THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 22

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

Washington, May 31. An impression prevails throughout America that four of the Spanish fleet were In * disabled condition, and that, although information of Commodore Schley'a approach prevented them effecting repair?, the fleet had time to escape from Santiago. The steamer F'orida has landed 400 Cubans from Tampa on the Cuban Coast, together 1 , with a quantity of rifles and 1 ammunition. . 1 Juue 1.

Reports from Hayti state that Admiral Schley yesterday bombarded the outer batteries of Santiago de Cnba. The attack developed into a severe fight between Admiral Cerveras's fleet at the entran.ua of the harbour. After a battle lasting two hours the Spaniards retired. Further details received of the' fighting at Santiago da Cuba state that 14 American ■hips were engaged under Admiral Sampson and Commodore Scbley. -The American Navy department, bow&var, discredit the reports. ' On Sunday, at midnight, the American battleship Texas discovered two" Spanish torpedo boats coming from Morro Castle, near Havana, in the direction of Commodore Schley *s licet. Whea revealed by "the aid of searchljghts the torpedo boats made a simultaneous daab towards the Texas and the battleship Brooklyn. The boats came within 500 yards, but tbe rßpid-firing guns compelled them to retreat. It was officially announced in Washington at 10 o'clock this morning that if tha bombardment of Sentiago de Cuba bad occurred the engagement was not important. Phil Robinson, tbe well-known author and trar correspondent-, and another correspondent named WnSgham have been arrested by the Spaniards at Havana, and will bs tried as spies. The Americans hays captured tbe Spaaish torque Maria Dolores off Porto Rice. . June 2. The torpedo boat Porter reports that the New Orkans, lowa, Texas, and Massachusetts cannonaded the Havana forts until tbe Spanish crnieer Colon intervened, •when th&ir fire was turned on her, compelling her to retreat behind tho headland. The forts Morro and Socapra were then destroyed, and many of the garrison killed. The authorities ifgaxd the attack as a merer.econiiais.?aisce to ascertain the strength of the defences. It ia reported at Key West that tha cruising steamer St. Paul captured tha Spanish transport ship Alfonso XIII on Monday. She had 1300 Spanish soldiers on hoard. - - • The capture was effected off Cap* Slaysi, at the south.-*asfc of Cuba. Seventeen shots were fired before the Alfonso yielded. June 3* The British collier Restormel, captured by the Americans while attempting to enter Santiago,- has been released, bat the cargo has been condemned. Mr Knighfc; tbe London Times correspondent, csgtured by- tbe Spaniards at Havana, has been released., Corgress has voted 150,000d0l for the purpesa o£ providing torpedo defences at Manila-. , Tha American. Government hava secured 30 vessels for the transport of troops and munitions of war to Cuba. The newspaper correspondent*,, PhilßobieBon and Wbigharrr, have bean released.The chairman oi tbe Hausejjf Representatives Appropriations Committee has intimated tliat the war with, Spain would, ccfffc the ' United States sis hundred million aoliars (Ll20 r QOO x OOQ steeling.) for the present year. , Mr Seed, Speaker of tbe Konse of Representatives, in view of the averwnelming public sentimsnt ia f avcur o£ the step,, has •withdrawn his opposition to the proposed annexation of- the Hawaiian group. < June 4. - The American Senate has. adopted an amendment in favour of a Revenue Bill directing the coinsgs of silver, with, seigniorage, at the rate of 4,000,000d0l per month. The House-cf Representatives is not likely to endorse the amejidihent.

June 5. Ths American Government; have; received % telegram from Admiral Sampson stating ■ihat the s/tx Spanish vessels -at Santiago will be unable to-avoid- capture or destruction. Lieutenant Hobstsn, with seven volunteers, purposely torpedoed the collier M r-i . ivray, blacking' the- entrance to Santiago. All engaged ia th» woTk were captured. Actairal Cerreras' has offered to exchange them for other prisoners. The American Treasury authorities have publish- d a letter stolen from Lieutenant Cftrraiai. chief of the Spanish spy service. It was mittefl fco Admiral loiay in Madrid, urging that; the Spanish fleet at Cadiz should bombard Boston, ilortland, and Long Island promptly, or it would be- too- late. Five American transports, carrying infantry and cavalry, Jeffe Mobile, on tha coast ol Al&b'ares, ander sealed otders. America bas demanded that tbe Paraguayan Government shall order the Spaaish torpedo vessel Temeraris fco leave Paraguayan waters or else dismantle b.9r. June 6, ,«Tn-e Spanifth transport Alfonso Xflf, which- was reported to have been captured, has arrived at Puerto Rico. ' Tfee 'naval authorities at "Washington are greatly pleased at Admiral Cesreras's recognition- of tbe bravery of< Lieutenant Hobsoa. X,&l»' officer studied at Woolwich, and graduated at tha American Naval Academy. Four thousand men volunteered for the Jlerritoac eipaditioa to block the entrance to the liaxbrar of Santiago de Cuba. Liea tenant Hobaon *teamed through a Barrow channel, passed fonr forts firing heavily on him at known ranges, and over mines which the Spaniards believed impassable. He anchored hi* vessel in a bend as . arranged beforehand and waitefl antil tho »hip swung broadside on. He then touched * buttem, exploding the- torpedoes. The hull Bank immediately. The Scaniards thereupon displayed a

June 3.

white flag, which Lieutenant Hobson accepted. New Yoee, Jane 3. The New York World states that the | bombardment of the forts guarding Santiago j by the American squadron was resumed on Thursday. - Simultaneously 3000 Cuban rebels assaulted the town on the land side. Madrid, June 1. Tbe Spanish squadron, lately announced as assembling at Cadiz under Admiral Camara, is undergoing speed trials. June 2. A rnn has occurred on the Spanish banks, holders of notes changing them for coin. The ran caused the Government to bny silver and largely prohibit the export. The Government also authorised an internal loan of one thousand million pesetas. Mr Alger informed the House of Representatives that 15,000 to 20,000 troops wiil be despatched to Cuba immediately, another 50,000 following rapidly. General Blanco telegraphs that the American warships fired 70 shots, bat the forts and the Colon were uninjured. I Two sheila struck the lowa, according to General Blanco, while a fire occurred aboard | another vessel. One auxiliary steamer waß | damaged. ! The Spanish Government have commis- • sioned SignorLeon Castillo, their Am basaadoir at Paris, to request the intervention of the i European Powers in order to bring about a j condition of peace. | A mob of Spaniards stoned Major-general J, B. Richardson, the commander of the division of Royal Artillery stationed ay Gibraltar, while walking at San Kcqae, the summer resort of English families resident in Spain. Jane 3. j Ib is reported that Admiral Cerveras'a squadron escaped from Santiago, only the torpedo vessel Christobal Colon remaining behind for repairs to her boilers. ! • June. 5. Spaniards claim that the rebel fores which attacked Santiago was repu'sed. Paeis, June 3. Tbe Paris newspapers declare that Admiral Gerveras's fleet has sailed for the Philippines. The ships that Commodore Schley was reported to have recogoiisd in the Eay of Santiago proved to be the Spanish torpedo , squadron under Admiral Don Ferdinand Villamill. Port Darwin, June 1. Eastern files of May 18 state that Manila 13 quiet. The American fleet is still at Cavite. OoEsiderabla daily correspondence e^aea on between theoffiicers of the American fleet and tha Spanish authorities, but there are no ssgna of the surrender of the city. Ib is not expected that Admiral .Dswey will bombard Manila, but will / maintain a peaceful blockade until the arrival of further Am&rican troops. In accordance with an arrangement bstween General Arquioalla, the rebel leader, and ths Americans, a party of rebels commanded .by Arquinalla himself are on their way to Manila to co-operate with the Americans in the capture of* that city. There are 27,000 rebel troops assembled' near Cavito awaiting the arrival of Arquinalla to organise the attack. The Spanish captain - general and the Archbishop of Manila are making great efforts to induce the natives to remain loyal j to Spain. : London, June 4. Tha v Times states . that no regiment amongst the American troopa massed at Tampa is fit to take the' field or is properly equipped. The troops are Buffering from ths sSgcts of a hot, pestilential climate. June 5.

It is rumoured hera that the United States Government will 1 shortly attempir to raias' a loan of L4O,OOO,O0O:

It is reported tbafc the Queen Eegent Christina is removing; her property from Spain, preparatory to flight.