Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-06

Attempt Made by the Censor to Prevent
the News Getting Outside of This Coun-
try-SOme More Remarks from Roose-
welt Not Improbable-war Department
Makes Statement in Defense of Itself
Soldiers Embarking for Home.
Washington. Aug. 6.-When the pres
ident closed his official work yesterday
ne had not received the reply of Spain,
nor any intimation as to how soon the
reply might be expected Two days
nave now passed without a word Of
ciaily from Spain, either in the way Of
inquiry or response. There is the same
confident belief among officials that
therehas been from the first that Spains
answer will be reluctant but not the
less conclusive acceptance. At the
same time it was suggested yesterday
In some quarters that there was a pos
sibility the disclosures MADE by the
American general at Santiago concern
Ing the serious condition of our troops
might be straw at which the Spanish
cabinet would grasp. This is quite
doubtful, however, as there is a ques-
ton whether the statement of the
American general ever get outside the
borders Of the United States owing to
the strict censorship imposed Thursday
night.
May BE Some More Chapters.
The day was dull at the war depart
ment, considering the existence of a
state of war, had it not been for the
in, hn
statement signed by the military COM
ma1ders at Santiago, and the short but
sharp correspondence between Colonel
Roosevelt and Secretary Alger These
afforded food for much discussion
among all classes of officials, and the
belief was general that there are to be
further interesting chapters in the cor
respondence, provided it is deemed
harmless to the best interests of the
army to allow further publications. In
proof of the allegation that the war de-
partment had bestirred itself to succor
the unfortunate army in Santiago be-
fore the united protest was made, the
following statement is given out by the
secretary of war regarding the ship
ment OF troops north from Santiago:
Was Department on the Defensive.
Until quite recently it was supposed
that yellow fever was epidemic in San
tiago, and it was not believed that it
would be safe to send shiploads north
of men largely infected with yellow
fever. The disease, it was believed,
would spread rapidly on shipboard and
result in the death and burial of many
at sea. On the 2Sth ultimo the secre-
IN Of fol III,
Shafter that as soon as the fever sub
sided the men OF his command would
be moved north to a camp that had
been selected for them on Montauk
Point. When, however, the true con-
dition was made known, an order was
| issued to General Shafter to move his
command north as rapidly as possible
and all ships in the quartermaster's
service possible to get to Santiago were
sent there, and the great liners, St.
Paul and st. Louis. were also ordered
there. All this was done before the
communication signed by General Shat
| ter and his generals was received, and
| before Colonel Roosevelt's letter was
published
Roosevelt Not Partial to the G.,ff
| Ayers tort cable to Roosevelt in re-
| ply to the latter's letter has laid the
secretary open TO a return attack from
| Roosevelt, and those who know that
gentleman are confidently expecting
Sc. sation. One of Colonel Rooseyelt's
| former associates said: Teddy has
| never humbly taken the gaff and he is
| nos going to begin now. If l know any,
| thing about the man, and l think l do.
having been with him more or less for
| twenty years, he will be in the open
within the next forty-eight hours
| screaming like panther, dery.ng Sec
RETRY Alger and demanding a court
martial He will take chances of ba;ng
dismissed in disgrace from the SER
1