Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-07-13
cAMARAs FLEET RETURN
And is Very Suggestive OF
Spain's Preparation TO Save
It's Fractured Honor, which ~ About
All tlias Left TO Administer Upon
The Spanish Are in Desperate
Plight af Santiago.

Washington, July 7.--There was
a continuation of peace talk today,
and other evidences in this line than
those of yesterday are coming to
the surface. Such, for instance,
was the confirmation by the state
department of the report that the
Cadiz fleet was returning to Spain.
Since it is scarcely conceivable that
the Spanish government would
doom this last remnant Of their
fleet to destruction at the hands of
Watson's squadron, which, in all
probability, could head it before it
reached Cadiz, its home port, there
fore, the assumption is that the
Spanish government calculates that
at least an armistice precedent to
peace will be obtained before the
ships reach Spain.
An unusually definite report was
In circulation that the United States
had been sounded in the interest of
peace by the British ambassador,
but when it was brought to Am
bassador Julian Pauncefote's atten-
ton, Ne authorized an explicit de-
nial, and said that he had not COM
muuicated with the government in
any way regarding the termination
of the war.
Conditions at Santiago also are
regarded as favorable just now, &C
cording to General Shafter's dis
patch received during The forenoon.
Nothing came from him during the
day, but the impression prevails
that the Spaniards are in desper-
ate plight within the lines of the
city, and General Skaters action
in allowing Linares to communicate
freely with Madrid is an implication
that there is at least a reasonable
hope that the Spanish general con-
templates a surrender.
PREPARING FOR THE LAST STROKE.
However that may be, every
preparation is making for great
engagement, the final one at San
tiago, it is hoped, which may begin
even as early as tomorrow if Shat
ler's reinfoIcements are on hand.
The department has not heard so
far Of the arrival Of these soldiers,
but believes they have reached
Shafter. The greatest difficulty
that has been encountered IS in the
landing of the troops and supplies.
This being the hurricane season,
and the wind setting straight on
the southern coast, the masters OF
the transports have become alarmed
and taken their ships many miles
out to sea, necessitating long jour
neys by the ships boats, which
make their landing through the
surf with the greatest difficulty and
danger. So slow and tedious has
been the service that Secretary Al
ger has ordered General Shafter to
seize the transports, one and all,
and place them as near TIE coast as
he choo5es, without regard TO the
fears Of their masters. Ten days
ago lighters were started down from
Mobile and Tampa but so far Cen
eral Shafter has received only one.
These lighters have been a night
mare to the department ever since
The captains tie up in creeks at the
slightest sign Of bad weather,
while the charter rate of 500 a
day runs or. Orders have been
sent forward 10 terminate this state
of things, even if it is necessary to
lose few lighters in the effort to
reach Shafter.
THE DISPOSITION OF CERVERA.
TIE government has not yet de-
cided how to dispose Of Admiral