The National tribune., 1898-05-19

place into submission, but the Spanards
are confident of being able to hold out.
They allege that they have ample sup
plies for $4,000 regular troops and thou
sands of volunteers beyond the range of
the United States warships. They are de-
tying the Americans in the hope of Euro
pean intervention.
The aggravating uncertainty about the
position of the Spanish fleet or fleets con-
tinued. The Spanish Minister of Marine
officially denied that the Cape Verde fleet
had returned to Cadiz, but said that it was
at Martinique At the same time other
reports came that the Spanish fleet was
there, and had been fully recoaled. This
news was too open and frank to be be-
lieved. AT the same time, Martinique is
strong strategic position for the Spanish
fleet TO take, to operate either against our
vessels around Cuba, or to intercept the
Oregon, Marietta and Nictheroy, on their
way up from Brazil. 1t is d French island,
where the Spaniards could hope for sympa-
thetic entertainment. News also came
that a Spanish fleet was approaching our
New England coast.
ADMIRAL SAMPSON ATTACKS PORTO RICO.
The following dispatch was sent by Ad-
miral Sampson:
'St. Thomas, w. l., May 12 n
"A portion of the squadron under my
command reached San Juan this morning
at daybreak. No armed vessels were found
in the port.
CAS- soon as it was sufficiently light
commenced attack upon the batteries de-
tending the city. This attack lasted about
three hours, and resulted in much damage
TO the batteries and incidentally to a por-
ton OF the city adjacent TO the batteries.
The batteries replied to our fire. but with
out material effect
"One man was killed on board the New
York and seven slightly wounded in the
squadron. No serious damage to any ships
resulted
"(Signed) SAMPSON"
The Admiral said, as he withdrew
Il am satisfied with the morning S work
! could have taken San Juan, but | have
no force TO hold it. only wanted TO ad-
minister punishment. This has been done.
| came for the Spanish feet and not for
San Juan"
The dead and wounded on the American
ships are as follows:
York.
Gunner's Mate (name unknown) of the
Amphitrite. The latter died from the ex-
treme heat.
INJURED.
Seaman Mitchell, of the Iowa.
Private Merkle, Marine, of the Iowa.
Apprentice Hill, of the Iowa.
Samuel Feltman, Seaman, of the New
York; seriously. ~
Michael Murphy, Seaman, of the New
York.
Two other enlisted men of the New York
slightly injured.
The ships taking part in the action were
the Iowa, Indiana, New York, Terror,
Amphitrite, Detroit, Montgomery, Wampa-
tuck and Porter.
The American Workmanship was. as
usual, magnificent, while that OF the Span-
iards was wretched. The Spaniards pro-
claimed great victory, and that the
enemy was gloriously beaten off
LAND sKIRMIsH WITH THE sPANIARDs
May II, at 2:50 a. m., the transport
Gussie landed two companies (Eand G 1st
L. s.. at Punta Fria, on the west of Cabanas
Bay, 10 assist Capt. Dorst in landing Cuban
couriers, and in communicating with the
insurgents. There were % men from Co
f., under Capt OConnell, and IL from Co.
G., under Lieut.. Lacy. They were cheered
as the first American troops to land on the
soil Of Cuba. They had gone but a little
ways wien Il fierce fire was poured into
them from q force Of about so Spaniards
from the fortified sugar plantation of
BamaleS. he firing was quite sharp for
some minutes, when the Spaniards re-
treated. The cOurlerS were sent off and
the men felufEtt TO tEeir DOatS. Their
loss was one man, "A newspaper CORE
Spondent, who went into line with them
and WAS slightly wounded. Four dead
SpaniardS were found.
FRIDAY, MAY IS.
There were persistent reports of the
presence OF Spanish war vessels off New
England.
Officials Of high rank AT the Boston Navy
yard placed considerable crcdence in the
rumors that part Of the encmy's feet is
not far distant from that coast Their
reasons for such belief appear to be well
founded, because OF private adviees that
have been received at the yard within the
past "a hours. Their suspicious that
some hing OF a grave nature may Ee learned
soon are strengthened by the fact that to-
day the United States cruiser Columbia
and the ram Katahdin huniedly left the
port sailing under sealed orders for parts
unknown.
While it is admitted that vessels gener-
! ally sail under sealed orders, the hasty
departure of these boats makes naval
| people suspicious when other facts that are
known are taken into consideration.
Upon the advice Of Admiral Erben the
orders for ne Eastern troops to proceed to
Tampa -ansport were changed to rail
| road, to /; id any possible chance Of their