The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-24
In Ten DAYS

IU CIV DRIO
CONTINUED from First Page.I
During the transfer from one train to
the other Lieutenant Mark was closely
guarded by the members of his party
He walked between two of his friends.
carrying a dispatch box covered with
black cloth Behind him the officers
of his party walked closely.
They walked rapidly and did not stop
to speak TO any one until they were
safely in the car
London, March PA special dis
patch from Madrid, says the Spanish
cabinet decided yesterday evening to
create treasury bonds to the amount of
zee, 600 pesetas (S40, 600 000) upon the
guarantee of the Bank of Spain.
The London agents of the Bank of
Spain say they have heard nothing to
confirm this statement, and they add
they would undoubtedly have heard of
1t, had it been a fact.
Dublin. March 24.-Two Spanish tor
pedO boat destroyers sailed from Kings
town for Falmouth, Eng, this morning,
after coaling-
Washington March 24-News reach
ed the navy department today that the
Spanish torpedo boat f1Otilla has left
the Canary islands for Porto Rico. This
fact has been communicated to the
president. No question has been ask
ed of Spain as yet concerning this
movement, nor has it been decided what
action the navy or state departments
Will take, if any, under the circumstan-
ceS.
REGARDED AS A HOSTILE MOVE
Washington March 24-The navy de-
features today. They came with rapid
ity- First came the definite infOrma-
ton to the department from one of our
naval attaches abroad that the Spanish
torpedo f1otilla had sailed from the Ca
naries. for Porto Rico. This move has
been watched by the navy department
with intense interest and is regarded to
some extent, as a hostile denOnStra ton
against this country. The fleet con
sists of six torpedo boats and seven tor
pedO boat deStrOyerS,-13 in all cOnSti-
tuting one of the most formidable tor
pedO sQuadrOnS now aflOat. AS soon as
the telegram making the announce
ment was received, it was taken to the
" hlte House and laid before the presi-
dent.
A long conference followed between
the president, Secretary Long and Mr..
Roosevelt as to the course this govern
ment should adopt So far as can be
learned no demand has yet been made
upon Spain as to her purpose in dis
patching the fOtilla at this juncture
nor is it known what action, if any VIII
be taken at this time by the United
states, either in protesting to Spain, or
9ntercepting the fleet. There is a very
decided current of sentiment among
naval officers, including some of the
highest, in favor of decisive and imme-
diate action. They say that from a ma
val strategic view, it would be most IN
fortunate at this time to have this
great torpedo fiOtilla brought within
easy reach of our squadron at Key
w est. This it can be stated is not mere
naval speculation but has been given
official cOgnizance and has been urged
upon the president It was due to the
big importance of the movement that
instructions were issued some days ago
to keep the navy department immedi-
ately advised on the departure of the
torpedo fleet from the Canaries
Capt. RObley D. Evans we'll known
as Fighting Bob Evans, arrived in
Washington this morni&g from Key
West and had a half hours conference
with Secretary Long. He has been tenn
porarily on duty in the lighthouse serv-
ice, but he told the secretary that if
there was to be a fight, he wanted to be
in it.
Mr.. Long appreciated the suggestion
and Immediately issued orders placing
Capt Evans in command of the battle
snip Iowa. which stands at the very
head of the ships of the American navy
pOIh as to tonnage, guns, armament
and all the qualities that go to make up
a nrst class modern battleship. The
Iowa is now at Key West with Admiral
S1cardS fleet. Capt. Evans was aboard
her only few days ago and during
his visit to Key West talked with Ad-
miral Sicard and with the members of
the Maine court of inquiry. He brought
no information on the report
It was stated both at the White
House and at the war, state and navy
departments today that the report of
the Maine court of inquiry would arrive
late tonight. The expectation is that
IL win reach Washington at IL p. m.
and considerable doubt exists as to the
course which will be pursued at that
late hour. A definite understanding
probably will be reached later in the
day.
Secretary Long was with the presi-
dent some this morning and it was in
1erred, with the report so near at hand.
that plans for its reception were ar
ranged.
1t is hardly probable that more than
a formal delivery of the document will
be carried out tonight, as both the
president and Mr.. Long have been too
severely taxed of late to warrant ser
ious consideration of the document at
midnight
Paris, March 24-Spanish As opened
weak on the bourse today at 50 1916
against 53A, yesterdays closing price.
A MIGHTY PROTEST
Is Coming Against War From Finan-
cial Interests.
Washington. March PA mighty
business circles against war
Ef4n THNE