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| Philippine freedom fighters. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, June 21, 1898.
Three Thousand Spaniards Attacked by Insurgents.
A THREE DAYS' BATTLE.
General Nonet the Spanish Commander Was Killed.
HONG KONG, June 21.—According to advices from Manila dated June 17, it was reported there that General Nonet, coming southward with 3,000 mixed troops from Balacan, 30 miles north of Manila, found the railway line blocked, and was taken by ambush by the insurgents. Fierce fighting ensued, and was carried on for three days, during which General Nonet was killed. The native troops joined the insurgents and the Spaniards who were left, about 500, surrendered.
A battalion of Panga, of native militia, supposed to be particularly loyal, began shooting its officers and killed five, when the insurgents attacked Marabon. The Spanish succeeded in disarming and imprisoning a portion of them, but they escaped when the insurgents captured Marabon.
At Zapote also a whole regiment revolted at a critical moment.
The authorities still use mixed forces, with the result that insurgent riflemen are frequently found to have passed the sentries and to be creeping along under cover firing upon the Spaniards from behind.
There is no perceptible movement at Tondo Santa Tesa, Santa Ana and Malate, though there is constant firing which is for the most part ineffective. Nothing is visible among the trees. The insurgents, who fire sparingly, draw abundant Spanish volleys, especially at night. The Spaniards incessantly squander tons of ammunition into the shadows of the thicket, apparently in the hope of quickly exhausting their stock and being in a position to surrender honorably after a hopeless fight.
In the meantime the Spanish commanders have been ordered to burn the villagers huts outside the town so as to deprive the enemy of shelter and hundreds of peaceful natives are homeless.
There was a great feast at Cavite on June 12 when a declaration of independence was formally made by Aguinaldo. He invited the American officers to be present, but none accepted. Aguinaldo is reported to have advocated autonomy under American protection, similar to the British protectorates.
The insurgents, it is believed, out of deference to Admiral Dewey have resolved never to bombard. For several days there have been tremendous rain storms.
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| Gen. Calixto Garcia. |
The Noted Insurgent Leader Sends a Message to the American People.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 21.—General Calixto Gacia, who with his staff was brought to Admiral Sampson's flagship on the gunboat Vixen, sends the following message to the American people:
"I am greatly obliged for the efforts of the American people in securing the independence of Cuba, and I shall do all I can to defeat the Spaniards quickly."
Speaking of the march from Banes, where he went to receive the munitions of the Florida expedition, he said:
"We had a hard, hard march over the rough roads. Engagements with the Spaniards? No, because there were no Spaniards. My 4,000 men are in good condition except for the slight fatigue of the long march. We found enough food, though the Spaniards are starving. The patriots are not suffering for the blockade. They can always get food. It is the Spaniards who pay the price. I think the war will be over in a few months. You can beat the Spaniards easily, but it is very hard to drive them out."
Then General Garcia asked Admiral Sampson, who sat beside him, what had happened to the other Spanish ships, the Pelayo and the rest, and opened his eyes wide with a muttered exclamation of surprise when he heard that Admiral Camara was still at home.
At Holquin General Garcia said there are 10,000 Spanish troops, but he believes the 3.000 men he left there will effectually prevent the enemy from reaching Santiago from the Golguin side.
Captain Chadwick met General Garcia in General Rabi's camp, 18 miles west of El Morro. Rabi has about a thousand men.
General Garcia and most of his staff suffered from seasickness, General Garcia humorously saying: "As bad as are the roads in Cuba, your roads, Captain Chadwick, are worse."
General Garcia and his staff were put ashore later in the day, after the preliminary details of co-operation between the Cuban and American troops had been fully discussed.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
New Issues.
The war brings up new political issues for the consideration of parties and the decision of the country. The chief and pressing of these relate to territorial expansion. If this were a presidential year the representatives of the parties in national convention would declare the attitude of each. But we are two years away from the meetings of the national councils of the party. The territorial expansion issue is present. It is in process of settling now, as to the territory of the Hawaiian Islands. While that is not a new question the war presents it in a new light, and Democrats are including it as part of the policy they will oppose. The Philippines, Porto Rico, the Canaries and other island properties of Spain were not thought of as possible United States possessions till war forced them into view.
The caucus resolution adopted by the Democrats of the house declares "It is the sense of the Democratic party, as represented in the house of representatives, that the annexation of Hawaii is dangerous and undesirable, that it reverses our traditional policy, and we believe it will lead to colonial aggrandizement and ultimately to the destruction of republican institutions." The Rochester Union says that "expresses the true Democratic sentiment of the country, with reference not merely to the proposed steal of the Sandwich Islands, but also to the whole scheme of outlying territorial aggrandizement of which it is designed to be the forerunner." In the house twenty Democrats refused to be bound by the resolution. The Democratic press as a rule is more divided on the question than the support of the caucus resolution in the house shows the party representatives to be.
The administration, the Republicans in congress and the Republican press are practically a unit in favor of accepting Hawaii and taking Porto Rico. From their attitude the position of the Republican party may be inferred. The inference may be strengthened or weakened by the declaration of Republican state conventions. Again, these state gatherings may hesitate to declare a national policy in advance of the national convention. The Kansas Republicans call for the annexation of Hawaii, but are silent as to conquered territory. In Illinois they declare the United States should hold all territory it conquers till Spain has paid full war indemnity, and should "hold such possessions in the conquered territory as shall be advantageous to the interests of the United States in times of war and peace." This last may mean a coaling station, and may be enlarged to mean all that is taken.
The Republican party always faces to the rising sun. It considers and takes position on new issues according to their merits, and as its judgment of the country's welfare dictates. It can distinguish between waging war for conquest of territory, and holding territory acquired as an incident of war waged for another purpose. "Traditional policy" is not involved in the issues raised. There is a question of moral obligation as well as of national interest. Primarily the United States did not want the Philippines. It may be its duty to take and hold them. The Republican party will champion that policy which it believes to be right and which it conceives will promote most surely the best interests of the American people. It has striven always to preserve and strengthen Republican institutions. It will be true to these aims in dealing with the issues now before the country.
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
Said to be Quietly Proceeding Among the European Powers.
LONDON, June 21.—The correspondent at Paris of the Pall Mall Gazette telegraphed this afternoon that he learns from an authoritative source, in spite of denials, that the question of negotiating peace between the United States and Spain has been for some days the subject of lively correspondence between the chancelleries. He adds that some of the ambassadors in Paris were instructed yesterday to remain on the alert and in readiness. The correspondent further says it is expected that an event of importance in opening negotiations with the United States and Spain will occur within a few days.
M. Hanotaux, the French minister for foreign affairs in the Meline cabinet, backed by the czar, has, it seems, been the principal promoter of the peace negotiations, "hence President Faure's desire to retain M. Hanotaux in the foreign office."
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| Main Street, Cortland, 1899. |
AN ASPHALT PAVEMENT
AGREED UPON FOR USE ON MAIN-ST.
The Decision Made by the Trustees Last Night Was by a Unanimous Vote—The Board of Trade Recommended Trinidad Asphalt, but the Trustees Ask for Bids on Any Kind.
The [Cortland] board of village trustees at their regular meeting last night took another important and decisive step in securing the paving of Main-st. from the south line of the Wickwire shops to East Main-st. By a unanimous vote they adopted a resolution that Main-st. be paved with asphalt. This would seem to be in accordance with the wishes of a large number of property-owners who when they signed the petition for paving, expressed a most decided preference for asphalt.
At the beginning of the meeting under the head of complaints, Trustee Nodecker reported some defective walks on Garfield-st. between Hubbard and Pendleton-sts., and on motion they were ordered repaired. Trustee O'Leary reported a defective walk on Prospect-st., and the clerk was instructed to call the owner's attention to it that it might be fixed.
The following bills were audited:
Police payroll, $126.00
Reider & McLaughlin, supplies for engine house, 24.44
G. W. Bradford, supplies, 20.62
Jas. F. Costello, salary, 25.00
Street Commissioner's payroll, 269.00
Trustee Sprague as a special committee to procure a cabinet for the use of the clerk in preserving papers, reported that he could procure a suitable one for $25, and was authorized to make the purchase.
M. F. Cleary came before the board and stated that the street commissioner in working the street opposite the Catholic cemetery had not scraped down to the ditch. The clerk was instructed to ask the street commissioner to scrape down to the ditch as requested.
The matter of the purchase of a flag for the hospital came up informally, and Trustee Nodecker said that he desired it understood that he did not feel that he was justly treated in the communication from the president [Julia Hyatt] of the board of managers of the hospital.
Communications were read from the following who want to bid on the paving job when the specifications are out: The Standard Asphalt Co. of New York City, W. W. Davis of Greene, and the Nelsonville, O., Sewer Pipe Co.
At this point G. T. Maxson and C. H. Price, a special committee from a meeting of the board of trade held earlier in evening, appeared before the board and presented the following resolution, which had been adopted by the board of trade:
"WHEREAS, Our committee recently appointed to inspect pavements and to inquire into the materials used and the cost thereof have made such examination and made their report thereon.
Resolved, That from said report so made it is the opinion of this board that the first quality standard Trinidad asphalt should be the material, laid upon a 6-inch cement concrete foundation and an inch and a half binder and at a price satisfactory to the board of trustees.
Resolved, That this board would recommend that the paving between the rails of the Cortland & Homer Traction company's tracks and for a space of two feet outside of each rail of said tracks be of brick on said cushion, and that the gutter and curb be laid of material as the board of trustees shall determine.
The report was received and placed on file, and on motion of Trustee White, seconded by Trustee Nodecker, the following was adopted by a unanimous vote, all the trustees voting aye:
Resolved, That we pave that portion of Main-st. as described in the petition now on file in the village clerk's office with asphalt excepting between the rails of the Traction company and outside of said rails not to exceed two feet outside of each rail which shall be paved with brick or Medina stone, providing a contract can be made with a ten-year guarantee at a price that the board of trustees shall consider fair and reasonable with such plans and specifications as the board of trustees may hereafter determine.
This very important business having been transacted, the board took an adjournment until Wednesday night, when it is expected that Engineer Allen will be present, and the specifications for the new pavement will be made out, and after that bids will be invited.
Before adjournment, President Stilson was authorized to regulate the vacations of policemen according to his judgment.
HOMER COMMENCEMENT.
Reminiscences Concerning the First Jubilee of Cortland Academy to 1846.
The Cortland Academy! The first jubilee in 1846! More than half a century ago occurred this jubilee. The banquet was given beneath the green trees which still extend their waving arms in welcome to her sons and daughters. The old academy building was there on the village green and by her side the mother Presbyterian church—twin sisters in age, but both now departed this life. Our principal was. Samuel B. Woolworth— "Old Prex," the boys called him, from the prayer he made unnumbered times, in words unchanged, in the familiar "lectureroom" of the old academy building. The board of trustees was there, the fathers of the village, the patres, whose faces are familiar to the students of other days by actual sight, but made familiar to those of present day by pictures hanging on the walls which replace those of the old academy. The president of the board, whose locks grew white among us, whose self-earned money reared the familiar building on our Main-st., which still stands a fine monument to his name—Jedediah Barber—he it was who called the speakers to the rostrum, from the old pulpit which was somewhat like unto that of John Knox in Edinboro town particularly in its bearing toward heaven.
That was the jubilee of fifty-two years ago, when the acquaintance of some of Homer's daughters commenced in the primary department of said academy. To-day who is here to respond to the rollcall [sic] of the students who attended the first jubilee? We have come and gone in all directions and the image of our alma mater is indelibly impressed upon our memories.
As Scotland's poet, after his journeyings from the Bens of his native land to the burning Vesuvius of Italy, wearied with care turned his course homeward to watch the setting sun of life from that fairy castle at Abbotsford to romance in wood and stone where he had built aircastles many and proved them not all dissolving views, gone at a breath but permanent in beauty, for future generations to look upon and admire—so the old students of Cortland academy come home to make themselves at home in Homer and to spend their latter days in the fields of memory and hope, going back often to the time of the first jubilee, guarding with care the first diploma given by the "Doctores et Curatores Scholae Cortlandensis."
May jubilee increase and diplomas be multiplied is the wish of MARIA WELCH HARRIS, Homer, N. Y., Commencement day, June 21, 1898.
—In Justice Dowd's court yesterday the trial of Philip Tice, charged with bastardy, was adjourned until June 23.
—The Rob Roy dancing club will hold a dancing party at the park to-night. Music will be furnished by the Susan Tompkins harp orchestra.
—To-day is the longest day of the year. At 5 o'clock this morning the sun reached the tropic of Cancer, and "about faced" for more southern latitudes.
—New display advertisements to-day are—C. F. Brown, Cameras, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Skirts and Suits, page 8; Case & Ruggles, Suit and Jacket Sale, page 6; D. McCarthy & Sons, Carpets, page 8.
—The board of education held a meeting at the superintendent's office in the Central school building last night, and besides auditing the current bills, authorized the issuing of diplomas to the graduates.
—All veterans are requested to meet at G. A. R. hall to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock sharp and march to the D., L. & W. depot to meet the Syracuse veterans of the One Hundred Eighty-fifth N. Y. Vols., who will arrive on the 9:28 train.
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