WAS THERE A BATTLE?

USS Buffalo (formerly El Cid and Nictheroy).

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, May 24, 1898.

WAS THERE A BATTLE?

REPORTS THAT THE SPANISH FLEET IS TOTALLY DESTROYED.

Washington Has Not Heard of It and Key West Does Not Believe it. Possible That an Engagement Can Have

 Taken Place—Cape Verde Fleet Trying to

Draw the United States' Fleets Away While the Cadiz Squadron Relieves

Havana—Spanish Fleet Said to be Definitely Located.

   LONDON, May 24.—Persistent rumors were in circulation here early to-day to the effect that a great naval battle has been fought in the vicinity of the Windward passage between the eastern end of Cuba and the western part of Hayti, in which both the American squadrons closed in on the Spanish Cape Verde squadron, commanded by Admiral Cervera, and completely destroyed the Spanish ships.

   A dispatch from Kingston, Jamaica, to Reuter's Telegram company, yesterday evening, said nothing was known there of the reported battle in the Windward passage, adding that no American or Spanish warships had visited Jamaican ports since the beginning of the war.

   The London newspapers take it for granted that the ships reported yesterday by Lloyds' agent at Para, Brazil, as having arrived there at 9 o'clock on Monday morning from Rio Janeiro are the Oregon, the Marietta and the Nictheroy.

   A special dispatch from Madrid to-day says: "Evidently the program in regard to the Philippine Islands has been changed. It is believed here that there will be no immediate engagement in Cuban waters, but that Admiral Cervera will draw off the enemy while the Cadiz fleet relieves Havana."

   WASHINGTON, May 24.—It is stated at the navy department that no news has been received here of an engagement between the fleets and that no news has been received of the arrival of the Oregon at Key West.

   KEY WEST, May 24.—Movements of the United States fleet which are known here make it absolutely certain that no battle has yet occurred, but an engagement is expected to take place this week. The Spanish fleet has been definitely located.

BUFFALO TO BE REFITTED.

Expected Wednesday at Newport News—Consequently Not Off Brazil.

   NEW YORK, May 24.—A dispatch to The Tribune from Newport News, Va., says: The auxiliary cruiser Buffalo, formerly the El Cid of the Morgan line and later the Nictheroy of the Brazilian navy, will arrive at the shipyard either Wednesday night or Thursday morning. The officials of the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock company have just received notice to this effect. It is possible that her arrival may be delayed in case she experiences rough weather.

   When the Buffalo arrives she will be stripped and converted from a dynamite cruiser into an auxiliary cruiser. The navy department has finally decided that the Vesuvius can do all the dynamite work necessary and that the Buffalo can render better service with a battery of twelve 5-inch guns. In addition to this main battery, the Buffalo will carry a secondary battery of ten 6-pounders, two 2-inch rapid fire rifles and several Gatling guns.

   The armament of the Buffalo will be much more powerful than that of her sister ships, the Dixie, the Yosemite, the Yankee and the Prairie, as she is already armored and her decks are protected with greater strength than the decks of those ships.

Emilio Aguinaldo.

FACING STARVATION.

AVAILABLE SUPPLY WILL BE EXHAUSTED IN TWO WEEKS.

Volunteers at Manila Demand Food—Spanish Government Refuses—Riots are Threatened— Insurgents Control the Surrounding Country and are Being Organized.

   NEW YORK, May 24.—A copyrighted dispatch in the Evening World from Hong Kong, under to-day's date, reports Manila advices as follows: The situation at Manila is desperate. Food is scarce and meat is exhausted, while all the canned stuff is nearly gone. Two weeks will exhaust the available supply. The volunteers demanded food, but the Spanish government authorities refused to give it, and riots are threatened. A delegation is said to be preparing to wait on U. S. Consul Williams, as the citizens fear an outbreak.

   The insurgents control the surrounding country and Chief Aguinaldo, sent by Consul Wildman from here, has arrived and with his staff is organizing the rebels. Foreign residents are moving from Cavite.

   Spanish reports say that five hundred were killed and seven hundred wounded in the bombardment by Admiral Dewey. All classes are waiting anxiously the arrival of our troops. There is no sickness on our ships.

USS Monterey.

LONG RACE OF WARSHIPS.

Admiral Dewey's Fate Depends Upon the Outcome.

TWO ROUTES TO MANILA.

Spanish Fleet Taking One, the Monterey the Other.

   WASHINGTON, May 24.—Naval officers have calculated to their entire satisfaction the possibility of getting the Monterey safely across the Pacific to Admiral Dewey's squadron at Manila. The principal difficulty in making such a trip as this is the small coal capacity of vessels of the Monterey type. In an emergency such as now exists, it is possible to store a good deal of coal on the main deck. Owing to the carefully laid plans of the navy department the Monterey nowhere on her long cruise will be obliged to make a run of more than 2,100 knots without an opportunity to coal. The ship will take a southerly course after leaving Honolulu, in company with a steam collier. In a sheltered harbor it should be very easy for the Monterey to lie alongside her collier and coal through her superstructure.

   It would not be surprising if one of the harbors chosen for such a transfer was in the Caroline Islands, another Spanish possession in the South seas, for by so doing there could be no possible complaint of a breach of neutrality laws on the part of any neutral nation. The Monterey should reach the Philippines in 31 1/2 days from San Francisco.

   The Spanish squadron at Cadiz which reports from Spain, states it is going to the Philippines, is capable of higher speed than the Monterey and may not have much difficulty in obtaining the necessary coal to make the trip, so that even though the distance be longer on the eastward trip there are possibilities of a most interesting race by the hostile naval ships.

USE OF THE SPANISH FLAG.

This Government Claims That International Law Gives Us the Right.

   WASHINGTON, May 24.—Dispatches from Madrid giving the sharp debate in the Cortes over the alleged flying of the Spanish flag by American warships created much comment in naval circles.

   Spain's protest to the powers that this use of the flag was "cowardly and iniquitous" was dismissed by naval officers with the statement that international law writers agreed on the right to use an enemy's flag for purposes of deceit, so long as the flag is hauled down before a shot is fired. The United States naval regulations make specific provisions on this point.

Monterey Delayed.

   WASHINGTON, May 24.—It is said at the navy department that it will be at least five days before the Monterey can be started on her long journey from San Francisco to Manila, the delay being on account of the preparations that must be made for the very exceptional service required of the vessel.

THE UNIVERSITY CENTER.

An Interesting Session Held at the Y. M. C. A. Rooms.

   The first regular meeting of the Cortland University Center was held last night at the Y. M. C. A. rooms and sixty-seven members were present. The organization is just beginning the study of the history of civilization, and the work last night included the division of the races and the preliminary study of Egypt. Dr. F. W. Higgins, the president, presided, and Edward D. Blodgett acted as leader.

   The program included an introductory paper by the leader which took the form of a review of the period covered; a question box discussion, in which a considerable number of questions bearing upon the subject were asked and answered by different members; three five-minute talks: The Nile Valley, by Dr. O. A. Houghton; Government of Egypt by Mr. F. E. Whitmore; and The Religion of the Egyptians, by Rev. John T. Stone. There was also a general discussion of the subject.

   Next Monday evening at 8 o'clock the subject of Egypt will be continued, the meeting being held at the same place, and Rev. Amos Watkins will be the leader.

   Several new names have been added to the membership list since the meeting a week ago, and it is understood that a few more are to join.

Main Street, Cortland, N. Y., as it appeared after paving.

PAVING, PAVING, PAVING.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES OFFICIALLY DECLARE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT.

Evert Trustee Voted for the Resolution to Pave Main-st as Petitioned by a Majority of the Property Owners—Differences of Opinion on Another Resolution Continued the Meeting Until Nearly Midnight.

   The board of village trustees last night, without a dissenting voice passed a resolution declaring its intention to pave Main-st., as petitioned by property owners representing a majority of the foot frontage. At about 9:30 o'clock the board got into a discussion over the form and meaning of another resolution and it was just fifteen minutes before midnight when an adjournment was taken.

   After the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting, the business under complaints, requests and petitions was taken up.

   Benjamin Givens addressed the board relative to the bill for $10 presented by James S. Squires for the rent of a store in the Squires block for charter election. Mr. Givens said he came there at the solicitation of Mr. Squires. He stated that he was employed by the village clerk to set up and remove the election booths; that he secured the keys from Mr. Squires, returned them to him and had nothing to do with any one else.

   Later in the evening, on motion of Trustee O'Leary, the amount was ordered paid to Mr. Squires.

   Trustee White reported that Isaac Ousby desired a grade for building a cement walk opposite his premises on Homer-ave. W. B. Landreth was authorized to give the grade.

   Trustee Nodecker called attention to several defective walks on Elm and Railroad-sts.

   Bills were ordered paid as follows:

   Police pay roll, $189.00

   Street commissioner's payroll, 226.70

   Helen E. Kirby, copying, .80

   W. J. Perkins & Co., supplies, 3.47

   Jas. F. Costello, salary, 25.00

   W. F. Harvey, labor, 2.70

   F. C. Jones, water tub, 18.00

   The paving question was then taken up. Trustee White offered the following resolution which was seconded and declared carried, all four of the trustees voting aye.

   Resolved, That Main-st. be paved as asked for in the petition filed May 2.

   The important question of employing a competent civil engineer to make the surveys, specifications and inspections of the work was brought up, but action was deferred for a week to allow the consulting of references furnished by applicants.

   Applications were received from Andrew Ernest Foy of the firm of Foy &

Wilkes, civil engineers, of New York; Henry C. Allen of Syracuse, a son of Albert Allen of Cortland; L. J. Smith of Philadelphia, a son of C. O. Smith of Cortland; Milo S. McDiarmid of Truxton; Prof. Walter L. Webb of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, a brother of B. L. Webb of Cortland; and William B. Landreth of Cortland. All furnished references and recommendations. Mr. Foy did not submit a bid on the whole work. Mr. Allen offered to do the whole engineering work for 3 per cent of the whole contract. Mr. Smith made the same proposition. Mr. McDiarmid would prefer a position as inspector or assistant engineer. Mr. Webb did not submit a bid. Mr. Landreth's bid was for 3 1/2 per cent of the whole contract. A letter was read from the state engineer, endorsing both Mr. Landreth and Mr. Allen. A telegram was read from Edward P. North, now engineer for the canal investigating commission, and formerly superintendent of paving in New York City under the Strong administration, warmly indorsing Mr. Landreth.

   Messrs. Landreth and Allen were present at the meeting.

   Trustee White thought the board ought to push the matter, and gave it as his idea that the board should engage some engineer near home whom the board knows. President Stilson counseled deliberation for a week and the matter went over.

   Trustee White, the committee on procuring the new watering trough for Clinton-ave., reported that the trough was in position and full of water, and asked for the discharge of the committee, which request was granted.

   Some of the burners on street gas lamps have become unfit for use, and the following proposition was received from the Homer & Cortland Gas Co. for furnishing 15 or more Welsbach street lamps. Each lamp, $10.50 per year, including six mantles, but no other repairs. Gas to be furnished at $1.80 per thousand cubic feet. Policemen to light and extinguish, keeping of record hours lamps are burning, and reporting to the gas company once per month. Consumption to be 3 feet per lamp per hour.

   The proposition was not acted upon.

   Trustee Nodecker thought that Rickard-st. should have water and light. The clerk was instructed to investigate the condition of the water and street lighting funds and report at the next meeting.

   Then followed a long discussion as to the exact limits of the proposed pavement, and it was decided that the southern limit should be the south line of the factory of Wickwire Brothers, and the northern limit, the south line of East Main-st.

   It was also said that a petition is in circulation asking for the pavement of North Main-st. from the hospital corner to the bridge.

   The next step in the paving matter is the making of water, gas and sewer connections. The idea of the law is that all necessary connections shall be made before paving to avoid the necessity of tearing up the pavement after it is once laid. The discussion last night arose over the wording and meaning of that part of the resolution requiring sewer connections. The paving law requires that the board shall designate where and at what distances apart these connections shall be made. It was pointed out that if connections were ordered every 40, 50 or 60 feet, some small lots would not be connected at all, while some of the larger ones would have more connections than necessary. There is already a "Y" and in some cases more than one "Y" opposite each lot, and the board finally at 11:45 decided to order each property owner to connect "at a point designated by a 'Y' as shown on the sewer records or at such other points as the board directs."

   Publication of a notice directing that all these connections be made by June 17 was ordered on motion of Trustee Sprague and seconded by Trustee O'Leary, and the board adjourned to next Monday night.

BREVITIES.

   —Mr. B. C. Winchell's residence has been connected with the telephone exchange.

   —The Y. M. C. A. Bicycle club will leave the association rooms for a club

run on Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock.

   —"Spot Cash" Baldwin, the Elm-st, grocer, has rented the store in the Standard building formerly used by Tanner Brothers and will take possession June 1.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—S. Rosenbloom & Sons, Chamber Suite, page 4; D. McCarthy & Sons, Cut Prices on Suits, page 7; Stowell's , Groceries, page 7.

   —Mrs. Mary J. Merritt, who has been an invalid for many years, died at 2:30 o'clock this morning at her home, 58 Lincoln-ave., aged 63 years. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

   —The Normal school is not flying Old Glory upon its flagstaff now, as the big wind last Thursday took 12 feet from the top of the pole at a place where it was spliced. The flag cannot be run up again till the pole is fixed and a pulley fastened at its top.

   —No one should fail to read the editorial headed "Dreadful News by Way of Spain" which appears on our second page to-day and which well sets forth the gross ignorance which the editorial writers of that country have of the United States. As a burlesque it would be an out-of-sight success.

   —A Locke egg buyer drove out on his trip one day last week with a Cuban flag floating from his vehicle. He bought eggs from a thoroughbred Yankee lady, just east of the village who mistook the flag for the emblem of Spain, and before the poor egg buyer could explain matters, he had received the contents of a pail of cold water.—Genoa Tribune.

   —The Normal school did not observe Washington's birthday on Feb. 22, as it came so closely after the opening of the term but will take the holiday on Friday of this week by substitution in connection with Memorial day on Monday. This will give a good breathing spell for teachers and students before entering upon the last weeks of the term. In consequence school will be closed from Thursday night until Tuesday morning.

Cortland Opera House.

THE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Has Begun Most Auspiciously—Plans for Concerts.

   About 200 singers last night at the Opera House gave Dr. H. R. Palmer a most enthusiastic and cordial greeting as he appeared for the tenth consecutive time and the seventeenth year altogether to direct the choir at the annual Mahan music festival. This is the twenty-fourth annual festival, and the prospects are that it will be one of the best, if not the best in the series. The list of artists is unusually fine this year, and the class of choruses which are to be taken up in preparation for the concerts is clearly above anything that has been attempted in several years. Among the authors represented are Mendelssohn, Gounod, Haydn, Verdi and Rubinstein.

   Miss Katharine R. Colvin has been selected to sing with Dr. Jackson in the duet in the Miserere by Verdi from Il Trovatore at the Friday night concert, and Miss Lucy I. Marsh will take the soprano solo work in connection with Mr. George Oscar Bowen in Spring Her Lovely Charms, the selection from Haydn's The Seasons. Mrs. Ray Hedden, a prominent singer of Ithaca, will have solos on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Miss Margaret Wilson, a leading contralto of Syracuse, arrives to-night and will sing several times during the festival.

   Mr. Charles D. Lee, an eminent baritone of New York, will be present at the festival and sing at one of the concerts.

   Franz Wilezek, the distinguished violin virtuoso, plays only on Thursday evening. John Francis Gilder, the well-known pianist, who was such a favorite here in '80, '81, '83 and '84, plays Friday afternoon and evening. Miss Mosby will appear Thursday evening and Friday afternoon and evening. The other artists will appear at all the concerts except Mr. Lee, the baritone, who will appear Friday afternoon only.

   The management of the stage is under the direction of Mr. George Oscar Bowen.

   The sale of tickets is in charge of Mr. A. F. Tanner.

   About sixty Cornell students who are doing practice surveying work at Lake Como are expected to return to Cortland to attend the concerts.

"GOOD EVERY DAY SPORT."

Ward Wickwire Lands a Trout 15 Inches Long from a Solon Creek.

   Proprietor L. D. Carns of The Kremlin, who bears a somewhat enviable reputation as a trout fisherman, occasionally takes a friend into his confidence and shows [him] the secret pools and nooks of the streams hereabouts. Last Saturday Master Ward Wickwire was the favored one, and in company with M. E. Van Camp, a traveling salesman of Cleveland, O., Mr. Carns and Master Ward went out to Solon. Ward is himself no mean fisherman, and the entire catch that day numbered about thirty trout. But just at evening Master Ward landed the prettiest catch of the season in the shape of a trout that measured nearly 15 inches in length. Mr. Carns says Ward nearly fainted away in the excitement of capturing such a prize, but Ward declares it just good every-day sport.