Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-18


that such trla. as may be made OF the
new torpedo-boat Rodgers shall take
place while the boat is under way Satur-
Gay next from Baltimore to Norfolk She
also will go southwark, TO join the fiotilla
at Key West.
The Columbia and Minneapolis are still
each 260 men short OF their full quota
but Il is said that enough men will be se-
cured I'm the course OF A few days to en-
able the ships to be sent to Hampton
Roads to execute the orders issued to-
day.
The naval recruiting officers are meet
ing with success at New Orleans. Yester-
day they secured forty men, who were
professionally fitted for the navy.
SPAIN PREPARING TO BE UGLY
The semi-official statement given out at
Madrid, advancing the governments view
that a demand for indemnity based on
Spanish responsibility for the Maine ex-
plosion would be Indignantly repudlated
by Spain. attracted much interest in Off
cial circles There has been little doubt
for some time that Spain was preparing
for the contingency of an adverse report
by the American court a inquiry. and
to that end was preparing to anticipate
and offset 1t by making clear the Spanish
Governments policy of standing by the
report of the Spanish commission. The
report Of the latter body was due in
Madrid yesterday. and while it's conolu-
sions are not officially known, II is a fore
gone conclusion that II will find that the
Maine disaster was due to accident re-
sulting from an internal explosion. This
was foreshadowed i'm the advance utter
ances Of Captain PeraI head of the Span
ish commission who stated publicly seve-
raj days ago that the theory OF external
explosion was untenable.
Along with the semi-oficial statement
from Madrid that a demand for indemnity
would be Indignantly repudiated Is the
statement from other sources that Spain
has made II clear 20 the authorities here
that Intervention may lead to war.
The prospects Of such Intervention ap-
pear to be seriously entertained by Spain,
and strong efforts have been made to
avert it by showing that the condition
of the recOncentradoes does not warrant
the step and also that it would threaten
to end all prospect Of further pacific
negotiations.
The two governments have been sound
ing each other on the activity on both
sides i'm searching for ships. but there
has been little ground for objection OBI"
either side, as both have been in the
same markets.. Ine administration e.
plains its buying of ships on the ground
that Spain's attitude has been so menacing
as naturally to call for an augmented
navy while Spain takes the same view
that the activity i'm the United States re-
quires suitable preparations by the Span
ish navy
The report that Spain had protested
against a flibustering expedition to
Porto Rico cannot be verified. as officials
here say this expedition has not yet got
away.
MAINE COURT REPORT.
The President expects the report Of the
court Of inquiry tomorrow or next day.
Both the President and the Secretaries
are resolved that no effort will be spared
to maintain the secrecy Of the courts
decision until. they themselves have fully
considered the documents.
1t is not known positively that the con-
clusiOns Of the board are final, but IL the
ordinary routine of a naval court inquiry
has been followed I'm this case, they pro-
badly are so, unless the Secretary of
the Navy intends looking into the testi-
mOny so that some lines OF investigation
may be further pursued.
The largest measure Of preparation yet
made by the War Department 10 meet
contingencies of the future probably, has
Just been completed. 1t is the prepara-
ton Of a bill providing among other
things for the placing Of the army on
war footing-that is. recruiting ii TO the
full strength Of 10000 men. The bill has
been carefully gone over by the war
Department and was introduced IN me
House by Representative HUI or me
House Committee on Military Analrs,
who. il is said. will urge it vigorously.
STRENGTH OF THE MILITIA.
In view of the possibility of a conflict
with Spain. considerable interest centres
lust now i'm the strength of the militia
force of the United States, which would
be liable to be called upon in case OF
necessity.
According to the latest reports, the
total organized strength of the militia
of the United States is 1882 men, while
the number Of men available for military
duty unorganized Is lO.3Ol, ,S}S.
CUBAN TAX SUSPENSION.
The Spanish Minister, Senior Polo, re-
ceiyed a dispatch to-day from captain
General Blanco. as follows:
"Tbe Council OF Secretaries, under my
presidency, has resolved 10 prorogue III
all parts of the island mp to March Sl'
1SQq a decree of April. 1891 relative 10 me
SUSPENSION of proceedings against landed
estates. unless the insular Legislature
takes special action on the subject.
The effect Of tbis, il is explained Is 10
do away with the taxes on those lahos
which have been devastated ana nave
become unprOductiye.