St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-17
GENERAL AUGUST.

While no further information than
that contained in Consul Wildman's
dispatch was received by the admins
aration, 1t was in a measure confirmed
by a brief dispatch from Madrid.
AS soon as the protocol was signed last
Friday afternoon dispatches were sent
TO both Dewey and Merritt via Hong
Kong. On Saturday British steamer
left Hong Kong for Manila bearing the
dispatches from this government. 1t
was expected that they would hardly
reach Manila before decisive measures
against the city had been taken by the
American commanders, but every pos
sible effort was made to insure their
speedy delivery.
If the report of General Augustin be
true, and it's accuracy is not questioned
here, the probabilities are that official
dispatches will be received by the gov
eminent in day or two at least The
flight of General Augustin from Manila
created some amusing comment here.
As one official expressed it: Had he
maintained his position hard as it was
until the arrival of the news of peace,
he would have been a hero, but he fled
and he will now be branded as coward"
Bianco Gets Out.
Havana, Aug. 16.-General Banco has
published the following address to the
inhabitants of Cuba: 1T having been
resolved by the Madrid government to
conclude peace with the United States,
i consider my mission in this country
TIT.
duty. l could not urge upon you n
pacific solution of the existing struggle
when not long ago l advised you to
maintain the war in any event.
1--WE had to accept the struggle at
moment when II was least expected and
under most unfavorable conditions.
Nevertheless we sustained the campaign
with vigor, and our army has already
lot the invaders feel the weight of our
arms. was willing, at the head of the
array. to continue disputing inch by
inch the land which with such valor and
at the cost of so mush blood we were
defending.
Since the nations government, which
is surely inspired by the great interests
of patriotism and desire also to as
sure your proper interests and those Of
the other colony, believes the moment
has arrived to make peace, it is our
duty faithfully to second her in her
purposes; but 1t cannot be that am the
one called upon to perform political
duty which does not agree with my for
mer declarations, with my acts and with
my convictions.
Il see myself obliged to leave you at
the present painful and difficult mo-
ment. Nevertheless l will not do 1t
without advising you to maintain the
calmness and prudence so necessary
TO save the legitimate interests of Spain
and Cuba, which represent the fruit OF
your labors; and thus l think l have
rendered my last and most disinterested
service to Cuba, to her inhabitants and
especially to the city of Havana"
Military Measure Adopted.
Washington, Aug. 16.-The secretary
OF the treasury has sent the following
kilograms to all collectors of customs:
Vessels may clear to ports in Cuba and
Porto Rico subject to the laws and regu-
lations in force relating to clearances,
except that vessels of the United States
only will be cleared for the transporta-
ton of merchandise in the trade between
The United States and Porto Rico"
Although this order had the effect OF
making our coastwise trade laws APP
plicable to Porto Rico. as American mer-
chant vessels only are permitted to clear
Tor the island, the fact is that Porto Rico
is not yet regarded as a part of the
United States and the order IS a military
measure which may be modified or re-
voked by the president at will The
constitution provides that "all duties,
imports and excuses, shall be uniform
throughout the United States" and
therefore when Porto Rico becomes a
recognized part Of the United States our
customs laws must apply to that coun-
try; hence the distinction.
A question which may become trouble