The Daily Oklahoma State Capital. (Guthrie, Okla.), Vol. 10, No. 10, Ed. 1 Tuesday, May 3, 1898 Page: 2 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Oklahoma Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Gateway to Oklahoma History by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
—■
FKEKMIHSIMT.
Orders Are Being Issued
and Fast.
Thick
DECISIVE WORK DONE IN CUBA.
Nevrral l.itmli nu Will He Made n
. Oih'O-Mqiiudron Will
Be IH v i <1«' «l - - Plan If* Capture
lla\ ana.
Washington, May 3.—Free Cuba is In
eight. It may not be visible to all the
people—but the government begins to
see the end. From thin day the Cuban
campaign will be pushed far more vig-
orously. That was the decision « f to-
day's conferences.
The president and L«!eut. Oen. Scho-
fleld talked of plans. Admiral Sleard,
of 'the naval strategy board, and Gen.
Miles, of the -army, were closeted with
Secretary Alger most of the afternoon.
There ^as been no such busy day as
this. Orders have been issued thick
and fast. Details of preparation have
been hastened to the utmost. Satisfied
that Spain means nothing with her
fleets in the Atlantic, the naval strate-
gists are now ready to turn the
strength of Sampson's squadron to the
Island. They realize the uselessness of
waiting longer for sea fighting. This
was what the conference of naval and
army men in Secretary Alger's office
meant today. The president Is ready
for immediate, decisive work In Cuba,
lie Ih satisfied now that Spain Intends
to stand wholly on the defensive. That
being the case, he proposed to proceed
with the main purpose of the war. the
expulsion of Spanish authority from
the island.
The expeditionary force will get
away from Tampa Tuesday or Wednes-
day, It is promised.
To publish in advance the plan of
dlsembarkment would be folly. But It
can be said that the talk today is that
the high ground at the right of the en-
trance of the Hay of Mantansas is
strongly favored by some of the of-
ficials for a base of operations. This
is where the batteries were destroyed
a few days ago. The opinion is ex-
pressed that a force of 5,00 men landed
there can hold the position against
any attempt to dislodge. The war-
ships can stand In close to shore, and
tiring over the heads of the camp can
help materially to repel any attack by
the Spanish.
SEVERAL "LANDINGS TO BE MADE
A new plan was broached in the con-
ferences today. It is not an entirely
new plan, but an enlargement of the
old. Instead of making a juhction with
the Insurgents and extending relief
from a single base of operations, the
proposition is now that several land-
ings will be made. This seems likely to
be adopted.
Sampson's squadron Is to be divided.
This was foreshadowed today when
Commodore Watson was ordered to the
Cindnxttbtl, 'Hi.- .if the forgest of the
cruisers. Now that the campaign
against the Spanish In tuba Is to be
crowded, the necessity for two fleets Is
felt. There will be a main expedi-
tionary force, not s.> strong, to go in
succession to a number of places on the
coast where a few hundred men, prob-
ably marines, will be entirely sufficient,
b icked by warships to take th p >r -
and hold them until the distributions of
supplies can be made to the starving
and the assistance can be conveyed to
the Cuban patriots, if Mantanzas is
selected as the base temporary land-
ings will be made at Calbarlen, Sagua
la -Grande, Neuvitas. in Eastern Cuba,
and at several places in the Occldente.
One base of operations, it has been
found, will answer neither of the two
purposes of the United States. To sup-
ply relief to the reconcentrados, and
•to extend aid with arms and ammuni-
tion to the patriots, several landings
must be made. The seizure of Matan-
zas will permit a great work of relief.
It will bring the expeditionary force
into immediate relations with Gen
Belanoourt, commanding the patriots
in Matanzas Province, and with Gen
Raoul Aran go, commanding in the
northern part of Havana. Hut t.
communicate with Gomez, a landing
must be made at Sagua or at Caibar
ien. This landing is also necessary t
continue the relief of the forty-four clt
ies and towns which are now living
on American charity, under a system
established by Consul Barker.
Several landings will be made on the
south coast. There is great distress to
be relieved at Santiago, Manzanillo
and Cienfuegos. At 'the same time
•there are thousands of patriots waiting
for the promised guns and cartridges
with which they will join the ranks of
Callxto Garcia, Quintin Handera, Jesus
Rabi and Carl Roloff.
PLAN TO CAPTURE HAVANA.
While the landings are being made
and the patriots are being encouraged
to do their utmost on land, the block-
vide is to take on a more formidable
character. It is to be no longer
peaceful blockade." Admiral Samp-
son's orders have already been modi-
fled so as to give him more latitude
with the use of his guns. He is allow
ed now to silence batteries which fin
upon him. This does not, however
apply to Havana. Against th * bom-
bardment of that city, the president is
firmly set. He never loses sight of the
humanitarian motive for intervention
He will not listen to any proposition
to throw shot and shell into the capi
tal. 4*ome way must be found to re-
duce the city without bombardment,
which 'would kill non-combatants and
destroy private property. 1'ntil now
Admiral Sampson's orders have been
such that he has not ventured to fire
at the defenses of Havana, no matter
if he was fired upon.
But supplemental Instructions are
about to be issued. Consul Gen Lee
has pointed out a way to reduce Hava
na without the cost of lives of women
and children, and without great de-
struction of property. The presidenr
and Gen. Schofleld and the members of
the strategy board have been giving
the plan close study today and they are
much impressed with it. Charts show-
ing Hie coundlngs of the water a short
distance off shore enter Into considera-
tion of the merits of the suggestion.
These have been examined with care.
The Mian is that Admiral Sampson
J shall take su- h of the nhips of th*
squadr. n as are best adapted for a
social sefvice. It is probable that the
monitors will he most available. The
ships se!e ted will proceed to t point
as far beyond the western battery on
th? Havana front as may be ne.vssary
and move it toward the shore as near
as the water will permit. Then the
warships will work their way slowly
d >mi the gulf front, hugging the
shore. As they come in range of the
bat.terie* successively they will silence
and dismount the guns. The batteries
wili be taken from the side rather than
the front. Examination of the chart
shows that the monitors will be able
to come close into the shore, an 1 that
the fire will be almost parallel with th®
city front rather than directly toward
it, as would be the case if the ships
stood out In front. In* monitors are
of light draft in comparison with the
battleships, and seem to be well fitted
for this work.
CITY NOT TO BE SHELLED.
Consul General Lee has pointed out
that the defenses of Havana can be de-
stroyed in this way without serious
damage to the city. The regulations
under which the batteries were estab-
lished do not permit any residences or
business buildings immediately adja-
cent to the emplacements. The bat-
teries, w hile In the city, stand out some
yards from any other structures. It
seems to be entirely feasible for the
monitors to pound thern Into ruins
without materially disturbing Havana.
Havana's capitulation is expected to
follow the destruction of the defenses.
Blanco has promised to stand a sieg-\
md the Spanish officers have talked of
ath before surrender, but this is well
understood to mean nothing. For a
time it was thought that the Spanish
might hold on after their fortifications
were battered down and wait for an
Investment by land and perhaps for an
assault. This is now known to be en-
irely Improbable. The flag will come
lown when the batteries have been
reduced.
long as there was a possibility
that Spain might attempt to raise the
siege by the sending of a fleet to West
Indian waters. Blanco was disposed to
hold out; but it is plain now to the
Spanish army in Cuba that the mother
country has abandoned the Island
The disposition of the army is to give
too, after the United States has
made a show of force. There Is man!
fested today great confidence at the
white house and In army and naval
Ircles that the Spanish flag over Ha-
vana will be down w ithing three weeks.
WORK SELECTED FOR LEE.
> rapidly does the collapse of Span-
ish authority in Cuba seem to be ap-
proaching that consideration Is even
now being given to what must follow
the relinquishment. The president de-
sires to have Consul General Lee forego
his desire for a military command, and.
with plenipotentiary powers, represent
this government in Cuba's coming crl-
He realizes that there must be a
strong man on the ground to hold
things stead through the transition
period. The United States must be well
represented in a civil capacity. There
must be somebody to whom the Spanish
surrender. There must be a civil
head while the Spaniards are departing
and the patriots are coming into the
possession of power.
The president believes Gen. Lee.from
his intimate acquaintance with the sit-
uation, and from the confidence which
the Cubans have in him. is the Ameri-
:o undertake this deilcate and
highly responsible office. He has sug-
gesed to him that he accept this duty
rather than a military appointment.
The choice, it is understood, rests with
en. Lee.* If he accepts the civil posi-
tion, there Is probability that ex-Con-
gressman Aldrich, of Chicago, will be
appointed to accompany and assist in
the work of setting up the new repub-
lic. Mr. Aldrich was the man who was
selected to succeed Gen. Lee. but the
president never found the time when
he felt he could make a change In the
consul generalship.
It is a matter of great relief to the
president that the freedom of Cuba is
in a fair way of accomplishment with-
out the necessity for a considerable
American army on the Island at this
time of the year. Thorough investiga-
tion of the sanitary conditions have
been made. There Is now before the
president elaborate data as to present
conditions gathered by Surgeon General
Sternberg, of the army, and Surgeon
General Wyman. of the Marine Hospi-
tal Service. Both of these high officials
have shown the the president that it
will be impossible to send American
soldiers to Cuba at this season without
great losses from disease. Surgeon
General Sternberg hits spent some time
In Cuba, He knows just what the dan-
gers are. He has the official reports of
the mortality in the military hospitals.
He has told the president that the
deaths of Spanish soldiers from disease
in the twelve months have exceeded
the entire strength of our regular ar-
my by over 5.000 men. Last year the
Spanish army suffered a 1<>ss of 32,534
from death and of 30,ouo more sent
home broken down with disaese. Sur-
geon General Sternberg has been most
positive in his advice to the president
not to think of sending an American
army to operate in Cuba before late In
the fall.
Of the expeditionary force which will
go next week to establish communica-
tion with the patriots anil to distrubute
relief, the great part will be in the four
colored regiments of the regular ar-
my. For them the elimate h.ts no
terrors.
MAY BE POSTPONED.
Gen. Miles is trongly opposed to the
sending of the expedition. He took
ground against it in the war council
late this afternoon, and urged his ob-
jections. The question is under consid-
eration at the white house. While
preparations have been rushed In ev-
ery way possible to hasten the depart-
ure fr.jm Tampa, there is a possibility
now that the postponement may take
place. The decision will be reached by
the president artef consultation with
General Schofleld.
The objection to the establishment
of a camp of 5,000 of 10,000 men in Cuba
is the same that presents Itself to the
sending of an army of 50,000 or 75,000.
Surgeon General Sternberg has given
to the president an opinion that half
of any army that may be sent to Cuba
will be In the hospitals within sixty
days. Although the expeditionary
force being formed is composed largely
or colored troops, the president hesi-
tates to let them go.
If the large expedition to occupy a
permanent base Is abandoned, as seems
probable tonight, in place of it will be
sent a force sufficiently strong to make
landing, to deliver munitions to :he
patriots and to distribute food to the
rec. ncentrad >s.
THE BLOGKADERS.
Our BattleShips Do Not Stay in
Bunch.
A \umber ofMiatnll UnmcIn in Addi-
tion to W liat We Ifluvc Would
Make Blockade Complete.
CRUISER T0PEKA ARRIVES
APPEARED IN NEW YORIC HARBOR
LAST SUNDAY MORNING.
New York. May 3.-The United States
cruiser Topeka. formerly the Diogenes,
•ommanded by Lieutenant J. J. Knapp,
which called from Falmouth, England,
April lit. arrived safely in^port Sunday
after a rough passage of twelve days
The Topeka entered the narrows at 9 a
m.. where she slowed down for the health
fflcers' Inspection, .hen proceeding t<
the man-of-war anchorage off Tompkins
vllle. As she steamed up the bay the
vessel presented an odd appearance. She
has a high-sided, black painted hull,
two yellow funnels, from which the paint
had been washed off by heavy weather.
She is brig-rigged, giving her a heav,, ap-
pearance aloft, without fig?.'*- to ,-. In
fact, at a distance, she presents the ap-
pearance of a big cargo steamer rather
is entirely bare of guns .all her equip-
is entirely bare of guns, all hed equip-
ment being stowed in the holu.
Lieutenant Ivnapp reported having ex-
perienced a very rough passage. From
the time of leaving the channel, up to
the banks, a succession of strong wes-
terly gales were encountered. After
passing the banks, the wind hauled to the
northeast and blew a strong gale, for four
days, with a very rough sea. The To-
peka behaved well throughout, and sus-
tained hut trilling damage about the decks
The cruiser carries a crew of forty-six
men, all told. Lieutenant Knapp, when
asked whether he nad sighted any war
vessels during the voyage, replied laat
he had not. and was not anxious to meet
any, owing to his femall crew and the
fact that the Topeka's guns were not
mounted. 1 ne Topeka was saluted by
several tugs and excursion boats as she
steamed up to her anchorage.
The Topeka was formerly known as ti
Diogenes. She was built for the Peru-
vian government at Kiel, Germany, but
never was completed. She was taken In
part payment by the \ aames Iron works
who fitted out her sister ship, the Isos-
thenes, and was recently purchased from
that company by the United States gov
ernment. She is an excellent sea boat
and can sustain a speed of sixteen knots.
Shortly after noon today the recently
acquired cruiser New Orleans passed the
Topeka. heading for the lower bay. and
greetings were exchanged and flags dip-
ped. This was the first sight of a w
vessel which the officers and men on the
Topeka had since they left British wa
ters.
Lieutenant John J. Knapp. nowin com-
mand of the cruiser Topeka, entered the
navy in 1874. graduating at Annapolis In
1878. Lieutenant Knapp is t~e youngest
son of the late Colonel John Knapp. anu
during the twenty years whica have elap
sed since he graduated at the naval acd-
emy, has been in important positions,
both in land and sea service. He was
detailed for duty on the European sta
tion In January last, going to the flag
ship San Francisco as flag lieutenant o
the European squadron when Cotnmodor*
Howell took command. When the Sat
Francisco was orderc- home this month
Lieutenant Knapp was detached and sent
to Germany to get the ill-fated torpedo
boat Somers. He brougnt the Somers
to Weymouth England, and was then
put in command of the new cruiser bought
In England, the Topeka.
Lieutenant Knapp will probably not re-
main in command of the Topeka, return-
ing Instead to his old position on the San
Francisco.
MORE SPANISH BRUTALITY.
THE INSURGENTS DESIRE AMER-
ICAN PROTECTION.
New York. May 3.—A copyright ca-
blegram from Singapore to the World
says: "Upon his arrival at Hong Kong
General Aguinaldo, the insurgent lead-
er of the Philippines will probably be
transferred on an American dispatch
boat to join Commodore Dewey
Manila. Aguinaldo's policy after the
Philippines have been captured em-
braces the Independence of the islands
and the internal affairs to be controlled
under European and American advis-
ers.
"The insurgents desire Amerloan pro
tectlon. temporary, at least, on the
same lines as proposed by the Cuban
campaign.
"The scheme includes free trade to
the world, safeguards enacted against
an influx of Chinese aliens, a complete
reformation in the corrupt Judicature
under European officials, the entire
freedom of the press and public utter
ance, a generous religious toleration
the abolition and expulsion of relig
ious fraternltines, the <?huroh being
represented by secular priesthood
provision for facilities to expllot
sources, the building of railways, the
removal of the restrictions on enter
prise and the investment of cauital
Aguinaldo could undertake the main
tenance of public order
"Spaniards have committed horrible
massacres of defenseless population.
Oebu City was almost entirely destroy-
ed."
TOWN DESTROYED.
Duncan, I. T.. May 3.—(Special.)—A
tornado struck here Saturday nlglit at
H> o'clock nearly wiping out the entire
town. A child was killed and 100 per-
sons hurt, some fatally. Nearly every
boarding house in the town was blown
down. Many people were in these
buildings and more deaths may come
to light. People of neighboring towns
are helping in the work of rescue.
On Board the Dauntless. Dispatch Boat
of tht. Ass >clated Press. Midway Between
Havana and Key West. Fla., i*ay 1.—
News* :thering at sea has Irs attractions,
but it .iiso has its drawbacks. Incident
after incident could be written, describ-
ing how. « ut of the semi-darkness, rush-
ed a long black torpedo boat, and the
hoarse order to heave-to was followed on
the instant by the threat of a shot. Then
there have been times when all steam
was called for because we were In grave
doubt whether an approaching stranger
was American or Spanish, and in no
doubt at all as to what our fate would
be should the unknown vessel prove to
be a Spanish gunboat, for the Spaniards
would rather gather in the Dauntless than
almost any other craft that sails the
Vis.ting them day after day. the per-
sonality of the warships grows on you
and your regards is totally different from
that which you feel toward the same ves-
sels wl^n they are in a home harbor or
icefully cruising up and down a friend-
ly coast. If they seem grimmer, they
•rtainly seem greater for defense, for
honor, for success.
If any persons have the Idea that the
hips of the blockading squadron off Ha-
ana remain- d bunched together opposite
El Moro and the harbor's mouth they
should at once change their notion. Last
nigh: the distance between the Wilming-
ton, on the eastern flank, and the Iowa
?n the western, could not have been less
than thirty miles. Lookouts In the lofty
tops, with long telescope glasses. can
p the coast line and the sea for many
miles without letting the smallest of
Masting vessels escape their observation,
and. as long as the blockading vessels
are within signaling distance, one with
mother, the longer the blockade line, the
more effective it is. Results in the way
of captures have proven the truth of this.
None the less true it is. however, that
ear Admiral Sampson could use to great
ivantage a number of small vessels.
They would render the blockade absolute,
and, at" the same time, relieve the crews
the bigger ships from constant calls
quarters. 1 hese calls are harassing,
and. as only one out of ten. probably,
amounts to anything, are apt to prove
irritating as well.
Newspaper boats give the fleet much
trouble at night. It is unintentional, of
ourse, but true for all that. All the
irar vessels are as dark as pitch at night
and tne correspondents' boats often run
directly within the prescribed limits of
approach before they have the faint
notion of the proximity of a cruiser or
battleship. The moon, which Is slightly
waxing In power, will help greatly
juick identification, but the Dauntless re-
cently succeeded in gettting a night order
for signals which will be better still
Sitting near the Dauntless pilot house
recently, off El Moro. with a pair of ma-
rine glasses that brought the saffron bas-
tions within half a mbe, it was impossi-
ble to keep from speculating on the con-
lltlon of things within that city, where
for two months many of us lived on pa-
tience and the hope of a bombardment.
i, it now seems, is not to occur. We
knew as well as if we were eyewitnesses
that famine is witoin; that It Is not con-
fined to reconcentrauos. most of whom
must be dead by this time; but embraces
the lady of quality and her liege lord, the
professional man and his family. the
small storekeeper and his brood, the ar-
tisan and his helpmate. Probably, as
yet, the Spanish officer and the wealth
contractor have food enough, or the
wherewithal! to buy It, even with beef at
$1.50 per pound (the last quotation" reach-
ing us.) Beyond question a large major-
ity of the Havanese would welcome the
bombardment they dally expect, if assur-
ed that, when It was over, and the city
in the hands of the United States forces,
food conditions would change and the
awful uncertainty as to what the next
hour might bring forth be resolved .nto
certainty in the crucible of action.
When night came we could see the re-
flection in the city of the lights in Parque
Central and parade. We knew as well us
If we were at the Inglaterra hotel that,
along the broader streets, the voluntar-
Ios were marching and countermarching
their officers swishing the little canes
they are so fond of, and their buglars in
vain trying to keep time to their own
music. We hoped some of these volun-
teers were hungry, since they certainly
deserve to be—they are so bloodthirsty
with the helpless and so cowardly when
met by an armed force.
Was the band playing on the stand
around the statue of the great Isabelle?
Probably not. Even these merclrial peo-
ple would scarcely be In musical mood
when a short walk to the shore would
show them the "pillars of fire by night.'*
made by the searchlights of the block-
aders. Of course, the principal cafe
were crowded. Officers and the better
class of civilians were surely congregate,
there in great numbers, drinking their
light wines or a small glass o. absinthe—
they are not given to drunkenness—and
talking fifteen to the dozen while hands
and arms waved wildly and shoulders
were perpetually In action
A recent letter to the writer, smuggled
out by ,i friend In Havana, said: "Th*
big hotel Inglaterra has two guests. Mr.
Gollan, British consul, and a Madrid gam-
bler. but the patronage ot the cafe is on
the increase. These people are gregar-
ious and must talk or explode."
It is astonishing with what equanimity
we bore the thought that some of the
people spoken of above were likely to be
hungry before long. But when we thought
of delicately nurtured gentlemen, orphan-
ed. widowed or deserteu. whose Incomes
were zero and whose hopes of help were
vanished, we could not feel so ndifferent,
any more than we could when remember-
ing the poor little Inmates of the Lee or-
phanage. rescued from death, It Is feared,
only to die at last, and from starvation,
as in the first instance.
Fervent was the hope in every Ameri-
can breast that our naval and military
forces would take and hold
fere death came to all who were dtptnla
e«t upon charity from the United States.
The band of the New York is playing
the march from "El Capltan,' the big
cruiser slowly forges along through a
sea blue as beafM, save • is dot*
ted with the blood red of a small jelly
fish peculiar to these waters; the sun
gleams 'on the rifles and accoutrements
of the marines on guard, and its rays
makes the big eight-inch guns. poked
clear of the turret, look as if swathed In
wet hippopotamus hide. Now and again
long strings of parti-colored bunting float
from the signal halyards, to be answer-
ed far away to the westward by a similar
display from the Iowa. The man in
foretop wing wags In frantic fashion . s
flag of red with white center and present-
ly. with a snort, .he long, black Porter
comes alongside with a swif. motion com-
posed of rolls and darts, there to receive
order* that senu her scurrying off to
some other ship; or. maybe, to Key West
with dispatches.
An attractive picture. But we would
like It better were the guns less briflht
but busier, and were tae signals calls™.)
"general quarters."
MORE FORTS CM
Port Cabanas Is Another United
States Virtim.
Iii I lie 4 a e Of Matanxa the Firnt
toliot IV UN fired By tli«
Npaniardrt.
FAMOUS PAINTER DEAD.
WAS A MEMBER AND KEEPER OF
THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
London. May 3.—Mr. Philip Calderon,
the distinguished painter, member and
keeper of the royal academy since 1S77,
is dead.
The late Philip ltermogenes Calderon
as a son of Rev. Juan Calderon and
was born at Polntiers. in 1833. He stud-
ied at Mr. Leigh's academy and the atel-
ier of M. Plcot. member of the institu-
tion. In Paris. Among his early pictures
"The Gaoler's Daughter." exhibited
in the royal academy In 1858 and "The
Return From Moscow." exhibited in 1861.
He was elected an associate member of
the royal academy in 1864 and a full mem-
ber in 18i)7. In that year he received the
first medal awarded to English art at the
Paris International exhibition.
At the close of the Paris International
exhibition. In 1878. after exhibiting a large
number of his canvases, he received a
first-class medal and was created a
Knight of the Legion of Honor. He then
devoted a long time to the task of paint-
ing decorated panels in oil for the dining
room of a well known lover of art. among
which was "The Olive," "The Voile" (rep-
resenting the fruits of the earth). and
"The Flower of the Earth." exhibited at
the Royal academy In 1881. In 18S7 he
was appointed keeper of the Royal acad-
emy in succession to Mr. Pickersgih.
Among his best known paintings are
iiome After Victory," "On Her Way to
tne Throne," "In a Palace Tower," "Ruth
and Naomi," "His Reverence," "Joan of
Arc" and "Deep in the Autumn Woods."
GREAT REJOICING,
DEWEY
THAT
ACCOMPLISHED ALL
HE EXPECTED TO.
Washington, May 3.—Joy beamed on
every countenance at the navy depart-
ment yesterday and the officials ex-
changed enthusiastic congratulations
on Commodore Dewey's victory, as they
entered the department to take up their
daily tasks. Many of the officers were
tired and worn to the average nervous
prostration by the exhausting labors
of the last few weeks, but all fatigue
was forgotten for the moment as they
stopped to talk about the battle of
Manila. There was anxious inquiry
from all sources for some kind of news
• f the details of the fight. It was real-
ized by the officials that nothing can be
expected directly from Commodore
Dewey, in the usual course for at
least two days or more. There Is,
however, a possibility which is magni-
fied by expectant minds here into a
probability, that some information at
least more reliable and free from color
than that which comes from Madrid,
may be forthcoming through the Brit-
ish foreign office.
While the Spanish government in the
ease of an emergency, might take ab
solute possession of the cable at Ma-
nila, it is not customary to deny ac
cess to it to the dlplomiatic and con
sular officials of neutral governments.
The cable report that the British C
sul General at Manila had a conference
after the conflict with Commodore
Dewey, indicates clearly that he is at
least in possession of the American
story of the naval battle, and probably
has be^ n made acquainted with the ex-
tent of the loss suffered by the Ameri-
can ships. It is not doubted that
the opportunity offers the consular
fleer will communicate promptly the
facts to his home government and it
is just possible that he nas been
quested by Commodore Dewey, to see
to it that a brief and fair statement
of the facts are transmitted to the
United States government.
The convlclon is growing in the state
and navy departments that the ac-
counts which have been received
far of the engagements greatly mini-
mize the victory of the Amrican fleet.
A careful reading of the dispatches,
even those from Spanish sources.seem
to warrant an assumption that Com-
modore Dewey has succeeded complete-
ly in his undertaking and has acc<
pllshed everything that was expected
of him and was included in his orders.
It is noticed that in one sentence the
report speaks of the commodore's land-
ing his wounded. This is regarded as
a very significant statement. It is not
supposed for an instant that the ad
miral abandoned his wounded to the
enemy, and the only sane inference
that can be drawn is that he plac
them In proper shelter on shore under
the United States fleet, and is prepared
to protect the landing place with the
guns of the fleet. This it appears that
commodore Dewey has crushed the
Spanish fleet, the prime object of his
expedition, ami has relieved American
commerce in the Pacific from the dread
of capture while in addition he has
placed his fleet on Spanish soil and
holds a position ashore which may be
developed into a base of supplies for
his fleet, which thus will have found
a legitimate home.
Key West. Fla.. May 2.—Tester lay af-
ternoon the flagship New York, wi'.h eight
well-directed shells from the six-inch gun
on her port bow and two from one of the
eight inch guns, in her forward turret,
completely silenced and rendered useless
for both men and guns, two Spanish forts
at Port Cabanas, twelve miles west of
Madrid and twenty-five miles from Ha-
vana. As was the case of Matanzas, the
first shot was fired by a Spaniard. V
Alw>ut noon the New York steamed up
the West coast. Following the flagship
f r quite a distance came the Iowa. In-
diana. Helena, and torpedo boats Porter
and Ericsson. But after H.wvana was,
passed, where the Helena went In so closi
that a crash gun from Moro was momen-
tarily expected, the ships. With the excep-
tion of the torpedo boats, soon returned
to their station.
Under a full head of steam, the flagship
bowled along until Marlel was reached.
It was easy from aboard tne dispatch
boat, without glasses, to see the commo-
tion raised by the presence of the war-
ships In the pretty little village. The
people rushed wildly about and small
boats quickly put in shore. But there was
no apparent life in either of the forts on
two hills that cover the approaches to
the harbor.
The Porter steamed within a half mile
of them, and the New York swung leis-
urely at anchor a* a mile range.
After Admiral Sampson had surveyed
Marlel to his apparent satisfaction, he
sent the flagship cdpping merrily further
up the coast.
Again the flagship rode unconcernedly
half a mile from the forts, and the Porter
and the Ericsson pushed their way aheau.
Suddenly there was a "roar of a heavy
gun. a puff of smoke from the shore, anil
little torpedo boat came scurrying
back under the lee of the flagship.
The officers and men disappeared from
ie decks of the New York like magic,
and, in less time than it takes to tell it,
one six-Inch gun from her bow belched
rth.
The evening was fading fast. Quick,
>od work was necessary. Another shot
from the flagship, one more from the
shore, and the fort's guns were silenced.
Three six-Inch shells had sufi.ced. Five
more shots put a quietus on the fortlnca-
>ns. The first shot was fired at 6:02.
At 6:?.i the New York let go two six-inch
shells, one at each fortification, to com-
plete the job. There was no answer from
the shore.
Ten minutes later the flagship let go
two of her eight-Inch turret guns, and
the shrieking shells left a trail of fire
asily seen In the dark shadows of the
evening.
At this time the shore was hardly visi-
ble. and the New York put Ixick to her
station.
On Board the Flagship New York.^
April 30, 11 a. m.. via Key West, Fla.,
May 2.—The blockade continues as
before. The flagship .ies to the west-
ward of Havana.
The torpedo boat Porter, while close in-
> shore last night, reports having been
red upon by the Cojimar battery, which
; to the eastward of Moro Castle. The
Porter escaped unscathed.
The coast of Cuba is being carefully
patrolled by the Spanish cavalry.
aptain Taylor, of the Indiana, came on
board the flagship today and had a long
msultation with Rear Admiral Samp-
an.
News of the movements of the United
tates army is eagerly awaited by the
fleet. in«l there Is much speculation as to
when the troops will pe ready.
The weather, which is cool and calm,
could not be more suitable for military
operations.
While the Dauntless, the dispatch boat
of the Associated Press, was making her
way from Key West early this morning,
she was sighted by the flagship. The
lookouts on the New York were una.ble
to make out her identity, owing to the
mist and distance, which separated her
her from the flagship, and a four-inca
shell was fired In her direction. It was
not aimed at tne Dauntless.
11. A. Piatt, as Mikado, has his part
so thoroughly worked up' that It will
be Impossible to discover thi't he Is
ina be- only playing the part.
/;
of
*
BY REQUEST
SHE WOULD WEAR A SPANISH C*,S-
THME.
Bridgeport. Conn.. May 2.—Because
Mme De la Perrierre. an accomplished
t rench tutor, did not gauge the depth of
Southport's patriotism, sae is preparing
to leave the village—by request. The
request came from a committee of the,,
foremost women of the, village that s *^
stand not on the order of her going.
Mme. De la Perrierre was. until recent-
ly. a resident of this city, where sae con-
ducted a private academy far young Am-
erican girls.
Emboldened no doubt by ..ne belief thaUjj
her position was securely established, she
appeared on the streets yesterday with
the Spanish colors, de-orating her cor-
sage. In conversation she denounced
America and expressed her sympathy (or
the Spaniards.
Mme. De la Perrierre will now seek oth-
er fields in which to teach young Ameri-
can girls polite accomplishments.
FABULOUS WEALTH.
The "incalculable mineral wealth" of
newly found mining regions largely run
by syndicates and promoted by trans-
portation companies is in too many in-
stances really a fable. The products
of Industry In legitimate fields of enter-
prise nearer home are far surer and
promise more stable rewards. No one
will go unrewarded in the matter o
improved health who use reguTarl.
Hostetter's Stomach Bitters for malar
ia. dyspepsia, constipation, biliousness, j
etc.
Wanted—To purchase I<ogan, Ian, 1
coin and Payne county general fun
warrants. J F. Stone, Pitts bulldln.
Guthrie, O T.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Greer, Frank H. The Daily Oklahoma State Capital. (Guthrie, Okla.), Vol. 10, No. 10, Ed. 1 Tuesday, May 3, 1898, newspaper, May 3, 1898; Guthrie, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc104484/m1/2/: accessed May 3, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.