The herald., 1898-04-07

of the militiamen that If the regular
army Is increased, as provided for in the
bill. 1t will preclude their participation in
the war. as the number Of soldiers will be
all that the department requires.
Colonel Ralston, Of the Third Regiment
of Pennsylvania State Militia, was at the
War Department this morning in eonnec-
ton with various matters that have come
up incident to the present emergency.
The allotments made by the President
out of the emergency fund for the War
Department, up to this time, amount to
about $7,000. 900, most Of which has gone to
the Engineers Office and the Fortifications
Bureau. Both of these bureaus are work.
ing hurriedly in putting the sea-coast for
tiications in formidable state of defense.
The sum Of $500. 900 was given to the Quar-
termaster's Bureau to be expended, If
necessary, In the movement of troops, SUBJ
sistence, camp equiment, etc. The Sub
sistence Bureau, which provides for the
feeding of the army, is prepared promptly
to give orders for all supplies that may be
needed at any point. The Ordnance Bu-
reau has on hand large stock Of the
Krag-Jorgensen rifle, now used by the
army, but the officials decline to say
whether it is sufficient to arm the militia
The arms used by the latter are in many
respects very inferior and in many in
stances said to be such as to have been
discarded by every nation under the sun.
If hostilities come, therefore, and the
militia is called into service, there will be
big demand on the Ordnance Department
for the supply of arms now in use by the
regular army
The war feeling has manifested itself in
the postal service by the receipt by the
department of numerous letters from
postal employees, who ask for information
as to their status in case they go to the
front. Many clerks. a number of thern
members of the State militia, ask as to
whether they can leave their present oc-
cupation and enter into service with the
army, and IL they do so, whether their
pay will continue or. if not, whether, when
hostiities have ceased, they will be re-
fnstated.
Pending the declaration of war, the de-
partment does not feel justified in passing
upon this question, but should hostilties
actually occur the law upon this point will
be examined and a ruling made.
READY TO MOVE
NEW YORK, April 6.-At the Spanish
Consulate in this city every preparation
has been made by the occupants for de-
parture. Clerks and subordinate officers
have been busy copying documents. pack
ing books and getting everything in readi-
ness for immediate leave-taking. Mem
bers of Consul-General Baldasano's family
have hidden good bye to their neighbors
and have been busily engaged packing
their household effects in the last three
days. 1t is said in consular circles in New
York that the French Consulate will as
sumo charge Of the affairs of the Spanish
Consulate, and this was not denied at the
French Consulate.
A CRUISER AGROUND
KEY WEST, Fla, April 6.-The United
States cruiser Cincinnati Is aground in the
middle Of the harbor. Returning from
patrol duty this morning she sank on a
mud bank directly opposite the govern
ment wharf. The tug Leyden is trying 10
get her Off.
Later-After two hours work the tugs
Merritt and Leiden succeeded in pulling
the Cincinnati Off the mud bank AS the
cruiser grounded at high water it is be-
lieved she has not sustained any damage,
but regular naval inquiry will be made
The United States gunboat Helena ar
rived from Lisbon and anchored in the
harbor.
EUROPEAN MEDIATION
WASHINGTON, April 8-It was learned
from a reliable diplomatic source today
that the ambassadors and ministers of the
great powers of Europe stationed in Wash
ington and representing Germany, Austria,
Great Britain, France and Italy, at a meet
ing held at the British embassy at o clock
yesterday afternoon, agreed upon substan-
tial terms of a joint note rendering the
good offices of the powers to avert war be
tween the United States and Spain. So far
as can bs learned the note has not been
presented, and 1t is understood its presen-
tation depends upon the seriousness of the
situation as developed within the next few
hours.
ORDERED EAST
SAN FRANCISCO, April G.-Lieut. John
|B. Milton, who has been in charge Of the
naval observatory at Mare Island for the
past year, went East last night and will