Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-16


Hayti, states that the American fleet
attacked Santiago de Cuba. Two Span
ish ships are said to have been sunk
and one American ship to have been
blown up. Complete details are lack
ing.
'Bombarded forts at Santiago 1870
! to 10 a. m. today, June s. Silenced
works quickly without injury Of any
kind, though within 1000 yards is
as much of Admiral Simpsons re-
port as the navy department made
public.
! Speaker Reed is trying to force al
| adjournment Of congress and a
dozen senators are preparing speeches
which will take from a day to a
week each to deliver. They are de-
signed to defeat the annexation of
! Hawaii.
Aguinaldo is continuing his Victori-
Gus career in the Philippines. Latest
adyices state that he has captured all
| of Cayite province, including the i'm
portant town of Jmus. Hot fighting
has been in progress at many places
near Cavite.
In a letter to Consul Wildman Gen.
Aguinaldo said that before attacking
town he always asked the Spanish
commander to surrender. One COM
mandant said he wasn't ready to
fight, and asked Aguinaldo to wait
three hours. He did so.
The Council of Secretaries Of the
autonomist government in Cuba has
decided not to allow shipments Of
sugar to American ports, but will
permit such shipments to be made on
vessels which have run the blockade
and brought in coal and provisions.
A London correspondent cables
that Great Britain refused to join
other European powers in trying to
force America to grant peace on terms
proposed by France, viz: Spain to
retain the suzeranity of Cuba and to
get back the Philippines; no indem-
nifty or anything else for the United
States except humiliation by Europe.
Admiral Sampson either entirely de-
molished or badly wrecked all the
Notifications at the entrance to
Santiago harbor, while United States
marines were landed and in conjunc-
ton with the insurgents defeated
Spanish land forces. Many Spaniards
were killed and wounded in these
engagements but not an American
was injured.
SPANS foreign minister read at a
cabinet council a note to be sent to
the European powers complaining of
America "infractions of international
law" 1t was reported that the
position of our squadron at Manila
and of the insurgents there is "un-
satisfactory, owing to disease" that
Aguinaldo's mission has failed and
that the native troops are favorable
to Spain.
Admiral Cervera reported to Madrid
that six American vessels had bonn
barded Santiago and coast fortifica-
tions. Six were killed and seventeen
wounded on board the Reina Merce-
des, he said, and three officers were
killed and an officer and seventeen
men wounded among the troops. The
damage inflicted on the batteries of
La Socapa and Moro was unimport-
ant, but Moro Barracks had been
damaged. He said the Americans
had noticeable losses
Transports filled with $4,000 United
States regulars, twelve batteries, a
siege train and a balloon corps left
Tampa and Mobile on the way to
Santiago. The warships which will
act as conveys to the fleet will join
them at Key West, and it is expected
that a landing will be made near
Santiago The troops of Gen. Shat
ter's command are in superb condi-
ton and finally equipped, except
that they have not yet received uni
forms suitable for hot climates
Admiral Cervera's fleet is now
helpless in Santiago harbor, the hull
of the sunken Merrimac blocking the
channel and cutting off all means of
escape. Lieutenant Hobson is the
new hero of the navy, and Ensign
Powell, who commanded the launch
designed to take off the Merrimac's
crew, is also coming in for a share of
praise. Ex-President Harrison de-
clared the heroic deed Of Lieut.. Hob
son without a parallel in history.
Representative Hartman introduced in
congress a resolution granting medals
to Lieut.. Hobson and his men Sec
rotary Long authorized Admiral
Sampson by cable to negotiate for
the exchange of Lieut.. Hobson and
his men, and cabled a list of Spanish
prisoners from which selection is to
be made by Admiral Ceryera. Presi-
dent Mckinley will ask congress to
vote thanks to Lieut. Hobson. He
may be made a commander. A cor
respondent with the fleet off San
tlago, after ispecting the Merrimac
wreck, says that she lies in the chan
mel with her upper works showing
above water. The companions of
Lieut.. Hobson in his exploit of sink
ing the Merrimac were: Daniel Mon
tague, George Charette and Randolph
Clausen, Of the New York (who
slowed away on the Merrimac), and
Oscar Tor Osbornl Degnan, John P.
tor George F.) Phillips and John
tor Francis) Kelly, of Boston. Steps
have been taken for their exchange.
Sentiment in both houses of congress
IS unanimous in praise of Lieut. Hob
son and his crew. It is probable
that the lieutenant will be raised ten
numbers and placed at the head of