Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-07-23

sireS than rupture with the United
States forces and authority. 1t also be-
came known that the junta had sent dis
patches to General Garcia and other
Cuban officers stating that their course
at Santiago was not approved by the
junta and if persisted in would result
in serious injury to the Cubans. 1t is
believed that the representations made
will bring about a better understanding
between the Cuban officers and the
Americans. The opinion was expressed
at the war department that the better
class of Cubans in the island will have
no sympathy with those who would
bring about trouble. but that it Is the
lower and vicious classes who desire to
loot and plumber the city.
Washington, July 21.-There has oc-
CURED one of those natural pauses in
the progress of the campaign, incident
to the completion of one set OF opera
tons and the initiation Of another.
There being no possibility of the receipt
of news of u great battle or of a sur
render, there was less excitement and
less evidence of nervous strain yester-
day than for weeks past. General Miles
expected departure was again deferred.
The explanation given was that there
was difficulty experienced at Santiago
in securing the naval convoy for the
expedition.
1t is known, however, in addition that
the president himself has restrained
Miles to the extent Of adjuring him In
earnest terms not to commit the folly
of starting for Porto Rico without the
most complete preparations. The gov
eminent has protited by the lessons
taught by the Santiago expedition.
Aside from the actual loss Of life that
might be expect ed to result from badly
calculated start it is realized that our
relations with some of the European
powers would be impaired in a small
measure at least by the moral effect
created by anything approaching de-
feat for the American arms at this stage
of the war. Therefore it Is certain that
so far as the department can prevent,
General Miles soldiers will not run
short of food, nor of tents to protect them
from the tropical rains. nor of the means
OF transportation that We're SO deficient
at the beginning of the Santiago move
ment.
General Miles reported that he had
10 Transports which it is presumed have
aboard several thousand soldiers, al
though at least two of them are filed
with equipment. The men aboard ship
are suffering from delay precisely as
did the soldiers who lay in Tampa bay
before the departure of the Shafter eX-
petition. Inquiry made at the navy de-
partment to ascertain where the delay
had arisen in securing conveys was met
with the statement that the orders to
Admiral Sampson in this matter were
very general. He was simply directed
by the department to furnish a convoy,
and it was assumed that he would con-
fer with General Miles as to the num-
Der and character of vessels required
for that purpose. AS the campaign
from naval point of view is to be prin-
cipally land movement, the naval Of
ticers do not believe a very extensive
convoy is necessary.
DR.. Greenleaf's last report to Sec
rotary Alger from the American camp in
Santiago was to the effect that while
the yellow fever was wide spread among
the troops II was very mild in type. Gen,
eral Duffield, who has been suffering
from the disease, is improving
The open statement from the men,
beers of the CUBAN legation to the war
department officials, that they We're pre-
pared to accept as proper the program
laid down by General Shafter for the
government of affairs in Santiago, is
but prelude, it is hoped. to instruc-
tons from that body to the Cuban
generals in the field, Garcia. Gomez and
others, that will tend to prevent "a
repetition of the conduct that has jeOp-
ardized the relations between the Amer
lean and Cuban soldiers.
According to the calculations at the
navy department.. Admiral Deweys
feet at Cavite should now be reinforced
by the Monterey, which, with her ten
der and collier, the Brutus has now
been about 20 days out from Honolulu.
With the addition of this powerful mon
itor Dewey will be amply able to take
care Of himself so long as the naval
forces in the Philippines are maintain
ing the relative proportion they now oc-
cupy. However, the disclosure by the
state department of the lack of founda-
ton for the sensational stories of
strained relations with Germany has
largely abated the anxiety entertained
at the navy department as to Dewey's
position at Manila.
Madrid, July 2l.--A semi official note
h., bal ir,ip ha ,.;r
cumstances, from Spanish standpoint,
of the surrender of Santiago. 1t de-
clares that the letter which General
TOral sis alleged to have written to
General Shafter" is apocryphal, as the
telegraph version contains statement
which it Is impossible for General Toral
to have made, because it is untrue that
his government authorized him to capt.
ulate."
The note continues: What happened
was that the war minister received two
kilograms from Captain General Blanco.
The first described General Toral's posi-
ton. which was most pitiful because of
the want of provisions and ammunition.
1t also detailed the enemy's proposals.
In the second telegram Captain General
ton and requested instructions. The
war minister replied to both by telling
Captain General BlancO to leave every
initiative to General Toral, for it was
impossible to recommend any other line
of conduct. General TOral accordingly
acted as he thought advisable and would
explain before court martial the
motives which induced him TO capitu-
late"
The military code prescribes life i'm
prisonment for any officer who includes
in the capitulation of his own forces
fortified posts which, though dependent
upon his command. are not troops or
places included in the action which
caused the capitulatiOn. 1t Is doubtful
however whether General Toral will be
thus punished.
Unless peace makes speedier progress
the queen regent will seriously consider
changing the ministry. General Po-
lavieja is regarded as the coming mar
AGoAo Maui Rannr6