The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-07-28

oAs~S "AASAC WAA w pAOhOlO OGbWOOh NnC
American troops and the natives in
Manila, Admiral Dewey seems still to
control the situation with o master
hand and to be ON good terms with
Gen. Aguinaldo. He has officially ex-
pressed the opinion that the Philip
pine insurgents are more capable of
self-government than are the insur-
gents in Cuba.
Maj Gen. Skater reports 800 new
cases of fever of all kinds at his camp
Saturday and four deaths, with none
from yellow fever in four daya. He is
now feeding 1900 Spanish prisoners.
He has expe led from Cuba Sylvester
Scovel and three correspondents of a
rival yellow journal whom he found it
necessary to arrest for violations of the
military laws and for issuing incendi-
airy circulars.
1t is announced that no conclusion
will be arrived at as to the disposition
of the conquered territory, including
Cuba and the Philippines, until peace
is declared, and that the Powers are
more favorably inclined toward the
United States since this nation has
given a practical demonstration of its
strength by land and sea. Conditions
are consequently more favorable to an
early settlement than at any time since
hostilities began.
The troops under Gen. Miles landed
Monday at Port Guanica, on the south
ern coast of Porto Rico. The landing
was effected almost without esistance.
A small detachment of Spanish troops
quickly retired before the fire of the
first landing party. The poin.s where
the troops landed is few miles west OF
Ponce, and is connected with Ponce by
railroad. A military road runs from
Ponce to San Juan, distance of about
seventy-fve miles, part Of the route be-
ing through mountainous country.
The end of the third month since the
declaration of war with Spain finds
that nation practically without navy
Gen. Shafter in possession of Santiago
aud the eastern end of Cuba, with
"a, 900 Spanish prisoners on his hands
awaiting deportation; Gen. Miles of
Porto Rico ready to land an army OF
5000 men, aud Gen. Brooke almost
ready to sail with reinforcements, while
Others are on the way; Admiral Dewey
master of the situation in the Philip
pines; trouble threatened with the ma
tives of the conquered islands; Spain
anxious to make peace, but afraid to
take the initiative ON account of threat
ensd internal discussions, with pros
pect of a change in dynasty.
Adjutant- General Sykes, in pub
lished statement, shows the inaccuracy
of the recent report furnished by tie
adjutant- generals office as to state quo
tas, especially in reference to Tennes
see only having furnished 300 Of the
900 men called for to recruit to the
maximum strength the three first regi
' ments. Instead of failing to furnish
all the men called for, Adjutant-G Gen
3 eral-Sykes shows that under the frs
call three regiments of 1000 men each
7 were furnished. Under the SECOND
call for 1 300 men, 900 were enlisted t.
fill to maximum strength the three reg
iments and fourth regiment has beef
mustered in with l 300 men. Thirty
eight hundred men were called for fit
,, ty-two hundred have been mustered in
: The ships that are to compose Wat
sons squadron are having their bottom
, scraped and are being put in good con
:, dition before sterling on their Ions
= voyage, the necessity for precipitat,
: action having been obviated by Ger
manys reiterated assurance of neutrali
ty. The program appears to be to sen,
: magnificent feet to European waters
and to take all the time necessary il
+ preparing it, to throw all oyerwhelm
e ing force into Porto Rico and compe
s an early surrender, and then returi
g most of Gen. Miles and Gen. SKATER
d troops to the United States in antici
g patton of the final blow to Spanisl
power in the Antilles in the movement
against Havana. General Miles viii
command in the Havana campaign
= aud in addition TO Skaters troops will
: be re-enforced by Maj General Lee
corps. In all an army of 100. 900 mel
:. will be used in the operations agains
Havana.
War aud IL u, sMifs.
After our season was over last fall th