Cortland
Evening Standard, Tuesday, May 10, 1898.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Intermission for Breakfast.
It was
very hot aboard ship during the Manila fight, but many cool incidents are
noticed during its progress. Commodore Dewey controlled his squadron from the
top of the Olympia's pilot house, he and his chief of staff being entirely unprotected.
Captain Gridley was in the conning tower, it not being considered prudent for
all of the ranking officers to be exposed to death. A 6-inch shot cut away
some rigging a few feet above the commodore's head.
Chief of
Staff Lambertson, when he went ashore to receive the surrender of the Cavite
fort, thought there was something suspicious in movements at the fort. He
ordered the Petrel's guns to be trained and to open fire if he was not back in
an hour. When he met the Spanish commander the latter said the white flag
raised was not for surrender, but for a truce that the women and children might
be sent away. Lambertson gave him two hours in which to accept terms of
unconditional surrender or firing would be resumed. The terms were accepted
fifteen minutes inside the limit.
Captain
Wildes of the Boston and several of his officers were on the cruiser's bridge
throughout the fight. The captain smoked a cigar. In one hand he had his field
glasses and in the other a palm leaf fan. Paymaster Martin served coffee to
officers and men during the fight.
The
Petrel of less than 900 tons won the name of the "little battleship"
by the effective part it took in the fight, its little draught enabling it to
go closer to shore than any other vessel of the squadron.
The
intermission in the battle was for breakfast. While the Americans were eating,
fire was continuing the work of destruction their guns had commenced, two or
three of the enemy's ships being in flames. After breakfast the job of doing up
the enemy and his works was resumed and finished! It was the withdrawal for
breakfast that the Philippine governor general cabled to Madrid as the
"retreat of the enemy."
Dewey's Promotion.
Secretary
Long's dispatch to Commodore Dewey, advising the Manila hero that the president
"has appointed you acting admiral," doubtless omitted the word "rear."
There is no existing rank in the navy higher than rear admiral, the law
declaring the ranks of vice-admiral and admiral lapsed with the deaths of their
latest holders. The president, therefore, could not appoint Dewey acting
admiral. Doubtless the secretary, in the excitement of the moment, forgot to
write "rear" admiral. The vote of thanks by congress and the
brilliance of Commodore Dewey's achievement open the way to a revival of the
grades of vice-admiral and admiral, and congress may by law so enact. In that
case the further promotion of Dewey will follow. For the present he is acting,
and a very active rear admiral.
◘ Cuba still has a sad story of
suffering and starvation to tell. Havana begins to experience the privations of
a state of siege. While there is food there, speculators are represented as holding it at famine prices, in
anticipation of a longer blockade, and raw food costs in the market about $5 a
day for a single person. Meanwhile the reconcentrados are starving and dying,
uncared for by the Spanish government and as yet unfed by the United States,
which will make every effort for their relief. The situation is one which should
prompt the utmost haste, consistent with prudence, in landing American troops
and provisions upon the island. The stricken people will not have long to wait
for the succor that will be given them.
◘ If there is to be any fighting
to be done by the troops, Colonel John Mosby, our old guerilla friend of the
civil war, is to have a hand in it. The colonel is 65 years of age, but he can
still ride as he did over thirty years ago and he has probably lost little of his
old dash and vigor. During the years since the war closed he has been a good,
loyal citizen, though he made us no end of trouble when he was in the saddle.
John, as well as Fitzhugh and all the other old cavaliers, is forgiven, He is
as true and loyal to our flag now as if he had never kept it vainly scurrying
after him and his squadrons of elusive horsemen.
 |
| Walter Wellman. |
Wellman's Expedition.
Walter Wellman, the author of the very interesting Washington daily specials which The
STANDARD has been publishing for the past year, sails from the United States
to-day en route to Tromsoe, Norway. He will leave that place on June 20 in
charge of an Arctic expedition, consisting of eight persons besides himself.
The party will be taken to Franz Josef Land on the staunch and fast steamer
Fridtjof. At Archangel, Russia, seventy-fire Siberian draught dogs will be
taken on board.
When
Franz Josef Land is reached a supply house will be established at Cape Flora in
latitude 80 degrees, and three men left in charge. The Fridtjof will return to
Norway, to come out again next summer for the purpose of bringing the
expedition home. The exploring party of six, with the dogs, canvas boats and hermetically
sealed sledges containing provisions, will push northward to the most extreme
point of land that can be reached, which is believed to be 500 miles from the
pole. Here the party will winter.
When the
sun returns at the end of February, a dash will be made for the pole. The round
trip is not expected to take more than 110 days, making allowance for delays.
Traveling will therefore be done at the most favorable time of year—that is,
when it is light, and before the weather gets so warm that the snow becomes
slushy. Wellman calculates that the round trip can actually be made in ninety
days.
 |
| Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. |
SAMPSON
AT PORTO RICO.
Interesting
News Expected From Him at Any Time.
HE MAY
BOMBARD THE CITY.
No
Engagement Has Been Reported to Washington.
WASHINGTON, May 10.—Naval officials are
expecting interesting news from Admiral Sampson within the next 24 hours. It is
now officially admitted that the admiral with his fleet is near Cape Haytien on
the north coast of San Domingo, and distant about a day's run from Porto Rico.
So far no reports have come to the department of any of the lurid engagements
that are said to have taken place in those waters. From the expectation so
plainly manifested at the navy department that something important is to happen
very soon, it is surmised that if Sampson has not struck the Spanish flying
squadron he may strike a blow at Porto Rico itself.
It is a curious fact that thus far the navy
department does not know positively where the Spanish fleet is, and it is just
possible that the vessels may be away over on the other side of the Atlantic,
or at Cadiz, instead of being in Sampson's neighborhood in the West Indies.
That such a thing can happen is plainly shown by the report from St. Thomas
that the Spanish cruiser Alphonso XIII has arrived at Porto Rico. This is a
formidable protected cruiser of modern type, and it has been supposed all along
that she was at Cadiz, Spain, forming part of the home defense squadron. The
fact that she has arrived at Porto Rico without knowledge of her departure
having leaked out is an evidence that the Spanish authorities are able to guard
the secrecy of their naval movements much better than our own people are able
to do.
Word came to the naval department that the
cable had been cut between
Montevideo
and Rio Grande do Sul, thus cutting off all communication along the east coast
of South America before the last named points in the south of Brazil. If this
were not an accident it would be hard to guess at the purpose, the Oregon having
passed far north of the break. It is just possible that Spanish emissaries have
cut the cable to conceal some naval demonstration or movements of Spanish ships
in that quarter of the world.
CABINET
CONCLUSIONS.
Troops
to Be Sent to Dewey and an Aggressive Movement in Cuba.
WASHINGTON, May 10.—At the special cabinet
meeting the leading subjects of discussion were the measures to be taken to
reinforce Admiral Dewey at Manila and the probable movement on Cuba. As to the
former there has been no material change in the plans. Approximately 5,000
troops will be dispatched on the City of Pekin and other transports. The
Charleston will act as convoy.
The McCulloch has not yet left Mirs bay,
outside of Hong Kong harbor, where she is waiting further instructions to
Admiral Dewey. In his cablegram the admiral made no request for troops, not
knowing the government's intention in regard to the occupation of the islands.
It seems quite certain, however, that the government intends to make an active
campaign against the Spanish forces there and Admiral Dewey will be so
informed. It is not probable that the squadron will bombard the city or engage
in any active work against the fortifications there except such as the admiral
may find necessary in order to retain control of points now in his possession.
On the arrival of the troops, which will be immediately concentrated from the
Pacific coast states, it is expected that a landing will be made at once and
operations begun to capture the city and reduce the remaining fortifications.
In addition to the five or six thousand troops the transports also will take
out a considerable cargo of supplies, including ammunition.
As to the plans of campaign in Cuba it is
understood that there has been no material change from those announced some
time ago. At the proper time it is expected that a landing of a considerable
force with provisions and munitions for the insurgents will be affected at some
easily accessed point and that an active campaign will then begin from the rear
as well as from the fleets in front of Havana and other important sea ports.
MURDERED
THE ADMIRAL
BECAUSE
HE FAILED TO DEWEY'S FLEET.
Terrible
Spanish Vengeance—Two Sons Killed With Him by the Populace of Manila—Massacres Outside
the City—Insurgents Murdering Women and Children.
LONDON, May 10.—A special dispatch from
Shanghai says it is reported that Admiral Montejo, the commander of the Spanish
fleet, who escaped from Cavite by running along the shore to Manila with his
sons, was killed by the populace of the latter place.
It is added that the hospital of San Roque,
filled with Spanish soldiers, was set on fire by shells from the Boston and
that Sisters of Charity were killed while removing the wounded.
Massacres are reported to have occurred
outside of Manila, the insurgents butchering even the Spanish women and
children.
REVOLUTION
IN ITALY.
Begun
Prematurely—Recommends the Assembling of Parliament.
ROME, May 10.—The Italian cabinet has
decided to recommend to King Humbert that parliament be prorogued. The police
are reported to have seized correspondence showing that the recent serious
riots in different parts of Italy were the results of a planned revolution.
But, it appears, the movement broke out prematurely. Martial law has been
proclaimed in the Province of Naples.
POLICE
COURT NOTES.
Charles
Wilkinson Ordered to Leave Town Without Delay.
Charles Wilkinson, the rag-gatherer,
familiarly known as "Johnny Bags," was again in police court this
morning on the charge of public intoxication. This was not his first experience
in police court circles and Police Justice Mellon lectured him soundly and
ordered him to leave town without delay. He was driven from Ithaca by the
authorities a year or so ago.
Officers Corcoran and Gooding found two
tramps in a hog car on the
D., L.
& W. R. R. last night and arrested them. This morning they gave their names
as John Bray of New York and Thomas Dougherty of Carbondale. They pleaded
guilty and were sentenced to thirty-five days in jail.
 |
| Wreck of USS Maine. |
A
SOUVENIR OF THE MAINE.
SHERIFF
BRAINARD HAS PART OF THE ILL-FATED SHIP.
His
Cousin Writes That He "Was One of Those Unlucky Cusses on Board the Maine When Those Damned
Weyler Hirelings Touched Her off in Havana Harbor"
—The
horror of the Scene is Indescribable.
Sheriff Arthur E. Brainard is the proud
possessor of a piece of wood from the ill-fated battleship Maine, destroyed in
Havana harbor on Feb. 15. The wood was sent to the sheriff by his cousin,
Alfred Haynes, who formerly lived in Herkimer county, and of whom the sheriff
had lost all sight until the receipt of the following letter which explains
itself. The wood in question has been turned and a "billy" will be
made from it for the use of the sheriff. The piece of wood is on exhibition in
one of the windows of Palmer's Department store. The letter:
KEY WEST, Fla., May 8, 1898.
Dear Cousin,
You doubtless will be surprised at the
postmark on this letter and perhaps still more surprised at its contents. I
would have written you before only that I have been spending the last two
months in the hospital and have not been in any condition to write, or do
anything else in fact.
You will probably be surprised to learn that
I was one of the unlucky cusses on board the Maine when those damned Weyler
hirelings touched her off in Havana harbor. Such is the case, however, and it
is only by a merciful Providence that I am not food for fishes at present,
instead of being in the land of living. Fortunately I was on deck when the
crash came and although I was badly bruised and shaken up by the force of the explosion,
I had brains enough left to jump into the water as soon as I saw the ship was
settling,
I managed to grab hold of a piece of
wreckage and hung on long enough for a Spanish boat to pick me up and then lost
consciousness. When I came to I was in the Havana hospital, and felt mighty
flightish. I was out of my head quite a while, but as soon as I was able to
stand the trip I was brought over to Key West, where I have been ever since.
You probably have read a good many accounts
of the explosion in the newspapers, but I assure you no description can ever
equal the horror of it. I will never forget it as long as I live. There were two
distinct reports which followed each other within a few seconds and the ship
sank almost immediately. The first explosion was not so loud as the second, which
was the most awful roar I ever heard.
After the explosion the scene, as long as I
was conscious, was something horrible. The cries and shrieks of the poor sailors,
some of whom were suffering the crudest of torture penned, with no hope of
escape, in the sinking and burning ship, were pitiful in the extreme, and I would
give anything in my possession if I could only blot out the remembrance of those
few minutes of consciousness which I had after the explosion.
All around me I could hear cries for help from
those less fortunate than I, who had nothing with which to assist them to keep
afloat, and then, after a short interval, a terrible gurgle, as the poor maimed
and bleeding wretches sank in the muddy waters of Havana harbor. It was an
awful thing and I knew from the first as well as I wanted to know that the
Spaniards were to blame for it. And as I lay there in the hospital it made my
blood boil to think of the coldblooded murder of those 265 brave sailor lads.
Thank God, we have a chance now to get revenge for their treachery, and
Commodore Dewey has opened the ball in good style.
My idea of the explosion was from the start
that it was caused by a mine, as the board of inquiry decided. We had been
suspecting some hostile move for a long time and were keeping an extra sharp
watch at the time of the catastrophe. Against a submarine mine, however, of course
we were practically helpless.
As soon as my strength increases enough to
permit of it, I intend to enlist in the navy again and hope to get a berth in
one of Dewey's ships. He is the kind of man we sailors like to fight under.
By this same mail I have sent you a piece of
the wreckage of the Maine which kept me afloat until I was picked up. Give my
regards to Mrs. B. and all the rest, and answer this as soon as possible, as I
may not be at this address very long. Your affectionate cousin,
ALFRED HAYNES.
APPLICATION
DENIED.
Lack or
Funds Will Prevent a Military Company in Cortland.
As previously stated in THE STANDARD, a
short time ago some of the members of the old Forty-fifth Separate company made
an application to the military authorities of the state for authorization to
recruit a new company here to take its place in the national guard as a part of
those substituted for other companies and regiments which have enlisted in the
volunteer service of the United States. This morning an answer was received
denying the permission on the sole ground of lack of funds. The special
appropriation of $1,000,000 voted by the last legislature was to be devoted
wholly to the equipment and needs of the volunteers for the United States
service. An order has already been issued directing the recruiting of new
companies and regiments to take the place in the home cities and towns of the
companies and regiments volunteering, and the funds needful for supplying the
wants of these companies and regiments must come out of the regular national
guard appropriation and will undoubtedly use all of it, so that nothing will
remain to equip any new companies in new places. Already a sufficient number of
applications had been received here to organize a company and a half, and this
without asking a single man to join. The decision will in consequence be a great
disappointment to all those men.
BREVITIES.
—The C. A. A. will hold a special meeting at
8 o'clock this evening to elect a secretary in place of Jas. F. Costello,
resigned.
—At the business meeting of the Epworth league
of the First M. E. church last night, Miss May Morgan was elected third
vice-president in place of Miss M. Louise Myers, resigned.
—Call at The STANDARD office and see the art
portfolios of Cuba, the American navy and Hawaii, which The STANDARD is now
offering. Every one who sees them is delighted with them.
—The Epworth league of the Homer-ave. M. E.
church will hold a special business meeting to-morrow evening at 7:30 for the
purpose of choosing a president in place of F. B. Miner, resigned.
—A well-known young man, whose fondness for four inch collars is well known,
was accosted recently by a stranger who pointing to his collar observed, "I
will give you three dollars for an advertisement thereon."
—Hiram Parker of Blodgett Mills is the owner
of the latest hen that is an aspirant for honors. This hen produced an egg that
measures 8 by 6 1/2 inches in circumference each way, and which weighs nearly
four ounces.
—"The Yanko-Spanko war" is the
term which a London paper uses in referring to the present unpleasantness
between the United States and Spain. The London paper must have been thinking
of the trouncing Dewey gave the Spanish fleet at Manila.
—Referee George S. Sands has filed at the
county clerk's office his report which is in favor of the plaintiff, in the
divorce proceeding of Myron E. Bingham against Etta Bingham. Thomas H. Dowd was
attorney for the plaintiff, and W. C. Crombie represented the defendant.
—New display advertisements to-day are—S.
Rosenbloom & Sons, Furniture, page 7; Bacon, Chappell & Co., Cloak
Department Specials, page 8; D. McCarthy & Sons, Dry Goods, page 4; Bingham
Bros. & Miller, Fine Tailoring, page 7; C. F. Brown, Hawkeye Cameras, page
7.
HOMER
Gleanings
of News From Our Twin Village.
HOMER, May 10.—Mrs. Polly Champlin, an aged
and respected resident of this village, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas.
Hammond on Rice hill yesterday morning at 1 o'clock.
This morning as Mr. Edward Hammond was
starting for Cortland with a large monument when near the residence of Mrs. W.
N. Brockway the front wheel of the wagon came off. Mr. Hammond sat on the stone
which weighed nearly four tons and as the front of the wagon dropped down it pitched
the stone forward, throwing Mr. Hammond and slightly hurting him in the small
of the back. It was a fortunate fall, for if it had struck him squarely, he
would certainly have been crushed to death. They drew the monument back to the
marble yard on rollers, where it is to be reloaded.
J. L. Humphy of New York was in town
yesterday on business.
Mr. J. V. A. Clark and wife left this
morning for a short visit at Preble.
Mr. Frank B. Scott of Boston, Mass., was
here yesterday calling on friends.
Chas. Fenner, who has been the guest of Rev.
L. J. Christler for a few days, returned to his home at Syracuse this morning.
Mrs. Harry Wells and daughter, who have been
visiting Mrs. Wells' brothers, William and George Gilkerson, returned to her
home at Philadelphia this morning.
The following letter has been received from
Mr. John Kelly, who left some time ago enroute for the Klondike, which may be
of interest to several of our citizens:
Trail, Valdez Glacier, Alaska, April 17, 1898.
I am six miles from Copper City. In ten or
twelve days we will be at the summit. All the trailers numbering about 2,600
are as cheerful as men could be. There is no stealing here and everything is as
safe as can be. About seven hundred men are over at the lake in the timber and
will probably stay there until a new crowd arrives to help break the trail
through to Copper river. The snow is from seven to ten feet deep. We dug down
for our camp and it is quite a climb to get up level with the snow. We can go
anywhere from 9 o'clock at night until 10 o'clock the next morning without the
use of snowshoes. Of course several men have got discouraged and started back
home. I never saw anything more grand than these mountains and glaciers. There
are about fifteen women here on the trail and their courage is as good as the
men's.
(Signed) JOHN KELLY.
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