Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-07-29
BREVITIES.

The German ambassador called on the
president and the secretary of state.
Nothing is known of the purpose of
his visit, but at this time of the year it
is regarded as extraordinary.
A Madrid dispatch says Gen. August,
captain general of the Philippines, has
telegraphed to the government as fol-
lows: 'The Americans are about to
attack Manila. Grave events are
impending"
Shafter reports that he has received a
letter from General Toral saying the
Spanish secretary of war desires the
troops landed at Vigo, Corunna, on
the Atlantic. and Santander, in the
Bay of Riscay. The request of the
Spanish government will be complied
with. unless something unforeseen
should prevent.
General Wood has been appoint
ed military governor of Santiago, sue
ceeding General McKibbin, who is on
the sick list. Clearing the streets and
burying dogs and horses whose re-
mains have been lying in the streets
for days and weeks has begun. Other
methods to improve the sanitary con-
dition of the city are being taken.
Sampson reports that naval expedi-
ton to Nipe, on the north coast OF Gu
ba opposite Santiago, has been success
full, and that the Spanish cruiser de-
Tending that place was destroyed. 1t
is the purpose of the administration to
establish a base there, as it will save
time in getting supplies into Cuba and
form a good point of operations against
Holguin.
Washington dispatch: Gen. Shafter
reports that a colonel of the Spanish
arrived at Santiago to investigate the
report that Santiago had surrendered
and that the forces at Guantanamo
had been included. They will be very
glad to accept the terms of surrender.
There are 5000 men at Guantanamo.
They are short of rations and Shafter
will begin feeding them at once. The
general said he would send an officer
to receive the surrender.
A report from Shafter shows that
the yellow fever is abating. He says:
mo deaths at front have been reported
as vet The situation is not alarming,
though there are many sick with fever,
about 1900. Only Il small part of
those sick are down with yellow fever,
about 10 per cent, $50 in all. Slight
changes of all the troops have been
made to get them on fresh ground and
the artillery and cavalry have been
moved about three miles"
Lieutenant Richard Hobson recent
ly had long conference with
Assistant Secretary Allen, Capt. Brad
ford and several other officers of the
navy department regarding the raising
of the Spanish cruiser Cristobal Colon.
The lieutenant succeeded while in New
York, in arranging with the Merritt &
Chapman Wrecking Company for the
execution of the plans he had prepared
for the saving of the vessels. Secre-
tary Long says the lieutenants plans
are entirely feasible. Hobson goes to
Santiago to supervise the work.
1t is said the Cubans at Santiago
resent General Skaters attitude in ig-
noring General Garcia and refusing to
allow the Cuban troops to enter San
tiago or to consult General Garcia on
the terms of surrender of the city.
Skaters reply to Garcia's letter Of
protest, saying the war was between
the United States and Spain, irrespec-
tive of Cuba's individual interests, and
President McKinley's instruction with
reference to the administration of the
surrendered district are interpreted as
a tacit avowal of Americas intentions
to annex the island. A meeting was
held to discuss the matter and it is
probable a protest was drawn up which
will be presented.