I h m .-i CUBAN EXPEDITION. A Company of United States Troops Leaves Tampa for Cuba. Soveral SpnnUh Vessels Captured OIT lln- vanti unit Taken to Kiy Wit Ilopurts iif Uneoiintern with tlio Kiieiny' Wamhlp Uneonilrmed. Tampa, Fin., May 10. The steamer Gussic, one of the Mnllory Hue boats, chartered by the government for tiso ns u transport, will sail for Cuba to day, loaded with arms, ammunition and supplies furnished by the United States government for the use of tho Cuban insurgents. A company of 100 United States troops from the First regiment of Infantry will accompany the expedition and aid in guarding tho landing of the valuable cargo, and will, if necessary, penetrate in to the interior far enough to place the supplies in the hands of the insurgents. Tho expedition will bo in charge of Capt, W. II. Dorst, Gen. Miles' aide, who has just returned from Cuba. The Gussic has on board between 0,000 and 7,000 Springfield rilles, about 200,003 rounds of ammunition and several hundred boxes of provisions, consisting prin cipally of canned meats and hardtack. The utmost secrecy is maintained re garding tho point of landing, but in view of Capt. Dorst's recent landing near Havana, where hu communicated with the insur gent leader, Gen. Delgado, it is believed that the expedition will bo headed for a point not far from Ha vana. The Gussic had mouutcd on her forward deck yesterday a one-pounder rapid-fire gun. It is understood, how ever, that she will bo met at some point not far from Key West by a gunboat from the blockading squadron and es corted to the designated binding plnce. It is intimated that the Whitney will follow the Gussio to Cuba as soon as her arms, ammunition and supplies can be loaded. lleforo u weelc has passed it is believed that the insurgent lead ers will have been furnished with arms enough for at least 15,000 men and, with a base of supplies estab lished on tho coast, a vigorous cam paign against the Spanish forces will bo inaugurated. Muj. Gen. James F. Wade is now in command of the army of invasion, by his right as senior offi cer, displacing Maj. Gen. W. II. Shat ter, heretofore in command. Orders to this effect were received from Wash ington last night. Largo amounts of powder and projectiles for tho block ading squadron are now arriving here. Hundreds of carpenters are at work fitting up the big transports. It is be lieved now that all of the boats here will be in readiness for loading by Wednesday night. Tho engineer corps yesterday were drilled to the use of the big canvas pontoons, which are a part of their equipment. In the capa cious hold of the Alamo are stored enough of these pontoons to form a bridge several hundred feet in length. They will be carried with the expedi tion. ki:y wi:st itujioits. Ii:y West, Fin., May 10. Tho Span ish fishing smack Santiago ApostaL was captured by the gunboat May flower oft' Havana and brought in by a prize crew yesterday afternoon. She was bound from Yucatan for Havana with a cargo of fish and a crew of ten men. She was rounded up with one blank shot. This was the only inci dent of tho day, which was largely devoted to the circulation of alarming rumors of tho sinking of American ships off the Cuban coast. Up to night fall nothing approaching definito evidence of the blockading licet had reached here. Tho story flourishing at that hour was that heavy firing had been heard oil' Havana. This was brought in by small boats, and was jus much In need of verification as tho others. Naval men here, however, in cline to the belief that tho Spanish batteries ou the north coast will seize every chance to llro ou American ships, and would not be surprised to hear at any moment of a battlu at or oil' Ha vana. Intelligence of Hear Admiral Sampson's squadron was also eagerly looked for. It is be lieved that it has already reached. its destination and that news of an engagement should soon arrive. Three separate reports of engagements of United States warships reached hero last night, but thus far details are wanting. One rumor is that tho cruiser Montgomery has captured two prizes off Cape Haytion, after a sharp battle with two Spanish gunboats and put in to St. Nicholas slightly dam aged. Another says that the tug Osceola, of tho mosquito fleet, was fired upon near Havana, and tho third is that three Spanish gunboats fired upon the United States torpedo bout, Wins low at Cardenas but were repulsed by tho Winslow after one had been dis abled. Tho Vicksburg last night brought in a fishing bmack. the Fernandilo, taken oft' Havana, Doth ships are lying out and swing to tho regulations. No de tails can be ascertained. The Spanish schooner Severo was captured by tho gunboat Dolphin while trying to mako her way into Havana harbor early yes terday morning. Uotvoy Hay at St. I.miW. St. Louis, May 10. Mayor Zicgen heln has officially proclaimed Satur day, May 1-1, a public holiday in honor of the victory of Adm. George Dewey. A mammoth celebration will take place at Forest park. NATIONAL LAWMAKERS. A Condensed Hoport of tho Doing: of Oar Senator ntul Kopresontntlves In Vanlilngtnu. Tnnscnato was not in session on tho 3d.... When tho houso mot tho chaplain gavo thanks for tho victory won by our lleot anil prayed that It might bo tho means of soon ending tho war. Tho scnato bill with an amendment for tho saloof public lands In Missouri was passed. It was also voted to insist upon tho houso amendments to tho bill for organizing n navy battalion In tho District of Columbia and a confcrcnco was asked. Consideration of prl vato bills was then begun. Afterwards a rcccsi was taken and at tho night session -- pension bills and a number of acts correcting military records were p ssed. Sknatoii Stkwaut prcsontcd In tho scnato on tho 4th nn nmendment to tho war revenue mensuro for Issuing ISOO.000,000 treasury notes instead of bonds. It was reforrcd to tho tlnnuco committee. Tho conferenco report on tho for tiilcntlons bill wns adopted. A bill to allow tho Knight of Pythias to maintain a sanitarium on tho government reservation at Hot Sprint's, Ark., wns passed. Senator Cockroll (Mo ) so cured tho passngo of a resolution asking tho secretary of tho treasury to mako n report about tho silver In tho treasury, tho amount of seigniorage, the number of dollars coined, etc. Tho bill providing for tho presidential succes sion In certain contingencies was passed, a rider by Senator Mills (Tc.x.), meeting tho points raised by tho supremo court against tho income tax proposition, being defeated by a party vote.... Tho houso adopted tho confer enco report on tho fortifications bill nud passed a resolution repealing tho act prohibiting tho passage of Importations In bond through tho territory of tho United States Into tho "freo 7ono" of Mexico. Mr. Newlnnds (Nov.) Intro duced a Joint resolution for tho annexation of llnwalL Tnnsenatoon thoBth hnd under considera tion tho post olUco appropriation bill. Tho measure carries tV9,'J24l:iua Tho most Impor tant action taken was tho adoption of an amendment offered by Senator Tillman (S. C) reducing the deliveries of mall In all cities to a number not exceeding four each day. Tho ac tion of tho committee In striking out tho ap propriation for 1500,000 for rural freo delivery wus sustained and tho bill now carries no ap propriation for such delivery. Just beforo ad journment a war measure was passed author izing tho president to supply tho Cuban Insur gents with arms and munitions of war nnd em powering United States army ofllcers serving In Cuba to glvo needy Inhabitants of tho Island medicines and food.... Tho houso agreed to tho conference report on tho Alaskan bill extend ing tho homestead laws nnd providing for cer tain railway rights In tho territory. The meas ure providing for tho arbitration of disputes botweon railroads and their employes was passed, besides a number of minor bills. Tho house then adjourned until tho Uth. Tni: senate on tho (3th passed a bill to In crease to 15 tho number of surgeons In tho United States army and to authorize tho secre tary of war to employ as many contract sur geons as he may deem necessary. The rest of tho session was consumed by n discussion of an amendment to the post ofllco appropriation bill offered by Senator Pettigrow (S. D.) providing for a reduction of -0 per cent. In tho compensa tion of railroads for tho transportation of mulls. Tho amendment was still pending when tho senato adjourned until tho 0th.... Tho house was not In session. LED INTO A TRAP. Tho Vlcknlitirgr "' Morrill Arc I.uit Under the Cum of n Havana ISnttrry anil inrrnwly Kscapn. Kky Wi:st, Fla., M113' 0. Only poor marksmanship on tho part of the Span ish gunners saved the Vicksburg and the cutter Morrill from destruction oft Havana Saturday morning. For o.er half an hour they were under the flro of the guns of the Santa Clara water batteries, but both escaped with out material injury, although shrapnell from eight-inch guns exploded all about them and botli now show the pitted scars of the Spanish bullets. The wily Span iards had arranged a trap to send a couple of our ships to the bottom. They baited it as a man would bait a trap. A small schooner was sent out from Havana harbor shortly beforo daylight yesterday morning to draw some of the Americans in tho ambuscade. Tho ruse worked liko a charm. Tho Vicksburg and tho Morrill, in the heat of tho chase and in their contempt for Spanish gunnery, walked straight into tho trap that had been set for them. Had the Span iards possessed their souls in patience but five minutes longer, not even tho bad gun practice would have saved our ships and to-day two more of our ves sels would lie at tho bottom, within two lengths of the wrecks of tho ill starred Maine. WORST IN FIFTY YEARS. Terrible Floods Ar Devastating tho Ar- lotiiHii't Viilloy TnwnH Aro Submerged and ThouH.tndH Kendered Homeless. Van Huih:.v, Ark., May 9. Tho worst flood known since 1814 is devastating tho Arkansas valley and towns along the banks of that stream aro sub merged, whilo many farm buildings aro afloat. One-fourth of tho residence part of tills city is eight feet under water. Riverside and Dabylon, two densely settled suburbs, are under water and several large residences have fallen into tho river. Every foot of dry land is covered with household goods. Thousands of people have been driven from their homes and are being sheltered here. Tho M., K. & T. and Iron Mountain railroad systems aro tied up in tho Indian territory. Hun dreds of thousands of dollars' damage has been done to plantations in Craw ford county. Loudon Papers Praise Drwiiy. London, May 'J. Tho comment on the battle at Manila us tho details come in is universally ilattering to Commo dore Dewey and the American navy. The Times says: "The destruction of tho Spanish fleet was complete, as com plete as any achievement recorded in naval annals. Commodore Dewey show ing himself worthy alike of tho great traditions of tho United States navy and of his kinship with tho race that produced Nelson." HONORS FOE DEWEY. I A Vote of Thanks Extended by Con gress to the Comm odorc. ItlrdnU for Illo OfTlcer anil Men Clalliuit Commodore to 11 0 Promoted to Hear Admiral President' Meago to Coiigresn 011 tho Subject. Washington, May 10. Fitting trib ute was paid by congress yesterday to Commodore Dowey for the magnificent victory achieved in the battle of Ma nila bay. A message from tho presi dent was received by both houses rec ommending that a vote of thanks bo oxtonded by congress to Commodore Dewey aud tho gallant officers and men of his command. Without a word of debate and without a dissenting voice botli houses agreed to a resolu tion carrying into effect tho recom mendation of tho president. Congress went farther oven than that. A bill was presented increasing the number of rear admirals in the navy from six to seven, in order that tho president might nominate Commo dore Dewey to tho highest position in tho navy within his gift, aud that, too, was passed without dissent. In addition, a joint resolution was unanimously agreed to directing the secretary of tho navy to pre sent to Commodore Dewey a sword of honor, and to have struck, in commemoration of tho battle of Manila, a bronze medal for each of tho officers and men who participated in tho gallant fight. Tho resolution ap propriates 810,000 to enable the secre tary to carry its provisions into effect. President Melvinley's message rec ommending a vote of thanks was as follows: To tho Congress of tho United States: On the'Jlthof April I directed tho secrotary of tho navy to telegraph orders to Commodore Clcorco Dewey, of tho United States navy, com manding Urn Asiatic squadron, then lying In tho port of Ilong Kong, to proceed forthwith to the Philippine lslands.thoro tocommcuco oper ations and engage tho Spanish licet. Promptly obeying that order the United States squad ron, consisting of tho llngshlp Olympla, lialtl more. Kalelgli, Uoston, Concord aud Petrel, with tho rovenuo cutter McCulloch as an aux iliary dispatch boat, entered the harbor of Ma nila at daybreak ou tho 1st of May nud imme diately engaged tho entire licet of 11 ships, which were under tho protection of tho llro of tho land forts. After a stubborn light, In which tho enemy suffered great loss, theso ves sels were destroyed or completely disabled nnd tho wator battery at Cavlto silenced. Of our bravo ofllcers and men not one wns lost and only eight Injured and those slightly. All of our ships escaped any serious damage Uy tho tth of May Commodore Dowey had taken pos session of tho naval station at Cavlto, destroy ing tho formications Micro and at the entrance of tho bay and patrollng their garrisons. Tho waters of the bay aro under his complete con trol. Ho has established hospitals within tho American lines, whero iM) of tho Span ish sick and wounded aro assisted und protected. Tho magnitude of this victory can hardly bo measured by tho ordinary standards of naval warfara Out weighing any mntorlal advantage Is tho moral effect of this Initial success. At this unsur passed achievement tho great Ifcart of our na tion throbs, not with boasting nor greed of conquest, but with deep gratitude that this triumph has como in a Just causo nnd that by tho graco of Ood an effectlvo step has thus been taken toward the attainment of tho wlshed-for peace. To those whoso skill, cour age and devotion have won tho light, to tho gallant commander and the bravo ofllcers aud men who aided him, our country owos nn In calculable debt. Keeling as our peoplo fool and speaking In tholr name I at onco sent a message to Commo dore Dowey. thanking him and his officers and men for their splendid achievement and over whelming victory, and informing him that I bad appointed him an acting rear admiral. I now recommend that, following our national precedents aud expressing tho fervent grati tude of overy patriotic heart, tho thanks of con gress be given Hear Admiral CJoorgo Dowey, of tho United States navy, for highly distin guished conduct In conflict with tho enemy and to tho ofllcers and men under his command for their gallantry. In tho destruction of tho enemy's licet nnd"tho rnpturo of tho enemy's formication in tho bay of Manila. AV U.T.I AM MCICIXT.KY. Executive Mansion, May 0, lblW. The resolution adopted in response to the recommendation is as follows: Joint resolution, tendering tho thanks of con gress to Commodoro Dewoy, U, S. N.,nnd to tho ofllcers and men of tho squadron under his command. Unsolved, Hy tho sennto nnd tho houso of representatives of the United States of Amor Jca, In congress assembled, that In pursuance of tho recommendation of tho president mado In accordance with tho provisions of section 1508 of the revised statutes, tho thanks of con gress and of tho American peoplo aro hereby tendered to Commodore Ueorgo Dowey, U. S. N., commander-in-chief of tho Asiatic station, for highly distinguished conduct In conflict with tho enemy as displayed by him In tho de struction of the Spanish lleot aud batteries in tho harbor of Manila, Philippine- islands. May 1. 18C8. Sec. 2. That tho thanks of congress nnd of tho American people uro hereby extended through Commodore Dewey to tho ofllcers and men under his command for tho gallantry and skill exhibited by them ou that occasion. Sec. a Ho It further resolved, Thattho presi dent of tho United States bo requested to causo this resolution to bo communicated to Com modoro Dewey and through him to tho olUccrs and men under his command. Wheat Higher Than Kvur. Chicago, May 10. Tho advance in wheat went on witli renewed impetus yesterday. Tho Chicago May price already so high did not go up as much as on Saturday. Tho opening sale was SI. "5. The .Inly price, how ever, wus up nearly 11 cents, to S1.-0, and September wiieat, which has been lagging behind, sold at Ul cents, a rise of seven cents since Saturday. Tho I'.lmK Hotel Hurried. St. Louis, May 10. A special from Hxcclslor Springs, Mo., says: The Elms hotel, which hud 500 rooms and was tho finest country hostelry in tho state, is in ruins as the result of a fire which started in the enginu room. Tho Kims was built in 1S80 at a cost of uboutS'JOO.OOO. N0NE M0RE PATRIOTIC. Men Who Woro thn dray linger to Defend tho flag They Oncn Tried to Destroy. Washington, May 0. Reports reach ing hero from tho south show that tho appointment of ex-Confcdcrato Genor uls Leo and Wheeler to bo major gen urals in tho volunteer army is result ing in cordial commendation of Presi dent Melvinloy's course in tills high recognition of representative men of that grout southern army which fought against him and tho union which ho now represents. Tho cordiality with which the hands of tho president and his associates aro being upheld by tho south in tliis crisis shows better than over beforo ltow completely sectional lines nud tho spirit of the contest of 1SG1-G have been merged into tho common cause of loyalty to tho nation. From every part of tho south Secre tary Gage is receiving assurances Mint tho peoplo und tho financial institu tions will come promptly and earnestly to tho support of tlie administration in tho raising of funds to carry on tho war. From every state of tho south came prompt responses to tho call for troops and that call was preceded hy frequent and earnest appeals by men who had served in the con federate army to bo permitted to raise compa nies and battalions and regiments of men who woro tho gray to join in tho common defense of tho nation. WOODFORD BACK HOME. United StutoH Minister to .Madrid Call on President Moltluloy and Koports tho situation Tho Mob Incident. Washington, May 0. Gen. Stewart L. Woodford, United States minister to Spain, arrived in Washington from New Yorlc last night. He went almost directly to tho white house, where ho was given a most cordial reception by the president. Ho remained in confcr cnco with tho president until a Into hour, tho entire Hispano-Amerioun situation being informally aud thor oughly discussed. Mr. Sickles, first secretary of tho legation, when In formed that cable dispatches had stated that tho train on which tho members of the legation hnd como from Madrid to Paris had been at tacked by a mob and that stones had been thrown at tho party, said: Well, some things were thrown at tho train, but tho demonstration was not of a serious character. A number of students, not a largo number, had gathered at Vallndoltd and cried "Long llvo Spain." and a few other patriotic cries. Tlioy wero not directed against us par ticularly, I assure you. but woro tho result of n patriotic fooling on their part. A few win dows In one of tho cars next to tho party wero broken, but none of us was injured, no one at all was hurt. Whilo at Madrid, wo wero treat ed with tho inmost courtesy. THEY FAVOR ANNEXATION. Majority of Prominent l'orlo Itlcans AVant to lln Under United M.ttes Dominion Pear an Independent Keptihllo. Nicw Yoitic, .May 0. Tho Herald says: Members of tho Porto Itico revolution ary junta in this city have received advices from tho West Indies stating that tho natives of Porto Rico liavo risen at .tunicas aud lialarnur, aud that, upon the arrival of tho United States lleot 70,000 men will tako tho field against Spain, Itobcrt II. Todd, tho secreting' of tho junta, said last night: Tho Porto Klcnns have onlv boon waiting for n favorable opportunity to throw off tho yoke of Spain. Personally I am In favor of the ln depcudenco of tho Island, but tho majority of merchants anil planters, to my knowledge, pre fer annexation to tho United Stntes. Thoy fear an Independent republic would soon become like Iluytt aud San Domingo, nnd assert that tho property Interests of tho Island would bo safer If under tho wing of this country. INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEWEY. Tho MoCiillnoh KoturiiH to .'Manila from Hong Kong? with Urgent Dispatcher from Washington. Hono Ivono, May 0. Tho United States gunboat Hugh McCulloch, which arrived here Friday witli dispatches from Adm. Dewey, officially announc ing his great victory over tho Spanish, left hero yesterday afternoon on her return to Manila, after, it is under stood, receiving many urgent dis patches from Washington. According to reports current here, tho American admiral will insist, by force if neces sary, upon tho Spaniards accepting at least a temporary protectorate of the United States, tho desire being, it is alleged, to avoid disturbing tho present administration, as it is pointed out tho insurgents of tho Philippine islands arc quite unfit to participate in their government. DICTATORSHIP FOR SPAIN. It Muni Como to Contend Against tho .Spreading' 1)1 turban res Cum pox .May lln at tho Head. IIkndayi:, France, May '.). Advices which have just reached here from Madrid by mail in order to escape tho Spanish censor say tho general opinion in Madrid is that a military dictator ship is coming in order to contend against tho spreading disturb ances arising from hunger, tho defeat of tho Spanish fleet at Manila and tho political plots of various descriptions. It added that Marshal Martinez do Campos, tho former cap tain general of Cuba, probably will bo tho head of the dictatorship, and that he will Ijo supported by a cabinet com posed in the main of military men, as the last chance of suving tho dynasty. IS A MYSTERY. Whereabouts of the Spanish Fleet Not Known to Adm. Sampson. President JUrKliiley ami Ml Cabinet Do- oldii to Wage Vigorous Warfare on AH Spanish Possessions Will Not Itely 011 Insurgent. Washington, May 10. There is tho best authority for tho statement that, yesterday having passed without a re port from Adm. Sampson, tho navy de partment docs not expect to hear from him within soveral days. Tliu au thority for tliis stittoment is an official fully acquainted with Adm. Sampson's plans, and tho remark would seem to indictito that tho admiral, having failed to find tho enemy at .the place expected, had turned his attention to tho alternative project. What this is cannot bo ascertained. It is evident, however, that tho depart ment is under no apprehension as to tho safoty of tho American licet, nor of any vessel of tho licet. It Is now officially admitted that Adm. Sampson was with his Hoot near Cape Haytion, ou tho north coast of Santo Domingo, and distance about a day's run from Porto Itico. So far no reports havo comu to the department of any of tho lurid engagements that aro said to havo taken placo in those waters, but it is believed at tho department that, if there was gun firing, as reported by merchant vessels, it probably was caused by somu of tho United States vessels chasing either prizes or tho small Spanish gunboats that are be lieved to bo cruising around in those waters. From tho expectation so plainly manifested at tho navv depart ment that something is tohappen soon, it is surmised that, if Sampson docs not strike tho Spanish llyingsquadron, ho may strlko a blow at Porto JHco itself. It is a curious fact that, thus far, tho navy department does not know posi tively where tho Spanish ileot is, and it is just possible that tho vessols may bo away over on the otlior sldo of tho Atlantic or at Cadiz, instead of being in Sampson's neighborhood in tho West Indies. A CIIANGIC IN TI1K WAH 1'OI.IOV. Washington, May 10. President Mclvinley and his cabinet at tho spe cial war council hold yesterday decid ed upon soveral Important clianges in war policies. CJcn Morriam is to go to tho head of tho Philippine relief corps and Gens. Sliafter, Wade, Coppingor and Deo will bo among tho first to land in Cuba. Tho latest war plans of tho cabinet meet tho approval of tho war and naval boards of strategy, be cause action is promised on botli land and sea. As now suggestod by tho orders given and being carried out tho president proposes: First To nnnlhllato tho Spanish navy on tho Atlantic, oven if It Is necessary to cross tho sea. Second To begin nt onco tho land movement against Cuba with a force so largo that the fall of Havana anil tho complete surrender of Span ish rulo in tho Island Is assured beforo tho rainy season. Third To back up Adm. Dowey With men and arms suniclent to subjugate all tho Spanish In tho various groups of tho Philippines and to do theso soveral things regardless of tho money und mon thoy may require. Fourth To provide for tho military occupa tion of nil the Islands captured from Spain and to hold thorn by force of arms until tholr dis position has been decided by congress, after tho war Is at an end. The determination to send a big army into Cuba, which is an entire change of plans, is duo to tho reports just re ceived from tho special agents sent by Gen. Miles to tho insurgents. These show that tho United States cannot rely upon the insurgent army to whip tho Spaniards. Tho insurgents aro poorly armed and just now aro suf fering for food. It is tho absolute knowledgo of all theso which caused such a decided chango in tho plans heretofore mapped out. There may bu delay, but it will not bo prolonged. Hy tho latter part of tho weelc, tho regulars will bo moving and within two weeks they will be joined by tho volunteers ordorcd to mobilize at Chickamnugiu INVADING AHMV TO CUHA. Washington, May 10. Orders wero issued yesterday for tho immodiato mobilization of tho volunteer army. Tills is a sudden chango from tho orig inal programme of tho war depart ment, as it was intended to muster tho troops in at once and drill them at homo for some weeks prior to order ing. them to tho points of mobilization. At a consultation held at Secretary Alger's residence it was decided to send an invading force consisting of 60,000 men to Cuba at once. This sud den chango of plans of tho war department necessitated calling out tho volunteer army Immediately and the orders wero Issued yes terday. Tho troops at Chicka mauga will bo tho only ones which will sec actual services in Cuba. Those ordered to tho coast defense and Washington aro not likely to go south, as tholr services aro required In tho great chain of coast defenso reserves , consisting of Hi regiments. It is stated at tho war department that tho regiment recruited at Kansas City will probably bo ordorcd to Cuba by way of Cliickamauga, ns their record as tho Third regiment of Missouri national guard Is suilleiont evidonco that thoy will require but little additional drill ing. Tho invading army will prob ably consist of two divisions, ono to bo commanded by Gen. Wade, tho other by Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.