Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-26

enlisting in ROOSevelt's rough riders.
1t was rported at Old Point Comfort
that the submarine cable near Fort
Monroe has been cut in six places, evil
IDENTIFY the work Of Spanish spies. It
is also stated that three mines have
been released from their anchors and
are now floating, a menace TO war
ships.
A popular uprising and the over
throw Of the monarchy appear i'm
minent in Spain. The CaTlist and
republican newspapers are growing
bold in their attacks upon the dynas-
ty, and Sagasta found great difficulty
in securing men Of Importance to fill
the vacant places in the Ministry.
William J. Bryan, whose offer to
serve in the army in any capacity
was declined by President Mckinley
because of Mr.. Bryan's lack Of mill
tary experience, has been authorized
by the governor Of Nebraska to recruit
regiment Of militia to take the
place Of one of those mustered into
the regular army.
Admiral Dewey captured a Spanish
gunboat Thursday. The Callao,
which had been on duty in the South
ern Philippine islands, and had not
heard that war was on, steamed
straight into Manila bay. There was
lightning transformation and she
became an American warship attached
to Dewey's fleet.
Japan intends to protect vigorously
against America selling the Philli-
pines. She has already sought the as
sistance of Russia; and conferences
are occurring between Count Mura-
vieff, the Russian foreign minister, and
the Japanese ambassador, Baron Hay
asha Tadasou. It is believed France
and Germany will support Japan.
The Philippine rebels asked Admir-
al Dewey for permission to attack
Manila. He is said to have given
them leave on condition that no eX-
cess should be committed. They in
formed him they had no arms to at
tack the Spaniards with. The admir-
al pointed to the arsenal he had cap
tured at Cayite and told them, the
story goes, to help themselves.
A staff correspondent with Admiral
Dewey cables that the latest figures
give 321 Spaniards killed and 700
wounded at the battle of Cavite. An
explanation of the magnitude of the
casualties is to be found in the fact
that the Spaniards had double crews
on their ships so as to have prize
crews ready for the American vessels
they had confidently expected to cap
ture.
The cruiser Charleston which has
sailed from California, was heavily
loaded with ammunition for her own
guns in addition to a large supply of
powder and projectiles for Admiral
Dewey's fleet. No troops were carried
and she has no room for more than
her own crew, $50 men. The cruiser
was heavily loaded with ocal, but will
not have much left when she reaches
Manila
The first-class battle ship PeIayo,
the armored cruisers Emperador Car
los V, Alfonso XIII, Vittoria and Ger
aida, the auxiliary cruisers Rapido,
Alfonso XII, Buenos Ayres and An
tonic Lopez and three torpedo boats
now at Cadiz, are ready for sea. They
are expected to sail for the PHILIPPINES
before the end of this month with
11,000 troops.
There was a sharp naval skirmish
off Havana harbor Saturday evening,
when the Spanish cruisers Alphonso
XII. and a gunboat ran out with the
apparent purpose of decoying our
ships within range Of the big guns Of
the Santa Clare batteries Thirteen
shots were fired from the 12-inch
Krupp guns ashore, but the aim was
wretched, and none came near the
American vessels.
Capt. Dorst says the failure Of the
attempt Of the steamer Gussie to
land 1000 rifles and 100000 rounds Of
ammunition for the Cubans proved a
failure because the Cubans were IN
able to met the landing party at rem
devious, and the Americans could not
land supplies with no one to receive
them. The coast was patrolled by
large bodies of Spanish cavalry,
who appeared in force whenever a
landing was attempted.
The president has decided not 20
wait for the result Of the naval battle
between Sampson and Cervera, but to
send an army of 100,000 men to Cuba
to take Havana and make it possible
to send relief to the starving people
Gen. Miles will have charge of the
campaign, under direction of the
president and secretary of war. He
Will not have a board of strategy to
advise and harass him.
Ex-Secretary of State John Sher-
man, in the first authorized interview
since his retirement from the cabinet
said that he was unqualifiedIy op-
posed to the annexation either of
Hawaii or of any territory that might
be wrested from Spain; that this
was a war for humanity and Christi
anity, and not for conquest. Regarding
the mooted Anglo-American allicnae,
he said that while the interests of the
two nations were substantially iden-
tical, he questioned the adyisability
of an alliance with any particular
nation.
Secretary Long said: 1T can be
said positively and officially that the
erly made known where she is" The