Mesa free press., 1898-09-09
rines were the Spanish prisoners at

rines were the Spanish prisoners at
Camp Long.
The government authorities at Mad
rid deny that they had any knowledge
of orders being given to Cervera to
leave Santiago harbor with his squad
ron. They say the order was given by
Blanco. Cervera will have something
to explain when he confronts a court
of inquiry in this capital. He is quot
cd as saying that he was compelled to
make his hopeless dash from Santiago
harbor by pre-emptory orders from the
home government.
The newspapers of Madrid say the
general public display considerable
disgust at the hasty surrender of San
tiago since hearing the stories with re-
gard to the adequate defensive condi-
tion prevailing there, told by the re-
turned Spanish soldiers who arrived
Yesterday at Cornna by the Spanish
steamer Alicante. There have been
six deaths among the returned soldiers
since their arrival and many others
are feared.
The British steamer Trayan from ia
maica arrived at Cienfuegos with 900
tons of provisions for the Spanish
army. The steamer Clinton, with
Miss Clara Barton of the American
Red Cross society," has also arrived
with provisions for the society. The
Havana municipality has agreed to re-
quest the Colonial Secretary of the
Treasury to allow the Importation of
cattle into the island free of duty, be-
cause of the scarcity of cattle and the
high prices which prevail. Eggs are
sold at 25 cents each.
AT conference between the insur-
gents and the Americans, the former
declared emphatically that they were
willing to cooperate with the Ameri-
cans and to surrender their arms
promptly, If assured that the islands
would remain either an American or
a. British colony, or under the protec-
torate of the United States or Great
Britain. Otherwise the insurgent lead
ers asserted they would not dare dis
arm, but must positively refuse to do
so. They threaten fresh rebellion
within a month if the Americans with
draw.
In addition to the $4,000 appropri-
ated by congress to be distributed by
ex-Consul General Lee for the relief
Of the people of Cuba, the central Gu
ban relief committee, appointed by the
President, distributed food, medicines
and general supplies to the poor and
suffering Cubans to the cash value of
$321,61 Of this amount $175,032 was
in cash contributions and $146,6S7 in
supplies. The total shipment Of sup
plies was 2,942, ,102 kilos or 1926 tons,
of which quantity 2,856,833 kilos were
food; 66,753 kilos were clothing; 1852
medicines. and 1864 kilOs were miscel-
laneous supplies.
The Missouri railroad commissioners
have decided the case brought before
them by the ST. Louis Traffic bureau
on account of the express companies
declining to furnish for all express re-
ceipts the internal revenue stamps re-
quired by the war tax The decision of
the commissioners is a rather peculiar
one. While they state that the express
companies should pay for the stamps
used on receipts issued by them, it is
at the same time declared that as the
tariff charges of the different compa-
nies have not been increased as re-
suit of the war tax, the board has no
authority for action. in the matter.
National Commander Shindler of the
Regular Army and Navy Union, has
announced a decision, admitting to
membership in the order, all persons
who served during the Spanish -Ameri-
can war, whether in the permanent or
in the temporary establishment of the
army. He has been placed in receipt of
many letters from members of the
Union, requiring that some way be
found through which the admission of
the volunteer could be obtained. In rec
ognition Of this demand, and the prob
ability that other kindred organizations
would endeavor to secure these volun-
teers for their order, prompt action be-
came necessary.
In an interview with Gen. Aguinal-
do in Bacoor, the insurgent leader de-
clared he was anxious to support the
authority of the United States in these
islands, and that he had persuaded
the other rebel leaders to accept his
views. He desires now that the insur-
gent army be disbanded and that the
men return to the provinces. He COM
plains of lack of honesty and military
talent in the rebel leaders, and says.
that it is not the army, but only an
unruly rabble. He added that he.
trusts the United States will form a
free and liberal government, and says
that the Americans can count on his
cooperation.