Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-02
War Notes,

"a AsotCSs
1t is reported to the War Depart
ment that the sick list at Porto Rico
has increased to ratio Of ten to one.
Typhoid is not on the increase, how
ever, but dysentery, backbone fever
and malarial diseases grow in virulence
as the rainy season approaches.
The surgeon in charge OF the division
hospital at the Preside, Cal, says that
since the removal OF the troops to
Camp Merriam, the health of the men
has steadily improved. The number
on the sick-list at Camp Merritt was
261 at the time of removal. In the
new quarters it has fell to 49,
The relations existing between the
Americans and Philippines is reported
as somewhat strained from collision
, Of forces at Cavitc, on the 9th. The
insurgent general has been ordered to
evacute the city and remove his forces
two miles into the country to prevent
further disturbances.
Carnegie, the "plutOcrat," suggests
in the London Times, the exchange Of
the Philippine Islands for the British
West Indies, and that England and
the Cnilcd States i'm making the ex-
change, reserve II coaling station in
each, and that one open door be pre-
served for both by treaty. Such II
project. says Mr.. Carnegie, "would
naturally he dependent upon the as
sent of both populations, but this as
sent seems probable"
Senator Davis, Chairman OF the
Foreign Relations Committee, saws
this country should not encourage the
people of jamaica to break away from
England for the purpose of annexa-
ton to the United States. Mr.. Davis
says this stand should be assumed on
account of the friendly relations he
tween England and America. He
intimateS, however. that if England
signifies her willingness to give up
Jamaica it may be to our interest to
take it.
1t Is thought that soon as the seal
of silence is removed from the lips of
the residents of Havana, it will he
discovered who fired the train which
blew up the Maine Gen. Lee expresses
this belief, after Il review Of the
evidence he collected while in Havana.
The refusal of Captain-General Blanco
to serve on the peace commission and
his apparent desire to get away from
that city is taken rs an indication that
he fears that there will be an exposure
and he does not want to be around
when it is made.
The War Department is in guam
Diary over the situation which con-
fronts them regarding the chartered
auxiliary cruisers. 1t is under a con-
tract to pay 5000 day for each of
them since the middle of August, and
as all the government ship yards are
with work and it is i'm
possible for the Cramps to undertake
the task for some time to come, the
work of re-conversion, to place them
in order to resume their service as lin |
ers, is necessarily delayed. 1t is esti-
mated that the cost of these vessels
will foot up $2,OO0,OOO for charter
since they entered service and $780,
)OO for changes and repairs.
Capt. Clark, lately of the battleship
Oregon, says that the Spanish mana
gers OF the war made q great mistake
II ordering Cervcra to leave Santiago
larbor. He said: "Cervcra should
nave stayed in Santiago harbor forever,
'ather than come out the way he did
The fleet was a fortress. With his
guns he could have driven the United
States army away from shore until
uch time as it could mount 1O-inch
,uns to sink his ships. He was mas
er of the situation and should have
lung on until every last member of
he ships crews died of absolute star
'ation. Then would he have been a
cal hero-an eternal figure in history"