Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-07-28
SKATERS REPORT.
The General Tells of the Trouble
with Newspaper Men.
GEN. SKATERS ARMY DEPRESSED.
Inactivity and MalArIal Fever Have Bad
Mental Eject on the Forces at SAM
tlHgO-Big Army to Bo Sent
Back TO Spain.

washington, July 25.-Gen. Shafter
reported by cable yesterday that the
condition of the troops at Santiago
was rapidly improving and said he
hoped, in the course of a day or two,
to have them all located in comforta-
BILE camps where they may rest and re-
cuperate, and where the sick may re-
cover. He is feeding 1l,OOO of the
Spanish prisoners of war, and.
although he has not yet been able to
furnish them tents, this deficiency is
being made good and, meanwhile, their
present condition is no worse in this
respect than was their condition be-
fore the surrender.
The general makes no mention of
the alleged letter from Garcia to him
self, nor does he speak of any friction
between them, whence the department
has come to doubt the authenticity of
published stories on these subjects
In his report to the war department
relative to conditions at Santiago,
Gen. Shatter has thrown some light
upon the difficulties in which certain
of the newspaper correspondents there
have involved themselves. From his
report it would appear that, animated
by an ambition to take prominent
part in the important events following
each other in rapid succession at Santi-
ago after the initiation of negotiations
for the surrender of the city, few
of the correspondents were guilty of
grave breaches of military law, ueces-
stating prompt corrective action by
Gen. Shafter. Thus, for instance, one
correspondent in his efforts to take
part in the flag raising over the city
hall, resisted the military officers in
the execution of their duty and even
attempted a personal assault'upon the
commanding general This made him
subject to summary and severe punish
ment, even death, yet Gen. Shafter
probably realizing that ignorance of
military law was the explanation
of the action, contented himself
with expelling that correspondent
from Cuba. A more serious offense,
from the fact that it might easily have
led to rioting and loss of life, was that
of three other correspondents who, it
appears by Gen. Skaters report, by |
circulating inAammatory posters,
stirred up the town. They were like
wise deported, and, as evidence that
he has no i'll feeling toward the paper
represented by them but desires only |
to exercise such control as is impera.
lively demanded in the interest of |
safety of our troops and protection of
the people under their care, Gen. Shat
ter has declared that these correspond
ents may be Immediately replaced by
others from the paper who will observe
the rules of prudence.
In a very dignided manner Gen.
Shafter takes notice of some of the
severely critical newspaper articles
that have appeared touching the con-
dition of the troops before Santiago
while they lay in the trenches. He
admits that there was shortage of
tobacco for time, but shows conclu-
sively that there was no lack of the
of life, and that the troops
were adequately supplied with hard
bread, bacon, sugar and coffee.
GEN. sHAFTER's ARMY DEPRESSED.
Santiago de Cuba, July 25. The re-
port published in the United States
that there are 80 cases of yellow fever
in the cavalry division is learned, on
Investigation, to be unfounded. The
First, Third, Sixth and Ninth volun-
teers, the First and Tenth regular
cavalry regiments and six compa-
MES of the Randolph light artil-
Iery are encamped about two miles
northwest of Ell Csney, at the
base of the mountains. The camp
Is apparently perfectly healthy as to
location and has good water supply.
The ground is we'll drained. Malarial
fever is prevalent but it always yields
to quinine treatment, in the course of
four or five days. There have been no
fatalities from fever thus far, but so
long as the men are exposed to the hot
sun during the day, the increasing
rains and heavy night dews, malaria
will increase and our men grow worse.
A second attack is much more diff
cult to eradicate, especially in the case
If men exposed to the present condi-
lions. The cavalry is anxious to pro-
,eed to Porto Rico, but will be obliged
TO remain here until the Spanish pris-
oners of war have been transported to
Spain, which, it is believed, will have
been accomplished before the next
month is we'll advanced. The army is
depressed by inactivity and
,he uncertainty as to its future move
nents, together with the increasing
fever.
BIG ARMY TO BE SENT BACK TO SPAIN.
Washington, July "a. The war de-
oartment last night posted the follow
ng:
Santiago, July %. Lieut. Miley has returned
rom San Luis and Palma Soriany, where he
vent four days ago to receive the surrender of
spanish troops The number surrendered was
anger than Gen. Toral reported-3,005 Spanish
roOps and $50 volunteer guerrlllas gave up
heir arms and gave parole and have gone to
work. Three thousand stands of arms were
urned in loaded on OK carts and started to the
abroad Spanish troops accompanying him
o San Luis and all apparently greatly delight
d at prospects OF returning home They were
IN the verge Of starvation and have to send
hem rations to. morrow II the numbers keeu
Up as they have there will be about "a 900 to ,
hip away-nearly 1900 here, 1900 from San
Iuis, 1000 from Guantanamo and over 2 200 at