Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-12-24

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They assure the FilipinOs that the
United States assumes military control
of the Philippine islands in spirit of
peace and friendship, and that all civil
rights and privileges that they hitherto
have enjoyed will be continued. and that
it is the purpose of this government to
relieve in all possible ways the unjust
burdens they have borne, and ask for
the cooperation of all good citizens in
maintaining order, to the end that peace
and prosperity may be restored.
So far as Is practicable all efficient civil
officers will be retained in the official po-
sitions they now occupy, and fair and
impartial justice will be administered to
all.
The instructions also make temporary
arrangements for coasting trade, much
| as in the case Of Cuba.
Washington, Dec. 22.-While the cffi-
cial reports of all commanding officers
of the navy during the war treat of
events that have already figured in pub
lished official reports. the documents
still contain many minor reports that
throw side lights on interesting phases
Of the war
In the brief record Of the proceedings
of the naval war board, an unknown
hero ia brought to light In tho roerson of
Ensign II. II. Ward who at the begin
ming Of the war was on duty in the
navigating bureau. He volunteered for
secret service duty, and his exploits,
about which nothing has been said in
the past, may we'll be placed on record
beside those of other heroes. Within
week after the declaration of war, En-
sign Ward disguised himself and went
straight into the heart of the enemy's
country, making his headquarters at
Cadiz, the principal Spanish naval sta
ton, and informing the navy depart
ment here of the actual strength Of the
Spanish naval vessels and their move
ments. Then he went to the West In
dies and reported everything that was
going on there of Importance to the
American navy. Next he went, In dis
guise, to Porto Rico, where he was ar
rested as a suspected spy. BY adroit-
ness he managed to secure his release.
and, escaping from San Juan, cabled the
navy department n full account Of the
defenses there and the preparations
making for the reception Of the Spanish
squadron under Cervera. All this time
even the officials of the navy department
were under the impression that Mr..
Ward was engaged in installing sys-
tenn of coast signals on the New Eng
land coast. While Ward was in Porto
Rico, Ensign Buck, another attache of
the navigation bureau, was on the
shores of the Mediterranean, in disguise,
watching every movement of the squad
ron under Admiral Camara, which start
ed for the Philippines, but turned back.
OF the strategy board itself 1t Is said
that it was part Of it's duty to keep in
formed Of all Of the movements, re-
sources and plans of the Spanish naval
forces through secret agents, and it Is
now known that the navy was thus in
formed of all important movements. At
times, however, information was con-
ficting, and decisions had to be made
as to which report was true.
The reports of the famous naval bat
tie at Cavite include one from Consul
General Wildman. Following 1t Is a
report to his government on the same
engagement by Admiral Montijo, the
communicative chief of the Inflated
Spanish fleet. The admiral depicts the
bad condition of the Spanish fleet and
defenses. He says that the cruiser
Castillo was incapable of maneuvering
on account of her bad condition. while
the defenses at the entrance of Subic bay
were very backward. With much dis
gust he found that the guns which
should have been mounted were delayed
a month and a half, and hn was no less
Disguised to find that reliance was had
Overruled on Technically.
Springfield, Ills, Dec. 22.-The supreme
court yesterday handed down decision
in the case of E. S. Dreyer of Chicago, re-
versing the decision of the lower court
and remanding the case. Dreyer was
sentenced to the pententiary for en-
bezzlement, the specific charge being
that while acting as treasurer of the
West Chicago park commission he failed
to turn over to his successor S316, 900 Of
park funds. The court holds that the