Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 February 1898 — Page 1

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THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS

VOL. XXIX!SSS!S B »b 8 TiS}—fourth edition

FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1898.

TEN PAGES—U’^fSi^lTWO CENTS.

SPAIN RESPONSIBLE

IP THE BATTLESHIP MAINE WAS PURPOSELY WRECNtED.

Diplomatic Prooodont* tor W*tr Yrar» Ar« la Accordance with Til la ConteaMon.

THE CAUSE OF THE CASUALTY NOT YET DEFINITELY KNOWN.

is luider oath of Becrtscv. For the time . being the diver* are under naval discipline. When above water each is attend- . by officer of the court of inquiry. The Maine Itself Is sacredly gu«rdfrom unofficial approach. ^ '‘Tnese facts account for the remarkable equanimity with which the American people read the daily sensation* from Havana, and 'the atock Jobbing forebodings of war from New York and Washington. "This much is abeolutely true: President McKinley knows nothing about the wreck otf the Maine or the testimony as to Its cause that he has no‘t made public. He will not withhold any information wt»en he gets it. He has not come to amy conclusion as to whether the disaster was accidental or designed, or whether It was cauped by an Internal or external exptoaton. "W hen he receives the report of the court of inquiry he will know the facts wnJoh he will make public, with his conclusions and policy."

The General Belief, However, that It was Not on Aeelden-S-Whot the Divers Hove Found —The OfflrloU’ statements The PrcoMent's Pooltton.

NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS. Information nt Washington About the Maine Is Meagre. [Associated Press Dispatch.] Washington. D. C., February 25.—Undoubtedly there is a quieter faeling manifeoted at Che Navy Department over the Maine affair as time passes. This is the

ence. These autonomists have no authority to represent Spain in the negotiations, and give no guarantee that Spain would yield the concessions offered. The resolutions are in one sense an answer to the complaint from Madrid that the autonomist cabinet was doing nothing to bring the insurgents to recognition. If negotiations are ever actually opened with the insurgentn, Govln’s and the radical autonomists’ proposition will be rejected. The intransigea-nts are still hostile to the government. Among them the Maine inquiry Is adding to the smothered antiAmerican feeling. The authorities profess ability to hold it in check.

I to I

r,

[Special to The Indian*polls News.}

Washington, D. €.. February 25.—Diplomatic precedents, covering sixty years, lend to fix upon Spain the full responsibility for any sinister influences which may have contributed to the destruction of the Maine. It would be then for this country to decide upon the character of the Indemnity to be demanded, and as to this It would he puerile to enter Into any argument on the proposition that mere money, even if Spain had it to give, would be a sufficient atonement

a diabolical outrage, which Is said

be without parallel in the history of

nations, civilised or barbarian.

The best authorities hold that Spain was under an obligation to all neutral powers to give notice of the location of mines or oilier submarine defenses, for failure to do which damage ensues and

lly attaches. - In our civil war. Government not only blockaded the

Southern porta, but obstructed harbors with great masses of stone and sank expioaives, of which due notice was giv^n to neutrals. In the war between Chile and Peru, the latter government used submarine explosives, and was warned by our Government and others that If harm came from them Peru would be held to a strict accountability. When China was threatened by France In 1884, she put obstructions In the harbor of Canton, and was rlbtlfled of her resporusibUHy. In the Franco-German war. Germany sank torpedoes In her BaJtlc port*. Her right to do this was not questioned, but with the right came the responsibility. 1/ bar enemy took the Chances, tfha could not complain If blown out of existence, but as to the neutrals, ft waa her obligation to warn them off. While Spain has the right and has un-

" exercised it, of planting torend mines in the harbor for her and Is not required to disclose location, she Is compelled to pilot of neutral powers away from explosives. The charge is made, probably be sustained, that the after having chosen an anchorage, ted, under Spanish authority, to and if this can be proved K be readily seen where the grave re-

. sibitKy for the consequence comes In.

la Storked Co at rest.

Naval officers are making a sharp contrast between the conduct of the Spanish in Havana a Ad our own officers York, whose every precaution for the proteefion of the Vis- > unhappy episode which Is _ up the blood of this country, as It has not been quickened for many years, draws renewed attention to the low scale of civilisation of Spain and Its people, and accounts, perhaps, in some way for the estimate which they have of our relative fighting capacity. Sixty-eight per cent, of the people of Spain ban not rand or writs, and, of oourse, are Ignorant of the fact that our population is four times in excess of thrtra Spain Is thousands of square miles less than that of the State of Texaa Four ot our States can be picked whose aggregate equals her population, whose wealth Is Indefinitely greeter, and which could put In the field & mors numerous and ten times bigger equipped

army.

It has been suggested that the United flutes could purchase the warship lately constructed for Japan by the Cramps and the ships that have been built in England for the use of China. But the necessity of additional ships will not bo felt in any scrimmage with Spain. Hashed with Work. Every chief of division and a majority of the clerks In the ordnance and construction divisions of the Navy Department are rushed with work to-day. It Is believed that the naval investigation board now at work in Havana harbdr has sent for information and details from the departments. It is further stated that much will depend on the testimony of the chemical experts as to the cause of the Maine explosion. Powder, gun ootton, dynamite and Ather exptoetves, produced different results when

exploded In water.

A member of tho naval committee of the House, who has spent the greater part of the past week endeavoring to get at the actual situation In the event that the report shows that the vessel was destroyed from causes other than accident,

said this afternoon:

‘There is very strong probability that the forthcoming report from the naval board will not be satisfactory. I have learned that no evidence will be considered before the board that could not be received in a court of law. Hence, there can be no opinions expressed in the findings. It will be a plain statement of the actual conditions of the warship as the board finds it Tho President, Congress and tne public will be left to draw their own conclusions. It is possible that there may be evidence about which we know nothing, and which may connect some persons with a foul plot to blow up the Maine or any other United States man-of-war that entered that harbor. But we have no more right, under international ethics, to call for the plans of the harbor than we would to call for the bank account ot

General Blanco.

"You can say one thing. I do not think Congress is going to stand much delay. Mark Hanna and other ultra-conserva-tives are not going to control the action of the House. And l wish you would give the public to understand that the House of Representatives will not subI mu to any more duplicity from Spanish I dtpl<wrates." The Representative spoke I with some warmth, and undoubtedly reflects the sentiment of the House. THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY. It Is wtthhotdfasr Natklag and will

Mmke Public tke Facts.

Chicago. February M—Mr. H. H. Kohleoat. who la very dose to President McKinley. publishes the following in the

Chicago Evening Port to-day:

"W can be stated poektvaly that neither the Prc-klvn*. nor Secretary Long is In possees.on of a single Met or report in regard to the Maine .Uearter that they I have no* mode public. And while Phey I ton not confirm nor deny the sensational

dally published throughout the

w witMiftaio/i.

.4^1 esst« Arit# VnjyM.ru CBAtUSiofi

ptn/*ua

MANY SENSATIONAL STORIES Started for a Pnrpose and Published by ‘‘Yellow" Papers. Chicago. February 25.—The Record's Washington special from W. E. Curtis says: The most ardent Jingoes in Washington are the officers of the army and navy, particularly the latter, who are spoiling for a “scrap” with Spain, or any ether nation, for that matter, and since the disaster to the Maine, have had their natural belligerence excited by a thirst for venegance. Notwithstanding the newspaper reports, the prevailing impression among naval officers still is that the ship was destroyed by accident, except among the members of the construction bureau, who built the Maine, and therefore are confident that nothing could have gone wrong inside of her, and one or two others, who have especial theories to account for the catastrophe; but then; isn’t a man under the roof of the Navy building, unltss it be Secretary Long, who does not yca:T tot war. This belligerent spirit is encouraged by the

gan is much commented on. The Paix frankly declares that Cuban independence is imminent. Tbe Feeling at Madrid. London, February 25.—According to a special dispatch from Madrid reports received there from the United States are to the effect that public opinion in the latter country is becoming more excited owing to the impression that the loss of the Maine is not due to an accident, are "restirring popular feeling here (in Madrid) and the conviction is increasing in ministerial circles that the worst must be expected.” Continuing, the special dispatch says: "The Government has no choice If the United States adopts a threatening attitude, for the prospect of war is popular with all parties and the more excitable newspapers are already urging the Government to take measures to enable Spain to strike the first and decisive blow."

HOW FIVE DAYS OYERDOE

THE FRENCH LINER LA CHAMPAGNE NOT YET SIGHTED.

Officials of the Line, However, Say They Have Little Fear About Hei* —The Relative* of Thoae on Board Show Mach Anxiety.

This picture, reproduced from the Cincinnati Enquirer, shews the eastern coast of the United States and Cuba, with the porltlon of warships as riven by telegraphic dispatches.

I country as to rite progreos ot the court of qulry. they know that none of the evi- «** or eonciuskma of the court widl e made public In advance of tt*e offlW report. Every official connected with * kwerttxation into tbe cause of the

tbs Maine, from Captain l down to the divers and linemen.

tenth day since the warship was destroyed, but the officers are willing to wait in patience at the admonition of the President and Sec rear y Long, until the foots relating to the explosion are fully developed. They axe fully on their guard against the acceptance of unauthorixed statements of the conditions at Havana and the dally developments, being aware ot the efficiency of the precautions adopted by the court of Inquiry to prevent the premature disclosure of the proceedings. Therefore, the published statement that the explosion had been demonstrated to be of exterior origin, by the discovery of the upheaved double bottom of the Maine, did not cause much of a stir because the officials could not conceive that the alert members of the court of Inquiry and their assistants in Havana had overlooked a fact so Important as thie, notwithstanding it must have been perfectly apparent for the past week to any one who

cam* near (toe wreck.

Captain OrovririnSMeld turned up at the Navy Dcpartmefit to-flay and took the In the bureau of navigation, relievCaptein Dickens,-'-who has efisttnled himself and earned the thanks of the Secretary for the vlgttaftoe wRh which he has managed all of the many details of the Maine affair that have fallen upon the navigation bureau, and of the newspaper men for the patience and frankness with which he has met

their manv Inquiries.

Caused Much Conjecture. Captain CrownimsMeld’s absence has been mode the basis for the conjecture that he has been on eecret service for tbe Navy Department in Cuba, and color was lent to this impression by the fact that it waa not possible until a late hour yeoterdsy to secure from any of the offlclele a statement of the nature of his business in the South, for K was known that he bad arrived In Tampa on the Montgomery from the West Indies. The officer himself was not very communicative as to the details of his trip, but he did say that he -had been In San Domingo. He had gone there on the Brooklyn with his sbn, when tbe ship started for St. Thomas. While in San Domingo he received new* of the disaster to the Maine, and took advantage of the opportunity presented by the appearance in Son Domingo of the cruiser Montgomery to moke his way back to the United States and to Washington. There was no word from either Captain Sigsbee or Consul-General Lee this morning at the Navy and State departments. The monitor Terror is lying in Hampton Roads, and it is said at the Navy Department that she has no orders as yet. The impression Is that she will remain in that place, which is one of great strategic value In case of need, at least until the monitor Puritan is

ready to take her place.

Tbe Formidable Puritan. The Puritan is almost twice as big as the Terror, being a six thousand-ton vessel, very little less than the Maine in aime. She carries twelve-inch guns in her turrets, against ten-inch guns for the Terror, and is altogether the most formidable double-turreted monitor In the wortd in smooth water. T|Us qualification does not mean that she is unable to keep the sea. but only that from her great breadth and light draft she h so susceptible to the wave motion that It is difficult to make good work with her guns In a seaway. She Is now having new furnaces fitted to her boilers at the Norfolk navy yard, the crowns of the furnaces having come down some time ago, owing to the fact that the boilers are the same that' were built for her when she was originally laid down many years ago. It Is said at the Navy Department that she will be ready for service about the 4th of next month. Captain Sigsbee asked yesterday whether he should endeavor to save the old material in the supersttucture of the Maine, which, from the pictures, appears to be heaped up over the boiler space*. He has been told to let this go, as it is valuable only as old Iron, which would not pay to bring back to the

States. . Tbe Cabinet 'Meeting.

The first full meeting of the cabinet in some weeks was held to-day, both Secretaries Alger and ShermaA, who have been sick, being present. The cabinet talked about the Maine disaster at some length as a current topic of vital interest, but no action made. No intimation, it was stated, has yet come from the court of Inquiry as to how long it will be occupied with its work and consequently no conclusion can be reached as to when its report will be available. The situation otherwise, it is stated, is unchanged, and after the cabinet meeting it was announced that there waa no news at the State or Navy Departments that added anything to the

situation as shown by

patches.

yesterday's dis-

BLONVN UP BY A MINK.

Discoveries Made by tbe Divers

Strenatbea This Theory.

New York. February 25—A dispatch to the Herald from Havana Says: There is no longer any reason to doubt that the explosion which wrecked the Maine came from underneath tho vessel, and that her magasines had nothing to do with the initial explosion, and ptayed a much smaller pert in the general disaster than was at

firs* supposed

The evidence that has served to con-

THE ATLANTIC COAST. In addition to the vessels whose locations are does, and the Wilmington at Lagunyra—all shown above, there are the Annapolis and within easy reach of Admiral Sicard’s squadBrooklyn at Ft. Thomas, the Vicksburg at Bt. ron. Off the shore* of Spain there are the BanKitts, tbe Cincinnati and Castine at Barba- croft, Helena. Machlas and San Francisco.

vine© the board was obtained by Ensign Powdson. an officer attached to the Fern. Mr. Powelson was formerly in the construction corps, and took a two years’ special course in the Glasgow School of Naval Architects. He is, therefore, a competent witness. What he digcovered waa that the forward part of the keel of “the Maine, with its ribs and plates, was stove upward so far that parts of the- shattered double bottom ■how out of watei. and in places sections of tbe green-painted ■ outer hull are visible. Corroborative of the evidence given by Ensign Powelson and of equal significance and Importance Is the result of ths close examination made by the divers. What they found indicates that the explosion came from a point beneath the keel. A plumb line dropped from a point Ju*t forward of the conning tower would have laid the lead exactly on the -spot where the explosion occurred that hove the keel and plates and ribs almost to the surface. The..force of the explosion seems to have been exceeded slightly on the port side of the vessel This is consistent With th«# facts hitherto ascertained. Collectively, these now Indicate that the contents of the reserve six-inch magaxine were exploded by the Initial blast, and that there was no explosion In either of the other two. In the reserve magazine was stowed 2,500 pounds of powder, in copper tanks, each of which contained 200 pounds. la Shapeless Masses. Several of these tanks have been found by the divers, all in crushed and shapeless masses. It is important to note that in the six-inch and ten-inch tanks recovered the excelsior used for packing the charges shows no injury from flanje or gases. The powder stowed in the six-inch reserve magazine was used for saluting purposes only. The magazine Itself appears to have been utterly destroyed, only a few traces being let to show the spot where It was once located. The under part of the ten-inch magazine is wholly Inaccessible to divers. In the upper part iz- lightly > wedged a mass of powdqr cylinders, too heavy for divers to extricate, but apparently containing unexploded charges of powder. The bow torpedo tube of the Maine has been located in the wreck. It lies In the debris forward, submerged several feet under water. The hull is now imbedded in the mud to the depth of eight feet The diteTs sink to their arm-pits In the mud and have .the greatest difficulty in prosecuting their work. Those engaged on the forward part of the ship are under the charge of gunner Charles Morgan, an officer specially detailed from the flagship New York for that purpose, and who has the reputation of being the most efficient of bis rank. Patience Is Necessary. A dispatch to the Tribune from Havana says: Patience Is necessary on the part of the people ot the United States in the Maine investigation. Notwithstanding vexatious delays, real progress is being made by the divers. The decision regarding the cause of the disaster ultimately rests on their work. Captain Sampson’s naval board has been able to gain, the fullest Information showing that ah accident through lack of discipline was Impossible. This branch of the inquiry brings out what was well understood—that the officers and crew of the Maine were under the strictest discipline, because, although on the surface the visit of the Maine was friendly. Capt. Sigsbee had taken proper precautions against hostile action. The work of clearing out the bodies under the hatch proceeds. The sights there are pitiful and almost beyond the endurance of the divers, accustomed as they are to such experiences. The condition in which the bodies are found shows that the men, sleeping in their bunks, must have been driven against the beams overhead with terrific force. In many instances the bodies axe charred beyond the possibility of recognition. The board has not yet directed the examination of the hull plates. While the divers’ examinations show that some of the smaller magazines may have exploded, the fact that the main ten-inch magazine was not exploded seems to have been conclusively established. The story of tha finding of a ten-inch copper cylinder was correct. The Spanish authorities adhere to the story of a fire in the ship first and tne explosion afterward. The result of the divers’ work is conclusive against that theory. Though these reports are carefully guarded. It is known that what they have found in the interior of the wreck he* demolished the theory of fire before the explosion. - Autonomy a Failure. In the uncertainty of- the relations of the United States the importance of the recent action of the autonomist party is overlooked. Its central, committee has formally approved the plan, which is a confession of the failure of the present scheme of autonomy, and an offer to the Insurgents to concede everything except the withdrawal of the Spanish flag Its significance lies In the.fact that Senor Gorin, a member of the autonomist cabinet, was a leading spirit in the meeting and offered the resolutions for treating with the insurgents, which include a series of propositions outlined by Giber** two weeks ago. when the radical autonomist party was formed. These cover everything but independ-

con tractors for projectiles, ordnance, am-, munition and other supplies, who have thronged the department since the destruction of the Maine, anxious to furnish all the fighting material that can be paid for and assist correspondents of sensational newspapers in manufacturing canards and scare news to stir up an excitement throughout the country and Influence Congress to vote additional ap-

prorpiatlons.

There is no story too improbable for

THEORIES OF THE DISASTER. Rear AdmInMj Erben DiscaasAs

Them—His Own Views.

New York, February 25.—Regarding the ten-inch loaded powder-cass and the empty one, smashed and burned, recovered from the wtieck of the Maine, Rear Admiral Erben siid to a World reporter: “I should certalnjly take the nrst as an indication that t^e magazine containing the ten-inch ammunition did not explode. I agree that if the empty powder-case had exploded, there would have been nothing left of It—absolutely nothing. It is more than likely that the empty case was one of those returned to the magazine after target practica." In the absence of other information than the newspapers, we can not tell anything definite about It, but if the magazine did not explode, what kind of torpedo could do it? Let thetn tell us that. No torpedo that I ever heard of could do that amount of damage.” Continuing, the admiral said: "While I do not think much of the theory of an accident by spontaneous combustion, the statement that spontaneous combustion could not have taken place because the coal was only three months old need not be considered. I: have seen the same kind of coal lying right out In tne navyyard shed. Catch fire of Its own accord In two weeks after it was put there. “I have said, from the first, and I repeat It now, that they will never find out what sunk the ship until it is raised, and the sooner the wrecking companies’ divers gfet to work the better. It is dangerous work down there in Havana's dirty bay. Ship divers are amateurs at the business, and no good results can be expected of them. The professional men go at it in’ a systematic way, and they

are, as a rule, fearless men.”

Regarding the moorings of the Maine In Havana harbor. Admiral Erben said: "I understand that this Spanish flagship, when she was last in Havana, was moored at the same buoy at which the Maine anchored. We do not know whether the harbor is laid with mines, and we probably never shall know. We have no right to question It any more than the Spaniards have a rightfto know’ whether this harbor is laid with mines. If it were known that there were no mines laid. It would be an Invitation for some crank to lay some on his own account. The pilot that moored the Maine was under orders from the Spanish admiral and the admiral is responsible for her safety, just as we are responsible for the safety of the Vlscaya while she is in our harbor.”

SCORES SPAIN’S POLICY.

The Intfrardal Says the Country

Should Prepare for War.

Madrid, February 25.—The Imparcial

THE COURT OF INQUIRY. It will Probably be Removed to Key West This Evening. Havana. February Z3.—The United States lighthouse tender Mangrove is still here, and the naval court of inquiry continues Its usual sessions to-day. Its members hope to get away to Key West late this evening or early to-morrow morning, but they axe not sure which it will be. It is probable that the testimony of the civilian witnesses did not add to the court’s knowledge of the circumstances attending the explosion, of the causes of whldh these witnesses could know nothing, as they were quite a distance away at the time of the occurrence. The wounded are reported to be doing well to-day. The Merritt & Chapman Derrick and Wrecking Company’s tug, Right Arm, is again at work removing such parts of the wreck as it is possible to handle in advance of the arrival of the stronger tugs and derricks from the North. It is believed the divers from the fleet and Right Arm will remain at work when the Mangrove leaves. The Fern will be the only -United States vessel In the harbor after the Mangrove goes. The public generally will be excluded from official vessels, especially the Mangrove, and a cord will have to be presented by the correspondents before admission is given them. There was a summer-like sbbwer this morning, and there promises to be a general increase in the temperature.

• BIG GUNS ARE EXPENSIVE. It Coots Nearly 92,000 to Fire a Sixteen-Inch Cannon. New York, February 25.—What an expensive thing it is to fire big guns is known by only a few people. There are many things to be considered in estimating the expense of discharging monster cannon. The cost of the powder, of the projectile Itself, and wear and tear of the gun must all be counted in before it is possible to obtain an accurate result

In figures.

In round numbers. It costs to fire one of the modem eight-inch rifles, 8262; those of ten-inch caliber, 5487; those of twelveinch, 1885, and those of sixteen-inch 81,552. These figures include the cost of Vie projectile and the powder a* 35 cents a

guns.

To fire one of the twelve-inch mortars

it costs 8539.

these men to irivent and circulate. One , pound and the wear and tear on the

of the New York papers to-day gives the details of a plan of war which was adopted at a conference of the President. Secretary Alger. General Miles, Secretary Long and various admirals and generals who have not bjeen in Washington for weeks. The materials for this story were obtained at a council of war held around a bottle at the Army and Navy Club by a reporter and a few navy subalterns of fertile imagination. But this is the sort of news that jssrtain papers seem to want, and it is efisy tor them to get it. The proprietor of one of the yellow journals of New *York a few days ago wired his correspondent here to send the details of a certain rumor that was floating around. » *h' J ‘ * ' “There is no truth in the story," an-

nounced the reporter.

"D the truth; give us something that will sell the caper.’’ was the reply.

Senor De Lome’s Statement. Liverpool. February 25.—Senor Dupuy

de Lome, who arrived here to-day on board the White Star line steamship Britannic, is quoted as saying In an Interview: “I have decided not to speak on the subject of my letter to Senor Canalejaa. I can say. however, that I have been from the first the victim of misrepresentation. The news published In the American papers and sent to this country and my own Was, from beginning to end. made up of lies of the most infamous character. The allegation in the American papers that the terrible explosion of the Maine was the outcome of a Spanish conspiracy is, in my opinion. another instance of the reckless < manner in which newspapers in Ameri-

ca work upon popular prejudice." FeefiBR Against Fernandes. Key West, February 85.—There Is dan-

ger here of an uprising against the Spaniards in Key West. The people of this town are fretting over the delay of the Government, and are each day growing more and more intolerant on account ot »he presence hero of Senor Fernandez, the Spani^n r 11ache to the consulate, who boasted of the power of his fellowcountrymen m Havana to t.ow the Maine

out of the water whenever they desired,

has frequently exulted in

rl 1 «* x act s*y* h * AVia K4T a 1

public

and

over the disaster t i the Maine,

fused to put at half-mast the flag'over the consulate, on learning of the Maine disaster, although every flag In Key West

was at hall-mast.

New York. February 25.—The overdue French line steamer La Champagne, from Havre, had not been sighted nor had anything been heard of her. She Is now five days overdue, as she should have arrived here last Sunday. Agent Bocande and the local officials at the dock and offices of the French line still deny that the company is at all apprehensive about La Champagne. The passengers booked to sail from New York on La Champagne to-morrow will be sent on La Bretagne. Persons who have friends or relatives coming on the steamship are becoming anxious, and make repeated inquiries at the company’s office for news of the vessel. Captiin Thalenhorst, of the North German Lloyd liner Trave, which arrived at this port to-day, after traversing almost the same course os that pursued by the French line ships, reported at the company's offices that he neither sighted nor heard from La Champagne, which left Havre on February 12. The Trave sailed from Bremen on Feb-

her sister-in-law. who Interfered, and was shot In the arm. Farmers with Winchesters and shotguns are searching for Will.

THE VESTERN LEAGUE MANAGERS.

Important Matters Considered at the Kansas City Meeting. Kansas City, February 26.-The Western Leaguo magnates spent most of the day yesterday discussing the schedule. In the main tl e work of tho committee was satisfactory, but the holiday dates, as usual, caused trouble. Manager Comiskey. of St Paul, served notice on the magnates that th* Saints wanted to play In Indianapolis on Decoration Dey. and he would not consent to any other arrangement. This was not satisfactory either to Indianapolis or Kansas City, which pre-empted that date several weeks ago. None of the clubs like Columbus as a holiday town. The Omaha representatives asked for the 4th of July at home, and it Is understood their request will be granted. The magnates passed a resolution against tha proposed rule of the National League whlcn permits taking players from mlno- leagues for a thirty days* trial, and also reclaiming farmed players on thirty days’ notice. This resolution will be presented at the National League meeting next week in 8t. Louis. The Omaha men—O'Brien and Schuman —have made a favorable impression on the other magnates, and they promise a first-class team for .Omaha. They believe the Tranamissourl Exposition, which will be held In that city, will make Omaha one of the best baseball towns in the country, and that thousands of people from the Western States, who have little chance to see a first-class game of ball, will take advantage of the opportunity while visiting the exposition to attend the ball games. The delegatee last night decided to act

Not a Pleasant Sight. New York, February 25.—Passengers on the steamship Concho, that has just ar rived from Havana, say that Che sight of the Maine was horrifying, from the evidence the wreckage bore of the power of the explosion and the carnage wrought. Buzzards hung about the wreck, the Spanish officers making no effort to drive them away, though their presence was sockeningly offensive. Spaniards who rowed about in boats did not conceal their eatistaction at the American warship’s fate, and sometimes were seen shiAing their fist* at the flag that hung at half-must above tbe hulk.

Know Where to Get the News. [Special to The Indianapolis Newt.] Hortonvtlle, Ind., February 25.—War with Spain is the all absorbing topic In this community at present. Many young men declare they will volunteer at the first opportunity to fight Spain, while the many ex-soldiers of this community say they are still able to do garrison duty for Uncle Sara, and will go. Every evening for the last week from fifty to one hundred men and boys gather here to get the latest news of the trouble from The Indianapolis News that comes by the Monon evening train.

A Rumor Denied.

Norfolk. -W. Va., February 25.—The rumor that the Governanerrt is securing from railway companies estimates of their capacity for moving troops and munitions of war between Atlantic and gulf ports and tbe interior, is officially denied by Vice-President St. John, of the Seaboard Air line, whose road was mentioned in the reporta Mr. St. John said to-day that he is Ignorant of any such

^ ( mova on the part of the War Departtakes the Spanish government to task ment. and as to contracts for moving

troops, he had heard nothing of them.

for its "apathy, contrasted with the patriotic feeling of the country.” and warns the nation "against the hypocritical Yankee policy, which really alms at the independence of Cuba.” Continuing. the Imparcial says: “President McKinley may make and reiterate protestations of friendship and pacific Intentions, but his actions contradict his words. While the President of the United States is cajoling us with words, he sharpens his dagger to stab us behind. While talking concord, he utilizes his Sundays in usual war preparations at the docks and cancels the furloughs of the marines. Can we trust those who are preventing the pacification of Cuba and fomenung rebellion and filibustering expeditions, sending warships under the pretext of friendship and preaching peace? We must prepare for war. There is no time to secure warships, but we should fit out immediately what we have, sending the Pelayo. Colon, Carlos V and Marie Teresa to follow the Almirante, Oquendo and Vizcaya to Cuban waters and the rest of the fleet to guard the peninsula. Otber policy than preparedness is only to play the Americans game, which Is to exhaust our resources and gain the independence of Cuba without risking anything. How long dees the government mean to favor the American plans? How long will the agonizing nation tolerate the apathy of the government?” This language from a semi-official or-

Volanteers from Jeffersonville-. Jeffersonville. Ind., February 25.— Division No. 9. Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias last night passed a resolution and. through its commander, T. B. Rader, tendered the services of the entire company, sixty strong, to the Secretary of War in case of a collision with Spain. Proctor Going to Havana. Key West. February’ 25.—Senator Proctor, of Vermont, will leave to-day for Havana. Although he disclaims having been sent on any special mission by the President, there is good ground for the belief that he will be In possession of a vast amount of valuable Information when he returns.

Vlscaya Sails for Havana. New York, February 25.—The Spanish cruiser Vlscaya was reported by the observer at quarantine under way at 1:25 p. m. Her destination is Havana. The flag of the warship was still flying ar half mast this morning because of the loss of the Maine. The Indiana National Guard. Adjutant-General Gore says that if a call should ccme for troops, in eight hours' time he can have 3,000 members of the Indiana National Guard in marching order with all the equipment and accoutrements necessary for war.

ruary 15, and Captain Thalenhorst was greatly surprised to hear that the French liner had not yet reached port Captain Thalenhorst reports light weather during his entire voyage Many theoriee were advanced by those on the French pier today as to the probable cause of La Champagne’s tardiness. The accident to the missing vessel’s sister ship, La Gascogne, three years ago, was recalled, and the opinion that the La Champagne’s machinery had teen disabled was generally accepted. Usually La Champagne makes the trip from Hovrs in seven days. Non* ot the transatlantic liners which arrived this week had sighted the Frenchman, though all of them follow the same path. Those who gathered on the French line pier were anything but reassured by the declarations of the agents that La Cham pagne would arrive in due time, just as did La Gascogne. In the case of the latter ship the entire city was alive with news of her arrival, two weeks overdue, and West street was blocked and the neighboring housetops were black with people when La Gascogne turned Into her 1 slip In West Tenth street. La Champagne's passenger list includes 234 passengers, of whom fortyeight are In the first and fifty-three In the second cabin. The crew numbers 17B men. The Saloon Passengers. Following Is 4 list of saloon passengers on board La Champagne: Miss Audran, Mr. and Mrs. Berdhem, Mr. F. B. Resard Guiserppe Bonino, Miss Brtnkmann, Fritz Butzer, Miss Brayner, George Bezant-on, Mrs. Bectrrann, Mr. and Mrs. Boullau, C. A. Birker, Miss G. Bonettl, Mr. ■ Convert, ' O. V. Ctortstensen, Mr. Chenard, ' Mr. Cugnet, Miss Emma Christen, E. Char* by, Mr. Drossu, Mr.' Wurtz-Dundas, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Duval. Mrs. P. I. Brum. Mrs. C. A. Erlund. Mr. Engert, Mrs. P. Euvent, Miss Francois, Mr. Charles L. Fox, Mr. H. Gailand, Mr. Edoardo Gaia, Paul Gabriel. Mr. H. J. Goemans, Mr. Hnntln, director of the Society of the Panama Canal; Mrs. Van Holy, Miss Suzane Hache. Miss Grace Lee Hess, Mr. Harland, Mr. Horman, • Mr. Helther, Mr. H. P. Hughenholtz, Mr. Michael, Mr. Kautzer, Mrs. Kaulzer and her child. Mr. and Mrs. Koppens and child, Mrs. Maurice Kettong, Dlllean Kavanaugh, Miss Nina Kellogg. Mrs. Kornfeld and baby, Nicholas Karls. Miss Philoment Louernst, Mr. Luerenberger, Mr. La Balme, Mr. Ldhrer, Miss "j. W. Miller. E. D. Neillotzox, Miss Morphy, Miss Magee, W. Moreillen, Miss Moser, Baron Liebert de Nitray, Miss Marie Neuschwand, J. T. Ohnurteade. H. Ostry, Mr. Pasquir, Charles Panter. Thomas Prenville, Mr. Porvl. the Rev. Father Joseph Herbert, the Rev. Faffcer Paul Jacquet, the Rev. Father Vignon, Miss Hi era, Samuel Ralakopf, Sr., H. Russuuehr, O. Razio, Mr. Roghetti, Mr. Senaile, Emile Bello, Mrs. B. Frank Smith, A. H. Smith, Jacob Schwelser, C. Schilllnger, A. C. Schillinger, G. Scoort, Miss G. Spencer, Robert Scheerer, Mrs. 8. Topollnski. Mr. Varonne, Mrs. Jos. I. Wilson. Emile Well, Mrs. W'ell and her child. Mrs. Babbett Wlldhabcr, Miss Ida Wlldhaber, Miss

Woods.

No Indianapolis Pasoengers. The Indianapolis agents for La Champagne are Frenzel Brothers. They say there are no Indianapolis people on the missing steamship. They say also they are not uneasy, as the vessel is large and powerful* and doubtless has been delayed by a break In the machinery or some other mishap in mid-ocean. The family of S. N. Preston, of No. 1627 Hall Place, are anxious over the arrival of ^.a Champagne. A sister of Mrs. Preston is one of the passengers. She is en route from Paris to New York. o —— SHOT FOUR RELATIVES. Two of Them Fatally — Marderoos Italians at Youngstown, Ohio. Youngstown, O., February 25.—Angelo Will last night shot Martha Lawrence, Joseph Farando, Mrs. Peter Fara.ido ami Daniel Noute. Farando and Noute are fatally wounded. All are Italians, and lived at Coalburg Blocks, a little place about seven miles north of here. All thf injured persons are relatiea No motive ha* vet been learned. Mrs. Gabriel Faraiwo, at whose home the shooting occurred, would have been killed but for

together on the question of advance money, and hereafter no players In tWo league will get any money before the season opens. They will get railroad tickets, if desired, but that is all. The inagnates have found that players who secured advance money never reported In good condition. The men will hereafter earn their money before they receive It The salary limit is causing a good deal of comment. Not one of the magnates wants to raise this issue, but .there, are at leagC four of them who would like to see tt raised from 1200 to 8400 a month. The league at the meeting last night decided to abolish the Detroit Free Press cup series*, and ths cud will be sent back to the paper. The Reach ball was adopted for the season. This ball has been used ever since the league was organised. The Western League baseball magnates are stiil In session, and It seems probable that they will not be able to agree on the schedule for 1898 before to-night, and possibly not for another day. The report of the schedule committee presented to the regular meeting yesterday was the sole topic of discussion to-day. There appears to be no objection to the schedule for the earlier pari ot the sea son, the dates up to the Fourth of July being satisfactory to all. An undercurrent of discontent is apparent, and it may result Ip a prolonged meeting. The E- 2fe T. H. Embankment. [Special to The Indianapolis News.] Vincennes. Ind,, February 25.—The embankment. which required months' of labor to replace, after the railroad wreck near Decker, this county, a year ago, on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, is said to be 'n a treacherous condition again. No sooner had the work been co-npleted and the watchers' crew removed than the trains began to experience extreme difficulty In passing over the track at thaA place. It is said that the embankment can not be made permanent during the wet winter weather. / Y . — ; o ,. . Traffic Manager Walker’s Illness. Cincinnati, February 26. — W. P. Walker, freight traffic manager of the Chesapeake & Ohio railway, is lying at the St. Nicholas In a critical condition from a stroke of paralysia He has been here a few days attending the Scottish •Rite meeting, where he acted, yesterday, as master ot ceremonies. The attack came after he had retired to his room. His wife and son. Stewart, axe with him Mr. Walker lived here before taking his present position. He Is widely known In railroad and Masonic circles.

Acquitted of Illegal Voting. [Special to The Indianapolis New*.] Columbus, Ind.. February 26.—John Spragg and Charley Bpragg, of this city, were acquitted at Brownstown yesterday afternoon on the charge of Illegal voting hi thf recent county seat removal election contest in Jackson county.

A Child Burned to Death. [Special to The Indianapolis News.] Peru, Ind., February 25.—Little Lulu Kellar, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Kellar. of Jackson township, was burned to death & few days ago. Her clothing caught on Are while she was playing about a stove.

CONDENSED TELEGRAMS.

The Illinois Legislature has Anally ad-

journed.

The plant of the A. M. Stevens Lumber Company at Dyersburg, Term., was damaged 8200.000 by fire. A seventeen-year-old girt, crazed from terror, shot and killed her drunken brother in Nebraska City. At Relnbeck, la, a flfteen-year-old boy shot and perhaps fatally wounded his employer’s sister, and then committed suicide. ' , Robert Shipp and Lloyd Horton met in Taylor county, Kentucky, to settle their differences tn blood. Shipp was Instantly killed and Horton was mortally wounded. At BureonvHle, Pa. Adam Weaver shot and killed Erwin Mondeau, a deputy constable. and fatally wounded Constable Atherholt. The officers were trying to arrest him for robbery. Joseph Letter, the new "king of the wheat pit.” purchased a pair, of fast pacers at the Spkin-Newgaas sale at Chicago yesterday. Red Leaf, a seven-year-old chestnut gelding, was bid is for Letter at 81,375, and Alsey Mont, a bay stallion, cost him 81,975. Red Treaf has a record of 2:1H4. In Perry county. Kentucky. Henry Barger was taken from his home In tbe night and beaten to death with guns by a mob. His family recognized sefirol of the men and warrants have been issued. The killing is due to an outbreak of the old “Red String” outlawry. Barger being a member of that faction. Sawyer. Manning A Co., dry-goods commission merchants of New York and Boston, are involved In the failure of three mille, for which they were selling agents. They are the Burlington Woolen Company, the Winooski Worsted Company and the Colchester mills of Colchester. VL, for which receivers were appointed in Boston last Monday. Sawyer. Manning it Co. are indorsers on mill paper for about fl,000,000.

A IILLIOH-DOLLAR FIRE

NATIONAL TOBACCO CO’S. PLANT AT LOIYSVILLE. KY„ BURNED.

Three of tke Employes lajared. Two of Them will Probably Die—Tbe Firemen Had Hard Work to Preweat a General Fire.

’ Louisville. February 26.—The picking, drying and steaming warehouse* of the National Tobacco Company, situated at Twenty-fourth and Main streets, were totally destroyed by Ore this morning. The toss will amount to 81,000.000, fully covered by insurance. Three men were hemmed in by the flames; and all were more or less injured before they could make their escape from the burning plant. The injured are: George Ttashendorf, foreman picking department, back Injured and severe injuries about head and chest. William Semple, picker, skull fractured. John Pack ham, both lege broken and Internally Injured. W. B. Duke, of New York, prdsident of the American Tobacco Company, of which the National Tobacco Company of Louisville, is a branch, Is In tbe etty, and witnessed the destruction of bis property. He said that it would be at once rebuilt. Tbe fire was discovered at 8 o'clock on the second floor of the building used for drying purposes. Three alarms called the entire fire department to the acene, and, though the firemen worked .heroically, they could do little else than save the property adjacent, as the three big buildings, which occupy nearly the entire square between Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth and Main and Market streets, were seen to be Inevitably doomed. From the three-story drying building the flames spread rapidly west t6 the four-story warehouse and east to the three-story steaming house. In tbe building which Drat caught, two hundred hands, mostly women and children, were employed, but the majority of these escaped safely, only a few being aUghtly injured, as did two hundred who were at work In the steaming building. In the four-story warehouse one thousand men were at work, but they had plenty of time to escape. The flames gained rapid headway and the fire department was hindered to a great degree by a lack of water, seven engines being at one time useless. Falling walls added to the danger of ths work, and the escape of some of the firemen waa all but miraculous. When the alarm of Are waa sounded In the picking department the employes of this building began to make their escape In an orderly manner, but George Ttashendorf, foreman of two of the floors, and John Packham and William Semple remained too long In the burning building and were forced to jump for their lives. Paokham and Semple sustained injuries which will probably result In their death. Fourteen hundred men, women and children are thrown out of employment The origin of the fire is Unknown. The night watchman, Lewis Leach, said that he left the building to «b home at < o’clock, and that everything wag all right then. The force of employes go to work at 6:80 o'clock, and it was not until after they had been at work about .two hours and a half that the Are waa discovered.

FOUGHT OYER A WOMAN. One Man Killed and the Other Twice Attempts ftalelde. Ja meet own. Pa., February 26.—Ray Fry and Hugh Bewail, prominent young men of this place, quarreled about a young woman last night, and Sewal! thrust a knife through Fry’s heart, killing him Instantly. Horrified at tha deed. Bewail attempted suicide twice, the first time by cutting his throat, then by drownh*. He hae been arrested, and as soon as hie condition will permit he will be taken to

Jail at Mercer.

— o . — THE WEATHER BULLETIN. United States Weather Bureau, Indianapolis, Ind., February %.

Thermometer. VbWuary 25. 1898.

um. 18

February 25. 1897. 7 am. 12 m. 2 p.m.

23 30 30

7 am.

14

_m. * p.m.

28 27

Barometer.

7 am.—30.18 j 12 m.-30.23 | 2 p.m,-30.«

Local Conditions.

Forecast for Indianapolis and viInlty for tbe thirty-six hours ending 8 p. m., February, 38, 1398:

Warmer, fair weather to-night and on

Saturday.

I—1 F< LJci

Can-

*

General Conditions. Low pressure continue*

ada and New England^ and other low barometric area advancing in the Northwest. .

where high barometric pressure continues. Tbe temperature rose la Die southern portion of the country and on the Rocky mountains, and it fell in ths northern portion of the country. Zero and lower extends south to eastern South Dakota and Minnesota, and ’ freezing south to New Mexico, Kanoaz, Missouri. Kentucky. West Virginia and Pennsylvania Light flurries of snow continued near the lakes and in New England.

Weather ta Other Cities.

Observation* taken by the United States Weather Bureau, at i a. m., seven ty-flfth meridian time: .

Stations.

BUmarck, N. D

Boston, Mom Chicago, ill

Cincinnati, O *>.16 Cleveland, O 30-04

Jacksonville, Fla. Kansas City. Mo. Louisville, Ky Moorhead. Minn.. New Orleans. La New York. N. Y Omaha, Neb... Pittsburg. Pa St. Louis. Mo St. Paul. Minn Washington, D. C.. Helena. Moot Mobile, Ala Nashville. Tenn.. . Oklahoma, O. T..,,. Qu' Appelle, Assin.. San Antonio, Tex...

Bax. Ther. Weth. 30.13 1 Fair

a.* * 30.1C t 8

Stef”

•Below zero. C. F. R. WJ Local

-©-

Heavy Impart* of New York, February 28.Elckelheimer A 000 to! gold for to-morrow to the Hoffman & gold, partly 1 from i§§g morrow City

for

Other

iin

I

. ^