New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
A MAN-OF-WAR'S MINSTRELS.
THE ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN ON THE
CINCINNATI AT SAN JUAN.

CINCINNATI AT SAN JUAN.
San Juan. Porto Rico Sept Is Especial.
Immediately after the signing of the peace p-oto-
col the United States cruiser Cincinnati entered
the harbor earnest of the desire OF the
American Government for r successful termna-
ton OF the peace negotiations. Although appar-
emily the relations between the Americans and
Spaniards who live here are of the most friendly
character, the regulations Of the Navy require
that the precautions usual in time Of war should
be kept up in the strictest manner Consequently
the men who have been behind the guns since
April q remain there yet, and never Is there
moment. day night. when A call TO quarters VIII
not find around each Of the guns the men VINO
would serve it I'm the event Of action. None of the
jackies receive "shore liberty. on account OF the
large number OF Spanish soldiers in the city and
altogether the enlisted men having hard row
to hoe
In order 10 lessen the strain on the men Father
Chadwick the chaplain OF the ship, who is well
remembered as the chaplain OF the Maine, Is con-
stantly seeking 10 provide advertisement WHICH
will give the sailors something TO think about
AT one time these entertainments take the form OF
informal concerts: at another games of skill are
contested on the deck and occasionally races
among the various boats crews are arranged
Last Monday evening. however the good priest
essayed a more pretentious entertainment In the
shape Of a minstrel performance by the IL 5. 3
Cincinnati Minstrel Troupe"
For several days there had been mysterious con-
ferences in the "to'csle," and. while some OF the
ships company were In the secret by far the
greater number were kept in ignorance Occasion
ally a bluejacket would be seen addressing the
chaplain and showing him piece OF paper on
which there something written that woui
bring smile to the chaplain's face. Then far on
I'm an out-of- the-Way corner OF the ship could oe
heard the sound of deep voice essayng song to
~ tba
signs OF the times there were especially down In
tho sailroom where the ships tailor was fashoh-
ing couple OF gaudy suits out OF such materal
as came to his hand Finally when all the prepa-
rations were finished il was announced that on
September u there would be minstrel show
that admission would he free. and that several
hitherto unknown eenuses would make their hrst
public appearance on me only American" '''s' ~
Porto Rico.
Willing hands from the carpenters gang ouilt
the stage; others decorated II with the victorious
Stars and Stripes and the vanQuished red and yell
Low while men from the engineers department
provided the lighting arrangements. and ny the
time 'coIors' was sounded the otherwise grim
looking man-of-war had assumed sort OF al
frosco annearance that was to say the least.
unique.
The audience which greeted the Ministries as the
curtain rose was a large and distinguished gain
ering numbering. as II did nearly all the Amer
leans nj present In the city. First and foremost
OF these was Rear-Admiral Schley. with his stan
then there was delegation OF officers from the
cruiser New Orleans besides the complement OF the
Cincinnati herself Two American women graced the
assemblago- Mrs Philip Hanna. wife OF the united
States Consul AT San Juan. and Mrs lrunpu'i
White the wife Of a Chicago newspaper corre-
spondent The of the audience, barring sew
eral newspaper correspondents. comprised the
sbn's company and number Of bluetackets ana
-flrl.
wonen however were the real centres OF interest
for few men in the assemblage had seen a couh
trywoman since the war began
The programme was the usual one in per-
Torrance of the kind. and what II lacked IN quar-
itv was more than compensated for by the gusto
with which the performers entered INTO H. Se'
eraI of the selections notably a performance OF
THE Mdshpnite" by the ships writer. r. r.
Fisher was exceently done. The jokes, as RUE
were local" and they bore good deal on the
chances for the ships return to America
After a farce. BLACK Justice, the programme
as printed called for "Tuiule. NO one seemed u
know what "Tuiule'' meant. and every one pres
ont expected a novelty The treat was denied 10
them. however. and the curtain went down wv, nrl
ward explained that the printer Spaniaafan nag
made a "bulr by printing "tuiuie for .niai Sa
that the printer could not be held responsible ror
the which they say was t STs 9S Mcintyre
who provided the typographer win copy. ~ .oo
Naval Cadet A. B. keatnR, OF III" CLASS "
drilled the MINISTRIES I'm their songs and played the
and r. F. Welsh acted as stage
manager and interlocutor - a.. ,,,s.
While the performance was going OF the su dn
cra,s rom ined al their posts Just as II they were
a. " hostiia ba rbor: the watch officers patroed
the bridge and decks; the Lookout was az M
proper station. and not one deui usual uui"e
lime OF hostities was neglected. 49,. ..forr,
During the intermissions and ater tne pc ei ~, -,
80 H. oaicers OF the ship. most genial lot OF
men entertained their friends in the wasdroo,hh,
and when the departing guests shooh :, .an os with
}eeing that hospitality the m me- wSrId S a
.sIs o. tnnar,csn sailor is Just as good an enter
,n ir IN" as he is a fighter. And that rs saying a