Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-14
Da,Iv Rernebec 3ournal.
FOREIGN INTEREST
Is Very Great in All Our
Naval Engagements.
Germany Denies that She Intends to
7.T.9 interfere in Philippines. 71.a
Meeting Of Sampson and Spanish Expected
to Be Terrific Battle. 81 sss

WASHINGTON. May l3.-One of Tho
embassies received a dispatch, today
from one of its consuls in the West
Indies announcing briefly that Adj
miral Sampson had bombarded Sar
Juan. 1t gave no details beyond those
contained in the admiraI's dispatch t
Secretary Long. This was the only
dispatch reaching any Of the foreign
establishments here. The news of tbs
hombardment caused deep interest il
ali foreign quarters and much anxiety
was shown as to the condition of tn.
foreign residents in san Juan.
At one Of the embassies it was stated
that no notice of the bombardment hal
preceded the actual assault, 50 far .,
was known here. but from the pres:
reports stating that foreign official:
and residents had fled to the interior i
was presumed that they must hay,
been given sufficient notice. 1t wa.
stated that Germany and other Euro
pean powers We're represented in Portt
Rican waters by several Warship,
which are counted on tn afford al
necessary protection to the citizens o
these countries.
German officials say the report.
emanating from London as to Ger
many purpose to intervene in tn,
Philippine islands are not worthy OF at
tention. This has been no move to-
ward intervention and it is said Their,
viii be none. The authorities repre-
senting the continental powers fee
that London is encouraging these re
ports With view to increase the bont
Of friendship between the United
States ana Great Britain at the ex
pense of the good feeling between tn,
United States and the continental
powers.
The French embassy has given to thu
state department a copy OF the FrencI
decree Of neutrality. 1t is Of sp4cia
interest just now in view Of the pres
ence of the Spanish squadron near til,
French West Indies The decree Per
mits prizes to he taken to French port
for Il hours. which privilege is not al
lowed ny Great Britain and some o.he
nations.
The French embassy has received Il,
word from the French officials at Mar
Unique. The island is under colonia
government with d governor genera
at its head. He is not under the jurs
dicton of French embassy ut Wash
ington and there is no cipher code 70
communication between the ambassa
dor here and the governor general
The naval attaches Of the seyera
embassies and the legations look for
ward to the battle between Admira
SIMPSONS squadIon and the Spanish
squadron as to sa},es' the greatest o
modern times.%One. Of them said, to
day, that it would he the first grea
battle between modern ironelads.
The only fight of this kind in recen
days Vas that between the Japanes
cruisers and torpedo boats sandsth
Chinese battleships at Wei-Hai-W ei
when the smaller craft of the Japanes
navy being swift and wen handed
sank the Chinese battleship Achuel
Yuen and disabled the battleship Tin
Yuen.
This engagement was trlfling. how
ever, compared with what the sigh
between the American and Spanis
squadron promises to be, owing to tn
many large ships, with the belted al
I'of' heavy guns and the most deadl
weapons of destruction known t
Modern naval warfare
MAINE POSTAL CHANGES