Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-07-07


Secretary Bliss has been informed that
from $4,000 to 100000 sheep are in Yo-
semitic Park eating the grass and shrub
berry and doing an immense amount Of
temporary damage, and he is sending out
inspectors to employ guards to arrest the
herdcrs and drive the animals out. Many
years ago the park was common grazing
grounds. and the California ranchmen
used to drive their herds many hundred
miles to pasture there. This was for
hidden by law and II military guard, usu-
ally two or three companies of cavalry,
has been turned into the park every spring
to protect it. Two or three weeks ago
the guard was withdrawn and the troops
were sent to Manila As soon as the herd
ers learned OF this they started their tlocks
that way, and they are now enjoying the
pastures in defiance of the warnings and
threats of the superintendent.
The Spanish warships bottled up in the
harbor OF Santiago have been informally
surveyed and value placed upon them,
which will be added to the indemnity de-
manded Of Spain as condition of peace
should Admiral Ccrvera destroy them to
prevent their capture by the American
horth about $12000,000, Ships captured
t anchor in harbors are legitimate prizes
Of war, like those taken in naval engage
mcnts at sea. While it is not unusual to
destroy warships and fortitications when
their capture Ivy the enemy is inevitable,
and while Cervera has the recent example
Of the Spanish admiral at Manila to guide
him, the American Government is deter
mined that Spain shall gain nothing
should its pride dictate the destruction of
the becagucrcd feet.
The Postoflicc Department has made
arrangements to run Gaily mail beat
from Tampa to Santiago for the benefit
Of the army. At present there is no reg
ulnr time for departure or arrival of mail,
for tho department has to depend upon
the dispatch boats that are sent in from
the fleet for supplies. An enormous guam
tty Of soldier mail is received at Tampa
daily. 1t comes by the carload. The 16,
OOO soldiers receive 4 great many more
letters than would be sent to the same
number of citizens in the ordinary walks
OF life. The postal agents ut Tampa hur-
ry them as much as possible. They arc
assorted by regiments and upon their ar
rival at Santiago are delivered to the
proper officers.
The officials at the State Department.
and the German ambassador both agree
that there is the best possible understands
ing existing between Admiral Won Died
crichs and Admiral Dewey at Manila, and
that the former recognizes the latter as In
control of the situation. While he may
land marines to protect the German con-
sulatc and the property OF German resi-
dents in Manila he will not do so without
permission from Admiral Dewey. Every
body who knows the facts agrees that
there is not the slightest concern regard
ing the present or future attitude of the
German authorities at Manila.
1t has been asked why the rough riders
and other cavalrymen fought on foot in
Cuba the other day. Because their horses
were left at Tampa. Transports were so
scarce that it was considered advisable
not to carry any more live stock than alb
solutely necessary. A horse occupies as
much room on shipboard as three men,
and if the 1,200 horses of the rough riders
had been taken they would have crowded
out 5000 men. The horses were therefore
left at Tampa in charge of majos and
two companies of troopers, and the rough
riders are fighting rs Infantry.
Everybody is glnd that Captain Sigshee
has had a chance to distinguish himself.
There was an impression among LIS
friends that Sigsbee should have had Il
better detail than an auxiliary cruiser;
that he should have had at least vessel
equal in Importance to the Maine; but
everything Of that sort was taken, and
the st. Paul was the best ship in sight.
He has done good service with her and
carries promise from the Secretary OF
the Navy that he shall have the next bat
tleship that needs commander.
Commodore Watson will carry to Spain
with him on his supply ships 10000 tons
OF coal, 5000 tons of refrigerated meat
and plenty of bread and vegetables, and
he will have n regular market wagon run
ming back and forth across the Atlantic
so that his sailors will not get hungry.
The military authorities of the United
States have theory that a sailor will
fight better when he is well fed.
In diplomatic quarters it is stated that
no steps have been taken thus far in the
direction of peace ovcrtures from any
quarter and that it is not likely such over
lures will come, either from one power or
from a combination OF powers, until the
military situation materially changes by
decided victory or u decided defeat.
The President is very much gratifed at
the comments Of the foreign press upon
the work of the rough riders at La Qua
sina The United States has no reputa-
ton As a military power. We are general
" regarded as u quaker among nations,
and this little dramatic exhibition of cour-
age will do more to attract attention and
raise the estimation Of foreign critics for
our army than a dozen ordinary battles.
Gen. Shaftcr has complsined to the au-
thorit;es Mt Washington of the immediate