The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-27
A NIGHT AT GUANTANAMO.
Washington Post March" by the
oregon's Band Brings Thoughts
of Home.

Correspondence of Associated Press.)
Guantanamo Harbor,J July 18.-There
Is one locality on this southern coast to
which the heart of the American COR
respondent will always turn in fond re-
membrance. Guantanamo bay is lack
ing somewhat in the scenic features
which make Santiago harbor so note
worthy. But if not so picturesque. it is
far easier to reach, much more capac-
1ous, fully as well sheltered and affords
much more desirable holding ground.
Many poor fellow whose stomach has
absolutely refused to become accustom-
ed to the ceaseless swing of Caribbean
waves will recall how his appetite re-
turned with the splash of the mud
hook" and his mental processes resum-
ed their accuracy with renewed diges-
ton.
To the comfort of this harbor this
evening is added a spectacle. This is
none too large a word since the fleet of
the United States herein gathered could
not be equalled in the western henis-
phere and embraces the most formida-
BILE ships which fly our flag. Here you
can see every battleshfp in our navy.
Here, too, are the Newark, Marblehead
and Columbia, an object of much inter-
est from its four stacks and its % knot
record-the big auxiliary cruiser Yale,
the tiny French frigate, while tug boats,
torpedo boats, transports and dispatch
boats galore make even this ample har-
Dor seem we'll occupied.
AS night fell and the southern cross
shone out low on the southern horizon
the electric lights on the huge battle
ships cleaned through the portfolios
from stem to stern Now and again a
bugle call from the camp of the ma
rines on the hill or from the deck of a
man-of-war was echoed from Fisher
mans Point, which guards the eastern
entrance. Then the men had an hour
of bathing in the clear water, where six
fathoms seem six feet.
To add comfort of sound is that of
scene and rest the band of the Oregon
commenced to play, softly at first, then
in more swelling measure and although
the tune chosen was the we'll known
washington Post March, never did
music sound more sweetly and to the
minds of the listeners it brought
thoughts of home coming and the
march through troops of friends.
For an hour the band played, each
patriotic selection bringing an echo of
cheers from forecastle and quarterback
and then a silence fell through which,
at O'Clock, 1.-TWO bells) stole that
sweetest yet saddest of military and
naval bugIe ca1ls-''taps." Lights are
out now, and the harbor is left to the
nomad1e shark and the fussy steam
launch. A peaceful scene truly and
none the less so that its more notable
human accomplishments are those
which make for hOrrid war.
The correspondent was informed to-
night that this morning the Spaniards
at and near Caimanera fired on one of
the laurcheS which, with its companions
constantly patrols the entrance to the
lower bay. This hostile act was some
thing of a surprise, because the troops
under Perez had been informed by that
leader the day before that Santiago
was to surrender formally at noon to-
day and that he and his troops were
included in those who must lay down
their arms and return to Spain.
To grim famine in Guantanamo city
and it's environs is added the ravages.
of yellow fever, which seems to be
much more virulent in type than it is
farther westward. Deaths from yellow
jack average Is per day. This report is
official and from Perez himself. Withal,
events alone can prove whether these
soldiers will consent to surrender as a
body without more burning of gunpOW-
der
A strict military quarantine is Observ-
ed here and Commander McCaIla, of
the Marblehead, is infinitely more strict
than any health officers the states can
boast.
Gen. Miles. who came here on the
Yale this evening, was not allowed to
land until he had shown a medical GER
tificate to the effect that Immediately
after his visit to the Santiago army his
person and his apparel had been re-
lentlessly fumigated. The general of
the army has gone so far as to sacri-
flee his mustache to the exigencies of
the occasion. Whatever the depriVa-
ton may do for his health it has GER
tainly so changed his appearance as to
make him almost unrecOgnizable until
you come within speaking distance.