Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-28
SKATERS REPORT.
The General Tells Of the Trouble
with Newspaper Men.
Cen. SKATERS ARMY DEPRESSED.


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Washington, July 25.-Gen. Shafter
reported by cable yesterday that the
condition of the troops at Santiago
was rapidly improving and said he
hoped, in the course Of day or two,
to have them all located in comforta-
bic camps where they may rest and re-
cuperate. and where the sick may re-
cover. He is feeding 1000 OF the
Spanish prisoners OF war, and.
although he has not yet been able to
furnish them tents, this deficiency Is
being made good and, meanwhile, their
present condition is no worse in this
respect than was their condition be.
fore the surrender.
The general makes no mention Of
the alleged letter from Garcia to him
self, nor does he speak Of any friction
between them, whence the department
has come to doubt the authenticity Of
published stories on these subjects
In his report to the war department
relative to conditions at Santiago,
Gen. Shafter has thrown some light
upon the difficulties In which certain
Of the newspaper correspondents there
have involved themselves From his
report it would appear that animated
by an ambition to take prominent
part in the importante events following
each other in rapid succession at Santi-
ago after the initiation Of negotiations
for the surrender OF the city, few
OF the correspondents were guilty Of
grave breaches Of military law, neces-
stating prompt corrective action by
Gen. Shafter. Thus. for instance, one
correspondent in his efforts to take
part in the flag raising over the city
hall, resisted the military officers In
the execution Of their duty and even
attempted a personal assault upon the
commanding general. This made him
subject to summary and severe punish.
ment, even death, yet Gen. Shafter,
probably realizing that ignorance Of
military law was the explanation
Of the action, contented imself
with expelling that correspondent
from Cuba. A more serious offense,
from the fact that 1t might easily have
led to rioting and loss Of life, was that
Of three other correspondents who, 1t
appears by Gen. Skaters report by
circulating inAammatory posters,
stirred up the town. They were like.
wise deported, and, as evidence that
he has no Ill feeling toward the paper
represented by them, but desires only
to exercise such control as Is impera.
lively demanded In the interest Of
safety Of our troops and protection Of
the people under their care, Gen. Shat
ter has declared that these correspond
ents may be Immediately replaced by
others from the paper who will observe
the rules Of prudence.
In a very dignifed manner Gen.
Shafter takes notice Of some OF the
severely critical newspaper articles
that have appeared touching the con.
dition of the troops before Santiago
while they lay in the trenches He
admits that there was shortage of
tobacco for time, but shows conclu-
sively that there was no lack OF the
necessaries Of life, and that the troops
were adequately supplied with hard
bread, bacon, sugar and coffee. AL.
though this bill Of fare is not as
extensive as that afforded troops
In garrison it embodies the main
features of the army ration while on
the field service and removed from
base of supplies. As 1t has been al
legged in some quarters that there was
lack of purpose in the battles Incl
dent to the advance upon Santiago, 1t
Is interesting to note that, while Gen.
Shafter admits that for two days he
was himself lying i'll, owing to the
great heat and exposure, he asserts
that the plans laid down in advance
for the movement were carried out
with absolute exactness
GEN. sHAFTER's ARMY DEPRESSED.
Santiago de Cuba, July 25.-The re.
port published in the United States
that there are 30 cases Of yellow fever
in the cavalry division is learned, on
investigation, to be unfounded, The
First. Third. Sixth and Ninth volun-
teers, the First and Tenth regular
cavalry regiments and six compa-
MES Of the Randolph light artil.
lery are encamped about two miles
northwest Of Ell Caney, at the
base of the mountains The camp
is apparently perfectly healthy as to
location and has good water supply.
The ground is well drained Malarial
fever is prevalent, but 1t railways yields
to quinine treatment, in the course Of
four or five days There have been no
fatalities from fever thus far, but SO
long as the men are exposed to the hot
sun during the day, the increasing
rains and heavy night dews, malaria
will increase and our men grow worse.
A second attack is much more ditfi.
cult to eradicate, especially in the case
OF men exposed to the present condi.
tions. The cavalry is anxious TO pro-
coed to Porto Rico, but will be obliged
to remain here until the Spanish pris-
oners Of war have been transported TO
Spain, which, II is believed, will have
been accomplished before the next
month is well advanced. The army is
mentally depressed by inactivity and
the uncertainty as TO its future. move.