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* r?K SU?TS? WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established june. 12*6 Consolidated Aag. 2,1881 ?iblis3ied Every "STe&ies&ay, JNT. Gt-. O^teeil? SUMTER, S. C. : TRKM5 : 50 per ano u ai-io advance. IDTSCTISIM?HT: On*? .Square first insertion..............$1 00 Sverv subsequent insertion . 50 Con tracts for three months, or longer wil be m^de nt reduced raies. AU communications which subserve private interests will be charged foras ad vertiemeots. Obituaries and tributes bf respects will be . eharged for. PREPARATION FOR WAR. Cfcmtiriues With Unabated T^or^Hastening Work on Torpedo Boats. p. \ ? _ Washington, March 15 -Tbi? was another busy day in the War and ^ Navy Department, Secretary Alger was enabled to make an allotment of ; fonds From the appropriation cf $50, 000,000, which will greatly facilitate the work of the bureaus. These bureaus bad oct beau abie to conclude any contracts for the procurement of war supplies, because no allotment bad been made, but this afternoon the ordnance bureau was given two aod a half million dollars, aod business went forward with a rush. It is true that (bis sum is already mortgaged under provisional arrangements made dariog the past week, -but with the assurance of more foods to come the work of the -bureau is oow moving rapidly. Secretary LD?1 g was exceedingly bosy to-day, having oot only to give s good deal of time to the Cabinet, ta winch he wes obliged to return twice, bat also being obliged to see a great many persons with whom the depart? meat has or expects to have coo trac: relations. Among the latter was Mri Herrcshcff, the torpedo boat builder, from Bristol, R I. He turned two of these boats over to the department a few days ego, and the secretary's par, pose ia consulting him was to learn how much he ould bastea tba work oa 02e of tho ferais remaining on his hands, which in ordinary times WQOM r.q?ire about two months to complete. 'roe secretory alia spent a good ded of time at intervals duricg the day ta consulting over the long distance tele ; noone with naval oficars io Now York, and it ia believed ccao'a of this COB saltation concerned the procore mest of suitable vessels from among the auxiliary oavy for war durposes. Tbc War Department is greatly dis? appointed aod aoooyed at the dilston aees shown by the contractors who have undertaken, to construct the new fortifications along the coast, lt is sajd that only one among the wboie number bas finished his coo tract on time. The department bas beeo great? ly embarrassed thereby to placing its gaos, sod bas beeo obliged to extend the time allowed these contractors The department has determined not to submit to further obstruction io pro secnting the work oodertakeo, bot will do the work itself and refrain from entering into eon tracts. THE CABINET MEETING. Nothing special importance twas de? veloped at to-cay's cabinet meenog. A large par? of the time was consumed io tbe general discussion of the measures being taken to place tbe oavy on a proper footing for dec?ase in case of tbe parchase of war vessls, where they coold be had and at what price was talked over, but without coming to aay aew propositions. Informatioo io pos? session of the governmeDt is to the ef? fect that up to this time Spaio has not ? consummated the purse ase of the Chiliap warship O'Higgins. The indications, it is stated, seem to be tbat this ship will be added ultimately to the United . States navy. "Tbc general expecta? tion of the cabinet/' said one of them afror the meeting to-day, "is that eomc report will be received daring tbe pre? sent week from the court of inquiry examining toto the canse of tbe Maine explosion- Yet," be added, "it wodlo oot be surprising to cs if the report should be delayed for a longer time. We have nothing on which to base this hope tbat I know of, only the feeling seems general that what I bave said will be tbe case There is oothiog at baod as yet to indicate what will be thc oatore of the findings of the court '.Today oar time was occapied in a general discusi?n of the measures un? der way for the national defense, not? ably io regard to tbe acqu?9tion of new vessels cf war We are keeping an eye 00 the two sbips ander construction for Ohili sod the Argentine Republic, bat it is not probable we can get them. If we cannot obtain the ships, it is a Booree of satisfaction to know that Spain will not be able to purchase them either.'* COURT OF INQUIRY DEPARTS FROM HAVANA J FOR KEY WEST. No Intimation ns to When or Where the Findmgs of the Court Will b9 Promulgated. Havana, March 15.-The Man? grove, with the Con rt of Inquiry on board, sailed to nicht for Key West. Captain Sampson, president of the board, assured the Associated Press correspondent that the decision to leave Hanana was not reached until this afternoon, after a consultation of the members It was decided that, while further testimony might be ob? tained here, this was not sufficiently likely'to justify a longer stay The court can return if the divers or wreckers make discoveries that add to the stock of knowledge now gath? ered. The plans of the submerged wreck, in the preparation of which Ensign Fowel8on bas had a large share, are very elaborate, and Cap tain Sampson says the testimony and records-of ?the divers are very full Captain Sampson hopes the court will be allowed to resume its sittings on the battleship Iowa, now near Key We6t, with the flagship New York. The greater part of tbe investigation that remains will consist, unless the court returns here, of a careful study of the plans It is not thought that it will bo necessary to again sum? mon the survivors of the Maine, officers .or men. The court has no prophecy to make as to the farther duration of its sit ting or as to when and where the findings will be promulgated. Cap? tain Sigsbee will probably remain here, with Lieutenant Commander Wainwright, to superintend the wrecking on behalf of the govern? ment. Chaplain Chadwick is expect? ed to remain to care for any bodies that may be recovered. At least no or? ders had been received to the con? trary when this dispatch was sent. The court called upon Consul Gen eral Lee this afternoon, to bid him farewell, and consequently Captain Sigsbee said adieu to the court. SENATOR FROCTOR SAYS THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SPANIARDS BLEW UP THE MAINE. \ Washington, March 15.-Senator Proctor, who is regarded as having gone to Cuba as McKinley's envoy, made a public statement to-day that there was no doubt but that the Span iarde bad blown op the Maine. Hrs observations while in Coba are thus summarized : First-Tbe Maine was undoubtedly blown up by an outside explosion. It is not believed, that the destruction ! of the vessel and the sacrifie of her crew^was due to any act over which the Spanish government bad control Second-The so called plan of au? tonomy inaugurated under Capt Gen Blanco has proved a failure. Third-The reports of the intense suffering among the reconcentradoes and the great mortality among them have not been exaggerated, though there is less now than formerly, the conditions having somewhat improved under Bianco Fourth-There is no impending crisis in Cuba. The existing condi tions, growing gradually worse, may continue indefinitely. The early set? tlement of the Coban question rests with Washington and Madrid. Fifth-The authority exercised by the Spanish in the island is purely military control The iosurgents are still intrenched in the provinces of Puerto Principe and Santiago, aud roam generally over the island. Sixth-Should Cuba ever pass un? der the control of the Uuited States, there is no doubt of its availity as a residence for American citizens A Change of Feeling m Madrid. Madrid. March 10 -It is asserted io wei! informed circles thar the negotia? tions in Now York HR to ?b? coromtiroial treaty are raving {he way for an undor standing between the Cuban Govern? ment and the insurgents on grounds to b* submitted for approval to rho home Government The aspro? of affair* bas undergone a complete change and there is a strong feeling io favor of peace be? tween the United States and Spain. Raleigh, N. C, March 16- Gov? ernor Russeii to day received a mes? sage from President McKinley asking bow many troops the State could furnish in case of hostilities. The reply of the Governor gave 245,000 as the number. "If Combinations Occur We'll Stand Together." Substance of English and American Declarations at a Military Banquet m London. London, March 15*-The Honorable Artillery company, of London, gave a banquet last night to Messrs. Hedges, Ferris and Lewis, of the Boston Honor? able Artillery company, the Earl of Denbigh presiding. Among the guests were Consul General Osborne, Vice aod Deputy Consul General Wesacott and Lieutenant Colwell, oaval attache of the United States embassy. Lord Denbigh, io toastiog ' The President of the United States, eqoally honore io England aod American," said : "We all deeply sympathize with America io the sad national disaster that befell the Maioe. President Mc? Kinley, cool and level headed, is not likely to roo the country into any un? necessary danger, while as an honorable ruler be njust be jealoas of the hooor of his country. United States COD sui General Os? borne, who received ao ovation oo ris? ing to reply to the toast, referred to .the talk of ao Anglo-American al? liance, and testified to the frieod ship existing between the two ooootrics. He said be did oot believe tbat either needed protection, unless against a combination of powers, bot shcuid that combination ever oocor he was confident that the protection woold be generously given.'7 Mr. Osborne expre?83d the opinion that the strained relations betweco the United States aod Spain would soon be removed. The Daily News, commenting this morning co the speech of United States Coasol Geoeral Osborne, says : "What we have dona io this country ia to give public notice that the combi? nations of European powers wherewith the United States are daily threateoed on the continent, do oot include. and never will include our kindred selves. Blood shows itself thicker than water io little neighborly reminders of that sort and the occasion really does Dot demand more*. "Bat il" it did demand more, more would be said and we firmly believe all that the American happened to consider needful would aiso be done.7' Gov. Ellwbe Will Command Oar Troops. HS BELIEVES WAR WITH SPAIN IS ALMOST A CER? TAINTY. The State March 16. At last the governor cf South Caro? lina comes oot unequivocally, soys he believes war is inevitable, announces bis intention to order out the State troops the moment they are needed, and declares that he will himself lead the State's soldiers to the front. This is tbe first time the governor has spoken, and it is thought that he. bas bad some" advices. Inst night be gave the press the fol? lowing interview : "Governor, what do you think of tbe prospect of war with Spain ?" '.War is a very serious matter and should not at any time be undertaken except for special and sufficient rea? sons. Ii, however, the coori of inquiry decides that the Spanish government is responsible for the blowing up of the Maine it seems to me that war is in? evitable The dastardly aot of taking the lives of 25G unsuspecting American seampu whiie quietly asleep in a friendly port should not be treated lightly by any nation of courage. The I conservative policy which bas been pursued by the administration is to be much commended. "If war be declared and you are callfd upon what do you propose to do?*' "I wculd order ont the State troops immediately." "How many men could you put out on short notice ?" "I have about 5,000 armed and equipped, who woald respond to a roan and fight a circular saw to proteot the honor of tho American flag '7 "Who would you put in command ?" "If the troop* of my State arc put? in the field I will take commaod my? self. I have ordered Adjutant General Watta to fully equip avery company and direct the captaius to recuit their com? panies to the number? required.'7 Tho Two Nsw Cruisers. London, March 16 -The final con tract providing for the sale of the warships Amazonas and Almirante Abrouall to the United States has been signed The price is something over ?00,000 pounds ($2,500,000) for both ships. An American crew is expected here from Lisbon to night to take possession of the Amazonas on Friday. France Prepares for War. ?'ieet to Support Russia in tue Par East. I Paris, March 16 -The Aurore to? day affirms that the French fleet is being prepared for mobilization, adding that feverish anxiety prevails at all the arsenals and shipyards, which are work? ing until 10 o'clock at oigbt. Continuing, the Aurore says the French northern rqadroo at Cberboug is ready for immediate departure. Finally, it is asserted that in order to ; complete the necessary Dumber of offi? cers, eecood year students are to be ap? pointed midshipmen, and all tbe ad? mirals have beeo instructed to arrange i to reach Paris within twenty-four hours after being summoned * Tbe Aurore explsins tbat tbe mobil? ization is to support Rusia by a Dava! de? monstration in tbe far east. The Attitude of Europe. There is an assertion of European interest in the present effort to pre? vent war with Spain by demonstra? ting in advance its inevitable outcome tbat deserves some attention. - It is stated that Francis Joseph, Emperor of a wrangling family of discordant races, bas extended bis anxiety from the troubles of his own realm to include the safety of all Europe, which, he considers eodan^ gered by the pos3ibity of a declar? ation of war upon Spain by the United States To this attitude of Austria-Hungary, Emperor William is said to add his protest, and the position of Russia is assumed to be j indicated by the prediction of the Novoe Vremya, ajournai whose poli cal declarations are usually well in? formed, if not inspired, that all the European powers will file categorical protest against a declaration of war upon SpaiD by the United States AH this would be interesting and of possible importance if it were based upon a probability The chief value of these reports Hes in their indication of the awakening of tbe European powers to the actual seriousness of the crisis that has grown so grave as to agitate all the chancelleries with the dread that another monarchy is in peril For that is the real secret of whatever European sympathy with Spain may exist Frace has the feeling of the purse, for many dollars of her finan? ciers are invested in Spanish bonds which have been knocked downward on the Bourse by the mere threat of hostilities. But elsewhere in Europe there may be expected a protest ? against a war that could only result I in the crushing defeat of Spam and i the probable overthrow of the Bour [ bon dynasty through domestic revo lution. Even the historic ally of the United States, Russia would probably join in such a protest ; but, as the St. Petersburg'journal intimates, its protest would be merely one of words, oot of acts. England aloue, moved by a natural desire which may be I reciprocal for our co-operation in keepiog opeo the door of the Oriental ? markets, would exteod to the United States its moral support - in the pro cess of expelliog Spain from its last possession in the American continent. But all this discussion proceeds upon the false assumption that it is the United States that is going to de clare war against Spain. If there is to be any war, it will originate, not in Washington, but in Madrid It will arise, not necessarily out of the demand for reparation that now seems quite certain to follow the re port of our Naval Board of Inquiry upon the destruction of the Maine That demand will not be a casus belli. On the contrary, the probability is that Spain, shrinking from the ac? knowledgment of atrocious treachery which would receive the rebuke of all the world and alienate the sympathy of all civilization, would be swift to make atonement for a deed that it would simultaneously disavow But that atonement will not end the Cu? ban question It will involve the en? forcement ofthat end which the Mc? Kinley administration has held stead iiy in view-the restoration of peace, the cessation of the wholesale mur? der of a race, the revival of indus ! try and commerce in the province al- ? ready lost to the Spanish throne. How ie that end to be attained ? | There may be. first, an oiler of friend ly intervention, including a reason able adjustment of finances, to be guaranteed and administered by the j United States. If Spain in blind \ foliy and stupid passion rejects that offer, there may follow not only a recognition of the belligerency but a recognition of the independence of the Republic of Cuba. But even those steps would not be a cause of war by this country. The responsi? bility for war would still rest with Spain. The declaration of hostili? ties must originate m Madrid, and it can be compelled there only by the fear that the peaceful surrender of Cuba will provoke domestic revol tion. But war, demonstrated in advan to result in overwhelming defea would be a hopeless resort to snsta a monarchy threatened by intern revolt It is the daily augraentir proof of the hopelessness, the ott? futility of such a struggle, whi( make our preparations for war an e fort for peace, if not its augury - Mail and Express. Written Before Maine Ws Sent to Habana. New York, March 17.-The Ne York Joumai this afternoon prints statement written by Honore F. Lain the newspaper correspondent recent] arrested and rearcbed by Spanish o facials in Cabanas prison. Habana, as later expelled from the island. Tb is the opening of Laioe's statement : ' On Jao. 24, at 10 o'clock at nigi I met in tbe Cafe Ingleterra, the beat quarters of the reporters ia Habao: Francisco Diaz, a reporter of tbe rabi Spanish paper La Union Constitt cional, with whom I frequently ej changed news "On asking him ii be had anythin to give me, be took from bis pocket letter and banded it to me, saying .Weyler wrote this letter to Sante Guzman, who sent it to Nove (the ed; tor of La Ucioa Constitucional) fe him to' read and write au article o the acceptance by Weyler of the can didacy of deputy to the cortes for Ha hana. I took this copy, which yo I can keep.7 " ! The following is the alleged lette ! referred to above : "His Excellency, Don Francisco de lo ! Santos Guzman, Habana : ''My Distinguished Personal and Pc ; litical Friend : Since the latest eveDt I have changed roy views about tb attitude which our political party ii Cuba ongbt to assume. "If have thought before that it wa more dignified for cs to abstain froo the electoral contest, I believe now tba it is a patriot's duty for us to go to th polls. Our success cannot be doubted neither can cur majority of voters, no that with a programme of defense o ; ihe national honor we will have sid by side with us ail those lukewarn politicians, who, though Spaniards a heart, are deceived by the inside com I bination of Moree and Sagasta, ant tabe as scientific solutions of our colo nial problems what are really dishes orable humiliations of our country be fore the United States. "Write on your flag, the flag o Spain, 'Defense of National Honor, aod I offer you my name as your can . didate. "After havisp commanded during two years 200,000 Spanish heroes if Cuba the title I shall ne more prone of is that of deputy from Habana ai the cortes of Spain. "By tho way, I bave read these day? that the Americans are pondering about sending one of their warships tc that city. During my command ic Cuba they did not even dare to-?fr-srx j about it. They knew the terrible j punishment that awaited them. I bac Habaoa harbor well prepared for sucb an eoergeooy. I rapidly finished the work that Martinez Campos carelessly abandoned. "If the insult is made I hope thai there will be a Spaoisb band to punish I it as terribly as it deserves. "Romero is in better health than hie friends could have expected, and not? withstanding how morally sick I feel breathing this humiliating atmosphere, is well ; also your affectionate friend and servant. Valeriano Weyler. "Madrid, January 8, 1898." LaiDe says that he read the letter and pigeon-holed it. When the Maine arrived he called at the office of the Union Cocstitutional to tee Diaz, in an effort to secure tho original of the letter Some days after the Maine explosion Laicc met Diaz, who asked him if he remembered the letter and what its con tents were about an American warship. The American correspondent replied that he did and that he believed some ooe bad followed Weyler's adviee. Laine says that he has since found out that Diaz informed the chief of police that be (Laine) bad a copy of a letter written by V\ cyler which mighi bring trouble to the Spanish government, especially as he was an American news? paper correspondent who was associat? ing with Captaio Sigsbee, hence his arrest cn March 4 Continuing big narrative, Laioe says : ? "1 had noiiced for several nights mys? terious work which was being dene in the fortress. On inquiring from a sol? dier whom I knew, what it was, he in? formed me that they were carrying from the magazine of the fortress large quantities of dynamite, which were be iog laid io tho harbor. "My investigations during my period of imprisonment were carried as far as a political prisoner could do io a Span? ish fortress, but it was sufficient for me to ascertain with certainty that the quanity of dynamite placed in the har? bor io different places was two tone and that the wires of tbe mines were con? nected with the Cabanas fortress and the Capitan?a de Puerto, or marine headquarters." Moving Toward the Verdict. impatience for the reciept and pub? lication of ?he formal report of the Naval Board of Inquiry into the cause of the destrrction of the Maine is but Datural. It only grows with the lapse of days. ;md there is am? ple indication that the neccessary delay has not cooled the public pulse, but has onsy made its beat steadier a?d firmer, indicating a firm determi? nation to deal with the facts, when they are ascertained, exactly as they deserve. There is no reason to credit the silly assertion that that tbe re? port of the naval board is purposely delayed. Its inquiry is of neces? sity difficult and nothing can be clearer than that ii must be exhaust? ive. No possible source of informa? tion can be neglected, sod the evi? dence pre8eoted must be 6o conclu? sive as to justify its verdict, which will doubtless flatly coDtradict Span? ish assertion-to the conviction, not only of the people of the United States, but of all the civilized na tiou8, among whom Spain is not count? ed. The interval, even though it be impatient, is uot wasted in idleness. It is a cause of profound gratifica? tion to observe the readioess and the prcmptoess with which the goveromeot, with every part of its orgaoizatioD workiog in harmony, rises to the emergency Every executive department is per forming its duty in absolute accord and the Congress has forgotten par? tisanship in the call upon patriotism. There have been a few misuDder standings and there have been mis? representations, ?neb, for example, as that which accused Speaker Reed of opposing the p?aos of the aidminis tratioo But these calumnies have died with their utterance, so swiftly have evente presented their dis? proof. With the reported purchase of two fast cruisers from Brazil, the navy in a measure makes np for the ioss of the battleship Maine Spain appears to have suddenly re cognized this fact, and has made of?cal recognition of our preparations for war, which are in reality preparations to enforce peace by making: war hopeless for the adversary. Her new Minister, Senor Po-o, has received a demonstration of the straightforward? ness of the language-of diplomacy "as she lc spoke'' by Secretary Day. When he called at the Department of State yesterday and with feigned sur? prise inquired if it were really true that the Government of the United States had bought some warships, and. if so. why. he- met a reply that in its frankness and its logic mast have confounded bia Castillan curi? osity. Yes, he was told, we have bought war vessels in foreign wa? ter? ; and we have bought them to replace a battle ship that we lost in foreign waters This answer is a "facer " There is abont it no ?va? sons, but a square assertion of our proceeding. It is well that the Span? ish Minister should thus have the ex? plicit information that this nation is absolutely in earnest and that there is nothing of bluff, but the sternest re? ality, in its readiness to maintain its honor and to rescue humanity from further outrage. Time flies, but happenings are fast upon its heels The present situa? tion, so exasperating to two nations and so disturbing to other powers, must move quickly to its solution in brief war or in lasting peace. The approach of the alternative is herald? ed by the Spanish Minister's ques? tions. No embassy or other legation at Washington has taken the trouble to inquire into our purchase of war? ships. Why should Spain make form? al demand, only to receive emphatic answer ? There are some extremely interest? ing cablegrams now now pulsing be? tween the Spanish Minister and his superiors in Madrid.-Mail and Ex? press, March 16. We bave bright, honorable cercharte in Ibis torco, and they give the pnbiic wLat it demands. They neve? offer as a substitute eons-thing "just a? good." ? ?? mH-i-M- \w MBBg -i^--i- t--M wa ua?fi Royal makes the food pure, wholesome a2d dei:c.\ io. FWKR Absolutely Pure BOYAL gMQgg POWU6R CC., KEW YORK.