The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-08-05
SPANISH
POLITICS
Causes Delay in Yielding
to Our Demands.
NO INTENTION TO RESIST,
But Sagasta Must Make a Show Of
of Resistance.
NO INTENTION TO RESIST,
GENERAL WADE'S EXPEDITION.

Preparations Go On Steadily as Though
Peace Proposals Were Never Thought Of.
Navy Department Officials Insist That
the Watson Squadron Will Go to Europe,
Regardless of the Termination of the
War-The Removal of Skaters Troops
Washington, Aug. 5.-There was an
expectation at the state department
that perhaps towards the colse of yes
received from Spain through the French
ambassador in reply to the presidents s
deliverance of Wednesday upon the
subject of peace conditions. This ex-
pectation was based upon the fact that
the terms themselves had not been
modified in any essential point, so that
there was little occasion for pro-
longed discussion by the Spanish cab
met, which was presumed to have thor
oughly considered this matter before
rendering the first reply. However,
1t was perceived from the news dis
patches that the Madrid cabinet meet
Ing had been inconclusive, so 1t was
then presumed nothing definite could
be expected before today at the earliest
There Is a confident belief among
the administration officials that the
Spanish government win accept the
terms laid down by the president, and
that the delay of a day or two in rec
ognizing the inevitable is to be ac-
counted for by reasons of Spanish in
ternal politics, which would not coun-
tenance an unresisting submission
without at least a display of a pur-
pose TO improve the terms. This, how
ever cannot be accomplished, and the
French ambassador who is well aware
of that fact, unquestionably has so
Informed the Spanish government,
though that government has preserved
its record in good form to meet the
criticism of its political opponents by
submitting the counter proposition
submitted by NJ. Cambon TO the presi-
dent.
Meanwhile preparations for the Wade
expedition go on steadily, a number Of
general officers being yesterday or
dered to attach themselves thereto
among them General Randall, who was
assigned only Wednesday to command
the new artillery camp at Montauk
Point. Navy department officials also
insist that no change has been made
in the orders to the Watson squadron.
Indeed, there seems to be now evident
a purpose to dispatch this fine squad
ron to European waters regardless Of
the termination of the war, the idea
being that the splendid display which
will be made by the American ships
will have a beneficial effect in inspiring
respect for our naval strength.
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, of the
Rough Riders has succeeded in hurry
ing the movements of the war depart
ment in fetching Skaters army away
from Santiago, though in his disregard
of the conventionalities he has drawn
upon his head a rather sharp rebuke
from the secretary of war who evil
IDENTIFY regards the course pursued by
Colonel Roosevelt as being calculated
TO injure discipline, though inspired by
the most worthy motives. 1t is only
fair to state that the war depart
ment for some time has been intent
upon removing these troops and II is
not more than a week ago that Cen
eral Shafter was instructed by a special
cablegram to cheer up the soldiers by
publicly informing them of this de-
termination.
1t was rather a question of ways and
means than OF lack OF intention to re-
deem this promise that caused delay.
AS far as the question Of removing the
troops back into the mountains was
concerned (the question which seems
to have precipitated an Indignation
meeting among the American COM
manders at Santiago II is learned that
the medical department made no such
recommendation. All that II had to
say on the subject was that If the
troops must remain near Santiago an
effort should be made to remove them
at once to some healthier camping
ground. Surgeon General Sternberg
agrees thoroughly with the opinion eX-
pressed by the signers of the "round
robin" at Santiago, that men who have
suffered from the severe malarial
fevers of the south Cuban coast, so
far from being immune against attacks
of yellow fever, as has been asserted
in some quarters, are actually in very
much greater danger than those who
have escaped the malaria. Malarial
fever, II is stated, is no more protec-
tion against a subsequent attack OF
yellow fever than would be a case of
measles against smallpox, while the
fearful debility resulting from malarial
fever would certainly tend to make
the victim an especial mark for yellow
Jack.
The department yesterday gave out
a statement Of its resources in the way
OF transports at Santiago and, also, as
an incident, directed attention to the
fact that the troops cannot be with
drawn as a whole until the Spanish
prisoners are disposed of. Otherwise
there Is no certainty that, finding them
selves able to do so, the Spaniards
would overpower their captors repos-
sess themselves of Santiago and thus
lose to the American army the small
foothold in Cuba which it has cost so
much blood and money to secure. 1t
Is, however the expectation that all
Of the American troops will have been
removed from Santiago to the United
States by the end Of this month, and
that is probably the very best that
can be done under the circumstances.