Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-07-30
SKATERS REPORT.
Newspaper Correspondents Guilty
Of Breaches Of Military Law.
The Army Mentally Depressed on Account
OF Inactivity-No Mention Made OF
an Alleged Letter from
Gen. Garcia.

Washington, July 25.-Gen. Shaftcr
reported by cable yesterday that the
condition of the troops ut Santiago
was rapidly improving and said he
hoped, In the course Of o day or two.
to have them NIL located In comforta-
BILE camps where they may rest and re-
cuperate, and where the sick may re-
cover. lie is feeding li,Ooo OF IL,
Spanish prisoners OF war, and.
although he has not yet been able to
furnish them tents, this deficiency IL
being made good and, MEANWHILE their
present condition Is no worse In this
respect than was their condition be-
fore the surrender.
The general makes no mention Of
the alleged letter from Garcia to him
self, nor does he speak Of any friction
between them, whence the department
has come to doubt the authenticity Of
published stories on these subjects
In his report to the war department
relative to conditions ut Santiago,
Gen. Shaftcr has thrown some light
upon the difficulties in which certain
Of the newspaper correspondents there
have involved themselves From his
report 1t would appear that. animated
by an ambition to take d prominent
part in the important events following
each other in rapid succession ut Sahtl'
ago after the initiation Of negotiations
for the surrender Of the city, n few
OF the correspondents wero guilty OF
grave breaches Of military wv, neces.
stating prompt corrective action by
Gen. Shafter. Thus. for instance, one
correspondent In his efforts to take
part IN the flag raising over the city
hA.i, resisted the military officers Id
the execution Of their duty and even
attempted personal assault Upon the
commanding general. This made him
subject to summary and severe punish;
ment, even death, yet Gen. Shafter,
probably realizing that Ignorance Of
military law was the explanation
OF the action, contented himself
with expclling that correspondent
from Cuba. A more serious offense,
from the fact that it might easily have
led to rioting and loss of life, was that
of three other correspondents who, 1t
appears by Gen. Skaters report, by
circulating infammatory posters,
stirred up the town. They were like
wise deported.
In very digni6cd manner Gen.
Shafter takes notice OF some OF the
severely critical newspaper articles
that have appeared touching the con.
dition OF the troops before Santiago
while they lay In the trenches. lie
admits that there was n shortage OF
tobacco for time, but shows cOnclu-
sivcly that there was no lack Of the
necessarics of life. and that the troops
were adequately supplied with hard
bread, bacon, sugar and coffee. AL
though this bill Of fare is not as
extensive Us that afforded troops
in garrison 1t cmbodics the main
features OF the army ration while on
the field service and removed from o
base OF supplies.
The Army Much Depressed.
Santiago de Cuba, July 25.-The re-
port published in the United States
that there are 80 cases Of yellow fever
in the cavalry division Is learned, on
to be unfounded. The
First, Third. Sixth and Ninth volun.
teers, the First and Tenth regular
cavalry regiments and six compa-
MES Of the Randolph light artil-
lery are encamped about two miles
OF Ell Caney, at the
base of the mountains. The camp
Is apparently perfectly healthy as to
location and has good water supply.
The ground is we'll drained. Malarial
fever is prevalent, but it always yields
to quinine treatment, in the course Of
four or five days. There have been NJ
from fever thus far, but SO
long as the men are exposed to the hot
sun during the day, the increasing
rains and heavy night dews, malaria
will increase and our men grow worse.
A second attack Is much more diff
cult to eradicate, especially In the case
Of men exposed to the present condi.
tons The cavalry Is anxious TO pro-
coed to Porto Rico, but will be obliged
to remain here until the Spanish pris.
oners OF war have been transported to
Spain, which, 1t Is believed, will have
been accomplished before the next
month is well advanced. The army Is
depressed by inactivity and
The uncertainty Us to its future move
ments, together with the increasing
fever.
Prisoners to Be Sent to spain.
Washington, July "a The war de-
partment last night posted the follow
ing:
Santiago. July eS Lieut. Miiey has returned
rom San Luis md Palma Soriany, where no
vent four days ago TO receive the surrender Of
Spanish troops The number surrendered was
anger than Gen. Torai rcported-3,OD Spanish !
roops and SO volunteer guerrillns gave up |
heir arms and gave parole and have gone TO |
work. Three thousand stands OF arms were !
urncd In loaded on OK carts and started TO the |
abroad Spanish troops accompanying him |
o San Luis and all apparently greatly delight |
ID at prospects Of returning home They were |
IN the verge OF starvation and have to send |
hem ratlons to. morrow. II the numbers keep |
~ us they have there will be about :400l 10 |
hip awny-nearly 1900 here, 30D from San !
.uls. 600 from Guantanamo and over s,OoJ ut |
,agua and Barncoa Skater, Major General |