Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-29

Madrid papers fairly reflect the
views of the mass of the Spanish
people, then it seems probable that
the difficulties that will lie before
the administration in accomplishing
peace would be rather internal than
external, and will be based upon
the preparation of a treaty that
shall secure the ratification of the
United States Senate 1t may be
pointed out in this connection that
if we are really as near to peace as
many people suppose, it will be-
come necessary to issue a call for
an extra session of the Senate to
act upon the peace treaty with all
of the promptness that the i'm
portance of the subject demands.
Secretary Alger is deeply con-
cerned over the welfare of the gal
liant troops under Skaters COM
mand, now stationed on the out
skirts of Santiago. The health re-
port shows a surprisingly large
number Of cases of sickness, but
army surgeons authorize the state
ment that these figures are mis-
leading, in a certain sense, and
that the situation may not be near
ly SO bad as they would seem to
indicate. The slightest ailment Of
the most temporary nature serves
to place a soldiers name on the
sick reports, which, in their pres
ent shape, would not distinguish
between such a case and one of
mortal illness. Notwithstanding
this mitigating fact, Secretary AL
ger is going to remove the soldiers
at the very earliest opportunity
to a more healthful cline. The
surgeon general, under the direc-
ton of the secretary, q few days
ago inspected tract of land adj
JOIAilh NlOIIduh L VIII, Il. l., DS-
longing to the Long Island Rail-
road Company, which had been Of
fered to the government as suitable
for large encampment. The tract
is three miles square, contains an
abundance of fresh water, a con-
siderable lake, a hill $50 feet in
height and many other sanitary adj
vantages, including salt water
bathing. The necessary orders
to equip this as camping ground
will go forward Immediately, and
every advantage will be taken Of
the experience gained in the for
nation of the great camps at
Chickamauga and Camp Alger, to
make the conditions as comforta-
BILE as possible for the battle-scar-
red veterans of Skaters army.
The time for their removal is left
to General Shafter, the only limi-
tation placed upon him being that
he shall not delay the homeward
sailing of his troops beyond the
moment when it shall be safe for
them to leave Santiago, having re-
gard to the fever conditions. Mean
while, details are being made of
troops to supply the force that
shall garrison Santiago SO long as
it shall be necessary to continue
troops there. This force will be
made up almost altogether of i'm
munes.
No word came from Gen. Miles
to-day, and the War Department
presumes that he is pursuing his
advance across the island Of Porto
Rico towards San Juan. They at
tach little credence to the Spanish
account of battle at Yauco, rest
ing confident in the belief that
when the facts are known it will be
found that this was a victory of
the usual Spanish type, resulting
in the complete achievement of
the object of the American COM
manders. Considerable reinforce
ments are now arriving to support
Miles and before the week is over
the campaign there will be in full
swing.