davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1898-12-15
GEN. Lee and STAFF
SAIL INTO THE HARBOR OF
HAVANA
CUBAN SQUADRON REFORMING
And Sigsbee With the Texas Is AL.
ready on the Way to Scenes
Once Familiar
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
HAVANA, Dec l4-The United States
transport Panama, with General Fitzhugh
Lee and his staff on board, entered the har-
Dor this morning.
General Lee was informed by correspond
ent of the Associated Press of his appoint
ment as Governor of the province of Ha-
vana. He said he was much grati6ed, but
had only wished for a military command.
The General asserted that he is simply in
command of his soldiers, that his duty is to
preserve life and property and that he pro-
poses to do so with equal justice to Cubans,
Spaniards and persons Of all other nations.
Generals Wade and. Clous visited Govern
or and Captain General Castellanos official
" today for consultation as to evacuation
ana other Important matters connected
with il. After the interview, which was
entirely satisfactory, an official visit was
paid to the United States Cruiser New
York
Mrs. Sampson, wife of the admiral, has
started an endless chain among her friends
III the United States to help the Cuban re-
concentrates. The last mail brought, her
5000 aud she is now feeding hundred per-
sons daily.
General Greene was informed on Decem,
her by Adjutant General Corbin that the
president had decided to appoint him gov.
ernor of Havana, but he replied declining
the honor and offering his resignation from
the army.
General Lees presence has provoked nu.
melous demonstra tions, though he hastred
to avoid them.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Stopped a Duel

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Dec. l4.--Gen.
eral Wood, military governor of the depart
ment of Santiago, stopped duel today that
had been arranged between Senor Trujillo,
editor Of .El ,Porvenir, and Senor Coono,
editor Of Cuba Libre. An article recently
appeared in Independence abusing Senor
Trujillo, charging him with being swindler
aud accusing him of various crimes. Sc
nor Truiillo attributed its authorship to
Senior Colono and sent the latter a chal-
lenge, Under conditions agreed upon, the
duel was to have been fought this afternoon
on San Juan hill. The contestants were
to use six-shooters, beginning at twenty
PAGES and walking toward each other, firing
at will. If neither should be injured by the
others six shots, the antagonists were to
reload and start again.
Chief of Gendarmerie Valient reported the
matter to General Wood, who promptly ar
The herald., 1898-12-15
A CHINESE COLLAPSE
REGARDED AS IMMINENT BY
MARQUIS ITO
Russia and Great Britain Begin the
Search for SoSlution of Oriental
Questions

VANCOUVER, B. c., Dec. H.-Chinese
papers assert that 2000 men are to be handed
over to Lord Charles Beresford to organize
as the nucleus of the Chinese army OF the
future.
Hong Kong papers declare that reports
published of the existence of a secret treaty
between the Russian and Chinese govern
ments are perfectly true. 1t is stated that
a large force under Russian officers is to be
ordered to Shan Hal Kwan.
The secret treaty existing between Russia
and China is reported to be as follows:
Until the reorganization Of the Chinese
army and navy is completed, China shall
have the assistance of Russia's army and
In such case the command of the army and
In such cae the command of the army and
navy shall remain in the hands Of Russian
officers.
The Chinese government shall make
proper pecuniary compensation to the Rus
sian army and navy when their services are
required. The commander of the Russian
army at Lao lung and Port Arthur shalt
hold himself at the orders OF the Chinese
government and he may be called upon to
render assistance at any time.
An agreement has been concluded be-
tween the japanese and Chinese govern
ments for the lease of an anchorage for
Japanese vessels at Foo Chow to the extent
of 10000 tsubo.
Foreign ministers at Peking have received
letters, supposed to come from Kang iu
Wei, the Chinese reformer. In the letter
addressed to the German minister, it Is
stated that the writer has received secret
instructions from the emperor OF China to
ask the assistance of the German minister
to unearth conspiracy Of the empress dow
ager and restore the emperor to the throne
by the use of force after securing the per-
mission OF the ministers home government
1t is reported that the letters sent to the
other ministers were of a similar nature.
Marquis Ito is said to have recently ex-
pressed to iscount Takashima and Marshal
Nozu, very pessimistic view in regard to
the future Of the Chinese empire.
'Thtre is no man in China who can res
cue her from the impending collapse" said
he. "The country is so big as to defy all
attempts at renovating it."
Indeed, the marquis would not be sur
prised if he should find sad fate overtake
China within a rather short space of time
say three years.
The armored cruiser Kaiser, the German
flagship in Chinese waters, ran on rock
and had to be beached in Samsah bay.
The Danish steamer Active, Captain Hen
sen, lies total wreck 200 yards off shore
near Tamsu, Formosa
The herald., 1898-12-15
CLEARING THE RUIN
Caused by the Collapse of the Gas
Tank

NEW YORK, Dec. l4-When dawn
lighted up the district devastated by the
collapsing of the big gas tank of the Con-
solidated Gas Company, spectacle of ruin
was presented. Twenty-frst street is barri-
caded by the bent iron stanchions, girders
and timbers piled high in one promiscuous
mass.
Building laborers succeeded in cleaning
Avenue A so that cars could pass.
All night long hundreds of men worked to
discover the bodies that might be in the
ruins. In the basement of the furniture
factory of Henry Fudiner there was six
feet of water. Three men on raft foated
searching for the bodies of the missing engl.
neer, Pious Baum, who was in the base.
ment attending to his duties when the de-
luge from the tanks swept away the rear
of the building His body was fou2d among
mass of debris
There are four missing
Late in the day the bodies of Gustav
Wipke and George Brenner were found in
the cellar of building Gin Avenue A and
Iwenty-iirst street, where they had been
carried by the rush of water from the tank.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Garcia's Death

NEW YORK, Dec. l4.-A dispatch to the
Tribune from Havana says:
CaliXto Garcia's death at this critical
time is a loss for both Cuba and the United
States. The Cubans today are too much ex-
cited over the killing CT two of their mum.
ber on Sunday night by Spanish officers
and soldiers to appreciate its significance,
though their grief was deep. The larger
part of the insurgent army had a strong
affection for Garcia. Commanders who are
in control Of the forces around Havana ap-
preciate that their task is increased by
Garcia's death. Whether the commission
in Washington is successful or not in ar
ranging loan with which to pay the in
surgent troops, Garcia was the leader to
whom all were locking for guidance. He
had shown unexpected strength in control
ling the radical elements at the Santa Cruz
assembly, having himself placed at the mead
of the commission to visit Washington.
He had also impressed On the insurgents
that they must not antagonize American
control.
General Garcia was ambitious and he was
known to be looking forward to becoming
the President of the Cuban republic, but
he showed himself politician in the best
sense of the word Maxine Gomez had
censured him for his hasty action at San
tiago, after his quarrel with Shafter and
he was in open antagonism to the members
of the former provisional government.
Nevertheless, mutual tolerance was shown
The sorrow over Garcia's death will be
widespread. lie was not strong revclu-
tionary commander, such as Gcmez, but
since the death of Maceo, he had been, af-
ter Gomez, the most important leader amcng
the insurgents. His loss may impress upon
The herald., 1898-12-15
WHEN BLISS RESIGNS
A Place Will Be Made for a Western
Man
NEW YORK, Dec. l4.-A dispatch to

NEW YORK, Dec. l4.-A dispatch to the
Herald from Washington says:
1t is the opinion Of leading members of the
administration, still in the city that the
vacancy caused by the resignation of Sec
retary of the Interior Bliss will be filled
by promotion. In this connection the
names CT Binger Hermann, COMMISSIONS er
Of the General Land Office, and Assistant
Secretary of the Interior Webster Davis
are being considered Both of these are
personal friends of the President and have
given excellent service to the party.
For geographical reasons ii is thought
that Mr.. Hermann's chances are the bet
ter There is no representation in the
Cabinet from the Pacific Coast and on ac-
count of the vote OF Oregon in the recent
elections, it is thought highly probable that
the President will confer the office of Sec
retary of the Interior upon Mr.. Hermann.
Mr.. Davis, however, has given very vau-
able campaign services in many States, for
which the President feels very grateful.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Cavalry Wanted

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Dec. 7.-(Cor-
respondence of the Associated Press) The
charges of the Government fiscal agent are
considered here to be excessive, as they
charge | per cent on all money sent to the
United States, also per cent on their own
drafts from the United States. The conse-
quence of this is that men having large
sums of money to send off prefer sending
direct by steamer instead of obtaining
draft.
General Wood has for some time been ad-
yising the Washington Government of the
fact that regiment of cavalry was needed
in this district and he has recently been
notified that though they are unable to
grant his request for a regiment. they will
send him 1000 horses, carbines and accoutre-
ments for the purpose of mounting two COM
panies in each of the white infantry regi-
ments in the province. The Fifth Immunes
who are stationed in Santiago will have their
two mounted companies at San Luis, twenty
miles away, near where the negro regiments
are encamped. Those of the Third Immunes
will be used in the neighborhood of Guam
tanamo, where their regiment is stationed.
Those of the Fourth Immunes will be To-
Gated in the district around Manzanila. and
those of the Second Immunes will be placed
in the neghborhood of Holguin: 1t is ex-
nected that the horses, etc, will arrive be-
fore the beginning of the year, and the com
panies have been told off by the Colonels of
their respective regiments, and are now 60
ing through a course of cavalry instruction.
The work of translating and codifving the
Cuban laws is progressing rapidly. L'euten-
ant Blount has completed the translation
of the code of the organization of the courts
and the autonomous decree, and has nearly
completed a digest of the railroad laws Of
Cuba
The herald., 1898-12-15
Orders Obeyed

WASHINGTON, Dec. H.-Within four
hours from the moment the order was re-
ceived by Captain Cook, who commanded
the Brooklyn, to proceed to Havana, the
ship was speeding away on the high seas.
Probably the Brooklyn will overhaul the
Texas before she makes port. On the Brook
lyn, as passenger, is Commodore Cromwell,
who goes to take command OF the Havana
naval station. There are also some of the
officers of the Texas who happened to be in
New York when their ship was ordered
south.
The Castine, which is to'form part of the
Havana squadron, will make her way alone
south from Boston.
The Resolute, which was ordered to Ha
vana, will not be able to start from League
island for few days. All of the ships
carry marine guards and it is expected they
will be able to maintain the best of order
in Havana, should the local authorities prove
unable to do so.
All the torpedoes which olAtructed the
entrance to Havana harbor have been re-
moved
The herald., 1898-12-15

rested both men and confined them in their
own houses under guard.
Today the stevedores went on strike for
higher pay. They have been getting SIPS
a day and demand $l.S0. General Wood
ordered them to return to work at once,
threatening that if they did not he would i'm
port Jamaica negroes to take their places.
The strike will cause a delay of day or
so to the United States transport Port Vie
tor.
This morning the members of the supreme
court called on General Wood to congratu-
late him upon his nomination as a major
general.
Senior Tamanao Of the court has resigned
his iudgship in order to accept the post of
departmental attorney. His private prac-
tica is the largest in Santiago and the judy
ship interfered with it.
General Wood has appointed General
Sanchez commissioner of agriculture.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Millions Of Rations

WASHINGTON, Dec. l4-Snce the ces-
sation of hostilities this government has
spent about $l,O0O,OO0 in feeding the starv-
ing Cubans, and the work is still going on
with untiring vigor. The Comal, about
which there was dispute over permitting
the entry of supplies which it carried, took
100000 rations to the Province of la
vana. The Batten and Port Victor carried
a million rations each to the starving Gu
bans, and the Comal is now at Savannah
with 100000 rations and will be ready to
sail in day or two 1t is estimated that
these rations cost in round numbers 81 ,00o,-
000. Besides this, about 100000 were left
at Santiago after the campaign, before that
city, but have been used by the American
troops and distributed among the Cubaps.
The distribution OF ratons is now going on
wherever American forces are found in
Cuba, as there is a standing order issued by
the Secretary of. War to dole out the ra-
tions to the Cubans whenever application is
made for them.
The herald., 1898-12-15
ON THE TURF
Winners of Races at Ingleside and
New Orleans


SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. A.-Weather at
Ingeside fine. Track sloppy. Results:
Five furlongs, selling-Clarando won, Good
Hope second, Banewor third; time, 1908
One mile, selling-Major Hooker won.
Sokombeo second, Majesty third; time, l:47.
Handicap, short course, Palace Hotel
stakes, value $l000-Reno won, San Carlos
cecond, Huntsman third; time, 424k.
One mile handicap-Morellito won, Top
mast second, Moringa third; time, l:42h.
Seven furlongs, selilng-Lord Marmion
won, David Tenney second, First Call third !;
time, l:30.
Six furlongs, sellng-Cavallo won, Graft
fy second, Wyoming third; time, 1:1Th.
NEW ORLEANS, La, Dec. H.-Tracl,
heavy Results
Seven furlongs-Eva Rice won, Elkin Sec
ond, High Jinks third time, 1892
Six furlongs-Polly Weithof won, A. Nc
Night second, Chancery third; time, /: 1872
Six furlongs, sellng-Sim W., won, Nils
sa second, Carlotta G., third; time, lS1s.
One mile, selling-The Winner won, Nor
ony second, Elsie Barnes third; time, 1:47.
One mile and twenty yards seling-lIen-
ry Launt won, DR.. Marks second, trskaI
third; time, l:49.
The herald., 1898-12-15
ABOUT THE STATE

Nance O'Neill and Mckee Rankin re-
turned from Honolulu yesterday on the
steamer Alameda. The Mckee Rankin
company, of which Miss O'Nell is leading
lady, did remarkably well in Hawaii
The trial of the Rosser murder case was
resumed in Judge Wallaces court at San
Francisco yesterday. Evidence adduced
at the first trial was given in behalf of the
prosecution. The case will 60 to the Jury
today.
The first convention of the League of
California municipalities met yesterday in
Pioneer hall. Its main purpose is to aid the
best interests of municipal government by
the exchange of ideas and the promotion of
uniform legislation.
While at work on the new foundry build
ing at the Southern Pacific shops at Sac
ramento yesterday Gus Roseman, a carpen-
ter, met with an accident by which he suf
fered severe fracture on the head Death
soon after ensued at the railroad hospital.
The steamer Alameda, flom Australia,
brought treasure amounting to $3 500, ,000
There were l20 boxes Of English sovercigns,
5000 sovefcigns in box, and "a boxes flied
with bullion. The money is to settle in
IidTC tHe DdidllCc VI lIuue UelWeeH tllS COuIl-
try and England.
In Sacramento the inaugural ball COM
mittee held meeting last night and the
finance committee made very encouraging
report. The other committees also re-
ported progress made in preparing for the
event. The time for the ball was fixed for
the night of January l6
The state railroad commissioners yester-
day adopted the special fresh fruit and fresh
vegetables tariff No. l of the San Fran
cisco and San Joaquin Valley railroad. 1t
is for all points between Bakersfield and San
Francisco, and gives a rate of 20 cents on the
hundred. Similar rates are also given be-
tween Bakersfield and Stockton.
Nearly all the evidence has been heard in
the preliminary examination of Mrs. Anna
Mantel of Alameda, accused of the murder
of her husband. II is the intention of the
attorneys for the defense to ask to have the
prisoner admitted to bail when the court
convcnes on Friday. If this is refused a
writ of habeas corpus will be applied for and
the question argued in the superior court
The herald., 1898-12-15
THE WAR; SHIP INJURED
MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY THAN
WAS REPORTED
The Massachusetts Must Go Into Dry
Dock for Extensive Repairs to
Hull and Machinery

NEW YORK, Dec. lathe Herald says:
Naval officers believe the battleship Mas
sachusetts must go out of commission and
that practically a new keel and several new
frames must be supplied to her before she
will be fit for sea.
This apprehension has been caused by an
incomplete examination made by the naval
constructors and divers which showed that
the keel is buckled for 240 feet and frames
are twisted in about II different places in
that distance. These injuries are the re.
suit of the accident of last Saturday, when
the big vessel struck mass of rock near
Diamond reef and drove over it.. The full
extent of the injuries will not be known
until the ship is in the dry dock.
Naval officers were startled when they
learned the nature of the accident to the
ship. They supposed that beyond the
buckling OF few plates in the outer skin,
the ship was uninjured. They are now as
tonshed at the fact that the big ship did
not sink and was able to go to Tompkins-
vile and return to the navy yard.
Naval Constructor Bowles' preliminary
report forwarded to Washington on Monday
showed that the keel and frame No l6 were
buckled badly. The report of Mr.; Bowles
sent last night showed state OF affairs far
more serious.
In warship the keel is the backbone
and the frames are the ribs. The keel of a
battleship is made Of steel plates and angle
iron and the frames are of heavy steel The
ship has two skins, which form the double
bottom. The space between the two skins
is divided into compartments by the keel
and frames.
The battleship, when she struck at frame
No. lG, was lifted eight inches and the
weight of the ship crushed and twisted the
great plates and angle irons and bent the
ribs of steel. The injuries extended to
frame No. 78, or 240 feet. The vessel listed
slightly to port and the injury was more
severe on that side of the keel,
The officers who are examining the YES
sci found some of the compartments 70
full OF water and others SO badly crushed
that it was impossible to enter them. In
about seventeen spots, however, they
found the keel plates and irons bent and
broken, so that new ones must be put in.
At frame No. l6 the keel and frame were
most seriously damaged 1t was at this
point only that water entered. The man
hole covering in the inner bottom was bent
up and the water rushed into the water
tight compartments above. Pumps have
cleared the compartment OF water.
| The cruiser Newark is to be foated out
Of drydock No. 3 this morning, but the
Massachusetts will probably not go in un-
| til Monday. She will not rest on keel blocks,
as vessels usually do. Instead, blocks will
be placed under her bilge keels and she will
be shored on the sides, SOFAS to relieve the
buckled keel OF all pressure. She must be
relieved of her entire cargo, and naval Of
| ticers believe her heavy guns will have to
be taken off also. The shock of the acci-
dent disarranged the delicate machinery of
the forward turret,
The herald., 1898-12-15
Killed by Alaska Indians

WRANGEL, Alaska, Dec. H., via Vic
toria, b. c., Dec. l4-About three weeks
ago, Captain James Nelson of the halibut
sloop Caroline, and Barney Phale, fisher
man, went ashore On Kupriauroff Island,
in Portage Bay, to hunt for deer. Phale
never came back and the captain tells that
he was deliberately shot by Indians. This
that fishes in Frederick Sound
The halibut schooner Two Brothers has
been missing and it is feared that she has
been lost with all on board. One of her
boats was recently found in badly shat
tered condition.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Nav Succeed Bliss

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14-It Is stated
tonight that Ex-Governor Merriam of Min
nesota, who has been in Washington for
some days, Is under serious consideration
for the post Of secretary of the interior.
when Secretary Bliss retires from that
office. Governor Merriam is a warm per-
sonal and political friend of the president,
and, moreover. Is well located in a geo.
graphical sense.
The herald., 1898-12-15
A Swindler Convicted

CHICAGO, Dec l4-Colonel William A
Boston, was convicted today on e charge hppre o'
swindling, brought by Thomas b. Bryan
ox-president Of the Union League Club ant
father of Chaile1 Page Bryan, United States
Minister to Brazil Colonel Simmons was
accused. of securing by false Representations
the signature of Thomas b, Bryan to &
deed involving the exchange Of some valu-
able Chicago improved real estate for six
thousand ceres in Florida, which was repre-
,"ented to hs worth $40 an acre, but which
il is alleged, was worth very much less.
The herald., 1898-12-15
German Insurance

BERLIN, Dec. 4.-There seems to be a
prospect of the removal in the near future
OF the restrictions placed upon American in.
surance companies in Prussia. Upon the
request of one of the largest companies. the
minister of the interior has decided TO send
two representatives to New York to investi.
gate whether the Americans are able to
comply with the conditions of the Prussian
authorities.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Sigsbee Sails

NEWPORT NEWS, Va, Dec. l4.-The
United States battleship Texas, Captain
Sigsbee, flagship OF the North Atlantic
squadron, sailed from Old Point this morn
ing for Havana. Commodore Phillip, com
mamiing the North Atlantic squadron, is on
the Texas and it is understood that he will
take charge of the squadron that is once
more forming in Cuban waters
The United States armored cruiser Brook
lyn, Captain Cook, arrived at Old Point
today shortly after noon. 1t is expected
that she will sail some time tomorrow after
replenishing her coal burkers.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Kearney Coming Back

FRESNO, Cal, Dec AN. Theo Kear.
new sent letter today to the Rasin Grow
ers' Association sincerely thanking the di-
rectors for expression of confidence in him
and appreciation of his COURSE as President
cf the association. also acknowledging the
very great compliment given in the refusal
to accept the resignation. an;! lesp,ctfu.iy
asking to withdraw it, The board passed
the resolution unanimously granting the re,
quest, and at once reirstalling him as Press
dent and Director Of the association.
The herald., 1898-12-15
Railroad Building

PORTLAND, Ore. Dec. 1.-THE Ore
gonian tomorrow will say: Within the
coming two months at least $500 laborers
will be employed in building the Snake
River valley line of the Oregon Railway
and Navigation company. AS many Of
these men as can possibly be obtained in
Portland and the northwest will be put
on the work; the remainder will need to be
brought from the east.
The herald., 1898-12-15
A Canadian College

MONTREAL, Dec. l4-At the last meet
ing of the Board of Governors of McGill
University, Lord Strathcon announced his
intention of endowing the new Victoria
College for Women, which he built at cost
of $3.50. 900, to the amount of 81 900, 900. w.
C. Mcdonald, the millionaire tobacco man,
who has given several millions to the uni
versity, also announced that he intended
endowing the chair of history in the arts
faculty
The herald., 1898-12-15
Another Walker Victim

STOCKTON, Call, Dec. l4-Deatb has
claimed another victim of the Walker steam
boat disaster. George b. Smith, who was
among those who were severely injured by
the explosion of that boats steam drum on
November 9th, died at the County Hospi
tai this morning at o'clock. He was
native of Massachusetts aged 27 years.