davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-04-29

we are not yet)accarately informed OF the
ccndition OF the water, but there Is always
Eere or less n ovemant of the Cuban coast.
RMS did not interfere with the accuracy OF
the practice on board the Puritan. On the
contrary. ons shot from ore of her twelve
iLch guns seems 9 bsoluteIv to have destroy
ed one of the Spanish batteries. According
to the reports It was 1.-THE best shot Of the
DAY. There is an element of luck in these
things, but upon therwhole it may safely be
eliminated when every shot from one side
Is lucky and not, single shot from the
other has any luck.
D. Thers Is no reason to suppose that an
American force. even of 5000 men. con-
voyed by the chief ships of the blockading
squaoron, and by them protected in land
ing. would not be able to establish itself In
Matanzas. to hold the place against any at
tack from the land side to open communi-
cation with the Insurgents and to supply
tnem with arms and to continue the relief
OF the starving non-combatants of Cuba.
Nerher Is there any reason to believe that
havana would offer any more difficulties to
our fleet than Matanzes. There Is, OF
course, no particular point in bombarding
the defenses of Havana until we are ready
to occupy 1t. The steady pressure put upon
the garrison by an effective blockade is at
present much more to the purpose But
When the time comes to take Havana, II
the time comes at all for taking it by force,
cur experience at Matanzas indicates that
1t could BE- reduced without serious risk Of
the loss of ship
f. The action justifies the confidence with
which our naval officers, and they are the
most expert witnesses, have all along re-
garced the result OF any encounter with the
spanish neet This Is a continuation OF the
huge contempt which, ever since the days
OF Drake and Raleigh, the Anglo-Saxon has
entertained for the Spaniard as a fighting
man. 1t Is quite true that Spain has never
beaten any civilized nation in war. 1t
would be hazardous to say that she has
ever won a battle.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
The Action mt Matanxas.
the New York Tfmea


The engagement at Matanzas was Of no
very great intrinsic Importance. 1t was
merely naval reconnaissance in force"
having for Its object to ascertain the num-
ber and charLctsc of the Spanish guns in
position, and. II possible, to prevent the
placing Of any more. The result of it was
that in eighteen minutes by the watch the
Spanish batteries were s.lenc.d and In great
part destroyed by an armored cruiser, an
unarmored cruiser and monitor, while not
a ship was struck or a man injured in the
attacking fleet. Short as 1t was, and with
out any of the glory that attaches to a
real battle, the little engagement est ablishes
practically some very important PROPOSE
tions.
/. American sailors can shoot and Spanish
finding" shots from ths New York. and only
two. After that. SO far as appears, every
shot told on our side and not one of the
81 anish shots took effect. The apparent
odds were all in favor of the men on shore.
A cruiser like the Nsw York, or even like
the Cincinnati, Is much fairer mark than
battery protected by an earthwork, and
low-lying monitor like the Puritan is as
good. Whatever movement there was Of the
course, against the accuracy of her own
practice than against that OF the artiIler-
lists on shore. Beginning at 1900 yards. the
assailants soon contemporary shortened
tLeir distance to 5000. and at the shorter
range the defenders were equally unable to
hit anything. while the precision and effect
OF the attacking fire were Increased.
2. II is shown that q monitor Is q hi1f1ly
available warship for offensive purposes.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
EIGHT TRANSPORTS CHARrERE,
Will BE Used to Curry Troops I
Cuba.

Will BE Used to Curry Troops to
Cuba.
rather striking sign Of the fmminence
OF the invasion Of Cuba is contained in the
chartering by the War Department Of
eight large steamers of an average capacity
Of about 1000 tons and able to carry from
5OO to LOO passengers each. These are to
be used as transports for the conveyance
OF the first military expedition to Cuba.
The names of the boats are the Olivette
and the Florida Of the Plant line, now in
the gulf; the Southern Pacific Company's 8
steamer Aranzas, the New York and Texas
Company's vessel Comal, now at New York,
and the Malamo, now en- route to the gulf.
and three fine ships Of the Boston Mer-
chants and Miners line in Baltimore, the
Allegheny. the Berkshire and the Decatur
Miller. The price paid for these vessels is
from $4,000 to $4,000 for the thirty days
Tor which they are engaged. They will be
taken charge of by the quartermaster' 8
department at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
Because of urgent representations that
nave been made to the War Department
Secretary Alger has modified the regula-
tons governing the ingress and egress Of
shlps at ports where submarine mines are
located so as to extend the hours at which
they may enter and depart during the
hours Of daylight, instead of between sun
rise and sunset.
In answer to many inquiries that are
coming to the War Department, Adjutant
General Corbin authorizes the statement
that the second class of cadets at West
Point will not be graduated this year
II Is now said that the War Department
oncials will avail themselves of the facili-
ties offered by the cities of Nashville. At
ianta and Chattanooga for concentrating
some OF the troops Of the volunteer army.
Washington and Richmond are also places
at which these troops will be concentrated
1t is not likely THAT any steps in the direc-
ton OF mobilization will be taken for some
weeks at the earliest
The Port Royal dry dock is at last acces-
stble to our warships, even the biggest of
the fleet, should they meet with accident
during the campaign. The report from the
constructor in charge shows that the en-
trance to the dock Is now dredged and
clear. -,-,i-
Circulars have been issued by the Navy
department inviting proposals for the con-
struetion Of the three new battle ships au-
thorized by the naval appropriation bill.
The vessels will be in the main very SINH
lar to the battle ship Illinois, now building
at Newport News. They will be of about
1850 displacement. 70 feet beam, 2311 feet
depth, III knots speed; will be covered with
heavy armor and armed with Il and 6-inch
guns In addition to numerous secondary
batteries.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
Military Bills Favored.

The Senate committee on military affairs
yesterday agreed upon a favorable report
on the bill removing the limitations on the
supplies which the quartermaster's depart
ment OF the army may purchase and also
upon the bill permitting the enlistment of
a brigade Of engineers. Both bills were
amended, tho limitation bill SO as to
authorize the Secretary Of War to make
purchases OF supplies abroad. The engi-
neer bill was amended SO as to permit the
enlistment Of ten thousand yellow fever
tnmunes. Both amendments were made at
the instance of Secretary .Alger and AS
s,stant Secretary MeikleJohn. both Of
whom were before the committee,
Evening star., 1898-04-29
Change. in the solace.

Surgeon General Van Reypen has return
ed to the city from visit to Norfolk
where he examined the changes made in
the ambulance ship Solace. Dr. Van Rey-
Zen is very much pleased with the i'm
rrovements made and feels sure the medi-
cal staff will be able to give a good account
of themselves when the time comes for
work 1t is the first time since the Geneva
convention that an ambulance ship has
been fitted out for Use in war, and the fact
that this honor falls to the United States
government is a source of coIgra tulation.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
THE WAR MAP.

Copies of Thursdays Star, includ-
ing the handsome colored war map,
by which the position Of the Anleri-
can and Spanish vessels can be read
lily located from day to day. may be
obtained at The Star Office.
Evening star., 1898-04-29

The post Office department at Ottawa,
Canada, has sent to the Post Office De-
partment here several hundred letters ad-
dressed for delivery In the United States,
which have rather a curious history. They
were written by the officers and crew of a
whaler recently wrecked in the Arctic
ocean, and were brought to the post Office
at Edmonton. N. w. T.. by the captain of
the Inflated vessel. No postage being paid,
they were not properly mailable, but under
the exceptional circumstances prepayment
was waived by the Canadian administra-
ton and the letters forwarded as above
stated. No Information was given as to the
precise scene of the wreck. the name OF
the ship, or as to the fate of the crew. AS
178 Of these letters were addressed to per-
sons in San Francisco, it is probable that
the vessel shipped from that port.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
Continued Trea.epable Informatio

Information has been received at the
Post Office Department Of another letter
being held up on suspicion of its contain
ing treasonabla incarnation. The Santa
Cruz. CAL. postmaster. reported that let
ter addressed tosPremier sagastaNof Spain
had been mailed there. Assistant Attorney
General Tyner. =, dizeSted that its contents
be examined. The letter was mailed by a
woman, who gave an address where am
answer would reach her. 1t contained In
formation about the fortifications of San
Francisco, the location OF guns, etc. Points
were described lower down the coast where
troops could be landed by Spanish vessels,
and the statement was made that there
were men who would act as guides to at
tack San Francisco ard seize railroad
trains. The letter will be sent to the. War
Department for action 1t Is thought that
1t will cause an investigation.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Agreement of the COnferees of I'll.
Two Houses.

agreement OF the COnferees of the
Two Houses.
The conferees Of the two houses reached
an agreement on the naval appropriation
bill before adjourning last night. All the
Senate Increases in the way of monitors
and torpedo boats were adopted. These
increases include four monitors at 81, ,25O, ,Ouo
and sixteen instead Of twelve torpedo-boat
destroyers. All the other important addi-
tions made by the Senate are retained The
language In regard to the enlistment of
seamen was changed SO as to provide for
1000 more marines. A provision was in
serted giving the Secretary of the Navy
authority to enlist volunteers up to the
rank of commander. This was done so
mat the department could avail itself of
the services of the officers of the Ameri-
can liners chartered by the goyernment.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
For Observance of Neutrality.

Advices have been received at the State
Department to the effect that Great Brit
ain. Belgium and Mexico have issued or
ders for the observance of neutrality in
the pending conflict between Spain and the
United States.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
Men, S Goods.

Don't risk sickness by jumping in
to summer underwear too soon! The
step between is the medium
weights" of which we carry prob
ably the largest line in Washington.
Excellent Medium weight Underwear at 3ac.
Best line Of Fawn coIo; ed Underwear Shirts
and Drawers. at Soc. the price bought.
A line Of Soft Wool Underwear that sold FOR
u - last year is but 81 this season.
Two lines of Underwear, Shirts
and Drawers, of Am. Hosiery Co.'S
make, that were ST, are broken in
sizes. VIII close them out at 6sc.
Celebrated DR.. jaeger Sanitary Wool Underwear
for men. women and Children in medium and
Feather Teights. District agents
LADIES GLOVES.
Greatest dollar line of Gloves to be
found anywhere ANY color.
To get the best had a line Of High-class
ss Gloves made TO our order in Paris. Only 81 CO.
but equal 70 any others 81 grades
VIII. rlcknew, @33 Pa. Ave.
Evening star., 1898-04-29

Shirt Waist Sets.
This popular summer garment is
not complete without button set.
You can't fail to be suited from this
resplendent stock.
Shirt Waist Sets, aOc.
Stiff bar pearl links collar button and studs
for the rid;culously low price Of 1Oc for the com-
p3ete set
Shirt Waist Sets, 10c.
White Pearl, Smoked Pearl and Roman Gold
Plain and Chased, dozens Of handsome patterns,
which worth double the money.
Shirt Waist Sets, 25c.
Sterling siver Dumb Bell Links and Buttons to
match Handsomely chased and embossed. A
complete set for &c.
Shirt Waist Sets, 49& 98c.
Our zoc. and oec. Sets. in sterling silver and
relied plate, duplicates Of the best solid gold
soOds are equal to anything the jewelry stores
are showing At double the price.
Evening star., 1898-04-29
VIII Watch N

The Puritan and Cincinnati were left to
lcok after Matanzas and they win see to
Evening star., 1898-04-29


Leaving Quintas Da Recreo to the tender
n,ercies of the Puritan, which was still
merrily banging away, Captain Chadwick
swung the New York to starboard until
the port battery once more bore ON the
Punta Gorda earthworks. Another shell
came from shore, wflizzing along over the
hsgship. TOO high. but a better shot than
/ thought they could make" said an officer
Then the Cincinnati and the New York
poured shot into the yellow earthworks
and the surrounding land until the smoke
hid everything from view.
Only one more shot from Punta GorIla
was noticed. It fell short of the New York
by about 200 yards. It was believed to
come not from the earthworks, but from a
about half a mile further inland than the
earthworks. In fact, 1t is doubtful whether
any shots were fired from the earthworks
after the two or three broadsides had been
poured into them. What became of the
soldiers seen on the Punta Gorda Is mot
known. Some declared that they saw
thari rI'5ning tc the brow &C. HE hill where
the field battery was thought to be station
ed. But this, as we'll as the estimate of
the enemys number, which ranged from,
400 to 1000, was purely suPposition, lis
tance and smoke preventing accurate
knowledge.
Order to Cease Firing.
AT lis pm, when the bombardment was
at It's height and after 1t had been in prog
ress for nineteen minutes, Rear Admiral
Sampson ordered Cease firing to be
sounded. A few shots rang out from the
Cincinnati and Puritan before they caught
the signal. On shore all was quiet Not a
soul could be seen there and there was no
more firing.
The earthwCrks a quarter hour before
had presented a fairly regular outline but
row they had a jagged appearance. Big
gaps were plainly visible at Quintas da
Recreo, but there was not a sign of life
there. Admiral Sampson had effectually
stolssed the work on Puuta Coda. He had
drawn the fire CT the enemy and mad dis
covered exactly the quality and location of
their batteries. besides affoTding his three
ships good target practice. Incidentally he
had put the fear of American guns into
Spanish hearts.
1t would have been perfectly feasible sor
these three ships nnaided to have steamed
PAST the fortihcations right into Matanzas
and taken 1t CT shelled it .. pleasure. The
only risk run would have been from mines.
However, Matanzas was not wanted,
luckily for 1t. After satisfying himself
that his object had been ACCOMPLISHED Ad-
miral Sampson headed back for Havana.
VIII Watch Matansas.
The Puritan and Cincinnati were left Ia
lcok after Matanxas and they will see te
Evening star., 1898-04-29
Instance Of Pluck.

The most characteristic incident Of the
bomeardment of Matanzas. and one that
will go down in history as an instance of
Yankee pluck. occurred in the sick bay on
the flagship. Ill sailors were lying there,
listening TO the shots, all eager to get on
deck. Suddenly, as II moved by a common
impulse. four Of them sprang from their
cots. One had malaria, two had grip and
another high fever; but their ailments
were forgotten as they rushed out to their
gun divisions and took their usual stations
Despite their entreaties to be allowed to
stay they were ordered back to the sick
bay. to which they sorrowfully returned
1t is hardly necessary to say that these
four splendid specimens of 1.-The man be-
hind the gun" were not reported for breach
of dfSCiDline
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-17
A Great Victory for Free Speech.

Attention is called to an important
case affecting the rights of the press
by circular sent out by the American
Publishers Association. The case re-
ferred to is that where the editor of the
Sacramento Bee was adiudged in con-
tempt of court for criticisinG editori-
ally statements made by Judge \. p,
Catlin from the bench in the Talmadee
KS. Talmadge case.
c. V Talmadge. on May 18th, 1895,
gave certain testimony in the superior
court in the case of Talmadge VS.. Tai
madge which was fairly and correct
Notwithstanding that the report was
denounced in open court on May 29tn.
by the LAWYERS for Mrs Talmadge a.s
false, while Judge Catlin. from the
bench. referred to it as "a gross fab
rication.' on that same day the ed
tor wrote the editorial upon which he
was arrested for contempt of court, in
which he reiterated the truth of The
Bees report. and Indignantly criticised
Judge A. z. Catln. on June I'd the
editor was cited for contempt of court,
and ON June 5th was fined $500.
The editor was not allowed to put in
testimony to prove that he was in the
right. and the pudge in the wrong,
and the case was appealed TO the SUI
preme court.
Ii may be stated in this connection
that on October 2Sth, 1896, The Bee
published an affidavit from c. Y.
Talmadge. the man who gave the tes-
timony in dispute, to the effect that
the report in The Bee. denounced by
the judge as "a gross fabrication,
was a fair and correct report Of wit
ness testimony as given on the WIT
ness stand.
In the decision, written by Justice
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-17

priation caused by this pending bill,
as reckoned by an artillery officer. will
be only $342. $40. Such a sum Is an in
significant fraction of the $500, 900. 600
voted annually for Federal expenses.
IL is insignificant, too. compared with
the sums annually laid out on public
buildings and the dredging Of rivers
and harborS. Yet with 1t we obtain
The inestimable advantage of two more
regiments of artillery, giving us seven
where we now have only five. and to
that extent providing for the proper
defence of our ports and our coast.
one reason why so much may be had
for sum so small is that the surplus
first lcutenants are TO help officer the
new regiments But without going in
10 the details Of the plan. it must be
evident that the expense cannot form
a reasonable objection. In view of the
vast advantages that it will bring in
the preservation Of our costly guns
from deterioration and in the nation $
SpCtlritE.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-17
Aggregate. EN- persons. collect
,..,,,,,, ;,,, Il

On the above showing it is said Sec
rotary Gage concludes that by the fol =
lowing changes the amount of salar-
les paid collectors can he reduced from
$50 600 to 5,000:
The district of Frenchmen's Bay
and Castine to be consolidated with
the district OF Bangor, and be called
the district of Bangor.
The districts of Belfast and Waldo
boro to be consolidated into the dis
trict of Rockland.
The district of Wiscasset to be con-
solidated with that of Bath. the new
district will be called the district Of
Bath.
The district of Saco. Kennebunk
and York. Ia be consolidated with the
district of Portland.
To the average mortal it will, Of
course, seem rather expensive to pay
$G0S for the collection of $l1 in aggrc-
gate receipts. as at Saco, or $3.50 for
the collection of nothing as at YORK
but ii must not be overlooked that
there are other important considerl-
tons. Was ii not worth $50 to the
government to be assured against
smuggling at York, even if the collec-
tor did not collect a dollar? The fact
that dutiable goods are not brought
into small ports where there are col
lect0rS is not assurance that they
would not be We're there none
to have oversight. Perhaps Mr.
Gage thinks he could make a saving
by having agents there. instead of col
lectors and perhaps he can. If so the
people surely Will not grumble. but it
should he clearly shown that the
change is feasible before it is made.
This proposition for reduction is MOI
novel, however. ana 50 far no bette
method than the present has
been found. Possibly Secretar,
Gage does not fully appre-
ciate The stretch If our sea coast and
its accessibility tor smuggling opera
finnS
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-17
VOICES OF THE PRESS.
''Oid Foes with New Faces.
On. Y. Tribune.)

| There is nothing new in the ohjec-
| tions that are made to the annexation
of Hawaii. They are nothing but
echoes of those that have been made
hitherto to every step forward which
the nation has taken. What do they
amount to? Briefly this. That m
Hawaiian government has not u good
titlc 10 the islands and Therefore ~
right To transfer the ownership of
them to this country: that the islands
are too far away from the rest Of IN"
union: that there is no constitutional
way Of holding and governing such a
possession, and that the United States
has already territory enough Thos"
are the objections. They were first
made and well answered nearly cen
fury ago. every one Of them.
In 1909 the annexation Of Louisiana
negotiated by jefferson and Monroe
was considered by Congress. and was
opposed bitterly. In the House Calvin
Goddard OF Connecticut, disputed the
right Of France to sell the territory.
saying There is no evidence thar
France has an incontestible title to
Louisiana. Roger Gr.swold, also Of
''fiiitt'N tstbA. " u ieAE w ~ NNthi'i ~
pugnant To- the constitution" To take
and hold ANA govern the territory m
the manner proposed In the Senate
similar sentiments We're expressed
Samuel White al Delaware, said:
If it should ever be incorporated
INTO this Union which have no idea
can h. done but by altering the con-
stitution. believe ii will he the great
est curse that could al present hefall
Us. Louisiana must and Will
become settled. Thus our Cit
Zens viii be removed t. the immense
distance of TWO or three thousand
miles from the capital If III" Union.
their affections viii become alienated
they will begin to View us as Strang-
ers. These. with other cause
Will in time effect a separa-
ton We have already ten
ritory enough"
Despite these and many like utter
ances, in Congress and out OF II, the
treaty was ratified and carried into
effect. and thus the whole vas. region
lying between the Mississippi rivtr
and the Rocky mountains was secured
to this nation. and not that alone hut
IL was made possible Tor the | mon u
extend its limits clear across the con
tnent to the Pacific Ocean. DOES
anybody nov think that was th,
greatest curse that could befall us ="
Does anybody regret that the states u
Mississippi. Illinois and Wisconsin dc
not to this day mark our western
frontier. with an alien and perhaps
hostile power just across the river"
Then why rehash in 1898 the old. stall
lsnrelilel argnmentS OF 1902
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-17

Van Fleet, only one proposition is
looked into, and the case is decided
against Judge Catlin on the broad
ground that the petitioner was d."
MED his constitutional right to be
heard in his defense"
Justice Garoutte simply concurs. but
adds nothing to wha, Justice Van
Fleet wrote.
In Justice NJ Farland's concurrins
opinion, he says that petitioner
should have been allowed To intro
duce such evidence as he had to the
point that his publication of the tes-
timony was a fair and correct state
ment of it,
In the concurring opinion by Chief
Justice Beatty, he goes farther than
the others and says: The report of
the newspaper was not an attack
upon the court or an interference with
the proceedings of the court but was
an attack upon the man. for which.
if it was malicious and unfounded. he
had the same and no other means Of
citizen who is the victim Of a libel
In the dissenting opinion the position
is taken that the editor of The Bee was
granted all his rights on the matter by
Judge Catlin, and that he was clearly
in contempt of court