VOL . 111V ANMNG S. C. WEDNESDAYS MARCI > 198. NO. 32.
MUCH TALK OF WAR
ON THE PART OF SEVERAL UNITED
STATES SENATORS.
Senator Alen's Amendment to Consular
Appropriation Bill Brings out Expre.
alons From Both Parties-Regrets for
Last Year's Blunder Expressed by Some.
While the United States Senate had
under consideration the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill Wed
nesday a sharp debate on the Cuban
resolution was parcipitated by Mr.
Allen, who offered as an amendment
the resolution passed by the senate a
year ago, recogmizing the belligerent
tights of the Cuban insurgents.
In the course of a reply to the pre
liminary statement by Mr. Allen. Mr.
Morgan, of Alabama, said this coun
try's relations with Spain at the pres
ent time were seriously strained and
that intervention by the United States,
which a year ago would have been in
offensive, would now be almost a
cause of war. He expressed the opin
ion that the Cuban affair would even
tually bezubmitted to the arbitrament
of the sword between the United States
and Spain. but he did not want war
precipitat-d by rash acts of legislation.
Mr. Foraker, of Oaio, thought the
day not far distant when the time for
action by this country would arrive,
and that the chief magistrate of the
nation ought to rejoice that the legis
lative branch of the government was
prepared to support him in asserting
American rights.
Mr. Thurston, of Nebraska, counsel
led calmness and prudence, for he be
lived the country was rapidly drift
ing into a war with Spain. "We
ought to have patience." said he, "and
wait as a great and powerful people,
not in fear, but in hope that some sat
isfactory conclusion of the present dif
ficulty may be reached."
Mr. Hoar, of Massachusetts, main
tained that the floor of the senate was
no proper diace for angry discussions
of international affairs, and that no
senator ought to utter anything that
might not well be uttared by the pres
ident of the United States.
Mr. Allen thought a statement was
due the country. The amendment, he
said, is practically a copy of two reso
lutions which have already passed the
senate. Referring to the unfavorable
report presented on the amendment
by the foreign relations committee.
Mr. Allen said it was a confession and
avoidance that meant simply that the
committee did not desire to act upon
it. Thetruth was, he said, that con
grew was merely finding some excuse
under which it could continue busi
ness and escape censure. His desire
was to find whether congress could in
anyway be induced, cajoled or kicked
into putting the country in a dignifi
ed attitude on the Cuban question.
Taking up the main issue involved he
asseted that he had reliable informa-,
tion that no less than thirty three per'
cent, of the Cuban population or five
hundred thousand people. had perish
ed in Cuba within the past three years
. as a result of Spanish cruelty.
"And yet," said Mr. Allen, "lest we
the senate, a body of eighty-nine men,
offend the house of representatives,
oisting of 375 men, a point of order
is to be made against this amendment
and it-will go the way of very much
valuable legislation." Mr. Allen said
that if tha republican party cculd
suffer to see the Cubans exterminated
starvation in plain violation of its
ormn and of the Christian senti
m ient of the country, the Republican
unnatonmight to be willing to face
the question on a yea and nay vote.
Mr. Morgan, of Alabama, said the
sena had twice pase Cuban belli
gerency resolutions substantially as it
was now offered, but both times it had
been done openly and frankly. "We
have no right," said he, "to make a
declaration of war against .Spain un
der cover and that is iprecisely what
thisresolution would mean. If this
-amendment were attached to the ap
propriation bill, Spain might well re
~ard it asacause for War. As I have
before indicated, the conditions and
situation in Cuba were entirely dif
ferent when this resolution was passed
by the senate-" he asserted that be
tween~three hundred thousand arnd
six hundred thousand neople had
been starved to death in Cuiba.
-'This awful condition of affairs,"
said Mr. Morgan, "makes our position
on the Cuban matter extremely deli
cate. Intervention now of the kind
oroposed a year ago means war. It
ould mean nothing else.
"If, however, any senator believes
in adeclaration of war and wildraw
up such a declaration with sufficient
ad proper grounds upon which to
osse it 1 will vote for it."
At this point Mr. Allen interrupted
Mr. Morgan to disclaim any intention
of making a declaration of war against
Spain. He expressed the opinion that
his amendment could in no way be
construed into such a declaration.
"Ilf we should put this amendment
on the pending appropriation bill," re
plied Mr. Morgan, "Spain would be
fully justified ini interpreting our
meaning to be that we were offen
sively interfering in her affairs. Ho w
ever, I do not believe that any sena
tor has in mind a declaration of war.
It would not overtax the ability of
any manto prepare such a declaration
with proper and sufficient grounds
upon which to base it. I will not.
nowever, vote for any declaration of
war in disguise. The Spanish are a
s. great and powerful and proud people
and they believe that their course is
xight. I da not wish to provoke them
to a declaration of war. I have al
,,ways believed and believe now that
'Vthe war in Cuba could not be termin
ated without involving the United
States in hostilities.
' 'I helieve that the matter will even
ually be submitted to the ar bitrament
et the sword. Tile whole world re
cognizes Spain's inability to conquer
'the Cubans a~d sooner or later we
shallbecome, in my opinion, involved
in the armed controversy. The pind
ing amendment is little else than a
declaration of war ir disguise, If we
mean to declare war let us do so like
men and not endeavor to coniceal cour
selves behind sa transparent a cloak
Those who are constanitdy seeking tc
benefit the sacred cause of . aa
liberty, particularly at such times as
this, can not accomplish their pur
poses by such rash acts of legislatiot
as is this amend-ment."
Mr. Allen made an extended reply
to the arguments advanced agains
his position.- He maintained that this
was the first time the belligerency
proposition had been presented to tut
senate when there was any chance oi
its being effective. The house woulc
be brought face to face with it and i
wuld be brougnt to a vote in tha1
body. It could not be buried in a
corrmittee.
Mr. Hoar. of Massachusett, dis =
cussed the situation from the stand
point of an international lawyer,
maintaining that the recognition of
belligerency in ordinary ciz cnmstance
was not a cause for war. It was not
necessarily an unfriendly act. Mr. I
Hoar maintained, however. that be
fore taking any action of that kird
the United States cu tht to have a
clear and unquestioned statement of
the facts in me case. He exoressed
the opinion that the enactment of a
belligerency resolut on at the present
time would be productive of war be
cause of tha friction that would be
created by Spain exercising the right
of search of United States vessels on
the high seas.
Mr. Stewart, of Nevada, made a
speech in favor of granting belligerent
rights to the Cubans at once.
Mr. Hale made the point of order
against the amendment that it was
general legislation atd had, urder the
rules, no place in the oill The vice
president sustained the point, and Mr.
Allen took an appeal from the ruling.
Mr. Bacon. of Georgia, speaking in
support of the ruling of the chair,
drew from the galleries an enthusi
astic round of applause which was
quickly suppressed by the vice presi
dent. He said one of the greatest
causes ever trted before the nations of
the world was now being tried in
Havana.
'Let us do nothing," said he. "that
will in the least way embarrass those
who are conducting that investigation.
The wreck of the Maine now lies on
the bottom of Havana harbor. The
fact relating to the explosion are be
ing sought earnestly and intelligently
by a competent court of inquiry and
we ought to do nothing that will in
the slightest manner interfere with
the progress of that work. What we
desire is to know the facts. If it
should be found that the explosion
was due to an accident, we must
know that. If, however, it should be
disclosed that it was due to treachery 1
the whole world will applaud the ac
tion of this country in holding to 1
strict account the country in whose
friendly harbor that awful disaster
occurred."
Mr. Hale then moved to lay the ap
peal on the table and Mr. Allen de
maxded the yeas and nays.
Mr. Halt's motion was carried,
those voting against the motion being
Messrs. Allen of Nebraska; Cannon,
of Utah; Heitfelde, of Idaho; Mason,
of Illinois and Teller, of Colorsd i.
The senate then, went into execu ive
session and tmn minutes afterwards
adjurned.
A GRAND ALLIANCE RALLY
President Wiib'ra Has Appainted th
Day.
Wedne:diy President Wilborn is
suei the following, a call to the sub
alliances of the State to rally cn the
13.h of March for the purpose of dis- I
cussing the ways and maas of mak
ing each farm self-supporting. The I
tenor of his letter is that if the farm
ers will raise their own "hog and
hominy" the question of cotton acre
age will regulate itsel'.
While others think differently, Mr. 1
Wilborn thinks that the farmers, one
anti all, have decided to reduce the I
cotton screage. In several counties
they have obligatedi to plant only so <
much to the plow, averaging from I
tea to twelve nales. In addition tot:
this is the very appreciable falling off 1
in the sales of fertilizers.
Mr. Wilborn's letter to the alliances
is as fellows
I have pledged the alliance of South
Carolina to uuity of action in the mat
ter of cotton, its prcduction, sale and1
~that the whole matter may be morei
fully disscussed and active measures
may be inaugurated looking to_ relief,I
the 13rth day of Marcha, 1898, is here
by selected, named and designated as<
A lliance Rally Day, where every sun [
alliance in the State is requested to1
meet at its regular meeting place on1
that afternoon there to consider the
cotton situation and all other matters~
that may pertain to the good of the
order.
The officers are urged to be on hand
in due time and are directed to in-1
form the niembers of their respective
sub alliances of the rally day. This
call to apply to zvery alliance thati
has ever Deen in existence in this
State. The secretaries are reques:ed to
notif j me of their action in all mat
ters that pertain to the good of the or
der.
I would -suggest that you make one
of the leading questions for discussion
at this meeting the el tarts every South
Carolhna farmer will make to have his
farm self s.staining, if he dcas this,
the mat ter of cotton acreage will set
tle itself .
Be not deceived by the small ad
vance in the price of cotton, just at
planting time, with a crop liae the
one just marketed you cannot hope toI
get more than five cents per paand
foit
All alliance men are earnestly urged
to co coperto with the Cotton Growers
orgaaization in their efforts mn tbis
matter. J3. C WILBoRN,
Pres. Farmers' Alliance or S. C.
For ocloniz ation.
A special dispaten from Charleston
to the Colum:i. State says Mr O'Calla
han, the legal representative of thet
Philadelphia syndicate whbich recently
urchased the prope.rty of the Soutn
Carolina Land and L amber company
is in the city for the pur pose of secour
ing possesston of the iies to the pro
perty purchased The prope -:y con
sists of fi-ne farming and timnb? laads
extending fromr New Eaglad City to
Monck's Corner and covers anout. 18,
000 acres. The c~mpaniy al -> ovss
the Berkeley railcoad and it is -mc
stocd that tney will extend tr e hune of
road from Caicora, its termiu. to
Eutawvitie, a distarnce of 16 miles.
Now that the titles to the property
have been sicured its new owners wiil
begin at once to improve the propertyi
and cokonize it wita people from the
north and northwest. Air.-ady mnc
money has been spent in improv itg
the property and the work will ca
tinue until it reaches a state of high
caitvtion.
Fostd iceo Robbed.
The v3Osics at Dalton, Ga., was
entertd Taursday ma,~t, the sa'e was
blo wn ope., and eij hL a andred dollars
mnmony adstauJs tetherefion.
Tue tfii-.vs z : eria: then abi
sedge haae:, a tr&ae a-d long~
screw-driver. its . money-x ala
stamps were also sc:~ ee over Lt-e
fbeir. The registereu i.:-tern m na
ofcle wer thef uun..lested. There i
GRM STARY ATION
NHAT THE OFFICERS CF THE MONT-I
GOMERY SAW.
Perishing Like F!nes-Conditions Reported
Which Would Shc.2O he Heart of a SaT
age-hpain Absolutely Helpless to Re-.
port.
While the United States cruiser
Montgomery was at Mantan zas recent- i
Ly a board of dfliers was appointed to
squire into the conlition of the peo
ple of that province. Although the
exact terms of the report are not
nown it may be said that in substance
it sets forth that there are 14 00) peo
pie absolutely without food and cloth
ing within the city limits. About
3,000 of these live in small huts of palm
branches These huts form three
eparate villages beyond the built up
p rtions of the city. The other 11,000
unfortunates live in the streets of the
aity and are absolutely without homes
)r shelter.
These 14,000 people are of the lab
fring class who have been driven in
to the cities from their country homes
which have been destroyed in the wsar
,perations. Most of them are women
and children and they are all emaciat
d, sick an"dA almocst beyond relief un
less they .an have the benefit of regu
ar treatment in the hospitals As it
is they are dying in the streets for
want of food.
According to statistics gathered
From the best sources, the number of
eatbs in the pr-viace of Mantanzas
from starvation is 59,000 and the num
er of starving people at rra ent in
le province is estimated at 98 000,
ut of a total nopulation of 253 616 in
December, 1897. and the numb& r of
tarving people is rapidly increasing.
In the city of Mantarzas alone there
ave oeen about 11,000 deaths during
he past year and the number is in
:reasing daily. The death rate at
?resent averages 46 per day, as shown
,y thi reports from the cemetery.
lne increase in the death rate is due
;o the fact that the distress is no long
;r confined to the laboring class,
nest of whom have already perished.
[t has now extended to those people
who before the war were in moder
%tely comfortable circumstances.
Chose who are now begging in the
treets were in the large part, well to
I people. In addition the citizons
>f the city of Mantanzas themselves
.re beginning to suffer for the actual
ecessity of life, having drained their
-esources in order to supply the needs
f the laboring class who have been
hrust upon them.
The citizens of Mantanzis have an
)rganiz d system of relief for the
tarvibg people, but it is entirely in
tdequate and is daily becoming more
;largly so, for the resources of
hose who were well-to do are rapidly
iminishing, while the demand for
ood is constantly increasing
At one of the relief s ations the
>oard of officers found 100 starving
)eople, this being the actual number
)f persons for whom the citizens had
>een able to provide rations there. In
room across the court yard of the
uilding were 100 tin pans and as
nany spoons. These pans were filled
with a cooked mess of rice and fish
Ld were arrange d in rows ready for
istribution among the famishing peo
le who were in waiting in another
iart of the house, but, as already said,
he three relief places in the city of
dantanzas do not begin to adequately
upply food to the 14,000 people who
tre starving in the streets, for the
:itizens are only able to issue food
ree times a day at each place and
hen to only about 300 at a time. Con
e quetly only about 900 of the desti
ute receive 'oad once a day.
It should be added that a large num
er of the citizens of Mantanzas have
ed the starving in the streets in front
>f their homes, but the citizens them
elves are feeling the pinch of priva
ion, and unless assistance soon conmes
o them they will be compelled in
self protection to cease the work of
~harity in which they are engaged
and which are seemingly the only
salvation for the starving.
The only other relief issuied at Ma
umzas is that given to the poor sick
hildren by the management of the
merency hospital, which is under
;he direction of the volunteer fire de
artment at Miatanznas. There are
ibout 80 children treated daily and
re furnished with no'urishment un
er the direction of the city physici
Tnese statements are the conclu
dons, facts and figures arrived at by
Cii~ed States naval officers. When
Lkle Uuited States naval officers land
ed they were constantly follo w'ed by
:lamoing crowds of starving men,
women and children, who importun
ed them in the most heart rending
manner for a little food, for the wanL
f wnien, thev were slowly dying.
Te UnitEd States consul at Ma
tezas has cone everytoing possible
under the .circumstances, cut whnn
te Montgomery left there, in tw
first da'.s of February, the consul hadI
only enoughi rations remaining to last
aout two weeks, after which the
fu d appropriated by congress would
have been abhsusted. and when the
sufferers of MaaLtarIzas woaid include
the Amrican citizens at that place.
who have h-itherto received relief
tlrouga1 the United States consulate.
At that time tne consul had received
a ptitioc, signed by the American
cii-ns of Maatanz is, setmin forth in
detail tne needi in which they stood of
iomediate relief from the dangers of
Sa far as th~e iard of officers of the
Koitgomery could ascertain, Matan
zis at that ime needed a supply of
food for 14,000 people ter at least one
month in addttion to supplies of cou
densed mile for invaids an~d me-di
cinies of all klads. Ine peope of Ma
tazas are also is urgent need u
cioning, most of them oeing in tiltuhy
.e Spanish authori~ies, it may bt
a in c a.clusioni, na-.e rendered wi
the sil-ance we iL. r-ens ps~i
for theni to proviude. OI m to occa
sion the have given $100,000 to th<
fund for ine relief of toe uestitum;
but so far as taec bsard could learn
this was'ail the government was in a
position to contrioute to the relief of
te 14000 Ataryme, dying i.eople
the stree..s of Mahntar z's.
Benuy to Mov.' Cop
A dstth from Atlanta says all the
rairoaa. :eading to that city are futrnih
ig tle government, on appne!iatwnt,
e nuats of ine numtber of men ana
munitions of war they can mnore mn a
FC.o:TING STRENGTH
of the Navies of spin anui the *UnitEd
St.:es.
While this question is bound to arise
in the public mind it is well to note
that the Maine, although costing the
government somewhere in the neigh
borhood of $2 500 000. does not appear
in the catalogue of cur first-class bat
tieships Since it= total displacement
aggregated only 6,682 tons, its proper
designation is that of a second class
battleshio. Our first class battleships,
with the tonnage in each case, are nine
ir number, as follows: The Kentucky,
11,525 tons; the Kaarsage, 11,525 tons;
t e Illinois. 11.525; tre Alabarwa, 11,
525; the Wisconsin. 11 525: the Iowa;
11,410; the Oregon, 10 2S; the In
diana, 10.28S, and the Massachusetts,
10 288
T > summarize the fighting strength
of the white squadron, it inclu es nine
first class battleships. two second class
battleships. two armored cruisers, thir
teenh protected cruisers, three unprotec
ted cruisers, one armored ram, six
double turreted monitors, thirteen sin
gle turreted monitors, ten gunboats,
six composite gunboats, three special
class gunboats, twent; two steel tor
pedo boats, one wooden torp-do, five
iron cruising vessels, eleven sailing
ressels. six tugs, eight wooden steam
vessels and six wooden sailing vessels.
In the segregate there aro 141 differ
ent naval pieces in the white squad
ron, only fourteen of which are ob
so!ete and unfit for service in the event
of war. So far as the resistive power
of our battleships is concerned, it is
safe to say that in spite of the disas
trous experience of the Maine, there is
no country on the globe which can
boast of superior engines of war. 0
curse, such countries as Great Britain
and FraLce are provided with more
of them, but they are not of better
workmanship.
But what of Spain's naval outfit?
This question is certainl- pertinent in
this connection. Mcstof Spain's naval
engines are out of date. She has only
one first class battleship which is wor
thy of the name-the Pelaya-and
even this falls considerably short of
our small- st one, its - displacement be
ing only 9,900 tons. One apparent ad
vantage which Spain's fleet has over
ours is in the number of armored
cruisers. While her fleet contains
seven of these cruisers, ours contains
only two, viz , the New York and the
Brookli n; but this advantage is
partially overcome by the superior
qpment of our cruisers. The New
York andithe Brooklyn carry seventy
four mouster guns; the Spanish cruis
ers carry 208 smaller and inferor ones.
On good authority, the statement is
made that Spain has no sea going
coast defense ships, while this country
has six, carrying thirty heavy guns
and fitty two light guns. Of non sea
g irg coast-defenders, Spain has only
wo, while this country is credited
with fourteen. Of protection and non
protection cruisers, Spain has only five
while the United States has sixteen.
In the number of gunboats, torpedo
boats available for use in the event of
hostilities, the United States is also
ahead of Spain.
From this hasty review of the two
squadrons, it is evident that the
United States possesses every advan
tage over Spain, and that if war comes,
as now seems emminent, it will be the
latter power which will have every
thic-g to lose.-Atlanta Constitution.
Well said, u1r. President.
To a senator who called upon him
in order to ask some serious qu-stions
as to the policy of the administration,
President, McKinley, with the utmost
fankness, has uttered the folio ting
words:
"I do not propose to do anything at
all to preciptste war with Spain. Up
to the present I do not think war is
either necessary or inevitable. _I
would 'be lax in my duty, however. if
I did not prepare for the future. Tne
situation is grave and the policy of
the administration will be determined
almost entirely by the course of events
from ti:ne to time. Teere is no neces
sity of alarming the people, but con
gress must be ready to assist the ad
ministrtion without making so many
inquiries as to the course of current
events."
Tnese wordisof McKinley were given
by tbe senator in question to the car
respondent of the Chicago Tribune
and reported in that paper. There is
now no doubt of tne fact that
the government of the United States is
actualiy preparing for war with Spain.
it does not follow that war will come,
but tne activity in both the war and
navy departments is too unmistakable
to be concealed. At no time since the
close of the late war has the military
brnch of the government been so ac
tive as it is now.
Getting B sady at oharleston.
Work on the new fortifications at
Chareston is being rapidly pushed
The big guns are being miounted for
action, but some of these are not yet
ready for service. There is li'.tle or
no powder on hand for firiug the 800
ound projectiles, but it is said the
ammumtioc is to be shippei at once.
The New York force is aept bisy pat
ting the guns in shape for war. The
officials in charge beliere the forts
would be able to protect the city from
hostile ships. in .Fort Sarnter a tar
~do tub-: which commands the en
rane to the liarbor is prepared f or
w'ork. Tne garrison, cons-sting of
eig ty-five men, on Sullivaa Island,
is ready for any orders that may oe
sent from Was 2mgton.
Bazzards Hovar Aboat.
Persons who have j ist returned
fom Harana say that tue Maine was
orry ying from the evidence toe
wrckge bore of the power of the ex
po-on and the carnage wrcught
izzards huug sbcut the wreek, the
Sa:sh et~cers making no e ff;rt to
drve them -away, tnoIga their pres
4- was sickeningly oiiensive.
Soanaids who row. d acout la boats
dd not enceal their sauisfaction at
te Anerican warsnip's fate, and
sometimes were sten shaking their
issat '1h' fieg tha: hung at naif mast
ove tae auim.
Governmient S:Enyig Goal.
The United States government is
uing ;arg-e cytitiues o-f coal. One
at the largest coal dealers at Pettsburg
a has closed a conmract witht tae
n4vy depar'tment for the delivery at
y West, Satd Kays, Dry Tortuozs.
Svannah, Charlestcn a:.d Fortress
M nr oe of 25000 t as .A P'ocanouti
-oal. The stipdlations cf the contrraet
jut place d are that the coat so order':d
-ah ce delivered at the designat.:d
coing stations as soon as it :s possi
be to do so. and that ia utmost
ercy be obher-e stout the matter.
IT WAS {O ACCIDENT.
THE MAINE BLOWN UP BY A SPANISH
MI NE
There is Little Hope of Proving the ]Maine
Dlaaeter the Resuit of at Accident
SpanlEh Army Onicers Continua Their
Auti-ame Ican Expetsions.
Peprwr. ihe Havana corresnondent
of the Washinztor. star cabled his pa
per ;s follows on Wednesday:
"Inqoiry into the Maine disaster
progre es along detinite lines. The
results so far my be summed u;, in
the statement teat the probabilities
that it Was an accident srem to de
crease with the progr ss of the inves
tigation. The most intence anxiety is
shown by the Spanish cfficials here,
who are in constant communication
with Madrid. They realize that the
relations with the United States were
never so much in danger of rupture
as now. This is the general feeling.
"The commercial classes here are
hopeful of American intervention on
peaceful lines, but what they base
their hopes upon is unknown. The
insurgents continue to win minor
military successes. The autonomists
are restless, and some of the leaders
seem to be on the point of breaking
away from the government Army
cificers continue to show an anti
American sentiment. They are ap
parently the only class that does not
look for an early crisis.
The outlook in Cuba does not grow
more promising. The exact statement
is that the government officials were
never so much disturbed as today.
L:cal developmert, justify the seri
ous view General Blanco and his as
scciates are said to take of the proba
bility of fresh co-nplications.
The statement that the divers have
penetrated the forward part of the
Maine and found nothing in the mag
azines there to indicate an explosion
seems to be verified. Attention is
also given to testimony regarding vi
bration under water hofore the Maine
went to pieces. Evid:r.ce as to this
fact is emphatic. How far it justifies
the belief that the explosion came
from underneath the ship, experts
may be left to determine.
The point has not been reached
where a definite opinion can be form
ed regarding submarine mines. Out
side evidence has been brought for
ward regarding the construction of
such a system, but it has nit been
sifted Spain's officials were surprised
at the firmnness with which the Wash
ington administration declined to ad
mit them to share in the investigation.
"At this writing divers are develop
ing important results. From exami
nation of the interior wreckage, they
have secured evidence which seems
conclusive that the explosion came
from underneath the ship.
"Some of the smaller magazines
may have exploded The main 10
inch magazine did not explode. Tae
condition of the interior of the ship
shows further probability o' the
wreck having been due to outride
force.
"The further the investigation pro
gresses the more untenable becomes
the theory whicb the Spanish govern
ment adduced to show accidental
causes. Ii is evident the Spanish case
will be based on the claim that a fir!
preceded the explosion.
"Capt. Sampson and his colleagues
of the naval board may have outside
evidence offered re g zrding a torpedo
fiat producing the explosion.
"Said one diver who had been en
gaged in the work of getting bodies
out frc m under the hatcn: "God may
be merciful to the men who blew
those poor fellows to eternity, the
Unit d States should not."
This was long before Long's order
prohibiting cificers from talking. This
diver evid.:ntly thought the explosion
was nct an accide at. He had an ex
pert's capacity and opportunity .for
judging. The Havana public is not
permitted to communicate the inten
sity of public sentimerat; in the Uni
ted States. Only meagre details are
ernitted to be known of what hap
pens in Washington. Congress is
watched with excessiva anxiety by
palace officials, but the populace
knows nothing of what is liable to
hapen. Evidenes of ill feeling to
ward American people and exulting
over the Maine disaster does not les
sen.
NO LONGER ANY DOUBT.
A dispatch from Havana to the
New York Herald says: There is no
longer any reason to doubt that the
explosion which wrecked the Maine
camne from underneath the vessel and
that her magazies had nothing toa do
with the initial explosion and played
a much smnaller part in the general
disaster thai? was at first supposed.
The evidence that has served to con
virce the board was obtained by E a.
sign Powelson, an officer attached to
the Fern.
Mr. Powelson was formerly in the
construction corps and took a two
years special course in tne Giasgow
scheo! of naval architecture. He is
therefore a competent wi'ness. What
ie discovered was that the forward
part of thie keel c f the Maine, with its
ribs and plates was store upward so
far that omrs of the shattered double
ottom 'show out of water and in
places sections of the green painted
outer hull are visible.
Corroborative of eridence given by
E sign Po welson and of e q-.ai signifi
cance and importance is the result of
.h close examnination made by the
divers. What they found indicated
that the explosion came from a point
beneatn the keel. A plumb line drop
oed from a point jus: forward of the
coning tower would have laid the
ead exacdly on the spot where the
:xlosion oceurred that arove keel,
ptes and ribs almnost to the surface.
'The main force of the explosion
seem's to have been exce tdiagly slight
on ihe port side of tue vessel. Tnis is
cosistent with the farts hithecto as
certained.
Collectively, these now indicate that
the contents ot the reserve six mn
mue)zine were explcded by the initia.
uiait and there was no explcs:oa 1.0
either of the oth r two. In the reserve
magzine was sto sed 2.500 pounds et
oowd..r in copper tanks, eachi of wnicn
:ontaned 200 pounds
See of tue tans have been found
by the divers, all in crushed and
san Ss ma2sses . Iti imortanlt tc
"cte t-al in ti e s' inchi and ten-incL
anks ree iveren the ecesior usd. fo:
oaegin' the charg-es -lws no inp ry
rmn tlame or gases.
Tuie 1.o ,der stowed~ int the s:. ix-m1
prposes ciy. The.. m?aeaztme 2tsel
sparstoLave been utterly destroyed,
~ony a few traces bemng left to snow.
the point where it was once located.
B3EYOND) REFARATIQY.
The United States board of enquiry
seat to Havana to enquire into the
wrecking of the Maine have about
concluded their work there and have
returned to this country. The couri
has decided apairst any attempt te
raise the ruin, d battleship. The mem
te-s are convinced that it would be
useless as !he could never be kepi
afbat, and the Sranish authorities
here will be informed that i they
wish the wreck removed from the har
bor t:v must attend to the wcr
hem'i L s. This decision gives a bet
ter idea of the terrible havcc wroughl
in the Maine than columns o descrip
ticn could do.
A FEW PLUMS GIVEN OUT.
Governor Enierbs Namen Suparvisors of
Reglatratirn.
Gov. Ellerba made the following
appointments of supervisors on Thurs
day:
Dorchester-H. A. Jamison, Sum
merville, and J. R Patrick, St.
George's.
Horry-J. C. Blum, Little River,
and Malcolm J. Granger, Wannama
ker.
ElgeEeld-J. Trapp McManus,
E~e deld, and Luther R. Brunson,
Cleora.
Marion--Henry Berry, Marion, and
A. R Oliver, Centenary.
Marlboro-A. C Pearson, Bennetls
Ville, and T. R. Easterling, Bennetts
Ville.
B-rkeleo-E. S. Wilson, Honey
Hill, and D. L. Shuler, Monck's Cor
ner.
Georgetown-H. L. Carter, George
town, and S. S. Dusenberry, George
town.
Greenville-W. A. Nesbitt, Balson,
and C. 0. Goodwin. Lima.
Beaufort-W. E H. Dopson, Beau
fort, and S. E. Blount, Beaufort.
Darlington-W. C. Gandy, Doves
Ville, and P. R. McIntosh, Darling
ton
Newberry-Williai Kibler, New
berry, and W. D. Halfacre, New
berry.
Abbeville-J. D. Carwile, Abbe
ville, and W. A. Lanier, Abbeville.
Barnwell-Ashley Stansell, Elko;
B. J. Hammett, Blackville, and John
K Suellings, Barnwell.
Orangeburg-Thos. F. Stokes, Row
esville, and James H. Fanning Or
angebarg.
Saluda-Walter H. Shealy. Bates
burg, and F. H. Hempson, Huggin's
Ferry.
Pickens-J. H Hennemur, Pickens
and J. Alonzo Brown, Cateechee,
Lexington-W. H Meetze, Lexing
ton, and George W. Pound, Gaston.
Bamberg-R. W. D. Rowell. Den
mark, and Isaac Carter, Enrhardt.
Chesterfield-W. C Baker, Chester
Seld, courthouse; C. W. Teal, Che;
terfield courthouse, and W. C. Mr
Creight, Chesterfield courthouse.
Charleston-Joseph G Martin,
Charleston. and Lea Royal, Charles
ton.
York-D. C. Clark, Yorkville, ana
James E Baumeuard, Clover.
Laurens-R D Boyd, Austin, and
J. D. Sullivan, Laurens.
Aikea-G. C. Moseley, Aiken. and
H. M Sawyer, Monetta.
Colleton-Thomas S. Ackerman,
Cottageville; Joseph A Roger, Wal
terboro, and 0. T. Worsham.
Clarendon-C. D. Hodge, Manning,
and Etward B. Gamble, dranning.
Williamsburg-Charles Lesesne,
Greeleyville, and W. G. Cantley,
Brawn's.
Richland-M. A. Bridges, P. B. Mc
Coy and Joab J. Roach, all of Colurn
bia.
Lancaster-J. Mont. Caskey and
R >bert J. Flynn. both of Lancaster.
Union-J. D. Epps, May'ointon and
3. P. Thomas, Jr., Carlisle.
Fairfiel -Thomas W. Sligh, RidgE
way, and John H. Neal Wins boro
Caester -Jose phS5 HardiM, Chester;
A. W. Love, Onester, and John Rose,
Cornwall.
Greenwood-W. A. Sanders,Ninety
Six, and in. Saepperd, Greenwood.
C::onee-H. L. Vaadiver, and W.
H. Barron, both of Wathalla.
Anderson-Walter L. Anderson.
Anderson, and Cuarles M. Barrett,
Corinne,
Kershaw-Mannes R abon, Camden,
and Alexander Brown, Camden.
Sumter-Jno. M. Knight, Samter,
and Tnomnas B. DuB ass, Bossard.
Our War ships.
President McKinley could in a fa w
days concentrate a powerful fleet tc
meet the Spanish war ships in Caban
waters shculd the occasion arise to
demand them. Of tae torpedo fio
tilia the E-icson and the Cushing are
.ngaged in disoatch wort between
Ksv West and Havana, and the norter
and Dunont are at Monile, and th
Foocte and Winslow are at No -folk.
Vhe Texas and Nashville are at Gal
veston, the Marblehead at New Or
leans, tha Detroit en route for Mobile.
and tne Vesuvious at Branswick G&
la the Caribean Sea are the Brooklyn,
Wilmington, Ne wport and Montgomn
ery. In reserve are the Puritan and
Cerror at Norfolk, and the Columbia
atud Minneapolis at League Island,
while the ;iining ships are as widely
scat:eredi. tne Essex aad Amphitrite
osing at Port Royal, S. C.; the Alli
ance at Portsmouth, N. H.; thF An
.sapolis at St. Trhomas and the Vicks
ourg at St. Kitts. Tue Cincinnati
ad Castine are steaming fast for
Ba'nia. The Bancroft, San Francism
aud Helena are at Lisbon. Tnis dis
position of the tieet snows the mobili
zition of the vessels, s2.ve those in re
arve and abroad, would oe a question
of only a fe w days, while all tne other
;essels could be assembled in lesr
than two weeks. The table shos
thlat twerty-eigat vasseis are available.
could be by the same date preparec
for ywo'k. .At tae present momeni
Spain's ships la the West Indies an
mostly unimportant vesssels of the
gunbaat type or very small gun yes
iof no importankce, intended foi
us: iu the creeks of Cuba. It woult
I robably be not less than a month be
fars doain could gather her best ves
sels off the coast of Cuba.
A disprtch from Havana says: Thu.
r the sharks have give2 no trouble
out the vuitures have lefi. scarcela
any thiag 'cut the suMetons of thust
wh~o were enttanglied in debris vern'
near th~e surface of the water. Tau
bodies were not noticed by any cn'
tni te foul birds had completec
mei gaa.Iy work. From the hanU(
;f ore. Usytain Chaawick remova
four identideation, a deeply chased gol(
A HORRIBLE CRIME.
ITHE NEGRO POSTMASTER AT LAKE
CITY. S. C . KILLED.
His Infant Child Shot Dead in Its Mother's
Arms, and the Same Bullet Maimed the
Woman-The Housa and Bodies Burned.
One of the most horrible and brutal
crimes cccurred at Lake City in Wil
liamsburg county on Tuesday night
of last week. The rearo postmaster
and his infant daughter were killed
and their bodies burned, and his wife
and three other children. two of the
latter grown, were horribly shot. The
affair is undoubtedly one of the most
horrible that ever was prepetrated in
South Carolina.
Frazier B. Baker, a black negro,
was appointed postmaster at Lake
City by President McKinley last Au
gust He was at that time a resident
of Florence county, but moved to
Lake City to take charge of the office.
Shortly afterwards he was shot and
shhtly wounded. Some time later
his assistant was shot but not serious
ly hurt. In January the postoffice
with its contents was burned. A few
weeks ago the negro re established the
office in a rude hut about a mile from
town.
One night week before last a mob
attacked the building and several
shots were fired into it, but Baker held
on to his job and the next day spoke
in a braggadecia manner about not
being scared, and said that he would
have to be killed to get him out of the
postoffice. The tragedy Tuesday night
is the sequel. Baker lived with his
family, consisting of a wife, three
daughters and one son, in the rear of
the rude hut ued also as the post
office.
The coroner's inquest brought out
the following facts: Baker's wife was
aroused about 1 o'clock this morning
by some unaccountable sounds. Upon
arising she discovered that the house
was on fire and immediately awak
ened her husband. Just as she did so,
there was a volley of rifle shots fired
upon the building and the bullets
came clear through the walls and
made things hot for the occupants.
By this time the entire household
was aroused and efforts were made to
check the flames. All this time the
firing outside was kept up, when the
man saw that there was no chance to
check the fire. He told his family to
follow him and he rushed to the front
door of the house. Just as he opened
the door he was shot down. Instantly
the woman, the three girls and the
boy were shot.. A ball passed through
the baby who was in the mothers arms
and struck the woman's arm, break
ing it.
The little fellow was dead and the
mother's fractured limb could no
longer support it. so it fell. The dead
father fell upon the dead body of the
child. Those of the household who
were still able to walk ran from the
ourning building right into the faces
of the assassins. Tne mob quickly
dispersed.
The next morning the charred re
mains of the postmaster and the baby
were found and examinations by phy
sicians showed that the woman was
shot in the let arm and in the right
thigh. The oldest girl was shot through
the groin and her right hand is shot
off. The other girl was shot through
the left elbow and may lose her arm.
The boy was shot through the abdo
men and through the right arm. He
and the oldest daughter may die.
None of the family recognized any
one in the mob. It is said that several
hundred shots were fired into the
burning building. The wounded ne
groes are receiving the best- of treat
ment at the hands of the white people
of the town. Food, raiment and med
ical attention are being given them
gratis.
The coroner's jury was adjourned
for a few days and they will make
every effort to get some clue to the
assassins. The people of Lake City
seemed to be awed by the dreadful oc
currence.
At first it was thought that the body
of the baby was entirely consumed
by the flames but further search de
veloped the fact that the remains of
the child were directly underneath
the charred remains of its father.
The surviving members of Baker's
family are: Luvenia, his wife, gun
shot wound in left arm and leg.
Roselle, eldest daughter, gunshot
wound in left arm and leg.
Cora, next eldest daughter, gunshot
wound in right hand.
Linkum, eldest son, gunshot wound
in left arm and abdomen.
They are all doing as well as can be
exoected.
Sarah and Willie, still younger, es
caped unhurt.
The white as well as the colored
citizens of the town are contributing
!ioerally to the necessities of the su.r.
giving members of the Baker family.
Toe citizans of Lake City are now,
sending and receiving their mail from
Scranton, S. C., which is three miles
a way.
Wednesday the negroes made threats
of burning, etc., but up to this time
everything has remained quiet and
QOW there seems to be no further
trouble anticipated.
The parties who committed this
atrocious crime, so far as your corres
oondent can learn, are yet unsuspect
ed.
UNCLE SAM TAKES ACTION.
A dispatch from Washington says
the postodfice department will send an
inector to the scene of the tragedy
at once to investigate and make a full
report of the case to the department
Wnen this is obtained the department
of'justize will be asked to prosecute
he persons engaged in the crime
Biker, who is said to have been a re
spectable colored man and who had
p~ eviously taught school, was appoint.
led to the oilize in.July last. It is said
.hst he was a man of quiet, unobstra
sive haobis and had filled the position
a short while only before threats of
personal danger were made against
uim. Tnere was no place in the city
tbe had for keeping the pcotfie
wn itws remnoved to the sch~oolhcuse
in t e suurbs. Tne citizms boycot
Le tL he odi with some degree of suc
Icss No seious complaint bd been
rec ived cornc:rning tue condition of
thirs very recently, an it was
Ia' nd toat the prej acice agamnst the
poosmaster ha~d die do T'he post
unser e aal as ~f reda reward
im ta mn wao burned the post
&ue ary has issued a order to
dicnee the 3.ice at Lake Citry
"-rom ibis tme. Mail iatended for
Lake Cliv will hereafter be sent to
$cranaton, the nearest postotligewhere
tan b a lled for by the neople of
the former place. Attorney General
Griggs has telegraphed United States
Attorney Lathrop instructing him to
co operate with the State authorities,
and if possible secure the arrest of the
parties for destroying the postoffice
building and for other felonious acts
in connection with the murders done
in violation of the statutes of the Uni
ted States.
THE GOVERNOR OFFERS A REWARD.
The Columbia State says in official
and political circles in Columbia great
condemnation of the act of the Wil
liamsburg county mob was heard up
on all sides. It seemed hard to be
lieve that people in South Carolina
could be guilty of such an act. Some
vigorous expressions were heard.
Governor Ellerbe,when seen, express.
ed himself very vigorously about the
affair, but declined to say anything
for publication. He simply made the
announcement that he had promptly
offered a reward of $500 for the appre
hension and conviction of the parties
unknown who had committed the
deed. In addition. to this the an
nouncement is made that through the
attorney general's office Solicitor Wil
son has been instructed to proceed to
Lake City and take charge of the case
in behalf of-the State.
DEPLORED IN WASHINGTON.
A special dispatch to the State from
Washington says the outrage has cre
ated a good deal of excitement in Con
gress. An investigation will be made
ov the postoffice department and an
effort will be made to get the parties
into the United States court as the
United States mail was destroyed. It
is thought in Washington that the
outrage will not help the contested
congressional seats from this State
and that both Congressmen Stokes
and Elliott will be outsted in conse
quence of it.
A BOARD OF INQUIRY.
Esolution Cresting One Introduced by
Senator Allen.
In the United States Senate Wed
nesday Senator Allen introduced the
following resolution:
"Whereas, it is the established doc
trine of the United States . that the
western hemisphere shall be dedicated
to republican forms of government
recognizing the political equality of
human beings, and
"Whereas, tne principles of the
Monroe doctrine or the doctrine of na
tional self preservation, is as applica
ble in wresting any portion of this
continent from the grasp of foreign
countries as in preventing t, im ob
taining additional territory; ana
"Wnereas, the island of Cuba,' by
reason of its location and close prox
imty to the United States, should by
right, be dedicated to republican form
of government; and
"Whereas, a republican form of
government is, and has been for
nearly three years maintained in said
island by force of arms, and
"Whereas. it is alleged that five
hundred thousand persons on said
island have died of starvation by rea
son of being concentrated by the
Spanish government at various points;
without being fed or afforded an op
portunity to provide food for them
selves, and hundreds are daily dying,
and
"Whereas, the dictates of humanity
require the intervention of the United
States in such case, therefore,
"Resolved, That a select committee
of five Senators shall be appointed
whose duty it shall be to make a
thorough investigation and inqure in
to and report on the following sub
jects:
-1. To what extent the work of con
centrating tue inhabitants of Cuba has
been carried on by the Spanish gov
ernment and how many persons on
said island have in the last three years
died as a result of starvation, or for
lack of sufficient food, and diseases in
cident thereto, and to what extentcon
centration is being practiced there by
Spanish authorities and the conditions
of the people concentrated.
'2. Wnether the concentrated Ca
bans have been adequately sheltered,
clotiaed and fed by thae Spanish gov
ernment, or by others, or have been
permitted to obtain food a~d clothing
for themselves.
"3. What lawful steps, ii any, are
necessary and can be taken by the
United States to bring the warin Cuba
to a speedy termination, on grounds
honorable alike to Spain and Cuba,
and which wilt result in the kingdom
of Spain relinquishing its hold on the
island and in the establishment of a
republican form of government there.
"'4. To what extent Spanish bar
barity and cruelty have during the
war now in progress on the island of
Cuba, been practiced toward the in
nabitanta of Cuba and what has been
lawafully done by the United States if
anything, to ameliorate the condition
of the Cubans.
"And to these ends and for these
purposes said committee may sit at
such times and places as they may see
proper daring the sessions of congress
and in vacation and shall have the
right to visit and take testimony in
Cuba, if deemed proper to do so. All
testmony taken shall be preserved,
and the finding of said seleet commit
tee, together with all testimony shall
be reduced to writing and reported to
the senate at as early a date as practi
cable."
A Bloody T zagedy.
A bloody tragedy was enacted in a
wagon yard on Rock street, Little
Rock, Ark., Wednesday mornine-, the
principals to the affray being Dr. y.
H. Hartsell, a physician of some pro
minence, and William K.- Elliott,
proprietor of the yard in which the
shooting occurred. The tragedy grew
out of family affairs, in which Mrs.
Hartsell was involved and which, it
is alleged, led to that lady's suicide,
which occurred about a month ago.
Dr-. Hartseii fi-ed three shots at El
liott, when only five feet away. T wo
of the bullets took effect, one in the
abdomen and one in the chest. Elliott
sprang upon Hartsell and wresting the
revolver from him, turned it upon
Eartsell and fired two shots, one of
them striking Hartsell in the cheek.
Physicians pronounce both men mor
.ally wounded and their death is
tiourly expected. According to the
statement of witnesses Elliott made
improper advances to Mrs. Hartsell
during the doctor's absence some time
ago and a tragedy was narrowly
averted at that time. The Hartsell's
ninally separated and later Mrs. Hart
sell committed suicide on account of
her trouble.
Febrary has been trying to assure
us that the back bone of winter has not
yet been broken. And we feel assured
that such is the fact. But we are not
Icomplaining; its coolness was temper
ed with a fair degree of moderation.