Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-19
ECHOES OF THE WAR.

Just one year ago today the famous Span
ish Armada, under command OF Admiral
C~ervera, sneaked into the harbor Of San
tiago, from which fate and the American
fleet had decreed II should emerge only to
go to its doom The actual presence OF the
much -soukht-for fleet in the harbor was not
dennitely known until May 90, when Com
modore schley, from the bridge OF the Brook
Ign, saw two of the cruisers at the mouth OF
the bottle. The authorities at Washington
had an inkllng Of the location OF the fleet
as early at tho 2lst and the way they got
the tip illustrates the unceasing vigilance
that marked the campaign on the part OF
the army and navy. The honor of locating
the fleet in the harbor OF Santiago is claimed
by General Greeley for the telegraph corps.
All telegraph lines connecting Cuba with
the outsidL world, excepting one to Key
West, were supposed to have been cut, but
the excepted one had censors at both ends
and was practically useless for war pur-
poses. Santiago informed Havana OF the
arrival Of the fleet and the news produced
such enthusiasm at the Cuban capital that
the operators there flashed 1t to other points.
By some means the news connected with the
cable to Key West and the operator at that
point got the tip, which was promptly hur-
ried to Washington. Still 1t was not definite
enough to be convincing and was disbelieved
by naval officers, who expected the fleet
would make for Havana or Cienfuegos. Be-
tween the arrival of Cervera at Santiago
and his discovery ten days later was a
period of great activity in naval circles and
the widest rumors as well as phantom fleets
were afoat. The Spanish fleet was crippled
mechanically as we'll as for fuel and was
obliged to calmly await the sealing of the
bottle and the crack of doom six weeks
later.
On May 10. Just a year ago, after four
weeks OF impatient waiting and ceaseless
drills, the Second Nebraska volunteers left
Camp Alvin Saunders at Lincoln for the
training camp at Chickamauga. With envy
and disappointment they had watched the
departure Of their comrades of the First
regiment three days before. On the evening
of the 18th on the return of the regiment
from parade 1t was whispered through the
ranks that the long-sought orders for the
south had at last arrived, and when this was
confirmed at headquarters and orders issued
for the breaking of the camp the next day,
cheer after cheer arose from the impatient
companies. There was little sleep in camp
that night and when the bugles sounded
reveille many Of the companies had already
breakfasted.
During the morning great numbers of visi-
tors from Lincoln watched the preparations
with interest, and the incoming trains
brought friends and relatives anxious for u
last word Of farewell. At 2 o'clock the camp
was struck, the long lines of tents falling
as the last note of the bugle sounded, and
in five minutes all camp baggage was packed
and on it's way to the trains. After BOARDING
the cars the men were besieged for souvenirs,
hard tack being especially asked for. Toward
evening, however, a heavy rain set in which
effectually dampened the ardor of the curl
osity-seekers.
The women of Baltimore have prepared
for presentation to Admiral Schley an album
and a beautiful silver service of six pieces
cream jal, sugar bowl, urn, slop jar and
water pitcher. On the bottom Of each piece
will be engraved the initial IS" Each piece
is made from a special design, which Is TO
be destroyed, so that there will be no re-
production Of it. The engraving on the
various pieces is said to be a splendid speci-
men of repousse work. The album has two
covers, the outside one being of kangaroo
leather, on which Is inscribed in silver let
tiers winfield Scott Schley, 1885," On the
inside cover, which is of white satin, Is the
inscription, winfield Scott Schley, Rear
United States Navy, 1899" The
album Is Of white satin, lined with blue
satin.
Notwithstanding the decree of General Otis
suppressing the Independence, organ Of the
Filipinos at Manila, that sheet continues
publication, but under circumstances that do
not conduce to high living and right think
ing on the part Of the staff. Publication
office is on a fiat car, and it manages to
keep up with the retreating army of Aguin-
aldo. To show that the editor has troubles
of his own an extract from a warm leader
is appended:
"Sa bukirin ng S. Juan del Monte ay
may isang calling doom ma nag sabi sa amin
ma may isang americanong humuhuli ng
kalabaw at ng maamo'y ma ito'y americana
ay sinuag hangar di namatay. Sulong
tayo't patti ma hayop tumutulon sa atm"
PROSPERITY'S HIGH TIDE.