Evening star., 1898-03-05
THE, WEEK.


unabated; the attention Of the country was
divided between the inquiry being conduct
ed by the naval court at Key West and
the active preparations being made by both
Spain and the Uaitea States In apparent
expectation Of rupture between the two
countries; the naval tourt spent most Of
the week at Key West taking the testi-
mcny Of the surviving officers and men of
the Maine, who hGd Been sent to that mort
from Havana soon after the disaster; after
finishing this work the members Of the
court returned to Havana Friday after
no,m, no9a to an,a,n ss at that
officers remained rat Havana and super-
vised the work OF the wrecking company
which has the contract for raising the
hulk: the divers found but few more bodies
they announced their belief that many of
the crew had literally been blown to pieces
and would never be recovered; but little
salvage was recovered from the wreck,
and it was announced that 1t would prob
ably be some time before much could be
expected in this direction: 1t was announc-
ed that more evidence had been obtained
by the divers going to show that the explo-
sion was outside the Inflated vessel. It
was reported from London that Spain had
purchased two cruisers being built for Bra
I'll by the Armstrong;, and that she was
also negotiating for other ships being
built by the same concern; it was also re-
ported that Spain was about to dispatch
another fleet to Cuba. consisting Of sew
eral formidable battleships and a torpedo
fotilla. The Vizcaya arrived in Havana
from New York and was the recipient of
q remarkable demonstration on the part
Of the populace. Active preparations for
an emergency were continued by both the
army and navy departments of the United
States; large orders for Ammunition were
placed with manufacturers, and work on
all ordnance under construction was hurried
forward; work was begun to place the re-
serve warships in condition for immediate
commission. and officers detailed to in
spect subsidized merchant marine vessels
with view of arming them in for cruis-
ers in case Of war. The Navy Department
decided to send two warships to Cuba to
carry food supplies to the suffering recon-
centrados: the Montgomery will take sup
plies to Matanzas and the Nashville to
Sagua la Grande. A party Of senators and
representatives left Washington for Ha-
vana, making the trip on a private Yacht
from Fort Monroe; their purpose, they
said, was to make personal investigation
OF affairs in the island. BY a vote of 80
to 10 the Senate decided adversely to the
claims of Mr.. H. w. Corbett to q seat In
the the Senate from Oregon. The United
States Supreme Court decided that the
eight-hour law of Utah was constitutional.
The House passed the sundry civil appro.
priatfon bill; the appropriation for repre-.
sentation at the Paris exposition was elm
partment completed the allotment of $50
600 among the states maintaining naval
militia organizations. Secretary Gage re-
ported to the Senate, in reply to a resolu-
ton. that there Is now in the treasury sill
yer bullion of the coming value of s144
119,3S9. The government decided to aban-
don its expedition for the relief of the
miners in the Klondike, as 1t is not he
suffering.
Foreign.
Prince Phillip Of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha took
preliminary steps to obtain divorce from
his wife, the Princess Louise hurricane
swept over New Caledonia, doing much
damage to shipping and sinking the French
gunboat Loyalty. Emperor William at
tended the ceremony of swearing in naval
recruits at Wilhelmshaven. The accom-
piice OF karditza, who attempted to assas-
sinate King George of Greece, was arrest
ed. Prince Albert of Belgium, nephew Of
Prince Leopold and heir apparent to tie
throne, sailed from Bremen for New York
Senior Andrade was inaugurated president
Of Venezuela. The progressives Oiberals)
elected 6S members of the London county
council and the .moderates (unionists) 4S
members. The jubilee anniversary of the
Italian constitution was celebrated in Rome
with general rejoicings; King Humbert
made speech. Japan was reported to
have demanded an explanation of Russia
Of her continued occupation of Port Ar
thur A requiem mas for the repose of the
souls Of those lost on the Maine was cele-
brated in Paris. A decree was issued at
Madrid dissolving the oortes. j..
In the District. - r..
The District appropriation bill was re-
ported to the Senate from the committee
on appropriations, with its total Increased
by 81, ,469. .650.63 over the amount provided
by the House; many important projects
were added to the bill. and an arrange
ment was made for its consideration Mon
day. subcommittee Of the Senate Dis
trict committee granted a hearing on the
proposed amendments to the highway act.
A subcommittee of the House District COM
mHtee began an inquiry into the subject Of
local tax assessments. The joint select
committee on District charities submitted
an amendment embodying its conclusions,
providing for the creation of a commission
local charities. By vote Of the Senate the
District committee of that body was au-
thorized to begin an inquiry into the local
telephone situation. Plans for the aboli-
ton of grade crossings along the line Of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad by means
Of a viaduct were outlined to the Commis
Eoners and promises were made that an
effort would be made at the next session of
Congress to secure appropriate legislation.
The Commissioners granted hearings on
propositions connected with the extension
Of street railroads The Commissioners EN-
tered into a modified agreement with the
garbage contractor providing for the trans
portation of refuse undestrOyed by the
South Capitol street crematory to q point
down the river for reduction. The Com
L