The National tribune., 1898-09-22
WINDING UP THE WAR.
Settling Matters in Porto Rico, Cuba and
the Philippines.


PORTO RICO.
Again the unexpected has happened in
Port Rico The Spanish Commissioners have
gone about the work of transferring the is
land with buSineSslike straightforwardness
that nobody looked for. They have met the
Americans fairly and squarely on every
proposition, and the island, with all its
goods, chattels, appurtenances and heredit-
aments," is ready to be transferred to the
United States, its heirs, administrators and
assigns. A surprising number Of Spanish
soldiers, regular and volunteer, have elected
to remain in the island, and our Commits
sioners have granted them every permission.
1t is expected that the Spanish flag will be
finally hauled down in less than three weeks
CUBA.
Though Captain-General Blanco at first
| showed a strong disposition to be per
nickety," he has subsidized, and the considera-
| tiOn of the evacuation of the island is going
ahead with fair progress The work will be
a continuation westward of that begun at
Santiago and end at Habana, which will be
| the last evacuated. As fast as the Spanish
| troops retire their places will be taken by the
Americans, not leaving any post unguarded
| at any time.
The official statement of the number of
| Spanish soldiers in the island is said to place
| the aggregate at 100 000 and it is under
stood that it is proposed that the men shall
| carry with them their arms, ammunition,
| material and equipments.
1t is estimated that the end Of February
will have come before the evacuation of the
island is completed, as the soldiers must en-
bark in Spanish vessels.
About one-sixth of Gen. Lawton's troops
are on the Sick-list, but the number of deaths
is small, and the number of men returned to
duty greatly exceeds the new cases.
The last of the Spanish troops, except few
sick in hospital, have left Santiago
The Cuban insurgents appear to be slowly
accepting the logic Of the situation and are
much more doclIc than they have been at
any time since the talk Of annexation be-
came rife. They cling to the hope that when
the United States has cleaned out the Spanish
it will reconstruct the Government of the
island on the lines of Cuban independence,
and will ultimately recognize the insurgent
Government established two years ago.
Still, for the present, they are convinced
that the agitation for recognition will result
in more harm than good to their cause
The present. program is confined to sum-
moning all their forces to the support of their
claim that they are capable OF self-govern-
mSnt
The present Cuban Government has its
headquarters at Cubitas, Puerto Principe
Bartslome Masso is the President and Mendez
Capote is Vice-President.
A general election Is ordered for Oct 1, at
which it is probable that President Masso
will be reelected, with Gen. Gomez as Vice
President.
THE PHILIPPINES.
Maj.-Gen. Otis seems to be managing the
situation at Manila with great firmness, tact
and success. He has secured the evacuation
OF the suburbs by the insurgents. Sept. 10,
fully $4,000 of them marched out in grand
style, with flags flying bands playing and
cheers for the American troops, who were
paraded in their honor
A Congress OF the Filipinos was convened
at Mololos, near Manila, Sept. is, and
opened in due form by Aguinaldo, who made
iowery speech, calling upon them to follow
the example of England, France and the
United States, and adopt constitutional
form of Government The address excited
no enthusiasm. Very many of the most
prominent Filipinos were conspicuously
absent So far the only decisive action taken
has been unanimous action that Spanish
authority must everywhere cease. A joint
protectorate of Spain and the United States is
strongly opposed.
There are three parties represented in the