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WEEKJ
VOI). 48 {
HEROIC VENTURE OF HOBSON.
RAM INTO THE MARROW PASSAGE
IN A STORM OF SHELLS.
Every Man Aboard the Doomed Col
lier Bent on Getting in mid the
Improbability of Coming Out Alive
Cut No Figure at All in Influencing
1 heir Decision to Go—Hobson Had
Hi* PlanM Figured to the Minutest
Detail.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Off Santiago de Cuba, June 3,7 a. m.,
via Port Antonio, Jamaica, June 4, Per
the Associated Frees Dispatch Boat
Dauntless. (Delayed in Transmission.)—
The Spanish fleet is now helpless, being
held captive in Santiago de Cuba harbor.
The narrow channel leading into the har
bor was completely blocked early this
morning, when the United States collier
Merrimac was sunk across its entrance.
It is now imposeible for the Spaniards to
get out, and it is equally impossible for
any vessel to get Into the harbor.
Therefore the Spanish first-class armor
ed cruisers Marla Tereea, Cristobal Colon,
Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo, with the
two torpedo boat destroyers, Furor and
Pluton, are no longer of any use to Spain.
This result was accomplished through
the heroism of Lieut. Richmond P. Hob
eon, assistant naval constructor, and Dan
iel Montague, George Charette, J. C. Mur
phy, Oscar De«gnan, John P. Phillips,
John Kelly and H. Clausen.
The latter, a coxswain of the New York,
took part in the expedition against or
ders.
Montague is chief master-at-arms of the
New York. He has served four years in
the navy, is 29 years of age, and his home
is in Brooklyn.
George Charette is a gunnel’s mate of
the first class, on board the New York. He
has served fourteen years in the navy, is
31 years old, and resides at Lowell, Mass.
J. C. Murphy is a coxswain of the iowa.
Oscar Deignan is a coxskain of the Mer
rimae and is about 24 years old.
, John P. Phillips Is a machinist of the
L first class, belonging to the Merrimac. He
• is 36 years of age and his home Is in Bos
ton.
John Kejly 1« a water tender, about 35
years old. His home is near Glasgow,
Scotland.
H. Clausen, who slipped on board the
Merrimac without permission in order to
take part in the expedition, is a coxswain
on the New York.
The three men from the Merrimac’s
■HMorcw were all green hands and shipped re-
. a. _
The Merrimac had on board 600 tons of
coal when she was scuttled across the
channel.
Llout. Hobson started on his daring er
rand at 3 o’clock this morning.
The Merrimac was lying to the west
ward. Under the cover of jhe clouds
over the moon, sho stole in toward the
coast and made her way to the eastward,
followed by it steam launch from the New
York, with the following crew on board:
Naval Cadet J. W. Powell of Oswego, N.
Y.
P. K. Peterson, coxswain.
H, Handford, apprentice of the first
class.
•J. Mullings, coal passer.
G, L. Retzell, machinist of the second
class.
In the launch were bandages and appli
ances for the wotinded.
From the crowded decks of the New
York nothing could be seen of the Merri
mac after she had got under the shadow
of the hills. For half an hour officers and
men strained their eyes peering into the
gloom, when, suddenly the flash of a gun
streamed out from Morro castle, and then
all on board the New York knew the Mer
rimac was nearing her end.
The gun* from the Spanish battery oppo
site Morro Castle answered quickly with
more dashes, and for about twenty min
ute* flashes of fire seemed to leap across
the harbor entrance.
The flagship wni too far away to hear
the reports, and when the firing ceased
It was judged that Lieut. Hobson had
blown up the Merrlmnc.
For nn hour th* anxious watchers wait
ed for daylight. Rcnr Admiral Sampson
and Capt. Chadwick ware on the bridge of
the New York throughout.
At 6 o’clock thin streams of smoke were
•sen against the western shore, quite
close to the Spanish batteries, and strong I
giasacH made out the launch of the New
York returning to tho flagship. Scarcely '
had the small craft been sighted before a
puff of smoke issued from a butt- ry cn I
the western arm of the harbor and n rhot'
plunged far over the launch.
Then, for fifteen minutes, the big guns I
ashore kept up an Irregular tire on the I
<. liltl® launch.
As the shells fell without hitting the i
object they were intended for. the men on
ttdnrd the New York Jeered at the Spanish I
marksmanship and cheered their ahlp
tnates.
At 6:15 a. m. the launch cam,' alongside
the flagship; but sho did not have on
board any of the crew of (he Merrimac.
Cadet Powell reported that be had Iwn
unable to see any signs of the Merrimac's
crew. It developed that. with great
bravery, the endet had gone right under
the butteries and only returned when nil
hope of taking oh board the crew of the
Merrimac had to be abandoned.
Cadet Towe'.l abo reported that he had
clearly been the Merrimac’s masts stick
ing up just where Lieut. Hobson hoped to i
sink her. north of the Kat re: la battery,
and well past the guns of Morro Costlc. j
But of the heroes who had panned the !
Bpanlarda In (here was not a sound or
•*< n '
ilear Admiral Sampson »nld: atn I
pretty aura the attempt was quite sue- |
cv*sful. I hope all those brave fellows
are not captured."
Cadet I’o well believes the torpedoes
previously fix«d about the Merrimac were
exploded ns planned, as Lieut. Hobson
w«» well up the hnrbor before the Bpa*i.
lard* opened fire upon th* Merrimac.
What actually hnppen.d on board the
Merrimac c.au beat be judged from what I
Lieut Hobson wud just before leaving the
flagship.
flitting In hi* cabin, his face browned by
the sun and hie eyes flashing with excite- I
went, he remarked: "I shill go right into I
(hr harbor until •Hv >nr«!w jxiM tho
Estrella battery* WiMvh la behind Morro
•'I do txrt think they ran »lnk me before
] ranch *om« where mar that point.
"Th* M<riknae ha* ab ut T.ox' ton* buoy,
•ncy and I shall keep her tub speed ahead,
can mu hr about (an Knots.
“Wbai ths narrowest part of the • han- I
I THE MORNING NEWS. a
c Istablishea 1850. • -Incorpcrated 1888 >
I J. H. WdTILL* Fresiaeut. )
A. ‘
iOiO HI*V
IT tj S’! H1 H MJ ST P S
nel is reached I shall put her helm hard
v aport, stop the engine, drop the anchors,
open the sea connections, touch off the
torpedoes and leave the Merrimac a
wreck, lying athwart the channel which is
not as broad as the Merrimac is long.
‘‘There are ten 8-lnch improvised torpe
does below the water line, on the Merri
mac’s port side.
“They are placed on her side against the
bulkheads and vital spots, connected with
each other by a wire under the ship’s keel.
“Each torpedo contains eighty-two
pounds of gunpowder.
“Each torpedo is also connected with the
bridge, and they should do their work in
a minute, and it will be quick work even
if done in a minute and a quarter.
“On deck there will be four men and
myself. In the engine room there will be
two other men. This is the total crew,
and all of us will be In our underclothing,
with revolvers and ammunition in water
tight packing strapped around our
waists.
“Forward there will be a man on deck,
and around his waist will be a line, the
other end of the line being made fast to the
bridge, on which I will stand.
“By that man's 1 side will be an ax.
“When I stop the engines I shall jerk
this cord, and he will thus get the signal
to cut The lashing which will be holding
the forward anchor.
“He will then jump overboard and swim
to the four-oared dingy which we nhall
tow astern.
“The dingy is full of life buoys, and is
unsinkable.
"In it are rifles.
“It is to be held by two ropes, one made
fast at her bow and one at her stern.
“The first man to reach her will haul in
the tow line and pull the dingy out to
starboard.
“The next to leave the ship are the rest
of the crew. The quartermaster at the
wheel will not leave until after having put
it hard aport and lashed it so, he will
then jump overboard.
“Down below, the man at the revolving
gear will stop the engines, scramble upon
deck and get over the sides as quickly as
possible.
The man in the engine room will break
open the sea connections with a sledge
hammer and will follow his leader into
the water.
“This last step insures the sinking of the
Merrimac whether the torpedoes work or
not.
"By this time I calculate the elx men
will be in the dingy and the Merrimac
will have swung athwart the channel to
the full length of her three hundred yards
of cdble, which will have been paid out
before the anchors were cut loose.
“Then all that is left for me is to touch
the button. I shall stand on the starboard
side of the bridge. The explosion will
throw the Merrimac on her starboard side.
Nothing on this side of New York city
will be able to raise her after that.
“And you expect to come out of this
alive?" asked a companion of the lieu
tenant. ,
“Ah! that is another thing," said the
lieutenant. He was so Interested in the me
chanical details of the scheme that he
scarcely stopped to talk of life and death.
JtJut, in reply to frequent questions, Hob
•fcon Tstii<pC«i* itieyErt?zefiM Gattery
will fire down on us a bit; but the ships
will throw their searchlights in the gun
n«TH faces and they wont see much of
us.
"If we are torpedoed Are should even
then be able to make the desired position
in the channel.
"It won't l>e so easy to hit us, and I
think the men should be able to swim to
the dingy.
"I may jump before I am blown up. But
I don't »ee that It makes much difference
what 1 do.
"I have a fair chance of life either way.
"If our dingy gets shot to pieces wc shall
then try to swim for the beach right un
der Morro Castle.
"We shall keep together at all hazards.
"Then, we may be able to make our way
back to the ship.
"We shall tight the sentries or a squad
until the last and we shall only surrender
to overwhelming numbers, and our sur
render will only take place as a last and a
most uncontemplated emergency."
Lieut. Hobson might have been lecturing
to a cihsH of cadets on the theory of how
to build ships, so deliberate was his man
ner. He was lately al Annapolis, in charge
of the |HMit graduate course In naval con
struction and Is accounted one of the most
able naval constructors in the service, be
ing entirely wrapped up in his profession
Lieut. Hobson’s chief anxiety was that
in the dark he might miss the narrow cut
and run on to the shoals at the west of
the entrance. To prevent the possibility of
thia, the plan of allowing the Merrimac to
run in under the Spanish flag with the
fleet in feigned pursuit, firing blank car
tridges and blazing the path to the harbor
entrance with searchlights, was consid
ered, but abandoned, because, among
other reasons, Lieut. Hobson and his vol
unteer crew did not want to die, if their
I lives should be sacrificed, under false col
■ ors. They wanted to go down with the
i Stats and Stripes floating proudly from
! the Merrimac.
The preliminary work of this desperate
1 undertaking was a strain upon the officers
I and men. On ’Wednesday morning, direct
ly after Rear Admiral Sampson’s arrival,
I and as soon as he was certain the Spanish
j fleet was in the harbor, the preparations
: to scuttle the Merrimac in the .channel I
' were commenced. All day long crews'
| from the New York and Brooklyn were on i
board the collier, never resting in ’heir I
effortl to prepare her. She lay alongside ■
the Massachusetts, discharging coal, when j
the work was first begun.
'I he news of the intended expedition trav- !
eled quickly through the fleet, and It soon
became known that volunteers wire need
I cd foe a desperate undertaking. From the
Town’s signal yard quickly fluttered the
I announcement that she had one hundred
I and forty volunteers, and the other ships
i «<■(> not tar behind. On the New York the j
enthusiasm was intense. Oxer 300 meml>er* |
of the crew volunteered to go into that '
narrow harbor and face death.
The junior otficcra literally jumped over i
each other in their eagerness to get their I
name* on the volunteer list.
Commander Miller, who had charge of j
the Merrimac, plead* d with the Admiral io I
I let him go; but the latter thought he had j
better not.
When It was learned that only six men
and Lieut. Hobson were to go, there was ;
I considerable disappointment on all sides, I
I and when the New York’s contingent went
I over the side late on \\ ednewday night.
I some of those who were left, war* almost |
I ready, brave and strong as they were, to :
I sit down an<l cry.
All Wednesday night the crews worked i
on boanl the Mrrnmoc. which then lay !
I close to the New York.and the other ships. :
I a* they passed the collier, before sundown, i
I thran d h<« with the same spirit that the j
j DriiUh nK-n-of-war's-men cheered the !
American sailors* heroism at Saxuoa.
Lieut. Hob.-on paid a brief visit to the i
flag>hip shortly before midnight and then
returned to the Merrimac, on board it
whl.-n craft he had been all day.
A* he started >k>wn -he sea ladder there i
wete many hands stretched out to grasp i
hte band and many quiet-spoken vainest ]
wlshe* for bls aucceM % and II waa jhougbt i
then that Hobson would take the Merri
mac in early yesterday morning.
At 3 o'clock the Admiral and Flag Lieut.
Staunton got into the launch to make an
inspection of the Merrimac. The working
gangs were still on board of her and on
board the New York the officers of the
flagship stood on the quarter deck, their
glas-ts focused on the big, black hull that
was to form an impassable obstacle for
Spain's best ships.
The minutes slipped by, and the crews
had not completed their work on the Mer
rimac. But at last a boat-load of men,
black and tired out, came over to the flag
ship.
Last of all, at 4:30, came the admiral.
He had been delayed by a breakdown of
the steam launch. ♦
Dawn was breaking over Santiago de
Cuba, and nearly everybody thought it
was too late for the attempt to be .made
that morning.
Then somebody cried: “She’s going in.”
Surely enough the seemingly deserted
collier was seen heading straight for
Morro Cast*.
The torpedo boat Porter was lying near
the flagship, and, at the admiral’s order,
Lieut. Staunton snatched up the maga
phone and hailed the Porter, saying:
“Porter, there! Tell the Merrimac to re
turn immediately.”
Smoke quickly poured from the Porter’s
smokestacks, and the dark little craft dart
ed toward the shore.
By that time darkness had quite disap
peared, and quickly as the fast torpedo
boat tore through the water, it seemed as
she would never head off the Merrimac.
At last, when within range of the guns
of the Spaniards, the Porter crossed the
Merrimac’s bows, and a sigh of relief went
up from the eager watchers, for they
thought it sure death for Hobson to vent
ure in at that hour.
Some time after 5 o’clock the Porter
came tearing back and the Merrimac, to
every one’s surprise, kept her position.
Admiral Sampson, Capt. Chadwick and
Lieut. Staunton could not understand un
til Lieut. Fremont, from the deck of the
torpedo boat, shouted: “Lieut. Hobson
asks permission to continue on his course.
He thinks she can make it.”
But, in stern tones, the admiral sent
Lieut. Hobson a message to the effect that
the iMerrimac'must return at once, and, in
due course of time, the doonped collier slow
ly steamed back, her comm|ander evidently
disappointed with the order received from
the admiral through the commander of the
Porter, Lieut. Hobson’s figure standing out
vividly on the lonely bridge of the Merri
mac.
During the day Lieut. Hobson went
aboard the flagship. His once white duck
trousers were as black as a coal heaver’s,
his old fatigue coat was unbuttoned, and
his begrimmed face deeped furrowed by
tense drawn lines, but resolution still
shone in his eyes. So absorbed was he In
the task ahead of him that, unmindful of
hl» appearance and of all ceremony and na
val etiquette, he told the admiral in a tone
of command that he must not again be in
terfered with.
“I can carry this thing through,” said
he, “but there must be no more recalls.
My men have been keyed up for twenty
four hour? and undec a trapiendogs s.tva'i)-
Iron *tvlll break nt last."
Such was the indomitable will and cour
age with which he faced death and glory.
“When Lieut. Hobson left the ship and
the extended hands of his shipmates, more
than one of the latter turned hastily to
hide the unbidden tear. But the lieuten
ant waved them adieu with a smile on his
handsome face.
All day yesterday the collier lay near the
flagship and more elaborate preparations
were made to carry out the mission of the
Merrimac successfully.
During these preparations, Lieut. Hob
son was tireless, cool and confident, super
vising personally every little detail.
When finally Lieut. Hobson went on
board the Merrimac last night he had
been without sleep since Wednesday. His
uniform was begrimed, his hands were
black, and he looked like a man who had
been hard at work in and about an engine
room for a long time.
As he said good-bye, the lieutenant re
marked that his only regret was that all
of the New York’s volunteers could not
go with him.
Rear Admiral Sampson, speaking of the
expedition, said: “I think he will have a
fair chance to get out. Yes, it is plucky,
Very plucky."
When the Merrimao started yesterday
morning on the trip she had on
board of her two men who had
no right to be there. They were Assist
ant Engineer Crank of the Merrimac and
Boatswain Mullin of the New York, who
had been working on the collier all day.
These two men refused to leave the ship,
ami aH their disobedience was of the na
ture which produced Cushings and Farra
guts for the American navy, it was not
oflicially recognized.
The spirit shown by the men and officers
of the fleet in connection with the Merri
mac expedition is really grand, and be
yond being merely expressed in words.
Under these circumstances one can im
agine the immense feeling of satisfaction
experience! when it became known that
Lieut. Hobson and the crew of the Merri
mrfb were safe.
Later in the day a boat with a white flag
put out from the harbor, and Capt. Iviedo,
the chief of staff of Admiral Cervera,
boarded the New York and Informed the
j admiral that the whole of the party Lad
: been captured, and that only two of the !
, heroes had been injured. Lieut. Hobson i
■ had not been injured.
It appears that the Spanish admiral
i was »o struck with the courage of the!
; Merrimac’s crew that he decided to inform
Admiral Sampson that they had not lost
their lives, but were prisoners of war and
| could be exchanged.
The dingy portion of the programme does
I not appear to have been carried out.
[ which lead* to the belief that she may
j have been smashed by a shot, for it seems
' Lieut. Hobson and his men drifted ashore
jon an old catamaran, which had been
, slung over the Merrimac’s Bide at the last
i moment, as an extra precaution.
They were captured and sent to Santiago
i under guard, previous to being transferred
to Morro castle, where they are now un
| derstood to be confined.
The fleet to-night is In a state of delight-
I ed enthusiasm, and the admiral is just as
happy as the youngest sailor. The gen
i eral opinion is that no man ever deserved I
j recognition for personal bravery more than j
i docs Lieiu. Hobson. ,
COLLIER LEAVES FORT DE FRANCE.
1 Ve»Bcl May Have Gone to Coal Spain's
Sreond Squadron.
! Copyright, 1896. by the Associated Press.
St. Pierre, Martinique, June 5, 8 p. m.—
' The British steamer Twickenham having
i remained at Fort de France several weeks
without getting permission to land her
I cargo of 4.0 X) tons of coal consigned to the I
j Spatdsh consul, will leave to-night for Ja- i
I tnalca.
There are numerous report* that a fleet |
Iwaa seen off tho northwest of the island ;
yesterday, and it may be that the Twtcken- j
ham goes to coal the ships.
SAVANNAH. MONDAY. JUNE fl, 1898.
SOLDIERS TO GO TO SANTIAGO.
REPORT OF THEIR ARRIVAL NEXT
NEWS LOOKED FOR.
Stories That They Have Already
Started Lack Confirmation— Report
That Landing Has Already Been
Made Discredited—List of the Span
ish Prisoners nt Fort McPherson
Available for Exchange-,Sketches
of the Heroic Men on the Merri
inac.
Washington, June 5. —This was the quiet
est Sunday at the navy department since
the outbreak of the war. No dispatches had
come over night, and it was said that none
was expected.
The situation at Santiago is such, in the
opinion of the officials, that no startling
developments are to be expected immedi
ately and the next news that is to be look
ed for from that quarter is of the arrival
of troops.
As far as can be gathered, in spite of all
reports to the contrary, these troops have
not yet started, and the naval officials are
impatiently waiting for the movement.
It is possible that a small advance de
tachment has gone forward, but it is felt
here that even that, composed of an en
gineer battalion with seige train, is lying
off Kev West.
In army circles it seems to be expected
that Admiral Sampson is to furnish a suf
ficient force to convoy the troop trans
ports, but it is not known whether he is to
supply this force from his own squadron
now off Santiago, ar whether he will call
upon Commodore Watson off Havana to
perform this work.
The officials do not credit the cable re
port that troops have landed at Point
Cabrera, a half a dozen miles west of
Santiago, and they are inclined to the
opinion that if there had been any land
ing In that vicinity it was confined to the
supply of arms and food to the insurgents
abounding in Santiago province.
Secretary Long is still confined to his
room, and passed a restless night with his
sprained leg, which now shows signs of
inflamatory rheumatism or some kindred
ailment.
The war department wns open for busi
ness in a limited way for half the day,
and Adjutant General Corbin was in tele
graphic correspondence with army offi
cers in all parts of the country, particu
larly regarding the Spanish military pris
oners from whom selections will be made
for exchange of the gallant little band
thgt Merr’-nar The commanding
officer at r'ort Am. •’’hereon, b»a. i>Las?,,iur
nished the department a full list of cap
tives to facilitate the work of exchange.
This is likely to occupy more time than
was originally expected because of the
difficulty of communicating with the Span
ish admiral at Santiago.
The exchange affected at Havana was I
conducted through the British ambassa
dor here. Sir Julian Pauncefote, and the
British consul general at Havana, Mr.
Gollan, with the aid of the existing cable,
but it is not likely there is now a cable
communicating Santiago, so the prelimin
aries must be arranged directly through |
Admiral Sampson, a time-consuming oper
ation, as he can be reached only through
the agency of dispatch boats from Ja
maica or Hayti.
The war department officials were them
selves surprised at the numerous Spanish
officers held captive at Fort McPherson,
and it will be seen that there is no lack
of material, as was at first feared, for
equal exchange. Two officers have al
ready been exchanged, namely, Col. Vi
cente de Cortijo of the Third Cavalry,
Principe, and Surgeon Major Isidro Gar
cia Julian, sanitary corps. The list re
maining is as follows:
First Lieutenant Lucas Saenz Gamlniza,
Sixth Battalion, Lower Peninsula.
Second Lieutenant Luis Guiner Fomln
aya, Chasseuer Battalion, Porto Rico.
Second Lieutenant Emilio Mate Cabezu,
Third Cavalry, Wincipe.
Second Lieutenant Baldomero Aparicio
Zambrana, Fifth Battalion, Chielena.
Second Lieutenant Juan Jiminez Rernos,
Ninth Battalion, Soria.
Second Lieutenant Pedro Lapldo Alza
rez. Third Battalion, Tercio, paymaster.
Second Lieutenant Juan Gonzales Var
gas. Twenty-second Battalion, Caesodores.
Sergt. Enrique Almos Olie, Third Cav
alry, Principe.
Privates—Juan Cabalnellero, Twenty- |
second, Cadiz; Carolas Ovlivan, Third
Cavalry, Principe; Jose E. Bages, Twen
ty-second, Dominguez; Antonio Emilio Es
porito Matallonez, Tenth. Navas; Jose
Nunez Tenth, Navas; Gancio Ssva, Sec- |
ond Regiment, Reina, Valentine Martinez,
Guardia Civil; Andres Gomez. Third Cav- I
I airy of Principe; Gaustino Albert, Third i
Cavalry, Principe.
Information afforded by the official rec
ords of the navy department as to the full j
names and antecedents of the gallant |
sailors who made up Lieut. Hobson's little I
crew in sinking the Merrimac differs in 1
some essentials from the data furnisned
through the dispatch boats this morning.
The naval list is about as follows:
Daniel Montague, flnst-class machinist j
on the New York, born in Ireland. £> years
old, last enlistment tn December,, 1896;
next of kin. Kate Golden, sister, St Hordtlo
street. New York.
George Charette, first-class gunner's i
mate on the New York, born in Lowell,
Mass.. 29 yend-s of age, last enlistment.
May 1838: has been in the service siftce
1884; his next of kin, Alexander Charette, |
father, Lowell, Mass.
Osborn <not Oscar) Delgnan, coxswain |
on the Merrimac, bom in Stuart, la., 21 j
years of age; last enlistment April 22,1898; I
next of kin. Julian Diegnan, Stuart, la.
George F. (not John P.) Phillips, ma- |
chinist on the Merrimac, born in Boston. 34
years old; last enlistment March 30. 1898;
next of kin. Andrew Phillips. Cambridge- ■
port. Mass.
Francis (probably instead of John)
Kelly, water tender on the Merrimac, born j
in Boston. 28 years old; last enlistment at
Norfolk April 21 last; next of kin Francis j
Kelly. Boston.
Randolp Clausen. coxs w, aln on the Netv *
York, born in Boston. 28 years old; last en- j
llstment Feb. 25. 18&7; next of kin, Teresa |
Clausen, wife. 127 Cherry street, New York. !
It is apparent to the department offlclaia ■
that the call for volunteers did not extend
beyond the two ships. New York and M- r- 4
I rimae, as nil the men named belong to |
those two vessels.
Great admiration is expressed at the de- i
! partrnent at the cool pluck and discretion j
’shown by the young cadet, George W. i
Powell, who took command of the New
York’s steam launch and lay under the
batteries for many hours until he was sat
isfied from his own observation that the
Merrimac had gone down before he return
ed to the flagship. It is felt that his feat
Involved a display of quite as much cour
age as was shown by the Merrimac crew,
and he is likely to profit by it. Young Pow
ell was known as “one of Hobson’s chick
ens.” When Lieut. Hobson joihed the
squadron he secured permission from the
authorities to take with him three young
naval cadets from the academy at An
napolis. They were included in his own
class of naval cadets at the academy, and
he wished to take them with him to sup
plement the theoretical force by some
practical experience in the effect of explo
sives on ships. Ensign Powell was ap
pointed to the academy from New York In
May, .1893.
Commander Hawley has just returned to
the navy department to consult officials
before proceeding on another tour of the
lake ports in search for sailors for the
navy. The commander has been remarka
bly successful in his quest and has just
left 150 men nt Norfolk whom he had pick
ed up in Chicago and vicinity, mostly na
val reserve men.
HOBSON PRAISED IN LONDON.
Cervera’s Squadron Believed to Be
Unprepared for War.
London, June 6, 6 a. m.—All the papers
refer in terms of the highest praise to
Naval Constructor Hobson’s daring ex
ploit at Santiago de Cuba, but some
doubts are thrown on the statement that
the Merrimac so completely blocks the
channel as the American reports assert.
The Times, in an article reviewing the
operations of the week, says: “It is most
probable that Admiral Cervera has a de
liberate intention to stay at Santiago,
therefore to open the channel would be of
very little use to him. It seems clear that
his squadron was not prepared for war or
fit for sea when it left the Cape Verde
Islands, and there is good reason to doubt
whether the Cristobal Colon ever shipped
her big guns at all.
“Hobson’s exploit is one of which the
American navy may well be proud. The
idea that the wreck can be removed by
the use to a little dynamite is opposed to
all experience. Madrid describes the af
fair as a brilliant Spanish victory, but
from dreams of such victories there is an
unpleasant awakening.
“Admiral Cervera’s period of evasion is
now ended, and, beyond creating an unrea
soning panic in America, he has accom
plished nothing. The naval game in the
West Indies remains played out and lit
tle can be said of it, except that events
have confirmed strictly to law, and that
no new expected development can b«s
traced. Santiago now invites capture by
military action, and Admiral Cervera’s
tanr-e.*. cr.-ci* .cap
ture.’’
The Times, conimenting editorially on
the exploit, says: “The perilous of£era.
j tion was executed with splendid gallan-
I try by a little band of volunteers, who al
most miraculously escaped. The destruc
tion and fall of Santiago are now only a
question of time, with the disappearance
of all hopes founded upon the Spanish
j fleet.
“Spain’s sympathizers recognize that
her case is hopeless, and America will
I not distress herself much about sucn
warnings as that of the St. Petersburg
I Novosti until the combination assumes
j more tangible form than there is any
prospect of at present!
.“Peace is at Spain’s disposal whenever
j she seeks it frankly and sincerely, but
her game la clearly lost, and it is quite
out of the question to define as ‘honora-
I ble peace’ one restoring the statu quo.”
The Daily Chronicle remarks: “Added
to the other dangers was the danger of
sharks. The incident gives fresh luster
to the renown of the American navy.”
The Daily News says: "All English sail
ors will join with the Americans in admi
ration of this exploit under the jwint blank
fire of the Spanish batteries. Whether the
Merrimac was intended to be sunk or to
clear a fairway through the mines can
not affect the praise due men who heroic
ally volunteered to face almost certain
death in the service of their country. If
the United States can count on self-sacri
fice of that kind in great emergencies, the
Santiago forts will be jtowerless to prevent
Admiral Sampson reaching the Spanish
squadron, should that measure seem good
to him.”
The article proceeds to argue that it is
premature, however, to suppose that the
channel is absolutely closed, or that it
would be impossible to destroy the hulk.
It says: “English torpedo officers could
devise many methods of floating out dy
namite charges, unless the hulk lies far
outside Morro Castle, in which case it can
not be blocking the channel completely. If
the Merrimac’s masts and funnels are still
visible, she sunk somewhere near the five
| fathom mark and has left the deep channel
clear.
“In any case the feat does not end the
I war. If the channel is blocked it is
i equally so to the ingress of American ves
; seis, and Admiral Cervera’s squadron can
j materially assist in the defense against a
I land attack. It is, therefore, probable
! that the American troops are not intended
j for Cuba, but for Porto Rico, the seizure
1 of which would be an effective check upon
j Spain's naval enterprise, as cutting off
her last naval base.”
CARRANZA ADMITS THE LETTER.
Sny« It Wns the One Stolen From His
Residence at Montreal.
Montreal, Que., June s.—To-night Lieut.
Carranza admitted that he was the author
of the letter made public yesterday by
| Chief Wilkie of the secret service, and that j
' it was the one stolen a week ago yester- I
I day from his residence.
“It is a translation,” said he, "of the
' letter I wrote to my cousin, but it Is not j
as I wrote it. Words have been changed, |
! and even whole sentences—yes, even para- j
! graphs inserted to make it suit the ends |
I of the United States government.”
“What paragraphs?” he was asked.
“For instance, that ridiculous para
' graph about the spy system. That is
‘ nonsense. I am not the head of the spy
system, and I do not know, anti never
! knew, more about the two men captured
than you did yourself from reading the i
; newspapers.
; U’Then. again. I have hat no communl
' ration with Gen. Bianco, or Don Pas- <
There has been no necessity for '
my communicating with them.
• It was simply a friendly letter to my ■
cousin, expressing my sentiments, ana
even these have been, distorted in the j
I translation.” «
( DAILY, $lO A TEAR. >
4 5 CENTS A COPY. f
I WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WICEK JI a YEAF I
SPIES MUST LEAVE CANADA.
Will He Expelled Unless They Leave
Voluntarily.
Washington, June s.—Steps have been
taken by which it is expected that Lieut.
Carranza',- who has conducted the Spanish
spy system* from Montreal with his asso
ciate, Senor du Bose, former first secre
tary of the Spanish legation here, will he
expelleld from Canada within the next
few days, unless they adopt their own
means to leave before an international
question is raised as to their presence
there.
The Carranza letter, detailing his spy
system, was communicated to the British
ambassador, Sir Julian Pauncefote, to
gether with all other information bearing
on the operations of the Spanish officials
in Canada.
The ambassador was quick to act in the
matter, and without waiting the slow pro
cesses of the mail, cabled the entire mat
ter to the foreign office. No doubt is en
tertained as jto the speedy action of the
authorities at London, now that a specific
case has been made out against the
Spanish officials in Canada. They would
have taken the initiative ere this had
there been anything more than suspicion
as to the operations of Lieut. Carranza
and Senor du Bose. But the Carranza let
ter was proof positive, and the Brltisn
officials moved quickly and on their own
volition toward securing adequate redress.
It is expected that Lord Salisbury will
call the attention of the Spanish govern
ment to the undesirability of having Lieut.
Carranza and Senor du Bose remain in
Canada longer, as their operations are so
obviously hostile to the United, States.
This, however, may become unnecessary,
if the Spanish officials withdraw from
Canada at once, as there appears to be no
disposition to prosecute them or to give
them an enforced expulsion, so long as
they are willing to close their operations
and depart. The British statutes, as well
as those of Canada, have specific provision
against the use of British or Canadian tei -
ritory by foreigners temporarily seeking
asylum there, as the base of hostile oper
ations against countries with which Great
Britain and her colonies are at peace.
About a week ago an effort was made by
the Spanish officials to enlist the sympathy
of the British embassy here with an al
leged British subject imprisoned at Tam
pa, who, it is believed, is the Spanish spy
alluded to in Lieut. Carranza’s letter. A
Canadian lawyer arrived here last Sun
day and made a personal appeal to Sir
Julian Pauncefote to intervene in behalf
of the man imprisoned at Tampa. There
were suspicious circumstances connected
with the case, and before acting, Che am
bassador asked for a specific recital of all
the facts. These were not forthcoming,
and the ease was not pushed.
When MR.Carranza letter appeared stat,-
ing that one of his spies had been caught
at Tampa, It became apparent for the first
time that the efforts toward intervention
were designed to secure the release of this
spy. ♦
Aside from the official action of the Brit
ish government. It is quite likely that the
Canadian officials will take some action
against ILeut. Carranza and Senor du
Bose, under the Canadian statutes. When
Sir Louis Davies, minister of marine of
the Canadian cabinet, was here recently,
he spoke of the determination of the Ca
nadian authorities to maintain the strict
est neutrality, and to see that the Carranza
party did not use Canada as a base for any
hostile operations against the United
States.
BRITISH SHIP READY TO FIGHT.
Entered Grnn Cnnnrln Prepared to
Avenge Murdered Englishmen.
Madrid, June 5, 5 p. m.—Letters received
from San Juan de Porto Rico re-assert
that Admiral Sampson bombarded the
town without notice, firing 700 shells.
The Spanish losses are said to have been
seven killed and seventy wounded.
The governor general’s residence, the
barracks and a number of houses were
damaged.
Mail advices from Gran Canaria dated
May 26, say that three Spanish torpedo
boats were still in the harbor.
A military signal station has been es
tablished on the light house island, and a
keen watch is kept for suspicious ves
sels.
Additional fortifications at various points
were almost completed at the time the mail
left.
It appears that when the British second
class cruiser Charybdis arrived at Gran
Canaria, in response to alarming news as
to the condition of the island, she had l.er
decks cleared for action, and expected to
be fired on on entering the harbor. Her of
ficer*’ understood that the wife of the Brit
ish consul had been murdered and that the
Spaniards had risen against the English.
These reports rose from the fact that snots
were fired while the consul’s wife was
passing, and an American flag had been
burned in front of an Englishman’s house.
The United States consul, Thomas Miller,
who Is an Englishman, and was born on
the island, has resigned.
Castelnr Not to be Prosecuted.
Madrid, June 6,1 a. m.—The Queen Re
gent has informed Senor Sagasta that she
does not desire a prosecution of Senor
Emilio Casteiar, the Republican itates
man, for the article attacking her, recent
ly published in the Petite Revue Interna
cionale, and reprinted in a leading Madrid
i paper.
SPANISH SHIPS AT SAN JUAN.
A Cruiser and Two or Three Torpedo
Boats Seen There.
Cape Haytien, June s.—The steamer St. i
' Simon, which arrived here this morning I
from Havre, reports that one Spanish
; cruiser and two or three Spanish tor
i pedo boats were at San Juan de Porto
! Rico on Friday at noon. She saw no war
ships elsewhere.
No News at St. Thomas.
St. Thomas, D. W. 1., June s—Up to a
late hour this morning there had been no
news received here from the American
fleet, or from any point where hostilities
are believed to be impending.
Cadiz Squadron a Week Ont.
London. June A dispatch to the Daily
Telegraph from Gibraltar, says; “The Ca
diz reserve squadron is now a week out
and bound for Cuba.'*
MONDAYS
■■■ AN D —■
THURSDAYS
—— v* j
BATTLE REPORTED OFF HAYTI.
THREE SPANISH AND FOUR AMERI
, CAN SHIPS ENGAGED.
The United States Vevaels Alleged td
Have Withdrawn and Supposed ta
Have Been Scouts—United Staten
troopship Resolute Reported ta
Have Arrived at Mole St. Nicholas
Under Convoy of the Mayflower,
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Cape Haytien, Hayti, June 5, 7:40 p. m.—>
The United States troop ship Resolute,
formerly the Yorktown, under convoy ol
the torpedo boat destroyer Mayflower, the
converted Ogden-Goelet yacht of the same
name,arrived at Mole St. Nicolas yesterday}
and departed shortly after.
Advices from Mole St. Nicolas say that
yesterday (Saturday) some distance oft
Jean Rabel, a seaport on the northwest
coast of Hayti, half way between Port de
Paix and Mole St. Nicolas, a combat took
place between three Spanish and four!
American warships. ,
The American ships are said to have
withdrawn from the combat.
One of the Spanish warships entered that
harbor of Jean Rabel for water.
The officers of ships lying at Moie St.
Nicolas were extremely reticent.
Jean Rabel is an insignificant seaport,
and there is no telegraphic station there.
It is thought possible that the Spanish
ships encountered were the vanguard of
the Cadiz fleet.
The names of the American ships ara
not ascertain; but it is believed here that
they were probably scouts.
A dispatch from a government source at
Port au Prince says: “A Haytien infor
mant, now in Santiago de Cuba, cables
that the destitution there has greatly in
creased since the bombardment began. and
the military commander has been forced
to reduce the rations of the soldiers,among
whom there is much discontent.”
There has been no direct communicaitioni
from Santiago thus far to-day.
JIMENES’ RAID ON MONTE CRISTO,
Divided His Men and Took the For®
and Governor’s House.
Copyright, 1808, by the Associated Press.
Cape Haytien, June 5, 10:30 a. m.—Ac
cording to the latest advices from Monte
Cristo, Gen. Jlmenes, the leading spirit ir»
the revolutionary attempt, divided hie
men on landing into two columns, one of
which attacked and took the fort, the
other, loj by Gen. Jimenes, marching ta
the governor’s house. Gov. Galito was
seized and the demand was made upon
him by Gen. Jlmenes that he sign a paper
accepting the leadership of the revolution
ists for the northern district.
Gov. GaiJit reiUbeZT saying" that he was
too old to take part in a revolution.
Gen. Jimenes then told him he was a
prisoner and he was marched out between
flies of in the street, however,
a column of government troops met the
Jimenes column, and in the fight which
ensued Galito escaped. The government
force being stronger, pressed back the in
surgents, who for half an hour retreated
slowly, all the while fighting, toward the
shore. The final and most desperate fight
took place at the water’s edge.
The Morales and Boaz were killed. Al
party of insurgents of Gen. Chuchu Mer
cedes, seeing that defeat was inevitable,
took refuge in the mountains. It is report
ed that they were surrounded later, and
that Mercedes was shot.
Revolutionists here (Monte Cristo) say a,
mistake was made in showing any clem
ency whatevei- to Gov. Galito, instead of
killing him off-hand, for Galito Immediate
ly began bloodthirsty measures of ven
geance upon all the employes of all the
mercantile houses of which Gen. Jimenes
was the head. To the number of sixteen
they were adjudged guilty of conspiracy
and taken out ami shot. Among them wera
several lx>ys not more than 17 years old.
In the fight six insurgents were killed,
and about 24 have been executed since. It
is supposed that Gen. Torevio Garcia es
caped with Jimenes, but this is uncertain.
Advices from Puerto Plata say that all is
quiet there to-day.
Four more revolutionists have been shot
since Friday, among them a Charles Mer
cedes. said to be well known in New York
city. According to the same informant, the
country “appears to be completely paci
fied.”
CHASED BY SPANISH CORVETTES.
Troopalilp Resolute Had to Show IIe«!
Heels.
Copyright, 1888, by the Associated Press.
Port au Prince, Hayti, June 5, 8 p. m.—
According to the latest advices from San
tiago de Cuba there was not more than
seventeen ships in the offing all day yes
terday, and it is believed there that tho
three missing vessels have gone for pro
visions and munitions of war.
At 6 o’clock this afternoon the Haytien
steamer Nouvelle Voldregue arrived hero
from Cape Haytien, after touching at all
the ports along the coast. She yeports that
yesterday at Mole St. Nicholas she saw
the United States troop ship Resolute
awaiting instructions. Tho vessel waa
under convoy.
It was ascertained from passengers of
the Nouvelle Voldregue that the Resolute
had been pursued between Jean Ravel and
Mole St. Nicholas, by two Spanish cor
vettes, but had managed to escape them.
From the same source it is learned that
Admiral Cervera’s squadron in its entire
ty is not in the port of Santiago de Cuba,
but that only a cruiser, supposed* to be
the Cristobal Colon, one torpedo boat and
two auxiliary cruisers, are there.
There is no direct news from Santiago
to-night.
It is understood that the vessels which
the steamer St. Simon reports having
seen last Friday at San Juan de Porto
Hico were only a small gunboat and one
torpedo boat, which showed considerable
damage, said to have been received In the
combat with the Americans at Cienfue
gos.
The injuries to the fortifications here,
caused by the bombardment are described
as being plainly visible.
Nothing Heard nt Port-au-Prince.
Port au Prince, Hayti, June s.—No fur
ther war news reached here during the
early part of the day.
Cape Haytien Hears Nothing New.
Cape Haytien, June s.—No news ha®
been received from Santiago de Cuba since
yesterday.
NO. 45.