The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-08-03

the only ship in sight that could out
sail the slowest of our vessels. 1t was
the intention to ram the Brooklyn inn
meoiately and sink or disable her, even
though one Of our vessels went down
with her. Then it was hoped the 9TH
ers could outrun the battleships. Our
plan failed because we could not get
near enough to the Brooklyn. She did
not close in on US like the Texas and
Oregon, but stood off at long range. and
when the Maria Teresa started for her
she made wide sweep and ran away.
Cervera asked Commander Schley why
he did not come nearer, but got no sat
isfaction. Bat the Maria Teresa was
almost instantly disabled by shells from
the Texas, which met her at the mouth
of the barbor, and the Oregon was a
great surprise. We had no idea that
any battleship could make her speed.
1t was something We were not prepared
for. 1t was the Oregon that prevented
our escape"
"What was the matter with the Span
ish gunnery? Why did your shots do
no more damage?'
"First, because we had only few
long-range guns. There were none on
the Colon, and only two each on the
other ships. Then we had no proper
range finders, and our sailors lacked
practice. The gunnery of the Yankee
fleet was marvellous. Nothing finer
was ever seen in the world.v
Ny Spanish friends declined to dis
cuss the effect upon the people and gov
ernment Of Spain Of Commodore Wat
sons expedition, but they showed great
anxiety when told that he would GER
tainly lombard Cadiz or Malaga, or
both. They shrugged their shoulders
and muttered imprecations upon the
politicians of their country, who they
said were directing the war At the
same time they asserted proudly that
Blanco's army in Havana would accept
no terms of peace without battle. No
Spanish officer, they said, would order
his men to lay down their arms until
they had tested their strength with that
of the enemy. could learn nothing
from them of General Blanco's situa-
ton or conditions in Havana, and they
were entirely ignorant of the move
ments of Camara's fleet. They would
not discuss Spanish politics. They had
NO opinions to express about the in
trigues Of the Carlists or the repubIi-
lieans, and knew nothing about the
rumors that Queen Christina intends
to abdicate the regency in favor of her
sister-in-law, the Infanta Isabella.
Admiral Cervera's men are very dis
Greet when they discuss politics, al
though they do not attempt TO conceal
their contempt and hatred for the min
isters who ordered their destruction.
They explain that the mutiny of the
prisoners on board the Harvard was due
to a misunderstanding. There is pop
ular impression among the Spanish sol
diers and sailors that they viii be shot
If they fall into the hands ofthe enemy,
and they were very much surprised and
mystified by the kind treatment they
received on board the Yankee cruisers
They were, therefore, constantly on
their guard and misinterpreted every
motion. The prisoners on the Harvard
were in the habit of climbing the rig
ging and were forbidden tD do so. This
order, however, was not thoroughly
understood. Tie next day one of the
Spanish jackies who had run up the rig
ging was called down by a sentinel
He evidently did not understand what
was said to him for ne did not obey.
The sentinel then pointed his mnsket
and made motions as If to fire, where
upon half dozen Spaniards spraDg
upon him and seized his gun. The SEN
tinel shouted for help. The guard came
rushing forward, and in an instant
there was hand-to-hand fight all over
the deck between the prisoners and the
marines, in which several men were
killed and wounded. The Spanish Of
fieers think this unfortunate incident
might have been avoided had the guard
been able to speak Spanish
All the Spanish prisoners are delight
ed with the treatment they have Te-
ceived in the United States, and are
not yet quite able to comprehend the
motives of our government and the
spirit of our people. One of the cap
tains, who speaks English and has
been in America before, declares tbst
if he were twenty years younger he
would send for his wife and family and
become a citizen of the United States.
WILLIAM e. CCKTIs.