The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-16

Military Council Indignant Over the
Slow Progress at Santiago.

Military Council Indignant Over the
Slow Progress at Santiago.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, July 15-Secretary Alger
and other members of the military council
are disturbed and indignant tonight over
the slow progress the commissioners seem
to be making in fixing the terms of the
Santiago surrender, and the evident purpose
of General Toral to quibble and put in vari-
Gus pleas for delay. They distrust the Span
ish commander and doubts as to his sim
cerity have found lodgment in high admin
istration circles. They are suspicious that
he may be scheming for time in order that
yellow fever may complete its demoraliza-
ton of the besieging army and then call
negotiations off and make a fight. Every
hour spent in palaver is costing the lives Of
fever-striclSen American soldiers and endan-
gering the whole army from the same
cause. Hence, the angry impatience of those
in authority here who realize the value of
general results and can have, at best, only
ng-distance connection with actual pro-
ceedings Tonight opinion was freely voiced
at the War Department that surprise
need be occasioned if fighting were resumed
tomorrow morning, and that 1t would yet
be necessary to storm the city. Certainly
another day will not be wasted without def
mite conclusions being arrived at. and tho
situation relieved of all doubt.
The appearance of yellow fever among
our soldiers at Santiago has compelled an
entire change in the plan of campaign
against Porto Rico. The largest part of the
American army, which is already around
about Santiago, will be kept there until the
yellow fever is completely stamped out. No
infected troops will be sent from there
either to Porto Rico or back to the United
States. Thus far only two or three of the
chain of camps about Santiago have been
infected. These will be isolated and as many
as can be spared of the remainder of the
troops will be moved back into the high
hills behind the city, where they will be as
safe from the plague they would be in
the Rocky mountains. II is now known that
between $50 and two hundred cases of yell
low fever are under treatment by our army
surgeons in front of Santiago. This number
may be largely increased before the plague
has run its course, as thousands of our boys
in the trenches are so reduced by hardship
as to be ripe for the disease. Several deaths
have already occurred from yellow fever.
The officials of the War Department are
engrossed with plans for the transportation
of the Spanish prisoners to Spanish port
No advices have been received by Secre-
tary Alger as to the number of prisoners
for whom transportation will have to be
arranged, but 1t is estimated that the total
will be about 1900. To get these men back
to Spain will cost the government about
100000. If it should turn out that the gar
rison is infected with yellow fever, diff
Guilty will be experienced in getting vessels
to take them across the water. If they
should be free from infection, however.
there will be spirited competition for the
contract. The War Office has decided to
ship them in neutral vessels, so as to leave
our own transports free for other work.
They will be needed for the Porto Rican ex-
pedition. This expedition will be composed
mainly of fresh troops. The soldiers who
have been concentrated at Tampa, Jackson
vile and Chickamauga will be drawn on
for the Porto Rican campaign to the num-
ber of about 5000
The Santiago climax has given a fresh inn
pulse to peace, and innumerable speculative.
treaties of peace have been framed during
the day by curbstone diplomats and others
who will not be consulted in the deal when
one Is finally entered into between Spain
and the United States. Nevertheless, the
feeling is strongly grounded that powerful
agencies are actively at work for the promo
tion of peace. and that the day is near
at hand when there will be a formal in
itiatiye looking TO that end. At the present
time. however the situation remains form
ally as heretofore Madrid has not yet rec
ognized the inevitable hard conditions which