davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

The balloon which was raised at Fort
Wadsworth a week ago is the first signal
station of its kind in the world. This bal
loon, which was sent up under the diree-
tion OF Ivy Baldwin, the noted aeronaut,
flies about 1900 feet in the air. From it's
lofty position it commands splendid view
Of New York harbor. and the officials that
are stationed in the balloon can see fully
fifty miles out TO sea. With this splendid
observation tower the United States, or
that part Of It which begins at New York
harbor, is in danger of a surprise from
Spanish warships.
Other balloons are being made at the
United States balloon factories. and If the
Spanish become very saucy these will soon
fly along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to
be used as signal stations.
The Fort Wadsworth balloon, which Is OF
silk is inflated with 14000 cubic feet of
gas. The balloon is forty feat in diameter.
Below the balloon and fastened to It is a
basket large enough for four men. From
the basket small cable runs to the ground,
This cable holds the balloon fast and at the
same time serves as means OF communi-
cation. wire runs down the middle OF
the cable connecting a telephone service be-
tween the basket and the ground. The men
stationed in the balloon basket can ring the
bell, call up the men on thes ground and
tell them what is going on at sea. Their
eyesight is bounded only by the horizon,
and they can tell the moment Spanish
warship comes up over the horizon line.
When these balloons are sent up the cable
Is paid out very carefully. The balloon l.
not allowed 10 shoot up like a country pic
mic height from the ground. In this way
there is no strain upon 1t and 1t rises up in
the clouds without damage to cable or oc-
cupants. 1t can abe lowered either by the
| balloonapparatus or by pulling in the cable.
For the filling of the balloon, steel tubes
eighteen inches in diameter and four feet
high are used. The gas Is compressed into
this to one-one hundred and twentieth OF
its natural volume.
IN CIVIL WAR.
great many people think that this is
the first instance in which the United
States army has made use OF balloons, but
this is not so. During the civil war one
OF the most daring aeronauts, La Noun
tame, wen. up in balloon for General Nc
Clellan. His balloon rose from the North
camp OF the Potomac and passed over
Washington. The ropes We're then cut and
La Mountains rose up to the height OF a
mile and n half over the enemys lines. He
distinctly observed their position and move
ments, and when he had taken in the sit
uation he threw out the ballast from the
balloon and went TO the height OF three
miles As soon as he reached favorable
air current he went along to the coas: OF
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
THE MOVEMENT ON GUBi
Active Preparations Are Makisa forI
It at Key West.
sPASIARDs ARE AFRAID 10 FIGHT.
dnsurgents Chaaing Troops Intx
Havana and Gunhoata Are stick
Ing Ia the Harbors.
Third Edition,


New York. May 2.--While the sQuAdrcn
is cruising off the Cuban coast with little
incident save the capture Of an occasional
fishing smack. the officers fretting over
their role in the peaceful blockade, pro-
gress continues to be made for united &C.
ton by the army and navy. says the Key
West correspondent Of the Tribune. II this
does not mean an early landing OF Amer
lean troops at some point. all signs are
misleading. Whether at Mariei, MatanEaA
or Caibarien Is minor question.
1t is now understood that Admiral Samp-
sons action In silencing the Matanzas bat
teres was not In pursuance OF definite Or
ders from Washington to make a breach.
but the result has been the same. A breach
In the Spanish coast defense is malc.
Ships lying well In shore between Ha-
vana and Matanzas report that Spanish
forces are increasing thcreabouts.
The evidences arc that tho insurgents are
harnssing them more closely. Insurgents.
who are believed to be OF Betancourt's
command are seen at times on the hills.
and are In good position to make an at
tack in the roar whenever the troops are
required with the repulslng marines and
soldiers from the warships.
All the efforts OF the vessels Of the
squadron to draw the gunboats out Of their
hiding places in the lnlets have been fu-
tile.
The arrival of ten members OF the hos.
pital corps Of the regular army supplements
the work that has already been undertaken
Tho field troops are well organized The
presence OF the aides on General Miles
staff aud OF members cf the signal corps Is
a further indication of preparations for the
regular troops to co operate with the naval
forces.
The experiment OF forming Cuban regi-
ments to reinforce the insurgents seems
likely to succeed The jnnta In New York
! asked for 900 recruits from Key West. TO
be men of families and capable Of support
Ing themselves. The recruiting list which
has been opened, is fairly well filled. BY
the time the transport leaves here for Tam
pa the quota will probably be completed
The recruits are OF the most part Of good
physical type. Few Of them, however. hayn
had military training
The understanding Is that the United
States will provide them with arms, am.
muntion and partial ratons, and Will land
, them In Cuba, where they will Join Gomez.
They are y ,hoose their own officers. who
are to he Cubans. This may be good
! provision, but the military officers say that
the efficiency of these Cuban regiments will
be vastly increased II they have American
officers to drll them.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
SMELLING OF MA1ANzAS
French and Austrian ConsuIs Have
Battered . Protest.
BLANCo's ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR.
IL Says the Only Damage Done Was
the ktlIing of Muic--Esvcnt
WINS Only Celebrated.
Second Edition.)


Havana. May 1.-THE French and Aus
TRAN consuls here have protested against
the bombardment of Matanxas by the
| American fleet as a violation of interna-
tional law. In that no previous notice OF
the Intention to lombard the place had
been given. The following version OF the
bombardment was received late last night
| under date OF April eS:
| AT midday on the 2Sth three American
cruisers opened fire at a short distance on
the Morillo batteries and the Matanzas
| forts.
| The battery replied. and the cruisers re-
treated some distance. The fleet fired
thirtytwo shots and the batteries fourteen
shots, all OF which were without result. The
J fleet fired over forty shots at the Sabanill1
| battery and the city, but none exploded, and
| the only casualty reported was the killing
| OF n mule. Some of the shots from the
| American vesso~rell In the outskirts OF the
city. The Sabanllla battery fired twenty
| four shots before the vessels got out OF
| range The bomhardment lasted an hour.
| One OF the ships vessel with threu
| smokestacks, was damaged IN the rigging
The receipt OF the nows produced much
enthusiasm; many houses We're decorated
and professions headed by bands OF music
marched through the streets TO national
Cuban airs. The crowds gathered in the
upper part OF tho city, and cries Of viva
Ia Espana" were heard on all sides. AZ
night there was a military tattoo at the
park.
According to advlces received at the pal
ace on the same day. April ~, dctach-
ment OF Spanish troops overlook at Mono
cote, Matnnzas province q force OF insur-
gents composed OF several small bands,
| under Commander Betancourt, and engaged
them In battle, the Spaniards capturing the
| positions of tho insurgents who retired
| leaving two OF their number dead. guam
| tity of arms and other effects were cap
| tured The government troops lost two sol
| dicrs aud two officers and two privates
| wnundpd
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
Cecil Whodcs Discusses the Reasons
for Alliance.
Second Edition

London, May THE Daily Chronicle
publishes this morning Mr. Cecil Rhodes
views OF the Anglo American relations.
He says; In my opinion nothing Is so
vital to the future Of the British and
American people AZ a cordial understanding
now and a deep rooted conviction OF
mutual good will. From this. II future
events render IL necessary, formal al
lance may be born. 1t Is obvious that II
America brushes spain from the outset
there will be an unthinking tendency on
England TO sympathze with the little boy
tbreshed by the biz boy.
But what we may not forget Is Spanish
atrocity in Cuba. America has done, In
view OF this atrocity, precisely what Great
Britain would have done II ii had occurred
In an island close to the British coast.
In, fact we should not probably have been
rs patient as America has been. At any
rate, the two people would meet the same
circumstances with the same action. II
America shah offer US an alliance 1t seems
to me perfectly obvious that in any dIvi-
sion OF the worlds interests those of the
British empire and America will be found
together. England and America need each
other. and this need Will grow rapidly In
the future"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

MARYLAND and returned in safety. General
Mcclellan was so pleased with the obserya-
ton that the war department. received In
structiops 10 have balloons provided
With the declaration of neace however,
the use of balloons was practically discon-
tinued, few only being stationed here and
there ior experiment,
Inc use OF the paiioon IN perHlhny Is
Varleu one. me herman eh'pe,oF Is Oh Tue
LOOKOUT ior war as every one KNOWS ana
shouin Germany ever engage III coihp"l
with a ciVill2ea nation IL VIII pe lully pre-
pafen TOT war harVee' ne "pInah e.l-
peror proudest pailoon ~ the ah'sef WIZ
heiin' rms oai!oon mas peen useu' up io
inns Hay' oniy lot Drluge PURPOSES put ~
Is very usetul mus ~ regiment ol so,
uiers desire 10 cross river where there Is
no orluge the paiioon Is sNnt nP WIN q
great many ropes aahsllhe IRON ~ ',lc o'
Wy oViu'eiS ts'"ap' ~ -, -, ~
sen across Ihe river, ne ,neh lhstene Nv
rope securely on lhe olner slIe VI .n ''
stream me paIlooh ~ the,' pu''eu parN
ana the soldiers grasp II anu sWihs ineih
serves across IN 'hls way ".o'c liz Tx, .
nlent can pass oNeI IVY !" au ~ 1870
snort space OF iii,le' anu oy u''"o" ""''"
looks IKE magic 10 'he eheny,
Any atnletlc man can s%lhs ny nv arms
tor per'ou OF tnree or row In',u'e',
iong ehousn ior sMn' p"'.'on j" o', ,,,,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
THE rANAMA's CAPTURE.
II Was "a Daring Piece Of Work-The
Prize ~ Valuable.

i
Prize IL Valuable.
Kew West, April Is -(Staff correspond
enee of the Associated Press. Copyrighted,
1898. by the Associated Press. Tho cap
ture of the Spanish steamer Panama by
the little gunboat Mangrove was an act
of sublime impudence. 1t was like a
school boy with potato gun demanding
the surrender of a Sioux chief. armed with
repeating Winchester The Panama Is
by all odds the most valuable prize so far
captured. She Is valued at something like
500, 900 and with her extensive cargo OF
supplies would have been of lnestimable
value to the SPANISH forces had she es-
capped tho vigilance Of the Federal gum
reaohed Havana harbor, She is 5000 ton
craft and has two 1i-pound rapid fire
guns. She is an auxiliary cruiser of the
Spanish navy and ought TO be able to take
care of herself with any ordinary enemy.
vet. without the show of resistance she
meokly surrendered to the Manerove.
which is little more than harbor tug
and has only two six Founders. Until re-
Gently the Mangrove was a lighthouse ten
lar
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

balloons are self-dostroyng and they break
In the discharge of the shell.
A balloon that is now under consideration
by the government is sort OF air torpedo
II can be directed with as much accuracy
as a submarine torpedo. II has carrying
capacity of 1000 pounds of explosives The
discharging OF this does not subject the
attacking party TO any risks, owing to the
remarkable swiftness with which the aerial
cruiser glides away. II let's fall It's missile
of destruction and gets out of the way
without injurlng itself.
The French government now uses bal
looms for towing ships~-or Mt least 1t has
experimental with them sufficiently to be
sure it can be done. The German omper-
or's twin balloons, or air ships, for towing
cruisers are well known 10 naval experts.
OF course there must be considerable OK.
pertinent In balloon making In order to as
certain which Is actually the best thoro-
fore those in charge of the navy balloons
are making them out of all tho different
substances known to balloon makers. A
very fine balloon now being constructed Il
modelled after the famous old war balloon
General Myer," which was built for the
signal corps OF the United tSatos and was
the first military step OF the Kind taken by
the officials of this country, 10 cope with
the great war powers Of Europe.
A correspondent who visited the factory
whore this new balloon is being made says
that the envelope Is spherical In shape,
with a capacity of 1900 cubic feet CORE
spending with the ordinary balloon used
abroad for captive asconsions. and having a
lifting power sufficient to carry two men
with the necessary signal Instruments The
envelope Is formed of gold heaters skin.
which is especially adapted to this purpose,
as 1t Is impcrvious TO the hydrogen gas
and is very light The membranes from
which this fabric. gold beators skin. Is
formed are taken from the cntrails OF the
bullock each animal furnishing one. When
stretched they are from eighteen to twenty
-four inches long and ten TO sixteen inches
wide. After taking the membranes from
tho slaughtered bullock they are first
scraped free from fat and soft parts and
sailed iii needed for use. After taking
them from the salt they are first culled,
washed and soaked 10 fresh water TIL the
salt Is taken out. Then day or two before
using they are placed in vessel containing
soft water. IN which has heen dissolved
some fsh glue which adds to their adher-
Ing qualities when making the fabric o. the
envelope These are spread over cotton
lining until heavy coating Is assured
II balloon warfarlng can be made sue
cessful It viii be put 10 abundant test In
the present war and the United states will
have earned the proud title Of being the
first nation In aerial warfare
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
GOMEZ is rmn Law or cunaSs.
The Moses Leading the Insurgents
from nondagc.

Hnvorhill, Mass, May William G..
Frost has returned TO his home In this city
after a six months visit to Cuba.
During that time he was engaged in fill
clustering was twice arrested and confined
In MORO castle. and also spent Two weeks
in the camp OF General Gomez OF the In
surgent army
In speaking of the insurgent. Mr.. Frost
says; Gomez Is king. His word is law.
and it is enforced with an iron hand. Vices
are not tolerated, not even card playing.
The old general who fought through one
war. a natural leader OF men. although not
educated, Is all the law that these men
have. With him are several Americans
among them a Lynn man and one from
harrington. n. II. In spite of all reyerscs,
Gomez Is sill confident, and mis- faith IN
spires the men under him. They are iooH-
Ing for the United States for help. and be-
lieve tina. the day for their dellverance Is
near at hand"
j was previous to his visit 10 General
Gomez that Frost wos arrested. He was
put under guard AT Metanzas and was tried
before a drumhead court martial lie was
convicted and sent to MORO Castle 81
Havana with forty other prisoners. put
was released three days later through the
efforts of General Lee He was lew
DAYS later again arrested and confined
three hours in the guard room at MORO,
until word was sent by General Lee TO
release him. During his three days con
inement, he Gays. many prisoners were
shot and he and his companions momen-
tarily expected 10 meet the same fate.
After that he was constantly under SUR
veillancc while IN Havana. Mr.. Frost was
in Havana the day OF Genera, Lees de
parture and went out OF the harbor ON
the same boat. although he returned
few days later TO visit General Gomez,
Since the departure OF General Lee, the
lives OF Americans In Havana, he says,
have been Ia rnnstnnt danger
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
ESTIMATE OF THE SPANISH.
Defeat Easily Throws Them Into
Much Diswny.
Second Editiou)

New York. May 1.-.Maior A. G.. Girard.
u. S. A., was a passenger on the French
liner LaBurgogne. which arrived here to-
day from Havre.
The Spanish navy" says Major Girard.
has not a ghost OF show. From all
could learn the Spanish navy is in an in
ferior condition Its men aud officers do
not know how to fight insquadrons Man
euvers cost money and Spain has no money
for that purpose. While the American war
vessels were spending three months in at
tanning high proficiency. the Spanish yes
sells were lying idly in harbors and their
admiras and captains and other officers
were driving in the streets OF Madrid or
dining in cafes The American vessels In
squadron form can easily beat the Spanish
vessels in detail The Spanish sailors are
brave enough. but the American navy Is IN
infinitely better form. The Spanish have
not the stability OF the Apglo-Saxon race.
A defeat easily throws them into dismay."
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
su SING THE MONARCHY.
rs and Republicans Are Crit
"a cisirS the Government

81 Second Edition)
pm, May 1.-THE Madrid correspond
8ihe Standard says; The sitting of
pse of deputies yesterday Saturday
xiremcly interesting. The Carlists
'publicans had bitterly criticised the
Gpf the government and the monarchy
N rsistenee during the last twenty
ours as to systematic neutrality and
N in Europe, ana now in our trouble
Feprived her OF even platonic SYM
n senior Gullon in the course OF his
remarked that this was positive
~ which all alliances were founded
*rests alone. and as Spain could
PIT little, o.her powers could only
pr little.
i si,vela declared that all the IDEAL
Xe.sn policies were things o. the
Chat nations nowadays were only
fby their interests, and therefore II
pGsn, the Intervention Of the powers
81 approach them with something
Tor instance. on the basis of the
Inc Islands and with her hands
nody was dumbstruck by Ssnor
remarks. His eloquent and power
ca concluded with the plain dec
that Senior Silye!a and his party
hdy for office II the liberal ministry
from assuming The heavy RESPONSE
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

nlity of such policy. The speech will
prolong the debate
Ell impartial saws: It behooyes the ma
tion, not the cabinet, TO say when honor
j. catisiied. This criticism practically con
hrms Senor s!lvela's views.
The April settlement on the bourse has
peen much easier than was expected. The
Prices OF all articles imported from abroad
are rising rapidly, the war having a deter
dustry. ="
me bank OF Spain balance sheets show
fresh decline OF 100000 pasetas in the
SILVER cash on hand. owing to the run on
the provincial branches.
until further notice the government has
suspended all mail steamships between
Spain and the West Indies.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

Giddings, Texas. May l.--word was re-
ceived here early this morning that Mrs.
william stockton. living at Dime Box.
about sixteen miles northeast Of this place.
was fatally burned last night about -
o'clock. She and her husband were ~
waiting on one OF her children which was
sick and lamp was accidentally dropps1
and exploded. setting her clothing on ars
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
DNTEJO'S OFFICIAL REPORT

"a Third
SNladtid
OF
o Christana
u
III
other ships having
to be
vs. notably cadarzo,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
The Topekn Arrives.

New York, May 1.-The United States
cruiser Topeka. formerly the Diogenes,
commanded by Lieutenant j, j. Knapp,
which sailed from Falmouth, England
April ~. arrived safely in port this morn
ing after rough passage OF twelve days
Lieutenant Knapp reported having expert
eneed a very rough passage. Lieutenant
Knapp when asked whether he had sight
ed any warshlpS during the voyage replied
that be had not and was no; anxious 10
meet any. owing to his small crew, forty
six men. and the fact that the Tcpeka's
guns were not mounted.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
He Warned senior Guiion that Cubn
MNst U.,Ne PcRce.


LCldon. May THE Madrid correspondent
OF the Times, continuing this morning his
story OF General Woodford'g mission TO the
Spanish government. the lrst installment OF
which appeared On Saturday, shows that on
March %. IN ar Interview with ScupF Cullen,
General MooGfOrd said. deliberately and .in-
phatlrally, the omnons phrase: '-tnlesB
sone satisfactory agreement assuring pcade
IN Cubn Is reached within q very few days.
tho president will be Constrained to submit
tnJ whole question, including the Maine dis
astrr TO congress.
heYond this the correspondent gives little
In addition 10 Wat is already known, but he
says rcd book will be- published In Madrid
shortly containing the correspondence.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
A sunni,I yer.Iou.

London. May 1.-THE Madrid correspond
ent of the Daily Mail telegraphing Sunday
says: THE Americans were pillaging the
steamer Argonaut. seized off cienfuegos.
and carrying a quantity OF arms and ann
munition. when three Spanish gunboats
went out and compelled them to with
draw"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
CONSULATE GUARDED.

Fopulnce IN Uruguay Are Hostile 10
the unitcd st-tes.
Montevdeo, via Galveston May I.-Thc
United States legation has been placed I'M
der guard. The United States minister. DIR.
William r. Finch. has received number
of threatening letters from people who
sympattize with the Spsniards. The
UruguGyen newspapers are belittling the
government. due to its neutral attitude in
the var between Spain and the United
States, in prohibiting public performances
and cther steps to raise subscriptions here
OF pro- Spanish proclamations have been
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
McfSfni., Mad. No Protc.t.

London. May 2-Thc Vienna correspond
ent of the Times says; MIR. Charlemagne
Tower. United States minister 10 Austria
Hungary, denies that President Mckinley
has protested against the reported pc
cuniary subvention given by Emperor
Francis Joseph to Spain.
The Fromdcnb!ott denied that the en-
peror has given rubvantion rthat Pres-
ident Mckinley has protested.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

Turkestan. May 1.-The American steam
er Cherokee, capten Garyin, of the Clyde
line, arrived here yesterday with 1900 bags
OF sugar and sailed for New York in the
evening. Her captain reported that on
Tuesday night when she was leaving Car
los for San Domingo the Cherokee was
chased by Spsniard,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
rush ORDERS.
frankfort Arsenal Mt Phiindelphin
- Kent Eusy.

philadelphia. May lone huhorea auu'''o'>
al bands Will be added tol.GT'o" 70 iAe i'l'7
employed at the Frankfort arsenal ana the
output OF cartridges hereafter VIII De lo''VVo
daily Rush orders we're re'h'ved at the arse
mai last evening. and accompanying them
were renusitions for large auaniiues OF cart
ridges time fuses, electric pf,nera ana sniap,
mel to b. aided by rsil with all speed
10 Tampa and Key West for the use CT the
troops nnw assembling AZ these places. Inc
penrsyl sania railroad will move the cars as
fast as they GRE ready ana send them tnrousn