Evening Star Newspaper, June 17, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING &TAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, J1€] Feansylvania Avenue, Cor. lth St., by ‘The Evening Star New t Company 8. H. CAUPFMANN Prost peso Few York Office, 49 Potter Buildinz, ‘The Evenirg Star ts served to subscribers In the eity by cirriers, on thete own account, at 10 cents Der week. or 44 cents per month. Copies at the ccunter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States cr Canada—postage prepald—0 cents per month, Saturday Quintuple ——- $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $2. Entered ut the Po t Office at Washington, D. C.. as secynd-<c ma’l matter.) £7 All mail subscription Rates of advertising ma: must be pald In advance. knewn on applicatior. Che Evening Star. No. 14,133. WASHINGTON, D. ©., FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1898—SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. FIRING ON MANILA ee Insurgents Under Aguinaldo Have the City Completely Invested. INHABITANTS FLEEING FOR LIFE 3 Gen. Augusti Prevented From Sur- rendering by the Archbishop. — + SPANISH WITHOUT FOOD a Senator Morgan offered a resolu- tion today extending the thanks of Congress to Naval Constructor Hob- son and his associates in sinking the Merrimac and authorizing Lieut. Hobson’s transfer to the line. ° Rep- resentative Underwood introduced a similar resolution in the House. No news is expected from the fleet at Santiago before Sunday by the Navy Department. The House military affairs com- mittee has favorably reported the bill to enlist company cooks for volun- teer regiments. Gen. Miles returned from south this morning. the MANILA, June 6, via Hong Kong, June 17.—Spanish power is crumbling in the Philippine Islands. General Pena and a thousand Spanish soldiers have surrendered at Santa Cruz and similar surrenders have occurred at other places. ‘The insurgents propose to form a republic under Anglo-American tutelage. (Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.’ Firing Into Mani MAN!LA, June 5.—Via Hong Kong, June 17.—The insurgents are gaining everywhere and are now firing into Manila itself. It has now been officially admitted that the troops have been thirty-six hours with- out food. In the northern sections the insurgents have united near Passig, on the Pass'g river, driving the Spanish gunboats to Doa. Taere were a few casualties. The zone of hostilities is a magnifcent country, thickly wooded, having an unlimited number of natura! ambus- cades and innumerable blockhouses and trenches. Any average army could easily defy ten times their number. Spanish Retreating Everywhere. On ail sides can be seen the Spaniards re- tiring, removing the soldiers’ effects and dismantling the barracks prematurely, evi- ently anticipating defeat as a matter of course. The soldiers are brave and desper- ate and hate to retreat, but they are hope- lessly incompetent and shamefully under- fed. Many of them have assured the cor- respondent that they have never been at target practice in their lives. Still they are eager for an opportunity to display their valor, and are confident that the enemy is equally unpracticed. It is now offictally admitted here that the lack of food supplies has become a serious matter. Gunboats conveying vol- unteers sent into the lagoon to search for food for the city on Friday, June 3, re- turned here today, Sunday,- and reported the total failure of their mission. The commanders of the gunboats also re- port that every lagoon and town Is hostile. and that their garrisons have probably The Spanish flotilla was unable to effect @ landing in spite of prolonged firing upon the part of all the gunboats. Nobody, how- ever, was killed. This removes the last hope of provision- ing Manila. During the week all the garrisons were simultaneously overpowered or surrendered as prisoners. The latter are well treated. A majority of those who resisted were slaughtered. Without Food Two Days. Whole compantes of Spaniards have had nothing to eat for twe days, and some of them are literally erying. It is a pittable The native peasantry charitably nh yesterday gave arding an outpost. stock bles for a few shillings and gave the feud to the rs, who said it was the food they had tasted for thirty-six re is no doubt, S$ one person re- marked, that somebody deserves lynching for tb of affairs existing. Scores of bloated officers of the Spanish forces are to sn dally loafing about the beer along the boulevards, re- English, while the men under their charge are starving. Insurgents Capture Gui the The insurgents yesterday rushed the pass- age of the Zapota river and also descended from the lage took the Spaniards in flank and capiured several guns. The Span- ish soldiers made a good stand until they were ordered to retreat. Probably their ammunitic inadequate. It is almost impossible to understand how such magnificent positions can be abandon- ed without a struggle. The insurgents today captured Las Pinas, Paranague, Tungalo, Mali bay and Pinedn, all on the coast line. The Spantards lost ninety men killed and wounded and 7,000 returned here unhurt. The insurgents are now firing ir.to Nalate, the southernmost quarter of Manila and a mile and a half from the center place con- taining the fort, magazine, telegraph office and club hou! The horse are visitin apparently cars are running and ladies s within rifle shot of the enemy, unconcerned, Dewey Cannot Control Insurgents. It fs reported t Rear Admiral Dewey is unable to restrain the insurgents, but their conduct is satisfactory. There is no necessity for interference, as no excesses e been committed. tly due to the merely nominal furnished the insurgents. The latter propased to form a republic under Anglo-American tutelege and threatened to visit with severe penaities the insurgents who have become turn-coats, and especially in the case of Paterno, a prominent native protege of the Spaniards. There was desultory firing today in every quarter on the ouskirts of the town with no material result, although there were sev- eral artillery accidents and one explosion, assistance which killed six Spaniards and wounded many others. The ammunition of the Spaniards is ut- terly untrustworthy because {t is old, rot- ted and has never been tested. The Spaniards are impotent with rage, bewilderment and despair. Cafes Are Crowded. The cafes tonight are crowded with of- ficers, with their hands in their pockets, gaping vacantly, while an intermittent fu- silade is audible in all directions. Cartloads of food have been stored ‘n- side the walled citadel, with the intention of standing a siege and defying the Amer- ican warships. But the idea is ridiculously preposterous, for the citadel, so called, is totally untenable against the fire of a modern fleet of war ships. NEW YORK, June 17.—A specialcablegram from Hong Kong to the Journal says: The, most severe and important battle since Ad- miral Dewey's annihilation of the Spanish fleet has occurred at Manila. One thousand insurgents attacked 2,000 Spaniards, inflict- ing heavy losses and almost forcing the en- trance to the city. The insurgents, under Gen. Aguinaldo, and the American sailors and marines of Admiral Dewey's fleet completely surround Manila. The foreign residents have fled to the ships. Admiral Montojo and Governor General Augusti have placed the women, the chil- dren and the priests in the forts for safety. Gen. Augusti is reported to be willing to surrender to the Americans in order to prevent the insurgents from capturing the capital, setting it on fire and killing the Spaniards. The archbishop, however, is opposed to surrender and has overruled Augusti. Wonderful Insurgent Saccess. ‘The success of the insurgents is wonder- ful. The Spaniards taken prisoners in the two weeks’ campaign aggregate 3,000, in- cluding 2,000 soldiers of the regular army. Prominent among them are Gens. Garcia and Cordoba. The governors of the provinces of Cavite, Balucan and Bataan were also made pris- oners. Two million rounds of cartridges were seized in the fortified cathedral of old Ca- vite. The large garrison of old Cavite has sur- rendered, thus giving the insurgents com- mand of the shore of the entire bay. All interior sources of supply are now cut off from the Spanish forces in Manil The Americans can take Manila within twenty-four hours after the arrival of the troops. The city is now at the mercy American fleet. Admiral Dewey’s conduct blockade has been admirable. A great fire is raging north of Manila. The insurgents have captured the water- works on which the supply of the city de- pends. Gen. Augusti has issued an order declar- ing that all males above the age of cl; teen shall join the army and do military duty. of the during the ADMIRAL Insurgents Have Captured Twenty- Five Hundred Spaniards. The following dispatch has been received by the Navy Department from Admiral Dewey: CAVITE, June 12, via Hong Kong, June 17.—There is little change in the situation since my telegram of June 3. Insurgents continue hostilities and have practically surrounded Manila. They have taken 2,500 Spanish prisoners, whom they treat most humanely. They do not intend to take the city at the present time. Twelve merchant vessels are anchor- ed in the bay with refugees on board, un- der guard of neutral men-of-war. with my permission. Health of squadron continues excellent. German commander-in-chief arrived today. Three German, two British, one French, one Japanese men-of-war in port. An- other German man-of-war expected. The following is a correct list of the Span- ish vessels captured and destroyed: Two protected cruisers, five unprotected cruisers, one transport, on2 serving vessel, both armed. The following were captured: The transport Manila and the gunboat Callao. DEWEY. ae oe FOR HOBSON'S EXCHA FROM DEWEY. Commodore Wat Reports on What Has Been Done. The following telegram has been received from Commodore Watson: “On the Lith I sent Capt. Ludlow on the Maple, uader flag of truce, with full power to negotiate exchange of Hobson and the Seven petty officers. Chief of staff an- swered by letter that softer reference to Madrid the captein general will communi- cate by flag of truce. Capt. Ludlow will, if possible, have exc! fe made as desired, and soon. WATSON. eee TO SAIL JUNE 25, Orders to Third Expedition to Rein- force Admiral Dewey. SAN FRANCISCO, June 17.—Orders have been issued to have the City of Para ready to sail with the third Manila expedition on June 25. It is not expected, however, that the transports will sail much before July 1. So far as decided upon, they will con- sist of the Ohio, Indiana, Morgan City, City of Para and Valencia. The last-named, which was secured yes- terday and can carry 600 men, is nearly new and has superior accommodations for officers. She wiil probably be made the flagship of Brigadier General King, who will command the expedition, or Gen. Mer- ritt, should he decide to go with these ves- sels. ———— RECEPTION TO WM. R. WOODWARD. He Graduated From College Sixty Years Ago. There will be a reception to William R. Woodward, esq., held in the lecture room of Wesley Chapel Methodist Episco- pal Church, corner of Sth and F streets northwest, this evening from 8 to 10 o'clock. Sixty years ago Mr. Woodward graduated from Dickinson College at Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, and at the recent annual com- mencement, held on June 8, his alma mater conferred on him the honorazy degree of Goctor of civil law. The reception this evening 1s given in order that the many friends of Mr. Woodward may unite in con- gratulations. There will be music and Short addresses, and it is expected that there will be a large gathering, as few men are better known in Washington. Mr. Woodward is the senior member of the District bar. —— COOKS FOR VOLUNTEERS. Favorable Report by the House Mill- tary Affairs Committee. The House committee on military affal has agreed on and favorably reported to the House bills for the enlistment of a cook in each company, battery and troop of volunteers, with the assistance of de- tailed enlisted men; also for the recogni- tion of the military service of the officers and enlisted men of the 1st Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery. This | AT THE WHITE HOUSE|}NO ONE WAS.:HURT|PRESENT WAR PLANS Cabinet Meeting Today Was Not a Long Session. _ — NO NEW WAR PHASES DISCUSSED Secretary Alger Reported the Re- turn of Gen. Miles. SOME OF TODAY’S CALLERS =e The cabinet did not hold a long session today, and from what the members say, Giscussed no new phases of the war sit- uation. Judge Day stated after the mect- ing that the European outlook was all right. Secretaries Alger and Long said that they had received no news of im- portance from the varicus scenes of unl- versal interest. No official news has come from the Phil- ippines, although scmething has been ex- pected for several days. At any moment a cable message may be received ‘from Admiral Dewey telling of the situation at Manila. It will not surprise government Officials to ascertain that Aguinaldo has captured Manila, and that the situation is in a chaotic state. Gen. Miles’ Arrival Reported. ‘The cabinet session did not, it is said, develop anything of the intentions of the administration as to Porto Rico. Secre- tary Alger reported the arrival of Gen. Miles and the fact that he had conferred with him. Gen. Alger said that it had not been decided when Gen. Miles would return to the south. He did not feel in- clined to make public anything of the con- ference with Gen. Miles. The President and cabinet members are all delighted at the splendid and heroic work of the body of marines landed near Guantanamo. It is probable that many of these men will receive substantial recog- nition of their bravery. The Pyesident lecks forward to the arrival of reinforce- rents tomorrow, when there will be fight- ing worth the name. The Porto Rican Expedition. No time has been fixed for the Porto Rican expedition, and much. will depen, as heretofore stated in The Star, on the result of the progress made by the Amer- ican troops at Santiago. The capture of Santiago will be the capture or destruc- tion of Cervera. With the Spanish ad- miral and his ships eliminated from all future calculations everything will be pushed all along the line. Porto Rico, Havana and all points in Cuba will be rade to feel the effects of Yankee energy ard courage. Practically the entire fleet of big ships of the navy will be concen- trated at Santiago while the city is being invested by land forces. These could not be spared for an expedition against Porto Rico unless it is seen that the destruction of Sartiago is too far off. Then other arrangements will be made. Today’s Callers. The President saw many callers before the cabinet meeting today. Nearly all of these were in search of lieutenancies in the army. Representatives Belknap and Mills of Chicago talked in the interest of constitu- ents from their city, who want armty piaces, Representative Evans of Kentucky did likewise S ‘Representative Pearson of North Caro- lina, uncle of Lieut. Richmond Pearson Hobson of Santiago fame, was at the White House. Mr. Pearson, in behalf of th relatives and friends of young Hobson, has asked the President to temporarily withhold the promotion intended for the young hero. It is thought Lieutenant Hob- son will be free within a week and can then express his own desires. It is be- lieved that he will prefer a change to the line of the navy and will then gladly ac- cept whatever promotion the President and Secretary Long see fit to give. As a line officer, Lieutenant Hobson will stand a chance for promotion to the high- est command in the navy. As a staff of- ficer, Lieutenant Hobson can not go above a certain position. The administration is making strong ef- forts to free young Hobson, and it is thought these efforts will prove successful in a short time. TRANSPORTS EXPECTED TODAY. They Will Probably Land West of the Santiago Forts. (Copsright, 1898, by the Assoziated Press.) OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Thursday, Jun2 16, noon, via Kingston, Jamaica, June 16, 11:45 p.m.—The transports having oa beard the American troops destined to re- inforce the fleet of Rear Admiral Sampson, have not yet arrived here. They are expectad tomorrow, Friday. The landing place of the army is not absolutely decided upon. it will probably be west of Santiago de Cuba. ———_ HARRIED BY SPANISH SPIES. Consul Dent at Kingston, Jamaica, Victim of Their Espionage. KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 16.—Spies are numerous at Kingston. Just now I was calling upon the United States consul. A servant has to be summoned to clear the doorstep of the consulate of loitering Span- ish-speaking persons pretending to be Cu- bans, but suspected of being spies 1or Spain. Mr. Dent is constantly watched, and has had to leave his ho:el and go, for the sake of more privacy, to live at the club. Many refugees from Cuba are here, but sympa- thizers with what cause it is impossible to know. —_+—. - SIGHTED THE CADIZ FLEET. Were Southeast of Gibraltar and Going in Easterly Direction. GIBRALTAR, June 17.—The captain of a German steamer which arrived here this morning reports having sighted the Spantsh Cadiz fleet off Ceuta, north coast of Africa, about oppesite and seventeen miles south- southeast of Gibraltar, last evening. The warships, it is added, were going in ua easterly direction. The fleet consisted of two battle ships, four large cruisers and four torpedo boat destroyers. —_—<——_— Speaker Reed Better. The condition of Speaker Reed is reported better today, although it is not stated when he will be able to resume hig duties in the House, ~ ———_- --____ Local Pensions. Pensions were granted today to the fol- lowing residents of the District of Colum- bia: N. H. Boggs, $30; Mary Demar, Fortunate Escape of District Soldiers at Tampa Last Night, HORSES AND MULES STAMPEDE They Rush Through the Camp Like a Western Cyclone. paste ea ROUNDED UP BY COWBOYS —_—>—___. Special From a Staff Correspondent. TAMPA, Fila., June 17.—'Corporal of the guard, post No, 7, turn out the guard,” sang out the guard on the carral post shortly af- ter taps had sounded last night. ; “My God, the horses are out, and it is a stampede,” he added later. In a moment the whole camp was in an uproar. Men were leaving their tents. Wild excitement reigned supreme. The noise made by the horses and mules as they circled around preparatory to their long run sounded like the roar of cannon in the distance. They started in the direction of the camp of the District men, like a troop of cavalry on the army of an enemy. The guards of the New York regiment lost their heads and commenced firing wild- ly. Fortunately no one was hurt by the fly- ing bullets, but the noise of the guns excit- ed the now wild horses all the more. Stallion in the Lend. With a handsome gray stallion in the lead they dashed through the Djstrict camp, down one company street and up another. Only two tents were knocked down and not a single man was hurt. The asseml:ly was sounded, and the men stood up in front of their tents for more than an hour while the stampeded horses rushed madly back and forth. When they made tkefr first dash at the camp they went throvgh the headquarters 0? the first battalion and down by the head- qvarters of the regiment. At the hospital they played havoc with the tents, but no one was hurt. They were a pretty badly scared lot, however, end the surgeons and others who could do so tcok to the trees and climbed them with agility. There were not enough trees to go around the entire regiment, or every man would have had one. Seal Grand, but Horrib¥e Sight. A stampede, especially at night, is a grand, but horrible, sight. It was long after midnight before the cowboys had succeeded in getting the horses anything like controlled. The horses were scared, and nothing could stop them. At midnight the men were turned back to their quar- ters, but it is safe to say they did not get to sleep for an hour or mafe. The boys are more than fortunate, :or they had a close shave. Had they been bleeping in theic little dog tents it is safe to say that many of them would have been seriously hurt, if not killed. ‘The great coo‘ness of Col. Harries during the time of great excitement was remarked, as was also the coolness of his subordi- netes. The officers handled the men like veterans. It appears that the horses and mules in the government's corral just back of the Dis- trict camp had been restless all the after- noon and evening. The cowpunchers had used every effort to quiet them, but with- out success. At 10 o'clock they stampeled and made a wild dash for the frail board ferce that surrounds the corral. Before they could be stopped fully 1,000 horses and mules had gotten out. After they nad gone through the District camp they went into the Maryland camp, where some little damage was done. They then started for Tempa and went up the main street iike a cyclone. On they went, with men, wo- men and children hurrying out of their houses to see what it all meant. Got Them Turned Back. On the way the cowboys succeeded in getting them turned back toward the cor- ral, and on the return trip they paid the District camp a second visit. While it was a terrible sight, there were many amusing scenes connected with it. Digni- fied surgeons, thinly clad, scrambled up trees, while others rushed wildly into Tampa bay. Still others hid themselves under boxes of roast beef in the commis- sary tent, and others’stood absolutely stil. One man thought the Spaniards were upon the camp and ordered his squad to load their guns. Today the horses got a little unruly, but Were soon quieted down. It is believed that fully 200 horses got away, and It will take several days to catch them. Capt. Simonson Resigns. Captain Otto G. Simonson of Company F has tendered his resignation to Colonel Harries, to take effect at once. The great strain -ineident to organizating his com- pany undermined-his constitution, and this climate did not agree with him. He has been growing steadily worse. Company ¥ is one of. the best companies in the regi- ment and Captain Simonson one of the most popular officers. 2 Everybody will be scrry to see him leave. Capt. Simonson wil! probably leave for Washington tonight, reaching there Sun- day. Lieut. Clarence Gayer will probably be made captain of the company. The men of Company B are looking for- ward to an elegant dirner today. While in swimming this morning several men from this company captured a Mammoth sea turtle. They succeeged in bringing it ashore after considerable hard work. Eight men from Cotmpany F got a boat yesterday about 2 o'clock and started on a fishing trip. When about two miles out the boat struck a san@ bar and broke the rudder. What to do they df@ not know. So they let her drift, heping for assistance, but no other boat’ passed. It was past midnight when the ‘oat drifted ashore about nine miles from cafap. The poys started on their weary walk home, and reached camp at an early ‘hour this morn- ing. There is no sickmass in camp of any im- portance tuday. Mrs. Dudley, the Chaplain's wife, started for Washington last night. B. 5 Bi A ca JOHN M. MARTIN DEAD. Operations to Be Brought Closer Home to Spain. NOT NECESSARY 10 HOLD CUBA Preparing for the Next Expedi- tion. NEWS OF THE TROOPS —— + Th2 return of General Miles to Washing- ton and the ordering of additional troops to join the Santiago expedition are in line with the policy already announced in The Star of delaying the attack upon Havana until the fall and meanwhile bringing the war operations closer homa to Spain. The determination to delay the general invasion of Cuba makes it possible to spare addition- al troops for Santiago, and some of those already sent to that point may be avail- able later for Porto Rico. The Porto Rican 2apedition fits in well with that aimed at Santiago, and when the two have been brought to a successful termination, Santi- ago being captured and the Cervera fleet either taken or destroyed, and Porto Rico bing gathered under the fold of the Amer- ican flag, the further operations will be di- rected toward the Spanish coast. According to the present intention the Ca- naries will be attacked, Spanish commerce near at home m2naced and a demonstration be made against the ports of Spain. Plans are maturing in that direction. The first reinforcements for the Philippines are ex- pected to arrive at Manila within the n=xt forty-eight hours. The expedition to San- tlago is expected to arrive at that point about Sunday, and the expedition against Porto Ric» will be started as soon as its fitting out can be complet2d and the ves- sels can be spared from Santiago to partici- pate in it. The first information from the transports to Santiago is expected to come from Jamaica, and from this it would ap- pear that the fleet had sailed by the lower cours2. To Threaten Spain Herself. As soon as formal possession has been taken of the Philippine Islands, Santiago reduced and Porto Rico captured this gov- ernment will be ready for a speedy termi- raticn of the war, and the war policy to be pursued is intendcd to be such as to compel Spain to sue for peace. It is realiz- ed that Spain is In a mood to continue the war indefinitely, as long as it is not brougnt te her very doors and so threaten her in- tegrity at home. It is not believed that even the fall of Havana would bring peace at once, nor is it considered essential that Havana should be invested before peace 18 obtained. Not Necessary to Hold Cuba. The independence of the Island of cuba is the issue of the war, and this govern- ment will not have to be actually in pos- session of the island to insure its freedom being included in the terms of peace. Porto [ico and the Philippines, which it ‘s the intention to hold, however, must be in our Possession at the close of the war, in order to establish our right in international law to retain them. At the same time Cuba may be held by the insurgents, under our protection. The purpose of the attack on Santiago is not the invasion of Cuba. The ene definite object of removing the Cervera fleet as a factor in the war is aimed at, and an in- cident to this is the organizing of the Cu- bans and supplying them with arms and munitions of war. When this is accom- plished no extensive operations against Cu- ba are contemplated for some time. The front of battle will be turned with menac- ing determination toward Spain herseif, un- til she is forced to submission. “The Span- ish people are to be mate to feel our power in a way which they could not realize if our operations, always victorious though they might be, were confined to remote quarters. Preparing the Army. Gen. Miles returns to Washington to look after the genera! construction of our army and not cnly to prep: for the Porto Rican expedition, but to look after the thorough equipment and organization of a large army for the operations to be under- taken this fail. It is the intention to have the effo of the department direeted to- ward perfecting the zrmy and putting it upon such a basis that by the time frost comes we will have, in addition to the men why are now participating in the expedi- tion, a hundred thousand men, perfectly drilled and equipped and well seasoned, available for the invasion of Cuba and for such reinforcements as may be necessary in the occupaticn of Porto Rico and the Philippines. Meanwhile, the military oper- ations will be confined to the Philippines, Porto Rico and Sautiago. : Awaiting Arrival of Troops. No news is expected from the fleet at Santiago before Sunday. That was the statement made at the Navy Department today, and it was based upon an accurate knowledge of the course adopted by the troop transports and the rate of speed at which the vessels are traveling. The naval officials are still confident that the vessels }have taken the easterly course by way of Cape Maysi, in which case they should have rounded that point by this time. The fixing upon Sunday as the day upon which news may be expected Is supposed to have been brought about from the consiéeration that it will take some time, probably as much as two days, to land the troops and their heavy equipments. Seeing that sev- eral days were required to effect the em- barkation of troops at Tampa, it is not to be expected that much beiter time can be made in getting them ashore on a hostile coast without any of the facilities for the work afforded by Tampa. Re-Establishing Cable : tion. The War Department has been working strenuously to establish cable communica- tion over the French cable between Haiti ard the point on Guantanamo bay, where the marines are now camped. Gen. Greely, chief signal officer, is directly in charge of this work, and is acting through Lieut. Cel. Allen of the signal corps, who is aboard the cable steamer Mancel, which has been chartered by the War Department Communica- Gen. Greely induced the State Department to send instructions to United States Min- ister Powell at Porte au Prince to use his g00d offices with the Haitien government to facilitate the departure of the ship. It is believed that this has now been acc »m- plished and that the Mancel is either in Guantanamo bay or very close to that place. As soon as cable communication is restored it will be operated by the French Cable Comyany itself, the only re striction imposed by the United Sta being the establishment of a censorship at Camp McCalla similar to that so success- fully-operated at Key West and sampa. Thus the line will be open to commercial besiness, although military and naval mes- sages will have the preference. A Frequent Express Service. For the same reason that they declined to make public any information respect- ing the sending of the Santiago expedition until the transports had started, the War Department officials decline to say whether they ars about to send reinforcements to Gen. Shafter immediately, But without reference to the reinforcements the de- partment will immediately establish a line of communication almost daily by steamer with Gen. Shafter’s force in order to keep his troops amply supplied with food, muni- tions of war, and whatever else may be needful. It may also be necessary for the government to undertake by means of this express service to supply in large part with food and ammunition the Cuban in- Strgents who are reported to have come to the support of Lieut. Col. Huntington's marines at Camp McCalla. A little computation will show that a large amount of supplies will be needed, and a number of vessels must be employed in this service, so that if the government should find it necessary to reinforce Gen. Shafter by a few thousand additional sol- diers, they can be very conveniently and at short notice transported on some of these supply ships. Not a Flying Squadron. It is said by naval experts that the char- acter of the vessels now at Norfolk and vicinity being hastened to completion for service precludes the idea of their employ- ment as a squadron to attack and capture the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands are well fortified, better even than San Juan de Porto Rico, and they could be Successfully attacked only by armored ships. There are no such ships among those in Hampton Roads referred to as likely to be consolidated into a new squad- ron. Nor are the vessels fast enough as @ whole to rank as a flying squadron, not a vessel among them being able to make twenty knots. They would be useful as sccuts, as a home defense force, or as aux- iliaries to an armored squadron, and so, should it be determined to send an expedi- tion to the Canaries, they would only be dispatched to support ironclads. The idea of attacking the Canaries, as near as can be gathered, is based upon the theory that the war can be more speedily terminated by carrying It very close to Spain, and this in turn cannot be done without the capture of a proper base from which to operate a fleet such as would be afforded by the Canaries. It is evident that the proposed expedi- ticn cannot be dispatched until, by the de- struction or capture of Cervera’s fleet in Santiago harbor and the destruction of the fortification at the entrance to the harbor, Sampson is able to make up a powerful irenclad squadron from among the best vessels of his fleet. In doing this he must also have regard to the maintenance of the blockade, for which more ships will be re- quired because after the fall of Santiago it will be considerably extended from its Present mits, possibly even so far as to include the whole coast of Cuba. SS THANKS OF CONGRESS TO HOBSON. Resolation Introduced in the House of Representatives. Representative Underwood of Alabama, in whose district belongs Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson, has introduced a joint resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to Hobson and authorizing his transfer from the construction corps to the line of the navy, with the rank of lieutenant com- mander. The resolution follows: “That the thanks of Congress and of the Arferican people are due and are hereby tendered to Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond Pearson Hobson and to the vol- unteer crew on the Merrimac for extraor- dinary heroism dispiayed by them in ob- structing the harbor of Santiago, Cuba, on June 3, 1898, in sinking at the entrance of said harber the collier Merrimac and thereby preventing the exit of the Spanish fleet, which enterprise was successfuliy ex- ecuted, notwithstanding tae combined fire of the fleet and batteries of the enemy. in recognition of this signal act of gallantry the President is hereby author- ized to transfer Assistant vai Con- structor Hobson from the constructi corps to the line of the United States nay with the rank of lieutenant commander, and to place his name seventy-fifth upon the active list of lieutenant commanders. The resolution is now before the naval affairs committee for action. The resolu- tion follows conferences with the President and the Secretary of the Navy. Cadet Powe The Secretary of the Navy kas decided on the method of recogi:izing the services of Naval Cadet Joseph Wright Powell, who heid a steam lavrcn under the blutts at the entrance of Santiago harbor under the con- tintous fire of Spanish batteries on beth shores whiie sezrehing for the crew of the Merrimac. The_papers already have been made out by savancing Powell one year to the rank of ensign and three num- bers in thac list. Powéll's promotion wili be immediately put in the hands of the President, wao will fcrward it to Congress simuitaneousiy with that of Naval Con- structor Hobson, the hero of the Merrim: Peweil is from Oswegu, N.Y., and was aj pointed to the Annapolis Naval Acudemy live years ago by Representative Chickering o2 New York, who bas seen the President and Secietacy Leng in Powell’s behalf. ——_+e-—____ WOULD NOT EXCHANGE HOBSON. om Gen, Blanco Said He Had Received No Authority to Do So. HAVANA, June 17.—The Spanish govern- ment, it is said at the palace, has not au- thorized the exchange of the prisoners of the Merrimac. The gunboat Yanez Pinzon exchang2d communications yesterday aft- ernoon with an American warship, uhder flag of truce, and the commander of the latter was informed that Captain General Blanco has no authority to exchange Naval Constructor Hobson and his gatiant com- panions for Spaniards who are now held prisoners in the United States. The Spanish authorities here absolutely deny that the armored cruiser Viscaya has been destroyed or even damaged by tha fire of the Vesuvius. THE STAR BY MAIL. Persons leaving the city for any | period can have The Star mailed to them to any address in the United States or Canada, by ordering it at * this office, in person or by letter. - Terms: 13 cents per week: 25 cents for two weeks, or 50 cents per month. Invariably in advance. Sub- ecribers changing their address from one Post-office to another should give the last address as well as the new one. eee HE HAD CONTRABAND Though Captain of the Twickenham Disclaims Guilty Knowledge. > ADVICES FROM INTERIOR OF CUBA a aire ce ey Insurgents in Complete Control Outside the Cities. SPANISH GUNBOATS QUIET; Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. KEY WEST, Fla., June 17.1 had a chat with Captain Roberts of the captured British coal steamer Twickenham last night. While he disclaims all knowledge of his vessel being chartered by the Span- ish government, it is evident that he ex- pected to tranship his coal to a Spanish hull. ‘All I can say is that I did my duty,” he said. I sailed under orders from Martinique, where I lay for three weeks. A Spanish tor- pedo boat destroyer was th but there was no proposition made to coal her from Martinique. I sailed under orders for Kingston. If I had landed at any Cuban pert I should have broken my charter, as it excluded my touching at any Spanish pert. After his capture he was taken to Rear Asmiral Sampson off Santiago, who inti- mated that he had ample proof that the Twickenham was chartered by the Spanish government, and a prize crew was ordered to convoy her to Key West, and to keep within sight of the Cuban coast. I have nothing to complain of beyond the fact that for the last two days my every movement has been watched, and I have been foliowed by an armed marine,” the captain added. Conclusive Evidence Fe It is stated today that the most conclu- sive evidence has been found against the Twickenham, going to prove that she was undoubtedly sailing under the orders of the Spanish consul after leaving Martl- nique. Several papers in her log book are missing. The Spanish officer now held here as @ prisoner, was found disguised as a fireman, hidden in the engine room. An examina- tion of nis effects proved that he was un- doubtedly the second mate of the Spanish hospital ship Alicante, lying off Martinique. Naval officers believe that this ship is supplying the Spanish torpedo boats with coal. Negotiations are said to be on foot for the purchase of the British steamer Re stormel by the government for a collier, Two Cuban Commiasio Two Cuban commissions are now here, who were picked up by our steamer, one from a point west of Hava the other frem a point between Cardenas and Ma- tanzas. The latter is in charge of Major Prado. He is accompanied by two lieu- tenants, and, although thes ort great searcity of provisions, they are healthy and robust. Major Prado said: “We have come here to report and to seek provisions. In the district where I came from we have 2,000 men well armed, while the Spaniar ing Carde as tegethe probably fift n thousand. “Sull, we are in complete control of the Ss, tak- , have covntry up to within a few miles of either place. Early in this month 200 cf our men bad an engagement with 3 in the woods back of Carder fifty jards admitted that they men killed, while we did not ioe a man. We were in the brush, and they could not dis- lodge us. “Food is very . both in Matanzas and Cardenas. The Spaniards » no corn, and are feeding their horses en rye. Gomes is in the central part of S: ara prov- ince and in need of provisions and ammu- nition.” The other Cuban arrivals are Col. Arnae@ and Major Soto, who came from western Cuba, the Vuelta Abajo district. Cabans in Good Health, There they report the Cubans to be in good health and hopeful, but subsisting only on fruits and herbs, They are nearly nak:d, so Senor Poyo says. In Pinar Del Rio there are reported to be from 12,¢ Spaniards, well armed, and Cubans. Both commissions to Senor Poyo of the junta, and are here after prc visions and ammunition. Advices from the blockading squadron off Bavana report that the Spanish gunboats have not attempted any demonstration since a weck ago last Sunday, when four of the gunboats empted to eatice our fleet un- der the guns of the forts. A. P.M. STATEMENT OF THE STEWARD. Says the Suapercargo Was for Santiago Harbor. ed By a Ww Fia., June 17.—William om, the steward of the British col- lier Twickenham, which was captured off Kingston, Jamaica, on June 10 by the aux- iliary cruiser St. Louis, said to a represen- tative of the Associated Press today: “The steamer, and, I believe, the cargo, are owned by Watis, Watts & Co. of Lon- don. We sailed from Newcastle on Tyne with a full cargo of coal, at half an hour past midnight, on April 22, the day after war had been declared. None of the crew knew that war had been declared, and I don't know whether the captain did. Our destination was St. Thomas, for orders, We reached St. Thomas on May 16 and re- ceived orders to proceed to Martinique and report to the Spanish consul there. “Take orders fror the Spanish consul,’ the cable from the owners read. Spain Paid Their Bills. “At Martinique the Spanish consul .paid our bills. We took aboard Chief Officer James Fornie of the alleged Spanish hes- pital ship Alicante. * He was to be super cargo and take charge of the coal when we reached our destination. The consul clear- ed the ship for Dominica, Hayti, the own- ers refusing to let her clear for Santiago de Cuba. Fornie came aboard after dark, just before we sailed. 1 saw Fornie’s chart of our sailing course, after passing Cape May- si, which had Santiago as our destination. Fornie was formerly an officer in the Span- vt bout Steering Thomps' =