Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1898 — WAR NEWS IN BRIEF. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAR NEWS IN BRIEF.

In the Philippines the insurgents and Americans are acting independently. Heavy sentences are imposed at Chickamauga on sentries who sleep while on duty. A dude fights nearly as well as a cowboy, and a cowboy fights better than anything else on earth. The cruiser Eagle recently destroyed the large Spanish steamer Santo Domingo at Cape Francis. Gen. Aguinaldo, the leader of the Philippine insurgents, is fighting for annexation to the United States. The dynamite cruiser Nicthercy purchased from the Brazilian GoverShxent will be turned into a collier. Admiral Dewey is managing the Germans with great diplomacy and does not exi>ect serious trouble with them. Over 500 men are at work on the cruiser Yorktown at Mare Island navy yard, San Francisco, rushing her to completion. Orders have been received at the navy yard, Charlestown, Mass., to expend $lO,000 in repairs upon the old frigate Minnesota. Advices from Havana state that conditions are constantly growing worse and that shark meat is regarded as a dainty there. Nearly all the people of South American countries are in sympathy with Spain and refuse to believe stories of American victories. The repairs to dry dock No. 3 at the Brooklyn navy yard have been completed. It can accommodate the largest vessels in our navy. The I JDd Cross Society is feeding the people of Santiago, where thousands are destitute, the supply of food in the city being exhausted. Yellow fever is decreasing in the army at Santiago, though the sanitary conditions in the captured city are such as to invite an epidemic. Gen. Total may lay claim to a .high pinnacle of fame as being the only Spaniard up to date who had sense enough to know when he was trouneed. The Spanish steamer Panama, one of the first of the enemy’s vessels captured after war was declared, has been refitted for use as a transport. Gov. Lowndes of Maryland hns announced that the State will present a sword of honor to Commodore Schley, who is a native of Frederick County. Ex-Senator Don Cameron of Pennsylvania has offered to the Government for a Military hospital the free use of his fiw€ estate on the South Carolina coast. The United States Government will establish an extensive weather burbaw in the Caribbean sea for the use of all nations whose interests lie in that region. Pythians who would engage in active war service have beefl notified that their certificates of endowment and all claims thereunder will be considered null and void. During the naval battle at Santiago, in which Cervera’s fleet was destroyed, the Oregon alone fired 1,776 shells. The destruction caused by some of the shots was fearful. Captain McKettrick.

Captain William McKettrick, the man who raised the Stars ana Stripes over the palace of the conquered Santiago de Cuba, is a son-in-law of Gen. Shafter and a member of the general’s staff. Manila Ready to Give Up. Advices brought by the Empress of India indicate that Manila is ready to surrender. Intimations come from many sources that the military officials are willing to haul ddwn the flag, but that the civil and church authorities are opposed to capitulating. Output of F mokeless Powder. The output of smokeless powder for the Navy Department is steadily increasing, and the ordnance bureau is receiving more than 8,000 pounds daily for the big

PICTURE OF DEJECTION.

How Cervera Looked When He Arrived at Portsmouth. Of all the prisoners, writes a correspondent in detailing the events at Portsmouth, N. H., Sunday, when the Spanish prisoners arrived there on board the St. Louis, chief interest centered in Admiral Cervera. He is not Spanish in type, being short and thick and wearing a full gray beard. He was the picture of a brave, resolute man enduring a misery that is unbearable. He spoke slowly, and in referring to the events at Santiago gaye the impression that he would have wished to be with the gallant but dead Villamil. He speaks English to some extent. Admiral Cervera was dressed in a blue serge undress uniform, the coat of which was much too long for him. It was loaned by Lieut. Commander Wainwright of the Gloucester, who foupd him swimming in his undershirt and took him into a boat. He appeared to feel his humiliation terribly. During the trip north he was accustomed to stand for hours leaning against the rail and gazing very far sealward—beyond the vanishing point, as it appeared. Every officer and man on the ship lost no opportunity to show their kindly feelings. From the yotingest sailor to Capt. every American, by look, aet or word, did what lay in hl» power to lighten the sorrows of this old maVg heart.

SLAPPED SHAFTER. Newspaper Correspondent Gains an Unenviable Distinction.' Sylvester Scovel, who has won for himself the unenviable distinction of being the only civilian in history who slapped the face of a major general hi that officer* s hour of supreme triumph, is a newspaper reporter who is possessed of undoubted daring and recklessness. ' Mr.

Scovel tried to push his way, against orders, to the roof of the palace in Santiago when the Stars and Stripes was being hoisted, and was forced back. After the ceremony he made his way to Gen. Shafter and struck that hero in the face with his palm. He was arrested at once, and the rules of war allow that he may be drumbeaded and shot. -POISONED WITH HASH. . Fifteen Soldiers at Camp Al arer Expected to Die. Fifty-five men of Company A, 22d Kansas infantry, at Camp Alger, were poisoned by eating hash. The meat used in making the hash was cooked in a tin-lined kettle. The corroding kettle spoiled the meat, and is ascribed as the cause of the violent sickness experienced by the'men. Surgeon Duncan diagnosed their affection as a severe case of ptomaine poisoning. Fifteen of the men are seriously ill and are not expected to live. SAD HAVOC IN HAVANA. Disease and starvation Decimating Spanish Soldiers, ' Starvation and disease are working dire havoc with Blanco’s soldiers in Havana. Refugees from Havana reiterate and confirm the tale of suffering. Food for the poorer people is scarcely obtainable,' deaths from starvation occur daily, while the Spannish soldiers stalk famished through the streets, going from house to bouse of the wealthier class begging for food. ■ ’ „ ' EXPEDITION REACHES GOMEZ. Spaniards Resisted Landing at Tunas and Were Whipped. Reports from the south coast of Cuba say that the first attempt of the Florida and Fanita to land troops and supplies for Gomez resulted in a sanguinary battle, and Captain Nunez, brother of CoL Nunez, and several others were killed. The Fanita returned the fire and forced the Spanish artillerists to retreat to tbe woods, but it was decided not safe to land there, and the boats went to Lag Tunas, where a landing was effected . ... v. r '

SYLVESTER SCOVEL.