Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-07-07
1900 PRISONERS
TAKEN WITH ADMIRAL CEVERA WHEN
HIS FLEET WAS ANNlHlLATED.
Most Glorious Fourth of Bistory-La-
drone Islands and "A Spanish Gunboat
with over 100 OHiccrs and Men
Captured-Our First Expe-
lition Landed ut Cuvito.


Washington. July 4.-The complete am
.hi!ation of the Spanish squadron at san
Mayo and the capture of the Spanish ad-
miraL Cervera, with 1900 prisoners; the
demand by Gen. Shafter for the surren-
Ger of Santiago by II o'clock tomorrow,
on pain of bombardment; word from Adj
mral Dewey that the Badrone Islands
had been captured: that Spanish gun
boat had surrendered, that a hundred oil
more Spanish officers were taken and that
our first Philippine expedition had landed
this is the thrilling record OF such q
Fourth of July as has not been known
since the bell of Independence Hail rang
out the tidings of American freedom. II
was a day when one momentous event fol-
lowed another in constant and rapid sue
cession, each hour bringing forth som,
rev feature more startling than what haC
gone before
The climax came at O'Clock. when
amid the widest cheering, which fairly
shook the great war, state ana navy
building to its foundation. Admiral Samp-
sons despatch announcing his glorious
victory and tho entire destruction of the
Spanish feet was given to the public.
The White House was naturally the TO-
cal point of the enthusiasm, ana stirring
pctivity which marked official Washing
ton. 1t was the busiest day the President
has had since the war began. Conference
followed conference with the heads of the
military and naval departments, high Of
fCers of the service came and went in q
constant and steady stream, and as eacl
hour brought its added lustre to the Am
crican arms the crowd of officials In
creased
The President had not a moments re
spite. kilograms came and went withou
cessation and the historic old mansion
Cd a
paralleled since the momcntOus hours o
the civil war Tho story of the day is hes
told in the series of official dispatches
zach bearing date of July 4-from Samp
yon, from Shafter and from Dewey. Stir
ring as they all are that of Sampson wa
accorded the honor of chief Importance
not only for the immediate results secured
but also from The effects OF the crushing
defeat in weakening the defenses of tn
city of Santiago and in dealing Spain sucl
a staggering blow that she is left prac
ttcally without a navy.
The admirals despatch Is as follows:
Playa via Hayti; Secretary of Navy
3l5 d. m. Siboney July 3.-Floet under
my command offers nation as Fourth
of July present, the destruction of whole
Cervcras fleet No one escaped.
1t attempted escape at $3.50 a. m, and
at p m. the last. Cristobal Colon.
had run ashore sixty miles west nf
Santiago and has let down her colors.
The nfanta Maria Teresa. Oqucndo
and NiZcaya were forced ashore, burn
cd and blown up within twenty miles
of Santiago The Furor and Pluton
We're destroyed within four miles of
the port. Loss one killed and two
wounded. Enemy's loss probably sew
cral hundred from gun fire explosions
and drowning. About 1900 prisoners
including Admiral Cervera The man
killed was George II. Ellis, chief yeo-
nj ha Ion
Signed. (SampsonJ
Although brief. Admiral SIMPSONS de,
patch tells the story of fearful destru,
ton. 1t not only disclosed the tremendot
prowess of the American fleet but II agai
displayed the strange immunity which II
American sailor seems to have in II
midst of death and carnage. That 1T
one of our sailors. yeoman on tt
brooklyn. should have been killed in n
engagement of this magnitude is withol
parallel i'm naval annals, save in that otl
cr unparalleled record which Dewey mac
at Manila. With the Spanish fleet d,
stroyed, the way is partly cleared for II
advance of the American squadron int
the harbOr of Santiago. If CerVera's Il.
morcd cruisers could cross the mine fcl
and clear the Merrimac at the entrance
the harbor the American ships can 70
low the same course. There are the inn,
fortihcations and Island forts still to /
reduced, but they have passed through
baptism of fire recently and are lit
more than ruins.
Thus with Skaters guns laundering
santiago from the land and SAMPSON
guns from the harbor the fall of the eli
Il assured beyond further question. III
authorities here, military and naval, 81
mat Santiago has already made its be
nSht and that its occupation is only
question OF very brief time
sHAFrER's DISPATCHES.
Gen. Skaters strong position wa
SHOWN IN series of dispatches. Most COZ
Vfncing OF all Of his feeling of confden,
and strength was that despatch given o,
late in the day in which Gen. Shaft,
gives the text of his demand for the su
render of the city on pain OF bombar,
ment. This despatch is as follows.
Playa Del Este, July 4.
Hon. r. A. Alger, Secretary OF wa
Washington:
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, July
The Following is my demand for the su
render OF the city OF Santiago:
Headquarters united States Force
Near san Juan River Cuba
July 3, $50 d. m.
To the Commanding General of the Spa
ish Forces, Santiago De Cuba:
Sir-l shall be obliged, unless YOU stl
render, to shell Santiago de Cuba. plea
inform the citizens of foreign countri
ana all women ana children that IN
should leave tho city before 10 O'Clock I
hofFow morning Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
w. f. SKATER,
Maj.-Ge L. S. A