INVASION OF CUBA BEGUN AND MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES

U. S. Marines invade Cuba.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, May 31, 1898.

INVASION OF CUBA BEGUN.

Troops Taking Their Departure From Tampa.

DESTINATION KEPT SECRET.

There Will Be Four Separate Military Expeditions.

   WASHINGTON, May 31.—The military invasion of Cuba has begun. The

troops that have been gathered at the Gulf ports began to break camp and march aboard transports waiting to carry them to the enemy's territory. About 25 of these ships, the biggest and fastest that could be obtained suitable for the purpose have been gathered, ready to receive the troops. They will accommodate about 30,000 men, for a short voyage like that from one of the Gulf ports to Cuba, it is possible with safety and comfort to carry a much larger number of men aboard ship than would be admissible in the case of a cruise to the Philippines, for instance.

   How many troops started, where they took ship, where they are bound, are questions which the directing spirits of the campaign refuse positively to answer. They have no desire that the Spanish should have opportunity afforded them to gather forces to attack our soldiers as they land. Therefore, nothing of the details of this first movement can be learned. There is a suspicion that the start will be made from Tampa and Mobile and it is probable that in such case the fleets of transports will converge at Key West to pass under the convoys of the warships which Admiral Sampson has provided to ensure them against attack at the hands of some stray Spanish cruiser or gunboat.

   It is probable that there will be no less than four separate military expeditions, and that these will be landed at four different points. Whether Porto Rico is one of these points or not cannot be learned.

   Before the entire force which is proposed to use in Cuba can be landed, the transports must make four separate voyages across the straits.

   Arrangements have been made to utilize the services of the insurgents to the largest possible extent. The government already has sent expeditions to a large number of points on the island and landed arms for the insurgents.

   Most of the parties succeeded perfectly in their object and it was said

at the war department that a sufficient number of the insurgents have been armed to constitute a very effective support for the troops as they land.

Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles.

MILES STARTS SOUTH.

The Commanding General of the Army Will Soon Be With His Troops.

   WASHINGTON, May 31.—Major General Nelson A. Miles, commanding the United States' army, accompanied by the members of his family and his personal and official staff, left at 11 o'clock last night for Tampa, Fla. The party, comprising 34 persons, occupied a special train on the Southern railroad, consisting of one Pullman sleeper, one special car, one combination baggage and day coach and one baggage car.

   Secretary and Mrs. Alger were at the station to see the party off, as were also about 100 other persons, friends and relatives of the officers. No demonstration of any kind occurred as the distinguished party took its leave.

   General Miles will proceed directly to Tampa where he will establish temporarily the headquarters of the army. He will personally direct the movements of the troops and the invasion of Cuba.

   Following is the personnel of the party: General Miles, Mrs. Miles, Miss Miles and Sherman Miles, General Rogers, General Stone, Colonel Maus, Colonel Michter, Cornel Osgood, Major Daly, chief surgeon; Major Seyburn, Major Davis, Captain Alger, Lieutenant Rowan, Lieutenant Parker, and Lieutenant Townsley. General Collazo and Colonel Hernandez of the Cuban army were of the party, as were also four privates of the Sixth cavalry, who will act as orderlies, and 11 secretaries and clerks.

Maj. Gen. Wesley Merritt.

Merritt In Command.

   SAN FRANCISCO, May 31.—Major General Wesley Merritt, commander of the Manila expeditionary forces, and governor general of the Philippines, has moved his headquarters from the Palace hotel to the Phelan building, and issued an order formally announcing that he had taken command of the Philippine forces and expeditions.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

The Soldiers' Vote.

   The framers of the excellent election law of New York overlooked the possibility of war, and the necessity of making provision against the disfranchisement of citizens in the armed service of their country. As the law stands personal registration is necessary in cities and the larger villages as a condition to voting, which act requires the personal appearance of the voter at the polls. The war takes, under calls already issued, from 20,000 to 25,000 citizens of New York to the field and to naval service. The right of every voter enlisted in the national defense to cast his vote in the general election will not be questioned by adherent of any party.

   To enable the soldiers to vote an extraordinary session of the legislature will be necessary. The election law must be amended and methods provided for the casting and counting of the votes of New York soldiers in the field. For this authority is given by Section 1, Article II of the constitution of 1894, which reads:

   In time of war no elector in the actual military service of the state, or of the United States, in the army or navy thereof, shall be deprived of his vote by reason of his absence from such election district, and the legislature shall have power to provide the manner in which and the time and place at which such absent voters may vote, and for the return and canvass of their votes in the election districts in which they respectively reside.

   Of course, if peace were declared soon, or were certain within the next two or three months, the need of providing for the soldiers voting away from home would be removed for this time. But the duration of hostilities is uncertain. The call for additional troops and the provisions making for sending a large force to the Philippines indicate belief in a prolonged strife. And if the end should come later than August it is doubtful that the disbandment of the volunteer army would occur in time to permit all the troops to be at home in time for registration. Again, a considerable number of New Yorkers have enlisted in the regular army and in the navy. The necessity of providing a way for these to cast their votes will remain.

   It is altogether probable, therefore, that the legislature of 1898 will be called to meet in special session. It is fortunate, in view of Tammany's grab of absolute control of the election machinery in New York City, that this is so. While providing for the casting of the soldiers' vote, in obedience to the constitution, the duty of guarding against the abuse of the election machinery in the metropolis by the partisan bureau Mayor Van Wyck has constructed can be discharged.

   ◘ It is said that the expedition which sailed from San Francisco last week for the relief of Dewey carried a consignment of 245,000 Mexican silver dollars. They were bought in San Francisco for 46 cents apiece, and thus represented a total outlay of $113,700. The principal medium of exchange, if not the only one, in the Philippines is the Mexican dollar, and that coin will purchase as much at Manila as the United States silver dollar. General Merritt will therefore be able to buy $245,000 worth at Manila for what cost the United States $113,700. This is thrifty practice as well as an object lesson to our own free silverites. But if the United States holds on to the Philippine Islands, Mexican dollars will soon be current there only at their bullion value. The result may be not wholly satisfactory to the natives.

MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES.

FINE ADDRESS AT THE OPERA HOUSE BY DR. CHENEY.

It Was Certainly a Very Inspiring Occasion—Singing by the School Children—Address to "Our Unknown Dead" by H. M. Kellogg at the Soldiers' Monument—Graves of the Veterans Strewn With Flowers.

   The Memorial day exercises yesterday were pronounced by all to be the best that have been held in Cortland in many years. Contrary to previous customs, the exercises were held in the Opera House at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. It was a very pleasing departure, for it furnished the people a pleasant and comfortable place to sit during the exercises. At 1:30 the members of Grover post, No. 98, G. A. R., and Grover corps, No. 96, W. R. C., formed in front of the Grand Army headquarters, and headed by the Cortland City band marched to the Opera House, at the doors of which they were met by a delegation from James H. Kellogg, camp, No. 48, Sons of Veterans, who ushered them to seats reserved for them in the parquet. The village and town officials occupied the two lower boxes, and the clergy were seated on the stage. When the curtain was rolled up, the sight which met the eyes of every one was a most inspiring and beautiful one. The raised seats in use at Mahan's music festival had been retained in position and in them were arranged 200 school children representing a living flag. There were the white stars on the blue background, and there were the red and white stripes, all combining to make a very realistic picture. The plan for this was put in execution by Miss Elizabeth Turner, who was in charge of the music. The Opera House was crowded. Standing room was at a premium.

   The exercises, which were in charge of Commander George W. Edgcomb of Grover post, were opened with a selection by the band, which was followed by a fervent prayer by Rev. Adelbert Chapman, pastor of the First Baptist church. The school children, who had been carefully drilled by Miss Elizabeth Turner, sang "Up With Old Glory" with a spirit which stirred deeply the hearts of the gray-haired veterans, who knew what it meant to hold and keep up the national colors. Lincoln's memorable address at Gettysburg was read by Oscar P. Miner, adjutant of Grover post. This was followed by another song by the children, "Salute the Old Defender."

   Dr. Francis J. Cheney, principal of the State Normal school, was introduced as the speaker of the day, and the address was characteristic of the man. It was the unanimous opinion that it was the best address that has been delivered in Cortland on a similar occasion in a great many years, if not in all time. Dr. Cheney said in part: Members of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Woman's Relief corps, Sons of Veterans and Friends: This is a great day. No body of citizens can assemble on this day but who will feel that it is one of the greatest days in the progress of the world's history. To-day we lay aside our partisanship and our differences; we are all Republicans, all Democrats and all Populists. May 30 is a day of peace. But to-day in these times of war, the memories of these veterans make this one of more than ordinary importance. It is well on this day to review our stock in trade, and so I have chosen as my theme, "The Obligations of Citizenship." What is a citizen? The American citizen ought to be obedient, intelligent, educated. If I could have my way in the making up of the curricula of our public schools, the first two subjects I should insist upon would be American history and civil government. The sight of these boys and girls here is a prophecy that the flag will be protected long after you, veterans, are gone.

   The speaker traced the formation of the constitution and made reference to the great hearts and minds which formed it, and continuing said: The obligations of citizenship require that we be patriotic. To this patriotism is due the fact that wherever the old flag has been raised it has not been found trailing in the dust. The perils attending the Revolutionary war were great, but for the perils through which the Union soldiers passed, their heroism has never been equaled in all the ages past. The war taught several lessons. It taught a lesson in geography—that the south boundary of the United States is not the Ohio river, but the Gulf of Mexico. It taught a lesson in arithmetic—that the whole is greater than any of its parts. It taught a lesson in orthography—that "war" is spelled with an "r;" they had not lost the "r" largely south of Mason and Dixon's line.

   Dr. Cheney in closing referred to the present war with Spain, and spoke of the reasons advanced for and against the war, and concluded by saying that this is not a war for the sake of war or aggression, but for the sake of humanity. The speaker was frequently applauded in the course of his remarks, which showed the hearty acquiescence of all in what was said. "America" was sung, and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. John T. Stone, pastor of the Presbyterian church.

   The line of march was then formed in front of the Opera House on Groton-ave. in the following order:

   The column proceeded to the soldiers' monument on Church-st., where after music by the band, and prayer by Rev. J. C. B. Moyer, pastor of the Homer-ave. M. E. church, H. M. Kellogg delivered the address to "Our Unknown Dead." The column reformed and proceeded to the Cortland Rural cemetery, where the graves of the veteran dead were strewn with flowers, a volley was fired over the grave of Major Andrew J. Grover, after whom the post was named, and returning to headquarters on Main-st., the organizations were dismissed.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES.

Appointment of an Engineer Deferred Until Wednesday Night.

   The board of village trustees held a regular meeting last night for the purpose of the appointment of an engineer to have charge of the paving of Main-at., but owing to the absence of Trustee O'Leary, action was deferred until Wednesday evening.

   A formal application was received from Prof. Walter L. Webb of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, who offered to do the work for 3 per cent of the total cost.

   Jesse C. Grannis of Syracuse applied for a position as inspector.

   L. J. Smith of Philadelphia, who had previously made an application for the engineering work, was present, and was questioned at some length by the trustees, as was also William B. Landreth.

   President Stilson stated that E. E. Mellon, who was present, had been sent to Syracuse as a special committee from the board of trade to learn what he could, concerning H. C. Allen, who has made application for the engineering, and suggested that Mr. Mellon make his report to the board, but the report was finally deferred until to-morrow evening, when a full board will be present.

   A. J. Barber, chief of the fire department, announced that the wheels of the Orris and Emerald hose carts were defective and recommended the purchase of iron bicycle wheels. The chief was authorized to get prices. A new shut-off to replace the broken one used by the Emerald hose company was ordered. Dr. L. T. White [trustee] was appointed the standing committee on enginehouse [sic].

   Notice of intention to pave was ordered served on the Cortland & Homer

Traction Co.

   The clerk was authorized to investigate the records in the county clerk's office and verify the petition for paving, as to ownership, etc.

   The board adjourned until Wednesday evening at 7:30 o'clock.

BREVITIES.

   —The Auburn milk dealers have reduced the price of delivered milk to three cents per quart for the summer.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—D. McCarthy & Sons, Dewey Bicycle, page 8; A. S. Burgess, Best Clothes, page 8; Case & Ruggles, Keeping It Up, page 6; Smith & Beaudry, Hammocks, page 6.

YERKES-COSTELLO.

Married in the Morning—Pitched a Clean Game of Ball in the Afternoon.

   Mr. Stanley Yerkes, who last year pitched for the Cortland State league team, and who is this year pitching for Rochester in the Eastern league, came to Cortland on Memorial day for a bride, Miss Catherine Costello. The young people were married at the parochial residence yesterday morning by Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, pastor of St. Mary's church. They left at once for Rochester, which will be their home for this season, and where yesterday afternoon he pitched a fine game for Rochester against Montreal, shutting out the latter without a run.