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| Commodore Winfield Scott Schley. |
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| USS Holland (SS-1). |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Saturday, June 4, 1898.
SCHLEY MADE HIS REPORT.
Why He
Fired on the Forts at Santiago Harbor.
ONLY A
RECONNAISSANCE.
He Got
the Lay and Range of the Spanish Batteries.
WASHINGTON, June 4.—The navy department has
bulletined the following report from Commodore Schley:
Secretary Navy, Washington: Made
reconnaissance this afternoon, May 31, with the Massachusetts, Iowa and New
Orleans, to develop the fortifications with their character. The fire was
returned without delay by the heavy batteries to the east and west,
large-calibre, long range. The range was 7,000 yards. Reconnaissance developed
satisfactorily the presence of the Spanish squadron lying behind the island
near the upper fort, as they fired over the hills at random. Quite satisfied
the Spanish fleet is here. SCHLEY.
This bulletin went to confirm the press
dispatches which told of the firing on the fortifications at Santiago. It
appears from the bulletins given out that Commodore Schley concentrated a
pretty good fire upon the Spanish defenses, and it seems probable that had he
found conditions more propitious he would have resolved the reconnaissance into
an assault in force.
The great natural strength of the Spanish
position and the formidable character of their batteries as indicated by
Commodore Schley have confirmed the naval officials in the belief that they
have been wise not to direct any such reckless assault upon the place in the absence
of proper forces as has been advocated in some quarters. The problem would be
simplified were it known that there were no mines in the channel. As it is the
problem presented has enlisted the officers here. It is the duty of the army engineers
in this country to lay just such mines as are supposed to be in place in
Santiago harbor, and they are curious to see how their brothers in the navy
propose to go about the work of destroying them.
It remains to be seen how Sampson is going
to solve this problem, whether by the use of the Vesuvius with her dynamite
projectiles, by the aid of divers or by the recourse to the old method of
dragging for the mines with small boats, as in cable cutting operations.
The owners of the Holland submarine boat,
who had proposed to go into Santiago harbor and destroy the Spanish warships at
so much a vessel have come forward with a request for a practical test by the
naval officers of their craft. The navy department was obliged to refuse the
first proposition as it smacked of privateering and was in violation of international
law. The principal objection was that the boat could not be in regular
commission and in command of a naval officer. Besides they contended that she had
never been thoroughly tested. Now the boat's owners propose that a naval
officer or officers be designated to go down in the Holland, and then that she
be commissioned.
DOWN AT
TAMPA.
The
Rough Riders and Thousands of Others Go Into Camp.
TAMPA, June 4.—Colonel Wood's regiment of
Rough Riders, officially known as the First United States volunteers cavalry,
went into camp near the Sixth regular cavalry regiment in West Tampa on the
ground heretofore used for drilling purposes. The regiment was unloaded in Ybor
City and rode out to the camping grounds. The men, fully armed and equipped,
made a magnificent appearance, and many favorable comments were passed by the veterans
who congregated along the road leading through the camps and watched the
westerners as they rode by on the bronchos.
Thousands of volunteer troops recently
ordered to Tampa from Chickamauga have arrived here. The First Ohio, One
Hundred and Fifty-seventh Indiana, Third Pennsylvania and First Illinois have
all been sent out to Port Tampa and were unloaded in the fields and along the
beach opposite the artillery camp.
Major General Miles and General Shafter had
a conference, lasting for several hours. The general situation was gone over
thoroughly, but no official information is obtainable regarding it.
 |
| USS Merrimac. |
DYNAMITED
THE MERRIMAC
So as to
Permit the Cadiz Fleet to Come to Cervera's Relief.
PORT AU PRINCE, June 4.—Further news
received here from Santiago de
Cuba
confirms the reports that the bombardment of that place commenced at 1 o'clock
yesterday morning and that after the action the Spaniards blew up with dynamite
the sunken American collier Merrimac. It is said they have since been at work
clearing the channel so as, in all probability, to permit Admiral Cervera's
fleet to put to sea in the possibility of the Cadiz squadron, under Admiral
Camara, arriving in Cuban waters to relieve the blockaded ships.
In the meanwhile the dispatches from
Santiago de Cuba say the Spaniards pay tribute to the audacity of the Americans
in so cleverly attempting to block the channel.
According to the Spaniards, it would be
foolishness upon the part of the Americans to attempt to force the harbor
entrance, which is described as being long and narrow and thoroughly mined,
seemingly forming an insurmountable barrier.
There are a great number of insurgents in
the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, probably waiting for some decisive action
upon the part of the American fleet which will undoubtedly be the signal for a
land attack upon the town.
THE CORK
DRIVEN HOME.
MERRIMAC
SUNK IN SANTIAGO CHANNEL ON PURPOSE.
To
Prevent Cervera's Escape or the Approach of a Relief Fleet—One of the Boldest Acts In History
—Only Men Enough on Board to Move the Ship Along and They
All Volunteers.
WASHINGTON, June 1.—"The cork is driven
in the bottle" was the comment of the naval officers at the navy
department this morning upon the news of the sinking of the collier Merrimac in
the channel at the entrance or Santiago harbor. They are absolutely satisfied
that the ship was sent in by design of Sampson to close the channel and prevent
the escape of the Spanish squadron and that the undertaking was successful. If
so this will rank as one of the boldest achievements in naval history. It will
outrank even Cushing's famous attack upon the Albemarle with his little torpedo
boat. That is the opinion at the navy department at least. The officers say
that Cushing had a fighting chance to escape after making his attack and he did
escape.
There was no such chance for the men who
took the Merrimac into Santiago harbor under the guns which Schley's report
described as of great power and over nests of submarine mines, any one of which
was sufficient to crush in the bottom of the ship. It is not possible now to learn
who made up this crew that is destined to be famous in American history, for
the opinion at the navy department is that Admiral Sampson directed that no man
be ordered into such dangerous duty but that volunteers be called for. There is
no doubt, however, that at least two of the officers were aboard, namely Commander
J. M. Miller of Missouri and Assistant Engineer R. K. Crank of Texas. The captain
could be relied upon, it is said, to stick to his ship to the last and from
what is known of Crank's character he would not be likely to leave the ship,
being the only commissioned engineer officer on board. There is only one opinion
at the department of the courage of the man who coolly stood at the engine
levers down in the hold and directly above the bottom of the ship that he
momentarily expected to come flying upward on the blast of a mine or torpedo.
One of the reasons that form the basis of
the conviction that the Merrimac was purposely sunk in the channel is the fact
that the ship was of little value as a naval vessel. She had broken down in her
machinery and was kept at work with difficulty. Some of Crank's letters are at
once laughable and pathetic in their recital of the trials and tribulations the
young officer suffered (he is about 25 years old) in his efforts to make the
machinery work at all. This is just the kind of craft that would be selected to
block up the channel. She is of iron and therefore not likely to be easily
removed by the Spaniards. She was empty and no further immediate value to the
fleet.
Another reason for believing that the
Merrimac was purposely sunk is the small number of the crew aboard, according
to the reports. There seems to have been just enough men on her to steer the
ship and keep the engines moving. The normal crew of the collier was about
forty men, so that the others must have been taken off in advance. It is said
at the navy department that there is no possibility that the American sailors
captured by the Spaniards will suffer. They are not spies in any sense, but
prisoners of war, and so far there has been no disposition shown by the
Spaniards to mistreat such prisoners.
As to the change wrought in the situation by
this bold exploit, it is said that it will now be possible to draw off the
larger part of the American fleet for service elsewhere than at Santiago,
perhaps at San Juan de Porto Rico or Havana for instance. A small force of say
two monitors and a cruiser would suffice to keep guard at Santiago, for all
that is necessary now is to be able to bring enough guns to bear upon the
channel to prevent the Spaniards from attempting to clear away the wreck by the
use of torpedoes, and to prevent the escape of the small torpedo boats that
might be able to pass over the Merrimac's hull.
The Merrimac's complement of officers
consisted of Commander J. M. Miller, Lieut. W. W. Gilmer, executive officer;
Ensigns J. R. Y. Blakely and J. M. Luby,
Assistant Engineer R. K. Crank; Miller from Missouri, Gilmer from Virginia,
Blakely from Pennsylvania, Luby and Crank from Texas. It is expected that
reports giving details will be received to-day from Admiral Sampson.
BOMBARDMENT
BEGUN.
Fleet
Attacked Forts at Santiago at 3 A. M. To-day.
CAPE HAYTIEN, Hayti, June 4.—Information
received here direct from Santiago de Cuba confirms the reports that the
bombardment began at 3 o'clock in the morning. It is rumored here that the
insurgents in Santo Domingo have captured the town of Santiago de los
Caballeros on the Yaque river, 103 miles east of this place.
FINE
LECTURE ON CUBA.
Interesting
and Instructive Words and Clear and Excellent Pictures.
There was a good audience at [Cortland's] Normal
hall last night to hear the lecture by Prof. Thomas J. McEvoy upon Cuba. The
lecture was a very interesting and instructive one and was listened to with the
closest attention. The speaker gave a short sketch of the relations sustained
between Spain and Cuba, showed how the natives had been ill treated and
oppressed and burdened with taxation, referred to former wars with Spain and to
the broken promises concerning reform. He showed the relation of the United
States to the struggling people and how and why it came to help in the cause of
humanity.
The lecture was illustrated by very fine
up-to-date stereopticon views, showing a map of Cuba upon which he pointed out
the location of the points so full of interest just now pictures of the
exterior and interior of houses, palaces, royal gardens, streets, also noted
Cubans, including Gomez, Maceo and others, also the condition of the starving
reconcentrados. Altogether it was a lecture much enjoyed by the audience and
one calculated to increase the interest in that island just now.
DRYDEN'S
CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
Just
Issued and Delivered—Prepared by George E. Goodrich.
The Centennial History of the town of
Dryden, which has been prepared by George E.
Goodrich, has just been issued and in a model in every way. It is the
misfortune of many local histories to be the offspring of the greed of
ambitious publishers who furnish expensive volumes without much regard for
historical accuracy. This cannot be charged against this undertaking, for it
has been a labor of love growing out of the centennial celebration of the town
of Dryden. The historian, Mr. Goodrich, has spared no pains to get to the bottom
of things. He has searched every record and every paper which would bear upon
the subject, and has interviewed all the oldest residents, so that the history
as it stands can be vouched for. In a certain way it has been published upon the
co-operative plan. Estimates of the number of subscriptions that could be obtained
formed a basis for figuring on the cost of the book, and the price was fixed at
$1 a copy. Then every cent of the aggravate sum was put into the book. It was
published by the Dryden Herald and is a credit to that paper and to the editor,
Mr. J. G. Ford. The type is clear and plain, the paper is of a fine quality. Of
the press work we will say nothing—as it was done by the Cortland STANDARD for
The Herald—except that we are not in the least ashamed of it, and it speaks for
itself. The illustrations are profuse and happily chosen. The binding is the
poorest part of the whole, but it was as good as the funds left in the hands of
the committee would admit of, and it is substantial if not ornamental. A recent
and carefully prepared map of the town, as well as maps of the several villages
in the town, add to the value of the work. The whole forms a volume of 272
pages, the last chapter being an account of the centennial celebration held
July 10, 1897. Mr. Goodrich is to be most heartily congratulated upon the success
of his undertaking in the preparation of this book, and by it he has put the town
of Dryden and every citizen of the town under a deep debt of gratitude to him.
The history is one that will stand and can be referred to as authentic as long
as the town exists.
MISSIONARY
MEETING.
With a
Fine Talk on Missionary Work in the City of Mexico.
On Friday afternoon, June 3, the W. F. M.
society of the First M. E. church convened at the home of Mrs. Robert Purvis,
19 Union-st. The meeting opened by singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name,"
Miss Carrie Kellogg presiding at the piano. Miss Mira Haskins followed with an
appropriate Scripture reading, and Rev. O. A. Houghton, D. D., made the opening
prayer.
Mrs. Houghton who has recently returned from
an extended tour through
California
and Mexico, gave a deeply interesting parlor talk on "Foreign Missionary
Work in the City of Mexico." Mrs. Houghton's facilities for research while
in Mexico were of the best, and she spared no pains in making a comprehensive and
detailed study of missions in the city of Mexico. The impression left by her
earnest, instructive, and charming talk was intensified by the collection of curios,
photographs and needle work which she very kindly permitted the ladies to
examine.
Mrs. Purvis attractive home was rendered
still more so by rare and beautiful potted plants and cut flowers. The spacious
parlors were filled and the closest attention was accorded the speaker.
Especial mention should be made of the music on this occasion. The thanks of
the society are due to Miss Kellogg for her piano solo, "The Last
Hope," so exquisitely rendered, and also to Mrs. Hulbert and Mrs. Mooney,
who delighted all present with two duets, "Fly Away Birdling," and
"The Angel." Light refreshments were very daintily served in the
diningroom, and the ladies separated unanimously voting the occasion one of the
most interesting and delightful in the annals of the society.
Sidepath
to South Cortland.
Misses Louise Rowley and Blanche Dudley have
secured subscriptions for between $120 and $130 for the purpose of building a [bicycle]
sidepath from Cortland to South Cortland. The idea is to continue it on to
Ithaca. This subscription list was put into the hands of A. F. Stilson,
president of the Cortland County Sidepath association, and has been turned over
to George I. Watson, the treasurer. The young ladies have also made
arrangements with Wickwire Brothers to furnish cinders, and with a number of
farmers along the line to assist in drawing them. The ladies are much in earnest
about this sidepath and their perseverance may well be an example to some of the
young men.
The
path is to be staked out at once and work begun.
BREVITIES.
—To-morrow will be Missionary day in the
First M. E. church Sunday-school.
—The Normal baseball team left at 12:50
to-day for Union, Broome county, to play the team of that place.
—Valentine Brothers' harp orchestra of three
pieces is in town on its annual visit, and is stopping at the Cortland House.
—The Y. M. C. A. will have a harriers' run
next Tuesday night at 8 o'clock preparatory to a hare and hounds run next Saturday.
—Benjamin T. Wright, Esq., and wife of Cortland
were entertained by Mrs. M. S. Clark and daughters Decoration day.—Lisle
Gleaner.
—The sixty Cornell students who have been
spending a couple of weeks camping at Lake Como passed through Cortland to-day
on their return. They left for Ithaca at 3:17 P. M.
—The Lisle Gleaner speaking of the
Decoration day address of B. T. Wright of Cortland at that place says: "A
most graphic and interesting speech was listened to by a large crowd."
—A regular meeting of the hospital board
will be held at the hospital Monday afternoon next, June 6, at 3 o'clock. A
full attendance is desired, as there is business of importance t o be
transacted.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Stowell's,
Washing Machines, page 8; McKinney &
Doubleday, Hammocks, page 6; G.
F. Beaudry, Bicycle Pumps, page 6; O'Leary & McEvoy,
Furniture, page 6.
—The union meeting of the young people's societies
for this quarter will be held with the First Baptist Y. P. S. C. E., to-morrow
evening at 6 o'clock, one-half hour earlier than the regular young people's meetings.
—Flower thieves are again in evidence. A
large bed of peonies on the lawn of E. A.
McGraw, 3 North Church-st. was stripped of blossoms last night. It would seem
that people might be in better business than stealing flowers.
—In war time a good illustrated paper is
almost a family necessity. Realizing this fact The STANDARD has made
arrangements whereby it is able to offer Leslie's Weekly, conceded to have only
one rival among the illustrated journals of the country, to our old and new
subscribers at the very low rate of $7.25 per annum for the Leslie's Weekly and
the daily STANDARD or of $4.25 for the Weekly and the Semi-Weekly STANDARD. As
$4 is the regular subscription price of Leslie's Weekly, subscribers accepting
this offer practically get their home paper at very little expense.
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