Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1898 — Page 2

CHAPTER VI. Mrs. Selwyn and Beatrice Leigh sat in the grand drawing room of Selwyn Castle, awaiting the bride., Lord Vivian had written to say that he should bo at home on the evening of the ninth of November. He requested, too, that there should be no public welcome, “no gathering of the clans”; that only a few of the upper servants should be told of his return, for his wife, he said, was timid, and unused to all demonstration. ”A new kind of Lady Selwyn!” said Beatrice Leigh, with "curling lips. “You have had all kinds of heroines—brave women, warlike women, who have held the Castle against a siege; diplomatic wortten who have played the role of einbassadress, women with a mission, who have been the life of the Tories. A timid Lady Sehvyu will be a novelty In the family annals." “We must make the best of it,” said Mrs. Selwyn, plaintively. “To tell the truth, Beatrice, I do really begin to feel nervous as the time draws near, 1 hope she will not be very much amiss. Vivian seems its infatuated as ever.” “Let us hope his infatuation may last,” •aid Beatrice. "It will be sorry days for Vivian when it wears away, and he understands the reality.” Beatrice Leigh had made her resolve; •he had whispered no vow of vengeance to herself; she had not ranted like a tragedy queen; she had not. even to her own •elf, whispered the Word “revenge.” None the less skillfully had she made her plans. Nothing kills love like ridicule, and she said to herself that under the guise of friendly liking she would be merciless to Vivian's wife; she would never spare her; she would lay traps to draw out and expose her ignorance, her want of •avoir vivie; she had resolved to make Vivian writhe again under the infliction, while all the time she preserved the friendliest face and the kindliest smiles. “Then we shall see what comes,” she •aid to herself; “he will soon tire of his gauche village love, a girl who had nothing but a pretty face. Then the law is kind, and there will be ways and means of getting i-id of her, were she twenty times Lady Selwyn.” So deeply was Miss Leigh engrossed in her thoughts that she did not hear the arrival of the carriage, or anything else, until the door opened, and Mrs. Selwyn uttered a faint cry of astonishment. Then Beatrice Leigh raised her-eyes, and they rested on a vision so radiant in youth, •nd beauty, and grace, that her face grew pale with jealous envy as she gazed. Lord Vivian entered first, and he led by the hand, as one leads a shrinking, frightened child, a beautiful girl, a girl whose movements Were soft and harmonious, whose figure was all grace and symmetry—even the traveling costume of velvet and fur could not conceal it —whose face, in its bright, shy. dimpled beauty, was wondrous to behold. Lord Vivian led her proudly to his mother. “Mother,” he said, in his grave, chivalrous fashion, “the happiest hour of my life is this, in which I bring to you my wife.” Mrs. Selwyn’s face flushed; then a voice, clear and soft as the sweetest music, said: “My own mother has been in heaven so long. 1 hardly remember her; will you let me give you the love I should have given her?” And before she could answer, two tender arms were clasped round her neck, sweet. warm lips touched her face, leaving her at a loss what to say or do. She had intended to be very stately; to •how Lady Selwyn that dignity was before ease, but the loving touch of those •weet lips disarmed her. Nature will •peak occasionally; when she does so, no be deaf to her voice. So all Mrs. Selwyn’s grand resolves ended in her saying. “Y ou are welcome home, my daughter.” • Then her voice faltered, and she kissed the sweet face with tears in her eyes. “Beatrice,” said Vivian, "let me introduce you to my wife.” Miss Leigh executed a stately courtesy that would have done honor to Marie Antoinette for its imperial grace. Again it was'wasted dignity. Violante went up to her softly and Very shyly. “I am so glad to see you,” she said earnestly. "I hope-yoit will like me. Vivian has talked so much of you.” “Violante is a "true child of nature,” said Lord Selwyn laughingly; “she hopes you will like her, Beatrice, and she is not •shamed to say so.” Do as she would, Miss Leigh could not repress the sarcastic smile that curled her beautiful lips. “Lady Selwyn does me infinite honor,” •be said. Then Vivian laughed again. “What a society Speech, Beatrice,” he ■aid; “you will frighten my little wife.” Violante looked from one to the other with some trepidation. “I—l hope I have not said anythin; wrong,” she stammered, her face blushing crimson. “Truly it seems so natural when one comes to live with fresh people, to ask for liking." “Natural! Yes,” said Miss Leigh; “that la what amused me. This is such an arti-fk-inl world.” And for the first time Lord Vivian looked at his wife, and wondered whether the ■atural, simple manner that he had always thought so charming,- was, after all, ■ defect. “Now,” said Mrs. Selwyn, “I am sure yea must require both rest and refreah■seut, Lady Selwyn.” The girl looked up at her with a sudden, half-wistful glance. “Do not call me Lady Selden,” she said <»“ ’dy; “my name is Violante;” I, M must try to remember U,” said Mrs. •jplwyn, coldly. “It is ndt an English ■Mine, I think; I do not remember to have beard it before.” 1 “It is the moat musical name in the world,” interrupted Vivian. “Now, my darling, you will not have much time for dtressiug. Mind. Violante," he whispered, “a recherche toilet. You must not let Miss Leigh eclipse you.”

I ERROR'S

By Marion V. Hollis

“A recherche toilet," thought the young girt “Ah, then I had better wear satin and diamonds.” She tried to remember what Miss Leigh wore, but she had been too much excited to notice. She retained only a vivid impression that the lady in question looked beautiful and graceful. She teased her maid, and perplexed herself. It turned out after all that the maid’s ideas were better than the mistress’. “Indeed, my lady," said the waiting woman, “of course your ladyship knows best, but I think white satin and diamonds out of place at a small family dinner; it is not as though there was a party. I lived with'Lady Hemyng, and she never was in full dress on such occasions.” Usually Violante, Lady Selwyn, profited by Pauline’s hints, but now she said hurriedly: “Ixird Selwyn wishes it. You do not understand.” So the polished shoulders and the beautiful neck were bared. The slender, girlish figure was robed in white satin that might have done for a court dress; a suite of magnificent diamonds completed a toilet admirably suited for a state ball or a grand fete, but quite out of place at a small family dinner.” , Violante was in blissful ignorance; she looked at herself in the large mirror, and thought with a smile of girlish pride in her own beauty, that she should surely eclipse Miss She was somewhat startled on entering the drawing room at the difference between herself and the two ladies waiting there. She looked at Miss Leigh’s dress. It was of rich, simple black lace, drawn up around the white throat, and relieved by a few “rich red rubies;” the beautiful shoulders gleamed like marble through the lace; it was twice as effective as any low dress could ever be; and it suddenly flashed across Lady Selwyn that in choosing white satin and diamonds she bad made a great mistake. The consciousness that she mad made a mistake caused Violante to lose much of the grace that was natural to her. “Will they notice it?—will even the servants laugh?’ she thought to herself. Mrs. Selwyn looked in calm disapproval of the gorgeous toilet. “I am afraid you will be disappointed, Lady Selwyn,” she said. "You evidently expect visitors, and by Vivian's wish we are quite alone." The fair young face flushed so deeply that Mrs. Selwyn could not pursue the subject. She did not understand why, but she saw that her daughter-in-law was ill at ease. Nor did Violante feel much more comforted when Vivian entered the room, and opened his eyes in wonder at her dazzling splendor, then glanced quickly at the quiet, graceful figure of Miss Leigh. There was a smile on the haughty, beautiful lips of that young lady, that made the young wife, she scarce knew why, uncomfortable. “Dinner is served.” said the butler, and then they went to the dining room, Lady Violante detesting the rustling flow of her rich white satin as she swept along. The dining room was a superb apart-ment-large, lofty, brilliantly lighted; the huge sideboards were one blaze of gold and silver plate; the table was magnificently set out; servants in livery were all in attendance. 'Hie young girl, to whom this was all new and strange, felt her heart sink within her, and longed for the familiar aspect of home.

There was a chair at the head of the table and one at the foot. For a moment, there was some-little embarrassment, then Mrs. Selwyn said: “Lady Violante, will you take your place?’ It was no wonder that, dazzled by the unusual splendor, she shrank back, and said timidly: “Oh, no; pray not now. Indeed, I would rather not.” Again that qniet smile on Miss Leigh’s face, and Vivian looked at his wife with a slight expression of impatience. “Pray be seated, Violante,” he said; “of course my mother would not dream of taking yonr place.” Already nervous with the conviction of the mistake she had made over her dress; confused, and afraid she bad erred still more by her hesitation in accepting her rightful place, the young girl sat down, and the dinner began. It would have been kinder under the circumstances to have allowed her to have her own way, and to have sat quietly by, until the routine became familiar to her. What should she know, poor child, of French dishes, of rare wines, of entrees? She, who had been accustomed to the little dining parlor at home and the attendance of one maid servant. She, who had herself superintended the cooking of the homely little dinners that pleased her father best. She grew awkwsrd and confused. She felt that she was not filling her place with the dignity suited to a Lady Selwyn. Her husband noticed it, and tried by kindly words and kindly smiles to put her more nt her ease. Yet, when be saw Miss Leigh's quiet eyes scrutinizing her, he felt his own face grow warm, and he half wished “Violante had been more formed.” There was another ordeal before her. The ladies withdrew, and she dreaded the prospect of an hoar’s tete-a-tete with the stately mother-in-law and the beautiful, haughty lady, whose dark, bright eyes seemed to read the secrets of all her little fears. She tried in her simple way to talk to them. Mrs. Selwyn was not unkind—she was too ladylike and well-bred to make the young girt feel the difference between them; bat it was not quite in human nature to get up all at once an affection for the one who had thwarted every plan and wish and hope of her life. Violante felt more and more humbled. Who was she, to take her place among •ueb brilliant and accomplished ladies? How was she to hold her own? She felt more like an ignorant, untrained school girl, than a* the mistress of that gorgeous home should feel. It «•» a relief to her whea the evening ■ tu’aA

“You made a little mistake to sight about the satin and diamonds, did you not, my darling?’ asked Vivian, when they were alone. She looked up at him with glistening eyes. “Oh, Vivlnn, I was so ashamed and so distressed,” she cried. “What would they think of me? But you told me a recherche toilet." “Recherche does not always mean decollete, or yet fine,” he replied; “it means what Miss Leigh’s dress was —distinguished, graceful and so contrived as to look beautiful without attracting attention.” “•When shall I learn all these things?” she said despairingly. “Oh, Vivian, it is hard to be a fine lady!” CHAPTER VII. The Christmas of that- year was a very gay one at the Castle. Lord Selwyn declared himself to be greatly in arrears over hospitality —he had given neither party nor fete worth naming since his accession to the title; all that must be altered now that he had a lovely wife to please and consult. So that Selwyn Castle became the very center of gaiety. Large relays of guests came from London, and once there, liked to remain. There were dinner parties, fetes, balls, charades and tableaux; the whole neighborhood seemed to be aroused, and one family vied with another as to who should be gayest. It was a new world for Lady Violante —a world she would have enjoyed excessively had she been a spectator instead of leader. She was very much admired, and much liked by all the guests. They thought her graceful and lovely; yet in some vague way, she never seemed to be the real mistress of the brilliant revels. If one put a question about the charades, the tableaux, the music or dresses, she had a way of raising her shy, sweet eyes and saying: “I do not know; pray ask Mrs. Selwyn or Miss Leigh.” With kindly encouragement Lady Selwyn might in time have taken courage and have learned to fulfill all the onerous duties of her station. As it was, she grew more-timid and more unfit for them every day. Then came another minor trouble—the incident upon which the strange event of her life .turned. Pauline, the maid who was engaged at her wedding to attend upon her, was suddenly obliged to return home, and Lady Selwyn had to advertise for another maid. Theresa Bowden pleased Lady Selwyn at first sight. She had a soft, graceful, pleasant manner, a clear voice, with a perfectly refined accent. She seemed anxious, too, and had brought with her some excellent testimonials. She had lived with Lady Dunrobin, whose sad death every one remembered; afterward the Countess of Strathmere, who l/aif gone abroad. “If you think I should be likely to suit you, my lady,” said the woman, “I will try so hard to do my duty. I would do anything almost for a home. lam one of the very few who are quite alone in the world. I have no relations living, and few friends.” These words afterward bore fruit. Lady Selwyn engaged her, and a week afterward Theresa Bowden was at the Castle.

Then, and for the first time, Beatrice Leigh saw her-. She entered Lady Violante’s room one morning with some message from Mrs. Selwyn, and saw the maid engaged, over her lady’s wardrobe. To send her from the room ou some slight pretext was but the work of a minute, nnd then Miss Leigh turned to Lady Selwyn with a smile that had in it a tinge of malice. “Is that your new maid?” she asked. “Yes,” was the reply. “She came yesterday, and she seems to understand her duties pretty well.” “I should never have engaged her,” said Miss Leigh emphatically. “Do you not perceive anything strange about her?” ‘No,” replied Lady Violante. “I thought her very pleasant and graceful in her manner.” “Do you not see,” cried Beatrice, "how much she is like you? Her hair is of the same shade, she is of the same height, the same complexion. It is a grave mistake to have engaged such a person. Only imagine what remarks people may make!” “I did not notice it—l never thought of it,” said Lady Violante, distressed and dismayed, as she always was when Miss Leigh found fault. “It cannot matter, though.” “That depends upon taste,” was the quiet reply. “For my part, I should not like a maid who might be mistaken for my sister.” Yet Lady Violante liked Theresa Bowden, and she remained at Selwyn Castle. Had she not done so, this story would never have been written. (To be continued.)

Couldn’t Think of It.

“Hands up!” yelled the train robber as he entered the car. “Pardon me,” coldly returned the young woman from Boston, who occupied the first seat, “but I do not recall that I have had the pleasure of an Introduction. Then she raised her lorgnette to her eyes and gave him a haughty high-bred stare that made him retire in confusion.—Chicago Post.

Femine Intuition.

Mr. De Blank (10 p. m.)—lf you don’t want Clara to see that thing you are making for her you’d better put It out of sight, for she'll be up pretty soon. I hear her In the front hall. Mrs. De Blank—She won’t be up for an hour at least. She’s bidding goodnight to Mr. Nlcefello.—New York Weekly.

His Proud, Descent.

O’Brien—And so Jaykers is proud av his desclnt, is he? , x 1 McTurk—Yls, he Is turribly stuck up about It. O’Brien—Well, begorra, Ol’ve a bit av a desclnt mesllf to boast about. O 1 desclnded four stories wanst whin the ladder broke and nlved sphiiled a brick!

Information from Headquarters.

Mrs. Crowley—How does It feel to be the mother of a countess? Mrs. Scaddsleigh—Lt seems Immense as long as you’re In this country, but, somehow, I can't help thinking that the old family servants are giving me an all-around josh when I’m over visiting. Sadie. In business, three things are necessary, knowledge, temper and time.— Feltham.

BATTLE OF THE NILE.

OF BRITISH TRIUMPH IN THE SOUDAN. How Gen. Kitchener’* Great Victory Was Won—Dervishes Foujrht with Fanatical Bravery* Throwing Away Life—Operations Before the Fight.

In a terrific battle Gen. Kitchener and Lis Anglo-Egyptian column dealt a death blow to mahdism and to the dervishes of the Soudan,’ capturing the cities of Omdurman and Khartoum, and adding a large stretch of the Egyptian hinterland to the British possessions in Eastern Africa. In this engagement the dervishes fought their last great fight. Though Khalifa Abdullah escaped with Osman Digna and a handful of men, the der-

GENERAL KITCHENER.

vishes can never again harass the British and Egyptians on the Nile with their predatory raids, for their army has been almost wiped out, their black standard has been captured, and their leaders are henceforth destined to be fugitives until they become prisoners. At last the murder of “Chinese” Gordon is avenged, and the last of the Mohammedan strongholds in Africa is practically destroyed. This great British victory is due to good discipline, fine arms, steady work and excellent generalship. The British have made the Egyptians into effective soldiers under English officers. Both the natives and the redcoats were armed with the best rifles and machine guns known to modern military science. The strength of

KHARTOUM, DERVISH CAPITAL AND OBJECT OF THE EXPEDITION.

the dervish army was estimated at 60,000, while the British force that dealt out such a terrible defeat to this army consisted of only 25,000 men—lo,ooo British regulars and 15,000 Egyptian natives. Accurate figures as to the losses on both sides are still lacking, but various estimates place the Anglo-Egyptian casualties at from 200 to 500 and those of the dervishes at from 8,000 to 15,000. The most impressive features of the battle were the fanatical courage of the dervishes and the terrible execution of the Maxim guns. It was another demonstration, if any were needed, to show the Impotency of the fiercest courage before the modern rapid fire machine guns. The Arabs threw themselves in fierce charges upon various points of the British formation, but the Maxims hewed horrible laucs through theii> ranks, and the deadly volley fire of the British and Egyptian battalions annihilated them in the act of charging. The attack of the dervishes began at dawn, the battle raged all day, and at 4 o’clock the great army lay in white heaps on the field or had surrendered as prisoners. The Khalifa and his elusive chiefs escaped with a mere corporal’s guard. It , r jjas a great triumph for the British arms. The British Soudan campaign resembles our Cuban campaign ire the nature of the original provocation, in the suspense attendant upon its events, iu the marked disparity of the death lists on the two sides, and in the ultimate increase of territory accruing to the conqueror. For years the raiding and implacable dervishes have been a menace to all civilized life on the borders of upper Egypt. There could be no peace or safety until the power of the Mahdi, or of his successor, the Khalifa, was crushed. The present situation in the Soudan is the outgrowth of the fall of Khartoum and the death of Gordon and the massacre of Hicks’ army; The Soudan, formerly belonging to Slgypt, was theta taken by the Mahdi and Gen. Gordon, the governor, was put to death. That was in 1885, and not a moment since then has the British public or the British Government rested satisfied with the Soudan In the hands of the Mahdists. The Mahdi is a religious fanatic, whose followers are no less fanatical. When the Mahdi died Abdullah Bin Sayd proclaimed himself successor, and he has made a cunning and cruel ruler While the above was the immediate cause of the British expedition against the dervishes, the ultimate aim of securing another large slice of the African continent and the taking of another stride toward the completion of an unbroken stretch of British territory from Cape Colony to the Medrteranearn, was equally definite and avowed. The fall of Omdurman and Khartoum means that these cities are ultimately to be way stations on a British transcontinental railway tanning the whole length of eastern Africa on British territory. , ▲ fool’s company is not hard to find.

CRETAN MOSLEMS RIOT.

Attack British Soldiara in Candla and Burn Houses. Candia, Island of Crete, is in a state of anarchy. A collision between the Mussulmans, who were demonstrating against European control, and the British authorities, who have been installing Christians as jevenue officials, culminated in bloody fighting between the Mussulmans and the British troops. Riots took place in various parts of the city and many have been killed. When the outbreak was fiercest a warship stationed in the harbor began firing Shells, with the result that a portion of the city was soon in flames. The greatest confusion and uproar prevailed. The trouble began with the attempt of the British military authorities to install Christian officials. They had appointed a council of internal control to administer the tithe revenues, and a detachment of soldiers was stationed outside the office as a precarelion. A crowd of unarmed Mussulmans who had been demonstrating against the Christians attempted to force an entrance into the office. The British soldiers fired and wounded several. The Musulmans ran for their arms and returning attacked the soldiers. Other Mussulmans spread rapidly through the Christian quarter, shooting into windows and setting many houses and shops on fire.

REPORT ON PENSIONS.

Commissioner I vans Says Roll Is Increasing in Number* and in Value. The annual report of Hon. H. Clay Evans, Commissioner of Pensions, was made public Saturday. The commissioner says that the roll is not only increasing in numbers, but in value. It is believed that it will increase from the war of the rebellion. as there probably are 200,000 exUnion soldiers living who have never had pensions, and it will increase in amount naturally by reason of increased disabilities as provided by law. The amounts paid out at the several agencies for the year on account of pensions under the general laws were $75,275,383, and on account of pensions under the act of June 27, 1890, $06,255,(170. The number of pensioners in foreign countries at the close of the fiscal year was 4,871, having increased 309., The total amount paid to pensioners living abroad was $669,862.

COUNTRY’S YIELD OF WHEAT.

Not So Large as Expected. Yet Larger Than liver Before. The wheat crop of 1898 is not quite up to promise, aa'ording to the report of the American Agriculturist. This says that In a few States it now appears the promise of wheat was not fulfilled in actual gain by what must seem like a large margin, while in a number of States the rate

of yield was even greater than indicated on Julyl. But with full allowance for all disappointment, the fact remains that the crop this year is the largest on record. The reported rate of yield in winter wheat is 14.8 bushels and in spring wheat 15.4 bushels. If the present rate of yield indicated shall be maintained the total production of winter wheat will be rather under 400,000,000 bushels, and spring wheat fully 300,000,000 bushels.

QUEEN OF THE DUTCH.

Wilhelmina Places Upon Her Head the Crown of Holland. The ceremony of the enthronement of Queen Wilhelmina of Holland was celebrated in Amsterdam Tuesday morning. The coronation ceremony was democratic in its simplicity, but the court festivities nnd processional displays, both preceding

QUEEN WILHELMINA.

and following the ceremonies Ct the church, were attended with much pomp •nd circumstance. The ceremonies began with the preaching of a short sermon. After taking the oath the queen placed the crown upon her head. After the ceremonies there was a triumphal drive through the gayly decorated and crowded streets, followed by a public reception at the royal palace. In the reception hall the queen received the congratulations of her ministers, the admirals of the fleet, the officers of the army, the members of the diplomatic corps, the burgomasters of the leading cities of the kingdom, the governors of the provinces and the representatives of the Dutch colonial possessions in the East and West Indies. The date of the Corbett-McCoy battle han been set for Oct. IS.

M’KINLEY AT MONTAUK.

President Cheer* the Soldier* by Kind Word* While Making Inspection. President MeKiniey spent seven hount in Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, bareheaded most of the time, visiting the sick in the hospital and inspecting the well in their cantonments. He made a speech to the assembled infantrymen, reviewed the cavalrymen, expressed his opinion of the camp to the reporters, and issued an order directing the regulars to return to their stations east of the Mississippi. With the President were Vice-President Hobart, Secretary of War Alger, Attorney General Griggs, Senator Redfield Proctor of Vermont; Brigadier General Eagan, commissary of the army; Brigadier General Ludington, quartermaster of the army; Col. H. Hecker and Secretaries to the President Porter and Cortelieu. The ladies of the party were Mrs. Alger and Miss Hecker, a daughter of Col. Hecker. Gen. Wheeler, his staff, and nearly every officer of prominence in the camp met the President at the station. After greetings and introductions on the railway platform, the President took Gen. Wheeler’s arm and went to a carriage. The column of carriages wound up a hill, escorted by the Third cavalry regiment, and the mounted band of the Sixth cavalry, and drove Mr. McKinley to Gen. Shafter’s tent in the detention camp. The general, who was flushed and weak from a mild case off malaria fever, was in full uniform, sitting in a chair at the door of the tent. He tried to rise, but Mr. McKinley said: “Stay where yon are, general. You are entitled to rest.” The President congratulated Gen. Shafter on the Santiago campaign, and after a few minutes' rest proceeded to the general hospital. The soldiers recently arrived on transports and detained in the detention section of the camp lined up irregularly on each side of the road and cheered. Mr. McKinley took off his straw hat then, and scarcely more than put it on for more than a minute at a time during the remainder of his progress through the camp. Miss Wheeler, a daughter of the general, happened to be in the first row of the hospital tents, and she showed the President through her division. Geu. Wheeler announced in each ward: “Boys, the President has come to see you,” or, “Soldiers, the President of the United States.” Some of the soldiers were unconscious, some listlessly raised on their elbows, others feebly clapped their hands. Mr. McKinley gently shook hands with many, and at every cot he paused an instant, and if he saw the sick men looking at him he bowed in a direct and personal way. He had many bits of talk with the men, and seemed to be in no hurry. He almost outwore the patience of all his party by slowgoing through ward after ward. PAN DO ETEALS AWAY. Spanish General Starts for Madrid with 12,000,000 Francs. Havana is in a state of surprise at the secret departure of Gen. I’ando with 12,000,000 francs. Few can offer any explanation of the general’s conduct, and apparently no one can tell where the big amount of treasure came from. The army and civil pay rolls are both several months in arrears, and there is much dissatisfaction among the Spanish at the withdrawal from Cuba of a sum of money which more than represented the amount due them. Gen. I’ando, with the big hoard of money secretly went aboard the French steamer Notre Dame de Salut. He turned his wealth over to Captain Pillard and locked himself in his cabin until the boat left the harbor. SPANISH CORTES MEETS. Sagasta Introduces Bill for Surrender of Lost Islands. The’ Spanish Cortes opened Monday, and, contrary to general expectation, small interest was shown in the proceedings. The public galleries were densely crowded, but those occupying them were silent. In the Senate Prime Minister Sagasta read a bill authorizing the Government to conclude peace with the United States and also authorizing the alienation-of territory. He said that the immense superiority of the Americans deprived the country of means of defense. The destruction of the squadrons compelled Spain to seek peace and necessitated the acceptance of the dismemberment of the colonies proposed by the United States. NAVY TO HAVE 20,000 MEN. Enlisted Force Will Be Maintained at This Strength. The enlisted force of the navy is to be maintained to the full strength secured during the war, and as fast as vacancies occur through discharge and expiration of enlistment period they will be filled by other seamen. The highest number of men enrolled in the navy reached 24,000, including about 4,000 naval militia, all of which have been mustered out. Reduced to 20,000, there is every indication that i will soon be less unless enlistments are made to make up the deficiency. All to Be Released. Acting Secretary Allen has authorised the release of all the Spanish naval oners captured in the battle of July 3 from Cervera’s fleet. These are now at Annapolis and Seavey’s Island, Portsmouth, the officers being at the academy and the sailors at the island. The condition of the men physically is all that eOuld be desired. The prisoners are to be returned to Spain at the expense of the Spanish government. This was the coni dition upon which our government agreed! to release them without parole or other restriction. (Camp to Be Deserted. By Oct. 1 Camp Wikoff, at Montauk Point, Long Island, will have shrunk to slender proportions. «The well men, according to the War Department's present designs, will leave the camp as fast as transportation can be conveniently provided, probably at the rate of 3,000 or 4,000 a Week. The convalescent from the hospitals, instead of being sent again into eamp with their commands, will go to their homes. Registered War Bonds Issued. The Treasury Department on Saturday sent out its first batch of the registered war bonds, the issuance up to now having been confined to the coupon bond! payable to bearer. The department sorted putting out the coupon bonds in tbflrast week of July, and the issue has comprised S2O, SIOO, SSOO and a few SI,OOO bonds. There are about 20,000 cases calling for the coupon bonds still to bfc met. About 45,000 cases are on file caning for registered bonds, and these will be met as rapidly as possible. The issue will be in the 20s, 100 s. 500 s. I.ooos, 5,000 s and 10,000 s.