Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-09

Washington, July 8.-There was
continuation of peace talk to-day and
other evidences in this line than
those OF yesterday are coming to the
surface Such. for instance, was the
confirmation by the State Depart
ment of the report that the Cadiz
fleet was returning to Spain, since
1t is scarcely conceivable that The
Spanish government would doom
this last remnant of their fleet to
destruction at the hands of Wat
sons squadron, which In all prob
ability could head it off before it
reached Cadiz, it's home port. There
fore, the assumption Is that the
Spanish government calculates that
at least an armistice precedent to
peace will be obtained before the
ships reach Spain. An unusually
definite report was in circulation
that the United States had been
sounded in the interests of peace
by the British ambassador, but
when it was brought to, Sir
= I;.iian n..-AAs~.-,- -A..--.snn he
thorized an explicit denial and
d he had hot communicated with
government in any way regard
6g the termination of the war.
Conditions at Santiago also are
: regarded as favorable Just now ac-
cording to Gen. Skaters dispatch
received during the forenoon. Moth
ing more came from him during the
day, but the impression prevails
that the Spanish are in desperate
plight within the lines of the city
and Gen. Skaters action in allow
ing Linares to communicate freely
with Madrid Is an implication that
there is at least a reasonable hope
that the Spanish General contem-
plates surrender. However
making for great engagement the
final one at Santiago, 1t is hoped,
which may begin even as early as
tomorrow il Skaters reinforce
ments are on hand The departe-
ment has not heard so far of the
arrival of these soldiers, but be-
lieves they have reached Shafter.
The greatest difficulty that has been
encountered is in the landing Of
troops and supplies. This being
the hurricane season, and the wind
setting straight on the southern
coast, the masters OF the transports
have become alarmed and taken
their ships many miles out to sea,
necessitating long journeys by the
ships boats which make tbeir
landings through the surf with the
greatest difficulty and danger. So
slow and tedious has been the SER
vice under these conditions that
Secretary Alger has ordered Gen.
Shafter to seize the transports one
and all and place them as near the
coast as he chooses without regard
: to the fears of their masters. Ten
days ago lighters were started down
from Mobile and Tampa, but so far
Gen. Shafter has received only one.
These lighters have been a night
mare to the department ever since.
The captains tie up in creeks at the
slightest sign of bad weather
while the charter rate of 500 a day
runs on. Orders have been sent
forward to terminate this state of
things even If 1t is necessary to
lose few lighters in the effort TO
reach Shafter.
The government has not We. de-
ermined how to dispose of Ad-
nlral Cervera- A feeling of the
highest admiration prevails here
1t the gallantry displayed by the
ole warrior and the noble spirit
Exhibited by him under misfor-
tune. The disposition is to treat
him with as great liberality as
conditions will permit. 1t has
been proposed that he be released
pn parole not to engage in hostilf-
ties against the United States I'M
I'll the end Of the war. but it has
not yet been decided whether to do
this or to confine the admiral
Technically within the limits Of the
naval academy reservation at
Annapolis. All the other captured
Sbanish naval officers will be con-