The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-26

(COpyrlgnt 1873 by ASSOclatcu IfeSs.)
Guatanamo Bay, July 25.-11 A. NJ.
The following pitiful appeal has been
addressed by the starving people of Glen
fuegos to Rear Admiral Sampson:
Honorable Sir: The Cubans, old
men, women and children, resident in
the town of Cienfuegos and this neigh
horhood, are all dying of hunger. The
young men are all i'll the field with the
Cuban troops have not shoes, neither
food. Al the provisions in this town
are in the hands of the Spaniards. Gu
bans cannot obtain Il piece of bread, as
it is necessary to send everything TO the
field. The Weyler system is in the way.
The situation is terrible. If you, honor
able sir, do not come quickly with your
squadron to our help and take possession
of this town we shall be lost. We
beg YOU to percipitate your operation.
About 5000 old men, women and chill
drcn will die of hunger i'll this town.
Some of these old men have four or five
sons fighting for their freedom. If the
great people of the United States do not
come quickly to our help we are lost.
For Gods sake come quickly.
(Signed) 8 SOME CUBANS."
Nothing can be done for the people of
Cienfuegos until that place is captured.
This will not be for some time.
The following is Il translation from n
newspaper of Cienfuegos, of the loss of
the Spanish steamer Alfonso MI, which
was driven ashore on the coast of Cuba
by the United States auxiliary gunboat
Hawk:
Yesterday, says El Correo, of Hava-
ma. there arrived here the survivors of
the fine transatlantic steamer Alfonso /,
MI, which was scuttled in the waters
of Marel. With II natural desire to
obtain information which would calm
the anxiety of the public we interview
ed the survivors and ascertained that !
they were rendered nearly insensible by
fatigue and anxiety Their feet were
sore from walking from the head of the
valley of Mariel to Gunabay and their
hands were badly lacerated in violent
and futile efforts to save the cargo.
I'VE will faithfully relate that which
occurred reserving what in our Judgment
it is not permitted to give to the public
and which might serve as advice to our
enemies.
THE Alfonso MI was fitted out in
Cadiz with six cannon, the necessary |
crew, three companies of marines and |
other necessary articles. In twenty days |
| hoped to make port and land the can
non and troops Immediately. | naviga-
ted the Alfonso MI with hope in God |
and in the valor of my crew. | ran
with all possible speed to the heights of |
Cienfuegos where came out three cruis
ers of the enemy. Seeing them. the Al
H;.rhE .,,.1 I.in
of Pines, in which waters | lost sight
of our pursuers.
Relieving myself now free from pur-
suit, | laid my course directly toward
Havana with the full intention of max
ing that harbor. When eight miles dis
tant my course was interrupted by three
other cruisers, which | was unable to en-
The American cruiser took
positions on my port and starboard and
ahead | then Stcercd the Alfonso MI
toward Maricl, where | hoped to enter
with the exclusive object of disembark-
ing. | decided to save the cargo, rs the
object in coming was to land provision>
md the cargo on the island.
Il saw an embarrassing situation. The
Yankees began throwing shells, which
landed in all directions around the ship.
which proves what we said u thousand
times. that the Americans are no artil-
erists and the Christs of the earth. OF
he hundreds of projectiles they threw
1T the Alfonso XII only eight struck
he ship.
This corroborates our opinion of their
pad training. Then Captain Moret order
ID the cargo to be thrown overheard IN
'rder that some portions might float to
he shore. which was only a pistol shot
Iistant. We got out boat and prepared
o torpedo the ship. | saw the Ameri-
ans would not delay destroying the
inc ship and therefore | placed an ex-
'losive bomb between the two tunnels {
# the Alfonso MI and instantly blew
Up the ship in column of smoke so
Iense and so black that it appeared
ike an immense cloud. obscuring the at !,
nosphere and making breathing difficult. !
''In this moment of detection corrosive
liquid fire enveloped the ship and Tapped
ID the wood like a hungry serpent. The
rev, being hopeless, had only time to
nmp into the water to escape this fiery
urnace.