The Corvallis gazette. (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, May 06, 1898, Image 1

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    VOL. XXXV.
CORVALLIS, BENTON COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1898.
NO. 8.
EPITOMEOFTHE DISPATCHES
Happenings Both at Home
and Abroad.
A WEEK'S NEWS CONDENSED
interesting Collection of Items From
Many I'laces Culled From the Press
Iteports of the Current Week.
The senate has adopted the confer
ence report on the naval appropriation
bill.
The haibor defense plan? of San
Francisco are said to be in the hands of
the Spanish.
A New York Journal dispatch says
the government is preparing to seize
several small islands in the South At
lantic as a bases of supplies.
Blanco, in his report of the Matanzas
bombardment says the French and
English consuls have entered protests
on the ground that no previous notice
was given.
It is announced that extraordinary
naval and military activity is displayed
throughout France. All the ships re
cently mobilized are kept in fighting
trim. The reserves expect to be called
out.
It was officially announced at Madrid
that the fortifications of Matanzas have
not suffered, in spite of yuu shells fired
by the American Meet, and that not one
man was killed or wounded thereby.
The stories of the bombardment received
from the United States are received
with shouts of derision.
Spanish mail has been ordered confis
cated by the postoffice department. In
the first batch received at the dead let
ter office, the discovery of numerous
contraband letters, some of which are of
great importance to the naval and rnil
taiy authorities, has demonstrated that
the order is not only justified, but a
wise precaution.
A proclamation has been issued by
the autonomist government at Havana.
Spanish adherents in Cuba are urged to
resist the American invasion. The
war is classed as an unholy one. The
American campaign is denounced as
being one of aggression and the Unital
States government is accused of sailing
under pal pa by false colors.
News has reached San Francisco of a
terrible explosion of powder that was
being carried by pack train to Colonel
Dan Burns' Candelaria mine in Mexico.
The pack train was unusually large. It
consisted of over 110 mules and the
attendants numbered some 40 Mexicans.
A part of the freight consisted of am
munition, caps and boxes of powder. It
is said that 218 boxes of powder and
20,000 caps exploded with such force
that 15 men and 60 mules were killed.
Lead and sugar are advancing rapidly
in London owing to the war.
Secretary Alger has submitted esti
mates'of $34, 000. 000 to cover addition
al army expenses to .Inly I. This will
be included in the general deficiency
bill.
The committee on military affairs
lias favorably reported the administra
tion bill suspending important laws
governing the quartermaster's depart
ment in the army.
The emergency war measure was
passed in the house on the 28th by
unanimous con:ent. It repeals the
limitations upon the purchase of quar
termaster's supplies during the existing
war with Spain.
Minister Clayton communicated to
the foreign department of the govern
ment at Mexico the resolution of the
American congress declaring war with
Spain. Minister Mariscal, of the for
eign department, replied, assuring tho
American minister on the authority of
President Diaz, that Mexico will main
tain the strictest neutrality.
Oriental advices received by steamer
in Vancouver, B. O, tell of a shocking
massacre which occurred near Taipoh,
China, at the house of one Yang Kin
shang. A party oi over 20 robbers
entered the house and murdered Yang,
his wife, his mother and children and
servants, 15 persons in all, who resist
ed them in their attempt to loot tho
house and attack the daughters. When
the raiders had butchered all the in
mates the3- set the house on lire.
The large packing-houses of the At
lantic Powder Company, near Dover,
N. J., containing high explosives for
the United States government were
blown up and two men are known to
have been killed. Several nre missing
and a number were injured. The ex
plosion is believed to have been the
work of "Spanish spies, Suspicious
characters had been seen around the
buildings for several days,
The large Spanish steamer Guido,
bound from Corunna for Havana with
a large cargo oi provisions and money
for the Spanish troops, was captured by
the United States monitor Terror. The
capture took placo 10 miles off Car
denas, after a desperate chase, during
which the monitor Terror anil the gun
boat Machias fired several shots, almost
blowing the Spaniard's pilot house into
the water. One man in the pilot house
was seriously injured. It is estimated
that with her cargo she is worth nearly
$500,000.
Minor News Items.
A newly discovered spot on the sun
visible now, is said to he 30,000 miles
in diameter.
The sale of salt is a government mo
nopoly in China, whijh yields a yearly
revenue of $11,000,000.
Jews have become farmers in Maine
in such numbers as to be recognized a8
a factor in trading.
The contributions to the James Rus
sell Lowell liiem :jal fun 1 in Bostoij
now amount !! $33,07fJ.
Arthui Ciiiiiipjer, a colored man in
Boston, born a slave and now 74 yeara
old, is going to evening school.
Monster, in Westphalia, has a public
school which haa just celebrated the
eleven hundredth anniversary of Its
foundation. m
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee came home from
Havana on the anniversary of the day
that he went home from Appomattox
the historic 9th of April,
The London Chronicle says that
James Judge, a New Castle engineer,
has patented a gun which will fire 30,
000 bullets a minute with enormous
yelooity.
LATER NEWS.
A London dispatch says England has
Advised Spain to yield, saying that re
sistance of the American demands at
Manila is worse than useless.
Deficiency estimates of $10,000,000
for the purchase of supplies for the
Asiatic squadron have been prepared
for submission to congress.
Report that the Spanish fleet was
completely destroyed is confirmed in a
dispatch received by the New York
Herald direct from Manila.
Secretary Long says Commodore
Dewey 's gallantry vill be recognized,
and that he will be made acting ad
uinal and later nominated rear-admiral.
Fearing an attack upon the seaports
of the North Atlantic coast by Spanish
men-of-war now on their way to West
ern waters, Secretary Alger has taken
steps to further improve tho seacoast
defenses.
William Astor Chanter, a New York
millionaire, is to tight for the freedom
sf C uba." He will head an expedition
at wealthy New Yorkers and join the
imiv of General Gomez, paying the ex
penses of the expedition himself.
A dispatch has been received in
Washington from New York saying
that a Wall street news agency pub
lishes unde- date of Hong Kong a dis
patch declaring that Manila has fallen,
and that the Stars and Stripes float
over the Philippines.
The government will take steps at
once to supply Dewey's fleet with pro
visions and other supplies, including
ammunition and coal, and to this end
will dispatch at the earliest possible
moment a sufficient number of ships to
supply amply all possible needs of the
Asiatic squadron.
The British ambassador at Washing
ton, Sir Julian Pauncefote, is to be re
called. He will be succeeded by Sir
Thomas 11. Sanderson, permanent Under-Secretary
of state for the foreign
affairs and one of the most prominent
officials in the British service.
It is stated in Madrid by those re
sponsible for naval movements that it
has been determined to avoid the iso
lated combats on equal terms with a
superior enemy, and that they now in
tend to throw the whole united naval
strength of Spain into one supreme
effort to crush the American squadron
in Cuban waters.
The cabinet has decided to await the
report of Commodore Dewey and then
send him tho number of troops neces
sary to enforce control of the Philip
pines. For these purposes the Pacific
slope troopships will be used, and it is
expected that at least 5,000 will be en
route within 10 days. There does not
seem to be any doubt as to the govern
ment's purpose to hold the islands
pending a final settlement with Spain,
when they will be used as collateral to
secure payment to the United States of
a war indemnity.
The Spanish admiral of the Philip
pines acknowledges that his fleet has
been completely demolished.
It is claimed at Madrid that no Span
ish warships surrendered, and that a
majority of them perished. The Span
ish loss is estimated at 400 men killed.
A Hong Kong dispatch says the bom
bardment of Manila has begun. The
inhabitants are fleeing to the country.
The operators in the cable station in
the midst of the forts have fled to save
their lives. Cable communication is
interrupted.
A special to the Chicago Daily News
from Washington says: The president
and cabinet have received information
that the Spanish governor-general of
the Philippines has sent a flag of truce
to Commodore Dewey. This act is
interpreted to mean the capitulation of
the Spanish forces.
A terrible storm passed over South
Dakota and Iowa. South Dakota re
ports a death list of 18, and a property
loss of $100,000. In Northwest Iowa,
the towns of Pringhar, Hartley and
Curlew were badly wrecked, Hartley
being almost completely destroyed.
Several people in that section are re
ported killed. The town of Macedonia,
near Council Bluffs, is badly wrecked,
but no loss of life is reported there.
Governor Lord, of Oregon, has desig
nated the following as field officers of
the regiment of volunteers raised in re
sponse to the presidential call for
troops: Commander Colonel O. Sum
mers, of Portlar.d; lieutenant-colonel
George O. Yoran, of Eugene; senior
major C. U. Gantenbein, of Port
land; second major P. G. Eastwick.
of Portland; third major-- Percy Willis,
of Salem; chaplain W. S, Gilber-t, of
Eugene,
Details of the battle of Manila have
been received at the British eclonial
i office, Uiey came in two cable messages.
The first dispatch announced that the
Auierioan fleet entered Manila harbor
at daybreak, stationing itself opposite
the city. The forts opened fire on the
American ships, whereupon they shifted
their position to Cavite, Manila bay,
engaging in a fierce fight against both
the forts and the Spanish fleet. The
engagement here lasted two hours, and
resalted in the annihilation of tho
Spanish fleet. This dispatch adds that
the Ameilcan ships withdrew to their
magazine vessel in the center of the
roads lor the purpose of coaling. One
American vessel, name not mentioned,
is said to have been disabled.
At Roubaix, one of the socialist
strongholds of France, the H,000 pub
lic school children receive free food and
clothing at the expense of the town.
The late Mrs. Julia W. James, of
Boston, left nearly all her estate, val
ued at $542,069, to the Museum of Fine
Arts and. the Institute of Technology.
Corea's first railway, 25 miles in
length, js being constructed by Amer
ican contractors. It is to extend from
Chemulpo, qn the Yellow sea, to
rieoul, the capital.
Dr. G. B. Lee, one of the surgeons
of Bellevue hospital, New York, who
ha3 tendered his services to the govern
ment in the event of war, is a grand
son of Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Mrs. Rebecca Van Zandt, who died
recently at Seneca Falls, N. Y., aged
106, has been personally presented to
and had shaken hands with every gov
ernor of New York state.
Buda-Pesth has taken the last horse
car from its streets. The Hungarian
city of 600,000 inhabitants iB said to
be the only large city in Europe in
which the horse has been banished
from the street cars.
E 1 1
Spanish Government Is
Rent With Strife.
GARRISON READY FOR DUTY
Celebration of Mnrat's Victims Observed
The Manila Disaster Uppermost in
the Public Mind Formation of
National Ministry l'ossible.
London, May 4. The Madrid corre
spondent of the Standard, telegraphing
at midnight, says:
Senor Aguilera, the civil governor of
Madrid, has just posted on the walls of
the home office the customary procla
mation, intimating that the civil
authorities consider that the circum
stances justify the handing over to the
military authorities the mission ol
keeping order. Lieutenant-General
Caban, captain-general of Madrid, has
assumed charge, and the first military
patrols havo just appeared inthe Puerto
de Sol. The measure is taken in conse
quence of the attitude of certain po
litical parties. The whole garrison is
roady in barracks.
At 2 A. M. a mob tried to break into
the Apollo theater to hold a manifesta
tion. The police prevented their do
ing so, but many windows were broken
before they dipersed.
Tribute to Murats Victims.
Madrid, May 4. The celebrations in
honor of the Spanish officers, Ruiz,
Daolz and Volardez, the victims of
Murat's massacre, have proceeded to
day as usual, in spite of the bad news
from the Philippines. A fine proces
sion was headed by the civic guards, 12
abreast, followed by the orphans, the
Madrid charities, veterans, municipal
functionaries and officials and others.
Several regiments of troops brought up
the rear. The streets were packed, but
there was no outward display of sorrow.
In political circles, however, im
portant developments are hourly ex
pected. Senor Romero y Robledo
(leader of tho Weylerite party) will in
terpellate the government in congress,
tomorrow, on the events at Manila, and
the Carlists and republicans will par
ticipate in the debate, which is expect
ed to have important results. It is
asserted that the burning of the Reina
Cristina was due to American petro
leum bombs, and that a number of
thatched huts belonging to natives were
set on fire in the same way.
The procession passed off amid glo
rious sunshine, but there were no patri
otic speeches. The minds of the people
were too full of the disaster to think
of anything but avenging the surprise
at Manila bay. Senor Aguilera, the
civil governor at Madrid, did not take
part in the piocession. All his energies
were required to watch closely popular
feeling, which is certain to explode and
to require a propitiatory scapegoat.
After the bullfight tonight, very sen
sational news may be expected.
Madrid, May 4. The mob tonight
tried to break in the Apollo theater
and bold a demonstration. The police
prevented the attempt from being suc
cessful, but the crowd broke all the
windows before they were dispersed.
Immediately on the declaration of mar
tial law, large number of police and
civil guards occupied the principal
Streets. The Puerto del Sol is held by
a squadron of the Princess hussars,
while hussars dismounted, are in the
Pontejas square, near the telegraph
office. The Princess hussars are a fino
sight, their white uniforms gleaming in
a bright moonlight, as they sit on
horseback immovable, in close order,
in the court of the Puerto del Sol, while
the patrol of civil guards aTe mechan
ically moving through the square,
which is nearly deserted.
Protectorate Wanted.
New York, May 4, According to a
World cablegram from Singapore, the
policy of General Aguinaldo, a leader
of the Philippines insurgents, after the
islands have been captured, embraces
the independence of the islands, exter
nal affairs to be controlled under Amer
ican and European advisers. Tem
porarily, at least, the insurgents desire
an American protectorate on the same
lines as that proposed for Cuba. The
scheme includes free trade to the world,
safeguards against an influx of Chinese
aliens, the complete reformation of the
corrupt judiciary, free press and pub'io
utterance, religious toleration, removal
of restrictions on enterprise, building
of railways, and general encouragement
of investment in the country.
The Spaniards have committed a
massacre on the defenseless population
of Ceuba city, which was almost de
stroyed. Dewey's Instructions.
Washington, May 4. Commodore
Dewey's instructions permit him to
bombard Manila if necessary to take
possession of the islands, but he will
not do so unless the city's harbor troops
operate offensively against him.
Chicago, April 29. The lines of the
Western Passenger Association met to
day to consider the rates to be made for
the transportation of troops to the
front. No definite action was taken,
as all the roads in the association were
not represented, but they will be given
a chance to vote on the proposition.
The rate is to be two cents per mile foi
transportation of troops of all sorts, no
matter whether they are state troops or
! have been mustered into service of the
government.
A Texas Cyclone.
Wichita, Kan., May 4. A special
from Canadian, Tex., says the town of
Mobeetie, Tex., was almost totally de
stroyed by a cyclone early Sunday
morning. Four people were killed,
three fatally injured, and 1(5 more or
less seriously hurt. The property loss
was $35,000.
Fleet From Cadis.
London, May 4. According to dis
patoh rfom Cadiz to the Daily Chron
icle it is believed there that orders
have been given for a fleet of five ves
sels to start for Cuba on May 15.
NORTH PORT IN RUINS.
The Entire Business District Destroyed
by Fire.
Northport, Wash., May 4. North
port is in ruins. Of the entire business
district nothing remains but ashes.
More than 40 buildings went up in
smoko this morning, causing a loss of
about $100,000. Dozens of people are
homeless today, and scores are penni
less. Of all the buildings on the flat,
but two are left standing the Spokane
& Northern depot and Kendrick's store.
Late last night, some careless smoker
threw the stub of a lighted cigarette on
the carpet in a little tailor shop behind
Madden & Riley's Saloon on Fourth
avenue. Fire caught and smouldered.
At 4 o'clock this morning flames shot
up through the roof of the building.
Ten minutes later a little crowd of ex
cited men were struggling desperately
to check a roaring fire that licked up
;lry buildings as if they were tinder
boxes. For three hours the fire raged.
Despairir-g of every other remedy, a
gang of men started blowing up build
ings that connected the business district
with the rest of the town. Blast after
ifter blast threw them down in frag
ments, mowing a wide path of ruin.
The flames swept up to the edge of the
ruins, licked up the first timbers, crept
part way across, then died down.
Northport what was left of Northport
was saved.
NEWS OF THE VICTORY.
Great Enthusiasm on the Plying Squad
ron Over Dewey's Coup.
On Board the Flagship Brooklyn, off
Fort Monroe, May 4. Befoie the
newspaper boy brought the special edi
tions with news of the battle of Manila
on board this morning, those who slept
until 8 o'clock were awakened by tho
sharp reports of guns. With the ex
ception of the morning and evening
guns, always expected, any explosion
creates excitement now, and this was
the case today until it was learned that
the steamei Scorpion was firing a salute.
The salute was returned, and then came
the newspapers containing the press
dispatches of Dewey's victory. From
stoker to commodore, every man in the
quardon knew of the victory within an
hour. Officers and men went at routine
work with enthusiasm. Knots of those
off duty discussed the meager details,
and nearly everybody saiJ: "I told
you so."
Commodore Schley refused to dis
cuss the matter, except to say, "It was
what was to be expected from Dewey."
As the most definite news of Dewey's
success came there was great jubilation.
The Brooklyn was the first ship to carry
Commodore Dewey's flag, and, these
messages were sent:
"To Dewey: The Brookly, which
first flew vour flag, glories in your vic
tory. OFFICERS AND CREW."
"To Dewey; The flying squadron
says to the Asiatic squadron: Bully,
boys! Congratulations. SCHLEY."
It was with great difficulty that, the
men could bo restrained from outbursts
of enthusiasm when the bulletins were
posted forw'ard, and Commodore Schley
said that if the official news was as
jjood as the press dispatches, he would
let the men yell themselves hoarse.
NO TIME LOST.
Senate's Quick Action on the War De
ficiency Bill.
Washington, May 4. Several war
measures were passed by the senate to
day, and notwitstanding their import
ance, not one elicited the slightest de
bate. Probably the most important
measure passed was the emeigency war
deficit bill carrying $35,720,945. Not
more than 10 minutes were consumed
in passing it, that time being occupied
in reading the measure.
Hawley, chairman of the military
affairs committee, secured the passage
of a bill providing for the enlistment
of a volunteer brigade of engineers, and
of 10,000 men in the South, who are
immune to yellow fever, these enlist
ments to be in addition to those pro
vided for in the president's call for
125,000 men. The men will enlist
"for the war."
House Proceedings.
Washington, May 4. The passage
af the emergenoy war bill was the fea
ture of today's action by the house.
The naval appropriation bill with the
senate amendment providing for the
payment of officers of the navy for the
use of their inventions by the govern
ment stricken out, wai reported from
the conference and passed. It now goes
to the president.
Report Partly Confirmed.
Washington, May 4. When asked
if the army was preparing for an inva
sion of Cuba at an early date, Secre
tary of War Alger replied:
"We are preparing for immediate
action, and we try to keep so prepared,
but plans made today may of necessity
have to be changed tomorrow, and that
is why we are compelled to keep Bugh
absolute silence,'
Hot Engagement Reported.
London, May 4.- A dispatch from
Hong Kong to the Daily Mail says:
Commodore Dewey's fleet is off Corre
gidor island, hotly engaged with the
forts there. Electrical experiments
show that the cable has been cut at or
near Manila.
Last year suicides in the United
States numbered 6,600.
Colonel Grant Sworn In.
New York, May 4. Colonel Fred
Grant has been sworn in at brigade
headquarters, Brooklyn, as commander
of the "Fighting Fourteenth" regi
ment, by Brigadier General James Mc
Leer. ' '
Havana, May 4. It is reported at
the palace that an engagement between
the Spanish troops and insuigents has
taken place at Puerto Principe, the in
surgents losing 15, among them two
officers.
Made a Good Haul.
El Paso, Tex., M,ay: g.-UThe west
bound train Qn 1 the Southern Pacific
was taken in charge by four masked
men at Comstock, Texas, at midnight
last night, and tvyo miles west of the
station the express car and engine were
detached and' run a short distance
ahead, The robbers wrecked the
through safe with dynamite and took
the entire money contents, amounting
to $80,000. The express car was badly
wrecked by the explosion. No one was
injured, and none of the passengers
were disturbed. The robbers are be
ing pursued by a posse.
E
Spanish Are Defeated
at Manila.
AMERICAN LOSS WAS LIGHT
Three Spanish Cr-.iisers Destroyed Only
News Comes Through Madrid and Is
Colored American Ships Succeeded
in Landing Their Wounded.
Madrid, May 3. Advices from
Manila say that the American sauad
ron, under Commodore Dewey, ap
peared off the bay of Manila at 5
o'clock this morning and opened a
strong cannonade against the Spanish
squadron and forts protecting the bar
bor. The Spanish second-class cruiser
Don Juan de Austria, was severely
damaged and her commander was
killed. Another Spanish vessel was
burned. The American squadron re
tired, having also sustained severe
damage.
: A second naval engagement followed,
in which the American squadron again
suffered considerable loss" and the
Spanish warships Mindanao and Ulloa
were slightly damaged. During this
engagement the Cavite forts maintained
a, steadier and stronger fire upon the
American squadron than in the first
engagement.
Admiral Bermejo, the minister of
marine, has expressed himself as highly
pleased with the heroism of the Spanish
marines, and has telegraphed congratu
lations to Admiral Montejo and the
valorous crews of the Spanish squadron
under fire of superior warships.
The Official lteport.
The following is the text of the offi
cial dispatch from the governor-general
of the Philippines to tho minister of
war. General Correa, as to the engage
ment off Manila:
"Last night, the batteries at the en
trance to the forts announced the arrival
of the enemy, forcing a passage under
the obscurity of the night. At day
break the enemy took up positions,
opening with a strong fire against Fort
Cavite and Tardenal. Our fleet en
gaged the enemy in a brilliant combat,
protected by the Cavito and ' Manila
forts. They obliged the enemy, with
heavy loss, to maneuver repeatedly.
"At 9 o'clock the Americans took
re'uge behind the foreign merchant
, sljfppirig on the east side of the bay.
Our fleet, considering the enemy's
superiority, naturally suffered a severe
loss. The Reina Cristina is on fire, and
another ship, believed to bo the Don
Juan de Austria, was blown up. There
vas considerable loss of life. Captain
adareze, commanding tho Ileina Cris
tina, is among the killed. I cannot
now give further details. Tne spirit of
the army, navy and volunteers is ex
cellent." When the United States fleet arrived
at Sable, at 4 o'clock yesterday after
noon. Commodore Dewey sent scouting
vessels to examine these waters for the
enemy, and immediately sailed in the
direction of Manila.
Notwithstanding the severe damage
the Spanish ships suffered, naval offi
cers here consider that the future oper
ations by the American squadron will
be conducted under great .difficulty,
owing to their having no base where
they could repair or coal, or obtain
fiesh supplies of ammunition.
Another account says the Mindanao
and Ulloa were severely damaged in
the second engagement.
Mutterings in Madrid,
The town is greatly excited by the
serious news from tho Philippines, and
there is an immense crowd gathering
n the Salle de Savilla. The civil
guards on horseback were called out to
preserve order, and all precautions hava
been taken. There is much muttering,
but up to the present, nothing more
serious has occurred.
Late official telegrams say Admiral
Montejo has transferred his flag to the
cruiser Isle of Cuba, from the. cruiser
Reina Cristina, which is completely
burned. According to official tele
grams, the Spanish cruiser Castilla
was also burned.
The other ships retired from the com
bat, some being sunk to avoid their
falling into the enemy's hands.
The second engagement was appar
ently begun by the Americans after
lauding their wounded on the west side
of the bay,
A cabinet minister speaks of "serious
but honorable losses."
SPANIARDS' CRUSHING DEFEAT.
That Is About All the Dispatches Make
Clear.
London, May 3. While it is quite
clear that the Spanish squadron has
suffered a crushing defeat, the dis
patches'do not leave clear the interest
ing question whether the American
squadron has suffered damage.
Probably, therefore, the United
States squadron will beobligedto make
for San Francisco, as the entrance to,
Manila bay was heavily mined with
torpedoes.
Commodore Dewey displayed great
pluck and daring in making for the
inner harbor. According to private
advices received from Madrid, the Uni
ted States cruisers Olympia, Raleigh
and two other other vessels, the names
of which are not given, entered the har
bor. No dispatches give details as to
the vessels engaged on either side.
All news thus far is from Spanish
sources, but it seems evident that Com
modore Dewey has not captured Manila..
Unicss he is able to make another
tack and capture the town, he will ho
in an awkward position, having no base
upon which to retire and to refit.
El Heialdosays that Montejo changed
his flagship during the engagement, the
better to direct the maneuvers. Thus
be escaped the fate of the Cristina'.
commander.
The most northern postoffice iq the
world was recently established
at sprt-
en.
II
1.
MAY END THE WAR.
The Probable Effect of Dewey's Victory
at Manila.
Washington, May 3. Washington is
rejoicing tonight. Not since the dark
days of a third of a century ago have
tho people of this city been so pro
foundly moved by war news as they
were this evening.
The first battle of the Hispano
American war has been fought and vic
tory lies with Admiral Deweey's squad-
fron under the Stars and Stripes. That
was enough to set the people of Wash
ington almost in a frenzy of enthu
siastic rejoicing.
For days, they, in common with the
people throughout the country, have
been waiting news from the Philip
pines, as everything pointed to a battlo
at Manila that might be a decisive con
flict of the war. When the news came,
indicating a great victory for the
American squadron, the enthusiasm of
the people was let loose, and the
streets of the city have rung with
cheers throughout the night.
The first news of the battle received
in Washington came in a brief cable
gram to the press from Madrid about 8
o'clock this evening. As the night
wore on, the cable continued to sing
the news of victory tor the squadion of
Admiral Dewey, and the interest grew
into tremendous excitement.
As bulletin after bulletin was posted
in front of the newspaper offices, each
successive one conveying information
more gratifying than its predecessors,
the crowds in the streets became up
roarious. Good, as well as bad news,
spread rapidly, and by 10 o'clock, the
streets were crowded w:ith people, all
discussing the one exciting topic of the
hour. Hundreds gathered in front of
the bulletin boards, and evry scintilla
of news and it was ali glorious was
received with enthusiastic cheers.
While victory had been expected,
the news of it, coming, as it did come,
from Spanish sources, gave a vent to
thej patriotism of the people, which
has been pent up for days. It was a
spontaneous outburst of patriotic feel
ing that scarcely knew no bounds. Ad
miral Dewey's name was on every lip,
and his praises were sung in the re
joicings of the people.
The absence of any statement of spe
cific injury to the American vessels in
tho Madrid advices was constured as
convincing indication that they had
not suffered appreciable injury and
this was especially pleasing to the
students of the news.
Not only was the preservation of the
American ships and men considered in
itself a happy outcome, but was com
mented upon as indicating clearly that
Admiral Dewey and his aasociate offi
cers and the men under their command
had discharged spendidly their several
duties in directing and executing the
fight.
In this connection it was nointed out
as little less than marvelous that the
American squardon escaped without,
severe injury, because, notwithstanding
the disparity in the naval forces, the
Spanish fleet, assisted by the shore
batteries, should have been able to
effect severe damage before it was de
stroyed. Its failure to do so was e
plicable only upon the hypothesis
perfect and swift work by the American
squadron.
May End the War.
An opinion freely expressed tonight
by naval officers is that tho very de
cisive victory of Admiral Dewey's fleet
will mean probably an early end of the
war without further naval battles of
importance. The American fleet, it is
suggested, is now supreme in the waters
of Spain's Pacific possession, and indi
cations point strongly toward the wrest
ing of the Philippines from their con
trol. It is said that only bv acceding
to our demands in Cuba could this loss
possibly be averted. Spain, it is
argued, is confronted with a situation
which promises naught save disaster in
case he elects to force more fighting.
The superiority of the American fleet
has been demonstrated in the Pacific,
md the same it is contended would be
inevitable in the Atlantic in case the
clash comes.
From whatever point of view it is
considered, the policy of more fightin,
on the part of Spain promises nothing
but more Spanish misfortune. Navy
officers think this view must prevail
with the Spanish government, and be
lieve an end of the war, on the basis
of Cuban independence, is to fallow
soon, and that, too, without further
notable opportunity for the American
navy to prove its power and distin
guish itself.
It is regarded by some as likely that
the decisive victory gained by Admiral
Dewey's squadron may open the eyes
of Spain to the seriousness of the con
flict upon which she .has entered.
In official circles it is regarded as al
most certain that results of a most
serious nature will confront the Sagasta
oabinet within Spain's own borders.
It is said that the Spanish people have
been led to believe that their navy was
invinoible, and the bitter disappoint
ment over the first engagement of the
war is likely to precipitate internal dis
sension, if not revolution.
Probable Result of the Victory.
Another result of Admiral Dewey's
victory, it is thought, may be action on
the part of the powers of Europe to in
duce Spain to abandon what is regard
ed as a hopeless contest.
In the despatches from Madrid, the
statement was made that Admiral
Dewey effected a landing on the west
side of Manila bay for the men of his
fleet who were wounded in the engage
ments.
As soon as th,e 'junction of the
American and insurgent forces the
one at sea and the other on land is
effected, a demand is likely to, b.e, made
for the surrender of, tl&e. pity, and, in
the event of rejusai, a combined attack
will be, made on it.
The result of such an attack, in the
absence of a Spanish fleet and effective
shore batteries, seems a foregone con
clusion. Representations may be made to
Spain that she wonld better relinquish
her hold upon Cuba than risk all of her
West Indian possessions and the Phil
ippines fiS well. It is believed to be
not unlikely that the representations
will indicate that, since Spanish honor
has been satisfied by a conflict, Spain
can now yield tp the inevitable and ac
cept the good offices. of, tte powers to
brOf Wrt Ml J$VoeV
I IT ID
Army Preparing to Go
to Cuba.
MAY LAND AT MATANZAS
Regular Troops Now on the Way to
Tampa Object Is to Strike a De
cisive Blow Before tbe Rainy Ssason
Sets In Work In War Department.
Washington, April 30. A rather
striking signification of the invasion
of Cuba was made today in the charter
ing of eight large steamers, of an aver
age capacity of about 2,000 tons, and
able to carry from 500 to 1,000 passen
gers each. These are to be used as
transports for the conveyance of the
first military expedition to Cuba. The
names of the boats are the Olivette and
the Flordia, of the Plant line, now in
the Gulf; the Southern Pacific Com
pany's steamer Aranzas; tli e New York
& Texas Company's vessels Comal, now
at New York, and Alamo, now en route
to the Gulf, and three fine ships of the
Boston Merchants' & Mariners' line,
in Baltimore, the Allegheny, Berkshire
and the Decatur Miller. The price
paid for those vessels is from $10,000
to $15,000 for the 30 days for which they
are chartered. They will be taken
charge of by the quartermaster depart
ment at the earliest possible moment.
General Shafter, in command of the
troops now concentrated at New Or
leans, has been in consultation with the
officials today as to the execution 'of
plans of campaign, but the orders given
him cannot be made public.
The president and cabinet will con
sider the large number of applications
that have been made for the appoint
ment to the posts of major-general and
brigadier-general, and there is some ex
pectation that he will be able to nomi
nate a few of these officers soon.
General Fitzhugh Lee arrived here
today, after a 10 days' visit to Vir
ginia. With him came Miss Cisneros.
the young Cuban girl rescued from Ca
banas, who has been the guest of Miss
Lee. The general shared the keen pub
lic interest in the report of the shelling
of Matanzas. He has visited that city
frequently, and was familiar with the
lay of the land and defenses. He said
the batteries were antiquated and were
no longer able to offer any formidable
resistance.
Every endeavor is being put forward
by tiie war department to organize the
volunteer army and increase the regu
lar army to its full strength. Muster-ing-rolls
of the companies of the volun
teer army have been prepared in the
war department and sent to the offi
cers who have been detailed to form
ally induct the state troops into the
service of the government. With a
few modifications they are the same as
those used in the late war.
The question of arms and equip
ments for the volunteer army is now
receiving the attention of the ordnance
department and the quatermaster-gen-eral's
department. As soon as infor
mation is received as to the exact num
ber of arms needed for the volunteers,
they will be shipped to their state
rendezvous for distribution.
Tho three independent regiments of
cavalry authorized by the volunteer
army act, and which are to be com
posed exclusively of frontiersmen, are
to be known as the First, Second and
Third regiments of United States vol
unteer cavalry. They are to be com
posed of 12 troops each.
Off for the Front.
Ghickamauga National Park, Ga.,
April 30. The two companies of the
Ninth (colored) cavalry, which arrived
in Chattanooga late this afternoon,
were stopped after having started to
Chickamauga, and switched into the
Western & Atlantic yards. Orders are
said to have been received to have the
troops proceed as rapidly as possible to
Tampa, Fla. , to which point the troops
from Mobile have also been ordered,
and they will leave before morning.
It is currently reported that the com
panies of the Ninth regiment now in
camp here will he shipped at once to
Tampa, as well as the Twenty-fourth
infantry (colored). Officers of the
Ninth have been making every prepar
ation for departure.
Another Letter Held Up.
Washington, April 30. The post
office department has information of
another letter being held up booause it
contained treasonable matter. The
postmaster at Santa Crua reported that
a letter to Senor Sagasta, Spain, had
been mailed there, and, under direc
tion of Assistant Postmaster-General
Tynan its contents were examined.. It
was mailed by a woman who gave an
address where an answer would reach
her, and contains information in regard
tp the fortifications of San Francisco,
where guns are located, etc. The let
ter will be referred to the war depart-,
ment.
Suspected Spanish Spy.
Laredo, Tej;., April 30. When the
Gret Northern mail train armed this
evening a stranger on the train was ar
rested by an officer from Fort Mcintosh,
and frpm what could be learned he is
thought to, be a Spanish spy, who has
been under surveilanoe all the way
from New York. He was bound for
Mexico, The prisoner is at the post,
but nothing further of a definite nature
could be learned tonight.
New Orleans, April SO. The gov
ernment engineer of Cat port has ar
rested a. man believed to be a Spanish
spy. He gave his name as John Walsh,
and his homo as New Orleans. Sev
eral undeveloped maps, descriptive of
tho river and government works at
Port Fads, were found on him. The
man has been held pending tbe action
ol the, army authorities.
Toe Tesaarrario Sails.
Buenos Ayree, April 30. The Span
ish boat Temarrario sailed yesterday
under tercet instruction.
WEEKLY MARKET LETTER.
Trade Conditions in the Leading Cities
of the World.
Reported by Downing, Hopkins & Co., Inc.,
Board of Trade Brokers, 711 to 714 Chamber ol
Commerce building, Portland, Oregon.
Great activity in wheat last week
was caused by the remarkable advance
in all foreign markets. If the Hispano
American war continues, the price of
wheat will go higher at Chioago, but it
now seems that peace means lower
prices, for the lollowing reasons: Eu
rope has been advancing very largely,
fearing a blockade of our ports and a
famine at home unless their require
ments could be largely met by Ameri
can shipments, and large purchases
have been made for foreign account at
the advanced prices on account of the
fear of a war with Spain. The enor
mous export demand has not advanced
our home markets largely, but has com
pelled every line of shorts to cover,
leaving the market in just the shape
for a serious break. The Minneapolis
market Record says: "After a long
spell of dullness in the flour market
business picked up in very good shape
the past week. Sales, with two excep
tions, "were larger than for any one
week since the beginning of the crop
year, one local company alone selling
nearly 200,000 barrels. The demand
from abroad, for both patents and
clears, was in excess of production and
all was for quick shipment. Indica
tions are that stocks on the other side
of the Atlantic are pretty well cleaned
up and buyers over there are, in conse
quence, in a hurry to replenish them.
Sales of patents for domestic account
have been heavy to buyers east of Chi
cago. Stocks are rather low all over
the country." Not for years has the
Northwest been as short of wheat as
now. Country stocks have reached a
very low point, there being probably
less than 2,000,000 bushels held al this
time by country houses, only a very
Hinall portion of which is contract wheat.
This explains why the Minneapolis
wheat market has advanced over 20
rents in one week. The wheat to fill
contracts is not in sight. Out of the
small country supply must go the wheat
for country milling, with no new wdieat
to come for grinding until September.
Portland Market.
Wheat Walla Walla, 92 93c; Val
ley and Bluestem, 95 96c per bushel.
Flour Best grades, $4.90; graham,
$4.35; superfine, $2.75 per barrel.
Oats Choice white, 45c; choice
gray, 43 44c per bushel.
Barley Feed barley, $25; brewing,
$26 per ton.
Millstuffs Bran, $19 per ton; mid
dlings, $25; shorts, $19.
Hay Timothy. $1213; clover. $11
12;, Oregon wild hay, $910 per ton.
Eggs Oregon, 11c per dozen.
Butter Fiyjcy creamery, 35 40c;
fair to good, 3035o; dairy, 2530o
per roll.
Cheese Oregon full cream, 12 to;
Young America, 1314c.
Poultry Chickens, mixed, $3.50 per
dozen; hens, $4.00", springs, $34;
geese, $6.507.00; ducks, $6.00
0.50 per dozen; turkeys, live, 12 14c
per pound.
Potatoes Oregon Burbanks, 30 40c
per sack; sweets, $1.752 per cental.
Onions Oregon, $1.752.00 per
sack.
Hops 512c per pound for new
crop; 1896 crop, 46c.
Wool Valley, 1416o per pound;
Eastern Oregon, 8 12c; mohair.
25c per pound.
Mutton Gross, best sheep, wethers
and ewes, 4c; dressed mutton. 6c;
spring lambs, 10c per lb.
Hogs Gross, choice heavy, $4.25;
light and feeders, $3.004.00; dressed,
$5.006.25 per 100 pounds.
Beef Gross, top steers, $3.50
4.00; cows, $2.503.25; dressed beef,
67c per pound.
Veal Largo, 65c; small, 6
6c per pound.
Seattle Market.
Potatoes Yakimas, $ 11 12 per ton;
natives, $810; sweets, 2c per pound;
box of 60 pounds, $1.75.
Butter Fancy native creamery,
brick, 23c; ranoh, 10 12c; dairy,
16c; Iowa fancy creamery, 21c.
Cheese Native Washington, 12
13c; Eastern cheese, 12c.
Eggs Fresh ranch, 15o; California
ranch, 14c,
Meats Choice dressed beef steers,
8c; cows, 77c; mutton, 8c; pork,
7c; veal, small, 8o.
Poultry Chickens, live, per pound,
hens, 1516c; dressed, 18c; turkeys,
live, 14c; dressed, 17 18c.
Fresh Fish Halibut, 6 7c; steel
heads, 78c; salmon trout, 910c;
flounders and sole, 34o; torn cod, 4c;
ling cod, 4 5c; rock cod, 5c; smelt, 3
5c; herring, 4o,
Olympia oysters, per sack, $3 3.25.
Corn Whole,$23.50;cracked,perton,
$24; feed meal, $24 per ton.
Barley Rolled or ground, per ton,
$26; whole, $25.
Flour Patents, per barrel, $5.00
5.25; straights, $4.75; California
brands, $6.00; Dakota brands, $5.00
$5.75; buckwheat flour, $6.50.
Millstuffs Bran, per ton, $16; shorts,
per ton, $17 18.
Feed Chopped feed, $21 22 per
ton; middlings, per ton, $18 19; oil
cake meal, per ton, $35.
Hay Puget Sound, new, per tOD,
$10 13; Eastern Washington timothy,
$17 alfalfa, $11; straw, $7.
Oats Choice, per ton, $28 80.
Wheat Feed wheat, per ton, $24.
San Pranoiseo Market.
Wool -Southern ooast lambs, 7 8c;
San Joaquin, 78c; Northern, 11 12c
per lb.
Millstuffs Middlings, $2326.50;
California bran, $2 1.00 2 1.50 per ton.
Onions Silverskins. $2. 00 3.50 per
cental.
Butter Fancy creamery. 19o; do
seconds, 18c; fanoy dairy, 18c; good
to choice, 1717e per pound.
Potatoes Early Rose, 85 40c.
Eggs Store, U12o; ranoh, 12
13o.
Freeh Fruit Apples, 35c c$ 1.50 per
large box; cherries, $1.00 i. 25; do
red and white, 6075o per box.
Citrus Fruit Oranges, navels, $1.25
2.75; Mexican limes, $4.00; Cali
fornia lemons, 75c$1.00; do choice,
$1.25 1.50; per box.
Hay Wheat, $23 26. 50; wheat and
oat, $2125; oat, $14. 50 16.50; best
barley, $18 21; alfalfa, $15.00
17; clover, $1315.
Cheese Fancy mild, new, Mo; old,
10c per pound.
In Ptolemy's time anyone who killed
a cat was pat to death.