The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-18
WASHINGTON TALK.
Discussing The Victory aad The Next
Steps To Be- Taken.

Washington. July 17.-Ip expresslng.tos
day his qualification at the result Of the
Santiago campaign, Secretary Alger
said; 1T is a magnificent achievement
and most OF all is a tribute to the brav-
cry, pluck and endurance of the American
soldiers. Now that their efforts haya
brought final success, believe their cam.
paign will be recorded as one of the most
glorious pages of our military history.
Not more than ten thousand men were
engaged when the most serious fgtipg
occurred, but they pushed forward and
created a Econdition which has brought
the surrender of 25, 600 men,
Late in the afternoon, the official des-
patch came from General Shafter, giving
in brief military fashion, an unusually
clear statement from the General of the
days events. It was entirely satisfactory
from every point OF view, showing that
the American army was in complete con-
troll OF a city, that 1t would have cost
5000 lives to capture by storm. Moreover
it was very encouraging from medical
point of view, in that 1t showed, contrary
to what had been expected, that there was
little ickness, and scarcely any yellow
fever in Santiago. but great deal of
suffering and distress.
The Presi dent, after his return from
church, had a conference with Secretaries
Alger and Long and Captain Crownin-
shield, chief of the bureau of navigation
and d member of the naval war board.
1t was stated after the meeting that plans
had been discussed for an aggressive
movement in which both army and navy
will take part, against Porto Rico.
Before going to the White House, Secre-
tary Alger had been in conference with
General Brooke for two hours. They
had before them large number of maps
of Porto Rico and the plans of campaign
were discussed from every point of view.
| It is expected that General Miles will 60
direct from Santiago to Porto Rico and
that General Stone and Col. Michler Of
his staff will leave from New York In q
day or two on the Resolute to Join the
General at Santiago. Secretary Long
would not discuss the naval programme
except to say that active preparations are
u.
| During the day the secretary of war
endorsed the plan of Col Hecker for the
transportation of the Spanish forces at
Santiago back to Spain. approving cirs
cular Col. Hecker had prepared calling
for bids for transportation of the Span
iards home. 1t provides for an aggregate
Eof 1000 Spanish officers with first class
| accommodations and twenty-four thousa
am soldiers with third class steerage pas
sage. The circular says that the Spanish
| foices will be delivered on board at Sam
| tiago for transportation to Cadiz, Spain,
or such other port as may be designated.
! 1t is provided that the accommodations
are to be up to the standard required by
the United States army regulations as to
officers and men, in regard to galleys,
ventilation, etc. The subsistence furnished
| is to be equal to the prescribed United
States army ration which is set forth in
detail as guide to bidders as to what
they must furnish.
The only disquieting information re-
ceiyed during the day was as to the yell
low fever conditions at the front and this
dispatch was modified in an encouraging
way by General Skaters later news. 1t
was dispatch from Col. Greenleaf. chief
surgeon of the army in Cuba, saying that
l6 new cases had appeared. While this
was regarded with some apprehension by
laymen, the surgeon-generals depart.
ment considered tile showing entirely