davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
Mantanzas May Be Made Base Of 0per
ations Against Havana.
NO MORE MONEY TO PURCHASE SHIPS
Eight Monster Steamers Purchased to Trans
port Troops to Cuba-Bids VIII To-
day Be Invited for Building Three
New Battlesiips.

Washington, April 2S--The Smelling of the
Matanzas batteries was the topic of abb
sorbing interest throughout naval and OFF,
cial circles generally today. Secretary
Long said at p. m. as he closed up his
office work of the day, that no report had
been received from Admiral Sampson, nor
was the navy department advised In any
way of the shellfng of Matanzas.
Mr. Long added that it was essential
that future strategic moves should be
guarded with the greatest care, yet this
did not apply to events after they had &C.
tually occurred, for as to battles and their
attendant casualties he recognized that the
public was entitled to know what had oc-
CURED. When his attention was directed
to reports that the Smelling was the result
of direct orders from the president, the
secretary said this was not so as the pres
ident was giving no direct orders on any
of these movements.
The fact that Admiral Sampson has not
made any report to the secretary as yet,
Notwithstanding 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 affair was of no great consequence.
Indeed, they say it is inconceivable that
any great damage could have been inflicted
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29


vision of Liverpool, pointed out IN the house
United States congress providing for in
creasing the tonnage tax on shipping, will
be injurious to British trade and shipping
Mr.. Balfour replied that the government
would do all it could to protect the inter-
est of ship owners.
A deputation of members of parliament,
representing the shipping constituencies
waited upon the president of the board of
trade, Mr. c. T. Richie, and emphasized
the Importance of the proposed increase in
the tonnage tax, declaring that ship owners
and traders were greatly alarmed at the
measure One delegate said his firm alone
would be mulcted an additional $780, 900
($150,000) yearly.
Mr.. Richie replied that the government
had communicated with the British ambas-
sador at Washington and with the Euro
pean powers on the subject. Joint repre-
sentdtions will be made on the subject
pointing out the onerousness of the pio-
posed measure on European trade.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambas.
sador TO the United States, has been IN
structed, 1t is understood here, to make
representations to the Washington gov
eminent respecting the squadron of ton
mage taxes
France and Germany are communicating
with Great Britain on the subject
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
SPANISH WARSHIPS
AT SAN JUAN

St. Thomas, w. l., April 2S.-Porto Rcan
advices received here today say that four
Spanish gunboats are at San Juan De Porto
Rico. They are being painted black or
possibly dark gray.
Martial law has been proclaimed in Porto
Rico, and it is being enforced in a tyranni-
cal manner. Crowds of people are leaving
for the interior and the capital is almost
deserted by the civilian population.
The military authorities are most actively
engaged in preparing for the defense of
the island. Thirty-four torpedoes have been
planted in the main channel They are con-
trolled from Moro Castle. In addition an
old steamship has been sunk across the
harbor entrance The buoys in the channel
have been altered, and from Monday last
after the news of the blockade of Havana
reached there accompanied by report that
the Cuban capital had been bombarded, all
the lights were ordered to be extinguished
at night.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
Negotiations for More Ships

Hull. Eng, April 2S.-Negotiations, 1t Is
asserted, are proceeding for the purchase
by Americans of the Wilson line steamers
Galilee, Chicago and Toxic.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
WADE HAMPTON WILL VOLUNTEER.
Will Ride Horse and Weld Sword If South
Cardinals Quota Is Not Filled.

Charleston, s. c., April 2S-At a meeting
of Confederate Veterans of South Carolina
in annual convention here, General Wade
Hampton spoke and caused the widest ems
thusiasm by the reference to the war with
Spain.
My old comrades, we know what war
is. l do not hesitate to say that I regret
the one upon which we are now entering.
But you are South Carolinians; you are
sons of the men who have shed immortal
glory on the Palmetto flag in the past,
and I would rather die than think that
South Carolina would not respond to the
call made upon her for volunteers, And,
old as I am, I can still ride on horseback
and WELD a sword; and if her quota Is not
filled; If there is one man lacking to make
it full, I, myself, will volunteer. This is
our country and it is our duty to make it
the champion of freedom for all time to
come" 10
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
GENERALSHIP TO
AN ARMY OFFICER
An Albanian May Not Cap
ture the Brigadier
Prize.
Special to The Age-Herald.


Montgomery Ala, April 2s.-The Age
Heralds correspondent has a tip from an
authoritative source outside of the state to
the effect that there is no probability what
ever of any Alabamian being appointed to
the brigadiershp of the Alabama brigade.
An army officer will be detailed to the COM
mand.
Information from the secretary of war
shows that the regimental officers are:
One colonel, one lieutenant-colonel two
majors, one adiutant QieutenanD, one
quartermaster QieutenanD, one surgeon,
two assistant surgeons, one chaplain, one
sergeant-major one quartermaster SER
musicians, three hospital stewards. The
company officers consist of one captain, one
first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one
first sergeant, one quartermaster sergeant.
four sergeants, twelve corporals, two mu-
sicians, one artifcer. one wagner, fifty
nine privates maximum fifty-fve minimum.
the governor; provided. that when any or
ganized militia shall enlist as a body of
the regimental and company officers may
be appointed by the governor -
The companies of the Third regiment vol
unteering and other volunteer companies
in the northern half of the state will be
moved to the camp at Mobile on Sunday
next, and other companies the next day.
About one-half of the companies in the
First and Second regiments have volun-
tered. The quota will be filled from other
new companies volunteering, and all will
be in camp by Monday. The government
does not seem to be in haste about the
matter, and is really not yet ready to mus
ter the men into service.
The governor is informed by the secre-
tary of war that the regulations provide
that medical officers before: being mus
tered into the service will be required to
pass satisfactory examinations as to char
acter and professional ability. The gov
ernor has been requested to appoint two
civilian physicians to constitute, with an
army surgeon, board to conduct physical
examination of volunteers before being
mustered in. The governor has rendered
these appointments to capable physicians.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
Out of Funds

The navy department has completely
ceased its purchase of ships for conversion
into war vessels, owing to the exhaustion
of the $50,00,000 war fund. 1t is confidently
expected that congress will come to the
relief. as the department is still in need Of
auxiliary vessels.
Circulars will be sent out tomorrow in
wiling bids for the building of the three
new battleships authorized by the appro-
pration BILL The vessels will be similar to
the battleship Illinois now building at
Newport News. They will be of about 49,
500 tons displacement. IS feet beam, 231s
feet depth, 16 knots speed and will be COW
cred with heavy armor and armed with 10
and 6 inch guns in addition to numerous
secondary batteries.
Captain Crowninshield. though anxious to
keep his place In the fighting line, has
yielded his personal ambitions and will re-
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
Piedmont Air Line

The Piedmont Air line, operating over the
Southern railway, has made arrangements
with it's steamship connections whereby
goods shipped by this line from Boston,
Providence, New York, Philadelphia and
Baltimore and all interior points through
those ports, whilst on steamers en- route to
Norfolk, will be fully insured against war
risks. This arrangement gives full protec-
ton to all goods covered by Piedmont Air
line bill of landing. 27-6t.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29

upon properly placed batteries at the dis
lance reported varying from two and a half
to four miles, in the short space of eigh-
teen minutes, during which it is said the
engagement lasted.
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 has no inten-
ton whatever at this time to lombard the
Matanzas batteries. To do so now would
be bad strategy and of little avail, for in
the absence of any landing force, the adj
miral would be unprepared to take ad-
vantage of the victory he might gain
through reduction of the forts and the
Spaniards might have ample opportunity
over night to repair In large measure the
damage inflicted on their Notifications.
To See if They Existed
IT is stated positively that Admiral Samp-
sons purpose was simply to ascertain IL
any shore batteries existed at Matanzas,
and If so to draw their fire and ascertain
their character and then to retire beyond
their range. In other Words, II was SIMPLY
a naval reconnaissance.
In the event that during his observations
the admiral discovered that new defenses
were under construction on shore, ne
would, it is said, of course not lose the
opportunity to cripple them by throwing
a few shells into the earthworks ana en-
deayoring to knock over gun or two.
It is the general belief at the department
that Matanzas is to be soon reduced and
made base of operations in the campaign
against Havana. -
4 1t is also the presidents purpose TO keep
in mind throughout the war the awful con-
dition of the reconcentrados, who are most
numerous fns and around Matanzas. IN
less relief is extended to them they I'M
doubtedly will perish during the progress
of a long drawn out war.
The reported seizure by the Spanish mill
tary authorities at Matanzas of stores con-
tributed by Americans and held In trust
there for the relief of these poor sufferers
is regarded as a clear indication that IL
even the Red Cross steamer Texas Is per-
mitted to land her cargo of supplies at
Matanzas under existing conditions, the
food will not reach the reconcentrados, but
will only go to support the Spanish gar
rison in their resistance Therefore 1t Is
believed that the president eontemplates
the early seizur of Matanzas, not only be-
cause of its military Importance, but in
order that he may there hold out helping
hand to the starving peasantry. 1t is
likely, therefore, while there was nothing
In the nature of a general engagement in
Admiral SIMPSONS reconnaissance of yes
terday he will soon take steps to begin a
heavier and lively bombardment of Ma
tanZas
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
COMMANDMENT
NOW HISTORY
CONTINUED From First Page,

whole engagement. However, there may
have been more. It is possible that its
guns may have been diabled, as two 8-inca
shells were distinctly seen to land square,
" in the fort. Its distance from the ship
was so great and tho smoke, which the
wind took in its direction, so thick, that 1t
was hard to judge the effect of the fire.
and still harder to get good aim. For
five minutes Quintas de Recreo got the full
benefit of the port broadsides of the New
York and Puritan. What its ultimate fate
would have been Is hard to tell had not
attention been diverted from 1t by a shell
from Punta Gorda that whizzed over the
New York and fell a little short of the
Cincinnati.
Dons Bad Marlsmen
Leaving Quintas de Recreo to the tender
mercies of the Puritan, which was still
merrily banging away, captain Chadwick
put his helm to starboard until the port
battery once more bore on the Punta
Gorda earthworks. Another shell came
from shore whizzing along over the flag
ship. 'Too high but a better shot than L
thought they could make" said an officer.
Then the Cincinnati and the New York
poured shot into the yellow earthworks
and the surrounding land until the smoke
hid everything from view. Only one more
shot from Punta Gorda was noticed. 1t
fell short about 100 yards. 1t was believed
to come from a field battery from the brow
ola slight hill about half a mile further
inland than the earthworks. In fact 1t Is
doubtful whether any shots were fired from
the earthworks after the two or three
broadsides had been poured into them.
What became of the soldiers seen on Punta
Gorda is not known. Some declared they
saw them running to the brow of the hill
where the field battery was thought to be
stationed. But this, well as the es-
innate of the enemy's number, which rang
n6
distance and smoke preventing accurate
knOwledge.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
main at the head of the navigation bu-
Transport vessels Chartered


Transport Vessels Chartered
A rather striking sign of the imminence
of the invasion of Cuba was contained in
the chartering today by the war depart
ment of eight large steamers of an average
capacity of about 1000 tons and able to
carry from 500 to 100 passengers each.
These are to be used as transports for the
conveyance of the first military expedition
tosCuba- The names of the boats are the
0livette and the Florida. of the Plant line,
now in the gulf; the Southern Pacific 5
steamer Arkansas; the New York and Texas
Company's vessel No Conal, now at New
York, and the Malmo. now en- route to the
gulf, and three fine ships of the Merchant
and Miners line in Baltimore, the Allie
gheny, the Berkshire and the d. II. Miller.
The price paid for these vessels Is from $10.-
600 to SIS, 600 for the thirty days for which
they are engaged. They will be taken
charge of by the quartermaster's depart
ment at the earliest possible moment.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
I'LL
BEYOND RECOVERY


o. nj
S
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29


lie derided the income tax proposition of
the minority and was especially caustic in
his criticism of the proposition to issue
$ds 900, OGO of greenbacks. In one year of
the civil war the greenback had cost the
government $3OO,0e0,0 900.
Underrstinatod the Magnitude
Mr.. Mcclellan dem. of N. ". a member
of the ways and means committee, said the
great mistake that we always made in the
past when confronted by war had been to
underestimate the magnitude of the task
before us.
Mr.. Henderson (rep.) of Iowa, made an
eloquent appeal to members to lay aside
party politics and give cash without reserve
to the government to prosecute the war.
war but it had come. He despised war, but
the chief executive had unfurled the flag
and all his brain, heart and energy should
go to its support. Thus far politics had
been kept to the rear. Together both sides
had declared war and rallied the young
men of the country.
.Let us mott said he, "hurl them into
the ranks of battle and the jaws of death
with the sound of discussions ringing in
their ears. l care not how we provide the
sinews of war so that they are the least
burdensome But taxation there must be.
The step we have taken has already cut
down our revenues. All our estimates are
gone. We need men, bullets and cash.
Let us move up like brothers. Let there be
no this side or that side, no republican and
no democrat. Let US fold up our cam
paign speeches and back up the step we
have taken by giving cash without re-
serve"
Mr.. Lanham, of Texas, said he had no
serious objection to offer to the excise feat
ure of the bill, but that the income tax
and the internal revenue tax would provide
sufficient revenue for all practical pur-
poses.
Mr.. Sherman moved that when the house
adjourned at the night session it to be meet
at 10 o'clock tomorrow. which was agreed
to.
The committee then rose and at $50 took
a recess until o'clock.
The night session was occupied by brief
speeches, many of them mere pegs upon
which members, under leave to print, could
have such speeches in the Congressional
Record. Among those who spoke were
Messrs. Linney (rep.) of North Carolina,
Little (dem.) Of Arkansas, Rhea (dem.) of
Kentucky, Stephens (dem.) Of Texas,
Kitchen (dem) of North Carolina, Spark
man (dem) of Florida and Burke (dem) of
Texas.
At 1880 p. m. the house recessed until
10 O'Clock tomorrow.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-29
Could Not BE Avoided

Mr.. Dalzell, in support of the bill, said
that the loans propose to be hoated by
the pending bill could net be avoided. Inc
ordinary and extraordinary revenues of the
government would not be sufficient to
prosecute q great war.
Mr.. McMillin dem, of Tenn.) criticised
some of the internal revenue features OF the
bill as especially onerous upon the poor
and argued that the wealth of the country
should bear a greater portion of the war
taxes. He quoted Secretary Gage as say
ing that $500 1000 was sufficient to prose-
cute the war. AS there were now in the
treasury 5000, 900 900 he contended that a
bond authorization was unnecessary.
Mr. Hopkins (rep., of Id commended the
bill as the best that could be framed to
raise extraordinary revenues.
lie derded the income tax proposition or
the minority and was especially caustic in
his criticism of the proposition to issue
$dS 900 0G0 of greenbacks. In one year OF
the civil war the greenback had cost the
government $500, 000 900.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-31

to the establishment OF independent self
government.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-31
suEZ BY sEARCHLIGHT
A ships Passage at Night Through th'
Noted African Canal.

We slipped noise,sssly along in chan
mel not wide enough for two ships to
pass. By daylight the canal might be,
as the old soldiers declared 1t, common
place and wearisome; but when the soft
night of the Orient closed down each OBJ
ject afioat and on shore took on strange
life and mystery. The weird light at our
bow lighted up semiciorle of pale green
water. Not sound was heard from the
desert; not throb or vibration was heard
on the ship; nor was there sign of
motion, except the gentle displacement
wave that swished the bank as 1t followed
in our wake. line of bobbing buoys
DECORATED the channels edge with colored
lights Now and teen huge towers We're
passed, with ladders losing themselves in
the black night sky. These dark MASSES
rested on RATS, apparently OF several
decks, the lower of which were peopled
with families silhonetted as they stood
on the balconies or in the doorways,
against the glowing interiors. These
structures, utterly inexplicable in the
dark ness proved themselves at dawn to
beshuge dredges used in clearing the canal.
The towers support long arms, which
conduct the dredged sand hundred feet
or more inland; the lower part contains
the dredging machinery and provides a
home for the workers and their families
In the horizon before us arose light
like the moon, and grew larger and
larger. 1t was ship coming toward us.
The vessel entering a "block' hrst has
the right of way. So We waited in side
station or widening of the canal made
for the purpose. Many times during the
night we we're SO side tracked.
Once there passed us ship sister to our
own. Her lights doomed larger and larger
and finally we could see the boat herself,
Slowly she passed, mass of black and
white people leaning ever the rail; the
homewnrd and the outward-bound ones
met thrilled, and cheered. An inter !
change of letters, messages, and good
wishes passed from ship to ship; then we
slipped away and we continued our
voyage.
throughout the night. The searchlight
revealed sometimes objects OF interest on
the desert--as group of palm trees. some
Arab tents or a passing caravan OF
cameIs. The early morning was spent in
steaming through the inland sea called
the Bitter lakes, sometimes quite losing
sight of land. The channel is every where
marked, however either by buoys or by
EN- bankments Fishing boats dot the
surface of the inland sea, and IN the canal
itself Biblical looking fishermen vera
casting their nets for draught.
The sunlight, however, robbed the canal
of all its charms The dredges became
monstrosities-rem for nothing
but their immensity. Ev ry one was
Glad when at IL o'clock Port Said CAME
| In sight. Golfers Weekly.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-31
A pIsTURHING SITUATION.

1t is not at all unlikely that the Span
iards connived at the surrender of Iloiio
to the insurgents in order to embarrass
the United States, though there is at pres
emit no conclusive proof on the point. The
Spanlards have no reason to desire to
assist Us in gaining actual sovereignty OF
the Philippines for they resisted their NOM
inal transfer with all their might and
| only yielded when threatened with an
| ultimatum from the American commits
sioners. If they could throw an obstacle
III our path they would probably not hest
tate to do so. Whether the surrender OF
! folio is due to their Vaccinations or not
there can hardly be doubt that 1t has
sown the seeds Of considerable trouble
| for us. Of course we can shell the
natives out of the city without
| much trouble, but in doing SO we
shall put ourselves in a position of
open hostility to them, and herein
| lies the chief danger. We have striven
| to give the impression to the natives that
we have entered the Philippines as their
liberators and protectors from Spanish
4 bJIdduy anu CIuGlty IL OAC cA OaA LII 81
acts is to shoot them down this impress
sion is likely to be completely destroyed,
and be succeeded by the conviction that
they have simply changed masters and
are as far, and perhaps farther, than ever
from realizing the object of their strug-
giles which is complete freedom and
independence. Such a conviction is
certain to prove stumbling block in our
pathway, exciting as 1t surely will the
hostility and distrusb of the people and
compelling US to keep constantly on hand
an army to suppress Instruction which
will be constantly threatening us. 1t will
make a vast difference whether we have
to,govern population which is friendly
or one which distrusts and hates us. OF
course If we have resolved to assume the
sovereignty of the Philippines we have
got to possess ursalyes of all the import
ant points in them. We can't allow
| Aguinaldo flag to fly over Iloilo any
more than over Manila, but before we re-
| sort TO shot and shell all the arts of
diplomacy should be exhausted. At best,
we believe the Philippines will be a bur-
den to us.-a burden which in few years
we shall be glad to shake off if we can
without dishonor-but it will be tremen-
dousIy Increased If we shall enco, ter a
population bitterly hostile to us which
must constantly be overawed by large
American army. Such condition would
render 1t impracticable to use Filipi-
nos for police or garrison duty. and COM
pei us to rely entirely upon soldiers sent
out from this country, whore they would
be hard to get after the danger of the
Philippine climate was thoroughly under
stood-and could be got only by large
monthly pay with the addition perhaps of
bounties.