The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-07-21
DIPLOMATS SUGGESTION.
He Says Spain Could Negotiate for
Peace Through Gen. Toral
and Gen. Shafter.
CAPTURED GUNS AID ORDNANCE STORES

The Department Considering What 20 do
with the Large Quantity Gained by th'
/ Surrender OF SaatlaG o-tien. shaftel
Wants the Immunes Hurried Up fo'
/ Serytce-Roster of spanish Prisoners.
Washington. July 19.-One Of the
ablest members Of the diplomatic
/ corps IN Washington, the am bassad OF
/ of continental power, suggested to-
/ day that if Spain or the United States
were DESTROYS of inaugurating a peace
movement an easy and effective means
| Of SO doing was now at hand without
| recourse to any foreign intermediary.
This, he pointed out. could be done
through the American and Spanish
generals at Santiago. who, during re-
cent days, have been brought into close
communication concerning the details
OF the surrender of Santiago The in
cident has served to show that Gen.
Toral was in direct communication
with Madrid, and his action was re-
sponsive to the wish Of the Madrid
government. On the other hand, it
was pointed out, Gen. Shafter had at
all times been guide by the direct adj
vice and instruction of the Washing
ton government This. for the first
time i'll the war, brought the two gov
ernments into direct communication,
and while the communication has
thus far been confined to Santiago,
it has suggested that il affords the Op-
portunitE for a much wider range Of
inquiry between the two capitals. If
Madrid desires to take the initiative
in learning what peace terms are pos
sible then such an official inquiry
through Gen. Toral to Gen. Shafter
would doubtless bring response.
This mode of action was suggested in
4 con ectural way, but as one offering
the most practical means of direct
communication on the subject of peace.
Whether either government viii avail
itself of the opportunity remains to be
seen, as there is no intimatiOn thus
far that Madrid desires to make peace
Ovcrtures, and certainly there IS no
purpose at Washington to initiate such
movement.
The Captured Guns and Ordnance stores.
Washington, July 19.-The ordnance
department of the war department IS
considering what to do with the large
quantity of arms, ammunition, FORTH
cation guns and ordnance stores which
have come into the possession OF this
government through the surrender of
Santiago. Gen. Shafter reports that
Il bout 1000 Mauser rifles were turned
over the first day and the number viii
reach probably 20, 900 when the troops
at other points in the surrendered
zone turn in their guns. The surren-
der also covers large stock of ammu-
milton, rifle balls, etc, of the caliber
suitable for the Mausers, so that when
the guns are repaired there Will be an
ample stock of cartridges to use in them. |
The ordnance bureau is CONSIDERING |
only what shall be done with the guns |
if they are utilized By this govern |
ment, as il has nothing to do with the |
larger question concerning the ulti- |
mate return of the guns to the Span |
sh troops. The ordnance officers ex-
oect to make very little use of the |
tOrtitication guns mounted in MORO |
castle, Sacopa, Cayo Smith and other
sorts along Santiago harbor. These,
has developed since the capture, are
guns Of Anticipated pattern, most Of
hem muzzleloaders. 1t IS said they
would not be worth bringing back to
he United States except as souvenirs |
If the fall OF Santiago. For the pres
mt they probably viii be retained at
he forts, for since they have proved |
effective to make a show
ng against the big American fleet,
hey Will suffice for the present pas
i've condition Of affairs.
Wants the Immunes Hurried Forward.
Washington, July 19.-Gen. Shafter
las asked the war department to hurry
Onward the regiments of inmunes for
ervice a Santiago city and vicinity
Il order that there may be minimum |
I danger OF further infection of our
roOps from the fever which prevails |
t Santiago. Secretary AIger said
his afternoon that it IS probable that
ne total number of Spanish soldiers
no Will have to be transported to |
pain viii reach the p 600 estimated :
: Gen. Shafter, as ToraIs reports did .
OF cover quite all the soldiers who
ouId be turned over. The secretary
lys the military governor Of Santiago + 9
al not yet been definitely selected
ur army captured 10. 600 coo rounds Of 8
at Santiago. so that il =
III no. need such supplies for some Z
me
Gen. Skaters Spanish Prisoners. c
Washington, July 1.-THE war de- .
has received a dispatch "
lted yesterday from Gen. Shafter q
wing that the roster Of prisoners I
as handed in yesterday afternoon By r
En-. Toral and that the total IS 2-.1s9
en-. Gen Skaters dispatch added q
At the prisoners turned over to him ?.
= exceeded ii numbers the strength
his own army. g
aims Most Powerful yyarshio Damaged. 7
July IA steamer
hich has Just arrived here reports r
-vinE sighted on July - of the coast 7
Iunls the Spanish feet commanded 3"
Admiral Camara. Is the steamer y