Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-26
FROM WASHINGTON.
CORRESPONDENTS Of the Alexsndris Gazette
WASHINGTON. July 26.

turned from Chattanooga. be has Deen
made q member of the staff of General
Brooke, who will detail him to such
duties as he sees fit. 81 am on leave
till l get Instructions" said Colonel
Lewis, who visited the War Depart
ment this morning. l expect the whole
expedition to Porto Rico to be landed
within 80 days, and it is my opinion
that the Administration expects to
capture the island without single bat
lie. hope to be in Porto Rico within
a very short time myself to see the
capitulation." Col. Lewis having de-
clned commission from the President
receives no compensation. He is
member of the National Guard. He
will probably be detailed to inspect
ordnance in the field.
Surgeon General Sternberg has left
Washington for Montauk Point, L. l..
He goes to inspect the place with q
view to astertaining the feasibility OF
the place for camp ground for large
bodles of troops. Adiutant General
Corbin al d General Frank have strong
iy recommended the place and it Gen.
Sternberg reports favorably it will be
selected. When the troops return from
Cuba good camps will be established to
which they will be sent to recuperate.
Montauk Point has been mentioned as
the probable camping ground for Gen.
Skaters Fifth army corps.
The Secretary of the Navy has ap-
proved the findings and sentence in the
c. 5 of Civil Engineer U. S. G. White.
The engineer was recently tried by q
court martial at Brooklyn on the charge
Of negligence in constructing dry dock
No. 5, aud was sentenced to suspension
for three years and to retain his present
standing in his grade until he loses two
numbers.
Secretary Day stated positively to-
day that no peace proposals had been
received either directly or indirectly
from the Spanish government. all he
will admit is that this government
hopes they will come, but the informa-
lion on this question comes entirely
through newspaper reports.
One of he highest officials in Wash
ipgton in speaking of the probable
peace overiures from Spain says; "This
government will consent TO no propo-
sition itr an armistice that is not accom-.
panied ly an outline, at least, of the
terms undtr which Spain is willing to
submit"
The transport Berlin which left New
Orleans yesterday with the first and
second regiments of immunes for San
tisgo is under orders to return to the
United States Immediately for the pur-
pose OF taking two additional regiments
of immuues to Santiago. These regi-
ments were requested by General Shat
ter and will assist the first and second
in garrison duty near Santiago. The
War Department has been notified that
the Santiago transports are on their
way north. They will come to New
port News and teke the remainder OF
the Porto Rico forces.
At the request OF the German EN-
bassy the Secretary OF War has granted
permission to medical officers of the In
perial army to visit American military
hospitals.
Secretary Long to-day speaking OF
the reports of Sampson, Schley, Evans
and others which will be MADE public
tomorrow, said there was no friction
between the naval officers who partici-
pAted in the battle that resulted in the
destruction of Cervers's fleet. He also
said that there wasn't much to give out
concerning the next movement of the
Il act in the waters Of the West Indies.
Everything is waiting upon the land At
lack in Porto Rico, and that cannot be
begun until additional troops reach
General Miles in the island. He also
intimated that neither President Nc
Kiuley nor any of the members of his
cabinet contemplated the bombardment
of ports in Spain, or the destruction OF
Spanish commerce in the vicinity OF the
kingdom.
Among the few callers the President
received to-day were Senator Thurs
ton and Representative Tawney. Both
of these well-known republicans con-
graduated Mr.. Mckinley on the Salts
faction expressed generally over the
conduct of the war. They told him the
pc ople were evidently within, and as
sured him 50 far as they could Judge,
the administration would undoubtedly
be strongly endorsed at the November
elections.
The Adjutant General has received
from General Shafter q detailed list of
casualties in the Fifth Army Corps. 1t
contains ,595 names with brief state
ment of the character of the wounds,
but no extensive description of the in
juries are given. The number of killed,
wounded or missing is the same as
heretofore given in press dispatches as
follows: Killed, SO officers and POS men
missing 81 men; wounded, 80 officers
and 1908 men.
The five postal clerks who are to es-
tablish the United States postoffice at
San Juan, Porto Rico, will leave New
port News this evening. They will
follow the army" said the Secretary to
the Postmaster General, "and if the
troops take up headquarters at any
other point than San Juan the main
office will be there. Mr.. N. E. @.
Smith, an old employee of the depart
ment, has given bond to the govern
ment for the faithful performance of his
duty, and will be in charge of the mail
system of the island. The first Porto
Rican expedition goes fully equipped
with money orders and register blanks
and all equipments necessary for the
operation of an up-to date postoffice."
Francis B. LOOMS, of OHIO, y. S.
- l.