Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1898 — Page 3

TO BOMBARD SPAIN.

New Fleet Formed and Ordered Across Atlantic. * WATSON IN COMMAND. Coast Cit es Will Be Laid Low by Shells from Oar Warships. Fortifications at Cadiz and Other Strongholds to Be Bombarded and an EflfcFrt Made Completely to Destroy Spain’s Navy-Fleet Expected to Reach the Spanish Coast Before the Middle of July—Decisive Action to Follow Without Delay. Washington special: The war is to be carried into Spain. A squadron of American fighting ships will turn its prows from the Antilles in a few days and steam for Europe. Two or three weeks hence they may be searing the coast of the peninsula from Cadis to Barcelona. Or they may be engaged in wiping out the fighting remnant of the Spanish navy, now in the Suez Canal, ostensibly on the way to the Philippines, 0,000 miles away. To the world at large this expedition will inject a picturesque feature into the combat. But the United States is not seeking dramatic effects. This country purposes carrying the horrors of war home to the Spaniards so forcibly and so clearly that they must beg for mercy. A squadron fit for the work in hand has been selected, and its com-

FIGHTING JOE WHEELER. Be Commands the. Cava ry Engaged In Fighting Near Santiago.

pisition promises to add new laurels to the American navy. It will Include the pick of the battle ships, the lowa and the Oregon. They will be supported by four fast cruisers, commerce destroyers of tine type, and three capacious merchantmen will carry food for their engines. The Navy Department on Monday gave out the announcement that Commodore Watson had been directed at once to join Admiral Sampson off Santiago with his flagship Newark and there organize a

squadron of armored battleships and cruisers for the purpose of striking at the Spanish ports. This movement is no doubt the direct result of the sailing of Admiral Camara’s expedition, ostensibly for Manila by way of the Suez CanaL This movement, if carried out, leaves the Spanish coast practically at the mercy of a strong squadron of battleships such ns it is believed Sampson and Schley will be able to spare from the fleet on the south coast of Cuba. Besides the Newark, which has just been overhauled and placed in excellent fighting condition, Watson’s squadron will include the battleships Oregon and lowa and the cruisers Yosemite, Yankee and Dixie, accompanied by several colliers. The expedition will probably strikp the Canaries en fonte, unless Camara’S squadron should return, in which case an effort may be made to meet it before it shall pass the Straits of Gibraltar, folowing up with the bombardment of Barcelona, and other Mediterranean ports. The instructions of Commodore Watson are that he shall proceed to Tangier, Morocco, with his fleet, aud if the Cadiz fleet commanded by Camara has returned to Spain, he shall capture or destroy it, and also destroy fortifications of Spanish ports where necessary. If the Cadiz fleet proceeds to the Philippines. Commodore Watson will bombard Cadiz, Barcelona and other cities on the Mediterranean sea, destroy naval stores, and follow Camara through the Suez canals to the Philippines. Some of the naval authorities expressed the opinion that the Canary Islands will be the first point of attact. There is no intention of weakening the Havana blockade by the withdrawal of Commodore Watson with his flagship. To prevent this Secretary Long has ordered Commodore Howell to proceed immediately to the American fleet off Havana to take command of the post vacated by Commodore Watson. Commodore Howell is at present in command of the coast patrol fleet and he will take the entire fleet with him, that is all of the .larger vessels, to re-enforce the blockadqpof the Cuban coast. - ■ The naval repair ship Vulcan has been ordered ‘o join A.’miral Sampson’s fleet.

VIEW OF BARCELONA, SPAIN.

NEW EASTERN SQUADRON, WHICH WILL BOMBARD SPANISH COAST CITIES.

OREGON. DIXIE. FLAGSHIP NEWARK. lOWA. YANKEE. YOSEMITE.

PANIC IN HAVANA. Reign of Terror in the City Controlled by General Blanco. The most authentic and reliable news yet obtained of the true condition of affairs in Havana was furnished to a representative of the Associated Press by a British subject, who arrived at Key West. He says a reign of terror exists at the Cuban capital. Captain General Blanco has issued a proclamation announcing that anyone daring to express an unfavorable opinion of, or suspected of being dissatisfied with the present policy of the Government, will be summarily shot without trial or investigation. This proclamation, it appears, caused dissatisfaction among members of the Orden Publico, or I>olice force, Who threatened to revolt. Some trouble was expected, as the Orden Publico is a numerous and well-armed body of men. The result is that the Orden Publico patrols the city and its members are themselves policed, Spanish infantry and artillery soldiers mounting guard over them at every corner. Famine, it seems, is imminent, and stories of the arrival of supplies at Havana by way of Batabano are pronounced to be untrue. The informant of the Associated Press thinks Havana cannot possibly hold out six weeks longer. The city is pronounced to be panic-stricken, its inhabitants expecting every moment to be bombarded by the American fleet, as they realize that Captain General Blanco’s attitude releases the United States from the obligation of giving the customary bombardment notice. THIRD EXPEDITION IS OFF. Four Thousand Men Leave San Francisco on Four Steamerj. The third fleet to go to the aid of Dewey at Manila is now out on the broad Pacific, westward bound. It comprises 4,000 men under command of Gen. Arthur McArthur. The transports in the squadron nre the steamers Indiana, City of Para, Ohio and Morgan City. Gen. McArthur has his headquarters on the first-named boat. Army officers in San Francisco are much perturbed regarding the movements of

the Spanish squadron, which is reported to be bound for the Philippines via the Suez canal. It is said that the transports which left there will be rushed through to the islands at top speed in order to have as large a force as possible ready to receive the dons should Manila be the ultimate destination of the Cadiz fleet. America’s Need. A London dispatch, quoting from an article in the London Spectator, says: “The Americans, with the position they assume in the world as protectors of two continents, need a fleet as large as that of France, and an army of 50,000 men so over-officered in all grades and so oversupplied with artillery, engineers and transports, that it can be expanded at a month’s notice with trained reservists to 150,000 men.” Santiago People Starving, A letter received in Kingston, Jamaica, from Santiago says the suffering there on account of the lack of food has greatly increased. Many families have appealed to the authorities for relief from the military stores, but help has been refused. All have been warned that the best thing to do is to leave the city as quickly as possible. Intends to t care Spain. The Washington correspondent of the London Chronicle says: "Spain is to be frightened into making peace. That is the meaning of the theatrical announcement that an American squadron is going to Spain—an announcement for which tho Navy Department, contrary to its custom, has sought the widest publicity.” Spain's Third Fleet Useless. The third Spanish squadron has been ordered to assemble at Cadiz with the least possible delay. Private advices from the Spanish ports where the several vessels now are say that Spain’s so-called “third squadron” is a comic opera affair. Extends the Blockade. The President has issued a proclamation extending the blockade of Cuba to the southern coast from Cape Frances to Cape Crus, inclusive, nhd also blockading Ban Juan. Porto Rico.

FLAG OF PHILIPPINE INBUROENTB.

WAR NEWS IN BRIEF.

Princeton University has conferred the degree of LL. D. on Admiral Dewey. Many relics of the war of the rebellion have been found by soldiers now in camp at Chickamauga. The powers are said to be waiting for the fall of Santiago, when they will urge peace on Spain and the United States. Many prominent army officers think that 100,000 more men will be needed to make the war against Spain short and decisive. It is semi-officially announced that England will send a large fleet to Manila if Germany attempts a naval demonstration there. The Cuban allies of our marines at Caimancra, Cuba, fought well, going right up to the Spanish lines without the slightest fear. It was reported from Madrid Sunday that Spain has purchased three modern warships, which will be ready in three weeks. ■ Japan has no desire to interfere in the Philippine matter, Formosa having furnished all the territorial difficulties now desired. A number of Georgia moonshiners have had their sentences modified, so as to be able to join a moonshine regiment now organizing. Ex-Queen Natalie of Servia is reported to be organizing an expedition to Cuba to nurse sick and wounded Americans and Spaniards. Forty thousand tons of coal are to-be shipped from the Eastern States to Honolulu for the use of the United States navy as needed. The War Department is making arrangements to send a 600-bed field hospital* to the Philippines under charge of Maj. W. O. Owen. Over 5,000 Spanish volunteers arc reported to have deserted to the insurgents in Cuba since the beginning of Sampson's blockade of Santiago. It is reported that a number of Philadelphia coal dealers will be prosecuted by the government for selling coal to the Spanish government. The American troops wcreuon Sunday reported to be within bailing distance of the Spanish pickets at Sevilla, five or six miles from Santiago. In the Senate Saturday Teller of Colorado declared: "Where American soldiers are buried there the American flag will be planted to remain.” The military party in Spain charges that the Government has betrayed the country and now wants to arrange peace to save the dynasty.

SPAIN’S COAST TO BE THREATENED BY WATSON.

With regard to Santiago, the plan is to put the Cubans in control of the city after it is captured, which will leave our troops free for Porto Rico and other operations. Count Cassini, new Russian amba,ssador at Washington, says that events of the war cannot affect the long-standing friendship between Russia and the United States. The rudder frame for the battleship Illinois has arrived at the Newport News ship yard from the Cleveland iron forge works. The weight of this frame is 32,990 pounds.

HONOR TO HEROE*. Special Messages by President McKinley Affecting Brave Men. The President on Monday sent two special messages to Congress providing recognition for the services of Lieut. Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac; of Lieut. Newcomb and crew of the revenue cutter Hudson, which rescued the torpedo boat Winslow at Cardenas; Captain Hodgson of the dispatch boat Hugh McCulloch, which figured in the battle of Manila, and Naval Cadet Joseph Wright Powell, who held the steam launch under the bluffs at Santiago harbor, searching for the crew of the Merrimac. Authority is asked of the Senate for the transfer of Hobson from the construction corps to the line of the navy and the President announces that with authority given he will by and with the advice and consent of the Senate suitably advance Hobson in the line. The Hudson's crew are to be given a vote of thanks and medals of commendation. Captain Hodgson is to be suitably recognized. The President In mentioning Hobson cites the fact that the crew with him already have been promoted. HURRY TO RE-ENFORCE SHAFTER. Ofliciata Say Mites Will Command the Next Expedition. Preparations for hurrying re-enforce-ments to Gen. Shafter and for the Porto Rican expedition are progressing as fast as possible. Gen. Shafter's orders are to send back to Tampa as many of the transports with his expedition as he can spare. It was given out officially that Gen. Miles

CAPTAIN ALLYN K. CAPRON. Killed in the Battle of Sevilla.

would command the next expedition to leave the United States. Just what this is to be, and where it is to go could not l>e ascertained. The re-enforeements to be sent to Shafter will be an expedition nearly as formidable as that which left Tampa two weeks ago. After Santiago has been reduced and captured by the Americans there will be an ample number to leave in the province to preserve order and hold the place, while the remainder may be used for the Porto Rican expedition. Attempt to Kill Aguinaldo. Advices from Manila report two attempts to Stab Gen. Aguinaldo, one by an Italian adventurer.

Blames the Germans.

An American official at Cavite writes as follows: “If great bloodshed and destrncfion come to Manila Spain may justly blame the Germans. Manila would have surrendered before the arrival of the German squadron without bloodshed, but now, owing to the moral support of Its presence, the city refuses to surrender.”

Spain Calls Mors Troops.

The Spanish Government has Issued an order calling out 26,000 more men, the last classes of reserves, for service in Spain.

INDIANA INCIDENTS.

RECORD OF EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK. Another Gusher Near Hartford City —Fnmmer Closing of Glass Plants— Wire Worker to Hava a Fortune— Sold His Wife for Cash and a Wheel. Big Oil Well in Second Stratum. What promises to be the most productive oil well in the Indiana field waB K trtrot on the Leonard farm at Hartford City. The owners of the well arc-Ludwig & McDonald, and it is their fourth hole. The first twenty-four hours the well produced 900 barrels, and has since settled and making 500 barrels. The well is what is known as a “crevice well.” The well is most remarkable, and demonstrates the fact that oil may be found in the lower depths of the Indiana oil formation. No oil was found in the well until the last crevice. Many operators have doubted the existence of a second pay stratum. Glass Plants Shut Down. Fires have been drawn in most of the Indiana window glass plants for the summer season. Probably all in the nation are now shut down until Oct. 1. Manufacturers and workers have practically agreed on a scale for the coming year. It will be about 4 per cent increase. It is ilso understood on good authority the wire nail trust has just closed a deal absqrbing the anti-trust combine, which includes nine plants and gives trust fully 95 per cent of the production of the nation. Both have big plants at Anderson. Fortune for a Wire Work«r. Joseph Marshall of Anderson has been called to Toronto to attend a meeting of heirs of John Marshall, the famous Toronto millionaire brewer, whose wealth when he died was estimated in eight figures. Joseph Marshall is a wire worker and a poor man. He is a grandson of the decedent and will come in for nearly ?!,- 000,(MM). The brewer was very miseriy and during his life the Anderson man did not even get his eyes on one of his dollars. Arrested at Hia Wedding. Robert E. Kelley enlisted in the regular army in Evansville six months ago. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., and deserted because he could not learn to ride a horse. He went to Grayson County, Kentucky, where he was recently married to his cousin. The other night while his friends gathered at his home in honor of his marriage he was arrested. The young wife was prostrated when the officer led her husband away.

Within Our Borders. At Andetson, a company has been organized to manufacture glass tombstones and monuments. For the third time within a few months the postoffice at Shideler has been robbed. The burglars secured $25 in cash. F. G. Darlington, general superintendent of the Indianapolis division of the Pennsylvania lines, has resigned. Joseph Harper, general merchant at Middletown and owner of a hat store in Terre Haute, has made an assignment. The returns of the assessors in Hm dricks County show a gain of $188,530 in the assessed valuation of personal property. Luther Benson, the Indianapolis temperance lecturer, died suddenly at Rushville, where he had gone to deliver a lec,ture. One hundred street laborers went on a strike at Evansville. They demanded J 1.50 a day. They have been receiving sl. The body of William Scholl was found floating in the Ohio at Madison. He leaves a wife. Cause of the drowning is unknown. Edmon Buehert, 17-year-old son of Joseph Buehert of Weisburg, was drowned in the Railway pond at Milan while in bathing. Mr. and Mrs. "Mat” Buck of Madison now have twelve sons and seven daughters, the seventh daughter being born a saw days ago. At Evansville, a petition was filed in the Circuit Court asking for the appointment of a receiver for the Sherman Wall Paper Company. Over $50,000 is involved. A stock company is being organized at Hartford City to erect a factory for the manufacture of air brakes. Judge Wilson of Fort Wayne is at the head of the enterprise.

Walter Shores, an Elwood saloonkeeper, was convicted of manslaughter for the killing of Taylor Endricks last March and was given a two to fourteen year indeterminate sentence. Frank Abney, a Fortville farmer, aged about 55, left the dinner table the other day and went to his barn, where ho was found dead. No marks were found on his l>erson and he is supposed to have died of heart disease.

State Geologist Blatchley has filed his annual report with the Governor, in which he says the natural gas area of the State once embraced 3,000 square miles; that it embraces less than half that area now, nnd that the rock pressure fell off thirty pounds in 1897, and is gradually becoming weaker. The Republican State central committee and the executive and advisory comhave determined to hold the State nominating convention Aug. 3 and 4. The representation will lie on the basis of one delegate for each 200 votes or fraction over 100 votes cast for President McKinley, and the convention will consist of 1,616 delegates. Louis Roth of Edinburg attempted suicide by taking 5 cents’ wo; th of arsenic nnd a tumbler of whisky. He was missed from his place of work and was found locked in his room in an insensible condition; but the physician's pump revived him and he is now thought to be out of danger. He is a single man and about thirty-jive years old. A proposed trip to the Paris exposition in 1900, which was to have been made by a club of gentlemen of New Albany, has been abandoned on account of the unfriendly attitude of the French people toward the United States in the present controversy with Spain. After waiting a year for Coates College nt Terre Haute, the institution for the higher education of women founded by Mrs. Coates of Greencastle, to reopen its doors, W. R. McKcen, its benefactor for several years, has been told that there is no hope, and he will sell the property for city lots

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Hundreds of volunteers from Camp Alger, where there are about 25.000 sefldiera, <1 come to Washington every day. Many of • them have never seen the capital before and up to this time the saloons and disreputable houses have been reaping a rich 58 harvest from their patronage. The police | have been instructed not to arrest or otherwise interfere with men in uniform unless it is absolutely necessary for their welfare or the protection of others, and notwithstanding this order the station 1 houses are filled with drunken soldier* nearly every night. It has been the rule to send them back to camp as soon as they | are sober without placing their names upon the docket of arrests or bringing them before the police court. Exceptions have been made only in cases of assault and other misdemeanors which could not be overlooked. It has come to be the practice also for the provost marshal of the comp to send an officer and squad of men Into the city every morning for the purpose of picking up the boys who have fallen victims to temptations or are otherwise detained. * • • The object of the Secretary of War in ordering that the recruits under the second call for troops shall be used in strengthening the regiments mustered in under the first call, so that each company shall have 100 and each regiment I,2(X> men, is not only to promote the efficiency of the army, but is a measure of economy worth several millions of dollars to the Government. It cuts down the number of regiments and the number of companies, and consequently the number of officers, one-third, and as the pay of the officers of a regiment under the old plan aggregates almost as much as the pay of the men the expense will be reduced onethird also. • • • People in Washington who go to market < or shopping these days are pretty sure to receive gold coin as change, and it is the first time we have had that experience ■ since greenbacks were adopted by Secretary Chase in 1862. During the last six weeks the disbursing officers of the different departments have been paying the salaries of the clerks in the yellow meta), and all drafts and warrants upon the treasury have been paid in mixed money at the proportion of $5 in paper to sls in coin. v4The result has been a scarcity of greenbacks and silver certificates and a. large amount of gold coin in common circulation.

• • • It seems to be settled that Gen. Miles | himself instead of Gen. Coppinger will lead the army to Porto Rico, and it is the i President’s intention to allow him full sway in making the preparations for the expedition and selecting ths officers and troops that will accompany him. Miles has upset the plans that v»ere made in the War Department while he was at work at Tampa, and, having done so, will be held J responsible for making and carrying out , a new plan of campaign. • ♦ * The superintendent of Washington police has been instructed to notify all liquor •; sellers of the intention strictly to enforce 1 a law which was passed by Congress in 18G1 forbidding the sale of liquor in any form to soldiers in the service of the United States, or to any person wearing the uniform of such a soldier, under the penalty of S2O fine for each offense and the forfeiture *of both the municipal and the United States license for the sale of liquor. • • • The boys at Camp Alger are very eager to get away and are agitated by every rumor that refers to their departure. They are rapidly becoming hardened soldiers and will soon be ready for serious business. The regiments are all short in numbers. Recruits are coming in rapidly, several hundred every day, but they are mostly green men who have never served with the militia and have to be drilled in the simplest rudiments of military duty.

• « • It has been decided that there will be no general Invasion of Cuba until fall. Th&t has been the President’s determination from the beginning. Even before the declaration of war he made up his mind that if hostilities should occur he would sot be responsible for the sacrifice of the lives he knew must be lost from yellow fever and other climatic diseases if an attempt were to be made to invade Cuba during the rainy season. • • • There is intense indignation beth in army ami navy circles and in Congress because of the general understanding that Hobson has been kept in Castle Morro exposed to tfie Are of our guns. If the usual practices of warfare were followed Hobson and the Americans would be removed to a place of safety, instead of danger. The putting forward of prisoners as a shield is u relic of barbarism. There is a vacancy in the postoffice at Strode’s Mills, Pa., for the first tipae in fifty-three years. It is caused by the death of Joseph Strode at the age of 84, who was appointed postmaster by President James K. Polk Oct. 21, 1845, and held the office continuously ever since. There are two older men in the postal service. One of them is in Maine and the other in Maryland. • • • Secretary Gage’s 3 per cent bonds are ? already at a premium of 2 per cent. Bankers and brokers in different parts of the country are publishing circulars and advertisements offering to pay that bonus for subscriptions that are acknowledged by the treasury. • • • It will be the middle of July before an \ attack can be made upon Porto Rico. ThO number of troops and the selection of the- . regiments ; will be determined later. Gen. Miles thinks he should havs Bet less thaw 20,000 men, and the regiments which are in the best condition when the expedition Is ready to start will be selected. ' • • • Under the new revenue law the clerical force in the internal revenue bureau to to be considerably increased and the new ap> pointers are exempt the usual civil- - service examination. ' 1