Newspaper Page Text
Chronicle
VOL. II.
DESCRIBED IN DETAIL BY REAR
ADMIRAL SAMPSON.
HOW SPANISH FORTS ARE EQUIPPED
Hull of tlie Merrimac Does Not Totally
Block the Entrance to Santiago
Harbor.
Rear Admiral Sampson authorizes
the publication of the following infor
mation obtained from reconnoissauces
and from the Cubans:
Matters are quiet at Guantanamo
bay. The Spaniards are transporting
artillery to the town of Guantanamo.
Sunday a shell from the battleship
Oregon destroyed a railway car and
set a warehouse ou fire. A spy asserts
that the Spanish gunboat Sandoval
has beon filled with straw aud will be
destroyed if there is any danger of her
being captured.
The Spanish forces at Guantanamo
are vainly attempting to reach Santiago,
where nothing is known as to the situa
tion at Guantanamo, as the Cubans the
intervening, territory. within
General Garcia’s forces are
three days of Santiago. They number
3,000. The same number of Cubans
are near Ilolguin. General Rabi is at
Acerradero, eighteen miles west of
Sautiago, with 930 men, all well armed.
The battery at Castillo de la Socapa,
opposite Estrella, Santiago, has two
Hontoria guns, four Maxim-HorAen
feldt 57-millimeter guns and one gat
ling 25-millimeter gun, all taken from
the Reina Mercedes. The battery at
Castillo del Morro has two Maxim
Nordenfeldt 75-millimeter guns taken
from the torpedo boat destroyer Ter
ror brought by Admiral Cervera. The
Puuta Gorda has two Ordonez bronze
guns and one Hontoria. All these
batteries have also muzzle loaders.
The^mines at the entrance are on the
Latimerclar system—two lines of seven
each. One line was fired at the Mer
rimac, but without effect. The Merri
mae cleared tho line when she exploded.
torpedo in the first line was also
fi*ed at the Merrimac without striking
her. The mines contain 225 kilograms
of gun cotton, and there are some
Bustamente torpedoes.
The best information is that the hull
of the Merrimac does not block the
channel, hut lies to the right. Veasels
can pass without touching it.
During the bombardment on June
3d Captain Harmon, second in command
on the cruiser lleina Mercedes,and five
men were killed by a shell. Six were
wounded.
Lieutenant Hobson and bis men are
now believed to have been taken up to
Santiago.
FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
Sfaiyip Provision of tji© New Revenue Bill
to Be Kept In Mii|d,
The stamp taxes provided iu the
wav revenue bill goes into effeot the
first of July and the people should
become familiar with them before that
time, as penalties are provided for
failure to nffix the proper stamp to
papers and documents which are to he
taxed under the new law.
Each bank check ov draft must bear
a stamp. So must every bill of lading,
mortgage, conveyance, lease, power of
attorney, warehouse receipt, telegraph
message and express package, The
stamp must he affixed and the person
affixing it must cancel it by writing
across its face bis initials and the date.
The tax act provides that if anything
that is specified as subject to a tax
stamp is left unstamped “with intent
to evade the provisions of this act,”
the offender shall be deemed guilty of
a misdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall be fined not exceeding $50, or
imprisoned not exceeding six months,
or both.
Another provision is that “such in
strument, document, or paper not
being stamped according to law shall
be deemed invalid and of no effect.”
This provision is especialiy important
in real estate transactions. A deed to
real estate for which the consideration
exceeds $100 and does not exceed
$500 must bear a 50 cent stamp, and
there must be a similar stamp for each
additional $500.
The failure to affix the proper num
ber of stomps will invalidate the deed.
Each promissory beqr 50-cent note for stamp. more than
$100 must a
>0R RORfO RICO.
Georgia Volunteers and Troops at
to Accompany Expedition,
A Washington dispatch says:
First and Second regiments of
volunteers, and troops now at Mobile,
Ala., are to accompany General
to Porto Rico,
The announcement was made
cially at the war department
that the Porto Rico expedition is to
organized at once from
from the encampments at Mobile,
Chickamauga, Alger and Tampa.
expedition is to be assembled at
nandina and Miami, Fla., the
finally selected by Secretary Alger,
Iho result of the recent tour of
tion by the board pf officers.
WAIt PARAGRAPHS.
A Erief Compilation of Daily
Occurrences.
It is confidently believed at Madrid
that Admiral Camara’s fleet is going to
Manila, aud this may prevent the dis
patch of American troops there and at
least postpone tlie loss of the Philip
pine islands.
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohu has
made arrangements for tho charter of
another transport for troops to'tho
Philippines. This is the Valencia, of
the Pacific Whaling company, which
is- now at San Francisco, and will ac
commodate 000 men.
Hobson’s heroism in sinking the
Merrimac may lie rewarded by pro
motion, for the president has sent to
congress the recommendation that he
be advanced ten numbers iu the list of
naval constructors.
Major General Merritt, United States
army, lias issued an order to General
Otis, d signating the troops that are
to compose the third Philippine expe
dition, which will bo commanded by
Brigadier General King.
A hot hvus-li between Spanish troops
and a reconnoitering party in steam
cutters occurred in a small cove west
of More castle. The Massachusetts’
steam cutter tho entered the cove to.
take sounding and reconnoiter. When
well inside the inlet a detachment of
Spanish infantry opened fire on the
cutter from a blockhouse. The fire
was vigorously returned by the ma
rines in the Massachusetts’ boat and
also by marines who were in the New
York’s cutter which had followed in.
The New York’s cutter was hit ten
times, but by great good luck no one
was wounded. Eventually the Span
iards retreated to tlie woods aud the
two steam cutters withdrew.
Commodore Schley requests that the
Associated Press deny the story sent
from Kingston that he had discovered
that the Cuban pilot sent him by the
American consul was a spy and had
threatened to hang him. The man
sent by the consul is now with the
squadron. He has tendered important
and aud sagacious service.
Secretary Alger has rendered a de
cision in which he holds that troops
serving within the limits of the United
States at a time when there is no for
eign enemy within said" limits are not
operating against an enemy, notwith
standing the existence of war condi
tions.
Well authenticated reports are to the
effect that Havana is receiving supplies
through Batabano, on the outside of
Cuba opposite Ha van if. The supplies
are taken to the isle of Pines, off the
south coast of Cuba, in large ships
and are carried across at night in small
boats to Batabano and from there are
taken to Havana, a distance of twenty
five miles, by rail.
The Spanish flag was displayed at
half mast ou Morro castle for several
hours after the firing ceased iu the re
cent bombardment at Santiago, but
.he significance is not known. It is
not customary to half-mast flags, but
possibly some Spanish leader was kill
ed by the heavy fire of our guns,though
some officers of the squadron believe
that the flag was half-masted as a noti
fication to the Americans that Lieu
tenant Hobson and his brave men
were dead. If such is the case they
must have been wantonly murdered.
The Spanish might seek to lay their
death to the bombardment, but not a
shot from the American ships struck
the fortress.
The United States transport Zafiro,
which arrived at Hong Kong and an
chored in Chinese waters, brought
news from Manila, from which it ap
pears that the insurgents now hold
4,000 Spaniards and 1,000 natives
prisoners with their arms. It is fur
ther stated that the rebels have pro
claimed a government of their own.
A special dispatch from Paris says
an Austrian agent has returned from
Madrid, where he delivered to the
Spanish authorities, via the Pyrinees,
three million empty cartridges and 120
tons of explosives, derived from
French, Austrian and Belgian sources.
It is learned from naval officers at
Key West that Captain General Blanco
has notified the American blockading
fleet that he will hereafter recognize
no flag of truce, adding that every ves
sel within six miles’ range null be fired
upon whether flying the stars and
stripes or a white flag.
The people of Caimanera, four
miles up the bay of Guantanamo, are
starving, eating horses, mules and
even dogs.
A Madrid correspondent of tlie Lon
don Times says that Spain's refusal to
exchange Lieutenant Hobson aud his
companions of tho Merrimac is easily
explained and is justified. Without
any intention of acting as spies, they
must have seen many things in and
around Santiago of which the Ameri
can naval and military authorities
would gladly have information.
Lieutenant Hobson, the hero of the
Merrimac, will be transferred from
construction corps to the line of
navy and raised to the grade of lieu
tenant commander. This action
been definitely decided by the admin
istration, and legislation empowering
the action will be pressed iu
houses.
ABBEVILLE. GA.. THURSDAY, JUNE 28. 1898.
INSURGENTS ABE CLOSING IN ON
THE CITY.
SPANIARDS WILLING TO HIVE UP.
All Suburbs Are In tlie Possession Of
Insurgents—Spanish Soldiers
Starving;,
Advices from Manila, via Hong
Kong, stato that Spanish power is
rapidly aud irrevocably crumbling in
the Philippine islands.
General Rena and a thousand Span
ish soldiers have surrendered at Santa
Cruz. Similar surrenders have taken
place at Laguna and at Pampnga, and
in each case hardly anybody was killed.
It is developed that Admiral Dewey
is unable to restrain the insurgents,
but their conduct'is satisfactory. There
is no necessity for interference^ as no
excesses whatever have been commit
ted. This is partly due to the merely
nominal assistance furnished the in
surgents. The latter propose to form
a republic under Anglo-American
tutelage and threaten to visit with
severe penalties the insurgents who
have become turncoats.
There was desultory firing Friday
in every quarter of the outskirts of the
town with uo material result, although
there were several artillery accidents
aud one explosion which killed six
Spaniards and wounded many others.
The ammunition of the Spaniards is
utterly untrustworthy because it is
old, rotten and has never been tested.
The Spaniards are impotent with rage,
bewilderment aud despair.
Cart loads of food have been stored
inside tho walled citadel, with the in
tention of standing a siege and defying
the American warships. But tho idea
is ridiculously preposterous, for the
citadel, so called, is totally untenable
against the fire of a modern fleet of
warships.
There is a story current to the effect
that the captain and officers of the
German warship Irene went to a picnic
on horseback to the furthest outpost
of San Juan, accompanied by the
highest Spanish staff officers. They
had a champagne lunch, and the cap
tain of the Irene is said to have made
a speech, during which lie declared:
“The Americans will never annex
the Philippines while William remains
emperor. ”
The Germans, it is further said, with
their Spanish hosts, might have been
killed by the insurgents, who had the
road to San Juan strongly ambushed.
But it is further asserted the insur
gents had orders to avoid giving a pre
text for German intervention.
Finally, it is said, tho Germans pro
posed to remove the wounded Spanish
soldiers to a hospital ship under the
German flag, but Admiral Dewey is
reported to have replied that hitherto
mediation had always been British,
and it must so remain.
There is intermittent firing on the
outskirts of the city in all directions.
The Spaniards are utterly exhausted
by hunger, sleepiness and incessant
alarms. They have no information re
garding the enemy’s movements nntil
suddenly attacked. In the meantime,
they are in constant dread of the pop
ulace rising up and attacking them in
the rear.
rectly the retreat begins the native
troops desert. The insurgents avoid
disturbing the non-combatants, and
English women and children are living
peaceably and unhurt in the zone of
hostilities.
FLEET REPORTED AT SEA,
Agent at Gibraltar NotilieH tho Slate De
partment as to Camara** Ships.
The state department lias received
tho following dispatch from its agent
at Gibraltar :
“Carlos V, Pclayo, Rapido,, patriot^,
Audaz, Osado, Proserpina, Giuddg,
Pclajo, Colon with tho minister (tn
board, Alfonso XU, Canadoqua, An
tonio Lopez, Isla Pnnos, Bupnps Ayres
and San Francisco Iqft Cadiz yestor
day (Thursday.) First eleven passed
the Rock bound for Carthagena for
orders. The last three have troops on
board. ”
. This is Admiral Camara’s Cadiz
squadron and appoars to be in tho
Mediterranean bound for African
shores.
DEAD SENATOR EULOGIZED.
HotiBe Session Devoted to Honoring the
Date Senator Harris
Saturday’s session of the house was
devoted chiefly to eulogies upon the
life and character of former Senator
Harris, of Tennessee.
Speeches were delivered by Messrs.
McMillan, of Tennessee; Bland, of
Missouri; Richardson, of Tennessee;
Meyer, of Louisiana; Rae, of Arkan
sas; Benton, of Missouri; Rhea, of
Kentucky; Sims, of Teunesse; DcAr
mond, of Missouri; King, of Utah; Car
mack, of Tennessee; Swanson, of Vir
ginia, and Clarke, of New Hampshire.
The usual resolutions were adopted,
and at 4:31 the house adjourned.
DIFFICULT TO FIND LANDING
PLACE FOR TROOPS.
SANTIAGO DEFENSES DEMOLISHED.
A Story Circylatetl That fitautenant: Hob
ton and Ills Companions Were
Killed By Spaniards.
An Associated Press dispatch via
Kingston, Jamaica, states that several
attempts to find landing places for tho
United States troops within a distance
of two miles west of Santiago have
demonstrated, along with previous in
quiries, that the shore for fifteen miles
is lined with Spaniards. While this
will not prevent a lauding close to
Santiago, it may entail considerable
delay, as the surrounding country
must be thoroughly shelled aud cleared
before the troops can land iu safoty.
When Rear Admiral Sampson re
ceived advices Saturday that upward
of thirty transports would arrive Sun
day he sent word thnt they should
stand to the south ten miles and lie
there until a landing place had been
secured.
Sunday nt daylight the launches of
the New York and Massachuetts ro
connoitered the shore between Caban
as, two miles west of the entrance of
Santiago harbor and Gnayganco, two
miles further west, both of which
points lie east of the range of moun
tains surrounding Santiago bay.
The launches pushed their noses
into a hornet’s nest.
The brush was fairly alive with
Spanish troops, infantry and cavalry,
and the fire poured upon the launches
was so fierce that their retreat had to
be covered by the Vixen and tho
Texas.
When the Texas asked permission
of Commodore Schley to take a hand,
the commodore seized the magaphone
and shouted to Captain Philip: “Yes,
go and give ’em h—1, Jack.”
The Texas landed four-inch shells
on the battery at Cabanas, completely
demolishing it. Lieutenant Sharp, of
the Vixen, and Lieutenant Harlow, in
command of the launches, were both
complimented by Admiral Sampson for
gallantry.
Report Circulated That Ideutenant Hob
son and Companions IVcre Killed.
Another special dated off Santiago
de Cuba, June 18 (Saturday), says: A
careful inspection of the fortifications
along the crest of the hills defending
Santiago harbor since the bombard
ment Thursday morning shows that
the American gunners spread havoc
ami ruin everywhere. Some of the
batteries were demolished beyond re
pair.
The vultures which circled on level
wings over the hills as thick as swal
lows around a chimney, for honrs after
the firing ceased, furnished grewsome
evidence of the fatality among the
the Spanish soldiers.
Hundreds of troops could be seen
from the ships digging in mounds of
earth piled up by the explosions of the
projectiles from the heavy guns for
bodies.
There were two spots, one on the
east and the other on the west of tho
harbor entrance which were denuded
of the foliage. The hilltops seem lit
erally blown away. These marked the
places where the 200-pound charges of
gun cotton blown l>y the Vesuvius
landed. But the most ominous token
of death flew from Morro castle. The
saffron flag of Spain was lialf-masted
for several hours. The significance of
this is not known.
It is not customary to haif-ma s t
flags, but possibly some Spanish
leader was killed by tho heavy lire of
our guns, though some officers of the
squadron believe notification that tho .flag was the
half-masted as a to
Americans that Lieutenant Hobson
and his brave men were dead.
If such is the onso they must have
been wantonly murdered. Tho Span
ish might seek to lay their death to the
bombardment, but not a shot from
the American ships struck the fortress.
Neither Admiral Sampson nor Com
modore Schley believe thnt Lieutenant
Hobson and his party have boen killed.
We have seventeen prisoners taken at
Guantanamo, including a lieutenant,
besides a number in the United States
for reprisals or exehango.
RENOUNCE SFANISll AUTHORITY.
Rebels lluvo Tilings Tlieir Own Way In
tho Philippine*.
A special cablegram to The Chicago
Record from John T. McCutcheon, a
staff correspondent with Dewey’s fleet,
reads as follows:
“Hong Kong, Juno 20.—General
Filipino officially proclaimed a pro
visional government in Old Cavite
June 12. There were great ceremo
nies and a declaration of independence
was read renouncing Spanish author^
ity. General Aguinaldo was elected
president and Daniel Pirondo vice
president. The insurgents’ govern
ment will not oppose an American
protectorate or occupation.
WORK OF LYNCHERS.
Five are Swung; ITp mid their Itodlofl Com
pletely Riddled With Bullet*.
A special from Montgomery, Ala.,
says: On Tuesday night last Mr. Car
den ahd his wife and old man Carlce.a
relative of Mr. Carden, were murdered
iu their house near Wetumpka, in El
more county, for money the old coll
ide were supposed to have about the
oner.
On Wednesday five negroes were
arrested, on suspicion of having com
mitted tho crime. Tu tho meantime
Governor Johnston received a messago
from the sheriff that a mob was assemb
ling and he feared that his prisoners
would be taken from him, and asked
for troops.
The governor soon got together
what was left of the local military
companies and started a special train
with about ninety uniformed and"arm
ed men to the scene. Before they
reached the jail the mob had battered
down the doors aud taken the prison
ers out, carrying them at once to the
scene of the murder.
Four of the negroes confessed hav
ing participated iu the crime and one
of them told whore ho had hidden the
money. aud
He was made to find the money
then all five were swung up und their
bodies riddled with bullets.
The military were unable to follow
the mob, as they wore woll mounted,
and uo meaus of conveyance were at
hand to take the troops after them.
INSURGENTS SURROUND MANILA.
Further Advices From Dewey Received
at the Navy Department.
The navy department received the
following Friday:
“Cavite, June 5, via Hong Kong,
June 17.—There is little change in the
situation since my Inst telegram of
Juue 3d. Insurgents continue hostil
ities and have practicalty surrounded
Manila. They have taken 2,500 Span
ish prisoners, whom they Heat most
humanely. They do not intend to
take the city at tho present time.
Twelve merchant vessels aro anchored
in the bay with refugees on board
under guard of neutral men-of-war;
this with my permission.
“The health of the squadron con
tinues excellent. The German com
mander-in-chief arrived today. Throe
German, two British, one French aud
one Japanese men-of-war now iu port.
Another German man-of-war is ex
pected. The following is a correct list
of the Spanislt vessels captured and
destroyed:
“Destroyed—Two protected cruisers,
five unprotected cruisers, one trans
port, one serving vessel, both armed.
“The following were captured: The
trim sport Manila and the gunboat Cal
lao. Dewey. ”
MILES EXPRESSES SATISFACTION
Major General Return m to Washington
After Directing Army of Invasion.
Major General Miles, general-in
chief of the army, accompanied by
Colonel Mans, Major Davis and Col
onel Greeuleaf, of his staff, arrived in
Washington Friday ufter having
directed the departure of tlie first
army of invasion to Cuba.
Speaking in a general way of his
observations, General Miles among
other things said:
“Having spent some time with the
troops, during a trying period of hur
ried preparations, I am glad to spy
that they are a splendid body of men
which wo can well he proud of. As to
the regulars, they are tho finest corps
in the world, without any exception,
in physics! development, efficiency,
experience, discipline, marksmanship,
equipment and all that goes to make
up first-class soldiers.
DETAILS OF SECOND CALL
Made Public By Adjutant General Corbin
at Wash lag ton.
Adjutant General Corbin Friday
night made public the details of the
call for 75,000 troops recently made.
To fill up the regiments in the field
takes 43,000 men. The following is n
partial list of the apportionment of the
remaining 32,000 men:
Georgia, one regiment infantry;
Alabama, two battalions infantry;
Louisiana, three light batteries artil
lery; Mississippi, six companies in
fantry; North Carolina, seven com
panies infantry; South Carolina, two
battalions infantry; Tennessee, one
regiment infantry; Texas, one regi
ment infantry; Virginia, two battal
ions infantry; West Virginia, one regi
ment infantry.
EXCHANGE IS DELAYED.
Spaniards Are Not Yet Ready to Give L'p
Hobson and His Companions.
News comes from Havana that the
Spanish government, it is said at tho
palace,has not authorized the exchungo
of tho prisoners of the Merrimac.
The gunboat YanezPiuzon exchang
ed communication*Thursday afternoon
with an American warship, under a
flag of truce, and the commander of
the latter was informed that Captain
General Blanco has no authority
exchange Naval Constructor
and his gallant companions for
iards who are now held as prisoneis
the United States,
. 28 .
BLANCO SAYS SPAIN DECIDES TO
HOLD PRISONERS.
WILL FIRE UPON FLAG OF TRUCE.
Bournl* of Civilized Warfare 1* Over*
stepped By tho Spaniards In Their
Desperation Over Repeated Defeats.
Secretary Long received Monday
morning the following dispatch from
Commander Watson? commanding the
blockading fleet off Havana:
“Captain general says that tho Span
ish government refuses to exchange
prisoners. ”
This relates to Lieutenant Hobson
and the crow of the Merrimac, and is
the outcome of the visit of Captain
Ludlow to Havana.
The refusal of the Spanish authori
ties to exchan >e Lieutenant Hobson
ami his men excites tho utmost indig
nation. This action on tho part of the
Spanish government is spoken of not
only by American officials, but by for
eign authorities on international law
as absolutely unjustifiable and unwor
thy of a civilized nation.
No doubt is felt that Hobson and
his men are being kept at Morro castle
for the purpose of giving that fortifi
cation immunity from attack, and that
they are being retained as prisoners
for the purpose of using them as a
shield for the safety of the Spaniards.
It is not only that Hobson and his
men are being used thus as a hostage,
but they must necessarily, while ro
tained ns prisoners, bo subjected to
the dangers of disease and of priva
tions and famine.
Not only would every shot fired
against Morro Castle endanger their
lives, but tho blockade of the harbor
and tlie cutting off of the base of sup
plies must inflict upon them all the
suffering which is legitimately brought
upon the Spanish forces.
If food is scarce at Santiago Hobson
and his gallant crew are probably tho
first to go hungry. The wants of tho
Spanish army will bo the first cared
fer, and while the Spanish soldiers are
on short rations, it is not likely that
theso prisoners are getting much food.
It is recognized as legitimate iu
warfare that the feeding of soldiers
should be first looked after.
But it is not legitimate warfare to
retain prisoners when an exehango is
possible so that they shall suffer
famine.
It is officially stated that Cap
tain General Bianco has notified the
American blockading lieet that he will
hereafter recognize no flag of truce,
adding thnt every vessel within six
miles range will be fired upon, whether
flying the stars and stripes or a while
flag.
LAWLESSNESS AT LYTLE
Koftults Iii Culling; Special Term of Walker
County, (>a., Court.
What promises to be tho most sen
sational court ever held in Georgia
was convened ut Lafayette Monday
morning. the
The grand jury is investigating
wholesale traffic iu crime which is
alleged to have been carried on nt
MX k\ m
Wsi 'j jk. m
m hill,,,
k j; /';-,
cC
\ \
TUE THREE dynamite cbatkhs on the ve
Rovrcs.
Lytle, the Chicknmauga camp station.
It is believed that two hundred in
dictments will bo found, ranging from
misdemeanors to felonies involving the
extreme penalty.
Judge Henry’s charge was a sensa
tional one. lle addressed the grand
jury for two hours and handled the
topics without gloves. His charge was
intended to refer exclusively to the
Lytle atrocities.
AUGUSTUS FAMILY C'AI’TUKEI).
Captain General of tlie Philippines Out
done By the Inaurgonts.
The Hong Koug correspondent of
the London Times says:
“According to Manila advices dated
Juno 13th and brought here by H. M.
3. Linnet, the rebels have captured
the family of Captain General Angnsti.
“In most cases the desertion
tive regiment 'e been ae
by a mass.— .«
port'
ish
[ rived
Dar