Mesa free press. [volume] (Mesa, Ariz.) 1892-1901, 1898-07-08
that the law be tested, so the legislature
can amend its weak points.

can amend It's weak polHts.
A Madrid correspondent says official
circles attach little Importance to the
rumors of German interference. The
best-informed people believe that dur
ing hostilities, Germany will main
tain a perfectly correct and neutral
attitude, but that as soon as there is
any change in the political status quo
of the archipelago, she will insist upon
obtaining a coaling station as compen-
sation for the disturbance Of the politi-
cal equilibrium of the far East.
. The Madrid correspondent of the
London Standard says: The govern
ment wishes it clearly understood that
the fall of Manila does not In the least
signify the surrender of Spanish rule
in the rest of the islands, or the archi-
pelagoes where shortly vigorous meas
lIres will be taken to vindicate the
rights of Spain against American In
yasion. with the assistance OF the native
contingents, who are still loyal In the
Vizcaya. Mindanao and Mar1tios
groups"
Col. Becker, the government agent,
has made arrangements to charter
ten fast steamers for transports to
Porto Rico. 1t is hoped the troops
will be en- route to Porto Rico from
Santiago in two weeks. The state de-
partment has notified the foreign rep
resentatives tnat no vessels will be
allowed to clear from American ports
for Cuban or Porto Rican ports II the
cargoes contain any contraband OF
war, or anything likely to be valuable
to our enemies.
United States Consul Hanna has dis
covered that Governor Marcias OF
Porto Rico had planned wholesale
murder of the foreign colony at San
lures, suburb of San Juan, where the
foreign consuls reside. He placed four
small cannon on height between
Santures and the sea in such a position
that they would inevitably attract the
fire of the American ships. Marcias'
plan was to cause the wholesale
slaughter of the foreign colony, and
thereby involve the United States in
tremendous foreign complications.
Private kilograms received at Ma
drid from Cuba say that during the
last attack by the American ships up
on Santiago de Cuba Spanish shell
struck upon the deck Of one of the at
lacking ships, sweeping off all the men
there. Another shell, according to the
same authority, struck the funnel OF a
cruiser, doing much damage. The
Havana government is displaying much
energy. Fourteen university profess
sors who fed for fear of the results of
the war, have been dismissed. The
blockading vessels, the kilograms say,
continue inactive.
According to advices received by the
state department all reports that Ger
many is considering any interference
in the affairs of the Philippines are
without foundation. The German gov
eminent has offered to the United
States a frank explanation of the pres
ence of her ships in those waters, de-
claring they were sent merely to pro-
tect the large German commercial in
terest there in case of massacre or gen
eral destruction by the half-civilzed ma
tives. Emperor Williams further de-
clares that he means to maintain the
strictest neutrality, and that he has no
Interior purposes whatever.
A special dispatch from Santiago de
Cuba, via Kingston, Jamaica, says that
Cubans have brought information to
Admiral Sampson that Admiral Ger
vera is prepared to make a desperate
effort to take his ships out Of Santiago
harbor at the first favorable oppor-
tunity. The Spanish warships, 1t Is
reported, have been coaled to their
full capacity, and the crews are re-
fused shore leave. Every night the
vessels drop down the bay to be pre-
pared to embrace the first favorable
opportunity to attempt a dash past
the blockading squadron. It Is said
to be the" Spanish admiral's plan to
save at least portion of his ships
from capture and in a fight sink some
of the American craft. -.
The following order was drawn by
the war department: "The forces COM
prising the Philippines expedition UNI
der the command of Maj. Gen. Merritt
are hereby constituted an army corps
to be known as the Eighth. Gen. Mer-
rift is assigned to the command of the
corps, with authority to transfer his
to the next officer in rank
at such time as he may deem ex-
pedient, as matter of military admin
istration, in order that he may be left
free to devote his attention to import
ant matters of government connected
with the Philippines" This is the
first official information regarding the
policy in the Philip
pines. It is evident that Gen. Merritt
will be the encouragement Of the
islands.
Col. w. J. Bryan has just taken up
his headquarters at Old Fort Omaha,
and is now putting in his time studying
tactics and preparing himself for his
duties as a soldier. Col. Bryan's regi-
ment will be in camp inside of ten
days.
The Spanish Queen Regents jewels
and valuables have been taken to
Vienna hI,t II ia declared in official cir.