Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1898 — IT WAS A HARD BLOW [ARTICLE]

IT WAS A HARD BLOW

Spanish Populace at Last Undeceived Regarding Cervera. WAS LED TO BELIEVE IS HIS ESCAPE # Population la Greatly Excited—Civil War la Threatened—Sagaats Declares That tbe Conflict \ Will Be Continued. j Madrid, July 6.—Senor Sagasta, the pre- • mier, has announced officially that Admiral , Cervera’s squadron has been defeated, that [ the Almirante Oquendo was burned and ! the Infanta Maria Teresa sunk and that | Admiral Cervera himself Is a prisoner of : war. Civil War Threatened. j London, July 6.—The Madrid correspond--1 ent of the Dally Telegraph telegraphing i Tuesday night says: Disorder is spreading i among the military; the crowds in the city are getting riotous, and eve#where signs are apparent that the population Is arming for civil war. Marshal Martinez Compos and the captain general of Madrid have held long consultations as to the ways and means of preserving order. Peace impossible. London, July 6.—The Dally Chronicle says:. We learn from a sure source that the Spanish government thinks It Impossible to matte peace now because to make peace at present would throw the balance of power in Spain into the hands of the Carlists. The Madrid correspondent of the Standard says: The public is still in favor of prolonged resistance,■ but excitement Is Increasing among all.classes, and strong precautions are being taken in all the large towns where the garrisons are confined to barracks. The correspondent describes the irritation of the newspapers, which withheld the special reports as to the disaster to Cervera’s squadron until the government’s confirmation had been received. Will Continue the War. Madrid, July 6.—The cabinet council Tuesday night, after a short session, decided* not to open negotiations for peace, but to continue the war, with all risks, while a single soldier remains in Cuba. The government has no news as to a bombardment of Santiago, and has cabled Gov. Gen. j Blanco for details of the naval battle. How Madrid Was Tricked. Madrid,' July 6.—Prior to Sagasta’s announcement of Cervera’s defeat almost indescribable enthusiasm prevailed over his supposed escape with his squadron from the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The admiral's name was on every tongue, and it was claimed that it was he who saved Santiago de Cuba, by "adding to Gen, Linares' handful of soldiers nls brave sailors to man the guns ashore and repel the Americans under Gen. Shafter.” Such was about the exultant eulogy of Admiral Cervera heard on all sides, this state of public feeling being due to the official announcements from Santiago. For instance, one statement from Santiago is as follows: One of the Stories. “When Admiral Cervera found that it was certain coi. Escario s reenforcements were in proximity to Santiago, the admiral held a council with the commanders of his squadron, disclosing to them a plan to force the blockade in broad daylight. The commanders responded unanimously: "Ad iante:" (Forward.) ‘‘lt was then arranged that the torpedoboat destroyers should take the lead, feigning an attack, and discharge the torpedoes against the enemy’s ships, the Cristobal Colon protecting their advance, sheltered by the batteries of Morro castle, and distracting the enemy’s attention while the remainder of the squadron sallied out of the harbor. The Americans at first were taken by surprise. Then recovering, they opened a tremendous fire, especially against the torpedo-boat destroyers, which vessels Admiral Cervera had instructed to steer an opposite course to the squadron. The Americans were deceived, and maneuvred toward the supposed course of the Spaniards, while Admiral Cervera went full steam ahead, maintaining a continuous tire until clear of the American lines and then steamed awy westward, pursued and breasted for some distance by the swiftest American vessels, until they were lost sight of from Morro castle. In the mtantime the torpedo-beat destroyers sank under a rain of shell from the numerous American warships. It is presumed part of their ertws were saved by the enemy or swam ashore. A number of life buoys were provided on board the torpedo-boat destroyers, whose crews anticipated that their vessels would be destroyed.” Public Perplexed. Foreign news giving contradictory versions of the sortie have cast a tinge of perplexity and dampness upon the general rejoicing. In military circles it is considered that Gen. Shafter has been checked, that Rear Admiral Sampson has been baffled, and that the aspect of the war has been changed, but the universal expression of opinion is that peace is impossible until something occurs v\ hich is satisfactory to the national feeling.