The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-05


The conditions on these boats were
found 10 be so shocking as TO demand
an immediate official investigation,
which was begun today and some court
martials may be looked for in high
places, unless ii can be shown clearly
that the lack Of preparations was un-
avoidable. Major General Young
called at the war department today
fresh from the front where his health
broke down under the severe hardships
he was subjected to in Cuba
FIRE-PROOF WOOD FOR WAR
SHIPS.
Fire-proof wood is again in full voice
in the navy, Secretary Long having
today issued an order requiring its use
for decks of battleships and monitors,
the only place from which it had been
excluded by preceding orders on ac-
count of some commanders reports of
dampnesS. The secretary has decided
that the battle of July 3rd has re-
moved any doubt as TO the importance
of protecting warships from fire by the
best means in reach. So he will appoint
a commission to consist of a line officer,
a naval constructor and a chemist, to
examine reports coming from officers
commanding ships fitted with fire-proof
wood, especially those who were pres
ent in the battle where the Spanish
ships were burned and he has instruct
ed the construction bureau to gather
all the informationn possible of this
kind for submission to the board.
WATSON'S SQUADRON.
Secretary Long stated this afternoon
that no change had been made in the
orders as to Watsons squadron so
that if the Brooklyn is to be attached
thereto that fact is not known at the
department. 1t is much more likely
that the Brooklyn is coming north, as
it was reported to the department
a long time ago that she was the first
vessel of the squadron to need over
hauling and cleaning.
CUBAN POLITICAL PRISONERS
RELEASED.
The war department has posted the
following telegram from General Shaf-
ter, dated Santiago de Cuba, August =.
All political prisoners have been i'm
mediately released as soon as we reach
ed them. Have not heard from Guam
tanamO, but General Ewers went there
three days ago to receive the surrender
of arms and political prisoners. They
were undoubtedly released on his ar
rival"
EASTERN TROOPS FOR THE PHIL
IPPfNES
Although the war department Off
GERS admit that they have no intention
of reinforcing further General Merits
forces at Cavite, there is reason to be-
lieVe that some Of the troops now in
eastern camps who desire to see active
service will soon find the opportunity,
unless the government shall change it's
present plans with respect to the Phil
ippines. 1t is believed to be necessary
even if our claim is limited to the
terms stated in the conditions submit
ted to Spain; Namely, to the military
occupation and government of the ter
ritOry on the shores of the bay of Ma
Mia, to furnish to General Merritt a
larger force than he now has at his
command. 1t is realized that 10000
soldiers can scarcely be expected to
maintain United States possession and
protect the inhabitants over a territory
Of this extent, for it must be remem-
bered that the bay of Manila is twenty
miles long from the entrance at Cor
regidOr island to the city of Manila at
it's head. 1t will also be necessary to
possess and protect a zone extending
some distance back from the city in
order to make sure of the preservation
of the WaterwOrks. OF course, a con-
siderable force would not be necessary
If the insurgents under Aguinaldo could
be brought to realize that their inter-
ests lie in permitting undisputed pos
session of this territory by the United
States; but it would be expecting too
much of the native character to keep
before the eyes of the insurgents the
rich loot to be had in Manila without
an adequate force to protect the place.
Then with the growing heat and damp
ness it is to be expected that illness
will develop among the troops; not to
the extent that it appeared at Santiago,
but sufficient to require some of the
men to be invalided home and their
places to be taken by fresh troops from
the United States.
At present the large majority of
General Merits force is composed of
troops drawn from the Pacific or far
Wcs terp states. 1t is presumed that if
he sEall be reinforced, the eastern
troops will be given opportunity to
make the long voyage to Manila, as
this would be in accord with the policy
that the war department has now
adopted in taking geographical consid-
erations into account in alloting the
troops for active service at the front.
Washington, August 3.-After a con-
ference on the peace question, lasting
for just an hour this afternoon. be-
tween the president and NJ. Cambon,
the French ambassador, the latter,
acting as the representative of Spain,
Secretary Day emerged from the
White house and announced that to-
days conference was not conclusive;
wherefore the parties had agreed to
saj nothing publicly as to what occur
red. The secretary did not appear TO
be discouraged as he made this state
ment, though he admitted that no
time had been set for. another confer
ence. From this it is gathered that
the long expected answer of the Span
ish government to the presidents note
upon being received had turned out
to be just as it was expected-either
a counter-prOposition or a request for
a fuller statement in detail upon some
of the heads of the presidents notes.
Up to the middle OF the afternoon
it was stated by all parties concerned
that the Spanish answer had not been
received; that the only formal note
that had come to hand was one from
the Madrid cabinet to NJ. Cambon,
asking for information upon some
POINTS that were not clear to the Span
ish mind. However. just after 3 o'clock
the secretary of the French embassy,
NJ. Thiebaut, called at the state de-