The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1898-07-19
HILLSDALE, MICH, JULY 10, 1898.


Gen. Toral makes about 5000 square !
miles. The Spanish soldiers to be sent |
to Spain is estimated at $1,000 men.
The statement that the Spanish prop
osition embraces all eastern Cuba
from Acerraderos to Sagua is important
in that it shows the surrender to en-
brace all the harbor and contiguous
territory of Santiago. 1t does not in
clude Holguin and Manzanillo, where
the Spaniards are reported to have con-
siderable bodies Of soldiers, as these
places are to the west of the surren-
dered zone. The territory includes n
population exceeding 125, 900 when the
country is in its normal state. 1t in
cludes the important cities of Santiago
de Cuba, Guantanamo, Sagua de
Panama, and Baracoa. 1t is exceed
ingly rich in minerals, sugar and cof-
fee. The large iron and copper mines
at Juragua, Baiquiri and vicinity are
owned by American companies. In
the Guantanamo district are extensive
plantations Baracoa carried on an
extensive fruit trade with the United
States. The line begins at Acerra-
deros, about Is miles west of Santiago
harbor, and then runs due north about
25 miles to Palma Sorians Had the
line continued due north it would have
passed west of Holguin, thus taking
the Spanish garrison at that point.
! Evidently Gen. Toral wishes to avoid
the inclusion of Holguin so the line
turns to the northeast of Palma and
runs to the coast town of Boca del
| Sagua. The extreme length of this
surrendered tract is about 110, extreme
width about so miles, and is a rugged
mountainous country. Santiago, with
| it's fine harbor, is the main point, while
Guantanamo is second in Importance.
With Santiago in our hands the way
will be clear for Admiral SIMPSONS
| fleet to enter the harbor, as soon as the
torpedoes and mines at the harbor en-
trance are removed. The Notifications
| of MORO castle, Socapa, Cayo Smith
and others are included in the surren-
| dered zone. The possession of these
| fine fortresses, particularly Morro cas-
tie, will afford valuable garrison points
for large number of men.
Great attention will now be given to
the care of our sick and fever-striclle n
soldiers on the island. In the opinion
of the army surgeons the sick can be
best treated by removal to the high
| ground back of the southern coast,
where the heat is less severe and where
recovery could proceed without fear of
communicating disease TO the rest of
the army. Secretary Alger is anxious
to bring the entire army back as soon
as it can be done with safety to the
men themselves without jeopardy to
other troops in Florida and to the
public. The active preparations made
| to deal with the emergency are such
| that it is felt the question of disease
can be coped with successfully, now
that the military situation has been
| simplified.
The plan of the war department for
returning the surrendered army of
| Gen. Toral to Spain will not necessi-
| tate the use of American vessels. 1t
| is the purpose of the department to ask
for proposals from all steamship com
panies which desire to compete for
transporting the Spanish troops to
| oDulU, anu JHe InOSb piN
will be accepted. The advices of Gen.
Shafter state that the number of Span
| ish prisoners to be between IL, 900 and
$4,000.
| Secretary Of War Alger says that the
Porto Rican expedition would go for
ward Immediately. 1t will comprise
new men entirely. The warriors in
the trenches before Santiago have
distinguished themselves, and it is not
deemed prudent to bring them in
unnecessary contact with new troops
in view of the danger of spreading
contagion. The sick soldiers will be
nursed back to health and brought
| to the United States as soon as they
can be safely moved. Immune regi-
ments will be ordered to Santiago to
garrison the town, and two of these
regiments are already under orders TO
proceed. The Porto Rican expedition
will be commanded by Gen. Miles in
person, though Gen. Brooke, now in
command at Camp Thomas, is expected
to be in his main dependence. The
size of the expedition will depend upon
Gen. Miles wishes, although it is
believed that 25, 900 men will be sutti-
icient for the purpose. At San Juan
the navy will be of greater assistance
than it was at Santiago, owing TO the
possibility of approaching the town
more closely without rislxing contact
with mines. The experience gained
in dispatching Skaters expedition, it
is expected, will aid the officials in
their determination to make short
work of the Porto Rican affair. There
will be plenty of transports available
for the expedition. Porto Rico is not
expected to offer very formidable
resistance. It is believed that the
moral effect of the Surrender at San
tiago will be to discourage the de-
tenders at San Juan. There is how
ever, always the prospect that peace
may ensue before hostilities have pro-