The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-06
YESTERDAYS DEVELOPMENTS.


patches from Commodore Dewey.
All the world is still waiting to
hear the outcome OF the cOur-
ageous Americans fight with the
paniards-whether he has suc-
ceeded I'm capturing the city or
been forced to retire. "NO news
may be good news" but in this
case every American would prefer
hearing the hest or worst as soon
as possible. Secretary Long has
arranged for the prompt dispatch
of ships from the Pacific coast with
ammunition, fuel and other sup
plies for the cOmmodore's feet.
The hrst Cuban Congress under
the autonomous government was
opened with considerable pOmp
and display. There was q military
procession, and the women vented
their enthusiasm by Hberating
doves and tossing flowers from
balconies. In his opening address
Captain General BIancO said Spain
had succeeded i'm establishing re-
forms in Cuba and was bringing
the war to a close, notwithstand-
ing the efforts of the United States
to prevent the acceptance of au-
tOnOmy. If the declarations of this
country had been sincere, he said,
1T would be saluting the first Gu
ban Congress instead of threaten
ing the lives of it's membe bers.
The Senate has passed n bill au-
thOrIzing the President and army
officers to supply Cuban insurgents
with arms and munitions of war,
and empowering officers of the
army serving In Cuba to supply
needy people with medicine and
food. The postOffice bill was
amended by striking out the sp-
preparation for rural free delivery
and cutting down the number OF
mail deliveries in cities to four a
day. In executive session the Sem
ate confirmed all of the Presidents
army promotions. The House
passed the labor arbitration bill
and the Alaskan land bill, as
agreed on in conference.
The tug Leyden has returned TO
Key West after landing arms and
ammunition for insurgents on Gu
ban soil. Commissioners from the
United States are also reported to
have been put ashore. The tug
was attacked by Spanish cavalry
men, who fired at short range, but
the gunboat Wilmington shelIed
the enemy. The cavalrymen we're
also harassed by q force of insur-
gents nearby. An unconfirmed re-
port says sixteen Spaniards were
killed and sixty wounded.
The feeling I'm Spain against
Great Britain is growing stronger.
Ell Imparcial, OF Madrid, discussing
Lord Salisbury's recent speech, in
Inmates that Britain is a con-
scfenceIess nation which employs
irOnclads as the bandit uses the
knife. 1t predicts a terrible close
of the nineteenth century. EcIair,
Paris newspaper, says Britain
will support the United States IL
the other powers intervene to stop
the war, and that in return for
British aid the Americans will
capture the Canary islands and
cede them to their ally.
Much secrecy is observed con-
cerning the movements OF Admiral
Sampson's fleet. All that Is posi-
lively known is that the ships are
well supplied with coal and are
somewhere in the West Indian wa
ters. IntimatiOns from Washing
ton are that "sOmething is about
to happen" but whether that
"something" means the annihila-
ton of G. Spanish squadron, the
succor of the battle ship Oregon,
the seizure of Porto Rico or the
bOmbardment of Matanzas is
known only 10 the Navy Depart
ment and the President. Rumors
as to the whereabouts of the Cape
Verde fleet are still conflicting. A
dispatch from Paris says fve of
spain's best war ships are tied MP
awaiting ammunition, and may be
compelled to return to Cadiz.
The Spanish government has
been forced to extend the state OF
siege owing to the spread OF riot
ing I'm the provinces. Conflicts De-
tween the authorities and mObs
hnye been numerous. Misleading
reports as to the movements or
whereabouts of the Spanish fleets
continue to emanate from Madrid,
Cadiz and Paris. Anxiety Is felt by
the Cabinet for the safety of Porto
Rico, which, it is feared, may meet
the fate of Manila. 1T is said rooms
have been engaged at Vienna FOR
the Queen Regent, who is ready TO
quit Spain.