Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-05-13

cite carried into Havana $50 cypert
Austrian and Spanish gunners. The
| secret service, 1t is said, has absolute
proof that the Lafaycttc's passengers
were trained gunncrs sent bv the
Spanish government to man the
batteries in Cuban ports. The fate OF
the torpedo boat Win>low is quoted IN
corroboration, as it was a notorious
fact that prior to the beginning OF the
war Spain had no soldiers in Cuba
capable OF managing her big guns.
The further startling information is
given that France, Austria and Italy
have united in Il note of warming to
the President that the American fleet
must not be sent into European
waters. Such action, it is said, would
be considered by those countries rs an
act hostile to the peace of Europe, and
would be promptly resented.
Dewey's report of the brilliant vic
tory at Manila, is short and terse. 1t
bears date of the day of the battle and
is in the following words: Manila,
May l. The squadron arrived at
Manila at daybreak this morning.
Immediately engaged the enemy and
destroyed the following Spanish war
vessels: Reina Christina. Castillo,
Ulloa, Isla de Cuba, General Leo,
The Duero, Correo, Eelasco, Mindano,
one transport and water battery at
Cavite. My squadron is uninjured
and only few men slightly wounded.
My only means of telegraphing is to
the American consul at Hongkong.
shall communicate with him. Dewey"
n subsequent dispatch was as follows
"Cavite May 4. have taken posses
sion of the naval station at Cavite
Have destroyed the Notifications at
the bay entrance, paroling the
garrison. control the bay complete
ly and can take the city at any time.
The squadron is in excellent health
and spirits. The Spanish loss is not
fully known, but is very heavy. One
hundred and fifty were killed, includ-
ing the captain of the Reina Christina.
Am assisting in protecting the Span
ish sick and wounded; $50 sick and
wounded are in the hospital within
our lines. There is much excitement
in Manila. Dewey"
Are we dealing with nation that
can justly lay the slightest claim to
civilization, or tribe of barbarians?
is a question that is daily becoming
more deeply impressed upon our peo-
pie. The explosion of powder mills
and the cutting adrift of harbor mines
has aroused suspicion that our country
is beset by organized gangs OF assassins
in the employ of the Spanish govern
ment, and now comes eliminating
act of infamy in special to the Con-
stitution, from Mobile: no less than
q second dastardly attempt to poison
the infantry regiments encamped near
that city. Several days ago some SOL
diers found in the creek, which runs
alongside the grounds, sack filled
with absorbent cotton, which had been
saturated with arsenic and tied down
beneath n rock which juts out into the
stream at point just above the place
where the soldiers get their drinking
water. BY accident trooper discov-
cred the deadly trap, removed the
sack and upon the contents being re-
vealed, reported his find to the COM
handing officer. Strict orders were
given not to mention the incident,
and so the matter was hushed up.
Since that day, however, the creek has
been closely watched and the vigilance
was rewarded when Corporal John
Sullivan, of Company A, Nineteenth
infantry, found poison bag, loaded
with arsenic and anchored down Just
as in the first instance. Spanish spies
are known to be lurking in the neigh
borhood, where number of Spaniards
reside. These are violations of the
amenities recognized by civilized ma.
tions even during warfare, and stamps
the decadence of once proud nation
in unmistakable cOlors.