Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-09
THE SPANISH PRIVATEER,
Its Presence Indicates the Need for
HarbOr Mines.

The reported appearance of the Spanish
privateer off the northwest coast has
| afforded an opportunity to the engineer
officers to Justify themselves for insisting
| upon the maintenance OF the mines wnicn
now guard all of our navigaple harbors
| While II is realized that these mines are a.
serious interference with trade and public
convenience, it is said TO be still absolutely
necessary TO maintain them until there is
no longer the faintest apprehension enter
tanned of complications with European
| powers that might by any possibility end
IN hostiliues. Therefore the mines are
| likely to remain in place until the end of
the war.
Representative Lewis of Washington was
at the Navy Department today consulting
with the officials regarding the reports of
the operations of Spanish privateers along
The Pacific coast, who are said to be after
the gold-seekers on their way home from
the Yukon country. He saw Assistant Sec
retary Allen, and was informed by him
that the Philadelphia, which might ordi-
narlly be available for scouting duty to
intercept the privateers, was destined Cor
Honolulu, and also that many OF the best
vessels on the coast had been taken by
the government for transport purposes.
take such steps necessary for the
protection of the interests of the people
on the coast.
Future Governor of Santiago.
The statement telegraphed the press
from the army in the field to the effect that
the Cubans under Garcia have undertaken
to designate a governor for Santiago after
1t falls has attracted a good deal of at
tention here. The dispatch went on 20
state that the man chosen for the place
was Colonel Demetrio Castillo OF Garcia's
army, and that General Shafter upon being
notified of the choice had referred the mat
ter to Washington. No such reference has
been made as yet, and the officials here
do not expect for an instant that General
Shafter will make it. If Santiago falls un-
der his attack General Shafter and no one
else will assume command of Santiago and
retain that command as long as he stays
in that vicinity, and until he is relieved by
orders from Washington. 1t is not con-
templated here to turn over captured COM
munities to the Cubans without very care
full consideration of the consequences in
voived not only from the point of moral
obligation upon the United States as a
civilized nation, but also from that of
sOunQ polltlcal CONSIDERATIONS. The reports
that are reiterated of the attitude of the
Cubans toward Spanish who surrender
near Santiago have caused a great deal of
disquiet here, and 1t is believed that our
military and naval commanders will be
expected to see to 1t that the Cubans are
held to the strictest observance OF the
rules of civilized warfare under pain of be-
ing severely dealt with.
Feeding the Destitute.
The authorities are now concerning them
selves seriously with the great problem of
feeding the destitute population Of Santi-
ago soon as 1t capitulates, as well as
the Spanish prisoners of war who may
surrender. 1t has been extremely diff
cult, shown by General Skaters re-
ports, to supply the American troops with
what they need. and. of course, the diff
Guilty will be increased enormously by this
large addition of hungry mouths. More
over, it is expected that when the news
of the fall of Santiago sits through the
country "a large part of the destitute popu-
lat:on of the interior will make its way
to that town to secure food. Moreover,
there is always the yellow fever to be
taken into consideration as factor that
may greatly complicate the situation.