The herald. [microfilm reel], June 16, 1898, Image 1

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

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

                
Double Sheet P"
TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR. NO. 259.
BRILLIANT VICTORY FOR BRAVE MARINES
VESUVIUS IS GIVEN A TRIAL
Her Shots Shake the Ships Two
Miles Away
TERRIBLE EXECUTION ON THE SHORE
The New Orleans Again Bombards San
tiago Batteries
A Brief But Effective Engagement —Admiral Sampson Sig
nals "Firing Well Done" to the Ships
of the Squadron
Off Santiago de Cuba, June 14, 8 p. m, by the Associated Press
dispatch boat, Dandy, via Kingston, Jamaica, June 15, 8 p. m.—The United
States Cruiser New Orleans having been ordered by Rear Admiral Sampson
to destroy the new emplacements half a mile east of El Morro, on which a
large number of Spaniards have been working, took up a position at 5
oclock this morning about 800 yards from shore and 2000 yards from
Morro battery. She opened up on the emplacement with her rapid-fire
guns. Red clouds of sand rose on the hill top where the emplacements
were building. Following the fifteenth shot the Morro batteries replied
with one shell that fell near the stern of tbe flagship New York. After
twenty minutes gun practice Admiral Sampson signalled the New Orleans to
cease firing. Then, as she retired, the Morro batteries sent ten shells after
her but without damage. Admiral Sampson hoisted the signal, "firing well
done," the first compliment of the kind from the admiral.
Vesuvius' First Trial
The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius joined the fleet yesterday and was put
to work immediately. Ensign Palmer of thi New York went on the
Vesuvius with Lieut. Commander Pillsbury to explain the location of the
batteries. A few minutes from midnight the Vesuvius was within a half
mile from the beach west of Morro. The Oregon's searchlight played on
the battery while the black nose of the cruiser pointed up the westward bat
teries. Lieut. Commander Pillsbury gave the word to fire and Lieut.
Quimby opened the air vent. There was a slight hissing, a sort of cough
ing noise, but no flame, no report, no warning to the Spaniards who were
hiding in the darkness. Thirty second> later a dull roar broke the silence of
the night. Two hundred pounds of gun cotton had exploded on the hillside
below the battery.
The Shots Shake the Fleet
The ships on the blockading lines two miles away shook with the
explosion. The firing of a 13-inch shell is a mere rifle crack compared to
the deep and mighty roar. Clouds ot earth thrown up the hills seemed to
stand out against th: sky.
Another package of guncotton was dropped on the other side of the'
battery and may possibly have struck the torpedo boats anchored below.
Before echoes of the second shot died away the Vesuvius sent a third charge
hissing out. It fell right on the brow of the hill where the battery
seemed to be. Into the air flew tons of earth, and the smoke covered
the land for half a mile.
Gets Away With Ease
The Vesuvius retired at a 16-knot rate. Two flashes from the hill and
two Spanish shells flew beyond the cruiser.
The test was regarded as highly satisfactory and there is intense interest
in the fleet over this first trial in war of a dynamite cruiser.
SCENES IN SANTIAGO, WHERE CERVERA IS TRAPPED AND SAMPSON IS VICTORIOUS
THE HERALD
CAPTURE OF A SPANISH CAMP
The Dons Dig Into the Brush to Escape the
Merciless Fire —An Important
Victory
United States Camp, East Side of Guantanamo Bay, July 14, 8 p.m., by the
Associated Press dispatch boat Wanda, via Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, June 1?, 12:30
p.m.—(Copyrighted, 1898, by the Associated Press.) The United States marines, under
Lieut. Col. Robert W. Huntington, made their first aggressive movement against the Spanish
guerrillas today and completely routed the enemy. The force of marines was under Capt.
Elliott and the co-operation Cubans were under Col. Laborda. The combined forces razed a
Spanish camp about five miles from the American position, destroying the only well in the
vicinity and killing about forty Spaniards. One American marine was slightly wounded.
Two of the Cubans were killed and four wounded.
It is impossible to estimate the number of Spaniards engaged, owing to the guerrilla
methods of fighting, but it is believed there were at least 400.
Fought Like Veterans
The marines behaved splendidly, their marksmanship being excellent, even under the
severe fire of the enemy.
The captured camp lies about five miles southeast of the rifle pits of the marines, and
was an important base for the enemy as it contained the only well within six or seven miles.
Lieut. Col. Huntington decided on the attack early in the day, and about 8 oclock the force
started across the mountain. The march up and down the steep hill sides, under the glaring
tropical sun was a severe test of endurance for the marines, and before the battleground was
reached twenty-two men had received medical attention. AH were able, however, to reach
the position before the fighting began.
The marines were compelled to march in single file, following the mountain trail.
Meanwhile the Cubans darted backward and forward, to right and left, on the scout.
Found the Camp
It was noon when, from a hill top, the Americans caught sight of the Spanish camp on
a ridge below them. It consisted of one large house, the officers quarters, surrounded by
numerous "shacks" and houses, all clustering about the precious well. The Americans began
a cautious advance and were within 200 yards of the enemy before the crack of a rifle from
the Spanish lines announced that the Spaniards had discovered them. The troops quickly
moved into line of battle, with the Cubans on the left flank. The enemy's bullets were
whistling viciously over the Americans, but the marines settled down to their work uncon
cernedly.
Very few Spanish were in sight. They were lying behind the huts and in the brush,
but the puffs of smoke revealed their position and enabled the Americans to do effective work.
For twenty minutes both sides maintained a terrific fire. The Spanish shots were generally
wild and spasmodic, while the Americans fired away, aiming carefully and shooting to kill.
Fired Like Sharpshooters
For the most part the Americans' firing was done individually, but at times the officers
would direct firing by squads, always with telling effect. It was beginning to look as though
a bayonet charge down the slope would be necessary to dislodge the enemy, when suddenly
the latter began to break for a thicket a hundred yards further on. Little groups could be
seen fleeing from the camp, separating, darting through the brush and zigzagging to escape
the shots.
It was then that the American fire became most deadly. Man atter man was seen to
fall in a vain rush for shelter and the fire from the Spanish became scattered and almost
LOS ANGELES, THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 16, 1898
(Continued on Page Four.)
THE ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
The House Passes the Newlands
Resolution
AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY GIVEN
In Favor of the Control of the Islands by the
United States
The Senate Passes Thirty-Three Bills in Thirty-Two
Minutes, But Halts on the International
Bank Bill
BT ASSOCIATED PRESS SPECIAL WI RE. '
Washington, June 15—By a vote of 209 to 91 the house of repre
sentatives this afternoon adopted the Newlands resolution, providing for the
annexation of Hawaii. The debate, which has been continued without inter,
ruption since Saturday, has been one of the most notable of this congress,
the proposed annexation being considered of commercial and strategic im
portance by its advocates and being looked upon by its opponents
as involving a radical departure from the long established policy of the
country and likely to be followed by the inauguration of a pronounced
policy of colonization, the abandonment of the Monroe doctrine and partici
pation in international wrangles. More than ha'f a hundred members par
ticipated in the debate. From a party standpoint, the result was awaited
with the keenest interest. The Republicans presented practically a unani
mous support to the resolutions, but three Republicans voting in opposition,
ln the Democratic ranks the division upon the question was more marked,
eighteen Democratic members voting for annexation.
How They Voted
The vote in support of the resolutions today was made up of 179
Republicans, 18 Democrats, 8 Populists and 4 fusionists; the vote against
annexation comprised 77 Democrats, 3 Republicans, 7 Populists and A
fusionists.
Today's session began at 10 o'clock and debate continued seven hours,
Few members were upon the floor until late in the afternoon and the gal
leries had few occupants. As the hour for voting drew near, however, the
members began taking their places and there were few more than a score of
absentees when the first roll call was taken. The announcement of the vote
upon the passage of the resolutions was cheered upon the floor and ap
plauded by the spectators. The resolutions adopted today in a preamble
relate to the offer of the Hawaiian republic to cede all of its sovereignty and
absolute title to the government and crown lands, and then, by resolution,
accept the cession and declare the islands annexed.
Governing the Islands
The resolutions provide for a commissi on of five, at least two of whom
shall be resident Hawaiians, to recommend to congress such legislation as
they may deem advisable. The public debt of Hawaii, not to exceed
£4,000,000, is assumed. Chinese immigration is prohibited, all treaties with
other powers are declared null, and it is provided that, until congress shall
provide for the government of the islands, all civil, judicial and military
powers now exercised by the officers of the existing government shall be
exercised in such manner as the president shall direct, and he is given power
to appoint persons to put into effect provisional government tor the islands.
Warm Debate in the House
The house met at 10 oclock to resume the Hawaiian debate. The senate
bills granting American register to ships Specialist and Unionist were passed.
Mr. Fitzgerald (Dem.) ot Massachusetts spoke against the Newlands
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