Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-07-20
We WILL KEEP THE ARMS
CERVERA Is ON PAROLE.
VIII Ship the Spanish Troops Next
Week-Lost Twelve Hundred Men
I'm Cuba-Escaped the Hurricane
season-Trafn Held Up In Kansas.

Washington, July l6.-The arms sur
rendered by the Spaniards at Santiago to
General Shafter will be kept by the Unit
ed States government. This conclusion
reached late this evening by the president
and Secretary Alger, was made public by
the latter as he left his Office tonight for
his home.
"All those who have arms will turn
them over to the government. This is
final"
These were the secretary's words when
asked for information.
"And," he added, in response to further
inquiry and to clear any doubt that might
exist on the subject, "the rifles will not be
returned to Spain"
This decision no doubt has already been
communicated to General Shafter Up to
the time when Secretary Algers emphatic
statement disposed of all doubt on ihe
matter it was thought consideration
might be given to the appeal of General
Toral that his men might be allowed to
take their arms. In fact, it was said by
high department official that the presi-
dent would await the recommendation OF
the United States commissioners to the
surrender, "before disposing of the ques-
ton, especially as General Shafter had tel.
egraphed the department that it was TN
derstood that the United States commits.
sion would recommend that the Spanish
soldiers return to Spain with the arms
they SO bravely defended
This decision of the president applies
alike to Spanish soldiers who nave not
engaged with the United States troops as
well as those who have been participants
in the recent battles.
Sail on the 2Jth.
Washington, July 16.-Unless present
plans miscarry the Spanish soldiers sur
rendered at Santiago will sail from Cuba
for Spain on July 25-this date has been
fixed by the war department and every
effort will be bent toward expediting their
departure. 1t was announced today that
the department had decided to ask for
bids from steamship companies for the
transportation of the prisoners to their
native land and proposals will be issued
next week. The contract, it is under
stood, will also include the subsistence of
the men during the voyage.
Luckily for the navy Santiago has ca
pitu.ated just on the eve of the hurricane
season in the West Indies. The big bat
tleships are able to worry through this
weather with little discomfort, but the
smaller blockade boats will find the task
of continuing the blockade fraught with
positive danger. 1t is expected, however,
to tighten the lines of blockade, at any
cost, particularly at those ports connected
with Havana by rail. The surrender of
the eastern end of the island to the United
States will afford some ports of refuge for
our naval vessels in case of absolute need.
Cervera on Parole.
Annapolis, Nd, July l7.-Admiral Ger
vera and about 40 Spanish oeefIirs were
brought to this city yesterday and are
now prisoners of war within the United
States naval academy.
When the auxiliary cruiser st. Louis
brought the foreign visitors up Chesa-
peake bay in the afternoon she was sur
rounded by fleet of small craft, whose
passengers had been waiting since early
morning in the hope of seeing the Span
iards. Admiral Cervera took courteous
leave of the officers of the st. Louis and
marched down the gangway of the ship.
Immediately following him were the re-
cent governor Of Santiago, Captain Eulate,
late Of the Viz@ya, and the rest OF the
Spanish officers.
At the wharf Commander Edwin White
with detachment of United States mar
ines was awaiting their coming. He re-
ceived the admiral in person and escorted
him Immediately to the superintendents
carriage Commander White, Admiral
Cervera, and his son, then drove to the
residence Of Admiral McNair, the superin-
tendent of the naval academy.
Soon after their arrival dinner was
served for the admiral and staff in their
own quarters. The other officers signed
the parole and were consigned to quar-
tiers. They spent the evening after dinner
in strolling about the grounds.
Losses Before Santiago.
General Skaters Headquarters, July
10, via Kingston, Jamaica, July 1.-THE
final report of casualties in the army
since it landed in Cuba three weeks ago
has been forwarded to Washington. 1t
shows an aggregate Of 1894 officers and
men killed, wounded and missing, "a OF
whom were officers. OF the wounded only
S6 have died.