The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-01
/ ACTS UNDED WAFER
Long Wants Tests of a New
and Terrible Explosive.
PREPARATIONS KEPT UP
Some Alleged War Symptoms
Denied to Be Such.

Chicago, Feb. 28.-William S. barley of
Chicago, inventor of "mirex," one Of the
most powerful explosives known to naval
warfare, has been invited TO visit Wash
ington and demonstrate the powers Of the
product to Secretary Long and his asso-
ciates. Fifty pounds of 'mirex'' is said
TO be as effective as five times that
amount of gun cotton. Mr.. barley first
Attracted the attention of the naval ex-
perus two months ago by his experiments
in Chicago harbor. The new explosive
only serves the purpose of its inventor
when it is thrown into water. On land ii
is harmless and cannot be exploded.
PACIFIC COAST DEFENSES.
Port Townsend, Wash, FEB. 2S.-The
work of terrifying the three conspicuous
points contiguous to Port Townsend,
which has been going on in a desultory
fashion for some months, is now being
pushed forward under special orders from
Secretary Alger and now the doubled
forces at work at Points Marrowstone
and Admiralty are being worked day and
night to finish up. and already prepara-
tons are being made for placing the
heavy guns which are due to arrive any
day.
Tacoma, Wash, Feb Ex-Governor Rog-
ers has ordered that the twelve companies
composing the national guard of Washing
ton shall be Immediately recruited to
their full strength. Recruiting is being
carried on actively. Governor Rogers is
giving. personal attention to the Tacoma
I ,r
L nglng the state militia UP TO the high
est point of efficiency.
COWBOY REGIMENTS.
Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. ga movement is
under way for the formation in Arizona
Of an independent cavalry regiment COM
posed mainly Of frontiersmen well skilled
IN the management of horses and arms
and embracing a large number OF cow
boys. Companies are being organized at
Prescott, Flagstaff, Phoenix Globe Solo
knoxville. Tombstone, Tucson and other
cities The intention is to be in no wise
part of the territorial militia, but an in
dependent command ready to go to the
front at once. The enrolment is expected
TO reach 1000 11-
KEY WEST WAR SYMPTOMS
Issued today at the army. barracks prohib-
ting enlisted men from leaving the res
ervation without special permits, which
wilabe granted only in exceptional cases,
Oflcers' leave was also curtailed. Several
had to break engagements in. town for to-
night. 1t is rumored that two batteries
We're held under marching orders, but
this is denied. Secrecy is maintained at
the barracks, and no explanations of
these circumstances is forthcoming.
-FIRERS AND CRUISERS.
New York, Feb. 2S&It was said at the
Brooklyn navy yard today that the rap
id-fire guns received yesterday had been
expected for a year and that no special
Significance was to be attached to their
arrival at this time Work is being rapid
ly pushed forward on the cruisers Chicago
ond Atlanta and also upon the dry dock.
More activity was observed at the navy
yard today than has been seen for week
past and the consequent excitement was
communicated to the outside, where
crowds gathered at the gates and specu-
lated as TO the prospects of war.
WAR RISKS ON SHIPS.
London. Feb. 2S-There IS no truth IN
The report circulated in the United States
that Lloyd's underwriters are asking
slight war risks upon Spanish steamers
bound for the island of Cuba.
ONE SPANIARD THE LESS.
Madrid, Feb. 2S-The commissariat Of
fcer, Pacheco. who recently called at the
residence of General Woodford, the Unit
ed States minister to Spain, but who was
not received, and who was afterwards
sent to the military asylum. the authori-
ties declaring that he was doubtless pa
trioucally mad" committed suicide yes
terday by shooting himself with revolv-
'er.
WAR STORIES DENIED.
Chicago, Feb. 2S.-Reports that forty of
the swiftest telegraph operators in the
employ Of the Western Union Telegraph
company at Chicago were 10 start for
Florida within the coming week practi-
cally under government sealed orders. and