The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-02
THE CYCLONE WRECKED HER
The Elements Seem to Favor
the Insurgents
A SPANISH CRUISER SUNK
Meager Reports Of Progress Made by
the Cubans
r1ore Than Two Thousand Volunteers Pre-
sent Themselves at Madrid for Service
Against the Cuban Revolutionists
Assoclated Press Special Wire


&, HAVANA, Oct. 1.-Following close up
on the loss of the Spanish cruiser Barcas-
tegui. sunk in collision with the Spanish
merchant steamer Mortera off Mora Jas
tie. at the entrance of this harbor, at
midnight on September 18th, comes the
news of the wreck and probable total loss
of the Spanish warship Cristobal Colon,
o second-class cruiser of about 1900 tons
displacement and about 1900 horse wer.
The Cristobal Colon formed a part of a
fleet of Spanish warships detailed to
watch the coast of Cuba to prevent the
landing of filibusterirg expeditions. The
cruiser carried four twelve-centimeter
Hontori guns, two seven-centimeter guns
and two rapid firing guns. Her crew is
estimated at 200 officers and men. The
station of the Crlstobal Colon was the
waters about Cape A ntonio, off the west
,rn extremity of Cuba, her commander
having particular instructions to watch
the CULTS Of Corrintes and Guadiana,
south and north OF Cape Antonio. The
disaster occurred off Colorado point, in
the gulf Of Guadiana, south OF the town
of Mantua, province of Penar del Rio,
near which territory Havana is situated.
Exact details have not yet been made
known, but so far as can be gathere
the facts are as follows:
For some days cyclonic disturbances
prevailed. The Cristobal Colon appears
to have encountered savere weather off
Cape Antonio and to have put ino the
gulf OF Guadiana for shelter. There she
tried to ride out the fierce gale and heavy
seas, but was slowly driven towards Col
orado point, off which there is tanger-
Gus reef. When the commander of the
cruiser saw that he could not make head
way against the storm, he attempted to
anchor, according to one report. but the
anchors would not hold and the cruiser
was driven ashore. Another report has
1t that the Cristobal Colon ran on a reef
at night when her commander believed
her far enough of shore to stem the force
of the cyclone. In any case she ran
ashore in most dangerous position and
with heavy sea running. Everything
possible seems to have been done to save
the cruiser, but she was finally aban-
doned as helpless wreck, pounding her.
self slowly to pieces on the Colorado reef.
Some of the crew swan ashore; others
reached shore by means of pieces of
wreckage and in boats. All were saved.
The commander of the Cristohal Colon
say the Cristopal Colon was driven ashore
on Colorado reef, owing to the violence
of the cyclone, and it is probable she
will prove total loss. Efforts. however
will be made to save her guns and equip
ment.
MADRID. Oct. 1.-Volunteers to the
number of 1900 men presented themselves
today for service in the Island of Cuba.
The chief of the Cuban reform party
had an audience today with Senior Castel-
lano, the minister of the colonies, to
whom he renewed, on behalf of the re-
formists, has assurances of their patriot
ism and assistance in settling the insur-
reotion in Cuba.
HAVANA, Oct. 1.-The wreck of the
warshlp Cristoba Colon has cast a feel
Ing of intense gloom over the government
officials here. There are none too many
Spanish vessels in these waters at pres
ent and the loss of the Cristobal Colon
will be keenly felt by the government at
this crisis. Of course the friends of the
insurgents are circulating the usual SEN
sational stories regarding this latest dis
aster to the Spanish vessels, claiming
that the cruiser was sunk by torpedo
exploded by insurgents. In official cir
cles, however this report is classed as
being nothing more than an invention
of the rebels" and ths distinct statement
is made that there is absolutely no rea-
son for doubling the official announce
ment made that the CristobaI Colon was
driven on the Colorado reef by the vio-
lence of the cyclone and not as a result
of the explosion OF an insurgent torpedo.
In spite Of this official assertion, there
is no doubt that the government mas not
thought it proper to make public all the
facts in this case, and this may not be
done until the official report of the COM
rnander Of the wrecked cruiser has been
received and passed upon.
LONDON, Oct. LIN the course OF a
long letter from Havana. published in
the Times. correspondent says tnat the
longer he stays in Cuba and the more he
sees OF the Cubans the stronger has be-
come his conviction that large measure
of autonomy Is necessary il Spain wishes
to preserve Cuba in a peaceful state.
1.-THE whole feeling OF the people," he
proceeds, lis against the continuance of
the existing system. Spain must, there
fore, look the situation IN the face and
grant radical reforms. 1t seems impos-
sible to me, however, that Cuba, as An
independent republic. could ever hope to
be happy and united.
The correspondent is convinced that
the most vital point at which the authori'
ties can strike the insurgents is in sup
niles of war material. The insurgents
cannot even maintain their nun bers IN
the field unless ammunition is forthcom
ing. If Spain can prevent the landing of
expeditions. the letter continues. a severe
blow will be dealt to the prospects of the
revolution.
CHICAGO, Oct. 1.-Arms and ammu-
nition 70 the Cuban patriots are, accord
ing to State Senator Noonan, being col
lected in Chicago. the Cubans already
having been promised more than 100
Win chester rifles of A caliber. They are
only waiting an opportunity to ship
them. This is only beginning. and the
patriots expect to secure in Chicago a
large amount of ammunition and rifles.