EXPECTING SOMETHING, W. C. T. U. CONVENTION AND PATRIOTIC PEPPERBURG

Commodore Winfield Scott Schley.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, June 3, 1898.

EXPECTING SOMETHING.

Important News May Soon Come From Santiago.

AN ATTACK MAY BE MADE.

Sampson Will Probably Not Wait For Our Troops.

   WASHINGTON. June 3.—It is plainly noticeable at the navy department that the officials are expecting news of the first importance, but that they do not look for it immediately. The firmness with which they have insisted that Schley could have had no general engagement with the Spanish forces, ships and forts at Santiago as was reported, appeared to be based on a full knowledge of the plans under which the commodore is acting, and the greatest concession they would make toward admitting that a fight had taken place there Tuesday was to say that possibly Schley had detected some earthworks going up and had razed them with the shells. They were confident he had made no attempt to enter the harbor.

   It is now believed, however, with Sampson in the field and in command off Santiago with an augmented force, that interesting events may be looked for. These are expected too, notwithstanding the fact that no troops have yet started from Tampa as was established by inquiry at the war department. The insurgents are known to be in force in the neighborhood of Santiago, and through Captain Dorst, the war department has not only been in communication with them, but has supplied them fully with good weapons and an abundance of ammunition. The headquarters of the best of the Cuban generals, Garcia, are distant from Santiago only 75 miles, so that it is possible Sampson feels strong enough with their support to begin the assault by sea upon the doomed Spanish fleet and forts without awaiting the arrival of the United States troops from Tampa. The trend of the news that came to Washington from unofficial sources all went to support this belief, so there is some ground for the expectation of the officials that important information may be expected shortly.

Domingo Mendez Capote.

CAPOTE INTERVIEWED.

Vice President of the Cuban Republic Tells About the Cuban Army.

   NEW YORK, June 3.—Domingo Mendez Capote, the vice president of the Cuban republic, when asked what his mission to this country was, said:

   "My mission is not a public one. All public acts relative to the situation between the United States and the Cuban republic will continue as heretofore to be conducted by General Palma. He has the thorough confidence of our people, who have a high appreciation of what he has done.

   "I do not come here to negotiate any loan. I come to consult with General Palma on matter which does not concern international questions or public interest. I have no present intention of calling upon President McKinley although I probably shall make a call upon him before I return. How long I shall remain here I cannot say at this time but shall make my stay as short as possible."

   Mr. Capote holds the position of judge advocate general in the insurgent army. Questioned as to the strength of the army he said:

   "Not counting those who have recently joined the forces, Garcia has about 12.000 men under him in the eastern department at Santiago and Porto Principe. About 3,800 of these men were in the neighborhood of Santiago when I received word. All were fully armed and equipped, and it was the intention to concentrate all of the force in the eastern department at that point. I cannot tell definitely how many men there are in the other provinces. Gomes had about 5,000 men at Santa Clara. Probably 30,000 men in all, fully armed and equipped are in the ranks of the Cuban army. A large number, probably 20,000 more, are armed with machetes, and there are thousands of others who have recently left the towns to join the army because they could no longer live in the towns. From Porto Principe alone 10,000 men, women and children have left because of the scarcity of provisions, preferring to take their chances in the country and further influenced by the fear that at the last moment the Spaniards, driven to desperation, will out of revenge resort to slaughter."

   Mr. Capote was asked to express his opinion as to whether or not Commodore Schley could affect the capture of Santiago, and the Spanish fleet by an attack from the sea, but said that he should prefer that Commodore Schley himself or Admiral Sampson should answer that question.

USS Brooklyn.

TO DRAW THE FIRE

AND LOCATE THE BATTERIES WAS SCHLEY'S AIM.

Santiago Is Strongly Fortified—Has Some Modern Guns that Use Smokeless Powder Which Makes it Difficult to Locate Them—Description of the Bombardment on Tuesday.

(Copyright, 1898, The Associated Press.)

   ON BOARD THE FLAGSHIP BROOKLYN, OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, May 31, (via Port Antonio, Jamaica, June 1.)—Commodore Schley determined to test the batteries of Santiago de Cuba to-day and determine where they lay and their capacity. At 10 o'clock he transferred his flag to the Vixen and was taken to the Massachusetts.

   At 1:15 the Massachusetts, as the flagship, signaled the Iowa and the New Orleans to form column and follow. A course due east was steered until the ships were about 7,000 yards from the shore and then, circling until they headed due west, they passed, starboard side on, by the forts. The heavy 13-iuch guns of the Massachusetts and the 12-inch guns of the Iowa were told to open on the Cristobal Colon, which was about 1,000 yards inside the Morro, while the New Orleans' large calibre guns were to open on the forts, so as to draw their fire.

   The narrowness of the harbor entrance and the speed of the ships, which made ten knots, allowed of the Cristobal Colon being made a target for only a few minutes. In that few minutes, it is believed she was hit twice, but was not seriously damaged.

   The entire set of forts, some six in number, opened fire and the object of the expedition was attained. Some of the modern guns, with smokeless powder, were aimed well, but of all the shots fired not one did any damage to Commodore Schley's ships. The Cristobal Colon replied to the fire, but all of her shots fell short. The American ships fired not more than four rounds from their heavy guns, consuming in all fifteen minutes for the fire. The Spaniards fired more than one hundred rounds, keeping up the fire when the ships were fully two miles out of their range.

   During the action Commodore Schley occupied a position near the forward 13-inch turret of the Massachusetts and unconcernedly watched the shells go whistling by as the ships got in the line of fire of the batteries.

   At 3:30 o'clock the commodore was back on board the Brooklyn. It is evident that the Spaniards have fortified Santiago very carefully and well. There are a number of modern guns there, evidently of English or French make, and they use smokeless powder, which makes it difficult to locate or destroy them. It will take a heavy bombardment to dislodge the batteries and the Spanish fleet.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Patriotic Pepperburg.

   Some years ago there came to this country from Warsaw, Poland, a Hebrew youth, by name Julius Pepperburg. He had the acumen and energy of his race. Taking advantage of the opportunities that lie all around in our happy land for those who have eyes and brains to see them and the hustle to grasp them, Pepperburg went on and became prosperous. He settled at length in Plattsmouth, Neb., there to enjoy the fruits of his years of work. Pepperburg was not like hundreds of rich native American men and women who never earned a dollar themselves, but who spend in lavish living in Europe the incomes their humble, hardworking ancestors earned in our republic. Pepperburg loved his adopted country more than most native Americans love the land where they were born. He loves it because he knows when all is said and done, it is the country of the people.

   The war with Spain came on. Pepperburg could not go and fight, for he was 50 years old and would not be accepted. So he drew a check for $200 and sent it to President McKinley. In the accompanying letter he said that since he owed his happiness and prosperity to the institutions of this free country he wanted to help the government in the present crisis, therefore he enclosed the check, to be used in the national defenses. The letter was signed "Your Jewish fellow citizen."

   Loyal Pepperburg!

W. C T. U. CONVENTION

Of Cortland County Held at Virgil, N. Y. on Wednesday, June 1.

   The county convention of the W. C. T. U. was held in the M. E. church in Virgil on Wednesday, June 1. The convention opened at 10:45 A. M. by singing "Guide Me, Oh, Thou Great Jehovah." Following this was a Scripture reading from Isaiah and Revelation by Mrs. Mary Yager; singing by convention, "Give to the Winds Thy Fears."

   The convention elected Mrs. Mary H. Polley recording secretary, pro tem.

Rollcall of officers and superintendents followed, to which six officers and five superintendents responded.

   The chair appointed to the following committees:

   Credentials—Miss Hare, Mrs. Lumree.

   Courtesies—Mrs. George Dann. Mrs. Anna Bentley.

   The address of welcome to the convention was given by Mrs. George Dann, president of the Virgil union. Response was made by the following unions: Preble, Cortland. Blodgett Mills, Freetown, McGrawville, Cincinnatus and Homer.

   The subject of "Scientific Temperance Instruction" was taken up and the following selections were read: "Temperance Instruction in the Public Schools" by Mrs. Bentley of Cortland; "Teaching Temperance in Public Schools" by Mrs. Hinman of Cortland; "Talk to the Teacher" by Miss Hare of Cortland. The subject was then opened for discussion. A short address was made by Miss Celia S. Hutton, president of the Yates county union and national lecturer on scientific instruction.

   A Bible reading upon the subject, "Women of the Bible," was given in which Mrs. Smith of the Preble union ably illustrated Christian influence and love.

   A selection, "The Devil's Business," was read by Mrs. M. H. Yale of Cortland.

   The noontide prayer was led by Mrs. Bentley of Cortland and the convention adjourned for the noon recess, the benediction being pronounced by Rev. A. C. Smith of Preble.

   In the afternoon the convention was called to order at 2 o'clock. Devotionals were led by Mrs. Rayfield of Freetown, followed by singing of "Coronation" and Scripture reading from Ephesians, the sixth chapter. Prayers were offered by several members of the convention. The minutes of the morning session were read and approved.

   The report of the credential committee was read by Miss Hare and the subject of "Christian Citizenship" was discussed by Mrs. J. S. Squires of Cortland. Extracts upon the same subject from John G. Wooley's address were read by, Mrs. Lumree and Mrs. Culver. Extracts from Miss Willard's address were read by Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Boynton. Short addresses, cheerful and encouraging, were made by Rev A. C. Smith of Preble, Rev. O. L. Warren of Blodgett Mills, Rev. Mr. Rayfield of Freetown and Mr. Geo. A. Norton of Cortland. The selection, "Mother's Boy" was sung by a ladies' quartet. A recitation, "Strong Drink is Raging" was given by Mrs. Nina Pond, and then "Non-Alcoholics" was discussed by Mrs. Edith Cotton. This was followed by a recitation, "The Path of a Calf," by Miss Gladys Sherman and then Mrs. Watrous made a plea for the temple.

   Question box was conducted by Miss Hutton. A solo, "Only Remember What I Have Done," was sung by Mrs. Rayfield and a memorial service was conducted by Mrs. Squires.

   The report of the executive board was offered; the minutes of the afternoon session were read and approved and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr. Warren.

   The executive board met at 1:30 and at 6 P.M. After considering several questions it decided to hold the annual convention in Cortland next September.

Sanford J. Ellsworth.

   The May number of The Brooklyn Teacher contains on its first page a cut of the large and handsome school building, where Mr. S. J. Ellsworth of Cortland is principal. The school has an attendance of 600 and the faculty numbers fourteen. The Teacher also contains an excellent cut of Mr. Ellsworth, and says in connection with some facts about the school:

   Mr. S. J. Ellsworth, the present principal, is a native of Cortland, N. Y., and received his education at the Cortland Normal school and Cornell university.

   After several years of experience in teaching in the central part of the state Mr. Ellsworth came to Brooklyn, where he was for two years connected with the Polytechnic institute as instructor of mathematics. This position he resigned in 1895 to become the principal of the school at Far Rockaway.

  Fitted by nature to become a successful teacher of children, he is endowed with tact, perseverance, executive ability and above all an inborn fondness for children. These natural gifts are supplemented by a thorough professional training, broadened by extensive reading and travel abroad.

BREVITIES.

   —W. P. Robinson's Plymouth Rock hens have struck on the [low] price of eggs along with some other's previously noted. The latest product in an egg that weighs less than a half ounce.

   —At the meeting of the University Center next Monday night members are invited to bring items of interest in reference to Japan with which to answer to their names in response to rollcall.

  —Prof. T. J. McEvoy will give his lecture on "Cuba" at Normal hall to-night at 8 o'clock for the benefit of the Normal Athletic association. The lecture will be illustrated by a large number of views of the country, the people, fleets, etc.

   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. William F. Harvey and Miss Harriet May Burnham, which will occur at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Burnham in Cortland on Wednesday evening, June 15, at 8 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—F. Daehler, Straw Hats, page 6; A. S. Burgess, Fine Shoes, page 7: F. E. Brogden, Prescriptions, page 4; Cately & Ettling, Buggy Attachment, page 4; Angell & McFall, Meat and Groceries, page 6; J. R. Boice, Puncture Proof Tire, page 7.

   —The poem which we publish on our second page to-day entitled "I Have

Crept in With Mother," the last words of the late Miss Frances E. Willard, were written by Prof. A. A. Hopkins who is to give the course of lectures at the First Baptist church next week.

   —The person who furnishes items to a newspaper is always a valuable friend to the editor. Many persons hesitate about sending personal notes to the newspaper regarding the movement of friends, lest the newspaper man should think them too anxious to see their names in print. He will think nothing of the kind, but on the contrary he is glad to get such notes. Many seemingly unimportant items when printed are news to a large number of readers.