Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-15

Uhough General Brook, now in command
| at Camp Thomas, IS expected to no ,,s
mann dependence. The size Of the expe-
oiVon VIII depend upon General Miles's
"ishes' although it is thought 10000 men
VIII be sufficient for the purpose. Gene
raj brooke is now on his way to Wash
ington, by direction of Secretary Alger.
so that he will be in position TO make his
views known to the department.
The experience gained in dispatchlng
Shafter's expedition, it is expected. Will
ald'the officials in their determination TO
make short work of the Porto Rican af-
fsir There Will be plenty OF transports
available for the expedition, as the gov
ernment has devised other means OF re-
moving the Spapiards captured at San
uago than by carrying them on these
transports.
That the navy is ready to do its share
within short notice goes without saying.
NO GREAT RESISTANCE EXPECTED.
Porto Rico is not expected TO offer a
very formidable resistance. 1t is be-
lieved that the moral effect of to-days
surrender at Santiago will be to dis
courage the defenders Of San Juan.
There is, however. always the prospect
that peace may ensue before hostlities
have progressed to the easternmost West
Indies. Rumors were ahoat this after
noon to the effect that the Spanish Gov
eminent had at last made overtures, but
their basis was probably the current be-
lief that one more reverse to the Spanish
arms would be sufficient TO compel the
Spanish Government TO sue for peace,
and this reverse was furnished by the
surrender Of Torals army. The Navy De-
partment has not been affected by these
rumors TO the extent of relaxing any OF
its precautions or abandoning any of its
plans. for Secretary Long stated to-day
that Commodore Watson's eastern squad
ron would certainly go 70 Spain as soon
as il could sail.
OUR NEW TERRITORY.
The territory surrendered to us by Gene
raj Toral makes about 5000 square miles.
The Spanish soldiers TO be sent to Spain
are estimated TO number 1000.
Major Hopkins, the military aide TO
Secretary Alger, this afternoon had spread
before him huge map Of Cuba. showing
the surrendered zone turned over to the
American troops. The line begins at
Acerraderos, about fifteen miles west Of
Santiago harbor, and then runs due north
about twenty-five miles to Palma Zoria-
ma. Had the line continued due north,
it would have passed west Of Holguin'
thus taking i'm the Spanish garrison at
that point. Evidently, General Toral
wished 90 avoid the inclusion of Holsuin
so the line turns abruptly to the north
east at Palma and runs to the town
OF Boca del Sasua. on the coast The
extreme length of this surrendered tract
is about 10 miles, and the extreme width
about fifty miles tapering to a less width,
and making in all about 500 square
miles. 1t is a rugged, mountainous coun-
try, with very few towns Of any size.
Santiago. with it's fine harbor, is the
main point, while Guantanamo is second
in Importance.
WILD AND ROCKY COUNTRY.
4. y.
Just come from Santiago was with Secre-
tary Alger during the afternoon and gave
him some interesting details as TO the
character Of the country now surrendered
10 our troops. He said the country was
so wild and rocky that it afforded prac-
tically no camping-ground for consider
able body of troops, and in his opinion
there was not a point in this sweep Of
country suitable as a base of operations
for an army. Except the Spanish force
at Santiago, numbering about 1000 men,
Mr. Allen says there are no Spanish
troops within the surrendered zone as
it has been overrun by Garcia's forces.
The Spanish garrison are at Manzanillo
and Holguin. to the west of the surren-
dered zone. Nh Allen says these Spanish
garrisons do not exceed 5000 men. This,
he says, is General Garcia's estimate.
Mr.. Allen left Santiago only last Satur-
day. At that time he says there were two
suspicious cases. thought to be yellow
fever, 10 the hospital at Siboney.
THE NAVY'S SHARE.
The Navy Department had not heard
I'M TO the close of office hours TO what ex-
tent the American fleet was participating
in the Spanish surrender. With Santiago
i'm our hands. il will be made clear for
Admiral SIMPSONS fleet TO enter the har-
Dor as soon as the mines are removed
The fortihcations of MOrro, Cayo Smith,
and other forts are included in the surren-
dered zone. The possession Of these fine
fortresses, particularly MORO Castle viii
afford valuable garrison points for large
number of men.
The terms under which these strong
holds are surrendered are not yet known
in detail, but it Is regarded as likely that
the big guns pass with the surrender. The
fleet will soon be free 90 move up TO san
tiago City, but some doubt is entertained |
in naval circles as to whether any good
could be accompanied by such move, as
ii might subject some OF our sailors TO the |
contagion lurking within the city.
CARE OF THE EVER-STRICKEN.
Great attention will now be given to the |
care of our sick and fever-stricken sol |
diers on the island. In the opinion of the |
army surgeons the sick can be best treat |
ed by removal to the high ground back of |
the southern coast, where the heat is less |
severe, and where recovery could proceed |
without the fear of communicating the |
disease to the rest of the army. Secretary |
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