The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-05
Yesterdays Developments.

Aeu the NAFy department tnAu the
Collier Merrimac has been sunk i'm
the channel of Santiago de Cuba
harbOr. The daring deed was per-
formed by Naval Constructor Hob
son and seven men, who were aft
erwards taken prisoners. Two of
the men were slightly wounded,
according to Admiral CerveFa,
who, under flag OF truce and as
recognition of the bravery of the
Americans, informed Admiral
Sampson of the fate of the Yankee
heroes. Sampson asks authority to
arrange for the exchange of the
ships are I'm the harbor and cannot
avoid capture OF destruction. Ad-
vices from other sources say the
channel was Obstructed amid n
shower of Spanish shot and shell;
that Lieutenant HobsOn and his
party took the collier in under her
own steam. anchored her I'm the
narrOwest part of the channel, and
sunk her by exploding n torpedo.
seeing there was no chance for
escape they rOwed to the Spanish
flagship and surrendered. Soon
afterwards the Spaniards sent a
boat to the flagship New York and
notified Admiral Sampson the
prisoners would be exchanged.
Money and provisions were sent
back to the heroes. An uncOn-
firmed report says the sunken ves-
sci has been dynamited and that
the spaniards are clearing the
channel.
Rumors from Haiti say another
engagement has taken place at
Santiago and the Spanish fleet was
destroyed. The rumOrs, however,
lack cOnfirma ton.
letter written by Lieutenant
Carranza, former naval attache of
the Spanish legation at Washing
ton, and who has been i'm Montreal
directing the movements of spies
i'm the United States, has created n
sensation. 1t shows Cnrranxa has
had inside information as to the
movements of both the American
and Spanish fleets, and has been
i'm constant communication with
Madrid and Havana. The letter
also shows that the lieutenant is
not satisfied with his governments
methods, and especially with the
appointment of Admiral Camara ns
commander OF the Cadix squadron.
The sinking of the Merrimac is
recorded at Madrid as another
'brilliant victory for the Spanish
arms. Advices received there from
Santiago say two American iron
clads were injured during the en-
gagement. The Queen Regent has
congratulated the defenders Of
Santiago de Cuba"
The war revenue bill passed the
Senate last night by vote of 4S
to rs. Radical changes have been
made I'm the measure since 1T left
the House. Amendments have been
made to coin silver bullion in the
treasury; to place "A tax of 10 cents
n pOund ON tea; to tax offended"
-four 4 cents N barrel, and to as
sess sleeping and paIace-car COM
panies 1 cent for every berth or
seat sold. Numerous minor
changes were made.
Ihe volunteers at CbiCa ka ma uga
are being rapidly equipped with
arms and ammunition. Instruc-
tiOn in the use of firearms has be-
gun.
Notwithstanding repeated rcbuffs
Spain is making another strong
effort to induce the continental
powers to intervene in her behalf.
France has been offered coaiing
stations I'm the Balearic and Can
ary islands, but they have not been
accepted, and it is intimated Spain
must look elsewhere for aid. Last
week Russia tried to prevail on
Germany to support "a new effort at
joint Intervention, but the latter
government declined to take any
action mt present. The German
press, however, continues to rave
at Americans and misrepresent the
situation here and i'm Cuba.
Naval officers speak of the action
of the MerEimac's little crew as
rivaIing, if not surpassing, the
achievement of Cushing's famous
attack on the Albemarle with his
little torpedo boat. There is no
doubt hOnOrs will be shOwered on
the brave men and that their ex-
change will be effected as prompts
~ as possible. Lieutenant HObsOn.
the leader of the party, is a man of
great ability, but noted for his
daredevil characteristicS.