The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-14

to withdraw to the interior and fall
back OH Havana on the other hand,
would put us under the obligation of
overcoming that additional force when
it comes to the siege of Havana. Our
government also is moved to make tins
proposal to remove the Spanish forces
to Spain through Il strong desire to close
ND the operations at Santiago at the
earliest possible moment. This desire
has been materially strengthened by the
appearance of yellow fever within the
American lines. 1t was at first supposed
that the men were falling Ill
with malaria and climatic fe-
YER so the cases were reported
as simply suspicious. Now. however,
comes the final admission that they are
genuine yellow fever cases. Their ap-
pearance has determined the authorities
upon a more active prosecution of the
campaign Orders either have or soon
will go forward to General Shafter to
discuss no more with the Spanish COM
mander the terms of surrender, but TO
proceed to assault the town with all the
force at his command as soon rs the
present truce expires. 1t is expected 10y
Shafter that the navy will cooperate,
and. while Secretary Long has received
no direct advices on that point from Adj
mral Sampson, he fully credits the eX-
pectation. Reluctant as the War De
partmcnt is to sacrifice the many lives
that might be lost in an assault it is de-
cided to be better policy to make it than
TO allow the men to rot away with feyers
and other diseases during the long period
that would be- required to perfect the re-
duction of the city by steady invest
ment An expectation is still entertain
ed here, however, that this assault will
he unnecessary through Toral surrender
ing before it begins. 1t was perhaps the
spread of this belief caused by Il knowl
edge of the more energetic steps in pros
pect that tended to remove largely the
feeling of dnrcssion manifested ut The
opening of the day upon the circulation
of runlors of the appearance of yellow
fever in the American camps. Regard
ing the future of Santiago nothing has
been officially stated. but it is significant
that orders were issued from the De
partment this afternoon to prepare the
first and second regiment of volunteer
immunes for immediate departure for the
front. This would seem to he Indicative
of a purpose on the part Of the govern
ment to garrison Santiago with the fever
permitting the removal of the regular
troops to more healthy points.
FROM THE FAR EAST.
Turning to the far East, it was re-
freshing to receive to-day good news
again from Dewey. In fact it is begin
ming to be remarked that that officer is
usually able to make fclicitous reports.
The administration is very much pleased
with the readiness shown by the admiral
in meeting the grave issue presented
to him at Subg bay. and just reported
rs he did. Naval officers, too. were not
Il little gratilicd at the speedy retire
mcnt of the German cruiser Irene after
the appearance of the Raleigh and Con
cord. \ comparison of the ships shows
that the Irene was much the superior
to either of the two American vessels.
and in tonnage was almost as large as
the Raleigh and Concord together
From this it is inferred that the. retire
ment of the Irene was from motives of
general policy, rather than from any
indisposition to try conclusions with the
two American ships. The Irene is pro-
tected cruiser. built of steel. with three
screws, two tunnels and two military
is of steel three inches thick. Her ar
mamcnt consists of fourteen six-inch
guns, eight one Founders, four torpedo
tubes. and one torpedo vedette boat.
The Raleigh is Of 3,1S3 tons. and the
Concord Of 1,100 tons. The Raleigh has
a protected deck of ~ inch thickness.
and the Concord protected steel deck
of ] 1-3 inches. Together the two
American boats have about 40 guns, four
Gatling guns and eight torpedo tubes.
In armOr the German ship is much
stronger than the Americans but in guns
the Americans had the advantage in
number and general effectiveness
In official quarters here there appears
to be no disposition to look upon the ac-
tion of the Irene as menace which
will require explanation 1t was thought
ut first that this first outward show Of
force on the part of the German ships
might lead to an inquiry by this govern