18 May 1898
Page 1
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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
May 18, 1898
Page
1
Washington reports plan to sever all Havana cables to interrupt General Blanco's links with Spain and the outside world. The War Department prepares immediate action to destroy cables via multiple routes through Santo Domingo, Havana, and surrounding shores to isolate Cuban and Spanish communications.
Censorship extends to Tampa reporters as officials pledge punishment for smut and coverage gaps after the Guzsie expedition failure. Reports say failure stemmed from withheld supplies and mishandled public information, with authorities blaming press for shaping public sentiment.
A dispatch notes censorship actions and warnings to correspondents about news from Cuba. It mentions a patrol setup to monitor movements, threats of debarment for reporters, and efforts to thwart piracy as news from the Spanish government is restricted. It also records the formation of cavalry brigades at Takkehend and Major General Jos eph Ne Wheeler assuming a command role.
A May 18 telegram from Kingmeth reports a violent tornado sweeping western Kansas county, striking the town of Cunninghan in the southeast, demolishing homes as it moved northwest, leaving destruction in its path. Local damage and impact details are incomplete due to damaged text.
Mrs. Gladstone keeps vigil at his bedside through the night and into dawn. Hawarden residents report the ailing prime minister’s condition worsening while the family and servants remain in the sick room awaiting news. The scene at four oclock this morning is described as the most painful moment of the vigil.
Washington reports discuss possible U S retaliation on France over Spain at the Paris Exposition of 1900. Congress debates excluding exhibits, with General Grosvenor and Congressman Dockery opposing further funding. Paris press sentiment favors the U S over the matter, while past $25 000 Paris expo appropriations face scrutiny.
A massive storm struck Cunningham on the Wichita and Western line, 60 miles west of Wichita. The track was 200 vars wide and the town lost five houses, with residents seeking shelter in cellars as rain hail and a roaming cloud swept through. Nobody was seriously injured, though there was widespread shock.
Governor Lesay has received word from Col. Fred Funston that he will join the Twentieth Kansas regiment before it ships from San Francisco to the Philippine Islands. The decision between sending the Twentieth or Twents- Orst regiments was debated, with Funston ultimately persuading the choice of the Twentieth. Funston seeks experience for the new country and plans to bring back Cuba-related information to the commander in chief before rejoining his regiment in San Francisco.
Chicago May 18 special from Key West reports Murro Castle Rash left last night for the first time since the blockade. It is suggested Spaniards expected the Cane Verde fleet, as Wilmington’s crew watched the scene with amazement.
London reports Manila may capitulate to the American blockading squadron under Admiral Dewey due to famine and siege. A Democratic congressional committee for the Sixth district met at Colby for a convention on July 7, as part of party activity.
The article notes superhuman vitality fading as Mr. Gladstone fights death, slumps back into sleep, and is expected to die within a few hours. He lies on a small iron bed as family members surround him while servants are admitted for a final farewell.
Washington May 1 There has been no meeting yet between the hostile fleets near Cuba. Navy department officials say they have no confirmed word of the Spanish squadron’s location. Rumors from ports in the Gulf and near Haiti lack confirmation and no American ships are reported in those areas. The battleship Gregori is believed to have joined Sampson’s fleet, possibly leaving Bahia around May 10, with a voyage toward the Windward Passage expected to bring relief to department anxieties.
The cruiser Charleston left Mare Island navy yard at dawn bound for Mantle with a heavy load of ammunition for its guns and powder and projectiles for Admiral Dewey's fleet. The ship carried 380 crew members and no troops. It was also heavily loaded with coal, though much of it would be expended en route to Mastin.
Washington May 18 The Qreton is believed to be safe and probably now part of Sallipson’s squadron.
Washington May 13 Secretary Long stated officially that the Oregon is safe but its exact location cannot be disclosed at this time. The remark confirms the ship's security while withholding current coordinates or destination details.
The battleship Alabama was launched at Cramp's shipyard Philadelphia at 12 50 PM with a guarded private ceremony for invited Washington guests. This marked the first time the public was barred from a launch since the new battleship program began, highlighting the vessel's immense power and the nation's defense.
Philadelphia May 18. The Alabama leading a trio of new battleships departs from earlier designs with a raised protective deck and forward running water line armor. Main battery comprises four 13 inch guns in turrets and fourteen 6 inch rapid fire guns. Displacement 1520 tons, length 274 feet, beam 72, draft 26 feet 6 inches, speed 16 knots, horsepower about 10,000.
Plans and armor figures for the Alabama show simplified construction with fewer calibers, reduced top-weight by removing 5 inch turrets, and armor up to 16 1/2 inches on waterline belt. The ship, displacing 14 500 tons, compares favorably with European battleships, though armor shortages delayed completion after Congress failed to provide armor promptly.
Willem Doherty, an American ornithologist and entomologist, has returned from extensive travel to the Philippines and Hong Kong. He reportedly passed Manila customs with highly sensitive naval plans hidden in a laundried shirt, delivering them to Admiral George Dewey aboard the Olympia.
Detective James Kesson claims he knows the man who stabbed Private Frank Morgan of the Osage county volunteers on May 10 near Seventh Street and Kansas Avenue. He says he can arrest the suspect at Chief of Police Munry M. Steele's order, but Steele has not given the order. An official says Steele is pursuing his own theory and not acknowledging Kesson's discovery, with Kesson pressed to act. Morgan may soon be released but cannot rejoin his company.
Lincoln May 18. William J. Bryan commissioned as colonel to organize a Third Nebraska regiment and offer service to the president upon muster. Governor Holcomb issued the commission with authority to proceed and Bryan indicated he would accept.
Witness testimony at the Collins murder inquiry reveals alarming clues. Mrs Chapmin reports Collins acted agitated before death and last week walked his room door all night. Dr Tent testifies to gunshot wounds while others mention a revolver found and a telegraph line about Tell Nothing. The case centers on whether Collins killed himself or faced foul play.
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