SPANIARDS EXPECT WAR

Spanish cruiser Vizcaya.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, April 5, 1898.

SPANIARDS EXPECT WAR.

Torpedo Flotilla to Be Held at Cape De Verde Islands—Reinforcements.

   MADRID, April 4.—The Spanish cabinet has decided that the torpedo flotilla is to remain at the Cape de Verde islands until further orders. The flotilla will be joined later by a squadron composed of the armored cruiser Emperor Charles V of 9,235 tons, the armored cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa of 7,000 tons, and the armored cruiser Cristobal Colon of 6,840 tons, which will accompany the torpedo flotilla to Cuba.

   It has also been decided by the government to send the armored cruisers Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo, both of 7,000 tons, back to Havana. They will receive orders to this effect [as] soon as they sight Porto Rico.

   A nation al subscription to strengthen the Spanish fleet will be organized, by a royal decree, but the decree will not be published before a declaration of war. The cabinet discussed the situation and declared that the official news lately has been received from Washington. But it was admitted that the ministers were filled with gloomy impressions. One cabinet minister declared that he had received private information confirming the extreme gravity of the situation.

   The minister of war, Lieutenant General Correa, submitted for the approval of the cabinet elaborate plans for the organization of the military forces of the kingdom. The minister for the home department, Don Ruiz y Capdepon, in an interview declared that everything pointed to war. The cabinet has examined propositions for the arming of merchant vessels as privateers; but it has been decided to await events before coming to any decision on the subject.

   Finally, a telegram from the Spanish minister at Washington, Senor Polo y Bernabe, was read at the cabinet meeting, in which Senor Bernabe said President McKinley will be overruled by congress.

ARMISTICE PROPOSED.

Autonomist Cabinet Appeal to the Insurgents.

WILL GRANT CONCESSIONS.

Urged to Unite for the Peace and Liberty So Much Desired by All.

   WASHINGTON, April 4.—The Spanish minister has received a dispatch from Havana stating that the Autonomist cabinet there has addressed an appeal to the insurgents asking to arrange an armistice for the purpose of arriving at terms for peace. The full text of the message could not be secured.

   The insurgents are appealed to on the ground that they are all Cubans and should unite for peace and liberty, which all want. The appeal also states that Spain is willing to enlarge the present scope of autonomy and will suggest such a plan to the cortes, which is soon to meet.

ARBITRATION NOT LIKELY.

The Foreign Powers Have Not Yet Suggested the Matter.

   WASHINGTON, April 4.—So far none of the foreign powers have offered themselves as abrogators of the Spanish difficulty.

   It has been expected that France would be the first to act by a tender of her good offices. However the French ambassador, M. Cambon, has received no instructions in this line. There is the same anticipation, but lack of definite action, in British, German and other diplomatic quarters.

   It is probable that mediation would take definite form if the foreign representatives were convinced that war was inevitable and was about to be declared. While they look upon the situation as grave, the general sentiment among them is that the matter has not yet progressed beyond the range of diplomacy and a pacific settlement. For that reason there is a strong inclination shown to wait until the president's message is sent to congress.

   At the outset Spain was most earnest for mediation and to this end addressed a note to the powers about 10 days ago. Now, however, as the prospects for mediation appear to be growing the Spanish authorities seem to be less inclined toward this course. This may be due to the fact that Spain has looked upon mediation as an indirect form of intervention of the European powers in favor of one of their number. The Spanish note developed, however, that the powers were not ready for any such radical step.

MINES AT HAVANA.

The Spanish Have Planted Forty Within a few Days.

   NEW YORK, April 4.—A special to The World from Havana says: Forty floating submarine mines have been secretly planted in Havana harbor by the Spanish government. This information comes from official sources and is absolutely correct. The mines were laid in the narrowest part of the channel between Morro and Punta, in two lines of twenty mines each. They are spherical and float about twenty-four feet under the surface. Each is attached by an anchor chain to a heavy cable anchored at the bottom. The detonating wires run up the chains. There is sufficient force there to paralyze the biggest ships afloat.

   But if an entering fleet should use counter mines or bow torpedoes on approaching the narrowest part of the entrance to the harbor the mines could be exploded.

   Havana is in a state of tremendous but suppressed excitement. War with the United States is regarded as certain. It has been expected at the Palace for a week. The steamer Mascott was crowded with refugees of the more timid sort. English, French and German business houses have cabled their representatives to prepare for war.

USS Kearsarge (BB-5)

USS Kearsarge, sloop-of-war, 1861.

Saw the Launching.

   James Johnson has received a letter from his sister who has been spending the winter in Hampton, Va., saying that she witnessed the launching of the two large battleships, Kearsarge and Kentucky, at Newport News Thursday, March 24, one of the greatest launching events in the history of the world. She also sent a paper containing the full particulars.

Stewart L. Woodford.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

On the Verge of War.

   The week opens with no change in the situation since Friday, when the purport of Spain’s reply to the American demands was made known. No further communication has been held with the Madrid government. A long cipher dispatch has gone to Minister Woodford, supposed to carry instructions for his guidance in the event of hostilities.

   While the situation is unchanged the program is varied. The president will not send his message to congress for a day or two, for one reason because he can not get it ready in time. It is to be an important state paper, this message. The executive was fully occupied till Friday with negotiations from which it was hoped peace would result. Not till the way to peace seemed closed did he turn his attention to preparing a statement of the negotiations for congress and the public. The matter to be treated of is so complicated and mighty; the action to follow its submission so likely to be serious; critical examination of text so sure to be world-wide, that haste in preparation of the message is to be avoided. Congress is impatient, the people are under a strain of anxiety; but all will realize that the executive must avoid mistakes now, when what has gone before makes for the strength of the American case at home and abroad.

   A second reason is that every day is precious to us in the preparation of war material. Several of the New England manufacturers of arms and ammunition have urged the president to delay as long as he would think it wise to enable them to rush their contracts nearer to completion. Besides considerable war material is now on the way from Europe, and we want it to arrive in safety before war is declared. But probably in a few days the die will be cast. It seems altogether likely that before the week ends war will be declared.

   Its imminence appeals to another of the great departments of the government—the treasury. The navy and war departments have their appliances in readiness. The treasury holds abundant moneys to sustain the strife for a time, but for its continuance increased revenues will be needed. The regular revenues have overtaken the regular peace expenditures. February and March saw a surplus, the latter month despite the inclusion in outgoes of a million or two on account of war preparations. But for the prosecution of war large additions to the government’s income must be provided.

   The secretary of the treasury, the chairman of the ways and means and the chairman of the senate finance committees, have been in consultation. The war taxes of 1861-65 have been examined, and estimates made of expenditures. Following the declaration of war a bill increasing the revenues will be prepared. It will include, it is intimated, an additional tax on beer, duties on coffee and tea, and some other articles now on the free list. Whatever war taxes are necessary the people will accept without complaint. They are for war, if without it Cuba can not be rid of Spanish misrule and settlement for the Maine outrage secured. And war costs money, which those who wage it must supply.

   ◘ What are the record and the standing of men who speak of William McKinley as “afraid of war?” a “peace-at-any-price” man? He enlisted at the age of 17, and fought for the Union. Did they? He has a creditable record as a soldier. Have they? He knows what war is. Do they? His is a responsibility involving nations, millions of people, lives and fortunes, the horrors of war vs. the blessings of peace. What is theirs?

Wreck of USS Maine in Havana harbor.

TO RAISE THE MAINE.

Wants to Find out Exactly What Did Cause the Explosion.

   Washington, April 5.—General Grout had a resolution and a bill for introduction in the house to-day. One of them called for the absolute removal of the Spanish flag from the island, the recognition of the republic of Cuba and the distribution by this government of supplies to be sent by this country and paid out the $50,000,000 now at the disposal of the president. The other was a bill appropriating $1,000,000 to raise the wreck of the Maine to ascertain in detail exactly what occurred when it was blown up. He says it can be done by a coffer dam.

BREVITIES.

   —Our March weather is coming in April.

   —Mr. and. Mrs. W. J. Perkins last night entertained the whist club of which they are members.

   —Timothy McAuliffe is the new flagman at the Clinton-ave. crossing of the D., L. & W. railroad in place of Richard Halloran, deceased.

   —Mr. Henry S. Bliss is making quite extensive repairs in the interior of the house recently purchased by him of C. Van Alstyne at 47 North Main-st.

   —Mrs. Huldah Chatham died at the Women’s Riverside Home Saturday morning of consumption. Her age was 71 years. The funeral was held at the Home Saturday at 9 o’clock.

   —In Justice Dowd’s court Saturday the examination in the case of George

Hall of Homer, charged with assault in the second degree, was adjourned till Tuesday at 10 o’clock A. M.

   —The adjourned hearing in the contest of the will of the late Samantha Rounds, who bequeathed her property to the Woman’s Riverside Home, was held yesterday before Surrogate J. E. Eggleston.

   —Mr. E. D. Wood has bought of J. D. Doran the latter’s house and lot at 134 Clinton-ave. Mr. Doran has moved to 99 Clinton-ave. and contemplates the erection of a store on his lot there in the near future.

   —Mr. C. Van Alstyne has purchased of Henry S. Bliss the house at 47 North Main-st. Mr. Bliss bought the property of Mr. Van Alstyne only a few weeks ago and took possession April 1. He will remain there a short time.

   —A new camp of Sons of Veterans is to be instituted at Moravia Saturday night. Hon. J. M. Diven of Elmira, the division commander will be present, and a special invitation has been extended to the members of the local camp.

   —The funeral of Mrs. Dennis Mahony of Scott, who died of pneumonia in that town on Tuesday, March 29, at the age of 80 years, was held at St. Mary’s church in Cortland Thursday. The burial was in the Cortland cemetery.

   —The regular meeting of the W. F. M. S. of the First M. E. church which was to have taken place on Wednesday, Apr. 16, has been postponed until Wednesday, April 13. Ladies who are to furnish for the supper will please notice change of date.

   —Rev. and Mrs. James W. Putnam of New York City, formerly of Cortland, announce the marriage upon March 31 of their daughter, Miss May Margaret, to Mr. Ezra Allen of Pennsburg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Allen will be at home at Pennsburg after April 14.

   —The Young Men’s Debating club of the Normal have purchased a handsome $400 Decker & Son piano for use in their clubroom. This is the fourth club to place a piano in the clubroom. The music thus afforded proves a valuable addition to the literary programs.

   —Mrs. Helen M. Wilcox gave a tea party last Wednesday night at her home on Church-st. at which the following ladies were present: Mrs. William Barnes, Mrs. Fred Conable, Mrs. B. F. Weatherwax, Mrs. W. Kinney and Mrs. R. Rooks. The occasion proved very enjoyable for all.

   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. Ralph Hepburn Moore of Salinas, Cal., and Miss Jennie Elizabeth Fitts, which will occur at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Fitts, in McLean on Thursday afternoon, April 14, at 4 o’clock. Mr. and Mrs. Moore will be at Salinas, Cal., after June 1.

Israel Rickard.

LOCAL PERSONALS.

   Mr. Albert Allen, superintendent of the Sunnyside plantation at Sunnyside, Ark., [former superintendent of the Elmira, Cortland & Northern R. R.--CC ed.] is in town for a few months. Mr. Allen reports that he has just completed the gathering of the cotton crop and he raised this year 3,386 bales of cotton, which is 300 bales more than were ever raised on that plantation before.

   Mr. Israel Rickard, who was 97 years old on Dec. 31, 1897, and who has been quite seriously ill, is reported a little more comfortable to-day. Mr. Rickard has a very vigorous constitution, and may rally from this illness, though his physician, Dr. Bennett, says that he has no specific disease, but his vital powers simply seem weakening and wearing out.

   Mr. A. C. Walrad this week succeeds Mr. J. P. Gray as bookkeeper for the Cortland Waterworks Co. Mr. Gray is about to start for the Klondike.