Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-28
That to Be Our Treat
ment of Cubans and
Philippines.
Germany's Ambassador
Calls on President and
Secretary Day.
Lieut.. HObsOn Given a
Royal Reception i'm
Washington.

Washington, July 23.-There were
several events OF interest if not OF |
at the war and navy de- |
partment Friday. Gen. Anderson at |
Cavite sent a message saying Aguin- |
aldo had declared his dictatorship and |
something that gave the cabinet food |
for consideration at the regular meet
ing Friday. There is no disposition
to force any issue with the insurgent
chief at this time, but it is pretty we'll
understood that he will not be al
lowed to commit the United States
government in the future treatment of
the Philippine question. A visit of
dent and secretary Of state was the
basis for the belief that he called to
make some representations on that
subject, perhaps as we'll as on the ques-
ton of peace as affected by the pro-
gram laid down by Watson's projected
voyage to European waters. If so no
official confirmation was obtainable
and "a friendly visit was the only
explanation offered by Secretary Day
1t would not be surprising if it should
develop that strong European inf1u-
ences are being brought to bear to dis
suade the navy department from dis
patching Watson's fleet to Europe.
But so far they appear to have been
Intellectual, for it is officially stated
that the departure of the squadron is
only delayed, not abandoned.
Although Miles reported by cable
Friday from Mole st. Nicholas, Haiti
that he is moving along well" with
the first detachment of the military ex-
petition against Porto Rico, the lily
of his dispatch preceding this state
ment gave rise at first to the appre-
hension that, like Shafter at Santiago,
Miles was threatened with costly delay
in landing the expedition on Porto Ri
! can soil owing to the absence of light
! ers. 1t was said at the war depart
ment later that some of these lighters
were already on the way from New
Orleans and New York and no serious
delay would arise on that score. A
brief report from Admiral Sampson
declaring the success of the expedition
10 Nipe was really more important
than appears on the surface The bay
Of Nipe lies on the north coast of Cuba
almost directly across the island from
Santiago. 1t is purposed to establish
a base there which will save at least
two days time in getting supplies into
Cuba as compared with the Santiago
route. It will also form a good point
of operations against Solguin, not far
distant, and if it should develop un-
fortunately that a restraining hand
must be laid upon the Cubans them
selves, Nipe in connection with San
tiago would be an effective, means OF
doing this. The war department has
not yet been informed that General
Skaters Cuban allies have quit the
American lines for the reasons Set OFT
in a printed letter by Garcia, but it is
scarcely doubted that such is the case
for the friction has been growing more
Santiago and it is feared that sevel
ance of relations cannot be longer
avoided.
/ The last and most agreeable event
Of the day was the arrival at the navy
department Of Lieut.. Hobson, the hero
Of the Merrimac. The officials were
not informed Of his approaching visit
except through the newspapers. Con
sequently when he reached the rail
way station here Friday afternoon
there was no official there to meet
him. He succeeded in escaping OBJ
servation as he passed through the
train shed, but before he emerged
from the station some one spied him
and in moment the station resound-
ed with wild shouting. AS the cry OF
''Hobson" rang out the crowd closed
about him shaking his hand and push
ing and pressing him about until he
was rescued by the police and escorted
to a carriage. He stopped LONG
enough to announce that all the men
who formed the crew of the Merrimaf
were safe and in the best Of health
and that after he had made his report
TO the navy department he expected tC
return Immediately to New York. Tn:
officer was driven at once to the army
and navy club and after brushing
himself up he drove over to the navy
department. This time he carried IN
der his arm a large official envelope
which bore in one corner the In
scription North Atlantic squadron.
AS he approached the office Of the Sec
rotary Of the navy there ensued an
other demonstration. A large crowd
had gathered about the doorway and
the cheer of welcome it gave the
young officer brought bushes to his
cheeks. Secretary Long came out OF
his private Office and grasping Hobson
with both hands said with sincerity
Lieutenant, am glad-Very glad-to