Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-07-06

Il, l1l.'
Secretary Bliss has been Informed that
from $4,000 to 100000 sheep are in Yo.
semitic Park eating the grass and shrub
berry and doing an immense amount OF
temporary damage, and he is sending Qua
inspectors to employ guards TO arrest the
herders and drive the animals out. Many
years ago the park was common grazing
grounds, and the California ranchmen
used to drive their herds many hundred
miles to pasture there. This was for
hidden by law and a military guard, usu-
ally two or three companies of cavalry,
has been turned into the park every spring
to protect Ii. Two or three weeks ago
the guard was withdrawn and the troops
were sent TO Manila. AS soon as the herd
ers learned OF this they started their aecks
that way, and they are now enjoying the
pastures in defiance of the warnings and
threats Of the superintendent.
The Spanish warships bottled up in the
harbor OF Santiago have been informally
surveyed and valne placed upon them,
which will be added to the indemnity de-
manded of Spain as n condition OF peace
should Admiral Cervera destroy them to
prevent their capture by the American
forces. The squadron is estimated 10 be
worth about $12,000,000. Ships captured
at anchor in harbors are legitimate prizes
of war, like those taken in naval engage
mcnts at sea. While IL IL not unusual to
destroy warships and Notifications when
their capture by the enemy Is inevitable,
and while Ceryera has the recent example
oE he Spanish admiral at Manila TO guide
-, the American Government is deter
mined that Spain shall gain nothing
should its pride dictate the destruction of
the beleaguered feet.
The Postoffice Department has made
arrangements to run a daily mail boat
from Tampa TO Santiago for the benefit
of the array. At present there is no reg
ular time for departure or arrival of NAL,
for the department has to depend upon
the dispatch boats that are sent In from
the heet for supplies. An enormous guam
tity Of soldier mail is received at Tampa
daily. 1t comes iy the carload. The 49,
900 soldiers receive a great many more
letters than would be sent to the same
number of citizens in the ordinary walks
of life. The postal agents at Tampa hur-
ry them as much as possible. They arc
assorted by regiments, and upon their ar
rival at Santiago are delivered to the
proper officers.
The officials at the State Department
and the German ambassador both agree
that there is the best possible understand
ing existing between Admiral Won Died
erichs and Admiral Dewey mt Manila, and
that the former recognizes the latter as in
contrsl of the situation. While he may
land marises 20 protect the German CON
tIiate and the property OF German resi-
dents In Manila he will not do so without
permission from Admiral Dewey. Every
body who knows the facts agrees that
there is not the slightest concern regard
ing the present or future attitude of the
German authorities at Manila.
1t has been asked why the rough riders
and other cayalrymcn fought on foot IN
Cuba the other day. Because their horses
were left at Tampa. Transports were SO
scarce that 1t was considered advisable
not to carry any more live stock than alb
solutely necessary. A horse occupies as
uluCu TcoIH pll StlllbndTu az tnfne men,
and If the 200 horses OF the rough riders
had been taken they would have crowded
out 5000 men. The horses were therefore
left at Tampa in charge of n major and
two companies OF troopers. and the rough
riders are fighting as infantry.
s&
Everybody is glad that Captain Sigshce
has had chance to distinguish himself.
There was an impression among his
friends that Sigsbce should have had
better detail than an auxiliary cruiser;
that he should have had at least n vessel
equal in Importance to the Maine: but
everything Of that sort was taken. and
the st. Paul was the best ship in sight.
He has done good service with her and
carries a promise from the Secretary of
the Navy that he shah have the next bat.
tleshp that needs n commander.
Commodore Watson will carry to Spain
with him on his supply ships 10000 tons
OF coal, 5000 tons Of refrigerated meat
and plenty of bread and vegetables. and
he will have a regular market wagon run
ming back and forth across the Atlantic
so that his sailors win not get hungry
The military authorities of the United
States have theory that n sailor will
fight better when he Is well fed.
The President Is very much gratified nj
the comments nG the foreign press upou
the work of the rough riders ut La Qua.
sina. The United States has no reputa.
tion as a military power. We are general.
ly regarded as a quaker among nations.
and this little dramatic exhibition Of cour-
age will do more to attract attention and
raise the estimation Of foreign critics for
our army than dozen ordinary battles.
Congress will not act upon the bill to re.
store the rank of lieutenant general In the
army, and VIII leave the President at
liberty TO appoint Gen. Miles or any one
else, as he pleascs. They will insist upon
having a hand in the choice, and this
honor will be left open until the close OF
the war, TO be bestowed upon the officer
who best deserves it.
Gen. Shafter has complained TO the au.
thorities at Washington Of the immediate
need Of horses, both for the rough riders
and the other regiments OF cavalry, and
as soon as the new vessels that were re-
Gently purchased from the Atlantic Trans.
portation Company are available the ami
mails left at Port Tampa can be shipped.
In diplomatic quarters 1t is stated that
no steps have been taken thus far In the
direction of peace overtures from any
quarter, and that it is not likely such over
lures viii come, either from one power or
from combination of powers, until the
military. situation materially changes by
decided victory or decided defeat.
The Government has bought altogether
2J3 boats since the beginning OF the war,
and has paid over $9000,000 for them.
The smallest are launches run by naphtha
sr electric engines. while the largest are
transports Of 5000 tons.
Told in "a Feyy Lines.
In freight wreck OF, tho Iron Mann