Mesa free press., 1898-08-26


ippiues and the insurgents wishing to
fight for independence. The Junta did
not reply to the offer, and the Japan
ese will repeat it to General Aguinaldo
on their arrival at Manila.
El Imparcial, Madrid journal, takes
for granted that the United States
cannot be asked to assume the burden
az about $3.50 100000, when the rebel
lion began in 1895, and the $540, 900, 900
spent since, and it suggests that Spain
should undertake to pay interest and
redemption on the Cuban debt until
the new West Indian republic is in a
position to do so.
An official dispatch from Porto Rico
saws the Americans have seized the
customs house in the village Of Fajar-
do. which place was without a garri-
son. An American column, the dis
match says, supported by artillery, ad-
vanced on Guayama. The Spaniards
made a brave defense, but were forced
to retire to Alturas. Seventeen of the
Standards were killed.
A Madrid dispatch says that the ef-
forts of the Spanish government will
now be directed toward preventing
domestic outbreak. A proclamation
will be issued portraying in the most
favorable way the terms of peace with
the United States. The practical con-
clusion of the first part of the peace
negotiations is accepted as a great
victory for French diplomacy.
General Polavieja, who is now at
Madrid, said: 1 fancy the United
States will be content with few naval
stations in the philippines and really
aims at commercial advantages which
Spain would grant. Japan is rival
not to be disdained. The religious
questions will give us as much trouble
as the commercial questions, upon
which America will lay most stress"
Spain has refused to accept the offer
of the United States to surrender Adj
miral Cervera and all naval prisoners
held at various points. This has as
tonished this government. Spain
contends that she did not consent to
their parole, and they cannot consent
without permission. The real reason
is believed to be that Spain is unable
to pay for the transportation of 1900
officers and sailors.
Maurice Justh, the only Californian
killed at Malate, was employed by a
San Francisco clothing firm as it's city
salesman before ho went to the war
He was twenty-four years Of age. He
was an enthusiastic National Guards
man, and had risen in the ranks to the
position he held when killed by Span
ish bullets. Strange to say he was the
first California volunteer accepted by
the examining surgeons at the Page
street Armory.
The President has determined to rec
ommend to Congress that Acting Rear
Admiral Sampson be advanced eight
numbers and Commodore Schley six
numbers. This will result in making
each rear-admiral, but with Commo-
dore Schley ranking Immediately be-
low Admiral Sampson. Capt. Clark of
the Oregon will be recommended for
an advance of six numbers in the cap
tain's grade, and Lieutenant-Com-
mander Wainwright will go up eight
numbers Other promotions through
out the fleet will be recommended.
4 dispatch from Madrid gives an in !.
terview with General Polavieja, in
which, speaking of Cuba and the Phil
ippines he says: 'The day will come
in Cuba when all respectable elements
-Spaniards as well as the foreign resi-
dents and the old Spanish party, too-
will work for annexation to the United
States IN preference to being governed
by the separa.lsts (insurgents). Cuba
will have hard times. That is sure.
She will cause America much trouble
aud expense. AS for Spain new pol
icy and new men are required. The
masses and the powerful classes are
now profoundly disgusted and are
weary of the present politics, newspa-
pers and leaders. The great danger Of
the future is that these yet undecided,
but controlling elements, may be driv-
en- in Carlism or democracy.
Reports received at San Francisco
say that the third expedition that ar
rived at Manila August 4, being twen-
ty-two days out from Honolulu, was
dramatic with incidents, dangers and
perils. On the voyage twenty-six men
and one officer died, including Ralph
Bowers of the Los Angeles Signal
Corps, two firemen became insane and
leaped overheard, while typhoid and
spinal-meningitis ragged. Fire was dis
covered in the coal bunkers Of the
transport Morgan City when three days
out from the Hawaiian islands, having
on board 600 men of the Idaho volun-
teers and detachment of the Nebras-
ka volunteers. When the fire was re-
ported to Captain Dillon he called the
crew and pledged them to secrecy, In
dicating the panic which would ensue
If the soldiers knew of 1t. Silently
and heroically the crew worked; des-
perately they fought. The men were
in utter oblivion of the seething
flames beneath their feet, until they
reached Manila.
General Calixto Garcia and his 1900
insurgents have stopped drawing ra-
tions, and Garcia has left the province
in high dudgeon because the United
States authorities refused to permit
him to take up the reins of government