Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1898 — RUMORS ARE DENIED. [ARTICLE]

RUMORS ARE DENIED.

Sensational War Stories Are Pronounced to Be False. CARDENAS HAS SOT BEGS BOMBARDED. Report That a Traitor Had Beea Dimcovered on Board the Monitor Puritan Also Intrue—Xo Neves of Asiatic Squadron. Key West, Fla., April 30. —Friday was a day of wild rumor and little action. First came the story of the bombardment of Cardenas by the ships of the fleet stationed there. The rumors suddenly developed from nowhere and thrived lustily, acquiring an elaborate finish of detail and ornamentation. Then the monitor Puritan steamed into port and Capt. Harrington, the commanding officer of the Cardenas fleet, gave the story its quietus by a firm declaration that there had been no bombardment of the Cardenas batteries, incidentally adding that there were no batteries there and only one or two insignificant gunboats, which had given no sign of offense. The Puritan was hardly in port, to which she came for coal, when another picturesque story appeared. This was that a Spaniard was in the crew of the monitor and had been detected with a bunch of skeleton keys attempting to pick the lock of one of the powder magazines with intent to blow up the ship. This thrilling tale was industriously spread by the Puritan’s patriotic crew, who knew only a few of the facts, and it, too, was summarily nipped in the bud by the highest officers of the ship. According to them, the story arose from the fact that in the Puritan’s crew is a Spaniard or Cuban, by name Yglesias, eccentric and a trifle unbal-

anoed, but who was never suspected of anything but the heartiest loyalty to the United States, in whose navy he has been for seven years. He was seen the other day in one of the turrets by a fellow seaman, who reported an attempt to break open the magazine door, adding that cotton waste and rockets had been found on Yglesios. The latter was immediately put under restraint and a court of inquiry has been appointed to make an investigation. No court-martial has been ordered or recommended, and, while Capt. Harrington refuses to discuss the affair, pro or con, other high officers say that a treasonable Interpretation of the incident is preposterous. No New* from toe Squadron. London, April 30.- —A dispute!) to the Daily Mail from Hongkong, dated Friday, says: War news is scarce. Nothing has been heard of the American fleet or from Manila. Commodore Dewey considers that his duty will be done when the Spanish fleet is captured and safety has been secured foi American trading vessels. Eleven of these vessels arc overdue and the Americans feel exceedingly anxious. The formation of the provisional government at Manila will be announced at the discretion of United States Consul Williams. Rattle Expected Sundny. Madrid, April 30. —Dispatches received here Friday from Manila, capital of the Philippine islands, say the United States fleet is expected to arrive at Manila on Sunday. The Spanish fleet has been divided into two squadrons. Two cruisers, the Castilla and other vessels remain near the front of Manila. The remaining Spanish warships. under Admiral Montejo, are patrolling the western coast, awaiting the nrrlvnl of the American ships. The Spanish fleet. It appears, has been reinforced by a large auxiliary cruiser, Eaid to be capable of steaming 20 knots and armed ns a warship. She is known ns the Montevideo, but an examination of the maritime registers fails to establish her identity. It is claimed, however that she Ib a very large vessel. Rlanro'a Report. Madrid, April 30.—The following is the substance of the official report made by Capt. Oen. Blanco on the subject of the bombardment of the forts of Maianzas by ships belonging to Rear Admiral Sampson’s squadron on Wednesday last: “Three American cruisers fired on the batteries of Fort MorlUo, at Matanzas, without doing any damage. We tired It shots, to which the Americans replied with a multitude of mltralleuse (quick-firing guns? shots, which did not do any Injury. “The American squadron also fired It cannon shots at the Abanilla battery, only one mule being killed, to which the Span-

ish battery only replied with four shots, as the squadron was beyond range. “The whole squadron of five ships then threw several shells into the town, without doing any damage. “The French and Austrian consuls have protested against the bombardment, as It was- commenced without any previous warning to foreign subjects. “The troops manning the stations are full of fight. “It appears that our shots did some damage to the American ships.” Portage! Is Neatral. Lisbon, April 20. —The Official Gazette Friday publishes,the neutrality decree of Portugal, in the war between Spain and the United States. It is similar to the decree issued at the time of the outbreak of the Franeo-Prusalan war and contains six articles. Will Expel Americans. London, April 30.—A special dispatch from Madrid says the Spanish government is going to expel all. United States citizens from Spain. Spaniards Doubtful. Madrid, April 30.—The Spaniards believe that Washington reports as to movements are intended to hoodwink the Spanish government. Official circles do not believe Americans can land nt Matanzas, as the bay is full of torpedoes. Weyler Fall of Fight. Gen. Weyler In the senate Friday urged the government to take the offensive against America. He justified his administration in Cuba. Germany’s Latest. Madrid, April 30. —A great impression has been produced by a rumor that Germany has issued a note declaring she will not oppose the landing of troops in the Philippines, but will not permit any bombardment. Has Sailed at Last. London, April 30. The Evening News publishes a dispatch from St. Vincent, Cape Verde islands, saying the Spanish cruisers Maria Teresa, Almir.xnte Oquendo, Vizcaya and Cristobal Colon, accompanied by the Spanish torpedo boat destroyers Pluton, Terror and Furor, had. at the hour the dis-

patch w'as filed (nine o’clock Friday morning), just sailed in a westerly direction, presumably going towards Cuba. 9panisl> Fleet Still Idle. Hong Kong, April 30. —It is denied that the Spanish fleet has left Manila to meet the American squadron. On the contrary, it is asserted that the Spanish warships will remain in Manila bay to assist the forts. It is reported from Manila that the American warships have been sighted off Bollnso, where the rebellion broke out last February, but the weather has been toe 6tormy for the fleet to communicate with the rebels. The insurgent chief Aguinaldo is coming to Hong Kong from Singapore. It is alleged that he absconded with half a million dollars, paid by the Spanish government for the other insurgent leaders. All Manila telegrams are censorized and mail communication with Hong Kong has been suspended. Defense* of Manila. London, April 30.—The Daily Mail says this morning: “We have private information that the strength, of the defenses of Manila aniFHavana is much underrated and that no bombardment can be attempted by the American commanders with much chance of success. The entrance to Manila bay is mined and ten-inch guns have been mounted.