J I) c D a 1 1 co
VOL. XI
THE DALLES, OREGON. SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 15, 1898.
NO 52
SPANISH FLEET .
HE4DINGF0R CDBA
Sampson at Puerto Plata Rumor of an
Engagement With the Spanish
Fleet Is not Confirmed.
Washington, May 14. -A report
ia current here that Admiral Samp
son met the Spanish fleet south of
Porto Rico.
In the engugement that followed
Seven Spanish vessels ond the New
York and Indiana were sunk.
This cannot be confirmed official
ly, bnt It is persistently repeated '
everywhere.
Washington, May 14. By far the
most interesting strategetical informa
tion that came to the government today
wnB that the Spanish fleet had been
sighted off Guraco island, near the coaBt
of Venezuela. The report was not offi
cial, but sufficiently reliable to juatify
the department in making inquiries on
tliu.aubject. Consular Smith ut Guraco
lias been aeked to investigate ; but so
far nothing has been heard from him.
While some of the naval officers
doubted the accuracy of the reports,
everybody acknowledged that a
movement of this kind was not improba
ble. Curaco Is 500 miles southwest of
Martinique. If the Spanish fleet is
there it is evident that it is Bailing to
make some port. on the south coast of
Cuba without having a dangerous meet
ing with Sampson's fleet,
Sampson is presumably steaming
westward with the hope of encountering
the enemy off the north coaBt of Cuba
or Hayti. There is practical unanimity
of opinion that unless the Spanish fleet
intends to cut and run, SnropBon and
Schley will hunt it down. It cannot es
cape. The officials say that it hae really
gone to Curaco in the hope of making
Cuba.
A suggestion that does not find many
(supporters is that ttie enemy intends at
tempting the capture of the Oregon,
Marietta und Buffalo. In this case Cu
raco would not be a bad place to wait
but Martinique would be better. All
tlio above is based on the presumption
that the report is correct.
Some of the officers are satisfied this
evening that the Spanish fleet is making
for Cuba.
Information has readied the navy de
partment that the Spaniards are accom
panied by colliers, which on account of
their slow movement, will retard their
progress. Sampson lias scout boats in
advance of his fighting ships and these
will probably locate the enemy bofore
they reach Cuba. With Blanco cut off
from communication and Cienfuegos
equally powerleis to get orders on ac
count of cutting the cables, the fleet
would not be able to get advices about
the position of the American fleet.
The strategy board hold a protracted
session this evening.
It was stated that Sampson was prob
ably at Puerto Plata. An authoritative
stutoment.was given of the report that
nn engagement between Sampson .and
tho Spanish fleet had taken place.
Cami- Haytikn, Moy 14. Sampson's
flcot is reported to be at Puerto Plata.
Ono report said that the fleet had left,
steaming westward. Nothing has been
heard of the Spanish fleet, except that
the torpedo destroyer Terror was still at
Port Do Franco Martinique.
THE SENATE'S
ACTIONDOUBTFUL
Resolutions On the Hawaiian Question
Will Probably Pass.
Washington, May 14. Monday or
Tuesday the Democratic members of the
home will hold a caucus for.the purpoe
ol deciding what shall be done with the
Hawaiian 'resolution. The Democrats
are practically unanimous in opposing
the annexation; bat while they have
the taeit support of Reed, the resolution
will undoubtedly pats when U u called
P. What its fate In the senate will be
is an entirely different question.
Senator Davles, chairman of the for
eign relations committee, asked Senator
White, of California, who is an emphatic
opponent of annexation, if he intended
to fight the annexation resolution. Sen
ator White repliedg: "Most assuredly I
do; and if you attempt to bring that up,
congress will be in session all summer."
"Then that settles it," said Senator
Davis. And from this it is assumed
that the chairman of the foreign rela
tions committee has not much hope for
success.
THE BATTLE OF
CIENFUEGOS
Crews of the Marblchcad, Nashville and
Windom Fired Upon While En
gaged in Cutting a Spanish- Cable
Last Wednesday.
Washington, May 14. Tho navy de
partment has just received a dispatch
from Commodore Remey, at Key West,
confirming the report of a severe en
gagement at Cienfuegos last Wednesday.
He transmits the -report of Captain Mc-
Call, of the Marblebead.
The United States cruiser Marblebead
the gunboat NaBhville and the auxiliary
cruiser Windom steamed up to the har
bor of OienfuegoB Wednesday morning
with orders to cut the cable connecting
Havana with Santiago de Cuba. This
task was accomplished but only after a
terriffic fight between our warships and
several thousand Spanish, which lined
the shore, concealed behind improvised
breastworks.
Soon after the arrival of the warships
off Cienfuegos, four boats were launched
and proceeded in shore for tbe purpose
of grappling for the cable, in order to
cut it.f The Bhips lay to about 1000
yards offshore. It waB observed that
the Spanish troops had assembled
ashore, but it was not known that tbe
heavy guns had been placed in a masked
battery and that the old lighthouse, far
out on a neck of land, had been trans
formed into a formidable fort.
The small boats proceeded cautiously,
and for more than an bour worked un
molested on tiie cable. When the work
was about completed the shore battery
fired a shell at the boats. It was fol
lowed by others and tbe Spanish infant
ry opened fire then with their rifles.
Then like a flash the Marblebead sent a
shell inland, and followed with a perfect
shower of shot. Then the Windom cut
loose with her four-pounder. In the
meanwhile the Spanish bullets flew in
all directions about the small boats. Tbe
bluejackets were not dismayed, and
protected by the terriffic return fire
from the warships, the work was con
tinued until the task of cutting tbe ca
ble was accomplished.
When the boats returned to the ebipB,
Regan, who was in one of the Marble-
head's boats, of which there were two,
was found to have been killed. Six men
were badly wounded.
The Spaniards had by thlB time suf
fered a severe loss. Tholr shots from the
lighthouse struck the warships several
times, and although they did not do
much damage, the fire aroueed the de
termination of the American officers to
exterminate the fort. Thereafter for a
moment the fire of the ships was con
centrated on the lighthouse, and the im
provised fort wob blown to pieces. As
there were great numbers of Spanish in
and behind the fort at the time, there is
no doubt that many of them were killed.
The Marblebead and Nashville used
their heaviest guns as well ae tbeir
small, rapid-firing guns, and hundreds
of shots were thrown into the Spanish
troops. On board tbe ships a number
of men wero slightly wounded. Com
mander Washburn Maynard, of the
Nashville, was slightly wounded by, a
spent bullet.
One of tbe cableaJiad been out wnen
tbe Spaniards opened fire, Tbe marines
In the boats replied at once, and ma
chine guns on the forward launch sent
in a stream of bullets, while heavy
hells from tbe warships drove the
Spaniardslrom their rifle pit on shore.
Seven nea badly .wounded was the
count, aad on them,j Began, died on the
way back to tbe ship. Lieutenant Win-
alow was shot in tbe band and a number
of otberi were more or less iojured.
I OTHER NATIONS
aaiw nMiT
mat riuni
France and England May Yet be
Involved in War.
Point a Pitri, via Hay tl, 'May
14 A conflict between France and
England is Imminent here. The
local authorities have ordered all
tbe French troops now stationed at
Bassiterre to proceed at once to
Martinique with all their arms and
ammunition.
GATHERING AT
THE PRESIDIO
Twelve Thousand Volunteers Will Be
Encamped There Inside of Ten
Days Scene a Busy One.
San Fiiancibco. May 14. It is expect
ed that within ten days 12,000 volun
teers will be encamped at the Presidio.
General Merriam haB advised those in
charge here that arrangements must be
made at once to care for that number.
Contracts will be let next week for a
large amount of subsistence. Nine
thousand Dlankets were ordered yes
terday and 10,000 pairs ol shoes win ne
bought today. Four hundred horses
and an eauil number of mules will at
once be Durchased tor the artillery and
cavalry divisions of the Manila ex
pedition.
A euard of 19 men from the coast-de
fense vessel Monterey will watch the
loading of the City of Peking with coal
and storeB for the American fleet at
Manila. The Peking will carry as many
troops, as she hae accommodations lor
about 2000. No extra berths will be
provided, and the vessel will get away
the early part of tbe week. The ttty ot
fivdnev will have extra accommodations
put in 'twebn decks and the steerage,
and the Australia will also be fitted out in
that manner. It is expected that all
the vessels chartered as transports will
get away within tbe next ten days.
SPANISH LOSS
WAS IMMENSE
It Is Admitted That Three Hundred
Were Killed and Six Hundred
Wounded at Manila.
Madrid. May 14. A Spanish report
from Manila admits that the Spanish
lost 300 killed and had COO wounded
when Dewey annihilated the Spanish
fleet. The dispatch, which was to El
Liberal, was dated May 9.
It came by special steamer to Jiuug
Kong. It soys.
"The arsenal has surrendered and
Cavite has been evacuated by our troops.
The Spanish losses were 300 men killed
and 600 wounded. The enemy sutterea
Use only one heap
ing teaspoonful of
Schilling
s
ing Powder to a
quart of flour.
You mutt use tw$ tcaipoonfuls of other baking powder.
considerably, including one officer killed
on the Olympia. The Baltimore was
damaged. Our shells did not burst and
and all the enemy's shells brust.
"Admiral Dewey has had a long con
ference, with the foreign consuls. The
Yankees too and burned our merchant
ships. Corregidor island was betrayed.
"The consulate assembly is diecus
sing the horrible situation created by
hunger and misery. We are isolated by
tbe blockade and are In fear of an attack.
Since the cable was cut little has hap
pened. Tbe blockade continues.
ONE MORE
KL0NDIKER GONE
Swift-Water Bill Falls Through the Ice
and Perishes.
Dyea, Alaska, May 9, via Seattle,
May 14. News was received today from
the lower end of Lake Bennett, that W.
R. Gates, better known as "Swift-Water
Bill," well known as a Klondiker
plungernd mine owner, and who spent
the winter in California and was return
ing to Dawson City, fell through the ice
yesterday and was drowned. No par
ticulars are Obtainable. Gates was con
veying a theatrical vaudeville troupe to
the Klondike, consisting of a dozen
women and fifteen men. It is not
known here whether any others were
drowned. Gates was daring and fool
hardy, and has experienced many nar
row escapes from death In shooting
rapids on tbe Yukon. He owned a
quarter interest in tbe richest claim in
the Klondike.
EUROPEAN -VIEW
OF THE MATTER
London, Mav 14. The moment is at
hand when the American government
and people tuuBt decide tbe destinies of
Christendom for at least generations to
come. Had it not been for the sharp
veto of the British government, the
United States would have been con
fronted several years with a difficult
problem whether to withdraw Dewey
ignominioualy from the Philippines, or
fight combined Europe. The statement
made to a prominent member of Salis
bury, falls far short of conveying an ad
equate idea of the manifold perils and
plots of tbe situation.
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain's
speech yesterday advocating tbe anglo
American, represents tbe desire of the
British government. Fear of such an
alliance is the only thing preventing
the unfriendly sentiments of continental
powers finding expression. A proposi
tion to send a demand to Washington to
limit the campaign to the West Indies
and enforce the demand with the com
bined fleets came to the British gov
ernment from three powers. It was re
jected by tbe cabinet, which was equally
anxious in favor of granting the United
States tbe fullest British support in
.resisting interference of neutral powers.
The European interference was not
prompted by friendly sentiment for
Spain. Her defeat and the loss of her
colonies was a foregone conclusion. The
powers are desirous of discussing the
question, looking to a division of tbe
spoils and agree that the United States
shall retain nothing outside ot the West
Indies. It is impossible to state when
the first overt act will come.
. t
Best Bak
m
thirty thousand
troops for Manila
It May Be Necessary to Send That Num
ber Men Will Be Supplied With
Modern Arms.
New York, May 14. General Wesley
Merrit, commander bf the department
of tbe east, notified the war department
today that it will be practically impos
sible for him to arrange his affairs bo as
to leave for the Pacific coast inside of a
week or ten days. General Merrit, dur
ing his visit o Washington, when he
consented to accept the military gover
norship of the Philippines, impressed
upon the department authorities the ab
solute necessity of arming the men who
are to make the long journey, with the
very latest and most approved arms.
The department will iurnish 15,000
troops with the latest pattern of the
Kreag-Jorgenson rifles and will equip
them for a tropical campaign in eveiy
particular. It is probable that some
men may leave the coast before the
modern arma can reach them, but every
effort will be made to have them fully
equipped before tbev embark, and if
these efforts fail, newer arms will be
sent forward as rapidly as they can be
A. M. WILLIAMS & GO.
Sailor-
Suits,
SBBBbTsbM.
HE LARGEST STOCK, THE MOST VARIED
assortment, the wanted Styles, at Prices that
compare favorably with those of any concern
in this country barring nono; briefly tells our Suit
and Skirt story.
The Suit and
A. M.WILLIAMS & CO.
assembled in San Francisco and trans-f
ported across the Pacific.
While It is said tonight that 15,000
raon is the number which will leave the
coast for the Philippines, there is every
probability that the number may be
largely augmented and that an addition
al force will follow within the next few
days. This will certainly be done if it is
true, as reported from Europe, that tbe
Spanish authorities are preparing to
send 20,000 additional troops to Manilla
by way of the Suez canal. Instructions
have been sent to the agent of the war
department in London to investigate
thetrntbof this report; and should it
prove authentic, General Merritt is
likely to have at least 30,000 men be
hind him, instead of 15,000, before he
shall have occupied his new position a
month.
PATENT WAS APPKOVED.
Deed to Over Bight Thound Acres ia
the Boaebnrg; DUtrlct.
Washington, May 14. The secretary
of the interior has approved for patent
to tbe Oregon & California railroad tbe
list of land, selected nnder tbe grant,
embracing 8993 acres, in the Roseburg
district.
William Lake and son arrived Satur
day from Kansas, having come all the
way overland by team, Bays the Condon
Globe. Mr. Lake has traveled about 3000
miles by team during the last two yeara
looking for a location, and when he
struck Gilliam county he concluded that
this country suited him and that be
would locate rinht here.
$5.00
to
$20.00.
Skitfc "House.