Sribnne TWO CENTS. TE7 -cS. SCRANTON. PA., THURSDAY MORNING. MAY 19, 1898. TEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. a ... THE BATTLESHIP Welcome Information Given Out by the Secretary of the Navy Big War Vessel, Which Left San Francisco on March 19, Has Passed the Windward Islands May Join Sampson. Washington, Stay IS. Secretary Long pave out tho welcome Information to day that tho battleship Oregon, the uetond largest craft In the American nnvy, hud successfully completed her long trip from San Francisco, making the entire circuit of South America and wat now safe. Whether or not she h is jolmid Admiral Sampson's lleet, the secrutary would not say. The rigid secrecy ot the navy department was lelaxcd only enough to make known the best news the navy department had received sinco the battlo of Manila, aa it meant not only that tho Oregon was out of harm's way from a concerted attack on this one ship by the whole Spanish squadron now In southern w at ers, but also that her great fighting strength would "be added to Admiral Samrson's force In the near future, If Indeed It had not already augmented the admiral's strength. The Oregon left San Fiandsco on March 19, before the war had opened, nnd at that time it was not admitted that she was to Join the ships in At lantlo waters. She stopped at Callao for despatches and then went around tho horn and then up tho cast coast of South America, In all the trip cov ered more than 13,000 miles; The last stretch from Bahta to the Windward Islands has been followed with anxiety by naval officials, for by a strange co incidence, tho formldablo Spanish squadron of aimored cruisers nnd tor pedo boats approached tho Windward islands at the very time when the Ore gon was due there. It had been hus pected that the Spanish admiral would try to Intercept the battleship with his superior force and before leavins Ila hia, Captain Clark, ot the Orepon, was w arned to keep a close lookout for the Spanish fleet. CAPTAIN CLARK'S CONFIDENCE. In reply Captain Clark expressed his confidence In Wing able to hold his own single handed with the Oregon against nil the Spanish cruisers. The only ap prehension he felt was as to the tor pedo boats under the Spanish admiral's command, for these are a new and practically unknown element against tho modern battleship and Captain ' Clark, while confident of holding out ajjalnst these, also, said a chance blow might be struck bv them. Notwith standing Captain Clark's assurances, the navy department continued to feel that a meeting between the Spanish squadron and tho American battleship on such unequal terms was far from desirable and might bring most serious results. Tor this reason the official in formation reaching the authorities to day was a source of most hearty con gratulation. Where the leport came from was not made knowr, but the more fact that Secretary Long regards the Oregon as safe makes it evident that she has parsed well to the northward of the Windward Islands. Aside from this bit of Information. Secretary Long said at the close of of fice hours that there was no further news to be given out. During the duy, the bureau of navigation Issued a bul letin summarizing Commander Mc Culla's oincial report of the recent en gagement at Clenfuegos and adding some minor featuies on the prospec tive exchange of prisoners, etc. The bulletins are not moving of important news value, although they aro prac tically all that comes ftom the navy department with its omrlal approval Late in the day Secrctaiy Long Joined the war board, which had been in ses sion for some hours to participate in the discussion of their plans, which are believed to have been materially modified by the news jecelved from the Oregon. VOYAGE Or THE CHARLESTON. Tho cruiser Charleston, which start ed today on her long Journey to meet Admiral Dewey at Manila should nr rlve there In about tvventv-four das, allowing a couple of das at Honolulu for coal. Admiral Dewey's cablegrams show that ho is able to maintain the BTound he has gained until reinforce ments arrived in the usual course so that tho Charleston will get there Is time to servo his purpose. The stock of ammunition which the Charleston carries Is believed to be tho great es sential Just now, the fierce engagement at Cavlte having consumed a largo part of the admiral's ammunition, bhot nnd shell. There was a good deal of talk at tho war department today of the possibil ity of an Issue by tho president of nn other call for volunteers, but careful lauulry tends to warrant the state OREGO ment that this is at least premature and that no fuithcr call is likely to Issue until the aggregate number of soldiers already called for havo re sponded, and have been duly equipped for service. This last matter, tho equipment of tho now troops, Is the main source of delay and promises to become even worse In the futute. FRENCH DON'T SALUTE OUR FLAG The Frigate Dn iloimliuu Loaves IlnTfinn With Kcfugnes. Key West, Fla., May IS. The French frigate Du Hourdleu, which entered Havana harbor a week ago, after an unpleasant Incident, which necessitat ed the firing of two shots across her bows befoio the Frenchman would show his flag, passed out yesteulny afternoon, about 4 o'clock, with refu gees, and headed northwest. The Du Dourdleti is a long school ship, carrying 6-inch and G-lnch guns and 1-poundets, besides two torpedo tubes. The Mayflower ran close en ough to the frigate to establish the Frenchman's identity and then stood off. Our flag was not saluted. TURPIE'S SPEECH. Points Oat tho Way to liaise Mar Funds Without n Bond Issno. I'entnrfl ol Senate Procaedine. Washington May 18. The feature of today's session of the senate was the speech of Mr. Turple (Dem., Ind.,) upon the war jevenue measure. He strong ly contended that a bond Issue was unnecessary: that all the funds re quired for the prosecuting of tho war tould be raised through the piopobod Inheritance tax, by the tax on corpor ations, by the coinage of the silver seigniorage and by the issue of legal tender notes. These four means of ob taining money would jleld to the gov ei nment during tho next year, he maintained, fully $300,000,000, an amount in excess of the estimated sum necessary for the conduct of the war. The speech was characteristically beautiful in diction and close and forceful In reasoning. Senators on both sides of tho chamber gave It un divided attention. Considerable progress was made in the reading of the bill, which Included, naturally, the consideration of the amendments proposed by the commit tee Thiough the influence of Mr. Gor man (Dem , Md) the Imprisonment penalty was stilcken out of bomo of the sections i elating to violations of the stamp tax. After a.n extended debate, part of which occurred In secret legislative session, the conference report on the bill suspending ceitaln paits of tho existing law l elating to the put chase of supplies by the war department was adopted The bill permitting olflcers of the regular army to accept staff appointments In the volunteer army without losing their rank or place in the regular service was passed. HEALTH BOARDS MEET. Sessions Oprned at the IWllleriVlllf! Normnl trhnnl. Lancaster, May 18 The fifth annual meeting of the Associated Health au thorities of Pennsylvania opened at the Mlllersville State Normal school Gov ernor Hastings, who was expected to take part In the proceedings, could not be present Vice-President Crosbv Gray, of Pitts burg, acted as chairman Piofessor E. O. Lyte welcomed the delegates Pro fessor R C Shledt, of Lancaster, de lives ed an addiess on "Tho Rational Training of Childten a Pioblem In Pedagogical Psychology" and Miss Dora Keen one on "The Medical In spection of Schools " CADIZ FLEfiT TO SAIL. Vessels Will Learn lor .Manila This Hnnth. Gibraltar, May 18 The first-class battleship Pelayo, the armored cruisers Emperador Carlos V., Alfonso XIII., Vlttoria and Giratda, the auxlllaiy cruisers Rapldo, Alfonso XII., IJuenos Ay res and Antonio Lopez and tlnee torpedo boats, now at Cadiz, are ready for sea. They are expected to sail for the Philippines before the end of this month with 11,000 troops SUMMARY OF THE DAY'S DEVELOPMENTS. Gladstone dies. Cruiser Charleston sails from San Francisco for Manila. Battleship Alabama is launched at Cramp's ship yard. Major General Otis takes charge of the San Francisco expedition to Manila. Reports indicate that 95,000 volunteers have been mustered into the service. Government of Bolivia declares neutrality between Spain and the United States. Cadiz rescue squadron will leave the last of May with n, 000 Spanish soldiers for Manila. It is announced by Secretary Long that the Oregon is safe out of reach of the Spanish fleet. Order has been issued by the navy department forbidding the presence of Sylvester Scovell on board of any vessel of the United States. LAUNCHING OF THE ALABAMA Miss Mary Morgan Breaks tbe Tradl tional Bottle ot Wine. THE LAUNCHING ONE OF THE JHObT SUCCESSFUL EVER WITNESSED ONLY A rCW FFRSONS WIT NESSED THE CEUEMONT 'IHi: SinP WILL BE HEADY FOR CO.V1 MISSION WITHIN A YEAIl. Philadelphia, M.ij is The battleship Alabama was launched at Crimps' ship jard shortly before 1 o'clock this after noon Miss Mary K. Moigan, daughtei of '.Senator Morgan, of Alabama, had tho honor of breaking the tiadltlonal bottle of wine on tho prow of the big lighter, as it slid from the way. The fact that the launching of the ship was one of the most successful ever witnessed at Cramps Is legarded as an omen of good fortune. So eager was the Alabama to get into her na tive element that before the sawing of the "shoe" which holds the cradle in place had been completed the mon strous hull, tugging with a weight of thousunds of tons on the strips of oak. tore them apatt and the big mass of steel glided gracefully Into the water a few seconds ahead of schedule time Miss Morgan stood on a dlas built on the launching platform directly under tho bow of the Alabama. She was at tended by her father, Senator Morgan, and her sister. Miss Cornelia I. Morgan. As the ship began to tremble prepara tory to sliding off tho woll-gi eased ways, she took a firmer grasp on the gaily bedecked bottle of native Ala bama wine, which sli held in .herulght hand, and, swinging It about her head, smashed it against the nose of the ship, saying as she did so. "I crown thee with magnolias, brave ship, nnd christeu thee with a proud name, Ala bama." The bow of the boat was hung with great festoons of magnolias, gray moss and rot s gathered by ladies of the state of Alabama and hent heie for the occasion. Only a few hundred people witnessed the launching as against the tens of thousands usually gathered In the jnrd on such occasions. For some time past the jard has been dosed to all visit ors, and the rule was not relaxed to any extent today. Fear of Spanish treachery has made the government and the Cramps extremely cautious, as a single bomb exploded by a hostile visitor would do almost Incalculable damage. The "war-time launching" was for this reason almost a private afialr, After tho Alabama had come to a standstill in the Delaware, tugs towed her back to her dock and woikmen swarmed over her, beginning at once the woil. of prepirlng her for service. If the armor contracted for now Is de ll veied promptly, tho ship will be readv for commission within a year. It is a cuiious coincidence that the jard number of tho Alabama, 290, is the same as the jard number of the old Alabamu, built for the Confeder acy in an English ship jard during the Rebellion. PARISIANS HISSED THE MAINE. Americans in u Preach Thontre Chnered and Ktonit tn Picht. Atlantic City, N J , May IS William Stimmel, of this cltj, who is travelling in France, wiites that when the bat tleship Maine was thrown on a canvas In a Paris theatre the audience hissed. The half-dozen Amei leans, himself In cluded, thereupon got up and cheered themselves hoarse for the (lac nnd America. The mannger called In tho police to prevent a pin, which was Im minent The Amei leans tefused to leave the theatre, telling tho mnnager that If there was going to bo any light ing they wanted to be in it. GENERAL OTIS IN COMMAND. Superintends Arrangement of the "itn rrnncisco l-xpeilitlnn. Snn Trancisco, May IS Major Gen eral Otis, who arrived from Denver lust night, today assumed eha g of tho oiganl7ation, outfitting and th9 sailing of the troops bound for Manila. A few alterations In the steim r City of Peking's arrangements which have been decided upon will eMay tho de parture of tho vessel until Saturdav next. When jeady for sea, the Peking SAFP jljlJL JL The will cairy four four pound Hotchklss rapid lire guns, two being placed In her bow nnd two In her stern. She Ui being prepared for 1,000 enlisted men, 72 army officers, 8 nnvy ofll era and 112 sailors. The latter, with their officers, aro to man the Spanish ships captur ed by Admiral Dewey. Work on the transports City of Sjd ney and Australia Is proceeding in a very lekmrly manner Ti e former ves sel Is being coaled and painted nnd a few carpenteis aro at work In her In tel ior, but that is all Unless a force of mechanics is put to work on her at once, the vessel will not bo ready to leave for a week oi more Th Austra lia is less In need of rpnitn and altera tion than the other vessel Theie are now nearlj- 4,000 men camped at Piealdo and nearly as manj moie will bo hero by the middle of nest week. The Second battalion of Oregon vol unteers under the command of Colonel Summer arrh eel here today from Port land. They are better equipped thin any of the soldiers that havo airlvcd heie from other states. CHARLESTON SAILS. The Cruiser I.enres Snn rrnncisco tor alnniln Cnrrriog Largo Sup plies of Powdornnd Projectiles. VaIIeJe. Cal , May 18. Tho ciuLr Chirlesti n got unelei way for Manila ho tly after 10 ('dock this morning Salutes wete fired at Mate Inland navy yard and tho einplojes of the jard and citizens of Vallejo who were as rembled along the shore vigorously cheered the deputing vessel. On the vessel ate a number of news i aper ecu respondents, among them Mr. E Langley Joiits who has been oider ed to Manila to teport movements of United States tioops for the Ae-oclutcd Pi es. The Chaileston was heavllj' loaded with ammunition for her own guts in addition to a large supply of powder and projectiles for Admiral Deweys fleet. No troops were can led m the Chulevton as she hae no loom fir moie than her own ciew of 10 men. i he ciulset was heavily loaded wi'h "?al, but will not have much left when the leaches Manila A TYPE OF SPANISH CRUELTY. Pather ol Helpless liildren Lenrrs 'I hem to Hlrme. New Yoik, May IS Nieolo Lunzaros, a Spaniaid.was arraigned In the Tombs couit todaj, on a charge of ciuelty to his own children. Alter Maglstiate Wentwnrth heal d tho ease he became veij indignant. "A tjpicul Spanish storj," he said. "Thej1 seem to be built on the lines th it make such Inhuman piaetlces possible" Tho two little sons of the prisoner weie brought to couit by Geirj' agents. They weie Vlncenzo, three yeais old, and Alfonso, live jears old They were baie-footed and almost without cloth ing The magistrate asked Lunzaros what he had to say "I was too poor to take cue of tho children," said ho, through an Interpreter "I knows that the cuised Jingoes would bo soft hearted enough to keep them from starving to death. If they were dead it would be better, anyway. I make but little, and I cannot have my pleas ute when I have to take caro of those children " "This Is the most heartless case with w hlch I have ever come in contact," bald Magistrate Wentworth "I take great pleasure In holding this man for tiial In Special sessions" The pris oner wns taken to tho Tombs In de fault of bail The children were given to the Gerrj' socletj , they weie prop erly clothed nnd fed. SENOR BOCK'S OPINION. Thn German Spaniard Thinks Hav ana lllnckiitte is it H n!e ol Time. Key West, Fla., May 18. Senor G. Hock, one wealthy Havana cigar mer chant, who Is waiting hero for per mission to go to Havana on tho Ger man steamer Polaiiu, denies the stories of tho suffering and starvation of the people In the large Cuban towns. He claims to have erver 0,100 men working on his tobacco plantations, and, in- cldentallj. raising food enough for themselves and a largo community be sides. Senor Hock says the farmers who are raising produce for thu Spaniards, are armed and protected by thu gov ernment, and he asserts that the present blockade cannot starve Ha vana or any other part of Cuba Into surrender In a hundred years. "The Island will be captured by tho United States," he said, "the foice against us is too great, but it will be many months yet. I am a Gorman. Yes, 1 am also a Spaniard, but I wish It were all over tomorrow. Twenty thousand American troops landed there cannot take the Island. It Is not like tho Philippines. The people of Cuba arc armed by the government, and they will fight. bCOVELL BARRED OUT. Th Too EnteiprlsinB Correspondent Not Allowed nu Ainerlonn Ships. Washington, May IS. The news bul letin Issued by the navy department todaj- contained the following items: An order has been issued bjf the de partment forbidding the presence of Sjlveeter Scot ell, a newspaper corres pondent, aboard vessels of the navj' or at ony naval station, on account of his conduct In stowing himself uwaj on board of the tug Uncas on tho recent visit of that vessel to Havana ho haz ing been refused permission to no ae a passe nger. Negotiations arc in ptogiess for the exchange of Thrall and Jones, news paper correspondents for Colonel Cer tijo and Military Sutgcon Julian, now prisoners of war in the United Stales. san juanIfugees I'liey Clvo an Account of the llom bnrtlinrnt -- Inhabitants Terror ized and Cniup in thn Countrv. (Cop light, 1ST5 1 tho Associated Pit) St. Thomas', Danish West Indies, May IS. Over thlrtj Porto RIcan lefu gees, mostlj' women, with veiy little monej-, ai rived here last night on boaid the Fiench steamet Rodilgue. It is repoited th it the governor gen eral of Porto Rieo has issued a proc lamation sajlng eight soldiers were killed and thiitj-four weie Injured as a result of the bombaidment of the forts at San Juan by a portion of Rear Admiral Sampson's fleet on May IS. He adds that two guns weie dismounted at Moiro castle, which, othenvlse, was little damaged In the town one shot. It is alleged, penetrated the palace and the corner of a powder house was carried away. No school children weie killed. The Spanish tninspoit Alfonso XIII. and the Spanish fi eight steamer Man uela were damaged by the Amei lean tiro. The Spaniards, as usunl, claim the vlctoiy, basing this assertion upon the fact that the American warships de parted under file. But, the refugees fcay, tho city of San Juan is still terrorized, its inhabitants being in hourly feai of the reappear ance of tho American fleet and a repe tition of tho bombardment. As herc tofoie, people aie camping In the coun try, out of lange of the Amei lean guns. The Spaniards claim thut Tieeman Halstcad, the newspaper eoi respond ent, who was sentenced to nine jears' imprisonment for photographing the fortifications of San Juan, was wound ed by a bhot which stiuck tho town Jail, but the tefugees bay he was prob ably bhot bj the Spaniards. Man) funerals have occurred recent ly at San Juan. ISO NEWS FROM THE FLEET. (Copj right. 1SDS, bv the Associated Press.) Cape Hajtlcn, liaytl, .Mas lb 'lhero Is no news here of the Spanish fleet anU nothing can bo HFcertalnecl in any wiy confirming tho report from Porto Plata. Snn Domingo that the Cape Verde squad. ron has airived at San Juan ete Porto Rico. Defici'iiCT SI til Passed. Washington, May 18 Iho house ad journed todav after u cession lasting only an hour and a half. An ineffectual efiort was mado to pass a bill prohibiting the publication of information concerning the strength of the countrj's fort ticatlons. Without u word of debate, the dctiilcncy pension bill was passed. m II is t li Setlli s nn Old flnim. Washington, May IS. The Hatlen gov ernment has given conspicuous evidence of its frlendlj feeling toward thn United States bj settling the long-pending claim of Bernard Carrpbell, ot lirookljn, for J 10,000, which this government has urged against Haiti. vigt'iitinn I'nrnishps Cnsh, Buenos Ajres, May 18 (via Galveston). It is announced here that the hpantarrls of Argentina havo telegraphod another million francs to Madrid, us a war sub scription, and trat tho collection ot money for tho same purpoio will bo con tinued It oil vl n Declares Neutrality. Washington, May 18 The state depart ment was notified today that the govern ment of Bolivia had declared neutrality between Spain and tho United States, making tho twentieth government that had taken that action. Reports Indlcnle 05,000 Volunteers Washington, May 13 Reports received at the adjutant general s ofUco up to 11 o'clock tonight Indicate that M,0W) volun teers had been mustered Into the service of tho United Stutes. Hint ttyslerious Hunt, Havana, Maj lb Nothing is known of ficially hero regarding tho reported blow ing up of a small naval bo it. having a crew of seventeen men, oft Cardenas -H- -H-t-f-f-f 4- -M- -M- --M- t-M-t- WEATHER FORECAST. Washington Muy IS. Forecast for Thursday. For eastern Penn sylvania, fair and wnrmer; south erly winds. For western Pennsyl vania, partly cloudy weather, pos- siDiy snowcrs near tne lanes; rrcsn southerly winds. "H-t-f BOMBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN FORTS The First D3 tailed Account of the Battle at the Capital of Porto Rico Is Brought by the Associated Press Des patch Boat, Dauntless Thrilling Story of the Engage ment by an Eye Witness. (Copj right, I'lS, bj tlie Associated Press ) On boaid the Associated Pi ess dis patch boat Dauntless, Key West, Fla , May IS Tho Dauntless, dispatch boat ot the Associated Pi ess, nnlved heto this morning and brought the fit st de tailed account of the bomburdment of San Juan de Potto Rieo, eapltnl of the Island of Poito Rico, by a poitlon of the lleet under the command of Reur Admiral Sampson on Maj 12 last. The American wai ships sustained only triv ial Injury and lost only one man killed After tho engagement the north end of Moiro Foit was In lulns, the Cabrns island fort was silenced and the Snn Carlos batterj was damaged. No shots were aimed at tho city nnd it Is not known whether any damage was done there. Spaniards at St. Thomas as set t that a school house was stiuck and that the mablet and his pupils were killed. Rut this is not thought Ukelj to bo true, as tho boinbnidment took place early in the morning and when the school children aie not like ly to have been In the building. The plans of the foitlflcations fur nished to the fleet were veiy mislead ing. It was known that tho Spanish foils hail recently been st lengthened with new guns, but other facts de veloped whivh showed mlscah illations were made by those who drew up the plans. Refugees at St. Thomas told the correspondent who touched there after the engagement that the Span laids thought the forts at San Juan de Porto Rico were stronger than the forts of Havana The United States fleet left Key West on Mnj :i to "Intercept and destroy" the Spanish fleet, which had left the Cape Verde Islands. This was tho onlj Information the United States Navy depattment and Admlial Sampson had on the subject. Our warships pioceeded slowlj' east waid, and on May S weie off Cape Hajtlen, lepubllc of Hay 11. Attempts were made there to obtain lnfoimatlon regarding the w hereabouts of Span iards, but no definite Information was obtained. Early in the morning of May 12 Rear Admlial Sampson's ships appioaehed San Juan de Poito Rico, the American consul at Cape Havtlen having In formed the admiral that he had heaid a report that thliteen Spanish war ships had been been heading for Porto Rico The city of San Juan de Forto Rico is situated In a long, narrow poe ket. A tongue of highland separates it finm the ocean The enttunce of tho har lioi is easily defended nnd the same can be said of the headlands of lofty Cabrns Island, which lies In the throat of the pabsage These headlands have been fortified by the Spanlaiils, but they did not prove In unj way dan gerous to our warships The town of San Juan de Porto Rieo Is on the ocean side of the bay, and In the rear of tho town rise high hills To teach the city ships must pass the Morro Castle for tifications and the battery of San Car los, situated on a piomontory at the east entrance of the harbor Resides, they must pass tho Cunuelo batteij, on Cabias Island. PI..AN OF ACTION. The attack on the forts was planned so that our warships could be In a position to meet the Spanish vessels should the latter emerge from the hat bor. The following is the ofllelal plan of action Issued to the Ameilcan fleet: "The squadron will paRS near Salinas Point and then steer about east, to pass Just outside the reefs off Cabras Island. The column Is to be formed as follows: "Tho Iowa (flagship), Indiana, New York, Amphltrlto and Terror. The De troit Is to go ahead of the Iowa, dis tant 1,000 j'ards The Wnmpatuck Is to keep on the Iowa's starboard bow, dis tant 600 yards The Detroit and Wum patuck to sound constantly after land Is closed and to immediately signal if ten fathoms or less Is obtained, show ing at night a red light over tho sterm and at davtlme a red Hag aft "The Montgomery to remain In tho rear of the column, stopping outside of the lire from Morro and on the look out for toipedo-boat destroyeis. If Tort Canuelo fires she is to silence it. The Porter will take station under cover of tho Iowa, on the port side. The Niagara to remain westward off Salinas Point "While approaching, a sharp lookout Is to be kept on tho coast between Salinns Point nnd Cabrns Island for torpedo-boat destroyers. When near Cabras Island, one-half mile to one mile, the Detiolt will rapidly cross the mouth of tho harbor and bo close under Moiro to the westward, screen ed from the tire of Morro's wistern battery. If tho old guns on tho north side of Morro are opened she Is to silence them. These two cruisers are to keep on the looWut, especially for Spanish torpedo-boat destroyers com ing out of the harbor. "The Porter, when the action begins, will ci-gss-tue harbor mouth behind the Iowa and get cloe under the cliff to the eastwnid of the Detiolt and tor pedo any Spanish ciulser trying to get out of tho lint bor; but shu Is not to attack ilestiojeis. ' "Tho Wunipatuck will tow one of her boats with Its mast shipped, lljlng a led ling, nnd having a boat's anchor on boaid tho tug so ananged thut she can htop the boat and anehoi at tho ame time She Is to am hut the boat In about ten fathoms, with Foit Canu elo and the western end of Cabias: Island In lange. 'Theie will be two objects for at tack Tho batteries upon Morro and tho men-of-wai. If it is clear that Spanish vessels aie lying in port lire Is to be opened upon them bo soon ns they aie discernible over Cabras Island, the motions of the flagship being fol lowed In tills reg.atd. If It should be come evident, however, that neutral men-of-war ate In the lino of lire a Hag of trine will piobablj be sent In be foio tho vessels aie opened, Tho Por ter Is to hold huself In readiness for tills service. cari: to nn takfn. "Care must be taken to avoid strik ing the hospitals em Cabias Island. If It becomes neeessaij- to silence the Mono batteries a portion of tho fire will be directed with tills object. Hut the prlncipil object Is to dcstioy the ships. "After passing the harbor mouth the Iowa will turn a little to starboaul toward the town and will then tuui out with a starboard helm and again pat.s to pent, and, after passing Cabras Island to the westwaid she will turn ugaln with a starboard helm and pass as at fli st. Should this pi m bo changeel anil It be decided to hold the bhlps In fiont of the entiance tho signal 'Stop' will be made at the proper time. 'The Indiana. Now- Yoik nnd tho monitors will follow the motions of tho flagship and remain In column. The com so, after Port Canuelo Is brought Into innge with tho west end of Cabia3 Islind, will bo east bj' south "Should nightfall come with the port In the enemy's hands and tho shlpa inside, the cruisers will take up posl elons just outside the harboi, tho Mont gomeij' to tho eastward nnd the De tioit to the westward, with their bat tel ies leadj nnd the men at tho guns. They will show no lights. 'Tho other ships, in succession, will sweep the entrance of the harbor and the channel loading Into tho anchorage with scan hllghts to keep the torpedo boat destroj'ers fmm coming out "Jn case the enemj should attempt to csrape fiom the port. Hie Is to be concentrated on the leading ship. Should the attempt be made at night, the senn hllghts In use nre to be tinned on hei bildge and conning towei, and aie to be held theie." The fleet assembled off San Juan de Porto Rico about 1 o'clock on Thuisdny last and picpated for battle, stilpplng the decks and getting the guns, ammu nition and appliances foi handling the wounded ready Rear Admiral Sampson had tians ferred his flag tn the Iowa and the attack on tiie foils began .it 3 11 and lasted thn o hours. Although It was known nt Sin Juan de Porto Rico that tho American lleet was near, the Spaniards apparently kept no lookout. Tho soldieis in the foitH and tho people In the town wero fast asleep when our wai ships ap proached. It was not jet broad da j light and the coast of the Island was veiled in unusual haze. A tangc of broken hills came almost down tn the ocean, and, further Inland making a shaip line against the skv ioo a tall range of mountains Ovoihead tho ski- was a deep blue, but ne-.tier tho horizon were great mabses of cotton-looking clouds. A ten-knot easteily breezo was blow ing and a long, heuvj swell gavo a graceful motion to tho sea. TRFMnNDOUS FIRn Iho plans of thu admiral wete thoiutighlj entiled out. Tho lleet steamed into tho hat bor nnd opened a tiemendous llro upon the foitlfiea t'ons. Tlnee times tho war.ships made the circuit outlined In the official plan. The foils withstood the flist round, but the Montgomery, fiom her station near Fort Canuelo, on Cabuw Island, wrought complete debtiuctlon. With glasses thu otllee rs of tho Montgomei v could see the occupants of tlio foit Jumping ovei the walls and i uniting aw a j. The Detroit, w hie It went nearest to tho Mono had to train her guns at i high angle Ilei hhots, directed at the north side of tho Mono, cut deep fur rows in tho fate of tho fuitlflcatlons The Iown, lending the fleet, dellveied her deadly inlbbles with great accmacy upon Mono's northern walls. The rebt of tho lleet Hied In oidor, Hist on Morro and then cm San Cail03. uccoul Ing to position. On the second lound tho Spanish gunners weie tlioioughly awakened and stood by their guns bravely, keep ing up a ftu iou but nlmliss lire. From their flinv foundation and high eleva tion they hail a spelndld oppoitunltv to cripple our lleet I but tho Spanish gunnel s seemed to Hie legal disss or aim, nnd an If onlj deslious of empty ing their niagalniH. Fiom tho Associated Pi ess despatch boat tho American shells could be ween to fall among tho foits and among tho tioops of the ganlson, raising clouds uf dust and causing tiles tn break out. It was hope-d the Spanish fleet would emeige fiom tho harbor s,. soon as tho firing began, and a feel ing of deep disappointment si i a tluougU the lleet when thu lookouts ic-i
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