Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-08-27

1.-THE Spanlards consider the cession Of
Luzon, their best and most important
island to be a deathblow to their pres
tige and sovereignty in those regions,
and that this would be irretrievably
weakened and crippled by the presence
Of Americans in the heart Of their col
onies.
Commercial equality with the United
States In the archipelagoes would annul
the only advantage and compensation
which they might have expected to
derive for the cost and sacrifices which
have been necessary to maintain their
rule in that region. The separation
of church and state would be more
unpalatable to most Spaniards. and
would create grave difficulties in their
relations with the vatican and the
church. let alone the powerful religious
orders in Spain. which are always dis
posed to side with the pretender against
the present dynasty
Last. but not least. any pledge to
refrain from ceding any part to the
powers would displease many statesmen
and people of all classes. who are daily
more and more inclined to advocate the
sale of the Spanish archipelago to the
highest bidder. and especially to con-
tinental powers most likely to be in Il
position to arrest the growth Of Amer
lean political and commercial influence
in the far east. Nothing could be better
calculated. than the pretentions attrib-
uted to America. to develop in Spain the
viSlbly growing desire to cede all con-
nection with the Philippines. and thus
oblige the United States government to
assume the burden Of responsibilities
of their government which would likely
create a conflict with European powers
and tending, in any case. to entail for
the United States more trouble and sac
ritces in men and money even than the
occupation and pacfcation of Cuba
Even the lower and middle classes seem
to think this and thus in both directions
Spain would amply make America pay
for the wrongs inflicted"
New York, Aug. 25.-The following re-
port from General Garcia has peen re-
viewed by the Cuban junta, being dated
Gibara, Aug. 3: ION the 18th Of July
l held the last conference with the
American, General Shafter. He in
formed me that the American troops
had captured Santiago de Cuba. Aware
that my troops were no longer needed
in that vicinity. while they were needed
very much in other places still occupied
by the enemy. l so informed General
Shafter. He asked me to delay my de-
parture two or three days. which did.
starting on the goth toward IIolsuin h.:
way of Jiguani. am at present with
my general headquarters in the town of
Gibara where l arrived on the Goth of
July.
ION the Goth. while encamped in San
Pedro Cacocun. l learned that General
I.uque had evacuated this town and that
General Louis de Feria with the troops
under him had occupied it. The Span
ish left in the hospitals over go sick and
wounded. whom l have provided with
town. new municipal authorities hay"
been elected and everything Is working
regularly. The United States steam
snip. Nashville. was in the harbor when
l entered. l requested it's commander
to ask his government to open this port
to foreign commerce. or with the United
States at least. for there is great scar
city of provisions The Spaniards took
everything they could.
General Luque'is in HOlquin with 49,
600 men and "A cannon and l am trying
to force him out, although l can only
count on 1000 men and four cannon
with which to fight him. Volunteers
and guerillas are daily joining; about
1900 have already Joined us. ana If it
continues the Spanish army will soon
be dissolved.
"Mayari, Fray Benito and Jandiaga
are garrisoned by our army. The first
of these towns was evacuated on the
22nd of July, leaving 100 sick and wound
ed, that we are caring for. in the hos
pitfalls. When the Spaniards left May
ari we defeated them. capturing their
convoy. consisting Of 80 rifles. l5O.O0O
Remington and Mauser cartridges. two
cannon with ammunition for them. and
provisions and clothing. They suffered
severe losses, not many arriving at Hol
gum.
Il have received propositions for thu
surrender of Manzanillo under condi-
tons which 1 have refused to accept.
Very soon all of my department will be
free from the dominion Of SPAIN"
New York, Aug. ga special from
Camp Wikoff. Nontauk Point, l.. L., says:
In the camp of the Second Massachu-
setts volunteers, when Secretary of War
Alger paid them visit Tuesday, pa
tn tic incident occurred, one reminding
of the little acts of kindness performed
by President Lincoln In the civil war.
When General Alger got out of the car
rage at the regimental headquarters he
was met by Colonel Clark. The two
shook hands, and then the secretary's
eye began to wander about the camp.
In front of the adjutants tent was a
poor fellow, hardly more than a boy
leaning against standard. probably for
support. His back was turned as the
secretary approached In the carriage.
nut as the head of the war department
bis eye caught glimpse of leaden
cheek and stubby beard. The man
had on worn uniform and was hatless.
Beside him facing the secretary was
another man. older and in civilian
clothes. There was no hesitation on the
part Of the secretary. Evidently here
vas case he wanted to investigate him
self.
Dropping Colonel Clark's hand, Sec
rotary Alger spoke to the hatless man.
Are you SICK my man." asked the sec
rotary, coming up suddenly from be-
hind.
The man turned. and Secretary Alger
saw, perhaps for the first time. the face
of a man upon whom the hardships Of
the Cuban campaign had made great in