Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

atc!) m on out!) ron tfnmS WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850* kBe Just aud Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established Jane, 13*>6 idated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16,1898. New Series-Vol. XVII. No. 33 Maternait w? BS??&?SU. Pefclisk?d STOTT Wednesday, -BY p." SUMTER, S. C. per an a um-io advisee. an V B a T i s i K i ? r : gae Square first irisertion.........?.......^! 00 ?wy ?abseqnent insertion......... 50 |& Contracts for three months, or longer wil |? made at reduced rates. ^jJdl common ?cation s which subserve private StfBtWtS will be charged for as ad ver tie m en ts. &: <lhitaane3 and tributes of respects will be If Parties and Factions plarmonionsly Blended. Cation's Eepp?sentatiyes Vote Uoammonsly for $50. 000,000. .3g Washington, Mareil 8.-lo m spirit of ipiiriotism, with eloquent ?ords ringing their eara, every member of the lase of reoreseotatives to-day respond* to the President's first ea?l to meet is Spanish situation by casting bis vote t.f% bill placing io President Merlin? a's hands fifty millions of dollars to be ided nt hts discretion for the monal defense. Party lines were lept away, and wirb a un anim oas voice 'cangrene voted its confidence io the ad? as inistratico. Many . members wbo . were paired with absent colleagaes took ?tbe responsibility of breaking their ?pairs, ed unprecedented thing io legis la titre annals, ta order that they might go 2 record io support of (bis vest eppro to maintain toe dignity and of their conn try. Speaker Reid, as the presiding officer, seldom fvotes except io ease of a tie, bid bis eaaw called a voted io bis etpaoity as a * represenfrtive. The scene of eotbosi i atm which greeted the announcement of ihe vote-ayes, 311 ; eaya, 0-has eel .-?om baca paralleled io the house. AU I day-long the galleries ?ere jammed :V wit* eothusiastso spectators, applauding the patriotism of the words of eto q cen cs ?hieb were ottered by the mern hers on the floor.- The speeches were aft brief. Altboogh four hours were fallowed for debate, so great wes the ^ pressure for time that DO one member* :;- waa given more than two minutes, and meet of them bad to content them? selves with a beggarly fraction of a -mutate. Is al!. 59 speeches were made. With one acclaim members from the north, the sooth, the esst and i west, the Sutes and the terri tories, battle-scarred veterans of tbe Union and the Confederate armies, all joined proclaiming their support of the coun? try's chief magistrate in the face of a possible foreign war. Io the whole debate there was only a slight discord note, caused by the speeeh of il Biagham of Penosy i vania, who f? with dissection Coder Han? cock. He spoke too eooservatfvely for aroused temper of the boase, and he iosisted that our relations with Spain were as friendly as they had .been for years many of the members hissed bim. Walle almost ever j mern* bsr who spoke depreciated the pota bibi ty of war, a wide divergence of opinion as to how close were hostilities manifested itself to the debate. The general contention by the majority, among them the leaders on both sides, was that this appropriaiioo by prepar? ing for .war would prove tbe sorest guarantee of peace. Others iosisted t war's alarms would soon be beard, d Mr. Mano of Illinois declared thas war actually existed io all save name The speeches which attracted most atten? tion were those of Messrs. Cannon, leodersoo and Dolli ver on the Republi side sod Messrs. Bailey end Sayres tte Democratic side. LGENT GOBS TO EUROPE .'o Examine Purchasable Ships and Bay Them if They Are Needed. s Washington, March 8.-In spite of oomeroos conferences of official?, of the continuation of tbe preparations now io progress oo a large sale to pot the country io a state of defense, and of the outburst of patriotic speeches io coo gr ess, there was a feeling apparent io the best informed circles that the situation to our relations with Spain was to-day much more favorable than it was yet Perhaps - he semi-cfiicisl advices received through the Asso? ciated Press from Madrid, indicating a peacefol parp?se on the part of tbe Spanish government, contributed in a large measure to tbat feeling, or it may have been tbat tbe growing knowledge of the vast extent of oar own resources tended co tbe belief that they would impress others with tbe fu? tility of attacking the United States. However that may be, tbe feeling pre vailed, sad *t the White House too, after the cabinet meeting, ?herein all of the facts tbat were known to the President as to the existing state of af? fairs were laid unreservedly before tbe cabinet members and discussed. Per? haps one of the best evidences of tbe confidence io a peaceful outcome was the declaration tbat while Captain Bro wo soo was going abroad for tbe government to learn what ships of war are for sale and their condition, be would not necessarily make any pur? chases, as it was hoped and expected that by tbe time be arrived in Europe tbe present cloud would have rolled by The officer left Washington to night, and will toke the St Paul to Southampton, sailing from New York. He will report his arrival immediately at the United Stales embassy in Lon? don, bot farther than than the captain declines to indicate the places he will visit in Europe. He has been fam? ished ali the information iii the pos? session of the navy department res? pecting tbe shipping in coarse of construction in Ea rope, and had a talk with Mr Lane, who ia said to have some of these ships for sale, j tboogb be does not at present have the right in the case of the two small Brazilian battleships now building st LaSeine, in France As to these, or indeed ony Brazilian or Chilian war ship, it bas been discovered that Brazil and Chili are parties to a treaty, by the terms of which neither country can sell any of its warships unless the other also sells a ship. The reason for this peculiar provision is to be found in the alliance that is re? ported to have been entered into by those two countries for mutual pro? tection against Argentina and other Sooth American nations. As to the right to bay foreign war? ships, all authorities agree that such parchases may be made, even after hostilities have begun, if the, neat ra nation exercises strict impartiality be? tween the belligerents, and the ships are not armed and outfitted ready for service Tha trade of shipbuilding ie recognized as a legitimate one, which may be carried on at all times. A good deal is being accomplished in the way of preparation in both the navy and war departments. The con? ference at the ravy department to? day looked into the procurement of a suitable ?tore of ammunition, coal and supplies, touched upon the'ques? tion cf dry docks and generally con? sidered a number of other matters connected with the operation of a warship. The war department was not behind the navy Gen. Plagler, chief of ordnance, is very busy reaching oat in every direction by means of telegraph and the mail to learn just bow far tbe resources of the big private manufacturing con? cerns can be relied on to come to the aid of tbe department in arming and .equipping a volunteer army, should one be foo ad necessary. Maj. Gen. Miles i s looking after the personnel closely, and to day was trying to per? fect the organization of the two oew regiment? of artillery which congress bas granted. Beyond the statement that tbe two senior lieutenant colo? nels of the existing artillery regi? ments will> be made colonels of the two new regiments, tbe names of tbe officers are.withheld. The War Department Seeks Equipment for Half a Million Men. SffelN HASN'T PURCHASED .BRAZILIAN CRUISERS. Washington, March 9 -The fea? ture of the day's events was the promptitude with which the senate passed the house bill carrying the appropriation of $50,000,000 for the national defense, and the haste with which it was put through the final proceedings, engrossed and signed by the President. While the matter has been considered, it can be stated that the fund bas not yet been allot ted among the various branches of the government service Each of these had prepared roughly and tent atively an estimate of the funds it could dispose of to advantage, but looking over the ground the Presi dent concluded that it would be well, perhaps, to avoid making the allot? ment until the necessity became ap? parent. The reason back of this is that the sum that can be profitably spent for warships cannot even be guessed at with any approximation to accuracy just now. As the ships are to be first choice in the steps for defense, until their cost is ascertain? ed it is not possible to divide the re? mainder of the appropriation among the other branches of the military and naval services The secretary of the navy is mak? ing every effort to 6ecure from our naval attaches and diplomatic officers abroad all information obtainable re speeling the number of ships build? ing, their price, and other data This does not necessarily interfere with the execution of the plans confided to Captain Brownson, who sailed for Southampton to-day, bot rainer prom* ises to mist bim materially in mak ing speed wilh his inquiries dp to this moment not only has the United States government bought no war? ships, bot it has not even secured an option on one There are many ap? plications coming to the department from persons and firms who desire to sell ships to the government, but in most of these cases one of two fatal obstacles are encountered to the con? summation of the sale : Either the craft offered is not suitable to naval need?, or the date of possible com? pletion is so distant, from three months upward, that it cannot be re? garded as worthy of purchase to meet an emergency There is less difficulty experienced in securing tenders of war material, such as shot and shell and powder, and the navy department has almost assured itself of an abundant supply of certain kinds of smokeless powder, abroad, at short notice The officials of the department are daily in correspond? ence by mail and telegraph with agentB of ammunition houses, and beside are now fully acquainted with the plans of domestic powder mak? ers for enlarging their plants to meet, an emergency. The rep? resentatives of the .armor mak ing firms are in consultation with the department steadily, generally rela? tive to the supply of gun forgings and s ach material for nse in the gun shops here and at Watervliet, but the question of armor is receiving little attention, as the armor makers report that they cannot undertake by any known agency to turn out such armor as would be required for a modern battleship in less than seven months, for the reason that tempering and lace-hardening cannot be has* tened without destroying the value of the armor. Thus it bas been de? monstrated to the navy department that it will not be possible to make the armor for the superb battleships, three in number, now building at Newport News and at Cramps and at the Union Iron Works in San Francisco, in time to render these ships-far better, it is claimed, than any offered from abroad for sale available for any emergency that may arise this year. The statement was made at the navy department to-day that the re? port cf the Maine court of inquiry probably would come to\ the de? partment some time next week. It did not appear, however, that this statement was founded upon any direct report from the court, but was rather an estimate based upon the progress so far made as revealed by the change of methods on the part of the court Admiral Sicard has been authorized to enlist suitable men for the navy at Key West, if be can find the material. He reported that he had received some applications from machinists ana seamen, and was immediately given the power to take the men. The department is still striving vigor? ously to secure machinists, especially men who know how to run stationary engines. These men can be quickly taught; how to run marine engines and require little other training to make ;hem valuable aboard ship The war department is aranging to secure a large supply of the most moder a ri?es, sufficient in time of emergency to arm a force of 500, 000 men Senor Mendonca, the Brazilian minister, said to day that hs has re? ceived no information as to the report ed negotiations toward tbe. purchase of Brazilian warships, now in course of construction in foreign yards. In other official quarters the impression is growing that there is better pros? pect of securing ships now building for Argentina and Chile. Brazil has been active of late in building up her navy, and there is doubt as to her willingness to part with any of the ships now building for her These include two iron? clads building at the Armstrong yards, two iron-clads at La Seine, France, and three torpedo boat catch? ers at Stettin, Germany. Consider? able payments have been made on these, and they have become largely the property of Brazil. It is claim? ed, however, that the report of a treaty between Brazil and Chile, which would prevent either from selling a ship unless the other sold at the same time, is erroneous. The administration has definite in? formation from a Bource which is re? garded as beyond question, to the effect that Spain has not purchased the two Brazilian cruisers, Barboso and Amazonas The cruisers Columbia and Minne? apolis, it is now expected, will be fitted oat and manned by the 15th instant It is likely the two vessels will go immediately to Hampton Road:?, where they wiil meet the Brooklyn Inasmuch as the return to Wash ington of Mr. Hulee, who acted as one of the stenographers of the court of inquiry at Key West, has been made the basis for the assumption that he brought to the secretary of the navv a report from the court, and also that be gave the secretary what purported to be the conclusions of tbe court as to the cause of the Maine disaster, it may be stated by author? ity of the secretary that he has not seen or communicated with Mr. Hul6e since the latter's return, nor does be exp* ct to do so. So far as can be gathered, Mr. H?lse left the court of inquiry because it, had no longer need for his services. QUEEN VICTORIA SENDS A MESSAGE. Congratulating McKinley and Expressing Sympathy. Washington, March 10 -Much con? jecture bas been indulged in touching the visit paid to the White Houses Tuesday by the British ambassador. Tbe Washington Post this (Thursday) morning says on this point : 4 Qaeen Victoria, bas, through Sir Julian Pauocefpte, eoeveyed to Presi? dent McKinley her gratification at tbe wise and conservative course which he has thus far pursued in relation to tbe Cuban and Spanish situation. She also expressed to bim ber thorough sym Dathy with the efforts put forth by tbe Uoited Srates to relieve suffering hu? manity in Cuba, with the hope that these endeavors may be conducted to a successful conclusion without war. "These expressions were not sent in official form. They would have been communicated through Mr. Hay, the Uoited States ambassador to Great Britain, but for the fact tbat be is ab? sent on a voyage on the Nile. They were, therefore, communicated directly to Sir Julian, with tbe request that be present them in person to tbe Presi? dent. There has been no correspond? ence with this country upon the sub? ject so that the queen's sentiments no not appear on record. "The desire of the queen that war should be avoid?a was emphasised for several reasons. It was pointed out that the commercial relations of Great Britain with the United States were too extensive to be jeopardized by a war between this oountry and Spain. Tbe blockade of the port of New York, for iostaeee, it was pointed out, would be of irreparable damage to British shipping, while the cessation of the shipment of food supplies to England would be exceedingly serious. "The reply of the President express? ed bis pleasure at the utterances of the queen, with the additional statement tbat he also boped that war could be avoided. Public announcement of tbe real purpose of the ambassador's visit bas been avoided, abd a denial of the fact that it bad relations to the present crisis, has been made, because it was feared that the friendly utterances might be misconstrued. It was thought that the approval given by the queen to the President's conree might be distasteful in certain quarters and might be re? garded as unduly influencing the Presi? dent's* actions in the future. "There was another reason, how? ever, which bad tts weight in the direc? tion of secrecy. The attitude of Great Britain goes farther io this matter than a mere expression of good wishes. There is a desire, which hts yet only reached the stage of tentative sugges? tion, that an alliance may be formed between Great Britain and) the United States. It bas been shown that the io terests of Eogland and this oountry are not only identical, in a general sense, but are especially identical in the great question of finding in China and the east a market for manufac? tures This suggestion has consider? able weight with the administration. Great Britain is finding her suprem? acy in China seriously threatened. France bas already established herself on the south and Russia is aggres* sive on the north, while Germany, bas secured a strong foothold. If Eogland proposes lo hold her owo she must fight for it. This explains why she is forbidding her ship owners to part with the vessels they are constructing, and accounts for the large increases she is making to her navy. "It was the suggestion that if the United S satas would afford to Great Britain her moral support io the east, she would offer UH her sympathy and praetioal aid ic any trouble that threatened with Spain that resulted in a discussion of the eastern question in the oabicet meeting lagt Tuesday. The administration appreciates the value of ?this friendly attitude. Although it is well understood that io this oountry it will be impossible for the navy to be placed at tbe disposal of Great Britain in upholding British supremacy io the east, there are many ways in which our influence could be exerted with effect in British behalf " BUCKLEN'S ARNICA SALVE. The best Salve in the world for Out? Brui?ese, Sores, Ulcere.Salt Rheum, Fever, Sore Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Corns and all Skin Eruptions, and positively cur? Pilet or no pay required. It is guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction, or money rctnnded price 25 cents per box; For sale by Dr J. F. W. D ft Lo rm e. Eye-Witness Talks After Seeing the Awful Sights in Cuba. KNEW THE MAINE WAS BLOWN UP. New York, March 10.-A speoial to the Evening World from Key West, Fla., says : Among the passengers oo the Oli? vette from Habana to-day was Senator Proctor of Vermont, who has been making a study of Goba and the Ca? baos. With him was Col. M. M. Parker of Washington. As soon as Senator Proctor bad registered be at once sent np his card to Admiral Sicard He was shown to the admiral's room and was closeted with bim for two boors. The object of the interview is presumably to deliver the admiral some messages from Commander Converse of the Montgomsry. Colonel Parker said to an Evening World reporter: "The famine suffering and awful destitution among the re? concentrados is something almost in? describable The alcade of Matansas told me that 55,000 persons bad died of starvation in that eity during the last year and that 5,600 had died during February. i "Every one in Habana now knows that the Maine was blown up. Span? iards no longer deny it. They do not seem to be very sad over it either " Habana (via Tampa) March 9, (de? layed in transmission)-Senator Proc? tor, before leaving for Key West by tb? Olivette to-day, after what be calls "a most profitable two weeks io Cuba,77 said : "I have not had an easy time. I have seen all from the highest general and the richest merohant to the neediest reconcentrado and the humblest pacifico, bankers, officers, officials and others. I have visited the military prison, bospi I tala, relief depots, asylums, guard bouses, trochas, farms, offices and homes. I have been in four provinces. Habana, Pinar dei Rio, 'Matanzas and Santa Clara and io the principal cities of each. I am of ao observant turn of mind, and I keep my eyes open. "I have found out what I could sot possibly have learned without a per? sonal visit, while ? bave not to my knowledge antagonized a single person on the island. My trips with Miss Barton have been of great service, be? cause, wheo the minda of the peoploare mellowed by gratitude their hearts speak out the truth. As a business man I wish to say that Miss Barton's methods of receiving, oaring for and distributing the supplies are admirable. Tbe American people may be fully con? fident that all money or supplies sent will be ooo8oieotiouily applied. Could they see, as I have seen, the suffering, starvation and death, they would, as Whittier, says, 'pour forth wine and oil.' " The Troubled East. Since home interest has been cen? tered in events following from the loss of the Maine the great problems which Europe and Asia are facing in the far east have had little attention. But they still remain questions ?of vital importance, and little progress has been made toward reaching a set? tlement of the difficulties precipated by the landing of the German forces on Chinese territory last December, and which have become more and more involved with every diplomatic or strategic move made by the powers actively interested in China. Whatever else may have been ac? complished, that which remains to be done is regarded by the western pow? ers as needing the presence of in? creased naval force, and to day nearly one-half of Great Britain's sea power is east of the Straits of Sunda and within easy call of any point on the Chinese seas where it may deemed necessary to make a demonstration of force to menace or to hold in check. Prince Henry's squadron has already joined the German fleet and France has sent twelve ships of war to the east, while Italy, whose interests are commercial, has recruited her squad? ron with four large vessels. Meanwhile Japan is increasing her already powerful navy and negotia? ting at favorable terms in London a loan professedly for internal im? provement, but believed to be intend? ed to defend her occupation of Wei Hai Wai, which she was expected to evacuate on the payment by China of the war indemnity, but where she is now fortifying a defensive position. The situation in the east has, there? fore, menacing factors, and while we are concerned in our own affairs they may develop in unexpected directions and from causes which in our absorp? tion in nearer afairs we have lost sight of altogether.-Columbia Register. Madrid, March, 9.-It became known to-day t.iat the Spanish transport steam? er Alfonso XII sailed for Cuba from Barcelona on Saturday last, having cn board four officers, 900 soldiers and 4-, 000,000 Mause-; bridges. Torpedo Fleet Mobilizing at ?Kev West. t Spanish Troops Sail for Phil? ippine Islands? McKinley Orders Board of Inquiry to Report at Once. Special to The Daily Item. Madrid, March ll.-The situation does not improve in this city, and the conditions are not reassuring to the advocates of peace, of whom there are few in Spain. The Her? aldo, ooe of the influential dailies, contains a savage attack on the min? istry this morning. In the article referred to, it is asserted that the government is entirely too slow to take action, and that the^consequen ces of this neglect of a paramount duty will be chargeable to the minis? try, no matter how disastrous they may be. A large force of Spanish troops sailed to-day for Manilla to fight the insurgents in the Philippine Islands. MOBILIZING TOPEDO FLEET. Key West, March ll.-The torpedo boat flotilla is being mobilized in this port. Winslow arrived this morn? ing, and is ready for dnty. RUSHING WORK AT BROOK? LYN. Brooklyn. March, ll.-Work at the Navy Yard is being rushed night and day and every available warship, cruiser, torpedo boat, i monitor and habor defense ship, is in readiness to be commissioned for active service. A big consignment of ammunition was shipped to Key West this morn? ing for the fleet. REPORT* AT ONCE, Washington, March ll.-President McKinley has ordered the Board of Inquiry to report ira mediately the find? ing as to the destruction of the Maine. The report is expected to mark the climax of the crisis, and peace or war hangs upon the character of the report. The new Spanish minister. Senor Barnabe, was received at the State De? partment this morning. He made a formal call to present bis credentials and remained but a short time. He was received by Assistant Secretary Day. Regimental Headquarters to be on Sullivan's Island. Washington, Marob 9 -Gen. Miles bas issued orders for the transfer of regimental headquarters to Sullivan's Island. The order also provides for a regimental ba?d and an additional bat? tery Congressman Elliott called at the war department late this afternoon and received this p [eating intelligence direotly from the commanding General of the army. Col. Elliott considers this matter very important in consequence of the possi? bility of trouble witb Spain, as it will make the Sullivan's Island station one of the first in importance, as it deserves to be. These additional troops are skilful artillerists at d not tbe raw re? cruits contemplated by the Aot of Con? gress passed a few clays ago. R. M. L IMIMI I ll Il^i - Philadelphia, M^rch 9.-John Wan? amaker to-night consented tobe tbe can? didate of the business men's republi? can league for governor. Reading, Pa , March 9.-Tbe Car? penter steelworks has been asked to bid on over eleven thousands shells of various sizes for the government. The contract would amount to nearly $1, 750,000. The entire plant is now working night and day on a govern? ment oootract involving the expenditure of a million dollars. We have bright, honorable merchants in thia town, and they give the public wL&t it demands. They never offer as a substitute eomethiog "just as good." Royal makes the food pare, wholesome and delici?te. POWDER Absolutely Pure jjpVgt atjOgg ggjgg CO.. NSW VORK.