The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-07
YESTERDAYS DEVELOPMENTS.


becoming more accentuated- No
fears are entertained for the per-
sOnaI safety of the Queen Regent
ana her SON, but it is thought they
cannot remain much longer in the
country. Reports of serious riots
continue to reach the outside
world, despite the severe censor
ship. Senior Moret, minister of the
colonies, who was so bitterly de-
nOunced after the defeat of the
fleet in Manila bay, made a speech
i'm the Cortes last night, in which
he condemned the attempt to make
the crown responsible for the ex-
listing situation. He was enthusf-
asticaIIy appIauded. The Span
iards are rapidly fortifying the
Canary islands, and are cOnfscat-
ing property OF British subjects.
The Lafayette, French line
steamer, was captured by United
States war ships while trying to
run the blockade after being fair
Iy warned not to enter Havana
harbOr. The steamer was taken to
Key West by a prize crew, but was
released last night on orders from
Washington, the seizure having
been the result OF somebody's
bIunder. few days ago the
French legation secured permis-
sion from the State Department for
the steamer to discharge her pas
seRgers and mail at Havana, with
the understanding that she would
leave at once. Instructions in ac-
cordance with this agreement
were sent to Admiral Sampson, but
not delivered. Amy international
difficulty that might have resulted
by the seizure OF the steamer has
been nverted by her prompt re-
lease. She was escorted back to
Havana last night by a EunbOat.
Some of the continental powers,
1T is stated, have again sounded"
the British government ns to
whether it would join I'm a soon
cert" to stop the war. According
to reports, the british Ministry re-
fused TO listen TO any such prOpO-
sitiOn. Instead, the naval authOri-
ties are said to have given orders
to commission more battle ships.
All reports as to Intervention are
discredited at Washington, as
none of the foreign representa-
tives there has been approached
on the subject. One diplomatic says
nothing is yet officially known
that could be used as a basis for
European interference.
Some of Admiral SIMPSONS ofn-
GERS are weary of the monOtOny of
maintaining a pacific blockade of
Cuban ports, and hope they will
soon be given a chance to turn the
big guns of their ships loose ON
Havana or other fortified cities. A
few officers think the cruisers and
battle ships should be sent to
Spanish waters to give battle to
the enemy at home.
In n speech at the closing of the
Reichstag Emperor William said
Germany would remain neutral,
but would protect German conn
merce from injury.
A rumor was current in London
been notified by the Washington
naval strategic board to remove
all British subjects from the Ca
nary islands. This story led to an
other rumOr that Admiral Sampson
intended to seize the Canaries and
make them the base of operations
against Spain. The rumOrs had no
foundation, for the naval authori-
ties of the United States are not
publishing their plan of opera
tiOns.
At the Cabinet meeting the Pres
ident expressed himself as Op-
posed to comforting brigadier gem
era1ships on persons without mill
tary experience. MIR. Mckinley
also announced that he had been
Informed the Senate commit
tee ON finance would report back
the war revenue bill with the bond
provision eliminated. If the Sem
ate passes the bill without the
loan feature the government will
be seriously crippled in carrying
on the war.
An order has been issued form
ing the regular and volunteer
forces into seven army corps.
Major Generals Wheeler and Lee
and Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt
have taken the oath.
The Senate has passed a bill to
increase by fifteen the number OF
surgeons in the army, and to au-
thOrize the employment of as
many contract surgeons as may be
necessary. The pay of the latter
must not exceed $3.50 "a month.