The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 12, 1898, Page 1

v Tall to be taken .from | the Library.++++* =2 VOLUME LXXXIIL.—NO. 163. SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1898. PRICE FIVE CENTS. 5} (EPORT THAT SPAIN'S FLEET HAS BEEN CRUSHED NEW YORK, May !1.—(From the London Telegraph correspondent, off Havana, via Key West, Fla.,, Wednes- day.)—I was informed by the captain of the Vicksburg, when I hailed that vessel just after daybreak this morning, that news had reached the blockading fleet of an action between Rear Admiral Sampson’s squadron and the Spanish Cape Verde fleet, east of Hayti, in which the latter had sustained a crushing defeat. Whether there is any foundation for the report more than mere rumor, I cannot say, as I was unable to get a vessel If the action has been fought the details should reach you from St. Thomas or Jamaica to take me to Porto Rican waters. before they become known here. NO BREATHING SPELL TO E VOUCHSAFED TO SPAIN ——— ot T 8N ADMIRAL SANPSON'S FLEET WHEN ASSENBLED OFF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO. PEOPLE OF SPAIN CRYING FOR PEACE A Member of the Spanish Cabinet Predicts That the End of the .Var Is Very Near. Every One, He Says, Is Desirous of Ending Hostili- ties, but None Are Brave Enough to Copyrighted, 1298, by James Gordon Benmete. MADRID, May 11.—I have jurt had a conversation with one of :he members of the Cabinet, which may throw a true light upon the workings of the Spanish politicians at the present moment. He said: “A change in the Cabinet is bound to come, and ost at once. In that change Senor Moret will be first to go, and with him those others who are not popular under the present condition of public sentiment.” “That means,” 1 asked, “that more energetic war measures will be inaug- urated?” To my surprise he replied: “No, I consider that any change which may come will be in favor of peace. The truth is, every one now at heart wishes peace, but there are none brave enough to speak first.” . “Do you think General Campos is the coming man?” I asked. “Well,” he replied, somewhat hesitat- ingly, “I consider that by the niddle of next month General Campos will be in power, and, although his will be a mili- tary government, it will be in favor of peace.” I have just returned from a tour in the provinces, and can most strongly affirm that the Spanish people are weary of A Speak First. war, of Cuba and of all trouble, stagna- tion of trade, misery and starvation. At Ageciras, an Englishman who lives among the people told me they were simply starving. There is no work and no money. Bread has risen, as also all other necessaries of life. Here in Madrid nearly all places of public entertainment are closed. The Stock Exchange is at a standstill, and ruin among persons of average means is widespread. The streets are fuller than ever of desperately hungry women, crying for food for their starving chil- dren. Even the bull ring was half empty last Sunday, and when that is the case matters are indeed in extremes. One 'of the most respectable brokers in the country has committed suicide, and tales of others being ruined are heard constantly. Business on the Stock Exchange is dull. The Government keeps talking about raising money which may be voted, but where it is to be collected from no one can say. The Liberal fills three columns with notices of riots from one end of Spain to the other, and in three weeks it is stated that there will be a bread famine in Madrid. Politics are in such a state that, as a member of the Cabinet says: “What is most terrible is that absolutely no one can well foresee what the future of this country will be, for everything that is worst is in view.” The so-much-talked-of national sub- scription amounted to nothing at all—a drop in the ocean, enough for a few days’ supplies if war were to be carried on vigorously, not from any lack of patriotism in the people, but simply be- cause they have not the cash to give. In summing up its leading article upon the condition of the country, the Liberal says: “In addition to the trou- bles of the Antilles and the Philippines, we are face to face with the necessity of declaring martial law throughout Spain, where discord, misery and exasperation cry out at every door.” People are crying for food, not for war. Of that I can assure you. U. S. GRANT TO COMMAND SAN DIEGO MINUTE MEN. Son of the Great General Elected Colonel of Newly Organized Recruits. SAN DIEGO, May 11.—The minute men of this city, who have formed sev- eral companies, this evening chose U. 8. Grant, son of the great general, as their colonel. Dr. D. Gochenaur was chosen lieutenant-colonel FAIL TO LAND AND ARMS American Warships Said to Have Been Cienfuegos. MEN Repulsed at Sampson o Strike, and Without Delay. General Merritt Will Com- mand the Manila Expedition. ’ Complete Conquest in the West Indies Expected Within Two Weeks. Call Office, Riggs House, Washington, May r11. The administration has perfected its plans for the vigorous prosecution of the war against Spain along four important lines, namely, the reinforcement of Admiral Dewey at Manila, the bombardment of San Juan and seizure of Porto Rico by Admiral Sampson, the invasion of Cuba by a mighty army of regulars and volunteers, and the shelling of Morro Castle and the other de- fenses of the doomed city of Havana. The cruiser Charleston will leave San Francisco as soon after noon to- morrow as possible, and will carry supplies of provisions and at least 150 tons of ammunition, including 500 rounds of eight-inch shells for the big guns of the Olympia, 20,000 six-inch and 10,000 five-inch shells for the rifles of tha smaller cruisers and an enormous quantity of powder, estimated at 170,00a pounds. Following the Charleston as speedily as possible the troop ships will ba sent, and at a late hour to-night the important announcement is made that they will be commanded by General Wesley Merritt, who will bear a commis~ sion from the President as the military governor of the Philippine Islands, which he will hold until peace with Spain has been declared. The second feature of the administration’s programme—the bombardment of Porto Rico—may ere this have been carried to a successful conclusion. Admiral Sampson has been advised that the department believes the Spanish fleet is still on the other side of the Atlantic, and hence there is no further reason for delay in carrying out the instructions given for the reduction of San Juan. No credence is given the report cabled from Madrid to-night that the Report From Havana of a Des- perate Engagement That Lasted Ei ght Hours. NEW YORK, May 11.—A cable toa morning paper from Havana ‘says that four American warships attacked Cien- fuegos this morning and made two at- tempts to land men and arms, but were repulsed and withdrew. Altogether fourteen Spaniards were wounded, after eight hours’ fighting. The fire from the American ships de- stroyed the cable station, and the dis- patch adds that considerable damage NN NNERRLENRRRRRRRRURBRNUNNIINLYRINLY CRUISER CHARLESTON GETS ORDERS TO SAIL VALLEJO, May 11.—O transport fleet. No actual ing of the Charleston, but for the Philippines before ERRERESERREERSNES BRIV NBUNBNN d Washington to-day for the cruiser Charleston to pro- ceed immediately to Manila without waiting for the must have been sustained by the Ameri- cans. — DEWEY A REAR ADMIRAL. WASHINGTON, May 11.—The Sen- ate to-day confirmed these nomina- tions: George Dewey to be i rear ad- miral. J. C. Auld and W. V. Alderson of Montana to be a commission to exam- ine into and classify lands within the land grant and indemnity land grant limits of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Postmasters: California—W. W. Wil- son, Chico; M. B. Lowne, Orange; John G. Joy, Salinas. 88 rders were received from 1 date was set for the sail- she will undoubtedly leave Saturday. RENENRRRRRRBRRRNESS BRIV NNSN combined Spanish fleets have started for Manila to wrest the Philippines from Dewey's grasp. Reports have been current that Admiral Sampson has been instructed ta abandon the operations against Porto Rico and return with all speed to Ha~ vana. These rumors lack confirmation and are not accepted by the most ex~ perienced observers for the reasons: First, that Sampson has been at great pains to tow three powerful monitors to Porto Rico, which alone would be easily equal to the task of compelling San Juan to capitulate, and which would probably be left at that port should Sampson hurriedly return to Havana; and, second, because the administration will not require the co-operation of the fleet in front of Havana within the next six or seven days, a period ample to enable Sampson to return from Porto Rico after having fully accomplished his mission there. The third move planned by the Board of Strategy—the invasion of Cuba— has already been begun and will take definite shape on Monday or Tuesday of next week, when the first transport will leave for the landing place on the Cuban coast which has been decided upon. As previously stated in these dispatches, General Shafter will personally direct active operations in the field at the outset, but General Miles, with the enthusiasm and eagerness that has stimulated the whole army and inspired his aids to wonderful activity, has decided to take command in person, and after the troops have all been landed will make his headquarters on Cuban soil and direct operations from his tent in the field. The advance upon Havana will resemble a mighty wave in its resistless force. Sixty thousand American troops, supported by the most powerful artillery that can be put in the field, including all the latest engines of modern warfare devised for field use, will move upon Havana, not laboriously through swamps and morasses, but over a road to be built as the army progresses by a corps of expert engineers under the superivsion of General Roy Stone, who has been detailed from the Bureau of Roads by the Secretary of Agriculture for this special service. While this splendid army is marching on Havana from the rear the ad« ministration’s fourth move will be made. The mighty Oregon, which has made such a magnificent run from the Pacific, may fire the first gun at Morro Castle, Racing up the South American coast, the big battleship to-night lies off Pern= ambuco, and in seven days can reach Havana, for which she is steaming at her highest speed under orders from the Navy Department. A transport has been sent to meet her in Cuban waters, carrying coal enough to fill her bunkers, and 300 rounds of ammunition for her thirteen-inch rifles. Unless Admiral Sampson starts from Porto Rico promptly the Oregon will outstrip his fleet, and when the ‘invasion takes place will be the most powerful vessel in front of Havana. Out of range of the Krupp guns on Morro Castle, Captain Clark can throw his 1000-pound shells into Havana a.nd drive Blanco and his forces upon the bayonets of the American army marching upon the city from the rear. : In a fortnight the administration’s plans will have been .exccuted with tha exception of the actual landing of reinforcements at Manila, and within a month the stars and stripes will float over Manila, San Juan and the wreck of the Maine in the harbor of Havana. - ‘ —— ~- -