 |
| Rear Admiral George Dewey. |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Monday, May 16, 1898.
DISPATCH FROM DEWEY.
The Admiral Is Holding His Own at Cavite.
STRICT
BLOCKADE KEPT UP.
Great Scarcity of Provisions in the City of
Manila.
WASHINGTON, May 16.—The dispatches from Hong Kong brought welcome news
from Admiral Dewey to the president, and particularly to Secretary Long and the
naval officials who are watching the admiral's movement with so much interest.
While no apprehension existed as to his security, nevertheless reassurance of
safety is always pleasant. The telegrams indicate that Dewey has lost none of
the prestige gained in his memorable fight of two weeks ago, and that, while he
refrains from taking the city of Manila, he has it practically at his mercy. The
admiral expressed the belief that the rebels are hemming in the city by land,
but the fact that he says explicitly that they have made no demonstration seems
to disprove thoroughly the reports that they had already entered Manila and had
begun a career of bloodshed and rapine.
The best
evidence of the effectiveness of the blockade maintained by the
American admiral, and also of the work of the
insurgents in surrounding the city is shown in the statements in the dispatches
that provisions are scarce in the city of Manila, which seems to indicate to
Admiral Dewey a neaby [sic] surrender by the Spanish authorities.
Another
published report seems also to be refuted by the admiral's message, and that is
that the rebels had raided Cavite, where the Spanish naval station was located
and where presumably large supplies of arms and ammunition were kept. If the
rebels have been supplying themselves with arms it must have been with the admiral's
consent, as his dispatch is originally dated from Cavite, indicating that he is
still in possession. The greatest satisfaction prevails here over the good work
being done and the effectiveness of the blockade being maintained by him. The
dispatch, as given out by Secretary Long, is as follows:
CAVITE,
May 13.
Maintaining
strict blockade. Reason to believe that the rebels are hemming in the city by
land, but have made no demonstration. Scarcity of provisions in Manila.
Probable that the Spanish governor will be obliged to surrender soon. Can take
Manila at any moment. Climate hot and moist. On Tuesday 12 captured gunboat
Callao, attempting to run blockade. Have plenty coal. One British, one French,
two German, one Japanese vessels here observing.
DEWEY.
The
officials are making all possible haste to rush troops to supplement Admiral
Dewey's forces; that if the Spanish government does surrender, the former will
not be dependent upon the small number of marines which he can illy [sic] spare
from his ships, but will have the assistance of soldiers in holding his positions
and maintaining order.
It is
confidently hoped here that the City of Pekin, chartered as a transport vessel,
will be able to clear from San Francisco in a very short time, to be followed
in rapid succession by the other three ships engaged for a similar purpose. The
Peking can carry 1,000 men which, with the marines aboard the Charleston just
about to sail, will be of considerable assistance to the admiral, but far from
the number which he will need. The total number of men to be sent will aggregate
probably 12,000, as Major General Wesley Merritt, who is to command the
expedition, and subsequently be made military governor, regards that as the
least number which can maintain order in a city like Manila, made up of many
discordant elements.
Over 10
regiments of infantry and four batteries of artillery from the volunteers have
been ordered to concentrate at San Francisco, and from these and the regulars
now in the extreme west will be taken the men for the Philippine expedition. It
is expected here that practically all the volunteers will go.
AFFAIRS
AT MANILA.
Inhabitants
Reduced to Eating Horse Flesh by the Blockade.
HONG KONG, May 16.—The United States
dispatch boat Hugh McCulloch has arrived here from Manila with dispatches for
the United States government. She reports that the Spanish gunboat Calloa, from
the Caroline Islands, recently entered the port of Manila being ignorant of the
outbreak of hostilities between Spain and the United States. An American
warship fired across her bow and signaled her a demand for surrender. The
demand being disregarded, the American ship fired direct at the Spanish
gunboat, and the latter surrendered.
The Hugh McCulloch also reports that the
Philippine insurgents applied to Rear Admiral Dewey for his approval of an
attack by them upon the city. The admiral, it appears, approved of the plan,
provided no excesses were committed. The insurgents then pleaded that they had
no arms with the exception of machetes, to which the admiral replied:
"Help yourselves at the Cavite arsenal." The city of Manila, however,
has not yet been attacked.
About 5,000 Spanish troops are guarding the
road leading from Cavite to Manila. There is no truth in the reported massacre
of a number of Americans. The
populace of Manila is reduced to eating horse flesh, and the prospect of relief
seems far distant.
 |
| Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. |
CONCERTED
MOVEMENT.
One Is
About to Be Made by Our War Vessels.
FLEETS
ALL HEARD FROM.
Important
Developments Looked For In the Near Future.
KEY WEST, May 16.—Sunday was a day of
unusual activity here, and it is apparent that an important strategic movement
is being planned. Commodore Watson
arrived on the gunboat Dolphin from the blockading fleet off Havana; orders
came thick and fast from Washington, and the naval station authorities were
instructed to make quick preparations to coal the big ships. It is thought that
there will be no occasion to begin coaling before Tuesday or Wednesday,
although it would not be surprising were the work to begin at once.
The ships already in the harbor have been
ordered to get up steam without delay; but the officers say they are ignorant of
what this may indicate. The announcement from the north of the coming of the
flying squadron strengthens the theory held here that a united movement of some
kind is contemplated.
The chief factor in the situation is the
whereabouts of the Spanish fleet, understood to be off the Venezuelan coast. It
is conceded by naval men that, were Cervera's squadron to meet the detached
blockading squadron off
Cuba while
Admiral Sampson's ships were coaling here, a disastrous blow might be
inflicted; and it is believed the plan now under consideration is to obviate
any such possibility.
Extraordinary precautions are being taken
for the protection of Key West harbor, although the rumor lately circulated
here that the Spanish fleet is heading this way is [doubted] by the officials.
 |
| Vizcaya. |
THE
SPANISH FLEET
ORDERED FROM THE NEUTRAL HARBOR OF CURACOA.
Two
Cruisers Left Sunday Night, Four at Noon Sunday—Torpedo Boat Destroyer Reappeared
Later—No Colliers With the Fleet—Destination Unknown.
NEW YORK, May 16.—A dispatch to The Herald
from Willemstad, Curacoa, dated May 15, says: "The Spanish cruisers
Vizcaya and Maria Teresa left this port at 6 o'clock this evening. Their destination
is unknown. The four other Spanish warships which were off the harbor
disappeared about noon, but this evening one of the torpedo destroyers was
sighted again. While here the two warships took on a small quantity of coal and
provisions. Their departure was due to our government's requesting them to
leave, as provided in the decree of neutrality. There were no colliers with the
fleet. Nothing is known about the condition of their boilers. A rumor says that
there are some coal ships in this vicinity.
TEDDIE'S
ROUGH RIDERS.
All on
Hand Except 200—Will Probably Move in a Few Days.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex., May 16.—Theodore
Roosevelt, lieutenant colonel of the regiment of rough riders organized by him,
arrived in the city yesterday and immediately went into camp. He was busy all
day receiving callers. All the troops are now in camp except 200 from the
Indian Territory who are looked for at any moment. The men are uniformed and
equipped. Colonel Roosevelt is encouraged over t h e fine showing made by the
regiment and thinks it will move in a few days.
"REMEMBER
THE MAINE."
FLAG DAY
APPROPRIATELY OBSERVED AT LITTLE Y0RK.
About
1,500 People Present—Excellent Addresses by E. W. Hyatt, Judge Eggleston and A.
E. Seymour—Homer Band and Glee Club Furnished Music.
Last Saturday was a memorial event for the
village of Little York. The citizens of that place had completed arrangements
for raising an American flag in honor of the brave men of the Maine and in
memorial of those who perished while on board that ill-fated ship in Havana
harbor. They had raised on the green near the Lake House a flagpole 66 feet
high and embedded very beautifully around the base large stones painted white
which added much to the effect. Nearly every place of business and residence in
the place was handsomely decorated with flags and bunting and several windows
displayed the pictures of President McKinley, Admiral Sampson and Admiral
Dewey.
At about 12 o'clock people began to assemble
from the trains, in wagons and about 300 from Homer and Cortland on bicycles.
At 2 o'clock the Homer band of sixteen pieces arrived and also Virgil Bros.'
large cannon. The band circled around the flagpole and played in a very excellent
manner several patriotic airs. Then a most beautiful flag, the emblem of our
country, was unfurled to the breeze amid continuous cheering and cannon firing
of the national salute.
After the flag raising, the assemblage
adjourned to the grounds in front of the schoolhouse where the exercises of the
day were to be held. The front of the schoolhouse was decorated with bunting
and flags and in three beautiful frames surrounded by the Stars and Stripes
were the pictures of President McKinley, Admiral Dewey and a memorial to the
dead victims of the Maine.
At the conclusion of an overture by the band
Mr. McNamara nominated Wilson Blashfield as chairman who was elected and
responded, inviting all soldiers who were present to occupy the platform.
The exercises were opened by prayer by Rev.
A. C. Smith of Preble, after which the glee club of Cortland composed of Messrs.
Carver, Lloyd, Seager and Bowker sang "Free Cuba" in a very pleasing manner.
The chairman then introduced Attorney E. W. Hyatt of Homer who made a most
admirable address. His address in substance is as follows:
A few days ago I received word from the war
department at Homer that I was assigned to deliver an address at the flag
raising to be held at Little York on this day and date. My experience at flag
raisings has been limited, although I have witnessed a few, but not under similar
circumstances. They have always heretofore been at political gatherings. Now
all is changed. We do not come here to-day as Democrats or Republicans, but as
American citizens to honor the flag, pay tribute to our noble dead and to support
that grand soldier, our president, Wm. McKinley. (Applause.) Much has been said
about our flag, but none too much. Our flag never was unfurled in an unworthy
cause. (Applause.) Its blue tells us of the nobility of the nation, its starry
background tells of a land of union, its white represents peace and unity and
its red protection. It is now over 100 years since that flag or its prototype
was flung to the breeze and at Lexington, Bunker Hill and Valley Forge our
forefathers fought to be released from tyranny under its very folds. And
descending from those sturdy New England patriots those Green Mountain boys we
now have one who has conquered underneath its folds, George Dewey, the hero of
Manila. (Continued applause.) In 1812 that flag was with Perry on Lake
Champlain and "met the enemy and they are ours." It was with Taylor
at Buena Ventra and Ceno Gordo, and in the civil war when shackles were loosed
from 4,000,000 slaves with Grant at Vicksburg, Meade at Gettysburg, and from
under its folds came the voice of the greatest patriot that ever lived,
"Let us have peace," the voice of Abraham Lincoln. (Applause). And
now for the fifth time in our national history we have become involved in
another war. What does it mean?
We have not gone to war without extreme
reluctance, nor without hatred and horror of that barbarous method of settling
disputes deep in our hearts, but rather with sad deliberation and in a calm and
judicial spirit to deal justly and to deal righteously with what we believe to
be a great moral wrong, not to ourselves but to a neighbor, a crime against a
civilization, not our civilization, but one inspired by the freedom and
blessedness of ours, and struggling up from the southern seas in close
proximity to ours; a crime against a people not our people, of a race, not our
race even, and yet our brothers whose blood is crying from out the soil of Cuba
to a nation of free and Christian people. (Applause.) The United States says to
the world through her resolutions in congress and in the proclamation of her
noble president, "I am my brother's keeper, and I will be his
keeper," he shall not starve at my door nor go naked, he shall not be
robbed of his heritage, nor be murdered when he protests, neither shall my own
have sons be blown into the sea when they go to succor.
In a few
days the graves of the noble dead will be decorated, but we must
fire a volley and scatter our choicest flowers in honor of the Maine. Too much
cannot be said in honor of those brave men who sacrificed their lives for their
country in that Cuba might be free. "Remember the Maine," what does
it mean? The Maine was one of our choicest ships. When the war feelings of Spain
and this country began to wax warm this country thought that with the presence
of one of their warships in our harbor and one of ours in some of her ports the
war spirit would be somewhat abated. The Vizcaya was accordingly sent to New
York harbor, she was escorted in with all the pomp and courtesy at the command
of the government, strict guard was placed around her night and day so no harm
could be done. She was safely protected from any injury. On the other hand, the
Maine was sent to Havana harbor, taken to a certain buoy under the supervision
of the Spanish government and ordered to anchor. No patrol was placed around
her. One dark, dreary night a submarine mine was exploded underneath her and
death and destruction came to nearly all on board; only a few escaped death. Do
we wonder why we should "Remember the Maine," and also the memory of
those brave men who were carried down to a watery grave with her?
"Remember the Maine" has been passed along the line on board the
ships before each engagement which our fleets have encountered. Her name and
the names of her brave crew are dear to the hearts of seamen and when it is
sounded each man gains new strength and courage to do his duty as an American
citizen and avenge the wrong which has been thrust upon him.
After alluding to the queen regent and her
son very briefly he concluded his address which was followed by a selection
from the band.
Mr. A. E. Seymour of McGraw and Hon. Joseph
E. Eggleston of Cortland each spoke in a very pleasing and interesting manner each
briefly reviewing the history of our flag and the present war complications
between this country and Spain.
Mr. G. Bowker of Cortland won the applause
of all by rendering a vocal solo entitled, "What Did Dewey Do?" At the
conclusion of the exercises a collection was taken for the Maine memorial fund.
In the evening the band gave a delightful
concert which was listened to by about five hundred people. The estimate of the
number of people present at the celebration was about fifteen hundred and all
were well pleased with the hospitable manner in which the people of Little York
treated them.
 |
| "...their average size being 6 3/4 inches by 6 inches. We doubt if this record can be beaten in any other locality." |
BREVITIES.
—The latest egg story is in the Homer letter
to-day.
—New display advertisements to-day
are—Stowell, Great Bargains, page 6; A. S. Burgess, Men's Shoes, page 8.
—E. A. Crain, the undertaker at Virgil, died
Sunday morning of Bright's disease. The funeral will be held at 11 o'clock A.
M., on Tuesday.
—A regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will
be held Tuesday, May 17, at 2:45. Consecration service will be led by Mrs. M.
V. Hills. A business meeting and rollcall [sic] will follow.
—The regular meeting of Grover Relief corps
will occur to-morrow, May 17, at 2:30 P. M. A large attendance is desired as it
is the intention to make arrangements for Memorial day.
—All members of the senior and intermediate
departments of the Y. M. C. A. are requested to meet in the association parlor
Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock to take steps for the formation of a cycling
division.
LETTER
FROM MEXICO.
Mrs.
Houghton Rides a Wheel from Mexico City to Chapultepec.
The following letter from Mrs. O. A. Houghton
written from Mexico and recently published in the Elmira Advertiser will
interest many of her Cortland friends:
What can be more delightful than to live
over again in memory the ride from the Alameda, Mexico, to Chapultepec on the
most magnificent of boulevards, the Paseo de la Reforma? This royal avenue is
the pleasure drive of the city. It is about four miles long, and nearly 200
feet wide. There are four glorietas (circles) in the Paseo, each 300 feet in
diameter, and intended for heroic statues. Two or three are already placed. One
is a statue of Columbus, the second of Montezuma, third, the last of the Aztec
princes. A double line of fine old trees runs the entire length of this avenue
on both sides. We owe this "Empress Drive," as it is sometimes
called, to the unfortunate Carlotta, for it was she who interested herself in
beautifying this drive and the Alameda, which is as fine a park as one will see
in any city of the world.
On the Paseo from 5 till quite dark the bon
ton of the city are pleased to drive every afternoon. And for numbers and
magnificence of equipages it would be hard to find their equal in Newport, Paris
or London. The highest bred horses and most perfectly finished and appointed
carriages. It is said the carriages contain the culture and beauty of the city.
As to the beauty, one has only to stand and watch this long procession and add
his testimony to the truth of the statement, "The Paseo is Vanity Fair on
wheels." And I recall with great pleasure the two drives I had on this
avenue, drinking in the beauty all about me.
I also recall another delightful ride I had
on the Paseo with a bright-eyed, rosey-cheeked girl of Mexico. But it was on a
wheel! Now I presume there are people in Elmira mean enough to question this statement,
especially those who may have seen my early struggles with this most perverse
of machines. But I have learned some things by experience, and then I had one
great advantage in Mexico. I could ride the whole length of the Paseo on one
kind of pavement and that of the best! Whereas, I distinctly remember that on
Lake-st. in your fair city, between East Second and Clinton, I struggled over
four varieties, and as I went on each one seemed worse than the last.
When I first walked about in Mexico City, in
casting my eyes around to see the new and old things, they fell upon a spot
where were wheels [bicycles] to rent. And more than that it did my heart good to
behold a real Stearns ("Yellow fellow") agency. It seemed like a
whiff of air from the Salt City [Syracuse, N. Y.]. And I then and there made up
my mind to have a ride on a Stearns before I left the city. I have now only to
record that my plan was carried out on one of those glorious mornings
that come every three hundred and sixty times a year at least in Mexico.
However, I must not forget to tell a little
about where these delightful rides led me. To the hill and castle of Chapultepec!
Here on this hill before the Spaniard came were the summer palaces of the
Montezumas. Those were long since destroyed to give place to one for the
Spanish viceroys, which in part still stands, although much changed and enlarged
by the various kings, emperors and presidents that have ruled in Mexico. The
mountain itself rises 200 feet very abruptly on the great plain of Mexico. At
its base is a large grove of cypress trees many centuries old. We had a permit
to visit the castle, where is not only the summer residence of President Diaz,
but the National Military school. After a laborious climb we found ourselves on a wide gallery,
which commands a view once seen is never to be forgotten. I think I can do no
better than to quote from one more gifted than I in description:
"With the remembrance of scenes in
other lands which have been inspiration and delight this lovely landscape loses
nothing. Even the glamour
which ever surrounds the past fades before the reality. From this beautiful spot
one looks across a valley fair as a dream of paradise, with soft green fields
and waving hedges and evenness of lofty trees, gray country roads that fade
into the azure distance. A faint line of pale blue mountains, purple sometimes
with deep shadows, rests like brooding and watchful spirits around the dim
horizon; and farthest of all, beautiful with that sublime sense of remoteness
and awfulness which belongs only to them, the solemn presence of Popocatapetl
and Ixtaccihuatl rises like radiant clouds against the serene heavens above. Everything
before known of mountain scenery becomes secondary in the imagination compared
with these wonderful heights! The great serenity of the plain, the softly
changing greens which cover its entire extent, and the undulating exquisite
line of hills, like the frame of some rich jewel, is something unspeakable when
contrasted with the grand solitary state of these twin mountains, who dominate
them all. If no more of loveliness than
this view can give were added to one's inner life, the Journey to Mexico would
be fully requited."
We had all this loveliness to enjoy a full
hour before the sunset. And as we watched the glorious lights, changing every
minute on the snow capped Popocatapetl and Ixtaccihuatl who can wonder that awe
filled our hearts!
The interior of the palace was quite like
other palaces. Many of the state departments are much as Maximilian used them.
Most are richly decorated with tiles, carved woods and in Pompeilan colors.
Here at Chapultepec, "the Gibraltar of
Mexico," as it is called, our army under General Pillow won a victory in
the Mexican war in 1847. And this siege and victory ended the war, for in a few
days the city was evacuated and peace signed at Guadalupe de Hidalgo. Thus you
will see that this is a very charming and fascinating spot to visit.
Every one during our short stay has seemed
to interest themselves in our plans for sightseeing. The members of the press
were particularly kind and attentive. And many are the grateful thoughts we
carry away with us from this strange, old land that seems "asleep in the
lap of legends old."
No comments:
Post a Comment