, ——~ THE YEAR BY -..-“fl FOR THE IIIIIIII BAZATTE 1.111111111113111. 30m PAPERS Sent to anv Ad dress FOR he 1-’ Ollar I A; 'MI-CATCHTCEBVEMI Depai'tment Think Spanish Fleet ' Still At Santigo. NO NEWS OFTHE SPANIARD United States Squadron 'Will Be 011‘ Santi- ago Today and if Cervera. Has Not Left It Will Immodiatly Engage the'Wily Don—Secretary Long Thinks That com- . modore Schley Will Reach the Place Before Sampson. a. .... -—..'r. 1 a.- Washington, May 24. -—According to the best informa'tjon obtainable, neither the state department nor the navy de- partment has received any advices about Cervera’s vessexs since Friday, when official confirmation came of their presence in Cuban waters. As each day passes without news of Cervena’ s departure, the interest in the coming naval comb-at increases in ad- ministration circles, and particularly among naval officers. It is the general opinion of these officers that one of the United States squadrons will be off Santiago to—day, and if Cervera has not left it will immediately engage the enemy. While nothing definite on the subject is obtainable at the navy department, there is a. general impression among naval officers not in the confidence of Secretary Long or the strategy board, that Commodore Schley will be the first to reach Santiago, and that Admi- ral Sampson is not far behind. Just how the big armor-clad fleet was divided between these two officers is quite as much a secret in Washington as anything else relating to naval af- fairs, but the general impression is that the ships were pretty evenly divided as regards’formidabiiity, Schley, perhaps, having the advantage in speed in order that 'he might reach Santiago in as shorta time as possible. It'will be Itwelve or fifteen hours after the Spanish fleet gets away! :om Santi- ago before the navy department knows of it. - One of the scout boats, formerly of the American line, will probably bring the first news to some cable sta- tion in Hayti or Jamaica. Allowing plenty of time for the run from Santiago and ample margin for delays in telegraphic transmission, the department has" figured out that it will be not more'than fifteen hours after Cervera weighs anchor before a. dis- patch noting his departure is delivered here. . That no'Suc'h' dispatch came yester- day indicates, naval ocers say, ‘that Ceraera must have been at Santiago last evening. They think he will not clear at night, and on that reason base the hope that he was still there this morning. ' The flying squadron sailed from Key West last Thursday. A _VUNPRECEDENTED GOLD HOLDINGS. I164,000,000 in Specie Now Detosited in New York Banks. New York May 24.—The associated banks of this city now hold $169,402,800 in specie according to the weekly state- ment issued on Saturday. Of this amount a prominent bank officer said yesterday probably not more than 3' per cent. is silver, the gold holdings aggre- gating $164,000,000, a larger amount of the precious metal than the local banks have ever held before. Of the total specie holdings eleven :banks hold $107,175,-3,00 divided as fol- lows: National City Bank, 828, 893, 000; National Park Ban k, $13, 494, 000; Han— over National Bank, $10,304,100; Chem- ical National Bank, $8,558,800; Import- ers' & Tr’aders National Bank, $3,555,- 000; First National Bank, $7, 501, 500; Chase National Bank, $6, 492,700; West- ‘ern National ”Bank 86, 474, 800; Bank of the Manhattan Company, $6,128,000; Na- tional Bank of the Republic, $5,457,000; Bank of America, $3,316,400. SMALLPOX ON A STEAMSHIP. l‘he Pisa, from Hamburg for New York, 0 Is Held at Halifax. Halifax, May 24.-«The steamship Pi- sa, chartered by the Hamburg-Ameri- can Steam Pa’cke‘t Company, arrived yesterday from Hamburg with 900 pas- sengers destined for Winnipeg. Dur- ing the voyage small pox raged and when the steamship put into port nine passengers were down with the dis- ease. ' The health officers ordered them into the Quarantine Hospital and all the passengers will be sent ashore for fu- migation. The Pisa will likely be held here in quarantine for a fortnigthI She is bound for New York. Texas Lawyer Assassinated. CotuIlla, Tex, May 24.—W. G. Bow- en, one of the most prominent lawyers in this town, was assassinated here last night. As he was returning to his home about 9 o’clock, he was shot twice in the-back, not over twenty steps from his house. l._r. Bower. was unarmed. So far no clue to the perpetrator has been found. If caught the assassin will , probably be lynched. Edward Bellamy’s Funeral. Springfield, Mass, May 24.—The fun- eral of Edward Bellamy, the. author of “Looking Backward,” who died Sun— day at his home in Chicopee Falls from consumption, will be held‘ on Tuesday afternoon. . Messages of condolence to the widow and brothers of the late author are ar— riving from every part of the warld. Correspondent in a Convict Camp, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, May 24.—Freeman Halstead, the newspaper correspondent, who has been sentenced to nine years‘ imprisonment for taking photographs of the fortifications of San Juan de Porto Rico, has been conveyed to a convict camp in orler to undergo his sentence. ' Oleomargarine Law: Unconstituvionalt. Washington. May 24.—The United States supreme court yesterday deCld- - ed convict-ions under the oleomargarlne laws of Pennsylvan. a and New Hamp4 shire to be inval.1‘l.«thus holding the la‘w‘s humans: ‘ :utiL-nal. ’each of 800 tons, 'Admirals Cervera. and (Samara. . sent the followingltelegrap‘i, '4 'tions to all collectors of cu 3...: . THE WAR REVENUE BILL. Chilton Makes an Extended Speech on the Measure. Washington May 24.—After the tran- saction of some routine business Mr Alliso called up the war revenue measu e‘ in the senate to-day. He announced that when the‘Senate adjourned on Friday the pending ques- tion was upon the amendment remov- ing the proposed corporation tax from certain classes of corporations which were'such in name only. He added that the reading of the bill had been com- pleted and that an agreement had been reached for the convenience of the sen- ate, first po‘consider the amendment providing for excise taxes on persons, firms, companies and corporations. That amendment, Mr. Allison thought, Mr. ought to be disposed of before the re- maining parts .of the bill were taken up. . . - Mr. Chilton of Texas delivered an ex‘ tended and carefu‘ilv written speech upon the general features of the bill. He expressed the opinion that the vast amount of money proposed to be rais-‘ ed by the pending bill would not ,be needed for the naval and miiitary oper- ations before Congress should convene next December. He did not believe, therefore, in view of the fact that the war might come to an end within a few weeks, and in view of the certainty that the situation would be cleared up materially by December 1, that it' was necessary to provide so large an amount for Ithe conduct of the war. He expressed this wil-ingness, however to join with others in furnishing ample resources for the conduct of the war until July 1, 1899. He thought it would be a mistake to appropriate an amount greater than $25,000,000 a month for war . purposes. _ , _. . . 39.3.57... -. ...-1g SPAIN’S ELHSIVE FLEET. Madrid Says It .,,3 Still at Santiago While Jamaica Her 1's It Has Left. Madrid, May 24.—The Liberal denies that Admiral Cervera's squadron has left Santiago and says it believes the warships are likely to remain there. The press urges the government to promptly assist Admiral Cervera and to do everything to incmase the perplex- ity of the Americans, retard an inva- sion of Cuba, and, perhaps, assume a holder offensive. Kingston, Jamai ova, May 24. ~—Direct Santiago advices a1e to the effect that when the Spanish fleet appeared. off that port four American cruisers (two was the original number) that were then bombarding it were compelled to retire. Admiral Cervera then realized that when the Americans, who now know his position, returned in force, he would , be in a ocket, as only one ship at a time can pass the channel. He there- upon coaled his fleet as quickly as possible and put tolsea in a northerly direction. . FRANCE AS SPAIN’S ALLY. Rumors of Impending Alliance IHeard in ' London. London, May 24.-Jrhe St. James (1.1- zette this afternoon in its financial arti- cle said: ' “In the foreign market this morning several leading dealers were said to be in possession of advance news of the forthcoming announcement of a Fran- co-Spanis'h alliance, hence the rise in- Spanish fours. “In connection with the above it is currently reported that the recent speeches of the Marquis of Salisbury and Mr. Joseph Chamberlain did not refer to West Africa, but to this im- pending alliance, against which Mr. Chamberlain’s allusion to an Anglo- .American alliance was intendedas a counter- blast. " The Si. ength of silver is attributed to the prosoective Spanish purchases to replace the withdrawals from the Bank of Spain, ’amounting to 135,000,000 pese- tas since April 16. TO CLEAN WARSHIPS HUL LS. Six Divers Have Left Washington foi Key West for This Purpose. Washington, May 24.—The navy de partment‘ has sent half a dozen divers to Key West to clean the bottoms 01 the warships. This is a temporary expedient, as it is not possible at present to dock the shipsand give them a thorough clean- ing. The divers can accomplish this clean- ing for all practical purposes, renewing the efficiency of the ships in their evo- lutions, but it will be impossible to re« paint the bottoms and thus add to the good effects of the cleaning. ANOTHER FLEET COMING. Spain Said to Be Preparing a. Third Squadron to Send Here. Gibraltar, May 24. —The Spaniards are preparing what they call a third squadron, consisting of the Princessa de Asturias, which is now at Cadiz, the Cardinal Cisneros, at Ferrol; the Nu- mancia and Vittoria, which are being newly armored and engined at Ferrol, and the torpedo boats Maria Molina, Marques Vittoria, Alvono and Bazan, and with a speed of from twenty to twenty-two knots. ' Unless America moves quickly she 'will ‘have the foregoing vessels to con- of The latter will start in a few days, proba- bly for :the An‘tilles and not the Philip- pines. ‘ tend with besides the squadrons Cooling Vessels Watched. Perth Amboy, May 24.—A strict. watch is being kept by the custom house officials 'at Perth Amboy on two barks, now loading with soft coal at . South Amboy. In spite of the fact that the shippers are well known and relia- ble, there might be dang-er of the boats turning over their coal to Admiral Cer- vera’s fleet. Tuhe barks are expected to ' clear to-day. \ . I To Cut_01‘l‘ Supplies; Washington, May 24.—Assisi retary of the Treasury S‘ lantic parts: "Before clearing any veSsel with flour 3’ or other supplies to San Juan, Porto Rico, or other Spanish West Indian ports, investigate, tvire facts ena:1e.__ —-—'-—_'__ TO MOVE 0N CUBA Vigorous Action To .‘Be Put intll' Execution At Once. s SMILES ANXIOUS. TO‘ A01 His Position Was Misrepresented ‘As Ill:- Only Protest Was Against An Expctli tion Consisting of a Few Thousanc llIen—Belaived That Everytlng is Now In Readiness for Landing of Larg: Bodies of Troops. 1 a. Washington, May 24.—The army wit postpone no longer the invasion 6f Cu. ba because of the Spanish fleet. It is expected that before the end of thI week more than half of the army now being concentrated in the South will be 81th in Cuba. or on its way. The vol- unteers mustered in now number over 110, 000, leaving but 15, 000 to be mustered in before' the completion of the numbei called for by the president. The troop: left in state camps are being rushed South, and transports are being made ready to carry them to Cuba. Something Must Be Done. The condition of the insurgents,” as well as the nod-combatants in Cuba is becoming such that they cannot b1 left unaided much longer. Asgthe wa1 is one ofmumanity, the president real- izes that something must be done tc help the sufferers. Our fleets are clos- ing about Ce‘iwera and his ships, and t . 1s no fear from that quarter in $11 to our troops. Preparations are fore being hastened for Ithe inva- siofifiof Cuba. 0 There has been a. great deal of private afid” some public criticism of Generai , Miles, based on the theory that he is standing in the way and opposing the immediate invasion of Cuba. This crit- ici-Sm, there is the besr or reason to Believe, is unjust anl based on a false assumption as to General Mile-S’s atti- tude. It is known to a. few people, al least, that General Miles has for SOlnd time been strongly in favor of a speedy and effective invasion, and that he ..as chafed at the delays attending the or-' ganiaaltion and equipment of the volun- teer army. That he is. accused of ad- vocating delay is merely an e -dence oi the fact Ithat he has not been taking into his confidence any one outside the department. The difference of opinion which‘AIhas existed has been as to the character of the invasion to be made. 'Wanted a Large Army. General Miles has earnestly and de- termined-1y opposed sending a _ few thousand men to Cuba with a great .quantity of stores and equipment trust- ing to the support which might be giv‘ en lthem by the Gomez army. He has " taken the ground .that it would be un- . wise' to send so small a force; that it would endanger the lives of the few thousand meng'possibly resulting in our stores falling into the hands of the ene- my, and thus giving them the supplies which Spain is unable to furnish, and . that it would do very little toward Ihas-t~ ening a condlusion of the war, even ii the men were able to defend themselves and their stores. He has advocated, ii is asserted, an immediate invasion oi the island with a force of between Sev- enty and one hundred thousand men and that this force should be landed as nearly as possible at the sa. e time at different points. It is said t at he has insisted that transports enough should be pnovided to land eighteen or twenty thousand men at a time in quick suc- cession, with abundant stbres. Everything Ready Now. It is believed now that everything is in readiness for the invasion and that General Miles is not advising postpone- ment until fail, as 'has been asserted It is generally conceded now that had a. force of but a few thousand been landed in Cuba to establish a base oi supplies they would not have been ef- fectively supported by the insurgents, and Ithat a large Spanish army could have been concentrated in an attack upon them, which in all probability would have been disastrous. The in. surgent army, whatever, its size is, 11m doubtedly is greatly in need of provis- ions, arms and ammunition, but appar- ently is unable to assist .zs much in getting Ithe needed relief to them. MATTERS BEFORE CONGRESS. Bill in the Senate Concerning Army Ofll cers' Retirement. Washington, May 24. —Senator Chan. dler to- day introduced this bill in the senate: “That during the war with Spain the , president be, and he hereby is, author- ized in his discretion to place upon the retired list any ofi‘icer in fithe'army above the rank of lieutenant colonel, _ ' and any officer in the navy above the rank or relative rank of commander, and to fix in his discretion as the re- tired pay of any such officer any rate now by law provided for officers retired for any of the various causes for re- tirementfand the president may fill . every vacanby happening through re- tiremeht by promotion through selec- tion and not according to seniority." A communication was received in the senate from Secretary of War Alger to- gether with a. draft of a bill providing for a gradual increase in the number of officers of the corps of engineers. The bill provides that the corps of engineers of the army shall hereafter consist of one chief engineer, with rank of brigadier general; seven . colonels, fourteen lieutenant colonels, twenty- eight majors, thirty-five captains, thir- ty first lieutenants, twelve second lieu- tenants and the battalion of engineers All promotions shall be made by sen- ‘ iority. The communication and bin were referred to the military,affairs committee. ' The House to- day passed the Senate bill providing for the payment of vol- ‘ unteers from their enrolment and au- thorized the secretary of war to pay troops embarking for Manila one month f . in advance. . Buoys Removed at Cadiz. , Eondon, May 24. --Lloyds agent at Ca- about the. harbor have been removed; that the lights have been extinguished and that vessels are. not allowed 'to en- . ter or leave “It. ‘night. coriirfiendatlons to department". ~11, ’toria were burning people’s .the same conditions. jits track by the friction . wind produced. . and heat. ' through the half-scorched prairies as ' fields and darkening the. STRICKEM BY HEAT LAT: DETAILS OF THE HOT WAVE In AUSTRALIA. Frightful- Sights Amid the Sufi‘dérs 0: Sydney —-At Ihe Melbourne Observatory 109. 5 Degrees lVeie Registered Undo! Set ere Shade. ' A weird story of aridity, where 111? _ is usually parched and dry, where men d1 op“ dead with thirst and fishes perish in the shallow 'lakes in the city park: and birds fall stricken from the skies comes from far off Australia. It'is an annual event at the Anti. podes,'r'where the -24th. of Decembez corresponds with our longest day in midSummer. Christmas in Australia is the. season of ifltense heat. But this year the terrific hot wave was a. little later than usual, though when it came it transformed the greate1 part of the continent‘into a. hot oven and baked men’s skin like bread. Forthe term of two weeks succeed- ing December 30th, the pavements in cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Vic- feet Horses were struck dead under the sun’s rays as with a shock of electric ity; and oh the cattle and shee] ‘ ranges hundreds of thousands of ani. mals perished in consequence" of the « springs and creeks running dry. » Al the Melbourne Observatory, 107.3 de grees were registered under sever: sh de, a record .which was increasei’ two days later to 109.5 degrees under At a gazabc of a town, called Omeo, perched in the winds of that sweltering land, the rec- ord was 105 degrees, while at a certain part of the wen settled colony of Vic toria the shade Was no less than 111 degrees. , Nor was this unprecedented At a place,called Croki, in 1896, thI temperature was 121 degrees and a1 Perth it was 117 degrees. A writer in descantlng on this drought says, “The earth seemed to faint under the white, blinding skies. The harvests shrivelled.’ The 01'- chards with all their 'leafy' ‘promisa were smitten as with the blast of a fur» nace; the grass turned to dust ovex the wide plains; a lurid haze covered the country and the sun was like an adobe of blood.” It is stated that grapes were actually cooked upon the stems of the vines on which they grew; and all human activity. was sus- pended in the public omces and on government contracts for four hour: each day. ' The heat was so thorough. ly oppressive that men could do little more than lie down or immerse them selves in cool waters during the day. During a single day the 410,000’inhabi-, tants of Sydney consumed 19, 500, 00l gallons of water or almost fifty gal- ldns per head, the average consump tion for New York in 'a. day Of corre- sponding summer heat being eighteen gallons per capita with our thousand: of factories in full blast. During this period which last: without intermission for two weeks 01 more, bathing is most necessary in order to avoid sunstroke. The streets Of Sydne, are kept washed down with water eachday in a constant effort to lower the .blistering temperature. This, however, does not satisfy the in« habitants, and thecity authorities have to shut off the water supply for severa; hours each day in order to prevenl' waste, the people being thus put upon short commons in the. public interest much as a ships’ ofliCers stint the sup. ply of previsions in a shipwreck. The mortality in Sydney especially among babies isiunprecedentedly high during this annual visitation of sunstroke which cuts off the very old and youna . and neither spares man 01' beast or liv: ing thing. Last year the heat, while greatest in. New South Wales was also general throughout Australia; but the capric- i‘ousness of the climate was so variable this year that while hor"ses were smite ten and mad dogs foamed in the streets of Sydney or cattle fell dead in the neighboring pastures, there was a de- luge of rain in Brisbane; and the sew- ers and waterworks burst with the pressure of'rainfall. In other words, while five of the six colonies of the Queen were being‘ roasted, and when men could only venture into the harvest fields by moonlight to save the rem- nant of the blighted crops the sixth colony was inundated with water to_ ‘such an extent of humidity that most of the farm craps were levelled down and rotted in the floods.‘ There was constant high winds all over the Island continent in this sense, however, that while a tornado of wind and rain were pelting themselves over, Queensland with the fury. characteris tic of warm southern count1 1es—de stroying crops and demolishing sheep farms en route—there was a very dif- ferent sort of a storm in Victoria and New South Wales. An unusual feat- ure of the hot wave that prevailed in these latter provinces was that a high wind resembling a blast from the fiery hosts of Hades blew over the country, reaching a velocity of fifty or severity five miles an hour. It was a wind that caught the fumes and glow of the parched plains and of the burning sands over which it swept being here and there fanned into a more furious , degree. of insufferable and oppressiVe dryness, by the frequent b1u-sh fires that were spontaneously geneiated in which the Most of‘ those b1 us‘u fires were the direct result cf the wind Once started they rushed would a. fire through dry tow, gather ing up dust from the baked and blazing skies for hundreds of miles with blinding doc. I. ' ‘of Smoke, and which after envelonlng '3 diz announces that the buoys in and the country were still t1:'.ce3.1';i e in the ‘ atmosphere at‘a distance of some two hundred miles on sea. . ‘ .. Mexico has had fir t‘y-five 't’leSuiellii ‘ ' since 1821. 7.
Norwalk Chronicler