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Newspaper
Renwick Times
Location
Renwick, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 05, 1898
Page
6
Spanish batteries at Matanzas are swiftly destroyed by heavy blows as U S forces advance. The action showcases significant naval and coastal artillery engagement with intense bombardment and rapid progress toward key positions. Allied forces report substantial damage to enemy strongpoints and supply lines.
New York flagship Puritan and cruiser Cincinnati with Admiral Sampson bombard Spanish coastal batteries at Mutenza harbor entrance. Three American ships exchange broadsides as batteries fire explosive shells, all missing. Battery defenses damaged but no U.S. ship hits until final exchange ends when Spaniards withdraw.
The Matanzas bombardment left batteries ruined as smoke rose from fortifications. Reports from Madrid say Americans withdrew after a half hour of fighting, while others claim heavier Spanish losses. The steamer Guide, captured with cargo, is valued at about 4100,000. The War Department chartered two dozen transports to move troops to Cuba. The subsistence commission plans 186,000 rations at 25 cents daily, totaling 19 million annually. The war bill proclaims that war exists between the United States and the Kingdom of Spain.
President McKinley transmits correspondence with Spain about recognizing Cuban independence and forcing Spain to relinquish control. He notes the severance of diplomatic relations, cites protests and proclamations, and urges a joint resolution declaring war, to define the United States as a belligerent and authorize further actions.
Naval conferees reached an agreement on the appropriation bill, presenting a report after Thursday’s talks. The bill totals nearly 57 million dollars, about 19 million more than the House version and 32 million above the current year. Key amendments authorize four harbor defense monitors, raise torpedo boat destroyers from twelve to sixteen, and fund three new 11,000 ton battleships at about 8.9 million each, plus three coast defense monitors.
State Department notes neutrality proclamations issued by Italy the Netherlands Switzerland Norway Sweden Russia France Colombia Great Britain Mexico Argentina Corea and Belgium. Four major powers Britain Italy France and Russia claim neutrality while Germany and Austria delay. Austria expected to adopt neutrality later. Germany delays cite commercial interests.
Congress plans to stay in Washington during the war with Spain with possible brief summer recesses if needed. Leaders expect no adjournment until Spanish hostilities end, wary of European interference and shifting allegiances. In naval news, the U S monitor Terror captured the Spanish steamer Guido near Cuba, seizing cargo for troops, including provisions and money.
Dispatches from Madrid report rising food prices and bread cost fears as war pressures intensify. Palma manufacturers cut work and wages, while thousands of artisans and families suffer. Spaniards doubt England's unrecorded acts, suspect a secret Anglo‑American accord. Spanish officers threaten Cuban residents in Havana, promising ruin if Americans seize the city. A man named John Wiltz faces a death sentence after arrest near Port Eads for alleged plundering tied to Forts St Philip and Jackson activities.
Military dispatch outlines a joint strategy where Cuban forces provide cover for a landing of allied troops. The document details coordinated shore assaults and air support to enable coastal operations. The plan emphasizes rapid seizure of key objectives and secure harbor access for subsequent movements.
A United States Army officer Lieut Rowan of the Nineteenth Infantry reached Gen. Calixto Garcia's Cuban insurgent camp west of Santiago after a prearranged landing from the torpedo boat Porter. He conferred on arming the Cubans and US joint operations, in a plan perfected in Washington ten days prior.
Army officers especially Gen Miles question the plan to send 3,000 troops to Cuba. They propose delaying the landing and instead offering to place the men on ships and request Spanish officials to guard them until the war ends. The choice of Matanzas as landing point is cited as a reason not to risk a small force near Havana where thousands of Spanish soldiers are stationed.
A letter mailed from Santa Cruz California addressed to Premier Sagasia Spain was opened under Assistant Attorney General Truer. The woman sender provided a return address and described San Francisco fortifications and potential landing points for Spanish troops along the coast.
From the front rebels destroy two troop trains near Havana and crowds visit regimental camps in southern cities. Weyler to lead a new army corps in Cuba while Spain considers privateers. Detroit captures the Catalina twelve miles from Havana and Helena seizes Miguel Mover with a $400,000 cargo. Pando commands Spanish forces around Harang as patriotic theater protests erupt. Revenue cutter Winona overhauls ships Saturnina, Ondad in, Antonio after brief chase. French papers largely oppose US. Postmaster General halts mail to Spain. experts weigh battlefield bullet localization. Atlantic naval division ordered to patrol off Cuba.
The Senate Military Committee favorably reports a bill to enlist an extra brigade of volunteer engineers. It empowers the President to enlist up to 10 000 men from revenue organized troops in the South who have had yellow fever, without regard to apportionment among states.
A historical list recalls Spanish prizes captured by American ships since the war, including schooners and sloops such as Buena Ser, Tarpeno, Catalina, Antonio, and Mangrove. Reports note government orders for six more disappearing cartridges for coast defense guns and potential attacks on San Francisco railroads. Spain seeks sympathy, warning of force to repel U.S. aggression, while torpedo boats and an armed ship patrol the English Channel entrance.
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