Newspaper Page Text
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MERRIMAC FEAT MAGNIFICENT.
HEROISM OF THE HIGHEST TYPE
SHOWN BY HER CREW.
Braved Being Blown to Atoms in Or
der to Block Up the Channel—Sunk
Their Own Vessel by an Internal
Explosion—Escaped on a Calnma
ran and Surrendered to Admiral
Cervera—Now Prisoners in Morro
Castle.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dauntless, Off Santiago de Cuba,
June 4 (via Kingston, Jamaica, June 4).
Rear Admiral Sampson, during Friday
niorning.declded to close the narrow harbor
entrance of Santiago de Cuba by sinking
the collier Merrimac, loaded with coal, in
the channel. He called for volunteers to
go to almost certain death and 4,000 men
offered themselves.
Lieut. Hobson and six men were chosen
and al 3 a. m. Friday mdrning the Merri
mac, under her own steam, entered the
channel under a terrible Spanish fire. The
vessel was riddled with projectiles, but
she anchored and swung around. Lieut.
Hobson then set off an internal torpedo
with an electric attachment, there was an
explosion, the Merrimac sank, the chan
nel was closed and apparently Admiral
Cerevera will be unable to escape.
Washington, June 4.—The navy dejart
ment has posted the following bulletin:
“The navy department at 3 o’clock re
ceived the following dispatch:
“Mole, Hayti, June 4. —Succeeded, in
sinking' Merrimac in the channel of San
tiago at 4a. m.. June 3. This was carried
out most gallantly under the command of
Naval Constructor Hobson and seven men.
"Flag of truce from the Spanish Ad
miral, Cevera, sent in recognition of their
bravery. I am irnformed all are prisoners
of war, two slightly wounded.
"Request authorities to approve ex
change if possible between these and the
prisoners at Atlanta.
"Six of the Spanish squadron in the har
bor of Santiago unable to avoid being
captured or destroyed. “Sampson."
HOW THE HEROES WERE SAVED.
Crew Bowed to Spanish ! lagship and
Surrendered.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 4.—Hobson and
the hero crew of the Merrimac were saved
in the following manner. Unable, after
the sinking of their vessel, to make their
way back through the storm of shot and
shell, they rowed Into the harbor to the
Spanish flagship and were taken on board
unharmed. The Spanish admiral, under
a“flag of truce, on Friday, sent word to
the Amirican admiral that he offered to
exchange the prisoners, adding that in the
. meanwhile Hobson and his party would be
treated with the greatest kindness.
Lieut. Hobson appears to have carried
out his plan to the smallest details, ex
cept as regards the methods of escape.
The row boat in which the crew were to
attempt to escape was either blown up or
shot to pieces, for Lieut. Hobsotp and his
men drifted ashore on an old catamaran,
which was slung ovtr the ship’s side at
the last moment as an extra precaution.
Upon reaching shore the men were taken
prisoners and sent to Santiago city under
guard. Later they wen® taken to Morro
< aStie, wh-.«The> uro •
Capt. Oviedo, Admiral Cervera's chief of
staff, who boarded the New York under
a flag of truce, did not give further de
tails of the capture.
The bravery of the Americans evidently
excited as much admiration among the
Spaniards ns it did among the men of the
American fleet. The prisoners were per
fectly.safe and will probably be well treat
ed while they remain in Morro Castle.
The fleet Is wild with delight to-night
over the termination of the most daring
expedition since the destruction of the
Confederate iron clad Albermarle by the
Cushing In 184'4. The admiral Is jimt as
glad ns the youngest Jackie. Capt. Cljad
wlck of the flagship New York, who is
usually most conservative, In speaking of
the Incident, said: "Splendid! splendid!
too much cannot be said about it."
*l'he general opinion la that no man ever
deserved recognition by Congress for per
gonal brayery more than does Lieut. Hob
son. His work was well done and his men
are safe. When he started on the expedi
tion few thought he could accomplish his
object.
Officers of the fleet when questioned as
to whether Capt. Oviedo could have had
nny ulterior design tn visiting the New
York under a flag of truce, scouted the
suggestion, Haying that the visit was
prompted by pure chivalry on the part of
the Hpuntards, and was noble of them.
Clausen, the New York's coxswain, went
on the Merrimac against odds. Nothing
could have kept him from that trip into
the jaxvs of death.
it is that the Spaniards will
try to blow up the MerrimAc, but improb
able that they will succeed.
Speculation is rife as to the details of
how Lieut. Hobson managed to blow his
ship up and lived to tell the tale. His
heroism has cleared up the situation well.
The Spaniards are now doubly penned in'
At quarters on the New York this even
ing Chaplain Boyce, praying before the
bareheaded crew on deck, thanked God
for having preserved Lieut. Hobson and
the men under him.
Last night Chaplain Boyce invoked this
protection, but few then believed it pos
sible that his prayer could be granted.
Cadet Powell, who was the last man to
see Lieut. Hobson before his start. mid
who had charge of the launch during its
|w>rilous trip, aftci much needed si. ep,told
I lie story of his experience. He said
"l.kut. Hobson took a short sleep for a
few hours, which was often interrupted.
A quarter to two lie came on deck and
made fltml ins|iceiion, giving his last in
•trucliona. Then we had u little lunch
Lkul. Hobson was as cool as u cucumber’
About o’clock, I took the men who
were not going on the trip into the Inutu h
nnl started tor the Texas. the nearest
►bl’. but had to go back for one of the as.
glstant engineers. Wnom Lieut. Hobson
Anally competed to leave. 1 shook hands
with Lieut. Hobson the last of ail H v f
•Powell. «auh the boat's crew when w<*
pull out of the hat-box. We will be cracks
rowing thirty gtrofceFto the minute ’
"After leaving the Texas I saw the Mer
rimae steaming slowly in. it was »nl»
f ur!) .Wk then, and the shore was >
Vlsibk. Ue followed about three-quarters
of a mile astern. The Merrimac stood
it lout a ml* to the westward of th e har
bor. and seemed a bit mixed, turning com
pletely around. Finally heading to the
cu.M, sh«* Hui Uqwh nth) (hen turned in.
"We were then chasing him, because I
thought Hobson had lost Ins bearing*
When Hobson wag about StM yards from
ihe harbor, the first gun was tired from
th* eastern bluff We were then half a
mile off shore, close under the batteries.
*1 he flring increased rapxl.y. We steamed
in slowly and lost sight of the Merrimac
In the smoke which the wind carried off
shore. It hung heavily. Before Hobson
could have blown up the Merrimac, the
western battery picked us up and com
menced firing. They shot wild and we only
heard the shots. We ran in still closer to
the shore and the gunners lost eight of us.
Then we heard the explosion of the torpe
does on the Merrimac.
••Until daylight we waitel just outside
the breaker* half a mile to the w<etward
•f Mvirv, keeping a sharp lookout lor
the boat or for swimmers, but saw' noth
ing.
“Hobson had arranged to meet us at
that point, but thinking that some one
might have drifted out we crossed in
front of Morro and the mouth of the har
bor to the eastward. About 5 o'clock we
crossed the harbor again within a quar
ter of a mile and stood to the westward.
In passing we saw one spar from the
Merrimac sticking out of the water. We
hugged the shore just outside the break
water for a mile and then turned to
ward the Texas, when the batteries saw
us and opened fire. It was then broad
daylight. The first shot fired dropped
thirty yards astern, but the other shots
went wild.
"I drove the launch for all she was
worth, finally making the New York. The
men behaved splendidly."
The news of Lieut. Hobson’s safety lift
ed a great load from Cadet Powell’s mind.
Prpbably no other details of this marvel
ous trip will be known until Lieut. Hob
son gets back.
Some heavy firing was done shortly be
fore midnight by the New York and New
Orleans, aimed at what was thought to be
a small gun boat which disappeared.
Whether she was sunk or not is not
known. The firing took place to the east
ward of Morro. ’
The stroke, which leaves the government
at Washington free to act without fear of
the Spanish fleet, was planned by Lieut.
Hobson, who commanded the expedition.
With him went Daniel Montague, George
Charette, J. E. Murphy, Oscar Deignan,
John Phillips and John Kelly, all non
commissioned officers or enlisted men.
CERVERA CHIVALROUS.
Hix Lieutenant Carries Back Money
and Provisions.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press:
With the fleet, off Santiago de Cuba,
June 4, via Mole St. Nicholas, Hayti,
June 4.—A1l the members of the Merrimac
expedition are safe.
Only two of them were slightly injured;
their names are not known.
Lieut. Hobson was not hurt.
All of the Merrimac’s men are held as
prisoners of war.
The news of their wonderful escape was
sent to Rear Admiral Sampson by Ad-
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Harbor of Snntinuo de Cuba, Showlnv Where the Collier Merrimac Was Sunk for the Purpose of “PattinK the
Stopper Into the Bottle.’’
miral Cervera. the Spanish admiral be
ing so struck with the courage of the
Merrimac's crew that he thought Ad
miral S impson should know they had not
lost their lives.
Admiral Cervera’s chief of staff, Capt.
Ovideo, boarded the New York under ft
flag of truce bearing the announcement
of the safety of the Merrimac’s men, ard
returned with a supply of provisions and
money for the prisoners.
LAND BATTLE AT SANTIAGO.
American Troops Reported With the
1 naaraentM.
Copyright. 1898, by the Associated Press.
Cape Hnytien, June 4. 12:45 p. in.—Dis
patches received here flay it is reported in
Santiago »ie Cuba that United States troops
have been debarked at Punta Cabrena.
The dispatch adds that there was heavy
Cannonading yesterday afternoon nt San
tiago de Cuba, and that extraordinary
commotion prevailed at that place. Ail
tho Spanish troopa, it is said, were con
centrated at the forifficaticos in the sub
urbs, ond it was understood among the
non-combatant that the insurgents and the
American force® were making a grand at
tack on the landward side.
In the evening, the dispatches go on to
say, at a distance of about eight miles off
the coast, twenty American warships, live
of which were cruisers, could be seen. It
was believed tn Santiago de Cuba that this
was the united fleet of Rear Admiral
Sampson and Com moder Schley.
SPANISH FLEET DESTROYED.
Unconfirmed Report to That Effect
in ( ircnlMtion in Hayti.
Copyright. 1898. by the Associated Press.
Cape Hayden. Hayti, July 4. 7:45 a. m.—
A report which cannot be verified is cur
rent here this morning to the effect that
the erttlre American fleet off Santiago do
Cuba destroyed the Spanish fleet at that
place yesterday. No direct news has yet
been revel veil.
The accounts of the defeat of the Do
mintvan revolutionists at Monto Crtsto, re
public of Santo Domingo, are persistently
doubted bciWt
THE WEEKLY NEWS (TWO-TIMES-A-WEEK): MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1898,
■ HOBSON AMONG THE HEROES.
t
SINKING OF THE MERRIMAC A BRIL
LIANT SHOW OF BRAVERY.
i
- The 'Lieutenant an Alabamian by
Birth and a Man of Brilliant Intel
j lect—American Naval Officers
Highly Appreciate Admiral Cer
vera’s Recognition of the Heroic
1 Nature of the Work— Exchange of
1 Prisoners and Promotion Certain.
3 Washington, June 4.—From early rqprn
ing when the first newspaper appeared on
2 the streets containing the 'brief statement ,
of the sinking of the Merrimac in Santiago I
harbor, the officials of the navy depart- I
’ ment awaited with intense interest official I
confirmation and explanation from Admi- |
ral Sampson. .
r In the afternoon the story came, lacking
'■ in detail it is true, but giving in rough out
lines a sketch of American heroism that
. will live through generations to come.
There is no doubt that the name Hobson
■ is destined to be bracketed with tha.t cf
’ Cushing among America’s naval heroes,
and, indeed, it was the opinion of the ma
» jority of officers who scanned the Asso-
• elated Press account of the sinking of the
Merrimac that the exploit surpassed in
brilliancy and as an exhibition of cool dar
ing even Cushing’s famous attack upon the
ram Albemarle.
• Reward sure and adequate is awaiting
these American heroes, and Acting Secre-
: tary Allen has so pledged himself after
, consultation with Secretary Long, who 13
, still confined to his rooms by a lame leg.
C Medals and promotion are the least they
can expect at the hands of a grateful peo
; pie. Meanwhile, they will not languish
long in a Spanish prison if the authorities
here can bring about their release, for half
s an hour after Admiral Sampson’s bulletin
was displayed on the walls of the navy
s department, Col. Carter, assistant adju-
- tant general, had taken the preliminary
steps to arrange for an exchange of pris
oners, and was learning just how many
Spsnish officers and enlisted men were atfll
held in captivity at Fort McPherson. Ga
where they had been taken from the prizes
captured by the American naval vessels.
In addition to these the navy has just
turned over to the military authorities at
Fort Monroe for safe keeping, another
Spanish officer supposed to be of high
rank, but who has so far managed to con
ceal his identity. The officials are confident
that they have more than enough Span
ish officers to offer as ransom for the one
American officer and seven enlisted men
held by Cervera.
The officers, one and all, took note of the
generous recognition by the Spanish ad
miral of the bravery of the Americans and
his kindly treatment of the prisoners, and
it can be guaranteed that the admiral’s
captive has a right to expect should he be
captive has aright to expect should be be
overcome in the end and forced to surren
der to Admiral Sampson.
The naval situation is believed to be en
tirely satisfactory. Notwithstanding the
Spanish reports of the clearing away of
the Merrimac it is not believed for an in
stant that Admiral Sampson will submit to
losing this dearly purchased advantage
and he can be relied upon to prevent the
removal of the obstruction.
With the Spanish fleet caged inside the
harbor, they to remain until they are
starved out or surrender. Admiral Samp
son will be free to detach most of his pow
erful squadron for service elsewhere. This
means, according to common belief, imme
diate attack upon San Juan.
Peace signs have been multiplying: there
has been a notable change in the tone of
the Spanish pre^.. and although up to this
moment, no advances have been made ta
the state department by any of the Euro
pean powers.there is an indefinable sugges
tion in the air that any moment may bring
forth overtures of this kind.
For this reason the campaign against
Porto Rico proJabiy will be burned in or-
'Salt Rheum
Intense Suffering-Could Not Sleep
—Cured by Hood’s Sarsaparilla.
“ I had salt rheum on my arms, which
itched intensely and kept me from sleep
ing. The skin on my hands would crack
open. My friends believed I was suffer
ing from blood poisoning. I decided to
take Hood’s Sarsaparilla. I did not see
any improvement with the first bottle
but continued with the medicine and
• after taking five bottles I was completely
' cured. My hands are now .as smooth as
j I could wish.” A. D. Hagey, Elroy, Pa.
Hood’s Sarsaparilla
Is the best—in fact the One True Blood Purifier.
Sold by all druggists. §1; six for $5.
~ r-k.ii are prompt, efficient and
lIOOU S r’lllS easy in effect. 25cents
. der to insure its possession by the United
States, if peace is attained.
fO the Cadiz fleet no fear is entertained.
Notwithstanding the many published re
ports, probably all ascribable to Spanish
ingenuity, to the effect that his fleet has
already started for either the West Indies
or the Philippines, it can be stated that
the government has information which it
regards as reliable that the Spanish fleet
had not left Cadiz up to yesterday. Mean
while army preparation go forward with
out the slightest sign of cessation.
To-day bids were opened for supplyng
1,500,000 cartridges; two more transports
. were purchased, and arrangements were
made to use four of the large Spanish
steamers captured as prizes for the trans
portation of troops to Cuba and Porto Rico.
Naval Constructor Hobson, whose name
is on every lip in Washington to-night, is
well known at the navy department, as
he served in the bureau of construction
for several years. His associates regard
ed him as combining great ability as a
student with the eccentricity often accom
panying genius. It was remarked by one
of the chief officials of the navy depart
ment that Lieut. Hobson was a man who
held naval regulations concerning matters
of form in contempt and was oblivious to
official rules. These dare-devil character
istics were offset, however, by his recog
nized ability in all branches of naval
science, particularly naval architecture.
Although the youngest man in his class
at the naval academy, he graduated at
the head of the class, a signal honor,
which led to his being sent by the gov
ernment for a course in the naval schools
of Europe. Here he gained new honors.
On returning to this country' he served
with the department and also saw sea ser
vice, and about a year ago became in
structor in naval architecture at the naval
academy at Annapolis.
When the war broke out, he asked for
a-tive service and at the same time in
sisted on taking three naval cadets of his
clasj with him in order that they might
gala the advantage of practical' experi
ence on sblplxwrd during the war. As a
result he and his three cadets were as
signed to Admiral Sampson’s it
was the prevailing expression at the de
pirtsrent «o-night that Lieut. Hobson
was just the character to take the lead
in such a hazardous feat as that of sink
ing the Merrimac.
It is presumed that Admiral Sampson
chose him from among majiy volunteers
owing to the fact that his expert knowl
edge of naval construction would permit
him to sink the Merrimac in such posi
tion as to prove most effective in block
ing the channel.
From naval sources a full sketch of Con
structor Hobson was secured, as follows:
Richmond Pearson Hobson, born Aug.
17. 1870, at Greensboro, Hail county. Ala
bama. where he also graduated from the
Southern University at the head of his
class. He was a popin ted to the Naval
Academy in competitive examination in
May. 1.855, and although the youngest man
of the class, graduated at its head in 1889.
His first cruise was to Brazil, when the
flag of the new Brasilian republic was
recognized. He was ordered to a special
course abroad, spending one year at the
National School of Mines at Paris and two
years at the School of Maritime Science in
the same city. The summer vacation was
spent in French shipyards. He received
diplomas from the French school for dis
tinction in naval construction and design,
both of hulls and of engines. He also
spent some time in the English shipyards.
He was assigned to duty at the navy de
pnrtmtut in 1894, in the office of naval In-
telligence, bureau of construction and re
pair. While on this duty he wrote a re
port on hist observation abroad, also
a report on disappearing guns
afloat, which was discussed by naval ex
perts on both sides of the water.
In 1895 hg was on duty at the New York
navy yard as assistant to the naval con
structor. He inspected the yacht De
fender and made an interesting report on
that prize craft. Later he joined Admiral
Bunce on the flagship New York. As a
result of this service he inaugurated the
new system of giving sea duty to naval
constructors. He proposed, organized and
conducted the post graduate course at the
United States naval academy, fixing the
speical course at three years for officers
desiring the highest attainments in naval
science. April 17, last he was assigned to
duty as constructor for the fleet at Key
West.
Mr. Hobson is the author of a political
naval military paper on the "Situation
and Outlook in Europe,” which has re
ceived considerable attention abroad. Dur
ing the China-Japan war he was selected
as the American naval observer, but his
selection was revoked owing to the <p
position of line officers to those in the
construction service. '
His expert knowledge was recognized
by the Mexican government, which desig
nated him, in 1896, io conduct trials and
pass upon the Mexican dispatch vessel
Donato Guerra, built at Philadelphia.
Constructor Hobson is a great nephew
of Gov. John Morehead of North Carolina.
His father was a well known lawyer and
judge of-that state. On the maternal line
he is a grandson of Chief Justice Pearson
of North Carolina and a nephew of Rep
resentative Pearson of that state. He is
a great-grandson of former Senator Will
iams of Tennessee.
♦
CUBA’S LAST CABLE CUT.
Work Begun by the Americans a
Month Ago Completed.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Off Santiago de Cuba, June 3, per the
Associated Press Dispatch Boat Wanda,
via Kingston, Jamaica, June 4.—The last
cable strands binding Cuba to the outside
world were cut this afternoon by a cable
vessel convoyed here by the United States
dispatch gunboat Dolphin.
The first cable picked up was that Tun
ing to Kingston. It was founjl early this
morning.
The coast loop connecting Santiago and
, Guantanamo was then cut.
Proceeding to Guantanamo the cable
vessel finally grappled and severed the
Haytien cable.
This ends the cable cutting operations
begun a month ago.
The strands cut to-day were the only
one remaining, except a few coast loops,
and these will probably be severed in a
short time.
Washington, June 4.—lt developed for
the first time to-day that an important ca
ble cutting expedition, projected by Gen.
Greely, chief of the signal service, and in
charge of the strategic supervision of ca
ble and telegraph lines, had met with suc
cess, and that Gen. Blanco was probably
isolated from the outside world, and partic
ularly from the Spanish authorities at
Madrid.
The advices received were independent of
those by Associated Press dispatch boat
via Kingston, but they bore out these dis
patches and has additional details.
They show that the French cable from
Santiago to Hayti, was Interrupted at 6:30
..last night, and. no have passed
over that line since then? 1 ’
Word has not yet come as to the inter
ruption of the two British cables leaving
Cuba byway of Jamaica, but Gen. Gree
ley is satisfied that these also have been
cut.
FACTS ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES.
Two of the 2,000 Islands of the Group
Larger Than Ireland.
Washington, June 4.—“ Notes on the
Philippine Islands” have been issued by
the state department as No. 131 of the ad
vance sheets of the consular reports.
One expert extensively quoted, Frank
Karuth, says that extensive gold deposits
have turned up quite near the sea, assur
ing a large output for many years to
come. It has also been proven that they
extend over a wide district.
Some facts of interest aside from min
ing are reported. For instance, the Philip
pine Archipelago contains nearly 2,000 isl
ands. Two of them are larger than Ire
land, Luzon, with 42,000, and Mindanao,
with 38,000 square miles. .
Earthquakes are not infrequent.
The rainfall is not excessive, nor is It
continuous.
The climate is very healthful for a trop
ical region, and diseases such as yellow
fever are unknown.
The natives are mostly Malays, but in
the interior are remnants of a race of
Papuan origin. The family tie is verj’
strong: children are orderly, parents re
spected and the race has an inbred courte
sy and prudence and ready hospitality is
never missing.
Eight million natives inhabit the Philip
pines; food resources are ample and fam
ine is unknown.
TBOOI’S LEAVE MOBILE.
Cavalry and Two Regiments of In
fantry Depart.
Mobile, Ala., June 4.—The fleet of trans
ports left this morning between 9:30 and
10 o’clock with the Third and Twentieth
Infantry Regiments and a part of the
Second cavalry.
Four vessels, the Matteawan, Break
water, Stillwater and Morgan, carried the
troops and were accompanied by the Aran
sas. with wagons, trains, etc. All the
«team whistles on the river front were set
going, while thousands of spectators gath
ered along the wharves, raised a continu
ous cheering as the vessels passed.
The fiutiila made the passage of the
channel without detention anywhere and
on arriving at Fort Morgan the fort fired
a salute and the transports dipped their
; I flags. The vessels put to sea at once.
The Nineteenth Infantry and Fifth Cav
alry left by rail this afternoon for Tampa.
The only regular troops in camp here
now are the Eleventh Infantry.
RECRUITS LEAVE ATLANTA.
Men Intended for the Philippines
Leave Fort McPherson.
> Atlanta, Ga.. June 4.—The recruits from
1 Fort McPherson intended for service in
1 the Philippines left to-night in two special
train® for San Francisco byway of New
> Orleans. They are a fine looking set of
r men and fully equipped.
I
WRESTLING MATCH STOPPED.
> -
Police Break I'p the Wlttmer and
I the Terrible Turk.
Cincinnati. June 4.—The wrestling con
test for the championship between Charles
’ Wittmer of this city, arid Yousuf, the
"Terrible Turk,” was stopped by the police
shortly alter midnight,
SPY SYSTEM OF SPANIARDS.
TELL-TALE LETTER OF’ LIEUT.
CARRANZA PURLOINED.
Action to Secure the Instant Depart
ure of the Spanish Contingent
From Canadian Soil Likely to Fol
low—Carranza Refers to the Spy
Who Hanged Himself at WiiHliiiin
ton and One Captured at Tampa.
Indulges In Criticism of Spanish
Naval Commanders.
Washington, June 4.—Chief Wilkie of the
United States treasury secret service to
day made public the letter which was re
cently written by Lieut. Carranza, former
naval attache of the Spanish legation in
Washington, now in Montreal, to
a party in the office of the Span
ish minister of marine at Madrid, and se
cured by Mr. Wilkie's operatives and
brought to Washington. The officials here
son’t know who Senor Imay, to whom the
latter is addressed, is; but they believe he
is a high official of the Spanish ma
rine office. The letter was re
ceived here about one week ago, but for
public reasons has been withheld until to
day. Copies this morning were furnished to
the President, Secretary of War and Sec
retary of State, and it is probable action
will be taken to secure the instant depar
ture of the Spanish contingent from Can
adian soil.
The letter is of the most sensational
character and discloses the very elaborate
spy system which has been conducted in
this country in the interest of Spain.
Since their departure from thjg city,
Chief Wilkie’s agents have been fully cog
nizant of every move of the Spaniards, and
for the last several weeks he has had
agents employed in the houses where they
lodged and nothing of interest apparently
escaped their vigilance.
The letter, however, was secured by an
operative, who called at the house in the
capacity of a health officer, while Mr.
Carranza was at dinner. The letter was
found on his table addressed for mailing.
It was handed by this man to another in
waiting, and from him to a third, who in
stantly started with it to Washington.
The party under suspicion in Montreal
of having taken the letter, Chief Wilkie
says,, is entirely innocent, the man who
took- the letter never having been in the
house before.
The officials who have had knowledge of
Chief Wilkie’s moyes regard it as one of
the most clever pieces of detective work
ever done in this country. The letter is
as follows:
"Montreal, May 26, 1898.—Tupper street,
42. To His Excellency, Senor Don Jose
Gomez Imay—My Dear Don Jose: It was
my belief that they would have appointed
you to command the Cadiz fleet, and it
was my intention to have sent you a tele
gram asking that you take me with you
to meet you in the Antilles, or wherever
you might. The case has not turned out
thus, however, apd it seems as though
God was not on our side because the se
lection of Senor Camara will be fatal, al
though he may have a good chief of staff.
“No one could possibly suit him, be
cause he is very capricious, and, besides,
is not a hard worker; on the contrary, he
is lazy and would pay no attention to
the advice of any one. You will not take
this for flattery, but to-day no one but
you and Don Pasquale should have com
mand of our fleet, and this is the belief
of Uiq element of .the jjar«£x?nel s ,
Now, there is no remedy, and may God
shed his light upon him and keep him tn
His hands.
“I have been left here to receive and
send telegrams and to look after the spy
service, which I have organized, or, I
had better say, am establishing here, be
cause, until a very little while ago, I was
not permitted to do as I pleased.
"We have had bad luck because they
have captured our two best spies, one in
Washington, who hanged himself—or else
they did it for him—and the other day
before yesterday in Tampa. The Americans
are showing the most extraordinary vigi
lance. I do not wish to remain here with
out taking an active part in the war, and
I desjre duty in which I can take the initi
ative and do something. I shall be ex
tremely gratified to have a ship in order
to run the blockade, or a torpedo boat;
anything rather than playing second fid
dle. However, if there is no other remedy,
I would go perfectly willingly on board a
large ship. I am very sorry that this war
finds me so vbry low in rank, for it of
fers opportunities for any one who wishes
to work and to risk himself. I cannot
believe that Doh Pasquale could be in
Santiago as reported by the American
Press. He entered it on the 18th and
if he had gone Immediately to Havana he
would have met only two monitors in
front of it. I make it out that he enter
ed the place only to coal, and for the moral
effect it would produce in Spain. Suppose
he went out Friday, the 20th— if he had
gone to the North and through the Provi
dence channel, he would have passed into
Havana right under the noses of the
Americans, who had only small cruisers;
for Schley was at! sep on the night of
Thursday, Sampson on that of Friday, and
on that of Sunday, the 22d, he took the
lower channel for the East and on Wednes
day turned back towards Havana.
"Schley's squadron has been reinforced
by the lowa and Sampson’s by the Ore
gon. I believe that in war one has to
tempt fortune. If it had not been be
cause Sampson was afraid that Don Pas
quale might go to Havana and that Schley
would not be there, or our confidence is
well grounded that he found himself very
short of ammunition after the bombard
ment through the stealing in the ordnance
department, the fact remains that it was
logical for him to remain near Santiago
and Cienfuegos, and if he could not pre
vent the entrance of our squadron to»shut
it up and thus close its campaign, and
those people over there already believe it
closed. But I cannot believe such a stu
pid thing possible. I suppose he went to
the South of Porto Pico, and that he had
ordered a cruiser or two there to cover the
Terror and that he will appear at San
Juan the 27th or 28th. He will /oal there
and will rest a day or two and will then
return to delay and annoy them and de
lay the invasion. The Vizcaya and Oquen
do at least need not go into dry dock. I
telegraphed to Don Pasquale on
the morning of the 29th, when
I knew he was in Santiago,
saying that the squadrons were at Key-
West. He did not answer me. That after
noon there came another telegram from
Madrid saying he had left Santiago.
"I continued sending messages to Gen.
Bianco in respect to all the movements
and, so far as X know, Don Pasquale has
arrived at Porto Rico, where I shall try to
communicate with him. If he could have
set out from Martinique for Havana, hav
ing twenty-four hours advantage,he would
have arrived before now. I am very mucn
afraid lest they attack Porto Rico by sea
and land and put off the attack on Ha
vana. They are not going to do more than
try to take the latter, and they think then
if they’ destroy our fleet, of taking the war
into Spain with Havana already in their
power. They have no confidence in their
army, but they have in their navy and
they are afraid of our army and of yellow
fever, because if the men should begin to
die in Cuba thege would be a tremendous
low, as they are not like our
"Anyway we shall see when there is
news of the fleet. I expect it to-morrow.
With them cleaning their hulls at the
we should be able to clean some-
thing in three days at Porto Rico. Each
day- that passes is worse for us on account
of the almost total lack of preparations.
If the Cadiz squadron is to come to bom
bard Boston, Portland and Long Island
they can do it now, but after a few
months it will be too late.,
"I think if we are to have any success
in this matter, it will be through treating
for peace by yielding Cuba and having
them recognize the debt. If we do not
do this soon it will be too late and
we shall lose Cuba and Porto Rico, and
all that this war has cost us, and in addi
tion we shall be charged with the Cuban
debt for which our treasury is responsible.
“There is no doubt here that we cannot
continue this war, in which we have noth
ing to gain and may lose our three colo
nies and be ruined for fifty years.
“In the matter of money there is no pa
triotism here. Proof is given by the bank
which ought to have bought gold, although
at a premium of ICO per cent., and issued
notes against it in the same or a slightly
greater quantity. With 150,000,000 it could
have made 1,300,000,000. This is the moment
of the year, which, instead of returning
23 or 24 per cent., it returns only 12 or 15.
As regards its buying gold, exchange has
gone down, and if in buying 400,000,000 it
issues 500,000,000, paying 600 or 700, inas
much as the state subscribes at the rate
of 5 per cent., this would represent to the
bank an interest of about 3 per cent, and
its dividend would have gone down very
little. The bank is the nation, and with
the nation it has grown rich by offering
to pay money, which it did not have in its
treasury, and by getting»lnterest on that
which it never had really given out. But
whatever the bank does nobody dares ob
ject to, except those who have no money
in their pants if they should call for it.
“1 have written to the minister, but I did
not give him so much news of the fleets as
to you, because I had other things to speak
of. If you should see him you might give
him some news.
“We shall see when they relieve me and
send some one here to work and not amuse
himself. I can imagine your anxiety for
Francisco and the rest, an anxiety that we
share. Their terrible ships do not go as
fast as ours, by perhaps two and a half
miles. As for the monitors they don’t
count for much; they can be used only to
bombard in a smooth sea and besides can
not go fast and carry very little coal.
"They have delayed Sampson the whole
voyage. My regards to Rafael and his
daughters, and you know how much your
kinsman and subordinate loves you.
"Ramon Carranza.”
“I should be glad to have you write me
your opinions. You know how much I ap
preciate them. If the squadron is in Cuba
they are going to destroy its wretched
fortifications and sink a couple of steam
ers in the mouth. They have already tel
egraphed to Key West for them to see
if they have gotten them there, and the
inventor, Holland, offers his submarine
boat to destroy the mines.”
SPANIARDS DYNAMITE MERRIMAC.
Wreck Reported Blown Ont of tint
Channel by the Dons.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Port au Prince, June 4, 8:30 a. m.—After
the bombardment, the Spaniards blew up
with dynamite the sunken American col
lier Merrimac and have since been at work
clearing the channel so as, in all probabil
ity, to permit Admiral Cervera’s fleet to
put out to sea should the Cadiz squadron,
under Admiral Camara, arrive in Cuban
waters to relieve the blockaded ships.
In the meanwhile the dispatches from
Santiago say the Spaniards pay tribute to
the audacity of the Americans in- so clever
ly attempting to block the channel.
There are a great number of insurgents
in the vicinity of Santiago, probably wait- ■
*ng**or some dedfeive artfajr upon the vMrywi
of the American fleet, which will undoubt
edly be the signal for a land attack upon
the town.
TROOPS FOR THE PHILIPPINES.
A Total of 420,000 Men to Be Sent out
the Expedition.
San Francisco, June 4.—So far as haa
been given out the second expedition to the
Philippines will consist of the First Col
orado and the Tenth Pennsylvania volun
teer infantry regiments, the First Battal
ion of the Twenty-third United States In
fantry and two light batteries of Utah
volunteers.
The Utah artillery not included in
the orders originally issued, but it is semi
officially stated at the headquarters of
Maj. Gen. Otis that Battery A, Capt.
Young, and Battery B, Capt. Grant, would
go with the transport fleet.
It is also considered probable that one
battery of the Third United States Artil
lery will also be directed to go with the
same expedition.
The battalion of the Twenty-third In
fantry, United States army, which haw
been ordered to be in readiness to embark
by next Tuesday, consists of Companies
D, E, F and H, under command of Lieut.
Col. J. W. French.
Including a company of engineers, the
troops designated in the order of Wed
nesday night for the expedition number
approximately 2,600 officers and men. The
China, Zealandia, Colon, Centennial and
Ohio ought to carry 4,500. Col. Berry of
the Seventh California, received assur
ances some days ago that his command
would go with the second expedition and
special efforts have been made to thor
oughly equip the regiment, and he expects
to be included in a later order.
BOXED TWENTY ROUNDS.
Bout Between Everhardt and Zelgleat
Ends in a Draw.
New York, June 4.—Jack Everhardt of
New Orleans and Owen Zeigler of Phila
delphia boxed twenty rounds at catch
weights at the Greater New York Athletic
Club, Coney Island, to-night and the re
sult was a draw.
The bout was very clean and clever, and
not once did either man mar the sport with
the suspicion of a foul.
The referee’s decision was the only ono
that could possibly be made in all fairness
to both contestants, and was received by
the spectators without a word of dissent.
EMORY’S NEW PRESIDENT.
Columbus Happy Over the Election
of Dr. Downtan.
Columbus, Ga., June 4.—Columbus is
happy over the election of Dr. C. E. Dow
man as president of Emory College. Dr.
Dowman has been with St. Luke’s Church
three years, and has a fine new church
nearing completion. He is popular with all
denominations and is regarded as the best
man in the state to succeed President
Candler. He was bom in England, and is
58 years old. He graduated with honors
from Emory, and in addition to pastoral
work has held chairs In the faculty of
both Emory and Wesleyan.
STRANGE FLEET SEEN.
Possibly the Second Squadron From
Spain.
St. Pierre, Martinique, June 4.—A report
is curernt here that a fleet, the nationality
of which is not known, was seen off the
west point of<he island to-day by fisher
men. Firing was heard last night.