davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31

Washington, March 30--The Republican,
of the House who nre aggressively in
favor Of prompt and energetic action in
the Cuban matter and who met last night
in conference, held another meeting after
the House adjourned tonight. At last
nights meeting 46 members were present.
Tonight they were reinforced by SO
making total of lis. This constitutes
considerably more than a majority of the
House and the members present tonight
says that it by no means represents the
full strength of those who will be satisfied
with nothing short of complete independ-
ence for Cuba Many Of the radicals favor
armed intervention and few, like
Representative Marsh Of Illinois, believe
the blowing up Of the Maine is casus
belli. The speeches at tonight's meeting
while vigorous and yielding nothing,
were in favor of giving the President an
opportunity to mature his policy and COM
plete the negotiations in which he is now
engaged and many of the leaders OF the
movement, including Mr. Hopkins OF
Illinois, Mr.. Hull of Iowa, Mr.. Tawney
of Minnesota, AIR. Bromwell of Ohio, Mr..
Hepburn of Iowa and W. A. Smith of
Michigan, saw the President today and all
he asked was brief delay. Action by
Congress before the pending negotiations
were completed, he told them, would
embarrass him and might result in
complete rupture. Mr.. hull, Mr.. Brom-
well and others explained the situation to
the conference. They counselled ac-
uuiescence in the Presidents desires. A
rupture with the administration was
greatly to be deplored and should they
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31

were opposed to CO. operating with any
movement which would give the Demo-
Gratis the credit.
The storm broke immediately after the
reading of the journal when Mr.. Bailey,
the Democratic leader, demanded recog-
milton as matter of privilege and offered
a resolution. A profound sensation fol-
lowed. Members rose en- masse all ever
the House. No one knew what the reso-
lution contained but all knew that it re-
lated to the all absorbing topic of Cuba.
Mr.. Evans, Republican of Kentucky, in
terposed to declare that "a pension bill
coming over from last night was in order
0hd amid intense excitement the Speaker
with white stern face held that the regu-
lar order was the consideration of the
pension bill which he directed the clerk
to read.
While 1t was being read Mr.. Bailey re-
quested that the resolution be sent back
to him. As soon as the penlion bill
passed he was again ON his feet demand
ing recognition but Mr.. Boutelle was also
calling for recognition and the Speaker
and confusion to inform Mr.. Bailey calm
ly that his rights would be respected. Mr..
Boutelle then moved that the House go
into the committee of the whole and re-
sumo the consideration of the naval APP
preparation bill.
Pending that motion" announced the
Speaker, the gentleman from Texas
states he desires to present privileged
question. The gentleman will state it. y
Mr.. Bailey then offered the resolution
for the recognition of the independence
of Cuba as follows:
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives that the heroic struggle
of the Cuban people against the force of
arms and horrors of famine has shown
them worthy to be free and,
Second the United States hereby recog-
nizes the republic of Cuba as free and
Independent state.
The reading was listened to amid a
profound silence and at it's conclusion
cheer alter cheer was given from the
galleries and floor. The Republican side
raped vigorously for order and warned
the galleries that no demonstration would
be allowed.
Mr.. BouteIle Immediately made the
point of order that the resolution was not
privileged and upon that MIR. Bailey de-
manded to be heard. He insisted that he
had right to present the resolution un-
der the rules and the responsibility must
rest with the majority if it was ruled out
of order and the ruling was sustained.
He called attention to the fact that in the
53d Congress when Mr.. Crisp was Speak
er Mr.. Boutelle who now made the point
of order that this resolution was not
privileged presented resolution of a
similar character relating to Hawaii
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
PRESIDENT GIVEN UNTIL MON
DAY TO CONCLUDE Ne
GOTIATIONS WITH
SPAIN.

argued only occur as a last resort. Ihey
informed the conference what the Pres1-
dent had said, that the negotiations now
In progress would either fail or be sue
cessful by the end of the week. lie be-
lieved they would be successful. He did
not indicate their nature, they said, and
they pointed out that it would be mani
testify ruinous for the details to be made
public at this time. They said further
that the President informed them that he
would, in the event of the failure of the
negotiations place tho whole subject be-
fore Congress and share with it the re-
sposibility for what might follow. Mr.
Adams of Pennsylvania, the ranking
member of the foreign affairs comm ittee
Of the House in the absence Of Mr.. Hit,
who is i'll, explained that the sentiment
of the committee was strongly against
further delay, although he himself was q
conservative. But he said that the COM
mittee was willing TO defer to the wishes
of the President and no action would be
taken at the nesting tomorrow. On
Monday, however, if a satisfactory solu-
tion had not previously been reached
action would be had.
A committee Of II was chosen to wait
upon the President tomorrow and explain
their views Of the situation, the commit
tee to report at meeting to be held to-
morrow night. The committee appointed
consisted of Messrs. Hopkins and Lorilner
of Illinois; Joy of Missouri; Sulloway of
New Hampshire; Cooper OF Wisconsin;
Arnold of Pennsylvania; Mercer OF Me-
braska; Knox of Massachusetts,; Faris of
Indiana; Hager Of Iowa and Smith of
Michigan.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
SPAIN HASTENS ITS
WAR PREPARATIONS

however, is swayed by every passing
wind.
Minister Woodford's propoals are not
known to the public here.
The result OF tomorrow's conference is
waited on all sides with the greatest
anxiety and hope
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
NEW MINISTER FROM CHILL.

Washington, March 3O-The secretary
Of state has been informed of the appoint
ment of Senior Don Maria Vicuna as the
Chilian minister plenipotentiary to the
United States in place of Senior Don
Domingo Cana, who has been transferred
to another post. The new minister is
expected to arrive here in a few days.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
THE TERROR SAILS.

Charleston,S. c.. March 30.-The moni-
tor Terror sailed this morning for Key
repaired and taking on coal. The moni-
tor Puritan came into port at Moons
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
Upon Governments Answer De.
pends War or Peace,
The independence of the Cubans
Must be Granted.

Sasast:a Govern anemt is Seriously COmsid-
ering the PropositiOm-Only Until Re
GENTLY Would Such Plan Have Been
Listened to-The Question of Foreign
Mediation Keeps Coming TO the Front
BUT Has Assumed No Definite FOrm---
Spain Able to Obtain Sympathy Only.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
Attempt to Carry Congress Off Its
Feet Fails.
Wild and Uproarous Scene in the
House Yesterday.

NHr. Bailey Introduces Resolution Rec
ognizimg sHae independence of Cuba,
and Democrats Attempt 10 Stampede
the HOmse-By "a Mighty Effort a Crisis
Was AverGed-Speaker Says the Pur-
poses of the Resolution Will be Ac-
pAisHaed.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
GgNE ENJOYS


Both the method and results when
Syrup of Figs is taken; it is pleasant
and refreshing to the taste, and acts
gently yet promptly on the Kidneys,
Liver and Bowels, cleanses the sys-
TEN efectually, dispels colds, head.
aches and fevers and cures habitual
constipation. Syrup of Figs is the
only remedy Of its kind ever pro-
duced, pleasing to the taste and ac-
ceptable to the stomach, prompt in
its action and truly beneficial in its
effects, prepared only from the most
healthy and agreeable substances, Its
many excellent qualities commend it
to all and have made it the most
popular remedy known.
Syrup of Figs is for sale in SO
cent bottles by all leading drug
gists. Any reliable druggist who
NAV not have it on hand will pro-
cure it promptly for any one who
wishes to try it. Donot accept any
substitute.
CALIFORNIA FJG SYRUP CO.
SAW FRANCISCO. CAL.
LOUISVILLE. xr NEW F0Rk ME-
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
THE WEA.

Washington, March
Thursday for New EnIgl'
cloudiness; probably fol
Thursday night; Winds b
easterly.
Boston. March So.-Loc
Boston and vicinity, Thu
probably light rains; eas
erly winds.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
Local weather IL

Local Weather X
Portland. Me-. March
weather bureau office rec
weather are as follows:
s a. M. Barometer 30. |
eter IL, Dew Point 39;s
Wind N; Velocity 8: weati
p. NJ. Barometer 3O.t
eter 20; Dew Point 3S;
Wind S: Velocity 5; weau
Mean daily Thermometer
thermometer 4S; minlml
eter 80; maximum veloci'
total precipitation 10.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31
THE COLUME

Philadelphia. Mare
Columbia passed out
ware Break water at. 81
She will, in allsslikleii
ton Roads early tomor
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31

AMERICANS LEAy
Key West. March 81
passengers from Havi
tonight and among tne
cans who say that Ame
in Havana now.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-31

for
". increasing
I Ted by rain
,ming North
forecast for
D ay: Cloudy:
,ely to north
lei
nj
pI-The local
as to the
'-Thermom-
linidity 90;
Is cloudy.
81 Thermom-
,nldlty 96;
IL cloudy.
- maximum
thermom-
ntind IA, S;
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-17

Bonaparte's secretary, Maillard, left
Philadelphia armed with letters which
represented him to be travelling agent
for Girards commercial house, and Wis
iting Girard's correspondents in Hol-
land and Switzerland. His real desti-
nation was the cha,eaus at Prangrins,
from which the king had fled two years
before, and his real object to secure
the treasures which had been buried
in the ground of the estate on the eve
OF his flight. Maillard found the buried
packets, and with them he would have
also brought TO PHILADELPHIA Queen
Julie, if her physicians had not com
peIled her to renounce the project of
joining her husband The Jewels which
were valued at 81 900. 900. were stuffad
into belt, which Maillard wore on his
person, when returning across the At
lantic, and with which he was gladly
received by his master in the I,ans.
downe House near Philadelphia. 1t was
about this time that wild rumors be-
gan to circulate in PHILADELPHIA con-
corning the ex-king's riches. and of fine
boards of specie which he had deposited
IN the vault at Stephen Girard's Phil
adelphia bank. Mysterious heavy
boxes. sealed with wax, were believed
by Glrard's clerks to contain the crown
jewels of Spain and Naples. One or
Two old men in recent years, who were
tnen among those clerks, have told how
Joseph would sit in the bank TALKING
with them affably while waiting for the
great banker S
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-17
wonders what will happen next in this

wonders what will happen next in this
Vesuvius-like city.
From coffee hour at until breakfast
at IL everybody attends-church? MOI
The people go shopping, for all the
stores are open. The Spanish soldiers
buy American trinkets at the American
shops TO send to SWeetheartS in Spain.
The American buys articles for the
folks at home, in shops where the clerk
speaks not one word of English He
pays 81 for a small fan, or 81 for q
canary bird, OF IS for pair of casta-
nets, or SD for mantilla- These prices
are created exclusively for Americans.
Fer the same articles a native would
pay only half the price. But in Ha-
vana, as in all countries save the
United States, the American IS made Of
money, and is entirely bereft of reason
in spending it. The Cuban, during the
shopping hours, loiters in and out Of
the shops, but buys nothing; for only
one Cuban III thousand has money to
spare, and he is an exception if he has
money enough to buy necessities.
MISERY OF RECONCENTRADOS
Meanwhile the reconcentrados flood
the streets and beg. Thousands of out
stretched arms line the sidewalks, or
rather the cutters. Those begging aims
are, in most cases, nothing but bone
and skin. Starvation is the common
lot. Some are So nearly dead that all
the food in ChristendOm could not
save their lives. Others need medicine
more than food All are utterly miser-
able. Not one has CLEAN of hope.
Not one knows even partial happiness,
except as a something remembered. To
a stranger in Havana, on Sunday.
amid all the madness of pleasure. the
1act thai there is a reign of misery is
more apparent than ever. On that dav
for hot ~Nl,,- !. A.
misery is ignored by the average Span
lard. The Cubans would help if they
had not already done all and given all
in their power. The Americans give
and give promptly and literally; but
the Spaniard continues to ignore. But
soor the American perceives the utter
hopelesSness of such charity, and sends
what he can afford to the relief fund,
where he knows it will be wisely dis
tributed. In Havana alone there are
$4,000 reconcentradoS. OF these. one
half are not only hungry, but starving
The other half are relieved and cared
for by the fund.
THE NEGRO'S HOUR OF SPORT.
on Sunday the negro has his great
hour. 1t Is the shopping hour just de-
scribed- But the Cuban negro does not
shop. Having bought his mite of cod
fish. cOrnmeal and coffee and his bad
cigar in the early morning. he spends
the balance of the time before break
fast in alleys and side streets, at cock
fights and street dancing. A boss
negro owns the cocks. A courtyard is
chosen as a ring. The spectators. all
negroes, pay one centano go cents)
each 10 see the cocks kill each other.
That 20 cents represents a negro's wage.
if he is fortunate enough to have work.
for a whole day. II is evident that the
Cuban negro is a confirmed lover OF
the cock fight.
After breakfast come the bull fights.
Spain national sport. Killing a bull is
TO a Spaniard what battling baseball
IS to an American. The American
present at a baseball game is an ex-
cited person at least. The Spaniard
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-17

ter was devised by the south, which
found itself with long coast line with
important harbors without adequate
protection. In desperation they resorted
10 the sinking of submarine mines and
the use of the spar torpedo. But as
then employed it was crude and no one
thought of fitting ships with torpedo
tubes.
Since then millions have been spent
in the development of the torpedo, and
countless experiments have been made.
Yet there has been no effective test,
and their status has not been definitely
established. During the battle of YalG
the Chinese were unable to make use
of theirs with any effectiveness, but
this was, ii is said. due to the fact that
the Japanese kept at least a mile away
from the enemy and pounded the
Chinese with their long-range guns.
Even the destruction of the Chilean
ironclad Blanco Encalada by a
Whitehead torpedo was not significant,
for no precaution was taken by her
commander, and, as was the case with
the Maine at Havana, the vessel was
at anchor and unprepared. Had her
torpedo nets been spread and men been
at the guns it might have been differ
ent.
Lieutenant Sieman of the British
navy, an expert, says on this point:
The occurrence of a great naval war
between two powers, each properly
provided with the most perfect sys
tenn of submarine offense and defense
obtainable. is necessary before any
definite and satisfactory settlement
can be given of all the numerous veXed
questions which now exist as to the
most effective method of application of
the various component parts which to-
gether make up the whole art Of tor
pedo warfare"
Yet, of course, there are theories. 1t
seems TO be generally agreed that the
torpedo is useful for harbor defense
in smooth water, but is comparatively
worthless at sea. 1t is this that has
suggested that the Spanish torpedo
fotilla should be intercepted on its
way to Havana. The torpedo vessels
are small and not heavily armored and
could easily be destroyed by small
guns.
The theory generally held by Ameri-
can naval constructors is that the tor
pedo is not valuable for offense. They
believe that lookout cruisers and
destroyers would drive them off and
sink them before they could get near
enough The sea is big and a torpedo
hotilla would not be apt to find a fleet
much before the battleships and cruis-
ers found them. They must get within !
from 400 TO 500 yards OF the ship in
order to be effective. Then with both
torpedo boat and battleship at full
speed would mean that while the tor
pedo was speeding at the rate of 200
yards a minute the Dattieship could
travel 500 yards a minute, and during
the two minutes of grace this would /
allow the torpedo boat would not be
able to survive the fire of the leviathan |
This is the theory, and il is also COM
plicated by the fact that the torpedo |
would attack the big ship from the side /
and not from the stem CT bow. for that |
would lessen the chance of hitting her,
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-17

and no ship thus hit would be likely to
sbe sunk Even if the big ship was not
able to- destroy her opponent, she could
/ easily turn and present her bow on IN
the two minutes of grace.
A torpedo fiotilla would also be
handicapped during fight in the open
ocean because they cannot long keep
to the omen sea and, must frequently
seek harbors for coal. These shelters
would be limited, and they could easily
be watched by cruisers or destroyers
and the torpedo boats picked off one
by one.
After a great fleet action the tor
pedo might play an important part In
that there would be opportunity Tor
them to destroy many great ironeiads
as they 11oundered helplessly on the
swell.
For harbor defense the torpedo would
be more valuable, as then torpedoes
would not be seeking for the big ships,
but would calmly wait their approach.
But some of the boats would suffer in
the conflict, and only when harbor
was fortified strongly with the craft
would the defense be effective.
g @ 9
The Maine incident makes espec-
tally interesting one of the tests of the
torpedo boat made by the navy depart
ment On Nov %. 1895, sham battle
look place DtINteu the 44ellnC tiiC
Cushing. The latter is boat 40 times
less the size of the Maine, and manned
by a crew but one-eighth as large. Two
tests were made, and in each the Cush-
ing was successful At the first the
Gushing was discovered only when
within 20 seconds of torpedoing dis
lance, and before the searchlights
could be trained upon her, to say moth
ing of an effective battery, she had dis
IL, of haY. fnrn66npS her
rockets serving as such. For the ship
to have scored a victory the lights
should have been on the boat for two
minutes prior to her coming within 800
yards.
In the second test the Cushing came
within the range and had fired one of
her rockets before she was caught by
the searchlight of the Maine.
It must be taken into consideration,
however, that the test was made at
night. when the torpedo boat is most
effective.
One fault with the quickly improYised
torpedo flotilla that are now being ar
ranged is that. while the torpedo is
deadly missile in the hands of trained
crew. amateurs cannot direct their aim
correctly. 1t is this that has led Sec
rotary Long to insist upon torpedo
practice by the naval militia.
8 g @
An important point that must be
taken in consideration in any COMPARE
son between torpedo boats and battle
ships is that the big vessels are also
fitted with torpedo tubes and can
launch them just as easily as can the
boats. The vessel can cruise, while the
boat cannot Hence, except in the one
item of cost, it is admitted that the
battIeshin is the SUPERIOR performing
all of the functions of a man-of-war
better. The advantage of the cost in
favor of the torpedo boat must disap-
pear if it is admitted that the battle
ship is the better fighting machine
Frank Lee in Chicago Times-Herald.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-17

this letter. 1t being Sunday evening,
the insurgents feel that there is a truce
of Il few hours, in which they, too,
may ''eat, drink and be merry"
In the evening Havana gathers in
the theatres, the music halls. at the
opera and the clubs. One of the fin
est club houses in the whole world is
only a few blocks from where 1000
women and children lie huddled to-
gether, too weak to stand, literally dy-
ing of hunger.
The theatre, the opera and the clubs
are attended by those whom the bull
fight has not bankrupted. For the poor
and Denniless there is music by the
military band in the plaza AS the
women of Cuba seldom attend the the
stres they may be seen now, Sunday
evening, promerading in the plaza. See
a senorita, and just as surely will you
see sonora See the young lady alone?
MOI Her duenna's eyes are upon you.
And such eyes, If the Cuban women
had nothing but eyes, there would be
10 race On earth who could compare
with them for beauty.
MASQUERADE BALLS AT NIGHT
After tire theatres and the concert,
everybody goes home-at least, II so
appears to the stranger. At IL O'Clock
the city seems wrapped in nervous, mt
full slumber. The veteran visitor knows
better Half of Havana, may be, is
sleeping. The other half? All, it is
Sunday night; the other half may be
found at the masquerade balls. Other
wise, who were the hundreds of mas
queraders who have been riding and
running about the streets ever since
shutdown? Co back to the theatres.
The seats on the parquet floors have
been covered with boards, as if by
magic. Over the seats there is now a
dancing floor. The auditoriums have
been transformed into ball rooms.
At u o'clock the balls begin. The
floors, the boxes, the galleries are
crowded. By whom? The best men and
the worst women of Havana. No re-
spectable woman is there. All the wom-
Ell are in costume, and masked. Not
one man is in evening dress. The music
begins. Cuban music, of a strange,
weird sort. half African. Two bands,
one on each side of the theatre. play
alternately. Some of the musicians are
Cubans, others are negroes. They make
a very big noise, and the music aud the
dancing do not cease, for an instant,
from y, midnight, till 4:30 Monday
morning. The dancing-well, it is too
shameful to describe.
Compared with a masquerade ball in
Havana, the French ball in New York
is tame and Puritanical.
In Havana Monday is an off day. Ev-
erybody seems peevish, tired and thor
oughly out of humor.
gibson WILLETS.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-17

Now the crows. after swarming into
the plaza. the Prado and the park,
gather round the tables on the side
walk in front of the cafes. Spanish pri-
yate soldiers drink sugar and water
The officers drink anisette. Americans
call for Lemonade and ice cream. The
Cubans look on. or are treated by their
friends, the enemy, alias the Spanish.
All smoke big cigars of various quail
ties. though the majority of them are
good. Seven cents buys Havana per-
fecto. which in New York would cost a
quarter.
At p. m. dinner-that is, the Spanish
officers dine, the americans gorge. the
Cubans have Il meal, the Spanish SOL
diers eat. At the same time the recon-
centrados fle past the feasters and
starve. And away in the outskirts of
the city you may run across a camp CT
Insurgents, roasting a whole pig for
their evening meal, as on the scene of
which l send you a photograph with