The Florence tribune., 1898-05-14

created oy tho return of the Spanish iieet to Cadiz: If the report is true !. would appear to indicate that it is the intention of Spain to practically abandon Cuba and Porto Rico with the nope of recovering and holding the Philippine islands. They could in that case send this fleet with additions to the Philippines via the suez canal.
 LONDON, May l1.-Special dispatches from Madrid say it is officially de- clared that the government of Spain has no intention of allowing Rear Ad- mirai Dewey to rest upon his laurels. About 40,OOO men of the reserves of the opanish army have been ordered to re- join their colors, and it is added that a formidable expedition is being organ ized to dispatch to the Philippines. LONDON, May 11.--A dispatch to the Globe from Gibraltar says that British steamer which has just arrived there reports officially that she passed, yesterday evening, the Spanish torpedo boat destroyer which was guarding the Algeira bay and straits. Shortly after the steamer passed her all the lights of the destroyer were suddenly extin- guished, 8 terrific explosion followed and immediately the destroyer disap- peared. The disaster was apparently caused by the explosion of the boilers of the torpedo boat destroyer. It is feared that all on board perished. The Spanish torpedo boat destroyer re- ported to be blown up near Gibraltar probably is the Destructer. She is chased as 2 torpedo gunboat. She had a crew of 55 men.
 WAsHINGToE, May 1.-The house by lS4 to Il to-day passed resolution for the election of senators by popular vote.
 NEW YORK, May LA copywright- ed dispatch to the Evening World dated at Hong Kong to-day says: "The Philippine rebel chief, General Aguinaldo has issued proclamation to the insurgents of Manila to obey the orders of Commondore Dewey and U. s. Consul Williams, but killing still goes on in the outlying districts where the natives are revenging themselves on the priests and local Spanish off, cials in spite of the proclamation of Aguinaldo. Wealthy Philippine families who are leaving Hong Kong for Manila daily appear before Consul General Wildman here and ask to be allowed to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. The powerful Cortes family insisted on having their papers for citizenship telegraphed for to President Mckinley and offer their palaces to the military for the accom- modation of American officers.
 WASHINGTON, May l2.-The set back received by the American blockading squadron in the engagement in Carde- mas harbor yesterday, and the loss of five lives on board the torpedo boat Winslow, has a sobering effect on the element in the navy which is crying out for rapid action and efforts at de- stroying batteries with unarmored ships.
 There will probably be some sort of inquiry instituted to ascertain the re- sponsibility for sending such unpro- tected shells as the Winslow against fortified ports. It is miraculous, in the opinion of the older officers at the de- pertinent, that the damage and loss of life were confined to the Winslow, for the other boats with her were little better of in the matter of protection, and scarcely any of them could resist the fire of a small rifle. It is likely that if such work as was attempted at Cardenas is to be done hereafter the task will be assigned to more formid- able craft.
 Just where the Spanish flying squad ron is still remains in doubt and no of word official confirmation has come to the navy department of the Cadiz report of the day before yesterday that the squadron is there. Still there are enough scouting vessels covering the approach to the West Indian channel to spot any approaching Spanish ship in short order.
 KEY WEST, May 12.-It is now known that the American boats made furious havoc with the Cardenas harbor and town. The captain of the Hudson said: "I know we destroyed . large part of their town near the wharyes, burned one of their gunboats, and think destroyed two of their torpedo destroyers. Then large building near the wharf took fire and other buildings were burned. The Spanish had masked l batteries on all sides. Their guns were field pieces. Our large boats could not get into the harbor to help us on ae- count of the shallow water"
 HoNe KoNe, Mar 12.-The British second class gun vessel Linnall has erriva5 x-;th news from the PhiliDpiues