The herald. [microfilm reel], June 03, 1898, Image 1

About The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
Double Sheet j j
TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR. NO. 246.
SAMPSON IS AT SANTIAGO
And Some News of Importance
Is Expected Soon
NO TROOPS STARTED FROM TAMPA
But Their Presence Is Not Necessary to
Defeat the Spanish
Cuban Insurgents Under Garcia Are Massed Near the
Town and Provided With Arms and Ammu
nition in Plenty
BT THB ASSOCIATED PRESS SPECIAL WIRE.
Washington, June 2.—lt was plainly noticeable at the navy depart
ment today that the officials were expecting news of the first importance,
but that they did not look for it immediately. The firmness with which
they have insisted that Schley could have had no general engagement with
the Spanish forces' ships and forts at Santiago, as was reported, appeared to
be based on a full knowledge of the plans on which Jie commodore is act
ing, and the greatest concession that they would make towards admilting
that a fight had taken place there Tuesday was to say that possibly Schley
detected some earthworks going up and had razed them with his shells.
Tbey were confident he made no attempt to enter the harbor.
Events Are Expected
It is believed now, however, with Sampson in the field and in command
off Santiago with an augmented force, that interesting events may be looked
for. These are expected, too, notwithstanding the fact that no troops have
yet started from Tampa, as was established by inquiry at the war depart
ment this forenoon. The insurgents are known to be in force in the neigh
borhood of Santiago, and, through Captain Dorst, the war department not
only has been in communication with them, but has supplied them fully
with good weapons and an abundance of ammunition. The headquarters of
the best of the Cuban generals, Garcia, is distant from Santiago only fifteen
miles, so that it is possible Sampson feels strong enough with their support
to begin the assault by sea upon the doomed Spanish fleet and forts without
awaiting the arrival of the United States troops from Tampa.
Won't Walt For Troops
The trend of the news that came to Washington from unofficial sources
during the afternoon all went to support this belief, so there is some ground
for the expectation of the officials that important information may be
expected shortly.
British Neutrality
... The Spanish government has made a protest to the British authorities
against the shipping of Canadian coal from British North America to San
Francisco for the relief of the ships of Admiral Dewey's fleet at Manilla and
also against the shipping of coal from Nova Scotia to Atlantic ports for use
by United States warships operating in the West Indies.
ln view of the ruling by the British government, that coal was contra
band of war, this protest by Spain might have caused considerable embar
rassment, as the Canadian coal is considered by the naval authorities to be
of a superior article for the use of our ships. It was only a short distance
from the British North American coal fields to San Francisco, and the Nova
Scotia coal fields are easily accessible to Atlantic ports. It is understood,
however, that Spain's protest has not proved of any avail. The subject was
referred to the Canadian authorities, who, on investigation, learned that the
coal shipments, both from British Norm America and from Nova Scotia,
were in the ordinary course of commercial transactions. They were made
by private parties in Canada to private parties in the United States. Whether
the coal subsequently passed into the hands of the United States for use by
the American navy was held to be outside of the province of the British and
Canadian authorities. It is probable that any direct sales to the navy
department would have been stopped, as these would have been manifestly
a breach of the neutral attitude maintained by the British government and
its colonial possessions, including Canada.
Spain Seeking Assistance
If the queen regent of Spain has instructed Senor Castillo to ask the
powers to intervene for peace that movement has not yet taken any form in
Washington, either at the state department or any of the foreign embassies.
Among diplomatic officials it is thought to be possible that Spain is feeling
her way toward securing peace, but it is not believed this will meet any
active assistance from the great powers. As one leading diplomatic official
said today, Spain finds herself in the same condition of isolation that France
was in 1870-71. At that time M. Thiers, afterward president, went from
capital to capital seeking to secure the co-operation of Europe with France,
but his mission was a failure. The mission of Castillo is said to be like
that of Thiers, and the diplomatic officials brieve it will meet with the same
fate. It is known that Spain has counted most on arousing the active
interest of France, but it has been unsuccessful. The French authorities
have not heard of any negotiations for many weeks past.
RED CROSS WORK
Flags Presented—Catholics Care For Religious Needs.
Callers at Seventh Headquarters
San Francisco, June 3.—The Nebraska regiment has been presented
with fourteen large flags by the Red Cross leaders of Oakland.
U. S. Circuit Judge Morrow is taking the lead in a movement to or
ganize a society to aid the families of volunteers during the absence of the
troops in Manila.
The Catholic Truth society has arranged to erect a tent capable of ac
commodating 2000 people, close to Camp Merritt, and the priests of this
city have arranged to alternate in holding mass on week days as well as
Sundays. Catholic soldiers will have full liberty to attend these services.
Senator Bulla, Sheriff John Burr, Tax Collector Charles Fleming, Cor
oner Campbell and Police Surgeon Hogan were among the callers at the
headquarters of the Seventh California regiment today.
Kum Shue, editor of the Chinese newspaper in this city, has opened a
subscription list for the Red Cross Society among his countrymen, and has
already secured $100 from the Sam Yup" Company. He is'writing up the
work of the Red Cross in his paper and is confident a large amount of
money can be raised among the Chinese here.
Dum vlvlmus—vlvamus! Our opponents object.
Dtim btblmus—blbnmus! Tbe best, the finest! LOS ANGELES BREWING COB
Beer. Our own bottling. Family trade, a specialty. Telephone East 82,—Adv.
THE HERALD
SUMMING UP
THE SITUATION
It is evident, in spite of many assertions to the contrary,
that no real invasion of Cuba will be attempted until the
ships of Cervera have been captured or sent to the bottom of
the harbor at Santiago. Sampson's and Schley's fleets are con
centrated before the harbor entrance and news of an engagement
is waited by public official and private citizen alike.
The only reason to fear delay lies in the possibility that
Admiral Sampson may await the arrival of troops to assist the
squadron by making a simultaneous attack from the rear while
the fleets engage the combined naval and land defenses of the
Spaniards.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES OF SPAIN
WHICH WERE ALWAYS GREAT, THREATEN TO BECOME
OVERWHELMING
The Much Boasted National Subscription Proves a Failure, and Makeshift
Schemes Fail to Increase the Revenues=-Spain's Government Is
Bankrupt and Her People a Horde of Starving Beggars
MADRID, June 2. —(Special to The Herald.) Tho economic situation in Spain is becoming more
JL and more critical. The poverty of the people has never been so distressing, and the financial difficulties
. L of the government are becoming overwhelming. Ihe war absorbs all funds obtainable, and the coun- , v
ijL try is daily creating new debts for the sake of the war, which in certain political circles is now described JL
JL as imbecile foolishness. Nor will a national subscription be of any material assistance to Spain. Before ,i,
;X tne H sts were opened your correspondent was confidently assured by Spaniards that fifty million pesetas JL
JL would be subscribed in two days, yet today the national subscription amounts to only eight million pese- JL
JL tas. It can easily be seen that the maximum to be hoped for certainly cannot now exceed ten million.
JL In view of this critical situation, and tbe fact that money must be secured by hook or crook for cur- JL
JL rent expenses, the government is exacting contributions and imposing new taxes in every direction. JL
JL At the froutier, for instance, customs officers have received orders to be extremely particular that all JL
JL luggage is thoroughly searched and that no opportunity of claiming duty, even on such things as ,%
JL hats, clothes, ties, linen and boots, which are new or nearly new, is allowed to escape. The political JL
rjt, system on which Spain is organized is responsible for this state of affairs ,and it may be that some day, „.;„
driven by hunger, the neglected portion of the population may give serious trouble to the rulers of the JL
JL peninsula. Meanwhile the hordes of starving and unfortunate beggars who infest the magnificent e J»
JL avenues of Spain's capital, and contrast so painfully with the splendid palace, are a shocking, pity-in- JL
JL spiring sight which no foreigner is likely to forget. JL
LOS ANGELES, FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 3, 1898
WHAT WILL I DO WITH HIM NOW?
THE FIRST BATTLE ON LAND
To Be Fought in the Vicinity of
Santiago de Cuba
THE LANDING TO BE MADE MONDAY
Under Cover of the Guns of Sampson's
Fleet of Ships
It Is the President's Firm Belief That the Stars and
Stripes Will Float Over Santiago by
Wednesday Next
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD
Washington, June 2. —It was determined by the W2r department
today that the first battle between the land forces of the United States and
those of Spain will occur at the foothills in the rear of Santiago, unless the
enemy shall try to repulse the landing of American troops. In that case the
point of disembarkation will be the field of hostilities. Five thousand
troops started for Santiago today. Within the next twenty-four hours
10,000 more will follow. The first detachment that left Tampa consisted
of one battalion of engineers, two batteries of light artillery, one train of
siege guns and regiments of infantry. General Wilson, chief of engineers,
has just completed a careful map of the country adjacent to Santiago de
Cuba. It is thought possible that the landing can be affected at a point five
miles northeast of Santiago, where there is a break in the cliffs and an easy
road to the interior, but should this not be feasible, Guantanamo will be
selected. The infantry will be landed at this point anyway, while the for
mer piece may be used for the artillery and s>ege guns only. It was calcu
lated by the war board in joint session with the board of strategy, that the
Texas, New Orleans and Brooklyn can be detached from Schley's squadron
and cover the landing of troops and that the first landing will be made next
Monday. Simultaneously with the disembarkation of American troops,
the fortifications covering the entrance to Santiago bay will be engaged by
Sampson and Schley jointly. It is the firm belief of the administration
that the Stars and Stripes will be flying over Santiago by Tuesday or Wed
nesday of next week, and that Cervera's ships will have been sunk or
captured.
Secretary Alger and the president have discussed a plan for issuing a third
call for volunteers. It is understood to be practically agreed upon if the
operations now under way do not force peace within a reasonable time.
Thethirdcall.it is understood, will be for 50,000 men, but will not be
issued, in the event that it is necessary at all, until the second call for 75.
--000 men has been partially complied with.
Waiting For News of a Fight
San Domingo, June 2.—(Special to The Herald.) Every one here ex
pects a great battle to be reported from Santiago de Cuba at any hour. The
bombardment of May 31 has whetted the appetites of the people for more.
Santiago has sent word that the authorities there expect a battle also. The
insurgents evidently have been told to close in on the city and take a hand
in the fighting, for they are in great force not more than four kilometers
away. There are continual desertions from the city of men suspected of
sympathizing with the patriots. The Santiago authorities are strengthening
the defenses on the land side of the city and Admiral Cervera has moved
his ships into a position where they can be used in iepel!ing an attack from
the sea or can shell the insurgents, should they make au assault from the
hills on the city. The authorities assert that the harbor mines are so ar
ranged that Admiral Cervera can take his ships over them in safety, whereas
should the American fleet attempt to enter the harbor the mines can be ex
ploded at will. There is little sleep in Santiago because of the suspense.
New YORK, June 2. —(By the Associated Press.) Dimongo Mandea
Capote, the vice president of the Cuban republic, arrived in this city today.
After going to a hotel, where he met General Palma, the head of the Cuban
junta, he visited Cuban headquarters.
When asked what his mission to this country was, Senor Capote
replied:
"My mission is not a public one. All public acts relative to the situa«
tion between the United States and the Cuban republic will continue, as
heretofore, to be conducted by General Palma.
"I did not come here to negotiate any loan. I come to consult with
General Palma on a matter which does not concern international questions
of public interest. 1 have no present intention of calling upon President
McKinley, although I shall probably make a call on him before I return.
How long I shall remain here I cannot say at this time, but shall make my
stay as short as possible."
Mr. Capote holds the position of judge advocate general in the insur.
gent army. Questioned as to the strength of the army he said:
"Not counting those who have recently joined his forces, Garcia has
about 12,000 men under him in the eastern department at Santiago and
Puerto Principe. About 3500 of these men were in the neighborhood of
Santiago when I last received word. All were fully armed and equipped,
and it was the intention to concentrate all of the force in the eastern por
tion at that point.
" 1 cannot tell definitely now many men there are in the other pro
vinces. Gomez has about 5000 men at Santa Clara. Probably 30,000
men, all fully armed and equipped, are in the ranks of the Cuban army. A
large number, probably 20,000 more, are armed with machetes, and there
are thousands of others who have recently left the towns to join the army
because they could no longer live there. From Porto Principe alone 10,000
men and women have left because of the scarcity of provisions, preferring
to take their chances in the country, and further influenced by the fear that
at the last moment the Spaniards, driven to despair will, out of revenge
resort to slaughter.
OTIS ISSUES ORDERS
Colorado and Pennsylvania Regulars Ordered Aboard
Ship for Transportation to the Philippines
San Francisco, June 2.—Late tonight orders were issued by Major
General Otis, commanding the Colorado and Pennsylvania troops now at
Camp Merrit, to go on board ship for the Philippines next Tuesday.
Rations for six months are to be taken and 400 rounds of ammunition
will be supplied each man.
I Twelve Pages, M
The Insurgent Forces
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