Evening Star Newspaper, July 12, 1898, Page 1

; THE EVENING STAR. a PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BU:LDINGS, 13¢] Femnsylvania Avenue, Uor, 11th St, by The Evening Star N Company S&H KAUFFMANN Pres eee as Kew York Office, 49 Potter Buildiny ‘The Evenicg Star fs served to subscribers fn the @ty by c:rriers, on thetic own account, at 10 cents Ty Sede SS" By Beiter fo be United States vt Gnaada—postage prepald—50 cents per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, 4a_second-clas ma'l matter.) €7 All mail subscriptions must be pald In advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicator. | Che Fvening Star. 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. “Germs: 13 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or SO cents per month. Invariably in advance. Sub- scribers changing their address from one Post-oMice to another should No 14,155, WASHINGTON, D. ©., TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1898—FOURTEEN PAGES. five the last address as well as the new one. TWO CENTS. TOWN SURROUNDED Shafter’s Lines at Santi- ago Extended, ne ee (Eatered at the Poe Ctice at Washington, D. C.. OFFERS TO YIELD CONSIDERED Evidences That the City Has Been Partly Evacuated. DUMMY GUNS IN TRENCHES Discovered Instead of Spaniards by Our Army. IN SIGHT VICTORY IS The following bulletin was posted at War Department at 10 o'clock this morning: PLAYA, via Hayti, July 12, 1898. Adjutant General, Washington, Headquarters 5th Army Corps: It has been very quiet, but little fighting. A flag of truce up since 2 o'clock considering proposition for surrendering, now that I have town surrounded on the north. The line completed at 5 p.m. by Gen. Ludiow right down to the bay. The line is rather thin, but will have it strengthened in the morning by Gen. Henry, who has just arrived at the headquarters. Only three or four casualties; no one killed so far as I can learn. Expect to have two of the new batteries in position to- morrow. Great deal of suffering among the people who have gone out of Santiago. Am doing my best to relieve it, but not entirely suc- ul, SHAFTER, Major General. was SANTIAGO IS FALLING. Only a Very Weak Fire From the Enemy's Trenches. (Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.) General Shafter’s Headquarters, July 11, 4 p.m., via Kingston, Jamaica, July 12, 10:30 a.m.—Fighting continued during the day, and at this hour it fs believed that the eity of Santiago will be captured by the American forces within the next twen- ty-four hours. ‘The Americans have advanced steadily all day. In several of the Spanish trenches our troops found dummy wooden guns and no Spanish soldiers. There was a very weak fire from the Spanish troops, and the American officers have received further evidence of the great distress prevailing in Santiago. THE FIRING YESTERDAY, It Poured Into Santingo From Sea and Land. Special Cable Dispatch to The Evening Star. (Copyright, 1898.) OFF SANTIAGO, Monday Evening, via Port Antonio, July 12—Combined action against the city of Santiago was recom- ced at daybreak this morning by both land and naval forces, The flagship New York stationed her- self off Aguadores and threw shells through a@ cleft in the hills into the Spanish lines. Signal stati which had been estab- lished along the shore, and the telegraph Mnes between the front and Siboney en- abled the admiral to receive word whether li had been well placed. The Texas, Brookiyn and Indiana joined in during middle of the forenoon, their big guns ying leisurely at intervals, I learn from the front that firing was resumed early along our lines. Up a pretty valley, which reminds one of the Trossachs in Scotland, arose a night fog, veiling the city. Hime’s battery gave the Spaniards the first intimation that we Were prepared to renew the conflict. Several batteries followed his example, using shells and shrapnel, and also the Gatlings, which are excellent implements to sweep along the tops of trenches and knock off any heads that may be peering over. This fire usually provoked a rifle volley from the enemy, but no artillery answered the attack. They evidently are awaiting an advance, but our orders are not to be precipitate till our artillery is ready to back it up. On our side the troops now are well en- trenched, with loopholes between sandbags to shoot through. 2 General Wheeler’s division 1s reported to have taken a blockhouse to the north, cap- turing twenty-five soldiers and two offi- cers. Two American officers were wound- ed end the captain of Company A ef the 2a Regular Infantry was killed. ‘The Spaniards may be retreating. SHELL HIT A CHURCH. Last Shot Wrought Hayoe im the Doomed City Yesterday. {Ooprright, 1898, by the Associated Press.) OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, via Playa del Este, July 11—At 9:80 o’clock this Morning, efter several range-finding shots over the ridge protecting Santiago the sea, the cruiser Newark opened fire into the city with her 8-inch guns. The Signal Corps officers, stationed on top of the ridge, reported the effect of the shots. ‘ The New York, Brooklyn and Indiana participated in the firing at intervals of five minutes. The bombardment lasted for two hours, when General Shafter reported that the shells were mostly falling in the bay and dot but little damage. The last shot, however, struck a promi- nent church in the heart of the city, which was heavily stored with powder and am- munition, causing a tremendous explosion. ‘The extent of the damage is not yet known. A Fing of Truce. When the warships ceased firing, and before General Shafter had begun a land attack, a flag of truce was seen coming from the city. The object of this was not known at noon today when the correspond- ent of the Associated Press left the front. At 2 o'clock this afternoon the auxiliary cruiser Yale, with General Nelson A. Miles, and the protected cruiser Columbia ar- rived. Rear Admiral Sampson visited General Miles immediately on his arrival, and the Yale went to Siboney, General Miles and his personal staff landing in a pouring rain. ‘The board of survey appointed to exam- ine the wrecks of the Spanish ships and to inquire into the nature of their injuries reports that only one ship can_ possibly be saved. She is the Infanta Maria Te- resa, the former fiagship of Admiral Cer- vera. The hull of the Cristobal Colon shows she was only hit six times, and then only by shells of 8-inch, 5-inch and 6-pounder caliber. This verifies the story that the commander of the Cristobal Colon sur- rendered because he saw she could not get away from the Brooklyn and Oregon, and to continue the battle meant a sacri- fice of life. It was found that the brass plugs of the large guns and the bolts and locks of the small arms had been thrown overboard. Riddied the Vizcaya. The Vizcaya showed she had been rid- dled by the Brooklyn and Oregon. She had not been struck by projectiles larger than eight inches. There was no sign of her having been struck by a shell of twelve or thirteen inches. Her upper works were iddied by one and 6-pounder shells. early all of these shells exploded inside the superstructures, and must have driven the men from the guns. This confirms the story of Captain Eulate that the Brook- lyn’s secondary battery fire was so terri- ble that the men deserted their guns. The survey board arrived at the wrecks of the Almirante Oquendo and Infanta Maria Teresa last night at dark, and the work consequently was postponed. A singular fact noted on the four ships is that all the guns were trained for- ward, and the story that they were all directed to fire on the Brooklyn is there- fore shown to be true. The magazines of all the ships exploded, and the effect was to blow up the decks and not completely pulverize the hull or turn the keel up, as was the case of the battle ship Maine. This is looked upon as being important. COAL CANNOT BE TAKEN Danish Authorities Prohibit Removal of 8,000 Tons by United States, Assert That It is Contraband of War and Threaten Us With Resist- ance by Warships. NEW YORK, July 12—A special cable- gram from St. Thomas, D. W. I., to the Journal reports that the Danish authori- ties have informed United States Consul Van Horne that coal, of which the United States has 8,000 tons in the harbor of St. Thomas, ts contraband of war, and that its removal by the United States so long as this government is at war with Spain will not be permitted. Governor Ledermann informed the consul, according to this dispatch, that any at- tempt to remove the coal in question would be resisted by the German, French and Ital- ian warships in the harbor and waters near by. Consul Van Horne is said to have referred the subject to the authorities at Washington. —— FIRST ILLINOIS’ PLIGHT. It Reached Cuba Without Blankets and Other Necessaries, Speclal Cable Dispatch to The Evening Star. (Copyright, 1898.) SIBONEY, July li, via Port Antonio, July 12.—Part of the Ist Division of the 2d Army Corps, under Brig. Gen. Guy Henry, have arrived and disembarked. This Is the 8th Ohio, which comes from President Mc- Kinley’s town of Canton mostly. Col. Hard and Lieut. Col. Dick are in command. The Yale ts in the offing. The 1st Illinois Js in @ bad plight. It came without blank- €‘s and other necessaries, thinking that Ciba is an Eden. The first question they asked in chorus was, “Who won that ball game?” The reply shouted from the beach was, “You won’t care when you see the twirl of a Mauser ball or a piece of railroad iron coming right off the Spanish bat.” ek ates PRIVILEGES TO PRISONERS, May Communicate With Friends and Relatives. ‘The Secretary of the Navy has generous- ly accorded the Spanish officers who were brought as prisoners on the St. Louis, and are now at Portsmouth, the privilege of communicating freely with their friends and families in Spain by cable, under proper precautions, to prevent the sending of any information touching the progress of the war. In consequence the navigation office has been fairly flooded with the num- ber of cablegrams submitted for inspection before dispatch. The navy ts also freely fur- nishing such information as it possesses as to the safety or condition of the Spanish prisoners in answer to appeals from their friends at home. Nearly all the Spanish officers are with- cut money and are also in straits as to the matter of clothing. Secretary Long has ar- ranged to allow a certain sum to them each day, in accordance with the courteous, but not always observed, custom in the case of prisoners of war. The surgeon general has assigned Sur- gecn Persons to take charge of the wound- ed Spanish prisoners at Seavey Island, Portsmouth Harbor. Surgeon Persons has recently been at the recruiting station New York. With him will be four other sur- geons, besides the two Spanish surgeons. They will afford exactly the same surgical care to the Spanish wounded as that given OFFICIALS WAITING Expecting Announcement of Santi- ago’s Surrender. GENERAL FEELING OF EXPECTANCY ‘Secretary Alger Encouraged by Gen. Shafter’s Report. GENERAL MILES’ POSITION The expectation was general today that the surrender of Santiago is about to be secured. The dispatch received from Gen. Shafter this mornizg was a basis for this belief. Secretary Long said, on entering the cabinet meeting, that no reports had been received during the Cay as to the condition at Santiago, ard he regarded the situation as one of waiting for actual developmenis. Secretary Alger was particularly en- couraged. He says he can see no reason why the Spaniards should renew their flag of truce at 2 o’clock yesterday after- rcon after being finally informed of the intention of this government to accept absolutely nothing less than the uncondi- tional surrender of the town of Santiago, unless they had ceme to the conclusion to accept substantially those terms. The main souree of apprehension today was that the Spaniards may have succeeded to a con- siderable degree in evacuating the towa before the American lines of investment were completed, so that when the Amert- can troops entered it would be found a mere empty husk, with perhaps nothing more than a desperate rear guard of Span- iards left to protect and conceal the re- treat of the main bcdy of the troops. There were several indications of some such move, which is supposed to have been in progress for the past three or four days. Gen. Shafter himself reported, under date of Sunday, that the Spaniards had evacuat- ed a small town on the west side of the bay, one of the suburbs of Santiago, while The Star's dispatches of yesterday referred to the departure of a body of Spanish troops from Santiago toward Holguin, Of course, these facts are not conclusive that the town has been evacuated by the Spanish army, but it cannot be concealed that there is some apprehension that the main result of the investment of Santiago, aside from the important achievement of driving the Spanish squadron to its de- struction, will be the inheritance by Shaf- ter of several thovsand wounded Spanish soldiers and many more thousand hungry mouths in Santiago. Status of Gen. Miles. Gen. Miles, wo arrived at Siboney on the Yale yesterday, made the following report to Secretary Alger this morning: “Arrived at noon. Had consultation wita Admiral Sampsory and with General Shafter by telephene. Troops brought from Tampa, Charleston and New York arrived and leav- ing for the front. Line cf investment being extended. (Signed) MILES.” Gen. Miles, ft may be stated, has not taken and will not take charge of the oper- ations now being conducted against Santi- ago. Whatever credit {s to be derived from the capture of that town, if it results from the prosecution of the present plan of op- erations by Gen. Shafter, will redound to that officer's credit, for Gen. Miles has ex- pressly declared that he does not assume the conduct of these operations. He is there simply in bis capacity as commanding general of the army to look over the field and ascertain whether the operations are going along as they should. But with Gen. Miles was very substantial assistance for Gen. Shafter. He took with him on the Yale more than 1,000 men and considerable artillery, while the Columbia, which formed part of his expediticn, is expected to report her arrival at any moment with the re- mainder of the troops. As Gen. Shafter has referred to the thinness of his lines, it is expected that these reinforcements will ba very gratefully received. Relations of Sampson and Schley. Secretary Long has been in receipt of telegrams of a personal nature from Com- modore Schley, and it is believed from Ad- miral Sampson as well. It is supposed they have been called forth by the newspaper controversy over the credit for the vic- tory over the Spanish squadron, controver- sy which is most earnestly deprecated by the officials of the Navy Department, as well as by the real friends of both of the officers concerned. Secretary Long de- clines to make public these cablegrams, though it is believed that they tend to demonstrate the existence of good rela- tions between the two officers and a dis- position on the part of both to be judged strictly according to the canons of naval law. Admiral Sampson has cabled to the de- partment he believes the wrecking plant which is now on its way down to Santiago to endeavor to save some of the Spanish ships is suflicient for the purpose, so far as the question of mere capacity is concerned, ‘The naval officers are particularly desirous that the Cristobal Colon shall be saved and placed on the American naval list under the Anglicized name of Christopher Co- lumbus. The admiral also telegraphed to the de- partment today that Capt. Concas of the Spanish navy, who was reported to have been killed in the destruction of the Span- ish squadron, is alive, wounded and on the hospital ship Solace. This officer is well known in the United States, having brought the Columbian caravels across the Atlantic to Chicago for exhibition at the world’s fair. He was very popular at the time, but lost the regard of a good many of his American admirers when, just before the outbreak of the war with Spain, he delivered before the Geographical Society in Madrid a bitter diatribe directed against the personal qualities of the American people. 4 Condition of the Wounded. Surgeon General Van Reypen of the navy has received a report from the surgeons with the fleet showing that there has been no rise of temperature or an accumulation of pus in a single one of the many cases of wounded soldiers. From a medical standpoint this is said to be a marked ad- vance from the conditions during the civit war. It is attributed to the introduction of antiseptic treatment of wounds. Experi- ence shows that no fever follows the ‘wounds, and that with the absence of pus the wound heals rapidly without complica- tions. Considering the great number of wounds to be treated now and hereafter, this is regarded asa most satisfactory showing, not only in medical science, but | Word has been received from the naval hospital ship Solace that she ‘has on board about 40 naval wounded, including a num- ber of Spanish wounded. The remaining accommodations will be given to the wound- ed from the army. It is éxpected that she will arive at Tampa within the next few ays. ose Injuries to the Battle Ships. The Navy Department has received no word as to the injuries to the forward tur- rets of the battle ships Iowa and Indiana, as referred to in press dispatches. From this fact the officials conclude that the in- juries are not at all serious, as any ma- terial disarrangement of the turrets would be quickly reported. For some time there has been difficulty in securing an acute ele- vation of the big guns fn the turret of the Towa. The lack of elevation is of no dis- advantage, however, in the general utility of the guns, which are usually fired with little or no elevation. MINES TO BE REMOVED Important Action Taken at the Cabinet Meeting. Explosives to Be Taken From the Potomac—Infinence of Com- mercial Interests. The Secretary of War today ordered the removal of all the submarine mines which now protect the harbors of the United States against the entry of ‘hostile ships. This action was decided upon at today’s cabinet meeting. For weeks past—in fact, almost since the beginning of the war—the War Department has been deluged with protests from the commercial interests of the country against the continuance of these mines, which op- erate to the great detriment of commerce. In certain cases influences were brought to bear that secured an abatement of the rules, and this only increased the dissat- isfaction in localities where they were rig- idly applied. Practically it thas been im- possible for shipping to enter or leave any of the harbors of the United States during the last two months between the hours of sunset and sunrise. The deciston of the cabinet to remove these mines now is one of the most signal manifestations of the supreme confidence of the govern- ment of the exemption of the United States ports from attack at the hands of any hostile power. After thoroughly considering the subject it has been decided by the engineers that the safest and quickest means of removing the mines fs by exploding them, and orders to do this have been prepared for transmis- sion to all of the United States enginzer of- ficers in charge of the harbor defenses throughout the country. The effect of this action will be felt here by the removal of all th: mines which were ed in the Potomac in the vicinity of Fort Washington for the better protection of the national capital from attack by. water, Se PORTO RICANS STARVING Great Destitution Among the Natives All Over the Island. Captain of a British Brig Brings News From San Juan—In- terest in the War. PROVINCETOWN, Mass., July 12—Cap- tain McKenna of the British brig Ethel, who arrived here today from Arecibo, Porto Rico, for orders, brings a story of great destitution at San Juan and other places. Captain McKenna left Arectbo June 21. At that time reports from all parts of Porto Rico indicated a condition among the natives nearly bordering on starvation. At Arecibo flour was selling at $19 a barrel, salt fish, 30 cents per pound, and other pro- visions at a price so high that none but the wealthy could get them, Captain Mc- Kenna said that while he was at Arecibo he fed, on an average, fifty persons per day. “J always carry three months’ rations,” he said, “but I have hardly enough now to last me to the next port.” Several American and British newspapers reached Captain McKenna while he lay at Arecibo, and he says that the natives actually fought to get possession of them, So eager were they to learn of the progress of the war. All classes are praying for a speedy settlement of hostilities, and the majority express sympathy with the United States, whose efforts they believe will re- sult in bringing them relief from the irk- some rule of Spain. eS AGUINALDO’S SQUADRON. Patrolling the Coast With a Fleet of Merchantmen. MADRID, July 12, 8 a.m.—An official dispatch from» lloilo, Philippine Islands, says that~Aguinaldo, the insurgent leader, is “patrolling the coast with a squadron of merchantmen.” The dispatch adds that two bands of insurgents at Cebu have been defeated and that three insurgent leaders have been captured and shot. ——_-——— + TESTIMONIALS FOR SCHLEY. Marylanders Will Raise Funds at a Monster Public Meeting. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CUMBERLAND, Md., July -12.—Citizens of Cumberland have effected the prelim- inary organization of a movement to be extended all over the state to raise a fund for the purchase by the people of Maryland of a testimonial for Commodore Schiey. A monster public meeting is being ar- ranged for Thursday night at the Academy of Music. People here are enthusiastic and heavy contributions are é@xpected. It is confidently believed that prominent people in all sections of the state will take up the matter. s Governor Lowndes went to Baltimore yesterday to confer with certain gentle- men regarding the sword to be presented by the state to Commodore Schley. A com- mittee will be appointed to make the pur- chase and presentation. Fi A movement is on foot to eréct a monu- ment in Riverside Cumberland, in commemoration of Coebananes Schley’s victory. —_-———— Keyworth Believed to Be Dying. ‘Special Dispatch to The Eveiing Star. HYATTSVILLE, -‘Md.,-July 12—The con- dition of W. Howa 7 who was shot through — r | by. Guy Barron the afternoon of July 6, at the Pa critical this afternoon. His physic that he is sinking rapidly, 3 AT THE WHITE HOUSE The Cabinet Session Today Was Very Brief. BELIEF AS 70 SHAPTER’S POSITION No Indications That the Spaniards Have Escaped. NO PEACE NEGOTIATIONS A comparatively unimportant State De- partment matter occupied the greater part of a short cabinet session today. The only official war news for the cabinet was the telegram of Gen. Shafter, made public dur- ing the morning. Several cabinet officers who read this telegram “between the lines’ said that Gen. Toral wis probably getting ready to surrender his army. They said that !t might have been done before this but for the Spaniard’s habit of putting off every- thing until tomorrow. The same cabinet officers said that the continued negotiations would be beneficial to Gen. Shafter, as it would enable him to strengthen the weak spots in his line with the reinforcements that are constantly ar- riving. The crrival of these reinforce- ments, they said, would be noted by the Spanish commander and would make him all the more inclined to surrender. No Intimation of Spaniards Escaping. The expectation of at least two members of the cabinet is that some time will elapse before there will be a decisive fight, if the Spaniards intend to fight at all. It is said that no intimation was thrown out that the Spaniards may have escape] from Santiago. It is believed that Gen. Shafter would have become aware of their departure. The Cubans are scattered in all directions, and would certainly know of any suck ovement, it is said. Secretary Day asserts emphatica he has had no indications that S. ask for peace. The question of peace ws not suggested at the cabinet session, as there is nothing upon whieh to base any such suggestion. - a Anxious for News. The President was in his office until 1 o'clock last night waiting for news from the front. He was greatly disappointed when nothing came, and is reported to have been somewhat anxious. He had ex- pected official news all through the even- ing. Notwithstanding the late hour at which he retired, the President arose early this morning and was soon in his office, ready for a hard day's work. Eight or ten con- gressmen called and talked with him be- fore the cabinet meeting. Today’s Callers. Among the President's early callers this morning there was an impression that the desultory firing, which has been in prog- ress around Santiago, has allowed General Shafter to enclose the city and prevent the escape of the Spaniards. It was not be- lieved that the Spaniards had succeeded in getting away, although there would be no surprise if they had done so. The President's visitors said that the in- formation in their pessession was that Santiago was now securely invested and fully at the mercy of General Shafter. It was said that an intermittent artillery fire was kept up from Sunday afternoon to 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, when a flag of truce was raised by the Spaniards. There is talk that General Shafter may not use his infantry at any time. He may, it 4s said, continue to harass the Span- jJards with artillery and from the fleet until they surrender. No Peace Negotiations. Secretary Day today stated to a Star reporter that the call of the French am- bassador at the White House yesterday afternoon had nothing to do with peace ne- gotiations. No talk of peace was men- tioned at the conference, he said. ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICERS. Latest Orders Issued by Department. Officers of the army have been assigned to duty as follows: Lieutenant W. D. Pasco, 3d Volunteer Engineers, to Jefferson Barracks, Mo.; Lieutenant G. W. Cole, 7th Cavalry, from duty as professor of military science at the Western Military Academy at Upper Alcon, iL, to St. Louis, Mo.; Acting Assistant Surgeon J. C. De Vries, to Chickamauga, Ga.; Acting Assistant Surgeons C. H. An- derson and E. W. Pinkham, to Fort Mon- roe, Va.; Acting Assistant Surgeons J. A. oe and Richard Wilson, to Tampa, a. Acting Assistant Surgeon S. M. Water- house, to Fort Monree, Va.; Maj C. E. Ruth, surgeoa, to Chickamauga, Ga.; Act- ing Assistaat Surgeons J. 8. Fogg and A. W. Williams, to Fort Monroe, Va.; Acting Assistant Surgeons C. L. Baker and H. H. Bailey, to Camp Alger, Va.; Lieut. D. K. Ashford, assistant surgeon, to Tampa, Fia.; Lieut. W. F. M. Rodgers, Signaij Corps, to Charleston, 8.C.; Maj. Herbert Katz, commissary’s department, to Chick- amauga; Licsuts. W. Purnell and J. L. Bell, assistant surgeons, to Fort Thomas, Ky.; Lieut. L. M. Bass, to Santiago, via steamer Duches: Maj. G. Fechet, 6th Cavalry, has been re- tired on account of disatility. Lieut. Chas. E. Gilbert, 7th Infantry. li- Unois Volunteers, has resigned. Second lieutenants recently appointed have been assigned to duty with regiments as follows: W. S. Volkmar, to the 4th Artil- lery; W. T. Bates, to the 2d Infantry; G. N. Bomford, to the 5th Infantry; P. M. Coch- ran, to the 7th Infantry; J. B. Schoeffel, to the 3d Infantry; B. P. Nicklin, to the 9th Infantry; R. A. Clay, to the 13th Infantry; B. G. Ovenshine, to the 16th Infantry; J. J. Boniface, to the 17th Infantry; G. M. Grimes, to the 20th Infantry. W. A. Cavanaugh, to the 22d Infantry; W. C. Geiger, to th2 24th Infantry; a. G. Jenkins, to the Ist Artillery; H. P. Good- now, to the 2d Artillery; Wm. Forse, to the 3d Artillery; P. A. Connolly, to the 5th Artillery; L. C. Brown, jery; H. L. Steele, to the 7th Artillery; P. W. Arnold, to Light Battsry C; R. E. Wyl- He, to the Ist Artillery; M. Young, to the 24 Artillery. the War oo —_____ COMMODORE WATSON’S TASK. POWDER KILLS MANY Seven Dead and Eight Missing, Prol- ably Blown to Pieces, AT LAFLIN & RAND’S MILLS believe will not amount to much because of the easy reduction of the defenses. Every ship in Watson's squadron has been supplied with the very latest charts not only of the coasts of Spain and of the Med- iterranean, but of track courses that will take them clear to the Philippines. In ad- dition to this the few officers who remained to join the vessels of this squadron have received orders from the department to go to their ships at once, so that notice of the departure of some of the vessels may be looked for at any moment. The supply ship Delmonico, which is to accompany Comme‘ore Watson's eastern squadron, has been © »christened the Glacier in deference to the criticism called forth by the perpetuation on the naval list of the name of a private concern. When pur- chased by the government she was the steamer Port Chalmers. ———_o—_____ IN MePHERSON BARRACKS. Works at Pompton Lakes, N. J., on Government Contracts. SUSPICIONS OF SPIES DOVER, N. J., July 12—An explosion oc- curred at the works of the Laflin & Rand Powder Company, in Pompton Lakes, to- day. Seven men are known to have been killed and eight are missing. Of the known dead only one is a soldier, the others were em- ployes. The eight men missing were pos- sibly blown to pieces. There were two explosions. The first was caused by a boiler in the engine room blow- ing up. The force of this explosion result- ed in the mixing room, where the powder was sorted, being blown up by concussion The mixing department was one of the big- gest in the plant. A Fire Started. After the explosion a fire started. Sey- eral small buildings were burned. The fire spread quickly. The Laflin & Rand Company is filling large government orders for powder, and much that was about ready in the mixing building was blown up. The boiler which caused the original ex- plosion was a new one and had just been put in the engine room. It is said that it had been thoroughly tested before it was fitted in. Since tho outbreak of hostilities with Spain Col. Lee of the 3d New Jersey Vol- unteers and a battalion of his regiment have been stationed at the works to pre- vent their destruction by spies. The camp of the soldiers has been close to the powder plant. The guard was being maintained as usual this morning. Shook the Buildings. At 11 o'clock there was a terrific explos- fon which shook the buildings and scat- tered the troops and employes. Fifteen men are reported to have been killed, and many soldiers and employes had wounds, scme quite serious. The officials of the company at once sent a special train from Doyer to the milla and the wounded were immediately placed on board to be removed to the Paterson hospitals for treatment. The military formed in line and stood guard about the plant and refused to allow any one to approach the works, The nam of the dead and wounded have not yet been ascertained. Two men are fatally injured and a third is so badly hurt that he may dic. A can- vass of the homes of the workmen is being made to ascertain who of the employes perished by the explosion. . There is still much uncertainty as to the origin of the disaster, some insisting that the mixing room was the first build- ing destroyed, while others say that the initial explosion was in the bvu'ler room. A short time ago there was an explosion in the same works which kitied six men and the suspicion then that it had Leen ~aused by Spinish spies led to the deta of the troops. Two Men, Named Alike, Killed. BOSTON, July 12.—Two men, both, nam- e4 Michael Flavin, were killed and three were seriously injured today by the giving way of a number of piles of the bridge which is being built bet nm the Charles River and Warren bridges, in this city. oe AFTER THE PRIVATEER. Caring for the Sick and Wounded Brought on the Cherokee. Word has reached Surgeon General Stern- berg of the army that 235 of the sick and Wounded men brought to Tampa by the transport Cherokee Lave been safely lodg- e2 in McPherson barracks, Atlanin, to which place they were taken by the hos- pital train. The remaining eighty-seven aboard the Cherokee were taken te the army division hcspital at Tampa. Later they will in all probability be removed co the McPherson barracks. The hospital train reeds repairs as a re- stlt of the injuries received in the collision Sunday night, and these will take foriy- eight hours to complete. ‘The steamship Olivetie, with over 30) sick and wound=d from Shefter’s army, hes left Gvantanamo for Fort Monroe, where tae men will be put in the hospitals being pre- pared for them. SPANISH CURRENCY. It Has Much Depreciated . Foceo. Consul General Partridge of Tangier in- forms the department that the Spanish currency, which circulates largely in Mo- rocco, has much depreciated. In January the exchange value was $1.35 Spanish for $1 American; May 1 the rate was $2 Span- ish for $1 American. Owing to relief ob- tained by the Bank of Spain, the rate at the time of writing (May 31) Was $1.60 for $1 American. The British post office, con- Unues the consul general, as well as the Moorish customs authorities, refuse to ac- cept Spanish currency. ——-e. The.Late Capt. Rowell. Capt. Charles W. Rowell of the 22d In- fantry, who was killed in the Spanish sor- tle Sunday night, was one of the most gal- lant and popular officers of the regular army. He was born in New York, and ap- pointed to the Military Academy in i870. He became a second lieutenant in 1874, @ first lieutenant in 1881 and was placed in command of the company which he led to bis death in 1896. GOVERNMENT OF HAWAII in Mo- Its Form Being Discussed by Members of the Commission. A Number of Suggestions Informally Talked Over—Probable Date of Departure. The members of the Hawaiian commis- sion now in Washington have been confer- ring and discussing informally the work before them. Senator Cullom has been chcsen chairman of the commission. The question of the method of government of the islands is occupying the attention of each member of the commission, and a rumber of tentative suggestions have been informally talked over. One thing which it is said the members of the commission are agreed on is that the government should be as liberal as possible to the people of Hawaii, and should recognize the capacity for managing the affairs of the island by the government in existence at the time of annexation. In some quarters objection is raised to the ordinary territorial form of government with a representation in Congress through a delegate, on the ground that this form of government is regarded as but preliminary to statehood. On the other hand it is felt that the sort of government now exercised over Alaska would not be fair to a people capable of self-government as the Hawaiian people bave proven themselves to be.* One sugges- tion, therefore, is that as much es is con- sistent of the present government of the is- lands be preserved and that local officers be made elective under a proper form of franchise. Senator Cullom talked with the President this morning about the departure of his commission for Honolulu. He said he had telegraphed steamship agents at San Fran- cisco asking if passage could be obtained for the commisricn about the Ist of Au- gust. The senator now thinks that the commission will not be able to get away be- fore that time. Two English Warships Dispatched Upon American Consul’s Request. VICTORIA, B. C., July 12.—In response to the request of United States Consul Deadley of Vencouver, Admiral Pulleser, commander of the Pacific British squadron, stationed at Esquimault, has di ched H. M. 8. Amphion, a second-class cruiser, carrying nine guns, and the sloop of war Icarus, mounting eight guns, to cruise the waters of the north to search for the al- leged Spanish privateer, which, according to reports that have reached the ears of the consul, lies hidden in the vicinity of Dixon Entrance, the passage for south- bound treasure ships. The existence of such a privateer, how- ever, is regarded as very doubtful, as no reliable reports regarding it have been re- ceived. 7OR THE PHILIPPINES. MEN Fourth Expedition Will Be Made Up of 1,760 Soldiers. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., July 12—The fourth expedition to the Philippines will number 1,760 men. With Maj. Gen. Otis will sall Brig. Gen. Hughes, chief of staff of the Department of the Pacific; Lieut. Col. Barry, assistant adjutant general Maj. Mallory, inspector general; Capt. Charles McClure, judge advocate; First Lieut. Sladun, aid. The remaining members of the staff will go to Manila next week on the City of Rio Janeiro and join him on that vessel on its arrival at Honolulu. They are: Capt. H. Betford, assistant adjutant general; Capt. C. A. Duvall, assistant quartermas- ter; Capt. C. C. Walcutt, assistant quarter- master. “Gen. Otis expects that the steamers Rio Janeiro, Pennsylvania and St. Paul will be ready to sa! with the troops on Friday of next week. de does not expect to get any more troops away until the return from —_—_—_-e-—______ RETREAT TO CAIMANES. Evidences That the Spaniards Have Evacuated Santiago. Special Cable Dispatch to The Evening Star. (Copyright, 1898.) . Off Santiago, July 10, via Port Antonio, Jamaice, July 11—At 5 o'clock on Sunday the army and the fleet attacked Santiago, the Spaniards having refused the ultima- tum of unconditional surrender which had been submitted to them. The Texas, Brooklyn and Indiana shelled the city from a point off Aquadores, and the army opened with infantry and arti!- lery fire all along the line. The Spaniards replied so feebly as to sug- gest that they already were evacuating the Place and leaving but a skeleton force in the trenches. ‘The shells of the fleet did great damaye to the city. One shell from the dynamite gun destroyed a battery. Our forces did not advance and ultimate- ly stopped firing on account of a thunder storm and darkness. Eight hundred Cubans, advancing on Aquadores, found the trenches deserted and logs set up to represent guns, which adds confirmation to the opinion that the Span- ae A H] te ef i military department of California, = der Gen. Merriam, who also has command of the Columbia. iment, prob- York Voluntecrs, Will be Rear Admiral Miller, who