News and Notes

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 7, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 27.

Progress of the War.—Over 15,000 American troops were landed at Juragua, Cuba, near Santiago, on June 23. The landing was effected without loss. ...... At the close of the bombardment at Matamoras, Cuba, on June 22, a Spanish shell struck the battle-ship Texas, killing one man and wounding eight. ...... On June 24 an engagement took place between the American and Spanish troops near the scene of the landing. The Spanish were driven from their position in a dense thicket after a close engagement of one hour. Sixteen Americans were killed and about fifty wounded. The Spaniards left twelve dead on the field, and carried away many dead and wounded. ...... On June 26 the American forces had pushed on, driving in the Spanish outposts, until they were within sight of the city of Santiago, where they await the arrival of siege guns before beginning the attack on the city itself. ...... It is reported that the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius has passed the sunken Merrimac in the channel to Santiago harbor, bringing back the report that the latter does not block the entrance, and that war ships can pass in and out in spite of the sunken hulk. ...... The auxiliary cruiser Harvard sailed from Newport News, Virginia, on June 26, with two regiments for the army of invasion in Cuba. ...... The Navy Department has given out the information that Commodore Watson has been ordered to proceed to Santiago de Cuba, and with certain vessels now under Admiral Sampson, sail for the coast of Spain. ...... Admiral Camara, commander of the Spanish Cadiz fleet, attempted to coal at Port Said, Egypt, before entering the Suez Canal on his journey to Manila; but the English Government would not allow him to do so, and at this date he is still at Port Said, with his ultimate destination undecided. ...... The auxiliary cruiser St. Paul, Captain Sigsbee, was attacked by the torpedo-boat Terror and a gunboat off San Juan, Porto Rico, on June 22, but succeeded in beating off both her assailants. The torpedo-boat was so badly damaged that she was towed back to port. ...... The American army at Santiago, Cuba, continues to draw in around the city, and on June 27 an advance engineer corps lifted the water pipes leading to the city, thus completely cutting off the water supply of the beleaguered inhabitants. The Cubans under General Garcia are co-operating with the Americans in the advance on the city. ...... On June 27 four American transports sailed for Manila from San Francisco, carrying about four thousand troops. The transports were the Morgan City, City of Para, Ohio, and Indiana. On the day following, the Valencia sailed, with 650 troops. ...... The captain-general of the Philippines reports to his home government that the situation in Manila is as grave as ever, and he holds out no hopes of being able to resist the expected attack. The desertion of the native soldiers is increasing, and the rebels are said to hold about five thousand Spanish prisoners. ...... On June 28 President McKinley issued a proclamation extending the Cuban blockade to all the ports on the south coast of Cuba from Cape Frances to Cape Cruz inclusive, and also of the port of San Juan, in the island of Porto Rico.

Domestic Miscellany.—The Attorney-General has decided to surrender to the ambassadors of France and Austria, as the representatives of Spain, the non-combatants and crews of the merchant prize ships captured by American vessels since the beginning of the war. ...... The confrères of the two Houses on the Sundry Civil Bill have agreed upon the adjustment of the appropriation for the Paris Exposition. By the terms of the agreement the expenses of the exposition to the United States are limited to $650,000, of which $200,000 become immediately available. ...... What will be the largest flag in the world is being prepared for the Fourth of July celebration in the little town of Mauchchunk, Pennsylvania. It will be 54 feet wide and 75 feet long, and will cost $400. ...... President Andrews, formerly of Brown University, Rhode Island, has been placed at the head of the Chicago board of education. President Andrews was released from his position at Brown University on account of his outspoken advocacy of silver in the last campaign. ...... The most remarkable voyage on record is that which has just been completed at Boston by Capt. Joshua Slocum, who has sailed around the world in a sloop yacht only thirty-three feet long. The voyage lasted over three years. ...... British consular reports state that the trade of the United States with Japan increased during the year 1897 fifty-six per cent., which is much the largest increase recorded of any nation dealing with the Japanese. ...... A severe riot occurred at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on June 24, between strikers and non-union men. The mob was composed largely of women, and after overcoming the force of police and deputies, they severely beat all the non-union workingmen. ...... A huge raft of cut lumber, containing five and a quarter million feet, left Astoria, Oregon, for San Francisco, on June 24, in tow of two powerful tugs. ...... The richest deposit of aluminum in the world has been discovered at Bowling Green, Kentucky. An analysis of the clay showed the properties of aluminum contained therein to be fifty per cent. ...... Rev. Wilberforce, wife and four children, have been ransomed from the natives of Sierra Leone by the missionary society which sent them out. The amount paid was £118.

International.—The laws of Mexico provide that a Mormon may practise polygamy there, providing his first wife is willing, and he can obtain the consent of the parents of the one whom he would marry. ...... Marquis Ito, the recently appointed Japanese premier, has resigned, and in his resignation has advised the mikado to accept the principles of party government. ...... The Hawaiian Government has notified the British consul that it will become responsible for any damage to British property that may result from the position she has taken with reference to the Hispano-American war. The German consul demanded the same assurances for the protection of German property, but has not yet received them. ...... The Arctic expedition under Walter Wellman sailed from Tromsoe, Norway, on June 26. The objects of the expedition are, first, to find and succor Professor Andree, and, second, to discover the North Pole. He is accompanied by a corps of scientists. ...... Captain Sverdrup sailed in the ship Fram from Christiania, Norway, on June 24, on an exploring trip to the North Polar regions. He will also try to find Professor Andree. Captain Sverdrup was the commander of the Fram in the expedition led by Nansen. ...... All questions in dispute between the Italian and Haitian Governments have been settled. The settlement includes the amount of indemnity and the manner of payment. ...... Marconi, a youthful Italian electrician, claims to have so perfected his system of wireless telegraphy that messages can be sent a distance of fourteen and one-half miles. Communication in this way has been established between Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. By the use of this system vessels coming within twelve or fourteen miles of each other can communicate perfectly. Marconi claims that the Italian navy has adopted the system. ...... It is reported that Emperor William is very indignant over the gains of the Socialist party in the recent German elections, and that he has declared more drastic measures will be necessary to change the present conditions, in view of the failure of persuasion to accomplish that result. Repressive legislation is already talked of, but no suggestion is made of any measures to mitigate the present social condition.

Casualties and Calamities.—The big tent of the Forepaugh-Sells circus was torn down by a hurricane at Sioux City, Iowa, on June 25. Three persons were killed and a considerable number seriously hurt by the flying tent poles. ...... A despatch from Vienna, Austria, states that anti-Jewish riots have occurred in fifteen different places in Austro-Hungary, during which houses were plundered and burned. At Galicia sixteen Jews were massacred, and the situation is still serious. ...... Three of Colonel Torrey’s Rough Riders, from Wyoming, and a colored porter lost their lives in a railway wreck at Tupelo, Mississippi, on June 26, and fifteen others were fatally or seriously injured. ...... During a typhoon at Port Arthur, China, recently, a Chinese torpedo-boat destroyer was driven ashore, and 130 of her crew were drowned. A Russian war ship was damaged also. ...... Five persons were drowned by the capsizing of a ferry-boat in the Big Horn River near Thermopolis, Wyoming, on June 28.

Fires.—The big linoleum manufactory of Potter’s Sons at Philadelphia, Pa., was destroyed by fire, on June 24; 3 men were killed by falling walls; the loss was placed at $250,000. ...... A brisk blaze damaged the business portion of Phoenix, Arizona, on the night of June 22 to the extent of $20,000. ...... The Clifton House, at Niagara Falls, was destroyed by fire on June 26; loss, $100,000. ...... A disastrous fire has occurred at Oran, Russia, and much of the town, which has a population of 30,000, has been destroyed. The loss is estimated to be several million roubles. ...... The Bellingham Bay Improvement Company’s mill at New Whatcom, Washington, was burned on June 27. The mill gave employment to 140 men, and the loss is estimated at $400,000.