THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 312, 9 July 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

MILLIONAIRES A 3 SAILORS. As evidence of the patriotism which at present animates all classes in the United States, it is worthy of note that nineteen »ons of millionaires are serviny as common sailors with, the fleet. Mr Sims, of Providence, a millionaire many times over, is acting as chief engineer on beard of one of tho United States cruisers. COMMODORE WATSON. If courage and coolness can succeed Commodore Watson, who has been placed in charge of the American squadron sent to bombard the coastal towns of Spain, is tho right man in the right place. He in a Kentuckian, and tho youngest officer of his rank in the navy. he owes to an exhibition of intcrpid bravery when a mere youth. He joined tho service just before the Civil War, and was sent to B*rve as midshipman under Admiral Furragut, in the flagship Hartford, which took a prominent part in the attack on New Orleans, In passing the forts below the city the ropes controlling the main sheet of the Hartford were cut by the hail of grape from the 9 inch guns of Fort St. Philip just as tho flagship was directly abeam or right opposite the battery. The order was given to go aloft and clear them, but «ith the iron hail rattling through the Hartford's rigging it seemed cctain death. Even the most hardened bluejackefs paused, as weli they might, seeing the yard cut in splint6r« at every round. Meantime the Hartford was swinging round, bow towards the fort, lacking the braco of her main sheet. 'I Come on, men," said a young middy, throwinff of his cap, and going up the ratlines like a cat. Men followed, but the boy ran out to the end of a yardarm GO feet from the water, and. steadying himself by a rope coolly stood erect till the mischief was repaired. One-third of the men were killed or wounded in the work. Then the lad went below, and, touching his cap, said to the Admiral, "All clear, sir." From that moment John Crittenden Watson has been the favorite of fortune. Within the month he was Ensign and advanced 30 numbers for " distinguished gallantry in action " "Ic's devilinh strange," said Captain Percival Droyton, Fleet Captain of the West Gulf squadron, to Jouett, commanding the Netacomet, " how you fellows from the States 1000 miles from tho tide water take to the sea. Here's Farragut, a Tennesseean, you, a Phythian, and now this young gainecook Watson, must beat us all in coolness and courage." "It is that old Indian fighting strain which we inherited from our fathers," said Farragut, "and mark my words, if we ever have another war, this boy Watson will distinguish himself." Aud he now has the opportunity, SPIES IN AMERICA. One of the effects of the war between America and Spain has been a sudden accession of nervousness on the part ot Americans an to the presence of Spanish spies in the United Stales. A man has only to " look like a Spaniard" —however that may be—and to be seen bating about in a purpofeless way for instant suspicion to be aroused, and for the individual concerned to be subjected to the closest surveillance. Nor, it may be sale, ir all this uneasiness without some reasonable foundation. The crop of Spanish spies iu America since the beginning of the war seems to have been a tolerably heavy one. If American suspicions a>e correct, these gentry were responsible for the blowing-up of two powder mills at opposite sides of the country within tliirty-six hours of each other. At the same time an armoury, with a large store or arms and ammunition, was destroyed by fire in another part of the country, and it is a tenable theory that all were the work of Spaniards. A man was ararrested near New Orleans with a notebook full of the completest details of the local forts, which did not reach their intented destination. A woman's letter, addressed to Senor Sagasta, and consequently confiscated by the United States postal authorities, was found to contain information about the fortifications of Sau Francisco, and to describe parts of the Californian coast where Spanish troops could be landed, and where they would be met by men who would act as guides. The former. Spanish Vice-Con-sul at Tampa, who was supposed to have left for Jamaica at the outbreak of the war, and who actually did go some dislancc away lias been recognised going about in a disguise by the chief of poiice, and it is naturally believed that he did not go back merely for the sake of his health or for the scenery. A Spaniard or Mexican was seen hanging about the shipbuilding yards at Portland, where two torpedo boats arc being constructed, and when an attempt was made one day to blow up the vessels by means of bombs, " Spanish spy " leapt to every one's lips. Another Spaniard was caught in close proximity to a car load of gunpowder in the army camp at Tampa, and the articles found on him pretty clearly indicated that he Tiad a mind to anticipate tne use of that powder by exploding the whole lot. Another one was actually arrested on board the auxiliary cruiser St. Paul. He had been closely watched for some days, and when he was seen to slip out of his bunk in the middle of the night it was thought high time to nip in the bud any plans he might have made. He was nearly lynched by the crew before the oflicers succeeded in securing him. It will be seen that the national nervousuois on the subject of spies is not wholly unfounded, for though probably a good proportion of the suspected and arrested individuals will be able to prove that they are innocent, the intentions of the others are sufficiently obvious to render the strictest precautious necessary.

REMEMBER THE MAINE. Tho destruction of the Maine in Havana Harbour which the Americans evidently belicre to have been tho work of Spaniards, caused a great feeling of excitement and anger throughout the States. The battle-cry " Remember the Maine" was used by the Americans at tho battle of Mauila, and on going into action the signal was hoisted on an American flagship. The following poem by Rcbert Wilson Barn* give some idea of tho depth of feeling existing : When the vengeance wakes, when the battle breaks, And the ships sweep out to sea : - When the foe is nearcd and the decks are cleared, And the colours floating free ; When the squadrons meet, when it's fleet to fleet, And front to front with Spain, From ship to ship, from lip to lip, Pass on the quick refrain: " Remember, Remember the Maine!" When the flag shall sign " Advance in line, Train ships on an even keel " : When the gun shall flash and the shot shall crash And hound on the ringing stool: When the ratting blasts from the armoured masts Are hvuliug their deadliest rain, Let their voices loud through the blinding cloud Cry ever the fierce refrain : "Remember, Remember the Maine!"

God's sky and sea ia that storm shall be Fate's chaos of smoke aud flame, But across that hell every shot shall tell— Not a gun cau miss its aim; Not a blow will fail ou the crumbling mail, And the waves that engulf the slain Shall sweep the decks of the blackeued wrecks With the thundering dread refrain : "Remember, Remember the Maine!"