Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-04
THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 4, 1898.
The War with Spain.

Active operations against the Spanish
land and naval forces at Santiago de Cuba
were begun by the American naval forces
under the command of Commodore Schley
and effectually disclosed the presence Of at
least a portion Of the Spanish fleet under
Admiral Cervera in that harbor A bonn
bardment of the land batteries was under.
taken to reveal the size and numbers of
the means of defense and in responding to
the fire of the ships the cruiser Cristobal
Colon was struck twice. The exact details
OF the fighting were''not forthcoming Off
cially, and at the end of the week IT was
unofncially reported that Commodore
Schfey, In order to disclose the nature of
the mining precautions in the harbor had
sent the collier Merrimac into the channel.
She was destroyed by a torpedo and her
crew of eight men captured. It was report
ed, though not confirmed, that Admiral
Sampson had joined forces with Commo-
dore Schley and general engagement was
expected. Various reports concerning
Spain's naval program were in circulation.
lncludlng a positive assertion from King
ston that the Cadiz fleet, under Admiral
Camara, was about to arrive in the West
Indies. At the same time, a report was
sent from Madrid to Paris that this same
fleet would shortly sail to the Philippines,
whittier Admiral Cervera had In reality
sailed from st. Vincent instead of coming
westward. No evidences were at hand to
verify any Of these statements Mean
while. the embarkation Of a large force of
infantry, together with a number of siege
guns Tor offensive operations at Santiago,
was pressed, and an impression grew that
considerable portion Of the troops ready
for service at Tampa had been actually
dispatched to that point A report was re-
ceived of active operations on the part Of
the Cuban insurgents against the Spanish
at Santiago. 1t was reported that this gov
eminent would rely largely in its operations
In the eastern part of Cuba upon the troops
M Colt r~s1
number about 10 600. Two brigades of in
fantry, including the LIST District Regiment,
were ordered from Camp Thomas, Chicka-
manga, to Florida. The blockading feet
received orders to destroy any block houses
that might be discovered, and in accord
ance the Uncas demolished one of these
structures Monday. An expedition of sew
eral hundred volunteers under the COM
| mand Of General Lacret, together with a
large store of supplies and munitions of
war, was successfully landed on the Cuban
coast by the steamer Florida. Major Gen.
eral Miles, accompanied by his staff and
members of his family, went from Wash
ington to Florida to inspect the concentra-
ton camps. 1t was decided by the govern
ment to use portion of the troops assem-
bled under the second call for 1900 volun-
teers to recruit the regiments already in
the field to their maximum strength. After
some delay. the War Department notified
the governor of Nebraska that the regi-
| ment of volunteers presumably to be COM
| manded by Mr.. William J. Bryan would
be accepted for service. Vice President
Capote OF Cuba reached this country after
a per1lous journey, in the course Of which
he was shipwrecked and nearly captured by
Spanish forces. The cruiser Columbia was
severely injured in a collision just out of
New York harbor with the liner Fuscolia;
| the Foscolia was sunk and the Columbia
was dry locked for repairs The auxiliary
cruiser st. Paul captured1the British collier
Rd'tormeE~laden with coal for the Spanish
| fleet at Santiago: the capture was effected
Immediately under the guns of the bat
teries at that port: the Restormel was or
dered released and her cargo condemned.
| rederal court at Key West decided that the
| charges of Naval Cadet Jones that the off,
GERS and crews Of the captured Spanish
prizes had been ill-treated were unfounded;
| arrangements were made. for the release on
parole OF all but the military prisoners.
Foreign AGnirs.
Senior Emilio CASTELAR,, the republican
leader Of Spain, published an article in a
Paris journal severely criticising the Queen
Regent of Spain; he wassscored in debates
| IN the cortez, and twas declared that he
would be prosecuted A run on the Bank
| OF Spain was caused by reports that a sus-
pension of coin payments was about to be
made. The Italian ministry was reorgan-
lied as the result of temporary crisis;
the Marquis de Rudini was again placed
| at the head Of the cabinet. An incipient
revolution in the republic of San Domingo
was checked by the prompt action of Pres
ident Heureaux. Some excitement was
| caused In France by the narrowness Of the
| margin by which M. Deschannel. the min
isteriai candidate, was elected president of
| the chamber Of deputies. Queen Victoria
| sent to Mrs. Gladstone q telegram In praise
of the late premier. The Nicaragua con-
gress adjourned after ratifying treaty
OF peace with Costa Rica. It was reported
| that the government Of Chile was nego-
| dating a loan in Germany. 1t was also re-
ported that Argentine had declined Chile's
| offer to arbitrate the boundary dispute.
| Twenty Russian soldiers were killed and
natives on a fort in Turkestan. Fire in
| Peshawur, India, caused about $20,000. 000