Evening star., 1898-04-30
THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 30, 1898.
The War with Spain.

THE WEEK ENDING APRlL ~, 1SOS.
The War With Spain.
At the suggestion Of President Mckinley
Congress passed resolution declaring that
war existed between the United States and
Spain. The first actual clash took place
between three ships Of Admiral Simpsons
fleet and the shore batteries at Matanzas.
The flagship New York, the monitor Puri-
tan and the cruiser Cincinnati were fired
on by the batteries and succeeded in silenc-
ing them in about quarter of an hour.
No casualties occurred on any of the war
ships, but 1t was reported that several
men in the forts were killed. Commodore
Deweys fleet sailed from Hong Kong for
Manila Wednesday afternoon. 1t was re-
ported that a Spanish fleet had sailed from
Manila to meet him. Portugal proclaimed
her neutrality. The Spanish warships at
the Cape Verde Islands were divided into
two fleets, one of which went southwark
and the other sailed ostensibly for Cuba
CT the American north Atlantic coast. The
latter after being out a few hours returned
to ST. Vincent and reported that collision
had taken place between ships of the fleet
necessitating return to port for repairs
Spanish warsnips were variously reported
to have been seen cruising in the British
Channel, off the coast of Newfoundland
and in the Straits of Gibraltar. Subsequent
ly denials came along regarding all these
rumors. Admiral Sampson maintained a
strict blockade of the northern coast of
Cuba during the week and captured a
rumber of prizes. some of which were very
valuable. The most active preparations for
war were conducted. The President issued
call for 125,000 volunteers, to be appor-
toned among the several states according
to population. In response to this the Ma
tional Guard was called out in nearly all
the states and promptly responded. The
first move toward an invasion of Cuba
was begun by an order moving the troops
fPk k1 ,Oa az f< do
ready for transportation TO Cuba. Eight
transports were engaged to carry the
troops across TO Cuba for a landing under
the guns of the fleet. Lieut.. Rowan of the
10th United States Infantry landed in Cuba
and visited the camp of the insurgents for
the purpose of arranging junction be-
tween their forces and those to be landed
from the United States. 1t was reported
from Havana that Spanish force was be-
ing organized there for a counter invasion
against the United States, the troops 20
land In Florida. With the exception of
Germany, nearly all the European powers
recognized thar a state of war existed be-
tween the United States and Spain and
proclaimed their neutrality. Martial law
was proclaimed in Porto Rico The Amer
leans on the island were reported to be
without protection and in danger. The au-
thorities prohibit the departure of refugees
A Spanish fleet was reported to be on the
way from Europe to lombard American
coast cities Secretary Gage, after a con-
ference In New York with leading finan-
ciers stated that s200, ,Oo0, 900 of the pro-
posed bond issue could easily be disposed
OF at once. The House passed the war rev.
enue bill by party vote.
Foreign.
Mr.. Chamberlain stated in the house of
commons that England and America were
negotiating to arbitrate the Alaskan bound
ary dispute. The English cabinets Chinese
policy was attacked by Sir William Vernon
Harcourt liberal leader in the house Of
commons and was defended by Mr.. Bal
four. The plague was reported to have
broken out in Calcutta. Baron Won Bu-
f2wi GERMAN minister of foreign affairs,
IN speech to q reicnstag committee, said
he hoped the period of squabbling over
China had been ended by the powers. Mil
lions of gold were reported piled up at
Dawson, Yukon territory, awaiting the be-
ginning of navigation on the Yukon river.
one hundred mules in a pack train and
their Mexican attendants were reported to
have been killed or wounded by the ex-
plosion of powder they were conveying to
a Mexican mine. The Mexican commission
to determine the boundary at some dis
puted points on the Texas line completed
its work. War between Costa Rica and Nj
caragua was reported to be inevitable. A
big fire in Glasgow, Scotland. Monday night
did SI50,O0O damage. The United States
minister at Athens received many applica-
tions from Greeks to enlist in the American
army. In the British house of commons
Mr.. Balfour, replying to a question. said
no negotiations We're proceeding on the
subject of an arbitration treaty between
Great Britain and the United States: Mr..
Gladstone was reported to be gradually
sinking.
In the District.
District day" in the House Monday re-
suited in the passage of the House bills
to vest in the District Commissioners the
control of street parking and to amend
the act for the preservation Of the public
peace and the protection of property; also
several private bills. The Senate passed
the House bill to punish the carrying or
sale of deadly weapons and the Senate
bill for the relief of holders of certain Dis
trict tax sale certificates, An effort was
made to secure the consideration and pass
age of certain street railway measures;
Senator Pettigrew, desiring an opportunity
to secure extended Consideration for an
amendment providing for the purchase OF
street railway franchises g by the muni-
cipality after five years. an arrangement
was made for the exclusive consideration
of such business on Thursday of the next
week. The District Commissioners, in IN
effort to regulate the pyblic vehicle service,
enacted by the legislative assembly en-
powerlng them to prohibit the use OF
broken-down or Cnclean cabs, hacks. Nc,
and. in accorcance, arranged for the en-
forcement of that rule hereafter. The
Commissioners were advised by the attor-
ney for the District that there was no au-
thorlty in law for the use as morgue CT
the building on D street between 18th and
18th streets northwest, at present occupied
by the chemica! engine. The druggists and
physicians of the city began campaign
against the high rates and extortionate
| regulations of the telephone company; the
druggists agreed with practical unanimity
| to discontinue the telephone service and to
prevent the use of the roofs of the ouiid-
ings occupied by them for the stringing
OF telephone wires the physicians ;!nder-
took to secure an agreement for similar
action among members of their profession;
the House subcommittee investigating the
local telephone subject resumed examina-
| ton Of the telephone company's affairs. In
accordance with an order issued by the
Secretary OF War. the District National
Guard ass .mbled on Monday for the pur-
pose of encamping at Soldiers 1-l;e and
guarding certain portions of the a4ifduct .
Just after the guard had started tho or
DER was revoked and the men returned to