The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-21

flag was raised over San Juan. The
ceremony was quiet n dignifed, un-
marrcd by disorder Of any kind.
The Eleventh regular Infantry, with
two batteries OF the Fifth artillery.
landed this morning. The latter pro-
ceeded to the forts, while the infantry
lined uo or the docks. 1t was a holi-
day for San Juan II there were many
people on the streets.
Rear Admiral Schley aud General
Gordon, accompanied by their staffs.
proceeded to the palace in carriages.
The Eleventh infantry regiment and
band, with Troop II, of the Sixth Unit
ed States cavalry. was then marched
through the streets and formed in the
square opposite the palace.
At 11:40 o'clock a. m, General
Brooke, Admiral Schley and General
Gordon. the United States evacuation
commission, came ont of the palace
with many naval officers and formed
a right Quare. The streets behind the
soldiers were throngeG with towns peo-
pie, who stood waiting in dead silence.
At last the city clock struck the hour
of II and the crowds, almost breathless
and with eyes fixed upon the Gag pole,
watched for developments.
At the sound Of the first gun from
Fort MORO, Major Dean and Lieuten-
ant Castle, of General Brooke's staff,
hoisted the Stars and Stripes, while
the band played the Star ~Spangled
Banner"
All heads were barred and the crowds
cheered. Fort MORO, Fort San Cristo-
bal, and the United States revenue ut
ter Manning lying in the harbor, fired
tWenty-one guns each.
Senior MunOZ Rivera, VINO was preSi-
dent of the recent autonomist council
of secretaries, and other officials of
the late inSular government, were
present at the proceedings.
Congratulations and handshaking
among the American officers followed.
Ensign King hoisted the Stars and
Stripes on the intendencia, but all 9TH
er flags on the various public buildings
were hoisted by military officers. Sim
ultaneously with the raising OF the flag
over the captain generals palace,
many others We're hoisted in different
parts of the city.
The work Of the United States evac-
uatiOn commission is now over and all
the reports will be forwarded to Wash
ingtOn on Thursday next. ffe labors
of both parties have terminated with
hOnOrs to all concerned. The Ameri-
can commissioners worked without the
least delay and in the most thorough
and effective manner
Washington, October 19.-General
Wade, president of the American evac-
uation commission, telegraphed the
war department last night tha 5000
Spanish soldiers had been embarked
already for Spain and that arrange
ments had been completed, of which
the American commissioners had been
duly notified by the Spanish commits
SiOnerS for the embarkatiOn of 10, 900
more troops in the near future. on
the whole, this rate of progress, in
view of the limited of Spain,
is believed to he reasonable.
So long as this disposition is eyhit-
tied to carry out in good faith the
evacuation of the island, cur govern
ment is not likely to make complaint,
n the statement that the American
commissioners at Havana did yester-
day deliver themselves of % formal Ill
timatum on the subject is said to be
erroneous. This conclusion, however,
does not apply to the transfer of SOW
ereignty, n while permitting the
presence Of Spanish troop in Cuba
on and after December 1st, it is the
present purpose to assume control Of
the entire civil establishment of tn.
island or the date mentioned just as
General Wood did in Santiago prov
ince.
Now that the Spanish peace COM
missioners have been repulsed in their
efforts to have the United States as
sumo sovereignty over Cuba as the
means of thus transferring to our
shoulders the Cuban debt, the next
| movement looked for on their part Is
one in the direction of imposing this
indebtedness upon the Cubans them
selves when they shall have erected
some form of government on the ruins
of Spanish sovereignty. This would ne
something in the nature Of a last re-
sort on the part of the bondholders;
but it is scarcely probable that any
such proposition will be favorably re-
ceived by the peace commissioners
acting jointly, for aside from the ques-
ton as to the justice of imposing upon
a new and struggling government a
mass of debt quite sufficient to yAra-
lyze it for years to come, there is nauch
to be said IN favor Of the entire repu-
diation of this debt by the Cubars on
the score that 1t was not really incur
red on account Of the island, but actu-
ally to benefit Spain. Also, it a be
said, that even should the commission
ers consent to consider such a PROPOSE
ton, they would DO so My on. the dis
tinct understanding that the various
so-called Cuban debts should be diff
%ferential and only part OF than regard
ed as proper liens against tbs. Cuban
people.
Touching the municipal aebts, as al.
ready stated. our commissioners have
never contended that trey should b,
outlawed, but they will remain as {
just charge against me respectiv
communities which foared them AM
for whose benefit theit- proceeds we-
applied.
Touching the bitter complaints tina
are made in the French papers agains
what they denominate the uncomVro
missing attitude Of the American co,n
missioners and their refusal to consfde
propositions to artdrrate radical diff
ferences between ths two bodies, it /
said here that presumably the Span
ish commissioners went to Paris uade
instructions quite as comprehensive a
those supplied to the American com
q m~issioners. Any suggestion of arbitra
ton would be cut OF place in eonnec
ton with the peace commission an
should it come to an i~rrcconcflabl
difference between the tVo commits
sfons there can be but one arbitramer
that of the sword-for which our gov
rnmen Is fully prepared. hut upo
! which IL does not expect 70 be obi,