Divider Ship In our last number we mentioned in the "Latest News" the sinking of the Merrimac at the entrance of the harbor of Santiago; since then a number of accounts have come, which we are sure you will be interested to hear. The brave fellows who were with Lieutenant Hobson were Daniel Montague, George Charette, Osborn Diegnan, George F. Phillips, Francis Kelly, J. C. Murphy, and Randolph Clausen. Before submitting his plans to Admiral Sampson, Lieutenant Hobson had worked them out to the smallest detail. Shortly before starting he told his plans to one of his companions. He said: "I am quite sure that we can reach to within three or four hundred yards past Estrella battery behind Morro Castle. I do not think that they can sink me before I can get there. When I reach this, the narrowest part of the channel, I shall swing the vessel around, stop the engines, open the sea valves, touch off the torpedoes, and leave the vessel lying across the channel, which is not as broad as the Merrimac is long. ENTRANCE TO SANTIAGO HARBOR. Admiral Cervera sent a boat out with the news that the men had been captured, and to make arrangements for their exchange. Lieutenant Hobson's exploit has received universal praise from all parts of the world; he will unquestionably be promoted and receive special distinction from the Government. One of the young officers on the New York, Cadet Powell, also displayed great bravery. He was detailed to command the New York's steam launch, which accompanied the Merrimac to pick up Hobson and his men if they succeeded in escaping from the harbor; he was the last man to see them. Speaking of the start, he said: "Hobson was as cool as a cucumber; when I shook hands with him, he said: 'Powell, watch the boat's crew when we pull out of the harbor. We will be cracks, rowing thirty strokes to the minute.' We followed about three-quarters of a mile astern of the Merrimac. When about two hundred yards from the harbor the first gun was fired from the eastern bluff; we were then about a half mile from shore. The firing increased very rapidly, and we lost sight of the Merrimac in the smoke which the wind carried off shore. The western battery finally was used and began firing. They shot wildly, and Spanish accounts of the blowing up of the Merrimac are exceedingly amusing. The official announcement is made that an American vessel, trying to enter the harbor of Santiago, "was sunk by the batteries"; the affair is described as a brilliant Spanish victory; it is also added that Admiral Cervera personally saved an American officer from drowning, as his ship was in close proximity to the cruiser during the engagement. The official report goes on to say that the mines guarding the harbor were exploded simultaneously with the opening of the fire from the ships, forts, and batteries; congratulations were sent to Admiral Cervera. Authority for pronunciation of proper names: Century Dictionary. Divider Each day is taken advantage of by the Spaniards at Havana to add to their defences. Earthworks are being rapidly thrown up in the neighborhood of the city; a signal service has been established to enable them to guard the coast at all the points, and they feel confident that a successful invasion cannot take place in that part of the island, as it is so well guarded with modern rapid-fire guns in the batteries, and quite a large force is concentrated there for the defence of the city. Little, if any, news comes from the blockading squadron off the north coast of Cuba; there are, from time to time, reports of engagements and the landing A great quantity of ammunition and supplies will be sent with the troops, so that they may not suffer from lack of material to make the invasion successful. One of our New York papers publishes a letter, written by a young girl in Havana to a friend in New York; it gives an excellent idea as to the true state of affairs in Cuba. Among other things, she says: "Our fisherman brought in some papers from New York, and what a lot of lies they contain! My father and all the other officials say that we have food here for five months—flour, codfish, beans, and groceries—all brought down from New York, and salted meat from Montevideo. . . . "Pa says that if you Americans had attacked Havana when you declared war it would have surrendered in five hours, but that it is now fortified so that it is strong as Gibraltar. You know, they built a great big railroad upon sticks, in front of the forts, and took cars of sand and dumped them down, so that they have a mound in front of all the forts about thirty feet wide and ten feet high. I went over the fortifications yesterday, and I saw fifteen of those immense 12-inch guns. They say they can shoot twelve miles. We have got 50,000 troops here in Havana, and 60, "The Alfonso XII. has been turned into a hospital ship, and all her guns have been taken out of her. You know she is the boat that was anchored opposite the Maine and had in her the pneumatic torpedoes. They say a man named Arjona had something to do with the blowing up of the Maine, but I guess it was Weyler's orders. . . . "The whole city is divided up into sections on what they call the 'Humanity Committee's plan.' They find out who are in sympathy with the Cubans or with the United States; and in case Havana is bombarded all these people are going to be thrown into Cabanas or shot. The people are such fools they think nothing is known about what they are doing." Divider We told you in a recent number about the unsuccessful result of the attempt to land an expedition in Cuba; this result was largely due, no doubt, to the fact that the Spaniards were advised in ad Divider There is a very interesting account of the origin of the Red Cross Society in The Churchman. About forty years ago, M. Henry Dimont, a native of Switzerland, having witnessed the unnecessary suffering of the wounded, from lack of care, at the battle of Solferino, was so much impressed that he published So much interest was taken in the idea that the outcome was a convention held at Geneva in 1864, which was attended by representatives from sixteen of the great nations of the world, who signed an agreement that they would protect members of the association when caring for the wounded on the field of battle. The society adopted for its colors the Swiss cross, as a compliment to its birthplace; they, however, reversed the colors, and the flag is therefore a red cross on a white field, and is the only military hospital flag of civilized warfare; it protects persons from molestation who work under the emblem performing services in aid of the wounded. Great care is used in granting permission to persons to wear this emblem; and in order that it shall not be taken advantage of to spy in the enemies' camp, private marks are added to prevent imitation. The headquarters of the International Committee is at Geneva; the president of the society is M. Gustav Moynier. In 1882, Miss Clara Barton was delegated by the President of the United States to represent this country at the Congress of the Red Cross Committee, and was made a member of the International Board of Managers when the United States signed the international treaty. It was decided that the work of the Red Cross Society should not be confined to times of war, but that Divider Friday, June 3d, Samuel Plimsoll, known as the "sailors' friend," died in England. Plimsoll was the originator of the famous "Plimsoll mark," and this is what caused him to be called the sailors' friend. Many years ago it was the custom of unprincipled ship-owners to send their vessels to sea very much overloaded; this was done to save the expense of a double voyage, for in those days there were few steam merchantmen, and sailing-vessels oftentimes took months for their voyages. The Plimsoll mark is painted on the vessel to indicate how much cargo she should carry. When a vessel has her full cargo the Plimsoll mark is at the water-line; laws were passed making it illegal to load vessels so deeply as to sink this mark below the surface of the water, and in consequence sailors' lives are not risked in overloaded vessels. Divider Some very interesting questions have arisen in reference to the difference of time between Manila and New York. The difference between Manila and New York is about eleven hours; when it is five in the morning in Manila, it is four in the afternoon with us. In order to change Manila time to our time we must deduct about eleven hours. This is all very Divider A NATIVE OF THE PHILIPPINES. A report has been received from Hong-Kong that the insurgent chief Aguinaldo, at the Philippines, has issued a proclamation that would seem to show that he hopes to make himself leader or dictator over the island. The report goes on to say that he has issued orders that the lives and property of Europeans and all Spanish non-combatants are to be protected. It is said that his treatment of the captives has been very fair, and that he is conducting the campaign against Spain in a very able manner. Since he has taken charge of affairs the Spanish soldiers have lost battle after battle, and it is said that there are now in Aguinaldo's hands over two thousand prisoners, including many officers. Aguinaldo reports that the Governor of Cavite (cÄ-vē-tā) has surrendered to him. One of the American captains has written to Hong-Kong, stating that it is his opinion "that the rebels have undergone a radical change since the arrival of Aguinaldo; the Spaniards have lost every The American vessels have taken no part in the fight between Spain and the insurgents; Admiral Dewey has contented himself with superintending and insisting upon proper conduct of affairs. The news he sends is exceedingly cheerful, and he seems to be quite confident that he can hold out until reinforcements arrive; he anticipates no trouble in capturing the city of Manila. Divider Lieutenant Carranza's missing letter has been found. You will remember we told in our last number of the arrest of a Montreal detective who had been arrested and accused of stealing it. It was not taken by the Montreal detective, but by a secret service officer of our Government. It seems that the Spanish officials at Montreal have been very carefully watched for some time, for it was known that they were spying upon our Government. The detectives had followed Minister Polo and his staff ever since they left Washington, and had secured absolute proof that Du Bosc and Carranza were collecting information and forwarding it to the Spanish Government. On the pretext of purchasing the house, they were shown all over it, and succeeded in securing a number of important letters, cablegrams, maps, etc., which were forwarded to the Government. The letter which Carranza has made so much fuss about was stolen in a very clever way. The detective took a sheet of fly paper, and in a careless way dropped it over the letter; then took up the fly paper and the letter attached Speaking of his spy system, he says: "We have had bad luck because they have captured our two best spies. The Americans are showing the most extraordinary vigilance. I shall be extremely gratified to have a ship or a torpedo-boat to run the blockade, or anything rather than playing second fiddle." These quotations go to show that Carranza was not over-pleased with the work of conducting the spy department in Canada. He takes the trouble to criticize Cervera's actions, and he alludes to him as "Don Pasquale," and says that he cannot believe that the Admiral would do such a stupid thing as to get caught in Santiago, his purpose being to attack the American fleet and delay the invasion of Cuba. This letter demonstrates very clearly the wisdom of the Government in keeping carefully guarded all knowledge of the movements of our army and navy, for Carranza has taken advantage of the statements published and information easily obtained heretofore, and has kept his Government informed, and has also personally been advising Admiral Cervera whenever opportunity offered: he speaks of having cabled to Cervera on 20th of May. Our Government has Kellert, the Montreal detective, has caused the arrest of both Du Bosc and Carranza, in a civil suit for damages for false imprisonment; so the Spaniards are in hotter water than ever, especially as all of their money in the Bank of Montreal has been seized as security. Divider A very interesting account of life in Skaguay, Alaska, has recently been received. The account is written by a Wisconsin woman who, with her husband, went to Alaska to open a restaurant and hotel in Skaguay. She writes: "I never felt so lonesome in my life; I never worked so hard, but have never been so happy; money comes in so fast that we do not know what to do with it. At first, when there was no bank, we were obliged to hide the money in all parts of the house, and we were in constant terror. We had paper money, silver money, gold money, gold dust, and every form of currency that can be imagined hidden all over the house; and as the town was full of people who were without money, and who would not hesitate to cut one's throat for a dollar, we did not have a single moment free from anxiety. Early in the winter we did succeed in sending a number of thousands of dollars to Seattle, and were very much relieved when we received a receipt from the bank. "The transportation companies are swindlers. They are persuading thousands of people to come to this awful country who will never be able to go back, and all for the sake of making the profit on transportation. Mountain "Flour that we had shipped from Seattle, and which cost over $5 per barrel, cost as much more for freight to this place. But as we sold it for over $40 a barrel before it left the dock, we had nothing to complain of; and it was very poor flour at that, not fit for bread, and hardly suitable for the plainest kind of cooking. "As for our restaurant, we started it with the idea of giving people good home cooking, and we can hardly serve the people, they come so fast. The restaurant is open day and night, and the tables always full. At first we got a good price for our meals, that is, from $1.50 to $2.50 for a dinner. But there is more competition now, and prices have gone down. "The town is still filled with gamblers, and is a mining town in every sense of the word, although the troops keep the rough element in fairly good order. The town is particularly lonely for refined women, as there are very few here, and very little in the way of amusement for them. "It is not so very cold. I have seen as severe weather in the States; and the thermometer rarely goes below 15 degrees below zero, and that is not so bad. But there is very little sun, and this we miss the most. We work by lamplight day and night. "Whatever people may say about the Klondike, there is still plenty of gold there; and although we are making a barrelful of money here at this business, we will very probably 'up stakes' and go to the diggings. Every boat that arrives is loaded with gold-hunters, and Skaguay is crowded. Hundreds of people are camped between here and Chilkoot Pass, and are scattered all along the trail. This year will bring Much interest has been awakened by the report of an interview with SeÑor Moret, ex-Secretary of the Colonies of Spain. He is reported to have said that "the Government does not know where it is going. There is no person in Spain who can tell the outcome of the present situation. The Government is not a fixed one, and allows matters to run in their own course heedless of the effect; in other words, matters are allowed to drift their own way. It is useless to conceal the fact that the Cabinet is not solid. Its members are working at cross purposes, the ministers lack energy, and, in fact, are absolutely incompetent, and simply trust to chance to get out of their present troubles. "A campaign in favor of peace has been begun, and is progressing among the people. I am convinced that if the people were allowed to state their wishes, even the soldiers would advocate peace. "It is difficult to say whether the regency will be overthrown, nor can I say what will happen to a country that is without guidance and with a foreign war on its hands. If the regency is overthrown it will be an immense misfortune to Spain. The affairs of Spain are in complete disorder." This report comes by way of London, and would seem to confirm reports previously published as to the condition of matters in Spain. Divider A bill for the removal of all political disabilities arising from the Civil War, recently presented in Congress, has passed and is now a law, as President McKinley has formally approved it. This bill refers to Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment made it impossible for any person to hold a political position in the United States who had taken up arms against the Government, if he had previously held a political position and had declared his allegiance to the United States. The law that has just been passed declares that "disabilities imposed by Section 3, Amendment 14, of the Constitution, heretofore incurred, are hereby removed." Divider Some of the survivors of the terrible massacre at Sierra Leone reached New York during the past week. The story of their escape is a very thrilling one. It seems that among the natives in that part of Africa there is a secret society. When the natives feel that they have any grievance against a particular tribe or people, they send word to all members of the society that "pura" is declared against the offenders; this means that they are condemned to death. As a result of the hut tax, which we told you about in a recent number, "pura" was declared against all English people in Africa. News soon reached the different missionary stations that this had been done; but the attack on the Rotufunk mission came almost without warning. Mr. Ward, who is the only one of these missionaries left alive, went in the latter part of GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT BONTHE ON SHERBO ISLAND, SIERRA LEONE In the mean time, the colony of Americans at Shengeh received news that the natives had rebelled. A friendly native visited the mission and told Dr. Burt Miss Mullins, whose station was at Momliga, where she was the only white person, had a very narrow escape. April 29th, a band of natives came there shouting and singing. Miss Mullins ran to the river in the hope of finding a boat in which she could escape. The boats had all been taken by the natives, who had either fled or gone to join the war tribes. Knowing that there was no chance of her hiding in the bush, the brave girl decided that if she was to die she would die at her post. She turned back from the river into the clearing, where the superstitious natives stood aside to let her pass. One of them seized her as she was passing, and asked her what she was going to do. She said: "I am going inside; I cannot escape you, you are too many for me. Leave me to myself for a short time." The man brandished a spear in her face, and said: "See, that is the blood of your friends; yours will soon cover it." But she did not falter, and the savages probably left her untouched for this reason. They are very superstitious, and must have thought that there was something supernatural about her. Shortly after this she heard the tramp of feet outside, and an English voice calling to ask if there was anybody inside; running out, she found that the British commissioner and a large force had arrived. And with them she made her escape. When the Americans arrived at Freetown, a large Divider In our previous number we mentioned the name of one of the missionaries killed at the massacre as "Kane"; it should have been "Cain." Divider One of our subscribers has asked why the flag of Hawaii has eight stripes and three crosses. There is a very interesting story told in reference to this peculiar flag. It seems that about twenty-five years ago, when the country was still a monarchy, it was quite frequently visited by war-ships of different nations. It is said that one morning the King discovered a French war-ship anchored safely in the harbor of Honolulu, and fearing that the French were there for purpose of seizing the island, sent for his Prime Minister, who advised him to raise a flag, and in this way advise the visitors that the islands belonged to some one. But the island did not possess a flag of its own; the only one the King could find at first was an old British flag. This he had run up to the top of the highest flag-pole. The flag had hardly been raised, when one of his chief advisers came running to him, and told him he must take the flag down immediately, for a British man-of-war was expected, and would be sure to claim ownership of the islands if the British flag was seen flying over the palace. So the King started on another flag hunt. This time he found an American flag, and, with great ingenuity, took the two flags, cut them up, and made a combination. Therefore the first Hawaiian flag had thirteen red and white The superstitious natives believe that the ascendency of the white people over the colored is due to the fact that the white stripe was left uppermost on the flag. They have frequently tried to have the flag changed for this reason, for they believe that, if the red is given prominence, the natives will again have the ascendency. Divider On the morning of June 8th, the first definite confirmation of the news of an engagement off Santiago was published. The vessels which are reported to have taken part in the engagement were the Brooklyn, Marblehead, Texas, and Massachusetts forming the first division; the New York, New Orleans, Yankee, Iowa, and Oregon the second division. Very early on the morning of the 6th, they steamed in toward the entrance of the harbor in double column, the first division to the left, the second to the right, the vessels being in the order named above. When about three thousand yards off shore the first division turned toward the west and the second division toward the east; the little vessels Vixen and Swanee remaining far out on the left of the first division to watch the riflemen on shore, and the Dolphin and Porter occupying similar positions on the right for the same CHART OF SANTIAGO HARBOR. Reports of the engagement make particular mention of the good showing made by the naval militia on the Yankee. They worked like old blue-jackets, pouring a savage fire into the enemy, and it was accurate too. They kept close in shore and paid particular attention to the batteries near the beach. This was their first experience under fire, and they showed the stuff they are made of. Indeed, they proved themselves so fond of that sort of thing, that when orders were given to stop the engagement, there was a great deal of amusement on board the larger vessels when it was seen that they hammered away with their stern guns as long as they were within range; even after the order had been signalled to cease firing, they turned slowly and reluctantly away, as if they were sorry to leave. Divider Latest News June 10th, "Old Glory" was raised on Cuban soil, and the welcome sight was Deceived with rousing cheers by the marines, who had landed. On Thursday, the 9th, orders were given to a number of the vessels to go to Guantanamo Bay and assist in a landing there. On Friday, under cover of the guns of the Oregon, Marblehead, Yankee, Yosemite, Porter, Dolphin, and No Spaniards appeared, however, and our men had soon landed tents and the necessary implements with which to make an encampment. The site chosen was the hill where the blockhouse had been, as this high spot was considered the most healthful position. Orders were given to destroy the few houses and huts, to prevent all possibility of catching yellow fever from any germs which might have been lingering there. These hovels made a fine bonfire, as they were built of light materials with thatched roofs. The men were glad enough to get ashore, for they have been cooped on the transports most of the time since April 22d, knocking about on the ocean. In that hot climate it is not over-agreeable to be on ship-board, even with ample room to move about in; but when crowded as the men on transports are, there is no end of discomfort. All Friday afternoon and evening the men worked away at their camp, and were tired enough when they were ordered to turn in for the night. Every precaution was taken to guard against a surprise, although no attack was expected. Saturday the men continued their work, which was getting along finely and almost completed, when late in the afternoon, while a large number of men were hauling water up the hill, and others, who had been working hard all day, were taking a swim in the bay, there As a matter of course, the attack came from the thick underwood surrounding the rear of the camp, and soon the air was filled with bullets whistling around the heads of our men. As soon as the shots were heard the men came running to aid their comrades. Many of them who had been swimming grabbed up their rifles and cartridge-belts, and began firing, without waiting to dress. With great coolness the men were formed and soon repulsed the Spanish force. Firing was kept up until midnight. In the darkness the Spaniards became bolder and attacked the camp, the white tents making a good mark. If their marksmanship had been better, our losses must have been serious. As it was, however, but four men were killed—Assistant Surgeon J. B. Gibbs, Sergeant C. H. Smith, and two privates, William Dunphy and James McColgan. During the night the vessels off shore kept their powerful searchlights turned upon the heights, and this greatly interfered with the Spaniards, who could not leave the woods without exposing themselves to the fire of our men. The first news of this, our first land encounter with the Spanish, was published on Monday of this week. News of the fall of Manila, received Monday, the 13th, came by way of London from our ambassador there. But particulars were not given, and we do not know whether the city was surrendered to the rebels or to Admiral Dewey. |