The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 7, 1898, Page 1

Call i the Library. ++et 415A1V[ SAN FRANCISCO ATURDAY, MAY 7, 1898. PRICE FIVE CENT THREE HUNDRED SPANISH KILLED AND FOUR HUNDRED WOUNDED Seizure of the French Steamship Lafayette, off Havana. RIOTS ALL OVER SPAIN BUT THE SOLDIERS STILL KEEP PEACE AT MADRID In the Cortes Moret Challenges a Direct Vote of, | | | Confidence and Says the Government Is Ready to lee Up Office. , 1838, by James Gordon Bennetr. | 6.—Riots have Spain—at Oviedo, " GIBRALTAR, taken place all over e N In all 1 law has been declared. The revolutionary spirit is rife. MADRID, May 6.—There s absolute ly not a word of truth in the rumors that have evidently cror-~d the frontier | that Madrid is in a'state of riot. Every- | thing here is despairingly quiet. Communication with Manila 1s cut oft | and news from Cuba is of the most un- interesting character. Naturally enough the news that the Alfonso XIII had ar- al and other places. rived at Porto Rico has caused great | satisfaction, but nothing has happened | since Monday that is even worthy of | | note. The Government, by placing the city | llitary, has com- in the hands of the pletely cowed those who sought to pro- mote disorder, tion has been made since it was made clear that no mercy would be shown to | agitators. Every one is satisfied that | the Government does not mean to be' bulldozed. Those who would like to do 1t are too timid, and all others are | perfectly satisfied that the interna- tional affairs of Spain have not gone astray. In short, for a moment stagna- tion is the word that best defines affairs ..... present. The Heraldo publishes a dispatch from General Blanco from Havana say- ing that an American attempt to dis- and not one demonstr: ~’ embark troops at Salada has been de- feated, the disembarking force being compelled to withdraw. The Spanish unded. The captain gen- the Americans were their attempt to land at Cortes r for the to-day Senor Moret, Colonies in a speech est in his political ly interrupted by | , insisted that the only a young and arch and afterward by s widow and child, must not be blamed for the policy of different gov- The responsibllity exls}ed as the burden of all and each should bear his share instead of trying to shift the blame to a neighbor. He defended autonomy as “granted to Cube ' generously, under the friendly advice of the powers, in order to de- prive the Americans of a pretext to fo- n.ert discontent and rebellion, and challenged a ‘ect confidence, declaring the Government woulq resign it it was not carried. Autonomy, he maintained, had achieed consideration and improved the economlc situation. He pointed, as & proof of its success above all others, 4 | % % * ¥ ¥ * . correspondent cables as received from Teneriffe, The dispatches also to the of the ndship and ssistance in the present war Cubans against the United States.” With regard to the question of un- preparedness, Senor Moret candidly confessed that he had not believed un- til the very last war would come, as he considered the Americans were “in- capable of attacking Spain without the slightest cause,” but “when convinced that the United States was bent upon despoiling Spain, then with the entire Cablnet he seriously prepared to re- pel an unjust attack, purchasing and fitting out warships and procuring war material irrespective of cost,” resolv- ing to “make a strong stand and con- verting a peace-lovir~ people into a warlike cabinet.” In pathetic terms Senor Moret cleared himself of the charges of a press which was, he said, “trying to load all the sins of the nation” upon him. He as- serted that he yielded to aone in pat- riotism and was always acting to se- cure what he thought best for his coun- try’s welfare. In conclusion he ap- pealed to the patriotism of the na- tion and the chamber to “assist and ad- vise the Government in its defense of the rights and honor of Spain,” a task which was “the work of all, with the collective after responsibility of ‘the Minister to the Cortes and the nation.” Senor Moret resumed his seat amid thunders of applause, deputies crowd- ing around him, loading him with con- gratulations. In the SenateSenorPuigierver refused any explanations as to the war inten- tions of the Government. In reply to a question whether measures had been taken in view of the industrial crisis due to the diminution of the stock of coal, he said the Government was in- quiring into the question, and if neces- NEW YORK, May 6.—In view of the great Im- portance of locating the Spanish fleet that left Cape de Verde last Friday morning, the Herald has succeeded in obtaining information that proves that up to last Wednesday the fleet had not ar- rived at the Canary Islands. “FUNCHAL, Madeira Islands, May 6.—Advices there are no Spanish warships in the Canaries.” ment whatever in the Grand Canaries. FEEEEEX X FRREF R R R R HFRR R R THE SPANISH FLEET IS NOT AT THE CANARIES The Herald-Call’s follows: dated May 4, report that say there is no excite- sary would prevent the exportation of coal. In the Congress, Senmor Capdcpon, Minister of the Interior, asked the Dep- uties to suspend judgment as to the Manila engagement until detailed re- ports had been received. et CALIFORNIA HAS NOTHING TO FEAR. War Department Officials Say This Coast Is in No Danger ‘Whatever. WASHINGTOw, May 6.—Senator ‘White was at the War Department again to-day to see General Greely, Chief Signal Officer, and urged that a cable be laid to the Farallon Islands. The matter was taken under advise- ment. It may be said, however, that despite Senator White's urging the War Department officials fail to see the util- ity of such a catle. They ridicule the dispatch from Madrid, printed in this morning’s papers, to the effect that the Spanish fleet would attack California coast cities. “California_has nothing to fear, now that Commodore Dewey has destroyed the Philippine squadron, which was the only serious menace to the Californian cities and Pacific Coast shipping inter- ests,” sald a War Department official to-day. General Miles concurs in this. SEWELL MAY NOT TAKE A COMMAND. Declines a Major-Generalship if It Means His Resignation as Senator. NEW YORK, May 6.—A Washington correspondent of the Herald says: Sen- ator W. J. Sewell of New Jersey, whose commission as major-general of volun- teers was signed by the President to- day, left for his home in Camden this Senator Sewell who is in the Senator's | confidence said to me to-night: “I don’t think that Senator Sewell will accept the place. You can state as | a positive fact that if it is necessary for | him to give up his seat in the Senate he will decline fhe appointment. The appointment came to Senator Sewell without any secking on his part, and | while“he Is read$ and willing to serve his country and go to the front if| necessary, he thinks for the present, at least, his State has first claim on his services. He has placed the matter in | the hands of Attorney-General Griggs, who will look up the law and prece- dents in the case, and the Senator will await his decision.” e A ‘; SCHLEY’S SQUADF;;JN MAY SOON BE IN ACTION. | Two Cruisers of Exceptional Fight- ing Ability Added to His Ships of War. ON BOARD the flagship Brooklyn, off Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Va., May 6.—To-day’'s developments on the flying squadron would seem to in- | dicate that Commodore Schiey, one of the best strategists and most daring men in the navy, will be given a chance for action within a few days. The cruiser Minneapolis arrived here ment helps to fill out a squadron that will give a good account of itself, The Minneapolis was ordered to New- port News for coal immediately upon | her arrival and will be coaled to-night. Flag Lieutenant Sears ordering hurry job. If the New Orleans gets here to-morrow she will Le coaled im- a tug Fowler as a water boat and the collier just attached the flying squad- ron will be complete. AGAIN APPEALS TO AUSTRIA'S EMPEROR. Spain’s Queen Regent Not Yet With- out Hope of Europe Inter- vention. LONDON, May 6.—The Vienna cor- respondent of the Daily 1vail says: “The Spanish Queen Regent has again appealed to Emperor Francis Joseph to use his influence in favor of European intervention. Count Goluchowski, the Austrian Foreign Minister, has ad- dressed a note to the powers on the subject. I understand that but for England’s pro-American attitude ser- tain Furopean powers would have openly sided with Spain before the war broke out.” The Copenhagen correspondent of the Daily Mail says: ‘“Baron Wedel-Jarts- berg, the Scandinavian Minister at Madrid, telegraphs that Spain intends to protest to the powers against the infringement against the international law in America’s failure to make the Cuban blockade effective.” CRUISER DUBOURDIEU ARRIVES AT HAVANA. Carries the Admiral of the French Fleet of Warships in the Antilles. HAVANA, May 6—This morning about 11 o’clock El Morro was signaled by a French warship, and at 12:45 p. m. the second-class cruiser Dubourdieu, from Martinique, entered the harbor. She carries the admiral of the French fleet in the Antilles. When the Dubourdieu passed the American squadron the cruiser Mont- gomery hoisted <«n Ttalian flag, but when the mistake was discovered she promptly hoisted the French flag, whereupon the Dubourdieu answered her salute. afternoon. Before leaving he said he was still undecided about accepting the appointment. An intimate friend of At 4:30 this afternoon the commander this afternoon at 5 o'clock, and | the New Orleans will be here early in, the morning. These additions make a squadron of exceptional fighting ability. The New Orleans as, a fighting ship superior to the Columbia, which was detached, and the Scorpion with her splendid arma- mediately and with the addition of the | The Entire Fleet of the Dons at Manila Destroyed, With No Loss on the Ameri- can Side. NEW YORK, May 7—The New York World, in an extra just issued, publishes a dispatch from Hongkong to the effect that the dispatch-boat McCulloch has arrived there bringing the news of the fight at Manila. The report states that the entire fleet of eleven Spanish 'vessels was totally destroyed and that 300 Spaniards were killed and 400 wounded. No lives were lost on the American fleet and but six \persons were injured, while no material injury was done to any of the American vessels. WASHINGTON, May 7.—The Navy Department has received a cablegram from Hongkong announcing the ar- ‘rival there of the revenue cutter McCulloch. This is the only information received, but the Depart- ment expects advices within the next three or four hours. demonstration. Copyrighted, KEY WEST, Fla, May 6.—The French liner Lafayette of St. Nazaire, for Havana and Brazilian ports, was to-day brought to this port, a prize, by the gunboat Wilmington. The La- fayette was heading into Havana when hove to by a shot from the gunboat Annapolis. The vessel has a general cargo and carried a large number of passengers. Her comman- der made a vigorous protest against the seizure of his ship. The capture took place yesterday afternoon, and was made close enough to Havana for it to have been witnessed by the signal men on Morro Castle. It was about 3 o’clock when smoke was descried to the northward, and a few minutes after the first smudge had been seen the gunboat Annapolis, which had been cruising to the eastward off Havana, swung her pow to the northward and went driving in the direction of the smoke. Away on her port beam the Herald-Call’s fleet -ispatch-boat, Dewey, had also sighted tae quarry, and went scampering to the mnorth- ward, anxious to see the meeting be- tween the inward bound steamer and the blockading men-of-war. The in- comer hove her masts and then her bright red funnels into view, and as her long black hull rose above the horizon I noticed a stir among the other ships of the blockading squad- ron, most of whom had run down to the westward to participate in the capture of a small coasting schooner. To me the incomer looked as if she might be an armed transport, and I suppose she appeared the same to the bloekaders. ly deserted the schooner and came racing toward the Annapolis with throttles open and crews at quar- ters, ready and eager to render as- sistance in case their consort was overmatched. There was dead silence for a while of the Dubourdieu, accomanied by the French Consul, visited General Blanco. as the ships neared their commcn At any rate they quick- | AMERICAN EMBASSY . AT PARIS UNDER POLICE bow gun of the Annapolis. ‘ The stranger was plainly jn sight, | and the “bone of his mouth” grew | none the smaller as the deep boom of the discharge went rolling over the waters. There was another flash and re- | port, and I saw a small geyser rise | near the bow of the steamer as if she had flung an inverted cataract in the air. At any rate the steamship came to a sudden stop, and the Annapolis, ranging abeam, lowered a boat and sent an officer .to investigate the character of the vessel. The three warships lay by until the boat from: the Annapolis started back from the liner to the gunboat. Then, sudderly, to the astonishment of all on board the warships, the | Frenchman blew a long whistle and put on full steam ahead, pointi.ng" straight to the entrance of Havana harbor. | The after gun of the Annapolis forthwith sent a mandatory message ; plainly comprehended, for he stopped | his ship immediately and followed with the order to back. A string of signal flags in the | international code went fluttering to | the mast head of th: Annapolis. | These supplemented the oraer of the gun, and in their volapuk of the sea warned the captain that he must re- in peace, otherwise he might go in pieces. Then ensued a long wait, during which time the ships of the blockad- |ing fleet held commune with each other by means of signal flags, mega- phones and the wigwag code. The final result was that the Lafayette and her hostages were heided for Key West, with the Wilmington in her wake to see that she traveled in a straight path and over the road called rough by those who traverse it in dispatch boats. The Lafayette is a fine vessel of the old type. She is 344 feet long, which the French captain must have | main hove to until bidden to depart | | the steamer to enter and discharge | her passengers and cargo with the has forty-four feet beam and is twen- PROTECTION LONDON, May 7.—Special dispatches from Paris say the seizure of the steamer Lafayette has intensified the bit- ter feeling against the United States. heard, and the United States Embassy has been placed un- der special police protection in view of a possible hostile Angry expressions are 1595, by James Gordon Bennett. | goal, and then there came a spurt of | ty-eight feet deep. She was built it | flame and drift of smoke from the‘ 1864, at Greenock, of iron. THE SEIZURE WAS ALL A MISTAKE. It Had Been Stipuiatel Before She Sailed That the Lafayette Could Enter Havana Harbor. EKEY WEST, Fla., May 6.—The Lafayette was releasea and sailed just before port closed to-night. This was done in accordance with impera~ | tive instructions from Washington. She was not attended by United States warships. She headed straight | for Havana, bearing passports that permit her to enter. Captain De Chaplaine told the pilot who took tha Lafayette through the channel that the Americans daied not hold a French vessel, and seemed greatly elated at his release. The capture of the Frenchman by the gunboat Annapolis turns out to have been an unfortunate incident, resulting from mistakes, but no pro- test has bz2en made to the representa- tives of the French Government in the United States. The officials here declare that this will close the affair. It appears that before the Lafayette sailed for Ha- vana, the French legation in Wash- ington was instructed to communi- cate with the State Department. This was done and permission granted to understanding that she would take on nothing there. f{nstructions for the fulfiiment of this agreement were sent from Washington to Ad- miral Sampson’s squadron, and f{t was only learned to-day, after the capture was made, that they were never delivered. This afternoon United States Com- missioner Otto, United States Dis- trict Attorney Stripling and a num- ber of other Federal officials went over to the Lafayette, examined her papers and cabled the State Depart- ment for instructions. These came