The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-12
RAR MEASURES
Being PuIhsd Forward VIgorouhly In PoF.
to Rico and the Philippines msFFltps
PurpoSo Before Manila.

Being PuIhed Forward VlgOreuhly In P0r.
TO Rico and the philippines AIsrrltps
Purpose Before Manila,
WASHINGTON, Aug. liza rumor
was put aAOat this afternoon to the eff
feet that Secretary Alger in anticipation
OF the beginning of the formal peace me-
gotiations, had cabled General Miles and
General Merritt, in Porto Rico and the
philippines respectively, orders that
looked like a cessation of hostlllties.
When his attention was directed to this
rumor, Secretary Aiger promptly pro-
nounced 1t to be without foundation and
as absurd and his words were practical
ly repeated with emphasis by Adjutant
General Corbln, through whose hands
any such messages must pass. The
publication of such stories, moreover,
was deprecated as tending to encourage
the Spanish government to further de-
luy and passive resistance. AS a mat
ter OF fact, General Miles seems to be
pressing forward with the greatest ener-
gy and a cnblegram received from him
late in the afternoon reported the for
ward movement OF General Schwan, In
charge OF the division OF the American
army and the ensuing skirmish.
Ernsts brigade is also advancing
rapidly along the road TO AIbouite md
made what General Miles described as a
very important capture at Caumo.
Merritt undoubtedly Is pursuing his
campaign In Luzon. Il is stated POSI-
lively that he Is under no restraining
order from the war department, but
that It Is left entirely to his own discre-
tIon when and how to attack Manila.
Inasmuch as It has been reported from
CayIte that he was simply awaiting the
arrival there Of the double turretted
| monitor Monadnock, II IL presumed this
attack will soon follow II 1t has not been
already, for according to the calculation
of the navy department the Monodnock
is about due now at Cavlte. While not
quite clear as to General Merritts pur-
pose In deferrlng his attnck until the
vessel arrives. It 10 the opinion OF the
military officials that his plan Is TO plant
the two monitors. Monterey and Monad-
mock. directly within range OF the Ma
nila batteries, and II demand for sur
render ls refused, TO batter down those
defenses. only fully armored vessels
can be safely employed in such work.
hence the delay on account Of the nom
arrival OF the Aionldnock.
Secretary Alger to-day cabled to Gen.
Miles to apply Immediately to the Porto
Rican ports captured by him the tarif
drawn up by the government for sam
tiago and other Cuban ports. This is In
line with the policy Of the war depart-
ment of extending the American system
of tariffs as possible over captured terrl-
tory.
evacuation OF Cuba and Porto Rico Is
already receiving the earnest attention
OF the officials. Some provision Is to be
made for the treatment OF the Spanish
prisoners and for the disposition OF the
small arms and the artillery and war
stores. There is also some naval prop
erty Of value remaining In Cuban and
Porto Rican ports and It IS a question
whether or not this should be demanded
by US or be allowed 10 remain IN spah-
Ish possession. The conclusion has been
reached by Secretary Alger to refer
these matters to n military commission
and Adjutnnt General Corbin is now
looking UP precedeuts for the guidance
Of such commission. POSSIBLY this
commission would meet the question
raised by the naval board as to the pro-
priety OF holding Morro Castle as
pledge until the formal signature Of a
treaty of peace.
The ordnance department OF the army
has succeeded at last in securing a
smokeless powder adapted for use In the
Springfield rife with which nearly all
the volunteer troops are armed. The
powder used with the small bore repents
ing rifles was too powerful and a special
powder had to be procured. This is now
coming in from the manufacturers and
being turned into fixed ammunition in
such quantities rs TO warrant the belief
that even should the war continue our
soldiers would not be again exposed TO
the danger encountered at the battle OF
El Caney, through the betrayal OF their
presence by the binding smoke OF the
Springiields.