The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, June 1, 1898, Page 1

The Call VOLUME LXXXIV._NO. 1. SAN FRANCISCO, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1898, FORTS OF SANTIAGO REPURTED BUMBARDED IN CHARGE OF OPERATIONS All the Advantage Said to HaveT Been With the American Squadron. | Naval Officials at Washington in Strongi Terms Discredit the Story of the Engagement. SAMPSON | Copyrighted, 1898, by the Associated Press. 3 PORT AU PRINCE, Hayti, May 3l.--About 2 : = O'clock this afternoon an American squadron, com- u s posed of fourteen warships, of which the cruiser New *® = York displayed the flag of Rear-Admiral Sampson, and | * a number of torpedo-boats, began a bombardment with + » heavy guns of the forts and the harbor of Santiago de % The American fire was directed principally against the | forts and the harbor. The forts of Morro Castle, La Zecapa and Punta Gorda suffered especially. The cannonading was very persistent and cannot have failed to be destructive. It lasted until 3:45 p. m. The town, which is situated near the inner end of the harbor, escaped damage. At 3:45 p. m. the cannonading diminished. About 3| oclock cannon discharges were heard at a distance, pre-| sumably at sea, continuing for some time, when the firing ceased completely. | The Spanish authorities maintain strict silence as to| the number of victims, which were apparently numerous. According to a Spanish source fourteen American war- ships and two torpedo-boats were engaged in the combat at Santiago. A very careful fire was directed against the batteries of Morro Castle until 3:45 p. m., when discharges of cannon began to be heard at sea off the port. These discharges continued until 4 o'clock, then entirely ceased. From the Spanish account it is impossible to judge as to the exact merits of the encounter. CAPE HAYTIEN, May 31.---Advices just received from Havana say that since 2 o’clock this afternoon the American fleet at Santiago de Cuba has been cannonading the bat- teries of Morro Castle, La Zecapa and Punta Gorda. At the same time, it is added, the American ships have been engaged with the Spanish warships. The firing was extremely heavy. At 3:45 p. m. the cannonading became less heavy Continued on Hi#ré Pagr is thought ihe vessels were not struclk and Is Now on Active Field Duty. 72 TORPEDO BOAT DESTROYERS DRIVEN BACK Lookout of the Texas Foils a Mid- night Attack of the Enemy. ON BOARD THE HERALD-CALL DISPATCH-BOAT, Off Santi- ago de Cuba, Monday, via Port Antodo, Jamaica, May 3l.—The first engagement between Commodore Scltley and the Spanish fleet com- manded by Admiral Cervera took plake last night. Two torpedo-hoat destroyers, abow. midnight, slipped quietly out of the harbor, bent on mischief. They prept along in the shadow of old Castle Morro and the mountain two hiles to the westward before they were discovered by the lookout on theé battle-ship Texas, where the men were asleep by the guns so that fhe battle-ship could be quickly manned. | An instant after the lookout gaveithe alarm the white stream of the Texas’ searchlight flashed along fie shadow under the mountain, revealing the desperate game of the inbrisoned Spaniards. The tor- pedo-boat destroyers, when they saw that they had been discovered, dashed toward the Texas, which, withlthe cruiser Brooklyn, was lying inshore. The Texas promptly opened lire with her port forward and her crack six-pounders, and the hiss [of the armor-piercing shells thrown in the direction of the advancifg torpedo-boat destroyers star- tled the whole fleet. The Brooklyn alsdcame into action, firing several rounds at the Spanish craft, but the bdlk of the shooting was done by the Texas. The entire fleet went to gerpral quarters, and soon their searchlights were playing around the ndrow entrance to the harbor in expectation that Admiral Cervera’s whéle fleet would emerge from its haven and fight it out. The torpedo-bokt destroyers made a plucky dash throug‘k; the rain of shells from tle battle-ship and cruiser, but foiled in their attempt to surprise the hful Schi ran back into the harbor. Rl an No attempt was made to pursue. PP99IPPOPIOPPOPPOPPOPOOPOOOPG 00 it 4 i B O R R RO R RCRORC R R RN R R RORCRCY l‘! hey retreated guickly and made farsate in the uncertain ligt.|probable that the Senate will act favor-d ! The Spaniards did not discharge tor- gedoes. though within 500 yards of the exas. The greatest vigilance at night on the fleet prevents the success of such attacks. This nerve-racking duty will soon af- fect the officers and men, who hope for the chance of ending all in one decisive swoop on the Spanish fleets and forts. ‘While Schley appreciates the aifficulties of entering the harbor to fight Cervera who 1is ' protected by batteries and mines, it is understood he navertheless is anxious to repeat Dewey's feat at Manila, preferring even risky action to tedious delay. When seen to-day he declined to announce either his opin- jons or his plans. His ships have made an examination of the batteries along the channel, revealing much stronger guns and mines than was supposed. They discovered four rows of mines laid across the narrow entrance of the harbor. Early this morning the Marblehead | ventured to within two miles of (he! fharlml‘ and positively recognized the | | cruiser Cristobal Colon and the two | cruisers of the Vizcaya type and the | a ntled cruiser Reina Mercedés, up- | | on which guns have been mounted. | | This leaves only two ships of the Cape Verde squadron unaccounted for, but Schley is sure they are further up the bay. The following form the Santiago blockading fleet: The Brooklyn, Iowa, Massachusetts, Texas, New Orleans, | Marblehead and Vixen. The British cruiser Indefatigable reached Santiago this morning. It re- ceived permission to enter to protect British subjects, but did not go in, pre- sumably because of information that the Spanish fleet was inside. OTIS TO BE CONFIRMED. The Senate Will Probably Act Fa- vorably Upon a Very Unpop- ular Nomination. WASHINGTON, May 3L—Much to the regret of some people here who would like to see Colonel Otis' confirmation as brigadier-general defeated, it applars | States, says: ably upon the nomination. The chief opa position to Otis has been withdrawn. ~ ator Frye of Maine has been induced by the President and others to cease hig retaliatory crusade against Otis, who sail@ in his paper that Huntington owned Frye, body and soul. The other day Frye was showing a copy of this editorial to brothes Benators, and was exciting a good deal o hostility to the nomination of Otis brigadier, but he has been called off an Otis will be confirmed. gt o FRENCH FRIENDLINESS TO THIS GOVERNMENT., Bigning of the Commercial Agree= ment Indicative of Neigh- borly Sentiment. PARIS, May 31.—At the meeting of the Cabinet to-day M Hanotaux, Min- | ister for Foreign Affairs. announced the signing of the commercial agreement with the United States. He pointed out that the arrangement was indicative of the friendly sentiment which the two Governments showed in their reciprocal desire to improve commercial relations between the two countries. The Journal des Debats to-day, com- menting upon the commercial conven=- tion between France and the United “The war is undoubted- ly causing much injury to our export- ers and our trade with the United States, if not entirely stopped, would certainly be materially diminished. The convention gives us advantages, main- ly for the future, which we hope.ars near at hand, but at the same time it has special importance, inasmuch as it proves Washington is aware that what- ever may be the individual sympathy of any Frenchman, France as a coun- try is resolved to maintain strict.neu- trality.” s s Advance Pay for Regulars. WASHINGTON, May 31.—The Pay- master-General of the army to-day issued an order that all troops going to Manila should be paid a month in advance before embarking, if.possible. This is in accordance with the request the troops made through Senator White. i