Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-08-06


the authorities being virtually com.
PEELED to bury them. The entire island
is under Captain General Blanco's gov
eminent.
The residents declare they have never
seen a steamer pass in since the war
began: only few 81 ps and schooners.
This statement has been verified by in
formation which came by the Bancroft
and the Eagle. from an insurgent camp
visited by their commander near by.
The Americans were told that nothing
had attempted to get in since the Eagle
sank the Santo Domingo. There is
reason to believe, however, that the
Villa Verde managed to elude the block
ade sometime ago.
The insurgents in the province OF
Pinar Del Rio are well supplied with
arms and ammunition, thanks to many
successful filibustering expeditions.
They are now little troubled by the
Spanish forces, which are being called
rapidly to Havana from every quarter.
Where two months ago there were large
Spanish garrisons now there are only
a few men and these make no attempt
to pursue the insurgents as they for
merly did, contenting themselves with
simply remaining at their posts.
The blockade of the ports west of the
Isle of Pines is SO we'll maintained that
not even a smack could get through.
yla hot lal VIM tho
Isle of Pines the Bancroft's launch had
apparently scored another victory.
as 1t was then towing out schooner
from shore about eight miles away.
Captain Sutherland Of the Eagle is
confident that the two Pinch guns
which were in the hold of the Santo Do
mingo when she was struck by his little
yacht can be saved, and he thinks
wreckers should be sent down for them.
When the Spanish steamer sank these
guns dropped to the bottom and so long
as the air does not reach them, they
can be saved. One of our blockading
ships sights the wreck of the Santo
Domingo every II hours to prevent any
attempt on the part Of the enemy to
get the guns.
There Is much interest here as to the
decision the prize court will reach in the
case Of the Santo Domingo, which with
her guns and her enormous cargo of
food, was valued at close upon 81 900 900.
Had the Eagle succeeded in taking her
unframed, there would have been no
question as to the legality of making her
No, in had m
board two 5-inch guns, mounted primed
and trained, and 144 men, while the
Eagle, with a battery of only 6-poundcrs
and only about score of men, could not
afford to take the desperate chance of
the big ship escaping and getting her
guns to Havana. SO. for what are
called military reasons the Santo
Domingo was destroyed. After her de-
struction, however the Eagles mon
boarded her. and took formal possession
Of her as prize of war. Herein lies
nice question for the determination OF
the courts.
Washington, Aug. Am interesting
question and one of vital Importance to
the administration is the attitude to be
assumed by the United States towards
the Philippine insurgents in the event
that we reach an agreement for the sus-
pension of hOstilities. 1t Is stipulated in
our peace terms that the United States
military forces shall occupy and establish
a military form of government over the
city Of Manila and the bay with the sur
rounding territory. This involves an i'm
mediate surrender of the Spanish forces,
not to AguinaldO, but to Gen. Merritt,
and there is some apprehension that the
insurgents will resent this very bitterly,
and that 1t will be necessary to expel
them forcibly from the territory de-
scribed.
Beyond this, 1t is said in some quarters
that pending the decision Of the peace
commissioners as to the future of the
Philippines. the United States will be
morally bound to maintain the sta tus
quo in the islands at large. In other
words, having deprived Spain Of the
means of resisting the onslaughts of the
insurgents, it has been urged that the
United States would be bound to prevent
the latter from continuing their warfare
Key West, Aug. 4.-Another Jackie
has achieved the reputation of a hero
He is Boatswain's Mate Nevis Of the
Bancroft, and the tale of his valor Is not
unmixed with humOr. One day late last
week the Bancroft, accompanied by the
Eagle, which had been covering the
blockading station around the Isle of
Pines. sighted Spanish schooner in
Sir,rrou Tho Tlor CT ~,
launch. in charge of Nevis and one sea
man, each armed with a rifle. was sent
in to take the schooner. This was only a
task of minutes, and the launch returned
with the prize, which proved to be the
NitO, little more than smack, and with
no cargo. Her captain was an Ameri-
can. and with him were his Cuban wife
and seven children. all vowing loyalty to
the Cuban cause. They pleaded poverty
and that the Nito was their only means
of livelihood.
Commander Glover Of the Bancroft
promised to return her at the proper
time. Meanwhile he sent Nevis in with
her to anchor near the wreck Of the
Spanish transatlantic liner San Do.
TllHSd, SANK ny tHe Eagle rev weeks
ago. Then the Bancroft and Eagle
| cruised off to Mangle point, where they
happened to be put in communica tior
with the insurgent camp. Two hours
later they returned. For time nothing
could be seen of the launch or the prize
suddenly Commander Glover, who was
scanning the waters with his glass
shouted to Captain Sutherland of the
Eagle: by heavens, they have recap
tured my prize" The little schooner la
near the wrecked stea mer. but the Span
ish flag was flying from her mast. and
instead of only Nevis and his cOmpa MON
she was apparently filed with men.
Meanwhile the gunboat Maple hat
drawn up. and Commander Glover or
dered her into the work of rescue. With
| guns ready she steamed toward tn,
schooner. opt the sight that greeted he
| was not what was expected. Nevis anC
| his companion sat on one end Of the
boat attempting to navigate her out o
the harbor. Each had his rifle across hi.
knee and was keeping wary eye on