The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-09
Not Likely that the Squadron and the
Spanish Fleet Have Yet
Come Together.
WELL LAID SPANISH TRAP
TWO BLOCKADING VESSELS DRAWN
WITHIN RANGE OF BIG GUNS.
Narrow Escape from AnnihiIatiOn by
the Vfcksburg and the CUT
ter Morrill,.
Copyright 1898, by the Associated pres.)

Copyright $685. by the Associated Press)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, May 9.-The
United States cruiser Montgomery, g. A.
Converse, is supposed to have been engaged
with a much larger Spanish cruiser last
night northwest of Cape Haitien, a seaport
town of Haiti, on it's north coast, nine miles
north Of Port-au-Prince. The French steam
er Otnde Rodriguez. from Havre on April
l6, for Haitian ports, was at Cape Haitien,
and Spanish war ship is said to have been
watching her, mistaking the steamer for an
American vessel. When the Olinde Rodri-
guez left Cape Haitien the Spanish war ship
approached her, and allowed her to continue
on to this port on recognizing the French
flag.
The United States cruiser Montgomery
left Cape Hatien soon afterwards. and the
Spaniard, which is presumed to have been
watching for her, is said to have pursued
the American cruiser. both of them putting
on fun steam. The Spaniard, according to
the story told by the crew of the French
steamer, gained in the pursuit, which was
witnessed from the bridge of the Olinde
Rodriguez by the officers of that vessel.
The two war ships, they say, went in the
same direction, with the Spaniard behind
Ihe latter appeared to be a formidable
vessel, and much larger than the Mont
eomery. BY nightfaH, 1t is added, four dis
charges or canon were heard, which were
beneVed to be the result of the Spaniard
nFlng upon the American war ship, Dark
ness, II is further said, prevented any fur
ther observations being made, though the
French officers say the moon was so bright
that the battle could have been continued
especially as the sea was beautifully calm.
only mild trade wind blowing from the
land. Strange to say, it appears that all
the passengers of the Olinde Rodriguez
were below at supper while this exciting
incident was occurring. but, as the officers
or the steamer which arrived here to-dsv
say, they are confident the Montgomery
was oyermatched, and that her only means
OF escaping was to run close into shore
during the darkness.
The arrival is rumored late this evening
of seventeen Spanish war vessels, war ships
and others at Porto Rico, and battle is
expected on Tuesday. 1t is also reported
from Cape Haitien that Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS squadron has been sighted to the
north.
The vessel which pursued the cruiser
Montgomery is supposed to have been the
spanish war ship Vizcaya, and it is sug-
gested that possibly the Montgomery en-
distance
of Admiral Sampson. The crew of the Ger
man ship Bolivia, Captain Bruhn, which
arrived to-day, say they heard cannonading
to the northwaFd about O'Clock this after
noon.
Advices from Cape Haitien say that YES
terday, oft Mole st. Nicholas, two Spanish
war ships captured a schooner bound for
Cape Haitien.
Mr.. Trejellas, an Englishman, who, while
reporting for an American paper was sus
pected of being a spy, was forced to take
refuge on foreign vessel and is now on his
way to New York
Madame Hermance, French subject, re-
siding in Martinique, and an octoroon. who
Is accused of having insulted the wife of
President Simon Sam in the cathedral dur
ing the Easter service in a quarrel over the
occupancy of seat, will be expelled from
the country. The decree of expulsion viii
be published tomorrow. The quarrel grew
out of an old feud. The French authorities
endeavored to intervene. but without result.