Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-05
NO CONFIRMATION OF STORY THAT
1T HAS FALLEN.
THE BADGERS THREE PRIZES
THEY DROPPED OUT OF NEUVITAS
AND WE'RE TAKEN IN.
Over 400 Spanish Soldiers Were On
Observation-Disclosures Authorities
Order the Prisoners Sent to
Hnvana-Tke Neuvitas
People Starving.

KEY WEST, Aug. mo confirmation has
been received here of the report that Neu-
vitaS, the chief port of the province OF
Puerto Principe, has been evacuated by the
Spaniards after bombardment by Amer
lean warships. The auxiliary cruiser Badger
captured three prizes at Neuvitas on July
% and left with them that day for the
TortuGas. arriving here this morning. Cap
tain Snow said that, at the time of his de-
parture, all but l,Se0 Spanish troops had
left the city and a general evacuation was
expected, but that to all intents and pur-
poses the place was still held by the en-
emy and there had been nothing in the ma
ture of an attack. The large gunboat Pi-
Zarro and the armed tugs Anita and Iumuri
Were in the harbor.
The only information of the reported as
saulI and evacuation of Neuvitas was that
furnished on July 26 by Lieutenant Colonel
Rojas, of the insurgent forces, 10 Com
marder Maynard. of the gunboat Nash
Vile. 20 d,
The Badger WAS covering the blockade
station at Neuvitas on July 70 when one
OF the Spanish boats slipped stern fore
most TO the mouth of the harbor and took
Il peep at her. The enormous huh of the
American ship, bristling with Norderfeldt
guns, scared her and she scurried back 10
shelter.
A little while later, three vessels We're
observed coming out in excellent formation
and Captain Snow thought n good fight
was coming" He brought his ship up to
the mouth of the harbor and prepared TO
give the Spaniards u war greeting, when
il was discovered that instead of gunboats
the advancing ships Were tug, brigan-
tine and barge. the last two in tow, all
flying Spanish and Red Cross flags.
A couple of shots from a six-pounder
was fired in their direction. and they
promptly surrendered. The tug was the
Humberto Podriguez, fine and new, and
worth about $1,000 The brigantine was
the Safi, and the barge was the San Fer
nando.
A party from the Badger boarded the
prizes and found distributed over them
about 400 Spanish soldiers. who, it was
said, had been ordered to Havana by Cen
eral Salcido. The surgeon in charge as
serted that there were six cases of yellow
fever among the troops. but a careful ex-
animation by the Badgers doctor and aft
erwards by other physicians at Torturas
showed there was no infection among the
men and that the Red Cross flags were
used decoy. -
At Neuvitas the Badger also took aboard
T,
who are still on board the ship They are
a sergeant and seven privates of the Twen-
ty-second Cadiz battalion. They were
marching from the town of Puerto Prin-
cipe to Neuvitas, and when near the latter
place the sergeant reported four men miss
ing and asked for detail of three men to
find them. This was granted, but the de-
tail also deserted and with the other men
made their way to Martinilles light. Here
they took the lightkeeper's boat and rowed
out to the Badger, surrendering themselves
with their Mauser rifles and ammunition.
They said they did not want to serve under
Spanish rule.
In Neuvitas and, in fact, throughout the
entire province. they said the inhabitants
are starving.
The Badger proceeded with her prizes
from Neuvitas to Havana, where she re-
ported to Commodore Howell, who ordered
them to Tortugas. At that place Captain
Snow communicated with the Washington
authorities and was instructed to send all
the prisoners to Havana if one ship could
carry them; if not, to put some of them
on a second ship and send them to New
York.
One of the prisoners in the meantime died
| of dysentery at the Tortugas.
In accordance with the departments in
structions, Lieutenant Edward NJ. Peters
with two officers and two men, was put
| in charge of the prizes and left with them
| for Havana. He will then proceed with a
| tugload of the Spanish prisoners to New
York.
The Badger is manned by New Jersey
| naval reserves.