The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-16

suits in the fall Of Santiago. European
opinion, certainly. IL SIMPSONS course
is to be guided by the friendly advice
of other powers, will find in the striking
success of Skaters army at Santiago
an emphatic confirmation of the hope
lessness of SPANS struggle against the
newly organized and overwhelming
forces of the United States. n as fears
of the inefficiency of the American navy
vanished in the smoke of Dewey's guns
at Manila, so are continental criticisms
Of the amateurishness and ineffective
ness of the American army likely to be
silenced by the splendid triumph OF
Skaters men over obstacles. military
and natural which few armies have
been called on to face and none have
faced with greater spirit and courage.
II Spain is at all in the mood to ac-
knowledge defeat. it is thought here that
to-day's ~capitulation will open the way
for some proposals through a friendly
power for the cessation Of hostilities. III,
however, the succession of national dis
astere, which began at Manila, nave not
yet broken Spanish pride and the pres
ent losing fight is to be continued, spain
is likely to have a fair warning from
European opinion that another SIX
months of warfare will probably see
Porto Rico and the Canaries go the way
of the Philippines, the Ladrones and
Eastern Cuba. and an American army
slowly but surely lighting its way 10 the
| gates of Havana. The announcement OF
the successful conclusion OF the siege
evoked comparatively little enthusiasm
in strong contrast to the exultation dis-
PLAYED upon the learning of Cerveras
destruction, Dewey's victory OF Hop-
sons heroism.
The officials were gratified that the
suspense was ended. but there was none
OF the tremendous excitement which mas
greeted the arrival of comparatively in
significant good news from the front.
Every one seemed weighed down with
an appreciation of the terrible response
bilities involved in the matter. The full
extent of these responsibilities has not
been definitely determined upon at a
late hour, but the means Tor providing
safe transportation across the ocean for
a large number of prisoners, combined
with ~unfavorable sanitary conditions OF
the conquered territory urgently requir-
ing the prompt removal of most of the
American forces from the sources OF
yellow fever infection constituted a sit
uation of the utmost gravity.
The war department authorities are
unable TO make any positive statement
of the plans they are maturing to solve
the problem.
Secretary Alger is in favor OF charter
ing neutral vessels to carry the prison
ers, unless Spain pledges herself In al
vance to not modest or detain the Ameri-
can transports upon arrival. Many rear
Spain will not consent to an arrange
ment whereby the American vessels car
be used for the prisoners, and In this
case recourse will OF necessity be made
to European ships. The possibility thai
the restrictions of neutrality VIII no
permit the employment OF the vessels
flying the flag of a non-combatant ma
ton will force the United States TO u.s.
its own transports, and in that case tn'
prisoners will be discharged, If permits
sion can be secured, at Lisbon. Portu
gal. and American warships Will con
yoy the expedition to that port, Comma
dore watson's "raiding" squadron beinl
utilized for the purpose.
. The prisoners will probably be EN-
barked inside of Santiago harbor, a
, we'll as Guantanamo, and no effort WI
be spared to get them out of the wa,
: within the next 10 days. In the mean
. time. with their arms and ammunition
: taken from them, only a small Unite
: States force will be required to guar
them and the energies OF the war de
partment will be directed to securin
the speedy removal of most Of the Amer
!, lean forces from Cuban soil.
: 1t is announced that General Mile
: will start for Porto Rico within a weel
. With the presidents approval. he pei
fected all arrangements for his eXpedl
ton to seize the island before he lei
Washington and the plan will now Q
promptly carried into effect. Order
have already been sent to Admire
Sampson to rende General Miles tn
G hearty assistance of the navy In enec
ing a landing at Porto Rico and a nun
L Der of vessels Of the fleet Will start fc
the island at once to Institute an effec'
n i've blockade and reduce the fortincs
lions which might interfere with tn
Decentralization of the military force
1t is almost certain that most of n
artillery of the Fifth corps Will, of NJ
cessity, accompany the Porto Rican e.
petition. as well as a good part OF II
regular infantry, while nearly all of II
x volunteers and the dismounted cavalI
will return home. IT is also determine
hat Major Wilson's division Will en-
" bark for Porto Rico from Atlantic por
: within the next four or Ave lays. tn
division, including the commands
10 Brigadied Generals Ernst and Haine
1t consists of the following volunteer res
10 ments: The Sd and 9Th Illinois, 9th al
st 18th Pennsylvania, End and Sd Wiscol
he sin. LIST and Sd Kentucky and 4th Ohio.
ic Several of the so-called immune res
e. ments have received preliminary orde
y to hold themselves In readiness TO go
d Porto Rico, while the two regiments
New Orleans and Galveston, recruit,
from actual immunes, are to be sent