The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-02
MAINE.


Washington. April 2.-rhe navy de-
partment mp TO 40 o'clock had no infor-
nation concerniuG1 the arrival OF the
spanish torpedo flotilia at Porto Rioo, ns
reported In a Madrid cable. some oouot 10
expressed that 10 would make such FAST
time. 1t Is stated, however, that II Will
arrive without interterencs, IL IL has not
already done 40 as no more has been maue
TO intsroept it. course advocated ny
many naval officers.
NOT SOLD TO SPAIN.
Rome, April 2.-The report that the Italian
armored cruiser Carlo Alberto has boen sold
TO Spain is untrue. as the warship belongs 10
the nation and law must be enacted hefors
she can bs sold. The real situation is that
Commander willard II. Brownson is negotiat-
ing, in behalf Of the United States, for the
purchase OF the Basoir. which is being built
for Morocco Mt the Orlando yards, but the
consent OF Morocco must be obtained before
the sale can be consummated.
Commander Brownson is also negotiating
at the Ansaldo yards at Leghorn for TWO
torpedo boats and at the odero yard for
torpedo boat destroyer.
Spain IL negotiating Mt Ansado yards fof
the purchase OF the armored cruiser Carl
baldi and the armored cruiser :varese from
Argentina, and is understood to DO consum-
mating the purchase Of the Varese. The
prices OF the Caribadi and Varese are 6SO,OOo
pounds.
The rumor that the Italian third class
cruiser Umbria goes from Bahia 10 Barba'
does, on account OF the Cuban situation, Is
untrue.
NO INCREASE ORDERED.
Washington, April 2.-Adjutant General
Corbin today pronounced absolutely false
the report circulated In New York that the
war department had issued orders to add
10000 men to the army. No such orders, no
said, have been issued. The army regiments
are practically full with the exception OF a
few men needed to fiji companies to their full
quota and only an insignificant number OF
men are needed unless Congress by legisla.
tion provides for a larger army.
STAGE ARMY REJECTS.
London, April 2.-The afternoon papers de-
plore war between Spain and the United
States, but declare that il is inevitable unless
n third nation succeeds in patching up an
eleventh hour peace Some of tho papers de-
ride the Madrid demonstration. The West
minister Gazette refers to ii as a sort Of sin
ternational Nellie Farrin performance in the
royal theatre.
The Pail Mall Gazette says: president
Mckinley has played a great part. but he
win know when the limit has been reached,
and, IL war is TO be, he will enter upon IL
with quiet dignity contrasting strongly with
the excitable, stage-army effects Of the Mad
rid opera house. ("
PoT.os STATEMENT
Washington, April 2--The Spanish minister
here, Senior Polo has given publicity to the
following:
On Friday. the 25th ultimo, after the Span
ish court Of inquiry had made It's report, the
Spanish consul general in New York filed
officially with the United States District
Attorney in New York an affidavit made by
a man named John ID. Bennett, of 207 Forty
Fourth street, New York city. Mr.. Bennett
announces himself as an inventor OF explo-
sives and tells how he was called upon by
Gonzalo DE Quesads Horatio 8. Rubens, and
others OF the Cuban Junta In New York, who
were greatly interested In his explosives
which, he says, "emit light and flame and have
four times the strength OF gunpowder." he
does not say that he sold any explosives to
the Cubans.
The Spanish consul general in New York
took occasion to investigate the character
OF the man who makes the affidavit, aud not
only filed copy Of the document in the dis
trict attorneys Office, but sent a copy to the
Spanish minister here. The affidavit IL is
stated, will be- laid before the Senate com
mittee on foreign affairs which meets today
and is pursuing line Of investigation re-
garding the Maine. in the belief that Spanish
Official responsibility can be fixed.