The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-05-06

News at Nash;1c ton of Its Depar.
ture from Cape Verde.
UEFCUJCZD EZFC2T CT TREASON
Rumor Arose from The strange Action of a
Fireman on the Pur,tan-Strict Secrecy
Ordered Regarding War Plans
Bombardment Canard.

WASHINGTON. April 3O.-This was
day of alarming rumors, running all
the way from the blowing up of big
monitor to the detection and punish
ment of traitors, but, fortunately, all
turned out on inquiry to be without
foundation. Actual events of impor-
lance were few in number. The news
of the day of most interest was the
departure from Cape Verde of the
Spanish fleet, the stay of which at
St Vincent has been source of
anxiety on the part of officials here
because il seemed to indicate the
sympathy of Portugal for Spain might
lead her to wink at n violation of
neutrality laws in favor OF Spain.
Late in the afternoon cable
gram came TO the state department
from Cape Verde, bearing nc signature,
announcing that four battleships and
three torpedo boats had started north
and some of the transports for Cuba,
and that the northern fleet returned
shortly, having been in collision. Be
cause there was no signature attached
the officials did not know what i'm
portance to attach to this message, as
these are not times to accept what APP
pears to be information without close
scrutiny. The statement that the YES
sells when leaving St Vincent were
headed in southerly direction is
valueless as an indication as to the
real course of the feet The majority
Of the naval officers here feel con-
fident that the Spanish fleet will next
appear at the Canary islands, about
half way between Cape Verde and
Spain, and lying directly in the home
ward path of the ships. AS the Cana
ries are Spanish islands and possess
some Notifications worthy of consider
alton, it may be that the feet will be
allowed to remain there for some time,
ms the islands form good strategic
base. What most concerns the navy
officers just now is how to learn when
the feet does arrive there. The cable
TO the Canaries being in Spanish hands,
the arrival of the fleet would be kept
secret.
uNFoUNDED REPORT OF TREASON.
KEY WEST, Fla, April 3O.-There is
absolutely no foundation for the SEN
sational report cabled from here to the
effect that case of treason has been
discovered on board the United States
monitor Puritan. The rumor arose
from the strange actions of a fireman,
with O Spanish sounding name, now
under restraint on the warship because
of his eccentricities. The action of
the officers of the monitor in placing
the man under restraint was guided
solely by the danger Of allowing an
unevenly balanced man to be at large.
The story as cabled out from here was
MS follows:
II is asserted in an authoritative quarter
that a Spaniard whose name is Carlos Ygla-
siRse, was discovered tampering with the larg-
est magazine on the monitor Puritan. The
Spaniard was engaged in drilling holes in the
bulkhead Of the l2-inch magazine when discov-
cred He was Immediately placed under ar
rest A thorough examination OF the man and
his suspicious actions during the last few
weeks, when recalled by his detection, have
convinced Capt Harrington, commander of the
Puritan, that the man hnrbored an insane no.
tion that, as his country demanded IL, he was
willing to make himself sacrifice and de-
gtroy the monitor by iRniting the contents OF
the largest magazine on board When searched
the man was found to have about his person
cotton waste saturated with turpentine. This
IS is believed, was TO have been used as fuse
SOURCE OF NEWS SHUT OFF.
WASHINGTON, April 30.-The war de.
partment is very seriously concerned
over the publication in some of the
morning papers of its intention to Sc
lect Gen. Shafter TO command the first
detachment of troops to be sent to
Cuba. To prevent any further disclo'
sure of the plans of the campaign Sec
Rotary Alger yesterday issued most
sweeping order directed to all bureau
chiefs of the war department and all
officers on special duty, from the high
est to the lowest, instructing them
under no circumstances, to give any
information to the press on any sub
ject connected with the war. While
this seems to work "a hardship upor
the newspapers that feel impelled il
its campaign, it is said to be necessary
to meet the present conditions. The
same state Of affairs exists in the navy
department
A BoMBARDMENT CANARD.
KEY WEST, Fla, April 3O-Yester
day was one of wild rumor and little
action. First came the story of tn,
bombardment of Cardenas by the ships
of the feet stationed there. The ru
NOR suddenly developed from no
where and thrived Justify, acquiring
an elaborate finish of detail and or
namentation. Then the monitor
Puritan steamed into port and Capt
Harrington, the commanding officer o
the Cardenas feet, gave the story III
quietus by a firm declaration thai
there had been no bombardment o
the Cardenas batteries, incidental,
adding that there were no batteries
there, and only one or two insign if
cant gunboats, which had given nj
sign of offense.