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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 1898)
I THE OMAHA I DAILY BEE. ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. OMAHA , WEDNESDAY MORNING , .l. 0 , 1898-TWELVE PAGES. LNGLE COPY FIVE CENTS. IT WILL COME TODAY President's Long Looked Per Document Will Bo Given to Oongreta , T MEETS APPROVAL OF THE CABINIT Eeccmmends Armed Intervention , but Sets No Time. OrPOSES RECOGNITION OF INDEPENDENCE foes Not Gall for Immediate Action Except in Eo'.iof. CHIIF AIM 13 TO STOP HOSTILITIES It Will StiKircut Hint Thl * Government SupervUe the AITulm of the lulu nil Until 1'fiico U Fully Hefttored. WASHINGTON , April 5. That the presi dent's message will go to'congrcss tomorrow io the best Iniotmatlon obtainable In Wacti- Ington this evening , though the kaleidoscope of International events appears to be moving BO rapidly at Madrid as to make possible some now and possibly remarkable change In tbe aspect of affairs that will prevent this statement holding good. The message la. ready , makes about 7,000 words , and has been approved by the cabinet. It recommends armed Intervention ( but so far ae known wlihout stating that tills should be Immediate ) , by tbo United States to prevent - vent hostilities , and succor for the starving people. It makes an argument against recognition of Independence at this time , and makes It clear mat In the opinion of the administra tion It la the duty of this government to supervise illie affairs of the. Island until In the ll&lit of fuller Information a stable gov- eiument can be established. The day has been prolific of reports of mediation on the part of the European pow ers , but a summary of all news on this point la that the powers of Europe cannot agree , and that their Interference would be unac ceptable to the government of the United I States. The safety of General Leo and of consuls and other Americans In Cuba Is a matter ol concern to tbo State department , but adv'ces ' from General Lee Indicate that the trans portation of all Americana from Cuba would take some tlmo and apparently showed tuiit ho did not ahare fully In the apprehension felt here. Throughout the day nusiml activity wit manifest at the foreign < mblej au'l ' lega tions representing the great powers ol Europe. These representatives are the BritIsh - ' Ish ambassador , Sir Julian Puuncefote ; th < French ambassador , M. Carabon ; thoGermar ambassador , " Dr. von Holleben ; the Itallar charge d'affaires. Count Vlncl , and the Aus trlan minister , Mr. von Hengenmuller. Theac officials were kept fully tiuvUed and it wat expected that a concerted movement -nouk bo made almost any moment. nc AMBASSADORS CONSULT. . 'About midday the British ambassadoi went * to the French embassy and conferred with M. Cambon on the situation. Again al 5 o'clock it was understood that the FrencT ambassador and .Austrian minister conferred with Sir Julian at the British embassy. But while the conferences were thus golnf on , and apprehension was keen over an an tlclpated move. It could not be learned ui to a late hour that any actual offer of mcdl atton had eventuated. The German ambassador , Dr. von Hello ben , appears to bo { he only one not actlvel ; participating In the conferences today , bu there Is reason to believe he Is kept full ; advised on the sentiments at Berlin concern Ing the Spanish situation. Accompanying the diplomatic comment wes an undercurrent of suggestion that de velopments In Cuba were not unlooked for and that the pressure of the powers and th < pope on Spain might yet bring about' Hi armistice In which both Spain and the in surgents would participate. Viewed from an official standpoint here tli time for that has gone by and there Is lltt : likelihood that the Insurgents could bo ti duqcd to lay down their arras even for time. The Spanish minister , Senor Polo y Bei nabe , did not take part In any of the dlpli roatlo conferences , nor did he have occaslo to v'stt ' the State department during the da , If the negotiations have taken any nw d rectton , It has been Minister Woodford ar J the authorities at Madrid , and not at Was ! ington. At the capltol today tremendous effort wj nwlo to have congress support the outllni policy of the president. A general ballet w. expressed , when the house adjourned , that majority of the house committee on forcli affairs was ready to support Mr. McKlnley r plan , and the impression prevailed that resolution In Hue with the recommendatloi of the president would be reported from tl committee. There Is a great dm ! ? uncertainty regari ing the senate committee. An Important conference of conservatii senatom wan held during the day , when was determined that'in case the foreign r lationa committee did not , report in accori anco with the president's recommendatloi there would be a long debate on the resi lutlon , and unanimous action by the sena ' could not be expected. General 'Miles ' said toJay that the on regiment thus far ordered to Chlckamaiij was the Twenty-fifth regiment of colored I fantiy , and so far as the present lutentloi are concerned they are to slop there on temporarily on their way to Key West ai Dry Tortugas , to which place they we originally ordered about ten days ago. KEEPS IN TOUCH WITH LEE. There was no cabinet meeting at tt White Houeo today , but several of the men bora spent the evening with the , preside ) nd Mrs. McKlnley. There were present Se rt-tarr and Mrs. Bliss , Judge Day and Mr Day , Secretary and Miss Long , Attorm General Grlggs and Secretary Gage. Repr tentative Cannon and Charles Emory Srnll called In the course of the evening. There have been no further communlc tlons with Madrid , but tbe president hi kept in touch with General Lee and Gener Woodford. Atslatant Secretary Day was present , ar messages passed , but of their source or ten nothing was given out. The administration confesses anxiety i to the situation In Havana , and consta communication Is kept up with General L la fear of a possible outbreak. It is thoug vwr 1.000 Americana will be eager to lea' ' Havatxi tomorrow. To care for thta crowd there arc the Fern , the Bache and the Man grove , all government vessels , and the pas- senior steamers Ollvetto and Maecotte. Whether any armed versel from the Key 'West squadron will be at hand tomorrow when the exodus begins could not be learned , but it was Raid at the White House : "Alt Americans wilt bo well cared for. " It wes definitely stated by the cabinet officers tonight that there was no thought of delaying the president's mccsage beyond Wednesday. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. A debate which occurred In execu tive session of the senate this afternoon would Indicate that no mat ter what was the character of the resolution to come from the committee on foreign re lations , It would cause a serious and per haps prolonged discussion. It emphasized the fact that there are two elements in the senate. One for Intervention with Independence , ahd the other for Inde pendence alone , and these two factions will fight for their Ideas. The rotations of the United States with Spain were the uppermost topic In the exec utive session , and constituted the subject of many conferences among senators. The activ ity was due to the announcement ( hat the president's message would recommend the adoption of a policy looking to Intervention In Cuba on the part of the executive branch of the government , rather than the recogni tion of Independence , and to an effort to make smooth the way for reception of such a report. The executive session was devoted to a general discussion of the policy to bo pur sued toward Spain , and developed the fact that much opposition would be made to the acceptance of a policy In line with the pres ident's desires. Senator lAJIen made a long speech pre dicting much dissatisfaction In the country at largo with a policy on the part of the executive that did not go to the extent pt giving the Cubans their entire Independence from the mother country. Senator Allen was followed by other speakers In the same line , and the fact was made evident that If the committee on for- clzn relations should bring In a resolution merely complying w.ith the president's re quest , and stopping short of a declaration for Independence , there would be an effort In the senate to amend it so aa to accom * pl'sh ' this end. Indeed the announcement was made b ; more than one senator that he would offei such an amendment , and by many that the : would suppoit an effort In the direction o adding the Independence declaration to i resolution providing simply for Intervention URGED NOT TO YIELD. The committee was therefore urged note to yield to the wishes of the president , bu to stand out strongly for complete action Tbe policy of the president for executive In tervcntlon only was criticised as one whlcl would place the entire question In the hand of tho-president , and thus lea've the matte where It now Is , except that It would be voluntary rellnqulshment of the right of cor grees In the premises the right among otti ers to declare war. The greater part of the speech making wa In opposition to the executive , and no on attempted to outl'ne the probable action' c the committee. There was also a recurrene to the Intention of the president to wlthhol the Cuban.consular report , and a suggestlo was made that It this matter was of character too Inflammable to permit Ita boln made public , it be given tbe senate In oecrc session. A resolution was offered that tbe entli Cuban question be considered behind close doors , because of the probable utterance which would afford Information to the enera ; This wan debated but without reaching conclusion. While the senate was In executive Bessie a formidable element of the senate was coi sldeclng what should be done In case rea lutlons should be reported providing for rei ognltlon of Independence. This faction we composed of wbat was known as the ccnsei vatlve clement on the republican side of tl senate. IThe conference was held in Senati Aldrlch's committee room , and among thci present were Senators Hanna , Platt , Spoone Halo , .Fairbanks and Aldrlch. Senatcc All son was also there for a brief time. A general purpose was expressed to o | peso the adoption of a report rc-ommcndlr ho recognition of Cuban Independence ai which did not confine luelf to the suppo of the president's recommendation for Inte ventlon only. This position was taken b cause of the generally expressed tonvlctlc ° " among the senators present that In caie < m war with 'Spain and the triumph of tl armies of this country this country shou be left free to dispose of Cuba as It mlgl see proper. LACK CONFIDENCE IN THE JUNTA. Many of them expressed dlesatlsfactl ( Cj ( I with tbe present Cuban administration ai as the opinion was broached ihu the rccogn a tl'jn of Independerce ai th's ' time would bli 3U the United States to the support of tl > 8 Cuban administration and to guaranteeing I bonds , giving to the Cubin junta a posltli of influence and power , to which It was nc n3 he In their opinion , entitled. ' Hence a dcclsti was reached to labor w'lth ib.5 committee i a- foreign relations not to rcpcrt a resolutli with a double purpose , and the Intention w cxpic.'ised on the part of fion.c to oppose 1 . . a'Joptlun if reported. In accordence with the action of thin met Ing , Senators Allison , and Aldrlch bad prolonged conference later with Senate ns Davis , Fryo and Lodge of the commit ! on foreign relations. These members of t e foreign relations committee were able . aeeure the others that no effort would made to report the resolution tomorrow , ga the same day on which the message shou n" bo received ; but they could not give t same assurance as to the character of t resolution. They did not conceal from their vlsltc the fact that the committee already h agreed upon a resolution providing both 1 Independence and Intervention , and that might bo difficult to change the recommend tion. But on uhla point no one could spe definitely until the committee could con ) cand the visiting senators were compel ! to withdraw without receiving any very e : Ufactory assurrances. The prevailing opinion among senators th that the committee will recede from Its j tltlon both from independence and Inti avention , and report a resolution In accot a * ance with the prcttldent'e recommendatl al for intervention alone , but tliU Is not ci tain. ad Of the three member * seen , all classed or pro-Cubans. Senator Fryo announced hi self as satisfied with intervention. Anoth as Senator Foraker , announced that he woi nt not favor the change ; a third , Senator Day ee refused to commit fclmself. Senator Led bt had previously said he would support I V * presided' * posUioi SETBACK FOR MEDIATION England Declines t ) Be a Party to Any Bach Bchtme. GIVES CCLD SHOULDER TO PROPOSITION Considered to Put a Qnletns on the riiuiM of the 1'otrerii Ileuly of Greut llrltnln Is Definite. LONDON , April 5. The move of the pow ers of Europe for a Joint offer of mediation between the United States and Spain linj re ceived a sevcro and probably fatal rcbult In the form of a definite refusal upon the part of Great Britain to participate In It. Many conflicting and crroneoua bints re garding this scheme -to brlug the Spanish- American quarrel within the Jurisdiction of the "concert of Europe" have been tele- giathed from the different European capi tals. From the highest authority the Asso ciated Press bas obtained an outline of the details of the movement , as learned by Lon don diplomats. The project Is distinctively of Spa tilth origin aid was set on foot by two Influences , official and personal , the former requesting the good offices of the chancellors to prevent wai1 , while the queen regent attempted personally to Influence the sovereign. HOME , April 5. It Is authoritatively said that the pope's proposed terms arc such as cannot bo accepted by Spain and supported by the United States minister , General Woodford , In forwarding them to President McKlnley. The pope's Initiative ID based wholly on the fact that Spain , when it asked for the good offices of the powers , also asked for the pope's good offices. The Interposition of the pontiff has thus far been confined to efforts to bring about an armistice between Spain and the Insurgents. NO SUCH PROPOSAL MADE. WASHINGTON , April u. Regarding the intervention of the pope between the United Statey and Spain It can be again reiterated that no such proposal has been made to this government , and that If there Is to be papal mediation It must bo between Spain and thu Insurgents , and that any suasion the Vatican can exert should bo directed at Madrid. Archbishop Ireland was in Washington last week and Informally , knowing no formal and direct proposition would beat all acceptable , personally , as stated by the Aoaoclated Press last Friday night , urged tbe president tc adopt as pacific an.attitude as possible , bul as stated , did not go beyond this. Archblatiop Ireland came to the State de partment at 12:30 : o'clock. He evidently had arranged for the call beforehand and was ex > pected , foe1 he was shown at once Into As sistant Secretary Daj's room. To reporter * who asked his mlreion Archbishop Irelani was evasive and said he slinpiy cumo t ( pay his respects. Assistant Secretary Da ] catd at noon that there had ) een no media tlcn or Intervention of other powers , materla or moral. It Is understood that the tenor of thesi communications was to the effect tha European Interests are tb-cateaed by wha. Spain terms "the pretensions cf the Ualtec States to the right to Interfere In coloala matters. " AUST1UA AVOULD CAL/L OFF SPA1X a Attempt to > Make- the Proud CtiHtlllnn Come to Time. ( Copyright , 1S98 , by Tress Publishing Company , BERLIN , April G. ( New York World Ca _ Megram Special Telegram. ) Great Intcres Is excited.In . diplomatic circles here by well authenticated report tonight that th emperor of Austria Ia.cxcrtlng every effoi to bring precsuro to bear on Spain to acced to the American demand all along the ilni and hope Is not altogether abandoned < Spain finally yielding. The Austrian coui assured Spain that In the event of war tli Spanish dynasty would be wrecked. A ! though expressions of sympathy for Spal find utterance here. I can state positive ! that the German foreign office Is purauln ' a lice of the strictest neutrality. There- i no truth in the allegation that papal media ttcn was Initiated by Germany. Papers ti night are warm In their expressions of at miration of McKlnley'a statesmanship. ROME , April 5. ( New. . York World Cabli gram Special Telegram. ) I learn from hlg ' authority that the pope's Intervention w < brought from a latent personal Idea Into a < tuatlon by suggestions from the emperor 1 Austria , and the proposal of a Cuban armii tlce was urged by the pope'a nephew , Camli : Peccl , whosj wife is a wealthy Cuban woma : The pope now realizes that an armistice almost Impossible to arrange with the gue rlila warriors and the conditions concernlr. It proposed by Spain , namely the withdraw , of American wen-of-war from < Cuban wate : and a momentary abeyance of the question i Cuba's Independence , will certainly bo r Jected by the United States. He Is accon Ingly down-hearted. MADRID , April 5. ( New York Worl Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Even Spai Ish papers now publleh telegrams from Ron fully explaining that the whole scheme i mediation originated In an exchange i views on tha subject between Cardinal Ran polio , Delegate Martlnelll , In Washlngtoi as and Archbishop Ireland , the latter two leai Ing the pope to believe the president wou perhaps accept his mediation It exerclst to Induce Spain to make a concession t the basis of such assurances aa the pope ma ? > rs officially on Sunday. Tbe suggestion of mi diatlon was at once accepted by the rcgei e and her ministers and then the Vatican dre ° . up the official mediation , which was sent e Madrid Monday , but has. not yet been r . . ceived by mall. At the eame time Instuctloi were sent by Cardinal Rampollo to Inelai and Martlnelll to sound the disposition < the president with a view to overt the ru ; ture that Is Imminent and gain time to seu aj ( a suspension of hostilities In Cuba tlirouf , the eft or to of the insular government w ! Qr the Insurgent chiefs and with the full aase : la _ of the Madrid government. The P9pe seen alj to have Imagined that If a suspension of ho cr tllttles could be thus reached both Spain at ej ( the United States would approach tbe cxar lt _ inatlon of a settlement of all the issues the Cuban question in a more conclllato spirit. Tbe characteristic feature In this- nov stage of tbe crisis la the spread of tbe idi d- among all closvca that Spain Is e teri don thus Inevitably upon a revolution to prcpa public opinion for a very radical settlemet of the Cuban question. This would have fir as popular and patriotic feeling a year ago , b does not excite now In the governing class er , or even In the molKes tne tame Tnterei ild A great Caitlltan statesman once told me ; lo , "Our race bas more dignity and /ielf-pc session than other Latin nations and o Moorish Invader * left io our people son hat of lb eastern ( kt Uip proud countries view'wKh stolctun that which could not be belped.f rrhla applies to tbe prcsrnt situation won derfully In some jupcclifi though Herado , El Liberal and republics * papers are be ginning to try to fan p' lralar and patriotic feeling against mediation if It were calcu lated to lead the "way In the direction Advo cated lately by the bishop of Barcelona , the personal friend of Cardinal Rampolta , who coolly admitted the po-telulltty of the ccsulon of Cuba. ARTHUR E. HOUGHTON. MUCH AXXIKTY EXISTS IX MAUUID. All Seem to Pin Their Fnllh to Pnnnl Mediation. Copyright , 1S98 , by Frew rub'.lihlng Company. ) 'MADRID. ' April 5. ( New York World Ca- ' .egiam SreJ o ! Tihgram. ) Independent pa- eis having the largest circulation , Hcraldu , mpirclal , Liberal , ha e again today broke out gainst the government on patriotic grounds , ttemptlng to make oit ) that some members if the cabinet are disposed to go farther In onccsj'lor.s ' than their collcagues , especially ho war mlnlatcr. All military men and popular wntlment would consent to the cull 'or immediate and energetic resolutions , they having arrived at the pqlnt where they will ndulgo In no more Illusions , a ? mediation s meaningless In the eyes of America. An rmlstlce Is condemned by all competent authorities as detrimental to the Spanish cause , and a mere ttepplng , stone to more humiliating conceesloriyor more dlsad\an- : ageous conditions. They give the pope to understand that his good officeo are una vailing unless favorable ; to Spanish vlewe. Pessimist Impressions are dominant to day , both In political and official clrclca , and the press this evening Is In visible un certainty and more anxiety than yesterday , because everybody feels uneasy about the line of conduct of thoi president and the Amerloan congress. Ministerial papers ad- VE > B people to expect nothing fresh until to morrow. The French , Austrian and German ambas sadors today held long conferences with the minister of foreign affairs , ho nuncio alac today celebrated conferences with the prin cipal ambassadors. The government Is mucl pleased to hear by Marshal Blanco how th Cuban autonomist provisional governmcnl has sent a message of peace to the Insur gents , Inviting them to suspend hostllltlct and holding out such ample promises of ex ; tension of home rule , both meeting with tht full approbation of tho.home , cabinet. Ii financial circles there laj great enthusiasm The monejed classes and speculators are ar dently wishing for the iJi/cccFS / of mcdlatloi fo the best plan for pajlng t'ho ' way to i tettlement cf the Cuban ijuci'tlon on a Ibasli that will put a stop to further sacrifices Ii money on the part of Sp-iln and rid her o the burden of Cuban debt.fhlfted by media tlcn or diplomatically upSn the aluuldera o Cuba herself or her patfons. Seldom hav financial circles and thb moneyed classc bsen so plain spoken in bxprcsstng a deslr trf ho rid of the drain" ' In the way of cxpendl turo upon Spanish fTnances. Four per cent were quoted today at fr'cm 57 to 69.25 ; ex terlor from 67 to 72,50. Cuban bonds loa 4 points. Exchangee re , weaker and Parl drdpped 1 point. * * * AtlTHUIt E. HOUOHTON'- ' cnuisEns Aiutiyab A-IS POHTO nice Vlicuya tina * 'Oiineitdo , Shhw Un n .Spnlii'M Other iHlnud. ( Copyrlghti JS98 , by 1'reia Publishing Company. SAN JUAN DB.PORTO HICO April 6.- ( New York'.World Cablegram Special Tele gram , ) Th Spanish cruisers Vizcaya an Almirante Oqucndo-which called from Ha van a last Saturday , arrived here toda ; Their oflU-ers were much surprised to hea that the Spanish torpedo flotilla , duo 'aoi tomorrow , had been .turned back to the Car Verde Islands by storm. Spanish officers ai secretive. It Is ibellcvedthere that the tw big war ships were to act as convoys fc the torpedo fleet and tlmt both would ba\ attacked the United States at or near 'Kc West. Active preparations arc going on here. Tli place Is being fortified. No .American Is j.c : mltted near the forts or war ships. A coi respondent named Halstead has been a rested , charged with beln'g a spy In the ex ploy of the United States. He was caugl 'B photographing the fortifications. The cat looks black. The English consul Is tndl l" fcrcnt. Halstead was required to select lawyer for defense from a list of officers pr < senteJ by tha Spanioh "authorities. ThU a customary SpanUrh method. Halstead r B' fused and appealed again to the British coi eul. Halstead may bo transported or Ir 13 prisoned In a distant Spanish colony. Tl p" censorship of dispatches la very rigid. 01 GEORGE BRONSON REA. 3- 3n. ! o MISSIOX OP couirr is FIMSHEI n. n.Is Xuvy Ueimrtment , Autliprlrf n It * Uli WASHINGTON April 5.2-The last chapt * al in the history of the courj of Inquiry , whlc Investigated the loss of the battleship Malm of was written at the Navy department toda in the form of a letter to Captain Sampsoi i- commanding the North tUlantlc squadroi notifying him that , the department had K further Instructions to give In regard to tt worls devolvlnc upon thd court and authoi izlne him at his discretion to dissolve tl court and thus end Its onTclal existence. 3I y Yetet' the O'HlKfrln * . ( Copyright , 1898 , by 1'rcsa Publishing Compans NEWCASTLE-ON-TYp E. April D. ( Ne York World Cablegram < 3trc-U Telegram. ) The O'HIgglns , the Chilian cruiser , has be ( taken over tonight by thChilian naval cor mlttee without undergoing epeed or gt trials. A tempting offep from Command Brownson Is l.elng considered. The vcss nt ma ? but ls not exPectea' . sail immediate ! Communications are passing between tl . Chilian agent In Parh. Adn-lral Urdlban and Commander Browruoa , and It is bellevi by the Chilian oayal comu.Ieslon here th Us acquisition by the Uji'ltod Stales Is en a question of price. The hjlian govcrnme ; Is understood to be also treating with Sral playing off one government against tl other. I Troona Held ta.f qHEYENNE. Wya8 M rll. 5. ( Special Te egram. ) The commacdfDg officer of tl Eighth United States Infantry , station ad here , receive ! cipher 'orders tonight to ha the'reglment ready to move upon the recel of additional orders. The of. * , nececsary stor ry and rations have been Issued and the ref ryel ment la Ui readiness to leave the post shou el orders bo issued in a few hours' time. ea - Government VemeU at Havana. r * HAVANA , April 5. The Bache and t Blake arrived thla morning front Key W < to take American citizens to the Unit ed IStatea who desire to leave tbe Island , ut now appears that the yellow fever prol ee bltlons are modlfled In Florida only so { St. aa American * ' are'concerced. Frrnch 'Aaabassador at Work. MADRID , April 5. The- French ambati ur dor , M. Patenotre , has hail a long cond ence with the mloUter of foreign affal PLENTY OF MONEY FOR WAR National Treasury la in a Pirat-Olags Condition > COUNTRY'S ' VAULTS FILED WITH GpLD Condition * Xow AreViiftily Improved Ultou What They Were nt the Tluie of ( lie Onthrenk of the lleliL-lllon. \YASHINGTON. April 5. "While the Navy and the War departments have neces sarily been much In evidence In the making of preparations for the posvlbly Impending conflict between the United States and Spain , " said Assistant Secretary Vanderllp , "the Treasury department has not been be hind In giving clorc attention to what Is quite as essential nj battleships , namely , the national finances an they relate to war. "Recently ex-President Harrison said : 'The Treasury department Is the steam plant from which all other departments get their power. ' i "While battleships are being overhauled , repaired and made icady for action , the offi cials of the Treasury department have been going over -power-generating establish ment of the government , looking Into the history of past conflicts , seeing what Its organization Is capable of , mcasuilng new conditions and generally making complete preparations for speedy action In case of ne- cctslty. When war cornea new Influences operate upon the public revenues. "Tho flrt't boom of cannon Is a call for In creased resources , and Is likely to be fol lowed by sharp decrease In ordinary receipts. Fortunately at no time since the civil war lias the United States treasury occupied BO strong a position as It does now , with the ex ception , pceslbly , of the turplus days of 1883-90. " 'Tho circulation statement of the depart ment Issued April 4 shows that we have an cnormouD stock of gold In the country , al most $730,003,000. Of this the United States treasury holds $176,000,000 net gold. We are $75,000,000 above the traditional reserve maintained for the redemption of the United States notes and the notes of 1890 , and the tendency Io toward an Increase at the rate of $200,000 a day. About 10 per cent of the customs receipts are being paid In gold. CONTRAST OF CONDITIONS. "Contrast the condltlcn of the government at the outbreak of the civil war. July 1 , 1861 , the United States treasury had but $2,862,000 In gold and scarcely any other kind of money. Today our cash balance of $226,000,000 Is 77 per cent in the yellow metal. "In 1861 , from August to November , the treasury had to resort to the associated banks of Now York , Pulladelphla and Boston. The banks of these cities .held only a email amount In gold"and they furnished practi cally $150,000CCO In gold to the treasury. 'Tb - spverrrment'lheri ' 'began Its paper Issues'and , these gilded to' the atraln on the bonks' specie reserve , and resulted in the Guspenslc-ia'cf specie payment by them in De cember of that year. "The sltuatkti between that period and the present Ls in marked contrast. Of the great stock of gold in the country , the national banks alone hold more than $220,000,000 , Since the dloaster to the Maine In Havana harbor banks throughout the whole country have quietly pursued a policy which , with out disturbing business , has made then' financially strong , not less Important to th < country's welfare than Impregnable fortifi cations and coast defenses. "Since February 19 , the week of the Malm dlraster , the New York banks have reducei their loan accounts by $50,000,000 and at th < fame time t ° y have Increased their cpcck holdings by $25,000,000. "Tho contraction In the lean Item rep resents to a considerable extent liquidation at the stock exchanges , end the sale o sterling exchange collateral , but back of I all there has been the strong tendency ti It fcrtlfy against the uncertainties of the fu e MC3. f- "What Is true of New York banks Is gen a erally true of tanks throughout the country Their policy for six weeks has been to pre pare for a strain , and it would seem the ; are well provided for all contingencies. ADDITIONAL REVENUES NEEDED.- "But notwithstanding he strong position o the government and of the moneyed instltu tlons of the country , there would , in an ; sort of a conflict , soon bo a necessity fo additional revenues. This has given gr.iv concern to those charged with the admlnls tration of the finances of the government "Unquestionably if war should come ou first duty should bo the placing of the na ttonal treasury on a war basis. Expsdltloi In this direction is of the utmost impor tance. Wo have already noted the cxporienc of a little delay In passing a tarlff bill which resulted in abnormally heavy Importa tlons to such an extent that no : until month ago did the new tariff begin to gl\ promise , cl a' sufficient revocuo to supper the government. "Since , however , a resort to Increase taxation is , when accompanied by the utmoc expedition , rather a slow process , thcr should bo some means existent whereby th government could ralso funds more speedll ] "A temporary loan for say $100,000,000 , t 'bo ' made In the form of treasury notea , lire in Ited to a time not longer than one ytar , t hear interest at the market "ate , might io : c great benefit to the government in an enter gency. Such authority was asko-l tor by th president when ronnre i convened. Th treasury boa ample facilities and egencles fc financing such a loan. V/ttU tae recett-ar authority a loan for that amount would b subscribed , it Is believed , with rapidity. "Ita \ believed by the best authorities th : a long tlmo loan could be negotiated amen our own people for an amount as large c ' $500,000,000 , eay at 2 per cent. In the preset state of finance such bonds could be. neg ( tlated among our own people at par. INCREASE REVENUE TAX. "Loans of these kinds , to take the plac of the necessarily slower means of raisin money by taxation , might be followed b some Important Increases In interenal revc nue schedules , os well as some additions t ' ' * the items of the cuatome tariffs. Id "We have been looking into the operatic of the Internal revenue act in force in 1861 It produced during that fiscal year revenu he to the amount of $310,000,000. Of course et IB not probable at all that there would be ed return to the heavy taxation of those time ; It We would not have to make the effort note Liar to raise $310,000,000 a year that was mad ar la 1SG6. We have doubled our populatlo since then , and more than doubled In wealtl "The Internal revenue schedules In fore a- at this time subject to taxation dlatllle aT T- spirits , fermented liquors , tobacco and enul oleomargarine , filled cheese , opium an playing cards. These Iteme t e VM.t JUci UUP Today. .Mediation. .Money for War. by Spain. 1 ! Clilnn l.lnMe < > Co11nt e. Hot Ciiliitn llebnte In ( hi * Senate. Sltnlin StiiMVM Sinn * Of CrnMflnlilnir. n The * HeeV Speelnt XelmiJikn \ < MVH. Itenrn * from .MintU'lpnl Klectlonii. Supreme Ctinrl Slt Today. Iloleomh Won III Succeed Holeonili. Affair * nt South Oninlin. 4 Kdltorlnt ntul Comment. B Senor PoloYenrnn for 1'eace. Affair * or the Grit nil Trunk. | ' ( I Council III u IT 'l.ocnl ' .Mutter * . ( Jeiiernl lonn Xe Item * . I 7 Xe from ( he Further Went. Decker Will Come ( o Omitlui. H Imtenl Xetrw of ( hc > i\iioj : nion. I'roeeedliiK * of ( he- City Council. O Itctlcw of Current PiihlleutloiiB. 1'ort Arthur Hoiite mill llniiilin. SchllfK Will Itullil a. TheiKer. 11 Commercial mill Plnnnelnl New * . 12 "The Tent , " liy P. Y. Itlake. Teuiiiernture lit Oinnhiii Hour. IK-tt. Hour. Dew , 5 n. in 27 1 p. in : m O n. in I'll 2 11. in 7 a. m 27 a | i. in : il > S n. m 2T 4 ] i. in n. i 211 n ii. in : t 10 a. m : ti : i p. in an 11 a. m. . . . . . 'in , 7 p. m : tn 12 ill U7 N | i. in IIS n p. m. . . . . . : t7 year produced $167,000,000 In revenues. An addition of $1 a barrel In the tax on beer would add * 25.000,000 a year to the public revenues. A slight Increase In the tax on tobacco , and a return to the system of spe cial taxes and licenses In vogue a few years 0 would contribute much to the revenues without greatly adding to the burdens of anyone. "A stamp tax on Ibank checks acid drafts , mortgages , deeds , receipts , etc. , would not bo greatly felt. The Internal revenue re ceipts amounting to $310,000,000 In 1866 In cluded $73,000,000 In round figures from In comes. The balance was made up by taxes on articles and occupations which Include 1 almost Innumerable items. "But without the necessity of resorting tea a great majority of these It Is probable that the government revenues , In addition to the aid from Internal revenue sources , might be sufficiently augmented by small taxes on tea , coffee and spices. These Items might easily be made to raise $35,000,000 per annum. BEER TAX MOST AVAILABLE. "Tic most available tax for Immediately Increasing the revcoue , however , would bo a tax on beer. The government machine In this line Is so well organized that It an additional tax of $1 a barrel on foeer were to be authorized this afternoon , tomorrow morning the government would begin the re ceipt of the additional tax. It would mean simply the placi-ag of two stamps on the barrels , where now there Is only one. "I mention these things In nowise offi cially , &nd without the Intention of convey ing the idea that any one of them , or all of them , will be resorted to , 'but ' merely to show that the engineers of this big steam plant , the Treasury department , have been measuring the capacity of Its engines for future effort. Its bearings arc lubricated and when the strain comes you may bo sure It will be found towork - without a Jar. " With respect to prospective legislation In' creasing the tax on beer and other article ! t Is said that fortunately legislation can be so framed that brewing Interests will not tn able to anticipate an increase in tax by hcavj purchases of stamps prior to the actual pro duction of the beer. The trouble of the department about the tlmo of the passage of the Dlngley tariff which repealed the provision of the old law 3 providing for a rebate of \ < < per cent or stamp purchases , will not bo repeated , bui advantage. It Is tuld , can easily be takci 'rom that experience to frame leR'slatlon E < that the additional tax will accrue on beei to Ibo stamped on and after the day any ac might S3 Into effect. In anticipation of th's Increased tax , brew ers In different parts of the country havi already made application for large suppllei cu * < bccr stamp ? , but in all oases these re quests have been refused and tbo departmen will sco that any legislation is so framed ate to meet attempts to evade the increased tax IIALFOUU'S STATEMENT I WEAK ( /annex Dlnniiiiolnlment in the HOIIHI of CoiiimoiiK. ( Copyright , 1603 , by I'rcss Publishing Company. LONDON , April E. ( New York World Ca blcgram Special Telegram. ) Arthur Bal four's statement of 'British ' policy on the fa eastern question in the House of Common this afternoon caused profound disappoint ment. There was a crowded house , ever ; embassy except the Russian being represen ted In the diplomatic gallery. Balfour's an nounccment , feeble In manner as matter , wa received with marked coolness by the support era of the government , who listened with un concealed humiliation to the long tale of Rus elan diplomatic triumphs , unrelieved by single substantial advantage obtained fo England. The fact that Balfoup's tone I speaking of Rurala was consistently hostile showing a deep cense of Injury and apprchcn slon of future aggression , only accentuate the weakness of the 'British ' government 1 making no adequate counter move for the oc cupatlon of Port Arthur and Tallen-Wau. Sir Charles Dllko put the case In a nutshe when he said : "This policy of leasing Wei Hal-Wei was only adopted last Wednesday t throw dust In tbo eyes of the public and cat isfy critics of the government in the mlr iBterlal press. Wel-Hal-Wel Is valueless ui less garrisoned and fortified and Curzon neve answered my question whether the goverr ment proposed to garrison and fortify It. Ate to the assurances of China In relation to th Yangtee valley , they are equally Illusory , a the valley has no frontier and could not I : " defended It Russia chose to descend upon It , The lmportantfeaturo _ of Balfour's stati ment considered by politicians to Indlcal possible future developments was his appc : to the commercial nations of the world , tli United States , France and Germany to Jol England In preventing Russia absorbing Cb 3. ncse trade , but the belief Is universal thi the government so far from being rehabll 0 tated , has been still further seriously weal encd by 'Balfour's ' general outline of their tt eastern policy. Conclude Purchu e of Four Shlpi. WASHINGTON , April 5. The Navy di partment this morning concluded the put chase of four of the ten eblpg contractc for yesterday. The four vessels selected an which are now the property of the goverr ment are the Morgan line steamers El III El Norte , El Sol and El Sud. No orders bo OB yet been sent to tbe naval authorities i New York as to the disposition of thci vessels , but It la understood that tbe wet of preparing them for duty ai auxlllai wll ) b gla lmm dlaUIj > SPAIN BUYS MINES Orders Them for the Defense of Harana Harbor. PURCHASE THEM OF A LONDON FIRM Eighty Bought in 1890 by the Spanish Government. POWERFUL ENOUGH TO WRECK A WAR SHIP Pivo Hundred Pounds of Guncotton Placed in Each Ono. MANUFACTURERS GIVE THE INFORMATION Turn In Their Hook * nnil Ilend th Detail * of Spnln'H Order Amer ican OllU't-r l.ookliiK the iMlitter Up. , " ( Copyright , ISIS , by I'rcsn PuliUshlnir Company , > LONDON , April 5. ( New York World Ca blegram Special Telegram. ) The World to day ascertained the true history of the pur- chano of submarine mines which were laid la Havana hirbor. Lieutenant Oolwcll said In reply to a question , "I have no Information further than that a number of mines were > bought In England by Spain In 1896 from the firm of Latlmcr & Rhoades. Muirhead. These were the most powerful of their kind , such , as might account for the destruction of th Maine. I have reported the matter to the- State department and am doing more about It. " The World next called-on the Westminster Engineering company , which took over th buslnccs of Latlmer & Rhoades. Muirhead , In 180C. Mr. dlrdlestone , managing director , afforded every assistance In tracing the his tory of the mlno transaction by a refcrcnco to the firm's books. He said : "Spain's first transaction with the Latlmcr firm was In 1885 , when eighty mines wcro purchased , and In 1836 the Spanish govern ment expreosed themselves eo well pleased with tbe way the first order was filled that they gaye a repeat order. I luvo here , " re/erring to hla letter book , "an cstlmato glvttt by Latlmer on January 24 , 1896 , to Uao Spanish naval commission In Lpndon , for forty submarine ground mince In square cases for use In shallow water , each con taining a change of 500 pounds of guncotton , also forty floating mlne.i with all attachments for electrical discharge , also with BOO pounds charge of guncotton. These are about the mosl powerful mines .used xand the casca guaranteed to withstand a countermining charge of 600 pounds of guncottcn within a distance of fifty-five feet. Shortly after this cstlmato given Latlmcr's business was turned over to the present company and ow ing to some delay the order was transferred to Messrs. Slertens Brothers , who filled It on Latlmcr's estimate. "These mines , as well as the original or der In 1885 , were of the J. P. Gibbons patent. He was formerly In the submarine * mining department of the royal engineers , from , which corps ho retired to Join the Lat- Imcrs firm. Ho had long ceased to have sny connection with that firm before Spain's 1896 order had been received and ho never had anything to do with laying the mines. Wo only deliver mines on board chips at London. They are laid by tbe engineering department of the purchasing government. Thin order for eighty mines was last placed in England by Spain and they constitute a very ; formidable defense for Cuban harbors. The mines would last for yctirs. " CO.VKIKMED 11V A HAVANA STOHY. Mine * Evidently Pltinteili In' ' the Ilnv- lior by SpnnlHh Authorltle * . ( Copyright , 189S , by Pros * Publishing Company. ) HAVANA , April 5. ( T7ew York World Ca blegram Special Telegram. ) Careful Inves tigation proves that buoy number four was not used during two months prior to the Maine's arrival 'n Havana harbor. The as sistant superintendent of the harbor commis sion went to the/arsenal for a mine deton ating cable about a month before the Maine's arrival. Before the Maine's arrival here the mam * moth floating dock of the harbor commission was dredging In the place /or emplacement and operation. The last two weeks the work was day and night. An electric light was needed and the assistant superintendent In charge of the dredgers asked the local elec tric light plant the cost of furnishing the same. The answer showed very great ex pense for a long submarine cable necessary. The superintendent well knew the Spanish arsenal , its contents and their uses. Ho said : "Would a mlno cable do ? " Ho was answered In the affirmative. Ho then said there was plenty of that In tbo arsenal. The next day ho told the electric light people that all such submarine cable had been used up. So a small electric plant was put upon thedrcdgo Itself and night work went on without ehoro connections. Had there been a submarine cable In the arsenal It Is very certain It would have been forthcoming , for a loan only was asked. It was the government's and time was precious. Where was this cable used ? At buoy num ber four. When the Maine was moored to It it bad been shunned for months. Captain Rouse's letter noting the fact printed in the World was true. It has been later corrob orated by printed testimony before the board. I have seen almost every European captain touching In the harbor since the Maine dis aster. All say the same. I do not use their names , because If Spain continues here and the captains resume regular traffic things would bo made very hot for them. Spanish , pllotfa refuse absolutely to epcak of the af fair. They even will no explain why the > Maine's pilot gave the navigating officer one number as proper for the buoy while tbe plat ting of harbor charts showed tta location to bo much nearer another eectlon. I can produce sworn ttetlmon/'to the factf here stated. gYLVESTDU