Evening star. [volume], May 13, 1898, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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THE EVENING tjTAlt.
J?i PLiMinri daily except sixdat,
AT THE STAR BUILDINGS,
J3C1 Peiriylft^U Avtnoe, Cor. 11th St., by
The Evening Star Newspaper Company
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No. 14,103.
WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1898?SIXTEEN PAGES.
TWO CENTS.
The regular permanent family
circulation of The Evening Star
in Washington is more than
double that of any other paper,
whether published in the morn
ing or in the afternoon.
As a medium for unobjec
tionable advertisements it there
fore stands uncqualed and un
approachable.
the Spanish Fleet,
^
THE CABINET'S DECISION
Battle Passible Inside of
Twenty-Four Honrs.
ENEMY'S VESSELS OFF MARTINIQUE |
Schley Expected to Prevent At
tempt to Escape.
A CRISIS IS AT HAND
Admiral Sampson yesterday bom
barded the fortifications at the city
of San fuan, Porto Rico. Last night
the troops defending the city capitu
lated.
The Spanish Cape \ erde fleet is
off the Island of Martinique. It is
expected that a decisive battle will be
fought in the next forty-eight hours.
The President's cabinet decided
that Admiral Sampson should leave
Porto Rico at once to attack the
Spanish fleet.
It is understood that Commodore
Schley's flying squadron will proceed
to the West Indies to intercept the
Spanish fleet in case it eludes Samp
Son.
I he invasion of Cuba has been
postponed for a time awaiting the re
suit of the attempt to destroy the
Spanish fleet.
I Iiirty thousand volunteer troops
have been ordered to Chickamauga
for drill and instruction.
The crippled torpedo boat Wins
low came into Key West this morn
ing under her own steam.
The first land fight of the war oc
curred in Cuba yesterday, when the
steamer Gussie tried to land arms
an', ammunition for the insurgents
on the c< >ast of Pinar del Rio.
Commander Hawley.who has been
in the west recruiting sailors, re
turned today and expressed satisfac
tion with his success.
It was almost unanimously decided at a
br.fef cabinet nreeting this morning to order
Admiral Sampson to go to the Spanish
fleet and attack It at once. Secretary
Long went from the cabinet meeting an.l
Immediately dispatched orders to Admiral
Sampson.
The greatest naval battle of a century
la alm-st sure to result In the next forty
eight hours. The Spaniards will have the
tight force.! upon them if they do not seek
It thems-lves. If they hunt for the fight
the contest will take place before this
time tomorrow. If ,hey permit the Amer
ican fleet to go to them the fight may be
delayed forty-eight hours.
The Cabinet'. Decision.
The cabinet met In regular session at II
o clock. Secretary Ixmg took to the White
House positive official dispatches that the
Spanish fleet which left Cape Verde was
then at Fort de France. Martinique. The
Admiral Sumption.
cabinet Instantly recognized the great im
portance of this news and lost no time In
coming to the conclusion that the Spaniards
must be met and defeated. It was decided
not to allow Sampson to remain at San
Juan In the hope that the Spaniards would
go to him. The belief wan freely expressed
that the Spanish fleet would enter the har
bor of Fort de France and remain there
to coal and to get everything In shape for
a contest with the Americans. France Is
tuMy capable of giving shelter and harbor
TIIK FLAGSIII
to the Spaniards in violation of the neu
trality laws. ""
This being the case it is the opinion that
the fleet will be there for several days,
planning what to do and getting ready.
The Spanish admiral has already learned
from scouting ships that th; American fleet
is in the vicinity of Porto Rico. Therefore
the decision was reached to send Sampson
and his fleet to Martinique. The Americans
will lie outside the harbor of Fort de
France until the Spaniards hav3 to come
out. The fight will tike place outside, like
that of the Kearsarge and Alabama.
This program assumes that the Spaniards
will remain at Martinique until the Ameri
cans arrive. A?s iming, however, that they
leave for Porto Rico about the time the
Americans leave for Martinique, the fight
would take place about midway between
the two places. From San Juan to Fort de
France is about 4*!? miles. It will take
Sompson two days to make the trip across
and begin the fight.
It is not believed that the Spaniards will
attempt to run for Havana. The distance
is too great unless they get well supplied
at Martinique. Sampson would probably
be- able to intercept them. The distance
from Martinique to Havana is about fifteen
hundred miles.
Pending the result of the great sea fight
the army will have everybody moving to
get ready for the invasion of Cuba. As
soon as the Spanish fleet Is beaten every
thing will be clear for the invasion. Army I
and navy will act together.
The news from Martinique had an elec
trical effect on the cabinet. Plans were
Monitor I'arltan.
quickly made and the cabinet adjourned
at 11:30, having been in session a half
hour, the shortest meeting of the present
body ever held.
Schley Ordered to Sail.
Secretary Long this morning ordered
Commodore Schley, at Hampton Roads, to
put to sea at once with the flying squad
ron, and it will sail today.
Schley to Intercept Spanish.
The belief in high official circles this af
ternoon is that Ct mir.odore Schley has been
ordered, wit?? the flying squadron, to in
tercept any attempt of the Spanish fleet to
evade Sampson and to get to Havana.
While it is believed that Admiral Sampson
will find and tight the Spaniards, no
chances will be taken on the enemy getting
to Havana or other Cuban ports, where
the American navy would have to fight
both ships and fortifications. The slow
moving monitors with Sampson's fleet
might cause him to lose the Spaniards,
who would be able to outrun him if they
could once get ahead of Mm on the course
to Cuba. But they could not outrun
Schley's greyhounds. If Schley can ob
tain a position at the eastern tnd of Cuba,
NK BATTLE
p Brooklyn.
he can prevent the Spaniards getting to
Havana around either aide of the island.
It is said that Admiral Sampson has an
abundance of ammunition with him on sup
ply ships, and that he will be nblc to m>et
the Spaniards with enough shot and shell
to settle all doubt of the outcome.
Secretary Long's orders to Admiral Samp
son today were sent to St. Tiiomaj. about
tifty miles from San Juan, where Sampson
is supposed to b?. Orders could reach him
in a few hours.
Gen. bee. who was at the White House
this afternoon, said that the Spanish fleet
could not make a better move than attempt
to evade everything and reach Havana.
Exeitcment ut the Wavy Department.
The Navy Department was all excite
ment again thi3 mornirg upon the re
ceipt of the news that Admiral Sampson's
squadron had begun the bombardment of
San Juan Je Porto Rico, and fuel was
added to the flames whin the news came
later that the Spanish flying squadron had
been sighted off Martinique, giving prom
ise of heavy fighting to come. The fact
that the admiral gave notice of his inten
tion to bombard, as Is reported from St.
Thomcs, is an indication that the move
ment tpon San Juan was not a suddenly
conceived project, but part of a well-ma
tured plan. Whether the orders to the
admiral included a bombardment Is not
disclosed at the Navy Department. In
deed, there is nothing in his report to indi
cate that he really did bombard the place.
He merely attacked the forts at the en
trance of the harbor, and if any shells
struck within the town itself they were
stray shot. It Is surmised that Admiral
Sarrpsjc-n's objitft In making the attack in
this fashion, without a landing force of
troops in reserve to occupy the town if
it were captured, was to destroy the forti
fications and make the harbor useless to
the Spanish flying squadron as a place of
refuge.
The statement given out at the Navy De
partment that "the Spanish squadron is
now hull down to the westward of Mar
tinique" could not be supplemented by ad
ditional Information as to the time the
Ultpatch was sent, but It is supposed that
the squadron was seen yesterday.
Without doubt Sampson knew of Its move
ments, for the Unitsd States scout boat
Harvard, which put Into Martinique yes
terday, is said to have found there one of
the torpedo boat destroyers composing the
Spanish fleet and would certainly report the
fact to Sampson via St. Thomas if posslbls
to do so.
Will Be li?ve?tlnat?d Later.
Theie is a suspicion, however, that the
United States has not been treated with
perfect fairness in the matter of the use of
the cabli from Martinique, and that mes
sages of the utmost Importance, such, for
Instance, as thoee reporting the movements
of the Spanish ships, have been delayed an
unconscionable length of time, to thj great
embarrassment of our forces. The subject
is one that will come in for investigation in
the future, as well as other facts connected
with the treatment of the Spanish ships in
West Indian ports which are nominally op
erating strictly under ths neutrality laws.
It is suggested that the Spanish squadron
has beer, lying In wait for the Oregon,
which sailed on the 11th from Gahla, Brazil,
to Join Sampson, in company with the Ma
rietta, and the reported activity of the
Spanish torpedo boat destroyers In running
in and out of Martinique seems to show
that they are being used as scouts to give
the rest of the squadron notice of the ap
proach of the American battle ship. If so.
SHIP IOWA*
the mission will be frultlffs, for, having
discovered the whereabout*.of th? Spanish
fores, Sampson will carry out his orders to
dtstroy their ships If he can reach them.
The fact that the Spaniards were headed
yesterday toward the westward would, on
the surface, indicate rhat they were bound
for the south coast of Cuba, but warships
in these circumstance* try to mislead ob
servers ashore.
News of Spain's Squadron.
Secretary Long's Information that the
Spanish squadron had bean sighted ofT
Martinique causcd a decided sensation
throughout naval circles, as this brought
close to Admiral Sampson's squadron a
formidable collection of Spain s strongest
and mo it moUern vessels. It is this fleet
which was reported a few days ago to be
lying at Cadiz. Evidently the latter report
was inspired by Spanish officials as a
means of confusing the operations of the
American strategists. . trtlnlque Is one
cf the outposts of the West Indies and is
the natural point at which the Spanish
The Mnrhleheitd.
fleet, coming from Cftpe Verde, would first
make a landing. The fleet must now pass
the French Island of Guatialoupe to the
west, the Danish Island of St. Thomas, a
little further west, and then its course Is
epen to Porto Rico unlesB Admiral Samp
son's fleet engages them before that move
is made.
Tlie Fleet* CuminreA.
If Sampson should find the Spaniards In
a fighting humor he would have the best
of It, as far as chaic.es can be estimated
frrm a simple calculation of the respective
number of armored ships and guns. The
tig battle ships Indiana aad Iowa, though
25 per cent slower than the Vizaaya class,
far overmatch them In ofTenrive and defen
sive power. The armor belts and turrets
could not be pierced at flghtin? range of
2,000 yards by the biggest gun mounted by
the Spaniards, while the twelve and thir
Uen-lnch guns of our battle skips could
perforate the Spanish armor belts. Tlio
Ntw York, however, is inferior la both o?
ftr.sive power and armor to the Spanish
vessels, though she might hold her own by
superior management and gunnery.
If Sampsin has taken his whole fleet, the
monitors Aniphitrite and Terror would
make up more than a balance of power
against the Spaniards, allowing the cruis
eru Montgomery, Detroit and Marbleheatl
as a force sufficient to talye care of the
Spanish torpedo boat destroyers. The lat
ter, however, are almost untried elements
in actual warfare, and some naval officers
fear that they are much more dangerous
foes than the ordinary strategists allow
in their calculations.
SPANISH CAH1XET FALLS.
The Duke of Verattun* Will Sueeeed
Senur Morel.
MADRID, May 13.?It is reported at an
early hour this morning that the Duke of
Veragua will succeed Sefior Moret as min
ister for the colonies, instead of assuming
??
the portfolio of public works in succession
to Count Xiquena.
It is said that Senor-A|orei, secretary for
the colonies, and Senor tiul.on, loie.gii min
ister, have resigned.
Admiral Bennejo, minister of marine,
and Count Xiquena, minister of public
works, are also said to have resigned.
CAPE VliKIJli FLL'11\,T AT MARTIN 14IE
Confirmation of the lieport Comes
Froui Madrid Today.
LONDON, May 13. ? A Madrid special
says that upon being informed of the bom
bardment of San Juan the minister of ma
rine wired urgent instructions to command
er of Cape Verde squadron.
A special from Madrid says Admiral LJer
mejo admitted Thursday evening that the
Cape Verde squadron "fcaJ at Fort de
France, Martinique.,
MADRID, May 13.?A dispatch from Mar
tinique to El Heraldo confirms the report
of the arrival of the Cape Verde squadron,
under Admiral Cervera, at Fort de France.
Tlie Cape Verde Fleet.
While the Navy Department will not offi
cially admit the fact, a strong intimation is
made that the Cape Verde fleet Is west of
Martinique.
Flying Squadron prepares to Sail.
FORT MONROE, Va., May 1?^-At 8:30
a.m. the flying squadron 1* still at anchor
here, but there is every appearance that
they are preparing to sail -at a moment's
notice. Last night the launches were taken
aboard ship, and at 4 o'clock this morning
a batch of letters came aahore from the
fleet. Officers gave a farewell greeting to
their wives, and private telegrams said:
"We sail today."
The Navy Department tecs act admit
that Commodore Schley haa orders to sail
today. It Is said his orders are discretion
ary to move according to the advices of
war movements of the 8pa 1*0h fleet that he
receives. It Is a safe pseenmptVan that If
the launches have been taken aboard ship
the fleet Is preparing to sail.
Report of Hombar4ae>t,
ST. THOMAS, West Indies. May 12T-On
the best authority, it is reported here that
the fortifications at San Juaa de Porto Rico
have been bombarded by nine American
warships. Private messages say the shells
are falling over the city.
The United States auxiliary, cruiser St.
Louis, from Ouadaloupe, la ??tertng the
I harbor as this dispatch Is sent itnd the Tale
is In the offing. Two Americas warships
have been signaled to the westward.
Failed to SlUsct raffs.
I ST. THOMAS, Mag ML?R(?c Admiral
Sampson's fleet attacked but failed to si
lence the forts at San Juan de Porto Rico
yesterday morning. The Americans lost
two killed and seven wounded. The Span
ish loss is unknown.
THE FIGHT AT SAX JVAX.
Detailed Story of the Ilomliardnii-nt
1 <? f the Forts.
(C. pyr'srht, 1M>S ty AseotTittd P.tss.)
ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED. PRESS
DISPATCH BOAT DAUNTLESS, ST.
THOMAS. Danish Went Indies, May 13.?
The fcrts of San Juan dc Porto Rico have
been bombarded by a portion of the fleet,
under command of Rear Admiral Sampson.
The remarkable feature of the bombard
ment was the bad marksmanship cf the
Spanish gunners. Hardly a shot from the
forts struck the ships, while the forts were
hit repeatedly. Most of the Spanish pro
jectiles fell very wide, and at the close of
the engagement the fortifications had a
very dilapidated appearance, but the guns
were as active as ever.
The United States monitor Terror had a
magnificent half hour's duel with the forts.
The batteries bravely threw shot and shell
about her until she seemed to occupy the
centcr of a great geyser basin. The Span
ish gunners were crazed by excitement,
and sometimes dropped their shells a mile
away from the Terror.
The latter flred one shot to three from
the forts, and when the monitor retired
she did so slowly, contemptuously, still tir
ing at the Spanish forts. The Spaniards
continued to fire on her until she was
miles out of range.
After the engagement, the Dauntless
steamed among the fleet, whose crews were
cleaning the decks and polishing the guns.
The American sailors seemed to be not at
alt excited, and were going about their
work as if nothing extraordinary had hap
pened.
The only marks on the lowi were a d<nt
on her exhaust pipe and a slight injury,
to the railing of her bridge.
The New York had several tmall holes in
one of her ventilators.
Each vessel in action carried two large
American l!u;.-s.
Only one vessel is known to be in the har
bor of San Juan de Porto Rico, and that
craft Is a small French steamer which hur
ried away affrighted after the warships
had departed.
Cape Verde Sqnadron XotilW-d.
LONDON. May lit.?A special dispatch
from Madrid says that Immediately upon
being informed of the bombardment by the
United States fleet of San Juan de Porto
Rico Senor Sagasta conferred with Admiral
Bermejo, the minister of marine, who
forthwith wired urgent Instructions to the
commander of the Cape Verde squadron.
UlSSIE'S PARTY LANDED.
Carried Arms and Ammunition to the
Insurgents at Cabanas.
KEY WEST. Fla., Mfcy 13.?The trans
port steamer Gussie, which left here with
a big expedition for Cuba on Wednesday
night, had a lively engagement with the
Spaniards at Cabanas, province of Pinar
Del Rio, yesterday, but succeeded in ac
complishing her mission.'
The Gussie, which came here from Tam
pa, carried 7,two rifles and a large quantity
of ammunition intended for the Cubans.
1 he expedition was directed by Captain
J. H. Dorst of the United States cavalry,
who took with him over loo men of the 1st
Infantry and ten Cuban scouts.
After a rough voyage the Gussie wa.i
met off the Cuban coast by the auxiliary
gunboats Wasp and Manning, which es
corted her in. As they approached the J
shore a large body of Spanish soldiers
opened fire upon the expedition and the
gunboats replied with effect, enabling the
expedition to land. On shore the battle
was renewed.
The Spanish troops had retired to their
works and to the woods and directed a
constant but inaccurate lire upon the
landing party. The latter later was rein
forced by a body of armed insurgents, who
had been informed of the coming of the
expedition.
Then, under the fire of the gunboats, the
Spanish force was compelled to withdraw,
and the mission oi the Gusssie was accom
plished. One of the American party was
shot in the arm. The Spanish loss is not
known, but must have been heavy.
TO REINFORCE THE PHILIPPINES.
Second Spanish Fleet About to Sail
From Cadis.
GIBRALTAR, May 13.?The second Span
ish fleet, now at Cadiz, consists of the bat
tle ship Pelayo, the armored cruiser Em
perador Carlos V, the cruiser Alfonso
XIII. the Rapido and the Patria, auxiliary
cruisers, formerly the Hamburg-American
line steamers Columbia and Normannia,
and three torpedo boats. It Is reported
that a strong military expedition is being
organized at Cadiz and that it will shortly
proceed to the Philippine Islands, escorted
by the Cadiz fleet.
It Is claimed that submarine mines have
been placed so as to protect the entrance
of the harbor of Cadiz.
"WINSLOW REACHES KEY WEST.
She Was Hit Eltchteen Times Daring
the Cardenas Flgkt.
KEY WEST. Fla., May 13.?The torpedo
boat Wlnslow, damaged in the engagement
at Cardenas, came in here last night under
her own steam, in charge of Ensign Bailey
of the Wilmington. It is believed the tor
pedo boat can be repaired and made ready
for active service again in a few weeks.
Two of the seamen on board her were
badly injured. They Bay that one of the
crew who was standing In the conning
tower had his coat literally shot away, but
received nothing but a slight flesh wound
in the right side.
Eighteen shells struck the Wlnslow dur
ing the engagement.
The remaining members at the crew of
the Wlnslow, who are also on board, are:
G. P. Brady, chief gunner's mate; P.
Cooney, H. Johnson, R. E. Cox, D. He
Keon. J. J. Cavanaugh, B. B. Bassie, W.
Lauglejah, J. i. Madden, W. 0. Stern*
M. Leary. W. Myers, J. Gray, H. Anderson
and W. W. Jones.
Cox said that when they left Cardenas
it was understood on board that the Wil
mington was to go in and bombard Car
denas on Thursday.
SPANIARDS CALL IT A VICTORY.
The Official Report of the Fi|(ht nt
San Jnnn.
MADRID. May 13.?An official dispatch
from San Juan de Porto Rico says:
"The American squadron was repuls?d
off Porto Rico. Although eleven warships
bombarded the piece, the attackers were
gloriously beaten back. The Spanish bat
teries, armed with 6-inch Krupp guns, were
especially effective."
This alleged victory of the Spaniards has
aroused great enthusiasm here.
I . the: spaxish suiadron.
Description of the Vessels Stichtcd Off
Martinique.
The Spanish squadron reported off Mar
tinique Is made up of seven first-class ships,
of which four are armored cruisers and
three destroyers. This Is as near the exact
strength as can be stated, for the reports
from-Cape Verde and from Cadiz have
caused much doubt as to the exact com
position of the Spanish squadron. But al
lowing for the torpedo boats and other
craft which returned to?Cadiz. there is lit
tle doubt that the Spanish squadron off
Martinique has at least seven warships of
formidable dimensions. These are:
Armored cruiser Vizcaya, built of steel,
with twin screws, two turrets, two fun
nels and two military masts with tops:
length, ?>4 feet: displacement, 6,800 tons:
maximum speed, 20.2 knots. She has an
armor belt of steel 5 feet 6 inches broad,
315 feet long and 10 or 12 inches thick. Her
turrets have IMnch steel armor: conning
tower, 12-inch armor. Her protected deck
is 2 to 3 inches of steel. Her armament is
two 11-inch Hontonla guns, singly in tur
rets, one forward and one aft: ten 5.5-inch
guns, five on each beam, the forward and
aft ones being sponsoned; eight 6-pound
ers, ten 1-pounders, eight Nordenfeldt ma
chine guns, two Maxim machine guns, six
torpedo tubes and two submerged torpedo
tubes. She carries 484 men.
Armored cruiser Almirante Oquendo,
built of steel: double screw; two turrets,
etc. Her tonnage, armor and armament
in every respect Is similar to that of the
Vizcaya.
Armored cruiser Infunta Maria Teresa,
built of steel: G,8H0 tons displacement.
This cruiser is also identical to the Viz
caya.
Armored cruiser Cristobal Colon, built of
steel; twin screws; two covered barbntes,
fore and aft; two funnels, one military
mast; length, 328 feet; displacement, 6,840
tons; speed, twenty knots. Her armor
consists of a complete nickel steel belt,
eight feet three inches wide, six Inches
thick. The armor of the barbettes is six
inches thick. The protected deck is from
two to eight inches thick: conning tower,
six Inches. All the guns have shields.
Her armament is two 10-inch guns, ten
6-inch guns, six 4.7-inch guns, ten 6-pound
ers, ten 1-pounders, two Maxim machine
guns, four torpedo tubes. She has a com
plement of 500 men.
The Terror and Furor are torpedo boat
destroyers, lately added to the Spanish
navy, having been built at Clydebank in
1806. They are of steel, with three funnels
and one mast; length, 220 feet; displace
ment, 320 tons; speed, 28 knots; armament,
two 14-pounder quick-fires, two 6-pounder
quick-fires, two 1-pounder qutck-fires.
Kach destroyer mounts two 14-inch torpedo
tubes on deck. Each destroyer cajrles
sixty-seven men.
The Pluton Is another formidable modern
destroyer, but her exact dimensions and
armament are not available at the Navy
Department.
the; killed and woixued.
Name* on the Navy Department'*
Muster Rolls.
The men reported killed and wounded
during Admiral Sampson's bombardment of
San Juan yesterday are designated as fol
lows on the muster rolls of the Navy De
partment;
Frank Widemark, seaman on cruiser New
York, killed: born in Finland; next of kin,
Gufetav Erickson, father, Aabo, Finland.
He had declared his intentions of becom
ing a citizen. Length of service, about
eight months.
Samuel Feltman, ordinary seaman on
cruiser New York, leg broken. Born In New
York city; r.txt of kin, Joseph Alexander,
01 WUlet street. New York city. Native
born citizen; service about one year and
five months.
Raymond C. Hill, apprentice second class
on battle ship Iowa; slightly wounded.
Born in Coventry, England; next of kin,
James Hill, 14U Ward street, Paterson, N.
J. Naturalized citizen; service about one
year and ten months.
John Mitel.ell, seaman, on battle ship
I*wa, slightly wounded. Born In Constan
tinople, Turkey. Has no relatives; citizen
ship, alien Intentions declared; service,
about two years and eight months.
These names aae taken from press dis
patches, as the Navy Department has not
given out an official list of names. The
name of M. G. Markle, being that of a
n arlr.e, is nor bcrr.e on the naval roll.
DEWEY PICKS IP THE CABLE.
Blockade of Muntla Is Strictly Main
tained by the Fleet.
LONDON. May 13.?Lloyds' agent at Ma
nila cabled from Hong Kong today that
the blockade of the capital of the Philip
pine Islands Is strictly maintained and that
the cable is on board an American vessel.
Several local steamers, Lloyds' agent
continued, are reported to have been cap
tured. but he says there is no confirmation
of the reports.
IEW SPANISH CABINET.
Senor Sasasta Experiences Difficulty
In Securing; Associates.
MADRID, May 13.?Senor Sagasta is ex
periencing unexpected difficulty in forming
a new caibinet. There is much uneasiness
here on account of a rumor that by tonight
the bread supply lc all the bakerieA here
will be exhausted.
INSURGENTS WIN A BATTLE.
Nine Hundred Spaniards Killed in an
Enssiteucnt In Cuba.
LONDON, May 13.?A special dispatch
from Havana says nine hundred Spaniards
have been kilieci in a fight with Insurgents.
The location of the battle is not given.
?
KUlcd by Spanish Soldiers.
BOSTON, Miss.. May 13.?The schoir.er
Jennie B. Butler, from Clenfuegos. which
has arrived here, reports that her mate,
John Purchase of Portland, Me., was kill
ed by Spaniards before the vessel sailed
from Cienfuego*. It Is thought Purchase
attempted to pass the t roc ha. and was
backed to pieces bx. soldiers.
I
?
SCHLEY SAILS TO ATTACIII
Admiral Sampson's Official
Report.
CASUALTIES AT PORTO RICO
Only a Portion of the Fleet in tha
Engagement.
ONE OF OUR MEN KILLED
LONDON*, May 13.?The Even
ing- News this afternoon publishes a
dispatch from St. Thomas. Danish
West Indies, saying San Juan de
Porto Rico surrendered at 6 o'clock
yesterday evening.
The dispatch adds that immense
damage was done to the city, and
that a number of important buildings
collapsed.
The Iowa and Detroit, according
to this dispatch, fired 430 shots, w ith
terrible effect.
All the American warships, the
dispatch further says, except the
Montgomery, steamed in elliptical
formation before the forts, which
fired twenty to thirty guns, seven of
which were good guns. The fleet
first fired too low, but at the second
discharge they got the elevation and
soon silenced Motto Castle and set
fire to the town, driving the Span
iards from their guns repeatedly.
The shore guns fired hundreds of
shots. The New York was hit once
and a seaman was killed and four
were wounded. The Iowa was hit
once and two men were slightly
wounded.
The dispatch adds that the Ameri
cans did not attempt to take posses
sion of or destroy the town, l>eyond
razing the fortifications.
The dispatch winds up with an
nouncing that the American fleet un
der Rear Admiral Sampson is now
! outside of San Juan de Porto Rico
awaiting the coming of the Spanish
fleet, commanded by Admiral Cer
vera, which was last reported off
Fort de France, Island of Martin
ique, French West Indies.
FLYING SQUADRON SAILS.
Commodore Schley Leaves to Heet
the Spanish Squadron.
Secretary of the Navy Long this
morning received official advices
from Martinique, Windward Islands,
that the Spanish squadron had been
sighted to the westward of that
island. Martinique is about 600 miles
in a southerly direction from San
Juan, Porto Rico, where the Ameri
can squadron under Admiral Samj>
son was in action yesterday.
The Spanish vessels off Martinique
compose the formidable squadron
recently collected at the Cap:- Verde
Islands, and which sailed from there
in a westwardly direction two weeks
ago today.
L'pon receipt of this information
Secretary Long ordered Commodore
Schley, at Hampton Roads, to put to
sea at once with the flying squadron,
and it will sail today. While its des
tination is not known, it is believed
that the squadron has been sent in
pursuit of the Spanish squadron.
SAMPSON REPORTS
Attacked San Juan Yesterday
at Daybreak.
The following was received at tiie
Navy Department from Admiral
Sampson this morning:
ST. THOMAS, May 12.
"A portion of the squadron un
der my command reached San Juan
this a.m. at daybreak. No armed
vessels were found in port As soon
as it was sufficient^ com