Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-07

UnNen STATES fleet hL HONG NHuE II MAX
tag Preparations to 90 TO sea.
Madrid, Spain, Apr! G. a. M
Although there arc no important de
velopmenis up TO this hour, arrange
ments have been concluded 10 place
American citizens ara their property
throughout the county unde. the care
OF the British diplomatic representa-
tives, in case the United States minister,
Gen. Stewart Il. houtiford, is compelled
to leave. 1t is known. however, that
no instructions have yut been received
by Gen. Woodford to place American
citizens md their property under the
protection Of the British representa-
tives. Gen. Woolford left the United
States legation for his residence, al
IL. 35 a. m.
Tho prevailing impression in political
,ircles, as thiH dispatch 10 sent, ia that
Spain will striva to the utmost TO avoid
war, but doubts as to her being able to
do SO are expressed in all quarters.
New York, April l. William X. Van
dsrbilt, it was reported yesterday, has
decided, 10 the event of war with Spain,
TO present to the United States govern
nent a warship to cost s., 900, COO.
Mr.. Vanderbilt, impressed With the
Justice of the nations attitude in the
present crisis, believed this to be the
most direct and practical manner in
whi,h he could he Of service to his
country.
Mr.. Vanderbilt, il his decision is as
represented, has resolved to follow in
the footsteps of his grandfather, Com
modore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who, dur
ing the Civil War. presented to the
Federal government large steamship,
Vanderbilt, which was valued at
$1,000, 600. Mr. Vanderbilt left yester
day for Hot Springs, Va.
When Commodore Vanderbilt placed
at the disposal of President Lincoln the
hest vessel in hiH extensive fleet, thu
sidewheel steamship was converted into
cruiser and did highly valuable work
during the war.
The Vanderbilt was the largest and
fastest vessel atioat in her day. She
hold the record for the fastest trip to
Europe. She was built in Simonson q
Hhipyard in Greenpoint, and was
launched on December 10th, 1855. Her
extreme length was 335 feet, her beam
40 feet and her depth % feet. Sine
registered j, 100 tons gross. and was
equipped with two engines of 1,10O
horsepower and four tubular hoilers.
ner paddle wheels were AZ feet in
diameter.
Washington, April l. Tho Senate
has gone into executive session, on
motion of Senator Lodge, member OF
the committee on foreign relations.
Senator Lodge was not with the com
mittee during the last half hour OF it;
session,
The purpose of the secret session IL
the consideration of the resolution, re
ported yesterday by the committee OF
foreign relations, for the acquisition o
the Danish West India Islands.
The reaaon foe considering the matte
behind closed dnOrs Is tho belief tina
our relations with Spain will neces
sarIly be discussed, and that informa
ton might he diFulged that would b.
OF advantage to that country.
Tho session is not strictly an exscn
tive session, but is aecret exeuutiy
session.
Senator Lodge opsned the proceed
inEs in the secret session with q CAMERA
statement concerning tbe advantage q
controlling the Danish Islands. Ii
argued that this country should ow
them because Of contiguity TO our ow
shores anu for strategic purposes, goin
over much OF the ground cuyersd in hi
report Of yesterday.
Senator Gray replied in opposition t
this policy. baaing his antHgonism a
the ground that il was contrary to th
policy of tho United States to ac1ur
territory outside of its continental inei
and saying that the possession of Tn
island would inevitably involve US j
international entanglements. whic
would be Troublesome and might lea
to complications at any time, aud whic
could be avoided ii we did not have ii
islands. Ii we should acquire ii
Islands for strategic purposes, the
fortification would be necessity. m
that would involve great expeus
Furthermore, if there wers an idea
utilizing them in GAGS OF war wit
Spain over Cuba, it should not be 70
gotten that We had IN our own poaso
sion, at Key West, territory near
Havana than either of the Daai
Islands
Senators Frye anu Lodan bnth r
piled to the latter point. They stat
that it was evident, from the lievelo
ments so far made. that Porto Ric
rather than Havana. would be t
centre of our war with Spain, and thf
in.that evont, the Danish group Won
pa 0t inestlmnOl9 advantage to us.
deed, they considered it alnuat ease
tial to an nary ending cF the war. Th
asserted that Spain's coal supply
Porto Rico was extremely limited Al
that it could be practically CONTROL
by Us. il We should own the Dani
possessions 10 that quarter. They Al
stated it to be the earneat desire 81 t
Standardization to control the islaudg.
Senators Cockroll and Pettigrew Al
opposed the resolution. Mir. Caclsr
contended that it would bs grs
mistake, from a naval point Of rioW,
acquire the islands, and Mr.. Pottigr,
said that tia islunds would only luR
additional territory to protect in Cg
of war with Spain over the Cub
question.
Washington, April 1.--Packed q
leriea are the regular accompanying
OF tho sessions Of tina House in tht
exciting days, anu to day an hour
fore the session convened every iGrh
available space was tRIon, and hr
freds beEieced tho doors, unabls
gain admission.
Mr.. BOutele. chairman Of the ra
committee, desitsa 70 10 AHEAD Vi