17 Mar 1898
Page 1
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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Mar 17, 1898
Page
1
A decisive action today signals to the nation that preparations for war are imminent as the bill to place the army on a war footing has been completed and will be introduced and pressed through Congress without delay.
Washington anxiously reports expanded U S army to 106090 men with plans for 104000 on war footing. Congress to consider a three battalion army bill. Miles led inquiry results and coastal defenses are scrutinized as Cuba tensions rise. Steamer Fern to replace cruiser at Havana. court of inquiry secrecy shrouds its intent.
Major General Nelson A. Miles, head of the U S Army, inspected Long Island defenses and reported to President McKinley that New York is absolutely safe from foreign invasion. He toured Fort Schuyler, Willets Point, and key emplacements, noting thorough preparations along Narrows and Bundy Hook. He returned to the city confident in the metropolis’s security.
The warship Amazonas, built for Brazil but bought by the United States, will be formally transferred at a U S government facility near Geashores. Lieut Commander Colwell will relieve the Brazilian commander, a San Francisco crew will board, and the Brazilian crew will be landed. The Amazonas will sail to the United States under sealed orders for the North American station.
The Spanish fishing smack Carmen, detained for navigation law violations, was towed into Punta Gorda by the U B Revenue Cutter Forward after an intercept off Tampa. General Rogers sent an officer aboard. the vessel had stayed 24 hours without reporting to customs and was turned over to the deputy collector of customs. Michigan Senator Says Congress Must Not Adjourn. United States Senate debate dominated headlines.
Senator Jus C Anierows voices that the Maine disaster demands a firm response from Congress. He argues Spain bears responsibility for the ship’s destruction in Havana and urges no adjournment until all facts are known and the crisis is resolved. He warns against shirking duties or granting sweeping powers to the president.
A semi official note from Madrid today says Spanish technical officers inspecting the scene of the Maine disaster find it to be an internal accident. American claims are deplored as misleading public opinion and hindering friendly Franco American relations. If the Armorican commission reports an external explosion, Spaniards will reject indemnity demands associated with that finding.
Washington reports the treasury will cable Rothschilds in London with $1,659.42 as full payment for the Brazilian cruiser Amazonas and part payment for the Abreall. The first disbursement under the act providing $50,000 for national defense is $143,005 executed by the treasury department. Twelve rapid-fire guns with mounts and ammunition are priced at $21,000 each totaling $252,000 for the two guns.
London March 7 American and English bankers here expect war between Spain and the United States to be avoided. Conservative men deem hostilities unlikely as Rothschild influence, notably in Paris and Madrid, is said to be exerted for a peaceful diplomatic settlement.
A Roume dispatch reports Italian minister Admiral Brin told Spain's ambassador Count de Bonemer that Spain's bid for three warships will be on the agenda at the next cabinet meeting.
A Rome dispatch reports March 17 that the Italian government sold the cruiser Veraz to Spain. The sale follows ongoing wartime funding and defense realignments in Europe, with Spain acquiring a modern warship from Italy’s fleet.
London reports Admiral Boin’s ambiguous reply suggests the United States purchased the Italian armored cruiser Carlo Alberto. The ship, 6,209 tons, 35 feet beam, built Spezia 1896, speed 20 knots, carries a heavy armament and torpedo tubes. Rest and orders awaited at Key West amid cheers.
Mrs. Thurston wife of Senator Thurston of Nebraska died in Havana Sagua la Grande after witnessing starving reconcentrados. She wore an American flag over her heart and spoke of her grief for her children. Col Myron M Parker described conditions in Cuba with warehouses of starving women and children, reconcentration, and Spanish abuses.
Special commissioner vanander W. 52a fisen of the navy department arrived to inspect and select for purchase warships from foreign powers. He stated satisfaction that the American government had purchased Brazilian cruisers Amazonas and Admiral Abreu Brown and he went promptly to the United States embassy.
A photograph from Sagua la Grande shows a mother and child in a camp deteriorating under harsh conditions. The image, drawn by a State Journal artist from a New York Journal correspondent’s photo, conveys the tragedy and hardship endured by civilians in the area.
Navy official Hubert Gracey Denig of Columbus is named to lead the American line steamship St Louis if transformed into an auxiliary cruiser. He has prepared to leave Newport training station on short notice. At Wilmington, work accelerates on torpedo boat Strumabam and Betts’ machine shop gear for 200 machines for several navy yards. Surgeons consider converting the Grand Duchess into an ambulance ship, but boiler shortages halt full adaptation for now.
Secretary Alger reports an urgent request for more surgeons in the army medical corps. He notes the need to add to artillery forces and to garrisoned posts. Several posts with full regiments lack free medical officers, harming military readiness.
March 7 in Galveston Texas reports Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe asked to bid on transporting U S troops from Fort Sam Houston to Galveston. The Santa Fe also considered a bid to haul coal to West Virginia for the United States government.
Kansas City dispatch reports Battery B of the Fourth Artillery, newly stationed at Fort Riley, leaving by rail for the south via the Kansas City route. The unit recently rode through the night, moving from Fort Riley to join southern duties as mobilization progresses.
Mohtoe Virginia troops depart Fort Riley at 10 wellock amid town interest. Batteries split into two train sections for horace and baggage, cartons for gum and cartoons, tourist cars for enlisted men and officers. First section heads south at 7 am, second tomorrow morning. Battery B to New Orleans via Illinois Central. Battery F to Savannah via Central of Georgia. Memphis transfer planned.
Three tramps including an old man and two boys attacked a Union Pacific train end near Manhattan. A revolver fired near porter W. Parks by a youth failed as a rock struck the assailant, and the trio fled over a river embankment. Conductor Griffith, praised as brave, chased them off and saved the crew. Nichols Shoe Store on Kansas Avenue closed by mortgagee agent L. Blackman.
In Washington this morning at 8 15 Bruce the register of the treasury for many years died at his home. The notice notes his rise from slave parentage and marks his public service in the Treasury followed by a brief obituary summary.
Virginia March 1 1841 Blanche K Bruch moved from Mesassipsi to Missouri then back to Mississippi Valley in 1863. He served as state senate sammit arms, Holl var county tax collector, levee commissioner, and was elected senator in Congress for Perth from 1875 to 1841. In May 1851 he was appointed register of the treasury. His death followed stomach bleedings and failing vitality after a race lecture on The Races Problem.
Washington march 17 T V Powderly was confirmed by the senate yesterday in executive session by 42 to 20. Senator Chandler, the only Republican oppose, while many Democrats praised Powderly. Hanna argued there was no collusion with Republicans andPowderly had backed the anti labor elements during the campaign. Chandler and Stewart attacked his record on a financial question and Stewart read a Powderly letter from the campaign era.
Fire today toppled the two main columns supporting the Coliseum entrance in Chicago. ER Baker died and John Ries Seuyeral was fatally injured, while several workers were lightly hurt during cleanup.
Mourners gathered at St Marys Church Highland Park Chicago for services honoring Sir W. F. White passenger traffic manager of the Santa Fe general offices. Interment followed at the suburb. Attending from the offices were General Passenger Agent Wt. Hinck Land Commissioner John E. Frost and F. S. Savage with Ryan Davis of the passenger department.
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