might. If so Inclined , exercise Its influence
with the .Insurgents to Induce them to ap
ply for an armistice- , with a view to further
the ends of peace on t'no understanding
however , that the armistice would be des
lined to lend to the submission of the In
surgents to the new autonomous regime.
"Senor Sagasta assured me that tlie ques
tlon ot Independence of Cuba , or the sale o
that colcny , , or any Invasion , ot Spanlsl
rights , were not mooted In. the recent ne
gotlatlcns.
"Alluding to the report that Marshal Prim
had Intended In 1870 to sell Cuba , Senor Sa
gasta said that such a sugcstlon was made
to Marshal Prim by the Americano , but wae
never accept Ml , and the parleying aa the
subject was tmly kept up for some tlmo to
avoid Increasing the acute tension which
then existed tetween the two countries.
"Senor Sagista considers that slnco h
took office In October lost , he has done every
thing possible to satisfy the Cubans- and to
pro rvo good relations with the Unites
States , aod that consequently no responslbll
Ity for the present crisis , should It lead tc
a rupture , should rest with Spain.
"He , however , does not bellevo that th
last Spanish memorandum closes the dee
to further negotiations. Those who con
ducted them , ho said , had on both side
shown a disposition to promote cordial re
latlocs and he only apprehended troubl
from the pressure of the Jingoes oa th
executive In Washington.
"Senor Sagasta proceeded to say that hi
government had addressed a memorandum t
tha European powers , but had not ofllclall
taken steps to solicit their Intervention. H
called my attention to the fact that the people
ple and the prcis of Spain had shown pru
donee , forbearance and patriotism durlu
the crlels , even the opposition having put u
obstacles In the way ot the government. This
ho said , led him to bellevo that all classc
would co-operate In the work ot rcallzln
pcaco In Cuba and facing the contlngencle
ot the future.
"Ho spoke throughout with calm , subdue
energy ot a statesman alive to the eventual
Itlcs of the situation and conscious that h
had done hid duty In endeavoring to aver
war without sacrificing the rights of Spat
In a manner that would create equally grav
consequences at home.
I regret to say that some of the Madr !
papen show 111 humor against England fo
not showing as much sympathy with Spal
In Us trial as the continental courts and gov
ernmento , as.-well as the. press , are suppose
to do.
"Tho Imparclal today has a long and angr
artlclo denouncing England as seeking a
American alliance to make up for Its IBO
lated position In Europe r.nd to strcngthe
Its position In the far east and In China ts
peclally. "
Come After tue > Monitor * .
PHILADELPHIA , April 3. The officer
who reported tcday at League Island nav
yard were Lieutenant Commander Forshaw
Lieutenants Patterson , Eyre and Townseni
of the New York Naval reserves and Lieutenants -
tenants Dexter , Dllloway , Scare and Porte
of the Massachusetts Naval reserve. A imal
detail ot men from "the latter boy arrives
and 'Will be followed by 140 onMonday
Work Is being 'pushed on the Lehlgh ar
Catsklll , which are to go to Boston , and 01
the Jason and Nahant assigned to New York
but no date has been fixed for their depar
ture. The probability U that none will ge
away for at UMI a
MINES IN HAVANA HARBOR
onnect Mono and Pnnta in Narrowest
Fart of Channel.
ECRETLY PLACED BY THE GOVERNMENT
Twenty-four Feet Belorr the Snrfnc *
sad 1'owerfnl KnouKU. to Wreck
the DlRRent Shin that
Float. . .1-
Copyrlght , IMS , by Prosi Publishing Company. )
HAVANA , April 3. ( New York World
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Three nights
go the Spanish government secretly placed
wo lines of twenty mines each under water
etwecn Morro and Punta at the narrowest
art of the channel. This Information cornea
rom official sources and Is absolutely cor
ed. The mines are spherical and float about
wenty-four feet under the surface. Each la
ttachcd by an anchor chain to a heavy
nchored cable on the bottom. Detonating
wires run up the chalra. There Is sufficient
orco there to paralyze the biggest ship
afloat , but It the entering fleet uses counter
mines or bow torpcdoea when approaching
ho narrowest portion of the entrance the
mines can bo exploded.
In Havana there Is tremendous suppressed
xcltemcnt. War Is regarded aa sure. It
IBS been expected at the palace for a week.
'ho Mascotte la crowded with refugees of the
more timid sort. English , French and Ger
man business housca have cabled their rep-
esentatlves to prepare for war.
SYLVESTER BCOVEL.
SPAIN MOBILIZES ? TS FOHCE9.
VlRnrounly for an Out-
lirenlc of Iloxtllltlrx.
( Copyright , 1S03 , by 1'rosn PubllshlnR Company. )
MADRID , April 3. ( New York World
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Reinforce
ments for the Canary Islands will embark ,
consisting of two batteries of artillery and
icavy Krupp guns for fortifications , war
tores and three battalions of Infantry , from
Barcelona Tuesday and two battalions ol
nfantry and one of engineers from Cadi :
Monday. All forces are on a war footing.
Pho torpedo squadron under Corrimodore
Vlllamll , for the present , Is ordered to re-
naln at Oapo Verde Islands , the Impression
icing that the cruisers OqutoJo and Vlzcaya
vlll Join them there It a rupture takes place ,
Cadiz Is the scene of local animation and
activity with gathering wur vessels. Admiral
Cervcra Is there with the battleships
hrlstopher Columbus , Alphotiso XIII , Maria
Theresa , the torpedo cruisers Maria Molina
and Dcntructor , torpedo vcsBOls Orion , Bar-
celo , Havana , torpedo destroyers Oiado ,
Proserplra and Audax.
The minister of marlno today a"e his
colleagues excellent reports of the progress
of naval preparations. Uoth the Pelayo and
Charles V , battleships , will Jo'.n. the squadror
In evolutions bcforo the end of 'the week ,
The government continues to receive 'numer
ous applications from natives and foreigner :
for privateer services , though high naval
authorities are Inclined to make use of trans
atlantlc and coasting steamers for the crea-
: lon of aa auxiliary fleet , as Russia has dcuc
for years past , such vessels combining UK
advantage of transports and actual war pur
poses.
The rumor about the royal family Is false
On the contrary , Queen Christina hi ;
throughout displayed coolness and self-pos
session and a firm and quiet energy that hav <
surprised the ministers , all statesmen , gen
erals and different parties who have seen be ;
majesty. Indeed , Dona Christina has no
concealed from all who have approached he ;
that she has equally at heart the two ob
Jeots to keep in touch with the patrlotti
feeling of the nation and preserve Intact he :
son's inheritance. She takes a keen Intcres
In the early march of ovrat ? and wants ti
be informoJ what persons and papers havi
said abroad and In Spain. In fact , to usi
the words of one of her ministers , It Is easj
iafaeo the queen has In her the spirit of hfii
famous ancestor. May Theresa of Austria
In her disposition to show fight or die hard
ARTHUR E. HOUQHTON.
NEW CnUISEIl BELONGED TO PEIIE
It Will lie Manned nml Will Snl
Tomorrow.
LONDON , April 3. The cruiser whlcl
Lieutenant Comrrander Colwell , Unltei
States naval attache hero , purchased ycster
day from the Thames Iron works , and eve
which ho hoisted the stars and stripes , wa
built by the Thames Iron works tor Peru
It was finished during the war between Pen
and Chill and the British government woul
not allow It to leave.
The cruiser has been entirely refitted dui
Ing the last year and modernized , at an expense
penso of $125,000.
The negotiations for the purchase wer
kept a secret , as Mr. Colwe'l wanted t
secure the cruiser at a good bargain , whlcl
was accomplished. The price asked wa
KOO.OOO. but It Is understood that it ha
been secured for about half that amount
after the owner had been given to under
stanjl that there was only a forlorn hop
of selling 1U
When Lieutenant Commander Colwel
raised itho Btara and stripes over the crulsei
which he did most Informally and wlthou
his uniform , a crowd of English sailors o
the docks cheered heartily.
The cruiser will coal and provision tn
morrow and wll on Tuesday. Llcutenai )
Commander Colwell will enlist a part c
his crow tomorrow , having filed the appllca
tlons of American seamen , many of whor
have applied at the United States embass
and consulate for enlistment.
It has not been decided who will office
the ship , but possibly Lieutenant John J
Knapp will toke command. He Is expecte-
hero In a day or two on board the torpcd
boat recently purchased tor the Unite
States at the Sclilcau yards , where it wa
built for Germany.
Lieutenant Commander Colwell says Amei
Jean navnl officers will be surprised to se
how good a ship the new cruiser Is. He 1
anxious to bo transferred to active eervlc
en shipboard In the event of war.
The correspondent of the Associated Prcs
has ascertained from reliable sources tha
como of the Spanish ships are In bad eonJI
tlon. The Pelayo started from Toulon fo
Carthagcna last night In tow , with 1C
iFreneh workmen on board fixing up It
boilers and making other repairs.
The Carlos V started yesterday from th
Seine ship building yards at Havre for Fei
rol. with turret out of position and Its gun
unmounted. Neither ship will be ready fo
service for a month. They have left Frcnc
waters presumably In the fear that wa
might begin before the recalrs were flnlshec
in which event they would not be permltte
to leave.
EQUIPPING THE XAVAL
Illlnol * Itenerve * ( en Ili-llcn < l- ( or Ac
tlon by'Saturday.
CHICAGO , April 3 , The secretary ot th
navy , by direction of the president , ha
called upon Governor Tanner of Illinois t
have the naval militia prepared for actlv
service , and to have discharged all men wit
families and minors ; to have their place
filled by other men and the force read
for Immediate service.
There i one rapid Ore Hotchklsa gun her
and three others la transit from Washing
ton. The Chicago ship's- crew has reccntl
received 600 Lee rifles , signal flags and a
appliances for signaling and they are 1
transit now from Washington. Appliance
for torpedo practice are also en route fc
Chicago.
Arrangements have been made tor fh
complete equipment ot this force by Satui
day night. Ttielr uniforms will probabl
leave the Brooklyn navy ymrd tomorrow , an
should reach here'byVlhAflay. There wilt
bo 400 blue uniforms and'OO wblte.
The force will la all notability KO direct
to Florida , and will b * wnmtnded by Ed
ward H. HarrkcsK a ' rttuate trom the
naval academy 1m ISJ9. iTe Chicago force
consists ot 400 e * Mirers , 200 men. from
Mollne , who are rl * r law ; 100 from Qutncy
and 100 from AIM. abb river men , com
manded by CommaBde'r Farter. Commander
Harrison la the ranking naval officer In this
city , The entire cottmand of 800 will com
mence drilling hervMmmedhUely.
PEOPLE OP 9PAIT LACK UfTEHEST.
Effort * to Work Up EhaBl nm firing
Little , Remit * .
MADRID ( via > Bayonj > e , France ) , April 3.
Despite the efforts of'tho press to work up
patriotic enthusiasm , the public teems Indif
ferent to the situation . Except among offi
cials It Ui rarely dlscUMed. The people are
chiefly interested In the remit of a big lot
tery just announced and in'tha preparations
for an extraordinary bull fight on Easter
Sunday , at which celebration toreadors from
all parts of Spain will perform.
The people do not'wUh war ; rather they
are Indifferent , as they "always have one in
progress somewhere -and' do not regard war
with the United States aa different from the
others. The feeling that exists hero exists
also throughout the provinces.
Poultney Blgelow 'writes from Barcelona
that with two other Americans ho has Jtibt
completed a bicycle tour from San Sebastian ,
through ' .Madrid to Alicante , In Valencia ,
clear across the wildest part of the penin
sula , and he says : "I found lets Jingoism In
the whole trip than In one block of the Now
York Bowery. "
The queen regent I ? taking a very active
part In the negotiations , and has thoroughly
Identified herself with 'tho war section ot tha
cabinet. Her attitude Is much approved bj
the officials In the army , and has undoubt
edly strengthened the dynasty for the time
being. 'Her majesty Is reported to have told
Genor Sagasta : "I received from my husband
a heritage for our ac-n and will never agree
o have that heritage curtailed. "
Senor Sagasta said to a friend after Thurs
day's council at the palace : "We went In ,
seven men , to see one woman , and emerge !
seven women , leaving . the man Inside , "
meaning that they went In disposed to yield ,
nit that the queen's'patriotism and firmness
'nsplred them. v
At the same time It Is reported that the
queen regent Is doing much to avoid a rup
ture. The activity .of Qpunt Dubsky , the
Vustrlan ambassador , In this direction within
ho last two days Is said'to be Inspired from
.ho palace. Ho has visited United States
Minister Woodford and a prominent member
of the cabinet. " \
Apparently there Is 15 pessimistic feeling
at the United States tlegUlon today.
PUHSIIIENT PATTON1 18 KOU PEACE.
Tallin of the AViir- { ( tuition to the
KludciitM of-Jftrlncotoii.
PRINCETON , N. J. , i prlt 3. President
ration conducted the iTrijIrninnry devotional
cxerc'ses ' In the unlyeartty chapel servlco
'
this morning , end a'ddifcsaed tbo student
noily present , aa . , , .
Wo must all feel tliaT this la n day of
unspeakable solemnitynnd ns wo meet
In the calm and quiet of this beautiful
Siblmth morning , we , clinnot 'nclp thinking
that It Is perhaps tbfc calm before the
storm. There Is a 'pojEsiblllty , Indeed a
prnluMllty , tliat our .jjatlon will be In
volved ilu war , nnd I $ ls1 > to say to you
that war IK not a thlntf to treat lightly .or
In Jest. War Is horrlbtV.
It mu'yi'lx' that tap [ Cause of humanity
will prove a nuIlclentrjp [ tlllcatlon In the
i/roiient Insinncfl , but * & ' war undertaken
by thla Christian rmtloruat this peilod of
the world's history for.any but the best
of reisona would be ti blot on our civiliza
tion. There are , of course , wars which are
waged In obedience to the highest behests
of humanity , and there Is no doubt that
there are a great many who favor wai
today under the Influence of these high mo
tives. But on the other hand there are. a
great many who bellive that the resources
of diplomacy have not yet been exhausted
and that It Is not apparent that It la neces
sary to draw the sword to secure all thai
can bs reasonably nsked.
I am sure that I am speaking for you
when ! I say that the. president of the United
States deserves the gratUude of the natlor
for 'his manly courss In the-s ' negotiations. .
He has borne himself with quiet dignity anO
his patient , calm judgment and unswerv
ing desire for peace nre'worthy ot the high
est praise , nnd hav * won for him the con
fidence of all calm1 peace-loving and sober-
minded men. May God lay His hand upor
the feverish pulse of the nation. May th
rovsrnmenta of fnese two nations be not
driven to undertake itiwar that must nol
only threaten bankruptcy and revolution
and pofslb'.y \\one calamity to Spain , bul
bo costly beyond expression In the sacrifice
of blood and treasureto.the ) American pee
'
ple. -
AnCIiniSIIOP IHBE.A3D CALLED IV
i ' .
ni nndcn tue Pop * from lAtteniptlnN
to Mefllnte.
( Copyright , 1S9S , by Prefr Publishing Company. ]
ROME , April 3. ( Now York World Cablegram -
gram Special TclegTKnj. ) The pope cabled
Archbishop Ireland "this simple message
"Use your good office ! to preserve peace. '
Archbishop Ireland wsVchosen preferably t (
*
the papal delegate Or-S cardinal , owing t (
his noted Influence wlth > McKlnley.
9 Archbishop Ireland Irdmedlately proceede *
to Washington to Initiate measures , and hai
cabled the Vatican deukdlng ! a formal offei
of papal mediation , Observing that Amerlc :
Is essentially a Proltfctant country , wltl
prejudices regarding Vatican methods am !
doubts of papal favoritism for Spain , whost
king Is the pope's godson.
Browr.son , the navalfivoy from Washing
ton , Is leaving Rome'wthout ' making deflnlti
purchases. . 'tj
MADRID , April 3. SMor Capdepon , mlnla
tcr ot the interior , staffs officially that thi
pope has accepted the-tsk of mediating be
tween Spain and the XJnlteil States at thi
suggestion of the lattlf , both nations ac
cepting his mediation'- ;
WASHINGTON , Aprt } # . Assistant Sccre
tary of State Day has.-authorized an officia
denial of the statement ) that the pope Is t (
mediate between this .country and Spalo.
3 WOOUFOKD 19 WO KIXG Voit PEACE
1
Say * He Cannot illejleve There Wll
lie f ? V r-
MADRID , April 3.j-Ai ) . m.In answer tc
a request from the ABMtlated Press Genera !
3 Woodford , the UnltpX | tates minister , hat
made the following statement :
The obligations ofmjr diplomatic post
tlon absolutely forbid * iy granting an In
tervlow or jflvlne- the wllgh est Intlmatloi
as to the present , condition ot t'no dlplo
matlc negotiationa ehffusted to my care
I came to Spain Under Instructions fron
President McKlnley ti > secure peace It
Cuba , with a permanent peace between thi
United States and8 win , a peace tha' '
should be built upon x'd-rock conditions
conditions of Justice to Cuba , with assurei
protection to the great American Interest !
in that Island.
I have labored steaflHy to obtain this re
suit. I have never stoat my faith and
doubtful as condition * y seem today ,
still believe these gm | and good purpose
of my president may yet be secured.
sVialt not desist fron 'my labors for a jus
and honorable p acc itntll the guns actu
ally open tire , and my , faith Js still stroni
that war. with all horrors , can lx
averted. , ,
Enough blood ha be n shed In Cuba al
ready , and I cannot- believe the closlnf
hours ot the nineteenth century will b
reddened by a confllclfcDetween Spain am
the United States : Mf country asks fo
conditions that will make peace permancn
and I hava faith that > 6pain will do wha
Is necessary to assur * Justice In Cuba am
with justice peace I * certain.
Cambou ( Act ( or Spain.
LONDON , April , 4. The Paris correspond
cut of the Dally.QbronJcleeays :
The fact that X. Ctmbon , FrenUi ambts
sador at Washington-Ww been Instrucled't
act for Spain In the event of the departur
of Senor Polo y BenMbe. * hews that M
Hanotaux has made another clever move , It
which the neutrality of Franco la quallfle
by a show ot Influence xercUed neceesarll
on behalf of Spain , and placing France Ii
the position of a humane protector wlthou
BM thao moral
PRESIDENT ASKS MORE TIME
'arty Leaden Ara Disposad to Wait a
Little Longer.
MEMBERS ARE ALL BECOMING RESTLESS
Vhlle It U Probnble ConnrenB Mny
Withhold Action n Few llnyi ,
Wcdnemlnr Will Surely
\ He. the Limit.
WASHINGTON , April 3. The opinion al
most universally held In Washington tonight
by leading public men and diplomats Is that
he crisis will reach Its climax this week
and that the question ot war or peace will
o determined within the next seven days.
Senators and representatives met and con-
erred all day about the gravity of the situ
ation and at the White House the president
consulted with several members of his cab-
net and other confidential advisers regard-
ng the mcssiago which ho Is preparing to
send to congress.
At the State , War and Navy building
active work was going on and altogether It
has been a day of suppressed feeling. Noth-
ng has been announced as to the day the
message Is to be sent to congress and It
s believed Itwill not go In tomorrow. It
a believed that more probably Wednesday
or Thursday will bo the day selected.
Besides tho. physical work of preparing the
comprehensive document upon which the
president expects to rest his cas * with the
world , there are other reasons why these
n charge of the war preparations will wel
come every hour's delay. War material
which we have ordered abroad Is not yet
shipped and the factories In this country
will work day and night making powder
and projectiles and are anxious for delay.
Some of the factories In Connecticut with
contracts have telegraphed Representative
Hill urging all delay possible. They say
every day now Is jjroclous.
There la still a difference of opinion as
to what the president will recommend In his
message. Indeed there seems to be a ques
tion ns to whether the president will make
any specific recommendations. Some of his
most Intimate friends , however , assert em
phatically that his recommendations will bo
specific and vigorous and such that his party
and the country could willingly follow when
ho points the way.
Y1HLDING TO PARTY FRIENDS.
One of these said tonight that the presi
dent , In his strcag deolro for peace an.1
earnest hope that war mlftit possibly bo
avoided , was yielding somewhat to the senti
ment of the leaders of his party and the
country. He has not given up hope yet that
hostilities may bo averted. Thcve are thcao
who believe the prealdent has not yet made
up his mind as to the exact course he will
pursue , and there seems to Lo a question
as to whether the ccQBitlar reports and the
diplomatic correspondence Is to bo tt-ans-
mltted with the message.
The suspense" caused by the necessary delay -
lay In the preparation of the message la
very trying uponi members of both housed ,
and the meat universally discussed question
In Washington tcalglit is whether congress
can bo restrained until the message Is trcns <
mlttcd. All recognize the task of preparing
our case for the world's Inspection and .the
ca'r which must be exercised , and there
seems to bo no disposition to "unduly"
bastcrt the president.
The party leaders are extremely anxious
to avoid a breach with the executive , sucli
as would occur if ccngreei ? were to take
the Initiative , After a careful canvass , ol
the situation today they believe the'radlca !
republicans can be held In line a few dayc
longer , until Wednesday , a.t least.
The conference ot republicans of the house
who have been Inalstlag upon prompt action
hold another meeting tomorrow night ,
While many of them are now In favor ol
giving the president more leeway than- - the )
were last week , It Is realized that twenty
flve republican votei In the house would
with the democratic and populist votes , be
sufficient to act.
REPUBLICANS WILL WAIT.
It can be pretty confidently asserted thai
all the republicans ot the house , with pog.
Bible exceptions , which could be counted o :
the fingers ot one hand , can be controlled
until Wednesday. After that what mlghi
happen If the president asks for further Uc
lay la problematical. Mr. Bromwell of Ohio
for Instance , who says be hopes he will no
be obliged to part company with the presl
dent , says he will vote with the democrat
If accessary to overrule the speaker aftei
Wednesday. Mr. Cooper of Wisconsin hai
made a similar statement.
The republicans of the house committee 01
foreign affairs have held informal meetlngi
today , and have practically agreed to repor
a resolution of a tenor similar to that agrew
upoa by the foreign relations committee o
the senate. The house committee will prob
ably follow the resolutions of the senate re
gardlng the blowing up of the Maine. Thesi
resolutions will be practically agreed upai
by the committee tomorrow , but will not bi
reported until the president sends his mea
sago < to congress , although there Is at leas
one of the republicans ot the committee whi
Is In favor of formally reporting them tomor
row.
row.Mr.
Mr. Adams , the acting chairman of th
committee , .In the absence of Mr. HIU , sav
the president today and Informed him of th
probable action of the committee. All th
republicans called upon Mr. Hltt at his resl
denco during the day. Mr. Grout said tha
while some of the republicans of the hous
were very Impatient , ho thought they wouli
restrain themselves If the president dcsJrci
a few days additional. Mr. Grout has prepared
pared a resolution which ho will Introduc
tomon'ow appropriating $1,000,000 'to rals
the hull ot the Maine. <
"If It was blown up , " said he , "wo oai
well afford to spend $1,000,000 to demonstrat
that fact. Its hull could bo raised by bulldlni
coffer dams. If It was blown up the trutl
wJll be known. Murder will out. "
Representative Bishop ( rep. , Mich. ) say
that the members of his delegation , althougl
strongly for action , are willing to give th
president a reasonable time. "There ma ;
be Influences making for peace of which w
know nothing , " said he , "and wo ought t
defer a few days If Mr. SIcKlnley desires
Be&ldes , every day adds to our war prepara
tlons. "
'Mr. ' Loud ( rep. , Cal. ) saM be was wlllln
to wait upon the president. Mr. Babcoc
( rep. , WIs. ) , chairman on the concessions
campaign committee , expressed doubt es t
whether the house could bo held beyond to
morrow.
EXPECT OFFERS OF MEDIATION.
The prospect of European mediation ha
aroused the keenest Interest througbou
diplomatic circles here , and although Inqulr
at the leading embassies and legations fallc
to 4186)030 ) that any actual move had bee
made , yet such a move Is anticipated alnrot
any time , and when taken It Is felt that I
will bo an Important factor tn the sltuatlot
It boa beoa expected that France would b
the first to act by a tender of Its good
offices , tip to tonight , however , the Frenc
ambassador , M. Cambon , had received no In
structlons In this line. There Is the sam
anticipation , but lack ot definite action , 1
British , German and other diplomatic qua :
tera.
It 1s probable that mediation would talc
definite form If the foreign representative
were convinced that war was Inevitable an
Was about to be declared. While they lee !
upon the situation as grave , the genera
sentiment among them la that the matte
hag n t yet progressed beyond the range o
diplomacy and a pacific settlement. For tha
reason there was a strong Inclination show
today to wait until the president's messag
was sent to congress , the feeling being tha
the real Issue could cot be determined untl
the message had been submitted.
At the outset Spain was roost earnest fo
mediation , and to this end addressed a not
to the powers about ten days ago. Now
however , a * the prospect ! ( or mediation. {
TUMPEHATUUK AT OMAHA.
tour. Heir. llonr. Urn.
B
n
7 n
H n.
n n
0 a
1 n
2 m 43
Yesterday afternoon Pher office In
Omaha received the feM H Rotlflcatlon by
clcgraph : "Hoist norta Hl. Rain turn.
ng to tnow tonight , jl HVnd shifting to
Igh northerly. "
car to bo growing , iMJpgnlBh authorities
com to bo less lnclWSig < arJ this course ,
'his may bo due t < WjMU that Spain had
nokcd on mcdlatloiflCJRjIndirect fonn ot
itcrventlon of thff-cirroscttn powers In
aver of one of their own number. The
panlsh note developed , however , that the
ewers were not ready for any such radical
tep. Franco made the first declaration ,
hrough Premier Haciotaux , In the French
Chamber , that Franco would treat both
artlcs alike , as friends. This was an un-
xpcctcd reverse for Spain , ns It had felt
hat the French ownership of Martinique ,
luadaloupo and other Islands would Incline
t lo sympathize with Spain la defending
Is sovereignty over Cuba.
POWERS WOULD FIRST CONSULT.
It was stated by one of the atnbasradora
oday that any move In the form of media-
Ion would first assume form by an i-x-
hango of notes among the European powers ,
which could be done very speedily by tele
graph In case a war crisis seemed at hand ,
n tuch event the general understanding
nioiiK diplomats hero Is that Orcat Britain ,
'ranee. Germany and Austria would bo con-
ulted. as their commercial Interests would
10 seriously crippled by a war between the
United States and Spain. While Russia and
taly also might bo consulted , owing to their
afluencc In European affair ? , yet their Im
mediate Interest tn the Spanish-American
'cnfllctwould bo far less than that of the
Hicr countries mentioned.
H Is probable that negotiations will bo
opened by this government with Denmark to
allow cable messages to come over the French
Inc from the Danish Island of St. Thomas
: o the United States. With the Leeward
. ( 'lands , ot whlh St. Thomas la a center , as
.ho probable center of. any naval operations
ivhlch may result fron tno present crisis , It
Is recognized as of vital Importance to > e-
cure cable facilities not controlled by Spain.
At present the cable line touching at Porto
Itlco , and subject to Spanish control , Is the
only means of communicating with HICBO
Islands.
The French cable lands at St. Thornon , but
: ho titatlon Is merely for testing purposed and
messages are not received or delivered. It
Is now proposed to have this station turned
into a regular bureau , In which case the gov
ernment could bo brought Into closer cable
communication with any na\al remlezvoua
there. The establishment ot the bureau
thcro will re-qulro the consent of Denmark ,
and It Is probable this will bo anked through
the United States minister at Copenhagen
within the next few days.
It lo unJeiBtoo-J the Danish government
did not view with favor the recent proposi
tions to purchase the Island of St. Thomas
for use as a coaling station , ao It was felt a
sale of the Island at this time would bo an
unfriendly act toward Spain. This view \\iia
communicated to Washington and was doubt
less made known to the department through
the Danlfli minister here.
T3U3Y SUNDAY FOR POLO.
The Spanish minister , Senor Polo , and his
staff had a very busy Sunday , although It
did not bring any developments changing
the situation. The minister did not ECO
State department officials during the day.
His last official exchange with the author
ities was on last Friday , after Spain's
answer had been received , since which tlmo
the negotiations have been at a halt.
This , however , has not lessened the Span
ish minister's activity In keeping his gov
ernment fully apprised aa to the general
aspect of affairs In this country.
The elaborate manner in .which this cable
Intelligence has gone to the authorities at
Madrid Is probably without a parallel. It
Is understood that when the situation be
gan to assume Its roost ssrlaus aspect a
single cable dispatch sent by the minister
to the foreign office at Madrid cost $1,000.
Another dispatch cost $700 and another
$400. In this way Madrid authorities are
kept In close touch with the condition ot
affairs , not only as it relates to official
negotiations , but more particularly to thoss
circumstances which will permit the Ma
drid government to gauge the situation at
Washington.
Secretary Sherman gave a dinner last
night at which the Spanish minister was
one of the guests. Senator Lodge of the
senate committee on foreign affairs and
Colonel Fred Grant of New York were also
among these present. The presence of the
Spanish minister at the homo of the sec
retary of state was void of circumstance ,
except as chowlng tbo pacific outward ap
pearance of affairs. iBelng purely a social
gathering the Spanish situation was not al
luded to , although It IB said to have required
eomo tact to avoid the absorbing topic of
current Interest.
It Is understood that tbo message to be
sent to congress by the president will In
clude a comprehensive statement of the re
lations ot the United States to the Cuban
question.
One member of the cabinet said today It
would cover a period of perhaps fifty years ,
would detail at length what had been the
policy of the last administration , how Pres
ident McKlnley found matters when he was
Inaugurated , and his recommendations at
this time.
The threatened action of Germany to send
a war ship to Havana to obtain Indemnity
In the Cannamabra case Is the occasion of
considerable comment In various circles. The
dlscuralon was predicated entirely on the
possibility of the outcome of such action In
the event of war following between the
United States and Spain. Fear was expressed
that Germany would not hesitate long if
Spain refused Indemnity , and that It might
got its men of war into Havana harbor
and take possession of the place bcforo war
was declared. In this case It was argued
that the port would then.bo regarded as a
neutral one , which would Inhibit this gov-
ernrr\ent \ from striking a blow at the city ,
the vital point ot the whole Island.
MAKES APPEAL TO IXSUHGEVTS ,
AntanomlNt CnMnet A U Unit an
ArmlMtlce lie ArriiiiKed.
WASHINGTON , April 3. The Spanish
minister has received a cablegram from
Havana stating that tbe autonomist's cabi
net there has addressed an appeal to the In
surgents asking them to adjust an armistice
to fix terras of peace.
The full text of the message could not be
secured tonight , aa Its translation was no )
made at the legation. The Insurgents arc
appealed to on the ground that they are all
Cubans and tticuld unite for peace and lib
erty wftlch all want.
The appeal also states that Spain Is willing
to enlarge the present scope ot autonomy
and will suggest such a plan to tbo Cortcc
which Is eocu to meet.
linn Xo Fnltu In Intervention.
LONDON , April 3. The Berlin correspond
cot of the Dally Chronicle claims to have
trustworthy authority for the statement thai
though the Austrian court Is deeply con
cerned for peace , Emperor Francis Josopl
believes that Intervention between Spain anc
America would do more harm than good.
Call * on. Montana 3Illlla.
BUTTE. Mont. , April 3. The adjutant
general of the militia baa Ismied an ordci
for all troops to be resdy to reepccd to i
call In twenty-four hours.
Vesnvln * Goem to Norfolk.
WASHINGTON , April 3. The dynamlti
cruiser Vesuvius left here today for Norfolk
It Is expected from theje It will go to Kej
NO RATE REDUCTION
[ earing on Tibbies Complaint is fol
Political Effect Only ,
OARD POWERLESS TO GRANT REUE >
Eeduction of Nebraska Freight Bates Til
Up by Injunction ,
ECULIAR PROVISIONS OF THE DECREfi
loads Oannot Moot Such a Demand Even if
Thay Wish ,
ATTORNEYS FOR THE STATE OUTWITTED
UncoverMnilo Ity Attorney Genera )
Si ) th C iic Tiilnir OriK-r Cirnntcd *
li)1 JnilK ' Ditnily mill AlHrmril
by Suiin-iiie Court.
LINCOLN , April 3. ( Special. ) The Statit
Board of Transportation has set the hearing ;
n the case brought by T. . H. Tlbblca , asking )
for a reduction In local freight rates on alt
Nebraska lines , for next Wcdnc-s-lay. Thcj
tearing Is a foreordained farce. The sccrc *
tarlca know that they are expected to makq
a grandstand play for political prestige , anil
that Is the only reason why the Tibbie
case , which was Instituted for buncombe bcj
ere the last state election nearly a year ug
hts been resurrected at this time.
The hearing will bo a farce , no matterj
what the finding may bo , ibecauro no ordcn
t the board can bo enforced. This discovery ) ]
IBS recently been made by Attorney OeneraU
Smyth , who finds that the decree In the
maximum freight rate case , as alllrmcd byJ
the supreme court , Is an effectual ban !
against tbo enforcement of any such ordenj
Not only this , but according to the lltcraW
reading of the dccrco the rallroul officials *
are enjoined from making any reduction !
oven on their own motion , form the rate *
which were In force at the time the original
proceedings ) were begun In July , 1893. It
must bo remembered that the Miprcmo court
Amply affirmed the decree which had been
entered by Judge Dundy In the lower courti
That part of * the dcereo which la effective
upon the rate making officers of the
roads reads as follows :
That the said railroad companies nn < l
each and every one of them , and paid re
ceivers , bo perpetually enjoined and rc
strained from making or publishing a nchcd
ulo of. rates to bo cnanrcd by thsm or anyi
or either of them for the transportation ?
of freight , of and over their respective !
roals In this state from one point to nn-
other therein , whereby such rates shall bo
reduced to these prescribed by the act ofi
I'.io legislature of this state , called In thcf
bill filed therein , "House Roll 33 , " and cn
titled , "An Act to Regulate Railroads ; to ?
Classify Freights ; to Fix Reasonable Maxt
Imum Rates to Be Charged for the Trans
portation of Freight Upon Each of thrf
llaCroads in the State of Nebraska and
Provide Penalties for the Violation of this
Act , " approved April 12 , 1693 , and below1
these now charged by said companies on
cither of them or their receivers , or lr >
anywise obeying- , observing or conforming :
to the provisions , commands , Injunction *
and prohibitions of said alleged act. , |
REDUCTION IMPOSSIBLE. '
Attorney General Smyth says that there IS
no question that so long as this decree < ls la
force freight rates cannot be reduced In Nc
braska , either by the railroads or by the *
State Board of Transportation , below what
they now are. The little Joker In the decree !
la the clause , "and below these now charge )
by salJ companies , or either of them or bJl
their receivers. " This clause was unquca *
tlonably smuggled l-.ito the decree by the at *
torneys tor the railroads , completely out
witting the attorneys for the state. Whllo It
la usual for the court to allow the attorneys
for the successful party to draw up thd
order , had the attorneys for the state beca
vigilant no such trick could have been
played. Attorney General Smyth says that !
he has discussed this question with John L * .
Webster , who was retained at a big fee ton
the state and was supposed to have looked
after the state's Interests , and that Mr. WebV
Bier admits that the state has been tied la tf
bow knot by the shrewdness of the opposing
attorneys. Attorney General Smyth cx
presses his Intention to go to WaahlngtoM
bcforo the adjournment of the present terns
of the suprcrdo court and ask for a molldca *
blon of the decree , at least upon this polnt
Ho thtaks that the court ought to accede to ?
such a request onthe mere presentation o0
the facts , but Mr. Webster gives tohn no cn
couragement in his expectation. I
In the Interval the decree of the circuit
*
court la In full force. The attorney general
knows Its scope and effect and so docs ever } )
member of the State Board of Transporta *
tlon. The board may have a hearing of thd
Tibbies case , but so far as reducing tha
charges exacted from tbo farmers and pro *
ducers of Nebraska , It has no more Idea oC
accomplishing anything that It had when It
had Itself enjoined from reducing telephone )
aad telegraph rates under the new lavg
passed by the last legislature. In tlio mean
time the members of this set of bogus antlj
monopoly railroad regulators will continue tij
draw their fG.OOO a year /or doing nothing
and humbugging honest autl-monopollsti. 4
II ran ii anil Duvl * llurlril. , " >
WACO , Tex. , April 3.-The fiin-rals o $
IJrann nnd Davis today were largely aN
tended , both corteges being oyer n mlla
long. The floral offerings were magnificent
No demonstration of any kind occurred *
Hrann's pallbearers Included Walter 8 *
llakcr , px-chalrman of the state democratic ]
executive committee , and two of the rnosc
prominent p'nyslclans of the city. Hplsco *
pal Rector 1'agc , brother of Thomas Nel *
son I'ane. conducted the ceremonies. DavluV
obsequies were equally Imposing. , t
- a
Carpenter * Oo on a. fttrlkr. 4.
CHICAGO , April 3. Three thousand
ncymcn carpenters will go on n "trlke lit
this city tomorrow morning. Men to thd
number of about 20,000 will probably ba
laid oft on building1 repairs , etc. , as theM
cannot work unless the carpenters do. Tb
strike Is duo to the ] refusal of the Journey'
men to agree that no work shall be don
for bosses outside of the Uullder '
Uea- '