Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1898 — Page 6

SHIPS ARE SMASHED

Cervera’s Famous Fleet Reduced to Ruined Hulks. 1 ' MATY’S NOBLE WORK. American Ouns Prostrate Dons’ Desperate Das!) for Liberty. BAB DAY FOR SPAIN. MO Killed, IM Wounded and I,WO, laeluding Cervera, Captured. r* Hurricane of Shot and Shell Too Mnoh for the Flower of the Spanish Navy i —Armada Meets It 9 Doom Within I Sight of Morro Castle-Enemy's 1 Flagship Undergoes a Fearful Fire, and Finally Gives Up Dramatic Details of a Most Dramatic BattleOther War News.

Washington special: The complete annihilation of the Spanish squadron at Santiago and the capture of the Spanish admiral Cervera, with 1,000 prisoners; the demand by Gen. Shatter for the surrender of Santiago within twenty-four hours on pain of bombardment; word from Admiral Dewey that the Ladrone Islands have been captured, that a Spanish gunboat had surrendered, that 100 or more Spanish officers and men were taken and that our first Philippine expedition bad landed—this is in part the thrilling record of such * sn Independence Day as has not been known since the bells of Independence

BEAR ADMIRAL W. T. SAMPSON.

fiall rang out the tidings of American freedom. It was a day when one momentous event followed another in constant and rapid succession, each hour bringing forth some new feature more atartling than auything that had gone before. Three of the Spanish cruisers that were bottled up in Santiago harbor and two torpedo boot destroyers were pounded into helpless hulks by the guns of Admiral Biirnpsou’s fleet in a Vain attempt to escape from the harbor. The, vessels were beached in a last effort to save as many «f the lives of the crews ns possible. Admiral Cervera, on board the Cristobal Colon, headed his fleet in the attempt to get away at about half past 9 o’clock. Sol little were the Ahierieans expecting the clash that the flagship New York was cruising up the coast to the east, and returned only in time to see the finish of the fight and to tire a shot or two at the torpedo boat destroyers. The lowa, Indiana, Oregon, Massachusetts, Texas, Brooklyn and the converted yacht Gloucester formed in position to give battle ns soon as the Colon was sighted rounding the wreck of the Merrimac. iCervera headed to the west, the Colon in ,the lend, followed by tlie Vizcaya and (Oquendo and the destroyers, all firing ITapidly. All of the American battleships ispened fire at once and the Spanish were coon in a hurricane of shot and shell, but the Colon kept on bravely till when about ten miles to the westward of Morro Castle Admiral Cervera turned his vessel to the shore and beached her. She was blazing in a score of places, but her guns kept «t work mid the white flag never showed ,®ntil she was completely disabled. The Oquendo and Vizcaya were opposed ti» the lowa, Texas and Indiana, and went down to defeat With fearful swiftaess, covering only about half the distance made by the Colon before their capv tains ran them ashore. Their crews fought , with desperate bravery, but their courqge

vcas no match for the coumge of our uien, added to their superb gunp*ry. The Bpanish Bhell went wild for the most part, but ♦he American guu tire wns 'marked by merciless precision. The two cruisers, froth on fire, were beached not more than jOcc-quarter of a mile apart. 1 The most dramatic feature of the battle (Was the contest between the torpedo boat destroyers and the Gloucester. The latter was struck several times, and is the only American vessel reported damaged. 'At first the fired upon them /with her six-pounders, but they ran past frer and engaged the battleships. Finding | jihe fire too hot they turned and attacked! ithe Gloucester again uutil both destroyers, jure re afire and had to be beached. Their' crews threw themselves into the surf to save their lives. Just before this the Mew York came up and assisted in giving Ibe finishing blow to the destroyers. There was explosion after explosion from the frtttehod vessels. It was at first reported pibat Admiral Cervera was dead, but this jwas afterward denied. • The story of the day is Weil told in the Cffiiial dispatches from Sampson, from 4 ■hotter and from Dewey. Stirring as (they ali are that of Sampson was aeeord■ai the honor of chief importance. It is os ffrUjerwa, dated Pisya del Bate: T ‘TPha fleet under my command offers Ifrs nation as a Fourth of July present pie destruction of the whole of Gervera’a peat Not one escaped. It attempted to,

escape at 9:80 a. m., and at 2 p. m. the j last, the Cristobal Colon, had run ashore six miles west of Santiago and had let down her colors. The Infanta Maria Te- | resa, Oquendo and Viscaya were forced ashore, burned and blown up within twenty miles of Santiago; the Furor and Pluton were destroyed within four miles of the port. Loss, one killed and two wounded. Enemy’s loss probably several hundred from gun-fire, explosions and drowned. About 1,300 prisoners. Including* Admiral Cervera. The man killed was George H. Ellis, chief yeoman of the Brooklyn. f SAMPSON.”

DECLINED TO SURRENDER, Tornal's Reply to General Shatter’* Demand for Capitulation. Gen. Shatter’s strong position was shown in a series of dispatches. The one that gave the situation most concisely was to the effect that Shatter had demanded the surrender of Santiago on pain of bombardment. Thereupon the foreign consuls at Santiago made a joint representation, requesting that women and children in the city have twenty-four hours to withdraw before the bombardment should begin. TJ|e Spanish general declined to surrender at the time first set by Shatter. The following is the reply of Gen. Tornal, commanding Fourth Spanish corps at Santiago to Gen. Shatter’s demand to surrender: “Sir—l have the honor to reply to your communication of to-day, written at 8:30 a. m, and received at 1 p. m., demanding the surrender of this city; on the contrary case anouncing to me that you will bombard this city, and that I advise the foreign women and children that they must leave the city before 10 O’clock to-morrow morning. It is my duty to say to you that this city will nofetaurrender, and that I will inform the foreign consuls and inhabitants of the contents of your message.”

FOOD FOR VULTURES. Gruesome Scenes on the Battlefield After Saturday'e Fight. Among the Spanish dead and wounded after Saturday’s fight were found the bodies of Gen. Vara Do Rey and his brother, and dose by were lying three of the general’s aids, desperately wounded.! Beside the wounded aids were the bodies*' of two other Spanish officers who had been killed in the same storm of American ballets. As a press correspondent approached the body of Gen. Vara De Bey, a pair of vultures arose from it and leisurely sailed away to finish their meal by devouring th* remains of some unfortunate of less exalted rank than the Spanish commander. Upon the body of the general were found papers describing the fortifications and plans of defense, copies of which were turned over to Gen. Garcia. DEWEY’S ASSISTANCE ARRIVES. Charleston Captures the Ladrone Island Town En Route. Admiral Dewey’s telegram to the Navy Department is given out. It is dated at Hong Kong and Cavite, and says: “Three transports and the Charleston arrived yesterday. The Charleston captured Guam, Ladrone Islands, on June 21. No resistance. Brought Spanish officers from the garrison—six officers and fifty-four men—to Manila. On June 29 the Spanish gun vessel Leyte came out of a river and surrendered to me, having exhausted her ammunition and food in repelling attacks by the insurgents. She had on board thirtytwo officers and ninety-four men, naval and military. DEWEY. ”

BETTER THAN GLORY. Sampson’s Men Will Get a Substantial Aniout of Hard Cash. The men of Admiral Sampson’s fleet will get something else besides glory as payment for their work ot, destroying the Spanish fleet. A considerable amount of hard cash will be theirs. For every naan on the Spanish warships at the time of uttaek our sailors will receive SIOO bounty. There were about 1,700 men on Cervera’s ships when the battle began. The officers and men of our navy will consequently divide up over $170,009. SPAIN’S POWI.R NO MORE. The Parla “Temp*” Says Her Naval Power Is Gone Forever. The Paris Temps, cgßUMUting upon the destruction of Admiral Cervera’s squadron, says that Spain’s naval power is no more. It adds: “We are bound to draw from the event the lessons it contains. Everybody sees them. Nobody is unaware of the cruel, imperious obligations imposed by the great disaster. Spain must not lose a moment in negotiating for peace.” THEY WANT PEACE. Barcelona Paper Faya that' Spaln’a ’• Honor” Has Been * ntlsfied. The Barcelona Dinrio publishes a Strong article in favor of pence, in the course of whieh it says: “National honor being satisfied, nothing compels us to continue the

ADMIRAL CERVERA.

unequal struggle. Those who direct the combat ought to put an end to the dnel ■ when it becomes naturally impossible for one of the combatants to continue.” . v ■ i. Protects a Spanish Captain. Admiral Dewey lias taken under his protection the captain of the Spanish revenue cutter Callao, who was sentenced to be shot because he did not fight the entire Amercian fleet with his frail Vessel. 1 Ooa. Vara Da Hey Killed. Dispatches from Santiago aay Gen. Vara de Bey was kilkd in an attack on Caney, and that two orTJnarta’ aids were also killed.

The Old, Old Story—“l Didn’t Know It Was Loaded!” —Chicago Tribune.

CERVERA’S SHIPS. They Curried a Total 0f2,087 Men, and Were Valued at 912,700,000. An official statement gives tbc following interesting information: The crews of the ships forming the Spanish squadron under command of Cervera were ns follows: Vizcaya, 500; Oquendo, 500; Infanta Maria Teresa, 600; Cristobal Colon, 450; Pluton, about 70; Furor, about 67; total, 2,087. Sampson captured 1,300. The killed and missing Spanish number 787. The total cost of the Spanish fleet destroyed at Santiago was about $12,700,000. It was composed of the flower of the Spanish navy. Four of the ships, the Infanta Maria Teresa, tl* Almirante Oquendo, the Vizcaya and the Cristobal Colon, were armored cruisers, and among the finest ships of that class in the world. The remaining two, the Pluton and the Furor, were splendid Clydebank torpedo boat destroyers, very fast and of the most modern kind. - HONOR FOR SAMPSON. President McKinley and Fecretary Long Express a Nation’s Gratitude. Following are copies of messages sent to Admiral Sampson upon receipt of his official report: You have the gratitude and congratulations of the whole American people. Convey to your noble officers and crews, through n hose valor new honors have been added to the American navy, tihe grateful thanks and appreciation of the nation." (Signed.) Wtn. McKinley. The following was also sent: The Secretary of the Navy sends yon and every officer and man of your fleet, remembering equally your dead comrades, grateful acknowledgment of your heroism and skill. All honor to the brave men. You have maintained the glory of the American navy. (Signed.) John D. Long.

SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. The Spanish General Linarea Badly Hurt in the Santiago Battle. *Gen. Linares, commander of the Spanish forces about Santiago, was so seriously wounded during the fighting that he had to retire. Gen. Linares was inspiring his men to bravery by his own actions, when he was struck by a bullet and fell from bis horse to the ground. He wus surrounded immediately, and while the Spaniards were fighting fiercely to keep the Americans back, he was carried to a point of tomporary safety in the city by members of his staff. Gen. Vara del Rey at once assumed command of the Spanish soldiers. INTENSE HEAT AT CAMP ALGER. Number of McnrFuccnmb During Muster and Ispection. The regular monthly inspection and mustei; of the troops at Camp Alger waa held Thursday morning. The men were in heavy marching order, and a great nufeijier succumbed to the terrific heat. Drdl was suspended in the afternoon, the menacing given an opportunity to get • much-needed rest. As soon ag proper transportation hus been arranged a wholesale movement of troops south is expected.

Played Lively Air*. When the news of the disaster of the Spanish fleet reached the troops in front of Santiago, which was during a period of truee, the regimental band that had managed to keep its instruments on the line, played "The Star-Spangled Banner” and “There’ll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town To-Night.” Miles’ Plans Unchanged. The news of the victory at Santiago does not affect the plans of Maj. Gen. Miles for going to southern Cuba. He telegraphed to Gen. Shatter that he expected to be with him within one week, with strong re-enforcomenta. r The American Loose*. The Spanish ministry makes the statement that the aggregate American losses in the lighting around Santiago Friday and Saturday were 2,000 killed and wounded. The Spanish Losses. A dispatch from Halifax saya a cablegram from the British consul places the Spanish losses, killed and wounded, ip the Santiago fight of Friday and Saturday, at 2,600 men. O?Will Ask for Negro Force*. Secretary Alger will send to Congress an application for authority to enlist 25,000 negro soldiers, in case he deems it taecessary to increase the present force. Shatter fuller* from Heat. Gen. Shatter suffered greatly from heat prostration, and did not taste food for four days.

SPAIN’S FOURTH OF JULY.

FROM THE FRONT.

Lieut. Carranza is mysteriously missing from Montreal, Que. A great military hospital under tents is to be established at Fort Monroe. Steamer Valencia, with 700 Dakota troops, sailed for Manila Tuesday. Commodore Schley’s flying squadron has been merged into the fleet under Admiral Sampson. Government paymasters arrive at Chickamauga Wednesday with money for the volunteers. London journals speak in highest praise of the bravery shown by the United States troops in Cuba. A balloon ascended from the American camp and made a reconnoissance of the enemy at a considerable elevation. It was published in London that the United States has purchased five ocean liners of 7,000 tons each in Europe. Flans are being hurried to move the First army corps, ordered South from

BRIGADIER GENERAL LAWTON. Commanding the Second Division of Shafter’s Army the first to laud.

Chickamauga, and Gen. Brooke is to command. Weather bureau officers left Galveston to establish stations along the Caribbean Sea, to notify the fleet of approaching storms. A force of 30,000 men is to be kept constantly on our Southern coast to serve a« re-enforcements for our troops in CubcJ if needed. It has been decided at Washington that no war revenue stamps are needed for money orders, the extra charge being made at the time of issue. It is reported from London that the Spanish Government is preparing to send additional troops to Porto Rico by the fastest steamers available. The War Department has instituted * system of bulletins for the benefit of the pnblic, giving quick and concise information of importhnt happenings. The London Daily Mail says that the United States must hold the Philippines to prevent a wild scramble for coaling stations among the European powers. The Attorney General of Great Britain has ruled that in evicting the Spanish spies from Canada the Canadian government is not liable to be sued for damages. The defenses of Santiago are characteristically Spanish, consisting, as they do, of lines of barb-wire fence back of which arc rifle pits and then block houses or forts. An island known ns the Marcus of Weeks, between Honolulu and the Philippines, flies the United States flag and has been offered to this country as a coaling station. k White at Honolulu an American flag was presented to the cruiser Charleston by the Queen Dowager Kapiolani of Hawaii, in token of friendship for the United States. The Madrid story that the South and Central American republics are about to form an alliance against the United States is pronounced absolutely false by diplomatic representatives of those countries in Washington. Peace or war Is the all-absorbing topic at Madrid, and the desire for peace on any terms seems to be unanimous among the masses of thef people, as continuation of the war will practically result in national destruction. It is reported from Madrid that Premier Sagasta is planning to provoke a crisis, form a military ministry, proclaim the whole of Spain in a state of siege and appeal to a friendly nation, prohaMy France or Russia, to secure terms of

BIG BATTLE FRIDAY

Combined Attack by Our Army and Navy on Santiago. FIGHTING IS FURIOUS "i—ptinfi Hammers Forts While ShJ ter Advances Upon the City. Dm. Shatter's Dispatch Announcing the Assault Set All Washington A thrill with Excitement—Cubans Do Splendid Fighting and Spaniards Resist Desperately-Lawton Makes First Advance and Takes Cabona— Cervera hires Upon the Advancing Troops.

Washington special: “The battle has begun.” This was the startling news conveyed in a dispatch received from Gen. Shatter at 10 o’clock Friday morning. Secretary of War, Washington: Camp, near Sevilla, Cuba —Action now going on. The firing only light and desultory. Begun on the right , near Caney, Lawton’s division. He will move on the north part of the town of Santiago. SHAFTER, Major General. Brief as it was, it told the whole story that the first shots of the long-expected crash of arms, probably the first great land engagement of the war, was under way. It sent a thrill through official circles, from the highest to the lowest. Secretary Alger was the first to read it. He passed it to Gen. Corbin, adjutant general of the army, and directed him to take it at once to the White House. Gen. Corbin went to the President, carrying the original dispatch. The President eagerly took the message from Gen. Corbin’s hand, while at the same moment the latter, almost out of breath, gasped: “The battle’s on and the enemy is retiring.” - “That’s good!” ejaculated the President, joyfully, and the anxious look on his face faded away as he read the brief but pointed dispatch from Shafter. The news spread through the corridor, and a wave of aweiike agitation and expectancy took hold of every one. A great crowd of correspondents struggled about the bulletin board, messenger boys dashed off with dispatches, the clerks, men and women, turned from their desks and gathered at the doorways. Up to noon Friday hard fighting all along the American lines was reported. Geh. Lawton advanced and took possession of Cabona, a suburb of Santiago. The Spaniards made a desperate, though ineffectual, resistance. The Spanish fieet in the harbor fired qp the American troops, who were very close to the city. Gen. Garcia’s Cuban patriots fought in the front ranks and did splendid work, Morro Castle and the other forts at the entrance of the harbor were bombarded by our fleet. The Vesuvius used her dynamite guns with good effect. Gen. Shafter cabled Gen. Miles that he was leading thfl United States troops before Santiago in person. The American army after a furious fight lasting all day, drove the Spaniards intc the city of Santiago, and at night the American troops encamped near the trenches and on the outpost, held in the morn teg by Spaniards. victory was most complete. The Americans drove the enemy from Caney, destroyed tfie Spanish fort at that place and occupied the village Another division captured the heights of San Juan. The losses of Americans were heavy, numbering about 1,000 killed and wounded. Comparatively few were killed outright, a majority of American losses consisting of wounded. The Spanish loss was heavy. The Americans attacked the Spanish from three directions. Lawton fend Wheeler's forces nssailed Caney. Northeast of Santiago Kent’s men advanced on Aguadores, Garcia and the Cubans attacked Cilney from the southeast and divisions of the army advanced, upon Santiago from the east. The Americans presented a solid front from the const to Santiago, the northern defense and (he line never wavered. The men were filled with eager enthusiasm and their officers had a hard time restraining them. The Spaniards fought desperately to hold Caney, but in vain. Foot by foot our troops drove them back. The fighting of Infantry here was superb. Mon of the line were ably assisted by the rough riders and other dismounted cavalry. Troops, late in the afternoon successfully drove the Spaniards out of Caney and occupied the place, but only after desperate fighting. The land fighting was desperate all along the line, the Spaniards stoutly resisting the advance of Americans at San Juan and Aguadores. Slowly but surely the Spanish had to give ground and the darkness found the American linos presenting a solid front from the coast to El Caney, thus hemming the Spaniards In the city and cutting off all means of retreat to the interior. The fierce struggle Jo drive the Spaniards out of the last line of, intrenebments around Santiago continued all day Saturday, but with much loss fury, and a good deal smaller loss of life than on Friday.

Surrounded by Rebels. Advices from Manila to Madrid dated June 23 declared the city surrounded by 25,000 rebels. The insurgent leader, Aguinaldo, has called on Captain General Angusti to surrender, but he announced his determination to maintain the sovereignty of Spain to the last extremity. Will Not A*k Blanco. Washington officials wonder if Blanco Will consider Admiral Don Pasqnale de Cervera y rTopete, Count of Jerez and llarquis of Santa Ava, a fair exchange for Hobson. However, they will have Hobson without Gen. Blanco’s perm ha Be- nforcement* Leave Tampa. Upwards of 4,000 men are now on their way to re-enforce Gen. Shatter hi his operations* in Santiago province. A most important contingent is six batteries of light artillery, consisting of twenty-four officers end 028 men, which tas left

SHIP SINKS AT SEA

Awful Horror Caused by Collision in a Dense Fog. OVER 600 DROWNED. Disaster Occurred Off Sable Island cm the Morning of July 4. i tenmahip La Bourgogne of the French Transatlantic Line Goes to the Bottom of the Atlantic-Out of Over Persons Aboard Only About 200 Were - lived, and but One Woman from the 300 on the 111-fated Vessel Was Rescued.

Six hundred persons lost their lives the morning of July 4 as the result of a collision between La Bourgogne and .tije British ship Cromartyshire, and the French liner lies at the bottom of the sea, a great hole in her side. The ships met in a dense fog sixty miles south of Sable Island. It was 5 o’clock in the morning and the feeble rays of the newly risen sun were unable to even partially penetrate the thick white mist that covered the ocean like a garment. The Cromartyshire was towed into Halifax by the Allan line steamer Grecian. A nigged wound in her bow and the absence of two of her masts showed the violence of the impact with the sunken vessel. There were on board La Bourgogne 191 first cabin passengers, 125 second cabin and 295 third class passengers (or steerage), making a total of 611 passengers, in addition to which there were 220 in the crew, making a grand total of 831 souls on board. The only woman saved out of 300 women on board was Mrs. La Ck Sß? * wife of a professor of languages of Plainfield, N. J. Among those saved were tl** purser, three engineers and thirty of the crew which manned the luckless liner. All the other officers of the ship were drowned. The Cromartyshire’s crew got a terrible fright, but none was lost. Great service was done by those aboard .in saving the remnant of the passengers and crew of La Bourgogne. La Bourgogne is one of the best known of all the French liners. She belonged to the Compaguie Generale Transatlantique and has carried thousands of persons to Europe and baek without n serious mishap. She left New York Saturday, July 3, bound for Havre. Shortly bffore thc vessels came together Mrs. Henderson, wife of <the Cromartyshire’s captain, detected a Reamer’s whistle blowing on the port side. The Cromartyshire was sounding her foghorn at intervals of one minute. Mrs. Henderson called the attention of her husband to the sounding of the whistle and a minute later the mate, who was on watch, also detected the sound. It came nearer and nearer. Suddenly the huge hull of an ocean steamer loomed up in the mist, going about seventeen knots an hour, and almost immediately there was a fearful crash.

Capt. Henderson.as soon as the collision occurred, ordered the lajats to be lowered and the damage to be ascertained. As it was found that the Cromartyshire was in no immediate danger the Britisher put about. The vessel with which they had collided was at that time unknown. A few minutes later her whistle was heard and several rockets were sent up. Capt. Henderson replied in like manner, thinking the steamer was offering assistance, but iu a few minutes all was quiet and those on board began to realize the awful results of the collision.

At 5:30 the fog lifted and two boats were seen approaching with only men on board. Later the weather cleared still more and men were to be seen in every direction clinging to wreckage and floating on life rafts. It was a terrible scene. No pen ean picture the appalling sight revealed to the onlookers when the curtain of mist* arose. The work of- rescue was commenced without a moment’s delay and over 200 persons were picked up and taken aboard the ship. When the ships struck they were off Cape Sable. The passengers, with the sole exception of I’rof. La ,Casse. were below decks. Without warning came the terrible shock. The struggles, swishing water and terrible screams of the drowning made the situation an awe-inspiring one. never to be forgotten. One man on the La Bourgogne, when she suuk, went out of his mind and jumped to a watery graye. Capt. Nunnn, in command of the Allan line steamer Grecian, to whose courage the Cromartyshire owed its conduct to a place of safety, declares that La Bourgogne pas less than five minutes from the time of the collision in going to the bottom. ' C:..;;.

‘•lt was the most appalling and most sudden catastrophe it was ever my misfortune to witness," said Capt. Henderson, of the Cromartyshire. "There wan a crash, the sound of which was indescribable, composed as it was of the reading apart of the stout oaken ribs of the French ship and the snapping asunder of her iron bolts. Many leaped overboard immediately after the meeting of the vessels. but our men were riot among the number of those who lost their heads. La Bourgogne turned slowly around two or three times, then seemed to go under With the rapidity of a stone dropping into a IKiol of water. • We Were in some danger from the whirlpool which followed the disappearance of the transatlantic steamer. but managed to get out of reach of the vortex in time. It. however, engulfed scores of shrieking human beings, whom we could hardly see for the density of the fog, but whose cries of terror we could plainly hear.”

Telegraphic Brevities.

Six hundred car-loads of celery will be marketed by growers in Orange County, Cal,, this year. .7. C. Harrington, a prominent farmer of Dallas County, Texas, was robbed of S7OO by an unknown bftrglar. A recent shipment t 9 the Klondike from Seattle included a fire engine, furniture for a bank, pianos and organa; George T. Hart, a wcll-khown citizen of Paducah, Ky.. wns instantly killed by a heavy piece of timber sassing on him au«t crushing his skull.