The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-07-16

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PoaTaMoCTa. ". H. July f0.-Ad
raiYal CxgveTa declares that ne had re-
cefved three eable9raf1s from the
Minister IT Marine At Madrid. order
Ing him 10 leave Santiago. Knowing
the force be u0ald have TO encounter
be- fit convinced that otelieace T. these
orders would spell suicide 10 him
Then came another dispatch. a per-
efnptery one, that left no choice bnt to
obey. II said; No matter what the
consequences are. 10 to sea at once and
fight the enemy.
80 went out, The Admiral said.
! my plan was 10 attack the Brooklyn,
sink d disable her If possible. then run
~ Havana, rsise the blockade there and
seek refuge IN the harbor. but I failed
In my purpose, a. you kn6w, Lost al
had. ny feet and everything. Ny
country misfortune and my own are
very great.
The conversation turned to Hobson
and his f0rlorn hope. and the Admiral
had no word Of praise too high for that
little band u heroes ard their exploit.
Csryera then spoke Of Captain Vain
wright Of the Gloucester. and bic brave.
big hearted executive officer, Lfeuten.
ant II Mel p. Huse. Ceryera
thanked them both from his heart for
the manner In which they had stood By
the fire imperilel Maria Teresa. whose
heated guns made danger zone and
whose magazines threatened to explode
Seeing the danger. Cervera begged
Lieutenant Hnae 10 shove of from the
flaming wreck.
THAT gallant and noble officer. .
said CerYera, sreplied and said No
Admiral. not until have rescued all
your wounded.
II jumped overheard, continued
the admiral, speaking Of HE own ad
ventures, land my son followed me
could make no Roadway and would
have been drowned had not he helped
me and borne me up with his younger
and stronger arms. While we were
struggling In the water the Cubans on
shore fired at us, but the Americans
drove them away and would not allow
them to modest Us. Then / was taken
ON board the Gloucester, then TO the
Iowa.
The Admiral was asked about the
first bombardment Of Santiago.
1T WAS u great surprise, he con
fessed. He had feared that the Christie
bal Colon would have been sunk. as the
rest OF the feet was not within support
ing distance and the forts ut that time
were but imperfectly manned, mount
ing but few guns. He could NOS un IL.
derstand why the American ships did
not close In and strike the Colon en-
masse, as she had none Of her big guns
on board.
"Did not have her big guns1 Where
we're theyf' was the question that In
terrupted the admiral talk.
In Italy or perhaps In the pockets
OF our chief Of ordinance. was the re-
ply, given with an expressive shrug
Continuing, the Admiral said that
during the attack Of June / the Rcina
Mercedes was struck several times and
that the Captain and four Of the ves-
sol & crew had been killed. He was
greatly impressed by the battery prac
tice Of the Texas during the fight Of
June 22. or Captain Robley ID. Evans
OF the Iowa the admiral spoke In glow
ing terms. On board that vessel he
had been received more IN q conqueror
than rs n captive had been allowed to
retain his sword and had seen the
marine guard Of the ship stationed to
receive him M though he was visiting
Admiral instead Of half drowned and
sadly beaten hostage Of war.
Cervera told Commodore Schley that
a single shell which had burst on board
the Maria Teresa killed and wounded
30 men.