Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-15
PORTO RICO NEXT.
Continued from page ~

greater assistance than it was at san
tiago. owing to the possibility of ap-
preaching the town more closely with
out risking contact with mines.
Gen. Brooks is now on his way 20
Washington, by direction of Secretary
Alger, 50 he VIII be in a position to
make his views known to the depart
ment. The experience gained in dis
pected. will aid the officials in their
determination to make short work of
the Porto Rican affair.
There will be plenty of transports
available for the expedition as the gov
crnment has devised other means of re-
moving the Spaniards captured at San
tiago to Spain than by carrying them
on these transports. That the navy
is ready to do its share at short notice.
goes without saying.
Porto Rico is not expected to offer Il
very formidable resistance. 1t is be-
lieved that the morals of today's sur
render at Santiago will be to discour-
age the defenders Of San Juan.
There is, however, always the pros
pcct that peace will ensue before hos
tilitics have progressed against Spains
eastcrnmost West India Island.
Rumors were ailcat. this afternoon.
to the effect that the Spanish govern
mcnt had at last made overtures in
that direction bat their bases was the
current belief that one more reverse 70
the Spanish arms would be sufficient
to compel the Spanish government to
sue for peace and this reverse was flu"
nished by the surrender of Torals
army.
The navy department has not been
affected by these rumors to the extent
If relaxing any of its precautions o.
abandoning any of its plans, for Sec
rotary Long stated. unequivocally, that
Commodore Watson's eastern squadron
would certainly go to Spain as soon is
it could sail.
The number of Spanish soldiers to BE-
sent to Spain is estimated at 10000
The extreme length Of the tract sur
rendered 10y Gen. Toral is stated here
to be about 10 miles and the extreme
width about 30 miles. tapering to less
I,lID l. tr,,r 1,,1
square miles. 1t is a rugged. noun
famous country With very few towns
Of any size.
II. j. Allen of Kansas City, who had
just come from Santiago, was With
Secretary Alger. this afternoon He
said the surrendered country was So
wild ana rocky that ii afforded prac-
tically NJ camping ground for a consd-
cradle body Of troops and there was
not point in it suitable as basis Of
operations for an army.
Except the Spanish force at Santiago,
numbering about 10000 men. Mr.. Allen
stated that there were no Spanish troops
NiAlllil tIG toul tii''I''i H'iit' 10 ~ itt''
been ovcrrun by Garcia's forces. The
Spanish garrisons were at Manzaullo
and Iolguin. to the west of the surren-
dcrcd zone. Those garrisons lid not cX-
coed 60o0
The navy department has not heard up
to the close of office hours. to what cX-
tent the American fleet was participating
in the Spanish surrender. With Santiago
in our hands. the way Will he clear for
Admiral SIMPSONS fleet to enter the hlr-
Dor and proceed TO the wharvcs. as soon
as the torpedocs and mines at the hlrbor
entrance are removed.
The Notifications of MORO Castle, So
capa, Cayosmith and others are inclu led
in the surrendered zone. The possession
of these fine fortrcsses, particularly
MORO Castle, viii afford valuable garri-
son points for large number of men.
The terms under which these strongholds
are surrendered is not yet known in de-
tail, hut it regarded as likely that their
big guns pass with the surrender.
While the fleet will soon be free to
move up to Santiago city. some doubt is
entertained in naval circles whether any
gool could be accomplished by such a
move as it might subject some of our
sailors To- the contagion existing within
the city
Great attention will be given to the
care of our sick and fcvcr-strlckcn sol
diers on the island. 1t is the opinion of
! the army surgeons that the sick can be
| best treated by removal To the high
ground back of the southern coast, where
ihe heat is less severe and where recov-
! cry could proceed without the fear OF
communicating disease to the rest of tn,
army.
Secretary Ager is anxious to bring the
entire army back as soon as ii can bt
/ done with safety to themselves and with
out jeopardy to the other troops in Flor
ida ana 10 the general public.
The active preparations male to dea
with the emergency are such that it is
felt the question of disease can be cope(
with successfully now that the military
situation has been simplilicd.
1t can he stated positively, that nC
representations have been made to the
| German government respecting the ac
tons of the German naval commanders
in the Philippines.
1t is the opinion of the officials of tn