The herald., 1896-12-25
Dolls will, however. see Deigado at the
earliest opportunity.
MEDIATION OFFERS

Dolls will, however, see Deigado at the
earliest opportunity.
MEDIATION OFFERS
LONDON. Dec. 24.-The correspond
enr of the Standard at Madrid says: All
rumors of the acceptance OF the United
States mediation in Cuba are prema-
ture yet but it Is undeniable that the
Spanish people are growing less refract-
ory to the idea of some understanding G.
with the United States, If only the idea
OF Cuban independence is dropped and
Spain is allowed to execute her own
ideas of colonial reforms.
All rumors pointing to unofflcial acton
by the European powers are unfounded,
except that the powers generally have
advised Spain to grant to the colonies
autonomy and to make her own terms
with the United States if she can so
hasten the pacification of Cuba.
a Madrid dispatch to the Daily Mail
says that General Azcarraga, minister
of war, whose health has been shattered
with overwork. has risen from bed of
sickness in order to direct the warlike
preparations which are going forward
with feverish haste in all of the arms and
ammunition factories. BY the middle
of February all the infantry of Spain
will be armed with Mauser RIFLES. The
Toledo factory is turning out 1000 cart
ridges daily.
THE THREE FRIENDS
KEY WEST. Fla, Dec. 24-The
steamer Three Friends, Captain Lewis,
arrived here this afternoon. The cap
tain says the vessel is from Jacksonville
and that he has been on a wrecking voy-
age along the reefs. The customs Off
cials are in charge, as there is really no
doubt that TIE vessel has just returned
from landing arms and ammunition in
Cuba.
IMPORTANT IF TRUE
PENSACOLA, Fla, Dec 24.-At late
hour last night watchman discovered
fire in the oil room inside of Fort Pickens
on Santa Rosa island, where all the
ammunition and material for the new
disappearing gun batteries that are
nearly completed is stored The oil
room was destroyed, and only by the
united efforts of a large force now work
ing at night on the batteries the lire
was kept from the magazine, where
twenty-seven tons of powder and large
quantity of dynamite is stored. 1t is
believed that an attempt was made to
blow up the fort and the guards have
been doubled. No one will be permitted
to land there without special permit
THE FIRST NAVAL BATTLE.
NEW YORK, Dec. PA special to the
World from Key West, Fla, says: The
Lone. Star flag of Cuba has met the red
and yellow banner of CASTLE upon the
seas.
The silrapnel. shell and rifle volleys Of
a brave 1ilib,ister Rave made answer to
the roar OF Spal/sh tvaelve FOUNDERS,
end have gained for Cuba libre the first
victory on the ocean.
The 1ilbustering steamer Three
Friends sailed from Fernandna, Fla,
Sunday night, December 15. carrying a
valuable cargo of munitions of war for
the Cuban insurgents. After eluding the
vigilance of the United States warships
and revenue cutters and lodging every
sail upon the ocean. the little steamer.
with about fifty men, was within hailing
distance of Cuba on the sixth night out.
Surprised. trapped and fired upon, she
threw shot into the Spanish naval coast
er. frightened off 4 big gunboat, and es
capped from a swift cruiser, steering out
to sea.
The Three Friends Put in again to the
coast and safely landed her cargo on the
border of the great Zapata swamp. Not
before in Cuba's struggle for liberty has
the flag OF Spain been fired upon at sea,
No other filibuster, after having been
attacked by the enemy, has stood by her
guns and fulfilled her perllous mission.
The account of this history making
trip is as follows:
AS Cuba was neared about midnight
last Sunday twelve-pound shell buzzed
and tore through our rigging. and five
minutes later the naval battle was in
progress.
Early on the morning of Friday. the
18th inst, Cape Antonio, at the western
extremity of Cuba, was rounded. a
stiff breeze was blowing off the land and
the ship was headed southwark. 1t was
known that the battleship Reina Mer-
cedes, the cruiser Alfonso XIII. and the
coaster Dos de Ngaio were patroling the
Pinar del Rio south coast.
The sealed orders from the New York
junta were opened an hour after the
cape was passed. They gave no di
rections as to the course the vessel
should take, it's destination alone be-
ing mentioned. The orders of the junta
read; Sail to the mouth of the San
Juan river and there await a party of
insurgents, who will take charge OF
the cargo. Do not attempt to land men
or munitions at any other point"
The orders caused a sensation. A
consultation was held Immediately in
the cabin, attended by Captain John
O'Brien, Navigation Captain Lewis.
Major Perez Morales, commander of the
land expedition, and Lieutenant-Col-
orel CalvC, Il sea commander of the
same. Major Arnos was also called in.
Nearly every officer aboard had warned
the junta that he would not attempt to
land an expedition near the San Juan
river The steamer Bermuda had tried
10 and oeen fired upon and driven away
by a Spanish coaster. while the cargo
of the paun:less, after having been put
s.shora, was captured.
But what was there TO be done? The
steamer had stolen away from the Uni
ted States, ana had already covered
1hrce-uuartars of the distance to her or
dered destination. She had Weathered
heavy storms and was siaunch. Her
Gre was a picked one, and the soldiers
Ghoa.J We're brave and determined.
We'll land a the San Juan If we have
to sail through hell to co It," said Capt
Lewis.
Keep a good head on. but don't waste
hny COAL Was the word selt down to
Chief Engineer Dunn.
When fifty miles south of the cape, the
course was changed to north by north
east, against q dead wind. When night
sell we were thirty miles from land,
following an eastern line Saturday
morning was clear and beautiful The
vessel was placed under Il small head
of steam and went easily III calm
sea.
About the decks all was astir. Boxes
Of arms, cartridges and dynamite stored
in the hold We're carried on deck and put
in convenient positions for landing.