davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
WEST POINT GRADUATES
 THE CLASS OF 'o8.

HIGHLAND FALLS, N. Y, April 26. West Point at o'clock to-day gradu- ated the class of 1898. The stern re- quirements of the service permitted nothin but short ceremonies. The de- livery of the diplomas was made by Colonel H. C. Ernest, superintendent of the academy, and the addresses to the class by Colonel F. s. Michfe, profess sor of natural and experimental phil osophy.
 This is the first time since 1861 that any class has been graduated before the end of the academic year. There was none of the many pleasant features which usually attend the graduating class, but there were fiftyfve ha~nv young men.
 The examination, usually held in June, will probably not be held until graduate the second class soon. If this becomes necessary, that examination and graduation may not take place be- fore July or August. Most of the new officers will be assigned to the two new artillery regiments and the rest di- vided among the volunteers.
 The following is the standing of the first ten men in order of general merit: Frank Boggs. Pennsylvania; c. Smith, Illinois; w. w. Wooten. North Caro- lima; L. Brown, Tennessee; IT, D. Kerr, West Virginia; E. l. Brown, Georgia: A. A. Fries. Oregon; NJ Mo McCloskey, Philadelphia; J. E. Stephens. Tennessee; T. E, Merrill. Kentucky; M. c. Kerth Illinois.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
ORGANIZATION OF
 THE VOLUNTEER ARMY.
The War Department Announces the
 Makeup of the Cavalry and Infantry.

WASHINGTON, April 26.-The War Department has announced that the or ganization of the volunteer army will be as follows:
 Artillery-Light battery: One captain, first lieutenant, second lieutenants, 1 first sergeant, l quartermaster sergeant, 1 veterinary sergeant and Sergeants. 15 corporals. farriers, 2 artificers, 1 saddler, musicians, l wagoner, Al privates, maximum, IA privateS minimum.
 Heavy battery-One captain, l first lieu tenant. 2 second lieutenants, l first ser geant, p sergeants, 10 corporals, musi- clans, ? artiflcers, l wagoner. 162 pri- yates.
 Cavalry Troops-One captain, one first first sergeant, one quartermaSter ser geant, six sergeants, eight corporalS two farriers and blacl1smithS, two trumpet CTS. one saddler, one wagoner, 78 privates maximum. GA privateS minimum.
 Regiment-One colonel, one first liev- tenant, one adjutant (extra lieutenantl, one quartermaster (extra lieutenanD, one surgeon, two assistant surgeons, one chaplain, three hospital stewards, one sergeant major, one quartermaster ser geant, one chief musician, one saddler sergeant, one chief trumpeter.
 Infantry company-One captain, one lieutenant, one second lieutenant. one first sergeant. one quartermaster ser geant, four sergeants, twelve corporals, two musicians, one artiicer, one wa goner 76 privates maximum, 64 privates minimum.
 Regment-One colonel, one lieutenant colonel, two majors, one adjutant (eXtra lieutenant), one quartermaster (eXtra lieutenant), one surgeon, two assistant surgeons one chaplain, one sergeant ma ior. one quartermaster sergeant, one chief musician, two principal musicians and three hospital stewards.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
Cruise of a Call Man Outside of Havana
 HapDOP.
First Two Prisoners of War Taken by the Cruiser Cin- cinnati and One Is
 papOIed.

Moro for guard duty at night, return ing to the --arbor at dawn.
 Once Captain Fremont of the Porter had sized up the Spaniard he smiled, and after sweeping the seaward horizon with his glasses darted off to the De- troit and the converted yacht Hawk with the news. The cruiser and the Destroyer headed for the westernmost end of the Vedado batteries hoping to cut off the gunboat before it could re- turn to the harbor. but the Spaniard had put back as soon as the Porter started seaward, and the night hunt was fruitless. Away to the eastward went the Porter ignoring the Morro's searchlight, which was sweeping the seq, and sky unceasingly.
 Then at Il o'clock the searchlight and electric lights on the Porter were ex- tinguished, and only faint patch of soft radiance from the houses marked the beleagured city of Havana The torpedo-boat ran close under the bat teries and still to the eastward.
 The outline of a big ship was seen dimly against the line to seaward seemingly too far in shore to be one of the feet Again the Porter's speed jumped from ten to twenty knots, as swinging wide of the stranger she lodged his watch forward and shot down upon him from the rear.
 No sign was r-ade by the Porter un- til she was far inside the distance at which guns could have been directed a her. Then she showed the fleet signal. Had the answer been any but the right one the big ship was doomed. In a second the proper signal burned at the masthead in reply.
 It was one of the cruisers, and the Porter faded away in the darkness and resumed her natrol to the east ward, sweeping close under the coast and far out to sea alternately, and overlooking nothing bigger than a sea bird till the sun like a big gold piece on edge rose out of the sea and the night patrol was over.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27

and 1T citizen naturaliZed prior to Janu- ary II, 1893, possessed at such time of the privilege of voting for representatives.
 Now, MT. Hatch, Minister at Wash ington, carried an amendment to the eHert that if sc naturalized they must De natives of country having or hav- inS hdd treaty relations with Hawaii ' ne intention of this amendment was to debar Chinese from becoming natur- ahzed and possessing the franchise. for at that date nearly 1000 Chinese had become menaturaliZed. Further, they must nave taken the oath set forth in inc constitution. It is now contended that as there Is no country having a treaty with Hawaii in which there is the slightest reference made to naturaliza- ton, all naturaliZations already grant ed and all papers of denization With citizens rights are null and void so far as the allegiance due to the country of origin is concerned. If inc Government should feel inclined to ac cept this ruling it can by disfranchis- ing the alien voters destroy at the polls nine-tenths of its political opponents of foreign birth.
 To add to the excitement the steam snip Peru was off port a little after II o'clock last night, but it was long be- fore any news came on shore. as she
 
 this morning. In the meantime the ex- citement had increased by the issu ance of extras" by the evening papers but cool judgment showed that it was merely whetting the appetite for the news by the next steamer"
 The main anxiety, enthusiasm and curiosity centers around a telegram re- ce1Ved by J. B. Atherton to the purport that Bacon's amendment was to be hU ha as well as the joint resolution. and further, that there were sufficient votes to defeat the amendment and to carry the resolution. This news created a sensation among the annexationists and although all saloons were closed at Il o'clock, carriages were running around all night with excited gossipers. It is learned this morning on the highest authority that the executive will take no action pending the receipt of official news from Washington.
 HORACE WRIGHT
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
So Far Nobody Has Been Very Badly Hurt in
 the Conflict.
SampSOn'S Fleet Takes Prizes, but No Effort Is Made to Engage the Batteries
 of Havana.

Thus far we have captured a half dozen of Spain's merchant vessels, and up to date she has taken none of ours, but there are indications that the Span iards will make a business of priva- teering, notwithstanding their profes- sions, and that their operations on the sea, especially in the Pacific, will amount to piracy. This information reached the Navy Department to-day and Admiral Miller of the Pacific squadron, and Admiral Dewey of the Asiatic squadron. have been appraised of Spains intention to make a speciality of piracy on the Pacific.
 This is only merCenary warfare said a disgusted Congressman to-day, when he learned at the Navy Depart ment that Sampson's fleet had not yet fired shot at Havana's batteries. Let us have a little Spanish blood to atone for the murder of the Maine's sailors"
 The peaceful blockade of Havana is not satisfactory to the statesmen on the hill. They want gore. The gen. eral impression In Washington among those best informed and who have a technical knowledge of naval matters, is that two battles royal will result, one before Havana and the other in the far away Pacific. It is the belief in naval circles that the first news of a battle will be from the Philippine Islands and that within week word will have been received that Manila has been taken by Admiral Dewey's fleet.
 It was pointed out in official circles that although no great strategical ad- vantage would accrue to us from the possession of the Philippine Islands, they were nevertheless greater in area and more valuable in wealth and na- tural resources than Cuba or Porto Rico and their loss to Spain would be distinct gain for the United States. The permanent occupation and tenure by the United States of any of Spains colonies is not contemplated, for it is the policy of the administration to in- duce the friendship of all nations by its insistence that the war was not ac- tuated by selfish or ulterior purposes on our part and that we have no de- sire for the acquisition of territory re- mote from our own shores. Neverthe- less the Philippines could be held for
 ransom ransom enough to pay for the cost of the war with Spain and the loss of our battleshfp Maine
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
EUL0GIZES THE ARMY
 OF SPAIN IN CUBA.
bombastic; Utterances of Marshal Count Chastee in the Madrid
 Senate

MADRID, April 26.-In the Senate Marshal Count Chastee eulogized the army in Cuba and recalled his experi ence forty-five years. ago. when. as captains general of Cuba, he ordered the forts to fire on the Anglo American fleet, which was obliged to retire. He said he hoped General Blanco would fulfill his promise to come through the conflict dead or victorious. Senor Buig ceiver, the Minister of Finance. replied that the Government had great con fidence in the army and navy.
 A Senator questioned the Government respecting the reported sailing of tho American squadron for Manila, and asked if the former rebel chiefs of the Philippines, notably Chief Aguinaldo were on board the American warships Senor Moret, Secretary of the Colonies replied that there was no official in- formation on the subject and that the discredited the report re- garding Aguinaldo.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27

the artillery concentration here. It is the intention to organize them into two battalions of five batteries each. with Majors Lancaster and Dillenback as commanders.
 The Second Regiment of infantry, from Forts Keogh and Harrison, Mont, and Fort Yates, N. D., 469 men and 2 officers, in command of Colonel J. C.. Bates, which arrived last night, went into camp near the Twenty-fourth, in the Lafayette road. The cavalry ar rivals consist of Troop A of the Third, from Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and Troops E and K of the Second, from Fort Wingate.
 Field orders were issued for the rigid policing of the camp. Daily inspections of the camps will be made and every sanitary precaution taken. It is quite probable that the entire body of troops located here will be vaccinated.
 By next week the field maneuvers of the army will begin.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
Call Office. Riggs House,
Washington. April

WaSnlnSlO ton, AprlI 70.
 This was the sixth day of the Span ish-American war, and not drop of blood shed as yet Our ships have taken a number of prizes, some of which will have to be given up, according to law yers who are thought to be well versed in international law and comity. They claim that the bill passed by Congress yesterday and signed by the President Is retroactive, and. therefore, as it vio- lates our constitution, may be disre- garded by the Admiralty Court, which is to try the several cases at Jackson vile.
 But however the court may decide a s to those prizes taken prior to the date upon which Congress passed the dec laration. there is no doubt that the Spanish vessel Panama, captured by the lighthouse tender Mangrove off Key West last night is our prey. She is ours de jure and de facto. She is a rich prize, a vessel of 2S00 tons, laden with a rich cargo. What will be done with her passengers, about forty Spanish ref ugees, is now a question which is both ering the Department of Justice. They are scarcely to be regarded as prisoners of war, and will probably be liberated and allowed to depart hereafter the best way they can. This will not be difficult. as under the circumstances of the Presidents proclamation issued to- day Spanish subjects now in ports of the United States may depart without molestation at any time between this date and May q.
 The French Ambassador, who. in the absence of Minister Polo, is acting for the Spanish Government, was at the State Department this afternoon, and had an interview with Secre- tary Day He explained that Spain was anxious to arrange terms of eX- change, one captured vessel for an other. It Is understood he proposed that a board, composed of representa- tives of the European powers, be ap- pointed to effect a method of exchange. The Ambassador of France and the Secretary will have a further confer ence tomorrow.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
The Proclamation of the Queen Has Been
 Issued.
Other Countries Will Probably Follow in the Wake of
 England.
There Is Still Considerable Decree of Doubt as to Gernany's
 Position.
Copyrighted. 1898. by James Gordon Bennett.

Copyrighted. 1898. by James Gordon Bennett.
 WASHING GTON. April 26.-Sir Julian Pauncefote, the A1nglish Ambassador, to-day received cable dispatch from the British Foreign Office signed by Lord Salisbury announcing that the Queens proclamation of neutrality in the war between Spain and the United States had been signed. The dispatch adds that the proclamation is similar to those issued on former occasions, but in addition directs special attention to the three rules of the treaty cf Wash ington of May s, 1871. article of which will be observ1 l towar- both countries.
 The three rules to which Lord Sails bury directs special attention are of ex- ceptional moment just at present, ow- ing to the presence in British ports of several warships, including the Somers and Albany, intended for the United States Navy. The three rules are as fol- lows:
 "A neutral Government is bound, first, to use diligence to prevent the fitting out ton of any vessel which it has reasona- ble grounds to believe is intended to cruise or carry on war with power with which IL IS at peace, and also to use like diligence to prevent the departure from its jurisdiction of any vessel intended 10 vessel having been specially adapted in whole or in part, within such jurisdiction to warlike use.
 Second to permit or to suffe-
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27

watched with interest, after they had been told by an interpreter that they were not to be hanged at the yardarm immediately as they seemed to expect The lieutenant was paroled and set ashore in the Algonquin, which landed him this afternoon at a small fort few miles east of Havana.
 The flagship this morning lay ten miles east of Morro Castle. where news of the declaration of war was received with keen satisfaction by all.
 Surprise and laughter greeted the news that the Mangrove had cap- tured the Panama, the rich prize for which the battle-ships and torpedo boats have been securing the straits for days.
 The Porter last night did picket duty inside and outside the cruisers and bat tleships. l was a member of the Por ter's crew last night, and to-day be- cause of my knowledge of the coast which Captain Fremont wished to ex- anime.
 It IS the Porter and other vessels of her class which make the blockade uneQualed in point of efficiency and plcturesqueness in the history of war. By day the torpedo boats hunt before and around the cruisers. By night. with lights out, they cruise inshore and outside the big warships, and friend, foe and stranger alike must prove their identity an mission before oil
 ceed
 If he be Spanish he is surely lost. He cannot enter or leave Havana in any case unless he be so small as to be of no attraction for prize hunters. If he be big he is more easily seen and more eagerly hunted.
 The Porter lay off Morro Castle for a time last night while the bi search light on the castle swept sky and sea in vain effort to locate the ships of the enemy. The low-lying torpedo-boat was unnoticed, being so far off that the light even when it fell across her gave but few clews, if any, to the men at the guns ashore. Then, cruising westward for ten or fifteen miles, she returned. running close under the batteries, but still undetected. One of the warsh1ps lying off Havana, making out a black object between itself ana the shore showed the fleet signal to determine whether the flying craft were friend or enemy. The Porter burned the fleet signal in answer. Delay in answering would have been followed by a terrific fire from tie warship's secondary bat tery
 From low cruising speed the Porter suddenly increased to twenty knots to go flying after a sail creeping along the land west of OTTO. It proved to be a small sloop ard the chase was aban- doned. Smoke later betrayed the pres ence a small gunboat which had moved out of Havana and was steam ing westward still under the guns of Santa Clara battery. It was identified as the Pinzon or one of that class, which forl- erly used to run outside
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27

On board the United States torpedo boat Porter. with the blockading squadron, off Havana, via Key West Fla, April 26.-Two Spanish soldiers in blue uniforms with hairline stripes of white and straw hats. which Bianco s men wear in the field, were prisoners to-day on board the flagship New York One was a lieutenant. They were in Q boat going from Matanzas to a neigh boring port, where the lieutenant wanted to see his baby boy that was born while he was in the field. The Cincinnati, which was lying off Matan- gas, picked up the boat and men.
 They were sent to the flagship, the first actual prisoners of war.
 They were duly astonished by the manual exercises drill. which they
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
AW ATS NEWS
 OF THE WAR
Hawaii Deeply Concerned Over the Present
 Struggle.
Citizens Suggest That President Dole Declare the Islands
 Neutral.
Special Correspondence of The Call.

HONOLULU, April 19.-The steam ship Miowera arrived yesterday, three days overdue, and again brought to us the wearisome advice, wait till the next steamer" At the sound of the signal whistles, as the sun was setting, cyclists, pedestrians and hacks rushed pellmell by the hundreds down to the Pacific Mail in full expectation of hear ing that once again the scions of the sons of Semper Eadem had met the descendants of the men who sailed in the Spanish Armada in battle clash.
 There was a sigh of relief from those who are well fixed in this worlds goods and of disappointment from those who view only the romantic and picturesque aspects of war when the indecisive news filtered out Hawaiians have been arguing with one another as to the out come of war, so far as the islands are concerned, and have talked more learned international law on the rights of neutrals and belligerents than De Grotius ever dreamed of. or Wharton or De Maertens compiled. They have gone so far as to make preparations for a monster non-political mass meet Ing to urge our executive to proclaim neutrality in advance of the preclama- ton of war, and even conservative men of the annexation cause are cautiously considering the advisability of petition Ing legislators to advise the President to withdraw the annexation treaty from the Senate, and to suggest in lieu thereof tripartite guarantee by the United States. Great Britain and France of the neutrality and independ- ence of the Hawaiian Islands for ten years
 If the United States Senate has rejected the treaty this plan will gather strength The lin- gering uncertainty of Hawaii's con- dition is becoming irksome and gall ing, for 1t disconcerts all plans for pro- gress or development. Business is un- settled and boomers" are thwarted: government is hampered and indiyid uals are worried; legislation is timid and politicians cantankerous Ii is thought also that the plan suggested VIII De acceptable to the United States congress, ana more especially to the two ancient treaty friends, the joint european guarantors of Hawaii,S i, dependence. Great Britain and Erorna
 very serious point in the constrno tion of Hawaii's constitution has bea,, quietly raised by foreign renresen+o" tives in connection with our naturai, zation of foreign subjects, and citize~a and, consequently, of their right tn vote
 AS originally drawn and submitted to the constitutional convention article 74, qualifications of voters for renra- sentatives, read:
 In order to be eligible to vote for rem lresentatives a person shall:
 First-Be male citizen of the republic;
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27

either belligerent to maKe use of it's ports or waters as the base of naval operations against the other, or for the purpose of renewal or augmentation of military sup p4les or arms, or the recruitment of man. 'Third-To exercise due diligence in it's own ports and waters, and, as to all per sons within its jurisdiction to prevent any violation of the foregoing obliga- tionS and duties.
 The second rule doubtless accounts for the enforced departure of the United States fleet at Hongkong. The first rule appears to apply directly to several ships purchased by the United States abroad, and now hurrying to completion in British yards. Most inn portant of these is the fine cruiser AL bany, formerly the Admiral Abrouall, of the Brazilian navy. From the strict rule adopted in stopping the torpedo boat Somers and the mail steamer Ire land, as reported by press dispatches, it is believed the rule against the de- parture of warships will be given a very rigid construction.
 Doubt is expressed here as to the report current in London that the proclamation was due to an under standing between the United States and Great Britain. in order that other countries might be urged to adopt a similar attitude of neutrality. It is hardly believed the United States WOulQ urge pIOCldIlldtlOD, the 1lrSt eI- feet of which Is to tie up American warships nearing completion in Brit ish yards.
 It was stated in high diplomatic quarters to-day that no further doubt existed as to the attitude of Portugal in maintaining neutrality This is re- garded as specially important at this time, owing to the fact that the Cape Verde Islands, the Azores and the Ma Io;, l11A Do groups have fine harbors and coaling facilities. and are so located as to be of vital service to the Spanish navy in case their use were not barred by Por- tugals neutrality
 The neutrality of Portugal will pre- vent a longer use of these islands as a base of operations for the Spanish ships, CT even a stopping place for them. They will be forced to go to one of their own ports, the Canaries prob ably being the most advantageous point. now that Cape Verde and other Portuguese islands are closed to them.
 The reports that Germany would not issue a proclamation of neutrality, in order to leave her hands free for inter- vention if 1t seems sirable, cannot be confirmed in diplomatic circles here On the other hand, there is every indi- cation that Germany will observe strict neutrality so long as German ships and German commerce are unmolested dur ing the progress of the war. If, how ever, German interests suffer by search and seizure on the high seas, then it is not so certain a strict neutrality will be continued.
 It is held among leading diplomats that no question can be raised as to the status of Senor Polo at Toronto. He is said to be private citizen, hav- ing the right of domicile in a neutral country.
The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
the Panama.

Commander
  The worked his  English Connecticut Annapolis He graduated honors and has In August 1887 he was appointed commander of the S. S. Mch
  and Mangrove He be Commander S. editor Wood