The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-07-07
Sampson Thinks the Dons
Tried to Hobsonize the
Santiago Channel.
YOUNG HERO FREE AGAIN
Partiou1ars of the Exchange o
Prisoners--Enthusiastic Re-
ception.

WASHINGTON, July Z, 1S9S.-A war
conference is in progress at the White
House. There are present Secretaries
Long and Alger, General Miles, Admiral
Sicard, Captain Crowninshield and Cap
tain Mahan.
With view Of giving General Shafter
the benefit Of more heavy artillery, or
ders were issued today for the immedi-
ate departure of four heavy batteries to
Tampa for transportation to Santiago at
once These batteries are:-K of the
Seventh Artillery at Willets Point; D of
the Fourth Artillery at Fort McHenry,
Nd, and H and X of the Second Artil-
lery, at Fort Adams and elsewhere in
Rhode Island. Rush orders were given
to each of these batteries and it is ex-
pected that they will start for Tampa
today.
All news on the war were strongly
optimistic here today Possibly the Presi-
dents expressed hope for peace in his
proclamation issued last night may have
been the first basis for these rosy Views,
but there were confrmatory evidences,
coming from sources that have SO far
proved to be unfaiiingly accurate, thar
seem to afford foundation for the expect1-
ton that some overtures in the direction
of peace may be expected shortly. though
Of course peace itself cannot be consum-
mated Immediately.
The most significant advice s7as enc
from Spain stating positively that within
the week their country would sue for
peace. It was also declared that Martinez
Campos, Weyler's predecessor as Captain
General Of Cuba, and ne of the best and
most reasonable minds Of SPAN, is 10 be
made prime minister of the new Ppanish
cabinet which is sure to be erecsed within
few days on the wreck. of the Sagasta
Cabinet. This information accords well
with advices that have been coming in
for the past week to show that some of
the European powers at least have be-
stirred themselves to bring pressure up
on Spain to yield to the inevitable and
ask for peace.
1t can be stated authoritatively. how
ever, that up to this time no overtures
have been made to our Government look
sng for peace. This fact, however, does
not IN any sense effect or qualify the
first statement, namely, the movements
In that direction are afoot in Europe. 1t
could not be expected that the United
a suggestion that 1t should make the
initial movement toward peace, and there
for no overtures from the European pow
ers or from Spain directly. could be ex-
pected until the Spanish Government had
either directly or through some friendly
power made an advance In that direction.
When that is done, and some such move
is expected very shortly, our Government
will be perfectly ready to respond if ap-
preached in the proper spirit.
Meanwhile, the war goes on satisfac-
torily at every point. Admiral Sampson
reported from off Santiago, under yester-
days date, confirming the press accounts
of the destruction of the Reina Mercedes
the very last of the Spanish war vessels
under Cervera's command She did not
amount to much, for she had been Sc
verely crippled during one of the early
engagements between SIMPSONS fleet and
the forts and was afterwards partially
sunk. Being raised again she is said 70
have been used only for a hospital and
supply ship. Nevertheless. she was an
obstacle to the advance of our fleet Into
Santiago harbor and so the report of her
destruction was welcomed here.
Admiral SIMPSONS official telegram
was as follows
About midnight last night the Reina
Mercedes was seen by the Massachusetts,,
which vessel had searchlight on the
channel. coming out Of the harbor of
Santiago. The Massachusetts, and Texas
OPENED fire and the Spanish vessel was
sunk opposite Estrella Cove. / am in
clinad to think it was the intention to
sink her in the channel and thus block
the ffsrbor entrance If so, this plan
was defeated by the fire of the ships,
s she Hes on the edge of the Shore
Communication bewteen Washington
and the fleet of Havana being more diff
hcult than with the feet off Santiago,
possibly accounts for the failure up to
this time to receive official confirmation
Of the newpapers report of the sinking off
Maricl yesterday, of the Spanish cruiser
Alfonso XII While not great pow
erful slip, the Alfonso XII was a service
able cruiser.
~ war Department today posted the
- ii1oSfug despatch from General Shafter,
Received In response to an inquiry as to
f1.e reporfeS killing Of Spanish prisoners
Playa del Este, July !.
zon. Secretary War, Washington.
Dispatch as to killing prisoners by
f,tbans absolutely false. No prisoners
have been turned over 70 them. and they