The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-09

transmission -Cnited States COnSuf
Hanna, has received information that
the foreign cOnsuls at SanJuan dePOrtO
Rico, the capital of this island, advised
the Spanish authorities to surrender
the island to the American troops. The
Spaniards, however, in reply announced
that they had resolved to fight. There
upon the cOnsuls notified the Spanish
commander, Captain Machias, hat
they would establish a neutral zone be-
tween BayamOn and Rio Piedras, in
which to gather the foreign residents
and their portable property, in order
to insure their safety in the event of
a bombardment of the place by the
American forces. The %cOnsuls sent a
similar notification to General Miles.
In spite Of this brave talk, it is under-
stood that the Spanish officers of minor
rank have refused to fight or to imperil
their lives in the defence Of San Juan.
Colonel San Martin, who evacuated
Ponce on the approach Of the American
army of invasion, is reported to have
been tried by cOurtmartial and shot,
and, Colonel PUG, who evacuated
G~uananica when the Americans land
ed committed suicide at UtaudO, on
the road between Adjuntas and Are
cido, on the north coast, yesterday.
general Miles held a conference of
war with his generals today and, then
rode away, going in the direction of
the front.
A battalion of the Eleventh regular
infantry has been sent to reinforce
General Roy Stone. The American ar
my moves Forward in three columns.
The United States transports Massa-
chusetts, which went ashore off the
coast, has been fOated.
Washington, August 6.-Late today
the first news dispatches came to the
war department from General Miles.
Il was as follows:
Ponce, August s.
General Brooke reports ain bri-
gade, Fourth Ohio and Third Indi-
ana, captured Guayamo yesterday.
Slight skirmish with enemy in and
about town. Enemy's strength esti-
mated at about 500; not a~scertained if
any of them regulars; resistance not
strong. Privates John o. COrdner
Ounde below the knee; G. w. Riffee,
botn legs below thigh; T. w. Wolcott,
right foot; none serious; all Fourth
Ohio. One Spaniard kill, two wounded
as far as known. MILES"
General BroOke's advance guard en-
tered Guyana yesterday after a sharp
SkirmiSh in which several on both sides
were wounded. The general advance
was delayed by the grounding of the
transport Massachusetts with General
BrOOke's headquarters aboard h
Massachusetts flOated last night and
will proceed to ARROYO tomorrow. The
caVarly troops will go overland, if
peace is declared. The plans of the
army are to cross the island and they
will probably be unmOlested.
The Spanish force at Guyana, num-
boring 500, were driven back with the
loss of one killed and two wounded. OF
the Americans Privates Gordon, VOL
colt and Reffee, of the Fourth Ohio,
were wounded, none fatally. General
Haines occupies the town.
Major Falgler . while accommodating
near CaOma lOsa night ran into the
enemy's pickets and was fired upon.
Shots were fired but no one was in
jured.
Washington, August 6.-The secre-
tary of the navy tonight made public
the following telegram from Admiral
Sampson:
playa, August 9Th.
Marine battalion is in excellent
health. Sick list numbers 2R per cent.
Fleet surgeons report that they are in
better condition for service in this eli
mate than they were when they first
dIIINtu III JUNE. t1edlJn OF the SQUAD
ron at Guantanamo fairly good. Sick
list number about 8 per cent. General
tone of health of the ships companies
has fallen considerably since July LIST.
This, however, is not due to the preva-
lenCe of any disease. but is probably
due to the release from the strain and
constant effort under which they SO
long lived; and to this, probably, more
than to any other cause, is due their
somewhat impaired physique. I do not
think it necessary to send the marine
battalion north. The crews nave borne
their privatiOns in a manner beyond
praise; those of three ships have not
been ashore for seven months. and
these months in a debilitating climate
"SAMPSON."
Secretary Long stated tonight the
purpose of the department to order
north those ships which are not requir
ed for blockade as soon as the exigen-
cies of the war will permit.
Santiago, August 6.-NOOn.-The
United States transport Gate City sails
this afternoon for Long Island, loaded
with C~avalrymen, and the transports
Miami and Mattawan will leave here
tomorrow. Each vessel will sail indi.
vidually as soon as loaded.
Correspondence of Associated Press)
Santiago de Cuba, July 27.-The dirty
condition of this city, the heaps Of fOu
refuse thart the streets. the
malalOrous alleys and byways. the lacL
of sanitary arrangements and drain.
age of any description are all mat.
tiers that will require remedying if thi:
is to become an American city. L
should be remembered that the week:
of blockade. the fear of bombardment
the scarcity of food and the genera
generalization existing in a besiegeC
town, lave lone much to add to tn,
conditions of filth and poor sanitation
that normally prevail. Extreme meas
ureS will have to be taken to brins
about a proper condition of affairs il
this respect, and it will take man,
months of example n stringent en-
forcement of regulations to bring tn,
people to an observance of what Il
clearly best for their health.
THE ENTERPRISING AMERICAN.
Already the embarrassing American