The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-04-29
SPANIARDSSLAIN
Bombardment of the Forts
at MatanZas. ?.
ARE SILENcED BY SAMPSON.
Sixty Spaniards Alleged to Have Been
Killed or Wounded During
the Bombardment.

| R1A1Cu VI OuuuCu OuIluk
the Bombardment.
Delight Expressed at Key West Because
None of Our warships Was Hit-what
currence-Report That President Mo
Kinley Gave the Order - The Terror
Captures Another Prize.
Key West, April est is asserted
here that not fewer than sixty Span
| iards we're either killed or wounded
during the bombardment of the forts at
the entrance of Matanzas harbor. The
New York, the Puritan and the Cincin-
natl bombarded and silenced the forts
at the mouth of Matanzas harbor. There
were no casualties on our side, nor not
vessel was hit although fired upon
repeatedly by the Spanish forts before
they were silenced.
Washington, April 2S.-Intense inter-
est was shown at the navy department
in the published reports from on board
the flagship New York and from Key
West Of the engagements at Matanzas
between the shore batteries and three
vessels of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet. The
navy department itself had absolutely
no report from any Of its agents or any
of the officers of the blockading fleet of
this affair. 1t of course could not be
expected that news could be had from
Havana with a Spanish censor manning
the end of the cable there. The fact
that Admiral Sampson has not made
any report to the secretary as yet, not
withstanding he must have had the
same opportunity to communicate with
Key West as was enjoyed by the press,
leads the officials of the department to
believe that the affairs was not of great
consequence. Indeed, they say 1t Is
inconceivable that any very extensive
damage could have been inflicted upon
properly constructed batteries at the
distance reported, varying from two
and a half to four miles in the short
space of eighteen minutes, during which
it is said the engagement lasted.
Would BE bad Strategy.
A member Of the strategy board, who
is, of course, thoroughly conversant
with the plans of Admiral Sampson, so
far as they have been generaliZed, Is
authority for the statement that the
admiral had no intention whatever at
this time to lombard the MatanZas bat
terry. To do so now would be bad STRAIT
ergy and of little avail, for in the alb
sence of any landing force, the admiral
would be unprepared to take advantage
OF the victory he might gain through
q reduction Of the forts and the Span
iards might have ample opportunity
over night to repair in a large meas
ure the damage inflicted on their forth
cations. 1t is stated positively that Adj
miral SIMPSONS purpose was simply to
ascertain If any shore batteries existed
at Matanzas, and if so to draw their
fire and ascertain their character and
then to retire beyond range In other
words, 1t was simply naval reconnois~
sance. In the event that during his
observations the admiral discovered
that new defenses were under construc-
ton on shore he would, it is said, of
course not lose the opportunity to Grip
pie them by throwing a few shells into
the earthworks and endeavoring to
knock over gun or two. 1t is the gen.
eral belief Of the department, however.
that Matanzas is to be soon reduced and
made base of operations in the cam
paign against Havana.
Conditions of the Reconcentrados.
1t is also the presidents purpose to
keep in mind throughout the war the
awful condition Of the reconcentrados,
who are most numerous in and around
Matanzas. Unless relief is extended to
them they undoubtedly will perish dur
ing the progress Of a long-drawn out
war. The reported seizure by the Span
ish military authorities at Matanzas of
stores contributed by Americans and
held in trust there for the relief Of
these poor sufferers is regarded as a
clear indication that even If the Red
Cross steamer Texas is permitted to
land her cargo of supplies at Matanzas
under existing conditions, the food will
not reach the rconcentrados, but will
only go to support the Spanish garri-
son in their resistance. Therefore, It is
believed that the president contem-
plates the early seizure of Matanzas,
not only because of its importance, but
in order that he may from there hold
out a helping hand to the starving
peasantry. 1t is likely, however, that
while there was nothing of the nature
of a general engagement In Admiral
SIMPSONS reconnaissance, he will soon
take steps to begin heavier and live
ly bombardment of Matanzas.
FIRING ORDERED BY M'KINLEY.
Permission to Reduce Matanzas Forts