davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
FIRED ON THE FooTE.

Torpedo Boat Has the Honor OF Being
the First Target OF the Spapiards.
On Board the Associated Press Dis.
patch Boat Dauntless, Matanzas,
Island of Cuba, via Key West, Fla, +,
April 2o.-The United States torpedo
boat Foote, Lieutenant L. T. Rodgers
commanding, has the honor Of being
the target for the first shots fred by
tho Spaniards at the American flag
during the war just begun. The firing
occurred between and 8 o'clock on
Saturday afternoon, while the torpedo
boat was taking soundings in the har.
Dor Of Matanzas. She was within 200
or 800 yards Of the shore. Suddenly q
Spanish masked battery on the east side
Of the harbor, and not very far distant
from the Foote, fired three shots at the
torpedo boat. They all went wide Of
the mark, and the Foote returned to
the Cincinnati, where she reported the
result of her sounding and then an.
nounced she had been fred upon. The
Cincinnati was anxious to steam in in.
stantly and reduce the Spanish bat
teries, but she was not permitted to
do sO
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
It Urged Upon Congress the Necessity Of
Declaring War.

It Urged Upon Congress the Necessity Of
Declaring War.
WASHINGTON, April 28.-The message
of the president to congress recon.
mending declaration of war first re.
cited recent events in the crisis with
Spain, particularly the treatment Of
Minister Woodford and the severance
Of diplomatic relations, and concluded:
"In view Of the measures so taken,
and with view to the adoption of such
other measures as may be necessary to
enable me to carry out the expressed
will of the congress of the United
States in the PREMISES, now recon.
mend to your honorable body, the
adoption Of joint resolution declaring
that a state of war exists between the
United States of America and the king
dom Of Spain, and urge speedy action
thereon to the end that the definition
Of the international status Of the United
States as belligerent power may be
made known, and the assertion of all
its rights and the maintenance Of all
it's duties in the conduct Of public
war may be assured"
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
SOME RICH PRIZES.
Nine Spanish Vessels Captured BY Unit
~ States ShiDa

Nine Spanish Vessels Captured by United
States Ships.
New YORK, April 26 Since the war
with Spain began, the United States
naval forces have established a strict
blockade Of Cuban ports, and have cap.
tured nine Spanish vessels. The prizes
are the steamers Buena Ventura, Pedro,
Miguel Jover, Catalina and Saturnina
and the schooners Mathilde, Candida
aud Antonio. All these vessels have
been or will be taken to Key West, ex-
cept the saturnina, which was seized
OF Ship Island, Miss. Tho Spanish
steamers Panama, from New York, and
Alfonso XII from Spain, both bound
for Cubs; are likely to be captured by
American warships within a few days.
Spain has made no seizure Of American
vessels, as far as known.
Since the beginning Of the war, the
eply movement Of the Spanish navt
that has leen feportfa is The depaxtpra
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
THE CALL FOR TROOPS.
What Northwestern States Arc Asked to
al,

What Northwestern States Arc Asked to
Furnish.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-The war de.
partment has issued call on the states
Tor their quota of troops under the call
for $4,000 men. The following are
the quotas for the Northwestern states
and the places Of mobilization:
Iowa-Threo regiments Of infantry and
two light batteries; at Davenport.
Michigan-Four regiments Of infantry;
at Detroit.
Minnesota-Three regiments Of infan-
try; at st. Paul.
Montana-One regiment Of infantry; ut
Helena.
Wisconsin-Three regiments of infan.
try: at Milwaukee.
North Dakota-Five troops Of cavalry;
at Fargo.
South Dakota-Seven troops of cavalry;
af Huron
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
BEST PRIZES CAPTURED.
Elect or Havana Not Likely to Get Many
More.

Elect or Havana Not Likely to Get Many
On BOARD FLAGSHIP NEW YORK, OFF
HAVANA, April 2o.-The flagship New
York spent the night patrolling the
coast from point west Of Havana to
within 10 miles Of Matanzas on the
east. The general belief is that the
cream Of the prizes has been taken and
that not many more Spanish merchant
vessels will venture into these waters.
The Associated Press correspondent
had an interview with Rear Admiral
Sampson in the admiral's cabin on the
flagship. The admiral insisted that
nothing he said should be published
except in 10 far as he expressed salts
faction with the conduct Of the
blockade.
OF course the absorbing topic from
admiral to coal passer is, whom do We
take Havana? One could not help
thinking when lying near shore how
easy it would be to land troops at q
particular point or at hundreds Of 9th.
ers on the coast. Tho toy forts on the
hills would not frighten a battalion Of
school cadets, and the water is deep
enough to allow the warships to cover q
landing from close in.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
FORTS BOMBARDBD.
Spanish Batteries in Matanzas
Harbor Silenced by the
American Squadron.
New York, Puritan and CIn-
cinnati Did the Work in
Eighteen Minutes.
SPANISH GUNNERY WILD
Fired Numerous Shots at the
Fleet but Not a Ves-
eel Was Struck.
Great Damage Done on shore
and the Loss Of Life
May Be Large.
SPANISH eunNERY WILD

Orr MArANzAs ION board the flag.
ship New York), April 29.-The New
York, the Puritan and the Cincinnati
bombarded the forts at the south Of
Matanzas harbor during the afternoon.
There were no casualties on our side,
but is believed that the hail Of iron
which pounded in the forts must have
caused loss Of life to the Spaniards,
though nothing is known definitely.
The engagement commenced at 1867
and ceased at 1:l5. The object Of the
attack was to prevent the completion Of
the earthworks at Punta Gorda. A
battery on the eastward arm of the bay
opened fire on the flagship and this
was also shelled. About IL 5-inch
shells were fred from the eastern forts,
but all fell short. About five or six
light shells were fred from the half
completed battery. Two Of these
whizzed over the New York and one
fell short. The ships left the bay for
the open sea, the object Of discovering
The Whereabouts Of tho Batteries
having been accomplished. In the
neighborhood Of 300 shots were put on
land from the three ships at a range of
from 1000 to 1000 yards
Rear Admiral Sampson, when asked
II he was satisfied with the result, said:
eyes. am. I Iexpeoted to be-"
The half completed Spanish earth
works and battery wero apparently all
ploughed up by the shells.
All the ships engaged showed excel.
lent Workmanship throughout the en-.
gagement, and when they were firing
at the shortest range nearly every shell
took effect. The forts which were
bombarded were on low lying point
and were considered merely earth.
works. They did not make a good
target, yet when the big guns were
fred at the shortest range portions Of
the forts could be seen flying in the air
at every shot.
The flagship returned to Havana and
the Puritan and Cincinnati were left
on Matanzas station.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
MILES SEES NUNEz.
Insurgent General Confers with the Com.
msnder Of the United States Army.

Insurgent General Confers with the Come
msnder Of tho United States Army.
WASHINGTON, April 20. = Another
conference has been held between Gen.
sral Miles, commanding the United
States forces. and representatives Of
the Cuban civil and military authori-
ties. Ths latter included Senior Cues
ada, charge d'ahalres Of the Cuban le-
cation, Brigadier General Nunez and.
Lieutenant .Artiago Of the Cuban army.
Lieutenant Artisgo has seen II months
service in the field, and General Nunes
has an intimate knowledge Of all the
ports Of Cuba, having directed the
movements Of all Alibustering parties
The conference brought about full
discussion Of the plans of co.operation
between the United States and Cuban
forces.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
RkHRks ARE READY.
Wnl Dssosnd on Manila On the Appsa
shos Of the Ansrioan 1asoS.

Will Dssosnd on Manila On the Appear.
ahes Of the American 1ssss.
LosDoN, April 2s.-The Times oosre.
spondspt Of Hong Hnns1 saSsi The
Esmersada broushteoo refugees, mostly
Chinese, from Manila. On Saturday,
the asd, the American vessels ~ Philip.
pine ports put to sea, with one excep.
ton, The guns have been taken from
the Spanish ships to assist In the de.
Tense Of Manila, where the fostiAca.
tions are useless, the guns ossolsts, the
torpedo mines Of doubtful value and
ammunition Of all kinds scarce. The
spaniards hafe an effective military
force Of 5000 men. Despite official
contradictions the ssbelg continue raid.
Ing the towns In tho island d 1uzon
and tho appssEanoe Qt the Amsrican
squadron win be tho signal for .
descent on Mantle.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
MOVE on MANILA
Commodore Dewey's Squadron
Leaves Hong Kong for the
Philippines.
Primary Object the Capture
Of the Spanish Fleet Lo-
Gated There.
EASY VICTORY EXPECTED
Ships In First Class Order
and the Men Suffering
for a Fight.
Said at Washington That an
Engagement Is Not Un-
expected. J

LONDON, April 29.-The Hong Kong
correspondent Of The Times says the
American squadron, under Admiral
Dewey, sailed direct for Manila at
o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
The British cruiser Immortalite will
follow the American squadron.
The Hong Kong correspondent of
The Daily Mail says: United States
Consul General Williams, after spend.
Ing the evening ashore with United
States Consul Wildman, accompa MED
the American squadron. Thirty in.
surgent leaders here wanted to accom-
pany it, but Chief Aguinaldo goes as
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
THE RIGHT OF SEARCH.

Spain's Position Defined In Tho Offloial
Gazette.
MADRID. April 26. The Official Ga
zette publishes the instructions Of the
Spanish government respecting the
right of search Of neutral vessels. In
brief, they set forth that warships may
detain merchantmen in any non.neutral
waters for the purpose Of verifying the
authenticity of the flag and for exam.
lining the cargo if the vessel is bound
for hostile port. q.
A dispatch from Barcelona says the
cancelling o. coal contracts by British
firms will lead to paralysis of the
local dealers. The anti. British feeling,
therefore, is receiving accent ntuation.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
FEARFUL OF A MASSACRE

Philippine Insurgents Gathering in
Masses Around Manila.
HONG KONG, April 27.-Ma.l advioes
from Manila, dated Saturday last, say
the insurgents were then gathering in
masses around Manila, and that the
massacre Of Spaniards at that port was
apprehended. It is also announced in
the dispatches that the Spaniards have
laid mines about Manila.
The United States squadron leaves
Mrs bay during the day to watch the
Philippine ports.
The insurgent leader Aguinaldo is on
board the cruiser Olympia.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
on A VISIT TO GARCIA
An Americsn Army 0Alos1 Arraneing Co
Operation with the Cuban
HAaAae.


An American Army omoss Arranging Ca.
Operation with the Cuban
Lender.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, April s7.-Tirat
Lieutenant Andrew 8. Rowan Of tho
Tenth infantry, under orders from the
war department., was landed on the
Cuban coast somewhere west Of ean.
tiago, probably before dawn on Mon.
day. His Cuban guides and an open
sailboat were used. The guides have
not returned.
Lieutenant Rowan 10 on his way to
the camp Of General Calixto Garcia.
He will represent the war department.
In arranging for tho cooperation Of the
insurgents in the invasion Of Eastern
Cuba by the forces Of tho United
States. The time and place Of invasion
will be controlled by events and the
character Of Lieutenant Rowan's dis.
patches.
The Work Very Dangerous.
Lieutenant Rowan was detailed from
the bureau OF information for this dan.
gerous service-da9gerous because, In
his civilian dress, He IL liable to be-
treated a. spy. He speaks Spanish
and knows Cuba, having written q
book on the subject. Moreover, he 10
an expert map maker. Lieutenant
Rowan left Washington under instant
orders on April Q. He was directed to
wait here. prepared to 60 70 Porto Rico
or Cuba. Az he went to Eastern Cuba
1t is inferred that blew will be struck
there before one is struck ct Porto
Rico. The expectation is that General
Calixto Garcia will dispose his forces
to cover . landing of United States
troops as prearraugsd. A courier with
Lieutenant Rowan's first dispatches to
the war department will probably
leave General Garoia's camp next
xx,onh
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
NATIONS NEUTRAL
NOTICES TO THE STATE DEPART.
MENT FROM ALL NATIONS.

In Most Cases They Are Replies 70 the
Declaration Of neutrality-suspicious..
tiou Issued by the President Laying
Down Rules for Guidance OF Omolals
as to Prizes-Iselieved II Will Result
in the Release OF Several Captured
Ships.
WASHINGTON, April g7.-Conditions
in Washington are rapidly settling
down to those of actual war. Notices
came to the state department from the
four quarters Of the globe during the
day showing that the nations, az Q
rule, are prepared to assume an atti.
tude Of strict neutrality as between the
United States and Spain in the pres
ent struggle. In most cases they were
in answer to the identical note sent
out by the state department to all
United States embassies and legations
instructing them to inform the govern.
ments to which they were accredited
that war has existed since April 81.
Great Britain always has taken an ad.
vanced stand in the principles of neu.
trality SO that it was with the greatest
interest that the news was received
here of the terms Of the neutrality
proclamation issued in London. On
tho whole the officials are disposed to
take the view that the strict adherence
by Great Britain to these rules will be
rather more
Advantageous to the United States
than to Spain, particularly as we now
are operating in the naval sense close to
our own base Of supplies, and in all
probability soon will cut Spain of from
the two bases that she now has in the
neighborhood of Cuba.
The president issued proclamation
during the day laying down rules as to
the seizure of prizes, and the result, it
Is believed, will be, the release of some
Of the ships already captured, though
1t will be for the prize courts to deter.
mine in each case whether the condi.
tions under which the ship was cap
tured are such as to warrant release.
Tho impression prevails that the Buena
Ventura, the first on the list Of prizes,
will be declared no prize. The case of
the Panama, whose seizure was re.
ported during the day. is more oompli.
Gated, owing to the fact that while 9th.
erwise exempt the ship was reported to
have contained supplies for the Span.
ish army in Cuba, which are contra
band.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
THE PARIS is SAFE.
Sighted by the Ma jestic at Four O'clo
Monday Morning.

Sighted by the Ma jestic at Four O'CLOCK
Monday Morning.
QUEENSTOWN, April 27.-The White
Star steamer Majestic, which has ar.
rived here from New York en- route to
Liverpool, reports that at 4 o'clock on
Monday in lat. 1852 and long. 1905
she passed an American liner, pre-
sumably the Paris. She saw no Span.
ish warship during the voyage. The
Majestic's passengers were most eager
to learn the news as to the situation
between Spain and the United States
and raised hearty cheers for America
on learning that war had been pro.
claimed.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
NOT coNFIRMEDoFFlclALLY

Navy Department Has Heard Nothing Of
Engagements at Havana.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-The great
est anxiety was shown at the navy de.
partment for news from the blockading
squadron. Notwithstanding the fire.
quent reports that came from two un.
official sources Of engagements between
the fleet and the shore batteries no
word of confirmation came officially.
The three prizes reported to have been
seized by the feet were not referred to
In the official dispatches, but the press
reports of the seizures were received
with the greatest satisfaction by the
officers Of the department., who In some
cases did not hesitate to declare their
envy Of their more fortunate brother
officers with the feet.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30

Of the torpedo boat destroyer Audas
from Queenstown for Spain, her de.
parture being compelled by the English
neutral proclamation. For the Ame'
reason the United States Asiatio squad.
ron has begun to leave Hong Kong.
The North Atlantic squadron Ia enfore
Ing the blockade Of Cuba, and the fly.
Ing squadron remains in Hampton
Roads, except the Minneapolis and.
Columbia, which have gone to sea, on
mission known only to naval authori.'
ties. The cruisers San Franoisco and
New Orleans are at the Brooklyn navy
yard and may sail at any time to join
the flying squadron. Every day adds
several vessels to the auxiliary feet
The battleship Oregon and tho gun!
boat Marietta are coming up along the
east coast OF South America, and will
probably touch at Rio Janeiro In few
days. The dynamite cruiser Nichthe.
roy, just purchased from Brazil, is still!
at Rio Janeiro. The newly purchased
cruiser Topeka is at sea on the way
from Portsmouth to New York, and
the torpedo boat Somers is still at
Portsmouth, but ready for sea. The
steamer Paris. for whose safety no
alarm is now felt, will arrive in New
York before the middle Of the week.
KEY WEST, Fla, April 27.-l1:l6 a.
m.-The big Spanish steamship Pan.
anna Of the Ceballos line, which left
New York on April 40 for Havana,
with number Of Spanish refugees on
board and very valuable cargo, in.
cluding, it is understood, stores for the
Spanish army, was captured about 40
miles from Havana by the little light.
house tender Mangrove, now belonging
to the mosquito feet. The Mangrove
revolvers. She Is commanded by Lieu.
tenant Commander Everett and has a
crew OF IL men.
The Panama is of about 1850 tons,
and very valuable cargo.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
TuRPIE HAD AN AMENDMENT

Debate In tho Senate Lasted an Hour and
Half.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-After de.
bate of an hour and half's duration,
conducted in secret session, tho senate
passed the bill declaring that state of
war exists between the United States
and Spain. The bill was in the same
language as that passed by the house.
The debate in the senate was based on
On amendment offered by Senator Tur-
pie providing for the recognition of the
belligerent rights Of the insurgent
Cubans. The amendment was defeated
IA to B8. The senate also passed the
naval appropriation bill carrying large
amounts Of money for the improvement
Of our sea fighting arm of tho federal
service and the Hull army reorganiza-
ton bill,
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
WAR DECLARED
CONGRESS QUICKLY RESPONDS TO
THE PREeIDENT's MESSAGE.

House Fassed the Resolution in Loss
Than Two Minutes-President's AIes-
sage Reoitss Reasons For Desiring Q
Formal Declaration,
WASHINGTON, April 20. - Congress
has formally declared war to exist be.
tween the United States and Spain and
the bill has been signed by the presi.
dent. The house Of representatives
passed the bill in manner which can.
not fail to impress the world. The
representatives Of 100000 people
voted for 1t without roll call, but
with solemn appreciation of the grav-
ity Of their momentous action. It re-.
quired but one minute and forty sec.
onds to accomplish this. The house
was considering an election case and
simply paused to declare war. There
was no excitement, no cavil, no word or
question. It was only in the great
cheer that went up from floor and gall
leries, when Speaker Reed announced
its passage. that the tremendous import
Of the act and the suppressed enthusi-
asm behind it was shown. After the
presidents message was read tho COM
mittee on foreign affairs framed the
resolution, Acting Chairman Adams
wrote the report and it was passed and
on its way to the senate in an hour and
six minutes,
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
Thursday, April 28.

Eleven men perished in the explosion
at the Santa Cruz (Cal.) powder works.
The British consul in charge Of
American interests in Porto Rico has
asked for British warship.
Henry Watterson delivered the ora
tion at the Grant anniversary banquet
at the Waldorf hotel, New York city.
A scheme is on foot to raise half a
dozen regiments Of yellow fever ':im.
munes" for immediate service in Cuba.
Grants 77th birthday was appro.
priately celebrated at Galena, Ills.
Judge Emory A. Speer of Georgia made
the principal address.
Isaac Alexander, grand nephew Of
Jefferson Davis, has been chosen to
carry the Stars and Stripes for Com.
pany D Of Paris, KY, in the war with
Spain.
The New York Press announces the
engagement Of Miss Edith Dresser,
daughter of Captain George Dresser,
U. s. N, to George w. Vanderbilt.
Mr.. Vanderbilt is the youngest son OF
the late w. H. Vanderbilt, and il
about 40 years old.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
SEIZE AN UNFoRTIFIED PORT
Said the Asiatic Squadron Is Not Likely
to Attack Manila.

Said tho Asiatic Squadron Is Not Likely
to Attack Manila.
WASHINGTON, April 29.-As to the
reports of the imminence of naval
battle of the Philippine islands the
naval authorities here seriously doubt
whether the Spanish feet will make q
stand against tho American ships.
Their reason for this belief is that the
Spanish feet is very inferior to the
American force under Admiral Dewey.
The department., therefore, is satisfied
that the Spanish feet will not go to do
battle on the high seas with Admiral
Dewey, but will remain in port to Sc.
cure the protection Of the batteries of
Manila, and the department is
Not Expecting an Engagement
for about two days. Without giving
any explanation for setting this time
the department allows it to be surmised
that the estimate is based on its knowl.
edge Of Admiral Dewey's whereabouts.
There is no certainty that there will be
an engagement at all in the immediate
future, the main purpose of the Amer.
ican expedition being to seize and hold
some suitable Spanish territory in the
Philippines as base Of operations in
Asiatic waters. 1t is possible that this
can be done without attacking the
other ports at all by seizing suitable
point at some adjacent island without
Notifications, the sympathies of whore
inhabitants are towards the insurgents.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
HAD $4,000 ON BOARD.
Tho Little Coating Steamer Richer
Prize Than She Looked.

Tho Little Coating Steamer Richer
Prize Than She Looked.
KEY WEST, Fla, April 29.-The Am.
brosio Bolivar, little Cuban coasting
steamer taken by the monitor Terror
of Cardenas, has arrived here. The
Bolivar looked like toy boat AZ the
prize crew brought her in. But the
little spaniard was richer than she
looked, as was learned when go, 900 of
silver specie was sfound stored away in
her, besides q cargo Of bananas and
800 casks Of wine She was bound
from Port Limon. Costa Rica, for Ha.
vana, by way Of Cardenas, with seven
passengers and crew Of ten.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
MUST 40 INTO SERVICE.

West Point Graduates It's Glass OF '98 Be-
fore the End OF the Yesr.
HIGHLAND FALLS, N. Y, April a.
West Point graduated the class Of 1898
during the afternoon. The stern re-.
quirements of the service permitted
nothing but short ceremonies. This is
the first time since 1861 that any class
has been graduated before the end Of
the academic year. W.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
Change for North Dakota.

BISMARCK, April 27.-A telegram
from Adjutant General Corbin Of the
United States army states that Score.
tary Alger has reconsidered his call for
800 cavalrymen from North Dakota
and would call for two battalions of
infantry,
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
Chased BY . spani.rd.

NEW York, April ga special to
Tho Evening World from Colon says:
The steamship Alliance, from New
York, arrived here safely. She reports
that on Sunday last, when six miles of
Cape Maysi, q Spanish gunboat headed
toward her and gave chase. The ALI.
anca changed her course and after q
run the gunboat gave mp pursuit.
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
Ready for tn. rl.ld.

DEs Mo1NEs Ia, April 29.-After
the first brigade drill since the organ
iEation Of the Iowa national guard
Colonel Lincoln. in command Of Camp
Mckinley, said that all four regiIaents
were ready to 60 into : fight on tho
field ct onos,
The Dickinson press., 1898-04-30
Cruising in the Channel.

SOUTHAMPTON, April PA Guern.
sey pilot reports having sighted two
Spanish torpedo boats northeaft Of the
Caskets, and a large armed ship be.
tween Douvres Rock and Ushant. He
adds that they were evidently on the
lookout for American vessels.