Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-07

Pascual de Cervera v Torpete Con-
de de Jerez Marquis de Santa Ana is
the somewhat lengthy name and title
of the Spanish admiral in command of
what was known as the Cape Verde
fleet, which admiral SIMPSONS ships
destroyed at the entrance to Santiago
harbor. Cervera is a nephew of Ad-
miral Torpete. one of the old-time ad-
mirals of the Spanish navy, and prob
ably in his time the best known naval
man in Spain, for his fame extended
even beyond the borders of his own
country. He was the leader of the
revolt in Jerez, Spain, in 1868, which
took place at the heighth of his ca
reer. His mantle fell upon the pres
ent Spanish admiral, to whom Spain
looked with such con fidence. Ger
vera is now IS years of age. He was
born in the province of Jerez
where his father, Carlos de Ger
vera, was a man of large
wealth, owning several estates, and
was known as one of the richest wine
merchants, of Spain. Cervera S
mother was Marie POrpete, a daugh-
ter of Count Porpete y Velle, of the
royal family of Spai n. They belonged
to the aristocratic class, and their
son was afforded stll the advantages
which wealth and. position could Sc
cure for him in Spain. He entered
the naval academ v at San Fernando
when Is years of age and graduated
three years later, in 1854. He was
afterward alta ched TO several different
training ships to prepare him for
naval warfare. In 1859 he exper-
fenced his first campaign, in the ex-
pedition sent out by Spain against
Morocco, and for his services was pro-
NOTED to first lieutenant. He was
next attached to an expedition sent
to Cochin, China, in 1862. After.
ward he was attached to the
Spanish legation in Washington, and
subsequently made captain in the
S panish navy, and placed in com
mand of a ship and sent to Peru.
where war was in progress. He re-
manned there but short time. wher
the 10-years' war in Cuba broke out
and Spain found it necessary to recall
her fleet from Peru in order to engage
in blockade of Cuban ports to pre-
vent the landing of filibustering expe
EDITIONS. which were carrying supple.
to the Cubans in that struggle. Dur
ling the progress of the 1O-years' wal
lCervera was recalled from Cuba and
'fmade secretary of the navy in the
spanish cabinet. When he again en-
TERED active service in the navy h,
was created an admiral and placed in
command of the Pelayo, the first and
only tirst-class battleship in the Span.
ish navy. Its construction was UNI
dertaken and carried out under his
suggestions. He has been adiutant
to the queen regent, and severa
Years ago was at the head of the
Spanish naval commission sent tt
London to confer with similar com.
missions from other European pow
ers regarding maritime matters. HI
bears ID medals. bestowed upon hin
by the Spanish government, and Spair
counts him as her foremost nava
man. His promotions, however
have usually come by reason of hi.
family connections and through the
influence of his uncle, Admiral Tor.
lpete, rather than merit, although
he has at times shown himsel
Possessed of ability, which must b.
recognized, even though he is an
enemy. and his long experience has
increased his efficiency at the presen
time. Cervera, however, is general,
disliked by the men under him.