Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-05-13

The powder and shot to be sent to Com
modore Dewey will give 800 rounds for the
big guns and several thousand rounds for
the rapid fire rifles. 1t looks now as if he
would not have need for great deal more
material Of that kind, but it may be handy
to have in the house in case of emergency.
The stats Of the various embassies and
legations at Washington are being rapidly
recruited by military and naval officers
who have been assigned to make observa-
tions of the military and naval operations
in the present war with Spain. The British,
German, French and Austrian governments
already have representatives there who are
ready TO go to Cuba with the first United
States troops sent to the island.
When Japan awoke to civilization, she
became awake and intensely active at once.
SO when China started in the other di-
reCton, as she did after the war with
Japan, she appears to have gone with
equal rapdity. The virtual seizure of
large portions of her territory by European
powers was accomplished without resist
ance and almost without protest. and now
the report that internal dissensions are
likely to cause the removal of the capital
from Pekin causes little comment, and is dis
missed in a brief news paragraph. The
ancient empire seems to be almost extinct.
All the indications point now to the
complete disruption of the Spanish King
dom as a result of the hopeless conflict up
on which Spain has entered. It is only by
the strong hand of martial law that up
risngs are prevented in Madrid and in the
provinces. Opposition to the govern
ment and an unreasoning determination to
break into revolt have been greatly increas-
ed by Dewey's splendid victory at Manila.
The revolution will be preceded by state
of anarchy, which may prevail for long
time and have effects reaching far beyond
the Spanish border. In that case, Europe
will have enough to attend TO without wor-
rying over the growing influence of the
United States. In fact, it may be very
glad to have that influence eXerted for the
suppression of disorder and the restoration
Of peace, even at the expense of another
country lost to monarchism.
Our government is collecting a fine lot
/ of reconcentrados Of its own at Key West,
| and it is somewhat puzzled to know what
to do with them. They are the officers
and crews of the captured Spanish vessels,
/ and the trouble arises from their anoma-
| lous position. They are not held as pris-
! oners of war, consequently the war and
navy departments do not care to take the
responsibility for them. They are free to
60 away, but prefer to remain where they
are, because they have nowhere to 90, and
are even afraid to venture on shore lest
! the Cubans on the island maltreat them.
They have no money to pay their passage
home, supposing the way to be open for
them to get there. and, all things consid-
! cred, neither their lot nor that of the
United States officers who find these peo-
pie on their hands, with no authority to
hold them and no way to ge' rid of them
can be called happy one How ever
there is no fear that, like their Cuban pro
totypes, they will be starved to death.
A New York correspondent writes
1.-The present national crisis has given an
international reputation TO three men who
while not previously unknown, had, never
theless, a very restricted reputation. They
are General Fitzhugh Lee, Minister Wood
ford and Commodore Dewey. 1t is inter
esting to note that all three men are owe
60 years of age, time Of life not sup
posed to be favorable for the achievement
of great careers. All three men served il
the civil war, and attained positions o
considerable honor thereafter, but the,
had to wait for another war in their oil
age for the opportunity to achieve distinC
ton on an international scale. In tn
civil war the regulations were made b.
comparatively young men. General Gran
was only A. when the war ended" Thl
- is all true, except the suggestion which
would consign Fitzhugh Lee, Stewart l.
Woodford and George Dewey TO the limb
of 'old age Unless appearances an
4 their achievements are nightly deceptiv
every one of the three is in the very prim
of his powers at just cover 60"