Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1898 — WAR HISTORY OF A WEEK. [ARTICLE]

WAR HISTORY OF A WEEK.

Wednesday. William Jennings Bryan, in a speech at Omaha, declares against a policy of territorial expansion by the United States. The seven men who served under Naval Constructor Hobson in the Merrimac expedition were promoted by the Navy Department. In the second night attack of the Spanish on the marines at Guantanamo two of the Americans were killed aud several others were wounded. Dispatches from Manila dated June 8, received via Shanghai, reported the Spaniards had been driven back to the stockades surrounding the city. It was officially announced that Senor du Bose, the former Spanish charge d’affaires at Washington, and Lieut. Carranza, former Spanish naval attache at Washington, hare been “invited” to leave Canada. Tliuraday. The second American expedition for the invasion of the Philippines sailed from San Francisco. Congressman Hull of lowa, chairman of the House Committee on Military Affairs, said that within thirty days the President will call for 50,000 more volunteers. News comes from Havana by way of Jamaica that people are starving and that many Americans are Imprisoned. The British consul is said to be pro-Spanish. The marines at Guantanamo under command of Lieut. Col. Huntington, attacked a camp of Spanish troops five miles from Camp McCalla and after severe fighting defeated the enemy. Friday. The British warship Talbot went to Havana to take off the British consul and residents. The President decided to send a second expedition of 6,000 men from Tampa to re-enforce Gen. Shafter. The new fortifications at Cardenas have been bombarded by American warships and the Spanish severely punished. The Spanish steamer Purisima Concepcion. loaded with food for Manzanillo, left Kingston, taking a westward course. The American collier Ravensdale, owned by a Philadelphia firm, is suspected of delivering a cargo of coal to the enemy’s warships. Saturday. It is said that Gen. Miles will personally lead the expedition to Porto Rico. The British ambassador and the Spanish minister of war had an important con Terence at Madrid. Emperor William of Germany is said to be irritated fever reports in British and American newspapers that he is unfriend ly to the United States. One of the German war vessels at Manila has been ordered away, indicating that the Kaiser intends no menacing act to American domination. Eleven of Admiral Camara's fleet said to be en route to Cartagena for orders. Five of the squadron are not located. There are said to be 4,000 troops on the fleet. At a council of war at the White House it was decided that the original plans of campaign for the conduct of the war shall be adhered to and pushed with vigor and energy.

Sunday. Report current that Manila has surrendered. The cruiser Newark left Hampton Roads with part of the Illinois recruits on board. James T. Gatewood, private secretary to Gen. Lee, was killed by lightning at Jacksonville, Fla. Spanish infantry made a hasty retreat for cover at Guantanamo under heavy fire from American warships. President McKinley chooses 195 young men from the enlisted ranks and civilian life for appointment as second lieutenants in the army. Admiral Sampson decided to reduce Morro Castle at Santiago. He learned that Hobson and his mpn were no longer in the fort as a shield against the fire of the American ships. Monday. News of attempt to assassinate Blanco. Gen. Shafter's army of invasion arrived off Santiago de Cuba. Believed that the President will soon issue a call for more volunteers. Illinois naval recruits left Norfolk, Va., on the collier Cassius, which sailed south. Indications that the Spaniards desire a ransom before releasing Hobson and his crew. Reported that hereafter Captain General Blanco will recognize no flag of truce in Havanese waters. The President and Secretary Long decide to make Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac, a lieutenant commander. Albert Ames of Massachusetts and Joseph W. Plume of New Jersey were nominated to be brigadier generals. Gen. Garcia, the Cuban leader, discussed with Admiral Sampson on the flagship New York plans for the capture of Santiago. _ Tuesday. Hunger is prevailing in Havana, ahd the rich are reported to be taking flight. General Blanco is going to send four battalions of troops to the relief of the city. Proposed to establish near a stockade to hold all prisoners captured during the war. Orders issued to hold all persons captured on Spanish prize ships until further orders. They number 200. Favorable report made by the House Military Committee on the bill to revive the grade of lieutenant general. Reported that Euroi>ean governments are contembplating overtures to America anef Spain in the direction of peace. Arrival of the American invading army off Santiago officially reported by General Linares, the Spanish commander. Shafter’s army, now before Santiago, in conjunction with Garcia’s 4,000 men in the vicinity, makes 20,000 troops menacing that city. A landing place has not been selected.