Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1898 — A STARTLING RUMOR [ARTICLE]

A STARTLING RUMOR

Report at Washington That the Fern Has Been Blown Up. THE STORY IS NOT YET CONFIRMED. Secretary Long Doubts Its Trntb— Hope for Peaceful Settlement of the Spanish Trouble Virtually Abandoned at Washington. Washington, April 9, S a. m.—lt is rumored this moaning that the United States lighthouse tender Fern, now Ln Havana harbor, has been blown up. The navy department has no information ou the subject, and it is impossible to verify Or disprove the rumor. Secretary Long denies the story. He says he has heard nothing about it, and would certainly have been notified if such had been the case. The Fern was to remain in Havana for the purpose of bringing away Consul-General Lee. Conflict Apparently at Hand. Washington, April 9. —Hope for peace is disappearing. It is now believed that the worst will come and people are discussing the question as to how long hostilities may last. In some quarter* it is said that the first shot will be fired next week. There is, however, still doubt in regard to Spain; under the pressure of the European powers she may yield, but the chances are said to be against it. One significant fact, however, is that the Madrid government has not managed its naval and military operations asi if it expected to engage in war. Suggestion is made that if the powers should guarantee support of the dynasty and the possession of Porto Rico and of the Philippines Spain may. surrender Cuba, not to please America, but because of European intervention, and thus save her honor. It is that no matter what developments are, the president will send a message to congress next Monday. It is believed here that orders will be issued to-day for the regulars to move to the front immediately after President McKinley’s message is sent to congress, and that a call will then be issued addressed principally to the central western states asking the governors to furnish a certain number«of regiments of militia to immediately follow the regulars. Programme for tbe Week. This is the startling programme which is outlined for next week: Monday—The president’s message recommending armed intervention for the purpose of putting an end to Spanish sovereignty in-Cuba and for setting up a free and stable government there. Monday or Tuesday—Authorization of such intervention by congress, with declaration that the Cubans are and shall be free, bpt without recognition of the insurgent government. Tuesday or Wednesday—Our fleets In motion for Havana and other ports in Cuba, and perhaps for Porto Rico as well, and troops moving from the central west for the seaboard ready to start for Cuba as an army of occupation. Fearing an outbreak, Americans in San Juan de Porto Rico sought safety In a British steamer in the harbor. The American consul was ordered to leave for St. Thomas in order to avoid peril. To Leave Havana. Preparations for all eventualities are being hurried to completion. Gen, Lee I will leave Havana to-day. At that time also the other United States consuls and most of the American citizens residing in Cuba will be out of the island. Offi- | cial reports received here stated that large numbers of Americans were leavi ing on the several steamers from Havana and other ports. Entire quiet has prevailed there up to this time. The United States consul at Porto Rico is also preparing to leave. Not an Act of Wnr. Officials of the state department in discussing the withdrawal of the consuls from Cuba at this time say it prej sents many phases of interest. They point out that such withdrawal must not be considered as in any manner a i belligerent act. but simply one of pre- ! caution based on humanitarian motives designed to protect them from any trouble which might result from the ' strained feelings between Spain and | this country. Tn a week, suggested one ! official, they may all have returned to l their positions if trouble between the ! two countries should be averted. I<eft to Woodford’* Dlneretion. No instructions, it is stated definitely, have been sent to Minister Woodford eonceming his withdrawal from i Madrid, that being left to his discretion. I The prospects of his withdrawal have ' been fully considered, however, and I there is reason to believe that In the event of his retirement the British ambassador at Madrid will look after American interests and afford protection to such Americans as remain in Spain. This, it Is stated in authoritative quarters, is part of a comity between the United Stales and Great Britain and reciprocates the action of the United States government in affording protection to British subjects on a former occasion. The Spanish minister at Washington has received no instructions as to his departure, nor has he made preparations to go, although his establishment is in such a condition that he could leave within a few’ hours after receiving orders from his government to depart. As an evidence of the complete cessation of negotiations it can be cited that Friday closed the seventh consecu- | tive day since th*-f Spanish minister called nt the state department. Senator* Try to Agree. At the capitol the senators who are devoting themselves to the task of sei curing a resolution on the Cuban ques- ’ firm, on which practical unanimity on the part of the senate can be obtained, I were ntfd when the day I closed felt that they had made appre-

ciable progress. There was a joint meeting of the leading members of the steering committee of the various parties during the day tn the rooms of the committee on appropriations, in which the whole situation was canvassed and reasons for prompt action in the senate after the matter is once taken up were gone over much as they had been in preceding meetings. The managers of this movement are endeavoring to secure a reversal of the decision of the committee on foreign relations to report for both independence and intervention, but they do not yet count upon a majority of the committee, though they assert that they have made headway. They recognize the fact that even with the majority of the committee their way there still would remain several senators, including Thurston, Pettigrew, Ballinger and Mason, whom it will be very difficult to win over to any line of action that does not provide for the recognition of the present Cuban government, and who will insist upon debating a contrarj’ policy. They, are finding few-er obstacles to progress among democrats, populists and silver republicans than among, straight republicans. The movement to consider the whole Cuban question in executive session is gaining ground. The conservative senators who are opposed to any recognition of the present Cuban government claim that a majority of the committee on foreign relations will now support this position, contenting themselves with a general declaration for the freedom and independence of the island, coupled with a proposition for intervention fig. the present war between Spain and Cuba. They count upon getting the votes of fjx of the 11 members of the committee, and say this number may still be increased. The Draft in Havana. Jacksonville, Fla., April 9. —A special to the Times-Union and Citizen from Tampa, Fla., says: The early train Friday afternoon took large crowds to Port Tampa, nine miles away, to witness the arrival of the refugees from Cuba. The boat was late, not arrivitlj until nine o’clock, and as she drew up those waiting sent up shouts of welcome to .relatives and friends. Then followed a crush for the gangway that, almost overpowered the officers stationed there. Cries of children mingled with the sobs of women impressed aIT with the first serious aspect of war. One hundred and seventy-eight anxious souls breathed relief as they boarded the awaiting cars. The passengers report having experienced great difficulty in securing passports, owing to Spanish espionage. All ablebodied men are drafted and watchfulness is maintained to prevent them leaving. Those liable to draft in the regular army are joining the volunteer column of Havana, which has swelled within the past few’ days from 1,500 to 20,000.