Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-07-27
THE WAR.
NEWS AND RUMORS OF ARMY
AND NAVY.
SPAIN CRIES "ENoUGH''-GEN. MILES
HAS LANDED ON THE ISLAND
OF PORTO RICO.

Inc past week, while free from san
culinary fighting, has been marked by
two important steps in the progress OF
| the war-the Inauguration of the cam
palgn in Porto Rico, and he first direct
intimation from Spain that she has had
enough.
The Inauguration of the campaign
| against Porto Rico was hurried forward,
and on Monday morning Gen. Miles
with the advance expedition, landed at
Guanica, on the southwest coast of the
island, fifteen miles west of Ponce.
Troops have been embarked at several
ports in The United States, and the land
ing OF the first expedition will be closely
followed by others. The next week will
see an army OF $1,000 on foot in Porto
Rico, unless development toward peace
negotiations cause change in plans
The plan of campaign in Porto Rico it
is understood contemplates a landing at
three points on the island, the capture Of
smaller garrisoned towns, and a con-
certed move on San Juan, in the attack
OF which the army will be aided by the
fleet.
Gen. Miles will advance at once on
Ponce. From there a good military road
leads to San Juan seventy miles away,
SPAIN SEEKS PEACE.
The first direct move toward peace came
Tuesday from Spain through the French
consul at Washington in the form of
request that negotiations for peace be
opened. No specific terms on which
Spain wished to arrange peace, nor any
suggestion of an armistice pending
negotiations, We're suggested. The terms
which the United States will accept may
be larger pill than Spain will swallow at
once, and peace may still be remote. Still
the direct intimation from Spain that she
seeks peace is a step the Importance of
which should not be underestimate.
wATsoN's EXPEDITION.
The despatch of Commodore Watson's
fleet TO Spain has been delayed .or reasons
not made public. The supposition is that
it has been determined to n axe the fleet
larger than at first contemplated, for
greater moral effectiveness, aud to this
end the expedition may be delayed until
some of the powerful ships of SIMPSONS
squadron can be released from duty at
Porto Rico. OF course the rapid adj
vanclment of peace negotiations may re-
move the necessity of sending Wat
son across the Atlantic.
AT SANTIAGO.
AT Santiago all is quiet. The city is
rapidly assuming its normal condition.
The Red Cross society is doing grand re-
lief wo.k, and the American military
government is pushing forward the work
OF improving the sanitary condition of
the city.
Gen. Skaters army is being made COM
Portable in the hills about the city. The
yellow fever seems to be held well in
hand by the physicians and fever experts.
Very few deaths have resulted.
Troops in the smaller garrisons in
cluded in the surrender Of Santiago are
laying down their arms. In most in
stances they are pleased with the pros
pect OF getting back to Spain. Monday
5000 troops at Guantanamo laid down their
arms. The number Of troops surrendered
will be fully up to the estimate, % 900.
ohArIEh AMI GARClA.
There has been considerable newspaper
discussion concerning the relations of
Gen. Shafter and the insurgent general
Garcia. 1t is doubtless true that Garcia
has felt himself aggrieved, and with
drawn his forces from the vicinity OF
Santiago, but in all his communications
with the government Gen. Shafter has
made no direct reference to any difficulty.
On the other hand the newspapers have
pu blished very emphatic letter purport-
ing to be from Gen. Garcia to Gen.
Shafter, and an equally emphatic reply
from Gen. Shafter.
Naturally the government has been
somewhat concerned regarding these re-
ports, and has taken precautions to pre-
vent a rupture. The Cuban junta in
this country understands the situation
perfectly, and is satisfied with it. The
Cubans in arms cannot afford to break
with the United States, as by so doing
they would certainly defeat their own
ends.
AT THE PHILIPPINES.
Both official dispatches and news re-
ports from Manila indicate that matters
there are now approaching point where
Dewey must again take decisive action
The first two expeditions of troops have
arrived at Manila, and Gen. Merritt, with
the third expedition, must be nearing
there. Action will not be delayed long
after Gen. Merritt's arrival; it may be
made necessary before.
The insurgent general Aguinaldo has
assumed an attitude OF dictat orshlp, and
may cause annoyance, If not serious
trouble, to the Americans.