BERING SEA CLAIMS PAID AND CORNELL COMMENCEMENT

Sir Julian Pauncefote and family.

                Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, June 17, 1898.

BERING SEA CLAIMS PAID.

Closing Chapter In a Long Discussed Controversy.

NEARLY HALF A MILLION.

     The Exact Amount Paid the British Government Was $473,151.26.

   WASHINGTON, June 17.—The closing chapter in the story of the Bering sea fisheries claims, running over a period of several years, was enacted in the offices of the secretary of state yesterday afternoon when Judge Day delivered to Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassador, a draft drawn on the treasurer of the United States in the sum of $473,151.26 as payment in full of the award of the joint commission convened in accordance with the terms of the Paris tribunal of arbitration of 1892. Yesterday was the last day allowed for payment under the terms of the award and it was made in pursuance of a special act of congress passed by that body Wednesday and approved by the president of the United States yesterday morning.

   These claims arose through the seizure by the United States revenue cutters and naval vessels detailed for the purpose of patrolling the Bering sea of a number of the small schooners hailing from British Columbia, that had been engaged in sealing. By so doing they had violated the law of the United States, but when the whole general subject was considered at the Paris arbitration, it was decided as an incident that the United States had at the time these seizures were made, no exclusive jurisdiction over the waters of the Bering sea outside of the three-mile limit, and that consequently the owners of the vessels were entitled to compensation for the losses they had sustained.

   The seizures occurred all in one year, for in the following year the United States and Great Britain had arranged a modus vivendi which practically excluded sealing vessels from the waters of Bering sea during the time when the seals are breeding.

   The damages awarded by the joint commission to which the United States was a party were considerably less than the aggregate of the claim of the owners of the sealing vessels, but the amount is still in excess of the figure which Secretary Gresham had arranged to pay for the damages had congress consented at the time.

 

USS Marblehead.

                            BUSHWHACKERS FIRED ON.

The Marblehead's Little Steam Launch In a Hot Engagement.

   KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 17.—The Marblehead's steam launch cleared out a detachment of Spanish bushwhackers Wednesday afternoon and escaped without the loss of a man after a hot engagement of a quarter of an hour. The launch had been dragging the harbor near the fort, when the enemy, concealed in the bushes on the shore opened a hot fire on the five men in the launch. The launch headed toward shore and began banging away; but the bow gun finally kicked overboard, carrying the gunner with it. In the meantime the enemy was fleeing wildly. The marine was promptly rescued. It is believed that several Spaniards were killed.

   During the afternoon a half starved and ragged Spanish soldier crawled into the camp and gave himself up. He said he expected to be shot, but he would gladly die if they would only give him food and water. He had had neither for 48 hours. He reported that there were 2,000 Spanish soldiers, half starved, who wanted to give themselves up, but that they believed they would be killed by the Americans as soon as they were once in captivity. The Spaniard was given a good dinner and some clothing and was taken on board the Marblehead. He declared that he would gladly go back and report to his comrades, but that they would certainly shoot him. He is now held a prisoner on the Marblehead.

Lt. Richmond Pearson Hobson.

                                            HOBSON'S CHOICE.

Measure of Reward For the Brave Lieutenant Not Yet Decided Upon.

   WASHINGTON, June 17.—The president has not yet decided what measure of reward shall be meted out to Hobson for his brave achievement. The men he led have been taken care of. Secretary Long attended to that himself, because it was a matter entirely within his authority and they have been made warrant officers, the ideal of a sailor's ambition.

   Hobson is to be advanced. The department called upon Sampson for a recommendation in this case, but in advance of its arrival had about decided to advance Hobson 10 numbers, which would have placed him just below Constructor Linnard, when a doubt arose as to whether the young man would not prefer a transfer to the line. His relatives were consulted, among them his uncle, Representative Pearson of North Carolina, and it was decided to allow Hobson to make his choice as between the line and staff. Steps accordingly have been taken to acquaint him with the department's purpose and ask his pleasure in the matter.

 

Blanco's Report.

   MADRID, June 17.—General Blanco cables from Havana that the batteries there fired on the United States cruiser Montgomery, which left the line of blockade. Eleven vessels are now blockading the port of Havana.

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Our Cuban Allies.

   The first proofs we have had that the Cubans are to be valuable aids in the work of freeing Cuba come from Guantanamo. The little party of marines, landed from the Oregon, Marblehead and Panther, had had two days and nights of trying experience. They were not met in open battle, but harassed by guerrilla attacks. They were ignorant of the lay of the land and unused to the tactics of the enemy.

   They were in just the situation in which the help of native troops would be most serviceable. That such help was not afforded at first was due to the fact that the Cubans were not informed of the intention to land forces at Guantanamo, or the time of landing.

   The Cuban forces joined the marines Tuesday, and the first day proved their qualities as lighters. "They fought like devils," says one report. "They have supreme contempt for the Spaniards as fighters and as marksmen." The marines on the third day rounded up the Spanish bushwhackers, and the word was given to the Cuban contingent to attack. "Americans who have decried the Cubans as fighters should have seen this gallant little band of insurgents," we are told. "They were off after the Spanish like hounds after rabbits." The Spaniards fled. It developed that they fear the Cuban soldiery, while ready to meet Americans, of whose fighting qualities they are uninformed. The Cubans pursued, firing incessantly and with effect and shouting "Viva Cuba," "Viva los Americanos."

   They brought into camp a lieutenant and eighteen men, a number of guns and several thousand rounds of ammunition. The captured lieutenant told of sixty-eight Spaniards killed and 200 wounded, which admissions are believed to be a good deal short of the truth.

   The enthusiasm, fearlessness and loyalty shown by this small body of Cubans at once raised the natives in the estimation of the American troops. If those who joined Captain Elliott at Guantanamo are fair samples of Garcia's and Gomez's men the dependence to be placed on the Cuban allies has been underrated. They are used to bush fighting and can render invaluable assistance to the American troops. In the one chance they have had they prove as willing as able.

 

  

USS Holland (SS-1).

◘ The navy department has, it is said, prescribed definite conditions on which it will buy the submarine boat Holland: If the boat can make eight miles an hour under water, and stay under two hours, the government will buy at once. Engineer Morris of the Holland company, says the boat is as good as sold, as it has fulfilled these conditions, and can repeat easily.

 

Emilio Aguinaldo.

                            BATTLE AT MANILA.

INSURGENTS ATTACK SPANISH AND INFLICT HEAVY LOSS.

Vain Attempts to Poison and to Assassinate General Aguinaldo—Augusti Would Surrender to the United States to Escape the Insurgents—Troops from San Francisco Expected Every Hour—Manila Will Fall Within Twenty-four Hours After Their Arrival.

   NEW YORK, June 17.—The Journal has the following from Hong Kong: The most severe and important battle since Admiral Dewey's annihilation of the Spanish fleet has occurred at Manila. One thousand insurgents attacked 2,000 Spanish, inflicting heavy losses and almost forcing the entrance to the city.

   The insurgents under General Aguinaldo and the American sailors and marines of Admiral Dewey's fleet completely surround Manila. The foreign residents have fled to the ships. Admiral Montojo and Governor General Augusti have placed the women, the children and the priests in the forts for safety.

   Governor General Augusti is reported to be willing to surrender to the Americans in order to prevent the insurgents from capturing the capital, setting it on fire and killing the Spaniards. The archbishop, however, is opposed to the surrender and has overruled Augusti.

   A Spanish spy has attempted to poison General Aguinaldo but the plot was abortive. Aguinaldo was made very sick, but has completely recovered.

   A Spanish prisoner was caught trying to assassinate Aguinaldo. When his plot was discovered he attempted to escape, but was shot dead. The success of the insurgents is wonderful. The Spaniards taken prisoners in the two weeks' campaign aggregate 3,000, including 2,000 soldiers of the regular army. Prominent among them are Generals Garcia and Cordoba.

   The governors of the provinces of Cavite, Balucan and Bataan were also made prisoners. Two million rounds of cartridges were seized in the fortified cathedral of old Cavite. The large garrison of old Cavite has surrendered, thus giving the insurgents command of the shore of the entire bay. All interior sources of supply are now cut off from the Spanish forces in Manila.

   Your correspondent watched the battle from a post within the insurgents' lines, permission having been granted by General Aguinaldo as a special favor. What he saw convinced him that the Spanish soldiers are cowards and are utterly demoralized.

   The increase in the number of German warships in this port excites comment in view of the relations between Spain and Germany. The Kaiserin Augusta with Admiral Diederich on board has arrived, making the third great German warship here.

   Everything is in readiness for tbe arrival of the American troops on the transport ships which left San Francisco May 25, and which are hourly expected. The Americans can take Manila within twenty-four hours after the arrival of the troops.

   The city is now at the mercy of the American fleet. Admiral Dewey's conduct of the blockade has been admirable. A great fire is raging north of Manila. The insurgents have captured the waterworks in which the supply of the city depends. General Augusti has issued orders declaring that all males above the age of 18 shall join the army and do military duty.

 

                                    CORNELL COMMENCEMENT.

Large Number of Degrees Conferred—Minister Woodford Present.

   ITHACA, N. Y., June 17.—The thirtieth commencement exercises of Cornell university were held yesterday. Degrees were conferred as follows: B. A. 32; Bachelor of Philosophy 42; Bachelor of Letters 3; Bachelor of Science 57; Bachelor of Law 104; Bachelor of Agriculture 9; Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine 4; Bachelor of Architecture 9; Bachelor of Civil Engineer 15; Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering 42; Bachelor of Electrical Engineering 46; Master of Arts 10; Master of Science 1; Master of Science in Agriculture 5; Master of Civil Engineering 3; Master of Mechanical Engineering 3; Doctor of Philosophy 23; Master of Laws 5.

   In accordance with the precedent established in 1894, all commencement orations were omitted. The feature of the exercises was the presence of Hon. Stewart L. Woodford, ex-minister to Spain. When he took his seat on the platform by the side of former Governor Alonzo B. Cornell, President Schurman and the faculty, he was given a hearty ovation. In response he spoke briefly to the students urging them to be patriotic.

   In the afternoon the university gave a banquet to the visiting alumni.

 

A GERMAN MOVE.

To Prevent Dewey's Bombardment—Seeking a Coaling Station.

   LONDON, June 17.—According to a special dispatch from Shanghai Admiral Von Diederichs, it is semi-officially asserted, left Nagasaki, Japan, for Manila on receipt of instructions from Berlin to prevent Admiral Dewey from bombarding the city and also because Captain General Augusti offered the German consul the Caroline Islands as a coaling station in case operations should be taken against Manila.

 

STRUCK BY A TRAIN.

Looking for a Train from the Other Direction.

   TRUXTON, N. Y., June 17, (Special) —A terrible accident happened to Neil Casey, the 16-year-old son of John Casey, who resides on the Patrick farm about two miles east of this village last night. Young Casey was on his way to the depot with their milk and was driving a span of horses attached to a light lumber wagon. When near the railroad crossing at Crain Mills he was struck by the 7:25 Lehigh Valley express train going south. The boy was thrown several feet and with terrific force. He was picked up unconscious and carried to his home. He is terribly injured, one hip is broken. There is no chance of his recovery. The wagon was totally demolished, one horse was killed instantly and the other is injured some. It is thought that the boy was looking for the train going north and did not see the train coming south.

 

Off the Bridge at Canastota.

   A Lehigh Valley engine and coal car jumped the track at Canastota one day this week from the overhead bridge across the New York Central's tracks and landed on two of the tracks below blocking them for nearly two hours. Neither engine nor car was much damaged. Central trains were switched around the wreck on the freight tracks till the tracks were cleared.

 

Dinner for the Veterans.

   A notice was yesterday brought to The STANDARD by a member of the entertainment committee of the One Hundred Eighty-fifth regiment, N. Y. Vols., with a request for its publication saying that Warner Relief corps of Syracuse was to furnish dinner to the veterans on the reunion day, Wednesday, June 22. This seemed very strange to us at the time that an out-of-town organization should come here to furnish refreshments and we inquired about it, but he assured us that it was all right and that that was the arrangement for this year.

   We are informed by Mr. H. M. Phillips, chairman of the executive committee, that the member referred to was wrong, and that Grover Relief corps of Cortland will furnish dinner for the veterans as usual. The arrangements are already made and preparations for the dinner begun. Dinner will be served in the vacant store in the Garrison building for 15 cents, and all veterans, both visitors and local members, who care to do so can obtain dinner there for that sum.

 

                                                    BREVITIES.

   —Free dancing at the park to-morrow night.

   —Homer's annual bicycle parade will occur next Friday, June 24.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Angell & McFall, Owego-st. Market, page 6; Badger Mfg. Co., Bicycle Lamps, page 6.

   —In police court this morning one drunk paid a fine of $3, and one tramp was given thirty minutes in which to leave town.

   —Hopkins' grocery store, C. O. Smith's flour and feed store and F. H. Maricle's livery have been connected with the telephone exchange.

   —DeRuyter has contracted with Holmes & Bingham of Norwich to put in a gas plant for lighting the village at a cost of $2,583.45.

   —State Railroad Commissioners George W. Dunn and Ashley W. Cole passed over the S. & B. division of the D., L. & W. yesterday on a tour of inspection.

   —General Manager W. F. Halstead of the D., L. & W. R. R. and J. V. Bogart, superintendent of the main line, were in Cortland yesterday to look at Hon. O. U. Kellogg's stud of horses.

   —The L. A. W. Bulletin estimates that there are now 12,000,000 bicycles in use. If combined in one machine it would be 5,303 miles high, 10,227 miles long. It would weigh 180,000 tons and its saddle would cover 10,000 acres.

   —Charles Mee, Jr., a pressman in the office of The STANDARD, who is spending a week at Glen Haven, must be doing some tall fishing up there judging by the samples which he has sent down, and the fish taste just as fine as they look.

   —Miss Helen M. Goodhue, teacher of drawing at the Normal, who has during the past year been the instructor of the Ladies' Art club of the Normal faculty, was to-day presented with a beautiful fan and a handkerchief by the members of the club.

   —The fine rose garden of Mr. Frank Donegan at 13 Hubbard-st. is now coming into its full glory and attracts much attention from visitors. Mr. Donegan takes great pride in his roses and has a large number of varieties and they are very beautiful indeed.

   —Milk has been reduced to 1 1-10 cents per quart—the lowest price ever paid since shipments to New York commenced. There is said to be absolutely no profit in it to the producers at this price. Last year 1 1/8 cents was the least paid.—Homer Republican.

   —"Let me kiss your Dewey lips," pleaded an Emmetsburg youth in the parlor. "Young man," roared a voice from above, "the bombardment will open as soon as I can get down stairs." Then the hapless youngster organized himself into a flying squadron and made a fleet disappearance.—Exchange.

   —Work of filling the trestles on this branch of the Lehigh in being rapidly pushed. The steam shovel and gravel train are now working in the cut near the cheese factory, just west of the village. It is said that the long Lee trestle, and High Bridge trestle, as well as the smaller ones, are to be filled.—DeRuyter Gleaner.

   —Henry D. Freer is reported to be considering the starting of a restaurant and catering establishment in this city, to be conducted by him, in addition to his hotel at Taughannock. Mr. Freer had a restaurant at Cortland prior to his experience in the Ithaca hotel. He has not yet succeeded in finding a vacant store filling his requirements.—Ithaca Journal.

 

HOMER.

Gleanings of News from Our Twin Village.

   HOMER, June 17.—Mrs. Barker has returned from Bainbridge and was accompanied by Mrs. John Vassar and little daughter Helen.

   Fred Hart of Ithaca is visiting friends and relatives here for a few days.

   Several young athletes were practicing on Main-st. last evening in broad and high jumping and 100-yard dashes.

   Wednesday night frost was reported in different parts of the village. Mr. Frank Rogers who lives about one mile north of the village says at 5 o'clock the ground was covered with frost which looked like snow.

   Mr. Stanley Raymond of Little York was in town yesterday on business.

   Mrs. H. P. Bean of this place and Mrs. W. H. Sandwick of Dryden are visiting friends and relatives in Ithaca.

   This evening will occur the "National Festival" to be given at the Baptist church under the auspices of the Baraca class of that church. A most delightful and interesting program will be given free of charge consisting of music by the Baraca orchestra, trombone solos, vocal solos, cornet duets, singing by a quartet, and recitations. After the above program has been rendered, ice cream and cake will be served. Ten cents will be charged for this and an elegant souvenir of the occasion will be given with each dish of cream. There should be a large attendance at this festival as the exercises will be both interesting and instructive.

   A movement is in preparation for the annual bicycle parade of all wheelmen and wheelwomen in town. Each year an elaborate parade has been given, and it is the intention of those in charge to arrange one for one week from to-night. This year there are over 200 more wheels ridden here than last year and the event should be participated in by every rider. Let all who can, decorate their wheels. The full particulars of the line of march will be announced later.

   Mr. Irving Steadman who has been attending Cornell is home during vacation.

   The One Hundred Eighty-fifth New York regiment will hold its annual reunion at Cortland next Wednesday, June 22.

   Fred Day has accepted a position as clerk in the grocery of P. K. Barker on James-st.

   Mrs. C. O. Newton fainted and fell to the floor last Monday morning and seriously injured her hip. The injury was quite painful but it was impossible to determine whether there was any fracture of the bones. It is hoped that she will soon recover from her injury and that it will prove nothing more serious than a bruise.—Republican.

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