Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1898 — TO BOMBARD SPAIN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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-

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.

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.

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

FLAG OF PHILIPPINE INBUROENTB.