Evening Star Newspaper, June 24, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR, PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31C] Terney!varia Avente, Cor. 11th &t., by i Com: Kew York Oifice, 49 Potter Buildin. ‘The Evening Star fs served to subscribers In the aty by cote on thets own account, at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents month. Coy it the cctnter 2 certs each. By mall—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—S0 ecnts month. Piietarday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with fore' postage ‘(Eotered at the Po t Office at Washington, D. O., a8 second-class ma‘) matter.) €7 All mail subscriptions must be pafd tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior. — THE STAR BY MAIL, Persons leaving the city for any Period can have The Star mailed to them to any address fh 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 WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1898-SIXTEEN PAGES. give the last address as well as the new one. TWO CENTS, SPANISH RETREAT eens Diven Back on Sant ago's Defenses, —_-+-—— SEVERAL MINOR SKIRMISHES Our Troops Within Seven Miles of the City. >—— JURAGUA TAKEN IN PASSING —__-+— — Ineffectual Effort of Linares to Destroy the Town. SPANISH LOSS NOT KNOWN ‘Admiral Sampson has notified the Navy Department that Lieut. Hob- son and his associates are safe at Santiago. The torpedo boats at Newport have been ordered to the south for active service. The State Department has receiv- ed advices confirming the report that the Spanish fleet from Cadiz is proceeding eastward. Reports to the War Department show that the formation of new mili- tary organizations under the Pres dent's second call is now fairly under way. The Senate passed a bill to in- crease the efficiency of the quarter- master’s department of the army. Gen. Miles will go to Cuba and personally direct the military opera- tions in the field. Notwithstanding the reports the army officers here do not believe that any engagement of moment has taken place between the Spanish and American troops. It is probable that a proctamation will be issued extending the Cuban blockade. It is said at the Navy Department that Admiral Dewey is the supreme authority at Manila. Since the ar- rival of the German warships at Ma- nila no instructions relating to the Manila situation have been sent to the German ambassador. Advices from Gen. Shafter’s com- mand up to a late hour last night say that our troops have driven the Span- ards back toward the defenses of Santiago and have occupied a pos tion on the plateau on the east side of the city about seven miles distant from the defenses. A decisive bat- tle is expected in a few day: In the Spanish cortes yesterday the deputies engaged in a long wrangle over the war situation. Grave accusations were exchanged. The implied opinion of several prom- inent members was that Spain has lost her colonies and that peace ne- gotiations should be begun at once with the United States. (Qoprright, 1898, by the Associated Press.) On board the Associated Press Dispatch Boat Dauntless, off Juragua, Province of Santiago de Cuba, Thursday night, June 23, via Port Antonio, Jamaica, Friday, June 24.—The advance of the American army has reached the edge of the table- land In which the harbor of Santiago de Cuba Hes. Here, seven miles from Morro Castle, as the crow files, the main body of troops has united and the Spaniards are in full retreat toward Santiago de Cuba. They may attempt a surprise, but a decis- ive engagement is not expected for several days. General Lawton's brigade, which rested last-night at Demajayafo, four miles west of Baiquiri, resumed its march at daylight. Before noon*his brigade, consisting of the 22d Infantry, the Ist Infantry, the 2a Massachusetts Volunteers, with com- panies of the Sth Cavalry, half of the 4th Cavalry and several companies of the 23th Colored Infantry, occupied Juragua, five miles beyond, and the American flag was hoisted there. Spanish Retire Hefore the Advance. The Spaniards retired before the advance, which was covered by Cuban skirmishers, burning the block houses as they went. Col. Wagner, with a small reconnatssance party of about forty men, brushed against the flank of a retreating Spanish column though an ineffectual efforts was made to destroy the locomotives of the railroad and the rolling stock. Gen. Linares re- treated to Sav six miles west of Jura- gua by road, and nine miles from Santiago de Cuba. A detachment of seventeen Cu- bans, under Col. Aguirara collided with the Spanish rear guard. The Cubans lost two men killed and had several wounded. The Spenish loss Is not known. One Span- iard was killed by a machete. Occupation of Juragua. Gen. Chaffee, with the 9th Cavalry, the remainder of the 8th and 4th, 7th, 12th and Ith Infantry, reached Juragua at dark. Gen. Bates, with the reserve of the 20th Infantry and Col. Woods’ rough riders, dis- mounted, with a dynamite gun, hurried for- ward from Baiquiri at 3 o'clock, proceeding by forced marches. When the couriers brought the news that Juragua had been occupied the troopships which had not debarked their troops steamed to Juragua with the view of land- ing them there. But the heavy sea beating on the beach made it imposible to get the boats through the surf. Dispatches of Genecal Linares, which have been captured, indicate that the Span- iards were ordered to retreat toward Santi- ago de Cuba. The Cubans expect the first stand to be made at Savilla, and they have proved good prophets in the past. Generali Lawton’s men are badly fagged by forced marches and the intense heat. Their rations are almost exhausted. They started with three days’ supplies, and further food could not be landed today. But a pack train will be sent forward tomorrow. Strong Outpost Maintained. Strong outposts are maintained tonight in order to prc vent « surprise, and Juragua is also under the protection of the guns of the warships. Thus the flank of the ad- vancing American column is safe. The Spaniards, to attack our troops, must make a forced march through an almost impene- trable undergrowth. There were only two casualties during the landing of the troops at Baiquiri. Cor- poral Cobb and Private English of Troop D, loth Cavalry (colored), fell between a lighter and the pier. Captain O'Neill, of Woods’ rough riders, plunged into the sea at the risk of his life, but the men were crushed before he reached them. O'Neill is a former mayer of Tucson, Arizona. Several horses and mules were drowned while swimming ashore through the surf. General Garcia's army of 4,000 men is to be conveyed by trarsporis from Aserradero and landed at Baiquiri tomorrow, to join the 1,200 men under General Castillo and co-operate with the American troops. The movement today almost amounts to a change of base. _ A brisk musketry fire was heard in the direction of Savilia as the Dauntless left at dark. ——_»__ FIRE WAS DESTRUCTIVE. Spaniards Could Not Have Stood Up Before Sampson's Guns. Special Cablegram From a Staff Correspondent. JURAGUA, June 22, via Port Antonie, Jamaica, June 24.—The landing of our troops without opposition this morning in- dicates that the Spanish military authori- ties are concentrating all their strength for the defense of Santiago proper. Half an hours’ vigorous shelling from Juragua for five miles west along the road toward San- tiago cleared the way, but was really lit- tle more than a spectacle, because it was so one-sided. The Spanish forces could not have withstood the fire. They would have been mowed down. When the landing was made at Juragua village it was deserted and everything was quickly in possession of the Americans. Sampson came up in the New York after the hills were shelled and conferred with Shafter about future movements. Camp will be established here until stores can be landed, as the scidiers have only three days" rations; then a prompt movement will be made against Santiago. The indications are that siege guns and heavy artillery can be transported along the roads without se- rious inconvenience. The Engineer Corps was among the first to land and is already at work. Definite knowledge seems to be lacking whether Cervera has been able to take many of his guns from the ships in the harbor and mount them on the heights. Cannonading the city and recon- noitering during the next few days will establish this and other points. The co- operation of the insurgents has not been much help so far. The transports can re- turn to Tampa in two days. PEPPER. ——— PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. A Large Number of Selections Sent to the Senate. Thé President today sent these nomina- tions to the Senate: Sargeant §. Morton, to be receiver of public moneys at San Francisco, Cal.; El- wood Hadley, agent for the Indians, Pima agency, Ariz.; Daniel B. McCann of Mon- tana, register of land office at Circle, Alaska. War—Regular army—Sergeants to be sec- ond lieutenants artillery—Harold P. Good- now, Company H, 3d Infantry; Albert G. Jenkins, Company A, 18th Infantry; Harry L, Steele, Battery A, 5th Artillery. To be ‘second leutenants—artillery—Pri- vate Robert E. Wyllie, Battery L, 7th Ar- tillery; Lance Corporal Patrick A. Con- nolly, Company F, 2tst Infantry; Corporal Wm. Forse, Company B, 3d Infantry; Cor- poral Malcolm Young, Troop G, 4th Cav- alry; Corporal Lawrence C.-Brown, Bat- tery D, 4th Artillery; Second Lieutenant Walter S. Volkmar, volunteer signal corps; Perey W. Arnold, corporal, Troop F, Ist Cavairy. To be second lieutenants—infantry: Pri- vates John J. Boniface, Troop H, 4th Cav- alry; George N. Bomford, Company L, Sth Infantr: Sergeants to be second lieutenants—In- fantry: Walter T. Bates, Campany G, 17th Infantry; Perey M. Cochran, Company G, 6th Infantry; Benjamin P. Nicklin; Troop I, Ist Cavalry. To be second lieutenants—Infantry: Cor- poral Ralph A. Clay, Company B, 5th In- fantry; Lance Corporal John B. Schoeffel, Company B, 9th Infantry; Corporal En- glebert G. Ovenshine, Company C, 23d In- Sorporal Wm. A. Cavanaugh, Com- D, 20th Infantry; Lance Corporal Geo, Grimes, Troop B, 2d Cavalry; First- Class Private Wm. C.’ Geiger, Company E, Battalion Engineers; Thomas R. Harker, late sergeant Company D, 20th Infantry; John F. Wilkinson, late coiporal Troop D, 4th Cavalry. —_-e+_____ HARD LABOR FOR FIVE YEARS. Am Attorney of Providence, Drew Twenty Pensions. William A. Munson, pension attorney of Providence, R. L, was ‘convicted, in the United States district court, at that city, pleaded guilty to the charge of forgery in R. L, which he was greatly aided by the fact that he was a notary public, and was able to fab- in the claims of the ricate the vouchers dead pensioners, SAILING TO THE EAST Camara’s «Squadron Watched by Our’ Agents. BELIEVED 0 BE NEARING CANDIA Dewey Able to Successfully Re- sist. CONDITIONS AT MANILA ae LONDON, June 24.—A dispatch to Lloyds frcm Algiers confirms the report that Ad- miral Camara’s fleet passed the Island of Pantellaria (not Pampelleria), going cast- ward, on Wednesday, June 22. Report From an American Agent. That the Spanish Cadiz fleet is proceeding steadily eastward Is no longer doubted here. Trusted agents of the government on the shcres of the Mediterranean are watching every movement of the ships and availing themselves of every reliable source of in- formation. So, when word came from one of these agents today that the squadron was sighted off Pantellaria day before yes- terday, the officials were bound to accept the statement as beyond question. The first report to that effect, which came through an Italian newspaper, was taken with some reservation, owing to the known efforts of the Spanish government to mislead our naval authorities by just such publications in friendly neutral news- papers. By the reckoning of the naval offi- cers, the squadron should be now nearing Candia, south of Greece. At the rate they are progressing, the squadron would reacn Port Said, at the entrance of the Suez canal, about Monday or Tuesday. Beyoni this point it is not believed that the squad- ron will.go, for it is confidently felt that the whole Spanish movement is nothing more than a spectacular display arranged to meet the irresistible demand of the Spanish populace, and particularly the clerical party, that something should be done to save the Philippines to Spain. There is a question whether the canal autaorities will allow the heavy Spanish armored ships to risk the passage of the canal, even if Admiral Camara is willing to undertake it. Their draft of water is so great that they might easily ground in the canal, and thus obstruct it to navigation indefinitely. Dewey’s Ability to Resist. But even if all these expectations are not wel! founded, the naval officers are confl- dent of Dewey's ability to successfully re- sist an attack by the Spanish squadroa. According to their calculations, the spien- did double-turreted moritor Monterey is very near to Manila, under convoy of the Brutus, and her arrival may be expected within two or three days. When she swings into line with Dewey's squadron there is not an ironclad in Camara’s force that wculd care to stand before her. Then it must be remembered that long before the Caciz squadron could possibly reach Manila bay General Merritt's troops will be, in conjunction with the insurgents, in possea- sion of all the forts surrounding the harbor, and the Spanish guns, being man- ned by American artillerymen, will be ex- pected to give a better account of them- selves than they did when Dewey attacked them. Dewey Supreme at Manila. It is said at the Navy Department that Admiral Dewey is the supreme authority at Manila. If troops, marines or sailors are landed at that place from any neutral men-of-war it will be with his permis- sion. It is not questioned here that a na- tion may properiy seek such permission when it is deemed essential to protect its co-cltizens, its consulate and its interests. But it is usual in such cases for the neutral commander to seek the permission of the investing admiral, if it is possible to pretgr the request. However eny landing is made, it will be distinctly regarded as merely temporary and as having no bearing upon the political aspect of the case. In other words, no such landing could by any pos- sibility be properly construed {gto the ac- quirement of a right to remain in posses- sion of any territory in the Philippines, and our government does not for a moment cecntemplate that any of the European pow- ers would attempt to set up any such claim, for it would surely be resisted to the full extent of our military and naval power. No Overtures by Germany. It can be authoritatively stated that per- mission to land marines or troops at Ma- nila has not been sought by the German ambassador here of the State Department nor has it been granted. In fact, no over- tures on this subject have been exchanged in Washington or Berlin. Since the arrival of Admiral Diedrich with German warships at Manila no in- structions whatever relating to the Manila situation have been sent from the German foreign office to the German ambassador at ‘shington, nor indeed has the subject ssumed a phase where instructions of any kind have passed during the last three weeks. This disposes of various reports, based on the fact that Dr. von Holleben, the German ambassador, called on the Sec- retary of State yesterday, that being the regular diplomatic day, and in particular it shows that no basis exists for the story that Dr. von Holleben requested and se- cured permission for the landing of Ger- man marines at Manila to protect the Ger- man consulate. WwW a TORPEDO BOATS ORDERED soUTH. Will Probably Go Route. Orders have been sent to the torpedo sta- tion at Newport, R. I., for the dispatch of the torpedo boats now there to points in the south for active s2rvice in the war against Spain. These orders apply to the Morris, McKee, Talbot and Gwyn, com- manded respectively by Lieuts. Fox, Knep- per, Williams and Shoemaker. The Morris y the Inland is one of ths best boats of her class in the navy. She has a displacement of 103 tons and a speed of 25 knots. She has already started for Key West, where she will ar- rive in two or three days and await further orders from ths department. The ‘Talbot and Gwyn are smaller boats, 22 knots speed. It is expected they wiil sail today or to- morrow, The McKee has a displacement of 6 tons and a speed of 20 knots. She left Newport for th2 south last night. It is ex-, ANTI-ANNEXATIONISTS Some of Them Expect 5 Vota on Hawaii Before Adjornment. Opponents of the Resolutions Weary- ing of the Prospect—Expected to End the Contest Soon, Senator Mallory of Florida, who is op- posed to the annexation of Hawaii and in- tends to make a speech against the reso- lutions now pending in the Senate, said to @ Star reporter today that he believed a vote would be had on the resolutions in the Senate before an adjournment, and that it might be that they would get through within ten days: Senator Mitchell of Wisconsin, also one of the strong opponents of annexation, who made a speech in opposition tothe resolution in the beginning of the debate, said to a Star reporter that, in his judg- ment a vote would be had before adjourn- ment, but that he had not talked with his associates, and this was his individual opinion, though it was possible that some agreement for a deferred -vote might be had. Serator Penrose said that he did not think there was any chance of an adjourn- ment before a vote was taken. No Adjournment Without a Vote. It is so well recognized that the struggle over the resolutions, hewever long pro- tracted, wil end with the annexation of Hawaii, and that no adjournment can de had unt'l the vote is teken, that the op- pcients appeer to be vearying of the pros- pect of a prolorged end uncomfortable fight. A few of the most determined oppo- nents to annexation have very long speech- es prepared, and a great many of those speeches which were delivered in executive session are available to be again delivered now in open, inasmuch as the speeches de- livered in executive session do not go into the Record. If a prolonged filibuster were uncertaken senators might repeat the sreeches which their colleagues had al- ready heard once on the floor of the Sen- ate, but the motive for so doing would be £0 obvious that senators adopting the prac- tice would hardly expect to ave their ccn- venience considered either. in.the matter of the number of hours the Senate should sit or in the matter of relinquishing and re- suming the floor at will. is not thought, however, that svch a couse will be resort- ed to by more than perMps half a dozen senators, and their exeuge for repeating their speeches will be that they. want to get them into the Recora. May Get Leave to Print. Any general desire to get hes in the Record, however, which Wa a motive for filibuster, can be gratified by a general leave to print. It ts beWeved that some who had intended td repeat: their speeches may refrain from doltig so, In view of the fact that such agonsiimption of time must be without profit. Senator Tutpile delivered @ speech in executive sé#siOh on the sub- ject of Hawall, which took ap three days in the Senate. He may now repeat this speech in the open Senate for the purpose of getting it into the Record, but that he will do so $s doubted. Senator Allen, who {3 capable of a pretty long talk, is booked to speak, as is Caffery, who possesses a similar talent. It ig beHeved that these two speeches and those of White and Petti- grew, which are being delivered on the in- stallment plan, alternately, will be the longest undertaken, . Not Over Ten Days’ Delay. The opinion has become so general that an adjournment is likely to occur within a week or ten days that a prolongation be- yond that time will be generally disappoint- ing. The friends of Hawaii, however, are calmly prepared to remain in session as long as necessary and not to permit an ad- jJournment before a vote fs taken. Senator Morgan of Alabama expressed the opinion this morning that the Hawalian resolutions would be passed early next week, and signified his intention immedi- ately thereafter to endeavor to secure con- sideration for the Nicaragua canal bill, which he thought might-be got through the Senate before adjournment. MOHICAN AT . HONOLULU Regiment Being Raised for Manilla if An- nexation Goes Throngh. Cheering News Heard From Washing- ton—Bennington “Has Sailed ‘for Mare Island. HONOLULU, June 17, via San Francisco, June 24, per steamship.Peru.—The United States steamship Mohican arrived from San Francisco on the evening of the=4Gth. The U. 9. S. Bennington left: for Mare Island yesterday carrying the heaviest mail ever sent. from this port: Orders have been isS@ed requiring all members of the Hawaiian nationai guard, active and honorary; to report immediately to their, respective co: nding officers the amount and character. any and all equip- ments in their sion. The movement probably prefaces the placing of the:guard on'a war footing as a Precaution against any emergency. If ad- visable, most of the cempanies will recruit to their full limit of 105 fficers and men, It is believed: that inthe event of an- nexation the local regtment will at” once be hurried to Manila. ‘ The governmerit"here regeived cheering news by the Moliicai Minister Hatch wired from Washington that Speaker Reed had withdrawn all tion“end that a vote on annexation would be taken In the ‘House as soon as, the Senate disposed of the war tari bil Pe ‘The present sesston, islature will probably Be extended to rati- fy any annexation! ition which may come from the United“States Congress. James A. King, who has been minister of the interior since the ingeption of the pres- ent the Hawaiian leg- SAFETY OF HOBSON Admiral Sampson Reports That He is at Santiago. RELIEVED OF WEIGHT OF ANNIETY Gen. Miles Will Direct Opera- tions in Cuba. NO REPORT OF BATTLE Admiral Sampson is now in constant and practically immediate cable communication with the Navy Department. Six dispatches were received in rapid succession through the early hours of this morning, the last ene bringing the situation up to 12 o'clock last night. This showed that only a half hour elapsed between the filing of the message by the admiral and the receipt of it in Washington, so that the authorities here are now assured of being only half an hour behind the actual developments at the scene of action. This is felt to be of vital concern in establishing that close touch ‘between the President and the officials here and the commanding officers at Santiago. Safety of Hobson Assured. ‘The only message bearing on the general situation was that in which Admiral Samp- son stated that under a flag of truce he learned that Hobson and his men were well and had been removed from Morro Castle to the city of Santiago, four miles distant. This lifted a weight of anxiety as to the condition of this brave band of heroes, for since the recent bombardment in which Morro suffered somewhat there has been no certainty as to whether Hobson and his men were dead or alive, although it has never been seriously believed that the Span- jards would expose these men to such dangers as to lead to their death. The dis- patch was further reassuring in that it made clear that Admiral Sampson's assault upon the harbor entrance, to which Morro is the main defense, would not be crippled by having the fire kept away from that fortification in order to protect Hobson. Repairs to Vessels. The other dispatches of Admiral Sampson covered a multitude of details which have been deferred in the absence of quick com- municaticn, They made requisitions for supplies of every description, and indicated needed repairs of various kinds, mostly minor in character, to the vessels of the fleet, Not a word was said as to any en- gagement by the troops under Gen. Shaf- ter, and. as the admiral is in close comm: nication with Gen. Shafter the naval offi- cials regard this failure of the admiral to mention any action by the troops as con- clusive in showing that no action took place yesterday, as was reported by the Spanish, With the exception of Admiral Sampson's report of the removal of Hobson and his brave associates to a place of comparative safety nothing was received from th> scene of action in Cuba at either the War or Navy Department up to 2 o'clock this after- hoon. Secretary's Letter to Lieut. Hobson. Secretary Long has writt:n a personal letter of commerdation to Assistant Naval Constructor R. P. Hobsor in recognition of his heroic action in closing the harbor of Santiago with the wreck of the Merrimac. “It was exceedingly gratifying to the de- partment,” says the Secretary, “to receive from the commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic station such a letter, calling atten- tion to your extraordinary bravery on the occasion referrred to. Readiness for emer- gency, fertility of resource and such ex- traordinary heroism as you displayed in taking the Merrimac into the entrance of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, under the most galling fire from the shore batteries of the enemy, at the risk of almost certain death to yourself and your brave associates on this duty, are qualifications most en- viable for any naval officer to possess, your action even calling from the Spanish ad- miral, in a most signal manner, an expres- sion highly commendatory of your brave act. “The department takes this occasion to most heartily ccrgratulate you upon your mest distinguished conduct, and avails itself of this oppertunity to inform you taat i. has taken steps to give you some profes- sicnal reward, as recommended bysthe com- mender-in-chief, which the department hopes will be gratifying to you, and at the same time assures you that your gallant act not only reflects additional luster upon the traditional glories ef the navy, but that you are helc in grateful remembrance by your fellow countrymen and apprecist- ed by the whole world.” The Army Telegraph Line, During the forenoon a dispatch came to Gen. Greely, chief signal officer, from Lieut. Col. Allen, who is in charge of the tele- graphic communication with the army. It was dated at Playa del Este, and simply indicated that he was making arrange- ments to extend telegraphic communication along the shore as far as Aguadores, which is probably about sixteen miles-farther to the westward than Playa del Este. The dis- patch made no mention of any battle or other change in the situation, military or naval. From the fact that Col. Allen is working his line westward to Aguadores it is evident to the military authorities that the field of land acticn will be stretched a considerable distance along the shore, cov- ering probably from five to fifteen miles. This will constitute the base of supplies, where the*stores will be kept, and with which the ddvancing army will at all times keep up its line of communication, for, save in Grant’s'memorable advance on Vicks- burg, the first essential of an advancing army is considered to be that of keeping up its line of communication with the base of supplies. Gen. Miles Going to Cuba. Gen. Miles, in command of the army, will go to Cuba, accompanied by his staff, and personaily direct the military opera- ticns in the field. All doubt as to the gen- etal’s plans was cleared up today with tha official statement that he will go té Cuba. important military movements requiring present attention here, including the prep- aration for further Cuban expeditions, which will g0 by way of Newport News and Tampa, Fla. Tampa is again to be made the rendez- vous for a large force, and the department is obtaining complete details with a view to centering another large fleet of trans- Perts there. With the troops moving to these points and the expeditions well ad- vanced, Gen. Miles will then be free to join the army in the field Personally he is most desirous of being with the troops, fer, as he sa¥s to his friends, he has been with the men for thirty years, and his spirit is with them now, although circum- stances necessitate his remaining here for @ time to clear up the important military movements impending. There is a possi- bility that he may go with Gen. Henry’ division when the Harvard and Yale make their second trip from Newport News, but this is quite doubtful. The general nim- self Coes not know when he will be able to get away, Discredit Reports of Battle. Notwithstand{ng the official Spanish re- | perts of heavy fighting between the Amer- ican invading ermy and the Spanish forces near Santiago, the army officers here are ccnfident that no engagement of any mo- ment has yet occurred between these troops. Part of the ianding project was a mov ment in force by the Cubans across the country to prevent the Spanish forces from concentrating upon the beach to op- Pose the landing of the American troops. Taken in connection with Sampson's pian of blinding.the Spaniards to the real land- ing place by an indiscriminate harrying of the coast for twenty miles east and west, this scheme worked admirayly as far as the American troops are concerned, as was evidenced by their landing without the loss of @ man. It 1s suspected, however, that the Cubans have had to pay for this exemption on the part of the Americans, and that the en- gagements described in the Spanish di Spatches wery really between the Cubans and the Spaniards far back in the rear, in- wiead of between the Americans and Span- jarda, Sceing that the Cubans, who were almost without clothing, have beon liberal- ly supplied by Sampson and Shefter, it ts conceivable that the Spantards might easily mistake them for American soldiers at a Uttle distance. A BRUTAL MURDER —$_ Wm, H. Brooks Killed at His Home, ep eons HIS WIFE ALSO ASSAULTED She Lies Now at the Emer- gency Hospital. ee ~ CONDITION 18 SERIOUS ee ee HER Robert Funk is Suspected as Have ing Committed the Deed. THE CORONER'S INQUEST A horrible tragedy was enacted at No. 914 22d street northwest about 6 o'clock yester- day afternoon, William H. Brooks, a vet- eran of the late war and s:venty-three years old, dying soon after an ax had been used on his head, and his wife, Martha, sixty-five years oid, receiving terrible in- juries from blows inflicted with the same Weapon. Mrs. Brooks is in the Emengency Hospital, and it fs said nothing short of a miracle can save her life. The police be- Neve that robbery was the motive which impelled the killing, and the detectives are doing their best to cause the arrest of Rob- ert Funk, a carpenter, who ts charged with the crime. Funk's wife and child live on Wood street, Philadelphia, and his father and other relatives live in Baltimore. Daughters of the victims have reported that tneir mother had between $800 and $1,000 tied in a false pocket about herewaist. This money, they say, is missing, as are the false pockets. Telegrams asking for the arrest of Funk have been sent to the Police authorities in different cities and In- spector Mattingly is doing everything in his power to have him apprehended. Popular Among Neighbors. “Pappy” and “Mammy” Brooks, as the eld people were familiarly known to their relat and neighbors, had not an enemy in the world, so far as any one knows. They were extremely kind-hearted, and were highly respected by all who knew them. Yesterday aft2rnoon as late as 5:30 o'cleck Mrs. Brooks was in front of her house, wateritig some plants. Half an hour later she was found in a litile store room in the rear, on the first floor, unconscious. Her husband was in the same little room and life left his body before he could be re- moved from where the terrible crime had been committed. Dr. Morhart, from the Emergency Hos- pital, who came hurriedly in response to a summons, pronounced th? man dead. He bad Mrs. Brooks siaced in the ambulance without delay, and she was soon on the operating table in the hospital. George Larson, a friend of the Brooks family, is the man who made the dis- covery of the crim:, while one of the neigh- bors heard the groans of one of the victims from her house. Attracted by Gron: Larson called at the house a few minutes after 6 o'clock. He was so well acquainted that he entered without the formality of ringing the bell or knocking on the door. He found nobody in the parlor or dining rocm, and thought he would walt a few minutes, but before anybody appeared he heard groans in the little room in the rear of the dwelling. Going to the door, he found it securely bolted on the outside. Pulling back the bolt, he opened the door, and was horrified at the sight of the old people in pools of blood. Without stopping to make an investigation he hastened to the street and called for assistance. A let~ ter carrier, Mr. Johnson, who lives in the adjoining house, was the first one to re- spond to his call, and soon afterward 4 large crowd collected. The police were also sent for and Precinct Detective McGlue and Policeman Vanhorn were assigned by Lieu- tenant Boyle to make an investigation. It was the belief of the police at first that the dead man had committed suicide, after having inflicted the injuries upon his wife. He had threatened to end his life several times, and had expressed the fear that be might possibly injure somebody else. The theory of suicide, however, was dispelled by. information given by Mr. Larson. There is a window in the room which opens upon the yard, but it was found to be nailed down, and cobwebs over the nails indicated that it had been secure for many months, and possibly years. This fact in cornection with the fact that the commu- Reinforcements From Pando, ‘The news coming from Jamaica that Gen- eral Pando ts sending heavy reinforcements to the Spantsh general Lineres in Bant- ago is likely to have the effect of hastening the campaign against that town by the Americans. Pando has 10,009 soldiers at Holguin, less than 100 miles from Santiago. They are the pick of the Spanish army m Cuba, and their commander is known as the Fighting General. Were they to com- tine with the Spanish force in Santiago the American campaign might be very much prolonged and the task set for our troops would be ve: much heavier. Two factors have been relied upon to pre- vent this combination. The first is the very rough nature of the country between Hol- guin and Santiago, which would be exceed- ingly difficult for troops to coyer in less than four or five days at the earliest. The second ts the active efforts of the Cubans to harass the Spaniards on the march and retard their movements. W:! the force they now have in that country the Cubans can do this very effectually, but they can scarcely undertake to absolutely check the Whole Spanish force of 10,000 men. What Cervera is Doing. The reports from Santiago indicate that the Spanish adrairal is using his squadron, exactly as was anticipated, to defend the town from attack by soldiers in the rear. ‘This only emphasizes in the minds of army officers th> necessity for speedy action on the part of the invaders, for with Pando's men to reinforce the garrison and Cery2ra’s squadron in full play the Spanish force would be, from a military point of view, actually much stronger than the combined forces of Americans und>r Shafter and Cu- bans under Garcia and Rabi which could be brought against them. It is believed that considerable reliance is to be placed upon the American siege train, for as soon as the heavy siege guns are in place on the crest of the hills it is expected that the po- sition of the Spanish admiral below, ex- pesed to a plunging fire, would be unten- able, and he would be obliged either to sur- render or make a desperate sally for lib- Ss and try to escape from Santiago har- r. ‘The naval authorities here are satisfird that no Spanish warship has escaped from Santiago harbor so far, and the Spanish newspaper storles to the effect that “the cruiser Reina Christina escaped from San- tlago,” atc., were received here with a good deal of amusement. As one officer put it, the Spaniards must be possessed of a regu. lar “Flying Dutchman” in the ‘Reina Chris- tina, for at last accounts, and very rec:nt ones, too, that particular vessel was lying in the bottom of Manila bay, wh:re Dewey had sunk her on May day. The story is re- garded as a fair sample of those put afloat to deceive the Spaniards at home and give comfort to their friends in Europe. Running the Blockade. The formad statement by the Spanish minister of marine that the Maria Chris- tina had succeeded in running the blockade into Cienfuegos naturally demanded more attention than the first publication, al- though the officials do not hesitate to ex- press doubt of its accuracy. This vessel, however, is not, as may be supposed, a formidable war craft, but is nothing more than one of the vessels of the Compagnie Trans-Atlantique of Cadiz, hastily fitted up with a few 51-2-inch Hontoria guns. She was built in 1888, and is a sixteen-knot vessel of 4,381 tons displacement. If she has actually gone into Cienfuegos, she has crcssed over from some of the smailer is- lands of the West Indies or may be from Pcrto Rico. It is believed, however, that !f the vessel actually reached Cuba, she got in at Batabano, or perhaps Manzanillo, both of which are ports outside of the blockade lines. ‘There~has been so much talk of Spanish vessels “running the blockade,” when as a matter of fact if they came to Cuba‘at all they entered some*unblockaded port, that the some perplexity, but the police made a Detectives at Work. Detectives Weedon and Phillips were as- signed to the case this morning by In- epector Mattingly, and it was after they reported to headquarters the result of their. investigation that the message asking for Funk's arrest was sent out. Robert Funk’s sister, Mrs. Kate Clark, lives at No. 903 | i i i f | 5 ¥ | i