THE SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 21

THE SPANISH - AMERICAN WAR.

Washington, -May 24. Admiral Cerveras's squadron is returning to Martinique to coal.

The steamer City of Pekin, recently chartered by America, has sailed for Manila with 1000 troops.

Tbe United States Prize Court at Key West has condemned the seizure of tbe Spanish steamer Arganauta, captured off Ci- »f aegos, and of the Mathilda. May 25.

Key West reports state that the whereabouts of Admiral Oervems'a fleet is definitely known by tbe Americans.

The American officers at Tampa gave a dinner in honour of the Queen's Birthday. The flags of the two nations were intertwined, and an allusion to an alliance cheered.

' General Milas considers that 80,000 men are requisite for tbe invasion of Cuba. The authorities at Washington are convinced that Admiral Cerveras'a Spanish fleet is still at Santiago de Cuba. The steamers City of Sydney and Australia have sailed from San Francisco with 5000 troops for Manila.

America, being unable to obtain additional transports, purposes to impress vessels. May 26. President M'KinJey has called for 75,000 additional volunteers to serve for two years.

Koports from Key West announce the arrest of Lieutenant Sobral, formerly Spanish attache at Washington. He had in his possession plans of the mines in Nsw York and Key West Harbours.

. The Standard states that the majority of - the Spanish troops ordered to tbe south are ' intended for ths Philippine*, where they will strengthen the coast garrisons.

Lloyd's report that tbe vessel Saranac, recently seized at Manila, has been released.

There are great rejoicings among the populace of Santiago de Cuba over the arrival of the Spanish squadron.

May 27.

Admiral Scbley has assured Mr Loag, Secretary for the Navy, that Admiral Cerveras's Spanish squadron is hemmed in at Santiago de Cuba.

Tbe despatch also referred to a plan for the capture or destruction of the fleet. -Mr Long has instructed the officials at Key West to send old hulks to Santiago, which will be used to prevent the egresa of the Spanish vessels.

The insurgent forces hold the country in the vicinity of Santiago.

Admiral Sampson has been ordered to proceed to Havana.

President M'Kinley held a conference with the Naval Board and Captain Mahan. It is understood that it has been decided to expedite an advance.

Three transports have sailed from San Francisco for the Philippines with 2500 troops, and with one year's supply of stores and ammunition for Admiral Dewey.

The Oregon has been ordered to join Admiral Sampson's Key West squadron. May 28.

Owing to disorders the American Government have proclaimed zaarlial law at Key West.

A great scarcity of water exists at Key ' West.

Though tbe Spanish Government have officially announced that Admiral Cerverae's squadron is at Santiago de Cuba, the Americans express a doubt regarding the statement.

The San Francitco Chronicle states that France will lend Spain 4,000,000fr, under tbe impression that she in return is to receive advantages at the Canaries and Ceuta (a Spanish possession in Africa at the month of the Strait of Gibraltar).

May 29

In the absence of official information tbe American Government fear Admiral Cerveras's squadron has escaped from Santiago de Cuba.

May 30. The opposition of Mr Eeed, the Speaker, "prevents Oorgresa dealing with the annexation of Hawaii.

The War officials anticipate a difficulty in coalirg vessels engaged in transporting troops for tbe Philippines at Honolulu unless the group is immediately annexed.

It is reported that Admiral Dewey is short of provisions and ammunition.

President M'Kinley is cocsideriEg tbe question of ordering the seizure of tbe Caroline Islands.

The report of an' explosion on board tbe Baltimore is now denied. ■ New Yobk, May 26.

The New York Tribune states that the Cuban insurgents have disappeared as a military fact i r. It is' useless for America to expect material aid from them.

May 30.

The British steamer Foscolia collided with the American cruiser Columbia off Fire Island during a fog.

The Foscolia sank, but her crew were caved.

Tbe Columbia, having a large hole in her hull, returned to New York for repairs.

Tbe American cruising steamer Harvard has put into Kingston for repairs to her steering gear and a supply of coal. Madrid, May 24.

Tbe Spanish troops are massing near Gibraltar for transport to Cuba. Six thousand have already assembled.

The Spanish Government have protested to the European Powers against Americans making use of tbe Spanish flag on the occasion of their unsuccessful attempt to cut the cable at Guantanamo Bay.

■ , May 25. - The Spanish Government intimate tbe conversionjpf Jjjie floating debt of 500 million peset&B^frTTreasury bonds of small denomination. They also insist on an increase of all taxation by 20 par cent. A Cuba message published in Madrid States that 19 American warships are cruising In ths, vicinity of Havana, Cienfuegos, Cardenas, and Santiago de Cuba, r The Duke of Almodovar joins Senor Sagasta's Cabinet as Mininter of Foreign Affairs.

_ May 26. Reports received tiers atate that the

American cruiser Baltimore, of Admiral Dewey's squadron, has been disabled through an explosion on board.

May 27. Divisions in the Spanish Cabinet prevent the Treasury increasing the war fund.

Spanish steamer* of over 1000 tons are being impreised at cruisers, the Government allowing tbe owners their value. Hongkong, May 25.

Admiral Dewey, the American commander in the Philippines, objects to Germans landing provisions at Manila.

The German consul declared he would land a force with two German cruisers to support him, but Admiral Dewey threatened to open fire, and the landing was abandoned.

Twenty-four rioters at Manila have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from a fortnight to seven years.

The captain of the Spanish gunboat Callao, wbich was captured by the Americans while entering Manila Harbour in ignorance of the blockade, was court-mar-tialled and shot for surrendering without fighting.

Admiral Montiojo, commander-in -chief of the Spanish-Philippine squadron, who was wonnded duritig tbe battle of Manila, is being court-roarfcialled on the charges of cowardice nnd inoompetency.

May 26.

The captain of the Spanish cruiser Don Juan D'Anstria, which was blown up during the battle of Manila, has arrived at Hongkong. He declares that Admiral Montiojo's squadron was disgracefully neglected, only four of bis vessels being in fighting condition.

May 27.

The Caroline Islands, to the east of this Philippines, are in a state of revolt against Spanish rale.

London, May 25.

The New York correspondent of the Times says tbafc General Lord Wolseley's view that it would be a mistake to attempt; the invasion of Cuba with volunteers not fully drilled and disciplined is likely to affect the opinion of the American authorities, Lord Wolseley's goodwill towards America being well known.

May 27.

The New York correspondent of The Times cays that President M'Kinley's call for volunteers is understood to mean that the Government intend to hold Caba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

May 29.

la an interview with a representative of Rauter's Agency, Mr Ohauncey Dapew, the American railway magnate, expressed the opinion that Britain's threat to join America in resisting any forcible intervention by tbe European Powers to end the war with Spain bad proved of incalculable advantage. This threat had paved the way for a stronger arbitration treaty between England and America than the one rejected last year.

Mr B. F. Knight, The Times'a apodal war correspondent-, has been captured by tbe Spaniards in Oaba. He was being surreptitiously landed on the coast, when his boat swamped. He was arrested by a party of soldiers, and has been imprisoned in Havana.

May 30.

The Times says that Senor Sagasta sanctioned Mr EnJght proceeding to Cuba, and that hie arrest is due to a misunderstanding and that he will ehoitly be released.

The Times'a Kingston correspondent telegraphs that Admiral Gerveraß's fleet la in Central American waters.

PAEIS, May 27.

Matin announces that France is organising national defences in view of possible complications with America ov*r the Spanish war.

HAVANA WILL NOT RESIST STRONGLY.

The latest from the Cuban capital is that Huvaua is calm. A correspondent on the spot says ib is " almost too much so for persons with sensitive nerves. It looks auspicious, and one is apt to watch for an outbreak at any time. I doubb whither tbe uprising comes. The public feeling is more of fear than suppressed rage. The people figure each line of smoke off Morro Castle as being that of as American ship of war. They will make only a feeble attempt at resistance, juit enough ' to vindicate the more or less celebrated Spanish honour, and then down comes the flag. General Blanco has performed wisely. He has taken the regular soldiers out of the fortifications and ' garrisoned the poets with volunteers. This serves an important purpose. It keeps the volunteers from opportunities of rioting. When he made the assignments, Blanco said : — "You are natives of Havana, and deserve the honour of defending your city. Your homes and your interests are hero. Your fighting will be from the heart, guided by your judgment. If Spanish drafts were to be given the garrisons, they might not exercise proper discrimination in case of an overwhelming attack. I therefore put the responsibility upon you. If the town is shelled, it is your homes and stores, not ours, that will be destroyed. Therefore, you should be given the decision in case it is necessary to temporise with our foes."

CUBAN INSURGENT TACTICS.

A special correspondent of the London Daily Chronicle recently passed the Spanish lines in Cuba, dodged the night patrol*, crawled pasb two forts and through various barricades to the open country and the Cuban scouta. He says :—

Though for many months no Spanish force has penetrated into the interior here, General Pan do planned a surprise last week by gathering forces along tho railway. He obtained a splendid guide, a half-breed named Perez, who had lived by petty robbery of the farms, and learned every secret path of the Cubans, and escaping to the city on hearing a warrant had been issued by the Prefect for his arrest. Six battalions of infantry, three squadrons of cavalry, and a field battery of artillery were mobilised to attack the Cuban oapital, Agremonte City, or Cubitas, as it was formerly called. They marched out at night, and first headed direct for Recio's camp, bub so perfect are the scouting arrangements that a patrol dashed into camp early next morning, having ridden 20 miles to apprise the troops of the enemy's approach. Recio, taking 200 oavalry, rode off at once to reconnoitre, and discovered that night that the enemy were marching straight to the capital. General Castellanos, who commanded the Spanish force, was fortunate in his guide, for he knew every Cuban position, and adroitly moved the column to avoid encounters. Recio sent back for the main body to hurry forward, and, rallying his tiny force, rode straight across country to intercept the eoemy. I

must own to some trepidation when I saw that handful ride to attack such a force ; but I was soon to have a practical lesson in Cuban tactics. Cresting a hill the carbines rang out two rapid volleys at the Spaniards, huddled in one mass in the savannah below. Instantly all was confusion ; two guns were hurried forward, and a merciless hail of bullet and shell played havee with the trees where five minutes before the Cubans were. Riding rapidly round, two hours later another double volley was fired, calling forth again the fruitless waste of Spanish ammunition. All day the Spaniards crawled forward, and at nightfall they neared the capital. Here in the open tbe few Cubans could not operate, their infantry and cavalry were making forced marches, but the enemy had 20 miles start. Quietly they spread themselves fan-like, 30 yards between files, and with that skeleton line firing from every point of vantage the enemy were held for three hours, until they found" a good range and commenced to shell the town. The Government then retired, and Recio, calling his men in cautiously, set fire to the Government buildings, and took up a position cm the road leading to the Government factories. All day the artillery fired, and though a chance shot killed a pack-borse and & negro servant, every shell fell right behind without doing damage. A hail of Mauser bullets was almost as ineffective, while two skeleton lines steadily picked off the Spaniards in ones and twos. Finally the fire ceased. Three vivas were given for Autonomy, as the soldiers formed up on the blackened ruins of the houses. "Viva Cuba iibre" was the answering cry. But no attempt was made to force the road wbich led to the valuable storehouses. The Cubans were out cf ammunition, but they waited, machete in hand, though it eeersifi incret ,ble that the 6uparior cavalry d'd not attempt to attack them. At nightfall the Spaniards started to retire. At daybreak they halted at Esperanza. Worn with conctantmarching, the Cuban infantry hove in sight, but they filed through the trees, pouring in a deadly volley. In vain the artillery thundered, the mambis or insurgents would not move. A retreat soon commenced, Recio's cavalry harassing the Im- ■ perial troops on both flanks, the ragged infantry clinging tenaciously to tha rear until the j column was thrown into a panic and set oat full speed for the city. AU day and all night they pressed forward, reaching Puerto Principe early next morning, their route marked by dead j horses and unburied bodies Enough ammunition was expended to have thrice wiped out the Cubans, but the Spaniards showed aa entire lack of fire discipline ; they did not once assume the aggressive, and of the artillery the least said the better. Without undue boasting, a battalion of British regulars and a squadron of cavalry would have made short work of the Cuban force that practically defeated an army corps, as such are reckoned here.

NOTES BY THE VANCOUVER MAIL.

News by the Warriaioo states that 500 submarine mines are being placed in San Francisco Harbour.

It is expected that the war appropriations for six months will make the deficiency reach 120,000.000d01. (£24,000,000).

Consul-general Fitzhugh Lse has been nominated mnjoi -general by tho President. Thra blockade of Cubi* in mo:w or less a failure. Numbers of small craft have pkcceeded in reaching Havana and Matanzas with supplies. In order to get tr&nsporb for soldiers to the Philippines, the American Government are expected to take advantage of the iaw giving power to ioipiess stcauicre sriUhle f^r auxiliary cruisers.

At tha bombardment ol M*r-.iiiZ4S the Puritan's first ahell smashed in the whole side of the fort, and the loss on the Spanish side was very great.

The Spanish plan of attack included a scheme for reconquering Florida. General Parridos's proposal to that cud has been approved by Governor-general Blanco and the Spaniib officials.

A Madrid telegram of April 24- says that Germany has issued a note declaring that she would not allow Manila to be bombarded. No attention is paid in the United States to the growls about the blockade and the- threats to prevent ib. • During the Civil War the same thing occurred, but it came to nothing.

The United States officials are seizing as contraband of war all letters for Spain, and allege that in this way they have secured important reports from Governor-general Blanco and other Spanish officials in Cuba.

Prince Bismarck was credited with giving the opinion that Germany ought nob to have tied her hands by proclaiming neutrality. The first shot in the war was fired by Patrick Mullen, a gunner of the Nashville, across the bow of the Spanish steamer Buena Yentura on the morning of April 22.

The Spanish Government threaten, if Havana be bombarded, to do the same at the great American ports with dynamite.

The cruiser Nietheroy was partly disabled by an accident to her machinery.

The Spanish newspapers complain of the inclusion of coal as contraband of war, which is held to give an unfair advantage to the United States. They cite the strong opposition in England in 1885 to the action of France during the Tonquin war in declaring rice to be contraband.

On April 28 a deputation waited on President M'Kiniey, and for two hours strongly urged him to annex Hawaii. The Government of the island were said to be in favour of annexation. The President, while favouring annexation, was nob disposed to act without the consent of the Senate, especially as there was a sttong party opposed to it. He had no desire to become involved in further international complications. The war with Spain, he said, was not being waged for tbe purpose of acquiring additional territory. At latest advices nothing was being done by the United States Executive, though the importance of Hawaii as a coaling station is becoming daily HUM* fuliy raceguise^.

AN EXTRAORDINARY PROCLAMATION.

Thß following is » copy of the extraordinary proclamation Issued by Go*w&or Davila, under date Manila, April 23:— Spaniirdi!, — Between Spain and the United States of America hostilities have broken out.

The moment has arrived to prove to tbe world that we possess the spirit to conquer those who, pretending to be loyal friends, take advantage of our misfortunea and abuse our hospitality, using meane which civilised nations deem unworthy and disreputable.

Tbe Nori& Americ&n people, constituted of all the social ezcrcßcauces, have exhair^pd our patience and provoked war with u» by Ihair perfidious machinations, by their acts of treachery, by their outrages against the law of nations and international conventions.

The struggle will be 'short and decisive. The God of Yicboriea wiil give us one as brilliant and complete as ihe righteousness and justice of our causa demand. Spain, which counts upon the sympathies of a)I natlom, will emerge uriuoj&fr&xitiy from b&ls at« test. hamHigtiug

and blasting the adventurers from these States that, without cohesion and without a history, offer to humanity only infamous traditions and the ungrateful apeotaole of Chambers in which appear united insolence and defamation, cowardice and cynicism.

A squadron manned by foreigners, possessing neither instruction nor discipline, i* preparing to come to this archipelago with fehe ruffianly intention of robbing us of »11 that means life, honour, and liberty. Pretending to be inspired by a courage of whioh they are incapable, the North American seamen undertake as an enterprise capable at realisation the substitution of Protestantism for the Catholic religion you profess, to treat you as tribes refractory to civilisation, to take possession of your riches as if they were unacquainted with the rights of property, and to kidnap those persons whom they consider useful to man their Ships or to be exploited in agricultural or industrial labour.

Vain design? ! Ridiculous boastings !

Your indomitable bravery will suffice to frustrate the attempt to carry tbem into realisation. You will not allow the faith you profess to be made a mook of, impiou« bands to be placed upon the temple of the true God, the images you adore to be overthrown by unbelief. The aggressors shall not profane the tombs of your fathers, they shall not gratify their lustful passions ab the cost of your wives' and daughters' honour, or appropriate the property that your industry has accumulated us a provision for your old age. No, they shall not perpetrate any of the crimes inspired by their wickedness! and coveteonsness, because your valour and patriotism will suffice to punish and abase the people that, claiming to be civilised and cultivated, have exterminated the natives of North America instead of bringing to them the life of civilisation and of progress.

Pliilippinos, prepare for tbe struggle, and under the glorious Spanish flag, which is ever covered with laurels, let us fight with the conviction that victory will crown our efforts, and to the calls of our enemies let us oppose, with the decision of the Christian and the patriot, the cry of " Viva Espana ! " — Your General, BASILIO AUGUSTIN DiVILA.