Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-07-15
THE ALFONSO XII SUNK .
THE LITTLE HAWK WON GLORY
Spanish Liner Destroyed by p,ucLx
american boats-Guantana mo Ia
st"rvfnx-Cuban~ Need Strong
control ON Account Of Their Bru-
taltty.


little doubt that the Spanish stea mer de-
stroyed by the Hawk, Prairie and Castine
at Mariel on Wednesday last was the
transatlantic liner Alfonso XII.. If near.
~ oooo tons. Although the American
ships We're unable to approach close
enough to clearly establish her identity.
on account of the brisk fire from the shore
batteries, her appearance corresponds
with the description Of the Alfonso XII.
as given in Iloyd's.
The destruction Of the ship was dar.
ing piece of work. The credit does not
all belong to the Prairie. whose big guns
finally encompassed the Spaniard's ruin
and left her mass of blazing wreckage
on the beach. The work of the little con.
verted yacht Hawk was heroic to a de-
gree. 1t was she who first discovered the
enemy and alone gave chase, running
back to safe distance only when the
Spaniard drew in under the Mariel bat
teries and close to two Spanish gunboats
lying in the harbor.
-
Before seeking aid, however, the Hawk
lowered a small boat, manned by Ensign
Schotield and crew of six. In the bright
light of the tropical moon they pulled
boldly to within ships length of the
Spaniard after she had gone aground,
their mission being to learn her NAME
From the time they left the Hawk until
their return, the small boat and her crew
were made a brilliant target for the ma
chine guns and small arms aboard the
steamer, and an incessant fire was direct
ed at them. Nothing daunted, they drew
close enough to hear spoken orders Oh the
enemys deck. Shots We're flying all
around them, but none struck, and they
were eventually compelled to return to
their ship without having fulfilled their
purpose. The fire not only from the Span
lard, but also from the Mariel tower, a
sand battery, and the Spanish gunboats
continued until the Castine and Prairie
the Alfonso Mi.
Skaters Troops In Good shape.
Washington, July lO.-ln view Of the
published allegations that the troops
were Oh short rations General Shaftel
was yesterday wired as to the proof Of
the assertion. He answered that one day
only the troops were on halt nations and
on that day the only troops who suffered
were a few at the furthest point from
the supply depot. The general says there
was considerable complaint on account o
lack of tobacco, but added that there wal
sufficient food, tobacco and other neces
sary supplies on the ships to last at leas
two months and they will be brough
ashore at the earliest possible moment
Everything he reported to be in mos
satisfactory condition and he explained
that fighting might be resumed perhap
this afternoon or evening.
Cubnns to lie Controlled.
The statement from the press CORES
pondents with the army in the field t.
the effect that the Cubans under GSrci
have undertaken to designate governo
for Santiago after it falls has attracts
good deal of attention here. The di:
patch went on to state that the man 10
the place was Colonel Castillo of Genera
Garcias army, and that General Shafte
upon being notified of the choice had re
ferred the matter to Washington. n
such reference has been made and the !,
ficials here do not expect for an instan
that General Shafter will make it.
Santiago falls under his attack Genera
Shaf ter and no one else would assum
command of Santiago, and retain tina
command as long as he stays in that Vi
cinity and until he is relieved by order
from Washington. 1t is not contempla:
ed here to turn the captured communitie
over to the Cutans without careful cor
. sideration OF the consequences involved
not only from the point of moral obligs
tion upon the United States as a civilize
nation, but also from sound political dO'
trines.
The reports that are reiterated as to tn
brutal attitude Of the CubanS toward tn
Spanish who surrender near Santias
have caused great deal Of disquiet he'
and it is believed that our military an
naval commanders will be expected
soc to it that the Cubans are held to II
strictest observance of the rules of civi
, lied warfare under pain of being severel
, dealt with.
, The Town IL Ready to Fail.
Guantanamo, July 8, a. M, by II
I Associated Press Dispatch Boat Cynthi
; via Port Antonio, July 9, and Kingsto
| july lO.-Advices received by Comman
= er McCalla of the Marblehead from II
r city of Guantanamo show that dealt
! from starvation average Is daily.
t General Perez, commander OF Qua
tanamo, has given up hope OF succor al
D., the town could readily be taken were
worth while to risk the lives of the Anne
: lean troops. The entrance from the upp
d to the lower bay is patrolled nightly
}. steam Launches. Tho gunbats in t
}. upper bay have not shown themselves
o several days.
d Thousands OF Cubans. some estimat
y placing the number at 10000, are bel
;. fed at the camp on the west side OF t
i harbor with supplies furnished by t
t Red Cross Society.
o An English device for adding the fini;