Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-06
SPAIN IS WEARY.
CONTINUED from page ~

the borders of the United States owing
to the strict censorship imposed last
night.
Moreover all the evidence reaching the
officials here indicate that Spain is
weary of the conflict and is convinced
beyond the slightest question of the
hopeessness of further opposition.
The day would have been remarka-
bly, duh at the war department, con-
sidering the existence of Il state Of
war, had it not been for the publica-
ton in the newspapers of the round
robin signed by the military command
crS at Santiago, and the short but
sharp correspondence between Col.
Roosevelt and Secretary Alger. These
afforded food for much discussion
among all classes of officials and the
belief was general that there are to be
further interesting chapters in the cor
respondence providing it is deemed
harmless to the best interest of the
army to allow further publications
In proof of the allegation that the
war department had bestirred itself to
succor the unfortunate army in SANTA
go, before the united protest was made
the following statement is given out by
the secretary of war regarding the
shipment of troops North from Santi-
ago.
Until quite recently it was supposed
that yellow fever was epidemic in San
tiago, and it was not believed that II
would be safe to send shiploads North
of men largely infected with yellow
fever. The disease. it was believed
would spread~rapidly on board ship and
result in the death and burial of many
at sea.
"On the 2Sth ultmo. the secretary Of
war telegraphed to Gen. Shafter that
as soon as the fever subsidized the men
of his command would be moved North
to the camp that has been selected for
them at Montauk Point On the 30th
of July, Gen. Shafter telegraphed:
Made known secretary of wars tel
egram that troops would be moved
North as soon as fever subsidized and If
had very good effect on the men,
When, however, the true condition
was made known, an order was issued
to Gen. Shaftcr to move his command
North as rapidly as possible and all
ships in the quartermasters service.
possible to get to Santiago We're sent
there, and the liners ST. Paul and St
Louis were also ordered there. All this
was done before the communication
signed by Gen. Shafter and his gen
erals was received and before Col
Roosevelt's letter was published.
over $50 surgeons are at Santiago
and 10 immune nurses have been sent
there besides the usual hospital corps
that always attends such an army.
There have been less deaths in Santi-
ago by yellow fever than by typhoid
fever in any camp of the same size in
the United States
Two messages We're received at the
war department, today, from Ponce,
the first announcing the death of a
brilliant young army officer, and the
second from Gen. Miles himself, touch
ing the trouble in the 9Th Massachu-
sets Regiment. which was the subject
of official inquiry by Secretary Alger,
yesterday. Details of She latter tel
egram are not obtainable. but it is APP
parent that Gen. Miles is determined
to repress steinly at the very beginn n /,
any departure from military discipline
even among the volunteer element in
his command
GERS of the 6th declined to submit to an
examination which was prescribed by
the brigade officers, the proper author
ity, and upon thu insstence of the lat
ter they sought to resign their commits
sions.
Gen. Miles himself is dealing with the
case and if he should decide to ALLOW
these officers to resign or discharge
them from the service of che United
States, and the latter is possible the
governor of Massachusetts viii be call
ed upon to appoint their succ essors
1t can be said that up 10 this time
the officials are thoroughly satisfied
with Gen. Miles conduct of the Porte
Rican campaign ana they do not hest
tate to admit that the events that hav,
occurred since his landing at Guanica
fully Justify the arbitrary change made
by him in the carefully laid plans OF
the department for the conduct of the
campaign.