Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-11
SPAIN
SILENT
Nothing Received SO Far
on MCkinley's Deliver
anCe Wednesday.
But Madrid's Submission
But Madrid's Submission
Eventually Is Confi-
IDENTIFY Expected.
No Change in Orders to
Commodore WatsOn's
Squadron.

Washington, Aug. 5.-There was
some expectation at the state de-
partment Thursday that perhaps
towards the close Of the afternoon
some word might be received from
Spain through the French ambassa-
cor in reply to the presidents de-
liverance Wednesday upon the sub
ject of peace conditions. However, it
was perceived from the news dis
patches that the Madrid cabinet meet
ing had been inconclusive, SO it was
then presumed that nothing definite
could be expected before this noon at
the earliest. There is a confident be-
lief among the administration of
ficials that the Spanish government
will accept the terms laid down by
the president that a delay of day
CT two in recognizing the inevitable
is to be accounted for by reason Of
the present unsettled condition OF
Spanish internal politics, which
would not countenance unresisting
submission without at least display
of a purpose to improve the terms.
This, however, cannot be accomplished
and the French ambassador, who is
well aware of that fact, unquestioa-
ably has so informed the Spanish
government.
Meanwhile the preparations for
Gen. Wade's expedition go on steadily,
a number of general officers being
Thursday ordered to attach them
selves thereto, among them Gen.
Randall, who was assigned only the
day before to command the new mil
itary camp at Montauk Point, L. |.
The navy department officials also
insist that no change has been made
in the orders to Watson's squadron.
Indeed there seems to be now an evil
dent purpose to dispatch this fine
squadron to European waters regard
less of the termination of the war,
the idea being that splendid display
by the American ships will have a
beneficial effect in inspiring respect
for our naval strength.
Col 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 conventionalities he has drawn up
on his head rather a sharp rebuke
from the secretary of war, who evil
IDENTIFY regards the course pursued by
Col. Roosevelt as being calculated to
injure discipline, though inspired by
most worthy motives. AS far as the
question of removing the troops back
into the mountains is concerned it is
learned that the medical department
here made no such recommendation.
All it 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 health
Ter camping ground. The department
Thursday gave out a statement of its
resources in the way of transports at
Santiago and also, as an incident. d.
rected attention to the fact that the
troops cannot be withdrawn as a whole
until the Spanish prisoners are dis
posed Of. Otherwise, there is no GER
tainty that, finding themselves able to
do so, the Spaniards would not over
power their captors and repossess
themselves of Santiago, thus losing to
the American army the small foothold
in Cuba which has cost so much blood
and money to secure. 1t is, however,
the expectation that all of the Ameri-
can troops will have been removed
from Santiago to the United States by
the end of this month, that is probably
the very best that can be done under
the circumstances
Thursday also passed without news
from Gen. Miles, and in his case the
feels mo news is good |
news" 1t is believed that at the rate
of progress that he is reported to have
been making across the island that the |
general will be at the door Of San |
Juan by the end of next week. No |
very desperate defense of Porto Rico's |
capital is expected.