davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
Volunteer Offer Their Services.
HOUSE PASSES THE NAVY BILL.
Makes Provision for Twenty-Four Torpedo
-A Boats in Spite Of Cannon.

Washington, April 2.-After an ex-
ceedingly turbulent session of six hours
the house yesterday passed the naval
appropriation bill and then adjourned
until Monday. The war spirit was man
ifested in all the speeches and overrode
the naval committee itself by increas-
ing the number Of torpedo boats and
torpedo boat destroyers to twenty-four,
the bill as reported providing for but
twelve. The amendment of Cannon
chairman of the appropriations COM
mittee, to reduce the number Of battle
ships to one was buried under an over
whelming majority. The provision re-
lating to armor plate. which in ordinary
times would have precipitated a debate
Of several days, was disposed Of in ten
minutes, a proposition to decrease the
price agreed to in the bill from $400 to
$500 per ton being drowned in q perfect
chorus Of noes. Cannon during the
course of the day announced the belief
Of a majority Of the members that war
would be upon us within a week and
De Almond Of Missouri, made a notable
speech declaring that If hostilities were
to come it was our duty to strike the
first blow.
Washington, April 2.-The senate
spent yesterday mostly in secret ses-
sion, no important legislation being
done in open session. In secret session
the purchase Of the Danish West India
islands was so strongly opposed that the
resolution therefor was practically
Withdrawn. The senate adjourned to
Monday.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
MARE ISLAND THE CENTER
OF That California Earthuuake Shock
Navy Yard Damaged $25O.OOO.

OF That California Earthuuake Shock
Navy Yard Damaged $25OO0O.
San Francisco, April 2-The center Of
the shock of earthquake which visited
this region Wednesday night seems to
have been at Vallejo and Mare island.
The loss at the navy yard cannot be
fixed until the board Of survey COM
pletes it's work, but the lowest estimate
is now $250,0O0. The stoppage Of work
here is particularly unfortunate at this
time when war seems so close.
The schooner Rufus E. Wood was
sailing for this port and was some dis
tance south by east from Point Reyes.
So great was the shock that the vessel
was struck aback. The second mate,
who was in charge Of the boat, thought
that the Wood had run into a SUBJ
merged rock or the hull of a derelict.
On the farm Of Captain Boyes, near
Sonoma, the water in reservoir was
lifted bodily by the upheaval and thrown
to one side, leaving the reservoir dry.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
ABBREVIATED telegram

Wrestler Roeber wishes to meet
Yousouf again.
Jimmy" Michael has signed to ride
several more cycle races this summer.
Lloyd C. Church of Sturgis. Mich,
died of tuberculosis Of the bones, aged
II years.
Arthur Orton, the celebrated ITCH
borne claimant, died Of syncope at Lon
don Thursday.
The Portuguese government has au-
thorized the importation Of $4,000, 900
kilogrammes Of foreign wheat.
Relations between Nicaragua and
Costa Rica are greatly strained; war is
probable. e. o. d. tt.
After a week Of hard work General
William Booth, the head Of the Saliva
ton Army, left Chicago at noon yester-
day.
Herreshofr has offered to build the
government ten torpedo boat destroyers
at $500. 600 apiece. to make 80 knots an
hour
Among the combinations by the SEN
ate yesterday was that OF Louis Kaiser,
of Illinois, to be consul at Mazatlan.
Mexico.
Six hundred Sioux Indians under the
leadership Of six fighting braves from
Pine Ridge agency. have rendered their
| services to Minnesota to fight Spain.
The customs receipts during March
were over $1,000. 900 less than March a
year ago. which were then abnormally
heavy on account of the pending tariff
act.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
HOUSE IS WITH PINGREE.
Only Three Votes Against His Railway
Tax Bill by Michigan Representatives.

Only Three Votes Against His Railway
Tax Bill by Michigan Representatives.
Lansing. Mich, April a. Both
branches Of the legislature have passed
a concurrent resolution expressing con-
f1dence in the Cuban policy Of President
Mckinley as calm, prudent. and patriot
ic, and congratulating congress upon its
unanimity andcourageousa action in pass
ing the emergency war measure. The
house passed the Pingree railway tax
measure with but three votes in the
negative.
Senator Forsyth made an attack on
Governor Pingree in a speech. He de-
clared that the executive had been
tricking the farmers, and If his tax bill
were passed without supplemental !,
legislation the farmers and shippers
would be forced to pay the increase in
the increased freight rates. Senator
Forsyth charged that because Of Gov
erhor Pingree's unfair teachings during
the last two years legislators must eth
er vote blind on whatever bill the exec
utive submitted or be adjudged cor
ruptionists by the public.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
CUBANs ARE NOT ALL REBELS.
Colonial Government Declares . Majority
OF Them for Autonomy,

Colonial Government Declares . Majority
OF Them for Autonomy.
Washington, April 2-One Of the most
unique features Of the difficulty with
Spain developed yesterday afternoon
when the president received the follow.
ing appeal from the autonomous gov
ernment Of Cuba. signed Galvez. the
president OF the colonial government:
The colonial government of Cuba de-
sires to make known to the president
Of the United States that although there
are some Cubans in arms, yet there are
an immense number who ACCEPT home
rule and are resolved to work zealously
under this form CT government in order
to re-establish peace and prosperity to
the land. The insurgents form a mi
nority, while the autonomists represent
the majority OF the interests Of civiliza.
ton by means of justice and liberty.
The Cubar people is an American
people, and has. in consequence. a per-
feet right &c govern itself according to
its own wishes and aspirations, and in
no way would 1t be just for a foreign
will to impose upon II a political regime
which IL esteems contrary to its happi-
ness and conscience. This would be to
substitute oppression instead Of liberty.
The Cuban people is now a free people:
II wishes to rule its own destinies, and
1t would be great wickedness to dis
pose Of its lot without its consent. The
history and the feelings Of the United
States do not permit an American peo-
pie to be sacrificed and forced to form
Q government syhich the same people
consider pernicious to its permanent in
terests and 10 the cause Of peace and
prdey in a c2untrY Of different races. OF
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
GENERAL TRADE QUIETER
For the Week Just Past st-Fine Showing II
Failures for the Quarter.

New York, April 2.-Bradstreet's says:
A week Of rather quieter general trade
and Of smaller distribution, due to easi-
ly explainable causes, closes a quarter
which has been eminently satisfactory
to nearly all branches Of trade and pro-
ductive of an unprecedented business in
many favored lines. The heavy foreign
demand for our products. particularly
agricultural staples, and The active do
mestic movement in most lines, are evil
denced by the heavily increased bank
clearings, and the effect on the CONNER
cial mortality is favorably reflected in
a total for the first three months of 1898
Of failures and liabilities involved small
er than in the corresponding period for
four years past
There is rather more quite condition
as regards new demands for iron and
steel at most markets, and some shad-
ing in quotations Is claimed, but the
business doing is on an immense scale
The price situation is, on the whole
quite encouraging this week, oats, -four
print cloths and hides being the most
prominent among the decreases men,
toned, while wheat; corn, lard, coffee,
cotton and sugar are higher, and the
list of staples unchanged in price ap-
pears the most numerous.
Failure records, as above intimated,
bear witness to the satisfactory condi-
tions ruling in the commercial lines
this year in a total for the quarter Of
3.515, embarrassments, involving liabil-
tiles of $50, 19S. 600. a decrease in number
from year ago of 13 per cent. and from
two years ago Of % per cent. while as
regards liabilities there is falling off
from last year of 80 per cent. and as
compared with 1896 of over 42 per cent.
Failures in the Dominion of Canada for
the first quarter Of 1898 number 516,
with liabilities Of $500. 900, a decrease
of "a per cent. in number and 20 per
cent. In liabilities from one year ago.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
Buying Army Supplies in Chicago,

Chicago, April 2.-United States gov
ernment has for several days been re-
ceiving bids in Chicago for army and
navy supplies. and yesterday placed an
order. for 10000 cases of canned meats.
Volunteers Offer Their Services.
Marquette. Mich, April "A tele-
graphic offer was sent from here yes
terday to General Alger Of a company
Of volunteers for service in the expected
war with Spain.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02

Foraker resolution reported BY the
committee.
Another False Rnmor.
Washington, April 2.-Adjt. Gen.
Corbin pronounced as absolutely false
the report that the war department
had issued orders for 10. 900 men for
the army.
Gen. Grosvenor says If war is de-
clared he favors calling out 2.oOO,-
600 men, making the war short,
sharp and decisive.
IL This . Diplomatic TrloA:
Berlin, April 2.-The Spanish am
bassador has been notified that the
German cruiser 10 enroute to punish
the Cuban insurgents for the alleged
burning Of the German sugar refin-
cry and killing the employees and to
collect indemnity. unless Spain pun
ishes the offenders and promptly
makes monetary compensation. The
ambassador promises to do bis ut
most to comply with the German de-.
msnds.
SPANS Troubles MultipNing.
Berlin, April 2.-The German am
bassador at Madrid reports the royal
family has prepared for fight in case
OF expected internal outbreaks. The
European powers have replied unsat
isfactorily to the queens letters
asking Intervention.
The Ibfiacncs Of the Pope.
Rome, April 2.-The pope has ask
Cd Archbishop Ireland to use his in.
fluenoe with President Mckinley in
favor Of . paci6catory attitude 10
the Cuban question.
Cadets Ready for Duty.
Annapolis, April Cadets Of the
first class received their diplomas
without examination and were or.
dered to join ships Immediately.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02

Madrid, April 2.-The statement
cabled lsst night that the Spanish
torpe do fotills had arrived at Porto
Rico was taken from newspaper
here. Investigation shows the an
nouncement to be erroneous. The
hotilla arrived: at Cape Deverd ISL
snds and 1t is said will proceed after
coaling.
Washington, April 2.--In the opin.
ion Of experts 1t will take 10 days at
least for the torpedo flotills to steam
from Deverd islands to Porto Rico
under the most favorable conditions,
and more likely twice that time, as it
Is 1000 miles.
New York, April 2.-Ths Evening
World prints copyrighted dispatch
dated April l via Key West which
says. THE Spanish warship vizcsys
and Oquendo are on their way to
Porto Rico. The Worlds dispatch
boat followed until this was made
certain"
That Momsntous Message.
Washington, April 2.-This morn
ing o cabinet officer said there wss
no change in the situation. He ex-
pected events to move along the
present lines until the presidents
message was sent to congress early
the coming week. Preparations for
the momentous message were begun
early this morning by the president,
after long conference with bis csbi-
net officers and public men on the
lines he should take In order that the
position Of America In this crisis may
stand forth In q clear, intelligent,
justi6able way before present and
future generations.
The only thing that seems def
nitely established regarding the
presidents message TO congress Mon
day or Tuesday 10 that unless Spain
backs down in the meantime, the
president will not ask further delay.
1t 10 not known whether the presi.
dent will make specific reoommen-
dation or place the responsibility
solely on congress. The prevailing
belief is that he will make Q recon-
mediation.
IL This Political Affair.
Washington, April "A very
prominent Congressman who saw Nc
Kinlsy today says the message will
recommend action perfectly satisfac.
tory to the republicans and the ooun-
try st large. He says tie diplomatic
correspondence will be such that the
country will be proud OF IL. The
merssge will probably not be sent be.
fore Tuesday. 1t Is understood that
the Maine affair will be ignored.
which 10 considered unfortunate by
many republican S. who believe it to
be our strongest ground.
e ,ass Committee Agrees for Inssrvsnsiop.
Washington. April 2.--The full
senate committee on foreign rela-
tions practically decided to accept
the recommendation Of the subcom.
mittee for resolution Of recognition
OF the independence OF Cuba and
recommending armed Intervention II
necessary to secure it. This con.
olusion WAS reached after the session
today that lasted about one hour,
and % far ss learned. there IL no di.
vision Of opinion expressed In the
committee as to the propriety Of the
coarse. The general lines are Of the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
FURIOUS FIRE AT LINCOLN.
Nebraska Town Loses eeo0 900 with Pro.
pects for n Heavier Ioss

Nebraska Town Loses ee0o, 900 with Pros
poets for . Heavier Loss.
Lincoln, Neb., April IA fire which
started at p. m. yesterday in the
wholesale and retail carpet and furni-
ture house of A. NJ. Davis & Co has to-
tally destroyed that building and con-
tents. Richards block. a four-story and
basement brick building adjoining on
the west. will also be total loss The
loss is figured at 100000, and at this
writing the fire is spreading east and
threatens the entire square. Omaha has
been. called 81. for assistance.
The langu or so common at thil
season is due to impoverished blood
Hoods Sarsaparilla cures it by en-
riching the blood.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-02
Money to Loan

At 6 per cent. Private money.
William L. Ludolph. Buford block,
Rock Island.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09

course by strong eddy, headed di.
rectly for thst shore. The wary vow
ager, yielding for one instant to a sud-
den sense of security and repose, sat
with dropping face and made no re-
sistance.
There was a sudden shock. The lit
tie boat bumped violently against a
snag, and some one cried out from the
guards of steamboat at that moment
preparing to push out into the stream.
The startled soldier lifted his head
and sat as though petritied A detach-
ment of United States troops met his
bewildered gaze.
Suddenly he seized the paddle with
frantic haste. Would Elviry never
know how he had tried?
An officer was standing on the lower
deck.
ga deserter, by Heaven!" he ex-
claimed to the sergeant at his side.
Then, in stentorian voice, he COM
manded:
''Pull in shore, if you value your
lifep'
But the man in the boat paid no at
pOAoioh' A1O DCbdH " push Out WIFI
rapid, energetic strokes. How clumsy
the craft seemed to him then = how
slowly the distance widened between
him and the dreaded foe!
Cold beads of perspiration glistened
on his face. The morning sunshine,
flooding the river with golden beams,
showed clearly his tense, agonized ex-
preston with startling vividness.
If he could only reach the other
side Then Elviry and the children
"Halt, You fool!''
Zack Brayton pulled away with the
unreasoning, desperate energy of de-
spair.
There was hurried order, the
tramp of feet on deck, followed by a
.ory fash and the sharp crack of mus
kerry.
The deserter arose to his full height
in the toppling canoe. His hands
clutched the air, and then his stalwart
form sank into the rushing, turbid
waves of the Missouri.
Only the little boat, aimless and un-
guided, drifted on toward ''down-river"
AND Elviry. New York News.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09
Evaporation of Bananas.

The American consul at Nicaragua re-
ports that experiments are being made
there to deveo OPP an industry of evap-
Grating bananas, and that trial ship
ment has been made to this country.
If successfully established, |, this indus
try will be of the utmost Importance
to many Central American states. The
men engaged in the experiment, ac-
cording TO consular reports, have no
practical knowledge of the business of
drying the fruit, but if iYwas taken up
by men experienced inJ the manufac-
ture of machinery knd appliances
adapted to the evaporation Of fruits,
modification to suit this case could
easily be devised, and there would be
an immense demand for such machines
Immediately. At present there are
millions of bananas yearly thrown
away or allo ed to rot on the ground
because they are too small or 700 ripe
for shipment to the United States.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09

The historic pen which, guided by
the hand and brain of the president
of the United States, traced the name
Of William Mckinley beneath the
declaration of war between the Amer
lean Republic and the kingdom of
Spain is now the personal property
of William Alden Smith, congressman
from Grand Rapids, Mich. The pen
is doubly valuable because it was used
by the speaker of the House, and the
president of the Senate for the same
purpose. The war bill was signed
first by Mr.. Reed, who gave the pen to
Mr. Smith, who took it to Vice
President Hobart. The final scene
was made by President Mckinley later
in the day, and the pen was then given
to Mr. Smith.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09

Says the Buffalo Commercial
Most people will be surprised at the
statement that Great Britain is now
importing golf clubs from America;
but it is a fact, according to the state
ment of Charles s. Cox, an English
man long resident in America, who,
ON his return home, stated that he had
no difficulty in obtaining orders for
5000 clubs from the larger dealers in
golf goods in Scotland and England.
The reason for this is asserted to be
that the American clubs are better
made and better finished than those
that can be obtained at home at auy-
thing like the same price. The in
formation is surprising, because golf
is novelty in the United States,
scarcely generation old, while it has
fourished in Scotland for centuries.
Goals to Newcastle would have seemed
feeble simile TO sending American
golf outfits to Great Britain.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09

Says the Chicago Times III Herald, =
British naval experts have not hesi
tated to confirm the general belle.
that the chief superiority of the
American navy lay in the fact that our
seamen are more thoroughly drilled
in the art of handling the guns of the
modern navy, and that our engineers
are also better trained in operating
the complex and powerful machinery
of the modern battleship. The Yankee
has been noted as good marksmar
ever since he shot at the Britishers
who marched up the redoubt at Bun,
ker Hill. That reputation was still
more firmly established when he filled
the British ship Guerriere full OF
holes in the war of 1912, while the
British gunners sent their shots into
the sails of the Constitution.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09
Tortoises Used as Gems.

Brazilian beautles>are said to wear
frehies in their hair, which gives
chance to poets of rhapsodiZing on b
stellar crowns of its ebon night. but
what bard could sing of the reptile
gem which an ingenious ieweler of the
Rue Royale of Paris has invented for
his fashionable customers? This is
jeweled tortoise. The little live crea.
ture, no bigger than fivefranc piece,
is kept prisoner by slender gold
chain eight or ten inches in length, SO
that it can ramble over its lady own
er's neck and shoulders. Not being
of itself thing of beauty, 1t has beauty
forced upon it and is compelled to bear
a precious jewel on its back. Does il
hurt? The Partisan Society for the
Protection of Animals sent to inquire,
but found the small creatures aprar-
emily contented and torpidly happy.
They may not have been conscious
that they had risen in the worlds es.
TEEN from a crown to SO or $10o, but
they are perfectly aware that their
feelings had been no whit wounded.
The gems which adorn them are, in
fact, arranged in a platinum setting,
which is clasped to the margins of the
carapace : a dorsal shield composed OF
bone and horn, which does not suffer
from neuralgia, as it has no nerves.
OF course, it is the proper thing to be
shocked at this freak of fashion as new
French enormity, but the best society
has not adopted it. As for the cruelty
of it, it may, perhaps, surprise the
tortoise to be removed from its native
mud and moisture, but could hardly
annoy anything soplacid andpurpose.
less. 1t does not suffer at the hands
of it's decorators, as do ladies who
have ears or noses or lips pierced for
beauty's sake.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09

That daring exploit of Lieutenant
Fremont, in landing in Cuba recalls
that of Lieutenant Hunter, familiarly
known at the time as "Alvarado"
Hunter, who, during the Mexican war,
arrived off the town of Alvarado, in
California, and, without waiting for
the cooperation of the land forces,
which had not yet arrived, summoned
the town to surrender. and had the
American flag floating over it when
his supports arrived. He was court
martialed for disobedience of orders,
suspended, and shortly afterward pro-
NOTED to higher position in the SER
vice. He took desperate chances, and
was successful. If he had failed he
might have caused the miscarriage
of the whole expedition.
Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-09
QUAINT AND CURIOUS.

Greece has 152 newspapers.
Australia sends cocoanut oil to Eng
land.
Thunder can be heard nine miles
away.
Persia has only women carpet
weavers.
All beggars in Italy must be duly
licensed
Gloves made Of frogskin are the lat
est novelty.
France gathers window tax on
more than nine million houses.
A map of Jerusalem in mosaic, over
1900 year old, has been found in Pal
estine.
The River Jordan makes the erelt-
est descent in the shortest distaL ce of
almost any stream.
The entire collection of coins and
medals in the British Museum consists
of nearly $50, 600 specimens.
A pair of lovers in New Jersey who
just issued cards for their wedding.
There is clock in Brussels which
has never been wound b. human
hands. 1t is kept going y the wind.
From 1868 to 1881 it is estimated
that no less than 81, 600, 900 buffaloes
were slaughtered on the great plains
OF the United States.
Nearly 100000 pounds of colors
are used by the United States gov
ernment annually for printing paper
money, revenue and postage stamps.
Veneer cutting has reached such
perfection that a single elephants
tusk, thirty inches long, is now cut
into sheet of ivory $50 inches long
and 20 inches wide.
In the great volcano district OF Ice
land there is whole mountail com
posed of eruptive clays and pure white
sulphur. A beautiful grotto pene-
trates the western slope to an unknown
depth.
The new British batteship Inpla-
cable is TO cost over 1000, 90, the
largest sum ever spent in the build,
ing of man-of- war. The armor
DlttcS ulOIc W III COSt OO,U UUO, ullV TIE
guns nearly as much.
In the reign of Elizabeth the wear.
ing of hats was considered sign OF
luxury. By an act of Parliament
every person above the age of seven
years, and under certain degree, was
obliged ON Sundays and holidays to
wear a WOODEN cap, made in England
and finished by some of the fraternity
of cappers.
Envelopes cannot be tampered with
to remove their contents in the mails
without revealing the theft if new
safety device is used, which consists
OF piece of material to be inserted
in the envelope directly under the adj
dress, which becomes damp and blurs
the writing when the back of the en-
yelope is steamed or soaked to open
the tap.