Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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? Terrible Battle off the Philippines. TWO OF THE ENEMY'S CRUISERS BURNED, Several Sunk to Avoid Their Failing Into the Hacds of tbe Victors, &m> THE OP HEB. S FORCED TO B ETIRE FROM THE COMBAT. Severe Damage Believed to Have Been Sustained bj Commodore Dewey's Ships, Which Fatf to Capture Manila-De? tails of Fight Not Yet Obtainable. Madrid, May!, ?.20 p. m-Ad? vices from Manila say that tbe Amer? ican squadron under Commodore Dewey appeared off the Bay of Ma? nila at 5 o'clock this morning and opened a strong canon ad* against the Spanish squadron and forts pro? tecting the narbor. The Spanish second class croiser Don Joan de Austria was severely damaged and ber commander was killed Another Spanish vessel was burned. The American squadron retired, having also sustained severe damage. A second naval engagement fol lowed, in which the American squad? ron again suffered considerable loss and the Spanish warships Mind ano and Ul loa were slightly damaged. During this engagement the Ca? vit? forts maintained a steadier and stronger fire upon the American squadron than in the first engage? ment ? Admiral Bermejo, the ministe? of marin?, bas expressed himself as highly pleased with the heroism of! the Spanish mariners and has tale-J graphed congratulations to Admiral j Moutejo and the vaiarous crews of i the Spanish squadron under fire of superior warships. 8PAN35H OFFICAL REPORT. Mi\drid, May 1, 8 p. m -The fol- j lowing is the text of the official dis? patch from the governor general of j the Philippines to the minister of war, Lieut. General Correa, as to the I engagement off Manila : "Last night, April 30, the batteries j at the entrance to the fort announced j the arrival of the enemy's squadron/ forcing a passage ander the obscurity of-tbe} night; At daybreak the ene? my took up positions, opening with a strong fire against Fort Cavite and the arsenal. "Our fieet engaged the enemy in a brilliant combat, protected by the Cavite and Manila forts. They obliged the enemy, with'beavv-loss, to manoeuvr? repeatedly At 9 o'clock the American squadron took refuge behind the foreign merchant shipping on the east side of the bay. "Oar fieet, considering the ene my 's superiority, naturally suffered a severe loss. The Maria Christina is on fire, and another ship, believed to be the Don Juan de Austria, was kiowa np "There was considerable loss of life. Captain Cadarzo, commanding the Maria Christina, is among the j killed. I cannot give farther de? tails. The spirit of the army, navy and volunteers is excellent." Madrid, May 1, 9 p. m?-The news from the Philippines bas produced greatly increased enthusiasm, especi? ally in view of the fact that the American squadron was obliged to retreat Notwithstanding the severe dam? age the Spanish ships sustained, naval officers here consider that fur ther operations by the American squadron will be conducted under great difficulty, owing to having no base-where .they could, repair and coal or obtain fresh supplies of am monition Another account says the Miodano and Uliola (or UHao) wore severely damaged in the second engagement. Madrid, May 1,10 p. ai.^Admiral Bermejo, Minister of marine, joined the cabinet council this evening and informed bis colleagues that- the Spanish force had gained a victory in the Philippines. He asserted that he fonrd difficulty in restraining his joy fa! emotions. 1 The official dispatch does not meo tioo the deatruo?on of aoy American vessel, although it says that ihe Uoited States squadron finally oast an? chor in the bay Deb iud the foreign mer? chantmen. Madrid, May 1- Midnight.-El Heraldo de Madrid says that Admiral Moo tejo changed his flagship during ihe engagement, or between the two encounters, in order to better direct tbs manoeuvre?. Io this way be es? caped the fate of the * oommander of the Reioa Maria Chris ti o a. Tbe second engagement, according to SI Heraldo, was apparently began by tee Americans, after landing their wounded on the West side of thc bay. ID tbe latter engagement tbs Spanish Miodaoo and Ullola suffered heavily. Cabinet ministers speak of "serious but honorable looses." Madrid. May 1 -Midnight.-An official telegram received at a late boar from tbe governor general of the Philippines, says : "Admiral Montejo bas transferred bis flag to the cruiser Isle de Coba from tbe cruiser Reina Maria Christ? ina. The Reina Maria Christina was completely boret, as was also the cruiser Castilla, the other ships haviog j to retire from tbe combat and some beiog sock to avoid their falling into the bands of tbe enemy/' Lisbon, May 1-ll p. m.-Reliable news received here says that the Span? ish fleet rras completely defeated off Cavite. Commodore Dewey Expected to Renew the Attack on Manila. London, May 1 -While it is quite olear that the Spanish squadron has suffered a crushing defeat, the dis? patches leave unclear the intensely in? teresting question whether the Amen can squadron has suffered material damage. All news thus far comes from Span? ish sources ; but it seems evident that Commodore Dewey has not captured Manila. Uoless be is able to make an? other attaok and captare the town, he will be in an awkward positron, hav? ing no base upon which to retire and to re fi: It is probably, therefore, the United Stares squadron will be obliged to make for San Francisco, as tbe entrance to Manila Bay was heavily mined with torpedoes. Commodore Dewey dis? played great pluck a od daring in mak? ing for the inner harbor. According to private advices received from Mad? rid, tbe Uoited States cruisers Olympia, Raleigh and two other vessels, the names of which are not given, entered the harbor It appears to be incorrect that the Amerioao ships finally anchored, be bind the merchantmen on the East side of the bay. It should be the West side. Probabilities point in the direotion of tbe 8eoond engagement having occurred through the Spaniards trying to prevent tbe landing of the American wounded. Reliable details cannot be bad until Commodore Dewey's fqaadroo ia able to communicate with Hong: Kong. There is, however, a suspicious frank . ness about the Spanish dispatches that savors of a desire to break unpleasant news to tbe Spaniards. It is not un likely, therefore, that . Commodore Dewey may be able to renew the at? tack. THE T WO FLEETS Washington, May 1.-The following is a list of the two ?sets engaged io the conflict at Manila : UNITED STATES SHIPS. Olympia, first-class protected cruiser, 5,800 tons; lannched. 1892; speed, 21 knots; battery, four 8-inch rifles, ten 5-ineh rapid-fire guns, fourteen 6-ponnders. six l-pouoders and four maohioe guns. Baltimore, second rate, 4,600 tons ; speed, 20 6 knots, battery, four 8-iocb, six 6-ioch rifles, four 6-pounder rapid fire, two 2-pounders. two 1 pounders, two 1 S ?nob, two 1 4-iooh and two machine guns. Boston, second rate, 3,189 tons speed, 15 knots: battery, two 8 inch, six 6 inch rifles, two 6-pounder rapid - fire, twe 3-pounders, two 1 pounders, two one-point 8-inch, two one-point 4 inch and two maohioe guns. Raleigh, second-class, speed, 19 koots ; battery, one 6-inch and ten 5 inoh rapid-fire rifles, eight 6 pounders, four l-poooders and two machine guns Conoord, third rate, 1,700 tons ; speed, 17 koots; battery, six 6 inch, two 6-pounder rapid-fire, two 3 pound? ers, ooe 1-pounder and four maobiue gana Petrel, fourth rate, 890 tons ; speed, 13 knots ; battery, four 6-inoh guns, two 3 pounder rapid-fire, one 1-poucd er and four machine guns. McCullooh, revenue cutter Nacsban, collier Zifiro, supply vessel. THE SPANISH FLEET. Reioa Maria Christina, 3,520 tons ; built 1886; speed. 17 koots; battery, six 6.2 inch Hootoria goos; two 2 7 inch and three 2 2-inoh rapid fire rifles, six 1 4-inch and two maohioe guns. Castilla, 3.342 toos ; built 1881 ; battery, four 5 9 inch Krupp rifles, two 4.7 ioch, two 3 3 inob, four 2 5-inch rapid fire and two machine guns. Yelasco, 1,152 tons ; battery, three 5-9-iBob*Armstrong rifles, two 2 7-ich Hootoria* aod two maohioe goos. Doo Aotonio de Ulloa and Don Joan de Austria, each 1,130 tons; speed, 14 knots ; battery, four 4 7-inch Honto r?as two 2.2 iooh rapid fire, two 1 5-incb and two machine gens. General Lezo aod El Cano, gan ves? sels, 524 tons ; built 1885 ; speed, 11.5 knots Tbs Geoerai L?zo bas two Hootoria rifles of 4 7-inch oalibre, one 3.5-inch, two ?mall rapid-fire and one maohioe gun ; the El Cano, three 4 7 inob guns, two small rapid-fire and two machine guns. Marques Dei Doera, dispatch boat, 500 tons; one smooth-bore 6 3 inch calibre, two 4 7-inch and ooe maobine gun. Tbe Isla de Cuba and tbe Isla de Losoo are both small gunboats. They are of 1,030 (ODS displacement and carry four 4 7-inob Hootorias, two small goos aod two machine goos. Isla de Miodarao, of the Oompaoia Tran*-Atl?ntica of Cadiz, armed as a croiser ; length. 376 3 ; beam, 42.3 ; gross tons, 4.195; speed, 13 5 - - +- ? ?. -^ Pierce Fire in Cuba. Key West, Fia , April 30.-It is unofficially stated by Cubans to? night that Bianco is burning the in? terior towns in the island of Coba, and it is believed that the truth of the statement is established by the great volumes of smoke which were noticed rising from the interior of the island yesterday. These fires were noticed between Matanzas and Ha bana by persons on the Associated Pressdispatch Dauntless, and through out the night the bright giow of fires was reflected on the sky. In places fierce forest fires were seen burning. The Cubans here are highly ex? cited over the following telegram re? ceived from T. Estrada Palma of the New York junta : "Assemble and send to Tampa im mediately all young unmarried healthy CobanB disposed to go to Cuba \ also all officers of our army. Delegation will not sustain families of enlisted." Tampa is made the general ren? dezvous of the Cuban forces Enlist? ments will begin here to morrow morning. THE OREGON AT RIO. Far North of Possible Danger From the Spanish De? stroyer. Rio de Janeiro, April 30. 6 p. m - Warship Oregon just arrived. Washington, April 30.-There was a feeling of relief among officials to? night over the safe arrival of the Ore? gon at Rio, well to the north and out of possible reach of tho Spanish torpedo boat Temario, which has been lying around the vicinity of Buenos Ayres. The keenest interest is taken in ber future movements, bat on account of tbe extreme reticence of the naval au? thorities the nature of the instructions which have awaited her at Rio are not known. Tbe prevalent belief, however, is that her orders are to proceed to join Admiral Sampson's fleet without delay. Imprisoned Spaniard of the Puritan's Crew Admits He Tried to Blow Up the Ship. Key West, Fia., April 30.-Charles Yglasiase. the Spanish fireman on the monitor Pori tao. who was pat io irons last Sunday when discovered trying to drill holes in the 12 ioob magazioe of the vessel, and who was found guilty by a court of inquiry as told in my dispatch yesterday, has admitted that be wanted to blow up the ship. He bas not been shot, as reported by other correspondents here, but it is be? lieved that the infliction of the death penalty for his offense is merely a ques? tion of time. The court of ioquiry, SB already told, recommends a court-mar? tial. When Yg?asiase was first taken prisoner twelve members cf the Puri tan's orew tried to take bim from the guard on the way to the vessel's brig, where be was to be confined, in order tn kill him -W. S. Qaigley, in Nsw ?ork Mail and Express. BUTLER FOR MAJOR GEN? ERAL. Senators Tillman and McLau rin Ask the Appointment. Washington. D C . April 30 -Sen? ators Tillman and MoLaurio, of South Carolina, to day asked tbe President to appoint Gen M. C. Butler, major gen? eral. Gen. Butler was a famous oav alry leader in the Confederate army and is a close friend of the President. Without giviog the South Carolina Senators any assurances of Gen. But? ler's selection, the President spoke of him in the highest terms. Senator Tillman and Representative Elliott were at the war department in connection with the contest between Charleston and Columbia, but the Sec? retary of War adheres to Charleston as the place of rendezvous. Washington, April 30 -Although Gen Fitzhugh Lee and Gen. "Joe" Wheeler will be made Major-Gene ralo, it is the intention of the admin? istration not to send them to the front, or to give them the leading commands, which it was supposed they would have. It is thought best to give such places to officers of the regular army. It bas been shown that Gen Lee's services will be es? pecially valuable in Washington in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of war, on account of his intimate knowledge of Cuba and the condi? tions there.- N. Y. Mail and Ex? press ??i .?."<i The Pope Prostrated. Rome, May 2 -His Holiness \* quite prostrated by the news from Manila. He bas expressed bis horror at tbe terrible loss of life, and repeated? ly said that he ooold bave wished to have died before seeing snob a war. ?. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Climate and Crop Bulletin of the Weather Bureau, South Carolina Section. For the Week Ending Monday, May 2, 189S. COLUMBIA, S C , May 3. The week opened with seasonable warmth but by the middle of the week the temperature fell to almost freezing over oentral counties. Ice was, in? deed, reported, from vario>23 points and as far southward as f?ampton and Barnwell counties, with heavy white frost on the morning of April 28:h over the state generally, including the vicinity of Charleston. On that moro iog the temperature was as low, or low? er, than the previous records of the weather bureau, extending over a pe? riod of eleven years, ?bow for the third deoade of April. The cold weather did not last long, and the week ended with temperatures considerably above the normal. The average of 48 places reporting mean temperature wast 58 for tbe week, while the normal for the same period is approximately 68. The temperature ranged between a minimum of 34 on the 28th at Saotuc and Little Moun? tain, and a maximum of 90 on May 1st at Bat es burg. The cold, heavy rain of April 26 27th was general over the state, aod ia places accompanied by high wiods, sleet, and bail. In tbe Southeastern portions of the state the rain was need? ed, and in the vicinity of Charleston more would prove beneficial, but gener? ally this rain fell oo an already saturated soil, causing minor creeks and branch? es to overflew, and io Edgefie?d ooontv damaging lands, wasting them. Con? sidering the area by and topograph? ical diversity of the utate, the rainfall was remarkable for its even distribu? tion : Four places only, out of 47, re? ported amounts of lesa thao ono inch ; 13 of from 1 to 2 inches, 19 of from 2 to 3 inches ; and 12 with three imhes or more. The following excessive measurements were reported, Mont Clare 4 Ou ; Oakland 5.25; Alcolu 5 50 ; Shiloh 5 25 inches; The aver? age for the State was 2 37 and the nor mal for the same period is approximately 078. The sunshine averaged 74 per cent of tbe possible. Tbe prevailing winds were from NW to NE generally cold, and at times bigh and were an import ant factor in making the weather unfav? orable on orops. AH correspondents, without excep? tion, charaotize the past week as hav? ing been unfavorable on tbe growth < f crops, by reason of too much rain or too low temperatures or both as well aa tbe bad effects of high winds in places. Little progress was made in planting corn, and germination cf receutly plant? ed oom is slow I; is coming op to irregular stands, although some sec i tioos report fair stand 9 Much rep la o t ing is necessary, and worms are dam . aging oom badly in places The cooi weather caused it to look yellow and checked i's growth. Early corn is re? ceiving its second cultivation,. Some bottom lands have been planted but the recent rains made thom too wet and stopped planting operations on them. The recent frost did not kill any corn. Wet and cold weather have bad a bad effect on cotton wbiob everywhere bas stopped growing. Some cotton was killed by the frost, although such dam? age was confined to limited areas, but the frost effectually ooecked its growth everywhere and gave it a set back. Seed recently planted are slow in com ing up and much replanting is neces? sary Some fields where the cotton failed to come up. or was killed by frost, are being planted to oom. Little Drogress was made in planting and over the western and northwestern counties much land already prepared, remains to be planted to cotton. Rice Feeding is practically completed for early planting, but tbe coul weather injured the stand and vitality of the piantis which made no growth during the week. Transplanting of tobacco H nearly finished in the more southerly di?tric?e and is weil under way io Marion aud Marlboro counties Thc- ground is in good conditio.-- io regard to moisture, but too ecol for the young plants. lo j?ry frooi cu? worm** ts OIKO reported Sweet potato draws growing better lately and slips being transplanted. Melons were killed by the frost of tbs 28th io places and badly set back everywhere. The JJBtfMB?^?k a very poor stand of mel?os aod point to a late crop. The fruit outlook is on the whole very promising a few localities, only re? port total destruction by the frost in early April, while a few scattered re? ports indicate that peaches aod plums are dropping badly. The frost of the week did no injury to fruit First crop of figs evidently destroyed Heavy shipments of strawberries from Flor? ence, Marion, Darlington and Marl? boro cour.tiss were made this week. Oats continue to look promising, ex? cept in Jeffries Creek section where they are a failure Wheat is heading and growing nicely, although some? what yellowed by the cool weather. Pastures have improved rapidly. Gar deos are later than usual, but are yield? ing early vegetables enough to supply local demands over the whole State Farm work i? well up to tba require? ments of the various crops. J. W. BAUER. IFFAIRS'AT ~ KEY WEST. Activity of Cuban Colony Another Spanish Prize Ar? rives. Key West, Fla , May 2 -More naval officers from the big ships were ashore to day than at any time since the fleet sailed for Caban waters. Although the blockade is still being maintained by the smaller cruisers, and important movement is being planned. What it is, however, can only be conjectured. The day has been barren of actual news. The Cuban colony here is develop ing great activity. A mass meeting was held'this afternoon to perfect ar rangements for the departure of about 200 patriots, who will go to Tampa and thence to Cuba, when the army moves over to the island This party will act in concert with the United States regiments, but its members wiil serve more in the capacity of scouts, though members of the regu lar army. The party will be under the direction of Col Mendez The officers and men of the fleet here are jubilant at Commodore Dewey's daring in running the bat? teries and achieving what is consid? ered likely to be the greatest tri umph of the war ; but they long for a similar opportunity, and hope the significant conferences and move ments of the past 24 hours indicate that it is not far distant. The cruiser Marblehead is bring ing in the Spanish steamer Argonauta, captured by the gunboat Nashville, off the South coast of Cuba, last Fri day The Argonauta was bound for Havana and had on board a colonel of the Spanish army, a surgeon, six officers and three non-commissioned officers. The auxiliary cruiser Eagle, a transformed yacht, was scouring along the Southern coast of Cuba near Cienfuegos, when she sighted the Argonauta and started in pur? suit. She was fired upon from tbe shore, but continued the chase and drove the big steamer alone the coast toward the Marblehead and the Nashville. They put a couple of j shots across her bows and she quick? ly hove to and surrendered. The Nashville took the Spanish army officers on board as prisoners of war and brought them into Key Weat. She lies out in the stream, and no further particulars of her capture can be learned from her. The Spanish officers on the Argo nauta were Col. Corijq of the Third Spanish cavalry, his first lieutenant, surgeon major, seven other lieuten? ants and ten privates and non-com? missioned officers All were held as prisoners of war. The steamer also carried a large cargo of arma and Mauser ammuni? tion. FLAG OF TRUCE FIRED ON. Arrangements were then made to transfer the passengers and non-com? batants to the shore. The women and children were placed in the first boat, and under cover of a flag of truce were soou bound toward the entrance of Cienfuegos. A second crew took the other passengers and landed them about 12:10 o'clock The Eagle hoisted a signal convey? ing the intelligence that she had been fired upon by Spanish boats coming out the river The Eagle immediate ly returned the fire with ber six pounders and held her ground until tbe Marblehead came up. Both vee pels then fired broadside after broad? side up the entrance to the river. The boats coming down were two torpedo boats and one torpedo boat destroyer After twenty minutes firing by the Eagle, the last two of which were participated in by the Marbi eh ad, the Spanish boats ceased firing. It is coiibidered certain they were damaged Cable Interrupted. New York, May 2 -The central caljie office of the Western Union Tele? graph company this afternoon issued the following notice : "We are officially advised by tbe Eastern Extension com? pany that the cable between Hong Kong and Manila ie interrupted " PLANS FOR THE INVASION OF CUBA. Nine Transports Will Be at Tampa on Friday. Tampa, Fla , May 2 -Two bun (ired native Cubans who have been quietly enlisted in New York city by Gen Julio Sanguilly, arrived in Tampa to night They will be form? ed into a cavalry regiment under the leadership of the famous Cuban who enlisted them, and will probably em? bark for Cuba with the American troops Tbe rest of the regiment will be made up of Cubans from Tampa and vicinity. For the enlist ment 42.recruiting offices were open ed here to-day. The New Yorkers created a sensation as they marched down the street in a body, and they were followed for blocks by a mob of excited Cubans Friday the following fleet of ves? sels is expected to be Waiting at the wharves at Tampa for tbe reception of the United States troops : The Florida, Olivette and Mascotte of the Plant line ; the Alamo and Comal of the Mallory line, the Comal being already in the stream here ; the Aransas and possibly the Lampasas of the Morgan line, and the Alleghe? ny and Berkshire of the Merchants and Miners line. These boats are all contracted for and having a carrying capacity of about 6.000 troops. It is not believ* ed, however, that the actual embark? ation will take place before Sunday at the latest, much remains to be done in the way of gathering ammu? nition and supplies and several days must elapse before all is in readiness. It is believed that the force will vbe made up- of 3,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry and 10 batteries of artillery, in all close to 5,000 men Only one regiment of cavalry, the Ninth, is now in camp at Tampa, but the Tenth, now at Chickamauga, will, it ? is believed, be brought down here to fill out the quota The fortifications at Egmont and Mullet Keys, commanding the north and south channels of Tampa bay and on which work has been rapidly pushed, are now practically complete and ready for the mounting of the guns. Moat of these, it is said, will be of the 8 inch calibre and such others as are at band, the urgency of the situation not permitting the de? lay which would be unavoidable if heavy guns were to be mounted. Bids for the purchase of about $2,000,000 worth of coal for use of the government were opened to day. No announcement of the successful bidder will be made pending a report to Washington This coal wiii be brought into Tampa as fast as pos? sible. Washington, May 3.-Secretary Long bas asked for tbe passage of a deficiency appicpiiaticn bill carrying ao appropriation of $18.000,000. AIR ON TAP-GRAPHITE AND OIL FREE. Come and see U3 before buying or trading. We c*u please yon. We hare at present. The Victor, Monarch, imperial and several other bigb grade m*kes. I? the Juvenile lioe, we offer THE ELFIN. ''It grows with the child " Our Local Guarantee goes on e*ery wheel sold. We keep your wbvel in repair free one year. ' We try to keep our repair department I up-to-date. We build, sell, trade and repair { it ts io our capacity to do anything about I bicycles. For our o?n use we keep gasoline ! and benzioe. We ci?n accommodate you io tb?3 ltne if yon want tbe best. Yours, determined to please, JENKINS BROS?, "TEE 07ERALL SIDS-" Next Door to Express Office. Winburn 9 -TSE eople's, opular, ushing, regressive liotognipher. Doing the finest up to-date photography.. fin. 25-tf 1898. Ch ai n less Columbia, ?125 Standard Columbia. $75 Models 7 & 8. Hartford. $50 Models 15 & 16, Vedett, $40 2d hand Columbias, $25 to $50 Satisfaction guaranteed on every wheel sold by me. D. JAS. WINN, Dec 10 SUMTER, S. C*.