Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1898 — WAR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAR

American Men-of-War Advance on Havana. IHffi IS DEMM White Squadron to Silence Guns of Morro Castle. CALLS THE NATION TO ARMS ftrarifeat McKinley Asks the Country for 125,000 Volunteers., TO SHOT IS FIRED AT SEA. (rater Nashville Captures the Spanish Ship Buena Ventura. Wltiaiatnm of the United State* Was Considered a Declaration of War by the Government at Madrid—Handing •f Passports to Minister Woodford Definitely Put a Stop to All Peaceful Diplomatic Negotiations—McKinley Signa the Bill Asking for 125,000 Men— Those Willing to Serve Are to Take Up Arm* at Once eud Aid in Fighting the Spaniard*. Washington correspondence: Event* are transpiring rapidly these day*. History is being made in great Imp*, and many pages are completed in a week. Beginning with the heated senatorial discussion us to how the President should be authorized to intervene in Cuba, a seven days closed with the call tor 1’25,000 volunteers and legislation to increase the regular army to about <IO,OOO men. 'Events have lately moved fast eßough for the most warlike men at the national capital. First the long and bitter fight over the Cuban resolution in Congress, which culminated in an agreement at 2 o'clock Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon the sesolniions were laid before the President for his signature, but that was delayed until the next day, because Congress was not in session. Wednesday the resolutions were signed and the ultimatum sent to Madrid aud also to the Spanish minister in Washington, who promptly asked for and received his passports, leaving the capital for Canada the same evening. Thursday came the news from Madrid that the American minister, Gen. Woodford, was dismisses! and all diplomatic relations between the two governments severed before the ultimatum could be ipresented there. The same day the President ordered the North Atlantic squadron to proceed to Havana and blockade that ety and the north coast of Cuba. Friday the squadron appeared before Havana sod began the blockade. The Nashville fired the first gun in the war and captured the first prize. The President issued -his proclamation declaring the blockade to all the world and Congress passed the volunteer army bill. Saturday came the culminating event of the week, the call for 125,000 volunteers, the last Vesort of the Government in going 'to war. It was a week filled with excitement. The War aud Navy Departments were crowded with officials in making active preparations for the prosecution of the war; the White House was besieged with Senators and Representatives urging friends for appointment as major generals and brigadiers; the National Guard of the District was under arms, awaiting the order to be mustered into the service,

and move; the armories were crowded with fathers and mothers, sisters and wives and sweethearts, waiting for the summons that would start the boys to the front to the music of "The Girl I Left Behind Me," and the streets were crowded with men and women anxiously discussing the war news, while fakirs were reaping a rich harvest selling flags, buttons and mottoes, “Remember the Maine!" The national capital has not seen such excitement since the days of the civil war. But, in ail the excitement •nd all the anxiety there was the feeling es security and confidence in the cause •ad the outcome. President McKinley called his cabinet •bout him Saturday morning and after carefully going over the volunteer army Mil and its changes from the bill as originally drawn, signed it and a little later , fasurd his proclamation calling for 125,000 .▼•lunteers. The War Department began at anee-tomake up the quotas under this aew call, tat it was decided not to send •at theses w the Governors of States the thaw day because it would make Sunday • day of rallying to arms instead of a day

of rest. The situation was not regarded so critical as to call for sneb haste in placing the volunteer army in the field, as Admiral Sampsota had Us North Atlantic squadron in front of Havana with a complete blockade of. all Cuban ports controlled by the Spanish army, and which have railroad communication with Havana; and Captain Bob Evans, the fighting captain, had the big battle ship lowa in front of Morro Castle with her guns trained on that center of Spanish authority. Cuba was in pa—easion of the insurgents and Cuban water* were controlled by the United State* navy. The Spanish fleet was still far away, and while Blanco threatened and the Spanish army under him excitedly gathered about the fortification* the squadron of big American warships with frowning gun* ready to send sheila into the city screaming out freedom and independence, made the whole Havana acene as reassnring and no more threatening than the raving of a maniac behind the bars. The President issued his proclamation for volunteers Saturday because the country expected it. He realized that the people wanted to know whether he intended to call upon the volunteer force* to fight Spain. So he signed the proclamation and let it go to the world. On Monday he sent a special message to Congress recommending a declaration of war. He recited the events that have brought about a state of war and asked Congress to declare that war exist* between the United States and the kingdom of Spain and her colonies, and Congress did in very short order.

The war is on formally and in reality. The President’s call to arm* was anticipated by every State, and it found the volunteers ready to go. In a few dny* the regiments will be in the service of the Government, and they are not made up of raw troops.

These 125,000 volunteers are largely confined to the National Guard. They have been mobilised in their respective States and will be drilled for a short time. They will then be moved to the coast, and if it is decided to send a large army of occupation to Cuba the transports will be ready, and, guarded by. the navy, these transports will carry the boys in blue over to Cuba to fight for freedom and drive out Spain, while they remember the Maine. Most of the men are already well drilled, well trained, and used to camp life. They are eager for service; they are resolute for immediate action; they are ready (or whatever comes. Action is the order of the hour. On the sea the American fleets are moving in battle formation. On the land the troops are being massed for support. On the Pacific the Hawaiian Islands have been brought under the flag, and the Philippines are threatened. Washington is again the center of the world’s interest. The American people and the American Government are moving forward to accomplish a great purpose. They nre not talking, because this is the time for action. Disappointments may come; vessel* may be lost; armies may be repulsed, but still the purpose will remain, and its achievement will be sure.

THICK KO BY SPAIN. McKinley’s Ultimatum to Woodford e Held Until Discussion Is Hud. In forestalling Gen. Woodford by breaking off diplomatic relations with the United States in advance of the presentation of the American ultimatum by the minister of the United States Spain resorted to one of her old devices. President McKinley’s telegram to Gen. Woodford conveying the ultimatum was held by the Madrid telegraph authorities while a Copy of it was sent to Premier Sagasta. Such la the patriotism of American women that the War Departaaent is fairly burdened with offers from women in all walks of lite to go to the front as nurses. ■ : ' ■■ • • i .

CALLS UPON EVERY STATE. President** Proclamation Asks Volunteer* from All Sides. The bill for the creation of a new regular and volunteer army passed both house* of Congress Friday afternoon. The measure wa* immediately signed by VicePresident Hobart and Speaker Reed and was then sent to the President. An official proclamation was prepared at the War Department calling for 125,000 men to serve in the war against Spain. This was approved by Secretary Alger and sent to the President for his signature.

The number of men required from each State is to be in the proportion that its population bears to that of the whole country. According to this ratio the several States are called on to furnish men as follows: Alabama 2.500 N. Hampshire.. 752 Arkansas 2.025 New Jersey .... 2.962 California 3,327 New Y0rk12,512 Colorado 1,324 N. Carolina .... 2,564 Connecticut ... 1,607 N. Dakota 461 Delaware 351 Ohio 7,248 Florida .. 750 Oregon 829 Georgia 3,174 Pennsylvania ..10,760 Idaho 232 Rhode Island .. 710 Illinois 8,048 8. Dakota .....«• 1,850 Indiana 4.302 8. Carolina .... 747 lowa 3,772 Tennessee3,o6o Kansas 2,782 Texas 4,229 Kentucky 3,407 Utah 425 Louisiana 1,940 Vermont 633 Maine 1,236 A'lrginla2.7B7 Maryland 1.942 Washington ... 1,178 Massachusetts. 4,721 W. Virginia ... 1,389 Michigan 4,369 Wisconsin 3,274 Minnesota .... 2.873 Wyoming 231 Mississippi.... 2,157 Arizona 181 Missouri 5.411 N. Mexico 330 Montana 532 D. of Columbia. 449 Nebraska 2,411 Oklahoma 140 Nevada 237 Oath of Volunteers. Whether these volunteers consist of National Guardsmen or of simple enlisted men, they will be. required to take the following oath: I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Onited States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all enemies whomsoever, and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to the articles of war. This puts the men in the same category as the regular army so far as any foreign service is considered. FIRST SEIZURE OF THE WAR. Cruiser Nashville Captures a Spanish Merchant Steamer, The first shot of the war was fired early Friday morning. About daylight the United States cruiser Nashville captured the Spanish ship Buena Ventura, 1,000 tons, having on board a cargo of lumber. She was taken seventeen miles south of Key West. The cruiser fired a six-pound-er and the Spaniard surrendered. The Buena Vehtura was bound from Pascagoula, Miss., for Rotterdam with lumber. The Nashville fired a blank shot, which the Spaniard Ignored. This was followed by a shot from a six-pounder. The Buena Ventura then surrendered, with bar arew of twenty men. The Nashville

towed her prize into Key West harbor at 11 o‘clock, and put a prize crew on board. The news of the capture of the Spaniard set the people of Key West frantic with enthusiasm. All work was suspended and the people crowded the docks in great cumbers. Second • hip Taken. The Spanish freighter Pedro, from Antwerp for Pensacola, Fla., was captured by the U. S. cruiser New York Saturday morning. The steamer was sighted about ten miles off Havana by the flagship of Captain Sampson’s (fleet. The New York sent a shot across the Spaniard’s bow. ThiA did not stop her. Then Captain Sampson ordered all steam on, and a stern chase of four miles followed. When the flagship got in better range she sent three more shots after the Spaniard. Then the steamer hove to.

SHERMAN OUT OF THE CABINET. Venerable Secretary of Mate Resigns Hi* Portfolio-Succeeded by Day. Secretary of State Sherman handed in his resignation at the special cabinet meeting Monday morning. The resignation went into effect at noon the same day. Secretary Sherman says he does not want his retirement from the cabinet misunderstood. It is, he says, entirely voluntary. While his health is good, he recognizes his extreme age, and that the very exciting times which at present prevail make it necessary that a younger and more active man should be placed at the head of the State Department. Mr. Sherman retires from public life after a service of more than forty years, embracing the House of Representatives, the United States Senate, the secretaryship of the treasury aud the secretaryship of State. William R. Day, first assistant Secretary of State, succeeds to the office vacated by Mr. Sherman. He has had entire charge of Cuban affairs almost since the beginning of the present administration. Resignation of Gary. Postmaster General Gary resigned Thursday, and Charles Emory Smith was immediately nominated to succeed him. A Washington correspondent states that it is generally understood that Gary resigned because he Opposed war and does not care to be connected with an administration that conducts it. RUSHED TO THE FRONT. Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery Are Hurried Toward* Cuba. On to Chickamauga! On to Mobile! On to New Orleans! On to Tampa! and —On to Havana! For a week 18,000 men in Uncle Sam’s army blue have been moving towards points of concentration from which they could be quickly hurled into action. Not since the close of the civil war has there been such unanimous action among the troops. The startling events of the previous few days prepared the soldiers for the order issued aud found every man ready for the march. The President hesitated till the last possible moment before sanctioning the order, for the expense of sending the army to the South has been enormous. The four points to which the army has been moving are Chickamauga battlefield, Tampa, New Orleans and Mobile. As soon as reaching those places the troops go into camp. Advance agents of the department preceded the troops and made all necessary arrangements for their comfort and convenience. The soldiers carry thirty days’ rations and a number of rounds of ammunition. There is no diminution in offers of volunteers. They are falling upon the War Department like leaves from trees before the first strong wind of autumn. So great is the eagerness of patriots for the honor of defending the flag that during the past few days not a few letters have been received at the department from young men who state that, rather than not have a chance of going to the front when the war begins, they are willing to enlist in the regular army. Among men of all creeds, nationalities and politics there is an expressed intention nnd desire to uphold the honor and the integrity of the flag of the republic.

REFUSE WOMEN NURSES. Und*r No Circumstances Will the Gen*, tier tex fake Part in War. The Secretary of War and the surgeon general of the army issued an ultimatum which is calculated to create a sensation throughout the country. This is the unalterable decision not only not to employ trained or volunteer women nurses for

the cere of the sick and wounded in the war with Spain, but not to recognize them in any way whatever. No proffer of their services, however strongly backed by offlcial or other kind of Influence, will avail in the slightest degree to alter thia decision.

CAPTAIN SAMPSON.

THE NASHVILLE, WHICH FIRED THE FIRST SHOT.