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| Wreck of Reina Mercedes. |
Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, July 19, 1898.
ENTERING THE BAY.
COMMODORE SCHLEY TAKES A LOOK AT SANTIAGO AND THE FORTS.
Their Strength Largely Over Estimated— Morro Castle Remains in Fine Condition—The Sunken Vessels in the Harbor—Reports from the Spanish Vessels—Maria Teresa Said to Have Floated, Will Probably be Added to the United States Fleet—Colon May Be Saved—Vizcaya and Oquendo Which Gloated Over the Maine are Total Wrecks—Some Prizes in Santiago Harbor.
Under Morro Castle, Harbor of Santiago de Cuba, July 17, (3 P. M.) via Playa del Este, Province of Santiago de Cuba, July 17, (delayed in transmission.)—At exactly 9 o’clock this morning the Spanish flag was lowered from the staff crowning the heights upon which battered Morro castle spreads half way. The lowering of this emblem of the defunct sovereignty of Spain in this part of the world was witnessed by a few Spanish and American troops on shore and by the Brooklyn, New York, Vixen and Vesuvius, lying within a few hundred yards of the harbor entrance.
Almost immediately after the flag was hauled down steam launches commanded by Lieutenants Hobson and Palmer entered the harbor, penetrating as far as the firing stations of the submarine mines. These mines were judged to be not as formidable as expected and later in the afternoon, they were all exploded under the supervision of the Vixen.
It was seen that two mines had been exploded at the time of the entrance of the Merrimac into the channel of Santiago harbor, but it is not thought probable that either of them had anything to do with the sinking of the craft.
Six or seven fine steamers in the harbor fall as prizes to the navy and army. The Spanish gunboat Alvarez had already been taken possession of by a prize crew from the New York. The other vessels lie at the other end of the harbor, at Santiago proper.
Soon after noon Commodore Schley with Captain Cook of the Brooklyn, Lieutenant J. H. Sears, the flag lieutenant, Lieutenant B. W. Wells, the flag secretary, and three invited correspondents of The Associated Press went into the harbor on a steam launch which moved slowly in order to make close observation of the Spanish forts and batteries. Every one expressed satisfaction at the fact that Morro castle was not demolished by the bombardment, Captain Cook saying: “We need El Morro as an object lesson and America is rather shy on ruins anyhow.”
The other fort stands on the bluff, terrace fashion. From the water’s edge to the brow of the beetling cliff there are huge caves formed by the action of the waves, and round the base and in the superstructure are not a few caves made by the navy’s projectiles. It would appear, however, that only one bastion was knocked to pieces while the queer little sentry boxes, dating back to the sixteenth century, escaped almost intact.
Morro castle is the only imposing fortification in the harbor and it is only so in appearance, since not a gun is mounted within or on the crumbled walls. In fact, all the batteries, masked and open, dwindled in their terror inspiring qualities as the inspection grew closer. Crowning the hill on the west side of the entrance were the famous six-inch rapid fire guns from the Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes. These were ugly looking and dangerous, while below on brick foundations on the western shore of the entrance were some revolving guns. These were the ones which poured such a bitter fire into the Merrimac.
Directly east of Morro castle, on the crest of the plateau-like cliff, were six big guns, one or two of which were dismounted. The Estrella battery and a small neighbor further in showed no guns, while the famous Cayo Smith filled the islet with blue, white and yellow houses situated in groves of flowering trees, some of the buildings looking as if they had been resorts of pleasure-seekers in happier times. Others were humble enough in appearance for fishermen’s houses. All were deserted and strange to say not one apparently was touched by a hostile projectile.
On the inside of the slope and hill to the westward some hastily constructed but very comfortable casemates were seen into which the Spanish gunners were wont to retire when our ships opened fire. When the firing ceased the gunners only had a few steps to climb to their 6-inch rapid fire guns, which almost always fired a few spiteful farewell shots.
At Punta Gorda there were two 4-inch guns, one above the other and neither protected by even sand or earth. These commanded the harbor entrance pretty well, but they could have been silenced by one well directed heavy shell. Commodore Schley has over and over again expressed the belief that our fleet could probably have entered the harbor without the loss of a single ship. The mines might have stopped ingress by sinking the leading ship, this is a chance of war and not so grave as many taken during the civil strife nor as serious as would have been the situation had there been good batteries, properly manned, in the harbor.
Commodore Schley’s party first steamed around the wreck of the Reina Mercedes, which lies with her bow pointed towards the city. She had a list to starboard and rested on the reef near the foot of Morro cliff. The cruiser was sunk to the upper deck on which one six-inch gun remained. One torpedo tube was loaded and the auxiliary battery seemed in place. Evidently the crew of the Reina Mercedes left her in a hurry. This is less to be wondered at when it is noted that there were great gaps in her sides, showing where two 12 and two 13-inch shells had struck her. The sea washed gently through the cabin of the cruiser, which was decorated in old-fashioned style and the wind fluttered a red silk curtain, which could be plainly seen over an inner door as the launch steamed by. About 600 yards ahead of the Reina Mercedes and almost in line with her was the wreck of the Merrimac, lying fully in six fathoms of water and on the very edge of the channel.
Had not the current swung the doomed ship alongside, instead of athwart the channel, the latter would have been well blocked. "When Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson took the collier into the harbor he was hunting for a four fathom spot and only missed it by a few hundred yards.
At the firing stations on the west side, which Commodore Schley inspected in person, the American party met a Spanish artillery captain, who was courteous but gloomy. Commodore Schley was his own interpreter and advised the officer, with the few men under his command, to go up to the city and surrender as quickly as possible. When the Spanish captain was asked to point out the route to the 6-inch battery on the west hill, he said there was none and explained that the way to get there was over steep, rocky and difficult ground. It was learned later that this was not true and it was surmised that the Spaniard was anxious to prevent the Americans from seeing the damage done by the bombardment.
Commodore Schley then said he was determined to have a glimpse at Santiago city and the launch was headed along the west side of the channel, going slowly and sticking to the shallow water, lest some contact mine put an end, as the commodore remarked, “to our quiet pleasure party.”
Skirting the broad, lake-like spot in the harbor where the Spanish fleet, destroyed two weeks ago to-day, used to lie during the bombardments and noting the brilliantly painted buoys which marked the shallows, Punta Gorda was rounded, and distant about two miles the City of Santiago shone out, the cathedral being especially well defined and the masts and funnels on a few vessels showing at its wharves. At that distance Santiago did not show any traces of the destruction wrought by the 101 out of the 106 8-inch shells fired on the city limits last Monday.
On his return to the Brooklyn, Commodore Schley, accompanied by his staff, entered the harbor this evening soon after the mines were exploded.
Captain Cook of the Brooklyn is authority for the statement that the former Spanish flagship, the Infanta Maria Teresa, has floated off the reef on which she stranded and that her heavy armament is practically uninjured. The captain also says this cruiser will almost surely be saved and form an addition to the United States navy, a trophy of the glorious July third.
The Cristobal Colon may also be saved, though a good deal depends on the weather, which is very uncertain at this time of the year. A heavy storm might drive the steamer so high on the coral reef that it would be impossible to float her. Many of the naval men are outspoken in their criticism of the treatment of the Colon immediately after her surrender. They believe the ship could have been saved when she slipped back from the reef into the deep water, had divers, carpenters and machinists, with a competent prize crew been sent on board of her.
The crew of the Brooklyn regarded the Vizcaya as their particular enemy, since the time when they were both present at Queen Victoria’s jubilee display, when there was much comment abroad on what a good fight might be expected between the two ships if they ever met.
Of the four big ships which were in Admiral Cervera’s fleet only two are surely doomed to destruction. They are the Viscaya and the Almirante Oquendo, and these, as a coincidence, were the two cruisers which went into Havana harbor after the blowing up of the Maine and were moored near the wreck of the United States battleship in all the bravery of paint, gilding and bunting, seeming to gloat over the ruin caused, while the people of Havana shouted themselves hoarse, fired myriads of bombs and bragged unceasingly of what the two formidable armored cruisers of Spain would do with the United States navy, should ever a fair fight be possible. “Surely,” remarked Lieutenant Commander Wainwright of the Gloucester, formerly of the Maine, “this avenges the Maine.”
Speaking of the military victories of July 1 and 2 and of the naval victory of July 3, Commodore Schley said seriously: “These victories may serve not only to deprive Spain of her colonial possessions, but to bring about a change of frontiers in Europe. She cannot get the terms now she might have had two months ago. What can she hope for in six months more of such warfare? Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.”
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Santiago Surrenders.
Santiago surrendered to General Shafter at 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon. The first sentiment awakened by this news is one of thankfulness that the end our troops were sure to attain has been achieved without the further slaughter of men. This is a feature of the victory in which all people will rejoice. It is in keeping with the humane purposes of the United States. It gives luster to the honors of the victors.
The engagement on the part of the victors to transport the surrendered forces to Spain is in line with the purpose for which the United States took up arms—to clear Spain out of the West Indies. The prisoners must be subsisted, if retained on this side, till the war closes. They would have to be transported to the United States, and here provision would have to be made for their detention, support and guarding. Once aboard ship they will be disposed of finally if landed in Spain. Such treatment, too, ought to impress the Spanish people, as undoubtedly it will other people of Europe.
This Santiago campaign was not contemplated in the early war plans. The city of Santiago was of no strategic importance. Its occupation would not embarrass Spanish operations in the island. But the coming of Admiral Cervera’s squadron to that port put a new face on the matter. His ships were of the first importance in the war scheme. At large they were a constant menace. Their capture or destruction would end Spain’s sea power. Thus Cervera and Santiago became centers of interest. The capture of the city and the Spanish squadron was united in one enterprise.
The scope of the surrender signed by General Toral broadens beyond the city, harbor, shipping, arms and forts of Santiago. It embraces the province of that name, the eastern end of the island. The troops included in the surrender are estimated to number 30,000. Their removal from the island will weaken greatly Spain’s war arm. It will pacify finally a large part of Cuba. It ought to bring near final surrender and application for peace.
The Santiago campaign is honorable alike to army and navy. Each has achieved a complete victory. The harder part, for the time engaged, has been that of the army. From the hour of landing to the capitulation of Santiago the troops have endured hardships, surmounted difficulties, and displayed fighting qualities, all of the superlative order. They have covered the army of the United States with glory, as the squadrons of Dewey and Sampson and Schley have the navy.
Spain ought to have stopped before it began fighting. It ought to stop now, at any rate. It has killed a few brave American soldiers and seamen; it has not destroyed a single ship of the United States, and has captured only one—a small collier off the Philippines— which Dewey has since retaken; it has not even disturbed the business of the United States, or scratched the surface of its resources. On the other hand Spain has lost everywhere on land and sea. Its dead and wounded number thousands. Already it is shorn of its colonial possessions. Why should it fight longer? How can it?
GEN. TORAL INTERVIEWED.
The White-Haired Commander Is Utterly Heart-Broken.
PLAYA DEL ESTE, Cuba, July 18.—General Toral, the white-haired commander of the Spanish forces, is utterly heart-broken. He spoke bitterly of the fate which compelled him to sue for peace, but had no word to say against the gallant men who had conquered his army. He declared that he had little chance to win.
“I would not desire to see my worst enemy play with the cards I held,” he said to one of the commissioners.
“Every one of my generals was killed or wounded. I have not a single colonel left, and am surrounded by a powerful enemy. We have counted 67 ships off this port.
“And besides,” he concluded wearily, waving his hands toward the city, “I have secret troubles there.”
Speaking of the battle of June 24, in which the Rough Riders and a part of General Young’s command participated, General Toral said that less than 2,000 Spanish troops were engaged, his loss being 265. He would not say how many Spaniards were killed at El Caney and before Santiago. “Heavy! heavy!” he said dejectedly.
In response to an inquiry, he said that transportation would be required for between 22,000 and 23,000 men, there being that much of a force in the capitulated district. He informed the officers that Santiago harbor had been mined since Admiral Cervera left.
FIRST M. E. CHURCH [OF CORTLAND, N. Y.]
Flag Presentation to Church and Pastor, Speeches, Songs and Cheers.
It was a flag day at the First M. E. church Sunday, emphatically so. After the introductory services before singing the second hymn Dr. Houghton stepped to the front of the platform and unfolded a large and beautiful flag which fell in graceful folds over the pulpit and down into the altar, saying as he did so, “I have something here that will make the eyes of all you old soldiers, and everybody in the congregation as well, dance with joy. This magnificent flag was given me for this church by Mr. N. H. Gillette of the Gillette Skirt Co. of this village. It is 12 feet long and about 8 feet wide, made of the best standard bunting. There is no flag on earth so beautiful as the American flag, especially to American eyes. You have followed it in battle and some of you bear wounds and scars received in its defense. No flag on earth covers so much, represents so much, means so much to you and to the world as the glorious Stars and Stripes, And now for our second hymn Mr. Doolittle will sing the Star-Spangled Banner, and we will join in the chorus.”
This was done with a will, tears and shouts attesting the depth of the patriotic impulse that moved the congregation at this totally unexpected interruption to the regular order of the service.
At the conclusion of the singing Comrade H. M. Kellogg yielding to the impulse of the moment stepped forward and spoke for a few moments with thrilling effect. There was an especial propriety, he said, in associating the Stars and Stripes with the altars of God. And our Methodist church was not behind the others in honoring the flag. It was Lincoln who said of our church that she sent more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospital and more prayers to heaven during the great Civil war than any other church. But it ought to be so for there are more of us. He alluded eloquently to the patriotism of the pastor and people of the First M. E church which sent so many men to the front, and from whose pulpit stepped the brave Grover for whom Grover post of the G. A. R. was named. He moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Gillette for his timely, generous and appropriate gift.
In the course of Mr. Kellogg’s remarks he promised to donate a staff and the necessary fixtures for the proper suspension and display for unfurling of the flag.
At the conclusion of Mr. Kellogg’s speech the congregation broke into cheers.
But the episode was not to end here. At this juncture, Rev. Mr. Rice, a retired minister in the congregation, was seen walking down the aisle toward the pulpit with a bundle under his arm. He walked up into the pulpit and handing the bundle to Dr. Houghton asked him to untie the strings. It proved to be another flag of ample dimensions that Mr. Rice proceeded to present to the astonished pastor in behalf of Mr. Gillette. In a neat and effective speech he complimented the patriotism and earnestness of the pastor and the people and expressed the desire that the gift should be a token of his personal brotherly regard and high estimation and esteem for his pastor.
Dr. Houghton was taken entirely by surprise, but recovered himself sufficiently to return his thanks for what he allowed he had long been wanting and for the possession of which he was profoundly thankful to his generous friend. He then proceeded to put the motion of Mr. Kellogg by asking all who agreed to rise and repeat the chorus of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” The whole episode was entirely spontaneous, as it was an entire surprise.
Dr. Houghton then announced as his theme “Elijah Before Ahab.” He spoke of the character of Elijah, his fitness for the great emergency that God called him to meet, and sketched vividly the scene, Elijah before Ahab. It was the safety of Israel, the prophet ever before the king. And so the safety of this country was the truth spoken in the editorial chairs, on the platforms and in the pulpits alongside of the government. If there was anything worth dying for it was an untrammeled pulpit, press and platform.
It was a crisis in the history of any country when prophet and king came into collision. He spoke of the helpfulness of the pulpit and the churches to the government in the great Civil war and also in the present crisis. This scene was re-enacted every day. It is the strong, brave, true man standing up against popular tides of evil. It was the Christian before the world.
Dr. Houghton preached in Blodgett Mills on Sunday, making the trip on his bicycle after the morning service.
The Tuesday and Thursday night meetings will be held as usual.
The Epworth league will hold a lawn social on the parsonage green Wednesday evening, July 20. A gypsy camp will be upon the grounds and ice cream and cake will be served by the members in costume. Rebecca at the well will serve a cool refreshing drink to all thirsty ones. The Temple orchestra will furnish music during the evening, and a short program will be given. Every one who comes is guaranteed a good time.
The union service will be held in this church next Sunday evening. Prof. Vernon P. Squires of Grand Forks, N. D., will preach the sermon.
A NEW PRESIDENT.
STEWART BROWNE HEADS THE ERIE AND CENTRAL NEW YORK R. R.
Hon. W. D. Tisdale Becomes Auditor of the Road—James S. Squires Resigns from the Board of Directors—Road Bed, Rolling Stock and All Property to be Improved—Prospects of Immediate Extension to South Otselic.
The directors of the Erie & Central New York R. R. met at 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon at the office of Attorney I. H. Palmer and transacted business of large importance and bearing heavily upon the future interests of the road. At a meeting of the directors held last winter all of the directors expressed their willingness to resign from office at any time individually or collectively if by the resignation some other person or persons could be brought into the directorate who had financial resources to better the condition of the road. Since that meeting negotiations have been carried on with Stewart Browne, one of the heavy capitalists of New York City, with the idea of interesting him in the new railroad. Mr. Browne has looked over the road in person and by the proxy of an expert and experienced engineer and has become convinced of the large possibilities before the railroad and signified his willingness to take a financial interest in the road. He is the vice-president and manager of the National Surety Co. of New York, and his relations with other capitalists are such that his connection with the railroad company will undoubtedly bring to it all the financial strength that may be required.
Mr. James S. Squires who had been a director of the railroad through a longer term of years than any one on the present board, and who for years served as treasurer of the company, claimed the privilege of resigning to permit the election of Mr. Browne to the board. In consequence, he Thursday presented his resignation which was unanimously accepted, and Mr. Browne, with the same unanimity was elected his successor.
On motion of I. H. Palmer the following complimentary resolution was then unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the resignation of James S. Squires calls up the fact that for nearly thirty years he has discharged the duties of director and treasurer of this company with uniform zeal, intelligence and fidelity for which he is deserving the highest commendation and sincere thanks of the board of directors.
Hon. W. D. Tisdale, who for a number of years has been the president of the railroad, and who has been untiring in his efforts to secure its completion, then presented his resignation as president which was accepted and Mr. Browne was elected president of the road in his place. Mr. Browne previous to his election expressed the desire that other members of the board of directors and the other officers should continue as before and that Mr. Tisdale should be the auditor of the road. This latter suggestion was wholly agreeable to the other directors and Mr. Tisdale was Thursday elected to that office.
The railroad so far has never yet been turned over to the railroad company, but has been operated so far by the Otselic Construction Co., the builders. The construction is not yet complete and the railroad company is not yet ready to accept the road from the builders, but preliminary steps looking toward its acceptance upon certain conditions were Thursday taken.
Mr. James A. Paterson of New York, an expert and experienced civil engineer and the confidential representative of Mr. Browne, was in Cortland for two days last week, registered at the Cortland House. He Friday looked over the railroad, making his trip and his inspection upon a handcar. This is with the idea of securing the immediate completion of the roadbed and all the improvements upon the part already begun.
Mr. Paterson will also look over the Otselic valley up to South Otselic and report to Mr. Browne. It is Mr. Browne’s idea to extend the road at once to South Otselic if sufficient encouragement can be secured. A considerable number of the residents of the three towns of Lincklaen, Pitcher and German have already had a business talk with the representatives of the railroad with the idea of securing the extension. They also talked about the annexing of these three towns of Chenango county to Cortland county. They report that the feeling is general in their towns and is growing for annexation to Cortland county, as all their interests will fee in this direction, especially if the railroad is extended.
It is quite possible that further extension of the railroad will be made at a little later time, but that will not come till after the South Otselic railroad is settled. It is one thing at a time.
BREVITIES.
—A small pox scare at Waverly proves to be nothing but just the genuine old fashioned chicken pox.
—The Mecklenburg band will accompany Excelsior Engine company of Trumansburg to Cortland, Aug. 4.—Ithaca Journal.
—Thirty-eight people from Cortland Sunday took advantage of the $1 excursion rate to Sylvan Beach. There are to be three more of these cheap excursions two weeks apart.
—The pulpit in Grace church was Sunday draped with the national colors. The decoration consisted of an all wool bunting flag 8 by 12 feet in size, a gift from Mr. N. H. Gillette to the rector, the Rev. Amos Watkins.
—A number of the lady clerks from Warren, Tanner & Co., enjoyed a trolley ride to Homer Wednesday evening and took supper with Mrs. Harrington, one of their number, who is spending her vacation at her home in that place.
—Over 300 people took in the picnic of the two Methodist churches at Elysium park Thursday. The largest number went in carriages and by wheels with only a few by train. The day was just right, and everybody had a fine time.
—The Keator block at the corner of Main and Port Watson-sts. is receiving a new coat of red paint which not only makes a great change in the appearance of this block which has so long been of a light tint, but is also a decided improvement.
—One indication that we have passed the high tide of summer is found in the lessening of the bird chorus in the early morning and in the evening. Some of the birds have already stopped singing, and in a couple of weeks most of the voices will be silent until next spring.
—A change of time went into effect Monday in the hour the morning steamer on Cayuga lake leaves Ithaca. Hereafter it will leave the inlet landing at 8 a. m. and the Renwick landing at 9:15 a. m. The afternoon steamer leaves Renwick at 3:30 p. m. The two steamers arrive at Ithaca at 1 p. m. and 7 p. m.
A load of hay was burned in the street in Binghamton one evening last week. The fire was caused by friction produced by a wheel rubbing against the hayrack. The driver was suddenly surprised by finding the rear end of his load in a blaze and he had to hustle to slide down off and loosen his team from the wagon.
—In addition to the note of acknowledgment of the Cortland contribution of $265.34 to the Red Cross fund from Stephen Barton, which was published a few days ago in The Standard, Dr. Houghton has also since received an acknowledgment from Charles A. Schierem, the treasurer of the fund expressing his thanks to the people of Cortland.
—The Ithaca Journal says its postoffice is deluged with letters bearing internal revenue stamps which of course cannot be used to forward letters, even though they were originally postage stamps with the letters “I. R.” across their face. Inquiry at the Cortland office shows less than a half dozen cases of that kind. Cortland people have their eyes open.
—Mr. N. H. Gillette, president and manager of the Gillette Skirt Co., does not mean that patriotism shall lack in the churches. Some weeks ago he presented a large flag to the Presbyterian church and a smaller one to the pastor. Sunday he did the same thing to the First M. E. church, and also presented a single flag to each the Congregational and Homer-ave. M. E. churches and one to the rector of Grace Episcopal church.
—It is doubtful if this section of the country was ever much more dry than Sunday night before the slight rain came. Fires set in the grass by sparks from locomotives have occurred along the railroads at intervals in the last few days. One meadow of about six acres north of Truxton was reported by a passing wheelman as being entirely burned over Saturday night. It is to be hoped that more rain will come soon. Farmers have had a splendid opportunity for haying, but rain is now needed for other crops.
