PLACING THE MERRIMAC IN SAN\iAGO CHANNEL.
In sinking the Merrlmac in the channel of Santiago de Cuba the work required a
first-class naval officer who knew how to put a spring: on the cable and let the cur
rent or tide carry otit his wishes in regard to swinging his ship at a right angle to the
channel previous to sinking her. To put a line on a cable a line or chain is passed out
of an aft chock, or port, led forward and bent on the chain attached to the a/ichor
that is to be used. On letting go the anchor the cable is paid out forward and aft un
til enough cable has run out to hold the ship broadside to the tide. Then the cables
are made fast, and by paying out cable at either bow or stern, as may be required, the
ship will swing by the action of the tide to any desired ai.gle.
NO FUSION.
Populist National Committee Aprfes to
Kfjprt All Overtures Looking to Com
bines with Other I*artlen.
Omaha, Neb., June IS The confer
cnce of the populist national commit
tee yesterday adjourned sine die. 'J'he
final outcome was the practical rout
of the middle of the road crowd. There
will be no convention in 189!) to outline
the policy of the party. In 1900 there
will be an early convention to nomi
nate a national ticket, the same to be
held prior to the democratic conven
tion. No overture looking' to fusion
will emanate from the national com
mittee and none will be received and
entertained by it.
The national committee is required
to keep its hands off instate cam
paigns, or if its assistance be invited
it may interfere only on behalf of the
populist ticket and not to assist in
fusion. The effort to force Chairman
Hutler to resign proved futile and he
will continue to act until the next
national convention in 1900.
A QUINTUPLE LYNCHING
Alabama Kogulator* PunUli Five Dusky
Murderer*.
Montgomery, Ala., .Tune IS.—'l lie
men who murdered Mr. Cardcn, his
wife and an old man named Carlee,
near Wetumpka, were lynched yester
day. Thursday night Gov. Johnson
received a message from the sheriff
that a mob was assembling and he
asked for troops. The governor got
together about 90 militiamen and,sent
them to Wetumpka. Hefore they
reached there, however, the mob had
secured the prisoners—five in number
—and took them to the scene of the
murder. Four of the negroes con
fessed to having participated in the
crime and one of them told where he
had hid the money. He was compelled
to find it and in a few minutes all five
wore swung up and their bodies rid
dled with bullets.
Are Spoiling for a Fight.
London. June 18.—The Pall Mall Ga
zette publishes a dispatch from its
correspondent, now at Kingston, Ja
maica, who recently landed in üba
and was captured and subsequently re
leased by Spaniards, lie cables that
the defenses of Matanzas have been
greatly strengthened and that a bat
tery of six heavy guns has been com
pleted in the east harbor and a similar
battery on the opposite side is being
built. ' lie says the Spaniards ar*-
spoiling for a fight. They anticipate
that after defeating the American
fleet they will invade Florida, where
Gen. Moiina has promised his troops
to put the entire population to th<;
sword.
Keleaned from Jail to Knllst.
Atlanta, Ga.. June 18.—Judge New
man has modified the sentences of sev
eral moonshiners in jail here in order
that they may enlist in the army.
They will join the company of moon
shiners being organized here by Capt.
Yancy Carter, the noted revenue offi
cer. who says they are especially
adapted to guerrilla warfare.
Has Had a Revelation.
London, June 18—The Hong Kong
correspondent of the Mail says; Ihe
archbishop of Manila announces that
he has had a communication from
<jod, who has promised him that the
Yankee pig's will be driven out of the
island and that Spain will be trium
phant in the end.
Aftked to Defer Promotion.
Washington, June 18.—Representa
tive Pearson, (N. C.), who is an uncle
of young Uobson, on behalf of the
relatives and friends of the young
lieutenant has requested the president
to withhold his promotion until Hob
son's preferences can be ascertained.
liiMurgentK Attaek Manila froin the Sea.
London, June 18.—A special dispatch
from Madrid says that according to a
dispatch just received there from
Hong Kong, four warships carrying
the flag of the Philippine insurgents
have appeared in Manila bay and at
tacked the city from the sea, in com
bination with the insurgents on land.
A Fruitless Conference.
Pittsburg, June 18.—The conference
between the wage scale committee of
the blowers and gatherers and the
manufacturers of window glass ad
journed late last night after a two
days' session without having reached a
settlement.
CAMAIIA'S FLEET.
Departure from Cadiz Gives
New Hope to Dons.
IT IS EASTWARD BOUND.
I'assos Gibraltar and is Said to
be Going to Carthagena.
AN AIR CASTLE EXPLODES.
A Heml-Officlal Announcement Is Mude at
Madrid that the (ioverumeiit Doen Not
Count on the Support of Any Kuropeau
I'ower, Not Kven Oermany.
Madrid, June 18.—There is a feeling
of great optimism in official circles
here and in the eortes, owing to the
departure of Admiral Cumara's fleet.
It is said in Madrid that it consists
of over 20 ships, including auxiliary
cruisers, and it is added that it has
an enormous quantity of war material
on board, including a mysterious new
explosive, ft is also whispered that
the squadron when at sea was to be
divided and to proceed to different des
tinations.
Fresh contingents of troops are be
ing called to the colors and there is
great activity in the war and navy de
partments. Work on the fortifications
at the different ports of Spain is being
actively pushed, and it is asserted that
a third squadron of warships is to be
formed immediately to be composed of
the Cardenal Cisneros, Leparto, Al
fonso XIII. and other cruisers. Cadiz
is to be the rendezvous of this squad
ron.
It is the general opinion here that
a protracted war is ahead and it is
semi-otticially announced that the gov
ernment does not count upon the
support of any powers, and that even
Germany, in spite of her great inter
crts in the Philippines, will do noth
ing to favor Spain.
Washington, June 18.—The state de
partment has received the following
dispatch from its agent at Gibraltar:
"Carlos \\, Pelayo, Hapido, Patriota,
Audaz, Osada, Prosperina, Giralda,
Prelajo, Colon, with the minister of
marine on board: Alfonso Doce, Cana
donga, Antonio Lopez, lsla Panos,
Huenos Ay re's and San Francisco left
Cadiz Thursday. First 11 passed here
bound for Carfhagena for orders; last
three had troops on board." This is
Admiral Camara's Cadiz squadron and
appears to be in the Mediterranean,
bound for African shores.
The Cadiz fleet is being narrowly
watched, although the naval view is
not similar to that taken by army ofli
eers. The former do not attach as
much importance to this fleet as the
latter, and few of the officers can be
found to believe that the ships will
ever venture far from the Spanish
coast, much less attempt to cross the
Atlantic or goto the Philippines. The
list of vessels in this fleet is rather for
midable iii sound, but as a matter of
fact it includes not more than two
up-to-date modern war vessels, ex
cepting the torpedo gunboats, ft is
the opinion of the naval officers here
that if Dewey had the Monterey with
him he would have no difficulty in re
pulsing the whole Spanish force, while
the Cadiz fleet would only afford pas
time for Sampson's ships.
Department Needs an OverhanllriGT
Chicago, June 18.—A prominent rail
road official who returned from Tampa
yesterday said that the health of the
troops there was excellent. "The de
lavs attending the transportation of
troops from Tampa," he said, "were
caused by the lack of ability on the
part of army quartermasters, who
seemed to be utterly unable to proper
lv discharge their duties. Many car
loads of provisions for the troops were
not handled promptly and their con
tents spoiled and had to be thrown
into the sea. The military system of
the United States is defective in the
quartermaster's department."
CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1898.
FIRST BATTLE ON LAND.
Jpantard* Aietall Our Marines at tiauiiia
narno A Fiercely Contented SklrmUh
fullowi, the Fight Ilelng Waged for 13
Iloum -The Kitemy ltepuUed.
Port Antonio, Jamaica, June 13. —
l'he invasion of Cuba by the American
forces began Friday. Six hundred ma
rines pitched their tents about the
smoking ruins of the outer fortifica
tions of (iuantanamo and the stars
and stripes for the first time A*" l '
from a Spanish flagstaff' in i üba. '1 o
( apt. Clark and the battleship Oregon
belong the honor of accomplishing the
first successful landing of the war.
Forty marines from the battleship
went ashore and occupied the left en
trance of the bay until the troopship
Panther arrived with 600 marines.
These arrived at 3 o'clock and within
half an hour they had burned the
buildings of the Spanish camp and
set fire to the little village which
crouched on the beach under the hill
top of Ouantanamo.
The Marblehead, Vixen and Dolphin
opened fire on the earthworks. The
shores to the right of the entrance
were lined with guns and rifle J>ill-..
but the Spaniards stampeded after
firing a few shots. The city of Guan
tanamo lies four miles up the bay
and a little Spanish gunboat came
down to help the shore batteries, llut
she stayed just long enough to turn
around. Numerous shots were fired
by the Spaniards, but not one landed
and no Americans were injured. The
main fort lies within the city limits
and is still to be reduced, but it is
not in a difficult position and the
American officers say it can be taken
in 15 minutes when desired.
In controlling the harbor of Ouan
tanamo Rear Admiral Sampson se
cures possession of tin* ( üban termi
nus of the French cable to Ilayti. The
apparatus in the office at the harbor
mouth was wrecked by a shell, but tile
cable steamer Adrin has instruments
and operators aboai 1 and direct com
munication with Washington will soon
be established
Ouantanamo, Cuba, via Kingston,
Jamaica. June 14.—The Spaniards on
Saturday night attacked the camp of
the first battalion of marines under
Lieut. Col. Huntington and were re
pulsed with heavy loss. Four Ameri
cans were killed, namely. Surgeon J.
H. Oibbs, of New York City; Sergeant
Smith, of Co. D; Private MeCalligan,
of Co. D, and Private Kunnrishy, of
Co. D. The wounded were Private Mc-
Oowan. of Co. 1). hand shattered, and
the pilot on the cruiser Marbleheiul,
shot through the leg. The tiring be
gan after midnight and lasted until
daybreak. At times there was a heavy
fusillade on both sides. Lieuts. Ne
ville and Shaw, of Co. I), with 30 men
were on picket duty all night and
were attacked by a heavy force of
Spaniards. All the men killed were
in this detachment except Dr. Oibbs,
who was shot while in camp. The
pickets held the Spaniards off Until
released Sunday morning.
Reinforcements were landed from
the Texas and Marblehead in the
morning. They consisted of 60 men
and two rapid-fire guns. The men are
suffering greatly from heat and
thirst, but they are all behaving
splendidly in and out of fire.
After MeCalligan and Dunnrlshy
were killed their heads were shocking
ly mutilated with matchetes. Late in
the morning the Spaniards opened
fire from two guns on the west side
of the harbor. The shots fle\V wild.
The Texas. Yankee and torpedo beat
Porter, which were lying in the har
bor, opened fire and in a short time
silenced the Spanish guns. The lat
ter fired only once after the ships
opened on them. There were no cas
ualties on the American side.
SAILED AWAY FOR MANILA.
rhe Second (expedition to tlie Philippine*
LeuvrH San FrancUro Watt (jlven an
FnthuHluHtle Farewell.
San Francisco, June 16.—Anchor
was weighed by the second Philippine
expedition at 1 o'clock Wednesday
ifternoon. As the sun was setting the
last transport passed out of the Gold
en Oate and, led by the flagship China;
the fleet stood away toward Honolulu
At that port the vessels will recoai
Hie expedition carries 3,500 men, ditf
tribnted among f.»ir vessels, as fol
lows: Assigned to the China, Oen
"reene's flagship, the largest and fast*
est vessel of the fleet, were the First
regiment of Colorado volunteer in
fantry, 1,022 men; half a battalion of
the Eighteenth infantry, 150 men, ind
a detachment of engineers, 20 men.
The Colon took four companies of the
Twenty-third infantry and two com
panies of the Eighteenth infantry,
both of the regular army, and Kalt?ry
A of the I'tah artillery.
On the Zealaudia were the Tenth
Pennsylvania volunteers and part of
Battery I! of the Utah volunteer at*
tillery! Two Maxim rapid-fire guns
were placed ready for action in the
bow of Hie vessel. In all them were
640 privates and 60 officers on board.
On the Senator is the First regiment
of Nebraska volunteers, numbering
1.023 men and officers.
Thousands of p<;ople assembled
along the docks to witness the depar
ture of the fleet and when the signals
ordering the vessels to get under way
were observed a mighty cheer went
up. Vessels in the harbor blew long
blasts from their sirens anil every fac
tory and mill in the manufacturing
district saluted the vessels with blasts
from their whistles.
Bombs were exploded and cannons
were fired as the four vessels passed
down the bay. The water front was
black with people and the waving of
flags and handkerchiefs presented a
beautiful sight. The guard rails of
the transports were hidden beneath
struggling soldiers trying to get a
last glimpse of the city. The men
cheered themselves hoarse.
Arrangements are now being made
for the sailing of the third expedit'o-.i.
ft is believed tlie fleet will be ready
by June 25.
lletter New* from Yellow *l»ek*B l uml.
Washington, June 14.—Surgeon
fieneral Wyman last night received
cheering news from the district in
Mississippi infected with yellow fever.
.No new cases have developed. The
existing eases are isolated and the en
tire place is subjected to the most
rigid quarantine. Train inspection
service has been established between
New Orleans and Mobile, and along
the line of the Oulf Ports and Shij:
Island railroad. A detention camp was
opened Monday and no persons will b(
permitted t.o leave the infected dia
| triot without beiDg disinfected.
A COMPLETE ROUT
3panish Guerille v3amp Captured
by Marines and Cubans.
A Desperate Kngagement Near (iaunta
namo Keaultrt in Victory for the Kn
emieM of Spain--One If undred and
Forty Itnnhw hacker* Killed
and Many Wounded.
New York, June 10.—The following
is a Journal special from Camp Mc
t'alla, Ouantanamo harbor: Scouting
arties of marines returned here Tues
day night, with 18 Spanish prisoners,
one of them an officer. The party
also captured 100 Mauser rifles and
1,000 rounds of ammunition. They re
port having had a series of engage
ments with Spaniards, in which 100
Spanish soldiers were killed and
wounded. They also destroyed a
Spanish blockhouse and telegraph
station.
United States Camp, Fast Side of
Entrance to Ouantanamo Hay, via
Kingston. Jamaica, June 16. —The
United States marines under Lieut.
Col. Huntington ou Tuesday made
their first aggressive movement
against the Spanish guerillas and
completely routed the enemy.
The force of marines was undc.r
C'apt. Elliott and the co-operating ( ü
bans were under Col. Laborda. The
combined forces razed a Spanish camp
about five miles from the American
position, destroyed the only well in
the vicinity and killed about 40 Span
iards. One American marine was
slightly wounded. Two Cubans were
killed and four wounded.
It is impossible to estimate the num
ber of Spaniards engaged, owing to
their guerilla methods of fighting,
but it is believed there were at least
400.
The captured camp lies about five
miles southeast of the rifle pits of the
marines and was an important base
for the enemy, as it contained the
only well within six or seven miles.
Lieut. Col. Huntington decided on the
attack early in the day and at about
s o'clock the force started across the
mountain. The march up and down
the steep hillsides Under the glaring
tropical sun was a severe test of en
durance for the marines and before
the battleground was reached 22 men
had received medical attention. All
were able, however, to reach the po
sition before the fighting ceased.
The marines were compelled to
march in single file, following the
mountain trail. Meanwhile the Cu
bans darted backward and forward,
to right and left, on the scout. It was
noon when from a hill top the Ameri
cans caught sight of tlie Spanish
camp lying on a ridge below them.
It consisted of one large house, the
officers' quarters, surrounded by nu
merous "shacks" and huts, all clus
tering about the precious well.
The Americans began a cautious ad
vance and were within 200 yards of
the enemy before the crack of a riiie
from the Spanish lines announced
that the Spaniards had discovered
them.
The troops quickly moved into line
of battle, with the Cubans on the left
flank. The enemy's brtllets were
whirling viciously over the Americans,
but the marines settled down to the r
work as unconcernedly as though at
target practice.
Very few Spaniards were in sight.
They were lying behind the huts and
in the brush, but puffs of smoke re
vealed their positions and enabled the
Americans to do effective work. Kor
20 minutes both sides maintained a
terrific fire. The Spanish shots were
generally wild, while the Americans
coolly fired away, aiming carefully
and shooting to kill. For the most
part the Americans' firing was done
individually, but at times the officers
would direct firing by squads, always
with telling effect.
It was beginning to look as though
a bayonet charge down the slope
would be necessary to dislodge tlie
enemv, when suddenly the latter be
gan to break for a thicket 100 yards
further on. Little groups could be
seen fleeing from the camp, darting
through the brush and zig-zagging to
escape the bullets. It was then the
American fire became most, deadly.
The easy victory put the command
in high spirits. The little black Cu
ban warriors waved their machetes
and howled curses at the Spanish in
savage fashion. Their firing had been
wild, but they displayed the utmost
contempt for the Spanish bullets, ap
parently being absolutely without
fear. As the enemy began breaking
from the camp, the Dolphin, which
lav out at sea, was signalled and be
gan pitching shells toward the thicket
for which the Spaniards were making.
As the Spanish retreated the Ameri
cans moved slowly forward, firing as
they went, and by the time the camp
was reached the' enemy had all got
away, taking their wounded and
probably many of their dead. Fifteen
bodies were found scattered through
the brush, but the Americans were
unable to examine the upot where
their firing had been most deadly. No
time was lost in burning the build
ings and filling the well with earth
and stones. The Dolphin landed
water and ammunition, as an attack
was expected on the return march, but
none, was made. Evidently the Span
iards were too thoroughly beaten to
attempt further fighting.
Off Santiago de Cuba, on Monday
night, the dynamite guns of the Ves
uvius were tested with great success.
Three shots were fired at the Spanish
fortifications and it is believed great
damage was done.
On Tuesday the New Orleans shelled
and partially destroyed the new em
placements east of Morro castle. The
Spaniards fired soiiie shots at the Ves
uvius and one at the New Orleans,
which was struck.
c;«Tin ny Will Not Meddle.
Washington, June 16. —The state de
partment has been officially advised
that reports that Oermany would
make an issue in the Philippines are
unwarranted. German ships will be
on hand at Manila to afford protection
to German subjects and property, but
Germany has not thought of interven
tion.
Five Victim* of a ( loul burnt.
Kansas City, June 16.—A cloudburst
last night in the vicinity of Chelsea
Park, a suburban pleasure resort three
miles southwest of here, is believed
Ito have caused the death of at least j
five persons.
MILLIONS FOR FARMERS.
Wonderful lnrrea*e In Kipnrt) of Food
Product* During the tiix-dl Year Almost
Knded.
Washington, .Tune 13. —The farmers
of the United States are drawing upon
other parts of the world for more
money in the fiscal year which ends
with this month than in any preced
ing year in the history of the country.
Kven the high water mark of 1892,
when our exports of agricultural
products amounted to $7011,328,2.'!-,
will be surpassed by the record of the
year which closes with this month.
The preliminary reports of May ex
portation* which have reached the
bureau of statistics make it apparent
that the agricultural exports of the
year will lie considerably in excess of
$800,000,000, the total for the year be
ing likely to reach $835,000,000. Never
before have the exports of agricul
tural products reached the $800,000,000
line, and never but twice have they
been as much as $700,000,000, the two
occasions in which they passed tho
$700,000,000 line being in 1881 and 1892.
Compared with the last tiscal jear
the increase in exports of agricul
tural products will be fully $150,000,-
000, and compared with the preceding
year the increase will be over $250,-
000,000, while the total will be fully
50 per cent, in excess of that of the
fiscal year 1881. In breadstuff's alone
the exports of the year will amount
to nearly $1,000,000 for each business
day and will be more than $100,000,-
000 in excess of last year's exports of
breadstuff's. Nearly all articles classed
as breadstuff's have participated in
this increase. Of wheat the value of
the exports for the fiscal year 18!)S will
lie more than double those of the tis
cal year 1897, while the increase in
flour will be nearly 50 jwr cent, and of
corn nearly 50 per cent, in value.
May exports of corn were larger
than those of any other month in the
history of the country, while the total
exports of corn for the year for the
first time will pass the 200,000,000
bushel line. Oats, oatmeal and rye
show a striking increase, the gain in
oatmeal being more than 00 per cent,
over last year and that of oats 100 per
cent., while in rye the gain is also
phenomenally large. In "provisions,"
in which term are included beef, hogs
and dairy products, there is also a
marked increase, the total exports of
provisions for the year being likely to
reach $160,000,000." Most of this in
crease is in hog products.
Kxports of bacon, which were $34,-
187,477 in value last year, are likely to
reach $44,000,000. Lard shows a sim
ilar increase, being likely to reach
$37,000,000 this year, a gain of nearly
$8,000,000. Live beef seems to be gain
ing in popularity with our foreign
customers, tlie exports of beef cattle
having increased materially, while
those of beef, either fresh, canned or
salted, have failed to show any in
crease, in most cases a decided fall
ing off' being noticeable.
LEITER'SJWATERLOO.
The Napoleon of the Wheat Pit Come* to
tjrlef at I.aat—A HI if Slump In the Mar
ket.
Chicago, .Tune 14. —Monday was a
day of excitement and wild rumors
in the Chicago wheat pit. A reverse
that looks like a Waterloo has come to
the "Young Napoleon of finance,"
Joseph Leiter. At first there was a
wild tumble of prices on the board,
.July wheat selling 11 cents from Sat
urday's close, while September lost
4% cents and December 3% cents, but
all made a little recovery before the
close.
During the day from 8,000,000 to
10,000,000 bushels of Leiter wheat
were sold to the account of the
"Young Napoleon.'
Chicago, June 15. —I'. I). Armour
yesterday bought all of Joseph Inci
ter's cash wheat in the northwest,
amounting to 4,0(H),000 or 5,000,001)
bushels. Semi-autlioritative informa
tion is also obtained that Armour will
take up all of Leiter's wheat.
There is a fair prospect that Leiter's
creditors will lose nothing and that
the wheat will bring in sufficient with
recovering markets to pay all claims.
No reliable estimate can be placed
upon Joseph Leiter's losses. It is not
generally thought, however, that they
will exceed $1,000,000.
Chicago, June 10. —Arrangements for
the closing of the Leiter deal have
been completed. Final papers were
yesterday placed before Joseph Leiter
and 7,000,000 bushels of choice cash
wheat were consigned to I'. D. Ar
mour, who will henceforth control all
the Leiter holdings. Leiter will not
lose as much as was generally be
lieved. Armour's assumption of the
burden is said to have meant at least
$2,000,000 for Leiter. That much loss
would lie incurred if the immense line
of wheat liad to be merchandised oy
trustees.
SUSPECTED SPIES.
Two Spaniard* are Arrcnted on Shipboard
hy a Squad of Marines —lncriminating
PaperM Found.
New York, June 13. —Kdouardo
Montiei. a Spaniard 40 years of age,
and an unknown man of the same na
tionality were taken off' a trans-Atlan
tic steamship Saturday night on sus
picion of being Spanish spies. As the
steamship Tartar Prince was about to
sail from her dock in Hrooklyn for
Mediterranean ports a detachment of
marines boarded her with instruc
tions to arrest two Spaniards who
were alleged to have in their posses
sion maps, charts, plans and specifica
tions of coast defenses.
The marines were given permission
to search the steamship between
Hrooklyn and Sandy Hook. In the
siek bay they found Montiei, who was
accompanied by his wife and child.
The other man arrested was found in
another part of the ship. It is said
by detectives who were with the ma
rines that papers were found in the
baggage of the two men which con
vict them.
Arn Siiffartnff from Famine.
With the Fleet off Santiago, June
14. —The insurgents say that they
watched the bombardment on June fl
from the hills at the rear of Santiago
and that 300 Spaniards were killed
and several hundred wounded. Ter
rible execution was wrought by the
12-inch shells of the Texas. If their
statement can be relied on, the Span
ish garrison at Santiago is on half
rations and the town itself is even
much worse off, the military authori
ties refusing to sell citizens provisions
at any price. The insurgents predict
that a famine will cause the speedj
capitnlation of Santiago.
PROUD OF THEE
Gen. Miles Praises the Vol
unteer Soldiers.
FULL OF ENTHUSIASM.
Ho Tells of Scenes at Tampa
When Shatter's Men Left.
EXPECTS AID FROM GARCIA.
The Cuban (ienrrnl lla* Promlaed to A»«
»lwt In Kvery Manner the Lami-
In>f of Our Soldier* at Santiago and to
Intercept Spanish Keliiforceiuents.
Washington, June 18.—Major (Jen.
Miles arrived in Washington yesterday
after having directed the departure
of the first army of invasion to Cuba,
lie conferred with Secretary Alger be
fore the cabinet meeting and then
hail a long talk with (Jen. Luddington,
quartermaster general, on the condi
tion of quartermaster's supplies. lie
came in response to a summons from
the secretary of war,, who desires to
go over certain phases of the campaign
with lii tn.
Gen. Miles said: "Having spent
some time with the troops during a.
trying period of hurried preparations,
1 am glad to say that they are it
splendid body of men. which the coun
try may well be proud of. As to the
regulars, they are the finest corps in
the world. Of course the volunteer
tinny is not so well equipped. Some of
the states sent men into the field ill
very good condition, notably Massa
chusetts and New York. Others sent
their quotas without arms, equipment,
or clothing."
Gen Miles'attention was directed to
the reports coining from Tampa of
Ifreat confusion and delay in prepar
ing the expedition and getting it off
for Cuba. "Yes," he said, "there were
causes contributing to this delay. In
the first place the post office service
it these points of army concentration
is very deficient.
"That lias been one of the troubles
at Tampa and other places, and as a
result the official communications to
!ind from the war department, on
which depend the regularity of mov
ing many kinds of stores, have been
seriously delayed. Then in gathering
the munitions of war for an army it
was necessary to have the service of
:i great number of trains loaded with
stores, crowding the railroad lines far
beyond their usual capacity. However,
ill this is getting straightened out
now and already most of it has been
overcome. The troops tit Tampa are
in very good health.
"The spirit of the men is of the best,
id this was shown when the trans
ports started for Cuba last Tuesday.
They were all anxious togo and there
were wild scenes of enthusiasm as the
men marched aboard and flit* ship* got
under way.
"Lieut. Howan and Lieut. Wilco* in
making their journey to eastern Cuba
mid to Porto Kico gave splendid ilti
trations of the courage of the Ameri
can soldier. Three expeditions which
carried arms to the Cubans have de
veloped the finest kind of courage,
('apt. Connell and Lieut. Crawford,
who participated in these expeditions,
were with the Cubans during a sharp
engagement with the enemy, (apt.
Dorst's expeditions have been of great
service, his last otic in particular
bringing important results.
"l)orst landed a steamer's load of
supplies for the Cuban army, including
7,500 rifles, over a million cartridges
and a great quantity of stores. A thou
sand Cubans came to him while there.
The special importance of this trip,
however, was in opening up direct
communication between Gen. Garcia,
and mvself."
Gen. Miles was asked for the com
munications between liitn and Garcia
and he gave their general purport.
"In my communication to him I asked
him tii move as large a force as possi
ble to the vicinity of the harbor of
Santiago and co-operate with our
army on their arrival, lie was to drive
in and harrass any Spanish troops
near Santiago, threatening and at
tacking them at till points, and pre
venting any reinforcements from
reaching that point. Pending the ar
rival of our troops lie was to seize any
positions east or west of Santiago
which could be used to advantage by
our artillery. He replied that he would
regard niv wishes as orders ami would
immediately adopt measures to con
centrate his forces as indicated."
Keftntc!! to Kxohanffe I'rlaonerM.
Havana, June IS.—The Spanish gov
ernment hn« not authorized the ex
change of the prisoners of the Merri
mac. The gunboat Yatiez I'inzon ex
changed communications on Thursday
with an American warship, under a
flag of truce, and the commander of
the latter was informed that Blanco
has no authority to exchange Naval
Constructor llobson and his compan
ions for Spaniards now held prisoner*
in the United St;. Vs.
Apportionment l;iuler Second Call.
Washington. June 18.—Adjt. Gen.
C'orbin last night made public the
number of additional regiments re
quired from each state on the second
call of the president for volunteers.
The new organizations will be appor
tioned as follows: Michigan one regi
ment infantry; New York, three regi
ments of infantry and three light
batteries: Ohio, one regiment and nine
companies of infantry: Pennsylvania,
18 companies of infantry.
City Marfthal Kilted by the Mayor.
Hrunswick, Mo., June 18.— J. IT.
lleisel, mayor of Hrunswick, shot and
killed City Marshal Richard Ash by in
a saloon tight last evening. Mayor
lleisel was shot twice In the marshal,
one shot penetrating his abdomen and
the other passing through his lungs,
lie will probably die.
Will DrclHrr Independence.
Manila, via Hong Kong, .I tine IS—
Aguinaldo. the insurgent leader, has
issued a proclamation calling upon the
natives to assemble at Cavite on June
22 and inviting the Americans to be
present at the ceremony of a declara
tion of independence.
3