 |
| Admiral George Dewey. |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Friday, May 6, 1898.
MASTER OF MANILA BAY.
Commodore
Dewey's Position at the Philippines.
SECRETARY
LONG'S RELIEF.
No
Apprehension Felt on Account of No News.
WASHINGTON, May 6.—Secretary Long has
received no word from Commodore Dewey. He added, however, that he felt no
apprehension over this lack of good news because, in the first place, reports
were not expected with the cable from Manila cut and furthermore no fears were
entertained as to Commodore Dewey's ability to maintain his position. There was
no doubt, the secretary said, that Commodore Dewey's fleet had annihilated the
Spanish fleet and with this much accomplished Dewey was master of the situation
at Manila.
It was suggested to Mr. Long that the shore
batteries at Cavite and on Corrigedor island might be a serious menace to the
American fleet, but the secretary did not share this view, holding that the
strength of the Olympia and other ships in Dewey's command were ample to make
him master of Manila bay and its surroundings.
The department is taking steps to render
effective aid to the commodore in the matter of supplies, and a constructor of
the very highest ability is to go out at once to repair the damages sustained
in the battle of Manila. Preparations for a suitable convoy for the supplies
ships was also indicated by the choice of a commander and officers for the
cruiser Charlestown, now at Mare island. It is recalled at the navy department in
this connection that, having received the surrender of Manila, the commodore would
be able to secure any quantity of labor and of such material as a maritime city
like Manila affords for the repair of his ships. He also would be able to place
his wounded comfortable in some one of the Manila hospitals or other public
buildings.
SUPPLIES
FOR DEWEY.
One of
the Largest Shipments That Was Ever Made.
WASHINGTON May 6.—The navy department will
ship 200,000 pounds of powder to Commodore Dewey to add to the stock he now
has left. This will be made up of about 60,000 pounds of the grade used for big
8-inch guns, 60,000 pounds for the 6-inch guns, 50,000 pounds for the 5-inch guns,
and lesser amounts for other classes of guns.
This, with the large number of 8-inch armor
piercing projectiles shells and
6-inch and
5-inch rifle balls, will make the shipment of ammunition a very large one. The
powder and shot together will give 50 rounds for the big guns and several
thousand rounds for the rapid fire rifles.
DEWEY'S
VICTORY.
Report
That He Is Now Executing the Duties of Governor General There.
BOSTON, May 6.—The following telegram
received by F. T. Vilas of Boston from a friend in Singapore was read at the
banquet of the Electric club last night.
"Reliable Information received here corroborating
news of Dewey's victory at Manila, and he is now executing the duties of
governor general there."
 |
| Admiral William T. Sampson. |
CAPTURE
PORTO RICO.
Probably
the Object of Admiral Sampson's Ironclads.
STARTLING
NEWS EXPECTED.
May Be
as Important as That From Manila.
WASHINGTON, May 6.—No news could be gleaned
at the navy department relative to the movements of Admiral Sampson's
ironclads, but from the confident tone of the few officials who are acquainted
with the policy of the department, they are expecting to hear very soon of news
from his squadron almost as interesting and important as that received from the
Philippines last Monday.
A high officer of the administration
declared that the navy department was under no apprehension about the Oregon
for the reason that it did not consider that the Spanish admiral of the Cape
Verde squadron would be willing to risk a combat with the Oregon even with the
great odds in his favor, as even if overwhelmed in the end, the Oregon would
certainly destroy one of the Spanish ships, and perhaps two, and the Spanish
government could not afford to exchange pawns at this stage of the war.
That left open as possible points of
operations for Sampson either Porto Rico or some port on the Cuban coast. But
just which theory is to be accepted is not even hinted at by the department
officials.
Notice came to the state department from
Brazil that that government had declared neutrality. There is now no cause to
regret such action on the part of Brazil for, however beneficial the delay has
been to the United States in getting its warships safely along the Brazilian
coast, the issue of the proclamation just now is likely to be still more
beneficial in closing Brazilian ports to the Spanish flying squadron if it
should be headed in that direction. It may be noted, however, that while the
first reports were received with little credit, these advices coming to the
navy department, though not conclusive, inclined the officers to the belief
that the Spanish flying squadron really had turned back from Cape Verde to
consolidate with the home squadron at Cadiz.
 |
| Czar Nicholas II. |
RUSSIA
WITH US.
An
Explanation Made by a Leading Russian Diplomat.
WASHINGTON, May 6.—A leading Russian
diplomat said that the cable report from London stating that Emperor Nicholas
of Russia was much disturbed as to the ultimate destiny of the Philippines and
that some sort of immediate intervention was probable, was entirely unwarranted
and placed Russia in a misleading position before the people of this country.
He says the sentiment throughout Russia, official and unofficial, is one of
extreme cordiality toward the United States, and it shows there will be no
change in the traditional friendship existing between them.
The friendly feeling, he points out, was
shown by the Russian newspapers which arrived in the mail to the Russian
embassy only yesterday. They were published just after the declaration of war
and their comment was, without exception, of the most friendly character toward
the United States. He said this feeling prevailed to a marked extent, even
among the peasantry of Russia, and it was a matter of surprise to him under
such circumstances that reports should be circulated in the United States that
Russia was about to assume an unfriendly attitude toward this country.
 |
| Hoshi Toru. |
SENTIMENTS
OF JAPAN.
No
Objection to the United States Acquiring Hawaii.
WASHINGTON, May 6.—The Japanese minister,
Mr. Hoshi, was among the callers at the state department. He had not heard from
Manila, but thought information might come by way of Formosa, to which place
Japan has laid a cable. The minister does not credit reports that Hawaii is
about to be turned over to the United States. He says Japan has nothing to say
of Hawaii's acquisition by the United States in the usual way, by treaty, so long
as Japan's interests in Hawaii are safeguarded. But he feels that it would be unfortunate
to have the acquisition come through any sudden and surprising move,
particularly in view of the very friendly relations just at present existing
between the United States, Great Britain and Japan.
 |
| USS Montgomery (C-9). |
BLOCKADE
KEPT UP.
Rear
Admiral Sampson's Squadron Will Be Divided.
KEY WEST, May 6.—A naval officer of high
rank says that the division of
Admiral
Sampson's squadron, already indicated from Washington, will in all probability
go into effect forthwith. Commodore Watson will raise his flag on the cruiser
Cincinnati and his command will include other cruisers and gunboats. Commodore
Remey, who will command the other division of the fleet, Rear Admiral Sampson
being commander of both divisions, is expected here in a few days.
The conditions of the Havana blockade remain
unchanged, the line being rigidly kept up by the Montgomery and other cruisers
under Captain Converse, who is still in temporary command.
PAGE
TWO—EDITORIALS.
Several
Naval Problems.
The Cape Verde squadron, where is it? At
Cadiz, off Cape Roque, or enroute to Porto Rico?
Admiral Sampson's squadron, whither bound?
To capture Porto Rico? To search for the Cape Verde aggregation? To meet the
Oregon? The sailing of the American admiral from Key West with the fighting
ships of his fleet stocked to their utmost capacity with coal sets everybody guessing.
The movements of the latter have reference to
those of the enemy, and as the position and purposes of the Spaniards are
unknown, this much can be regarded as certain: Admiral Sampson will touch at
some cable station for information soon, or a rendezvous on the ocean has been
appointed at which he will be communicated with by dispatch boat. He has been
withdrawn, with his armorclads and a few minor boats from blockade work, and
sent out for serious business.
It is very doubtful that he find an enemy
worthy of his steel in West India waters, on this scout. The squadron that left
St. Vincent April 29 may have taken one of three routes—to the Canaries; Cadiz,
home and safety; to Cape Roque along the Brazilian coast, to intercept the
Oregon; to Porto Rico. If the first, it is near Cadiz. If the second, it is
near the South American coast. If the third, it is in mid-ocean, a little more
than half way to Porto Rico. It sailed from St. Vincent before the battle of
Manila; but it knows the strength of Admiral Sampson's fleet. Desperation alone
would impel the authorities of Spain to order Admiral Villamil to sail his
squadron to certain destruction—the encounter of a superior force at the end of
a 3,000 mile voyage, and most likely with empty coal bunkers. When the Cape
Verde squadron appears in the West Indies will be time to believe that they have
sent it there. Spain's vessels have shown thus far a predilection for keeping near
shore, as far from American warships as they can get, from which it is easy to
surmise that Villamil has gone back to Cadiz. But if Spain wanted to strike a
telling blow at probably heavy expense to its own navy, it would try to intercept
the Oregon. If its four armored cruisers could find the American battleship
they probably could destroy it, while it was destroying two or three of them.
The Cape Roque direction was the natural one
for the Spanish squadron to take. If it took that course it should be off that
cape or Pernambuco to-day, or to-morrow at the latest. Admiral Sampson's
squadron can be of no help to the Oregon unless the latter is held at Bahia or
Pernambuco, to await its coming. But unless the department has absolute
knowledge of Spain's squadron at that point it will not dare send the fighting
line of our ships so far away. Besides, if it were intended to send assistance,
the monitor Puritan would not be of the squadron. Lack of coal capacity and
speed would forbid. Admiral Sampson's movement, therefore, is probably against
Porto Rico, with the chance included of destroying the Cape Verde fleet—if
rashness has sent it to this side.
 |
| Walter Wellman. |
WHY WE
NEED HAWAII.
Asiatic
Squadron Forced to Fight at Manila.
OPINION
OF THE NAVAL EXPERTS.
The Old
Era of Isolation Has Passed Away. We Need a Great Navy, a Larger Army and
Coaling Stations in the West Indies and the Pacific Ocean.
WASHINGTON, May 6.—(Special.)—If anything
were needed to convince the opponents of Hawaiian annexation that the United
States should take in that group of islands as a military expedient, if for no
other reason, the recent naval movements in the far east have afforded the
argument. On the coast of Asia our fleet was really compelled either to attack
the Philippines and there secure a base of operations or else to cut and run
for home, many thousands of miles away. This was true because as soon as the
nations of that part of the world declared their neutrality our warships were
under obligation to leave the harbors and to cease using friendly ports as
headquarters. The nearest United States port was away across the Pacific ocean,
while Spain had ports at Manila, but two days' steaming from Hongkong. For this
reason and not so much from a desire to capture the Philippines the advance
upon Manila was ordered.
If the Spanish fleet in Asiatic waters had
been stronger than ours, we should still have been compelled to give battle or to
retire to this side of the Pacific. Probably prudence would have compelled us
to adopt the latter course, and the meaning of that would be that the scene of
operations was transferred from near the coast of Spanish possessions to our
own coast line. If the fortunes of war were to go against us, our coast cities
would be left at the mercy of the Spanish fleets, just as Manila was left
subject to the relentless [movement] of Admiral Dewey's squadron.
Hawaii's
Advantages.
But if the United States had a naval stronghold,
with plenty of coal and drydocks and ample fortifications at Hawaii, that would
throw the frontier out 2,000 miles from our coast line. If forced to retire
from the Asiatic side of the ocean, it still would not be necessary to come all
the way home with the enemy at our heels. The halt could be made half way over,
at the Hawaiians, where our fleets would have a great advantage over the opposition
in proximity to coal base and means of communication. It is figured by our
naval experts that with Hawaii ours and fortified and with a cable line run out
to the Islands the United States fleet upon the Pacific would be twice as strong
as it is without the addition of a single ship. If to this were added
construction of the Nicaragua canal, the advantage would be infinitely greater.
For instance, instead of remaining in Asiatic waters, as at present, Admiral
Dewey's fleet, having destroyed the only floating enemy that menaced our
merchant marine, could start at once for Cuban waters via the Nicaragua canal.
As it is now, our ships would have to round
Cape Horn in order to re-enforce the fleets in the Atlantic, and that is a long
and rather dangerous voyage. Of course it would not do to send them through the
Suez canal and the Mediterranean, for that would subject them to the danger of
destruction or capture by the Spaniards near Gibraltar. In the opinion of many
eminent men here, of all political parties and shades of opinion, current
events are forcing the acquisition of Hawaii and also the construction of the Nicaragua
canal. One well-known man put it this way:
"Whether we like it or not, events are
forcing the United States into such activity in the world's affairs as we have
never before manifested. Whether we like the responsibility or not, we must
assume it. We shall presently have Cuba, the Philippines and perhaps Puerto
Rico on our hands. There will be no way to escape the onerous duty which
control of them entails. Complications of various sorts may grow out of our
efforts to administer them or to dispose of them. Therefore we are projected
into the world's politics, and there we must stay. Inasmuch as there is no
escaping this fiat of the fates, it is incumbent upon us to meet our
responsibility as best we can. The old era of isolation and strictly minding
our own business is at an end. To meet the responsibilities of the present and
the future we need a great navy, a larger army, Hawaii and a coaling and naval
station at least in the West Indies, and a means of communication through the
Panama isthmus."
Naval
Fights in Mid-ocean.
As to Hawaii, there appears to be an understanding
that we are to take the islands. The men who are opposed to annexation upon
commercial, sociological and political grounds do not yield the main points of
their contention, which are strong enough. But many of them are prepared to
yield on account of the other considerations involved and which I have just
spoken of. Action is likely to be deferred for some time, till the atmosphere clears,
but in the opinion of the best observers here the result is no longer in doubt.
Ono of the readers of your paper writes to
ask me if it is true that battleships cannot engage an enemy upon the high
seas, but must wait till they get in smooth water. It all depends upon the
weather. Battleships and other craft mounting heavy guns are not to be operated
successfully and economically in a rolling sea. Commanders would not choose
such weather for an engagement. Their guns can be operated only at great
inconvenience and some risk if the ships are rolling in the trough of big
waves. Their projectiles would miss much more often than they bit. Inasmuch as
this would be true of cruisers and torpedo boats and all fighting craft the
disadvantage would be about the same with one fleet as with another, and
probably neither side would force a fight under adverse circumstances.
But battleships may often fight amid
favorable conditions in mid-ocean. It is a mistake to suppose that out upon the
great sea the water is always rough. One may make voyages to Europe in which
the steamer rolls scarcely at all. The sea is often almost as smooth as a mill
pond from New York to Liverpool or Southampton. The absence of waves and storms
is amazing to those who have had little experience upon the ocean, just at the
contrary extreme, that of heavy storms and wild rolling and pitching of the
biggest steamers, is surprising when old ocean's mood changes. As a rule a
naval battle need not be expected upon the high seas unless the weather is
fairly calm.
WALTER WELLMAN.
THE
STANDARD COMPLIMENTED
By The
Democrat for Its Late Dispatches on the War News.
We would compliment the evening STANDARD on the
excellent war news they have lately been receiving in dispatches. It has been
very complete and accurate and as it is on the streets nearly two hours
before the evening city papers arrive should increase their transient
circulation.—Cortland Democrat.
Thank you, brother. The STANDARD has, we know
full well, been giving its subscribers excellent war news, and they have been
appreciating it. The STANDARD has been publishing more news of the war than any
evening paper from nearby cities that comes into Cortland. It has not covered a
half page, more or less, with its headings to fill space and make its
dispatches appear stretched out, but the headings have been sufficiently large
and plain to indicate what was in the articles that followed, and it has
utilized the space given in some other papers to uselessly [enlarge] headings
to supply the solid meat of late news which the people want.
The STANDARD goes to press later than any of
the city evening papers that come into Cortland. Its wire dispatches continue
to arrive up to the last minute and consequently it can and does give later
news than its city rivals, and still it is delivered to its subscribers and is
for sale on the streets, as The Democrat says, considerably ahead of the
out-of-town papers. The latest news is always found on the fourth page.
In addition, it gives all the local news, and
the county news accurately and concisely and is the paper for a Cortland
county reader.
 |
| Cortland Opera House. |
THE
MUSIC FESTIVAL.
To be Held
the Last Week in May—Some of the Artists.
The annual music festival is this year to be
held one week earlier than usual. The dates
are May 23 to 27. The list of attractions would seem to indicate that the
festival will be fully up to its customary high standard. Among the artists are
some who are old favorites with Cortland audiences and all the others have
gained distinction elsewhere. Dr. H. R. Palmer is of course to conduct. Miss
Bates, the accompanist, will be a new face to chorus and audience, but her
ability is said to be unquestioned and she will doubtless become well-known and
highly appreciated. Mr. John Francis Gilder, the solo pianist, has many times
delighted Cortland audiences and will be welcomed back as an old friend. Henry Marteau,
the French violinist, is said t o have improved in a wonderful degree since
last he was in Cortland. If that is so, he must be fine, for he was considered
wonderful when he played here before. Miss Mosby, soprano; Miss Miller,
contralto; and Dr. Jackson, tenor; are all new to Cortland, but they are said to
have become very popular wherever they have appeared.
BREVITIES.
—Arbor day.
—It hasn't rained to-day.
—Lookout for frosts to-morrow morning.
—A meeting of the A. O. U. W. will be held
at 8 o'clock this evening in the lodgerooms.
—About a dozen Sir Knights went to Syracuse
at 4:40 o'clock this afternoon. The Temple degree was to be worked.
—The Fortnightly club will meet with Mrs.
Edward Stilson, 31 Owego-st., to-morrow afternoon from 2:30 to 6 o'clock.
—Mrs. M. G. Weeks of Syracuse will not be at
the Conservatory of Music this week on account of the illness of Mr. Weeks.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Case &
Ruggles, We Want Your Trade, page 7; Standard Ptg. Co., Art Offer, page 6.
—The case of Daniel Atwood, arrested on the
charge of public intoxication, has been adjourned until Wednesday evening, May
11, at 7:30 o'clock.
—Mr. Isaac Edgcomb has rented the store at
33 Railroad-st. and will remove his harness shop and stock to the new location
early next week.
—Mr. Elijah H. Kelly died last night at 9:30
o'clock at his home, 123 Groton-ave. Funeral services will be held at the house
Monday at 10:30 o'clock. Burial in Cortland Rural cemetery.
—Word was received in Cortland today of the
death this morning at Atlantic City, N. J., or Jonathan BrownelI, oldest
brother of Charles A. and Mark Brownell of Cortland. He had been ill about two
months.
—A special meeting of the managers of the
Hospital association will be held at the hospital Monday afternoon next, May 9,
at 3 o'clock. As important matters are to be considered, it is necessary that
there be a full attendance.
—A Hector man, who was taken to Watkins
Saturday night, bound hands and feet and barking like a dog, caused great
excitement, it being thought that he had hydrophobia. He proved to be suffering
from a mental and nervous malady which yielded to medical treatment.—Ithaca
News.
HOMER,
N. Y.
Gleanings
of News from Our Twin Village.
HOMER, May 6.—Geo. Ripley, who has been at
Syracuse for the past two days on business, returned home this morning-
Dr. Goodell, who was at Syracuse yesterday on
business, returned home last evening.
Mrs. Eva Smith and Mrs. Susan Smith, who
have been visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Dillenbeck, have returned
to their home at. Cincinnatus.
The village green is being beautified by
having the grass cut.
Mrs. Louisa Graves of Nunda is visiting friends
in town.
The fire house is undergoing much needed repairs,
new ground floors are being put down and the jail apartments are being put in
first-class repair so that it will be more convenient for the police officers.
James Dickinson of Vermont was in town
yesterday on business.
Glenn Hicks was in Preble yesterday on
business for P. K. Barker.
Stanley Raymond of Little York was in town
yesterday.
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