Mesa free press., 1898-07-29

JldC whenever Uu6 lACciCoeS VI COh-
merce shall so demand, the submarine
mines now placed in various rivers and
harbors along the Atlantic, Gulf and
Pacific coasts shall be removed or ex-
ploded.
Admiral Dewey, on the report that
the German feet was landing large
quantities of rice and flour for the
Spaniards, decided to be more strict,
and has put a pinnace at the end Of
the jetty to overhaul all launches go
ing or coming.
A special dispatch from Washington
says that the imminent danger to
American soldiers from fever was
largely responsible for the change In
the terms of the surrender OF Santiago,
providing for the transportation to
Spain Of the Spanish troops.
The Philadelphia Record thinks the
opening of bids by the quartermaster's
department In New York for $4,000
heavy overcoats for army use may be
taken as an indication that the govern
ment intends to fight 1t out along the
present lines if 1t takes all winter
The surrender of Santiago Is said to
mean that Spain may now sue for
peace and make the best terms she
can. Our army will be withdrawn
from Santiago as rapidly as possible.
Garcia's forces, aided by, perhaps,
FIVE thousand regulars, will be left in
charge. Gen. Shafter will be made
military governor of Eastern Cuba,
and then will begin the work Of feed
ing the starving.
The naval plan at present does not
embrace an early movement upon
Havana. The sending Of Commodore
Watson's feet to Spain by the end of
the week, will reduce the fighting
naval strength which could be used in
front of the Cuban capital. Gen. Blan-
co has so fully intrenched and fortified
his position that it will take an In
vading army of 100000 men and heavy
naval bombardment to encompass Its
capture.
Speaking of imperialism, the Salt
Lake City Tribune does not see how
our country can long postpone taking
fair part in the settlement OF the
Chinese question. Next to Great Brit
ain. Americans have more interests in
China than any other other people, and
the question will very soon be: Shall
China be partitioned among the three
great European powers, or shall It's In
tegrity be guaranteed and unrestricted
trade be the condition."
The war department has decided to
send no more troops to Santiago, and
soldiers from that province will be
used in the invasion of Porto Rico.
The department is determined to pre-
vent the spread of deadly diseases
among the troops. Soldiers now at
Santiago are unfit for field duty be-
yond the campaign in which they are
now engaged. It is deemed unwise to
allow the soldiers from Santiago to
mingle with healthy troops in a Porto
Rico invasion.
It lis stated on authority of a reliable
man that when Gov.-Gen. Blanco heard
of the destruction Of Cervera's squad
ron he made a desperate effort to kill
himself. Gen. Arolas and other officers
of theSpanish land forces were with
Blanco at the time, and after strug-
gle they succeeded in disarming him.
Blenco was Frustrated and remained In
bed several days. When he was able
to rise he gave orders that no food
should be sent from Havana to any OF
the interior towns.
A dispatch from st. Thomas, Danish
West Indies, says that Denmark's SYM
patty for Spain is shown in the at
- ~ - RI
using six thousand tons OF coal at st.
Thomas, belonging to the United
States. Governor Ledermann, ruler OF
the islands, declares that coal is con-
traband of war and is held by the
United States contrary to the neutral
ity laws. He has threatened to pre-
vent its removal by calling on Dan
ish gunboat now Ia the harbor.
A special from Washington says the
administration will follow up the ad-
vantage gained by Admiral Dewey in
repelling what was probably the initial
step in German interference in the
Philippines. The administration
wants knowledge of the exact position
of the Berlin government with refer
ence to the Philippines question, and
the effort Of the warship Irene to pre-
vent the operations of the insurgents
against the Spaniards in Subig Bay
will be the lever employed to pry into
the Emperor's confidence. Probably
the Berlin government will be notified
of the incident and an explanation
asked.
Two new factors have appeared In
the Cuban situation, the gravest being
the admission that yellow fever has
appeared in our ranks, and the other
an evident desire to send all Spanish
soldiers back to Spain. To save the
American troops from fever ravages
an aggressive policy has been deter
mined upon, as Spain courts battle,
while sending Spanish prisoners back
to Spain will administer wholesome
lesson in Kidding the island Of their
presence, and permitting them to re-
late the woes of their camp life and
the facts of the many truths regarding
Spanish defeats that the Madrid gov
eminent and Blanco have kept the