Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA ! DAILY BEE
j _
ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. OMAHA , FBIDAY MORNING , APRIL 8 , 18D8-TWELTE PAGES. SLNGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
THINK WAR NEARER
It is Now Considered Inevitable by tha
Administration ,
SPAIN ALONE HAS POWER TO AVERT IT
That Only Can Be Done by Giving Up All
Its Eights in Cuba.
THIS CONCESSION IS HARDLY EXPECTED
Offers of Mediation Are Respectfully
Declined.
LEE WILL LEAVE HAVANA NEXT SATURDAY
Report * from Mnilrlil Indicate AVnr
Keeling IN IJroMliip : mill nil In-
vreimed riuiiril In Furiilnlicil
General Wooilforil.
WASHINGTON , April 7. There la no' '
longer any doubt as to the purposes of this j
government with respect to the ettuation In
Cuba. War , In the opinion of the adminis
tration , Is Inevitable , except In the unlooked-
for event of a surrender on the part of Spain.
The president's message , which ho had In-
tondtd to send to congress yesterday , has not
been changed In any particular , and em
bodies the unanimous vle'ws of the cabinet
without the slightest variance or exception.
i Any movement to avert war now must como
* from Madrid , and must concede American
demonds , Including an end to Spate's domina
tion in Cuba.
Three features stand out plainly In the
developments of today. At noon the elx
Kreat powers of Europe , through their repre
sentatives here , called at the White House
and presented to President McKlnley a Joint
mete expressing urgent hope for a peaceful
adjustment between the United States and
Spain , to which the president replied with
unmistakable plainness as to the duty and
unselfish endeavors of this government to
terminate the In-sufferable conditions In Cuba.
Another , and probably the moat significant
actual atop showlr.3 the finality reached by
the United States government , was the
authoritative statement that Consul General
Leo would leave Havana on Saturday. This
etcp , It Is known , will bo regarded by Spain
as akin to an overt act preceding war , as It
will terminate the medium of ofllclal Inter
course 'between the United States and the
Island.
Third , and almost equally Important , waa
the ominous tone of press advices from Ma
drid , where the war fever seems to domlnaie ,
instead of the concessions , the opening of
prison doors , and the other manifestation ? of
peace and goodwill which 'Holy ' Thursday
was expected to bring forth , and the more
do.l'jlte announcement of action that would
bring peace to Cuba.
The heavy guard about Minister WooJ-
fcrd's house , the Imperative character ol !
his last note , the war utterance of Minis
ter Correro and the turbulence at the
Spanish capital , left little hope that pa
cific counsels would prevail.
NO NEGOTIATIONS AT MADRID.
No negotiations are proceeding at Ma
drid on the part of this government ; , but.
the powers of Europe , It Is understood ,
are doing their utmost to persu : dil the
Spanish government to yield and avert war.
On the highest authority it can bo stated
that no Instructions have been given as
yet to Minister Woodford contomplatl/ng /
his withdrawal , the only step In that direc
tion being the determination that General
Leo leave Hasina on Saturday.
The note of the European powers prc-
eontod to the president today has not , In
the opinion of members of the administra
tion , changed the situation In the slightest
degree. What pressure was brought to se
cure even this mildly expressed hope that
further negotiations would result In the
maintenance of peace is not known , but it
is confidently believed that it la the result
of persistent appeals on the l < irt of Spain )
for expression In favor of
t some peace be
tween the two countries.
The note Is not regarded In any sense na
a protest against the coursoj hls government
ties pursued thus far , or Is" likely to adopt
to secure a stablp government In Cuba.
Some of the governments represented In
the note are known to be in full accord *
with this government In Its purposes with
rcs-pect to the Cuban question and there
fore hny theory that the note was Intended
aa a remonstrance Is not regarded aa ten
able.
able.The
The rcpjy of this government , whleh haiJ
previously been read and approved by mem
bers of the cabinet , Is not considered as In
dicating any change In the fixed purpose of
the president to Intervene In Cuba at once ,
nor Is It believed It was the expectation of a
majority of the foreign representatives pres
ent that the United States would change Its
policy or regard the Joint note as other than
an expression In behalf of peace , and without
special significance.
So far as known In administration circles
no further representations on this subject
arc expected. No offers of mediation on the
part of any European power have been re-
cclved , and there Is high authority for the
statement that none will bo accepted or prof
fered. ThU has been the fixed policy of the
Eovernmcut from the flrst , and there ls no
prospect of a change In this regard.
EVENT OP THE DAY.
At the embassies and legations the presen
tation of the Joint note of the powers was re
garded as the event of the day. An ambassa
dor from one of the great powers of con
tinental Europe said It was without a
parallel la 'history ; that It was the nrst and
the only time that the six great nations of
Europe , representing In the aggregate the
power of civilization , had united In this
solemn manner to secure the peace of the
world. H was , thU high authority said , a
movement historical In character and ono
fitting the iicar advent of the twcotlctb cen
tury.
Calls at the various embassies and lega
tions late In the day shoned the response
of the president had created a more favorable
impression In foreign quarters. The presl-
dent'a answer wan looked upon , to some ex
tent , as a counter appeal to the powers for
their ro-operatlon In the cause of humanity
K ' /'Bt the intolerable condition of affairs
1 in Cuba.
In come diplomatic quirten there was a
disposition to read the Joint note "between
the llnte , " and to give It a auggtstlve char
acter bcjronl tbe inlld phrases adopted ,
ThU wai not the generally accepted view ,
however. The fa\orable manner of Its re
ception WM looked upon w a wUe movet
thU critical Juncture for , without rejecting
as an Intrusion these foreign suggestions ,
they verc to received aa to give the great
est promise of sympathy , rather than oppo
sition , from the most powerful Joint Influ
ences in the world.
At the capltol the situation was ardently
discussed among Individuals and came up In
public debate In both houses. Senator Mor
gan said he was ready to vote for a declara
tion of war In discussing an amendment to
the sundry civil appropriation bill.
In the house a significant declaration was
that of General Gro-vvenor , who declared ho
believed war wts Inevitable. In fact , the
speech made by General Grcavencr in
answer to charges agalmt the aJmlnlatra-
tlon by Mr. Lcntz of Ohio , was an Impor
tant contribution to the news of Monday.
The Importtnco of General Lee's telegram
was coralJercd by members not to have
been overestimated , and the Impression that
the president was amply Justified In with
holding hl.i message became a conviction.
This fact was emphasized by the adjourn
ment until Monday of both houses.
BELIEVE WAR MUST COME.
The opinion In the senate and house IB
that war must come. Even the most optimis
tic of the conservative senators have given
up hope of a peaceful settlement.
A great deal of consideration was given
by senators and representatives to the form
cf action. On this point there Is a wldo ( M-
vergence of opinion , but It has assumed two
distinct propositions. One Is the rccognlt'on '
of Independence of the Island , coupled with
armed Intervention to drlvo out the Spun-
ards ; and the other armed Intervention , with
a declaration that Cuba ihall ba free.
The desire on the part ol those favor'ng '
ho latter plan Is to avoid recognizing the
naurgents and their government , or any gov
ernment , until after the United States has
control of the Island. The latter plan Is
said to bo that of the president , and efforts
are being made to have It adopted , S3 there
vlll bo no division between the executive and
eglslatlvo branches of the gove-nmont.
The meet Important action taken by ttc
Navy department today was the s-lsctlon
of commanding officers for the veastln le-
cently purchased from the Morgan lln" . Thrte
are the magnificent ocean st"-j.imers El Sud ,
El Rio , El Norte and El Sol , r.nd the officers
: o whom they have been assigned are Com
mander William H. Brownson , now abroad
engaged In purchasing ships end s.ir. piles ;
Commander Charles II. Dave ! , Commander
3harles J. Train and Commander William
II. Emory. Orders to these officers will be
Issued tomorrow.
NO MORE PURCHASES.
No new ships were purchased today , but
the department has directed the board to
select two vess-cls for distilling ships tnd one
collier.
The Navy department was today Inforned
that the states of Maine , New Hampshire ,
Alabama nnd Texas are taking prellmlnaiy
stepa for the formation of a niuil militia.
The gunboat Machlas toJay sallcj from
Boston to Join Captain Simpson's fleet at
Key West.
It was pointed out at the Navy depart
ment today that an advantage would accrue
to the United States by a short postpone
ment of radical action , since It wilt assure
the safety of recently purchased war ships ,
the delivery of ordnance material now afloat
and the departure from what would be
neutral ports of several other vessels re
cently acquired for the navy.
The New Orleans aod Its convoy , the San
Francisco , are expected to reach New York
Saturday or Sunday next. They are pro
ceeding leisurely , and it has been calculated
that It would take them about fourteen days
to make the trip. It Is understood that they
carry valuable cargoes , Including ammuni
tion and general ordnance stores. Consequently
quently the naval officials will be relieved
whoa they arrive at their destination.
It Is also expected that the cruiser Topeka ,
formerly the Diogenes , and the torpedo boats
Somers and Manly , recently acquired by pur
chase In Europe and at English ports , at
last accounts will have cleared for the
United ( States before Monday next , and so
have put themselves out of the danger of de
tention in case of a declaration of war.
NO CHANGE IN THE MESSAGE.
Up to noon today nothing had
occurred which will have any bear
ing upon the president's mc&sage as al
ready prepared , nor will It be changed in
any important particular save In the un-
lookcd for event of submission on 'the ' part
of Spain to the demands of this government.
This -statement was made at noon by a high
official of the government , who has full
knowledge of the real situation. The Inti
mation gl"cn out at Madrid yesterday to the
effect that the queen regent was about to
proclaim an armistice In Cuba and that the
Indications were that the Spanish govern
ment would make Important concessions
looking to the establishment of peace on a
basis of practical Cuban independence , is re
garded in-ofllclal circles here as a diplomatic
play to gain time. So far as this govern
ment Is concerned diplomacy , be stated , has
run Us course. 'No negotiations of any
character are now planning nor will they be
resumed except at the solicitation of Spain ,
and for the stated purpose of carrying Into
effect the demands of this government al
ready communicated to the Madrid authori
ties.
The president remains firm In his de-
trnnli.atlon to forcibly Intervene ! In Cuba If
neeessMry to put an end to hostilities and to
secure tranqulllty and a more stable govern
ment on the island. Information from a high
source clearly Intimates that a naval demon
stration against Havana haa been considered
and Is almost certain to be made within the
next few dajs unices Spain yields , and If
this demonstration resultf In war the presi
dent Is ready to meet the Issue.
TIME FOR ACTION.
A cabinet ofllccr eald today : "Why are we
hurrying Americans oui of Cuba , except that
their lives will be In danger after the presi
dent's message has gone to congress and hla
purposes fully known to Cubans. That Is
the reason , and the only one. "
Thl1) government , It Is further stated , has
lean ed to distrust much that corner , even
from official sources at Madrid , and from now
on actions and not words , a member of the
cabinet declared , will determine our policy ,
Senator Gray , a member of the senate com
mittee on foreign relations , was with tbo
president for borne time. The senator later
said he beUeved that all the Americans who '
Intended to get out of the Island would be
gotten out safely In due time. He believed
that both. General Woodford at Madrid and
General Leo at Havana would not be at
their peats after the opening of next week.
Ho thought the precautions taken by this
government and the threatening ftate of of-
falra at Havana with relation to the Ameri
can cltliena thought to bo Imperiled tended
to stimulate the Spanlih government to af
ford better protection. The tenator said he
did not believe there waa any likelihood o | (
an ormldtlro between Spain and the In
surgents. Such an act , he said , naturally
would have an effect on the situation , but
( CoDtlnucJ oo Sixth page. )
GETTING READY TO FIGHT
Spain is Putting War PrepratiorB in
Shape in Havana.
MILITARY DRAFF IS FINALLY ISSUED
Every 'Mule Spanlxh Suliject Ilctween
the AKC of II ) nnilIO In
Called Upon ( u
Drill.
( Copyright , 1S98 , by Press PubllfhliiR Company. )
HAVANA , April 7. ( New York World Ca.
blegram Special Telegram. ) Spain Is callIng -
Ing out every fighting man In Cuba for war
with the United States. The order for the
long expected military draft was Issued yes
terday morning by Captain General Blanco ,
after a council of war at the palace with
the generals of divisions. A copy of the
order has been sent to every town In Cuba.
U commends every male Spanish subject
between the ages of 19 and 40 to register
for Immediate military duty at the office
of the commandants of the district. The
Dlace of registration In Havana Is the mili
tary palace , the residence of General 1'ar-
rado and Dr. Ccngcsto.
The utrnewt secrecy has been maintained
In everything connected with the order. It
Is not mentioned In this morning's Gazette ,
the ofllclal receptacle of everything that
emanates from the palace. Dut officials there
admit Its existence and consider It a eort
of finishing touch to war preparations. A
man at the palace who Is very close to the
captain general said today :
"This order will not be much of a sur
prise to the inhabitants of the Island , It
baa been talked of for a long time. The only
wonder Is that It was not Issued long ago , .
The menl who register will not bo assigned
to military duty at one. They will bo given
Instruction In tbe manual of arms for an
hour or so every cay ! , but will bo permitted
to attend to their regular vocations the
rest of the time. Should any emergency
arise , however , they will at once be scat
to the field of some seaport town for de
fense. "
CUHAN SYMPATHIZERS JUBILANT.
Cuban sympathizers In Havana are Jubilant
over the military draft. They say U only
thows to what straits Spora has , been re
duced. The great majority of men who will
bo compelled to serve under the- Spanish flag
are Cubans , whcsu sympathies are with the
Insurgents. Many of them already have
brothers and fathers fighting under Gomez
and Garcia. They certainly cannot bo very
loyal or enthusiastic at the prospects of
dying for a country that they liavo been
taught from their earliest childhood to hate.
The war prospects have eadly tangled the
United States quarantine regulations. A
dispatch from Surgeon General Wyman yes
terday directed Dr. Druuner to permit all
Americans to leave for Tampa without tbe
customary vaccination certificates. A camp
of some sort will be provided for them In
Tampa , but unquestionably the danger of
Infecting the United States with email pox
his been considerably Increased by Dr. Wy-
man's permUslcn.
El Commerclo , the organ of the volun
teers , says , In the course of a long editorial
today : "We nave absolute confidence In
Spanish patriotism and wo have not been
surprised to read In the Madrid papers their
desire to settle accounts wllfa the North
Americans. . It Is only natural that wo should
possess such ccnfldence , Inasmuch 'as the
Spanish government Is perfectly ablc-to fight
one , two , four and six years with an enemy
like the United States.
"Wo ore In our land ; we shall defend our
rights. Supposing Spain should lose the
Island after a heroic resistance. The Yankees
would not succeed In gaining possession ol
Cuba , 03 the powers would not allow It.
The poesecslon of Cuba signifies the do
minion of the Caribbean sea , of the future
Panama canal , which suits not the .powers.
In a few days we will have aligned In Span
ish seas , facing the Tortugas and Key West
a squadron willlag to fight the North Ameri
can fleet whenever they deem It proper , or
If they decide to trouble our seaports or
favor the rebels we are perfectly easy. The
dice are thrown. The Jingoes can cross the
Rubicon when they like. They are the ones
to start. " SYLVESTER SCOVEL.
ASSKUTS THAT ALL IS QUIET
Other Report" Snltl to He SeiiMiitlonal
Invention * .
( CopyrUlit , 1803 , by Trees Publishing Company. )
HAVANA. April 7. ( Now York World
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Any reports
raying that Havana is turbulent or the vol
unteers excited , or recruits drilling or men
acing , or American life In peril , are sensa
tional Inventions. Havana Is q-Jlet. Lee
apprehends not the slightest danger untl
\fter the flrst gun Is fired or : i de-clarntlor
of war 'Is made. Blanco states hoMill vig
orously punish rioting. AroUs , now In
charge of the Havana rcgu an , Is a goer
officer , understands hU business and hr.s
plenty of troops. Today the streets arc
strangely but Innocently silent. Out In tbe
bay the Sranlsh ships all lie with their
yards , booms and guns "cock-billed" and
all flags at halt mast , iravana. on land
and In the harbor , Is officially recognizing
Holy week. The Mangrove went at C:3 : (
without any manifestation of public Inter
est. It carried a lead of refugee ; . These arc
the people of the lower class , whom the
Spaniards hate and educated Spaniards do
splse , yet there are no remarks on their " -
Ing. No well Informed resident hero of the
many I have seen on the question thinks
anv anti-American trouble at all probable
except as mentioned.SYLVESTER
SYLVESTER SCOVHL.
I'UOMI'T ACTION IIV CO.VSUI , IJKXT
I.lven of AmerlcniiN In. Imminent I'erl
Are Snve l Thereby.
( Copyright. 133 , by Prers Publishing Company ,
KINGSTON , Jamaica , April 7. ( New Yorl
World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The
Hvea of 100 Americana In Imminent peril on
the south coast of Cuba have been saved , I
U believed , by the prompt action of Lou la
A , Dent , the United States consul here
There had been excessive apprehension
among the Americans In the southern -
ern Cuban cities , especially In San
tiago and Clenfuegos , owing to the
threats of the Spanish rabble to wipe
them out the Instant war should be de
clared. Therefore , the Americans appealci
to Consul Dent for help. Consul Den
promptly chartered the rteamer Drookllnt
to go to Santiago and the Ueverly to go tc
Cl'nfuegoa to rescue tbe consult and citizens
Tbe Beverly left Kingston at 2 a. m , Wednes
day , dumping Iti pauengera and cargo here
The Ilrookllne left Port Antonio at 7 a. m.
Consul U nt going on a ipeclal train tc
hurry It up. The Ilrookllne will return bere
but tbe Beverly will go to Key West. Doth
cleared from Cuban waters today. There
wa great excitement here when U wa
cnown that the vcraeli had been dispatched
.0 relieve the Americans. Trie war feeling
could not run higher U Eng | nd wcro In
volved tnitead of America. Tremendous cn-
huslasm prevails in anticipation of a decla
ration of war. Mr. Dent'i promptitude U
ilghly commended ,
, IK WILL , PULL Dqw.THK FLAG.
Will He thrI.n t-OiMr to Leave the
Cnbnn Cnullnl.
TAMPA , Fla. , April 7. The program for
ho departure of General Lee from Havana
was announced tonight and Is as follows :
The Olivette will enter Havana harbor on
Saturday morning and General Leo will at
once notify all Americans that this will bo
heir last clianco to leivo the Island under
the American flag. After all axe. on board
the steamer , Including iho United States
consuls from the various ports of Cuba , Gen
eral Leo will pull down the American flag
'rom the consulate , will turn over the
archives to ttio British consul , Gollln , and
will go aboard the Olivette , which will at
once sail for Key West *
It Is possible that one of the gunboats or
cruisers at Key West will accompany the
Olivette to Havana to protect the Americans
as the last of them leave the city. The
Olivette will r ach Key West on Saturday
night or Sunday night If the , United States
consuls cannot leave Havana before Sunday.
lEUIi-\T'S APPKAL TO A'ICTOIUA.
Cry of 11 Woman In Soirc
StrnltH.
; CopyrlRht , 1S93 , by 1'resa Publishing Company. )
LONDON , April 7. ( New York World Ca
blegram Special Telegram. ) The queen re
gent's reported second letter to Queen Vic
toria has excited some sympathy here for
icr In her desperate situation . and baa
quickened the hope that war may be averted.
The letter Is a direct personal appeal to
Victoria to exert her Influence to prevent
war between Spain and the United States.
The queen regent Is stated to have made
some touching references In her telegrams
to the fact that both Victoria and herself
are without husbands , who would have been
their advisers In so troubled a time , and
to have added that she wan emboldened by
the queen's well known love for peace to
aok her to strive to prevcat war , which
must be so disastrous to life..The queen re
gent Is raid to have recalled the coincidence
that the very last document' Prince Albert
ever wrote was a memorandum In Queen
Victoria's behalf at the crucial point In the
Trent dispute between her cquntry and the
United States which , on the testimony of
all most Intimately concerood , averted war.
The gloomiest anticipations are again
prevalent respecting the American-Spanish
situation , owing , to the pc.vitlve statement
that the Sagasta cabinet adheres obstinately
to its attitude of noncompltanco with Mc-
Klnley's demands. Spanish diplomacy's
latest device for Inducing European powers
to Intervene energeflcalv ) la that the dis
semination of the Idea or , Tnr once afoot
cannot be localized , and wltyjad In a Euro
pean conflagration. This' ut-tlon h s now !
gained great currcncy'hcrei In Germany ,
although In well informed pplltleal circles
the suggestion of European complications
arising Is utterly scoutc'd. Austria is still
actively engages through Its representatives
In trying to secure peace. The Austrian
ambassador had a lengthy' ' interview with
Mr. Balfour of the foreign office today and.
afterwards called on the Spanish ambaeaa-
dor. The object of the former visit was to
press on the BrltUh government the advisa
bility of taking a more active part In medi
ation efforts as Spain is complaining ( bit
terly of English lukewarmne&j , If not hos
tility at the present crisis. H is underotood
that Balfour answered that tbe British gov
ernment could not go beyond the steps It
has already taken , public opinion not war
ranting officious Interference.
It Is the subject of remark that for the
last week enthusiastic demonstrations have
been evoked at the Palace theater when
Amerlcar. military pictures and one of Presi
dent McKInljy In the garden 'la ' Canton are
shown. Before that they excited ns partic
ular applause.
Commissioner Browrqon arrived at Lon
don tonight from Rome add. Paris. Lieuten
ant Colwell said : "I don't think any more
purchases of war ships will < be rcade by
Commissioner Brownson or myself. The
market has been pretty well gleaned. " Com-
mlsoloncr Bronnaon's movements are quite
unsettled , but It Is understood that his hope
of securing the formidable O'HIgglns , the
Chilian cruiser. Is not yet abandoned.
Pope- * Mortllleil.
( CopyrlRht , U9S by 1'refs Publlshlne Company. )
ROME , April 7. ( New York World Cable-
cram Special Telegram. ) I am authorized
to state that great mortification exists at
the Vatican , ow.'ns to statements by the
Spanish authorities that the Initiative papal
Intervention came from President McKinley.
This placed McKlnley and Ireland In a false
light and Implied that America was showing
the white feather and made the papal pro
ject miscarry. Spain had really osked the
pope to Intervene and the flrst Vatican re
lations with the United States on the sub
ject were a letter from Rampolla to Arch
bishop Keane , as follows : "Request Ire
land. In the name of the pope , to use his
Influence in America In favor of peace , "
Denial of a. Rumor.
( Copyright , 189S , by Press Publishing Company.
LONDON , April 7. ( New York World Ca
blegram Special Teiegtam. ) Tbo Queens-
town correspondent of the' World telegraph *
that thcro Is no truth In the statement that
Si'uilsh ' war ships have been maneuvering
oft Quecnstown. A large ; bcily of workmen
has been brought down .froin Clyde to as-
tlst in repairing and fitting the damagec
torpedo guoboat Andai ! for 'sea. Men are
working day and night , as It cannot leave
! f war Is declared. .Custom officers have
been Instructed from the admiralty ut Lon
don to take possession of it Immediately
It war breaks out.
KIIKWKC in CoaxUuur Trade.
( CopyrlRht. U9S , by Press Publlihlne Company. )
BERLIN , April 7. ( New York World Ca
blegram Special Telegram. ) The Hamburg-
American line Is sending steamers across
to various American ports to take up the
cowling trade In the event of war breakIng -
Ing out. It la 8tato4 that American coastltig
steamers will not run the rlric of runulas
fearing capture by Spanish privateers.
Flotilla Aivnltn Order * .
( Copyright , ISM , by I'rera PubllsblQg Company. ;
ST. VINOENT , Cape Verde Wands. Aprl
7. ( New York World Cablegram Specla
Telegram. ) The Spanlih flotilla ID command
of Commodore VllUmll Is still here ready
to put to sea , but awaiting orders from
Madrid.
Xo Trouble- Havana.
WASHINGTON , April 7. The Spanish
minister has received a telegram from the
governor general of Cuba to tbe effect tbat
all rumcra of Impending trouble in Hav na
are Absolutely falce.
inventcr Makes a Startlirg Statement About
Spain's Furchuses.
NO DOU3T THAT MAINE WAS BLOWN UP
Jonciili GIlitilitM StnkFH tun Iteiintntloit
on. the Cliurnc tlutt He Cuit
Prove It IK'j-oml L
Doubt.
( CcpyrlRlit , 1S08 , by Tress Publishing Company. )
LONDON , April 7. ( New York World Cu-
> legram SpcclUl Telegram ) Joseph Pannell
GlL'blns , submarine ratno expert and Inventor
of the submarine mines supplied Spain la
886 and 1896 , has furnished the following
signed statement giving his reasons for
holding that the 'Matoo ' was destroyed by
ono of his mines and explaining the Impos
sibility of exploding the mine otherwise
ban through the direct agency of Spanish
officers In charge of the Havana mine fields :
"Tho only submarine mines supplied the
Spanish government since 1SS6 were man
ufactured under my patents and I supplied
them with fifty-six ground mines , twenty-
five buoyant mines , cacti with a charge of
500 pounds of guncotton , and fifteen electric
contact mines. These latter explode either
on contact or by observation frctn the shore ,
cacd containing a charge of 100 pounds of
guncotton. In direct contradiction to the as
sertions of Senor Jose , secretary of the Span
ish legation at Washington , and General
Wcylcr , that there were no submarine mines
In Havana barber , I absolutely affirm that I
shipped the above mines for Havana and
Fccrol on a Span'sh ' ship , the property
of the Spanltti government , officered by
Spanish naval officers with two captains , at
the Weet India dock at London. The mines
sent to Havana would still retain their full
effectiveness. They will last under water
few an indefinite period.
"la 1896 tde Spanish government ordered
a fresh supply of my patent mines. Whether
they went to Havana or not Is Immaterial.
Ono of the mines supplied In 1SS6 Is still
fully capable of causing the destruction of
the ( Maine , fa fact I am convinced , from all
the surrounding circumstances , that no other
agency could have caused It. 'My mines are
in electrical connection with the shore , and
It Is quite Impossible that they could be ex
ploded except by design. The explosion of
the mine which destroyed the Maine was the
work Of one or two men for these reasons :
GIVES HIS REASONS.
"First The vessel swinging , either
anchored or moored , upon the striking cir
cuit "closer , the case- Would merely drop the
shutter on the keyboard on shore , warning
the .officer in charge that it was In contact
with the mine.
"Second Before the officer In possession
can flro the mine ho must obtain one of two
keys. One Is generally kept by the com
mandant , tile other by the officer in charge
of the firing station. He must then unlock
the glass door over which the shutter has
fallen and Insert the red danger plug in an
insulated switch.
"Third He must Insert a plug in the
switch of the firing battery earth plate.
"Fourth The firing key Is arranged with
a locking armature of ebonite , which must
be unlocked before the danger point Is ar
rived at.
"Fifth The firing key hammer must bo
pressed Into contact with the anvil to com
plete the circuit that explodes the detonator
by which the mine Is In turn exploded.
"I have not the slightest hesitation In cay-
Ing that the Maine was deliberately de
stroyed with a SOO-pound ground mine as
Invented and supplied by me.
"Tho consensus of opinion Is that the flrot
explosion was external , which Is established
on the following grounds : The forward mag
azine contained 2,200 pounds of gunpowder ,
which might blow up the decks , but It Is
problematical whether it was capable of
igniting 0,500 poimls of powder
in the middle magazine and even if
it did the explosion was both
quite Incapable of detonating 8,200 pounds of
wet guncotton In the after magazine , and
had that quantity of gunpowder been de
tonated not a vestige of the Maine would
remain. The only practical way to discover
the mine that sunk the Maine Is by under-
running a cable from the shore to the Junc
tion box and from thence underrun each In
dividual cable to the mine until one Is found
without a mine attached. I am satisfied that
the explosion was caused by a ground and
not by a buoyant mine , for Havana harbor
Is too shallow to admit of the use of the
latter. I am prepared to tatlsfy by demon
stration to any Jury otjeasonable men that
tula Is a true explanation of the destruction
of the Maine. "
.SI'AIX I1USY WITH rilKPAII.VTIOXS.
Getting Fleet In Hcmllnexx for the
F.xpi'cU'il HoatlllllcN.
( Copyright. 1S9S , by Press Publishing Company. )
MADRID. April 7. ( New York World Ca
blegram Special Telegram. ) When the In
habitants cf Madrid today heard of the grave
decision taken by the government durtag
the night the people bought papers largely.
There la much subdued excitement amcng
all closes , with visible satisfaction among
the majority at having got out of the pant
period of doubt and quickly dispelled hopes
of peace. Most Spaniards seem disposed to
face calmly and resolutely tbo eventualities
of the future , and the government la hourly
receiving offers of assistance from all par-
tics , civil and municipal corporations , even
the clergy and religious orders. The pres.
of every shade publishes patriotic articles
approving tbe conduct of the government ,
especially Sagasta , and the ministers of war
and marine. El Liberal publishes an article
congratulating the government on having no
resolutely stepped out of the quagmire of
Indecision to respond to public feeling , and
promises to support the nation. Imparclal
U more energetic In tone and upbraids Amer
ica for abusing Its strength to Invade the
rights of territories of weaker people , who
will , however , thow fight In their defense
of honor. Glebe , ministerial Pa la , repub
lican Corvco , and Etpaaol , Carllet , follow
THE BEE BULLET !
Weather KorccuM for Nfbrniks
Cloudy ; Shoncru ; Souther ! ,
Page.
1. AittiilulMrnUnn I.ooko for
Force * Arinlntr In llnvnn
Snnln'N I'urchnne of Mill
I'OWIMTN . \ k for 1'euoe.
S. OroNvrnor XponUd In th
Much Kxeltptitent In , Jin
AV u tell inn 11 Shoot * at it
\olirn Uii
Lincoln
Supreme Court Hctn Afl < vlMW iiiti ,
TrlliuUto the t.ntv Mr .
4. Ktlltorlnl anil Continent ,
n. < MlxHonrl Pacific niul
Con I I'roilnrt for nYcnr. .
( I. Council ItluITi I.ocnl Mnttem.
Mnrilrrcr Stone Stny * In I'rlunn ,
7. .Mining .VewM of theIllnck Hill * ,
( ie lie rill \c\vx of tlie Kurt her Went.
8. Olixcniuiei- ( lie rn o\er.
IiiMiirniice Wnr IH
U. Irrigation In < he
Hartley Vcrillct U Alllrincil.
I.CMV llntcn to HoiuexeekerK.
City to 1'lnht 'ANotiiitt ' Hill * .
11. Commercial nii l Flnanclnl New * .
12. lieiiinrldililc CiiMe of ItPMcmlilaiicc.
The Field of Klcclrlclly.
Temperature nt Oninlini
Hour. De c. Hour. Dew.
n n. m : t < t i p. in. . . . . . r.i :
( i n. m : in p. in r t
7 n. m : ir > : i p. 111 .VJ
N a. 111 : IK 4 p. 111 r t
i ) a. m -1:1 : n p. m n i
10 n. m -Ill U p. 111 Kli
11 n. ill IH 7 p. in Ill
1'J m 50 N p. in 411
O p. m -15
suit. The only discordant note Is the con
sternatton In financial circles.
The ministers keep great reserve , and
measures arc taken for the defense of the
peninsula and the colonies , but the greatest
activity Is noticeable In both the marine and
war departments. Military and naval circles
do not conceal their satisfaction at the turn
events are taking. Spain can call out , If
nccecsary , 150,000 reserve men who have
all served three years In the artny , and over
20,000 sailors. Ccast defenses , entrance
posts and the rivers have been carefully
looked to lately by a special technical com-
mlsslcn. Local authorities and the Inhab
itants everywhere have assisted the naval
and military departments. Some province
towns are even undertaking to raise from
$1,000,000 to ? 5,000,000 by local tales for the
national defense.
A Cadiz special Informs me that all rumors
of the ccntemplated departure of the squad
ron for evolutions and a second torpedo
squadron for the West Inillc.s arc absolutely
false. They are not anything like ready or
oven now assembled , and no orders have yet
been received from the marine minister to
move either squadron. The only Instructions
really given to Admiral Churruca , com
manding at Cadiz , are to puih preparations
as fast ( is possible. In consequence Cadiz
bay , and clrse by both the royal arsenal at
Ecu Fernando and the yards belonging to
the Transatlantic company , arc a scene of
much lively activity. Admiral Cerverrn's
fleet is anchored at Cadiz taking -la stores
and ammunition" Victualing ; also-tOo
fast cruieer Alphotuso XIII , Maria Theresa ,
Christopher Columbus , two second-class
cruisers , besides four rakleh looking little
torpedo beats and two destroyers from
England. >
Reliable official Information reads that the
public may expect the early arrival of the
battleships Pclayo , Cardinal Clencros ,
'
Carlos V and two torpedo derftroyera , the
latter from England , the cruiser Garibaldi
from Italy and t'he torpedo cruiser Maria
'Molina ' from Ferrol. All the above vessels
are not far advanced In their preparations ,
but have been1 withdrawn rapidly from for
eign yards In case war should break out , and
the:1 ! outfit can be completed in Spain with
the assistance of foreign firms and foreign
workmen brought down at great expense. The
minister of marine had no difficulty In get
ting men and officers ashore among volun
teers , bcsldeo men returning from the Philippine -
pine islands and the merchant service. Sev
eral largo transatlantic steamers of iMarquls
Camilla's line are rapidly fitting with rapid-
firing guns , Maxims and Nordcnfcldts and
with strong crewo commanded by royal navy
officers. Seldom have San Fernando and Ca
diz been so animated with sailor ? , marines ,
officers and troops arriving and starting for
the Canary Isles. Positive orders have been
sent to tbo Canary isles for the torpedo
squadron to stay there , and It was never
contemplated to send tbe squadron of Ad-
mlrul Cerverra to Jojn It. On the contrary , he
la expected to return here.
The pres.3 censor 1s at his tricks again.
Laat night and thte morning there were de
tained by superior orders your telegrams and
those of the English and French. Tbo scare
hero hay reached such ridiculous proportions
that not only telegrams , but telephone mes
sages to the provinces are controlled and
detained by tbo liberal government. The
meteagta thus deemed obnoxious simply
mentioned two facta that are gossip among
all classes In Madrid , namely , that there Is
a very strong feeling among military men
against the Idea of making any concession
to America or fresh concessions to the au
tonomists and separatists in Cuba , and the
strong probabilities of a ministerial crlsla.
The general went to the palace to tell the
queen so plainly , and called upon Sagasta for
the same purpose. As regards a ministerial
crisis the following are the tacts : For iwmo
time there ban been a very evident difference
of opinion between ministers like Morct ,
Puig , Cerver , Gullon and Capdepon , who are
able to appreciate the colonial , financial , In
ternational and domestic consequences of a
struggle with the United States , and mlnls-
toie like Count Xuquena , Senor Grolzard ,
General Correa and Admiral Blrmcjo , who
only view the situation from the short
sighted , prejudiced criterion of old world
Ideas of the nobility and military und naval
pride. Sagabta has done liU best to avoid a
crisis and a modification of the cabinet , hopIng -
Ing to keep his colleagues together until the
Cortes meets. Morct and the conciliatory
members of tbe cabinet are patriotically un
dertaking to remain In otnce , and even back
a resistance policy , If the United States is
the flrst to give Spain provocation. From
the point of view of domestic politics and
the tone of the press the situation ia very
aerloua.
I am able to state that when Spain con
sulted the powcra and courts oven Austria
Imitated the pope and recommended a
prompt acceptance of the armistice. Other
European courts and governments In a
courteous and friendly way went further and
strongly urged Spain to come to an under
standing with America and the Cubans yooner
than plunge into a war , for which she Is not
credited by Europe with being prepared
either from a. naval or financial point ol
view. ARTHUR E. HOUGHTON.
Spnnlxli Co n mil Leaven Taniii.
TAMPA. Fla. , April 7. The Spanish con-
sulatc here la deserted , Stnor Pedro SoMs
having departed for WaaVugton tb'.e mora
ine by order of his government. ,
POWERS ASK PEACE' '
Their Representatives Gall in a Bcdy on
President McKinley.
SIR JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE IS SPOKESMAN
They Appeal for Feaco on the Grounds of
Humanity ,
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS ARE URGED
President Says He Hopes Order Will B8
Restored in Cuba.
CONDITIONS THERE ARE INSUFFERABLE
He Amuirrn HIM Caller * Hint While
I'l-tico IH DeRlrnlile , the Iiuineilliito j
CoNHHtloit uf Cnliiin OutriiKfH
is Mure lniimrliiiit.
WASHINGTON. April 7. The representa
tives of the six great powers of Europe
Great Ilrltaln , FVance , Germany , Rucsla ,
Austria ana Italy gave ofllclal form at noon
today to tlielr recent confurcncca In the In
terest of a peaceful solution of tbo Cuban !
problem.
Their procedure was unique In ttie United ]
Statce. though doubtless a familiar one I of
European courts. They called In n body alf
the White House , presented an addrcea to )
President McKlnley In tlio blue parlor , re-
celvcd his reply , and then proceeded to the
State department , where with solemn punc
tiliousness , they were received by Assistant
Secretary Day In the diplomatic room. They ,
were accompanied by tlielr secretaries. Tha
ceremony was oppressive.
The ambassadors and ministers bad agreedl
upon a line of action at a meeting at tho'
Jrltleh embassy Tuesday morning. Today ,
Iiero was evidences of great activity at the
'orelem establishments , and while the cus
tomary ofllclal socresy was observed , yetf
10 further effort was made to question on
deny the fact that the ambassador * and !
ministers had agreed on a concrete form of
action.
The additional fact was made known fop
lie first tlmo that Sir Jnllc'.i I'auncctoto
mil communicated with the State depart-
in on t authorities last evening on this sub-
leet , nnd while the full details of the move
ment may not then have been presented , Uio
United States government was made awnro
of what was being done , and of the further )
fact that an ofllclal presentation of the sub-
| ect would bo made at noon today.
This government undoubtedly was made
acquainted with the nddrc'3 to bo delivered , '
and then In the light of It prepared Ita
reply. , jit
RUSSIA JOINS THE OTHERS.
The fact developed .for the first time this
morning that Russia had joined the other/
flvo pov.'crs , Mr. Do Wollant , charge el" ,
affaires pending the arrival of the 'new *
Russian amtassador , Count Caarino , acting
for Russia.
The diplomatic officials congregated at the
British embassy shortly before noon andi
then proceeded with their secretaries to tad'
White HOUFO and State department. The
party was made up of the following : The
British ambassador , Sir Julian Paunccfote ,
dean of the diplomatic corps ; the French !
ambassador , M. Cambon , Und M. Thlebantj
flrst secretary of the French embassy ; the/
German ambassador , Dr. Von Hoolcbon ,
with Dr. Spreck Von Sternberg , first secre
tary of the German embassy ; the Austrian ' ,
minister , Mr. Hengelmullcr ; the Italian
charge d' affaires. Count Vinci , and the
Russian charge d' affaires , Mr. Do Wollantt
Arriving at the White House they wera
ushered Into the blue room and there wcro
received by President McKlnloy. After a
social exchange and mutual well wishes tha
ambassadors , ministers and charges , speak
ing through Sir Julian Pauncefotc , delivered !
to the president an address to which hoi
responded. Sir Julian said :
Mr. President : We have been commis
sioned by the great powers of Europe , whom )
wo represent here today , to approach youn
excellency with a mi-stago of frlcndsVilp
nnd pence at the present critical Juncture !
In the relations between the United States
and Spain , ami to convey to you t'ne senti
ments expressed In the collective , note
which I have the honor to place In you *
( lands.
HOPE FOR PEACE. I
The note was as follows : n
Tno undersigned , representatives of dor *
many , Austria-Hungary , France , Great
Britain , Italy and Hunsla , duly authorized
In that behalf , address In the name of thclp ,
respective government ! ) a pressing appeal to
the feelings of humanity and moderation
of the president of the American pcoplo
In their existing differences wlt'n Spain.
They earnestly hope that further negotia
tions will lead to an agreement , whlcn ,
while .securing1 the maintenance of pence ,
will afford all necessary guarantees for tha
re-cstnbllrfnment of order In Cuba.
The powers do not doubt 'that ' the hu
manitarian nnd purely disinterested char
acter of tills representation will bo fullyj
recognized and appreciated by the American
nation.
President McKlnley replied as follown :
The government of the United States rccsr *
nlzcs the gooU will /.vhlch has prompted tha
friendly communication of the representa
tives of Germany , Austria-Hungary , France.
Great Britain , Italy and llUFi'Ia. as set forthl
In the address of your excellencies , and
shares ! the hope therein expressed that tha
outcome cf the situation In Cuba may bo
the maintenance of peace between the United
States and Spain by affording the necessary
guarantees for the rc-e abllshment of order
In tha Island , PO terminating the chronic *
condition of disturbance there which so
deeply Injures the. Interests und menaces tha
tranquillity of the American nation by tha
character am ] consequences of the struggle *
thus kept up at our doors , besides shocking
ItH xcntlment of humanity.
The government of the United State * apt
predates the humanitarian nnd disinter
ested character of < ho communication of tha
power * named , und for Its part Is confident
that equal appreciation will bo shown foc\
Its own earnest nnd unselfish endeavors to
fulfill a duty to humanity by ending u sltua-f
tlon the Indefinite prolongation of which ham
become Insufferable , . , r
CALL AT STUTE DEPARTMENT. 5
The party then withdrew to tbo State de *
partment and repaired In a body to tbo dip *
lomatlc room , where they hold a conference
with Judge Day , assistant secretary of utule
Secretary Sherman having gone home ta
lunch before their arrival. *
This conference took a wider range and
went considerably outsldo of the addrcaa de
livered to the president. Wbllo the dlplo *
matletu wcro at first received together , they )
Born nojcrated Into groups , with the appi- '
rent piirnote of presenting the views of ( belli
several government ! ! . (
Ttt- British ambassador , tbo Austrian