Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-08

Mondays cannonading, Capt. Phillips,
of the Texas, was killed by a Spanish
shell. Nothing in other dispatches sub
stantiates this report.
WAsHINGToN, June S-The President
said to-day that the report of the killing
OF Capt. Phillips is undoubtedly untrue,
and was evident baseless, as SIMPSONS
official report stated that there were no
casualties.
WAsHINGToN, June S.-Secretary Alger
refuses to say whether or not troops from
Tampa have embarked for Cuba, but in
official circles it is hinted that they have.
Santiago continues the chief centre OF
interest, though attention was diverted
for few days to Manila by the news of
desperate fighting between t he insurgents
and Spanish troops.
At Santiago the spectacular feature of
the week was the sinking of the collier
"Merrimac' in the mouth OF Santiago
harbor, for the purpose OF locking the
Spanish fleet in the harbor. The achieve
ment has been placed beside those of
Farragut and Cushing. The story is told
in the news column.
The wreck of the "Merrimae" lies di-
rectly across the channel at its narrowest
point, and effectually blocks it. 1t is be-
lieved the obstruction could not be moved
| in two weeks by the Spanish vessels if
unmolested, and to remove it under fire of
the American fleet would be impossible.
The obstruction prevents the Spanish
fleet from making its escape from the
harbor under the cover of storm or to
form a junction with the Cadiz fleet :,
which is remote possibility.
With Cervera penned in the harbor the
American fleet can take it easy for awhile,
simply preventing the erection or
strengthening of Notifications while
awaiting a land attack on Santiago.
| But news received Tuesday indicates
that Sampson has not been content to
wait, but has swept the fortitications and
batteries near the entrance of Santiago
harbor out of the way of an invading
| force.
! Admiral SIMPSONS official report of the
| bonn mbardment Monday says simply that
he has silenced works, without damage to
his own fleet. Press dispatches purport-
ing to give detailed descriptions of the
bonn bardment say terrible destruction
was wrought by the American fire. One
report says the Spanish gunboat "Rlena
Mercedes" was sunk. There may be some
foundation for this in view of the fact
that Spanish "otiicial' reports say six
We're killed and seventeen wounded on
that gunboat. The Spanish reports also
say seventeen men were wounded in the
forttications.
Many conflicting reports have been re-
ceived regarding he movement of Ameri-
can troops, one report which gained cur
rency being to the effect hat force had
been landed near Santiago. In spite OF
| all these reports, however, it is probably
true that up to to-day troops had not
sailed for Santiago, but there is reason for
believing that 1000 will sail to-day. The
| report that troops had been landed may
have originated from the landing OF a
marine or engineering force to pave the
way for troops.
AT THE PHILIPPINES.
The news from Admiral Dewey at Ma
Mia indicates that he is still master of
the situation there. The news of decisive
insurgent victories is important as setting
at rest all rumors that the Spaniards had
succeeded in their overtures to the insur-
gents to join with them in combined re-
sistance to the Americans.
The first expedition of troops, and the
cruiser "Charleston" are now we'll on
their way across the Pacific. The second
expedition of 5000 will sail next week.
The monitors "Monterey" and "Monad-
mock" will also join Dewey. Reinforced
by the cruiser and two monitors, Admiral
Deweys fleet will be able to take care of
itself, even against the vaunted Cadiz
fleet, which seems to have a remarkable
fondness for home waters.
IN SPAIN.
Rumors of an imminent financial crisis
in Spain, which were circulated early in
the week, have somewhat subsidized, but
the spectre of bankruptcy is none the less
present with the Spanish government.
The bank of Spain plays an important
| part in the war, and the report that it
was in Critical condition was cause for
serious alarm.
The belief is growing that Spain is
| anxious to secure peace, and is casting
about for an excuse to make overtures in
that direction. In such q move Spain
| must use the greatest precaution to avoid
| an internal eruption. She is on treach-
erous ground.