Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-06-27

war is near.
Three English subjects in Puerto
Rico were arrested on suspicion of be-
ing American spies. The English resi-
dents of San Juan have cabled Queen
Victoria requesting that a war ship
be sent to that place.
The German ambassador at Wash
ington calledon the secretary of state
to say that Germany will not make
any naval demonstration, nor in any
other way depart from her settled
policy of strict neutrality.
The navy department has asked for
proposals for building three battle
ships of the Illinois class authorized
recently. The bids will be opened Sept.
1 and the warships must be finished
within thirty-three months.
The president has determined to
push the occupation of Cuba so that
the powers will compel Spain to sur
render, as Sir Julian Paunceforte
says they will do when the United
States forces occupy all of Cuba.
1t was reported that Spanish troops
were numerous along the coast in the
vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, prepared
to resist the landing of the United
States troops, The latter in large
force have arrived.
The assembling of a strong German
squadron at Manilo, and the visit of
the German admiral in command ON
the Asiatic station is said to be mere
ly for the purpose of naval observa-
tjon-to get points from American
operations.
1t is stated on the authority of the
chairman of the house committee ON
military affairs that the president will
within 80 days issue a third call for
volunteers, this time for $4,000. It is
said that he expects the Spaniards in
Cuba to make a stubborn resistance.
The captain of a British vessel
supposed to have furnished coal to
the Spanish fleet, declares that two
big ships of Cervera's squadron are
not at Santiago, but prowling around
the eastern coast of Cuba.
Senator Hansbrough declares that
retention of the Philippine islands is
now a military and naval necessity,
and that the United States should
build billion-dollar navy to support
the new policy of territorial acquisi-
ton.
Germany's action in sending more
warships to Manila is taken in Paris
as indicating that she is after slice
of the Philippines. 1t is believed there
that the archipelago :s lost to Spain
for good.
The ambassadors of Austria, Rus
STA and Germany at Madrid have been
directed to strive to protect the queen
regentin the expected revolution in
Spain when we take Manila, Santiago
and Porto Rico
H. J. Whfgham, the newspaper cor
respondent just released from Cabanas
says 200 guns have been mounted in the
defense of Havana since the war be-
gan. There can be no famine there
for six months, and the $4,000 soldiers
are in excellent physical condition
and eager to fight.
The experience of the marines at
Guantanamo bay has shown that the
Spaniards are daring bush-ighters,
that American camps must be compact
to be secure against night attack
and that the Cubans are brave and
skillful in guerilla warfare.
The $500, 100000 of bonds have al
ready been subscribed for three times
over, besides what have been taken
by investors of less than $500. The
small takers will get all the issue, it
is believed, and the syndicates, one
Of which bid 101 for all, will be left
out.
Lieut.. Blue, who explored the out
skirts of Santiago on mule back,
locating the camps and block-houses
of the enemy, reports that the resi-
dents of Santiago are complaining
of the extoration practiced by the
bakers.
Two couriers from the Spanish
commandment at Caimanera, bearing
reports of the last weeks fighting,
were killed by Cubans while trying to-
pass the lines. The reports show that
the Spanish troops are face to- face
with starvation and are Short of. am
munition.
Officers of the Cuban blockade fleet
are getting tired of the work, which
is much more disagreeable and dan
gerous as the rainy season approaches
They report the Spanish lookout ex-
cellent, and guards watch che ships
day and night to prevent a possible
landing on the northern coast.
Emperor William of Germany is
reported to be angry with Americans
because of suspicious of his motives
and neutrality. Hostile criticism of
the United States in the German
press continues. The Kladderadatsch
has printed cartoons grossly insult
ing to the United States army.
Gen. Miles says the war will be
carried on vigorously. Expeditions
will be sent forward and an aggres-
sive campaign waged. Acting under
his orders Gen. Garcia is massing his
troops back of Santiago to cooperate