The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 25, 1897, Page 1

VOLUME LXX3 PRICE F1VE CENTS, CUBANS CAPTUR | TRAIN Surprise the Spaniards | and Use Dynamite with Effect. SUPPLIES TAKEN, BUT PRISONERS FREED. A Cowardly Commander Who Was Afraid to Attack the Insurgents. IN ALL ENCOUNTERS PATRIOTS ARE THE VICTORS. No Action to Be Taken on the Be- ligerency Resolution Until Cal- houn’s Report Is Recelved. HAVANA, Cusa, May 24.—It is reported from Santiago de Cuba that the Spanish militar train from Ei Cristo to Longo | ed by 600 insurgents. Thetrain ng troops to re-enforce the garri- son at Longo. At the first shots of the | he train was stopped and | nts ordered the men to fire. At nt several dynamite bombs ex- ploded, killing La Fuente, twelve Spanish privates, and wounding thirty-two others. | The locomotive and & car were destroyed. | The Spaniards surrendered and the | Cubsns after plundering the train burned | the remaining cars. Sixty Spanish and twenty other persons, em- s of the railroad and officers of the sh Government, were made prison- wo hours later they were set free rder of General Garcia. Spanish military commander at 20 was afraid to go to the aid of the He waited until they were re- and the insurgents far away. Then he sallied forth and near the town killed iwo countrymen, one a non-combatant. | He then returned to town, reporting a | victory over the insurgents. | General Calixto del Rey, who, as re- rted last month, -was recailed from Santiago de Cuba by Weyler on account of bis dire defeat by Garcia at Guamo, embarked yesterday for Spain. He said | Weyler is not the man to quell the revo- | in Orient. In Rey’s opimion 200,- h soldiers in the province of | o de Cuba alone could not subdue | the Cubans in less than a year. | The commander of the Spanish gun- boat Conde de Venadito intended 10 land zome of his crew near Baracos to attack camp. but the Cuban r shore, He dispatched a boat 1 half-way on its journey | t from the Cubans killed sev- eral men in the boat and obliged tie | others to return. The gunboat fired three s « k s from cannon without hitting the The latter answered with rifles, a Spanish sergeant and Reas Dia deck of the Conde dé boat then retired. | 0 was on th Venadito. Theg - McKINLEY'S FIRM POLICY. The President Intends to Secure Frudom"‘ for Cuba WASHINGTON, D. C., May 24.—The President’s Cuban policy is still a matter of much uncertai He has taken very few of his friends into his confidence on the subject, and even some members of the Cabinet claim to be entirely unin- formed of what, if any, plan the President has decided upon. appears to be cer- v that no cefinite action of sort will be taken prior to Calhoun’s re- turn, and while awaiting his revort the ze of Cuban affairs for the State artment, will carefully consider all information on file. Not & word was said about Cuba during the brief session of the House this morning, and notwithstand- ing the anxiety of the enthusiastic friends of the Cuban cause to secure action upon the Senate belligerency resolution,’ it is evident the Speaker, Chairman H:tt and Leader Dingley have resolved to prevent action or debate on the resolution until the President indicates his desires. In the meantime all sorts of reports are in circulation as to the part the executive will play in ending the war and bringing about Cuban freedom. All that is defi. nitely known, however, is it is the inten- tion of the President and Cabinet to use the good offices of the United States in some manner for the lasting benefit of the insurgents. Cuban independence is what the administration is evident!y aiming at, and they will probably agree (o the policy of intervention on the part of the United | Btates if this be found to be what is needed. There are indications that the President has already sounded the Spanish Minister on the subject of mediation based on the reports of Consul-General Lee and other | representatives of the United States in Cuba, and that the tentative offer has been declined, as was Oiney’s about a year ego. Congressmen who talk with the Presi- dent deily do not succed in learning much as to the details of his policy, but all of them represent him as enthusiastically in favor of the Cuban cause and determined todoall in his power to assist in making Cuba absolutely and forever free. Speaker Reed hasdeciaed upon the pol- icy he will pursue respecting the Morgan Cuban resolution, which passed the Sen- ate last week and is now on the Speaker’s teble. He has talked with a majority of the Republican members and with the leaders of ti:e majority and has practically the solid support of his party. On the promise held out by Speaker Reed tha the President would soon send a message 1o Congress on tt.e Cuban question the ar- dent Cuban sympathizers have restrained Continued on Second Page. | and the colonies with the ringing of church The Gunboat Wheeling Had Her Engineers’ Trial Trip Yesterday Over the Measured Contract Calls For, and Her Sister Ship Marietta Is Expected to Beat Even That Record on Her Trial To-Day. , 13 Papar no O bs taken frory Mile. y She Made at Least Two Knots More Than the QUEEN VICTGRIA SEVENTY-EIGHT | Loyal Subjects Duly Celebrate All Over the World. | Much Rejoicing Throughout Great Britain and the Colonies. Countless Messages of Congratula- | tien Recelved by the Graclious Sovereign. LONDON, Exe., May 24.—To-day is the | seventy-eighth anniversary of the birth of | Queen Victoria, and the occasion was cele- | vrated throughout the United Kingdom belis and the firing o1 salutes. The formel exercises in this city will not take place untii Wednesday, the Queen | having expressly r:quested this postpone- | ment in order that she might gain an ad- ditional day’s rest at Baimoral. | In the remaining clties of Great Britain, | however, patriotic exercises were held in | the schools, and receptions and banquets were given in the evening under the aus- pices of the various municipal corpora- tions. The Queen herself spent the day quietly | at her old castle, her advancing vears rendering it inadvisable, if not impossible, for her to take an active part in these an- | nual observances, as has been her custom in years gone by. Countless messages of congratulation have been received by her Msjesty during the past twenty-four hours from the beads of almost every Government, as | well as from the representatives of the | court of St. James. Several of the members of the Cabinet gove full dress dinners and receptions this evening in honor of the anniversary, and during the afternoon there were mili- iary parades throughout the kingdom, | the near approach of the diamond jubilee festivities in no way serving to over- shadow the brilliancy of the events. MONTREAL, CANApA, May 24. — The birthday of Qaeen Victoria was generally observed throughout the Dominion. Busi- ness was generally suspended, and the re- ligious services of the morning were fol- lowed by all manner of spring festivities, and concluded with brilliant fireworks in iheevening. Thisanniversary is regarded as marking in a measure the opening of the summer season, and so, apart from its original significance, has come to be a period of general merrymaking and re- joicing, being possibly more enthusiast- ically observed than in the mother coun- try. NEW YORK, N. Y., May 24.—The Queen’s birihday was celebrated to-night at the Holland House by the British schools and universities’ club with a din- ner attended by most of the prominent Englishmen of this city. Rev. Dr. Parker Morgan, wno vresided, responded to the toset, “The Queen.” “No kinder woman,” said Morgan,*‘ever reizied. She was the first to sympathize With this country when Garfield was shot, and smong the first to sond a message of condolence to the widow of Grant. Such little attions have won for her the love and respect of the entire world. 1f the Queen bad been on the throne the revolu- tion and separation between this country and Englind would not nave occurred. She wouid have prevented the woras from being utteréd which created the bitter feeling which\could not be allayed.”. PORT TAMPA, Fra., May 24 —The cel- ebration of Queen Victoria's birthday drew thousand& The British Warsnip Peallas and American cruiser Montgomery are here. All the ‘shipping in the harbor is decorated in gay colors. By special vermission af President McKinley 100 armed men from the Palias were permit- ted to land and take part in the parade, CHICAGO, I1L., May' 24.—The British- horn residents of Chicagd did honor to the sovereign of their natite land by a ban- quet at the Victoria Hotel this evening in recognition of the fact tuatto-day was the seventy-eighth anniversary of the birth- day of Queen Victoria. Invitations to participate in the celebration were ex- tended to Premier Greenway of Manitoba; Mr. Sutherland, Minister of the Interior, and other prominent Uanadians. s E S CELEBRATED IN THIS CITX. Hey Mojesty’s Loyal Subjects Drink to Fictoria’s Health, Queen Victoria on her birthday was not entirely forgotten 1n this distant land of the setting sun by her subjects, although the majority of those who honored her memory yesterday are citizens of this | Republic. At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon about fifuy of San Francisco’s prominent citizens assembled at 303 California street and drank long life to her Majesty across the Atlantic. Snort addresses were made by Consul- General Joseph W. Warburton, Vice- consul Wellesley Moore, H. H. Highton, William Doxey, Rev. W. W. Bolton, Rabbi Nieto, James McNab, George Marsh, Captain Metcalf, Joseph Trounser, | Edward Oliver ana others. —_—— New Railroad for Mexico. VICTORIA, MExico, May 24.—All the arrangements have been comnpleted for buliding a railroad bdtween this city and » Matamoras on the Rio Grande. The road will pass through extensive asphaltum fields a hundred miles northeast of here which were recently acquired by the American company. The railroad will also be built by Amevicun capital. gl o Ui b CAPTAIN ROMEYN PARDONED. But in Ex‘ending Clemency the President Severely Reprimands the Oficer. WASHINGTON, D. C., May 24 —Final action was taken by the President to-day in the case of Captain Henry Romeyn, U. S. A., recently tried at Fort McPherson, Ga., on a number of charees growing out of his criticisms of the conduct of Mrs. Michael J. O'Brien, wife of the lieutenant who represented this country in the Chino-Japan war. The court-martial sen- unced Romeyn to dismissal from the ser- vice. This senter ce Is disapproved by the President on aci nt of the officer’s rec- ord of long servil® and appreaching re- ! tirement. A severe reprimand of Romeyn is_contained, however, in the President’s decision. Romeyn 1s restored to rank and duty. He will be placed on the retired list for age on June 1. The President’s decision says: ‘The procesdings, findings and sentence in the case of Captain Henry Romeyn, Fifth In- fantry, are approved, but upon recom- mendation of the majority of the members of the coart-martial and consideration of his long and honorable service, of his wound received in battle, of the meaal of honor held by him for distinguished gal- lantry in action, of the fact he will by operation of law be retired for age on the 1st day of June, and of his appeal to the executive for clemency the sentence awarded by the court is remitted. In do- ing so, however, I cannot fail to express my condemnation of the conduct of which Romeyn is found guilty, and regret that he failed upon the occasion to con- trol his temper in a manner becoming his service and age.” —————— Snarl of the “Globes.”” LONDO b .—England having emerged with a whole skin from her recent dispute with the United States the Globe deems it proper to make this remark in the course of an article: “We have heard so much of late from cultured embassedors of the btotherhooi of Eng- land and the United States that we are apt to forget that cultured Americans are unhappily few in number and devoid of political influence.” 7, ////J .\\ N SN &y, 2 - v HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY, bUEEN VICTORIA, Whose Seventy-Eighth Birthday Was Celebrated Yesterday. TURKS RUSHING IN MORE TROOPS Threaten to Resume Hostilities Against the Greeks. So the Powers Are Asked to Hasten Their Negotiations for Peace. | Germany Refuses to Join the Other Powers Unless ths Hellenss Ac- cept Terms Agreed Upon. ATHENS, GREECE, May 24.—The Gov- ernment in adhering to its resolution not to treat directly with the Porte for peace has urged the diplomats to hasten their negotiations because the Turks threaten to resume hostilities. They are bringing re-enforcements into Thessaly and occu- pying strategic positions. Itis reported that 20.000 Ottoman troops embarked at Smyrna recently. The Greeks have formed a second line of defense at Thermopylee. The Cretan in- surgents have empowered Colonel Staikes, who commanded the Greek army, to in- form the Greek Government that they have decided, despite the withdrawal of Greek troops, to continue their efforts to bring about a union of Crete and Greece, but before taking final steps they will in- | vite instructions from Greece. CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY, May 24.— Tue Government’s edict exvelling Greeks from Turkey has been suspended. e identical note which the represen- atives of the powers will present to the oite Informing the Turkish Government ,{ be decision of the powers in regard to Tarkish demands upon Greece were 1 up yesterday but has not yet been preséuted. The delay is due to the fact that the Embassadors are awaiting theac- tion of the German representative, who is still awaiting instructions from Berlin, to which he referred the matter last Wednes- day. LONDON, Exc, May 24.—There has been an informal exchange of views be- tween the Greek Government and the foreign representatives, in the course of which the diplomats were told that pay- ment of indemnity by Greece was a sheer impossibility, as the resources of the coun- try were exhausted. VIENNA, AUstRIA, May 24.—Germany refuses to join the other powers in respect to the negotiations in regard to Greece and Turkey as long as Greece declines to accept beforehand the decision of the Eu- ropean governments, STRUCK BY A TORNADO. The Little Town of Qerral Blown From the Map. PERRY, O. T., May 24.—The little town of Qerral in the Chickasaw nation was struck by a tornado Sunday and almost wiped out. Nearly every residence and business house was blown down. Several persons were injured. Most of the popu- lation were in storm-caves at the time and were saved. A deluge of rain followed and did great damage to farms. R SRR Reeceired by Ham otarw, PARIS, Fraxce, May 24.—Hanotaux, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to-day re- ceived General Horace Porter, the new American Embassador. General Porter will be received by President Faure to- morrow, wh+n he will present his creden- tials. Henry Vignaud, secretary of the American embassy, to-day presented to Hanotaux Adiai Stevenson, &nntor Wol- cottand General Charles Paine, the Ameri- can commission appointed to visit Europe in the interest of bimetallism. May Release Political Prisoners. DUBLIN, Ireuaxp, May 24.—The feel- ing is general here that Irish invincibles now serving sentence aud political pris- soners in British orisons will be released before the celebration of the Queen’s diamond jubilee. European Greed for American Gold. NEW YORK, N. Y., May 24.—That the European demand for American cold continues is shown by the fact that $2,500,- 000 in gold will be shipped by to-morrow’s steamers, THE NEW GUNBUH Excellent Tims Made by the Wheeling on a Trial Trip OVER THE NEW MEAS- URED COURSE. Will Probabiy Exczed by Sev- eral Knots the Required Speed. MAY BEAT THE NASHVILLE'S RECORD. To-Day Her Sister Ship, the Marietta, Will Be Sent Over the O:ficial Course. The new gunboat Wheeling made her first trial trip yesterday morning over the new measured course just fized by the United States Government for the pur- pose of trying the spead of the Wheeling and its sister-boat, the Marietta. The course begins at the new beacon on the north shore of Raccoon Straitand extends a distance of 6080 feet northward, just be- yond California City. On the second attempt the Wheeling crossed the distance in four minutes one second, making 894 revolutions. This was at the rate of 15knots an hour, which is considered a most remarkable perform- ance for a ship leaving her dock for the first time. Her lowestspeed was 13 knots. The maximum revolutions of the engine were 246, minimum 220. The Wheeling gives every promise of exceeding by con- siderable on her official trial the average speed of 1314 knots required by the Gov- ernment. The Wheeling and the Marietta are two of & group of six gunboats ordered by tha Government March 2, 1895. They are of tight draught, composite structure, and have adispiacement of about 1000 tons. Both vessels are fitted with twin screws and will carry very little canvas. The two gunboats differ in regard to their boilers, the one being fitted with Howden boilers and the other with boil= ers of the Babcock & Wilcox type. The trials of the two vessels now being made will be of particular interest as snowing the superiority of one or the other of these two types of boilers. The boats are of composite structure, the steel framing and plating below the water-line being covered with 4-inch pine and teak planking, thus enablinz them 1o remain at sea for considerable time with- out docking. Following are the dimensions of the vessels: Length on load water line, 174 feet; beam on load water iine, 34 feet; draught, normal, from under side of keel, 12 feet; displacement, normal, 1000 tons; indicated horsepower, 800. Tne arma- ment consists of twelve rapid-firing guns, six 4-pounders, four 6-pounders and two 1-pounders. Ammaunition will be carried as follows: For the 4-pounders 900 rounds, for the 6-pounders 2000 rounds and for the 1-pounders 1200 rounds. The engines are vertical, triple-expan- sion and direct acting, consisting of a high-pressure cylinder 12 inches, inter- mediate cylinder 18)4 inches and low- pressure 28 inches. The stroke is 18 inches. The engines were expected to make about 200 revolutions ver minute with a steam pressure of 180 pounds in the boilers. The Wheeling and the Marietta were launched simultaneously at the Union Iron Works on the 18th of last March. It was saia to have been the first recorded instance of two vessels being launched at the same time from the same yard by dif- ferent ways. To-day the Marietta will be sent over the official course to standardize or fix the value of the revolutions of herscrew. That having been definitely ascertained she will be run to-morrow for four consecutive hours. The revolutions will be carefully counted, and using the value of the revo- lution thus obtained as standard her speed will be figured from that. The two boats will undoubtedly exceed the designed speed by three knots, and may establish a record ahead of that made on Long Island Sound abouta weekago by the gunboat Nashville, which made an average speed of 16.76 knots, “SILVER DICK" BLAND. Says the Money Question Wil Be a Breater Issue in 1900 Than During the Last Campaign. ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 24. — “Silver Dick” Bland passed through this city to- day en route to Hannibal, where he wiil participate in the campaign in the First Congressional District. He said: “The money question will be a more in- tense issue in 1900 than in the last cam- paign. The people by that time will begin to realize more than ever that they need_bimetaliism. They know it now, and I believe an election to-day would re- sult in a victory for a Democratic Presi- dential candidate.” f the Sound Money Democrats Biand id: “Any man who voted sagainst Bryan is not a Democrat. It makes no difference how many Jeffersonian cradles he was rocked in. if he 1ailed to stand by the Chicago platform he is not a Demo- crat. There Is no compromise 1o be made with the bolters. There is no disposition to prevent them from coming back into the party, but they should understand that in order to be Democrats again they must do the coming back themselves. T see no more reason for compromising with Paimer ani Buckner than witha man who voted for McKinley.”