The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-07-27

are the only troops in the city, and they
have not the slightest difficulty in maintain
ing order.
The arrival at Manila OF the second mill
tary expedition to leave San francisco was
reported from Hong Kong July 81, under
date OF advices from Cavite July 8. Plans
are being matured and positions taken for
closing in on Manila. General Anderson,
the American officer in command, now has
5000 troops under him. The Germans are
reported quiet, and Aguinsldo, the insur-
gent chief, as exceedingly foxy.
Gen. Miles left Guantanamo on Thursday,
July 81, with the first detachment, some
10000 troops, Of the military expedition to
Porto Rico. Within few days between
1900 and 1900 will be sent from Ameri-
can ports. Some delay in the sailing Of
Gen. Miles forces was caused by the fail
ure Of Admiral Sampson to provide an ade.
quate convoy. A peremptory message
from the President brought the admiral to
time and the result was that the nine war
vessels, the Massachusetts, Dixie, Glouces.
ter, Cincinnati, Annapolis, Leyden and
Wasp, with the Yale and Columbia, accom-
panied the expedition. 1t is announced
that these troops have landed at Ponce, on
the south coast Of Porto Rico.
Msnzamillo, the first port of Importance
west OF Santiago, was captured on the
morning Of July Is by naval force under
the direction OF Commander Todd. 1t was
a miniature Manila fight and victory. Two
gunbosts, Wilmington and Helena, 1892
tons displacement each mounting eight
four-inch rapid fire guns, with compile
ment of smaller arms, and five small aux
Hilary cruisers carrying various batteries,
none of very heavy caliber, composed the
fotilla. The vessels steamed into the har-
Dor, over mines and torpedoes, and when
they arrived within range of the shipping
they opened fire. Several Spanish gun
boats promptly appeared to defend the
harbor, but after deliberate fire, lasting
two hours and a half, three of those gun.
boats were destroyed by shells, together
with the transports La Gloria 1880 tons
Jose Garcia, 1,1S5, and La Purisima Con
cepcion, 962, which had belonged to the
Menendez Steamship Line In addition
Commander Todd mentions the blowing W
and destruction Of "the pontoon, which
was the harbor guard, and storeship
probably for ammunition" and gunboa
that was driven ashore and another tina
was driven ashore and disabled. Not
casualty occurred on the American side.
The capture Of Nipe on the Cuban coas
north Of Santiago, was another of the bril-
liant and bloodless minor naval actions o
the war. The harbor is another of thos,
bottle-shaped roadsteads that indent tn,
Cuban coast line. Four small warships, tn,
Wasp, Topeka, Leyden and Annapolis ha(
been blockading the port for a week o.
more. On Thursday, July 20, they wer,
ordered to take the place, and the fou
small craft sailed in and captured every
thing in sight. Forts banged at them
mines were exploded about them, and
Spanish cruiser fred wildly, with the result
that the forts surrendered and the cruise
was sunk The American loss was nothing
How many Spaniards were killed is no
known. The port is an important one. tt
possession clnches the American grasp OF
eastern Cuba.
1t was reported last evening that SpaiI
has formally sued for peace through M
Cambon. the French ambassador at Wash
ington. The following official statemen
was sent out: 1.-THE French ambassador, OF
behalf of the government of Spain and b.
direction Of the Spanish minister of foreigl
affairs, presented to the President this at
ternoon, at the White house, messag
from the Spanish government, looking t,
the termination of war and the settlement
of terms of peace" This report lacks con
firmation.