NAVAL ACTION VERY NEAR

Admiral William T. Sampson.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, May 23, 1898.

NAVAL ACTION VERY NEAR.

Only a Matter of Days and Perhaps Hours.

IT MAY END THE WAR.

Most Desperate Conflict in the History of Naval Warfare.

   KEY WEST, May 23.—No definite news has been received from any quarter. A few naval uniforms on the street are the only signs of the proximity of this languid town to the theater of war. There are only one or two ships in the harbor, and they are coaling with all haste to get away to join their fellows in an action, which all are convinced is only a matter of days, perhaps hours.

   Speculation is still concentrated on the whereabouts of Admiral Cervera's squadron, the general opinion favoring some point on the southern Cuban coast. As both sides of the island are now patrolled by United States warships, the naval authorities will not admit that the possibility of Cervera's escape without the most desperate conflict in the history of naval warfare.

   Reports from Admiral Sampson's squadron say that all is quiet off the northern coast of Cuba. Nothing from Commodore Schley is expected until tomorrow.

   A rumor reached here that four American warships, while bombarding

Santiago de Cuba, had been driven off by the Spanish fleet, but the story is generally discredited. Where it came from is a mystery.

SLOW BUT SURE.

War Board Taking Its Own Time For the Great Naval Engagement.

   WASHINGTON, May 23.—The bureau of navigation, navy department, where official dispatches are received, was open throughout the day, but the officials were engaged on routine work and there was no evidence of that activity which would attend the receipt of important information nor of the keen expectancy which would exist on the near approach of the two fleets. In the absence of exact information as to the location of the two fleets the serenity in naval circles was a fair indication that the official advices did not give promise of an immediate engagement.

   It is evidently the view of the war board that an engagement, if it can be brought on, will be decisive of the whole war, and there is no purpose to allow such momentous results to go off on a fluke, or on too precipitous move in deference to the public pressure for results, but to move firmly, yet cautiously, and insure a victory when there is a fight.

USS Winslow (Torpedo Boat # 5).

FAMINE IN CUBA.

Extent of the Damage Done at the Bombardment of Cardenas.

  KEY WEST, May 23-—Senor Ernesto, a well known lawyer and president of the Revolutionary Junta of Cardenas, arrived here on the United States gunboat Annapolis. During the recent bombardment of Cardenas Senor Castro was in the bay in a small boat, trying to reach the American vessels and get transportation to the United States on an important mission. He was compelled to return to the shore, where he saw and heard of the results of the bombardment.

   The Spanish gunboats which lured the United States torpedo boat Winslow into the death trap were the Antonio Lopez, Lealtad and Ligera. During the fight the two former retreated behind the wharves and the Ligera behind the key. It was the Antonio Lopez that opened fire on the Winslow and decoyed her into the channel. The Spanish troops formed on the public square, not daring to go to the wharves; all the Spanish flags were lowered, as they furnished targets, and the families all fled to Jovellanos.

   Senor Castro says an American shell exploded in the very entrance to the Spanish casino, shattering the building and setting it on fire. The Casino which had been used as a military headquarters and infantry barracks, and which was the largest structure in town, was utterly destroyed. Other buildings were wrecked. Some of the shots went as far as the Triente sugar plantation, two miles in the interior. The Spanish loss of life, Senor Castro believes to have been very heavy. It was so reported. After the bombardment ceased the military commander pressed all able-bodied men into the work of carrying sand to build new batteries and the next day 1,200 men were brought from Matanzas and Havana to continue the work

   Senor Castro, after passing four days on the Piedras key, signaled the United States gunboat Wilmington and was taken off. He says famine prevails everywhere in Cuba. In Cardenas rice is 25 cents a pound, condensed milk sells at $1.50 per can, and horse flesh brings 75 cents per pound. There is no beef or bread.

   The insurgents are in dire distress. Formerly provisions were smuggled from the cities, but that relief is now impossible, since the cities themselves are starving. The insurgents are trying to subsist on peppery wood and palm buds. Senor Castro tasted meat here for the first time in five weeks.

Trinitario Ruiz Capdepon.

INTERFERENCE SPAIN'S HOPE.

Self-Interest and Public Policy May Be the Motive.

UNTIL THEN IT IS WAR.

Spain Prefers a Possible Defeat to Certain Disgrace.

   MADRID, May 23.—Senor Capdepon, minister of the interior, has denied in the course of an interview that the change in the constitution of the ministery [sic] would involve any alteration in the foreign policy of Spain, all the new ministers being in favor of prosecuting the war with the utmost energy to the end.

   "Spain," said Senor Capdepon, "went perilously near sacrificing her honor in the interests of peace, only making a stand when further concessions would have involved her disgrace and effacement as a nation. This she will never do and in this resolve the new cabinet is as thoroughly determined as the old. The new cabinet entertains no illusions It is aware that weakness and poverty are opposed to strength and wealth; but Spain is in the position of a duelist bound to defend his honor against the gross insults of a more powerful antagonist who, although he is convinced that the result is almost certain death, yet feels the force of the principle of noblesse oblige

   "Spain prefers a possible defeat to a certain disgrace. Ministers know that the moral sympathies of the powers are with Spain and that, while hesitating to undertake the responsibility for action which might lead to a greater war they may eventually intervene from motives of self-interest and public policy on behalf of Spain."

SS City of Pekin.

PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION.

First Contingent Dewey Relief Ready to Sail.

THREE TRANSPORT VESSELS.

Warship Monterey Accompanying Them as a Convoy.

   SAN FRANCISCO, May 23.—The final details for the embarkation of troops for the Philippine islands, and the relief of Admiral Dewey, has been arranged. The City of Pekin, the City of Sydney and the Australia, with the Monterey accompanying them as a convoy, will sail tomorrow. On the transport vessels will be the First regiment of California volunteers, the First Oregon volunteers, one officer and 50 men from the heavy artillery of the California volunteers, making in all 123 officers and 2,400 men, under Brigadier General Thomas Anderson. Although General Anderson takes charge of this command, it is understood that General Otis, who is in San Francisco, will accompany the expedition.

   The Pekin was originally secured by the navy department, but as she is so large and serviceable as a troopship, the army is using her in conjunction with the navy. Besides the troops she will carry supplies and ammunition for the navy.

Pelayo.

A GRAIN OF SALT.

TO BE TAKEN WITH REPORT OF FLEET FOR PHILIPPINES.

Admiral Camara a Hard Man to Work With—Admiral Cervera Left St. Vincent for Cuban Waters Without Orders or Instructions—His Fleet Sized up—Mines for Cadiz.

   NEW YORK, May 23.—A dispatch to The World from Cadiz says: It is slated here very positively that the Pelayo, Carlos V., three of the transatlantic steamers and two torpedo boats are about to sail for the Philippines. The Pelayo is well armed, armored and manned. The Carlos V. is well armored and manned, and has good guns, but her heavy one forward will not swing, owing to defects in the machinery, and can only be fired directly ahead.

   The captains of these boats are good men and experienced, but Admiral Camara is regarded by naval men as difficult to work with, giving orders and contradicting them in the same breath. He is from Malaga.

   It is said here that there are mines in Manila harbor that were not exploded when the American fleet entered, the electrical communication being out of order. This has, so it is reported, now been rectified, and preparations are complete to give Admiral Dewey a warm good bye, should he attempt to leave. This rumor will bear a big lump of salt.

   It is reported that the Spanish fleet left St. Vincent without instructions from the government at Madrid, and that Admiral Cervera wired: "The state of my country compels me to go to meet the enemy."

   The captains of the Vizcaya, Almirante Oquendo and the Maria Teresa are excellent commanders. These ships are all in good shape and powerful, being heavily armored and well handled. The Cristobal Colon has no heavy guns, and therefore is not formidable, but all four of them are of 7,000 tons each and can steam 20 to 21 knots. They are the ships our navy has most to fear.

   The Spaniards are preparing the two steamers Normannia and Columbia, now the Rapido and Patria, to take on heavy guns. If they strengthen the ships properly the work will require several months.

   The cruiser Alfonso XIII will remain at Cadiz as a guardship, but, as her boilers are insufficient, she cannot steam more than six or seven knots, and therefore is not of much use.

   It is certain there are at least fifty mines well laid in the Bay of Cadiz.

Zola's Second Trial.

   VERSAILLES, May 23.—The second trial of M. Emile Zola, on the charge of criminal libel contained in charges which he brought against the officers who conducted the Esterhazy court martial, commenced in the Assize court here to-day.

THEY READ THE STANDARD.

Response to Advertisements Show a Thing or Two to Advertisers.

   Palmer & Co. on Friday and Saturday of last week advertised to sell on Saturday a quantity of fancy fresh butter at 15 cents per pound. Mr. E. C. Palmer said this morning that in response to that advertisement he sold between 400 and 500 pounds of butter on Saturday, and that that was pretty good evidence to him that a host of people read The STANDARD and The STANDARD advertisements.

   Mr. Palmer is just right in that statement. A host of people do read The STANDARD'S advertisements. Mr. M. W. Giles, manager of Stowell's Bargain House, told a STANDARD man a short time ago that he had never yet put an advertisement in The STANDARD that he had not plainly seen the effect of that particular advertisement in his sales. He mentioned at that time how much his sales had increased each year over the previous year since he had been in Cortland—and the amount was surprising—and he attributed the fact to his systematic and continuous advertising. He believes that if an advertiser takes good care of his space and keeps his matter fresh and interesting his words will there be read quite as surely as any news articles in the best place in a local column.

   An advertisement well taken care of is the best kind of news to the public in general. There is no special advantage in advertising fireworks at Thanksgiving time or Holiday goods at the Fourth of July, but if an advertiser pays the same attention to the details of his advertising in a paper that circulates largely as he does to matters inside his store he will see a very large return for his money expended.

ATTACKED BY DOGS.

Flock of Sheep and Lambs in Virgil Badly Injured.

   A flock of twenty-three sheep and thirty lambs owned jointly by Messrs. Warren Hoaglin and Charles Wheeler of the town of Virgil near South Cortland was attacked by vicious dogs during the heavy rain storm on Monday of last week. Four of the sheep were killed outright and several were badly lacerated. Twelve or fifteen of the lambs were also severely wounded and a number have since died. The entire flock was injured to the extent of $90 which amount has since been awarded by the town assessors [from the town dog fund]. An effort has been made to trace out the owners of the dogs, but up to the present time all efforts have failed.

BREVITIES.

   —The mothers' meeting, west, will be held at the home of Mrs. F. W. Higgins, 61 Lincoln-ave., Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Everyone invited.

   —George Lowell of the East Homer hotel will give a Decoration day party on Friday evening of this week. Daniels' orchestra has been engaged for the occasion.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Palmer & Co., butter, page 6; Warren. Tanner & Co., summer goods, page 6; A. Mahan, music festival, page 6; C. F. Brown, cameras, page 6.

   —The Epworth league of the First M. E. church invites all its friends to attend a parlor meeting to be held on Wednesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Miller, 89 Tompkins-st.

   —About fifty Cornell students come to Cortland over the Lehigh Valley this morning, and left in carryalls furnished by Oll Delavan for Lake Como, where they will spend some time in doing field work in surveying, etc.

   —The prayer-meetings in the several churches will begin at 7 o'clock instead of at 7:30 o'clock this week, Thursday evening. This will give the opportunity for all who desire to do so to attend the [Mahan] festival concert at the Opera House at 8 o'clock.

   —The first regular meeting of the University Center will occur at the Y. M. C. A. parlor at 8 o'clock sharp to-night. All members are requested to be present on time. One feature which it is the intention to observe at all meetings is the beginning and the closing exactly on time.

   —Mrs. Martha A. Winter, wife of Nicholas H. Winter, died last night at the

age of 50 years, 7 months and 15 days from a complication of diseases. She had been ill two years. The funeral will be held from the family home, 45 Railway-ave., Wednesday at 1:30 o'clock and from Memorial Baptist church at 2 o'clock. Burial in Cortland Rural cemetery.

HOMER.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   HOMER, May 23.—Miss Mary Gilbert, who is teaching school near McGraw, spent Sunday with her mother here.

   The wind being so strong Saturday evening, the balloon ascension to be given in front of Ripley's was postponed, as it was thought dangerous to make the parachute jump.

   Mrs. Frank Jones, who has been at the hospital at Syracuse for the past three weeks for treatment, returned home Saturday evening in an improved condition.

   R. J. Wilson and wife of Brockport, N. Y., spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Wilson on Cayuga-st.

   Miss Jennie Brown of Killawog, Broome Co., is visiting friends in town for a few days.

   Ray Newcomb has resigned his position as clerk in the grocery of W. B. Newcomb & Son.

   The best game of ball that has been played here for some time was Saturday afternoon between a picked nine from Cortland and the Homer Juniors. The youngsters played scientifically, holding the score down to 4 to 3 in favor of Cortland. This makes two games that Cortland has won here this season, and it is hoped that the next games between the two teams that our boys may be victorious.

   Mr. Carl Dillenbeck has accepted a position as clerk in the grocery of W. B. Newcomb & Son.