The Saint Paul globe., June 14, 1898, Image 1

About The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
VCL. XXI.— NO. 165.
Ml 10 511
FIFTEEN THOUSAND SOLDIERS
DEPAKT FOR CUBAN SHORES
ARMY OF INVASION INCLUDES
MANY SEASONED REGULARS
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE
DEI'ARTI'RE OF THE TROOPS
Are ri<'ii-f ( | With the Outlook, and
Hope for Speedy fontiaent of the
SpanfKh Stronghold la Eastern
Cuba Gen. Shafter's Command
» misprises the Flower of the
I'nlted States Army— —Success of
the Expedition Thought to Be
AKHiired Details of the Guania
uauio Fight Lacking.
Washington Bureau St. Paul Globs, )
Corcoran Building. \
Special to The St. Paul Globe.
WASHINGTON, June 13. — Official
announcement of the departure of the
army of_ invasion for Cuba has finally
been made by the war department of
ficials, and the long-expected move
ment of troops is almost the sole topic
of discussion here.
The figures given out as to the numeri
cal strength of the expedition, 14,564,
lend color to the persistent statement
that Gen. Shafter's army has been
preceded to Santiago by an expedition
about the strength of the one said to
have effected a landing some distance
from Santiago Saturday. It is figured
that the combined forces, 14,564 men
who left this morning, under command
of Gen. Shafter, and 8,000 who are said
to have linded Saturday, would Just
about equal the number of soldiers
scheduled to go to Santiago province.
The force originally designated to go
to Santiago was to consist of 27,000
men. With 8.000 already there and
nearly 15.000 under Gen. Shafter on the
way, the figures would be about cor
rect.
OFFICIALS ARE PLEASED.
No one in touch with affairs at
either the war or navy department
who would discuss the expeditions to
Santiago— save to say that Gen. Shaf
ter's army departed at daybreak —
could be found; hence it is purely a
matter of speculation as to how many
United States soldiers, will be landed
on Cuban soil before the close of the
present week. In fact there is so much
satisfaction over the official acknowl
edgment of the departure of the Shaf
ter expedition that little else Is being
talked of in official and other circles
at the capital today. War department
attaches were 1n rare good humor, and
everybody seemed to have been re
lieved of a heavy burden.
There is ,no longer heard anything
bordering upon harsh criticism of <ie
war department, either for its failure
to act, or its reticence in imparting
to an anxious public the, facts in con
nection with the movement of troops
"in the advance upon the enemy's
Stronghold.
SKIRMISH AT GUANTANAMO.
Naturally there was much anxiety
here when the first reports of an en
gagement between Col. Huntington's
marines and a body of Spanish troops
reached the capital. Arxious inquiries
at the war department received little
enlightenment on the subject, and it
Is believed tonight that the officials
were honest in their declarations that
they had received no official communi
cations on the sifbject. That there had
been an engagement was generally be
lieved, even in official circles, but the
absence of detailed information of the
losses on either side rather puzzled
those who had friends at the front,
and the officials of the war department
as well. Owing to the policy bf silence
that has been pursued by the govern
ment, those who were early at the war
department to learn particulars of the
Guantanamo fight went away in re
sentful mood, thinking that perhaps
they were not accorded the treatment
merited, owing to the policy of war
department officials to give out nothing
bearing upon affairs in Cuba.
SANGUINE OF SUCCESS.
There is one thing certain, and that
Is that a great load has been lifted from
those who have been preparing for the
invasion of Cuba. Everybody at the
war department today was in a cheer
ful mood, and each official when ap
proached spoke enthusiastically of the
progress thalt had teen made. They are
all sanguine of the success of the ex
pedition under Gen. Shafter.
With Admiral Sampson and Commo
dore Schhy in command of the harbor
and town of Guantanamo as well as
the shore for a distance of fully thirty
five miles, it ts argued that the troops
wii; be landed without really serious
resistance.
Once ashore the American troops will,
It is believed, make short work of the
Spaniards. It is argued that if a little
TODAY'S BULLETIN.
Page.
'.— Troop9 Sail for Santiago.
Renewed Fighting at Guantanamo.
Leiter'B Wheat Waterloo.
Book Concern Scandal.
Butte Troops in Revolt.
I— Minnesota Men at the Front.
Orders Expected at Chickamauga.
Thirteenth Under King.
Waiting for Recruits.
Red Cross Work.
B— Thirteenth's List Full.
Honor for Gen. Hutibard.
Revenue BUI Is Law.
4— Editorial.
Lind's "domination Discussed.
Ramsey County Delegates Meet
s—Sporting5 — Sporting News.
Saints Lose to Detroit.
Trotting Circuit Gossip.
West Defeated by Ryan.
6— Markets of the World.
Bar Silver,' 54% c.
Chicago Cash Wheat, Soc.
7 — Minneapolis Matters.
Xews of the Northwest.
News of the Railroads.
B— McCardy Makes Suggestions.
War Taxes In Effect.
Grasshoppers on the Berter.
THE ST. PAUL GLOBE
body of 600 marines can hold, the Span
ish regulars and guerrillas In check,
' then 20,000 of the very flower of the
United States army should certainly
sweep the enemy from Its strongholds
within a brief period.
SIGNIFICANT SELECTIONS.
So little has been said officially about
the movements of troops from Tampa
to Santiago province that the person
nel of the various regimenlts selected
for the Important mission has been
largely overlooked. Now it is given
out that the great bulk of the invading
army under Gen. Shatter is composed
of seasoned troops, regulars who have
been under fire, and not raw volunteers,
whose mettle is as yet untried. Of
Gen. Shafter's command there are more
than 10,000 men who know how to fight,
a majority of whom have fought, and
who will, it is firmly believed, and gen
erally predicted at the nation's capi
tal, teach the Spaniards a lesson in
military precision and effectiveness that
will give European powers another
shock similar to the one occasioned by
tile accurate marksmanship of the gun
ners of the American navy.
PORTO RICO EXPEDITION.
Next in order and next in discussion
in public places tonight is the reduc
tion of the port of San Juan and the
occupation of Porto Rico. The one
means both, for the fall of San Juan
will but announce the capitulation of
Porto Rico. It is unofficial y given
out that Gens. Coppinger and Lse will
command the Porto Rico expedition,
the former naturally ranking the latter.
It is also said-rhat the army that will
invade Porto Rico will not depart from
Spain's Ships Reported at Manila.
London, June 14. — According 1 to a dispatch from
Madrid to the Financial News, three Spanish iron
clads from Madagascar waters have arrived in sight
of Manila, and Admiral Dewey's ships have gone to
meet them.
American shores until after the fall ot
Santiago, and the probable surrender
of Admiral Cervera. With the Span
ish fleet out of the way, Admiral Samp
son can give as a convoy and a co
operating force, a fleet of the mosit
formidable ships in the United States
navy. The fleet will reduce the forti
fications at San Juan, the transports
bearing the army of invasion will be
at hand, troops will be landed, and an
other Spanish possession placed under
American control. By that time it is
believed that Manila will also have
fallen, and there will be nothing left
for Spain but to plead for quarter and
any sort of peace arrangement the
Americans are pleased to proffer.
DETAILS OP DEPARTURE.
Gen. Shatter's Invading Force a For
midable A«sregration.
WASHINGTON, June 13.— The first
army of invasion to Cuba is now well
on its way, thirty-two transport steam
ships, making over 15,000 officers and
men, convoyed by battleships, cruisers,
gunboats and auxiliary cruisers, six
teen in number, having actually sailed
from Key West, at daybreak, this
morning. By Thursday, at the latest,
the transports will be off Santiago and
a large army will make its landing on
Cuban soil. Sampson has cleared the
way for this undertaking, and little
danger is apprehended in getting
ashore. It will be after that, when
the advance Is made, that actual dra
matic developments may be expected.
By that time it is likely the American
commanders will be in direct cable
communication with the authorities
here. Admiral Sampson has taken the
shore end of the cable landing at
Guantanamo and a force of cable ex
perts are rapidly restoring the line to
working order.
The troops making up the expedi
tion whicUi started today are as fol
lows:
INFANTRY.
Sixth, Sixteenth and Seventy-first New
York volunteers; Tenth, Twenty-first. Second,
Thirteenth, Ninth, Twenty-fourth, Eighth,
Twenty-second and Second Massachusetts
volunteers; First, Fifteenth, Thirteenth, Sev
enth, Seventeenth, Third and Twentieth reg
ulars. Total infantry, 561 officers and 10,709
enlisted men.
CAVALRY.
Two dismounted squadrons of four troops
each from the Third, Sixth, Ninth, First and
Tenth cavalry, and two dismounted squadrons
of four troops each from the First United
States volunteer cavalry. Total dismounted
cavalry, 159 officers and 2,870 enlisted men;
mounted cavalry, one squadron of the Sec
ond, nine officers and 280 enlisted men.
ARTILLERY.
Light Batteries E and X, First artillery;
A and F, Second artillery; 14 officers and 323
enlisted men. Batteries G and H. Fourth
artillery siege, 4 officers and 132 enlisted msn.
Engineers— Companies C and E, 9 omcsis
and 200 enlisted men.
Signal Corps— One detachment, 2 officers
and 45 enlisted men.
Hospital detachments are Included In ;h3
foregoing figures.
The staff corps numbers fifteen officers.
The grand total of the expedition is 773 of
ficers and 14,564 enlisted men.
GUANTANAMO FIGHT.
The news of the attack by the Span
iards upon the United States marines
at Guantanamo bay Saturday night
was not confirmed by official advices
up to the close of the day here. How
ever, there is no disposition to ques
tion the accuracy of the press report,
and the news has had a rather sober
ing effect upon the element that has
insisted upon rushing troops forward
regardless of their unpreparedness.
Saturday Bight's action shows that
the Spaniards are not afraid to charge
boldly upon United States troops, and
the chances of a bushwhacking war
fare disclosed by the Spanish move
ments are anything but agreeable to
the persons who have been hoping for
a short campaign.
Without any discouragement to the
fighting ability of t!he marines, who
appear to have acquitted themselves
with the greatest credit so far as con
cern their bravery and steadiness un
der fire, the question has been raised
in the minds of military experts
whether, failing in any substantial as
sistance from the Cubans, who were
reported to have been so numerous in
the vicinity, Western soldiers, trained
in Indian fighting, would not be of
more service in a Cuban Jungle cam
paign. Nothing for severity tasks the
courage and endurance of troops as to
be shot at from cover by an unseen
foe, and only troops trained in our
j latest skirmish drill can render effect
[ ive service in Buch a task.
TUESDAY MORNING— JUNE 14, 1898.
SENATE WAS SWINDLED
SENSATIONAL CHAEGES IN THE
BOOK CONCERN SCANDAL-
Mr. Chandler Accuses Senator Pa«co
With Being Responsible, I'lmit
tlutfly, for Imposition Upon the
Senate by Lobbyists Mr. Poioo
Demands a Retraction, Which
Mr. Chandler Decline* to Make.
WASHINGTON, June 13.— For nearly
two hours today the senalte had under
discussion the resolution of Mr. Lodge
(Mass.), directing the claims commit
tee to make an inquiry as to the dis
position of the money appropriated by
congress to pay the claim of the book
concern of the Melthodist Episcopal
Church South. A heated oollcquoy be
tween Mr. Chandler (N. H.) and Mr.
Pasoo was the feature of the discus
sion.
Mr. Bacon (Ga.), speaking briefly
upon the resolution, said he had not the
remotest suspicion that anybody who
was working for the claim here had
any pecuniary interest In its passage.
He had had a conversation on the sub
ject with MaJ. E. B. Stahlman, who had
received 35 per cent of the claim paid
and the impression left upon him
was that not a dollar of the
money was to be paid to lobby
ists. Mr. Stahlman, said Mr. Bacon,
stated there was no arrangement or
contract whereby anybody was to be
paid a single dollar, excepit possibly a
small amount for expenses.
Mr. Lindsay (Ky.) related the details
of a conversation, wihlch he had had
with MaJ. Stahlman, who had told him
that no fees were to be paid out of the
. appropriation, except possibly $2,000 or
$2,600 as necessary expenses. Mr. Hoar
(Mass.) believed this was an opportune
time to say to the country that in the
presentation of Just claims to congress
there was never a necessity for the em
ployment of agents or lobbyists. Con
cerning the present matter Mr. Hoar
said:
"The representatives of the church
onghit at once to pay back to the gov
ernment the money received under the
appropriation, and the man who receiv
ed the $100,000, if he ever expects to
have a shred of character to his back,
ought to give up the money."
Mr. Chandler deslr.ed it to be under
stood that th<? present matter could not
be settled by the disclaimer of false
intent by those who pusihed the claim
through the senate. He maintained
that the money ought to be returned
to congress. If Stahlman should re
fuse to relinquish his gains the Ohurch
ought to proceed against him to recover
the money.
MR. PASCO ARRAIGNED.
Mr. Chandler declared that the senate
had been grossly and outrageously de
ceived, and that the senator from Flori
da (Mr..Pasco) had teen the agent un
wittingly of the deception.
Mr. Pasco — The senator knows I am
incapable of deceiving the senate.
Mr. Chandler — The senate was deceiv
ed and the senator from Florida was
the agent of the deception, unwittingly
and unwillingly, I have no doubt.
Mr. Bacon felt that Mr. Chandler
was doing an injustice to Mr. Pasco,
who had been deceived himself.
Mr. Chandler replied that he had
disclaimed any unkind or any unjust
Imputation upon Mr. Pasco. "We all
were deceived," said he, "and Barbee
and Smith did it."
"I ask the senator from New Hamp
shire to retract absolutely those words
which indicated that I was an agent
of the deception practiced upon the
senate. I cannot remain patiently un
der such an imputation," declared Mr.
Pasco.
"I do not know what the senator can
do," retorted Mr. Chandler. "If he
can do or say anything about it, I
wish he would do so, in order that I
may proceed with my speech. I have
stated he did not willingly or wittingly
deceive the senate, and that ought to be
enough."
"I want the senator's words to em-
I body the absolute facts," said Mr, Pas
' co, hotly.
"Well, I decline," replied Mr. Chand
ler, "to permit the senator to put words
into my mouth."
"I desire to say then," said Mr. Pas
co, "that any statement that I was an
agent in the deception of the senate in
this matter is without foundation, and
the senator from New Hampshire
knows it."
REFUSED TO RETRACT.
"Well, Mr. President," declared Mr.
Chandler, "the truth is the exact op
posite of that statement."
Mr. Tillman (Dem., S. C.) did not
believe that the money ought to be re
turned to the government as the claim
was primarily a Just one, "but I want
to say, Mr. President, "that the Meth
odist church ought to make Stahlman
disgorge."
The resolution was further discussed
by Mr. Teller (Col.), Mr. Morgan (Ala.),
Mr. Perry (Ark.) and Mr. Wilson
(Wash.). It finally went over until
tomorrow.
Mr. Foraker (O.) then called up the
bill for the incorporation of an inter
national American bank. He stated
the bill was one of the recommenda
tions of the Pan-American congress.
The assemblage had recommended
legislation for the chartering of this
institution.
The bill was discussed at some length,
but was not disposed of.
Mr. Frye (Me.) favorably reported
from the committee on commerce a bill
to provide American registry for the
steamers Unionist and Specialist. The
bill was passed.
On motion of Mr. Mills the senate
then, at 4:40 p. m., went into execu
tive session, after which it adjourned.
MELINE'S FATE IN ISSUE.
Result of the Present Debate Will
Decide It.
PARIS, June 13. — Jn the chamber of
depultles today, \M. Millerand, the
mouthpiece of the Socialists, and ex
treme Radicals, opened ,an attack on
the domestic policy of tlie government.
The debate will decide the fate of the
Meline ministry. A vote is expected to
morrow.
If the premier secure™ a majority he
will remodel the cabinet and, It is un
derstood he will eliminate Gen. Billot,
the minister for war, Admiral Besmard,
the minister of marine; M. Turrel, the
minister of public works, and others,
who have not been successes. M. Du
puy and Delcesse, and Gen. Saussier
are spoken of as their successors, which
would put the cabinet in a firmer po
sition based on the support of the
moderates.
BUTTE TROOPS STRIKE
VOLUNTEERS REFUSE TO DRILL. ON
ACCOUNT OP POOR FOOD
The Men of Company B, o>f Buttc,
Montana, Say They Are Given Bad
Bacon and Poor Vegetables— —
Only a Sergeant, Corporal and
Three Privates Would Drill Yes
terday.
CAMP MERRITT, San Francisco,
June 13.— The men in the Montana regi
ment are complaining of the food serv
ed them. Today the soldiers of Com
pany B, Butte regiment, went out on a
strike and refused to drill under pres
ent conditions. The regiment assem
bled at the camp in order to march out
to Sutro baths. When the officers of
Company B called on their men to fall
in they declined, one of their number
stating their reasons for so acting.
Col. Kessler was called, and he ad
dressed the men, calling their atten
tion to the serious proposition of dis
obeying orders. One of their number
told Col. Kessler that the company did
not desire to disobey orders, but the
men were hungry and coud not drill
on the food they were receiving. "While
Col. Kessler was speaking one of the
men fainted before him, and was later
removed to a tent.
After Col. Kessler conetnded speak
ing, the captain asked how many men
were willing to drill, and only a ser
geant, a corporal and tb.ree privates
stepped forward. The company was
dismissed and the regiment proceeded
to the baths.
All the men of Company B com
plained today of the food. They say
they are given bad bacon and poor veg
etables, and that the fres.h meat they
get consists principally of bones. Those
statements made by the men were sup
ported by the company cook, who ex
hibited a piece of pork as
LAST CABLE CUT.
Work Successfully Completed at
Guantanainp.
Copyright by\^he Assab'iatfeii Press.
OFF SANTIAGO DE CtTBA, Wednes
day, June 8, via Kingston, Jamaica,
June 9.— The Yankee a^id St. Louis
cut the' cable at Guanianamo, sixty
miles east of Santiago <|c Cuba, yes
terday afternoon, and Cuba is thus
believed to be finally shut off from
communication with the* outer world.
The Marblehead fired at ji small Span
ish gunboat, and she returned the fire,
the old-fashioned forts Joining in the
engagement. The gunboat retreated
into the harbor, and thfc. fort was si
lenced by the Marblehead. It is not
believed that the Spanish gunboat was
struck, as the range was too great.
The Marblehead and Yankee returned
to the blockade at midnjght.
The steam launches, which now form
a picket line to guard against a tor
pedo boat attack, reported yesterday
tha^ the Spaniards were probably at
tempting to repair the batteries from
the damage done Monday.
Admiral Sampson said that he be
lieved that half if not utor^ of the ene
my's guns had been dismantled.
WHERE THEY WILL LAND.
Twenty-Six Thousand American
Troops Bound for Santiago.
Copyrighted, 1898, by the Associated Press.
MOLE ST. NICHOLAS; June 12.— The
expedition from Tampa, under Gen.
Shafter, convoyed by warships from
the North Cuban squadron, will land
in or near Zacaha bay, nine miles west
of Santiago. Operations will begin im
mediately.
The arrival of the transports with
28,000 infantry, 3,000 of cavalry, and a
regiment of artillery, is- expected off
Santiago Thursday.
■s/ — , ■ ...
itsrf
MAP OF GUANTANAMO BAY AND SURROUNDINGS.
LEITER'S WHEAT WATERLOO
YOUNG NAPOLEON OF FINANCE
FOKCED TO SUBRENDER
Million* of Bushela of Wheat
Thrown Upon the Market Cannes
a Biff Slump In Prices North
•wcHtern Bull Clique Compelled to
Let Go— Leiter Disposed of Be
tween 8,000,04M> and 10,000,000 Bu.
CHICAGO, June 13.— This has been a
dRy of excitement and wild rumors in
the Chicago pt't. A reverse that looks
like a Waterloo has come to the young
Napoleon of finance, Joseph Leiter.
At first there was a wild tumble of
prices on the board, July wheat selling
11 cents from Saturday's close, while
September lost 4% cents and Decem
ber 3% cents, but all made a Wtitle re
covery before the close. It was given
out that Leiter had ordered his deals
all closed, and that the selling rush
was the result of the execution of this
order, accompanied as it was by a flood
of rumors concerning the stability of
tiie big bull movement, which for
months has been the important factor
in board of trade dealings. One of
these rumors was that Leiter had been
deserted by some of his associates ki
iho campaign. In the meantime Let
ter's wheaJt was being tumbled over
toard, and prices had become demoral
ized.
Later in the day Leiter made no at
tempt to conceal the fact that he had
sold out all of his holding in futures—
probably 6,000,000 or 8,000,000 bushels
here. It came out that he had trans-
Spain Sues for Peace.
BRUSSELS, June 13.— The private secretary of the Spanish premier
Is auoted today In a dispatch from Madrid, published here, as formaliy
declaring the Spanish government will now accept any peace proposal not
submitted by the enemy.
ferred most of his trades in futures to
other well-known houses, and that
whatever losses there were would fall
upon Leiter. His cash wheat, one re
port said, was transferred to Armour,
but a Itfter story was that it would be
"trusteed" and handled in suoh a way
as to prevent the slump which would be
inevitable, if it were all thrown on the
market at once.
Before the final close the panic par
tially subsided and July reacted 4 cents,
September selling up 1% cents, and
December making 2 cents rally, selling
a shade above September, where it was
1 cent under Saturday.
PRINCIPALS WENT BACK.
qf / ,'tflie principals in the Leiter
'cris!s are wiring to d:s?U3S the causes
which led to Letter's abdication, and
the most plausible explanation that can'
be offered at this- time is therefore cir
cumstantial ami speculative.
The first indication of approaching
dissolution in the Leiter regime came
this morning when the announcement
was made that all "his cash and June
wheat had been transferred by Allen,
Grier and Zellar, Letter's brokers to
PMlip D. Armour and that the Septem
ber option, of which Leiter was a heavy
holder, had been transferred to Lam
son Bros. These reported transactions
gave rise to conjectures that soon de
veloped into a panic.
At the outset it was rumored that
Leiter was trying to get out of the
n.arket, but the fact that Allen, Grier
& Zellar had transferred- their trades to
Lamson Bros, In«tea4 of selling out di
rectly, aroused the suspicion 'that Lsiter
was hard pressed and was endeavoring
to dispose of his Immense ho'.dlngs
without disclosing the causes of his
sudden withdrawal from the pit.
After the close of business Saturday
millions of bushels of September wheat
"puts" were sold in the vicinity of 72 1 ,^c,
Lamson Brothers apparently having
large orders for this line.
CLEVER RUSE.
Shortly- before the opening of the
board of trade today brokers supposed
to be acting for Leiter were ready sell
ers. The "put" price was speedily
reached, and Leiter, if the Lamsons
were acting for him, was enabled to
dispose of millions of wheat on the sale
of puts, whereas, if the actual wheat
had been sold in the market, there
would have been even a more severe
break. Had Allen, Grier & Zellar
made the sales the street would have
suspected the ruse, but coming from
Lamson Brothers, there were no spe
cial indications as to the identity of
the sellers. It is estimated that dur-
PRJCB TWO CEIVTS^^^o,^
ing the day from 8,000,000 to 10,000,000
bushels of Leiter wheat, optional and
visible were sold to the account of the
"young Napoleon." This is supposed
to have consisted chiefly of options in
September, July and June wheat, stored
in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and
Chicago.
It was said on the floor that the
bankers of the Northwest, who have
been carrying their burden for a longer
time, and that calls had been made by
Northwest dealers, particularly the
Minneapolis interests, for margins
down to 90 cents. These, It is said,
were followed by calls upon Leiter to
margin his wheat holdings down to 80
cents.
SOLD AT A LOSS.
Mr. Leiter had about 4,000,000 bushels
of cash wheat on hand, much of which I
he is said to have disposed of at a loss.
Later it was reported that L. Z. Leiter,
when asked by his son for more money,
had refused to be drawn further into
the wheat deal, and thus compelled the
latter to let go a large line of his hold
ings in order to satisfy his warehouse
creditors and marginal demands.
Reports of the Northwestern inter
ests appear to have precipitated the
crisis by coming to Chicago Saturday
and learning that L. Z. Leiter would
not advance any more money on his
son's account.
Mr. Leiter's friends insist that he has
not made an assignment, but it was
admitted tonight that the Leiter Inter
ests had been "trusteed."
Joseph Leiter could not be located to
night. L. Z. Leiter was seen, but posi
tively declined to say a word.
THE LEITER DEAL.
Joseph Leiter entered the market
April 2, 1897, and Immediately after
ward the pressure of a tremendous
power was felt, but no man knew whose
was the hand. Letter's first order was
negotiated by Broker George F. French.
It was for 100,000 bushels of May wheat,
at 70% c per bushel. Then his orders
came thick and fast. The cheapest
wheat bought by Leiter was 500 000
bushels June 18, 1897, for September de
livery, at 64% c.
The deal ran fourteen months, dur
ing which time the price of wheat was
down to 64% cm June, 1897, and up to
$1.85 in May, 1898. It Involved at one
time an interest of more than 35,000,000
, bushels of wheat
IT WAS ANTICIPATED.
Views of a Well-Informed Minneap
olis Observer on tike Collapse.
The collapse of Joseph Letter, the Imll
leader in the famcus Chicago wheat deal of
1897-98, was clearly a surprise ta the trade
both In that city and in Minneapolis; that is
to say, it was a surprise coming at this
time, when the lattst reports represented
him as having successfully closed his specu
latlve accounts and retired from the :uar
ket. If he had gone by the board three or
four months ago, the predictions of the bears,
then current, would have been fulfilled, fur
thermore, the tears which would have bu-st
forth unbidden, in the excess of their re
joicings, would have been as pearls set in
pure gold, inasmuch as they would have
gained a rich harvest in the progress of lie
resußing slump. As It is, they are them
selves still in mourning; and they are with
out tears, save those which spring from
their sorely wounded hearts as they selfishly
nurse the memory of their own personal
losses experienced during the past eeav^n.
And what is most bitter of all, many of them
have been compelled to witness the slump,
destitute of the wherewithal which might en
able them to retrieve those losses.
Mr. Leiter's kite proved an excellent flyer
while its strings were free from enlangls
ment, and he did not attempt to gather too
many in one hand. The secret of his col
lapse is easily comprehended. The causs -wa»
identical with that which has brought many
of his predecessors in the same line to grief,
with the creditable exception that, so far as
known, he carries no one else with him in
his fall. He simply held on too long, his re
sources failed him at a critical moment, and
the end was inevitable. His management
of the December option was masterful; but
even that would not have been possible nad
be not been favored in the first instar.ee w.th
I control of an enormous amount of capital
! and secondly if the conditions for export de
mand, due to the world's shortage of wheat,
had not existed to encourage advances in
price by natural processes.
A gentleman in Minneapolis thoroughly
familiar with Mr. Leiter's recent campaign
and cognizant from time to time of many
of its details, said yesterday: "Until quits
recently this break was anticipated. Mr!
Leiter, in the first place, is a young man]
and lacked experience in the details of
speculating in the wheat market. He entered
when prices were comparatively low and at
a time when predictions were being mtde
that there would be a large shortage througj
out the world. These perdlctions were ve.i
fled. Prices advanced without being forced,
and simply in obedience to the law of su.jply
and demand. Foreigners wanted our wheat;
they had to have it. He passed through
the December deal successfully and it is
generally believe with large profits. Then
he entered upon the May future. The price
was high. He set out to control all the
contract wheat. In doing this he was obliged
to make the price; and, furthermore, he was
compelled to buy at the pricts of his own
making. As the figures advanced, the mar
keting of wheat was constantly being invited
and he went on loading himself down with
stocks for which he was paying ever increas
ing prices. The heavy receipts were aug
menting his burden. Then he b:gan selling. '
Meanwhile the July future became active. In
order to support the price for his May ho!d
ings so that he might come out with a
profit over and above the high prices he
was paying for contract wheat, he was abliged
to take hold of July. But the season was"
swfieping his granaries clean and marketing
his grain at the high figures which had been
reached. Mr. Leiter could not dispose of his
May wheat rapidly enough, by actual sale 3,
at a profit and he began shipping on consign
ment. Thus it happened that much of hi 3
wheat is still unsold, being simply In transit,
between here and the seaboard, and between
the Atlantic ports and Liverpool, for sale
there, as consignments, at the prices pre
vailing. Meanwhile the prices have broke i
here and this will have its effect on the prices
to be obtained" for it when It comes into
the market for actual sale and delivery as
cash wheat."
This is the situation in a nut shell. In
February, Mr. Leiter intimated to a repre
sentative of The Globe, at his office in Chi
cago, that he had no intention of traveling
beyond the May future. It was undoubtedly
his purpose at that time, to rest on his win
ning and await the development of the forth
coming harvest. But, as stated by the Min
neapolis gentleman above quoted, the offer
ings of contract wheat came out so freely
that in order to maintain control of the sup
ply he was obliged to "peg" the May future
Continued on Eighth Page.
Still!
HUNTINGTON'S MARINES ABE
AGAIN ATTACKED
SKIRMISH LINES KEPT UP A CON
STANT FIRE FOR HOURS
LIEUTENANTS NEVILLE AND SHAW
KETLRN TO CAMP I'NHUHT
Wnrii *n the Harbor Send Ad
ditional Big Guns and Reinforce,
menta to Col. Huntintfton'a Men
Spanish Known to Have Lost
Five Men Killed Private Bar
tholomew Lowes a Hand by a
Spanish Ballet List of the
Killed and Wounded in the First
Battle at Gaantanamo.
Copyright by the Associated Press.
UNITED STATES CAMP, Guantana
mo Bay, Sunday, June 12, Noon (via
Kingston, Jamaica, June 13). — When
the Associated Press dispatch boat
Dauntless left Guantanamo bay, early
'this morning, after the thirteen hours'
skirmish between the United States
marines, under Lieut. Col. R. W. Hunt
ington, and the Spanish guerillas and
regulars, it was expected the fightiig
would be renewed. The' Marblehead
was landing reinforcements, and noth
has been heard from the advance pick
ets under Lieut. Wendell C. Nevillle
and Lieut. Melville J. Shaw.
At 9 o'clock the firing was again re
newed by the Spaniards, who appeared
off the camp on the edge of a small
island, about a mile to the northeast.
It was promptly returned by thirteen
rifles and a siege gun, and in a short
time the enemy had disappeared.
Lieut. Col. Huntington then sent to
the landing for a second three-inch,
gun, which was dragged up the hill
and placed in position at the summit.
The skirmish lines thrown around
the camp kept up a popping all the
morning, but with not much result to
show for it. Meanwhile, the Marble
head left the harbor and threw a few
shells Into the woods.
NEVILLE AND SHAW SAFE.
To the great delight of marines in
camp, Lieuts. Neville and Shaw, with
thirty men of Company D, returned
in good shape, but much exhausted
by eighteen-hours of picket duty. One
man, Sergeant Smith, of Company K.
had been shot through the abdomen
and instantly killed.
For most of the day and night Lieuts.
Neville and Shaw had been surrounded
by a much superior force, but men
and officers behaved splendidly, and,
although the firing of the Spaniards
was constant and heavy, Lieut Ne
ville's detachment held its own, in
flicting much more damage than it sus
tained.
At least five Spaniards are known to
have been killed, and, as Lieut. Ne
ville's men kept up a steady fire
throughout the night, and the enemy
was not at a great distance, it is be
lieved that the Spanish casualties were
heavy.
The battleship Texas arrived this
morning and sent ashore forty ma
rines and two Colt automatic guns as
reinforcements. The Marblehead also
sent a small additional force.
Private Bartholomew Shaw will lose
his hand, which was shattered by a
bullet wound. Amputation was neces
sary.
The Marblehead's pilot, who was rhnt
through the leg while guiding the
cruiser out of the harbor, this morn
ing, holds the rank of colonel in the
Cuban service.
KILLED IN BATTLE.
Heroes Who Fell FishtliiK Span
iards at Gunntnnaiun.
Copyright by the Associated Press.
UNITED STATUS CAMP, En
trance of Guantanami T^ay, Sun
day, June 12 (via Kingston, Jamai
ca, Monday, June 13). — The Spai.'ards
last night, attacked the camp of uhe
First battalion of marines, under R. \V.
Huntington, and were repused with
heavy loss. Four Americans were kill
€<i, namely:
SURGEON J. B. GIBBS, of New York
city.
SERGEANT SMITH, of Company D.
PRIVATE M'COLGAN, of Company
D.
PRIVATE DUNNRISHY, of Com
pany D.
The wounded were: Private Mc-
Gowan, of Company D, haj..d shattir^d,
and the pilot on the United States
cruiser M&rblehead, shot through the
leg.
The firing began'' after midnight and
lasted until daybreak. At times there
was a heavy fusillade on both sides.
Lieutenants Neville and Shaw, of Comp
any D, with thirty nun, were on pick
et duty all night, and were attacked
by a heavy force of Spaniards. All the
men killed were in thl3 detachment, ex
cept Dr. Gibbs, who was ehot whi'.e
in camp.
The pickets h:ld the Spaniards off un
til released this morning.
Reinforcements were landed from the
Texas and Marblehead this morning.
They cemisted of sixty men and two
rapid fire guns.
The men are suffering greatly from,
heat and thirst, but they are all be
having splendidly in and out of the
river.
After McColgan and Dunnrishy were
killed their heads were shockingly mu
tilated with machetes.
SPANIARDS PERSISTENT.
Late this afternoon the Spaniard
opened fire from two guns placed on
the west side of the harb.ir. The sh;ts
flew wild. The Texas, Yankee and tor
pedo boat Porter, which were lying in
the harbor, opened fire and in a short
time silenced the Spanish guns. Tho
la'lter fired only once after the ships
opened fire on them. There were no
casualities on the American side.
It was decided by Col. Huntir.'gton
thi3 morning to abandon the po^iti :n
first occupied as a camp, as there were
no signs of reinforcements of troops.
Continued on Third Pnjjpe.