The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-26

of the new continent we're TO knock at the
harbors of old Europe, beginning with the
oldest Of her nations; but the turn Of the
others was sure to come, and then it world
be too late for the latter to repent Of hav-
ing abandoned US in the hour Of nee l"
How near the Spanish squadron came to
being discovered before it reached Santiago
is told as follows:
During the night Of May IS, of Jamaica,
we crossed two trans Atlantic steamers
which left us in doubt as to whether they
were auxiliary cruisers or not. But soon
one of these vessels passed within sight CT
us. making signals with the Morse alpha
bet and with searchlight in operation.
But she did not discover US, as we were
proceeding without lights. with the excep-
ton Of small screened lamp at the stern,
of such feeble light that 1t could not be
discerned beyond a distance Of three cables,
which was the distance maintained between
our ships"
The following incident. after the arrival
of the fleet at Santiago is related
Notwithstanding all this there was a
great deal Of foolish talk. and as this might
seem exaggerated We will relate that at a
banquet given in honor Of the squadron
while the officers of the army and navy
were continually talking of duty, which
ought to have opened the eyes of even the
most blind. Che Archbishop himself pro-
posed toast to our assault upon the Cap
itOl of Washington. This toast was re-
ceived with feverish enthusiasm by some
and with profound sorrow By US. who
knew that our fate was already decided
and that We were irredeemably lost
But this did not prevent the Spanish
themselves from taking advantage Of the
occasion. as was shown during the latter
half Of June. when. in order to do honor TO
Admiral Cervera who had NOT eaten bread
for two weeks. | bought for him from
Spaniard a small barrel. containing fifty
pounds Of flour. and had to pay for it Si2
in gold. And while this is not considered
anything in particular. and the same thing
happens everywhere what is unpardonan.s
is the fact that while clutching their
money they still pretended to be ardent
patriots
Concas says the Americans have never
given the Cubaus credit for the assistance
they rendered at the blockade Of Sand-
ago. and that without the Cuban aid the
Americans would have been forced to with
draw from Santiago He says thar the
Nerrimac was sunk too far inside the har-
Dor TO blockade the channel. but later in
the article admits that the wreck OF the
Merrimac hampcred the movements Of tn
ships in leaving the harbOr. and II ir had
not been there the Shlps "puiH nave S."'N
a better chance Of escaping
He says the plan Of battle was for the
Teresa to engage the Brooklyn and sacri-
fee that vessel that he others might es-
cape. but the plan was spoiled. He gives
the Iowa the credit for DESTROYING the
Teresa. He speaks OF the death-dealing
projectiles and the heroism Of the Spanish
officers as follows:
And how terrible were the wounds
We still remember with horror the fright
full havoc caused by the large fras ments
of the modern shells A boatswain Of the
Maria Teresa had fourteen wounds; no one
struck by American projecJiles had less
than two. and of such size and capricious
frightfulness that not even the most hard
ened could view without pity
"Zaragoza. with gaping wounds, asked