davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-04-08
Spanish Cabinet Secretly Considering
Some Important Matter.
MAY Be an EDICf FROM THE Pope
Minister Woodford Denies That
He VIII Leave Sunday.
CABINET MINISTER'S VIEW

MADRID. April s.-The ministers at yes
terday,s cabinet council considered General
woodford's withdrawal note, the collective
action of the powers. the warlike prepara-
tions and. ii is alleged, something else
which has not yet transpireo. The great
est curiosity Is felt regarding this unknown
subject but rigid silence Is maintained re-
garding 1t. 1t is supposed rot to concern
another note from General Woodford. His
communications yesterday were limited to
his withdrawal note. 1t Is also said the un-
known subject of deliberation was not a
Spanish note to the United States. as 1t is
claimed Spain Is neither sending nor in
tending to send one. Finally it is asserted
that it was not the collective action of the
powers which formed the subject for de-
liberation.
Spain q Mere Spectator.
Spain at present Is, according to the off,
cial points of view. a spectator, and not an
agent in the negotiations. 1t Is intimated
that the secret matter refers to something
officially formulated by the pope.
The impartial thinks the delay in the
presentation of President McKinley's mes
sage to Congress is a good sign. but 1t
adds:
Nobody is under any illusions respecting
tHt <tHciiCdh pOiiCS. IL pOdSoiuA PAoSPSS'S
predominate. they do 50 for reasons beyond
Yankee control"
The impartial also saws it considers the
action of the powers in offering their good
offices as being favorable to Spain
A much calmer feeling prevails here to-
day. rejecting the newspaper utterances
and various published versions OF the cabi-
Eet meeting of last evening.
Woodford VIII Not Leave Sunday.
The statement published in London to
the effect that the United States minister.
Gen. Stewart L. Woodford. is to leave
Madrid on Sunday is untrue. Gen. Wood
ford today reiterated his statement that
he would not leave until directed to apply
for his passports until they were hand
ed to him. The mniste: added that he
had no intimation of his government hav-
ing fixed a date for his leaving Madrid,
and IL might be taken a fact that no
date would be fixed upon until after Pres
ident McKinley's message had been sent
to Congress- as to leave the Spanish capt.
tai before that would PREJUDICE the whole
case.
Sees No Hope of Peace.
A cabinet minister, in interview On
the present situation. is quoted as saying
Ali the ministers have sunk their ind.-
vidual opinions and are working unani-
mously in the interests of the country. 1t
Is entirely useless to attempt to arrange
compromise il the face of the attitude OF
America which has decided to seek rup-
trre at any cost. The Spanish government
would weaken itself by concessions antag-
onistic to public sentiment.
Neither the government nor the coun-
try desires war. but the government mus.
ley succeeds in withstanding Congress II
will certainly be an Indication favorable 10
reace. II he does not succeed it will be
because he has lost control of the situation.
in which case the Spanish concessions are
absolutely useless
Evening star., 1898-04-08
First Robbery Of the Kind.
rom the Denver Times.

For the first time within the memory OF
W. E. Cochran, post ONCE inspector IN
charge of this division Of the service,
case of the theft of a mail pouch from
station has come to light. This case was
reported to Inspector Cochran by the post
raster Of the little town of Kemerer. Wyo.,
end the inspector Immediately sent man
to the scene of the robbery.
Inspector Sutton was selected to invest-
gate the robbery. This morning Mr.. Coch-
ran received a telegram from his inspector
stating that the mail pouch had been re-
covered, minus three registered letters con-
tanning 81, but that the thief or thieves
have not yet been apprehended.
The hamlet of Kemerer cannot boast the
distinction of being known as railroad
station. 1t is situated alongside OF the
main line Of the land-grant road, but 1t Is
not of sufficient size or Importance to be
classed as station For this reason
Uncle Sam is obliged to make use OF the
crane in order to allow the residents OF
the burg to communicate with the outside
world. The crane Is generally in use
throughout the country, but never before,
to the knowledge of Mr.. Cochran, has a
case arisen through the theft of q mail
pouch from one Of them. The incoming
nail Is thrown out of the car as the train
passes the town, and at the same time the
automatic arm attached to the side Of the
car reaches out and grasps the mail sack
that was left hanging on the crane. The
trains never even slow up at Kemerer un-
less they are tagged.
Last Monday night, as was his daily Gus
tom, the postmaster hung on the crane by
the side of the railroad track the pouch
containing the outgoing mail. 1t is very
seldom that registered letters are sent out
by the Inhabitants of the town. but on this
occasion there happened to be three. The
fact that the sack had never before been
molested gives rise to the belief that the
thieves were aware that 1t contained the
registered letters. The postmaster paid no
particular attention to the pouch after
hanging 1t up. the train passed through,
and he appeared on the platform to pick up
the incoming pouch. He reached the track
just in time to see the train whizx past
and in time to notice that 1t did not pick
up the sack from the crane. Glancing at
the crane, he noticed that the pouch was
not there. He realized the state of affairs
at once. and as soon as he could commu-
nicate with a telegraph Office notified the
inspectors Office of the robbery.
Insp- ctor Sutton discovered tn. pouch hid.
den in the sage brush near the track A
slit had been cut in 1t. the mail which 1t
contained had been looted, but nothing was
missing except the three registered letters.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
GVyBOAT PRINCETON READY.
Cramps Are Rushing the Work ON tn,
Alabama.

Alabama.
PHILADELPHIA. April SIT was an
nounced today that the gunboat Princeton,
built At Dialogues ship yard. Camden. IS
finished and is ready to be turned over to
the government. 1t Is expected that the
authorities at Washington will within a
few days order her removal to the League
Island navy yard to receive her fittings and
prepare for sea
Acting under orders from Washington,
Charles Hillman & Co. of this city. who are
building the torpedo boat Mackenzie. are
proceeding with all possible haste to COM
plete the boat. A double force is at work
and 1t is expected she will be ready for
delivery to the government in less than a
month
1t is stated that the steel yacht Dorothea.
now being built at Cramps, has been Of
fered to the government by The Thomas
Mexican estate for S25O.OtO. The yacht was
ordered by Mr.. Mexican a year ago, but
market. She was given trial trip on the
Delaware river yesterday, and. under ad-
verse conditions of wind and tide. her speed
averaged fifteen knots an hour. The
Cramps claim she can make eighteen knots
under forced draught. The length of the
water line 1Is feet. She is 23.3 feet in
breadth of beam and u feet In depth of
hold, and her draught Is 10 feet. The ves-
sci has two triple-expansion engines and
Yarrow boilers capable of resisting a pres
sure Of 20 pounds of steam 10 the square
inch
The Cramps are rushing work on the big
battle ship Alabama. 1t is expected that
the Bethlehem iron works will soon begin
the delivery of her armor.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
The Indian ns an Orator.

Red Eagle, French Iroquois Indian,
who was present at the death of Sitting
Bull during the Sioux uprising in the win
ter Of 1890, described the incident at the
Volunteer barracks last night. Red Eagle
is a young man, tall and rather hand
some, in feature giving little token of hit
Indian descent.
He dresses in an Indian costume OF somt
stuff resembling buckskin, plelltffully frili-
ed and fringed about the edges and cover
cd over with fangles and bangles that Sc
of by their glitter the red and ysHow OF
his coverings. His long black hair, fall
ing loosely about his shoulders. adds
picturesque effect to his general makeup,
which. however takes one tncongruous
note from the glasses that sit astrtde nj;
nose
Red Eagle has a remarkable command o
English. His talk is bright and Favored
with q rough and ready wit that seems
to take immensely with his hearers. He IL
q type of the traditional Indian orator II
that he possesses a certain simple elo-
ouence coupled with a power OF puttint
things that hold the attention OF his audi
ence throughout
For the last seven years he has been en-
cased in missionary work, chiefly among
the Indians. Now he Is travelling In tint
interests Of the Volunteers of America.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
REPUBLlCAN CONFERENCE.
Meeting Called of Those for PROMPT
Action.

Meeting Called of Those for PrOmDt
Action.
The steering committee of the republi-
can House conference appointed Wednes-
day to canvass the situation and ascertain
how many republicans will, If the Presi-
dents message goes to Congress next
Monday, join with the democrats to secure
action upon resolution declaring for Gu
bar indep 7ndence and armed Intervention,
was called to meet at the Capitol this af-
ternoon.
Mr.. Lorrimer of Illinois, one of the active
spirits in the movement, and a member of
the steering committee. says that over 100
of the House republicans have already
agreed to act with them.
He is confident, however, that they will
not be obliged to join with the democrats
TO overrule the Speaker in order to secure
action. Il am satisfied said he, that
once we show the Speaker that we have a
majority of the republicans he will not
stand In the way.
THE Speaker has not UP to this time be-
lieved that majority of his party desired
to act, but once evidence of the fact is pre-
sented to him, 1 have the strongest rea-
sons for believing, he will bow to the will
of the majority"
Evening star., 1898-04-08
ITALIAN CRUISER COMES.
The AmerigO yespucci Reported on
Fort FOOte.

The big italian cruiser Amerigo Vespucci
was reported anchored off Fort Foote. in
the Potomac, early this afternoon, and
the police boat was sent to meet her and
IeLder whatever assistance she required.
The Amerigo Vespucci is a cadet school
ship. and is understood to be on a practice
cruise. This fact led the officials to the
belief that her destination Is Annapolis
Md, rather than Washington. She draws
about IL feet of water, and would be able
TO reach this city in case she desired to do
so.
There was considerable gossip in naval
and military circles regarding the visit of
this foreign vessel 10 this city at this
critical juncture and there are some who
indicated the belief that her presence NAV
nave an indirect bearing upon the Spanish
American situation. It was admitted by
these persons that their belief was based
on the theory that her presence at this
time was FOR the purpose of using her as
an asylum for the Spanish minister and
his staff in case 1t was found impracticable
Tor them to leave the country by the or
dinary means of travel The relations be-
tween Spain and Italy are of the friendIiest
character.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
WAR REVENUE MEASURE.
Conferences with Treasury OMcla
Re9arding n BIN.

Conferences With Treasury OMclals
Re8arding n BIN.
Tie members Of the ways and means
Committee Of the House are busily engaged
With the treasury oficials in the work pre-.
iiminary to the drafting of a war revenue
measure to be introduced in Congress i'm
mediately upon the opening Of hostilities
with Spain.
An increase in the internal revenue tax
on beer from 81 to e. barrel and a large
increase in the tax on manufactured to-
bacco. inclrding cigars and cigarettes has
been practically agreed upon. Bank checks,
bills of exchange, drafts. deeds. mortgages
and other paper of this class. patent medi-
cines and nostrums in all probability also,
will be added to the list
A. rough estimate of the receipts to be
derived fro m these sources is that the in
crease on these articles alone will approx
innate. II not exceed, $1O0.OO0O0o a year.
Beer, 1t is thought. will produce an IN
an Increase OF $s3.OO0OOo or more. and
So 100000
Another source of revenue which, It is
said, - almost certain to be availed of is
II transactions fn~railroad and other listed
stocks. l. is believed that the returns from
this source will be large. In all the fisur-
ing SO far the remaining industries and the
professions which were taxed for strictly
var revenues during the rebellion have
been left out Of the account
An Increase Of from 2 cents-to cents on
letter postage and a tax on gas and elec-
trio light has also been suggested to the
department, but these items have not yet
been considered. The increase of 1 cent an
ounce on letter postage probably would
a, gment the receipts by $S0.0OO,0O0 a ear
bill providing for a temporary loan of
800 O,O0O.O00 and a permanent loan of from
$500 0.OO0,OO0 to $500 0OO0.O 600 at per cent,
payable in coin, has been prepared by the
ways and means committee, and will be
Immediately introduced in case of war.
The whole question of the finances OF
the government, in view of probable hostil-
tiles, is being carefully considered by the
treasury officials SO that q definite and
well-thought-cut plan of operations may be
at the disposal Of Congress in case OF
need.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
GEN. BOOTH AT BOSTON.

Royal Welcome to Salvation Army
Leader at the Hub.
BOSTON, April S.-The local Salvation
Army gave General Booth a royal welcome
last night upon his arrival from Rochester,
N. Y. There were over 800 members Of
the army at the station when the train ar
rived.
General Booth was personally welcomed
by Mayor Quincy in behalf of the city. and
in the speeches which followed Gen. Booth
spoke of the threatened war between the
United States and Spain. He pleaded for a
humane settlement of the present difficulty.
Commander Booth Tucker then offered
prayer and the general was driven to the
Washington street headquarters. The SAL
vationists started on short parade and
the crowd dispersed.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
Stocks Were Dull With Slight Con-
oessions in Price.
4 PURELY PROFESSIONAL MARKET.
Rumois as to When the Presi-
dents Message Will Go In.
GENERAL MARKET REPORTS

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
NEW YORK, April s-rhe financial
world profted little by this years de-
parture from the customary celebration Of
Good Friday. Prices opened at declines
varying from u to Y per cent. and subse-
queatiy yielded under cover OF extreme
dullness.
The periods OF total inaction were fire.
quent and protracted. Concessions were
made as the only medium OF attracting Dur
chasers. Neither side gave any evidence
OF alarm. but both showed unmistakable
signs OF an unwiiltngness to extend risks
purchases were mostly made against pre-
vious sales. and sales were mostly to re-
ouce the risk In the long account Both
transactions were professional and void of
significance. The larger interests were IN
active and the market dwindled to retail
proportions, OF which caution was the pre-
dominant characteristic.
During the late afternoon. q rumor pre.
dieting q further postponement OF the
fresidents message was circulated, hut at
tracted little attention.
The effect of this report was restricted
because Of previous assurances that Con-
gress would fix Monday as the extreme
limit OF patience.
Then, too. there are many who still cling
10 the belief that Spain will grant the de-
mands OF this government and dispense
with the necessity for a message
Should the message go to Congress- ON
Monday there will be considerable surprise
In Wall street ard considerable speculatiye
disappointment. The market Is sufficiently
skeptical on tfese points 10 reflect consid-
cradle uncertainty, and until the announce
ment OF its transmission or withholding
Is made no extension OF business is likely,
The routine news today was generally
favorable In character. March earnings IN
dicated improved business in nearly all
sections. and The present month is relied
upon to duplicate the record OF its pre-
dccessor
An effort will be made during the coming
week to dispose of the rate war resulting
from the acute competition for the Klon-
dixie traffic. The Canadian Pacific will be
confronted with concerted and positive ac-
ton on the part of its American comSet-
itors.
The American Sugar Company is expected
to settle its difference with ri-al refinerics
In the near future thereby confirming to
some cegree the suspicion thac this matter
has always been within Its control
Tomorrows bank statement is expected to
show a further increase IN reserve and an
Increase OF specie holdings due to gol6 Inn
than $J0.00O.000 in god have been received
from Europe and Australia.
Tho recent action OF the Bank OF Eng
land In advancing fits discount rates is
easily explained In consequence of this
drain. Local financial institutions are in
excellent condition. and whether next
weeks developments bring war or peace
money will be abundant for whatever un-
dertakings are inspired
Evening star., 1898-04-08
HIGHWAY EXTENSION.

Bill to Be FavOrnbly Reported by the
Senate District Committee.
The Senate committee on the District Of
Columbia held long meeting today and
disposed of large number Of local meas
ures. The committee decided to report the
bill amending the highway act as approved
by the Commissioners of the District of CO.
lumbia and the board of trade.
A number of House bills, most Of which
were passed in the House of Representa-
tives Monday, were considered by the COM
mittee.
House bill 631, to confirm title to lots 13
and IA, in square $50. was adversely acted
upon. This bill was to give quit claim to
Thomas Yates. but a communication from
the War Department indicated that the
government had clear title to the property
in 1878, and that about that time 1t had
made some improvements to it, No claim,
1t was said, had been put in for this prop
erty prior to 1878, and the government
could see no reason why a title should be
given to q private individual.
House bill 1888. to authorize the reassess-
ment of water main taxes in the District
of Columbia and House bill 92O4, to reRu-
late the construction Of barbed wire fences
in the District of Columbia were both act
ed upon favorably.
Senate bill 3144, to perfect the title of
Fimetta Nalle to lots to 4, both inclusive,
u,
was acted upon favorably.
House bill 9206. to Incorporate the Wash
ington and University Railroad Company
Of the District Of Columbia, was acted upon
favorably.
House bill 1921. to regulate taxes upon
street railroads in the District Of Columbia,
received q favorable report.
House bills 1924, for the protection of
game, and G161. for the protection of fish
in the District of Columbia, both received
Endorsement.
Considered by the House Committee.
The House District committee held a sss-
sion at o'clock this afternoon and took
up the highway bill for consideration.
Commissioner Black and Mr.. Thomas, tt ;
attorney for the District, were called before
the committee and questioned at length
upon different features of the bill which
the committee desired to have explained
The committee was in session when this
report closed.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
ENGLISH IN HAVANA.

The People Do Not Like Our Lam
guaYe.
From the New York Mall and Express.
There is strong prejudice against the
English language throughout the island.
and particularly in Havana. English
schools or academies are unknown, or, If
known. are merely dragging their weary
length along. Children are forbidden by
their parents to talk English, except where
there be some financial prospect in sight,
and they obey the mandate to the very let
ter. German is frequently heard on the
street, in the theaters, and about the hotel,
ard French. which is thought by many to
be twin tongue to Spanish, but which is
not, is commonly gossiped everywhere. The
same may be said of italian. But an Eng
lish-speaking person might talk himself
deaf, dumb and blind and receive the
threadbare reply Of mo comprendo' in re-
more English spoken in the streets of Ha-
uena than at any other time IN the remem-
brance OF the most learned veteran. This Is
due to the Maine disaster, which brought
about the presence of an unusually big
colony Of not only Americans, but English
men as well.
The sign English spoken" appears in a
few shops only and they are mighty few,
and the spokesman for the establishment
has complete monopoly Of the belief that
he has mastered the tongue. His guesses
are certainly longer shots than ever ap-
peared on the blackboard at Brighton. A
former resident of Brooklyn, who estab-
lished a drug store here, has had seven
children born in Havana, and they know as
little of English es they did the day they
were born. He was asked how this could
be, and he said that his customers avoided
his store until he gave up the idea of teach
ing them his native language. 'I ought to
be ashamed of it. to be sure" he added
''but am in no position to dictate terms to
these people. My children are well adj
vanced now. and would not talk English il
they could" There Is moral in this that
does not require a sledge hammer to i'm
part. Talk any lingo under the sun in
Havana, but forswear Eugiish.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
The Oldest Lord.
From the New York Pest.

From the New York Pest.
The father Of the house Of lords" the
Earl Of Mansfield. has Just entered upon
his ninety-third year. Lord Mansfield is
the senior member Of the upper house, both
by age and succession. for. although Earl
Nelson succeeded TO the title in 1895. he
could not take hts seat until he came of
age in 1S4i, four years after Lord Mans
field had taken the oath as a peer of the
realm. the latter may claim, indeed. now
that Mr.. ViIliers has passed away, to he
the father of the entire legislature" He
was returned to the house of commons In
the unreformed parliament of 1880. and oc.
cupied seat in that chamber until his
succession to the peerage In 1870, 30 that
he has been a member Of one chamber or
the other for an uninterrupted period of
siXty-eight years. He is likewise the senior
Knight of the Thistle. having been given
the insignia of that order in 1s43.
Evening star., 1898-04-08
WAR IS CERTAIN
Continued from First Page.)

however, little delay Will be necessary In
making the arrangements for the with
drawaI of the Spanish minister and his
staff
The archives are the most extensive
branch Of the establishment, and the pack
ing and removal of these important official
documents would take day or two. Out
side of these. however, most Of the fur
nishings of the Spanish legation and the
minister's residence are part Of the lease
hold, and would not be removed. In fact,
the archives and the personal belongings
of the minister and his staff constitute
about all that would require attention in
case Of the closing of diplomatic relations.
1t is probable. In case Of the withdrawal
of the Spanish minister, that the French
ambassador, M. Cambon, will act tenn
porarily in behalf of Spain. AS stated,
however, the Spanish minister has re-
ceived positively no Information concerning
his withdrawal, and, therefore, has begun
no preparations to that end.
The minister's recent interview, published
by The Star, has now become an official
document, having been cabled by Senior
Polo to the foreign office at Madrid an
indication Of his views 1t was accompa-
MED by an expression of satisfaction at the
presented.
The minister has also taken occasion to
inform the authorities at Madrid that there
is no truth In the reports circulated there
OF serious indignities to the Spanish lega-
ton or to himself. While the-c mas been
some petty annoyance, ii has come mainly
from small children, and the minister has
given it no attention.
Americans Leaving Cuba.
Assistant Secretary Day announced this
afternoon that all the citizens OF the United
States now in Cuba who desired to leave
would positively be out of that island by
Saturday. He added that it could also be
reiterated that Consul General Lee would
leave Havana on that date. This statement
was made yesterday. but the positive re-
iteration on the day preceding the day set
shows there has been no delay in getting
the Americans of and that nothing has
developed that would keep General Lee at
Havana longer than tomorrow. Judge Day
said there had been no important COM
munication from Minister Woodford at
Madrid.