The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-09

Washington, July S.-There was a con-
tinuation of peace talk today and other
evidences in this line than those of yes
terday are coming to the surface. Such
for instance was the confirmation by the
State Department. of the report that the
Cadiz fleet was returning to Spain. 1t
is scarcely conceivable that the Spanish
government would doom this last rem
nant of it's feet to destruction at the
hands Of Yatson's squadron. which in
all pro liability could head it off before it
reached Cadiz it's home port Therefore,
the assumption is that the Spanish gov
ernment calculates that at least an armis-
tice precedent to peace will be obtained
before the ships reach Spain. An un-
usually definite report was in circulation
that the United States had been sounded
in the interests of peace by the British
ambassador, but Sir Julian Pauncefote
authorized On exploit denial.
Conditions at Santiago are Ealsc regard-
ed as favorable just now according to
General Skaters despatch received dur
ing the forenoon. ss.Nothingsmore came
preston prevails that the Spanish are in
desperate plight within the lines of the
city and General Skaters action in al
lowing Linares to communicate freely
with Madrid is an implication that there
Is at least reasonable hope that the
Spanish gen sral contenplates surren-
der. However that may be- every pre-
parat1on Is making for a great engage
ment, the final one at Santiago, it is
hoped, wiioh may begin even as early as
tomorrow if Shafter's reinforcements, are
on hand. The department has not heard
so far OF the arrival of these soldiers but
believes that they have reached Shafter
The greatest difficulty that has been en-
countered is in the landing of troops and
supplies. This bsing the hurricane sea-
son, and the wind setting straight on the
Southern coast, the masters of the
transI orts have become alarmed and TAX
en- their ships many miles out to sea,
necessitating long Journeys by the ships
boats, which make their landings through
the surf with the greatest difficulty and
danger. So slow and tedious has been
the service under these conditions that
Secretary Alger has ordered General
Shafter to seize the transports one and
all and place them as near the coast as
he chooses without regard to the fears of
their'masters. Ten day ago lighters were
started down from Mobile and Tampa,
but SO tar General Shafter has received
only one. These lighters have beer a
nightmare to the department ever since. |
The captains tie up in creek at the slight
est sign of bad weather, while the charter
rate of 500 day runs on. Orders have
been sent forward to terminate this state
Of things, even If 1t is necessary to lose
few lighters in the effort to reach Shat
ter. The government has not yet deter
mined how to dispose of Admiral Ger.
vera. A feeling of The highest admiration
prevails here ut the gallantry displayed
by the old warrior and the noble spirit
exhibited by him under misfortune. The
disposition Is to treat him with MS great
liberaIity as conditions will permit 1t
has been proposed that he be released
on parole not to engage in hostilities
against the United States until the end of
the war but it has not yet been decided
whether to do this or to conf1ne the ad-
mirai technically within the limits of the
naval academy reservation of Annapolis.
All the other captured Spanish naval
officers will be confined there save the
surgeons who will be allowed to remain
with the enlisted men at the prison sta
tion at Seavey's Island Portsmouth har.
Dor, N. Fl. The st. Louis is due thers
tonight or tomorrow with the first lot Of
passengers while the Harvard has starte,
from off Santiago with the remainder.
The report of the appearance of a Span
ish privateer off the coast of British Co
lumbia, which appears to have created
s'1oh commotion ON the northern coast,
came from one of the government agents
| In that section. Moreover, the same per-
son. said that two vessels were taking on
| coal at a British Columbian port which
| it WAS presumed was intended for the