Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1898 — Brazil Is Neutral. [ARTICLE]

Brazil Is Neutral.

Notice came to the state department from Brazil Thursday that that government had declared neutrality. There is now no cause ft) regret such action outlie part of Brazil, for. however bene-

fleial the delay ha*, been to the United States in getting its warships safely along the Brazilian coast, the issue of the proclamation just now is likely to be still more beneficial in closing Brazilian ports to the Spanish flying squadron, if it should be headed in that direction. To Hunt the Enemy. Chicago, May 6. —The staff correspondent of the Record at Washington says: “-Admiral Sampson’s fleet, consisting of the flagship New York, two battleships, two monitors and two cruisers, will be off San Juan, Puerto Rico, to-day. It Is the admiral’s object to locate the four cruisers and three torpedo boat destroyers which left St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, last Friday, If they are In Atlantic waters. If he finds them at or off San Juan, there will be a great fight at once. If he does not find them he will go to the Barbadoes and beyond. Somewhere In that vicinity, if he does notflnd the Vizcaya, Almlrante Oquendo, Colon and Maria Teresa, of the Spanish fleet, he will form a junction with the Oregon and the Marietta and return to Puerto Rico. It Is the hope of the officials of the navy department that Admiral Sampson will meet the Spaniards. “Admiral Sampson has orders to take Puerto Rico, as a base of supplies, and will do so promptly, perhaps within the next three or four days. A military force will occupy the Island after Admiral Sampson has captured It, probably under Gen. Merritt, and will be about 10,000 strong. Puerto Rico Is to become a permanent possession of the United States. It commands the Gulf of Mexico, and will be a valuable strategic point when the Nicaraguan canal is completed. It will be held as a war indemnity. The acquisition of the Island is strongly urged in the senate, and the president Is quoted as favoring the plan.’’ Says Dewey la at Manila. Singapore, May 6.—Private telegraphic advices received here confirm the news of the complete victory of the American fleet at Manila and the destruction of the Spanish warships. The Americans are now holding Manila and exercising the power of government. The insurgent leader, Alejandrino, landed from an American transport with arms for the rebels. Sensational Report Denied. Vallejo, Cal., May 6. Admiral Kirkland stated to the press correspondent Thursday that the report that he had

received a message from the navy department at Washington saying that 200 men were killed on the cruiser Baltimore was untrue. The admiral said he had received no word from Washington and knew nothing about the light at Manila, except reports already published.