The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-12

ma harbor, Il condition for the cessation
of hostiites. 1t is questionable, now
ever. whether it is not now too late
to amend the protocol in its substance
as proposed by the War Board.
A rumor was put afloat this afternoon
to the effect that Secretary Alger i'll
anticipation of the beginning of the for
nal peace negotiations had cabled Gener-
nj Miles and General Merritt, in Porto
Rico and the Philippines respectively, or
ders that looked toward cessation or
! hostilties. When his attention was di-
rected to this rumor, Secretary Algel
promptly pronounced it to be without
foundation. and as absurd, and his words
| were practically repeated with emphasis
by Adjutant General Corbin, through
whose hand any such messages must
pass. The publication of sucn stories
moreover. was deprecated as tending to
encourage the Spanish Government to
further delay and passive resistance. AS
a matter of fact General Miles seems
to be pressing forward with the greatest
energy and cablegram received from
him late ine the afternon reported the
forward movement OF General Schwan,
in charge of one of the divisions of the
American army. and the ensuing skir-
mish. Ernst's brigade is also advancing
rapidly along the road to Aibonito ana
made what Miles described as very
important capture ut Coamo yesterday.
Merritt undoubtedly is pursuing his cam
paign in Lazon. 1t is stated positively
that he is under no restraining
order from the War Department. but
that it is left entirely to his own dis
cretion rs to how and when
to attack Manila. Inasmuch as
il has been reported from Ca
vite that he was simply waiting the az
rival there of the doubleturreted monI-
tor Monadnock, it is presumed this at
tack will soon follow if it has not been
made already. for according to the cal
culation of the Navy Department the
Mona dnOck is about due now mt Cavlte.
While not quite clear as to General Mer-
rtt's purpose in deferring his attack un'
til the vessel arrives, it is the opinion of
the military officials that his plan is to
plant the two monitors. Monterey and
Monadnock, directly within range of the
Manila batteries. and if II demand for
surrender is refused, to batter down
those defences. Only fully armored YES
sells can be safely employd in such work.
hence the delay on account of the non
arrival Of the Monadnock.
Secretary Alger today cabled to Gen
eral Miles to supply Immediately to the
Porto Rican ports captured by him the
! tariff drawn up by the Government for
Santiago and other Cuban ports. This
is in line with the policy of the War
Department of extending the American
system of tariffs as rapidly rs possible
over captured territory.
The settlement of the details of the
evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico Is
already receiving the earnest attention
of the officials. Some provision is to be
, made for the treatment of the Spanish
prisoners and for the disposition of the
small arms and the artillery and war
stores. There is also some naval prop
erty of value remaining in Cuban and
Porto Rican ports and it is Il question
whether or not this should be demanded
by us or be allowed to remain in Span
| ish possession. The conclusion has been
reached by Secretary Alger to refer these
matters to Il military commission and
| Adjutant General Corbin is now look
! ing M precedents for the guidance OF
| such Il commission. Possibly this com
mission would meet the question raised
| by the Naval War Board to the pro-
priety Of holding MORO Castle as II
pledge until the formal signature Of n
treaty of peace.
The Ordnance Department of the ar
my has succeeded at last in securing II
smokeless powder adapted for use in the
| SDrinficld rifle with which nearly Ill
| the volunteer troops are armed The
! powder used with the small bore repeat
I ing rifles was too powerful and
II special powder had to be secured
This is now coming in from the manufac-
turers and being turned into fixed am
munitiOn in such quantities so as to war
rant the belief that even should the war
continue our soldiers would not be again
exposed to the danger encountered at
/ the battle of FL Caney through the be-
| irayal of their presence by the blind
ing smoke of the Springfields.