The times., 1898-08-10

One OF the StrangeSt incidents of the
war with Spain was the taking of the
Island Of Guam. of the Ladrones group
by the first expedition TO the Philippines
A correspondent of the New York Even
ing Post. writing on board the transport
Australia, under date of June p. says:
EARLY on Monday morning. the 21sh in
slant. the fleet rounded the northern ex-
tremity of Guam Island and headed soutn-
ward towards the harbor. the Charleston
we'll in the lead. A strong wind was
blowing, and frequent tropical downpours
obscured the landscape and made obser-
containing the residence Of the governor
and the garrison. lies the north side
of a coral peninsula, jutting far out into
the ocean. The Charleston worked slow
ly in toward the town as far as she dared
to 90 because OF coral shoals, and when
which are supposed to be somewhere
among these outlying islands, and which
were one of the chief objects of her quest,
were not there. she turned her PROV sea-
ward again and rounded the end of the
coral spit. and, passing through narrow
channel between the reef and a high bluff
of volcanic basaIt. slowly pushed her way
into the harbor of San Luis, which is the
chief harbor of the island, and whose
landing place. Unapa, is about four miles
across the peninsula from Agana. The
three transports lay to off the entrance
hax-oDd tho 20 oh nf capnon S5,ns their IN
per decks and rigging BLACK with the
crowds of soldiers eager to see the expect
ed battle.
well within the harbor was seen a
vessel, which, under the glass. proved to
be a small whaling brig flying the Jspa-
nese flag. It was painted white. and when
first seen created considerable excite
ment, being mistaken for one of the
Spanish gunboats. Near the shore. on the
opposite side of the bay. which is here
about two miles wide. was seen a low
fort apparently built OF stone and faced
with earth. with trees growing from the
embankment around it. When she was
within about two miles of the fort. the
Charleston opened upon it with her three
succession. four of which were seen to
strike the fort Cheer after cheer went
up from the transports as these shots
were fired, but no answering shot being
seen the excitement died down. and was
followed by long wait TO learn what the
teal situation was. Ii proved in some re-
spects TO be an amusing one. The
Charleston had ceased firing because the
fort made no reply Its shots had only
been fired for the purpose OF unmasking
the enemy, and as none was unmasked.
she waited for further developments.
ut was afterwards learned that he
fort was an old structure, built ninety
years ago of coral. and never had a can
non mounted in it, and had not been oc-
cupied for half a century. having been
originally constructed as defense
against the natives and not for the pro-
lection Of the harbor against warships.
Don Quixote's famous charge on the
windmills had been eclipsed by the
American navy.
Soon, however. there were develop
ments. Some time before the Charles ton
entered the horbor. the feet had been OBJ
served from the landing at Unapa and the
port officer had ordered out his gig for
the purpose of going aboard in his ca
Z
to this. an old brass cannon had been
loaded for the purpose of returning
the expected salute. The port officer
was about half way out to the ship when
the firing began, and did not notice that
solid shot were being fired. This intelli-
gence. however, was speedily conveyed
10 the men in charge of the shore cam
non by horSeman who had been riding
somewhat in the rear Of the fort, and was
consequently made painfully aware that
cannon balls were sailing in his direction.
He rode post haste to the landing and
asked them what they were going to do
with the cannon, and was told they were
about TO answer the salute. Whereupon
! he remarked it was a queer salute that
was accompanied by solid shot.
This put a new phase on the matter
to the Spanish officials, and Immediately
the governors adjutant embarked in a
boat, and hastened after the health Off
Ger for the purpose of going aboard the
Charleston TO inquire the meaning of
such unfriendly conduct. The health Off
Ger was the first to arrive on board. When
he climbed over the side, he was escorted
TO Capt. GLASS; stateroom, and learned
for the first time that the vessel he had
thoughts of quarantining was warship
OF the American navy intent upon captur-
ing the Island A leW minutes later Iile
indignant adjutant climbed over the side
and received the same information. He
was further told to return Immediately
to the shore and bring the governor on
board. Meanwhile, the transports were
signaled to follow the Charleston into the
harbor, which they quickly did, the YES
sels being anchored within a few hundred
yards of each other.
AT o'clock the adjutant returned on
board with a message from the governor,
saying that the laws of Spain forbid him
to go on board a foreign warship, and
that negotiations must be conducted on
shore Capt Glass then sent Lieut.
Braunersreuter. with a very courteous
note stating in effect that war existed
between the United States and Spain,
that an American war vessel. with three
transports loaded with troops, was in the
harbor. with orders to take possession of
the island of Guam; that it was folly for
his small force to make resistance. de-
manding that he surrender himself, his
garrison. and all arms and munitions os
war, and giving him until morning to re-
ply When morning came, and no reply
having been received. Capt Glass sent
the governor word that he would wait
only half an hour longer, and at once
embarked a landing party in boats for the
purpose of taking forcible possession.
This party consisted of about fifty ma
rines from the Charleston and Com
panies A and d of the Second Oregon,
from the Australia a strong wind was
blowing, and there was heavy swell in
the harbor. making the embarkation a
slow and difficult task. The pitching and
the tossing of the boats alongside the
vessel was so great that number of the