Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-03
ANSWER DELAYED.
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Some reports which have been re-
ceiyed from Porto Rico. but which for
political reasons cannot be made pub
lie. have given great satisfaction to
the officials of the war department,
since they so to show that the re-
sistance which can be made by the
Spanish troops will be very little and
II Is even possible that Gen. Miles will
achieve an almost bloodless victory.
In fact it has been suggested with
some FEASIBILITY that the Madrid gov
eminent realizing the impendency Of
peace, and the lack of loyalty toward
the monarchy of the mass of Porto
Ricans, has allowed the Spanish gar
rison of the island to understand that
they are not expected to sacrifice their
lives in useless resistance to superior
forces.
On. Skaters health reports, today.
state that he is now caring for over
5000 sick people. including Spanish sol
diers. many of whom were found TO be
very i'll. The task is formidable one
and the attempt to care for all hands
probably explains in measure the
lack of adequate preparation for the
transports employed to bring home
of the wounded and sick.
The conditions on these boats were
found to be SO shocking as to demand
an immediate official investigation
which was begun, today, and SOM
court martials may be looked for in
high places unless it can be shown
clearly that the lack of preparations
was unavoidable
Major General Young called at the
war department, today, fresh from the
front, where his health broke down
under the severe exertions imposed by
the campaign. He spent some time
with Secretary Alger. as did Major
General Wade, who has not yet been
able to perfect the arrangements for his
expedition to Porto Rico
For transportation Of troops the wal
department. is making an effort to Sc
cure the American liners Harvard and
Yale. now in the charter of the navy
department and it is believd that the
effort has succeeded.
AS to the other liners, the St. Pau
and the St. Louis, the navy department
has not yet received a decision, though
in view of the Presidents desire tc
curtail war expenditures wherever
possible it is expected that they, too
will be surrendered by the navy de
partment in the course of few days
In this case four of the naval cap.
namely. Sigsbee of the St. Paul Wist
of the Yale Goodrich of the st. Louis
and Cotton of the Harvard. for ever
If the vessels were used as army trans
ports, the law would not permit nava
officers to command them.
Fire proof wood is again in full favo
in the navy, Secretary Long having
today. issued an order requiring its us
for decks of battleships and monitors
the only place from which it had beef
excluded by preceding orders on ac
count of some commanders report o
dampness.
The secretary has decided that tn
battle of July 3 has removed any doub
as to the importance of protecting war
ships from fire by the best means with
in reach.
So he will appoint a board to consis
of line officer. a naval constructo
and chemist to examine reports com
ing from officers commanding ships fit
ted with fire proof wood. especial
those who were present in the battl
where the Spanish ships We're burne
and he has instructed the constructio
bureau to gather all the nformato
possible of this kind for submission /
the board.
Secretary Long stated. this Afternoon
that no change had been made in tn
orders as to Watson's squadron, &
that if the Brooklyn is to be attache
thereto, that fact is not known to tn
department. 1t is much more likcl
that the Brooklyn is coming North, Il
it was reported to the department
long time ago that she was the fir,
vessel of the squadron to need ovel
hauling and cleaning
THE CAUSE OF IT.